Edition 08

A quick rundown of the biggest stories in sports—without assuming you know every player, rule, or stat. Whether you’re at happy hour, in the office, watching with friends, or on a date with a sports fanatic, you’ll have something to contribute to the conversation.

Happy first official Tuesday edition of Fi’s Playbook!

I told you we were moving to Tuesdays for football season, and I am a woman of my word.

This one is going to be a little shorter because the NFL hasn’t started yet—but college football gave us PLENTY to discuss this weekend, and there is a man allegedly pretending to play for the San Francisco 49ers.

Lets talk.

This might be my favorite story from the weekend.

No. 16 Michigan was expected to handle Western Michigan pretty easily.

Instead? Western Michigan nearly pulled off a massive upset.

Michigan threw a Hail Mary as time expired, it didn’t work, and Western Michigan’s sideline rushed the field thinking they had won.

Except officials reviewed the play and decided there was actually ONE SECOND left on the clock.

Michigan got one more chance.

They threw another Hail Mary.

Touchdown. Michigan wins 13–12.

Yes. Seriously.

Naturally, people are now arguing about whether that final second should have existed at all.

Western Michigan went from celebrating one of the biggest wins in program history to losing approximately 30 seconds later.

College football is cruel.

Remember last week when I told you LSU vs. Clemson was the college football game to know?

Well... LSU won 51–10.

That is not “we had a good game.”

That is “hello, please include us in the national championship conversation.”

It was also Lane Kiffin’s first game as LSU’s head coach, so casually remember that name. I have a feeling we’re going to be talking about him plenty this season.

No. 2 Oregon was supposed to be one of the best teams in the country.

Boise State apparently did not care.

Oregon trailed at halftime before eventually escaping with a 34–27 win. They’re still undefeated, but it was definitely closer than Oregon fans would've preferred.

And that’s the fun part about early college football: we have absolutely no idea who is actually good yet.

🏈 THE NFL STARTS TOMORROW

Wednesday, Sept. 9: Patriots @ Seahawks — 8:20 PM ET

Thursday, Sept. 10: 49ers @ Rams — 8:35 PM ET

Then Sunday gives us the first full slate of NFL football—including Bears @ Panthers at 1 PM for my Charlotte people.

Fantasy lineups set. Sundays booked.

It is officially time.

College football also has a MASSIVE one Saturday night: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Texas. If you're only watching one college game this weekend, that's the one.

I genuinely cannot believe this is a real story.

A man named Daejon Love allegedly spent years convincing people that he played wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers.

The problem?

He did not play for the San Francisco 49ers.

Federal prosecutors accuse Love and an accomplice of using the fake NFL-player persona as part of a scheme that allegedly took more than $1.3 MILLION from 26 women.

And this man apparently COMMITTED to the bit. Replica helmet. 49ers gear. Videos. The whole production.

Actual 49ers players have now been asked about him, and even they can't believe how ridiculous the story is.

Ladies, I apparently have to add this to the dating advice portion of Fi’s Playbook:

If he says he plays in the NFL, perhaps check the roster.

College football is older than the NFL.

The first recognized college football game was playing in 1869. The NFL wasn’t founded until 1920.

Want the easiest possible way to sound like you know college football?

“LSU beating Clemson is one thing. Beating them 51-10 is a statement.”

Short, Confident and She Knows Ball, Energy.

Consider this your appetizer.

The NFL starts tomorrow, which means by the time we meet back here next Tuesday, we will have an entire week of football to discuss.

Wins. Losses. Fantasy disasters. Overreactions. Probably at least one completely unhinged storyline.

Football season is officially here.

See you Tuesday.

Now you know. 💚