I'm coming to the conclusion that this sportswriting gig is a lot of hurry up and wait. The objects of our obsessions make us hurry up, then make us wait endlessly to get what we need. In some instances - like today - it was worth it.

It was during that wait mode that I checked out a left coast delicacy that I didn't need - In -n- Out Burger. I read it was a favorite of some Buckeyes players. Now I know why - heaping amounts of beef and suitable amounts of greasy stuff. Yup, the arteries will pay for that one. In the brief time I was gone, however, one of those little nuggets popped up in the form of OSU Athletic Director Gene Smith. He was holding court outside the team's super duper secret practice facility.

What was the topic of the day? Well there were several, but the one that kept coming up was that monster contract that Nick Saban - the Larry Brown of football - agreed to with the University of Alabama today. Eight years? 32 mill? Think ADs at Big Boy Football Schools aren't sweating those dollars?

For the record, Coach Tressel downplayed Saban's money grab (yes, that's harsh, but if he knew his heart wasn't into coaching the pros, he should have kept his butt at LSU) and he doesn't expect much of an influence. Of course he can say that because if his team wins Monday he's in the driver's seat as far as contract negotiations.

"Probably not. We didn't have a budget of $4 million for the entire athletic department (when he first started,)" he said. "I don't think it will have a ripple effect. There aren't that many positions yet to fill, and there will be as many people saying, 'Oh, that's crazy we'll never do that' as there will be people who feel they have to keep up with the market."

If you say so, coach.

Yeah, it's my second day here in Scottsdale and at least I am coherent.  I couldn't say the same for yesterday.  Not even close.  I was just cruisin' a little.

But today was a day to get to the heart of the matter. My colleague, Marla Ridenour, got to hit up the Buckeyes in interviews.  Me?  I got the Florida side of things.  Not a bad assignment consdering there were plenty of decent quotes to come from the exercise.  They should appear in Friday's paper.

This is where my further education into the realm of sportswriting continues.  For those of you who've not been paying attention, catch up already.  I used to wax poetic about film.  Well I wrote about movies, but there was little poetry to worry about.  At any rate, another lesson I've learned since entering this universe - sportswriting is a lot like sports.  In what ways?  It follows thusly:

Patience:  You must have this quality to get your "in" as it were.  Apparently in today's sportswriting environment this is essential.  Why?  Because it gives you the ability to sit wait…and wait…and wait…and wait some more while coaches and athletes coiff their hair.  This happened to me today while waiting for the Florida Gators as they went through a full workout and drills after field practice that would make them, well…late.

Mental tenacity:  If you don't know why this is necessary or like sports read above.  Or take into consideration how  teams and indviduals respond to adversity.  Something goes wrong you, either brush yourself off and get back up or you turn into Al Bundy of Married With Children fame.  I apparently possess this quality because I ably stuck it out until Florida's players and coaches made an appearance.

Conditioning:  This is most important.  You have to be at least in pretzels-and-beer shape to be able to dash from subject to subject to get those minimal quotes you need to build a story around.  No, it doesn't involve being stuck in a buffet line, although that is much preferable.  It does, however, mean that you have to have all senses on the look out so that you can dash about on a moment's notice and to get a quote worth using.

Positioning:  Couple this with conditioning and this is probably the most important element of covering sports. Why?  Because when you get your three minutes of time with a star athlete, you have to be able to manipulate your body like a snake to be able to get your recorder close enough to an interview topic's puss to get audible audio.  The problems you might incur?  Well if you're not used to lifting weights, be prepared to have your arm change to spaghetti before your eyes.  Then there's the chance that a TV camera will inadvertently nip your ear while Joe-Good-Looking-TV-Guy tries to get his bit of coverage.

By it's all said and done, I might deserve a Pulitzer or the Heisman.

Yes, I'm out in Phoenix working a dream assignment.  Pity I had to travel.  I hate travel.  I'd rather…I'd rather…I'd rather root for Michigan than travel, especially by airplane.

No, I'm not a wuss, but ever since coming to the Akron Beacon Journal I've always believed I'd cheated death.  As some of you know (and many of you don't care), I used to write about movies for the paper and on a blog. At the ABJ, I travel occasionally.  Prior to getting here?  Oh, try 35 to 40 weekends a year for four years covering movies.  The trips to New York City I never minded.  New Yorkers are close to Midwestern folks.  But those five hour flights to Los Angeles to deal with Los Angelenos, many of whom are as sincere as a politician up for re-election, got to be a bit much.  I always expected the plane to tumble out of the sky.  Yes, I know, what a pleasant thought.

But, intrepid individual I am, I ventured forth.  It's the FREAKIN' NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.  How could I not be up for it.  Well there's the packing for one.  Some out there think that this is an extremely glamorous job.  You try carrying around a backpack that weighs 50 lbs because it's filled with every electronic gadget essential to doing your job.

Considering this is the first time I'm covering such an event, I had little idea what to pack for day work and night work, so I packed like a woman, taking half my wardrobe.  Yes, I felt ridiculous because no it isn't exactly manly to trek through major airports with more than one suitcase and a carry-on.  I refuse to say, however, what I did have.

