Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 60 - “The Chuck Bednarik Episode” includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NCAA Men's College Basketball: University of Virginia Head Coach Tony Bennett - who won a National Championship with the program in 2019 - recently announced his retirement after 15 seasons. . . but what are your thoughts regarding the reason for his departure? Bennett retires as the winningest HC in program history with a record of 364-136. . .

- NBA: LA Clippers SF Kawhi Leonard is expected to be sidelined for an "indefinite period of time," as he continues to rehab from the inflammation in his right knee, as reported by ESPN NBA Senior Insider Shams Charania. . . are you the least bit surprised regarding this most recent update of Kawhi's status to start the 2024 NBA season? JD & Spencer discuss the topic of "load management" as it pertains to teams/players across the NBA & how it has a discernible influence on fans that attend NBA games. . .

- WNBA: The New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 last Sunday evening in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals to win their first WNBA Championship in the history of the franchise. . .

- MLB Playoffs Update: Juan Soto's three-run homer in extra innings of the ALCS Game 5 lifted the New York Yankees to a 3-2 series win over the Cleveland Guardians. . . the Yankees have advanced to the 2024 World Series for 41st time in franchise history; The LA Dodgers finished off the New York Mets in Game 6 of the NLCS with a 10-5 victory, and are now headed for a World Series showdown with the NY Yankees. . . JD's World Series prediction has been relatively clutch thus far. . .who ya got in the World Series - Yankees or Dodgers?

- NCAA CFB News: Appearing on the "Outta Pocket" podcast with RGIII, University of Colorado two-way player (WR/CB) Travis Hunter fired off his thoughts regarding his candidacy this season for the Heisman trophy as well his thoughts on fellow Heisman frontrunner, Boise St. RB Ashton Jeanty. . . an analysis Jeanty's stats thru the first eight weeks of the CFB season - as well as a comparison b/t his stats & former CFB RB's who went on to win the Heisman trophy & to have HOF career(s) at the professional level (i.e., OK State's Barry Sanders & USC's Reggie Bush). . . Ashton Jeanty's response?. . . If the season ended tomorrow, who do you believe would be the clear favorite to win the Heisman trophy between CU's Travis Hunter & Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty?

- Oklahoma Sooners HC Brent Venables has announced that Soph. QB Jackson Arnold has been given the nod to start Week 9 as the Sooners take on the No. 18-ranked Ole Miss Rebels. . . had first action since Sept. 21st last week/Week 8 in lopsided 35-9 loss to South Carolina - Arnold finished the game with a 50% completion percentage for 225 yards & a TD in the blowout loss. . . Can QB Jackson Arnold reinvigorate the struggling OU offense?. . . The Sooners have a 4-3 (1-3 in SEC Conference play) record this season. . .

- Following a wild weekend slate of CFB games in Week 8, the New AP Top 25 Poll was released late Sunday evening. . . After suffering a 2nd tough loss in a thriller, where does the Alabama Crimson Tide land in the most recent AP Poll?. . . Will the Vanderbilt Commodores be allowed to 'enter the chat?'. . . Following the loss to Georgia, where will Texas land?. . . What was your initial reaction to the most recent release of the AP Poll Top 25? Any surprises?. . . Hot takes?. . .

- NCAA CFB Week 8 Review & Recap: The Duke Blue Devils defeated the Florida State Seminoles last Friday night 23-16. . . the Blue Devils' first victory over FSU after 22 straight losses. . . prior to this game, another lost soul posted a video clip via Twitter/X consuming what viewers were led to believe was dog . . . Unfortunately, this guy is a bigger loser than his University's football team - and it was determined that it was NOT real poop. . . you think FSU was cursed before? . . Just wait!

- The Illinois Fighting Illini are now 6-1 on the season after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 21-7. . . Thoughts on the 1924 throwback uniforms? & what were the significance of these particular uniforms? . . . the Illini's first W over the Wolverines since 2009 & 3rd win over a ranked opponent this season. . . Michigan under new HC Sherrone Moore is now 4-3 just one year removed from winning a Natty. . .The Wolverines have a serious issue at the QB position - they have had three different QB's start games this season (and the production is abysmal!). . . Moore has yet to name the starting QB ahead of next week's rivalry game versus the Michigan State Spartans. . . where does the program go from here?

