A FEW MO' THINGS, LEFT COAST EDITION
Greetings from Fresno. Home of....hell if I know. We're staying at an aiport that last looks like it was remodeled when Sister Sledge was busy booking studio time.

-Reds v. Cards. If I can find civilization (we're by the airport), I'll be near a TV. Initially, I was buying the "just gotta win one" line. Sure, they'll escape with a seven game lead if that happens, but screw it, go win the series. A) It puts them away. B) To do so, they gotta beat some better than average hurlers, they type of guys they'll eventually have to face in October. If such a psychological hurdle exists, knock it down.

Plus...I just love teams that keep the foot on the throat.

Here's some great stuff, that you've probably already seen, on Reds v. Cards, via St. Louis.

BP is in the lineup tonight....if the Cards are preoccupied with sending him a message or any crap like that, I like the Reds' chances this weekend.

-Jerome Simpson played like he knew what he was doing (ball to facemask not withstanding) for most of the night against the Colts. He looks like he's making the team. I hate losing a guy like Dezmond Briscoe...no chance you can bury him on the practice squad. Quan Cosby is expendable to me. He isn't going to help on offense, they've got some return guys, Briscoe has some potential. Quan says he made the team, and there are worse things to have than a guy who can be valuable as a returner, I just hate losing Briscoe.

I also think "Dezmond Briscoe" is a cool name.

-OSU/Marshall. Taking everything with a grain of salt, given the opponent, Terrelle Pryor was pretty impressive.

-Pitt/Utah. The Wannstache strikes again. Versus needs new announcers.

And finally, tomorrow's college games.

*UC 31 Fresno State 27. Cats score. Dogs score. A game played much like last year's. The Cats have enough talent on the outside. The Butch Jones era gets off to a good start....and my Bearcats win their 19th straight regular season game.

I expect the postgame reaction to be over the top hammering of Brian Kelly or the annointment of Butch Jones as the new coach of the University of "________________."

UK 24 UofL 13. Charlie Strong will win in Louisville. Just not tomorrow.

Florida 112 Miami 10. Any reason to think it will be more?

My buddy wants to go eat lunch. Hopefully tumbleweed tastes good. Not the restaurant, actual tumbleweed.

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A FEW MO' THINGS, FRESNO-BOUND EDITION.
Cheryl Tweedy has a new calendar out. Not sure what month we have here and I'm not sure I care.

We interrupt the baseball season to bring you the opening of college football....

I'm headed to Fresno today for UC/Fresno State tomorrow night. We're live on 700WLW from Bulldog Stadium at 9:30. Today on ESPN1530, Chick Ludwig fills in.

So, we're short and sweet today.....

The Butch Jones are begins tomorrow with a tough one. As my buddy Paul Dehner points out (without endorsing any gambling), the Bearcats are three point underdogs on the road. Should be a tough game against a team that could have (and perhaps should have) won here last year. Your ballgame: their inexperienced secondary v. our men's skill guys and their tough experienced o-line against UC's defensive front.

I'm trying to get a feel for this team, which is nearly impossible before they play a game. I'd like to come away from tomorrow night feeling a little better about the defense. There's not a ton of experience, the secondary doesn't do a lot for me, and I'm not convinced, especially in a game like tomorrow's they won't get pushed around a little up front.

I don't have concerns about the UC skill guys, and while I'm not ready to print any "Collaros for Heisman" shirts, I'm more than comfortable with him at QB. I think there's legit issues with the O-line, if any starter goes down. I think Jake Rogers not having to punt is going to help and enough people say good things about Patrick O'Donnell kicking the ball that I'm convinced.

What intrigues me most is the coach. Butch Jones is an impressive guy, who can quote all kinds of leadership books, and rattle off all sorts of "Represent the C" and "Hold the rope" mantras. But how does he get this team to respond to adversity? What kind of decisions does he make on the fly? How do players respond to him in game situations? Is his personnel as suited to his offense as we think? I'm not sure I've met a coach as impressive when he talks about winning, but can he actually win?

I can't wait to find out starting tomorrow.

If I get the motivation, I'll have more from the left coast later. Here's Sylvie Van Der Vaart.

