Rennie Curran: We Hate To See You Go...

I realize that these guys do have to exit the college game early when those mega-bucks are waved in their faces. It's a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity, as they say. Nevertheless, I wish good guys like Rennie Curran would play out their college eligibility runs and get closer to graduation. I really catch myself wanting to get down on Curran for his decision to go pro early, but he's such a great kid. I just have to wish him the best. Most of us UGA fans believe the next defensive coordinator will be an upgrade to our past situation, and that Curran could bust out with a super senior season under a new defensive philosophy. The new coordinator is coming, but Rennie is going. Too Bad. I bet they would have made a terrific pair.

Dan LeFevour: Collegiate Quarterback Forever?

Is it just me, or does it seem like Dan LeFevour has been playing college football forever? He's had to have eight or ten years of college eligibility. We've been hearing about him as quarterback of the Central Michigan Chippewas for ages. Well that long, drawn out, four-year career has finally ended. LeFevour led his team to a dramatic come from behind double overtime victory over Troy University Wednesday night in the GMAC Bowl 44-41. He was 33 of 55 for 395 yards, and ended his career in 2nd place for career total yards with 15,853. LeFevour probably hasn't received the notoriety that he should have, but he will definitely get a shot at football at the next level. Nevertheless, we can't say about him that "we hardly even knew you".

Will Muschamp: The Ultimate Coordinator

Will Muschamp doesn't throw "Pity Parties". He's never thrown one for himself, and he isn't going to throw one for you. If you throw sorrow at him, he'll show you his 17 inch steel rod and send you on your way. That's the same rod that was placed in his leg by a surgeon in 1989 after a double, compound fracture he suffered in a baseball game. His career as an athlete was looking down the barrel of elimination. Elimination probably would have won if not for the heart and determination of Muschamp. So he knows all about tough breaks and hard luck. However, he knows more about being tough and working hard. He walked on at the University of Georgia and played safety for the Bulldogs from 1991-1994. His first real coaching job was at West Georgia College in 1998, where he made $12,000 and did everything from lining the field to washing uniforms. Now, twelve quick years later, he is the defensive coordinator and "head coach in waiting" at the University of Texas at a salary of $900,000. Not a bad career up to this point for Muschamp, and it will just continue to get better. Texas head man Mack Brown isn't going anywhere anytime soon, but when he does Texas will continue to be in good hands under the leadership of Will Muschamp.

Georgia Basketball: That "Stegeman Streak"

Georgia Tech had not won a basketball game in Georgia's Stegeman Colosseum in 34 years. After Tuesday night's thrashing at the hands of the Bulldogs, they still haven't won in Athens in 34 years. The 20th ranked Yellow Jackets were outplayed by an undermanned Georgia team, and were defeated 73-66. Tech had all the talent on the court, but the Dawgs had all the heart. Mark Fox got every ounce he could have gotten out of his Georgia team, while Paul Hewitt didn't get very many ounces out of his Tech squad at all. Yellow Tech took a butt-kicking back to Atlanta last night, and they will take several more as they get into the thick of their ACC season. The Bulldogs themselves won't highlight many scoreboards this season either. They really aren't very athletic, and they won't be a tournament basketball team. However, if they continue to improve by getting more comfortable in their new system and continue to play hard like they did against the Jackets, they just might surprise a few teams. But for now let's just savor the fact that it is always great to Wreck Tech!

Atlanta Braves: What A Deal

This date back in time: On January 6, 1976, Ted Turner purchased the Atlanta Braves for $12 million. Today, the Atlanta franchise is valued at $446 million, and is owned by Liberty Media. Liberty Media purchased the MLB club in 2007 for $400 million. Although Turner is not involved in professional sports ownership anymore, he is the largest American landowner, with ownership in fifteen different ranches.

Hey Bobby: Don't Take All Those Wins With You...

Florida State has apparently lost its appeal to save Bobby Bowden 14 wins that were in jeopardy due to an academic cheating scandal. Bowden retired after Friday's Gator Bowl game. Official statements from both the NCAA, as well as Florida State, will be forthcoming. Sorry, Bobby. Dad-gum.

Boise State: Whatever It Takes...

Boise State defeated TCU in the Fiesta Bowl 17-10 Monday night. They accomplished this feat by pulling off a fake punt with the score tied at 10-10. When Boise plays, they play to win. They will pull out all the stops on you. They'll try anything, do anything, run anything if they believe it gives them a chance to win. These 'gambles' always seem to be calculated, rehearsed, and successful. You just gotta like a team that plays all-out like that. Chris Petersen's Broncos are for real, they've been legitimate, and they will continue to be in the collegiate football spotlight.

A Shocker in "Chuck Town"

The College of Charleston notched a monumental upset by defeating the North Carolina Tarheels 82-79 last night in Charleston. The Cougars tied the game with a clutch 3-pointer with two seconds left in regulation, then opened the extra period with another three and never looked back. Charleston led most of the game, however Carolina rallied and actually led 72-61 with four minutes remaining. But the Cougars' Andrew Goudelock got hot and scored the last eight points before overtime to propel C of C to victory. It was the first time the Cougars, coached by the infamous Bobby Cremins, had hosted a team ranked as high as the number 9 Tarheels. North Carolina in now 11-4 on the season, while the Cougars improved to 8-6.

Florida Is Still Florida

For those of you who read this blog somewhat regularly, you know that I am "Georgia Bulldog" through and through. I am an Alumnus, I bleed red and black, I anguish with every misfortune, and rejoice with every victory. By saying all of this , I also readily admit to a keen dislike for Auburn, Florida, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, and Tennessee (just to hit the high spots!). Now that we have all of that understood, I must admit that I was very impressed with the Florida Gators in the Sugar Bowl last night. They were equally impressive as we were against Hawaii in that same bowl a few years ago. And Tim Tebow with 482 yards passing. I didn't see that coming. So much for the inner turmoil surrounding the indecisiveness of coach Urban Meyer and his Florida career. The Gators never missed a beat. And now for the real, unpleasant truth: they won't miss a beat for a long time. They still remain the team to beat in the SEC East. I realize they lose Mr. Tebow and an awful lot of that dynamic defense, but Florida is Florida and they will continue to be our nemesis for awhile longer. They will not give up a single thing. We, and everyone else, will have to earn every positive step we take against them. Everyone else has to step up, because they're not stepping down.

The Sky Is Falling, The Sky Is Falling

Gonzaga pasted Oklahoma Thursday night 83-69. Oklahoma pasted the backboard 1-0. With 15:34 remaining in regulation, the Sooners' Tiny Gallon missed an alley-hoop but grabbed the front of the rim with both hands, shattering the glass into a million pieces. The replacement of the board resulted in a 50 minute delay, as well as the prolonging of the inevitable thrashing on the court by the Zags. Gonzaga moved to 10-3 on the season, Oklahoma 8-5.

Travis Pastrana: Jump Into The New Year!

Travis Pastrana set a new rally car long jump just minutes after 2010 was ushered in. His jump of 274 feet shattered the previous mark by more than 100 feet. The feat took place in Long Beach, California over water onto a barge. Even though he was successful in keeping his Subaru dry, he capped off his successful leap by executing a back flip into the cold harbor water. Pastrana's stunt was a continuation of Red Bull's New Years, No Limit Series.

Happy New Year!

We begin again in 2010. Happy New Year everyone! Here's a New Year's wish that we all have a better '10 than we had in '09. Thank all of you for your support of An Opinion on Sports! I look forward to sharing my opinions with you as we go forward into the year. I only have one question bugging me as 2010 kicks off: Did they ever get 'Ole Man Sutter out of the well?