1 00:00:01,360 --> 00:00:02,040 Speaker 1: The volume. 2 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 2: Hi, everybody, welcome in to the Wednesday Morning Podcast. I'm 3 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:17,800 Speaker 2: going to have on an old friend. Greg McElroy is 4 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:20,960 Speaker 2: the former quarterback in the NFL and very well known 5 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:25,200 Speaker 2: as a national championship quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide. 6 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:28,080 Speaker 2: He's now a very popular radio show host down in 7 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 2: the South, and we're going to bring him on today 8 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:32,880 Speaker 2: and shoot the ball for about twenty thirty minutes about 9 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 2: the college football season. I have not been this fired 10 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 2: up for college football in a long time, even though 11 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 2: my beloved Pac twelve conference is circling the drain. That 12 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:47,200 Speaker 2: was fairly inevitable and predictable. Greg McElroy. In a few minutes, 13 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:52,200 Speaker 2: you know, I was thinking about last year's preseason exhibition season, 14 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 2: and all the years I've been doing talk radio. It 15 00:00:54,360 --> 00:00:58,600 Speaker 2: was the slowest preseason of all time Becausehaan McVay several 16 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:02,120 Speaker 2: years ago, as I've noted multiple times, stopped playing starters, 17 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:04,520 Speaker 2: and all these young coaches followed suit. So the only 18 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:07,400 Speaker 2: story we had last year in the preseason was Kenny Pickett, 19 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:12,760 Speaker 2: who was a good college quarterback, not stupendous. He wasn't 20 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:18,440 Speaker 2: a hot Caleb Williams Andrew Luck Trevor Lawrence prospect, not 21 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:23,080 Speaker 2: even a Kyler Murray, DeShawn Watson, Baker Masonfield prospect. He's 22 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:25,560 Speaker 2: a solid guy who had a lot of college starts. 23 00:01:25,959 --> 00:01:28,199 Speaker 2: And I remember thinking, after about two weeks of Kenny 24 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:31,880 Speaker 2: Pickett discussion, thank god he plays for the Steelers. What 25 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 2: if he had played for the Jaguars. There was just 26 00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 2: no story. This year's preseason feels entirely different. First of all, 27 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:40,760 Speaker 2: there's three first round quarterbacks. All could succeed, but I 28 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 2: do think one of them's fascinating. Anthony Richardson for the Colts, 29 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:47,120 Speaker 2: not only because it's six five, two fifty five. He 30 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 2: has big ben Cam Newton like Josh Allen like, where 31 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:53,360 Speaker 2: he will just be such a force, a productive force 32 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 2: running the football with that new offensive coach Shane Stike 33 00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:58,559 Speaker 2: and a brilliant guy who had Herbert and Jalen Hurts. 34 00:01:58,760 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 2: So I think the Cultu are going to be a 35 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 2: fastating watch. I don't think they're gonna be a great team, 36 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 2: but between Jonathan Taylor the running back and Anthony Richardson, 37 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:07,720 Speaker 2: I think they're gonna catch people off guard. I think 38 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:11,040 Speaker 2: they're gonna look like Cam's rookie year. Although he's not 39 00:02:11,120 --> 00:02:15,480 Speaker 2: as polished as Cam, big Ben, a little Josh Allen, 40 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 2: and a little Lamar Jackson. It's gonna be all of 41 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:21,080 Speaker 2: that mixed into one. So I think that's fascinating. I 42 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:24,440 Speaker 2: think Bryce Young is interesting because Frank Reich is one 43 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:26,320 Speaker 2: of those coaches that didn't get a ton of credit 44 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:28,960 Speaker 2: because he had reclamation projects. He had to clean up 45 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:31,640 Speaker 2: Andrew Luck clean up Philip Rivers clean up Carson Wentz 46 00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:35,000 Speaker 2: all three, three for three. Frank Wright did an amazing job. 47 00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:37,440 Speaker 2: Now he gets a rookie Bryce Young, who I think 48 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:40,120 Speaker 2: was head and shoulders above the other quarterbacks coming into 49 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:44,320 Speaker 2: this draft. I'm fascinated by that. Also in this preseason, 50 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 2: Sean Paytons said, I'm gonna play Russell Wilson really interesting. 51 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:52,040 Speaker 2: My guess is Russell reverts to about seventy five to 52 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:54,440 Speaker 2: eighty percent of what he was at his prime. But 53 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 2: I don't think he's as good. I think quarterbacks that 54 00:02:56,800 --> 00:03:00,600 Speaker 2: move get hit more, quarterbacks that get hit more, age 55 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:02,920 Speaker 2: much quicker. I mean, big Ben got old fast, Cam 56 00:03:02,919 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 2: got old fast. I was talking to Michael Vick on 57 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:09,399 Speaker 2: FS one yesterday and it was about you know, year 58 00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 2: five or six that Michael Vick the fastest player in 59 00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 2: the league couldn't outrun Carolina is outside linebacker Thomas Davis. 60 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:20,359 Speaker 2: And that's when Michael realized, Okay, everything's changed. So I 61 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:23,120 Speaker 2: think this preseason's got a lot of stories. Not to mention, 62 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:27,160 Speaker 2: I think Week one Buffalo and the Jets and Aaron Rodgers. Listen, man, 63 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:29,960 Speaker 2: you look at that Jet schedule and that's a tough 64 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:34,080 Speaker 2: matchup with Buffalo, very good front seven, very good pass rush. 65 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:37,400 Speaker 2: Jets start zero one to one. Fair not there's gonna 66 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:40,480 Speaker 2: be heat on Aaron Rodgers because their early schedule for 67 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:44,800 Speaker 2: six games is a gauntlet. So I feel differently about 68 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 2: this August. I'm excited for it. Last year I felt 69 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:52,520 Speaker 2: like I was just trying to fill space. But Anthony Richardson, 70 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 2: Bryce young A, Russell Wilson all really interesting to me. 71 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 2: And the other one I'd throw out there that I 72 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:05,480 Speaker 2: find myself kind of rooting for is Mac Jones the Patriots. 