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Honey, It's Week 4: OUR FIRST CFB ROAD TRIP + Picks · Honey, It's Saturday

• Sam Grant: What's going on everybody? Welcome back to the Honey It's Saturday podcast. I'm Sam Grant. We got Mitch Williams over here. excited to be back with you guys. I hope you guys are enjoying kind of the new setup of us going live and also kind of having a recap show on Sunday and a a Thursday show that's just strictly for what's to come on Saturday. So we're really excited. We have some great matchups. We had a lot of turnover in the pick seven contest and we have the president of the United States going to a college football game this Saturday. So Mitch: Yeah. Sam Grant: A lot going on in the world, so excited to be here with you guys and ready to get going. Mitch: He's always gotta pick one, at least. He's always gotta pick one. man. Yeah, it's good to it's good to see. Sam Grant: He does. And of course he chose to go to Knoxville, Tennessee. Mitch: Yeah, it's it's good to see you guys. We love college football. glad it's getting the spotlight, both inside and outside of the sport. I mean, that's great. We we love the sport. So they can shine the publicity and and the media on it all they want. I hope you guys like our new setup. And I also want to point out before we get into the show. I'm working on my studio. So if you look behind me, I've got the AM record holder for made field goals. Shout out Randy Bond. Don't want to hear any Randy Bond negative speak. I love that man. We've got Clemson hanging. That's childhood for me. We've got a little bit of a 12th man towel as well, Isaiah Spiller, but you can't really see it. We're building. So it'll continue to get better. And if you guys have anything you would like to send to us to add to our studio backgrounds, please do. We would really appreciate it. Also, this is a great time to mention we're in desperate need of subscribers. We're in desperate need of likes and comments and interactions. So even if you aren't watching this live show and you end up hitting us up later on the YouTube, on Spotify, on Apple, whatever it might be, we would really appreciate your interaction and support. you guys are the best. So let's let's go ahead and get into it because Sam really doesn't want to talk about that pick seven. I promise you. Sam Grant: No, I don't and I don't want to talk about the pick seven. I don't like how you have a better setup than me already. This room is empty. My wife and I just moved into a house and so everything's still kinda still kinda up in the air. But got some friends, some friends in places around the industry who are tentatively thinking about sending us some college football gear. Chandler, I'm talking about you. would really appreciate it for all you guys just to be able to add to our collection and be able to show this off on the podcast and kind of involve all of our college football teams around the country. So We're excited. But pick seven. Mitch: Yeah. Yeah. Sam Grant: I'll let you I'll let you run with it because I feel like I need to have my own moment of silence for this one right now. Because I'm Mitch: We won't do that yet. It's way too early in the season. Sam Grant: but I'm in shock of what happens. So I'll let you explain since this benefits you more. Mitch: Alright, so here's the deal. We're still early in the season, and a lot of you guys are still new. So I'm gonna go ahead and explain it again really quickly. Pick seven is a game that Sam and I play where at the beginning of the year we have to pick seven teams that are each assigned a point value. So all FBS teams have a point value. We have to pick seven of them with our budget of points. And then throughout the rest of the year, we get points against each other based off of wins, margin of victory, shutouts. Losses, margin of loss, and getting shut out. That's pretty much it. You also get bonus points if you beat a higher ranked opponent, an AP ranked opponent. Playoff poll won't count, just AP. So those are the rules, those are the guidelines. And the reason why Sam is so sad is because last week he clowned me because I was at like a hundred something points, which was really bad. And he was at over four hundred. I have the points somewhere on here, but he was at over four hundred and all of a sudden, miracle of miracles. I'm alive. And I'm not just alive, I'm ahead. I have five hundred and fifty-two points, same as five hundred thirty-two. And we'll get into the results here. So, Sam, you want to talk through what happened with your squads? Sam Grant: Yeah, I'm just I'm just looking through it and still can't believe the point gap shrunk that much to where you took the lead. But start off Tennessee, Kennesaw State, Tennessee got the win. Won't elaborate too much on that one. Virginia Tech beat Maryland, one by I think it was ten, but it was a good win for Virginia Tech in that team out of conference. Mitch: I think they were they were in relative control for the most part of that game. So I think that was a good performance for James Franklin. Sam Grant: Yeah. I was hoping they would pull a win just for points wise, but win's a win. Mitch: Yeah. Sam Grant: USF beat Delaware State. Shocker. Oklahoma State beat Murray State. Wake Forest had a valiant effort against Miami. I was really impressed with that Wake Forest team. gives me a lot of hope for the rest of the year. Mensah was like twenty four for twenty four at one point in that game, but Wake Forest defense really had some some good stops down there at the end and gave the offenses chances to make it a one score game or even tie the tie the ballgame and just couldn't capitalize. Mitch: That was yeah, that was an interesting one. And I wanna stop you because I'm not sure we're gonna hit on it too too much more. But if you would have just looked at Mince's stat line for that game, you would have thought Miami won going away. And then you kind of look at the box score and you realize, that's not how it went. So yeah, that that was a strong showing from Wake Forest. I would agree with you. Sam Grant: Yeah. So even though it's a loss, I feel like that was a pretty good loss for just just the future of weight for us rest this year. They got another big matchup matchup this week too. Michigan State versus Notre Dame, same kind of thing. Michigan State hung around Notre Dame for close to three quarters and Notre Dame just kind of pulled away, which was expected. and then Colorado State versus BYU. BYU just controlled that game. Colorado State wasn't super competitive in that game. but those are three three top fifteen losses right there from W Wake, Michigan State and Colorado State. So I was wrong on my prediction of that one of was gonna get the win and I had to I had to make my payment for that. Mitch: That's okay. It's it's week this is the week three results. We've got three quarters of the football season left, Sam. You're you're fine. Don't sweat it. Let it also teach you a lesson, though, because last week there was a lot of talk coming out that mouth that I know you're regretting right now. So I'll go ahead and go through my seven. Part of the reason I had such a rough start, ladies and gentlemen, is that I have the Oregon Ducks in my starting rotation. There is no rotation. I have the same starters every week, but they are in there. And because of that, I had a really rough start. I was counting on them to get a lot of points. I spent a lot of my budget on them. Luckily for me, they went out and shut out Portland State 84 to zero, which Sam Grant: yeah. Mitch: I get the shutout bonus. I get 84 points for margin of victory. And I get the win bonus. So that that was pretty huge for me. It a great start. Thank you for finally handling business. This week will be huge as well. We'll get into that. Indiana, Western Kentucky, not going to talk about that too much. Good win there. North Dakota State. Again, I am loving the North Dakota State Bison. They have been my favorite team in my set by far so far. Huge. Got another big win over Sack State. Cal beat Wagner. Way to go. Delaware is another one of my favorites. They're not quite up with North Dakota State yet, though, because they haven't won as many games, but they've been competitive in pretty much every week. And they got a big win against Coastal. And I think it was at Coastal. So good work. It was not. It was at home. Either way, great work, Delaware. Great Sam Grant: It was a d it was a dollar. Mitch: work, Delaware. Thanks for shaking your head at me. I I needed that. Blue Hens, Sam Grant: With they watching that. Mitch: really appreciate it. They have a a tough one this week, though. We'll we'll talk about that later too. Oregon State got a win against Montana and Sam Houston got a win against Nichols. So wins all across the board, and all of a sudden I've got five hundred fifty two points. Sam Grant: So is the main thing for you, was it Oregon? Was that the difference? Mitch: Yeah, so the way the scoring works in this game, I didn't detail how all the points work, but Oregon got me a hundred and four points by themselves this week. Sam Grant: Okay, so that's where you caught up 'cause right now I'm down by twenty, which Mitch: You're down by twenty. And I I mean, I I didn't take a loss. So you did take Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: three losses, which those are negative points. People have to remember that. Yeah. Sam Grant: Yeah. I they say are there's no there's no bonus points for being competitive. So Mitch: Nope. Nope. Sam Grant: yeah, so I'm looking for a bounce back week this week. Tennessee plays Texas at home, the number one team in the country comes to town. We'll we'll kind of elaborate more on that one a little bit as we break that game down. but big opportunity for me to get some points there. Virginia Tech plays Boston College. Boston College is a little bit more improved from last year, but Virginia Tech is a fourteen point favorite right now, so the Hokie should be able to handle business. Mitch: If they're not wearing the red bandanas, they don't stand a chance. Sam Grant: That's true. The Red Bandanas, I think they win that game pretty much every year. USF Mitch: Which is good, they should. Sam Grant: yes, they should. I'm glad they win. The other team shouldn't try it. You gotta you gotta honor America that way. USF plays bowling green. It's fourteen and a half, which doesn't quite make sense to me. Bowling Green has some really bad losses on the year. but that's gonna be a big point one for me. I have a good feeling about that. Oklahoma State plays