PRESS PICKS (Bowl Season - Pt. 1): Another way to look at the Fighting Irish and their childish behavior
STAFF REPORT
We at River Region Sports are not into giving credence or much credit to national media. Few if any are held in high regard or esteem. Most are not entitled to it. The term “fanboy” tends to be the best description of their coverage of sports these days.
It’s usually one-sided or, in most cases, looking for clicks. (Before you say it, no, it’s not jealousy. Just reality of our profession.)
Yet, Will Leitch, of the Athletic (or New York Times) showed a little audacity this week to stand up to the elephant in the room.
Make that a leprechaun.
In his column (paywall?) released on Dec. 9, Leitch made the decision to write about something other than hurt feelings or who deserves “better.”
Headlined “Notre Dame (and others) blame everyone but themselves in CFB’s lawless, leaderless era,” he went after the actual product of everyone’s contempt for those in charge - self entitlement.
Consider the heads of state at Notre Dame and their response to the exclusion from this year’s playoff. Everything and everyone was blamed for their rejection. Not just fans, who are expected to pitch a fit whenever their team is defrauded, but so did media members, school officials, U.S. Congressmen, sectors of those who should show restraint in their disagreeable reactions.
Add to it those from other institutions that joined in the fun in bashing the CFP committee members, in some cases, suggesting criminal behavior by the panel.
In this day and age, anything goes when it comes to expressing one’s beliefs. But as Leitch pens…
“If you, or your team, or your school, does not reach its stated goal, or the outcome of an endeavor is different than you would have liked, the response across the board, like clockwork, like an involuntary movement, is never to look inward. It’s to find someone to blame other than yourself.”
It was to be expected. Since the advent of the Internet, the idea that anyone who is shafted is automatically entitled to rant to the degree that others propagate the same ideas. Voices join together to exalt their passions while ignoring any sort of data provided that could provide some semblance of clarity.
There is another side of this, as Leitch points out, and that’s learning from the disappointment of losing, or as the old days taught, the pretense of not getting picked for the “team”. We’ve all been there and remember that not everyone is chosen. .
Back then, you went home and made a decision to either try to get better and give it another shot next year or decide to take life on another route.
Today, the coach gets a visit from a parent(s) to get an explanation, followed by some rant or threat to sue… or worse.
No wonder patience has taken a back seat to narcissistic behavior.
Back to Notre Dame… the good news is the program is being called out by others along with Leitch. It’s getting tiresome and becoming the norm for anyone who gets cheated out of what they “deserve” to be dismissed as crybabies.
The Irish may use this to catapult their program into another conference relationship but it’s doubtful they will be treated with kid gloves like the ACC.
Anyone with a backbone will remind them how good they’ve had it for the last 100 years. But it’s time to live like the rest of us and “take it on the chin” every now and then.
2025 Standings (Last week)
1. Michael Butler 180-60 (9-6).750
2. Graham Dunn 179-61 (8-7) .743
3. Doug Amos 172-68 (11-4) .717
4. Tim Gayle 171-69 (10-5) .713
5. Wesley Lyle 170-70 (9-6) .708
6. Barry McKnight 166-74 (7-8) .692
7. Lindsey Bonner 163-77 (9-6) .679
8. Mike Peacock 162-78 (7-8) .675
Rick Hendrick 162-78 (8-7) .675
Rosie Langello 162-78 (9-6) .675
Michael Butler (WTLS 101.1&94.7 FM/1300 AM/Tallassee Times)
180-60 (9-6).750
Army vs Navy (Sat) - Navy
Salute to Veterans (Dec. 16): Jacksonville St vs Troy - Troy
LA Bowl (Dec 13): Boise St vs Washington - Washington
Cure Bowl (Dec. 17): Old Dominion vs South Florida - USF
Myrtle Beach Bowl (Dec 19): Kennesaw St vs Western Michigan - Western Michigan
Gasparilla Bowl (Dec 19): Memphis vs NC State - NC State
Famous Potato Bowl (Dec 22): Utah St vs Washington St - Utah St
Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 23): Toledo vs Louisville - Louisville
New Orleans Bowl (Dec 23): Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss - WKY
Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23): UNLV vs Ohio - UNLV
Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24): Cal at Hawaii - Cal
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): James Madison at Oregon - Oregon
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Miami, Fla at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Tulane at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 19): Alabama at Oklahoma (Fri) - Alabama
Graham Dunn (River Region Sports/WTLS/Voice of Alabama State Hornets)
179-61 (8-7) .743
Army vs Navy (Sat) - Navy
