* Congrats, USF. After beating I-4 rival UCF, 48-31, the Bulls, (10-2) are now ranked in the top 25. It’s the first such national ranking in five years. It’s also the Bulls’ first 10-win season in their history. Go, Bulls.
* After defeating Michigan in double overtime, it looks like Ohio State is now a lock to make college football’s Final Four and could play in the national championship game here on Jan. 9. That shouldn’t be. If you don’t win your own division of your own conference, how do you get to play on–for a national championship?
And, yes, the fact that I’m a Penn State alum–and the Lions beat Ohio State and will play Wisconsin for the Big Ten championship–may have something to do with this take. Go, Lions.
* The Florida Gators will play Alabama on Saturday for the SEC championship. The Gators are 24-point underdogs, an almost unheard of spread in a league championship game. Alabama is that good; Florida is that vulnerable–and a year away.
* Enough of Colin Kaepernick, the conscience of the NFL. The San Francisco quarterback has spoken out and taken a constitutional knee for racial justice. Good. Now quit while you’re ahead, Kaep Crusader. Expounding on contemporary Cuba and Fidel Castro’s legacy is beyond your pay grade.