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COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 3: BIG GAME PREVIEW AND GAME PICKS · Mike Check - A College Football Podcast

• Jackson: Hello, everyone, welcome back. My name's Jackson, that's Davis, and this is the Mic Check Podcast. What's going on? Davis: Yeah, welcome in Jackson. A r Matthew Nowlin: Ha ha ha ha. Jackson: Thanks. Thanks. I was gonna get to Davis: a brutal start. Jackson: our guests in a minute. everyone, yeah, we have a special guest on today. I'm brother Matthew. Matthew, say hello. Matthew Nowlin: What's going everybody? Excited to be here. Talk some college football. Davis: Yeah, we got the Jackson: Figured we'd get a little change of pace, get some added opinions in on on some of these things. Just as the season goes on, we wanna add more guests and make it more fun. So but Davis: Figured we'd have to add in the more athletic brother. Jackson: That's funny, Davis. We should add Will on the show if that's what we were doing. Matthew Nowlin: He's not wrong. Davis: We did and we didn't bring that up. Jackson: We'll we'll did good on on the show, so big shoes to fill here for the for our guests, but let's jump into Matthew Nowlin: See what I can do. Jackson: it. so I guess just what, twenty minutes ago, Sam Levitt news dropped. That kinda changes everything, obviously, with that game. Your starting quarterback goes out, which that was kind of gonna be my case on why I wasn't too high on L S U. I know we'll get into that in a sec, but yeah, thoughts. Davis: Y'all think it's mind games? You think Kiffin's just trying to give them a bone or or you think that there's something actually going on with them? 'Cause they're not listening to the injury. They're just saying doubtful, so kinda up in the air with what it could be. Jackson: I they're not listening an injury but Yeah, th I mean they're not listening anything right now. Like it dropped like literally I think twenty minutes ago. So I don't know if it's like I mean, surely they'll have to say something. Like it's not just gonna be he's doubtful and there's gonna be a rumor started somewhere and s it'll get out on why he's doubtful, if he you know, if it's legit. I think if he was questionable and mate maybe would be Yeah, Kivan, a little trick up his sleeve, but doubtful to me is like I don't know the percentages that they're supposed to evaluate these injuries, classifications off of, but I'm pretty sure doubtful is like five percent, ten percent that he's gonna play. So yeah, not not too sure what to make of that. Matthew Nowlin: Well, was there any indication in the last game of him being injured? I don't remember seeing anything at the end of the game or or post game about any nagging injury from that game, so I don't know where it would have come from of practice. Jackson: Yeah, I mean Davis: I didn't see anything. Jackson: I didn't see anything either. it's hard Davis: I mean I haven't even seen rumors about him being banged up or anything. This kinda came out of nowhere. Jackson: Yeah, that's yeah, and and y I feel like with a guy like Sam Levitt, who is one of the faces of the sport right now, you would see if if anything happened in the Louisiana tech game, but I didn't see anything and it's hard for me to believe that a quarterback got hurt in practice, so I don't know. Maybe it's just one of Kiffin's bags of tricks here, but being doubtful is hard for me to believe. Matthew Nowlin: Not supposed to touch the cool practice. Jackson: Yeah, that's the thing, is like how do you how do you do that in practice? But I guess we'll find out more tomorrow. Davis: Just ask John Jenkins. Jackson: Like I said, it's early. This just happened, so too soon still, I think. It's been ten Matthew Nowlin: Yeah. Jackson: years, but I think it's too soon. Love you, Heath. I didn't mean to show my f my left hand on that one, my left finger. but yeah. Davis: I know. Yep. W we should have we should have brought Heath onto the podcast when you were talking about about the the hand motion and throwing from John Mateir. He's the Yeah. Jackson: I was kinda talking about myself. Look at my pinky. This happened the week before week one against Gardale. And Davis: Yeah. Jackson: yeah, it sucked. That's that's why I was saying that. But yeah, I'm sure Heath can give some insight to that. We need to have Heath Matthew Nowlin: I also broke my finger in practice Davis: Mm. Matthew Nowlin: throwing the football. I hit it coming down on a defender's outstretched hand and broke my right pointer finger. So not fun. Yeah, Jackson: I mean it has to be a finger, right? Matthew Nowlin: we're just speculating obviously, but that's the most common Jackson: It has to that's my guess is a finger. I there's no other injury if it was in practice that it could be. 'Cause they don't get close enough. But anyways Matthew Nowlin: Yeah. Yeah. Davis: Yeah. Y'all know who the backup quarterback is? Jackson: I was looking. they have that that's yeah, but is Davis: Hassan Longstreet, five star former five star transfer from USC. Jackson: I think he's technically listed as Q B three. Davis: really? Jackson: I mean you're p I don't know. I don't know which way Lane will go with this. Like do you want a guy like that, like a five star you know, I don't is he a dual thread guy? Do you know? Davis: I think he was listed as a dual threat coming out of high school. Jackson: Yeah, so do you want like a guy like that that's gonna run around and make some backyard football plays or do you want someone that can just get the ball to playmakers and not turn the ball over? so I don't know where he'll go with that, but it'll be interesting to see. Matthew Nowlin: Well, if he's a runner, you know, having the quarterback run game being something that they have to prepare for or have to be ready for that maybe they weren't expecting to. I know Levitt's mobile but that depending on how Jackson: Well, if it's mobile and they may they may stick with a guy like that just to stick with the game plan. I mean, if you stick a pocket passer in there that has concrete feet, you gotta change kinda your whole scheme and your the way you attack the game. So, since we're since we're already talking about this, let's let's let's just jump into the To the preview here. Davis: Yeah. Let's give a a shout out to Millage for making the slides and the graphics. Jackson: Yeah, Millage, our new graphics guy. He's been great. appreciate all the all the hard work. I know sometimes you get these n some of our picks kind of at the last second. so appreciate it, Millage. We need to get a Davis: Yeah, I messed up I messed up the stats for the Alabama game last week and Jackson Jackson told me to go kick rocks. Yeah. Jackson: I fired Davis on the spot. Not on the spot. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah. Jackson: I waited 'til after we were done filming, but Davis was fired pretty quick there. Matthew Nowlin: Let me guess they were understated. Jackson: Yes, the Davis had Eastern Carolina at like fifty four yards after I didn't even I wasn't even looking at the graphic and I was talking about how we held them to like five yards rushing and then I think Davis saw on his screen it said like sixty four yards or something like that. I didn't even realize I just dissed my graphics guy on Davis: Yeah. I had to look it up. Okay. Yeah, I had to look it up. Jackson: the spot. But yeah, Millitz, great job. Appreciate it. All right, so LSU Ole Miss, obviously it's a game that's been talked about for a long time. A lot of ways that you could read this game. you obviously have the revenge factor with Lane Kiffin leaving and a lot of those guys leaving. What do you guys other than I know the quarterback change kinda throws everything for a loop, but other than the quarterback change, w how do you see this game breaking down and what are your I guess keys to the game? Davis: Yeah, so LSU obviously dominated Clemson week one, kinda ha came out on a slow start against Louisiana Tech last week. Ole Miss had a back and forth game against Louisville and then put away Charlotte early. The game's gonna be in in Oxford. Gonna be interesting to see how the LSU team handles that crowd. That place is going to be rocking. They already have Louisiana Senators calling for Piece to Lane Kiffin and the football team. So it's gonna be a a ruckus crowd and a great environment, and I'm excited for it. