Wednesday October 24, 2001

Sean Joyce

Sunday morning was not a pleasant experience this weekend. I needed sleep, but also I had to watch the New York Jets take advantage of the banged up St. Louis Rams, who were forced to start one-time UA star Trung Canidate, who at the time seemed to be a big bust in the NFL.

Well all that changed before I had time to brush my teeth and take a shower.

As Canidate waltzed down the field after a circus-stunt signature Ram play, I began thinking about another famous UA athlete who only the previous night made a less-auspicious performance. Richard Jefferson, a star on last year's Final Four team, was faced with the daunting task of guarding Michael Jordan in his first televised pre-season game.

A New Jersey Nets-Washington Wizards game last year would have been a good reason to watch a hockey game, but oh how things have changed. Jordan's debut in Washington warranted a sell-out, unheard of for a meaningless pre-season game by two of the leagues - how do I put this - most terrible franchises.

Jefferson, who is known for his defensive prowess, became Jordan's whipping boy for most of the game. In only 33 minutes, Jordan put up 41 points.

Jefferson only played 16 minutes of the game, but during that 16 minutes, Jordan hopefully taught him a valuable lesson.

Richard - remember at least there are games against the Bulls, and that used to be a bad thing.

Diamondback fans, I hope you're ready for the bane of my existence, the New York Yankees.

As the Valley of the Sun welcomes Derek Jeter and friends on Saturday night, I warn to not get your hopes up. This appears to be, once again, the Yankees' year.

The Bombers have everything going for them. They are playing their best ball of the season, beating a Mariner team that tied the record for most wins in a regular season and an Athletic team that also won over 100 games and was favored.

Not to mention the support of a city of rabid sports fans excited about something to cheer for.

Every year, the Yankees find a new improbable hero to carry their dream season to a conclusion.

Last year, game-winning hits by Jose Vizcaino and Luis Sojo put these reserves on a long list of obscure Yankee post-season heroes. Scott Brosius, Chad Curtis and Jim Leyritz all have made names for themselves during this incredible Yankee dynasty.

Who's it going to be this year? Who knows? Who cares? I know I don't.

I refuse to have my emotions trampled on again by the Yankees. For whatever it's worth, I will not be watching the World Series this year. I've got a few papers to write this weekend anyway.

In any case, here's the prediction - Yankees in five games. With a win at home, New York will have one of the most emotional and unified celebrations in recent memory.

The most important story to come from this weekend's college football games had nothing to do with a pigskin. Instead, computers, sports writers and coaches have compiled the first official Bowl Championship Series poll of the season.

Does anything in sports even compare to the complexity of this poll? I would be hard-pressed to find something so utterly confusing.

Since it's inception, the poll has produced a legitimate championship game. But this still doesn't solve the problem of determining a true national champion in college football.

What does the BCS do when the inevitable happens and there are more than two undefeated teams claiming the right to play for the championship?

A popular option is to create a playoff. But that creates new problems. Who then is able to qualify for the playoffs? Also, there's a logistics nightmare of scheduling games around finals for student-athletes.

College football has always had lots of questions, but very few answers - it's always easier to criticize something than to actually fix it.