Bits and pieces

- The BC quarterback picture is downright scary. Justin Tuggle who was supposed to be the heir apparent is now third on the depth chart. Cody Boek who was the transfer that was supposed to challenge for playing time last year is getting no reps. Number two on the depth chart, Mike Marscovetra, not only has a mouthful for a name but is a true freshman with no presence to lead an unsteady offense. This leaves the Eagles with 25-year-old freshman David Shinskie who hasn't thrown a football in an organized game in years while playing minor league baseball. Why exactly was I told last year but the BC football booster club that the team did not need to go out and try to sign then transferring quarterback Ryan Mallet who I believe I mentioned in this space would have been the perfect fit for the BC offence? Yeah, I don't know either.

- I would not call it panic but there is certainly a reason for concern with the Red Sox. Their staring pitching has been doing OK but the bullpen and the offense have left something to be desired. Daniel Bard has not looked like the same pitcher since blowing two games to the Yankees and Rays last week. Papelbon is allowing base runners and earned runs likes its a hobby and the offense can't hit any pitcher with an ERA under 4.00 on the road. They played well against the Tigers and looked to be righting the ship with the dramatic comeback against the Rangers on Friday night. But Saturday and Sunday was more of the same with two winnable games (Penny and Tazawa weren't great but they did enough to win) and the Sox leaving runners all over the base paths. Injuries, age, and too many everyday players for too few positions may cost the Sox the post season. If they miss out, you can guarantee that the team make-up will change before next year.

- I like Michael Vick with the Eagles. Yes, what he did was a horrible thing but it should not prevent him for being able to come back and continue his job. I think he will be able to learn a lot from Donovan McNabb. A fellow Big East alum who has never had a very great relationship with the people of Philly but has been able to continually compete at a very professional level and produce good results on the field. Hopefully, Vick has learned his lesson and will be able to take full advantage of the opportunity the Eagles have given him.

- I may have the opportunity to watch two hockey games at Fenway park this year. Of course, the Bruins will be battling the Philadelphia Flyers on January 1 at the Fens (information for tickets on that event are made public later today). But word was leaked by the Boston Herald last week that BC will play BU at the Fens on January 8th with a double-header of UNH versus Northeastern in women's hockey. Once the announcement is made public later this week, ticket information should follow shortly thereafter. If BC & BU do it correctly, every season ticket holder should get a chance to purchase a ticket to the game. Even if everyone actually bought a ticket that would come no where near selling out the estimated 40,000 seats that will be available for the game. Keeping my fingers crossed - but BC has always been about the money so they will undoubtedly do what is best for their wallets as opposed to what is best for the fans.

What happens to UAH

Terrible news has come out of the world of college hockey. The University of Alabama-Huntsville has been denied admission to the CCHA. This follows on the heels of the dissolution of the CHA after too many members folded or left for another conference. Niagara and Robert Morris have found homes in Atlantic Hockey and Bemdji State has found a home in the WCHA. It would have made perfect sense for the CCHA to welcome in UAH especially since they are losing Nebraska-Omaha as part of the WCHA expansion. But it is not to be.

One has to imagine that increased travel expenses is probably the biggest issue that prompted the league to deny UAH. If UAH was allowed in then the CCHA would have two of the extremes in road games with one of the teams farthest north in Alaska Fairbanks and the team that is the farthest south in UAH. Should UAH fold, the CCHA will still be able to boast the team that is the farthest south in Miami University (surprising but true).

Travel expenses aside this was a move that made sense for the CCHA and the world of D-I hockey. Without membership, UAH will more than likely fold. This reduces the number of teams in D-I. By losing a league, the NCAA is already contemplating reducing the tournament field back to 12. As the past two tournaments have shown, some of these last four teams in have the mettle to make waves in the tourney with Notre Dame (a #4 seed) making it to the finals in 2008.

Aside from that, the CCHA now has the logistical question of what to do with an 11 team league and schedule. A 12 team league works much better and you can even have all 12 participate in the post-season which keeps up fan interest and revenue. Plus, with a team in a place like Alabama it brings the sport to new areas of the country and hopefully stirs a little interest that maybe leads to more bigger schools forming D-I programs.

I don't know what motivated the CCHA to deny UAH. Maybe it was the travel, maybe its an elitist attitude that a team like UAH could not compete on a nightly basis with the teams of the CCHA. But as we have seen countless times before in other sports in other places, sometimes all one needs is a chance and they will rise to the occasion. Here's hoping that UAH finds a home and that D-I hockey does not lose another program.