Where we request your radio expertise

Our pal Doug from the boner-popping On 205th Magazine emailed us saying that our Top 5 Mexican Athlete post that we ran on Cinco de Mayo was mentioned and credited on WSCR The Score 670 AM in Chicago late afternoon yesterday (we think).

Anyone who can find audio of this gets a king's ransom which will be in the form of five great porn sites. (Or a link to your site. Or both. Who are we kidding? Maybe we'll even get you a disease-free hooker).

Go to it, sleuths.

My Life is Average

Lot of great websites out there that nobody has really heard of. And my "nobody," I mean "me," because the only non-sports websites I've heard of usually have the suffix XXX or cumonmyface.

One of those sites that I have heard of is Fuck You, Penguin. I don't think PETA would like this site.

Another was found by Jimmy at Hot Clicks yesterday: MyLifeIsAverage.com. It basically has submissions about mundane and average things in someone's life, because, well, most people live average lives.

Here are some to get the ball rolling:

-Today, I thought about taking an alternate route to work but instead took the normal one. My life is average.

-Today, a coworker said, "Have a good one." I said, "Thanks, you too." MLIA.

-Today I ran out of a jar of tomato sauce but found another one in the cupboard. MLIA.

Your MLIA's in the comments as well as other fun sites that nobody's heard of.

Morning Headlines: NBA Lottery

Most mornings, we'll lead off the day with some AM headlines -- but not your traditional ones. Rather we'll focus on one game or story and write headlines that are completely inconsequential and insignificant to the outcome of the game. We'll give a few examples and then you'll play in the comments. Best headline (read: the one that makes us laugh the hardest) will get a shoutout in this space the next day. We'll provide the box score for the game as that can lend itself to plenty of content. Let's have some fun. The more insignificant, the better!

[NBA Lottery].

-Overcoming odds, Oklahoma City gets coveted third pick

-Webber, Love and company enjoy Secaucus, N.J., nightlife

-Majority of teams picking where expected

-Clippers front office: 'The odds were with us'

Your ping-pong ball headlines in the comments.

The 2009 NBA playoffs have seen two of the worst seven-game series ever

I can stretch my arms this high!

This is about as close as we'll get to the NBA Playoffs -- pretty much just to slam them.

Remember the Atlanta-Miami series that finished about two months ago? That seven-game series saw seven lopsided games.

Ending yesterday, the Houston-LA series, which will seem like ancient history by the time the Finals start, saw six of the seven games decided by double-digits. The only game that wasn't was Game 1, which Houston won by eight.

If we cared about the NBA, we would probably analyze how Houston twice beat the Lakers by double digits without Yao and McGrady. An Aaron Brooks-Luis Scola-led team would probably lose 50+ games in the regular season, right?

But hey, two Game 7s! Those series couldn't possibly be bad. Rather, with the NBA, we find the black lining in the silver cloud. Two seven-game series that are just absolute duds. If the NBA playoffs are usually a bane to society, the 2009 edition is responsible for the economic downturn, political turmoil and swine flu.

Fernando Tatis plays shortstop

Fernando Tatis, who once hit two grand slams in one inning, made his first start at shortstop since 1998 Sunday against the Giants. It was only his fourth ever start at the position.

Fernando Tatis is still in the league?!

Boomer Wells: Bear Hunter

Former Yankees pitcher and current TBS broadcaster David Wells seems to enjoy big-game hunting now that he isn't pitching every fifth day.

He went bear hunting in Alaska, shooting a brown and a black bear -- only the black, he says, "is good eating" -- and tent-camping. His postcard: "If you aren't prepared for Alaska, it can eat you up in a heartbeat -- pretty gnarly."

Black bear is not a delicacy in New York, but perhaps in the Wells household. The brown bear, not good for eating, was shot because, "it was fucking with me," he said.

[USA Today]

Professional athletes you know

We got to thinking the other day about the professional athletes we once knew in college. "Knew" meaning more than "brushed shoulders with on campus," "sat next to in Psych 101" or "shouted encouragement to during a game." Like actually talked to. Like they would recognize you. Might know your name. Maybe even have their digits.

Our Top 5:

1. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants pitcher -- interviewed a number of times while working at the college paper. Real cool dude. Once seen practicing the art of robbing a home run while other pitchers lobbed "homers" from the warning track.

2. Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers stud; -- interviewed him a couple of times and partied with him on occasion. Used to tell college girlfriend that banging B-Roy wouldn't be cheating.

3. Nate Robinson, New York Knicks dunk guru / spark plug -- interviewed him once and couldn't understand 98% of what he said. Seemed friendly, funny and cocky all at once. That's a skill. Last encounter with Nate was a drunken night on campus when he stopped my twin brother and me and said, "Hey, you're the guys in the picture hanging in our locker room." YES! WE! ARE! (He was also wearing a San Francisco Giants hat. I nearly came in my pants).

4. Brent Lillibridge, Chicago White Sox utility infielder -- Best interview on the University of Washington baseball team. Never thought he'd make the bigs. Probably why I'm teaching baseball to 3rd graders.

5. Emmanuel Burriss, San Francisco Giants shortstop -- One of our good buds played high school ball with him in D.C. That's sorta like knowing him.

Honorable Mentions:

-Will Conroy, NBA D-League superstar -- Talked to him at bars a few times. Got his digits. Thought about using them. Didn't.

-Bobby Jones, Back-and-forth between NBA bench warmer and D-League contributor -- Possibly the biggest partier on the basketball team. Did not tell college girlfriend that banging Bobby wouldn't be cheating. She came very close to anyway. Also dated the hottest girl on the UW pom squad (the non-dyke-y cheerleaders) who I once danced with at a party and masturbated to like at least 26 times. I have her phone number.

We feel like we've got a pretty good list here. Yes? No? Can this be topped? Anyone friends with a pro? Anyone have a better list than we do? Have at it, wannabee entourage members.

Saving the NHL

The following is written by David Kamoe, a life-long sports fan whose sister is a close friend. David is an avid A's fan, wen to to high school with Drew Gooden and can't believe that Giants commentator Mike Krukow used to refer to the right-centerfield expanse at Pac Bell Park as "Finley Alley," referring to Steve Finley who remarkably wore a Giants uniform for a season. David will likely be stopping by these parts a few times a month, so treat him right. And no sister jokes.

Okay, maybe “saving” is a strong word -- look at it as helping to get the NHL back on ESPN. I mean, John Saunders loves the hockey talk just as much as Barry Melrose’s cream pinstripe suit in HD does.

What follows then is a quick and dirty plan to contract and/or move teams in the NHL to take it from a thirty team league down to twenty-two teams. This is brought on by the chatter around the Phoenix Coyotes nee Winnipeg Jets filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Most people -- including interested buyer Jim Balsillie, chairman of Blackberry/Research in Motion Ltd. -- want to move the Coyotes to Hamilton, ON. As a hockey novice, but a history intermediate and a slight sports purist, I have other ideas.

Firstly, the Coyotes should be returned to the place of their birth: Winnipeg, Manitoba. The next several moves are all entirely too easy as all the following teams would be contracted: Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Atlanta Thrashers, Nashville Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and Minnesota Wild. I understand that the Kings were in the first wave of expansion in 1967, I don’t care. If it weren’t for Gretzky, nobody in L.A. would ever have cared about hockey.

To salve the wound of ripping the Wild from Minnesota, the Northstars will be returned and the Dallas Stars shall cease to exist. The general rule of thumb with NHL expansion should be this: look at the NCCA top 25 hockey standings and try to find a warm weather college. Go ahead. When you do, you can expand there. Along with the Northstars relocating back to Minnesota, the Whalers will be reunited with Hartford, the aforementioned Coyotes with Winnipeg, and the Avalanche to Quebec City.

Additionally, the NHL shall rename the Western and Eastern Conferences the Campbell and Wales Conferences respectively. You must embrace your individuality Gary Bettman. The A’s aren’t ducking the fact they wore Kelly Green, Fort Knox Gold, and Wedding Gown White. Just another Charley Finley strategy; although to be fair Charley O. also thought having a Donkey as a mascot and not paying Catfish Hunter and Reggie to stay was a good idea.

