Lost Season for Tiger... Bama Rolls, Boise's Latest Loss

Little Good to Look Back On in 2010

    Sunday at Cog Hill was quite possibly the last we'll see of Tiger Woods on the PGA TOUR this year.  Ok, more realistically quite "probably."  Tiger will play the Chevron which is his event.. a few trips worldwide... but don't expect him to show up at the "Frys.com Open" (for example) on the Fall Series.
    I've been on record for a while as saying that Woods would not win this year.  I'm sticking to that.  Just can't see it happening.  Haven't seen enough.  That being said, Woods is making progress and has been a good soldier when it comes to doing and saying the right things of late.  His interviews have been relatively comfortable... even though his game's been rocky.  So how do you rate the year?  Complete loss... with the exception that he's played some events and shaken off the toughest of his critics and his controversies simply by playing.  I watched him waiting on the tee today at the 11th hole... playing alongside Phil Mickelson.  Woods was actually smiling... which is good.  The fact that he's not playing at the Tour Championship is still hard to believe.  The fact that his scoring average is 2 1/2 stokes higher this year than last is also hard to believe.  But I really believe that Woods will come out very quickly in 2011.  So message to the rest of the PGA TOUR... get it done now... there are no guarantees.

    As for College Football.  Is anybody shocked that Alabama drummed Penn State?  Not me.  Freshman quarterback for Joe Paterno.  A true freshman at that... which doesn't usually lead to big wins in hostile environments.  How will Bama handle all the hype?  How prickly will Nick Saban become as everyone starts talking National titles in back-to-back years.  I'm guessing he'll steer so far away from the talk that it actually becomes uncomfortable.  Figure on a few media "moments" with Nick.
    And how about Boise State.  The only team in college this week to win a big one and then lose a big one before the next poll came out.  Boise State is number 3 in the USA Today Coaches Poll after the win against Virginia Tech.  But Virginia Tech's Saturday loss against James Madison was as big a loss to the Broncos as they might deal with all year.  Suddenly the Hokies are 0-2... and Boise needs the best teams on their schedule to beat every team they are supposed to - like a drum!  Bad... bad... bad blow to Boise's hopes of a  BCS title game appearance.
  

Thome = No "Slide" for Twins

    As for MLB.... is it just me or are the Rockies always running red hot at this point in the season?  Amazing that they too are joining the race in the NL West.  The Padres already have the Giants on their tail... now Colorado too!  That might be too much for Bud Black's team to deal with.  And if you're looking for the MVP down the stretch... it has to be (man this is hard to say as a die hard White Sox fan) Jim Thome.  This guy has been clutch!  He's been the biggest factor for the Twins.. and the biggest difference-maker in baseball over the last month.

    NFL season starts today.... but you know what... I checked in on no less than 15 college games last night.  I don't do it in the NFL.  To me... its about the atmosphere and the pageantry.  College Football's is real.  The NFL's is manufactured to a degree. Better at home with a flat screen and a beer.  College.. great at home... better at the stadium.

    That's all for now... gotta watch the rest of the BMW Championship!