Best graphic: Amazon Prime having 3 shots of the opening kickoff. Shot showed the kicker, players lined up, & endzone with returners. Kaylee Hartung had the honor of explaining to viewers the new kickoff rule. She was excellent in explaining the complex nuances of the new rule.
Amazon Prime Al Michaels, sounding refreshed and enjoying the game, set up Kirk Herbstreit on if he detected a different throwing motion on Colts QB Anthony Richardson following his shoulder surgery. Classic Al Michaels.
Top analysis: Amazon's Kirk Herbstreit shares the one thing keeping Colts QB Anthony Richardson from being elite is he tends to scramble too often. If he can learn to be patient in the pocket, the Colts could have a lot of success.
Top stat: Amazon's Kaylee Hartung shares that after last season had a record low 27% returns, the new kickoff rules have increased returns to 73% in the preseason.
Top analysis: Amazon's Kirk Herbstreit shares the hardest preseason game to evaluate is the 3rd gane because while some teams play their starters for a half, others play only the backups the entire time to figure out roster depth.
Top info: Amazon's Kirk Herbstreit shares that while Joe Burrow is healthy again, his actual game performance will be unknown until Week 1 because coaches haven't let anyone put any type of pressure on his hand.
Best Timing Award: Amazon's Kirk Herbstreit shares that while Richardson has good series (7/8, 1 TD), he tends to struggle the next series. 2 plays later Richardson threw a pick 6 to even the score 7-7.
Top analysis: Amazon's Kirk Herbstreit shares that most QB's struggle in Week 1 because they're having to reestablish timing with their receivers. It's even more evident on teams that sit their starters in the preseason.
Top analysis: Amazon's Al Michaels shares that Week 3 of the preseason always has a few standouts because the backups play all out knowing they could very well be headed back to normal pedestrian life after the game if they're not picked up.
Say what?: Amazon's Kirk Herbstreit accidentally said Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase has 2 games left on his current deal when it's 2 seasons.
Top interview: During the 2nd Quarter Amazon's Al Michaels asked QB Joe Burrow if it was his decision or coaches on him not playing in Preseason Game 3. Burrow responded it was fully coaches decision so they could figure out the team, but he'd have preferred to play at least a quarter.
Top stat: Amazon's Al Michaels shared that Prime's NFL package is their most attractive to date in 2024 because it contains 12 Divisional battles.
Top analysis: Amazon's Kirk Herbstreit shares the most common penalty on rookie defenders is illegal contact. 4 weeks of camp isn't enough to change the mind from using contact they were used to in college that's now illegal.
Top reference: Amazon's Al Michaels shared that while most people who won't make rosters will return to their normal lives after the preseason, a select few will be selected to begin preparing to be part of the 2028 Summer Olympics Flag Football team.
Amazon Prime’s Kaylee Hartung Is clearly a star on the rise. She asks clear, concise question instead of the old cliches of “What adjustments are you going to make at the half?” She put on a sheer clinic of questions on Colts RB Jonathan Taylor. Hartung’s future is bright.
Best stat: Amazon Prime’s Al Michaels reminding Kirk Herbstreit and younger viewers that when he was on ABC Monday Night Football that he would call 3 to 4 preseason games for the network. Michaels quipped, “I was worn about before the season.”
Funniest exchange: Amazon Prime’s Kirk Herbstreit asks Al Michaels, “When was the last time that you were excited for a kickoff.?”
Michaels, quips, “When Devin Hester was back there!”
Hustle Award: After opening up Amazon's TNF package in Cincinnati, ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit is flying 3,670 miles and spanning 5 timezones to Ireland to open up the 2024 College GameDay coverage onsite Saturday.
Funniest line: ESPN Nick Saban, on Florida State, "I just want Kirk to know that I got a thousand phone calls when we got into the playoffs. He didn’t have anything with them not getting into the playoffs and I didn’t either.”
ESPN’s Nick Saban in just under an hour has already proven that he’s hands down the best hire of any of the college football pregame shows. His knowledge, self deprecating humor, chemistry with Gameday crew clearly continues to study every team is quite evident. Home run hire.
