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Week 7 Recap: Seven Top-10 Teams Lost | Wildest Weekend Since 1936 · College Football Nobodies

• Erich: Week seven recap, Kevin. What a weekend. What a weekend. Not so much for your and my teams, but for everything else. Incredible. Kevin, we know nothing. We know nothing. That is a takeaway here. Looking at our picks that we'll get to a little later, we actually both did better than I thought. I thought I was like 0 and 16. I thought it was that bad. We did a little bit better than I thought we were going to do. But wow. Upsets and not just upsets. like major upsets. Like if you were in the top five this weekend, you were in trouble. And then the ones that didn't get upset that were in that range, that Kevin: That was it. Erich: top five, six, seven, eight, boy, were they like a one play away from being upset. So it was just incredible. We had top ten matchups. We had teams come to life. We had some separation between Kevin: Okay. Erich: some of the first year coaches, Kevin, and one in particular that I'm sure you and I will hit on in a little Kevin: Thank Erich: bit and We'll keep you on a pitch count like always when we do it. But let's get into it, Kevin. And you know what? We're gonna start with the Big Twelve this week, Kevin, because here's the deal. And we'll see what these updated rankings look like later. But the Big Twelve has an argument for someone to be ranked number one. I don't think it's gonna happen, just because it is what it is, and I don't think it matters. But the big twelve, you could argue right now. Just in terms of the way the top teams are separating themselves, I I don't know. I I don't know if you can say they're the best conference, but I don't think you can say they're anything outside the top two at this point, and just in terms of what they have the top at the top. And what I'm talking about is you Kevin: Thank you. Erich: have Texas Tech, Utah, and BYU that are all going to be in the top ten. So when you have three teams in the top ten in rankings, Kevin: Thank Erich: you have to take that seriously. But then you have some really good teams outside of that. Like Houston sitting there and some others, Kevin. That you know, you have to say the Big Twelve's really, really good. So let's start with the Big Twelve. Kevin, Kevin: Thank you. Erich: let's just talk about the two teams and we can flow around here that you and I just need to stop hating on. Just point blank Texas Tech and Houston are good. And you and I need to stop pretending like they're not. And we finally, I think, saw the type of performance we thought. And many thought we'd see from Texas Tech earlier. It does appear to be coming together. And again, their schedule, they avoid Utah and BYU. Kevin: Thank you. Erich: Houston, huge win over Oklahoma State. That's going to be one of their tougher matchups throughout the year. I know that was a blow for both of us. You and I are both huge Oklahoma State fans and what they're Kevin: Thank you. Erich: doing there, and so forth. So, what are your thoughts here, Kevin? But my initial thoughts are, and we're gonna get in some other games. We'll start with those two games or wherever you want to go. I'm gonna Kevin: you Erich: go you leave BYU in Notre Dame for me because I was there, in case those of you that who didn't know that and can't tell by the shirt I was wearing. But what are you what are your thoughts on the Big Twelve right now? Because for me, I think they're better than the Big Ten, just in terms of at the top. Kevin: Yeah, great lead off here, Eric. And because this Sunday we're doing our show after the rankings, we don't need to speculate. I can run down those rankings for you right now. So BYU Erich: Beautiful. Kevin: is two. So Miami Erich: Okay. Kevin: is in the top spot, home down one, which is fair, but really cool to see BYU, of course, after their huge win at number two. And then we got the Red Raiders at eight, like you just mentioned, finally maybe looking worthy of that spot this year. Utah at the Cougars of Houston at 14, which game day is coming back to the Beehive State Erich: Yeah. Kevin: this week. Center of the college football world again with Utah hosting Houston. What a game. And then we go a little further on down and I love it. Some love for the Arizona Wildcats out there in Tucson. A lot of fans this time of year are starting to look forward to Midnight Madness and of course their great basketball program out there, but Noah Fafida and Coach Brennan are creating some longer excitement than usual out there in Tucson. So those are the rankings and I'm with you. I think you can make a great argument that the Big 12 is maybe not quite as strong as the top as the Big 10, but I don't know. I don't know, especially with the Julian Sayen injury now at Ohio State. BYU Ohio State would be quite an interesting game, even if Sayen was healthy. And then, you know, you want to take Utah matched up versus Indiana. So interesting. And Oklahoma State is now out of the rankings, which I think is a little harsh for a three point loss on the Erich: Very harsh. Kevin: road for versus a really good Houston team. So that's kind of the overview. Speaking of the Oklahoma State Houston game, I want to, of course, go through that before you get into. the BYU-ND game, which, like you mentioned, you were there. Phenomenal content you put out. I enjoyed the videos and the live footage there from Provo and LaValle-Odward Stadium. It was great and it was pretty surreal to see you there. As far as that Oklahoma State-Houston game, what a barn burner it was. We knew it would be competitive. The path was there early, Eric, for Oklahoma State. We knew they were going to struggle defensively. And when you struggle defensively versus a great offense like Houston, you need to get turnovers. They get the early pick, but then they stalled out and only kick a field goal. So then Houston comes down and goes up seven, three, then okay. State with Drew Mestemaker and Caleb Hawkins, who was a monster out of the backfield. had like over 120 yards receiving. They get all the way down there and they go four on fourth and two and can't get in. I thought. early on for a team that we know struggles on defensive defensively you have to you got to be up 14-7 and that if that changes then maybe Houston is chasing Oklahoma State all game which is what the Cowboys wanted but from there Oklahoma State was playing catch-up with a worse defense and that's what makes Houston tough with Connor Wegman I talked about in that game They control possession. They run the football. They make you defend the entire field. And the Cowboys cut it to 28, 25 in the fourth quarter. But when Wegman answered and he hit Colby Young to make it 35, 25, that offense essentially put the game away. yeah, Houston is a real threat. Amari Thomas at receiver is a big time playmaker, probably a first team all big 12 receiver. They got a lot of weapons. It's fun seeing Makai Hughes out of the backfield. Yeah, he was great at Tulane. He struggled at Oregon. He's a star again. And Houston gets out of there and now they set up the big game going to Utah, which has major, major playoff and big 12 ramifications Erich: It does. Kevin: next week. So. Erich: Yeah, you really can't. There's really no room for error for either of these teams. Not because like you can't afford a loss, but just in regard to the unfortunate perception of the conference and how they're going to be limited as we get towards the end of the year. And like, you know, you just you just mentioned that Oklahoma State gets a loss to a really good Houston team and they get kicked out of the rankings, right? Whereas, you know, we'll see and we'll talk about some of these teams in the SEC that suffered a loss against an a n an unranked team, and they'll both now be ranked, right? So it's just Unfortunately, the perception is there, whether it's right or wrong. We're we'll save that for another time. but Kevin, I'm gonna talk about Utah, Colorado for a second. And people will see the score if you watch the game. Obviously, it went down to like the last play, like a lot of the games today, this this week did, and they might want to say, yeah, Utah's not that good. This is why road games are challenges. I mean, this is a r a game on the road in bowler that ended at like midnight mountain time, so 2 a.m. eastern time. No one's w watching out east. And it's tough. I mean, that's a late time to end the game. And when you're not at home, it's a huge disadvantage. It's like dealing with a right lightning or rain delay when you're the road team and you travel. So biggest thing I'll say there is conference games win on the road. Great. You take it and you get out of there. there's no reason to fret. So Utah, I have no issues with them being a top 10 team, even though they even though they only won by three. And if you look around, what else happened the rest of the week? You should logically come to that conclusion as well because a win is a win and these conference games matter. These are all power four athletes that are at these schools. They're not trying to lose week by week. They're trying to get better week by week, day by day, week by week, and year by year. So for me, I'm gonna tell Utah fans this it's Kevin: . Erich: a good win. It's a road win. Now you get to go back home and you'll probably be favored against Houston. Take care of business there, and you're setting up a matchup we'll talk about in the future here. in that first week of November, that's gonna be epic. So that's one that's my take on that game. And I wanted to also touch on West Virginia Cincinnati. Boy, if you love points. Wow, fun one to watch. I just I want to say this again, Kevin. I just wished West Virginia had an average defense. Because West Virginia with an average defense is probably a top 15 team with that offense and how they can run the ball and how dynamic Kevin: Thank Erich: they are. It's It's just one of those teams, it's just so unfortunate because it's like a it's like a high powered SEC type offense with a low-end team SEC defense. Is the way would describe it, where it's just like all you can do is score and you have you can't defend. It's just score, score, score, no defense. so maybe in in some ways they they fit the Big 12 well there. But I mean, how many weeks have they given up over forty? They literally have to score forty five or more to win. Kevin: I'm pretty sure it's four straight weeks. It could be five, but I'll say it's four. No, you're a hundred percent right. I guess the easy thing in that case is there's no secret on what they need to do in the portal as we've talked about. Erich: Boy. Kevin: So you have that. I want to push back a little bit on