Latest / Mike Check - A College Football Podcast / COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 1 RECAP

Transcript

COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 1 RECAP · Mike Check - A College Football Podcast

• Davis: Alright, welcome to the Mic Check Podcast. I'm your host for today. I'm Davis Bowman. no Jackson. He'll be out hoping to get him back, you know, maybe next episode. But in the meantime, we do have a guest here from the Big Ten podcast. let's welcome in Will. How's it going? Yeah, we didn't think he'd we'd be bringing you on so soon, but you know, Jackson Jackson belled on me, so I needed to talk to somebody. Will B: Yeah, buy back by popular demand. That's what I'm that's what I'm hearing. Davis: Yeah. Well, we had a an eventful week one, a lot of storylines. We had you know anywhere from walk-off game winning field goals to blocked field goals to seal a win to power outages to goal line stops on two point conversions to win it. You know, we even had a team that first every time they won a game after the game ended, I was That was crazy in its own right. Sure we'll get into Will B: Yeah. Davis: that a little bit later. Will B: Yeah, I think we definitely got a good first taste of what the college football season's gonna expect to be like this year and I think it's gonna be another good year for college football, football in general. Davis: Yeah, we had had some blowouts, had had some some minor upsets, almost had a huge upset, but you know, that got taken away from us and taken away from Will B: Yeah. Davis: Western Michigan as well. But overall I think it was a it was a pretty good weekend, you know. Had some great games on Sunday and Monday. Especially if you if you stayed up for the the late night window on Monday after the The couple hour Will B: Yeah. Davis: delay. Will B: Yeah, that was something. I mean, what was it, an hour and a half delay? Davis: Yeah, at least. Yeah, once they started saying no headset communication and and no no communication to the booth, I immediately I immediately went and and took a look at at what that overunder was set to. And just Will B: Yeah. Davis: in the just in the couple minutes after I checked the first time it had dropped a couple of points. Will B: Yeah, went back to old school football, so I think Florida State had a actual home field advantage there with the SME's more high powered offense, but I I mean they still put up insane numbers, just too many turnovers. Davis: Yeah, and we'll we'll get into that game in a little bit. but starting off, wanted to talk about some of the the winners and losers for the week. So I'll share my screen and and we can run through everything. Alright. So put together a list of our winners and losers. Starting off. First winner is the Colorado strength and conditioning. I don't know if y'all saw it all off season, but the Colorado team somewhat went viral on Twitter for how small they looked and and how weak they were and the strength and conditioning coach needed to be fired. Well, whatever they were doing, they they did something right, 'cause that O line and D line dominated in that Georgia Tech game. Will B: Yeah, that's that was a very surprising result. I did not think especially with how Georgia Tech has been pretty well the last few years, it's usually been on the trenches. I mean that's a really good group, but yeah, Colorado, like you said, kinda dominated on both sides of the ball. it it seemed like they could get whatever they wanted and just sustained drives. I mean it was still a close game, but just sustained drive after sustained drive and you could just tell Georgia Tech was getting tired. Davis: Yeah. And Lawrence Key, Georgia Tech's head coach, has always been hard nose, wants to instill that, you know, that mindset into his team. And early on on that first strip scripted drive, you know, Georgia Tech could kinda do what it wanted to with running the ball with Justice Haynes. But after that, I I think that I think he had more rushing yards on that first scripted drive than he did the up until almost the very end of the game. So Hats off to Colorado, not only did they do a great job running the ball, but that that front four for them, you know, played very well. not only in the run game but in the pass game as well, disrupting the quarterback and had had a had a good good bit of sacks as well. Will B: Yeah, I also thought it was interesting that Georgia Tech basically switched OCs this year and they went from a pass heavy to one of the more just run the ball as as often as you can and I mean clearly it worked. I think I think Colorado's gonna be in every single game they play this year just 'cause they control the pace and just continue to grind out yards and so I think they're gonna be a not as exciting team as they have been, but I think they're gonna get some more wins, especially over that win and a half total, up four and a half. Total. Which was it's so awesome. Davis: Yeah. And and their head their O C came from Sacramento State, correct? Yeah, and then I think he was actually at UML V as the OC two years ago when they started off hot. So kind of been around, definitely likes to run the ball and they made their impression early and often. All right, let's hear Will B: Yeah. Davis: your your big winner. Will B: Yeah, I think it's easy. Lane Kiffin. we heard all the drama for the last eight months, ten months really, if you go back to when he left Old Mess. We've just been hearing Lane Kiffin's bad for the sport and he's a traitor and all this and then he then gets NFL players to win the lawsuit and there's all these lawsuits going on in court and he just doesn't care. I mean he's really taking the bill in Arc. It was just an absolute beatdown against Clemson. I Davis: Yeah. Did you see that that release video of the his halftime speech? Will B: Yeah, I kinda think that was planned. I I think that he was someone would recorded it and he like, I got a good video and let's I mean yeah, you don't hear Lane Kevin talk like talk like that usually and I think in general. Yeah, he Davis: It was it was a pretty good speech. And he's like, Is anybody is anybody happy right now? And somebody's like, Yeah. Like, well you shouldn't be. As it it Will B: Yeah. Yeah, I call Davis: was a good speech, but you know, obviously Rangkiffen that was a blowout and we'll get into a little bit more of that game breakdown later on. Will B: Yeah, I mean that speech he he said that we're the villains and accept that role and I mean they they dominated Clemson from basically start to finish. yeah, even called them soft and that was expected and they put the hammer down. They even went for two late in that game up when they were going for fifty points, so the foot was on the gas the whole time. So they were trying to avoid the number five, I guess, and respect to Jane Daniels, so they went for two. Davis: Mm. Will B: Good for them. Davis: Yeah. All right. My big loser. I have here the refs, but it's really everyone involved, decision makers, anyone from the the Big Ten, that had to do with the Michigan Western Michigan game. I think it's just an outright travesty what happened. I mean, that game's over, zero seconds left, and then, you know, I'd actually turned it off, quit watching, then next thing I know And the the fans are rushing the field, which is a pretty big embarrassment in its own right. but I mean you just step