1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,240 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Solid Verbal Hull. For me, I'm a man, 2 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:09,799 Speaker 1: I'm forty. I've heard so many players say, well, I 3 00:00:09,840 --> 00:00:11,720 Speaker 1: want to be happy. You want to be happy for 4 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:16,520 Speaker 1: dake Eda State? Is that? Whoo whoo? And Dan and 5 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 1: Tie Dan Rubinstein welcome back. This is a college football 6 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:24,880 Speaker 1: podcast known as the Solid Verbal. This is part three 7 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: yes of our Big Twelve preview series. We did the 8 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 1: acc go back and listen to that. We did a 9 00:00:31,240 --> 00:00:34,400 Speaker 1: group of five go back and listen to that. Still 10 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 1: to Come is the Big Ten? Still to Come? 11 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:38,560 Speaker 2: As the SEC and Notre Dame and Yukon of course 12 00:00:38,760 --> 00:00:41,839 Speaker 2: got Limestone University Deep preview. I looked it up by 13 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:46,559 Speaker 2: the way mid episode two of the Big Twelve because 14 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:49,120 Speaker 2: I think it's UCF who has a receiver transferring in 15 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 2: from Limestone University? Ty throw out a state? What state 16 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:56,760 Speaker 2: is Limestone University home in? It's not barely English? Is 17 00:00:56,800 --> 00:01:01,640 Speaker 2: it located within Pennsylvania? South Carolina? In South Carolina? It's 18 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:03,040 Speaker 2: never a bad guest to guest. 19 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 1: PA never All the greats are from PAS know. Nevertheless, 20 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:10,760 Speaker 1: this is another preview episode. Thank you for hanging here 21 00:01:10,840 --> 00:01:13,360 Speaker 1: with us. 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Dan, We've got 33 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:49,960 Speaker 1: eight teams before us today, those being Utah TCU, Kansas, 34 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 1: Cincinnati BYU, Houston, Oklahoma State, and of course Colorado Buffalos. 35 00:01:56,600 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 2: Dan, Yes, we do. And if there's nothing else. We 36 00:02:00,360 --> 00:02:02,600 Speaker 2: don't know if these teams are going to be incredible 37 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 2: or terrible, but there's something about the Big twelve that 38 00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:08,680 Speaker 2: has something for everyone. 39 00:02:08,880 --> 00:02:18,240 Speaker 1: Fanishing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles. 40 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:21,240 Speaker 2: I can make a case for any of these teams continue. 41 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:24,320 Speaker 1: True love and miracles. Why don't we stick with that? Yeah, 42 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:29,560 Speaker 1: let's start with Utah, Dan, Okay, the Utah Utes formerly 43 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 1: of the Pac twelve, are you used to the fact 44 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:33,240 Speaker 1: yet that they're in the Big twelve. 45 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:36,720 Speaker 2: I'm not used to any of this. I see Utah 46 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 2: in a preview magazine, I see Utah spoken about on 47 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:43,640 Speaker 2: some sort of TV show or video on YouTube or something, 48 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:45,800 Speaker 2: and I'm like, oh, man, how's Oregon gonna handle this 49 00:02:45,919 --> 00:02:46,720 Speaker 2: Utah defense? 50 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:47,799 Speaker 1: This is real tough. 51 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:50,200 Speaker 2: We got a first year starting quarterback in Dante Moore 52 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 2: to think about, like, Oh, no, I guess they're not 53 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:55,399 Speaker 2: going to write cecles anymore? Huh going to that? Every 54 00:02:55,440 --> 00:02:57,440 Speaker 2: time I see any of these teams, I think about 55 00:02:57,440 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 2: it within the context of what does this mean for 56 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:03,120 Speaker 2: different Ways Coast matchups or Oregon games? And I'm thrown. 57 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:04,320 Speaker 2: I'm old and thrown. 58 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 1: The only one that I can sort of tolerate is 59 00:03:06,639 --> 00:03:10,480 Speaker 1: Colorado because they were previously they were in this conference. 60 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:14,480 Speaker 2: But there were a lot of interesting well okay, I 61 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:16,320 Speaker 2: shouldn't say there were a lot of interesting Pac twelve 62 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:19,960 Speaker 2: games involving Colorado. There were a lot of huge performances 63 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 2: against Colorado from West Coast teams over the years. So 64 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 2: I got used to the Buffaloes out west. 65 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:28,080 Speaker 1: I think that's fair. So go back listen to part 66 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:30,400 Speaker 1: two where we covered the other eight teams in the 67 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:32,280 Speaker 1: Big twelve. Go back and listen to part one, where 68 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:34,040 Speaker 1: we talked through what we call the tiers of the 69 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:39,000 Speaker 1: Kingdom and tried to group them accordingly. Utah was one 70 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:42,440 Speaker 1: of those teams that for me was in the top tier, 71 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:46,360 Speaker 1: which had six teams. For you, it was on the cusp. 72 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 1: It was one tier down. So I think at least 73 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:54,720 Speaker 1: relative to the field and where you and I ranked, Utah, yeah, 74 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:58,720 Speaker 1: pretty close. The points of separation with our tiers varied 75 00:03:58,760 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 1: a little bit, but Utah was a five and seven 76 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 1: team a year ago. They're over under this year is 77 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:05,720 Speaker 1: seven and a half. For my money, one of the 78 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:09,120 Speaker 1: more interesting teams in the conference and probably the country. Sure, 79 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:10,960 Speaker 1: if I'm being real with you, because this is a 80 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 1: program coming off of its first losing season in over 81 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 1: a decade. We had wondered for a while if Kyle 82 00:04:18,080 --> 00:04:20,600 Speaker 1: Whittingham might just pack it in, if the game had 83 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 1: passed him by. You know, we've seen this happen with 84 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:25,839 Speaker 1: coaches that have been around for a while. But alas 85 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:29,599 Speaker 1: he is back, and I think provided everybody can stay healthy, 86 00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:32,920 Speaker 1: and that's a big if I really like this roster, 87 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 1: I really get what he's got here. Dan, I think 88 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:39,200 Speaker 1: I'm probably a little bit higher on Utah than you are, 89 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:42,200 Speaker 1: But again, we both kind of have them in the 90 00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:45,320 Speaker 1: same range. So what's stuck out to you when you're 91 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:47,719 Speaker 1: going through and looking at the youths. 92 00:04:47,320 --> 00:04:50,000 Speaker 2: That if they're similar this year, that they might be 93 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:56,200 Speaker 2: altitude Iowa? Who can't finish? I mean, you're talking about 94 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 2: the quarterback injuries, A long time successful defensive coordinator, a 95 00:04:59,440 --> 00:05:03,039 Speaker 2: terrific a blit to develop linemen and defensive players, but 96 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:06,600 Speaker 2: an inability to figure things out on offense and yet 97 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 2: still win a ton. They are the big twelves Iowa 98 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:13,520 Speaker 2: and I don't know who that is insulting too, because 99 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:16,240 Speaker 2: Iowa actually did take a step forward on offense last year. 100 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 1: They did. 101 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:21,040 Speaker 2: But yeah, that's now becoming the annual question with Utah. 102 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 2: And we've had camerasing injuries, and we've had this Utah 103 00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 2: program win conference championships but at the same time or 104 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 2: compete for conference championships previously at the same time, we 105 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:36,080 Speaker 2: have a similar question this year of like, Utah should 106 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:39,240 Speaker 2: have a pretty incredible defense this year, they return enough 107 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 2: and bring in enough and their starting pieces at all 108 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:46,480 Speaker 2: three levels are interesting or have star power potential to 109 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:49,400 Speaker 2: the point where they should win a bunch of games 110 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 2: Utah these last couple of years, though especially last year, 111 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:57,840 Speaker 2: they've also been a study in winning as a skill 112 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:02,600 Speaker 2: that Utah didn't necessary really have, largely because of injury, 113 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 2: but also they were in those games they were losing 114 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:07,880 Speaker 2: game seventeen thirteen or twenty one to twenty or something 115 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:12,799 Speaker 2: like that, that they just didn't have the juice to finish, 116 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:16,400 Speaker 2: or the players to finish, or the creativity to finish, 117 00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:19,400 Speaker 2: or didn't get the breaks to finish. That they played 118 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,560 Speaker 2: in so many close games, but weren't you know, the 119 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:24,680 Speaker 2: defense gave them a chance in those close games, but 120 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:29,120 Speaker 2: weren't able to take that one extra step that The 121 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:33,440 Speaker 2: big question now is is this a formula that can 122 00:06:33,480 --> 00:06:35,800 Speaker 2: win you nine games in twenty twenty five. 123 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 1: Well, first things first, on the defense, I'm with you. 124 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:40,840 Speaker 1: I like the defense too. Yeah, I don't think they're 125 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 1: quite as deep though, And I think that's especially true 126 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 1: along the defensive line, where Utah is historically been really solid. 127 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:53,520 Speaker 1: And I only bring this up because they've had so 128 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:56,920 Speaker 1: many injury issues and I don't know the first thing 129 00:06:56,920 --> 00:07:00,920 Speaker 1: about how you solve a problem like that. But I 130 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:03,360 Speaker 1: wish there were a little bit more depth, especially upfront 131 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 1: on defense, because if that goes down, I think that 132 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 1: causes an issue. I think generally speaking, though, you're right, 133 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:11,680 Speaker 1: I like where the defense is at. I'm actually really 134 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:14,960 Speaker 1: high in this offense, really high in this offense. And 135 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 1: I understand where you're coming from, because, frankly, it's been 136 00:07:18,840 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 1: a minute since the Utah off or did I say 137 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 1: Utah or Iowa? You've got me in my own. 138 00:07:22,920 --> 00:07:24,680 Speaker 2: I said, you said Utah, but you're in your own head. 139 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 1: Continue, it's been a minute since the Utah offense was 140 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:31,880 Speaker 1: something to be excited about. Obviously, they were handcuffed by 141 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:34,360 Speaker 1: the camerising thing for the last couple of years. Yes, 142 00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 1: the best of whom was really good when he could 143 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 1: stay healthy, he just never was. So this off season, 144 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:44,680 Speaker 1: what they did Andy Ludwig retired, they did some shopping 145 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:47,680 Speaker 1: down in New Mexico. Dan They got themselves a new 146 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:50,520 Speaker 1: offensive coordinator and Jason Beck a new quarterback, and Devin 147 00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 1: Dan Pierre. 148 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 2: They did. 149 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 1: Kyle Whittingham is on record saying that he's going to 150 00:07:56,360 --> 00:08:00,040 Speaker 1: give Jason Beck complete autonomy to run the offense. So 151 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 1: if we are to believe that This is a system 152 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:08,160 Speaker 1: that looks a lot like a spread, has some RPO 153 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:11,320 Speaker 1: stuff mixed in there. Jason Beck likes to run the ball. 154 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:14,880 Speaker 1: That's been a staple as we know of good Utah offenses, 155 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 1: so shouldn't feel that different. But I think you take 156 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:21,320 Speaker 1: that in tandem with what should be a pretty good 157 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:24,120 Speaker 1: offensive line, one of the better units in the country. 