your Utah theory. I think you're right. In fact, I'm a big a wins a win and road games are really hard. A hundred percent. I subscribed to that theory and everything that happened. and college football this weekend. But just looking at Utah on a vacuum, I do worry the last three weeks a little bit. 24 points to a bad Colorado team. 24 points to a bottom of the Big 12 standings, Kansas team. 17 to an Iowa state team that struggles even more than 17 points would tell you that they struggle on offense. I want to see a little bit more out of the Utes defense, but I guess odds makers aren't Erich: That's fair. Kevin: worth it. Odds makers aren't worried apparently they're laying six and a half for Houston and I know Rice Eccles is a brutal spot to play but now you're facing arguably I don't even know if it's arguably I guess with Oklahoma State but Houston beat them so the top offense in the Big 12 that Willie Fritz and the Erich: Yeah. Kevin: Cougars are bringing to table and you got to deal with the Mari Thomas you got to deal with Connor Wigman, Mackay Hughes, Kobe Young there's a lot of talent there Utah's defense still has the advantage over Houston for sure in the home field, but that is a fan a fascinating matchup, which of course I already like want to get into. But that's just one little concern I see there. And any chance I get to pile on Colorado and Dionne, thanks for wearing all great uniforms with black helmets, and I can't even recognize what school you are anymore. So that's Erich: Ha ha. Kevin: That's the story for another day. Let's we're burying the lead a little bit because I want to hear all about the experience from you and Provo with the monster BYU victory over Notre Dame. The place looked like it was on fire. You were there live and in the flesh. Give it to the viewers right now. What was that like, Erich: one second, one more thing before. And I just want to say Avery Johnson rumbled in the sunflower bowl, if you will, against Kansas. And Kevin: He did. He did. Erich: you know, Lance Nightball of Kansas, it just looks like it's gonna be a rough year. They have no defense. and so kudos for Kansas State for getting off the mat. I just do wanted to call that out real quick. it was Kevin: No, and Erich: it wasn't as close as the score looks 35 24. I can put it that's the way I would sum that up for viewers. Kevin: And Colin Klein, you know how happy that makes him as a former great Kansas State Wildcat to see a quarterback rumbling. So it's no secret that's the offense. No secret that's the offense Erich: yeah. Kevin: that they run there. Erich: Yeah, very West Virginia esque type offense is clearly the key to success in Kansas State. so we'll see if they can, you know, be a challenger as we go on through the year here. Yeah, Provo. It was awesome. So for those who don't know, my good friend, one of you know, my best man in my wedding is a Notre Dame alum, he wanted to go see this game and I was all for it. Yeah, let's meet in Salt Lake, but I'm not paying five hundred dollars to go. ticket prices did drop, Kevin. The only thing that cost us was the first drive where BAYU scored seven points. But we got on the game. we were walking around the campus. We went to the bookstore. really nice campus. I mean, just the scenery is gorgeous there, you know, tucked right into the mountains, like you said. The stadium's just a true college football stadium, which I loved. The atmosphere was incredible. The fans were extremely nice, even to my friend who's from Notre Dame, like. It wasn't like being at Michigan State or, you know, being at Iowa or something like that, a little more hostile where no one's swearing at you. The cool thing about Provo, it's just it's a family atmosphere, but it's electric still. You know, you don't necessarily need people, you know, swearing and doing all those other things. And there's just even my buddy, you know, they lost the game and he was just like, I can't believe how I'm not that mad because of my experience at the game and like I'm just so happy for BYU fans. Kevin: you Erich: You know, if he's at USC, that is not the takeaway with him walking out of there with an early flight the next day. so it lives up to it. Lavelle Edwards stadium is is it's incredible. I mean, and if you can be there when we are where the sun sets and the sun just hits the mountains, you get that golden hour lighting on the mountains there. I mean, it was just unbelievable. And then the game itself was great. BYU started well in the first half. And Notre Dame, you know, if we're being honest. Notre Dame, you know, I come out of this saying Notre Dame should have won that game based off the things that happened in that game. CJ Carr was off all game, missing throws, a lot of the back shoulder throws, the throws down the seam, the throws over the middle, big time throws that were there for him. You know, he missed two touchdowns where the guy had five steps or even ten at one point, where he's just overthrowing them. And I don't know if, you know, when we were we were sitting in the end zone, we had good seats, but it's tough to sometimes see. What you know, what the coverage is showing him, a lot of shifts Kevin: Mm-hmm. Erich: on the defensive line for BYU right before the snap. And I think that threw him off a little bit. But the crazy thing was, Kevin, he had all day to throw for most of the game. So it's not like this was like he's just getting hit constantly, he's getting sacked eight times. It wasn't that. It just he was just off and missed so many throws. And the thing too is. Notre Dame was on the receiving end of way more beneficial calls from the refs than than BYU was. They won the turnover battle, essentially three to one, because I'm gonna call a failed funt failed a failed punt, fake punt by BYU as a turnover. Because really, when you're getting the ball back on the 30 yard line, it is. And they really only got six points out of that, which was really disappointing. And it really came down to Kevin. Kevin: I'm to take a minutes of the This is one that I'm to be for next couple of minutes. And I'm a few minutes to get this out Erich: When BYU tried to win one deep when they were down twenty-four-twenty-one, and it was intercepted by Notre Dame, great play by their their DB. They went three and out. And then you could just feel it in the stadium where it's like, okay, there's five minutes left. We've now gotten through the worst, and look, we have the ball at the 45 yard line. And when the offense came off the field, Freeman was just lighting and lighting up, just chewing into them. And we're like, whoa, he's not happy. And was like, Yeah, because you just had this huge interception, your sidelines going nuts. You could hear their fans. I mean, there weren't maybe more than like 5,000 of them there, but they were they were The loudest thing in the stadium at that point. And then you go three and out, and then BYU goes on their drive and gets it done. the final drive, I thought CJ Card did show guts. I mean, he should have been sacked like four times, and he broke those sacks and made plays down Kevin: Yeah. Erich: the field and got him into that scoring situation. I thought the play call at the end was by Notre Dame was really bad. You had your best receiver on the outside one on one. And if you just throw it to him right away on the fade, you get two shots. Now, technically, they maybe should have had two shots because there was one second left. They didn't give it, whatever. It is what it is. But it was great. I mean, the environment the environment, Kevin, was awesome. anyone who has a chance to go to a game there, do it. It's worth the price of admission. and yeah, I mean it was an incredible game and my first game at Laval Edwards Stadium in Provo. And what a game. I mean, you know, I'm telling all my neighbors here in St. George, Utah that I'm their good luck charm going forward. You better hope I'm attending your games. And I'll s I'll end with this, Kevin. I am waiting for a for a text. I I am threw another person in the lottery to get tickets for BYU against Utah at Rice Rice Eccles Stadium on November seventh. What a what what a couple of and I haven't been to Rice Eccles yet, but boy, Notre Dame at BYU, BYU at Utah. That would be two incredible games for my first two experiences in those environments. yeah, it was great. BYU deserving of the win. You know, they they they made more plays and won and Overcame the mistakes, Notre Dame didn't. Kevin: Man, lot to digest there, Eric. Fire it up for you. You got to experience that. It's a happy jealousy, if that's a term from me. No, my Erich: Yeah. Kevin: brother and I were watching that and love watching games there. The Wasatch Mountains, the natural grass field at night, the grass stains, the mid fifties cold weather. It's just college football, the bands playing two iconic uniforms. A lot of people like we talk about don't realize the history of BYU and Ty Dettmer and the national championship they have in the 80s. Erich: Steve Young. Kevin: Steve Young on and on. so, yeah, was as watered down as a product of college game day has got keep guest pickers like Steve Young, that no ball up there. He was man. He had a lot of knowledge on the games and he seems dialed into the sport every Saturday, which was. Cool to see and awesome that he was there and a fantastic leather jacket, by the way. Erich: yeah. Kevin: But some of the photos you showed with your buddy from ND and that's a really cool story about him not even being that upset just because of how he was treated. That's what college football should be. I've Erich: Yeah. Kevin: never understood the people that are just. all over opposing fans when they just walk in and they're literally just wearing a different shirt than the one you cheer for and they haven't said anything to even spark a comment and my comment always back to that is you just want to play an interest crowd interest squad scrimmage you just do not want competition and Erich: Well, right. Kevin: there's not fans from other teams and and i get people be like that's the fun of it and that but You see stuff like, I don't know if you saw the loser Texas fan with the middle finger to Florida after the game, why Texas fans are giving a middle finger to Florida today. That's we'll, get to that a little, a little later on the show, but there's too much of that stuff Erich: Yeah. Kevin: nowadays in fandom and not enough stories of what you said. And guess what? That shines well on BYU's fan base and someone like him or even yourself from a neutral perspective. are going to want to go there again, go figure. Wow, I had a good experience and word gets out on that. And that's how it should be, just good competition. awesome to hear, amazing game. Like I