It’s that magical time of the year again when the winter season puts me in such a spirited mood.

No, I’m not talking about holiday spirit, but rather the excitement of the most entertaining sports time of the year.

College football, college basketball, the NBA, the NHL (if you’re into that sort of thing I guess) and the NFL are all playing as I watch from my bed and visions of celebrating wide receivers dance through my head.

All rhyming aside though, I’m hoping my one true love can provide me with my 12 holiday wishes that I desire the most this year.

So cue up the music, because on this holiday season, I hope my true love gives to me …

12 Big Ten teams.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: The Big Ten needs to add another team. This would almost inevitably create a conference championship game, which would not only allow the conference to designate a single champion, but it would also give the Big Ten a chance to showcase its top teams on a nationally televised game instead of just hoping Michigan and Ohio State happen to be in the top two spots.

Plus, you know the Big Ten would love all the revenue and advertising money it would get.

11 healthy Bears defenders.

It’s been pretty frustrating watching the Bears play defense this year.

With many of their key players out with injuries or playing hurt, it has often looked like the Bears are playing with half a squad out there.

I mean, even the Lions ran all over this defense. Yes, the Detroit Lions.

Top 10 football recruiting class.

If Ron Zook can recruit some of the nation’s most elite high school players with a team that won five games in three years, just imagine what he should be able to do with a BCS-bound team.

As long as the Zooker doesn’t pull a Ron Turner, the Illini football team could have a scary good recruiting class.

The bar has been set exceptionally high – hopefully the coaching staff can live up to its reputation.

9th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

Bruce Weber has guided his team to March Madness every year I’ve been at the University and then some.

It’s looking like this year might be the Illini’s most difficult test to gain a bid in a while, but spring in Champaign just wouldn’t be the same without a tournament berth.

8-team BCS playoff system.

If you invested any of your time and personal sanity into the college football season, then this should be on the top of your wish list, too. Six conference champions with two at-large bids.

Enough said.

7 black head coaches in college football.>

Last season, there were only six black head coaches in all the Football Bowl Subdivision out of 119 schools. That stat is a disgrace to the game. Hopefully that number will increase by at least one, if not more, for next season. The NCAA can start by adopting the same rule as the NFL that requires teams hiring a head coach to interview at least one minority candidate.

Pick 6 for Nathan Vasher.

A lot of people like to think that safety Mike Brown is the glue that holds the Bears defense together, but the loss of Vasher has been monumental for the Bears in the turnover department this season. On a team that prides itself in taking the ball away from its opponents, the Bears have only nine interceptions this season, which puts them at 29th overall in the NFL.

The defense is missing Vasher and his 16 career interceptions, and hopefully he will come back at full strength soon.

#5 to stay in Champaign

Personally, I completely understand if Mendenhall decides to opt out of his senior season and get his NFL contract while he can, but wouldn’t it be great for him to stay another year and get his chance at being the first Illinois player to ever win the Heisman Trophy?

4 new offensive lineman

Outside of Olin Kreutz, the Bears line looks slow, old and often times confused on the field. No wonder Rex and Cedric get booed all the time, they don’t get any help from their blockers.

3 Rose Bowl tickets

OK, this is just me being greedy. I’d just settle for one with all expenses paid.

2 more decent starters

Right now, the Cubs fourth and fifth starters are Jason Marquis and Ryan Dempster (shiver).

If Jim Hendry can add another reliable lefty and, dare I say, count on Mark Prior to come back and have a decent year, then the Cubs could do some serious damage on the mound, which hopefully will lead to another NL Central crown …

… and a Chicago Cubs World Series Championship.

It’s not too much to ask for at least one Christmas miracle, right?

Kyle Betts is a senior in Communications. He can be reached at [email protected].