From Carl
Happy Veteran's Day on Friday. I have not sent a mailbag question before. I started reading the 5@10 earlier this year but I have listened to you on Press Row for years.
Can I ask two questions? If ranked the teams outside the top 4 in the CFB playoff poll by who has the best shot to get in the playoff what would it be? And if it is okay, since Friday is Veterans Day, what Rushmore would you pick.
Carl -
Welcome to the clan. It's a small but regular group and feel free to chime in when something moves you.
Little 5-at-10 history: We started this on Oct. 25, 2010 as a way to get back to writing more. It was supposed to five quick things in the sports world at 10 a.m., and for the first few months, it also included a 2-minute drill, which was my rebuttal on the comments and developments around 2 p.m. Well, today marks 1,520 consecutive 5-at-10s since that October Monday and we still enjoy the back and forth. Some of the folks have been here for a long while; some step in and out as the time and content allows.
We have morphed a little bit; the comments were much higher during the non-paywall days, but that is to be understood. And now we are a full time columnist at the paper so the 5-at-10 drives us to a total of at least nine columns week on myriad of subjects.
Either way, welcome to show. And of course, newcomers always get two questions (although technically you asked three).
On point one, the outside top-four top four clearly has THE Ohio State No. 1. Buckeyes win out and they are in. We'll take Auburn second, because if they win out - and all of these teams have to have the expectation of winning out to be considered - the win over Alabama would clearly be the most respected. We'll go Wisconsin third and Louisville fourth because the Badgers still control their destiny to be a conference champ and that conference championship would be over Michigan or THE Ohio State. Louisville is in a pickle, and that pickle is made even juicier because if Auburn does beat Alabama on something crazy or if THE Ohio State beats Michigan in Columbus by a field goal or less, there's a chance those one-loss teams would not fall below Louisville. Yes, Louisville had a very close loss at Clemson, but it still remains that the teams Louisville needs to lose, that if they lose, they would lose to teams right behind Louisville, meaning they would pass Louisville.
As for Veterans Day Rushmore, well, on Press Row we have done Military movies and people with military names for sure. We've also done patriotic moments in sports, too. And that one was pretty cool. (Think it was 1980 hockey, Bush throwing out the first pitch in the World Series post-9/11, Whitney Houston's anthem and Rick Monday tackling the potential flag burner.)
We could certainly do Military-based TV shows. (Early M*A*S*H, Hogan's Heroes, Band of Brothers and A-Team, maybe?)
We could do military terms in everyday life or even sports realm. (Benedict Arnold, Chew the fat, Jeep and Flash in the Pan; Football - Blitz, bomb, trenches, Neutral zone and even formation.)
We may even do athletes who served in the military or best uniforms that include red, white and blue or who knows.
FILE- In this May 5, 2016 photo, Coal miners wave signs as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Charleston, W.Va. Trump's election could signal the end of many of President Barack Obama's signature environmental initiatives. Trump has said he loathes regulation and wants to use more coal and expand offshore drilling and hydraulic fracturing. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File) From a host of you
Election reaction, whatcha got?
Gang -
My column on A2 on Thursday never made our website. (I will see if we can get it posted and will come back and link it here.)
First, I appreciate all the feedback - good and bad - because dissenting views should be heard and discussed before final decisions are made.
In fact, of all the divides in this country, that may be the one divide that we all can feel. We have all been in a place, be it professionally, socially or personally, where we were scared or intimidated to speak our mind.
And this is not about yelling or demonstrating because we didn't have a safe space.
This is about meaningful discourse and the exchange of ideas and viewpoints that make each side thing. That should be the basis of our society not the outlier.
But now we are to the place where we go straight 0-to-protest in a heartbeat. The passion is great, but it's misplaced.
OK, now that we got that out there, on the election, and we have covered some of this in this space this week.
We think the media - and the political leaders of this country on each side, especially those in the GOP who continually dismissed Trump (We are looking right at you Paul Ryan) - underestimated the angst and anger of middle America.
It was great and staggering and motivating for many, because even though Trump lost a large number of the traditional GOP base to third-party candidates, he still managed to get close to the number of votes more traditional GOP candidates Romney and McCain got in the last two elections.
