David White

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Professional Tennis Grand Slams

With the NFL season kicking off tonight, here are Postseason Predictions for the National Football League; Ben Shelton shocks the tennis world, Elite Southern Music Video

September 9, 2026

The great Bo Nix, a former Auburn Tiger, aims to take the Broncos to the next level in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Mile High Sports).

The National Football League kicks off tonight in Seattle with the New England Patriots squaring off with the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks at 7:20 CT on NBC. The Patriots get another shot at the Seahawks in a rematch of Super Bowl LX (60). It’s a tough assignment for the Pats.

Thursday, the 49ers play the Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground? Down Under in Melbourne, Australia. Men at Work performing at halftime? They got a little age on them, so I doubt it.

The game kicks off at 7:35 P.M. on Netflix. All the games listed above and below are all on the Central time schedule.

Sunday’s key games include the Bears @ the Panthers, kicking off at 12 P.M. on FOX.

The Bills play @ the Texans at 12 P.M. on CBS.

At 3:25 P.M., the Packers play @ the Vikings on CBS.

Also at 3:25 P.M., the Commanders play @ the Eagles.

Sunday Night Football features How ’bout them Cowboys! @ the New Yawk Giants at 7:20 on NBC.

And on Monday Night Football, the Broncos play @ the Chiefs at 7:15 on ABC and E-S-P-N.

Here are my Postseason Predictions for the National Football League 2026-27 season including which teams I like to make the playoffs, who will win in the postseason, and which team will hoist the Lombardi Trophy as winners of Super Bowl LXI on Sunday, February 14, 2027 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA., essentially Los Angeles, where the Rams and Chargers play. ESPN will broadcast the Big Game.

In my Playoff Predictions in ’25-26, I was 7-6 Straight Up, 6-7 ATS, and 6-7 on the Over/Under.

Got the Seahawks over the Patriots straight up, ATS and got the O/U correctly in Super Bowl LX.

Seven teams qualify from each conference for a total of 14 Playoff teams. Top 4 teams are the division winners, with 3 wild cards in each conference, and seedings in the wild card round determined by final regular season records.

NFC

Wild Card Round

No.1- Los Angeles Rams, Get a bye

No.2 Detroit over No.7 Chicago

No. 3 Philly Eagles over No.6 Packers

No.5 Seahawks over No.4 Carolina

Divisional Round

Rams over Seahawks

Eagles over Detroit

NFC Championship Game

Rams 20, Eagles 17

NFC Champion- Rams

AFC

Wild Card Round

No.1- Denver Broncos, bye

No.2 Ravens over No.7 Bengals

No. 3 Patriots over No.6 Bills

No. 5 Chargers over No.4 Texans

Divisional Round

Broncos over Chargers

Ravens over Patriots

AFC Championship Game

Broncos 23, Ravens 21

AFC Champion- Denver Broncos

Super Bowl LXI

LA Rams vs. Denver Broncos

Two Super Bowl winning coaches in Sean Payton, who won it all in the 2009 season with the N’Awlins Saints in Super Bowl XLIV (44) at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, defeating the Indy Colts, 31-17, on February 7, 2010, and Sean McVay, who won it with the Rams in the 2021 season, on February 13, 2022 in Super Bowl LVI (56) at SoFi, defeating Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, 23-20. McVay was the youngest coach to ever win a Super Bowl at 36 years old. Payton will be 63 in the 2027 Super Bowl, while McVay will be 41.

I’ll take Super Bowl winning quarterback Matthew Stafford over a highly talented Broncos team and their young, stellar quarterback, Bo Nix. Stafford will be 39 years old at the Super Bowl, while Nix will be 26. I love the fact that the Rams have Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald on their defensive front. Donald, at 35, came out of retirement to run it back for the Rams again. The talent on both sides will be elite. Should be a classic.

Rams 24, Broncos 21

Super Bowl 61 Champion: LA Rams

Super Bowl MVP: Matthew Stafford

Stafford hoists another Lombardi Trophy as part of his illustrious career. (Photo courtesy of Britannica).

Ben Shelton pulls off the improbable. (Photo courtesy of Sky Sports-London).

The prolific Carlos Alcaraz appeared to be headed towards his 8th Grand Slam title at the 146th U.S. Open as he had matriculated into the quarterfinals last night with stellar play along the way. Carlos, after being out for four months due to a broken wrist, had found his form during play at Flushing Meadows in Queens and looked unbeatable. I took a risk before the Open thinking Carlos might be a little rusty and had Ben Shelton defeating him in the quarterfinals.

