Has Integrity Become a Thing of the Past?
Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark question the direction of sports as college basketball confronts an integrity crisis involving 17 schools and 20 players in a game-fixing scandal. How did casinos accept $300,000 wagers on obscure games without triggering alarms? When leagues profit from gambling advertisements, can they credibly punish athletes for participating? The NFL playoffs are down to the final eight teams, with Buffalo emerging as a Super Bowl contender. Will Josh Allen finally break through against Denver’s defense? Could rookie Drake Maye’s inexperience doom New England against Houston? And is a Bears’ milestone in reach for Caleb Williams?
It’s Anyone’s Game in the College Football Semifinals
Fred, Art, and Laura are amazed at how Miami edged out Ole Miss 31-27 in a thriller game, with Mario Cristobal’s rebuilding of the Hurricanes hinting at more victories to come. Then controversy erupted when Lane Kiffin lost four assistant coaches mid-playoff to LSU. Did that cost Ole Miss the game? Friday’s Indiana-Oregon semifinal pits Curt Cignetti’s dominant Hoosiers against the speedy Ducks, but can anyone stop Indiana’s momentum after dismantling Ohio State and Alabama?
And as John Harbaugh says goodbye to Baltimore, could he say hello to Miami?
A Dramatic Conclusion to Football’s Regular Season
Fred, Art, and Laura examine the wide-open playoff picture in the NFL’s most unpredictable postseason in recent memory. Did locker room friction cause the Rams to blow a comeback after Sean McVay’s controversial mid-season firing of his special teams coordinator? Can Sam Darnold overcome his history of crucial interceptions when Seattle faces red-hot Brock Purdy and the 49ers? With San Francisco potentially playing every playoff game at home through the Super Bowl in Santa Clara, does any NFC team have what it takes to beat them there? And what has Shedeur Sanders got that’s exciting the scouts?
Are Sports Fans Getting the Short End of the Stick?
Fred, Art, Laura, and Matthew wonder if streaming is taking over sports. At what point does the pursuit of streaming revenue backfire if traditional fans can no longer afford to watch? Is Pete Carroll’s future on the line as the Las Vegas Raiders battle with the New York Giants for the NFL’s number one draft pick? Does Detroit’s Dan Campbell hurt his Super Bowl chances with aggressive fourth-down calls? And the sports world lost golf legends Fuzzy Zoeller and Jumbo Ozaki to cancer within ten days of each other. How will Ozaki’s incredible 114 tournament victories inspire future generations?
Heading into the Holidays with the College Football Playoffs
Fred, Art, and Laura are geared up as the College Football Playoffs kick off, with Alabama facing Oklahoma, and the Sooners riding a two-game winning streak against the Tide, featuring Washington State transfer John Mateer. Can Oklahoma continue its dominance, or will Kalen DeBoer silence his critics? Following UCLA’s hiring of a new football coach, the basketball program quietly extended Mick Cronin’s contract for five years at $10 million annually despite sparse crowds. How does the university justify that investment? And could Caleb Williams finally deliver Chicago a signature win against Green Bay?
Seriously, Pete Carroll?
Fred, Art, Laura, and Matthew can’t believe that Pete Carroll called for passing instead of running out the clock in the Raiders game, giving Denver a chance to kick a field goal for a 24-17 win. Was this strategy designed to benefit gamblers? Will Jayden Maiava be the sentimental choice for the Heisman after gaining attention for reportedly donating $3 million to L.A.’s homeless? The Indianapolis Colts plan to activate 44-year-old former quarterback turned high school coach Philip Rivers on Sunday against Seattle. Can the decades-removed veteran survive? And will Fernando Valenzuela get into the Baseball Hall of Fame?
College Football Championship Weekend Promises Epic Showdowns
Fred, Art, and Laura are looking forward to the Big Ten Championship featuring top-ranked Indiana against second-ranked Ohio State. Can Indiana’s undefeated season survive the nation’s deepest roster, led by Buckeyes’ sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin and coordinator Matt Patricia’s dominant defense? Will Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff continue his redemption story with a conference win? And are NFL coaches too reliant on analytics over game management, as Eagles coach Nick Sirianni’s controversial late-game two-point attempt suggests?
A Veritable Feast for Sports Fans
Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark are excited about football’s compelling matchups for Thanksgiving weekend. Will Joe Burrow’s lingering injury concerns be an issue as Cincinnati faces Baltimore? With the Rams’ continuing upward trajectory, due in great part to Matthew Stafford’s streak of 27 consecutive touchdowns without an interception, is Sean McVay cementing his legacy as an all-time great coach? In college football, USC enters Rivalry Week as massive 27-point favorites over UCLA at the Coliseum. Could the struggling Bruins channel past upset magic? And what new revelations will we learn about A-Rod in HBO’s three-part baseball documentary?
UCLA Athletics Struggles in SoCal
Fred, Art, and Laura highlight a troubling divide in the SoCal sports scene as UCLA Athletics continues its descent from prominence. The Bruins’ program, once holder of 24 national championships, now finds relevance only in two sports. As Athletic Director Martin Jarmond faces mounting criticism for questionable hires, including basketball coach Mick Cronin, who controversially benched four starters as punishment following the Arizona loss, can UCLA’s storied tradition be salvaged? Will Cody Bellinger return to the Dodgers over a pricier Kyle Tucker? And could the proposed 2027 labor negotiations finally establish spending minimums for competitive balance in the MLB?
Surprising Performances in the NFL
Fred, Art, and Laura are less than enthusiastic about the New England Patriots’ latest jersey color, but marvel at their NFL lead, powered by rookie quarterback Drake Maye’s impressive development. Can they sustain this unexpected surge? Is Matt Stafford the MVP favorite, having thrown 20 touchdowns without an interception over six games and positioning the Rams atop the power rankings before Sunday’s Seattle showdown? Does Lincoln Riley’s deceptive play against Northwestern, which drew Big Ten sanctions for USC, cross ethical lines? And as fifth-ranked Arizona visits undefeated UCLA in college basketball, will Mick Cronin’s volatile coaching style help or hurt the Bruins?