Monday ‘Dawg Bites: The Neighbors Are Acting Weird Again

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It’s college football’s week 0, and while we’ve still got some time before the Bulldogs kick off, the news from elsewhere is flowing free and fast. Let’s take a quick spin around and see what’s up.

Alabama has named sophomore Keelon Russell its starting quarterback over senior Austin Mack. It isn’t a surprising outcome, as the former five star would eventually take over. But Bama fans are super stoked nonetheless.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel on the other hand hasn’t named a starter, but appears to be leaning toward freshman Faizon Brandon.Heupel has been saying all the right things publicly about going with the QB who brings the right mix of maturity and leadership to the role. But deep down I think there’s something else at play: in the NIL era you can’t bring in a multi-million dollar blue chipper like Brandon and afford to sit them on the bench. It’s one reason I think Kirby Smart’s emphasis on rewarding proven upperclassmen may be the smartest strategy in the NIL era.

Lane Kiffin on the other hand isn’t so stoked about his tight end rotation, which is why he’s apparently beating the bushes of the NFL for players who are on pro rosters but could come back to college now that a judge in Colorado has decided players in the 2022 class should have a fifth year of eligibility.

Though the buried lede in this story has to be that Kiffin apparently called Todd Monken to talk about whether he could have Monken’s rookie tight end, and Monken didn’t return his call. That goes on the long list of reasons I like Todd Monken.

Go ‘Dawgs!!!

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