I should be much more excited about Oregon's win over Michigan yesterday but I can't seem to muster it. This isn't like the thriller in Autzen during the 03' season. The main difference being that the 03' Michigan team Oregon played was, well, good. Yesterday's Michigan team was not. Not even close. It looked like Oregon set the PS2 on "easy" and put in all the cheat codes before the game.

After the third it even looked like the Ducks felt a little bad for Michigan. Fans spilled out into the parking lot and it was clear this wasn't going to be a contest anymore. Oregon could have easily scored another couple of touchdowns but seemed to spare the imploding Wolverines further embarrassment.

What I saw out of Michigan were a group of players lacking discipline, character and overall class. The hopeless frustration was apparent on the faces of the players and the resounding boos coming from the crowd. This is a team that decided to believe, not live up to, the hype surrounding their program and didn't understand that nothing's a sure thing in college football. Even if you are Michigan.

We've all been there. Peering down our binoculars from the cheap seats, tilting our heads back slightly with Kleenex in our nose, sitting behind a guy with a novelty sized hat or rainbow afro wig and cursing those fat cats sitting comfortably at the one hundred level. They get the bosomy college girls taking their food orders while we get bosomy Dale roaming the aisles and selling us gas station caliber snacks.

"Uh, Dale, this is a just a slice of pizza in a hot dog bun..."

"That'll be $14.50, gratuity not included"

And as you grudgingly pull out your wallet while Dale tries to memorize your debit card number you look down with envy and amazement at all those unoccupied seats. Seats so close that you can distinguish which team has the ball. Seats so close that the referees can surely hear every one of your hilarious zingers (Hey Ref! Binyons called! Your prescription's ready! Wooooo!). Seats so close that even the most novice marksman will hit you with the T-shirt gun like Dirty Harry on his period.

So I give you this million dollar idea, sports franchises of America, for the low, low cost of free: The lottery booth. A ten dollar flat rate puts you in the drawing and as those upper crust fans decide to cut out on the game early, as they often do, they drop their tickets off at the lottery booth where the most dedicated are rewarded for their patience with what would be empty seats for only ten measly bucks.

The preseason buzz in Portland is resounding, I can't leave the house wearing a blazers shirt without hearing "Oh man, we are going to be so good this season"

Yes, it's a no-brainer that the heavily ignored Trailblazers will be far improved from last season. With the absence of Zach Randolph's badditude and having made out like a group of eighth graders in an empty rumpus room during this year's draft we're slated for serious run.

However it's impossible to engage a conversation about the coming season without the mention of Oden. I was just as guilty during early July but the season is coming up quick and quite frankly (All Rights Reserved, Stephen A. Smith), I'm tired of hearing about Oden.

Ok, I'll readjust that statement. I'm tired of the way we're treating Oden. Oden is like the baseball player visiting a terminally ill kid (Portland Fans) in the hospital.

"Will you hit a homer for me, champ?"

"Sure thing kid"

"Could you hit four homers for me?"

"Uh.. yeah, kid.. I'll uh.."

*cough cough* "Thanks! You're the best, champ!"

So lay off the guy, Portland and don't put all your eggs in one basket. There are still plenty of McRoberts jerseys in stock.