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WEEK 0 PREVIEW & FINAL PREDICTIONS · The Saturday Slate Football Show

• Canon Stogner: Welcome back to another episode of the Saturday Slate Football Show. You have me, your host, Candace Stogner, and your co-host Andrew Wright. We are here for another episode where we are going to talk about the group of six, our Heisman favorites, our team to win the national championship. We are also going to talk about team from each conference that we think will win the conference championship and automatically qualify for the college football playoff. We have a lot of other things in store for you, so listen in and let's go ahead and get started. So, Andrew, we are officially two days away. So Andrew Wright: Yep. Canon Stogner: we are going to do our week zero preview. We've been talking about this season for almost a month now. And we're finally getting to a point where we're going to see all these predictions play out. So Let's go ahead and start over week zero. So the week zero has eight games this week. some doozies and some games that are pretty important or at least worthy enough to watch. so the first game Saturday starts at noon, and that is between North Carolina and TCU. and they are kicking off in Ireland. Andrew, it might be the oldest coaching matchup that we'll see all season. Andrew Wright: Yeah. Canon Stogner: Sonny Dykes is 59 years old. He has a record of thirty-six and seventeen at TCU. He went nine and four last year. Obviously, just a few years ago, he was in the college football championship versus Georgia. Now the things didn't go how they wanted to. But you know, he did make to the championship. so I do kind of think they've flown under the radar ever since, since Max Duggan left and a few of those other guys. But he is officially back. And I was a little bit surprised to see they did go nine and four last year. they will have Jaden Craig starting at quarterback who's filling in behind Josh Hoover, who transferred to Indiana. Jaden Craig is coming in from Harvard where he threw for 2,900 yards and 15 touchdowns. Obviously, it'd be pretty important to watch how he does this year against a tougher conference. they also brought in the forty seventh best transfer class and the forty fourth best high school class. So they had a a weak year in the recruiting cycle. they had thir 13 players apart for the draft or portal. so that's all I've got for TCU. And then you have Bill Belichick, who is the head coach at North Carolina. He's going into his second season. He is 74 years old. Obviously, a longtime head coach for the Patriots, where he won multiple Super Bowls. he is coming off a four-and-eight season in his first year. He brought in the 17th best high school class and the 52nd best transfer class. they had thirty-one players leave for the draft or the transfer portal, which was a complete haul. they're projected to finish fifteenth in the ACC, so not high hopes for them. Third last, third to last in the ACC. Billy Elvers Jr. is their starting quarterback. he's a graduate student in his first year at UNC coming from Wisconsin. He had Wisconsin. He had a decent season two years ago at Maryland. before transferring and starting the first game for Wisconsin before leaving with the injury and didn't return again for the rest of the season. TCU is favored by seven and a half points. Who do you have winning that game? Andrew Wright: definitely T C U there. probably a little bit of a letdown in terms of like the games that have been played in our in the last couple of years. You know, two years ago you had Florida State coming off their incredible season, nationally ranked, and got a great game with Georgia Tech upsetting them. And then last year you had Kansas State and Iowa State, two top twenty five ranked teams playing over there. And I think when the schedule was laid out, those two teams were kind of the two teams this year are kind of expected to be better than they actually are going to be probably. But I just think North Carolina's on a downhill spiral. Like I don't I don't see any really upside for them. So definitely TCU there. And one thing to note of that, so like we said, Florida State played there, lost two years ago. I believe Kansas State lost the game last year. The two teams that have lost the opening game of the season in Ireland have gone a combined eight and sixteen over Canon Stogner: Hm. Andrew Wright: the last two seasons. You had Florida State go two and ten after losing that opening game, and then Kansas State going six and six last year. So two teams that were ranked inside the top twenty five that played over there to start the year and both had really disappointing seasons. So that'll be kind of something to keep an eye on. regardless winner or loser, like we I think we both probably think T C U's gonna win. So kinda interesting to see how North Carolina season goes from there. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I mean it's definitely I love week zero games 'cause it kind of gets you prepared for, you know, week one. obviously the Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: games in week one would be a lot better and but I don't really like the model that they've kind of stol stolen from the NFL where they're traveling to Dublin. I think that's what makes college football college football is when teams play at home in the college football atmosphere with the students and the donors and the season ticket holders. I think that's just a complete different dynamic and I don't know if the players really enjoy it. Obviously they're kind of thrown off. I know a lot of teams travel like a week early just so they can kind of get acclimated to the what a word that was Pajopsy. just so they can kind of get acclimated to the country and the time zone and stuff. And I think it's Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: usually like pretty chilly there, right? During the games. Or not it's not not a hundred degrees. Andrew Wright: Yeah. Well well well yeah, and and like rainy I think it's been rainy, maybe one of the two games there the last couple of years. So yeah, definitely some different weather. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I mean, understand why the college wall does it, just for you know, try to become world worldwide with the sport, but I do wish the games were played in the States or at one of the team stadiums. I mean, which I really don't even like neutral site games. Like I hate that Georgia and Florida play in Jacksonville. I Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: hate that Texas and Oklahoma play at a neutral site. I wish they were at a home. at Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: a home game. And even like Kirby Smart, he said before that He doesn't really like that the game's played neutral site because he loses a week of recruiting. Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: And I know one week is kind of a small sample size, but Kirby Smart is like top five in recruiting every year. I can only imagine how much better he would get if he had the extra home game, especially against Florida. Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: So anyways, that's all we've got for TCU in North Carolina. I also have TCU winning and I think they will cover. I could see this being like a twenty eight to three game, twenty eight to seven type. a game I don't think it'll be necessarily close. the second game of the day is San Jose State and playing at USC Southern Cal. this game starts at three o'clock Eastern time, noon Pacific time. USC is the only ranked team playing this week. They're coming in at number fourteen and they're favored by thirty eight and a half points to win. Do you think they cover? Do you think there's an upset brewing or what? Andrew Wright: I definitely don't think there's an upset Bruin. I ain't su I ain't sure if I think they cover because I mean thirty that's six possessions almost. That's asking a lot. definitely a get right spot for the offense in the first game back out with one of what we think is one of the top quarterbacks in the conference. So I mean thirty-eight and a half is a lot. I think that's a case if they want to, they will. But I don't think they'll necessarily care about covering a spread. I think that's that'll be more of like a get kind of get the kinks out type of week, see what we got on offense, see what we got on defense, and kind of who we can trust going into some more difficult games. So USC definitely wins in a blowout, just not sure if they beat by forty. Canon Stogner: Yeah, no, I agree. the biggest game of the week for me and I think for everybody else, we actually have an ACC matchup in week zero to start the season. we have NC State playing at Virginia. Now this game was originally supposed to be played at in Brazil, but it got moved due to travel reasons or something happened. It got moved and it is still ruled an ACC matchup. So this will affect the standings and it's gonna be an interesting one because Virginia was projected to finish fifth in the ACC and NC State was projected to finish sixth. So a very big matchup. Virginia is favored by five and a half points. They did lose their last matchup to NC State in twenty twenty four. They lost twenty four to twenty one. Virginia is coached by Tony Elliott who's coming off eleven three season where they