By Dustin Hockensmith
College Football
Ohio State vs. Michigan – Both teams proved how good they really were, but Troy Smith and the top-ranked Buckeyes won 42-39 and secured a spot in the national championship game. The teams went nose-to-nose like a couple of heavyweight fighters, but Smith threw for four touchdown passes and essentially locked up the Heisman Trophy … BCS Implications – Ohio State became the first team in three seasons to earn a perfect 1.000 BCS score, and both OSU and Michigan finished their regular seasons … despite the loss, the Wolverines ended up No.2 in Sunday's BCS rankings, but won't stay there when No. 3 USC takes care of No. 5 Notre Dame next week.
NBA
Shaq to Have Surgery - Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal is having surgery on his left knee and is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks. We're starting to see accelerated wear and tear from supporting such a large human all these years. Maybe again he's 'fresh' for a playoff run, but that only happens if he can return to the lineup by January and get back into playing shape … Don't Get Too Excited Jazz Fans - The Utah Jazz is off to its best start in franchise history at 9-1, but don't get too excited just yet. This isn't the first time a Jazz team has flown out of the gates, and I don't buy them as a contender just yet. The Northwest Division is very average, so they'll win that and get a Top 4 seed, but they're not up to par with the Mavs or Spurs.
NFL
Chad Johnson Did It Again - Bengals WR Chad Johnson caught six passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns against the Saints on Sunday. That gives the wideout two-week totals of 17 receptions for 450 yards and five TD's … McNabb, Eagles Done - Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb tore his ACL on Sunday, effectively putting an end to the Eagles and your fantasy season. Needless to say, that offense just won't run the same with Jeff Garcia leading it ... Steelers Still Have a Pulse - They've got work to do, but the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't dead yet. Big Ben Roethlisberger threw for 224 yards in the third quarter after being picked off three times in the first half, and the Steelers rallied to beat the Browns on a Roethlisberger-to-Willie Parker connection with 30 seconds remaining … Colts Loss a Blessing in Disguise – They've been walking a tightrope for some time now, and I don't think anyone was shocked when the Colts lost to the Cowboys on Sunday. They'll get their edge back and be in better shape for the playoffs than they were last year … LT a Touchdown Machine – Not much you can say here that the numbers don't already suggest. LaDainian Tomlinson reached the 100-touchdown plateau faster than any player ever over the weekend, and he put the Chargers on his back in a comeback win in the process.
MLB
Cubs Keep Working in Free Agency – The Chicago Cubs have inked outfielder Alfonso Soriano to an 8-year, $136 million contract, it was announced on Sunday. It was the fifth-largest deal in Major League Baseball history. His rare 40-40 potential and dynamic bat combined with the signings of Neal Cotts and Mark DeRosa and the resigning of Aramis Ramirez have made for an outstanding off-season already for the Cubbies.
