Doc will be back to his regularly scheduled programming tomorrow, so enjoy today's guest blog. Or don't.
HOW ABOUT THAT FOOTBALL WEEKEND ... Both the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and Cincinnati Bengals took care of business and it's really a welcomed sight.
The Bearcats look every bit of a top team in the country and UCF coach Gus Malzahn would know. The UCF coach called the Bearcats the real deal and said: "They've got a complete team. They can win the whole thing."
Meanwhile, the Bengals did what good teams are supposed to and dispatched the Detroit Lions on Sunday. While the offense sputtered after its first drive of the game, the defense dominated throughout. Saint Joe & Co. came to life in the second half to put the game on ice, but if they can put a complete game together, the Bengals look like a team that could make it to the postseason.
SPEAKING OF THE BEARCATS ... and winning it all. I'm still in the camp that thinks no matter what Luke Fickell and his team do this season the committee will find a way to ensure the CFP is exclusively "Power 5" teams.
Look at it this way: If Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Oklahoma win out, they're all in barring something crazy happening in the B1G and Big 12 championship games. So, UC fans need to hope Ohio State loses again and Oklahoma somehow ends up with two losses after championship weekend.
Unless Alabama or Georgia falter down the stretch, they're both in. Regardless of the outcome of the SEC Championship Game, both teams will be in, which leaves two spots for UC to potentially fill.
To steal a phrase from Doc, "I root for me!" So, I'm hoping UC continues its run and attracts the gaze of college football fans everywhere because it's better for our business. I've always had the motto: "If you're not going to be good, at least be interesting." Here's to another huge win this weekend and the conversation continuing.
SPEAKING OF BEING INTERESTING ... The turnaround The Men at One Paul Brown Stadium are engaged in can't be understated. There were a lot of folks calling for Zac Taylor's job early and that conversation now shifted to him relinquishing play-calling duties.
I went to games during the Lost Decade and can recall many times where the team visibly quit. Even in the first year, that was never the case with Taylor's squad. Sure, he's still finding his way as a playcaller, but his in-game decision making has been bold on a level we haven't seen since one Sam Wyche was roaming the sidelines of Riverfront Stadium.
The offense needs to put together a complete game and Sunday would be an ideal time to do just that. As good as the defense has played, Lamar Jackson is a generational player ready to break the game open at any point. I like the Bengals plus 6.5 (guessing it'll move to 7.5 before kickoff) this week and would strongly consider the over of 47.5.
SPEAKING OF LINES ... When is Ohio going to get legalized sports betting figured out? I was hoping it would be here by now, but apparently raking in millions of tax revenue isn't on the minds of the elected officials in Columbus (never call a politician a leader unless they're an actual leader – they are elected officials).
Meanwhile, Indiana ($36.5M), Pennsylvania ($170.1M), West Virginia ($8.3M), Michigan ($7.4M) and Tennessee ($28.8M) continue to benefit from the inaction of officials in Columbus/Lexington. Those figures listed are tax revenue to the state. Michigan recently opened its sports books and West Virginia is, well, West Virginia.
The point being, Ohio has seven mainstream professional sports franchises, Ohio State, Cincinnati and MACtion during college football season. One would think there are millions of reasons to have something identical to what Indiana/Pennsylvania in place, but my guess is the skids haven't yet been greased enough if you know what I mean.
TUNE O' THE DAY ... Speaking of gambling, here's a favorite. While I enjoy Five Finger Death Punch as much as anyone, I prefer the version from The Animals.
"Well, I got one foot on the platform
The other foot on the train
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain"
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