HOW IS THIS GIRL LOSING?
This is Christine. She's one of many fine-looking contestants in the first round of the 2010 Straitpinkie Yump Madness Tournament. She's losing. This is inexplicable, and frankly leads me to wonder if voter intimidation and suppression tactics aren't at play here. Anyway, there are four first round matches up for grabs, but she should hands-down be running away with this, and as of this posting (3:42pm on Thursday), she is not. Give the girl a little push, would ya?

By the way, StraitPinkie is among my favorite sites. Recommended daily reading, especially if you're a UK or Louisville fan.

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IT'S "MO LETS HIS OHIO BUDDIES PLAY ON THE BLOG" DAY.
My buddy Brad at Twin Killing did a 2010 College Football Preview. It's Buckeye-centric, but mixes in plenty of other stuff too. Go there.

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A FEW MO' THINGS, 9/2/10 EDITION
Denise Milani. It's been a while.

Yet another September in Cincinnati with no pennant race, huh? Exactly three weeks after the Cardinals completed one of the more thorough drillings you'll see, the Reds are up eight games. Holy. Crap.

It's as if you could add a game to their lead for every time they've been counted out this season.

Last night's pummeling...you knew was coming. Not sure why Ken Macha felt the need to take out Chris Narveson, but you just knew, at some point, they were gonna put together some runs and win the game.

-Aroldis Chapman. Gamechanger. Down 1-0, in the seventh, he completely changed the feel of the game, woke up the crowd, and swung the momentum. Oh, and he threw the ball 103 mph.

-Seriously. This team is eight up of September 2nd. Wrap your brain around that.

-Postseason ticket pricing.....eeesh. Not many families of four takin' in the MLB postseason, eh?

-One more time....Pretend Bengals v. Pretend Colts tonight. O'Sullivan. J. Palmer. The battle to backup Carson comes to a head tonight. And some other stuff is gonna happen, like the preseason coming to an end, and allowing us to focus on real football.

-Chad Ochocinco bought dinner for 64 people in Indy last night. I bought my buddy DJ a Diet Coke at last night's Reds game, so Mo = Ocho.

-I would absolutely at least call the Cardinals to see what they might want in return for Matt Leinart.

-The arrogance of this guy....Ben Roethlisberger is reportedly asking for a shorter suspension.

-This is cool....25 pictures of rockets being launched.

-UC/Fresno State won't make this list, but it's still a pretty interesting game. A little bit more on it tomorrow, but I'm really concerned about the defense. The secondary scares the crap out of me.

-How did we ever get by without a beer-fetching robot?

-Not the best video of all-time, but pretty solid fight in last night's Marlins/Nationals tilt.

-Get ready for October with a Reds-themed shirt from Donkeyts. When you buy, enter the coupon code "Mo1530," and get 15% off.

-The Big Ten got it right....Ohio State and Michigan will play in opposite divisions, but will play each other every year to end the season. Ohio State and Marshall play tonight, to kick off the Buckeye's 2010 season. My buddy Kevin is a huge Ohio State homer, and as he did before last year's Rose Bowl and this year's NCAA Tournament, wanted to share an Ohio State fan's perspective on the season. Against my better judgement, I've allowed him to do it. So without further ado....

MO'S FRIEND KEVIN'S 2010 OHIO STATE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Editor's note: I'm gonna regret this...

You can all quit biting your nails and twitching your legs, the suspense has ended, I am back to tell you everything you need to know about your Ohio State Buckeyes for the upcoming football season. I held out longer than Darrelle Revis and Peter North, but Mo finally made me an offer to come back that I couldn?t refuse. I know you might all hate me, but I have proven to be pretty accurate when it comes to talking about the Buckeyes (can you link to my Rose Bowl post?). I even give a good outsiders perspective on UC. So sit back, relax and enjoy the truth!!!
As always, let?s start with a look at a hot OSU chick.

