Happy Friday everyone! We made it through another jam-packed week, which is good news for me. Gone are the days sifting through the baseball summer dog days for content, its football season! The official first week of college football brought us some terrific action so let’s dive in.
Worst of the Week: Cruel and Unusual Punishment
You can finally cross “Nick buries the NCAA” off your bingo card, as the real-world version of “Evil Corp” struck again Thursday night. The ultimate easy target decided to punish another student athlete, while on the other hand enforcing absolutely zero rules. For context, since the pandemic the NCAA has both loosened its grip on transfer restrictions and handed out additional years of eligibility like free candy.
This brings us to the victim in our story, North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker. Walker transferred to Chapel Hill earlier this year from Kent State where he played two years of football. Upon becoming a member of the Tar Heels, Walker had his eligibility for the 2023 season denied. The Heels appealed the decision, but the NCAA held firm on its ruling with an announcement Thursday night, after he already missed his team’s season opening win against South Carolina.
Walker started his collegiate career at East Tennessee State University but took a gap year after a knee injury. He transferred to NC Central but didn’t get to suit up for them as they cancelled football due to the pandemic. Without ever playing a down he transferred to Kent State and became a MAC star. Walker made his transfer to North Carolina official before Christmas 2022, and enrolled in January, two days before the NCAA decided to start limiting eligibility waivers for two-time transfers.
All of these factors were beyond the players control, which should certainly exempt him from punishment. Walker also cites several personal and mental health struggles as matters that have impacted his career. Yet, they chose to drop the gavel on him anyway and rob a player of a chance to play for a solid program that looks to be on the verge of a big season. Cue Mac Brown taking the NCAA to the cleaners.
Honorable Mention: Wanted to toss in an honorable mention here for current LSU fraud head coach, and nemesis of the site, Brian Kelly. “Big Game Brian” struck again Sunday night as his Tigers got run off the field in the second half by Florida State. In typical Kelly fashion he threw his players under the bus, lied his way through his press conferences and is now scrambling to save face. Glad to see things haven’t changed from the ND days Brian.
Best of The Week: Laradise
You’re probably asking yourself, how I am leaving our Colorado beating TCU. My disdain for “Coach Prime” (a story for another time) aside, I felt the Colorado story had been covered more than enough to this point, so I went off the board. Amongst the opening weekend upsets was a stunner that flew a bit under the radar. While Clemson laid an egg in Durham and Baylor got stunned by Texas State, the Red Raiders of Texas Tech went to Laramie Wyoming to face the Cowboys.
War Memorial Stadium was ready for ranked BIG 12 competition and made for a hostile environment that inspired their team to reach overtime. Trailing 33-27 in the second extra period, the Cowboys cashed in on their chance to end the game.
Following the thrilling ending, Cowboy quarterback Andrew Peasley became an internet sensation with his postgame quotes.
To borrow a phrase, which I used when discussing baseball on this site, “how can you not be romantic about college football?” Nothing beats a big upset. From storming the field to the seemingly consistently unique characters at the center of them, they’re just a ton of fun. While it was a great win for Wyoming, it was an equally gut-wrenching loss for Texas Tech. The good news for the Red Raiders is they get a chance to bounce back and pull an upset of their own this weekend at home against Oregon.
Before we go, it’s time for what will be a recurring feature in this article during football season, “Nick’s Picks”. I encourage you not to follow me, I am a Mike Francesa level mush at times, so don’t try to make money off my insight. Having said that, let’s get to the picks.
College Picks
#23 Texas A&M -3.5 @ Miami: I like the Aggies this week in Coral Gables. While the U comes off an opening week win at home, A&M was more impressive, albeit against New Mexico. Jimbo Fisher and Bobby Patrino look capable of co-existing, and Connor Weigman looks like the real deal under center. A&M wins and covers.
#11 Texas +7 @ #3 Alabama: This week’s marquee matchup sees the Longhorns head into the heart of SEC country to battle the Crimson Tide. With each team coming off comfortable opening week wins; they will take a step up in quality this week. The Horns were a bit sloppy last week, I think they clean things up and make this one close against a Bama team that isn’t Saban’s best. Horns cover but Bama wins.
NFL Picks
49ers -2 @ Steelers: The NFC runner up from last season will travel to the Steel City for an opening week clash with a team I’m quite bullish on. While the Niners have a wealth of experience I worry about Brock Purdy starting this week after missing most of the offseason. The ferocious Steeler pass rush could wreck this game and I think the black and yellow win a tight affair outright.
Rams @ Seahawks -5: Sticking with the theme of team I am high on; I am all over the Seahawks this week at home against the Rams. Seattle’s offense is at full strength and this Rams defense doesn’t feature many recognizable faces. Give me the hawks at home, to cover in front of the 12’s in style.
Let me know your favorite picks on Twitter @YNWA9623 and subscribe to the blog by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner of your screen and entering your email address. Enjoy the football weekend ahead and keep an eye out for my Notre Dame recap to come this weekend after the Irish clash with NC State.
The Broadway Breakdown 
Leave a comment