texted you, like what a memory to have of a game that comes down to the final play. It's hard to, like you can go, there's a lot of games and you're not always at a game that comes down to the final play. So really cool national relevance and all of it. The home team, as you predict, it gets the W. And as far as the game itself, you nailed on a lot of the right points. I just wanted to mention a couple of things. One thing you said stood out of, know, CJ Carr having a lot of time to throw. The problem was, is they dropped them back too many times to throw. When Marcus Freeman looks at the box score and sees 49 attempts for CJ Carr, that's not how the Irish want to play. And ultimately, I think that's why they lost the game. And that's because BYU's defense stepped up at this game. There was worries that they might wear down versus the four and five star offensive lineman of Andy and Andy or excuse me, BYU. You're a good team, but this is where the recruiting and the roster of Andy is going to show up. And I think they'd rush for less than four yards of carry. And so that put more of the game on CJ Karn. Is he a good quarterback? Yes. But he needs it married with a great round ground game. And that's what. Notre Dame's identity is, and they weren't able to establish that. And then if you look at BYU. Bear Bachmeier, he was good, don't get me wrong, but he didn't need to be otherworldly in this game. And I was wrong. I thought he would have to be that with LJ Martin not playing the terrific running back for the Cougars. Yeah, he ran for 45 yards on the ground and threw for 224, but those are kind of built in numbers that you expect from Bear Bachmeier weekly. The key was, is they stayed on the field and they were the ones that wore ND down, I thought in this game at times. You know, they were eight of 12 on third down. Yeah. Erich: Yeah, outside the third quarter. Yeah. You're right. Outside the third quarter, you're right. Kevin: Outside of third quarter, you know, if you that's what I kind of felt is just, wow, they're they're converting third downs. They're, you know, legend glass, great receiver for the Cougars. They're able to hit him, move the chains or it was a bear Bachmeier run or whatever it was. And I didn't think they were going to be able to do that. I thought that I should be up to the task. And I thought BYU would be a little bit more one dimensional, but. Credit to Clonnie Satake, they showed a little bit more in the air game than I thought, versus what people say is arguably the best secondary in the country. And the Irish even had Leonard Moore back in this game, which I'm sure your buddy was probably pretty fired up before the game to see that. And then they weren't able to overwhelm the Cougar. So Irish got to go back to the drawing board. And the funny thing, what I've been saying as their weakness all year actually showed pretty well in this game. great Jaylen great house and Jordan phase on showed me something at the receiving position, some tough catches down the stretch, but it wasn't enough. And I'll be number two and Notre Dame fans are not going to want to hear this. But if you don't beat Miami in November at home with what your rest rest of the schedule has been and is could be Groundhog's Day again for the Irish. of being left out. So it's going to be all on the table versus the hurricanes in Erich: Yes. Kevin: a few weeks. So those are my thoughts on that, Eric. Erich: Fully agreed, Kevin. Well, let's move into the Big Ten. And I think we can cover these as they happened. you know, the the first game here in the Big Ten, we're gonna cover Ohio State, Indiana. I think we both thought this is gonna be close, Kevin. I know you picked Ohio State. I picked Indiana. And boy, was I just some proper footwork away from being right. Ohio State Kevin: Haha Erich: gets the win, but the cost was severe. Kevin: Yes. Erich: I think that's the best way to summarize this is they hold on for the win. I I mean India should have won. Marsh, I you could see right after it happened, he goes like this. Perfect throw from Hoover. He's wide open in the end zone. He catches it. And you can just see as he's catching, he's looking down. It's that old crap moment. I didn't get my feet down. I could have dragged my back. There's just so many things he could have done that you you feel for the kid because I mean Ohio stay came with the pressure. It was one on one. Marsh cooks the D B and he's open by like 10 strides in the end zone. Hoover throws a perfect ball. And Mars just doesn't do his job. He did half his job. He caught it. The other half is you gotta make sure you stay in bounce. and yeah, Ohio State gets to win, Kevin, but at tremendous cost. Cause I don't know if it's been announced that all I've heard is potentially several weeks. Julian Saiyan out, which I think does. I don't know that Ohio State has depth at QB to get through the rest of the schedule without a loss, a loss as a result of this. That might not be a big deal, but. His timeline on returning is gonna be huge as we go forward. Kevin: Yeah, and the Buckeye schedule is about to get really gnarly and they are going to miss him. You're spot on. That was a crushing blow, literally as I mean, he got smoked by the Indiana D-Tac on felt fell right on that in a sling. The Buckeyes have a bye week coming up, but they need a few bites in a row. And obviously that's not going to happen. That game at USC was going to be really tough on Halloween. That's gonna be really, really tough now to keep pace with the Trojans. So this was an old school slobberknocker game, classic like 90s type big 10 game. I just didn't think Ohio State would lose this game. I didn't know how it was gonna look, what it was gonna be like. I went with Ryan Day here because when you beat them the year before, unless it's Michigan, That series seems to have more multiple game winning streaks or losing streaks. But if you're anyone else in the Big 10 and you beat Ryan Day the year before, you're simply losing them in the next year. And doesn't matter how it happens. They got it done. I'm with you on Nick Marsh. That was such a bizarre play. You see some of the amazing body control of receivers around the country. And it was almost I hate to blame the kid. He's a fantastic player, almost like he just last awareness for the field and got casual for a second. And like you said, he knew right away, it's just. Erich: Hundred percent. I he just he's like the golfer who picked up his hat on a a basic shot, right? Kevin: Mm-hmm. So but if they got that Ohio State would have been really frustrated because they did outplay Indiana in this game Indiana that would have been kind of stealing it in the end Kurt signetti man the game plan he had for Jeremiah Smith in this game Just phenomenal. First of all the credit the players to have the ability to do it I didn't think without a D Angela Pons player they could but press coverage and then in bracket of safety, they literally had the other corner like three yards behind the initial press corner. I mean, it was a true double team watching that Erich: Yeah. Kevin: and it was amazing. Even his one touchdown that he got loose on was kind of just a lucky throw it up play and the Indiana DBs could locate it at the end zone. Erich: It was, but if Julian Sands throws it earlier and is on schedule, he was behind everyone. Kevin: Yeah, that is fair. Kind of a weird... He did, yeah. Erich: To be fair, like he was he did beat the coverage. It's just Julian saying threw it late and short. Kevin: But to hold him to four catches for 68 yards and a touchdown is absolutely a win versus Erich: No one's done it. Kevin: that freak show. So that's gotta be frustrating from Indiana. My biggest takeaway from these two teams is that I know they're both elite defensive fronts, which I didn't think Ohio State was. They showed me something completely shutting down. Lee Beebe and Turbo Richard in this game. And Indiana did the same to Bo Jackson in Ohio State's ground attack. And I know they didn't have Jacobi Jackson, but I don't think it would have mattered much. How are these teams able to run the football versus playoff caliber opponents moving forward is my biggest question, because they're obviously both very good. Erich: Yeah, but at the same time, what team has a defense out there that really leads you to believe that if that's gonna be that big of an issue? It 'cause I don't see it in the conference or across the landscape. To me, all of the teams have shown the ability to give up yards and points. So I just I don't I mean we thought maybe with Georgia, but even Georgia has shown now that they can you can put points on them. So I hear you. My biggest thing with it with this game was If Julian Stane comes out of it healthy, you walk away from it saying, National championship favorite, Ohio State. Kevin: True. Erich: But that's the nature of injuries. Now you say ho can they hold on until he's back? And I don't know. I haven't checked the the news today, Kevin, to see what they've said. I'm assuming the way he came out on a sling, it's probab a broken something. And depending on what is broken, the timelines can be drastically different. Kevin: No, and Ryan Day confirmed right away I was multiple weeks after, so that's not good. No, you're right. That is the flip side of that question. I say that it's like, really has those fronts? So, Erich: Yeah. Kevin: and Matt Patricia, know, gosh, he is a defensive mastermind with all, like I keep going back to it, but I just cannot believe that Ohio State's defense and can be, I just thought there'd be a little bit of a step back and I knew they'd be great. How great, you know, that was up for debate. Ohio State just never seems to have a step back. And the way that they played defensively in this game was impressive. And Indiana misses Mendoza, I think, in key moments. know, Indiana doesn't want to throw the ball 40 times with Hoover. He's talented, but he's not the Heisman winner like last year. My question to you out of this game is, does Indiana run the table the rest of the way? So they have, you Erich: Yes. Kevin: think they do? Okay. Erich: Yeah. I I think we're probably looking at a rematch between Ohio State and Indiana. If Ohio State can figure out, which I mean we shouldn't doubt Ryan Day. So Asterix potentially, but I I think you are looking at a potential rematch between these two teams in the Big Ten Championship. I mean, just the rest of the conference, I just don't think the rest of the conference looks very good. I mean UCLA could run the table, but even then I I I don't know. I doubt it. and then if they did and they're in the Big Ten Championship. whichever these teams they're playing, they're gonna lose to. so I just think this is still one A