West Virginia, which is an excellent matchup. we have that as an honorable mention further down in the show, but just a chance for a good really good Big Twelve football game. But feel pretty good about that one. Mitch: Yeah, and the only reason the only reason it's an honorable mention is because the slate this week is really, really good. So I'm excited to get into Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: the actual games we're gonna be discussing in detail and picking. But that Oklahoma State West Virginia game, that is a huge one. I'll definitely be tuned in. Sam Grant: Yeah, I agree. That's gonna be a that's gonna be, I think, a really good matchup to see who else can compete in the Big Twelve from besides Texas Tech, I guess is a better way to put it. Wake Forest plays Louisville, which Louisville looked fantastic last week. I know we've talked about that on Sunday, but I think Wake Forest, the way they competed against Miami, has a chance to go in there and win that football game. So again, sneaky chance for me to win some points there. And then Michigan State plays Nebraska, another kind of sneaky game for me to good litmus test for Michigan State and Nebraska for that matter. Two teams that have a lot to prove. And Nebraska I think has got a little bit more pressure. so I actually Mitch: Yeah. By the way. Sam Grant: really like Michigan State in that spot. Mitch: By the way, the leading passer rating efficiency quarterback in the country, take a guess who it is. Sam Grant: Calandria. Mitch: It's Calandria at Nebraska. Shout out the Huskers. Sam Grant: Yeah, I think that changes this weekend. 'Cause my Spartans are gonna put Mitch: You you better hope so. Sam Grant: him yeah. Mitch: You better hope so. Also, Wake Forest, going back to that that game against Louisville, how about the quarterbacks they play back to back weeks? Mensa and Keen Sam Grant: Yeah, for real. Mitch: Holtz. That is that's a tough back to back right there for that defense. Sam Grant: Yeah. I mean, that's a Heisman finalist and somebody who's trying to make his point that he could be a Heisman finalist, I think. The way he's been playing. Mitch: Yeah, no, I agree. I agree. Sam Grant: and then last game for me is Colorado State versus UTSA, which Colorado State's or UTSA's a thirteen and a half point favorite, which is kind of mind boggling to me. I get Colorado State got beat by BYU, but that's a seems like a pretty wide margin point spread, so four out of my seven teams are not favor I'm sorry, five out of my seven teams are not favored this week. So I've got I've got a little bit of a gauntlet from a point's Mitch: You must I'm gonna send that footage directly to Jeff trailers at UTSA. That guy, he knows how to coach ball. Sam Grant: I'm not disagreeing with that. I mean, Owen McCown's a awesome quarterback who can really sling it. He's lucky that he stayed at UTSA. But I don't know, I just I you don't think that seems like a wide margin for you for how these teams have played so far this year. Mitch: I'm pretty high on UTSA. I actually going into the Texas game, I because I think they played Texas last week, if I'm not mistaken. I I anticipated that to be a little bit not not a nail biter for Texas by any means, but I anticipated it to be relatively competitive, especially because Texas was coming off you know, a pretty pretty huge win for their program. And they they handled it real they handled it well, but I I do think UTSA is gonna justify that point spread. Sam Grant: Yeah, I mean that game was close Mitch: That's just my personal opinion. Sam Grant: that game was closer against Texas than I think a lot of people thought. Maybe that was a little bit of a look ahead spot, but still. Mitch: Yeah. Sam Grant: I think that game was a lot more competitive than the outside college football world would have expected. Mitch: I agree with you. So that's Sam Slate. And if you'll notice as you go through it, he's only got two favorites in his roster this week. So he's really counting on a lot of underdogs, which I mean, I think this is going to be pretty consistent theme throughout pick seven, because y'all got to realize we had a pretty stingy budget to pick these teams. And the good ones are expensive. So we can only afford what we can afford. So we are going to be relying on a lot of plus point spread opportunities this year. try to sneak out some points. And that's honestly why I think this game is so fun, because you really get to feel like you know ball really well if you succeed. So I'll get into my Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: my seven. I've got Oregon who is somehow favored by two and a half points at USC. Now, I know I just discussed the 84 to nothing shellacking of Portland State, but that's 0-4 Portland State, mind you. And they're going on the road to the Coliseum and they're Favored by two and a half points. Did we just forget? Sam Grant: Hey, but Mitch: Did we just forget week one and two of the season? I mean, somebody needs to knock on Vegas Dort. Now, on the flip side of that, USC did have a pretty shaky one this past week against Rutgers. I mean, they won by a touchdown. Rutged had no business being in that game. So defensively, I think there's some concern on the US C side, but I don't know, man. I I know there's a lot of talent baked into these sports Sam Grant: That's a Mitch: books. Sam Grant: that's a really good spot for you though. Oregon favored, Mitch: Yeah. Sam Grant: on the road. USC is ranked higher than Oregon. So you have some chance to win some Mitch: Yeah, this would be a huge Sam Grant: points. Mitch: this would be a huge one if Oregon could pull it out. I just I'm very curious. This is the game where we all find out, and we'll we'll talk about it in more detail later, but this is the game we all find out if Oregon is capable of turning their season around in the fashion that they need to. Cause if they don't at l at the very least perform well and compete and take this game to the wire, I think they're in for a very disappointing season. Sam Grant: Yeah. Two losses before week five. Mitch: And that would be really bad for my pick seven. Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: Okay, Indiana's got Northwestern. Not going to talk about that one too much. I feel all right. Hopefully I don't regret not talking about it in detail. North Dakota State has a bye. So can't lose, but can't can't get any additional points from them this week. Cal. How about Cal favored against the Clemson Tigers, but only by one and a half at home. Clemson's coming off that strange lightning delay performance against North Carolina where they ended up getting a win that they really, really desperately needed. And Cal's just kind of sneakily a a pretty good football team. So that one will be very interesting. I think I like that they're favored. So we'll see what happens. Delaware. This is the one I was talking about earlier. Sam Grant: Yeah. I think I think I think the one and a half is literally just travel. Mitch: I think it's travel and yeah, maybe home field. I'm not really sure how much of a home field advantage Cal Cal's got, but whatever it is, I think that's that's the one and a half. Sam Grant: I was gonna say I don't think there's I don't I don't think I don't think there's much there. Mitch: Yeah, that's a pick'em game for sure. Delaware is a pretty big dog against Virginia, but I I think if I had to pick right now based off what I saw at Virginia last week, I think Delaware ends up covering that spread, which is all I need him to do. Just don't lose too many points there. Oregon State. Favored by twelve and a half against UTEP. I like that. And then Sam Houston is a massive dog against Texas Tech. I don't really think that one's too redeemable, although I'm not super high on tech either. I just th that one I'm gonna have to take a loss and move on. So that's what we got. Sam Grant: Yeah. So it's a pretty good slate for you. I think the Indiana Northwestern game, a little bit sneaky. Friday night, Chip Kelly, offensive coordinator from Northwestern. So just just want to at least mention that to cover yourself. So if something does hap crazy does happen, I'm not saying anything will, but just something to be thrown out there of the could be a chance. I mean Northwestern's unfeated right Mitch: yeah, I know. And they hey, they they put up some points last week. Sam Grant: Yeah, they got the former Michigan State quarterback Aiden Chiles, so I think he was a little bit of a diamond in the rough case at his time in Michigan State and now he's kinda got a pretty competent offense coordinator, so not saying it's gonna happen, but there's a chance for that spread to to get down a little bit. So Mitch: Yep. I agree with you. I see some comments that the people want us to discuss Camario Taylor and Mississippi State as if we have not in detail enough already. We love Camario Taylor around here and we will be sure to get to that for sure. We actually are gonna detail the Mississippi State Missouri game. So if y'all got some patience, we're gonna get there. In in short, Sam Grant: We are. Mitch: yeah. In in in short timing. So thank you guys for keeping that chat active. We've now got Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: before we get into the games to the watch, we've got our chat GPT our favorite segment, our chat GPT segment. Sam Grant: I wish we had a sponsor for this segment. Mitch: Sponsor shout out, shout out Chat GPT sponsored. could be a sponsor. We would love that. But yeah, we pick three random top twenty-five teams from chat, and then we decide if we want to buy, sell, or hold them for the rest of the season. It's been a really fun segment so far. So I know Sam's pulling them together right now. I can't wait to hear what he's got to say. I have no idea what these teams are gonna be. Sam Grant: This is a hard hitting three teams. Mitch: I'm on the edge of my seat, actually. Sam Grant: As as you should be. first team, Texas Longhorns. All right. Number one team in the country. Second team, Chat GPT gave us is the number four Ole Miss Rebels. So two two of the top five SCC teams in the country. And our last pick that Chat gave us go to speak is the number twenty Oregon Ducks, who we just talked about. Mitch: Man Man, this is a good one. Sam Grant: So some pretty this has been I think this is my favorite one that we've had so far of just p teams that are gonna be a tough to kinda move around because I feel like so far it's been pretty easy buy, sell, hold. So this one I'm really trying to think of. You w you want me to