Bishop Media Sports Network
Brunswick High Pirates Coach’s Show w Garrett Grady October 9 2025
Jason Bishop Show October 9 2025
McIntosh County Academy Buccaneers Coach’s Show w Bradley Warren October 9 2025
Not My Fault
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Arch Manning was supposed to be the next big thing. The next great quarterback in the Manning line, the guy who would bring Texas football back to the national stage, and the face of college football’s new generation.
I even wrote a glowing article about him for this publication just over a month ago. But here we are, five games into the 2025 season, and the story looks a lot different than anyone expected.
Texas is 3-2, the playoff dream is already slipping, and the most famous name in college football is taking more heat than ever.
The numbers tell part of the story. Manning has completed around 60 percent of his passes for 1,158 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s also leading the team in rushing, which says a lot about both his toughness and the chaos around him.
He’s made some highlight plays that remind everyone why he was so hyped, but he’s also made too many risky throws. That mix of brilliance and inconsistency has defined his first real run as QB1.
The spotlight has been brutal. Every pass, every expression, every misstep gets analyzed like it’s a presidential debate.
Steve Sarkisian even joked about reporters breaking down Manning’s body language. One SEC coach summed it up perfectly: “He throws a bad pass; he’s the worst quarterback in the world. He throws a good pass, he’s gonna win the Heisman.” It’s impossible to live up to that kind of pressure.
And when you look closer, it’s easy to see why things are rough. Manning is a first-year starter in the SEC behind an offensive line that has struggled badly.
Texas has allowed pressure on over 40 percent of dropbacks, which ranks near the bottom nationally.
In the loss to Florida, he was sacked six times and hit on more than half of his throws. No quarterback thrives in those conditions.
The help around him hasn’t been great either. Texas lost its top tackle and top wide receiver to the NFL, and injuries in the backfield have killed the run game.
The wideouts who were supposed to step up haven’t delivered. So, Manning has been trying to do too much, forcing throws because he doesn’t have many safe options.
Of course, not all of the issues are on the team.
Manning’s footwork has been inconsistent, and he’s been holding the ball too long. His average time to throw is over three seconds, one of the slowest in college football. That’s a dangerous habit behind a weak line.
He’s also missed some easy completions that should be automatic in Sarkisian’s offense. These are things that come with inexperience, but they add up fast.
The coaching hasn’t exactly made life easier.
Sarkisian keeps dialing up deep passing plays that take time to develop, even though his line can’t protect and his young quarterback needs simpler reads. Manning’s average target is 12 yards downfield, which is one of the highest in the country.
The problem is, Texas barely throws short passes. They have fewer quick throws than almost any major program. Instead of building confidence with short routes and screens, they keep asking Manning to go for big plays that often blow up before they start.
What’s getting lost in all the noise is that Arch Manning is still learning, and he’s doing it under more pressure than almost anyone in college football history.
Coaches and teammates say he’s handled it all with maturity and toughness. The problem isn’t that he’s failed to live up to the hype. It’s that no one could live up to the hype that followed his name.
Even the best Mannings had growing pains. Peyton threw 11 interceptions as a freshman. Eli didn’t become a star until his third year. Arch is just going through his version of that, only every moment is broadcast to the world.
The truth is, Arch Manning isn’t broken. He’s just in a tough spot. Texas needs a lot more help up front and a smarter game plan.
He’ll get better as the season goes on, but he was never going to be a miracle worker overnight.
Arch Manning will be fine. He’s talented, tough, and learning how to lead through fire.
Maybe the real story isn’t that he fell short, but that the expectations were never fair in the first place.
Frederica Academy Knights Coach’s Show w Brandon Derrick October 8 2025
Category 5
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Mario Cristobal started his celebration by posing for a photo with his family in front of the scoreboard at Doak Campbell Stadium — reading Miami 28 FSU 22.
The Hurricanes head coach continued by hugging athletic director Dan Radakovich — “That was big,” Radakovich yelled — then waving his arms to pump up the roaring visitors’ section.
Before he could walk into the locker room, he needed one more piece to commemorate the triumph: one of the printed signs that read “Back-to-Back State Champs!”
After The U’s latest victory , it’s time to start taking his Canes seriously as national championship contenders.