73 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 2: I contend that Mac Jones is as good as Kenny Pickett, 74 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 2: not as athletic, doesn't run as well. I think he 75 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:15,880 Speaker 2: throws a better football, and I thought I thought the 76 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:20,240 Speaker 2: organization completely got in Mac Jones way last year. I 77 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:22,159 Speaker 2: think Mac Jones is going to revert to a good 78 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 2: B quarterback, sort of a Kirk Cousins with maybe a 79 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:29,640 Speaker 2: little better arm. I think mac Jones maybe not quite 80 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:33,040 Speaker 2: as accurate, but a little better arm. And if mac 81 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:36,360 Speaker 2: Jones becomes Kirk Cousins, then Bill Belichick's back on track 82 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:38,440 Speaker 2: and can make the playoffs and win playoff games, maybe 83 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:45,400 Speaker 2: the division. So this preseason Pro football fired up well. 84 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:51,279 Speaker 2: Greg McElroy was at the very early stages of the 85 00:04:51,480 --> 00:04:58,840 Speaker 2: Alabama dynasty, and the early stages of the dynasty, quarterbacks 86 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:03,799 Speaker 2: got no f and credit. It was all defense. Now 87 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 2: it's not about linebackers and safeties and corners. Now, Saban, 88 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:11,919 Speaker 2: the brilliant man that he is, has really pivoted in 89 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 2: transitioned to more of an offensively dynamic dynasty. And Greg, 90 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:21,679 Speaker 2: I want to bring you in on this. The world 91 00:05:21,839 --> 00:05:25,359 Speaker 2: changed and a lot of people, Greg, don't change with 92 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:27,680 Speaker 2: the world. And I got to give Saban a lot 93 00:05:27,680 --> 00:05:31,919 Speaker 2: of credit. About the time Lane Kiffin got there, he 94 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:36,600 Speaker 2: started really really upping his game with offensive players. When 95 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:40,880 Speaker 2: he started your years, it was McLain the linebacker, it 96 00:05:40,960 --> 00:05:46,239 Speaker 2: was corners, it was right, and guys like you were like, well, Greg, 97 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:48,280 Speaker 2: just hands the ball off and I always feel like 98 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 2: Greg actually played in the league. Greg was really good. 99 00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:54,479 Speaker 2: But when you look at it now, there are some 100 00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:57,919 Speaker 2: remnants of it. But when did you notice that it 101 00:05:58,080 --> 00:06:03,719 Speaker 2: really pivoted to more but USC fielding dynasty or you know, 102 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:06,440 Speaker 2: a Mac Brown dynasty where the offense is a sixty 103 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:07,480 Speaker 2: forty advantage. 104 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 1: I mean, I think it's it's well observed. It had 105 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:14,880 Speaker 1: to have been fourteen when Lane Kiffin came in, and 106 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:16,640 Speaker 1: it's easy to look at it and through the lens 107 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:19,880 Speaker 1: of the USC because that's her Lane came from. So 108 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:23,039 Speaker 1: they really started to acknowledge there was a time and 109 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:26,080 Speaker 1: a shift in college football at that time where Ole 110 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:28,000 Speaker 1: Miss was starting to roll a little bit and they 111 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:30,360 Speaker 1: needed to kind of start scoring some points. Auburn had 112 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:33,680 Speaker 1: just been to the National Championship in twenty thirteen on 113 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:37,279 Speaker 1: the heels of a high optane, high tempo offense that 114 00:06:37,400 --> 00:06:39,800 Speaker 1: really created a lot of conflict for the defense. I 115 00:06:39,880 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 1: think coach Sata started to realize and it's going to 116 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 1: be really hard to win games twenty one to thirteen 117 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 1: moving forward, So we're going to have to get real 118 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 1: comfortable winning games forty two to forty one, which he's 119 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:54,760 Speaker 1: had to do a couple of times. Now, I actually 120 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:58,480 Speaker 1: think Colin where it's starting to go back, though, because 121 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:02,679 Speaker 1: teams can now simulate with their scout teams the tempo, 122 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:06,279 Speaker 1: they can simulate the quarterback play, they can simulate the 123 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:10,200 Speaker 1: run pass options. But what they can't simulate is incredible 124 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:13,160 Speaker 1: offensive line play, a fullback that's coming at you one 125 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:15,600 Speaker 1: hundred miles an hour and blowing up the middle linebackers. 126 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:18,640 Speaker 1: So I actually think the pendulum starting to shift back 127 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:21,080 Speaker 1: the other way. And we've kind of seen that with 128 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 1: Nick Saman's hire of Tommy Reese because of Notre Dame, 129 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:26,360 Speaker 1: we knew what he was all about. It was three 130 00:07:26,440 --> 00:07:28,560 Speaker 1: yards in the cloud of dust, right downhill until you 131 00:07:28,760 --> 00:07:31,720 Speaker 1: liked it. So I wonder if you're sensing something similar 132 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:33,000 Speaker 1: in college football as well. Well. 133 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 2: I say, you can't really look at Georgia and say 134 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 2: we could duplicate that, Okay, So right, the state of Georgia, you. 135 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 1: Better recruit, you better be able to get some dudes 136 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:45,880 Speaker 1: in on defense. 137 00:07:45,960 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 2: Georgia was always the sleeping giant in college football. I 138 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 2: mean for years and years you would talk to NFL 139 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 2: scouts and they're like, why doesn't Georgia win more. You know, 140 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:59,760 Speaker 2: we always know that the state of Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, 141 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:03,400 Speaker 2: calif you have a lot of players. Ohio, Georgia now 142 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 2: has as many D one players as California, and you 143 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:08,080 Speaker 2: have a third of the population or a quarter of 144 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 2: the population. So I don't think George is something you 145 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:15,760 Speaker 2: can duplicate. They do remind me a little of Alabama early, 146 00:08:15,880 --> 00:08:21,280 Speaker 2: where it's a defensive culture with very capable quarterbacks who 147 00:08:21,320 --> 00:08:25,880 Speaker 2: are going to get drafted. You Aj mcceron. Maybe not superstars, 148 00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:29,440 Speaker 2: maybe not like a Caleb Williams or a Vince Young, 149 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 2: but it's a defensive leaning culture. I just think they 150 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:34,360 Speaker 2: recruit at a different level. And George has always been 151 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 2: a sleeping giant. But you know, I've said this for years, 152 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 2: even though I work at Fox and we have the 153 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:42,760 Speaker 2: Big Ten, and I said this for years when I 154 00:08:42,800 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 2: worked at ESPN. People sec dominants, recruiting, Draft Day and Saturday. 