Brandon Walker

Right. Two things. Oh, did you just do long ones? Two things. Okay. A, I'm not a guest. I'm part of the show now as the resident college football expert. And B, the couch has nothing to do with me. I'm sitting on the couch, but you guys are engaging in the couch fight with Hank right now.

Right. Two things. Oh, did you just do long ones? Two things. Okay. A, I'm not a guest. I'm part of the show now as the resident college football expert. And B, the couch has nothing to do with me. I'm sitting on the couch, but you guys are engaging in the couch fight with Hank right now.

I'm aware of Vanny Woodhead. He's part of the show. You know who knows about Vanny Woodhead? Tom Fradelli. Well, you know what he doesn't know about? College football, and that's why I'm here.

I'm aware of Vanny Woodhead. He's part of the show. You know who knows about Vanny Woodhead? Tom Fradelli. Well, you know what he doesn't know about? College football, and that's why I'm here.

I sat in the chair. I immediately got concerned I was going to break the chair. There were concerns with the chair. But Hank is fighting the chair battle, not me. I don't care if the chair's here or not. Well, you should have an opinion one way. Well, I do have an opinion. I want our guests to be as comfortable as possible here. Okay.

I sat in the chair. I immediately got concerned I was going to break the chair. There were concerns with the chair. But Hank is fighting the chair battle, not me. I don't care if the chair's here or not. Well, you should have an opinion one way. Well, I do have an opinion. I want our guests to be as comfortable as possible here. Okay.

I'm in a pretzel now. What? How do I get out of it? Trigs make Brandon really fat in the cover art. Yeah, that's how you get out of it. Go ahead.

I'm in a pretzel now. What? How do I get out of it? Trigs make Brandon really fat in the cover art. Yeah, that's how you get out of it. Go ahead.

I understand that. But why would you do that?

I understand that. But why would you do that?

Weighed in at 273 yesterday. I thought I was 265.

Weighed in at 273 yesterday. I thought I was 265.

Yeah, he said a huge rack. Several times. Got to stay away.

Yeah, he said a huge rack. Several times. Got to stay away.

I'm capable. You know.

I'm capable. You know.

It's the only sport that really gets meticulously picked apart for the quality of its games. It doesn't really happen to the NBA playoffs or the NHL playoffs. It doesn't really happen to anybody else. It's the only sport where if there's a bad game, it is suddenly an indictment of the entire sport. Correct. Whereas... A playoff is just that.

It's the only sport that really gets meticulously picked apart for the quality of its games. It doesn't really happen to the NBA playoffs or the NHL playoffs. It doesn't really happen to anybody else. It's the only sport where if there's a bad game, it is suddenly an indictment of the entire sport. Correct. Whereas... A playoff is just that.

You are playing off to find out who's the best team at the end. There's no guarantee you're going to have some aesthetically pleasing games along the way. You've just collected through a 12-game sample size who deserves to be here. We pretty much got that this year. I don't know that it was perfect, but we got that. We can't help that some of the games weren't as good.

You are playing off to find out who's the best team at the end. There's no guarantee you're going to have some aesthetically pleasing games along the way. You've just collected through a 12-game sample size who deserves to be here. We pretty much got that this year. I don't know that it was perfect, but we got that. We can't help that some of the games weren't as good.

In the 90s was always a blowout. Yeah. It just seemed like you're going out of your way to take shots sometimes. Like, oh, you're part of the show.

In the 90s was always a blowout. Yeah. It just seemed like you're going out of your way to take shots sometimes. Like, oh, you're part of the show.

People believe that the playoff was implemented because it was supposed to be some grand fix. Well, it wasn't fixing because nothing was broken. It was just a better way to determine a champion. It's more seats at the table. It's more excitement. And it gave us an October and November that were unparalleled in excitement. November had games.

People believe that the playoff was implemented because it was supposed to be some grand fix. Well, it wasn't fixing because nothing was broken. It was just a better way to determine a champion. It's more seats at the table. It's more excitement. And it gave us an October and November that were unparalleled in excitement. November had games.

Would anybody have cared about Ole Miss, Florida in previous years? No. Would anybody have cared about certain games? No. It gave us a great November. It gave us a bad first round. But then it also gave us Texas-Arizona State, which was remarkable.

Would anybody have cared about Ole Miss, Florida in previous years? No. Would anybody have cared about certain games? No. It gave us a great November. It gave us a bad first round. But then it also gave us Texas-Arizona State, which was remarkable.

And I'd rather watch that even if it's a blowout. People are nostalgic liars about college football. They're like, well, we should go back to how it used to be. 30 years ago, Penn State goes undefeated and gets nothing. They get nothing. There are these times in history where we're just letting sports writers decide. So we've come step by step by step.

And I'd rather watch that even if it's a blowout. People are nostalgic liars about college football. They're like, well, we should go back to how it used to be. 30 years ago, Penn State goes undefeated and gets nothing. They get nothing. There are these times in history where we're just letting sports writers decide. So we've come step by step by step.

The 12-team playoff, I think, is the best way to do it until we have a 16-team playoff, which would be even better.

The 12-team playoff, I think, is the best way to do it until we have a 16-team playoff, which would be even better.

That could work. Now, I will say this year it might have – you don't know this. This is year to year. Maybe eight teams was enough for this year, but you can't go based on – you can't do that.

That could work. Now, I will say this year it might have – you don't know this. This is year to year. Maybe eight teams was enough for this year, but you can't go based on – you can't do that.

Yeah, I mean, if you're a Texas fan, you're in your second straight playoff, or you're going to – I don't even know where they played that last game. Were they at the Fiesta Bowl? Yeah. No, they weren't at the Fiesta Bowl. They were at the Peach. They were at the Peach Bowl. Are you going to Atlanta knowing that you might have two other trips in the next two weeks? Maybe you're not.

Yeah, I mean, if you're a Texas fan, you're in your second straight playoff, or you're going to – I don't even know where they played that last game. Were they at the Fiesta Bowl? Yeah. No, they weren't at the Fiesta Bowl. They were at the Peach. They were at the Peach Bowl. Are you going to Atlanta knowing that you might have two other trips in the next two weeks? Maybe you're not.

Maybe you say, well, I'll get them the next time. So it creates some issues and stuff. But there are small issues we have to work towards. Overall, this is a better way to do it than we've ever had, and it is going to get tweaked. The auto buys for conference champions got to go away. That has to go away.

Maybe you say, well, I'll get them the next time. So it creates some issues and stuff. But there are small issues we have to work towards. Overall, this is a better way to do it than we've ever had, and it is going to get tweaked. The auto buys for conference champions got to go away. That has to go away.

It created a spot where the sixth seed had the easiest path to where we are right now, which I think Penn State probably was good enough to get there anyway. I'm not going to hold it against them, but they had an easier path than, say, Oregon. Yeah, Oregon got screwed. Oregon should have just lost the Big Ten championship game, and they still probably would be alive.

It created a spot where the sixth seed had the easiest path to where we are right now, which I think Penn State probably was good enough to get there anyway. I'm not going to hold it against them, but they had an easier path than, say, Oregon. Yeah, Oregon got screwed. Oregon should have just lost the Big Ten championship game, and they still probably would be alive.

Yeah, they would have gotten a home game. They would have won it. Then they would have gone on. They wouldn't have had the rust that they dealt with against Ohio State. Now, Ohio State killed them so much, you can't really blame that. But still, there were issues, and we'll fix them along the way.

Yeah, they would have gotten a home game. They would have won it. Then they would have gone on. They wouldn't have had the rust that they dealt with against Ohio State. Now, Ohio State killed them so much, you can't really blame that. But still, there were issues, and we'll fix them along the way.

We don't believe in that. You try to make it personal with me about the Rose Bowl because you try to make it personal with me about a lot of things. No, I don't. You make it personal. You like to point fingers and say Brandon Walker hates the Rose Bowl and you turn everyone against me by saying, no, I don't hate the Rose Bowl.

We don't believe in that. You try to make it personal with me about the Rose Bowl because you try to make it personal with me about a lot of things. No, I don't. You make it personal. You like to point fingers and say Brandon Walker hates the Rose Bowl and you turn everyone against me by saying, no, I don't hate the Rose Bowl.

I think the Rose Bowl is magnificent and wonderful and it is also absolutely in love with itself and thinks it's bigger than the sport and the Rose Bowl needs to be taken down a peg. The Rose Bowl holds up college football progress. It's done it before. It stands in the way. It has to have things its way and it is not that special.

I think the Rose Bowl is magnificent and wonderful and it is also absolutely in love with itself and thinks it's bigger than the sport and the Rose Bowl needs to be taken down a peg. The Rose Bowl holds up college football progress. It's done it before. It stands in the way. It has to have things its way and it is not that special.

It is special. Good one, PFT. Not the worst counterpoint I've ever heard. Not the worst counterpoint I've ever heard. But it's better than his counterpoints where he just says, I hate it. No, I don't hate it. I just think it's in love with its own parts.

It is special. Good one, PFT. Not the worst counterpoint I've ever heard. Not the worst counterpoint I've ever heard. But it's better than his counterpoints where he just says, I hate it. No, I don't hate it. I just think it's in love with its own parts.

The Texas-Arizona State game. They are in overtime on the playoff game. Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl will not hold up.

The Texas-Arizona State game. They are in overtime on the playoff game. Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl will not hold up.

The fucking sun? Imagine that?

The fucking sun? Imagine that?

You didn't know either, did you? You always know.

You didn't know either, did you? You always know.

There was a flyover you didn't know recently. No, he knows all the flyovers.

There was a flyover you didn't know recently. No, he knows all the flyovers.

It's a B-2 bomber.

It's a B-2 bomber.

I respect the Rose Bowl. Here's the problem with it.

I respect the Rose Bowl. Here's the problem with it.

Well, that's kind of on you. You live your entire life with me on a mocking tone.

Well, that's kind of on you. You live your entire life with me on a mocking tone.

Yeah. If I bought myself Rose Bowl gifts, that's mocking.

Yeah. If I bought myself Rose Bowl gifts, that's mocking.

You walk up there and you see Wisconsin Badgers 1994 Rose Bowl champs and a picture of the Rose Bowl. You don't. I'm like, God damn it. He got me again. Yeah.

You walk up there and you see Wisconsin Badgers 1994 Rose Bowl champs and a picture of the Rose Bowl. You don't. I'm like, God damn it. He got me again. Yeah.

Still Big 12. It is weird. It feels weird. It's been a bad bowl season for SEC. It's been a bad season for the SEC. Would you like to apologize for the SEC? 100% no, because fuck the SEC. I am a fan of Mississippi State University. When Georgia loses, I think it's hilarious. When Alabama loses, I think it's fucking hilarious.

Still Big 12. It is weird. It feels weird. It's been a bad bowl season for SEC. It's been a bad season for the SEC. Would you like to apologize for the SEC? 100% no, because fuck the SEC. I am a fan of Mississippi State University. When Georgia loses, I think it's hilarious. When Alabama loses, I think it's fucking hilarious.

So this myth that you guys think that we're all sitting in our trailer parks down south just waiting for Alabama and Georgia to bail us out is wrong. It is wrong.

So this myth that you guys think that we're all sitting in our trailer parks down south just waiting for Alabama and Georgia to bail us out is wrong. It is wrong.

Oh, whatever. Wherever we're hanging out. Back of a pickup. Down south. The dogfighting ring. Wherever we're hanging out down south. The cousin fucking fest. We're not just waiting. We would never talk football at the cousin fucking fest. We're never waiting for Alabama to bail us out. When they win, we're like, God damn, this is proof of how tough it is down here. When they lose, it's hilarious.

Oh, whatever. Wherever we're hanging out. Back of a pickup. Down south. The dogfighting ring. Wherever we're hanging out down south. The cousin fucking fest. We're not just waiting. We would never talk football at the cousin fucking fest. We're never waiting for Alabama to bail us out. When they win, we're like, God damn, this is proof of how tough it is down here. When they lose, it's hilarious.

Ohio State? Yeah. They've been the one team constantly, and Clemson touched it for a few years, that have been built like an elite SEC team. It's not built like an SEC team. It's built like an elite SEC team.

Ohio State? Yeah. They've been the one team constantly, and Clemson touched it for a few years, that have been built like an elite SEC team. It's not built like an SEC team. It's built like an elite SEC team.

Because there's teams built like Florida right now and Kentucky and A&M, and then there's teams built like Alabama and Georgia over the last 15 years, which is just take the five of the five stars and put them in every position and destroy everybody. And Texas is like that. Ohio State's like that.

Because there's teams built like Florida right now and Kentucky and A&M, and then there's teams built like Alabama and Georgia over the last 15 years, which is just take the five of the five stars and put them in every position and destroy everybody. And Texas is like that. Ohio State's like that.

I don't represent the Big Ten. I don't have a Big Ten accent. That's on you to start turning around the narrative.

I don't represent the Big Ten. I don't have a Big Ten accent. That's on you to start turning around the narrative.

When you get to the end of the season, and it's happened to the SEC a couple times. It might happen to the Big Ten this year. And two SEC teams play for a national title, and your team went 9-3 in that conference. You're like, look at what we had to deal with that year.

When you get to the end of the season, and it's happened to the SEC a couple times. It might happen to the Big Ten this year. And two SEC teams play for a national title, and your team went 9-3 in that conference. You're like, look at what we had to deal with that year.

Neither are you. It sucks. Speak for yourself, buddy. You're talking to a 2021 College World Series champion.

Neither are you. It sucks. Speak for yourself, buddy. You're talking to a 2021 College World Series champion.

Well, yeah, but you don't really. You never actually watched one of the games. I did. I watched the third period of one of the championship games. Yeah, but you can't name any players. Like, I can name all the Mississippi State baseball players. Chad, Austin, Cody.