Sorry, back to the point. The most important part of the NHL makeover is getting back on ESPN. Yes, I know that ESPN runs the sports world to the point that it feels like the Red Sox and Yankees are playing every day and the only teams that matter on the West Coast are the Lakers, Dodgers, Angels, Raiders, and 49ers. That’s true. It is also true, however, that as good a job as Versus does, people are not seeking it out unless they're hockey fans. As a result, coverage of the NHL on ESPN is usually limited to ESPN news or an occasional segment with Barry Melrose’s suit (see above). The NHL needs exposure and ESPN can provide it 24/7. All it takes is a phone call and hello again “NHL2night.”

5 Fantasy Baseball players you want to bludgeon with, well, a baseball bat

Two fantasy posts in one week? What are we? Baseball Prospectus? Oh, heavens, no. We have far less credibility, money and stale writing. But yes, two fantasy posts in one week. That's what happens in May when you refuse to touch the NBA Playoffs.

Clearly our fantasy team sucks more dick than a pornstar, so one of these guys is naturally on our team; surprisingly not more. The top five guys who are ruining your fantasy team (stats through Monday):

5. Lance Berkman, OF, Houston, Average Pick 20.4:


Berkman fell to you in the third round and despite taking Grady Sizemore in the first round, you had to take a second outfielder because you went with the best player available. Instead, you have a .184 average, seven homers, and 16 RBI. But cool catch, dude.

4. Josh Hamilton, OF, Texas, Average Pick 9.9:


No alcohol or cocaine jokes here. The .242 average, two homers and 10 RBI are funny enough. More of a laughing matter: Hamilton missed the last two weeks with strained rib cage. (He'll be back any day now).

3. B.J. Upton, OF, Tampa Bay, Average Pick 17.1:


We could easily go the B.J. ain't getting any BJs with a .167 average, no homeruns and three RBI route, but instead we'll suggest he needs the extra BP and maybe a new set of batting gloves.

2. Mark Teixeira, 1B, New York Yankees, Average Pick 12.5:


New contract, new ballpark, new struggles. $180 million now buys a .198 average, seven homers and 17 RBI.

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS, Philadelphia, Average Pick 13.4:


If the umpire had Rollins on his fantasy team like we do, he'd call that pitch a strike. A .195 average, one homer and only one stolen base make Rollins the top bust of the early 2009 season. We spent a first-round pick on him; others did too. And now we want to beat him with a rosin bag.

Your praise, hate-filled disagreement and fantasy angst in the comments, please.

How do you watch an important game?

Had a big discussion a few weeks ago about how to watch a game that really matters. Being a Giants and Washington Huskies fan, I haven't had to worry about where or how to watch an important game because the Giants score less than than the Red Wings and the Huskies no longer play football.

Nonetheless, I have witnessed important games as a sports fan. The Giants played in the World Series in 2002, the Huskies played in multiple NCAA Tournament games and the UW football team went to meaningful bowl games once upon a time.

Having the discussion, it came up that one of my buddies loves to drink during games and wants to watch around others rooting for the same team -- like at a bar. Even if it was Game 7 of the World Series and his team was in it, he would drink and party and try to have a good time.

Not me. If I'm watching a very important game -- let's take Game 6 of the 2002 World Series as an example -- I would (and will) pretty much sequester myself with maybe my dad and brother in a room and watch nervously, quietly and certainly soberly.

If there's a big-time game, I want no distractions. I don't want to be fucked up, I don't want some asshole "fan" jinxing it and I certainly don't want random people interrupting my watching.

There is nothing fun about watching an important game. There is nothing fun about leadoff walks, silly turnovers or terrible fouls. If the team wins, it's a relief more than anything; I can then go have my fun. But the event of watching a tense or important game: not fun. It's just a necessity of my life.

I was a college freshman during the 2002 World Series. I would watch the WS games in my door room with my brother and that's it. I told my roommate that he wasn't allowed in the room. He didn't like that. He secretly wanted to kill me. Closing my door during a precious time to meet new friends was so secondary to watching a very important game the way I prefer to.

Now your turn. How do you watch your team's important games? Locked away by yourself? Surrounded by loyal fans? At a bar? Don't give a fuck as long as you're drinking beer served by waitresses who have no business NOT having sex with you during the game? Please explain your way of life in the comments.

