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College Football

2022 cbhsports College Football 10/15 Preview

Image Courtesy: Clarksville Online

AP Top 6
1.Georgia 6-0 (3-0) This week: Vanderbilt
2.Ohio State 6-0 (3-0) This week: Off
3.Alabama 6-0 (3-0) This week: at.6.Tennessee
4.Clemson 6-0 (3-0) This week: at.Florida State
5.Michigan 6-0 (3-0) This week: 10.Penn State
6.Tennessee 5-0 (2-0) This week: 3.Alabama

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
10.Penn State at. 4.Michigan (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX) Projected Score: Penn State 24, Michigan 21
15.NC State at. 18.Syracuse (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ACCN) Projected Score: Syracuse 31, NC State 24
3.Alabama at. 6.Tennessee (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS) Projected Score: Tennessee 45, Alabama 42
4.Clemson at. Florida State (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC) Projected Score: Clemson 34, Florida State 24
20.Utah at. 7.USC (Saturday, 8 PM ET, FOX) Projected Score: Utah 27, USC 20

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College Football

2022 cbhsports College Football 10/8 Preview

Image Courtesy: The Topeka Capital-Journal

AP Top 6
1.Alabama 5-0 (2-0) This week: Texas A&M
2.Georgia 5-0 (2-0) This week: Auburn
3.Ohio State 5-0 (2-0) This week: at.Michigan State
4.Michigan 5-0 (2-0) This week: at.Indiana
5.Clemson 5-0 (2-0) This week: at.Boston College
6.USC 5-0 (3-0) This week: Washington State

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
17.TCU at. 19.Kansas (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FS1)
TCU and Kansas are the surprises of the Big 12 this year as both have gone undefeated. Kansas is in the AP top twenty-five for the first time since 2009 and will look to continue their winning ways with QB Jalon Daniels at the helm. Expect the atmosphere to be crazy in Lawrence as ESPN’s College GameDay heads there for the first time ever. Projected Score: Kansas 34, TCU 31

8.Tennessee at. 25.LSU (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN)
LSU gets to host red-hot Tennessee in Death Valley tomorrow. LSU has gone undefeated since their season opening loss at the hands of Florida State. Jayden Daniels has been the pioneer at QB for the tigers but they will have a tough task at hand dealing with Heisman favorite Hendon Hooker and the Vols. Tennessee’s defense has looked okay throughout the season but in a hostile road environment like Tiger Stadium, they will have to string multiple stops together. While LSU does have home field advantage here, it is tough for me to go against the Volunteers. Projected Score: Tennessee 31, LSU 24

Texas vs. Oklahoma (Dallas) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
With Quinn Ewers expected to start tomorrow, Texas should have a much better chance to defeat the reeling Oklahoma Sooners, who have lost their last two games. Brent Venables’ defense has looked atrocious during losses to Kansas State and TCU and will look to get going against an offense getting their star signal-caller back. With Ewers back, expect the Longhorns to air it out to star receiver Xavier Worthy while keeping the Sooners honest with arguably the best running back in the country in Bijhan Robinson. The game is always phenomenal in the Cotton Bowl ever year, who will be the star of this one? Projected Score: Texas 27, Oklahoma 21

11.Utah at. 18.UCLA (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, FOX)
Utah has looked terrific since their season-opening loss to Florida. The Utes will go into the Rose Bowl and defeat the Bruins. Projected Score: Utah 35, UCLA 20

Texas A&M at. 1.Alabama (Saturday, 8 PM ET, CBS)
Before the season started, the Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher and Alabama head man Nick Saban were in the headlines because of Saban calling out Fisher’s recruiting tactics in attaining the best recruiting class ever. A&M has since been upset by Appalachian State, bounced back against Miami and Arkansas, and then fallen to Mississippi State. After hurting his shoulder during a win over Arkansas last Saturday, last season’s Heisman winner Bryce Young will be a game-time decision tomorrow (Update:He has been ruled out by a source). In his place would be Jalen Milroe, who had a relatively pedestrian game against Arkansas, outside of a terrific fourth quarter where the Razorbacks defense fell apart. For the Aggies, starter Max Johnson has been ruled out so former starter Haynes King will be taking snaps. King’s lack of ability to get the ball down field worries me about their chances in the game. Even if Young does not play, Alabama is surely not to lose to a team that upset them last season at Kyle Field. Projected Score: Alabama 49, Texas A&M 28



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College Football

2022 cbhsports College Football 10/1 Preview

Image Courtesy: Lexington Herald Leader

AP Top 6
1.Georgia 4-0 (1-0) This week: at.Missouri
2.Alabama 4-0 (1-0) This week: at.20.Arkansas
3.Ohio State 4-0 (1-0) This week: Rutgers
4.Michigan 4-0 (1-0) This week: at.Iowa
5.Clemson 4-0 (1-0) This week: 10.NC State
6.USC 4-0 (2-0) This week: Arizona State

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
16.Ole Miss at. 8.Kentucky (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN)
Jaxson Dart has now been named the starter for Ole Miss at quarterback for their game in Lexington against red hot Kentucky. Will Levis has had a tremendous season thus far and with last season’s SEC rushing leader Chris Rodriguez coming back. If Kentucky’s defense continues to play the way it has, they have a great shot to win this game. Projected Score: Kentucky 27, Ole Miss 20

9.Oklahoma State at. 16.Baylor (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, FOX)
Spencer Sanders (OSU) and Blake Shapen (Baylor) have both looked good at quarterback for their respective teams but not phenomenal. The Cowboys and Bears are both known to rely on their defense more than other Big 12 teams and one of them will make a big stop to help their team win the game. Projected Score: Baylor 28, Oklahoma State 20

