Merry Christmas and Happy Festivas!

By Tyler Savage

It is official--if you like sports this is the greatest time of the year. Thanksgiving officially kicked off this greatest time, and it will end instantly at the end of the NFC and AFC Championship games. Here are the things that make the next month and a half a great time to watch sports:

Thanksgiving football:
Yes, the games sucked--but who cares. Is there anything better than a family holiday that is all about watching football and stuffing your face--I don't think so. Wait...yes there is something better, if we could get rid of the family part to Thanksgiving and make it a holiday that we have to share with our friends.

Baseball Winter Meetings:
This is my second favorite time of the baseball year (only the spring training with the hope of a World Series is better). In a way, the winter meetings are the official start to the new hope of a new season, and Red...hope is a good thing. There is nothing better than reading the rumors flying around, and waiting for the Twins to sign their big free agent. Wait...yes there is something better, and that would be when the Twins actually do sign that big free agent (note to readers, this has yet to happen in Twins' history).

Crappy College Bowl Games:
This is the only time of year that you would watch Troy play Akron on a Tuesday night. Why...because both teams are playing for the pride of godaddy.com (whoever the hell that guy is). What's my idea for a good new crappy bowl game? Glad you asked: take two crappy teams-records don't matter-who average around 30 points a game, and match them against each other. Also, the teams have to be only a high powered jittery passing team, and they have to have horrible pass defenses. Then, you fly these teams to the country of Colombia and host the first every Coffee Bowl presented by Folgers Morning blend. Final score: 110-108 on a last second safety.

Good Bowl Games:
The magic of the Christmas season is all about the great bowl games, and the fact that you don't have to work or go to school during most of these games. What would I change about sports if I were president? Glad you asked: Make it illegal to play any bowl games after New Year's Day. Why are the games being pushed back all the way to the 5th of January? I want one day of super football to end with the BCS game.

Sports Documentary Shows During Xmas Eve:
The year in review, the top ten games of the year, and the top performers of the year--I love those shows. Who could forget in '99 when ESPN ended their 100 Greatest Athletes Series over Christmas? Patrick Ewing not in the top ten is still confusing.

Fight Night:
MMA season officially kicks off. Ordering the December UFC with a group of 20 guys is never a bad idea. Going downtown shortly afterwards will always have a story that starts with: "Remember that fight that (insert drunk guys name here) got into after we watch UFC..."

These are just a few of the things to look forward to in the rest of the year. Why didn't I mention the Super Bowl? Because the Super Bowl sucks, and is officially the downfall of sports, and it kicks off the worst month and a half or sports watching (watch for that column soon)!