The Hot Corner's sizzling

The Hot Corner is hotter than ever with the first weekend of college football complete, the start of the NFL season days away, Tiger Woods on a tear and Americans at the U.S. Open.


Big guns win against woeful foes
Most big-time college football programs opened their seasons against less than challenging opponents. Ohio State rolled over Northern Illinois (didn’t even know there was a Northern Illinois); Penn State zipped past Akron (yes, they played Akron); and Texas horned in-state doormat North Texas.

Notre Dame had an early season scare when they decided to actually play a decent team in Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets almost caught up to the Irish behind wide receiver extraordinaire Calvin Johnson, but Coach Charlie Weis propelled his powerhouse QB Brady Quinn and the Irish offense to a 14-10 victory.

Look for some amazing matchups in Week 2 with top-ranked Ohio State going against the country’s new No. 2 team Texas, and Joe Paterno brings his Nittany Lions to South Bend for a face off against Touchdown Charlie and company.

Oh, at times like these I wish it was sweatshirt weather year round.


Are you ready for some football?
No need to check your local listings for an NFL game near you. Just turn on your tube early Sunday, kick back in your favorite family room spot, make sure snacks are nearby and enjoy a daylong reverie of pro football officially kicking off its season.

News of note: The Steelers begin their season Thursday minus quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who is out this week as he recovers from an emergency appendectomy (can this guy catch a break?). Charlie Batch will take the reins until Big Ben’s return.


Tiger on a tear
If anyone questioned Tiger Woods’ dominance of the PGA in recent years, his recent streak of five straight Tour wins is a big fat “in your face.”

Yesterday Woods matched the lowest final round score of his career (63) in a come-from-behind win over Vijay Singh at the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Let’s hope Woods can take his magic touch overseas later this month and bring the U.S. some better luck in the Ryder Cup. (I’m not holding my breath, though…)


Americans at the U.S. Open
Andre Agassi ended his illustrious playing career at Flushing Meadows leaving tennis fans wondering what the future of American tennis holds.

Andy Roddick, who has been taking cues lately from new coach and tennis great Jimmy Connors, made a good impression yesterday with a win over Benjamin Becker, the German qualifier who ended Agassi’s U.S. Open run.

And today James Blake, the only other American man left in the Grand Slam, will take on No. 12 Tomas Berdych today.

Question is can one of these Americans make it to the final round?