Are these the glory days?

It hit me when I was flying out to Los Angeles for vacation. Are these the glory days in sports for me? Is this going to be the best 3-5 years for all my favorite sports teams combined? Because if so, I want to make sure I cherish EVERY moment there is.

I've been alive since 1986 and in my lifetime, have only seen 1 of my favorite teams win a championship. That being the 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes football team. (Note: The Colts did win the Super Bowl in 2007 but at that time, I did not recognize myself as a Colts fan. Also, I'm not including my high school Bishop Hartley, that has won state titles in multiple sports. Strictly professional sports). That's pretty sad for a guy who is 26 going on 27. Just think about all those fans in Boston, L.A., New York, and even Baltimore that have seen more championships than me. It's downright depressing.

But I think the tide is turning, I really do. There is a reason to be optimistic about every one of my teams and that is something I don't think I could ever say.

So in order, from level of optimism, I will break down why I am so excited and hopeful about what is to come. Maybe then you'll see why I consider these my glory days in sports.

1. Ohio State Football (Last Championship: 2002)

With my job, it's hard to still at times consider myself a fan. But who am I kidding, I was born a Buckeye fan, grew up a Buckeye fan and will forever be a Buckeye fan. What I will never be is a Buckeye (I'm a Bobcat) and I'm just fine with that.

I still remember that championship game in January 2003 like it was yesterday. Watching it with my sister and dad, muting Keith Jackson and Dan Fouts to hear the OT call from Paul Keels and Jim Lachey, and waking my mom up with our frantic yelling when Matt Wilhelm knocked the Ken Dorsey pass down to the ground.

Since then, OSU has made it to 2 title games and by the end of the first quarter in both games, you knew it just wasn't gonna be your night.

But with the addition of Urban Meyer, the Buckeyes program is back.

In a season I thought the high-water mark was 10-2, the Bucks went 12-0. It wasn't overly impressive-looking but 12-0 doesn't have to be. My gut tells me the Buckeyes will be playing for a title this year, next year or both. It's a combination of great talent, great coaching, and a weak schedule that has me so confident. I don't know if they will win a championship (Alabama being the mighty roadblock) but 'd like to think they would have a bit more compete level than the OSU teams that lost to Florida and LSU.

2. Indianapolis Colts (Last Championship: 2006)

Full disclosure: I was a bit of an NFL nomad growing up. What I know is that I liked the Colts, the Niners and the Bengals and I hated the Browns and Cowboys. But if anyone ever asked me my favorite team, I never had a real answer.

It wasn't until watching the Colts win the Super Bowl with my dad (born and raised in Indy) in February 2007 that it dawned on me on what I was missing in not having a favorite team. So I concocted this stupid, idiotic 3-year plan that would allow me to work my way into saying I am a Colts fan.

Well, that that 3-year plan ended after the 2011 season, allowing me to declare my full fandom for the team in 2012 and what a season it was.

Andrew Luck has proven to be the quarterback many hoped he would be and automatically turned the team into a playoff contender. Vick Ballard became a reliable runningback and Reggie Wayne was just Reggie Wayne. Add in other rookie standouts like T.Y. Hilton, Cody Fleener, Dwayne Allen and Ohio Bobcat product LaVon Brazill and I've got a lot to be excited about.

Now is this team going to win the Super Bowl next year? No way, not with their defense where it is. But 2-3 years? They've no doubt got a chance. And unlike some of these other sports, the NFL seems to always be wide open. It doesn't take long to turn things around and it only takes getting hot at the right time to win a ring. Add in a coach like Chuck Pagano who this team respects and admires and I'd say the Lombardi Trophy is coming to Indy sometime soon.

3. Ohio State Basketball (Last Championship: 1960)

Much like what I wrote in football, sometimes it's hard to identify myself as an OSU basketball fan but one of my favorite sports memories growing up was that (now vacated) Final Four in 1999 with Scoonie Penn, Michael Redd and company. It was the first time I really identified myself as an OSU basketball fan, considering there was not much to cheer about early in the '90s.

Since then, and especially since Thad Matta has taken over, this team has been among the best in the nation. A runner-up finish in 2007, another Final Four in 2012, and a multitude of Sweet 16 appearances and Big Ten Tournament championships.

Now, I know this seems a bit low considering they are in the Sweet 16 right now with a very good chance to make it to the Final Four. But I'm trying to temper my expectations of this team. They are not the best in the nation but the national champion is not necessarily the best team every year.

With that said, I love the direction of this program. Thad Matta is no doubt one of the best coaches in the nation. Early on, he was known as this great recruiter that had the talent but couldn't coach them. Well, that's a joke. The guy can flat-out do it all. He's recruited some great players (and people might I add) and developed some guys past what anyone thought they would do coming out of high school. It may not show in terms of NBA draft picks but it shows on the court before they graduate.

