Friday Thoughts For Week 8 and a Whole Lot of Pony

A few things on my mind before Saturday, a welcome to our new subscribers and everything you might have missed this week.

Me speaking at the Red Elephant Club last season in Tuscaloosa. I love Alabama, but last week was hard to unsee.

Happy Friday, everybody.

First, welcome to all the new subscribers who joined us this week. I’m Chris, although plenty of people just call me Pony. Whether you found me through Full Ride, a podcast, an article or a friend who passed something along, I’m glad you’re here.

And to those who have been here building this with me: thank you.

I’ve been working hard for you this week. Stories, interviews, college football arguments, a little Nashville sports and the occasional opinion that could make me look like a complete idiot by Saturday night.

This email is your chance to catch up. Before we get to everything, though, a few Friday thoughts.

I’m picking Alabama. I just can’t unsee last week.

I don’t think Alabama is going to lose three games in a row.

But I also can’t unsee what I watched in Knoxville.

I was there covering the game for Morgan Wallen Radio, reporting back every quarter. I watched every snap with sober eyes and a responsibility to explain what was happening.

It was bad.

Tennessee owned the line of scrimmage. Alabama’s offensive line was a mess. The new center didn’t look ready. They couldn’t run, and they couldn’t adequately protect Keelon Russell.

Woof.

It made me wonder about depth in the portal era. Everybody wants to talk about your starters. What happens when the next guy has to play? Have you developed him? Have you kept him? Is he ready?

I expect Alabama to beat Texas A&M. The Aggies look like they have plenty of problems themselves.

But if DeBoer loses three straight, that article I wrote a few weeks ago about him being a blessing for Alabama is going to make me look like a massive dumbass.

Luckily, I never claimed not to be one.

Michigan has my attention

I have a feeling Indiana could lose two in a row.

That’s a feeling, not some declaration that Indiana is suddenly fraudulent. The Hoosiers are still elite. They were within a controversial eyelash of Ohio State last week.

But Tommy Carr sparked something after Bryce Underwood was benched against Penn State, and I’m interested in what Michigan looks like with a different direction at quarterback.

Do I think Underwood has been holding that offense back? Yes.

Is it nuts that we’re saying that about the quarterback who was supposed to change everything? Also yes.

The recruitment, the money, the expectations—none of it gets you a first down on Saturday.

As I wrote about Arch Manning this week, sometimes you have to consider whether a different situation might help a talented player. Maybe that eventually becomes a conversation for Underwood, too.

For now, I wonder if making a decision lets Kyle Whittingham and his offense breathe a little and go coach ball.

I expect a spark. Against Indiana, they’ll need one.

And imagine if Golesh gets Kiffin, too

How great would it be if Alex Golesh follows the Georgia win by beating LSU?

Seriously.

Rick talks about the “SEC flu,” when a team follows a huge win by looking completely different the next Saturday. That’s the danger for Auburn.

But confidence matters, too. Golesh has swagger, and now his players have evidence that they can beat an elite opponent.

Imagine the feeling at Auburn if they do it again.

And imagine the conversation around Kiffin if they do.

Another perfectly normal, emotionally stable Saturday awaits us.

Here’s what I’ve been working on for you

If your week got busy, start wherever something grabs you.

Maryland, Call These Two Guys. I Believe in Them.
My premium case for Mike Denbrock and Lance Leipold. I know them, I believe in them, and I think Maryland would be foolish not to find out if they’re interested. Give a builder a chance.

Arch Manning and Texas may need a change.
Sometimes a relationship doesn’t work the way everybody imagined. That doesn’t mean either side is hopeless. But it might mean asking an uncomfortable question.

More Keith Jackson, Less Manosphere.
I miss a certain way of presenting college football. The stories. The traditions. The respect for the people who care about it. I don’t believe everything needs to become a shouting contest.

My Rocky Top confession.
This one really connected with you. My experience in Knoxville, working for Morgan Wallen Radio and watching generations of families gather around something they love, hit me right in my college football-loving soul.

I hated the 24-team playoff, then…
Last Saturday made me reconsider some things. I’m willing to change my mind when the sport gives me a reason to.

And I’ve been building something new, too: Broadway & Second, the Nashville and Tennessee sports side of Show Pony.

The Titans finally won, but that’s not the story.
My first piece over there is about hope. Because being a fan means finding reasons to believe, even when your team has given you plenty of reasons not to.

Watch, listen and join us

There’s been plenty happening on Show Pony Live, too. If you missed the conversations this week, you can catch up here:

Watch this episode · Watch this one, too

And Tim Brando joins me on the podcast tomorrow! I’m looking forward to that conversation.

Please subscribe to Show Pony Media on YouTube so you can keep up with the interviews, clips and special shows.

If you enjoy what I’m building and want the premium pieces, subscriber conversations and more access to me, join the Show Pony Club. Paid subscriptions help give me the time and space to keep doing this work.

Show Pony University starts November 3, too. If you’re interested in working on your broadcasting, interviewing and finding something worth saying, reply to this email for details.

Thanks to our partners

🪑 4Topps: Upgrade your patio with an AIRdirondack chair—my favorite spot for fall football pondering.

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Whether you’re a free reader, a paid subscriber or somebody who keeps sending these stories to friends, I appreciate you. I’ve put a lot into this week, and I hope you find something here worth your time.

Have a great weekend. Hit reply and tell me what’s on your mind before Saturday.

—Pony