and one B in the conference. I don't think Indiana loses much coming out of it with a loss, especially to, you know, Signetti, you know, is going to learn from this and the team's gonna learn from it. And, you know, I have to say Josh Hoover's been better than I thought he was gonna be. But let's Kevin, let's go to the next game 'cause I I feel like we could talk about that one forever. Ugliest first half of football, maybe I've seen in the last 10 years. You know what game I'm talking about. Michigan at Penn State. And folks, we're not doing this because we're trying to force ourselves to talk about our teams. I just think it needs to be worth worth it's worth being mentioned that this game was disgusting, Gevin. I I do want to call out. I texted you the weird forward progress whistle. That was blown when Michigan was backed up. The guy runs it, he's hit in the end zone, not wrapped up, breaks a tackle, and then scoots to the side and then is tackled. And the ref blew the whistle and said forward progress was stopped. That is not how that is supposed to be called. It was that should have been a safety. I don't I you know, would it have mattered? Who knows? Probably. Kevin: big moment go up 5-0 get the ball back short field Erich: You up five zero, maybe you win five three, Iowa style. Who knows? I just I was hoping this would maybe be the game like early. It kind of looked like it might be the game where there was some things, some moments where the ball was thrown down the well well field well for Penn State. And then the second half just apparently they couldn't stop the run in the second half. and then, you know, Michigan finally made the change at QB, which they need to just play car. Going forward. You've talked about this. You talked about this weeks ago. We'll see if it actually happens. And boy, I but still, I mean, now Penn State 0-4 in the Big Ten. Weird saying that. Michigan 1 2. So even still, Michigan has a lot of work to do as they go forward. I don't know what to think about either his teams go forward other than that there's neither of them appear to be very good. But again, the Big Ten itself outside the top two doesn't appear to be very good. Or maybe three if you want to throw UCLA in there. So We'll see. but for me, Kevin, it was it was an ugly game. the second half was a little better, but overall just a pretty sloppy and mistake ridden game by both teams. Kevin: This game was 100 % set up for Penn State to win. And they just can't get out of their own way. How many times have I told you, it'd be sure nice if Penn State could ever start a game. And this goes back to the James Franklin era, just getting the ball first and boom, boom, boom, down the field and look ready to play. 16 play drive, nine minutes passing the ball on a really tough secondary, one of the best in the country and the third ranked defense. Mike, wow, aggressive. This is fantastic. First and go out the five course, a dive left call screwed up the whole series. We are miserable in the red zone and it's three zero. I know Michigan's got issues on offense. I know Brad Bryce Underwood is really bad, but Penn State's linebackers are flying around Tony Rojas Rojas, as he always does, is making tackles for loss. But even Caleb Bacon and some of these other maligned players like it looked like a Penn State defense with tackles for loss and. Not just getting gashed, incredible one-hand interception by the freshman Josiah Zias, two one-handers. He had the one versus Wisconsin as well. And yes, it was ugly, but there was some positives. And then the second half comes in. There's literally three plays why we lost this game. Is... Michigan starts Tommy Carr in the second half, like I wrote an article about and you referenced, okay, took Kyle Whittingham long enough to make that move. The crowd's excited. They get a first down, but then we force a stop. All right, we're up three zero and a chance offensively to move the ball as we had been shredding Michigan secondary, particularly Chase Sowell was owning Jire Hill and Smith sowed him to the top corners of the big 10. And Chase all went for 11 catches, 151 yards. They could not. They could not stop them. Outroutes contested catches fades. It didn't matter. And so what does Rocco back to? He decides to roll right and just throw something up for grabs and and double coverage. Sparked Michigan 40 yard field. Yeah, Tommy Carr had some nice plays, but you had a 40 yard field and you're sparked off the turn of our turnover. OK, Penn State, they get it back. They go down the field to chase Sowell. This is easy. We're down seven three, but we're going to respond with a score, right? No, Rocco Beck's going to literally throw it late, right into the flat, right to the Michigan DB when we're just knocking on the door of the red zone. They score off that 14-3. Then we cut it to 14-11 and late in the game, we're down three with the ball, five minutes to go. Rocco Beck can't feel the pressure. sacked, fumble, hands them a short like 15 yard field. And of course, on third and nine from the goal, we couldn't stop a Tommy Carr option play and 21 11, it ended up 21 18. But that was all window dressing three plays, three turnovers, 21 Michigan points, how many points they score? 21. It's that's what bad football teams do though. And it's Unbelievable as well as Rocco Bellic played. He didn't play well because his three plays lost the game. He was brutally bad in those spots. And it's a shame because him and Chase Soell had it going for much of the afternoon. There was and but the it's it's just unbelievable to see what this Penn State Michigan game looked like. It got the CBS treatment, of course, with Brad Nestler and the music and everything because of the because of the the brands. But for so much of it, It was it was tough to watch and yeah, it's who knows who knows what to make of things next week and Michigan's got Indiana and angry Indiana coming in next week. So I don't know if that bodes well for for Tommy Carr. He doesn't really get a warm up spot, but he is absolutely the guy. The offense you could see just responds to him. All of a sudden, running gaps start to open like it's like the lineman all of a sudden want to block for him. And there's problems there, I think, in the locker room with Underwood. They can call him the captain all they want. It was clear today how Michigan played when Tommy Carr came in. And to his credit, I know I'm not giving Michigan a ton of credit here. He was composed and he made the play. So Michigan got the job done. Erich: Yes, they did. next one we're gonna cover UCLA 17, Wisconsin 7. Another just really ugly game. really disappointing for Wisconsin. You get UCLA's backup quarterback, you have the bye week, and you know, Luke Fickle has people starting to talk well about him. Herb Street and Desmond Howard pick Wisconsin to pull off the upsets. And Wisconsin just never got started. I don't think we need to say a lot about this game. I mean, it just it wasn't a fun game to watch. And I had to do the rewatch because it was going on at the same time as the game I was at was playing. Just really ugly. UCLA found some stuff in the passing game to move the ball enough to win. UCLA, it's the first game they didn't run the ball well. So I I mean I think Wisconsin's defense did what they needed to do. It's just their offense wasn't there. And UCLA is a defense that's given up a lot of points this year. I don't really know what to think about either of these teams as we go forward, other than that UCLA's undefeated. And if I'm a UCLA fan, I'm happy. I'm undefeated. Like, when's the last time we've been in this position at this point in the season? Everything's in front of us. Playoff is on the table. That's how you should feel halfway through the season when you're undefeated like that. So kudos to L UCLA. They got to win. They're backup quarterback, I think, played as well as you could have asked them to play, especially when the running game just wasn't there. They only averaged like three point two yards of carry. And again, Wisconsin ran outran them, ran for a better average. But again, mostly through Colton Joseph. Their running backs are a problem. they really missed Dylan Jones, who they lost in the transfer portal, who's at LSU. I think Destiny would be significantly different if he was on it. And I do think people needed to, you know, maybe I should have pumped the brakes in Wisconsin a little bit, but hey, I was for the first time in a while having fun with the team. Luke Fickle, what are you doing? You have a bye week to go into this to get ready for a backup QB and you can score seven points. I don't know what to think about that, Kevin. I don't know what to think about them as we go forward here. They got USC at home next week. I I guess it's gonna be a ranked matchup, and we'll we'll see. But boy, what an environment it would have been if Wisconsin got that win and would have been ranked themselves. Now it's just okay, you know, are we gonna just You know, we're gonna now we're we we had a chance to be five and one, now we're we're four and two. Are we gonna now be four and three? And then we gotta go to Iowa, and now we're gonna be four and four. And you know, we talked about this stretch. You got the win up against Penn State, but if you lose the other two, so who knows? But great win for UCLA. You know, they're they're cooking right now and hopefully they get Nico back and they can keep going. Kevin: Luke Fickel had to be upset watching how well a backup quarterback played against him because as Erich: Right. Kevin: you know, he's had to deal with that many, Erich: He's had his experience. Kevin: his experience. And then he sees, that's that's how you prepare. So Erich: Ha ha. Kevin: I guess Bob Chesney had to show him the way there. But yeah, Ty Diefenbach was impressive. Like you said, you know, Erich: Yeah. Kevin: efficient, 264 yards. If you would have told me before the game. Wisconsin does not turn the ball over. UCLA has two turnovers. They hold Wayne Knight, their star back to 13 carries on 23 yards. Woods, the other stud back, Anthony Woods has under 40 yards. Wisconsin probably came out of there with a double. Yeah. Erich: You would have said win. You said, Yeah, Wisconsin's winning by thirty, right? Like Kevin: It was an interesting game. The key to me in this game was UCLA had two drives that were 84 yards and 91 yards. They chewed up a lot of clock and in the process they tired out Wisconsin's defense at critical times and Erich: Yeah. A hundred percent. Kevin: able to get an early lead keeps Colt Joseph off the field. Although he was, he was just bad in this game. He seems to take two steps forward, one step back, know, 66 yards passing just isn't going to get it done. And