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College Football Week Zero Preview Plus News · College Football Nobodies

• Erich: Welcome to college football nobodies. I'm Eric. Kevin: I'm Kevin, and let me just start by saying this, Eric. I, and I know you are as well, just stoked out of my mind that we have actual, live, real college football games this weekend. No more injunction talk and some of this stuff that just is like brutal to deal with. The longest offseason ever is over. And man, w the toe is ready to meet leather, I'm ready to jump out of my seat. Erich: Ready as well. I'm dealing with a power outage here in southern Utah. Tens of thousands of customers without power. so we'll see when that gets figured out. I got multiple battery packs keep me going here. but I'm excited Kevin: Hey L. Erich: to get into it. We got news to cover. We're gonna cover three pieces of news, and then we're gonna go game by game and we're gonna do it in a way that we think is really, really impactful, even talking mileage traveled by some of these teams as a potential advantage or disadvantage. But first Things first, let's cover the news that happened with Kalani Sitake, a guy your team almost hired, no longer reporting to the athletic director. Been tension between them for weeks. He's been coming out saying things like we need more. maybe some of the things he was promised aren't being delivered or what he thought, but he almost landed on your team there in Penn State. So why don't we get let's hear your thoughts, Kevin? Kevin: Yeah, bizarre situation going on in Provo, Utah this week. You know, as you alluded to about a week ago, a local radio show was on campus and it there was a lot of eyes on that interview. It was quite strange. He it was a cry for help that basically like we don't have nearly enough resources and like please, please give our football program money, which was really interesting because that was thought to be the reason, of course, that he stayed at BYU. You know, of course, there was all the fun with the crumble CEO coming in off the couch and funding the program and saved him from going to Penn State and all those types of things. So you thought, like, okay, well, it would only make sense that resources and funding is in place. At BYU, but apparently not. I mean, he was very bold about that. Obviously, that ruffled some feathers with the AD there. there's clearly a disconnect. It's never good when the head coach I'm sure they've both had conversations separate from each other for this to happen. That's never a good thing. Coaches are always talking about alignment. Now Sitake's just gonna be reporting straight to the president. That's not the friction or the distraction. Actually, want going into a season where they are one of, if not, the Big 12's best team going into the season. So I don't know what's going on there. I I know they have a fantastic basketball program. You know, they were able to get A.G. DeBonsa, of course, top draft pick. You know, their hoops program has been really rolling the last couple years with Kevin Young, and they've always had a passionate fan base there. So of course, I bring that up because the NIL money has to go to the basketball program too, especially at a school. Where they care about it. But yeah, it has to be really disappointing for fans to hear that. Especially when you know they were they essentially, hey, we beat out Penn State, we beat out this blue blood, we kept Klani Sitake, and then, just kidding, we don't have we don't have the funds that we thought. So really, really interesting. and those are my initial thoughts. What's your take? Erich: Yeah, great points. I think one, I don't feel bad for Sitake. That's what I'm gonna say. You had the opportunity to go to Penn State. You were their chosen person to go to Penn State. It was to the point where the people who thought, well, he's a backup choice, then looked at some of your speeches, what you've done with teams that you're overperforming with the talent you were working with. And you had the opportunity to go there. You chose to stay. They offered you more money. You knew the dynamics. I don't I maybe you thought you can change it, but this to me sounds like the girlfriend who thinks he's gonna she thinks she's gonna change the guy. It's not gonna happen. You're gonna be dealing with this forever there because it's BYU. They're an institution, they are bigger than you as the football coach. They always will be. There's religious ties, just like Notre Dame will be bigger as a Catholic institution than any coach that ever walks through those doors. It's the same thing in Provo. So I don't feel bad. I hope he can change the dynamics. It's wild to me that if you look at what their basketball program has done, the recruits they've gotten there, it doesn't seem like it's a challenge there. Why is it a challenge for football? My guess is promises Kevin: Mm-hmm. Erich: were made, they're not being delivered on, and here we are. and that's all I'm gonna say about it. So we'll see how it plays out. I'm happy for him that he temporarily doesn't have to report to the person he believes is the problem, but that person is still an executive at that school. So the problem's not going away. So to it seems like BY is gonna have to choose Sitake or the athletic director. And I don't see how you choose the athletic director with the contract extension and the money you're paying Kalani Sitake. And that's where I'll leave it. Next bit of news. Go ahead, Kevin. Kevin: And I just wan I just wanted a quick in quick interject there, Eric, sorry about that. I for I just wanna go on record of saying I think Kalani Sitake is a fantastic football coach, but I Am so, so beyond happy through the beautiful 52 52-day chaotic mess of the Penn State football sear search. I'm I am thrilled Matt Campbell is our coach. He is the guy. He is 1A, and I it couldn't have worked out better. So Erich: Fully agreed. And we will obviously talk more on that about that as the season goes goes on here. next bit of news. Well, we were gonna talk New Mexico and the first domino fall injuries, but let's get the Lane Kiffin and stuff out of the way. I'm I'm changing it up here, Kevin. Sorry. College football's enemy number one. I think right now, one, it was Texas Tech with what they were trying to do early on going against the entire league. The entire sport. No one wants to play them People are trying to not schedule them because of what they're doing with their quarterback, who clearly was gambling on his own teams, and you just can't have it. Now we have Lane Kiffin. Rumors are encouraging players in the NFL to file lawsuits to get eligibility to play for him. Let's be clear. He's not doing it to get these guys extra dollars. He's doing it because he wants to line his own pocket. And he wants to get these players that can play for him. All the conferences have passed rules now, which is great. I think we're finally seeing conferences to pass their own rules so they can now fight with it in NCAA. And so, what's gonna happen with Lane here? If this is true, he's undermining every major conference in college football. He's already undermining the NCAA with them trying to bring some order to the eligibility and some things that are going on here. This one pains me because. I feel that LSU is not in terms of trophies and accolades, but just in terms of the people. They're the sister school in the SEC to the Wisconsin Badgers via food and drink and atmosphere and how these these people act. And you know, the last three times we've played, they've been incredible games. even the bull the bowl game in 2023 was an awesome game. And so I don't want Lane to ruin that for me as a fan. I think LSU is not, generally speaking, a team that college football hates on. they're a team that college football likes to celebrate. you know, they've had incredible years, but they're not there every year. They're not known as a cheater program from the past. But this is the stain that Lane Kiffin brings. And so they knew what they were bringing. And now