Well, yeah, but you don't really. You never actually watched one of the games. I did. I watched the third period of one of the championship games. Yeah, but you can't name any players. Like, I can name all the Mississippi State baseball players. Chad, Austin, Cody.

oh they've already gotten two of the best uh wide receiver transfers in the country they're fixing their problems now and kirby smart is one of those coaches that like kind of like nick saban when they lose it's actually bad for everyone else because they're just going to come back with more vengeance well i kind of say that about the entire sec if everybody wants to shit on the sec right now that's fine if you want to do the collective conference thing but embarrassing alabama and embarrassing georgia them going through that it's just going to turn them into monsters this offseason and it's gonna

oh they've already gotten two of the best uh wide receiver transfers in the country they're fixing their problems now and kirby smart is one of those coaches that like kind of like nick saban when they lose it's actually bad for everyone else because they're just going to come back with more vengeance well i kind of say that about the entire sec if everybody wants to shit on the sec right now that's fine if you want to do the collective conference thing but embarrassing alabama and embarrassing georgia them going through that it's just going to turn them into monsters this offseason and it's gonna

be nastier than it's ever been.

be nastier than it's ever been.

And also, they've had a 20-year run where they've just kicked the shit out of them. Yeah, but everybody would lobby in that scenario, I think. I didn't. I didn't think Alabama deserved it, or South Carolina, or Ole Miss.

And also, they've had a 20-year run where they've just kicked the shit out of them. Yeah, but everybody would lobby in that scenario, I think. I didn't. I didn't think Alabama deserved it, or South Carolina, or Ole Miss.

Alright, so... This game. Yeah.

Alright, so... This game. Yeah.

Yeah. Who do you have winning this game and why? I have Penn State winning this game because I think Penn State and Notre Dame are very, very, very similar. I think Penn State's a little bit better version of the team they're going for. They have a better quarterback. Great defense, better quarterback, both elite running game, both very, very, very physical.

Yeah. Who do you have winning this game and why? I have Penn State winning this game because I think Penn State and Notre Dame are very, very, very similar. I think Penn State's a little bit better version of the team they're going for. They have a better quarterback. Great defense, better quarterback, both elite running game, both very, very, very physical.

Penn State just has one more explosive playmaker than Notre Dame has. They have the incredible tight end, Tyler Warren, and they have a quarterback who I think is not going to make the mistakes that the backup quarterback for Georgia made. Listen, Notre Dame... They're both built to win games the same way. Get a 7-10 point lead, use their defense, ride it out, win the game, right?

Penn State just has one more explosive playmaker than Notre Dame has. They have the incredible tight end, Tyler Warren, and they have a quarterback who I think is not going to make the mistakes that the backup quarterback for Georgia made. Listen, Notre Dame... They're both built to win games the same way. Get a 7-10 point lead, use their defense, ride it out, win the game, right?

And Notre Dame pulled that off to a tee against Georgia. Notre Dame had two plays. They had the sack fumble to get the ball at the 9-yard line, and then they had the kick return. That gave them two touchdowns of separation, and they never let Georgia breathe. If those two plays don't happen... They had 250 yards of total offense.

And Notre Dame pulled that off to a tee against Georgia. Notre Dame had two plays. They had the sack fumble to get the ball at the 9-yard line, and then they had the kick return. That gave them two touchdowns of separation, and they never let Georgia breathe. If those two plays don't happen... They had 250 yards of total offense.

They're playing a more physical defense, and I don't think Allard's going to make the mistakes the backup quarterback made. I just like Penn State as a little bit better version of what both teams are going for.

They're playing a more physical defense, and I don't think Allard's going to make the mistakes the backup quarterback made. I just like Penn State as a little bit better version of what both teams are going for.

I think Notre Dame had 80 yards passing against Georgia. Great touchdown by Faison. Which was all fine. That's what they needed to do to beat Georgia, but I just don't know if that's going to beat Penn State. I think Penn State's going to get a couple touchdowns from the combination of Aller and Warren, and I

I think Notre Dame had 80 yards passing against Georgia. Great touchdown by Faison. Which was all fine. That's what they needed to do to beat Georgia, but I just don't know if that's going to beat Penn State. I think Penn State's going to get a couple touchdowns from the combination of Aller and Warren, and I

I know that a lot of people, it feels like more people believe Notre Dame's going to win than believe Penn State's going to win. But I think that's totally due to the path that Penn State has and the path that Notre Dame has. Do you think that Allard is, do you trust him? I think he is very good.

I know that a lot of people, it feels like more people believe Notre Dame's going to win than believe Penn State's going to win. But I think that's totally due to the path that Penn State has and the path that Notre Dame has. Do you think that Allard is, do you trust him? I think he is very good.

I've been on the Drew Allard train for two years to my detriment last year when they lost to Ohio State and Michigan. People were like, see, we told you he's terrible. That was a bad game. It was a bad game, but it was also due to the two best defenses in the country. Well, this year, he doesn't turn the ball over. I think last year he might have had four interceptions. This year, three.

I've been on the Drew Allard train for two years to my detriment last year when they lost to Ohio State and Michigan. People were like, see, we told you he's terrible. That was a bad game. It was a bad game, but it was also due to the two best defenses in the country. Well, this year, he doesn't turn the ball over. I think last year he might have had four interceptions. This year, three.

Something ridiculous. I don't know if those are exact numbers. But he doesn't turn the ball over, doesn't make mistakes. If they had elite receivers, this would be an elite offense. They don't have elite receivers, so it's a really good offense.

Something ridiculous. I don't know if those are exact numbers. But he doesn't turn the ball over, doesn't make mistakes. If they had elite receivers, this would be an elite offense. They don't have elite receivers, so it's a really good offense.

Canute Rockne. I don't believe Ric Flair and Arn Anderson were together 100 years ago. Yeah. Are you familiar with Canute? I am familiar with Canute. Win one for the Gifford, right? Gifford, yeah. Doesn't that feel like Team of Destiny vibes? Do we know if there's any 100-year anniversaries for Penn State? Probably don't want to look in their past. Have we checked?

Canute Rockne. I don't believe Ric Flair and Arn Anderson were together 100 years ago. Yeah. Are you familiar with Canute? I am familiar with Canute. Win one for the Gifford, right? Gifford, yeah. Doesn't that feel like Team of Destiny vibes? Do we know if there's any 100-year anniversaries for Penn State? Probably don't want to look in their past. Have we checked?

Yeah, this is Catholics versus Catholics.

Yeah, this is Catholics versus Catholics.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I think about it. Is it fair to say he hasn't won a big game when he just won two playoff games? I understand. Those weren't big games. Right. Max said they weren't big games. Isn't that right? Okay, so could I argue that Georgia without its starting quarterback? No, it's still Georgia. It's still a big game. So we're really massaging the word big game to fit our narrative right now.

I think about it. Is it fair to say he hasn't won a big game when he just won two playoff games? I understand. Those weren't big games. Right. Max said they weren't big games. Isn't that right? Okay, so could I argue that Georgia without its starting quarterback? No, it's still Georgia. It's still a big game. So we're really massaging the word big game to fit our narrative right now.

greatly favored over yeah and you know it's a toss-up game against a top five team Penn State has not been able to overcome when Michigan was at the top of the sport the last three years they couldn't overcome them and when Ohio State's they haven't overcome Ohio State once Can I ask you this? Yeah. Over the last four years, what's Notre Dame's record against those two teams? What would it be?

greatly favored over yeah and you know it's a toss-up game against a top five team Penn State has not been able to overcome when Michigan was at the top of the sport the last three years they couldn't overcome them and when Ohio State's they haven't overcome Ohio State once Can I ask you this? Yeah. Over the last four years, what's Notre Dame's record against those two teams? What would it be?

Because it'd be the exact same as Penn State. No, it's a fair point. But that's also a little Brian Kelly in there. And Freeman, who I think, again, he pants Kirby Smart. He looked great. This is a guy that lost Northern Illinois this year. This guy who has lost some games. Tough team. One of the best Mountain West teams.

Because it'd be the exact same as Penn State. No, it's a fair point. But that's also a little Brian Kelly in there. And Freeman, who I think, again, he pants Kirby Smart. He looked great. This is a guy that lost Northern Illinois this year. This guy who has lost some games. Tough team. One of the best Mountain West teams.

This is a guy who's lost some games he shouldn't lose, but suddenly because he beats Georgia, all the questioning is still on James Franklin. I don't It's called narratives. I don't think this is all about the coaches here. I think this is one team has a better quarterback than the other. That's what I think. I agree. I agree with you. If you go out the whole playoff, it's four coaches.

This is a guy who's lost some games he shouldn't lose, but suddenly because he beats Georgia, all the questioning is still on James Franklin. I don't It's called narratives. I don't think this is all about the coaches here. I think this is one team has a better quarterback than the other. That's what I think. I agree. I agree with you. If you go out the whole playoff, it's four coaches.

Somebody's breaking through for the first time. Ryan Day gets rid of his problems. James Franklin gets rid of his problems. Marcus Freeman ascends to the top of the sport for the first time. And Sarkeesian battles through everything he had to battle through. So it's a fascinating coach narrative. I agree. It is.

Somebody's breaking through for the first time. Ryan Day gets rid of his problems. James Franklin gets rid of his problems. Marcus Freeman ascends to the top of the sport for the first time. And Sarkeesian battles through everything he had to battle through. So it's a fascinating coach narrative. I agree. It is.

Yeah, the fake go.

Yeah, the fake go.

That makes sense.

That makes sense.

Well, they also have posted speed limits in Athens, Georgia, and they don't really pay attention to those either.

Well, they also have posted speed limits in Athens, Georgia, and they don't really pay attention to those either.

Don't get in the way of refs. Don't drink and drive.

Don't get in the way of refs. Don't drink and drive.

If the last word you read going onto the field is off sides, it's in your mind to jump off sides. It's in your DNA.

If the last word you read going onto the field is off sides, it's in your mind to jump off sides. It's in your DNA.

I like Penn State.

I like Penn State.

I have already earned that reputation via winning this battle this year, so I don't know that I have to put it back on the line. Do you need a banner to hang behind you?

I have already earned that reputation via winning this battle this year, so I don't know that I have to put it back on the line. Do you need a banner to hang behind you?

Big Game Boomer hasn't put one out yet. Okay, so you haven't won it. Right. I haven't won it, but I haven't lost it either. Okay. And we went through all of 2024 without a new banner. True. I'm with you. I think I'm going to bet Penn State. Yeah. What's the current line in the draft? Two and a half, I think, or maybe two. I think it'll be a pick-em by game time.

Big Game Boomer hasn't put one out yet. Okay, so you haven't won it. Right. I haven't won it, but I haven't lost it either. Okay. And we went through all of 2024 without a new banner. True. I'm with you. I think I'm going to bet Penn State. Yeah. What's the current line in the draft? Two and a half, I think, or maybe two. I think it'll be a pick-em by game time.

I feel like the late money's coming in on Penn State. I also hate to do it, but it – I don't know.

I feel like the late money's coming in on Penn State. I also hate to do it, but it – I don't know.

I mean, both those things happened in the last game. The total ended up at 33. I know.

I mean, both those things happened in the last game. The total ended up at 33. I know.

Yeah, very good. So good. Yeah, Xavier Watts is one of the best players in the country. But they're good at every level of their defense.

Yeah, very good. So good. Yeah, Xavier Watts is one of the best players in the country. But they're good at every level of their defense.

It's going to be very tough, especially because his receivers don't really get much separation.

It's going to be very tough, especially because his receivers don't really get much separation.

uh but it's not so much just trusting drew aller is trusting drew aller more than you're trusting riley leonard to throw the ball down the field and play so i think i don't think penn state is going to go out there and throw for 350 yards and four touchdowns but if you had to tell me you know the one team's going to win by throwing for 215 yards and two touchdowns i would say that's penn state yeah okay uh max you have any penn state questions for brandon

uh but it's not so much just trusting drew aller is trusting drew aller more than you're trusting riley leonard to throw the ball down the field and play so i think i don't think penn state is going to go out there and throw for 350 yards and four touchdowns but if you had to tell me you know the one team's going to win by throwing for 215 yards and two touchdowns i would say that's penn state yeah okay uh max you have any penn state questions for brandon

Not at all.

Not at all.

They got right to the edge of losing.

They got right to the edge of losing.

So... If I went by what the two teams have done in the playoff, it has to be that, right? It has to be because Ohio State got the embarrassment against Michigan. Three weeks they heard how terrible they are, how big of a train wreck they are. And they came out and their play calling was different. Their attitude was different. Everything was better. They had fixed it. However, I wonder about this.

So... If I went by what the two teams have done in the playoff, it has to be that, right? It has to be because Ohio State got the embarrassment against Michigan. Three weeks they heard how terrible they are, how big of a train wreck they are. And they came out and their play calling was different. Their attitude was different. Everything was better. They had fixed it. However, I wonder about this.

Ohio State now, by virtue of their two performances they put on, does the pressure now circle back around to get on their shoulders again? Because they had that pressure going into Michigan the last couple years. They've had that pressure, and Ryan Day traditionally doesn't do that great with pressure.

Ohio State now, by virtue of their two performances they put on, does the pressure now circle back around to get on their shoulders again? Because they had that pressure going into Michigan the last couple years. They've had that pressure, and Ryan Day traditionally doesn't do that great with pressure.

Now that they have shown they are unequivocally the most talented and the best team in this playoff, does the pressure come back, and then do they go into that shell again where their play calling isn't as aggressive, where their play calling isn't as down the field? I wonder about that. Otherwise...

Now that they have shown they are unequivocally the most talented and the best team in this playoff, does the pressure come back, and then do they go into that shell again where their play calling isn't as aggressive, where their play calling isn't as down the field? I wonder about that. Otherwise...

