* If the Cubs don’t defend their World Series championship, there will be no dearth of second guessers. It comes with the territory. But the reality should be obvious: This team is just not as good as last year’s. Specifically, the pitching, especially relief pitchers not named Wade Davis. If anything, the Cubs deserve extra credit for having advanced this far in the post season.
* OK, the USA didn’t qualify for the World Cup for the first time in a generation. Ouch, even if soccer isn’t America’s favorite sport–or even close. But look who did make it: Iceland. Population: 335,000, comparable to Tampa’s. Close enough. We have an adopted team to root for. Go, Cubes.
* The USF Bulls are undefeated, ascendant and now ranked 16th in the nation. USF has–at 11– the longest winning streak in the country, and the national media is well aware that it has scored at least 30 points in 23 straight games. That’s almost unheard of.
What the Bulls haven’t yet done, however, is look impressive for an entire game. The starts have been sputtering, key catalyst Quinton Flowers’ numbers are down and discipline–as manifested by penalties–has been a frustrating issue.
But imagine if they do clean up the sloppy starts, display an offense that looks more like last year’s and reduce dumb penalties. The Bulls could still be special by season’s end. Just don’t look past anybody, starting with Tulane on Saturday in New Orleans. Go, Bulls.
* That was another ugly loss for the University of Florida last week, but it wasn’t, by far, the ugliest part of the Texas A&M defeat. It was those faux-alligator-skin jerseys worn by the home team. Being the “Gators” isn’t reason enough. Not nearly.
UF is part of a pattern–perhaps it’s generational plus Nike marketing–but more and more teams are rolling out unis seemingly more appropriate for NASCAR, trapeze artists or Jackson Pollock fanatics. Mere Day-Glo never looked so tame.