A reaction to Texas & Oklahoma (likely) joining the SEC: Welcome – BY DAN MATHEWS
July 26, 2021
680 THE FAN, ATLANTA – My reaction is the same as pretty much the one Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher had at SEC Media Days… Be careful what you wish for.
If/when the SEC accepts Texas and Oklahoma as new members… I’ll welcome them in with open arms. If they want to play strong competition in college football’s best league, they’re welcome to join up.
I think this needs to be looked at as good for those who were already the 14 members of the conference. It doesn’t change anything for them. It also isn’t going to change things miraculously for Texas.
I’ll just speak from what I know of the fanbases. The said, I’m not as familiar with Oklahoma’s, as I am with Texas.
For Texas, their football issues are simple. They don’t get the same players as they did when Mack Brown had Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium rocking from 2004 to 2009.
Recruiting has slipped for the Longhorns and the results are what we’ve seen over the last 10-plus seasons. Texas has not been relevant since losing to Alabama in that national title game to end the 2009-10 season.
Culture at Texas has also held them back. Kids in the state of Texas don’t pick the Longhorns because “they’re Texas.” So what? I want to play in Austin and go 8-4 every year? How about no…
There’s a reason that Nick Saban, Ed Orgeron and Jimbo Fisher have eaten Texas’ lunch in recruiting… They can actually sell tangible results and the hardware to prove it. Plus, they’re in the game’s best football league.
There was a time that hiring Steve Sarkisian would have been beneath UT’s hiring standards as a football program. Those days are gone. Current athletic director Chris Del Conte accepted that reality and went out to get college football’s hottest assistant coaching prospect, over a proven head coach.
Texas needs the SEC. Oklahoma does as well.
The Sooners have year in and year out been good enough to make the College Football Playoff. However, they have not been good enough to win a semifinal game. They’ve been four times and lost all four times.
The good news for OU, is they’ve recruited very well since Lincoln Riley took over the program in 2017. According to 247Sports, the Sooners have not brought in no worse than the 12th best (2020) signing class. This means that Riley is getting good enough players to compete for a national title.
There shouldn’t be much of a surprise, that Texas wants in to the SEC. I’ve already mentioned their relative lack of success (by their standards) on the recruiting trail. All of those schools that I mentioned earlier are a huge reason for their lack of championship success.
One of the main culprits of their recruiting frustration, was in their own state last week speaking to the Texas High School Coaches Association annual convention in San Antonio. You guessed right… That man was Nick Saban.
Over the last few recruiting cycles, Saban and his Alabama program have been able to treat the Lone Star State as almost like a home base for their recruiting efforts. Saban is incredibly calculated and it’s no mistake that he made that trip to San Antonio for the sole purpose of a speaking engagement. He wants to keep that success going.
It was only about a day after the Crimson Tide coach was in Texas, that the Longhorns and Sooners to the SEC rumors broke. Is it THE reason why the movement started? No, it’s not. But, it’s also another reason why these two programs are looking for a better possibility of success than their current standing.
The Big 12 for Texas and Oklahoma has a ceiling. They’re now starting at a lower level in the next building over, that is taller than the current one they reside in. The SEC is the right move for them.
As for the fans of programs who are currently in the SEC, don’t be afraid. Embrace them and get ready for even better competition.
Brand names are good for college football. Two of the major brands in college football joining the league is nothing but a good thing.
Chuck Oliver Show – Anchor/Fill-In Host
WCNN-AM 680 The Fan, also on FM at 93.7
GA Tech Football Single-Game Tickets On Sale August 2
Season tickets, 3-game packs, Stinger Mobile Passes all available now!
THE FLATS – Single-game tickets for all seven of Georgia Tech football’s 2021 home games will go on sale on Monday, August 2, Georgia Tech athletics announced on Monday. Presale opportunities are available for those who click HERE to register.
Single-game seats start at $25 for Georgia Tech’s seven home contests. The Yellow Jackets will host six games at Bobby Dodd Stadium in ’21, including the Sept. 4 primetime opener versus Northern Illinois (7:30 p.m. kickoff) and the 115th edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate against archrival Georgia on Nov. 27. Additionally, Tech will host its first “Mayhem at Mercedes-Benz Stadium” battle versus North Carolina on Sept. 25 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta, marking the first of six games that the Jackets will host at the home of the Atlanta Falcons over the next six seasons.
For fans that want to guarantee the best seats for all the excitement of Georgia Tech football in the heart of Atlanta this season, there are three ways to purchase tickets now – 3-game mini-packs, Stinger Mobile Passes and season tickets.