made it to the ACC championship. They lost to Duke. They did have 35 players leave for the NFL draft or transfer portal. So they had a even bigger of a haul than North Carolina. they had the worst recruiting class in the ACC this year out of high school, but they did have the third highest in the transfer portal. So kind of taking the newer plan of getting more players out the portal than high school. their new starting QB this year is going to be Bo Prabula, who's came in from Missouri where he had a decent year. Not necessarily lived up to his hypes yet. He started at Penn State as a four star, then went to Missouri last year, had a okay season, and then now he is at Virginia. So I think it'll be interesting to see how he does in the ACC. NC State is coached by Dave Doran, who enters his fourteenth season as the head coach. they're led by CJ Bailey Jr. at QB, who I think we both had in our top five QB rankings. so we have pretty high hopes for him. He is going into his third year as a junior and they brought in the twelfth best transfer class and high school class in the ACC. So they had a pretty poor recruiting cycle as well. You got anything for them or no? Andrew Wright: I just in terms of like kinda who I think's gonna win, kinda how the game will go, I think if CJ Bailey is who we think he is, I think they find a way to get it done. I don't think Bo Pabuel is an upgrade over Chandler Morris at Virginia. So I think with probably a worse QB, but CJ Bailey's definitely the better of the two QBs and I think like we said, if he's a top five quarterback in the conference like we kinda think he is, I think they find a way to get it done and definitely cover that five and a half their underdogs up. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I mean, I don't think CJ Bailey's necessarily gonna light anybody up with his arm. I think it's more of the threat of him using his legs as well. Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: like scrambling on third downs, like running for first downs on a long play can kinda shift away the momentum towards them. and then Bo Prabhuula, the c quarterback for Virginia, is his first year with them. He does not have Ahmad Hardy standing beside him in the backfield. so he's got a lot more pressure on him. He doesn't have the same caliber running back now at Virginia. So I think he's gonna have to step up and actually be the recruit that he came in as a high schooler. Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: the next game we have Jacksonville State is at North Dakota State. North Dakota State is favored by seven points. This is the first year for them being in the Mountain West Conference, coming from the Missouri Valley Conference, where they won ten championships since two thousand eleven. So they've been dominant. This is where Carson Wentz went and a lot of other players. they are not eligible to make it to the conference championship for the next two years because of the transition period of them joining the new conference, but they should handle Jacksonville State pretty handedly. now we'll move on to Sacramento State playing at Eastern Michigan. Eastern Michigan is favored by nine and a half points. we have a Hawaii at Stanford. Stanford is favored by four and a half points, which I thought for them playing at home, playing a team like Hawaii now being in the ACC as Stanford, I figured I thought the spread would be a little bit bigger than four and a half points, but I mean we are talking about Stanford. They've been kinda very poor the last several years since McCaffrey left. then we move on to New Mexico State opens up their season at Florida State. So Florida State is favored by thirty one and a half points. New Mexico Andrew Wright: Ha. Canon Stogner: State must be very bad. Andrew Wright: Ha I don't care how bad they are. Take New Mexico State into points. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I agree. and then last game is Memphis playing at UNLV. So this is a massive game in week zero. This is probably Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: my second most excited game I'm going to watch Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: this week. UNLV is favored by five and a half points, and I think we're both going to talk about them a little bit later because they're both in the group of six conferences. so that's gonna be a very interesting game, but I'm just Finally excited football is going to be back. Andrew Wright: Yep, can't wait to watch some football all day Saturday. Canon Stogner: Yeah. All right. So that's all for our week zero preview. Let's go ahead and start with the biggest questions facing some teams right now, which is the quarterback decision. So we had a lot of QB one announcements named this week, right before the season started. to start, Florida has named their starting QB Aaron Filo. He's coming over from Georgia Tech with Busser Faulkner as the new offensive coordinator for Florida. he started one game in his career. And he completed 21 of 28 passes and threw for 373 yards versus Gardner Webb at Georgia Tech last year. So this was one of those games that Haynes King missed due to injury. Alabama officially named their former five-star number two player in the 2025 class. Keelan Russell is the now the starting quarterback. He won the job over Austin Mack. We saw a half of Austin Mack last year in the playoff against Indiana. And He was severely underwhelming. I know he did leave high school early as a junior, and he's now in his fourth year at Alabama and never quite got over the hump. So kind of feel bad for him, of course. But I don't really understand why kids leave high school early, especially nowadays with the transfer portal and stuff. Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: But that was his decision. possibly the biggest QB one announcement over the week was Tennessee officially named their freshman five star quarterback. Faison Brandon as the starting QB. He was a top 10 recruit in last year's cycle and a five star quarterback. He beat out George McIntyre for the spot. George McIntyre was the backup last year. He has more of a dynamic QB who can use his legs. And he has an interesting matchup his second week of the season because he plays Georgia Tech. So Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: pretty good test for him early on before he jumps into the SEC play. USF and first year head coach Brian Hartline, who was the wide receivers coach at Ohio State for several years, where a lot of people call Ohio State wide receiver U, and he had a big part of that. they named Michael Van Buren the starting QB, who previously played at LSU and Mississippi Mississippi State. he's had some up and down he's had an up and down career, but the talent or the opponent won't the opponent the opponents Won't be as tough for him this year playing at USF. former South Carolina commit has been named the starting QB for Rutgers, Dylan Lonergan. He is heading into his fourth season in college. He comes from Boston College last year, where he made nine starts before he spent two seasons at Alabama backing up the starting quarterbacks. Bit of a surprise to many, but Arkansas named their quarterback KJ Jackson, the starter for the season opener. He beat out Memphis transfer BJ Hill, who transferred with Ryan Silverfield, who is now the head coach of Arkansas. He made one start last year against Missouri and he threw for 441 yards and three touchdowns. So I'm not quite sure how he only played one game last year and threw for 450. But Andrew Wright: Yeah. Canon Stogner: excited to see he got the starting nod. And then last but not least, this was the funniest one to me. Andrew Wright: Ha ha ha. Canon Stogner: going into his twentieth season of college football. Andrew Wright: Pha Canon Stogner: Max Johnson has been named the starting QB in his first season at Georgia Southern. So Max Johnson started at LSU, then he transferred to Andrew Wright: Texas A and Canon Stogner: Texas A And then he ended up at North Carolina last year or two years ago where he was hurt. And he is going to open up his starting position against our alma mater, Charleston Southern. And then he will face off against Clemson in week two. So he definitely has the experience playing in tough environments. but a lot of people are saying this is the biggest two game stretch, the toughest two game stretch in college football this season. Andrew Wright: Ha ha ha. Canon Stogner: Charleston Southern and Clemson. So it would be interesting to see what he can do this year. it's gotta be his last year of college football. It has to be. Yeah. Yeah. Andrew Wright: Had there y there's there's no possible way that guy has another year left after this year. No shot. Canon Stogner: And before we before we move on to the next topic, I do want to mention for South Carolina fans, South Carolina in 2028 will be playing their first week zero game ever. So gonna be a diff different of or a little bit of a change for South Carolina fans as we're used to starting week one. all right, so let's move on to the group of six. So the group of six is always one of the most interesting parts of college football because you've got teams that don't have the same resources. or national attention as the major programs. But every year there seems to be somebody that kind of catches on late and ends up making it into