Latest / The Lunch Rush with Trent Condon / Eugene Rapay talks Cyclones, Mike Palm from Circa Sports & Football Friday Picks

Transcript

Eugene Rapay talks Cyclones, Mike Palm from Circa Sports & Football Friday Picks · The Lunch Rush with Trent Condon

0:01
All right, our number 2 Miller Condens, the Iowa Sports Radio
0:04
Network, bottom of the hour made a couple of minutes before that.
0:06
We'll get Mike Palm in here. He's the vice president of
0:09
operations at Circus Sports, Golden Gate, the D and of
0:13
course, Circa Downtown Las Vegas on Fremont Street.
0:16
Mike Palm will join us or make some picks as well.
0:19
We'll kick things off with our buddy Eugene Repay.
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He covers Iowa State and he joins before we get to Eugene.
0:26
Somebody called you in the break.
0:27
James Pierce was the player that the Falcons drafted when they
0:32
acquired the pick from the Rams on Draft Ape and James Pierce.
0:37
And now, in exchange for a guy who's got 6 tackles, the Rams
0:40
will pick about 8th overall. Unbelievable.
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Yeah, that was a bad one. Now here's Eugene repay.
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Eugene, are you going to Vegas? Are you covering the tournament?
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I will be headed to Sin City. I'm looking forward to the
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Players Era Festival. It should be a great time.
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I mean, so many good teams there, so.
0:56
Yeah, it's going to be crazy. Are you comfortable with the
1:00
format to to. I mean, we think we've got it
1:04
right, Trent. We we know that it's a 2 is this
1:06
you get 2 games and then the point differential in is somehow
1:11
going to match up the top two teams and they'll play for the
1:16
quote championship, which is kind of a crazy way to do it.
1:19
But if we essentially got that right, Eugene?
1:22
Yeah. So there are two arenas that
1:24
were games are taking place is the Michelob Ultra Arena and
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Mandalay Bay, which is where I would say will be there's there
1:29
are 8 teams in total there. And then right next door at The
1:32
MGM Grand Arena, Grand Garden Arena, there are 10 teams there.
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So the teams that finish with the best record and the best
1:39
point differentials will play in the championship game.
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And then the teams that finish second in each group will play
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in the 3rd place game. And then there'll be consolation
1:49
games depending on where you finish for everybody else.
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So will as Iowa State. If they win both games, they'll
1:56
get a third game no matter what. Everybody gets a third.
1:59
Everybody does, yeah. OK, yeah, everybody gets a third
2:01
game, but the tricky part is you could go 2 and O and win both
2:05
your games, but you're not guaranteed a spot in the
2:08
championship or the third place game based on port point
2:11
differential like it's European soccer or something.
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Now adding into the mix here. And that game is on Wednesday.
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Yeah, so Wednesday night for the third place and the championship
2:22
games. Wow.
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And it's going to come down to point difference.
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Don't love the structure? We have to have, let's ask Mike
2:28
Palmer, but if they're going to adjust numbers because of.
2:30
This. Oh, absolutely.
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Yeah, I don't even know how, like what the betting odds that
2:34
he looked like. I don't even know how you can do
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it. Yeah.
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Because I grabbed Alabama, who opens with Gonzaga.
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But now in hindsight, now that I know this structure better
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because they were 15 to 1 to win that tournament.
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Now, well, if they beat Gonzaga, they're not going to beat them
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by 50, not going to beat them by 20.
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It's going to be a tight game and even a 2.
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And no for Alabama, I don't think they're going to get a
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championship. I think I got a bad bet, but I'm
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used to that. All right, Eugene.
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So, so audience. Yes, absolutely.
2:58
Hey, I had another winning night last night.
2:59
Just. Killed you, you know.
3:01
That it's been a good week. Yeah.
3:03
Eugene, I want to ask you something.
3:04
So last night, Iowa State women, they're playing against
3:07
straight. You're new.
3:08
You're not a Midwest guy. You're not an Iowa guy.
3:10
You're somebody who came for the East Coast.
3:12
Now, you've been here over a year, Iowa State athletics,
3:15
football, yes, matters. Men's basketball, of course
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matters. But the other sports, women's
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basketball, wrestling, the running programs are really good
3:23
at Iowa State. What's been maybe the biggest
3:25
surprise just in general with the sports beat.