2.Alabama at. 20.Arkansas (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Arkansas struggled after their successful first quarter against Texas A&M, resulting in their first loss of the season. Alabama has not looked as dominant as expected but Nick Saban’s team is 4-0 going into October yet again. Arkansas’ secondary looked better last week with Myles Slusher back in the fold but it will be tested even more against Bryce Young and the Alabama offense. Arkansas has to play a complete game, something they have not done yet, to win this game. Projected Score: Alabama 49, Arkansas 31

10.NC State at. 5.Clemson (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
ESPN’s College Gameday heads to Clemson for a huge ACC showdown between the Tigers and the Wolfpack. Clemson’s DJ Uagalelei looked terrific in last Saturday’s double overtime win over Wake Forest, 51-45. NC State has struggled from time to time this season but quarterback Devin Leary has kept them going offensively. NC State upset the tigers last year but something tells me Dabo Swinney will have his team ready to beat the Wolfpack in prime time even if Clemson is coming off a tough test at Wake Forest. Projected Score: Clemson 35, NC State 24


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College Football

2022 cbhsports College Football 9/24 Preview

Image Courtesy: Greenville Online

AP Top 6
1.Georgia 3-0 (1-0) This week: Kent State
2.Alabama 3-0 (0-0) This week: Vanderbilt
3.Ohio State 3-0 (0-0) This week: Wisconsin
4.Michigan 3-0 (0-0) This week: Maryland
5.Clemson 3-0 (0-0) This week: at.Wake Forest
6.Oklahoma 3-0 (0-0) This week: Kansas State

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
5.Clemson at. 21.Wake Forest (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
In a huge ranked match up in the ACC, Clemson goes for another win at Wake Forest headed by their quarterback Sam Hartman. It will be up to Clemson’s offense, led by running back Will Shipley and quarterback DJ Uagalelei to dismantle a weak Wake Forest defense. Projected Score: Clemson 31, Wake Forest 27

20.Florida at. 11.Tennessee (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Florida has struggled some since their opening win over then top ten ranked Utah in the Swamp. They lost to Kentucky at home but then struggled to a 31-28 win over South Florida. Highly praised QB Anthony Richardson posts a low QBR of 35.9, which is 104th in the country. Tennessee on the other hand is riding high with a 3-0 record, including a win over Pittsburgh. It is not surprising that GameDay chose to go to Knoxville with the Vols’ play but with the way Florida has played, the Gators should hope to be in this one by the fourth quarter

10.Arkansas vs. 23.Texas A&M (Arlington) (Saturday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
Arkansas was almost upset by their former coach, Bobby Petrino and his team, Missouri State last Saturday. Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said that he was out-coached but something tells me Arkansas needed to go through that game to be more prepared for their trip to Arlington, their first game outside of Fayetteville this season. Texas A&M bounced back from their loss to Appalachian Sate by defeating then top fifteen Miami by a score of 17 to 9. Max Johnson, the new quarterback for the Aggies, looked better than Haynes King. With Arkansas’ struggling secondary being Johnson’s next opponent, viewers should expect A&M to air it out to star receiver Anias Smith and others. This game is a toss-up for me definitely. Projected Score: Arkansas 24, Texas A&M 21

Wisconsin at. 3.Ohio State (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin’s running back, will be the lone proponent going for the Badgers on Saturday night in Columbus. Ohio State’s offense, led by QB CJ Stroud and injured receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, has not had the numbers we have expected just yet, but this could very well be their coming out party. With Smith-Njigba and fellow standout receiver Julian Fleming back on the field, this game could be a blowout. Projected Score: Ohio State 42, Wisconsin 20

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College Football

2022 cbhsports College Football 9/17 Preview

Image Courtesy: YouTube

AP Top 6
1.Georgia 2-0 (0-0) This week: at.South Carolina
2.Alabama 2-0 (0-0) This week: UL-Monroe
3.Ohio State 2-0 (0-0) This week: Toledo
4.Michigan 2-0 (0-0) This week: Connecticut
5.Clemson 2-0 (0-0) This week: Louisiana Tech
6.Oklahoma 2-0 (0-0) This week: at.Nebraska

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
6.Oklahoma at. Nebraska (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
Oklahoma defeated Nebraska in Norman last season in their first meeting since the Corn Huskers exited the Big 12. But, things are different now in Norman. Brent Venables replaced Lincoln Riley (who left for the same job at USC) as the team’s head coach. The Sooners added Central Florida transfer QB Dillon Gabriel to pair with what was left from the skill position players that did not join Riley in Los Angeles. Nebraska head coach Scott Frost was fired following a 1-2 record to open the season. Nebraska will hope to get a season-defining win at home over their old rivals on Saturday with interim coach Mickey Joseph. Projected Score: Oklahoma 38, Nebraska 21

1.Georgia at. South Carolina (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN)
With Georgia’s success in their opening game against Oregon and Samford, they ascended to number one in the AP Poll this week after Alabama struggled to defeat Texas on Saturday. Their defense looks (almost) as good as it did a season ago and QB Stetson Bennett has become less of a game manager but a “real” quarterback in many people’s eyes. South Carolina defeated a tough Georgia State team and then lost their SEC opener at Arkansas on Saturday. South Carolina was dominated on the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football and will have to be much better there if they want to upset the Bulldogs. Projected Score: Georgia 42, South Carolina 21

12.BYU at. 25.Oregon (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, FOX)
BYU defeated Baylor in overtime last Saturday and Oregon rebounded from their loss to Georgia. If this game was in Provo, it would be easy to pick the Cougars but it is in Eugene so it makes it more difficult to pick who the winner will be. BYU QB Jaren Hall and receiver Chase Roberts were spectacular last week and they will outshine Oregon QB Bo Nix and his weapons to get a second consecutive top 25 win. Projected Score: BYU 24, Oregon 20