the playoff. so how the group of six makes it into the playoff is the committee made a rule two or three years ago that the highest ranked group of six team gets an automatic spot in the playoff. So who is the one group of six team that we're watching this year, Andrew? Andrew Wright: so for me it would have to be man, it was really tough for me between Boise and UNLV, but I gotta go with I think UNLV, kinda like we talked about earlier. Had no idea Jackson Arnold is the starting quarterback at UNLV. I'd to talk talk about a guy going from Oklahoma from Auburn, no Oklahoma to Auburn to now UNLV, that is quite a downfall, but that's also a very experienced and SEC caliber quarterback in that conference, along with another guy they'll have playing on Saturday is Alex Orgy that was at Michigan that played meaningful snaps at Michigan and like played in big games there. So I just think those two team, those two quarterbacks with Dan Mullen, former Florida head coach, that's that program's won twenty-one games over the last two seasons. So like those two quarterbacks with their running back, Jadon Jet Thomas, fourth year there. almost two thousand rushing yards in the last two seasons. Twenty thirty-one career touchdowns in three seasons. He went twelve, seven, twelve. Just that group there, I think that's a really, really, really good group to have in the Mountain West. So. What are you laughing at? Canon Stogner: nothing. this is the first year that it used to be the group of five, so now it is the group of six. you got the American Athletic Conference, the AAC. You've got the C USA, which is the Conference USA, you have the MAC Conference, and then you have Mount West Conference and Sunbelt Conference. And then now this year the new addition was the Pac Twelve. so the Pac Twelve last year only had two teams in I think it was Oregon State. And Washington State were only two teams. but this year they kind of loaded their conference back up with some more teams. Boise State is now in the Pac twelve. I also had UNLV as my group of six team that will get the automatic qualifying spot. Bas you mean you touched on a lot of it already, but I do think with Dan Mullen being there, and Dan Mullen's been kinda running his mouth a lot more recently. Andrew Wright: Yeah. Canon Stogner: like just talking about Florida and other jobs that he got fired from. basically saying that they haven't done anything since and you gotta remember Dan Moland, the year they had Kyle Trask, I mean, they were very good. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: He had one bad season and they pulled the plug quickly. so a lot of people say that was a big mistake, especially going to get Billy Napier right after that and he was a complete failure. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: but like I said, UNL V their two toughest games this year to me personally is the game against Cal and the game against Memphis, which is week Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: zero game. So Those are two big games I think and if they can win one of those or maybe go one and one, they finish the season eleven and one, Andrew Wright: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: I think that's usually what gets you into that spot. So That's who I ha do you have anything else from week zero? Andrew Wright: I I just think with with Boise, I just kind of kinda looking into it, Boise had the best recruiting class of any group of six team. Now it wasn't anything crazy, it was number sixty-four class in the country, but they bring back a fifth year quarterback in Maddox Madsen, been there all five years of his career, almost seven thousand passing yards, fifty touchdowns, eighteen interceptions. They bring back Dylan Riley, a running back, twelve hundred yards last year. Ten touchdowns, 150 receiving yards, two touchdowns there. And Boise's kind of one those teams ever since like Kellen Moore. Like they've never been a true, like, national championship contender. They obviously beat Oklahoma in the very infamous Fiesta Bowl. But that's kind of a team that always hangs around. I mean, shoot, they made the playoff two years ago. Now they had the best running back in the country. But like that was a team that they got in to the playoffs. Like I guess there's nothing stopping them again. I think they are neck and neck with UNLV for that group of six spot. It's kind of unfortunate they don't play. Boise plays Memphis. So like we'll kind of get a look at Memphis in week zero and kind of see how they match up against UNLV, which would kind of give us an idea of how they'll match up against Boise, who I think, like I said, them and UNLV are kind of right there in the same conversation. And then Boise was also the highest ranked group of six team. They came in at twenty eighth. So they got quite a few bit of votes and they were eleven spots ahead of UNLV who came in at thirty ninth. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I mean, those two teams and like you look at Tulane from last year and James Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: Madison, they benefit a lot off not playing like tough teams. Now every year Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: they'll have one or two teams who are top dogs, like Tulane opened up against Ole Miss last year. but they kinda get away with the softer schedule with teams they should beat. Teams that are in the same conference as them, rightfully so, like same amount of resources and stuff, but you know, they're loaded. But the only tough thing for them is a lot of their coaches, if they have a good season. They're they're moving up. Yeah, Andrew Wright: Yeah. Canon Stogner: they're going to a bigger school. And obviously they're they have to take that job. Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: but I do think one thing to watch with the group of six in the next couple of years, I don't see them catching up anytime, but Andrew Wright: Mm-mm. Canon Stogner: I do think they will get a lot closer 'cause like you said, Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: UNLB has a loaded roster fifth year guys. And Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: now with NFL guys coming back, I think all of the power four teams, like The Big Ten did it today. They're not allowing any player who signed an NFL contract to come back. I wouldn't be surprised if the SEC does it next year. They may do it. Well, yeah, but Andrew Wright: SEC, SEC did it. SEC kinda SEC did it. Yep. Canon Stogner: but what about the tight end from the Browns? Andrew Wright: That's gonna be insane. But they did, they put out a full statement earlier, like they are in complete alignment with the Big Ten and they completely agree. Canon Stogner: Yeah, so but anyway, so those two conferences do it, then the Big Twelve and ACC is gonna follow them. I don't see the group of six doing that. So these group Andrew Wright: Yeah, I don't. Canon Stogner: of six teams are gonna get these NFL guys and fifth year guys, and they're gonna load up their roster with that because they don't care what people have to say about them. So I think I think they can get a little bit closer to the other teams in the next couple years. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: but anyway, so that's all we got for the group of six preview. You never really start thinking about them until week nine, week ten, later half of the year, just cause you never know what can happen week to week. There are also a hundred other games, a hundred of other games in the college ball schedule, but there are always a handful that you look at and immediately think, this game could change the entire season. So we are going to pick our five biggest regular season games. so we're going to pick who we think would win those games, who do we think has the most pressure. And just go from there. So my first game is obviously week one Ohio State at Texas. So I do think this is a big game for both teams, of course. I think it's a bigger game for Texas Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: because they have one of the toughest schedules in the SEC and their schedule is absolutely loaded. So I think that is a massive game for them. I actually have a little bit later to talk about with Texas. I'm going to give a deep dive into them. And a lot of people probably think that I'm a Texas hater. I really could care less what they do. but it's just what I see and what I think could happen. my second game is Notre Dame at Miami. So this is not a conference game, but I think this is a massive game for Notre Dame because they're not in a conference. So if they were to go in there and get blown out, they're gonna drop heavily. Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: And then if they were to have just one more hiccup during the season, Andrew Wright: Yeah cool. Canon Stogner: I don't see them getting in. they do have the new rule this year where if they finish within the top 12 of the rankings, they do automatically qualify, which I think was pretty much just a hand-me over from the college football playoff. But they did beef up their schedule this year playing six ACC games. So good for them. my third game, I have USC at Indiana. So Indiana doesn't really play a lot of games against tougher teams this year. So I think this USC at Indiana game is massive for both teams. I can see the winner of this getting into the playoff. I cannot Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: see the loser of this getting in. So I think this will boil down to a massive game. I have a hard time thinking Indiana goes 12 and but they do Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: have this schedule where it's possible. Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: so that is my third game, my fourth game. I have Georgia playing at Ole Miss. So this is a massive game for both of them. Obviously with the SEC schedule, they have team after team after team, week in, week out that they have to focus on. So the loser this game has much steeper hill that they have to climb. So this is a massive game for the SEC. This is a massive game for both teams, for both coaches. probably going to be the best quarterback matchup we get in the SEC Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: with Gunnar Stockton in Trinidad. So that will be an interesting game. I was between this next game, I was between LSU and Ole Miss. but my last biggest regular season matchup is Oklahoma versus Texas. So I know this is the Red River rivalry. obviously one team's gonna lose, come out of this game with the loss. but this game is massive because the loser of this game has an even steeper hill to climb than anybody Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: else that we've mentioned. Andrew Wright: Yeah. Canon Stogner: so it's unfortunate that these two teams have to play each other before the playoffs because I do think both of these teams can make it to the playoffs and compete. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: But it's how the SEC is, how the SEC is going to be. So that those are my five biggest regular season games. What do you have? Andrew Wright: so yeah, we're definitely in agreement on number one and number two with Ohio State, Texas and Notre Dame Notre Dame, Miami. And kinda like you said, I think the pressure for that Ohio State, Texas game is definitely all on Texas. Like they lost to Ohio State last year, now they get to come back into their building. And like I just it's hard to say you can't lose that game to the number one team in the country, but it almost like almost feels like you can't lose that game. Like if if you want people to take you serious this year with your roster and your quarterback, you have to win that game at your home field. And if you don't, the questions are gonna start swirling really early in the season. And then there's some very losable games on that schedule to add a good impact. And then Notre Dame, Miami, like Canon Stogner: Absolutely. Andrew Wright: you said, Notre Dame not in a conference. Kind of this is their toughest game of the year, no question. They can afford to lose it. They just can't slip up again. number three, I had a game you mentioned, LSU at Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin's return to Ole Miss. I think the amount of emotions and carryover. this game could potentially have for either side that comes out losing could be like massive. Like if you're LSU, you go in there. There's gonna be a lot of talk that week. College game days already announced they're going there. Gonna be a lot of talk, a lot of emotions. If you're LSU, you go in there, you get beat. Like how did how do you regroup from that with a team that still at that point probably hasn't had a ton of time to mesh together. A lot of guys from a lot of different places. And then on the flip side for that with Ole Miss If you let Lane Kiffin come in there and dog walk you on your own field, how do you regroup from that? How does Pete Golden regroup? How does Trinidad regroup if he plays bad? So I just think the repercussions for the losing team there carries a lot of weight. number four, I had Notre Dame on here again at BYU. That game is before the Miami game. Notre Dame, BYU, week seven, Notre Dame, Miami, week ten. If Notre Dame goes out there to altitude in Provo, really late start. and they lose that game, Miami becomes a must-win game. Like at all costs. You can't lose to BYU and Miami and get in. Like we saw Miss last year with two losses. So because of that, because of them potentially having to beat Miami if they lose that game, that game is so huge for them. Having to go out there to a place they're not really familiar with playing at. And then number five, changed it about 10 minutes ago in my head and it's the same as yours. Oklahoma and Texas. Just the way the schedules line up with losable games for both of those teams before that, there's a there's a real chance that both of those teams go in with two losses already. If Oklahoma Canon Stogner: Yeah, two and two. Andrew Wright: if Oklahoma comes out and loses to Michigan and Georgia, and then Texas comes out and loses to Ohio State and slips up somewhere else, the loser that game is done. Like not even just for the conference. They are completely out of the CFP by the middle of the season. So both of those teams are going to kind of have to navigate through tougher schedules to get to that point. and get it to a place where they can afford to lose that game and still have the rest of their season in front of them rather than playing for absolutely nothing for the last six weeks of the season. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I mean, you're absolutely right. we could have picked probably twenty different games. Andrew Wright: yeah. Canon Stogner: And I don't think anybody would argue with any of I mean, I I Andrew Wright: Right. Lot of lot of really good big ten lotta really good Big Ten games. Canon Stogner: Yeah, like I've said this a few times, but like I truly think this is going to be the best college football season ever. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: There's probably fifteen or sixteen teams that can truly win it all. Andrew Wright: Yeah. Canon Stogner: so anyways, that's our five biggest regular season games. Let's go ahead and move on to our Heisman picks. So every year there's a group of guys that come into the season as the favorites to win the Heisman. so we're going to give our top five Heisman favorites. This isn't just the five biggest names. If this was the five biggest names, I would have Arch Manning on my list. Spoiler, he is not on it. so who do we think has the best chance to win it? Who are we buying into? And this is now a quarterback award. running the running back position has won the most Heisman. trophies ever. But a lot of those racked up whenever it the w the award first started being handed out because the game was a lot different. Now it's a lot more pass heavy. so thirty f thirty nine QBs have won Heisman out of the ninety one total winners. they have been eight of the last ten Heisman winners have been quarterbacks and twenty one of the last twenty five years. So yes, it is the Heisman Award, but a lot of years it's the quarterback award. So who is the best quarterback? So my First person on the list is Julian Sayan. he's got Brandon Ennis with him. He's got Jeremiah Smith on the other side, who's probably going to be the number one pick. Will definitely be the number one rap wide receiver. he finished fourth last year in the Heisman voting behind a loaded Heisman class. My second pick is Darien Minsa. I just think with their schedule And the stat padding games, he is going to be on there. I think he's going to be explosive in the passing game. He's going to help tremendously in the running game. I do think that is one downfall Miami had last year, which might be the reason they lost two games in the regular season, is Carson Beck can't really run. He's more of a pocket passer. And so Darien Missa adding that to Miami's offense is very big. My third pick. This might surprise some people. I have Josh Hoover, who is now at Indiana. I don't think Josh Hoover has the best arm of anybody in college. I don't think he has the best legs. but he will probably have the best offensive line. their schedule's pretty weak for compared to other Big Ten teams. And I also base it off Fernando Mendoza in his one and only year at Indiana, he won the Heisman. And I think a lot of that credit goes to Kurt Signetti. So I did put j Josh Hoover on my list. number four, I had Ahmad Hardy. So Ahmad Hardy's a starting running back at Missouri. he had a very big season last year. He's arguably the best running back in college football, not only the SEC. one thing that I think could hurt him and why I almost didn't put him in there is because he is out the first game of the season. he had a little incident in the offseason where he got shot, so he's still recovering from that. Excuse me. so he will miss the first game, but he'll probably make up for it anyways 'cause he runs the ball hard and he's very fast. He's strong. He's this big, short, thick dude that just runs the ball hard. and then number five on my list was a pretty obvious one and I almost didn't put him on there. I just kind of looked over him is Trinidad Chambless. So he finished eighth last year in the Heisman voting. He didn't really catch on until late, but he also didn't start the first two two or three games or something like that. So I think he'll have a big year now being the full time starting quarterback. And he's obviously probably the most talented quarterback in college football, with the combination of his legs and his