Yeah, I saw the tears by Messi as him soaking it in one last time, and saying goodbye in his heart, to the game and the fans. That is love of the game, and I respect it.

So, it's almost time to head from Futbol to Football. Like I do every year, I am telling myself that I am going to be more heavily invested in college football this year. All in all, I think last year was a success. And heading into the playoffs, my months long prediction/hopes of having ND left out of the playoffs came to fruition, so I was happy with that. I think the big failures were the antiquated mixed power 5 and other conference auto bids. Like, the two trash ass teams, James Madison and Tulane being in was a joke. Duke got screwed, even though a 5 loss team shouldn't have made it anyway. And the two teams that were left out because of this were Notre Dame and South Carolina... Which sucks. 

But, here are a few notes before I get into any predictions or thoughts on the season.

As we have pondered on MS for some time now, and I have made my thoughts clear on this: Conference Championships shouldn't exsist any longer. The committee made this clear by not penalizing OSU for losing to Indiana in the Big 10 Championships game. Everyone was so shocked. Not me. Not one big. Those games don't matter any more. Especially with Notre Dame not having to play, and with all the shifts around the conferences to make them unrecognizable. 

So, last year, the committee got it right with ALL the rankings, even though the James Madison and Tulane thing weren't their calls. It is in the rule book and had to be that way. Otherwise, they identified that no teams should be penalized, or praised and rewarded for their performance in any of the conference championships, because so many other playoff teams don't have to compete. Makes them all pointless.

So, they are making changes to the 2027 season, so this won't happen this year, but next year, the conference championships are going away. For ever. Which is great. And congress is currently pushing for CFB not to be able to play past January 7th of every year. This year, the CFB championship is like the last week in January. Congress says "No Dice". For years, they made it so college football couldn't overlap into the NFL and that is also why for the majority of the year, the NFL can't play on Saturdays. CFB has encroached into that agreement, so congress is pushing for them to end the season sooner. So, most likely, they will start the season in 2027 a week early, and instead of the conference championships, the top 4 teams get a bye week and we roll directly into the CFB playoffs, having the championship right after New Years....

So, that is where they are heading. 

Also to note, since the NCAA has proven that they have no authority or rule of law as a governing body (See the Sorsby gambling thing, where the NCAA couldn't even enforce their own rules)... Well the SEC is speaking out about parting ways with the NCAA all together and basically creating their own league. Problem with that is that the schools and the new conference will have to deal with all the lawsuits and anti-trust shit, that is like 100 million in litigation per year. So, if congress can somehow deliver some protection to them legally, then you might actually see that happen....

But anyway, here are the top 10 teams going into 2026:

And it's the time of year where I need to start tuning into all my Raven's podcasts and digging deeper into this years team.

Some alarming notes are that when player ranking came out (Ranked by players during last season) Lamar Jackson fell from #2 last year, to #69 this year. WTF? Now, there aren't huge details on how this works, but the assumption is that most of the data was collected last season while Lamar was out injured. 

The pundits are talking about the Raven's having a 9 win season on some shows. Mediocre at best. 

But like I always say, I listen to one source when it comes to odds a predictions, and that source is Las Vegas. And the power rankings have Baltimore #3 overall to win the superbowl. It goes Rams, Bills then Ravens, with the Bills and Ravens almost equal. 

So, I get it, from the outside perspective on Baltimore, people are simply just saying: "Unless you make it to the superbowl or win it, we don't care and we don't want to talk about the Ravens"... And I get that. But that is also the years where we play the best. We don't want to be front page news. We don't want to be "The Team to Beat"... 

But I am on the same page as the public for the most part. Lamar missed multiple games last year. We started that red haired freak from Dallas and lost a bunch of games and by the time Lamar came back, it was too late to even make the playoffs. 

So, as usual, this is going to be superbowl or bust. We already made the AFC Championship and lost one score to the Chiefs. So anything short of that is a failure.....