3-GAME MINI-PACKS
Georgia Tech football 3-game mini-packs include a guaranteed seat for “Mayhem at Mercedes-Benz Stadium” versus North Carolina on Sept. 25 and tickets to any two of the Yellow Jackets’ first five games at Bobby Dodd Stadium this season (Sept. 4 vs. NIU, Sept. 11 vs. Kennesaw State, Oct. 2 vs. Pitt, Oct. 30 vs. Virginia Tech and Nov. 13 vs. Boston College). Tickets for Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate versus Georgia are not included in 3-game mini-packs.
3-game mini-packs start at just $175. For more information and to purchase 3-game mini-packs online, click HERE.
STINGER MOBILE PASSES
The Stinger Mobile Pass is a flexible ticket option that guarantees a seat for all six of Georgia Tech’s home games at Bobby Dodd Stadium in 2021, including Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate versus archrival Georgia on Nov. 27. Stinger Pass seat locations vary from game to game, with tickets delivered to the holder’s mobile device on gameday. Stinger Pass holders also have the flexibility to customize their Yellow Jacket football experience by exchanging tickets amongst games throughout the season.
In addition to a guaranteed seat for all six games at Bobby Dodd Stadium this season, Stinger Pass holders will receive priority access to purchase tickets for Georgia Tech’s highly anticipated “Mayhem at Mercedes-Benz Stadium” matchup versus North Carolina on Sept. 25.
Stinger Mobile Passes start at just $145. For more information and to purchase Stinger Mobile Passes online, click HERE.
2021 SEASON TICKETS
Starting at just $299 per seat, season tickets include reserved seats for all seven games on the Yellow Jackets’ 2021 home schedule, including “Mayhem at Mercedes-Benz Stadium” versus North Carolina on Sept. 25 and the return of “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” versus archrival Georgia on Nov. 27 at Bobby Dodd Stadium. For full 2021 Georgia Tech football season ticket information, click HERE.
Kroger to be Presenting Sponsor for 680 The Fan’s Annual Tailgate Golf Classic
Kroger to be Presenting Sponsor for 680 The Fan’s
Annual Tailgate Golf Classic – Sponsorship to benefit L.E.A.D.
– Funds will help foster a new generation of leadership, using baseball to teach African-American boys how to overcome crime, poverty and racism –
ATLANTA July 16th, 2021 – Kroger announced today that it will be a presenting sponsor for 680 The Fan’s Annual Tailgate Golf Classic.
“Kroger’s sponsorship will benefit L.E.A.D., providing funds for the organization’s mission to empower an at-risk generation to lead and transform Atlanta, using baseball to teach African-American boys how to overcome three curveballs that threaten their success: crime, poverty and racism,” says Felix Turner, corporate affairs manager for Kroger’s Atlanta Division. “We are honored to help further this important mission.”
The 7th Annual Tailgate Golf Classic will take place on Monday, August 30th, 2021, at the White Columns Country Club in MIlton, Georgia. It is an 18 hole golfing event to kickoff the start of the 2021 football and tailgating season where each foursome is paired with an ex-college football player. Previous celebrity guests include Danny Wuerffel, Jason Campbel, Brian Finneran, and more.
“The sponsorship is part of Kroger’s Framework for Action: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion plan, featuring steps developed in collaboration with associates and leaders to accelerate and promote greater change in the workplace and in the communities we serve,” Turner says.
ABOUT KROGER
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are Fresh for Everyone™ and dedicated to our purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit®. We are 30,000 associates who serve customers daily by delivering a seamless shopping experience throughout Kroger’s Atlanta Division, which includes Georgia, Eastern Alabama and South Carolina. We are committed to creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
About L.E.A.D
We are a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization operating in Atlanta, Georgia. Through our year-round Pathway2Empowerment, sport based youth development (SBYD) programming, we are inspiring and equipping Black males with the empowerment they need to live sustainable lives of significance.
About 680 The Fan
Dickey Broadcasting Company has been an Atlanta sports leader for over 28 years. In addition to launching the sports-talk radio format in Atlanta, Sports Radio 680 The Fan/Dickey Broadcasting Company also owns and operates multiple radio networks including the Braves Radio Network and Southern Sports Today Network, and a recently launched news talk station XTRA 106.3. The company also manages robust digital offerings, and a sports-based events series,Tailgate Central. Dickey Broadcasting Company headquarters and studios are located inside the Battery Atlanta next door to Truist Park.
Allison Filmore – Executive Director FedEx Cup
Allison Filmore, Executive Director of the Tour Championship, talks with Cellini & Dimino about the upcoming FedEx Championship at East Lake. Expect the biggest names in golf to appear to play for the Championship Cup like Bryson DeChambeau, John Rahm, Brooks Koepka, and Jordan Speith!