I don't know if the school can rein him in with what they're paying him. But what is the conference going to do? Because if this is true, if he's undermining the conferences, at the very list, at least there has to be a slap on the wrist here or some sort of public declaration from him as to hey, this I was doing this before these rules came out. I'm not doing it anymore. Something has to be said. If it's just swept under the rug, then here we go, buckle up, because that means he's not on board and he's going to keep doing it. What do you think? Kevin: Well you made all fantastic points. first of all just say like what what are we doing with this? It's like it it's There's no words anymore for what's going on in college sports. It's it's ridiculous. There's not enough adjectives to describe it. you said a very pointed thing, though. LSU knew exactly who they were getting into. When you hired Lane Erich: Yep. Kevin: Kiffin, yes, you're hiring a phenomenal coach. but you're also getting this stuff. What's disappointing with him, because like you said, I I am also a Lane fan. All LSU is just a cool program, no issues with them. That amazing Bangle tiger on the helmet. gosh, I incredible. So many so many Erich: Incredible. Colors, the stadium, it's widely considered the best atmosphere. Like Kevin: It's college football. It's you think college football, they're gonna be one of the first names that comes out. But back to the topic at hand, you know, you think Lane would sit this one out. Like after the whole old miss exit, let's let's sit this one out. but no. And he needs to be a guy. that as one of the very most popular guys and coaches in the sport, step up, be a leader, and don't come out and make comments by saying, Well, there's really no rules, so I'm gonna exploit that for my own good, like you said, and then just see what happens down the road. No, step up like some other coaches have and I don't know, have have some sort of like coach compass. I don't feel like I want to call it a moral compass, but it yeah Erich: Well, yeah, no, moral compass. What what else should we call it? Kevin: Yeah, that it is. And just say, like, no, we got guys that blood, sweat, and tears through August camp, especially in Baton Rouge August camp. Those that's that easy with that heat. And these kids down there and and then you're just gonna bring back these pros and here we go. You know, Billy Bob from the pros showed up and he's on the roster and it it's just it it's not right and there's nothing else to be said and it is it's disappointing for a guy that we both respect. and that should just be frankly better than this. Erich: You know, the saying, once a cheater, always a cheater. In regards to just the way Lane Kiffin operates applies. That's all I'm gonna say. I still, I still love Baton Rouge. I still love the colors. I still love the tradition. I just wanna see Lane taking a a next step here. He took a step as a coach. We all witnessed it. We all was witnessed the journey. I think that's why a lot of us respect him as a coach. But Kevin: Mm-hmm. Erich: this stuff, come on, man, grow out of it. And we'll end with that there. all right. Kevin: Yep. And we and we still love neck. We still love neck on third down. All right. Erich: we do. Well well Yeah, to me again we we'll never not love that. Okay. Kevin help me out on the name. New Mexico's QB. Kevin: Jack Lane. Erich: Jack Lane, thank you. Jason XQB, really good year last year. New Mexico favorites in the Mountain West. Really was going to be them probably versus UNLV for it, I think. and while it had been, it's going to be a lot of fun seeing how North Dakota State does in that conference. He's basically now said Jack Lane out for the year. He doesn't know who's going to be QB. He's playing both QBs in their game. I don't know how much we're going to talk New Mexico throughout the year, but we're going to talk about it right now because they were. Widely considered one of the, you know, one A and one B or one B by many experts in that conference. obviously, my love for Jason Eck, one, you know, offensive lineman under Barry Alvarez for Wisconsin, won a Rose Bowl, has taken the hard road in coaching to get his shot. I mean, was at a division two program, position coach, was never handed anything, has earned every every step he's gotten, every opportunity he's gotten. It's just decimating when you see this. I am no stranger to QB injuries with with my team over the last few years, unfortunately. so but this changes things. I mean, the the reality is I don't think I don't think they're a favorite anymore until I see otherwise on the field having to make this change at this point right on the doorsteps of the season. Can you come back from it? Yes. If you're Ohio State, if you're Alabama, if you're Georgia, if you're one of those teams. Can New Mexico? In a very competitive group of six conference, I I I don't know. and I lean towards probably not. And frankly, this is kind of a next man up scenario. Some people were real high on North Dakota State coming in and potentially challenging. Sure seems more likely now with that tough of an injury. Kevin: I agree. It's it's terrible news for the kid. you could see Coach Eck really disappointed over that, obviously. and for group of six teams, you know, when you lose a quarterback, it's it really, really hurts because they don't have the talent and the depth. that the power four teams do everywhere else where some of those teams can have great seasons with a game manager per se. You know, look at some of, you know, George's teams. Not picking on them, but this is an example. When you lose a quarterback like that, you know, think think of the Boise States through the years or the Memphis or AP States and these consistent winners. Generally, they have a really good college quarterback, and there's tons and tons of quarterbacks at group of six schools that go on to play in the pros, whether they're starting or holding a clipboard. So that is crippling for the Lobos. and Jack Lane, man, I think he had multiple 300 yard games last year. I remember texting you during the opener at the big house, Erich: The miss the Michigan game. Kevin: Michigan. I watched that game was so fascinating to get a look on Michigan early in the year. I was watching at times much more of that than Clemson LSU when I was flipping. And it was it was 24 10 at half, Michigan led, but the Lobos hang in, and then it was 2717 in the third quarter. New Mexico is down by 10. This Jack Lane kid, I'm like, man, he is battling. And then I think they had a critical turnover or a tough penalty. Something stopped a drive where they could have cut it to a one score game and ended up losing 3417. Still respectable, but he was 31 of forty seven in that game, I believe. just was a gamer, a tough, tough kid. And there's just no other way around it. I I I hate and I who does like injuries, but you just you feel for a program like that where it's like you you gotta have your QB out of New Mexico. Erich: Agreed. I you know, again, it's sad. Hopefully they can work some magic and have someone as ready. You never know. sometimes an injury happens and it can work out for the better. I don't see it here, but I also know nothing about the two guys behind him. So I'm looking forward to seeing them play to see how they adjust and see what they can do. Kevin: Absolutely. Go Lobos. Erich: Okay, week one. Let's go through the games. let's pick a game of the week. Let's pick we're gonna do air quotes an upset alert this week. Kevin: Yeah. Erich: and I'm gonna give flexibility in how you answer that question. Let's say upset this week could be team that doesn't show what maybe they should, versus outright upset if you want to pick one. so we'll we'll we'll see how how each of us lands there. And then Maybe let's end with what you're looking forward to the most game wise in terms of not just or maybe what you think could be a could surprise people this week. So we'll do those three categories. but let's go through all the games Kevin: Yeah, perfect. Let's do it. Erich: first and