back for a second and there's just there's a zero percent chance that if the roles were reversed and Western Michigan throws that last Hail Mary down a score. that they're ever going back to the booth and reviewing reviewing the time. I mean it was clear as day that there Will B: Yeah. Davis: was zero seconds left. All of a sudden they're reviewing it, you know, they add a second left, and then two two hours later the Big Ten comes out and says, well, we actually have a clock that's you know, it's not shown, but the clock that we have that no one has ever heard about is actually has one second left. I thought that it was kind of just a a slap in the face to the fans. it kinda reminded me of of the saying, don't don't piss on my head and tell me it's raining. And really thought that the that the the announcement from the Big Ten just did even more damage, instead of help like they wanted to. Will B: Yeah. It also makes you wonder how many other games could have been potentially changed by the mystery clock over the years. I mean, yeah, they're just playing. Davis: I'm not aware of this mystery clock, but apparently whatever we're seeing is is not right. And and I I've heard multiple times of every time we go to a review that has to do with timing, they're showing us the clock that's that's on the damn Will B: Yeah. Davis: screen. I mean they did that with the with the kick six, you know, twelve years ago. Will B: Yeah. Davis: They're they're showing the the one second from from the the broadcast. So I don't know. Just Will B: Yeah. Yeah. I think the Big Ten need to save themselves. I mean that was pretty embarrassing. Also the fans rushing the field. That's I mean, that's really embarrassing. You just beat Western Michigan in a I mean, questionable game and you're gonna so I'm glad they got the A P voters just totally removed them from the top twenty five 'cause no way did they deserve that, 'cause yeah, and they have a big game this Davis: Yep. Will B: week, so we'll see. Davis: Yeah, I don't know if if the people watching has have seen the stat, it kinda went viral on on X, but so prior to the Western Michigan and Michigan game, college football teams were a hundred and ten thousand three hundred and fifty two and zero when leading at the end of regulation, dating back to eighteen sixty nine. So I guess officially Michigan is the first team to win a game after having lost that game. Will B: Yeah, that's an interesting one. And I can't remember the number you just said, but I know it's a lot and I don't know if we'll that's what I was saying. A hundred and ten Davis: I mean it's every game. It's it's there's been a hundred and ten thousand three hundred and fifty two games. Will B: thousand. Yeah, so yeah. I mean maybe the winner should be Michigan. I mean like the bigger w the winner to that would be a rough start to have Kyle Winningham lose like that, but I mean I mean they might be the likest team in college football history, so we'll see how that goes the rest of the year. But yeah, pretty embarrassing. Big Ten needed help and they needed one of their bigger brands to keep the season going 'cause you lose to Western Michigan week one, you're kinda that's kinda it. Davis: Yeah. And I I think it's it regardless. I mean I don't have a whole whole lot of faith in Michigan after that performance. Think that Will B: Yeah. Davis: the stink is gonna be on Will B: Yeah, I mean if you Davis: All right. Let's get into your you're you're a loser here. Will B: Well, I guess one more thing on the Michigan game. I mean, they scored on the first drive of the game and underwood went five for five on passing and then the rest of the game, besides the Hill Mary, I completed five of their passes. So I mean the first first drive he actually played well and then it just it was a shitsho. So I don't yeah, but to my loser it's also Clemson. I mean, you just got the biggest loss in Dabo's whole tenure, a forty point bomb. they weren't ranked in the A P poll to start the season. I mean no one really has faith in this team. And I think that Daboo's is squarely in the hot seat. I I mean I don't they're not even a Davis: Yeah, and we don't wanna we don't wanna ruin a segment that we have later, so we can leave it at that and you can give your your whole spiel later on if you're good with that. Will B: Yeah, that works. But yeah, Clemson definitely a big loser this week. Davis: Alright, so for my next winner, it's the NFL teams with early 2027 draft picks. So for the people that are into the the dynasty fantasy football, they've been on this 2027 class for a while. I'm hoping that the mainstream media and fans starts to get onto it as well. This class is going to be absolutely stacked on the on the the front end. You know, you have Jeremiah Smith who exploded on the scene, but you also have the likes of Cam Coleman, KJ Duff. and then going to the quarterbacks, you have Arch Manning, obviously, Julian Saiyan, Dante Moore who didn't play great, but there's just so much talent. So much talent. And they all they all perform pretty well early on. so I think that we're in for a great college football season with the talent that we have. and I and I know that we'll be hearing a lot of these skill position names early on in the draft. Will B: Yeah, I would agree. I'm kinda my winner piggybacks on that with the preseason first team receivers with Jeremiah Smith, Malachi Tony and Cam Coleman all having just gr great first games. I mean, Malachi Tony was absolutely unguardable against a power four program in Stanford. Cam Coleman, I mean, first catch is a is a long horn was a touchdown and he had added another one. And then Jeremiah Smith only played a half of football. I think was twenty six snaps and I think he had eight catches. So I mean he's also unguardable, weaker opponent. Davis: Yeah. And they're watching each other's numbers. You know, Miami played first and Malchi Tony went off and started doing the Heisman pose and next thing you know, Ohio State is playing and they're feeding force feeding Jeremiah Smith early. He scores a turst and he hits the Heisman pose. So it's gonna be a fun Will B: Yeah. Davis: little rivalry between these these top receivers. Will B: Yeah, I agree. The highs and poses already start early. yeah, so like you said, this and Malikai Tony's a twenty eight guy, but I think he's solidifying himself as the number one guy off the board in that class. But yeah, just two good winners or guys that are trying to win the highest one as well. And national championships. I guess all three guys. Davis: Yep. Yep. I like it. for my loser, it's the power at Doak Campbell Stadium. I mean, you got a prime time game on a Monday night and what is it like two minutes before the kickoff they announce, you know, power's out, no real Will B: Yeah. Davis: timetable to return. I mean it is what it is, but feel like it couldn't have happened at a worse time. Will B: Yeah, that might be a thing to come. I mean, that's very poetic that I think that's a maybe it's time to close the chapter on Mike Norvell. He's the again, hot seat obviously, and the PA came to get the the Florida State fans came to get the power. I mean this team is since they got left out of the playoffs, I guess three years ago, has just I mean this is just can't get power on the stadium. I mean this place has Davis: Yeah. Will B: lost all their energy. That's just you gotta hit the reset. Davis: Well well there's a rumor that's saying that that's why they didn't fire Norvera's 'cause they can barely pay their power bill. Will B: Yeah, that's probably true. I mean, if you looked at their deficit, it's like one of the larger ones, so their their financial situation is not good. I mean, they they literally cannot have paid to afford to fire They just they just built a three hundred million dollar renovation for their stadium. They don't have any money. Florida State Davis: Yeah. Will B: is one of the power four programs that might be in the worst shape going forward in the new NIL space, so yeah, tough loss. Davis: Yeah, and I mean Florida State was not the better team on Monday night, but SMU was essentially just trying to hand them the game with all the the mistakes and turnovers and muff punts and Florida State wanted no part of it. They they were just could not take advantage. Will B: Yeah. Davis: so and and that was a big one. Needed that one and you kinda just gave it away. So I know that stings. Will B: Yeah. I believe they have Davis: And you gotta think that the yeah, like you like you alluded to it earlier, you know, no no communication probably, you know, favors the home team as well. I know you you you gotta Will B: Yeah. Davis: have a new quarterback as opposed to a three year starter with Kevin Jennings, but you gotta think that that even more favors the home team. So kind of a shame that they couldn't get it done. Will B: Yeah, I agree. yeah, they just couldn't do anything. And then I'm reversing on a pivotal third and one, they're playing off coverage, eight yards. It's just it's just bad coaching. Davis: Alright, well we'll get into your last loser. Who you got? Will B: Oklahoma State, I mean this one's pretty self explanatory. They went they won one game last year, maybe two last year. I I mean it's hard to be worse, obviously. Well they're gonna win more than one game, but I think the fans had high expectations breaking over Morris from North Texas and Vestimaker, who I think is a really good quarterback, but you just lost to Tulsa and you you mean you scored fourteen points. Or did you score seven? Was it seven? Can't run the score. Davis: I think it was fourteen. I don't have it off the top of my head. Will B: Okay. Yeah. It was just yeah. You can't lose a Tulsa in week one. sets a really bad Davis: Yeah. Will B: tone for your tenure as the head coach, but I mean I think the question should be like is he over in over his head? I mean he was in North Texas, the the power group of five Darling coach that put up insane offensive numbers and then your first game is Tulsa and you you shit the bet, so Not much to talk. They're just yeah, again, tough. I mean you have Oregon next, so I mean you're gonna start off I g I guess you have a cupcake in between, but or you might start off one and two. And yeah, just Davis: Yeah. Yep. Yep. Alright. Anything else to add with the the biggest winners and losers here? I think we yeah, I think we we Will B: No, that's all I had, I think you touched on everything. Davis: covered a lot of it. Alright, so here are the top six games that Jackson and I covered last week. Not a great start for me. did finish somewhat strong that SMU game I think could you could have got it at two and a half at most of the places. Will B: Yeah. Davis: I think for split a split second of time, it was three, which just so happened to be when I made the slides. So apparently we did not get it in at the at the two and a half, but I count that as somewhat of a win. but I guess we can start from the top here. Well, Baylor Auburn final score of 16 to 17. Auburn wins on a two point conversion stop on the goal line. They do not Will B: Yeah. Davis: cover the seven and a half point spread, but it was ugly. Will B: Yeah, it was ugly. I I mean, Baylor did a lot of things to give it away. I know Auburn's defense, I mean, again, been all brank and just kind of relying on DJ Durkin to save Auburn again. And I mean what a play by Eric Winters. I it ended up being a like a as a viewer of the sport, a very enjoyable fourth quarter. But yeah, a little disappointed in Auburn, especially their coaching. I did not like some of the play calls. I mean A fake pun on your the opposing teams thirty five is egregious. I mean and then trying to Yeah. Davis: Right. Against base defense, you know, they they you line up and punt and no one in the stadium thinks you're punting it punting it. So what do you Will B: Yeah. Davis: do? You you run it you snap it to the up back and run it for negative three yards on a fourth and five. So that was that was pretty egregious in my opinion. Will B: Yeah, I think it was so stupid it might've worked. I think that was the approach. I think Baylor thought no way. And maybe they could have got off guard, but yeah, it was really stupid. And then I hated the going into the half, you have points in your pocket and you decide to throw it for seven yards. What does that get you? So I just didn't like the coaching decisions. Bayer Brown, tough game, but I don't think over I'm not gonna overreact to his play much and I thought DJ Lagway actually played pretty well. He made all the throws. I know he had a pick. that's unlucky pick when your DN drops into coverage when you're throwing a slant, but and then a fumble, which I guess led to a little bit of him being banged up. But I thought he made all the right decisions and then that slot receiver, I mean I just yeah, Davis: Freeman, yeah. Will B: from I believe Oklahoma State, I mean just yeah, he was he Yeah. Davis: Tor Torched Auburn. Yeah, and I think this kinda goes hand in hand with the Oklahoma State disappointment. You know, you bring in all these guys from G five school, Oklahoma State being North Texas, Auburn being USF, and they show you kinda why they're at a G five school. You know, I mean Auburn got the Will B: Yeah. Davis: win thankfully, but did not look good. That that old line, no push up front. gave up five sacks. Was not Will B: Yeah. Davis: impressed with the O line. I I think I I wasn't I wasn't too high high on Auburn this year. I think I had him for slightly the under six and a half. but I'm I'm not I'm I'm more pessimistic now when I was than I was just a couple of days ago even after a win. Will B: Yeah, and I hate to be the one to overreact to week ones 'cause I think you learn the most by our team after week one. But yeah, that was rough. I did not enjoy watching that game, but maybe Baylor's better than we thought, but yeah, just I think you're gonna play six or seven D lines better than Baylor, so yeah. Davis: at least. I mean I think Baylor probably has Will B: I mean, the SEC teams that are Davis: The the worst I but yeah, out of the teams that Auburn's playing in the SEC, probably the second worst ahead of Arkansas, so Will B: Yeah, well yeah, I was giving them Vandy and Mississippi State, but again, yeah, you might be right. Vandy and maybe I'm underselling Vandy's D line. Davis: Yeah. Well I guess from one terrible offensive performance with Auburn to one of the better offensive performances, L S U Clemson. Biggest blowout, did not foresee this as I had Clemson plus ten. Whew, that looks that looks real Will B: Yeah. Davis: bad. And I and it and I'm beating myself over it because I actually had L S U I was higher up on LSU than Vegas, so I had them over their total and then I was under Clemson with their total. But