Best of all, the fans can experience championship golf Sept 1st – 5th IN PERSON! Tickets are available at tourchampionship.com!
Braves Season Over Without Acuna? – BY BUCK BELUE
June 12, 2021
680 THE FAN, ATLANTA – It seems like a crushing blow. Acuna goes down with a torn right ACL. Out in Braves Country, all our hopes for a strong 2nd half run at a fourth consecutive National League East title has suddenly evaporated.
Soroka, d’Arnaud, Ozuna, Ynoa and now Acuna. It feels like five consecutive hard body blows, on the way down to the floor.
The Braves opening day outfield line-up is all gone at the All-Star break. Pache couldn’t hit, got dinged up and is now banished to AAA-Gwinnett. Ozuna did the unthinkable and will probably never wear a Braves uniform again. Now Acuna.
Right now, the thought of who replaces Ronald in the line-up is in the “don’t really care” category. But if you need to know, it’s Adrianza, Drew Waters or someone coming our way in a trade (one of the low-cost, no name options).
And speaking of trades, the Braves woke up this morning suddenly in the “Sellers” category, as it relates to the upcoming MLB trade deadline.
Alex Anthopoulus focus overnight has most likely shifted to sell off mode. At the top of the Braves trade list, I would imagine reads like this: Charlie Morton, Drew Smyly or maybe even Freddie Freeman (who’s contract runs out at the end of the season).
As far as Ronald Acuna, Jr. goes. He now faces surgery and rehab. The torn ACL return time is 8-12 months. If all goes well, he should be back in the Braves line-up sometime around next June. Or maybe after the ’22 All-Star break.
The hope here is that Ronald comes back stronger and maintains his trade-mark explosiveness post-surgery. It’s going to be a long ride back. So, his determination is going to get tested along the way.
Setbacks like this can humble you. The experience can also make you tougher. Maybe Acuna needed a dose of both. Perhaps this difficult challenge ends up making him better.
I’m going to miss watching him play the game the rest of this season. Acuna had become must-see TV, especially against the Marlins. Even on losing nights, we could look forward to something special from Ronald. We won’t have that the rest of the way.
This has been a difficult season to enjoy. So many injuries and struggles. It’s been a tough watch. Don’t expect it to get any easier in the seasons second half.
Buck Belue’s Top 10 QBs In the Deep South – BY BUCK BELUE
June 11, 2021
680 THE FAN, ATLANTA – The countdown is officially on for the College Football season and I’m ready to reveal my list of Top 10 Qb’s in the Deep South. First up, the Honorable Mention list.
Jeff Sims and Emory Jones are both looking to break out and legitimize their talents and I believe both are likely to do so. Sims took a big step forward during Georgia Tech’s spring practice and his skills are impressive. Jones will most certainly take advantage of Dan Mullen’s QB Whisperer reputation to be effective in a more run-oriented scheme. Max Johnson and Conor Bazelak also made my list.
Here is my Top 10 list heading into the 2021 season.
10- Cornelius “Quad” Brown, IV. Georgia State Panthers.
The Sun Belt is loaded with quality quarterbacks and “Quad” is one of them. Stands tall in the pocket, at 6’5”, 210 and can spin it. As a freshman, Brown threw it 300 times at a 59% clip, with 17 touchdowns. He ran it for 300 yards and 7 TD’s. I expect to see a better version in year #2. He’s got all of his receivers returning. Keep an eye on “Quad.”
9- Bo Nix. Auburn Tigers.
New leadership will impact Bo. Mike Bobo and Bryan Harsin both played QB, so the new scheme is going to be more QB friendly. He will get coached up hard and pushed to improve, especially in the pocket. Expectations are high with him and he’s not exactly lived up to the hype so far, but I expect to see him playing at a higher level. Last season, Bo was 5th in the SEC in Total QBR. I expect him to be #3 this season.
8- Grayson McCall. Coastal Carolina.
He had a breakout season as a freshman last year, with 26 TD passes and only 3 picks. His 69% completion rate is certainly impressive, as a first-year starter. He also ran for 600 yards and 7 touchdowns. Grayson thrived in the Chanticleers “Triple Option Spread” scheme. Expect another big season, with 9 of 11 starters returning on offense, including his Go-To WR.
7- Dillion Gabriel. UCF Knights.
His first two seasons have been amazing. Last season, he threw it 400 times and finished with 30 TD passes and only 5 interceptions. Dillon manipulates the pocket effectively and has a special feel for the game. I do wonder if Malzahn’s scheme will get less out of him (Heupel’s scheme fit Dillon perfectively). Gabriel finished #20 in Total QBR last season and I expect to see him knocking on the Top 10 this season.