- Versus the Auburn Tigers, No. 19-ranked Missouri Tigers QB Brady Cook makes a midgame trip to the local Hospital for an MRI on his ankle?. . . Auburn once again carried a sizable lead into the 4th QTR. . .QB Brady Cook returned to the game & field to throw two TD's & lead Mizzou to a comeback victory over Auburn at home 21-17. . . HC Hugh Freeze & the Auburn Tigers are now 0-4 in SEC Conference play this season. . . What is the mindset of Auburn players right now, after holding leads in consecutive Conference games (i.e., 21-7 lead over OU & 17-6 lead over Mizzou) just to allow a clear shift in momentum that ultimately leads to another bitter defeat? Is HC Hugh Freeze 'treading in hot water?. . .'

- Cigars were lit & goalposts were NOT safe as thousands of Tennessee fans celebrated the No. 11-ranked Volunteers' 24-17 victory over the No. 7-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide at Home. . . this was UT's second victory over the Tide in the past three seasons. . . Huge performance from Vols' RB Dylan Sampson who had 26 carries for 139 yards & 2 TD's. . . Both offenses struggled in the first half, Alabama led at the halftime break 7-0. . . Crimson Tide QB Jalen Milroe possibly played the worst game of his career, but did finish with a 55% completion percentage for 239 yards with 1 TD & 2 INT's. . .JD & Spencer Evaluate, Breakdown & Critique the Performance of the Crimson Tide & UT Volunteers in this SEC Conference ranked matchup. . .

Q: Will 2024 go down as one of the worst years for SEC Officiating?

- No. 16-ranked Indiana Hoosiers remain undefeated after their rout of the Nebraska Cornhuskers 56-7. . . IU is now 7-0 and out to their best start in over 57 years. . . unfortunately, the W did come at the expense of a costly injury for the Hoosiers?. . . Cornhuskers QB Dylan Raiola completed 28/44 passes for 234 yards with 3 INT's but the offense sputtered on three red-zone drives. . . Can Nebraska get through this bumpy road they have traveled the past few weeks?

- A very determined & solid Offensive line gave Heisman candidate & the No.6-ranked Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward plenty of time in the pocket Saturday versus the Louisville Cardinals. . . Ward threw for over 300-yards & 4 TD's in a shootout game/Miami was able to hold off Louisville 52-45 after a failed onside kick attempt by the Cardinals. . . Ward's seventh consecutive 300-yard passing performance this season (school record) currently trailing former QB's Tyler Van Dyke & Brad Kaaya (11); Is Miami able to continue "flirting with disaster" the rest of the CFB season without dropping a game?. . . while Louisville has lost three of it's last four games - based on their remaining schedule, can the Cardinals salvage the remainder of this season & become bowl eligible?

- No. 5-ranked Georgia went on the road in the 'Game of the Week' to knock off/upset the No.1-ranked Texas Longhorns 30-15. . . Bulldogs RB Trevor Etienne rushed for 3 TD's. . . Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers lost two fumbles and was benched for backup QB Arch Manning. . . Georgia led 23-0 at the halftime break. . . SEC Officiating crew throws a "PI" flag on the Longhorns, then realizes that the Texas fans do not agree with the call on the field, and picks up the flag - are you kidding me?!. . . Texas fans throw trash & empty water bottles onto the field. . . do you agree with the SEC Conference decision to fine the University of Texas $250k for the actions of their fans/students?. . . following the massive road win, Bulldogs HC Kirby Smart pointed out the team's critics (including ESPN's "College Gameday" crew who unanimously predicted a Longhorns victory).

- Question of the Week: How in the absolute hell did Alabama defeat this Georgia team earlier in the season? Alternate reality/A Glitch in the Matrix?

- Battle of the Gold Boot: No. 8-ranked LSU Tigers pulled off a huge road W over the Arkansas Razorbacks 34-10 behind impressive performances from RB Caden Durham - rushing for a total of 101 yards & 3 TD's. . . QB Garrett Nussmeier - threw for 233 yards. . .WR CJ Daniels - 7 receptions for 86 yards. . .& the SEC's leading tackler Whit Weeks who finished the game with nine tackles, a sack & an interception. . . the Tiger's defense has consistently played very well this season despite the injuries to All-American Harold Perkins Jr - only allowed a total of 277 yards from the Razorbacks offense.. . . while the offense were uncharacteristically penalized in this game eleven times (eight in the 1st half & 7 were "false start" penalties). . . this was LSU's sixth-straight victory but will face a very hostile environment next week (Week 9) as they travel to Kyle Field to taken on the No. 14-ranked Texas A&M Aggies (have also won six-straight games after dropping the season opener). . .

- QB Rocco Becht saved the No. 9-ranked Iowa State Cyclones' perfect season (7-0) with a late TD drive in their comeback win over the UCF Knights 38-35. . .Cyclones have matc...