158 00:08:25,240 --> 00:08:28,760 Speaker 1: All of that type of thing, especially when you've got 159 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:32,440 Speaker 1: the line up front, seems to be a bit of 160 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 1: a catalyst for maybe getting this off the ground in 161 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:38,360 Speaker 1: a hurry or quicker than expected. So I just think 162 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:40,080 Speaker 1: it makes so much more possible when you've got that 163 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:42,320 Speaker 1: line play and you're trying to change some stuff elsewhere. 164 00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:45,120 Speaker 1: There's still a lot that's unproven. The other thing that 165 00:08:45,160 --> 00:08:48,319 Speaker 1: I like about this setup is though it is a 166 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 1: new Utah quarterback, Devin dan Pierre ran this system with 167 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:54,439 Speaker 1: Jason Beck last year and he had a lot of success. 168 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:57,040 Speaker 1: He threw for twenty seven hundred yards, He ran for 169 00:08:57,080 --> 00:09:00,480 Speaker 1: over eleven hundred and thirty one total touchdowns. Go back 170 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:02,040 Speaker 1: and listen to the episode we did a couple of 171 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:05,080 Speaker 1: weeks back with our friend Tim Murray from Viisen, who 172 00:09:05,160 --> 00:09:07,479 Speaker 1: was talking this guy up as a Heisman dark horse. 173 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 2: Or how you might a view a dark horse in 174 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:12,120 Speaker 2: a Heisman race. Yeah, sure, but he liked him. 175 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:17,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, he is more of the Tommy Castellanos cloth and 176 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:21,160 Speaker 1: that he's five ten, five to eleven. But dudes an 177 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:23,400 Speaker 1: athlete and he's a lot of fun to watch. Passing 178 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:24,600 Speaker 1: is inconsistent, you. 179 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:27,960 Speaker 2: Know, But is that a real need for a quarterback 180 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:30,280 Speaker 2: somebody who can throw consistently well? Is that something that 181 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:32,240 Speaker 2: you would love to have from your quarterbacks or is 182 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,439 Speaker 2: it just more about fun? Is that who you are 183 00:09:35,440 --> 00:09:36,000 Speaker 2: as a person? 184 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:37,200 Speaker 1: Ti, I don't know. 185 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:40,520 Speaker 2: We've only been doing the show for like seventeen years. 186 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 1: I would prefer the ratio would be better than twelve 187 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 1: to twelve, which was like it was last. 188 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:47,520 Speaker 2: Year, mistake prone in a much smaller conference in the 189 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:48,360 Speaker 2: Mountain West, Okay. 190 00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 1: I liked it. They got way Sean Parker from Wazoo, saying, also, 191 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:55,680 Speaker 1: Tobias Merriweather is now on his third team. Started with 192 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:57,480 Speaker 1: Notre Dame and went to Cow. Now he's at Utah. 193 00:09:57,520 --> 00:10:00,440 Speaker 1: Maybe he'll pop at Utah. I don't yep, who knows? 194 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 2: So maybe this receiver will work out at Utah? Is 195 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:06,439 Speaker 2: how a lot of different sentences have started and not 196 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:08,720 Speaker 2: really finished in a great way. Continue. 197 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 1: I just think there's a reason for optimism. There's a 198 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:15,480 Speaker 1: reason for optimism. I like the fact that they're trying 199 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 1: something new with a coordinator who seems very much on 200 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:21,040 Speaker 1: the rise, definitely, and I like devn Dan Pierre from 201 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:26,360 Speaker 1: what I've seen, So I'm willing to remain optimistic until 202 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 1: proven otherwise. The burning question for me is how they're 203 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:31,600 Speaker 1: going to hold up against the schedule, because it's a 204 00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:34,320 Speaker 1: really tough slate. They get most of the top teams 205 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:38,360 Speaker 1: in the conference. The three big ones against Texas Tech, 206 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:41,440 Speaker 1: Arizona State, and Kansas State are spread out. They're all 207 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 1: at home, which is good generally. I feel really good 208 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:49,280 Speaker 1: about Utah, and as I said on I guess are 209 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 1: part one aggressively over on the seven and a half. 210 00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:57,200 Speaker 2: I hope, so, I really do hope so because if 211 00:10:57,200 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 2: you look at this conference, how many teams do something 212 00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:04,600 Speaker 2: as well as Utah seems like they'll play defense or 213 00:11:04,640 --> 00:11:10,120 Speaker 2: has recently played defense. Not many, not many, no, if any. 214 00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:13,040 Speaker 2: Last year, Utah finished with the number nineteen defense in 215 00:11:13,080 --> 00:11:16,760 Speaker 2: the country per points per drive minus garbage time ASU 216 00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 2: is twelve TCU seventeenth offensively, but this was not a 217 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:26,440 Speaker 2: conference basically after maybe the BYU defense last year that 218 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:30,040 Speaker 2: offered much in the way of like a nationally impressive defense. No, 219 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:35,079 Speaker 2: So yeah, Utah being sort of alone on that island 220 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:38,520 Speaker 2: in the conference, I think is a positive that they 221 00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 2: are able to do something that not many teams, it seems, 222 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 2: have the ceiling to do. So I like Utah here, 223 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 2: would you say seven and a half? 224 00:11:46,200 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 1: Seven and a half is what I got? 225 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:56,720 Speaker 2: Schedule wise, they're opening what in Pasadena at UCLA? They 226 00:11:56,760 --> 00:11:59,120 Speaker 2: have Texas Tech on here they have Asu, but Asus 227 00:11:59,120 --> 00:12:00,600 Speaker 2: at home and Texas Tech is at home. 228 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:02,679 Speaker 1: Actually, all those big games are at home, which I 229 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 1: like the road splits. 230 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:06,840 Speaker 2: It's a little trickier at the end at Baylor at Kansas, 231 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:09,120 Speaker 2: and that Kansas is a week after the Kansas State game. 232 00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:12,160 Speaker 2: It's a tough end to the season, it seems. 233 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:14,640 Speaker 1: I don't know. 234 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 2: I I think seven and five, eight and four, the 235 00:12:18,880 --> 00:12:22,079 Speaker 2: number is perfect. So I'm being extremely boring here. I 236 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:25,840 Speaker 2: don't feel crazy confident in the over in this moment. Yes, 237 00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:28,920 Speaker 2: I'm going to say because of coaching, because of consistency 238 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:30,680 Speaker 2: behind the defense, I'm going to say they can go 239 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 2: eight and four, so I'll take the over barely. You're 240 00:12:33,960 --> 00:12:37,200 Speaker 2: pretty high on TCU. I am pretty high until you 241 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:39,959 Speaker 2: look at the schedule. It's easy to be high on TCU. 242 00:12:40,440 --> 00:12:43,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, you know, your face and your personality make up 243 00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:45,040 Speaker 1: for that extra seven to ten pounds and you can 244 00:12:45,080 --> 00:12:48,240 Speaker 1: probably get rid of the flawfinder is out here for TCU. 245 00:12:48,440 --> 00:12:50,800 Speaker 1: With the schedule, it is brutal. I've got them at 246 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:53,600 Speaker 1: six and six this season because of the schedule, because 247 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:55,760 Speaker 1: of the schedule. Because of the schedule, listen to this 248 00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:59,720 Speaker 1: at North Carolina to open up the season. They've got 249 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:03,440 Speaker 1: SMU at home, ASU on the road, Kansas State on 250 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:06,200 Speaker 1: the road, Baylor at home coming off of bye. By 251 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:08,679 Speaker 1: the way, do go to West Virginia. I'm not crazy 252 00:13:08,679 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 1: about West Virginia. 253 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:11,559 Speaker 2: But that's Baylor coming off of a bye, to be clear, 254 00:13:11,640 --> 00:13:14,600 Speaker 2: Baylor coming off TCU on the road at Kansas State 255 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 2: the week before Baylor, which is a feather in your 256 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:19,680 Speaker 2: cap of being down on TCU. Continue, that's right, They've 257 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:23,120 Speaker 2: got Iowa State on here, They're at BYU at Houston, 258 00:13:23,360 --> 00:13:25,199 Speaker 2: closed out the year at home against Cincinnati. 259 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:29,680 Speaker 1: So it's just really difficult across the board. There is 260 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:33,319 Speaker 1: definitely that stretch in the middle of the season, as 261 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:36,240 Speaker 1: you get to the latter part of September where they're 262 00:13:36,280 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 1: going SMU Arizona State, then after that a game at 263 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:43,440 Speaker 1: home against Colorado. They should win that game against Colorado, 264 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:47,440 Speaker 1: but at Kansas State back home against Baylor. It's just 265 00:13:47,559 --> 00:13:50,520 Speaker 1: like in pairs. The way this schedule is set up. 266 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:53,320 Speaker 1: You've got two in a row on a couple different fronts, 267 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 1: and that's going to be really difficult to navigate for 268 00:13:56,559 --> 00:13:58,560 Speaker 1: a team that frankly did not run the ball at 269 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:02,439 Speaker 1: all last year. And defense is always kind of a question. 270 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:08,880 Speaker 2: So here is the obvious counterpoint. TCU is and should 271 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:12,320 Speaker 2: have one of the better passing offenses in the conference, 272 00:14:12,360 --> 00:14:15,120 Speaker 2: if not in the country. Given Josh Hoover's experience in 273 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:18,160 Speaker 2: Sunny Dyke's background, this should be a good to very 274 00:14:18,160 --> 00:14:21,840 Speaker 2: good passing team. We can agree. Yeah, so when you 275 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:27,840 Speaker 2: go through this schedule, SMU defensive questions, yes, yes, ASU 276 00:14:28,360 --> 00:14:31,520 Speaker 2: you had questions about their pass rush, Yes, yes, Okay, 277 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:34,440 Speaker 2: that's a question. We both agree that ASU should be good. 278 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 2: Questions about the back end of Kansas State's defense, yeah, yes, 279 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:43,240 Speaker 2: Baylor's pass defense questions, they didn't play pass defense exactly, 280 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:47,200 Speaker 2: So questions fair. Iowa States defense beat up. I think 281 00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:49,640 Speaker 2: their secondary should be ahead of the front this year. 282 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:52,360 Speaker 2: So maybe no secondary is a problem. Oh, secondary is 283 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:55,360 Speaker 2: a problem for Iowa State. Okay, there's another one BYU 284 00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:58,440 Speaker 2: I think is replacing both corners. Yes, yeah, okay, So 285 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:01,400 Speaker 2: BYU pass defense question. Houston loses a ton on defense, 286 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:04,880 Speaker 2: yes yeah, okay, so and Cincinnati. I think we have 287 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:08,920 Speaker 2: defensive questions as well. So while I'm with you that 288 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:12,040 Speaker 2: the number of teams I just had to list is 289 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 2: pretty long. It's a long list of teams, but it's 290 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:18,960 Speaker 2: not a list of teams that's immediately bringing to the 291 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 2: table obvious defensive competence, especially against the past. 292 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:24,440 Speaker 1: I think that's fair. 293 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:28,360 Speaker 2: So maybe TCU is the one who knocks that's all. 294 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 1: Perhaps, and I'm guilty of this too. As we go 295 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:34,800 Speaker 1: through all these teams, there have been more than a 296 00:15:34,840 --> 00:15:39,240 Speaker 1: few where I tend to judge how they're going to 297 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:43,160 Speaker 1: perform based on their schedule. I agree as opposed to 298 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:47,240 Speaker 1: kind of looking more. I guess inward at what the 299 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:48,920 Speaker 1: team actually has and what I think they're going to 300 00:15:48,960 --> 00:15:50,640 Speaker 1: be good at. The offense is going to be really good. 301 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:53,360 Speaker 1: I like, I love Joshueber. I like Josh hue from 302 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:56,880 Speaker 1: the moment he started taking steps. Pete Thamil from ESPN 303 00:15:56,920 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 1: published a report a couple of weeks ago. Now Well 304 00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 1: Tennessee one was interested in Josh Hoover after Nico decided 305 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:06,360 Speaker 1: he wanted to go in the portal and Josh Hoover 306 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:09,320 Speaker 1: is staying put through for thirty nine hundred yards last year. 307 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:13,760 Speaker 1: This year depended on who steps up out wide. Four 308 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:16,640 Speaker 1: of their five top guys are gone. I like Eric McCallister. 