2025 College Football Preview with Aaron Stamn

The twenty and twenty five College Football Preview with Aaron Stam from Life, Liberty, Happiness is here breaking down the season, the rivalries, and the road to glory. Streaming now on Media Squatch Plus. All right, everybody, welcome to another year of our college football Preview with Aaron Stam. Aaron is joining us in the studio. Welcome. What's up, gentlemen? Oh man, this is so exciting. We're going to release this Saturday at nine am so that Nick Habn can listen to it. Ye decide, yes, you know we were trying to help him out this year. Yeah, this is like true college game day. Yes, this is behind the scenes. This is where all the thinking happens. This is where listen after last year's show and what Aaron put out, Yeah, that weekend, I started hearing people say some of these things, so I know that's where they were getting their source from. Yeah, it may have. Been our fantasy football group, but who knows. So what's cool is we'll go through all the college football preview. We'll kind of go through each conference. We'll do some sleeper pigs, We'll do some things like that, maybe discuss a coach here or there that needs to get fired or but also when we get to the end, we'll look at last year's picks so we can kind of see where we're at. Guy had a pretty good run, had a good run in our fantasy football league, Joe. Only one of the guys beat him. It wasn't me. Yeah, Jeff Rupert and coming for you this year up. That's right. So this is not live right now, this is all being recorded. Yes, okay, I just want to make sure I get text from people that want us to give a shout out type. Okay, well you can still shout it out, it just won't come out till Saturday. Sweet. So if you want to know, you go to at L l H Underscore podcast now and then make sure you subscribe to YouTube and then you can there it is. You can just click on it and listen to it wherever you're at. Awesome, Right, so we. Got five times more than what we just had two weeks ago. Right, so really twenty five let's go we should we just started. We're going to be at twenty seven after Saturday's episode or this Saturday, well. It'll be twenty eight. Get all three of your boys, this is true. To subscribe, I'll give a quick shout out to East Coast Wings. Yeah, yeah, thanks for this pregame meal. Yeah, thank you. East Coast Wings. Recommend the Carolina Gold. Yep, we look good, but you were eating it so fast. It was it's gonna come up with a half a nut nig nugget back. All right, So let's dive in you ready? Yeah? Man? All right, let's start with the ACC, the Atlantic Coast Conference. You got it? Uh So instead of going team by team by team, let's start with what we believe to be the top half of the ACC. Sure, what teams are we looking at to be on the top half of the ACC? Yeah, I mean initially, you know, Clemson in Miami are probably the clear two in my opinion. And Clemson is still chosen to kind of do the different route with the whole nil and transfer portal. They've tried to stay true to who they are. I love that, you know, I just love it. That's why I love about college football and not then you already started saying, which is what I do, Yeah, but that there are different programs that do different styles and some works for others. That doesn't you know what I mean? Great that he has that philosophy. I'm not sure and I honestly just don't know, but I'm assuming that they are having some sort of nil there. But as far as the transfer portal, I think they're very minimal, like they might have only had just two maybe three people. I think Clemson is a type of play so when you're there, if you haven't been there, you don't want to leave there. It's like Disneyland for a football player. It's awesome. So and you know, two local kids from LCA, and you know, you've read a lot of articles. There's a chance that Gideon Davidson as a true freshman could be there to start and running back and incredible, and they're they're a team that should viye to get into the national playoff contention. So the question I have last year, going into the year, we thought this would be the year that Clemson would would have a down year, Yeah, because of their struggles. Yeah, and they ended up in the College Playoffs, which was which was I think a positive for them. So going into this year, I see they're ranked very high and they're high on a lot of people's list. Yeah, what's making them the contender this year? That what they didn't have last year was different. Yeah, I think most of their key pieces are back. Okay, so club club Nick is back. He's going to be a Heisman contender until he proves that he can't. Very good athlete. My son actually coached against him when my son was at Syracuse. Very athletic, you know, his fourth year in the system of what they do there. So I think he's Garrett Riley's the offensive coordinator there, so he should literally be able to go out there and call the plays now by himself. So their offensive line is is really good, really good, and their defensive front might be one of the best in college football. So I think when you just get the trenches, and that's typical when he's had a really when he's had a shot at Clemson, the fronts have been outstanding there. So most of the key pieces are back for them. So yeah, they stop people defensively, Yeah, I think they can, you know, and I think their defensive coordinators back to so I think they've got a lot of consistency there and you know, that culture of defense as you look at just even guys playing in the NFL that have come from Clemson. Yeah, they have some unbelievable looking defensive players. Uh, so they'll be coached up. I think they got it. They have a legit chance to take a sniff for the big ring. So with Miami losing cam Ward, yeah, and replacing with the Georgia yeah, Carson Beck, why I don't know. Yeah, but anyway, chasing that tail yeah yeah. So what's making Miami how the list? Because I mean yeah, yeah, they sort of fizzled at the end of last year a little bit. Uh, and then they lose cam Ward. We did they clinic in the transfer port? They did? Okay, they did. They spent they They've got a money guy and they're willing to spend money. And there's a there's a story out there about Carson Beck who supposedly his girlfriend is a twin and the money person paid for something to get enhanced on the twins. Wow, welcome to the. I love capitalism, Welcome to the general Now, welcome to the nil world. But Emma told us they're not even together anymore. Though they've hit Splitsville and. Hey, they got what they wanted apparently. But you know it's next gal up. I mean, they're in Miami. Come on, Hey, we just start seeing nice all the way around. We'll know what's going on. I'm not down on the Georgia girls. Sarah Perry's girl Georgia, so you know those girls are good too. Yeah, we haven't gotten to this a great transition, but I think Miami, I love Mario Cristobal me being in former offensive line coach. I think if you look at his track record of everywhere he's been, like even if you look at how good Oregon was when he left, Yes, they were excellent upfront, and I think that's where that's why they'll still be good. I'm not I'll be honest with you, guy. I'm not a Carson back fan. I don't think he sees the picture as a quarterback as good as other people. I think there's the reason why he didn't go to the NFL Draft because he knew he would have been way on down there. So I think he's talented. I just I just kind of see what I see. So he would have been hanging out, which might have been and his door is not doing too bad at that. Yeah, yeah, a chance, Yeah I did. I'm just saying they would have been hanging out with him and his party. Yeah, yeah, exactly for a while. That's gonna be a guy that we argue about his whole career. I can just see it now. It's just like his dad. I've been a fan of him for Evan Brian and we're always arguing about whichever side or whatever they do. I love the way Chador plays quarterback, like I think he's so calm and I think he now he's a guy. I think that sees the picture really well. I think he got you know, Colorado, he had to run for his life. A lot part of that he did it himself. But that's where the NFL is going to be different for him, where it's got to be timing in rhythm and timing and rhy I thought he did a good job against Carolina in the first game that he played. But I mean, at the end of the day, the coaches are making decisions. He is fourth on the depth chart, so I mean, Kenda is what it is. So oh all right, a little further down the line past Miami and Clemson. Yeah, State rebound this year. M you would think so, I mean they're two and ten a year ago. I'm I don't know. I got to see it. And I think Mike Norvel is really good. I mean, but you got to replenish it. I think the biggest, you know, the most interesting thing probably in all college football is Bill Belichick at North Carolina. Oh man, I forgot all about that. Is what's going to what's it going to look like? You know, their first they play TCU at t I think it's at TCU. They've got The quarterback is a transfer from South Alabama who is not a Tom Brady type quarterback. He is a little scramble talented dude, but like he's not like, oh big number twelve or he's six foot five, like a statue in the quarter, you know, in the pocket ripping the ball. So I think that's just to me, that's like the coolest storyline of college football this year is what is he going to look like being a college football coach this year? I've forgotten? So And where does the girlfriends? Oh, she's on the sideline? You know that? Really you think she'd be down? Absolutely do? Yeah. I thought for sure she'd be up in the box. And they show just like they do Taylor Swift. No whether whether she's actually in the coaching box or just off on the she's on the sideline, no kidding. Yeah, I'll put money on that. All right, let's when we go to the fantasy draft. We'll go at the fantasy draft by your drinks, if you're right, yeah. That you know. I think Carolina is always they always got talent, like and and you know Tom Lombardi I think that's his name, is the GM there. They worked together for a long time, so like there and I heard an interview with him. I mean the way they're approaching this is like pro football, and yes, it's it's I think it's awesome. Like, if you're a kid who really wants to play in the league, why would you And if Carolina reached out to you, I would listen because you get people that have been at that level, have won that the highest level. I mean, you want to talk about people preparing you for that if that's your your ultimate goal. Man. So I just looked at their schedule, the u n C schedule. Huh. The game that I would want to see more than any of them is not on their schedule this year. But is there any way that those two could end up in the championship game? How cool would that be? Carolina and who Carolina and Boston College? That sounds crazy. Boston College, you got O'Brien. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, Well and that was OC yes, right, yeah, so they're actually it says it's oh it's home. They're at home versus TCU, and then they go to UNC Charlotte their home versus Richmond. They have they are playing Clemson at North Carolina. Oh, you better believe that one is going to be a nationally televised game. Definitely, but Boston College will be good. Just yeah, you're right, they don't play them good. Yeah, they do have uv A that's at North Carolina. You have a favorable schedule, Yeah, they do, actually because if you look at it, they don't play Miami, they don't play s m U. Yeah, but you know, I definitely think that's just one of the most interesting storylines of college football. All right, So that brings us to error. What would be your sleeper pick? So a couple just quick things i'd throw out there. I think SMU will still be good because they got money, they and they're in, they're in They're in the heart of Texas. That is relevant. Oh yeah, yeah, And I think Att Lashley is a great football coach, A lot of respect for him. But I think one team to seriously seriously be a sleeper pick would be wake Forest. They hired a guy named Jake Dickert. I'm I'm from the state of Wisconsin. Jake is actually from the state of Wisconsin. He's kind of climbed up through the coaching ranks. He was most recently the head coach at Washington State. He did a great job there. Now it went to the pack too, so he got the heck up out of there, right. But I think it's a really good fit. I'll be very interested. I wouldn't be surprised if they make a Bowl in his first year. I just I think he's a really good coach. I think he does a lot of good stuff. The quarterback from Georgia Tech, Haynes King. I love watching that guy play football. He's from East Texas, George. I think he gives Georgia Texas shit a chance every Saturday. But and then the other team I think to really watch out for is Louisville. Yes, Louisville's quarterback is Miller Moss, who's a transfer from USC and Jeff brom When he has a talented quarterback. You look at his track record with quarterbacks, they're good, they play well. Jeff brom is a hard nosed dude. So, but at the end of the day, I think it's all about the Clemson Tigers. So where do you think Just to touch on it, So we've got Clemson out of the ACC. Yeah, where do we think the two Virginia teams wind up? Hey, I think it's I think, you know, they better make a bowl game for both of their sakes if they want to stay in Charlottesville and Blacksburg. That's the way I would say. And I think you know, there's been a lot of public stuff out there. The ad from Virginia Tech has talked about the amount of money that if we want to stay in this thing and compete, this is what we need. And I think it was a sixty million dollar ask above of what they currently do. So, but that's kind of the reality of this is when you open this thing up, there's a lot of pockets all over the place. The hell did the scheduling for Virginia Tech? You start the season at South Carolina and at Vandy? Wow? Is the South Carolina one? Yeah? Yeah, that ain't good. Well, and you. Talk about a storyline too, Shane Beemer versus the Hokies. Yeah, oh no, I get that that when I'm fine with then you roll it up the next week, probably when they were scheduling it. Yeah, it was time. That's good point. Yeah, well clerk Lee's got those boys of Vandy believe in in winning. Yeah. But the rest of their schedule, you know, is not awful. No, they don't play Clemson, so. They play They got Miami in Blacksburg he late November. What team has the little French poodle dog or the mascot is like a dog. I was looking at the. Home schedule that they Yeah, yeah, that's one of their home games. That was like their home games the schedule. Yeah, I mean getting season tickets this year would be awful. Yeah, that's not Oh, I'm sorry, I was wrong. So they start the season at home, yeah, with Vandy in South Carolina. Wow, it's good. You know what it says, I think that one's actually I think it's in Atlanta. Yeah, because it says I think it's at of neutral location. That's what I've got, And I'm pretty sure that one's in Atlanta at the Falcon Stadium to. ESPN not to show me. Yeah all right, Uh, you got anything else on? Acc UVA has another factor that's never been there before. Riley there it is, so she will be cheering loud and proud. I will say this is kind of cool. So I got excited looking at the taking her to school this weekend. It's like, oh, I gotta get tickets. Sorry, I got tickets now. As although I hated the idea that they joined the ACC, getting tickets to go see Stanford at Virginia is kind of cool. So it's pretty cool. Yeah, they had Washington State coming into town. They host Coastal Carolina Game one. Yeah, you can't lose that one. So did you splurge and get season tickets or. Just I'm not that in love with them yet. We'll see, But no, they got So there's a stat that ESPN put out so in prep for today is not only how they finished last year, what the projections are this year, but in between they talked about continuity. So how many players are you getting back? It's really interesting when you look at each of the conferences. But Virginia has the they're the fifth best team with the most coming back. But Clemson, part of what you asked earlier, Clemson number one, Yeah, I mean they were good last year. Number two in the ACC and have the most coming back. It's pretty good. Is David still there? Yes he is. OK. I hope he gets a chance to get on that field as much as possible. Yeah cool, Yeah, that's really cool. All Right, we're moving on from the ACC and we're going to the last two national championship conference, the. Big fifteen eighteen teams in the Big Ten, the Big Ten. Yeah, all right, so let's start. They're just not good at MAS. Can't change that logo. It's too valuable. I can't wait to hear this because I've got a team in my mind. Yeah that I'm hoping. I can't wait to see if that is going to be one of your picks. So let's start with the top half. Top half, Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon. As you look at the college football like power Index, those are there are two of the top five teams, and then Notre Dame, and then Oregon is actually number seven, and then the other two teams that I think are really getting Actually preseason, Illinois is a top twenty football team, top fifteen, I believe in Indiana, I think is ranked twentieth. Yeah, at Illinois, and you know another. Guy who pretty successful college football coach, spent some time in the league, won Super Bowl, has done a good job at Illinois. The other team I think to kind of watch out for is Nebraska. Yes, yes, well Dylan's back. Yeah, Ryola, so he's and quite honestly, this year he's got to do it. Yeah, I agree with you. If the Land of Lincoln is going to if the Husker heads are going to get excited, he's got to be. He's got to take a big step. The whole team needs to take a big step. I think defensively they're going to be pretty good this year. But yeah, I think the Huskers I think will be a very interesting watch is Fickle at Fickles at Wisconsin, so he's got to win this. Oh yeah, and he they made a change at offensive coordinator, which I think he needed to do because the spread stuff was not working the best there and I grew up there and that that's my homeland. I think he is. The seat is scorching. Yeah, and but he has to you know, he made a change. It was probably the right change to do culturally for what has gone on there for a long time. It's got to it's got to get done because if it doesn't, that that job will be open. Yeah, shockingly, you're right, Illinois is ranked higher. Than Yeah, Illinois, quarterback Altmeyer's back. He's he's a good football player. The way they play is very complimentary football, so they're not trying to get a hundred plays in a game. Offensively, they're trying to. Wear you out, blood you up, and you know, beat you down and just wear you out. And then defensively, their kids are fresher because they're not playing as many plays. So they're they're good. They're very good football team. Does Indian they'll stay relevant, That's the big one. I think that's I'm really curious to see because quarterback's gone. He did a great job for him lash. I mean, he played with the torn a cl and the playoffs, which is crazy. You know. Uh, coach, he cracks me up because he doesn't he doesn't sugarcoat or anything. But I think that's kind of refreshing for them in Indiana because they need somebody. He's almost like a Bobby Knight, you know. And I think they just finished the construction of their stadium and all that stuff, so they put they put some money in there. I think schematically, he's really good with what they do offensively, it causes problems, like it really really does. I think whoever they got a quarterback has got to get it done for them to have another shot to make a run like they did a year ago. Though, So the just looking at the teams there, does Iowa do anything? They'll probably be good. I don't think they're going to be I don't think they're going to contend for a Big Ten title, but they'll be. Yeah, the typical eight and eight and four. Your guy, he's still at Minnesota, right, PJ fleck Man, Just. You want And that's another guy that I was convinced by watching a show. He had such a good yeah following as like that everybody rose or whatever he does, everyone rose roadboat. Yeah. Is Purdue just Purdue new head coach Barry Odom who was the head coach at UNOV Before that, he was a head coach at Missouri. I was looking at his staff actually earlier. He's got a good staff. I think that job is really hard. You just pue Now. The Big Ten schools traditionally have money to be able to pay. But you know, I will say this, I wouldn't be shocked if he got him in at six and six. I think he's a really good coach. I think he does a lot of good stuff. Who's going to be at the bottom here then, uh Maryland? Yeah, like yeah, honestly a team that I really do like, just because I think he's really is Rutgers. Yeah, shah. I I waiting for them to get He's a gritty dude and you know, like, but I think, you know, a lot of those teams are kind of going to be, you know, that middle of the pack and they'll probably beat each other up. You know, I think Jonathan Smith, the head coach of Michigan State, is outstanding. Yeah, but you don't hear anything about them at all. We just we just forget about USC now. Yes, they're the big question mark. Oh yeah, aut scorching Yeah yeah, and. He might not make it through the season if something, if it didn't start out sure. Yeah, but the