Big, according to the Chicago Sun Times. Tressel’s downplaying it, oddly.

“What I think we’ll find is in the Big Ten, all these games are big,'’ Tressel said. “Any thoughts one would have about playing for the national championship would end [with another loss this week], but I don’t know if the Big Ten world would end. Last year, Iowa opened the Big Ten season with a loss to Michigan and ended up being co-champions. Certainly, it’s a big game, and as we begin conference play, it’s always important to get off to a good start.'’

They’re all must wins from now on.

A list of the good, the bad, and the unimpressive, including the following…

The run defense is still horrid. The Packers were not able to stick with the run, due to falling behind by 2 scores. Good thing for the Browns run defense. We realize that the Browns run a 3-4, but it seems more like a 1-4. Does any other linemen play besides DE Orpheus Roye?

We don’t seem to have any pass rush at all, either.

Listening to Kenny Roda, who is wondering why Riske came out for the 10th inning. I’m not sure I agree with Roda. Who do you go to? I agree with his criticism of Joel “Human Stop Sign” Skinner for not waiving guys around to home plate in the 7th and the 9th. But I think he’s a little over the top on the pitching criticism. Sure, I’d rather have someone other than Riske in that situation, but I’m not sure who you bring in at that point. And I don’t think Wedge should change the rotation and pitch anyone other than Ellarton tonight.

Roda also has some very valid criticism of major leaguers’ inability to bunt, which was definitely a problem last night. Totally with him on that.

Don’t like sports. Are they the sane ones?

To #2. If the playoffs ended today, we’d play Game 1 at Fenway.

During this Sunday’s Browns-Colts game, you’ll probably hear a lot of talk about the Colts’ new stadium, which broke ground yesterday…a retractable roof, 63,000 capacity, multiple use facility. How’s it paid for?

Taxpayers in Central Indiana will pay for most of the project through tax increases. Marion County increased its hotel, car rental, and food-and-beverage taxes. Also, Hamilton, Boone, Hendricks, Johnson, Shelby and Hancock counties voted to increase their food-and-beverage taxes to help pay for it. The Colts will kick in $100 million.

I think it’ll be cool to see the Colts play outdoors at home…I move they keep that dome open in winter.

Get the sports teams to win.

How funny is it, that when our sports teams are doing well our city instantly becomes a better place to live.

When the Browns were hot in the mid-80’s this town was pretty damn cool. I believe it also coincided with the height of the Flats era. Wasn’t Cleveland “the comeback city” during those Indians years in the mid-90’s? I got a feeling Lebron is going to make winters a bit more bearable.

Agonizing loss tonight. Games like this just wear me out. Extra innings. Base runners all the time. And a walk off homer in the 10th for Chicago. All those semi-gloating posts right before this one…..never mind.