The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences really doesn't like to rock the boat. Sure, they'll slip a couple surprises into their Oscar nominations, but for winners they're generally more comfortable going with the broadly-appealing, safe, consensus picks.

ESPN's SportsNation relocated to California a few weeks ago, but it seems the absurdity of the program didn't depart along with the WWL's top sociocultural critic. We're sure this conversation was chock-full of unique and intelligent insights.

So the Old Spice Classic hasn't happened yet. It starts on Nov. 22, Thanksgiving, with West Virginia, Gonzaga, Davidson, Clemson, Marist, UTEP, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt battling to win all the deodorant. ESPN polled its loyal subjects, and they like West Virginia to win. But why, oh, why?

The very first time Deadspin mentioned Michelle Beadle, it was to feature a video of her being eaten by inflatable ZOOperstars mascot Mackerel Jordan. It's fitting, then, her departure from ESPN (a nine minute long staged ceremony that was equal parts sweet and contrived) had her saying goodbyes to ESPN talent, staff, …

Now that the clock is ticking on Michelle Beadle's ESPN career—she's there for just another two weeks, according to Those Guys Have All the Fun author Jim Miller—who's set to replace her as the tolerable half of SportsNation?

Here is some rare family-friendly hijinks from the ESPN crew. The producers of SportsNation get Michelle Beadle to dress up in a green suit for a fake 3D CGI spot, all in the name of fun. Beadle seems like a good sport about it all but promises revenge all the same. It's just too bad they didn't pull this on…

It's the rare SportsNation poll with a nearly perfect geographical split, somewhere around the Central and Mountain time zones. A question we had never pondered before—Which day would you prefer to watch the Super Bowl?—tears a nation asunder.

The Knicks and the Heat are not playing this weekend. They play next Friday—on ESPN. That did not stop Sportsnation from asking if it was the best non-NFL game. Nor did it stop the fine citizens of New York and Florida from responding that yes, of course, it is clearly the best game this weekend. Missouri-Baylor be…

Mackerel Jordan, last seen devouring hapless university athletic department employees, appeared on SportsNation yesterday. After being mocked by Michelle Beadle, the man-fish did what man-fish do best: feast.