The National Championship - A Running Diary

'Bama v LSU Redux? Sounds like a great time for a live blog. Remember, this "running diary" will chronicle the National Title game, but will also include a wide variety of quick hits and insights. I hope you enjoy:

8:16pm - Welcome to the POV's live breakdown of the National Championship Game. If this game is half as entertaining, close, and hard fought as the first LSU - Alabama match up was you'll be very pleased with the results of this blog. Otherwise, I might just stop half way through. Either way I do have some bad news: I'm most likely unable to do my fourth annual Super Bowl live blog due to working obligations. In light of this, please accept my apologies, and take this live blog in its' place. If I find a way to not work the Super Bowl, you'll just have to suck it up and get a two for one.

8:19pm - I think the guy singing the national anthem should have started half a key lower. He sounds like he is dying. In other news, IU is number eight in the coaches poll and number seven in the AP. My mind is blown. For the record, I don't think they'll finish the year in the top ten heading into the NCAA tourney, but they did do what they needed to do in a brutal opening to the Big Ten season. Playing three top twenty teams to open conference play is tough, but IU held serve, winning both home games (including against then #2 Ohio State), and losing at Michigan State. They then went on the road and beat Penn State. Now, this might seem like a "well they should have game," but you can never assume anything on the road in the Big Ten.

8:22pm - My playoff picks were off to a great start heading into the Denver - Pittsburgh game ... then I got Tebowed. I don't even know how to express my bewilderment, but consider this: the last three "worst playoff team ever" were the Arizona Cardinals, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Denver Broncos. I picked against all three in their opening round home games. All three one. I am the cooler.

8:25pm - Nick Saban has coached both these teams, in case you didn't know. Furthermore, he has won the national title with both teams. And now he's coaching one against the other. ESPN really wants you to know this because they've mentioned it four times in the ten minutes since I turned on the TV. I don't want you to miss out on that fact. "I wish smiley faces were acceptable for everything" says Jenny. I'm glad she's along for this journey. Musburger is currently giving us a retrospective on the big moments in Super Dome history. Pretty cool.

8:29pm - Coin toss time. I had a laptop chord issue, so I missed who would get the toss. I did catch the mandatory pregame coach interviews. I can't remember the last time we learned something insightful from these things. "Erin Andrews looks good in her purple shirt ... you should mention that" Jenny notes. What shirt?

8:30pm - And now, kickoff. It appears that there will be a home field advantage for LSU, but that shouldn't surprise anyone, as the Super Dome does happen to be located in Louisiana. LSU is receiving the kick, and we are underway. HUGE tackle on the opening kick, and so the tone is set. Jordan Jefferson continues to start for LSU. This is an underrated storyline for the LSU season, as they have gone undefeated to this point despite starting two very different QBs throughout the year. First run up the middle is stuffed; expect lots of defense in this game. A screen picks up some, but a third down will be upcoming. I love watching these defenses, which move quickly and hit hard. Feels like football. Fumble on the third down snap and the Alabama players have to hold back from throwing Jefferson to the ground after the whistle. Three and out for LSU. An insane punt pins Alabama deep. If we assume a defensive struggle, field position will naturally be huge. Alabama controlled field position in the first game and couldn't take advantage. Let's see what LSU can do starting off with good field position today.

8:35pm - Alabama picks up a first down on the first play from scrimmage. Another play action picks up some incremental yardage. Alabama looked to be the better team to me in the first game. They controlled the field position, and they looked more poised. The missed field goals killed them, and ultimately LSU took advantage, but I am in the group that is happy to see a rematch, and I'll go on record as saying that I expect an Alabama victory today. According to sportsbook.com Alabama was a two point favorite heading into this game? Really? I can't believe that. Meanwhile, LSU stops Alabama on third, but the Tide managed to completely flip field position by getting near mid field. The punt is off and goes out of bounds as they punt away.