arm. So those are my five Heisman favorites. If I had to pick who I think would win, my safe pick would be Julian Saiyan. but my bold pick would probably be I don't know if Trinidad's necessarily a bold pick. I'll say Trinidad. I'll say Trinidad wins the Hasman this year. Andrew Wright: So yeah, for me, I mean, I rank mine one to five and kind of likelihood of who I think would win. And Trinidad is my number one. He's my top dog for the Heisman this season. Kind of everything you touched on there kind of really took over the college football world with those last eight, nine, ten weeks, getting them that far into the playoff with everything that kind of happened there. I think having Kawan Lacey that teams have to respect coming out of the backfield, try like respecting the run game will open things up completely for him. So that is he is my favorite. Darien Mensah was number two for me. I just think that we kinda touched on with our ACC episode. They averaged, I think, about 43 points a game when Cam Ward was there. And this might be a better roster than Cam Ward had. So I think in a weaker conference, there's going to be so many opportunities for him to just rack up on yards and touchdowns, whether that be passing or rushing. And I think those totals kind of rival him right there with Trinidad. Those are kind of one A, one B for me. I don't really you could put one ahead of the other and I wouldn't really argue it. a guy you didn't have that I do, I Dante Moore at number three. I think that is another team with some of these games they have early in the season. Some more stat pad pad opportunities. I think he will benefit greatly from that. So I have Dante Moore at three. Number four, a guy we also discussed on the ACC episode, I have Malachi Tony at number four for me. I think kind of like you said, the last two non-quarterbacks that have won the award have been Devontae Smith and Travis Hunter. Both guys that are receivers that are gonna catch the ball. And I think Malachi's gonna benefit greatly from all the yards that Mensa's gonna throw for and a lot of the touchdowns he's gonna throw for. I mean, he was both of our picks to win the ACC offensive player of the year. And so I think that'll kind of boost him up into those top five, top four guys in the Heisman race. And then number five for me, CJ Carr at Notre Dame. Don't really know what they have in the run game without Jeremiah Love and Jadarian Price. So I think that team is gonna trust CJ Carr a lot to throw the ball. And once again, another team that Not in the conference. They do have the two tough games against Miami and BYU. But like you said, the six ACC games, we kind of know how we feel about the ACC. So I don't think those are just overwhelmingly tough games. And I think he'll have a real chance to to rack up some yards and touchdowns in those games too. So yeah, that that would be my five. Trinidad, Darien Mensa, Dante Moore, Malik Atoni, and CJ Carr. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I mean, I haven't even thought about Cam Ward playing at Miami. I honestly forgot about like not even forgot about it, just but I think just because of the year they had last year and the way they rose to the surface late in the season and made it to the Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: championship. you know, a lot of people just think about Carson Beck 'cause Carson Beck was a household name. Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: and then he had a bad year, and just kind of had a little off season trouble and stuff. So Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: you're right. I mean, Chris the ball coach Cam Ward and he was the first overall pick. So I do like the Darian Mensa pick. okay, so moving on to the next segment. So every year there are coaches who enter the season knowing they need to win. maybe they've had disappointing seasons, maybe they've underachieved underachieved with a talented roster, or maybe their program just isn't where their admin expects it to be. so we're going to pick one coach from each conference who we think is on the hot seat. I do think I have some interesting ones and probably some obvious ones. and so let's get into it. So for my ACC conference, my coach that is on the hottest seat, I think we'll probably both have this one is Mike Norvell. Andrew Wright: Yep. Canon Stogner: he is thirty eight and thirty-four overall in his six seasons. he has four five in his last six seasons, four of those seasons have been five wins or less. So He's really only had two good seasons. Now, those two seasons were very good and they arguably should have made the playoff with or without Jordan Travis since he got hurt. but you take those two years away, he's had a very poor coaching career at Florida State. So he is Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: my hottest seat, and I think everybody will agree with that. For my SEC conference, this is where it gets a little bit interesting. My number one guy was Calen De Boer. So he has the toughest job in college football, taking over from Nick Saban. And he has made the playoff the last two years and he's won a game in both Andrew Wright: Yeah. Canon Stogner: both seasons. So this might be a little crazy, but I think a lot of Alabama fans are still questionable about him. I Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: think a lot of games not necessarily get lucky, but just kind of one you take one play out of that game and they lose. And he probably doesn't have the record that he does there. So I do think he is on the hot seat. If he were to have a down year, I could see him being out. so and Alabama didn't really have the greatest offseason. I think a lot of questions are still being asked about them. Obviously they just named their starting quarterback, which doesn't usually come from a school like Alabama. I mean they're coming Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: from years with Jalen Milrow, Bryce Young, Ty Simpson last year, Jalen Hurts, Tua. So they're usually Mac Jones, who was Heisman Andrew Wright: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: runner up. so it's gonna be interesting to see. Now my other two s coaches I had Josh Hypel on here. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: I don't necessarily think he's on the hot seat, but I think if he were to have a very underwhelming year, he could be gone because Tennessee is another attractive job. And I do think Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: Tennessee is one of those schools where they can fire a coach and know they can get a big dog. Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: so he was on my list. But the one that I'm probably most confident about, and just because I'm a fan of them, my other coach was Shane Beamer. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: So I do think South Carolina would have a hard time firing him. Just because of the way he has recruited and retained players. but I do think this is kind of the now or never year. Not necessarily that they had to win the championship, but I do think it's one of those seasons where they have to finish in the top fifteen or at least the top twenty five, because Andrew Wright: But yeah. Canon Stogner: this is the most talented roster he's had. This is the best Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: coaching staff he's had. And there'll probably be a lot easier to fire him since his last two recruiting classes haven't been as good as his last his three were before that. so could be interesting to see how that plays out. My Big Ten school, I had two guys for this. I had Lincoln Riley at USC. obviously they steered him away from Oklahoma. He has a lot of money at USC. He's recruited very well since being there, but he has not been able to put it out on the field yet. He's had very underwhelming games and seasons against teams they probably should have beat. so I do think they'll have a hard time firing him just because of the way he recruits and the way his offense is, but his defense just has to get better. He can never figure the defense out. so which is so funny because I always think about you know he was at Oklahoma and his offense was electric. I mean, he had five stars on five stars on five stars at quarterback and receiver and everything. He recruits well. And, you know, they're fun to watch on offense, but his defense was awful. And I just think Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: about Oklahoma fans. They went from one of the worst defenses every year with Lincoln Riley to now Andrew Wright: Yeah. Canon Stogner: having one of the best defenses with Brent Venables Andrew Wright: Yeah. Canon Stogner: running. So I had Lincoln Riley and my other person was PJ Flex. So PJ Flex, the head coach at Minnesota, he had a pretty decent year a couple of years ago. but his last four seasons, he's been right around the five hundred winning percentage mark. so I do think if they have a very bad year, if they have four or less wins, he could probably be gone. and then my big twelve school is Scott Satterfield, who is the head coach at Cincinnati. So he's only made one bowl game in three years. He came from Louisville and you know, that it was a big hire to bring him in to Cincinnati. But In his three seasons, his highest win mark is seven games. So I do think if he has a bad