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Week 3 Preview: Lane Kiffin Goes Back to Oxford, Houston at Texas Tech, Florida at Auburn · College Football Nobodies

• Kevin Ivers: Welcome back, everybody. Week three preview show of college football nobodies. Erich, I cannot wait to get into it. This has just been an absolute blast. Erich: What does it have? Kevin Ivers: And there's nothing better than just being in this beautiful pattern of college football Saturdays. Just, there's nothing like Saturdays in the fall. There's to look forward to every week. We're right in the heart of it. Another really, really exciting week on tap. We're excited about this show. Tons of things to talk about, including some really big breaking news tonight in the injury department, right before we're airing or recording the show, I should say. So we lucked out there. Of course, our categories again will come at the end of the show. Erich, what's got you excited going into week three? Erich: It's always interesting how each week can take its own narrative. Last week was just this slate where there was a really excited game in every window. This one's more of a build-up to the evening, where there's some fun games to watch throughout the week. There's a decent one Friday night we're gonna hit on. But Saturday night is a you can flip around and be content on every of the each of the main channels. So looking forward to that. But before we get to Saturday, a big game on Friday, Fox eight Eastern. We got Houston at Texas Tech. Texas Tech, rightly or wrongly, you decide on your own. Favored by seven and a half. Where are you leaning on this one? Kevin Ivers: I think that is wrong. I am completely out the door on Texas deck this year. I've se I've seen enough, Erich. Two weeks in. I hated their performance versus Abilene Christian. I didn't love what they did out in Corvallis. They got super fortunate to get out of there. 11-point win, kind of misleading. It was a dogfight the whole way against a roster that They are light years ahead of. Kudos to Jamar Shepard, though, at Oregon State. He seems like the right guy. He's bringing a lot of energy there. Those kids love him. Saw some really cool interviews about him this week. But yeah, the stories on Texas Tech. They got a fortunate call late in that game, an offensive pass interference call against Oregon State. That really kind of allowed the Red Raiders to win that game. this is a really talented Houston team coming in for Texas Tech to give up over four hundred yards passing versus Oreg Oregon State and to not even come close to covering versus Abilene Christian. I I just cannot believe they're giving this much to a Willie Fritz coached Houston team. They won ten games in year two in the Fritz regime. That's really, really hard to do at a school like Houston. There's a yes, you're in Houston, but the competition for players there, especially amongst SEC powers, is fierce. I think Houston has a real path to go into Lubbock and get the outright upset here. What's interesting is in week three, they have a common opponent, of course, that being Oregon State. So Houston, I'd only be fair to say they kind of struggled a little bit versus Oregon State as well. They won by 13 at home. They came nowhere near covering. So maybe the Beavers are are just better than we think in year one, but I think there's a formula here for Houston. If you shorten the game, if you run the ball. With Makai Hughes, who's a really good running back. Of course, he was at Oregon last year. Didn't really work out with playing time. He's originally from Tulane, where he, I think, had a 1400 yard season. He was a star. And now he's at Houston, which is a perfect fit. Connor Wegman is a really tough kid. Of course, he's bounced around at a bunch of different schools. I like him in the running game as well. If you can keep Will Hammond off the sideline for Texas Tech, who's been good, but he's not what Brendan Soresby would have given them. I think Houston can shrink this game and with their athletes play with Texas Tech because I just haven't seen the same playmaking this year in Lubbock as last year. I'm curious to what you think about that. And it appears they didn't strike portal gold for the second year in a row. And that of course is the risk you play when you're churning over rosters like Texas Tex clearly committed to at the forefront of the NIL game. And I don't see those same beasts on the defensive line and a and it showed up in these games. So I like the Cougars in this one. No surprise if you have been listening. to the show. guns down here for me. How about you, Erich? Erich: Yeah, I don't think I've seen anything that remotely reminds me of Texas Tech of last year. This was my feeling in them coming into this year. You know, that QB situation changes right in the middle of fall camp. That's a big change to have happen. They're not nearly as good in the trenches this year, which is really what their strong shoot suit was last year, especially with their front four, and that hasn't worked out. So I'm gonna talk about this one later. I'm gonna leave it at that. However, I still think it's a fun game. And I think it's for either of these teams to make a claim to be that like third or third or fourth best team in the conference right now, from what we've seen so far. So that's where I would land on that. Let's go to Saturday. Let's just get right into it. That's a good Friday treat. Saturday, SMU at Louisville. Maybe a setup to whoever wins this goes to the conference championship. Although I would like to remind people there's a little team called Virginia that's played really well in the ACC. I know there's just this assumption that there's Miami, SMU, Louisville, no one else. There are some other decent teams. Virginia Tech has looked improved with James Franklin. However, this is a really good one. Another chance for SMU to go on the road and get a bit of a statement win. Kevin Ivers: I love this game. Love, love, love this game. The point spread shows how close I think this game will be. Louisville only laying a point and a half at home. I have Louisville in the ACC title facing Miami, of course. The other popular pick of cour i is SMU. So these are believed to be by most people the second and third best teams in the ACC. So who's putting themselves in that driver's seat to get to Charlotte and play for that championship is going to be really fun. Of course. We've seen both of these teams on Labor Day weekend in primetime spots. Took a long, long time for us to see SMU this year, of course, with the lights debacle and Tallahassee. We saw them escape. A not so impressive Florida State team. And then Louisville looked incredibly impressive in their loss going toe-to-toe versus Ole Miss and losing at the gun on a field goal. I came away really high on Lincoln Keenholz, the five-star transfer from Ohio State. He's the answer at QB. Jeff Brahm is a QB whisperer. We love that. We always talk about that with him. Jennings for SMU is the more established star here, but I know you and you and I have questions with him. you saw it in the Florida State game. just some