Top analysis: ESPN's Jesse Palmer shares that the coach to QB communication this year acts like training wheels and allows coaches to provide recommendations not in the normal playbook.
Top analysis: ESPN's Joe Tessitore shares the key to successful kicks on an unfamiliar field is kick like you normally do. Don't think about the different field shapes or distances. Focus on it being normal.
Top analysis: ESPN's Jesse Palmer stated what makes it difficult to defend Georgia Tech's run game is they have 5 different runners. If you try to defend just one they hand it to another, and it leads to big 5+ yards per carry.
Funniest exchange: ESPN's Katie George and Jesse Palmer discussed an earlier golf practice where they ignored the caddy.
George: "After 18 holes with me, that caddy may never want to work again”
Palmer: "I asked him what we owed him after, and he said an apology."
Top explanation: ESPN's Joe Tessitore did a great job explaining 12-team playoff, specifically on who gets byes. He noted how only the 4 P4 champions are eligible for the bye, so the ranking next to your name doesn't matter. It places the biggest impact on your conference performance.
ESPN’s Joe Tessitore’s uncanny ability each Saturday to get assigned one of the most thrilling college football games of the day continues in Week 0.
Top stat: ESPN's Lowell Galindo shares that the temperature down on the field for McNeese/Tarleton is 160 degrees plus after a week straight of triple digit highs.
Best Timing Award: ESPN's Fozzy Whittaker telling viewers McNeese spent a lot of their off-season focusing on pressure blitzes because their leading sacker only had 2 sacks last season seconds before McNeese got their first sack of the season on their third play from scrimmage.
Top analysis: ESPN's Fozzy Whittaker shares the main goal for offenses in the first game of the season isn't big plays. Instead it's aimed at establishing consistency so you know where to go to continue moving the ball.
Top reporting: Fox Sports Josh Sims shares New Mexico head coach Bronco Mendenhall has earned the respect of the team by making sure no position is freely given. Every position starts at ground 0 and has to be earned through hard practice.
Top analysis: Fox Sports Devin Gardner telling viewers Montana State's D had the goal of using leverage when tackling all off-season. While it initially appears to work in practice, it is actual game performances that illustrate if it's successful.
Best Timing Award: Fox Sports Tim Brando shared that Montana State's rush attack was the top in FCS in 2023, but it was inconsistent passing that cost them wins. The next snap resulted in a sack, fumble, scoop, and score to put UNM up 7-0.
Top stat: Fox Sports Tim Brando shared the UNM fumble recovery for a TD was their first defensive fumble TD recovery since 2021.
Top production: Fox Sports production team showing numerous angles and replays showing the Montana State fumble that resulted in a scoop and score for New Mexico.
Dreaded Glitch Award: Fox Sports lost audio on Montana St/UNM for roughly 2 minutes. When audio was restored Devin kept talking over Tim and Tim kept asking the booth if they'd lost all audio before saying, "It's Game 1 on Week 0 for all of us."
Top info: Fox Sports Tim Brando shares the lack of Week 0 games has nothing to do with NCAA regulations. Instead most coaches are trying to install new systems, and they'd rather have 1 more week of prep over a game.
Funniest line: Fox Sports Tim Brando, "My old partner can testify that I typically speak in absolutes. This time was no different. I was absolutely wrong."
Funniest line: Fox Sports Tim Brando, on a potential fumble by Montana St. QB Mellott, the ball may have been going forward quips, “Tom Brady right now would be saying it’s a pass. Jon Gruden is somewhere in a rubber room saying it’s a fumble.
Top stat: Fox Sports Tim Brando shares UNM's D only had 2 scores in their previous 52 drives coming into today. Today they have 2 against Montana St.
Strongest comment: Fox Sports Tim Brando, on a questionable Montana State spot, “If the whistle blew early which may have then I get it. Otherwise, I think it was a poor spot.”
Funniest line: Fox Sports Tim Brando, with winds whirling flags, debris, and tents quips, "I promise the wind is not coming from the booth." Tim Brando had a funny line around wind in the Montana State-New Mexico game.”
Best Old School reference: Fox Sports Tim Brando, paying homage to former top ESPN pxp broadcaster, Ron Franklin, “We’ve got a timeout and as Ron Franklin used to say, we will take it with them.”
