BEYOND THE RED ZONE: NFL AND COLLEGE FOOTBALL SHOW

Introduction:   The NFL season is kicked off this Thursday, and there’s plenty to be excited about. This year, we’re witnessing history with 15 Black quarterbacks starting, signaling a shift in the league’s dynamics. But the big question on everyone’s mind is whether C.J. Stroud will continue his remarkable trajectory from a standout rookie season or fall victim to the dreaded sophomore slump. Meanwhile, Bryce Young, another first-round pick, is looking for improvement, and all eyes are on Caleb Williams, who impressed during the preseason. Williams has the monumental task of playing quarterback in Chicago, a city that has long struggled to find a true franchise QB. Could he be the one to change that narrative?   Over in Denver, the post-Peyton Manning era has been challenging, but there’s hope that Bo Nix might finally fill that void. On the college football front, the discussion around the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money is heating up. These changes are fundamentally altering the game, and some coaches, like Dabo Swinney of Clemson, might be stuck in the past, as evidenced by Clemson’s recent loss to Georgia. The portal provides opportunities for seasoned players from smaller schools to shine at bigger programs, but it also presents a dilemma: should athletes stay at a small school where they’re guaranteed playing time, or take a gamble on a bigger stage?   Cam Ward’s journey has been emblematic of this new era. While Miami’s win over the Florida Gators was convincing, questions remain about Ward’s development. Despite making plays, his size and consistency in hitting receivers in stride remain concerns. And then there’s Deion Sanders, perhaps the most talked-about 4-8 coach in history. Sanders has struggled to develop talent outside of his family, yet his son Shedeur Sanders continues to dazzle, showing why he might be the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Travis Hunter is making a case as the best player in college football, though Arizona’s Teteriora McMillan, with his jaw-dropping 304 yards and 4 TD performance against New Mexico, might be the most NFL-ready wide receiver since Randy Moss.   The USC vs. LSU game was undoubtedly the highlight of the week, but not everyone got to see it, thanks to the ongoing battles in the streaming wars. From the Olympics to Disney’s power move over DirecTV, the landscape of sports broadcasting is more fragmented than ever, causing frustration for fans.   There’s a lot to unpack, and as always, we’ll find time to be ridiculous along the way. Let’s dive in!