Scattershot quick hitters:

No way to spin it, the Big Ten conference was vastly overrated this football season. For the most part, the only time the Big Ten looked good is when conference teams were playing each other. USC dominated Michigan, and Florida flat out embarrassed and exposed Ohio State. The nearly two month layoff is way too much, and Ted Ginn did get hurt celebrating a touchdown, but Urban Meyer made Jim Tressell look like Jim Walden, and the game was over before halftime. I know because I have to do my son's chores for a week. I picked the Buckeyes.

Speaking of Walden, he looks smarter than at any time since the Nebraska game in 1992. (Where have you gone, Marv Seiler? Cyclone Nation turns its lonely eyes to you.) Walden was the only person in America to vote Florida #1 in the pre-bowl Harris Poll. I believe Walden when he says he thought Florida had played a much harder schedule---it had---but how can you not vote undefeated Ohio State #1 when it had beaten a #2 team twice? Turns out Texas and Michigan weren't worthy of being #2, but we didn't know that then. Maybe Walden did. Either way, he looks a lot smarter than he did when he tried to run the triple option at Iowa State? (Where have you gone, Bob Utter? Cyclone Nation turns its lonely eyes to you.) Jim is always a good interview, in good times and bad.

I voted Troy Smith for Heisman, and he went out and laid a ginormous egg. He had help, but Smith was awful. There are a few Heisman votes I'd like to have back, but he's not one of them. Until this week, he was at his best in big games.

Remember football season in this state? High expectations caused crushing disappointments. Men's basketball season is the opposite. No one expects much, so it's been a pleasant surprise so far. UNI is the state's best, Iowa plays hard and is fun to watch, ISU is well-coached and learning quickly, Drake had its moments in December.

I'm going to the I-Cubs Fanfest with my father this weekend. Nothing like heart surgery to remind me to make the most of every moment. My father never did the kind of things that make headlines, but he's a great man in all the ways that really matter.

I'm hooked on Friday Night Lights. I can't believe more people don't watch this show. It's more social drama than football show, but it's terrific.

So the Daily News reports Barry Bonds tested positive for amphetamines and promptly blamed a teammate. I'm shocked. SHOCKED! What will it take for this guy to just go away and leave Henry Aaron's hallowed record alone. Please. For once, Barry, do the right thing.

The Steelers opening couldn't come at a better time for Hawkeye fans. Pittsburgh appears ready to hire from in-house, and Ferentz looks determined to return Iowa to better days. I also think he's paid close attention to all the miserable NFL coaches who can't get back to the college game fast enough. Paging Nick Saban.

Grey's Anatomy returns tonight. I wonder if Izzie still has the $9 million dollar check pinned to her fridge, or if she actually might have deposited it where it would be earning thousands in interest. I love that show, but what a stupid storyline.

Rosie vs. Trump... who do you have? It's a tough call, but I'm going with Trump. Rosie spent years pretending she was the "queen of nice". Trump never disguised his exaggerated egocentric windbag act. He is what he is.

Just watched Invincible on DVD again. Love it. They shouldn't work so hard to disguise the fact Vince Papale played in the USFL, but it's a real Rocky story.