Now that?s out of the way, let?s get down to the nuts and bolts. THE Ohio State University is ranked #2 in the pre season polls. This is right where they should be. They have almost everyone coming back on both sides of the ball, and they are coming off of a BCS bowl win. Besides Alabama, no other top 5 team can say that. Everything is in place for this to be another magical season for the Bucks!!
The success of this team all rests on the arm and brain of Terrelle Pryor. If you would have told me that a year ago I would have given this team a good shot at going 8-4. However, he silenced all the nay-sayers (including me) with his performance in the Rose Bowl. Let?s face it, he will never be able to throw the deep ball like Krenzel, but if he can force teams to respect his arm 15 yards down field, it will open up the corners for him to make good runs with his speed. If his arm hasn?t improved from mid season form last year, teams will just load the box and force him to make mistakes. We have seen it happen way too much in years past. I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt this year, and say Posey (Go Lancers), Sanzenbacker, Saine and Boom will help him be great. He has a legit shot at winning the 8th Heisman Trophy for The Ohio State University.
In regards to the defense, don?t worry about it. This is the deepest defense Tressel has ever had. They will be able to shut down every offense they face this year. Simple as that!!!
With that being said, they don?t have a cake walk into the BCS title game. The Big Ten is back!!! This is the strongest the conference has been in almost 10 years. With 4 teams in the top 15, the Big Ten does not take a back seat to any conference this season. Besides a grueling Big 10 schedule, the Bucks also host #13 Miami the second week of the season. Because I am very confident, I will give you my prediction for every game of the season.

Marshall: 45-10 OSU - Matthew McConaughey doesn?t even think the have a chance.

#13 Miami: 24-14 OSU - Fellow Big Ten team, Wisconsin, exposed them as frauds in their bowl game last year. OSU?s defense will be too much for the convicts to overcome.

OU: 38-7 OSU - Athens does throw a hell of a Halloween party.

Eastern Michigan: 56-3 OSU - DUH

At Illinois: 28-7 OSU - Their mascot offends me and my people. Silent s.

Indiana: 42-14 - I got nothing.

At #16 Wisconsin: 21-17 OSU - This will be the toughest test to date for the Bucks. Pryor will beat them again on a last min drive and everyone will stop jumping around.

Purdue: 50-3 OSU - PAYBACK!!!!!

At Minnesota: 28-7 OSU - Tough trip to get motivated for, but an easy victory.

#9 Penn State: 17-10 OSU - Slight chance Joe Pa either dies or soils him self before half time. PSU has a good D but their offense will be lucky to get 150 yards.

At #7 Iowa: 28-24 OSU - This will be the toughest game of the season for the Bucks. This game could go either way. If they can pull off a victory, they have a very good shot at winning the National Championship. On a side note, pray that ABC has a lot of break away views of Iowa?s QB?s mom.

Michigan: 45-7 - WE DON?T GIVE A DAMN FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN. The end of the road for Dick Rod!!! I hope this is not the last year that THE GAME is played the last week of the season.

As you can see, I have the Bucks going undefeated, which means they will play for the National Championship. I will spare you my thought on every other top 10 team, and just tell you I think they will play Texas for the title. Texas has the easiest schedule of all the top 10 teams, and they will breeze into the Championship Game. Texas has a young team and will not be able to handle the pressure, which means THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY WILL WIN ITS 8th NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!

Recently I had an argument on twitter (@thefanskhart) with someone I follow. I will not give her name, but she has done a guest blog for Mo in the past. Before I tell you the story I would like to mention that I enjoyed following this person, and I liked her photography very much. However, I did not take a liking to her ignorance on one of the dumbest topics I have ever argued about. Have you ever been in an argument over something stupid but you get really worked up because you know you are 100% right? That is what happened to me with this person. Long story short, she was under the impression that Hang on Sloopy was not simply an OSU tradition, but a whole state of Ohio tradition that OSU took over because they are all egotistical babies. I almost didn?t humor her, but I had to stand up for one of the greatest traditions The Best Damn Band In The Land has. I simply stated that she should Google the tradition and see that she was wrong. This just angered her more. I could feel her jealousy as a UC fan through the TweetDeck on my phone. It ended with her blocking me on twitter and saying some very bad things about me. I am sad that I can no longer see pictures of the Mets and the UC student section.

