Wow, it's the BCS championship game and I don't know about you, but I have a huge college football hangover.  Unlike championships in other leagues, this game comes six weeks after these teams have last played, which totally changes the dynamics of the game.  I know, college football has been doing it this way for years, but it really hard to judge who is better after they have had so much time off.  But clearly, the better team tonight is LSU.

LSU definitely benefits from the long layoff, healing a myriad of injuries that dogged them all year.  The big one is Glenn Dorsey, the outstanding defensive lineman who has been dogged by leg issues all year, even though he has managed to stay in the lineup.  The long layoff had to be a benefit for him as it was for Early Ducette who missed five games in the early part of the year.  In LSU's case, whatever doesn't hurt you makes you faster.

Look, I know the Big ten fans will get their undies in a bunch, but the fact of the matter is the SEC is the best conference in the country.  Michigan's upset of Florida noted, the SEC is a faster league and in most cases, has more depth and talent than the Big ten Schools.  The level of competition in the SEC is better too and I would take the top 11 teams in the SEC over the top 11 teams in the SEC. 

Tonight, the LSU Tigers will be out to prove this.  Sure, OSU is ticked off about losing to Florida last year, but Florida was a better team and so is LSU.  Yes, LSU lost twice this year, but they lost both games in OT.  I doubt whether Ohio State will get close enough to get them into OT.

The best hope OSU has is to rattle LSU quarterback Matt Flynn.  But Flynn is pretty calm, cool and collected, especially lining up behind the offensive line that LSU has.  LSU has multiple running options as well and if LSU can neutralize OSU's Vernon Gholston, it could be a long night for the Buckeyes.  Likewise, if OSU can slow down Dorsey, Tyson Jackson, Marlon Favorite and Kirston Pittman, they might be able to spring Beenie Wells for a few big breaks which they will need to win the game.  However, Dorsey, who is finally healthy and ready to go may turn in a monster performance tonight as only a potential top 3 NFL draft pick can. 

The only team that can lose it for LSU tonight is themselves by turning the ball over or by having Les Miles get too wacky.  If they shut down Wells and take care of the ball, they'll win, much to the delight of the LSU leaning crowd in New Orleans.

Given the rest, LSU will be stronger, faster and ready to claim their trophy about 10:30pm tonight.

Lighting Round

• White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams denies any trade is in the works for first baseman Paul Konerko.  The rumor was Konerko for Ervin Santana, Howie Kendrick and Chone Figgins, a trade I would not only make in a heartbeat, but throw in Mike MacUseless and David Aardsma for free, just like Ron Popiel will throw in a knife set. 
• It's got to be a tough call for June Jones. True, he probably would make more money at SMU, have better facilities, a higher paid staff and a chance to compete in a conference that actually means something, but it seems like the good people of Hawaii would hate to see him go.  Unlike Nick Saban or Bobby Petrino, Jones may actually have a soul, so the jury is still out on this.  If he stayed, it would be a great story and a triumph for loyalty, which, apparently has become an outdated notion.
• Roger Clemens says he's open to a lie detector test, especially if Mike Wallace is asking the questions.  Last night's interview was one of those deals you know was managed and that 60 Minutes did just for the star power that Clemens would bring after a football game.  The truth is, twenty years ago when they dominated the ratings, they would have never stooped to that level.
• Why is it every time Bob Knight does something a little wacky it's a big deal?  Was it that slow a news day yesterday?  What these media guys don't get is Knight is controlling the story, not them.  That's exactly what he wants to do.  You know the deal with his grandson being at the press conference, but do you even know the score of the game?  See, just like I said.
• Scottie Pippin was a pretty good defensive player for the Bulls.  As a result, he's adept at backpeddling.
• Mark Manginio was named as the AP College Football Coach of the Year.  Manginio is proving something I've known for a long time: Big boys aren't dumb.  We may not be able to outrun you, but we'll darn sure out think you and out eat you.
• This is interesting.  Brian Billick is available.  Mike Martz is available.  Yet, Mike Nolan is the most interested in Chan Gailey.  Why?  He's a lot lower maintenance than the other two who are divas.  Nolan has enough to worry about (like keeping his job) to have to deal with the egos and the baggage Billick and Martz bring with them.  Billick should do TV because he'd be great.
• The Dolphins are the latest team to interview Tony Sparano.  That's Sparano.  If he does get a head coaching job (and he's being interviewed by just about everyone) wait for the parodies to begin.
• Outstanding humor from the Sports Hernia Blog, who raises the question that the Elderly Hillbilly may have a body double. Just the headline alone was worth reading to me.
• Today's list: The best viral videos of 2007.