Funniest line: Fox Sports Tim Brando, "Analysts beware when you're in the booth with Brando and they play jumparound. It got tons of views on TikTok."
Oops Award: Fox Sports Tim Brando said Bronco Mendenhall lost big in his 1st games as Head Coach at BYU & West Virginia. Bronco coached at Virginia, not West Virginia.
Top information: CBS Sports Robert Turbin shared that Nevada has posted 2-10 all across their lockerroom to provide motivation material and help them exceed preseason expectations because MW coaches picked them to go 2-10.
Top information: CBS Sports Rich Waltz shared that one of the new rules is if a player is ejected, depending on the severity of the ejection, they are still allowed to remain on the sideline and be a good teammate. They are just not allowed back on the field.
Top stat: CBS Sports Robert Turbin shared that while SMU had one of the top sack teams in 2023, it was untimely penalties that kept them from being more successful. Those same penalty problems have given Nevada the advantage this night.
Best Timing Award: CBS Sports Rich Waltz shared that SMU QB Preston Stone had 0 rushes entering the 3rd Quarter despite being one of the best run option QB's in 2023 after suffering a broken fibula, but that he needed to get over that fear. On the next play Stone scrambled for 12 yards- his 1st run of the night.
Top analysis: CBS Sports Robert Turbin shared that the key to keeping a tempo team off track is keep them off the field as much as possible. Throw in different defense formations to keep them unpredictable.
Class act: NBC Sports allowing Jeff Burton to leave the broadcast booth to be with his son, Harrison, in victory lane.
Hustle Award: Broadcaster Andrew Catalon called Panthers/Bills game yesterday will be on the national call today for Cardinals/Broncos on CBS. Coverage begins at 4:30pm ET.
Oops Award: Saints Broadcaster Joel Meyers, after the Saints kicked a FG to up 10-0, tells viewers the Saints go to the break 10-0. The 2nd Quarter still had 14:11 left.
Top info: CBS Sports’ Andrew Catalon telling viewers that Bo Nix is the first Broncos rookie QB to start in Week 1 since John Elway.
Hustle Award: Broadcaster AJ Ross was studio host for Steelers pre and post game coverage last night and today working the sidelines for Cardinals/Broncos on CBS.
Top info: CBS Sports Tiki Barber shared that it wasn't the system that Payton ran that made New Orleans successful. Instead ot was Brees' quick release and decision making that made it difficult for opponents to counteract.
Top interview: CBS Sports AJ Ross interviewing Broncos S Pat Surtain II asking about the changes on the Broncos but still getting the question in about the days he battled Bo Nix when he was at Auburn and how he has progressed.
Top info: CBS Sports Andrew Catalon pointing out to viewers that the umpire will be the referee in the 2nd Half. Catalon notes the NFL is doing it if the referee cannot finish the game.
Top production: CBS Sports graphic using a football, helmets and a football field as Catalon did a stellar job explaining the new kickoff rule.
Once in a Lifetime Award: CBS Sports Andrew Catalon is the first broadcaster to broadcast games with two analysts that have identical twins.
Top analysis: CBS' Jason McCourty shared that one reason most defenders are better in their 2nd year isn't just a familiarity with the system, but it's because they've learned what to expect from the people in the city. They now know where to avoid.
Top stat: CBS' Andrew Catalon shared that while Zach Wilson has 33 NFL starts, he is only 6 months older than Bo Nix. It gives Denver the projected youngest QB room in the league.
Best line: CBS Sports Andrew Catalon, after Cardinals QB Clayton Tune throws a 96 pick 6, “The wrong tune there. Levelle Bailey a 96 yard pick 6.”
CBS Sports has put together a terrific trio of Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, and Jason McCourty. Chemistry was natural and no stepping over one another. Catalon led and let the analysts tell us insights that viewers want to hear. This trio will be favorites of many viewers.
NBC Sports Cris Collinsworth, in his 14th year in the “big chair,” means the NFL is back.
Top observation: NBC Sports Cris Collinsworth noting the Commanders backups are going full throttle against the Patriots starters.
