Starting Five

The most discussed sports topics at water coolers across America

1. Heartache in the Land of Sunshine

The Scoop: Imagine being Caleb Williams, best player in the country, leading USC to 35 points per week, and still losing 3 games by the first week of November, including a heartbreaker on Saturday 52-42 against #5 Washington, because the USC defense is essentially the football version of sieve. So on a sunny Sunday that could've been perfect for surfing, USC sent their defensive coordinator, Alex Grinch, surfing the job market instead.

And Washington? They’re still undefeated and eyeing the College Football Playoff.

Conversation Starter: Is the firing of a coach mid-season a solution or a scapegoat for deeper team issues?

2. Bedlam Breakthrough: Oklahoma State Triumphs Over Oklahoma

The Scoop: Chaos ensued in Stillwater as ecstatic fans dismantled the goalposts, reveling in Oklahoma State's triumph over arch-rival OU. A novel trophy, crafted in the contours of Oklahoma's map, was unveiled, commemorating what could be the last of these storied clashes for some time as Oklahoma shifts conferences next year.

Conversation Starter: How significant is it to create new traditions when old rivalries take a break?

3. Florida State’s Lucky Goldfish

The Scoop: Jack Henyecz, an FSU student, once made headlines with a tattoo vow — a promise kept after a Seminoles' victory. Today, he's back in the news, but it's his pet goldfish, Garnet, swimming into the spotlight. Carried to all eight FSU games, Garnet's aquatic adventures have turned him into a living legend and a good luck charm for fans and players alike.

Conversation Starter: Can superstitions and unusual traditions genuinely influence the spirit and outcome of sports events?

4. San Antonio's Towering Teen Titan

The Scoop: The 19-year-old French Phenom was the #1 overall pick for the San Antonio Spurs in last year’s NBA draft, and is quickly proving why. Standing 7’4 with nearly an 8-foot wingspan, he towers over even the tallest NBA players. Through the first 6 games, he’s averaging over 20 points per game and is scoring with ease. For the sports world full of hot takes and controversial opinions, it’s almost more controversial to say he “won’t” be the best player in the league in the next 5 years.

Conversation Starter: Is it premature to crown a new player as the potential 'best' so early in their career?

5. Eagle's Grit vs. Cowboy's Miss: Hurts Leads Philly to Victory

The Scoop: The Philadelphia Eagles soared past the Dallas Cowboys with a 28-23 win, courtesy of quarterback Jalen Hurts. Despite a halftime deficit, Philly's resurgence was led by Hurts' heroics, and the Eagles defense withstood a late charge by the Cowboys to hold on and win over their division rivals.

Conversation Starter: Does Philadelphia have a chance to repeat their run to the title?

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“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!

Texas A&M lineman was ejected for this below-the-belt hit after getting t-bagged Call of Duty style

W-what… What animal is this on the field?

San Antonio’s Teen Titan makes 6’10” Kevin Durant look too short to be in the NBA

In case you were wondering what Wembanyama would look like in Slenderman regalia…

Colorado State student section earns its team a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for throwing snowballs

In heart-wrenching moment, Caleb Williams cries with his mom on the sidelines after losing to Washington

Is this Eagles staffer wearing a thong?

What We’re Watching This Week

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

Monday Night Football

• New York Jets vs Los Angeles Chargers (Monday Night at 8:15p ET): The Jets come into this week at 4-3, tied with the Browns and Bengals for the final spot in the AFC playoff race. The Chargers are right on their tails at 3-4, so this game is a key swing game at the halfway point of the NFL season.

College Basketball

College basketball is back with Monday and Tuesday games featuring all of our favorite (and least favorite) teams, including:

• #1 Kansas

• #2 Duke

• #3 Purdue

• #11 Gonzaga

• #16 Kentucky

• #19 North Carolina

• … just to name a few

Champions League

The Group Stages of UEFA Champions League are in full swing with 8 games each on Tuesday and Wednesday. Some top matchups include:

• AC Milan vs PSG: “Captain America” Christian Pulisic leads AC Milan against Kylian Mbappe and PSG

• Newcastle vs Borussia Dortmund: One of the best in England vs one of the best in Germany

• Arsenal vs Sevilla: Arsenal’s first time back in the Champions League since 2017, time to make a statement

• Galatasaray vs Bayern Munich: Wilfred Zaha and Galatasary face off against one of the Tournament favorites in Bayern Munich

Subscriber Question of the Week

Do you have a sports topic you want to get smart on? Let us know here.

This week, Kevin from Philadelphia asked, “Why does sign stealing matter? How much does it really change?”

Hi Kevin! So this is a nuanced topic but let’s get into it.

Football teams use signals to call most plays, both for the offense and the defense. Just knowing if an offense will run or pass, or if a defense will blitz multiple players or drop into coverage can create small advantages on every play. Furthermore, knowing the exact play or pressure can allow teams to set up in the perfect counter

Additionally, the week before every game, coaches, players, and staff spend hours and hours preparing for the weekend. Every detail is planned and perfected. If you suspect a team may have your signs, you need to use those precious hours coming up with new signs, practicing them, and helping players memorize the new signs. Football is a game of moments and inches, and losing a few hours of prep time might seem minor, but that hour could be the difference between winning and losing a one score game.

Sign stealing is a big advantage, and that’s why many teams, definitely more than just Michigan, spend time doing it. So how do we stop it? Well, in the NFL the coach can radio into a headset the quarterbacks helmet to call plays. The NCAA will likely employ a similar approach in the near future. What else will come of the drama? Who knows but for now, we hope this helps!

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Until next week,

The Fastbreakk