8:42pm - It appears the Alabama (-2) was an adjusted for the current game situation line. I can't imagine that this game is more than LSU (-2) heading in, since it is technically a neutral field. I've got to remember to look up sports lines prior to game starting, since they want to make them disappear as soon as the ball is kicked off. Six minutes in and we are on our third possession of the game. LSU takes over at the twenty one yard line, but a false start moves them back. That wasn't a great punt, but it shows the respect the Tide has for the LSU return game. Resetting on first and fifteen they go to the shotgun then run in the middle, and pick up a couple. Alabama runs a three four defense, which is rare, it seems, in college football. Jefferson runs the option but falls down after an option that Herbstreet describes accurately as "slow developing." I can't stand Musburger, but Herbie knows his stuff. LSU runs the option again on third and is dropped almost immediately. Another punt forthcoming, and it's another booming punt but Alabama gets a great return. The return man Maze clearly pulls a hamstring on the return then runs out of bounds. Jenny agrees with my assessment, then says "poor kid, he's out for the game." We'll see how good she is from 20 hours away.

8:48pm - My initial thoughts on the upcoming weekend worth of football games, prior to doing any research: I like the Saints over the 49ers, the Pats over T.C. and his Broncos, the Ravens over the Texans, and I'm leaning towards the Giants over the Pack. Call me crazy, but I think the game plan they executed last weekend could beat the Pack this weekend. Either way, if the line is as high as is being first reported (favoring the Pack by as much as 9) I think I'll be taking the points. Alabama now has the ball at the ten and goes to the run, which LSU jumps all over. It is essential that Alabama scores a touch down on this possession, given the way the other game went. Second and goal Alabama audibles, then throws the ball away. The passing game has worked well thus far, but a third and goal from roughly the ten isn't a great spot to be in. Herbie is agreeing with my prior statement about the importance of a TD here. On third down Bama ends up short at the five yard line. Big hit on the Alabama QB. The short yardage kicked for the Tide knocks it through, but, again, the Tigers held them to a field goal.

8:53pm - Jenny is dancing to a discover card commercial ever so slightly. I don't think she notices that I notice. Good times.

8:54pm - A great hit on the ensuing kick return, as I try to determine what the charge on my debit card is. No idea. A great high catch by LSU, and they start to move quick in a semi no-huddle. A first down is picked up, and the tempo feels a bit more manic, but another option read gets him killed. Jefferson resumes with a completion, but another failed third down leads to another great punt. I've determined where the mystery charge came from, so that was at least quick.

9:00pm - Alabama is facing a second and five as Maze returns from the locker room. Alabama picks up a few first downs. With the ball just past the thirty five they run another boot and there is an incredible catch down the sideline by Norwood to end the first quarter. an incredible route that culminated with an insane jump and catch for a gain of 26. At the end of the first quarter Alabama looks more like they are prepared to take the championship mantle than LSU.

9:08pm - The second quarter opens with Alabama narrowly missing a pass inside the ten. Alabama has come out throwing pretty consistently and aggressively, and LSU doesn't look as prepared. The play action has been working really well thus far. A good tuck and run leaves Alabama with a third and three. They run it with their backup running back and get nowhere, putting the team in the same position they were many times last game with a long field goal attempt. Alabama fakes the kick, and it is close. An interesting move by Saban this early in the game. Again, field position is paramount. With the ball at the thirty two you have a forty nine yard field goal, a pooch punt, and a fake/going for it. The spot gives the Tide the first down, and the play goes immediately under review.

9:12pm - The determination was first down by an inch. The ball is now at the twenty eight, and Alabama goes play action again, and the result is an incomplete with a big hit by the linebacker in the flat. LSU is adjusting, ever so slightly. Reports are indicating Maze has returned to the locker room with they hamstring injury. That's a big blow for the Alabama offense, as well as special teams. Now the Tide faces third and seven ... in the shotgun... incomplete over the middle. The fake kick will not result in anything other than an attempt that is seven yards closer. From 42 the kick is blocked. This game feels eerily like the first game at this point: Alabama has momentum, time of possession, but cannot seem to capitalize enough.

9:19pm - I watched the majority of the Meet the Press Republican Primary Debate Saturday, and I have a few quick hit thoughts on the current standings and the upcoming primaries:

- for Romney, you've got to be cautiously excited about where you sit. If you hold strong in New Hampshire you've managed to take the first two states, which is rare in a heavily contested year. If you can then go to South Carolina and actually win (a distinct possibility if Santorum, Perry, Paul and Gingrich split the conservative vote), you've just won the nomination in the first three states most likely. Mitt's strategy at the debates generally show a candidate who is very aware of his position. He's playing defense, trying hard not to trip himself up, and trying to rise above the fray.