6- D’Eric King. Miami Hurricanes.
I enjoy watching him play the game. Dual threat talent. Impressive competitor and leader! Threw it over 300 times last season (23 TD, 5 INTC, 64%) and did some damage with his feet (Ran for 500 yards and 4 TD’s). Dude can play (Sure hope he survives the season opener against Alabama).
5- Bryce Young. Alabama Crimson Tide.
Obviously, a lot of this is based on projection. Young only threw 22 passes last season, but he looked outstanding in the spring A-Day scrimmage (25-44-330 & TD). He’s got a special presence about him on the field. Cool. Confident. And he’s got some outstanding players surrounding him. Metchie & Bolden are playmakers. Solid O-Line. My educated guess: 3,000+ yards passing and 25 touchdowns.
4- DJ Uiagalelei. Clemson Tigers.
Biggest arm in College Football. Big body and tough to sack. Great scheme fit: Tigers will spread the field with 4-5 WR’s and throw a lot of wide, short routes. Throws a catchable ball and is highly accurate. Clemson will throw it 40 times a game with Big Cinco, so he’ll put up some huge numbers, in his first year as a starter. Looks like a future #1 pick.
3- JT Daniels. Georgia Bulldogs.
Healthy and comfortable in the Monken system. Makes a lot of good, quick decisions. Accurate short to intermediate. Nice touch on the deep ball. Tough. Doesn’t mind stepping into the throw and taking a hit. Manipulates the pocket well. Good leader. Plays with swag. JT will have a lot of weapons to target this season: Gilbert, Jackson, Burton, Washington, Cook, Smith, Rosemy, Blaylock, Mitchell, Justin Robinson, McIntosh & Milton. Daniels will be running an explosive offense. Expect to see JT join Murray, Zeier, Greene & Stafford in the exclusive 3,000 Yard Season Club and also, watch him join the 30 Touchdown Season Club, joining Fromm and Murray.
2. Sam Howell. North Carolina Tar Heels.
Sam’s going to spin it over 40 times a game this season, with the offense built around his skill set. The Rep: Sam is the best “Deep Ball” thrower in College Football. He also plays consistently at a high level. You don’t see him have any of those 5-interception games. He was #14 last season in Total QBR. He needs to cut down on the sacks, but the NFL scouts seem to love him. And I respect his play enough to put him at #2.
1.Matt Corral. Ole Miss Rebels.
The most accomplished QB in the Deep South. Led the nation in Total Offense last season (384 yds gm) and finished the year #3 in Total QBR. Gunslinger style of play. Fearless. Avoids a lot of sacks and makes plays on the move. Dynamic skill set. Ran for 500 yards and 4 TD’s. He did have a couple of nightmare games (6 picks against Arkansas and 5 against LSU) but over all he was outstanding. Fits the Kiffin scheme perfectly. Expect more big numbers this season.
The College Athlete Finally Has Power – BY DAN MATHEWS
July 1, 2021
680 THE FAN, ATLANTA – Name, Image and Likeness is here and I’m ready to see what it will bring. This along with the transfer exemption is giving the athletes what a lot of people have wanted for them… Power.
We have heard people complain about the money made by institutions and the lack of funds that athletes are able to bring in. Some suggested that we just pay the players!
That blanket just pay everyone would not have worked. It wouldn’t have worked, because that means that all athletes across all sports would have needed to be paid the same amount. Are you really going to tell me that a major university football player would have been fine making the same amount as say a swimming and diving athlete? Nope.
This is the best way for the athletes. The ones who are the most popular and receive the most coverage will benefit the most. They should! The demand is there for them.
It doesn’t matter how good a starting right guard at Georgia is. They will never be more popular in the fans eyes than the starting quarterback or hard-hitting linebacker.
The supposed worry about this dividing the locker room is not going to be an issue. Players know that certain position groups get notoriety over others on the team. The players who get the ball, will usually fit into that category.
As for players being blocked by their coaches or other authority types in their respective programs? Think again… They’ll be encouraged to use their “NIL.”
Any remote word of a coach stopping an athlete from an opportunity will spread like wild fire in public and on the recruiting trail. Programs are already embracing NIL. All you have to do is get on social media over the last few days.
As for the transfer exemption, it serves its purpose and will eventually level itself out. We’ve all heard about the huge number of athletes who have entered the transfer portal over the last few months, since the rules were eased.
