Best feature: Amazon Prime’s piece on “Nowhere to Run: What Happened To The Running Back? It chronicled Mike Shanahan & offensive mind of the late Alex Gibbs & the success of RB’s under the regime and the leeriness of owners. Segment brought out a superb roundtable discussion.
Creative production: Amazon Prime, using the hit sitcom Full Hose from late 80’s to mid-90’s, with graphics of the intro of key players on the 49ers. The sitcom was based in San Fransisco with a phenomenal shot of The Golden Great Bridge and the Painted Ladies which Amazon used.
Hustle Award: Broadcaster Kevin Kugler, who has become one of the premiere broadcasters of our time, has a busy few days. Last night, he called Giants/49ers for Westwood One. Sunday, he will call Chargers/Vikings for Fox Sports. Monday, he will call Eagles/Bucs for Westwood One.
Best line: Amazon’s Prime Video’ Al Michaels, on 49ers QB Brock Purdy, “He’s the last pick in the draft and his backup was #3 pick in the draft.
Best graphics: Amazon Prime production team graphic of side by side comparison of Rookie Quarterback records at 1-5 and New Head Coaches having a 1-9 record.
Best line: Amazon Prime’s Al Michaels, after an 0-2 graphic on Bill Belichick and the Patriots first 0-2 start in 2001, “So they start 0-2 in 2001 and of course what happened? Bledsoe got hurt. Brady came in and they won the Super Bowl!”
Class act: Amazon Prime showing a vintage classic clip of legendary broadcaster John Madden using an old CBS Chalkboard telestrator. Michaels adds, “No question. He created a new template,” on being asked by Herbstreit if he changed the game.
Funniest line: Prime’s Al Michaels noting Baker Mayfield’s epic game on TNF last year in less than 48 hours before joining Rams made a comeback on late drive on Raiders to win it. Mayfield said, “It was the most fun he’s ever had.” Michaels quips, “The most fun we had last year”
Best line: Fox Sports Tim Brando, on a Wisconsin QB Tanner Mordecai play fake run for a TD, “Everyone went for that play fake to Allen! Didn’t they? It just opened up the green sea in the red zone!”
Top observation: Fox Sports Spencer Tillman noting that 2 Purdue penalties on two explosive plays negated 39 yards, “It been self inflicted wounds. That’s the problem and issue. I can’t blame the crowd for being disappointed but it’s self inflicted.”
Best line: Fox Sports Spencer Tillman, on Phil Longo’s air raid plays after an end around throw for a completion in the red zone to QB Tanner Mordecai, “This is not your father’s Wisconsin.”
Strongest comment: Fox Sports Tim Brando, “I believe schools like PUR, IND, & ILL are served playing Friday nights. I know some tradition rich programs in B10 don’t want it necessarily but I think you get a lot more attention on Fri night than you get w/the glut of games on Sat”
Top Analysis: Fox Sports Spencer Tillman telling viewers that the Purdue defense requires players to vacate spots in man coverage so they don't overcover one spot while leaving another spot open.
Best Timing Award: Fox Sports Tim Brando sharing Wisconsin today is 6/6 on 3rd Down, but that it's thanks to the teams balanced offense (80 rushing and 86 passing) moments before Wisconsin converted their 7th 3rd Down of the game.
Top Stat: Fox Sports Tim Brando sharing Braelon Allen's rushing TD to put Wisconsin up 21-3 is his 28th rushing touchdown in 28 games, 19 coming as a starter.
Top observation: Fox Sports Spencer Tillman, on Wisconsin QB Tanner Mordecai completion, “This is a next level throw here. 3/4 across the field in versus man coverage. That is a requisite throw they like to see on the next level.”
Top nugget: Fox Sports Spencer Tillman reminding viewers that Wisconsin Head Coach Luke Fickell got his first job with Ohio State when Jim Tressel hired him for 2 years as a special teams coach. Tillman noting after a special teams penalty.
Top nugget: ESPN's Anish Shroff sharing Virginia RB Kobe Pace has worked side-by-side with Nick Chubb in the offseason because both are from Cedartown, GA and attended the same high school.
Best Timing Award: Fox Spencer Tillman, predicting run TD by Purdue from Wisconsin 19, “Right now they’ve had success running. If we look at their last 3 runs even though that was the shortest them. Now their populating the line of scrimmage. They should have an opportunity here”
Top observation: Fox Sports Spencer Tillman telling viewers on Wisconsin OC Phil Longo creativeness by pulling 2 right guards & tackle the opposite direction & QB ran option in opposite side of field. Longo drew up the opposite of following big guys & but their guys on an island.
