Couple of programming notes. First, we had been doing SEC items of interest on Wednesdays. That will be part of Thursdays back and forth - along with our picks - starting tomorrow.
Next, there's a really strong chance that there will be no Press Row today. The Braves play a doubleheader starting at noon, and with postgame and such that likely will cover the entirety of our time.
Finally, don't forget the mailbag on Friday. Lots to get to. From the "Talks too much" studios, let's do this.
Is there a deeper Orange meaning
This was a very interesting story on a UT football survey that had more than 1,000 responses from Johnny Vols fans here from TFP UT ace Dancin' David Cobb.
It was put together online by a Super Johnny Vols Fan who lives in Louisiana. The numbers were intriguing.
Less than 60 percent said they approve of coach Butch Jones' efforts as he comes into 2017 off back-to-back 9-4 seasons. More than 80 percent said they expect no improvement this year with the Vols winning between 7-and-9 games this season.
In fact, when asked the survey respondents think 8-4 is the regular-season mark, with less than 40 percent saying the Vols will beat Florida (66 percent picked the Gators) and Georgia (60.5 percent picked the Bulldogs). And even fewer picking UT over LSU (14.22 had the Vols) and a dismal expectation of beating Alabama (1.86 percent had UT over the Tide). Is there a conclusion to draw from this?
Not a definitive one, and certainly more than 1,000 replying to a survey is a good, but it's hardly a scientific number. But there is an interesting wrinkle that Cobb pointed out in Bill Clark's polling: 67 percent of the people polled out of state approve of Butch; less than 57 percent of in-state UT fans approve of Butch.
That could be connected the frustration in some of the daily Butchisms - five-star hearts, champions of life, you know them all - that get daily coverage within the state but only casual coverage in out-of-state markets.
Of those numbers, we can conclude that Butch's seat is not hot, but the expectations are not as high among UT fans who responded. That's fine for a one-year window but that is an unsustainable business model for a college football coach.
If expectations stay flat; seat heat will rise. Period.
FILE - In this May 22, 2017, file photo, Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green reacts to play against the San Antonio Spurs during Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, in San Antonio. Green has been sued by a couple who claim the player and his entourage bullied them and physically assaulted them last year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) Gambling tips
OK, we occasionally talk about picks and such around these parts.
We will debut our Fab 4 picks tomorrow, and we can only hope to continue the 60-percent success rate we have enjoyed over the last six seasons..
Of course, as you regulars know, these picks are for entertainment purposes only (as long as that entertainment means CAY-SH in your pockets; Also of note for the growing regulars around these points, now that college football is here, know that ice-cold 'Co-Colas' translates to Bud Lights; we're using code names).
Deal? Deal.
Well, here's the most one-sided set of odds we've ever seen, and we've been around the dark arts of gambling for a long time. If you bet $1,000 on the Golden State Warriors to make the playoffs, you win a buck.
Yes, $1. A dollarino. One Hundred pennies. That means to collect a C-note, you have to put up $100K.
The defending champion Warriors are 1-to-500 to win their division and the over/under on Golden State wins this season is 67.5. (We'd lean toward the over considering, other than Houston, which team in the West improved heading into this season? The Jazz lost Hayward. The Clippers lost CP3. OK, OKC added Paul George, but that's not enough to swing the pendulum a great deal toward the Thunder vs. the Warriors.)
Man, it's staggering to think that the Warriors are minus-100,000 to make the playoffs. Who would bet against that but who would bet $10 million on it to make all of $10 grand.
Atlanta Braves pitcher Arodys Vizcaino, right, is taken out of a baseball game by manager Brian Snitker, left, after he allowed back to back home runs by the Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)Braves' woes
The Atlanta Braves were, at one time, a pleasant story in the NL East.
There was nice offensive production at the top of the order. The middle the order with Freddie Freeman and Matt Kemp, when they could stay on the field, was productive.
Brandon Phillips had nice numbers for a second baseman, as did Tyler Flowers for a catcher.
There was a lot to like and on July 16, the Braves were 45-45 and understandably was listed as a team that may be a buyer heading into the trade deadline. Rightly, they decided not to move the younger pieces for a big-name pitcher or a two-month rental.
But since then the Braves are 12-27 and now have the look of a team that could easily lose 90 games. (At 57-72, they'd have to go 16-17 over the final 33 games not to drop 90 again.) And of all that negativity, this story https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/braves-reportedly-rearrange-front-office-amid-rumors-of-a-power-struggle/ about alleged power struggles within the front office of the organization may be the most painful headline we have seen to date.
If true, this power tug of war could derail all the building blocks the organization has put in place.
This and that
- Man, we got some crazy folks who are parents these days. Here's the story of a woman who was arrested for a DUI after her 11-year-old called the cops from the backseat of the car.
- Here's someone throwing verbal jabs at Conor McGregor. It will be interesting to see what Mcgregor's next move will be.
- We had Russ Huesman on Press Row on Tuesday. He was quite entertaining.
Today's question
We're running short on time.
Feel free - especially you UT fans - to offer your view on the UT poll.
As for this day - Aug. 30 - some interesting tidbits.
On this day in 1146, European leaders outlawed the crossbow in an attempt to end war forever.
Cameron Diaz is 45 today. Andy Roddick is 35. (Yes, close to the same age as Roger Federer.)
Charles Bronson died on this day in 2003.
Warren Buffett is 86 today.
As for a Rushmore, Ted Williams would have been 99 today. His nickname was "The Splendid Splinter." What makes the Rushmore of all-time baseball nicknames?