If Ryan Day and Chip Kelly don't hold this team back, if they call plays the same way they've been calling plays, I think they win by two touchdowns. Breaking Moose.

If Ryan Day and Chip Kelly don't hold this team back, if they call plays the same way they've been calling plays, I think they win by two touchdowns. Breaking Moose.

You get a cow. You get a cow. Like that. Breaking Moose.

You get a cow. You get a cow. Like that. Breaking Moose.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

I've watched a bunch of NFL games, but they play every Sunday still? Yeah, you're going to be here on Sunday, right? No, no, absolutely not. Okay. I know how many openings there are. How many Vrabel openings are there? Five. So are all the openings Vrabel openings? Yes.

I've watched a bunch of NFL games, but they play every Sunday still? Yeah, you're going to be here on Sunday, right? No, no, absolutely not. Okay. I know how many openings there are. How many Vrabel openings are there? Five. So are all the openings Vrabel openings? Yes.

Yeah. Okay. Jacksonville's not a Vrabel opening, right? They're not hiring Vrabel. They probably want to. Everyone wants to. Right, but you can't be a Vrabel opening if Vrabel would never get to you. He would pick another job before you pick that one, right?

Yeah. Okay. Jacksonville's not a Vrabel opening, right? They're not hiring Vrabel. They probably want to. Everyone wants to. Right, but you can't be a Vrabel opening if Vrabel would never get to you. He would pick another job before you pick that one, right?

You guys got to be honest about your Vrabel opening.

You guys got to be honest about your Vrabel opening.

I understand they were longtime teammates, but is there any personal evidence that says he's going to tie his future career into whatever Tom Brady wants him to do?

I understand they were longtime teammates, but is there any personal evidence that says he's going to tie his future career into whatever Tom Brady wants him to do?

Why wouldn't Vrabel be Patriots?

Why wouldn't Vrabel be Patriots?

Fair.

Fair.

And you believe in a year of our Lord 2025, the Patriots are a more appealing destination for Ben Johnson than the Bears would be?

And you believe in a year of our Lord 2025, the Patriots are a more appealing destination for Ben Johnson than the Bears would be?

I feel like both quarterbacks. No, they're both.

I feel like both quarterbacks. No, they're both.

But I bet for a coach, an offensive-minded coach, I know whatever he put on the field this year, I bet Caleb Williams is really fucking enticing. Yeah.

But I bet for a coach, an offensive-minded coach, I know whatever he put on the field this year, I bet Caleb Williams is really fucking enticing. Yeah.

I think it could resurface. And we've seen Ryan Day not be able to deal with that before, right? Yeah. If all of a sudden he's the heavy favorite again and you have no excuse not to win, I feel like that could creep back on him, him and Chip Kelly. How does Texas win this game?

I think it could resurface. And we've seen Ryan Day not be able to deal with that before, right? Yeah. If all of a sudden he's the heavy favorite again and you have no excuse not to win, I feel like that could creep back on him, him and Chip Kelly. How does Texas win this game?

So Texas is probably the most interesting team. I believe they have Ohio State ceiling in there somewhere. Every now and then for like two drives, maybe a quarter, that Texas offense looks like, oh my God. Stark will get in his bag, a misdirection play. Stark will get in his bag. Quinn will be throwing darts. Because every now and then Quinn Ewers just throws fucking darts.

So Texas is probably the most interesting team. I believe they have Ohio State ceiling in there somewhere. Every now and then for like two drives, maybe a quarter, that Texas offense looks like, oh my God. Stark will get in his bag, a misdirection play. Stark will get in his bag. Quinn will be throwing darts. Because every now and then Quinn Ewers just throws fucking darts.

And then he'll throw a floater into triple coverage. And you're like, where did this guy come from? If they could for four quarters tap into their actual true potential, which is going to be tough against Ohio State, which I think is the best defense in the country. It's going to be tough against them. But if they could, they're as talented as Ohio State.

And then he'll throw a floater into triple coverage. And you're like, where did this guy come from? If they could for four quarters tap into their actual true potential, which is going to be tough against Ohio State, which I think is the best defense in the country. It's going to be tough against them. But if they could, they're as talented as Ohio State.

You know what? They're not as talented. Nobody is. But they're as talented as anybody not named Ohio State, and that would give them a puncher's chance.

You know what? They're not as talented. Nobody is. But they're as talented as anybody not named Ohio State, and that would give them a puncher's chance.

For Texas?

For Texas?

No, I don't think so. That defensive line is really, really good. I think it has to be making plays 25 yards down the field. I think it has to be Marcus Golden. I think it has to be even maybe get Isaiah Bond involved. It has to be Quinn Ewers hitting at least three or four game-breaking passes. Or put on Michigan uniforms.

No, I don't think so. That defensive line is really, really good. I think it has to be making plays 25 yards down the field. I think it has to be Marcus Golden. I think it has to be even maybe get Isaiah Bond involved. It has to be Quinn Ewers hitting at least three or four game-breaking passes. Or put on Michigan uniforms.

Or put on Michigan uniforms, and that causes Chip Kelly and Ryan Day to fucking freak out and want to win the game a certain way that they shouldn't be wanting to win the game like that.

Or put on Michigan uniforms, and that causes Chip Kelly and Ryan Day to fucking freak out and want to win the game a certain way that they shouldn't be wanting to win the game like that.

Well, golden and blue would be Notre Dame, wouldn't it? No, but... Blue and gold would be Notre Dame. They got two players. Golden. Blue. And blue. Yeah. But that's not Michigan. His name isn't Mays. That's true. That's what I said. Which is Mexican.

Well, golden and blue would be Notre Dame, wouldn't it? No, but... Blue and gold would be Notre Dame. They got two players. Golden. Blue. And blue. Yeah. But that's not Michigan. His name isn't Mays. That's true. That's what I said. Which is Mexican.

It is very good. It also gave up 510 yards and 31 points to Arizona State. That's the thing. That wasn't a fluke.

It is very good. It also gave up 510 yards and 31 points to Arizona State. That's the thing. That wasn't a fluke.

They just bullied him in the second half. Arizona State had the ball in the red zone in the first half four times, didn't score any points. They moved the ball all day. Finally, Scadaboo and Leavitt got it going, but they scored 31 points. It's overtime, so they scored 24 in regulation. But they had 510 yards. That's a lot of yards. How do you shut down Jeremiah Smith? You don't. Not possible.

They just bullied him in the second half. Arizona State had the ball in the red zone in the first half four times, didn't score any points. They moved the ball all day. Finally, Scadaboo and Leavitt got it going, but they scored 31 points. It's overtime, so they scored 24 in regulation. But they had 510 yards. That's a lot of yards. How do you shut down Jeremiah Smith? You don't. Not possible.

You don't. You either just hope you shut down everybody else or you hope Chip Kelly and Ryan Day don't force feed him like they've been force feeding him. You hope that they probably should. They didn't force feed him against Michigan. They didn't force feed him against Penn State the first time. And they kind of pussyfooted around it.

You don't. You either just hope you shut down everybody else or you hope Chip Kelly and Ryan Day don't force feed him like they've been force feeding him. You hope that they probably should. They didn't force feed him against Michigan. They didn't force feed him against Penn State the first time. And they kind of pussyfooted around it.

They came out in the playoff and realized, hey, we have the best receiver room in the country. Because it's not just Jeremiah Smith. He's the one getting the headlines. But Puka's been great.

They came out in the playoff and realized, hey, we have the best receiver room in the country. Because it's not just Jeremiah Smith. He's the one getting the headlines. But Puka's been great.

like carnell tate's been pretty good too like they have their third best receiver would be the best receiver on any other team and you just hope they go away from that yeah you got to get inside their brain somehow against penn state and against michigan ohio state ran the ball on first down ran the ball on second down and tried to be tougher up front tried to be out and out physical teams and they couldn't do it as long as they don't try to do that again i don't know how you stop them

like carnell tate's been pretty good too like they have their third best receiver would be the best receiver on any other team and you just hope they go away from that yeah you got to get inside their brain somehow against penn state and against michigan ohio state ran the ball on first down ran the ball on second down and tried to be tougher up front tried to be out and out physical teams and they couldn't do it as long as they don't try to do that again i don't know how you stop them

Well, Texas is a hell of a lot better than Michigan too, right? Yeah, they beat the fuck out of them. Yeah, so Texas, I don't want them to get disrespected here. I just don't think they have the high end. They don't have the high end potential of Ohio State because Quinn Ewers can never be that guy for a full game. They have not played a full game yet.

Well, Texas is a hell of a lot better than Michigan too, right? Yeah, they beat the fuck out of them. Yeah, so Texas, I don't want them to get disrespected here. I just don't think they have the high end. They don't have the high end potential of Ohio State because Quinn Ewers can never be that guy for a full game. They have not played a full game yet.

They won by 14 points.

They won by 14 points.

Yeah, and I can imagine an NFL scout as they get ready for the draft, and I think he's going to go back to college and transfer somewhere else. But looking at Quinn Ewers has to be one of the most frustrating things you can look at because you will see three throws and you're like, this guy is a top five pick. We've got to trade up and get this guy.

Yeah, and I can imagine an NFL scout as they get ready for the draft, and I think he's going to go back to college and transfer somewhere else. But looking at Quinn Ewers has to be one of the most frustrating things you can look at because you will see three throws and you're like, this guy is a top five pick. We've got to trade up and get this guy.

And then the next three throws, nobody get near this guy, undrafted free agent.

And then the next three throws, nobody get near this guy, undrafted free agent.

Yeah. Like standing in the face of pressure from 13.

Yeah. Like standing in the face of pressure from 13.

But the interception he threw with six minutes left when they were nursing an eight-point lead was among the worst throws you've ever seen. He throws it into double coverage and he floats it. It's basically an arm punt.

But the interception he threw with six minutes left when they were nursing an eight-point lead was among the worst throws you've ever seen. He throws it into double coverage and he floats it. It's basically an arm punt.

I'd agree.

I'd agree.

Every one of his life's problems. Who's that a bigger kick in the dick for? Is it a bigger kick if James Franklin finally breaks through, gets to the national title game, and he has to play Ohio State, a team that he just can't beat? Or Ryan Day fights through everything, gets to the national title game, and then loses to Penn State, who he's never lost to. Oh, you know what it'd be?

Every one of his life's problems. Who's that a bigger kick in the dick for? Is it a bigger kick if James Franklin finally breaks through, gets to the national title game, and he has to play Ohio State, a team that he just can't beat? Or Ryan Day fights through everything, gets to the national title game, and then loses to Penn State, who he's never lost to. Oh, you know what it'd be?

Yeah.

Yeah.

And as much as I like Penn State and think they're a very good team, their roster is not as good as Ohio State's. Right. Them losing to Ohio State would not be that good.

And as much as I like Penn State and think they're a very good team, their roster is not as good as Ohio State's. Right. Them losing to Ohio State would not be that good.

Yeah. They are.

Yeah. They are.

I don't think so. I think Ohio State travels well enough, and it'll be 50-50. At worst, what, it'll be 60-40, something like that. I don't think there'll be a home field advantage.

I don't think so. I think Ohio State travels well enough, and it'll be 50-50. At worst, what, it'll be 60-40, something like that. I don't think there'll be a home field advantage.

Is it?

Is it?

They might pump the AC. What if someone leaves the door open? They're expecting some snow.

They might pump the AC. What if someone leaves the door open? They're expecting some snow.

The big door? Yeah, yeah, yeah. There's a giant window with the sun. But you don't respect the sun. Wouldn't Ohio State want to leave the door open so it could be the Northern Texans?

The big door? Yeah, yeah, yeah. There's a giant window with the sun. But you don't respect the sun. Wouldn't Ohio State want to leave the door open so it could be the Northern Texans?

Yeah. Remember... Yeah, I guess they still have that. I remember Texas Stadium when I was a kid, too. They had the hole directly in the roof, and it was just awful.

Yeah. Remember... Yeah, I guess they still have that. I remember Texas Stadium when I was a kid, too. They had the hole directly in the roof, and it was just awful.

Great question. Thank you.

Great question. Thank you.

So Jeremiah Smith will be back. Maybe he transfers. To where? Wisconsin?

So Jeremiah Smith will be back. Maybe he transfers. To where? Wisconsin?

I don't know if he's related to Larry Ellison. He's probably going to call him that soon.

I don't know if he's related to Larry Ellison. He's probably going to call him that soon.

Got to be the biggest in the world. 12 million. Texas with Arch Manning. How about Texas?

Got to be the biggest in the world. 12 million. Texas with Arch Manning. How about Texas?

I think they're still going to be real damn good.

I think they're still going to be real damn good.

No. Oh. He will be a two and out guy. Whoa. Who's their quarterback next year?

No. Oh. He will be a two and out guy. Whoa. Who's their quarterback next year?

Listen, Alabama, not to brag, but me and Fornelli did sit on this couch before the year and said Alabama's not going to be competing for national titles because Milrow's not good enough. I also said Travis Hunter would win the Heisman. You did. But Milrow was still the best they had. What's coming down the pipe in Alabama? And running back, they've been normal forever.

Listen, Alabama, not to brag, but me and Fornelli did sit on this couch before the year and said Alabama's not going to be competing for national titles because Milrow's not good enough. I also said Travis Hunter would win the Heisman. You did. But Milrow was still the best they had. What's coming down the pipe in Alabama? And running back, they've been normal forever.

Receiver, they're normal forever. Well, Ryan Williams. Ryan Williams, sure. Good point, Big Cat. Not normal whatsoever. They are way closer to a normal SEC team than they've ever been, and nothing is happening to make me think that's going to change. So Nick Saban's going to have to come back and save him? I don't know. I guarantee you if they go 9-3 again or 9-4 with a bowl up, he's out.

