Each week I'll talk about the world of sports …
• What a way to start college football! Who would have believed that Appalachian State, a powerhouse in the division formerly known as I-AA, would go to Ann Arbor and beat the Maize and Blue! It was an incredible upset, one of the biggest ever as Jerry Moore's squad blocked a potential game-winning kick to secure the W! What about the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, with an inept performance against Georgia Tech at South Bend. Wow, the Wolverines and Irish already with L's and we are just through week one! College football has arrived big-time!
• Colt Brennan sent a message that he should be a Heisman candidate. OK, the Hawaii quarterback posted big numbers at home against Northern Colorado -- six TDs -- and he only played in the first half. There are many people who feel this Hawaii squad is capable of running the table. So what if their scores are not always in your Sunday morning paper, Mr. Brennan is going to have a big, big season.
• There were also plenty of blowouts in college football. What does Louisville gain blowing out Murray State, or Florida dominating against Western Kentucky The beat goes on, as Penn State beat Florida International in a rout. These schools whipped their opponents while giving out a nice payday.
• Clay Buchholz came through at the right time for the Red Sox. In his second career start, he threw a no-hitter to stop the bleeding as Boston had been struggling.
• Last week, the Yankees sent a message to the Red Sox. Boston threw Josh Beckett, Daisuike Matsuzaka and Curt Schilling and left Yankee Stadium with three L's. The trio of Andy Pettitte, Chien Ming-Wang and Roger Clemens can flat out throw, and they will be tough in a short playoff series. My friends, it looks like the Yankees will make the postseason as Seattle has really struggled lately. The M's lost nine in a row after losing Sunday in Toronto. Now Seattle goes into Yankee Stadium needing a few big wins. The Yankees will be heard from in the postseason.
• The Phillies are trying to make the playoffs, which is pretty amazing considering the injuries that have plagued Charlie Manuel's team. Among those on the disabled list during this season include Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Tom Gordon, Cole Hamels, Brett Myers and Freddy Garcia, among others. Philadelphia is in the wild card hunt and still in the NL East race after sweeping the Mets in four straight last week. This team will not go away.
• Meanwhile the Mets rebounded after being swept by the Phillies. Willie Randolph's team dominated the Braves, pushing Atlanta well back in the NL East race.
• Maria Sharapova's third-round loss at the U. S. Open was a real shocker. Who would have believed the defending champion would fall to the 30th-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska? Sharapova was so popular in NYC and she wore a beautiful red outfit earlier in the tournament. Her backhand and forehand failed her in the Big Apple. It is no surprise that week two features the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and James Blake on the men's side. Serena Williams went through her first four matches without losing a set. Venus Williams has also been impressive.
• I can't wait for the NFL to start this Thursday. Wow, Peyton Manning vs. Drew Brees is a great way to start the season. LaDainian Tomlinson goes up against Brian Urlacher and the Bears.
• Carlos Pena of the Devil Rays has to be Comeback Player of the Year. Wow, he has been hitting well and his 34 home runs tied a franchise record. Pretty good for a guy who was cut in the spring but got a break when Greg Norton was injured.
