Natty week part 2

[tsweezy]

"The Outside Looking In: Fans, Experts, and Former Players Weigh In on the National Championship"

---

Introduction: The Hype That Launched a Thousand Tweets

As the national championship game between Baylor and Tennessee approaches, the entire college football world is holding its breath. This isn’t just a battle for the title—it’s a cultural event, a social media circus, and, depending on who you ask, the most important day of the year (including Christmas). Fans are already planning their Monday excuses, analysts are working overtime to find new angles, and former players are getting nostalgic about their own glory days. In short, this game is bigger than big, and everyone has an opinion—whether you asked for it or not.

---

Section 1: Fan Frenzy—Where Passion Meets Hyperbole

Tailgate Traditions: Where BBQ Meets Theology

In Waco, Baylor fans are treating the national championship like a religious experience—quite literally in some cases. The tailgates are sprawling affairs, with grills working overtime and the scent of smoked meat wafting through the air like an offering to the football gods. One group of fans has set up a “Knebel Shrine,” complete with candles, photos of past victories, and what might be the world’s first brisket sculpture of a quarterback mid-scramble. “We’re just asking for divine protection from Tennessee’s pass rush,” one fan says with a straight face as he lights another candle.

Not to be outdone, Tennessee fans in Knoxville have turned their tailgates into something akin to a carnival—if that carnival were entirely dedicated to the art of the deep ball. “The Vol Walk” is more packed than ever, with fans lining the streets to cheer on their team. Some are holding signs that read, “In Savage We Trust,” while others are handing out miniature footballs with Savage’s stats printed on them, as if the numbers themselves might ward off any defensive misfortune. The BBQ is, of course, omnipresent, and if you can’t find a conversation about how Savage is going to torch Baylor’s secondary, you’re probably in the wrong place.

Social Media Buzz: The Great Hashtag Armageddon

Twitter is, unsurprisingly, a war zone. On one side, you have the Baylor faithful, rallying under the banner of #KnebelKrusade. One particularly viral tweet features a slow-motion clip of Travis Knebel breaking a tackle, accompanied by the caption, “When life tries to bring you down, but you’ve got Knebel legs.” The GIF is already approaching meme status, with fans using it for everything from dodging work to avoiding in-laws.

Tennessee fans, not to be outdone, have embraced #SavageMode with a fervor that borders on obsessive. One fan posted a video of themselves throwing a football through a tire, with the caption, “If I can hit this, imagine what Savage will do to Baylor’s secondary.” The comment section quickly devolved into a debate over whether Savage could throw a ball through a car window from 50 yards, with the consensus being, “Of course he can, but why risk it when he can just throw it over the car?”

Fan Predictions: The Oracle of Overconfidence

If you venture into the online fan forums, be prepared for a level of confidence that only comes from a season of unchallenged success—or willful ignorance. On Baylor’s forums, one fan, SicEmBear91, predicts, “Knebel’s going to break his own rushing record in the first quarter. By halftime, Tennessee’s linebackers will be petitioning to switch to offense just to get away from him.” Another fan, BearWithMe, confidently asserts, “Savage might throw for 400 yards, but it’ll be from behind because Baylor’s going to be up by 30 by the time he gets going.”

Over in Tennessee’s corner of the internet, the predictions are just as bold, if not more so. VolFanatic declares, “Savage is going to throw so many touchdown passes, they’ll have to change the scoreboard to keep up. Baylor’s defense? More like Baylor’s ‘just stand there and watch’ crew.” Another fan, RockyTopHero, writes, “Knebel’s going to wish he stayed in Waco when he meets our D-line. By the second half, Baylor’s playbook is just going to be ‘try not to cry, cry a lot.’”

---

Section 2: Expert Opinions—The Art of Overanalysis

Coaches’ Perspectives: The Strategic Chess Match

Former coaches are having a field day breaking down this game, each trying to outdo the other with metaphors that might make a poet cringe. Mark Reynolds, who spent years in the trenches (both figuratively and literally), sees the game as a battle of wills. “Baylor’s going to come out swinging with Knebel’s legs as their biggest weapon. He’s not just a quarterback—he’s their whole ground game, and Tennessee’s defense is going to feel like they’re chasing a rabbit in a cornfield,” Reynolds explains, clearly enjoying his own analogy. “But don’t sleep on Tennessee. Savage is the kind of quarterback who makes defensive backs reconsider their career choices. If Baylor can’t lock down his receivers, it’s going to be a very long night.”

Analysts’ Predictions: The Numbers Game

Analysts are digging deep into their data troves, but the consensus is clear: this game is a statistical anomaly waiting to happen. Todd McShay, the resident guru of all things predictive, points to the importance of the trenches. “Tennessee’s offensive line has to keep Savage upright. If Baylor’s front seven gets any pressure, we could see a lot of Savage’s passes ending up in the hands of the guy in row five,” McShay quips, referencing Tennessee’s sometimes shaky protection. “On the flip side, Baylor’s secondary is going to be tested like never before. If they can’t keep up, we’re looking at a track meet where the finish line is the end zone.”

