Do Big Sports Price Tags Leave Fans Out in the Cold?
Fred, Art, and Mark wonder what lies ahead for the LA Clippers with James Harden joining the team. Will his big personality stir up some controversy? Could Cody Bellinger move a little closer to LA next season? Can fans afford to watch sports? Are Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football facing heavy sanctions for their alleged sign stealing? And is Damar Hamlin going to be on the field with the Bills in Cincinnati?
How About Those Quarterbacks?
Fred, Art, and Mark focus on the guys in charge of the offense on the gridiron, the quarterbacks, speculating how well-matched they are against their opponents this week. With his strong completion record, is Bo Nix up to the challenge as Oregon meets Washington? Can Tua Tagovailoa resist the pressure from the Patriots at home in Miami? Is Kirk Cousins the Vikings’ secret weapon? And will Tyrod Taylor be the winning QB in the battle of the NY teams?
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?