then we'll we'll get into those those categories. why don't we switch off games here? So the opener, North Carolina, TCU. This was a bloodbath last year. If you remember the Kevin: I remember. Erich: this was an absolute bloodbath. Odds are saying it shouldn't potentially might not be close this year. When you have two teams that should be similar talent-wise, but one's favored by nine and a half, that tends to be a signal. That tends to be a signal that things might not go well this year. It's one of our neutral field games this week. Is it in fact might be our only neutral field game this week? a couple of notes on that. We have one neutral field game and we have two teams, if I'm not mistaken, their first ever FBS games. So we we'll call that out as we get to those games. but this one, this is our Dublin game this year. Not really a home field advantage, obviously. And both teams are traveling thousands of miles to to play the game. I'll be curious to just see honestly, I'm just curious to see which fans show up more here. I have a hard time s I I gotta imagine there's gonna be more purple in the stands than that glorious sky blue that we love to see. What do you think? Kevin: Yeah, I I definitely have a feeling like if after last year and the recent off season headlines are basically kind of in season headlines now since it's so close for North Carolina that aren't good that we're about to get into, I I don't know how you can spend the money to go overseas to see this team. This is your noon Eastern Erich: Right on. Kevin: ESPN game, by the way. 10 a.m. Mountain Time, 11 a.m. Central, all that stuff. yeah. The funny thing about last year in this game is Carolina. my gosh, the Bill Belichick era. It's 7-0 tar heels. That was it. Erich: Yeah. People who are going nuts on Twitter and X. Kevin: my gosh. What a response, Josh Hoover and the Horned Frogs. They just rolled down the field like, okay, cool. And next thing you know, 4814. UNC is a mess right now, Eric. An outrage Erich: Huge mess. Kevin: outrageous mess. As if the Bill Belichick and his girlfriend and that whole thing wasn't a mess. As if four and eight and the disaster that was. You know, the GM Michael Lombardi is on paid leave at the beginning of August for some HR complaint by a former front office employee. You can only imagine what that is. I don't even want to touch that, but The listeners can let their minds wander. So that th those those usually don't end well. his own son, Steve Belichick, who of course followed him. He was at Washington in Seattle. a part of I I bet he s might wish he was still with the Huskies program. but he he hasn't been with the team since August si Erich: Is that medical leave, right? Kevin: Yeah, he's on medical leave. So that was just announced today. But prior to that there was just no announcement. No one knew where their defensive coordinator was. Like, put why don't you just put that out earlier if it's medical leaf? So that's been strange and I don't know. Then you gotta deal with the jet leg in this game and traveling, this stuff swirling. Bill Belichick might call defense in this game. He's got enough fun as play. If you're picking North Carolina to win this game, like, and I know you're not. But just anyone out there, I I I I just don't know how you could. Like TCU by nine and a half, I I think that spread could only go up in TCU's favor as this gets closer to kickoff. I got the Horn Frogs big. Big. Erich: Yeah, I think there'll be plenty of opportunities to talk about Bill Belichick as the season goes on. the last thing I'll say is if Bill Belichick would have come to college football 10 years ago, that probably would have been interesting. Maybe could have had a Saban type impact, the excellence he demands, his attitude. I mean, I mean, the guy's personalities are basically a clone of each other, other than Saban's not walking around with a girl that's 40 years younger than him. But it might have worked then. The NIL world though and just how old he is now, it's just not gonna work. And that's I'll leave it at that. Okay. San Jose versus USC. Why don't you start? Because I know you have something specific you're looking for in this game. Kevin: Yeah, absolutely. I'm I'm really excited about this game. I know many people might not be. it's just it's really fun to see a contender early. And of course, like as you alluded to, I have USC as a playoff team this year, which I'm not alone on that. There's certainly plenty of pundits that think like, okay, this is Lincoln Riley's year to deliver, and they have him delivering with a playoff berth. I of course have them. In the Big Ten Championship game at 10 and 2, losing to Oregon. so it's gonna be just excited to see them regardless of the opponent. Plus, you get to see that beautiful Bermuda grass and see that pristine, pristine turf out in the Coliseum to start there. That's another place that's quintessential college football. I'm really anxious to see Jaden Maiava in this game. Phenomenal quarterback. how how's he gonna look? Right, how is he gonna look without Mikhail Makai Lemon and Jacoby Lane, two unbelievable receivers that are in NFL training camps right now? You know, Zak Zachiris Williams was injured early last year. Great athlete. Tanuk Hines is expected to take a big jump this year. He, you know, went for over 500 yards receiving last year and caught 34 balls. So the you know the skill. position talent is gonna be there. If if I had a guess, if I was a betting person, I'd I'd say they're probably still gonna be pretty good at receiver. Maybe not of course to last year's level, but still good. You it it's gonna be fun to see like I I think i if if I was Lincoln Riley, I'd be leaning on that ground game early with Wayman Jordan and King Miller, like we talked about last episode. I love those guys. Will Lincoln Riley do that? You know, 'cause at times we've seen him, he's he wants to play with his toys. He he He wants to pass. And it's like, you know, maybe you would have come out and set up the set the ground game first and then and then work with Jada Mayava. You know, I don't know. We'll see. as far as the other side, you know, the Spartans, like you talked about with the short trip, they're gonna be busting it. You know, so there's gonna be no jet leg in this one. Ken, gosh, Ken Nayamata Lo Ken Niamatalolo. Let me try that again. I pride myself on the Niamatalolo pronunciation. I almost botched it there. But of course, everyone knows him. Fantastic at Navy for all those years. This this is his third year in at San Jose State. So you know they're gonna be a well-coached team. They're gonna be disciplined, they're gonna play hard, they're gonna be fired up to take on the 14th team of the country. their quarterback is actually Nick, their bet their backup quarterback, I should say. He got beat up as beat out. by Luke Weaver is Nick Rolovich's son, who's the head coach at Cal and was also the Hawaii coach. So a little nugget there. but Erich: Mm. Kevin: he he got beat out. I thought it was going to be Rolovich's son. But I it's not good. It's not good if if USC doesn't blow the doors off San Jose State. They're nearly forty point favorites and the Spartans defense is putrid like it was last year. It's not expected to be a whole lot better this year. So yeah this This should be Trojans all the way. If it's anything other than that, that would be quite shocking. But I'm I'm very anxious to see if USC's got that title contender look and if they have that physical look in the trenches. Like they need to absolutely bully San Jose State. Like we talked about, this is one of these games I wouldn't be that impressed if Jaden Mayava throws for a million yards. Like I want to see them run. Erich: Agree. Kevin: run for two fifty or three hundred in this game. Erich: Yeah, most weeks, especially in your conference schedule, a win's a win. Just the reality. This though. One, I think that 39 and a half point spread, it might be a little different than when we looked at it this morning. That's a lot of points. I agree with you. I can USC rut just run