Two Things: Dr. Bayless? NYE Playoff Games

I'll make this quick. Two things that made me go "what?!" and "how?"

1. Skip Bayless calling Johnny Manziel an "alcoholic" on First Take

This, in my opinion, is right up there with Rob Parker's comment that Robert Griffin III was a "Cornball Brother," or in other words, not "black" enough. Parker was eventually fired by ESPN for those comments. And guess which show he said that on? That's right! First Take.

Skip Bayless on the other hand, was backed by ESPN regarding his unauthorized diagnosis of Manziel.

Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated received this statement from ESPN:

“When discussing the widely reported public behavior, Skip based his comments on information he has from sources within and around the Browns’ organization with knowledge of Manziel’s continued pattern of behavior, as well as Skip’s personal family experiences with alcoholism.”

Manziel has a reputation for being immature and perhaps partying too much, but alcoholism is a serious condition to be diagnosing on a sports show. Bayless is not a doctor. He's not even a journalist anymore.

We've all been concerned about a friend or family member who might show signs of having a drinking or drug problem, and Skip might have a relative who has battled alcoholism, but it does not give him the green light to diagnose random people. If a problem needs to be addressed, friends and family members will hold an intervention with a doctor who specializes in alcohol and narcotics abuse leading it. From what I know, Skip Bayless does not have a medical degree.

Maybe Skip's family and friends should have an intervention for him and address his behavior on First Take?

2. College Football Playoff Semifinals on New Years Eve?

The Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl both had 28 million people watching ESPN on New Years Day. Those two games were the two most watched events in the history of cable television.

While we are focused on Oregon and Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship, most of us haven't looked ahead to next season yet. Thankfully, Awful Announcing did and warned us all about next year's playoff.

Thanks to the Rose and Sugar Bowls making sure the contract for the playoff included that their bowls be played on New Years Day every year, the Cotton and Orange Bowl games, the two that will host next season's semifinals, will be played on New Years Eve.

Good chance ESPN does not see 28 million viewers next years watching both games, and unless you are someone who boycotts going out on New Years Eve to celebrate, your night is shot if you love college football.

That's it. Carry on.