My must-sees for this year? Well, since you asked

Now that 2011 has run out of downs and been forced to punt, it's time for the things I would like to see in 2012.

I'd like to see an All-American team made up of athletes who understand verb-subject agreement.

An untarnished LaShawn Merritt with shiny Olympic gold.

Less music and fewer sound effects at all games.

Bowl victories characterized for what they are - isolated events, not harbingers of next season.

The Virginia Destroyers taking it one more season at a time.

An elliptical exercise machine with cruise control.

I would like to see somebody send out a search party for women's college basketball.

A London Olympics where the most ominous threat to athletes and visitors is the English food.

A Mayan calendar with swimsuit models.

Someone brave or crazy enough to follow Joe Paterno at Penn State.

Lionel Messi, the world's most exciting soccer player, with the ball at his feet.

Mariano Rivera again.

At least one touchdown between Alabama and LSU in the BCS title game.

I would like to see somebody give John Elway truth serum before he's asked what he thinks of Tim Tebow's future as a quarterback.

Fewer crowd shots.

Jon Gruden with laryngitis.

A reason for boxing.

I would like to see Mike Shanahan try raising Redskins expectations for a change.

Butler give one of the big schools a chance at the Final Four.

An ACC basketball team stand up to North Carolina and Duke.

In the NFL, the best of both worlds: two fewer exhibitions to go with 16 regular-season games.

Gluten-free everything.

If only so we don't have to hear Seth Greenberg's persistent whining, I would like to see an NCAA tournament berth for Virginia Tech.

I'd like to see LeBron James have a season at least half as big as his entourage.

Kevin Durant in the NBA Finals.

Justin Verlander try to top himself.

A study showing that fantasy football is to blame for America's failure to keep pace with China.

Ndamukong Suh play nice after the whistle.

Unmarried Kardashians stay away from NBA players - the league has enough problems.

Dwight Howard make up his mind with which team he'd like to grace his talents.

No more references, in any sport, to Dream Team.

Serena Williams with a larger appetite for her profession.

A TV remote that automatically engages the mute button when women tennis players screech and groan.

I would like to see somebody introduce a spit guard for my flat screen for when Lou Holtz is on ESPN.

I'd like to see TV/radio magpies chirp ad nauseam about draft prospects other than Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III.

Rex Ryan muzzled.

The Orioles find a way to dig out of the basement.

Bobby Valentine meet a microphone he didn't like.

Just once, the ground cause a fumble.

And finally, I'd like to see peace on Earth and goodwill between BCS conferences.

Bob Molinaro, (757) 446-2373, bob.molinaro@pilotonline.com

Twitter @BobMolinaro