This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.
Goooood morning, family! Happy Friday! Welcome back to the Morning Win. Thanks so much for reading today. We appreciate you.
We need to talk about this Pop-Tart bowl. Wasn’t that the greatest thing ever?
I didn’t care that much about the game, which Kansas State won 28-19, by the way. That wasn’t the story of the evening. Instead, it was the actual giant Pop-Tart just kind of…scampering around everywhere on the sideline. I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. Neither could the broadcast. The novelty of a giant pop tart that we knew would eventually be edible was too much.
RELATED: The 11 best moments from the Pop-Tart bowl that had nothing to do with the game
In all seriousness, wasn’t this perfect? It’s nice to see bowl games not taking themselves too seriously. We don’t. Why should they?
Since the inception of the College Football Playoff in 2014, it’s been the only postseason thing that has mattered to most people. Bowl games are cool. Being there is good and reflective of a successful season for most programs. But they’re a bit of a cherry on top. They don’t matter as much as, say, conference championship weekend or even rivalry weekend before that.
There’s no better way to draw eyes to your bowl game than to just have some fun with it. Why not? Make it a meme. Yes, Pop-Tart Bowl. Please, give us a giant edible mascot. Give us something so completely ridiculous and outlandish that we have to talk about it. It’s so much fun and, by the way, great for content.
The other bowls need to step their game up. Looking at you, Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Give us a full jar of mayonnaise mascot or we riot.
Can’t spell elite without Joe Flacco
What’s gotten into Joe Flacco? One second this man was about to join the Inside the NFL broadcast team. The next, he’s starting at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Not only is he starting, folks, but he looks like he could potentially be *just fine* enough that the Browns might contend for a Super Bowl.
Now there’s a paragraph I never thought I’d write in my life.
But facts are facts. And Joe Flacco is 4-1 as the Cleveland Browns’ starter so far this season. He’s tossed 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions after tossing three more touchdowns against the Jets on Thursday night. In total, he’s got 1,616 yards on the season and has thrown for over 300 in four straight games so far.
The dude is playing like he’s in his prime. He’s been so comfortable that he’s falling asleep during games. Literally.
when you throw for 300+ yards in 4 straight games and it's past your bedtime pic.twitter.com/BZEBong7JB
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2023
I don’t know where this road ends for Flacco and the Browns. It could take them to Las Vegas. Regardless, we’re going to have a ton of fun along the way with the bombs Flacco can still throw at 39 years old.
Buckle up.
Jalen Milroe gets the last laugh
Jalen Milroe revealed that former offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien suggested that he change positions at some point during his tenure with the team.
Yes, it’s as infuriating as it sounds. Cory Woodruff has more here.
“Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe could’ve had a completely different future with the Crimson Tide if he’d taken former Bama offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien’s advice.
…
Obviously, O’Brien was very wrong to suggest Milroe play anywhere else but quarterback considering how well he has grown into being Alabama’s starter. Of course, Milroe shook off O’Brien’s incorrect suggestion and acclimated to his starting duties just fine.
“So who gets the last laugh?” Milroe quipped about O’Brien’s suggestion.“
Look, Milroe has never been a perfect quarterback. He’s been benched. He’s lost. He’s still got a lot to learn, as any college QB does.
But to suggest a position change? Come on, man. We’ve seen much worse from other QBs. This is typical when it comes to Black quarterbacks. It was suggested for Lamar Jackson. Same for Jalen Hurts. Now, here’s Milroe. Let me know when Bo Nix gets the same advice.
Ultimately, Milroe didn’t take O’Brien’s advice to heart, which is a good thing. Because if he had we wouldn’t have gotten the special season from Alabama that we just did.
So, once again, Bill O’Brien, the joke’s on you.
Photo Friday: Of course, it’s the Pop-Tart. Again.
Look at how they’ve devoured our sweet, sweet friend. Poor Pop-Tart. We knew your swift end was coming. That doesn’t make it hurt any less.
no… No… NOOOO!
look how they massacred my boy pic.twitter.com/7o3qdd1Puy
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) December 29, 2023
All they left was a single eye. It hurts. But it was worth it. Pop-Tart lived a brief, but great, life. Ultimately, they met their desired end. I can’t be mad at that.
We’ll miss you, Pop-Tart. We’ll miss you.
RELATED: CFB fans mourned the loss of their beloved Pop-Tart
Quick hits: Ja’Marr Chase wyd??? … Disneyland Rides ranked by Nick Saban hate … and more
— Ja’Marr Chase is, once again, ripping the Chiefs. Because, of course, that’s never backfired before. Meghan Hall has more.
— Matt Scalici ranked 12 Disneyland rides by how much Nick Saban would hate them. This is incredible content.
— Prince Grimes says the Broncos’ benching of Russell Wilson is shameful. I completely agree.
— Speaking of the Broncos, Christian D’Andrea has a playoff plan ready for them…for 2026.
— Here are the 18 college football programs with the most No. 1 picks in the NFL draft. Meghan Hall has us covered.
— Here’s Ben Fawkes on how historically bad the Atlanta Hawks are against the spread.
That’s all, folks! Thanks so much for reading today. We appreciate you. We’ll talk to you in the new year. Until then! Peace and love. We out.
-Sykes ✌️