Week one is in the books, and after four flights, 2 games and a night with our young boys I’ve caught my breath. Hope you have as well as we enter week two in college football.
Traditionally, this newsletter lands on Sundays, flying home from a game, but this week is a little later so thank you for your patience.
Bottom line for me: week one was fascinating.
I stood in a booth on Thursday, in front of a near sellout in Minnesota, next to Jason Benetti. We watched Drake Lindsey, PJ Fleck, and this Minnesota team operate at an elite level. Keep an eye on the Gophers. They’ll be a sleeper all season long. They have a big time QB, possibly the top edge rusher in the nation with Anthony Smith and are extremely well coached.
From there, it was The Greatest Setting. You know what I’m talking about. Seattle, The Apple Cup, the re-launch of the Pac-12. Not just another iconic rivalry but the 118th version of Washington versus Washington State, a rivalry that began in the year 1900. Yet this was the first time it had ever been the opening weekend of the season. And it was incredible. Both defenses played well and while the dark horse CFP Dawgs didn’t look sharp, they still have the tools to take a run this fall.
That got me thinking. Very rarely in life do we get to do anything for the first time.
That’s why year one with a new coaching staff is so unique. From Jimmy Rogers this weekend at Iowa State to Kirby Moore this past weekend at Washington State to Bob Chesney, Lane Kiffin and so many teams across the country who hired a new head coach this past off-season. It presents a fresh set of eyes leading a team, a new voice at halftime pumping up the team (hello Lane) and for fans, hopefully we all get to re-set our expectations and re-create the hope we have in our favorite team.
If things didn’t go your way this past weekend that’s ok too - it’s ONLY 1 game. That’s the beauty of college football, growth happens in ways we rarely project. And adversity is where true culture and character are revealed so I’ll be glued to see what Rutgers, Cal, Stanford, Michigan (even in a win) and others who met adversity this coming weekend.
A huge part of coming back home after calling games is recovery and we are so proud to have a new partner here at Y-Option. We met the Recovery for Athletes team and after hearing that their mission is to help high performers be their best, and recover after a game or practice, we had to join forces. And if you follow me on Instagram, you know that cold plunges and saunas are my go to post game recovery move. If you’re traveling or competing, be sure to check out RecoveryForAthletes.com as they have kept me fresh after week 1 as the grind of the football season is real.
Recovery for Athletes is the #1 online retailer for athlete recovery and wellness products. From saunas and cold plunges, to nutritional supplements and fitness equipment, they are the one stop shop for all of the best brands in the game.