start or you wanna go ahead and get us started? Okay. Thanks, chat. Mitch: I'll take it. I'll take it. Thanks for reading them out. I appreciate that. man, buy sell hold. So we got Texas, we got Ole Miss, and we got Oregon. Just make sure I got that right. All right. Sam Grant: Mm-hmm. Mitch: Texas and Ole Miss have one thing in common. They've both already been tested in huge games and come out on top, which I think is significant. Oregon, we all know, has come off and kind of laid an egg beginning the season. But who knows if they're gonna revive? This is a great conversation for buy, sell, hold because I actually I'm gonna hold the Oregon Ducks. I'm gonna start with my hold. I'm gonna hold the Oregon Ducks. Here's why. Number one, rest of season schedule compared to these other teams in Texas and Ole Miss, I think is a little bit more favorable. But that also means I'm banking on them turning it around. If they don't turn their season around, if they don't start showing up and competing, then that's gonna look really bad. But I'm gonna do it anyways, because I picked Oregon to win the national championship before the season started, and it's only week four. So I can't get too far ahead of myself. I'm gonna slowly bring him back. I said I gave up. I'm gonna slowly bring him back. So I'm gonna hold Oregon. Sam Grant: Ha ha ha. Mitch: I am going to buy Texas and I'm going to sell Ole Miss. Sam Grant: Wow. Mitch: Now I'll tell you why. I love Mr. Trinidad Chambliss. Trinidad is probably the best quarterback in college football. He's an elite competitor. He knows how to win football games. He makes plays that no one else can. Unfortunately, Trinidad Chambliss can't play defense. And what I will say about Ole Miss in their two big games that they have won, their defense. Has not looked incredibly strong. And I think as we go further and further into the season, I think that might become more of a problem for them. Maybe even this week. We'll see about that. But I am just a little bit worried long term about the the endurance that they've got as far as their defense. So I'm gonna sell O miss, which is crazy, and then I'm gonna buy Texas. Sam Grant: Yeah, that's crazy. I don't know if I can get behind that. Mitch: They have the best win in the country. What more do you want them to do? Sam Grant: They do. I'm just there's a part of me that's not sold on Archman Archmanning yet. Like I just Mitch: Now I'm not I'm not I'm not fully sold on Arch, but I just think they're a more well rounded team as a whole. Sam Grant: Yeah. Yeah, I think for me I just I struggle to not pick Olmus as my bye, just because obviously they just had this huge matchup against LSU. But they've also played Louisville, who's looking to be like a top contender in the ACC and probably a team that could maybe sneak in the playoff. So they've had maybe the toughest schedule so far up to this point in all of college football. And if there's some team that I'm forgetting right now, I apologize. But from from my knowledge, just off the top of my head, I think they have the best overall schedule and the best competition that they've played so far. And while the defense has kinda had a little bit of a bend don't break, they haven't broke. They've had their they've had their moments for sure, but when you have Trinidad back there on the other side with full, complete trust, knowing that he's going to go down there and make the throw that he needs to or have the little scramble that's going to get him the first down. I just d I have a lot more trust in them than I do in Texas. So I'm going to buy Ole Miss. I'm going to sell the Oregon Ducks. I'm Mitch: Yeah. Why why not just go mainstream? Sam Grant: I think Mitch: Why not just do what everyone else would do? That's great. Sam Grant: Yeah, that's fine. I I have in my playoff too. They're just not my national champion. I'm just Oregon is just not where I want them to be at for Dan Lening's pedigree and just I think a lot I think a lot of the transition that they've had coordinator wise has really affected them from a staff and also just a player personnel area. So I I don't know if I would say they lose this week, but I think they have some games that they will probably slip up in down the road. So I'm gonna have to I'm gonna have to sell the Oregon Ducks. I just I haven't seen enough out of them right now. And then Texas, Mitch: Yeah. Sam Grant: I'll hold. I I'm obviously they had a pretty huge win against Ohio State. They have a big one upcoming this week against Tennessee. I think they're gonna be able to do enough to win some of these games, but for me I think about the difference between the confidence that I would have in Texas in a big time game, say say like a playoff game or Old Miss. And there's just something about Old Miss and that swagger and that team that they got right now that I would have a lot more trust in them than I would in Texas. So that's gonna have to be my three. Biomess, Old Texas, Cell Oregon. Mitch: I like it. I mean, I think that makes the most sense. That was instinctively what I wanted to do. But then when I thought about it, I decided to be entertaining today. and I will stand by those takes. Like I I didn't make that up off the top of my head either. I I really can see a world where Oregon turns things around and it's a good hold. I I agree with, I mean, the the defense for Ole Miss, I am shaky on it. So we'll see what happens there. a couple of things I want to say. in regards to some comments that you made while you were going through Oregon losing both coordinators. I think it's a conversation not enough people are having. Oregon lost both coordinators going into the offseason last year. Really it was happening during the playoffs. A went through the same thing. They lost OC and DC. And Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: neither of those schools, although I'm a huge Dan Lanning believer and I'm a huge Mike Elko believer, neither of those schools have gotten off to a very hot start this year. So I really think that's having a huge impact. and it'll be interesting to see moving forward if programs kind of adjust to those type of situations or if the calendar finally adjusts to get a little bit better. But yeah, that that's an interesting one, and I think it's having a huge impact. we've also got Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: in the live chat, I'm gonna show this on our screen real quick. Shout out Hayden Shields 1643. Thoughts on the Tarleton State upcoming home game versus Chicago State. Sam, I'm gonna I'm gonna throw that one over to you. What do you got? Sam Grant: You know, I saw this come in in the live chat and it actually clicked for me that when I was talking about bowling green and one of their really bad losses, one of those losses was Tarleton State. And Tarleton State looked pretty fiery on offense in that game. And that's that's my only point of reference for them right now. so I know this is a game that's two weeks away right now, but Tarleton State's got a pretty fiery offense. I think they're I think I s actually some for some reason saw something today that they were averaging like thirty five points a game. in Chicago State, I'm gonna be honest, I didn't know they had a football team, so I'm gonna have to go with Tarleton State. Mitch: that's great podcast. I didn't either. I didn't either. And what I do know is the boys in Stevenville know how to play ball. And this is not their f this is not their first rodeo either. Last year they had a pretty solid team. So I'm I'm excited about the tr trajectory of that program as a whole. Hayden Shields 1643. Thank you for your your comment in the live chat. Sam Grant: Yes. We are we are an all inclusive podcast, FCS, NIA, D two, D three. We make sure we touch on everybody. So great, great, Mitch: Yeah. Yeah. Sam Grant: great comment and question for us. Mitch: Whatever you got. That's awesome. All right. So we are now ready for our pick segment. We've got eight games, is what we do every week. We pick the top eight games of the week and we go through and we make our picks. Right now, I am sitting at 18 and 11 record-wise for the season. Sam is also sitting at 18 and 11. before we get into our first game, we're going to pick though, I think Sam has some news to break to the group about His picks. Sam Grant: Yeah. my wife has decided to take upon herself and have some of the best college football knowledge and picks that I've seen throughout the media. And she went five and three West last week. And she is currently sitting at twenty and nine. Last week I was three and five. And so this is now my second time having to wear the hat that if you guys didn't see from one of the previous episodes, it says My wife is always right. So for this entire segment as we go through these eight games, this is my punishment, and I have to wear the my wife is always right hat. So I'm a little bit surprised, a little bit disheartened, a little sad, a little just shocked that this is now my second time having to do this and week four hasn't even begun. So I'm really kind of pro trying to process this right now, but not sure what to think. Mitch: Yeah. It's very unfortunate. And you know, while you're at it and you're bringing yourself to shame a little bit here, why don't you enlighten the people about the Dr. Pepper bet that you made last week? Sam Grant: I d I I I I have a lot of shame. I don't think I can do that right now. Mitch: All right, fine, I'll do it for you. So last week, the three games that Sam lost in his pick seven, he told me on podcast audio for the world to hear that one of those games was gonna end up being a win. They were all pretty large underdogs. And I told him that was ridiculous, and then if it happened, I would get him a Diet Coke or whatever he wanted. But if it didn't happen, which I knew it wasn't, I was gonna get a Dr. Pepper. So shout out Sam. Dr. Pepper, not a sponsor, could be. Second time this episode that we've said that. I would love for Dr. Pepper to one day be a sponsor of Honey It Saturday. Keep it up in the live chat, in the comments, in the subscription, so we can make that happen. But give me just one second. He pulled through. Thank you to Sam for my Dr. Pepper Zero. It's bold. Sam Grant: I'm a little bit jealous. That Mitch: It's very good. Yeah. Sam Grant: that crisp of the cap turning and the fizz popping up. I'm jealous. I got I gotta get my get back here soon. Mitch: So good. All right. You may have an opportunity. We'll get to that later. Let's get into it. First game that we're picking this week, we've got college