The Michigan Wolverines, ranked #5 in the nation and favored to win the Big Ten, announced they will open their season this Saturday against the Oregon Ducks. The winningest program in collegiate history will have their hands full with the perennially tough Ducks, slated to challenge for an upper echelon finish in the very competitive Pac-10 conference. But decade after decade the Wolverines have proven they are keenly aware that other teams never fail to bring their “A-game” to Ann Arbor’s Big House. The Maize and Blue have an experienced offense led by seniors Chad Henne at quarterback and Mike Hart at tailback, and with a multitude of starters back from last season should be clicking on all cylinders. The defense lost several standouts to the NFL but in typical Michigan fashion has reloaded and appears ready to once again be among the nation’s leaders. Kickoff for this ’07 home opener is slated for 3:30pm EDT and will be televised regionally by ABC. Except in Boone, North Carolina.

The Milwaukee Bucks finally signed Chinese hoops phenom Li JianLian to a rookie contract, but the 7-footer will play for the Bucks only if he clears U.S. Customs and Inspections. JianLian, whose real name is Doug Woo, was a struggling teen standup comic in Orange County, California when he shot up over 11 inches in one year. He moved to China to get more playing time and changed his name because “Doug” is too hard for most mainland Chinese to pronounce. Unfortunately JianLian may be coated in dangerous lead paint, illegal here in the States but quite common in both Chinese manufacturing and cooking (note: General Tso’s Chicken gets its distinctive color from being marinated in orange lead paint). Anyone licking, chewing or sucking on JianLian runs the risk of contracting lead poisoning.