- For the rest of the candidates, after an entire season running up to this moment trying to establish the "anti-Mitt" we've ended up with an even more fractured, divided party than ever before. The line of the process, thus far, came from Huntsman when he said that he hoped the party would return to sanity after this cycle.

9:20pm - another false start and then a screen that goes nowhere. Dear Uncle, if you read this far, I promise you that there is tackling going on in this game. Third and seven for LSU ... incomplete. LSU again falters, and Alabama gets the ball right back.

9:26pm - Alabama again doesn't get great position after the punt, and now faces third and six. Another huge hit from the LSU secondary, but 'Bama picks up the first down. LSU is playing the run very well today, but 'Bama continues to move the ball courtesy of a solid passing game. Richardson immediately runs twice for 12 yards to prove my analysis of the LSU running game wrong. The Alabama offensive line is huge; I bet they outweigh the IU line by a solid 200lbs.

9:30pm - A late hit by LSU isn't called. In the NFL that would have been called, but they are letting these teams play. I can see a world in which college football is more "football" like than the NFL in a few years, because with the players not fully developed in strength and speed you can still let them hit without all the major repercussions. Richardson picks up a bunch to continue to prove me wrong. Alabama returns to the passing game, and goes incomplete. At this point Bama has ten first downs to LSU's one ... but much like the first game 'Bama is struggling to score and leaving the door open for the Tigers. Herbie is confused as to why 'Bama continues to pull Richardson when they get into Tigers territory. It does seem odd to pull your Heisman finalist when you get close to scoring.

9:32pm - 3rd and 1 for the Tide, and they are stopped, but again it is a handoff to the backup running back. The replay shows that the back killed himself by stretching the play instead of just diving forward. A 34 yard field goal is dead center and good, so now Bama is up 6-0. "Here we go again" says Musburger. Amen. LSU has four punts in four possessions, and only 26 yards on offense.

9:35pm - Barry Larkin will join Ron Santo in induction to the baseball Hall of Fame this year, it was announced today. I think Larkin was a very good player, sometimes even a great player, but I never feared him when the Cubs played him. To be honest, I feared Carlos Lee more than Barry Larkin. If Larkin is in the Hall of Fame how is Alan Trammel not? It was a lackluster class, and I get that, but that doesn't mean you have to put someone in just for the sake of doing it. Also, in case I haven't stated it here, I'd like the baseball writers, the veterans committee, and everyone associated with holding out until Santo died to put him in to realize that you are, in fact, bad people. The man was a no brainer Hall of Famer. You've put in many questionable players in my lifetime ... Dawson, Rice, and Sutter to name a few ... but he was a no brain absolute Hall of Fame player. I don't know who will be speaking for Santo, but I hope that they stick it to the group that held him out for no good reason.

9:40pm - LSU faces 3rd and 5, after icing their QB with a timeout. Jefferson lines up in the shot gun, then audibles as the clock runs down. He fumbles the snap again, picks it up, and falls short again ... all this after the time out. Les Miles is looking a bit over matched at this point. Herbie points out that Jefferson was looking at the Alabama defense instead of the snap. Another good punt; yet again, the LSU punter has to be the MVP of their team thus far. Alabama has two minutes to move the ball down the field before half, but also has all their timeouts and the college stop the clock after first down rule. From what we've seen so far that is a task that can be accomplished.

9:42pm - Third and two, and Alabama is letting the clock run. They seem happy to have the lead heading into the half. Richardson picks up the first down again, and the QB throws the ball to the flat for no gain. Alabama seems perfectly content to go into half up two field goals. Musburger and Herbstreet seem befuddled by Alabama's removing of Richardson when they get into LSU territory. 2nd and 12 ... completion to the LSU 45. Alabama picks up a few more, then uses their second time out. Twenty One seconds left, and Alabama needs to pick up about twenty more yards to start feeling good about the field goal attempt. A couple of good catches get the Tide down for a 41 yard field goal attempt. The kick is up and good. A huge kick for Alabama to make it a two score game heading in to half time. 9-0 Alabama is a great place to be, and you've got to figure that Saban is happy being up two scores with the ball coming at the start of the second half ... but there is no doubt he'd feel better if they were up 17-0.