309 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:19,520 Speaker 1: Here is Eric McAllister, Dan you mentioned him a couple 310 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:22,280 Speaker 1: episodes ago. I like him as the big play guy. 311 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 1: But I think they're going to need someone else to 312 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:26,560 Speaker 1: step up, someone else to make the jump and go 313 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: next level. Jordan Dwyer was one of the top FCS 314 00:16:30,280 --> 00:16:33,920 Speaker 1: receivers last year at Idaho. They bring him down, so 315 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 1: that could be interesting to watch. They've got a good line. 316 00:16:36,760 --> 00:16:38,000 Speaker 1: They do need to find a way to run the 317 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:40,160 Speaker 1: ball better. That was a real problem a year ago. 318 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 1: But the offense is fine. The offense is going to 319 00:16:42,680 --> 00:16:45,640 Speaker 1: score points against almost everybody. It's just who are the 320 00:16:45,640 --> 00:16:49,560 Speaker 1: defensive playmakers? Man? They got better on defense. They lost 321 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:51,480 Speaker 1: some of the bigger guns this time around, but they 322 00:16:51,480 --> 00:16:54,200 Speaker 1: did improve. They did go to the portal to try 323 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:56,640 Speaker 1: and to dress it, which Lord only knows how that's 324 00:16:56,680 --> 00:17:00,200 Speaker 1: going to shake out. I think at a minimum, only 325 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:01,600 Speaker 1: do they neither run the ball. They also have to 326 00:17:01,640 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 1: get better against the run, because they were twelfth in 327 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:07,919 Speaker 1: the conference last year run defense ninetieth nationally in yards 328 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: allowed before contact. So this is painting. I think a 329 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:15,399 Speaker 1: pretty straightforward argument both for and against TCU. To your point, 330 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:18,600 Speaker 1: the offense is there. Yes, the defense got better, but 331 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:22,359 Speaker 1: it was still lacking in some key aspects. And against 332 00:17:22,400 --> 00:17:25,400 Speaker 1: a schedule like this nine and four team a year ago, 333 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:28,000 Speaker 1: I think it's possible they go six and six and 334 00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:29,600 Speaker 1: at the same time we come out of this saying 335 00:17:29,640 --> 00:17:32,000 Speaker 1: tc was actually a pretty good team. 336 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:37,120 Speaker 2: Agree. Yeah, they won six to seven to finish out 337 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:41,080 Speaker 2: the season last year. You're right about the questions on defense. 338 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:44,320 Speaker 2: I also like that first year and it was last 339 00:17:44,400 --> 00:17:47,160 Speaker 2: year was the first year with Avlos. Yes, yeah, obviously, yep. 340 00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:51,160 Speaker 2: They stopped big plays, which like, if that's your first 341 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:53,320 Speaker 2: line of defense, it was just like, Okay, the pass 342 00:17:53,359 --> 00:17:55,920 Speaker 2: rush isn't always there, the run defense isn't always there, 343 00:17:55,920 --> 00:17:58,760 Speaker 2: but you limit big plays. You have an offense that 344 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:02,560 Speaker 2: can score points, have an experience coach who's probably not 345 00:18:02,600 --> 00:18:05,000 Speaker 2: going to go back to a national championship game, but 346 00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:08,680 Speaker 2: you know they're the coordinators are both experienced and competent. 347 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:11,320 Speaker 2: The quarterback has experience. I think you and I are 348 00:18:11,359 --> 00:18:13,920 Speaker 2: on the same page of liking TCU, not loving this schedule. 349 00:18:14,520 --> 00:18:14,879 Speaker 1: I don't know. 350 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:16,879 Speaker 2: I don't hate their starting point. And the more I 351 00:18:17,040 --> 00:18:20,159 Speaker 2: talk about TCU out loud, the more I think I'm 352 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:22,320 Speaker 2: kind of talking myself into them. 353 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:24,280 Speaker 1: I kind of feel like I'm doing that too. What 354 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:25,600 Speaker 1: I say, six and six. 355 00:18:25,520 --> 00:18:27,280 Speaker 2: See this happens every year with you and the Frogs. 356 00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:29,440 Speaker 1: I know it does. I've had such a love hate 357 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 1: thing with TCU since the beginning of this podcast. Right, 358 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:37,359 Speaker 1: I'll upgrade also seven and five, but I'm not going 359 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:39,399 Speaker 1: to go any higher. I just think the schedule and 360 00:18:39,480 --> 00:18:41,920 Speaker 1: I have defense questions. I can't go higher. 361 00:18:42,040 --> 00:18:44,600 Speaker 2: What's their number? Their win total number. 362 00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:48,280 Speaker 1: TCUs win total is. 363 00:18:49,640 --> 00:18:51,200 Speaker 2: Six and a half, five and a half, six and 364 00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:52,960 Speaker 2: a half, six and a half. I would go over. 365 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 2: I have the feeling that this is an eight and fourteen. 366 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:58,680 Speaker 2: I think they're seasoned enough that would be a good year. 367 00:18:59,080 --> 00:19:00,720 Speaker 2: I think eight and four is be really good year 368 00:19:00,960 --> 00:19:02,080 Speaker 2: fall with TCU. 369 00:19:02,280 --> 00:19:04,639 Speaker 1: Yeah. Another team with the six and a half win 370 00:19:04,760 --> 00:19:08,960 Speaker 1: total is Kansas. They were five and seven a year ago. 371 00:19:10,880 --> 00:19:13,560 Speaker 1: The vibes are strong here, if only because they're reopening 372 00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:16,639 Speaker 1: the stadium. They call it the Booth. It's David Booth 373 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:21,280 Speaker 1: Memorial Stadium. Yeah, they've been renovating it. Week zero at 374 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:25,119 Speaker 1: home against Fresno State, reopening it. It's going to be 375 00:19:25,119 --> 00:19:26,000 Speaker 1: a big freaking deal. 376 00:19:26,119 --> 00:19:28,280 Speaker 2: That's by the way, in like thirty nine days. 377 00:19:28,640 --> 00:19:31,680 Speaker 1: It's crazy crazy. How close is that time of recording? 378 00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:34,240 Speaker 1: People are at the time of record, Yeah, it'll be 379 00:19:34,280 --> 00:19:36,879 Speaker 1: even a little bit closer to week zero. This is 380 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 1: a program, just have to say it. They were a 381 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:44,280 Speaker 1: doormat before Lance Leipold got there, and this was one 382 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:47,400 Speaker 1: of the things that he wanted them to invest in. 383 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:50,440 Speaker 1: This was and I think they've talked about this as 384 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:53,240 Speaker 1: being the missing puzzle piece or the last puzzle piece. 385 00:19:54,320 --> 00:19:56,240 Speaker 1: This stadium thing is a very very big deal for 386 00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:58,280 Speaker 1: this program, and it'll be cool to see them open 387 00:19:58,280 --> 00:20:00,119 Speaker 1: it up, I'm sure with a lot of emotion in 388 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:05,040 Speaker 1: week zero. I am thoroughly entertained by Kansas this year. 389 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:10,560 Speaker 1: Maybe I am for three reasons. Okay, hell on Jalen 390 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:15,240 Speaker 1: Daniels of course, apparently still eligible, apparently for now. 391 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:17,040 Speaker 2: Healthy, Yeah, that's a good thing. 392 00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:19,760 Speaker 1: Needs to stay healthy, which is not always a given. 393 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:23,359 Speaker 1: Needs to be more consistent when he is assuming those 394 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:26,680 Speaker 1: two things. He's a playmaker and this is wide open conference. 395 00:20:27,160 --> 00:20:31,000 Speaker 1: It's a team that runs a fun playbook. Speaking of which, 396 00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:36,399 Speaker 1: number two co offensive coordinators this year Matt Lubick Jim Zebrowski. 397 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:38,560 Speaker 2: Okay, Lubick is. 398 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:40,919 Speaker 1: A guy that you know, we talked about him on 399 00:20:40,960 --> 00:20:43,800 Speaker 1: an episode, but he helped build the playbook a couple 400 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:47,960 Speaker 1: of years ago with Andy Kotalnikki, and Zebrowski is cut 401 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:51,800 Speaker 1: from kind of the same cloth. So tell me you're 402 00:20:51,840 --> 00:20:53,639 Speaker 1: not gonna want to watch if they get back to 403 00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:56,879 Speaker 1: running more of that oop to up offense. That was fun. 404 00:20:57,560 --> 00:20:59,000 Speaker 1: And then the other thing is they've got one of 405 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:02,600 Speaker 1: the better schedules in the league. Okay, like in conference, 406 00:21:02,640 --> 00:21:05,240 Speaker 1: they get all the teams that I'm down on, they 407 00:21:05,240 --> 00:21:07,920 Speaker 1: get West Virginia and you see, yeah in Oklahoma State 408 00:21:07,920 --> 00:21:11,640 Speaker 1: in Arizona. If they win those four games and beat 409 00:21:11,720 --> 00:21:16,160 Speaker 1: both Fresno and Wagner, they need just one more along 410 00:21:16,160 --> 00:21:20,760 Speaker 1: the way to hit the over so I like the 411 00:21:20,800 --> 00:21:23,359 Speaker 1: over here. They've also got the border War against Miszoo, 412 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:25,280 Speaker 1: which is back on the schedule for the first time 413 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:30,320 Speaker 1: since twenty eleven. Great. Not a perfect team, you know, 414 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:34,399 Speaker 1: they lose Devin Neil. There are some receiver transfers, but 415 00:21:34,440 --> 00:21:36,359 Speaker 1: that's a big question. The offensive line is a bit 416 00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:39,920 Speaker 1: of a question too, and they've got plenty of areas 417 00:21:40,040 --> 00:21:42,720 Speaker 1: of need and transition on the defensive side of the ball. 418 00:21:42,760 --> 00:21:46,800 Speaker 2: But isn't the entire offensive question other than Jalen Daniels maybe, 419 00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:49,880 Speaker 2: and what it's Bryce Foster. They have a good center, yeah, 420 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:50,840 Speaker 2: right from A and M. 421 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, but I feel pretty good about Kansas going over. Yeah. 422 00:21:57,840 --> 00:22:02,760 Speaker 2: I mean it's a starting point thing that quarterback. Defensive 423 00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:08,679 Speaker 2: front is experienced and seems good. Right. Defensive line specifically, 424 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:12,359 Speaker 2: it's who are they stopping. It's who is shining at 425 00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:15,760 Speaker 2: skill positions on offense, which is a pretty big question. 426 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:17,760 Speaker 2: Now you're going to stop people and who is going 427 00:22:17,840 --> 00:22:20,640 Speaker 2: to be responsible for moving the ball without Devin Neil 428 00:22:20,680 --> 00:22:24,840 Speaker 2: and those area basically the two functions of a football team, right, well, 429 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:27,320 Speaker 2: especially a team like Kansas. Right the best of Kansas 430 00:22:27,400 --> 00:22:30,080 Speaker 2: is a team that has in the past few years 431 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:34,439 Speaker 2: under lancelip Pold, developed quarterbacks, develop pass catchers, certainly developed 432 00:22:34,480 --> 00:22:38,280 Speaker 2: running backs, and so they have earned the benefit of 433 00:22:38,320 --> 00:22:41,560 Speaker 2: the doubt that they can identify and develop. There you 434 00:22:41,640 --> 00:22:44,359 Speaker 2: got to protect Jalen Daniels, especially given his injury history 435 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:48,199 Speaker 2: and athleticism and propensity to try and extend plays. And 436 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:49,920 Speaker 2: if the offense gets the benefit of the doubt that 437 00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:51,520 Speaker 2: they're going to find and develop people, then it should 438 00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:53,959 Speaker 2: be a good offense, which means that the defense has 439 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:56,959 Speaker 2: to be complementary because they might find themselves on the 440 00:22:56,960 --> 00:23:00,719 Speaker 2: field quickly between scores or big plays whatever. And so 441 00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:03,680 Speaker 2: that to me is the even bigger question is who 442 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:07,600 Speaker 2: is Kansas stopping? Who are they not stopping, and who 443 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:10,200 Speaker 2: are the players that are able to make those plays? 444 00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:12,240 Speaker 2: How many players do they have at all three levels 445 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:13,680 Speaker 2: to make those plays. 446 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:17,720 Speaker 1: I think it's a team with enough veteran leadership that 447 00:23:17,760 --> 00:23:21,000 Speaker 1: they'll benefit from this schedule and the fact that it's 448 00:23:21,040 --> 00:23:24,240 Speaker 1: a wide open conference. I mean great, quite literally anything 449 00:23:24,240 --> 00:23:28,399 Speaker 1: could happen. So I'm entertained by Kansas. I'm not expecting 450 00:23:29,440 --> 00:23:32,400 Speaker 1: a run into that top tier. But if we've come 451 00:23:32,440 --> 00:23:36,200 Speaker 1: to know anything about Kansas in this era anyway, they 452 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:38,840 Speaker 1: can sneak up and get you. They got Iowa State 453 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:41,400 Speaker 1: last year. They just find ways to kind of get 454 00:23:41,400 --> 00:23:43,960 Speaker 1: in these games. And when Jalen Daniels is healthy, they're 455 00:23:43,960 --> 00:23:45,040 Speaker 1: a different team altogether. 