When Bill Hancock spoke to the Knoxville Quarterback Club six weeks ago, the executive director of the College Football Playoffs said the playoffs would remain at four games.
When college football writer Brett McMurphy spoke to the QB Club recently, he had this message: Don’t believe Hancock.
McMurphy noted that Hancock also said we would never have a college football playoff when the Bowl Championship Series existed.
McMurphy believes the CFP will expand to eight teams, but not until January 2027, after the current 12-year agreement expires. That also coincides with many of the conference TV deals being renegotiated.
McMurphy not only sees an eight-team playoff, he sees more conference expansion. He thinks the Big Ten and SEC and ACC will go to 16 teams, and the Pac-12 and Big 12 will fight to stay alive, poaching whatever teams they can with only one surviving.
One negative to the eight-team playoff: University presidents don’t want games to be played beyond the second Monday in January so scheduling could be an issue.
McMurphy has been a part of two mock playoff selections. He thinks, if given a choice, the committee would take Oklahoma over Ohio State if each wins a conference title because the Buckeyes suffered a 29-point loss to a 6-6 Purdue team while Oklahoma lost by three to No. 14 Texas. He also pointed out Oklahoma has a 2.3 yards per play differential between its offense and defense while the differential for Ohio State is less than 1 yard per play.
But as McMurphy said: “It’s a beauty pageant. There is no right answer. It is the opinion of 13 people.”
My take: Alabama is in regardless of whether it wins the SEC Championship.
Georgia has to win the SEC to make the field.
Clemson is in if it beats Pitt for the ACC title but could be left out if it loses.
Notre Dame is in without a doubt.
Oklahoma would nudge Ohio State if Georgia losses and Clemson wins.
Luke Combs is engaged to his girlfriend of two-plus years, Nicole Hocking.
Luke revealed the news in an Instagram photo from Hawaii, saying: “She said yes a while ago but this is a way better place to take pictures than the kitchen. Can’t wait to spend forever with you @nicohocking I Love You! #Mahalo.”
After announcing his 2019 Friends & Heroes Tour with the Bellamy Brothers, John Anderson, Trace Adkins and Lauren Alaina, Blake Shelton decided to cover a trio of classic country songs leading up to the tour in his Friends & Heroes Session.
In his final cover for the throwback series, Blake croons to Eddie Rabbitt’s “Every Which Way But Loose,” which was recorded in 1978 as the title track to the comedy film starring Clint Eastwood.
“One of the coolest things I’ve been able to do in my career, because I’ve been fortunate, is be a little selfish along the way and be able to record some songs that I grew up loving,” says Blake. “I feel like they have helped shape who I am as an artist and were what inspired me to want to be a country singer.”
Listen to Blake’s cover of “Every Which Way But Loose” below.
Jana Kramer and husband Mike Caussin welcomed a baby boy, Jace Joseph Caussin, on Nov. 29.
Jana revealed the birth in a photo via Instagram, stating: “Welcome to the world, Jace Joseph Caussin. Our hearts are so full. Thank you to all of our friends and family..and all of you who have supported Mike and I, and our growing family. We are so blessed, and a huge thank you to @avawomen for helping us grow our family. #rainbowbaby #blessed.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee head coach Holly Warlick and sophomore guard/forward Rennia Davis met with the media on Thursday, taking questions about Tennessee’s play in the 2018 Women’s Junkanoo Jam last week as well as the #11/11 Lady Vols’ upcoming game on Sunday at #NR/RV Oklahoma State.
UT (5-0) defeated Clemson and UAB in Bimini, Bahamas, last Thursday and Saturday, respectively, to claim the Junkanoo Division title in the tournament played at Gateway Christian Academy. Davis was named the tourney’s MVP and joined senior teammate Meme Jackson on the all-tournament team.
The Lady Vols play their third consecutive contest away from Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday, as they face Oklahoma State (5-0) as part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. The visit, which is Tennessee’s first-ever to Stillwater and Gallagher-Iba Arena, will feature a game tipping off at 3 p.m. CT (4 ET) and televised on FS1. UT is 2-0 all-time vs. the Cowgirls, including a 69-60 triumph at the Cancun Challenge on Nov. 24, 2017. OSU plays one more time before Sunday’s match-up, hosting Texas State on Friday at 7 p.m. CT.
