Since Mike Barwis arrived in Ann Arbor from West Virginia, he has been hailed as something of a visionary and an expert by the local media as well as the national media as everyone seems to want to know what his workouts are like and how much they appear to be helping the Michigan players.

As the college football season approaches, I'd like to share with you my favorite part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. For many people, their favorite memory could have been a number of things: perhaps it was Jamaican speedster Usain Bolt's bravado and showmanship en route to setting the track and field world on fire, perhaps it was American swimmer Michael Phelps and his successful climb to Olympic immortality, or perhaps it was watching the American women claim gold in a captivating beach volleyball match against the Chinese. Like many people, I've been captivated by the Olympics the past few weeks, but my favorite memory can be summed up in one word: redemption.

Well time for all the talking is about over, as fall practice has come to a conclusion and we are now into the first game week of the 2008 Nebraska season with first year head coach and Husker Nation savior Bo Pelini leading the way back to the promise land and our "birth-right" of playing in national championship games. Well maybe not that last part, but Pelini definitely has the masses "Fired up" for this season that is certain.

This is the best time of year for sports gaming. While most of my friends have outgrown playing video games with any regularity, thankfully, I have not. So I greet NCAA, Madden, and NHL with open arms.

Bella Karoli said the Chinese girls were 14 and 15 but since the Chinese government lied with their passports, there is nothing anyone could do about it. I'm guessing they were more like 12. "Too bad they are underage," he says.

Seriously, I'm not taking anything away from their athletes but when the qualifying age is 16 and their team is littered with girls so clearly under age, it really pisses me off. As much as we hear about steroids and the integrity of the games, then the host country so blatantly pisses on the rules, it is annoying as hell. Fuck you China. Just like the cute girl lip sinking in the opening ceremonies, this gold medal team was a fraud and it can't be proven because the government had everything to do with it. Bullshit, shady and pathetic.

The American girls looked like old women (average age of just over 17) compared to a few of the Chinese girls. If a government feels the need to cheat in the sporting endeavors, can we really trust them with anything?

Anywhoo, America still could have won but choked. They took down the silver. The individual competition is coming up. Shawn Johnson (below) is an absolute baller so I'll be pulling for her. She stepped up big and looked as good if not better than everyone, even the underage homegirls.

Georgia just lost their best offensive lineman, LT Trinton Sturdivant, for the season as he suffered a severe knee injury during Georgia's first preseason scrimmage.

Florida just lost sophomore offensive lineman Jim Barrie and haralded freshman LB Brendan Beal for the year to torn ACLs. This after stud TE Cornelius Ingram was lost for the year for the same reason. Florida only has 2 safety's on scholarship who will play this year, after they've been decimated by injuries and off-field issues.They just let Ronnie Wilson back on the team after getting busted for pot and firing a gun.

LSU is likely to start Andrew Hatch, a Harvard transfer, at quarterback. Ryan Perrilloux was of course suspended awhile back.Redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee is also in contention for the starting nod.

What does this all mean?

I personally think Florida my be worse on defense than a year ago. LSU's defense will be great but on offense they will struggle. Georgia is still stacked but other than quarterback, LT is one of the toughest positions to replace.

Auburn is watching with a smile, no doubt. I can't help but thinkthe SEC will take some lumps this year, with Georgia and Auburn both thinking this is the time for them to shine. Prediction: LSU and UF both finish outside of the top ten nationally. Georgia and Auburn fight for the top spot. As always, should be interesting...