Irish Eyes Were Smiling After Battling the Trojans
Mark has the day off, so it’s down to Fred and Art to unravel what went wrong with USC in their annual duel with Notre Dame. Was the Fighting Irish running game too much for the Trojans? Did Caleb Williams’ performance change his standing in the Heisman polls? Does Michael Penix now have a better chance in the race? Has James Franklin prepared Penn State enough to beat Ohio State? And just how much hot water are Jim Harbaugh and Michigan in right now?
College Football Rivalry Weekend
Fred, Art, and Mark are looking forward to some exciting time-honored college football rivalries and stand-out quarterback matchups this weekend. Are Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix the hottest contenders for the Heisman, and can their Washington/Oregon encounter give one a boost over the other? Who will emerge victorious between Lincoln Riley and Marcus Freeman in the USC/Notre Dame clash? And why do some top MLB teams go stale while playing in the postseason?
The Great Coaching Quandary
Fred, Art, and Mark question the cultures created by college coaches and the effect on their teams. Has Mick Cronin helped some UCLA basketball players decide to leave early? Does Lincoln Riley need stronger defensive guidance at USC? Who do Notre Dame athletes and fans prefer between former leader Brian Kelly and current coach Marcus Freeman? And is it anyone’s guess as to which NL and AL teams will be the last ones standing in the MLB Division Series?
The Pac-12 Shines in Final Season Together
Fred, Art, and Mark are surprised at the performance of the Pac-12 teams in their last year of remaining intact. Would this high level of play in earlier seasons have been able to keep the conference together? Is Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. looking like Heisman Trophy material? Will Deion Sanders be lauded for his coaching style in Colorado? Does Brandon Staley have a plan to boost the Chargers? And is Mike Trout saying goodbye to Anaheim?
Which Coast Will Claim Shohei Ohtani?
Fred, Art, and guest Laura Snoke have whittled down the possibilities of where Shohei Ohtani will land next season. Is there a chance he’ll stay in SoCal, or does Steve Cohen have a more appealing offer? Jonathan Smith’s OSU team is one of the last stalwarts in the ever-diminishing Pac-12. Will another conference swoop in and snap them up? And what are Sean McVay’s prospects in 2024, given the Rams’ recent not-quite-so-stellar record?
It’s Anybody’s Game in the NFL
Fred, Art, and Fred’s cousin Andy Baran compare predicting how the NFL season will pan out to playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Did Aaron Rodgers mentor Jordan Love enough to fill his cleats as Green Bay’s new QB? Was Josh Allen lulled into a false sense of security because Aaron wasn’t there when the Bills played the Packers? Will Joe Burrow’s new haircut bring him luck? And how will the breakup of the Pac-12 impact the players as student-athletes?
Football is Back, but Will Fans Get to Watch It?
Fred, Art, and Mark weigh in on the big football match-ups now that the season is underway. In the Buckeye State’s opener, will the Browns’ Deshaun Watson and the Bengals’ Joe Burrow show why they get paid some of the biggest paychecks in the NFL? Are Kirk Cousins and the Vikings favored against Baker Mayfield and the Bucs? Is the Pac-12 starting its final season on top? And will sports fans fight back against the big cable companies?
Down to the Pac-2?
Fred and Art shake their heads in disbelief as the once mighty Pac-12 has been whittled down to the Pac-2. Is Larry Scott returning as commissioner? Are the traditions that have been the hallmark of sports falling by the wayside? Will Trey Lance have a chance to show his QB potential as Dak Prescott’s backup on the Cowboys? And is Matt Stafford on the older side of a generational challenge with this year’s Rams?
The Ever-Shrinking Pac-12
Fred, Art, and guest Laura Snoke share their misgivings over the future of the Pac-12 now that it has been whittled down to the Pac-4. Could ex-commissioner Larry Scott have foreseen the difficulties the creation of the Pac-12 network would unleash? Where in the world is Mick Cronin heading with the Bruins? Jennifer Cohen just became the first female athletic director for which SoCal school? And a 1947 Jackie Robinson rookie card sold for HOW much?
Can a Simple Date Change Save Lives?
Fred, Art, and Mark wonder if pushing the Preakness date out an additional one to two weeks after the Kentucky Derby could make a difference in the alarming number of equine casualties during Triple Crown season. Would Belmont organizers agree to it? Is it the right time for Damar Hamlin to be back on the field? How is Dick Vitale? And will the Washington Commanders face yet another name change as the season begins under their new ownership?