I'm a little concerned by the look of the recruiting classes, as they aren't very "sexy" looking but that's where I trust he and his coaching staff to coach them into great players. I also know the tournament is as chaotic and unpredictable as they come so winning a championship is incredibly hard. 2 years ago, I thought OSU was no doubt the best team in the land but one bad half against a talented but not better Kentucky team ended their season prematurely. I'm not sure they will ever win a title under Thad Matta but whether they do or don't won't change my opinion of him or what he's done with the program.

4. Indiana Pacers (Last Championship: 1973 - ABA)

My love for the Pacers goes all the way back to birth. I never like the Cavs. Their style of play and lack of superstars just didn't grab me at the young age it needed to. So instead, I gravitated to the Pacers, the favorite team of nearly my entire extended family. And while I could not see many of their games on TV, I followed them all season long.

There were plenty of high moments from the numerous Pacers-Knicks battles and 2000 NBA Finals to low points such as the Malice in the Palace and Larry Bird's need to draft/sign practically every White American college basketball player (Tyler Hansbrough, Mike Dunleavy, Josh McRoberts, Travis Diener, Miles Plumlee, Jeff Foster, Troy Murphy, Scot Pollard) as if he was trying to find the next him.

But lately, there have been nothing but high moments and reason for optimism. Frank Vogel is one of the best young coaches in the game. Brian Shaw, his top assistant, is going to be a great head coach in the league someday as well. Paul George has grown into an All-Star player (and I hated that draft pick) and David West has been the veteran leader the young team needs. George Hill, Roy Hibbert, Lance Stephenson, Tyler Hansbrough, and others provide a solid rotation and Danny Granger, when healthy, is a nice piece as well.

What I love about this team is the way they play. It is a physical brand of basketball and one focused on defense. They don't try to outscore team. They try to outwork teams. And it is working. They have been 2nd or 3rd in the Eastern conference all season long and beat the Heat 2 out of 3 times this season. Last year, they led the Heat 2-1 in their best of 7 series before falling 4-2 and many have called them the biggest threat in the East to the defending champs.

They don't get any respect on TV in terms of coverage as they are rarely on national television but soon they will in the playoffs, where they have already clinched their spot. And while my focus is on this year and upsetting the Heat, this team (if West re-signs) can be good for the next 2-3 years at least. And again, they are young. I don't know if it will be enough to beat the Heat but if it is, I'd love to see them get a chance at a title.

5. Cleveland Indians (Last Championship: 1948)

Well it has been well-documented how long Indians fans have waited for a championship. Thankfully, my wait did not start until 1986. For those who have been waiting since 1948, God Bless You.

I've had some great moments with this team. 2 World Series appearances and some amazing regular season and playoff games I've seen in person. But I'm not sure I'm ever going to get over losing Game 7 in the 1997 World Series (only time I've ever cried about one of my professional teams losing) and losing the 2007 ALCS to the Red Sox despite being up 3-1 and having our 2 best pitchers going in Games 5 and 6. I already had the World Series tickets bought too!

Since that 2007 season, it's been a bit of a mixed bag from the Tribe. Some strong starts but frustrating finishes. We've gone through 3 managers (Wedge, Acta and now Francona), signed or traded for a lot of guys who did not pan out (Kotchman, Damon, Lowe, LaPorta, Kearns, Wood) and traded away some real studs (Martinez, Lee, Sabathia, Choo) but also traded for/drafted some some nice, young pieces (Brantley, Santana, Choo, Masterson, McAllister, Perez, Chisenhall, Pestano, Kipnis, Cabrera).

And now 6 years after that last playoff appearance, Indians fans have a reason to be hopeful again. Terry Francona has come in and given this team a much-needed veteran voice and winning presence in the dugout. They spent some money (!) on the free agent market and nabbed the likes of Nick Swisher, Brett Myers and Mark Reynolds. And when you thought they may be done, right before spring training began, they picked up Michael Bourn. Add those names to what was already a solid, young core and there is reason to believe again.

Now granted, there is reason to doubt as well. The pitching staff looks shaky and there are a whole lot of strikeouts in the lineup. But I'm not looking at that. I'm focusing on the positives. Positives like a guy like Lonnie Chisenhall healthy and getting his first real crack at starting at third base. Positives like Scott Kazmir, back in baseball and having a good enough spring to earn the 5th spot in the rotation. Positives like the potential for this team to steal a LOT of bases with speedsters like Bourn, Drew Stubbs and Jason Kipnis on the basepaths.

I don't know if this team is even close to a World Series but what they are closer to is contention and that's where it needs to begin. Give us Tribe fans a reason to get excited and then go from there.

6. Columbus Blue Jackets (Last Championship: Never)

It's honestly almost laughable how bad this franchise has been since its inception in 2001. In a sport you have a better chance to make the playoffs than to miss them, the CBJ have only made it once. And in that one appearance, they were swept. And it's not like they have been close to making the playoffs. They normally don't sniff the top 8 spots. Instead, finishing near the bottom and yet somehow, not winning the lottery and drafting that player that turns the franchise into a winner.

