Ohio State’s new athletic director is a surprising choice. Also: Taulia Tagovailoa got screwed, Wild Card Weekend reactions, and Audi Crooks steps onto the national radar.
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.
Stu’s Notes: An NIT Renaissance in Spokane?
Also: Arch Manning Bust Watch, Matthew Stafford vs. the moon, home-field by latitude, and Oregon likes cheese.
Joe’s Notes: Who’s Next for Alabama?
A congratulation to Nick Saban, then: speculation on his replacement, speculation on the new college football power structure, bracketology thoughts, and the Cubs’ big day.
Stu’s Notes: NIT or NOT
Who’s helping their case? Also: James Franklin & Alabama, a defense of Shaka Smart, and Rodgers vs. Kimmel…possibly at a détente.
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.
Stu’s Notes: What the NIT Can Learn From the Pop-Tarts Bowl
We can’t stop thinking about it. Also: the Game of the NITe of the Weekend; how I would rig a bowl game, and what if free agents hate Craig Counsell?
Joe’s Notes: When Will the Pistons Win?
How unlikely the Pistons’ losing streak has become. Also: Revisiting Joe Flacco’s HOF case, a potential good sign for Cody Bellinger, and assorted games this weekend.
Stu’s Notes: Should Florida State Claim a National Championship?
Also: Miller Moss and the eggnog; Pac-12 NIT watch; a Jaire Alexander theory; and the Sens’ conquering of Ontario.
Stu’s Notes: A Blue Blood NIT Vibe Check
UCLA is in the NIT mix. Indiana is in the picture. And UNC isn’t out of it. Also: The Sens fired their coach, Burnley shouldn’t have fired theirs, and a little bit of hate for Denver.
Stu’s Notes: Are the Dodgers the New Duke?
The Dodgers are looking like a particular type of villain. Also: Game of the NITe of the Weekend, two types of Friday news dumps, the deal with St. Thomas, and the return of Sean Dyche.
Stu’s Notes: The Last Days of Kenny Payne
Kenny Payne did not get his fifth win of the year last night. Kentucky is seven days away. Also! Big Ben’s Steelers lament, Joe Kelly’s Hall of Fame thought, and is getting suspended a backdoor to load management?
Joe’s Notes: Hope for Chicago State
Chicago State has a path to relevance, and all it took was one big win. Also: The redshirt/restraining order mess, Ohtani’s opt-out, Hoskins vs. Bellinger, and some miscellany.
Joe’s Notes: The Alexandria Wizards
A proposal to keep teams from fleeing to the suburbs. Also: the FSU “lawsuit,” the transfer lawsuit, and the Dodgers’ Sisyphean pursuit of triumph.
Joe’s Notes: Does the NFL Have Too Many Good Teams?
It’s hard to win. Also: The Joe Barry question, more on Ohtani’s money, Oregon State & Washington State’s reign of terror, Connor Bedard, and the Bulls should trade Coby White.
Stu’s Notes: Michigan, Michigan State, Scandal, and the NIT
“He can hit.” Also: Andy Enfield & LeBron James; Adam Silver & Lebron James; whether Zion needs Moriah Mills; Joe Kelly’s new number; and the Ottawa Senators.
Joe’s Notes: But What If Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani Went to the Same Team?
On the one side, there’s money. On the other…
Stu’s Notes: What’s on the Line for Shaka Smart in Maui*
Shaka Smart is undefeated, lifetime, in the Maui Invitational. And he’s never even been to Maui.