3:27
I know it's not your particular beat, but as you've got involved
3:30
here, learning about more about Iowa State athletics.
3:33
As I've gotten more involved, I, I feel like I, I came in in such
3:36
a fortunate town to be a Cyclone fan because like you look around
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at the other sports, like you mentioned, I mean, women's
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basketball is great. Last year you had women's
3:43
softball making a big run and having the best regular decision
3:47
that they've ever had in program history.
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Now you have women's golf also had a, a crazy stretch.
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And now the running teams, as you mentioned are very good.
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It seems like it's like a very booming time to be a cyclone
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fan. So.
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Volleyball's usually good. Exactly like you, the the quote
4:05
UN quote cash cows, the the breadwinners or the the, the
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marquee programs. But I would say there's a lot of
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other teams that have just been like on the rise.
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They're just having great runs right now.
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So it's it's a lot of fun to be a cyclone, I think all.
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Right let's we'll get to basketball and what you may see
4:19
coming up here. Well, since we're there, let's
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just continue there we'll go back and we'll grab football
4:23
toward the end. Obviously they've they've had
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some some convincing wins. Let's put it nicely.
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They not sure what they played, but but here comes St.
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John's and Creighton on back-to-back days.
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This is going to be fascinating to see how this plays out
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because I, I think TJ, again, a lot of people feel this way,
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think he's got a pretty nice team.
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What do you think you're going to see in Las Vegas when they
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play teams that you know are good basketball teams, teams
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that also have a very high post season expectations?
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Yeah, for me, this will be the the real telling test.
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This will be the true measuring stick.
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I thought what they did against Mississippi State was big.
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But to do that against, you know, these are two teams that
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have made the NCAA tournament in recent years.
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St. John's was the Big East regular
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season and tournament champion last year.
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Crane has runner up. So, like, I feel like we're
5:14
going to learn a lot about this team.
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Their defensive toughness is going to be in detail.
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Honestly, we'll be really tested.
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To me, that's something that I'm most compelled about.
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Just when you look back at that first exhibition game when they
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played against Creed, they've taken positive stride since
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then. But when you're doing it against
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FDU, Grambling State and Stone Hill, it's one thing.
5:32
But if you can bear down and get into a defensive war with likes
5:37
of St. John's, you're lost to run up
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and down. Or you're able to create an
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offense that loves to spread the ball around and just always keep
5:43
you in motion. If you can keep them in check
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too, but that will be impressive.
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We saw a number over at Kemp Pomeroy, they're third in the
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country right now in two point percentage shooting now against
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fairly Dickinson and Graveling and Mississippi State and Stone
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Hill. And we maybe found out
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Mississippi State isn't quite what we thought we were as they
6:01
got blown out by K State yesterday.
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Still this team get the ball inside, get into Jefferson.
6:07
Seems like this offense maybe has a chance to be more
6:09
efficient than some of the teams of the past.
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Yeah, especially with the three-point shooting being kind
6:15
of up and down, it seems like that their ability to cut to the
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basket or find new ways to get good looks at the rim, whether
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it's crashing the offensive glass or hitting the open man on
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a cut or pick and roll, whatever it may be.
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It seems like that they everyone is really beefed up.
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They're finishing like Joshua Jefferson is shooting close to
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70% right now. Like we can has been a nice
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addition in the front court, but guys like came and let's see if
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he's going to flash to the basket and start putting up 20
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point nights. You would love to see that if
6:42
you're an with State fan. I.
6:44
Also love to see Milan on Chilovich with some consistency.
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Have good shooting nights. How about that, Eugene?
6:50
Yeah, that's that's something that everyone, everyone's
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looking forward to too. You know, it felt like that
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season opener, we really got to see what Milan on Chilovich
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could be. Since then it's been a little
7:00
bit up and down, but the offense has just been impressive.
7:03
I mean, they're still putting up about him really cooking, which
7:08
is which is really cool to see. And just how multifaceted the
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rotation and the benches too as well.
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Like a lot of those guys that come in late, they they provide
7:16
a good amount of energy and it's fun to watch them get after it.
7:19
St. John's will be the first match
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up. A team that spends a team that
7:23
made a jump last year. You got Pitino on the other
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side. That'll be fun on top of it.
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Pitino out in Vegas, I'm sure he's going to have a good time
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now. Saint John's lost to Alabama.
