Remember that chubby 8 year-old kid that was able to hit the ball to the fence at Tiger Stadium. Yeah, Cecil’s kid. Well, he can hit the ball much further now and he is a Tiger.

Welcome back to Detroit, Prince Fielder. Enjoy your next nine years and $214 million. I’ll chip in by getting some Crazy Bread.

The news came yesterday and took me by surprise. It was like Christmas morning with out the fair warning of a month of shopping frenzy and jingle bells.

Prince Fielder brings a powerful left-handed bat to the Tigers lineup and some serious protection for Miguel Cabrera with Victor Martinez out for the season with an ACL tear.

I thought that he would also bring an ego that would clash with Cabrera’s. The fact that they both play first base made me think there would be an issue or that Cabrera was on his way out. That would have bothered me because, gun to my head, I’d rather have Cabrera than Fielder. That being said, Cabrera is now the second highest paid Tiger. Dare I say he’s underpaid?

Luckily I don’t have to worry about that. Dave Dombrowski, Tigers General Manager, called Cabrera before signing Fielder to see how he felt about it. Cabrera took it well and showed that he is a team player by agreeing to move to third base. Cabrera played third base when he came into the league with the Florida Marlins.

I’m also thankful that Jim Leyland is still the Tigers Manager because if anybody in the league can handle two superstars and their egos it’s Leyland.

Now that Fielder signed the Tigers have 4 to 1 odds to win the World Series and are the favorite in Major League Baseball.

Things got really good for Tigers fans in 2012. I’m already thinking World Series. Imagine what 2013 could bring when Victor Martinez is healthy again.

Again, welcome back Prince.

At the end of every college football season the argument begins, what’s wrong with the BCS and how does it get fixed.

Well, I have the answer. The BCS is garbage.

Currently, the BCS only allows two teams to play for a national championship. This year Alabama won even though they didn’t win their conference. This stirs a controversy. Oklahoma State won the Big 12, was ranked third in the country (by a computer) and beat Stanford and Andrew Luck in the Fiesta Bowl. Oklahoma State and Alabama both had one loss going into the bowl season. Why didn’t Oklahoma State get a chance at the national title?

Because it’s based on voting an a computer algorithm that the programmers at Google couldn’t figure out.

So what’s the fix?

In the Football Bowl Subdivision (Division 1-A) there are 11 conferences and a group of independent teams. Basically 12 conferences. Let the teams play out their seasons not worried about ranks. Their only goal is to win their conference. Each conference will play a conference championship game to decide the winner.

When the season is over and 12 conference champions are crowned then use the fancy-schmancy BCS computers to rank those champions 1 through 12. Teams ranked 1 through 4 will get a first-round bye. Teams ranked 5 through 12 will play in the first-round. The 4 winners in the first-round move on to play the 4 teams with first-round byes and from there it’s a standard tournament.

If the National Championship is decided this way there will be no teams in small conferences that can complain that they didn’t have a chance. Any other team that thinks they should be in the tournament is wrong. If you didn’t win your conference you don’t get into the tournament. It’s that simple.

With this plan the national champion will have truly earned it. It’s hard to argue that they didn’t deserve the BCS title if they beat every other team in a tournament of the conference champions.

As far as naming these games goes, I’ll leave it to the BCS to decide. I think they can handle that.

Hey, Bowl Championship Series…you’re welcome.

Yesterday’s Games

NCAA Men’s Basketball

#7 Michigan State won it’s 15th straight game. They beat Iowa 95-61 (Highlight Video)

NHL

The Red Wings were crushed by the NY Islanders 5-1. Pavel Datsyuk was out with a “lower body injury” and Jimmy Howard had the day off. Ty Conklin played in Howard’s place. (Highlight Video)

NBA

The Pistons lose their fifth straight game. The defending NBA Champion, Dallas Mavericks, win 100-86. (Highlight Video)

The college football season is over, and the BCS Championship game was a dud. If anyone in Detroit or Michigan cares, Alabama beat LSU 21-0. (Highlight Video)

21 points…three touchdowns right…WRONG! Five field goals, a touchdown and a missed extra point. Alabama’s defense made LSU’s offense look like a Pop Warner team.

Now that it’s all over let’s get this argument started. Michigan or State? Who had a better season?

Michigan State finished 11-3. They won the Legends Division of the Big Ten. They played in the first ever Big Ten Championship game. They won the Outback Bowl (not a BCS bowl). They finished #10 in the Coaches Poll and #11 in the AP Poll.

Michigan finished 11-2. Won the Sugar Bowl (a BCS bowl). Finished #9 in the Coaches Poll and #12 in the AP Poll. All of this in Brady Hoke’s first season as head coach.

My vote is for the Spartans. 

They beat Michigan head to head. They played for a chance at the Rose Bowl. If you’re a Big Ten team you would rather play for a chance at the Rose Bowl then back into a Sugar Bowl. Simply said, Michigan State was the better team. But it won’t be that way next year.