155 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:54,520 Speaker 2: Get over it. It's the best conference. Here's though, what's 156 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:59,000 Speaker 2: really fascinating by including Texas and Oklahoma, and I think 157 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:04,000 Speaker 2: specifically Texas, that's another game on the schedule that's going 158 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:07,640 Speaker 2: to be it's becoming an arms race. Texas money Texas coaching. 159 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 2: I know the SEC fans thumps their chest, but do 160 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:16,240 Speaker 2: you really want to face LSU Georgia, Florida Texas in 161 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:18,800 Speaker 2: one season? Is there anybody in the South that's going 162 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:23,440 Speaker 2: this isn't potentially and you're going to add Clemson in 163 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:26,040 Speaker 2: Florida State here in the next eighteen months as well. 164 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:30,240 Speaker 2: Could you become just too rich? You're the AFC, You're 165 00:09:30,240 --> 00:09:32,040 Speaker 2: too powerful, there's too many stars. 166 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:37,840 Speaker 1: I think that there are programs. Mississippi State a good example. 167 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 1: When the schedules came out for the twenty four season, 168 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 1: Mississippi State didn't have Alabama on the schedule, they didn't 169 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:47,679 Speaker 1: have many of their SEC West foes, and they were 170 00:09:47,679 --> 00:09:50,560 Speaker 1: doing parades through the middle of Starkfield. But hang on, 171 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:53,680 Speaker 1: that's your closest team as far as proximities concerned, even 172 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:57,360 Speaker 1: more even closer as far as just straight mileage from 173 00:09:57,400 --> 00:10:00,920 Speaker 1: Starkfield and Tuscaloosa than it is to offer for Mississippi 174 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:02,800 Speaker 1: where all miss resides. And they said, no, no, no, we 175 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 1: don't want to play it. So I think for some 176 00:10:05,679 --> 00:10:09,840 Speaker 1: they are a little bit not want to say intimidated, 177 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:12,120 Speaker 1: but it's they kind of acknowledge where they are at 178 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:15,440 Speaker 1: in the pecking order. But I also think too if 179 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:18,160 Speaker 1: players are going to flock to it and the money's 180 00:10:18,200 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 1: going to be there. But we look at the big 181 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:21,719 Speaker 1: I mean, the Big ten is comparable. I mean I 182 00:10:21,800 --> 00:10:26,040 Speaker 1: think I think Wisconsin's an unbelievable program with tremendous history 183 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:28,160 Speaker 1: and success. We know what Michigan is, we know what 184 00:10:28,200 --> 00:10:31,199 Speaker 1: Ohio State is. I've seen Michigan State at their best, 185 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:33,200 Speaker 1: even though they didn't have their best that day, but 186 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:35,160 Speaker 1: they were eleven to win Team ten twelve years ago, 187 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 1: playoff team back in fifteen. SC is I think you 188 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:41,760 Speaker 1: reference Georgia is a sleeping giant. SC to me has 189 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 1: been a sleeping giant for two decades because there was 190 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:45,520 Speaker 1: a time when I was fifteen years old when I 191 00:10:45,520 --> 00:10:47,880 Speaker 1: never thought I'd see him lose a game. I think 192 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:51,240 Speaker 1: UCLA is dangerous because chick Kelly, now in the nil 193 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:55,120 Speaker 1: era with his NFL pedigree, understands how to work that system. 194 00:10:55,960 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 1: Washington is just getting started out or killing the Morse. 195 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:02,079 Speaker 1: I don't think there's one right now that is significantly 196 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:04,840 Speaker 1: more difficult than the other. I think the SEC bottom 197 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:07,040 Speaker 1: is better than the Big tenth bottom, but at the 198 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:10,320 Speaker 1: top you have very capable programs with tremendous resources at 199 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:11,480 Speaker 1: they're disposing. 200 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:14,719 Speaker 2: As a PAC twelve die hard and loyalist. I had 201 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:18,800 Speaker 2: told friends five years ago that it wasn't going to survive. 202 00:11:18,840 --> 00:11:21,840 Speaker 2: And my takeaway was once the NFL came back to 203 00:11:21,880 --> 00:11:25,840 Speaker 2: Los Angeles with two teams, is that you know, Pete 204 00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:28,959 Speaker 2: Carroll was in a time no NFL in LA all 205 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:34,320 Speaker 2: the resources, all the resources, all the time sellouts and 206 00:11:34,440 --> 00:11:37,680 Speaker 2: also people were spending their money on USC. People were 207 00:11:37,679 --> 00:11:41,760 Speaker 2: totally supportive of USC. Games were sellouts. Also, you didn't 208 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 2: have a PAC ten tournament you could lose. You didn't 209 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:46,880 Speaker 2: have to play a summifinal game. If you were great 210 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:49,520 Speaker 2: and you beat your Oregon States, Arizona States, in Washington, 211 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:52,120 Speaker 2: you ended up playing for the national championship if somebody 212 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:54,520 Speaker 2: thought you were good enough. So it's a different time, 213 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:58,840 Speaker 2: and so I'm not that I'm not bothering. I'm bummed 214 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:01,520 Speaker 2: out about the PAC twelve, but I sure it was. 215 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:04,600 Speaker 2: It's a SEC big ten money is just greater. How 216 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:06,480 Speaker 2: is that viewed in the South? How do you look 217 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:08,960 Speaker 2: at it? You guys always think we're soft out here anyway, 218 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:11,839 Speaker 2: But how is it viewed that the four best teams 219 00:12:11,880 --> 00:12:14,240 Speaker 2: are basically going to join the enemy in the Big Ten. 220 00:12:15,200 --> 00:12:16,960 Speaker 1: Well, I don't know if I want any of my 221 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:20,480 Speaker 1: Southern friends to know that I'm actually originally from Los Angeles, 222 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:23,199 Speaker 1: so I you know, I don't want to be perceived 223 00:12:23,720 --> 00:12:26,640 Speaker 1: as soft. I don't think you are, necessarily. I do 224 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:29,320 Speaker 1: think that there is a bit of a perception that 225 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:32,800 Speaker 1: when it's good against good and best against best, the 226 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:37,280 Speaker 1: likelihood of the SEC winning that game is higher than 227 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:39,680 Speaker 1: that of what we see sometimes from the Big Ten. 228 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:43,240 Speaker 1: I mean, Ohio State did beat Alabama at fourteen, has 229 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:46,440 Speaker 1: beaten the SEC teams came within a field goal a 230 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:49,560 Speaker 1: way of probably being the national champion last year, but 231 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:51,839 Speaker 1: those have been more few and far between, even dating 232 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:53,880 