Receiver, they're normal forever. Well, Ryan Williams. Ryan Williams, sure. Good point, Big Cat. Not normal whatsoever. They are way closer to a normal SEC team than they've ever been, and nothing is happening to make me think that's going to change. So Nick Saban's going to have to come back and save him? I don't know. I guarantee you if they go 9-3 again or 9-4 with a bowl up, he's out.

I got two words for you. They will not let that happen to you.

I got two words for you. They will not let that happen to you.

Jaden Rashada. Do you want in on him? No. No. He doesn't want in on him. He won't stay anywhere long enough to be in on something.

Jaden Rashada. Do you want in on him? No. No. He doesn't want in on him. He won't stay anywhere long enough to be in on something.

He's a friendly guy. And Oregon has a guy who signed in December and already transferred. These guys don't understand. Just go somewhere and plant yourself for a year or two and see. Just see what happens and see how it unfolds. Don't just leave immediately.

He's a friendly guy. And Oregon has a guy who signed in December and already transferred. These guys don't understand. Just go somewhere and plant yourself for a year or two and see. Just see what happens and see how it unfolds. Don't just leave immediately.

That's not a terrible idea. I thought maybe if you sign out of high school, you have to stay somewhere two years. Now, that's not very American, and it's not very free, but I think it's better for the players. I do too. If you transfer immediately, you're never going to – because it's going to make it – it's like a concussion, right? Once you get one, it's easier to do it again.

That's not a terrible idea. I thought maybe if you sign out of high school, you have to stay somewhere two years. Now, that's not very American, and it's not very free, but I think it's better for the players. I do too. If you transfer immediately, you're never going to – because it's going to make it – it's like a concussion, right? Once you get one, it's easier to do it again.

I think so.

I think so.

We have so many of these transfer zombies that are now four and five and six and seven schools.

We have so many of these transfer zombies that are now four and five and six and seven schools.

Yeah, it's... We're doing Jalen Hurts now?

Yeah, it's... We're doing Jalen Hurts now?

What people don't realize is this is college football. It's great that the schools are going to be paying them and everything, but the behind the scenes and the under the table money is still going to be flowing bigger than ever.

What people don't realize is this is college football. It's great that the schools are going to be paying them and everything, but the behind the scenes and the under the table money is still going to be flowing bigger than ever.

So all these freshmen that, oh, he's only getting 50K. Yeah, he's not getting 50K. He's getting 500K somewhere else. So it's all going to be nasty.

So all these freshmen that, oh, he's only getting 50K. Yeah, he's not getting 50K. He's getting 500K somewhere else. So it's all going to be nasty.

I just feel like some players, you know, I like player freedom. I like guys going to find an opportunity, and some of these schools lie to players. But sometimes when you go to a place and you leave immediately, you never give yourself a chance to grow into anything. Correct. And if you're always looking for the quick fix, the school is too, and you're never going to find anything.

I just feel like some players, you know, I like player freedom. I like guys going to find an opportunity, and some of these schools lie to players. But sometimes when you go to a place and you leave immediately, you never give yourself a chance to grow into anything. Correct. And if you're always looking for the quick fix, the school is too, and you're never going to find anything.

And you're just going to be that guy for the entire five years you're in college and it's never going to work out.

And you're just going to be that guy for the entire five years you're in college and it's never going to work out.

And then he got concussed twice. He went to the school that valued loyalty the most.

And then he got concussed twice. He went to the school that valued loyalty the most.

So you guys have just transitioned fully into messing with Max right now?

So you guys have just transitioned fully into messing with Max right now?

You wouldn't admit, Max, the Monday of a playoff game, hearing the word concussion protocol is troubling.

You wouldn't admit, Max, the Monday of a playoff game, hearing the word concussion protocol is troubling.

No, no. As my first official appearance as the official college football expert on this show, officially, I had a good time, officially.

No, no. As my first official appearance as the official college football expert on this show, officially, I had a good time, officially.

Officially... Good job. And we never did actually say, but the contest that I won, I had three schools left in the college football playoff. Fornelli has one. He has Penn State. Okay.

Officially... Good job. And we never did actually say, but the contest that I won, I had three schools left in the college football playoff. Fornelli has one. He has Penn State. Okay.

That's what I said. But no, even if they win it all, he is still short of my point total because I've been so dominant so far.

That's what I said. But no, even if they win it all, he is still short of my point total because I've been so dominant so far.

That's not what we said. We'll have to review the tape. You can review the tape. He also had two bye schools. That's him. That's him. If you choose bye, that's a lifestyle choice. Those are wins, too.

That's not what we said. We'll have to review the tape. You can review the tape. He also had two bye schools. That's him. That's him. If you choose bye, that's a lifestyle choice. Those are wins, too.

Guys, I have officially already made an appearance as the expert. I don't know what we can't undo it now. We're going to boot that out. Let's clip one out.

Guys, I have officially already made an appearance as the expert. I don't know what we can't undo it now. We're going to boot that out. Let's clip one out.

I think it's a top five worst loss in my life that I can think of. Yeah. But it is time for a recalculation of what we think worst losses can be because they're not dead at all, and they're going to spend the next three weeks hearing how much they suck and hearing their coach should be fired and hearing how embarrassing this is. And it is embarrassing, but shit, they might get up off the mask.

I think it's a top five worst loss in my life that I can think of. Yeah. But it is time for a recalculation of what we think worst losses can be because they're not dead at all, and they're going to spend the next three weeks hearing how much they suck and hearing their coach should be fired and hearing how embarrassing this is. And it is embarrassing, but shit, they might get up off the mask.

Well, keeping it just to Saturday, you talk about an Ohio State team that was number two, had everything to play for, and not only that, for the last 364 days, you had three years of embarrassment built up, and it was all leading to this, when you finally got a chance to play them on an even playing field, you thought, and finally got a chance to take out three years of frustrations, and then you just didn't, and you let them out-tough you on your own home field.

Well, keeping it just to Saturday, you talk about an Ohio State team that was number two, had everything to play for, and not only that, for the last 364 days, you had three years of embarrassment built up, and it was all leading to this, when you finally got a chance to play them on an even playing field, you thought, and finally got a chance to take out three years of frustrations, and then you just didn't, and you let them out-tough you on your own home field.

It's the most embarrassing loss I can remember, because Ryan Day is the one coach who couldn't get embarrassed in this spot, and he did.

It's the most embarrassing loss I can remember, because Ryan Day is the one coach who couldn't get embarrassed in this spot, and he did.

Well, the playoffs are over. The transfer portal is going to be opening up. I'm going to steal a take from Mark Titus, who did it on Mostly Sports, but he was right. Ryan Day came out the other day. Ryan Day and Chip Kelly, the offensive coordinator, came out and they seemed determined to win the right way. They wanted to show they were tougher than Michigan. They wanted to show... We're soft?

Well, the playoffs are over. The transfer portal is going to be opening up. I'm going to steal a take from Mark Titus, who did it on Mostly Sports, but he was right. Ryan Day came out the other day. Ryan Day and Chip Kelly, the offensive coordinator, came out and they seemed determined to win the right way. They wanted to show they were tougher than Michigan. They wanted to show... We're soft?

Yeah, we're going to run it right down Michigan's throat. And that played right into their advantage. Michigan has the best defensive line. They have a great defensive line. And you have advantages everywhere else, but they kept running first down, second down, then third down. They tried to throw it, and everybody's covered up. They tried to win a certain way, and they couldn't do it.

Yeah, we're going to run it right down Michigan's throat. And that played right into their advantage. Michigan has the best defensive line. They have a great defensive line. And you have advantages everywhere else, but they kept running first down, second down, then third down. They tried to throw it, and everybody's covered up. They tried to win a certain way, and they couldn't do it.

They never adjusted. It was a shocking failure of coaching. It was a shocking failure of preparation. It was a shocking lack of nuts. And... To be honest, your point is correct. They went to the Mercedes dealership this year and got a safety. They went to the Mercedes dealership and they got a running back. And they went to Dollar General and got a quarterback.

They never adjusted. It was a shocking failure of coaching. It was a shocking failure of preparation. It was a shocking lack of nuts. And... To be honest, your point is correct. They went to the Mercedes dealership this year and got a safety. They went to the Mercedes dealership and they got a running back. And they went to Dollar General and got a quarterback.

I have no idea why they did that when Miami's going out and getting Cam Ward and everybody else is doing this and they settle for Will Howell.

I have no idea why they did that when Miami's going out and getting Cam Ward and everybody else is doing this and they settle for Will Howell.

Yeah, they gave the keys to a race car to a four-wheel driver, like an off-road rider, like somebody that doesn't belong behind the wheel of something that powerful. Do you need somebody from Georgia to drive that car?

Yeah, they gave the keys to a race car to a four-wheel driver, like an off-road rider, like somebody that doesn't belong behind the wheel of something that powerful. Do you need somebody from Georgia to drive that car?

I mean, signing day, this is coming out tomorrow? Yeah. Signing day is today. Right. This is high school signing day. This is when everybody gets better for the next four years. The transfer portal is going to open and close by the time the playoff is over, so they will not have any window. The players won't have any window to leave Ohio State.

I mean, signing day, this is coming out tomorrow? Yeah. Signing day is today. Right. This is high school signing day. This is when everybody gets better for the next four years. The transfer portal is going to open and close by the time the playoff is over, so they will not have any window. The players won't have any window to leave Ohio State.

It's why Michigan had a down year because Jim Harbaugh had to wait until after the national championship to leave. Yeah, and they were forced to hire Sharon Moore. Maybe they were going to do that anyway. And who are you going to hire? The coaching carousel will be done by then. You'll be lucky to get somebody out of retirement or get somebody late in the game. It's just the schedule doesn't work.

It's why Michigan had a down year because Jim Harbaugh had to wait until after the national championship to leave. Yeah, and they were forced to hire Sharon Moore. Maybe they were going to do that anyway. And who are you going to hire? The coaching carousel will be done by then. You'll be lucky to get somebody out of retirement or get somebody late in the game. It's just the schedule doesn't work.

You need a little bit more roadway to fire a guy in this day and age. And plus, they could still win the – Fucking national champions.

You need a little bit more roadway to fire a guy in this day and age. And plus, they could still win the – Fucking national champions.

I'm not. Our coach died. So that's really kind of unprecedented in college football. Not a lot of coaches die. It sounds like you're bragging. I'm not bragging at all, but our coach did die. So we've been in an unprecedented situation. It really doesn't apply to Ohio State at all, at all. And they've lost four in a row. We've only lost four out of five. So there's no real comparison there.

I'm not. Our coach died. So that's really kind of unprecedented in college football. Not a lot of coaches die. It sounds like you're bragging. I'm not bragging at all, but our coach did die. So we've been in an unprecedented situation. It really doesn't apply to Ohio State at all, at all. And they've lost four in a row. We've only lost four out of five. So there's no real comparison there.

And Michigan was a bad team. They were a bad team. It was bad in every way a loss could be bad. And if you lose to Purdue in a season as Ohio State, your fan base is mad. They're furious until the next game. Correct. And then you put it all back together. Well, the next game in this rivalry isn't until 365 more days. The next game on your schedule isn't going to fix this.

And Michigan was a bad team. They were a bad team. It was bad in every way a loss could be bad. And if you lose to Purdue in a season as Ohio State, your fan base is mad. They're furious until the next game. Correct. And then you put it all back together. Well, the next game in this rivalry isn't until 365 more days. The next game on your schedule isn't going to fix this.

They're going to be mad for a year.

They're going to be mad for a year.

And you were thinking about him all year long.

And you were thinking about him all year long.

about to their detriment i believe i think ryan day yeah said it right i think michigan's in his head at this point oh and he is not himself against michigan they are not themselves against michigan they try to pose as as somebody they're not to beat michigan and that's not how you're beat once you do that yeah he's he like tries to do like a fake tough guy it's like you're not jim harbaugh you're not urban meyer that's not who you're john cooper that's not what your program is yeah third base got picked off your program is having the best players at every position well the way that strength the wind they didn't account for the wind yeah

about to their detriment i believe i think ryan day yeah said it right i think michigan's in his head at this point oh and he is not himself against michigan they are not themselves against michigan they try to pose as as somebody they're not to beat michigan and that's not how you're beat once you do that yeah he's he like tries to do like a fake tough guy it's like you're not jim harbaugh you're not urban meyer that's not who you're john cooper that's not what your program is yeah third base got picked off your program is having the best players at every position well the way that strength the wind they didn't account for the wind yeah

And it's not like Michigan had this overwhelming – they were the same bad team they were all year. Their quarterback threw for 62 yards. Their quarterback threw the worst pick in the history of football when they were trying to take the lead with seven minutes left. And that's when I knew Ohio State was done. When Ohio State got that play, that should have been the light switch.

And it's not like Michigan had this overwhelming – they were the same bad team they were all year. Their quarterback threw for 62 yards. Their quarterback threw the worst pick in the history of football when they were trying to take the lead with seven minutes left. And that's when I knew Ohio State was done. When Ohio State got that play, that should have been the light switch.

That should have been like, all right, well, we fucked around long enough. Let's go do it. They go run up the middle for nothing, a little dinky pass that gets dropped, and then a run up the middle for nothing. They have to punt it right back. And they just were not – they were not ready to compete. And you know who probably wins that game? Who? Kyle McCord.

That should have been like, all right, well, we fucked around long enough. Let's go do it. They go run up the middle for nothing, a little dinky pass that gets dropped, and then a run up the middle for nothing. They have to punt it right back. And they just were not – they were not ready to compete. And you know who probably wins that game? Who? Kyle McCord.

Oh, Kyle McCord wins that game by three touchdowns. He can pass. Yeah. He can't run like Will Howard. Yeah, but that's not – Yeah, I know. It's crazy. Yeah, and Chip Kelly is kind of – because Ryan Day has been the head coach and has lost so many games. Chip Kelly's game plan and his lack of aggressiveness is killing that team. Yeah.