of the inconsistent plays and the turnovers and and you'd hope as a third year starter he'd be past some of those silly mistakes because when he's not making them he's phenomenal. I do lean Louisville here. I really like this team. They got multiple options in the backfield. Marquise Davis is a talented player. I do think it'll be a shootout. You Louisville's defense can certainly be had and Trinidad Chamless and Ole Miss showed that. but Louisville's rolling, I I think I saw five 552 yards a game, almost 50 points a game. but I I just believe in Jeff Brahm and the game plan they're going to have. I think Chris Bell and Antonio Meeks are players, SMU's gonna struggle to cover down the field. SMU struggled at times versus versus FSU in that game. so I I go Louisville here, and the revenge age angle is legitimate. If you recall, this was a beatdown last year. it was it was 38-6 SMU. So there'll be no shortage of the Cardinals getting up for this game. And in the end, I think they can I think they can contain Jennings and make enough plays defensively. They talked about looking up before the show today. I was looking at Jeff Brahm's press conference and some of their players. They're really talking about the discipline of staying in their rush lines and all those things you need to do versus dynamic quarterback. I believe they will do so and I'm going with the Cardinals here in a a very competitive game and the spread's one and a half, so I I do have them covering maybe a a three or a six-point victory. Highly, highly entertaining. Erich: Yes. Sorry, I just got a text message. One of my buddies' sons just won the high school golf tournament. So kudos to him, to Hayden. And he is now getting a truck because his dad told him if he wins the tournament, he gets a truck. So my friend's son just got a truck. So that's if that's not NIL, I don't know what is. My thought on this Kevin Ivers: that okay. That's nice. Yeah. Erich: is I'm going at this from a narrative. This is the kind of game Brahm loses. I don't trust him in these type of games. He's really good when they're playing up. I don't think they're looking at this as they're playing up. I don't trust Louisville's defense. And Jennings does play clean games here and there. And I think this is one of the games he plays clean. And to me, is if he plays clean, SMU wins. I think this is more Louisville wins if Jennings throws it up. He doesn't do that every game. He just forgets every now and then. And you know, had he not forgotten and FSU and was due for that, he's not due for it right now. So I'm going. SMU in this one. It's a coin flip for a reason. If Louisville is favored by like seven or six or five or four, then that wouldn't be as much of a coin flip. But the one and a half is usually telling. I while I like the home team, I mean, let's be honest, like Louisville's environment isn't exactly known for being this monstrous home field advantage. SMU has traveled well. I think, you know, if without the turnovers, they'd blow out Florida State. It's not even close. So I'm going SMU. Kevin Ivers: Yeah, they really did shoot themselves in the foot. We were texting in that game and that was one of those games Kevin Jennings was trying to keep the other team in it. But yeah, if he does play clean, I'm with you. Then it does swing to SMU. I'm banking on the fact that in a road venue where you're right, like Louisville, it'll be packed, it'll be sold out. They show up, but yes, it's not one of the most feared places in the country for sure. So 330 Eastern on the Deuce ESPN two should be a really fun one to see where the top of the SE excuse Me, the ACC sits in week three. Moving along, Florida State rolls into Brian Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. We're not seeing a number next to FSU's name. You know, I'm when this game was scheduled, I'm sure Alabama was banking on that, but these are not good times in Tallahassee for Mike Norvell Erich: No. Kevin Ivers: and the just fired athletic director at Florida State. So with that, I'll lead you into discussing this. Erich, where is your head at for this game? Erich: I think this is one of those revenge games where the revenge is real. this game I don't want to say it ruined Alabama's season last year, but it sure put them in a a dark place to get going last year. They still went to the playoff won a playoff game, so we we still I guess for Alabama that's a down year, but you know, for you and me, we'd we'd love that for our teams. However, this is just the stuff that's going on in Florida State. They're on the, you know, there's I don't know if you saw Kevin, but There's been like published spending levels for every conference. Florida State. Ironically, when NAL started, they were like near the top in the country. Now they're near the like the bottom half of the ACC. So they've fallen behind there. Kevin Ivers: Yep, saw that. Erich: They're number two in the country in terms of debt, only behind Penn State. But Penn State has like 500 million in new new facilities debt. That's much different than what Florida State's got going on. I mean, part of it is renovations that they did, but not good times. Athletic directors gone. It's gonna cost them 50 million to move on from Norvell. Really, really bad, more bad debt probably coming their way, or they're just gonna have to suffer through it. I don't think you can because once your attendance falls, the economic impact is huge. And it goes that we've talked about this, it goes above and beyond just football. A good football team drives enrollment. That drives dollars, revenue, donations, all of those things. I mean, we've seen it any place that's had a dip in. attendance, it's a huge impact on the local economy. So it's not just about football. It's about economics. It's about enrollment. It's about the school. The ability to fund non-revenue generating sports. All of those things come into play. Norvell is going to get killed with Florida State here on this one. They're going down. The question is by how much? I think 19 and a half is generous. Like to me, I see this I see this being a blowout. And unless Alabama just has really Significant locker room issues, which there's been no evidence of yet to start the season. They've looked pretty clean. They got the running game going last week, which has been the knock on them. I'm going similar to what I said to you about Utah and Arkansas, 42 12 Alabama. This is going to be a blowout. I don't think it's going to be close. I think 19 and a half is rich and opened at 15 and a half and went to 19 and a half pretty quick. So it's going to be all tied. Tough no one wins there, anyways, more or less. And that whole it's not just the football team. The fans are out for blood too. So Florida State fans, good luck this week. I would love it if you pulled off the upset. Boy, would that create some narrative and stuff to talk about. But for me, I don't see it this week. I think it's going to be a tough Saturday for Florida State and the h seat that is already maybe second hottest in the country in terms of power forward coaching seats is gonna get hotter. Kevin Ivers: To your point, I cannot stand when university presidents don't understand the economic impact of a quality football program. The hotels, the restaurants, the town is a buzz Friday night, everything else you said, mind-boggling that university presidents who are supposed to be very well educated can't understand a very simple concept like that. but anywho. FSU is a team I have no faith in. I am sorry, Seminoles fans. We've said it before, college football is better when you are better. This is a spread where Vegas is begging you to take the points with the Knowles. Here's 19 and a half. Here's 20. It can't be possible. Florida State's an underdog like that. It can. That's exactly where it should be. Bama will cover this game. I'm with you. I think it's ugly. 38 10, something like you have. I just the Knowles haven't given me enough reason to believe it can consistently survive Alabama's defensive front and Bryant Denny Stadium. And what happens if it gets ugly early? 