22.Penn State at. Auburn (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Penn State defeated Auburn last season in Happy Valley but will have to travel to “The Plains” to face Auburn, who handily beat Mercer in week 1 and then struggled to defeat San Jose State in week 2. Penn State beat Purdue to open their season and then easily took care of Ohio on Saturday. The winner of the line of scrimmage in this game wins it I think so it will be up to Auburn running back Tank Bigsby and his offensive defensive lines and Penn State running back Keyvone Lee and his offensive and defensive lines. Projected Score: Penn State 21, Auburn 17

13.Miami at. 24.Texas A&M (Saturday, 8 PM ET, ESPN)
Texas A&M’s upset loss to respected Sun Belt program Appalachian State is probably why ESPN College GameDay didn’t choose to go to College Station this weekend. Jimbo Fisher’s team and his quarterback Haynes King will look to bounce back against a Miami team with lots of expectations going into the season. Oregon coach Mario Cristobal came back to his alma mater to take over at “The U” and will look to give A&M a second consecutive loss. His quarterback Tyler Van Dyke has led dominant wins over Bethune-Cookman and Southern Miss but will have to lead his troops into a much better environment and face a much better team in College Station and Texas A&M.

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College Basketball High School Basketball

Evaluating Bronny James’ college options

Image Courtesy: ABC7

A month ago, I tried to write a blog post about Bronny James and Mikey Williams (Bronny’s former AAU teammate) and their recruitments. I could not find any information about James, who despite being LeBron’s son, was not getting that much buzz on recruitment sites.

But, in the last month, five schools have emerged with interest in Bronny. According to an sbnation report, the interest comes from schools such as Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, UCLA, and USC. He will not play in the NBA G-League, Overtime Elite, or any other pro league before entering the NBA Draft after he becomes eligible according to multiple reports.

Michigan
At first when I looked at this option for Bronny, I questioned why he would ever end up in Ann Arbor. LeBron James always said that if he went to college it would’ve been at Ohio State, Michigan’s main rival. But, a former teammate of LeBron’s (on the Miami Heat), Juwan Howard, is the head coach of the Wolverines. I can’t see James not going there for that reason alone, but this does not seem like Bronny’s landing spot.

Ohio State
Any team would love to have the son of LeBron James but if Bronny ended up in Columbus at Ohio State, he would be the proudest dad on the planet. As I mentioned above, LeBron said he would have attended OSU had he gone to college instead of going to the NBA. This might be the most likely option for James outside of the Pac-12 schools because of that very reason. James also went to an Ohio State football game with his dad, and the fans shouted “We want Bronny” making their want for Bronny a program and fan thing. (Bronny has since visited Ohio State).

Oregon
With Nike headquarters in Eugene and Dana Altman, arguably the top coach in the Pac-12, no one would blame Bronny if he headed up northwest from his LA area home. Altman loves guards that play well on and off the ball, and James fits that mold.

UCLA and USC
I grouped these two schools together just because they bring very similar options. UCLA has won 11 national championships and give Bronny an option to stay close to his family. UCLA coach Mick Cronin has already led the Bruins to back to back NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2021, the Bruins appeared in the Final Four and last season they made it to the Sweet 16. For USC, coach Andy Enfield has been a model of consistency. The Trojans too have made runs in the NCAA Tournament back to back seasons. James would be a good fit both places because of his basketball IQ and willingness to play both guard spots.

As of now, my prediction stays with Ohio State for Bronny. Duke and Memphis have also been showing Bronny interest, and there is a likelihood that both schools will get as involved with Bronny as the above five have.

(Memphis has since reportedly offered Bronny a scholarship and Duke and North Carolina have continued to show interest).

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College Football

2022 cbhsports College Football 9/10 Preview

Image Courtesy: Sports Illustrated

AP Top 6
1.Alabama 1-0 (0-0) This week: at.Texas
2.Georgia 1-0 (0-0) This week: Samford
3.Ohio State 1-0 (0-0) This week: Arkansas State
4.Michigan 1-0 (0-0) This week: Hawaii
5.Clemson 1-0 (0-0) This week: Furman
6.Texas A&M 1-0 (0-0) This week: Appalachian State

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
South Carolina at. 16.Arkansas (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN)
Arkansas and South Carolina had their fair share of struggles in week 1. South Carolina was down 14-12 at one point during their win last Saturday against respected Sun Belt program Georgia State. Despite secondary injuries and struggles, Arkansas gave Cincinnati its first non-Bowl game loss since 2019. There is some familiarity between the coaching staffs as former Arkansas receivers coach Justin Stepp has now been the South Carolina receivers coach the last few seasons. Former Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler made his debut with the Gamecocks last weekend and KJ Jefferson, the signal-caller for the hogs has become faster but is still inaccurate on some throws. This game comes down to who is going to make big plays down the stretch and it could be either one of these teams. Projected Score: Arkansas 30, South Carolina 27

1.Alabama at. Texas (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
Texas’ offense, led by QB Quinn Ewers, running back Bijan Robinson, and receiver Xavier Worthy will look to help the Longhorns defeat Alabama on Saturday afternoon. The Longhorns will have to deal with arguably the two best players in college football on Alabama’s side including linebacker Will Anderson and Heisman-winning QB Bryce Young. ESPN’s College GameDay will make the rare trip to a FOX covered game and hope to see a more competitive game than Texas’ 40-21 loss a season ago to Arkansas when they face the Crimson Tide. Projected Score: Alabama 45, Texas 28

24.Tennessee at. 17.Pittsburgh (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
Pittsburgh defeated Tennessee in Knoxville a season ago but Tennessee would like to return the favor in Pittsburgh tomorrow. Kedon Slovis led the Panthers to a win over West Virginia but playing Hendon Hooker and the Vols is a different test. The aforementioned QB Hooker and their running attack will give Pitt problems and get the win. Projected Score: Tennessee 35, Pittsburgh 24