game day is going to be in town. The big man, the president of the United States is allegedly going to be in town. We've got Tennessee Volunteers hosting the Texas Longhorns. Sam, what do you got here? Sam Grant: You know, I am all for this game becoming a rivalry. Like I think there needs to be some kind of trophy that's like the battle of who the real UT is. Something I mean, everybody knows the real UT was Tennessee. They were first, but just for like bragging rights and just something really cool that could happen from this game being played more often, I think would be a really cool opportunity. This is the first time Tennessee and Texas have played at somebody else's home field. They've only ever played at the Cotton Pole and they've played three times. So for two of these kind of pretty big blue bloods that have been around the college football world for a while for them to this kind of being their first time at each each each each place's home is a little bit shocking to me. but for the game itself, man, I feel like this is a good spot for both these teams to put up or shut up. Arch Manning coming in with Texas, they struggled on the road last year. You've look back at some of those games they played. They barely snuck by Mississippi. They barely beat a wounded Kentucky. They lost a Florida, who was g on the on the end of their time with Billy Napier. obviously they had a huge win against Ohio State, but just a good chance for them to prove on the road in a really hostile environment that they can compete and they can kind of continue this run as they look for the playoff. Tennessee, on the other hand, first real test, I think, for them this year. Georgia Tech, I think everybody expected to kind of be a little bit of a a little bit more of a, I guess, showcase of what Tennessee is going to be this year. And they've been really Mitch: Yeah, they've they've been a little bit disappointing. Sam Grant: Yeah, very disappointing. So I think I saw something today that like Tennessee is last in the SEC in explosive plays, past explosive plays, which most people would think about from a Josh Titel offense is kind of surprising. But I think it's a mix of both of running the football, we've averaged it pretty close to 300 yards per game and phase on Brandon. They're just kind of still getting him getting him in in the groove of things. So I think that's the that's the key thing for me is I think Brandon's gonna have to make some plays to kind of prove that he's a freshman but that he's gonna make some flashy plays that are gonna keep keep Tennessee in the game. I think this is gonna be a really good football game. I think this is a great opportunity. What's up? Mitch: Hey, on that explosive play stat, did you see who's second to last in the SEC by chance? Sam Grant: I did not. Is it Texas? Mitch: It's the Texas Longhorns. And they're right next to each other. Sam Grant: Wow. That's crazy. I actually didn't know that. So I think this will be a good opportunity for both defenses. I think Mush Champ will be able to make a lot of curveballs that kinda go towards Faison Brandon that he hasn't seen before. But Brandon also goes against Jim Knowles every day in practice. So I think this is gonna be a great coaching matchup. I think it's gonna be a great game. You guys know I'm a huge Tennessee fan. Everything in me wants to pick Tennessee and I hope next week I'm wrong. But I just I haven't seen enough from Tennessee with the competition we've played compared to Texas, who's arguably beaten one of the best teams in the country. I just think right now for where these programs are at and where quarterbacks at and defensively still kind of a little bit vanilla on defense. And maybe maybe Jim Nolan just opens up the floodgates this week against Arch Manning, which he definitely could. I just think we're gonna see a lot of new stuff from Tennessee this week. And I think with that there's probably gonna be a little bit of growing pain, so I'm gonna have to sadly take the Texas Longhorns to win this football game. Mitch: Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I I agree with a lot of the things that you said. My the main thing for me here, and I'll get into some of the actual game preview as far as what I think we're gonna see on the field tactically, but the main thing for me here is I've been to Nealan Stadium and I was at a a three thirty kickoff where, you know, by the end of the game it's starting to get dark and it was an incredible atmosphere, checkerboard. The whole thing, which by the way, side note, I saw Tennessee is flipping the orange and white checkers. Is that accurate? Sam Grant: Mm. Yeah, they are. The they've they've had the same like checkerboard layout for the last four or five years, maybe. And some of the fans have kind of reached out and said, Hey, we kinda wanna wear orange instead of white or vice versa. And the athletic department listened. So we have a whole new still checkerboard but different sections than what it used to be. Mitch: That's so funny. Hey, you gotta listen to them. They're the ones who feed some money into the program. So good for them. Sam Grant: Okay. Mitch: so yeah, they're flipping. I don't know if that means something, but they're inverting the checkerboard. So maybe it's a new era of Tennessee football we're about to find out about. But, anyways, it's an 11 a.m. or a noon kickoff. And that is very unfortunate for the volunteers. Cause I I think this will be a very competitive game. I I don't think that's gonna, you know. mean that this game is just a runaway for Texas by any means. I think it's going to be very competitive. But I really think if it was that night game environment at Nealand, that I would be a lot more likely to pull the trigger and take the volunteers here. I think Faison, I I I think he's good. But like you said, this is really his first experience with a defense of this caliber and and Texas is going to throw everything they've got at him. And I just I saw that defense stand tall, specifically in the second half, against probably one of the best offenses in the country in Ohio State. And that was just a couple weeks ago. Because I've seen that out of the Longhorns, and I have yet to really see the balls tested in the same way, like you were saying, I have to stick with the Longhorns here. The one thing I will say, Arch Manning on the road. Is a slight question mark. I think this is his opportunity to step up and say, okay, I've made, I've made strides from last year to this year. Y'all don't gotta worry about me anymore. I'm here. I'm a Manning. We're good. We're good. Sorry, LeBron. We're good. Ben Sam Grant: Yeah, I think Mitch: Simmons is here. But Arch Manning is here. Step aside. And so I Sam Grant: gosh. Yeah, I mean I think Mitch: I think he has an opportunity to do that in a in a positive way. I just if I see it. Like if I see a world where Tennessee wins, Arch looks shaky. He turned the ball over a couple of times. He was missing throws. He was confused. So it'll be interesting, but I do have the Longhorns taking this one. Sam Grant: Yeah. I mean I think that's a storyline though. I mean, Arch Manning, he's somehow never been to Knoxville. I mean, he's gonna walk into Nealand Stadium, he's gonna look up and see his uncle's name. I mean, I know everybody's saying he's not gonna worry about that, but that comes with a lot of pressure, especially in the house that that Nealand or that Peyton really kind of built in Knoxville. just I think there's a lot to that storyline that's probably not gonna get told the full story, and I was a little bit bummed about the the noon kickoff originally. But there's been something about it this week that's just kind of gotten me really hyped up for game day moving inside Newland Stadium at twelve or eleven going towards the twelve kickoff, getting to see game day watching Tennessee run through the T, hearing Rocky Top in the background, potentially Donald Trump is the guest picker. Like, I think there's a lot of different kind of different things that can make this game day experience unique at Tennessee. for Mitch: Yeah. Sam Grant: a noon kickoff and one last thing, Josh Hykel is ten and one in noon kickoff games. Mitch: Interesting stat. I like that stat. Sam Grant: in his in his entire time at the University of Tennessee, he is ten and one. And his first loss was his his his only loss was his first year against Pitbur Pittsburgh and Kenny Pickett. So outside of that, he's basically been he's Mitch: Okay. I like that stat. Sam Grant: ten and in his last noon games. So Mitch: Way to go, Sam. That's huge. All right. Well, we're very fired up for that one. We do have to move on. We've got seven more games to pick today. This one was originally supposed to be a blockbuster. Now I'm not saying it's not, but Oklahoma and Georgia. Oklahoma is limping in. Quite literally, limping in. The crowd is having to yell at John Mateer to tell him where to go. Georgia, on the other hand, has not been tested. Has not been tested, but they've looked very good. So what are your thoughts here on the Sooners? Crawling into Athens this weekend. Sam Grant: I think it's exactly what you just said. They're gonna be crawling into Athens. I think Oklahoma will be able to keep their offense in the game just for maybe a half. But I mean the way Mathias looked against Michigan, the way he looked last week against New Mexico. Now granted New Mexico has some really good football players, but that's still they should have they should score more than fourteen points. And there's something in his press conference where he made note of. Yeah, I threw I checked the ball down or something like that 'cause I heard somebody scream he was open. And I'm I really couldn't I really couldn't tell, Mitch: No. Sam Grant: but it seemed really serious. Mitch: It wasn't even that. It was that's why I said somebody's yelling at John Mateer, telling him where to go to to crawl Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: into to Athens this weekend. But it was a big play. It was a it was a deep ball downfield. And he had a man just streaking Sam Grant: it was a default. Mitch: wide open and he couldn't find him. And the crowd was yelling, and he was like, I should probably look up. And he said that in his press conference. And that's just not something that you admit. That's bad PR, but that's just the state of Oklahoma Sam Grant: geez. See, I thought it was check down. Yeah, I'm sure he got Mitch: football. Sam Grant: Yeah, he got probably a nice talking to. I kind of feel for Brent Venables. I you look at Vatir and