that's part of the inconsistency, you bring in a quarterback at the sunbelt level and that's sometimes what the difference is. And so Erich: He he needs a year to get ready. I mean that's just Kevin: They just controlled the flow of this game and UCLA dared Wisconsin to throw and Wisconsin could not run the ball consistently from the tailback position. And you could even see they were struggling and Wisconsin has more athletic receivers than usual. They were just struggling to get separation versus UCLA's defensive backs at times. And then on the flip side, UCLA's receivers were running open versus Wisconsin's secondary made some big plays. It was 10-7, it was close and UCLA was able to put this game away late and held serve and got the dub. So amazing job with Bob Chesney's done there. I apologize Bruins fans. I was going to pick you in this game, but I thought that Nico injury would shift it in Wisconsin's favor Erich: Rightfully so. Kevin: after bi-week. We heard some from comments on this and people poking fun on this, but it is the world. of predictions here got nothing but love for the Bruins. are impressive. They're well coached. They overcame some adversity in this game on the injury front and they beat a really, you know, they beat a solid Wisconsin team. And like you said, back to the drawing board for Wisconsin, they also had 10 ugly penalties in that game. And I know, Erich: Yeah. Kevin: I know that doesn't thrill you and it's kind of, like a same old, same old. Now the Trojans roll in. to town next Saturday night. Erich: the Trojans rolling. Kevin: That's tough. Erich: Well let's stay out west and I I wanna get us moving here a little quicker, Kevin, if we can. Oregon, Nebraska, and really only thing I want to say about this is is kudos to Oregon for finding a way to get this this win. Nebraska, I I just I feel like they're have similar pain as Wisconsin fans at this point, where it's just like this everything was right there for you to win this game. It's now back to back weeks that yeah you should win and you didn't. And yeah, good job to Oregon for getting this win and and a wounded Oregon at that and you know, a fully healthy Nebraska just not getting it done. And if I'm a Nebraska fan, I'm just really mad that we gave Matt Rule the extension we gave him last year because we were scared he might end up at Penn State. really unfortunate because I just I just don't know that he can go beyond the ceiling that appears to already have been set for himself. And that's all I'll say about this game, Kevin. Kevin: It's Groundhog's Day again for the Huskers. The pain and seeing that guy in the crowd at the end when Oregon's on the goal line about to score, given one of these like, dear God, no. Just and they can just never catch a break. Like, how about Oregon just fumble the ball there with their third string QB? That'd be reasonable to to expect. No, it Erich: Ha ha ha. Kevin: it doesn't. Instead, it's actually Dylan Riolo came in for Brock Thomas. more pain of course than Nebraska QB that was highly touted and really struggled in Lincoln. And then he's the one that throws the game winning touchdown pass. mean, Oregon had 50 yards at half, Nebraska had 11 tackles for loss. They're leading 14-6 going into the fourth quarter. It's literally like last week again and they cannot close the door. This is a good team. There's talent on this team. Kalandria has given them juice. They're so far improved in the trenches and what they used to be but that comes down to coaching when you cannot close these games out and so Matt rule maybe he was turning the corner and like he said looks like it's the it's the same all and I feel for you Huskers fans because the last two weeks you should have won both and you darn sure darn sure should have split at the very worst so Unbelievable ducks get out of there 1714 ugly late night game in Eugene. Erich: Let's move to the ACC. one real big blowout, and we're gonna just talk about the top two teams here. And then one, my god, if they lose this game, what that does to solidify you did not want to be a top five team this week type mantra. Kevin Wake Forest, so impressive. Every week they just impress me more and more. Yes, it's Cal. You know, Cal has a lot of work to do, but it's still you know, one side of the country to the other at night. Doesn't matter. We're locked in. We're here to play. I man, I can't wait to see this. And I know it's early to say this, but potential rematch in the conference championship between Wake and and Miami. I Wake just looks better every week. And this week Miami looked like they took a step back against just a Florida State team that's you know, their coaches tumbling down the drain, everyone's calling for him to be fired. And boy, did they take Miami to the brink. I mean it was there for them, but Miami, as good teams generally do, Kevin, they found a way on a night where they were not playing well and the other team was giving them the run for their money. Double overtime, they get to score and they win the game. And like you know, I talked about this earlier, Florida State just not only like had them on the brink, but incredible things that happened to to keep it and to get it in overtime and all those things and It just wasn't apparently in the stars for them to Kevin: you Erich: get the upset that would have just pushed an already like upset late in week way over the top. I mean, we already got more than I guess maybe we deserved. and so maybe that's why this one didn't go this way from a karma perspective. But it was right there, and it's like, man, it would have just been that icing on the cake to see it happen to just disrupt the rankings altogether. as it stands, Florida State gets the win. They're ranked number one now. Rightfully so. Again, you get the win. Normally I would say like road win, you get out of there. This is a home game, Kevin. so we'll see what happens with Miami as we go forward here. But as it stands this week, they get the win, they're undefeated, and they are now the number one team in the country. Kevin: For me, I don't think there's any question. It's either Jake Dicker or Bob Chesney are your cultures of the year. What Erich: Yeah, right now? Absolutely. Kevin: what Jake Dickard is doing. And don't forget the amazing work he did in Pullman either. so he's down and wins some Salem now. Like you said, the cross country travel versus Cal team that just beats Virginia Tech last week, they go out there late at night. They're not used to playing at that time. And when you see well coached teams, it just jumps off the screen at you. Their first offensive possession, 99 yard drive. ready to go like you said, ready to exploit Cal's weaknesses, their staff's incredible. Did it without Carlos Hernandez, one of the best receivers in the country. Did it matter? No, it's 34-0 and a half and we're rolling you. And Cal's not an awful team by any stretch. And then other things that show you're well coached team. Dominic Barry, the tight end, comes in with two career catches, two has four catches in this game. And how about three of them for touchdowns? Other guys stepping up, they can run the ball, they're balanced, they're defense dominated. 41-7, just another statement. Like you said, this team every week, they just top their performance and get more and more and more impressive. This was a tough road swing for them at going to Raleigh and NC State with the rain. That's a Jekyll and Hyde team. You never know what's going to happen there. They have talent with CJ Bailey. You fly across the country to a Cal team, weird situational spot, and they just blow the doors off them. amazing. Hopefully they get Carlos Hernandez back soon. think they will. I don't think it's too serious. And Geo Lopez, me. He's got to be somewhere in the top 10 of the Heisman vote. I mean, I know there's tons Erich: I would hope. Kevin: of candidates, like not a lot of guys. playing better at quarterback than him right now. And it's just been really, really fun to watch. Miami, Florida State, I did not expect to be watching as much as that game as I did. Erich: Yeah. Kevin: Credit to the nulls. It's such a weird situation down there in Tallahassee because like you said, their coach is a dead man walking. And yet they continue to play for Mike Norvell. And you could say it's the rivalry and stuff, but they got up a couple of weeks ago to throttle Virginia and they were Erich: Mm-hmm. Kevin: ready to play versus Louisville up 14-0 before things fell apart. And they did kind of quit in that game. And you could say it's the rivalry and all that, but we've seen rivalry games before where players aren't interested and they got a coach that's a lame duck. like it seems like Mike Norvell is. And so I just I could not believe it. I was watching. They're up 2114. It's getting late. Yeah, Miami looks like they're putting it away up 2821. And then Ashton Daniels just hits Deuce Robinson one place, 75 yards with 28 up on my good grief. We're going to overtime here in Miami. And then FSU. Did you see the Ashton Daniels throw to the corner to Deuce Robinson? It was right at the back pile and couldn't have handed to a better. They're up seven. I'm like this. I think is this going to happen? But holy cow, that overtime in Miami just. I mean, some of the defensive plays and the offensive plays, it was like, OK, this they're tired of playing around here when they want to play. Mensa and Malachi, Tony and all those guys are as impressive, impressive as can be. I wanted to touch on. the horrendous holding call that jobbed Florida State lately. And I touched a little bit this on why I think it was third and 20 in overtime or excuse me, fourth and 21 fourth and 20 I think in Florida State, they're back by like the logo, they're back by the you Eric. And I know this was going on at the same time as the BYU game that you're at. and they drop back, it's a Hail Mary in overtime. That's how far back there. They throw it up, incredible catch in the end zone. And it was taken away by one of those phantom holding calls where the guy just, he didn't know, he just threw him down. Like he's had him and like, Erich: Yeah. Kevin: boom, down you go. Let the players decide in that situation. It was abysmal to say the least. And then the very next play, Florida State. nearly completes another Hail Mary. This time they're on like their own 46, nearly caught. Guys go for it. It goes into Miami's DB's lap. was like simultaneous possession though for a little bit. Had to be reviewed for about nine hours, but incredible ending there. That would have cut it to two and FSU would have had to get the two point conversion at tie it. But can't imagine it would come to that. It's a lesson for Miami. And I think it's a lesson for us that Miami