456 00:23:45,400 --> 00:23:49,280 Speaker 2: So you're telling me that somehow Kansas finds. 457 00:23:49,040 --> 00:23:54,199 Speaker 1: A way, I'm simply saying that life finds away. I 458 00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:55,399 Speaker 1: knew you were going to find a way to use 459 00:23:55,640 --> 00:23:59,080 Speaker 1: you literally said finds away. I knew you were going 460 00:23:59,160 --> 00:24:01,159 Speaker 1: to find a way to that out, and then I 461 00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:03,440 Speaker 1: found a way to find a way. You found the 462 00:24:03,440 --> 00:24:04,120 Speaker 1: way to find the way. 463 00:24:04,160 --> 00:24:07,480 Speaker 2: Okay, Yeah, continue. 464 00:24:06,520 --> 00:24:11,720 Speaker 1: Cincinnati, Okay, Bearcats also six and a half? Dan, where 465 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:16,640 Speaker 1: you at with Cincy and Scott Sadderfield, I'm. 466 00:24:16,480 --> 00:24:20,879 Speaker 2: Just sort of a neutral. I don't know, like, what 467 00:24:21,080 --> 00:24:23,040 Speaker 2: is it that is spiking your excitement? 468 00:24:23,119 --> 00:24:23,320 Speaker 1: Tie? 469 00:24:24,520 --> 00:24:29,639 Speaker 2: What is it about the roster, the schedule, the coaching staff, 470 00:24:30,480 --> 00:24:34,679 Speaker 2: the vibes, the momentum or lack thereof that has you 471 00:24:34,800 --> 00:24:39,280 Speaker 2: feeling decently good about where Cincinnati is in twenty twenty five. 472 00:24:41,240 --> 00:24:44,440 Speaker 2: I struggle to find it. Maybe you are a better 473 00:24:44,480 --> 00:24:45,240 Speaker 2: bloodhound here. 474 00:24:46,440 --> 00:24:49,720 Speaker 1: I think it's fair to look at this version of Cincinnati, 475 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:54,120 Speaker 1: which has a lot back on defense. Yeah, and ask 476 00:24:54,200 --> 00:24:56,240 Speaker 1: the same question basically, wonder why is this year going 477 00:24:56,280 --> 00:24:56,919 Speaker 1: to be any different? 478 00:24:57,000 --> 00:24:59,480 Speaker 2: These were just kind of two average units last year. 479 00:25:00,040 --> 00:25:01,800 Speaker 1: I think I think that's a totally fair question. You 480 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:05,760 Speaker 1: can add players, but if you're not getting better in 481 00:25:05,880 --> 00:25:11,680 Speaker 1: close games, sure, sometimes that points to a culture thing, 482 00:25:12,240 --> 00:25:15,800 Speaker 1: a discipline thing. And for me, that's really the underlying 483 00:25:15,880 --> 00:25:18,679 Speaker 1: question with Cincinnati. I don't have an answer to that. 484 00:25:19,520 --> 00:25:21,919 Speaker 1: There are aspects of this team that I do like. 485 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:24,760 Speaker 1: I actually found that I like Cincinnati a little bit 486 00:25:24,760 --> 00:25:27,560 Speaker 1: more than I expected. So we talked about Brandon Soresby 487 00:25:27,560 --> 00:25:30,840 Speaker 1: in part one. I really like him. He's a decent quarterback. 488 00:25:31,119 --> 00:25:33,040 Speaker 1: Sort of petered off down the stretch, but that was 489 00:25:33,080 --> 00:25:36,160 Speaker 1: more of a Cincinnati thing as opposed to a one 490 00:25:36,200 --> 00:25:36,680 Speaker 1: guy thing. 491 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:39,359 Speaker 2: Five straight losses, missed a ball, yeah yeah, So. 492 00:25:39,400 --> 00:25:40,720 Speaker 1: It was not a good end to the season by 493 00:25:40,760 --> 00:25:44,760 Speaker 1: any stretch. But you know, there are holes. They lose 494 00:25:45,359 --> 00:25:49,320 Speaker 1: four offensive linemen, six receivers, a twelve hundred yard back. 495 00:25:50,280 --> 00:25:54,560 Speaker 1: But I think in totality, the roster is still fine, 496 00:25:55,240 --> 00:25:58,040 Speaker 1: and the fact that Brendon Soarsby is back, Evan Pryor 497 00:25:58,160 --> 00:26:01,320 Speaker 1: is back, Deontae Corleone, one of the great names along 498 00:26:01,320 --> 00:26:05,600 Speaker 1: their defensive line is back. I think there is enough 499 00:26:05,640 --> 00:26:08,719 Speaker 1: to build around and enough to work with that this 500 00:26:08,760 --> 00:26:12,840 Speaker 1: team will be fine. I also think we are on 501 00:26:12,960 --> 00:26:16,919 Speaker 1: record both of us being pretty lukewarm about Scott Saderfield. Sure, 502 00:26:17,840 --> 00:26:21,600 Speaker 1: Year one was a disaster, I'm just not sure it 503 00:26:21,640 --> 00:26:25,520 Speaker 1: was entirely his fault because they jumped up to a 504 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:29,400 Speaker 1: power conference. They lost a lot from the previous season. 505 00:26:29,240 --> 00:26:31,880 Speaker 2: After recently making the College Football Playoff. 506 00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:35,680 Speaker 1: Though I know, I know your one was horrible. Year 507 00:26:35,760 --> 00:26:39,240 Speaker 1: two there was a lot back last year, schedule set 508 00:26:39,320 --> 00:26:42,480 Speaker 1: up really well, and then the dagger was, as you said, 509 00:26:42,480 --> 00:26:44,360 Speaker 1: they start five and two, they lose their last five 510 00:26:45,119 --> 00:26:48,280 Speaker 1: and the issue again comes back to I think discipline 511 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:50,679 Speaker 1: and those moments where they lose their focus and they 512 00:26:50,720 --> 00:26:55,560 Speaker 1: shoot themselves in the foot. So for me, you ask 513 00:26:55,680 --> 00:26:58,840 Speaker 1: what am I into with Cincinnati. I think the roster 514 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:01,919 Speaker 1: is actually fine, and I like the quarterback, and I 515 00:27:02,000 --> 00:27:03,679 Speaker 1: like some of the key pieces that they have on 516 00:27:03,760 --> 00:27:07,080 Speaker 1: this thing. Where I don't like Cincinnati is I don't 517 00:27:07,119 --> 00:27:09,800 Speaker 1: know if they can fix that other stuff, because that's 518 00:27:09,840 --> 00:27:12,480 Speaker 1: not always a roster thing that tends to be more 519 00:27:12,520 --> 00:27:17,919 Speaker 1: of how are you establishing accountability? The boring stuff that 520 00:27:18,680 --> 00:27:21,320 Speaker 1: frankly is not really worth talking about on previews like 521 00:27:21,359 --> 00:27:23,800 Speaker 1: this where people care about rosters and schemes and things 522 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:27,960 Speaker 1: like that. Right, So I'm mixed. I do like the players, 523 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:30,879 Speaker 1: I just don't know how they fix that part of 524 00:27:30,920 --> 00:27:34,840 Speaker 1: the team. They've got seven home games, which helps's good, 525 00:27:35,160 --> 00:27:38,840 Speaker 1: and one of the five road games quote unquote road 526 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:41,840 Speaker 1: games is a neutral sider Week one against Nebraska and 527 00:27:41,920 --> 00:27:44,960 Speaker 1: Kansas City. Yeah at Arrowhead, right at Arrowhead. Yeah. Yes, 528 00:27:45,400 --> 00:27:46,800 Speaker 1: I think they're going to run a little bit more 529 00:27:46,880 --> 00:27:49,320 Speaker 1: because the running back room looks to me like a 530 00:27:49,359 --> 00:27:51,280 Speaker 1: relative strength. The receiver room is going to be work 531 00:27:51,320 --> 00:27:53,760 Speaker 1: in progress, so it's they're going to be running. I 532 00:27:53,760 --> 00:27:57,479 Speaker 1: think the defense you look at that they improved last season. 533 00:27:58,240 --> 00:28:00,399 Speaker 1: I think they continue on that pass still figure out 534 00:28:00,400 --> 00:28:03,920 Speaker 1: a pass rush, which is a recurring theme here. Their 535 00:28:03,960 --> 00:28:06,119 Speaker 1: pass rush has been on hiatus for a couple seasons 536 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:09,080 Speaker 1: running now they got to get better at that. So 537 00:28:09,320 --> 00:28:12,200 Speaker 1: I'd be surprised personally with this roster, with this schedule, 538 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:14,680 Speaker 1: since they didn't get to at least six wins. To me, 539 00:28:14,840 --> 00:28:16,320 Speaker 1: they look like seven and five, eight and. 540 00:28:16,359 --> 00:28:21,160 Speaker 2: Four, so sort of under the radar, like not winning 541 00:28:21,560 --> 00:28:25,200 Speaker 2: big exciting games, but winning games against you know, the 542 00:28:25,240 --> 00:28:28,080 Speaker 2: bottom or the middle of the Big twelve doing all right, 543 00:28:28,160 --> 00:28:30,400 Speaker 2: maybe outside of the Nebraska game and the non conference 544 00:28:30,440 --> 00:28:32,360 Speaker 2: and you open your eyes and they're seven and five, 545 00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:33,040 Speaker 2: six and six. 546 00:28:33,160 --> 00:28:38,440 Speaker 1: Again, the issue is not the record, which was underwhelming. 547 00:28:39,240 --> 00:28:43,040 Speaker 1: The issue is how they got to that record. It's 548 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:44,960 Speaker 1: not even a player thing, it's just how they got 549 00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:47,320 Speaker 1: to that record. There were so many of those moments 550 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:51,080 Speaker 1: that were very frustrating. I have to imagine we're incredibly 551 00:28:51,080 --> 00:28:55,080 Speaker 1: frustrating as a fan to watch. They have to improve 552 00:28:55,200 --> 00:28:59,520 Speaker 1: upon that asap. That is job number one for Scott Saderfield. 553 00:29:00,040 --> 00:29:04,720 Speaker 1: That there is palpable frustration within this fan base towards 554 00:29:05,160 --> 00:29:08,880 Speaker 1: Sadderfield and the job he's doing. So they gotta shore 555 00:29:08,920 --> 00:29:11,240 Speaker 1: that up. If you do nothing else, at least cut 556 00:29:11,280 --> 00:29:13,959 Speaker 1: down on the dumb mistakes and the stupid bonehead moments 557 00:29:13,960 --> 00:29:16,960 Speaker 1: that get you into trouble. And I think this would 558 00:29:16,960 --> 00:29:19,240 Speaker 1: be a better team for it, given the fact that 559 00:29:19,280 --> 00:29:21,120 Speaker 1: the roster is still okay, it's all right. 560 00:29:21,320 --> 00:29:24,000 Speaker 2: So if they're all right because of an alright roster, 561 00:29:24,800 --> 00:29:28,960 Speaker 2: blurbs Ty Hildenbrandt of the Solid Verbal, the massive popular 562 00:29:29,400 --> 00:29:31,160 Speaker 2: popularity that I think. 563 00:29:31,040 --> 00:29:33,240 Speaker 1: The most popular of the two hosts here. 564 00:29:34,120 --> 00:29:38,240 Speaker 2: Easily, easily, definitely. Here's what Cincinnati has in front of 565 00:29:38,280 --> 00:29:43,480 Speaker 2: them if they are competent. Okay, they have what looks 566 00:29:43,520 --> 00:29:48,360 Speaker 2: to be winnable games against Bowling Green, Northwestern State, UCF, 567 00:29:48,800 --> 00:29:53,320 Speaker 2: Oklahoma State, Arizona. Okay, by my account, that's five games 568 00:29:53,400 --> 00:29:58,320 Speaker 2: that we can just say look reasonably winnable if Cincinnati 569 00:29:58,480 --> 00:30:02,880 Speaker 2: is definitely competent, and then they have Kansas on the road. 570 00:30:03,680 --> 00:30:05,800 Speaker 2: We'll see what that Kansas, you know, the back half 571 00:30:05,840 --> 00:30:07,680 Speaker 2: of that defense and who steps up if there's an 572 00:30:07,680 --> 00:30:10,360 Speaker 2: offensive line to be heard from. We'll see what Utah 573 00:30:10,360 --> 00:30:12,280 Speaker 2: looks like on offense. Baylor is still going to have 574 00:30:12,280 --> 00:30:15,640 Speaker 2: defensive questions, and that's games at home. BYU could be 575 00:30:15,680 --> 00:30:18,320 Speaker 2: a mess on offense if quarterback doesn't work out. That's 576 00:30:18,360 --> 00:30:21,200 Speaker 2: a BYU team that you have to downgrade. What their 577 00:30:21,280 --> 00:30:24,560 Speaker 2: their ceiling looks like. They could be a very very 578 00:30:24,600 --> 00:30:27,320 Speaker 2: boring seven to five team when all of a sudden 579 00:30:27,400 --> 00:30:28,520 Speaker 2: dud with that schedule. 580 00:30:28,800 --> 00:30:32,840 Speaker 1: I totally think that trucks. Okay, So yeah, I'm higher 581 00:30:32,840 --> 00:30:35,600 Speaker 1: on them than I expected. I guess the bigger question, 582 00:30:35,720 --> 00:30:39,320 Speaker 1: the more existential question for Saderfield, what is the fan 583 00:30:39,400 --> 00:30:42,480 Speaker 1: base willing to accept or how does the fan base 584 00:30:42,800 --> 00:30:48,320 Speaker 1: view success this season, because if success is like eight 585 00:30:48,360 --> 00:30:51,200 Speaker 1: and four, I don't think they're getting eight four. If 586 00:30:51,240 --> 00:30:54,880 Speaker 1: success is making a ball, you know, showing some improvement, 587 00:30:54,880 --> 00:30:57,280 Speaker 1: cutting down on some of those mistakes that I talked about, 588 00:30:57,280 --> 00:31:00,280 Speaker 1: then that's I think more attainable. But this is a 589 00:31:00,320 --> 00:31:03,600 Speaker 1: proud fan base that's used to doing well, as he said, 590 00:31:03,680 --> 00:31:09,160 Speaker 1: made the College Football Playoff. They're gonna need at some 591 00:31:09,280 --> 00:31:11,280 Speaker 1: point to see some results otherwise they're going to get 592 00:31:11,320 --> 00:31:15,560 Speaker 1: more impatient totally, of course, which is true I guess 593 00:31:15,560 --> 00:31:16,000 Speaker 1: for everybody. 594 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:17,840 Speaker 2: But I think it's a place a lot of coaches 595 00:31:17,840 --> 00:31:21,200 Speaker 2: have won. You mentioned BYU. BYU's in a. 596 00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:25,840 Speaker 1: Really interesting spot now given circumstances, I do tend to 597 00:31:25,840 --> 00:31:29,880 Speaker 1: trust in Kalani Sataki. I like Klanistaki. Burning question is 598 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:33,400 Speaker 1: who's playing quarterback? Dan? Who's playing quarterback now? Because this 599 00:31:33,440 --> 00:31:36,600 Speaker 1: whole thing with Jake Rhetz Laugh and his departure due 600 00:31:36,600 --> 00:31:38,800 Speaker 1: to the honor code due to the civil law suit, 601 00:31:38,800 --> 00:31:42,800 Speaker 1: it came very late in the game. Klanie Sataki's definitely 602 00:31:42,840 --> 00:31:46,720 Speaker 1: proven that he can manage situations like this, but this 603 00:31:46,800 --> 00:31:49,560 Speaker 1: is a big one and it's really late in the game, 604 00:31:50,640 --> 00:31:54,959 Speaker 1: and an eleven and two team now entering this season 605 00:31:55,040 --> 00:31:56,720 Speaker 1: at time of recording with the seven and a half 606 00:31:56,800 --> 00:31:58,440 Speaker 1: win total, I don't know if that's come down at all. 607 00:31:59,280 --> 00:32:01,600 Speaker 1: They were a guess was already expecting a drop off 608 00:32:01,720 --> 00:32:04,960 Speaker 1: even before the rets laugh news came out. But now 609 00:32:05,000 --> 00:32:07,000 Speaker 1: with this, I think it opens up a whole other 610 00:32:07,080 --> 00:32:11,360 Speaker 1: portfolio of questions. Are you optimistic that they hit seven 611 00:32:11,400 --> 00:32:12,120 Speaker 1: and a half wins? 612 00:32:14,600 --> 00:32:20,200 Speaker 2: No, just because we've seen teams with take your pick, 613 00:32:20,280 --> 00:32:24,479 Speaker 2: a quality defense and a developed offensive line, and then 614 00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:26,720 Speaker 2: there are just too many questions at quarterback, or there's 615 00:32:26,720 --> 00:32:28,840 Speaker 2: a late change because of injury or in this case 616 00:32:28,920 --> 00:32:33,960 Speaker 2: Rhet's laugh departing BYU. We've seen lows from BYU, We've 617 00:32:33,960 --> 00:32:36,280 Speaker 2: seen highs from BYU. I think this is just somewhere 618 00:32:36,280 --> 00:32:40,000 Speaker 2: in the middle. This feels like six and six, seven 619 00:32:40,000 --> 00:32:43,040 Speaker 2: and five, six and six, six and six probably vibes 620 00:32:43,440 --> 00:32:46,880 Speaker 2: right now. What is it, McKay hilden Brandt? Was that 621 00:32:46,960 --> 00:32:52,400 Speaker 2: the name Hillstead? McKay Hillstead. It's it's McKay Hillstead. It's 622 00:32:52,480 --> 00:32:56,560 Speaker 2: traycon Borgae or freshman bear Bachmeyer. Yes, there is another 623 00:32:56,800 --> 00:32:59,680 Speaker 2: Hank Bachmeyer. Bear Bachmeyer. You know there's another one. 624 00:32:59,680 --> 00:33:03,560 Speaker 1: There's a tiger Bachmeyer, isn't there tiger Bachmeyer? Yeah, well 625 00:33:03,600 --> 00:33:04,000 Speaker 1: I love it. 626 00:33:04,080 --> 00:33:06,040 Speaker 2: Okay, I think it's gonna be hell said. He threw 627 00:33:06,080 --> 00:33:07,840 Speaker 2: a little bit for Utah State a couple of years 628 00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:12,400 Speaker 2: ago and transferred in. It's just he's had time there 629 00:33:12,640 --> 00:33:15,320 Speaker 2: to learn the system, to get in some practice reps. 630 00:33:16,200 --> 00:33:19,800 Speaker 2: So perhaps he's just maybe he's not quite Jake reds Laugh. 