20.Kentucky at. 12.Florida (Saturday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
Kentucky crushed Miami (OH) and Florida upset top ten Utah. Florida QB Anthony Richardson was terrific and the defense made plays when it needed to become 1-0. Kentucky did what they needed to do with QB Will Levis throwing three touchdowns and an interception. He will have to avoid making mistakes like he did last week, as going into “The Swamp” will “eat you up”. Projected Score: Florida 21, Kentucky 17

10.USC at. Stanford (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
While Stanford coach David Shaw is terrific, his teams at Stanford have not been as good as they used to be in the early to mid 2010s. USC, based off of their tremendous week 1 performance, even if it was a 66-14 win over Rice, should handle their first road test (or test overall) this season in the Pac-12. Projected Score: USC 31, Stanford 20

9.Baylor at. 21.BYU (Saturday, 10:15 PM ET, ESPN)
Baylor crushed Albany 69-10 while BYU did the same to South Florida 50-21. The Blake Shapen-Jaren Hall battle at QB is what will win the game for both sides. BYU’s defense and atmosphere at home could be the difference in the game too. Projected Score: Baylor 28, BYU 24


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College Football

Taking a look at the future 12-team CFP

Image Courtesy: CBS Sports

ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Heather Dinich confirmed on Friday that the College Football Playoff’s board of managers unanimously voted to expand the event to 12-teams by 2026 but are encouraging the format by 2024. Although, it is doubtful the CFP 12-team field will make its debut until 2026 according to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. It was described as a “historic day for college football” last summer when conversations were made public.

According to the CFP news release, the playoff will include the six-highest ranked conference champions and six at-large teams. “The four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and each will receive a first-round bye. The other eight teams will play in the first round with the higher seeds hosting the lower seeds either on campus or at other sites designated by the higher seed. The quarterfinal and semifinal games will be at played at bowl sites with a national championship location announced annually ahead of the next season”.

First Round

Left side
No. 8 Seed
No. 9 Seed

No. 5 Seed
No. 12 Seed

Right side
No. 6 Seed
No. 11 Seed

No. 7 Seed
No. 10 Seed

Quarterfinals

Left side
No. 1 Seed
No. 8 Seed/No. 9 Seed

No. 4 Seed
No. 5 Seed/No. 12 Seed

Right side
No. 3 Seed
No. 6 Seed

No. 2 Seed
No. 7 Seed/No. 10 Seed

Semifinals

Winner
Winner

Winner
Winner

Final

Winner
Winner

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College Football

2022 cbhsports College Football 9/1-9/5 Preview

Image Courtesy: Saturday Blitz

AP Top 6
1.Alabama 0-0 (0-0) This week: Utah State
2.Ohio State 0-0 (0-0) This week: 5.Notre Dame
3.Georgia 0-0 (0-0) This week: 11.Oregon (Atlanta)
4.Clemson 0-0 (0-0) This week: at.Georgia Tech
5.Notre Dame 0-0 (0-0) This week: at.2.Ohio State
6.Texas A&M 0-0 (0-0) This week: Sam Houston State

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
West Virginia at. Pittsburgh (Thursday 7 PM ET, ESPN)
The last time the former Big East rivals met was in 2011, when the Mountaineers defeated the Panthers 21-20 over Thanksgiving weekend that year. Pitt lost last season’s Bilitnekoff Award Winner (nation’s top receiver), Jordan Addison, who transferred to USC. Pat Narduzzi, the experienced Pittsburgh coach, will have to figure out how to stop former USC and Georgia QB JT Daniels, who will start at QB for the Mountaineers. In the same way, QB Kedon Slovis, who replaced Daniels at USC but then left the program, will start for Pitt and West Virginia coach Neal Brown will have to get his defense ready to stop that offense. Projected Score: Pittsburgh 24, West Virginia 20

23.Cincinnati at. 19.Arkansas (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN)
Despite losing All-American receiver Treylon Burks to the NFL, Arkansas has regrouped by adding former Oklahoma receiver Jadon Haselwood and by developing the group already on the team. KJ Jefferson returns at QB along with three other running backs, namely “Rocket” Sanders who is expected to start in place of Dominique Johnson, who has been hurt through fall camp. Arkansas’ defense got stronger through the transfer portal and should help the hogs win this game. Cincinnati made the College Football Playoff last year and will look to do it again without QB Desmond Ridder and defensive backs Sauce Gardner and Coby Bryant, who headed to the NFL. The replacement for Ridder will either be Evan Prater or Ben Bryant and Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell has recruited well enough for defensive replacements to be good for the program. Projected Score: Arkansas 28, Cincinnati 24

11.Oregon vs. 3.Georgia (Atlanta) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
Georgia looks to defend its national championship in a home away from home game in Atlanta against Oregon, led by former defensive coordinator Dan Lanning. Without Lanning and the multiple draft picks from that defense in this year’s NFL Draft, their defense will look human compared to last season. But, with the best tight end room in the country and Stetson Bennett back at QB, Georgia should be fine in this game. Former Auburn QB Bo Nix is likely to start for the Ducks and knows the Bulldogs well but expect a young Georgia defense to step up and get the opening season win. Projected Score: Georgia 31, Oregon 20

7.Utah at. Florida (Saturday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
Utah, the reigning Pac-12 champions have high expectations this season but will be tested this Saturday in “The Swamp” when they take on Florida. Florida QB Anthony Richardson was good last year, backing up Emory Jones part of the year and starting a few games but the Florida defense will have to stop Utah’s offense led by QB Cam Rising. Projected Score: Utah 27, Florida 24

5.Notre Dame at. 2.Ohio State (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
In a top five match-up to open the season, number two Ohio State and number five Notre Dame face off. Ohio State’s offense is tremendous with returning QB CJ Stroud and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba catching passes. New Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman played football for Ohio State during his playing career but will hope for star tight end Matthew Mayer to lead the Irish to an upset win. Projected Score: Ohio State 45, Notre Dame 31

