Final Chapter
Posted February 4, 2007, 11:56 PM ET

The football season is officially over. The lame Pro Bowl doesn't count. The countdown is already on for the NFL Draft in April. In the meantime, we can get our enjoyment from the showdowns in college hoops as we get ready for March Madness.

Super Bowl XLI was completely blasé....even this year's commercials were nondescript. Despite the lack of pizzaz, I was happy for Peyton Manning and the classy Tony Dungy. How you can't root and feel good for Dungy is beyond me. The coach has handled himslef with total class and dignity during an incredibly difficult time last year during the death of his son, and he seems like a man that has life completely in perspective.

Manning eliminated all doubts and labels that he "couldn't win the Big One"....anybody that questions his credentials should confess to be an NFL insider and write for the Rock Hill Herald. Peyton Manning is a champion and a future Hall of Famer.

The game was very difficult to get excited about....the Bears were inept offensively, most notably quarterback Rex Grossman. I really wonder if Grossman could start and be effective for an Arena Football League team....seriously. The guy can't play and he was totally in over his head during the Super Bowl. I'm not taking anything away from the Colts' defense, but Grossman flat-out stinks. For the record: the Colts became the first team in history to win the Super Bowl while having the 32nd-ranked defense against the run.....how is it possible that a team can win a title with that dubious distinction?

The game looked to be more closely related to a meaningless August preseason game than a culmination of the supposed two best teams in football. Between the sloppy play, weather conditions, and Prince's halftime act which consisted of his hits (of the 80's) and a few cover songs....the entire day lacked any pizzaz. Thank goodness Katie Couric showed up in the pregame show to give us that insightful story about Hines Ward....I could have sworn that I saw that story last year! No wonder Katie is in last place in the ratings....but it was indicative of the whole day.

Thank goodness, the world of college basketball provided some water cooler fodder. The upsets on Tobacco Road alone have more more people talking hoops than Super Bore 41.

How about the Pack?

Sidney Lowe is now 1-0 all-time against the Tar Heels...as a coach. The Wolfpack's win over their hated rival justified every Wolfpack supporter that wanted Herb Sendek gone years ago. It was an incredible performance and win by the Pack.

The Heels have been rolling, and on paper, it didn't look like much of a matchup....but that's why you play the games. N.C. State pounded North Carolina on the boards, shot lights out in the 2nd half, and pulled off a shocker. Was UNC looking ahead to their encounter against Duke? Who cares? If so, then that's Roy's fault.

The Wolfpack is still not a factor in the ACC race, but there is no doubt that Lowe has done a nice job with a depleted roster....the future is bright in Raleigh, and the conference is always better when the Wolfpack is in the hunt. I hope Lowe continues his winning ways.

Duke is on another two-game ACC losing streak....and the Tar Heels are coming to town on Wednesday. The loser of the best rivalry in college hoops will either be on a two-game or three-game losing streak on Thursday morning. The Blue Devils lost at home again; this time, it was to Florida State. It was the Noles' first win at Cameron....sound familiar?

The Seminoles were down by 17 points in the first half, and rallied to beat the Blue Devils. The scene after the game was interesting....FSU players were celebrating, and I'm sure Coach K found the behavior despicable. If this keeps up, he and the rest of the Cameron Crazies should be getting used to it. Thank goodness for the timing error against Clemson.

The good news for Coach K and the Duke fans is that if they lose to the Tar Heels on Wednesday, I doubt the UNC players will celebrate like the Va. Tech and FSU players did earlier this year....the reason for that is because the Heels have won in Cameron before. As a matter of fact, they won the last time they played there.

Either way, Wednesday night will be a blast between two bitter rivals...and I can promise you that there will be more energy and enthusiasm than what we just witnessed during the Super Bowl.