the ball whenever they want against San Jose State. If they can't, and if they look soft against the run on defense. Then I think we know pretty much everything we need to know about USC going forward. I I mean I I hate to brand someone after one game, but if Lane's called them Lane Kiffin, if they can't, if Lincoln Riley, I don't know why I consider those guys similar, but I've mixed their names up in the past. For some reason, Lincoln Riley and Lane Kiffin, I will reverse those guys in my head sometimes. So apologies on that. But if Lincoln Riley can't. Look ready for a grueling Big Ten season in this game. When is he ever going to look like he can? so I think this is one that it meant like the points don't matter as much to me as how can they actually look physically dominant? And that's all I'm looking for. I think it's gonna be again. I love that we have this in-state type game in week zero. There's not a lot of things to look at for these games, it's a limited amount of games, but this is a cool matchup. should be a great contrast of of Jersey colors. They both have like that really nice looking yellow with a softer blue, and then just that historic. I mean, USC is one of the better combinations of colors in all college football. so Kevin: yeah. Erich: love that too. I I think if we were picking a a Jersey colors game of the week, which maybe we should do that going forward, this would probably be my pick of all the games that are out there. Kevin: Be beautiful, I agree. And it's never rained in the Coliseum. Like, I think that's actually a fact. You know it's gonna be a beautiful sun. This is by the way, 3 p.m. Eastern kickoff, so noon in the Coliseum. This is your NBC game. Erich: Yeah. Kevin: so great afternoon game there. And I agree. This is the last thing I'll say is it can't be one of those typical USC scores where it's like, it's fifty-two twenty-four and they look like they just had fun out there Erich: Agree. Kevin: and like go just maul someone like fifty-five to six and show that you're you're serious about playing both sides of the ball this year and not messing around. Erich: Yeah, if you can't if you can't resemble 2006, 2007 USC in this game, you're not going to. And I think we can start the clock on Lincoln Riley a little bit. next game, probably the game of the week. we'll see what each of us chooses. But NC State at Virginia, we get a conference game in week zero. Gotta love that. for me, I think. Couple things here. One, I think Virginia's favored, rightfully so, just in terms of what they showed us last year. both these teams grabbed some and lost some in the portal. Both programs that have just kind of been middle of the pack or not real relevant for a long time. NC State probably a little more relevant over the last five years or so than Virginia, but Virginia Virginia won eleven games last year. I don't think a lot of people are. Talking about that, you know, we're one step away from being in the playoff. lost to was it Denver's Duke in the conference championship last year? Yeah. Kevin: It was, yeah. They lost by seven. Erich: Close game there. If so, my thing is this. What do I looking for? One, just it's a fun game. But then two, if CJ Bailey doesn't show up this year, I feel like people have been talking about him. This is like his third year starting, if I'm not mistaken. people have been high on him since his freshman year. He's an upperclassman now. It's if he's gonna show it, it's gotta be this year, right? Dave Dorn, obviously. Former defensive coordinator of Wisconsin, I've always thought well of him, has led a pretty stable program there. so for me, it's like, can we see in an ACC that a lot of people consider wide open? Although I think the ACC is better than people give them credit for. And I think they showed that last year and their record against the SEC and some other schools in the bowl games. I just want to see him take that next step. Can they be a challenger that kind of comes out of nowhere? Because if CJ Bailey does take that next step, then There's another team taking a step and it makes that conference. The conference became more interesting last year with Virginia and some others. You know, can NC State take a step? Can Florida State get back to some of the things they've been able to do? And if they can, then that makes this conference a lot more interesting and a lot more fun to watch. So for me, yeah, I'm probably picking Virginia. we haven't given scores. Maybe we can do that real quick at the end, our score predictions if we want. but I think Virginia probably does win this game. Yeah, but we'll see. Kevin: Absolutely love this game. Conference openers are fun. Two middle of the pack ACC teams. It means a lot. Like, you know, are you in the race right away? Are you serious? Are you not? You know, these matchup games, talents pretty equated. Can't afford to lose these games. That's a ton of fun out of the gates. This one's 3 30 Eastern on ESPN. Scott Stadium saw today, sold out in Charlottesville. They're fired up. Why wouldn't they be? Like you said, I don't think a lot of people realized Erich: Exactly. Kevin: they went 11 and 3 last year. And then I'm just gonna kind of right after I say that, just throw water all over that parade. Is that even I don't even know if that's a phrase? It's not. I'm make I'm Erich: Rain on the prey. Kevin: Rain on the brain. I boy, nail on the he that's gonna be my thing with the What was it last week? I couldn't even get nailing the nail Erich: We're watering the parade and you're you're nailing the nail on the head. Kevin: instead of the head on the nail. or I still nailed it Yeah. Erich: You still don't have it right, but I know what you mean. Let's keep going. Kevin: Wow. Erich: Ha. Kevin: anyways. No I am never a fan of kind let's just be right, middle of the road programs that win eleven games the year prior. Cause by and large, what do we learn in life in college football? It's an anomaly. And I love that they gave Tony Elliott another year last year. It paid off. You know, a school like Virginia, you can't just keep turning over. Not saying they're gonna be bad this year. I definitely see more back to the seven or eight wins, nine, I think being their ceiling. I love Bo Prabhule, of course, at quarterback, former Penn State quarterback. It was tough, you know. He he he made the right decision to transfer. All that ended up at Mizzou. Now he's at UVA, won the starting position. He gives them a great chance, I think, in every b in every ball game. But looking at Phil Steele, you know, they're minus seven in his stock market indicator. I love that stack because Basically, what that means is they won a lot of close games last year. If you run down the list, it the list goes on. You know, they excuse me, they won a lot of close games last year. If you run down their schedule, you know, two-point victory over Washington State, you know, double overtime victory over Florida State, that exciting Friday night game. You know, on and on and on. And more often than not, for a team like Virginia when the margins are so close, a lot of times that next year, and that's why Phil Steele has that, it flips. It flips because Virginia could have easily been a seven or eight win team last year and no one's even talking about because it's like, okay, yeah, Virginia, that's it's kind of what they do. You know, sometimes worse, but so that's one thing I worry about them. And it's like, is this a game in the opener where Instead of starting out 1-0, getting a really good solid ACC win, now it's on the flip side, and you start 0-1 with those close margins. NC State has owned this series. They're 6-2 since 2006. Dave Doran has a phenomenal record in this series all time. and then you're right, you know, CJ Bailey, great stats last year. You know, he he's 6'6. 