We also think that the Democrats nominated the most unlikable candidate since Nixon looked awful on TV vs. Kennedy in 1960, and that Hillary represented the single most motivating factor for a big part of the swing voters - a real and guttural anger at the Washington establishment. In fact, that was such a clear factor, the only candidate Hillary may have beaten was likely Jeb Bush, and with the anti-Washington elite feeling that swept the swing states, the final vote count of another Clinton-Bush election may have looked like a Pac-12 football score: 66-63.
And finally, and this is the most important factor in the final outcome, the Democrats believed they had this thing in the bag. From the top down, from Hillary to the rank and file Democrat voter, there was no sense of urgency because there was a feeling that there was no way they could lose to that guy.
OK, but that guy is now POTUS and the message, at least on the political science side of things, seems pretty clear.
As for all the race talk, well, OK. We understand the frustration - GOP members felt it four years ago - but we have some trouble expecting the overarching premise that this was first and foremost a testament on race.
If that's the case, why were there so many fewer votes for Hillary than Obama? That's not race, per se, since most minorities are Democrats. In fact, there were fewer GOP votes cast this year than there were in either of the previous two elections when there was a black man running on the other side.
So there was less interest voting interest in this election but more racism even with two white candidates? Does that connect on a mathematical level.
The other thing that I believe to be an important talking point right now is intent, and how, in matters of race and emotion, is that to be interrupted.
Case 1: An election happens, and I vote one way and you tell me my vote was based on racial discourse. I say my vote was because of an extreme dislike for a candidate, who in my belief broke federal laws and whose mistakes cost the lives of Americans while she was Secretary of State.
Case 2: An NFL quarterback protests the National Anthem but says he does not intend to offend military personnel, rather it's a protest against the police officers of this country. And we have ti respect that intent, right?
OK, why the double standard? Why does the voice of Colin Kaepernick resonate as true intent when Joe in Jonesboro or Terry in Topeka or Jay in Chattanooga has ulterior motives?
Never mind the fact that Kaepernick eschewed his real voice by not voting in this election, and maybe that's a whole different talking point.
The loudest protest and talking point of the last six months about a key part of racial unrest in this country was a silent kneel by a NFL millionaire. That made us talk and think. It made us feel and hurt and try to understand.
And then, when he was given a chance to truly speak in a way that is heard through history and has marked the transition of power for the entirety of our free nation's history, dude shrugged his shoulders.
Kaepernick is protesting for better and his name had been used in comparison for some of the great protestors of all time. But those coal heroes fought for meaning things, especially the right to vote.
For Kaepernick to ignore his chance to cast his say in the loudest of ways - even if he went and did not vote either presidential candidate because he claimed each was the devil and voted for the rest of the elections - spits in the faces of the real protestors who made real change with real sacrifice.
And never mind the horrible example it was for all the young kids who look up to Kaepernick who now see that protesting can be attention-getting but voting is optional.
Some message. And for the Democrats - and there lack of a turnout Tuesday - one that can lead to the biggest political up[set of my lifetime.
Former Alabama running back Trent Richardson, shown here during the 2011 Iron Bowl, worked on the Crimson Tide's scout team last week to help them prepare for LSU running back Leonard Fournette.From Kirk -
Who you think has the best shot against the tide?
Kirk -
Great question and it was asked on Twitter. (You can follow along with some of the craziness at @jgreesontfp. Know this, we are kind of binge Twitter person. It may be a one or two a day thing and then bang, we're firing on all from all angles for a random event.)
We think Louisville would have the best shot to beat Alabama because Lamar Jackson is the type of QB who can exploit the Tide, even though the Alabama defense has gotten quicker and more comfortable defending multi-faceted QBs and offenses.
We think next would be THE Ohio State because they are the second-most talented team 1-through-22 in the country. Clemson would be next, but it would need an other-worldly effort from Deshaun Watson, since this Clemson team is not as good as the team that faced Alabama in last year's title game and this Alabama team is better.
Finally, we'll round out the rest with Auburn and Michigan. Auburn because it may have the second-best defensive line in the country (behind Alabama) and that could force Jalen Hurts to try to win with his arm, which will be key if anyone is going to topple the Tide. And Michigan because Coach Khaki is nutso.