9:55pm - A few thoughts during halftime:

- The take away, for me, of the Denver - Pittsburgh game had little to do with the Broncos. It was how old Pittsburgh looked all around. Big Ben will be okay when he recovers, but the offensive line in Pittsburgh continues to be its Achilles heel. How many years in a row will this be the case? We've got to be going on four or five now. Furthermore, the defense looked old and ineffective in trying to stop a very pedestrian Broncos attack. I expect that New England is ready to roll, and will be ready to take it to the Broncos. I expect that Denver expects that they had their fun and will likely go home, although I also expect that they won't talk like that because the one person who undoubtedly believes they will with the Super Bowl is T.C. himself, and he won't want to hear it.

- The Bulls begin a stretch of seven games in nine nights, going three straight, one off, two on, one off, and two on. If they come out of that stretch five and two I'll be happy. The team looks as good as last year, but as we found out, that wasn't quite good enough. Furthermore, the Heat are much better than last year, and certainly much deeper. A flash over to comcast sports net shows the Bulls up fifteen on the Pistons with six and a half left. So far so good.

- I would be completely remiss if I failed to mention that a long time POV reader, lovingly known as "Coach" passed away 12/29/11. Coach was a brilliant mind, and intellectual sparring with him would challenge you to rethink your positions. You always needed to have your facts in order if you were going to debate a topic with him, and his drive to know more always pushed me to do the same. It was indeed his time, and I am happy he is at peace, but no matter how many people read this blog in the ensuing years it will always feel a bit empty now that one of the two charter members who have been reading me since my first post has left us to be with God. As I sat in his memorial service this week I was taken by the many roles this man, my Grandfather, played in my life. I know that I wouldn't have near the diverse interest in things I have now, including sports, music, politics, and astronomy. Rest in peace Coach ... you are missed, will be missed, and will always be a part of all of us.

10:12pm - Alabama has the ball to start the half, and gets it to the thirty two yard line. Another big throw takes the ball inside LSU territory after a pick up of nineteen. A screen goes way down to the twenty two. Maze will be out the remainder of the game, and so Jenny was right in her diagnosis from 20 hours away. Hopefully she'll be happy that I put this in here.

10:15pm - 2nd and ten and a pickup of a few by Hanks leads the Tide to another third down deep in LSU territory. A deflection nearly leads to an INT, but the Tide will have yet another field goal attempt, their fifth of the game thus far. This kick will be from 35 out ... another solid kick right through. Alabama has now doubled their score from the earlier game, but they continue to stall in LSU territory, leaving the door open for LSU.

10:18pm - Two words: Jabba Cupcake.

10:19pm - Okay, I'm back, that just killed me. LSU gets the ball and we see if they were able to make any major adjustments at the half. Jefferson has a wide open receiver and overthrows him. Again, even when they get a break (in this case a free release) they can't execute. Alabama allows the same play to happen again, and for the second time today there is a LSU first down. They attacked the same place, making me think they saw something at the half. As an aside, the officials are letting them play; there have been a number of hard hits, late hits, and other plays that would have been penalties in the NFL games yesterday and today ... no flags. Jefferson is sacked by Upshaw, and now LSU faces 3rd and long again.

10:22pm - 3rd and 14 for Jefferson and the Tigers. He takes a deep drop and runs it, but is forced out of bounds short of midfield, and so LSU prepares to punt again. At some point LSU is going to have to go for the trick play, going deep into the playbook, but this isn't it with ten minutes left in the third quarter. Another deep kick ... penalty flag, right after I look at Jenny with exasperation about the lack of a flag. They call an unnecessary roughness after the Alabama player clearly calls for a fair catch and is hit. The replay confirms that it is, indeed, clearly a fair catch.

10:27pm - The personal foul helps to move the ball out to the twenty five, and Bama again comes out throwing and completes the pass. I'm a little surprised that the Tide keeps throwing, but obviously Saban isn't going to play it conservative after he lost a conservative game last time around. Play action and he overthrows a wide open Hanks down the sideline. Second and ten now, but I continue to be amazed that Alabama is not just throwing, but throwing successfully. They run with Richardson, and lose a yard, so 3rd and 11 comes up. 'Bama has the ball around midfield. The first down throw, second down run, leaves a long play to convert, and the Tide takes a dump off for a few, but a punt will be upcoming. By my top of the head count this is only the second punt of the game for Alabama, and they punted away the last time, and I expect they'll do the same. The gunner misses the ball at the one yard line, and so the ball comes out to the twenty. As a side note, if Musburger says "honey badger" when referencing Mathieu again I might throw my laptop at the TV. It's getting a tad annoying. Or is it "hunting badger?" I can't tell, it just needs to stop.

