On Embracing Our Contradictions

It should go without saying that I a) substantially agree with all of Scott's critiques of major NCAA athletics, and b) will be cheering heartily today for both the Cats and the Ducks. For the former, I think this exchange is appropriate:

Moe: All right, Homer, I'm not gonna lie to you. There's a good
chance you can beat Tatum. But you gotta visualize how
you're gonna win, okay?
Homer: Gotcha.
[dreams on about his victory]
Announcer: A congenital heart defect has apparently felled Tatum moments
before he could step into the ring.

Go Cats! Go Ducks!

.... Question; do people actually beat rented mules, or is that just an expression?