might have some cracks defensively. And as good as Wake is, they showed some of that versus Miami. And I don't think it's a huge surprise. We talked about how good Hakeem Mezadar and Reuben Bane were off the edge last year and some of the other defensive players they lost. that's one thing for, Miami can outscore anyone, but will their defense, Erich: Yeah, they don't have that this year. Kevin: yeah, will their defense cost them? is my question coming out of this. But as far as just fan entertainment, it was fun to see Miami, Florida stay in the spotlight and to be watching it and having it end in a crazy way like it did for so many years. Erich: Fully agreed and would be nice if somehow Florida State can build off this and and get it together because you and I both want them back towards the the top of the league where they belong. let's move to the SEC, Kevin. And I got six games here for us to cover. And I'm worried that the nature of these games, we could talk about this for way too long. So I'm gonna just nix two of them for us. Ole Miss at Missouri. I think the biggest thing that you and I Or at least me, I'm gonna apologize to Ole Miss fans. Should not have thought Missouri could go in there and win this game. I should not have doubted Trinidad Chambers. And Ole Miss is in a great spot right now, by the way. their one loss to Florida is almost meaningless at this point. and what a a great win for them. And we'll see how they can go. Can they go on the road and get some wins as their schedule goes forward? And LSU Mississippi State. It wasn't a game. No Fluff Bothwell, no Kamara Taylor from Mississippi State. LSU dominated them. Shut out, no reason to talk about that there. But what I wanna do here, Kevin, is we had three major upsets in the SEC. And before we go into those, you and I asked the question, and we both got this game right, can Kentucky keep doing this? And the answer is yes, they can. And I don't know if we didn't power rankings of the SEC. I I can you really have Kentucky not in the top four or five at this point? I don't know that you can do that. And so you talk about coach of the Kevin: God. Erich: year awards. I think you gotta put Will Stein's name in that bucket. I think there's really three guys you could talk about. you mentioned the two other others earlier. so so I wanna just leave those there. Do you wanna add anything to those three games before we go to the other three? Kevin: Briefly, it was not fun news. Learning about Mario Taylor and fluffed by a lot of the game just completely changed that. It was like, yeah, OK, Erich: Yeah. Kevin: I'll see. It's going to kill him. I'll miss. I've had my questions this year. Impressive win. That's. What can you say? Mizzou didn't even get off the tarmac in that game. But Eli Drinkwitz on the road versus a ranked team. Not great. And Kentucky, Oklahoma. Kentucky fans will hate this because it seems like I talk about the other side of their game so much, although I didn't last week. it bread and vegetables is he's not the guy in Norman. I like him. I like his coaching style. He's tough. He's old school. He's all those things, but it's not working. You can't Erich: What a waste of talent at Oklahoma under Britt Venebos. That's just the reality. It's just across the board it's a waste of talent. Kevin: It is and you could have won this game sloppily and with your defense. But once again, four turnovers on offense and Mateers interception led to the go ahead score by Kentucky to go up 1413 and then a big six to put it away. And you're just handing games around and credit Kentucky. You know, we both picked them in this game because we said sometimes having that, you they both, this was the game coming into it. Who was going to get over the high of those? story of the weekend type wins last week and the answer was Kentucky and you wonder did Oklahoma come into this game? like, hey, we're at home and it's all going to be OK. And I Erich: Nope. Kevin: think I I think it benefited Kentucky to get out of Lexington, get out of the pats on the shoulder and all the buzz of the town and hey, refocus and go on the road. And I talked about the reverse psychology in this game. I think that worked in their favor or that's just a bunch of B.S. And it's really just Kentucky is a more complete team. a better coached team and they don't make the mistakes that Oklahoma is. So you choose what it is from that. Those are my comments. Erich: So the next three games, Kevin, I think we gotta do one thing here. You and I are both talking about two of the three in one of our categories. So Auburn, Georgia, one of those teams is gonna be one of our categories. Florida, Texas, one of those teams is gonna be in categories. So I think the biggest thing I wanna just say here is maybe I'll take Auburn and you take Florida, and that way we can get to Tennessee, Bama, and keep things moving. Kudos to Alex Gulish. I I mean, I think you and I both had settled on We think he's going to be able to win some big games long term. We're just not sure it can happen this year. To go to Athens. Like who wins in Athens? No one wins in Kevin: No, no I- Erich: at Athens. Like it doesn't happen. and I was able to watch some of this one at the sports bar I was at. And boy, like Galax Golish you know, him and you kinda you and I kinda wrote him off like, okay, you know, he got beat by Florida, and then he lost another game, and I'm not sure. And here he is, Kevin. I I mean, what a win. So kudos to Auburn. I Auburn fans, like, yeah, celebrate this. Go nuts. Why not now? I mean, the SEC is wide open, Kevin. No one, you and I both said we're not picking against Georgia and Texas going forward until they lose. Well, now they've both lost, including Alabama, which we'll get to in a second. because of those these three supposed powers, boy, did they look the worst. so kudos to Auburn. What a win. Fans of Auburn, be excited. You should be. Alex Golish it was clearly a good hire. And wow. Let's see what happens now the rest of the way with the SEC. All right, Kevin. You take Florida. Go. Kevin: This, it's more on Texas and I'll touch on Florida. Erich: All right. Well, I just want to say Florida, great win. And the C Texas fan that flipped off the Florida player might straight to jail. Someone throw him away. but great win for Florida again, Austin. Wait, we're gonna talk about the country club atmosphere in a second, so we'll leave that where it is. Kim, what the heck happened with Alabama? I mean, they got physically dominated by Tennessee. Kevin: that. Erich: Tennessee doesn't know what they're doing at quarterback right now. my by the way, my brother was at this game. I he he was at the Tennessee Georgia game last year, where Tennessee should have pulled that off. Upset. He's got a picture of himself on the field. He rushed the field with the fans there. He's always been a fan of Rocky Top. So back to back incredible games for him to be at there in Knoxville. was actually talking to some some Knoxville based Notre Dame alumni and fans at the sports bar I was at, believe it or And Tennessee's kind their second team for obvious reasons. but Tennessee just I mean, every time they needed a tournament where they got it, they just beat Alabama up. I mean, just you know, just as when I'm about ready like be on Calen DeBoor's side, then he does something like this, and I just don't understand. But what a win for Tennessee. And again, SEC wide open. I don't know what to make of the SEC right now as we go forward. I don't know who the top two teams are. I I still would I guess maybe kinda lead in Georgia, but I don't know. We'll see. Ca I just it's a mess and it's a beautiful mess, Kevin. Kevin: I apologize to the Valls fans because I just have not been high on this team. And I was starting to drink the Alabama Kool-Aid, Kaylin DeBoer. This team is maybe trending towards not a vintage Saban team, but something close resembling that. I mean, they had 200 yards in this game. And maybe like what I found out is Tennessee's defense is for real. This is a loaded Bama offense. It's just been hanging points on everyone. And I wasn't sure on Tennessee's defense because all right, you held Texas's broken offense to 20 points. He lost by three at home a couple of weeks back. Jim Knowles looks like the Jim Knowles that was promised at Penn State that didn't deliver, but he took three of Penn State's best defenders. Man, are those kids showing out? Xavier Gilliam was a monster again. He's one of the best D tackles in the nation. Boy, do I miss him. Mari Campbell flying around Dejon Lane at safety had his third interception this game. Penn State kid leads the SEC in interceptions. So those kids are balling out for the Vols. They've really contained Keelan Russell. And we did talk about if Deshaun Bishop could get loose in this game. There was concerns by some of the Alabama folks about being tenderized up the middle on inside zone. I guess they haven't really defended that well and boy, Josh Heiple, he went right at that. And Erich: Mm-hmm. Kevin: Sean Bishop went for 160 and they just pushed them around. Alabama, every time you flip this game, they never had the ball. They were two of 13 on third down. So that explains that. I thought early on Tennessee was gonna regret not scoring touchdowns because... Erich: Agreed. I I kept saying to everyone at the bar, you're letting this team hang around, it's gonna come back and bite ya, and it didn't. Kevin: Yes. Yeah. Yeah, it's no secret with that crowd. mean, like Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy set at kickoff, like Greg McElroy, obviously playing in every SEC stadium and Sean McDonough McDonough being a Hall of Fame broadcaster for our entire lives has been just about everywhere in the country. And he's like, there's not a louder stadium than Neyland. Some that match it. But when it's the third Saturday in October and Bama rolls in for that rivalry, both teams, by the way, and their majestic home uniforms, Harkin. Erich: that was great. I didn't know they were doing that. That worked. That looked so good. Kevin: hearken back to like the 30s and 70s when they did that. So I mentioned all that because obviously we love to talk about those things, but I mentioned that to say like, of course, family is going to start slow in that environment. Many teams do. So they're finding their footing. Tennessee goes on a great drive to open up. McIntyre looks OK at quarterback, but they settle for field goal three zero. Then they get a turnover off Keelan Russell. All right, they're to go up 10-0, no, 6-0, then it's 9-0. like you were saying with the people you were watching with, OK, Bama is going to find their footing. And next thing you know, they're going to be up 14-9. And you're like, jeez, yep, it