Latest / The Saturday Slate Football Show / Week 1 Preview and Predicitions
Transcript
- Canon Stogner: Welcome back to another episode of the Saturday Slate Show. We are coming off a very good episode with our first guest on our last show and Will Morris. and we finally have our first real weekend of college football with almost every team in the country getting into action. Pop quiz. Who's the team that's not playing this week? Andrew Wright: boy. I'm gonna go with NC State. Canon Stogner: Virginia. Close. You're all over it. and we also have some huge games this weekend and storylines were going to break down. So we're gonna talk about the biggest matchups, some teams that we're watching closely and a few players and storylines that could really help shape the season. I did just kind of want to jump on here real quick and talk about our last episode with Will. That was we had a very good episode. I mean we Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: we talked about it a lot. it's kind of good just hearing another person talk with us and jump into th some things. we had different thoughts on some things and then we also had some very similar thoughts on a lot of other things. So that was very good. But with that being said, let's get into it. so there are a lot bigger games this weekend, but as South Carolina fans and mostly South Carolina listeners, let's talk about their game a little bit this weekend. They are playing Kent State, who is led out by Matt Carney. Who went five and seven in his first year? South Carolina also went five and seven last year. This is a game that they are expected to win. they have announced a sellout for this weekend. The game will kick off at twelve forty-five, and the spread is currently at thirty-five and a half. Shane Beamer, just a quick stat for you. Shane Beamer is four and one in his season openers, only lost coming to North Carolina in Drake May in Charlotte. And then Shane Beamer is three and two against the spread since taking over as head coach and his season opener. So who's the other game they lost? Didn't cover spread. Andrew Wright: And we're going to say, hold a minute. Canon Stogner: Yep, you're absolutely right. so jumping back into South Carolina, they will obviously be without Dylan Stewart and Takarius Peak as they recover from injuries. but I think fans are most ex most excited about seeing what this new offense is gonna look like with Kendall Browles as the new OC. quick stat about Kendall Browles. In his season openers over the last eleven seasons, he has eclipped forty points in his career five times. And he is averaging thirty eight points in season openers as the O. C. So he's putting points on the board. and it's gonna be fun to just see what this this new offense looks like. It's gonna be completely different to what it looked like last year with Mike Shula. and obviously if they go down the field on the first drive and score, we can't get too excited because they did the same thing last year and I thought they were gonna win the playoff. So the three players I'll be wood watching for in this game, outside of the obvious, like Lenores and Harbor, is for one, I'm gonna be watching out for the linebacker core. They're a lot older this year, more experienced. they got some big linebackers, and I think they should be a lot more improved this year. They're a slept on position with this team. but the three players I'm watching for. are Christian Clark, the transfer from Texas. He'll be wearing number 10. He's going to be splitting carries with Matthew Fuller. At least for the first half, I guess. I mean, if they run away with it, they'll probably get some other guys some carries. But Christian Clark, I'll be watching for him. I think he's gonna be I think he has like the same running style as Fuller. He's probably a little bit more explosive. and just looking at him, I've seen pictures. He looks like he's going to absorb contact a little bit more kind of like a Rocket Sanders. I don't think he's as like sturdy and gonna run people over like Rocket Sanders did, but I do think he's built more like Rocket Sanders. so it'll be fun to watch him. my next player is Josavian Currents, who is a freshman coming from South Point where he played quarterback and one Gatorade player of the year. He also I don't think he played defense for South Point, but I think he has a little bit of experience playing that like growing up. he wears number fourteen. I don't know if he's gonna start, but he is going to play a lot of safety this year. And Clayton White has said he's been probably the best freshman on the field right now, at least on the defensive side. So I'm very excited to watch him. He's just a pure athlete. And he's kind of built similar to Nicki Mi Wori. He's like six six three, six four, weighs two hundred and fifteen pounds now. And obviously as a freshman, he'll probably get a little bit bigger as he grows older. So very excited for him. And a lot of people know that Nikki Miwori is my favorite game cock of all time. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: so Sarkon is definitely looking to replace And find somebody that brings that same type of mentality that Emmy Warrior did. And then my last player that I'm looking for is another freshman in Julian Walker, who will wear number fifty-five. So he's a defensive edge rusher. I was excited to watch him opposite of Dylan Stewart. But with Dylan Stewart not playing, I think he's gonna get a lot of snaps. the opposite side of Caleb Herring, who transferred from Alabama. Or is he from maybe he's from Arkansas State. One of One of the brothers from Arkansas State. Either way, the older brother, Caleb Herring, he's a big, big defense, and he's massive. And he kind of reminds me a lot of like Kyle Connard. coming from a smaller school, but hopefully he will show up this year and play. 