Ed. Note: The tweeter in question will be given an opportunity for rebuttal, even though I think he has two different people mixed up.

I would like to put this argument to rest. In 1965 the McCoys released Hang on Sloopy. On October 9th 1965 TBDBITL played the song for the first time and has played it at the end of the 3rd quarter every game since. Shortly after the first time it was played the OSU fans started chanting O-H-I-O at the end of the refrain. Notice UC fans didn?t start chanting C-I-N-C-I-N-N-A-T-I (Dantonio Wingfield could not spell it). It was not until 1985 that it became the official rock song of the state. A mere 20 years after the first playing at the Horse Shoe. I will close my argument with a quote from the declaration of the song as the state song, "In 1965, an Ohio-based rock group known as the McCoys reached the top of the national record charts with "Hang On Sloopy," composed by Bert Russell and Wes Farrell, and that same year, John Tagenhorst, then an arranger for the Ohio State University Marching Band, created the band's now-famous arrangement of "Sloopy," first performed at the Ohio State-Illinois football game on October 9, 1965."

This argument brings me to another thing that has gotten on my nerves lately, unrealistic UC fans. I grew up in Cincinnati, and always cheered on the Cats. I have been to hundreds of games at Shoemaker Center and hundreds of games at Nippert. I was even at the Wisconsin game in 98. (Ed note: it was '99. I ran on the field and got into a fight with a Wisconsin fan. Told them to "wait til basketball season. The Badgers went to the Final Four that year. I'm a putz) I wish the Bearcats the best, and I hope they win every game. However, please know your place in college football in this state. I am very happy for the recent success you have had, but that doesn?t mean all the sudden you are equal with OSU. Do any of you honestly think you would have beaten OSU last year? Honestly? Here are my top 5 out of 184 reasons OSU is better than UC at life:

5: OSU's student section has 10,000 more people in it than fit in Nippert Stadium. You don?t see OSU advertising season tickets for sale. OSU has more people at 2 games that UC has for the entire season.
Ed. Note: Millions of people watch "Glee." That doesn't make it a good show.

4: Tradition. Woody, TBDBITL, Sloopy, Script Ohio, The Shoe and so on. UC has nothing that comes close to OSU.
Ed. note: Notre Dame has tradition too. Look where that's gotten them the last 20 years.

3: $$$$ OSU has the best facilities and the largest athletic budget in the country.

2: Talent. When was the last time UC had a top 10 recruiting class? I can?t remember the last time OSU didn't. UC recruits OSU's cast offs. Brandon Underwood is a prime example. UC will never be able to get the level of player the OSU will be able to.
Ed note: See what I said about "against my better judgement?" This is typical from many fans. A preview of your team has to include a rip job of the others. UC is no threat to Ohio State but he's spent half his time here talking about them. Wow.

1: History. 7 National Championships, 7 Heisman Trophies, and dozens of Big Ten Championships, pretty much sums this whole thing up.
So unrealistic UC fans, you can continue to make stupid shirts, but you will always know in the back of your head you are OSU?s B****H!!! Choose wisely who you pick fights with.

I do realize not all UC fans feel this way, much like how not all OSU fans think Maurice Clarett deserves a second chance.

I am sorry this post wasn't as entertaining as my previous ones, but just be thankful you read it. I promise next time will have more videos and pictures of hot chicks.

Ed. note: You can email Kevin at Kevinhart88@gmail.com

O-H!!!!!

---It's Mo again. Sorry to have put you through that. Enjoy this from Tony Castricone, former Columbus broadcaster. He lost his gig, so he did open mics across the country, pretty much living in his car, for 40 days.. Here's the video he shot along the way...

HERE'S THE SHIRT FIDEL CASTRO DOESN'T WANT YOU TO BUY

My guys at DonkeyTs have this shirt, along with a bunch of other Reds-themed shirts. My favorite is "Kickin' it With Cueto." When you buy, enter the coupon code "Mo1530," and get 15% off.

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HERE'S THE VIDEO FIDEL CASTRO DOESN'T WANT YOU TO SEE

(Thanks to Ari)

Here's the sanctioned version.

