Go Buckeyes (& michigan)

* Big game tomorrow. Honestly, I'm tired of hearing how bad the Big 10 is. There is only one way of dealing with that. OSU has got to win a big game.

* Many people forget it took a last minute comeback by Texas to beat OSU last year in the bowl game. I consistently hear & read that the Buckeyes have been embarrassed in the big games. Definitely true in the Florida, LSU & USC game. Not true otherwise. Many argued Texas should have played Florida in the National Championship game last year. OSU took them to the wire.

* I know - a loss is a loss. Once again, until the Bucks win a big national spotlight game, they will not be respected in the media. I'm sure all of the Big Ten will be rooting hard for the Buckeyes.

* This weekend is the only time that I become a michigan fan. I'm not an Irish fan.

* The NFL is here. Not a bad game last night. That was some serious smash mouth football. Sometimes I wonder how adults can survive that much punishment to the body. There was some hitting last night. Seems the Steelers are always involved in punishing games. There aren't too many teams that hit consistently like them - the Ravens & Titans come to mind.

* Roger Federer is the man. Got a chance to see him live a couple of weeks ago - if you can at all respect tennis (I happen to like it a lot), there is no other player like him. He looks so effortless yet his shot placement & lack of errors are amazing. Surprise - he's once again in the semis at the US Open. He will win another.

* The Rockies continue to push the Dodgers in the NL West. They have won 7 in a row. Since firing their manager in the first part of the season, they have went from 10 games under 500 to 21 games over 500. They are a lock for the NL wild card. But done sell them short, they are closing on the Dodgers quick - and they close the season with the Dodgers.

* With about 20 games to go, it looks like the MLB playoffs are close to being set. In the NL - Philadelphia, St. Louis & LA with the Rockies. In the AL, it's NY, Detroit & LA with the BoSox & Texas fighting it out for the wildcard. That's it. I don't expect anyone to stop the Yanks this year.

* Interesting article in Sports Illustrated this week. I didn't know it, but the AL has dominated the NL. Interleague play has been consistently slanted to the AL (even the Royals & Orioles are successful). AL players that are traded or moved to NL teams find success (Smoltz & Giambi are the latest examples- if you're a GM in the NL, watch the AL waiver wire). NL players that move to the AL bomb (Kerry Wood among many). The AL has won the last 13 all star games. The only place where the NL has success - the World Series - they have won 4 of the last 8.

* With Sizemore out due to injury - does anyone know any of the current Indians?

* Here's a fantasy sleeper - our very own Beanie Wells - if he stays healthy, he will be a stud. The only other back they have is Hightower. The receivers are so good, they will get extra attention. Beanie will have a terrific year.

* Some tips on leadership (thanks to Dale Carnagie)
A leader's job often includes changing your people's attitudes & behavior. Some tips:
1) Being with praise & honest appreciation
2) Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.
3) Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
4) Ask questions instead of giving direct orders
5) Let the other person save face.
6) Praise the slightest improvement & praise every improvement.
7) Give the other person a reputation to live up to.
8) Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
9) Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest. (what's in it for them).

* Go Bucks (& michigan) - enjoy the games.