Salute to Veterans (Dec. 16): Jacksonville St vs Troy - Troy
LA Bowl (Dec 13): Boise St vs Washington - Washington
Cure Bowl (Dec. 17): Old Dominion vs South Florida - USF
Myrtle Beach Bowl (Dec 19): Kennesaw St vs Western Michigan - Western Michigan
Gasparilla Bowl (Dec 19): Memphis vs NC State - NC State
Famous Potato Bowl (Dec 22): Utah St vs Washington St - Utah St
Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 23): Toledo vs Louisville - Louisville
New Orleans Bowl (Dec 23): Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss - WKY
Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23): UNLV vs Ohio - UNLV
Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24): Cal at Hawaii - Cal
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): James Madison at Oregon - Oregon
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Miami, Fla at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Tulane at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 19): Alabama at Oklahoma (Fri) - Oklahoma
Doug Amos (ESPN The Ticket)
172-68 (11-4) .717
Army vs Navy (Sat) - Navy
Salute to Veterans (Dec. 16): Jacksonville St vs Troy - Troy
LA Bowl (Dec 13): Boise St vs Washington - Washington
Cure Bowl (Dec. 17): Old Dominion vs South Florida - USF
Myrtle Beach Bowl (Dec 19): Kennesaw St vs Western Michigan - Western Michigan
Gasparilla Bowl (Dec 19): Memphis vs NC State - NC State
Famous Potato Bowl (Dec 22): Utah St vs Washington St - Washington St
Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 23): Toledo vs Louisville - Louisville
New Orleans Bowl (Dec 23): Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss - WKY
Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23): UNLV vs Ohio - UNLV
Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24): Cal at Hawaii - Cal
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): James Madison at Oregon - Oregon
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Miami, Fla at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Tulane at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 19): Alabama at Oklahoma (Fri) - Oklahoma
Tim Gayle (River Region Sports/Montgomery Independent)
171-69 (10-5) .713
Army vs Navy (Sat) - Navy
Salute to Veterans (Dec. 16): Jacksonville St vs Troy - Troy
LA Bowl (Dec 13): Boise St vs Washington - Washington
Cure Bowl (Dec. 17): Old Dominion vs South Florida - USF
Myrtle Beach Bowl (Dec 19): Kennesaw St vs Western Michigan -Kennesaw St
Gasparilla Bowl (Dec 19): Memphis vs NC State - NC State
Famous Potato Bowl (Dec 22): Utah St vs Washington St - Utah St
Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 23): Toledo vs Louisville - Louisville
New Orleans Bowl (Dec 23): Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss - Southern Miss
Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23): UNLV vs Ohio - UNLV
Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24): Cal at Hawaii - Cal
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): James Madison at Oregon - Oregon
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Miami, Fla at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Tulane at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 19): Alabama at Oklahoma (Fri) - Oklahoma
Wesley Lyle (River Region Sports)
170-70 (9-6) .708
Army vs Navy (Sat) - Navy
Salute to Veterans (Dec. 16): Jacksonville St vs Troy - Troy
LA Bowl (Dec 13): Boise St vs Washington - Washington
Cure Bowl (Dec. 17): Old Dominion vs South Florida - USF
Myrtle Beach Bowl (Dec 19): Kennesaw St vs Western Michigan - Western Michigan
Gasparilla Bowl (Dec 19): Memphis vs NC State - NC State
Famous Potato Bowl (Dec 22): Utah St vs Washington St - Utah St
Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 23): Toledo vs Louisville - Louisville
New Orleans Bowl (Dec 23): Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss - WKY
Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23): UNLV vs Ohio - UNLV
Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24): Cal at Hawaii - Cal
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): James Madison at Oregon - Oregon
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Miami, Fla at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Tulane at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 19): Alabama at Oklahoma (Fri) - Oklahoma
Barry McKnight (Voice of Troy Trojans)
166-74 (7-8) .692
Army vs Navy (Sat) - Navy
Salute to Veterans (Dec. 16): Jacksonville St vs Troy - Troy
LA Bowl (Dec 13): Boise St vs Washington - Washington
Cure Bowl (Dec. 17): Old Dominion vs South Florida - Old Dominion
Myrtle Beach Bowl (Dec 19): Kennesaw St vs Western Michigan - Western Michigan
Gasparilla Bowl (Dec 19): Memphis vs NC State - Michigan
Famous Potato Bowl (Dec 22): Utah St vs Washington St - Washington St
Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 23): Toledo vs Louisville - Louisville
New Orleans Bowl (Dec 23): Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss - WKY
Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23): UNLV vs Ohio - UNLV
Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24): Cal at Hawaii - Hawaii
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): James Madison at Oregon - Oregon
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Miami, Fla at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Tulane at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 19): Alabama at Oklahoma (Fri) - Oklahoma
Lindsey Bonner (Sports Director - WAKA Ch. 8)
163-77 (9-6) .679
Army vs Navy (Sat) - Navy
Salute to Veterans (Dec. 16): Jacksonville St vs Troy - Troy
LA Bowl (Dec 13): Boise St vs Washington - Washington
Cure Bowl (Dec. 17): Old Dominion vs South Florida - Old Dominion
Myrtle Beach Bowl (Dec 19): Kennesaw St vs Western Michigan - Kennesaw St
Gasparilla Bowl (Dec 19): Memphis vs NC State - NC State
Famous Potato Bowl (Dec 22): Utah St vs Washington St - Utah St
Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 23): Toledo vs Louisville - Louisville
New Orleans Bowl (Dec 23): Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss - Southern Miss
Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23): UNLV vs Ohio - UNLV
Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24): Cal at Hawaii - Cal
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): James Madison at Oregon - Oregon
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Miami, Fla at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Tulane at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 19): Alabama at Oklahoma (Fri) - Alabama
Rick Hendrick (WXFS 95.1 The Fox/PA Montgomery Biscuits)
162-78 (8-7) .675
Army vs Navy (Sat) - Navy
Salute to Veterans (Dec. 16): Jacksonville St vs Troy - Troy
LA Bowl (Dec 13): Boise St vs Washington - Boise St
Cure Bowl (Dec. 17): Old Dominion vs South Florida - USF
Myrtle Beach Bowl (Dec 19): Kennesaw St vs Western Michigan - Western Michigan
Gasparilla Bowl (Dec 19): Memphis vs NC State - Memphis
Famous Potato Bowl (Dec 22): Utah St vs Washington St - Washington St
Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 23): Toledo vs Louisville - Louisville
New Orleans Bowl (Dec 23): Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss - Southern Miss
Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23): UNLV vs Ohio - Ohio
Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24): Cal at Hawaii - Hawaii
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): James Madison at Oregon - Oregon
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Miami, Fla at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Tulane at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 19): Alabama at Oklahoma (Fri) - Alabama
Mike Peacock (River Region Sports/ASU Hornets Radio analyst )
162-78 (7-8) .675
Army vs Navy (Sat) - Navy
Salute to Veterans (Dec. 16): Jacksonville St vs Troy - Troy
LA Bowl (Dec 13): Boise St vs Washington - Boise St
Cure Bowl (Dec. 17): Old Dominion vs South Florida - USF
Myrtle Beach Bowl (Dec 19): Kennesaw St vs Western Michigan - Kennesaw St
Gasparilla Bowl (Dec 19): Memphis vs NC State - Memphis
Famous Potato Bowl (Dec 22): Utah St vs Washington St - Washington St
Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 23): Toledo vs Louisville - Louisville
New Orleans Bowl (Dec 23): Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss - Southern Miss
Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23): UNLV vs Ohio - UNLV
Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24): Cal at Hawaii - Hawaii
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): James Madison at Oregon - Oregon
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Miami, Fla at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Tulane at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 19): Alabama at Oklahoma (Fri) - Alabama
Rosie Langello (Sports Director - WSFA Ch. 12)
162-78 (9-6) .675
Army vs Navy (Sat) - Army
Salute to Veterans (Dec. 16): Jacksonville St vs Troy - Jax St
LA Bowl (Dec 13): Boise St vs Washington - Washington
Cure Bowl (Dec. 17): Old Dominion vs South Florida - Old Dominion
Myrtle Beach Bowl (Dec 19): Kennesaw St vs Western Michigan - Western Michigan
Gasparilla Bowl (Dec 19): Memphis vs NC State - Memphis
Famous Potato Bowl (Dec 22): Utah St vs Washington St - Utah St
Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 23): Toledo vs Louisville - Toledo
New Orleans Bowl (Dec 23): Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss - Southern Miss
Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23): UNLV vs Ohio - UNLV
Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24): Cal at Hawaii - Hawaii
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): James Madison at Oregon - Oregon
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Miami, Fla at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 20): Tulane at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
CFP Playoff Game (Dec. 19): Alabama at Oklahoma (Fri) - Alabama