631 00:33:19,880 --> 00:33:21,760 Speaker 2: Maybe he is better at certain things that reds Laugh 632 00:33:21,840 --> 00:33:27,200 Speaker 2: wasn't good at. But sudden changes are not super encouraging 633 00:33:27,240 --> 00:33:27,480 Speaker 2: to me. 634 00:33:28,040 --> 00:33:30,640 Speaker 1: So no, not at all. The good news is this, 635 00:33:30,720 --> 00:33:33,800 Speaker 1: here's the good news. Yeah, the good news is that 636 00:33:33,880 --> 00:33:36,560 Speaker 1: the offensive line is going to be solid and LJ. 637 00:33:36,680 --> 00:33:39,800 Speaker 1: Martin is back there running back, which likely means he's 638 00:33:39,800 --> 00:33:42,080 Speaker 1: going to be the focal point of the offense. The 639 00:33:42,120 --> 00:33:44,440 Speaker 1: offense is going to look very different than last season, 640 00:33:45,120 --> 00:33:47,800 Speaker 1: and they're going to need that defense while they figure 641 00:33:47,880 --> 00:33:51,680 Speaker 1: things out. Beyond Chase Roberts, the receiving core is very thin. 642 00:33:52,320 --> 00:33:56,280 Speaker 1: They lose three of last year's top four guys to transfers, 643 00:33:56,880 --> 00:33:58,200 Speaker 1: so they're going to need to figure this out. It's 644 00:33:58,200 --> 00:33:59,680 Speaker 1: going to be a work in progress. It was always 645 00:33:59,720 --> 00:34:02,200 Speaker 1: going to be, you'll work in progress, but that's even 646 00:34:02,520 --> 00:34:05,440 Speaker 1: more the case now that Jake Reht's laugh has departed. 647 00:34:06,040 --> 00:34:09,360 Speaker 2: Can I give you the Dan's counterpoint to Dan's original point? 648 00:34:09,760 --> 00:34:11,680 Speaker 1: Are you arguing with yourself? I'd love to hear it 649 00:34:11,840 --> 00:34:12,359 Speaker 1: a little bit. 650 00:34:13,920 --> 00:34:17,279 Speaker 2: The first like seventy five percent, two thirds of their 651 00:34:17,320 --> 00:34:18,880 Speaker 2: schedule kind of rules. 652 00:34:19,120 --> 00:34:21,080 Speaker 1: It's great, it's. 653 00:34:20,960 --> 00:34:23,759 Speaker 2: Great, Portland State, Stanford at ECU, which I think is 654 00:34:23,760 --> 00:34:26,200 Speaker 2: going to be a little bit difficult, just you don't know, 655 00:34:26,239 --> 00:34:29,799 Speaker 2: traveling kind of across the country. At Colorado, we'll see 656 00:34:29,840 --> 00:34:32,319 Speaker 2: what the buffs are. Then West Virginia is starting all over, 657 00:34:32,480 --> 00:34:34,920 Speaker 2: Arizona's got a lot of questions, and it's Tucson, but 658 00:34:34,960 --> 00:34:39,319 Speaker 2: it's into October, the Holy Wars at home. There's the 659 00:34:39,400 --> 00:34:43,879 Speaker 2: meaty middle there, Utah at Iowa State, a bye at 660 00:34:43,920 --> 00:34:48,360 Speaker 2: Texas Tech TCU. That's really going to stress things. But 661 00:34:48,800 --> 00:34:50,719 Speaker 2: are you going to be crazy surprised if they start 662 00:34:50,719 --> 00:34:53,000 Speaker 2: the season five and one, six and oho and they're 663 00:34:53,040 --> 00:34:57,320 Speaker 2: merely above average doing so maybe not super surprised. 664 00:34:57,719 --> 00:35:01,000 Speaker 1: It's going to be another one of these BYU seasons 665 00:35:01,000 --> 00:35:04,319 Speaker 1: where like we know Chase Roberts, we know LG. Martin, 666 00:35:04,360 --> 00:35:07,879 Speaker 1: we know they're going to get theirs. But otherwise, there're 667 00:35:07,920 --> 00:35:10,160 Speaker 1: gonna be a lot of tributors on this offense that 668 00:35:10,200 --> 00:35:12,680 Speaker 1: nobody knows about, and they will find a way to 669 00:35:12,680 --> 00:35:15,560 Speaker 1: play as a team and win seven games. 670 00:35:16,680 --> 00:35:18,879 Speaker 2: I'm kind of with you. I think they're the rare 671 00:35:18,920 --> 00:35:21,560 Speaker 2: team that is going to have more wins than the 672 00:35:21,680 --> 00:35:27,640 Speaker 2: appropriate number that describes what kind of team they are. Like, yeah, 673 00:35:27,680 --> 00:35:29,920 Speaker 2: I seven eight wins is not out of the question, 674 00:35:30,400 --> 00:35:32,240 Speaker 2: looking like a six and sixteen. 675 00:35:32,440 --> 00:35:34,839 Speaker 1: And we see that every year. We see that every year. 676 00:35:35,120 --> 00:35:37,759 Speaker 1: By the way, this defense was statistically the best in 677 00:35:37,760 --> 00:35:39,759 Speaker 1: the Big twelve last year. Now it lost a bunch 678 00:35:39,760 --> 00:35:40,520 Speaker 1: of starters. 679 00:35:40,840 --> 00:35:43,759 Speaker 2: I have I had Utah slightly above them, but yeah, yeah, 680 00:35:43,800 --> 00:35:46,160 Speaker 2: but it was it was up there, right, Yes, for sure, 681 00:35:46,320 --> 00:35:48,240 Speaker 2: it was up there by whatever count. 682 00:35:48,239 --> 00:35:51,760 Speaker 1: They were one of the best. They went hard after replacements. 683 00:35:52,320 --> 00:35:56,400 Speaker 1: They did lose starters. I think the linebacking corps is 684 00:35:56,440 --> 00:35:57,200 Speaker 1: still loaded. 685 00:35:57,880 --> 00:35:59,920 Speaker 2: They gutted Colorado in the bowl game, did they not? 686 00:36:00,120 --> 00:36:03,200 Speaker 1: Oh? Yeah, the linebacking corp is loaded. So that's a 687 00:36:03,200 --> 00:36:06,600 Speaker 1: good starting point. The secondary is concerning I think there's 688 00:36:06,600 --> 00:36:08,120 Speaker 1: a bit of a step back because there's so much 689 00:36:08,200 --> 00:36:10,799 Speaker 1: new and that's going to work against him here with 690 00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:15,279 Speaker 1: an offense that's in flux. But again I have come 691 00:36:15,360 --> 00:36:18,719 Speaker 1: full circle, or I guess, to be fair, I have 692 00:36:18,840 --> 00:36:22,480 Speaker 1: done a one to eighty on Kalani Sataki. At first, 693 00:36:22,840 --> 00:36:25,880 Speaker 1: I did not trust that everybody else was trusting him, 694 00:36:26,120 --> 00:36:27,960 Speaker 1: And I think given what he's done the last couple 695 00:36:28,000 --> 00:36:30,279 Speaker 1: of years, he's proven to me that he's legit. So 696 00:36:30,280 --> 00:36:31,880 Speaker 1: he's going to figure this out. And he's got a 697 00:36:31,920 --> 00:36:33,799 Speaker 1: schedule here that sets him up well at least to 698 00:36:33,800 --> 00:36:34,560 Speaker 1: start things off. 699 00:36:34,920 --> 00:36:36,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, I know I sort of hedged here by saying 700 00:36:37,000 --> 00:36:38,640 Speaker 2: there are six and sixteen, what they might go eight 701 00:36:38,680 --> 00:36:40,760 Speaker 2: and four? Well, you could talk yourself into it. Sorry, 702 00:36:41,200 --> 00:36:44,800 Speaker 2: you can talk yourself into it. There are nine teams 703 00:36:44,840 --> 00:36:48,920 Speaker 2: on this schedule that don't obviously have a quarterback and 704 00:36:49,080 --> 00:36:53,200 Speaker 2: or passing game to seriously challenge a struggling secondary. 705 00:36:53,280 --> 00:36:55,200 Speaker 1: Can I mark you down for nine and two BYU 706 00:36:55,280 --> 00:36:56,280 Speaker 1: or nine and three BYU? 707 00:36:57,000 --> 00:37:01,840 Speaker 2: No, you may not, But okay, in pure quantity, in 708 00:37:01,880 --> 00:37:10,399 Speaker 2: a pure numbers game, Portland State, Stanford, ECU, Colorado, West Virginia, Arizona, Utah, Cincinnati, 709 00:37:10,680 --> 00:37:15,040 Speaker 2: UCF are not obviously taking advantage of a green secondary here. 710 00:37:15,320 --> 00:37:19,719 Speaker 1: ECU could. ECU's got a good passing attack. This year 711 00:37:19,719 --> 00:37:22,640 Speaker 1: and should have a good offense. There are questions that 712 00:37:22,719 --> 00:37:24,000 Speaker 1: need to be answered about ECU. 713 00:37:24,280 --> 00:37:27,040 Speaker 2: But okay, that that that's on the road. 714 00:37:27,120 --> 00:37:30,279 Speaker 1: That's interesting to me. Their flying cross country to play 715 00:37:30,280 --> 00:37:31,000 Speaker 1: against ECU. 716 00:37:31,400 --> 00:37:35,600 Speaker 2: Catenhauser backed up by Mikey Wright Man. 717 00:37:37,360 --> 00:37:37,880 Speaker 1: These guys. 718 00:37:38,000 --> 00:37:40,320 Speaker 2: Wait, you could tell me Cole Stout is on a 719 00:37:40,400 --> 00:37:45,200 Speaker 2: roster somewhere. All right. I actually know that he's not 720 00:37:45,640 --> 00:37:49,719 Speaker 2: because I this is something separate, little sidebar here. When 721 00:37:49,719 --> 00:37:52,680 Speaker 2: we were doing the ACC preview, I like to remind 722 00:37:52,680 --> 00:37:55,040 Speaker 2: myself of position coaches sometimes to be like, oh, yeah, 723 00:37:55,080 --> 00:37:57,839 Speaker 2: this guy is there and he's good with whoever or coordinators, 724 00:37:57,840 --> 00:38:03,200 Speaker 2: what have you. Dablosweeney employs every single former Clemson player 725 00:38:03,560 --> 00:38:07,839 Speaker 2: who wants a job. If you look at the analyst 726 00:38:08,000 --> 00:38:11,840 Speaker 2: list for Clemson, it's like, oh right that guy, ooh yeah, 727 00:38:11,880 --> 00:38:15,320 Speaker 2: that guy, Yes, of course that guy. And Cole Stout 728 00:38:15,600 --> 00:38:18,280 Speaker 2: is one of them that is employed by Clemson. 729 00:38:18,440 --> 00:38:19,520 Speaker 1: You know one that I saw? 730 00:38:19,760 --> 00:38:21,160 Speaker 2: Taj Boyd's on there. Who else? 731 00:38:22,080 --> 00:38:25,279 Speaker 1: Taylor Mays is the safety's coach for Washington this year. 732 00:38:25,400 --> 00:38:29,600 Speaker 1: Do you remember Taylor Mays? And of course he's from Seattle. Yeah. 733 00:38:29,719 --> 00:38:32,640 Speaker 1: When he was at USC, he was all the rage yep. 734 00:38:33,239 --> 00:38:36,520 Speaker 1: All right, so we're gonna what seven and five? We 735 00:38:36,560 --> 00:38:39,080 Speaker 1: feel good seven and five. We've talked ourselves into that zone. 736 00:38:39,080 --> 00:38:39,919 Speaker 2: What's the number again? 737 00:38:40,239 --> 00:38:41,480 Speaker 1: You over unders seven and a half. 738 00:38:41,960 --> 00:38:44,520 Speaker 2: Okay, I don't hate taking the under because of the change, 739 00:38:44,520 --> 00:38:48,240 Speaker 2: but again I'm gonna hedge and say, there's nine teams 740 00:38:48,239 --> 00:38:50,440 Speaker 2: on there who might not even come close to dicing 741 00:38:50,520 --> 00:38:51,360 Speaker 2: up this defense. 742 00:38:52,560 --> 00:38:56,000 Speaker 1: Let's get to Oklahoma State. Okay, they're over under his 743 00:38:56,120 --> 00:38:58,600 Speaker 1: four and a half this year four and a half. 744 00:38:58,640 --> 00:39:01,240 Speaker 1: They went oh to nine in conference three and nine overall. 745 00:39:01,320 --> 00:39:04,000 Speaker 1: It was one of the worst years in program history 746 00:39:04,080 --> 00:39:08,879 Speaker 1: last year, and it came in a year where everybody, 747 00:39:08,880 --> 00:39:12,279 Speaker 1: including you and I had them as one of the 748 00:39:12,320 --> 00:39:15,120 Speaker 1: teams to beat in the Big Twelve. Sure I had 749 00:39:15,160 --> 00:39:20,280 Speaker 1: a winning the damn conference. That didn't work. Oklahoma State 750 00:39:20,960 --> 00:39:23,680 Speaker 1: was terrible. It wasn't quite as bad record wise as 751 00:39:23,680 --> 00:39:25,680 Speaker 1: what happened at Florida State, but in some ways I 752 00:39:25,719 --> 00:39:28,840 Speaker 1: actually think it was worse. So what happens while it 753 00:39:28,920 --> 00:39:32,600 Speaker 1: leads to a messy situation after the season. Basically, they 754 00:39:32,640 --> 00:39:34,560 Speaker 1: forced Mike Gundhy's hand. They made him take a pay 755 00:39:34,560 --> 00:39:36,919 Speaker 1: cut if he wanted to stick around. He is back 756 00:39:36,960 --> 00:39:39,719 Speaker 1: it's going to be year twenty one. It has to 757 00:39:39,760 --> 00:39:41,880 Speaker 1: be a make or break thing this year for Gundhy 758 00:39:42,600 --> 00:39:45,640 Speaker 1: because even though they signed him, and even though they 759 00:39:45,640 --> 00:39:49,680 Speaker 1: got past that little contract dispute, I think that clearly 760 00:39:49,760 --> 00:39:53,720 Speaker 1: signals that there is impatience here. This is a proud program. 761 00:39:53,760 --> 00:39:57,960 Speaker 1: The patients is running thin. Yes, here is the blinking 762 00:39:57,960 --> 00:40:00,800 Speaker 1: red light for me. Okay, Because again we read a 763 00:40:00,800 --> 00:40:03,279 Speaker 1: bunch of different previews putting these things together, there was 764 00:40:03,280 --> 00:40:09,919 Speaker 1: a common theme UTEP transfers continue, that's one of them. 765 00:40:10,000 --> 00:40:15,120 Speaker 1: Almost every preview leaned on one of two reasons why 766 00:40:15,160 --> 00:40:16,680 Speaker 1: they thought Oklahoma State could be better. 767 00:40:17,160 --> 00:40:17,480 Speaker 2: Okay. 768 00:40:18,640 --> 00:40:23,719 Speaker 1: The first is Mike Gundy's track record. It's not insignificant, 769 00:40:24,280 --> 00:40:26,560 Speaker 1: but there was a lot of yeah, but he's had 770 00:40:26,640 --> 00:40:29,880 Speaker 1: nineteen winning seasons, or yeah, but look look at some 771 00:40:29,960 --> 00:40:32,600 Speaker 1: of the teams he's had a lot of giving him 772 00:40:32,600 --> 00:40:38,480 Speaker 1: the benefit of the doubt. And secondly to logic was 773 00:40:39,000 --> 00:40:41,040 Speaker 1: they have to be better because they can't get any worse. 774 00:40:42,880 --> 00:40:44,120 Speaker 2: At times, it did seem that way. 775 00:40:44,200 --> 00:40:47,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, if those are the two things that people are 776 00:40:47,960 --> 00:40:51,840 Speaker 1: gravitating towards as they try to build a case for 777 00:40:51,960 --> 00:40:56,640 Speaker 1: your team getting better, your team might not get better No, 778 00:40:57,040 --> 00:40:59,960 Speaker 1: I don't want to be mean here. And my guess 779 00:41:00,000 --> 00:41:01,759 Speaker 1: say is that nobody's trying to be mean about this. 780 00:41:02,080 --> 00:41:06,880 Speaker 1: I'm not, But Tracy Chapman, Dan, give me one reason 781 00:41:06,880 --> 00:41:07,640 Speaker 1: of belief. 782 00:41:07,680 --> 00:41:09,840 Speaker 2: Give me a reason to stay here, and here being 783 00:41:10,160 --> 00:41:11,920 Speaker 2: Mike Gundy going to a bowl game. 784 00:41:12,280 --> 00:41:15,160 Speaker 1: I mean, Dan Phil Steele in his preview, and I 785 00:41:15,280 --> 00:41:18,680 Speaker 1: like what he does. I mean, we can quibble over 786 00:41:18,800 --> 00:41:20,560 Speaker 1: like the format of some of it and all that. 787 00:41:20,640 --> 00:41:24,400 Speaker 2: But no, font is too small, he's a no acronym 788 00:41:24,440 --> 00:41:31,600 Speaker 2: is too unclear. Yeah, Mike Gundy has four pflts by 789 00:41:31,640 --> 00:41:35,239 Speaker 2: my count. Yeah, we all know what pflts are. Yeah, 790 00:41:35,239 --> 00:41:37,640 Speaker 2: of course, let's all move on because we all understand 791 00:41:37,640 --> 00:41:38,439 Speaker 2: what he's talking about. 792 00:41:38,560 --> 00:41:40,560 Speaker 1: I've read this book for fifteen years. I still don't 793 00:41:40,560 --> 00:41:44,520 Speaker 1: know what they mean. Yeah, Phil Steele on Oklahoma States offense, 794 00:41:44,560 --> 00:41:47,880 Speaker 1: this is a real thing. This year. They lose eight starters, 795 00:41:47,920 --> 00:41:51,560 Speaker 1: including their star running back Ali Gordon, their top three quarterbacks. 796 00:41:52,239 --> 00:41:54,520 Speaker 1: But Mike Gundy will have an improved offense in twenty 797 00:41:54,560 --> 00:41:56,880 Speaker 1: twenty five. How that's not even logic. 798 00:41:57,320 --> 00:42:00,440 Speaker 2: No, by the way, if you pull back a little bit, 799 00:42:00,600 --> 00:42:03,920 Speaker 2: but I think is relevant. We had conversations when all 800 00:42:03,960 --> 00:42:07,719 Speaker 2: of the reorganizing of realignment was happening all over and 801 00:42:07,760 --> 00:42:10,880 Speaker 2: you're like, Okay, so Texas and oklahom Oregon, and it 802 00:42:10,960 --> 00:42:13,279 Speaker 2: seems like there's a vacuum at the top, and there 803 00:42:13,280 --> 00:42:16,960 Speaker 2: are some obvious candidates. This is like pre West Coast teams, 804 00:42:16,960 --> 00:42:21,759 Speaker 2: pre Arizona schools, Utah, Colorado joining and like, Okay, who 805 00:42:21,840 --> 00:42:25,200 Speaker 2: is going to be that alpha or those alphas in 806 00:42:25,239 --> 00:42:28,840 Speaker 2: the Big twelve? And it would be very difficult to 807 00:42:28,920 --> 00:42:31,600 Speaker 2: point to a lot of teams that would have a 808 00:42:31,640 --> 00:42:35,680 Speaker 2: similar track record to what Oklahoma State has done, you know, 809 00:42:36,000 --> 00:42:38,600 Speaker 2: in the five seven years leading up to all of 810 00:42:38,600 --> 00:42:44,160 Speaker 2: the realignment, which is like drafted quarterbacks Politnikoff quality receivers 811 00:42:44,320 --> 00:42:48,400 Speaker 2: to like nationally impressive all American caliber running backs in 812 00:42:48,920 --> 00:42:52,080 Speaker 2: Oli Gordon and Chewba Hubbard, Jim Nole's running one of 813 00:42:52,080 --> 00:42:55,440 Speaker 2: the best seven defenses in the country out of Stillwater. 