This ex-Patriots coach had college impact
Eagles predicted to win by 10 over Cowboys. Tough break for Red Sox.
Good morning, all. I hope your Thursday is off to a great start!
It’s opening night of the NFL season with the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys. We will get to that in a moment but first, who would have thought an ex-Patriots coach would have an impact in the college coaching ranks? I am not talking about Bill Belichick. The college football world is abuzz over Matt Patricia.
While the world it seemed was focused on Belichick’s college coaching debut, Patricia, the former head coach of the Detroit Lions and also a defensive and later offensive coordinator under Belichick with New England, flew under the radar screen at Ohio St. Not anymore. Patricia, now the DC at Ohio St., is being credited with designing the defensive scheme that thwarted QB Arch Manning and Texas in the defending national champion Buckeyes opening game win over the Longhorns, 28-14. Belichick, meanwhile, is getting roasted after the Tar Heels, entering Monday night’s game against TCU with high expectations, got clobbered, 48-14. North Carolina should win its next two games, playing at Charlotte and hosting Richmond. Stay tuned.
NFL starts tonight
Enough of the hype. Let the NFL season begin. The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles are hosting the Dallas Cowboys and CBS has the Eagles winning, 32-22. That’s right CBS, or a link the network posted on X. That is what it has come to in 2025. Years ago, networks might mention the line or if a particular team was an underdog or favorite. Now they are providing predictions and links to betting sites. Back in my day, the only betting site around was the corner tavern. But I digress. Anyway, as a public service here are the CBS predictions for Week 1:
Here are some other thoughts as I contemplate why all the oblique injuries:
The Red Sox hopes of winning the A.L. East have been dealt a tough blow with word talented rookie Roman Anthony has been placed on the 10-day IL and is probably out for the season. Anthony has a left oblique strain. That means none of the three promising prospects are on the team. Marcelo Mayer is out for season after wrist surgery and Kristian Campbell remains in AAA.
Call me suspect, but when I read the popular website Front Office Sports has cut a deal with the NFL to share content, I wonder if FOS will be compromised, when it comes to critical coverage of the league? Word that FOS is looking to cut similar deals with other sports is also concerning. It also makes me wonder, when FOS runs a critical piece about another league how objective it will be. Just sayin.’
Here we go again. Lou Holtz says of Ohio St.: “They’re not a great football team.” Two years ago Holtz was critical of Ohio St. before its game with Notre Dame, which the Buckeyes won. “I’d like to know where Lou Holtz is now,” Ohio St. coach Ryan Day said after the game.
The NFL has already sold out its ads for the Super Bowl on NBC, in case you were planning on dropping a few million.
That is going to do it for today’s newsletter. As always, thank you for subscribing and have great Thursday.
DAN