I'm no fan of Touchdown Jesus. In fact, I think Charlie Weiss needs to resign and work part time during the Christmas holiday season -- as a big fat shopping mall Santa Claus.

But this year's Notre Dame basketball team, I admire indubitably. They are 12-3 this season, and the most recent loss was to a little team called the Connecticut Huskies -- now ranked 13th in the nation.

Top scorer Luke Harangody is fawned over by fans and media, but senior point guard Tory Jackson is the key to Notre Dame's success. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.0, 80 assists to 20 turnovers in 15 games, puts him in the top five nationally. In high school he was a high-scoring threat, but now Jackson focuses on feeding Harangody, Hansbrough, and Nash the rock.

Tonight the Irish visit the 10-3 South Florida Bulls. College basketball is never played on paper. For example, the statistically disadvantaged Charleston Cougars upset then #9 North Carolina last night in overtime. Statistically Notre Dame edges the Bulls in points scored (86.6 to 63), three point percentage (47.1 to 29.1), and rebounding (36.8 to 31.8). South Florida does play outstanding defense, holding opponents to just over 60 points per game. But the Bulls have arguably not played the same level of competition as Notre Dame. For example, the Irish most recently lost to Connecticut 70-82 on the road, but beat Providence 93-78 at home. South Florida most recently faced the 10-4 Louisville Cardinals on the road...and lost 52-73.

Tonight's college try is...

Notre Dame -1.5

Good luck, ladies and degenerates!