It's a tall order, and it sucks that as a fan, anything but a superbowl championship is a failure, but on the other hand, I guess that is a better spot to be in than rooting for a team and saying "Hey, if we get 9 wins, that is a big deal".... 

Ravens play at Atlanta and at Carolina this year. I would like to go to both, but I am leaning towards the Carolina game if I can only do one, because the girls are out of town for dance and I plan on inviting my son's buddy and his Dad who are big Panthers fans. I don't really have any interest in the Falcons, and I have spent a handful of days in weekends in Atlanta in recent years, and I am not a huge fan of that city. If I want to get shot or robbed, I can just go home to Baltimore and watch a game there. 

So, two things.... Both relating to soccer. First, Trump said yesterday that he wants to bid for another US world cup, immediately, and that he wants it approved before he leaves office. He also said "This time, just in the USA. No Mexico. No Canada. And the whole world knows why now".... I would like to see that happen.

Second, and probably the coolest, is that there are five major international soccer league. Italy, German, Spain, France and England. The English Premiere league is hands down the largest. The most expensive and airs globally like 10x the amount of any of the other leagues. The EPL had like 150+ players in the world cup. So anyway, the EPL is the most popular league watched by Americans. For many reasons, but most importantly, they fucking speak English.

So anyway, the EPL announce that the kick off the 2027 season, basically one year from now, every game in the opening EPL league week will be played in the USA, at US stadiums... Because they were so pleased with how the world cup went.

That is pretty fucking cool that not just one game is hear, but the entire EPL is spending their opening week in the states next year. That is a fucking win. Every game is going to sell out and the

There will be watch parties they are planning all over every city.... 

And a huge spinoff from that is the hopes that if these two random teams play in Atlanta, like 100,000 people in the Atlanta area will become fans of one of the two teams. Buy some jerseys. Start supporting them...

Pretty fucking cool

Hopefully they have a game in Orlando, but if it's in Tampa, Jax, or Miami, I could make it still. Let's go EPL!!!

Yeah man, I think Miami will for sure be on the list. I assume they will probably utilize all the stadiums from the WC, and possible a couple more, because the typical EPL schedule is Saturdays/Sundays. There were 11 US stadiums in the WC, and there are 20 total teams, so that is 10 stadiums. Not sure who will not make the cut, but they will probably use a different stadium for each game. Because technically, one team will supposed to be the "home team" so maybe they will deck the stadium out with Liverpool colors and logos or whatever. Should be pretty cool. I am a liverpool supporter as far as EPL goes, so that would be cool if it was in Atlanta or Miami. I will try and go. 

Got tickets for the Bananas game this Thursday in Savannah. I used to go to a few games per season before they got all hollywood and started selling out MLB stadiums.... Tickets are fucked now, like $200 per seat or more. Season tickets are all sold out. Wait list. 

Back in the day, when they went from the Savannah Sand Gnats to the Bananas, we were there opening day and a bunch in those first couple of seasons. It used to be that all the players would be outside in front of the main gate, shaking every fans hands. Doing photos, just being polite... Really intimate and cool. My son plays baseball and has a shit load of bananas gear, and baseball cards and everything, so he wants to get there an hour early in the hopes that the guys still do that. I think they do, but like I said, these guys are legit movie stars now, with 100 million Youtube and TikTok followers. On sportscenter and shit.... 

So hopefully, they will be the same ol' Bananas. But either way, I love Grayson Stadium and their setup. Not a bad seat in the house. All you can eat hot dogs and cheeseburgers, drinks and chips. Last time I went, no shit, I think I bodied 5 burgers that afternoon. 

But like I said, they are all hollywood now and probably have body guards and the whole nine. Hopefully they stay true to their roots, because this town, this stadium is where it all started, and we were the ones that helped propel them into stardom. Time to give some love back to the locals. 

