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Starting Five

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

1. Wolverines Step Up in the Biggest Moments

The Scoop: Early in the first quarter, Michigan fumbled a punt and Alabama walked down the field and scored a touchdown. The game looked as though it could be over early and Bama would steamroll the Wolverines, but Michigan’s defense led the way, suffocating the Alabama pass attack, keeping the score close, and putting their offense in a position to march down the field for a touchdown to force overtime. In the OT period the offense quickly scored and the defense rose to the occasion once again. With 4th down and goal and the game on the line, the Wolverine defense stuffed QB Jalen Milroe in a walk-off win.

For a season that included 2 separate Head Coach suspensions, allegations of cheating, multiple staff members removed from the program, and an FBI investigation, the Wolverines are 14-0, the top ranked team in the country, just took down powerhouse Alabama, and are 60 minutes away from their first outright National Championship since 1948. If you’re anywhere near Ann Arbor on Monday, make your way to Skeeps, get yourself a Long Island pitcher, and get ready for an absolutely wild night. 

2. Penix Dominates, Setting Up a Matchup of Undefeateds

The Scoop: The career of Michael Penix Jr has not been an easy one. He played 4 seasons at Indiana, and never managed to complete a 12 game season healthy, suffering a torn ACL in 2018, battled injuries throughout 2019, played through the shortened Covid season of 2020, and tore his ACL again in 2021. Despite this, he finished 12-5 as a starter at Indiana, with wins over Penn State and Michigan, an impressive accomplishment. In 2022, he transferred to Washington, won the starting job and stayed healthy to go 25-2 over his two years. After 6 years, two season ending injuries, one transfer, he will now play in his final college game: the NCAA Championship Game.

He left no doubt in the semifinal, throwing for 430 yards on a Texas defense rated one of the best in the country. He now faces an old Big Ten foe, with a chance to etch his name in the record books. 

Conversation Starter: Who are you riding with: Washington or Michigan?

3. Cold-Blooded Caitlin Clark Does it Again

The Scoop: With 0.1 seconds on the clock in a 73-73 ballgame, Caitlin Clark let go a step-back three to win the game in front of a capacity crowd in Iowa City. Clark is putting up video game numbers for the Hawkeyes, despite every team game planning to stop her. She’s currently averaging over 30 points-per-game and also leads Iowa in assists and steals per game. Which means not only is she scoring more than everyone else, she’s also setting her teammates up to score more than anyone else. She’s gotten so good, she has whole twitter accounts dedicated to hating her (as connoisseurs of the internet know, that’s the true mark of greatness).

Iowa vs LSU last season made women’s college hoops popular in many mainstream media outlets, and this year Clark and the Hawkeyes will now have all eyes on them as they chase an elusive National Title. 

Conversation Starter: Is Caitlin Clark the most dominant college athlete right now?

4. David Tepper Simply Isn’t Sorry

The Scoop: Panthers owner David Tepper famously once bought the house of a former boss who passed him up for a promotion, demolished the house, and built a bigger one on the land. The man is a billionaire straight from a comic book, and played into his role this weekend when he threw a drink at a Jaguars fan from his box.

After taking a “hefty” $300,000 fine, Tepper issued a statement saying he regrets his action, but not once apologizing or admitting any wrongdoing. Tepper has come under fire this season for mismanagement of the Panthers, who are one of the worst performing teams in the league, and he seems to be letting it affect him. Sad, must be a rough life for hedge fund managing billionaires. 

Conversation Starter: Do you appreciate when sports owners are passionate and vocal about their team, or prefer more reserved behind the scenes ownership?

5. 16-Year-Old Phenom Loses Darts Championship, Wins Our Hearts

The Scoop: The World Championship of Darts is not usually an event that makes headlines, but when a 16-year-old dominates the competition and celebrates big wins by eating kebabs, people take notice. Luke Littler had a fairytale run to the Darts final, with a chance to become the youngest world champion in history. In a Luke vs Luke battle, he was paired with world #1 player Luke Humphries, and despite an early lead for Littler, he couldn’t quite hold on. Despite the loss, his story captivated audiences, as well as confused many folks, who are convinced he’s much older than 16. Despite the jokes about him looking like a middle-aged office worker, Luke Littler’s prize money from the competition is giving him the last laugh.

Conversation Starter: If you could have been a world class teenager at any sport, which would you choose?

“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!

Yeah, “Let a naysayer know” is definitely what that means

Caitlin Clark from Mars

National Championship smack talk is getting nasty

Great footage of the Michigan defense here

Luke Littler takes some time out for his fans on Snapchat

Someone tell buddy that targeted ads are based on your search history

Woah, the darts is absolutely bananas

Littler’s mom drops him off for the World Championship

What everybody really tunes in for

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

Saturday Football: The Ravens (13-3) have clinched the top seed in the AFC and may rest star players, giving a chance for the Steelers (9-7), to keep their playoff hopes alive with a win. The Texans (9-7) and Colts (9-7) play later that evening, each fighting for the final AFC wild card spot. 

Sunday Football: The Lions, Eagles, and Cowboys are all 11-5 and competing for the #2 seed in the NFC behind the 49ers. Playing the Vikings (7-9), Giants (5-11), and Commanders (4-12), each team are the favorites, and if they all do win, the Cowboys will take the top spot of the three on tiebreakers.

College Basketball

Friday 8:30p ET: #9 Illinois visits #1 Purdue in an early conference battle for supremacy among Big 10 title contenders.

Saturday 12:00p ET: #8 UNC hit its stride this week with a convincing road win over Pitt and is preparing for another big road test against #16 Clemson.

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Until next time,

The Fastbreakk