814 00:42:55,680 --> 00:43:00,520 Speaker 2: We're just like hiring and development and identifying and just 815 00:43:00,640 --> 00:43:06,160 Speaker 2: something happened in the early twenty twenties where Mike Gundy 816 00:43:06,280 --> 00:43:11,920 Speaker 2: and college football and Oklahoma State just sort of deteriorated 817 00:43:12,080 --> 00:43:14,200 Speaker 2: into I mean, look, they went to the championship game 818 00:43:14,239 --> 00:43:16,719 Speaker 2: two years ago. I think that was a blip more 819 00:43:16,760 --> 00:43:20,200 Speaker 2: than anything, because the roster can't stay together. The assistant 820 00:43:20,320 --> 00:43:25,320 Speaker 2: hiring seems to have just fallen off completely, and Oklahoma 821 00:43:25,360 --> 00:43:27,319 Speaker 2: State and Gundy just sort of fumbled this. 822 00:43:27,880 --> 00:43:32,880 Speaker 1: It's look, the conversation was not wrong when the conference 823 00:43:32,960 --> 00:43:38,560 Speaker 1: changed and there was an open question of is Oklahoma 824 00:43:38,600 --> 00:43:41,560 Speaker 1: State not doing better because Oklahoma remains in their way? 825 00:43:42,719 --> 00:43:44,360 Speaker 1: And that was the question. I think we posed to 826 00:43:44,360 --> 00:43:46,440 Speaker 1: Scott right from the Oklahoma and we brought him two 827 00:43:46,480 --> 00:43:48,719 Speaker 1: years ago. It was exactly that, and that had been 828 00:43:48,760 --> 00:43:52,319 Speaker 1: written about, that had been talked about for years. That's 829 00:43:52,360 --> 00:43:54,319 Speaker 1: part of why we were so up on Oklahoma State 830 00:43:54,400 --> 00:43:59,200 Speaker 1: last season. To go from preseason expectations to three and 831 00:43:59,280 --> 00:44:04,160 Speaker 1: nine conference in a new conference. Basically that felt like 832 00:44:04,200 --> 00:44:10,360 Speaker 1: it was theirs for the taking. Talk about like falling flat. 833 00:44:10,480 --> 00:44:14,360 Speaker 1: That was horrible. Yeah, I'm not trying to make this 834 00:44:14,400 --> 00:44:17,080 Speaker 1: a dunk contest, but this is the reality for Oklahoma 835 00:44:17,120 --> 00:44:20,719 Speaker 1: State and Oklahoma State fans know this. Yeah. So, I 836 00:44:20,880 --> 00:44:23,600 Speaker 1: you know, forty one new guys this year. I look 837 00:44:23,600 --> 00:44:26,799 Speaker 1: at the roster, I don't know who any of them are. 838 00:44:26,960 --> 00:44:28,240 Speaker 2: It's too many new guys. 839 00:44:28,560 --> 00:44:31,719 Speaker 1: I don't know who any of these guys are. And 840 00:44:31,760 --> 00:44:34,279 Speaker 1: I studied as much as anybody. There is so much new. 841 00:44:35,239 --> 00:44:37,439 Speaker 1: They're not exactly coming into the season with a step 842 00:44:37,480 --> 00:44:42,480 Speaker 1: depth chart anywhere, so they're hoping it just meshes. If 843 00:44:42,520 --> 00:44:45,400 Speaker 1: there are injuries, if they can't get the chemistry part sorted, 844 00:44:46,320 --> 00:44:48,440 Speaker 1: it's going to be an issue against the schedule. And 845 00:44:48,480 --> 00:44:50,879 Speaker 1: then that's not even mentioning the coordinators. They got Doug 846 00:44:50,920 --> 00:44:53,640 Speaker 1: Meetchim in there running the offense, gonna be up tempo, 847 00:44:53,719 --> 00:44:56,920 Speaker 1: he's going more pass heavy. Yeah, we're going to see 848 00:44:56,920 --> 00:44:58,839 Speaker 1: a lot of shootouts, or at least that's what they're 849 00:44:58,840 --> 00:45:01,680 Speaker 1: banking on. If if you're a believer in Zane Flores, 850 00:45:01,920 --> 00:45:05,279 Speaker 1: the young quarterback, we should find out pretty quickly what 851 00:45:05,400 --> 00:45:06,520 Speaker 1: he's got in the tank, which I. 852 00:45:06,480 --> 00:45:08,120 Speaker 2: Actually think came in what Nebraska. 853 00:45:08,600 --> 00:45:11,879 Speaker 1: Yes, I actually think that's a reason to watch Oklahoma State. 854 00:45:12,239 --> 00:45:14,279 Speaker 1: There's been a lot of excitement around this guy, so 855 00:45:14,320 --> 00:45:17,800 Speaker 1: I'd like to see him. Todd Grantham though, calling the defense. 856 00:45:18,120 --> 00:45:18,680 Speaker 2: That's tough. 857 00:45:21,000 --> 00:45:22,959 Speaker 1: What are we doing here? Man? Have we not seen 858 00:45:23,000 --> 00:45:23,800 Speaker 1: this play before? 859 00:45:24,560 --> 00:45:25,319 Speaker 2: Say what you will? 860 00:45:26,600 --> 00:45:29,960 Speaker 1: He has a vision at least, oh he does. He 861 00:45:30,040 --> 00:45:31,720 Speaker 1: does talk about aggressive and attacking. 862 00:45:31,840 --> 00:45:35,239 Speaker 2: Every problem can be solved by a zero blitz. 863 00:45:35,160 --> 00:45:39,600 Speaker 1: This schedule is good in that they miss Arizona State 864 00:45:39,600 --> 00:45:44,400 Speaker 1: in Utah, bad in that they're at Oregon. Week two, Oh, 865 00:45:44,440 --> 00:45:47,200 Speaker 1: they've got Baylor. They're at Texas Tech at Kansas home 866 00:45:47,239 --> 00:45:50,200 Speaker 1: against k State at UCF, which I don't think we 867 00:45:50,200 --> 00:45:52,759 Speaker 1: could take as a guaranteed win. They close out with 868 00:45:52,840 --> 00:45:54,920 Speaker 1: Iowa State at home. So there are no breaks in 869 00:45:54,960 --> 00:45:58,080 Speaker 1: this thing. No breaks on this thing. U t Martin 870 00:45:58,120 --> 00:46:01,760 Speaker 1: on August twenty eighth is a break, but otherwise maybe 871 00:46:01,760 --> 00:46:04,239 Speaker 1: outside of Tulsa, I've got a question about all the 872 00:46:04,239 --> 00:46:08,160 Speaker 1: other games in the schedule. I agree, How do you 873 00:46:08,200 --> 00:46:11,799 Speaker 1: handicap this? I don't know, with all this new on 874 00:46:11,880 --> 00:46:13,640 Speaker 1: a team that I don't think is used to having 875 00:46:13,640 --> 00:46:17,120 Speaker 1: this much new, and a coach that I described as 876 00:46:17,200 --> 00:46:21,160 Speaker 1: basically saying Jesus take the wheel on our Part one episode. 877 00:46:22,080 --> 00:46:24,640 Speaker 1: I think the best case scenario is five and seven, 878 00:46:25,160 --> 00:46:29,120 Speaker 1: and that is the best case scenario. More likely. I 879 00:46:29,160 --> 00:46:31,080 Speaker 1: am at four and eight, So. 880 00:46:31,120 --> 00:46:35,000 Speaker 2: Five and seven means what three big twelve wins, because 881 00:46:35,000 --> 00:46:36,839 Speaker 2: I don't think there'll be an Oregon in Eugene. No, 882 00:46:37,200 --> 00:46:38,879 Speaker 2: that's tough for me to say. Four and eight feels 883 00:46:38,880 --> 00:46:39,319 Speaker 2: about right. 884 00:46:40,320 --> 00:46:41,359 Speaker 1: If he goes four and eight again. 885 00:46:41,400 --> 00:46:43,600 Speaker 2: They got to move on, right, Oh, I think they're 886 00:46:44,440 --> 00:46:48,720 Speaker 2: moving on regardless of anything short of probably nine. 887 00:46:48,560 --> 00:46:51,239 Speaker 1: Wins, nine wins. They're not getting nine wins with No. 888 00:46:51,280 --> 00:46:54,279 Speaker 2: I'm saying short like nine wins keeps him his job. 889 00:46:54,360 --> 00:46:55,440 Speaker 2: I guess I don't know. 890 00:46:56,000 --> 00:46:56,879 Speaker 1: He might as well pack. 891 00:46:56,960 --> 00:46:59,080 Speaker 2: How many chances do you get a guy to completely 892 00:46:59,280 --> 00:47:01,840 Speaker 2: redo the raw st every year and hopes that he 893 00:47:02,040 --> 00:47:04,879 Speaker 2: strikes gold finally, and so even if he strikes gold 894 00:47:04,920 --> 00:47:08,080 Speaker 2: once out of every three nine no, no, no, I'm saying 895 00:47:08,120 --> 00:47:09,040 Speaker 2: short of nine. 896 00:47:08,880 --> 00:47:13,120 Speaker 1: Wins, they're gonna gone. They're not gonna be anywhere close 897 00:47:13,160 --> 00:47:14,000 Speaker 1: to nine wins. 898 00:47:13,800 --> 00:47:16,880 Speaker 2: I know, but there has to be. Everybody's got a number. 899 00:47:18,040 --> 00:47:20,800 Speaker 2: Tom Thibodeau just got fired for making the Eastern Conference 900 00:47:20,880 --> 00:47:21,839 Speaker 2: championship tie. 901 00:47:23,400 --> 00:47:25,359 Speaker 1: And Gundy's got way better hair than him. 902 00:47:26,680 --> 00:47:30,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's true. Thibodou's funny, though apparently think Gundy's funny. 903 00:47:31,440 --> 00:47:36,480 Speaker 1: I think Gundy can be funny. Okay, let's go to Houston. Okay, 904 00:47:38,200 --> 00:47:40,479 Speaker 1: four and eight last season over under six and five 905 00:47:40,880 --> 00:47:43,879 Speaker 1: or six point five? Excuse me your one for WILLI 906 00:47:43,960 --> 00:47:47,319 Speaker 1: Fritz came over from two lane. I think it went 907 00:47:47,320 --> 00:47:49,800 Speaker 1: about as well as expected. There were some bright spots 908 00:47:49,920 --> 00:47:53,640 Speaker 1: that you can point to. They knocked off both Utah 909 00:47:53,760 --> 00:47:56,799 Speaker 1: and case Day on back to back weeks, which is nice. 910 00:47:57,080 --> 00:47:59,439 Speaker 1: They almost beat Oklahoma in week two. That was before 911 00:47:59,440 --> 00:48:02,080 Speaker 1: we knew what'll Homo was going to be, but still 912 00:48:02,080 --> 00:48:05,960 Speaker 1: that's a pretty big game. The other thing I'd mentioned 913 00:48:06,000 --> 00:48:12,799 Speaker 1: here is that they had terrible turnover. Look, Okay, moving forward. Now, 914 00:48:12,960 --> 00:48:17,839 Speaker 1: the overwhelming feeling I get when I look at Houston is, Oh, 915 00:48:17,920 --> 00:48:23,520 Speaker 1: They've got a plan. It feels calm, and I'd be 916 00:48:23,600 --> 00:48:28,160 Speaker 1: surprised if they weren't markedly better. This season just feels 917 00:48:28,160 --> 00:48:29,959 Speaker 1: to me like Willie Fritz knows what he's doing and he's. 918 00:48:30,280 --> 00:48:32,880 Speaker 2: Well, you need quarterback health, you do, which is not 919 00:48:32,920 --> 00:48:36,880 Speaker 2: always a given. Connor Wigman, Yeah, let me start. 920 00:48:36,680 --> 00:48:40,520 Speaker 1: With the coordinators. Okay, I like the coordinators. Slade Nagel 921 00:48:40,719 --> 00:48:44,319 Speaker 1: is the offensive guy. He was with Willie at Tulane. 922 00:48:44,400 --> 00:48:47,000 Speaker 1: They also peeled away Austin Armstrong from Florida because of 923 00:48:47,040 --> 00:48:49,840 Speaker 1: Florida's situation. He was kind of on the outste Florida anyway. 924 00:48:50,880 --> 00:48:53,360 Speaker 1: So on offense, I think that looks like a pretty 925 00:48:53,400 --> 00:48:57,600 Speaker 1: balanced attack on defense. The thing about Austin Armstrong that 926 00:48:57,680 --> 00:49:00,759 Speaker 1: I really like in this situation and not a lot 927 00:49:00,800 --> 00:49:03,440 Speaker 1: of people know. This definitely runs more of an aggressive 928 00:49:03,480 --> 00:49:04,400 Speaker 1: attacking defense. 929 00:49:04,520 --> 00:49:05,840 Speaker 2: Oh you have to, you have to. 930 00:49:06,120 --> 00:49:08,360 Speaker 1: Actually this was a top fifty defense year. Gone to 931 00:49:08,400 --> 00:49:10,880 Speaker 1: Sheil would she'll would have talked on the last episode, 932 00:49:10,920 --> 00:49:13,400 Speaker 1: went to Texas Tech. Yeah, yeah, so I like those guys. 933 00:49:13,480 --> 00:49:17,080 Speaker 1: I think that's smart hires on the transfer side, to 934 00:49:17,120 --> 00:49:19,560 Speaker 1: your point about you need the quarterback, you need a 935 00:49:19,600 --> 00:49:24,040 Speaker 1: healthy roster, thirty transfers, and it feels like the strategy 936 00:49:24,080 --> 00:49:26,839 Speaker 1: here was just to get better where they needed it, 937 00:49:27,239 --> 00:49:29,880 Speaker 1: not unlike Texas Tech. I described the Texas Tech strategy 938 00:49:29,880 --> 00:49:34,399 Speaker 1: as Willie Fritzie. We can describe the Houston strategy here 939 00:49:34,440 --> 00:49:36,360 Speaker 1: as Texas Techi if we want. I don't care. It 940 00:49:36,400 --> 00:49:39,080 Speaker 1: works both ways. People out there are going to hear 941 00:49:39,120 --> 00:49:42,360 Speaker 1: this and say, well, duh, like duh, isn't that the 942 00:49:42,360 --> 00:49:45,239 Speaker 1: point of it? I'm telling you, when you study one 943 00:49:45,320 --> 00:49:49,799 Speaker 1: hundred and thirty six teams, you have drastically different portal strategies. 944 00:49:50,000 --> 00:49:52,080 Speaker 1: Not all of them are this straightforward. They just aren't. 945 00:49:53,239 --> 00:49:56,200 Speaker 1: So the biggest name here is Connor Wigman, former five star, 946 00:49:56,239 --> 00:49:58,400 Speaker 1: comes over from Texas A and M. He's from Houston, 947 00:49:58,400 --> 00:50:02,040 Speaker 1: which is pretty neat and I think they just added 948 00:50:02,120 --> 00:50:05,080 Speaker 1: quality across the board. They have a couple different ways 949 00:50:05,080 --> 00:50:06,920 Speaker 1: to use their running back room. They brought in a 950 00:50:06,920 --> 00:50:10,120 Speaker 1: lot of experience on the offensive line. Again, just smart stuff. 951 00:50:10,239 --> 00:50:13,560 Speaker 1: It makes sense we should see a nice jump in offense, 952 00:50:13,560 --> 00:50:16,719 Speaker 1: which would be nice. I'm all great, so I feel 953 00:50:16,760 --> 00:50:19,480 Speaker 1: good about that side of the ball. My red flag 954 00:50:19,600 --> 00:50:21,520 Speaker 1: is this, where's my lomis thing? 955 00:50:21,920 --> 00:50:23,879 Speaker 2: I kind of have a problem with your hair. It's 956 00:50:23,920 --> 00:50:24,440 Speaker 2: bothering me. 957 00:50:24,920 --> 00:50:29,120 Speaker 1: Of course, I like the defensive front. I think the linebackers, 958 00:50:29,200 --> 00:50:31,239 Speaker 1: I think the secondary are way more up in the air. 959 00:50:32,320 --> 00:50:34,920 Speaker 1: Then they've got a new scheme. Ye had a new transfers. 960 00:50:35,640 --> 00:50:38,560 Speaker 1: I could see this taking a while to click. Now 961 00:50:38,600 --> 00:50:41,040 Speaker 1: they have some time to work that out because September 962 00:50:41,080 --> 00:50:43,719 Speaker 1: is gettable. The rest of the schedule is okay. 963 00:50:43,719 --> 00:50:45,760 Speaker 2: It's a lot of snip snap. There's not a lot 964 00:50:45,800 --> 00:50:48,680 Speaker 2: of stretchiness in here. There's not a lot of three 965 00:50:48,760 --> 00:50:50,839 Speaker 2: straight toughies. They I think they end with a couple 966 00:50:50,840 --> 00:50:53,680 Speaker 2: of tough ones. It's TCU and Baylor to finish things out. 967 00:50:53,760 --> 00:50:55,680 Speaker 1: TCU and Baylor after a buy to finish things out 968 00:50:55,719 --> 00:50:56,400 Speaker 1: in late November. 969 00:50:56,480 --> 00:50:59,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, but that's preceded by West Virginia and UCF. They've 970 00:50:59,160 --> 00:51:03,400 Speaker 2: got Arizona before Arizona State, and Oklahoma State before Arizona, 971 00:51:03,520 --> 00:51:05,680 Speaker 2: Oregon State, which I think will be improved but not 972 00:51:05,880 --> 00:51:10,799 Speaker 2: a killer, before Texas Tech. Colorado is will see, but 973 00:51:10,880 --> 00:51:13,960 Speaker 2: that's preceded by Rice, who's starting over in steven f. Austin. 974 00:51:15,280 --> 00:51:18,120 Speaker 1: Schedule is pretty good. The schedule's not bad. I mean, no, 975 00:51:18,400 --> 00:51:21,360 Speaker 1: no Kansas State, no Iowa State, no Utah. Right, and 976 00:51:21,440 --> 00:51:23,120 Speaker 1: Vegas is right there at six and a half with 977 00:51:23,160 --> 00:51:25,160 Speaker 1: the over under, So I would not bet on the over, 978 00:51:25,600 --> 00:51:28,319 Speaker 1: but you can definitely look at this and if you 979 00:51:28,320 --> 00:51:31,680 Speaker 1: feel optimistic about the offense, and if you think that 980 00:51:31,760 --> 00:51:34,080 Speaker 1: in time the defense will click under a good coordinator 981 00:51:34,120 --> 00:51:37,440 Speaker 1: or aggressive coordinator. Let's be honest. You could find a 982 00:51:37,440 --> 00:51:38,560 Speaker 1: path to seven wins here. 983 00:51:38,960 --> 00:51:41,600 Speaker 2: Oh easily. You can find a path to seven or 984 00:51:41,600 --> 00:51:46,279 Speaker 2: eight wins with quarterback health, with transfers working out to 985 00:51:46,360 --> 00:51:48,960 Speaker 2: a reasonable level. I like, I think it's what Stefan 986 00:51:49,040 --> 00:51:49,879 Speaker 2: Johnson out wide. 987 00:51:50,000 --> 00:51:50,160 Speaker 1: Yep. 988 00:51:50,200 --> 00:51:53,200 Speaker 2: I think he's a speedy dude. Like there are pieces here. 989 00:51:53,680 --> 00:51:57,319 Speaker 2: It's just the churn at a place like Houston means 990 00:51:57,360 --> 00:51:59,440 Speaker 2: you gotta nail the portal. I mean gotta nail the 991 00:51:59,440 --> 00:52:02,640 Speaker 2: portal everywhere, obviously, but the certain places are just going 992 00:52:02,719 --> 00:52:05,759 Speaker 2: to have more of a churn that they're just not 993 00:52:05,800 --> 00:52:08,759 Speaker 2: going to be able to compete from a financial perspective, 994 00:52:09,360 --> 00:52:14,279 Speaker 2: that they're losing a coordinator. They're improving at quarterback, but 995 00:52:14,400 --> 00:52:17,520 Speaker 2: it's somebody who's a little bit fragile and Connor Wigman unfortunately. 