Selfish Barry Hussein had to go and deliver some historic speech last night - in a football stadium, no less! - and try to steal the thunder from the start of college football.  Thankfully, the NCAA made the decision to concede to the Democratic nominee and toss up a few mildly entertaining contests, with most teams taking on I-AA opponents (or whatever the politcally correct terminology for them is now).  As the Irish are still seven painful days from kicking off, let's go over a few things.

• We got our first look at an Irish opponent last night in the Stanford Cardinal, and while Oregon State kindly gave them three turnovers and a shiny safety in the second half, Jim Harbaugh's crew seemed rather confident.  They were running the ball well, Tavita Pritchard was moving around nicely and the defense was constantly on the attack.  It appears that the offense is disciplined but not spectacular, the defense of the bend-not-break-and-force-turnovers variety.  The Beavers were replacing some players but coming off nine and ten-win seasons, and while we'll get a better look at their first opponent outside the PAC-10 against Penn State next week, this is a great start for Harbaugh's second campaign.
• VPILF?  If McCain is trying to get the votes of young males, Mayor-Turned-Governor Palin might be a good choice. 
  

Granted, it's a town of 6,700, but not bad.

• We're number one!  We're number one!  The snake oil salesmen down in Alabama couldn't actually give scholarships to the 72 prospects they promised one to, so that bumps the Irish up to tops in Rivals 2008 recruiting rankings.  Omar Hunter would still look nice along that defensive line, but MICHAEL FLOYD MICHAEL FLOYD MICHAEL FLOYD.
• Ty Proffitt transfers, which is probably a good move because he wouldn't be seeing the floor much this year, with Ben Hansbrough taking his minutes next year.  I imagine most Irish fans are shrugging and wishing him the best.
• Speaking of Irish hoops, College Gameday is coming to your city, descending on South Bend for UConn's visit January 24th.  It'll be nice for some heavy ESPN coverage when the students are actually around in the spring (winter) semester.  Between the Maui Invitational, the Ohio State neutral site throwdown, the visit to UCLA and a packed Big East, this is going to be legen - wait for it - dary basketball season.  Or a devastatingly disappointing one.
• Essential reading over at BlueGraySky in regards to number of starts for offensive linemen.  There still is probably going to be trouble, but nothing compared to up in Ann Arbor.
• First weekend picks coming up later in a very rainy DC day.

Probably picking Alabama (+4.5) for that picture alone.