Chryst to Pitt, Crist to Kansas, Christ to Earth

Pitt's new coach a gifted offensive mind

-A few years ago, it looked like Purdue would hire Wisconsin OC Paul Chryst.  Instead, Burke and the committee hired Hope.  Now, Chryst will be heading to coach Pitt.  An interesting bi-product of the hire is Purdue looks like a few of the recruits that were iffy on their decision to go to steel town have reaffirmed their commitment to the Panthers.  Hope's recruiting class did get another Olineman this week...which is something we at BS have been hoping and asking Santa for.

God's favorite team wasn't a good fit for Crist

-Dayne Crist, the nation's best QB out of high school has officially left UND after some rocky seasons in the armpit of Lake Michigan South Bend.  Crist will join fellow football god, Charlie Weis at Kansas for his final season of eligibility.  Look for the Jayhawks to win the World Championship...or at least the national championship...or at least the Big 12 Championship...or at least be state champs...nevermind, KState and their whipper snapper coach might keep them from doing that.

-Merry Christmas, everybody.  A little over 2000 years ago, my Savior was born.  I love the feeling of this time of year- kids waiting for Santa, the twinkling lights and time with family.  But the real reason for this season is still the first six letters of the day, Christ.

I hope you and your family have a great few days off.  Students, don't wear out your welcome at home...old people, enjoy the worthless bowl games, over-eating and tacky ties and sweaters.  If you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a good couple of days too with your family.  If you're offended by me using the word Christmas, tough crap.  When my Jewish pals wished me a Happy Hanukkah when I lived back east quite regularly...I always appreciated it for what it was- a well-wish to someone with hope they have the same special feelings this time of year that they have.

I feel blessed, even with Purdue choking away games on the hardwood and going to a pretty meaningless bowlgame because of the things that I don't talk about on this site very often.  I hope you do too.

The real gift of the season

Wouldn't Be The Christmas Shopping Season if the Stores Were Any Less Hooter Than They Are

Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care (actually, there IS a Purdue stocking available on ebay) and, well, we hope you're spending this day with those most important to you.

As we try to do from time to time, allow us to thank you for coming by here however often you to read our nonsense. We do our best to entertain and maybe sometimes give you something to think about.

We, like you, have asked Santa for a Final Four appearance and a Jan 1 bowl game next year. These don't seem like too much to ask.

Again, Merry Christmas to you and yours. If you're serving our country or are otherwise far from home and unable to be there, we're thinking about you. Be safe.

And now we leave you with one of the many great Christmas movie scenes.

All the best.

"Can I take something out for you?"

Purdue Starters Take A Moment for Some Holiday Cheer

It was nice of the Purdue starting five to take time out of their schedules to enjoy some good, old-fashioned Christmas spirit.

Click here to watch the guys and their moves.

It looks like Kramer and Keaton are especially into it.

About Last Week

The biggest story of the last seven days simply has to be Notre Dame's return to glory in Honolulu. I was rooting for the Rainbows...but it was a win-win for me because one of the least-likable teams in America would lose the game...and by losing, Hawaii was forced into not forming their conga line in the center of the field after the game. But, my favorite part of the game was Jimmy Montana throwing up the "hang loose" symbol while mocking the Hawaii faithful in the second quarter. He continued his display of humility and class by pointing at the ND logo below his neck as the Irish pounded the lowly Rainbows.

Truth be told, it'd be hard to go 22/26 with 400 yards and 5 TDs versus no defense at all, so let's not underestimate the importance of this win. The momentum of this large bowl victory will surely carry over into next season...Right? The only question I had following the Christmas Eve contest was how long Andre Ware and Jimmy Clausen had been having their affair.

So it's official, I guess. The echoes are awakened and UND will be a major contender for the BCS championship in '09, at least in the mind of the pollsters. I can't wait to see the Irish ranked in the top-5 in pre-season polls and the talk of Pickles campaign for his first of two Heisman trophies!!

Suck it, EsPN (Musketeers & Zags, too).
I have a couple of friends who are Xavier grads...and get this, they are also UND football fans. So when X lost its second in a row, at home, versus Butler, I couldn't have been happier...but as Gonzaga went from a top-5 ranking to a three-loss team in a ten-day stretch, my level of happiness did actually grow.

Don't get me wrong, I love seeing small programs win...especially the underdogs. But, I can't stand how EsPN and other outlets pick mid-majors every season to fall in love with and swoon over as they cut up the big conferences for being weak. It's a hell of a lot more difficult to play night-in, night-out against big conference foes and keep winning than it is to get up for the one-to-three respectable opponents in the WCC, MVC or HL.

Sideboob Friday - Extra Christmas Present Edition

J Money said you've been good. Well, you've been extra good. As such, enjoy some more Christmas presents. Without any of the somewhat witty banter in between pictures. Even though you do read us for the commentary right? Right?!?!?!



















































































































Sideboob Friday is a production of Boiled Sports and should run much more frequently in this space. If you'd like to contribute to SBF or send in a photo of yourself posing for SBF, please feel free at BoiledSports@gmail.com.

Merry Christmas!