'Cause they need another edge rusher that can rush the quarterback. Last year they Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: didn't really have it with their first year without Kyle Kennard. And Stor was beat up a lot last year, so they need some guys to step up. do you have any players that you're looking for this weekend? Andrew Wright: Two of them for me. First one will be Mazio Bennett receiver. of probably would have been that maybe even third or fourth option depending on how you kind of look at Jaden Gibson and Jaden Sellers and kind of how you viewed them going into the season. But he's also going to have step into a much bigger role now with the two Jadens being out for the season. Kind of interesting to see how he'll fit into the offense, kind of how he'll be able to stay in sync a little bit with the Norse. And then another one, big offensive lineman, Darius Gray, freshman. Right here named to the Sean Alexander freshman player of the year 2026 watch list 6 3302 pounds. So he is a massive offensive lineman and we know one thing about South Carolina football is that they typically struggle with the offensive line. It kind of seems to be their downfall almost every single season. If something goes wrong, it usually starts there and kind of fluctuates all over the field. So kind of seeing how Mazio can get in sync with Lenores and then seeing how great can kind of hopefully be a big protector as a freshman and kind of help things not go. Australian kind of not get off on the wrong foot. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I'm not sure how many freshmen will start this week. I think if I had to guess, I will say one or two, and I think the two's Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: going to be Currents and Walker. Andrew Wright: Mm. Canon Stogner: I hope Darius Grace starts just because he needs the experience, but if they struggle to protect protect Lenoris this this week, then it's going to be a long season. Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: so I know we I didn't mention it, but yeah, I'm going to be watching that offensive line very closely. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: Because if they can't block, then just prepare yourselves. all right, so that's what we're looking at with South Carolina. But since we're talking about teams from the Palmetto State, we've got to turn our attention to Clemson, probably the biggest game of the weekend. as they head to Baton Rouge to take on number 11 LSU. And there are a ton of questions surrounding this matchup. this is also a huge opportunity for both programs right out of the gate. they did face off last year in the season opener where LSU defeated Clemson 17 to 10 in a defensive showdown. it's kind of underwhelming. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: But nonetheless, LSU did get the win. a lot of people thought the game would be a preview of a matchup later down the road, but it turned out to not be as both Andrew Wright: Ha ha. Canon Stogner: teams had a very poor season with Brian Kelly. but now with Lane Kiffin taking over as new head coach. This game has even more excitement than it did last year. College game day will be Baton Rouge, and it's a special one for them because it is the 500th show of since they've been going. it'll kick off at 7 30 with the number 11 Tigers are favored by 10 at home in the real Death Valley. Andrew, a lot LSU has created a lot of distractions on themselves before this game. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: And they have a much better roster, but this could be a game where They lose if they don't take it seriously. Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: they're not gonna walk all over Clemson, it's not going to be easy for the Clemson will still have a pretty good defense, although they lost a lot Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: of guys from last year. And we don't really know what their offense is gonna look like, with Christopher Vizina under center and their ch new offense coordinator Chad Morris, who was there from for four years from twenty eleven to twenty fourteen. in those four years he did average four hundred and seventy yards a game and thirty six points a game. in fifty two games total. So they had a very good offense now. That was with like Todge Boyd and maybe Deshaun Watson's freshman year if I could be wrong about that. But what are your thoughts on this game? Andrew Wright: I think there's a lot of unknowns kind of like you said I mean LSU has built kind of their version of what it's kind of appearing to be a super team Maybe or at least trying to but we've never seen those guys play together It's like it's so hard to make judgments on what that team is gonna look like we know what they're supposed to look like we know what the expectations are but like you said the distractions all the court stuff lawsuits that's still not even kind of settled yet and figured out so like it's just and then on the flipside with Clemson What does Christopher Vazina do in that kind of environment? He's got one career start against SMU. And that's not even close to the environment he's gonna be in on Saturday night. So kind of what does that offense look like? He's got the receivers that we've touched on. Office of Line losing Blake Miller could be huge. Kind of have to see how they replace that. there's just so many unknowns for me. Kind of really hard to get a real grip on this game, especially considering last year that we thought maybe a shootout with Nussmeyer and Clubbing was supposed to be kind of two of the better quarterbacks in the country. didn't play out that way. So just really a lot of unknowns. They kind of don't really know what to expect. We know it's gonna be loud. We know it's gonna be rowdy. We know LSU is gonna feed off that energy, but can they come kind of come together in jail together with the group that really has never played much football together? Canon Stogner: Yeah, I mean I would hate to see it, but Clemson really has to come out and steal the momentum right away because the game's Andrew Wright: yep. Canon Stogner: already sold out, which they sell out pretty much every game. It's one of the loudest places to play. It's a night game. I remember a stat from last year. I can't remember exactly what it is, or I don't know if it's still standing, but I'm pretty sure like going into the game they played against South Carolina, LSU was like undefeated at home at night games. So games