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HELLO NATIONAL LEAGUE, MY NAME IS AROLDIS.
Here's my fastball. Hope you enjoy.

(Thanks to the AP for the photo)

Genuine goosebumps last night....from the time the bullpen door flung open, to the time Carlos Gomez grounded out to end the most memorable 1-2-3 eighth inning in the history of the franchise.

With the Reds cruising, the Cardinals crumbling, the lead in the Central swelling, and the rest of the league getting a glimpse of the trump card the Reds have held on to for months, last night, even with a crowd of less than 20,000, was among the most stirring in the brief history of Great American Ballpark.

Outside of Jose Rijo's first appearance of his comeback in 2001, have you ever heard a crowd cheer a warmup pitch? Have you ever sat there and watched an opposing hitter look so overmatched that you almost felt sorry for him? Have you ever, at the same time, been so excited for the present and giddy about the future?

What a debut.

The lead is seven. The magic number is 25. The fastball is 102 mph. And right now, the sky seems the limit.

ONLY ONE MO' THING, 8/31/10 EDITION
Vida Guerra is not armed with a 105 mile-an-hour fastball, but she is from Cuba, so there.

I'm off today, but bored, waiting for my call back from the Cardinals to see if I could be there new web guy, and I wanted to at least have something up about Aroldis Chapman, if only to remain "relevant."

The Reds ran the bases like they had just been introduced to the game last night, and they still won., because Jay Bruce has officially found his stroke, and because this bullpen continues to be better than many realize. They didn't play all that well last night, but they won. Winning teams will do that.

After a 5-4 win, the Cincinnati Reds lead their division by six games on August 31st. Stare at that sentence.

Sooooo, the lead is six, the magic number is 27, they are now guaranteed to emerge from St. Louis in first place by themselves....oh, and they're bringing up a guy tonight who throws a 100+ mph fastball.

Do the Cardinals have that? The Phillies? Atlanta? Anyone else? Hell, I half expect Tony LaRussa to whine about rules that allow hard throwing lefties from being called up days before crucial series.

What other team can allow their biggest signing in years to not throw a pitch at the Major League level for five months, all the while the big clubs builds a six game lead in the first 131 games?

What other team can resist the urge to bring that player up too early? What other team has enough stockpiled to plug holes with other pitchers? What other team, in the first five months of a pennant race, is never faced with the necessity of bringing up the organization's top prospect?

How many other teams avoid panicking?

This Aroldis Chapman situation could not have been scripted any better. Chapman gets 39 games and 95 innings of pro experiences, gets a taste of life as a starter and as a reliever, is allowed to succeed and allowed to fail. He learns the culture, gets introduced to American baseball, and hopefully gains perspective on what's hoped for and what's expected of him.

All the while, the Reds go 76-55.

What other team has that luxury?

What other team, on the 31st of August, armed with their biggest lead in 15 years, can bring up a guy who lugs a 100+ mph fastball with him to the big leagues?

The Cardinals can't. The Padres can't. And the Braves can't. And neither can anyone else.

The occupants of first place in the National League Central can.

Well played, Reds.

INTRODUCING HAMILTON COUNTY MATH
Reader Ryan sent this picture from of one of the Bengals practice fields. It makes you wonder how accurately the Bengals measure their kickers. It also makes you wonder, since Hamilton County tax payers are on the hook for anything related to PBS and the Bengals facilities, how much a new 20 yard line will cost us.

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A FEW MO' THINGS, 8/30/10 EDITION
Sofia Vergara went to the Emmys, where she came away a winner, possibly making winners of all of us. My guy Rich Walburg has more.

Speaking of the Emmys, I walked in my house just as Jimmy Fallon started singing Born To Run. I'm not even going to go into how offended my sensibilities are and on how wrong this was on so many different levels. I thinks it's best for both of us if I don't go into it. All I can tell you is that I spent a large chunk of the evening last night wishing I was dead.

-The on air schedule for the week is a short one....
*Today, Extra Innings on 700WLW. That's it. Off day tomorrow. Psuedo-off days Wednesday and Thursday. Friday would normally be my day but I'm traveling to Fresno for a collegiate football contest.