10 0, 14 0. They know the pressure on Coach Mike Norvell. You you can't hide from it in this day and age. The players are on the phones, they see it, they talk with families, they don't have their head in the sand. All that stuff talked during the week. If players say they don't see it or this, it's it's garbage. It affects programs way more than I think people would like to give credit to. I'm interested in Alabama and how they looked. you know, in that second half versus Kentucky was so clean, was so impressive. Carry that over. What type of team can you be? Because if Debore's team's not focused in this game, versus a team with their AD fired and their coach hanging on by a thread and pictures surfacing of a moving truck at his house and boxes everywhere. Did did you see that? I'm sure you did. And Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: Norvell gave some long diatribe about I don't even know what the heck he said. But he could have just easily lied and been like, you know, I I was having like an IKEA delivery or something. and it was I don't it was just a mishmash of like you're trying too hard, meaning like you you know it's bad. But yeah, it's unfortunate. This would normally be a great game, but it's gonna get ugly for the Knolls on ABC at 3 30 Eastern. Moving along, really expected. Erich: My second favorite game of the weekend, by the way, this one. Kevin Ivers: This one is fantastic. Mississippi State bringing the cowbells and going into Williams Bryce Stadium, who is in the running for Environment of the Week, by the way. They do a tremendous Erich: yeah, South Carolina home game. It's always rocking. Kevin Ivers: Really underrated. That place is so loud. So I'll let you start this one off, Erich. What are your thoughts here on this big SEC clash? Erich: really, really good opportunity for Mississippi State to either elevate its outlook on the season and expectations or to fall back on the not quite yet side of things. Where are they going to be? South Carolina favored by three and a half. That feels about right. I would love to see Mississippi State get this done. Just can you imagine the next home game? How loud those call bells are going to be. This would be such a huge win for them. Shane Beamer has come up short in these situations where oftentimes I think it's where South Carolina is the worst against against the teams they should beat. This is one they should win if they play clean. If Lenora Sellers plays clean, if he's effective, if he runs the ball as well as passes it, doesn't just sit in the pocket and try to be something he's not. That's what I'm looking for is because I tell you what, Kamario Taylor is just a gamer and knows who he is and is going to play that way every game. Lenora Sellers is the one who sometimes is just like a shell of what you expect out of him. So this is this is a great game. I I I'm gonna be glued to this one quite a bit. I mean, it's it's that slightly earlier kickoff than some of the other ones. So, you know, you don't really gonna have a big conflict in that three thirty window because it's starting a little early, or is it starting later? I can't remember. I think it's starting a little Kevin Ivers: This Erich: later. Kevin Ivers: this is three fifteen central, so two fifteen for you, four fifteen out of east. Erich: Yeah. So it starts a little later, so it'll have that nice overlap over halftime with some of the other games where it it's still going and those are in halftime. So Yeah, I'm really looking forward to this one. I really want to go. You know what? This one I'm gonna go with who I want to win, which is I want the Bulldogs to win. I may or may not have ordered a Bulldog shirt recently, Kevin. I found some smoking deals on Amazon this week, so there's some new gear on its way. Bulldogs may or may not be one of them. I'm going Bulldogs. I'm going with the juice of me. Potentially buying some merch for them to push them over the top. I can't wait to see. I'm Kamario Taylor is so fun to watch. I can't wait to see him in this environment. I can't wait to see how Mississippi State and Jeff Levy's team performs in such a hostile environment. And if they win this game, look out because the belief that they're gonna get as a team going forward, you know, they have some really good teams. I think they have Alabama at home and they have some opportunities at home this year to really make some noise over some some traditional powers. So I'll take Mississippi State for the upset. I think they get the ball last and their dynamic quarterback, Camario Taylor, last drive down the field, gets him the pot in position to score, whether it be a touchdown or field goal. I don't know. Walk off win. Mississippi State. Kevin Ivers: Funny you mentioned you getting some gear. I'm currently in a dynasty with the Bulldogs in the video game. And I'm actually Erich: Hmm. Love that. Kevin Ivers: I'm 2-0 as well, so I'm exactly where we are in the real season. And there's no doubt I I play in those interlocking MSU helmets, the Jackie Sherrill days. And they brought that Erich: Mm. Beautiful. Kevin Ivers: beautiful. They brought that back to the middle of the field this year, too. So good. Yeah, this is absolutely one of my favorite games as well. SEC Network, gonna be really interesting game. You know, Lenora Sellers comes in here for South Carolina, the forgotten quarterback in this matchup. You know, he was getting the hype. Like Camario Taylor is just a couple years ago. So he's gonna want to remind people, hey, don't forget about me. but he can't press too much. That that's where he gets in trouble. But when he's on, yeah, he's absolutely Erich: yeah. Kevin Ivers: he's absolutely a load. you know, So South Carolina, this was they opened around a touchdown favorite in the market a little while back, but that's obviously been hammered down with how Mississippi State's been playing. It's down to three and a half. I actually thought it would be. a little closer just with Mississippi State going into Minnesota and doing what they did because South Carolina beating Towson and Kent State surprisingly doesn't you know have me jumping over the moon for what they did. And I know