4 Hard Downs: Jalen Milroe, Ryan Day, Michigan State and Friends

Seeing good friends, Milroe the Hero, Ryan Day woof and a new face in East Lansing

We are getting back to normal. Thanksgiving has passed and for us, it was a big success in terms of food and family. Everything on the spread turned out great, we drank some wine (it was honestly a classic Felder 3 drinks at dinner event with red wine, bourbon and a beer all sitting next to the plate). Hot Turkey Sandwiches as leftovers were had.

It was also like 5 days of celebration, which I love and feel destroyed by.

Cooking all day Wednesday. Cooking and hosting Thursday. Hosting Friday and making previously mentioned Hot Turkey Sandwiches. Working Saturday. Sunday spending the afternoon with 2 other couples and 6 kids under 8.

I loved it.

I also am exhausted from it.

Heads up, I’m back in NYC for the CFP selection reaction show on Max and the B/R App on Tuesday. So I am packing and writing, writing and packing and you will probably get this when I’m in the air.

For now? Let’s SPOT THE BALL!!!!

1st Down: Jonathan Smith With A New Gig

This is first down because my wife said, “Who the hell is that?” about her alma mater hiring a new coach. He just got to Michigan a day ago and I think he might work pretty well.

He’s just a guy.

Michigan State got him out of his alma mater, a place he played QB for to go to East Lansing. He’s not flashy. He’s not brash. You’re going to have to dig to find clips of him talking.

This is a good hire (I say now).

2nd Down: Ryan Day Has An Uphill Battle

This is not that he is bad. He’s put dudes in the league. He took over for a legend. He just makes the wrong choices and mismanages in the smallest moments that turn into big problems.

The perfect play situation, I hate.

Full stop.

I think it fucked CJ Stroud and Justin Fields in a big way during their time at Ohio State. And for those who don’t know what “perfect plays” means; it is when a coach stops the flow to make sure he gets the right call in.

Fields had times where teams didn’t have enough guys on the field or were lined up wrong and instead of taking advantage of it, they stopped down, let the defense get set while Ryan Day figured out the “perfect play” for them.

Stroud cruising in the playoff and has to stop down. Too much control.

Then, you get to Kyle McCord, who isn’t either of them and honestly, there is no perfect play. tempo is his ally. Let this man play football instead of treating him like he’s your terrible son-in-law at the used car dealership that you own.

3rd Down: Jalen Milroe Is A Fucking Hero

This Man Did This:

Look right. Send 4 of your 5 right.Isaiah Bond alone left. Just throw that damn thing.

Touchdown.

Alabama is the BeeGees. Staying Alive. Not the original song, “Living to Die,” look it up. Legit this:

This might be Nick Saban’s favorite team. Resilient. Tough. Fighters. Determining their own lot in life. Overachieving. Put it this way:

If Nick Saban was not the coach of this football team they would be hanging out with UNC, USC, Penn State, Oklahoma State, Notre Dame and the rest of “we almost had a good year” teams.

And this man loves it.

Put his stamp on this year and Georgia better be ready for Saturday. Bama’s been working on you for weeks.

4th Down: Kids Everywhere

Every. Where.

6 kids under 8 all over the place.

Got to hang out with two teammates and I don’t post pics of their kids but this was our situations trying to take a photo.

A lot of toes. Don’t be gross. A little belly. But 6 kids in the building.

We went from 3 insane college football players to 3 dads. We realized we’ve known each other for almost 20 years. Our wives have been friends since at least 2012.

Life is good.

Cheers!!