Florida State at. LSU (Sunday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
Former Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly makes his debut in New Orleans against Florida State, the same team his Irish faced in week 1 a season ago. The Seminoles are coached by Mike Norvell, who needs to win to keep his job. Kelly named former Arizona State signal-caller Jayden Daniels the starter and Jordan Travis will play QB for the Seminoles. FSU defeated Duquense in their week 0 game but facing LSU, led by receiver Kayshon Boutte will be a different beast. Projected Score: LSU 24, Florida State 14

4.Clemson at. Georgia Tech (Monday, 8 PM ET, ESPN)
Despite Clemson’s struggles at QB last season, it is hard to believe that Clemson will lose to bottom-dweller Georgia Tech. Clemson’s defense is spectacular even if they lost defensive coordinator Brent Venables to Oklahoma and their offense returns its backfield, DJ Uiagaelelie and Will Shipley, will be beneficial for the tigers. Projected Score: Clemson 38, Georgia Tech 13



Categories
College Basketball

Expand the NCAA Tournament? Greg Sankey thinks so

Image Courtesy: AL.com

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is the most important person when it comes to the future of collegiate athletics. Adding Texas and Oklahoma to the league was the single biggest realignment move that led college athletics into its new era of name, image, and likeness, the transfer portal, and other amateurism. He created both a power hungry and the beginning of a professional-like atmosphere in the country.

But, there are mixed reviews on one of his latest proposals. In August, Sankey suggested an expanded NCAA College Basketball Tournament of 80 teams, up from a current 68 team bracket. It would include four first four brackets (play-in games) instead of the current first four model (here’s the current NCAA Tournament model in the last 2023 ESPN off-season projected bracketology). Sankey and his colleagues have already ruined the Olympic sports and the amount of travel they have to do, so many rivalries, and every college sport outside of football. Football is the only thing that brings in money and most diehard fans understand that. Please do not ruin a sport that does not matter to you. It is a close to perfect way to determine a champion and most of the time top seeds win it all in April.

For context, Greg Sankey told Sports Illustrated “If the last team in can win the national championship, and they’re in the 30s or 40s from an RPI or NET standpoint, is our current approach supporting national championship competition? I think there’s health in that conversation. That doesn’t exclude people. It goes to: how do we include people in these annual national celebrations that lead to a national champion?”. Sankey is not thinking about the teams from the mid-major conferences like the Missouri Valley or West Coast conferences. He wants to more teams to get in from what will become the Power 2, the Big Ten and his conference, the SEC. He’s worried about how one of his conference members, Texas A&M did not reach the field last season, majorly because their only case was an appearance in the SEC Tournament Championship. Texas A&M played a weak non conference schedule last season but with a 96-team field, the Aggies would have easily made the field. Sankey wants more teams in the tournament which will bring in more money from the conference.

No fans want to watch teams worse than Texas A&M continue to play in March. No one wants a tournament that begins the second week of March and ends a month plus longer.

I can understand wanting a better shot at the SEC’s first national championship since 2012 (Kentucky) with more teams from the conference in the tournament. But, hurting a sport, conferences, and schools that will not bring in the revenue football will does not make much sense.

Categories
College Football

2022-2023 cbhsports College Football Preview 

Image Courtesy: Hogs Haven

2022-2023 Power 5 Projected Conference Standings:

ACC
Atlantic
Clemson 10-2 (6-2)
NC State 9-3 (5-3)
Louisville 8-4 (5-3)
Wake Forest 7-5 (3-5)
Florida State 7-5 (3-5)
Boston College 5-7 (2-6)
Syracuse 4-8 (1-7)

Coastal
Miami 9-3 (5-3)
Pittsburgh 8-4 (4-4)
North Carolina 7-5 (4-4)
Virginia 7-5 (3-5)
Virginia Tech 6-6 (2-6)
Georgia Tech 5-7 (1-7)
Duke 4-8 (0-8)

Big 12
Oklahoma 10-2 (7-2)
Oklahoma State 9-3 (6-3)
Baylor 8-4 (6-3)
Texas 7-5 (5-4)
TCU 7-5 (4-5)
Kansas State 7-5 (4-5)
West Virginia 6-6 (3-6)
Iowa State 5-7 (2-7)
Texas Tech 4-8 (1-8)
Kansas 3-9 (0-9)

Big Ten
East
Ohio State 12-0 (9-0)
Michigan 10-2 (7-2)
Michigan State 9-3 (6-3)
Penn State 7-5 (5-4)
Maryland 7-5 (4-5)
Indiana 6-6 (4-5)
Rutgers 6-6 (3-6)

West
Wisconsin 9-3 (6-3)
Purdue 8-4 (6-3)
Minnesota 8-4 (5-4)
Iowa 8-4 (5-4)
Nebraska 7-5 (4-5)
Northwestern 7-5 (4-5)
Illinois 5-7 (2-7)

Independents (Top 2)
Notre Dame 11-1 (N/A)
BYU 10-2 (N/A)

Pac-12
North
Oregon 9-3 (7-2)
Oregon State 7-5 (6-3)
Washington 6-6 (5-4)
Washington State 6-6 (4-5)
Stanford 6-6 (4-5)
California 5-7 (3-6)

South
Utah 11-1 (9-0)
USC 9-3 (7-2)
UCLA 8-4 (6-3)
Arizona 6-6 (4-5)
Colorado 5-7 (3-6)
Arizona State 4-8 (2-7)

SEC
East
Georgia 11-1 (7-1)
Kentucky 9-3 (5-3)
Tennessee 8-4 (4-4)
Florida 7-5 (3-5)
South Carolina 6-6 (3-5)
Missouri 5-7 (1-7)
Vanderbilt 3-9 (0-8)

West
Alabama 12-0 (8-0)
Texas A&M 10-2 (6-2)
Arkansas 9-3 (5-3)
Ole Miss 8-4 (4-4)
LSU 7-5 (3-5)
Mississippi State 6-6 (2-6)
Auburn 6-6 (2-6)