you look at Arbuckle and what they've produced before, and it just hasn't worked out at Oklahoma. this game's at Georgia. Really first kind of get up game for the Bulldogs. They've looked really good, like you said, on all fronts. I don't think that ends. I don't think this game's competitive. I think the spread is accurate. I would probably take Georgia plus the points, honestly. I think they win by more than fourteen. I think Georgia just Mitch: Mm. Sam Grant: proves their point here. This is a little bit more competition compared to Arkansas, but I don't see Matir making out of there alive and I don't see them scoring points at all how how they need to to be able to compete in this game. Mitch: I don't either. Potential potential lock of the week question mark? No, shaking your head. All right. Hey, ladies gentlemen. Sam Grant: No, I've I've got I've got my other locks for the week, don't worry. Mitch: Ladies and gentlemen, we do have a new segment to introduce to the show that we're gonna get to here a little bit later, but we do have a lock of the week segment. It's actually got a more fun name than that, but I can't disclose it until we get there. So you guys stick around. But we will be picking Sam Grant: No spoilers. Mitch: one or two games each. one, you know, odds bet that we really like going into the week. And we've got a friendly side wager on it as well, which might have something to do with why I told Sam he's got an opportunity to get his soda back. Sam Grant: Right. Mitch: We'll see. But yeah, I agree with you. I don't want to talk about this one for too long. I I do think the one area or the one situation where Oklahoma can make it interesting because they have a very, very good defense is it's Georgia's first real test of the year. They're kind of sluggish. Oklahoma's defense is balling and flying around. You get to the fourth quarter and you look up and you're like, hold on, it's fourteen to ten. Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: It's ten to seven. It's thirteen to ten. Whatever. And there, you know, it it could get interesting in that scenario. And that that could be it a a realistic scenario where Oklahoma ends up covering that spread. But I just don't see him winning Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: the game. I got the Bulldogs. Sam Grant: Yeah, I I wish I wish this game was a little bit closer. I think you look at this week's schedule of when the SEC announced these game times, and I think they're they're kind of realizing they got it a little bit flipped. 'Cause you got Tennessee, Texas at noon, which is the two undefeated teams. Oklahoma's got a loss against Georgia, which is three thirty, and then A and L S U, which is at seven thirty, which we'll get into that one a little bit later too. But just I think there's a lot more expectations for this game specifically this year, and Oklahoma just hasn't. lived up to it. I mean, Oklahoma was picked as a as a playoff team by a lot of people. Mitch: Yeah. They were I mean, Oklahoma extended venables before the season started. Sam Grant: That's right, yeah, they did. Mitch: Which is a really interesting storyline too. I like Fenables, but it's just offensively not worked out so far. And unless they could turn it Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: around mid season in a very significant way, doesn't appear to be on the right trajectory. Sam Grant: Agreed. Mitch: All right, we've got the next game. You can see it at the bottom of the screen. We've got the Ole Miss Rebels and the Florida Gators. Ole Miss is just, you know, primetime, big time matchup after big time matchup after big time matchup to start the year. And somehow they find themselves as an underdog in Gainesville. That is shocking to me. I think Trinidad Chambless is an incredible quarterback. And like I said earlier. The one thing about Ole Miss, if you're going to question anything, the one thing that you can question about them so far is the durability of that defense. Because they have given up yards and they have given up points, especially in the two big games they've played. So I'm not I'm not saying that they're not vulnerable, but they have the best player in the country. And the guy just knows how to win football games as Sam is coughing and probably laughing at everything I'm saying right now. Because he just has no respect, Sam Grant: A little bit of both. Mitch: even though he's wearing the my wife is always right hat. So thanks for that. Sam Grant: All right, that's a low that's a low that's a low blow. Mitch: but yeah, I Sam Grant: Wow. Mitch: I just it's shocking to me that you got the best player in the country who's already proven himself in two big time games this this year, and we're only in week four, and they're underdogs on the road of Florida. Having said that, I thought Aaron Philo and that Florida offense looked very good last week. And I know they gave up some late scores in that Auburn game, made the score look closer and higher than it was. Although their defense played decently well too. They did give up about two hundred seventy yards to Byron Brown in the air. And if you're gonna give up 270 to Byron Brown, you better be ready for Trinidad Chambliss. Cause if you're getting up 270, Sam Grant: seven five speed, might I add. Mitch: yeah, if you're giving up 270 to to Byron, no no shade to Brown, but he's no Trinidad Chambless. So that's something to watch out for. The one thing I'll say, I think this game's gonna be a shootout. I think both teams are gonna score a lot of points. And it's in the swamp. It's in the swamp. Sam Grant: You gonna do it? Mitch: And the LSU Tigers ran for about a buck seventy on Ole Miss last week. And the Florida Gators might have the best running back in the country at Jaden Ball. Sam Grant: Do it. Mitch: I'm gonna do it. I'm taking the Gators. I said Ole Miss is gonna end up stumbling at some point in the year. That schedule's tough. They've had a really rocky, like rocky schedule to start. Obviously, they've handled it really well. I just think this is the one they drop. They're coming off a ton of emotion. I mean, that was the game they were looking forward to. The whole country was, but that was the kiffen bowl. It was the drama, it was at home. I'm sure there was celebration. I just think this is a little bit of a letdown on the road in Gainesville. I think this is John Summerall's announcement to the world. I think the Gators end up winning this game. Sam Grant: Wow. See, I think there's one thing that you just said that about last week that it was the kiffin bowl. And I agree. I think it was the kiffin bowl. But you know who doesn't care about that at all? Pete Golding. Mitch: I bet he cares about it a little bit. Sam Grant: I he just he he came out this past week or maybe it's a couple of days ago. He's like, This just another that was just another game on our schedule 'cause Kiffin of course came out and made some comment about how that was Old Miss the Super Bowl and he's sitting there and he's like, We won the game, on to the next one And I think honestly, seeing this spread in that Old Miss locker room and in that facility is another level of motivation that Florida probably wishes they weren't given to Old Miss. I mean, I think you think about Old Miss and how they won that game, how how it ended, just all to build up kinda like you talked about. Get back in the locker room, look for next week. Okay, we got film. We gotta watch for Florida tomorrow. Wait, how are we a three and a half point spread? We just be one of the top ten teams in the country and we're underdogs on the road, I think they're gonna look to look at that as very disrespectful. I think it'll be a really good football game. I think Florida is gonna be able to run the football pretty well. I think it's gonna be a shootout like you said. But again, it goes back to kind of our a rip segment beforehand and I just I gotta buy Ole Miss. I'm buying their stock now. Or I bought it a couple weeks ago, but I would buy it now and just continue to ride that. I think Florida's gonna be a good football team, but again, Auburn I don't think was as quite where we thought they were gonna be at. So I think this is a pretty big step for the Gators. I think it'll be competitive, but I think Ole Miss will be able to pull it out at the end. Mitch: I love it. I mean, I I can see it both ways for sure. I just I'm gonna take Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: a gamble. I think that they're gonna be a little bit, they were a little Sam Grant: Okay. Mitch: too high last week. And they deserve deservedly so. That was a huge win for them and their program. And their defenses Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: look shaky. So I'm just gonna go out on a limb and say they get a little bit exposed and doesn't mean they can't turn it around. One loss is not gonna Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: kill you, especially not with their resume and their schedule. But I think this is a tough one in the swamp. Sam Grant: Yeah, I agree. I think this is for this this has the chance to be the best game of the weekend. Again. Yeah. Great Mitch: I agree. Very entertaining. Definitely lock into that one. Sam Grant: Yeah, great matchup and this kind of transitions Mitch: All right. Sam Grant: us into what was viewed as a shootout above is now a slug fest, I think. With Mich Mitch: It could not be more polar opposite. Sam Grant: Yeah, I mean this is this is like a fifteen to thirteen kind of game or seventeen thirteen. Michigan is Five and a half point favorites, which kind of seems like a random number for them. I think I was undefeated, Michigan's undefeated. This game's in the big house. Mitch: Michigan is undefeated with the asterisk. Sam Grant: That's true. I don't yeah. Danielson at Boise State came out this week in his in his Western Michigan press conference and said, Yeah, they're going on they're going on the road to play against a Western Michigan undefeated football team. So it's still Mitch: Yeah, respect to him. Sam Grant: it's it's still up in the air. but yeah, this matchup I think is just gonna be a slug fest. I think Michigan is continuing to grow under Whittingham, getting a little bit more comfortable on that offense. Bryce Underwood is still I I just don't see it with him throwing the football. I don't know if he's the long term guy for them. I think it's hard because they've invested so much money. one thing that I am very high on with the Iowa Hawkeyes is Hank Brown. He's our quarterback, transferred from Auburn. When I was back