you know, going into this game, just thought that there's too much outside noise, too many distractions. Boy, I yeah, I I f I feel like I should have a have a paint my face red and have a ball on my nose 'cause that was that Will B: Yeah. Davis: was brutal. Did not see that coming. Will B: Yeah, in the first possession, LSG gets the ball and the tip ball interception and Clemson is in field goal range already. So they kick the field goal, it's three zero, and then it just an onslaught. I mean I think Davis: Yeah. Will B: Clemson that was yeah, besides Michigan I think this is the most embarrassing like in our biggest losers, Clemson, it was just embarrassing because they got a touchdown at the very end of the game, so it was really fifty one. Davis: Yeah. I mean Sam Levin look Sam Levitt looked great, also looked good running the ball. Will B: Yeah. Yeah, I was about to say his foot looks fully healthy and his cutting was really good, so he yeah. I think he's gonna Davis: Yeah. Will B: be moving up the Heisman ranks already just 'cause yeah, they look just a lot faster than Clemson. That yeah, those edge rushers were Davis: I saw going in going into the fourth quarter, LSU had more plays in Clemson territory than Clemson did total plays. And then they also had more touchdowns than Clemson had first downs. So just just a just doubt downright disrespectful what LSU did to Clemson. Will B: Yeah, and I know Kenny Dillingham at Arizona State was shocked when he the FC S team asked to shorten the clock and I think Dabo should have shortened the clock 'cause I mean, that was rough 'cause Just embarrassing. I think Dabo, yeah, again, hot seat, but we'll talk about that later. Davis: Yep. Six hundred and forty four total yards on offense. Crazy. Will B: Yeah, that's a lot more than I just thought it was. Yeah, I mean yeah. And I I guess we can also touch on the fact that the SEC is now trying to remove LSHU. I don't even what that means. I don't think it's just Davis: I think that they so I haven't looked too much into it. I think that what they're doing is like laying the groundwork for them to be able to. I don't think that they're Will B: Yeah. Davis: actually moving forward with it. I kind of read it as more of a threat Will B: Yeah. Davis: that, hey, if you go forward with these pro players, we have the grounds to remove you 'cause I cause I Will B: Yeah. Davis: think that the the first threat was, the SEC was going to hand down suspensions and fines to the SEC and seemed like LSU kind of was like, Mmm, don't think you're gonna do that. Think we'll just sue in court and that'll be overturned. Will B: Yeah. Davis: And it sounds like the SEC is now going to their second option with this removal Will B: Yeah. Davis: of the SEC. I doubt it happens, but just another Will B: Yeah, I don't think so either. Davis: another Another thing that Lane Kiffin can use in his villain story arc Will B: Yeah. Yeah it'll matter in two weeks when they play Old Mess at Old Mess. I mean, that's gonna be a quite the game with that offense Davis: Yeah. Can't wait for that. Will B: as well, who yeah. Davis: All right. All right, next game, Bob Chesney got his first win with the Bruins. I believe it was tied twenty four of twenty four going into Will B: Yeah. Davis: the fourth quarter and then UCLA kinda kinda ran away with it late. Jackson and I both picked Cal, thought the offense would look better. We were a believer in JKS, but you know, Bob Chesney's team got it done. Will B: Yeah, not much to add. I mean it was a competitive game and then you look up and then it's now twenty one points. I guess Nico did get hurt and I believe he's gonna be okay. But yeah, just I guess two first year head coaches or for the first team or for their team, and Bob Chesney got the dub and I agree. I we'll see what Cal does. I guess both of them are gonna have some tougher schedules, but yeah, UCLA big dub away from Davis: Yeah. All right. Next game, Wisconsin, Notre Dame. This is another game that was close early on. I believe Will B: Yeah. Davis: it was thirteen ten right before halftime, before Notre Dame kind of ran away with it. Jackson and I both took Notre Dame minus twenty and a half, thought the talent was too big, proved to be the right call at the end, even though I think that this is one of those games where the final score might not indicate how close this game was, especially early on. Will B: Yeah, the Notre Dame Corners were kinda getting abused by T W Hilton Junior. I mean he had himself a good first half. yeah, at Davis: Yeah, and and Leonard Moore is supposed to be the top top corner in college football and projected number one corner off the board in the N F L draft. So I know he gave up a couple of plays. Will B: Yeah. Yeah, and I think yeah, and I was thinking that first half that they played Miami I believe week six or seven. I was hoping to see a Leonard Moore versus Malachi Tony just heavyweight battle, but I don't know if Leonard Moore can yeah, I don't know if who's gonna guard Tony then, but yeah, they picked it up in the second half and yeah, tightened their grub, so I think it'll be fine. I still think Notre Dame is a championship contender. I literally have them in the championship this year, so I'm sticking with it. But yeah, they got a lot of work to do. Davis: Yeah. Well, did wanna you know, Tony's always playing from the slot, so not sure if Will B: Yeah, I was gonna Davis: if Leonard Moore will follow w follow him in into the slot, but we'll see. That'll be a a fun matchup, especially with Will B: Yeah. Davis: the way that Miami dominated Stanford. Will B: Yeah, and I was just gonna say I don't think Moore even moves sides. I could be wrong on that, but I think he stayed on the same side. And Tony obviously moves around a lot, but yeah, his primary s primarily from the slot, so not gonna see that matchup a whole lot, I assume, unless they move more, which I would love to see. Davis: Yeah. All right, next game, probably the most entertaining game of the slate, at least in my opinion. the Monday night game or sorry, Sunday night game, Louville Ole Miss. This was a seven point spread. Louisville scores two touchdowns late to tie it. and then Ole Miss's kicker Canaro, not Will B: Yeah. Davis: getting that right, but drilled a forty plus yard field goal as time expired. this was this is a really fun game, a lot of back and forth, a lot of offense late. It was it was a low scoring game early on. You know, Trinidad Shameless looked great, threw the ball extremely well in the intermediate and deep downfield. Kineholes from Louisville kind of strugg struggled early on but but you know kind of found his footing at halftime and and played well and actually ran the ball really well. So this is a this is a great game. And I think Lou even Will B: Yeah. Davis: though Louisville lost, I think that they can do some damage in the ACC. Will B: Yeah, I agree with all that. it for a good I guess maybe it was early or late or early third quarter, maybe l but it was a defensive battle at beginning. Davis: Mm-hmm. Will B: and then I think they routed off three straight sixty two yard touchdowns. I don't think that's ever Davis: Yeah. Will B: been done before. Back to back to back, sixty two yard touchdowns. Deuce Alexander is for real fast. I believe he was clocked in. at the first and second fastest times of the week at both above twenty two miles per hour. So