Full disclosure: SU actually prepared a post yesterday but somehow it did not show up on the site.  The global technical team is working on this as we speak.  But here are the highlights as SU is back from vacation out west but has a lot to say:

• I know the NFL is incredibly popular and ESPN has shows all week long between games.  But for me, college football is just more exciting, more unpredictable and creates opportunities for crazy endings.  Players in the NFL are so good and fast that certain plays just can’t happen.  It also feels like there are so many mediocre teams that are unwatchable.  Part of the problem is that about half the teams don’t have an NFL quality QB while in college, it’s easier to be a high performing quarterback.
• Eli Manning’s streak of 200 consecutive starts will no doubt be in jeopardy this season given the quality of the offensive line.  That first half was awful and even without OBJ, they need to show more on offense.  The defense is clearly good and strong at all positions.  But without a great running game, Eli needs more time.  SU would also like to see more no huddle but on Sunday night, understandably they didn’t want tot put the defense back out there so quickly with all of the 3 and outs.
• SU loved seeing Ohio State lose to Oklahoma.  That was a beatdown in the 2nd half.  As predicted before, Urban Meyer may be looking to the NFL sooner than you think if this is another season where they don’t win the national championship.  They will need to run the table to get to the playoffs.
• The Yankees finish the season with 17 of 20 games in New York which is a huge advantage.  The bullpen has just killed them the last two months; otherwise, they would be in 1st place.  SU is glad to see Chapman back in the closer role as Betances is too inconsistent at this point.  The Red Sox are not world beaters.  Cleveland clearly will head into the playoffs red hot even without Andrew Miller healthy.
• Speaking of the Red Sox, what is it about Boston teams that makes them cheat?  SU liked the way they tried to deflect attention and claim the Yankees were also stealing signs.  Just check the Yankees’ average with RISP; believe me: if they are stealing signs, they are not getting the message to the batters.  They are inept with runners on base.
• Great performances by the American women in the US Open.  While Nadal won another major, he really didn’t play any high seeds along the way.  The reality is that on the men’s side, the top players need to change their games to shorten points and make the game less physical.  Guys like Djokovic, Murray, Wawrinka have to come to net more as winning with long, drawn out points is too demanding.  It will be interesting to see if they make these adjustments in 2018 when they return to action.
• Interesting that Maria Sharapova has released an auto-biography.  Makes a point to bash Serena and basically say she does not like her (I guess a 2-19 lifetime record contributes to that).  She also has put out a 55-minute documentary about her drug test suspension and her comeback.  SU watched the first 20 minutes on the plane ride home.  My review: JUST STOP TALKING!  She is just not that interesting.  I guess the combination of the book and the movie are part of her comeback and repositioning.  She is quite the corporate enterprise.

Regarding the NFL, SU does not over-react from week #1 games; there is a long way to go and in the end, it’s all about injuries.  I expect the Giants to rebound nicely on Monday night – especially if Beckham returns.  And I expect my fantasy team to rebound as well!