Top 5 conference Match-Ups:
1.Michigan at. Ohio State (November 26, 12 PM ET, FOX)
2.Texas A&M at. Alabama (October 8, TBD, TBD)
3.Georgia at. Kentucky (November 19, TBD, TBD)
4.USC at. Utah (October 15, TBD, TBD)
5.Miami at. Clemson (November 19, TBD, TBD)

Top 5 interconference Match-Ups:
1.Notre Dame at. Ohio State (September 3, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
2.Oregon vs. Georgia (Atlanta) (September 3, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
3.Clemson at. Notre Dame (November 5, 7:30 PM ET, NBC)
4.Miami at. Texas A&M (September 17, 8 PM ET, ESPN)
5.Alabama at. Texas (September 10, 12 PM ET, FOX)

CFP and New Year’s 6 Projections:
Capital One Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. Notre Dame (December 30, TBD, TBD)
Allstate Sugar Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma (December 31, TBD, TBD)
CFP Semifinal at the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl: 1.Alabama vs. 4.Utah (December 31, TBD, TBD)
CFP Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl: 2.Ohio State vs. 3.Georgia (December 31, TBD, TBD)
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: USC vs. Cincinnati (January 2, TBD, TBD)
Rose Bowl Game: Michigan vs. Oregon (January 2, TBD, TBD)
CFP National Championship Game: 1.Alabama vs. 2.Ohio State (January 9, TBD, TBD)
Winner: 1.Alabama

Check out the top 25 incoming recruits to college football in 2022 (per 247sports composite).


Categories
College Baseball College Basketball College Football

Should Arkansas athletics continue playing in Little Rock every year?

Image Courtesy: WholeHogSports

In the image above, Coby Hamilton was scoring his second of two touchdowns in the closing moments of the first half of Arkansas’ win over LSU in 2010, 31-23. That was the final Black Friday game between the two rivals at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Since the hogs joined the SEC in 1992 (and before 2010s realignment) LSU faced Arkansas in front of sell-out crowds every other year in central Arkansas. But, it all had to be ruined when the SEC added Missouri and Texas A&M from the Big 12 in ahead of the 2012-2013 academic year, the SEC offices replaced Arkansas’ “Battle for the Golden Boot” rivalry with LSU with a date with Missouri every Black Friday in the “Battle Line” rivalry. With Texas A&M moving on from their Texas rivalry in the Big 12, the SEC wanted them to have a big ticket Thanksgiving weekend rivalry with LSU. Since realignment, Arkansas has played only SEC opponents Georgia (2014), Ole Miss (2018), and Missouri (2019) in Little Rock. Outside of that, they have played Toledo (2015), Alcorn State (2016), Florida A&M (2017), and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2021). Audiences for Arkansas football games at War Memorial Stadium dwindled without the ever important “Battle for the Golden Boot” game in the Black Friday slot. Outside of opening the 2023 season against Western Carolina, another match-up against UAPB the next year, and facing Arkansas State for the first time ever in 2025 in Little Rock, there are no games for hog fans to look forward to watching them play in the central part of the state. Those games will not show any improvement when it comes to a fan attendance increase. Due to the lack of seats being filled inside War Memorial Stadium, Razorback fans should only expect games against instate opponents as well as hosting Missouri in an odd year when it is their turn to come to Arkansas’ venue. It is also hard to see Arkansas getting rid of football games in Little Rock because Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yuracheck believes like every Razorbacks athletics director before him that keeping a game in the state’s most populous and central city is important for the program and keeping connections with the state’s top recruits in the central part of the state. One refute to that is that recruits cannot be officially hosted by the program with it being in Little Rock and not at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

When it comes to basketball, Arkansas has not been as successful as you might think in Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock. In 22 appearances, Arkansas men’s basketball has gone 12-10 including a loss a season ago against Hofstra. But, like War Memorial Stadium, playing in Simmons Bank Arena, brings the central part of the state a game to watch, even if it is against a mid-major program every year. Arkansas women’s basketball is 2-0 in North Little Rock in appearances over the last three seasons as well. It is hard to expect games for both the Muss Bus and Mike Neighbors’ women’s squad to go away in the central part of the state with games there normally the Saturday before Christmas, a popular time for Razorback fans to be away from school and work so they can attend those games. However, a home game away from Bud Walton Arena for either team that results in a loss makes us question how much longer it will be before home games are just in Fayetteville.

Since 2010, Arkansas baseball is 10-1 in Dickey Stephens Park including a 2-1 victory over instate foe Central Arkansas in 2022. Like both football and basketball, the Diamond Hogs also only face mid-major programs in their state’s capital city, not wanting to take away an important conference game away from Baum-Walker Stadium, the program’s main home ballpark. With the MiLB’s Arkansas Travelers possibly getting eliminated from the minor leagues, it is expected Arkansas baseball will become Dickey Stephens Park’s only attraction for fans in the central part of the state in the future. With the support of athletic director Hunter Yurachek in the program playing games in center of state, like football and basketball, the program will likely play one game against an instate opponent or another small school like Louisiana-Monroe or Grambling State to keep the fair-weather baseball fans in the central part of the state continuing to watch and support the Razorback baseball team.

Overall, it is the same answer for each of the hogs’ major athletic programs. Each program will normally play one instate or other small program in their state’s capital city annually. There will never be anything better than the Arkansas-LSU battles in the 200s and 2010s in Little Rock but Razorback fans can only hope for a future with instate games and Texas and Oklahoma in the same conference as them again.

Categories
NFL

2022-2023 cbhsports NFL Preview

Image Courtesy: Mental Dimes

Hey everyone, here is my preview of the 2022-2023 NFL season. If you have any thoughts, questions, or disagreements, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.