Yes, all of that is depressing and leaves one to wonder why would this team ever improve or become a winner? The simple answer: it can't get any worse. But in all honestly, there is a reason to be optimistic the Jackets are turning the corner (finally).

First off, management. For the first time, I believe in who is leading the team. Doug MacLean was a great name but I'm not sure he was the right guy. Scott Howson was unwilling to make the big move it seemed. John Davidson though has proven he can win and knows how to win. Secondly, coaching. I thought the CBJ made a mistake with Scott Arniel. I felt like Kevin Dineen was the guy. Well, hindsight says I may have been right. Regardless, I like Todd Richards on the bench and from all indications, so do the players. You don't hear of any spats with he and the players. He preaches discipline and process but also enjoyment of the game. I can get down with that.

Most importantly, I like this group of players. All those young guys that we were all waiting to mature are doing it right now. Ryan Johansen has been really good. Matt Calvert has been consistent. Cam Atkinson has shown flashes and he's fighting injury. Others too have played well and allowed this team to fight in every game. But it's also the new faces like Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky and Nick Foligno that give you reason to smile. Add in a solid and deep defensive group and well, I'm starting to see something here.

Oh, and how about that goalie. Sergei Bobrovsky has been absolutely amazing in net. He may be a Vezina candidate by time this season ends with his play. Playing in front of a team that struggles scoring goals, he has been nothing short of a brick wall, keeping the CBJ in games they have no business being in. If he is the real deal, the Jackets will be contenders for years to come.

Now, this team as it is is NOT a playoff-caliber team. I know they are very close now but if they don't make it, that's fine. If they do, that's fine. I'm looking toward the future and what I see is this: A president and GM that know how to build a winning team. A coach who can win with less and get his team to fight for 60 minutes nearly every night. Players that are scrappy and tired of losing. A goalie that is a real difference-maker. And 3 first round draft picks that could really alter this franchise. Look out Columbus. This may be the start of something great.

7. Ohio Basketball (Last Championship: Never)

I did not get invested in Ohio BBall until 2004 when I became a student at Ohio's first and finest university. It did not take me long to be all-in though as Leon Williams tipped in a ball that sent the Bobcats into the Big Dance and a 1st round game vs. Florida that they nearly won thanks to a furious 2nd half comeback.

Since then though, it's only gotten better. The hire of John Groce led to 4 amazing years of basketball in Athens. 2 NCAA Tournament appearances. 3 wins, including a monumental upset of 3-seed Georgetown, a satisfying victory over 4-seed Michigan and a boring but beautiful win over 12-seed South Florida to send the 'Cats into the Sweet 16. It would end there though one free throw could have extended the run to the Elite Eight but hey, what a run it was.

Groce has since left for Illinois and while the whole team came back, the Bobcats failed to make the NCAA tournament under new leadership in Jim Christian. It was a disappointment but also allowed to appreciate that much more what that team did in 2012.

D.J. Cooper, one of the all-time greats in Ohio history, is now gone as are 3 other players who saw significant playing time so there are pieces to replace. Not to mention what remains to be seen is if this year's awful road record was just an aberration or going to become a staple in the Christian era.

Now I don't expect the Bobcats to be winning a national title anytime soon. I'm a realist. But what I do expect and hope for is a MAC title every other year at least. They have set the bar that high now. And an NCAA win every now and then would be nice too.

If Groce were still the coach of this team, I'd be more optimistic because I love the guy and his coaching style that much. I still like Christian and still think he will keep this program winning but it's hard to project the unknown. We shall see.

8. Ohio Football (Last Championship: Never)

The turnaround this program has taken from when Brian Knorr left to when Frank Solich took over is nothing short of remarkable. They were an absolute laughing stock but now, are a bona fide contender in the MAC every single season.

What's still missing from the program is that MAC championship. They've come oh so close but until they do, I know Solich will not be satisfied with the success he's had. Thankfully, the teams have won a couple bowl games, something that went extinct from the program, so there is plenty of positive momentum now that should carry over into the 2013 season.

What makes me hopeful about this team too is that Ohio football is slowly becoming known not just in the state but in the region. Solich is a big reason for that. He was a big name when he was hired in Athens and his ability to lead this team to bowl games has allowed the Ohio name to hit national airwaves. It also has to help in recruiting you'd think. And the best part is that you know he is going nowhere. I'm sure he could have left for another job if he wanted to by now but instead, has decided to stay in Athens.

As far as what I expect from them, it's pretty simple. Winning records, bowl games and MAC championships. The first 2 I want every year. The last one every now and then. I know it's tough to win so they get a break. I'd love for OU to pull off what Northern Illinois did this past year and break into a big-name bowl game but again, that's not necessary. Just having a relevant program that wins consistently and cracks ESPN or ESPN2 every now and then is enough.