we're not the biggest fans, but I did think this was interesting from Josh Pate. His his crowbar theory. I'm sure you've heard of that before with him. Yeah, so but anyways, but though this is actually good. He he said that South Carolina leads the country in 40 yard plus runs. And it's like, okay, like I said, they've played nobody. So what happens when they run into a legitimate team now? You know, it it it's Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: it's like stats like that where South Carolina, you're putting up huge numbers, and I just always lean towards a team that's played someone. It doesn't always work out, but that's just where I'm gonna lean. You wanted to jump in there for a second on the crowbar theory. So before I wrap up, I'll let you go. What were you gonna say? Erich: I was just gonna say the crowbar theory does not take into account what you just went into, which is what's already been done, and that is the fact that they've already traveled, Mississippi State's already traveled to I'm not gonna call Minneapolis a hostile environment. It's not exactly known to be super loud, but it's in a a place that Minnesota's played really, really well since they've built that new stadium and they won there and they dominated there. So they're road tested already, and now they get a chance to be even more road tested. Kevin Ivers: Yeah, and you know, we're both not high on Minnesota this year, and they could end up with a losing record like we think. But we always talk about this even if they do, and they and they look like they very well could after last week, still having a really tough Big Ten schedule ahead of them. It doesn't take away from what Mississippi State did early in the year, because it's much harder to beat a program that's been a winning program early in the year that still has that belief. Might Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: like if Minnesota goes down a bad path this year and they're downtrodden and they got nothing to play for, sure, then it becomes easier. So I think that's important. Still the note. The other thing. With South Carolina in this game that we don't know yet. I think it's supposed to come out tonight. I didn't see it. You know, that's why. Well, we'll get into some of the SEC injury reports here in a little bit. But Dylan Erich: Mm-hmm. Kevin Ivers: Stewart, the all-everything edge rusher for South Carolina, hasn't played in the first two games. They absolutely need him in this game to con to contain Camario Taylor. So he's been flawless so far, hasn't thrown interception. You need to get pressure on him. Even when you do, sometimes he escapes. I have bought in way too much Jeff Levy and Kamario Taylor Kool-Aid this year. Or excuse me, stock. I've also drinking the Kool-Aid, but I've bought in way too much stock. And I I don't know what just happened. Anyways. so I'm rolling with the Bulldogs here. That's what I have to Erich: Okay. Kevin Ivers: say about that. Despite the Sandstorm towels waving, cannot wait to see the beginning of that game. And like you said, the Bulldogs win this. They're going home next week 4-0 with the Mizzou Tigers rolling in. Another winnable SCC game. Look out. Look out for this team. Erich: Yeah, I can't wait to see it. And if it happens, it'll be incredible. And then also an opportunity for South Carolina to say, hey, like, no, we're actually going to be one of the better teams in the SEC this year. So we will see what happens. Now, to my favorite game of the week, the new coaches bowl. Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: And it's not they're not the only new coaches in the SEC, but the ones who appear to have some solid teams potentially new coaches bowl. Yeah, some some back and forth between them a little bit this week. I don't know if you saw that. he said we're good friends. Well, we're not friends this week. So you have Kevin Ivers: Saw it. Erich: to like that. That's pretty cool. Florida at Auburn. The runner up for my Commissioner of Jersey Colors Color Palette of the Week award. Very, very, very close runner up. Incredible colors this week, this weekend here at Jordan Hare. This is gonna be a great game. I wanna say right off the bat, Kevin, you and I picked Golish to be the better of the two new coaches here. Are we wrong about that? We might we might find out. I mean if you know, Florida's favored Kevin Ivers: That says a lot. Erich: In this game. They've looked really lethal offensively, although they haven't really had anyone played anyone, but they did put up what, like sixty on FAU? You know, that's not an FCS Kevin Ivers: Yes. Who beat Erich: team. Kevin Ivers: No, and they beat a good Navy team FAU did. Erich: Yeah, so it's not like they haven't played anybody. Yeah, Auburn has the one point win over Auburn or excuse me over Baylor. So you could say they're more powerful tested. I gotta go with what my eyes tell me here, Kevin. And my what my eyes tell me is that Florida's gonna make this a little more high scoring a game. And then I think Auburn wants. I'm going Florida. My buddy named Matt has convinced me that I I just think Florida might be the more talented team here from top to bottom. I think they have enough. It pains me to go against Goalish, who you and I picked to maybe have the better coaching start here, but I've changed my mind. I'm going Florida on this one. Kevin Ivers: man, so funny because I am too. I Erich: Ha ha ha. Kevin Ivers: that that that darn eye test. Now I really don't know how Auburn's getting the seven or eight wins. I had this one penciled in for the Tigers. Down on the planes, you get a Florida team that's a new coach. Like this is a gettable game, but. Yeah, everything you said is is scary for Auburn. Love Jordan Hare. Like, that is a massive advantage. It's gonna be a close game, but it's hard to get those 22 pressures that Auburn faced versus Baylor out of my head. That O-line was scrambling all game. Byron Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: Brown was running for his life. He hasn't set the world on fire yet. He hasn't found his footing from what he did at South Florida. So I know I'm sure Golish is a little nervous about that going into this game. Let's also pause. This is the first time that Florida's come to Jordan Hare in 15 years, Erich. Erich: It's insanity. And that's you're going back Kevin Ivers: Unacceptable. Insanity. Erich: to before that's before like Mizzou and Texas AM even joined the conference. Kevin Ivers: It Yes. Yes. Like that's Erich: This is crazy. Kevin Ivers: it's that is there's no other better example than the downside of realignment. Of course some of the rivalries lost, they've done a good job with keeping most of them, but it's stuff like that. How on earth do the Gators not go to play the Auburn Tigers for fifteen years at Auburn? Yes, I think they've ha haven't Erich: Makes no sense. Kevin Ivers: Seven years, but had to get that off my chest. Back to the game. I'm going Florida here as well. I'm really sorry, Auburn fans. But the Gators have something. Jaden Baugh is a dog. Their fans will tell you that. he absolutely is. And it comes back to for