Boise State and Biggest Loser

After a week of being a bachelor, I am excited to have Autumn back home from Vegas. She did not bust Vegas but she doesn't gamble so it's all good. We have had an adventurous Friday night that has included watching the Phillies v. Braves, the season premier of the Biggest Loser and the Boise State v. Fresno State game and I have learned three things. 1. Ryan Howard can hit a baseball clear over them mountains, 2. There is going to be a ton of offense in this football game, and 3. If you can't get inspired by watching the Biggest Loser, I wonder if you even have a pulse. I know that these contestants have all made terrible choices and have lived a very unhealthy lifestyles but it is inspirational to see a group of people say "enough is enough." You have a handful of people who weigh over four hundred pounds coming onto national TV and exposing themselves to America. They will work extremely hard over the next few weeks and months with the goal of losing weight and learning how to live a healthier lifestyle. My hat is off to those contestant and I hope all of us can be inspired to lead healthier and happier lives. There is one contestant, Abby, whose story is really heartbreaking and inspiring. She lost her husband and 2 children in a car wreck in 2006 and she said: "Death doesn't scare me. Death would be an easier choice for me. ... It's getting up and taking that step that's hard. There's not anyone else. It is just for me. So I get up and I give it my best." I don't know how one would have the strength to even wake up in the morning after going through something like that. She said that she wants to loose weight because she still has something to give and wants to be healthy enough to make a difference. I hope she does well on the show and touches many people's lives during her time on national TV. Her story kind of makes the rest of this blog very unimportant but I will plow on to the football.

Boise State and Fresno State, could you please mix in just a little bit of defense? I am watching these two teams and can't help but think Jon Crompton would be an All-American playing against these defenses or lack there of. I would challenge Boise State to come and play one season in the SEC and see if they could finish with a .500 record. I say there is no way that they could win half of their games against SEC teams. Sure, they could win every once in a while in a bowl situation as they did against Oklahoma a few years ago but the grind of playing against the athletes of the SEC would wear them down after just 3 or 4 weeks. I do not want to hear any of these small teams from the non-BCS conferences whine about not getting any respect or an opportunity to play for a National Championship. Boise State has to win 2 tough games against Oregon and Fresno State and they should run the table. I am pretty sure that they will not play for a National Championship unless all the big time programs finish with at least two losses.

Here we are 15 hours away from the Tennessee/Florida game and it is the first time in years that I don't have the anxiety as if it were Christmas Eve. Yes, I still have trouble sleeping on Christmas Eve and get excited like a little kid on Christmas morning. The night before the Florida game is usually the same way but not tonight. I think it is a combination of the low expectations of Tennessee this year and the story of Abby from the Biggest Loser, she kind of helps get your priorities straight. I can tell you one thing though, I will be fired up tomorrow and I am very anxious to see Coach Kiffin on College Gameday on ESPN in the morning and how the Vols handle themselves in the Swamp tomorrow afternoon. Those kids putting on the Orange and White tomorrow have a great opportunity to live life to its fullest and shock the world. I hope they do it and I hope the rest of you have a great weekend and be sure to tell those close to you that you love them because you never know when your time here will be over. Go Vols and God Bless!