Other Notes:

MLB

Barry Larkin was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Former Tigers Jack Morris and Alan Trammell did not receive enough votes. (Read the Story at Baseballhall.org)

NBA

The loud sucking sound coming from Auburn Hills gets louder. Pistons lose to the Bulls 92-68. (Highlight Video)

The Lions season came to an end Saturday night in a 45-28 loss to the Saints in New Orleans. (Highlight Video)

The defensive secondary was exposed for the second week in a row. This time it was one of the best in the league, Drew Brees, taking advantage. The Lions allowed over 600 yards and 466 of that was passing.

It doesn’t help that the referees, who get 99% of the calls right according to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, screwed up a possible game changing call. They even admitted that they screwed the Lions over.

Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and the other receivers looked great in this game. The passing game is one of the best in the NFL and needs no improvement. The Lions just have to make sure that they lock up Calvin Johnson before the end of next year or else he’ll become a free agent. There is no reason he doesn’t get a franchise tag.

It’s obvious what the Lions need to improve next year. Defense and the running game.

Improvements to the running game will come easily. Jahvid Best and Mikel Lashoure will both play next year. Lashoure missed the entire season with a torn Achilles tendon and Best missed the second half of the season with a concussion.

On the other hand, the defense will need some new players. The Lions have the 23rd pick in the NFL Draft and should focus on drafting a cornerback or a safety.

I have faith that Jim Schwartz and Martin Mayhew know what they’re doing. With the success the team had this year it will be easier to pull good players from free agency.

The Lions had a great season and, again, showed major improvements but they still have work to do before they can compete for a Super Bowl.

Other Notes:

NFL

TEBOW!!! (Highlight Video)

NHL

The Red Wings beat their division rival Blackhawks 3-2 in Overtime. Pavel Datsyuk with the amazing game winner. (Highlight Video)

NCAA Men’s Basketball

#13 Michigan Wolverines beat #19 Wisconsin Badgers 59-41 (Highlight Video)

NCAA Football

The National Championship game is tonight. LSU Tigers v. Alabama Crimson Tide. 8:30pm EST on ESPN.

Tonight the Detroit Lions play their first playoff game since 1999. It won’t be easy either. As the 6th seed the Lions will be up against the very talented and experienced New Orleans Saints.

In order to beat the Saints, the Lions have to play at their best and force the Saints to make mistakes.

Five keys to victory:

1. Defensive secondary. Louis Delmas and Chris Houston will play. This can only help slow down Drew Brees, but it won’t stop him. After letting up 480 yards and 6 touchdowns to Green Bay’s backup, Matt Flynn, the Lions proved that they can be beaten in the air. If the secondary doesn’t have a good game then Drew Brees will set records. Lance Moore won’t be playing but he’s not much of an impact player for the Saints. Jimmy Graham is their best receiver and needs to be hit on every play coming off the line. Slow him down and you slow down the entire Saints offense.

2. Defensive line. Ndamukong Suh didn’t play earlier in the season when the Saints beat the Lions 31-17. He is a game-changer and will put Drew Brees under more pressure than he’s used to dealing with. Also, Nick Fairley needs to play a complete game. He looked great in the first quarter against the Saints last time but he needs to do that for four quarters. Put pressure on Drew Brees and contain Darren Sproles, it’s that simple.

3. Stafford to Calvin. Matthew Stafford threw for over 5,000 yards this season and Calvin Johnson is the best receiver in the NFL. Last time Calvin had only 6 catches for 69 yards against the Saints. Those numbers must be much larger this time around.

4. Special Teams. Jason Hanson needs to kick the ball out of the endzone on every kickoff. That’s the only way neutralize Darren Sproles on kickoffs. That’s an easy task for Hanson. Stefan Logan is on the verge of having a huge break on a kick or punt return. If he can give the Lions great field position or add 6 points on a return that would go a long way toward a Lions victory.

5. Stupid Penalties. It sounds easy, keep the penalties to a minimum. Only one problem, the Lions struggle with that. They are a bunch of young guys who have a serious problem controlling their emotions. Last time the Lions played the Saints they committed 11 penalties for 107 yards. That’s just too much. Put ego aside for 60 minutes and the Lions stay in this game.

Final Prediction: Lions 38, Saints 35

Other Notes: 

I will be Tweeting during the game. Join the conversation and follow me @ajweatherly on Twitter.

The NHLPA denied the realignment plan for the NHL. This might be the beginning stages of a lockout for next season. Read the story at NHL.com.

Rick Porcello opted out of his contract and is arbitration eligible. He is looking to get seriously paid next year. Read the story at MLB.com.

The Pistons lost to the 76ers 96-73. Big surprise, right? Ben Gordon and Rodney Stuckey did not play. Brandon Knight and Austin Daye were injured in the first half but both came back to finish the game. (Highlight Video)

The University of Michigan Athletic Director, Dave Brandon, has been approached by the NHL about using the Big House for the Winter Classic in 2013. This means the Red Wings would host the NHL’s annual outdoor game.