me, I think DJ Durkin, the defensive coordinator at Auburn, really has his hands full in this game. I do like that Durkin's brought contin continuity to Auburn's defense. They should have another good defense this year, and it appears they do. But Buster Faulkner coming from Georgia Tech. Just bring something different that you don't see a lot in the SEC. And it was confusing at Georgia Tech, but those exotic pre-snap shifts, the the tight splits, you know, they would run those like those four wide sets at Georgia Tech, remember? And then they're running like a power counter guards are pulling Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: with four wideouts, like really unique stuff that you do not see a lot. So that's exciting. Especially when you have the athletes Florida does. And I do believe they have a top 25 roster. Aaron Philo's off to a really good start. It was interesting to Erich: Looks like a real good fit for their offense. Kevin Ivers: He does, and it was really interesting hearing Alex Golish talk this week. He I I don't know if it was like some reverse psychology, but he was like, he will not be scared of Jordan Hare at all. He's got great poise and polish, and he's gonna have no problem on the road. Just It was just flat out like, okay, like basically our road environment. It's not gonna do anything against this kid. It was just how we said it was really fascinating to listen to. I tend to believe that. So I am switching here. I got the Gators, they've looked awesome for two weeks. Like you said, that FA U win 66 points stood out. That's really hard to do in week two versus a decent opponent when you got all these moving parts. with the transfers and new coaching staff. So John Sumerall takes out Alex Goish in the new coaching bowl. What a fun game. And yeah, beautiful when these classic SEC uniforms come together. So thank you, college football. Thank you. Erich: Well Kevin, let's step away from the SEC for a moment. As much as you and I love those late S SEC games, let's talk about Michigan State, Notre Dame. You and I debated whether or not we should talk about this game. I think it is an interesting game because it's going to be hard. It's really hard to know right now how good is Notre Dame. Obviously, they looked really good against Wisconsin in week one, but then the way Wisconsin looked against Western Illinois in week two, you're like, I don't know. Notre Dame has struggled to run the ball both times. And now they get Michigan State who I would argue is probably around the same level as Wisconsin right now in terms of they're not very good that we think. is does Notre Dame crush this team? They're favored by twenty nine and a half. Do they struggle to run the ball still? And so I think what I don't know for you, I think Notre Dame wins this game. I'm just looking to see is there a provement? Are they able to run the ball? Because if they're not, the rest of the way they still have a lot of winnable games, but You know, I have right now I have a hard time seeing them going to BYU and winning or beating Miami at home. So, you know, maybe ten and two is their is their ceiling if they don't appear to get any better. But you know, then again, if they dominate this one and run over Michigan State, I I'm well welcome to change my mind. But for me, that's the interesting thing about this game is do we learn a little bit more about Notre Dame? Do they regress in this game? Let's see what happens. I still think they win. I just don't see Michigan State going there and winning. I don't think they have enough to do it. So that's what I'm looking for is how good is Notre Dame actually? Are they actually the number three team in the country? I say absolutely not right now, from what I've seen. Top 10 or 12, sure, fine. I haven't seen enough to change my mind on that. I'd still, you know, they were my 12th team into the playoff. I still think that I feel good about that. But a top five team, no way, not from what I've seen. Kevin Ivers: I'm with you, not explosive enough for me. We touched on that last time. You are right. This game is a game that it's not about the the outcome being in doubt. This is about educating ourselves for both teams. Really exciting to have Pat Mi Pat Fitzgerald back at Michigan State. Fits this program to a T, rugged toughness. Neck rolls on linebackers, everything he is about. So he's gonna get this thing going. Year one, it's tough. Uphill battle. Notre Dame, I'm with you. That run game, it looked bad versus Rice. It didn't look great in the first half versus Wisconsin. And that's a Wisconsin front seven that yes, it was surprisingly good last year, but also just got pushed around by Western Illinois as you are aware. Erich: Yep. Kevin Ivers: So I want to see that in week three for ND. Can they dictate the tempo and just three and out, three and out, three and out, and then get the ball and just play smash mouth football? You know, you win this game 49 to 6 and you easily cover the spread. It's like, okay, you're getting back more into the favorable graces of what you and I think they are. I need to see explosion out of their offense. I I just don't think they have it on their roster. I'm gonna be very clear. That's one position group ND usually doesn't blow you out of the water with. it's not, you know, when they get a golden tate, someone like that, it's it's rare for them. so we'll see if Mish State's hanging around early, which You never know if the Pat Fitzgerald team he is gonna be fired up for that. He'll take that line as a disgrace, basically 30 points that they're laying. One interesting nugget, when the Big Ten networked of their campus tour, Jerry Donardo was mentioning how surprised he was with The Spartans offensive line being way ahead of what he thought. That's always a good sign. He's usually a pretty good evaluator of O-line talent, Donardo. I know people can think what they want of him on the Big Ten network, but he's been doing it a long time, and I value his camp takeaways in the trenches. Of course, he he played guard for Notre Dame, you know, way back in the 70s. So they seem to like that and with the development programs that Pat Fitzgerald Is known for, of course, at Northwestern. I want to see how they hold up versus Indy in this game, just long term. Of course, they're gonna give up plays, they're outmatched in this game, but what can they be in year one? And do we get any glimpses into this thing getting turned around? Maybe a little quicker than a lot of people think. I know they're really high on the Alessio Milovoivic kid at quarterback. He does seem like a gamer. I I like that. I think Aiden Childs is talented. He's of course at Northwestern now. He transferred. Talented kid, but they were a mess last year with Jonathan Smith, so it's probably unfair to say, but Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: I think this is a better fit for what Fitzgerald wants to do at Michigan State. So wanna see how Milovoivic holds up in this game, but Yeah, just those are the things I'm looking at. Just long term what N D is, and is Mish State maybe just a little bit better, a little ahead of