The Sicatoka

I'm thinking the Christmas reference was a ruse and you've all been played like a stereotypical dumb blonde in some bad movie. With sincere apologies to all blondes, I need a more non-blonde shade around here. Please. PS - brianvf, you forgot Scott Foyt.

I hope for no TV. Get your butt off the couch and to the game.

(WYO, I hope you understand this isn't aimed at you, you just set it up.) The "academics" argument is crap once I point to some of the DI "student"-athletes that can't read their (alleged) high school or college diplomas. Who was that all-pro defensive lineman for the Washington Redskins that admitted he couldn't even read? There's a case study. The (dare I say predatory?) transition period was instituted to stem the tide of schools moving up a level to get an (unearned) share of BB TV money. Yeah, it's about money when it comes to the NCAA. Shocking, eh? NDSU is getting hosed by it; and, if they would win Saturday, SDSU would probably be also. But, it's what the contract (NCAA Manual) says and that's what we have to live by. If you want it changed, get it voted on by the membership.

From Judge Jahnke's decision:

We're left to do the heavy lifting again ...

Why do the words "FSU" and "tribal approval exception" scream into my head all of a sudden ....

" ... boomerang effect"? I've normally heard it as, "Payback's a ..... " Don't forget UM-Duluth's.

If Brand, Harrison, Westerhaus, et al at the NCAA, were confident a vote on this would go their way, why wouldn't they have done it already? They've already had the January 2006 convention opportunity come and go, and could have put this to rest then. But they didn't. Why not?

Winona State put a big scare in UND, in The Al, in the playoffs, not too long ago. That's my recollection. Coach Lennon needs to pull out that tape and remind his team that they need to execute on offense, on defense, and on special teams. No looking to anything. Winona State. Period. There is only one game remaining on UND's 2006 schedule. One. Execute.

I had the same thought.

What'd Teddy Roosevelt say about "the man in the arena"?

Does his deer stand have wireless internet and email access?

Channel surfing around last night, mentally I "stuck the fork" in Rutgers when I saw 25-14 Louisville at one point. Oops.

That ranks with the classic NASCAR minor-series qualifying report: "Dick Trickle gets pole in Busch .... "

Will a First Amendment loving Democrats, controlling the House and Senate, stand up for: - free expression on America's campuses, or - Myles "catalyst for social change" Brand's 'politically correct' speech codes and interpretations of contracts. (How's that for trying to veer this one back on course? )

Here's the real joke folks: Show me the written down procedure which all of these decisions and actions are to follow. Can't? Why not? Everything the NCAA does is technical and procedural and followed to the letter. The procedures must exist, right? Produce them. Show them. Please. (Hint: Good luck.)

But you repeat yourselves. And if memory serves .... Concordia College has played a playoff game in Fargodome. Valley City State has played a playoff game in Fargodome.

... if they choose to allow it to. Some do; others don't.

From the PLAINTIFF

Nothing is a given until is it completed. Just ask Kellen Briggs, or Tyler McGregor.

(to be fair) ... if he decides UND's case merits it.

Washington. Indianapolis. So, in the great and wise words of The Joker ...

" ... about student-athletes ... " Oh my, I love that one. It gets me rollin' every time.

Thursday gets more interesting given that UND's football team is a lock for a top four regional seed, and those should get home field in their opening games. Somebody planned the filing date well. Someone set the hearing date well.

And aren't the top four regional seeds supposed to get home field in their first games .... And November 9 is Thursday ....