College Football Playoff Predictions & FSU vs. Alabama Preview

College Football Playoff Predictions

• 🎯 Scott Smith and Chris Cato present their 12-team College Football Playoff predictions, with Scott opting for a 'chalk' approach and Chris offering a more varied selection.
• 🔑 Scott's picks include Penn State (Big Ten Champ), Clemson (ACC Champ), Alabama (SEC Champ), Utah (Big 12 comeback), Ohio State, Texas, Miami, Georgia, Oregon, LSU, Notre Dame, and Tulane (Group of Five).
• 💡 Chris's predictions feature Miami and Clemson from the ACC, Iowa State from the Big 12, Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State, and USC from the Big Ten, and Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and LSU from the SEC, with Boise State as the Group of Five representative.
• 🧐 A key difference in Chris's picks is excluding Notre Dame, citing potential landmines against Miami, Texas A&M, Boise State, and USC, believing a three-loss SEC team might get in over a two-loss Notre Dame.
• 🏈 The Group of Five discussion highlights Tulane's trajectory under coach John Summerall and Boise State's consistent performance as potential representatives.

Week 1: Alabama vs. Florida State

• 🏟️ The highly anticipated Week 1 matchup between Alabama and Florida State in Tallahassee is a major focus, with FSU hosting.
• 🤔 FSU's outlook is viewed as a significant question mark due to new pieces, a new quarterback, and a new offensive coordinator, but there's hope for a strong start.
• 📈 Alabama's confidence is high, with predictions leaning towards a comfortable win, though FSU fans believe they have a shot, emphasizing big plays and the impact of offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn.
• 🏈 FSU's potential lies in a mobile quarterback, a revamped offensive line, stud receivers, and a new defensive coordinator with a strong track record.
• ⚠️ Concerns for Alabama include an unproven backup quarterback and running back depth, as well as special teams, while FSU's main concerns are on the offensive and defensive lines.

Sports Etymology Segment

• 🧠 The show delves into the origins of sports terms, starting with 'hat trick,' which surprisingly originated in cricket, not hockey.
• 🎾 'Love' in tennis scoring is believed to stem from the French word 'l'oeuf' (egg), resembling a zero, or possibly a romantic gesture by the scoring system's inventor.
• 🛡️ 'Safety' in football originated from teams intentionally taking a knee in their own end zone to avoid a turnover, thus taking the 'safe' way out by giving up two points.
• ⛳ 'Birdie' in golf is traced back to a golfer named Abner Smith at Atlantic City Country Club, who hit a 'bird of a shot,' leading to the term.
• 👻 'Bogey' in golf is linked to the 'boogeyman,' representing an imaginary opponent or monster whose score golfers aimed to beat, with 'par' later establishing a standard.