* I suppose I’ll get to the Super Bowl in a bit, although what more could you possibly want or need to know about the Super Bowl?
* Kansas at Missouri. Saturday night, 8 p.m. Now there is a game to hype. This could be KU’s final appearance in Columbia, for all we know. Although I have to believe calmer and more thoughtful heads will prevail in this one and the people in Lawrence will realize that playing Mizzou is a really big, big deal to a large segment of the Jayhawks’ fan base. So let’s not throw the baby out with the SEC. Anyway, I’m looking forward to being in the screaming den that will be Mizzou Arena for this one. I expect the Tigers to throw out everything in an attempt to win this game because of its incredible significance that goes beyond just another KU-MU game. That’s big enough, but if this is the last game, Missouri will cut off its arm – figuratively, of course – before losing to Kansas.
* I like Missouri to win, although I could see Thomas Robinson and Jeff Withey really capitalizing on their big size advantage over the Tigers. KU would love, love, love to beat Missouri on the Tigers’ home floor and know that it might never have to play another game in Columbia. Wouldn’t that be something? But Missouri is going to feed off of its ravenous crowd.
* Close game. Missouri 78, Kansas 76. Maybe an overtime or two. And why not? The more we can get out of this one, the better.
* Kansas State has to beat Texas A&M in Manhattan on Saturday night. Otherwise, the Wildcats’ NCAA Tournament hopes shrink to the point of nearly disappearing. Remember, K-State still has to play on the road against Texas, Baylor, Missouri and Texas A&M. And the Cats have a home game remaining with Kansas.
* KSU-A&M might be one of the ugliest games of the season, given that both teams are capable of locking down defensively and have serious offensive issues. Will either team break 60 in this one? I’m saying they won’t.
* As for Wichita State, I’ve put the Shockers’ home game Saturday night against Indiana State into the win column. Just get me to Feb. 11, when Wichita State visits Creighton. That’s the game of the year in the Missouri Valley Conference and one of the biggest games the Shockers have played in a long, long time.
* Loving “American Idol” tryouts so far. Looks like a solid group of singers. Listen, I’m hooked on the show. It’s that simple. I love some of the back-stories of these singers. It’s more than a karaoke contest and I’m tired of defending the show. Thin-skinned, aren’t I?
* Tuesday’s hour of “Justified” on FX was one of the most entertaining 60 minutes (43 or so without the commercials) I’ve seen in a long time. The show hooked me last season and it’s only gotten better this season. I find myself thinking about the show during the middle of the day on a Thursday. Or in the moments before a medical procedure, which I had this week. Everything turned out well, thanks for asking.
* My wife has to grit her teeth while watching “Justified.” She is one of those people who worries herself that the “good guy” characters are going to get killed and it ruins any potential for enjoying a show or a movie. I continue to tell her “it’s just a show,” but so far it’s not working as well as I would have hoped.
* I’m ready for baseball season. In our football culture, I’m hesitant to point out how much I still love – and always will love – the game that is formerly America’s pastime. But I contend that baseball is still a highly popular game, no matter how much the talking heads on ESPN try to jam football down our throats.
* All of this analysis of Sunday’s Super Bowl is unnecessary. And I’m proud of myself for avoiding 95 percent of it. I am interested in the game; in fact I’d say I’m as interested in this Super Bowl as I have been in any for a long while. I would love to see Tom Brady and the Patriots win their fourth ring. But Super Bowl Sunday is about: 1) The party; 2) The commercials; 3) The wagering; and 4) The game.
* Are Facebook and Twitter good things? After all this time, I’m still confused. There are times when I really enjoy Facebook, in particular. But other times, I wonder what’s it all about, Alfie? So, blog readers, what is it all about?
* For being the United States of America, we sure seem to be awfully un-united, don’t we?
* What do Americans agree on? I mean, a little discourse is fine. Healthy, even. But when I see yellow and you tell me it’s green, something’s wrong.
* Is Bob Lutz getting political? No, no, no, no. Heaven forbid a sportswriter thought outside the box. It’s all Super Bowl, all the time for Bob Lutz.
* Speaking in the third person actually made me feel like I was writing about someone else. Weird.
* Is this blog going off the tracks? That’s up to you decide. I think it’s one of the best blogs Bob Lutz has written. He’s a swell guy, by the way.
* There’s lots of “How would Garrett Stutz do at the next level” talk out there. And understandably, given how well the 7-foot senior has played for Wichita State this season and especially in Missouri Valley Conference play. First, though, we need to define “next level.” If it’s the NBA, then it’s probably time to pull back on the reins. Stutz still has a lot of improvement to make on the defensive end. He’s not much of a shot blocker and his offensive skills far outweigh his ability to be a difference maker defensively. Remember, he’s playing against smaller guys in the Valley most of the time. And when he did face someone his own size, Creighton’s Greg Echenique, he had one of his worst games of the season. I think Stutz has been a major force for the Shockers and in the Valley this season. I’m not ready to say he has a legitimate shot at playing in the NBA. I do think he can play somewhere professionally. And who knows after that? If he continues to hone his skills and improve defensively, maybe the NBA will come calling.
* My Super Bowl prediction: New England 28, New York 25. Tom Brady throws for 328 yards and three touchdowns. Eli Manning throws a bad interception in the fourth quarter after playing well leading up to that. So in case you get distracted during the game, Bob Lutz has told you how it’s going to go down.
* Have a great weekend everyone. I’ll be checking in from Mizzou Arena on Saturday night.