The Beat of Sports

A new era is beginning at Florida State for Willie Taggart what has the process been like as we get a preview of the Seminoles season. Where might Taggart be leaning at starting quarterback as through the first few weeks of fall practice have been a 3-headed monster. What has the transition been like for the program as a new culture is forming after Jimbo Fisher had been there for so many years.

Mike Bianchi, Marc Daniels, and Jerry O’Neil open The Bridge discussing Jerry’s hotel habits and unruly eyebrows, and then turn to UCF’s 21st overall ranking in the AP poll. The guys also debate what will/should happen to Urban Meyer after the Ohio State investigation comes to a close.

PRO referee Mark Geiger joins the show to discuss the upcoming release of his book with National Geographic and more. He talks with Marc about what it has been like to have the opportunity to officiate in recent World Cups. He discusses why he decided to become a referee despite all of the criticism the job receives plus he talks about the worst things he has dealt with while on the field. Then he addresses the perceived bias that Orlando City fans feel exists within the league when all the calls seem to go against them and he talks about the challenges that VAR has presented for all officials in the soccer world.

While the college football teams across the states have enjoyed success recently with winning seasons and national championships the same cannot be said for our NFL teams. Marc explains that for the Jaguars, Buccaneers and Dolphins they've spent the better part of the decade stuck in the abyss. He talks about how the last playoff win for the Bucs was the Super Bowl with Jon Gruden and then compares last years run by the Jaguars with the success UCF enjoyed last season.

Bianchi and Marc Daniels discuss the possibility of an in-state team possibly trading for QB Teddy Bridgewater and Bianchi explains to Marc why he is upset about UCF's ranking in the AP Preseason Poll.

The story behind a high school football game that never ended because of a shooting. The details behind what happened, how the coaches and players reacted and how they hope that normalcy can return. Plus the question gets asked of what can be done to help make high school sports events safer, is this now the world that all stadiums need metal detectors?

On the eve of the first Associated Press College Football poll, Marc talks about how more season previews coming out keep listing the Knights as an overrated program. He points out the CBS Sports did that over the weekend AND referred to Mckenzie Milton as "Milton McKenzie" until the Twitter mob forced them to correct this error. Marc explains that for the fan base these things always even out once games begin and that their is nothing that can be done to earn respect except winning games.

Mike Bianchi and Marc Daniels open The Bridge discussing the soon to be announced Greatest Football Player in State History Bracket on 969thegame.comand who deserves to be on the list of 32. Plus, Blake Bortles uneven performance in preseason week #2.

This week on the Open Mike show Stan Van Gundy discussed Dwight Howard and whether or not he can still provide value to an NBA team after so many teams have now moved a position less lineup of all shooters. Mike O'Donnell joined the show to talk about how if you can find a big man that is willing to be involved in the pick and roll then the offense can thrive with the right shooters. He also talked about the rise of teams like Kentucky and Duke playing in tournaments across the country and the tv coverage they get.

The biggest thing going on in baseball right now is the plunking of Ronald Acuna and the debate about whether to not this should end. Our sports law expert joins the show to discuss whether to not these type of incidents could go away because of lawsuits over injuries and if the brawls that happen afterward could lead to a player pressing charges. Do you think the intentionally plunking of players needs to be stopped by Major League Baseball? Or is it just part of the unwritten rules.