Let’s get to business
Rushmore of sports folks named Bill — Russell, Walton, Bradley and Raftery. Special Bill coaches version — Belichick, Parcells, Walsh and Cowher. Side question: How great would Cowher’s jawline look chiseled in stone? As for random bill Rushmore, we’d go dollar, dollar bills ya’ll, Bill of Rights, “I’m just a bill, sitting on Capitol Hill,” and of course Judge Smails’ go-to weapon of the ol’ Billy Baroo.
Rushmore of Jennifers — Anniston, Lopez, Lawrence and Connelly, who gets the edge over all others because of her Oscar-worthy turn in “Top Gun: Maverick.” If you disagree on the last one, kick rocks.
Rushmore of Elizabeth Banks vehicles — “Pitch Perfect,” “Lego Movie,” “Hunger Games,” and as the host and EP of the reincarnated “Press Your Luck.” The kids love that one.
Rushmore — TV and film — of Michael B. Jordan — As young Creed, “Black Panther,” as Vince in “Friday Night Lights,” and as Wallace in season one of “The Wire.”
Side note: I am rewatching “The Wire” as we speak, and it is truly amazing. Midway through season 4, and it’s TV at its finest.
You guys have crushed in 2026. We’re averaging like 40 or so comments a day, and you guys and gals are carrying the freight.
The mailbag continues to be overflowing — keep it up, por favor — and I thank all of you for your efforts.
Keep it up, and be on the lookout for a bevy of SE126 podcasts in the days and weeks ahead. And be forewarned — I am trying this solo, so buckle up.
Let’s bag the ‘bag.
From a slew of you late Thursday
Jay,
What do you think about the Trinidad Chambliss decision?
Gang,
So Thursday evening Judge Robert Whitwell of the 18th Chancery Court District in Mississippi (more on that to come) ruled that the NCAA ignored its own redshirt rules and said Chambliss could have another year of college football for the Ole Miss Rebels.
Yes, with all due respect, can we expect judges in Alabama or Mississippi or any other college-sports crazed state to be totally impartial in college sports appeals against the NCAA? We already had the Chuck Bediako fiasco where the original judge begged off the case because he was an Alabama booster.
(Side question: Which is the more backhanded phrasing, “With all due respect” or “Bless their heart,” friends? Discuss.)
So Chambliss has cleared this legal hurdle to get back on the field, and if it stands, the six-year threshold will supplant the five-year window moving forward.
If it stands, this feels like a precedent-setting case in terms of redshirting the way the Diego Pavia case has set the standard for junior college time not counting against the NCAA eligibility clock.
Chambliss in uniform for the Rebels can’t be overstated.
He led the SEC in passing yards with a smidge less than 4,000 last year despite spending the first few weeks holding a clipboard.
Chambliss lifts Ole Miss to the top tier of SEC contenders. He’s now on the short-list of Heisman front-runners.
It also brings ripples.
Ripples for Deuce Knight, the AU transfer who landed in Oxford with expectations of being QB1.
Ripples for the future of the calculations of players moving forward. That means the fifth game for players with portal possibilities in disappointing scenarios could become as irrelevant as the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Ripples that continue the extreme ebbs and flows for the Ole Miss fan base since Thanksgiving.
Wow, what a ride.
From A Reader
I knew you were always a closet “bleeping” (liberal)! You quit talking politics, huh? But you condemn President Trump as he’s doing great things for America?
Just shut up Jay — you are an (bleep)hole.
Thanks for showing your real colors.
And ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!
A Reader,
Thanks for reading.
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.
Where were we?
From Po Boy
It’s going to be interesting down the stretch in the SEC. I think the big 6 you listed are locks to get in the tourney (wanted to say the CBS Invitational, but I guess that’s too much. Lol).
In my opinion, A&M and Missouri finish 10-8, both in. Auburn and Georgia 9-9, both in. Texas 8-10, toss-up. 10 for sure, maybe 11; deep breath, MC. Your thoughts, Jay?
Po Boy,
First, the Po Boy is right there with the French Dip on the all-time underrated sandwich lists. When have you ever ordered a French Dip or a shrimp or seafood po boy and regretted that decision?
I’ll wait.
As for the SEC breakdown, we kicked around the specifics of the five SEC bubblicious programs Thursday. It’s here.
And the more I think about it, the over/under should be at least 9.5, because it’s highly plausible to see things breaking to the point that the league gets 11.
Granted an AU or a Texas or a Georgia could be playing for an invitee in the first round of the SEC tourney in Nashville, but that’s where we are.
And to think about a decade ago, the SEC viewing a baseline of 10 NCAA tournament invites as a “down” year is simply staggering.
Have another cup of coffee, MC.
From Sam
Concerning the Sam Darnold story of high taxes in California, I have a well-to-do friend who lives in Beverly Hills, but claims his primary residence/offices in Nashville. He said the IRS is getting super aggressive and asks for credit card and phone statements, flight information, etc., to determine how much time is spent where — dang! He said one of the worst trade-offs is foregoing his Rams season tickets and buying the Titans equivalent to show and keep him in town for those eight weekends! He must really be skirting some major taxes because that’s some desperation there.
Sam,
Great story, and here’s the backstory on Sam Darnold losing money personally as he led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl title.
Crazy stuff.
Man, the insane expenses of living in certain states make it completely understandable why I meet so many newcomers to the great state of Tennessee.
Why would you not want to live here?
Titans notwithstanding, of course.
Which begs this question: What professional sports franchise would you least want to be a devoted fan to? And remember, the answer could be someone as good as the Bills, who continually break your heart rather than, say the Arizona Cardinals, who never give you any hope to begin with.
Have a great weekend, friends.