problem is that his payout is a don of money. I was trying to look him up, look them up on them and the other one that I was looking at is U C. L A. They went out and for a quarterback, stole Tennessee's quarterback. Yeah, they basically they exchange quarterbacks, right, It's crazy but I do think UCLA could be a sleeper in the Big Ten this year. I think because of the quarterback. But I think they've done a pretty good job of getting some decent kids in there. And that's a coach I never would have picked. Them win Sean Foster, Yeah, and he's done well. Yeah, the runner back coach. They're played tight end for me at Kansas. So I'm a little I'm a little partial to to UCLA. The old line coach. I've known him. Uh So they got some good guys. But like, go back to USC. They open up against Missouri State and then Georgia Southern who that's Clay Helton, the former USC head coach, is going to Southern Cali go play them, and then they go to Purdue their home against Michigan State, and then they go to Illinois home against Michigan at Notre Dame in October, at Nebraska in November. I mean, those Southern colkids are going to be freezing, and they still go to Oregon in November. So that ain't good. So that's another team. So there's a few teams in my mind that have made these moves that to me are just dumb. I hate it. So Maryland and the Big Ten I've never appreciated. I understand Big ten money. Yeah, I wish we could petition to have them join the ACC West Virginia the same thing, West Virginia going the Big twelve. I wish they would join the AEC. That would be better for just the regional type thing. So USC playing you know these teams, Yeah, it just doesn't even feel right on a Saturday. It's definitely a weird change. Yeah, right, and going there is I mean you really want to be on the road that much. That's the life they live now. Yeah, and football is not as bad as all the other sports basketball. No, No, I've always said having four conferences, what makes all the sense in the world having West, you know, yeah, yeah, because ACC could still stay intact in Big Ten and then then CEC and then to out West yeah five five yeah, yeah. But I will say though, best for the rest. I do think the best team in the Big Ten is Penn State. You see him getting over the Yeah, I do. I think he's got possibly the number one quarterback, number one draft pick. And Drew Aller I think that guy's awesome, dude. But I missed that. Oh yeah, yeah, shro Mechanicsville. He was outstanding and trust me, as a Bears fan, I wanted him and we ended up taking Colson Lovelin, and I hope we took the right dude. But I think you know, they got the defensive coordinator from Ohio State they took they took him. Yeah, And Andy cotton Necky the offensive coordinator. This is his second year of being a multiple offense. And if you look back at Penn State before he got there, they were a three and four wide receiver team for a really long time and that was coach Franklin's influence on what he wanted to be. He's given the offense to Andy now and they will be much more multiple than they have used to. But also the kids now learning and knowing it even more in that second year, I think they've like I think they're a real real team. And they've got the quarterback. That's the thing that's the difference I think between them in Ohio State. I don't know who Ohio State's quarterback, right, you got to have that, dude, and like that. I think that gives them. And Anthony Poindexter is a local guy. He's he's still coaching it up at Penn State, So you know, I don't know, I really think Penn State's got a shot this year. Cool. So the continuity thing, I do this little thing where I just did a score of how they finished in twenty twenty four and what did they lose. Like I mentioned Clemson, Clemson finished in the second in the ACC last year, and continuity they're number one. So if you look at that ranking, they got a three the score. So in the Big Ten, the best team in that category is Illinois. They finished sixth, but they're number one and most people returning, yeah, okay, and then Penn State's second with eight, so they're not only were they good last year, but they got a lot of people coming coming back. At so Ohio State, who's ranked really high right now, they're fourth from the bottom because again they reload, so they lose everybody in the NFL. That's part of it, and they reload. So I don't know, I know you can't go by that. But Indiana as another one that's up there, that's the third best of that. The Ohio State might have the two best football players though in college football in Jeremiah Smith, the wide receiver who literally is one of the Oh. It's right, they stole the quarterback from LSU. Is the number one pick or the number one kid coming out? I forgot about that. Is he even gonna play? I'm trying to see, Oh, he was the Trey Robinette. No, gosh, now Julian's saying, I think that's what it is. It's the one that where they paid a boatload twenty million or some kind of crap. It was nuts. You have the receiver? Is he? But is he not going to be the starter? I don't know. I don't even know if they've released that yet. What was his name's Yeah, Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs, the safety who was a Alabama transfer played at Ohio State last year. Those two dudes, they might be the two best just puter football players in college football. And jere Mash Smith isn't even eligible to go pro after this year because he's gonna be a true sophomore. Oh. The guy's like six foot four or six foot three's two hundred thirty five pounds playing wide receiver and is an absolute man. So yeah, And I was just looking at the roster trying to figure out who Brian might have been talking about. You know, No, I don't, but I just happened to look down and they've got to talk about Ohio State. They got a running back named bo Jackson. Let's good. You gotta you gotta go to Auburn with that name, right, no doubt. Man. Yeah, he's from Cleveland, o'higo Cleveland. Oh sure he's not related, but that's still kind of a cool name. Yeah. All right, So who is your sleeper? Pick Illinois And they're not really a sleeper, but like I think they could. They could screw around and win ten or eleven ball games. They'd kind of be like out of nowhere. Lane share it with Indiana. Yeah, and they beat South Carolina and the Bowl game remember last year, like, oh god, they got into it at the bag, Yeah, standing over the ball. Now, I know I got him screwed up. Not Ohio State. Michigan Brice Underwood. Oh yes, yeah, Bryce, he is a man. I know he is huge. But you know, I think Michigan. I don't know Michigan to be interesting to see what happened to Michigan go on probation for the cheating thing. I don't know if they're really I think the head coach I can't remember if you gets expended or something like that for like two games. They got it. They got like a twenty million dollars. Fine, but yeah, you know somebody will paid Portnoy. Yeah, no doubt. He's like, who cares. I don't care. All right, So you got Illinois and then I had a Best of the West. But we kind of know that's kind of Oregon. Yeah, Oregon. And then I'll just say it again, I really think UCLA could be could make some noise this year. Cool, All right, onto the conference that nobody knows who plays in, but we figure it out along the way, and that is the. Big sixteen teams in the Big twelve. How about that? Yeah, so let's start with the top half of who we think. Sure, Oh, I forgot before we get off Big ten real quick? Huh? I did not know that Nebraska had hired August Hoguson Dangerson. Yeah, he's the offensive coordinator. He kind of took over play calling towards the end of the middle of the year last year. Yeah, which, yeah, Danny, Danny, he can dial. Up some ball. So be interesting is that the guy Lsu He was former head coach at West at West Virginia and oh, yeah yeah, oh yeah yeah Gunslinger, Yes, right, yeah, so but you're right. I mean it's it's a definitely put up a shut up here in Lincoln. Now, you're good list, all right, Big twelve, Yeah, top half teams as you look at again college Football Power Index. And also just a little bit off that Arizona State. You know, the quarterback Levitt is back. He's really good. He's a big dude who's athletic. Kenny Dillingham. If you ever watch interviews with him, that guy's just refreshing. He just he loves football, he loves his school, that's where he went. You know, I think Arizona State's you know, they're in a good situation right now. Kansas State's a top twenty team. They're playing that opener over in Ireland Saturday. Iowa State. Rockebeck is a quarterback back. His dad Anthony Beck, longtime NFL tight end at Iowa State. So there's kind of your top three. And then the other two that they got money is Texas Tech and Kansas. Texas Tech has got a young billionaire who's literally shelling it out down there. Joey Maguire, the head coach there. I've known him a long time, and when he was a high school head coaches, I've seen kids literally say I will run through that brick wall if you just tell me too. They're a noisy team from here on out now that they have that money support. I'm telling you, man, Lubbock, Texas is going to be a dangerous place and that they're getting noise. And then Kansas also too. They had a private donor that just donated three hundred million dollars the other day, good Lord David Booth. So they have money, and they just built their brand new stadium. Is the stadium is they redid? It was the oldest stadium west of the Mississippi. I worked there for two years, so I knew that it is gorgeous what they've done there. I think it was over three hundred million dollars in renovations and everything. Their quarterback is back, Jalen Daniels. He's really good, right, Yeah, Texas Texas quarterback is back. That guy is a super talent. And they've spent money in the portal. They're a top five transfer portal team. So in everything you said so far leads me to believe that this could be Oklahoma States year. Every time I write him. Yeah, yeah, where that dude has this year and you're like, dude, yeah, like he. Does terrible in his expectations. Yeah, you're right, the mullet will do well, so Wilson. But if he doesn't, he's gone. Yeah and he's been there for and that's his school. And yeah, I like O goody though. He's good. Yeah, no doubt, and you know, I just yeah, I think that the team to seriously watch out for his Texas Tech. So I think it can make some national noise. Who's at UCF now, Uh, Scott Frost, he's he's the head coach at UCF. Wow. Yeah, And I think it's uh, it'll be it'll be great to see. I hope he does well. I've known him a very long time. I used to go down to Central Florida and we when I was here at coaching at Liberty. Liberty, we did camps down there. I'm known a long time. And uh, if he gets