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No, I mean, Alabama's a good team that obviously can make
7:36
some shots from the. Outside strength, I don't
7:38
remember. It turned out to be a 7 point
7:40
game because it was a tight one throughout.
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A lot of new faces though in the portal going out there.
7:45
What do you expect to see? What what is this Saint John's
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team? Bryce Hopkins comes in, maybe
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their best player comes in for Providence.
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After playing there for four years, it feels like the pieces
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are still trying to fit together.
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What do you know about Saint John's?
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These are still trying to fit together, but Rick Pitino has
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shown that, you know, with the defense first mentality, kind of
8:02
like running up and down fast-paced offense, at least to
8:04
some fun basketball. They they like to get out there.
8:06
They're very deep team. I mean, some of the additions
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that they had Ian Jackson too from UNC.
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There's a team that likes a running gun, but they also get
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after it on the defensive end. They have six players averaging
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10 or more points right now. So they they've scoring ballots
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and Zubie as you for it's just a beast on both ends of the court.
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He has taken each year it feels like he gets better and better.
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And now this year he's versatile.
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He's really getting after it on the defensive end as a Stonewall
8:30
defender. But now he's also getting his
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looks and getting shots to drop further away from the basket.
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So he's a guy that can stretch it out a little bit.
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And Bryce Hopkins, as you mentioned, after dealing with
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injuries the last two years is really showing that first team,
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all Big East caliber player that he was three years ago.
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And now with Saint John's, with Rick Pitino at the helm, I mean
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this, this team is scary. What's to raise next couple of
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day while Monday, Tuesday and then whoever they play
8:56
Wednesday. What's his tournament going to
8:58
look like ideally? Is he going to play?
9:00
Is he a 25 minute a game guy do you think at this point early in
9:04
his career? I think it it's looking like
9:06
they really love him. I mean, his maturity on and off
9:09
the court has been really compelling to me.
9:11
Just to see a guy like that come in from Europe, you know, last
9:15
year he was in America at Brewster Academy his first year
9:18
there, but now here he is and I were completely different
9:20
setting and he's just taking everything in stride.
9:22
He's he's a very curious guy and feels like he's very eager to
9:25
learn on and off the court. And I feel like that translates
9:28
well. And TJ Alto Burgers program.
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I think that he's a guy that he's shown our way on that you
9:33
can trust him with a big role starting or with big minutes and
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he's delivered. I feel like he's going to be a
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guy that they're going to look for 20 to 25 a night and if he
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continues to cook or if he's continuing to play well at the
9:44
level that he's playing, wouldn't be surprised if he goes
9:47
even higher than that. So let's jump over to some
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football. It is Senior Day.
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I'll ask this question. We talked about this earlier
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from the Iowa perspective earlier in the week.
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Let's get it from the Iowa State.
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Who's going to get the loudest Senior Day ovation?
10:01
Who's going to be the guy that pops and gets the loudest cheers
10:04
from the crowd? And he and tomorrow at Jack
10:05
Trice, you got somebody at the top of your mind that that you
10:09
think's going to get that loud pop.
10:11
Oh, man, for me, I, I feel like it's got to be big citrus.
10:14
Dominic Orange, I feel like he's just such a fan favorite.
10:16
He's such a big personality too that that I wouldn't be
10:20
surprised if we get the biggest applause.
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I mean, I would also love to see Tyler Miller, a guy who's been
10:23
around for six years, and Caleb Bacon, who's given a lot for
10:26
over 5. Like those are other two good
10:28
stories. But for me, I I think it's going
10:29
to be Dom Orange, a big citrus and a big applause.
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Is there AI don't have men? I'm not I can't recall how
10:36
Campbell handles this. Is there an underclassman that
10:39
will go through tomorrow that, you know, perhaps is playing
10:42
like, I don't know if Bramers had the type of season that
10:45
would elevate him in some NFL circles.
10:48
I think he has the measurables personally.
10:50
But do you, do you have a list? Is there a list out yet as to
10:52
who's going to go through the ceremony, Eugene?
10:55
I asked for the list. I haven't received anything yet.
10:58
I remember last year that they kept it really guys who are at
11:02
least there for four years. So you know, sometimes you'll
11:05
see a Richard junior, but usually for guys who are like
11:08
trying to leave early or whatever it may be, they usually
11:10
don't have the walk. They leave it to the guys who
11:12
are either academically or actual four year, 4 year seniors
11:16
or people are given their last ride here at Jack Troy Stadium.
