A DAY FOR rumbling and rambling:

If the University of Miami played Ohio State 10 times for the college football national championship, the Hurricanes would win nine. But what would make the game interesting is the contrast in styles.

First of all, Miami is the most talented team in the country. The Hurricanes could have five players selected in the first round of the NFL draft in April in running back Willis McGahee, receiver Andre Johnson and defensive linemen William Joseph, Jerome McDougle and Vince Wilfork.

And Wilfork is a backup, part of a six-player rotation on the defensive line. All six could eventually become draft picks. Most schools have one. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper hasn't seen a team with this many No. 1 draft picks during a two-year span since USC in 1990 and 1991.

"Butch Davis started it all over again at Miami," Kiper said. "He went out and recruited the players, sold them on the Miami tradition again. Larry Coker won with Butch Davis' players, but he also has recruited strongly. They have a pro-style system with their linemen, running backs and receivers."

They also have explosiveness because of sheer speed. But the Hurricanes need to find an offensive rhythm. If McGahee doesn't run well, they struggle because quarterback Ken Dorsey, a probable second-day draft selection, can't carry the offense with his arm. If the Buckeyes can slow McGahee, they have the right formula to beat Miami. The Buckeyes have a good defense, a strong running game, a quarterback who doesn't make many mistakes and solid special teams.

"They [the Buckeyes] have been in six games where the outcome was decided late," Kiper said. "People keep saying they are lucky. I would say they were lucky if they won one or two that way, but when you win all six, you don't discredit them, but credit the team. Sure, they can play with Miami."

But take Miami.

The Ravens have surprised everyone with a 6-6 record, but their success is also reflective of the poor quality of play in the NFL.

Parity is great for fans because it creates enthusiasm and optimism every year, but if you want quality, sometimes you're forced to turn on major-college football.

The Ravens have several rookies on their roster who would have been on the developmental squad in previous years, including safeties Chad Williams and Will Demps, nose guard Maake Kemoeatu and receiver Ron Johnson. Nose guard Kelly Gregg might become No. 2 at his position next year.

Late league commissioner Pete Rozelle wanted parity, but he didn't expect a team with 18 rookies and first-year players to be competitive. There is parity, but only in the negative, watered-down sense.

"Today's players are better than they were 30 years ago," said Ravens owner Art Modell. "They are superior. They know more about nutrition, they train and get coached year-round. When I opened training camp in 1961, players came to training camp to get in condition.

"But what I don't see is as strong of a desire," he said. "These players play so much for the love of money that the value on competition has been lost. Free agency has disrupted team continuity, team purpose. These kids have gotten that taste of free agency, and they're never going to have it [the old game] back."

Please, let's put an end to any more suggestions that Tiger Woods boycott the Masters because Augusta National has no female members.

Just because Woods is black and the best golfer in the world doesn't mean he has to become the voice of social issues. The predominantly white media love to label high-profile blacks as "black leaders" even if they aren't one. It's a given. Johnnie Cochran, black leader.

Why?

Al Sharpton, another black leader.

Why?

African-Americans are just as guilty. We expect successful black athletes to become more vocal about issues, much like Muhammad Ali or Jim Brown. And if they don't, well, they are labeled sellouts.

Michael Jordan has received a lot of criticism over the years for not being vocal, but it's unfair. People fight for similar beliefs, but in different ways. Woods has gone on record several times saying he favors women being members of Augusta.

That in itself should suffice.

It was exciting to see the Orioles pump some fresh blood into the organization by announcing that Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan had become the new executive vice president of baseball operations and vice president of baseball operations, respectively.

Beattie has the experience and Flanagan knows the inner workings of the organization, especially how to work with and around Orioles owner Peter Angelos. Wednesday was a good day for Orioles fans.

But if the Orioles wanted to make a slam dunk, a real in-your-grill, Vince Carter smack-down that would have really gotten people excited, they would have had the owner say these four words:

"I won't interfere anymore."

Let me try to understand this one more time. Michael Jordan is hanging around this season to teach the young Wizards about a strong work ethic and winning.

But his teammates have probably also learned about being selfish. One day Jordan wants to come off the bench, the next day he wants to be a starter. One day he doesn't want to be the go-to guy, the next day he does.

By now, some of the players will have become a little agitated with The Selfish One. The coach, Doug Collins, can't really put his fingerprints on the team because Jordan is his boss.

The Wizards can't become guard Jerry Stackhouse's team because Jordan is still around.

Regardless if the Wizards make the playoffs, the development of this team has been set back because of Jordan. The team and Jordan would have been better off if he had moved on.