CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Illinois and Northwestern University announced today that
the football series trophy going to the winner of their annual football game will be called the Land of Lincoln Trophy.

Fans of both schools had a chance to express their opinions in an online poll over the past several weeks, and using that information, the schools decided that the Land of Lincoln Trophy would best represent all citizens of the state, as the two schools are the only Big Ten institutions located in
the state of Illinois. The new trophy also coincides with the celebration of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday.

"We are pleased to announce the Land of Lincoln Trophy as the series trophy for the winner of the Illinois-Northwestern football game," said Ron Guenther, UI Director of Athletics. "Our players look forward to the in-state rivalry game with Northwestern each and every year, and the Land of
Lincoln Trophy represents a tremendous tradition."

"To be certain, we are very excited to introduce the Land of Lincoln Trophy as our series rivalry prize," said Jim Phillips, Northwestern's director of athletics and recreation. "Northwestern versus Illinois is always a highly anticipated football game for our student-athletes and fans. The new trophy is symbolic for our great state and the two proud Big Ten institutions that reside in it."

The Land of Lincoln Trophy will replace the retired Sweet Sioux Tomahawk that was the series trophy from 1945-2008. The two institutions are also working together to create the new trophy with the first meeting for the Land of Lincoln Trophy scheduled for Nov. 14 in Champaign.

I guess the Fire Bell was a bit too obscure, but still...

This may be semi-OT, but it's something I've thought about and discussed with some friends of mine for a while now (rather unsurprising since I'm a college student), and I wanted to gauge the beer-swilling Cub fan community's opinion as well:

As a Cubs fan, which beer do you prefer: Miller Lite or Budweiser/Bud Light? It's an interesting dilemma which I think goes beyond simply taste preference. Obviously, we'd all prefer Old Style for obvious reasons, but because these two beers are far more likely to be available at a big-chain restaurant than a regional brew like Old Style, It would be too much of a cop out to include the local favorite. After all, down here in Champaign Old Style is rather hard to come by (although I recently saw a local liquor store selling it in bottles).

Bud Light

On the face of things, this appears to be the most obvious choice. The Budweiser rooftop on Waveland has become synonymous with Wrigley, they brand themselves rigorously with the team (on TV, with signage, etc.), and Bud Light is readily available at the ballpark (they are, after all, the Bud Light Bleachers). And let's not forget our guy Harry Caray -- after all, he was *the* Cub Fan and Bud Man.

That said, the obvious Anheuser-Busch connection to St. Louis is a repulsive force. With Busch Stadium being the home of the Cubs' biggest rival, Budweiser, for all its efforts on the north side, is an unbrazen representative of the Cardinals, St. Louis, and all things Joe Buck. And, Harry's greatness aside, did his time in St. Louis inoculate him into liking their beer, even in Chicago?

Thus, the question becomes: is drinking Bud the equivalent of fraternizing with the enemy?

Miller Lite

So the alternative, then, lies with Bud's biggest rival: Miller. While Bud may have the lucrative beverage deal inside Wrigley proper, Miller has countered with their own signage, in right field next to the revered Eamus Catuli numbers, and while it may not be as iconic as the red roof, the slogans are routinely entertaining. (additional examples here, here, and here). Further, the recent decision by MillerCoors to move to Chicago may suggest the brand's future growth in the area, and it may perhaps be embraced by Chicagoans more definitively. And as a side note, Miller Lite was, more or less, the first light beer to be mass produced.

Not to mention: it's blue! Bonus points for that, right?

Ah yes, but in the last decade a new Cubs rival has emerged, and they, in similar fashion to the Cards, are connected with this major beer label. Milwaukee is unquestionably Miller's territory (it's Miller freakin' Park). We may still think of Brewers as a very respectable, friendly rival, but the feeling isn't quite mutual (see the other BCB for some examples, however tepid they may be). 

Not to mention the fact that Miller has built a certain connotation with that other Chicago team. 

But that said, there was that sign last year that trashed Miller's own team....

So what's your take on this issue? Which do you think tastes better? Which do you make yourself think tastes better for ethical reasons?

EDIT: Additional Disclaimer: We all know there are better tasting beers than these two. Consider this a hypothetical, "desert island" type of choice.

Via http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280401110

Mariano Rivera worked a perfect ninth for the save and handed Girardi the souvenir ball from the final out as the sellout crowd of 55,112 roared.

"He just congratulated me and he said that's No. 1 and let's get a lot more," Girardi said. "It's a neat moment for me."

Definitely can't say I'm a Yankees fan, but I'm pulling for Girardi and his team to have a lot of success this season.

Now, as for when the Cubs come calling in a few years....

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Well, now that we're in January, it's official: I really, really miss Cubs baseball. I used to have last season's montage (produced by WGN and played several times at the end of the regular season) on my old laptop, but when the hard drive decided to make an early trip to component heaven, the video went with it.

I can't find it anywhere on the internet, at least anywhere that MLB hasn't already gotten to; does anyone have it who can send it to me? my e-mail is: ...no longer necessary to post here! {/edit}

Per Comcast SportsNite (clearly the most trusted source in sports journalism): Neal Cotts is AAA-bound, while Guzman will be groomed for bullpen duty, and the tall one, Sean Marshall, will enter the rotation and start for the Cubs this week.

I'm glad to hear it personally. I want Dempster to succeed at whatever he does, but he's really the only guy we can trust at the closer spot right now. Marmol's got "closer of the future" written all over him, but his command can best be described as "shades of Rick Vaughn".

What do you guys think? Marshall was 6-9 last year with a 5.59 ERA. Can he pull a Rich Hill and really lock down the fifth starter spot?

Those of you that watched tonight's game on CSN+ no doubt heard Len Kasper addressing, head on, the mediocre start to the year (and the subsequent pessimism from the fanbase) in the sixth inning. He used many of the talking points those on the "optimist" side refer to -- that this team has undoubtedly faltered far too often early, but has nowhere to go but up as the season progresses, and WILL be in the playoff mix come September. It was almost as if Al was handing them notes.

Specifically, Len and Bob referred to the bullpen and lack of "tack-on" runs as the problems that have dogged the team early. Interestingly, the Cubs put up a six-spot that very inning. Len also half-heartedly admonished those that are giving up on the team this early.

It was, to me, quite a change of pace from commentary that seemed to avoid direct criticism to a holistic overview of the Cubs' missteps thus far. It really wouldn't be worth a diary if it didn't come from the TV booth since it seems to echo things that have been said ad nauseum on BCB.

Those of you that watched this --  what did you think?

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Yes, I know it's May, but so far this team has been a showcase of really solid starting pitching. Yet our number 1 starter -- purportedly our "ace" -- has been swimming in earned runs since opening day, while normally mediocre pitchers (relatively speaking) have been immaculate. So, it begs the question -- who would you want on the hill with a (dare I say it) pennant-clinching or do or die WS game on tap? Poll after the jump...

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I've obtained some really good footage of today's home plate umpire vs. the Reds, complete with in-game audio. Definitely worth a watch.

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