at Liberty, he was actually committed to us before Freeze and his staff left for Auburn and he went with them. He's somebody that just truly wears wears his faith on his sleeve and just an overall really good dude. But I think he's I think he's grown as a quarterback in his time with Iowa. look at that. On right on cue with McBogey Goff, Hank Brown will take over Ann Arbor. Mitch: Shout out McBogey Golf, by the way. Major shout out. Whoever they are, I appreciate the love. Go give them some attention. That's great. Hank Brown, what a drop. Sam Grant: Yeah, that that's a that's a good drop in on cue. It's like we almost talked about that beforehand, but we didn't. with that being said, again, Slugfest, I was always pretty consistently defense on defense. I think Iowa does just enough to win this football game in the big house. Like McBogie Goff said, Hank Brown will take over Ann Arbor, and I am riding that ship. So give me the Hawkeyes to go into Ann Arbor and get the win. Mitch: But you didn't even mention Winningham once. Sam Grant: I did. Mitch: well, I'll mention him again. I not always the best listener. I I hear that sometimes. I'll mention him, but I don't think he's gonna get it done either. I I'm just gonna echo what you said. I think Iowa gets it done. I think Hank Brown Sam Grant: Really? Mitch: gets it done. I think Iowa's defense we don't even really need to talk about. That's just something that's consistent year over year. It's incredibly impressive. And we've seen Michigan face a tough defense already this year. Really a couple. Western Michigan. No slouch defensively. But Oklahoma, we all know Venable's defense. It was a great defense they played. They didn't move the ball all over the field. They ended up winning the game. I think that was mostly due to an Oklahoma offensive deficiency. And I'm not saying Iowa's gonna light the world on fire offensively. I don't think they ever do. But I somehow trust them more than the Oklahoma Sooners on offense right now. So for that reason, I'm gonna take the Hawkeye. Sam Grant: I think the Hawkeye's had the quarterback edge. Yeah. Mitch: So we're both taking we're both taking Iowa plus five and a half. I I do have some questions about that point spread. There must be a lot of Ann Arbor home field baked into that. Sam Grant: I mean that's a lot of what that is. And I'm sure there's some history stat of these two matchups recently, but I would I would have kind of expected more of a three and a half, four and a half maybe. Mitch: Yeah, I would agree. And speaking of Western Michigan, this is a massive G six matchup we've got here. Western Michigan goes to Boise. I mean, this this could be for a playoff spot at the end of the day. It really could. Whether you view Western Michigan Sam Grant: Yeah, they really. Mitch: as undefeated or a one loss team right now, that one loss is to Michigan. So if it got to the end of the year and they were eleven and one, they'd very much be in that conversation. This is huge. Boise's looked incredible. From week one against Oregon to the UNL V, it was UNL V right, week two. To the I mean, they've just they've looked impressive. They've moved the ball. They can run the ball really well. Their backs are solid. Sam Grant: Memphis, sorry. Mitch: I don't know, man. Western Michigan, they've got a really tough defense. And if they can find a way to possess the ball enough to slow Boise down, I think they could get it done. However, I am going to roll with the Broncos. I just have too much trust in them and they're at home. And seven points seems like a lot, but I think that's probably accurate in this one. Sam Grant: Yeah. Yeah, I agree. I think this is your typical G six matchup to where there's a pretty clear distinction between these G six roster wise. Western Michigan obviously should be undefeated at this point. I think everybody can agree upon that. but it says two and one, so they're that's where they sit right now. Offensively, I I think their their defense is really solid, but I think Boise State offensively is nine day difference compared to Michigan. from just a reference standpoint. So I I think I think Boise State's just too much. I think this will be a really competitive game, but Boise State just has too much depth. I think I don't know if I'd say the better coaching staff, but the I think they have the advantage in a lot of different assets of this game. So I'm gonna have to go with the Broncos. Mitch: I agree with you. All right. We've got a few more to talk about. This is one that you mentioned earlier as far as the SEC TV schedules go. This one was one they looked at a few weeks ago and they thought, of course, Baton Rouge. Two top ten teams at the time. Why would this not be the night game? So they threw it at the night game Sam Grant: Maybe undefeated. Mitch: slot. And then LSU and A and both go and lose last week. And so now here we are. But it is a night game in Baton Rouge. Those are always electric. And this is kind of a modern day rivalry. These programs go at it every year. They're bordering states. There's a lot of recruiting battles in between these two schools. Kiffin's new to it, so that'll be a new dynamic this year. AM has dominated it as of late last couple years. And the one thing I'll say Marcel Reid has struggled to start the year, and he looked really bad last week against Kentucky. He missed a lot of throws. I know he would love to have back. And he's capable of making, but it's not really a great place to be momentum-wise going into a night game in Baton Rouge. However, statistically, Marcel Reid against LSU has been a different beast in the last two years. Both, both times, both in Kylefield and last year was a night game in Baton Rouge. He played very, very good football and led his team to a victory. So the kiffen dynamic is new, but Marcel's experienced with this. And I I think that could be interesting as we get into it. LSU's coming off a loss they really wanted. They really wanted that in Oxford last week. And I think coming off a major upset like AM is losing to Kentucky, going into Baton Rouge while they're already fired up because they really wanted that one, I think is not a good dynamic. I think LSU's gonna end up walking out, and I think they probably win this game by multiple scores. AM's defense. Gives up a lot of big plays. They did to Arizona State, even though they won that game by twenty-eight. Gave up a lot of explosive plays, gave up a lot of explosives last week to Kentucky, and even could have given up more. Kentucky missed some opportunities as well. So I think that's a scary place to be. Maybe Levitt doesn't play well, turns the ball over. Elko gets his defense to confuse him, which very well could happen, but I don't I don't see it right now. I'm taking L S U. Sam Grant: Yeah, I I think I'd have to kinda agree with you there. It's it's definitely a tricky matchup for me to pick because I think, like you said, you look at the history, Texas A and has kind of just had LSU in the past couple of years, but obviously it's a completely different staff and roster now. A and I just think I think these team these two teams are both in very vulnerable spots right now. both like kinda you you mentioned, like both these game both these teams arguably could be undefeated right now. And if you look at after this week, one of these teams is going to have two losses for two projected playoff teams by most people kinda in the media. so I think it could be a really good matchup. I think both teams are gonna kinda go annoying with that mindset. But I think just being in Baden Rouge at home, kind of their get back after last week against Old Miss, I think there's just I think just from a roster standpoint too, I think LSU is just a little bit ahead of A and right now and Marcel Reid just hasn't. He just didn't look good on Saturday. So I I hope he has a bounce back game and just for your sake, but I just I don't believe in it right now. And especially in that spot on in that air in that stadium, that's a hard place to kind of rebound. Mitch: Yeah, the one thing I'll say about Marcel Reed and AM that I've wondered for a while, and obviously I pay extra close attention to the Agues. I'm have not been shy about the fact that I went to Texas AM. So I am a fan, but I I just do not understand why they've consistently taken a guy with an athletic dual threat skill set and bottled him up and turned him into a mediocre pocket passer. And I'm not sure if that's a system thing or if that's a Marcel Reed thing. Maybe he's trying to fight the critics and he's doing that to himself and he just wants to prove he can do it. And he, you know, he keeps stumbling. And very well could be the case. But if they get into a little bit more of a free Marcel Reed offense, a backyard football type vibe, let him loose. That's where he makes big plays. And that's what he did to him last year in Baton Rouge. Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: He made multiple big plays with his legs that changed that game. So I just I would love to see them get him going on the ground a little bit more. Didn't see it at all really against Kentucky last week. So it very little against Arizona State. And so I think that's an interesting thing to keep an eye out for. just see if they try to get him going on the ground early, maybe get him in rhythm, feeling a little bit more comfortable. Sam Grant: Let me ask you a question. Do you think part of that's because of Colin Klein? Do you think his kind of regression right now, I know we talked about a little bit earlier, is just the coordinator discussion. Like, do you think this is a part of kind of where he's at right now and where Marcel Reid is compared to what he was last year? Mitch: I know that Colin Klein and Marcel had a really good relationship. and Klein was a mobile guy. So I I I think that that could be impacting it. But even last year, there were a lot of games where I thought he was restricting himself in the pocket, even in that Klein system. So I wouldn't necessarily say so. I wouldn't necessarily say Sam Grant: Yeah, I was just Mitch: so. Sam Grant: I was just curious 'cause I think just like some of the fundamentals that he should have at this point in his career, it seems like he's kind of just taking a step back. So I dunno I don't Mitch: Yeah. Sam Grant: know what they have in in in college station in regards to offense coordinator compared to Colin Klein, but I think it's just a huge benefit when you have somebody on your staff or in that Mitch: Well Sam Grant: room that's played the quarterback position at a high