220 pounds, he's a load, he can run. Threw for nearly 70% last year, threw for 3,500 yards, had a solid year, but it's showing up in those big games. How many times do we talk about with North Carolina State? You know, it's like you're seven, eight wins every year, and and like you said, Dave Doran, there's You know, something to be said for sustaining a program and generally a a winning program year after year, but they just fail to come through and marquee spots and win big games year after year, especially when man, they have a talent laid in roster year after year, being in that part of the country. So we'll see if they can rise up and and finally make a run and get to an ACC championship. this one's this one's really tough to call. I I don't know quite where I'm leaning yet. I I need the rest of the show to kind of think think about this one some more. Erich: All right, well, we'll give you the rest of the show to think about it. Not that you're putting money on it, but we'll give you the rest Kevin: Thank you. Erich: of the show to think about it. okay, next game. This is a I love this game. We got the newish team to FBS Jacksonville State at North Dakota State. I'm excited for North Dakota State to get a chance to show out week zero. Very cool program, real fun team to watch in FCS over the years. They're favored, they're at home. Jacksonville State's got to travel a thousand miles, week zero. Do you know that those fans are just going to be jacked up? And I can't wait for this. Is I can't wait to watch this game. It's going to be a blast to see. And I think they get it done. no reason for them not to. I think they're the more talented team, a team that's expected to. Show out well the Mountain West this year. And Jacksonville State, no cupcake. They've been around, they've won some games. They're more experienced in the FBS, but I think the excitement for that first game for North Dakota State to be in the Mountain West, really good fit for them in terms of conference. if they would have been in like this, you know, the Sun Belt or the AEC or something weird, that just wouldn't have felt right. But this feels right in terms of just the type of team they are. and I can't wait to watch this game. Kevin: I'm with you, man. The the bison are in the FBS. Really cool to see them in the video game this year. The Fargo Dorm's gonna be rocking for this. CBS Sports Network, so we get the glorious music for this one. 3:30 mountain time, 5:30 Eastern. Great time for a college football game, settle in early evening. yeah, I mean 10 FCS titles they bring. It's a great fit in the Mountain West. Little rematch energy, I think you had mentioned to me offline from the 2015 FCS title game won by the Bison. they crushed them. I kind of remember that game. by the way, a trivia question. Eric, where is Jacksonville State located? What state? I won't quiz you on city. Erich: So you see Jacksonville and y you wanna see you wanna say Kevin: Just so you just by me telling you it's trivia, yeah. Erich: people wanna say Florida, but the correct answer, if I'm not mistaken, is Alabama. Kevin: You are correct. You are correct. Well done, sir. Mid season form. Erich: Thank you. Kevin: I'm excited to NDSU On I'm gonna talk larger scope because I I agree. I expect them to win this game. Jack State spin to Bulls, they always have athletes from the south. They get some of the SEC leftovers, they can play ball. It's a seven point spread for a reason. But I I just can't see the bison losing their home opener. I'm excited to see them throughout this season. Just what this roster looks like at the FBS level. You and I both big fans of this program. We believe in their fundamentals, old school disciplined football. They do it from the inside out. We love those types of teams. That generally translates at this level, at the FBS level, you know. I'm curious in this game, you know, if there's if Jack State's making some big plays and explosive plays and a little more speed than they're used to, you know, is that defense able to get off the field? Are they able to bully Jacksonville State, some of these other teams, and go on their vintage 17 play drives and and be the North Dakota state that everyone knows and loves? And so that's gonna be really, really fun to watch. I think they are gonna make an awesome jump into FBS and be acclimated right away. I think it's gonna be pretty similar to App State. And it's gonna be like, yeah, everyone's known for a long, long time that these guys just know how to play ball. So really cool for the sport. Can't wait to see it. Erich: Agreed. Okay. Sacramento state at Eastern Michigan. You know, this is one probably gonna struggle for some ratings. I'm not gonna lie, in regards to the slate. this is the I think this is the 5 30 central, 4 30 mountain time kick, right around dinner time. So we'll see. I think eastern Michigan is favored. I think rightfully so. this is a I think a tough one. A lot of travel, I think it was two thousand miles for Sacramento State to go to what's if I'm not mistaken is supposed to be one of the better teams in their conferences here with Eastern Michigan. So I again nine and a half points. Again, that's another one where if you have two teams like this in the group of six, nine and a half point dogs, probably gonna be a blowout potential is what I'm seeing on this one with Eastern Michigan. I'd bet the over. I don't bet, I don't gamble, but I would bet. Eastern Michigan to cover this game. If I was a betting man. Kevin: This is a beautiful, beautiful matchup. Sacramento State, first of all. I I knew for years w you know, you thought you'd be talking about them in the Mac, Eric. Sacramento State. You and Erich: Yep. Sacramento State in the Mac, and you got Northern Illinois in the Pac twelve. You know, everyone always Kevin: Yeah. Erich: knew that was the way or wherever northern Illinois is now. Yeah. The mountain west. Yeah. Kevin: Yeah, that's just na natural. But how great Sacramento State, you know, they get a roll into Yipsilani, Michigan. You don't just roll into Yipsilani in week zero and expect things to go normal for you. So pretty special opener for them. Cross country trip as you mentioned. this is Alonzo Carter's first game for Sacramento State as the Hornets head coach. We'll see. Yeah. Do they have the roster to compete? Those California athletes out there. We'll see. I don't see it. I'm with you. I think the spread's a little low. Eastern Michigan can play some ball. They usually see big ten teams every year in the non-conference. I could see this one being pretty big and a rather rude awakening to the FBS level for Sacramento s Sacramento State. Erich: The only thing they have going for them is I can tell you right now, that is gonna be a miserable place. Having been to Sacramento multiple times, no offense to the Sacramento natives. The people in LA talk about Sacramento as it's like a third world country. so it it is like it is disrespected by all in California other than those who live there. It is not gonna be a an exciting place for those. traditional Mac teams to go travel two thousand, three thousand miles the other way and go play there. So it's gonna be tough for Sacramento to travel. It's gonna be frustrating Kevin: Ugh. You've told you've told me about that trip. Erich: for other Mac teams to go travel there. Okay. A fun game. Hawaii at Stanford. And by fun, I mean because it's location wise fun. You got Hawaii traveling to Stanford. rematch of last year that I think Hawaii won. Kevin: Mm-hmm. Erich: Boy, Sam Stanford has fallen quite a ways from the the Harbaugh days, and beyond that. So we'll see though. Andrew Luck. Has been the GM there for a couple of years now. Do we see a Stanford revival this year? That school has plenty of money. They got some significant donations in this offseason. I don't know if it's gonna be this year, but they did retain a lot of production, if I'm not mistaken. And I I think they hired probably the right guy. although I think the right guy would have been Paul Christ. you know, my thoughts on that. I I Thought he was he was kind of in the running initially. I think it is it Travis Pritchard they hired. so I I think he can Kevin: To Vida. Erich: do well there. Yes, sorry. Kevin: Tavita Pritchard, the old quarterback. Erich: yes. And I think he'll do well. The question I have is