Oh, and in NBA news, LeBron made his latest "decision" and is "taking his talents to Philly". And I think there are a couple Philly fans on here, so with that regard, I think Philly is stacked this year and can certainly be a top contender in the east. I don't think Lebron is a huge needle mover any longer, but I still regard him as a top 5 all-time NBA player. And seeing what he did in LA, where he took on multiple roles and carried the team when Luka and AR15 were out, I think he has plenty in the tank.

And now, he is being asked to be, what, the 4th best player on the team? Bargain price.... Point forward kinda deal....

So, from a pure basketball standpoint, it's a start move. BUT, damn Lebron, this is another Miami Heat super team kinda thing. You join a completely stacked roster in an attempt to chase a ring. 

Good on ya, I guess. But this is a weird landing spot. Lebron's history is already set in stone. Even if he gets another ring, or almost impossibly, 2 more... That still cements him exactly where he already is. Being MJ and possibly a couple of others...

You aren't getting brownie points for joining a super team and being the role playing #4 on the squad....

As a warriors fan, I was actually hoping he would do the golden state thing, and play a year or two with Steph, another legend in the game, and one could argue could be more important/better of a player than Lebron himself when it's all said and done. Steph changed modern basketball. Not just NBA, but world wide. Women's sports. With no Steph Curry, there is no Caitlin Clark...

Anyway, weird move. I have no beef with Philly basketball, but this does NOT give me the warm and fuzzies. At all.... I could have seen him back in Cleveland, to do the legacy thing again. I could have seen him in GS, to pair up with a legend and play some really fun style ball.... I could have even seen him as a NY Knick, just because of his status and business ventures...

But Philly? Man, I didn't see that one coming. 

So, we went to the Savannah Bananas game last night at the OG Grayson Stadium in Savannah. Downtown Savannah is 30 minutes from my front door. We hit some wild traffic on the way with accidents, so we got there only about 30 minutes before the game, so the players were already warming up... The plan was to get autographs and meet players afterwards, which is how they do it now that they are "hollywood" and all. 

So, the tickets we got were for a certain section, but it's open seating. Grayson Stadium seats 5500 people, unlike the 80,000+ seat MLB parks that they have been playing at. So, when we arrived, parking was a nightmare, so I just made my own parking spot in a no parking zone. There were so many cars, I was confident they couldn't fit a tow truck in there if they wanted to. 

So, we get in. The place is PACKED. We are walking around our section looking for seats. We can't find 4 together anywhere. So this guy walks up to me and asks "You have 4?" I am like yeah, do you see any seats. He pulls his phone out and says, take seats 1-4 in row A and shows me that the seats are his on his phone. Then he points down to the dugout. I shake his hand, like wow, thanks man. So we walk down to the seats, and we are front row, right on the dugout... Score.... 

So, throughout the game, players from both teams were walking up into the stands, doing autographs and what not. So my son got a bunch of photos and autographs. They played the firefighters, so we were on their dugout. We met all those guys. What I DIDN'T know is that part of the firefighters schticks is that they do a "chip-n-dales" kind of thing. So out of nowhere, there would be players standing right in front of us on the dugout, then they rips their shirts off and start dancing. My son and I are rolling our eyes while my wife and daughter are grinning.... Yikes... 

The firefighters mascot is a beaver for whatever reason, and my son is obsessed with beavers, so we met him. He was going back flips and shit for us....

Anyway, EPIC experience. Those guys are fucking amazing. In between innings is almost more fun than the game. I bodied 4 cheese burgers. Ice cold beer. 

As I mentioned, we have been going to these games since day one. Years before anyone knew what these guys were, or what they are about. And while they sell out stadiums all over the world now, some baseball enthusiasts aren't into the antics, what I will tell you is that a lot of the magic is lost when they are in a stadium that seats 100,000 people. The true Bananas experience is small, intimate, players and coaches everywhere.

My son got to meet all his favorite players and get their autographs. It was awesome. 

I have a bunch of pictures that I will post later... But I have been to many Bananas games, but I think last night took the cake. Especially because of a kind-hearted stranger that gave us the best seats in the house. Crazy. 