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah, I think it's gonna be an emotional game, with Kiffin returning and obviously gonna be a hostile environment. And I feel, you know, similar to how I felt about the Clemson game, that he's gonna have L S U ready. I think he has really good game prep and especially not just X's and O's, but I think that just mentally preparing his team. for that kind of environment I think they'll be ready, sp specifically the defense and you know, the question marks with Levitt being out obviously are gonna come up and we'll see how they adjust if he is in fact unable to play. but I think Elish will be ready and I think Elmus will be as well. Jackson: Yeah, so you mentioned it being an emotional game. I think one of my things for Ole Miss was they allowed so many big plays to Louisville. Brahm was able to scheme up a lot of these big plays for Keene Holes in the second half and it worries me a little bit with with Lane Kiffin on the other sideline and like you said, it being an emotional game. Defensive backs are gonna really have to hold their like what do you call it, Davis, as a D B. Your keys, your like, you know Keep your head in check and and and do what you're supposed to do. So I think that'll definitely be something to watch. I mean Ole Miss's DB's got exposed in that second half against Livell. And if I'm Link and I'm licking my chops watching that tape. Davis: Yeah. Jackson: another thing, what I was gonna say for this game when before the Levitt news dropped was I don't think Sam Levitt's been like that great. I mean, we're judging him off of a Clemson game where we I mean, talked about the defense for Clemson that that was their strength. which, you know, L SU's offense looked fine in that game and but maybe Clemson's defense isn't just all they're talked up to be. at the same time they looked horrible last week against Louisiana Tech. I know that score says forty five fourteen, but that was a three point game I think in the third quarter. so I just think Davis: Yeah. Jackson: there's a lot of maybe a little bit of overreaction with LSU and how good they are. I think if it is Levitt, you know, going on the road in the SEC for the first time in this game is gonna be extremely difficult. another thing I think for Ole Miss is can that pass pro like hold up against the LSU defense? Obviously they have good addressers. Davis: Yeah, and I c I kinda wanna add to that, Jackson. Jackson: Yeah, go for it. Davis: So Prince Will, I'm not even going to try to say his last name. Actually a transfer from Ole Miss last year came over to LSU, leads the SEC or sorry, leads college football and sacks with five, been dominant so far. So I really think that in a game that features so many, you know, star-studded skill position players from Trinidad Chamberless, Kiwan Lacey, Tradez Green. Sam Levitt. I think the the biggest X factor here is that pass rusher. it it's funny 'cause the university, Ole Miss, actually issued a He he had technically been served. They're trying to now get back some N N I Jackson: Okay. Davis: L that he owes them for leaving. So I thought that that was interesting timing that that came out, you know, sometime today. Jackson: Yeah, I mean The game's gonna be nuts. Like i it's gonna be insane. I think well g you got first pick in this one. Any anything else to add in terms of breakdown before we make a pick? Matthew Nowlin: I think it's just gonna be dependent on Levit, obviously, if he plays. I think that's gonna be Davis: Yeah. Yeah. Matthew Nowlin: a huge impact. And I don't know if I don't know much about their backup, but I don't imagine they're gonna have that good of a chance if if Levit's not able to go. Davis: So I think in just in the thirty minutes that the news is broke, that line has actually gone from two and a half to one and a half. I don't want to place all these caveats on if he plays or if he doesn't play. Give me L S U minus two and a half, we'll roll with it and we'll hope that that Levitt plays. Not only for my pick, just for the the game's sake as well. I'm excited for this one. Jackson: Yeah. I I hope Love it plays 'cause I don't want a asterisk next to this this game when when Ole Miss beats him down. I told you last week, I'm gonna say it again, Ole Miss has the best quarterback in the country. when you have a game like this in a crazy environment with, you know, everything that's going on, I'm picking the quarterback that I trust the most and that's Trinidad Chambliss. They obviously the home factor is a big deal for me. I think if Olmus can limit the explosive plays, like limit Kiffin's c some of his like gimmick plays that he schemes open for some of these guys, I think if they can just limit those, I think they'll win this game. So give me Olmus. Matthew Nowlin: Yep, and I've got a close game. I think it's gonna come down to the end. I think it'll be a shootout, high scoring game. I went back and forth on this one as I did with a lot of the picks. I think it's a a really good close slate this week. I ended up just going with L S U to cover. I think Lane Kibbit's gonna have the the team ready and not focus on the distractions of the external factors and emotions going on. I think Ole Miss might get a little too emotional and I think Ellie's gonna pull it out late. Davis: Before we move on, I got a question for y'all. Who do y'all think's under more pressure? LSU or L miss? Jackson: I don't and I I've seen the like Link Hiffin telling his team that the pressure's not on us, it's on them. I don't know. I I would Davis: Yeah. Jackson: I would say it will miss. You could make an argument for off. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah, I Davis: I think if I can You Matthew Nowlin: I was gonna say I I agree. I think it's on the old miss, the team, because i they're the ones that Kiffin left for greener pastures and but I think the pressure's on Lane as well, but not as much on the LSU players. I think you know he kinda said that I believe in his press conference, that he's kind of taken on the heat of this of this, you know, emotional game and kind of let them focus in and do what they need to do to to win the game. Davis: Yeah. If I can include Lane in that, then I would go with LSU just because Lane left Ole Miss 'cause he thought he couldn't win a championship at Ole Miss. you lose to your old team after you said that, after the way that you left. doesn't look good. Jackson: Yeah. Yeah. No yeah, you could argue both ways, so I agree with both sides. All right, moving on. Louisville LSU, this game is in Louisville. Line is what, two and a half Louisville, another close game. SMU actually smoked him last year, thirty eight to six. two good offenses, good quarterbacks, so this will be a fun one to watch. What what do you guys got for this one? Davis: I'm excited for this one. Two ACC Jackson: I'm too. Davis: teams that I believe are better than what consens consensus thinks. SMU didn't put up as good of a showing against FSU as they should have, but y if you watched that game, you would have can or at least I came away more impressed than what the score showed. Louisville, you know, damn near could have beat Old Miss week one, really impressed with with what they did. two good offenses. I think it's gonna be a high scoring game. I mean, over under is fifty nine and a half, which is pretty high. I'm excited for this one too. Kevin Jennings, I believe, leads the power four in total yards, passing and rushing. lots gonna be on his shoulders. Jackson: Yeah, and I think another thing to watch is b both these quarterback lead or sorry, are top five in yards per attempt. However, both these teams are also top five in yards after the catch. So a lot of maybe short intermediate passes that these receivers are just kinda taking off and and running with it. another thing is I think Louisville's defensive line is a real problem. they showed that against Old Miss Chambless was running around back there all game and I think that's gonna be a big key to the game for them and see if they can get some pressure on Jennings and he'll have to get it out quick or make some plays with his feet. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah. I think it's gonna be a a quarterback battle. I think both guys have showed they can throw the ball and can create in space when the play breaks down. And so I think it's gonna come down to who can do that better. and this is this could be a potential, you know, quasi play in game to see who has the fast track to play an A C C title game against presumably Miami. So it's a big game. I think it's gonna be a high scoring game as well. but yeah, I think it's gonna be who whichever quarterback plays best in the key moments. Jackson: Yeah, another thing is like kind of the same thing I said for the old miss game is like Brahm was able to really scheme up some plays for them in the second half to kind of open that game up and and score some points. So that's another thing going back to SMB. Davis: Once Keenhaw's kind of settled in, that offense transformed. Jackson: Yeah, it took off. So I really had a a tough time like reading this game. I feel like these teams are very similar. Great offenses. they kinda differ on defense. Louisville has a really good front. and I d I don't I really went back and forth. I think SMU's my when we do the updated college football playoff brackets here next week, I think SMU you will see them in there. Assuming they win this game, so I'm taking SMU in this one. Davis: I've been high on Louisville's running back Isaac Brown. hadn't had a as good of a start to the season as he did last year and even as a freshman the year before. I would expect that he has a bigger game, but I'm gonna roll with Kevin Jennings with the quarterback that I trust. gimme SMU minus two and a half. Jackson: Plus two and a half. But yeah. Davis: Plus two and a half, yeah. And minus two and a half. Matthew Nowlin: I'm Jackson: Well Matthew Nowlin: also gonna I'm also gonna roll with SMU. I think Jennings being a veteran guy who's played in big games, SMU's kinda had Louisville's number. I think they get the win as well. I think Brahm has ready. I just think SMU and Jennings perform late in the game. Jackson: Yeah. Last thing kinda to piggyback off of my point I made earlier, like Louisville having a good front, I mean Jennings is kind of the what you need when you when you're playing a a team like that that has a good pass rush. Like if if if Louisville was playing a a pocket passer that couldn't escape the pocket, I would probably like Louisville in a close game like this, with a spread of two and a half, playing at home. But I think Jennings will be the difference maker in this one. Davis: Yep. So all of us on SMU plus two and a half. Jackson: Right. Mississippi State in South Carolina. This one is yeah, this is Columbia. Davis: This is another fun one. This slate is very underrated. You know Matthew Nowlin: I don't know. Jackson: This one's in Columbia. three fifteen central. Come on, central time. two offices Davis: Yeah, our graphics guy's on the east coast. He's screwing up these these time zones on us. Jackson: Yeah, millets, we gotta fix that, man. Central time. Matthew Nowlin: Mm-hmm. Jackson: God's time. This is I mean it spread South Carolina minus four. Mississippi State is a very trendy early pick for a lot of people to kinda not make the playoff, but maybe just make a little bit of noise and and beat some teams that maybe people didn't see them beating before the season started. So what do y'all like? What do you think? Davis: I I wanted to continue the slate point. You know, you have the headliner with LSU, Ole Miss, that's obviously gonna get draw a lot of eyes. You have a great ACC matchup, probably the second and third best team in the ACC. and then this game, probably two of the more athletic, dynamic, fun quarterbacks to watch in Camario Taylor and Lenore Sellers. Camario Taylor's been on a tear, put up great numbers against Minnesota. Lenore Sellers, they haven't really played anybody yet. obviously gonna going to change this week. So going to be a fun one. Winners gonna come down to which quarterback plays better. Matthew Nowlin: Yep, I agree. I think this will be a sneaky a sneaky good game. I think it's buried in the slate. I think some of the less casual fans may have this one pegged, but like you said, the the athletes at quarterback, a lot of people are looking at that Camario Taylor, Missouri game blowout and like what they see. But then you have Lenors who's been who's been steady playing well for South Carolina, had a little bit of a struggle last year but is just as athletic. So Mississippi State's untested. Minnesota's good but they they're not the quality of an SEC defense. I think it's South Carolina is gonna be ready for and I've had the pleasure of being at Williams Bryce Stadium for a game and I think it's one of the more underrated stadiums in the SEC, so I think it's gonna be a fun one. Jackson: looking at South Carolina, they've kind of they've played two Mickey Mouse schools, so it's kinda hard to to get a real read on on how they've been this season. I think speculation of getting back Jacari's peak, the transfer from NC State and then obviously Davis: Yeah. Jackson: Dylan Stewart, is that is he coming back this game? Or I I think they're both like kinda up in the air. I haven't seen like the injury Davis: Yeah. Jackson: port. Obviously Sam Levitt kinda took Twitter by storm when they released them a second ago, but I heard there's rumors that both those guys could be back. Wouldn't surprise me if they both came back for Alabama here next week, but if they're back for this game, that's that's a huge deal. I mean, two guys that are like very big impact players on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. with Mississippi, the Minnesota win I think was impressive. we mentioned on on some podcasts that they were seven and at home last year. PJ Flex, a good coach when he, you know, has his guys up there in Minnesota. So to go on the road and beat a team from the Big Ten thirty-eight to thirteen is, you know, not nothing. So I like Mississippi. However, I think they kinda run into a rock with South Carolina. A little bit of a reality check. I believe you have the first pick here, Davis, but I am just revealing that I'll take South Carolina minus four. I like the Lenora sellers. The home factor, again is a big deal for me. Williams Price Stadium's a tough place to play, so give me South Carolina. Davis: Yeah, you took the words right out of my mouth. I faded Missis Mississippi State last week, had Minnesota as one of my picks. Obviously had to eat crow on that, but I'm gonna pick against Mississippi State again. Gimme South Carolina. I think that the O line and D line for South Carolina is too much for state to handle. Matthew Nowlin: I don't like what we I've got I've got Carolina as well. I think that this is gonna be a step up in competition for Mississippi State. I also think this is a big game for Shane Beamer. if they drop this one, they've got a tough a tough schedule to close out the year and this is one I think that they had in their mind pegged as a W going into the season and I think they they know how important it is to get a win here. I think Lenore Sellers has shown that he can perform late in big games. he did it last year even though, you know, an Alabama game he didn't end up getting the win, but he he performed well, I feel like, at the end of the game. So I I like to see him do that again here and and pull out the win, covering the four points. Jackson: All right. Auburn, Florida. Florida's a minus two and a half favorite on the road. this one's at six o'clock central time on Saturday night in Jordan Hare Stadium. This is this is one I went back and forth on a lot. Davis: Yeah. This is another game that has such a great storyline to it as well. You have the what used to be a rivalry, they don't play much anymore. Auburn, Florida. You have two coaches that know each other very well, coached against each other in the AAC with Alex Golish and John Summerall. You add on to that that Auburn just about hired John Summerall until he, you know, from all accounts backed out and went to Florida. Florida got their guy after losing out on the Lane Kiffin sweepstakes. I'm happy with who we got with Alex Golish, but they'll because of that, you know, storyline, they'll always kind of be tied at the hip. throughout the week the press has been asking about each other and both of them are You know, kind of being a little performative. Alex Gullish said, you know, we're not friends. And and Sumerall has said that if anyone on his family is rooting for Auburn, they're not family anymore. So no feelings lost. It's going to be it's gonna be an interesting one. I'm excited for it. And we didn't even Jackson: Yeah, I I think that Davis: talk football. None of that had to do with football, just storyline. Matthew Nowlin: Yes, yes. Jackson: Yeah. Getting into the football talk, I think the the the most glaring thing for me is the is the points per game, the two offenses. I know Florida has played nobody, but they're averaging fifty nine points a game, which is, you know, pretty good. Like Auburn on the other hand, I they played Baylor, but I mean forty three to eight against Southern Mass. I feel like they struggled a little bit in that game, if I remember correctly. That was kinda at the same time as Ohio State, Texas, so I wasn't like watching that super intensely, but the offense looks super sloppy against Baylor. Like, not good at all. I think this if this game was in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, I would be going Florida all day with that Auburn offense having to go on the road and play. But it's not I feel like Auburn plays well at home. Can can Byron Brown and in in that offense turn things round and score some points? I think that's kind of the biggest question of the game for me. Matthew Nowlin: And I think that's gonna start with how well they can run the ball. I Davis: Yeah. So Matthew Nowlin: know their the lines struggled a little bit to run the ball and Byron Brown's turned it over. Florida I believe is has had five turnovers. their defense has turned the other team over five times already, so that's a a positive for their defense. so Auburn's gonna have to overcome that. also though, Florida's got a starting quarterback who's making his first start in the SEC on the road in an extremely hostile environment. so they could come out slow or they may struggle throughout the whole game. You know, they look good against inferior opponents, but until you until f you see Florida put pads on pads with another SEC team, you really don't know what you have, so I think that's gonna be a big factor in the game. And I think that Auburn's gonna have to lean on their defense to get some pressure on Philo and make some make some plays, turn over, I think