Speaker 1: back to the two thousand and six two thousand and seven, 233 00:12:53,920 --> 00:12:56,320 Speaker 1: when the Big ten just had a difficult time matching 234 00:12:56,400 --> 00:12:59,480 Speaker 1: up on annual basis against the best that the SEC 235 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:01,880 Speaker 1: had to offer. Why the SEC won every championship from 236 00:13:01,880 --> 00:13:04,480 Speaker 1: O eight all the way up until twenty thirteen when 237 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:06,959 Speaker 1: Florida State founally brought it home. So I think that 238 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,480 Speaker 1: will be kind of an interesting evaluation. It's going to 239 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:11,800 Speaker 1: be a tug of war. I mean, we don't like them, 240 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:14,000 Speaker 1: they don't like us type of mentality for Big ten 241 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:16,400 Speaker 1: fans and for SEC fans, some will pound their chest 242 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 1: about the money or some will pund their chest about 243 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:22,600 Speaker 1: the ratings. Everyone's seemingly trying to find an edge, But 244 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:25,280 Speaker 1: at the same time, I still feel like the edge 245 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:29,200 Speaker 1: is that both leagues are beyond delete. It's just whether 246 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 1: or not now the Big Ten, which doesn't have as 247 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:35,240 Speaker 1: much talent density as the SEC, if they'll be able 248 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:38,120 Speaker 1: to go south and attract kids up to the north 249 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:40,560 Speaker 1: to play at some of those places with a few 250 00:13:40,679 --> 00:13:44,000 Speaker 1: less Division IE level high caliber prospects that they would 251 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:46,160 Speaker 1: normally have at their disposal of the SEC. Like South 252 00:13:46,160 --> 00:13:48,880 Speaker 1: Carolina goes down the street, they can get fifteen guys 253 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:51,040 Speaker 1: that can play high level D one ball. Iowa might 254 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:52,800 Speaker 1: have to go two hundred and fifty miles in every 255 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:55,080 Speaker 1: direction and they might not find that many. So I 256 00:13:55,080 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 1: think it's just a little bit more difficult when it 257 00:13:56,920 --> 00:13:59,480 Speaker 1: comes to the recruiting pipeline. But if the identities are 258 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:01,480 Speaker 1: clearly at the Big Ten, I think they can play 259 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:01,960 Speaker 1: with anybody. 260 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:05,959 Speaker 2: I love Saban. I think sometimes he can be If 261 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:08,160 Speaker 2: Nick wants to talk about something he's going to go 262 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:11,160 Speaker 2: to the podium and he's going to find something that 263 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:13,120 Speaker 2: can get him into what he really wants to talk about. 264 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:15,640 Speaker 2: He does this all the time, about three times a year. 265 00:14:15,679 --> 00:14:18,000 Speaker 2: It's like, I'm going to talk about transfer portal. I 266 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:20,120 Speaker 2: don't care what your question is, I'm going to bring 267 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:22,800 Speaker 2: it up. And there have been two different occasions where 268 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 2: he's complained about the NIL and he said, you know, 269 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:27,800 Speaker 2: it's not even it's not fair. And my takeaway has 270 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:33,160 Speaker 2: always been that's a message. And my gut feeling was 271 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:36,880 Speaker 2: he's a little concerned about Texas, that the fact that 272 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 2: Texas money is like USC can't compete with it, Phil 273 00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:43,800 Speaker 2: Knight and Oregon can't compete with it. The Longhorns have 274 00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:47,520 Speaker 2: two to three billionaire donors, and that when Nick talks 275 00:14:47,520 --> 00:14:51,200 Speaker 2: about the NIL, my takeaway is he's doing some battles 276 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 2: with Sark and some of these they're wrestling people away. 277 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 2: I mean, they're getting great recruits. That's my take What 278 00:14:59,840 --> 00:15:03,360 Speaker 2: is yours? When he complains about the NIL, because Alabama's collective, 279 00:15:03,400 --> 00:15:06,360 Speaker 2: I'm sure is just fine. Why is he doing that? 280 00:15:08,120 --> 00:15:10,920 Speaker 1: I think it's as much calling to rally the troops 281 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:13,280 Speaker 1: of his own fan base. Everyone made a big deal 282 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:19,560 Speaker 1: about the argument between Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban back 283 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 1: in the summer of twenty two. It was never about 284 00:15:21,760 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 1: Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban. It was never about Alabama 285 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:27,760 Speaker 1: against Texas, A and m what he was doing and 286 00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:31,440 Speaker 1: what he thought was a controlled environment amongst friends and 287 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:34,960 Speaker 1: family onknowing that there was televisions there and all this 288 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:38,320 Speaker 1: other stuff. He was basically saying, hey, look these guys, 289 00:15:38,440 --> 00:15:40,240 Speaker 1: look at the recruiting class they were just able to 290 00:15:40,280 --> 00:15:42,880 Speaker 1: bring home. You guys better step it up. That was 291 00:15:42,920 --> 00:15:46,120 Speaker 1: a call to action for his own fan base, I 292 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:48,320 Speaker 1: think more so than it was being frustrated with the 293 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:52,080 Speaker 1: current system. I mean, are there as many billionaire donors 294 00:15:52,080 --> 00:15:53,360 Speaker 1: in the state of Alabama as they are on the 295 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:55,960 Speaker 1: state Texas. No, But I would be willing to probably 296 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:59,480 Speaker 1: go probably on the record and saying I'd be willing 297 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:01,920 Speaker 1: to bet that people to worth five or six hundred 298 00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:04,080 Speaker 1: million are putting up a higher percentage of their net 299 00:16:04,120 --> 00:16:07,280 Speaker 1: worth to make sure that Alabama succeeds. Then maybe in 300 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:10,360 Speaker 1: Texas or in California or other places. It just means 301 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:12,920 Speaker 1: a lot in this particular state. So I will be 302 00:16:12,960 --> 00:16:15,400 Speaker 1: interested to see how that all unfolds and how the 303 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 1: arms race really ends up working out. I'm really actually 304 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 1: more interested, though not as much in nil. But what 305 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:25,480 Speaker 1: would you do if you were one of those teams 306 00:16:25,560 --> 00:16:28,080 Speaker 1: right now that is perceived to not have that war 307 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:31,680 Speaker 1: chest of nil at your disposal, if you're behind as 308 00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:35,400 Speaker 1: far as as far as your approach right now in 309 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:37,760 Speaker 1: your television contract. I don't want to say Floridastate and 310 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:40,240 Speaker 1: Clemson because I think they have enough resources to be 311 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:42,800 