Top analysis: NBC Sports Cris Collinsworth telling viewers with the potential shoulder injury to Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett it begs the question how long does Drake Maye play.
Strongest comment: NBC Sports Cris Collinsworth, on Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, “If you want to compare him to somebody, I think Lamar Jackson. 2 time MVP. I got it. He (Jayden) in his heart a pocket passer just like Lamar.”
Funniest line: NBC Sports Cris Collinsworth, on the amount of penalty flags throw in the first half, quips, “How many flags do they have at the U.N.?”
Top analysis: NBC's Cris Collinsworth said the big complaint on Patriots QB Drake Maye in college was his footwork. However the West Coast Offense has improved his footwork because it has forced him to move them faster, leading to easier and faster completions.
Top nugget: NBC Sports Cris Collinsworth telling viewers the Commanded QB Trace McSorley was on the golf course when he received the call to come for a tryout.
McSorley was on CBSSN’s NFL Monday QB last season and definitely has a career in broadcasting.
AROUND THE DIAL
Fox Sports will have multi-sport star Alex Faust and longtime SI sportswriter Tom Verducci on the call of Houston/Philadelphia. Coverage begins Aug 26 at 6:30pm on FS1.
Fox Sports will have the voice of the NHL Kenny Albert and the pinch hitter who never cracked under pressure Mark Sweeney on the call of Tampa Bay/Seattle. Coverage begins Aug 26 at 9:30pm on FS1.
Fox Sports will have The Beast Brandon Gaudin, on loan from Atlanta, ace pitcher and analyst John Smoltz, and Ken Rosenthal on the call of Atlanta/Philadelphia on Saturday Night Baseball August 31.
Fox Sports will have the often forgotten superstar Don Orsillo and The Polish Prince A.J. Pierzynski on the call of Milwaukee/Cincinnati on Saturday Night Baseball August 31.
ESPN will have the terrific tandem of Anish Shroff, Andre Ware, and Paul Carcaterra on BYU/SMU. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 6 at 7pm ET on ESPN2.
ESPN will have Arizona’s finest Dave Pasch, Stoops-Era All Name team member Dusty Dvoracek, and newly promoted Taylor McGregor on the call of Arkansas/Oklahoma State. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at High Noon on ABC.
ESPN will have Mike Corey and the detective who has an eye on the ball Rene Ingoglia on the call of Troy/Memphis. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at High Noon on ESPNU.
ESPN will have Chris Cotter, Mark Herzlich, and Coley Harvey on the call of Georgia Tech/Syracuse. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at High Noon on ACC Network.
ESPN will have the "Czar” Taylor Zarzour the All-American insurance man Matt Stinchcomb, and Alyssa Lang on the call of McNeese/Texas A&M. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 12:45pm ET on SEC Network.
ESPN will have upcoming star Jay Alter, the boy who doesn't want to grow up Rocky Boiman, and Ashley Stroehlein on the call of Tennessee Tech/Georgia. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 2 pm ET on SEC+ & ESPN+.
ESPN will have Kelsie Kasper and Ryan Cavanaugh on the call of Missouri State/Ball State. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 2 pm ET on ESPN+.
ESPN will have Anthony Lima and Randy Buffington on the call of St. Francis (PA)/Kent State. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 2:30 pm ET on ESPN+.
ESPN will have "The Man Who Always Listens to Know What to Say" Sean McDonough, the QB whose analysis slices smoothly like a knife through bread Greg McElroy, and Molly McGrath on the call of South Carolina/Kentucky. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 3:30 pm ET on ABC.
ESPN will have the voice of Giants radio Dave Flemming, “The Abrockalypse” Brock Oswelier, and Stormy Buonantony on the call of California/Auburn. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 3:30 pm ET on ESPN2.
ESPN will have ESPNLA’s finest Jorge Sedano, Orlando Franklin, and Morgan Uber on the call Charlotte/North Carolina Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 3:30 pm ET on ACC Network.
Justin Kutcher is chasing Carmen Sandiego. This time she's raiding Louisville. He'll join Charles "Buck" Arbuckle on the call of Jacksonville State/Louisville to continue the pursuit. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 3:30 pm ET on ACCN Extra & ESPN+.
