But Does Anyone Have the Answers?

Today the J.A. stands for “Just Asking” . . .

Has anyone figured out how the bowl championship series computer works?

If not, can we at least agree that beating Oregon State and Stanford by a total of 11 points is better than losing to Michigan State by four points?

Don’t you think UCLA would rather be called lucky than be in Ohio State’s position?

Is it me, or is that NFL Films announcer doing voice-overs for every single commercial on TV these days?

If Cade McNown doesn’t win the Heisman, can people at least find it in their hearts to give him a most-valuable-player award? Has any other player in college football meant as much to his team in a must-win situation as McNown did at Oregon State on Saturday?

Why didn’t he play like that earlier this season?

What’s more shocking, the possibility the Angels apparently are willing to offer $70 million over six years to Mo Vaughn, or the notion that all it would do is get them a place in line?

I mean, what’s the world coming to when a baseball source tells The Times’ Ross Newhan that the Angels’ reported offer is “not enough to knock Mo off his chair, but as an opening offer it clearly demonstrates serious interest?” Shouldn’t he be talking about how putting some of that $70 million in the bank would generate serious interest?

How about these bowl scenarios? An Ohio State team considered the best in the country for most of the season not even playing in the Rose Bowl?

Would anyone have thought before the season that Ohio State would be playing the role of spoiler against Michigan? Do you realize that will be the case if Michigan beats Wisconsin on Saturday to take the lead in the Big Ten race?

What’s taking George Steinbrenner so long to re-sign Darryl Strawberry? Can’t he remember the goodwill (and subsequent good statistics) Oriole owner Peter Angelos received by signing Eric Davis while he was recovering from cancer?

The Colorado Rockies spent how much for Brian Bohanon? Ten million bucks? If Darryl Kile couldn’t pitch well in Coors Field, what makes them think Bohanon can?

If the NBA lockout miraculously ended today, who would be the Clipper coach?

Did the Dodgers fire anybody over the weekend? It’s been a little too quiet over there the last few days, you know?

Has there ever been a better set of comings and going in Congress than John Glenn returning safely and Newt Gingrich leaving humbly?

Why does it seem as though the WNBA and the ABL are the only two entities that haven’t merged this year?

Speaking of mergers we’d like to see, what if you combined UCLA’s offense with USC’s defense?

Doesn’t having Bubby Brister play a good portion of their games at quarterback automatically eliminate the Denver Broncos from any discussion of the NFL’s all-time great teams?

Are any sports more predictable than senior golf and NASCAR? Who has won this year besides Hale Irwin, Gil Morgan and Jeff Gordon?

It sure didn’t take long for the Kings to start missing Rob Blake, did it?

Let’s see if I have this straight: Instead of worrying about speed and memory, we’re supposed to buy an iMac computer because it’s blue?

Is there anyone who has seen both Chris Claiborne and Andy Katzenmoyer that actually thinks Katzenmoyer is the better linebacker?

Is there a more under-publicized playmaking defender than Claiborne’s USC teammate, David Gibson?

How can a power play with Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne be among the league’s worst? Shouldn’t Kariya and Selanne and a man advantage be automatic?

Do you feel worse off for not having the results of the Laker-Maverick game in the paper today?

Can you remember the issues behind any other sports work stoppage? So what makes the NBA think this one is so important?

If the more than 30 total interceptions thrown by Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf are simply a product of quarterbacking as an NFL rookie, why does Charlie Batch have only six interceptions?

What sounds stranger, Gov. Jesse Ventura or playoff-contending Oakland Raiders?

And what’s Sgt. Slaughter up to these days?

Just asking.