Separating the player from the phenomenon ahead of a hyped MLB debut. Also: What makes hockey attention hard, some conference realignment, and the playoff weekend ahead.
Joe’s Notes: A Better Idea for a Group of Five Playoff
Why November makes sense for a mid-major FBS championship. Also: Will the Bears stadium get built? Will Pete Crow-Armstrong produce? And that weird IndyCar scandal.
Stu’s Notes: Is Ed Cooley Even a Good Coach?
Being good with people is only part of the job. Also: Joe Kelly’s Nobel Prize candidacy, Yasiel Puig’s innocence, and when do the Jared Goff chants get old?
Stu’s Notes: Yet Another Massive College Football Transition
They’re replacing the hedges in Athens. Also: Luka vs. Zion vs. food, a coed idea for Team USA, Nick Dunlap Bust Watch, and a potential Game of the NITe of the Year.
Joe’s Notes: The Bucks Let Giannis Learn
There’s a mistake chain in Milwaukee. Also: Joe Barry’s out, the Brewers got Rhys Hopkins, another NDSU move, and the Houston Cougars keep winning ugly.
Joe’s Notes: Wild Card Weekend Desperation Rankings
Who needs this Super Bowl the most, and…Washington’s DeBoer replacement, what FSU did, load management and baseball, and the Australian Open.
Today’s Best Bets: Sunday, January 7th
Big Ten basketball, and a late game in Week 18.
How the FCS National Championship Is and Is Not Like the NIT
South Dakota State vs. Montana, for a very specific collection of marbles.
Today’s Best Bets: Saturday, January 6th
The first full college basketball Saturday of the year, plus this week’s NFL futures.
Today’s Best Bets: Friday, January 5th
Can UConn win on the road yet?
Today’s Best Bets: Thursday, January 4th
Tonight’s moneyline parlay in college hoops, and a return to the college football futures arena.
Michigan Is This Year’s Georgia. They Just Don’t Look Like It.
Thoughts on the national championship matchups in both the CFP and the FCS.
NIT Stu’s 32 Predictions for 2024
An NIT champion, Joe Kelly’s ceiling, and the largest earthquake produced by that fault line situation in Missouri.
Did Matt Entz Throw North Dakota State’s Game Against Montana?
There’s (theoretical) precedent.
Today’s Best Bets: Saturday, December 16th
Bowl games, an FCS semifinal, and Arizona vs. Purdue.
Joe’s Notes: The FCS Playoffs, and Hopes for Variety in the 12-Team CFP
If you think a 12-team CFP will get more teams involved, think again. Also: Uncertainty in the FCS semi’s, big-time college basketball, redshirt resolution, and we cannot win bets these days.
Today’s Best Bets: Friday, December 15th
Can we lose nine college basketball picks in a row?
Today’s Best Bets: Thursday, December 14th
Picking what we can find tonight, and this week’s NFL futures.