11:20
But the game itself just real quick on that.
11:23
What, what do you what do we expect from Rocco Beck after his
11:26
bye week? Obviously, you know, they're,
11:28
they're, we just don't know. We, we had he hasn't been the
11:31
same guy statistically since the Cincinnati game.
11:36
We we think that there's got to be something there.
11:39
You know, they kind of Campbell from time to time is kind of
11:42
hinted around that a little bit. Eugene, you've been in the press
11:45
conferences, you've heard them. What do you expect from Rocco
11:48
Beck tomorrow? It's hard to say exactly because
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you know how productive was this by week, it seems like everybody
11:54
knows that this, the passing game, needs to be diagnosed.
11:57
It's an issue that they need to fix.
11:58
It's something that they've been working on over the last couple
12:00
of weeks. But you know, it's one thing to
12:01
do it in practice, one thing to do it on air, it's one thing to
12:03
do on your teammates. But can you actually do it
12:05
against a live opponent? For me, when Taylor Mauser said
12:11
that, you know, they've been working to simplify things or,
12:13
you know, do things to help distill confidence in the
12:15
passing game, not only back but also the receivers, it's a
12:18
little alarming because we're on week 1213 and you're talking
12:21
about simplifying the passing game just to like get things
12:24
going. It's a little alarming, but if
12:26
it works out, then, you know, that'll be helpful.
12:29
But for me, I feel like it's going to be a big running game.
12:31
Kansas has a third worst Russia defense in the Big 12.
12:35
Iowa State has to exploit that. And maybe it'll open up some
12:37
things to play action or some looks over the top.
12:41
On the other side, this Kansas squad, it starts with the
12:43
quarterback and the guy that can move around and make some plays.
12:46
Do you anticipate defensively, they struggled all year long to
12:49
generate any kind of pass rush that we see something different
12:52
defensively out of Haycock or is it, hey, this is what we're
12:55
going to do? We're going to play the 335
12:56
stack, we're going to sit there, we're going to have our
12:59
defensive backs cover. Or do you think a game plan is
13:02
going to look different here against this Jayhawk team?
13:04
Yeah, I wish I could say that there's going to be more pass
13:06
rush of the the game plan is going to be different.
13:09
But unfortunately, I feel like it's going to be more of the
13:11
same. It's going to be more of Iowa
13:13
State looking to either contain him in the pocket or, you know,
13:15
have a couple of spies on him. But Jalen Daniels was a handful
13:18
last year. We're going to be another
13:20
handful this year. I'm curious to see how Iowa
13:22
State handles it and and just kind of how the coverage guys
13:26
are able to do it because you look at the injury report as
13:28
well. It's looking like Jameson,
13:30
Patton and Page, how James are going to be out.
13:32
That's going to be a big blow to the secondary.
13:34
But one thing the hanger had on, I mean, this obviously defense
13:37
is starting to find its footing again.
13:38
I mean, 6 turnovers over its last two games.
13:40
They're going to have to definitely turn over, force a
13:43
couple of turnovers or two to help win this one.
13:46
I watched a lot of the Missouri game way back, who's either Week
13:49
2 or Week 3 in the football game, and I was impressed by
13:52
Daniels. You know, you take a look at his
13:54
stats, you think he's a running quarterback.
13:56
He's 21 and 3 touchdown interception ratio.
13:59
So he's getting it done through the air.
14:01
I think this is, I think Iowa State's going to have to play.
14:04
Maybe not their best game, but anybody who thinks they're going
14:07
to Jack Tri Stadium to just see a walk over, I think they're
14:10
sadly mistaken. Kansas needs another win to get
14:13
ball eligible. I'm not sure who they have next
14:15
week, but regardless of that, obviously they can do that.
14:18
They got Utah good luck and that games at 11:00 on Black Friday
14:23
up against the Hawks. Anyways, Kansas looks as this is
14:26
a chance to get bowl eligible. This can be a tough game
14:28
tomorrow, Eugene. Yeah, with Jalen Daniels too, he
14:31
actually has the second highest quarterback passer rating,
14:34
second to only Bear Morton of Texas Tech.
14:36
So he's having a good year. He's not just the, you know,
14:39
kind of like the street ball quarterback that you spend the
14:41
backyard quarterback. He's actually been very
14:43
impressive as a pastor I felt this year.
14:45
And he knows he's very I think he's better at decision making.
