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Good Morning, Stumpers!
First things first: I wonder if a Stump title like the one we have today gets flagged anywhere on the US Google database. Google higher-ups, if you’re reading this please let us know! Anyway lot of sports to dissect today. Are the Packers the best team in the NFC? Is it too early here on September 12th to say we are heading for Eagles-Packers NFC Championship? The answer is yes, it is absolutely way too early! But hey, just spitballing over here!
The Rundown
🟢 A Russian in Tampa! The USF Head Man!
🏈 TNF: The Packers are for real in the NFC!
🏀 WNBA Playoff Bracket is set!
🎾 Anybody know the name Stan Wawarinka? He’s still making plays!
On This Day
⚾️ Nolan Starts His Career Off Right in NY
Okay, technically, this happened on this day YESTERDAY, but it was just too cool for me not to include.
On this day in 1966, MLB career strikeout leader Nolan Ryan made his first career start in the major leagues. In his debut, Ryan struck out the first batter he faced. Little did everyone know, Ryan would go on to punchout 5,713 hitters throughout his career, about 900 more than anyone else. The first ballot hall of famer spent time with the Mets, Angels, Astros, and Rangers.
Today’s Trivia
Okay it's another big weekend of college football... which game are you most excited for? |
Glue Guy of the Day
🏈 A Russian in Tampa
There’s not much trade relationship these days between the United States and Russia, actually, there is no relationship. But in the early 1990’s, the United States gained something that would change the future of South Florida in the decades to come.
I’m not talking metal, or steel, or Russian Dolls, or even oil and minerals, no, I’m talking exporting an offensive mind in American Football. When Alex Golesh and his family left Moscow in 1991, Alex was just seven years old. He grew up in Brooklyn, then eventually moving to god’s country, Dublin, Ohio. And if there’s one thing Ohio is known for, it’s football.
Golesh, who was set the college football world on fire over the last two weeks, has led the University of South Florida to upset wins over two different ranked opponents. Resulting in the Bulls themselves jumping into the top 25 for the first time ahead of this weeks matchup against the fifth-ranked Miami Hurricanes. But to understand the success USF is having under Golesh, you need to look back, before you can look forward.
A three-year letter winner at Dublin Scionto High School, Golesh set his sights on coaching. He started at Westerville Central High School, and eventually working his way into a student assistant job at Ohio State under Jim Tressel. From there, he earned his degree and took roles at Northern Illinois and Oklahoma State as a graduate assistant. Golesh followed Ok State coach Tim Beckerman to Toledo, and then Illinois after that. When Iowa State hired Matt Campbell from Toledo, Golesh followed Campbell. Working as the TE coach in Ames, Iowa, the position group flourished. This earned him a spot under Josh Heupel as the offensive coordinator at UCF, then following Heupel to Tennessee.
Finally, Golesh got his chance at South Florida to be a head coach. After all those years of working his way up, the Russian born football enthusiast finally was in charge of his own program. The fact that Golesh followed all those coaches to different places means he was well respected, and guys knew he was a shining star and a future head coach. When Golesh and his squad of Bulls take on Miami this weekend, his program will be tested. I can only imagine that this team will be ready, with a battle-tested QB at the helm.
The BIG Moments
🏈 Packers Are FOR REAL!
The Stump Short Story: Although the scores of their first two games may not fully show it, what the Green Bay Packers just did to two of the premier teams in the NFC in the first two weeks of the season was dominant! In week 1 they handled the Lions 27-13, and then last night they beat the Commanders 27-18. Again, neither game was as close as the score says. Jordan Love is spreading the ball to his weapons, Josh Jacobs is grinding out yards in the trenches, and the most impressive thing thus far has been the defense. It isn’t just Micah Parsons either, all three levels of the defense are playing at a high level, and it seems as if 4 D-Lineman are always enough to put good pressure of the opposing QB. If you can do that consistently, it’ll be a fun time on D! Yesterday was the Tyler Kraft game. The TE went for 124 yards and a TD.
Why It Matters: It’s early. It’s real early. But through two weeks the Packers have looked dominant. Both of these wins have been at home. They now hit the road to face Cleveland and then Dallas. If they aren’t turning heads yet, if the come out of their first quadrant 4-0 they certainly will be! Watch out for Green Bay!
Read More: The Green Bay Defense Dominates at home (The Athletic)
🏀 WNBA Playoff Bracket is Set
The Stump Short Story: You know, I’m fully aware of how much traction Caitlin Clark brought to the WNBA, but I guess I never really felt it. She has practically missed the entire season with injury, and now that the playoff bracket is set, I think I can honestly say that I watched 50% as much WNBA than I did last season. Is there a correlation, probably, but regardless, just an interesting blip that truly made me realize how much of an impact a singular player had on a sport. I can’t think of any other athlete who has done that to their sport! Here are the four matchups in the brackets…
(1) Lynx vs (8) Valkyries
(2) Aces vs (7) Storm
(3) Dream vs (6) Fever
(4) Mercury vs (5) Liberty
Why It Matter: We may not have have CC, but the Lynx-Liberty showdown in the second round is going to be phenomenal. And then winner their going on to face the Aces will also be cinema! Was that a prediction you may ask? Yes. Yes it was!
Read More: 2025 WNBA Playoff Bracket is Set (Bleacher Report)
🔗 Quick Links
What To Watch
⚾️ MLB Spotlight Series for the weekend:
Rays @ Cubs, Royals @ Phillies, Yankees @ Red Sox, Rangers @ Mets, Dodgers @ Giants
🏈 NCAAF Games to Watch:
Oregon @ Northwestern (12:00 PM on FOX)
(12) Clemson @ Georgia Tech (12:00 PM on ESPN)
(6) Georgia @ (15) Tennessee (3:30 PM on ABC)
(18) USF @ (5) Miami (4:30 PM on CW)
Florida @ (3) LSU (7:30 PM on ABC)
(16) Texas A&M @ (8) Notre Dame (7:30 PM on NBC)
Vanderbilt @ (11) South Carolina (8:00 PM on CBSSN)
🏈 NFL Games of the Week:
Bears @ Lions (1:00 PM on FOX)
Bills @ Jets (1:00 PM on CBS)
Seahawks @ Steelers (1:00 PM on FOX)
Eagles @ Chiefs (4:25 PM on FOX)
SNF: Falcons @ Vikings (8:20 PM on NBC)
⚽️ Weekend full of international soccer tilts!
EPL: Everton vs Aston Villa, Brentford vs Chelsea, West Ham vs Tottenham, Man City vs Man United
LALIGA: Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal
MLS: 13 games across Saturday
NWSL: North Carolina vs Angel City (12:30 PM 9/13 on CBS)
Serie A: Juventus vs Inter
Of! The! Day’s!
Song of the Day SUPERPOSITION Daniel Caesar Yes, it’s supposed to be in all caps. | Quote of the Day “Live as brave men; and if fortune is adverse, front its blows with brave hearts.” Marcus Tullius Cicero OG quote from Cicero, read it once or twice to really let it sink in. |
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