is Andrew Luck qualified to be a GM? And and that's what I want to see. Kevin: Yeah, time will tell. Erich: Because it's not like he has run teams. He kind of went from retired early, was just an injuries beat up in the NFL. Great quarterback in college, great quarterback in the NFL. And then all of a sudden he's just Stanford alum. Let's just make him the GM. So let let's just see. Did he do a good job with who he hired? Is he the right guy to run the program? I don't know how many decisions he's making. is he just there to fundraise and get buy-in. If that's the case, then he might, you know, if that's how they're using him, then maybe. certainly can assist with coaching hiring, but I I'm just fascinated to see can Stanford Stanford's I would love to see them, you know, be back to where they were, right? Like this team that can challenge for conference championships, can, you know, group of six. I know next game's mean like those January second bowl games, Rose Bowls, things like that. I'd love to see him back. I'd love to see him in the playoffs. They have money as a program. Like this Stanford as a university has a lot of money. It's just can Andrew Luck get it invested into the program and then Stanford as a university as a whole benefiting from that. Kevin: Yeah, I don't know the answer right now either about Andrew Luck, but I will say I I remember watching a lot of this game last year and they talked to him and of course he's very bright individual as all Stanford alums are. He was pretty impressive. He was very open and honest about just how slow they were to adopt the modern era of college football. You know, they have done that now. There is resources there, there's plenty more to do there. And seems like he knows what he's doing. You know, like he said, does you know, I'm not in those GM footsteps every year. you know it and everything there's so much on those guys plates though so we'll see but it seems like they're in the right direction maybe they can win five six games of the year that that would be the ceiling but I think they're a fascinating program going forward. I do firmly believe that Tavita Pritchard was the right hire. I think at these really, really low level power force schools that I shouldn't say low level, that's poorly worded. one of the hardest power four jobs to win at in Stanford with the competition that they face for athletes where they're at, and of course the academic requirements and all those things. And a lackluster fan base that spends their time at the libraries on Saturday afternoons. So I think you have to get a guy like Pritchard and go back to those glory years. You know, he was the quarterback on that famous 2007 41-point underdog Stanford team at USC. That was an incredible moment. Jim Harbaugh, Jim Harbaugh Stanford team. Threw a pass to Richard Sherman, by the way, on that game-winning drive. Before Richard Sherman became a defensive back the next year. A little fun fact. But no one can forget that game. But he was the quarterback on that team, and that's a guy that like loves Stanford, knew what it took to win there. And same with the Andrew Andrew Luck was a part of those glory years. And I know kids are like four years old when Andrew Luck was a senior in college, but he's not terribly long ago where it's like, okay. P the kids know that name from his pro days and stuff. Erich: Yeah. Kevin: So so that helps. I think the point I'm making is you gotta have Stanford guys. You gotta have big names in Stanford history when you're at a program like this. If you just get like some random guy that, you know, he's a pretty good coach because he did this and that, but he's kind of a no-name. I I just don't think it works. So I do think they got that right. You know, and we'll see. They you really gotta take care of business here. You last year they couldn't go out to the island and win. You're at home. You play Hawaii. They have to deal with the travel. David Warren at quarterback for Stanford, it's like his sixth year. He played at Michigan at one time, gives him a chance. He's not awful. Micah Ford's a good back. They My favorite part of their roster is they return 60% of the production, which is hard to do at Stanford in this era. so there appears to be some buy-in, which is all you can ask. So we'll see. it's five, five o'clock mountain time, four o'clock west coast kick. It's gonna be beautiful out there in Palo Alto. On the ACC network, of course, just because why not? Why not in this crazy world of college football? Erich: Should be a good one. who do you got in that one? I'm going with the whole team. I'm picking Stanford. Kevin: I'm going to Stanford. I I can't say all those nice things about Stanford and and not pick I'm I'm just yeah, I'm Erich: Yeah, if you would have picked Hawaii there, that would have been interesting. Kevin: I'm I'm buying. I I really I really like the direction. Erich: Okay, another one that I think for me is gonna be similar to the narrative that I just at least I put forward is similar to you with USC. New Mexico State at Florida State. If Florida State does not come out and dominate this game physically. I think we can put start the clock in which some people already have the clock started on Mike Norvell. But if they don't come out and dominate this game, it's home for them. It's against a team that's not very good. New Mexico State is the lesser of the two Mec New Mexico schools for right now. I I just this to me has to be not a like a statement win, but a statement. We're Florida State. You come into this stadium. I mean, again, a top five environment for me. Easily when they're cooking down there in Tallahassee. I mean, incredible colors, maybe the best helmets in college football, tremendous history. If Norvell doesn't make a statement here, just in terms of like, hey, we've brought the guys in. We needed to in the transfer portal. We have the buy in, the culture's here. We're gonna just physically dominate teams. I think the just the clock is is gonna start ticking very, very quickly on him. And I think whatever the buyout is, Florida State will will figure out a way to get that done by midseason. And for me, this is one. I mean, my coach, Luke Fickle, he's certainly in a similar position where it just boy, if if you don't show that things are starting to turn here, just not just from a wins and losses, but from a style of play in regards to the little ones you're beaten up on, the big ones you're competing with and not getting beat up on. I think he's very much one who his seat will be scorching hot by midseason. So for me, similar in the US C San Jose State game, Florida State has its thirty two and a half point favorites over New Mexico State. If they don't physically dominate, I think we are in for another long season for our seminal fans. Kevin: You're spot on, Eric. Everything you said about Mike Norvell, the seat is scorching hot. It's better for college football when Florida State is good. That war chant, if I'm having a tough day in April, it's 43 degrees, it's rainy, there's mud everywhere. I'll sometimes just like pull up the war chant and just try to get fired up. it's true. I that's that's a dead serious. I love I love everything about them. But yeah, I I think personally Mike Norvell's a dead man walking. This has been seven years in Tallahassee. That Penn State Memphis Cotton Bowl seems forever ago. When he was at Memphis, got, you know, and they played Penn State in the Cotton Bowl. He took the job right there after. Silverfield came aboard, who's now at Arkansas. Life comes at you fast. But yeah, New Mexico State is a very downtrodden. Program, they're small, they should get physically dominated. Florida State fans should be embarrassed. The line's only 32 and a half. That unfortunately shows where their program's at right now. Good news for them, they're on Phil Steele's most improved list, which as you know, we are big believers in that. Their schedule is hard though, including now finishing the home and home in Tuscaloosa this year. So they have to deal with that. Out of conference, and an