Best line: Fox Sports Tim Brando, as Purdue QB Hudson Card scampered in for a TD at the end of the 3rd Quarter to tighten the game, “With apologies to Netflix, the 3rd Quarter becomes a House of Cards as the Boilermakers make their run trying to come back against the Badgers.”
Funniest moment: Fox Sports Tim Brando, after production caught a fan “shooting the bird from stands, Brando does an immediate impression of the 1972 MNF game of infamous legendary Hall of Famers Howard Cosell and “Dandy” Don Meredith from that night. Impressions were spot on #1
Class act: Fox Sports Tim Brando, giving a classy shoutout to Wisconsin’s Director of Football Brand Communications, Brian Lucas, thanking him for going over pronunciations one last time as it was his final game. Happy trails.”
Self Deprecating Humor Award: Fox Sports Tim Brando sharing Brian Lucas, Wisconsin’s Director of Football Brand Communications, told Tim & Spencer, there isn’t another crew he'd like to go out with. Brando quips, “I think he lied to us! You and I put an end to a lot of careers.”
Interesting stat: ESPN’s Anish Shroff telling viewers NC State beat Virginia tonight to start 3-1 for the 12th consecutive year.
Top information: CBS Sports Rich Waltz sharing Boise State has decided to focus on developing a vertical pass game, and it has led to WR Eric McAlister catching 4 TD's over 20 yards in the last 5 quarters.
Top nugget: CBS Sports Rich Waltz sharing that San Diego State has struggled scoring points, averaging 19 a game, but a large portion of that has been because of 3 turnovers in the opponents redzone leading to 0 points instead of 3 or 7.
Top interview: CBS Sports Justin Walters sharing that Boise State HC Bush Hamdan has ties to San Diego. When he was 6 years old his family home in Kuwait was burned by an Iraqi invasion. The family was on a trip in San Diego, & once amnesty was granted they settled in San Diego.
Top analysis: CBS Sports Taylor McHargue sharing that SDSU QB Jalen Mayden is having a perfect first half (9/9, 120 yds, 1 TD) because he's being patient, rolling back, & putting the ball up high where only his WR's can catch it. If he aimed at the WR's, he'd have interceptions.
Funniest comment: CBS Sports Rich Waltz mentioning CBS Sports' Taylor's along with a non-existent contract, Waltz mentioned Aaron Taylor was scheduled to do the game, and that his condition upon not being able to do it was to replace him with another Taylor (McHargue).
Top illustration: Fox Sports Petros Papadakis sharing that a false start not only costs you yardage, but it also costs you leverage because you realize you can't get the jump without hurting your team more.
Strongest comment: SEC Networks Matt Stinchcomb, after Kentucky QB Devin Leary is intercepted by Vanderbilt: "That was a punt ... Leary just hung it up there."
Top Stat: ESPN's Robert Griffin III sharing that while Auburn's D is currently ranked #12, on 3rd Downs they rise to #4 at preventing 1st Downs.
Funniest exchange: ESPN's Bob Wischusen shared if you're the Auburn D, this game is playing out like you prefer in forcing FG's. RGIII retorted, "If I'm the officials though I want to throw the flag, because these offenses are horrendous."
Top Analysis: ESPN's Louis Riddick sharing that Kansas' offense comes out with multiple looks solely to put the defense on their heels. Mark Jones responds by pointing out Kansas averages 500+ yards of offense per game.
Best clarification: CBS Sports rules analyst Gene Steratore clarifying that on an Ole Miss penalty for off-sides that Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart that was on sideline for his helmet coming off on previous play couldn’t return to the game as their was never an actual play run.
Excellent line: ESPN’s Greg McElroy chime as Clemson misses a potential game winning field goal, “What would've been a Hollywood ending”
Sean McDonough brilliant quips, “Well, the writers are on strike."
The thing that makes McDonough so great is he listens to his analyst.
ESPN’s McDonough excels making McElory better. McElroy notes Clem grad student Jonathan Weitz had a job ready to start in NY makes 1st career FG attmpt” McDonough notes, “Dabo said “This is either going to be a great story, or terrible. It's off to a great start boss is here."
Quick insight: CBS Sports Ross Tucker notes that an Ole Miss blocked punt by Alabama that went out of bounds at the 1 yard line would have been just a safety if it would have gone out of bonds instead Alabama had an opportunity for a TD.
