Random Thought of the Day

If you are ever bored waiting in a line, here is something you can do to pass the time:

Another Vandy Football Season

It is not easy being a Vanderbilt football fan. While my wife prepares to see her Georgia Bulldogs defend their number one preseason ranking and some of my in-laws wonder if their Florida Gators can get another championship and it Tebow can repeat as the Heisman trophy, I wonder if this will finally be the season where we get to a bowl game.

It has now been over a quarter of a century since the 1982 Hall of Fame bowl. The good news is that we've been closer than ever under Coach Bobby Johnson. In 2007 we were only one play away from beating both Georgia and Tennessee. I'd say that is pretty darn impressive for a small private school going up against tax-payer funded powerhouses of the SEC. Each of the past three season have had a signature upset win: at South Carolina in 2007, at Georgia in 2006, and at Tennessee in 2005.

Unfortunately, 2008 will be a rebuilding year for my Commodores. We lost SEC star WR Earl Bennett to the NFL draft (selected in the third round by Chicago) along with other defensive players. We also don't have a definitive starting quarterback since neither Nickson nor Adams won the job permanently last season.

Also, the schedule will be tougher this year. I would expect wins against Rice and Duke, and possible victories against Miami (OH) and maybe Ole Miss. After that things get more dicey with Mississippi State (who went to a bowl last season) and perhaps Kentucky or Wake Forest. I'll be happy with a four win season or a signature upset win, such as against Auburn (we haven't beaten them since 1955) or Florida (last win 1988) or Tennessee (how sweet that victory would be).

I also hope that DB D.J. Moore, first team all-SEC, will have an outstanding season. The experts say we have one of the best secondaries in the country (our defense was ranked 16th nationally last year). It would be nice of that could continue. The key to our future is to continue having Vandy players drafted in early rounds of the NFL. Cutler and Williams going in the first round over past three seasons has certainly helped our visibility!

I Have To Laugh!

Last weekend NASCAR ran its race at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, dubbed the Brickyard. In case you missed it, the Goodyear tires couldn't handle the race. Teams were forced to change their tires every ten laps. Yes, you read it right, TEN LAPS! I'm glad I didn't bother watching that race.

Also consider that a couple of years ago, the Formula One series ran at the same racetrack with another tire problem. Apparrently the Michelin tires were not capable of running safe only the track. The teams with Michelin tires demanded that a chicane (modification of the track course) be put in. Of course all the teams with Bridgestone tires ran just fine. In a huff, all the Michelin teams pulled out of the race when they couldn't get their way.

So, what are the only tires to run without problems at Indy? Bridgestone (F1) and Firestone (IRL). I rest my case!

Tire Problems Dredge Up Bad Memories for Indy Fans
NASCAR Apologizes for Indianapolis Tire Fiasco
Michelin blames tire design flaw