Dave Brandon said in his statement, ”We have been approached by the NHL about utilizing our facility for the 2013 Winter Classic. There are a lot of complex circumstances that need to be ironed out before anything moves forward. We will have more to say if/when something materializes.”

I can’t think of a better place to have it than the Big House. It officially holds 109,901 people but the record attendance is 114,804. If the Red Wings host the Maple Leafs, Canadians, Blackhawks, Penguins or Avalanche they can sell out the Big House easily. If it’s any other team I have my doubts.

The big thought I have here is that Michigan would obviously want a large cut of the revenue. Since the Red Wings are owned by Mike Ilitch, who also owns the Tigers, he would keep more of the money if the game was played at Comerica Park. But Comerica Park only has a capacity of 41,255. Much less total money to be made here but, probably, more of the cut goes to Ilitch.

Another major problem with having the game at Michigan Stadium is the parking. Downtown Ann Arbor on a Saturday afternoon during football season is insane. Add snow and ice to that mix and it’s a logistical parking nightmare.

Let’s cross our fingers and hope that Brandon and the NHL can get something worked out.

Other Notes:

MLB:

Miguel Cabrera pleaded no contest for his DUI charge from last spring. He will serve no jail time. He got a year of probation but is eligible for early termination after six months. His license is suspended for six months, and he has to pay a little over $1,400 in fines. He also has to go to DUI school and a victim-impact panel. $1,400 seems a little light to me, just saying. Either way, I’m glad he’ll be on the field and not in jail. Here’s A public service announcement from Miguel Cabrera and Paws via Roar of the Tigers.

NCAA Men’s Basketball:

The #13 Michigan Wolverines lost to #12 Indiana Hoosiers 73-71. Here’s the Highlight Video.

Rumor has it that this is fake.

Last night this picture of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome was all over Twitter. I don’t think it’s real but Saints fans are eating it up. Lions fans have concerns about playing the Saints in New Orleans but Saints fans are pretty confident.

Surprise, surprise… even Jim Harbaugh isn’t giving the Lions respect. When asked how he prepares for three different teams Harbaugh said, “More the Saints. The greater share would be preparing for the Saints.” via 95.7 The Game.

What Harbaugh is saying is the Saints will win. That was a blatant dig at the Lions and his good buddy Jim Schwartz.

The game this Saturday will be much different from the game earlier in the season. Ndamukong Suh will be playing, Louis Delmas will be back, and Nick Fairley will play more. Also, expect Calvin Johnson to get a lot more passes his way.

With the improvements to the lineup on defense for the Lions, glove-free Matthew Stafford playing his best and targeting Calvin, and if the Lions can keep the stupid penalties down they have a real shot.

Saints fans aren’t taking the Lions seriously but they have no idea what they’re in for. The inexperienced Lions won’t hold back in their first playoff game.

It will be a great game.

Other Notes:

Dave Dombrowski said he will not trade Jacob Turner for Matt Garza according to Lynn Henning. I’m glad. I think Jacob Turner’s potential is huge. He isn’t Justin Verlander part II but he will be very good. On that note, the Tigers still need a 5th starter.

The Pistons continue to suck. They lost to the Bulls in Richard Hamilton’s first game back to the Palace of Auburn Hills. (Game Highlight Video)

The Orange Bowl was a complete blow-out. West Virginia beat Clemson in a “who cares” matchup for the ages. Final Score WVU 70, Clemson 33. (Game Highlight Video)

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

It was an ugly game. I heard a friend say, “This isn’t the Sugar Bowl, it’s the Amateur Bowl.” It doesn’t matter, the game was fun to watch and Michigan got the win…in overtime. (Highlight Video)

There was a lot of luck involved with the win but good teams take advantage of mistakes. The Virginia Tech Hokies made plenty. You could say they gave away the game but I think the Wolverines took it away.

Junior Hemmingway saved the day and made Denard Robinson look decent even though he had a horrible outing. Hemmingway made more than one big play on Denard passes that were, literally, thrown up for grabs.

Brendan Gibbons was tremendous. He, and his 80s mustache, mullet, and beer belly, was spot on all night and didn’t succumb to the pressure of kicking a OT game-winning field goal. The kick was perfect.

Virginia Tech, however, had their third string kicker, Justin Myer, in and he missed his overtime field goal attempt which left the game in Michigan’s control. The starter missed the game due to a breaking and entering charge. The backup was gone for violating team curfew rules.

In Brady Hoke’s first season as head coach the Wolverines went 11-2 with a BCS Bowl win. They beat Ohio State and Notre Dame. Michigan is back on the national stage. With this type of high-profile win Michigan can expect an easier time recruiting nationally and in-state.

Geaux Blue!

Other Notes:

#11 Michigan State beat #19 Wisconsin 63-60 in a crazy overtime B1G basketball matchup. (Highlight Video)

The Red Wings beat the Dallas Stars 5-4. Jiri Hudler had two goals. (Highlight Video)