Ballfields & Blackboards

Latest Episodes:

September 2026 -- NFL in Australia, Back-up QBs, & Overlooking Trinidad Chambliss Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

This month we discuss whether it makes sense for the NFL to play games all over the globe, how much teams should invest in backup quarterbacks and other backups, and how players with the ability of Trinidad Chambliss or Brock Purdy continue to be overlooked in this era of intensive scouting.

August 2026 -- NFL & College Football Preview Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

This month we try to make sense of the championship prediction markets for the NFL and College Football. In addition, we discuss why so few coaches and general managers in sports are drawn from the pool of great players and the current state of NCAA NIL legislation.

July 2026 -- World Cup Review & Evaluating American Youth Sports Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

This month, we look back at the big off-the-field impacts of the FIFA World Cup as well as critique the on-the-field action. We also discuss the success of the young 800-meter phenom from the U.S., Cooper Lutkenhaus, and his interview with David Epstein on the pros and cons of hyper-specialization and hyper-competitiveness of youth sports in the U.S.

June 2026 -- MLB First Half, Broncos Salary Cap Relief, and More Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

This month we look back at the first half of the MLB season to highlight the underachievers and overachievers as well as proposed changes to the draft that would restrict entry to those 20 or over. In addition, we talk about how the Broncos managed their salary cap purgatory and how other teams are or are not following that path, Dusty May's move from Michigan to the Dallas Mavs, and the restructuring of the PGA Tour.

May 2026 -- 24-Team College Football Playoff, MLB Franchise Values & Strikes May 29, 2026

Show notes

We dig into the 24-team college football playoff idea, the connection between MLB franchise values and the likelihood of a strike, the renewed interest in the Indianapolis 500, and more.

April 2026 -- NFL Draft, MLB First Month, and More Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

We dive into the NFL draft and ask whether it makes sense to draft a running back as high as Jeremiyah Love, and why Ty Simpson went so high. We also look back on the first month of MLB, trends in MLS popularity, the standoff between the BIG 10 and SEC on composition of the football playoff, and the "Vrabel Affair."

March 2026 -- Ending the College Sports Turmoil & MLB Automated Strike Zone Strategies Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

We dive into a proposal from Senator Tommy Tubberville for ending the turmoil in college athletics along with a conversation about best strategies for the automated strike zone in MLB and other stuff.

February 2026 -- Super Bowl, CFB Finances, MLB Salary Caps Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

January 2026 -- College Football Playoff, Cignetti Success, and More Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

This month we discuss the topsy turvey world of the College Football Playoff and why a coach like Curt Cignetti succeeds while others fail.

December 2025 -- College Football Playoffs, Kiffin, NASCAR Lawsuit Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

This month, we dive into the college football playoff setup, the Lane Kiffin drama, disappointment for NCAA with no Congressional intervention, the Big Ten's private investment strategy, and the trial for the lawsuit against NASCAR by Michael Jordan's 23XI.

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