level. who's kind of been been there, done that. Mitch: Well, Holman Wiggins is their OC. Yeah, Holman Wiggins is the new OC. And I mean, he's been a part of some incredible staffs and pro and teams at Alabama under Nick Saban as an offensive co offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, but his background is wide receivers. So not as much of the quarterback Sam Grant: Got Mitch: side of things. So you're right, it it could be having an impact. Sam Grant: Yeah. Which segues pretty well into this game. And I know we talked about it with coordinators. And you can say the same for USC too. Oregon, Southern Cal. Like we said earlier, Oregon's the favorite on the road in Southern Cal. I don't know if they're looking back to that week zero against President of State, looking at that crowd and saying, this this is a neutral site game. But this is a this is a playoff elimination spot, I think for me. Obviously if Oregon loses, that's two losses and they're gonna they're gonna probably slip up one more throughout the rest of the year. And for USC, Lincoln Riley, this is his like this is his last year, I think, if he doesn't really if he doesn't get to the playoff, I think he's gone. so this is a big prove it year for them. I honestly just for me, it comes down to who I trust more. I'm disappointed than Dan Lanning. I think the way US C played last week against Rutgers, it had no business being that close. I mean, we've seen Ruckers get destroyed by UMass of all schools. Who's actually looking they're they're still undefeated. They look pretty good, but that's just still Mitch: I saw somebody today say they're gonna go twelve and by the way. Sam Grant: I'd I've said that after week one. They l I mean Pop Watson, that dude is a beast. but Jaden Mavia or Mayava, I think he's still a really solid quarterback and I think he'll make some plays, but USC and Gary Patterson on defense, I just I don't think they're there yet. I don't think they're as in sync as they should be. I think Oregon knows the pressures on them. I think Oregon is the more structurally sound program right now. so it it's just hard for me to to not pick Oregon to win this football game. USC's just kind of been in this place for the last, I don't know, four or five years to me. And every time they kinda get to this big time matchup where it's all right, Lincoln Riley, prove it how it was at Oklahoma, you can do it here at US C and he just hasn't done that. So I don't I I'm not gonna start believing it now until I see it. Mitch: I agree with you. And I mean, even going back to those Oklahoma days under Lincoln, I'm not saying that those teams weren't incredible because they were, they had some offensively dominant squads, but they went through the Big 12 slate. And then by the time they got to the playoff, it was a lot of the same conversations we're having now. I mean, they fell flat Sam Grant: Yeah, it's very true. Mitch: a lot of the time once they got to those playoff matchups. And I think there's been more to it than just that. Since he's gotten to USC, because he's lost some inexplicable games as well. But I do think maybe the Big Ten is a different level. And some of those things that got exposed later on in the year while he was at Oklahoma are getting exposed earlier. And I think this is another one of those opportunities. Although Oregon we're we're talking about a Dan Lanning coach program, which obviously is a pro. I think we're both Lanning fans were confident in his leadership and the culture that they have established there. But we're really counting on it because the start to the year was sluggish and disappointing, almost devastating. Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: That Oklahoma State game, I mean, I don't think people are going to forget about that for a long time. That was massive, not just for Oregon, but for college football as a whole. And it was frontline story. And so this is a huge moment for them. They could redeem it and turn the season around. If they don't, they're entering into some murky waters. It's risky business for the Ducks. This is one that they desperately need. And Sam Grant: yeah. Mitch: that's honestly, that's the main reason that I'm rocking with Oregon this week is because they're in full desperation mode. And I think they will be for probably the next couple weeks. But this one is one they really, really need. They've had it circled on their calendar for a long time. And I hope I hope that USC is ready. I think it could be a good game. I I do think USC is an improved team from last year, but what I saw from them last week was not at all what I wanted to see defensively, giving up thirty-five points to Rutgers. Sam Grant: No, definitely not. Mitch: Like you said earlier, it could have just been a look ahead thing for USC. But even if it was, I don't like it. I don't like it. So I'm rolling with the Ducks. Sam Grant: Yeah. I mean that just still can't happen. No matter what. But Mitch: No, it can't happen. Sam Grant: you you you can't be that close I mean, they were they were pretty close to losing that football game, so Mitch: Yeah. All right. We got our last game. Sam Grant: The Oregon ducks we ride. Mitch: We got our last game. We are finally hitting on Camario Taylor. So shout out to the live chat. We did get to Camario Taylor. We're at we're at Mississippi State, Missouri. We're in Starkville this weekend. And I've heard rumors this is gonna be the best environment that Starkville's ever had. I don't know if you've seen it. I've heard rumors. I think that's dangerous for Missouri. Because I I know Missouri ended up pulling away last week. I think they played Troy, but that that game was a little shaky to start out. I'm just not fully a believer in that Austin Simmons offense yet. And so I I and I also just love Camario Taylor. I think Mississippi State, again, they're one of the most proven teams in the country. I mean, yeah, Minnesota's not a powerhouse, but they went to Minnesota, Big Ten school, and they handle business. They go to South Carolina last week. Lot of potential to lose that. South Carolina over there in Columbia, that is upset central, just waiting to happen. They went down, dug themselves into a big hole, and they still climbed out of it and won that game going away. So I've been really impressed with Jeff Levy and this Mississippi State team. And I just think they keep it going. I don't think this is the week that they take an L. I don't think it's the one. And I still think they're being a little bit disrespected by the AP poll. They need to crawl up a little bit. Sam Grant: Yeah. Yeah, I'd agree. I think I think this is a really tricky spot for Missouri. I think I think Austin Simmons and those guys have actually looked pretty good for Missouri defensively. I mean, I feel like Eli Dranklitz is just always consistent with his Missouri team. I'm pretty sure they still don't have a mod Hardy running back. like you said, this environment where Starkville is right now, probably as a fan base, Mississippi State as a whole, they are just super excited and I think it showed a lot about them last week in Columbia, like you said, digging themselves a hole and being able to come back and just kinda put the game away there. I think that shows a lot about the culture and where those guys are at as a program. I think this game's gonna be competitive. I think Austin Simmons and Camario Taylor's gonna be a great kind of back and forth matchup. I don't think Mississippi State b state is, but I hope they're not kind of looking ahead a little bit to who's coming in town next week, but I hope for for that matter, I hope Mississippi gets the win. I picked against them last week. I can't do that again. and Camario Taylor and just Jeff Levy. That honestly that defense for Mississippi State too. I know they had some they had some slips up slip ups last week in Columbia, but forced two really big turnovers on the Norris sellers. So at this point, Mississippi State, like you said, is just more proven. So I'm gonna I'm gonna have to roll with the Bulldogs on this one. Mitch: Yep. I love it. All right. We've gotten through our eight games that we're picking this week. And we do have some honorable mentions. Liberty Coastal. Sam Grant: He here, hold up. You wanna go through our wise picks real quick? Mitch: yeah, let's do that. How can we forget? One of us might be wearing the Sam Grant: Yeah. So I Mitch: hat next week. Sam Grant: Yeah, I hope it's not me again. So Cameron, her eight games that she's picked this week are Tennessee, so we're already different there. She's got Georgia beating Oklahoma, which is I'm same boat. She has Florida beating Ole Miss. She has Michigan beating Iowa, Boise State beating Western Michigan, LSU beating A and Oregon beating USC, and Mississippi State beating Missouri. So we have three games in there that can kind of swing swing our our our total record for us and honestly hopefully get me back tied. But I also hope for my sake Tennessee gets the win and I can just slowly claw back as the year goes on. But yeah, our di our differ our different rating matchups are Tennessee, Florida, and Michigan. Mitch: Yeah, we we both need to catch up to Cameron. She's been rocking it. Keaton's not Sam Grant: Yeah. Mitch: doing quite as hot, but she does still have a winning record. She's 16 and 13 on the year. So not doing horrible. she's got Tennessee. So she's in alignment with Cameron there. We both are in a little bit of trouble. Georgia, Ole Miss, Michigan. Which I I picked Florida. I would like to remind you. So that's a little sketchy. Ole Miss, Michigan. So that's different too. Boise, LSU, Oregon, Mississippi. There's a few opportunities for us to get caught. Sam Grant: There is, yeah, three different three different kind of matchups for us. So good chance Mitch: Yeah. Sam Grant: for us to get some points against the wives, but also we need it we need it pretty bad. Mitch: We need it. We need a bad. Sam Grant: I'm kinda tired of wearing this hat already. Mitch: Yeah. All right. So these honorable mention games that are not part of the eight that we're picking, but are still great games that we think that you guys should tune into this weekend. We've got Liberty and Coastal Carolina. And you know, I think we have an announcement as a show as well. Sam Grant: We do have an announcement. Mitch: Sam? Sam Grant: This is the first official Honey and Saturday football, college football tour. As Mitch and I will be Mitch: Ha ha. Sam Grant: driving down to Conway, South Carolina tomorrow to see the Liberty Flames take on the Coastal Carolina