year, he'll be out as well. So who do you have? Andrew Wright: Mm. yeah, definitely in agreement on the ACC with Mike Norvell. I don't even think it's a matter of if he gets fired this year. I think it's just a matter of when, at what point in the season they kind of decide to do that. the SEC, once again, gonna sound like an absolute Texas hater. I have Sark. Like kinda like you said with Shane Beamer, is like this is a now or never year for Steve Sarkeesian. If you can't win this year with that roster, when are you ever gonna win? So for me, like they Canon Stogner: How many games how many games what's the record for them to fire him? Andrew Wright: If they lose three games, I think he's gone. If they miss a s if they miss the college football playoff, I think he's gone. I just don't think he can continue losing. At some point. Canon Stogner: Yeah, but Andrew but Andrew, you have to remember, we keep saying that losing, but you have to remember, and I've said a lot of crap about them, but last year was Arch Manning's first year at quarterback, and they actually finished the season ranked pretty high. I mean, they didn't make the playoff, obviously, but they finished the season ranked pretty high. He's obviously recruited well since being there. But you have to remember just two years ago, they were in the national championship and almost could have beat a high stake. Andrew Wright: Yeah, they were there. I just I just just a feeling. I I just don't I just don't think you Canon Stogner: All right, go ahead. Okay. Andrew Wright: can have that roster this year and kind of the way that's been built up for them to be among like the favorites to win the whole thing and then you go out there and miss it for a second consecutive season. Canon Stogner: All right, move along. Yeah. Andrew Wright: Big Ten, I went Luke Fickle at Wisconsin. I'm almost kinda on the same same wavelength about Norvell as I am with Luke Fickle. Like I don't think it's a matter of if, just kinda when. obviously Fickle went to Wisconsin after getting Cincinnati to the playoff. They were kind of like that first That was and that was the four team playoff. They were kind of the f this is before they joined the Big Ten. They were kind of that first group of five team to actually get there in a four team playoff with Desmond Ritter, who's had an awful NFL career, by the way. Canon Stogner: Yeah. Yeah. Andrew Wright: So Luke Fickel, they just he just hasn't been very good at Wisconsin. Can't really win there, so I do think it's the matter of if and not when. And then for the Big Twelve, I I have Dave Aranda at Baylor. I feel like Baylor's kind of been a team that's just fallen off over the last few years. I mean Canon Stogner: Yeah. Andrew Wright: Now they they threw a bag at DJ Lagway. Got him back in his home state like we've talked about. And I just think they're trusting that Dave Aranda can do something with DJ Lagway. And if he doesn't, I think his time's probably up. Canon Stogner: Yeah. Yeah, I mean, that's a tough thing. So I mean a lot of these schools I think they're so quick to pull the plug just because they Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: have one bad season. But I think things have to change and I hope like athletic directors and athletic departments see this, but like it's going to be so hard to win. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: And you know, you see it all the time. Kenny Dillingham's probably the biggest spokesperson about it, but these coaches now, they're just begging and praying that people donate money to them to help, you know, elevate their football program. So Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: I mean a lot of times I I think that's what coaches use kind of as you know, leverage to say, like, I've Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: shown or at least most coaches can say, like, I've shown what I can do with a talented roster, but if you can just give me more money, like our Andrew Wright: Right. Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: roster will be even better and we can compete. But it's going to be so hard for teams that I mean it's it really it truly is. Like the highest ranked teams are the highest paid teams. So Andrew Wright: Right, yeah. Easy. Canon Stogner: I mean money does matter. So I mean it's whether or not your athletic department can go and get money to help your football program. So I think Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: a lot of that kind of leans on them more than it does the actual coach and football team. Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: So moving on to the next one. So there are certain teams every year where before the season even starts, the expectation is championship or bust. so we're going to pick the five teams that we believe should be considered automatic playoff teams. So this is essentially the teams that we think are going to win the conference championship. So we'll do one from each school. And I did throw Notre Dame in there. I do think they'll qualify. So I'm going to say six teams, but obviously they're not in a conference. These aren't necessarily the five best teams in the country. Some of them are, some of them are not. but we're talking about the teams that we feel most confident that will be playing in the CFP. So my SEC school is Georgia. They have a pretty easy, they have the easier side of the SEC's gauntlet. and I just think they're just loaded. This is Gunnar's third year as a starting quarterback. I do think they'll win the SEC, so they're my number one team to qualify. My Big ten team. So I was between actually three teams here. I kinda leaned towards Indiana. I thought about Ohio State, but I decided on Oregon because Oregon does not have the s toughest schedule like Ohio State does. Ohio State has a gauntlet this year. Oregon's schedule isn't as dominant in the top heavy. So I have Oregon winning it all. Now it could very well be them and Ohio State playing in the championship. So I think either team can win that game. my ACC team, not gonna say much about them. I had Miami. I just think they're well ahead everybody else. my Big 12 team, not gonna say much about them. I have Texas Tech. I think they're well ahead of everybody else. So I think I have them winning. I have Notre Dame making it. Now they do have a tougher schedule than past years, but I only see them losing one game to Miami. So I have Notre Dame making it in at eleven and one. And then my group of six team, I was between Boise and UNLV as well, but I do have UNLV being the highest ranked group of six teams. So just for summary, I have Georgia, Oregon, Miami, Texas Tech, Notre Dame, and UNLV as my six teams that will automatically qualify. Andrew Wright: Yeah, we're almost identical there. Just the only difference between us there, I have BYU over Texas Tech in the Big Twelve. But outside of that, yeah, Notre Dame, Miami, Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame, I think all pretty pretty confident that th those teams will all win their conferences and make it in there. Canon Stogner: Yeah, so those are our top five or top six qualifying teams. so there are some teams every year that making the playoff is a great season. then there are teams where making the playoff is basically the minimum for their school, like the Ohio States and Texas and you know, Oregon. so we're going to name the teams where if they do not make the playoff, we're calling their season a failure. so I have three teams here. And one of them's a little bit off the radar from the other two teams. But my number one team is Texas. they have a tough schedule. and I just don't see them Making it in. I mean, if you look at their games right now, they have Ohio State, Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: fifty fifty, Ole Miss, Florida, and Oklahoma. Those are their four big games at home. well, I guess the neutral site against Oklahoma, but their four home games are Ohio State, Ole Miss, Florida, and Oklahoma. So three of those four are very fifty-fifty. And you never Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: know what could happen in Florida. If they're good like you think they'll be this year. Then that's an interesting game. And then their f Andrew Wright: Yeah, I Farda Florida beat him last year. Canon Stogner: yeah, and then their four away games this year. Three of the four are the loudest stadiums in college football. They're going to LSU, going to Missouri, going to Texas AM, and going to Tennessee. So I'll be honest with you, I'm going to sit here right now. I don't, this is not my prediction for them. They could very well go four and eight and five or seven. Andrew Wright: Yeah, easy easily. Canon Stogner: I mean, I'm just saying, if they have an injury or Arch Manning isn't the guy they're they they're saying he is, then they can go five and seven, four and eight, or six and six. I have a really hard time thinking they make the playoffs. I really do. Andrew Wright: Correct. Canon Stogner: I mean, the schedule's tough enough, but playing these teams week in, week out is so hard to keep your players focused with everything else going on in their life, you know. So Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: I had Texas, my other team that I think would be the A big failure if they didn't make it in is Miami, and that's solely based on their roster and their schedule. so I think if they can't make it into the playoff this year with the schedule that they have and the roster that they have, then it is a failure. And then Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: my third team, I am saying this once again as a fan, and it's kind of ties into why I put him on my hot seat, but I do think if they don't make the college football playoff, it is a failure for South Carolina. Not necessarily that that is the fans' expectations, but due to the fact that this is the best roster they've had in a long time. And Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: if they don't make it this year, when will they make it? Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: So those are my three teams Texas, Miami, and Side South Carolina. Andrew Wright: Yeah, so I had two again, Texas. We keep talking about and we both just I think we're just both so in sync about Canon Stogner: Yeah. Andrew Wright: what we think about that team this year and how difficult that schedule is going to be for them. So it's definitely a failure if that team doesn't make it. And then I had LSU as my second team with Lane Kiffin. They Sam Levitt. They've almost kind of the way it's kind of been perceived lately, they've almost kind of formed a super team in regards. Like they're taking like the real Florida State, North Carolina approach of just building this team completely from the transfer portal. And just hoping it all meshes together and work. And that's kind of why I had that game at Ole Miss in week three as kind of like a almost a breaking point if they lose. Because they that's still not a lot of time for them to mesh together. I think they're hopeful that they will. There's no guarantee for that. I think they expect to make the CFP and be real contenders. So for that reason, I have them. If they don't get in, I think that's a real disappointing season for Lane Kiffin in his first year there. So Texas and LSU for me. Canon Stogner: Yeah. Yeah. yeah, that's good. I mean I I that's truly just what I believe could happen to Texas. Now, Andrew Wright: Correct. Canon Stogner: if if they win eleven or more games this year, I will come on this podcast and if somebody does a comment of a punishment that I have to do, I will do it right here on this podcast. If they win a l Andrew Wright: I'll I'll do it with I'll do it with you. Canon Stogner: Yeah, all right, so we're in it together. If they win eleven Andrew Wright: Yeah. Canon Stogner: or more games They're expected to win ten. Andrew Wright: Yeah. Canon Stogner: So shall we do ten or eleven? Andrew Wright: Well recounting like playoff games or conference championship games or just regular season. Canon Stogner: No, just twelve games, regular season. Andrew Wright: I'll do a punishment if they win ten. Canon Stogner: Okay. All right. I'm with you. I'm with ten. Andrew Wright: I don't think they went to it. Canon Stogner: All right. So ten's our number. If they win ten games in their 12 game season, so they have to go ten and two or better, we'll do a punishment. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: So, and that's what we get. If they go ten and two or better, that's what we get. Andrew Wright: Yeah, yeah, well that's right. I completely agree. And I ain't done talking about neither. Canon Stogner: Yeah, we're gonna be talking about them every week because we just talked about that schedule they got. They're gonna be mentioned every week. Andrew Wright: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: And we'll praise them when they play good. We'll praise Arch Manning when he plays good. But boy, they have a Andrew Wright: Yep. But when he plays bad. Canon Stogner: Yeah, yeah. When he plays bad. Andrew Wright: You go hear from us. Canon Stogner: Better adjust your cap when you listen. Andrew Wright: So you know. Canon Stogner: All right. So we talked about the teams with the who would be the biggest disappointment. So let's talk about which team do we think has the easiest road to the playoff? or the easiest path. So if they simply just take care of business business, they should be in the playoff by the time that s selection Sunday comes around. My team was Texas Tech. I'm not gonna keep harping on them, but They only have one game that I'm really worried about for them this year, which is Houston. Don't think it matters if they win or lose that game. If they win, I think they're definitely in. If they lose, I think they're still going to be in, whether or not they win the Big Twelve or not. So I have Texas Tech with the easiest path to the playoff. Andrew Wright: I had Miami. That's mine. Just outside of that Notre Dame game. No real game that they should lose on that schedule. Canon Stogner: Yeah. Yeah. So I mean, those were two easy picks for us. So now let's flip it around. What legitimate playoff contender has the hardest path? So then you know, they might be talented. They're going to play multiple great teams, deal with a brutal conference schedule, deal with tough places to play. Obviously I said Texas. I'm not going to keep going on about that. but I think another team is Iowa State. I think Ohio State has a hard path to playoff. Now, I did mention this the first or second episode that we filmed the podcast, but I said that where you're ranked at to start the season is very, very massive. So I do Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: think both of these teams benefit by being ranked very highly, but I still think you get three losses at most or two losses at most. I think the only way you these teams can get in the playoffs this year is with two losses or Andrew Wright: Correct. Canon Stogner: less. So if they I mean if they have more than two, if they have three, I don't think they Andrew Wright: Yeah. Canon Stogner: make it in. Andrew Wright: Right. I went, like I said, not gonna keep Harp in Texas is the obvious answer with the schedule we laid out. And then I don't think this team should be ranked where they are, but because they are ranked and because I think they think they have C F P aspirations, I think Tennessee has a brutal path. More so the schedule isn't the worst I've ever seen. It's not it's not a Texas schedule. I just don't know. I mean, so Faison Brandon is their first true freshman starting quarterback since 2004. And he'll be the first SEC true freshman quarterback to take the field in week one since Bo Nicks in 2019. I just I just don't see a true freshman quarterback in the SEC getting the team to the College Bowl playoff. And we tr we know a Tennesse the Tennessee fan base can be a rowdy bunch. I found that out firsthand. And so I think they have lofty expectations and I just think those are gonna be severely disappointed with a freshman a true freshman quarterback playing in that. Canon Stogner: Can you read that stat again? Can you read that stat again about the SEC? Andrew Wright: So Tennesse Faison Brandon will be Tennessee's first true freshman quarterback to start week one since two thousand four, and he'll be the first true freshman quarterback to start week one of a game since Bo Knicks in twenty nineteen. Canon Stogner: Wow. Andrew Wright: So that so that just kinda tells you like true freshmen don't play in the SEC. So like that's just that's such a tough task for him and for that team to get there. Canon Stogner: The first true fur two wow. Andrew Wright: First true freshman to start week one in the SEC since Bo Nicks. Canon Stogner: So it's not just true freshman five stars, any true freshman. Andrew Wright: No, any true freshman in the SEC at any point. Canon Stogner: To start week one. Andrew Wright: To start week one. Yeah, so like that's that I thought that was absurd when I saw that. Like that's crazy that like nobody, not even a true freshman against a really bad team. Like it's it just doesn't happen. Canon Stogner: I'm just thinking I'm like I'm thinking about Bryce Young. He backed up Jalen Hurts, right? Andrew Wright: Think so. Canon Stogner: Trying to think Marcel Reed didn't start. Nussmeyer didn't start. Rattler? No, Rattler backed up. Andrew Wright: Rather wasn't a true freshman at South Carolina. was Oklahoma in the SEC yet? Canon Stogner: Yeah, I don't Course he that might yeah. Wow, that's crazy. I'm gonna have to do some research on what about DJ Lagwhoa Andrew Wright: And that's like Canon Stogner: whoa, what about DJ Lagway? Andrew Wright: No, he was behind Graham Mertz. Canon Stogner: That's right. Andrew Wright: It's like w when we did our top twenty five, like Tennessee was the one team that I didn't have in mind that was in the rankings and that was a huge thing for me. Was I don't trust their Canon Stogner: What about what what about Nico? Did he did he back up Joe Milton? Andrew Wright: I don't think he started his I don't think he started his I think so, yeah. I don't think he started his first game. It's yeah, it's that's crazy. That like that nobody's done it in seven ye in seven seasons. Canon Stogner: That's crazy. That's a TikTok clip. let me ask you this, just real quick, last thing about Texas. I'm gonna read off the eight games that I just said, and I want you to tell me which ones they're favorite in. And now I know things will change by the time they end up playing these teams, but just based off now the rosters that all these teams have, let's I want Andrew Wright: What