Top Foresight: ESPN's Louis Riddick sharing BYU is 10/10 in redzone efficiency this season seconds before Kedon Slovis threw a 10 yd TD to LJ Martin making them 11/11.
Top Nugget: ESPN's Quint Kessenich sharing the "Rock Chalk" part of Rock Chalk Jayhawk came because Kansas sits on top of limestone deposits. Moments later Mark Jones, "I've been in this industry 32-years and I didn't know that." Quint, "Being on this crew makes everyone smarter."
Top access: ABC showing Oregon HC Dan Lanning's pregame speech before playing Deion Sanders and Colorado: "They're fighting for clicks; we're fighting for wins."
Top Stat: ESPN's Matt Schick sharing that Alabama has had 10 negative plays against Ole Miss in the first half: a program high record for not just a half but an entire game.
Broadcasting clinic: ESPN’s Sean McDonough throughout the FSU/Clemson game he didn’t shy away from expressing his own thoughts McDonough had a brilliant telecast. Not only did he make McElroy better but he wasn’t hesitant to question moves equally and call out flags or no calls.
Top Analysis: ESPN's Louis Riddick sharing that the key to good defensive pressure is to never stop pursuing the ball because it leads to tips and overthrows that will lead to opportunities to gain the lead.
Best explanation: CBS Sports Gene Steratore telling viewers Alabama lost a down by lack of communication among officials. A 1st Down was never given by officials. Alabama ran a QB sneak up the middle thinking it was 3rd & inches. They didn’t convert and essentially lost a play.
Top Stat: ESPN's Louis Riddick sharing that a combination of forced turnovers and 108+ rushing yards has allowed Kansas to gain second half control.
Top info: ESPN's Mark Jones sharing Kansas is seeking consecutive 4-0 starts for the first time since 1913-1915.
Top information: CW's Tom Werme sharing that the 8 yard pass to WF WR Taylor Morin was the first 4th Down Wake Forest has gone for this season.
Top Stat: CW's James Bates sharing that Georgia Tech was ranked 3rd in forced turnovers in 2022, but they've tallied only 3 in 3 games in 2023.
Oops Award: Shortly after Wake Forest's DaShawn Jones got his 3rd Interception of the year and forced the first turnover of the game, the CW scoreboard showed the turnover count was in favor of Georgia Tech instead of Wake Forest 1-0.
Top Analysis: ESPN's Dusty Dvoracek sharing that Baylor is helping Sawyer Robertson regain his confidence by using quick slant passes that rely on Tight end blocks to gain 1st Downs.
Top Foresight: ESPN's Dusty Dvoracek sharing that he thought Ketron Jackson is the key to Baylor's pass attack because of his ability to make plays down the field moments before Robertson completed a 39-yard pass to Jackson.
Funniest exchange: Shortly after ESPN's Dave Pasch talked about October being a sports fans dream, Dvoracek cut in, "Don't forget the cooler weather. It's something fans look forward to." Pasch replied, "Won't that be a relief. It's over 100 here today."
Top Information: ESPN's Dave Pasch sharing that Texas RB CJ Baxter is the first freshman RB to start at Texas since Ricky Williams back in 1995.
Top Stat: (2nd Qtr) ESPN's Dave Pasch sharing that Texas only had 3 QB sacks in 2023 coming into the Baylor game, but tonight they've already got 3 sacks and 8 tackles For Loss.
Top Information: ESPN's Dusty Dvoracek sharing that in addition to problems protecting the QB, Baylor has also had 11 delay of game penalties coming into tonight that have killed series.
Top information: ESPN's Dusty Dvoracek sharing the key to stopping the zone run is penetration causing negative plays. Today it has led to Baylor having -2 rushing yards with 9 minutes remaining in the 2nd.
Top Analysis: ACC Network's Tim Hasselbeck sharing that not granting the right of substitution is the most forgotten rule by offenses. He points out that most of the penalties occur not on the 1st sub but rather the 2nd or 3rd sub when teams forget to let the defense do the same.
Dreaded Glitch Award: With 1:15 left until Halftime ACC Network had to add the "Technical Difficulties" note as audio began cutting in and out and then a black line and the Score bug begin scrolling up and down on the screen during North Carolina/Pitt.
Top Analysis: CW's James Bates sharing the only way to force turnovers is through aggressive football. Doing a paddy cake approach gives QB's too much time to find receivers down the field.
Top Follow-up: CW's Tom Werme sharing that the aggressive defense has been an eye opener. After only having 3 turnovers coming in, Georgia Tech has forced 5 tonight. After only having 4 sacks coming in, they've got 8 tonight. Leads to a 30-16 win.
