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College Football 2026 Season Preview · College Football Nobodies

• Erich: to College Football Nobodies. I'm Eric. Kevin Ivers: And I'm Kevin. Erich: Let's get into it. Kevin, why don't you explain what we're doing here? Kevin Ivers: Yeah, absolutely. So Eric and I, we've been good buddies for a long time. I wanna say like twelve years now. So we worked together back in the day and our our passion for college football w was evident very early. even our our Monday morning meetings that of course were supposed to be out about work naturally drifted into college football. and our passion for that hasn't changed even as we're now totally different jobs and across the country from each other now. So what this podcast is gonna do Is we're we plan to cover everything and anything different from the mainstream stuff that you can access anywhere. we don't want to talk about the same old teams or things, ad nauseum. We really want to give true college football junkies and gurus their fix on this podcast, and we're excited to do it. Erich: that end, let's start with the Big 12, which I would claim is the coolest conference, I think, just in terms of it's not like the the big two that are part of what's what people will claim is ruining college football. Although if you're a historian, you'll know that the college football was always the wild, wild west. In fact, the Big Twelve used to be the Big Eight for those who know. Kevin Ivers: bring me back. Bring me back. And even yeah, and then Erich: But Kevin Ivers: Big Twelve North South. Don't get us started. Erich: Good days. Good days. The big eight took some teams from the southwest and then became the big twelve, which was a really cool conference for a long time. I still think it's a cool conference now. And I think early on was this was felt pretty easy. Until there was some weird stuff that happened at QB. And now that I don't know that it is so easy. I think Texas Tech was just the one everyone was picking, but I'm not sure I'm down with that. knowing the regardless of the fact that they're spending more money than anyone else in that conference, I don't think it's an automatic pick anymore. Kevin Ivers: Hundred percent agree. Hundred percent agree. well that's a perfect segue. Let's let's start with you, big guy. Who do you have playing in Arlington of the Big Twelve Championship in early December? Erich: So I might be a local homer here, but I'm going BYU versus Utah for the big for the Big Twelve title. Kevin Ivers: Okay, well the whole The whole whole holy holy war in Jerry's world, that would be something. Erich: Holy War and Jerry's world. I live obviously I live in St. George, Utah. So I know a lot of fans of both these teams. And yeah, I just I think it's gonna be really hard. you know, I don't think Texas Tech is gonna be able to bully everyone in this conference anymore like they did last year. I think more of the teams are spending more money. You know, in fact, 247 has I'll report on that that recently they released all the teams and their spending levels. You know, you have both these teams I mentioned are spending over 20 million this year. Texas Tech is in the over 30 million range. but again, some of that's wasted dollars because their QB is not playing for them this year. I still think Texas Tech is gonna probably be nine and three at worst when it comes to it. I just don't think they're gonna bully everyone this year. those would be my I I think that's gonna be my top three. I think Houston's right there. I think Arizona's right there. and then I think West Virginia is gonna maybe rekindle some of our early two thousands love of the game and make their way back. They're spending money. Richrod is recruiting like crazy. they're playing Kevin Ivers: How Erich: in the portal. I I just maybe it's just me being biased of their incredible jersey colors, but I think they're gonna be back this year as well. What about you? Kevin Ivers: The that W V on the helmet, tough to beat. I agree. It is beyond cool that Richrod is back in Morgantown. the jolt of energy they need for a program with an incredibly passionate fan base. you get big teams in there. I I remember of course when Penn State went there as part of that home and home a couple of years ago. Ohio State, I remember they got coming in there in the late nineties, or a a real throwback but they man, they've had some teams come in there in the non-conference through the years and even in these big twelve t big twelve Days. they really draw a great gathering. and yeah, I think for sure they can make some noise. And like you said, with the portal and a guy like Richard out of mine like that, they can it can be a quick flip, as we know. so I am with you on BYU. I have BYU. I I think it's their time. for sure. I'll touch on them in a second. I'm going with in that game BYU and the Pokes from Stillwater. So, going outside the box here, I'm very aware they went 1 and 11 last year. Erich: Yeah. Spend some money. Kevin Ivers: spent some money. Love, love, love Mike Gundy. He's the man. You know, of course, all his great sound bites and a f and Underrated football coach. That sometimes took all the attention. Phenomenal football coach. How many times they were a player on the national s scene. Eric Morris is a dang good coach that comes over for N North Texas. brings a bunch of guys with him, includ including Drew Mestemaker. If you don't know him, get I know you do, but everyone out there get to n Erich: We a formula we've seen work, bringing your QB and a bunch of players with you. Kevin Ivers: Yes, bring in Caleb Hawkins, 1400 yard receiver, Wyatt Young, or excuse me, Caleb Hawkins, 1400 yard rusher, Wyatt Young over 1200 yards receiving. And those, we talk about that all the time. You're putting up ridiculous production at a school like North Texas, like it's especially to the Big 12, still good league, but you know, you don't have the game's elites in there. That that can really translate. the Erich: Right. Kevin Ivers: Their numbers is crazy. I I believe it was the number seven transfer class. I think it's sixty-two incoming transfers, which is outrageous, but they had to do it. It was sad watching them last year go one Erich: That was really sad. Kevin Ivers: really sad 111. I I remember watching that Oregon game on CBS. Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson on the call. I'm like, okay, it's a really cool game. I knew Oregon was probably gonna crush him. You you know, you knew okay, okay state didn't have the roster last year, and just the fact that it was like 28-0 before you blinked, and what, it was like 66 to 3, some something really ridiculous. But can they turn into a contender one and eleven overnight? I I have no idea, but if there was a year for Something to happen. you know, I feel like this is it. The the Big 12 is is wide open, and their schedule sets it's actually pretty interesting. Yes, they get Oregon again again, but this is the Big 12 where that doesn't matter if you lose to them again. but I like how you know UCF comes to Stillwater early. they go to Houston, who can absolutely be a sleeper. but I you know, Colorado's early, those are games I think this team can win. the bit the biggest thing is they avoid BYU in Utah right there. That's that's Erich: That's big. Yeah. Kevin Ivers: that's obviously a huge break. they get Texas Tech to come into Stillwater late in the year on November fourteenth. That could be a lot of fun if this goes how I think it might. They finish with ASU on the road and Kansas at home, who are picked by a lot of pundits towards the bottom. I'm not expecting a a ton out of those teams this year. So you look down and I I really looked at the Big Twelve pretty thoroughly and and I just said I said why not the pokes, baby? Erich: Yeah, you know it's it's interesting because you're you're kind of going against our boy Phil Steele, Phil Steele a little bit here. dangerous game to play. so I like that you're living dangerously here. Texas Tech also avoids Utah and BYU, if I'm not mistaken. Kevin Ivers: Yes, they do. Their theirs is pretty easy. Erich: So that's the one thing about them. interesting game early for them, maybe at Oregon State. I mean, Oregon State was not great last year, though. Unfortunately, I don't know if they're gonna be much better this year. But yeah, to your point, I mean, you know, that's you know, a late game against Oklahoma State. I wanna agree with you again, big fan of the Jersey Colors down in Stillwater. It just love watching when they're good. And if you remember the Oklahoma State game back in is it 2021 or 2022 is the screenshot I have where they're playing Texas in the middle of the student section there's an Iowa sucks sign at a game that has nothing to do with Iowa. So Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: even if I didn't love their jersey colors, I I'd still love them a little bit for that just because that's everything that's great about college football is someone's gonna post an Iowa sucks sign. That just shows up in the mid like right behind the goalposts in the middle of a game Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: that has nothing to do with them. so yeah, it's interesting that's big conference stuff. Like you're talking about two teams, a couple teams that you know some people are high on, you're really high on, and both of them avoid maybe what most people would consider two of the top four teams in the conference. Like, and I think that's where we're a theme we're gonna talk about here is schedule. dictates a lot of these things a little bit. It's where I think a lot of people still believe in Texas Tech without the QB because of their schedule. Right. Like they're you're avoiding what many think are the, you know, teams right below you. Like that's pretty crazy if you think about it. Kevin Ivers: I couldn't believe looking at that schedule. I was like, this may be really dumb. Picking Oklahoma State. But I am, you know this, I am not a drama guy. I'm just not into anything swirling. And I know that has nothing to do with all the other talent they have, but it's just there's just something about that that can change a locker room overnight. I I did think about Houston as my other team. I know we've talked about them. I I don't love their road schedule at all. That's what did it for me. Trips to the Little Apple, Salt Lake, Boulder on a Friday night, and then you turn around and go to Morgantown. Those are all those just quintessential, tricky college towns that have those Erich: Yeah, it's Kevin Ivers: underrated fan bases and and and just play really good ball. Like Kansas State's always failed in a competitive team historically. Well, since Bill Snyder performed a miracle there, but you know, s Salt Lake, obviously, and Boulder in Morgantown. So I but Houston. Erich: Yeah, it's it's interesting because like I think it's I'm looking at their schedule right now, like four out of the la last seven are away games. Right. So you said at Kansas State, at Utah, at Colorado on a weird Friday night. I don't think Colorado's gonna be very good this year, but like it's still a road game. And then at West Virginia, so I I do think Houston's won in the NIL era that eventually with the right coach gets the money from the oil tycoons and the others in that area. I mean, it's you and I've talked about it before. Like Houston's just one of those schools, it seems like they're gonna get it right at some point. tons of money to go around there. Like the other Texas schools in their region. I mean, if if Texas can field the money that they field in Austin, then Houston could get some dollars too in in literally one of the biggest cities in all all of the US and a ta and I mean in an area of Texas that everyone recruits in the entire country too. So Kevin Ivers: my goodness. I'm with you. And Willie Fritz, great hire for them. You know, what he did at Tulane, obviously Houston and New Orleans, not far, knows the knows the region. no, they're they are absolutely in position where they can make a Texas Tech jump a and be a top dog. before we move on to the next conference, I did just want to touch back on BYU again. they're I I'd be really surprised if they didn't get to the championship game. I I think with Kalani Sataki, you know, yes, money played a part in his decision not to take the Penn State job. But I also think another thing was he he knew what he had coming back with this team. They've been right there, Erich: yeah. Kevin Ivers: you know. Bear Bachmeier back, LJ LJ Martin's just a a load in the backfield. Big 12 offensive player of the year. And and they're such a safe pick. The teams we love. You know what you're getting with them. Physicality, nasty up front. our boy Phil Steele h has them with one of the best centers in the country and Bruce Mitchell. You you know, of course, the the value of of a great center. Erich: I do. Boy do I ever Kevin Ivers: But defense actually is probably a strength of as much as their offense will be to be reckoned with this year, but most of their back seven is back. They had a top 20 scoring defense last year. I wanted to talk about their non-conference schedule. I am it. Erich: Brutal. Kevin Ivers: It's brutal, but man, am Erich: Brutal. Kevin Ivers: I in love with that. That Erich: it's fantastic. You look at their schedule like, are they playing twelve conference games? That's almost what it seems like. Kevin Ivers: It does, cause that old Colorado State game, bring back Erich: Yeah, it's great. Kevin Ivers: bring back not only the Mountain West, but the the Whack, those days. uni combo for the ages and then ND coming to Provo. Ha har hard to beat that. Erich: I mean, they gotta be careful though. the Utah Tech bison are coming into town week one for BYU and Kevin Ivers: That's that's that's that's on me for overlooking overlooking your local team. It's my first it's my first mistake. I'll get better Erich: You shouldn't overlook a Saint George-based team with a bison logo. All right. I mean, you just gotta be careful. You gotta be careful. yeah, you that I think so actually I'm planning one of my good friends is Notre Dame alum and the plan is to go to the Notre Dame BYU game in Provo. Assuming tickets don't bankrupt us in the process, kind of I have some feelers out there already, but the plan is I will drive, take the four-hour drive up there and pick him up from the airport. As you know, my brother lives in South Salt Lake, so we have a place to stay, but we're gonna try to go to that game. Should be a lot of fun. I haven't told him yet, but I'm wearing I'm Kevin Ivers: That's incredible. Erich: wearing BYU gear for that. So he's on his own with the noter name gear. And Kevin Ivers: p yeah. Erich: I I've supported him plenty back in the day, including Hosting his bachelor party and securing tickets for a Notre Dame game back then. So yeah, I've done I've done my part. So Kevin Ivers: That's that's enough. You've done you've done your part. Erich: it's gonna be I'm gonna be all BYU that game. yeah, before we transition though, the reason why I'm high on Utah, one, yes, coaching change, but two, they've had their coaching waiting for a long time. And yes, obviously some staff was taken, not just from Utah, but also BYU to go over to Michigan. But Utah's schedule is quite friendly. and I'm just gonna go through it here. Idaho, Arkansas, Utah State, all at home. Then they got an away game at Iowa State. I think Iowa State's probably the bottom of the conference this year, just for reasons we don't need to get into. Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: then they have a bye, Kansas at home. So they're looking at four of their first five at home. Again, if they're not five and I'm surprised. Then they're at Colorado. Again, that's probably one of the weaker teams of the conference. Houston, one of the better teams of the conference, but they get them at home. At Cincy, that can be trick, that can be tricky. I think that's one that's gonna be this stretch of Houston at Cincy BYU. it's tough. Kevin Ivers: To to quote to quote Reese Davis, you don't just waltz into Nippert Stadium and and s Erich: No, you don't. Kevin Ivers: and and beat the Cincinnati Bearcats without showing up. Erich: but so it's this I would say starting with Houston on. That's the stretch that gets interesting. But when you go in and you can start the season almost guaranteed like six and the confidence is there, what that allows you to build, like that just positions you so much better to deal with those tough environments. Then it's like if you already have a loss or two and you now your margin of error is like gone. It's just you're playing tight and mistakes Kevin Ivers: You Yes. Erich: happen and all those things. So also too, Devin Dampier's back. I don't know, maybe the best or at least the most dynamic QB in the conference. and he's gonna be in year two. I I I do think that you know it would be interesting if it's i I think almost I'd feel pretty confident if I was a wagering man. You can pretty much book either BYU or Utah. in the final this year, I'd be shocked if one of those two is not there. Kevin Ivers: yep, I'm with you. Weishon Parker, also phenomenal name, even better running back. Really dynamic with the zone read stuff they do with you. I'm with you. Morgan Scally in that Whittingham mold. That guy's an animal. Looks like he could just Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: go and kill someone and at linebacker. it's gonna be weird not seeing Whittingham on the sideline for the Holy War on November seventh. Erich: It will be. Kevin Ivers: but you know, that's You know, we'll get around to him a little bit later. But no, I I agree. Really fun league. And I and I love that you mentioned Arizona too. That's that's another team. So really, really fun league's gonna be v very interesting. No doubt. Erich: Agreed. All right. Should we talk about the ACC? Kevin Ivers: A hundred percent. Let's get into it. Erich: So I'm gonna start by saying is I realize it's easy to just pick Miami. They've spent a ton of money. They were in a national championship last year. But I think people forget they didn't win the SEC last year and they weren't even in the ACC championship last year. And I do Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: think too, if you look at if I'm not mistaken, I think the ACC is a little better than what people are getting and giving them credit for, just in terms of talent. And and that's with I think Florida State and Clemson still not really being what you'd want them to be. but I do think the bottom of that conference, and you know, it's also been elevated with teams like SMU joining the conference as well. Yes, they still have Boston College and other teams that just you know, pit and others that I I think just don't have it together yet from an NIL perspective. And I more than others know what the results of that can be. When you don't have that together, Kevin Ivers: My boy my boy Billy OB up in Chestnut Hill for BC's Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: just not not getting the funding up there. Erich: But you know, I think Vot Tech with with James Franklin, I I you know, obviously Franklin's the guy you and I have talked a lot a lot about over the years. he's probably gonna do well there. They're giving him they're giving him dollars. He knows how to recruit with the way he recruits in that league. I think that talent should translate a little bit. Like, you know, is he gonna win a national championship with vodka? Like, I I don't necessarily think so, but Are we gonna see some bot tech teams in that like that back in that eight to ten wins over the next few years? I would be surprised if we don't, just given the nature of the conference. But I'm curious too let's l why don't you tell me first who who do you have winning championship game this year? Kevin Ivers: So I'm gonna I'm just gonna start with one team first. So I'm taking a swing on Louisville here. Home home of the Louisville slugger. See what I did there. and not Louisville, they get upset, the locals get upset with that. I was I said that for years, but then I learned. I it's they're almost kinda like an NC State program to me. Like just come on like always competitive, never terrible, always okay to good to, you know, a couple, you know, sort of three really good seasons. You and I have talked about a lot. I love, love, love Jeff Brahm as a head coach. So it starts there. Always seem to be, you know, outperform preseason expectations. Getting the the Lincoln Keynotz kid from Ohio State, obviously talented enough to be on scholarship there. He's inexperienced, but he's a good athlete, and I think he gives Brown a different dimension with his legs. And then Isaac Brown, of course, you know, I don't know if you go Mark Fletcher or Miami in the same conference or who you want to pick, but one one of arguably the best back in the country. So I I I think their offense can be can be really, really fun. defensively, they got the Cleve the Cleve Lubin kit up front, had like nine sacks last year. there's a they got enough experience coming back. when I was looking through the preview magazine magazine. Scenes on defense. they they don't have to be anything crazy defensively. They just need to be good enough for Brahms offense. you know, and then looking at their schedule, the neutral side opener against Ole Miss, of course, really, really tough. but it'll tell us a lot early, as as will their game with SMU in week three. then you get That but that's at home. You get SMU at home, great opportunity. Two key games for me that they always that they get at home too that are tough places to play. You don't have to go to Florida State and they don't have to go to Pit. You know, if they had both of those type of teams Erich: Yeah, that's big. Kevin Ivers: on the road, that could be trouble. And then the biggest thing for me, they don't play Miami and they don't play Clemson. And say what you want about Dabble and Clemson these days. That's obviously one of the highest ceilings in the conference roster wise. They could have a little chip on their shoulder this year that might actually be legit with them. People a lot of people throwing stuff on them. They don't have the expectations. so that having a schedule like that matters in the always wide open ACC, the old wheel of destiny as as they call it. So I have them meeting up with Miami and then Miami, of course, winning that game. Over Louisville. So didn't get too crazy here, like you know, maybe with Oak Key State and the Big Twelve, but I I feel pretty good. My Miami and Louisville, something a little different, obviously Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: very reasonable. Erich: Yeah, this is one that I think a lot of people doing predictions, participating in different things might overthink. And they need to treat it like you could have treated the NCAA tournament the past couple of years, which is like you just pick the one seats and you're gonna do pretty well in Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: these packets. This is one Miami should be who you pick. There's a talent gap, I think. fairly significant again, barring injuries, but you mentioned all the guys. I mean, Darren Mensa, I don't think people understand. They probably didn't want to watch a lot of Duke last year, but Duke was feast or famine last year. When Mensa wasn't just turning the ball over, they were like running through people. Kevin Ivers: Mm-hmm. Erich: and now he get like you said, he gets Mal Kitoni and Mark Fletcher. Amongst the other host of guys that they brought in in the portal. Kevin Ivers: He gets Barget his best target at Duke, Cooper Cooper Barget. Erich: Yep. Exactly. So it's again, could they drop a game? Sure. You know, in fact, like just looking at their schedule here, Kevin Ivers: It is not bad at all. Erich: It's not. I mean, three of your first five on the road conference games. I think we're gonna learn a lot about like, you know, what what really is held back Miami when they've been held back? It's character, right? It's it'd be hard to believe they haven't gotten rid of a lot over the last couple of years. Just you know, obviously you go to a national championship and you go through the in in the way they went through it and who they beat to go there. I mean, and then really were in the game against Indiana, which is saying a lot considering the teams that Couldn't touch Indiana last year. but for them, I think it's just gonna be you get through that, then the schedule looks really great. You know, even if you lose at ND, okay, you're still going to the ACC title and you're probably gonna win that game. I just I don't see outside of like a weird fluky thing, like I I I don't think Florida State is to the point where they can really challenge, I would say the same thing about Florida versus Miami. I think it's the the same type of thing for them. But I I I think to me this is just not to poo-poo the other teams in the ACC, but because there are a lot of teams in the ACC I like. You know, I love what Virginia did last year. It's nice to see them not being kind of like what Purdue's been in the Big Ten over the last, you know, 10 years and see them that some it's got some talented guys there. And I'd love to see Clemson come back and and be a challenger. We'll see. Hopefully they are. But yeah, for me, I think this is pretty simple. I'm going my one seeds. I'm going Miami versus SMU in the title. And I think this time around, Miami wins the title game, and there's no waiting around and trying to get in as a 12 seed or 11 seed or whatever it is. I think they'll highlight I'd be surprised if they're outside the top eight come the end of the season in regards to the final college football rankings. But yeah, I love love Louisville. I think. Brom's gonna be great for them. I I hope that he gets the dollars needed. I mean, the biggest thing right now, so like if you look at these dollars spent, and again, this is gonna be a a theme of mine. You have only one team. It's a great article. I think it still needs context because over 20 million, Kevin Ivers: Love that article. I know. Erich: like there's a difference between 21 million and 28 or 29 million. Like those are different numbers. But the only team that's over 30 million. In fact, in over 40 million is Miami. Everyone else is in the over 20 million bucket, which I still think puts you in an area where you can compete. and that's good. And but then there's just there's a lot of teams, and I think this is the problem the ACC has. There's just a lot of teams that don't have the dollars figured out. I mean, just Cal and Stanford are even though Cal has a dynamic QB, it's just those are two schools that have a lot of money and they just need to get. the right coach in there to convince the powers that be to give him the money. Cause as you and I have talked about, it's not just about the football. Like the football program drives enrollment, which drives a lot of other things in terms of dollars and what your alumni base is and and all those things. So yeah, to me this one's simple. you know it's probably Miami and there's a few other teams, Clemson, SMU, Louisville. I I know I'd love to see the glorious Jersey colors of Florida State, being back at it and being good. but I do think ACC is also better than people realize. And if you look at their bowl game record last year and their head to head against the SEC, like they was pretty good. so that's where I land with the ACC. Kevin Ivers: You know, with you just mentioning Florida State, Miami, that it's tough to think back. That that game growing up, it just for so many years it you couldn't miss it. You could not miss that game. The athletes, the players, you know, it was it was what Alabama, Georgia's or, you know, state Michigan. Is all Erich: Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, like right there with all those things. Kevin Ivers: all that. another thing, yeah, Miami, they also get Florida State and pit at home. The thing too Is you know that final kick the last three weeks of November. Those Miami boys, they they don't need to go north. Duke, Vatec, and BC. All Erich: All at home. Kevin Ivers: all home. And we know in the past few years ago they lost that cold weather game at Pitt. And then if you want to go way back, one of my favorite games ever, 2001, when they wanted all the, you know, one of the greatest teams of all time, maybe if not the greatest. That game at BC, Chestnut Hill, Astro Turf The the famous BC was leading twelve seven late, Brent Musberger on the call, vintage, ABC, of course, the music, all of it. And that play, the ricochet play, picked off and Ed Reed, memory stole it from his own defensive lineman so then he could run it back all the way. And they won eighteen seven. But Miami has a history of those late that's what's so cool about Cal, Erich: They do. Yeah. Kevin Ivers: those late cold weather games. real now they don't have it this year. So it's even Erich: Yeah, now they don't have it this year. Yeah, and now here's a question for you. Are there going to be Catholics for convict shirts sold at the Miami Notre Dame game? Kevin Ivers: I hope I hope so. He in this Erich: Ha ha ha. Kevin Ivers: world who knows? But you gotta br like that would be fun. Erich: I mean that guy the thirty for thirty on that is an incredible episode, by the way. that guy should Kevin Ivers: yes. Yeah. Erich: sell the t the t shirts. Like he's not in school anymore. All he has to do, I I mean, I might buy one. Kevin Ivers: Yeah, you wouldn't get in tr yeah, I would. Yeah. He gave one to Musburger. Musburger has one. He was yeah. God I I Erich: That's fantastic. I could see I could see McCaffee. Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: If they're if I mean they're gonna be at South Bend for that, aren't I I would imagine the Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: name the nature of where those teams sit likelihood. Yeah. Kevin Ivers: All although I will say that's November seventh. And if have you seen the slate that day, it's like eight, ten, like they're all like conference championship games. Erich: Is it just loaded? Yeah. Kevin Ivers: So actually it's it you might see that Erich: Maybe not. Kevin Ivers: theme come over these predictions. Yeah, it's definitely in the running, but it it is a wild day. I wanted a quick touch before we transition. I love the SMU pick. It all starts with Kevin Jennings, of course, and I think he gets a raw deal from that playoff game up at Penn State, the weather. He's facing a darn good team, obviously. And he got rattled early with those pick sixes and hard to recover from. And I know a lot of people kind of think of of that sometimes the last time he was on a stage where like, you know, everyone was watching. But I I'm with you. The talent and and Rhett Lashley, smart guy, underrated coach. You know, those in the know of course know but and they certainly have had no problem with their with their d donors down there in Dallas and their revival. So just be curious what your other thoughts were on SMU that that got you there. Erich: I I think part of it's their schedule. they only have five road games this year, which Kevin Ivers: Mm-hmm. Erich: I don't think we talk about enough. they have some tough road games at you at Florida and at at Florida State and at Louisville early. But man, if you can split those, the rest of the schedule shakes up pretty good. at Notre Dame late, I you know, it might not matter. Which is a weird thing to say because it's obviously not a conference game for them. Again, this is one of the problems with couch football where we have a team that's considered a upper echelon team at a conference, playing Notre Dame late. And you could argue it might literally might not matter for either team, depending on what Notre Dame does, which is just they just we gotta get rid of this thing. We I think it's gone Kevin Ivers: Yes. Erich: now for good in the SEC finally. but we gotta get rid of with Notre Dame or teams just gotta stop scheduling them because it it's just Know if if they're sitting there and they only have one or two losses, you know, if they only have one loss at that point, they're like, Well, who cares? Let's just let's just play our backups in this game and then Kevin Ivers: Right. Erich: focus on Stanford the following week with back to back road games and a lot of traveling. Like I I I mean, it's a weird way of looking at it, but that's a world we could live in. So for me, a lot of it's their schedule, some tough road games, one of which is non conference. And you know, I think we find out right away with them week one at Florida State. If they win that game, you know, if I'm an SMU fan and you know, if they're I think it's Hawkins is their new QB, he's dual threat, he can run. I'm feeling pretty good the way the the season shakes out. again. Kevin Ivers: Well, Jenni Jennings health healthy this year is huge. You know, he's back. Seems like he's been there forever. and then Phil Steele's got the they're the thirteenth rated offensive line. And they've had the history of producing some guys Erich: I saw that. Kevin Ivers: there. Anytime you see a team like that, you you get a number like that. That's critical. Keeps him upright, healthy, and I'm I'm with you on the schedule. And they're the athletes they have in that league are are certainly some of the best that you know, not all of them, but they got some guys that that can hang with the Miamis and Clemson's of of the world. You know, they're You know, that's why it's a big year for Louisville, like, you know, 'cause SMU is thought now to have kind of now that they're in the league, maybe have passed Louisville by or at their level. It's kind of a it's a it's a big year, you know, it's not almost talked enough and not wow. That's almost not talked about enough with the pecking order that can so quickly change with some of this conference Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: realignment of who's on board with NIL. And and and even if you are, you'll you gotta take advantage. You gotta get to a conference championship game if you're Louisville. You know, I look at a program that's I'm mentioning them again, but I look at a program like NC State, you know, yeah, Dave Doran's been there forever, he'd done a solid job. But this they had some windows in some years, and and now with that league improving, like you said, it's like did their did their time Erich: Yeah, they're just a Kevin Ivers: pass you by? Like now just Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: the guaranteed eight and four year every year might not be because I I don't know if they're even gonna go Erich: Yeah, it's you know, as one, I don't know why we don't just have the big twelve in the ACC trade West Virginia for SMU. It's what are we doing? just crazy. But yeah, I mean a Dallas-based team, you know, you and I have talked about this before. Like, even take like, you know, a team that's in a talent laden area is probably gonna have speed on the outside, more so than a team that Is not in a talent laden area, right? So Dallas, again, a huge recruiting area. SMU's right there. They have money. You know, there's there's, you know, spending much more than most in the conference. And, you know, they've been to a playoff already. Their fans are behind them. And yeah, yeah. I mean, they're now allowed to do the things they used to get slapped on the wrist for by the NCAA every five years back in the day. Now it's just legal and they're allowed to. Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Yeah. Erich: So and you're gonna see the result of that. You know, they're not in a top dollar conference in terms of TV revenue, but it doesn't matter. The donors are there there and you know, if the oil price is up, they're gonna do well. I mean, that's just Kevin Ivers: Hey though Erich: the way it works. Kevin Ivers: the it is and those those CW eighteen games, man, if you know you know there's that's that's so they put some fun games on that network. But alright, well so to recap, so you got Miami over Smoo, also known as the SMU Mustangs, or Southern Methodist. and then I am rolling with the Canes as well over Louisville. But be fun games. That that would be really fun ACC title. with that said, let's roll into the Big Ten, shall we? Erich: Do Kevin Ivers: you yeah, let you kick things off there. What's what's on your mind with the Big Ten? There's there's a lot to discuss here. Erich: Yeah, the Big Ten's interesting. I I think you have to You really have to ask yourself who can actually win in the Big Ten versus who could play in a title game, right? I think there's probably three teams that I believe that could actually win it. but from a talent perspective, but two of those teams have really tough schedules along the way. So I'm talking Ohio State, Indiana. Oregon. you know, I don't love that I'm just aligning with the traditional picks here that now wild that we call Indiana traditional pick. Now it's just it's weird saying that. Kevin Ivers: That happened way too fast for me. Erich: It did. So it's it's it's hard to say that, but I just think there's a gap between those three. And then then there's like probably like three to four underneath them that because of their schedule or some other factors might sneak into the conference championship game, right? Like I think Penn State schedule wise is one of those teams where, you know, fair or not, for soup or boy Matt Campbell, ten and two is like, dude, you don't go at least ten and two. Like I nine and three is forgivable, but like Boy, like if you don't go ten and two, it's like this is a missed opportunity, just the way the schedule shakes out for this year. But Ohio State and Indiana schedules are brutal, like really tough schedules. Obviously, Ohio State at Texas, week two. you know, that's and then you know, I think Indiana and Ohio State play each other, and we can get into their schedules further than that past there. But so for me, I don't it's hard for me to pick who's gonna be in the title game with them. I think Oregon wins the Big Ten this year. you know, I think they won it two years ago, two seasons ago with a roster that's not as good as this one. they probably have one of the three best, most dynamic QBs in the country this year, who can run the ball really well. And we haven't even really seen him throw that into his game yet. So I I just think that it's gonna be really tough. I think their entire defensive line and offensive line is back. You know, although they did lose one of the running backs for six weeks, but again, he'll be back some by midway through the season. So for me, Oregon wins it. and I think what we're gonna see is they're gonna play due to like tiebreakers and stuff. I I I'm I don't think it'll be against Ohio State or Oregon. I think it's gonna be something weird. Like I said, you're gonna love this, but I think it's gonna be Oregon, Penn State, just because the schedule, like Penn State's gonna be what Indiana was two years ago. Or last year, the year before this last, whereas they're just going to be a scheduled darling with some talent, right? Kevin Ivers: Love it. Erich: so that's what I see. And I think Oregon wins it. and my it's not that I love Oregon or anything like that. Great jerseys when they run their wear their traditional ones. Kevin Ivers: Traditional. Erich: but just I think it's the best roster in football right now on paper. And they've added in the portal, they're spending over 40 million. They're one of a few handful of teams to do that. And yeah, if barring injuries, I don't see any other path for them other than playoffs run for the national title this year. Kevin Ivers: Well, I love that Big Ten championship. appreciate you having my knitting lines Erich: I knew you would. I knew Kevin Ivers: in there. yeah, rematch of just a couple years ago in that shootout. I wasn't as bold to go that route. this is wild. So my Big Ten championship, mind you, and you'll see why I'm emphasizing that in a second. I have Oregon, of course. Over Southern California Erich: Okay. Or as our Notre Dame fans like to say, this is the only song we know. Kevin Ivers: that is in the new game, man, that thing blasts on like it's Erich: Fantastic. Kevin Ivers: fantastic. You You get like an eight-yard run against them as long as it's not a first down and it's playing. And it's so real it's so it's realistic. I Erich: Well, that's realistic. They play it a a million times a game. Kevin Ivers: beautiful. Love it. But yeah, and Oregon USC has the Big Ten Championship. It could be the year twenty fifty-six. And that still won't sound like the Big Ten championship. It's weird because I've gotten used to the matchups. If it's like an Oregon, Michigan game, or, you know, name a matchup of the old Pac-Twelve, Big Ten. But when it's the two Pac-Twelve teams playing, like it just I don't know if that'll ever happen for me. But Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: I'm rolling with it. I I don't have the nugget that Phil Steele had about Ohio State If this does come to fruition, this will be seven years that they will not win the Big Ten championship, which is wild to say. Ohio Erich: And that would be for Ohio State. Kevin Ivers: State, they haven't won the Big Ten in six years. Erich: Is it been that long? Kevin Ivers: I I know. I'm like, I thought maybe a few but that's what could th Indiana. Oregon, and then Erich: Well, there was three in a row. Last year it was Indiana. The year before that it was Oregon. The three years before that it was Michigan. Kevin Ivers: three years Michigan, and then who is that? Maybe it's just that and then this would be the sixth. I could be a year off. Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: I could be a year off. But it it's Erich: Well and then was there was there no conference championship game during COVID? I can't remember. No, there was because it it was them versus Kevin Ivers: yeah, that that c yeah, there was. Erich: wasn't it them versus Northwestern? Kevin Ivers: Yeah, good memory. Yep, yep, yep. So, yeah, I think it's Erich: Yeah. And so they want that. Kevin Ivers: it would be six. I think I'd botch the stat. Either way. That's still a that's Erich: Yeah. Right. It's still surprising. Yeah. Kevin Ivers: still a f a fun fact. But they'll think the sky's falling in Columbus. I just simply they you know, they've caught don't don't be me wrong, like, Ohio State fans, like They're they've earned everything. Incredible program. We talk about all the time how they're literally they literally don't have like a downturn. Like even Alabama's had that in the late nineties, early two thousands, you outside of the Sean Alexander year and the orange bowl and stuff. But You know, you look at their schedule this year, and it's like they're, you know, outside, of course, you got the Texas game, that and South, but just talking conference, it's like, you know, you're on the road at Connecticut. You're, you know, you're at Indiana. You're at USC, Oregon comes in, and then of course Michigan. Like, it's one after the other. They've had a number of schedules in recent years where it's like there there's some lulls for like a month or six weeks, and that's what's cool about this new Big Ten is Now this is their first year of of kind of feeling that. and I I just didn't love like, you know, you watch that NFL draft last year, and it's just like Arvell Reese, Sonny Dykes, Caleb Downs, you know, their whole defense. And that was like the first 11 picks. And and I know it's Ohio State, the Kings of reloading, but you know, they're always gonna get that benefit down. And they're gonna be really, really good. But you gotta pick a champion. And and I kind of agree with what Joel Clatt said on his Top twenty five podcast show. I don't I don't know if you caught it, but he made a great point. You you go down the list of contenders that, you know, and he was doing his AP poll of who's number one. And it's kind of the same thing in the Big Ten. you know, he went with Oregon, number one, which I agree. I thought they should have got the nod from the AP. Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: Cause there's just there you know, the whole defense is back. You know, Uy Angela on the edge and Tuyote, if I said that right, on the other edge and the you know, they steal poor Minnesota. They they steal Koy Perrish, their top safety, just like Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: they did with Dylan Dienam in Purdue. It's like they poach these lower level teams that have that one like Oregon level player. And, you know, obviously you mentioned Dante Moore and what's his face at receiver, the all he could be the next Jeremiah Smith perhaps. d you know, DeCorian Moore. It it's you go on and on and on and Dan Lanny and I I he inherited a Cadillac and you know, that program obviously is set up j just about maybe better than anyone in this world. And they don't have a o a weakness or a question mark. You know, like I just mentioned with Ohio State. Okay, all all those defenders to to the NFL lost. Or, you know, you want to go down the line. Indiana, you know, yes, Hoover's really good, but Mendoza was special, won the Heisman, and that seemed like a pretty special team. You still you you know, you lost some of those receivers that were great to the NFL like Surratt. you know, USC are are they are they physical enough? Lincoln Riley hasn't proved it on the road. then, you know, those are kind of your top challengers and You know, of course Penn State's got, you know, their questions and you know, you go on on down the line, it's like O Oregon real really doesn't have it. It's just simply like, are you gonna get over the hump in the playoffs? So I I'm with you. The picking the other team was one of the hardest parts of this exercise, if not the most, but but or Oregon was was not. Erich: No, it's not. And I think part of it too is because like, you know, USC plays Oregon and Ohio State and Indiana this year. Like Indiana and Ohio State play each other. Like a lot of these teams play each other this year, whereas some of the prior years they did not. Kevin Ivers: Yep. Erich: And I I I think again, this is where schedule matters with a lot of these things. Like, you know, USC, where are they going to be at week six, right? They only have one road game. And that's where I think you could there's a lot to like there, but they do have Washington and Oregon and Washington in those first six games. But if they're five and one or six and zero, six and like boy, yeah, then you know, yeah, then they have this at Penn State, bye week, at Wisconsin, Ohio State, at Indiana, Maryland, at UCLA. But you know, talent wise, I would argue. On paper, they have as much talent as all you know, as in Indiana and Ohio State, and probably a little bit more than Penn State, you know, definitely more than Wisconsin, Maryland, and US, UCLA. So it's like, where are they going to be? Or are they going to be, are they going to drop one to Oregon and Washington? Are they going to be, you know, be kind of what they've been and they're going to be four and two when they should be at least five and one with now zero margin of error? And then you got at Penn State, at Wisconsin, Ohio State, at Indiana. Maryland at UCLA, like the likelihood of their getting through that without a loss is it's it's tough. So I I do think they gotta be that's for them the litmus test coming out of their first six, you know, they start August 29th and they don't have a break, you know, until after Penn State. Are they are they are they six and and five and one or are they four and two? Like, you know, their first three, their first four should be warm-ups, San Jose. Fresno, Louisiana at Rutgers, like although we've seen them travel east in the past and struggle, like you know, look at Kevin Ivers: If if Lincoln Riley loses in Piscataway, he might he he might not hear that beautiful song again. Erich: I mean that that's the thing is, you know, the problem is is that's what we've seen of Lake and Riley at US UCLA or at USC is just underwhelming results. You losing the teams you shouldn't. I mean Illinois game last year is a perfect example. Like these teams Kevin Ivers: Mm-hmm. Erich: are not the same on paper, not even close. I mean, this is an Illinois team when they played Wisconsin last year, got dominated on both sides of the ball. And you USC got dominated in the trenches against Illinois last year. Is it just like how? How is that happening? Like, you know, so is there finally this edge and toughness to USC? or excuse me, I keep saying UCLA, USC. This year, Lincoln Riley's it's always been his weakness. Going back to Oklahoma, his teams just don't have that toughness and that grit. They struggle when they go to those places where it's things aren't high flying. you gotta win in the trenches, you gotta just win a game of toughness. And you know, that's a culture thing. You know, that's not a talent thing. That is a culture thing. I mean, we Iowa gets by on culture, right? It's just we're just gonna be this team that's gonna be tougher than you no matter what. We might beat us, but you're not as tough as us, right? Like that's their mantra and they live by that. And USC has struggled with that. And we haven't really what seen it since Pete Carroll. It's a Kevin Ivers: Yeah, yeah. Erich: long time. You're talking like almost 20 years at this point, where it's Kevin Ivers: Uh-huh. I know. Erich: like it's been that long since they've had that edge and that grit. And we keep us, you know, the talent's always been there. we now we've seen Miami get it back. They went through a similar like kind of like twenty year transition. I struggle thinking Lincoln Riley's gonna get it done. I just do. I think it I think they could, and I think it'd be cool to see them kind of take a step. Although boy, what a weird final that would be. The the Pac twelve Big Ten championship. Kevin Ivers: I that's what I'm saying. Erich: That would be strange. I mean it'd be cool. Jersey colors would be fantastic. They should both wear home jerseys if that happens, but Kevin Ivers: Uh-huh. Erich: that'd be strange. Kevin Ivers: No, you're you're saying all the right things. It's a perfect segue. I mean, you you you nailed the schedule. I looked at that. It's absolutely wild. And I'm like, but I'm gonna put in there 'cause I I do this sometimes where it's like it's becomes college football magazine season around Memorial Day and you know, just gut feeling and what I'm starting to gather and and study up on for the season and I I get a darling in my head, and I it's weird to call USC that, but kinda like you said, 'cause it goes back to the Pete Carroll days. And I I looked at that, I'm like, I I just can't get away from the feel because I you know, I I watched the Big Ten Network that, you know, the the tour that they do at all the camps and Lincoln Riley just hearing him talk at that in the Big Ten Media Days just seems like he's got a different confidence it it he he has mentioned it is his most physical team ever and that's really what it boils down to is exactly what you said. I d I do love that they added Alex Van Summer in from Michigan State, tough kid. Zariah Fisher from Penn State up front. We know all about Luke Waffle, the number one recruit at DN I I don't know if he he looks like he's thirty years old. The guy is chiseled. They brought back the Shelby kid, Cameron Crawford are back. it does seem on paper like Lincoln Riley could be right. They they have a lot of good bodies up front. it's definitely a change and improvement from when they first enter the Big Ten. Lincoln Riley's not a dummy. He knows what Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: they've been missing. but yeah, that's absolutely the question for me. Like, are they physical enough? We'll know that you know, even early on, you you know you know versus those lesser teams. We talk about that all the time. Are you, you know, if if they throw for like 407 yards with JD Maiava versus Fresno in the second week and win by 20 or 30, you know, versus always solid Fresno team, you know, people will be like, great stuff, but You actually you actually wanna run for like two fifty, three hundred vers Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: versus a team like that. Or and defensively you wanna, you know, just dominate up front and and completely shut down their run. So and then the other thing, we've kind of buried the lead is good old Gary Patterson. That could be the hire that saves Lincoln Riley's job at D coordinator. That's Erich: It could be. Kevin Ivers: that's that's a guy obviously w you know, we know. does it work? You know, sometimes it's like, it's not quite the same as his TCU days, but you what's your thoughts on G Erich: Yeah, I mean Kevin Ivers: P Erich: Is it gonna be another Allen at Penn State DC type situation where we think on paper this should be great? But is it actually Kevin Ivers: Yeah, good point. Erich: like you know, these guys that were I just think a guy who's the head coach for as long as GP was, can he now just be a defensive coordinator? Does he have the energy of what it takes to be a defensive coordinator? Like Kevin Ivers: Yep. Erich: for me, I think this is a it's just This is where I almost sometimes think coordinators are like young man's game. You need to be putting in head coach hours, even though you're only a coordinator. Like, is GP doing that? Is are these overpaid USC LA pretend celebrities? I'm gonna call them buying in to what he's telling them on a team that's been traditionally soft. I I don't know. But it'll be interesting to see to your point. You can see it early, like. We should have had more red flags on Penn State last year on how ineffectual they are at running the ball against lesser opponents last year. Like we should have said, hmm, something's not right. And I think you can do the same thing with USC this year, like you said, with their schedules. Like if they're not running for at least 200 yards a game, like JD Mayava should not, if he's throwing for 400 yards a game, something's wrong. They're not able to physically beat up on a lesser team. and now what Kevin Ivers: And he's great. Don't give me I he is I think I don't know if he's underrated, but man, he's he he's Erich: Maybe he's very underrated. He's an incredible quarterback. And I think it's just cause USC went nine four last year. Like Kevin Ivers: Yeah, they're probably and Wayman Jordan also, man, I and King Miller. I Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: Wayman Jordan is a fun, fun bigger back to watch. yeah, I mean I of course of course they're loaded at the skill, yeah. It's sorry, I cut I cut you off. Go go ahead. Erich: No, I was gonna say before we go to the SEC, and just so everyone Yeah, I wanna talk about Commartines. No, totally. I was gonna say before we go to before we talk about the second best conference in the country, Kevin Ivers: I had a couple more I had a couple more Big Ten thoughts. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. yeah. K can we can I can I give you some math on the USC schedule? I I I think people Erich: Yes. Kevin Ivers: should know that how like how did you get there with this bear? So I have them losing at home early to Oregon. I think Oregon, like Erich: Agreed. Kevin Ivers: Just familiar place, fast track, that beautiful, low-cut Bermuda turf out there. I think Oregon will be just fine. Good weather game. then USC rebounds. I take care of Washington for homecoming. Madrash and everybody, people are happy. And then I I do got him going east, losing in the wideout in a in a just a hell of a game, similar to the the one a couple years ago, the 33-30 overtime game. so losing twice early. So what you talked about a little while ago, like now all the pressure's on you, you gotta gotta win out. Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: And they come off the bye, they gotta grind one out at Camp Randall. And then the Lincoln Riley break through. Ohio State comes west and I I think I think they nip I think they I think they get the buck guys and then that's that's a really tough turnaround to go to Bloomington. If they Erich: Really tough. Kevin Ivers: if they didn't have the bye, I don't have there. I they got that bye. That Erich: Yeah, they do. Kevin Ivers: that that saves them. And I think they out talent Indiana. but that's that is tough. Erich: Boy, you're you're you're doing the betting against Signetti at home deal. Not Kevin Ivers: I Erich: something that's worked out well for people the last two years. Not something that's worked out well at all. Kevin Ivers: Nope. Nope. I it's already the Oklahoma State pick might have already had people chewing out and and I am I am like being just trying to be gumby here, trying to Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: get them there and then yeah, Maryland and at at UCLA. I I got the Trojans. I got them getting there. It's a it's a feel. It's a feel. I'm just picturing Matt linered up on that ladder with the sword. Try trying to bring it back. But like we always talked about those teams. Sure, London White, Dwayne Jarrett, Leinert, Reggie Bush, name your incredible USC talent. Frosty Rucker on the D line, Cedric Ellis, Palomalu, Clay Matthews, etc. The dogs that they had up front and all on the offensive line. I mean, Matt Matt Leinert didn't need to go to class because he was reading books in the pocket. Erich: Yeah. I think we should both comment on the fact that we don't have Indiana in the conference championship. And it may be our on it may be our undoing. I Kevin Ivers: Yeah, that's that's necessary. Erich: I just want to say my reason is just I watched Josh Hoover play games last year, and to me he has tremendous upside with just his throwing motion, his arm talent is incredible. I think it's gonna be really tough for him to to rein in the interceptions. I think he takes risks. yes, Signetti could get it right. but you know, you also have, you know, at N they have a stretch that is tough at Nebraska, Ohio State at home, at Michigan, Minnesota, bye week, USC at home, at Washington. Like yes, it is very possible they go ten and two and they're in. But I do think that what we're gonna see this year is I think we're gonna have some tiebreaker. Things that are worked out. And I think I've been waiting for the tiebreaker issue to be the crux of what makes us redo how we're doing these scheduling. Because I just I just think there's a really good chance you're gonna have several 10 and 2 teams this year in the Big Ten. And I think the question is finally gonna be asked do we really want score differential, computer based or subjective based? Strength of schedules or other things being in the way. I don't know. But also, too, I will admit my bias of picking against Indiana because of how they schedule their non conference. this is my I I I hate that Signati does this. He doesn't need to do it. They're really good. Indiana, get some guts. You're a national champion. You can play another power for team in your non conference schedule. It is a joke, you know, getting, you know. Saying Notre Dame should come see us twice before we see them once is just a weird thing to say. but I fully recognize that picking against Signeti with a schedule that's not as bad as some other teams, might be my undoing. But there's another team I want talk about, Michigan. And just so the podcast is aware here, you can tell we are not homering our either of our own teams here. We're barely talking about them. For the reason that maybe they just don't deserve to be talked about as much as some of these other teams. And that's just the reality of the situation. I think people are under potentially underestimating what Michigan can be this year. we've seen examples of what a talent laden organization with a culture guy can do. Obviously, Texas AM. you know, you were right about that, I was wrong. Kevin Ivers: My guy. Okay. Erich: but you bring in a guy who's very culture based Kevin Ivers: Blind Squirrel finds a nut. Erich: in an era where they're allowed to do the things that they wouldn't have been allowed to do in the past. So now they do them with dollars. And also the schedule, like yes, they have a tough test against Oklahoma this year, but it's at home. Kevin Ivers: Cool, yeah. Erich: So if they if they come out of that, if they win that game, you have to look at the rest of their schedule. Yeah, they play Penn State. Yeah, they play Indiana. They're at home. And you're you're talking at a point where if they're five and which they I think they will be, going to those games, like again, like the confidence they will have. I think Whittingham is very good at using dual threat quarterbacks. He's shown his ability to do that with multiple quarterbacks over the years. And even the little things he said in the offseason, like he's so open about it. He's like, Yeah, the one of the first thing we notice is that the strengths. training w in regards to the right weight room is not where it needs to be. So okay, if that's the case Kevin Ivers: I love Erich: and now and that's addressed, like great. you and I now have to deal with Michigan being what we know they can be when the right coach is there. yeah, they have a like a stretch, Penn State at home, Indiana at home, at Rutgers, Michigan State at home, at Oregon, UCLA at Ohio State. I just think there's a very real world where Michigan it can be one of those ten and two teams. And we'll see what happens with the tiebreaker. So yeah, don't be surprised if Michigan is 10 and 2. There's probably two losses in there, but they might be their road games at Oregon at Ohio State. And if that's the case, no one's going through the schedule that they have 10 and 2 and not getting in the playoffs. So, and they might very well get into the conference championship game. But the Big Ten's interesting this year because of scheduling with a lot of these power blue blood teams playing each other. Kevin Ivers: Yes. Yes, great points. Fascinating schedule. You nailed the he head on the nail? What's the why my my my brain nail on the head, my brain shut off. Yeah. Erich: Nail on the head. You you you hit the you don't want to nail the nail on the head, you want to hit the nail on the head. Kevin Ivers: Well with that, no but Jay Hill coming over from BYU Toughness, Jay Beck, excuse me, Jason Beck, the OC at New Mexico did wonders, of course, but then brought Dampier to Utah last year. Erich: Yep. Kevin Ivers: You know, the Michigan circles have talked about that Jay Hill, I mean, they're they're both those guys are future head coach material. 'Cause cause let's be honest, Erich: Absolutely. Kevin Ivers: like with Winning Hands' age, that that's the plan. Bring that Erich: Hundred percent. Kevin Ivers: Bring that Whittingham culture for three, four years, whatever this is, and then you hand it off to someone a lot better than Sherome Moore. how that handoff went. So Erich: Yeah, I mean they went what nine and three last year with Sharon Moore as their coach, who who's just banging chicks, booking escorts, like Kevin Ivers: Yeah yeah. J and like literally texting Instagram models at the halftime like in a dog fight versus Purdue. So Erich: Yeah. Yeah. Kevin Ivers: that that made a lot more sense why that Erich: And they went nine and three. Kevin Ivers: yeah. I know. and were competitive it's ups Erich: Yeah, Bryce Underwood had no coaching last year, but now has experience and now Kevin Ivers: None. I know Erich: is getting coaching this year. Like for people who are just giving up on him right away, like you know, Dante Moore wasn't good his first year as a starter at UCLA, if I'm not mistaken, Kevin Ivers: No, no, yeah. Erich: was pretty darn good last year when he had the right coaching Kevin Ivers: Yeah, seem to be okay. Erich: and had it had a year's worth of experience behind him. So And the talents there. I I saw it in moments where he rolls out and drops a dime, scrambles, like he can play. And you know, I just think I'm excited because I I think it's you know, I want as many teams to be good in every conference as possible. It makes it more interesting. It's not it's not more interesting when it's just Ohio State and Indiana. Like that would be less interesting. so Kevin Ivers: Solo Erich: anyways. Kevin Ivers: Totally. No, and they I I'm with you on Underwood is a guy you know very well, brought him up a lot. I I was already burying him last year, written off, you know, if it's five star, you don't see it right away, which there there is a little bit of truth to that sometimes. When you just see something, it's like this guy may be a little overrated, but y your point. The the coaching, it's it's night and day. What some of their players have said has been pretty eye-opening. You get some usually pretty some of the comments on that Big Ten tour a I believe it was from Jordan Marshall, the running back was just like, it is telling you guys, like he's like it it's just night and day. And you you could just feel the sincerity in that. and he Erich: And he was great last year. So this year Kevin Ivers: right. And so that that's scary. And then the defense is gonna it's always loaded, gonna be tough. And they got Rod Moore back in the secondary and some younger guys growing up. And and you you you know, with the schedule, like you said, it's key. You that Penn State game for homecoming cripe. I mean our ninety-four team, as good as any team all time, one there and t What it's it's it's it's i Erich: About it. Kevin Ivers: it i it is. It's we've the only other one well COVID I don't count really it was a win and the the only other one was nine with Daryl Clark and the boys rolled in there in a rainstorm and they they had Richrod and were bad, but my gosh, shoot the years there. The last play, Manningham and O five, our only loss and s you know, we've lost in overtimes there, we've laid an egg. It's just house of horrors so hard. So they they get and that's a big switch. Game at you know with you look at the rankings and the AP sixteen versus eighteen. Obviously, toss up that swings, who's gonna be favored there? And you know, it obviously a really tough finishing kick with going out to all Austin. and then of course in Columbus, two of the last three, that's as tough as it gets in the country, but that no. Would not be a surprise. Would not be a surprise. Would be really interesting. That that it's that Iowa and Penn State games at home that they have to take advantage of. Cause then and and then even Indiana. And then you hey, you could go in and you you lose those last two road games. So sheer point to to put a ball on the big ten on I'm with you. You know, Penn State, of course, their their schedule lines of course it it starts with that. Yo, no one wants to mention, you Rocco Beck or Ben Braym or anything else, the schedule, but you're right. That's that's why they have to be thrown in as a as a dark horse. and then and then Washington. I think it's fair to throw them in with Jed Fish and Damon Williams and the talent. They've they're kind of similar. They've obviously really hard to go out to Seattle in that place, but they have to take a step this year and and show show better on the road. Erich: Yeah, that for me, again, a little bit of bias because obviously I watched them get destroyed in the trenches against a really bad Wisconsin team last year, although Wisconsin's defense is very underrated last year. But you know, conversely, the other team out West Oregon just ran it on them, which not a lot of teams are able to do. I think that speaks to how good Oregon is, and which is why I'm talking about this, because there's I think for me, I need to see Washington be better. On the offensive line. I believe their left tackle is be a true freshman, even though he's a s like a monster of size. I gotta see them be better in the trench trenches running the ball. I can't have Damon Williams running for his life. yeah, Kevin Ivers: Yep, that's what killed him. Erich: it's just yeah, that's that's a recipe for eight and four. but yeah, I agree with you. If they if they're good up front, then they are also a dark horse team. Kevin Ivers: an intriguing October third game when they go to Southern Cal for for both teams, you know, so. Erich: Another great jersey color clash. Just those pack traditional Pac 12 teams, man. They had some a good mix of of colors. Kevin Ivers: It's it's beautiful. Washi, I know. Stop. They came out with some new black uniform. What are you doing? That purple and gold? Wear it. Erich: Yeah. quick sidebar. The Shamrock jerseys for Wisconsin versus Notre Dame at Lambeau are terrible. They're so bad. Why they thought Kevin Ivers: They're not good. Erich: they should have chrome instead of white for Wisconsin and like mirror polished gold instead of just Notre Dame's classic gold. Ridiculous. Like could have made it great. You could have done Notre Dame gold helmets. blue jersey, blue pants with just the the gold color shining through. Wisconsin could have done red and red. It would have been beautiful. I need to be named commissioner of Jersey colors for all of college football. I'll happily hire you on my team. Kevin Ivers: I I I'll be a big part of that board. Erich: We will we will allow alternate unis, but yeah, pending approval. Kevin Ivers: Yeah. My my brother will join. He's Erich: Like Oregon, you have great colors and you often get it wrong. I appreciate your willingness to try new things, but let's try new things while staying within a certain palette. Rant rant Kevin Ivers: Can we just Erich: over. Kevin Ivers: can we just bring back that Joy Harrington era uniform, that beauti glorious Erich: Haw, glorious. Kevin Ivers: I just that green shimmering helmet the yellow and Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: to your point that I I hate how they think like sham rec series it's a game you don't get to see a lot. N D Wisconsin, so well let's let's do it so the teams aren't even as recognizable for for a special game. And N D Erich: Yeah, I know. Ridiculous. Kevin Ivers: please I Like, it's still good, but that new gold is too much. Go back to that like more muted gold from actually not that long ago or i the Yeah, like, Erich: Yeah. R raw gold. I like to call it. R raw gold. Kevin Ivers: man, when Jerome Bettis was in that thing, like, don't get us started on Unis. Erich: Yeah. No, they've given they've yeah, that's let's that's a separate episode. maybe a midweek episode at some point. Kevin Ivers: Ha ha. Erich: SEC, second best conference in the country. Good to call that Kevin Ivers: You you you Erich: out. You know, that's just the reality of the situation for now, but also still I think regardless of that, the most fun environments top to bottom of any of the conferences. Like, you know, if you're Someone from overseas is coming and it's like, hey, like where should I spend my time to like get into college football? It's like Southeastern Conference. You know, fact, just go park at LSU for a season, go to those home games and you'll pretty much be b bought in from Kevin Ivers: Yeah, so you you'll Erich: there. Kevin Ivers: you'll be you'll be set. Well it's like we always talk about the cross over the parallels, like Mississippi State or Purdue. And Erich: Now when you when you and I worked together, do you remember the story of when I was supposed to go to I was supposed to go to Baton Rouge and see LSU versus old miss? Do you remember? Kevin Ivers: I do I I remember that part, but remind me again, because it's a little foggy from Erich: So Kevin Ivers: there. But I remember you were supposed to go to that game. Erich: Our our boy, I don't know what he's up to these days, our boy Mike Hensel, him and I were gonna travel Kevin Ivers: Ha ha ha. Erich: together to see his customers, and one of them was paying for us to go into a suite at LSU, but that was the week my sister in law died. So I had to cancel my trip for good reasons, obviously. And so Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: I was unable to knock a bucket lift list item off my list, especially being in a suite would have been so cool. Kevin Ivers: Rolf. Yeah. Erich: Yeah. Yeah. So anyways, in Kevin Ivers: yeah, I remember that now. Erich: the definitely in the future, but SEC. All right. I'm gonna say this and I I think a lot of people are overthinking the the Texas schedule a little bit and let me get to why. So Texas is my champion of the SEC this year. Yes, they have they play Ohio State, they're at Tennessee, they play Oklahoma, they play Florida, they play Ole Miss, they play at Missouri, they play at LSU, they play they're at Texas AM. That sounds very daunting. However, they only have four road games. Because remember, they have their neutral site game in Dallas with Oklahoma. But so they're only until November seventh, they're only at They only have one true road game. Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: I I don't think enough people are are talking about this. Kevin Ivers: No, it's a good point. Erich: like I think they can get it done against Ohio State at home. In fact, I would be surprised if Ohio State goes into Austin and takes them out. I just I have a hard time seeing it. You know, Ohio State barely beat them last year at home. now was with Arch Manning making mistakes. I think Arch Manning went through the trials and tribulation he needs needed to go through. everyone gave up on him early, but then you look back, you're like, you know, and then you really look at it, and then it's like, everyone, but maybe five teams actually would have liked to have him as their QB last year. They brought in more talent on the outside. I think you and I talked last year. They lost a lot of stuff to the NFL. Now a lot of stuff has come back. It's you got a lot of guys that are gonna be starting for a second year on both sides of the ball. Their defensive line is gonna be nasty this year. Kevin Ivers: Yeah, Colin Simmons is a beast. Erich: So yeah, if I said, hey, their last four at Missouri at LSU, Arkansas at home at Texas AM, that sounds pretty daunting. But one, I think Missouri takes a step back this year and or they're just their usual eight and four self. So I don't think that's a big deal for them. Kevin Ivers: Fun old Big twelve North South matchup by the way. Erich: Great great former rivalry that we get to see now in the new SEC. I think at AM, I think AM might take a step back this year as well, just with all that what they lost the NFL. So Kevin Ivers: I yes, yes, yes. Yeah. Erich: and yeah, at LSU, people are assuming that this is all gonna click and they're gonna be a you know natty contender year one. Like it might they spent a lot of money. It's still a lot to put together in one year. I just to me, this is as easy. Which is weird because most people don't look at it this way. This is as easy as the ACC for me. I have Texas winning it. The hard part for me is who are they playing in the conference championship? That's the hard part. Kevin Ivers: I. This has been so fun because, like, you and I not talking about who we're picking to win these conferences, like, and there's there's gonna be quite some differences again, and who knows? I you everything you you say is very very accurate about Texas. I might I might be the guy that overthought this. Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: So I I went with their rival Boomer Sooner. I got Boomer Sooner there a as one of the Erich: Good pick. I mean, you could argue the winner of that game, Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: you know. Kevin Ivers: Yeah. I I think kinda slept on. it just feels it's kinda like USC. Part of it's a feeling like it it just seems time. we saw what a healthy John Mateer could do last year. He was never the same coming back from that broken hand the rest of the year. You know, he he he rushed back in that Texas game and and boy, they lost twenty three six, I remember. It was shocking, it was ugly. I think part of that Erich: Probably a probably a top a front four on D that's as good of Texas's, maybe better. Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Dave David Stone's a monster, one of the very best in the country. Sixteen starters back. I I I just back to McTear. I love we both love those gamer, dual threat, tough kids. Erich: Yeah, he certainly is that. Kevin Ivers: Yep. Biggest concern is their rush game. I know Tori Blalock's back, but I I I Erich: Huge concern. Huge concern. Kevin Ivers: believe he was outrushed by Mateer last year, which is not good. Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: When you're even though much year is a good runner, you don't want your QB style running your top back, especially in Oklahoma. They're O line though. I know Venables likes it. They they are experienced now. They're back. so that helps. They, you know, to the schedule, you know, it's once again, you know you you le everything. Erich: That you you you learn a lot in four weeks. You in fact, maybe everything in four weeks. Cause if they're two if they're two and two, like to me, this is kind of the similar type of thing that Wisconsin's dealt with the prior two years, which is just like, boy, from an odds standpoint, I had to have to go look at each game. Like you you know, the Vegas probably has you at two and two. And then then it's Kevin Ivers: Mm. Erich: like then there's no margin for error for the rest of the way, and that's tough. Kevin Ivers: Yeah. I'm polling just like with USC in the Big Ten, I'm I'm going they are. They are. I have them going two and two. Spoiler alert, I do have them playing this Georgia team that I have them losing to on September 26th. Erich: Mm-hmm. Kevin Ivers: I do have, yep, them losing in Aaron Arbor. They Michigan gets payback from from last year. So yeah, two two and two. And then Erich: So telling you. Kevin Ivers: you know, three hundred but three hundred and sixty five days stewing, those boys roll into the Texas State Fair, they smell that corndog. They remember what happened last year. I I got getting revenge there and then they get through that, which, man, could be a classic. It all sets up because they're winning Kentucky at home. The th they're going I South Carolina, that's or excuse me. you go to Starkfeld, deal with the Cow Bells too much talent. South Carolina comes in, thank God. That's that place can get weird. You don't have go there. At Florida, na obviously swamp's never easy. The Johns sum roll higher. I think they're kind of a dark horse as far as a team that can screw things up not to get to Atlanta. Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: But but I I I like them coming out there. And then I'm not Ole Miss, I I think's good, but a notch below. I I just think losing Kiffin and everything there, I think go back to the drama. I think that affects them a bit. I I I realize they're they're talented. but they're at it's you gotta go to Norman. And then A and I'm I'm down on this year. So you get those two critical games, those matchup games where the talent's probably pretty equated, and then an old big twelve game, you know, you go to Mizzou, but I I think they can overwhelm them and ta with talent on Thanksgiving. So it it it it is the SEC. like everything I just I don't want to like be like well that it's nothing after Texas but you gotta pick someone and then I I really I really never doubt a Brent Venables defense so I I don't yeah kit you Erich: Yeah. No, their defense will be as strong, if not stronger than it was last year. I agree. Kevin Ivers: know Kip Lewis up there with stone they're they're they're tough so I'm going I'm going Boomer Sooner there versus the Dogs, which might lead you into a s into a segue for UGA. Erich: Yeah, so for me I I didn't pick who they're playing. But yeah, I I think it's Texas, Georgia in the final. I know that's a boring pick. Kevin Ivers: S repeat, yeah. Erich: yeah. Kevin Ivers: Sometimes boring happens. Erich: Yeah, sometimes boring happens. I you know, I think I'm really high on some teams in the future. in terms of the new coaches, obviously I'm high on LSU long term. I'm really fascinating to see what Lane can do in year one with all the money they get spent there. Brandon Walker had an incredible quote about LCU spending over 40 million dollars. It's like, can they afford to do it every year? No. Will they? Yes. Like they don't have the donor pool. Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Yeah. Erich: But like, yeah, they're they're gonna just go into debt Kevin Ivers: Do it. Erich: and just gonna do it. Right. Lane doesn't work out, they'll fire him and you know, they'll be paying two coaches tens of millions of dollars a year while they hire another coach. really hot. Yeah, I agree. Kevin Ivers: Lane has like a year and a half. K get it going. Erich: I I just think if you look at like while I you know, so to me, like if I was doing my ratings, it would be Texas one, G A two, and then right behind G A or maybe right there with them is Oklahoma. I I I it's hard to And Ole Miss kind of falls in this category too, but it it's really hard to pick against these schools that are returning dynamic quarterbacks. Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: and then if you compare that with what they have around them, like Shambless might be the best of all of them, frankly, in terms of what a you're looking for in a college QB. I just don't Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: he just doesn't have the cast that Texas has. Georgia, the one thing I want to talk about with them is like where are their running backs and receivers? Like what's going on there? It seems like everything else is there. But what what is the d I just it's really hard. And I maybe we're just thinking a lot of their twenty one and twenty two teams that were they were just loaded everywhere, right? But just seems like there's these skill position gaps on offense. Kevin Ivers: Nate Frazier, I'd say he's a he's a dog. He's tough. Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: I I like I do like it, but it's it the receivers is I know they had Zachariah branch last year but he wasn't homegrown. He's US C. yeah, it's it's it's 'cause Erich: Yeah. And and and he was he was okay. He was great in spurts, but he wasn't consistent you're right. You know what I mean? Like Kevin Ivers: Yeah, they've I know. That seems to be their missing ingredient. we'll see if Erich: And I think you could argue the same thing, Oklahoma, like you know, I and that's just the word tech. That's why I think Texas is a cut above these teams, because like you don't have there's zero question marks at any position. QB, running back, offensive line, wide receiver, like top to bottom on both sides of the ball. And I think they're the only team you can really say that about across Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Those Erich: across across the SEC. Kevin Ivers: No, you're right. And I switched to Texas. No. I because we were talking at one point, like, Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: is it Oregon, Texas, and the national title? But I'm like, gosh, that just seems like that's what so many people are gonna have. But you're right. Hollywood Smothers was one of the absolute portal gets of the offseason. NC State, a phenom you know, all all all first team all name. And Erich: Definitely. Kevin Ivers: And then Cam Coleman from Auburn, you know, that offense had had their issues, of course, and he still produced and now he's with Texas. And and it it's almost like, yeah, with the the talent around and the the O-line and the defense, like, you know, yes, I think Archie Manny will will take a step this year, and he he showed that at the end of the last year. He came on in a really good bowl performance versus Michigan. He you know, if he if If he never ends up being this all world everything he was supposed to be, he might not even need to be. Might just need to, hey, s take a step from good to like really, really good. And and that that could still do it. He might not even need to be, you know, Heisman guy, top pick, all that that everybody ha has said from day one to to your point. And yeah, I the schedule, I I could see them actually going into Tennessee early after they beat Ohio State in a statement. I'm I'm I'm down on. Tennessee, you know, quarterback questions some roster holes. I I could see I could see Texas Erich: I think there'll still be, you know, it it it's it's still an incredible environment. Kevin Ivers: going in there and a crush him like a statement. Hey, traditionally tough Erich: Yeah, agree. Kevin Ivers: place to play. Erich: Yeah, I agree. I think people forget too Arch Manning is a dual threat quarterback. He's not like he can runs as well. Kevin Ivers: He he does. Erich: So all they did was get better everywhere, and give him a year of experience. And they went nine and three last year. And if some things go differently against Ohio State, he may he makes a you know, he doesn't make a couple throws that he does, like you could argue. I mean, offensively, they way outplayed Ohio State in that game. Like, Kevin Ivers: they did. Statistically everything, yeah. Yes. Erich: They've turned the ball over twice in the red zone. Like, okay, you lose those games. I don't think that's gonna happen in Austin this year. So yeah, I'm with you. To me, it's just you know, injuries can change a lot, but I, you know, I am high on some of these teams. A lot of people are high in South Carolina bouncing back this year. I'm not. I just I have a beamer bias. I don't, I don't think he gets it done. I think there's zero reason for them to take the step back last year that they took. I don't care who they added. I just don't see it. Auburn, I am high on. I do think Kevin Ivers: I like that. Erich: I think Byron Brown is this sneaky ad at QB that can allow them to compete right away. I don't think they're gonna be in the conference championship, but you know, if Auburn's back to eight and four, I wouldn't be surprised. And I wouldn't be surprised if they like upset Obama or some an iron bowl or something like that late in the year. so I'm a little higher on them than I am Florida. Florida, I'm actually kind of down on. I don't know. I I don't hate the Summerall pick. I just don't have I was much higher on goalish than I was Summerall. I'll put it like that. Kevin Ivers: Yeah, fair. Erich: And that's just Tulane wasn't a project. Summerall just kind of took it and kept it going. And that could still be a good thing. I don't know. well s maybe he's a great culture guy, maybe he'll be a great friend for Florida. And I Kevin Ivers: I have seen some yeah, I've read some really good things about his culture, seen some things. you know, but you're right, it's a fair point. It's it's so hard to know. Erich: Yeah. And the the reality is the top spenders in the conference right now are LSU, Texas, and AM. So we'll say and you there's a bunch of teams right behind them that are spending over 30 30 million, that is. So we'll see. I think it's gonna be again, you and I love you know three thirty central SEC kicks. you know, we love our Big Ten Big Noon and we love our three thirty SEC game. So the Looking forward to all of those games and really want LSU to be back challenging. We need all, you know, again, same type of thing. Like I want all these teams to be good, right? Like Ole Miss being really good last year made it made was maybe what the only thing that kept the SEC interesting. in in some respects. Or even Vanderbilt was really, you know, watching them beat some teams is really good. But I think I think Alabama continues to take a step back. That's why I to close on my SEC conversation. I think they have the wrong guy there. I think they're soft. I don't think it's gonna I you know, I think the talent's always gonna be there, but I I think we're gonna be on this journey that Alabama was on in the eighties and nineties, where they're gonna cycle through some different coaches over the next 10 years. They might have one that win what wins one randomly because they sneak into the playoffs, but I just think in the NIL era, I don't think they're building the way they need to be built. I don't think they're gonna be able to run the ball this year. I think we saw that last year. I think they were kind of just the token team that because of the weak SEC schedule last year, randomly, that's how why they got in. And then boy, did we see them get embarrassed. I mean, when the Indiana game last year, Indiana didn't throw it in the second half, or if they did it was like once or twice. Kevin Ivers: I know, they just they just challenged their manhood. They just lined up, ran the same play down Erich: So, Kevin Ivers: their throat. Erich: and the reality is there's more teams spending now in the SEC. you know, LSU's, you know, again, just in general, Florida's gonna get it together. You know, some of these teams are gonna get, you know, that usually have had it together in the past are going to, and I don't think there's many teams that are not, and and even, you know, Kentucky's spending, Arkansas spending, like so, there's a lot of new coaches there, and it'll be interesting to see. Actually, that's actually an interesting question. Like of the new coaches, so there's Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida, and Auburn and LSU. I think we got to simplify this. Let's not allow you to pick LSU, but of those new coaches, who are you picking to be the most successful the first couple of years? Kevin Ivers: So we got Will Stein at Kentucky coming from Oregon. And then who else do you name? we got Lane Lane at LSU. Can't pick it Yep. That's too easy to be him. Yeah. Summerall at Erich: We can't pick him though, 'cause I think that's too easy that's too easy of a pick. Y you got Summerall at Kevin Ivers: Florida. Goalish at Auburn. Erich: And then Arkansas. Kevin Ivers: Arkansas with Silverfield from Memphis. Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: do I go with Will Stein. Did you see his bravado at SCC Media Days? Like why Kentucky, like 'cause I'm here now. ca Signety. Yeah, Erich: Yeah, I've taken a page out of the Signati book. Google me. Google me. Kevin Ivers: yeah. Yeah, so that's exactly what that was. Intriguing to pick him just because of that. I'll go I I think Silverfield's a good coach. That is such a hard job, much as we love the Hawks. Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: Incredible top ten logo. It was really great when Pittman had things going and then it fell off a cliff. I'll lean with your boy Golish w with Auburn. Just Erich: I agree. Yeah. Kevin Ivers: the resources. Fan base that that is a school. They they demand winning. The that Erich: They actually have a a a better donor base than in terms of the only billionaires in the state are Auburn alum in the state of Alabama. So they Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: they have l likely have more resources in Bama from a donor standpoint. Kevin Ivers: Great point. Yes. Those Harson years were really, really dark times. I mean, it was glorious when we went in there on the planes and Penn State just but we shouldn't Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: be winning at Auburn 4112 or whatever it was. That Erich: No. Kevin Ivers: that that, you know, stadium emptying out stuff. So I I agree. Really like what he did this first year. Impressed. with him at South Florida and watching him coach. So yeah. Sounds like we're in agreement. I'll go. Yeah. Would be lane, but then, you know, goalish Auburn. And Auburn, it's Erich: Yeah, like I said. Kevin Ivers: it's good when they're it's good for college football w when Auburn's good. I I wanted Erich: I agree. Okay. That's Kevin Ivers: to I did want to gotta gotta close gotta close with the dogs, is that is the SCC champ. I Erich: Okay. Kevin Ivers: the Erich: So you're going you're going Georgia over over OU. All right. Kevin Ivers: you. Yep. it I I I feel like Georgia's maybe a little under the radar. You know, ranked third under the radar. But it c does it kinda Erich: Yeah, I mean as under the radar as they can be because I think of tech the hype around Texas. Yeah. Kevin Ivers: Tech hype with Texas, of course, and and Oregon. Ohio State takes up a lot of oxygen and people it's there's talk with like you mentioned you know, the the dynasty's kinda over and people Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: don't fully believe in Gunnar Stockton, but he's similar to Materi's a gamer. He was beat up last year too. I believe when that was one of the more surprising results of the year is when Bama went into Athens and and beat Georgia. but I know Gunner was dealing with some things. Erich: Yeah, well then though the reverse of it happened. Yeah, yeah, the conference championship Kevin Ivers: The the reverse did happen, yes. Erich: game like bamboo just got throttled. Physically, Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: that is. Kevin Ivers: f yep. So and it's just another team where the schedule, similar to Texas, it's it's sets up it sets up really nice for them. and I and I never with Kirby, I I I don't even need to run through the roster on defense. Like they've Jo Jo George's gonna have freaks Erich: No, it's Georgia. Kevin Ivers: on defense and and they're gonna play ball. So you know Erich: Yeah. It doesn't even matter how many guys go to the NFL 'cause it's like, yeah. Kevin Ivers: No, k they have two they're KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson are both they were all SEC last year preseason first and Elijah Griffin up front. It goes on. But I as far as this the schedule, you'll go into the Hogs early, too much talent. You know, I said they would it's the rematch, but I I think they get Oklahoma, they'll take care of business at home. At Bam, of course, great game, never easy. I think they take care of business there. Auburn, Deep South's oldest rivalry, fun game. Auburn played them well last year, right? Was it that was that was it was close, surprisingly. Erich: They did. Yep. Kevin Ivers: it could be a fun game with Goalish. You know, Florida, you never have to worry about going to the swamp. It's always the the cocktail party, and that's in Jacksonville. Erich: Again, I we gotta get rid of these neutral sites. Kevin Ivers: Get you wanna you wanna yeah. Erich: God, you know, yeah, just I I'd rather see Florida in Athens and I'd rather see Georgia in Gainesville. Like Kevin Ivers: Okay. But you got you do have to keep Texas Oklahoma. That that Bird Orange Crimson Split the State Fair. That's that's the only one for you. Yeah. It's it's actually fun. Fair. Erich: Yeah, that might be the only that might be the only one. The whole word the whole world's largest cocktail party thing for me just doesn't do it. It's like, no, I wanna see Georgia playing in the swamp. Yeah. Kevin Ivers: Yeah. I don't Jacksonville All Tell Stadium or whatever the heck it is it's not it's not very collegey feely either. Erich: Yeah, for sure. Kevin Ivers: and then from there, yeah, it's just like I don't miss I I'm not You know, I I'm pretty down on A and and their scheduled. Like last year did they draw they drew like seven of the eight, like, bottom teams. Erich: Yeah, the worst teams. Yep. Kevin Ivers: And so I'm down on them, even though I know Arcel Reed's back and they got a great receiving core, but same thing with Old Miss. I just I just think that lane thing that that he gives you so much juice and their play calling and everything. And so I I Georgia could really run the table and then Mizzou at South Carolina, Georgia Tech doesn't As you know, when you're it not poo-pooing those teams, those are, you know, they're solid Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: solid programs, but when you're talking Georgia here, that's that's the thing you can kind of do with their schedule. So yeah, there's no there's no LS there's no L SU. who else are they missing? it's kind of the there's no Texas. When there's no L SU in Texas Erich: Yeah. So they, you know, I think in the SEC this year, if you can avoid Texas or Georgia or both, you know, then that has to be again, it's the SEC. It's just like the the Big Ten in terms of like it's you're never gonna have an easy schedule for the most part. but I would think I think Georgia, you know, obviously at Bama, you never know. That's tough. it's hard to win there. Not a lot of teams do. Again, at Ole Miss, hard to win there at South Carolina. You know, again, those road games, you never know. But yeah, for me, I would not be surprised if you're right and I'm wrong. I would be shocked if it's not Georgia or Texas that wins it this year. I think those are the two obvious favorites. And again, if we're using if we're using Kevin Ivers: Those yeah yes, for a reason for a good reason. Erich: the if I'm using the March Madness example of the last two years, it's you just pick the one seeds and you're gonna be sitting pretty good. I think you'd be sitting pretty good if you pick them. At least one of those, if not both. for sure. Kevin Ivers: Agreed. Erich: okay, that's the SEC. Do we want to do a quick bathroom break before I mean I would love to before we jump into group of six. Kevin Ivers: I was absolutely I got like some snap bubble going on. Erich: All right, let's do it. All right, we'll be right back. Kevin Ivers: Whoa. Erich: All right, we're back. We are back. Okay, so Kevin Ivers: All right. Erich: group of six. How do we want to do this? I think I want to talk about, I don't let's talk about the teams we like, but the the first thing this from a conference standpoint, I do think we need to talk about a couple things. first the pack 12, which is eight teams, not 12. Kevin Ivers: Well, I mean, look at look at the big town. Erich: Yeah. It's just interesting that it's that I you know, I I do Kevin Ivers: It's all about branding. Erich: think it's unfortunate that Cal and Stanford just didn't go back over. Like I don't think they're really g I don't even think they're getting more money by being in the ACC and then you know, if you had those teams over there, like this con this conference would actually be pretty cool. I think in Kevin Ivers: Yeah, and it is cool somebody I it would have went to another level. Erich: Yeah, and I just think that they would have been in a good spot from a regionality standpoint. Kevin Ivers: Yeah, 'cause Cal fans Erich: But I do think it Kevin Ivers: go ahead, sorry. Erich: I just think it's an interesting conference. You know, the teams they picked are interesting. I you know, I I I I knew they would try to grab Boise. Texas State was an odd one, to Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: me. I I thought it would have been cool if they would have grabbed like Hawaii or someone like that. Kevin Ivers: Yeah, old whack. They'd have some old whack friendships with Boise and Fresno. Erich: Yeah, I was surprised they didn't get like UNLV to come over. I I thought that was interesting. Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: Colorado State coming over was so it is interesting. Like the the Pac twelve Mountain West dynamic is is interesting. Kevin Ivers: You could swap some teams and maybe prove it a little. Erich: Yes. I do think the way it lays out though is, you know, I would be shocked if Boise State is not the dominant team in that conference for the foreseeable future. which is really weird. Kevin Ivers: Yeah, not much will change for them. Erich: I I I don't know. you know, obviously I I think Washington State, they're on a new coach, aren't they? Are they not this year or is that last year? Kevin Ivers: is it do they have Jake Jake Dickert left to wake, right? So they think they are the new Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: coach? Right? Is that right? Jamarcus Shepherd's for sure new at Oregon State. Erich: Yeah, Kirby Kirby Moore. Kevin Ivers: Kirby Moore, that's right. Erich: So we'll see. Again, it's a Washington state, Oregon. I mean, in the Oregon state, what a mess. Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: they're in. That's just. Kevin Ivers: And love those programs. Erich: just co two really cool programs with some really cool teams over the years and Kevin Ivers: Those quintessential college towns, Pullman, Corvallis. I know. Pull Erich: yeah. Yeah. I mean Kevin Ivers: pull for those guys. Erich: So out of that conference, I mean I think it's it's Boise State or or or no one. Kevin Ivers: Yeah, I I a hundred percent have I'll just sp I'll just spoil it. Now I mean I I have Boise in the playoff representing the group of six. It just the Gonzaga of college football. Although maybe it should be VCU because VCU like Mark Few has been at Gonzaga forever. Spencer Dani Danielson's pretty new at Boise, where like Boy Boise's been running through bunch of different some different coaches lately, just like VCU and they keep rolling. Whatever, whatever the parallel is, they are that team in college football. They're just it's really just track records, a safe bet. And then you bring back Maddox Madsen. I just they're that team that They're rarely losing the game they shouldn't. Yeah, sure, they've been upset here and there. That's gonna happen when you're the top dog in that role year after year after year for two plus decades, but I I I just trust them. you know, schedule is is tough though, no doubt. I mean, of course at Oregon out of the gates, you know, you assume that's a loss. And and you probably you probably you definitely can't lose more than one time after that if you're gonna be the playoff representative for group of six. At Wamu, heading to Kalmazou's no joke, Mac, but they just I think they'll outroster Western Michigan. Those Mac rosters now at the portal are so like the the turnover i is so crazy for those teams. and then who else they I know it's they they gotta go to Fresno. Who's picked by most people a second in that league, but Boise, their style of play, it it travels. Erich: Yeah, it does. Kevin Ivers: so I went with them. What what's your thoughts? I know I know UNLV is a popular playoff pick out of the Mountain West. Like you said, be interesting if they were in this league. Erich: Yeah, I I think the of all these northern Illinois in the mountain west is just Kevin Ivers: North Dakota State, you mean? Northern Il yeah, yeah, Erich: No, northern Illinois in the mountain west as well. Yeah. Kevin Ivers: I know, that's as far as like re yeah, what doesn't fit. I know, that's so weird. Erich: Yeah, and I and I don't I don't understand it either because like I think they're gonna be potentially the worst team in the Mountain West as well. So I don't I don't Kevin Ivers: I know. Erich: understand the strategy behind it, but I also think it's only for football that they're in the Mountain West, which is interesting. Kevin Ivers: Believe that's right. Erich: I I think one that feels steel's high in them, but my boy Ak at New Mexico. Kevin Ivers: Loved Jason Eck. Erich: some people picking North Dakota State to win the Mountain West. I don't see it. I th I think that's I think they'll be competitive and really good. I you know, I'd be surprised if they're not like seven and five or eight and four, but Kevin Ivers: Yeah, it'll be a good transition, but yeah, you're right, it's a step. Erich: Yeah. But New Mexico actually it's gonna be they have this really interesting stretch. So they they have a couple home games and they're they're at Oklahoma and then at New Mexico State. Back back. And so New Mexico State's obviously they're, you know, the it's the the was the Rio Grande trophy, you know? It's a great yeah. Great. They are, yeah. So Kevin Ivers: I believe. And and and the Aigies are coming off a bye. So more time to Erich: looking for revenge as well. but I I I do think there's a lot of returning. So for me, they're kind of a sneaky pick. obviously they're gonna have to they're probably gonna lose Oklahoma. I mean, probably like they're gonna lose at Oklahoma. they should beat New Mexico State. and then we'll see how this the schedule shakes out. Really looking forward to New Mexico with hosting. hopefully I can get this on TV, hosting North Dakota State. just obviously you you're in my love for the North Dakota State program, just the colors, Kevin Ivers: Knows no bounds. Erich: nose no bounds. you know, I drive through that area every year on my way to Manitoba for duck hunting. but then obviously Jason Eck, you know, Wisconsin alum played for Barry Alvarez. Maybe if it doesn't work out for Fickle this year, probably the the top pick. if if you know, if Ack does well again at New Mexico this year and has another really good season. Really, we we talk about tiebreakers. Boy, did New Mexico get screwed last year. Kevin Ivers: I remember talking about that. That was so bad. Yes. Erich: Holy cow. And that's what I'm that's what I'm talking about, where you have a three-way, no, I think it was a four-way tiebreaker. And in the four teams that were tied, New Mexico was two and one against those teams. And some weird tiebreaker passed that. Kevin Ivers: Som s thing I know. That was unf especially like it's like boys he's always there. That was just really unfortunate. W it w Erich: It was ridiculous. Kevin Ivers: it was ridiculous. Would've got your boy Ak some more love. I'm with you. If Fickel comes out in that team best again, just call Eck. They Erich: Yeah, again, yeah, we'll see what he does this year, but I I think Kevin Ivers: they get all those they get the big hitters at home. You know, North Dakota State at home. UNLV at home, Air Force at home, Mercy Hearst at home. So we Erich: Yeah, so we'll we'll we'll see, but I I I I like them. UNLV, I think is another one another good one. one I'm really interested in to see how they do is Billy Napier. Does he rekindle himself at JMU? They're picked to be the best in the Sunbelts by a lot of people. Kevin Ivers: belly. Erich: so boy, would it be wild seeing you know Billy Napier just in the playoff. JMU back in the playoff, just a powerhouse. Kevin Ivers: Wouldn't wouldn't surprise you that program just set up for success. Erich: Yeah, I mean, so I I think that's an easy pick. Although then it's like, but it's Billy Napier. Does he screw that up? But Billy Napier, he was he was pretty good. where was he at before? Rage and Kevin Ivers: Ray he was a raging cajun, Louisiana. Erich: Cajun, yeah, really good team. The Rage and Casey. I mean, you and I were like pretty high on Billy Napier going to Florida, if you remember. Kevin Ivers: I I know. I I I d I do remember. I remember them giving Iowa State an old super game, did d up in Ames. Did they did they win? I'd I can't remember. It was I thought it was close. I remember that non-conference game that year. But yeah, no, that's that's interesting. There's some names at the you know, you got Dan Mullen, of course, at UNL V doing his thing, and hopped out of the broadcast Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: booth to get back in it and Big year. Jet we'll see Jackson Arnold too. He's got, you know, former OU and Auburn quarterback. He's Auburn last year. So that right there, you get if he plays back to his five star form, and he wasn't too you know, he was he was alright last year. Did some good things at times. So no, it it's interesting. Th these games are fun. CBS Sports Network at night. Good ball. Air Force people are Troy Calhoun's been there forever, 20 years, four and eight. A lot of people are high on them. their their schedule. They get some nice games at home as well. And the year at New Mexico, which would be fun to see that mean a lot. Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: Air Force can jump up and bite you. They they've had some years in their history. Erich: Yeah, so I think, you know, I think p I would say JMU, New Mexico, UNLV, probably Liberty is I think another one we'll see. Kevin Ivers: Poisy. Erich: Boise as well. So I I do think it's like four or five most likely that we end up with. I'm trying to remember if no, it was Memphis last year. I don't think they're expected to course this year. Kevin Ivers: No solid but yeah I think could be a notch below some of these Erich: One team I can get I can guarantee you will not push and will be one of the worst group of six teams out there. And that is the Phil Longo led Sam Houston Bearcats. The worst Kevin Ivers: A great name. Erich: tint of orange in all of college football. The orange, the terrible tint of orange on orange jerseys that they have. So bad. Zero chance. Kevin Ivers: It's not you could be doing Erich: What what were you guys thinking hiring Phil Longo? Kevin Ivers: Those Phil Longo scars are deep. Deep Erich: They cut deep. They very deep. we lost Kevin. Okay, we're Kevin: All right. Erich: back. Kevin: All right. So Erich: So what were we talking about before your computer died? Kevin: We yeah, little things, little things. we were talking about just kind of the the lay of the land in the group of six world. So we kinda laid out what you know, Boise, UNLV Erich: Yeah, I Boise Univ, New Mexico, JMU, those would probably be my top four. Group of six. I know Western Michigan's supposed to be pretty good this year in the Mac. I you know, it's gonna be interesting to see which if there's a big upset, like obviously you're thinking like nort northern Illinois over Notre Dame. Kevin: Again. Erich: you know, is something like that going to happen this year? Although ironically, Notre Dame, if I'm not mistaken, is that the year they went to the Natty then? Kevin: Yeah No, I thought they were they were undefe they were undefeated in that Manti Tao year, that team. And got my Erich: Okay, or was it the semi finals that year that they went? Kevin: Yeah, 'cause they got crushed by Bama that year. Yeah, I'd have to look that up. Erich: Well, 'cause it was the year they beat no, that was last year they beat no, it was the year they beat Penn State, I think is the year that they lost to Northern Illinois. And everyone was like, they're out. And then they ran the table. Kevin: You're yeah, yes, yes, yes, you're right. Erich: Okay. Yeah. So I it's gonna be really interesting to see. Kevin: S I yep. Why am I forgetting that from that era? Erich: I'll have to like dive deeper into some schedules, but I think the Mountain West is gonna be the class of the group of six conferences this year. is Billy Napier going to keep JMU going or are they gonna lose? I think Boise State probably man, do they go Does Boise State just go eleven and one? Kevin: Losing to that losing to Oregon out of the gates. And they gave Oregon Erich: I think high Kevin: a great game at home. Was that just last year? It was thirty two years ago, z yeah, yeah. Erich: two years ago. Yeah. Kevin: Thirty seven thirty yeah, two years ago when they got to the playoff and played Penn State. Yep. Erich: Yeah, I mean, I know their QB's back, Maddox Madsen, so they'll probably have one of the better the QBs in the group of six. Kevin: You know a a team a fan base that that hates us right now is is San Diego State. Good old Sedusu. I mean you you always you always do have to mention them. I know Phil Steele's got him third, Sean Lewis, pretty good coach. He's always well talked about, nine and four, real good coach. Erich: Real good coach. In fact, it was Sean Lewis was supposed to be the offensive coordinator for Phil Longo is what the boosters wanted, and or no, for Luke Fickle is what the Boosters wanted. And then he kind of went rogue and went with Phil Longo instead. but it was said by many if they would have moved on from Luke Fickle last year, it would have basically been Sean Lewis versus Jason Ack to Kevin: Yes. Erich: to be head coach. so a little tidbit there, yeah. Kevin: Yeah, they always you know, Penn State played him when he was at Kent State, Nick Sabin's alma mater, and th he was always talked highly of. interesting, those those Mac guys, I feel like a lot of times they stay mid west or latch on with the Big Ten team. He went way out west doing his thing. They got that a beautiful is it like Dragon Stadium or whatever? They don't play in Quelcom anymore. I that sponsor was like a long time ago, but I used to that's just always what I call it, the where the Chargers played. But yeah, they got it's a that's where the holiday bowl is now. It's moved out of the old you know, chargers. I'm glad it's on sofa. That place is just plastic and gross. T so Erich: Yeah. Kevin: so NFL ish, so corporate feeling. I know it's cool and nice, but I like that that Holiday Bowl's got some charm out there now where they play. But to the team itself, you know, Jaden Denegal at Q B they they always have I always get athletes. Not hard to find you get the leftovers from US C and UCLA and and all that. But I we'll know early. You know, you go on the road at UCLA. Speaking of JMU, that's gonna be fun to see what Bob Chesney does at UCLA. And then James Madison comes in. Wow, talk about a talk about a trip. What's that? Twenty Erich: Well Kevin: twenty five hundred miles from Virginia to Southern California, something like that. and then you then you gotta go turn around and go to Toledo. And Texas State comes in. They you know that's That's why, you know, you look at them, I I think not that would even be tough for UNLV or Boise in some of the top picks. You know, then they're they Erich: Yeah. Kevin: and look at their finishing kick at Boise at Fresno. It's that's a bear of a schedule. Erich: It is. I I don't think we're gonna have I don't think we're gonna have two group of six teams in it like we did last year. I think that's gonna be unique. But Kevin: Yeah. Erich: actually Navy, we forgot to talk about the AAC. Navy is supposed to be really good again this year as well, bringing back a lot of players. a schedule that is really weird because they have Five away games and f three of them or four of them are all by October seventeenth. Kevin: Go th go through it. What it what does it say there? Erich: So it's Towsen at home at FAU by week at UAB. Look out for those those dragons. At Air Force, Tulsa at home at U2SA. Yeah, Kevin: That's tough. Erich: then they got North Texas at home. Then they have Notre Dame, Kevin: Hold him. Erich: Temple at home, bye week, Memphis at home, at Charlotte, finish with Army. the Army Navy game. They gotta they gotta get get out of that week. I mean i for a couple of reasons. One, like Navy could be in the playoff if they're as good as everyone says they're gonna be good this year, as your group of six representative. and then also that's just to just taking away a week for us. So we'll see if the this playoff committee ever ever gets their stuff together to the point where they can fix that. But Yeah, I I think they could be right there as well. Kevin: I'm with you on that. Erich: But I again that's probably, you know, at Air Force, that many away games is tough. the Notre Dame game. Although we've seen in the past Notre Dame in that game against Navy. we we've seen how that can go. so so we'll see. But Kevin: I g That game gets weird. It looks like it's in it's in Massachusetts. Is it in the Meadowland? Is it is it in Foxboro? I bet that's what they did. Erich: It it it's in Foxborough and Massachusetts. Yep. So same Kevin: Yeah. But that's what they did. Erich: same type of thing this year for them. So yeah, we'll we'll we'll see, but Kevin: No, you can you can't ever count navy out. Erich: and then you still have a team that we don't really ever talk about because they're not in a conference and they're not in Notre Dame. the U Yukon Huskies is an independent. all I'll say there is join a conference, then I'll talk to you talk about you. I don't know why you're not in. one of the eastern base I don't know fact I don't know why they're not in the ACC but here we are. Kevin: I I know that's one I I plead ignorance on. I I do not know why they're not in a conference. Like what basketball like get get they couldn't be more of an AAC team. Like just like get in there. I don't know what they're doing. Erich: yeah. And actually it was who was Brandon Walker interviewing a couple weeks ago or last week? It was why am I blanking on his name? former Baylor QB Heisman. Kevin: R G R Robert Griffin the third, R G three? Erich: RG3. Yeah. R RG RG3. Brandon Walker asked him what's the loudest stadium you've ever played at. He said Yukon. And that was when UConn was really good when he went there. And he said it's Kevin: it's Erich: because the fans are they're like right on the field. Kevin: Yeah. Erich: but he's Yeah, like UConn, when that stadium is full and sold out, he goes, It's as for a player, it's louder than at Texas. Kevin: A mini Iowa like connect the right on you. Yeah, who is Randy Edsel. I didn't think I'd be saying Randy Edsel today. That's and then he took over the Terps. And boy, that was man. Erich: Yeah. Didn't go well there. Kevin: Didn't go well. Yeah, he got ran UConn. They played Oklahoma in the Fiestable. It's all coming Erich: Yeah. Kevin: back. They got their doors blown off, but I mean UConn, obvious fun team. Yeah, who is that? Erich: Fun team. Fun team though. Yeah. Kevin: Was that the who's Orlovsky? It's yeah. Yeah, and then became famous for Detroit Lions for like running out of the back of the end zone and think think he's like Erich: Yeah. Kevin: ten yards on the end zone thinking like, hey, I'm trying to find the guy in the flat and they're like, dude what Erich: Well yeah, when you when you see him evaluating QBs and stuff like that, like brother, you just ran out of the back of the end zone. So tough to Kevin: Yeah. And you d you're in the f Erich: you should just be glazing everyone that's in the NFL. Kevin: I know, you were like in the first row and and didn't know. Erich: No a hundred percent. okay. Playoff picks. Kevin: It's that time. Erich: It is that time. So I don't think you need to give me your whole bracket. I think we just go through who's making the playoffs. you can just go through it one through twelve if you want to do it conference by conference. However, you want to do it. hopefully you remember who you said is playing in each each title game as you go through this. Kevin: Yeah, it changes. Erich: Because you'd hate to say one of your conference title game teams is not making it. That would be probably awkward for ya. but do you want to go first or do you want me to go? Kevin: You kick things off, yeah. Let's see what you got. Erich: Okay. So Oregon's gonna be my national champion. And it's gonna be them versus Texas in my national championship. Game Kevin: Okay. Erich: then Now we don't need conference champions, no longer are required to be your your top four, right? So Kevin: No. Erich: my top four, so obviously Oregon versus Texas, and then I'm gonna have Georgia, and then I'm going to have Ohio State as my top four. Okay. Kevin: Oregon, Texas, Georgia, Ohio State. Erich: Yep. I'm gonna have so then my I'm gonna have Indiana. I'm gonna have Penn State. Again, they're gonna be a schedule entry. I might be wrong about that. then I'm going to have out of the big twelve, BYU, Utah. It's gonna be my two out of the big twelve. Out of the so I'm what am I on now? So there's four, five, seven on six there. I'm gonna have Why did how did I miss Miami? Kevin: Hey, you're missing Miami. Erich: Let me start over. So top four. Texas, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State. Those would be my top four. So there's my four. I'm gonna have then I go Indiana. Utah BYU. Then I'm gonna have the SMU, who's in my final game in the ACC, in there as well. And Kevin: Nice. Erich: then Oklahoma. Michigan. My group of six team is gonna be New Mexico. Kevin: Yeah, Michigan in there. Okay, back to what you were saying. Erich: And then my final team's gonna be Notre Dame. I'm gonna have them as the twelfth seed. Because if they finish in the top twelve, they're they're auto in. I know it's Kevin: Yeah. I mean they could are they going undefeated or are they are they losing in Provo and in Miami? Are they splitting that? Are they winning both? Erich: Yeah, I don't know. I hesitate to ever make Notre Dame undefeated just because Marcus Freeman never does. Everyone's assuming they're going to go undefeated. They're assuming they're going to beat Miami. I don't think they're on the same talent level as Miami, top to bottom. the biggest thing they have for them is their defense could be incredible this year. they also have a really good offensive line. They've they lost a couple running backs to the NFL. CJ Carr is back. Kevin: That's the question, yeah. Erich: Is is he how good is he? Is he take this huge jump? A lot of people are a lot of people are claiming him to be a Heisman favorite. maybe. I don't know that they have the weapons on the offensive side of the ball at receiver and and running back for him to be that Heisman favorite. He's he's a good scrambler, kind of similar to to Manning that regard. I think it would just be really hard to not schedule. And I I again I you know, if they lose to Wisconsin at Lamba week one, maybe we can change our mind about Have a hard time seeing them lose more than two games. And if they don't lose more than two games this year, they're in. unless it's like against some nobodies, but then if they do that and then they beat BYU and they beat Miami, like I s I just I don't see a world where they're ten and two, they're not in this year. Unless there's just a lot of eleven and one teams again this year. we'll we'll we'll see how it shakes out, but I do think ten and two. Who do they lose to? How bad was it? I mean, last year they lost two close games. It's kind of crazy they weren't in last year, but that's just kind of how there was a lot of 10 and 2 teams last year and 11 and one. this is kind of how it worked out. I I I don't see it being that way this year. I think the Big Ten in general, like I I would be surprised if there's more than one team that's eleven and one. this year. Same thing with the SEC, just the nature of these teams playing each other this year. So yeah, I might be a little lower on them. A lot of people would have them in the top four. I'm not, I'm gonna have them in my top twelve. And I think their new agreement with the playoff committee gets them in this year. and then unless again that being said though, if they lose three games, I don't think they get in. So it's either they're ten and two or better and they get in or they are nine and three and they don't. I think again getting in this year as a nine and three team is going be really hard. Just the nature of I don't think there's gonna be enough teams that are nine and three. I think there'll be too many that are ten and two. Kevin: Well said. I agree. I know it was interesting last year, it's like we gave so much slack, they young team, young CJ Carr, they lose that Miami who went on to be better than anyone thought. Knew it was a good loss at the time, but not to the runner up. And then, you know, the that fourth down pass AM, that was incredible. Lose that game at home. And then yeah, and then ran the table versus largely you know, no one even really remotely close to a playoff level team. And I think it was the right move. I'm with you, like Bubakar Treor is a beast at the end. Their defense their secondary Is is special. It's the Leonard Moore might be the best corner. But yeah, does without two first round backs, that's rare. Jeremiah Love, pretty special. Is it Javari Javarian Price? Javerian Price, right, was the other first rounder. you know, now he's gonna have, can he handle more of the load? That's the question. What does he look like with a little more in his so there's it's still a Marcus Freeman team. They're built in the trenches, like you said. They've recruited really well there. You know, they have toughness. You know, that's where they're built. But they're they're probably gonna have to lean on Carr a little bit more and You know, we'll we'll see out of the gates. First, like you said, underrated Wisconsin defense neutral side, what's really a road game for them. I know they'll travel well, but yeah. True Erich: I think it'll be fifty fifty. I think that's how the tickets are being distributed. So I don't think it'll be a a true road game. Kevin: road game. Okay. Miss State's not ready to compete with Pat Fitzgerald. You know, we really they get a runway. You know, your road games are Purdue and North Carolina expect to be two of the, you know, worst teams in the power four. You know, it's their first true you know at least what you know, we don't know we don't know yet, but is is that BYU game, and then Miami at home. I I think Miami, I'm with you. Like they they they can go in there with their talent and with them getting over the hump last year and their belief and what they bring back. So I I'm You know, it it's hard to not see them in the playoffs with that schedule. And, you know, they're they're talented, of course. It's you know, they they'll most likely split those games. If they had SMU on the road, then then it could be tricky. You know, that's probably SMU's a good team for sure. That's that's a tall order to go into South Bend for them. It'd be a cold game too, second last game of the year. so c so continu so recap your playoff. Go through that again since we kinda paused to go through N D Erich: Yeah, so I I think you're I do think this year we're gonna look at this and Like I said, I think my title game's gonna be Texas. And I think I said did I say Georgia? Kevin: You said Texas, Oregon. Erich: Texas excuse me. Texas, Oregon, and I think Oregon wins it. I think the two best rosters top to bottom by far. I think you'll have like then Georgia, Miami. I think those will be your top four. I think those will be the I'm again I'm gonna I'm using the analogy of the March Madness, pick your one seeds. I think you pick your one seeds this year. I think that's how it'll shake out. I think there'll be some good teams behind them. Like I said obviously I had Notre Dame at 12. I had I think Utah BYU get in by nature of their gonna play each other and then that I think they'd both just get in and a result. I think I'm I had Michigan in there and then I had Oklahoma in there as well. my again I I'm adding New Mexico out of love. I I think what you're gonna see is just A lot of really good teams this year, but I think there's gonna be a top four that's just separated from the rest of the teams. Ohio State will be in there. I think they'll just miss out on the top four this year. Although I think they're really good. I just don't think Julian Saiyan is To me, he's a really good accurate passer. What he doesn't have that all pretty much all the Ohio State QBs that we know from the past did have is his ability to run. I don't think is very good. and I and I Kevin: Yeah. Erich: think it's just tough. which is why I'm having him outside of my my top four this year. but yeah, I think it's a pretty clear cut top four this year. I I I know I say clear cut. I know there's some people that say there's seven teams that can win it this year. Sure, that's true. I just, you know, a lot of people are are higher in Notre Dame than I am. I think Notre Dame gets in. you know, I think they're gonna probably have a tough time if they're not in. The thing that's tough is if you're not if you're not in the top four, if you're four, if you're five through eight, that's where I think it gets tough to do anything because then you to go on the road and play