10:34pm - A shot of Bourbon Street makes me long to be back at Bourbon street. Boatloads of fun down there. Yet another terrible option play loses two for LSU. Jefferson isn't exactly T.C. when running the option. He's not even Eric Crouch. Jefferson steps up in the pocket, tosses the ball out, and it ends up right in the hands of an Alabama player. His back turned to block, which ended up leading to the INT. The player who picked the ball off is injured and Jenny is upset she can't see the play clearly enough, but she speculates there is a broken arm. Commercial break, and if Alabama can actually put the ball in the endzone here they might put this game away already.

10:37pm - Chiefs have hired Romeo Crennel as their head coach. He seemed like a deadbeat in Cleveland, but it was properly asked "what have they done since he left?" The answer, of course, is nothing, and so maybe we shouldn't be too quick to judge Romeo. Still, I never thought he'd get a second chance, as old as he is. Good for him.

10:38pm - Mosely is injured, and the Tide takes the ball, and Richardson is in, but loses a yard. The Tide must feel like they should capitalize on the huge turnover by LSU, and Herbie wonders if Jarret Lee will come in for Jefferson due to his ineffective play. LSU has to hold Alabama to a field goal to avoid the game going to a three score game. Third and Seven from the twenty four yard line ... a wrong route leads to an incomplete pass in the endzone, and Shelley, the kicker, comes in for his sixth field goal attempt. He's good from 23, 34, 41 and 35. He had a 42 yarder blocked, and pushes this 41 yarder right for a miss. A big stop for LSU, and Alabama can't feel like they are out of the woods yet. The LSU defacto home crowd boos Jefferson when he comes back in at QB. They want Lee.

10:42pm - Jefferson in the shotgun, throws a screen for four, then another screen on the opposite side of the field for a loss of four. Jefferson is not exactly inspiring confidence at the present time. LSU is zero for six on third down ... Jefferson is dropped for another sack at the seventeen yard line. The Alabama defense looks like the best in the nation, bar none. LSU has been good today, but they've been able to pass on them. LSU has not been able to do anything yet against 'Bama. A (relatively speaking) poor punt helps 'Bama to get a return into LSU territory to start this next possession. By my count the Tide have had eight possessions, resulting in two punts, two missed field goals, and four made field goals. A hand off goes for twelve to the thirty six after a tough run.

10:46pm - Seventeen first downs for 'Bama to 2 by LSU. More tough running down to the 25, again by the backup. Herbie wonders if the LSU defense is wearing down. Given the time of possession I can't imagine they aren't to a certain degree. At this point the LSU defense has to feel like they need to score twice to win this game, because the offense has 56 total yards. Richardson back in on 2nd and ten ... play action, down to the one yard line, then ruled incomplete. Gibson was the receiver ... good call, as the receiver drops the ball after being hit by the safety. A HUGE drop right there, as it is now 3rd and ten, leading to a timeout by Alabama.

10:49pm - Shelley will come out again after the 'Bama QB avoids a big sack that would have knocked them out of field goal range. A seventh field goal attempt for Alabama. LSU has allowed lots of yards between the 20s, but has held firm. A 44 yard attempt.... right through. He is now 5 of 7, and the young man has a career long field goal in the national championship game. Good for Saban for continuing to roll the same kid out, who we were told looked great in pre game warm ups. Great coaching move, rather than bringing in their "long" field goal kicker for the 40+ yard attempts. He's only 2 for 4 on the 40+ kicks, but his confidence is rising. 15 nothing at this point is a two score game with 22 seconds left in the third quarter. LSU's special team advantage has not been great thus far, and on the kick off 'Bama continues to hold stout.

10:54pm - Jefferson comes back out again, and fires a completion for a pickup of about seven, which takes us to the end of the fourth quarter. "The sands of time running out in New Orleans" Musburger muses.