ESPN will have track and field specialist pxp man Bill Spaulding and the top HSFB analyst Craig Haubert on the call of Duquesne/Boston College. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 3:30 pm ET on ACCN Extra & ESPN+.
ESPN will reunite Michael Reghi and Je'Rod Cherry for the UMass/Toledo showdown. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 3:30 pm ET on ESPN+.
ESPN will have Doug Sherman and Tyoka Jackson on the call of UTSA/Texas State. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 4 pm ET on ESPNU.
ESPN will have the longtime voice of the SEC Dave Neal, Georgia's own Black Mamba Aaron Murray, and Ashley ShahAhmadi on the call of Middle Tennessee/Ole Miss. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 4:15 pm ET on SEC Network.
ESPN will have Chuckie Kempf and Forrest Conoly on the call of Florida A&M/Miami (FL). Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 6 pm ET on ACCN Extra & ESPN+.
ESPN will have Richard Cross and Barrett Brooks on the call of UAlbany/West Virginia. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 6 pm ET on ESPN+.
ESPN reunites longtime LLWS US Regional voice Jim Barbar and Marcus Ray for South Alabama/Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 6 pm ET on ESPN+.
ESPN will have James Westling and Leger Douzable on the call of Sam Houston/UCF. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 6:30 pm ET on ESPN+.
ESPN will have the cardiac call of Joe Tessitore, The Bachelor host Jesse Palmer, and Katie George will have the call of South Florida/Alabama. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 7 pm ET on ESPN.
ESPN will have Mike Monaco, Kirk Morrison, and Dawn Davenport call Virginia/Wake Forest. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 7 pm ET on ESPN2.
ESPN will have the recently announced team of Clay Matvick and Steve Addazio open up with Samford/Florida. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 7 pm ET on SEC+ & ESPN+.
ESPN will have the longtime voice of LHN Lowell Galindo and Fozzy Whittaker on the call of Buffalo/Missouri. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 7 pm ET on SEC+ & ESPN+.
ESPN will have Roxy Bernstein, Michael Bumpus, and Sherree Burruss on the call of Cal Poly/Stanford. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 7 pm ET on ACCN Extra & ESPN+.
ESPN will have Shawn Kenney and LaDarrin McLane on the call of Texas Southern/Rice. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 7 pm ET on ESPN+.
ESPN will try to break free with Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, and Salt Lake greatest hidden secret Holly Rowe on the call of Tennessee/NC State. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 7:30 pm ET on ABC.
ESPN will have Kevin Fitzgerald and Charlie Strong on the call of Alcorn State/Vanderbilt. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 7:30 pm ET on ESPNU.
ESPN will have Matt Schumacker and Dustin Fox on the call of Nicholls/LSU. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 7:30 pm ET on SEC+ & ESPN+.
ESPN will have Peter Sousa and Doc Holliday on the call of Stephen F Austin/North Texas. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN+.
ESPN will have Tom Hart, the keen insights of Jordan Rodgers, and the impeccable film study teacher Cole Cubelic on the call of Houston/Oklahoma. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 7:45pm ET on SEC Network.
ESPN will have the deep baritone of the South Wes Durham, Tom "Lugs" Luginbill, and Dana Boyle on the call of Appalachian State/Clemson. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 8 pm ET on ACC Network.
ESPN will have Ted Emrich and Dave Steckel on the call of Long Island/TCU. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 8 pm ET on ESPN+.
ESPN will have the voice of the NJCAA National Championship Chris Sylvester, Brad Hopkins and Shane Sparks on the Arizona border battle between Northern Arizona/Arizona. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 10 pm ET on ESPN+.
ESPN will have the man who knows how to call all the punches and blows Brian Custer, Rod Gilmore, and Lauren Sisler on the call of Liberty/New Mexico State. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 10:15 pm ET on ESPN2.
ESPN will have Mark Jones, "Rowdy" Roddy Jones, and the goalie who knows the best ways to make a save Quint Kessenich on the call of Mississippi State/Arizona State. Kickoff is scheduled Sept 7 at 10:30 pm ET on ESPN.
