Gayle, V 2.0

PUNDITS ARE STARTING to compare Reggie Bush to Gayle Sayers. That's a bold comparison, but seeing Bush's play against UCLA this past Saturday can make one a believer -- especially when you open your New York Times to see this photo above the fold in Sports.

I've watched a lot of football in my life. I think that's one of the most remarkable still photos I've seen. Never in a million years could my legs do that. Well, they could, but it would be a bad, painful thing, not the remarkable thing we see above. I don't know if he's Gayle, but he's certainly good. Look out defenses 2006 ...

Go Nits

AFTER 13 YEARS IN PENNSYLVANIA, I think I'm finally starting to like the Nits. The fact that they're 6-0 this season doesn't hurt. Several things have slowed my adoption of JoPa: State College is more than two hours away, for one, and tickets are impossible to get, for another. They also began to get pounded in the Big 10 just about the time I started to take interest as a relocated Utahn. (All that said, I think the most influential factor has been the blue and white uniforms, which are disturbingly reminiscent of The Enemy.)

Regardless, I'm finally starting to warm up to the Lions. Heck, I was actually excited to see the PSU / OSU game last night.

I will say this: Beaver Stadium is one of the most remarkable places to see a game in the country (at least as amazing as The Big House, if not more so). And the fans are beyond passionate: I saw the Blue and White Spring scrimmage several years ago and 54,000 people showed up -- for a scrimmage. (Those fans can tailgate, too; PSU is in the finals for SI's Tailgate Nation poll against the over matched fans of the Buffalo Bills.) From that game I have a vivid memory of standing atop of Beaver Stadium, looking toward Nittany Mountain, and seeing thousands upon thousands of RVs in the surrounding lots, all flying blue and white PSU flags. For a football fan it was an amazing sight (one that easily topped the tailgating at Michigan, BTW).

So let's hear it for the Nits: 6-0 with six to go. Don't know if I'm quite ready to join the cheer of "We are ... Penn State," but I'm coming along.