Speaker 1: able to support them on the recruiting trail. Just look 312 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:45,560 Speaker 1: at how they've fared in recent years. But what message 313 00:16:45,600 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 1: would you send if you were one of those teams 314 00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:49,880 Speaker 1: that was lacking behind and not a part of the 315 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:52,680 Speaker 1: Big two or hopefully en route to the Big two. 316 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:56,920 Speaker 2: Well, Greg, my belief is is that college football is 317 00:16:56,960 --> 00:17:00,320 Speaker 2: going to become a little bit like college basketball, that 318 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 2: the playoff is going to be a big chunk of 319 00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:04,560 Speaker 2: the sport. It will go to twelve, then I think 320 00:17:04,600 --> 00:17:07,159 Speaker 2: it will go to sixteen or twenty four. Now people 321 00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:10,520 Speaker 2: are concerned that will ruin the college football regular season, 322 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:14,920 Speaker 2: and here's why it won't, Because Greg march madness did 323 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:19,239 Speaker 2: not kill college basketball's regular season. We watched Latner, we 324 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:22,199 Speaker 2: watch the run in rebels. We watched Georgetown, we had 325 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:25,639 Speaker 2: March madness. What is killed college basketball is one and 326 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:29,919 Speaker 2: done culture. The quality is not good. The playoff's not 327 00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:32,760 Speaker 2: going to hurt college football because you watch LSU play Georgia. 328 00:17:33,040 --> 00:17:36,439 Speaker 2: There's thirty four NFL players on the field. Because of 329 00:17:36,560 --> 00:17:39,920 Speaker 2: the cultural reality of college football, you have to play 330 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:42,879 Speaker 2: three years. Most guys play four. You have grown men playing. 331 00:17:43,480 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 2: People think by adding to the playoff it'll hurt college 332 00:17:47,240 --> 00:17:49,360 Speaker 2: football's regular season. And I said this two days ago 333 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:53,600 Speaker 2: on my show. Texas is playing Bama. You're not watching, really, 334 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:59,520 Speaker 2: George's playing LSU or Oklahoma. You're not watching. Really. USC's 335 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:03,840 Speaker 2: at Michigan. You're watching, and you're watching even though they 336 00:18:03,840 --> 00:18:05,800 Speaker 2: made meet to get in the playoff. You're watching because 337 00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:09,640 Speaker 2: Caleb Williams is going to be against their first round 338 00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 2: quarterback pick. It's Harbor and Lincoln Riley play end of 339 00:18:14,240 --> 00:18:18,119 Speaker 2: the year. Playoffs don't kill the sport. Lack of quality 340 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:21,680 Speaker 2: has killed college basketball. Hell Victor Webbin Yama. He didn't 341 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:25,800 Speaker 2: even play college basketball, Scoot Henderson, Jalen Green. So as 342 00:18:25,840 --> 00:18:28,359 Speaker 2: long as you're forced to go to college, I'm going 343 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:33,680 Speaker 2: to watch Georgia Bama, LSU, Texas, Oklahoma, USC, Michigan, Ohio State. 344 00:18:34,960 --> 00:18:38,720 Speaker 2: But I do think, Greg, to your initial question, the 345 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:44,600 Speaker 2: bottom part of that ten eleven twelve, that's going to 346 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:47,439 Speaker 2: be the area where in Oregon State can win that 347 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:50,000 Speaker 2: Mountain West. If that happens and they can get in, 348 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:52,880 Speaker 2: you're going to get four from the SEC four from 349 00:18:52,920 --> 00:18:55,240 Speaker 2: the Big ten, one or two from the Big twelve. 350 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:58,520 Speaker 2: But instead of getting like Cincinnati, and we argue about it, 351 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 2: you'll get two of those. You get two of those. 352 00:19:01,960 --> 00:19:05,600 Speaker 2: And so I think what will happen is we're gonna 353 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:08,080 Speaker 2: do twelve for about four years. It's gonna make everybody 354 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:10,960 Speaker 2: a fortune, and everybody's gonna go, all right, let's go 355 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:14,160 Speaker 2: to sixteen, and it won't hurt the sport. You're gonna 356 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:19,119 Speaker 2: watch Auburn Alabama even if you played a second time. Greg, 357 00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:21,440 Speaker 2: you and I have watched march Mandess since we were kids. 358 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:25,119 Speaker 2: If Duke and Carolina play in the Elite eight for 359 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:29,960 Speaker 2: the fourth time, we're watching, You're right, there's. 360 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:33,160 Speaker 1: No denying that. But I am curious your thoughts. Are 361 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:36,560 Speaker 1: we getting to a point in the nil era in 362 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:40,280 Speaker 1: the college football world where they're looking at the top 363 00:19:40,320 --> 00:19:42,760 Speaker 1: twenty five. The coaches poll came out the other day 364 00:19:43,240 --> 00:19:45,840 Speaker 1: and people are saying, all right, how many teams can 365 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:49,560 Speaker 1: win it? And people aren't getting past five right now 366 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:52,280 Speaker 1: as far as teams that can actually win the championship. Now, 367 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:55,840 Speaker 1: Caleb Williams elevate his team to a level that is 368 00:19:55,880 --> 00:19:58,800 Speaker 1: just unrecognizable and maybe pull off two upsets and route 369 00:19:58,840 --> 00:20:02,359 Speaker 1: to a championship. But the Vince Young taking over the 370 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:06,840 Speaker 1: game against USC back in five, does it feel like 371 00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:10,760 Speaker 1: it's as capable nowadays? Do you still think that Cinderella 372 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:14,120 Speaker 1: or a run like a Cinderella is possible in college football? 373 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:18,400 Speaker 2: Yeah? I do because I think the SEC's always had 374 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 2: more elite athletes, but the game used to be tighter 375 00:20:22,840 --> 00:20:26,560 Speaker 2: and smaller, and that Nick Saban could suffocate you. I 376 00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:29,920 Speaker 2: watched Ohio State play Georgia, and just because of those 377 00:20:29,960 --> 00:20:32,800 Speaker 2: receivers for Ohio State, Ohio State and c J. Stroud, 378 00:20:32,880 --> 00:20:34,880 Speaker 2: they moved that ball. I thought they were the better 379 00:20:34,920 --> 00:20:39,400 Speaker 2: team that day, right, Caleb Williams, Quinn yours, c J. Stroud. 380 00:20:40,760 --> 00:20:42,520 Speaker 2: The game is is you know, if you go back 381 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:45,320 Speaker 2: Greg and go back to Nebraska when they were winning titles, 382 00:20:45,320 --> 00:20:48,199 Speaker 2: they had one receiver wide, right, I mean everybody was 383 00:20:48,359 --> 00:20:51,960 Speaker 2: jammed up on the size of my screen. The game 384 00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:54,320 Speaker 2: is so fast and so wide, and so many young 385 00:20:54,359 --> 00:20:57,960 Speaker 2: players now want to be quarterbacks or wide receivers that nobody, 386 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:01,200 Speaker 2: including Nick Saban or Georgia, is going to cover Marvin Harrison. 