Here are my projected division standings for the 2022-2023 NFL season:

AFC

East
Buffalo Bills 13-4
Miami Dolphins 9-8
New England Patriots 7-10
New York Jets 5-12

North
Baltimore Ravens 11-6
Cincinnati Bengals 10-7
Cleveland Browns 8-9
Pittsburgh Steelers 8-9

South
Indianapolis Colts 10-7
Tennessee Titans 9-8
Jacksonville Jaguars 6-11
Houston Texans 3-14

West
Los Angeles Chargers 11-6
Kansas City Chiefs 10-7
Denver Broncos 10-7
Las Vegas Raiders 8-9

NFC

East
Dallas Cowboys 10-7
Philadelphia Eagles 9-8
Washington Commanders 7-10
New York Giants 4-13

North
Green Bay Packers 11-6
Minnesota Vikings 10-7
Detroit Lions 7-10
Chicago Bears 3-14

South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12-5
New Orleans Saints 9-8
Carolina Panthers 7-10
Atlanta Falcons 3-14

West
Los Angeles Rams 11-6
San Francisco 49ers 10-7
Arizona Cardinals 8-9
Seattle Seahawks 4-13

My Projected Playoff Bracket (Based off of my projected standings):

AFC
1.Buffalo Bills 13-4
2.Baltimore Ravens 11-6
3.Los Angeles Chargers 11-6
4.Indianapolis Colts 10-7
5.Cincinnati Bengals 10-7
6.Kansas City Chiefs 10-7
7.Denver Broncos 10-7

NFC
1.Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12-5
2.Los Angeles Rams 11-6
3.Green Bay Packers 10-7
4.Dallas Cowboys 10-7
5.San Francisco 49ers 10-7
6.Minnesota Vikings 10-7
7.Philadelphia Eagles 9-8

Projected Super Bowl 57 Matchup, Winner
Buffalo Bills vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Winner: Buffalo Bills

Awards:
MVP: Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
Offensive Player of the Year: Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Detroit Lions
Comeback Player of the Year: Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Chicago Bears
Coach of the Year: Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills

Categories
Schedules/Updates

cbhsports post schedule 2022-2023 *TENTATIVE*

Image Courtesy: NCAA.com

*All posts go live at 5 PM CT unless otherwise noted*

August 14
2022-2023 cbhsports NFL Preview (2 PM CT)

August 16
Should Arkansas athletics continue playing in Little Rock every year?

August 20
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football Preview (2 PM CT)

August 23
Expand the NCAA Tournament? Greg Sankey thinks so

September 1
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football 9/1-9/5 Preview

September 6
Evaluating Bronny James’ college options

September 9
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football 9/10 Preview

September 16
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football 9/17 Preview

September 23
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football 9/24 Preview

September 30
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football 10/1 Preview

October 7
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football 10/8 Preview

October 14
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football 10/15 Preview

October 16
2022-2023 cbhsports NBA Preview (2 PM CT)

October 21
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football 10/22 Preview

October 28
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football 10/29 Preview

October 30
2022-2023 cbhsports College Basketball Preview (2 PM CT)

November 4
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football 11/5 Preview

November 6
2022-2023 cbhsports North Carolina basketball preview (2 PM CT)
2022-2023 cbhsports Arkansas basketball preview

November 10
What you need to know about the Champions Classic and other top early season hoops games

November 11
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football 11/12 Preview

November 18
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football 11/19 Preview

November 20
Everything you need to know about top college basketball Thanksgiving week games, events, and invitationals (2 PM CT)

November 23
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football 11/24-11/26 Preview (2 PM CT)

December 1
2021 title rematch Baylor-Gonzaga headlines hoops weekend

December 2
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football Conference Championship Weekend Preview

December 16
CBB Preview: CBS Sports Classic, Jumpman Invitational headline pre-Christmas play (2 PM CT)

December 24
What a 12-ream playoff would look like in college football in 2022-2023 (2 PM CT)

December 27
2022 Liberty Bowl Preview: Arkansas-Kansas (2 PM CT)

December 29
2022-2023 cbhsports College Football Playoff, New Year’s Six Preview (2 PM CT)

January 27
2023 Big 12/SEC Challenge Preview

February 3
North Carolina-Duke headlines big weekend in college hoops

February 11
2023 cbhsports Super Bowl 57 Preview (5:30 PM CT)

February 16
2023 cbhsports Arkansas Baseball Preview

February 18
2023 NCAA Bracket Preview Predictions (11 AM CT)

March 3
Previewing the final weekend of the college hoops regular season

March 6
2023 cbhsports College Basketball Conference Tournaments Preview (3/6-3/12)

March 13 or 14
2023 cbhsports men’s NCAA College Basketball Tournament East, Midwest, South, West Region, Preview, Predictions

March 31
2023 cbhsports men’s NCAA College Basketball Tournament Final 4 Preview

April 4
Which Power 5 conferences have gotten rid of divisions? Which ones haven’t?

April 15
2023 cbhsports NBA Playoffs Preview (11 AM CT)

April 18
2023-2024 ESPN College GameDay Weekly Predictions

April 26
2023 cbhsports NFL Mock Draft

May 2
Arkansas basketball: Dream list of opponents for first ever ACC-SEC Challenge in 2023, potential new permanent opponents in SEC for hogs

May 31
2023 NBA Finals Preview (2 PM CT)

June 1
2023 cbhsports NCAA College Baseball Regionals Predictions (2 PM CT)

June 2
2023 cbhsports Fayetteville Regional Preview (11 AM CT) *Only if Razorbacks host regional* (If they make the field I will preview the regional they are in)

June 4
What SEC football will look like next season (2 PM CT)

June 8
2023 cbhsports NCAA College Baseball Super Regionals Predictions (2 PM CT)

June 9
2023 cbhsports Fayetteville Super Regional Preview (11 AM CT) *Only if Razorbacks host super regional* (If they make the supers, I will preview the super regional they are in)