This Oct. 14, 2016, photo shows some of the food from a Thanksgiving dinner from Martha & Marley Spoon in New York. For $120, or $180 which would include an 11-15 pound free-range turkey, Martha & Marley Spoon will ship just about everything you need to cook a decadent Thanksgiving dinner for eight to 10 people. (AP Photo/Bree Fowler)From Todd
Jay, how about some foodie talk for the mailbag? Let's start with the Thanksgiving main course, and I think we can all agree on turkey. But how's it prepared? Think roasted, fried, or smoked. Mine is brined overnight and then oven roasted. Mmmmm good. Now what are the Greeson family favorite side dishes? And finally favorite desserts? Go.
Todd -
Wow, what a great question.
OK, let's channel our old school Larry Munson to set the table. (Larry Munson was the legendary Georgia play-by-play guy back in the time when fans would listen to the radio inside the stadium or at home after turning the volume down on the TV. Side note: We are nine days from the five-year anniversary of Munson's death. Wow, had no idea it had been that long.)
First, know that we do Thanksgiving at the house every year. In fact we have a fire in the back yard and do chili dogs for dinner on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving
"Let's get the picture here at the Greeson Thanksgiving. The hosts are in their traditional attire - khaki pants, nice shirts, no hats - and the guest look good. No wind in the kitchen; in fact it's hot in here, hotter than Erk Russell after allowing a third-down conversion.
Looking around the two turkeys are done. The big bird - my God look at the size of that thing - has come out of the oven. He's HUGE. There's not way we're going to be handle that entire thing, and that's just the first of the two powerful, big-legged monsters they are going to throw at us today.
Loren, whaddya got: Larry, dow here on the porch, I've been told there's a reason the roasted bird is so much bigger. The fried turkey is smaller and usually is consumed on that Thursday. And folks tell he the home team likes to take a large ziplock bag of the roasted turkey and hide it in the fridge for the gloriousness of the turkey-mayo-pepper sammiches on white bread that carry the next week. Back to you Larry.
Thanks Loren. Whatever. OK, let's set the field. Wow what a spread. There may only be about 20 people here but there's enough food for 200. Man, that's so Southern right. Come to as big family gathering in the South friends and make sure you bring the following: Your kids, your appetite your biggest trousers and some fold-overs. My Lord that's a lot of food.
And where do you even begin to attack something like that. The mash potatoes - called something Potato Puff around these parts - are incredible. An assortment of beans - green and baby limas are staples of course - on the perimeter really make the heartier side look intimidating. There's sweet potato soufflé and broccoli casserole. There's a jello dish that makes the kids go crazy and the adults smile because it was on the table when they were tots.
And who can forget the dressing. Man o Man, Turkey day is simply not turkey day with football, family and dressing friends. It's like Georgia and UGA, Florida and Spurrier or Vandy and libraries. You can't have one without the others folks.
And as the clock winds down, and we need to stop, Lord knows we need to stop, we simply can't make it happen. Not with Pecan Pie there.
Loren, whaddya got: Larry, have you ever noticed that more times than not that the more trustworthy folks say PEE-can rather than pea-CON when referring to the pie? Back to you Larry.
Loren, thanks. Thanks for taking 10 years off my life you goof. Where was I, oh yes, needing to stop. The PEE-can pie goes quickly, as does the mother-in-laws chocolate pie.
As for the host, as the entire day of madness winds down the extra does of post-dinner sugar coming from the sky lands in a glass. And I believe his name is Jack. Gentleman Jack to be precise."
Great question
FILE - In this Oct. 17, 2015, file photo, Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio, left, chats with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh before an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich. Ohio State's last Saturday to Penn State has created this somewhat uncomfortable situation for their fans to have to pull for their most intense rival. Here’s why: The sixth-ranked Buckeyes can win a three-way tiebreaker in the Big Ten East among themselves, Michigan and Penn State if all finish 8-1. But in a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Nittany Lions, Ohio State loses out. (AP Photo/Tony Ding, File) From Jomo
JG- last Saturday on your station's show "The Pitch" (a show I enjoy) the host said that UTK is a top 5 program (debatable) and they should decide to spend $7 or $8 million a year and go get the best football coach possible so they can win championships. The problem with that is there are only 3 coaches that are guaranteed that you will win at championship level (Saban, Urban Myer and Harbaugh) no matter how much UTK wants to spend, they cant get those coaches. Now, UTK could say "we don't care about ethics, etc." and hire Petrino or Art Briles (the next level) however even those two and ANY other coach is a risk. Remember there is no program bigger than Texas. Texas tried the run at Saban, didn't work, then threw all kinds of money at Charlie Strong (who turned down UTK) who was the flavor of the year i.e. Houston coach Tom Herman. UTK fans need to come to reality that there is little "unique" that they have that 15-20 other programs also have (100,000 seats, great facilities, tradition, all the money you need, etc.) almost every SEC school has that and another 10 programs around the country have that also. My point is, LUCK also plays into this. Bama got Saban when he was about to get run out of Miami, Urban Myer was out of a job when Ohio State got him and Harbaugh was an alumn at Michigan. If UTK fans who think money for a coach can automatically win them championships are just mistaken, alot of times you need some LUCK in who you hire, and who is available at the time. Your thoughts ?