that's gonna be a huge part of them having success on Saturday. Jackson: Davis, you gotta have more to say. Davis: So Matthew talked about this being Aaron Philo's first start in the SEC. I believe that's what you said, right? Against an SEC opponent. So he has four Matthew Nowlin: Right. Davis: total starts under his belt. This will be Byron Brown's thirty-fifth. So a lot of experience. You know, Aaron Filo's gonna be going into a hostile crowd. They're definitely going to rely on the run game as they should. Jaden Baugh, probably probably the best back in the SEC, him or Kewan Lacey. Auburn's got a a good run defense led by Xavier Atkins at linebacker. it's kind of best on best when it comes to running the ball and run defense. I do worry about Auburn's offense. like you said, didn't look good against Baylor, but I think that there's some some question marks with Florida's defense. They d definitely haven't been tested at all. This game could go this game could go a lot of different ways. I think that Florida probably has the or I definitely think that Florida has the talent advantage, but Auburn has the quarterback advantage and the home field advantage, which, you know, definitely plays into effect. Matthew Nowlin: What do you what's your thoughts on the how raucous is the crowd gonna be? I mean, are are they pump is you're plugged into the Auburn Auburn community, are they are they gonna be pumped for this game? Is this gonna be a classic Jordan Hare night game? Davis: Yeah, there's no reason that this shouldn't be, you know, one of the more exhilarating crowds that's come through Auburn in the last honestly, probably dating back to twenty twenty one. I mean, there hadn't been a lot of hope for this Auburn program recently. haven't had really too many huge home games. I mean, obviously you have the Alabama Night game last year. That was a big one. But Even then Auburn's a five and six team at that point. So you really have to go back at least five years to when there's a you know, teams that are on the right trajectory to when you can like get get a good crowd. So I'm expecting a a very ruckus crowd. Jackson: Yeah, and and when we covered both of these teams on our SEC overview podcast, we kinda talked about this being a turning point for both teams as far as like going forward the rest of the season. You know, if you're Auburn, you still have at Tennessee, at Georgia, LSU at Ole Miss, at Mississippi, who is, you know, shown to be decent, and then at Alabama. And then on the other hand, for Florida, you go Ole Miss at Missouri, at Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma. So it doesn't get any easier for either of these teams. I feel like playoff aspirations aren't necessarily like the standard right now for these teams, but I think both of Auburn and Florida like expect to at least make a bowl game and and be somewhat like competitive in the league. So, Davis: Yeah. Jackson: I think especially if you're Auburn with this being at home, it's it's kind of a must win for Goalish to kind of get the program turned around and and get headed in the right direction. So yeah, big game, big game on the planes this weekend. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah, and I think that's kind of a common topic with a lot of these SEC games 'cause we on to the nine nine game schedule and then the emergence of some of these teams that you weren't expecting necessarily be good. I mean, Mississippi State coming out of nowhere, I know Missouri people were low on, but you know, they had a decent game last week and then you have Auburn and Florida with with new coaches with a lot of expectations. So I think a lot of SEC teams are finding themselves in these positions early on in the season where, you know, they have a big game and a tough schedule to close out the year on the tail end. So these these big games early are gonna matter and are gonna impact the these team seasons. So it they're they're not taking them lightly. Jackson: Yeah, especially with games that are against like with two similar teams. Like I wouldn't say Auburn playing Texas is kind of you know, Auburn's kinda playing with house money there, but with these two teams are are very, very similar. The storylines for the programs are similar. So yeah, big big game for both for both sides. As far as picks Davis: It's a measuring stick game. Jackson: go, yeah it is, for Matthew Nowlin: Mm-hmm. Jackson: sure. Matthew Nowlin: And it's so early. I mean, neither of these coaches are expected to turn their team around the first you know, this is the third game of their tenure. neither one of them is expected to do that right away, but to win a game like this could be a springboard and to your team gaining more confidence and that trickling into potentially more wins later later in the year. Jackson: far as picks go, I feel like everything I've said has kind of pulled me towards picking Auburn here, but I'm gonna go Florida. I I like what I've seen from their offense. I know it's against two, Mickey Mouse schools for lack of a better term, but their offense has been good. Philo's looked good. on the other hand, Auburn has played one not so good school and then Baylor and I don't think they looked great in in either game. So until I see it from Auburn, I'm gonna take Florida. Davis: Yeah, so when we did our SEC preview a couple weeks ago, I put this as a fifty fifty game for both teams. Auburn has maybe not lived up to the expectations I had with due to the Baylor game. Thought that was closer than it should have been. Florida haven't really changed my mind about Florida. You know, they've done what they're supposed to do. They've left their starters in late in games to run up the score, but that that that's fine. I think my head is kind of leaning Florida, but this game's a night game in Jordan Hare. Y'all know all too well there's gonna be some magic that'll happen. Give me Auburn plus two and a half. Jackson: Yeah, I forgot you didn't put a pick in. Davis told our graphics guy that he did not know who he was gonna pick. So instead of he he's relying on the Auburn magic for Matthew Nowlin: Mm-hmm. Davis: Yeah. I I I told I told Millich. Yeah, that was that was a decision that I made in the moment. Jackson: this one. Yeah. Matthew Nowlin: I think that's fair. lots you know, there's good points to pick both teams in this game. I went back and forth on this one as well. I think that it being a home game for Auburn with a lot on the line at night, I think that's a lot going for them, going in their favor. I do question whether or not their offense can perform consistently enough to win the game. I think Florida's an unknown commodity 'cause again they've played their Mickey Mouse schools, but part of being an unc known commodity is they could underperform or they could overperform. and they could be the real deal. I think they'll lean on their run game to start and I think Philo figures it out late in Florida. Florida gets the win. Davis: If Philo has a decent game, just a decent game, Florida should win. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah. I I like their skill guys. Davis: If Auburn's gonna win, they need to make it difficult for Philo. It's gonna be tough to stop the run. They need to create some turnovers, get after him, have him see the ghost. If they don't do that, I don't I don't Matthew Nowlin: That's Davis: see a way that Auburn can win. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah, I think that's the key for that. Make Pilo uncomfortable. Jackson: Alright, moving on. Texas Tech and Houston. A big big twelve showdown. this one obviously could have some some playoff implications. some people may believe with Houston. Line here is seven and a half. This one is it's in Lubbock. Yeah. so Houston's Davis: Friday night game. Jackson: yeah, is a Friday night game. Houston going on the road. It's gonna be it's gonna be tough to win there, but what do you guys got for this one? Davis: Yeah, I think Texas Tech has been pretty disappointing. Houston played Oregon State week one, which interesting enough, Texas Tech played Oregon State last week. So it's only week three and you have a common opponent between both teams. Houston won twenty to thirty-three, and obviously we have on the left Texas Tech 1352. Interesting, interesting margins there. Houston beat, you know, Oregon State by more. Texas Tech is a seven and a half point favorite. So take with it what you will. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah. Yeah, I and I'm I'm high on Oregon State. I think both of those lines were too big against against Houston and Texas Tech and they performed well. I think Texas Tech doesn't have the defense to lean on that they had last year. A lot of their, you know, top players on the front seven are gone. I think they've underperformed. I think everyone dubbed them the the the the Big Twelve champ before the season started and I think they're not quite ahead of everybody as they as they thought they were. and some of these other teams like Houston are catching up. So I think this is a big game. Texas Tech has a home field advantage at night on a Friday. but I think Houston has the talent defensively to stay with them and yeah Jackson: So I found a a few stats for this game that I thought were interesting. So, and I know it's a two-game sample size. They both played, I think, one not so great team, but still, for what it's worth, Houston's offense ranks second in the nation for points per drive and success rate at fifty-nine percent. Texas Tech's offense ranks sixty-fourth. in points per drives and 78 in success rate at 44%. So I mean that's kind of the key for me. Like I know Houston's playing on the road, but like their offense has been significantly better than than Texas Tex. Texas Tech has a somewhat of a quarterback issue in my opinion with Will Hammond. I know you got Castellanos on the bench be interesting to see if they if they turn to him if things go south or if they can't get anything going. Carnell Eggman's been playing well for for Houston. He threw for 305 last game against Oregon State. So I mean he's he's playing fairly well. like I said I know this game's on the road. Texas Tech's defense is not exactly like as Matthew said what we thought they were gonna be, but I I still don't think they're I wouldn't call them a bad defense by any means. They haven't been great at getting after the quarterback, so I think that could be an area that Houston could maybe exploit with Wegman's efficiency passing the ball. I think they could find some open guys and maybe move the ball on Texas Tech and who knows, maybe pull the upset. Davis: So we're in week three now. You know, when you're making picks in week one, you don't have any games to go off of and you have to rely completely on, talent and off season and and you know what the analytics say. And then each week you start to build on what they've done throughout the season. We're only in week three. I know that I have two data points. of weeks to base it off of and Texas Tech has not looked good. And just solely based on those two weeks, all indication says that Houston should cover. But I don't want to throw out, you know, all the work that was done in the off season. I'm gonna rely on what the talent evaluators said about Texas. I think that this is a more talented team. I think that they get right. I think that they cover the seven and a half. Jackson: Is that the same talent evaluators you use to evaluate Oregon, Davis? Matthew Nowlin: Yeah. Davis: Yeah, probably. Jackson: Alright. I'm gonna I'm gonna go the other way. I like Houston. Davis: I'm gonna go with Houston actually. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah. Jackson: I like Houston. I like I like Connor Wegman. I think like I said, I think they'll be able to move the ball. I think Texas Tech has been somewhat exposed, especially in that last game against Oregon State. they're not as good as advertised, in my opinion. I dunno I don't know if they whipped on some of these some of these guys that got out of the portal or some of these recruits. I think the quarterback thing is a problem. I can see it possibly going the other way with it being at home and maybe f them finally getting their feet under their belts. But I like Houston in this one. I think I don't know if they'll win. I think they'll cover the seven and a half. Matthew Nowlin: Yep, I think it's I think it'll be a good game. I think it'll be a close game. I was concerned when they brought Castellanos in, it showed me they didn't really have as much confidence in their quarterback, in Will Hammond as as maybe they they should. And that's concerning for me. I agree, I don't know if I love Houston to win the game, but I think that they have enough talent to compete and to keep it close and you have the hook at seven and a half, so I'll take Houston to to keep it within the seven and a half points. Davis: That was a good point about Jackson: Alright, I think this is our last Davis: bringing in Cassianos. Did you hear that on the pod a couple of weeks ago? Matthew Nowlin: I did, I guess I forgot. Jackson: Did you say that if? Davis: Yeah. Jackson: Alright, I think this is our last game for Matthew Nowlin: You know. Jackson: the pick six. Bama and Florida State. This one's in Tuscaloosa at 230. Vibes are different in Tuscaloosa than they are in Tallahassee. Bama is a 19 and a half point favorite. I think some some places that's moved to 20 already. I'll Davis: Yeah. Jackson: go ahead and start with this one. Florida State, I mean, how how do you like how do you keep playing with all the noise that's going on in that program? I mean, they fired their A D this week. They have people camping out at Norvell's house looking and seeing, like, you know, I saw a tweet earlier today that there were moving trucks, in his front yard. And they asked him about it in the press conference and he didn't like deny it. He didn't say that it was like a thing, but he didn't he didn't deny it. He was just like, You guys saw that was that on the media? Was that you know, did media put that out? yeah, that's funny. You know, you guys are always watching or something like that. But like it was there's no denial there. But I just think these players have kinda already maybe checked out. I know it's only game three, but gosh, for Florida State it's just it's hard to get up for a game where you know that Bama's gonna be looking for some revenge. you're going on the road. The quarterback play has been horrid and the defense hasn't looked great. We talked about Florida State a little bit and I think week maybe week one or week zero, but their weakness to me is the is the trenches, the offensive line and the defensive line. They can't get after the quarterback and they're not able to protect the quarterback. And when they do protect the quarterback, the quarterback is not very good, so he's he's not able to find the open guy. So skill positions, however, are a different story. They do have a solid receiver, and a good back, good secondary. So there is some strength for the Seminoles, but I just think with all that being said, I think I think it's too much for them to to handle gun on the road to Brian Denny in a revenge game. So I'll go ahead and lay it out there. I am taking Bama and give me give me twenty and a half all day or nineteen and a half, whatever it is. I don't care what it is, I'll take Bama. Big. Davis: Matthew, I'm sure you can talk about this game more than I can, but I do want to push back on what Jackson said a little bit. This team only lost to SMU by three and you were just praising SMU. I don't know. I don't know if I love the Jackson: Dude, but yeah, did you watch the game? Davis: I I did watch the game and it it shouldn't have been as close as it was, but it still was a three point game. I don't know if I'm going checked out narrative just yet. And this is coming from me who said this would be Norvell's last game before Jackson: I know, I know you said that. I know you said that. And I just if your AD gets fired and there's moving boxes, I mean like there's Davis: I don't wanna be the FSU guy, but I just what? Jackson: moving box people are moving your coach out of his house. Your AD just got fired. Like, did you see the defensive lineman doing like the basketball dribble thing like before? Davis: Yeah. Jackson: And I don't think Matthew Nowlin: Yeah. Jackson: there's much to that. I think it's I mean, I don't think it that's a big deal, but still it's just kind of Davis: It would have been cool if it worked. Jackson: They're just kind of like the laughing stock of college football right now. And like you you're telling me they're gonna come into Tuscaloosa and like be competitive? I mean Where you think Ashton Daniels is gonna complete passes against that defense? There's no Davis: I don't wanna be the FSU guy. I just wanted to to I th I'm not the FSU guy. Jackson: No, you're you're now the FSU guy. We're gonna call you FSU Davis. Put that as your as your name in the in the description. FSU Davis. sorry, go ahead. I didn't mean interrupt you. Yeah. Matthew Nowlin: Mm. Davis: God. FSU and Oregon, those are my two teams. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah. Jackson: Go ahead, sorry. Davis: Yeah, I'll let you go, Jac Matthew. I'm so used to Matthew Nowlin: Yeah. Davis: only talking to Jackson on this podcast that whenever somebody else comes on I I just assume that I'm talking to Jackson only. Matthew Nowlin: No, no worries. It happens. believe me. yeah, I I agree with a lot of Jackson's points. I know we're Alabama fans, so it it probably is comes with some bias. I think there is a lot of noise. I do also question the motivation. they benefited from some turnovers from SMU and I think that kind of propelled them. They do have an extra week to prepare, which I feel like hasn't been talked about a lot. So they they could be drawing some plays up in the sand, but I think that's what it's gonna take. They're gonna need to make some big plays special teams on defense, maybe hit a big shot deep all down the field over over the defense but I just don't see them competing. They like Jackson said, they've got a few ta good talent spots, running back, wide receiver, but I think there's a decent talent gap here. I think Alabama's offense turned a corner in the second half. I think that play calling has been a gripe by with most Alabama fans, with Ryan Grubb. and I think he's gonna respond and make things a little bit easier for Keelan to start the game off. I think that we'll lead on the run game and we get Michael Carroll back to the offensive line. I think that'll help. I think it's gonna be tough tough sled for the Seminoles. You got the revenge factor which Calen Debore I forget what he said exactly, but he I think he addressed it at Hey Coach yesterday or today. Or or he said something Jackson: Shut up bomb hours. Matthew Nowlin: Baum Howers. That's right. that essentially like we remember what happened last year, so I don't think you have the they may take them lightly aspect. in play. So I also have Alabama to cover. I think that I think this one gets ugly. Jackson: Yeah, and another thing, Davis: Do y'all know what the spread was last year? Do you remember? Jackson: Ten and a half? Davis: Sounds about right. Yeah, I was just curious. Jackson: Maybe I'll stop you now. Matthew Nowlin: I don't Jackson: Is that right? Do you know the answer or are you actually asking? Davis: No, no, I was genuinely asking. Jackson: I think maybe ten and a half. I don't remember. But kinda to piggyback off what he said, like I wouldn't be necessarily surprised if they maybe scored early with some kind of crazy gimmick play. Like Matthew said, like they probably drawing up plays in the sand 'cause nothing in the play book's working, so they're probably over there, you know, drawing up. You go here, you go here, y'all go around and around and then, you know Davis: Yeah. Running basketball plays? Jackson: something like that. But I don't think they're gonna sustain any kind of offense. I think maybe one or two big plays early on. But once the game gets rolling and and they kind of run out of all their tricks I think I think Bamba will control the game and and get the cover and the win. Davis: Yeah. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah, I just like the defense. Davis: No Matthew Nowlin: I I I think they performed really well. a lot of the question marks with Alabama's defense specifically up front and in the front seven and off ball linebackers, they've really performed well. And I think it's just gonna be Alabama's gonna be a tough team. The like you said, the secondary is really deep. so I think there's definitely chances for them to draw up some plays and And bring some pressure packages for Keelan Russell that maybe he's never seen before and try to turn him over. I think that's the game plan that mucks the game up enough to to keep it close for Forest State. I just don't know if they're gonna be able to execute it. Davis: Yeah. No Gus Malzon coaching on the Florida State sideline this year. So that's definitely good news for Alabama fans. Jackson: That is good news. Matthew Nowlin: That's great news. Jackson: I'm I'm glad Davis: Yeah. Jackson: he's done. Davis: Yeah. So I saw I saw twenty and a half when I looked at this game. I think that you must have reached out to Millage and got this drop to nineteen and a half. I liked twenty and a half a little more. Jackson: I'll give you twenty and a half. Davis: Okay. I'll take I'll take FSU plus twenty and a half. I I think it's Jackson: You can have it. Davis: not gonna be close. But I think that they slow down the game enough. I think they're gonna rely on Uzman Kroma, good running back for FSU. And there's teams that try to dominate late for style points, and you kind of alluded to Notre Dame doing that in the past. I think you could potentially see the opposite here, where in instead of Mike Norvell trying to be risky and trying to win a game, he just plays it safe just so he doesn't get blown out. Jackson: Yeah, that's a fair point. Davis: So I I I think yeah, I think I think nineteen and a half or twenty and a half is a little too much for me. I think Alabama handles them easily but does not cover. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah, kind of the opposite of what Will Stein did, you know, going for faking a punt in on their own end of the field la last week. yeah, I I I would agree with that. Jackson: Alright, moving on, this is just kind of a a review of all that we got. we got Davis on LSU minus two and a half. I am on Ole Miss, and Matthew's also on LSU minus two and a half. SMU at Louisville, we are all on SMU plus two and a half. Mississippi State of South Carolina, we are all on South Carolina minus four. Florida at Auburn. Matthew and I are on Florida minus two and a half. Davis is taking Auburn plus two and a half. Houston at Texas Tech. Davis has Texas Tech minus seven and a half, and Matthew and I are taking Houston plus the points. And then Florida State at Alabama. Davis is taking Florida State plus nineteen and a half. And Matthew and I Davis: Twenty and a half. Jackson: are taking Bama to kick the teeth in. Sorry. Davis is taking Florida State plus twenty and a half. I forgot. I forgot we gave you the point. All right. So Davis: Yeah, so Jackson and Matthew are agreeing on every single pick except for what was it? LSU O MS. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah, if Levitt doesn't play, I'm not in on I'm not in a shoe. Yeah, I feel like Jackson: We may have to open it now. Davis: Yeah, I think I think if we did that now and the line is what, two and a half still, you'd probably go olmess. I mean I would too, but I had to I guess stick with my guns. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah, yeah. And I don't know how I I knew we were gonna be similar. I feel like Jackson and I have similar thought processes on stuff on football. so that's that's right. Yeah. Jackson: Wonder why. all right. That was a twin joke if no one got that. Matthew Nowlin: I did, I did. Jackson: All right. moving on, upset check. Davis, you you nailed your first one of the year. I got some points last week, but I did not hit the the big money line Delaware Davis: Who'd you take last week? Jackson: did I took Delaware and they were actually leading at halftime. I'm telling you, man. Again, don't sleep on Delaware. They're good. Matthew Nowlin: So r remind me and the viewers, but yeah, mostly the viewers, how the upset check works. How Davis: Gotcha. Matthew Nowlin: the point system. Davis: Yeah, we probably need to refresh every t everybody when we do this. So we have the money line and the spread, and the available games to pick are power four teams, and the money line has to be plus two fifty or more. So if you get an outright win, so you're plus two fifty or more underdog wins, then you get the points That is associated with the money line. So if if like two lane one, I would get 980 points. You then get points for how much you cover by. So if you're a 10-point underdog and you lose by five, then you covered by an additional five points, so you would get 50. So Jackson, I believe, Delaware was a 20 and a half underdog. They lost by nine. So that's where the a hundred and fifteen points come from. Jackson: All right. David's here first. Davis: All right. So I guess I think I'm leading it off. I will go with Louisiana Tech plus eight hundred against Baylor. You know, last week Louisiana Tech looked pretty good against LSU early on. It was a close game. I think we all know how good LSU is, or at least how good we think they are. Baylor, definitely not as good as LSU. That offense struggled against Auburn, so I think it'll be a lower scoring game. And then to add on to that, DJ Lagway was out last week. I think he's questionable for this game. If he doesn't play, they have their backup quarterback in. I could easily see Louisiana Tech covering this seventeen and a half. And, you know, it may be maybe giving me a run at that plus eight hundred money line number. Jackson: Yeah, I'm gonna go with Syracuse. I just think yeah, Pitt beat UCF like twelve seven last week. Syracuse played Cal in a close game. I think they lost twenty one eighteen. So to me, a ten and a half point spread wasn't like I mean, I don't think Pitt's any I don't think they're legit. I don't think they're a legit ACC like title contender, and I think Syracuse isn't terrible. So that was kind of my reasoning for that. I don't I don't like know a whole lot about either team. Like I don't, you know. can give you like a serious breakdown of why I think Syracuse could beat Pitt. I just think they're two I think they're more even than a ten and a half point spread. so I'll take Syracuse plus two ninety money. Matthew Nowlin: I almost picked that one. Crazy enough. Jackson: I almost picked Louisiana Tech, so maybe we're all we're all thinking alike here. Maybe we'll hit all. Matthew Nowlin: So I'm going with West Virginia. against Virginia. It's a neutral side game, so you don't have the underdog having to come in to the home team's building to play so I think you know neutral site games just add an element of of uncertainty and chaos sometimes. So that was something that I was looking at. West Virginia also has quarterback