I usually don't give Internet hypotheticals much of my brainpower, but I have to admit, I've been pondering this one for quite a while and still can't settle on an answer.
Hypothetical question - and interesting discussion - I think. If you were given $100 to bet on one team to win the national title, with the stipulation you can't bet Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State or Oklahoma. Who are you betting?
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) July 13, 2021
I guess I'd go with Miami or North Carolina in hopes that they dump Clemson and coast into the playoff. But I wouldn't feel good about it by any means.
Word of the Day: Aperçu.
THREEBLER. Every Ohio State basketball fan's dream is coming true in the very near future: Jon Diebler will be (kind of) representing the Buckeyes in a three-point contest.
Excited to announce that our shooter will be none other than Mr. 33 @J_Diebler....rebounded by @ACraft4! https://t.co/Ux9t0i0BZw
— Carens Crew (@CarmensCrew) July 13, 2021
To recap: No. 33 will be shooting 3s for a chance to win $33,333. The TBT really is giving the people what the want.
Now, if we could only enlist Sam Thompson for a dunk contest...
SUBJECTIVE LIST SEASON™ STRIKES AGAIN. C.J. Stroud has never attempted a collegiate pass and hasn't even been named the starting quarterback, but I have good news – he's apparently a top-20 quarterback already, according to Pro Football Focus, at least.
20. OHIO STATE: C.J. STROUD
Stroud has a broad range of outcomes, considering he has yet to take a dropback at the college level. Yet, he will be going to a good situation and looks to have the traits to enjoy immense success as the Buckeyes' starting quarterback.
The 2020 top-50 recruit and No. 2-ranked pro-style quarterback in the class, according to 247Sports, will follow in the footsteps of Justin Fields, who was college football’s most valuable player in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. It’s a tall task, but again, the tools are there. He has proven to have a big arm and can be a threat on the ground, as he showed on his lone carry in 2020 that resulted in a 48-yard touchdown.
Here's the thing – I don't necessarily disagree! In all honesty, he probably could have been higher, based on some of the other names ahead of him. Hell, any of the three Buckeye quarterbacks could crack this list, if we're being real. So, no beef with the ranking.
However, it's objectively hilarious that the same publication that excluded Ryan Day from its list of the top-20 college football head coaches because he "didn't really fit the criteria I was looking for" is perfectly fine ranking a quarterback that's never attempted a pass among the top-20 quarterbacks in the country.
Ryan Day's not a top-20 coach, but his quarterback who's never played a meaningful snap is a top-20 quarterback in part because of the talent Ryan Day's assembled around him. Got it?
THE TWO-SPORT EXPERIMENT. We've probably already talked more about J.T. Tuimoloau's potential two-sport athletic career more than is merited, but we're going to do it again because now we have some sort of official word from someone who actually has some authority over the situation.
Our guy @DOMTIBERI talked to the Holt Man today and he'll be airing it on @10tv this evening. Chris welcomed Cedric Russell into the family and also confirmed that JTT is welcome to try the two-sport experiment. Said it will ultimately be his choice.
— Timmy Hall (@TimHall971) July 13, 2021
It's going to be hilarious when he's somehow way more successful on the hardwood than ever expected and goes on to become another top-5 pick developed by Larry Johnson, just in a different sport.
GRIDIRON TO HARDWOOD. Speaking of football players trying their hand on the hardwood...
This got me thinking, if you could add any former Ohio State football player to Carmen's Crew, who would it be?
My answer, without much hesitation, is Malik Hooker. And he is currently a free agent without a team... Makes you think, for sure.
SONG OF THE DAY. "Sk8er Boi" by Avril Lavigne.
INOT STICKING TO SPORTS. Albums are getting too long... A book was returned to a library 300 years overdue... "Ethically sourced" cocaine is forcing posh Brits to pay out the nose... The five-day workweek is dead... The science of spotting a liar... For some reason, mac and cheese ice cream is a thing... He was 86 and easygoing — until he shot his boss dead after 31 years on job... An incredibly toxic lake will become one of the United State's first lithium mines...