the athletes that he had before when he was at u CF, and he gets a quarterback that can do it like he had a Mackenzie Milton like look out but that was also pre nil days and treat pre transfer portal days. But I wish the best for Scott. He kind of got a little bad, tarnished reputation Nebraska. Yeah yeah, yeah, And you know, I think he knew it was a tough deal. Anytime you go coach at your alma mater, it's like yeah and there it's national championship or like you're not successful period. So I think it would be like if Shane did make the move and failed, I mean, it's going to be looked at Shane Biemer. Yeah, it would be the same thing as Scott Frost. I mean yeah yeah. And that Netflix show, like he was very candid about Shane Biemer was about like I love Blacksburg, but like that was my dad's deal, Like I want to do my own thing. And I really respect him for doing that because he could have. But like, good for him. I think he's done a hell of Leonora's sellers. Yeah yeah, but we're stuck in the Big twelve. In the Big twelve? Did you want to do the Colorado thing? Yeah, let's tell Colorado. We got to. I mean the story, can you not right? Is Dion'm going to be on the sidelines. It sounds like he's overcome his cancer, which God bless him. That's awesome. I think the whole thing there is based off the quarterback Cadencealter, the liberty transfer is there now or the five star freshman Julian Lewis who is uber talented. I don't know who they're going with. I don't know if they've released it or not yet, but but honestly, I think at the end of the day, I think Colorado is going to be fighting for a bowl. That's my opinion. So yeah, Baylor's restarting right. Miranda is another one that has to have some success this here. Otherwise I think they'll make a change there. And I think he's a really sharp day. He's a very he's like his intelligence level is he is up here, you know. But money, you know, win's talk. That's right, all right? Uh sleeper. Oh one other thing, Sorry, Houston this year, Willie Fritz supposed to have a new offensive coordinator. No it's not case Keenum Jeffrey Rupert, but Houston could make some noise there this year. They've got a quarterback that transferred. I can't remember where he was from, but the the offensive coordinator hired worked with him at Tulane for like seven years. Like they had been together in the past, so they'll have some more continuity. Will He's always had very good success everywhere he's been. But you know, and Chris Jones, if you're listening also to I know you love your Cougars, so. They could you know, I think there, I think they'll be a Bowl team. But yeah, and I've got to throw some math before you go onto the sec. So the continuity table and how they did last year, the top pick is right on your money, this is Arizona State. You know, finished third in the in the Big twelve last. Year'll see how they do without Scout a boot. But they have the most returning starters. Yes, so they have the most returning and we're good. And then Texas Tech and Baylor are tied it with at the same value. And so yeah, god, I just remember thinking, oh, here's one of these players that everybody talks about and dude, he just god, he was amazing. Yeah. Yeah, and he's a little dinged up right now. I don't know if he's on IR or whatever, but like he was, you know, there was stuff out there that he was making big plays for. It was so fun to watch. Yeah, it'd be interesting to see if he if it translates to the NFL. H Yeah, who was It was the playoffs, right, they had a chance to win that game show you have. Yeah, and I can't remember who was against? Why am I losing? Uh Notre Dame. No, it was Georgia. Excuse me. Yeah, it came down to Georgia down and they they made the Georgia got. My favorite, like just during the whole like Arizona State's run last year though, it was like when Scadawood came off side of the fields, like throwing up all over the place, and he's just just like get away from me, Like he just just needed to like exert himself out so he could get back into calm. And uh yeah it was a tough dude. Yeah, yeah, all right, So who was your sleeper pick? Texas Tech, Texas Tech awesome, Texas Tick. And who you got winning that conference? I'm still gonna go with Arizona State. Perfect all right, now to the toughest com at least I think so the s C. Yeah, and it's funny like you say that. Obviously the Big ten's won the last two national championships. You look at the College Football Power Index, nine of the top thirteen teams are SEC teams. Oh god, I swear I have looked at the schedule for like five different teams and I can't. I'm like, oh, there's five losses, there's five yes, and they're all against each other, and I can't figure out. It's murders, right, and it's brutal, all right. So let's start with who do you think is going to be at the top? Texas, Georgia, Alabama, LSU, South Carolina. I think it's going to be really good this year. Yeah, Tennessee is going to be how good their quarterback is because I think defensively they're still going to be really really salty. Texas A and M I like a lot and definitely Old Miss because I think Lane has done an awesome job down there and just keeps it rolling. So do you listening to those I noticed you did not have Florida? No, So do you see with that quarterback getting another year? You just don't see them? I do think, I mean he's outstanding. I think he's a guy as you look at. I think I wrote him down as somebody to just keep an eye out for for If Florida is successful, that kid will be in the Heisman hunt. Okay, like that, he's that type of talent where he could do that. I just I need to see it. All right, So does Vandy? Yeah, you know Vandy's Yeah, well number one, Vandy's not gonna sneak up on anybody this year. Correct, So everybody's gonna come with their helmet screwed on tight and be like all right, listen, like we know you're here now, and like they're gonna everybody's gonna try to put them in their place. So that's the fun. So and diego. Pobby is back again, right, Yes, And like year nineteen of being a college football quarterback, that's another guy. I kind of like this gottaboo guy. You just love his grit. Yeah, oh, no doubt, Yeah, no doubt. He uh he gives them a chance, yes the most, no doubt. Are they going to be Like last year? I was sold that Missouri was just gonna be great, yeah, and they just were not. Yeah, and they were still okay yeah, but they lost their quarterback. And yeah, I think Vandy. Vandy somehow finds a win to win our way to win at least seven football games. I mean, then you're saying, hey, like these guys are really now you ask them in their building, that's not good for them. Yeah, but yeah, I think, but can they get through it with not being the sneak up guy anymore? That's right? Yeah, because you've got to go to South Carolina, you gotta go to Alabama. You do get l s U at home, but you got to go to Texas good luck. Yeah, that's nasty. Yeah, and then you finish the season at Tennessee. Yeah, and I think whatever they've done their strength conditioning wise, that they're that their guys made it through a year ago. Yeah, to without the lack of quality depth. You know, you look at Texas, you look at Georgia, you look at Alabama, like the front depth, like the second. Guys are usually really really good too. I don't know if Vandy has that type of quality depth. So like those starters gotta be able to they gotta be able to make it as long as they can. So, but a lot of credit to Clark Lee. Man, he's he's quality dude, good football coach too. But yeah, stoops, get the boots you mean, Oh yes, I'm sorry, I'm thinking of Oklahoma. Yeah, he's got to do it this year. But how can he? I mean, where are the wins coming? He's a really good defensive coach, he's you know what, and he's been in this position a couple of times and he has found his way, so like it's not uncharted waters for him. It's just more of do that always seems to find that quarterback? Though? Yes, but who's that corner? Yeah? But do you also think that he's also in a perfect situation? Is that fan base really that hostile? If he's not winning, they shouldn't be. But last year they to turn and yeah, they are forty third in the College Football Index, the Power Index, which isn't bad. I can see basketball, but the football coach, I think he's got leeway. Yeah. Schedule wise, they got home against Toledo, home against Ole Miss, home against Eastern Michigan first three games, and then they go to South Carolina, which South Carolina put it on them last year, and then they go to Georgia, they host Texas, and then they are home against Tennessee at Auburn, home against Florida. They got Vandy at Vandy and then they have Louisville, which you know the state of Kentucky battle right there. So Battle of Bourbon right there, Trent, you. Got to give me as that's a program. By the way, you mentioned Auburn and that hasn't come up yet, but the freeze going down there. I was watching the SEC Network the other night and they and one of the you know, they're trying to make a show every every week, which, by the way, that guy. Harp or that that was a Rouman Harper. I think you played Alabama. Yeah, safety, Oh man. That guy is such a good analyst. I love watching him. But he was saying, there's never any good news that comes out of Auburn. There hasn't been always it's like they're undermining. Yeah. Man, it's just hard to think. How's he going to survive there. So it's funny because my doctor and I won't name him, but he's a graduate at Auburn and he's friends with Hugh Freeze. I mentioned that while I was at appointment last week. I said, Hugh nervous, and he said, man, I'm telling you he's he's happy as can be. He's had a great off season, and you know, I hope for his sake that things are moving in the right direction. Yeah, yeah, I do too. I just I worry because I just just doesn't see it. Yeah, there's not a lot of momentum coming from it. But he did finish the conversation with if he don't, it's going to be an easy feeling, and he didn't get off to a good start. I hate saying this out loud, because I watched the SEC Network. It was a media week, and because Perry's girlfriend is Tennessee with media, I thought maybe i'd see her. And the story was they leaked out that the Auburn coaches have said, where is Hugh check the golf course? Yeah? Yeah, I mean if that's coming out of there again, there's undermining and backbiting people always trying to get somebody out. But man, that's not that's not good to have during media week. No, No, they're they're trying to use as much negative stuff as possible at that point. Yeah, let's hope he let's hope he gets it. They do have a transfer quarterback, Jackson Arnold from Oklahoma, yea who's really talented. Yeah, and I do give coach Frees a lot of credit because even