On Meme Jackson’s play thus far this season:
“She’s been one of our most consistent (players), and that correlates to how she’s been practicing. She has not had a bad day of practice. She’s focused and making sure that she leads the basketball team, and she’s worked at her game, probably more this summer than ever before, and I think you are seeing the results of all of that.”
On the improvement and overall performance of Kasiyahna Kushkituah:
“She’s put in a lot of time. She has been able to work through some minutes that have maybe been difficult for her, but she just continues to grow up before our eyes every game, and in the Bahamas I thought she demanded the basketball, wanted the basketball, and I am really proud of her and the time she has put in. And again, I think you are seeing the result.”
On how Kasiyahna Kushkituah’s fitness has improved:
“Well yes, that was one of the main things, was her getting in shape, and Coach Taylor did a great job of toning her body, and Dean (Lockwood) has done a great job of getting her basketball skills better. But she had to make a commitment to do those things as well, so that has made a huge difference.”
On her takeaways from the games in the Bahamas:
“(It was a) tough environment to play, and that’s one of the reasons we went down there. We played against two solid teams. But this team, I keep saying it, is so resilient, and they just keep fighting no matter what the score is. They have a thing about them where they fight, and I love that in them. They never think they are out of the game, there’s never a panic, its always positive, so it’s really fun to be around them and really fun to see these kids battle.”
On if she is surprised by this resilience given the youthof the team:
“Well no, not from seeing from what they did this summer, how hard they worked, and seeing what they did this fall. Just the comradery we have, the tightness we have, I think that helps tremendously.”
On how the newcomers responded in the fourth quarter of the UAB game:
“The ones that were in were battling, and the ones who were on the sideline were engaged and into the game, so that’s all I can ask for. If you are in, you’re fighting, and if you are on the sideline you’re involved, watching the game, seeing what we need to do and we got all that from them.”
On Rennia Davis and how she seems to take over at times: “She has my permission to take over any time she wants. She’s our go-to, and we seem to get her the ball moreso in the third and fourth quarter, and I’d like her to get a little more involved in the offense from the beginning. But I thought we distributed the ball really well, we are not totally reliant on her, but we need her to step up and make big plays.”
On her level of confidence when her team was down 12 in the fourth quarter against UAB:
“The feeling of the game, knowing these kids, and watching them battle in practice – they just had a sense of urgency on the defensive end, and I thought in the fourth quarter our defensive level rose, and they (UAB) were playing tired, and we weren’t playing tired, so I was confident. I really didn’t so much concentrate on the score, it was just us getting stops and moving the ball and getting great looks, and that’s what we ended up doing.”
On free throw shooting issues against UAB and Clemson:
“Against Clemson we missed a lot of free throws too. Had we made free throws in both those games, then those games were not close. But it is mental. They’re in the gym making shots; their mechanics are good, we just have to get the mental training a little bit better.”
On how she has helped teams prepare mentally for free throws in the past:
“You work on mental training. You get down, do your routine, and do the routine the same way every time. You don’t get to the line and think, ‘Man, I hope I make it. I don’t want to miss.’ You go to the line thinking, ‘I’ve done this 100 times, and I’ve made this shot.’ Those are the types of things that we’ve got to keep replaying over and over so when we get on the line it’s positive thinking and not doubt.”
On how she simulates game situations during practice:
“We go to the line and have to make two in a row. If you don’t, you run. You try to put pressure on them. You play game-like situations and put them in those situations too. Repetitive shooting, put them in game-like situations, and it’s going to click.”
On what she thinks the team needs to practice after the Thanksgiving tournament:
“I think late in the game our rebounding has gotten really solid. I’d like to see that throughout the whole game. I think our defense has stepped up in the third and fourth quarters. I’d like to see that throughout the whole game. We have to cut down on our turnovers and just be consistent. Again, make layups and free throws, don’t give your opponent second-chance points, and you’re going to have a great shot to win the game.”
On her impressions of Oklahoma State:
“They’re young, but they spread the floor, they have players that can shoot the three, have players that can penetrate, have big kids… they’re going to mx up what they do with us and play zone, play man, press us. It’s a tough place to play. They haven’t lost too many games at home, so it’s going to be a tough place for us to play.”