I think they what I think they should be or what they actually are. Canon Stogner: No, I want you to tell me, yeah, w sh should be. Or I just for don't look at anything. I just want you to tell me. All right, so they play a hive Andrew Wright: I'm I'm not, I'm just Canon Stogner: state at home. Andrew Wright: Ohio State should be favored. Canon Stogner: No not should be, will be. Andrew Wright: Ohio State will be favored. Canon Stogner: miss. Andrew Wright: Where's it at? Canon Stogner: Home, Texas. Andrew Wright: Texas. Canon Stogner: Do you think that chang you so you think that changes if it's at O Miss? Andrew Wright: Yes. Canon Stogner: Okay. Florida. Andrew Wright: Texas. Canon Stogner: Okay, so they're two and one right now. Oklahoma, neutral sight game. Andrew Wright: Texas. Canon Stogner: At LSU. Andrew Wright: L S U. Canon Stogner: Okay, so three and two. At Missouri. Andrew Wright: Texas. Canon Stogner: Four and two. At A and Andrew Wright: A Canon Stogner: You have eight and be in favor. Andrew Wright: I know. Canon Stogner: All right. And then this one at Tennessee. Andrew Wright: Texas. Canon Stogner: What do you think that spread would be? Andrew Wright: Texas had Tennessee. Canon Stogner: Two and a half, one and a half? Andrew Wright: Gosh, dude, I don't trust Tennessee in the slightest. So like what I'd like gosh. I'd say I'd say I'd say three and a half. I'd Canon Stogner: Yeah, but you know it's at Tennessee. It's at Tennessee. Come on. Three and a half. Andrew Wright: say three and a half. Canon Stogner: Okay. so we've talked about quarterbacks constantly being the most important position on the field for each team. but football obviously has a lot of good players, not including quarterbacks. So who is the most important nine quarterback in college football this season? I think we both picked the same position. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: not the same player, but I did love that we were both on the same wavelength about it. However, Andrew Wright: Yep. Canon Stogner: I do have to say something you did say the last two nine quarterback Heisman winners were two receivers in Devontae Smith Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: and Travis Hunter. Andrew Wright: Chops. Yep. Canon Stogner: So I was kinda shot you did pick this one. So go ahead and tell the people what you said. Andrew Wright: So I went with Isaac Brown, running back at Louisville, somebody we kinda discussed recently in our ACC episode. I mean Louisville's starting the season ranked, and they have one of those really big early season games against SMU in week three that'll kind of determine both of those teams' fates. I just think that Isaac Brown's expected to be maybe the top running back in the ACC this season. And the way I kinda thought about it is like what team that is ranked that has expectations like needs their running back to open up the pass game. And for me, it kind of jumped out at me. It's Isaac Brown. I don't particularly trust Lincoln Keyholts in the slightest at Louisville. So I think for them to even be competitive with SMU and competitive within the rest of that conference down the stretch, I think that he has to be really, really good and he has to really take some pressure off of Lincoln Keyholz for that team. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I mean, you made some great points. my most important non QB was Ahmad Hardy from Missouri. Like I've mentioned, I think he's the best running back in college football. so just to give you a quick preview on why I think he is the most important non QB. like we mentioned earlier, Bo Prab Prab Prabula was the quarterback last year. he's now at Virginia. and like I said, he had a not a great season. but Missouri did go eight and four last year in the regular season. So they won eight games and lost four. Ahmad Hardy, interesting. He had eight a hundred yard rushing games last year. One of those was a win without it. Without a hundred yards. So in their seven of eight wins he had a hundred yards rushing. he had sixteen touchdowns last year. In five games he did not rush for a hundred yards. And Missouri went one and four in those games. And the only game they won was in double overtime against Auburn. So that is how I landed on Ahmad Hardy being the most important non QB because obviously the offense goes as he goes, but it's really kind of does he reach that a hundred yard mark. Especially this Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Yep. Canon Stogner: year now that they're starting a new quarterback who's only played one game in his career coming from Notre Dame. Or not from Notre Dame, Gosh, I can't remember where he came from. But Andrew Wright: mm. Canon Stogner: yeah, it was Austin Simmons. Yeah, that's right. I was thinking about the guy that went to Kentucky from Notre Dame. so yeah, like I said, they went one and four last year in the games, he did not rush for a hundred yards, and their only win was in double overtime against Auburn. So that is who my most important player. Now, Andrew, I do want to get back to the Texas thing real quick. I know we said last thing, but I gotta get back. So we had them going what, six and or Five and three in the spread. Andrew Wright: Five and three in those eight games. Yep. Canon Stogner: So they ha they already have the spread out and these could change. against Texas or against Ohio State, they're playing at home. They're favored by one and a half. Texas is. Against the number one team in the country, they're favored. So I think that should probably tell you how the rest of the story is gonna go. Andrew Wright: Yeah, I got a pretty good idea. Canon Stogner: Week four against Tennessee, they are favored by ten six and a half at Tennessee. Andrew Wright: Okay. Canon Stogner: game against Oklahoma, the neutral site game. They are favored by six points. home game against Ole Miss, they are favored by eight and a half. And then short end against against Ole Miss, yes. Andrew Wright: I'm sorry, did you say eight and a I'm sorry, did you say eight and a half against Ole Miss? Canon Stogner: Yeah, it's at home. Texas and LSU. Texas is playing at LSU. They're favored by two and a half. And then Texas against AM playing at AM, they're favored by two and a half. So ESPN, ESPN has the number five team who did not make the college football playoff last year. And the Vegas sports writers or sports book people have Texas favored in every game that we just mentioned as being their toughest game. And only one game one game of those eight was only one and a half. Andrew Wright: Wow. Canon Stogner: So, and like we said, things could change. A lot of those games, some of those games are later on in the season. So, and heading into our last segment, last segment before week zero starts here in two days. this is the part where we're putting our credibility on the line a little bit. we're going to make our bold prediction for who is going to win the twenty twenty six college football season. All right. Do you want to go first? Andrew Wright: Yeah, I'll I'll go ahead go first. I think this is the year that Notre Dame finally gets over the hump. I think I think those two I think they have they'll have a chip on their shoulder for missing out last year. I we both had them as automatic qualifiers. They're almost a guaranteed shoe in as long as they don't blow up in the middle of the season. They have the little rule made for them. And I just think I trust CJ Carr a lot. Obviously had him in my top five of the Heisman. And I just think Marcus Freeman's gonna get that group together. I'd probably go eleven and one, probably get a really good seed, first round home game, and then kind of see where the schedule takes from from there. But I do think this is the year that they finally get get over the hump and they get it done. So I have Notre Dame as my twenty twenty six national champions. Canon Stogner: Yeah, that's good pick. and this pick that I'm making is a pretty safe pick. I do think they have probably the most talented roster and the most experienced roster combined. I have mentioned they were not my automatic qualifier from their conference, but my team to win the college ball playoff this year is Iowa State. So that's what I got. I don't really have to go much into it because we've talked about a lot. So that is the end of our podcast. We will be covering the week zero games coming out to you on Monday after the results are finalized this weekend. we're very excited to talk about those games and we're very excited to finally get into the regular season we don't have to do all this talking about predictions and stuff. so on Monday we'll preview week zero and then on Thursday's episode we will preview week one. So or we'll recap week zero and then on Thursday we'll preview week one. And then after that we're gonna be rolling. We'll be rolling Andrew Wright: Yeah. Yeah. Canon Stogner: and releasing two days a week getting into it. So please remember to like, subscribe, comment, call into the voicemail number. follow our TikTok page. Andrew does a great job posting on that. Follow our Twitter page. If you disagree with us, awesome. If you agree with us, even better. but we really we're just making predictions and saying what we think is going to happen. A lot of these things could very well be a long shot, but that's a wrap. go cox and arch man and good luck.