yeah, that's a that's a real threat and Chambliss looked all the part of the Heisman contender. So yeah, I think Pete Golden got a big dub Davis: Yeah. Will B: and yeah I think I agree with you, Louisville is still a team that can Davis: It was interesting to see how how much Ole Miss kind of struggled to run the ball. You know, I know that Will B: Yeah. Davis: Kewan Lacey kinda got banged up or did get banged up, missed a lot of that second half, you know, where they had to rely on the pass game. But even early on, before Lacey got banged up, they were really struggling to run the ball. And that kinda that kind of seemed like a a trend among a lot of the, you know, powerhouse teams. Texas didn't do great running the ball. Will B: I mean, Ohio State had a Legend Bay looks like a another superstar in their backfield, but Davis: Yeah. Yeah. Indiana. I know they're playing wet north Texas, but they didn't they didn't dominate running the ball either. Will B: Yeah. Alabama looked a little better as a little better at the running but they couldn't be worse than they were last year. And then Davis: Yeah. Will B: L S U could do no wrong, so but yeah the contenders definitely mixed mixed reviews on the being able to run the ball. Davis: Mm-hmm. Alright. last game of the pick six slate, SMU Florida six. Most of the week it was SMU minus two and a half, which that bet would have hit. have have it down here is SMU minus three, so it's a push. this was another fun one if you stayed up for it. Kevin Jennings had over four hundred yards passing, really could just move the ball up and down the field at will, but so many self-imposed mistakes from turnovers to muff punts to to bad penalties that ended drives, to bad penalties on the defense that extended drives for Florida State. They they really did everything that they could to kind of give it away and Florida State just couldn't take advantage. so I think that While that scores three points, I think that SMU is kicking themselves for not or FSU is kicking themselves for not winning that game and SMU's pretty disappointed Will B: Yeah. Davis: that they didn't blow him out. Will B: Yeah, I saw that FSG's the first team to lead in the turnover margin, lead in sacks, time of possession, and I guess it might have been rushing yards and still lose a game. So they there's never been and less penalties, so it's never been done, so I mean again, this is just Florida State has probably the worst luck and just don't know how to win. And also felt like their team kinda gave up at the end. You can see the that last position, just jogging when you need a Hell Mary, so disappointed and Ashton Daniels just wasn't able to make many throws. I guess one bright spot would be their sophomore running back, Uzman Croma. He looks like a Davis: Yeah, you're you're good. Will B: yeah, he looks like a like David Montgomery, just does not go down from warm tackles. Sure does break a lot of tackles, so he's very impressive. Davis: Yeah, so I finished the week two, three, and one. Jackson finished three, two and one, which puts the week zero and week one at four, five and one. Not all we want, but I feel like week one and zero are are the tougher weeks. Not a lot of data to go off of. So these were our our pick six games. We did have our individual picks where we did do a little better. Jackson took the correct side of the Alabama minus twenty-eight and half. I obviously took the wrong side. Alabama looked great early on. Keelon Russell, you know, stepped right in, looked like a vet, ran the ball well. So this this game was was over pretty early, and I I Once I saw the the first couple of drives I knew that this bet wasn't hitting, but yeah, at least it hit for Jackson. Will B: Yeah. Yeah, I mean I think Russell looked good and yeah, I think they're they give up one big play to E C E look like a busted coverage, but besides that they look pretty good. All around. Good good and they could run the ball, so I think Alabama might be a I don't know why you doubt them to make the playoff, but they give a tough schedule so gotta win some big games. Davis: Yep. next game, Kirby Smart covers thirty eight and a half or more for the first time in his career at Georgia. this number actually started at forty seven and got bet down so much because of that that tweet went viral. I got it at forty four and a half and it was I think it fit it I think they won by fifty eight or it it wasn't even it wasn't even close to not hitting. So Will B: Yeah, easily got over. Yeah. Davis: like that one. Jackson took UNL V versus Hawaii, two teams that played week zero. UNL Will B: Yeah. Davis: V got the win there. Will B: Jackson Arnold, another great rushing game. did not throw like for a lot of yards, but I mean, just move the ball. and Hawaii just just doesn't have the same firepower. I think UNLV is still a team that could make some noise and hopefully get into the playoffs. You know, they have one loss, so they gotta run the table to Davis: Yeah. Will B: get that last spot. Davis: Yeah. All right. Next game I had Auburn Baylor under fifty nine and a half. it was thirty-three, so not even close. I figured Will B: Yeah. Davis: both teams would start slow. I liked Auburn's defense against Baylor. Didn't think Baylor was gonna be able to score much, but did not foresee Auburn struggling as much as they did, only scoring seventeen. Just a just an ugly game, but the under hits and it hits easily. Will B: Yeah, I thought there'd be a lot more offense and I still think fifty nine and a half is still high. But yeah, it wasn't even close. So that was easy money for sure. Davis: Yep. All right. to round it out, Jackson liked Oklahoma State minus thirteen and a half. That did not hit. However, it was my upset pick of the week. Got an outright win there, plus four hundred. I think it even closed at like plus four twenty. So hope that there was some listeners that took that because that was a a big win and felt good starting off the season. with an outright win right off the bat. Will B: Yeah, yeah, ten points is just embarrassing. We've talked about it, but yeah, that's a good good pick, plus four hundred, four twenty. yeah, so it they got the wrong team favored by thirteen and a half. Davis: Yep. Alright. And we'll keep these going forward. we'll go over our upcoming week two predictions on the week two podcast. All right, for the next segment, Will and I are gonna give a a take that's based on what we saw from week one, and the other person will have to say whether or not that's an overreaction, whether that's fair. Or whether you're already there as in you're late and we've had that take for a while now. Will B: Get it going. Davis: Alright, so I'll lead us off. Alright, first take. LSU is a legit legitimate national title contender. So when Jackson and I did our title contender tiers in the very first pod a couple weeks ago, Jackson and I agreed that LSU should be considered in the fringe playoff tier. and then I actually had I think both of us actually had LSU not listed on our playoff prediction. So Will B: Yeah. Davis: sleeping on them a little bit, even though I did like they're over, but I think as time kind of went on, I just got more skeptical with all the noise. but you know it maybe they're feeding into it. Lane Kiffin has really owned that villain villain title, but you know, they went out and dominated And you know, I think they should be