schedule in year one with Fitzy, but cool game. Glad to have it on the schedule. Great uniform game. Old school Midwest rivalry. You know, you think of the the era Parsigan, Duffy Doherty, the 1010 tie game of the century. We weren't alive, but you know, you've seen the highlights a million times, the 1966 game, and then Erich: twenty seven of course, but Kevin Ivers: 2010, of course, the what do they call it? The little Giants game. Dantonio called the fake field goal. Remember that? In overtime Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: to beat ND. Fun game. So plenty of moments in this game. It's probably not gonna come down to that, but always fun when these classic teams get together. So we shall see what happens under the lights in South Bend. And now getting into a really fun non-conference game. Also under the lights, 730 Eastern ACC Network. We have Richrod bringing his West Virginia Mountaineers into previously mentioned by Erich, maybe a little underrated, the 25th ranked Who's down there in Charlottesville. So West Fah at Virginia, Virginia's lane, 10 and a half. What say you in this interesting game? Erich: Well, neutral field in Virginia's favored by ten and a half. I wanted what I wanted to see more from the first two games for West Virginia. You know, they kind of sc escaped Coastal Carolina in week one. You got to give people a pass in week one. Obviously, we learned our lesson last week with what Michigan did from week one to week two. In terms of just where these teams are, I just think Virginia's ahead of where West Virginia is under Rich Rod right now. Maybe next year this would be a better game or West Virginia could even win. I just think that everything Virginia's doing, they're rolling, they look smooth. Bulperbil is a great fit for that offense. So yeah, to me I I I see this one. I don't think it's gonna be anything crazy, but I think West Virginia either either covers or comes close. So something like thirty one twenty somewhere in there. That's where I see this one going. It's not comfortable the whole way, but I think West I think Virginia does enough late Bullprobila maybe on some scrambles, some some seven on seven type ball late to get them what they need to do to put the game away. Kevin Ivers: Yeah, I I'm with you. Definitely like Virginia in this game. I'm I wanna see them again. You know, they they looked so good blasting NC State in that opener, 34 to 8. Bo Prabula, as you mentioned, gives them leadership and a quarterback that you can rely on. It's gonna come down to which dual threat quarterback controls the game. This is kind of your classic mid-2000s battle of dual threat quarterback games that you had a lot. And Michael Hawkins Jr. is a talented player for West Virginia. He's already at like 500 yards on the season, six touchdowns. West Virginia in this game Because of the depth issues still on defense that you've allowed or alluded to, if they're not off the field versus Virginia offense that wants to run Prabula and take your manhood and frustrate you with 12 and 15 play drives, that's gonna be a problem for the Mountaineers. They've only forced four three and outs on the air. Not playing the stiffest of competition either. That's a problem. versus Virginia in this game. So Erich: Yeah. Kevin Ivers: unless West Virginia is able to get some uncharacteristic turnovers, I I just don't see it. Coastal Carolina and UT Martin are a far cry from what Tony Al Elliott has beat in Virginia. So I'll go Virginia I think I think because of Richrod there's excitement there. And they'll play hard. I'm gonna say 30, 30 to 16, Virginia. Nice two touchdown victory. Erich: Yeah, I think the last thing I'll say about West Virginia is too much of their running comes from their QB. And that Kevin Ivers: Yeah. Erich: just always clips you at some point. I mean, he was second in rushing in their first game, and he was first in rushing their second game. And that's not a bad thing, but you you really would w rather it be dominated by your running backs and then your QB is contributing 50 or 60 yards, not running for over 100 yards every game. And we can we know what that can mean long term in terms of injuries, which we'll talk about here in a second. But so that's one of the other reasons why I lean Virginia. I just think they're a little more balanced that way, where they don't need to rely on Brabila to do all the rushing for them. He can when they need to, but I just think they're a little more balanced with their offense that way. Kevin Ivers: I agree, yeah, Cam Taylor's gotta get going in that game. Well Erich: You ready for the circus? The circus game of the year, if that was an award. And not in a bad way, in a good way. This is this is just you know the memes of Lane Keffen being wheeled out in a bulletproof glass case, like the Pope, extra police being hired just in case people are drinking too much before the game. LSU with the coach they stole from Ole Miss going to Ole Miss. It's the evening kick on A B C. It's gonna be a great game. However, either in unfortunate luck or in true gamesmanship fashion, as you alluded to earlier, Lane Kiffin, excuse me, Lane Kiffin has declared Sam Levitt as doubtful for this game. So, how do you predict this game? Well, I think it's pretty easy for me. He probably is banged up, which means that. If he's not as effective as a two way quarterback as he normally would be when he's when he's healthy, that's a big deal for LSU because that has been a huge part of their offense right now. You know who's not banged up? Trinan Chambliss, the maybe the best. In fact, no, I'm just gonna say it, the best QB in the country, in my opinion, So, yeah, two weeks ago I was like, LSU is gonna go to Ole Miss and win. Nope, I'm out. I don't like it. LSU's favored by three. I am you letting the injury news impact my decision. Ole Miss. Chambliss gets the ball last. They go down and score. I think there's gonna be points in this game. Yes, I think LSU's more talented top the bottom. I don't like it. I don't like the fact that he's even playing s n if if it is gamesmanship, don't like that at all. That to me is a tell. So I'm going Ole Mess. Kevin Ivers: I don't like this Sam Lavitt news one bit. Erich: No. Kevin Ivers: But you know, spoiler alert, I don't like the store starting quarterback out. it of course, though, of course we had to have another storyline this game because, you know, there just wasn't enough. You know. The venomous snake pit that he is walking into at Vaught Hemingway Stadium Saturday night. The vitriol that will be spewed at him Have moms, dads, have your earmuffs for your kids at this game. It is going to be ugly. It's gonna be fantastic in every way. I can only imagine the tailgates. It's going to get very weird very early. Who knows what could happen? The what every move Kiffen does is gonna be dissected. Is there a trick play, fourth down? Everyone's gonna lose their mind. This is the made-for-TV game. And normally that's really not our MO with things on college football nobody's, but this this game fits it and deserves it. It's the one everybody's been talking about all offseason. And then