Oh, Kyle McCord wins that game by three touchdowns. He can pass. Yeah. He can't run like Will Howard. Yeah, but that's not – Yeah, I know. It's crazy. Yeah, and Chip Kelly is kind of – because Ryan Day has been the head coach and has lost so many games. Chip Kelly's game plan and his lack of aggressiveness is killing that team. Yeah.

Because not only did it happen against Michigan, but they had a very slow start against Penn State. They had a very slow start against Indiana.

Because not only did it happen against Michigan, but they had a very slow start against Penn State. They had a very slow start against Indiana.

Nebraska. They are not coming out and being aggressive offensively, and it's killing them.

Nebraska. They are not coming out and being aggressive offensively, and it's killing them.

No, we can't have a playoff game in that way, but they don't want to figure out the overtime rules. They just changed it three or four years ago.

No, we can't have a playoff game in that way, but they don't want to figure out the overtime rules. They just changed it three or four years ago.

It will be absolutely sickening. But that is very, very much on the table. Just be like playoffs, get the old... Yeah, put them at the 25. We had that format for years. If one seven overtime game spooked us, I have no idea why one game out of however many college football games are in a year. There's probably a bunch. I have no idea why one game spurred the change. But college football will...

It will be absolutely sickening. But that is very, very much on the table. Just be like playoffs, get the old... Yeah, put them at the 25. We had that format for years. If one seven overtime game spooked us, I have no idea why one game out of however many college football games are in a year. There's probably a bunch. I have no idea why one game spurred the change. But college football will...

I feel like that's an adjustable rule that if that were to happen, they can go back and just say, you know what? For a do-or-die game, for a game that must have a result, we're going to have a result.

I feel like that's an adjustable rule that if that were to happen, they can go back and just say, you know what? For a do-or-die game, for a game that must have a result, we're going to have a result.

It's coin flip. And I'll tell you what I was really struck by with that game. Play calling on two-point conversions, particularly in these situations, have really collapsed.

It's coin flip. And I'll tell you what I was really struck by with that game. Play calling on two-point conversions, particularly in these situations, have really collapsed.

That makes no sense. There were 12 two-point conversions in the six overtimes after the first couple, right? There were 12 two-point conversions. There were two running plays, including the one run that won the game. When Georgia finally said, we're going to run it, we're going to win it. Haynes King spent the entirety of that game running the football and dominating Georgia's defensive line.

That makes no sense. There were 12 two-point conversions in the six overtimes after the first couple, right? There were 12 two-point conversions. There were two running plays, including the one run that won the game. When Georgia finally said, we're going to run it, we're going to win it. Haynes King spent the entirety of that game running the football and dominating Georgia's defensive line.

just he kept he was just running for three running for four running for five it is slant yeah when they get to the two-point conversions and they have to have it they want him to turn into joe montana and become a precision passer and i have no idea why georgia tech went away from that i have no idea why coaches try to outsmart themselves and say you know what i'm going to roll him out i'm going to give him options because that's what they're expecting

just he kept he was just running for three running for four running for five it is slant yeah when they get to the two-point conversions and they have to have it they want him to turn into joe montana and become a precision passer and i have no idea why georgia tech went away from that i have no idea why coaches try to outsmart themselves and say you know what i'm going to roll him out i'm going to give him options because that's what they're expecting

I feel like it was a minute hug. I didn't clock it. It was, at first, I was like, well, that's nice to see. Yeah. That's nice. Two guys locked in battle. And then after about 30 seconds, I'm like, all right, let's wrap it up. This is getting a little touchy. A little much. Too much. Yeah. And it was very close. There might have been some neck kissing. That's how close it was.

I feel like it was a minute hug. I didn't clock it. It was, at first, I was like, well, that's nice to see. Yeah. That's nice. Two guys locked in battle. And then after about 30 seconds, I'm like, all right, let's wrap it up. This is getting a little touchy. A little much. Too much. Yeah. And it was very close. There might have been some neck kissing. That's how close it was.

Yeah, to put it frankly, there's 11 spots that are just spoken for right now. Yeah. There's 11 spots. The four in the Big Ten, three in the SEC. You're an ACC champ. You're a Big 12 champ. You're a Group of Five. You're Notre Dame. All right? So there's 11 spots. SMU and Clemson play. If Clemson wins, they steal a spot. Yep.

Yeah, to put it frankly, there's 11 spots that are just spoken for right now. Yeah. There's 11 spots. The four in the Big Ten, three in the SEC. You're an ACC champ. You're a Big 12 champ. You're a Group of Five. You're Notre Dame. All right? So there's 11 spots. SMU and Clemson play. If Clemson wins, they steal a spot. Yep.

And SMU, who goes 11-1 the regular season, probably shouldn't get punished. They should take that 12th spot. I think they will. I think they will, too. Now, if Clemson loses, SMU wins. SMU is inside the 11, and that opens up for Miami at 10-2. That opens up for Alabama, Ole Miss, South Carolina at 9-3. I think they would give it to Alabama.

And SMU, who goes 11-1 the regular season, probably shouldn't get punished. They should take that 12th spot. I think they will. I think they will, too. Now, if Clemson loses, SMU wins. SMU is inside the 11, and that opens up for Miami at 10-2. That opens up for Alabama, Ole Miss, South Carolina at 9-3. I think they would give it to Alabama.

And out of the three SEC teams, that is far and away the best options.

And out of the three SEC teams, that is far and away the best options.

I hate all SEC teams, not Mississippi State. And frankly, I see what you're doing. I see what you're doing. Oh, I hate the Gamecocks. Because that's what every emotional fan base thinks. If you say one thing that isn't sucking their dick, that you hate them. No, I don't hate them. I'm just saying reality, okay? You sound like an emotional fan base.

I hate all SEC teams, not Mississippi State. And frankly, I see what you're doing. I see what you're doing. Oh, I hate the Gamecocks. Because that's what every emotional fan base thinks. If you say one thing that isn't sucking their dick, that you hate them. No, I don't hate them. I'm just saying reality, okay? You sound like an emotional fan base.

If they're in the SEC and they're up against Alabama for this spot and Ole Miss for this spot, and they lost to both of them, it seems like that conversation's over.

If they're in the SEC and they're up against Alabama for this spot and Ole Miss for this spot, and they lost to both of them, it seems like that conversation's over.

No, you're exactly right. Out of this group, Alabama, who I live next to my whole life and my mother is a fan and I hate her, and Ole Miss, who I absolutely hate and wish all their businesses would fail and their marriages would get divorced. I hate them. You're right, South Carolina. Carolina's the one I hate the most.

No, you're exactly right. Out of this group, Alabama, who I live next to my whole life and my mother is a fan and I hate her, and Ole Miss, who I absolutely hate and wish all their businesses would fail and their marriages would get divorced. I hate them. You're right, South Carolina. Carolina's the one I hate the most.

I think that playing the best ball is a crutch that people are leaning on. That's my personal preference. When you say they're playing the best ball, all you're really telling me is they played all the teams capable of beating them early rather than late.

I think that playing the best ball is a crutch that people are leaning on. That's my personal preference. When you say they're playing the best ball, all you're really telling me is they played all the teams capable of beating them early rather than late.

made a comeback sellers was hurt they they scored a late touchdown to beat missouri with 10 seconds left missouri's not that good at all they did that they they won on a last second touchdown against clemson this isn't a team that's just rolling everybody all of a sudden they've won the last six including four against ranked teams two of those teams were missouri who's not good and vanderbilt let me ask you a question if they keep an undefeated florida state team out last year because of

made a comeback sellers was hurt they they scored a late touchdown to beat missouri with 10 seconds left missouri's not that good at all they did that they they won on a last second touchdown against clemson this isn't a team that's just rolling everybody all of a sudden they've won the last six including four against ranked teams two of those teams were missouri who's not good and vanderbilt let me ask you a question if they keep an undefeated florida state team out last year because of

Shouldn't Sellers being out against LSU be put into the... I don't mind the committee looking at that, but I don't think Sellers being out for a quarter and a half against LSU is the reason they gave up 36 points to an LSU offense that couldn't score 36 against anybody else.

Shouldn't Sellers being out against LSU be put into the... I don't mind the committee looking at that, but I don't think Sellers being out for a quarter and a half against LSU is the reason they gave up 36 points to an LSU offense that couldn't score 36 against anybody else.

And I hear people saying that, you know, like Florida State last year, they want to use that precedent. That was a four-team playoff. That was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. This is a 12-team playoff. This team has lost three times. It's not like you're nitpicking to say one thing about them when they lost three times like that.

And I hear people saying that, you know, like Florida State last year, they want to use that precedent. That was a four-team playoff. That was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. This is a 12-team playoff. This team has lost three times. It's not like you're nitpicking to say one thing about them when they lost three times like that.

So many games in November matter. So many games in November matter.

So many games in November matter. So many games in November matter.

Miami-Syracuse was a big fucking game. This ACC championship game coming up, I think we will care more about this ACC championship than we've ever cared about the ACC championship.

Miami-Syracuse was a big fucking game. This ACC championship game coming up, I think we will care more about this ACC championship than we've ever cared about the ACC championship.

That's fine. But Alabama beat Georgia. Yeah. Alabama beat South Carolina. Alabama lost to a really bad Oklahoma team. That's true. They did. And they got killed. And they lost to a mediocre Vanderbilt.

That's fine. But Alabama beat Georgia. Yeah. Alabama beat South Carolina. Alabama lost to a really bad Oklahoma team. That's true. They did. And they got killed. And they lost to a mediocre Vanderbilt.

And South Carolina beat them both. But they also – South Carolina lost to LSU. Alabama killed them. Yeah, you're right. And South Carolina did get worked by Ole Miss. Yeah, we're talking about South Carolina and Alabama. South Carolina can't pass Ole Miss. Ole Miss beat them 27-3 at their place.

And South Carolina beat them both. But they also – South Carolina lost to LSU. Alabama killed them. Yeah, you're right. And South Carolina did get worked by Ole Miss. Yeah, we're talking about South Carolina and Alabama. South Carolina can't pass Ole Miss. Ole Miss beat them 27-3 at their place.

It's not just this year. If you look back over the last 20, 30 years, If you're talking, all right, we're going to do a 12-team playoff, and you retroactively take that 12-team playoff back 30 years, there's three lost teams inside the top 12 every year. All the time there's a three lost team inside the top 12. So that's just going to happen. When you say it's a flawed system, you're right.

It's not just this year. If you look back over the last 20, 30 years, If you're talking, all right, we're going to do a 12-team playoff, and you retroactively take that 12-team playoff back 30 years, there's three lost teams inside the top 12 every year. All the time there's a three lost team inside the top 12. So that's just going to happen. When you say it's a flawed system, you're right.

Any system we choose is going to be flawed. But we also are talking on Sunday they'll have a selection, right? We know 11 of the spots right now.

Any system we choose is going to be flawed. But we also are talking on Sunday they'll have a selection, right? We know 11 of the spots right now.

That's pretty good.

That's pretty good.

Under this system, the super conferences are probably a mistake. The super conferences this year have allowed teams, certain teams. I'm just saying. I'm going to say it. Indiana. They've allowed. Let me say what I'm going to say. We're an undaunted podcast.

Under this system, the super conferences are probably a mistake. The super conferences this year have allowed teams, certain teams. I'm just saying. I'm going to say it. Indiana. They've allowed. Let me say what I'm going to say. We're an undaunted podcast.

Everyone's more on the internet than you.

Everyone's more on the internet than you.

Would you like me to do the point? Would you like to be undaunted? An 11-1 Big Ten team deserves to be in 100% of the time. Indiana deserves to be in. However, these big conferences allow schedule disparity that we didn't have before. And the schedule disparity allows Ohio State to play every other team in the top five of the Big Ten and Indiana to play none of them.

Would you like me to do the point? Would you like to be undaunted? An 11-1 Big Ten team deserves to be in 100% of the time. Indiana deserves to be in. However, these big conferences allow schedule disparity that we didn't have before. And the schedule disparity allows Ohio State to play every other team in the top five of the Big Ten and Indiana to play none of them.

I'm going to use another team. Schedule disparity has been caused by big conferences and everybody, all the contenders in conference not playing each other. Texas is another great example. There are six nine-win teams in the SEC. Texas played one of them. That team beat them by 15 points. Right. But Texas is in this playoff, no doubt, because Texas and Georgia didn't play the same schedule.

I'm going to use another team. Schedule disparity has been caused by big conferences and everybody, all the contenders in conference not playing each other. Texas is another great example. There are six nine-win teams in the SEC. Texas played one of them. That team beat them by 15 points. Right. But Texas is in this playoff, no doubt, because Texas and Georgia didn't play the same schedule.

They didn't even play anywhere near the same schedule. So what I'm saying is the system is good. I like the 12-team playoff. But the fact that you've got these 16- and 18-team conferences allows these pockets of bad schedules to affect this. That's why they need to do the divisions. And it's not Indiana's fault. It's not Texas' fault. They played the schedule put in front of them.

They didn't even play anywhere near the same schedule. So what I'm saying is the system is good. I like the 12-team playoff. But the fact that you've got these 16- and 18-team conferences allows these pockets of bad schedules to affect this. That's why they need to do the divisions. And it's not Indiana's fault. It's not Texas' fault. They played the schedule put in front of them.

But we need to make sure schedule disparity is addressed at some point.