Shawnee Clears. big matchup. Honestly, a pretty big rivalry for those two programs that go back to the Big South days. shout out Major Hawkins for the tickets, friend of the program. hoping we get a chance to go down there and get a win, but also excited to to add this have this be the first game of the of the series for us and hopefully get to go to more throughout this year. Mitch: Yeah, super fun. I'm excited about that. A midweek game, Liberty and Coastal. I lived in Lynchburg in those big South days, and that was real. That was a real rivalry. So I'm excited for it. Indiana and Northwestern. We talked about it a little bit in the pick seven. Intriguing. Northwestern's offense, a little bit intriguing. So we'll see. South Carolina at Alabama. South Carolina's limping, but that game tends to be, at least in the last few years, pretty interesting. Last year, South Carolina kind of gave it away. That was in Columbia. So we'll see what happens in Tuscaloosa. But anytime you got Lenora Sellers on the roster, there's always a potential to boom. So even though they've looked kind of slouchy, there's always potential there. Oklahoma State, West Virginia. This one is like a one and a half point spread. It's a pick'em. It's at West Virginia. I hope there's some sparks that fly in this game. I I think that one's gonna be a shootout as well. I don't know about you. Sam Grant: Yeah, I agree. That's gonna be a lot of offense scored. Mitch: Yep. Tulsa at Arkansas. man. We gotta stop talking about Arkansas. But this is one Tulsa already took down Oklahoma State. Sam Grant: Much do you think Arkansas's favorite buy in this game? Mitch: I think it's like a touchdown. Sam Grant: Okay. That's pretty s that's literally seven points. Seven points bread. Okay. Mitch: Yeah, I looked at it earlier. I'm cheating. but I I just dude, I don't know. The only thing I will say is I saw Tulson might be starting their backup quarterback. And if Arkansas Sam Grant: I didn't see that. Mitch: still loses, there's some conversations to be had. There's some conversations to be had. That that's gonna be an interesting one. Missouri, Mississippi State, we already talked about, and then Wake and Louisville. Which we mentioned in the pick seven. Do you bel Sam, if you had to put a percentage on it real quick. Wake forest bees Louisville. What's the percentage? Sam Grant: two point five. Mitch: Wow, that's higher than I thought. I was gonna say like twenty five. Sam Grant: Yeah. I I like Wake Man. I think their coach is on the rise. I think Dickard, I think he'll kinda be he'll be there for a couple more years. But Gio Lopez, great quarterback. I honestly think they looked really good on defense the other night against Miami. I know Minsa was like twenty four for twenty four, but when they got stops when they really needed to, they got stops. So they were playing with some swagger and obviously Mensa's a I think is a better quarterback than Keenholes, but still a challenge for that matter. But I think there's a chance Wake gets it done. Mitch: Yeah. We'll see. Sam Grant: Not predicting it, but I think there's a chance. Mitch: We'll see. All right. Drum roll, please, everybody. We've got a new segment. It's entitled Honey, it's in the budget. The lock of the week. Honey, it's in the budget. Sam Grant: Lock of the weeds. Mitch: It's in the budget. Now, we just want to be clear. We're not advocating for gambling or sports betting or whatever. You guys, you know, be responsible, do what you want to do. But this is not us telling you, hey, you gotta go do this because I don't want to be responsible for you losing five dollars, even though I'm very confident. In my lock the week. So I will go ahead and start. Each of us are gonna give our lock of the week. And then every week, if you're incorrect, so if my lock does not hit, I finally owe Sam his soda that he so desperately desires. And vice versa. When his lock does not hit, he's gonna give me another Dr. Pepper. I'm just gonna keep him coming. So we've got this going on throughout the whole season. Very excited. I'll kick it off. Sam Grant: So hold up, who who who went what happens if we win? Like what happens if like who you're about to say wins? Is there another? Nothing. Okay. Just punishment? Okay. All right. Okay. Mitch: Nothing. It's a lock. It's expected. Nothing. You just get punished if you lose. Yeah, just punished if you lose. I've got I I'll just go ahead and start us off. The five and a half point spread, Michigan, Iowa. Iowa to cover is my lock of the week. I'm taking it. Sam Grant: Whoa, are you serious? Mitch: I'm taking Iowa to cover. That is my lock of the week. And Sam Grant: Wow. Mitch: not necessarily to win. I'm not going moneyline, but they're gonna cover those five and a half points. Sam Grant: Wow, that's crazy. Mitch: I don't even know if Michigan's gonna score five and a half points. Sam Grant: That's true, with Iowa's defense, that's that's a tough that's a tall task. So Mitch: That's my luck. Sam Grant: so this this is a tough tough segment for me because I have three games that I would love to pick. But obviously I can't do that. I'm feeling really risky right now. I'm gonna take South Carolina twenty twelve and a half. I think this is a get back spot for Bieber and the boys. I think they're gonna play with some swagger. They've played Alabama really close. I'm not gonna sit here and say they win the game, but I think this comes down to a field goal game. So I'm gonna take South Carolina minus twelve and a half. I'm sorry. Alab Yeah, Mitch: You know what's funny? Sam Grant: yeah, yeah. Mitch: I have to tell the people what's funny. I had a list. Sam Grant: Well, it's funny. Mitch: Number two on my list was Alabama to cover. Twelve and a half. I didn't think it was enough points in Tuscaloosa. Yeah. Sam Grant: Are you serious? Wow. Mitch: So we think about that game very differently. Sam Grant: We do. Yeah, I I I was a little bit disappointed that we didn't have South Carolina, Alabama as one of the games that we would pick. 'Cause there there was a part of me throughout this week that was really hesitant but close to saying I would pull the trigger on picking South Carolina to win that game. Mitch: I mean, you're right. That game's been really interesting the last couple of years. So anything could happen. That's just funny. I find it funny that was number two on my list, and you went the other way with your lock. Sam Grant: Yeah. So I I can I throw out my other two. These aren't these aren't Mitch: Yeah, go ahead. Sam Grant: locked in or confirmed, but the other two that I really look pretty closely at was the Arkansas Tulsa game, taking Tulsa to just win outright. I've just Tulsa I just trust trust Trey Lamb, trust that team. If they were able to go in and beat Oklahoma State the way they were, but then they're gonna have to go to they're gonna go gonna have to go to Fayetteville, Arkansas. A little Mitch: Mm-hmm. Sam Grant: bit lesser competition. So that one. And then the other one I had was NC State is a fourteen point favorite over Appalachian State. So I was gonna take Appalachian State with the points. Mitch: Mm. Sam Grant: So those are those were kind of my three that I was really debating. I just feel like I had to mention because they were ones I had Mitch: Yeah. Sam Grant: really pondered pondered throughout the last couple of days. But South Carolina is my official lock Mitch: I love it. Sam Grant: of the week. Mitch: That's good. I hope you guys enjoy this segment. I think it's gonna be fun and I'm really looking forward to more Dr. Pepper, not a sponsor again, but we're hopeful. we have a very fun and interesting mailbag question come in. I would like to discuss it. It's from Phillip Williams, who may or may not be my dad. Dripping Springs, Texas. Thank you for the comment. Thank you for the interaction on our last YouTube video. He's noticed That Clemson has had a lot of weather delays to start the season. Matter of fact, every week they've had weather problems. So he's wondering what the weather forecast is for in Berkeley, California this weekend. He would like to know in detail. And he would like to know the likelihood that there's another delay. While Sam is looking it up, I'll give my take. First of all, it's California. It's gotta be better odds that the weather's good. Getting into the fall. We're in mid-September, full on. It's looking to me like a pretty beautiful day for football. We've got a high in the upper 60s on Saturday. Partly cloudy. I'm gonna throw, I'm gonna throw the chance of rain. I'm not even looking at the actual chance. I'm gonna throw the chance of rain like 5%. Sam Grant: Five percent. So I Mitch: Five percent. I say this game is played all the way through. No no worries. Sam Grant: I gotta I gotta make one note. This game is on Friday night. Just just Mitch: Two Sam Grant: so everybody just so everybody knows. So it's showing that there's a chance of some forest fires that are gonna I'm just kidding. right now it looks like there's gonna be clear skies, mid-sixties that kick off, cooling into the low sixties at as the game kind of goes on. This seems like a beautiful night for college football. If Mitch: Mm-hmm. Sam Grant: by some chance that forecast turns into a delay, I think Clemson that just has to be a sign that something's coming with Clemson. Yeah, there's that there's Mitch: Yeah, we're gonna have to start having some conversations. Yeah. Sam Grant: gotta be something that the Lord is trying to tell those Clemson folks about about this team. Mitch: Yeah. Interesting. Well, hopeful. Sam Grant: So well, Philip Williams, otherwise known as Mitch's dad, we appreciate the question. Those are those are fun, engaging questions that are college football focused but also kind of a little bit off the beaten path. So really do appreciate that. And you guys in the comments, please please leave some more questions for us. We'd love to be able to answer those next week as we kind of continue to go through this season. Mitch: Absolutely. Can't wait to continue this. Again, hit us up on all of our socials. We're on pretty much everything you can think of. We've got a TikTok. We've got an Instagram. We've got an X. We've got a YouTube. We're on all podcast platforms. We love you guys. You're awesome. Interact with us. Subscribe. Follow. we're not going anywhere. And college football is not going anywhere. So I hope you've got a good setting to sit down and enjoy these games this weekend. It's gonna be very fun. and as always. God bless you guys. We'll see you on Sunday for our recap. Sam Grant: They guys.