if you look at you know, when he came here to Liberty, he dealt with different quarterbacks a lot and had a lot of success. Now hasn't worked for him At Auburn need Peyton Thorne who was a Michigan State transfer but didn't didn't work out well. But who knows. I mean, I think they better win at least state football games, otherwise they'll be, you know, trying to find to figure out something else. Let me ask you that coaching thing, because part of the show was saying that he's going with a three headed quarterback. You as an offensive coordinator and you've done a lot of offensive coaching, does. That ever work? I've never done three I mean could I mean even a two headed quarterback? Is it? Can it work? If it's so in a scheme. I've never, like, truthfully split it at quarterback. I like the one person like and the offensive line likes that consistency also to just here in the play call, and like the cadence at the line of scrimmage, all of that stuff. One of my at Arkansas State, the offensive coordinator, because I called him one year they literally they had two quarterbacks. They would go into every game they say, hey, Trent, you get the first series, Brian, you get the next series. And it's alternating every single time. Regardless of the situation. Huh. So there was never a question of like, hey, we're going in a two minute, who's going in? Well, if it was your turn, you're okay. And they were good. They won. I think Blake Anderson was the head coach there at that time. I want to say they won eight football games. Wow. But that was their plan because they said and because I called them after the season, like, dude, tell me, and he just said they could not make a significant decision. They felt like they both earned it. The players all around him were all on board. So I think that has to kind of your team better know what the plan is and everybody better buy in, because if you. Don't, look out. But that's interesting. Yeah, that's just one way that that it had worked. I've never done it, you know, the old saying of you know, we feel like we got two quarterbacks, then you. Really got none. Yeah. I've seen that a lot. Yeah, I mean you've seen him try to do it. Yeah. I don't see it work very successfully. That's why I think the you know, three headed one, are you crazy? Yeah? When you get one, I think in today's day and age two nil, you're a quarterback. You're not starting you're going the next highest bidder because you got to get on the field. So but then as a as a coach, if he recruited a young man also too, if you don't get him on the field and you want to keep him because you think he could be the future, how do you get him on the field to keep him happy where he doesn't leave? So does Venables? You know, man, I hope he can survive. I like Brent a lot, man like they got to do it. They hired a new offensive coordinator, young guy. I can't remember name off the top of my head. His air raid guy does it. Has done a really good job. I think he's I think he was the o CE at Washington State. Actually for Jake Dinckard who's now at Wake Forest. The quarterback from Washington State went to Oklahoma, and I think he I don't know if he led the country in passing or whatever, but like super high up. So that's got to happen in Norman otherwise, you know, I don't know. There's parts of me that rooted against and that I love him. I just I've grouped against people like him because I prefer him as a defensive so good at he's and I just man, I it's almost like I'd rather see him go back to Clemson so you can see those dominant defense. Tough part is that paycheck as a head coach is really nice to get. But uh, I tell you that. So yeah, so. An interesting moving on from that to Arkansas. I love their coach. You're not a fan of him, right, Sam Pittman. Well, I probably would be, but with the rumor of John Gruden being able to go there, I kind of want him gone. So and I wasn't a big fan of him during the SEC show, although he said probably the best line of everyone, and you would know this as much as anybody is if he gets fired, he's got a severance pay but that girl out there, that's a two week notice and they're all gone. So I thought that was the nicest line of the whole series the show. But he looks so old and he was just limping around. I was like, how can anybody really get motivated following that guy? Sam Pittman is one of the salt of the Earth people, though, Like if you spend time with him, you'd be like, I love this guy. Yeah, Like and like you know, during the SEC show, like you heard the offensive line guys, They're like, yeah, man, he's we got to get this one done for him. So interesting fact about the Razorbacks are playing the Arkansas State red Wolves right if you watch this, this is the first time that Arkansas and Arkansas State have ever played and they're playing in Little Rock in a neutral I'm Red Wolves all day, baby, and I'm not going to the game, paying attention to it obviously closely and watching it. But yeah, it's just weird, Like you would think that those teams have played at some point. They have never played each other. It is the very first time, so I think it's the second in her third game this season. I can't remember off the top of my head, but so, but yeah, Pitt's awesome. We'll see how it goes in Arkansas. They do have their quarterback back. He's very good. Green his last name, big tall kid, really talented. Yeah yeah, and he's another one of those coaches that seems to do well when there's not expectations. Yeah. So poor. And I'm just saying this because I do feel for him. Mississippi State, I mean, yeah, brand new coach Levy will be in his second year. He was a former O C. At Ole miss under coach Kiffin. Yeah, he's he's got to try to make some noise. This year's got an uphill battle. Yeah, program just took a hit. Yeah, Mississippi State is not the easiest place to consistently win. Correct. The last guy do it was Dan Mullen. Yeah, yeah, so that's true. That was his stepping stone to Florida, right, correct, And coach Leach, God rest his soul. Mike Leach did have some some success. Uh but Lovetown. Yeah, but but you know, Mullen really had it going. There. But uh yeah, right, all right, so, uh who, let's see who is your sleeper pick and then we'll get into the uh your pick Texas A and M. I think Mike Elcho could win the Big two or the the SEC this year. Who's his quarterback? I can't remember his name. He's a younger, he was the quarter He's the same guy from a year ago. Uh so he has him back. Elco is a defensive coach and I mean you just look at the improvement they had last year in his first year. Mike Elco is a very sharp dude. He's an ivy educated guy. He's I don't know, I just they have money at A and M, so it's hard to say that they're a sleeper. Yeah, but I think they're a team that they could be a top five team when it's all said and done. Wow. Okay, all right, so but I am picking the Longhorns to win the SEC. Listen, I would love for LSU to win the SEC. Sure, I just can't. I mean, I look at the schedule and I go, wow. Yeah, Garrett Nessmeyer will give him a shot though, in every game to win. Yes, And I mean their defense with his second year, he is a I love defensive coach. Yes. Yeah, he's got juice and he's sharp. Like watching that show, like I listen for other stuff just because of my old background and the things he's saying and how he's teaching and all that stuff is good. Yeah, he's got some lockdown corners the game in and yeah, so of course Perkins is back. Yes, and then you've got the weeks. The oldest brother got a waiver, so he he's got one more so now you got three there now, three weeks. That's hilarious. Three weeks running down? What's the tradition LSU has about wearing a jersey number? Do you know that it's like it is the four, but I don't. It's a think that's something where the dude is the stud. The team gets to vote and he wears like, is it number four? I think Perkins? Okay, I did not know that Perkins is a stud, but they just haven't been able to figure out how to use it. Yeah, Like I don't think he's smart enough to play inside back or something, but he's sort of Micah Parsons. Yeah, just turn him loose and watch it. Just that s as a coach where you have to you got to just you got to find a way to do that type of stuff for certain people like that. Like I'll just give you this quick Tipit when the Seahawks were in their their Super Bowl run, Michael Bennett when he was playing defensive line. I have never seen a defensive lineman literally line up anywhere he wants to and do whatever he wants to except him. Like, I sat there and I'm. Like, there is no I've never seen anybody ever do what he like, line up. I'm like, what are they doing? It doesn't make Pete Carroll, I literally think just said to his staff, listen, we just need to give him some parameters and then Bobby Wagner behind him, like, Bobby, you make him right, Like if he goes this way, you make sure you're opposite of him, like just let him play. And he was a menace to society. It was unreal watching him. So that's because I do. I'm like you. I think Nussmeyer and the offense can put up points. Yeah, and they'll have talent a skill around him. Oh yeah. Oh. And then when I hear it, and I hate Brian Kelly sometimes because he says things that just pissed me off. And when he says, this is literally the best offensive line I've ever been around in football, Yeah, that just tells me, holy crap, because he's had some good ones. Yeah, Brad Davis, there is the old line coach. Brad's good. So I don't know. Let's see, they've got a tough schedule too, like all the rest of them. So Texas, So you think, I just think they're so good, like just overall as a team. I think defensively, they got the dudes up front on both sides. Quarterback, you know, Archer's got to get it done. Nick scares me. Nick Nick Saban when he says things like look, there's a reason he wasn't the start of last year. And I'm like, oh, don't say that I agree with him. I agree with him, but you know, I think he did start I think two games last year when right, So now he's had a little bit of that. He mixed in the game here and there, like just in schools. But so it's not like it's going to be his very first snaps. But then, you know, then he's had all of spring, he's had all the summer, he's had all the fall training camp. You know, he's got a hell of an offensive coach. Oh yeah, he's awesome, like awesome, and he makes it quarterback friendly, like, hey, if you know how to throw this or if you know how to read this really well, we're gonna do a lot of it in different ways where the defense can't always just say, oh, it's this. So that's what I think, you know, Sark, look at his track record. Everywhere he's been. They've got a few dollars to spend. Yeah, yeah, they're not hurting for cash