But we need to make sure schedule disparity is addressed at some point.

you know what i mean like you just can't down yeah yeah there's teams will be down like i think i think your point is valid it's you know it's not fair to have certain teams have to play a gauntlet and then other teams only dip their toes but you guys did did what a lot of people on the internet are doing if i use indiana for example because they're cinderella if i use them for an example people freak out oh my god it daunted all this stuff if i use texas for an example they're like oh okay well you do sound daunted it's the same as i i've been saying it uh

you know what i mean like you just can't down yeah yeah there's teams will be down like i think i think your point is valid it's you know it's not fair to have certain teams have to play a gauntlet and then other teams only dip their toes but you guys did did what a lot of people on the internet are doing if i use indiana for example because they're cinderella if i use them for an example people freak out oh my god it daunted all this stuff if i use texas for an example they're like oh okay well you do sound daunted it's the same as i i've been saying it uh

Illinois shouldn't have lost to Minnesota, but Alabama shouldn't have lost to Oklahoma. That's why I don't have any sympathy for three lost SEC teams. When Indiana had one loss and there were some two lost SEC teams, I was like, well, let's take a look at the schedules. But Alabama...

Illinois shouldn't have lost to Minnesota, but Alabama shouldn't have lost to Oklahoma. That's why I don't have any sympathy for three lost SEC teams. When Indiana had one loss and there were some two lost SEC teams, I was like, well, let's take a look at the schedules. But Alabama...

and Ole Miss particularly, gave up any advantage they have with strength of schedule when they chose to lose to Kentucky, when they lost to Oklahoma, when they lost to Vanderbilt. You give up any schedule talk when you lose to bad teams on your schedule. Agreed. So you sound moderately daunted, but that's fine. I'm the only person in this world.

and Ole Miss particularly, gave up any advantage they have with strength of schedule when they chose to lose to Kentucky, when they lost to Oklahoma, when they lost to Vanderbilt. You give up any schedule talk when you lose to bad teams on your schedule. Agreed. So you sound moderately daunted, but that's fine. I'm the only person in this world.

So I'm forever going through a daunting throughout my day.

So I'm forever going through a daunting throughout my day.

It's 2 o'clock right now. I'm kind of daunted. Yeah, you're very daunted. If we were to talk at like 9 p.m. The most daunted. Yeah.

It's 2 o'clock right now. I'm kind of daunted. Yeah, you're very daunted. If we were to talk at like 9 p.m. The most daunted. Yeah.

You shed your daunting.

You shed your daunting.

He's embarrassing himself, as he has most of the season. We like Lane Kiffin on this podcast. I don't give a shit.

He's embarrassing himself, as he has most of the season. We like Lane Kiffin on this podcast. I don't give a shit.

I'm just letting you know that we like him. You can like whoever you want. Okay. Sounds like you guys are daunted. Why do you think he's embarrassing himself? Because Lane Kiffin had a roster worthy of going to the playoff. Lane Kiffin had a roster. He built a roster worthy of winning a national championship. He has probably the best defensive line in the country.

I'm just letting you know that we like him. You can like whoever you want. Okay. Sounds like you guys are daunted. Why do you think he's embarrassing himself? Because Lane Kiffin had a roster worthy of going to the playoff. Lane Kiffin had a roster. He built a roster worthy of winning a national championship. He has probably the best defensive line in the country.

He has one of the five best quarterbacks in the country. He has one of the five best receiving rooms in the country. He had everything lined up, and he beat Georgia, and he beat South Carolina 27-3. This is a team that can compete with anybody in the country, and he figured out a way to lose to Kentucky? to lose to a bad LSU team, to lose to Florida on the road last week.

He has one of the five best quarterbacks in the country. He has one of the five best receiving rooms in the country. He had everything lined up, and he beat Georgia, and he beat South Carolina 27-3. This is a team that can compete with anybody in the country, and he figured out a way to lose to Kentucky? to lose to a bad LSU team, to lose to Florida on the road last week.

And the entire time, he whined this year about, oh, the SEC didn't give us any night games. Our fan base deserves better. Oh, a couple of weeks ago, he's like, it would be a big disadvantage if we went to the SEC championship game. A lot of coaches I've talked to don't want to go to it because if they lose, they might be out.

And the entire time, he whined this year about, oh, the SEC didn't give us any night games. Our fan base deserves better. Oh, a couple of weeks ago, he's like, it would be a big disadvantage if we went to the SEC championship game. A lot of coaches I've talked to don't want to go to it because if they lose, they might be out.

Lane Kiffin, as the Ole Miss coach, should be saying, we want to go to the SEC championship game. We haven't won the SEC in 60 years. We'd love to go and win and get to the playoff and do all this. And now he's doing this whining about schedule, and he's whining about strength of schedule, and he's doing all this while all he had to do was beat Kentucky, a 4-8 team who won one SEC game.

Lane Kiffin, as the Ole Miss coach, should be saying, we want to go to the SEC championship game. We haven't won the SEC in 60 years. We'd love to go and win and get to the playoff and do all this. And now he's doing this whining about schedule, and he's whining about strength of schedule, and he's doing all this while all he had to do was beat Kentucky, a 4-8 team who won one SEC game.

At Ole Miss. So he is grandstanding. He is out there preaching. He's out there doing it. And the one thing he didn't do was coach his football team.

At Ole Miss. So he is grandstanding. He is out there preaching. He's out there doing it. And the one thing he didn't do was coach his football team.

which was a winner.

which was a winner.

You have a bye. And for some of these teams, it... In certain situations, you could be avoiding a road playoff game. There are so many things. A bye is the perfect thing at this time of the year. You have somebody go out the week before, and they wear themselves out. A bye would be incredible.

You have a bye. And for some of these teams, it... In certain situations, you could be avoiding a road playoff game. There are so many things. A bye is the perfect thing at this time of the year. You have somebody go out the week before, and they wear themselves out. A bye would be incredible.

These coaches should be saying SEC championship game, Big 12 championship game, if we make it, we're going to go win. They've got to be saying that. Saying that is loser talk is what they're doing.

These coaches should be saying SEC championship game, Big 12 championship game, if we make it, we're going to go win. They've got to be saying that. Saying that is loser talk is what they're doing.

Yeah, but y'all are going too deep. A sitting head coach speaking into a mic and saying, we do not want to go to our conference championship game because something bad might happen is bitch made.

Yeah, but y'all are going too deep. A sitting head coach speaking into a mic and saying, we do not want to go to our conference championship game because something bad might happen is bitch made.

The answer for me is no. I don't trust Riley Leonard in a big moment. I don't really trust Marcus Freeman in a big moment. I think they are built to beat an Oregon, to beat an Ohio State, to maybe beat a Texas. I don't think they can beat three of those in a row, or maybe two out of three. I don't think they're going to be able to put together enough of a passing game.

The answer for me is no. I don't trust Riley Leonard in a big moment. I don't really trust Marcus Freeman in a big moment. I think they are built to beat an Oregon, to beat an Ohio State, to maybe beat a Texas. I don't think they can beat three of those in a row, or maybe two out of three. I don't think they're going to be able to put together enough of a passing game.

I don't think they'll be able to put together enough of even a consistent run game. I think they can beat – like if they met Ohio State in the second round, I don't know how the seeds are going to line up, but – They could beat them like 14-10 and then beat the next week 17-6 or something like that. I don't think they have enough consistent offense to win three games in a row.

I don't think they'll be able to put together enough of even a consistent run game. I think they can beat – like if they met Ohio State in the second round, I don't know how the seeds are going to line up, but – They could beat them like 14-10 and then beat the next week 17-6 or something like that. I don't think they have enough consistent offense to win three games in a row.

I think Ohio State's best is still the best in the country, followed by Oregon.

I think Ohio State's best is still the best in the country, followed by Oregon.

He asked at their best. Oh, quarterback. No, but at their best right now. Yeah, with the left tackle and the center out for the year. Yeah, I'm not saying like if you can imagine putting their offensive line back in. It's Oregon or Ohio State. So who can win the whole thing? Oregon can win it. Ohio State can win it. Texas can win it. Georgia can win it. I don't know.

He asked at their best. Oh, quarterback. No, but at their best right now. Yeah, with the left tackle and the center out for the year. Yeah, I'm not saying like if you can imagine putting their offensive line back in. It's Oregon or Ohio State. So who can win the whole thing? Oregon can win it. Ohio State can win it. Texas can win it. Georgia can win it. I don't know.

Texas also got embarrassed the way they played against Georgia the first time.

Texas also got embarrassed the way they played against Georgia the first time.

Big time embarrassed. Yeah. And I think Sark as a coach is – I trust him schematically enough to not have that happen again. Yeah. And even more – I'm not even worried about the players. I'm just saying this coach, I believe, will come out here with something to really prove.

Big time embarrassed. Yeah. And I think Sark as a coach is – I trust him schematically enough to not have that happen again. Yeah. And even more – I'm not even worried about the players. I'm just saying this coach, I believe, will come out here with something to really prove.

I said he's not going to have the stats because of something.

I said he's not going to have the stats because of something.

What I said was, if Travis Hunter plays every snap of every game like he is doing for 12 games, he will probably win the Heisman. I said that is virtually impossible. I just cannot see somebody with his usage rate surviving 12 games.

What I said was, if Travis Hunter plays every snap of every game like he is doing for 12 games, he will probably win the Heisman. I said that is virtually impossible. I just cannot see somebody with his usage rate surviving 12 games.

What are you doing? You don't have to continue. He's going to win the Heisman. You don't have to continue.

What are you doing? You don't have to continue. He's going to win the Heisman. You don't have to continue.

I don't have a vote. If you had a vote. I'm not. Gun to your head if you had a vote. No, I wouldn't. Wow.

I don't have a vote. If you had a vote. I'm not. Gun to your head if you had a vote. No, I wouldn't. Wow.

No, I would have voted for Dak Prescott.

No, I would have voted for Dak Prescott.

No, it's not. You just talked your way out of it. Anyway, what I am saying is I didn't think Travis Hunter's usage rate, or I thought his usage rate would cost him a game or two along the way like it did last year. It cost him one game this year. It cost him half a game. Half a game.

No, it's not. You just talked your way out of it. Anyway, what I am saying is I didn't think Travis Hunter's usage rate, or I thought his usage rate would cost him a game or two along the way like it did last year. It cost him one game this year. It cost him half a game. Half a game.

It cost him half a game, and I thought that would happen more often, and I thought his usage rate would slide him down, and he wouldn't be able to do it. He did it. He played every game, and therefore, he is going to win the Heisman.

It cost him half a game, and I thought that would happen more often, and I thought his usage rate would slide him down, and he wouldn't be able to do it. He did it. He played every game, and therefore, he is going to win the Heisman.

And even though you said something is impossible, and then he did the impossible. I said virtually impossible. And he did it. He's going to do it. Travis Hunter is going to win the 2024 Heisman Trophy. You guys can stop politicking. You don't have to keep doing it. We never stop politicking. He could be holding it, and I'll be politicking. Anyway, I personally would vote for Ashton Genting.

And even though you said something is impossible, and then he did the impossible. I said virtually impossible. And he did it. He's going to do it. Travis Hunter is going to win the 2024 Heisman Trophy. You guys can stop politicking. You don't have to keep doing it. We never stop politicking. He could be holding it, and I'll be politicking. Anyway, I personally would vote for Ashton Genting.

I think he has had a remarkable year. I think Boise State, what he did against Oregon in his one shot against a great team – You don't have to shit on Ash and Jenny just because you're a Heisman bet.

I think he has had a remarkable year. I think Boise State, what he did against Oregon in his one shot against a great team – You don't have to shit on Ash and Jenny just because you're a Heisman bet.

They're also starting about November. Dion and the coaching staff are like, he's winning the Heisman.

They're also starting about November. Dion and the coaching staff are like, he's winning the Heisman.

Who would you have voted for last year? Buddy, I don't even know who won the damn Heisman last year. Jaden Daniels, Michael Penix. No, no, no, no, no, no. You remember last year, I was pushing the Jaden Daniels thing early. Okay, guns are down.

Who would you have voted for last year? Buddy, I don't even know who won the damn Heisman last year. Jaden Daniels, Michael Penix. No, no, no, no, no, no. You remember last year, I was pushing the Jaden Daniels thing early. Okay, guns are down.

But even if that is the take, he's also the greatest in history.

But even if that is the take, he's also the greatest in history.

I think in some years we give the Heisman away even though there's not really a Heisman caliber guy. And this year I think there's two Heisman caliber guys. I think Travis Hunter is going to win it, but Jenty could have won it in any other year or maybe any other era because it's just hard for a running back to win. How many touchdowns does Jenty get on Saturday or Friday?

I think in some years we give the Heisman away even though there's not really a Heisman caliber guy. And this year I think there's two Heisman caliber guys. I think Travis Hunter is going to win it, but Jenty could have won it in any other year or maybe any other era because it's just hard for a running back to win. How many touchdowns does Jenty get on Saturday or Friday?

Are we officially worried? I don't think it's possible. If he gets eight touchdowns, you wouldn't be worried? If he runs for 621 yards and eight touchdowns, you're in trouble. All right. So we should be worried about that.

Are we officially worried? I don't think it's possible. If he gets eight touchdowns, you wouldn't be worried? If he runs for 621 yards and eight touchdowns, you're in trouble. All right. So we should be worried about that.

I'm going to bet the under on both.

I'm going to bet the under on both.

Because you're trying to jinx us. And the guns will stay out. All right, fine. I would vote Ashton Gentry. Most people are going to vote Travis Hunter. Okay, that's why you don't have a vote. That's not why I don't have a vote.

Because you're trying to jinx us. And the guns will stay out. All right, fine. I would vote Ashton Gentry. Most people are going to vote Travis Hunter. Okay, that's why you don't have a vote. That's not why I don't have a vote.

Liam Blum tried to give me votes for the Blitnikoff and something else. I just don't want to.

Liam Blum tried to give me votes for the Blitnikoff and something else. I just don't want to.