Y'all seen MJ is jumpin in with KD's routine assessments of Shaq's girl?  Some are pretty dang hilarious.  I just did a quickie search and put a screenshot.  This is more like a beat down.  

Haha. MJ is the fucking man. So good....

The WNBA is turning into an all out shit show.... Did you guys here that two former NBA players are "declaring for the WNBA" draft next year? The first guy was like "I read the bylaws of the league. As long as I identify as a woman, I am eligible".... So in all seriousness, they are pushing the envelope...

Also, there is a tranny in Europe that is full on dunking on everyone. Destroying every female on the court. And now people are saying "Hey WNBA, you are so inclusive, why aren't you inviting "her" to come play in the WNBA".... 

The WNBA is sitting in total silence on the matter, not wanting to deal with all that smoke. So funny. 

Look at this beast of a "woman"

https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/sports/second-ex-nba-player-declares-2027-wnba-draft-trans/

Haha. You can't make this shit up. 

HAHA Yeah, Royce White and Ines Freedom are both trying to put the WNBA in a spot where they have to shut down the idea that biological males can compete with females and it be fair or the right thing to do. This European tranny is going to make or break the WNBA, if they allow him, they have to allow Royce and White and Ines Freedom, if they "identify" as a "woman". Can't have it both ways! HAHA BTW, my girl Sophie is going to snap on one of these hoes that hits her next, you watch.

Yeah man. It is all so funny to me. I am very glad to hear that these NBA guys are pushing the envelope, as they should.... It's only a matter of time before some muscled out tranny joins the LPGA tours and starts launching 350 yard bombs off the tee. 

I will have my popcorn ready.... Shit is getting real....

But all the good press and coverage that the WNBA got off of Caitlin Clark is gone now. Including support for me. These fucking clowns that run the league, and the coaches are all just jokes.... Making people remove signs thanking Sophie for supporting female athletes and shit... Talking about inclusion and all this shit. 90% of the league are black lesbians, which is fine... But they talk all this woke shit about inclusion and equal pay and all this nonsense, and now, it's about to backfire HARD.....

They have made no official statement about that Tranny monster from Europe..... Put up or shut up WNBA..... If Angel Reese is the face and the voice that you want for you're league, you are all about to go bankrupt.... In short order. 

I'm really curious where this WNBA dudes thing ends up.  

Yeah, it ain't gonna happen, but I am hopeful that this will get something done between the board and the players union where they, once and for all, have to address this. I am assuming that is their point. The WNBA says they are holding an owner's meeting about this all next week, and the WNBA players association simply said "Our players will not be used as political pawns"... Pretty funny coming from the league that has done nothing BUT make political statements with it's players and teams. Like I said, the 90% black/lesbian community in the WNBA is always so loud... That is, until a 6'8", 230 pound man is dunking 20 times per game, dropping 50 burgers and blocking their shots into the upper deck. Then we will see how inclusive they really are. 

This reminds me of when I was in high school. My high school soccer coach was also the women's soccer coach at a local, all girls college. So we would often times to joint practices and stuff and train with some of the college coaches. One day, we all got the great idea to play a bunch of 16-17 year old high school boys against the 20-21 year old college girls... That scrimmage lasted all of 3 minutes before the coach called it.... He later admitted, years later, that when we scored on them immediately, that he didn't want their morale to tank, so he stopped it. Terrible idea to begin with. But it is what it is. 

Yeah, Zach.  I mentioned this years ago.  When the trannies started runnin girls track.  The women's WORLD record for 200m is 21.3sec.  My oldest kid, and his buddies, could run 22s or high 21s.  Like 17 year olds.  US boys HS record is 20.05sec.  Over a second faster than the basically unbreakable Flo-Jo time.

One more

NBA release season schedule ~3pm today. Always an interesting time for me to see when my nba team and nfl team play in the same wknd. I don't have any winter plans set, so hopefully i'll have some ideas this evening