14:48
He knows when to pick his spots. He's not really forcing things
14:51
anymore. And of course, his threat to
14:53
scramble is some of the defenses have to think about too.
14:55
But yeah, this is going to be tough on the other side of the
14:58
ball. They're actually great at
15:00
forcing quarterback fresher. They they're fifth time for
15:03
fifth in the conference and sacks and they have a ton of
15:07
force fumbles as well. So this is a defense and offense
15:09
that's going to look to get after it.
15:11
And like you mentioned, I mean, they're one went away from bowl
15:13
eligibility. I don't think that they're going
15:15
to pack it up and and just say, all right, see you back in 2026.
15:18
Yeah, good stuff. Eugene.
15:20
We're going to try and pry away from the tables on Wednesday to
15:24
see catch up on what's going on. As Trent and I, we won't be
15:28
working. We're off, of course, on
15:29
Thursday and Black Friday. The whole station is off.
15:32
So we'll see if your schedule allows you to join us on on
15:35
Wednesday at some point. Eugene, I'll text you.
15:37
Thanks for what you do for us, Eugene.
15:39
Safe trip to Las Vegas, OK. Thank you guys so much, enjoy
15:42
the rest of the week. Yep, you do the same.
15:44
Thank you, Eugene Repay as he covers Iowa State going out to
15:47
Las Vegas. So that's a Monday, Tuesday,
15:49
Wednesday, back-to-back to back type of tournament early in the
15:52
year. Boy, that's a test.
15:54
That's a great test. There's some great teams in this
15:56
thing. Yeah, you love basketball.
15:58
I'm surprised you didn't try and get us out there.
16:01
Nah. Well, it's Thanksgiving, got
16:04
young kids. No, I know, but it's Monday.
16:06
Tuesday when I'm with. You now I will tell you one
16:08
thing last night watching Iowa Baylor when the kid saw the
16:12
little Disney Disney emblem on the floor because.
16:14
Where it is? Yeah, yeah.
16:16
Yeah. And then explaining to Ella
16:17
that, yeah, they're playing at Disney World.
16:22
Yeah. And she couldn't wrap her mind
16:24
around. I mean, she had 50 questions, it
16:25
felt. Like is that where they play
16:27
those games? It's the wild world of sports.
16:30
Complex. That's what I thought, right.
16:32
And that's where there used to be an ESPN restaurant in there.
16:35
Oh, sure. Yeah.
16:35
And the Atlanta Braves used to train there after they and
16:41
they're not there anymore. I don't.
16:42
I don't think so, yeah. I think they have a new
16:43
facility. Yeah, I've been there when it
16:44
first opened. Oh yeah.
16:46
Was it good? It was OK.
16:47
It was OK. Yeah.
16:48
I mean, I didn't do anything in the where they where the
16:50
basketballs played. I covered.
16:52
I interviewed John Smoltzer and that was really good.
16:55
He might have been the best, best baseball interview, at
16:58
least the one I remember. And then we ate in the ESPN
17:01
restaurant. That must.
17:02
That was a long time ago, man. Anyways, we'll take a time out.
17:05
We'll head to Las Vegas when we come back, Mike Palm, VP of
17:08
operations at Circus Sports, he will join us next.
17:13
Go by the high and the counter. Get the latest on the numbers
17:15
from Iowa and Iowa State. And I want to see when you
17:18
factor in what this tournament, how they're deciding their
17:21
margin of victory, you know, that's a 40 minute basketball
17:25
game. It's no, let's go to a deep
17:27
bench. You need to keep your guys on
17:28
the floor, right? Wonder how they're going to
17:32
adjust. And maybe that's the second day
17:34
of the tournament becomes a bigger deal because you're
17:36
really looking at the scoreboard.
17:37
Then yes. And compare or teams that know
17:41
we have to win this game and we have to win it by 12 in order to
17:45
get there. Yeah, I.
17:46
Think it's a compelling question?
17:48
Yeah, I'm with you and I'm and I agree with you.
17:50
It sounds as though this tournament is going to expand to
17:53
32 because your big is gripe about this thing and at the
17:56
beginning I didn't think it was that big a deal, but I was
17:58
wrong. Is no.
17:59
Bracket. No bracket.
18:01
Right, If you're going to have tournaments, have a bracket,
18:03
let's not let's not leave it to, you know, because you played a
18:06
softer opponent, you're able to blow them out.
