Let’s handle our business on a soggy Friday morning.
Rushmore of biggest sporting events in Chattanooga history. MJ and UNC at the Roundhouse, App State selling out Finley in the I-AA title game win over Delaware (and I think that was the Sod Game, no?), Tiger winning the NCAA golf event at The Honors and maybe the U.S. women’s soccer game at Finley that drew a monster crowd. UTC women beating Rutgers here in the NCAA was cool, too.
Rushmore of coin-operated gizmos over the past half century or so. Pay phone, video games (umbrella, which includes pinball) laundromats and jukebox.
Rushmore of talk show sidekicks. Ed McMahon (Carson), Paul Shaffer (Letterman), Hank Kingsley (Larry Sanders) and Andy Cohen (Conan).
Does Chick Hearn’s memorable turn in “Fletch” make the Rushmore of sports announcer cameos in movies? Chick in “Fletch” who stands 6-5, 6-9 with the afro; Max Kellerman in “Creed II”; Dan Fouts in “The Waterboy,” and Gary McCord in “Tin Cup.” This one was tough because Costas was aces in “Baseketball,” too.
Great coverage of the epic Div-II AAA state title game between Baylor and McCallie last night from Hargis and his crew.
Also in the rules, here’s Paschall getting you ready for the SEC title game Saturday.
To the bag.
From Josh
Jay, do you have a Heisman vote, and if so, would you not vote for Bo Nix because he left Auburn.
Josh,
I do not have a Heisman vote. I know David Paschall does. I know Mark Wiedmer had one when he was still at the TFP. Not sure if he still does or not.
And no, I would not vote for Bo Nix, but it’s nothing to do with the fact that he left my alma mater for Oregon. That was clearly the right move for him and his career, because he has completely flipped the switch from legacy AU QB who was headed toward a great coaching career in high school or college to NFL draft pick.
No, if I had a ballot, Jayden Daniels is my pick. It’s not his fault the LSU defense could not play dead in a Western.
Daniels’ numbers — 3,812 passing yards on 72.2 completion % with 40 TDs and just four picks while running for 1,134 (8.4 per carry) and 10 more scores.
The numbers for Nix, who is a minus-180 (bet $180 to win $100) favorite — 3,904 passing yards on 78.6 completion % with 37 TDs and two picks; he ran for 159 yards (3.4 per carry) and six more scores.
Bo has had a tremendous year, no doubt, but if Daniels doesn’t win it, could very well be the best season not to win the Heisman ever considering that would be 50 TDs and more than 400 yards per game in total offense.
From Max
Jay are you going to be OK when Bama beats Georgia and the SEC does not get into the playoff?
Max,
I’ll be completely fine. I’m not one of these cats that chants “S-E-C! S-E-C!” If Georgia or Bama wins it all, while it certainly adds to the conference’s rich history I suppose, it actually hurts the recruiting efforts of my favorite team.
That said, if your scenario plays out — a big if, too — I’m still not betting on a one-loss SEC champion in that case who would be coached by Nick Saban being left at the altar come Sunday.
Thanks for the question.
From Jerry
Jay, I saw your question about NFL MVP and was wondering if you ever think a non-QB could or should win that award?
Thanks, and enjoy the column.
Jerry,
Fair question, and not really. As long as the word “valuable” is the centerpiece, it’s hard not to start at QB.
I also think it’s extremely rare to be the “most valuable” in football on a team that misses the playoffs. Because if your team does not make the postseason, how truly valuable were you?
Granted, Shohei Ohtani has won a couple of MVPs and deservedly so, but his value as a pitcher and a hitter is off the charts. It would be like Dak Prescott playing free safety for the Cowboys too, and among the league leaders in tackles.
That said, if there was a season to look at a non-QB1, this is a pretty good one considering this stat I saw.
Tyreek Hill from Miami has 1,324 receiving yards; all the Patriots WRs have 1,273; all the Falcons WRs have 1,147; all the Jets WRs have 1,126. That’s some Ruthian stuff right there.
From Spy
Ah, but the Patriots are winning the weekend. They are one step closer to finding their next franchise quarterback.
JJ McCarthy of Michigan. Shoot, getting some tall, strong-armed, lanky Irish kid from there worked before, didn’t it? Besides, watching that TD throw Saturday between the stripes and shoulder pads on two Buckeyes showed how good that kid’s arm really is.
Everybody drools over Caleb Williams.
I’ll take McCarthy.
“Hit the hay” is more old person than Southern. My folks said it. And they were about as Yankee as Gehrig.
Spy,
Clever as always, my man.
I can see that being more of an old-person phrase and geographically neutral.
As for QB rankings, I’ve stated my above man crush on Jayden Daniels.
I like McCarthy, but not as much as I like Drake Maye of UNC.
And does rather blah-tastic results of Lincoln Riley’s past protegés — looking at you Baker and you Kyler — take some of the shine of Caleb’s star?
Time to hit the hay. Have a great weekend, friends.