cost us. Never happened. Shut out in the second half. I was wrong about the volunteers. Hand up. This team can run the ball. They're physical. I give Josh Hyple credit. Normally his teams thrive with amazing quarterback play. He's not getting amazing quarterback play right now. He's getting a game manager and George McIntyre, which is totally fine. They're pounding the rock. And Jim Knowles is scheming up some terrific game plans. His pressures on Keelan Russell. He confused him. It's a complex defense. Penn State's players struggled to learn it last year. That was one of the big reasons he brought over some of the Penn State kids so he could have them. lead and teach the volunteers that stayed at Tennessee. And wow, it's looked really good. And now they have a big, big game going to Williams Bryce Stadium next week in South Carolina. That's going to be a lot of fun. And that's what makes the SEC fun is, the depth and it doesn't stop week to week, but that was completely shocking. I was so wrong. I thought Bama might win by a score. Erich: Yeah, we were Tennessee fans, we were we were wrong. We we were calling for a blowout and we should have known better. so our apologies on that. we'll touch on a couple more Kevin: whoopsie. Erich: SEC teams here in a moment in our categories. Kevin, let's get I wanted to cover a few group of six results quickly. one of our listeners asked us about what we thought about Air Force and Army this weekend and and I said, Kevin: Yeah. Erich: I like them both. They're both at home. I think UNLV coming off their big win against North Dakota State, they're gonna be in an emotional spot. you know, plus Air Force at home at Falcon Stadium and Army at home against West Point hosting a Fort Florida Atlantic team that was four and one. and both teams played well offensively and just kind of controlled the game. so kudos to two of our three military academies here, both now looking at nice winning records and in position to play in a decent bowl game as we go forward here. but then the other one mentioned I wanted to make Kevin is we are building to an incredible. Pac twelve matchup. Oregon something is building in a Corvallis, Kevin. it's just it's feeling more electric every week. They still have a little work to do on their defense, but the Oregon State, I think it's I I believe it's at Boise State later Kevin: It is Erich: this year. Kevin: November 14th. Erich: I hope I hope game day or s or big noon or someone goes there because that's gonna be a great game. I hope it's during the day. I hope it's not one of these crazy late games. People need to start watching Oregon State play. they're really good at quarterback. They have Jesse Legree at wide receiver, who's probably gonna be I I don't know, next year, once Jeremiah Smith goes pro, he might be the best receiver in the country and he's a true freshman. His numbers are off the charts. I think he has more receptions and yards and touchdowns than Jeremiah Smith. And so kudos to these three teams. I I thought this was just going to be a runaway for BYU. It's not. Here comes Oregon's excuse me, not BYU. Boise State. Here comes Oregon State and wow, I can't wait for that game, Kevin. If if if it keeps building to that, like I think it will. Kevin: No, it's just fun to see Oregon State and Wazoo play each other old pack 12 game. I'm I am with you. Excuse me. The Beavers are an absolute blast. We keep pounding the table. Watch this team. Jesse LeGree and say numbers again, continues his streak of every game this year. He's gone over 100 yards, including a 90 yarder pretty early in the game. Perfect throw. And Washington State, despite the record, they're that's a good win. Kirby Moore is doing a good job there. That's not a horrible team. You look at some of their scores. K-State got them by a lot, but they hung in versus Washington. They played pretty good D versus Fresno. They lost by only 10 to now a ranked Arizona team. So they put up some fights and the Eshelman kid, the own Eshelman kid at quarterback for Wazoo can really sling it. He threw for ridiculous amount of yards again. So a lot of the country doesn't realize these schools a lot of times have fantastic quarterbacks that, my gosh, if you slot them in some of the power leagues, the teams that need quarterbacks, like think of some of the bad quarterback playing the big 10 through the years. Erich: Yeah. Kevin: Looking at you, Iowa, throwing Owen Eshleman on that team. Yeah, so guess what? The Oregon State, you're gonna give up some points, but they can certainly score with the best of them. 48-30, good win. Jamarcus Shepherd continues to roll. And then I love that you mentioned Air Force UNLV and that we got a comment on that game. Troy Calhoun doesn't get enough love. This is his 20th year, I believe, in Colorado Springs. And there's nothing better than seeing 430 yards rushing and three pass attempts. It's Erich: It's so good. Kevin: so good. just doesn't seem real. Option football is alive and well. Evan Meadows. just your quintessential tough option quarterback there. I want to these kids love because they don't get a lot of talk nationally. Rocco Conti went for 103 yards. Owen Allen added 96. I'm probably forgetting some guys. And they just took UNLV's will because UNLV led 24-20 and then Air Force controlled the rest of the game. You don't see a lot of 41-31 games with service academies, but UNLV's front four was asking for Mercy, the white flag was up and it never came. Dan Mullins group is just not physical enough and they rely way too much on Jackson Arnold. They can't run the football and stay on the field and dictate terms. So UNLV, sometimes it's overrated. You get these quarterbacks and Jackson Arnold certainly helped them, but you gotta have more than just that. so I also wanted to stick in the Pac-12 Fresno States. dream of competing for the Pac-12 title ended in a big upset for San Diego State. don't know if you saw that score. No. San Diego State, Erich: Yeah. And San Diego State hasn't been good this year. So Kevin: normally a solid program, just allowed 66 points versus the Beavs last week and they kicked a game-winning field goal to take out Fresno 26-23 a 53 yarder. great win for San Diego State, Fresno is now four and three and a really tough loss. The Bulldogs just, they get off the bad starts. They were down 13-0 and Matt Ence has to look in the mirror. He's a good coach, but I believe they failed to score in five of seven first quarters. saw the stat in that game. so tough times there in Fresno. And those are my thoughts. And I had one other team, Eric, that I wanted. I wanted to mention, I wanted to touch on some Mac-tion. Do you know where I'm going with Mac football? Erich: don't, Kevin. no I normally probably would, but given my schedule yesterday, I do not know where you're going. Kevin: Eric, the reason the Mac deserves a shout out this week is I'm not sure if you're aware, but on college football nominees, we got a new follower this week from none other than the head coach of the Western Michigan Broncos, Lance Taylor, coach Taylor. Thank you for that. We appreciate that. So you're getting a shout out this week. The Broncos are going to get some love from their victory over the Chippewas yesterday. They took out CMU. 21-14 big rivalry there in the Mitten state. Of course, this team is really only been talked about this year because of the debacle that happened in Ann Arbor where it was stolen from them. Well, they've continued to play football there in Kalamazoo and they're five and two, three and Owen Conference. And boy, do they have a fun team to watch just as they were fun to watch that night at Michigan with Jalen Buckley's, the Injunette running back. Brock Lowry is a really tough quarterback that he You know, they marry the whole system around him and Buckley. So that QB run threat, which is of course popular in the Mac. So fun team to watch their physical. They still make defenses respect the past. Lowry can throw it a little bit. think, you know, I've looked up through for two 60 last week versus the golden flashes. So they're a little more dangerous than you're just typical conventional run heavy teams. And. I'm excited to continue to watch them, especially when November hits and the weather is cold and it's maxin on a Tuesday night and you're watching crazy, Erich: Ha ha. Kevin: crazy weather in places like Yipso Annie, Michigan and different things like that. So shout out to Womu as I like to call them. They got a big one at the Glass Bowl next week in Toledo, 11. AM Central noon Eastern on CBS Sports Network. So coach Taylor, congrats on staying undefeated in the Mac this week with a big rivalry, big rivalry win. And we got your eyes on you. So we appreciate your support over there in Kalamazoo. Erich: I love it, Kevin. Let's move to our categories. let's do where we were right or wrong first. and we'll do that quickly because then we'll go into our most impressive and then let down on team of the teams of the week. So, Kevin, a little rougher week for me this week. eight and eight overall. and I'm kind of cheating a little bit because I'm I'm making myself right about I won game twice, though I did pick it over to in two different things. So I was right about BYU. Called that early. That was obviously one of our more watched short videos this week over my prediction of BYU doing the upset over Notre Dame. Right about LSU, I feel like that was an easy pick. Texas Tech. Right about Michigan. Miami, I guess, technically did get the win. We picked them the win, although they didn't cover the spread. That being said, we're not a gambling show. We're just picking the winners and losers, generally speaking, not going by the spread. Right about Kentucky, we said they're going to upset Oklahoma, and they did. Wake Forest continuing to roll. We write about that. And then I was right about Oklahoma not covering their spread of being favored because they were gonna lose. So there's no reason they're doing that. Wrong about Indiana, Kevin, because of footwork. wrong about Kansas. My emotions of Lance Liphold and my love for him got in the way. Way wrong about Alabama. my god. Wrong about Texas. What the heck? Missouri. Yikes. Way wrong there. Apologies to Ole Miss fans. Wisconsin, a little emotional there. Very disappointing. Wrong about them. Oklahoma State, a close one. you know, we love the pokes, but unfortunately was wrong about them against Houston. And then Nebraska. Wrong about Nebraska again. So we'll see if I let the emotions get the better of me in regards to Nebraska games going forward, how they picked them, 'cause they let me down twice in a row now, Kevin. And yeah, so that's where I was right and wrong this week. How about you? Kevin: Yeah, I had some pretty big