I have to admit, I wasn’t completely confident Ben could do it last night. This was classic David vs Goliath. But Ben brought his slingshot and slayed the giant as he defeated the great Alcaraz in 5 sets, 6-7, 6-1,6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7). I was asleep, but Beth got up to check. My wife is so passionate about tennis that she knows every player, man and woman, where they’re from, who they date or are married to, and if they have a dog.

I was waiting for her because I wanted to know if there was any chance Ben pulled it off. When she told me he did, I couldn’t go back to sleep I was so amped up. I ended up getting out of bed at 4:30 and had a text waiting for me from Derrick! It was at 1:39 A.M. and he sent me a video of Ben acing Carlos for the victory. It was magic.

Carlos was so classy in defeat, too. Couldn’t have been a better sport/prince of a guy. No doubt, Carlos will have many more appearances and opportunities to win Slams. But last night/this morning in the City that never sleeps, it was Ben’s day at the office.

I hope my daughters, who both live in Manhattan, were asleep, because they both had to work today! I’ll find out later this week. My son-in-law played tennis at W&L and is totally passionate about the sport as well, so he may be a little weary at the office today.

So it’s onto the semifinals for Ben. He’ll face the amazing ‘Foe, Frances Tiafoe, who came back from two sets down to defeat fellow American Alex Michelsen, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6). ‘Foe was down 0-3 in the fifth and brought it all the way back. What an effort by the 28 year old from D.C.

The 22 year old Michelsen played his heart out too, but just came up a little short.

So it’s an All-American semifinal in one semi, and I’m not even thinking Alexander Zverev will be challenged on the other side and will make the final, where I’m predicting he’ll face Ben, who escapes Frances in 4 sets.

I like Ben over Zverev 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5. It’ll be a classic as the German and reigning French Open champion will be a tough out.

But give me the 23 year old from Atlanta, by way of the University of Florida, where he had a cup of coffee and won the NCAA singles championship in 2022. This would be an awesome story for the American.

A very interesting fact that commenter Carter Dukes told me. CD is the only guy in Birmingham who has a victory over Ben Shelton’s dad, Bryan, who is a superb guy and also Ben’s coach. CD did it 47 years ago. Incredible, CD.

Have Coco Gauff over Aryna Sabalenka in my women’s final, and that’s still viable.

So far, so good.

But Coco has some tough matches ahead of her to reach the final. Sabalenka is already in the semis where she’ll face Jesse Pegula. The great Gauff plays Russian phenom Mirra Andreeva today in the quarterfinals after Elena Rybikana and Qinwen Zheng finish their quarterfinal match. If she can get by Mirra, she’ll face the Rybikana/Zheng winner in the semis.

So Coco has her work cut out for her. But I believe in her.

Thursday: Week 2 College Football, Previews and Predictions

Predictions for 146th U.S. Open, Recap of Week 0 in College Football Recap

August 30, 2026
Carlos Alcaraz returns from four month layoff due to a broken wrist. (Photo courtesy of The BBC).

The great Spaniard, Carlos Alcaraz, is back in New York for the 146th U.S. Open after a four month absence due to a wrist injury. Carlos goes for his eighth Grand Slam and third U.S. Open title after winning in 2022 and last season. Who can stop him?

Novak Djokovic, the 24 time Grand Slam winner, has a shot. German Alexander Zverev is the reigning French Open champion, and Americans Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, among others, have high aspirations in Flushing Meadows.

On the women’s side, as expected, Russian Aryna Sabalenka is the No.1 seed as she is the No.1 player in the world.

ESPN will televise along with ESPN 2 and ABC.

ESPN will broadcast the Women’s Final at 3 P.M. CT/4 ET on Saturday, September 12.

ESPN will carry the men’s final on Sunday, September 13th, at 1 P.M. CT/ 2 East.

Here are my Predictions:

Men’s Final

Ben Shelton over Taylor Fritz 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5

Should be an epic match. I like Shelton to emerge over Carlos in the quarters and over Novak in the semis. I’ve got Fritz over 19 year old Rafael Jodar in the semis.

Champion

Ben Shelton

Women’s Final

Coco Gauff over Sabalenka 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7)

Should be another classic with the 22 year old Gauff winning her third Grand Slam after capturing the 2023 U.S. and the 2025 French.

Champion

Coco Gauff

Recap of Week 0 Games in College Football

College Football was thrilling on Saturday. TCU couldn’t handle all of its own penalties, 11 for 89 yards, and fell to Bill Belichick and North Carolina, 15-10.

Not sure USC is totally back, it’s been a while. They won 42-26 over San Jose State, but looked a little questionable on defense once again.