18:09
Therefore you earn your path to the championship.
18:11
Well, two teams that are better than you play 2 really tough
18:15
games. They're playing in the
18:16
consolation game or in the no, it doesn't matter games.
18:20
They're plays game or it could be 1/5.
18:21
I mean, there's a path here where we got, you know, 5-6
18:24
teams that are two and O I'm not even going to get to that third
18:27
place game where there's more money involved.
18:29
And Peterson not playing for Kansas again.
18:31
Yeah, I wonder if there's something that's the right.
18:33
Move. Is it?
18:34
Yes. You don't read anything into.
18:35
This. No, absolutely not.
18:36
With a hamstring entry, Absolutely not, right?
18:38
You know, hamstring entries. No, no, I know.
18:40
Three games and three games he should not play.
18:42
He's. Going to be the first overall
18:43
pick. Could be, could be, could be.
18:46
Boozer but by most at this point, I think most no, it's
18:51
it's him and Boozer. Those are the. 2 and Bandstra,
18:53
right BYU. Well, but Boozer and Peterson
18:55
are 1/2 mostly. But but yeah, the kid from to
18:59
Bandstra, yeah, whatever he says, I say his name.
19:02
He's on that list. But yeah, I hope that's the case
19:06
trend. I hope it's just the.
19:07
Injury, don't you? You got your Tim Fat.
19:08
Well, no, but look at the kid in Missouri from a couple years
19:11
ago. Different was it?
19:13
From what I've heard about Peterson, different, all right?
19:15
This is a real injury. All right, the one in Missouri
19:18
wasn't. What was the kid?
19:20
He ended up in Denver. Now he's not longer.
19:21
There's a Porter. Thank you.
19:23
Miller and Condon back with Mike Palm.
19:25
It's the Iowa Sports Radio Network.
19:31
Miller, Condon, Welcome back. Iowa Sports Radio Network.
19:33
Trenton, Ken, our pick still to come.
19:35
Circus Sports sponsor those as we go head to head with the boys
19:39
in the afternoon. Lucas and Sean, by the way,
19:42
they're at the Rally House in Ames doing their show today.
19:45
Let's head to Las Vegas. Mike Palm, the VP of operations
19:49
at Circa Sports, going to be a busy week in Las Vegas,
19:52
downtown, to hell with the race. Formula One.
19:54
Enjoy it if you're down there. I'd be more excited about what's
19:57
going on downtown Las Vegas with the Neon City Festival.
20:00
It was big last year. I think it's going to be massive
20:02
this year. Mike, that's quite a whoever
20:05
came up with this marketing idea to go ahead.
20:08
Ahead and try and drop people to downtown Las Vegas when the
20:12
Strips got the Formula One. This is brilliant in my mind.
20:16
Well, thanks. Hi guys.
20:17
How are you look the F1 benefits for hotels, the the luxury hotel
20:24
right on the center strip and everybody else.
20:27
It hurts for not just this weekend, but for a few months as
20:30
the roadways get the major roadways get close.
20:35
I mean, you block the fountains at the lodge.
20:37
There's a lot of different things that happen anyhow, So
20:40
the LBCBA asked to try to appease different areas of the
20:45
community that F1 is not great for.
20:48
And so, you know, they gave a grant to downtown to have this
20:52
concert series as counter programming to F1.
20:54
And yeah, it's a great lineup in three nights of festival working
20:59
on three stages from 6:00 PM till about one or two AM each
21:02
night. And we hope it dries out a
21:04
little bit. It's been raining for about, oh,
21:08
I don't know, 24 hours and they have rain forecast.
21:11
Hopefully it breaks up tonight. We're going to rain again
21:13
tomorrow, but not unbearable. It's it's just drizzly and in
21:18
the mid 50s. I mean, that's just common
21:19
weather in Iowa. We signed for that.
21:23
It sounds great. Mike, what one of our big
21:26
betting conversations this week is happening out in your town
21:30
right now and that is happening coming up next week with the
21:32
Players Era festival and those structure of this.
21:35
So 18 teams get in, not going to be a traditional bracket.
21:38
Everybody plays two games and then they figure out your third
21:41
opponent and it'll come down to point differential.
21:43
And with the money involved, involved with what it's going to
21:46
be for these players from a betting opportunity, both in
21:51
terms of live betting and even pregame, you know, after that
21:53
first game and you know, a team, hey, they got to win this game
21:56
by 12 points. Will that impact that at all?