996 00:52:17,840 --> 00:52:20,480 Speaker 2: So you hope and cross your fingers for quarterback health 997 00:52:20,520 --> 00:52:24,200 Speaker 2: there and you hope that they're able to get off 998 00:52:24,200 --> 00:52:26,399 Speaker 2: the field again. Willie Fritz and we've talked about this before, 999 00:52:26,400 --> 00:52:29,799 Speaker 2: a year two, real solid track record. 1000 00:52:29,719 --> 00:52:32,640 Speaker 1: Very good year two coach, and I think this is 1001 00:52:32,640 --> 00:52:35,600 Speaker 1: where context is really important for Houston. If this were 1002 00:52:35,640 --> 00:52:38,759 Speaker 1: a situation where you're looking at this defense any other team, 1003 00:52:39,239 --> 00:52:41,560 Speaker 1: you're looking at the defense and you say, well, I 1004 00:52:41,640 --> 00:52:43,640 Speaker 1: like the front. The back seven is going to be 1005 00:52:43,680 --> 00:52:45,360 Speaker 1: working progress. It's going to take a little bit to 1006 00:52:45,440 --> 00:52:47,520 Speaker 1: kind of work through it. But look at the schedule. 1007 00:52:47,560 --> 00:52:49,920 Speaker 1: The schedule makes sense. They're going to have time. You 1008 00:52:49,920 --> 00:52:52,560 Speaker 1: would be okay to handwave parts of that. The reason 1009 00:52:52,560 --> 00:52:54,399 Speaker 1: that you can't do it with Houston is because they're 1010 00:52:54,440 --> 00:52:56,799 Speaker 1: still sort of in this rebuilding mode. If the rest 1011 00:52:56,800 --> 00:52:59,440 Speaker 1: of the roster were more set, if there were more leadership, 1012 00:53:00,080 --> 00:53:02,799 Speaker 1: if this were a couple of years down the path 1013 00:53:02,800 --> 00:53:05,520 Speaker 1: of Lily Fritz and you had more of a bedrock 1014 00:53:05,600 --> 00:53:08,279 Speaker 1: to go on here with Houston, you'd say, Okay, yeah, 1015 00:53:08,280 --> 00:53:09,840 Speaker 1: they can weather that. They'll be fine. They're going to 1016 00:53:09,880 --> 00:53:12,000 Speaker 1: get to a Bowl, no big deal. Might not get 1017 00:53:12,000 --> 00:53:14,959 Speaker 1: the nine wins, but they'll they'll be fine. But given 1018 00:53:14,960 --> 00:53:18,040 Speaker 1: where Houston's at, given that this was a huge rebuild 1019 00:53:18,320 --> 00:53:20,600 Speaker 1: last season, given that he's still rebuilding and bringing in 1020 00:53:20,640 --> 00:53:23,960 Speaker 1: all these transfers, I think that weighs a little bit 1021 00:53:23,960 --> 00:53:27,279 Speaker 1: more heavily on the record. So I go seven wins here. 1022 00:53:28,280 --> 00:53:30,759 Speaker 1: I like our six wins here with a path to 1023 00:53:30,800 --> 00:53:33,360 Speaker 1: seven or eight. I like where Houston's at. I like 1024 00:53:33,400 --> 00:53:35,160 Speaker 1: the job that Willi Fritz is doing. I think it's 1025 00:53:35,200 --> 00:53:37,920 Speaker 1: a slow build, and I would expect they'll give him 1026 00:53:37,920 --> 00:53:39,640 Speaker 1: time because they're going to see it too. There's going 1027 00:53:39,719 --> 00:53:41,200 Speaker 1: to be a jump this year that's going to show 1028 00:53:41,239 --> 00:53:45,719 Speaker 1: real progress and hopefully keep people, you know, excited. 1029 00:53:46,280 --> 00:53:48,799 Speaker 2: I hope so too. Yeah, because I think as we've 1030 00:53:48,880 --> 00:53:53,799 Speaker 2: seen the best of Houston is a team that was 1031 00:53:54,000 --> 00:53:56,600 Speaker 2: one weird play from beating Texas with Dana Holgerson, a 1032 00:53:56,600 --> 00:54:01,200 Speaker 2: couple of years ago, right, yep, was a January type 1033 00:54:01,200 --> 00:54:03,600 Speaker 2: Bowl team with Tom Herman. We're talking about a different 1034 00:54:03,600 --> 00:54:07,040 Speaker 2: era of college football, of course, but just in terms 1035 00:54:07,080 --> 00:54:10,680 Speaker 2: of what that university can attract, especially if they're able 1036 00:54:10,680 --> 00:54:13,319 Speaker 2: to engage the money behind the scenes and what the 1037 00:54:13,360 --> 00:54:15,960 Speaker 2: local recruiting is like, both from like guys coming back 1038 00:54:15,960 --> 00:54:19,160 Speaker 2: to East Texas and that want to stay local. You 1039 00:54:19,160 --> 00:54:23,480 Speaker 2: can accomplish a bunch at Houston. So yeah, fingers crossed 1040 00:54:23,480 --> 00:54:23,759 Speaker 2: for them. 1041 00:54:25,480 --> 00:54:29,120 Speaker 1: We've got one team left, is the Colorado Buffalo is 1042 00:54:29,160 --> 00:54:34,960 Speaker 1: dan Yes, so there's always a lot to talk about 1043 00:54:35,000 --> 00:54:38,239 Speaker 1: with the Dion Sanders coach team. Yes, Where do you 1044 00:54:38,280 --> 00:54:41,000 Speaker 1: want to start? I can give you the kind of 1045 00:54:41,040 --> 00:54:42,279 Speaker 1: lay of the land. The lay of the land is 1046 00:54:42,320 --> 00:54:44,080 Speaker 1: that Colorado was nine and four team a year ago. 1047 00:54:44,120 --> 00:54:47,080 Speaker 1: They lost two games in conference. They're over under this 1048 00:54:47,160 --> 00:54:50,279 Speaker 1: year is six and a half. It probably is no 1049 00:54:50,320 --> 00:54:52,160 Speaker 1: great surprise as to why that number has come down, 1050 00:54:52,200 --> 00:54:57,239 Speaker 1: but at a starting point, one of the five most 1051 00:54:57,239 --> 00:55:01,560 Speaker 1: interesting teams in the country, I think, not for the 1052 00:55:01,560 --> 00:55:02,600 Speaker 1: same reasons as before. 1053 00:55:03,960 --> 00:55:06,480 Speaker 2: Really you think that right now they're one. I have 1054 00:55:06,560 --> 00:55:08,080 Speaker 2: most fascinating teams. 1055 00:55:08,239 --> 00:55:13,880 Speaker 1: Fascinating not best teams. Oh no, I know that, but Okay, 1056 00:55:14,000 --> 00:55:17,200 Speaker 1: first year at Colorado without Shador and Travis Hunter, and 1057 00:55:18,719 --> 00:55:21,000 Speaker 1: I can't say it's going to be a new Vibe 1058 00:55:21,040 --> 00:55:24,200 Speaker 1: and Boulder, but it kind of feels like it has 1059 00:55:24,239 --> 00:55:26,799 Speaker 1: to be a transition year at a minimum. I think 1060 00:55:26,800 --> 00:55:29,959 Speaker 1: the offense is going to look different because you're missing 1061 00:55:30,040 --> 00:55:34,239 Speaker 1: your star quarterback who probably should have gotten drafted a 1062 00:55:34,239 --> 00:55:37,000 Speaker 1: lot higher. A once in a generation player isn't going 1063 00:55:37,080 --> 00:55:39,280 Speaker 1: to be out wide. There are a couple of major 1064 00:55:39,400 --> 00:55:42,000 Speaker 1: zags that are going to be coming, and I'm just 1065 00:55:42,080 --> 00:55:44,279 Speaker 1: curious to see how Dion responds to that with again, 1066 00:55:44,320 --> 00:55:46,360 Speaker 1: another huge class of transfers. 1067 00:55:46,840 --> 00:55:49,200 Speaker 2: Huge class of transfers. Last year, they were led by 1068 00:55:49,200 --> 00:55:51,960 Speaker 2: their defense, almost quietly led by their defense. I thought, 1069 00:55:52,040 --> 00:55:55,640 Speaker 2: it's what it's uh, Robert Livingston is the defensive coordinator. 1070 00:55:55,680 --> 00:55:58,080 Speaker 1: I keep getting him confused with Ron Livingston. I jotted 1071 00:55:58,120 --> 00:55:59,640 Speaker 1: Ron Livingston Ron Livingston. 1072 00:55:59,719 --> 00:56:04,560 Speaker 2: Of course, of office space fame, moved on to his 1073 00:56:04,640 --> 00:56:07,680 Speaker 2: second act of calling Pack twelve and Big twelve defenses. 1074 00:56:07,880 --> 00:56:11,720 Speaker 2: An outstanding secondary obviously headlined by the Heisman Trophy winner. 1075 00:56:12,160 --> 00:56:16,040 Speaker 2: An outstanding receiving corps last year, also headlined by the 1076 00:56:16,080 --> 00:56:21,600 Speaker 2: Heisman winner, both completely different this year the offensive line 1077 00:56:21,760 --> 00:56:24,839 Speaker 2: is being rebuilt through the portal, kind of everything's being 1078 00:56:24,880 --> 00:56:27,960 Speaker 2: rebuilt through the portal. They don't run the ball, so 1079 00:56:28,000 --> 00:56:31,760 Speaker 2: they obviously don't run the ball. Well, it's Caiden Salter 1080 00:56:32,480 --> 00:56:36,160 Speaker 2: via Liberty or do Ju Louis, Yeah, Julian Lewis from 1081 00:56:36,280 --> 00:56:39,480 Speaker 2: I want to say Carrollton, Georgia, a blue chip quarterback 1082 00:56:39,520 --> 00:56:41,280 Speaker 2: coming in competing for the job. I think we assume 1083 00:56:41,280 --> 00:56:43,600 Speaker 2: it's going to be Kaden Salter, who has been reasonably 1084 00:56:43,640 --> 00:56:48,520 Speaker 2: successful in a smaller conference for a smaller school. There 1085 00:56:48,560 --> 00:56:52,760 Speaker 2: are just too many variables on the field right now, 1086 00:56:53,520 --> 00:56:57,160 Speaker 2: coupled with the fact that something just strikes me as 1087 00:56:57,239 --> 00:57:00,360 Speaker 2: off behind the scenes at Colorado, and I don't I 1088 00:57:00,400 --> 00:57:05,360 Speaker 2: don't blame Dion's health for anything. He lived in Texas 1089 00:57:05,400 --> 00:57:09,840 Speaker 2: the past few months rehabilitating an injury. I hope he's healthy. 1090 00:57:10,160 --> 00:57:13,000 Speaker 2: I hope it works out. That's a different thing in 1091 00:57:13,040 --> 00:57:16,120 Speaker 2: this sport that a coach is not even living in 1092 00:57:16,160 --> 00:57:20,960 Speaker 2: the town of the school while rehabilitating very serious health issues, 1093 00:57:21,840 --> 00:57:24,840 Speaker 2: and that his friends have had to put out statements 1094 00:57:24,880 --> 00:57:27,200 Speaker 2: like just saw him, He's doing great, can't wait to 1095 00:57:27,240 --> 00:57:29,360 Speaker 2: get back out there. And he went to Big twelve 1096 00:57:29,440 --> 00:57:31,800 Speaker 2: media days and was like, I'm doing great, nothing work 1097 00:57:31,840 --> 00:57:32,360 Speaker 2: to worry about. 1098 00:57:32,440 --> 00:57:32,680 Speaker 1: Guys. 1099 00:57:32,720 --> 00:57:35,440 Speaker 2: I'm just like, you didn't even live in Colorado for 1100 00:57:35,480 --> 00:57:38,880 Speaker 2: the majority of the off season. That's worrisome to me. 1101 00:57:39,880 --> 00:57:42,880 Speaker 2: I hope, from a human standpoint, he's doing alright. I 1102 00:57:42,880 --> 00:57:46,480 Speaker 2: hope he's healed. I hope he's doing all right. But 1103 00:57:46,560 --> 00:57:50,240 Speaker 2: if we're talking about like the vibes within a program 1104 00:57:50,760 --> 00:57:55,400 Speaker 2: that's just unique, that is different, and so maybe we're 1105 00:57:55,440 --> 00:57:58,640 Speaker 2: full speed ahead, maybe everything's good to go. Maybe he's 1106 00:57:58,640 --> 00:58:01,880 Speaker 2: done an outstanding job as Zoom. However you do things, 1107 00:58:03,360 --> 00:58:05,800 Speaker 2: it's hard to feel great about where this program is. 1108 00:58:05,840 --> 00:58:09,240 Speaker 2: Weirdly enough on offense more than defense, because I just 1109 00:58:09,480 --> 00:58:13,439 Speaker 2: I don't love redoing an offensive line every year and 1110 00:58:13,680 --> 00:58:16,080 Speaker 2: having it be the weakness that it was, especially a 1111 00:58:16,080 --> 00:58:18,840 Speaker 2: couple of years ago. I just don't like that sort 1112 00:58:18,840 --> 00:58:22,680 Speaker 2: of annual turnover. Jordan Seaton's back, I think at left tackle, 1113 00:58:22,720 --> 00:58:24,920 Speaker 2: the blue chip left tackle who started as a freshman 1114 00:58:25,000 --> 00:58:27,280 Speaker 2: last year, I think did a good job, and the 1115 00:58:27,280 --> 00:58:32,280 Speaker 2: line definitely improved some I don't know they were experienced 1116 00:58:32,320 --> 00:58:34,800 Speaker 2: with some of their guys, you know, at receiver and 1117 00:58:34,840 --> 00:58:38,520 Speaker 2: on defense last year. I just the two years and 1118 00:58:38,640 --> 00:58:42,120 Speaker 2: starting over thing without one of the best. I think 1119 00:58:42,160 --> 00:58:46,360 Speaker 2: they retired sha Door Sanders' number. Yes, and the singularly 1120 00:58:46,520 --> 00:58:50,560 Speaker 2: most talented player in program history, if not college football history. 1121 00:58:50,600 --> 00:58:53,920 Speaker 1: I mean, he's incredible. Travis Hunter, he was ridiculous. Yeah. 1122 00:58:53,960 --> 00:58:56,680 Speaker 2: So when one single person can account for that much 1123 00:58:56,720 --> 00:58:59,040 Speaker 2: production for your team as a whole and he's gone, 1124 00:59:00,520 --> 00:59:07,080 Speaker 2: I don't know, five and seven, six and six, I 1125 00:59:07,080 --> 00:59:08,400 Speaker 2: think anything is on the table. 1126 00:59:08,560 --> 00:59:13,000 Speaker 1: I've got him down as an entertaining five and seven. Okay, again, 1127 00:59:13,040 --> 00:59:15,680 Speaker 1: the over unders six and a half. So let me 1128 00:59:15,840 --> 00:59:19,840 Speaker 1: backtrack a little bit. Okay, I don't think it's fully 1129 00:59:19,920 --> 00:59:22,200 Speaker 1: accurate to say. I mean it's a matter of opinion. 1130 00:59:23,400 --> 00:59:26,080 Speaker 1: I would not say they were led by defense last year. 1131 00:59:26,680 --> 00:59:28,360 Speaker 2: Their defense was better than their offense. 1132 00:59:29,840 --> 00:59:31,800 Speaker 1: Their defense was better than it had been, but the 1133 00:59:31,840 --> 00:59:33,840 Speaker 1: offense was like a top twenty unit in the country. 1134 00:59:34,640 --> 00:59:36,880 Speaker 2: I have them down fortieth on offense and points per 1135 00:59:36,960 --> 00:59:38,600 Speaker 2: drive thirty fourth in defense. 1136 00:59:38,920 --> 00:59:44,760 Speaker 1: Okay, whatever metric we want to use. Yes, clearly Shador 1137 00:59:44,840 --> 00:59:49,360 Speaker 1: Sanders and what he did offensively, mostly in tandem with 1138 00:59:49,840 --> 00:59:53,600 Speaker 1: Travis Hunter, that is gone, and they are going to 1139 00:59:53,600 --> 00:59:57,600 Speaker 1: be starting over on some level. On offense, they will 1140 00:59:57,640 --> 01:00:00,800 Speaker 1: be led more so by defense this year. The job 1141 01:00:00,840 --> 01:00:05,800 Speaker 1: that Robert don't call me Ron Livingston did, huh was 1142 01:00:05,920 --> 01:00:12,800 Speaker 1: really impressive per your analytics, Yes, Colorado improved by one 1143 01:00:12,840 --> 01:00:16,160 Speaker 1: point per drive on defense. Now that doesn't sound like much, 1144 01:00:16,200 --> 01:00:19,120 Speaker 1: I get it. But once you realize that teams averaged 1145 01:00:19,160 --> 01:00:23,720 Speaker 1: about what twelve drives a game last season against Colorado, 1146 01:00:23,760 --> 01:00:27,880 Speaker 1: do the math. They got way better, way better overall, 1147 01:00:28,720 --> 01:00:31,960 Speaker 1: one hundred and thirteenth in defensive sp plus in twenty 1148 01:00:32,000 --> 01:00:34,960 Speaker 1: twenty three. They improved the forty first last season, which 1149 01:00:35,040 --> 01:00:37,920 Speaker 1: is a jump of seventy two spots. It's a lot, 1150 01:00:39,240 --> 01:00:41,800 Speaker 1: all right, So I like the fact that they got better. 1151 01:00:41,840 --> 01:00:46,040 Speaker 1: There definitely a talking point regardless of who led whom. 1152 01:00:46,360 --> 01:00:48,520 Speaker 1: I think that was a big jump forward. You could 1153 01:00:48,600 --> 01:00:50,680 Speaker 1: say this year there are as many as eight starters 1154 01:00:50,720 --> 01:00:53,720 Speaker 1: back on defense when you factor in the transfers. Jaheim 1155 01:00:53,760 --> 01:00:55,720 Speaker 1: Otis is the big hog Molly along the line. To 1156 01:00:55,760 --> 01:00:58,920 Speaker 1: pay attention to big number ninety six five three twenty five, 1157 01:00:58,960 --> 01:01:00,680 Speaker 1: I don't know how you get that big. When a monster, 1158 01:01:01,000 --> 01:01:03,800 Speaker 1: he's going to step into a leading role right away, 1159 01:01:03,960 --> 01:01:06,280 Speaker 1: even in the secondary. Like the impulse I think is 1160 01:01:06,320 --> 01:01:08,400 Speaker 1: to think that they're going to take a big step 1161 01:01:08,400 --> 01:01:11,000 Speaker 1: back because they lose Travis Hunter. I do think they'll 1162 01:01:11,000 --> 01:01:13,240 Speaker 1: take a step back, but they still have guys like 1163 01:01:13,320 --> 01:01:16,840 Speaker 1: DJ McKinney, who played really well last season and wasn't 1164 01:01:16,880 --> 01:01:21,560 Speaker 1: in the limelight, but is still there should be productive. 