started six or later. Andrew Wright: Somebody might have beat them last year at home. don't remember, but yeah, it's some kind of crazy number to executive home like games they won. Canon Stogner: Yeah. So, yeah, I mean they gotta jump out early and if they don't, it could get out of hand Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: just for from expectation standpoint standpoint. So, but we'll see. I mean, obviously Clemson had a down year last year, but I feel like people are kinda overlooking including myself. But I mean we are talking about Biggest game Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: of the weekend, so you gotta look out. I think The biggest question for this game is can Clemson's defense slow down LSU's offense? So Clemson's defense gave up two hundred and fifty passing yards a game last year. And Lane Kiffin's offense, although it was at old miss, he had the second best offense in yards last year. And Clemson did lose a lot of those players, although they didn't have the year they thought they would on defense. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: And you know Lane's gonna throw the ball. He's gonna throw the ball, he's gonna spread out, he's gonna go fast, he's gonna run the ball. they got some good running backs this year. So that's the biggest question. I mean, do you think they can hold up on defense or what? Andrew Wright: If LSU kind of comes together and messes the way they think they will and they're supposed to, I don't think Clemson can stop them. I think they just lost too much last year and I just don't think they'll be able to keep up with that kind of high-paced, high-powered offense because they don't really play anybody in the ACC that kind of runs that same style of offense. Like even Miami last year wasn't even what they'll be this year air-wise and throwing the ball-wise. And I just don't think if LSU comes together and clicks, I think it could be a long night for that Clemson defense. Canon Stogner: Yeah. What do you think L S U needs to prove immediately with this game? Andrew Wright: Something I keep going something I keep them back to they got a show they can mesh quickly and they got to come out there They got to come out firing on all cylinders They cannot start slow because even if you do win that game, but you kind of barely squeak it out Let's say 23 to 20 like you don't really gain anything from that. Yeah, you want a close game, but against a team that's not ranked You were at home your favorite by double digits like when in a very close game doesn't really do anything for them And then you get a cupcake next week before you've got to go to Ole Miss so like they really have to come out and kind of Go guns a blazing, get rolling, score a lot of points and just show like, hey, like we're here. Like the off season was good for us. We came together. Like this super team we're trying to form is working. The distractions aren't bothering any, like aren't bothering us. That's all outside noise. We are focused on this building and this team. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I mean, the biggest thing I'm watching for this week with this game is going to be the handshake before and the handshake after the game. Andrew Wright: you Canon Stogner: Cause they've kind of been throwing shots back and forth. The Dabo and Lane. Andrew Wright: Yeah, yeah, definitely talking a little bit. Canon Stogner: Dabo's been throwing some shots. Andrew Wright: Yeah. Canon Stogner: he's been saying things where he's saying no no pun intended, but I think a pun is intended. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: And I I'll I'll I kind of think Dabo's the non Twitter of Lane Kiffen. Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: Just of he's not as emotional or expressive about it, at least Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: on the internet. But when you get to a game, he's very, he'll speak his mind to the fans Andrew Wright: yeah, absolutely. Canon Stogner: or whatever. So that's gonna be a very inter interesting game. So now let's talk about Lane Kiffen's former team, Ole Miss and Pete Golding. As it's his first year as the full time head coach at Ole Miss. We have hyped up Trinidad all offseason, rightfully so, but let's talk about their game this weekend specifically. the game will take place on Sunday at seven thirty in the only ranked matchup of the weekend where they play number twenty four Louisville and Jeff Brahm, who is going into his fourth fourth season as head coach. it will be played at the Tennessee Titans Stadium Nissan. So it is a neutral sight game. Which I hate. I hate neutral sight games, especially in college, but it's what it is. This is their second matchup ever with Ole Miss beating them 43 to 24 in 2021. But both teams looked a lot different back then. Maybe the biggest running back matchup we will have all season as Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: I Isaac Brown plays for Louisville and Kawan Lacey plays for LSU. And they're ranked number two and number three in the NFL mock drafts. little defensive stat, Louisville and Ole Miss were both ranked. 36th and 37th last year in defense. And I think the key to win this game will be who plays better defense. And because you know Louisville's going to try to run the ball. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: Ole Miss is going to do a little bit of everything, and it's whose defense can give up obviously the least amount of points, but whose defense can stand their ground and make the big plays when it counts. Ole Miss is favored by a six and a half. Who do you have in this game? Andrew Wright: I'll take all this I'll take I'll take the SEC team With what we think could possibly be the best quarterback running back duo in the country maybe rivaled by Metsa and Mark Fletcher almost forgot his name in Miami, but I'll take that CC team I think Louisville might can hang around if Isaac Brown can be productive enough on the ground one thing for me to kind of really watch is if Isaac Brown can open up that play-action game passing a for Lincoln Keyholtz mean he hasn't started a game since 2023 I he did appear in, I believe it was six games last year, but none of those were starts. They were all blowouts against bad, like, FCS or bad Big Ten teams. Like, this is SEC, an SEC team that was a couple of plays away from going to the College of Ballgowns Championship last year. So really, for me, it's kind of seeing if Louisville can open up that passing game and see how Key Holtz looks in his first start in almost three years. But I'll take Ole Miss in the SEC. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I mean, Pete Golden's a defensive guy, so I am interested to see what their offense does look like without Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: Lane Kiffin or Charlie Weiss, 'cause they obviously don't have the same caliber guys calling their plays. Joe Judge is still there that but he's not the offense coordinator. It's another guy. It's like John Ryan Mitchell or something like that. so it's gonna be interesting to see what their offense looks like with him. It's not gonna I don't think it's gonna look the same. It'll probably look a little similar, but We'll see. there's another powerful matchup that I think is really interesting. Baylor and Auburn played this weekend. Auburn has won their last ten season openers, and they will kick off Saturday at 3 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. And this is Alex Golish's first game as Auburn's head coach coming over from USF where he went nine and three last year. He did have thirteen guys transferred from USF to join him at Auburn. Including their senior quarterback Byron Brown, who's like six three, two forty. He's a big quarterback. He can run the ball. He threw for thirty one hundred yards last year with twenty eight passing touchdowns and he rushed for fourteen touchdowns. So he had forty two total. this is probably my favorite QB matchup of the weekend with Byron Brown and new QB for Baylor, DJ Lagway. That rings a bell coming over from Florida. Auburn has a 72% chance to win this game, and they are favored by seven and a half points. What are you looking for here? Who do you think is going to pull it up? Andrew Wright: For me, kind of looking forward to looking forward is the two QBs. New teams this year, Byron Brown will be in the same kind of system with Golish as they kind of went over together. like for DJ Lagway, this is kind of a fresh start. Kind of get rid of the demons from Florida last year, really bad year there, kind of much below what we expected and much below his expectations when he came in. So really just, yeah, like you said, the best or favorite QB battle of the weekend. Two guys, new teams. So that'll be very interesting to see kind of what they do. in those new spots. Seven and half was like a lot of points for two teams who really don't know a whole lot about. just in terms, just because the spread is that high, I'll go with Baylor to cover. I think Auburn probably wins, but I would take Baylor in the points just because that's another game, a lot of unknowns. We don't really know much about how Auburn's going to play. Cam Colman's obviously gone. It's a lot of the South Florida guys that started the year so hot last year, then kind of really cooled off to end the season. yeah, me Auburn to win, but give me Baylor with the points. Canon Stogner: All right. Yeah, it's an interesting pick. so let's get into another game that I think could be one of the most interesting games of the Tower weekend. I think it's being a little overlooked just based off how good one of these teams is expected to be. kicking off at 3 30 on Saturday, we have Boise State playing in Eugene versus the loaded number two ranked Oregon Ducks, who are looking to make a statement in their season opener. They went 13 and 2 last year with both. Both losses coming to Indiana, who won the national championship. to a surprise to nobody, check this stat out. Boise State leads this head-to-head matchup three to one in their four matchups. But Oregon did win their last matchup in 2024 with the late field goal to seal the game 37-34. This was the year that Ashton Gente was there where he made his Heisman run. Oregon is favored by twenty-four and a half points. The Boise State Broncos went nine and five last year, but they're entering the New Look Pac twelve in twenty twenty six and are expected to be one of the conference's top teams. Boise State has college football playoff aspirations of its own. So a win over number two team in the country would be one of the biggest resume wins of any group of six non power program could possibly get. Or well, I guess they're in pack twelve now, but that's still is that group of six now? It is because it's power four. So what are your thoughts on this game? Andrew Wright: I'm really excited for this game actually if kind of like if Boise's the kind of group of five or group of six team that they're kind of expected to be they have I would say I would think the potential to kind of hang around for a little bit I don't think they're gonna go in there and pull off the upset or anything I think organs just much too superior for that but if they kind of want to prove like hey like we are a serious g16 we really have CFP aspirations I think they'll Kind of come out fire and at least try their best to hang around and make it look respectable. I think this could be one of those games that ends up 35 to 17, but it feels closer than that throughout the whole game. They hang around just long enough to make it kind of seem competitive. Maybe like a 28 to 14 game going to the fourth quarter with a Boise ball just to kind of make it seem competitive. But overall, I'll take Oregon and just the experience there. But I do expect Boise to, like I said, kind of hang around and make it competitive at least for a little while. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I mean, Oregon did lose both of their coordinators, so it could be I mean, it's gonna be something new for them as well. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: let me ask you this. If Oregon dominates this game, does that tell us anything? Andrew Wright: maybe I think so. Yeah. Maybe more about Oregon and less about Boise, but I would think that would tell us that Oregon like, like we saw, we'll, we use USC for an example, cause same conference kind of a rivalry play each other. Like we saw USC come out last week and give up 23 points in the fourth quarter. And that was kind of a, like a weird talking point. Like if Oregon comes out and wants this game 42 to three, like, okay, like they're serious. Like they, this ain't no USC we could put in all the freshmen. And give up 23 points to do if they do, but in all refreshment, they ain't giving up anything. So yeah, if they come out and they blow Boise State out, that tells us, I think, more about Oregon rather than less about Boise. I think it'll kind of cement them as a real, true contender that's not kind of played around with these early season games against Group of Six teams. Canon Stogner: Yeah. that's a good point. speaking of the coordinators for Oregon, California versus UCLA. This is UCLA will stay in the state of California and they will play Cal in what is my favorite game of the entire weekend. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: this matchup has plenty of history as UCLA leads the head to head matchup fifty seven to thirty one. But Cal did control The entire game last time they played and winning 33 to 7. UCLA fired their coach after an 0-3 start, and they kind of turned into a Cinderella story there for three weeks. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: they won at Penn State. but then after those three games, they did come back down to earth and lose their next five. both both teams are starting their season with new head coaches. Bob Chesney comes from James Madison, where he led them to a thirteen two season last year before losing in the playoff Oregon. He is now at UCLA. So a lot of excitement there as they feel like they got their guy. And keeping Nico was another step forward for the program. I know they have very high expectations for him this year. And Cal hired a former player of the Bearcats, Tosh LePoy, as their new head coach, who was the defense coordinator at Oregon for the last five years where he had them as a top ten defense each year there. Cal went seven to five last year. But depending on how they play this week, I may slide them into my prediction of playing Miami in the ACC championship. Andrew Wright: Okay. Canon Stogner: So yeah, so I'm very excited to watch Cal. they brought in six players from Oregon, a top fifteen transfer class and retaining their former f five star QB, Jaren Kwe, Sagapatula, whatever, retaining him was massive for them. And he was my number two QB in the ACC, which doesn't seem to mean much since CJ Bailey was my number three. I knew I'd find a spot to throw it back him back in there. but the biggest surprise to me of this whole thing was Cal is the underdog at home Andrew Wright: You Canon Stogner: at one and a half. But I am predicting that they win this game. I think it'll be close, but I'm predicting that Cal wins this game. What do you have? Andrew Wright: Well, my favorite part of this entire game might be the fact that I don't envy the announcers We're gonna have to say Saga Pula Taylor and IMA liava for three and a half hours That should be that should make for quite some good TV. But Canon Stogner: Yeah. Andrew Wright: kind of like you said really big hopes I think both of us for Cal and Saga Pula Taylor and that team. Think if they're serious and kind of want to submit themselves. It's like a real I guess threat it could be the correct word We don't think they're beat Miami, but a real threat to Miami They'll kind of handle business against UCLA team with a new coach, new system. And then I guess kind of looking forward to what Nico can do. Like that was, there was a point in time where he was at Tennessee. He was supposed to be kind of be one of like the up next quarterbacks. And then you had all the off season drama with leaving and the money and then kind of nobody wanted him. And then he kind of just landed at UCLA really weird year last year for him with the head coach that recruited him there getting fired three games in. So very curious to see what Nico can do with a full year. I don't anticipate them firing Bob Cheney. Anytime through the season. really excited to see how he comes out in his first year or second year with the second new coach. Yeah, I think that's a that could have potentially a sneaky QB battle. We talked about lag way and Byron Brown like if it's like a pool of tail and Nico play kind of how we think they can like that could be a really like a shootout almost kind of last team with the ball. Canon Stogner: Yeah, no yeah, no, I agree. I mean Nico had he had some good games last year. I I think he he had freshman moments when he was at Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: Tennessee and then the whole off season stuff happened. So I really don't know if people are just like viewing him differently or, you know, just kinda have have a thought about him just because of all that happened. But Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: I mean he's got the arm. He can run. So it'd be interesting. I mean I was really shocked to see UCLA's at one and a half. I don't know if the betters are just think UCLA's gonna be pretty decent this year or they don't see Andrew Wright: Right. Canon Stogner: the same thing with Cal that I guess I see. But I will be watching that game. It's gonna be a good one. Andrew Wright: Yeah, I think for Nico just the one problem with him is kind of the off-field and the character issues kind of made him almost forgotten about. then like I said, he, if I remember correctly, it was a really, really long and drawn out process for him to even get to, you like, nobody wanted him, nobody wanted to pay him the money he was asking for. So Canon Stogner: Yeah. Andrew Wright: I think that kind of, that really ruined his reputation that he had kind of built up for himself at Tennessee. So it'll be really almost like a bounce back year for him, kind of like a prove-age year. Canon Stogner: Yeah. and then we have Wisconsin and Notre Dame. What do you have for that one? Andrew Wright: yeah, so Wisconsin and Notre Dame, another Sunday night game. This one will be at Lambeau Field, which