By Matt McDonough
College football is finally upon us. After a Week 0 teaser, Week 1’s full slate over Labor Day weekend gave fans exactly what they’re craving. Overreactions on early returns are human nature, but the crier wants to just celebrate one of the best sports being back. Despite that mindset, this is the crier column, so there needs to be some bitching and moaning for the first week.
Florida has egg all over its face for firing Dan Mullen. Mullen led the Gators to three straight New Year’s Six bowls but was fired during his fourth season. Billy Napier, who the crier was a fan of while coaching Louisiana–Lafayette, and even lobbied for LSU to hire him on his humble Twitter account, is clearly not the fit in Gainesville. In Year 3, Florida isn’t competing and has a rough schedule ahead. Sometimes expectations outweigh reality, and firing Mullen seems to have sent Florida on a Nebraska-like track. Luckily for Florida, the in-state recruiting always allows for an easy bounce-back, but it will most likely be with a different coach.
Dabo Swinney’s stubbornness might send Clemson back to mediocrity. Avoiding NIL and the portal is impossible in today’s game, and Dabo can preach the gospel all he wants, but even God asks for money from parishioners on Sundays. It’s very possible to see Clemson moving on from Dabo for a more modern coach in the coming years should this current trend continue. Two national championships can only carry so much weight in sports. Just look at how long of a shelf life six Super Bowls afforded Bill Belichick in New England.
Georgia and Alabama are on a collision course for the SEC title game, Michigan will finish the season unranked, Notre Dame will make a quarterback and/or coordinator change, Penn State will make the playoff, Texas will underachieve, Miami will win the ACC, and Ohio State will win the Big 10. The crier had Oregon as their original national title pick, but for now will just pick Idaho to win the FCS national championship. Let’s revisit these Week 1 hot takes, predictions, and overreactions at the midpoint of the season.
- The crier is fully in agreement with Mike Crispino during the radio broadcast of the UConn – Maryland game regarding targeting. If the quarterback does a quick, feet-first slide, it is impossible for a defensive player, especially after already beginning their launch, to avoid contact with the head. It makes it impossible to make a play, and the quarterback’s actions, not the defensive back’s, are what puts players in danger. It’s also asinine to review a full speed play while watching a slow-mo replay. And the people in charge of these rules regarding world-class athletes are probably like the crier on a Saturday night- out of breath walking up the stairs after having a few beers and leftover Chinese food. Going to let it marinade, but the town crier is trying to come up with an alternative to sliding- perhaps a hand signal for the quarterback to give themselves up instead of sliding. It’ll avoid head-to-head contact (might increase hits to the knees though) and less defensive players will be punished for trying to make a play.
- The tragic deaths of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew are soul crushing and gut wrenching to any person. Johnny, who was heading toward his third season with the Columbus Blue Jackets after starting as a standout with the Calgary Flames, and Matthew, who also played at Boston College before spending some time in the AHL with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, were killed by a drunk driver while riding bikes the night before their sister’s wedding. Anyone on earth can relate to the horrific nightmare scenario of our worst fears that the Gaudreau family and friends will have to wake up to in reality for the rest of their lives. As humans, even the mundane moments are beautiful considering the swiftness with which it all can be lost.
- The Thread of the Week comes from BaseballHistoryNut. The gallery of ballpark aerial views is awe inspiring. Usually what would follow are highlights, but each ballpark pictured, from historic, to defunct, to modern, are worth a view, as are the comments. To paraphrase the Smithsonian Channel’s show “Aerial America,” perhaps the best view of a ballpark is from the air.
- Congratulations to 44-year-old Rich Hill for making his season debut with the Red Sox Thursday night. Hill is the only current MLB player to have appeared in the last 20 seasons. He kept his consecutive streak alive after being called up from Triple-A Worcester. The Milton, Mass. native has pitched for 13 teams in his career and 2024 is his fourth stint with Boston. Catcher Danny Jansen became the first player in MLB history to appear for both teams in the same game following the completion of a rain-delayed game this month. Jansen was with the Blue Jays for the beginning of that game on June 26, and when it resumed on Monday, he was with the Red Sox following a July trade. A couple cool tidbits for a team toiling.
- Why doesn’t Nika Muhl get minutes for the Seattle Storm?
- Unsurprisingly, the “Only Murders in the Building” season four premiere was great. Looking forward to seeing how the season unfolds and if it maintains momentum.
- This is the most disturbing thing we’ve ever seen but Duck on a Rock will now be known as the “Rizzard of Blogs”.
- There was far too much drama in the process of naming a Patriots starting quarterback.
- Two things to try: FastCast on MLB.com and cutting lemonade with water. FastCast is amazing. The best of baseball from the day before in less than 10 minutes. Can’t beat it for a highlight blitz.
- Of all the network’s tied to professional leagues, MLB Network might be the best, from its analysis shows to reliable highlights. The crier would put NBA TV at the top as well considering both parameters. Although NFL Network’s original programming is very strong, their highlight shows, especially considering most of the sport plays one day a week, is atrocious. More NHL Network viewing is needed for a full opinion.
- Rest in peace, Fatman Scoop, who died after passing out while performing in Hamden. Prayers to his loved ones and those who knew him.