-Quick thanks again for those who showed up to our outing Friday night. See the pics here.

-I keep thinking of this poor guy.

I took this pic at GABP yesterday. Look at this poor dude and imagine being him. He's a Cardinals fan, and while his fraudulent team is wrapping a weekend in DC where they lost three of four, he's come to see his team's primary competitor in the NL Central. And his hopes of his Cardinals winning the division are being pinned on......the Chicago Cubs.

This poor guy has to rely on the Cubs to help his team. We shouldn't wish such a fate on anyone.

They just keep doing it...Jay Bruce heads toward the end of what's been a pretty good August by hitting four homers in the series. BP can't go, Chris Valaika fills the hole. They do the little things....Chris Heisey's baserunning puts pressure on Chicago's defense. They blow two two-run leads yesterday and bounce back twice. They get contributions from LeCure and Ondrusek. Even CoCo looks sharper. Hell, Jonny Gomes drives in a run.

The Reds are at the point where only a monumental faceplant will keep from the postseason. They go 16-16, the rest of the way, the Cards have to go 22-12 to tie them. Right now, I see neither of those things happening.

-Hey look! More whining from the Cardinals!

-Atop the long list of awful Bengals decisions over the last 20 years is the decision to sign Antonio Bryant. Atop the list of the most expensive practices ever would be Bryant's July 30th workout on the first day of training camp. That practice was Bryant's lone contribution to the team, and it cost them $7 - $8 million.

Good for the Bengals for not keeping the guy around simply for the sake of getting something for their money. They knew they'd have egg on their face if they cut him, and they still did it.

Still though, this organization needs to seriously examine its medical staff. Someone put this dude through a physical. Someone decided his knee was going to fine. Someone thought Antonio Bryant was healthy enough to give a ton of money to. Someone decided he could go through OTAs and minicamps. Someone decided to have him practice on the first day of training camp.

And remember, this is the same staff that misdiagnosed Chris Perry's knee, more or less blew off the pain Levi Jones had in his knee, and let Willie Anderson's bad foot go untreated in 2007. They also claimed Andre Smith didn't need surgery on his foot a year ago.

Those are some pretty important players.

We rip on the Bengals for having substandard scouting and personnel departments, but and NFL team cannot have sustained success with a medical staff that couldn't diagnose my face as having a nose.

-Meanwhile, at Buccaneers' headquarters, the Bengals are being laughed at.

-Larry King-style thoughts on Pretend Bengals v. Pretend Bills....the first team offense looked really good, great tempo, in rhythm, and Carson was pretty sharp as well. The unit was clicking.....the defense...ugh. They were shorthanded and all, but Trent Edwards and that offense shredded them?....Mike Nugent has stayed in the running for the kicking gig I guess.....12 more penalties. That's 41 for the preseason. This team will play in too many close games to give up free yardage....Carlos Dunlap, flashes of brilliance....Geno Atkins, almost unblockable against scrubs, I want to see him against actual NFL players...Dhani Jones, the man who "puts everyone in the right spots," looked simply lost on Buffalo's first TD.....Leon Hall is not having a good preseason.....Adam Jones has been easily the most exciting player this preseason.....I'm glad I drafted CJ Spiller on my fantasy team....Bengals preseason telecasts show that awful Nationwide spokesperson ad too often.....I watched the entier thing last night in an hour and fifteen minutes....there's thankfully just one more fake game. Real football can't get here soon enough.

-Does T.O. still have to pay Antonio Bryant for number 81?

-Hipsters. Ironic.

-Go to a game....big brother is watching.

-21 year-old man, feeling the need to dominate a kid's sport, registers for middle school so he can play football.

-Christina Hendricks. Red carpet.

-Here's how to get free stuff.

-UC plays Indiana State on September 11th. I recommend staying away from their head coach.

-I should feel sorry for these girls. I don't.

-It's good to see that Bruce Coslet is still drawing up plays...

-Man, these NFL refs are calling everything.

-This is pretty awesome.

-So is this....

-That's all you get for now. I'm gonna go get some coffee. Here's some Evelina Papantoniou, which I have no idea how to say.