Top reporting: NBC's Noah Eagle sharing that Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman always plays to win, but in his experience most games aren't decided until the final 4 minutes when big plays finally erupt.
Top Analysis: NBC's Noah Eagle sharing that one of the big factors determining if a pass interference call is made or not is if the ball is underthrown. When that happens the officials have to decide if it's catchable or not, meaning an obvious PI might not occur.
Top Analysis: NBC's Todd Blackledge sharing the key to a 2 back formation is the willingness to block. When one does block it opens up the lane and often leads to big runs.
Top reporting: ESPN's Tom Luginbill sharing that even though Texas has scored 31 unanswered, Baylor will consider the 4th quarter a win if they can play with energy and have some execution.
Best timing award: NBC's Todd Blackledge sharing that for the game, Ohio State has only converted 44% on 3rd and 4 or less. After two failed rushes of 1 yard Ohio State hands the ball back to Notre Dame.
Top explanation: NBC's Terry McAulay explaining that international grounding was a correct call because even though a receiver was in the area, he was cutting in while the pass went out.
Funniest line: Fox Sports Tim Brando, "Fans don't like it. I understand it, and for those on social media wanting to go apocaltypic, this is why we have those seminars. It's why we have Blandino and all those guys."
Top Analysis: Fox Sports Spencer Tillman sharing that USC's fumble occurred because their offense was being too predictable in their patterns allowing the ASU defense to get aggressive.
Top Analysis: Fox Sports Spencer Tillman sharing that when you've had a previous turnover, even though replay overturned the second it begins to get into your head and leads to questioning the offense's efficiency.
Funniest line: FOX's Mark Schlereth on Lions rookie S Brian Branch:, “When you're that good, you can stick your mouthpiece in the top of your helmet and not even use it!”
Funniest exchange: ESPN Radio's Mike Tannenbaum, "I don't know that icing the kicker works in 65 degrees." Steve Levy, "I think they're trying to avoid hurrying to the lunchline. Tannenbaum, "It's probably mac and cheese on the menu."
Top Reporting: Fox Sports Chris Myers sharing that Trevor Lawrence stated they try not to think of last years playoff deficit, but the big positive they took from it is that they can rally from any deficit and have a shot.
Top stat: CBS Sports Kevin Harlan telling viewers the 35 points allowed by the Denver defense in the 1st half is the most a Denver defense has given up since 2010 against the Raiders.
Top Stat: Fox Sports Chris Myers sharing that CJ Stroud is showing great potential as the starter. Outcomes aren't always desired, but through 3+ games he's already thrown over 800 yards and 0 interceptions.
Best moment: Fox NFL Sunday, looking back at 30 yrs, showed viewers a clip of Jimmy Johnson in 1994 at home w/his fish aquarium background. Pat Summerall & John Madden were discussing & Madden w/the telestrator. Menefee quipped, “Jimmy, you created the whole work at home thing.”
Strongest comment: Fox Sports Jimmy Johnson, on Miami Dolphins, “They will win the AFC East. They could be playing Kansas City for the AFC Championship. The hardest offense to defend in the league. Vic Fangio will have that D getting better each week. Thye have to stay healthy”
Best stat: CBS Sports Kevin Harlan telling viewers the 56 points scored by the Dolphins is a franchise record. 55 points were the previous high for the team since 1977.
Top Stat: Fox Sports Chris Myers telling viewers that the Texans have had their most consistent games against the Jags, having won 9 of the previous 10.
Top reporting: Fox Sports Kristina Pink sharing that Texans QB Stroud warms up not by throwing the football to others but instead by throwing a basketball up and then catching it.
Top Stat: Fox Sports Kevin Kugler sharing that the 17 receptions today by Chargers WR Keenan Allen is a franchise record for most receptions by 1 WR in a single game.
CBS Sports Kevin Harlan and Trent Green are having a blast calling this 70-20 Dolphins blowout over Broncos. Green wondered, w/a little under half the 4th quarter, when Russell Wilson is still in the game. Harlan told viewers the entire starting offensive line were still in game.
Unheard of Stat: CBS Sports Kevin Harlan telling viewers that Dolphins are 1st team to have 5 throwing TD, and 5 rushing touchdowns.
Top Reporting: Fox Sports Dean Blandino explaining that one of the forgotten rules is if you have more than 1 injury timeout with 0 timeouts remaining, an automatic 5 yard penalty is applied to make sure teams don't delay the game with fake injuries.