against that team. you know, like you said, lat that SME was pretty good a couple of years ago, but they had to go on the road to Penn State. and if I'm not mistaken, it was snowing. Kevin: There was flurries in the air for sure. If Field was Erich: Yeah, so cold flurries team from Dallas has got to go play in December. Kevin: And it was frigid. It was kickoff tap was kick off team Erich: Yeah, like ten degrees, twelve degrees. Kevin: was in the teens. Yeah. W it it warmed it warmed into like the twenties, but the w it was very windy. Yeah, they had to winterize the whole stadium, get the natural gr Erich: Yeah. Kevin: get the natural grass ready and all that. But yeah, that I know, that's what's cool about the playoffs is that factor. Erich: Yeah, exactly. And so I that's where I just think you're you know, I I think Ohio State will be hosting a game. I think Oklahoma will be hosting a game. and so it just if you gotta, you know, if you're the nine and ten seed and you gotta or the eleven and twelve seed and you gotta go play. I mean, think about it. You're gonna be what's crazy is too is like like listen if I'm right, if Notre Dame's a twelve seed and then they gotta go play at Ohio State, like you know, we've we've kind of seen that song and dance before when You know, Notre Dame has to play Ohio State in a bowl game and what Kevin: Yeah. Erich: what that ends up looking like is just but I I so I just think that for me it's a pretty clear cut top four, even though like Ohio State's as talented. I just in some levels I I just think Julian the reason why I'm not a high in Ohio State to be a top four team this year is Julian saying I think he's a really good quarterback, he's just not dynamic. You know, and that's where I think there and again Ryan Day was pretty reserved with him with play calling last year in many spots where he just didn't let him unleash it. Kevin: Yeah, fair point. Erich: And again, he's incredibly accurate. I just I don't think he just doesn't have like that X factor in terms of running the ball. So that's for me how I'd I'd break it down and how I see the playoff playing out is I I think your top four kind of similar to last year, your your top four did pretty good. Obviously with Indiana number one overall winning the whole thing. Miami kind of being the only surprise team there that was able to obviously they were able to upset Ohio State to to break in there. but this year, maybe Notre Dame's that team this year, or me know I you know, it's who's outside my top four that maybe could be that team. maybe Notre Dame, maybe Ohio State. You know, could Ohio State be a five seed again and and Were they a five seed or were they an eight seed? I'm trying to remember, whatever they were. and Kevin: When they Erich: just when they won it a couple of years ago. Kevin: Yeah, ran the table. I know they played Tennessee in that first game. Was that the eight nine? Yeah. It was. It was the eight-nine. It was, Erich: I know I think it was the eight nine, yeah. Yeah. Kevin: because then they took on the one. And that's when they that's when they mauled Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Then they Erich: Yeah, which is Oregon and they smashed Oregon. Yeah. Yeah. Kevin: beat Texas in in the Cotton Bowl Jerry World. Yep. Close, yeah, Erich: Closer game than people wanna admit. Kevin: because there's that pick six by Was it Bosa? It was it wasn't Bosa who Erich: I'm blinking on his name as well. Kevin: yeah, one of those That's terrible. How am I not? Erich: Yeah. Kevin: And then Yeah, and then took home the championship versus versus N D. Right? Or yeah yeah yeah. Yep. Erich: Yep. Yeah. No, it was. Yep. With that versus N D and kind of a blowout early and then they Kevin: Yeah, Twitter. And and you made that come back, yeah. Erich: kind of just sat on the lead. Which Kevin: Game we should have been in, we went to one, but don't that tongue started. It's not good. Erich: Ryan Day boy does he seem like Ohio State's worst nightmare at times with how he's calling his games. Kevin: I know. Well look at that Michigan game. Was it the thirteen ten? It was the third year Michigan beat him and they had no no business winning that year. He's he tried to play we're we'll play volleyball, we'll run the ball. We we could do this too rather than let's just throw it to our Pro Bowl NFL wide receivers everywhere. Erich: well, yeah. And that's the thing is if I'm wrong about one thing this year, it might be sleeping on Indiana again. Although I think still think Indiana goes to the playoff. I you know, you know, I think they're gonna be one of four or five teams for the Big Ten that do, and maybe it's all sleeping on Ohio State to not be in the top four. I you know, but again, I still have them in the playoffs, so it's not like I'm like saying they're not gonna have a good year. But Ohio State is schedule. You know, some people are saying either Texas or Ohio State gets scheduled out of the playoffs this year. And I c I could see the argument to be made for that because one, they play each other. So there's what there's an automatic loss on one of their schedules already. Kevin: It I'm telling I'm telling you, it'd be unfathomable for Ohio's like me predicting ten and two when they just don't do that. but like you lose that Texas game. I mean Erich: Yeah. Kevin: it's crazy. It's it's crazy that like and maybe I'm just wrong, but with I I know they I know the talent, obviously. And Ryan Day and everything, but if there was a year where it's like, wow, like 9 and 3 is actually a chance, you would look at this schedule, this this would be the one. Sounds ridiculous to say. Erich: Agreed. Kevin: But they it is a bear of a schedule. well I guess. So you have and your what are your semis again? I know your national title is Oregon over Texas. Who's your semis? Is it chalk? Erich: So it's just the top four. and I guess it's just it's hard to s depending on how the bracket shakes out, right? So it's Kevin: Yeah. Yeah. Erich: again Oregon, Georgia, Miami, and who was my fourth? Oregon, Georgia, Origin, Georgia, Texas, Miami. Yep. Kevin: Tax did you say Texas? Miami, Texas? Yeah, yeah. Erich: those it's that four, and then I think it's Oregon versus Georgia in the final. Kevin: Okay, or yeah, or okay. good picks, all right. Well Erich: Excuse me. No. Why did I keep saying Georgia? Oregon, Texas. Oregon, Texas. Kevin: You have or you keep saying that, yeah, you have Oregon, Texas with Oregon w Erich: So then it'll be some probably, you know, say Oregon, Georgia, semis, Texas, Miami, others out or however it works out. But my national championship is Oregon versus Texas. with Oregon winning. That's my there we go. All right. Go Kevin: Okay. Erich: ahead. And then you, Kevin, you should shut your window if you can, real quick. Kevin: Let me do that. Just edit that right out of there. Erich: yeah, for sure. Kevin: And the computer. All right. Erich: We'll make it happen. Kevin: Playoff picks. I'm excited about this. Man, I I would love, love, love this playoff. So at the top, similar to you. So Oregon number one, big ten champs. I think real chance at undefeated. No more than one loss. Number one. Pretty undisputed. Two good o'cause that progressive commercial will forever kill me. So Erich: Ha ha. Kevin: and the boss just doesn't she's got the mug. And she tries to hit hide her fandom from that guy. I don't get it. but I got the Dogs hunker down at two Georgia taken out a w probably a one loss Georgia SEC champ. got the U, Miami at three, ACC champs, no more than one loss there. If they did lose, would be to N D. Then I got the Texas Longhorns at four. So I I don't think we have the same order, but one Oregon, Georgia, Miami, Texas, we agree there. and then I you know, from here, I don't love N D fifth. I don't, but you know, based off these other teams, I I think N D's gonna have one loss. can you hear me? Erich: I can. Kevin: yeah. I I j I I just think they're gonna have one loss and the all these other teams behind are gonna be two two lost teams for the most part besides the the group of six team I have. So N D five. I have I have three loss USC at six. Now that might not happen because I have Ohio State at seven and I have Ohio State with two losses. But I think they might reward USC for getting to the Big Ten title and reward the run that USC was on and the teams they beat. I think their strength of schedule looking at it might be a little stronger. They might actually give them the nod there. Erich: Yeah, they've set the precedent that basically For the most part, as long as you get there, you don't get like pushed out. Kevin: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Erich: I don't think that has changed at all yet. Kevin: You know, I a pretty good re you know, your losses I like I have to Oregon and Penn State and then, you know, winning games I don't like they have the tiebreaker over Ohio State in my scenario. I have them beating Ohio State and Roadwood and Indiana to get there. So USC six, Ohio State seven, Oklahoma eight, strong SEC two loss team. three three loss now. They lost, but they lost to Georgia. And the SCC title, so not ping too much. All ahead of BYU, who could be sitting there at one or two lost and hey, what like what about us? But love the Big 12. It's just not gonna have quite the meat of those teams in front of them. and then I go, I got O'Lane in there. I got LSU at 10. Erich: Okay. Kevin: I I I just it's it would just be so lane Kiffin, like just year one, he gets LCU there and And their schedule, I I think they can do it. It comes down to Sam Levitt and those pieces gelling, but if there's anybody you trust, I mean Lane's proven he's a he's a hell of a coach. Erich: Clemson at home early and at O miss early. So Kevin: Well no. Erich: we'll know pretty quickly with LSU what they're looking at. Kevin: I think they win both. I think they go into Omis and that absolutely insane. That d Erich: gonna be incredible television. Kevin: for that game actually deserves all the hype. Like the circus Erich: Of course, yes. Kevin: that it's gonna be, that no, please, that that deserves it. Erich: I mean you would if Chambliss didn't get a crooked judge to give him an extra year. It'd be really interesting how people would be positioning Ole Miss this year. because he is that he is that special of a player. That's the thing. Yeah. Kevin: Yeah, so that would be changes that. He he is. And not taking anything from Lane, he knows how to coach QBs in offense. But I was reading something from other SEC staffers this year that were they were just like, no. This guy is a like this guy is a dude. Like he is that guy. And he was at Ferris State. And yeah, Lane helped him, but always a phenomenal talent. Indiana at eleven. They get in and I think the defending champs they get hit again because it's a two loss team. You know, I have them losing to Ohio State, I think goes into Bloomington and gets revenge. They Ohio State's just that type of team where like you beat them the year before in a memorable big game. The Erich: Yeah. Kevin: the the they're they're coming for you. I it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter where the heck that game is. There Erich: In fact, it w you know, if Ohio State I think they're still kicking themselves on for the Miami game last year in the playoff, Kevin: Yeah. Erich: You know, if they get through that game, they probably go play Indiana in a rematch. And that's an interesting rematch because Kevin: It's an Erich: that was a close game. And I think, you know, Ryan Dade just doesn't really lose to someone to your point. Like he rarely loses to someone twice in one season or at all at one season or one year to the next. So yeah. Kevin: He doesn't. I know. And if Mendoza doesn't complete that third down and long pass to Becker, like they're getting the ball back in that game. And a Ryan Day offense getting the ball back in a domed stadium. Erich: Correct. Kevin: Scary. so and that rounds out. This was the unique thing I I kind of teased at the beginning of the show. If you notice, I got four Big Ten teams, four SEC and I know a like a lot of schedule things have to play out. I I looked at it, felt what I felt. The I was like, these these are the teams that I think. and the one thing it would if I would change it, it would be like Texas Tech instead of LSU, you know, would Erich: Yeah. Sure. Kevin: would probably be the swap. Erich: Who's your group of six, twelve? Poison. Okay. Kevin: The group of six is Boise rounds out at twelve. So your first round matchups would be Boise, Henda, South Bend, Boise N D, fun game. USC hosting Indiana. I I like I like USC there. they already, in my scenario, ha I they beat them on the road. But that'd be a that'd be a good rematch. So a Big Ten rematch there. This game would be Ohio State LSU. Ohio State hosted LSU would be electric. Erich: That'd be an incredible game. I'd favor I'd favor Ohio State. Kevin: Just yeah, in the shoe. Erich: Yeah. Kevin: I when I was thinking of this, I almost Indiana could be slotted in ten, but then the Indiana, Ohio State, you get a rematch there. Erich: Yeah. Kevin: But it would be worth it. LSU going to the Coliseum Erich: Mm. Kevin: would be something as well. But so but it will go with LSU Ohio State. and then Oklahoma hosting BYU. Erich: That'd be fun. Kevin: That'd be fun. So could it Erich: I have a good color contrast, the blue versus the crimson. Yeah. Kevin: it would. It would. So that'd be a lot of fun. Advancing, so f five five twelve takes on the four. So I I have ND advancing to face Texas in the four five game. I have USC advancing over Indiana to face Miami. Miami USC. Erich: Hmm. Kevin: That's just a game I have not seen a lot in college football through the years. To talk about your like Erich: Yeah. Kevin: is yeah, sexy made for TV matchup. 7-10, of course, takes on the two. Aline, Ohio State. Yo, it's just it would be a job by Lane to get LSU there. So I'm with you. Ohio State facing Georgia in a rematch of just a few years ago. And then Oregon, of course. so I'm going with all all the favorites. Oregon, Oklahoma. So from that. I'll advance Oregon past Oklahoma, Georgia over Ohio State. Erich: Interesting. Kevin: Miami Miami over USC and Texas over ND. And then so that leaves Oregon playing Texas and Georgia playing Miami. I'm gonna go j in the 2-3 game. I'm gonna go Georgia. Really hard to get to the national title two years in a row, especially in this new format. I definitely think Miami could do it. They have they have the roster. It's I think right there with Georgia. maybe not quite as deep this year, but it's close. with how Crystal Ball's reloaded. And then Oregon, Texas, which is your national championship. Wow, what a semifinal. Going with the Ducks there. I I just think Dante Moore is a little more dynamic than Arch. Erich: Yeah. Kevin: And and they just it's that team with no questions. But man, that that is a that Erich: It's great game. Kevin: is a great game. so Oregon, Georgia. And I think I think Phil Knight gets his long-awaited national championship and the Ducks Ducks take the crystal ball then and they feel good about it. Taking out an SEC behemoth. I mean Erich: Yeah. Kevin: those those would be those would be some games. You could tell some of these I was like, this is the this is the it's kinda like sometimes you do with the br with the bracket. this is what I wanna see. Erich: It's tough. I mean, even like even like Ohio State versus Georgia, you know, in a round two game, I feel like Ohio State would kind of like that matchup. You know what I mean? Like it's and it's the that's the thing is like the second round is not home field. It's not neutral, you know, it's neutral basically. yeah, it's gonna be interesting, you know. A lot of people are high in Oregon this year. I think rightfully so. You know, is it gonna be another team that's been right there for a long time? That kind of finally breaks through. I know you know, one thing I think someone said out of the last Like five out of the last seven national championships have been coaches who haven't won one before, or something like that, or Kevin: Yeah. Erich: or whatever it is. So, you know, everyone just wants to assume, like this guy can't break through. Well, it's like, well, if you look at the recent national championships, it's generally speaking been someone who hasn't won one before. So, Kevin: Yeah. Erich: like, cool to feel that way, but it's like the Saban era has been done for some time now. you know, since that era ended, it's been You know, Michigan's one one, Ohio State's one one, obviously Indiana's one one. I'm trying to think who's I have to look it all up, but like, you know, it's easy to say someone can't break through until they do. Well Kevin: Yeah, Dabble was at Clemson forever for E one one. Erich: Yeah, I mean it took Dabble time to break through. you know, even Saban didn't run one win one right away. I think it was year two or three that he he broke through and won one. And then yeah, so we'll see. But love it. The reality is we're we're close, and so I I think the way this is gonna go is our next recording is going to be previews for week zero, which is this coming weekend. we'll go through those games. Kevin: So f Erich: It's Kevin: so fired up, man. Like college football, you can smell you can smell that grass. Erich: You can smell it. Yeah. You can smell it. So you'll load up your video game and enjoy, enjoy it. week zero obviously is just kind of a prelude to week one, which I think is like the greatest five days we have, which is games Thursday through Monday. but we'll be Kevin: Yeah, this is an appet appetizer week zero. Couple mouts couple Erich: Appetizer. Kevin: mozzarella sticks, you know. Erich: But our our intention is to record twice a week, basically. we're gonna do a recap show, which will be shorter and then a longer preview show for every week. And the preview will likely be broken up into segments to kind of cover each conference throughout the week. And we'll have predictions and yeah, it'll be fun. We'll be here all year. Kevin: Absolutely. We hope you guys all enjoyed listening to the first episode of College Football Nobodies and can't wait for the season. Erich: All right, beautiful.