For Bucks fans out there, I flew on the same plane as Anthony "Gonzo" Gonzalez's uncle.  It was easy to pick him out because Anthony has that distinguished nose and so does his uncle.  That was a give away…along with the No. 11 jersey and the name "Gonzalez" embroidered on the back.

Check-in went surprisingly well and I made up for sleep I lost packing and organizing stuff for while I was gone.  Passed on the Continental Airlines Cheerios breakfast.  The plane went through some turbulence, an always enjoyable experience that's right up there with changing a poopie diaper.

It didn't help that I popped in my copy of We Are Marshall (for those of you looking for an easy score with reward money from the FBI for video piracy, forget about it- it's a legit copy).  Here's a tip for those who actually think about what they watch on a plane - movies about plane crashes don't make you feel better when going through turbulence.  Big surprise, huh?

But here.  I'm safe and I'd always heard how beautiful the southwest is.  Now I see why.  I'll be blogging, writing and doing whatever strikes my fancy to cover this event.  Hope those of you who read, enjoy.

The great thing about writing about sports is that when sportwriters don't know for sure, they get to speculate.  You know, throw something (I won't say what) against the wall.

For instance this little item from Matt Hayes of the Sporting News:  It seems that the Cleveland Browns would make a major play for Jim Tressel should the Berea native wins against the Florida Gators next Monday.

I have one question: why would he want that gig?  He arguably has one of the top five collegiate jobs in the country, his contract will be torn up should he win his second national championship in five years and my bet is that OSU will make him the top paid coach in the country (provided Nick Saban doesn't take Alabama's ridiculous, desperate offer).  Yes, let's leave a program that you've returned to glory for what? Dealing with the potential many spoiled athletes in the NFL?  Sorry, but I doubt it.

The professorial Tressel has always struck me as a teacher who loves working with younger athletes - I could be wrong - and leading them down the right path.  Some take to it - such as his Heisman Trophy winning QB Troy Smith - and others - such as former running back Maurice Clarett - don't.  But a lot of the guys in the NFL think they already know it all.  Braylon Edwards are you out there?

And should, for some inexplicable reason, Tressel find himself tempted by the NFL, I offer some advice: cast your eyes southward to Miami and look at Nick Saban, a guy perfectly happy with coaching in college but allowed a big checkbook and his ego to sway him.  The result: he misses the kids and now may leave the Miami Dolphins in a coaching lurch to go ride the Crimson Tide of Alabama.

Forget it, Tress.  OSU was always your dream job.  Keep living the dream.

Yes, it's late.  But it's been a rough day and I'm just now getting to writing about yesterday's bowl games. I've been writing stuff for a special section the ABJ will run this week related to the Ohio State Buckeyes' appearance in the BCS Championship Game and I've been getting my traveling necessities together because I will be blogging for a week during the festivities in Phoenix.

But yes, I checked out many of yesterday's games and wow, will miracles never cease, I have some observations about what my ever-weakening eyes saw on the tube.

Rose Bowl:  You know who Michigan Wolverines running back Michael Hart reminds me of?  Pick any one of the offensive stars on those powerhouses John Cooper wasted during his tenure as Buckeyes head coach.  Hart has mouth to spare and I had to laugh when announcer Brent Musberger mentioned that the talented running back planned to return to the Big House simply so he has the pleasure of beating Ohio State University.  Nothing like beating up on a program when it's down (as the Bucks are expected to be), but for some odd reason, I suspect OSU will still show up for that one.  Perhaps, just perhaps, Hart should have concentrated more on beating the USC Trojans.  He had 47 yards on 17 carries. Ahem…yeah, OK.

Fiesta Bowl:  This may be sacrilege to say in the Buckeye State, but last night's Fiesta Bowl was the greatest ever.  No, not just because the Oklahoma Sooners got their heineys kicked.  Well, OK, that had a lot to do with it. But because Boise State Head Coach Chris Petersen pulled everything out of his playbook to win that game. The hook and lateral for a score? Sweet.  Passing on kicking an extra poin to go for two in overtime.  Sweet!  Even sweeter?  Using the Statue of Liberty to get the two points.  It's games and situations such as those that show you why college football can be so much more entertaining than the NFL.

Capital One Bowl:  Hey Browns fans, hopefully there was your future left tackle on display on the tube Monday as Joe Thomas and the Wisconsin Badgers bulled their way to a victory over the "faster" Arkansas Razorbacks in the Capital One Bowl.  Or heck, I'd even like it if they considered trading down in the first round for more picks if they have confidence in how Penn State's Levi Brown will develop as a pro.

Rose Bowl redux:  You know they say that you should always cheer on your conference rivals when they are playing another conference in a bowl game.  Sorry, but I can't do it.  I'd be a liar if I said I didn't take unabashed glee in the spanking that U of M took in the Rose Bowl.  Anybody still think they're the second best team in the country?  Thought not.  And what of their coach Lloyd Carr?  Can't beat OSU and can't win bowl games.  D'OH!!!  Think the Michigan alumni aren't frothing at the mouth?  What a pleasant thought.

Sugar Bowl:  Yes, I know it's being played tomorrow night, but I can only dare to dream that Notre Dame will suffer the same fate as Michigan.  Remember the speed on display in last year's Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State.  Yea, well, it's gonna be like that - again.  Fire bomb away Golden Domers.