Required Reading

So what if the Mets got owned up by a pitcher who no one has ever heard of (and probably never will)? Not only did the rival Phils give up an 8-2 lead in just 2 innings to somehow lose and keep the deficit at 5 games, but football season finally started today.

The dominant performance by Indianapolis was probably enough to place them at the top of most experts' "power rankings." It's rare to see a team playing at as high a level as the Colts were tonight. Just think of what it would have been like had they not spotted the Saints 7 points on the Wayne fumble.

So even though I just took a subtle shot at power rankings, I really wanted everyone to read Part 1 of Bill Simmons' preseason rankings. Unlike most "rankings" columns, Simmons' is more than a glorified look at the standings. A must read for any NFL fan. Also, if you're like me and love to follow all the uniform changes from year to year (lots of throwbacks this year, people!), than you should read this column.

It's too bad Appalachian State didn't schedule any more Top 25 schools this year, because they could soon be in the Top 25 themselves! It's not ducktales (the new, cooler way of saying "BS"), check it out.

By the way, there are now conference power rankings. Now there'll be a way to settle all those arguments .... pause... NOT! Anyway, the Big Ten dropped BEHIND THE BIG EAST because of Minnesota and Michigan blowing home games to a couple of schools that no one can locate on a map (Bowling Green is in Ohio, A-State is in North Carolina). However, those loses should not in any way convince you to not boycott SI for even suggesting that the Big Ten is the 5th best conference.

In local news, Jimmy Clausen is indeed going to be literally thrown into the lions' den on Saturday. This morning, the line was at 16.5, so bet on the Nits while you can. Meanwhile, a trio of Collegian reporters took a recent trip to South Bend to dig up even more on the Irish.

So that's it for today. As usual I can't wait for this weekend. It should be a heck of a time. Only 2 more classes before a full 2 days of football. BOOM!