Rutgers football ranked #1 in Big East and #25 overall

In an early, early (and very early) preseason ranking of all the college football programs in the country, ESPN has ranked Rutgers in the top 25, (no. 25 actually) and more importantly, the top team in the Big East.

Last year's disappointing 1-5 start is obviously not ringing in any one's minds because of the way Rutgers finished the season...with 7 straight wins, including a bowl game. I don't think we're better than West Virginia consistently just yet, but it's nice to see Rutgers getting some love. Last year, even though we lost to Pitt and WV, we were achingly close to turning the horrible start to the season around by beating them. The games were hard-fought and at that moment, I knew Rutgers would be able to compete with them on the same level in the future. In fact, last year, Scouts.com had our incoming class of 2009 ranked as high as #17, so things are looking up. Unfortunately, the incoming class is ranked #30 now, since a bunch of punks decided not to come to Rutgers. Anyway, I'm sure these rankings will change over the next 6 months, and Rutgers will undoubtedly be in and out of the top 25.

However, at the end of the day, I'm excited for 2009 and I think most of the Rutgers community can feel that change is in the air. With all the drama last year regarding the AD's firing, the stadium money, the horrible 1-5 start, and the 'under the table' payments to Schiano, we are ready to move on. And nothing helps cure some drama better than winning some games.

Red Sox bid over $50 million for the right to negotiate with Japanese pitcher

That's right. Just to negotiate with this pitcher! Now they have to deal with Scott Boras, his mone-hungry price-driving agent. If they can figure out a deal within 30 days, then they would have to pay the Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, that ridiculous posting fee....plus the $15-$20 million a year that Matsuzaka would probably make.

From MLB.com...

The next step in Matsuzaka's dream of pitching in the Major Leagues comes in the next four weeks as the Red Sox have 30 days to reach a contract agreement. If an agreement isn't reached before the 30-day window expires, the "posting" money would be returned to the Red Sox and Matsuzaka would return to the Lions for the 2007 season.

A 17-game winner for the Lions during the '06 regular season, and Most Valuable Player of the World Baseball Classic played last March, Matsuzaka figures to receive an offer from the Red Sox that would make him one of the highest-paid pitchers in 2007 -- and beyond.

With quality starting pitching at such a premium, some baseball officials believe Matsuzaka could command a deal comparable to the five-year, $73 million contract that Houston Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt signed on Aug. 30.

This is just a disgusting amount of money. And its only for the rights to talk to the guy!! Can you believe it?

I hope Scott Boras is his usual self, waits till the 29th day to start becoming resonable, and the deal falls through. If the deal fails, then the posting fee has to be returned. The Red Sox need pitching, but not at this cost. $51 million dollars? Are you kidding me?

What a game!!! Rutgers beats Louisville!

I went to the game yesterday. 44,000 people. A sea of red! It was incredible. I had so much fun. I still can't belive we managed to beat Louisville. We were all over the news! ESPN, choppers, blimps, planes. Even the Empire State Building changed its colors!

Here are some cool stories!
Rutgers finally on college football map
What they are saying about Rutgers
State of Rutgers swells with Joy
Rutgers will remember this game forver

Here are some pictures from NYTimes...



They changed the colored lights atop the Empire State Building...From ScarletKnights.com...

With the national college football world converging on the Rutgers campus in anticipation of Thursday's showdown between the 14th-ranked Scarlet Knights and No. 3 Louisville, the rush of excitement and "Scarlet Fever" has reached the Empire State Building as one of the world's most famous office buildings. The Building's iconic tower will be lit in "Scarlet" Thursday evening.

Monkeys watching cricket

My brother emailed this picture to me and a bunch of other people. I usually find some of the stuff amusing...However, in this case, the fact that he sent this is more amusing than the article itself.

Needless to say, I have blocked all means of communication with my brother with immediate effect....