considered a national contender. I don't think that there's any reason that they can't be included in the Miamis and Texas's and those of the world. So think that they're probably the favorite to represent the the SEC. Well, let me know if this is an over action overreaction based on week one. It's fair, or you were already thinking this even before week one. Will B: I think it's fair. I mean I should have already been there. but I think yeah, like you said, they they got the talent so I I guess I underestimated them as well and I guess I already eat my words that yeah, I agree that are playoff content. Davis: Yeah. Like it. All right. Let's hear your first one, Will. So Will B: Yeah, I mean, like previously mentioned by us, I think Dabo's done. I think he's firmly in the hot seat. I just think he was late to the game with NIL, and he's trying to play catch up and it's just he's just getting whopped. and then just kind of the worst loss of his career. I think Clemson fans and I mean two years ago Dabo was s cemented and like they'll never fire him. He's Mount Rushmore of Clemson coaching sta coaching but I I think his days are numbered and I don't think he's gonna resign or anything, Davis: Gone. Will B: so I think they're gonna have to fire him. And this might Davis: Yeah. Will B: be if they don't make if they don't win eight games, I think his days are numbered as Clemson and I think it could be this year. Davis: Yep. Yep. You either adapt or die. Will B: Yeah. Davis: he was he didn't take a transfer portal player until twenty twenty four, I believe. and even last year only took a few, you know, just just has not gotten with the times. And I think that that's kind of been evident with his O C and D C hire as well. he had all this success early on in his career. kinda running an innovative offense with under I think it was Chad Morris and then had Brent Venables as his DC and you know two or Brent Venables obviously y'all know how he is one of the the better defensive minds in the game. Chad Morris Will B: Also Tony Elliott. Davis: Yeah and Chad Morris went on to be a head coach. as time has progressed he really hadn't f found that next you know a higher he's not really known as a I mean he was never a coordinator when he was hired. He he was actually a a position coach, I believe. So doesn't really Will B: Yeah, receiver coach. Davis: yeah, doesn't really excel on one side of the ball but just has been a great, talent evaluator, culture setter, and hiring hirer of coaches. But that hadn't been the case as of recently. And then he actually went back to Chad Morris after the game has kind of passed him by. and the the early results are not too fond. So I don't think this is an overreaction. I I I wouldn't say that I was already there because I I I I didn't think that Dabo could have the potential to be fired this year. Didn't have him on the hot seat and we didn't even talk about him in our our podcast of notable names. but did think that the success is not coming back. So also fair based on the LSU game. Will B: Yeah. And to add on that, I mean we see Lane Kiffin, he's got the mercenary NIL strategy and Dabo's got the stay within the program. They couldn't be on opposite sides. We're seeing which one actually works. So days are numbered with Davo. Davis: Yep. Yep. I like it. All right. My next take. it's time to end the Bryce Underwood experience. he's been he was atrocious in this past game and he really wasn't that great last year or he wasn't good last year. You know, he comes in as the number one overall player, starts the season early on, and even by freshman standards, I don't think he really excelled. has really struggled with accuracy, not not great at pushing the ball down the field, and then honestly didn't really impress me running the ball last year either. I I think that, you know, rightfully so, many people projected him to take the next step, which makes sense given his measurables and h the you know the talent that a supposed number one overall player would have. But I mean he struggled immensely. in that Western Michigan game. I know you touched on it earlier about the opening drive, but Will B: Yeah. Davis: outside of then Could not throw the ball, could not push the ball downfield, took sacks, threw an interception, had a fumble. and then if you remove the last second Hell Mary, I mean that that even that skews his numbers even more. So Will B: Yeah. Davis: I think PFF had him as a thirty-one point four passing grade, which was the second lowest mark for all quarterbacks in the FPS for week one. So right to say that he had truly a a terrible exp terrible game against a group of six school. I don't think it gets easier. Oklahoma's gonna be brutal. It this could be this could be a a rough, rough start to a sophomore year. Will B: Yeah, I'm gonna just take the maybe a little bit of an overreaction. I think he had a terrible game and like we've mentioned I think yeah, he his first drive looked pretty good. I know he actually fumbled a snap that was kinda low, but she she should have caught and then made a really good play, running back and thunned off his back foot to r open receiver for probably thirty five yards and then the Hell Mary was forty five yards, so there's over half his passing list on those two plays, I believe, or close to it. I think he had a hundred and seventy total. But he plays Oklahoma significantly better competition. defensively. I think I mean he's gotta do something and then I'll I might switch to fair but I'm gonna give him a little more time. It's a new coach, a new offensive coordinator. But yeah, it it was bad. And like you mentioned, the second to last PFF grade and I'm sure that Hell Mary actually helped him probably push him over to second to last to the last Davis: Yeah. And they even asked Kyle Whittingham about it, Michigan's head coach, and he he essentially was I think verbatim. He he is our quarterback right now. That Will B: Yeah. Davis: doesn't instill the most confidence in me. already Will B: Yeah. I guess another Davis: yeah, not shutting the door on on him being replaced. So I I I don't love those words if I'm hearing that as Bryce Underwood. Hard to have confidence when your coach doesn't have confidence in you either. Will B: Yeah, I agree. And I also think they gave him the biggest NIL in history of that two year deal. So maybe I'm saying overreaction because the financial aspect, but Michigan has unlimited money, so they could definitely make a change. I also think Kyle Whittingham, if he lost that game he might have been his seat might have been warm just 'cause I don't think he I think he's a bridge coach. he retired from Utah. due to his age and just health and he was given a one more chance. I don't think he's gonna be here that long, but yeah, so maybe an overreaction for one week. If he looks egregious against Oklahoma, I think yeah, it's it becomes fair. Davis: Alright, let's go to the your next take. Will B: Yeah, a second take here is Big Ten did not look anywhere close to as good as SEC. SEC went sixteen and I believe that was the first time in a number of years, week one where the SEC went sixteen and the Big Ten struggled. I mean, we just talked about Michigan. central Michigan had that game. I mean, you could go back to another second when they c defield goal to give themselves twelve. It took three seconds and the average thirty seven yard kick or whatever