is a really cool place for a college game. But again, neutral site game like this game should be a camp Randall. On campus at Wisconsin that would give them a better shot probably. But yeah, so that'll be like I said, Sunday night game. Notre Dame leads to all time series 96 to two. Notre Dame did win the most recent meeting 41 to 13 Wisconsin. This is a old school rivalry, so. Lot of years passed since this game has been played really outside of 2021. Wisconsin's last win in this series came all the way back in 1963. So 63 Canon Stogner: Mm. Andrew Wright: years since they've won a game in this series. so kind of trying, mean, a six decade drought kind of going to have to be snapped. So Notre Dame, we obviously have very, very high hopes for them. Definitely a national championship contender. I had CJ Carr in my top five Heisman list. He is among some of the Heisman favorites. Canon Stogner: Mm-hmm. Andrew Wright: Marcus Freeman we kind of touched on him a little bit with will do the night and you were real had Marcus is a kind of a sneaky hot seat candidate that will Canon Stogner: That was well. Andrew Wright: Yes, like, so as Will said, and like Marcus Freeman kind of, in his opinion, at least kind of a sneaky hot seat candidate. So they're going to come out firing on Wisconsin last year, really bad year, four and eight for them. We've touched on Luke Fickel a couple of times and I'm kind of the same way about him as I am Mike Norvell, kind of a not if, but when Luke Fickel gets fired this season. So they're going to be a very, very desperate team coming out this year. That's almost a brand new team. 30 plus transfers this year, their biggest one probably their starting quarterback Colton Joseph and then Abu Salma, their big running back transfer. Those two are gonna have to kind of lead their offense. And then one more quick little thing Marcus Freeman and Luke Fickle also actually worked together at Ohio State and Cincinnati. So a little bit of a matchup between kind of two friends there. So kind of what are you looking for in that game between those two sides? Canon Stogner: Yeah, I mean, I I can't remember exactly, but I definitely had the thought of Luke Luke Fickle being on my hot seat. He's just been very underwhelming since coming to Wisconsin. he's I mean, he's been there for three or this must be his fourth year now. I mean, he's had some tough seasons. And, you know, Wisconsin is always the team that runs the ball and they had these big offensive linemen that can obviously block and stuff, but I just don't think the last several years they've had that. so yeah, I mean, obviously Notre Dame has a lot of pressure on them. They're coming off the playoff letdown, not making it in. And I know Marcus Freeman was obviously kind of ticked off about that last year, but I mean, they're not de I don't think they're just gonna walk over Wisconsin. I mean it it could Andrew Wright: Right, yeah. Canon Stogner: be a blowout, but I mean, Wisconsin's definitely a matchup where I don't see them winning this game, but Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: It could be one like you said earlier, in the fourth quarter were the games maybe seventeen to three or something like that. Andrew Wright: No. Canon Stogner: And but Notre Dame's just so good. I just I don't see them losing this game. So that's what I have. What was the running back they used to have? It was something Gordon, right? Andrew Wright: Yeah, Melvin Gordon and Monty Ball within a few years of each other. Yeah. Canon Stogner: Okay. Yeah. Wow, money money ball, where did he end up? Andrew Wright: Yeah, Moneyball. Yeah, what a name. Canon Stogner: Yeah. So those are the games that we felt were the biggest matchups of the week. so let's talk what's the biggest thing that you're looking for in week one? Andrew Wright: this might be a kind of a weird answer. think I'm looking for a G six upset over a power 14. Kind of just digging us with stuff, doing the research on that seven of the last 10 years there has been, it was previously the G five. So a G five or a G six upset over a powerful team. So the schedule kind of trying to find it. It's tough. I don't really know where it's going to come from, but I mean, kind of history tells us each of the, and I think it believe it's each of the last six years it's actually happened. So that's kind of, I'm expecting it somewhere, I don't know where. And that doesn't necessarily have to be a top 25 team getting beat by G16. But I just think somewhere, somehow that's gonna happen. So that would be the biggest thing I'm actually looking for, is what G16 can come into week one, go into somebody's building and kind of shock them and get their season off on the right foot. Canon Stogner: Well, I'll tell you where that's coming from, but I'll tell you later in the episode. so listen to that. the biggest thing I'm looking for is to see we keep talking about it, but I'm wanna see what this newly revamped LSU team looks like. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: several years ago they hired their guy, Brian Kelly. He comes over, he changes his the way he talks. He's got this new country accent or Baton Rouge accent that he brings with him and just it never really panned out for him there, especially last year as he got fired. during the season. But this new team, they have a lot of hype. they do have some questions about how they will look in Lane Kiffin's first year. Did he have enough time to recruit all these guys? Although he did bring in the number one class, but a lot of new guys playing together. they've put a lot of attention on themselves and they have a real test Saturday night, Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: because Clemson will not let them walk all over. So that's the biggest thing I'm looking for. Now, will I be surprised if they win this game forty two to ten or something like that? No. But I don't see it going that way. I really don't. but let's talk about what's a sneaky game you're keeping an eye on. Andrew Wright: So for me, this is a Thursday night game actually kind of one that I don't think is getting a ton of love really nationally There was the one clip about