Michael Hawkins Junior He's a dual threat guy, so Virginia's gonna have to respect the quarterback run game, which gives a lot of teams fits. so I think that's something they're gonna have to account for and could give them issues. I also think that West Virginia has the ability to get after the quarterback. Bo Probe also a dual threat guy, has a lot of run game. If they can limit his running, and make him one dimensional and have to beat them as a passer. We saw him struggle a lot last year, at Missouri, as a passer. So I think if they can do those things they can they can have a shot at at pulling off the win. So again, West Virginia. Jackson: Yeah, Virginia has not thrown the ball. they've just been so good running it. so I think yeah, it's a good point, like you said. I I think if they can make him throw the ball, that it could open the door for them to to get the upset. Matthew Nowlin: I like all of our picks, I'm gonna be honest. Jackson: Alright, moving on to the the week what do we call Davis: Whew. Rough week. Jackson: these? Plays of the week? yeah, it was a tough week. We don't need to talk about last week. Davis, you wanna just get us going here? Davis: So for my first one I had Vandy minus three and a half. they're playing NC State. NC State really struggled against Virginia in that power run game. I believe that Vanderbilt can be just as physical under their head coach Clark Lee. the first two games of the season, Vanderbilt was starting I'm drawing a blank on his name. They're now going to Jared Curtis, five star freshman who took over late in that Delaware game. Looked good. He's got all the talent in the world. I believe that Virginia is not that much more talented than Vanderbilt from a like trenches standpoint. So I think Vanderbilt can really rely on that run game and cover that three and a half. Jackson: Wanna go Miami Wake Forest over fifty five points. I think obviously we all know what Miami's offense can do. They've looked explosive. And Wake Forest has looked pretty good too. this game is at home for Wake. I think Gio Lopez can can get the ball rolling and and put up some points. So I'll take Miami Wake over fifty five. I think honestly Miami can get to that number or close to it by themselves, so feel pretty good about the 55. Alright, so Matthew's not on the graphic. Matthew didn't Matthew Nowlin: that on on the graphics. Jackson: get his picks in in time, so so we we had to roll with the graphics that we had. Mill is just not on you. Davis: Yeah, you gotta cut Matthew Nowlin: No, I was it's just 'cause I was in the lab doing research, trying to get these picks right for Jackson: To be fair, to be Davis: Dude, I Jackson: no, for the record, we actually told him not to make graphics. He asked for Matthew, but I told him he didn't have to, so no knock on you, Millet. You're doing great. But anyways, all right. Roll roll along with your picks. Who you got first? Matthew Nowlin: Okay. I am keeping it pretty simple here. I've got Georgia covering the minus twenty four and a half. nothing super crazy. I just think that Arkansas's coming off a dismal performance. I think they're just not not as good this year. Ryan Silverfield I think we'll find some success at Arkansas. I just don't think it's this year. And Georgia and Kirby Smart are just rolling. it's an away game, but I don't I think it's just gonna be business as usual as usual for Georgia. I think they're gonna roll right through Arkansas and and cover the twenty four and a half. Jackson: Yeah, Arkansas got whipped last week against Utah, so I don't hate that one. All right, for my next pick, I'm gonna go USC Rutgers over fifty nine. I guess you guys kind of see a common trend with my picks this week. So I didn't I didn't love like the the spread picks other than the our pick six games that we had. as far as US C and Rutgers, Rutgers has given up a lot of points to bad teams and USC has no problem scoring points. I mentioned on the last podcast they give up thirty points to Louisiana. I took them to cover last week, so I will stay away from the cover, but I will take USC Rutgers over fifty nine and a half. Davis: All right, for my next one I will take Texas A and minus sixteen and a half against Kentucky. I believe that the talent between Alabama and Texas AM are pretty even. Alabama ended up, you know, really blowing them out in the second half. If it weren't for a couple of mistakes early on, that game wouldn't have been tied at half time. I think that there's just such a clear talent ad advantage in this game. So I really like the sixteen here. Matthew Nowlin: My second one, I'm going back to the Miami Wake Forest game. I'm taking Miami to cover minus twenty and a half. I just think the way their offense has been clicking, Miami's getting them less than three touchdowns favorite. I think that's there's some value there. I think Wake Forest coming off a double overtime victory, I believe, against Purdue. Maybe you know, they may put a lot into that one physically and mentally and emotionally, so they may not be quite ready to face the big bag big bad Miami team. So so give me Miami minus twenty now. Davis: I like that one too. For my last one I had Duke minus nine and a half. I think Stanford's one of the worst power four teams in the nation. Dukes really excelled running the ball. Nate Shepherd leads power four in rushing yards per game. So I think that they'll have no troubles running the ball against Stanford. I think that this one could easily be a you know, fourteen points. Jackson: Alright, for my last one I had UTEP Michigan under fifty. shout out to Millich for putting the UTEP logo in there. Michigan Davis: Ha ha Jackson: got gifted a win that they didn't deserve, so good on you Matthew Nowlin: Yeah. Jackson: for doing that. so UTEP actually played Oklahoma this year. They lost fifty one to zero. Oklahoma and Michigan obviously very similar teams. I think Michigan's offense is slightly less, if that makes any sense. I know they just played last week, but I don't think Michigan's offense is as good as Oklahoma's offense is. So I'll take the under here. I don't think Utah scores many points and I don't think Michigan gets close to fifty, so Davis: Oklahoma's offense is more explosive. Definitely. Jackson: Yeah, I agree. Davis: Quicker scoring, more points. Matthew Nowlin: Last one. Arizona State, minus five and a half. don't love that the game is in London. I think that throws a little bit of a curveball, but I like Arizona State. I think they played a really tough game against A and last week that if there weren't two pick sixes in the fourth quarter would have been a much closer game. I think they gave him a good run. I d was not not impressed with Kansas against Missouri, I think their quarterback has some accuracy issues. I think Arizona State's gonna cover the five and a half. Jackson: All right. Hopefully we get a little better week this week. Yeah, let's let's throw the old records in the trash. Davis: I almost put Kansas plus five and a half on here, so that's probably good news for you. Matthew Nowlin: Ha ha ha. Jackson: All right. Let's move on to some fantasy football. So last week Davis did get the best of me. we're actually Davis: Yeah. Jackson: for like both of our combined scores for week one and two are both they both add up to one forty point seven, which I thought was crazy, but we'll run through this real quick. I know we're kinda going long here, so Davis, you got first pick since you won, so you got Davis: So before we get into the picks, we got Matthew on here. I think that he should decide what the winner has to or the loser of this game has to do. You keep dodging the question. We're tied, so there's no biases either way. We're both one and one. We both have the exact same points. It's like we're starting from zero. What what what are we doing? Matthew Nowlin: You g w what are the you guys have you guys pitched pitched some ideas yet? Davis: So I said that Loser has to wear either an Auburn or Alabama jersey before the Iron Bowl game, but Jackson just could not do it. Matthew Nowlin: Okay. Jackson, Davis: So Matthew Nowlin: what's what's your idea? Jackson: I don't have one. I told David said to think about it. I guess I should have been thinking about it. Davis: I know, he keeps putting it off. So, I don't know. W How about someone in the comments comment what we sh what the loser should do? Jackson: Yeah, yeah. Someone if you guys make it this far on the podcast, hit us with a comment on what the on what the loser should do. Davis: Yeah. We'll do whatever the top comment says. Matthew Nowlin: There you go. That's a good I think I like that a bit. Davis: Fly out to Thailand, train. Jackson: I'm not I'm not eating I'm not eating dog crap out of a red solo cup. I'm just putting that out there. Davis: Yeah. Jackson: but all right. We'll we'll do what the top comment says, that's fair. Matthew Nowlin: You should have to do like the the the Big Mac challenge at a at a McDonald's wear then a while wearing the other team's jersey. Like Davis: God. That'd be brutal. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah. Jackson: All right, do you need to share your screen? Davis: All right. Yeah, I was gonna share my screen here. Okay, so for a player to be eligible, they have to be a powerful team playing against another power four team. You can't select a player that you've already selected this year. Once you select a player from a team, you cannot select another player from that team in that week. So I won last week. I'll go first pick. I'll lock down my tight end position. And I'll go Jelani Thurman from UNC. I think he's second in tight ends in receiving yards. Jackson: Yeah, I know you know who's first, Davis: So Jackson: because I know you just, you know, hit up Chat GPT and the Memphis guy wasn't P4, so you're like, well, I'll take this guy number two. Is that what you did? Davis: No, I looked up the stats. I didn't look Jackson: So Davis: up chat GPT. Jackson: I I did hit up Chad GPD for my tight end guy, I'm not gonna lie, I was having trouble finding a good tight Davis: well. Jackson: end. All right, for my first pick, I'm gonna go with my Avith quarterback out of US C. They're playing Rutgers and they've been scoring a crap ton of points, so I will take him to put up big numbers on that defense. Davis: I considered him but thought that that game could be over quick and they wouldn't rely on him as much. Jackson: Could also be true. Davis: Yeah. All right. Let's hear your next one. Jackson: Alright, for my second pick, I am going to do something similar that you did last week. I'm gonna go Nate Frazier, Georgia. You mentioned that the Arkansas defense sucks, the run defense sucks, and I think Georgia and Nate Frazier specifically are just gonna run all over them. Especially with the game being on the road, I feel like they'll wanna establish a run game early, so I'll take Nate Frazier as my Davis: Yeah, and I took Way Sean Parker, who played Arkansas, and he put up thirty eight points for me, had 150 yards, two touchdowns, and like sixty yards and a receiving touchdown too. So good play there. I will go Nate Shepherd. Talked about him earlier on the episode. Leads power four in rushing, plays a bad Stanford team. Had 35 carries last week against Tulane, so they are not afraid to run them into the ground. for my next pick, I will go ahead and take Kevin Jennings. should be a fun matchup, should be a lot of points. excited for that one. Jackson: All right, for my next pick, I will take K J Duff. I think going back to that game, I don't think there's gonna be a lot of defense played and USC I mentioned it for the th I'll mention it for the third time, gave up thirty points of Louisiana, so I know Rutgers offense is not very good, but at the same time their offense is where is K J Duff, throw him the ball as fast as possible. So I will use up my K J Duff fantasy this week. Davis: Yep. I used him last week and he he did well. Jackson: Yeah I did. Matthew Nowlin: I mean it made a quarterback Davis: Yeah. Matthew Nowlin: change, right? Game one to game two. Jackson: Yeah, they did. Davis: Yeah. I mean the quarterback still Jackson: They pitched. Davis: threw two or three interceptions, but I mean they just throw it to deaf every every way. Yeah. Jackson: That's what they do, they snap and throw it to I mean, I would too. Davis: Alright, I think you got I think you're up again. Jackson: Alright, I will go Jordan Faison, Notre Dame. I think he has a big week this week. They play Michigan State. I didn't think about that game getting ugly quickly. That's something maybe I should have taken more into consideration, but I'll roll with him. Davis: Okay. for my receiver, I will take Deuce Alexander. you took Deuce Alexander in week one and I had it under you. I will take Deuce Alexander against LSU. has been playing well and gonna be a lot of points in that game. I think Trinidad Chamberless is gonna find him early. And then for my last pick in my flex, I will take Ryan Coleman. Kind of an up and down start so far through this season. I think he has a big week this week. Jackson: That's a good pick. I I thought about taking him. especially given last year's Florida State game was kind of the beginning of his I'm not gonna say terrible season, but somewhat of a down year. Had a lot of drops, got banged up in that game pretty good, so I think he'll be looking to come back in a revenge spot against them. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah, I can see them manufacturing some touches to get his confidence back up at home. Jackson: Yeah. Davis: Yeah. Jackson: All right, for my last pick, my tight end, I will go with Luke Reynolds, tight end out of Virginia Tech. Shout out Jad GPT. He was in the top five or something of tight end receiving yards. They play West Virginia as a ten point favorite. So yeah, I think he has a big game. Davis: All right, here are the rosters for this week. I guess I'll run through mine real quick. Kevin Jennings, SMU, Nate Shepherd, Duke, Deuce Alexander, wide receiver, Ole Miss, Jelani Thurman, North Carolina tight end, and then Ryan Coleman Williams, Alabama receiver. Jackson: All right, at my quarterback I had Jade Mava, USC, running back Nate Frazier, Georgia, wide receiver KJ Duff, I had Rutgers, tight end, Luke Reynolds out of Virginia Tech, and my flex I had Jordan Fais on out of Notre Dame. Davis: Yeah, you got about three players that won't be playing in the second half. Jackson: Yeah, I'm gonna be rooting for the underdogs this week. Keep the games close. So, yeah. All right, hit us with the top comment on what we should do as our as our fantasy. Davis: Yeah. Jackson: Alright, time for the mic drop. If that since apparently that's what we're calling this this segment. since we're going a little long here, Matthew has thought of a player. No pressure, no, it's your first time. Davis and I Davis, I didn't like the way we did it when Will was on. I think we just kind of go at it and see who we can get at the fastest. Davis: Isn't that what we did? Jackson: Play him Yeah, but remember when Will was on, we kinda was like, If you pass, like you don't have to you go first the next time. Let's just shout out. Davis: yeah. I guess that can get complicated. Matthew Nowlin: Alright, so I'm just gonna go start with hint number one. He was a five star recruit and the number nine overall player in the twenty ten recruiting class, choosing to stay home at his home sorry, choosing to stay in his home state despite offers from schools including Auburn, Penn State, and Oregon. Jackson: Pretty good hint. David's probably gonna get his one. Davis: Robert Kim Djee. Jackson: twenty ten recruiting class. Trent Richardson. No, that's that's that's a terrible guess. He he Matthew Nowlin: Yeah. Jackson: was on the two thousand nine championship team. All right, sorry, keep going. Next in. Davis: I think I know who it is. I think I've guessed wrong. I think I got it this one. Matthew Nowlin: All right. As a college freshman he rushed for one thousand one hundred and ninety seven yards and seventeen touchdowns while sharing the field with future NFL Pro Bowl receiver Alshon Jeffrey. Davis: Marcus Lattimore. Jackson: Mark Slattimore. Ooh, I got it. Matthew Nowlin: That's correct. Davis: I got it. Jackson: No, I got Matthew Nowlin: You can say it at the same time. Jackson: Roll the tape. Send it to the send it to the review. Davis: Dude, there must Matthew Nowlin: Yeah, we Davis: be a pretty big delay on my screen because I I I finished saying it before you got. Jackson: I finished saying it before th I we'll see. We'll see. I may edit yours to be a little bit behind mine. Matthew Nowlin: I think we need to add a second back to what to Davis's. Jackson: You know what's crazy? Davis: I th I thought I got it confidently, but I must be delayed a little bit. Jackson: You know what's crazy is I guessed that one last ep I guess him last episode. Davis: Yeah, yeah. Jackson: For you know, Sean Marino, Matthew Nowlin: It it came through at about the same exact time. Jackson: We'll I'll roll the tape. I mean we'll find out. You will find out Davis: Okay. Yeah, we're gonna have to roll it. Jackson: when this is released, we'll find out who who got that first. But all right. Anything else before we get out of here? Davis: Yeah, fun episode. Thank you for joining us. We'll have to Jackson: Yeah, thanks for thanks for jumping on. Davis: Yeah, you'll have to come back some point. We'll see how see how your picks did. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah, no, love it. Appreciate you guys having me. I think it's gonna be a a a great slate this weekend, a sneaky good slate. everybody like and subscribe to the mic check. Jackson: Yeah, come on. We need some we need some Davis: Thank you. Jackson: we need to get our numbers up here. Thanks for thanks for that. I was hoping I didn't have to do it this time. All right. Matthew Nowlin: Yeah, anytime Davis: Yeah. Matthew Nowlin: you guys want to have me back, I'll love talking football. I'm happy to do it. Jackson: All right. Sounds good. We'll Davis: Yeah, for sure. Jackson: we'll hear from you soon and until until next time we'll see you guys. Davis: All right. See ya.