1165 01:01:21,560 --> 01:01:23,760 Speaker 1: They brought in six transfers, some of whom were also 1166 01:01:23,840 --> 01:01:26,200 Speaker 1: starters elsewhere, So this is not to say that there 1167 01:01:26,200 --> 01:01:29,600 Speaker 1: aren't holes to fill on that defense, but from what 1168 01:01:29,720 --> 01:01:32,960 Speaker 1: I'm seeing, I think they'll be fine, and I think 1169 01:01:33,000 --> 01:01:35,480 Speaker 1: if that's the case, it'd be a cool story. So 1170 01:01:35,520 --> 01:01:38,280 Speaker 1: defensively they're in a good spot. They will be for 1171 01:01:38,400 --> 01:01:42,479 Speaker 1: certain led by defense this year. The situation on offense, though, 1172 01:01:42,520 --> 01:01:45,040 Speaker 1: is where it gets a little bit weird. I think again, 1173 01:01:45,120 --> 01:01:48,200 Speaker 1: it will be entertaining and fun to chart. But Caden 1174 01:01:48,240 --> 01:01:52,160 Speaker 1: Salter from Liberty, the dual threat guy, was super productive, 1175 01:01:52,520 --> 01:01:55,680 Speaker 1: did a lot of RPO stuff in his career. Him 1176 01:01:55,760 --> 01:01:58,680 Speaker 1: or Juju lewis true freshman, like you said from Georgia, 1177 01:01:58,760 --> 01:02:01,960 Speaker 1: is not going to be eighteen until September twenty First, damn, 1178 01:02:02,400 --> 01:02:03,080 Speaker 1: how old are we? 1179 01:02:03,720 --> 01:02:06,520 Speaker 2: How many years older than seventeen? Are you? 1180 01:02:08,440 --> 01:02:09,160 Speaker 1: Where's my button? 1181 01:02:09,400 --> 01:02:10,360 Speaker 2: Twenty five? 1182 01:02:11,720 --> 01:02:15,280 Speaker 1: Not talking about this? Okay? The comp I saw for 1183 01:02:15,360 --> 01:02:19,440 Speaker 1: Juju was Bryce Young, which would be pretty awesome in Colorado. 1184 01:02:19,640 --> 01:02:21,800 Speaker 2: Young literally Bryce Young. 1185 01:02:21,920 --> 01:02:24,280 Speaker 1: Yeah. I don't know if the guy who wins the 1186 01:02:24,360 --> 01:02:25,760 Speaker 1: job in week one is going to end up being 1187 01:02:25,760 --> 01:02:27,880 Speaker 1: the starter of the full way through. But they've got 1188 01:02:27,880 --> 01:02:30,120 Speaker 1: two guys that are competing for the job, and I 1189 01:02:30,120 --> 01:02:32,800 Speaker 1: think that'll be interesting. I don't know what the offense 1190 01:02:32,880 --> 01:02:35,120 Speaker 1: is going to look like. There's like no way it 1191 01:02:35,160 --> 01:02:40,000 Speaker 1: can be so pass heavy given that they're going to 1192 01:02:40,040 --> 01:02:41,880 Speaker 1: have a whole new cast of characters. I just think 1193 01:02:41,880 --> 01:02:43,920 Speaker 1: they're going to have to bring things more into balance. 1194 01:02:44,480 --> 01:02:46,640 Speaker 1: We'll see if Pat Shermer can get the ground game going. 1195 01:02:46,960 --> 01:02:49,439 Speaker 1: It's not something that worked at all last season. They've 1196 01:02:49,480 --> 01:02:52,720 Speaker 1: been the worst running team for two years running. Yeah, 1197 01:02:52,800 --> 01:02:55,120 Speaker 1: so you know, there are real questions about this offense, 1198 01:02:55,160 --> 01:02:57,440 Speaker 1: which is definitely different from what we have seen the 1199 01:02:57,480 --> 01:03:01,920 Speaker 1: last two years. When I saw this schedule at l 1200 01:03:01,960 --> 01:03:06,000 Speaker 1: OLED oh oh. The good news is that they've got 1201 01:03:06,000 --> 01:03:11,160 Speaker 1: Delaware and Wyoming. The bad news BYU, followed by a 1202 01:03:11,240 --> 01:03:14,240 Speaker 1: road spot at TCU before coming home to play Iowa State. 1203 01:03:14,600 --> 01:03:18,080 Speaker 1: They're at Utah at West Virginia. They close out the 1204 01:03:18,160 --> 01:03:20,560 Speaker 1: year with back to back games against Arizona State and 1205 01:03:20,680 --> 01:03:23,520 Speaker 1: on the road against Kansas State. It's not quite the 1206 01:03:23,560 --> 01:03:25,800 Speaker 1: toughest schedule in the Big Twelve, but it's up there. 1207 01:03:25,960 --> 01:03:27,680 Speaker 1: They also open with Georgia Tech. 1208 01:03:27,960 --> 01:03:32,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, Georgia Tech, who did this to the program of 1209 01:03:32,080 --> 01:03:35,240 Speaker 2: the future, who did this to them? It will be entertaining. 1210 01:03:35,240 --> 01:03:37,920 Speaker 2: You're right, it will be entertaining. And here's the actual 1211 01:03:37,960 --> 01:03:41,520 Speaker 2: concern too about the offense. I think we think Caden 1212 01:03:41,560 --> 01:03:45,080 Speaker 2: Salter is pretty good, but is he drag this entire 1213 01:03:45,240 --> 01:03:48,040 Speaker 2: offense to thirty one points a week? 1214 01:03:48,200 --> 01:03:48,480 Speaker 1: Good? 1215 01:03:48,600 --> 01:03:52,080 Speaker 2: With these receivers that were rotation guys last year, but 1216 01:03:52,120 --> 01:03:55,600 Speaker 2: they weren't providing huge pop for this team last year 1217 01:03:55,640 --> 01:03:59,040 Speaker 2: and no running game and a rebuilt offensive line. I 1218 01:03:59,080 --> 01:04:01,080 Speaker 2: just don't think he can serve me, asked Serbiak, this 1219 01:04:01,160 --> 01:04:02,640 Speaker 2: thing to thirty one? 1220 01:04:03,200 --> 01:04:05,200 Speaker 1: How long is it going to take this offense to 1221 01:04:05,360 --> 01:04:12,840 Speaker 1: gel And realistically, how much can that defense, which I 1222 01:04:12,840 --> 01:04:16,000 Speaker 1: think will be better, how much can that defense shut 1223 01:04:16,040 --> 01:04:21,040 Speaker 1: down this schedule. That's that's the big thing for me. 1224 01:04:21,280 --> 01:04:24,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, I agree, you're just a hater, Ty, You're just 1225 01:04:24,640 --> 01:04:25,800 Speaker 2: a Colorado hater. 1226 01:04:26,120 --> 01:04:27,840 Speaker 1: We're gonna I'm gonna look at the comments and see 1227 01:04:28,000 --> 01:04:29,840 Speaker 1: that's fine, just like and I know where they're gonna 1228 01:04:29,840 --> 01:04:33,520 Speaker 1: come from to But listen, I'm rooting like hell for Colorado. 1229 01:04:34,200 --> 01:04:37,600 Speaker 1: I am on recry a peace. No no, no, no, hold on, 1230 01:04:37,600 --> 01:04:40,680 Speaker 1: shut up. People can go back and listen to me. 1231 01:04:40,760 --> 01:04:43,760 Speaker 1: Two years ago when Dion took this job, when he 1232 01:04:43,800 --> 01:04:47,520 Speaker 1: brought in fifty two transfers, I was on the record saying, well, 1233 01:04:47,600 --> 01:04:51,880 Speaker 1: I get why it's different. I understand completely why people 1234 01:04:51,880 --> 01:04:53,960 Speaker 1: would look at this and say he's not recruiting. This 1235 01:04:54,040 --> 01:04:55,560 Speaker 1: is going to be a flash in the pan. It's 1236 01:04:55,560 --> 01:04:59,960 Speaker 1: never gonna work, but let's see. And if it does work, 1237 01:05:00,200 --> 01:05:03,120 Speaker 1: then maybe that will become like a new model. Here, 1238 01:05:03,160 --> 01:05:06,280 Speaker 1: I'm hitting my microphone now, I'm crazy. Maybe that'll become 1239 01:05:06,280 --> 01:05:09,960 Speaker 1: a new model in college football. And guess what. He 1240 01:05:10,040 --> 01:05:12,600 Speaker 1: won nine games last year, and it is the model 1241 01:05:12,640 --> 01:05:16,480 Speaker 1: in college football now. Everybody's doing it now, some out 1242 01:05:16,520 --> 01:05:18,960 Speaker 1: of necessity because they don't have a choice, right, But 1243 01:05:18,960 --> 01:05:21,560 Speaker 1: there are plenty of big schools that have integrated the 1244 01:05:21,560 --> 01:05:25,440 Speaker 1: portal much more into their recruiting regimen than they did 1245 01:05:25,480 --> 01:05:26,160 Speaker 1: a couple of years ago. 1246 01:05:26,280 --> 01:05:26,920 Speaker 2: You're not wrong. 1247 01:05:27,760 --> 01:05:30,800 Speaker 1: So say whatever we want about Dion and the strategy, 1248 01:05:30,840 --> 01:05:34,440 Speaker 1: and yes it's volatile and he's not for everybody, but. 1249 01:05:34,560 --> 01:05:36,720 Speaker 2: Well, and he's just a much bigger face doing it 1250 01:05:36,760 --> 01:05:40,360 Speaker 2: than every face. There's no personality bigger than him, certainly 1251 01:05:40,360 --> 01:05:44,120 Speaker 2: not on the coaching side, right, but what he has 1252 01:05:44,200 --> 01:05:48,640 Speaker 2: done in two short years has definitely been a blueprint 1253 01:05:48,640 --> 01:05:51,000 Speaker 2: that other schools have followed, and I don't know if 1254 01:05:51,000 --> 01:05:53,000 Speaker 2: they'll have success with this with it this year. 1255 01:05:53,040 --> 01:05:56,360 Speaker 1: They're trying it again, but I was up on that. 1256 01:05:56,440 --> 01:05:58,600 Speaker 1: I was at least willing to give it time. We 1257 01:05:58,680 --> 01:06:01,880 Speaker 1: saw the fruits of that last season, but now it's 1258 01:06:01,920 --> 01:06:05,600 Speaker 1: a new challenge when you lose two stars in Shador 1259 01:06:05,720 --> 01:06:09,640 Speaker 1: and Travis Hunter. Yeah, it's that has to be the 1260 01:06:09,720 --> 01:06:13,240 Speaker 1: first question that everybody asks, and how they make up 1261 01:06:13,240 --> 01:06:15,760 Speaker 1: for that production remains to be seen. But five and 1262 01:06:15,800 --> 01:06:19,160 Speaker 1: seven for me, a very entertaining five and seven, Happy 1263 01:06:19,200 --> 01:06:21,280 Speaker 1: to be proven wrong. I am rooting for Colorado, souse. 1264 01:06:21,280 --> 01:06:23,680 Speaker 1: I think it's a cool story, but definitely a new 1265 01:06:23,760 --> 01:06:24,240 Speaker 1: chapter here. 1266 01:06:24,360 --> 01:06:27,080 Speaker 2: I'm rooting for Colorado just because I enjoy Ralphie more 1267 01:06:27,080 --> 01:06:29,040 Speaker 2: than any other live mascot in the sport. 1268 01:06:29,360 --> 01:06:29,960 Speaker 1: A female. 1269 01:06:30,800 --> 01:06:33,479 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, long, Ralfie's a female long of Yale. 1270 01:06:33,800 --> 01:06:34,400 Speaker 1: Yeah. 1271 01:06:34,680 --> 01:06:38,320 Speaker 2: Okay, So that does it for the Big twelve, all 1272 01:06:38,440 --> 01:06:42,840 Speaker 2: sixteen teams now in the bag. Please reach out soliverble 1273 01:06:42,880 --> 01:06:45,920 Speaker 2: at gmail dot com with any thoughts. If you can 1274 01:06:45,960 --> 01:06:51,600 Speaker 2: comment on whatever podcast platform or YouTube that you're consuming 1275 01:06:51,600 --> 01:06:53,880 Speaker 2: the content, please weigh and let us know your thoughts. 1276 01:06:54,040 --> 01:06:56,720 Speaker 2: Are they playing any of the games where Brett Yormark 1277 01:06:56,760 --> 01:06:58,640 Speaker 2: said that they were going to explore the possibility of 1278 01:06:58,720 --> 01:07:01,680 Speaker 2: playing in like South Powell. Are they doing any of 1279 01:07:01,720 --> 01:07:02,120 Speaker 2: that yet? 1280 01:07:02,280 --> 01:07:03,080 Speaker 1: I don't think so. 1281 01:07:03,560 --> 01:07:09,400 Speaker 2: No games, No, no neutral site games in Guatemala, Mexico City, Osaka. 1282 01:07:09,440 --> 01:07:13,919 Speaker 2: Nothing yet, Okay, no, nothing yet. Someday someday, I hope. 1283 01:07:13,960 --> 01:07:17,680 Speaker 1: So. Yeah, I played games in Ireland the week zero 1284 01:07:17,800 --> 01:07:21,840 Speaker 1: game in Ireland is not that counts. That counts. That's 1285 01:07:22,040 --> 01:07:24,120 Speaker 1: not idea. It's it's been fun. 1286 01:07:24,720 --> 01:07:28,440 Speaker 2: Dublin's great. Yeah, it's not terrible to get to, right, 1287 01:07:28,480 --> 01:07:33,080 Speaker 2: it's western most Ish, I don't know it's Dublin's. It's 1288 01:07:33,520 --> 01:07:36,000 Speaker 2: it's on the very western edge of Europe. So the 1289 01:07:36,040 --> 01:07:42,160 Speaker 2: flights aren't terrible. And uh, Bambino pizza terrific, terrific, really 1290 01:07:42,200 --> 01:07:46,320 Speaker 2: really really really good pizza in Dublin against all odds. 1291 01:07:46,400 --> 01:07:52,800 Speaker 1: Great food town. Yeah, amazing, all right again, leave a 1292 01:07:52,800 --> 01:07:55,560 Speaker 1: star rating, leave a review. That stuff helps for Ballers 1293 01:07:55,560 --> 01:07:57,160 Speaker 1: dot com is where you can go for the Patreon 1294 01:07:57,160 --> 01:07:59,080 Speaker 1: if you want to further support what Dan and I 1295 01:07:59,080 --> 01:08:02,080 Speaker 1: are up to here, hit foul, hit subscribe, if nothing 1296 01:08:02,160 --> 01:08:04,680 Speaker 1: more so that you don't miss any of our episodes. 1297 01:08:05,200 --> 01:08:06,800 Speaker 1: Our next episode is going to be part one of 1298 01:08:06,800 --> 01:08:09,880 Speaker 1: the Big Ten. The Big Ten is eighteen friggin teams. Okay, 1299 01:08:10,240 --> 01:08:12,760 Speaker 1: this was the case last year. I'd just like to 1300 01:08:12,800 --> 01:08:16,400 Speaker 1: remind people when we do these previews, these are good. 1301 01:08:16,880 --> 01:08:18,920 Speaker 1: These are gonna be longer episodes we have. There's just 1302 01:08:19,040 --> 01:08:19,880 Speaker 1: no way around it. 1303 01:08:20,040 --> 01:08:21,720 Speaker 2: Do you want to get one team out of the 1304 01:08:21,720 --> 01:08:22,479 Speaker 2: way right now? 1305 01:08:22,600 --> 01:08:22,960 Speaker 1: Perdue? 1306 01:08:23,000 --> 01:08:25,840 Speaker 2: So we just do our Washington preview on this episode. 1307 01:08:25,920 --> 01:08:27,160 Speaker 1: I'm ready with Washington. 1308 01:08:27,400 --> 01:08:28,000 Speaker 2: Are you really? 1309 01:08:28,080 --> 01:08:29,519 Speaker 1: I am ready with Washington? Yeah? Was it? 1310 01:08:29,520 --> 01:08:33,280 Speaker 2: Demon Williams? Demon Williams is the Truth, Denzel Boston. Yeah, 1311 01:08:33,600 --> 01:08:37,519 Speaker 2: Demon Williams is the Truth. A smaller it's a line 1312 01:08:37,560 --> 01:08:42,320 Speaker 2: smaller dude, but he is elusive. 1313 01:08:42,360 --> 01:08:45,320 Speaker 1: He's got track speed, doesn't rely on it, wants to 1314 01:08:45,360 --> 01:08:47,960 Speaker 1: stay in the pocket once to complete passes. I think 1315 01:08:48,000 --> 01:08:50,320 Speaker 1: he's a crazy exciting prospect. I think Washington is like 1316 01:08:50,880 --> 01:08:52,360 Speaker 1: maybe one of my sleeper teams this year. 1317 01:08:52,360 --> 01:08:54,400 Speaker 2: And okay, Washington preview is out of the way for 1318 01:08:54,439 --> 01:08:56,680 Speaker 2: twenty twenty five, anybody else you want to knock out? 1319 01:08:56,760 --> 01:08:59,479 Speaker 2: Right now, right now, you have the chance. Purdue's gonna 1320 01:08:59,520 --> 01:09:02,760 Speaker 2: be bad. Done produce could be very bad. Yeah, all right, 1321 01:09:02,800 --> 01:09:04,880 Speaker 2: we don't have to do Purdue produced four? 1322 01:09:05,640 --> 01:09:06,040 Speaker 1: You know that? 1323 01:09:06,400 --> 01:09:06,800 Speaker 2: How many? 1324 01:09:07,040 --> 01:09:07,679 Speaker 1: Fifty four? 1325 01:09:08,120 --> 01:09:12,040 Speaker 2: That's so good? Almost an eleven starting basketball teams. 1326 01:09:12,080 --> 01:09:14,960 Speaker 1: Fifty four transfers this year for Purdue. 1327 01:09:15,120 --> 01:09:19,720 Speaker 2: And he thought, a god, Indiana, Mendoza thought, I have not. 1328 01:09:19,720 --> 01:09:21,919 Speaker 1: Done Indiana yet. Okay to Indiana. 1329 01:09:21,920 --> 01:09:22,759 Speaker 2: I got a Maryland. 1330 01:09:22,920 --> 01:09:26,040 Speaker 1: I got about nine teams left before we record our 1331 01:09:26,080 --> 01:09:26,799 Speaker 1: next episode. 1332 01:09:26,800 --> 01:09:29,960 Speaker 2: And do you know Maryland's starting quarterback for twenty twenty five. 1333 01:09:30,240 --> 01:09:31,720 Speaker 1: I wanted to be Malik Williams. 1334 01:09:31,960 --> 01:09:33,880 Speaker 2: I hope you want it to be Malik Washington because 1335 01:09:33,880 --> 01:09:35,360 Speaker 2: that appears to be the correct name. 1336 01:09:35,240 --> 01:09:38,840 Speaker 1: Elak Washington. That's okay, this is not our Big ten episode. 1337 01:09:39,439 --> 01:09:40,640 Speaker 1: I don't have my notes in front of me. 1338 01:09:40,760 --> 01:09:41,320 Speaker 2: That's okay. 1339 01:09:42,040 --> 01:09:45,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, Hamilton is with Maryland. Now you know what the 1340 01:09:45,479 --> 01:09:46,040 Speaker 1: former was? 1341 01:09:46,080 --> 01:09:48,479 Speaker 2: He what ufl? He was in one of the All 1342 01:09:48,680 --> 01:09:49,320 Speaker 2: Spring leagues. 1343 01:09:49,360 --> 01:09:52,679 Speaker 1: For a minute, He's been everywhere. Yeah, okay, we'll get there. 1344 01:09:53,000 --> 01:09:54,400 Speaker 1: Malik Washington, thank you. 1345 01:09:54,520 --> 01:09:57,400 Speaker 2: Yes, it was justin Martin from UCLA, also competing for 1346 01:09:57,439 --> 01:09:57,840 Speaker 2: that job. 1347 01:09:58,720 --> 01:10:02,519 Speaker 1: On that note, before we embarrass ourselves any further, for 1348 01:10:02,600 --> 01:10:04,400 Speaker 1: that guy over there, my good friend Dan Rubenstein form 1349 01:10:04,400 --> 01:10:06,479 Speaker 1: myself Tye hillar Brand. Thank you so much for downloading, 1350 01:10:06,520 --> 01:10:09,320 Speaker 1: for listening, for supporting what we do. Talk y'all soon, 1351 01:10:09,600 --> 01:10:10,840 Speaker 1: Talk some big ten next time around. 1352 01:10:10,880 --> 01:10:12,360 Speaker 2: Stay solved, peace,