Kirk Herbstreit, always the voice of reason, takes a broader view. “This isn’t just about who scores more—it’s about who controls the tempo. Baylor’s going to want to slow things down, chew up the clock, and keep Savage on the sidelines. Tennessee, meanwhile, will try to speed things up, turn this into a game of quick strikes and big plays. The first team to impose their will is probably going to come out on top, but it’s anyone’s guess who that’ll be.”

Former Players’ Insights: The Ghosts of Championships Past

Former players, who’ve been through the grind of championship week, are more than happy to share their wisdom. Jake Walker, a former Alabama quarterback who knows a thing or two about pressure, offers a bit of a reality check. “Look, both of these quarterbacks are studs. Knebel’s got legs that won’t quit, and Savage has an arm like a howitzer. But the real test is mental. When the crowd’s roaring, the clock’s ticking down, and everything’s on the line, who’s going to keep their cool? My money’s on the guy who’s been through the fire before, and both of these guys have.”

Then there’s DeMarco Jones, a former linebacker with a reputation for telling it like it is. “Tennessee’s defense better have had a cardio day every day this week, because Knebel’s going to make them chase him all over the field. If they’re not careful, they’ll be gasping for air by the third quarter,” Jones says with a wry smile. “And Baylor? They’d better pray that Savage doesn’t find his rhythm early, or they’ll be playing catch-up the whole game. This one’s going to be a slugfest—just the way we like it.”

---

Conclusion: The Calm Before the Storm

As the national championship game approaches, the anticipation, anxiety, and borderline hysteria surrounding Baylor vs. Tennessee only grow more intense. The fans are ready, the experts have spoken, and the former players have dished out their advice. But as anyone who’s ever watched a football game knows, all the predictions, analysis, and Twitter wars in the world won’t mean a thing once the ball is kicked off.

Both Baylor and Tennessee have had seasons that would make any team envious, and now it all comes down to one final game. Will Baylor’s ground assault, led by the human joystick that is Travis Knebel, run Tennessee ragged? Or will Brandon Savage’s air raid leave Baylor scrambling to keep up? The only thing that’s certain is that this game will be remembered for years—whether it’s for the right reasons depends on who you ask.

In the end, the national championship isn’t just about the title—it’s about the stories, the players, and the fans who make college football the spectacle that it is. So as we count down the minutes to kickoff, just remember: the real victory is surviving the emotional rollercoaster that is college football fandom. And if your team doesn’t win? Well, there’s always next year—or at least some really good memes.

Who will emerge victorious? That’s the billion-dollar question. But one thing’s for sure: this game is going to be one for the ages, whether it ends in a blowout, a last-second Hail Mary, or something in between.

 

Forums: Where Logic Goes to Die (and Come Back a Hero)

BearDown247: "Here’s the thing—Savage is overrated. Baylor’s defense is going to eat him alive, and Knebel’s going to make him look like a chump. We’re talking 300 yards on the ground EASY. Tennessee’s toast. 🥖"

VolsRule93: "Baylor’s been coasting all season. Their ‘defense’ is about to meet the best QB in college football, and it’s going to be a massacre. Savage is throwing for 6 TDs minimum. Hold my beer. 🍺"

GridironGuru: "People keep sleeping on Tennessee’s defense. They’re not world-beaters, but they’re good enough to keep Knebel in check. Baylor’s offense is going to be shocked when they hit that orange wall. 🍊"

SicEmOrElse: "Savage is a product of a weak schedule. Baylor’s going to bring him back to reality. Knebel is the REAL Heisman—just watch. We’re winning this by double digits. 📈"

---

Pundit Pulpits: Where Opinions Are Loud and Certainty Is Optional

Todd McShay: "Tennessee is favored, but if you ask me, Baylor’s going to surprise a lot of people. Knebel’s mobility is a game-changer, and Tennessee’s defense hasn’t seen anything like him all season. 🏃‍♂️💨"

Paul Finebaum: "Baylor’s secondary has holes you could drive a truck through. Savage is going to have a field day. Mark my words—this game won’t be close. Tennessee by 14. 🗣️"

Kirk Herbstreit: "Everyone’s talking about Savage vs. Knebel, but the real story is the line of scrimmage. Whoever wins in the trenches is taking home the trophy. This one’s going to be closer than people think. 💥"

Desmond Howard: "Hot take: Tennessee’s offense is overrated. Baylor’s going to dominate time of possession and grind them down. Don’t be surprised if this ends in a Baylor win. 📊"

[npklemm]

The Herbstreit takes are very Herbstreiteren, well done