Do you think the Suns are as good as their record indicates? - Willie, Gilbert Ariz.

That's an interesting question.

On one hand, no. Despite the fast start, the talent is considerably lower this year than on every other Suns team in the Steve Nash era. The Suns don't run like they used to, and teams with top-flight centers are going to abuse Phoenix down low all year. Channing Frye and Amare? Yeah, good luck.

But on the other hand, yes. What this group lost in talent, it makes up for in team chemistry. Getting rid of Shaq was a fantastic move of addition by subtraction. Is there enough of a potential upside for this group to win a championship? Probably not. On paper, last year's team had more potential. But it was so dysfunctional that there was no chance that it would ever reach it. This year's team cares about each other and wants to win for each other. All Shaq cared about was himself.

Who deserves to win the Heisman? - Jacob, Pocatello, Idaho

We still have a little bit of season left, but since you asked, I'll give you my top-3. And for all you Tim Tebow fans, don't waste your time clicking to read the rest of this post if you are expecting to see his name. It won't be there. When someone asks about the top-200 Heisman candidates, you can return and gush about the Chosen One.

Anyways, here's my top-3:

Alright Bush Rod... put your Sun Devil glasses away and objectively analyze the last-minute call by the refs in the Arizona @ Washington game last Saturday. Botched call, or simply bad luck for the 'cats? - Dave, Smelly Tucson, Ariz.

Hold on just a minute, let me watch the tape (going to YouTube, searching for the game, hitting play. Bwahahahahahahaahahahaahh!!! THAT IS AWESOME!... Taking a deep breath... Nope, not yet... Hahhahahahaahaahaahahaha... OK, Calming myself to give a rational answer to the masses.)

And I'm back.

First thought: Nick Foles looks exactly like Jesus would with a helmet on.

Second thought:  No, the Wildcats did not get screwed.

I'm in a hole and need some quick cash, Bush Rod. My girlfriend thinks I should get a job, but I have a better, easier way to do it. Gambling! With that in mind, I need your advice. Which NFL spread is a sure thing this week? - Stanley Liwanski

Oh, don't worry Stanley. I got you on this one. In fact, come back each week because I'll tell you which game gets the Bush Rod Stamp of Approval (or BRSA, kind of like a cooler version of MRSA) for betting purposes.

Here's my pick this week and why.

Can you do an All-Star team with the best NFL player from every position? - Mrs. Bush Rod

Anything for you, MBR. Offense first:

QB - Peyton Manning, Colts: He not only has one of the best arms in the game, but his intelligence is off the charts. The way he's mastered the offense in Indy is impressive to watch.
RB - Adrian Peterson, Vikings: Easy call. The best tailback, hands down.
WR - Calvin Johnson, Lions: He makes the Lions offense dangerous all by himself.

In what professional sport could you last the longest without totally embarrassing yourself? – Raphael

That’s a solid question. Since I love lists, let’s count it down.

8) Golf: One swing, just one, and I’m laughed off the course.

7) Tennis: These individual sports are brutal. There’s nowhere to hide.

6) NBA: I guess I could do my best Bruce Bowen impersonation and stand in the corner on offense, waiting to shoot 3-pointers, but on defense I would get absolutely torched. I’m a 7-foot stiff stuck in a point guard’s body.

Who do you think will win the World Series? – Joey

This might be a little premature considering the playoff spots haven’t been quite nailed down yet. Ahh, screw it. Let’s do this.

I’ll run down from least likely to most likely to win, only including teams with a realistic shot at making the postseason.  

Atlanta Braves (100-to-1): Chances are, the Tomahawk Choppers won’t make the playoffs. If they did, I’d actually rank them much higher. Tommy Hanson, Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson is a formidable trio, and the lineup looks pretty good. But they brought up Hanson too late to save money and subsequently got burned. Call it the Tom Glavine karma.

Are you excited about college football? - Henson, Dearborn, Mich.

Sure. College football is fun, I guess. I'd like it even more if we had fantasy college football.

A few thoughts as I sit here and watch Boise State beat up Oregon:

- Why doesn't Chris Pedersen have a job at a top-tier football school?

Alfonso Soriano's slow-mo, 'in-yo-face' trot around the bases after hitting a walk-off grand slam will probably result in a bean-ball tonight, I'm guessing. Why is celebrating, um, celebrated in basketball, football, hockey and soccer, but frowned upon in baseball? - Rufus Wheeler Peckham

Was this question sent in eight days ago? Yes. Is the first part no longer timely, since that game has long since played out? Yes. Will I answer the second part anyways? Yes.

I've thought about it, and I really don't think these over-the-top celebration antics are any more accepted in the other major sports. But in basketball, football and the like, there is enough individual contact to get payback discreetly.

A sly forearm shiver here, a kidney punch there, and celebraters get their due.

What would Babe Ruth's stats look like if he played during the steroid era? And, is there any other male on the planet that can have the name 'Babe' and not get made fun of? - Rico, Vancouver, B.C.

Usually I could just put this into the steroid conversion formula and come up with an answer, but Ruth is an interesting case. By all accounts, he was an overweight partier who very well could have been hung over for roughly 37 percent of his big league games.

Despite all this, he finished his career with a .342 batting average and an OPS of 1.164, which is the major league record for a career.

He is unquestionably the best player in baseball history on pure talent alone.

But if he was on the juice, with the same work ethic as the modern day superstars?