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Sports Agenda For Tuesday (1/9/12)

Big Story:
Not to say I told you so, but…I told you so. Alabama erases all doubt who's number one, the Heat prepare for a three game road trip, the Panthers show signs of life, and why a report from a local Oregon television station regarding the Dolphins is false, yet fascinating.
When I go to sleep I dream about….more sports!

BCS National Championship Game:
Ha. I told you not to bet against Saban to lose twice to the same team in the same season, especially when he had close to 50 days to prepare.
I was ready to argue for a split national championship if LSU lost, but it was a close game.
Key word there, was.
Alabama erased all doubt that they were the number one team in the country.
Seriously, I'm not sure the Colts could have scored against Alabama's defense last night.
They were just scary good.
The defense allowed LSU past midfield once in the game, if my memory serves me correctly.
That's the kind of stat you'd expect if Alabama was playing Reject Tech, not the number one team in the country.
And don't bring Oklahoma State into this discussion.
I watched OSU on numerous occasions, because I still like Big XII football.
OSU would have ZERO chance against Alabama's defense. None. Nada.
And so we close the book on another college football season.
But never fear, spring football is just a month or two away and National Signing Day is roughly two weeks away!
And since it's way too early, let's throw out an initial Top 5 for the 2012-2013 season.
1. USC
2. Oregon
3. Alabama
4. LSU
5. Florida State

Miami Heat: (@ Golden State, 10:30 p.m., Sun Sports)
The Heat will take on a completely overmatched Golden State team tonight in what should be an easy victory for the team.
LeBron is back to playing full strength and the bench is playing lights out.
If you read Ira Winderman of the south florida sun-sentinel yesterday, you probably freaked out about Dwyane Wade.
Winderman talked about Wade and planter fasciitis.
Here's the truth: they're not sure what's up with Wade's foot.
He says he's ready to go, but against an overmatched Warriors team he isn't needed, so the smart move is to rest him.
The west coast trip is not that tough for the Heat and it might be wise to rest Wade for the whole trip, just to be extra careful.
Based on multiple reports, Mike Miller took part in practice yesterday and could be close to returning in the next game or two.
I still would argue for more minutes for James Jones, but Miller is a great rebounder, which gives him a slight edge.
No word yet on Eddy Curry, though I'm willing to be he may be ready to go by the time the Heat return home to play the Spurs.
Though that's just a hunch at this point.

Florida Panthers: (off until Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins0
Well the Panthers lost another ga….wait, what?
The Panthers knocked off the Western Conference's best team, Vancouver, last night in overtime.
The win pushed the Panthers' overall record to 21-13-8 and helped the Panthers become the first team in the Southeast Division with at least 50 points.
It also extended their lead over the Winnipeg Jets to 5 points.
If the playoffs started today, the Panthers would be the number three seed in the Eastern Conference.
That's pretty impressive for a team that was put together in the last offseason.
It really speaks to how good a general manager that Dale Tallon has become.
He identified the weak spots, filled the gaps, and had a good draft.
Not bad for the first year on the job.
And if the Panthers can catch fire again, they will be right there in contention for the number one seed.
But the margin for error is small. Currently, Winnipeg, who is just behind the Panthers is on the outside looking in for the playoffs.

Dolphins Coaching Search:
The Fins finished off Monday reportedly by interviewing Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
Of all the coordinators they've interviewed, he might be the best of the bunch.
The only problem is that he likes to run a 4-3 defense, rather than the Fins' current makeup of a 3-4 defense.
Still, the Fins have crossed their fingers, toes, legs, and eyes hoping to sway Jeff Fisher to come to Miami.
Like it or not, Stephen Ross is trying his best.
He just doesn't understand the football business.
He has Carl Peterson sitting in on interviews and asking questions, but swears Peterson is just a consultant.
Really? Really?
You're telling me he's not going to call Peterson before he hires any head coach?
Ha!
But here's where things really get fascinating.
Yesterday, an Oregon television station reported that the Miami Dolphins had contacted Oregon head coach Chip Kelly about the position.
The Herald's Armando Salguero quickly shot down the story.
If it was that erroneous, it's too bad.
Kelly's offense inspired the current Miami Heat offense and I'd be absolutely fascinated to his offense in the NFL.
It may not translate to the NFL, but it'd be fascinating to watch.

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