Props to Pops!

Here we are a few hours away from what will mark an end to the maze of holiday bowl games that commenced back on December 15th.

35 in all with the majority having been played from New Year's Eve to New Year's Day. Being a part of the Armed Forces Bowl, Heart of Dallas Bowl and an NFL Wild Card game were an added plus.

Indeed we saw a few fun surprises along the way. The Texas and Texas Tech came from behind in dramatic fashion kept the Big 12 fans happy. Arizona blowing a huge lead in New Mexico-Ouch!

Equally impressive was the way the Mountain West Conference showed their mettle in the last month. One could start a soliloquy on the SEC but why offend the Wall Street crowd (joke)? Long ago and decades past there was a lesson bestowed upon me by a person who provided some of life's great lessons.

1. Reading will always be a lesson in unconditional love.

2. An empty mind invites noisy space.

3. Enjoy the moment but see things for what they really are.

4. Treat people today that you hope to be treated tomorrow.

5. It's best to be quiet to just listen when you don't agree.

Back in September I was privy to watching a college football game at JerryWorld with the Tide of Alabama and the Michigan Wolverines. A night that the fans of the SEC and Alabama truly rolled to a huge victory. AJ McCarron, TJ Yeldon, and Ed Lacey were unstoppable while the Front Four defensively made childs play of Denard Robinson and the Maize and Blue to the tune of a huge victory.

In my world there is such a thing as 'The Eye Test'. If it looks too good to be true, question the hype. There is also the ability of reading body language. Looking at the Alabama sideline all you saw was confidence and perhaps a nice smattering of swagger.

All of this comes to mind when #1 Notre Dame and #2 Alabama meet for the BCS title game in Miami later today. Yours truly on record in saying that Alabama shall win this game because of too much firepower 31-21. The 35-37 day layoff can sometimes take that edge away. Don't forget an added incentive: Becoming the 1st team to win back-to-back titles while keeping the SEC at the top for a 7th straight year.

One can only imagine if there was a Texas A&M- Alabama rematch. Life will tease you with never-ending possibilities to be sure.

With the NHL now a week away from returning and baseball about 37 days from spring training I am also reminded that Kevin Mench and Alfonso Soriano have birthdays today. Then there's that one birthday that gets a mention for a 74th time. A shout out towards the milk and honey of Orange County, California.

Always with a book in hand or a newspaper to devour. Content to play in his backdoor garden or listening to Mozart or Vivaldi. Fascinated by the Black and Whites of the 30's and 40's in the name of 'Wuthering Heights'. He never was much of a fan for sports but his lessons to me were understood fully. To him the term 'BCS' would probably mean 'Beautiful Classical Sounds'. 

50 years married so he must be a really good listener...or have a really good set of ear plugs...Happy Birthday Dad! You were right about everything...except sports.

Roll Tide.

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will