down and down in Austin. All right, you get some stats. It's interesting. It's interesting that he's got the maturity because he's had the relationships to be able to sit a couple of years and leave like everybody else is there and he just has that. Like I just saw an interview with him today or yesterday where he didn't want to talk to the press at all. And you think being a manning, they're so good at the you know, the commercials and all that. Yeah, it guy just seems like he just wants to plays a ball. Yeah, And I do agree with his grandfather. I don't think he's coming out after this year. Yeah. I think he's probably making them enough money at Texas. Yeah, it's not like they're family just in general is hurting for money. But I think at the end of the day, like Peyton Eli, you know his dad Cooper, he's been around football forever all so too. Like they're right, if you're going to be a successful NFL quarterback early in your career, you got to have more than one season of starting. Yeah, Like you have to. I mean look at Mitch Trubisky didn't really work. Look at Anthony Richardson, he just got beat out. Ye, So you have to have a resume built up. And like Archer's dream college when he was a little kid was Texas you're where you want to be, Like, even if you go win a national title, I think the toughest thing for him would be if he won a national title and he won the Heisman, Like what else do you got to prove? So the traditional owner to remind Brian about, it's actually the jersey number eighteen, and where it came from. This is the reason why I knew about it. Do you remember that badass running back they had, Jacob Hester? Oh yeah, Hester. Okay, So in two thousand and three they won the national championship and that quarterback, Matt Mak gave his jersey to Jacob Hester because he thought he embodied the spirit of LSU and then he handed his jersey down. And that's what it is. It's the embodiment. And it can be a defensive guy, it can be. Anybody that the team chooses in bodies side. I think that's pretty cool. Look for number eighteen, that's who the that's who the teammates pick. Yeah. Interesting, yep. Oh the math that you asked about, give me the math. So I'll give you the the research and the math that I did. Alabama, No, I'm sorry, Texas A and m is the highest uh, finishing team last year they were six, but they're the second best of most returning starters, so they're an eight, and then the next best team is Alabama. So Texas, A and M and Alabama have the strongest returning teams. However, when you consider that Texas and Georgia loses everybody and they just reload, it's kind of hard to use the stat in that way. But it'll be Texas and Alabama and then LSU is right behind Alabama. So that's crazy. We didn't even talk about Alabama. I know that crazy because travised here. Yeah, Like, like, I hope they're good. There's no way he's on a hot seat, is he. It depends on how bad the season goes. If the season goes bad, I don't think it will be I think they're going to be really good. I heard, Oh my gosh, got ESPN ESPN Dallas. He's got a daughter that goes to Alabama. He was basically a practice and he's like, I have not seen a bigger human football team in a really long time than Alabama. And he said it seems like the culture is finally Klin de bores now it's not just hey, we're still in the shadow of Nick Saban. He just said it felt like this is his team now. So and the one interesting thing for Alabama this year, Ryan Grubb, who was his offensive coordinator when he was when they were playing the national championship against when he was at University Washington, is now came back to Alabama. He was with the Seahawks a year ago and he I don't know either got fired or left or whatever, but now he is back together with him. So that'll be interesting, you know. Obviously Alabama should be great. Yeah, and actually really high on that is the continuity is Oklahoma because I think Venables has taken on the role of what Clemson and they don't do the transfer porter portal. If you looked at the Power five teams, the two least amount of transfer portals is Clemson and Oklahoma. Wow. Interesting. Yeah, I'm trying to bring knowledge to this. Well done. All right, So last category before we get into actual playoff picks and all this other stuff. It's sort of the best of the rest. The Irish the Okay, yeah, I was gonna ask the Irish. The Irish, The Irish are real, Okay. Man, did I fall in love with that coach? Last year. Yeah, And I'll be honest with you, I don't see how they're not a top five team as long as he's there. Yeah. Well, their schedule isn't that tough this year, and that's probably going to be that way for them until until something happens. Take that back. They start Miami, yeah, which is going to be a fun game. Holy cow, like out the gate, Texas A and m Yep, that's pretty brutal to start. No play s CE. But I think it's in South Bend, but that's in October. Then you got at I know it's Arkansas, but you're at road game in Fadeville. Is no joke, man, Boise Steak. Boise State is always going to be. Did you make fun of their schedule? I said, I mean, I know you're used to usually just have a Navy. You always know that that's on there. But you know what, Navy is not the pushover anymore. Either as Yeah, is it at BC this year? It is? Good grief, they're not making it out all this. I don't know. I yeah, they don't. You're right, I mean they they do have a much tougher road than I thought. The one the big question mark they have is quarterback is a retro freshman. They think they just to him the starter this week so he'll be new. But I just I don't know. I'm scares me about college football is not having a quarterback. I mean, it's not that they don't. I'm just saying a new quarterback a big deal. Yeah. I just. I just think he's got it right, he does, and I think that. I just the kid is laying last year? Was it rally? Where did he end up going? He got drafted by I believe it was the Colts. Okay, I believe it, and uh, Anthony Richardson better watch out otherwise he'll be the backup and he'll be there. I mean that guy that that kid, to me just looked like a pro quarterback. He looks like he was going to be something. His funny Colin Cowhard is like, he's like, oh, he looks like Josh Allen. He's not Josh Allen. No, nobody is Josh Allen at all until I see another one. No he's not. But yeah, no, I I just I think Notre Dame is a top five football team this. Year and sort of a sleeper pick for. The Arkansas State red Wolves because my son is there and blood is thicker than water. Uh. Now, I think I think that the Red Wolves are gonna be a good football team. They I think I was telling you guys earlier. They host Iowa State, they play Arkansas on a neutral site. Uh. They're in the sun Belt, Fun Belt, and uh it's a fun conference to watch. I'll be out there for a home game when they host Texas State. Hopefully I'll be on the sideline like I was a year ago. Their last game is at app State, so I'll be driving down to Boone, North Carolina this year for that one. Oh wow. But yeah, I think the red Wolves they got some transfer wide receivers that h and there. They actually have a wide receiver, Corey Rucker. If you look at his stats, uh, he is one of the top statistic wide receivers in the country. The game I went to last year, I think he had one hundred and ninety some yards receiving. It was it was insane. Wo. So I think they're really good. I think another uh sleeper teams to watch out Uno V. I think Dan Mullen going there and they just U and V just was successful under Barry otom So I think they've got and then the other team I really think could make some noise that's a G five team is Memphis. Memphis has some money with FedEx being right there, and Ryan Silverfield is a really good coach. They were they were good a year ago. They're a team to really just don't be shocked if they're if their nose and in that top twenty area. I'll tell you there's independence in the in the people that are not in the Power five. That type of thing watching in state used to be Virginia Virginia Tech every year, but this year I think Liberty is hosting JMU. Yeah, that's a good weekend to go watch a football game. Yes, it it's it's here in Lynchburg. Yeah, and I believe it's going to be a night game. I think the last time it was before I was coaching at Liberty. I want to say it was like twenty ten or twenty eleven is when they played. Now, the last time we played JM. Brian was in Harrisonburg and we beat him when I was at Liberty. Oh, so that was during the we were Actually it was the first first time Liberty had made the FCS National playoffs and we beat them at their place. Freaking awesome. Yeah, we got a store with us. We had one drive Trent where we had the ball for thirteen minutes and forty seconds and we started the ball just before the third quarter ended and it got done and there was I don't know three minutes and change left in the wow and we scored a touchdown. My little student assistant, his name was Brian, sat behind me him like, Brian, how many plays was that? And it was just like crickets And I'm like, Brian, how many plays was it? He goes, I'm still counting, and he goes, that was twenty two plays and I'm not paying cow on the headset. Everybody started erupting, laughing. I did not realize it went that long, but we had the ball forever. So essentially we just kept them from scoring by keeping it and being ball hogs. Three yards and a cloud of dust. It was awesome, Like I still remember certain plays on the quarterback made an unbelievable scramble on a third down when we were like back on our ten yard line, got us a first down. We had a tight end on a little drag route where he came up upfield on a third down. It was awesome. Our All American receiver caught a slant route for on like a fourth and short. That was huge. It's just certain stupid stuff like that sticks out in my brain. But do you ever go to the grocery store and forget something? Never? But in the hell, this dude's memory is unheliva. This was a list guy too, though. This deal, Yes, sir, twenty fourteen. It was a nice, crispy, cool evening in Harrisonburg. And I can tell you because it was the first time we ever made the national playoffs. When we found out we were playing JMU on that Sunday night, like the whole team room just erupted and I looked at all the offensive coaches and we immediately headed right into the staff room and we got after it because the previous two weeks, our starting quarterback, Josh Woodrum was actually out with a staff infection and he's a Cave Springs boy, and our backup retro freshman quarterback. Actually we had to beat Coastal Carolina, who was number one in the country the week before to win, and we did, and it was like the most psychotic three weeks of my life. But it was