On what it was like guarding UAB:
“Four kids can shoot the three, and one kid inside just tightens up everything in the paint. (It was) very difficult. There aren’t too many teams who can shoot the ball and move the way UAB did, which was very challenging for us. We knew it was going to be challenging. You don’t see too many teams like that. (They’re) very well coached and shoot the ball extremely well. We played man, and you have to guard your player one-on-one. That was the importance of the game. You need to guard your player one-on-one, and we don’t need to help, because the minute we help, they’re going to find a seam, hit to the three-point shooter, and score. Down the stretch, we wore them out and they got tired. We were still in pretty good condition, and they got tired, so their shots started coming up short, missing some layups and free throws.”
On if there is a part of the team she thinks is stronger than she thought it would be at this point in the season:
“Probably our offensive efficiency; we haven’t really taken bad shots. We’ve missed a lot of shots in the paint, but I think, for the most, part we’ve gotten good looks, and I think they understand what’s a great shot and what’s a good shot.”
On Rennia Davis not hunting her shot:
“Rennia likes to sometimes sit and watch the game or get a feel for the game. We’ve got to do a better job of bringing her the ball as well.”
On if Rennia Davis prides herself on being the closer type:
“Whether she likes it or not, she is. I think so. I think she wants the ball in her hands, and I want the ball in her hands (because) great things happen.”
On if Davis has to be more assertive this year with her leadership skills:
“I think every game she is coming into her role a little more and understand what she needs to do. I think every game she’ll learn what she needs to do for this basketball team. It’s a lot for her to carry, but she’s built for that, so I’m not going to put anything on her that she can’t handle.”
On how close-knit the team is:
“I definitely have seen it. We had a few tough games in the Bahamas, but just coming together and ultimately getting the win, I think that says a lot about our team.”
On if she liked the way the team played in the Bahamas:
“I always think we can play better, but just the fact that we came out 2-0 (at the Junkanoo Jam), that was enough for me.”
On what she learned about the group in the two games:
“What I took from those games is just that our team has a will to win. There were a couple times in that second game that we could’ve just given up. I think we were down 12 in the fourth quarter. But for us to just stick together and come back and ultimately get the win, I think that says a lot about us and our character and about how much we want to win.”
On what was going through her mind when they down 12 in the fourth quarter:
“Just keep playing. This team is so competitive, so we just wanted to get the win however we could. Everybody stepped up in their own way and took some big shots for us.”
On if anything was said during the huddle about finishing the game:
“I think it was just more of a mental thing for us. Everybody just knows that we can’t lose, but I give credit to UAB because they were a pretty good team. Just for us, we knew we couldn’t lose that game.”
On what she liked and what could be improved from the last two games:
“I think we just need to play together. It is a big thing for us. We need to continue to improve our turnover-to-assist ratio. There were times that we had turnovers that were unforced, so I think we can clean that up, and just stay consistent overall as a team.”
On what they are learning about themselves as a team:
“We are still learning how to play with whoever because this is a young team. A lot of our freshmen are coming from being the best player on their high school’s team. So just coming here and filling in your role and understanding what this team needs from you, we are still working on that, but it is coming together.”
On what changed in the fourth quarter:
“Just the competitive nature of this team. Like I said, we all hate to lose. And there are a lot of teams that can say that, but I think with this team, we actually mean that. Losing is just not an option for us. So I think whatever we needed to do to win that game, we did that.”
On if there was an area that the team has been better at than expected:
“I think we have been pretty efficient in our transition. Just letting our defense lead into our offense, getting some turnovers on our press and turning the other team over. I think we are very efficient in that area.”
On if playing a different defense on UAB was a good experience:
“I definitely agree with that. It was very hard to press them as a team because of how they were set up. I think it did help us because we got to see how different teams might play. We aren’t able to press against every team, so being able to play half-court defense efficiently and staying in front of our person, I think that helped us out a lot.”
On if she felt any panic when they were down:
“Not from the players. We are just so competitive that we knew somebody was going to do something for us to win the game.”
On how she felt the freshmen reacted to the adversity:
“I think they did really well. In both games, we had freshmen in at the end of the game. That also says a lot about our team. We are young, but being able to have freshmen in those games, I think they were all ready for those moments.”
