CFB Playoffs to Expand; Serena Cruising at US Open; Gunnar needs a new Helmet
CFB Playoff Expansion
The NCAA announces that the College Football Playoffs will expand from 4 teams to 12. There is a lot of money to be made, so this seems like a no brainer. That being said, there aren’t really 12 exciting teams to wedge into a playoff system. Some years even 4 teams is too much; since the beginning of the CFB Playoffs there have rarely even been 6 teams worth watching.
College Football is just in a weird place right now, and expanding the CFB Playoffs probably isn’t going to change that, at least not in the short-term. Oh, and Tom forgot we talked about USC joining the Big 10…we did!
CFB Saturday - Big Game Preview
#11 Oregon at #3 Georgia -in Atlanta, you’d think Georgia has the leg up here, but 1st week blockbusters aren’t unusual. The bulldogs are favored by 17, which is a bit much, but they are loaded. Oregon does have a little advantage in new Head Coach Dan Lannin, former DC for Georgia.
#5 Notre Dame at #2 Ohio State - Notre Dame is capable of knocking off a big shot like OSU, but they are still certainly the underdog. The O-Line probably has two first-round picks, and TreVeyon Henderson is maybe the best back in the country, too.
THE 70-WIN BALTIMORE ORIOLES
We were saying last week that they would be tested over the next week with Houston and Minnesota, and they got through them 4-2 and continue to remain in the WIld Card hunt. This is an incredibly impressive performance against two great teams.
Kyle Bradish has been the highlight over the last few games. Gunnar Henderson was added and made an immediate impact. He will be playing 2nd this evening, but the kid looks like a bonafide stud. His bucket keeps sliding off that sweet flow of his, but it doesn’t matter if he keeps raking and making web gems. We’ll keep it short, because we keep repeating how incredible this is, but it’s amazing how much this team has grown.
AL East Race
Meanwhile in the AL East, the Yankees have absolutely crumbled. Aaron Judge is still chasing Maris’ 61 home run record, but the team is absolutely lost around him. At the All-Star Break they were on pace to win 120 games, and they may not even break 100 at this point. The injury bug has hit them, and caused lineup problems around Judge.
Tampa Bay is only 6 games back now, and could make a run if things go well. They have figured things out over the last month and are playing arguably the best baseball in the division besides the O’s. Toronto keeps on winning, so the O’s only gained half a game on that crucial road trip, but they have 7 remaining games against Toronto, so their fate is in their hands.
Russell Wilson’s Contract Extension
The Denver Broncos made a decision, and it’s probably a bad one, but it’s too late now. Wilson landed a $245m, 5-Year Extension that will see him under contract until he’s 40 years old. Desperation is a stink cologne, and Elway has a track record of being an absolutely terrible QB scout. Now the expectation might be a little high, because they haven’t really had a decent QB since Peyton Manning. Defensively they are arguably a Top 10 unit. The offensive line is much better than what Wilson has had for the past few years, and there are some weapons around him.
All of that being said, the division is insanely good and Russell isn’t getting younger, if we hadn’t mentioned it. This could be good, or could be bad, but the amount alone makes this a big time move with some big risk.
Tom is picking them for the Super Bowl though, against the 49ers apparently. So there’s that.
Serena at the US Open
Serena cruised into the 3rd Round attempting to go out on-top as it appears this will be her last US Open after the most prolific Women’s Tennis career in history. She knocked off the #2 Seed Anett Kontaveit in the 2nd Round, and Ajla Tomljanovic tonight in the 3rd Round.
It’s bittersweet having watched Serena, and previously Venus sort of grow up on TV through the years. She is truly the best to have ever done it, so as sports fans, it can be sad to see one of our heroes walk away from the game. Cheers to Serena Williams; the G.O.A.T!
NFL Honors Predictions
League MVP
Josh Allen is currently the favorite at +700 to win the League MVP. Last Year he had 4400 yards, 36 touchdowns, and was Buffalo’s 2nd leading rusher. It will be a tough job repeating, but he’s certainly more than capable.
Tom has been flipping a coin between Herbert and Jackson, but he’s taking Jackson based on his improvements with bulk and throwing mechanics. He’s chasing down a big contract. All of the signs point to him having an absolute statement year, but we’ll have to see how it pans out. The question mark is around the supporting cast, but it’s debatable that the roster is no worse than 2019
Chris is in the Herbert camp. He added 7 more touchdowns in Year #2 from 31 to 38 TDs. and about 800 more yards. He’s a mobile guy, with a little more talent around him and a legitimate case to make a run for MVP. It will be an exciting year if all of these guys stay healthy and play well.
Offensive Player of the Year
Justin Jefferson, Jonathan Taylor, Ja’Marr Chase, are all frontrunners with some Honorable Mention guys that can absolutely sneak in there. Tom is taking Jefferson, because he’s an absolute stud. He racked up the most yards in the first two seasons of any player in NFL History, so it’s hard not to take him here.
Chris is in the Trevor Lawrence camp. He’s passionate about a successful Year #2 for the main man down in Jacksonville, and he is in a much better situation with Urban Meyer gone. He’s got all the tools, and a few decent weapons around him to make a big leap. It’s Jacksonville though, so let’s temper those expectations.
Defensive Player of the Year.
Tom is homering with T.J. Watt, and that’s valid. He obviously was DPOY last year and he has every chance at repeating with that unit remaining one of the best in the league. He led the league with 22.5 sacks last year, after racking up at least 13 in the previous three years. He’s a bonafide stud.
Chris is taking Myles Garrett, who everyone knows is capable of absolutely monster numbers when healthy. He racked up 16 sacks last year and has 4 consecutive years of at least 10 or more. The QB situation in Cleveland is going to put some pressure on the Defense until Watson comes back from suspension, and Garrett can easily anchor that defense.
Offensive Rookie of the Year **Hour #2 - 55:50-56:13**
Tom homers again (surprise) and goes with Kenny Pickett in Pittsburgh. It’s looking like he’s going to take the reins to start the year and he has the tools to make some waves this year.
Jahan Dotson, WR in Washington is Chris’ choice for OROY. Another young man with the tools to make some waves, but in a much less favorable position than Pickett. If he gets “good” Carson Wentz, he can certainly have a very productive year. If he gets “bad” Carson Wentz, well, we know how that turns out.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
We have a unanimous opinion here - Caden Hutchinson in Detroit looks like he’s about to be an absolute problem. He may not have the stats, being in Detroit, but he will be disruptive in the run game all year. That was easy!