so much fun. I'd never change any of it. I still have my ring at home. I still talk to those guys a lot of the former players about it all the time. It still was just one of the best best timeframes of my coaching career ever. And Turner is down with Pittman at. He's not coaching anymore, he's retired, but he is still living in faith. But actually I talked to him Wednesday last week. Yeah they're yeah, good guy, Yeah, great guy. Sorry for Bunny trailing there, but yeah, the Ju Liberty game, that is going to be a wild. Night in Lynchburg. I think, Yeah, that's gonna probably be the biggest sense BYU you remember a host and by I would agree, Yeah, yeah, I would agree on. All right. Uh, moving on out of football and individual players, do we have do you have some maybe some picks on possibilities? Yeah? Uh, Leonora Sellers, I think if that young man stays healthy all year and has he could lead South Carolina into a top ten noisy year. I like watching if any if you again, if nobody's watched the thing on Netflix with the SCS, that young man is so impressive, Yeah, I like I did not I've never heard him speak or whatever, or just why he is. Wow. Yeah, Like, I am so impressed with that kid. Big, strong, athletic, but smart, sharp. It just I think he's a whole package. Drew Aller at Penn State. I think he's he's one that he can he can do it all. He can definitely get it done. And again, he's gonna be playing in a very multiple offense where you know they're a team that you know their top three team. And then nuss Meyer at LSU. I love the way he throws the football. He's you know, he's a coach's kid. He's been around it forever. And I do think the sleeper is DJ lag Away from Florida. If if he has a great season in Florida does awesome that dude. Yeah. So that would be kind of my four that I have. Perfect and you have Brian Ah, those four you got the same four people. I mean I would agree with all of those. Yeah. I would say that. Nuss Meyer was obviously at the top of my list because of I mean, he's returning and he was phenomenal last year. So the only non quarterback that I would say would be Jeremiah Smith, the wide receiver from Ohio State, and he would be the first one since DeVante Smith from Alabama. So in my little list because I saw the agenda here and I know I don't know anything, but no mention, but I loved the guy and he had so much pub last year. Ryan Williams, Oh yeah, yeah, I mean that kid was incredible. That the little kid would fly all over the place receiver and he was seventeen years old playing college football last year. Oh yeah, I do. I won't take much momentum for a number one team in the country to have some wins. It's arch Manning and then Sellers and then my sleeper for the whole year, and at the end of the year is Clayed Klubnik. Yeah. Yeah, he is another definite candidate. So it should be a good run this year. No real pick, yeah, I mean not, there's no real favorite. Yeah right, by the way, the guy that you loved last year year that I was like, eh, I saw him run this weekend for the Raiders. Dudejen Oh my god. I mean I heard people compare him, but dude, he looked like Marshaun Lunch to me. Yeah, holy cow. He's a special guy. He is a special dude. He's I think he's like when Saquon came out. He's like that type of buzz. Yeah, excuse me, I guess going to be a beast. Yeah, no doubt. All right, so let's start with the all important question and we won't go through rankings or anything, just simply naming sixteen. So it's still twelve teams this year? Oh, I guess it is. I did look that up because I wanted to make sure. So what they did though, is they redid the rankings. Yeah, slot, yes, yeah so, but they are going to move to sixteen, I believe the following year. So it's it's there are still the four that get a bye, right. Yes, and it's top four ranked teams, correct, So the four highest seated before they get the four spots that they get a buy and then it's five plays twelve and you know, six plays eleven, all that type of stuff, and the higher ranked team has the home game. So Tennessee doesn't get screwed and have to go to Ohio State the first freaking weekend. Yeah, yeah, that sucks. But I did write sixteen for you though, Brian, So I did my but I drew, I drew big. I thought it was twelve and then four had to buy. No said, maybe that's what's coming. Yeah, it is, it is. But all right, so let's start with the twelve. All right, so get into college football. I have Ohio State, Texas, Penn State. Slow down. Okay, really you're good. You're trying to spell it all out. Yeah, I run it all lot. Texas Tech is a team that I'm gonna throw it there. Wow, Clemson, yep, the Irish, Texas A and m Miami. Mm hmm. You ready for this one, Brian Lsu Yes, I can breathe. Georgia, South Carolina. Wow in Illinois. Dude, that would be a bad ass. Sixteen. Is Notre Dame the Independent? Yes? Outside yep. Yeah. Now if they finished in the top four, they would get a bye. Is it not another independent that gets to move in? No, they take that one. Yeah that's lame. So then like below that twelve line, I put Boise State. Oh yeah, like the kind of that next? This is just the way I see it, Uva, Sure you can have that in yours. I put Kansas as the next big twelve team. Wow. I think the Jayhawks have got a chance to be very very good this year. And then Memphis, who I talked about earlier. Is that kind of one of those other G five teams? And then Oregon, I put. I looked at Oregon today. They still have not named the starting quarterback. There's one guy they're saying it's in the driver's seat. If you look at their roster, I believe they have like seven quarterbacks. Not one guy is older than sophomore. They're all young at quarterback. I do think Dan Lanning is an unbelievable coach, but you know, and I think they're gonna be great, but I don't. I don't know, So that's my gut. No Alabama, Nope, Sorry, Travis. Wow. And if you ask me today who's gonna win it all, I'm gonna pick the Irish. Wow. Wow. Oh, I'm just trying to I'm just trying to throw you curve balls. Keep you guys on your toes around here. I'm looking at who you didn't have. So No Alabama, No Arizona State, no Michigan, Florida s m u huh, Oklahoma. You could do as we could do a show on the teams that are always in the preseason ten. You know how they always they always got teams that are always super inflated Florida State. Yeah, Florida State, and who knows Florida State watching them be like eleven and one. Yeah, but that is that is a program. That one bowl game and kids are a kid getting hurt and everybody checking out has just ruined that program. Yeah. Yeah, when their quarterback was playing before he broke his leg or ankle or whatever, that's right, they were something boy, but man. They sure lost a ton of momentum still have not recovered. Yep. That's a lot to swaller. It gave you some good thinking stuff there, Brian, Yeah, you. Know, great stuff. Oh stats, most transfer portals I mentioned the least amount club the most transfer portals this year was Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Miami, and I think Texas Tech was right there with Miami. But it was Wisconsin with twenty one, Arkansas with twenty one, in Miami with eighteen. Yeah, it's crazy. Yep. All right, before we get to the NFL, I'm going to skip down just so we don't forget about this. So your last year's picks, Yes, you had Clemson, Ohio State, Kansas, Georgia, and Liberty. So uh pretty much all of them except for Kansas and Liberty were we're dead on. Yeah, not bad. No, that's not bad at all. Had our house state winning the Big Ten, but they didn't, and they ended up winning championship. Exactly, And so of course the quote was Travis saying, I don't think they can win the big Game. Is that why he was not asked to come back this year? That's my gosh, those are hard, Like that's yeah, don't I'm not gonna live that one. A lot of people were saying that, let's not forget when they lost, they were ready to fire him, and I mean like then and there. Yeah, So you want a random, just like question, do you think Ryan Day dies his beard black? Yes? Yes, so he's He's been asked by the media and he swears that it's natural. And if you look him up like on video and picture, I mean it looks like the dude has spray painted, yeah, and just for men all over. But you look at his hair, I mean it's jet black, so it's almost like chrome black. Uh So, uh, that's a good question. I just like to throw that out there. That's how I look at these situations. And I think coaching matters a lot when it comes to college and I see people like him losing coordinators and things like that, because he didn't just lose. Uh. He also Chip Kelly's gone. Yeah, he left. He's the O C of the Raiders. So I mean that stuff mat yeah. Huge, And your quarterback is gone, Like there's some function at the junction there that has to and then when it comes down to game day, it's not the same people making those calls. This could be the year that Ohio State and Michigan could both miss the playoffs. Write it down? Am I writing that down? Is that? This is that the next year. Brian, Ohio State and Michigan do not make the playoffs. That is outstanding. I can't wait for next year. Well do you have a pick? No? Really, not even one about who's winning it. That's where his sister goes, Yeah, okay, I'm just kidding. Good did you have, Brian? How do you haven't winning at all? Or who do you have? The final games? Mmm? God, I don't. I don't really know, to be honest with you, because this is the one year that I don't feel like there's a clear Like last year, you you felt good about Ohio State, Georgia, you know, you were kind of unsure with Alabama but this year, I don't I don't know that there's a clear cut Yeah, I don't know enough about Notre Dame to even know that they could make that run. There's so much changes in college football. It's hard to keep track of all of it. Yeah, you know, the team that we didn't even talk about was Georgia, right, and even the quarterback that they're talking about having as a guy that's been there, who is essentially like another stets In Bennette, like a guy who is not a huge recruit, but he's been there and you know, and watched, they'll win at all. Yeah, you know, but. You got picked somebody, Bryan, So I would say Clemson, that's who I picked. You got the got the Trent. Yeah, all right, they got the wrong time. I used the math. I used Alabama versus Clemson. I see L s U winning the first game of the year, and then I see Clemson winning the rest of their games. Yeah, in the L s U losing in the playoffs. That's a great quarterback matchup though. Game one, Oh yeah, I mean Club Nick versus No Smyer. Where are they playing? Oh that's in death. Finally, the real one, the real Clemson they're in the orange one. Is it really? Yeah? I thought it's not neutral