Virginia was highly impressive with Missouri transfer Beau Pribula throwing for two touchdowns in a Cavaliers blasting of NC State, 34-8.

North Dakota State didn’t miss a beat moving up to FBS as they dominated Jax State, 33-7. The Bison play a hard-nosed physical brand of football. It’s impressive.

Stanford defeated Hawaii, 37-27 giving first year coach Tavita Pritchard a victory in his first game as head coach of the Cardinal.

FSU wasn’t overly impressive in its 34-17 victory over New Mexico State. New Mexico State was scrappy, but Mike Norvell’s team has a ton of improving to do if it wants to have any chance of having a decent season. He’s going to need at least eight victories, and that still may not be enough for the FSU faithful.

Finally, Charles Huff and his Memphis Tigers distinguished themselves as a contender for the Group of Six bid to make it to the 12-team Playoff going on the road to Allegiant Stadium and defeating UNLV, 27-21.

A nice Saturday to kick off the season.

Week 1 begins this Thursday Night.

The color and pageantry of College Football has arrived. Saturday was thrilling and it’s only going to get better as we matriculate into Week 1.

I’ll check in with you Thursday for Week 1 Previews and Predictions. Have a great Sunday.

The 139th Championships, Wimbledon

June 27, 2026
Novak goes for Slam Number 25 again to set the all time record he holds with women’s player Margaret Court. He’s doing it at a place where he’s won 7 times. (Photo courtesy of the BBC).

In Professional Golf, The Masters is the gold standard. In horse racing, the Crown Jewel is the Kentucky Derby. The World Series, the Super Bowl, the National Championship Game in College Football, the Final Four in College Basketball, the NBA Championship- “I want to be a part of it,” and the Stanley Cup, all of these define true excellence in sports. You’d have to add the World Cup in there as this year has been electric with superstar after superstar; Messi, Mbappe’, Ronaldo, and the riveting U.S. team that has advanced to the Round of 32, the knockout round, where it will face Bosnia-Herzegovina this coming Wednesday, 7/1, at 7 P.M. CT/8 ET on FOX.

The 139th Championships, Wimbledon, which begin this Monday, is right in the thick of that elite company of championships. This year’s storylines are superb. Can the premier player in the sport outside the injured Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, defend his Wimbledon title successfully, and win his fifth Grand Slam title with the French Open the only major missing from his resume. Sinner had a disappointing French Open, losing in the round of 64 to Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina after suffering from the heat. Will he be able to handle the unusual heat in London this week will be a question mark for Sinner, though it won’t be as hot in week one, but week 2 it gets hotter.

Novak Djokovic takes another swing at winning Slam number 25 and breaking the all time record over Margaret Court in men’s and women’s tennis. The 39 year old still has a lot of game, but Father time catches up to all athletes, and he’s playing on borrowed time right now. However, he’s been spectacular at Wimbledon with seven titles. His Wimbledon victory came in 2022, four years ago. Alexander Zverev is coming off his first Slam title at Roland Garros. It helped him that he didn’t have to face Sinner or the injured Alcaraz, so we’ll see how he fares with a more competitive field in the third Grand Slam of the season.

How can Americans Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul, among others perform in what has been a vastly improved American contingent in professional tennis over the past two or three years. That should be a riveting storyline.

On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka goes for major number 5, but has never won at Wimbledon.

After suffering an insufferable heat wave in Europe over the past two weeks that caused several fatalities throughout the continent, it’s going to neutralize weather wise with temperatures in the mid to high 70’s at least in week 1. But it will get hotter in week two.

TV

Coverage on ESPN starts this Monday at 5 A.M. CT/6 ET for the early rounds and continues until usually 3 CT/ 4 ET every day for the next two weeks. The Women’s Semis on ESPN are Thursday, July 9th, starting at 7 A.M. CT/8 ET. The Men’s Semis are Friday, 7/10, on ESPN, commencing at 7 A.M. CT/8 ET.

The Women’s Final Saturday, 7/11, on ESPN is at 10 A.M. CT/11 ET, with Breakfast at Wimbledon an hour before, 9 A.M. CT/10 ET.

The Men’s Final Sunday, 7/12, on ESPN, begins at 10 A.M. CT/11 ET, with Breakfast at Wimbledon at 9 A.M. CT/10 ET. John McEnroe may still be hungover from the Knicks winning the NBA Championship. I was in New York the night the Knicks won it. It was historically electrifying. One of the better fraternity parties I’ve ever been to.

Predictions

Men’s Semifinals

Ben Shelton over Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3

Like both of these aspiring American players very much. Even if Ben wins in three sets, it’ll be competitive.

Sinner over Novak, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2

Jannik outlasts the great one.