Why your fantasy team sucks

My fantasy team sucks. This isn't going to be a "My Fantasy Team Sucks" post. But my fantasy team fucking sucks. I just picked up Joel Hanrahan because he got a save Saturday and I feel like he might be the difference in me being a bad team and being a mediocre team. My team is that fucking dreadful right now that picking up Joel Hanrahan is warping my mind. I also fear dropping Andy Pettitte because Joel Hanrahan has warped my mind thinking that Andy Pettitte is still a good pitcher.

In the main three fantasy sports, you often have these moments -- much like picking up Joel Hanrahan and feeling good about it -- where you realize down the road that your team is just terrible. Like you can't believe that a knowledgeable sports fan like yourself could possibly draft and manage a team that is this bad. You've hit rock bottom and have become desperate.

To help us all rationalize with a good laugh, here's a list of desperate moves and characteristics of shitty fantasy teams that will put in perspective just how bad your fantasy team really is.

Fantasy Baseball:

-Having a middle reliever in one of your RP slots
-Carrying Tim Wakefield's catcher
-Juan Pierre
-Having an N/A on your roster in hopes he'll help you out later on. (Ed. note: I had Barry Bonds all of last season).
-Trying to trade for Manny Ramirez despite a lengthy suspension. Hey, bargain shopping!
-Juan Pierre
-Having more than one Washington National on your team (Ed. note: I have two).
-Drafting and refusing to drop Mark Prior thinking this is finally the year he gets back to his 2003 form.

Fantasy Football:

-Starting a QB on a bye because Brian Griese would get you negative points
-Playing a second tight end in your TE/WR slot
-Starting a fullback in one of your RB slots
-Drafting Brett Favre this season as a late-round steal
-Carrying two kickers or two defenses
-Thinking this is the year that Denver won't platoon running backs

Fantasy Basketball:

-Starting a backup center who gets blocks; Theo Ratliff was born for this.
-Having a FT% specialist
-For head-to-head leagues: Benching Kobe late in the week to try to win the Turnovers category.

Your characteristics of a shitty fantasy team in the comments, please.

Thirty-four points and a win doesn't make a red tuxedo OK

Nice outfit, kid. That's what Colonel Sanders would look like if he wore a red tuxedo. And didn't have that white beard. And looked more like Aaron Brooks. And was alive and spoke at a press conference.

Why Manny's suspension will help the Dodgers

That headline isn't as crazy as it sounds. The Dodgers could actually benefit from Manny's suspension. Here's why: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

With the $7.7 million Ramirez is forfeiting, the Dodgers will have the money to go get a starting pitcher if things get interesting in the NL West during Manny's absence.

Not that they will.

The Dodgers, sans Ramirez, still have the strongest lineup in the division. By far. Despite being 1-3 since the suspension, the Dodgers have scored five or more runs in three of the four games.

With a 4.5 game lead on the second-place Giants, and 8.5 on everyone else, L.A. will most likely still be in first when Manny returns. And if they are, they'll have $7.7 million they didn't have before, when they were also in first place. Same position in the standings, more money.

Manny's suspension is good for the Dodgers. Fuck.

You know those stupid Snickers ads? Here are some that are slightly less stupid.

From Ramblings of the Unmotivated, via Punte's Twitter, comes some fantastic Photoshop work regarding those stupid as fuck Snickers ads that say shit like Peanutoplis. That shit doesn't even make sense, man. You know how you see monkeys smoking cigars while pounding away at the typewriter in cartoons? Well, those ads weren't written by them. They were written by children who cry on airplanes, unnecessarily long traffic signals and reruns of Laguna Beach.

These ads would be much better in every way. Your favs in the comments.

Morning Headlines: Manny Suspended

Most mornings, we'll lead off the day with some AM headlines -- but not your traditional ones. Rather we'll focus on one game or story and write headlines that are completely inconsequential and insignificant to the outcome of the game. We'll give a few examples and then you'll play in the comments. Best headline (read: the one that makes us laugh the hardest) will get a shoutout in this space the next day. We'll provide the box score for the game as that can lend itself to plenty of content. Let's have some fun. The more insignificant, the better!

[Manny suspended].

-Former Indian out until July for undisclosed reasons

-Torre: 'Ethier will bat third'

-Dodger slugger out of lineup Thursday

Leave your roid-y headlines in the comments.

