By Mike Ball
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Thumbs up

1. The Bengals. They pro-actively sign a long-term deal for Chad Johnson. The game with the Chiefs is on TV, thanks to a sellout. There are network guys in town to do features for the Sunday morning pregame shows. There are national writers coming for the game, many of whom have picked an upset. The local team actually has rejoined the NFL. Now, on any given Sunday (remember, no Sunday, Thursday or Monday night games yet), you can imagine a victory. (And as for rejoining the NFL - 21 teams enter today with a record equaling the Bengals' 4-5, or better.)

2. The Olympics. They really are for everyone. The IOC has finalized a ruling that will allow athletes who have undergone sex-change operations to be eligible to compete in the Olympics. (Calling Rene Richards!)

3. The Buckeyes. Winning ugly, still the worst top team going - all the way to the Sugar Bowl!

4. Carolyn Rauen. The Turpin senior is a national finalist for the Wendy's High School Heisman Award. The resume? A cross country/track/swimming star, she has a perfect grade-point average, works in anti-drug programs and is a lifeguard at a camp for disabled children. OK, now that the rest of us feel worthless . . .

Thumbs down

1. Oklahoma bashers. The chic thing for the press last week was rip the top-ranked Sooners for running up the score in a 77-0 bashing of Texas A&M. Funny, nobody complained when A&M beat Baylor 73-10 earlier.

2. The Heisman voting. Ballots are out already. Aren't the most important games still to come?

3. Notre Dame. The Fleeting Irish. The players celebrated beating Navy as if they had just won the national title. Now, reports have them looking into possibly joining a conference. Wouldn't have anything to do with plummeting television ratings and their next TV contract, would it?

4. Tennis and golf. At last, the season ends. Now get that Christmas shopping done and prepare for those season-opening events.