it. Colorado and Georgia Tech That's the kind of the second of a home and home started last year Georgia Tech beating them last year. You have Julian Lewis I think he's the starter, correct? Canon Stogner: Yeah. Andrew Wright: They had the whole video last year Chador giving him the keys or two years ago giving him the keys to the program So I guess his collegiate debut and then Alberto Mendoza at Georgia Tech their starter the Canon Stogner: Julian Lewis played last year a lot. Andrew Wright: Julian Lewis, second year, I apologize. Canon Stogner: Yeah, he played a lot last year, but he was a five Andrew Wright: So Julia Lewis and then Mendoza, his first year at Georgia Tech. Kind of see what he'll bring to the table there, kind of replacing Haines King. Really, really hard player to replace. But for me, just a really interesting QB battle. Brent Key, Deon Sanders, two kind of polarizing figures in the coaching world. So for me, that's kind of my sneaky game. The week will be Colorado and Georgia Tech tomorrow night. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I mean maybe if Julian Lewis plays good this year, they might retire his number like they did Shador. don't know though. sneaky game I'm keeping an eye on. And hold your horses here. Make make sure you strap on your seat belts and move to the edge of your seat because the game that I'm keeping an eye on is East Carolina at Alabama. So Alabama is starting pretty much a fr he's a sophomore, but he only played two games last year in blowouts. Keelan Russell. He doesn't have experience as a starter. It is a noon game. And as you know, I mean, teams on the road playing at noon, they seem to always play a lot better than the game Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: we're at night or something like that. So they have a much better advantage that way. Calen DeBore has a lot of pressure on him. And East Carolina, I mean, they obviously don't have the same talent or, you know, the same quality of players, but they did go nine and four last year and they beat Pitt in their bowl game. To close out the season. So they're coming off a win against the Power Four team. And I don't know, this game could end up fifty two to nothing or twenty-four to twenty, something like that. So and I do apologize. I am feeling a little under the weather. So my throat and I'm all congested up. So that's what's that's what's going on with me. Andrew Wright: Yeah, you sound awful. Canon Stogner: who are you predicting will win offensive player of the week? So on Monday or Tuesday when the player of the week is announced, not In a conference, but nationally, who are you predicting will win player of the week? Andrew Wright: Psycho Gunnar Stockton at Georgia against Tennessee Tech. Just feel like they'll kind of get him out there, get him moving around, throwing the ball a lot, kind of using his legs a little bit. Not any more than they have to against an inferior opponent like that. But I just see a really, really big week for Gunnar Stockton in week one. So I'll take Gunnar just because of the potential air and ground yards he might rack up. Canon Stogner: Yeah, my offensive player of the week for week one is Darien Minsa. So they match up against Stanford this week. It is on a Friday. Stanford gave up 280 passing yards last week in their season opener against Hawaii. And I don't think they will offer much resistance as Minsa has a lot more weapons and is a much better quarterback than what Hawaii has. And Stanford's obviously going through this new coaching change and new roster, and I think He's gonna have a field day, especially with Tony back there. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: now, I think a lot of it has to do how much he plays. If they blow him out, he probably won't play in the fourth quarter or maybe even second half. So depending on how that game goes, I could see him lighting them up. Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: who is your upset prediction? I'll go first since you kinda mentioned something about group of six Andrew Wright: No. Canon Stogner: versus power fourteen. My upset prediction is two lane versus Duke. So Duke is favored in this game by seven half points. Duke obviously without Darian Minsa this year, who I just talked about, and Tulane losing out on John Sumraw, who went to Florida. And I think last year if this game was played, Tulane would be favored Andrew Wright: Mm-hmm. Canon Stogner: in this matchup, but they are underdogs by seven and a half, so I am picking Tulane to beat Duke. Andrew Wright: I'll go with one you kind of touched on won't speak too much on it. I got Cal over UCLA. I was kind of the same opinion as you kind of really couldn't believe UCLA was favored in this. Maybe people know something we don't, but we kind of both view Cal in high regards. I'll take Cal over UCLA. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I think that's a great pick. I don't know how much of an upset that is just because Andrew Wright: Yeah. Canon Stogner: I'm expecting Cal to win this game, but yeah. Andrew Wright: Correct, yeah, me too. Canon Stogner: so who's a coach that is under the most pressure this week? Andrew Wright: I feel like the one that kind of jumped out to me when I started thinking was Lane Kiffin. I'm just with my kind of like we've already touched a lot on them, just kind of everything that's been building up this week Canon Stogner: Mm. Andrew Wright: kind of leading to this point with this game, this atmosphere, this season, it kind of feels like he has to come out and kind of show that all the off the field lawsuit course stuff that we really don't even probably fully comprehend. It's kind of way beyond them past them and they're focused on football. So it's like him. Canon Stogner: Yeah, I kinda hinted at Calen DeBore a little bit when I talked about East Carolina, but my pick is going to be Lane Kiffin's successor and Pete Golding with Old Miss. they have a lot they have a big game this weekend against Louisville. a lot of buzz has been around them since making the playoff and going on a run, but they did lose their OC and obviously Lane Kiffin. And he has a very tough matchup in his