So the Super Bowl is over. No more football for eight months. It’s a terrible feeling, as if being in the middle of winter wasn’t bad enough already. Now there’s nothing to look forward to on Sundays except watching the PBA on ESPN.
Sure there’s sporatic college basketball games during the week, the NBA and the NHL, but none of that even comes close to the seven-month extravaganza that is the NFL season.
However, all is not lost. There are a few sporting events that can help pass the time until pre-season starts up again in six months. Although each has its drawbacks, it’s the least we can do.
The Winter Olympics
February 12 – 28
Why you should be excited: It happens only once every four years so you can’t be that ambivalent. Snowboarding and short-track speed skating have made the colder Olympics more exciting – and you get to watch curling.
Why you might not be excited: Biatholon, ice dancing, ski jumping and people pretending to like curling.
March Madness
March 16 – April 5
Why you should be excited: Few things beat the first couple days of the NCAA Tournament. Constant coverage all day, the chance for an upset and basketball on CBS are all good things. Duke has been terrible in the last few tournaments, which is always a good thing. Plus, you get to fill out a bracket and rub it in your friend’s face that you knew that Western Kentucky was going to beat Illinois in the first round. It’s just statistics, man.
Why you might not be excited: There’s a chance – a very strong chance – that our men’s team may not make the tournament this year. They’ll need to go on a run in a very tough stretch of schedule and have a good showing in the Big East Tournament. Also, if it’s anything like last year’s tournament, the championship could turn out to be anti-climatic and boring.
The Masters
April 8 – 11
Why you should be excited: It’s the first big golf tournament of the year and if it’s anything like last year’s, where there was a three-way playoff, it could have some drama. It also might be the first tournament that Tiger Woods plays since his car accident and it could be one of the most watched golf tournaments in a long time. So, you know, like a few hundred people might tune in.
Why you might not be excited: With Woods’ return it could turn into a media circus and people who shouldn’t be at a golf tournament (I’m looking at you, TMZ and Billy Bush) might make an appearance. You also have to sit through four days of golf.
The World Cup
June 11 – July 11
Why you should be excited: The United States got a good opening-round draw with England, Solvenia and Algeria in their group. If they don’t screw things up too badly they should advance to the second round. It also gives you an opportunity to act like you enjoy soccer without actually enjoying it.
Why you might not be excited: Let’s face it; soccer is boring. I like the World Cup as much as the next guy but I’m probably not going to be glued to the TV for Serbia vs. Ghana. The pool system is also a bit confusing and outside of a handful of players, how many do you actually know?
MLB All-Star Game
July 13
Why you should be excited: It’s one of the few times you get to see players who are not normally showcased. Never get to see Zack Grienke pitch? Here’s your chance. Where else can you see some guy on a last place team named Hank Blalock give the American League home field advantage for the World Series?
Why you might not be excited: The above scenario. It decides home field advantage for the World Series. Despite the fact that almost none of the players will benefit from it, managers have to play to win and risk injuring their players. But at least there are no ties.
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