The Brad Cesmat Show

On this edition of the Brad Cesmat Show, Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy joins the show to discuss the Cyclones’ historic win over Oklahoma on Sunday. Plus, former ASU and NFL safety Adam Archuleta recaps the rough weekend for the Arizona Cardinals.

48 hours before the Arizona high school football season was set to start, news broke Wednesday afternoon a Chaparral player tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the Firebirds to postpone their two games, including Friday’s matchup with rival Saguaro. Brad and Eric discuss the impact for not only Chap, but the two or possibly three teams who could be scrambling for a game in the coming weeks. Saguaro head coach Jason Mohns (10:09 on podcast) Zoomed in to talk about when and how he found out, the message to his team not only Wednesday but throughout the pandemic and much more. The Phoenix Rising are getting national buzz for all the wrong reasons after San Diego Loyal players accused a Rising player of using a homophobic slur. San Diego would walk off the field in protest. Plus, long-time Las Vegas oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro (36:37 on podcast) talked Cardinals-Panthers and all the other big weekend football matchups.

Kansas City routes Baltimore on MNF as Patrick Mahomes rips through the Ravens’ defense. The MLB playoffs start Tuesday – how interested are we with some fresh blood competing for a World Series title? Brad was joined by former Indianapolis Colts tight end Ben Utecht (11:31 on podcast) talked about his up and down life after football which has included dealing with mental issues and how he’s now helping others cope with them. He also talked about his new book and being a teammate of Peyton Manning and much more. Plus, Sande Charles was joined by SI.com Senior Fantasy Analyst Michael Fabiano (28:43 on podcast) for his weekly segment talking about more injuries around the league and COVID concerns heading into Week Four.

The Arizona Cardinals unexpectedly fell to 2-1 Sunday after their upset home loss to the Lions. Kyler Murray looked well, human – throwing three interceptions and the Big Red defense is really banged up heading into Week Four. azcentral columnist Kent Somers (9:45 on podcast) talked about Kyler’s struggles, Larry Fitzgerald getting lost in the offense, a look around the NFC Wesr and much more. SunDevilSource.com Publisher Chris Karpman (20:00 on podcast) Skyped in to discuss the return of Pac-12 football, the latest news around ASU and much more. Plus, Brad and Eric recap a crazy weekend of college which saw LSU and Oklahoma both get upset at home.

Just as it appeared the Pac-12 was prepared to join the rest of the Power 5 conferences this fall, the outlook is more gloomy with COVID outbreaks in Boulder and Eugene. Brad and Eric discuss how this could be what drops the curtain on Commissioner Larry Scott’s run with the conference. South Point Casino Resort Sports Marketing Director Jimmy Vaccarro (14:54 on podcast) previewed Thursday Night Football, Lions-Cardinals Sunday in Glendale and the college football weekend which begins to ramp up on Saturday with the SEC starting. Plus, azcentral/Gannett Chief Film & Media Critic Bill Goodykoonz (34:55 on podcast) Skyped in to talk about the upcoming election and much more.

With the struggling Lions coming to town, folloed by the Panthers (minus Christian McCaffrey) and then the Jets, the Arizona Cardinals have a greaty shot at starting the season 5-0. Brad and Eric discuss sports overload with football, golf, Stanley Cup Finals, NBA playoffs all overlapping this past weekend. Detroit Free Press columnist and award-winning author Mitch Albom Zoomed in with Brad (10:18 on podcast) to preview Lions-Cardinals Sunday in Glendale and why Detroit continues to be a losing organization. Plus, Sande Charles’ weekly segment with SI.com Senior Fantasy Analyst Michael Fabiano (29:21 on podcast). 

The Arizona Cardinals overcame some second half lulls to pull away from Washington to improve to 2-0. Brad feels this team hasn’t even come close to hitting their stride and, despite the NFC West being 7-1, Kliff Kingbury’s team could be something special in 2020. Fox Sports Arizona Reporter/Host Jody Jackson joined Brad via Zoom (10:57 on podcast) to discuss Sunday’s win, the maturation of Kyler Murray, why pre-season games should be eliminated and more. Monday marked the 24-year anniversary of ASU’s upset win over Nebraska. Plus, more problems for Larry Scott and the Pac-12.

The Big Ten is making a push to get football started as soon as the middle of next month. Where is the Pac-12 in all this? Brad wonders what the fallout will be if the conference is the only Power 5 not to play games in 2020. The Cardinals host the Washington Football Club on Sunday in Glendale. Brad was joined by Washington Senior VP of Media and Content Julie Donaldson (13:51 on podcast) Zoomed in to talk about becoming the first female to broadcast an NFL game, Washington’s stud rookie Chase Young and much more. Plus, Sande Charles catches up with SI.com Senior Fantasy Analyst Michael Fabiano (35:33 on podcast) via Zoom for all the Week One reaction from an exciting long weekend to open the season.

The Arizona Cardinals rang in the 2020 season with a monster road win over the defending NFC Champion 49ers on Sunday as DeAndre Hopkins dominates a very good secondary. Brad and Eric agree, at least after Week One, the Cards certainly have the look of a playoff team. “The MMQB” Senior Reporter Albert Breer (11:23 on podcast) talked Nuk Hopkins, the development of Kyler Murray, Tom Brady’s bumpy Bucs debut and much more. Plus, Brad and Eric discuss the college football weekend which featured zero marquee games, as well as a few “mild” upsets. Also, is the Big Ten actually going to figure out a way to play this fall?

The NFL returns Thursday night and Brad and Eric are excited to watch the Texans-Chiefs TNF storylines, including former Cardinal David Johnson. With CFB ramping up this weekend, both agree the watered down, empty-stadium vibe leaves quite a bit to be desired. Both preview Cardinals-49ers Sunday (hopefully) in Santa Clara. The Voice of the Cardinals Dave Pasch (12:39 on podcast) Zoomed in to discuss life in the NBA bubble, preparing for the 2020 NFL season, his outlook for the Cardinals and much more. We also went to Las Vegas to get the latest look inside the weekend numbers with long-time South Point Casino Resort Sports Marketing Director Jimmy Vaccaro (30:43 on podcast).