it was is four to five seconds. So that's that's a home crowd, just the clock operator just giving them a second. But and then the mystery clock. But I thought Oregon also struggled against Boise. that's back to back years where Boise State has given Oregon a run for their money. And then the SEC again. Yeah, they not many power four games, I know Alburn B. Baylor and I was a close. and then LSU dismantled Clemson and then Old Miss with the big one against a a contender in Louisville. But yeah, I just don't think the Big Ten and then I guess the I guess the biggest one was Rutgers losing to UMass. I mean that's a thirty one point spread. I don't think I've I don't think I've seen a spread that large for loss in my life, so I think Like what I can think of is Stanford beating USC twenty five years ago with something crazy spread like that. But yeah, Big Ten was not impressive. Davis: I think that's an overreaction. I think that that's that's picking and choosing which games you're going to wait more. The whole proponent of the Big Ten being better than the SEC argument was it being better at the top. I don't think anyone's arguing that the middle tier of the SEC is not better than the middle ten middle tier of the Big Ten. So If those are the parameters that we've kind of all agreed upon before, then I don't think that there's any reason to then go back on that after week one. Ohio State handled business, Indiana handled business, Oregon didn't look great, but still handled business, and then USC has looked good so far. Washington had a win, and then when you get to the SEC, Sixteen and yeah, I don't know if that means a whole lot because I think the top teams in the SEC did not play power four teams. So you so yes, it's good that the middle tier of the SEC is probably better than we think, but that's kind of the take that I that Jackson and I said before is I think the middle tier of the SEC is still better than we think. Will B: Yeah. yeah, I mean Indiana's my championship team and I don't think they played great against North Texas, but yeah. Davis: So yeah, I think this is a an overreaction anywhere close to as good as the SEC. That that sounds a little too strong for me. So I not only do I think this is an overreaction, I I kinda disagree with it. I still think that the Big Ten as an SEC guy, still think the Big Ten is the best conference in in college football and has the most teams that can win a championship, in my opinion. Will B: Yeah, I mean I'm still a Big Ten, but I think the argument took a hit for who's the better conference. Again, I'm still close to Big Ten, but we'll see. Week two, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio State, we'll see. Davis: Yeah. All right. My ne next take, and it hurts me to say this because I was hoping he would struggle, but I think Alabama has found its next great quarterback with Keelan Russell. I thought that he looked great in his first game, showed a lot of composure, was very accurate at times, felt like he did a good job of handling the pocket and delivering the ball downfield. also impressed me running the ball. I knew he was athletic, but did not did not foresee him running for what was it, eighty-five, ninety yards. So Will B: Yeah. Davis: he's young. I think he looked good against CCU. definitely need to see it against a better opponent. But I was impressed with that what I saw and given his you know the expectations out of high school and how he looked in his first start. I think Alabama may have found its next great quarterback. Will B: Yeah, I think it's fair. I think Alabama, Debore does a really good job of recruiting. I mean bat he's got a plethora of five stars on their roster and coming in. yeah, I mean weaker competition, that's first real start, but yeah, he looks really good. So I think it's a fair. I guess I doubted him a little bit just early on just 'cause just a younger quarterback, but his second year in the system. And he beat out Austin Mac who's been in a Debor system for four years. And I think Debore really likes Austin Mac but I think that just goes to show you that Keelon Russell is that guy and so I think it's a fair take. And I guess I should have been there earlier. But we'll see with better competition. Davis: Right. Hit us with this last one. Will B: Yeah, I think Darien Minsa and Malachi Tony already have elite chemistry. one game in and I thought they had it was Matthew Stafford and Puka Nakua esque. I just thought they were every throw they made was just it just looked like the best receiver, best quarterback playing catch out there. And Sanford was running a lot of man. I think they quickly switched 'cause there's no chance but Yeah, I don't know really how you defend that. I think it's gonna be a problem. And Darren Mitzo was one of my Heisman guys I picked for Heisman, but I think Malachi Tony is I guess might have jumped him just 'cause of his performance. But yeah, I think that's the tier one receiver, quarterback combo and I think they're definitely first place among like Julian saying and Jeremiah Smith and Coleman and Manning. But yeah, just a lead performance. Davis: So Tony had 12 catches, 234 yards, three touchdowns, absolutely went off. However, I'm gonna go I'm gonna go into what I was already there. you left this take a little open-ended, so I'm going to kind of twist it into a way that I can claim that I had already seen this coming. Obviously didn't think that it would start off this great early on, but was a big believer in Darien Minsa. As soon as he transferred over, thought that he would excel. And you know, Malikone as a freshman jumped onto the scene immediately. But he did so as a gadget slot receiver that they schemed up touches for. They'd run jet sweeps to They'd run screen passes, they'd run, they'd put him in the backfield and run, you know, wide zone, you know, th they really just try to get him the ball any way that they could. So for you to say that they would already have elite chemistry, I would say that I would have thought so because of the way that they schemed him the ball early on. It wouldn't take elite chemistry with the way that they used him. What I did not foresee is how they would use him this year. he really transformed into a down the field receiver. They didn't have to scheme him touches, he just earned targets. I mean you saw you saw him, you know, primarily operating out of the slot, but it it wasn't the gimmicky gadget touches. It was it was real downfield, go routes, double moves, and Darren Minson found him and found him early. So think that that that tandem is going to be a force to be reckoned with. Will B: Yeah, I mean so I think we're both in agreement that's a a a team to team to watch and they look like a contender. Davis: All right. Well sweet. That'll do it for the segments that we have here. do you have a a player pick, Will? Do you want to do one? Will B: Yeah, I got one. I'll let you go. Davis: I don't have I didn't do one. Will B: Can't think of one real quick. Davis: What was your I'll do one real quick. What is your what's your theme? Will B: Dude, are you recording in the dark? Davis: I didn't have the light on it. Will B: I can't see. I can't I literally can't see. Davis: Why didn't you say something earlier? Will B: 'Cause it it got progressively dark. Like at the beginning I could see you fine, but like and then I was like it's kinda gett dark and then last five