387 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:05,440 Speaker 2: You can't do it. And so I think the USC's 388 00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:08,760 Speaker 2: and the Texas and the Notre Dames may need to 389 00:21:08,800 --> 00:21:11,320 Speaker 2: have a Caleb Williams or a Vince Young. Okay, they 390 00:21:11,359 --> 00:21:15,119 Speaker 2: have to make up something, right, Stetsan Bennett's good. Caleb 391 00:21:15,160 --> 00:21:19,480 Speaker 2: Williams is different. Trevor Lawrence beat s Bama. Those schools 392 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:21,879 Speaker 2: to beat the SEC king have to be better at 393 00:21:21,920 --> 00:21:25,880 Speaker 2: quarterback and probably transcendent. You know a Trevor Lawrence that 394 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:28,840 Speaker 2: that's a different Caleb's a different kind of number one pick. 395 00:21:28,920 --> 00:21:31,080 Speaker 2: I mean, Baker was a number one pick. Caleb. That's 396 00:21:31,119 --> 00:21:33,960 Speaker 2: not close. And I do think the field is so 397 00:21:34,160 --> 00:21:38,000 Speaker 2: spread now and the offensive coaching is so good that 398 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:41,560 Speaker 2: if you have that superstar quarterback and you're eighty five 399 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:44,679 Speaker 2: percent of George's roster Obama's roster, you can win. I 400 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:48,240 Speaker 2: watched Tennessee last year. Drop A was like a fifty 401 00:21:48,280 --> 00:21:50,840 Speaker 2: bigger on Alabama. They couldn't stop them with Hndon Hooker. 402 00:21:52,400 --> 00:21:54,720 Speaker 1: That's it. They've scored fifty two. Look at you, I mean, yeah, 403 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:56,960 Speaker 1: you place sure reb in and bringing it up. I appreciate, 404 00:21:57,040 --> 00:22:00,920 Speaker 1: appreciate the reference. I am curious on this because I 405 00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:03,480 Speaker 1: don't think anyone in the world does a better job 406 00:22:03,480 --> 00:22:06,600 Speaker 1: with analogies and being able to recreate the idea and 407 00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 1: the visual. As I'm listening to you, you can sumped 408 00:22:09,119 --> 00:22:10,720 Speaker 1: up something up and I'm like, how did you come 409 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:13,720 Speaker 1: up with that? And I tried to do my best 410 00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:17,200 Speaker 1: calling Calvert impression and said, if you put too much 411 00:22:17,240 --> 00:22:21,359 Speaker 1: on the quarterback's shoulders, it's like the quarterback is the 412 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:26,119 Speaker 1: bicep and all you do are curls. Meanwhile, your triceps 413 00:22:26,119 --> 00:22:30,200 Speaker 1: are atrophy, your pecks are atrophy, your legs are atrophy. 414 00:22:30,560 --> 00:22:33,399 Speaker 1: If you put too much on that position, it's going 415 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:35,879 Speaker 1: to actually result in the rest of your team not 416 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:38,920 Speaker 1: being as good. Now, it's totally opposite from what you 417 00:22:39,119 --> 00:22:41,879 Speaker 1: just described, but I think there's a real analogy to 418 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:45,159 Speaker 1: be made at say Alabama, maybe even USC to a 419 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:48,480 Speaker 1: certain extent last year at Ohio State at times, especially 420 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:51,240 Speaker 1: on defense back in the end of the Urban Meyer era, 421 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:55,639 Speaker 1: herb early early era of what Ryan Day is doing, 422 00:22:56,320 --> 00:22:58,600 Speaker 1: Dwayne Hasse, their defense fell off, I mean other things. 423 00:22:58,600 --> 00:23:01,120 Speaker 1: The run game has at times fallen. Do you think 424 00:23:01,119 --> 00:23:03,760 Speaker 1: that there's a possibility that if you put too much 425 00:23:04,280 --> 00:23:07,760 Speaker 1: on your quarterback, the rest of the roster actually won't 426 00:23:07,760 --> 00:23:10,800 Speaker 1: be competitive enough to maybe win the national championship? 427 00:23:12,359 --> 00:23:15,120 Speaker 2: Well a twofold. I had Urban Meyer on my show 428 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:17,080 Speaker 2: today and I made this point, and Urban even said, 429 00:23:17,119 --> 00:23:19,000 Speaker 2: he goes, you know, that's actually a really good point. 430 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:22,800 Speaker 2: I said, Ohio State's receiver recruiting is so good now 431 00:23:23,280 --> 00:23:27,200 Speaker 2: they only take five stars that they've become less physical 432 00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:29,800 Speaker 2: as a team because you have to get those players 433 00:23:29,840 --> 00:23:31,000 Speaker 2: of the ball or they're not going to go to 434 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:34,000 Speaker 2: Ohio State. And I said to Urban, I watch Ohio 435 00:23:34,040 --> 00:23:35,920 Speaker 2: State and it's almost like, okay, we got to give 436 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:38,800 Speaker 2: Marvin ebooks. I got to give this could not And 437 00:23:38,840 --> 00:23:42,760 Speaker 2: I said, I feel like Ohio State is not a 438 00:23:42,760 --> 00:23:47,200 Speaker 2: finesse team, asked Georgia. But there's a they're not they're 439 00:23:47,280 --> 00:23:52,959 Speaker 2: not quite sure what they are. Simultaneously, Michigan has doubled 440 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:56,120 Speaker 2: down on physical play and running and now they've separated 441 00:23:56,160 --> 00:23:58,680 Speaker 2: between the two. And another point on this, I said, 442 00:23:58,680 --> 00:24:01,120 Speaker 2: this year's ago on the air, I said, the downside 443 00:24:01,160 --> 00:24:05,479 Speaker 2: of making the NFL so quarterback dependent and all this 444 00:24:05,560 --> 00:24:08,400 Speaker 2: greg is based on the CTE check the NFL wrote 445 00:24:08,400 --> 00:24:11,240 Speaker 2: for almost a million dollars. They change the rules. They 446 00:24:11,280 --> 00:24:13,359 Speaker 2: literally now the middle of the field is offense. You 447 00:24:13,400 --> 00:24:16,359 Speaker 2: can't hit anybody except the running back. And I said 448 00:24:16,440 --> 00:24:20,560 Speaker 2: the downside to this sport. It'll be good for fantasy 449 00:24:20,560 --> 00:24:23,680 Speaker 2: players and ratings, but if you don't have a star quarterback, 450 00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:27,960 Speaker 2: we know you're done. And you look at the Super 451 00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:35,080 Speaker 2: Bowl bubble, Malmes Burrow, Allen Lamar, Jalen Hurts, I mean 452 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:39,879 Speaker 2: Trevor Lawrence. That bubble used to feel like fifteen teams. 453 00:24:40,160 --> 00:24:43,359 Speaker 2: It feels like seven. I mean, Kirk Cousins is good, 454 00:24:43,480 --> 00:24:45,640 Speaker 2: but in this day and age, he's simply not good enough. 455 00:24:45,720 --> 00:24:48,719 Speaker 2: Dak's good, he's not good enough. And so I do 456 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:52,680 Speaker 2: think to your point of atrophying due to safety reasons, 457 00:24:52,960 --> 00:24:56,479 Speaker 2: the NFL and college football to a lesser degree, is 458 00:24:56,520 --> 00:25:02,320 Speaker 2: so quarterback reliant and driven. You don't want football that's 459 00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:05,320 Speaker 2: Canadian football. You can only win with passing. We don't 460 00:25:05,359 --> 00:25:08,879 Speaker 2: want that. I want defense. I like when Georgia rocks people. 461 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:12,439 Speaker 2: Those Georgia Notre Dame games were physical and intense in 462 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:16,320 Speaker 2: lineup scrimmage. That's what separates us from the CFL. So 463 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:21,720 Speaker 2: I do think physicality is still huge. I mean, listen, 464 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:25,600 Speaker 2: the best offensive line wins most NFL games. If you 465 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:29,520 Speaker 2: have a competent quarterback and you control the clock, you 466 00:25:29,560 --> 00:25:32,520 Speaker 2: win most games, at least to a sir. 467 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:34,520 Speaker 1: I got to the point in college football though, because 468 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:36,840 Speaker 1: the advent of spread and no huddle and all this stuff, 469 00:25:36,840 --> 00:25:38,960 Speaker 1: it's almost like offensive line play as long as you 470 00:25:39,080 --> 00:25:41,879 Speaker 1: relies on a liability down in the NFL, it's different. 