the Sam Levitt news just before we're recording. Incredible stuff. You can't make it up. As far as the game goes, I'm still sticking LSU here. I have never felt more confident of LSU winning a football game in my life. Lane Kiffin was built for this moment. Just to come in there. Everybody hates him. They want him burned at the stake, and I already can see him just waving and smiling to people as things are being thrown at him. He's escorted out by security. He lives for this. His players follow that. The ones that came for from Ole Miss will enjoy it even more. And I just frankly think they're the better roster. And I do think. That this Sam Levitt thing is a ploy by Kiffen because it's just one more thing he can do to Ole Miss. I think this came out of left field. I I know I might sound crazy here, but Lane Kiffen is off his rocker, and I think he's doing one last thing to this game because there just wasn't enough for him yet. So I think Sam Levit's playing. Maybe he's a little beat up. I know he's very Mercurial Mercurial Wow Mercurial. And you don't know what you're gonna get. He threw the three picks for Slothek. And he can be very much a roller coaster ride, but I think the defense of LCU gets it done. That's probably what's not talked about enough in this game. Is all the talent that he's assembled in the portal. When you look at Prince Uman Malin off the edge, has been an animal, could be the best pass rusher in the country. So I think that matters when you're playing someone as talented as Trinidad Shambless. I just have a funny feeling that Ole Miss is gonna be pressing in this game. They want so badly to beat Lane Kiffin. And I think that can play with your head. And the in sometimes when. Not that there's been a lot of situations like this, but there's been coaches that come home in tough environments. This will top them all, sure. But I think everybody's Sometimes thinks, the home team, they're gonna get revenge, and Lane Kivin's gonna get what he's got coming to him and and all those things. And it's like, no, it doesn't happen. You're not quite as good this year because you lost him. And so With Charlie Weiss Jr. scripting plays, don't forget, like he's a brilliant mind along with Kiffen. Olmus misses that. That was the secret sauce. Kiffen helped develop Chamels in a big way. Of course, he had immense talent, but I think they missed that. I think LSU finds a way to run the football in this game. I didn't love Olmus's secondary versus Louisville. I think Levitt can explose that with their playmakers on the outside. Give me the Bayou Bengals 31-21. 10 point statement victory, and Kiffen rolls out of there the ultimate villain. Erich: Well, Kevin, it's gonna be an exciting game. Even if I'm wrong and you're right, I feel like I still win because just the after effects, the narrative, it's just gonna be exciting. In fact, in some ways, for that you should root for LSU. Because if if Lane loses, then Lane's not really a story for a while, because it's like, hey, you just got your your at your butt handed to you by the team you left. So Kevin Ivers: Mm-hmm. Erich: from narrative standpoint, if LSU loses, it's gonna be a l actually will be boring. Although it will be funny listening to what the fans say or chant as he's he's walking off the field. Either way, he'll need security. But you might Kevin Ivers: I Erich: be right. Incredibly talented roster that LSU has. It's gonna be a a treat to watch it in the evening, regardless. Kevin Ivers: no doubt. And as a competitor I love road teams sticking it to people. I just do so Erich: Ha ha. Kevin Ivers: much. There's nothing better walking off the tunnel, these people swearing at you and saying unbelievably terrible things to y'all game. And you just go, yeah, not now what's up. We just just rolled in here at your place with a huge W. So cannot wait for this. It is just gonna be, yeah, the most memorable magnolia bowl ever. With that said, it's time for our categories, right, Erich? All right, let's dive in. You kick it off. Erich: This week, the commissioner of California Blood Jersey Colors, me, Color Palette of the Week award. Sometimes you go with the obvious pick. And maybe the obvious pick would have been Florida at Auburn. It would have been a great choice. But sometimes you have to value the not so obvious pick. And so this week, the Montana Grizz going to Oregon State. The maroon, white, and silver against the black and orange should look incredible. I can't wait to see it. That's the color palette of the week award. Kevin, environment of the week. Who do you got? Kevin Ivers: I love getting a little FCS action, the grizz in there, great helmet. Top three ranked team right now. Watch out. The Beavers playing Texas Tech Houston okay. Don't sleep on the Grizz. I like that a lot. Environment of the week, tough calls here as well. We mentioned Williams Bryce, of course, South Carolina hosting Mississippi State. That'll be electric. Jordan Hare was a really close runner up with the excitement there of Alex Golish and the Gators coming to town for the first time in fifteen years. War Eagle on the Plains is gonna be a blast, but that's That's all to say. There's really no other environment of the week that is gonna top what is going on in Oxford, Mississippi on Saturday, starting early in the morning down there. The grove's gonna be on fire. They got beautiful trees that you can see at the top of Heming May Stadium. I love that. Lights are gonna be on, of course. And the crowd is gonna be unlike. many crowds we've seen. Not the biggest stadium in the world. I believe it's somewhere in the the mid 60s, upper 60,000 range. but with Lane Kiffin coming in there, there's just not gonna be many environments like that. So that is the environment of the week. On to the point spread letdown of the week with also some interesting injury news. Take it away, Erich. Erich: Yeah, before we found out about the wide receiver injury at USC, I had already picked this game just because you know, USC in big ten play when they travel east, you know, USC at Rutgers, they've they've struggled. USC has only covered one of their first three games against non-power four teams this week. Yes, Rutgers might be the worst power four team in the country. That is possible. But I do think at some point there's gonna be one last fight. They put up before Cheyano has his last say and is is shown the door there in Rutgers, which I I do think will happen this year just based off what we've seen so far. And I think it's this week. USC still wins. I just don't think they cover by 23 and a half. So my point spread, let down of the week. If you're a gambling person, stay away from this game. Traveling tremendously far. Injury at their, you know, at one of their receivers, their best receiver in the on the team, most I I think. So stay away from that one. You Rutgers will cover. Kevin Ivers: The Trent Mosley injury is upsetting. Electric playmaker, freshman, been doing it all. He had an 86 yard punt return last week that was unbelievable versus Louisiana. Feel terrible for the kid. Sounds like he will be back this season, but it seems like it's gonna be