Starting Five

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

1. After 17 Years, Nick Saban is Retiring from College Football

The Scoop: On Wednesday, Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban announced his retirement. His illustrious career included 292 wins, 12 Conference Championships, and 7 National Championships. Any player that played four years for Saban at Alabama won at least one National Championship. He is considered by many to be the greatest College Football coach of all time. 

While his retirement was rumored for some time, fans expressed their shock, rivals celebrated, and the sports world showed their gratitude for the great years of service. All eyes turn to the AD, as this is the single best job in College Football, and the next coach will have big shoes to fill. There are early favorites for the job and internet sleuths are tracking every flight to Tuscaloosa. The fans have made it clear they don’t want Clemson’s Dabo Swinney (because he’s the worst), but whoever the name is, it will create ripples across the sport.  

2. A Tumultuous Journey and a New Champion Crowned

The Scoop: 

• 12/16/14: Michigan football finishes 5-7 and fires Coach Brady Hoke. Former player Jim Harbaugh is hired and is touted as the savior to reignite the program.

• 10/17/15: Michigan punter fumbles the ball on the last play of the game and is returned by Michigan State to stun the Wolverines at home, ruining their hopes for a championship.

• 11/26/16: A replay review determines Ohio State’s JT Barrett gains a first down. Ohio State scores a game-winning touchdown in overtime and Michigan misses out on the playoffs.

• 12/08/20: Michigan cancels the game against Ohio State due to Covid concerns, finishes the season 2-4, and the fanbase calls for Jim Harbaugh to be fired.

• 12/31/22: National Championship favorite Michigan is upset by TCU in the CFP semifinal.

• 01/08/24: Michigan Football are National Champions. Legendary Michigan Coach Bo Schembechler has a quote, “those who stay will be champions.” It’s great to be a Michigan Wolverine. 

3. 2023 Michigan: One of the Greatest Teams of All Time?

The Scoop: The Michigan defense did not let a single opponent score 25 points this season. In contrast, the Wolverines scored at least 26 in every game but one. Not a single team passed for 300 yards. A famous statistical measure of the best teams in the country, Bill Connelly’s SP+, concludes that Michigan’s defense is the second best since 2000 (behind 2011 Alabama) and by far the best in football this year.

The statistical model grades the team as near perfect, and few can argue, as they’ve dominated opponents. In the last 3 years, Michigan is 40-3, and it culminated into a 15-0 season and one of the best teams we’ve ever seen in College Football history. 

4. Crazy Day in College Basketball

The Scoop: The #1, #2, #3, #5, and #9 teams all lost to unranked opponents! Five upsets and four court storms as Nebraska dismantled #1 Purdue, Iowa State outlasted #2 Houston, UCF won their first Big 12 game over #3 Kansas, Mississippi State came back to beat #5 Tennessee, and TCU dominated #9 Oklahoma.

The madness of college basketball usually waits until March, but was in full swing this week. Purdue coach Matt Painter pointed out that most of their team has never lost a road game without a court storm. Basketball losses don’t hurt as much as they do in football, but it’s great to see parity, and what a week of hoops it was. 

5. LeBron Bailed Out by the Refs? 

The Scoop: “Just let us know so we don’t show up for the game. Just give them a win.” Raptors Coach Darko Rajakovic sends a scathing message to referees. His team fell to the Lakers 132-131 after LA was given 23 free throws in the fourth quarter alone (an unheard-of number). Rajakovic called out that refs were protecting All-Stars, like LeBron and Anthony Davis who combined for 20 free throws. “We have All-Stars on our team too,” he pointed out, saying the disparity of his team receiving only 13 free throws in the entire game is a “shame to the league”.

This rant will likely earn the Coach a significant fine, but players seem to appreciate the comments, with players like Thaddeus Young and Jakob Poeltl commenting he has their back and the team is like a family.

“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!

The auto dealership money dried up?

Michigan retired Saban 

What a moment for father and son

Then Jim ruins it by being an absolute cornball

Grandma is a real UK Wildcat fan

Giannis said the equipment manager has to be better and they stepped up!

Connor Stallions deserves this more than anybody

Athletes are using Chat GPT to talk to reporters

At least one Huskie brought us joy on Monday night

People have to stop obviously posing for these pictures

What We’re Watching this Week

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

NFL Wild Card Round

Top Story

• Matchup: Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs

• Details: Saturday 1/13, 8:00pm ET; NBC/Peacock

• Key Players: Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa, WR Tyreek Hill | Chiefs: QB Patrick Mahomes, T-Swift Boyfriend Travis Kelce

• Key Storyline Arguably the two best offenses in football, normally we’d expect a high-scoring explosive game. However, these teams will be playing in sub-freezing weather.

Other Games

Cleveland Browns at Houston Texas

• Details: Saturday 1/13 4:30pm ET, NBC

• Key Players: Browns: QB Joe Flacco (Elite), EDGE Myles Garrett | Texans: QB CJ Stroud, WR Nico Collins

Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills

• Details: Sunday 1/13 1:00pm ET, CBS

• Key Players: Steelers: QB Mason Rudolph | Bills: QB Josh Allen, WR Stefon Diggs

Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys

• Details: Sunday 1/14 4:30pm ET, Broadcast Channel

• Key Players: Packers: QB Jordan Love, RB Aaron Jones | Cowboys: QB Dak Prescott, RB Tony Pollard, EDGE Micah Parsons

LA Rams at Detroit Lions

• Details: Sunday 1/14 8:00pm ET, NBC

• Key Players: Rams: QB Matthew Stafford, WR Cooper Kupp | Lions: QB Jared Goff, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Details: Monday 1/15 8:00pm ET, ESPN

• Key Players: Eagles: QB Jalen Hurts, WR AJ Brown | Bucs: QB Baker Mayfield, WR Mike Evans

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Until next week,

The Fastbreakk