On if she felt like she had to be assertive on both sides of the floor against UAB:
“I hear it all the time from my teammates and coaches, but I’m just prepared to let the game come to me. And at that time (in the fourth quarter), the three-point shot was falling for me, so I just continued to shoot it. My teammates and coaches were all confident in me shooting the ball, so that is what I did.”
On if her teammates let her know they need her at those times in the game:
“We have players on this team that can score the ball, but the coaches want me to be as aggressive as possible, especially in times like that. But credit to the rest of my teammates, I think we all stepped up and made big shots in that game.”
On the team’s free throws:
“It is something that can be fixed. It just seems to be mental right now, like we aren’t as focused as we should be. When somebody steps up to the free throw line, you don’t really know what’s going on in their head, but it is definitely something we are working on. We are shooting more free throws as a team and individually, so hopefully it improves.”
On how Kasi Kushkituah stepped up:
“Coach Reaves said (Kasi) grew up in the first game, and I definitely agree. Just having that physical dominance down low, I think that is going to get us open. We can get the ball inside to Kushkituah; she gets fouled and gets free throws, she gets and ones. I don’t think anybody can really guard her because she is so strong and physically dominant that she is going to be really big for us this year.”
On the changes in Kushkituah compared to last year:
“I think (Kasi) has gotten a lot more in shape. The minutes she has been playing now, she would not be able to play last year because she wasn’t physically or mentally ready for that. This year, she feels like we need her, which we do. She has gone in the gym and put in extra work.”
On how the fourth quarter play will help them down the road:
“It is just going to continue to grow mental toughness, which we need down the road.”
On Jan. 4, 2019, Dolly Parton will celebrate her 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
To commemorate the milestone accomplishment, the Opry will celebrate Dolly Week in October with a number of performances on Oct. 10, 11 and 12.
Oct. 10 | Opry Country Classics featuring performances of Dolly’s No. 1 hits
Oct. 11 | Dolly’s Mountain Soul: Bluegrass, Americana & Roots Music honors Dolly
Oct. 12 | Dolly Parton’s 50th Grand Ole Opry Anniversary Celebration featuring Dolly Parton and many more (two shows)
“It was always my dream to be on the Opry,” says Dolly. “I actually got to sing on the Grand Ole Opry when I was about 10 years old. I officially became a member back in 1969 and I cannot believe next year I will celebrate 50 proud years of being a member of the Grand Ole Opry! They call it the ‘Mother Church’ because the old Ryman was a church, but it’s sacred to me, wherever it goes—the church of my heart. For me, the Opry is like the song ‘New York, New York’—if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. I am excited to be coming back home to celebrate 50 years of membership!.”
Over the course of her career, Dolly has earned eight Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, five Academy of Country Music Awards and three American Music Awards. In 1999, Dolly was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—both as a solo artist and as a member of Trio. She became a member of the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) honored her with their Icon Award in 2003, and in 2004 the U.S. Library of Congress presented her with their Living Legend Award. In 2005, she was presented the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government, the National Medal of Arts. Dolly will be honored as MusiCares Person of the Year during Grammy Week in February.
It’s hard to keep a good cowboy down. Since George Strait wrapped his Cowboy Rides Away Tour in 2014, his appearances onstage have been few and far between—outside of his 18 “Strait to Vegas” concerts.
However, George is feeling froggy in 2019—he’s already announced a handful of shows for the new year, including a headlining gig at the Buckeye Country Festival in Columbus, Ohio, on June 8. The one-day festival lineup also features Blake Shelton, Midland, Chris Janson and RaeLynn.
In addition to performing at Buckeye Country Superfest, George has announced four Strait to Vegas dates (Feb. 1, Feb. 2, Aug. 23, Aug. 24) as well as a date at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 30 and a show at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Nov. 22. George will wrap 2018 with two Vegas shows on Dec. 7 and 8.
Catch the King when you can.
George Strait by by Kirkland/AFF-USA.com; Blake Shelton by Jason Simanek
The perpetually fit Tim McGraw has partnered with Snap Fitness to help design and launch a new line of boutique gyms called Trumav Fitness.
The flagship club is slated to open in Nashville in January at 601 9th Ave South.
