The Beat of Sports

Back in the summer of 1998 a new system was formed to help crown a National Champion in college football, the BCS. Has anything really changed since then? Yes a playoff system exists now but the debate still remains. Why are the same arguments still happening 20 year later? Plus before Danny White started to disrupt the system the president of Tulane did the same thing. And by 2038 what might the landscape of college athletics will look like, maybe more regional based?

On The Bridge today Brandon and Marc discuss the comments made by Nick Saban at SEC Media Days about the UCF perfect season and whether or not College Football Playoff system is fair. They talk about how some members of the national media still don't understand the point of what Danny White did with his National Champions talk. They discuss why an expansion to the current system won't be happening soon and that teams have gotten used to it. And they discuss the comments made by Larry Fedora about how he doesn't believe in the connection of CTE and football, and the backlash that he has gotten from the national media over those comments.

On The Bridge today Brandon and Marc are joined by Jerry O'Neill and at first they discuss random hotel room etiquette and Jerry tells everyone about his random habits in hotels which includes recycling soap. Then they turn their attention to the overnight breaking news of Kwahi Leonard being traded to the Toronto Raptors and wonder if he could end up saying there like Paul George did in Oklahoma City. And as Nick Saban is scheduled to speak at SEC Media Days they wonder if Bianchi will be brave enough to ask him about UCF and the National Champions title from last season.

Joining the show live from The SEC Media Days taking place in Atlanta, our morning show host Mike Bianchi discusses the parties happening for the media. Mike also talks about how the Florida Gators after having a dynamic personality like Tim Tebow still hasn't replaced him and is severally lacking stars to help get recognition, but he expects the offense to be quickly turned around under new head coach Dan Mullen. Then Mike and Marc discuss the exit of Jimbo Fisher to Texas A&M and wonder if he will ever get the benefit from FSU fans.

On The Bridge today Brandon and Marc try to give a recap to last nights home run derby. They ask the question of if people are still interesting in the event and if the interest has started to wain for things like the derby and the slam dunk contest. Then with SEC Media Days underway in Atlanta they talk about what the perception of the Florida Gators is as they begin the Dan Mullen-era. And then they discuss Jimbo Fisher and if Seminole fans will ever give him the benefit of doubt for deciding to leave FSU for Texas A&M.

With the World Cup in the rearview mirror we now take a look back at all of the action. We review yesterdays France-Croatia final and see how it stacks up against the more recent finals. We look ahead at how some of these squads might look when the next World Cup rolls around in 2022. And what a Qatar tournament will mean for the soccer world at-large and the effect it will have on all soccer leagues.

Marc fresh from his trip to the nations capital is back to discuss all of the details from the weekend, including an encounter with an infamous slugger.

On The Bridge today Brandon and Marc gave a recap to the World Cup final yesterday morning, look ahead to what the next World Cup will be like in 4 years in Qatar. They preview the upcoming SEC Media Days and mock the ridiculous nature this event has become and wonder why this event has become so big. And they talk about Orlando City finally snapping their losing streak and Marc responds to the people criticizing James O'Connor for benching a few high-priced players.

Mike O'Donnell joins the shows after spending the week in Las Vegas to give us some of his takeaways for the Orlando Magic and how they have looked at Summer League. He talks about how this team will be more of a defensively focused team behind the strengths of Jonathan Issac and Mo Bamba. Plus he wonders if Issac and Bamba should be in the starting lineup right away when the season begins in October.

Is there a case to be made by former Louisville players against the NCAA, is it only defamation or should they also be sued for negligence for the way that the investigation was handled? Plus any update on sports leagues trying to get an integrity fee for gambling and other sports law news.