Ken Jackson

Sports Writer

Now for some random ramblings as I take my talents to the comfy, tan recliner ...

Is there anyone north of, say, Boca Raton, that’s rooting for the Miami Heat?

In Cleveland, there’s a group rooting hard for Dallas called CavsForMavs. You don’t even have to live in the Rust Belt to dislike what LeBron did.

I don’t want Miami to win, but not for the reason you think. The Heat have only been around since 1989 and a win would be their second title. Storied franchises like the Knicks, Wizards and 76ers haven’t even won one in 25 years or more. Atlanta and Phoenix have never won the NBA title.

To highlight the Heat’s unworthiness, here’s a snapshot of Miami as a sports town: it’s three favorite teams are the Dolphins, the ‘Canes ... and whoever else is winning. The Marlins got off to a great start this year and nobody cared ...

... So who from the NCAA gets the job of flying to Seattle to get Pete Carroll’s 2004 USC championship ring back?

I say make Reggie Bush do it.

Isn’t the downfall of Los Angeles’ only championship football team all his fault?

They need to pile it on Bush, now persona non grata at USC, as much as possible. Make him feel responsible.

The school has expunged him from their records, while the NCAA limited the punishment and sanctions on the kids playing there now.

They were just entering high school and weren’t even being recruited yet when Bush was getting rich from playing “amateur” sports.

If he was the only one — and if you believe that I have some gear and a couple bridges to sell you — let the kids that Lane Kiffin recruits play for bowls and titles and such.

Now that the NCAA, who finally got one right if Bush indeed was the only one getting crazy benefits, got its smoking gun. It only took seven years, but USC has to give its crystal football back. You know what this means now, right?

Auburn fans, you have until about 2016 before you need to get even the slightest bit nervous ...

... My brother-in-law, an Ohio native and Buckeye by birth, actually uttered these words last week:

“If Urban Meyer becomes the new head coach, I’m renouncing Ohio State and will go root for Michigan.”

Now, now buddy, it might be a rough time to wear the red of Columbus, but there’s no need to start talking crazy.

Besides, if he subscribes to the “The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend” theory, then he should go green and side with Michigan State.

He’s in a fragile state. He’s still upset that this whole story, that started with discounted tattoos and ended with Jim Tressel and Terrell Pryor turning in their helmet stickers, blew up when players were discovered selling items they were given after big wins.

Selling “your” own “stuff” is an odd quirk of the NCAA, but an understandable one when you look at it on the level.

Imagine this conversation that exposes a questionable exchange rate:

Booster No. 1: “Son, that was a great victory. In honor of it, the alumni would like to present you with this bag of marbles.”

Booster No. 2: “Now I know pretty marbles when I see them. I’ll give you five thousand bucks for them, and another grand for the bag!”

Player: “Sold. I’m taking my girl to Red Lobster!”

That’s the same reason that scholarship players can’t get a job on campus. One too many kids doing some painting then getting paid like Michaelangelo ruined it for everyone else.

And for Terrell Pryor and Jim Tressel.

It’s OK, Ohio State fans, Woody Hayes is still looking down on the Buckeyes.

And he still hates Michigan.

Probably more than I dislike Miami, but it’s close.

Thought for the Day: Healthy is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.