Tonight marks the first game this season between the two hottest teams in the Western Conference: the Idaho Steelheads and Las Vegas Wranglers. Only Las Vegas (8-1-1 in their last 10 games) is on a more torrid pace than the Steelheads (7-2-1 in last 10 games). Look for Junior Lessard to begin to find his stride for Idaho as he gets back into game action; he’s a former Hobey Baker Winner with NHL experience, and has the skills to be the most prolific goal scorer in the ECHL. Mike Zacharias and the Idaho defense will have a tough task against an offensively talented Vegas squad; listen for Wranglers forwards by the names of Bates, Bellissimo, Huddy, and Lukacevic, especially. And let’s not forget about Vegas goalie Michael Ouzas; he’s sporting a nifty goals-against average of 1.86 and a sparkling save percentage of .934 in nine games.

HEISMAN

Cam Newton, without a doubt, should win the Heisman trophy. Will it be taken away from him down the road if he wins? Of course. Should it? No, and neither should Reggie Bush’s Heisman have been revoked. Bush was the best college football player in the country during his Heisman campaign. This season, Auburn’s Newton was also the best player in the nation. Regardless of what has gone on around Newton, he has managed to put it all aside on Saturday afternoons and be one heck of an athlete. He’d be doing this with any team, and Auburn certainly wouldn’t be in the title game without him. If anything, the numbers he has posted on the field are even more impressive because of the fact that Newton has been residing in distraction city for the last couple months.

MIAMI’S VACANT COACHING POSITION

Due to the fact that the Syracuse football program has been lacking- to say the least- in recent years, I have continued to hold the University of Miami at the top of my football fandom list. As far as their coaching position is concerned, Miami needs to hold to the idea that their job is one of NCAA football’s true destination spots. The program has had a few down, yet bowl eligible years. When Miami makes a hire, they need to look for someone who considers Miami a destination job; not somebody who will look to bolt for inevitable NFL failure in three seasons. Too bad Butch Davis is spoken-for.