Starting Five

The five sports topics that will be discussed at water coolers across America

1. College Football National Championship Preview

The Scoop: The Wolverines and Huskies are the last two undefeated teams standing, and one will take home the College Football crown on Monday Night. Michigan has a balanced offense, utilizing star running backs Blame Corum and Donavan Edwards to create easy throws in the passing game for future-NFL-quarterback JJ McCarthy. On defense, the Wolverines have shut teams down, earning their way to the National Championship, by smothering a highly touted Alabama offense. Their skills will be put to the test as Washington has one of the most explosive passing attacks in the nation. Quarterback Michael Penix threw for 420 yards in the semifinal and looks to continue his air assault on the Wolverines.

The Wolverines are favored, but this is far from a sure thing. The Washington offense is littered with NFL talent, especially at the receiver position. Both coaches are highly respected, and it’s going to be a monumental game.

Washington will try to limit Michigan’s offense and stretch the field with big passing plays. Michigan will hope to wear down the Huskie defense and keep Penix & co. off the field. At the end of the night, we will have new kings of College Football, and we’re here to let you know how it all shakes out!

When: Monday - January 8th
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Network: ESPN
Line: Michigan -4.5; O/U: 56.5

Conversation Starter: Michigan’s controlled style or Washington’s explosion of offense, who do you got?

2. NFL Playoff Picture: AFC Deep Dive

The Scoop: Seven teams from each Conference make the NFL playoffs: the four division winners, and the three teams with the best records of those remaining. The top seed receives a first-round bye, while the other 12 compete for a spot in the Divisional Round of the Playoff. Led by star QB Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens earned the top spot in the AFC, securing a 13-4 record, and will enjoy a well-deserved rest next weekend. The Buffalo, Kansas City Chiefs, and Houston Texans won their respective divisions, and are seeded second through fourth respectively. They’ll face the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and Cleveland Browns.

The Ravens have the best record and look to be the odds-on favorite, but you cannot discount Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs who have made the Super Bowl 3 of the last 5 years. The Bills earned their spot as the #2 seed in the very last game of the entire NFL season, outlasting the Dolphins 21-14, and gaining a huge home field-advantage for at least the first two rounds. The explosive offenses of CJ Stroud and the Texans and Tua Tagovailoa’s Dolphins could allow them to make some noise, while the stout defenses of the Browns and Steelers will give teams issues. 

Conversation Starter: Lamar and the Ravens? Mahomes and Kelce? Bills Mafia? Who are you riding with in the AFC?

3. NFL Playoff Picture: NFC Deep Dive

The Scoop: On the NFC side, the San Francisco 49ers led the way with a 13-4 record claiming the top seed and first-round bye. The Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions solidified their spots as the #2 and #3 seeds with wins on Sunday, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the dumpster fire that is the NFC South (not a single team in the division won 10 games). They will face the Green Bay Packers, LA Rams, and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively, and it is anyone’s guess who will come out of those games. While the NFC lacks some of the complete teams that the AFC boasts, there is more parity, and the games will be close and exciting. 

The 49ers are cruising, led by Christian McCaffery and Deebo Samuel on offense combined with one of the best defenses in the league. They may be the team to beat in the playoffs. The Cowboys and Lions find themselves in unfamiliar territory, in positions of strength going into the playoffs. The Cowboys are notorious for falling apart around this time of year, and the Lions, quite frankly, have never made it here before. They will match up with teams very used to playing well into January, and the experience of the Packers and Rams may make them a tough out. The Eagles look to be favorites on the road against the Bucs and could be a dark horse candidate for the Super Bowl. It will be quite an interesting playoff, and we’ll be here with you every step of the way.  

Conversation Starter: CMC and SF? America’s team the Cowboys? The upstart Detroit Lions? Who are you riding with in the NFC?

4. Michigan Pack Mentality Comes from Film Study

The Scoop: It’s common for athletes to study game film to prepare for a game. It’s common for coaches to play motivational films to help psych up a locker room to get ready to play. It’s not common for coaches to instruct players to watch documentaries showing wild animals hunting. It may just be the secret sauce helping Michigan win, as Coach Jim Harbaugh explains the “perfect fighting unit” is a “pack of wolves”. He wants his team to channel that energy and fight together. Will they come out to fight in the National Championship? Time will tell.

Conversation Starter: What would you show in the locker room before a big game?

5. Not So Saintly to Run Up the Score

The Scoop: Falcons coach Arthur Smith had some choice words for Saints coach Dennis Allen at the end of a 48-17 walloping by the Saints. With just a minute to go, the Saints lined up in victory formation, looking to just knee the ball down and let time expire. Instead, New Orleans ran a play for a meaningless touchdown, which the Falcons took full offense to. The Saints explained they wanted to allow a teammate his first touchdown of the year, but even so, things got heated after the game as the two coaches met in the middle. After a disappointing season for the Falcons, that moment of Arthur Smith cussing out an opposing coach on live TV was his last in Atlanta, as he was fired shortly after the game. 

Conversation Starter: Running up the score or a nice gesture for a teammate?

“Sports” Moments of the Weekend

One thing we love about sports is the funny moments they deliver, here are some rapid fire viral memes, videos, and posts for your enjoyment!

Ted Bowl!

A baby and a divorce? Incredible hour of content

Someone finally punished Dabo for the “We built our program on the Name, Image, and Likeness of Jesus” comment, huh?

Thinking about the Pacers when you’re doing what?!

Jets offering a real steal

Identify, execute. Simple.

Wait what did he do?!

Toes out in NOLA is nasty work

NSFW (if we have to see it, so do you)

What We’re Watching this Week

If you're at a bar, they might be showing these games. Here's what you should know:

NCAA National Championship Game

#1 Michigan (14-0) vs #2 Washington (14-0) - 7:30pm ET: The Wolverines are 5-point favorites and looking to take home their first outright National Championship since 1947. The Huskies hope their passing attack can outscore Michigan and secure their first title since 1991. 

NCAAM Basketball

• #12 BYU vs #18 Baylor - Tuesday, 8:00pm ET: BYU travels to Waco to play its new conference rival Baylor in a Top-20 matchup. This game could have conference championship implications with both teams looking poised to have a shot at the title.

• #8 UNC vs NC State - Wednesday, 8:00pm ET: The Tar Heels will take the short bus ride down the road to Raleigh to face the in-state conference adversary NC State. UNC is coming off of several impressive wins, and the crowd at PNC Arena is bound to be fired up.

NBA

Minnesota Timberwolves (25-10) vs Boston Celtics (28-7) - Wednesday, 7:00pm ET: The top team from the Western Conference goes to battle with the top team from the Eastern Conference. Grab your popcorn.

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Until next week,

The Fastbreakk