The CT sports editor sounds off

BASEBALL

*The CT went to press before Game 4 of
the World Series ended. All comments made
in this section reflect this.

As I expected, the World Series has been
boring . unless, of course, you are a Red
Sox fan. After rolling over in Game 1 and
getting a dose of Curt Schilling and the
Red Sox bullpen in Game 2, the Rockies
appeared to show up late in game three
– but the Red Sox dominated the final two
innings to take a 5-run victory. Colorado is
a solid team, but it isn’t ready to be elite.
The Rockies’ winning streak to end the
regular season (and into the playoffs) was
impressive – but they just aren’t quite at the
top yet. Because of the long layoff between
series, the National League champions had
somewhat of an excuse for the lackluster
performance, but otherwise the series has
been a tribute to Boston’s excellent pitching
staff and timely hitting.

NFL

Someone please, please, puhhhhhlease,
find a way to schedule an 18th week in the
regular season just before the playoffs. After
the Dolphins flew all the way to London
to lose to the Giants, and the Rams threw
away a chance to win against the Browns,
both teams sit at 0-8. It is a shame to me
that these two teams do not meet during
the regular season – and as bad as they
are, both could easily finish 0-16. That
would be an astonishing feat, as no team
has ever finished a season winless since the
league expanded the regular season to 16
games, let alone two. However, if it indeed
happens, there should be a game between
the two, if nothing else to ensure that the
National Football League isn’t completely
embarrassed by two franchises with very
good histories.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Before I say anything else, let me say that
Boston College’s Matt Ryan is clutch. The
Eagles were stymied all night last Thursday
against a tough Virginia Tech defense, but
found a way to pull through at the end.
Ryan, a Heisman Trophy candidate, led
two scoring drives in the final 2:11 to help
the Eagles grind out a 14-10 win over the
Hokies. Maybe it was his calm demeanor
in the pocket, or maybe it was the images
of him throwing up on the sideline after
throwing the final touchdown with 11
seconds to play, but Matt Ryan now fully
has my respect.

My respect, however, might be the kiss
of death. After I sang the praises of South
Florida not too long ago, the Golden Bulls
have now dropped games against Rutgers
and Connecticut. Now, both teams are very
good and have been or are in the top 25
this season, but when you work your way
to the No. 2 ranking in the country, you
have to win the tough games. Speaking of
which, props to Oregon for coming through
and beating Southern Cal. The Ducks were
favored to win, but many felt the Trojans
would still win the game. Oregon was
able to put the USC hype aside and win a
close ball game.

AROUND CAMPUS

Basketball season officially kicks off this
week when the men’s and the women’s
team play exhibition games. The men
take on Virginia State while the women
play Virginia Union on Thursday. I ask
everyone to come out and support both
teams as they begin the season – every
game counts, even when they don’t show
up in the records.