underrated ACC. As we've been talking about. Mike Norwell just seems like a guy to me that assembles talent, but necessarily he doesn't develop it. They've had tons of NFL players to show that. I Erich: Yeah. Kevin: think well over 30 in his time. They just don't really have any identity year to year. It's like, what are they doing? Are they run the ball? Are they running their quarterback? They bring in Castellano's last year. It's just like, it's just. It's always a new quarterback. It's it's just so random feeling, and that shouldn't be Florida State. you gotta have an identity there. I personally don't see it turning around. he's lucky he's getting this seventh year. I didn't want to pay the buyout. Him calling plays this year. instead of Gus Malzon, I actually think works against Mike Norvell. I think he's got enough on his plate to handle the pulse of this team that that's I just think that's not gonna work out. So I don't love F Erich: Reeks it reeks of desperation when you start doing something like that. Kevin: Amen. Yep. So I think this is be a seventh and final year. And I actually think that even if he goes nine and three, I think he's gone. I don't think I they're just not a team that seems tough enough to win the bowl game then. I I think people would opt out and then I think they're nine and four and seventh year like FSU, it's it's like, you know, similar to LSU, you know, and that that doesn't cut it. Not like they're not they're not they're not interested in that. And and personally I think if they went nine and three, it'd be the loss to at Alabama, at Louisville, and at Miami. I don't have them winning any of those games and sure and and running the rest of the table's not a picnic, but let's say they're better than Erich: No. Kevin: I think. But it it'd be an empty calorie season. Cool, you went nine and three, you lost to the three best teams. This this doesn't do it for us. See ya. Erich: I think the question that we'll ask. If that all comes to fruition and I I think you're right. I don't I don't think he I don't I would be surprised if he makes it the whole year. I just I don't see it. What is Florida State in this new era of college football? Because and I think we can talk about the same thing about Florida when we start talking about their previews. Is do they have the donor base or the willingness to just go broke like LSU when you don't have the donor base to compete? Because when you start looking at the size of a university, how many billionaires do they have there that were alumni there? You know, what's their ability to get a $20 million check for someone to build a roster that you can use for the next few years? That's the world we're in now. And you can look at the numbers that reported. Florida State is not spending. They're not spending at the top of their conference. Like they're half of what Miami's spending as a as a as a school. They they'd be in the lower half of pretty much all the other major conferences. And this is Florida State where this is a blue bud. When you talk blue blood programs, this is a blue blood program. But in the modern era, when that no longer matters the way it did, these other things do. And I I just don't know the infrastructures there at Florida State, which it pains me to say because it's just I mean, so many eras of of just greatness and historic games. I mean, talk I mean they were kind of the Alabama of the nineties. Like I I mean, Kevin: my gosh. Erich: they were the program in college football. in the 90s for the most part. So we'll see. Opportunity for them to make a statement here that physically dominate a much lesser team, build momentum, and let's see if it happens. Okay. game of the week contender for sure. A huge statement in the group of six. And which is I believe a non conference game. Yep. Memphis at UNLV. for me, this is a bigger game for UNLV than it is for Memphis because UNLV, you're the home team here. This is gonna be outside of any power if you are playing any power four teams in your non conference schedule. I'd have to look at your schedule to know for sure. But this is gonna be one of their bigger games. Memphis was one of the better group of six teams last year. they have a new coach this year, if I'm not mistaken. Dan Mullins and year two in a UNLV. So UNLV, fair and four a half point favorite. This is just a game you need to win. And if you do win, you This is a wins a win type game. They should it should feel like a conference game for both schools trying to make a make their mark as to be one of the top group of six teams to make a playoff push at the end of the year. Kevin: Yeah, I I definitely agree. This is an awesome game at night on Fox. what do we got here time wise? The Ten Eastern, yep. Ten Eastern so Erich: The ten Eastern. Most of the country will be sleeping around at the bars. You and I will be watching. We'll be glued to the TV. Kevin: Yes, and glued and happy, happy to to be doing that finally this Saturday. but you're right, yeah. Charles Huff, old Penn State running backs coach during the Saquon era. He was at Yeah Yeah. Erich: Huffmers Mullen, great coach name battle. Great. Kevin: Great. Comes from Southern Mists, phenomenal helmet. Now he comes to Memphis and cool logo that and the Tiger. Eight and five last year. Always gonna get talent in Memphis. Talent-rich part of the country. I know they're excited about Marcus Stokes at quarterback. Phil Steele, not super high on them. And the Americans pretty tough this year. He's got six, you know, behind Army, behind East Carolina. We do love that. Tulane. Erich: Pirates. Kevin: Yeah. Tulane though solid program. Willie Fritz built that up before Houston. UTSA with trailer there and and then of course Navy always a stalwart. So you know for them to get off to a good start and on conference, we're you know, we're gonna find out a lot here. this is you know, it's a tough game going on the road to Vegas. There's distractions there. Let's let's just call it what it is. Let's be honest. For a group of eighteen to twenty three year old kids. and probably some twenty-five year olds on the roster, even that you know, so that place is don't love dome stadium. Some are really cool and have some charm. The old Alamo Dole for Big Twelve Championships comes to mind. of course the We just were talking about the Fargo Dome. the Carrier Dome has some charm. The Allegiance Stadium for a for a new stadium, I I really do like it. it's got a seems to have a cool feel in there. Yeah, I I was I was just gonna say, yep, that's I Erich: I've been there, if you remember, Las Vegas Bowl twenty twenty one. Watched the Badgers dominate Jaden Daniels, and by dominate I mean they won by like three points. Domination. Kevin: That's that's fair. Hey, it felt dominant in your book. Erich: I was went to that the next day, went to a New Year's Eve party. The next day woke up with COVID. So it was a great three days. Kevin: Yeah, you really liked Allegiant. I what was I remember I don't remember the things you said about it, but I remember you were impressed. Erich: Yeah, like big stadium in terms of like 65,000, not overly big. I don't think there's a bad seat in that stadium. Really just it's new, it's clean, it's it's the wide hallways, easy to walk through and and navigate, right off the strip. So if I think just it's just such a like everything in Vegas is such a destination. I would love it if the I I'd love to see the Big Ten Championship at Allegiance Stadium. I think it would be so cool. it would be so much more fun for people to travel to in December rather than Indianapolis. I mean, I don't know. What are we doing here? I mean, if I was, I mean, heck, if I was the ACC, if I was any of these conferences, I might start doing that. Like you're telling me both you're not gonna sell out that stadium and some with a vacation type destination for your fans. But yeah, I think it's great that. I don't I don't never know how I feel about a team not having their own stadium, but it works for Vegas. Whereas if it's other schools like Pittsburgh playing in the, you know, Pitt