1. The more I think about it, the more I become convinced that Lane Kiffin is the worst hire a major contender has made in, well maybe ever. He’s proven nothing as a coach, he has absolutely no loyalty or staying power, and recruits won’t trust him as far as they can throw him after what he did to Tennessee. Remarkably terrible decision.

2. Tennessee and USC in a bowl next winter would be the greatest gift to humanity fate has ever given humanity.

3. Very impressive accomplishment by Charles Woodson yesterday in winning the Defensive Player of the Year. It will go pretty well on his trophy shelf with his Heisman, and it will strengthen the already easy argument – that Woodson is the best Heisman winning pro since Barry Sanders. It’s especially impressive because he is the first corner to win the award since Deion Sanders in 1994. Some of the shine was probably taken off the award in Woodson’s mind, though, by the fact that he lost his last game by allowing 51 points.

4. After winning 14 in a row, Purdue has dropped two straight, including a home loss to Ohio State last night. I believe that this team is built to last, but these two games really concern me, and so does the fact that they play two decent teams on the road next.

5. Kobe left last night’s game early as his team got smoked by the Spurs, Pau Gasol has missed five in a row, and Andrew Bynum is reportedly on the trading block for the right price. All is not sunny and happy in the land of palm trees and plastic surgery.

6. Interesting hire by Mike Shanahan – he has brought Jim Haslett on to be his defensive coordinator. He’s not particularly consistent, and he has far too much loyalty to some players (like Aaron Brooks in New Orleans), but he knows his stuff well on defense, and he reportedly has a pretty good relationship with Shanahan. If anyone can turn the mess in Washington around it is these two, but I’m not truly convinced that anyone can turn this team around with the current senior management and ownership.