A few weeks back a co-worker and I placed a serious goocher on the Cougs by debating how far they would make it in the tournament. Throwing caution to the wind, she went so far as to ask me if I'd put the Cougs in the final four of my office bracket.

The last time I made such a grievous breach in Cougar etiqette was September 6, 2003 in Notre Dame Stadium when at halftime with a 19-3 lead, I turned to my buddy Rooster and said "There's no way we lose this game." I remember it as if I said it this morning. During the next 30 minutes of football, I was rudely reminded that smack-talk is best left to our friends on Montlake. In brutal heat and humidity (and what seemed like 3,000 rushing yards by Julius Jones) our beloved Cougs were overcome by the Irish in the second half. My bad... Fortunately for all of Cougar Nation, Coach Bennett and his boys put their money where my mouth was and are now looking at a likely 3 or 4 seed in the Big Dance.

Like many Cougs, I can be equal parts Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde when it comes to our teams. One minute seeing the world through crimson-colored glasses and the next, swearing them off for good (of course, I always come to my senses in time for the next game). My basketball acumen is more Graham than Bennett, so I won't be dissecting every trip up and down the floor over the next few weeks. Rather, I will try and give some (mostly) light-hearted insight into the ups and downs of Cougdom as we dance through March.

So that said, I'll answer the question I was asked 3 weeks ago: Will I put the Cougs in my final four? Damn Straight, I will. Where's my glasses?

Go Cougs!

---