first game as the full time coach. So I think he's got a lot of pressure on him. I mean, if he goes in and they look slow on offense, this is a game Louisville can win. And I mean it if Louisville does win, could you imagine the noise surrounding Pete Golden? Andrew Wright: Yeah, yeah, it'd be bad. Canon Stogner: So I did have Pete Golding as my coach that is has the most pressure going into week one. all right, so we're going to start a new segment that we will do every week before the Saturday slate. No pun intended, Debba. Andrew Wright: Alright, dabbo. Canon Stogner: yeah, we are both going to pick five games each where we think a team is going to cover the spread, regardless if they're the underdogs or the favorites. just a quick side note, I do not gamble, but my co-host Andrew Wright, he does gamble and he's not he doesn't have a great track record. Andrew Wright: Yep, I'm quite quite pathetic at it, but. Canon Stogner: Yeah, so make sure you gamble safely, legally, and at your own risk if you choose to use our picks, but don't blame us if you lose. All right. Andrew Wright: Yeah, listen here I'm folks, let me give you a little PSA right now if you take my picks you in a bad spot already So whatever I pick you take the opposite and you ask anybody that knows me you take the opposite of whatever I'll pick Canon Stogner: Absolutely. so let's talk about do you wanna do this like one through five or just go one at a time? Andrew Wright: We just got one at a time, that's fine. Canon Stogner: Alright. I'll go with my number one. Make sure you're writing this down or something. I have Auburn covers versus Baylor with seven and a half. Andrew Wright: All right Canon Stogner: Yeah, they will cover. Andrew Wright: Well, I guess I'll kind of follow up on that same game something I already touched on earlier I'll take Baylor at the plus seven and a half just too many too many unknowns on both sides for me Canon Stogner: All right. number two, I have Tulane, their underdogs by seven and a half versus Duke. They will cover. So I've taken two seven and a half spreads. Andrew Wright: And I really love these underdog. I really love these underdogs this weekend. I'll take Boise to cover the 24 and a half, I believe that it is. Like I said, wouldn't be super shot to see Oregon win this one 35 17, which would give Boise plenty of breathing room. So I'll go Boise plus 24 and a half. Canon Stogner: I also had that one at number number number five, so write that down for me. Boise covers twelve and twenty-four and a half. Okay. Andrew Wright: My next one, I'll take Ole Miss. What are they? Seven and a half, eight and a half, what we say? Canon Stogner: Yeah, s I think eight, seven and a half. Andrew Wright: So I'll take Ole Miss, seven and half. I just like the SEC experience there with Trinidad, Kawhin Lacey, one of what has the potential to be one of the better offenses in the country. So I'll take Ole Miss, minus seven and a half Canon Stogner: Six and a half, sorry. Andrew Wright: over Louisville. Canon Stogner: Six and a half. Andrew Wright: even better. Canon Stogner: my number three, I have Cal is the underdog versus UCLA at one and a half. I will take Cal covers and wins if that matters. Andrew Wright: We give bonus points for wins. Canon Stogner: Huh? Andrew Wright: So we'll give an extra bonus point for a win. Canon Stogner: Are we doing half a point and one or one point or and another one? Andrew Wright: I'll do, we'll do one and one. And I also had Cal plus one and a half and one in that game as well. Canon Stogner: Okay, so it cancels out. Andrew Wright: Anyway. Canon Stogner: and then my my last pick. SoCal Trojans are only favored by twenty two and a half versus Fresno State. I will take they cover. Last week it was thirty-eight and a half and guys sneeze hold on. last week it was like 36 and a half or thirty eight and a half and they almost covered in the first half. They ended up not covering, but this week I think they're pissed off because a lot of people have been saying stuff about their defense, although wasn't the starters. USC twenty two and a half versus resident state. Andrew Wright: And then my last one, I'll take Notre Dame minus the 20 and a half against Wisconsin. I just think Wisconsin's a desperate team that might come out strong at the beginning, but I think Notre Dame kind of pulls away at the end of this one. Canon Stogner: How much is it? Twenty and a half or twenty-eight? Andrew Wright: 20 and a half. Canon Stogner: Okay. So how many two or three games we had the same result? Andrew Wright: both have Boise and we both have Cal, so two. Canon Stogner: And then we put opposites of Auburn. Andrew Wright: opposite Auburn Baylor. Yep. Canon Stogner: Okay, so that's a big game. Andrew Wright: Yeah, very big. Canon Stogner: Somebody s somebody starting with the lead. Maybe. Andrew Wright: Yeah, it's huge. We'll find a way in some way. How be Todd. Five games will be Todd. Canon Stogner: Yeah. Well could be. If you Andrew Wright: Don't ask how it works, but. Canon Stogner: Well if you take Notre Dame and I got one wrong and you got that one right, it could be three and three or something like that. You know the math. Lucas or somebody knows the math, somebody smarter Andrew Wright: Hahaha Canon Stogner: than us. all right. Well I think we're gonna start seeing our episodes be a lot shorter now that we're getting into the season. well maybe the recaps of the games on Mondays will be a little bit longer. But especially for the previews. But I mean, we also don't know nothing about any of these teams right now. So maybe after this week or next several games these teams play will know a lot more. So we'll be able to talk more in depth about those. don't forget, we'll will be coming on maybe once a week or once every two weeks to talk about the games with us, whether it's the recap or the preview. of the Saturday slate games. but that's it for this episode. Hopefully I feel better next time we film. it will be out Thursday at 10 a.m. so make sure you're watching, make sure you're subscribing, make sure you like and comment. follow us on all of our social media handles and keep tuning in. See ya. Andrew Wright: See ya.