The state championship claim is undeniable and notable enough on its own. In the past four games, No. 3 Miami (5-0, 1-0 ACC) has beaten Florida, South Florida, Florida State and Bethune-Cookman (FCS).
It’s the first time the Hurricanes have beaten the Gators and Seminoles in back-to-back years since 2001-04. That means something in this state.
For the first time in two decades, the goal of a national championship finally feels attainable at The U.
For years fans were asking “is Miami back?” After many false-start moments and fool’s gold rosters. They flashed (rising to No. 2 in 2017 and were battling for a Playoff spot last season. Those dreams faded alongside the turnover chain.
This year, life feels different.
Miami defeated the nation’s No. 9 team (Notre Dame), No. 18 team (Florida) and No. 19 team (Florida State), based on recruiting ratings.
Plus, USF, a team that’s good enough to contend for a College Football Playoff appearance. Maybe it’s not the best resume in the country, maybe it doesn’t deserve a #1 overall ranking-but it’s impressive.
If there’s any questionable talent, it’s Cristobal. His failure to kneel out a win over Georgia Tech in 2023 and the blown 21-0 lead at Syracuse remain stains on his resume.
Focusing on those past blunders dims the progress he and his program have made.
Cristobal built a power program the way you’d expect a former offensive lineman: from the inside out.
His lines are excellent; the Hurricanes have allowed only six sacks through five games while, on the other side of the ball, Bain and Akheem Mesidor harass opposing QBs.
The run game and defense are strong. The passing attack, we learned Saturday, is more than capable.
The fact that Miami had to find a different way to win a rivalry game is encouraging for the Hurricanes’ season-long trajectory. They’ll need to beat different teams in different ways if they’re going to earn their first ACC championship, especially if they’re to compete for their first national title since 2001.
Those possibilities seemed feasible at Doak, especially this year. On a weekend that saw Penn State No. 7 and No. 9 Texas fall to unranked and untalented opponents.
Previous Miami teams would have turtled down the stretch as Florida State reeled off 19 consecutive points in the fourth quarter.
Miami’s past two decades have featured too many penalties and game-losing mistakes (do you remember the blocked extra point against the Seminoles in 2016?).
This time around, Miami didn’t panic. Cristobal didn’t pump his fist or clap triumphantly when his offense picked up a time-draining fourth down with three minutes left.
The Hurricanes calmly corralled the last onside kick to seal the win and, of course, kneeled out the clock.
They looked like a team that rightfully expects to win because Cristobal has built a high-end roster with an experienced quarterback and a program that no longer beats itself, even in the biggest moments against the biggest rivals.
And now with Cristobal’s second consecutive state championship secured, it’s time to start envisioning more for the program.
Playoff Run?
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Atlanta Falcons are 2-2 and had a bye week in Week 5.
Their next game is a Monday Night Football Game at home against Buffalo on October 13th. The Falcons have not made the playoffs in the last seven years. The question is are they good enough to end that streak?
“It was great to get a win going into the bye week,” tight end Kyle Pitts said. “Week 5 byes aren’t the best. But it’s all good, going into it with a win. We just hope that the continuity will stay high. We’ll definitely link together as offense during this (bye week). Just go to next week and get ready for prime time.”
Atlanta is in their second season under head coach Raheem Morris. Last year they were 8-9. As you know, they paid a lot of money to free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins going into the 2024 season. He signed a four-year $180 million contract, with $100 million guaranteed.
After making this move, they surprised the football world by drafting Michael Penix with the 8th pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Cousins started the season hot and led the Falcons to 6-3 to start the season.
Then he started playing worse during their losing streak. He led the league with 16 interceptions and he was tied for the league lead in fumbles. That led to Cousins getting benched after Week 15.
I think a quarterback controversy might be brewing this season. Penix has been the starter but he played poorly in a 30-0 Week 3 loss at Carolina. Penix was benched for Cousins in the fourth quarter of that game.
Penix also played poorly in the Week 2 win at Minnesota, 22-6. He passed for 135 yards with 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. I believe if he plays poorly against the Bills Penix will be benched.
Atlanta has done some self-scouting during the bye week.