Top Call: CBS Sports Beth Mowins, "Matt Gay going for history at 53. The kick is aways, it's up, it's split the uprights. The Colts have defeated the Ravens in OT, and Gay has made NFL history." Gay became the first kicker to hit 4 Field Goals of 50+ yards.
Top stat: Fox Sports Greg Olsen telling viewers the TD by the Chiefs in the 1st Quarter were the teams first points in the 1st Quarter this season.
Top explanation: Fox Sports Daryl Johnston sharing that it isn't just injuries hurting the Cowboys offensive line. Having a new center means the snap counts have to be relearned and the QB doesn't have as much protection
Top Stat: Fox Sports Joe Davis telling viewers that Dallas hadn't given up any 20+ yards coming into today, but they've already given up 2 to Arizona. It's led to Dallas trailing in a game for the first time this season.
Top observation: Fox Sports Greg Olsen pointing out that Chiefs TE Travis Kelce is so good as he run a corner route but saw the the corner was waiting for him he ran a different route and was wide open for the competition.
Top information: Fox Sports Joe Davis pointing out that patience is the key to Dallas' attack, but they keep losing the chance to be patient because 11 penalties keep putting them in long yardage amounts allowing Arizona to blitz.
Top Analysis: Fox Sports Daryl Johnston telling viewers the key to any successful long runs involves the WR's being willing to get down and dirty by blocking down the field.
Strongest comment: Fox Sports Greg Olsen, on the Bears, “This is a shared collective failure. Players, coaches, and executives.”
Top Analysis: CBS Sports Charles Davis illustrating how the Seahawks run attack keeps working because when someone cuts inside to block a potential receiver, they haven't left a replacement behind allowing long runs on the outside to be successful.
Top Analysis: CBS Sports Charles Davis showing that Andy Dalton is able to recognize where holes will be because in his time in the NFL, he has learned how certain blocks develop holes. This recognition has made it easier to convert big plays.
Top Stat: Fox Sports Joe Davis sharing the Cowboys biggest problem, next to penalties, is redzone efficency. In Week 2 they went 2/6 in TD's. For W3 they're 1/6 with a pick and a stop on downs.
Top Stat: Fox Sports graphics showing that in the 2nd Half Dallas has dominated TOP 19 1/2 minutes to 8 1/2, but on the scoreboard they're losing 7-6 during that stretch.
Top Call: CBS Sports Ian Eagle, "Charbunnet, gets the play, gets the edge, trucking men, and it's 1st and Goal!"
Top Analysis: CBS Sports Ian Eagle sharing that Andy Dalton didn't want to do shifts and audibles vs. Seattle because of the noise, but the need to do so has only helped contribute to 13 team penalties and the score deficit.
Top Analysis: CBS Sports Charles Davis pointing out that even though he's not playing, QB Bryce Young needs to be paying careful attention to how Dalton distributes the ball downfield so he knows what to look for under pressure when he returns.
Top Graphic: CBS Sports showing that since 2008, the noise level in Seattle has led to 289 false start penalties, including 8 today.
Strongest comment: Fox Sports Terry Bradshaw, in Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton, “He doesn’t have his Quarterback. Russell Wilson is not his Quarterback.”
Top observation: NBC Sports Cris Collinsworth, after flags thrown & picked up for potential PI call, “That was definitely a think about it down there. Two officials down there in think about it mode. The one that didn’t think it was won out over the one that thought it was.”
Top analysis: NBC Sports Cris Collinsworth pointing out on and 3rd and 2 at crucial moment, the Raiders couldn't have called a worse defense. They are coming off a blitz at the slot off the left hand side and right into this split left so no way this cover guy could get there.
Funniest moment: NBC Sports Cris Collinsworth, after Mike Tirico told viewers that JJ (Watt) is on our side of the world wearing make-up. He created a career in TV at CBS. He was there in Week 1 and I asked what did you think of JJ on TV? TJ responded, "I was with him starting the game, showed me the set up, eating out of a taco bowl." Tirico then asked TJ, "Will you be a TV guy?" Watt responded, "No chance. I won't be on TV when I'm done." Collinsworth quips to Tirico for mentioning makeup , "You wear makeup?" Tirico, "Not now. At times. You look good in your makeup. Collinsworth quips, "Thank You."
Hustle Award: Fox Sports Tim Brando and Spencer Tillman working flawlessly to cover both Wisconsin/Purdue in West Lafayette, IN Friday before flying to Tempe, AZ and repeating the fete on USC/ASU Saturday within 27 hours.
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