a number of weeks with an injury. Don't think it's an ACL, but it it's not great. Tough break for the kid. That's been as exciting to watch as everyone. And to your point. Erich: Yeah, picture their offense without him right now. Like that's what you have to put in your head with what you've seen the last three weeks with them going back to week zero. Like he's been a huge part of it. Kevin Ivers: Yes. Now it's huge, huge. Now it really falls on the other freshman, Dixon Wyatt. And so they're gonna have to lean on the ground game and this game out east with King Miller and Wayman Jordan. But bigger, and this plays into what you said, I was doing some serious number crunching with their defense. They're 111th right now in success rate and pass defense, the Trojans are not great. Erich: Not great. Kevin Ivers: And a stat I've really enjoyed. shout out to the folks at the Action Network and I've since started to look up at the stat, and that is Havok ratings on defense, which takes into account how many tackles for loss do you generate and interceptions and fumbles. Really neat stat that I I never knew existed until those guys were talking about it. well they rank seventy-third in the country in that USC, which means they're not as disruptive as my eyes have sometimes shown me. They they have some studs, but they're not gonna lose to Rutgers, like you said. And by God, are they awful? But without Mosley and the long trip and the defense still needing to look better, I like your pick. I'm rolling with this one, which might surprise people. This is Friday night game down in Winston-Salem. Gimme the Demon Deacons getting 20 and a half versus the U. Who I know some people are talking about now as maybe their national title favorite with what they've seen Oregon look like and some other teams. And they absolutely could. They will win this game. But going back to their opening schedule, as much as I love what Stanford's doing, that it's not a good roster still. And Florida AM, as you said, is an absolute embarrassment that that game was played. That does nothing. for either of those teams positive. And I think that really just helps you build bad habits. So I think the U comes in a little bit sleepy on a Friday night. And the key in these types of games, especially versus the speed of Miami, you you usually need a mobile quarterback. Gio Lopez, the North Carolina transfer, provides that for the Deks. I think this one is Miami 38 Wake 19. Just kind of sneak in there and it's kind of like, okay, they they were kind of just hanging around the old chicken coop for a little bit. So Miami gets a little bit of of stress in this game and kind of just like a hey, you're actually playing a team that can complete a forward pass in this game. Erich: Okay, I like it. Well, let's go to our upsets. Do you want to go first? Kevin Ivers: Sure, I will go first here. I I was going to have Auburn, which should not really be a big upset, but it would be with the spread. this is gonna be boring, but there really is no other upset chances this week, so I I am stealing and I'm going with the Kooks. I'm going with Houston. That I'm really s I'm really sorry, man. I I know I saw your thought. You you do all the explaining on that. Erich: Yeah, I I think that Texas Tech just to me feels prime to be upset. they look like a team that feels too satisfied with getting in the playoff last year. You know, they didn't really do anything in the playoff. You know, they hosted a game and got beat pretty good by I think it was Oregon, if I'm not mistaken. Kevin Ivers: Yeah, twenty two three. Erich: yeah, so it, you know, I don't know, they just don't look hungry. I think Houston is hungry, and this is a chance for them to really make their mark in the conference. Now, if we're wrong, that really gets interesting because Texas Tech doesn't play BYU or Utah. And so this might be the toughest game they play. Will I say the word might without looking at their schedule and having it right in front of me? So we'll see, but to me, this just feels prime. It's not a huge travel. It's an in state flight. Houston, like you said, they've had a like component where they both haven't promo performed tremendously against Oregon State. So I think this is a coin flip game, and I think Houston maybe last drive, last person who has the ball wins. And I I think that's maybe what we see here. Kevin Ivers: I'm with ya. Game of the week, Erich. What do you have? Erich: So I'm going with my favorite game, which is just Florida at Auburn. Like you said, when's the last time it's happened? It's been 15 years since Florida has played there. Two teams I think that we feel are on the rise with their new coaches. And so for that standpoint, I really like it. Kind of bragging rights, you know, with who's who got the better hire. It sets that narrative for these fan bases, like, we won, ha ha, we have the better coach. doesn't mean anything the long term because the body of work is what matters. So that's on the line. I think there's some excitement for both these teams just in the what they've done so far, which neither these team neither of these teams had excitement at this point last year. So I I think it's going to be a a really great atmosphere for that. Florida fans fans will probably travel well because like you said, they haven't who knows when they're going to play at Auburn again. So it's a chance for them to go and enjoy that environment. So for me, game of the week, Could have easily been l you know, most people would probably say LSU will miss, but I'm going Florida at Auburn. Kevin Ivers: You can just see that game coming down to the final drive. And it's like, wow, what another great SEC game. I believe, I think Sean McDonough's on that call. So that it's guaranteed to be down to the wire. My game, giving love to the ACC. We talked about this one quite a bit. SMU rolling into Louisville. I really love both coaches. Rhett Lashley, Brett, Jeff Brahm don't get enough credit. They are phenomenal tacticians. I think this one has a chance to be a shootout, of course. Really strong quarterback play. I hope we get the best of Kevin Jennings. I hope Lincoln Keenholz looks exactly how he did on Labor Day weekend versus Ole Miss. This has all the makings of a really, really fun game with teams that have a lot of talent. Tune into this game, folks. This is kind of what college football nobodies is is all about in some ways. Like, are they super off-the-grid teams? No, of course SMU and Louisville. Will have great fan bases, but there's a lot of casuals out there that might just be like, I'm gonna watch this SEC game or these bigger games. This is really, really quality ball with teams that could be fringe playoff contenders. So watch this game. There's a lot of pros in this game, it's gonna be just tons of talent on the field and really good coaching, and there's a lot on the line in the ACC. Erich: Well, I like it. And that is the week three preview, everyone. College football nobodies. Kevin Ivers: There you have it, folks. Good luck to your team in week three. And we can't wait to recap it all in the coming days. We'll see you later, guys.