Let’s handle our business first.
› Rushmore of TV shows in which a majority of the cast was school-aged kids – “Phineas and Ferb” (if you know, you know), “Little Rascals,” “Boy Meets World” “Odd Squad.” (Yes, the last one was a shoutout to the lil-5-at-10, who loved that show back in the day.)
› Rushmore of sports gambling scandals – Black Sox in 1919, Tim Donaghy, Pete Rose and the BC points-shaving scandal that was a great 30-for-30 and actually was the final straw that got Henry Hill from “Goodfellas” to flip on Jimmy Conway and the crew.
› Rushmore of NASCAR nicknames – Awesome Bill from Dawsonville, The Intimidator, Smoke and The King.
› Rushmore of hosts/personalities/celebs from “reality” TV shows – Dude from Survivor, Simon Cowell, Tom Bergeron (who had two actually) and Heidi Klum (who also has multiple reality show credits).
As for the rules, well, here’s Paschall on the Vols trying to put last week in the rearview.
And for more rules, here’s Hargis with a column on Howard’s uncertain football future after reclassification.
Here’s this week’s podcast with Brian Edwards and me on Southeastern 16.
Also of note, be prepared to hate – Cam Newton is reportedly joining Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s shout fest known as “First Take.”
To the bag.
From Mike W
Why does AU stink so bad, Jay?
And be kind, please.
Mike W
This is pretty easy.
QB play. Period. And I truly believe Payton Thorne is a fine kid and likely looks great in practice, because no matter how much you or I want Auburn to win football games, I can assure you that Hugh Freeze and the rest of the folks inside the program want to win more than we do.
They clearly believe in Payton as a bona fide QB1 on every other day that is not Saturday.
In fact, I’m not sure anyone has said it much better than what Brian Kelly said on the Finebaum Show earlier this week.
And look to Nashville. Vandy would trade every other starter with Auburn if I had to guess, with the exception of the tight end and QB Diego Pavia.
And that makes all the difference.
From Chas
Jay, for Friday’s bag: What do you think about the “Timeout Against Hate” campaign sponsored by Robert Kraft and the commissioners of eight pro sports?
Chas
Wealthy folks like Kraft – who donated $50 million to the cause Chas referenced, which is a spinoff of the foundation the Pats’ owner started in an effort to combat antisemitism in 2019 – can do whatever they want with their money.
And NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell getting the Shield behind Kraft’s cause is a reminder that while Goodell may be the leader of the most popular and powerful sports league in the country, he still works for the owners.
But my thought on a lot of these things is bigger picture.
This surely is a worthwhile endeavor, and it’s their money. Who is against any meaningful effort to stop hatred or prejudice? No one. But is antisemitism a bigger issue than any of the other “isms”?Just spitballing, I guess.
The short answer is, of course, I am against hate.
From Tom
Question for the mailbag: Which is more destructive to our Republic, the “gerrymander” or “Electoral College”?
Tom
I love this question.
I will start with my firm belief that term limits should be job one of any real public servant. Career politicians should be a thing of the past.
Of the two I say gerrymandering; remember, the principle behind gerrymandering is a large part of the process career politicians use to remain career politicians, right?
Gerrymandering is a bigger threat because it affects people more on a local level. And I have always said that voting in the local/state elections is way more important than voting against Donald or Kamala in the national vote.
From Paul
Jay,
You wrote that Cam and Bo would get $50 million in back pay for name image and likeness if they sued. (Jay’s note: This was from a couple of weeks ago.)
Let’s say each SEC school had money set aside for back NIL pay. What athlete would deserve the biggest percentage of each SEC program’s bankroll?
Thanks, and are you ever going to do radio again?
Paul
Wow, what a great question.
I don’t know if I will do radio again. I am doing a weekly podcast for Southeastern 16 with Brian Edwards. Here’s this week’s.
As for the SEC payouts, wow, did I spend too much time on this. So much so that I even ranked them in order of most deserving, and I may be a bit biased here, but I think Bo is 1 across the entire league.
You can’t sling a dead cat at an Auburn game and not hit a 34 jersey to this day.
And that same rationale makes Peyton Manning’s time in K-town just as meaningful.
Right there with Peyton is Tebow, but the Gators discussion leads us to the athlete or person who has become the biggest brand manager.
Because Bear Bryant’s houndstooth has moved more product for Alabama than anything, you know? And is there a bigger, more recognized fan/supporter for Arkansas than Big John Daly?
It’s a difficult question the deeper you go.
Would Eli or Archie be Ole Miss’ selection? I vote Eli, but that could be my age viewpoint.
After the big three above of Bo, Peyton and Tebow, the next obvious choice for an SEC school is Johnny Football for the Aggies.
Others who jump out, at least to me, George Rogers at South Carolina, Darren McFadden at Arkansas, Herschel at Georgia and Dak at Mississippi State.
I wonder who Vader would pick to represent LSU. Is it Shaq, or is it Livvy?
Chas, would UK’s be a hoopster or a football player?
Great question.
From Spy
Stood behind Mario Lopez in line to get into Prime, the steakhouse at Bellagio in Vegas.
Didn’t ask where Kelly Kapowski was. Should’ve.
Spy
I wish you had. And moreover, I can only imagine he would have said, “With Zach, of course.”
Have a great weekend, friends.