Jomo -
Tennessee is not a top-five program, but they certainly a top-15 and can make an argument to be top-10.
But more importantly than that, they are a power program that simply can not afford to be mediocre in football.
This year's team is better than mediocre but not as good as a lot of folks had hoped. Injuries play a part in that of course, but even when fully healthy, there has appeared to be something amiss with this bunch.
Was the pressure of monster expectations too much? Maybe. Was Jalen Hurd that big of an issue? Possibly. Is it on Butch? Yes and no.
It's on Butch that the team has been consistent ill-prepared this year, but it is also on Butch that a team three-plus years ago that was left in shambles from the worst SEC football hire since Auburn picked Doug Barfield.
So pulling the plug now on a guy that ended the agony and has a very real chance to win nine games heading to a bowl game is outlandish.
In fact, if that's the decision, it's going to take more than $7 million to land a guy who is going to feel safe in Knoxville, right?
As for the premise - and Phil Knight is tossing it out in regard to Oregon as the Nike CEO is reportedly prepared to pay $10 million for the right guy - money is not as big an issue as finding value.
The guys your mentioned - Saban, Meyer and Harbaugh - will make roughly $22 million this combined and all three are a bargain considering what they bring to those schools.
And you are right luck - and timing - play as big a role as money in landing those monster names who do monster things by bring monster players to create a monster program.
Of the other names out there, we believe Herman to be legit. We think Chris Peterson at Washington may be a rainmaker. You have to give Dabo and Jimbo some props for what they have built.
But none of those guys are in the top three circle and unless Texas or Notre Dame comes calling - two sure-fire top programs of all-time - are there many jobs out there that are worth coming to and rebuilding than what those guys have cooking at Washington, Clemson and FSU respectively.
And from there it's a roll of the dice. Remember when everyone thought it was a monster coup for Arkansas to get Bielema? And he's a good coach who is actually a fun dude, but how's that working out?
The ripple effects that will really buckle college football though will be what happens when there are whispers that say, this team wants Butch or that team wants Malzahn, and then extensions and raises are in order.
It's a painful cycle ruled by the elite leaders in the field. And unlike the election, no matter how tired you may be of the same three or four names ruling the system, there's very little that can be done about other than a random upset or finding Cam Newton in Blinn, Texas.
Tennessee's Robert Hubbs III (3) tries to drive against LSU's Ben Simmons (25) and Antonio Blakeney (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Southeastern Conference tournament in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 11, 2016. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)From Mike -
I am hoping to watch more college hoops this year.
What are some of your predictions and things to look for?
PS - You guys are awesome on the radio.
Mike -
Thanks for the kind words and for playing along.
We kicked around some Thursday, but let's go bigger picture today. Deal? Deal.
NCAA No. 1 seeds: Oregon (if Dillon Brooks' foot is A-OK), Kentucky, Duke and Kansas.
Final Four: Duke, Kansas, Xavier and UCLA
Title game: Duke over Kansas, which will have to replace Bill Self who takes an NBA job
Freshman of the year: Josh Jackson from Kansas. The Giles kid at Duke, if healthy is a monster is on a team of monsters, and of course UK has a slew of choices, too. And a ton of folks like the newcomer at Washington. We'll stick with Jackson.
Player of the year: Grayson Allen, Duke
Michigan State will struggle to make the NCAA tournament because they have one healthy center on the roster.
The ACC gets 11 bids to the tournament.
There will be several National Anthem protests of some form.
UTC is going to win tonight and lose Sunday at UNC, and the Mocs are going to make a serious charge toward 30 wins. We'll even go a step further and have the Mocs as a 12 seed in the NCAA tournament facing. fifth-seeded VCU and former Mocs coach Will Wade.
Thoughts?