misses, but I'm happy with some of some of the big ones. I got Ohio State over Indiana. That was a pick I just was sticking with from the summer. Got the Sunflower Showdown right with K-State. Ole Miss Mizzou was tough to call. Went with the Rebels at home. LSU, I did think would win big, regardless of Kamario Taylor played well. He did it and so. They still won big, obviously even worse. Texas Tech, was not that hard of a pick. Michigan, I went against my boys and turned out sadly I was right. Miami, I was an easy one, although it wasn't easy for the Canes. Erich: Yeah. Kevin: Kentucky, I was proud of that pick because first of all, how in the world was Oklahoma laying seven points? When you have their offense, you should never be laying a touchdown. Erich: Yeah. Kevin: Second of all, I liked the psychology that we went there with Kentucky, maybe being more focused, getting on the road. And, you know, I wasn't picking against Wake and they were more impressive than ever. Wrong and D, I didn't believe in in in the Cougs and I should have trusted the atmosphere that you had the pleasure of being in out there at Lavelle Edwards Stadium and they didn't come through. So clearly wrong. I was incredibly wrong on Alabama. They got smoked and I thought they would lay it to Tennessee pretty good. Really starting to like this Tennessee teams. I love teams that can run the rock. Dwayne Bishop is a dude. 32 carries. Tennessee fans will remember that's kind of like handed it off like Arian Foster or Jamal Lewis back in the day. Kind of reminded me you don't see 32 carries a lot anymore. So Viles fans will appreciate those throwbacks. But big time wrong there with the tide. Texas, why am I picking them? I don't know. So I'm, Erich: Ha ha ha. Kevin: we'll get to that in a second. Wisconsin thought the QB injury would swing it. Bob Chesney said, come on now. Oakey State had to go with those are my guys. I had them playing for the big 12 title this year and that took a big hit. They'll need some help to get to Arlington now. Nebraska. I I can't go out there and make a tackle for you. So I don't know what's happening there. Erich: Hey, you were you were over fifty percent this week, Kevin. So that's a win. That's a win. You know, Kevin: Yeah. Erich: the the rumor is if you can be consistently over fifty percent, you should be a professional gambler. So if you're ever looking for a a side gig, you know, something to think about. Kevin: Yeah, Erich: letdown of the week for me, Georgia. It just it's really it's really strange. You know, you thought, okay, you get the big road win in Tuscaloosa. But this is just Kirby Smart. This is not a team that's then gonna have a letdown the following week at home. And they did. I I I mean, I don't know what else to say other than that. You know, it's just it's really strange. But at the same time, we gotta remember that these teams made these hires for this reason to compete in these games and to beat these teams that they've struggled to beat over the past 10 years. And we're seeing immediate return on results for both these teams, obviously, with Auburn winning in this game and Florida being Texas and so forth. So The SEC wide open, Georgia, though, letdown of the week, especially what you look at the the rest of what happened throughout college football would have been the clear number one in the country had they won. You know, now cracks in the armor. That's and you know, other teams are gonna look at that game and be like, boy, Georgia sure seemed to struggle with a running QB. Our QB can run. What are we gonna you know, is Georgia gonna clean that up? I don't know. but you know, this Bulldog's defense that we thought was just, you know, no one's gonna put points on them and well, Hubbard put up twenty seven. So, you know, we'll see what happens as we go there, Kevin. But for me, clear letdown of the week, Georgia. How about you? Kevin: You know what's interesting? I just want to touch on that Auburn Georgia game is it didn't have the ingredients of your normal like number one team going down in a massive upset. Georgia got off to a 14-0 lead and here you are going on. It's the Deep South's oldest rivalry and it's going to get ugly quick for Auburn. Well, Kirby Smart's team is ready to play, go figure. And then Auburn, they're kind of just hung around. And if you're just a box score watcher and you see that Georgia had three turnovers. None of those turnovers besides, and it's not really a turnover, the blocked field goal that they had, that set up three points for Auburn. But Auburn had to get off the mat. They went on two drives all on their own, not aided by turnovers to tie it up at 14. To do that between the hedges is really impressive. And then they went up 24-14. The only turnover they benefited from was Gunner Stockton fumbling at the end. And that set up the game winning field goal. But prior to that, Gunner Stockton's turnovers that really just hurt George's own offense. And Auburn didn't score off of those. So you would think looking at it like, I bet I'm going to see like a seven yard drive for Auburn and a scoop and score. That wasn't the case. So that's what is really impressive. And Alex Goulash finally got the Byron Brown rushing experience that he was hoping for when he brought him over from South Florida. My disappointment of course is Texas and I want to give. Erich: Country Club Atmosphere, Texas. It's clearly still Kevin: country club atmosphere. Erich: here. Kevin: Still there, comes back to the Colin Simmons meme and that whole thing. I think there's almost too much money in the program for their own good. Their softness there, they start up, up 17-3. think Florida's in a world of hard, it's hurt, it's gonna continue to go down the drain for John Somerall. And then Sarkeesian makes a questionable call. Your defense is playing well early. Florida literally is doing nothing. Punt, punt, punt. What does he Erich: Yeah. Kevin: do at midfield? Goes for it. And he doesn't get it. And it sparks Florida and they're able to make it 17-10. As a head coach, you got to be thinking, hmm, my defense is dominated. I'm going to make Florida drive the length of the field on the road and make them earn their spot in getting back into this game. And the risk reward is just not. It just doesn't add up to make that decision there. So Sarkeesian didn't have his guys ready to play and ready to maybe maybe they were ready to play but doesn't press the right buttons throughout that game. As soon as a team punches back just like Oklahoma did the week before they wilt. And let me just get this out of the way Arch Manning. He's very average, very average. Let's just get that out of the way. Erich: Yeah, the the criticism is is deserved at this point. Like, and just to be fair, Kevin: It- Erich: you know, stop saying he's the best QB in the country. He's far from it. He's not a Heisman candidate. He wasn't last year. He's not this year. He's again, he's better than most QBs in the country, but he's far from like a top 10, like deadly QB that you need to game plan for. He's just not. The biggest thing you need to game plan for in Texas is their front four on defense and some of their electric receivers on the outside. It's not Arch Manning. It's just not. Kevin: It's not, the numbers are pedestrian and that offense is broken. I mean, they are not getting return on investment on Hollywood smothers, Relique Brown, Kim Coleman might wish he was back at Auburn after yesterday, you he was invisible. Erich: Yeah. Kevin: This is a nightmare in Austin. Things are not going in the right direction. And kudos to Florida. You know, I have envy of this type of team. because is Florida gonna make the playoffs? I would lean no, but they're gonna have a really fun season in a rebuild year with a coach. So kudos for them with a backup quarterback to Texas lost to Aaron. Bilo didn't Erich: Yeah. Kevin: play in this game. So kudos to Alex Tramiel and Jayden Bal got going in this half and Yeah, chomps the Longhorns. Erich: Well, let's go to our most impressive teams, teams of the week. Who do you have, Kevin? Kevin: Yeah, tons, tons to choose from, Erich: Lot of options. Kevin: lot of options. Yeah, absolutely. I went with Auburn and when you beat the number one team in the country, you go between the hedges. How fun for those fans to get a breakthrough win with Alex Golis. Byron Brown was specially ran for 125 yards on the ground. And like I just touched on, I was just so impressed. How they did it. Georgia didn't hand them a lot in this game. Was Georgia perfect? No. But Auburn got no cheap scores in this game and they took an early punch and that's a sign of a program that's maybe turning the corner here with the new regime. We're not just gonna lay down, we're gonna fight and we're gonna battle. They just had a tough loss at Tennessee last week. Really tough turnaround to go to Athens. They take out the Death Star in the conference. and they get the win over the dog. So Auburn celebrate, Tumor's Corner looked electric last night. There was more toilet paper than you can imagine. So Auburn Tigers war eagle. How about you, Eric? Erich: Well, I'm gonna go with the team that beat the number two team in the country, Kevin. The game I was at, no brainer pick for me. BYU. What a game, what an environment. And really excited to see what their emotional roller coaster looks like coming off this win. Major win at home. Fans rushing the field. what do these kids do? hopefully they're to get healthy at and get their stud running back back in action, and we'll see what happens as we go and. Hopefully keep building to that showdown in state rivalry at Rice Echo Stadium, of which I will find out in six hours and thirty-seven minutes if I am getting tickets for it. And these will just be like tickets that are really inexpensive to get, will make it really easy to go. So I will let the world know if those tickets end up being in my hand here tonight. But yes, BYU team of the week. That is the week seven recap, folks. Thank you for joining us. Thank you for following us. Please like and subscribe. We're really trying to grow this channel here and to be something that Kevin and I can do more and more as we go and keep producing content for y'all. Kevin: Thank you everyone as well. appreciate the new wave of followers out there. The commentary, feel free to discuss any of these games. We obviously love college football and what a weekend it was. It was as far as upsets go, the wildest weekend since 1936. When you look Erich: Wow. Kevin: at seven of the top 10 teams going down, including number one and two. So you never know what this beautiful sport has in store. Thank you so much. for following along with us. appreciate you guys. Have a wonderful rest of your day.