471 00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:44,360 Speaker 1: Those pass rushers when you got you know, thirty five 472 00:25:44,440 --> 00:25:47,199 Speaker 1: year old Von Millers still wreckon habit Like I mean, 473 00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:49,840 Speaker 1: we were talking about guys that are just different, and 474 00:25:49,880 --> 00:25:51,679 Speaker 1: not everybody has a guy like that on the end 475 00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:54,040 Speaker 1: of the line of skirts down the SEC. Yeah, most 476 00:25:54,080 --> 00:25:57,240 Speaker 1: teams do, even Mississippi State. Vanderbilt had a guy last 477 00:25:57,320 --> 00:25:59,680 Speaker 1: year that was legit. Kentucky always has two or three 478 00:26:00,119 --> 00:26:03,000 Speaker 1: big ten all Oile of State's got them, Michigan's got them, 479 00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:06,840 Speaker 1: Michigan State occasionally has them, Penn State absolutely has them. 480 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:11,840 Speaker 1: We haven't seen someone at sc or. UCLA's got one, 481 00:26:12,119 --> 00:26:15,119 Speaker 1: Washington's got two. But you don't see that down and 482 00:26:15,160 --> 00:26:20,240 Speaker 1: down a great unbelievable defensive front to where your offensive 483 00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:22,560 Speaker 1: line has to be rock solid or else your quarter 484 00:26:22,600 --> 00:26:25,879 Speaker 1: actually get killed. So I maybe it's coming down in 485 00:26:25,920 --> 00:26:28,640 Speaker 1: that direction a little bit as the talent starts to separate. 486 00:26:28,720 --> 00:26:31,680 Speaker 1: But I don't see the depth of defensive line talent 487 00:26:31,760 --> 00:26:33,880 Speaker 1: in the college game that we do in the NFL. 488 00:26:35,359 --> 00:26:37,480 Speaker 2: No, I see it in the SEC. You know, the 489 00:26:37,520 --> 00:26:40,679 Speaker 2: state of Louisiana probably has six million people that live 490 00:26:40,720 --> 00:26:44,800 Speaker 2: in it, and they have eight good D one D 491 00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:47,920 Speaker 2: line prospects that you're eight to twelve eight. California's got 492 00:26:48,520 --> 00:26:51,719 Speaker 2: California's got thirty eight million people. We have three. I 493 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:54,560 Speaker 2: mean some of it. Greg I've said his diet, you know, 494 00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:58,320 Speaker 2: the West Coast, it's just health and wellness. You know, 495 00:26:58,480 --> 00:27:01,800 Speaker 2: you go up in California, health and wellness out in California. 496 00:27:01,840 --> 00:27:03,600 Speaker 2: I mean, like I say this, I had lunch with 497 00:27:03,640 --> 00:27:06,600 Speaker 2: somebody today and he's a Californian and he lives in 498 00:27:06,640 --> 00:27:08,119 Speaker 2: the you know, he lives in a different part of 499 00:27:08,119 --> 00:27:10,959 Speaker 2: the country. He goes you as you coming back to California, 500 00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:14,000 Speaker 2: it's like, does anybody eat out here? Like every He's 501 00:27:14,080 --> 00:27:16,920 Speaker 2: like offensive linemen in high school are two fifty five. 502 00:27:17,040 --> 00:27:20,040 Speaker 2: It's like, and so I just think other parts of 503 00:27:20,080 --> 00:27:23,520 Speaker 2: the country they just, you know, the SEC produces more, 504 00:27:23,560 --> 00:27:26,879 Speaker 2: Midwest produces them. Northeast does I always you know, I 505 00:27:26,960 --> 00:27:28,960 Speaker 2: just I kind of feel like this college football season, 506 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:31,800 Speaker 2: I'm really excited because I was known when I was 507 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:33,680 Speaker 2: at ESPN as a college football guy. Then I thought 508 00:27:33,680 --> 00:27:37,040 Speaker 2: the sport got really insular and very southern, and you know, 509 00:27:37,040 --> 00:27:40,240 Speaker 2: I would say the SEC is the best. But when 510 00:27:40,240 --> 00:27:43,280 Speaker 2: you're a syndicated talk show host, you have to talk 511 00:27:43,280 --> 00:27:46,360 Speaker 2: about national sports. I talk a lot of NFL. I'll 512 00:27:46,400 --> 00:27:49,960 Speaker 2: talk at UFC Fight For about seven to eight, maybe 513 00:27:49,960 --> 00:27:53,040 Speaker 2: ten years college football. Once USC eroded, it felt like 514 00:27:53,080 --> 00:27:55,399 Speaker 2: the sport was down to three teams, Ohio State and 515 00:27:55,400 --> 00:28:00,760 Speaker 2: two SEC teams. I actually think Texas this year, Michigan 516 00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:04,480 Speaker 2: this year in USC can play with anybody. Don't know 517 00:28:04,520 --> 00:28:06,960 Speaker 2: if they can, but I think they match up. You know, 518 00:28:07,480 --> 00:28:10,560 Speaker 2: Alex Grinch, the coordinator for USC, has got to prove himself. 519 00:28:10,600 --> 00:28:13,240 Speaker 2: He's got three NFL bodies up front. They had none 520 00:28:13,320 --> 00:28:16,560 Speaker 2: last year. So due to the transfer portal, they got 521 00:28:16,560 --> 00:28:19,960 Speaker 2: three Sunday guys. Because their corners and safeties are fine, 522 00:28:19,960 --> 00:28:22,119 Speaker 2: they have maybe the best safety in the country, Kaylan Bullock. 523 00:28:22,160 --> 00:28:25,320 Speaker 2: Their offense is exceptional. They've gone out and gotten NFL 524 00:28:25,359 --> 00:28:27,919 Speaker 2: bodies on the old line. So I always feel like 525 00:28:27,920 --> 00:28:30,080 Speaker 2: with a transfer portal, you can fix one side of 526 00:28:30,080 --> 00:28:33,280 Speaker 2: the football per year. So USC fixed their offense last year, 527 00:28:33,320 --> 00:28:35,040 Speaker 2: they went and fixed their defense this year. It takes 528 00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:38,200 Speaker 2: about two years without the transfer portal. It took Nick 529 00:28:38,240 --> 00:28:41,360 Speaker 2: Saban a third recruiting class to get it rolling right, 530 00:28:41,400 --> 00:28:43,840 Speaker 2: like you were part of that. Now it takes two years. 531 00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:46,800 Speaker 2: And I think Brian Kelly first year got the offense 532 00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:48,680 Speaker 2: kind of figured out. Now he's going to get the 533 00:28:48,720 --> 00:28:51,440 Speaker 2: defense figured out. So I have Michigan facing LSU of 534 00:28:51,480 --> 00:28:54,480 Speaker 2: the Championship, and I don't think LSU is the best 535 00:28:54,560 --> 00:28:57,120 Speaker 2: SEC team. I don't think they're the deepest, but I 536 00:28:57,160 --> 00:28:59,280 Speaker 2: love the coach, I love the quarterback, and I looked 537 00:28:59,280 --> 00:29:02,640 Speaker 2: at their schedule and I'm like, I think LSU is gonna. 538 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:05,400 Speaker 2: I think they're gonna, you know it's it's it's gonna 539 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:07,640 Speaker 2: be a lot of people knocking each other off. I 540 00:29:07,800 --> 00:29:08,720 Speaker 2: like LSU a lot. 541 00:29:08,880 --> 00:29:11,920 Speaker 1: If LSU wins the National Championship, what's the headline in 542 00:29:11,960 --> 00:29:15,320 Speaker 1: the LA Times or wherever your local paper, the Manhattan 543 00:29:15,360 --> 00:29:16,600 Speaker 1: Beach Post, whatever it is. 544 00:29:18,360 --> 00:29:20,800 Speaker 2: Well, I think it would be a real story because 545 00:29:20,800 --> 00:29:22,760 Speaker 2: Brian Kelly is a Notre Dame and Notre Dame has 546 00:29:22,760 --> 00:29:25,680 Speaker 2: a big has resonance here and I and I think 547 00:29:25,720 --> 00:29:28,000 Speaker 2: if they beat a Michigan and it was a competitive game, 548 00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:29,880 Speaker 2: I think it would be a win for college football. 549 00:29:29,920 --> 00:29:33,360 Speaker 2: It's SEC winning's not bad. SEC beating Michigan State in 550 00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:36,320 Speaker 2: the playoff by forty is bad. So if it's LSU 551 00:29:36,360 --> 00:29:39,560 Speaker 2: thirty five thirty three, I got no problem with that 552 00:29:39,720 --> 00:29:43,240 Speaker 2: USC losing. I don't. I don't want USC and Sam 553 00:29:43,280 --> 00:29:45,960 Speaker 2: Darnold playing Ohio State and two series in it doesn't 554 00:29:45,960 --> 00:29:48,240 Speaker 2: even look like they're by the same sport. So I 555 00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:52,000 Speaker 2: don't think the SEC winning is bad. I think them 556 00:29:52,120 --> 00:29:55,360 Speaker 2: dominating and suffocating teams is bad for the sport. So 557 00:29:55,600 --> 00:29:57,080 Speaker 2: and I don't think we'll see that this. I think 558 00:29:57,160 --> 00:30:02,840 Speaker 2: Quen yours Cabb, Caleb William the Michigan kid, I think 559 00:30:02,840 --> 00:30:05,520 Speaker 2: those guys can move the ball in anybody listen Ohio State. 560 00:30:07,000 --> 00:30:09,560 Speaker 2: I thought they outplayed Georgia. I did, I really. 