Sports Hate

The following is written by David Kamoe, a life-long sports fan whose sister is a close friend. David is an avid A's fan, wen to to high school with Drew Gooden and can't believe that Giants commentator Mike Krukow used to refer to the right-centerfield expanse at Pac Bell Park as "Finley Alley," referring to Steve Finley who remarkably wore a Giants uniform for a season. David will likely be stopping by these parts a few times a month, so treat him right. And no sister jokes.

I have always been cautious to say that I “hate” a team or a player. Hate -- I have always thought -- was the singular domain of people or things you truly despised: illegal wars, Republicans, the cast of The Hills, that kind of thing. That being said, reading a recent column by Bill Simmons, I came across the phrase “sports hate.” I felt this phrase allowed me the opportunity to properly classify all the disgusts I’ve ever had with a team, player or group of fans.

I could list out each and every one of these and I would like to think that I would go on forever, but I will try to confine it to one general area: Los Angeles. As a Bay Area native, I have had an almost inborn “sports hate” of Los Angeles. When I was five years old, I watched Kirk Gibson and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the “Bash Brothers” and the 1988 Oakland A’s. Yes, I know that Canseco and McGwire juiced and I’m still angry. My “sports hate” lay dormant in terms of Los Angeles until the “Los Angeles California Angels of Orange County near the 55 and the 5” and the Oakland A’s became rivals starting in 2002.

My “sports hate” for the “Los Angeles California Angels of Orange County near the 55 and the 5” crystallized for me every time I watched Francisco Rodriguez pitch. I “sport hated” every gesticulation he made so much that I not only relished beating him but took to referring to him as a “petulant child.” Any A’s fan who remembers Jason Kendall racing home after Rodriguez got squeezed on a curveball on a Wednesday afternoon at the Coliseum knows what I talking about and is smiling. The other particulars are John Lackey and Darin Erstad but I’ll spare them -- for now.

I’ll end with a fresh wound: the Anaheim Ducks and their fans. I am not an old school San Jose Sharks fan. I don’t remember them coming into the league in 1991 or that they played at the Cow Palace. My early hockey knowledge starts with seeing the back of Toronto Maple Leaf enforcer Wendel Clark’s jersey with a blue “17” and the name “Clark” on the back. In the past year plus, however, I have jumped in with both feet. Watching Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals last year only bolstered this enjoyment. This year, I watched almost every Sharks game and was fully fired up to watch the Sharks dismantle the Ducks. Instead, I watched as Ducks “fans” celebrated goals in the deciding Game 6. As I watched, I seethed with “sports hate.” I refused to believe these people were hockey fans or that they could name the “original 6.” (Toronto, Montreal, Boston, Detroit, Chicago, and the New York Rangers).

This, then is the LA sports “fan” a front-running bunch who know little to nothing about the details. BEAT LA! (And share your sports-hate, ugh, hate in the comments).

Taking "stud" to a new level

The "Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" got us thinking. After a thoroughbred horse is finished with his racing career, he'll often be put out to stud. In other words, to live a long life on a nice farm eating hay and running through a couple hundred mares a year. Mine That Bird is probably looking at a future quite like that. Scratch that, he's a gelding -- and no balls means no stud. Speaking of 50-1 longshots, those are about my chances of getting laid on any given weekend. And I live with my girlfriend.

So why do horses get to have all the fun? I mean, look at the society we live in. Doesn't it just naturally follow that someday soon we'll start putting human athletes out to stud? First on the list? LeBron, of course. Let's face it, dude is a specimen. People would probably pay millions for some of his sperm. How could his kid NOT be a champion?

We've seen this a thousand times -- father and son both amazing athletes -- think about these names: Griffey, Bonds, Hull, Manning. But what if you not only got a great male athlete to be the sire, but a great female athlete to be the dam. Think about Mia Hamm and Nomar, Sheldon Williams and Candace Parker, Misty May and Matt Treanor -- the kids these couples are gonna pop out are bound to be athletes too.

I'm thinking of starting a stud farm for athletes. After they retire I'll have them come stay at a big party house, and then I'll charge people exorbitant sums to let these guys father their children. And if we get the female athletes we'll have thoroughbred people. It will be awesome. Bron Bron, as soon as you're done ballin' give me a call.

Briefly

-A guy at the gym yesterday made the sound of pigs getting slaughtered as he was doing squats. He was wearing a bandanna.

