Now that the BCS has proven its worth, pitting the No. 1 team in the land against the 10th or 12th best and calling it a championship game, it's time to focus on a question of national importance:

Has there ever been a more hideous rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner than the one performed at the Fiesta Bowl by the formerly popular rock group Boston?

It was an instrumental, and it was so bad you couldn't tell the tune apart from More than a Feeling or Don't Look Back.

If you heard it, do you remember worse? (Aside from the obvious Roseanne/Carl Lewis abominations, which occupy their own wing in the Hall.)

In this time of patriotic fervor, we are also expected to reserve special antipathy for those who have changed the words over the years -- Steven Tyler at a NASCAR event this year, Huey Lewis for his regrettable "Oh, say does that Joe Montana …" deal a few years ago, etc.

But for sheer mangling in a time of healing and need, Boston's was the worst, in both polls and as judged by the computer.

This Week's List

Never underestimate the importance of a good night's sleep?: Tell it to Rex Grossman.

Special, indeed: During the Fiesta Bowl, an important message flashed across my television screen -- "Inside Edition airs at a special time tonight: 2:05 a.m."

It's the same principle that has me fending off the shrapnel every time I see Geraldo: Whenever I watch Lee Corso, I find myself leaning back in my chair, worried that I'm going to get poked in the eye with that pencil.

Let the mind wander at the possibilities: Tony Siragusa, without the exercise.

A New Year's wish for Randy Moss: Mike Ditka.

And if that doesn't work: If Moss still has NBA dreams, the Blazers can probably find a spot for him.

Warriors' merchandizing, relying on strong families: In the notes section of an Associated Press report on the Warriors-Hornets game, it was revealed that "Jamison, a Charlotte native, had family and friends sitting courtside, some wearing his jersey."

Al Davis wonders why this guy can't have a normal injury, like a Gramatica or something: For the second year in a row, Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski has been troubled by cellulitis in his kicking foot.

It's been said before and it'll be said again: Nobody enjoys a good blowout quite like Steve Spurrier.

Always the best moment of the bowl season: When some clarinet player in the stands at a third-tier bowl gets on the screen and yells, "No. 1, baby! We're No. 1!"

What could it hurt?: Oregon-Miami, a week from Saturday.

Just for the heck of it: Matt Suhey, still short of the goal line.

Tyrone Willingham may or may not succeed in South Bend, but here's one overrated reason for pessimism: Willingham's tendency to treat his media dealings with all the charm of a deposition.

Because, after all: Was it Bob Davie's charm, or lack of it, that sent him on his way?

One reason Willingham might be slapping his forehead right now: The Vikings job, apparently open.

News item so unbelievable it had to be read two or three times, accompanied by the obligatory "That can't be right": Willingham is the first African-American coach to be hired at Notre Dame in any sport.

And his 401(k) isn't even tied up in Enron: For a retired guy, Keith Jackson sure does a fine job.

Just to be fair: We'd like to see Miami wide receiver Andre Johnson with a defender on him before we send his resume over to Mel Kiper Jr.

Nostalgia corner: It wasn't that long ago that the idea of a Raiders-49ers Super Bowl was being thrown around with some shred of credibility.

Larry Coker's straight-ahead, ego-challenged manner has done one thing to upset the natural order of college football: Namely, it makes it harder to dislike Miami.

As part of an ongoing series spotlighting the positive aspects of the human condition, we present: Drew Bledsoe, handling the situation the right way.

News item that raises the question, "Has any big-leaguer ever pitched to his grandson?": Diamondbacks sign P Mike Morgan to 1-yr contract.

And finally, on to Advertising Notes: 1) Joe Montana, even in retirement, seems insistent on becoming the Tim Conway of ex-athlete endorsers; 2) Tostitos, if I'm not mistaken, sponsors the Fiesta Bowl; 3) if I never see Slim Jim pop out of someone's stomach again, I'll still consider it a full life.

Tim Keown is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at tim.keown@espnmag.com.