561 00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:12,520 Speaker 1: I thought it'd be hard pressed to push back on that. 562 00:30:12,560 --> 00:30:13,240 Speaker 1: I don't know all of you. 563 00:30:13,320 --> 00:30:16,480 Speaker 2: I could yeah, So I think we're in a good spot. 564 00:30:16,520 --> 00:30:20,200 Speaker 2: I think going forward, the really big brands not in 565 00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:23,280 Speaker 2: the SEC have really good coaches, and I think that's good. 566 00:30:23,320 --> 00:30:25,800 Speaker 2: I think Sark, you know, you can say what you 567 00:30:25,840 --> 00:30:28,680 Speaker 2: want about him, he can recruit and he can coach offense. 568 00:30:29,200 --> 00:30:34,440 Speaker 2: Lincoln Riley is very clever. Harbaugh's unorthodox, but more than competent. 569 00:30:34,600 --> 00:30:37,280 Speaker 2: Daboshweeney's great. So I think we're in a good space 570 00:30:37,480 --> 00:30:39,040 Speaker 2: right now going forward in college. 571 00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:41,960 Speaker 1: As long as the FSU and Clemson stay in the ACC. 572 00:30:42,080 --> 00:30:44,840 Speaker 1: Because you thought it was going to not even catch up. 573 00:30:45,080 --> 00:30:48,120 Speaker 1: Catch that for a second. What's stopping them? You said, 574 00:30:48,120 --> 00:30:50,640 Speaker 1: never going to the SEC. What's stopping Clemson in Florida 575 00:30:50,680 --> 00:30:52,200 Speaker 1: State from maybe going to the Big Ten. 576 00:30:54,440 --> 00:30:57,520 Speaker 2: I don't think they feel like the Big Ten, so 577 00:30:57,720 --> 00:31:00,440 Speaker 2: I first of all the Big Ten, and this sounds newdy, 578 00:31:00,840 --> 00:31:05,800 Speaker 2: but they view themselves as sort of an academic elite conference. Washington, USC, 579 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:11,400 Speaker 2: UCLA are considered really elite universities, So was Northwestern, Michigan, 580 00:31:11,760 --> 00:31:15,600 Speaker 2: Penn State. Wisconsin's considered a public ivy. I'm not knocking 581 00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:18,760 Speaker 2: Florida State, Clemson. Those feel like football powers. One of 582 00:31:18,760 --> 00:31:21,520 Speaker 2: the things I appreciate about the SEC is they don't 583 00:31:21,520 --> 00:31:24,160 Speaker 2: lose any sleep. They love their football. They're not you know, 584 00:31:24,760 --> 00:31:27,200 Speaker 2: they're not going to pretend they're this or that, not 585 00:31:27,280 --> 00:31:30,960 Speaker 2: that universities don't matter, but they're all in on football. 586 00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:34,520 Speaker 2: It drives the cultural bus and the and the revenue bus. 587 00:31:34,840 --> 00:31:36,480 Speaker 2: I'm okay with that, you know what I mean. I 588 00:31:36,760 --> 00:31:39,040 Speaker 2: lived down in Tampa. I covered the Gators. I love 589 00:31:39,120 --> 00:31:43,080 Speaker 2: the passion. I think the Pac twelve got way too precious. 590 00:31:43,160 --> 00:31:46,040 Speaker 2: That's why they've unraveled. I mean, Cal football, Cal cares 591 00:31:46,040 --> 00:31:48,440 Speaker 2: more about rugby than football some years, so I can't 592 00:31:48,480 --> 00:31:50,840 Speaker 2: take them seriously. But I do think the Big Ten 593 00:31:51,760 --> 00:31:54,719 Speaker 2: would love Notre Dame, and if Notre Dame came in, 594 00:31:54,840 --> 00:31:58,280 Speaker 2: would consider Stanford. But I think some of their school 595 00:31:58,320 --> 00:32:02,320 Speaker 2: presidents they view that themselves a certain way. And whether 596 00:32:02,440 --> 00:32:05,080 Speaker 2: it's snoody or not, you may disagree, but I kind 597 00:32:05,080 --> 00:32:08,800 Speaker 2: of feel that they think Washington and USC and UCLA 598 00:32:09,000 --> 00:32:11,200 Speaker 2: fit their academic profile. 599 00:32:12,560 --> 00:32:15,960 Speaker 1: We've said it before, the only pretentious fan base in 600 00:32:16,040 --> 00:32:19,880 Speaker 1: the SEC would be Vanderbilt. Everyone else is kind of like, man, 601 00:32:19,920 --> 00:32:21,800 Speaker 1: we're just happy to be here. Let's win the party, right, 602 00:32:21,960 --> 00:32:24,000 Speaker 1: Let's win the game when the party. Let's see what happens. 603 00:32:24,040 --> 00:32:27,520 Speaker 1: But I'm talking my degree at the time, but I'm not. 604 00:32:27,640 --> 00:32:29,680 Speaker 1: I mean, we're proud of our football. That's what it is. Man, 605 00:32:29,760 --> 00:32:31,880 Speaker 1: this has been awesome. This has been a great conversation. 606 00:32:32,000 --> 00:32:33,080 Speaker 1: I so appreciate you. Brother. 607 00:32:34,800 --> 00:32:38,280 Speaker 2: By the way, I know three families. In fact, one 608 00:32:38,320 --> 00:32:41,400 Speaker 2: of my dearest friends, Trace Gallagher at Fox News, dear 609 00:32:41,440 --> 00:32:45,760 Speaker 2: friend for twenty years, his daughter goes to Alabama loves it. 610 00:32:46,200 --> 00:32:48,880 Speaker 2: So I don't know what it is. But Manhattan Beach, 611 00:32:48,920 --> 00:32:52,800 Speaker 2: California has a lot of kids that went to Bama. 612 00:32:52,880 --> 00:32:56,000 Speaker 2: I'm I'm not joking. And my daughter went in a 613 00:32:56,120 --> 00:32:58,800 Speaker 2: leadership conference years ago to Cape Town, South Africa with 614 00:32:58,840 --> 00:33:04,160 Speaker 2: about fifteen SEC girls and I loved it, loved the girls, 615 00:33:04,200 --> 00:33:06,840 Speaker 2: and she, you know, she considered it. She considered going 616 00:33:06,840 --> 00:33:10,880 Speaker 2: to the South. So it's really interesting. I think there's 617 00:33:10,960 --> 00:33:15,000 Speaker 2: there's a mystique about the South and country music and 618 00:33:15,080 --> 00:33:21,040 Speaker 2: college football. It's almost mysterious to kids out West, and 619 00:33:21,120 --> 00:33:23,400 Speaker 2: I think people are very attractive to it. I know 620 00:33:23,520 --> 00:33:26,000 Speaker 2: a lot of families, you know. I work out at 621 00:33:26,000 --> 00:33:28,680 Speaker 2: a gym around the corner from my house, and Alabama 622 00:33:28,760 --> 00:33:30,640 Speaker 2: is a topic all the time. During the football season, 623 00:33:31,000 --> 00:33:32,840 Speaker 2: A lot of there's a lot of roll tied shirts 624 00:33:32,840 --> 00:33:35,640 Speaker 2: in my little beachy California, jym So and a lot 625 00:33:35,640 --> 00:33:38,600 Speaker 2: of that Saban. It's the greatest dynasty ever and it's 626 00:33:38,640 --> 00:33:39,880 Speaker 2: it's noteworthy, right. 627 00:33:39,920 --> 00:33:41,360 Speaker 1: I mean, I think it is. But and again I 628 00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:46,480 Speaker 1: lived forty five minutes from Tuscaloosa, so not exactly in 629 00:33:46,480 --> 00:33:48,360 Speaker 1: the same part of town as you, buddy. But this 630 00:33:48,400 --> 00:33:50,680 Speaker 1: has been awesome, man, it's a great conversation. I appreciate 631 00:33:50,720 --> 00:33:52,560 Speaker 1: you so much. Love much to do others do it 632 00:33:52,640 --> 00:33:55,160 Speaker 1: the ball. You appreciate you, guys, and look forward to 633 00:33:55,200 --> 00:33:57,400 Speaker 1: continue to watch your pod and your show and listen 634 00:33:57,480 --> 00:33:58,960 Speaker 1: on FS one all that other fun stuff. 635 00:33:58,960 --> 00:34:01,040 Speaker 2: My friend, yeap man, you been a big hit. You're 636 00:34:01,200 --> 00:34:02,880 Speaker 2: you're the morning guy, is it? 637 00:34:03,040 --> 00:34:06,800 Speaker 1: K JOX w j X yeah, w j X so yeah, 638 00:34:06,920 --> 00:34:08,440 Speaker 1: doing that bad East Coast. 639 00:34:09,000 --> 00:34:11,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's it's the big stick in the morning. And uh, 640 00:34:12,120 --> 00:34:14,080 Speaker 2: I remember when you were up for that. We were 641 00:34:14,120 --> 00:34:17,239 Speaker 2: at the volume looking at you and because we were 642 00:34:17,239 --> 00:34:19,480 Speaker 2: going to bring you on to the volume, and somebody 643 00:34:19,520 --> 00:34:23,960 Speaker 2: said he's up for a huge morning radio show in 644 00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:25,520 Speaker 2: the South. And I remember they gave me the call 645 00:34:25,600 --> 00:34:27,480 Speaker 2: letters and I'm like, oh, yeah, that's the big morning 646 00:34:27,520 --> 00:34:29,960 Speaker 2: show that's going to be, and I think you made 647 00:34:29,960 --> 00:34:32,160 Speaker 2: the right choice. I say this all the time. I'm 648 00:34:32,160 --> 00:34:33,959 Speaker 2: a radio guy at heart. They put me on TV, 649 00:34:34,040 --> 00:34:35,520 Speaker 2: but I'm not. I don't look like a TV guy. 650 00:34:35,560 --> 00:34:39,719 Speaker 2: I'm a radio guy. There's nothing like connecting to a 651 00:34:39,800 --> 00:34:42,080 Speaker 2: radio audience storytelling. It's the very best. 652 00:34:42,239 --> 00:34:44,839 Speaker 1: It's the best. But you at least have the gift 653 00:34:44,840 --> 00:34:48,440 Speaker 1: of gab. I have voice for radio or voice for 654 00:34:48,560 --> 00:34:53,040 Speaker 1: TV or whatever they say, voice for print, face for radio, 655 00:34:53,239 --> 00:34:55,160 Speaker 1: something along the lines of that. I don't know exactly 656 00:34:55,160 --> 00:34:57,640 Speaker 1: how it works, but at least you got it good. 657 00:34:57,640 --> 00:34:59,399 Speaker 1: It's man, I'm just trying to figure it out. Falling 658 00:34:59,400 --> 00:35:03,080 Speaker 1: your lead bite, well, great seeing you. Appreciate you. Man 659 00:35:17,719 --> 00:35:18,400 Speaker 1: the volume