The Beat of Sports

In the preseason coaches poll that came out yesterday UCF was ranked no. 17 which is the highest they have ever been ranked to open a season. Marc talks how this is a good way to start the season and helps shows that the program is respected across the country even with question marks at quarterback. He also talks what it means for the college football playoffs.

In the short history of the College Football Playoff there have only been 10 different years that have been selected. Alabama and Clemson have lead the way with the most appearances, but is it good for the sport of college football that before the season begins that you can already predict who 2 of the 4 teams will be once the calendar reaches December.

Six years, that is how long it has been since the Orlando Magic announced that they will be building an entertainment complex next to the Amway Center. But since that initial announcement nothing has happened except for a few new renderings getting released every few years.

Ahead of the MLS All-Star Game Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joins the show to talk about what it means for this game to come to Orlando. He and Marc talk about how city has become such a big destination for marquee sporting events. Then they discuss the latest with the years in the works entertainment complex next to the Amway Center.

You hear that? Football is back! This weekend is the Hall of Fame Game and that means that if you were so inclined you can wager on that game! So what are the other over/unders for football fan to plan on?

This week the newest edition of Madden is released, and each year new feature get added to the game. So what will this version bring? Owen Good from Polygon joins the show to talk about what fans can expect this year and if it will be enough to quiet the fans that want NCAA Football back.

All of the first round picks from the 2019 NBA Draft have signed their contracts except one, Chuma Okeke. Josh Robbins from The Athletic joins the show to talk why Okeke hasn't signed his contract. Then he and Marc discuss the possibility of the Magic going after Chris Paul or if the Orlando front office that Markelle Fultz can be the point guard of the future for the team.

The biggest story in college football the last few days has been members of the national media going after UCF AD Danny White after the Knights added a home and home with FIU. This morning White joined Open Mike to discuss with Mike Bianchi his scheduling philosophy and why it would be a fairy tale scenario for the Gators to be open to home and home series with UCF.

Every year eSports gets bigger and bigger. This past weekend the Fortnite World Cup took place with prize winnings over $30 million dollars. Jeff Eisenband joins the show to talk about the quick rise of Fornite in the eSports community, how the Orlando Magic 2K team fared this past season, and more.

You've seen the show on Netflix but there is another side to it than just what is happening on the field. Tyler Tynes of The Ringer joins the show to talk why the latest season of 'Last Chance U' shows the gutting effects that the college football system can have when it’s built on a lie.