-This list of seven horrific places to drop a deuce is pretty accurate and funny. Not included: shitting in your own apartment while your girlfriend is home.

Top 5 Mexican athletes

Today is Cinco de Mayo, which celebrates the Mexican army's unlikely defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. But you know it better for margaritas and tequila shots. It's also a way to celebrate Mexican heritage and show pictures of Salma Hayek, who is Mexico's gift to the world. Mexico hasn't turned out many successful pro athletes, but there are some, listed here. CINCO DE MAYO!!!!!

Honorable Mention: Eduardo Nájera, forward, New Jersey Nets


Nájera would have made the top-five -- he's only the second Mexican-born NBA player -- yet he averaged 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds this past season. Ain't gonna cut it, Eddie.

5. Jorge Cantú, infielder, Florida Marlins


This Texas-born Mexican-American hit 28 homeruns and drove in 117 runs in his first full season in the majors with Tampa in 2005. He belted 29 homers last season for Florida and has represented Mexico in the WBC in 2006 and in 2009. He once had cool, Captain-Morgan-like facial hair.

4. Adrián Gonzalez, first baseman, San Diego Padres


The first overall pick in the 2000 MLB draft (by the Marlins), Gonzalez has become the best Mexican-American baseball player in the world. He was born in San Diego, but lived in Mexico for 12 years as a kid. He was a 2008 All Star and Gold Glove winner. He also was involved in one of the most lopsided trades in recent memory, with the Rangers trading Gonzalez, pitcher Chris Young and outfielder Terrmel Sledge to the Padres in return for Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka. Worked out really well for Texas. Gonzalez is also known for hitting a double every time he's at bat, especially against the Giants. Despite his .282 lifetime batting average, it's a proven fact that he's doubled every time he's ever been up.

3. Lorena Ochoa, golfer


Ochoa is the No. 1 ranked female golfer in the world. As the first Mexican golfer of either gender to be ranked No. 1, she's considered the best Mexican golfer of all time. This doesn't change the fact that we've never heard of her.

2. Lee Trevino, golfer


Clearly not as highly regarded as Ochoa, but Trevino has faced stiffer competition -- and we'd heard of the guy, dammit. Trevino won six majors (never got that green jacket, though) and has a winning smile. Always thought he was Italian based on the name. Clearly mistaken.

1. Oscar De La Hoya, boxer


The Golden Boy had a 39-6 career record and won 10 world titles in six different weight classes. De La Hoya made nearly $700 million from pay-per-view income having gone to work 45 times in a 17-year career. Sweet deal. He may or may not have a weird fetish.

Your thoughts and Salma pictures in the comments, please.

Big Ten (12?) Up for Grabs in 2011

Ohio State has been the story of the offseason in college football because of their violations that have netted a suspension of five games, minimum, for coach Jim Tressel, quarterback Terrelle Pryor and a few others. The Buckeyes have won the Big Ten title for six straight years, either outright or shared, but now they’re in a hole and that means the league championship is up in the air. It should be a wild year in the Big Ten.

The Buckeyes shared last year’s title with Michigan State and Wisconsin, and both of these teams should be in the hunt once again. But those who bet on college football predictions at BetUs will also put Nebraska into the mix as the Cornhuskers finished first in the Big 12 North last year and narrowly lost to Oklahoma in the conference title game, which would have sent them to the Fiesta Bowl. Michigan and Penn State look to improve after lackluster seasons, especially the Wolverines, who have the most explosive player in the conference in quarterback Denard Robinson. Illinois, Purdue, Northwestern and Indiana are also in the hunt, but they’ll probably bring up the rear.

This means we could have another three-way tie atop the Big Ten, and Ohio State may not be any of them as they have to figure out how to overcome the loss of their coach and offensive leader, and we wouldn’t expect the Buckeyes to be challenging for the conference title. It’s not clear whether or not there will be a team who can compete for the national championship, but if you can manage to get through the Big Ten with a perfect record, you have an excellent chance of winning a spot in the BCS championship game, which the Buckeyes proved in 2006 and 2007, when they got romped by Florida and LSU in consecutive years. Nebraska moved out of the Big 12 in order to get a better shot to reach the title game, and with Ohio State likely on the downslide, the Cornhuskers may have the best chance in what will be a wide-open Big Ten.