The Rundown: January 9th, 2009

Today's top stories:

NCAAFB: Chomp, Chomp...the Gators are kings again.

So it wasn't a shootout. It wasn't even particularly well-played. But when the dust settled, Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow had their 2nd national title in 3 years, 24-14 over Oklahoma.

Heisman winner Sam Bradford became something like the 35th Heisman winner in the last 37 years to lose his bowl game (I exaggerate. Slightly), and threw two interceptions against only two scores and 256 yards - pedestrian compared to his usual numbers. Tebow also threw two picks, but history will remember his jump-pass game-clinching TD to David Nelson and his most outstanding player award.

I find it interesting that the Gators have now won three national titles - and all three seasons have included a loss. Maybe Florida should go ahead and lose a game next September just to get it over with?

There's going to be a lot of talk of whether Tebow will go pro after this game (and to a lesser extent whether Bradford still should - it seems to be assumed that he will). If you ask me, Tebow - if he has a brain, and all indications are he does - should know that he's probably never going to be a true NFL quarterback. His best bet to take snaps would be in a system like the one he was in with Chris Leak in 2006, as a modified Wildcat-type QB. Therefore, why not come back? After all, no quarterback in college football history has ever been on three national championship teams. That seems like a pretty ideal goal for Tebow to shoot for - and with the talent the Gators will have coming back, it's more than possible.

Come back, Tim. Shoot for three!

MLB Hot Stove: Hoffman to Milwaukee.

Hope for the Brewers' sake that this works out better than their last attempt to sign a closer that was past his prime... one year, $6 million with an option for 2009, according to ESPN sources. Seems like a pretty good deal for Milwaukee if Hoffman does in fact have anything left. At worst he can't be worse than Milwaukee's pen last year...can he?

NCAAB: Minnesota pulls it out 52-49.

The Gophers needed to beat Iowa - probably more for their own confidence than anything. Should be interesting to see how they respond now, given the Big Ten looking like it may be more competitive than last season. Minnesota was down 13 in this game - sign of tenacity for coming back or sign of weakness for being down 13 in the first place?

Other Top 25 action last night:

#16 Arizona St 69, Oregon St 38 (ouch)
#18 Xavier 70, St. Louis 44
#20 Butler 64, Wright St 48

No Top 25 games scheduled for Friday night.

NBA: A.I. is back in Denver tonight with the Pistons.

Does this really mean anything? Anymore, guys make return visits to their former teams every other game. Iverson is hardly known as a Nugget. I think the real story here is Chauncey Billups, Denver's hometown boy, hosting HIS former team, the Pistons. You want to bet the Rocky Mountain fans will come out in force to re-emphasize that Billups is theirs now?

Oh, and: Boston/Cleveland tonight (8 pm, ESPN). Not quite the same luster since the Celts have dropped six of eight, but the Cavs are unbeaten at home. This is a good measuring stick for Cleveland - currently boasting the best record in the East. Big game for LeBron and Company...

The Last Word:

Check out Dana O'Neil's profile of Kent State's Tyree Evans. As a proud MAC alum, it's nice to see a MAC school getting some national play, even if it's for taking in a troubled recruit. And anything to take the conversation away from the 0-5 MAC football bowl showing...

Happy Friday!

Not a whole lot else going on in the sports world today, friends. Have a good Friday.