The players who have the most value on the field/court were going to benefit from this rule regardless. It will work itself out, because this offseason is going to be a huge teaching tool for coaches and athletes a like. Just look at the enormous amount of names in the portal and tell there is a way that everyone can find a landing spot in the same division of play that they’re leaving. There’s not enough spots to land. In the future, it is going to take athletes having to be honest with themselves about the decisions they’re making.
But Dan, what about if the coach who recruited them leaves? Sure, I get that. But are you in a worse position with your program, without them in the building? If the answer is yes and you truly believe an opportunity is better for you elsewhere; you should take that chance.
The moral of the story, is athletes now have options. I think deep down that is what we wanted for them.
Dan Mathews
Chuck Oliver Show – Anchor/Fill-In Host
WCNN-AM 680 The Fan, also on FM at 93.7
For The Hawks: Stop with the doom and gloom! – BY DAN MATHEWS
June 30th, 2021
680 THE FAN, ATLANTA – The Hawks are potentially two wins away from a trip to the NBA Finals. Is that something we thought we’d say in 2021?
The Hawks overcame the odds and brought their Eastern Conference Finals series to 2-2 with the Milwaukee Bucks. The 110-88 final is not one that most of us saw coming, without Trae Young being on this floor.
But you know what? Shame on us who doubted this team.
I said it back before the playoffs started, that this season was a huge success. You went from being an injury riddled team, that was coming up short of expectations and eventually had to fire your head coach. Even getting to the playoffs was a huge feat.
As the stage has gotten larger for this team, they’ve seemed to respond. Most of the expects picked them to lose to the New York Knicks and… They didn’t. The same was said inter series with the Sixers and they won. Now, they have the chance to do it all again. Why doubt them now?
As for the doom and gloom? Save it with the “same old Atlanta sports” talk. This group isn’t the same, old Atlanta team. They’re special. They’re building something special.
This is a team who when the moment gets the largest, seems to step up and succeed. How many Atlanta teams have we seen come up short in those spots?
We already knew how good Trae Young is on the floor. Honestly? He’s probably made even more people in this town believers in his game.
I hope we get to see him again in these conference finals. Because, they need him to reach their goal.
When I was younger, my brother would tell me to “act like I belonged,” when I was trying to fit in with a team or make said roster. I never really understood what that meant. The beauty with age, is that you can understand advice like that a little better.
The Hawks are overall still a very young team. But wow do they act like they belong.
I hope they continue this magic run. Because honestly, it’s fun to have people feeling this excited about sports in this town again.
Dan Mathews
Chuck Oliver Show – Anchor/Fill-In Host
WCNN-AM 680 The Fan, also on FM at 93.7
Are the Braves buyers or sellers at the trade deadline? – BY BUCK BELUE
June 24, 2021
680 THE FAN, ATLANTA – As pen hits paper, the Braves are hovering around .500 and still in the National League East mix. The team has been what some of the old-timers call “treading water.”
But the MLB Trade frenzy starts soon. What will the Braves do? Obviously, this team as constructed needs some help quick, in the bullpen and the outfield. However, one more losing streak could place the Braves into the dreaded seller’s market.
Word on the street says Liberty Media has told Anthopoulus that he will have money to spend at the trade deadline. How much? No info on that number. My best guess would be $5M.
So basically, we are talking about adding a bullpen piece, or a bargain centerfielder. Don’t get me wrong, either one of those additions would be welcomed. But don’t expect anything huge.
Ozuna put his family and the Braves in one horrible situation. Replacing Marcell would take something huge. Think for a moment how big it would have been to be getting him back for a late season run. Instead, the team will be probably looking for a bargain bat.
The Braves also have enough quality prospects to get something done by the trade deadline, but they have shown a reluctance to move any of these guys under Anthopoulus.
It’s reasonable to believe that Bryse Wilson, Kyle Wright, Kyle Muller, Drew Waters, Wilson Contreras, Cristian Pache, Tucker Davidson or Jasseel De La Cruz would all have some marketability on the trade market. The educated guess here is that the untouchable prospect right now is catcher Shae Langeliers.
A combination of those guys should be able to provide the Braves immediate help.
Worst case scenario is the Braves fall back, become sellers and wave the white flag. Build for next year. This was supposed to be a World Series run year. This would be so disappointing for the fan base out in Braves Country.
Imagine trading Freddie Freeman at the deadline. That might not be so crazy, if the Braves aren’t serious about resigning him to a big-money, market value (5 Years/$136M or $27M per) contract extension. Just saying. Better to get something now, if you are going to lose him at the end of the year.
The Braves fan in me is hoping that this team can finish the first half of the season on the up-and-up and stay in contention. The team is currently playing a little better. We need that to continue that trend in the month of July.
Or else.