minutes I couldn't see you. Davis: Well well. Will B: But it got dark fast. Like I was like it's kinda dark in the last five minutes. Davis: What's the theme? What thing did you do? Will B: I guess I was just doing like I mean, I guess a thing would be a really good player. Davis: Very good player. I hope Will B: Let's just do Davis: so. Will B: Yeah, I guess that's not really helpful because he shouldn't be good player. Davis: W what they what you Will B: Alright, do a little SEC. Davis: Or just you can't do a better thing than that? How did you choose this player? Will B: okay, fine, Davis: I I have a thing. You do your you read yours and then I'll I'll go. Will B: Question. Davis: Alright, so for the weekly game, I'll let Will start us off. For those that are new, Will's going to think of a player and read off five hints. The hints will get progressively easier and we'll see which one I get it on. if you're listening to it you can play along as well. Will B: Okay. trying to get the first dude I I had to get my questions lined up. I didn't have up. Davis: Did you not have the questions? Will B: Well I did it earlier, but I'm trying to find the so yeah, my first question. This player born in the state of Georgia. Davis: What do you Trevor Lawrence. Will B: No. Alright, next question. I started my career at a PowerFour program before transferring out. Davis: Before transferring out. Will B: Then sorry. Davis: Justin Fields. Will B: I bet began by creating a powerful program before transferring out and then rejoining that same company. Davis: Then rejoining the same conference? Although I it has to be someone recent, 'cause transferring got easy. I will go wrong. Drama blank on his first name, this is probably not it, but Burton that went to Alabama and then Georgia. Jermaine not Jermaine. What's his first name? Will B: Hello Jermaine Burton. Davis: It is Jermaine, yeah, Jermaine Burden. Will B: Alright, so no. So the question three. I at one point in my NFL career backed up a quarterback at an opposing SEC school, rival school. Davis: So the NFL player so he's a back so based on this hint, he's a backup quarterback and the starter also played in the SEC, a rival school. Will B: Correct and at one point he backed up. So his whole career was not a backup, but it he was a backup Davis: Yeah. Will B: for a point in his career. Davis: quarterback. Hmm quarterback that went SEC school to SEC school and then to the NFL. I feel like I should know this, but I don't I don't know it. like nothing's coming to me right now. Quarterback to quarterback. Austin Simmons, not in the NFL yet. Alright, Texas A Cow Murray? Will B: good guess but the last one so I guess this is Hint Five Right or Mike Fuller Davis: this is four. Will B: I led my team to an undefeated season, an SEC championship and a national championship. Davis: Yeah. is it they transfer away and then come back to the same school? Is Stetson Bennett? Will B: It is not Stets and Venom. Davis: Stetson Minn, I think, would actually apply 'cause he transferred away, Will B: Transferred out, transferred in. Davis: transferred back, undefeated season, back up behind Will B: Staffer. Davis: Matthew Stafford or Will B: Tie Simpson. Davis: Ty Simpson, if it's the rival school. Will B: Yeah. Davis: yeah. Damn. Will B: So he was not yeah, he was not the guy. Davis: Okay, fit him. Will B: This will this will annoy ya, but I won the Heisman and and s and was selected first overall and then I fell draft. Davis: Caminon. Will B: Cam Newton. He backed up Mac Jones on the Patriots for two years. He trans Davis: Yeah. That's pretty bad that's pretty bad that that my mine went to Stetson Minnet and not Cam Newton. Will B: Well, I will say I set it up like that. I was hoping you would say Stetson Bennett. The whole thing was have Stetson Bennett and Cam Newton have very similar stuff. Davis: Yeah. I just honestly forgot that that Cam Newton came from Georgia. Will B: came from Florida. Florida to Blu yeah, so Davis: Or now I meant was born in or lived in Georgia. high school in Georgia. Will B: and he went to Blyn. Davis: Yeah. Will B: Florida Blyn. So Yeah. Davis: that's gonna that hurts. I should've gotten Will B: I I kinda ruined it at the beginning when I said what's the category? I said a really good player. I like Davis: I d I forgot that you even said that. Dang, I had some pretty good guesses with the Kyle Murray and sets a minute. Will B: Yeah, I was like Kyler worked too. Davis: Yeah. Alright, I'm gonna get ears real quick. Will B: All right. Davis: Alright, you ready? All right. So I didn't tell you the theme that I had, but my theme, since you're an interim host of the pod this week, with Jackson being out, the theme is a player who excelled under an interim coach. Will B: Term head coach. Alright. Davis: All right. Yeah. All right. Hit number one. I recorded six two hundred yard rushing games during my college career. Will B: So this is all during the interim. Davis: No. Will B: but he's just known or he's had a good Davis: He played at least one season under an interim coach. Will B: So your s your was six rushing yards of two hundred six games. Davis: I had six games of two hundred or more rushing yards. Will B: Since two thousand. Davis: Yeah. Will B: Saquon Barkley, was he with always with James Franklin? Davis: Yeah, I think so. All right, hit number two. I was ranked the number one player in the country coming out of high school. Will B: Trying to worry if I'm gonna running back. Davis: What? First Will B: Quarterback at two hundred yards. Davis: two hundred yard rushing games? Will B: yeah, I guess it's Davis: I mean I guess it could have been a colo I mean that's a lot. Will B: Geez. Number one player? I mean Leonard Fournette was number one player, but I don't even think he had an interim coach, but we had Leonard Fournette. Davis: What? Yeah. Will B: Lender Fournette? Is that it? Davis: Yeah. You didn't know you had an interim coach? Will B: Yeah. Davis: It was Ed Augeron. Yeah. Alright. The next the next hints were I was selected fourth overall in the NFL draft, ahead of Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara. And then number four was I won number seven at L S U. Which I would hope that you would get it by then. And then number five was I won a Super Bowl and got the nickname Playoff Lenny. Will B: That's a good one. Davis: Yep. Alright, well that'll do it for this week's episode. Glad you could make it. You might have Will B: Yeah, thanks for Davis: to you might have to fill in for the week two preview and predictions episode tomorrow. Will B: I yeah, I will I look forward to it and I'll help you out where I can. Thanks for having me again. This was a lot of fun and I'm sorry you couldn't get Cam Newton on the five five question guess. Davis: Yeah. No I got it on the No, I didn't get it on it. Will B: You didn't get it. Davis: No, I did get it on it. I got it on the fifth one. Roll the tape. Will B: No, you don't. You said, Yeah, roll the tape. You you'll see. Davis: Did I ruin that? I thought I got it on the fifth one. Will B: I don't know. Didn't get it. Davis: No. Will B: I guess you did get it 'cause I it had to have been Heisman trophy and yeah. Yeah, I'm Davis: Yeah, yeah. Hm. Alright, well appreciate you coming. Thanks for filling in. And thanks everybody listening. And we'll see y'all on the next one. Will B: Yeah, thanks for having me. See ya. Davis: Yeah.