playing in the Steelers stadium, to me, it's just this is so weird. Like it's almost like you're you're you you're I don't you just can't get your own stadium, but for Vegas, it makes sense because everything is there is built to be a venue. So why not use? the stadium that was built to be the football venue for that city. and that's where I'd leave that. Kevin: No, I I I think you're right. back back to the game at hand. You know, this with the news today of the quarterback injury at at New Mexico with Jack Lane, you know, UNL V's gotta feel like, you know, first of all, you don't have to deal with Boise anymore. That that that itself's a jolt of energy. Now you get your top contender besides yourself with their quarterback go down. Erich: Team that beat you last year. Kevin: Team that beat you last year. They become the instant favorite. A lot of the talk, Erich: Agreed. Kevin: of course, is with Jackson Arnold, you know, former Auburn, Oklahoma quarterback. But I really think like the guy to know with UNLV is at Jet Jet Thomas at running back. He's called Jet for a reason. He can really move. Good player. They wanna Jackson Arnold's a solid player, but they don't want to necessarily, you know, throw the ball 40 times with him. They want to play through that, you know, ground attack. Dan Mullen, you know, with the Dak Prescott teams, his best Mississippi State teams, he wants to run the rock. So the run game should be good. you know, you know, these defense last year left a lot to be desired. I know as I Erich: Yes. Kevin: believe it was over 400 yards a game. They were always in shootout. So, They lost McDuffie at linebacker. He was a he was like their only player. they so that's gonna be the test. You know, what do they look like? Memphis is a completely new team. We'll see what Charles Huff brings to the table. He brought in a lot of transfers, of course, from Southern Miss. There's talent, but there's uncertainty. You know, how quickly does it come together? They have questions at quarterback. you know, Marcus Stokes, I mentioned him, but You know, are they gonna be able to run it? we'll see Dallas Hayden. If Dallas Hayden can get going on the ground versus UNLV, that's that could be a path to victory. so we'll see. We'll see. I I don't know. I I just think UNLV is a little better in the trenches at the group of six letter. I think level, I think they're a more established roster than Memphis coming in. so I I just don't love the idea of asking a new QB to win an opener on the road versus a team we're both really, really high on. I I was very close to picking UNLV instead of Boise. I just went with the tried and true old blue. And so yeah, but this is this is a fun game, but I definitely think UNLV could certainly win by 10, and that would be a nice solid victory. Erich: Yeah, I think this is a a shootout, which is what it needs to be to keep people interested that late at night. But I I think if I'm a betting man, I'm betting the over on the fifty-six and a half. I I think this is gonna be like a like a forty two, thirty-seven type, forty two, thirty-five type game, that UNLV Kevin: Yeah. Erich: will win. Kevin: I'm gonna go forty four thirty four. You and L V. Erich: All right. Okay. Let's do game of the week. I think you and I are probably both gonna have the same year, but who's yours? Kevin: Well, since you picked me first, I mean it's it's NC State Virginia. It's yeah. Erich: Yeah. And we don't even need to say more. Kevin: Math. Erich: Conference game, two teams that are pretty good programs and all those things we said before. So yeah, I think that's far and away the game of the week. okay, who's on upset alert or who's on crap like we sh we're supposed to win by 30 some and we're we're winning a 10 point game type alert. You can choose either option. Kevin: This is tough. I'm gonna go with Florida State. I'm I'm just down on Mike Norvell. I'll say they don't cover versus New Mexico State. I'm very high on USC. I think they do look impressive and look like a contender in the Big Ten like they should this year. Florida State, I don't see it. I think they win like 34 to 10. And it's not exciting. Maybe a couple Erich: Yeah. Kevin: boobird maybe a couple boo birds. Sloppy. And it's and yeah. T Tallahassee, not not happy. Erich: Okay. Well, I don't want to pick the same thing as you every time. So I am going to go. Again, I'm gonna take the I don't know that there's a lot of like a true upset unless you're gonna take you know, unless you're just gonna do it based off the spread. like to me, if fancy states beats Virginia, sure it's an upset, but like it's not a huge upset. It's you know, four and a half point spread is kind of a coin flip, anyways. so I am gonna go, I'm gonna I'm gonna put USC on the crap, we should be winning by way more than we are alert. And the reason I'm saying that is I think. I don't think they're going to be able to run the ball like they want to or show people. I think they are going to air it out. And I think because they're not going to be as good at receiver as they are this year, I think we're going to see some turnovers. And I think that's going to keep allow San Jose to not hang around, but I think they'll win this game like 38 to 14, which it's a win. But boy, you're not going to feel great about it if you're USC. So I'm going to take this the same reason. But I'm gonna go with the other team. Although if I was really picking my top pick, I would have said the same thing as you. Kevin: If if this game's thirty-eight fourteen, then I'm terrified. Terrified Erich: Yeah. Kevin: of my big ten runner up pick. Yeah, that that ain't Erich: emergency podcasts, adjusted adjusted preseason picks. Kevin: that that that ain't doing it. When the spread is minus thirty-nine and a half and you're not putting up more than Erich: Yeah. Kevin: forty. So I I like it though. I You know, we'll we shall see. We shall see. Erich: All right, surprisingly fun game of the week. And I'm gonna go first so you don't steal mine this time. But it's Jacksonville Kevin: Mm-hmm. Erich: State and North Dakota State. people should tune into that. North Dakota State has great fans, great fans. And I think they're gonna show out. I think they're gonna be loud, regardless of what happens in that game. I think that's gonna be fun. And I'm excited to have a limited number of games to where I don't feel like I can't watch this one. Even though I really would want to watch this one. So that's the surprising game or surprisingly fun game. However, you want to take surprising game of the week. Kevin: Great pick. Well done. I'm going with Hawaii at Stanford. Shut shout out Erich: Yeah, good pick. Good pick. Kevin: shout out to West Coast football. I laid out all the reasons excited about Stanford. It's just a good program with good tradition. You know, they I remember, you know, they played in that Rose Bowl versus you guys versus Wisconsin. One of the only cloudy Rose Bowls was at 2000. It was like 17 to 9. You won with they had Troy Walters. You had a contain at receiver. but they have they have great history and even recent history and it would just be nice to see them just just even get back on a seven and five, eight and four type program in the coming years would be good for college football. And get that Stanford Cal game going again. So that's Erich: Absolutely. Kevin: that's what I'm rolling with, Eric. What do you got next for us? Erich: What I have next for us is that's it. Kevin: Ha ha. Erich: That's it. yeah, we'll see you guys when we record next. We should be recording Sunday for a recap. and then we'll have our preview for what is I think one of the greatest five day stretches in college football, week one, games Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. So many games that we don't even know when we're gonna record our recap next week. And I will gladly take that any day of the week, But yeah, that's it for us. We're out of here. Thanks for listening. Kevin: College football is here, everybody. Good luck to your teams in week zero. Can't wait to watch. Best time of the year.