December is the perfect time to be a sports nut

By David Kassis
The Collegian

For sports fans everywhere, December is an interesting time of the year that provides a little something for everybody.

NFL teams are heading down the home stretch and the playoff picture is starting to piece together.

Baseball teams are throwing ridiculous money around in hopes of improving during the off season. Basketball is just starting to pick up steam. If anyone is paying attention, hockey is being played somewhere out there too. And of course, college football fans in Florida are rejoicing while those in Michigan curse the BCS system.

This weekend, Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith surprised no one by winning the Heisman Trophy.

Next up for Smith and his team is the national championship game against Florida, who leapfrogged Michigan in the standings after the last game of the season to secure a slot in the title game.

It has become an annual tradition to blame the BCS system for screwing up the biggest game of the year, but the truth is that Michigan already had its shot against the Buckeyes this season and lost, and didn’t even win its own division. College football’s postseason will always be flawed until there is a playoff system, but for now, Ohio State vs. Florida should be an exciting contest.

In baseball, it has been just over a month since the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series, and spring training is in the distance, but teams across the country are busy at work preparing for next season. For some teams, this involves throwing hundreds of millions of dollars around like there’s no tomorrow. The leader of the pack when it comes to off season spending are the Chicago Cubs, who are desperately hoping money can change their title drought. So far the “lovable losers” have spent nearly $250 million on three players — Alfonso Soriano, Ted Lilly and Aramis Ramirez.

Even the lowly Kansas City Royals are getting into the spending act, donating $55 million to pitcher Gil Meche, the owner of a career 4.65 ERA. Of course I can’t forget my San Francisco Giants, who are going for one more title shot with 42-year-old Barry Bonds, even at a cost of $16 million. It is a good fit for both parties because Bonds is going to break the all-time home run record at some point next season, and no fans anywhere else in the county cheer for him as much as they do by the Bay, even if he is allegedly enhanced with a needle.

Over on the pro gridiron, teams are emerging as possible Super Bowl contenders. In the AFC, the Colts, Chargers, Patriots and Ravens look strong, not to mention sleeper teams like the Jets and Bengals. Unfortunately, someone in the NFC gets to play in the big game too, even though no one deserves it.

The Bears have a good record and a great defense, but quarterback Rex Grossman is playing like a rookie. Although it pains me to say it, the rejuvenated Cowboys under QB Tony Romo might be the best team in the NFC right now. As for any Raiders fans out there, don’t worry, there is nowhere to go but up.

If you’re a sports fan, winter break can’t come soon enough. When finals are done, forget about tests and term papers for a few weeks, because that time is devoted to bowl games, key NFL match ups, basketball fast breaks, and if there’s time, a little hockey.

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