Yeah. How could you do that to the sport that you love so much? Liam Blutman, who has votes for LeBlitnikoff and something else. Does he have a Heisman vote? He doesn't have a Heisman vote. Wait a minute. Liam Blutman has votes? Oh, yeah. No context college football is big. Yeah. Liam Bluntman has votes for multiple things.

Yeah. How could you do that to the sport that you love so much? Liam Blutman, who has votes for LeBlitnikoff and something else. Does he have a Heisman vote? He doesn't have a Heisman vote. Wait a minute. Liam Blutman has votes? Oh, yeah. No context college football is big. Yeah. Liam Bluntman has votes for multiple things.

Because these awards are mostly bullshit. Like Travis Hunter, for example, is a finalist for the Bulls. See, he's getting dirty here. Can you guys listen? Why don't you let people talk? We actually do, just not you. Travis Hunter is a finalist for the Blitnikoff, which is for the best receiver, but he is not a finalist for the Thorpe Award, the best defensive back. He should have been.

Because these awards are mostly bullshit. Like Travis Hunter, for example, is a finalist for the Bulls. See, he's getting dirty here. Can you guys listen? Why don't you let people talk? We actually do, just not you. Travis Hunter is a finalist for the Blitnikoff, which is for the best receiver, but he is not a finalist for the Thorpe Award, the best defensive back. He should have been.

He's a better defensive back than he is receiver, even though he's been great at receiving. There's better receivers than he is, but I don't think there's three better defensive backs than he is. Agreed.

He's a better defensive back than he is receiver, even though he's been great at receiving. There's better receivers than he is, but I don't think there's three better defensive backs than he is. Agreed.

I think Desmond Howard broke it. He did. In 1991 when he did it, he hiked the leg up too high, and I think he broke it.

I think Desmond Howard broke it. He did. In 1991 when he did it, he hiked the leg up too high, and I think he broke it.

yeah right and howard broke it howard did break but the howard i mean it's cool if you were to do the actual heisman pose and just do this that but when you hike that leg up yeah after you score a touchdown you're amped up and then you just put both feet calmly on the ground yeah that that doesn't do it doesn't are you pro or anti stay uh putting a flag into the middle of the field

yeah right and howard broke it howard did break but the howard i mean it's cool if you were to do the actual heisman pose and just do this that but when you hike that leg up yeah after you score a touchdown you're amped up and then you just put both feet calmly on the ground yeah that that doesn't do it doesn't are you pro or anti stay uh putting a flag into the middle of the field

I am anti the furor about it. This has been happening for decades and years and post rivalry. If you want rivalries to matter and be great, well, this is what comes with it. There are skirmishes, there are fracases, and that's just reality. There's fracases. They're not real fights. And again, I don't like the phrase, if you don't want them to plant the flag, beat them.

I am anti the furor about it. This has been happening for decades and years and post rivalry. If you want rivalries to matter and be great, well, this is what comes with it. There are skirmishes, there are fracases, and that's just reality. There's fracases. They're not real fights. And again, I don't like the phrase, if you don't want them to plant the flag, beat them.

Well, they fucking tried to beat them. But it's just whatever.

Well, they fucking tried to beat them. But it's just whatever.

No, it's the tip of the sword to college football, right? If you want the passion, if you want the fight, if you want all this, then it comes with this. It comes with this, and this isn't that big of a deal. The pepper spray the other day was crazy. It's just a bunch of players up in each other's face, yelling at each other. Not a real fight.

No, it's the tip of the sword to college football, right? If you want the passion, if you want the fight, if you want all this, then it comes with this. It comes with this, and this isn't that big of a deal. The pepper spray the other day was crazy. It's just a bunch of players up in each other's face, yelling at each other. Not a real fight.

Just separate them, send them to the locker rooms, and be done with it.

Just separate them, send them to the locker rooms, and be done with it.

yeah as he just stood silently and motionless as uh as jack sawyer is having a meltdown i feel bad for jack sawyer i do too that one was tough because the defensive players that came back to win the national and they still can win the national title defensive players came back to beat michigan win a national title and they go oh and four against michigan that's that's that's a rough and there was nothing that they could have done no yeah how do you feel about michigan these days

yeah as he just stood silently and motionless as uh as jack sawyer is having a meltdown i feel bad for jack sawyer i do too that one was tough because the defensive players that came back to win the national and they still can win the national title defensive players came back to beat michigan win a national title and they go oh and four against michigan that's that's that's a rough and there was nothing that they could have done no yeah how do you feel about michigan these days

I don't really think about Michigan at all. That's when we talked about Michigan for like 10 minutes. We were talking about Ohio State, not Michigan. Michigan's a non-factor in college football in 2024.

I don't really think about Michigan at all. That's when we talked about Michigan for like 10 minutes. We were talking about Ohio State, not Michigan. Michigan's a non-factor in college football in 2024.

Another good defense, another good running game.

Another good defense, another good running game.

Yeah, and Tennessee kind of went through a midseason slump, and Niko went through a midseason slump. I think they're as talented as anybody.

Yeah, and Tennessee kind of went through a midseason slump, and Niko went through a midseason slump. I think they're as talented as anybody.

I think Tennessee probably has to get it over Ohio State.

I think Tennessee probably has to get it over Ohio State.

Uh, but that, that, if that's Tennessee, Ohio state at that eight, nine matchup, is that where it intersects? Five, six, seven, eight, nine.

Uh, but that, that, if that's Tennessee, Ohio state at that eight, nine matchup, is that where it intersects? Five, six, seven, eight, nine.

So they would go in over SMU who loses, or they go in over Clemson.

So they would go in over SMU who loses, or they go in over Clemson.

I did not turn in a nominee.

I did not turn in a nominee.

You asked me yesterday at 5 o'clock. You didn't put the clock on me. I didn't know that we were doing this.

You asked me yesterday at 5 o'clock. You didn't put the clock on me. I didn't know that we were doing this.

I like that name.

I like that name.

Oh, so Gentee's system back. Sounds like it.

Oh, so Gentee's system back. Sounds like it.

You can't say anything around these guys.

You can't say anything around these guys.

He definitely had. 50-50. I don't think two people can do anything single-handedly.

He definitely had. 50-50. I don't think two people can do anything single-handedly.

Is this given to the fullback who had the best season or the man who looks most like a fullback?

Is this given to the fullback who had the best season or the man who looks most like a fullback?

I mean, Klotz is in good shape.

I mean, Klotz is in good shape.

He looks awful fullback-y.

He looks awful fullback-y.

You did. I've received no prize.

You did. I've received no prize.

I think Andy Staples could be behind that door. I think Tom Fornelli. I think Chip Patterson. I think Danny Connell. I think Josh Pate. It's just you. I think Ben Metz could be on the other side.

I think Andy Staples could be behind that door. I think Tom Fornelli. I think Chip Patterson. I think Danny Connell. I think Josh Pate. It's just you. I think Ben Metz could be on the other side.

We're the likelihood of it.

We're the likelihood of it.

I don't feel good about the standings we had, because I didn't even remember we did that on the couch the last time I was here.

I don't feel good about the standings we had, because I didn't even remember we did that on the couch the last time I was here.

But I remember getting the teams. I think I had Oklahoma State, so that's probably not good.

But I remember getting the teams. I think I had Oklahoma State, so that's probably not good.

Okay.

Okay.

Did you listen to our college football expert? Is that why he took Penn State? Yeah. Oh, no.

Did you listen to our college football expert? Is that why he took Penn State? Yeah. Oh, no.

Okay.

Did you listen to our college football expert? Is that why he took Penn State? Yeah. Oh, no.

Right. Two things. Oh, did you just do long ones? Two things. Okay. A, I'm not a guest. I'm part of the show now as the resident college football expert. And B, the couch has nothing to do with me. I'm sitting on the couch, but you guys are engaging in the couch fight with Hank right now.

I'm aware of Vanny Woodhead. He's part of the show. You know who knows about Vanny Woodhead? Tom Fradelli. Well, you know what he doesn't know about? College football, and that's why I'm here.

I sat in the chair. I immediately got concerned I was going to break the chair. There were concerns with the chair. But Hank is fighting the chair battle, not me. I don't care if the chair's here or not. Well, you should have an opinion one way. Well, I do have an opinion. I want our guests to be as comfortable as possible here. Okay.

I'm in a pretzel now. What? How do I get out of it? Trigs make Brandon really fat in the cover art. Yeah, that's how you get out of it. Go ahead.

I understand that. But why would you do that?

Weighed in at 273 yesterday. I thought I was 265.

Yeah, he said a huge rack. Several times. Got to stay away.

I'm capable. You know.

It's the only sport that really gets meticulously picked apart for the quality of its games. It doesn't really happen to the NBA playoffs or the NHL playoffs. It doesn't really happen to anybody else. It's the only sport where if there's a bad game, it is suddenly an indictment of the entire sport. Correct. Whereas... A playoff is just that.

You are playing off to find out who's the best team at the end. There's no guarantee you're going to have some aesthetically pleasing games along the way. You've just collected through a 12-game sample size who deserves to be here. We pretty much got that this year. I don't know that it was perfect, but we got that. We can't help that some of the games weren't as good.

In the 90s was always a blowout. Yeah. It just seemed like you're going out of your way to take shots sometimes. Like, oh, you're part of the show.

People believe that the playoff was implemented because it was supposed to be some grand fix. Well, it wasn't fixing because nothing was broken. It was just a better way to determine a champion. It's more seats at the table. It's more excitement. And it gave us an October and November that were unparalleled in excitement. November had games.

Would anybody have cared about Ole Miss, Florida in previous years? No. Would anybody have cared about certain games? No. It gave us a great November. It gave us a bad first round. But then it also gave us Texas-Arizona State, which was remarkable.

And I'd rather watch that even if it's a blowout. People are nostalgic liars about college football. They're like, well, we should go back to how it used to be. 30 years ago, Penn State goes undefeated and gets nothing. They get nothing. There are these times in history where we're just letting sports writers decide. So we've come step by step by step.

The 12-team playoff, I think, is the best way to do it until we have a 16-team playoff, which would be even better.

That could work. Now, I will say this year it might have – you don't know this. This is year to year. Maybe eight teams was enough for this year, but you can't go based on – you can't do that.

Yeah, I mean, if you're a Texas fan, you're in your second straight playoff, or you're going to – I don't even know where they played that last game. Were they at the Fiesta Bowl? Yeah. No, they weren't at the Fiesta Bowl. They were at the Peach. They were at the Peach Bowl. Are you going to Atlanta knowing that you might have two other trips in the next two weeks? Maybe you're not.

Maybe you say, well, I'll get them the next time. So it creates some issues and stuff. But there are small issues we have to work towards. Overall, this is a better way to do it than we've ever had, and it is going to get tweaked. The auto buys for conference champions got to go away. That has to go away.

It created a spot where the sixth seed had the easiest path to where we are right now, which I think Penn State probably was good enough to get there anyway. I'm not going to hold it against them, but they had an easier path than, say, Oregon. Yeah, Oregon got screwed. Oregon should have just lost the Big Ten championship game, and they still probably would be alive.

Yeah, they would have gotten a home game. They would have won it. Then they would have gone on. They wouldn't have had the rust that they dealt with against Ohio State. Now, Ohio State killed them so much, you can't really blame that. But still, there were issues, and we'll fix them along the way.

We don't believe in that. You try to make it personal with me about the Rose Bowl because you try to make it personal with me about a lot of things. No, I don't. You make it personal. You like to point fingers and say Brandon Walker hates the Rose Bowl and you turn everyone against me by saying, no, I don't hate the Rose Bowl.

I think the Rose Bowl is magnificent and wonderful and it is also absolutely in love with itself and thinks it's bigger than the sport and the Rose Bowl needs to be taken down a peg. The Rose Bowl holds up college football progress. It's done it before. It stands in the way. It has to have things its way and it is not that special.

It is special. Good one, PFT. Not the worst counterpoint I've ever heard. Not the worst counterpoint I've ever heard. But it's better than his counterpoints where he just says, I hate it. No, I don't hate it. I just think it's in love with its own parts.

The Texas-Arizona State game. They are in overtime on the playoff game. Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl will not hold up.

The fucking sun? Imagine that?

You didn't know either, did you? You always know.

There was a flyover you didn't know recently. No, he knows all the flyovers.

It's a B-2 bomber.

I respect the Rose Bowl. Here's the problem with it.

Well, that's kind of on you. You live your entire life with me on a mocking tone.

Yeah. If I bought myself Rose Bowl gifts, that's mocking.

You walk up there and you see Wisconsin Badgers 1994 Rose Bowl champs and a picture of the Rose Bowl. You don't. I'm like, God damn it. He got me again. Yeah.

Still Big 12. It is weird. It feels weird. It's been a bad bowl season for SEC. It's been a bad season for the SEC. Would you like to apologize for the SEC? 100% no, because fuck the SEC. I am a fan of Mississippi State University. When Georgia loses, I think it's hilarious. When Alabama loses, I think it's fucking hilarious.

So this myth that you guys think that we're all sitting in our trailer parks down south just waiting for Alabama and Georgia to bail us out is wrong. It is wrong.

Oh, whatever. Wherever we're hanging out. Back of a pickup. Down south. The dogfighting ring. Wherever we're hanging out down south. The cousin fucking fest. We're not just waiting. We would never talk football at the cousin fucking fest. We're never waiting for Alabama to bail us out. When they win, we're like, God damn, this is proof of how tough it is down here. When they lose, it's hilarious.

Ohio State? Yeah. They've been the one team constantly, and Clemson touched it for a few years, that have been built like an elite SEC team. It's not built like an SEC team. It's built like an elite SEC team.

Because there's teams built like Florida right now and Kentucky and A&M, and then there's teams built like Alabama and Georgia over the last 15 years, which is just take the five of the five stars and put them in every position and destroy everybody. And Texas is like that. Ohio State's like that.

