Q&A with "The Schwab"

By Rhonda Reigstad

From the football field to the basketball court, Bristol 's Buddha of sports trivia, Howie Schwab, sits down and answers my questions.  

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been having less than a "super" year. Do you think this will be coach Bill Cowher's last in the Steel City ?  

I think it is still up in the air. It will depend on how the team finishes up. I don't think he will want to go out if the team does poorly. He could have gone out after last season but he didn't. There is still a lot of love between Cowher and the city of Pittsburgh .    

 

Quarterback Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts are the only undefeated team in the National Football League. Will they stay that way? Will they win the Super Bowl?  

I picked the Colts before the season and there is no reason to change my pick now. I know the close calls against Tennessee and Buffalo at home will scare some people, but those were still wins! Indianapolis still has more weapons than anyone.   

Ohio State University is the number one ranked college football team. Will they be the national champion this year or is there a sleeper team?  

I do like Ohio State to win it all. I think Jim Tressel deserves a lot of credit. Look at the talent the Buckeyes lost from last year's team and yet they have been the team to beat all season.    

Turning to the basketball court, the University of Florida is the preseason number one pick for men's college basketball. Do you see them winning the national championship?  

Actually I do. I have Florida , North Carolina , UCLA and Wisconsin in my Final Four. I think that team chemistry is a big plus and having everyone back and the shot of making history, trying to go back-to-back for the first time since Duke in 1991 and '92 will motivate the Gators.    

 

How will your alma mater, St. John's University , do this year? 

Wow...I think Norm Roberts is doing a good job rebuilding the program. There were a few lean years but Roberts has done a good job recruiting. Look for Avery Patterson to make some noise -- the newcomer gives my Johnnies some much-needed outside shooting. Thanks for asking. I am proud of my alma mater.  

 

My home state team, the University of Wisconsin , is a preseason number nine rank. How far could the Badgers go? 

As I mentioned earlier, I have Bo Ryan's team going to the Final Four. The Badgers will always play terrific, tenacious D (sorry to steal that phrase, Jack Black) and I love the Tucker-Taylor tandem. Have to see if Brian Butch can step up and contribute more.

 Bob Barker, host of "The Price is Right" is going to retire in the spring after 50 years on television. Has your game show host, Stuart Scott, decided to put his name in for the job?  

I have not heard him express an interest, but that would be interesting. Hey, I love The Price is Right...can I throw my name in the ring. The young people would like that. Bob Barker is an icon and the person who replaces him, well, good luck. The show itself is a classic and I have always loved it. I am a big fan. I wish I had more time to watch. I am OK guessing the showcase showdown.  

 

Thanks again, Howie, and looking forward to the upcoming season of "Stump"!!

 

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