site. Huh are they doing a home and home which is cool? Can't you verify this stuff? Uh, Emma that they're playing that they're playing a definitely verified. I don't where the first game is Clemson and LSU. It's at Clemson. Yeah, that's sure. Tickets. Yeah, why does Brian Kelly seven thirty at night? He does the stupid stuff the. Big here's another random thing. Will Dabbo trip and fall on his way down the head or I've never seen over under like like three three or more players fall? They should switch the tradition. They should change their tradition. Make the visiting the visiting. Could you imagine Sam Pittman having to run down him he take a golf cart? Definitely? I would like you ain't trampling me, dude, I got a job to do. I don't know. I would say Clemson has as good a shot as anymore true. You know, I just want I mean for mes favorite face. Heart, and I love that Dabo doesn't do the yeah do the portal that he trusts. You know, nobody ever talks about this, but you know everybody's excited about the new quarterback that comes in from somewhere else. What about the guy that's been there three years, backing up the stud that was before him, and it's his turn and somebody showed up. Oh that would just burn me up. Yeah, stuff you don't think about It is a tough, tough, tough environment now, all right, So let's flip the switch quickly over to the NFL. Gotcha, and we're not going to go through divisions or anything. You're just going to see who your a FC champion is. Who do you got coming out of the a f C. So I picked four teams to win their divisions. I got Baltimore, I got Kansas City, I got Buffalo, and I am sticking with the Jacksonville Jaguars stupidly because I did it again a year ago. But uh, I think they got a shot. My a f C champion this year is going to be the Baltimore Ravens. I really think they're going to do it. I really do. So you don't have Cincinnati in that, which is very disappointing. Yeah, maybe make maybe make the playoffs, but they better sign Trey Hendrickson. And if they don't, I mean interesting. That they let they let h Burrow. They did, and they played without t Higgins and Jamar a lot, and I was like, uh, you'all going to pull him? Yeah, And part of the part of me thinks that Joe Burrow was like, dude, I need to play, and I need to work with my old line and I need And because even Chase Brown the running back, wasn't in very very much. I think he scored the first touchdown he had done. That wasnatch. Now, if he. Didn't get if he doesn't have a job with the Bengal, somebody's gonnacoop him. Yeah, So I think this is Buffalo's here on the other side. Yeah, I could see that too. And I think the big thing with that, what you're saying is does Joey Bosa play enough this year? The guy gets hurt all the time, and they signed him to come in and be a difference maker on the defensive pass rush because that's always been their deal against Kansas City. They can't sack the quarterback, he can't get put pressure on my homes, so they go sign this guy, which sounds good, but the best ability is availability, and I don't know, so if he is, they got a shot. If he's not. You know, Superman's gonna have to do. It all all right, NFC side uh Philly, the Rams, Tampa, And yes, I am picking the Chicago Bears to win the North. The hell have you been doing so. Totally redid their old line, hired the best coach I think possible, and yeah, I think and I just watched the game the other day. Just just the difference in a year of the sideline, of the demeanor of everything going on on the sideline was night and day different. Yeah, I think the Bears the North is an interesting year this year because you know, you get Detroit, you know, two new coordinators, they lost some people. You know, they're starting center retired Frank Ragnow was an All world guy. The right guard is now with the Bears. So like they got they get some people they got to replace on their front. I think Detroit is still uber talented, but you know, I'm gonna go a different way. You know, Minnesota starting a new quarterback in Green Bay. Who's the best player on the Packers If you just had to say it, like right now, who's the best player jan Jordan Love? Are you sure? No? Exactly? Like Josh Jacobs is really good who's the best defensive player? Bingo doesn't mean that they're going to be bad, but the NFL a lot of times is about like those playmakers. Who's the best player in Chicago. Best player in Chicago is DJ Moore, okay, and then hopefully as the season goes on, it's Kayleb Williams hopefully. Yeah. But yeah, those are my four conference championship picks. I think Tampa is really good this year. Really yeah. I think the Bucks are I think the Bucks are going to be in the NFC Championship is Raheem No Todd Bowles, he Morris as the Falcons coach, which I honestly think the Falcons might be the most intriguing NFC team to watch this year. They drafted all defense, They've got a good like you know, b John Robinson's incrowded. I love Michael Pennix. By the way, did you did you guys see what that local news station did to him. I've been waiting for somebody to do that. I mean they spelled his name penis instead of Penis and it was on the bottom ticker. Yeah. So it's like, I wonder if they're auto complete, Like basically, they didn't look right, yeah, literally, uh but uh and then you know, but I just I think Philadelphia is definitely the best team in the NFC again and they're they're gonna go So. Yeah, Baltimore versus Philly, Baltimore and Phi. Yeah, who you've got Brian Buffalo and who oh boy, man. I really think and I hope for the sake of football that Detroit figures out a way. It would be fun. The most watched football or super Bowl ever would be Buffalo and Detroit. That would it would be the best super Bowl, Like just you would have people crying like leading up into that game. It would be absolutely I lived in Buffalo for four years of my life. I mean it would the amount of joy like joy and like if they lost would be insane. But say before the air that Buffalo is moving into the new stadium year this year, next year, next year. Yeah, and it's it's unreal cool beautiful stadium. So and they're still keeping their outside element, which I think is awesome. So you think Rams make a run? Oh yeah, I think the Rams defense is those guys are good. Stafford, he's got some back issues going on, which is concerning. But Stetson Bennett there you go give him a few. Yeah, but I think another guy we argue about all the time. So you haven't talked about San Francisco, No, I. San Francisco's schedule is one of the easiest in the NFL this year, by the. Way, But. Look at their team, like they've lost a ton of people and Brandon Ayuka is not going to be back until like week five or six. Who's he gonna throw to? Yeah, George Kittle all the time? Yeah, Caffrey Yeah, and like so okay, so good point. I'm a defensive coach, Like, I don't see any threats outside. Bro, I'm putting as many people in the box to stop twenty two in the backfield? Like what else are you gonna do? Yeah? You know so? But I yeah, I'm I don't know in the Redskins that they make a oh yeah, commander. Yeah, they're in the playoffs. They're definitely in the playoffs. Who do you have? You got Baltimore and Philly. But the big the big thing I will say is going back to Washington if they don't get Terry signed. That is a travesty. It feels like they'll do it. There's always a guy that yeah, gets signed right before the see I hope. So because I love Terry, I got to be around him for a year. He is a pros pro. Uh work ethic is incredible. I think he's like one of only like two or three receivers over the past four years. It's head over one thousand yards every single year. And I'd say they definitely have a good quarterback. Yeah, it's ridiculous. Yeah, as long as he stays healthy, they'll have a shot. Yeah, he's so elusive. It's yeah, it's he can sling it well. And the other thing, like I was thinking about it. You know, they're playing on Monday night football. The other night it was him versus Joe Joe Burrow, So it's two LSU former Heisman quarterbacks playing against each other. Yeah, and that was the other reason why I thought maybe Burrow wanted to stay in there because he wanted to make sure they won. I never thought they did. They did. Yeah, right, So, and you know Daniels had one series he scores a touchdown and Scrambler like, yeah, you're done. You know you're not going back out in the field. So I remember Jayden and Joe said the same thing. Somebody was talking about the atmosphere or whatever. Like, Look, we're coming from Death Valley. These atmospheres are nice, but they're not They're not college football. I mean, yeah, that's on a whole other level. It is. The pageantry of college football will always trump the NFL in my opinion. Yeah, it's just it's it's incredible. Who you got, Trent? Are you going with? Uh? In my Super Bowl? I got Kansas City playing Washington? Oh? Oh wow? And dude, I just I mean, I'm telling you talking about the sidelines looking different for the Bears. Yeah, it looks so different for the Redskins watching the other night that. I mean, there's hard to believe that a guy not only is Jaden Daniels good, but he does stuff like the kids scored his first touchdown the other day and nobody could find the football and Jaden was over there on the corner getting it and bringing it. To him and to him. It's just just a different attitude. Yes, I totally agree on a guy that you totally missed on the head coach so pissed when they hired him. Yes, yeah, I didn't want a Dallas guy. Come on, do it. Atlanta took him to the Super Bowl so I hope it goes with Super Bowl and then y'all winners for the Super Bowls. I am going Philadelphia again, wow. Repeat, Yeah, I just I think it's I'm going Buffalo. Okay, they get Marv Levy a super Bowl win before he took out, that would be nice. I hope he stays alive until. Yeah, I'm gonna go to Kansas City. Can win at all? Lord man, I just I never bet. I never bet against him. They just always find a way to win. I always just feel like this they can't keep. I know, I'm just waiting for it to run out. I still think they got an issue at offensive tackle. Yeah, like, I still think it's an issue. All right, I'm going with Washington. They did bring in Laramie Tunsil, Washington did, but he actually was like one of I think he was like the top offensive tackling false starts last year. Larrmy Tunseel was so get him to get off on the snap count. Life's gonna be good. He's super talented. Go on one. Yeah yeah, yeah, all right, that's a wrap on today's show. Appreciate it again. I can't wait for the season's startup. Thank you. That was awesome love coming here every year. You guys are great. Emma, thanks for the late night button pushing. Thank you. We look forward to the video on Saturday.