Championship Sunday

Ben looks primed to win a Slam very soon, but I like the 24 year old Italian to get the job done, but in a highly competitive match.

Sinner over Shelton, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

Champion

Jannik Sinner

The 24 year old Italian defends his title successfully at the Championships. (Photo courtesy of Tennis World USA.org).

Women’s Final

Elena Rybakina over Aryna Sabalenka, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (12-10, 10 point tiebreaker in third set of women, 5th set of men.)

I’m going to go with the 27 year old from Kazakhstan who has won Wimbledon in 2022, and won the Australian Open this past January. She’ll deny the 28 year old Belarus native another chance at winning at The Championships.

Champion: Elena Rybakina

Give me Elena to capture her second Wimbledon. (Photo courtesy of The Astana Times– in Astana, Kazakhstan).

Predictions for the 125th French Open

May 23, 2026
Novak goes for Slam Number 25. (Photo courtesy of ATP Tour).

The 125th French Open at Roland Garros commences Sunday with immense excitement on both the men’s and women’s sides. Can Novak Djokavic win a record setting 25th major breaking his tie with former women’s superstar Margaret Court. Novak will be locked in. Can the 24 year old Italian phenom Jannik Sinner complete the career Grand Slam with a win at Roland Garros. The now established young Italian, who is the best, nicest and most warrior like competitor on tour, along with 23 year old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, is searching for major number 5, as he’s won the 2024 and 2025 Australian, the 2025 Championships at Wimbledon, and the 2024 US Open. He looked to have the French Open in his grasp in the final in 2025, but Alcaraz pulled off a miracle comeback winning 4-6, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2, 10 point tiebreakers in fifth set at French).

The 39 year old Djokavic, who turned 39 yesterday, will try to regain the magic form that has carried him for so long and has allowed him to win 10 Australians, 3 French’s, 7 Wimbledons, and 4 US’s for his 24 major titles. His last championship came at the 2023 US. That same year, 2023, he also won the French and Australian Opens with Carlos Alcaraz winning Wimbledon that season preventing the great Joker from winning all four Slams. But Joker didn’t go down at Wimbledon without a major fight falling to Alcaraz, 6-1, 6-7 (8-6), 1-6, 6-3, 4-6. What a war.

Carlos will not be playing in this year’s French as he has a wrist injury that will also keep him out of Wimbledon. I know all tennis fans are hoping the superb Carlos will return for the US.

On the Women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka is the star. She’s a tough out with her

powerful, dominant and intimidating style of play.

Here are my Predictions for the Men’s Quarters, Semis and Finals and the Women’s Semis

and Finals at Roland Garros in Paris. TNT and TruTV will televise with HBO Max streaming 

the action.

Men’s Quarterfinals, Wednesday, June 3rd, TNT, TruTV

Jannik Sinner over Ben Shelton, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5

Daniil Medvedev over Felix Auger-Aliassime, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3

Djokavic over Alex De Minour, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

Alexander Zverev over Jiri Lehecka, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

Men’s Semis, Friday, June 5th, TNT, TruTV

Sinner over Medvedev 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2

Joker over Zverev, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-4, 6-4

Men’s Championship, Sunday, June 7th, 8 A.M. CT/9 ET. TNT, TruTV

Sinner over Joker, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.

Men’s Champion

Jannik Sinner

Women’s Semifinals, Thursday, June, 4th, TBS and TruTV

Aryna Sabalenka over Coco Gauff, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3

Elina Svitolina over Elena Rybakina, 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 7-6 (10-8*** 10 point tiebreaker in the French in the third set for women and the fifth set for men.)

Women’s Final, Saturday, June 6th, 8 A.M. CT/9 ET. TNT, TruTV

Svitolina over Sabalenka, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 7-5

Women’s Champion

Elina Svitolina

The 31 year old from Odessa, Ukraine captures her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros. (Photo courtesy of US Open.org).

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Fresh Tweets:

Vanderbilt women’s tennis player Astra Sharma 1 on 1. https://t.co/D0WS0rVnqG @VandyMeg @mmhamlett @Vandywtennis @ManOfVandy @SkipPrince
May 18, 2017, 2:34 PM

Vanderbilt women’s tennis Astra Sharma 1 on 1. https://t.co/D0WS0rVnqG @astrasharma @markNwhitebluff @vandy_62 @warehouse1987 @dbc5361
May 18, 2017, 2:33 PM

Previewing 2017 Clemson Tigers football team. https://t.co/1JH1cPGQkp @markNwhitebluff @vandy_62 @clayphillips27 @warehouse1987 @dbc5361
May 15, 2017, 2:13 PM

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