Thanksgiving Treat

The Great Turkey Feast lived up to its expectations, but the weekend in college football exceeded them. I mean, really exceeded them. Nebraska played Colorado with a chance to play for the opportunity to write their own destiny with the BCS. Instead, they got their asses kicked. I mean, really kicked, to the tune of 62-36. This gave Oklahoma the chance to redeem itself for its early season loss to Nebraska.

With a win against Oklahoma State, Oklahoma would earn a chance to play Colorado in the Big 12 Championship Game. But OU didn’t take care of business. Instead, Okalahoma State won the war of Oklahoma, sending the University of Florida into the second spot in the BCS. And these two games weren’t supposed to be really tough matches, especially the Oklahoma battle.

Instead, the Miami versus Washington matchup on Saturday night was supposed to be the best game of the week. Washington was ranked 12 and posed a large threat to Miami’s undefeated season and title hopes, right? Not exactly. Miami won 65-7. That’s right, 65-7! They looked unbeatable, but as I write this, I’m sure the college football gods are preparing a surprise for us this weekend, when Miami can clinch a spot in the Rose Bowl against number 13 Virginia Tech, who has a chance to redeem a disappointing season. All I can say is: put yourself on the couch, get some leftover turkey, and pray for another wild weekend of college football.

Time of Change

It’s been almost two decades since the Utah Jazz were this bad. They’ve begun the season 6-9 and have looked in shambles during manystretches of their games. The bad start, coupled with rumors of trading Karl Malone and the selling of the team, makes it appear that the great run in Utah may be coming to a close. John Stockton has said that he will retire after this season if the team is not going to be very competitive next year. And now, trade rumors are swirling around the Salt Lake City as Karl Malone’s name has come up in many different cities, including Dallas, close to his hometown.

Although the team may still turn things around to have a productive year, the talk about an era ending in Utah is something that we as sports fans may never ever see again. Two sure Hall-of-Famers playing together for the same team over their entire careers. Stockton and Malone have become a combination that competes with the best combos ever in sports history. And with all the pressures to move cities for greener pastures, or the lure of championship glory, it is surprising to see two players that have never won a championship stay in a city where they play in a smaller market, meaning they most likely could have commanded more money elsewhere, but chose to stay together.

I think this says a lot about the ownership of the Jazz, as well as the type of people that Malone and Stockton are. I respect them both a great deal for trying their hardest to bring a championship to Utah, without demanding a trade because they wanted a ring or more money. Instead, they stuck it out together, and would have two championship rings if it weren’t for Michael’s comeback. But even Jordan cannot claim now that he only played for one team. In fact, there are very few greats that can make that claim, and I really hope that the Malone trade doesn’t happen because I want him to retire as a member of the Jazz. As much as I would root for him to win a ring (unless he somehow went to LA), I think the pride and dignity that goes along with spending an entire career with one team is something that is not recognized enough in sports.

Free agency and trades have created a short-term shelf-life for players in many cities. They come in for a while, make their dough, win a few games, and move on. Personally, I think starting and finishing a career in the same city is something players should be more dignified in doing. Larry Bird always talks about how he was so proud that he remained a Celtic for his entire career, not wanting a trade in the early 90s when the team was not championship-caliber. I hope the Jazz organization and Karl Malone decide that he should finish up his wonderful career in a Jazz uniform, even if it means him never getting another opportunity to win. Or bring in the necessary players to give him one last shot. But don’t tarnish one of the last great players to spend his career for one organization, in one city, in front of one group of fans.

Contact Jeremy at [email protected]

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