Trumav Fitness will provide instructional exercise classes, and members can work out on their own, with a trainer or in a group class setting. Each club will include custom equipment and programs based on Tim’s personal workout routines, as well as the expertise of Snap Fitness professionals.
“Physical fitness is something I value—it can help you lead your best life,” said Tim. “Working out becomes a habit when it’s an easy part of your every day. That’s why I’ve partnered with Snap Fitness to create Trumav. We want to help you find what works for your fitness goals and give you a community that can inspire you to achieve them.”
Snap Fitness announced a two-year partnership with Tim in 2017 that included the development of a custom fitness club franchise.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 6 Tennessee’s starting five combined for 72 points, fueling the Volunteers to a 95-67 victory over the Eastern Kentucky Colonels Wednesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Four Vols scored in double figures, headlined by a double-double from junior forward Grant Williams. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native posted 21 points, 11 rebounds and five assists and was a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line. The performance marked Williams’ seventh career double-double.
Senior guard Admiral Schofield poured in 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field, while junior point guard Jordan Bone added 14 points and seven assists for the Big Orange. Sophomore wing Yves Pons posted a career-high 10 points in his first collegiate start to round out UT’s double-digit scorers.
EKU’s Nick Mayo paced all scorers with 23 points on the night while also leading the Colonels with nine boards. The senior forward went 10-for-10 from the charity stripe.
Tennessee (5-1) pulled down a season-high 50 rebounds, including a season-best 18 boards on the offensive end. The Vols outscored the Colonels 48-20 in the paint, and UT had 25 points off of 20 EKU turnovers.
Williams and Schofield led the second-half charge with 12 and 10 points over the final 20 minutes, respectively. Sophomore guard Jacob Fleschmanknocked down a 3-pointer with nine seconds left in the game to vault UT to a season-high 95 points.
Tennessee’s 21-3 run midway through the first half gave the Vols a comfortable 32-14 lead with 6:53 remaining in the opening period. UT led by at least 13 points the rest of the way, as the Big Orange cruised to their fifth non-conference win of the 2018-19 campaign.
Williams clogged the first-half stat sheet with nine points, eight boards, four assists and three blocks in the first half. Schofield tallied 10 points in the opening frame to lead all scorers, while Pons added eight points on three-of-four shooting from the field over the first 20 minutes.
The Big Orange crashed the boards in the opening period, pulling down 33 rebounds compared to 16 for the Colonels (3-4). UT’s 33 rebounds were its most in a half this season. Additionally, the Vols earned a 12-0 advantage in first-half fast-break points, including a pair of breakaway dunks from Pons and Jordan Bowden late in the half.
PONS EARNS FIRST CAREER START:Yves Pons cracked the starting lineup against Eastern Kentucky, marking his first career start. The sophomore knocked down a 3-pointer to open the scoring for the Vols. The Fuveau, France, native finished the night with 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting along with five rebounds and a pair of blocks in 22 minutes. All of last season, Pons totaled 17 points in 24 games.
MILESTONE FOR THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA: Wednesday’s contest marked the 500th game the Tennessee’s men’s basketball team has played inside Thompson-Boling Arena. The Vols’ all-time record in TBA is 371-129 (.742).
SCORING EARLY, OFTEN AND EFFICIENTLY: In the first six games to start the season, Tennessee has dropped at least 45 points in the first half on four occasions. Last year, UT accomplished that feat a total of five times. Against the Colonels, the Vols took a 49-28 lead into intermission, which was one point shy of tying their season-high for points in a half. Also, for the fourth time this season, the Big Orange shot better than 50 percent from the floor, converting 35-of-69 attempts from the field.
ALL-SEC DUO ECLIPSES 20 POINTS EACH: For the second time this season, Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams both eclipsed the 20-point mark in the same game. Williams finished with 21 points, while Schofield added 20 on 8-of-9 shooting.
UP NEXT: The Vols return to Thompson-Boling Arena Sunday for a noon tip against the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders. The game will be televised on SEC Network.
By Jimmy Hyams
![Blake Shelton Covers Eddie Rabbitt’s “Every Which Way But Loose” in Final Song on Throwback Series [Listen]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/1446/2018/11/30091428/Blake-Shelton-TA.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