10:58pm - The 4th quarter opens with an Alabama helmet flying off on the LSU run up the gut for two. 3rd and 1 for LSU who finally picks up a third down, and only their third first down of the game. All Alabama cares about? The clock keeps running, and the first minute of the final quarter is gone. Herbie points out that LSU already looks beaten on the sideline, and it's easy to see that Alabama is hitting much harder. Erin Andrews points out that the LSU coaches are urging the the players to get up and get life in them. Jarrett Lee stands on the sideline staring on the field, wondering how he isn't in the game, and LSU faces 3rd and 3. They can't convert this one, but don't they have to think about going for it at this point on 4th down? You need every down you can, every chance you have, and the game of field position hasn't worked out thus far. 'Bama will take over at the 17.

11:02pm - The underrated part of this story right now is how many AP voters vowed to vote for LSU to be national champion regardless of the outcome of this game. If enough did that it would split the national title for the first time since 2003 I believe. Although, unless LSU has a miraculous comeback I can't imagine how anyone could refuse to vote for Alabama given the way they've dominated them. Alabama hasn't beaten themselves and they have dominated the game.

11:04pm - I don't understand why these games have to start so late; I'm ready to go to bed and we only just started the fourth quarter. If Alabama would grace me with a TD here I might sign off early and go to bed. Bama runs on the first play, and again on 2nd down for minimal gains. Musburger informs us that there has never been a shut out in a BCS bowl game, let alone a BCS championship game. Alabama has yet to allow LSU past mid field. LSU's defense finally gets the play they need for a big sack on 3rd down, forcing a punt from deep inside the Tide's own side of the field. For the first time today they have field position on their side on offense, as 'Bama punts from their own end zone. The punter gets a good punt off, and Mathieu doesn't do anything other than make a risky pick up and give Musburger a chance to say "honey badger" four more times.

11:07pm - LSU takes over with less than ten minutes to go, and picks up five on the ground. Jefferson picks up a few more on a scramble. Third and two is a good quick toss for the first down. The ball is finally at mid field for LSU, and Jefferson avoids the rush and gets the ball down to the 31, moving the ball into Tide territory for the first time today. If LSU scores a TD quickly here we have a game still. Yet again Jefferson runs a terrible option, waiting way too long before pitching.

11:12pm - 2nd and 13 after the busted option, and another false start. Alabama has no penalties thus far, yet another reason why they have simply out executed LSU in every aspect of the game. 2nd and 18 now, Jefferson throws it into the ground. 3rd and 18 now ... Jefferson is hit as he throws, leading to an incomplete. 6:21 left ... LSU has to go for this you'd think. 4th and 18 ... Jefferson is strip sacked and Alabama recovers.

11:17pm - As Alabama moves into "run as much time off the clock as we can" mode, I am just totally impressed with how complete this team played this game. I felt, after the last game, that the better team had not one, and this game makes it seem like I was correct in that assessment. Alabama did not get near the publicity this year, but they have perhaps the best defense I've ever seen in college football. They tackle, they contain, they pressure ... they can do it all. I understand that LSU beat a myriad of good teams throughout the year, starting with a good Oregon team, including this Alabama team, and the rest of their SEC schedule. That does count for something, but Alabama is the better team and the better team will win this. Richardson goes to the endzone to break LSU's back, and the Tide will now be up 22-0. This game was trench warfare for most of the game, but Alabama wore the Tigers down, and now have put them away. Shelley misses the extra point, so the game is 21-0. Uncanny.

11:21pm - My final thoughts for the night are this: it is completely bogus that Michigan, Clemson, VA Tech, and West Virginia played in BCS Bowls, while Boise State, who was much higher in the BCS rankings played against a 6-6 team in a who cares bowl because they missed one field goal. The Broncos were one of the six best teams in college football, and they were robbed by a system that focuses on big conferences, and the money they crave, rather than the football matchups we want to see. I'm glad we got 'Bama - LSU, but we could have also seen Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Stanford, Georgia, Wisconsin, Boise State and one more team (West VA?) play in the other games and I would have been much happier. Boise deserved a shot against a top tier program. Michigan, Clemson, VA Tech and West Virginia didn't earn that same chance. I'm tired of a system which rewards where you play over how you play. It's stupid, it's greedy, and it doesn't accurately determine the best team in the nation. I have no idea if LSU or Alabama could really beat Boise; I think so, but I have no way of knowing. And so, with four minutes left, and the Tide up by three touch downs, I sign off. I know it's not the Super Bowl, but this just may have to do sports fans. Enjoy the new year, and I'll be back by week's ends with my official NFL Playoff picks.