June 15
2023 cbhsports NCAA College World Series Predictions (2 PM CT)

June 17
2023-2024 cbhsports College Football Preview:Arkansas (2 PM CT)

June 21
2023 cbhsports NBA Mock Draft (2 PM CT)

June 24
2023-2024 cbhsports Arkansas College Football Preview: Nonconference slate (2 PM CT)

June 26
2023 Arkansas basketball off-season update (2 PM CT)

July 1-July 31
2023 NBA Free Agency Posts

July 8
2023-2024 cbhsports Arkansas College Football Preview: LSU, Texas A&M (2 PM CT)

July 15
2023-2024 cbhsports Arkansas College Football Preview: Ole Miss, Alabama, Mississippi State (2 PM CT)

July 22
2023-2024 cbhsports Arkansas College Football Preview: Florida, Auburn, Missouri (2 PM CT)

July 25
What if the Pac-12 disbands? (2 PM CT)

July 28
Colorado officially headed back to the Big 12 (2 PM CT)

August 1
What SEC football, basketball, and baseball schedules will look like beyond 2024 (2 PM CT)

August 7
Pac-12’s death near following mass exodus (11 AM CT)

August 8
What the NBA’s new In-Season Tournament will look like (2 PM CT)

August 12
2023-2024 cbhsports post schedule *TENTATIVE* (2 PM CT)

August 13
2023-2024 cbhsports NFL Preview (2 PM CT)

August 15
Will Arkansas football, basketball, or baseball win a(nother) national championship first? (2 PM CT)

*The 2023-2024 cbhsports College Football Preview will come out on Saturday August 19 but is scheduled for next school year.*

Categories
default

The domino effects of the Big 12 adding four new members by next July

Image Courtesy: Vanquish the Foe

2020s conference realignment has been crazy. Here are five collegiate athletic conferences that have been impacted the ever-changing college football landscape:

The American Athletic Conference added Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB, and UTSA to replace the likes of Central Florida, Cincinnati, and Houston who left for the Big 12. The six schools joining will officially be members by July 1, 2023.

Here’s what the league will look like in 2023-2024:
*Basketball-only member*
Alabama-Birmingham
Charlotte
Eastern Carolina
Florida Atlantic
Memphis
North Texas
Rice
South Florida
Southern Methodist
Temple
Tulane
Tulsa
*Wichita State*
Texas-San Antonio

The Big 12 will add football independent BYU along with three American Athletic members Central Florida, Cincinnati, and Houston in July of 2023 to try to replace the likes of Oklahoma and Texas. The Sooners and Longhorns will join at the very latest in July of 2025 but could leave by each school paying $75-$80 million dollars each to exit early. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey explained to the media at 2022 SEC Media Days that their plan to join the league in 2025, as expected.

Here’s what the league will look like in 2025-2026:
Baylor
BYU
Central Florida
Cincinnati
Houston
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Oklahoma State
Texas Christian
Texas Tech
West Virginia

Similarly to the Big 12 in 2023, the Conference USA will add Jacksonville State (FCS), Liberty (Independent), New Mexico State (Independent), and Sam Houston State (FCS) next July. The CUSA lost six schools including Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB, and UTSA to the American, and Marshall, Old Dominion, and Southern Miss to the Sun Belt. All schools will be joining their respective conferences in July of 2023. According to multiple reports, Middle Tennessee State and Western Kentucky will remain in the conference after interest in MAC as well as remaining members Florida International, Louisiana Tech, and UTEP. With only nine conference members entering 2023, the conference is expected to look at expanding with Connecticut and Massachusetts, both whom are independent football schools per a Saturday Down South report.

Here’s what the league will look like in 2023-2024:
Florida International
Jacksonville State
Liberty
Louisiana Tech
Middle Tennessee State
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Texas-El Paso
Western Kentucky

The SEC started realignment in 2020s by sending shockwaves through the sport by adding two of the biggest (and winningest) brands in college football in Oklahoma and Texas. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has said that he does not plan on expanding beyond the Sooners and Longhorns but any smart person would know that the SEC has to be planning beyond their 2025 additions with scheduling changes, NIL Rules, the transfer portal, and a potential new College Football Playoff contract and bracket beyond 2025.

Here’s what the league will look like in 2025-2026:
Alabama
Arkansas
Auburn
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
LSU
Mississippi (Ole Miss)
Mississippi State
Missouri
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Texas A&M
Vanderbilt

The Sun Belt got involved in realignment by adding CUSA members Marshall, Old Dominion, and Southern Miss and FCS football power James Madison to a conference that got smaller when non-football members Arkansas-Little Rock and Texas-Arlington joined the Ohio Valley and Western Athletic Conferences respectively. All other members stayed intact.

Here’s what the league will look like in 2023-2024:
Appalachian State
Arkansas State
Coastal Carolina
Georgia Southern
Georgia State
James Madison
Marshall
Louisiana-Lafayette
Louisiana-Monroe
Old Dominion
South Alabama
Southern Miss
Texas State
Troy

Media Rights News:

According to an Athletic report, the Big Ten “is likely to partner with NBC and CBS”. Fox, who has broadcasted the Big Ten’s top college football game every Saturday during the fall over the last stretch of years, locked up rights to the conference a few months ago. Notably, ESPN pulled out of negotiations with the Big Ten, ending a forty year run of coverage of both football and basketball in the conference. With the CBS and NBC deals, it is expected that a Big Ten college football Saturday will look like this come when their current deals ends in 2023: A noon eastern game on Fox, a 3:30 PM eastern time game on CBS and prime time on NBC. Outside of the SEC, a Stewart Mandel tweet suggests that the game day in the southern part of the country looks like this: A noon eastern game on ABC/ESPN (SEC), a 3:30 PM eastern time game on ABC/ESPN (SEC), as well as a prime time SEC or ACC game on ABC/ESPN.