HAPPY SPORTING NEW YEAR AND ON...

Yes, I’ve said it before and yes I’ll say it again. The more things change, the more they stay the same. We ushered in 2023 with a bang in some sports, more of a slight whimper in others. There were some shocking surprises in college football where we watched again as storied programs failed to produce an important win, even if by the slighted of margins. Results in The NFL were somewhat less shocking, again, but disappointing non the less. For many of us in the sporting world it seems our year has come to a close both literally and figuratively. Many of us were proud and many of us were down right angy. Another year of waiting and wondering and watching our teams make changes, draft players, improve rosters. The season is not over yet for alot of fans the best is yet to come but for many of us the end couldn’t come quick enough. It’s like having dental work done, you just want it to be over with.

The College Football Championship game is set. Georgia will play TCU this coming week. For Georgia this doesn’t come as a shock. Undefeated all season they tore through The SEC like a hungry tiger in a chicken coop. TCU however entered the season a 200 to 1 shot for making it to the FBS playoffs and in the end managed to upset Michigan in a barn burner 51-45 in what has been described as the greatest college football upset ever. Not to be outdone of course, Georgia managed to pull off their own win when a potential game winning field goal by Ohio State sailed left of the goal posts with time expired. Michigan under Jim Harbaugh has now lost 6 straight bowl games. It may be time for a change in Anne Arbor. Meanwhile about 100,000 Ohio State fans are still reeling from a loss that was snatched from the jaws of victory. It’s been one heck of a college football season. There’s been many ups and downs, great games, huge upsets and painful losses and I’ve throughly enjoyed every minute of it. We’re down to the final two teams. For my own personal pick I’m going with The Horned Frogs and the points. Win or loose, TCU vs. Georgia is gonna be a lot more fun to watch then Alabama vs. Clemson right!?!?. Until next year Big Ten fans!

It’s difficult to discuss my feelings about the NFL season right now. I’m just a bit disappointed personally because my team has not lived up to expectations. Actually I’m very disappointed. For many teams a season that should have been has not transpired. For other teams it was a season that has been a pleasant surprise and may very well continue into the post season playoffs. It’s been a long 16 weeks of triumphs and heartbreak. I’m going to try and stay positive at least until the final gun has sounded. Please bear with me.

The events we all witnessed on Monday Night Football surrounding the injury to Damar Hamlin put the entire season into a new perspective for literally millions of us. Watching his injury unfold on live television was painful to witness and my prayers go out to him and his family and loved ones. It is again a constant reminder of how fragile life is for us and for those that play the games we all enjoy watching. I pray that his recovery be swift and complete. As I write this article on Tuesday evening there is no new news on Damar Hamlin’s condition other then it is serious and he remains hospitalized.

With Monday nights game suspended there remains quite a bit of doubt as to the full playoff picture. As usual in the last weekend of the season there is a virtual spiders nest of combinations that will allow some teams to enter the playoffs and other teams to be left out. What we know presently is that in the AFC, The Bills, The Chiefs, The Bengals The Ravens and The Chargers are in all be it in one form or another. Several teams including the Jaguars, The Dolphins and The Steelers have an outside shot as well depending on who wins, ties or looses. In The NFC,Philadelphia, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Dallas, The New York Giants and Tampa Bay are all in. Seattle, Detroit and Green Bay all have mathematical shots depending on Sunday’s outcome. What all this basically means is that if you sport the colors of the remaining 13 teams in The NFL your season is over.

This weekend The NFL regular season will end with all 32 teams playing. Some are playing to stay alive in the post season. Others are looking to next year and trying to stay healthy. Either way it’s been one heck of a ride leading up to this point. There have been many ups and downs throughout the last 26 weeks with I’m sure more to come. Let’s all sit back and enjoy the ride! Here come the playoffs!!!

Kev