Part of the fun of sports fandom is arguing about which teams and players and conferences are the best. But we still need to be honest with ourselves about the tools we use to make those arguments.
College football
In defense of the College Football Playoff
Pining for the BCS because of the irregularities of an unprecedented, pandemic-shortened season is wrong-headed and short-sighted.
No apologies needed: When refusing to ‘stick to sports’ pays off
Within the last few weeks, stands taken by two athletes have led to changes that have been so long in coming that some thought they might never happen. So much for shutting up and dribbling.
In football or beer-chugging, never bet against a champ
By MIKE HERNDON Let’s see if we can put this in terms you’ll all understand. Say there’s a popular New Year’s party that everyone wants to get invited to, but not everyone can. At this party, there’s a beer-chugging competition…. Read More ›
Quality wins are a myth, and other things we’ve learned in the last nine weeks
By MIKE HERNDON Why do we even bother to expend energy talking about “resumes” and “quality wins” while we breathlessly await the College Football Playoff rankings each week? The CFP selection committee keeps showing us, week after week and year… Read More ›
Overreaction Distraction: Debunking first-week myths
By MIKE HERNDON There’s no better time than the week after the first games of the college football season for knee-jerk overreactions. We can fight that urge and say “the jury is still out” or “let’s wait until the conference… Read More ›
Despite a beatdown, rumors of Alabama’s demise are greatly exaggerated
By MIKE HERNDON Here we go again. Have we gotten to the point where every time Alabama loses a game, people will be lining up to declare the dynasty dead? Apparently. No, you’re right: Monday’s 44-16 beatdown by Clemson was… Read More ›
For good or ill, who wins Bama-Clemson IV?
BY MIKE HERNDON Back in August, when we first kicked off this fun-filled four-month jaunt known as the 2018 college football season, I picked Alabama and Clemson to meet in the national championship game. That would be impressive, if practically… Read More ›
Jalen Hurts is a hero, but not for the reason you think
By MIKE HERNDON Picture sharpens to a football field, where 21 players stand while one is behind helped off the field, arms slung around two trainers, walking gingerly. Camera follows this player as he exits, then picks up another running… Read More ›
Everybody wants Bama: 2018 college football predictions
(Even Purdue wants Bama. And they couldn’t even beat Northwestern./Twitter @capstonekid) By MIKE HERNDON “We Still Want Bama,” the sign read. And as Central Florida made its season opener against UConn look like a glorified walk-through in a 56-17 victory,… Read More ›