I don't represent the Big Ten. I don't have a Big Ten accent. That's on you to start turning around the narrative.

When you get to the end of the season, and it's happened to the SEC a couple times. It might happen to the Big Ten this year. And two SEC teams play for a national title, and your team went 9-3 in that conference. You're like, look at what we had to deal with that year.

Neither are you. It sucks. Speak for yourself, buddy. You're talking to a 2021 College World Series champion.

Well, yeah, but you don't really. You never actually watched one of the games. I did. I watched the third period of one of the championship games. Yeah, but you can't name any players. Like, I can name all the Mississippi State baseball players. Chad, Austin, Cody.

oh they've already gotten two of the best uh wide receiver transfers in the country they're fixing their problems now and kirby smart is one of those coaches that like kind of like nick saban when they lose it's actually bad for everyone else because they're just going to come back with more vengeance well i kind of say that about the entire sec if everybody wants to shit on the sec right now that's fine if you want to do the collective conference thing but embarrassing alabama and embarrassing georgia them going through that it's just going to turn them into monsters this offseason and it's gonna

be nastier than it's ever been.

And also, they've had a 20-year run where they've just kicked the shit out of them. Yeah, but everybody would lobby in that scenario, I think. I didn't. I didn't think Alabama deserved it, or South Carolina, or Ole Miss.

Alright, so... This game. Yeah.

Yeah. Who do you have winning this game and why? I have Penn State winning this game because I think Penn State and Notre Dame are very, very, very similar. I think Penn State's a little bit better version of the team they're going for. They have a better quarterback. Great defense, better quarterback, both elite running game, both very, very, very physical.

Penn State just has one more explosive playmaker than Notre Dame has. They have the incredible tight end, Tyler Warren, and they have a quarterback who I think is not going to make the mistakes that the backup quarterback for Georgia made. Listen, Notre Dame... They're both built to win games the same way. Get a 7-10 point lead, use their defense, ride it out, win the game, right?

And Notre Dame pulled that off to a tee against Georgia. Notre Dame had two plays. They had the sack fumble to get the ball at the 9-yard line, and then they had the kick return. That gave them two touchdowns of separation, and they never let Georgia breathe. If those two plays don't happen... They had 250 yards of total offense.

They're playing a more physical defense, and I don't think Allard's going to make the mistakes the backup quarterback made. I just like Penn State as a little bit better version of what both teams are going for.

I think Notre Dame had 80 yards passing against Georgia. Great touchdown by Faison. Which was all fine. That's what they needed to do to beat Georgia, but I just don't know if that's going to beat Penn State. I think Penn State's going to get a couple touchdowns from the combination of Aller and Warren, and I

I know that a lot of people, it feels like more people believe Notre Dame's going to win than believe Penn State's going to win. But I think that's totally due to the path that Penn State has and the path that Notre Dame has. Do you think that Allard is, do you trust him? I think he is very good.

I've been on the Drew Allard train for two years to my detriment last year when they lost to Ohio State and Michigan. People were like, see, we told you he's terrible. That was a bad game. It was a bad game, but it was also due to the two best defenses in the country. Well, this year, he doesn't turn the ball over. I think last year he might have had four interceptions. This year, three.

Something ridiculous. I don't know if those are exact numbers. But he doesn't turn the ball over, doesn't make mistakes. If they had elite receivers, this would be an elite offense. They don't have elite receivers, so it's a really good offense.

Canute Rockne. I don't believe Ric Flair and Arn Anderson were together 100 years ago. Yeah. Are you familiar with Canute? I am familiar with Canute. Win one for the Gifford, right? Gifford, yeah. Doesn't that feel like Team of Destiny vibes? Do we know if there's any 100-year anniversaries for Penn State? Probably don't want to look in their past. Have we checked?

Yeah, this is Catholics versus Catholics.

Yeah.

I think about it. Is it fair to say he hasn't won a big game when he just won two playoff games? I understand. Those weren't big games. Right. Max said they weren't big games. Isn't that right? Okay, so could I argue that Georgia without its starting quarterback? No, it's still Georgia. It's still a big game. So we're really massaging the word big game to fit our narrative right now.

greatly favored over yeah and you know it's a toss-up game against a top five team Penn State has not been able to overcome when Michigan was at the top of the sport the last three years they couldn't overcome them and when Ohio State's they haven't overcome Ohio State once Can I ask you this? Yeah. Over the last four years, what's Notre Dame's record against those two teams? What would it be?

Because it'd be the exact same as Penn State. No, it's a fair point. But that's also a little Brian Kelly in there. And Freeman, who I think, again, he pants Kirby Smart. He looked great. This is a guy that lost Northern Illinois this year. This guy who has lost some games. Tough team. One of the best Mountain West teams.

This is a guy who's lost some games he shouldn't lose, but suddenly because he beats Georgia, all the questioning is still on James Franklin. I don't It's called narratives. I don't think this is all about the coaches here. I think this is one team has a better quarterback than the other. That's what I think. I agree. I agree with you. If you go out the whole playoff, it's four coaches.

Somebody's breaking through for the first time. Ryan Day gets rid of his problems. James Franklin gets rid of his problems. Marcus Freeman ascends to the top of the sport for the first time. And Sarkeesian battles through everything he had to battle through. So it's a fascinating coach narrative. I agree. It is.

Yeah, the fake go.

That makes sense.

Well, they also have posted speed limits in Athens, Georgia, and they don't really pay attention to those either.

Don't get in the way of refs. Don't drink and drive.

If the last word you read going onto the field is off sides, it's in your mind to jump off sides. It's in your DNA.

I like Penn State.

I have already earned that reputation via winning this battle this year, so I don't know that I have to put it back on the line. Do you need a banner to hang behind you?

Big Game Boomer hasn't put one out yet. Okay, so you haven't won it. Right. I haven't won it, but I haven't lost it either. Okay. And we went through all of 2024 without a new banner. True. I'm with you. I think I'm going to bet Penn State. Yeah. What's the current line in the draft? Two and a half, I think, or maybe two. I think it'll be a pick-em by game time.

I feel like the late money's coming in on Penn State. I also hate to do it, but it – I don't know.

I mean, both those things happened in the last game. The total ended up at 33. I know.

Yeah, very good. So good. Yeah, Xavier Watts is one of the best players in the country. But they're good at every level of their defense.

It's going to be very tough, especially because his receivers don't really get much separation.

uh but it's not so much just trusting drew aller is trusting drew aller more than you're trusting riley leonard to throw the ball down the field and play so i think i don't think penn state is going to go out there and throw for 350 yards and four touchdowns but if you had to tell me you know the one team's going to win by throwing for 215 yards and two touchdowns i would say that's penn state yeah okay uh max you have any penn state questions for brandon

Not at all.

They got right to the edge of losing.

So... If I went by what the two teams have done in the playoff, it has to be that, right? It has to be because Ohio State got the embarrassment against Michigan. Three weeks they heard how terrible they are, how big of a train wreck they are. And they came out and their play calling was different. Their attitude was different. Everything was better. They had fixed it. However, I wonder about this.

Ohio State now, by virtue of their two performances they put on, does the pressure now circle back around to get on their shoulders again? Because they had that pressure going into Michigan the last couple years. They've had that pressure, and Ryan Day traditionally doesn't do that great with pressure.

Now that they have shown they are unequivocally the most talented and the best team in this playoff, does the pressure come back, and then do they go into that shell again where their play calling isn't as aggressive, where their play calling isn't as down the field? I wonder about that. Otherwise...

If Ryan Day and Chip Kelly don't hold this team back, if they call plays the same way they've been calling plays, I think they win by two touchdowns. Breaking Moose.

You get a cow. You get a cow. Like that. Breaking Moose.

Yeah, yeah.

I've watched a bunch of NFL games, but they play every Sunday still? Yeah, you're going to be here on Sunday, right? No, no, absolutely not. Okay. I know how many openings there are. How many Vrabel openings are there? Five. So are all the openings Vrabel openings? Yes.

Yeah. Okay. Jacksonville's not a Vrabel opening, right? They're not hiring Vrabel. They probably want to. Everyone wants to. Right, but you can't be a Vrabel opening if Vrabel would never get to you. He would pick another job before you pick that one, right?

You guys got to be honest about your Vrabel opening.

I understand they were longtime teammates, but is there any personal evidence that says he's going to tie his future career into whatever Tom Brady wants him to do?

Why wouldn't Vrabel be Patriots?

Fair.

And you believe in a year of our Lord 2025, the Patriots are a more appealing destination for Ben Johnson than the Bears would be?

I feel like both quarterbacks. No, they're both.

But I bet for a coach, an offensive-minded coach, I know whatever he put on the field this year, I bet Caleb Williams is really fucking enticing. Yeah.

I think it could resurface. And we've seen Ryan Day not be able to deal with that before, right? Yeah. If all of a sudden he's the heavy favorite again and you have no excuse not to win, I feel like that could creep back on him, him and Chip Kelly. How does Texas win this game?

So Texas is probably the most interesting team. I believe they have Ohio State ceiling in there somewhere. Every now and then for like two drives, maybe a quarter, that Texas offense looks like, oh my God. Stark will get in his bag, a misdirection play. Stark will get in his bag. Quinn will be throwing darts. Because every now and then Quinn Ewers just throws fucking darts.

And then he'll throw a floater into triple coverage. And you're like, where did this guy come from? If they could for four quarters tap into their actual true potential, which is going to be tough against Ohio State, which I think is the best defense in the country. It's going to be tough against them. But if they could, they're as talented as Ohio State.

You know what? They're not as talented. Nobody is. But they're as talented as anybody not named Ohio State, and that would give them a puncher's chance.

For Texas?

No, I don't think so. That defensive line is really, really good. I think it has to be making plays 25 yards down the field. I think it has to be Marcus Golden. I think it has to be even maybe get Isaiah Bond involved. It has to be Quinn Ewers hitting at least three or four game-breaking passes. Or put on Michigan uniforms.

Or put on Michigan uniforms, and that causes Chip Kelly and Ryan Day to fucking freak out and want to win the game a certain way that they shouldn't be wanting to win the game like that.

Well, golden and blue would be Notre Dame, wouldn't it? No, but... Blue and gold would be Notre Dame. They got two players. Golden. Blue. And blue. Yeah. But that's not Michigan. His name isn't Mays. That's true. That's what I said. Which is Mexican.

It is very good. It also gave up 510 yards and 31 points to Arizona State. That's the thing. That wasn't a fluke.

They just bullied him in the second half. Arizona State had the ball in the red zone in the first half four times, didn't score any points. They moved the ball all day. Finally, Scadaboo and Leavitt got it going, but they scored 31 points. It's overtime, so they scored 24 in regulation. But they had 510 yards. That's a lot of yards. How do you shut down Jeremiah Smith? You don't. Not possible.

You don't. You either just hope you shut down everybody else or you hope Chip Kelly and Ryan Day don't force feed him like they've been force feeding him. You hope that they probably should. They didn't force feed him against Michigan. They didn't force feed him against Penn State the first time. And they kind of pussyfooted around it.

They came out in the playoff and realized, hey, we have the best receiver room in the country. Because it's not just Jeremiah Smith. He's the one getting the headlines. But Puka's been great.

like carnell tate's been pretty good too like they have their third best receiver would be the best receiver on any other team and you just hope they go away from that yeah you got to get inside their brain somehow against penn state and against michigan ohio state ran the ball on first down ran the ball on second down and tried to be tougher up front tried to be out and out physical teams and they couldn't do it as long as they don't try to do that again i don't know how you stop them

Well, Texas is a hell of a lot better than Michigan too, right? Yeah, they beat the fuck out of them. Yeah, so Texas, I don't want them to get disrespected here. I just don't think they have the high end. They don't have the high end potential of Ohio State because Quinn Ewers can never be that guy for a full game. They have not played a full game yet.

They won by 14 points.

Yeah, and I can imagine an NFL scout as they get ready for the draft, and I think he's going to go back to college and transfer somewhere else. But looking at Quinn Ewers has to be one of the most frustrating things you can look at because you will see three throws and you're like, this guy is a top five pick. We've got to trade up and get this guy.

And then the next three throws, nobody get near this guy, undrafted free agent.

Yeah. Like standing in the face of pressure from 13.

But the interception he threw with six minutes left when they were nursing an eight-point lead was among the worst throws you've ever seen. He throws it into double coverage and he floats it. It's basically an arm punt.

I'd agree.

Every one of his life's problems. Who's that a bigger kick in the dick for? Is it a bigger kick if James Franklin finally breaks through, gets to the national title game, and he has to play Ohio State, a team that he just can't beat? Or Ryan Day fights through everything, gets to the national title game, and then loses to Penn State, who he's never lost to. Oh, you know what it'd be?

Yeah.

And as much as I like Penn State and think they're a very good team, their roster is not as good as Ohio State's. Right. Them losing to Ohio State would not be that good.

Yeah. They are.

I don't think so. I think Ohio State travels well enough, and it'll be 50-50. At worst, what, it'll be 60-40, something like that. I don't think there'll be a home field advantage.

Is it?

They might pump the AC. What if someone leaves the door open? They're expecting some snow.

The big door? Yeah, yeah, yeah. There's a giant window with the sun. But you don't respect the sun. Wouldn't Ohio State want to leave the door open so it could be the Northern Texans?

Yeah. Remember... Yeah, I guess they still have that. I remember Texas Stadium when I was a kid, too. They had the hole directly in the roof, and it was just awful.

Great question. Thank you.

So Jeremiah Smith will be back. Maybe he transfers. To where? Wisconsin?

I don't know if he's related to Larry Ellison. He's probably going to call him that soon.

Got to be the biggest in the world. 12 million. Texas with Arch Manning. How about Texas?