I'm BAA-AAA-CCKKK

Oh HAY guys! It's been a hot second since we were last together, but can I be honest with you? The Olympics burned me out. It got to the point where I was feeling immense guilt if I didn't tune in each night, and that's just cray cray, ammiright?

Anyway, I'm feeling slightly refreshed after my few weeks hiatus, which is good because FOOTBALL SEASON IS HERE. Actually, more importantly, COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON IS HERE.

Now, I hope everyone has had ample time to check out your favorite sports news media outlet and see what conference your team is now playing for, because chances are it's changed since last January.

For instance, about a week and a half ago, I went on ESPN to catch up on bloggy news about WVU, and it took me a few seconds to remember to go to the Big XII site. I don't even really remember WVU being an independent, as I was 10 when the Big East was formed, so that was trippy and weird and a little uncomfortable.

But my alma mater is certainly not the only one that has switched lanes and gears and everything else when it comes to conferences. The Big XII is also welcoming in the Horned Frogs of TCU while bidding farewell to Mizzou and Texas A&M, who are headed to the SEC. Meanwhile, the Big East (who is not yet losing Syracuse and Pitt to the ACC) is welcoming back Temple- the same team they kicked out just 8 years ago. I guess when your conference members are dropping like flies, a 14-80 record in conference play doesn't look quite as bad as it used to.

And when 2013 and 2014 roll around? Hands up as to who's going to need some sort of Conferences for Dummies guide book.

There are also plenty of new coaches: Mike Leach at Washington State (welcome back!), Hugh Freeze at Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC!), and Bill O'Brien at Penn St (welcome to what is probably going to be your worst nightmare).

Then there is Urban Meyer. The illustrious former Florida Gator head coach is returning to his alma mater Ohio State to take over a probation-laden program. The good news? Ohio State is apparently talent-heavy and ranked in the top ten pre-season. The bad news? It doesn't really matter, because playing for pride isn't nearly as fun as say...playing for a national championship.

Well, this sucks.

When all is said and done with the pre-season back stories and predictions, however, it all comes down to what will happen on the gridiron. And that, my friends, begins tonight.

Who better to kick off the 2012-13 season than the Ol' Ball Coach himself Steve Spurrier? His #9 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks travel to Vanderbilt to take on the Commodores. The fun continues tomorrow night with a match-up between a pair of ranked foes in #24 Boise St. and #13 Michigan St.

But the REAL excitement will come on Saturday evening, when #8 Michigan takes on #2 Alabama at neutral Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Remember when Michigan lost that opener a few years ago against lowly App. State at home? Remember that 'Bama is the reigning National Champ after beating conference rival LSU in a controversial rematch? Yeah, this one should shake out to be pretty entertaining.

In short, I am glad that college football, like moi, is indeed back. Aren't you?

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Hit me up and let me know what you're most looking forward to this season. See ya on the flip side!

Images provided by wvusports, espn, and lh6.

Pedal Through the Medals

Wow, what an exciting week and half it's been for the Olympics already! We've had tears of joy, tears of sadness, and tears of disgust from women all over the world finding out Ryan Lochte pees in the pool.

We've had history made: the USA winning both the women's team gold and All-Around gold in gymnastics, a para-Olympian making it to the semi-finals of the 400 meters in track, an American man failing to make the 400 meter finals for the first time EVER, and a swimmer who has become the most decorated Olympian in history (Michael Phelps with 22 medals, just in case you've been living under a rock).

We've seen Mckayla Maroney, American gymnast and vaulter extraordinaire, fail to earn a gold medal in her event. You know, the gold medal that, next to the US basketball squad,  was about as assured as a gold medal can get? We've seen Gabby Douglas fail to earn a single invidual event medal after taking the All-Around title...a first in the sport.

And speaking of gymnastics, we've seen some of the most ridiculous parents EVER this past week. Special gold medal awarded to the people sitting behind Aly Raisman's folks just for tolerating the crazy.

We've seen beach volleyball superstars Kerri Walsh-Jennings and Misty May-Treanor lost their first Olympic set in...oh, ever. But we've also seen them rally back to their superb form, setting up a gold-medal battle against fellow Americans April Ross and Jennifer Kessy. On the flip side, we've seen defending Olympic champs Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser fail to make it to the medal rounds.

We've seen the Chinese continue to dominate in diving and the Jamaicans continue to be really, really fast.

We've seen countless bouts of judo, handball, and table tennis. LOL, just kidding...no one watches that crap.

We've seen the Phelps/Lochte showdown get overshadowed by young swimming phenoms like Missy Franklin, Elizabeth Beisel and Katie Ledecky.

And yes, above it all, we've seen a man overcome a lackluster start to earn not his 19th, not his 20th, not his 21st, but his 22nd Olympic medal. And in a week filled with so many memorable moments, that's about as history changing as you can get.

So guys, what's been your most memorable Olympic moment so far? Or have you abandoned all hope for cable tv? Let me know!

Images provided by guim.co.uk, salon, wallpapersup, and dailyguideghana.

International (Fashion) Affairs

Two weeks ago I kicked off my Olympic 2012 coverage by examining the controversy that was the American Opening Ceremony outfits. But that was just the tip of the iceberg my friends. We're not even through a whole week yet in London, and there have already been some very definite fashion DOS and DON'Ts. Judges?

DO be insanely cool like Usain Bolt and rock a military-inspired jacket while flashing that famous smile. Le sigh!

Judges Score: 9

DON'T wear a rhinestone grill to your medal ceremony. I don't care how patriotic you think you're being...that's just not necessary, nor is it particularly attractive. 

Judges Score: 3

DO be cute as a button in classic cardigans and full skirts ala the Denmark squad. And we all thank you for not looking like airline stewardesses.

Judges Score: 8.5

DON'T, and I mean for the love of God, don't wear scrunchies. For all the innovations we've had in the sport of gymnastics lately, can't we find something else to hold our hair back? A pretty ribbon perhaps?

Judges Score: 2

DO live in a country small enough to be clad entirely by Italian designer Salvatore Ferragamo. Sure, the women of San Marino look a little silly carrying handbags, but who cares? It's a freaking Ferragamo for crying out loud!

Judges Score: 9.5...a deduction was taken off because I'm jealous

and finally...

DON'T look like you were styled by Ugly Betty, mmmkay? Mexico deserves better. We all do.

Judges Score: DQ for burning my eyes out with this nonsense

So friends...what have been your highlights or dislikes of the Olympic fashion scene so far? Hit me up and let me know!



Images provided by stilettosandstuff, nojustno.co.uk, and fashion.telegraph.co.uk.