“Getting those guys going and trying to find ways and different things that we can get going,” Morris said. “All of those guys up front being in different positions and trying to get those guys aligned at different things so we could dictate terms a little bit better.”
The Falcons are also working on their run defense ahead of their Week 6 matchup with Buffalo. The Bills have Josh Allen and James Cook to deal with. Cook is ranked second in the league in rushing with 450 yards and 5 TD’s.
The Falcons gave up 147 yards and 6.7 yards per carry in their last outing against Washington. Running back Chris Rodriquez got loose for a 48-yard gain.
“Yeah, so really the one big run, the 48-yarder, is the one that can really crush it,” Morris said. “You can never say ‘except for’ in this game. But, if you can get rid of that run, you don’t feel terrible about it, especially with a quarterback run game. … Well, (that) can really tilt that thing.”
The Falcons have to play the AFC East and NFC West this season. Buffalo is the only good AFC East team so they should be favored against the Jets, Patriots and Dolphins.
The Cardinals are the worst team in the NFC East. The Rams are one of the best teams in the league. The games against San Francisco and Seattle could go either way.
Tampa Bay is the best team in the division and the next game against them will be on the road. I don’t think the Falcons will make the playoffs this season.
The New Skipper?
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Braves began a process that hasn’t happened in 15 years…a search for a new manager. The organization recently announced that Braves Manager Brian Snitker will be changing roles by coming out of the dugout and moving into an advisory role in the front office beginning in 2026.
The Braves-lifer took over the Braves managerial job in the interim in 2016 after Fredi Gonzalez was fired, then named full-time head man for the 2017 season and moves to the advisory role next year which will be the 50th season in the Braves organization.
The Braves haven’t had to do a full managerial search since 2010 when the club hired Fredi Gonzalez to lead the chop. Now the question swirling around the ATL is “who comes next?”
The manager’s job is vastly different than what even Snit was hired to do in 2016 that also comes along with a demand for alignment from Derek Schiller (Braves Owner), Alex Anthopolous (GM) and through the organization.
The other piece that I pray that is still part of the process (but honestly am skeptical if it is) is finding someone that aligns with the “Braves Way” that was coined by legendary manager Bobby Cox and GM John Schuerholz that held the Braves organization to a higher standard than most teams.
There are a couple of different camps on potential replacements. Some in Braves Country would love to see a more “old school” true baseball man to lead the organization, and if they have a tie to the organization even better.
Names like Bruce Bochy, who is a legendary manager for the Giants and recently parted ways with the Rangers is back on the market.
Bob Melvin (who took over in San Francisco for Bochy) was let go by the Giants just days before the Snitker announcement came down the pipe.
Walt Weiss is also one that has come up consistently when the rumors were swirling over the past few years. Weiss was Snitker’s bench coach that has managerial experience with the Rockies and a former Braves infielder.
Finally, John Gibbons has been looking for a new job and has connections to the front office after being hired by Alex Anthopolous for the Blue Jays when “AA” was the top baseball executive north of the border.
Some other folks are looking for a “young buck” that is all into the analytics and the “new age baseball” minds. One of the top names in this category was Skip Schumaker, who was hired on Friday to lead the Texas Rangers and take over for Bruce Bochy in the dugout in Arlington.
There are dozens of former player names that have come up in conversation, and realistically we could list them all, but in reality, they are all the same. Baseball is more than a laptop, but we’ll save that soapbox for another day.
To me, while I’m a baseball purist and an “old school” baseball thinker and would be far more on that side if I had to choose, I believe that there are a couple of happy mediums.
From the time the word came out that there was a vacancy in the Braves dugout, the first name that came to my mind was Mark DeRosa.
DeRosa has been an analyst on MLB Network after his long playing career, and while he doesn’t have full-time managerial experience at the MLB Level, he has been a wildly successful coach and manager with USA Baseball including the manager for the last two World Baseball Classic teams that represented the American team.
Someone like DeRosa that leans more to the old school mindset while also being able to use the data and analytics to support the baseball minds.
Names like DeRosa, Craig Albernaz, Michael Young fit this role, and would be where my searching mind goes first, but we will see where the combination of Schiller, Anthopolous and the rest of the front office go to.
Brantley County Herons Coach’s Show w David Shores October 2 2025
Jason Bishop Show October 2 2025