21:58
Will that impact what you guys do at the sports book knowing
22:02
it's not just winning the game, it's just not what your power
22:04
numbers say? There's a little bit more
22:06
incentive here as it pertains to what the final margin turns out
22:09
to be. Yeah, I think slightly You have
22:13
to shade the favorites maybe a little higher pregame, but the
22:16
end game is where it's going to become very interesting because
22:18
typically, you know, the team's the 9 1/2 point favorite and
22:22
they're up 12 and half there. They're probably a small dog in
22:25
the second-half because you look to get back to the original
22:27
number. Well, that not may be the case
22:30
because they're not clearing benches with four minutes to go.
22:33
You're trying to build margin and so that you can advance.
22:38
Although there's a lot of talent here, so we hope there's not a
22:40
lot of blowouts now. We hope these are competitive
22:43
games, but this certainly is growing every year.
22:47
A lot of great Midwest fan bases are coming out here for this, so
22:50
we're very excited for it. But our end game people are
22:52
acutely aware of the scoring system.
22:55
It's like it's like a booking and betting soccer.
22:57
When you know the goal differential gets you out of a
23:01
group or doesn't get you out of a group into the knockout
23:03
stages, it totally changes the odds on things.
23:05
No, I think it's going to be fascinating.
23:07
As you mentioned, I'm better. There's a lot could bring a lot
23:09
of people to town. I mean, the rainbow classics
23:11
awful this year Alaska shootout is no longer this.
23:14
This is going to be, if they can continue to come up with this
23:17
much nil money, you're going to track the who's who have called
23:21
it hoops Mike. That's true.
23:24
And people were lamenting the end of the Maui Classic.
23:28
Go to the Bahamas. They have nice weather too.
23:30
They have a decent tournament. But we certainly love it that
23:34
everybody's coming here. And by the way, I'm really
23:37
looking forward to Tuesday, but and I would take it on Old Miss
23:40
and Palm Springs. Yes, absolutely.
23:42
Get to learn a whole lot more about this Iowa basketball team
23:45
and we'll see about Iowa State out there.
23:46
St. John's and Creighton will be
23:48
there at 2 opponents in Vegas before their third game.
23:51
Let's jump into some football. Let's start Speaking of the
23:53
locals on the local front. Iowa a huge favorite against
23:57
Michigan State. Kind of wonder about the quit
23:59
factor with Sparty going into this one.
24:01
And then Iowa State, they are a favorite over a field goal
24:04
against Kansas. Two home games at Senior Day.
24:06
That's also a component here for this one.
24:09
Betting wise, what have you seen with the Hawkeyes and the
24:11
Cyclones this week? Yeah, if these people have been
24:14
fading Michigan State for a while and that continues this
24:17
week, even the end game last week was interesting.
24:20
It was all Penn State on the end game there.
24:23
We that was a pretty significant loser for us on the end game
24:26
results on Saturday. Not a heck of a lot of action on
24:30
Iowa State. I'm just looking, we don't
24:32
really have much of A decision on the game, but we'll need
24:35
Michigan State against Iowa. And I guess you can make the
24:39
argument the quick factor is the big thing.
24:41
I mean, you can make the argument of Iowa, 2 tough losses
24:44
and you know what, where their heads are and disappointment
24:49
standpoint. They certainly played a great
24:50
first half at USC in the rain. Meanwhile, Saturday night I met
24:55
Bart Canada and there was a bunch of guys from Iowa there
24:58
that had tickets and were in LA and decided to sell their
25:01
tickets and come to Vegas and watch watch the game in Vegas.
25:05
He's nice, good. Guy that was 5, five years ahead
25:08
of me at Wallard and then kids went to Darling.
25:10
His son was good friends with Caitlin and so there was a
25:13
really interesting group. We had fun with him this.
25:15
Week I bet you did. Bart Cannon is a great spot.
25:18
So the college slate overall this week, Mike, it's I mean, I
25:22
get it the SEC there's only like 1 SEC game, right?
25:26
Missouri, Oklahoma's the only one that Tennessee Florida, all
25:29
right, true that that's and that's a night game, but very
25:32
few this. I don't think it's going to be
25:34
the your biggest college football right weekend.
25:38
Is that fair to say? Because all these SEC teams
25:42
play, you know, the, the, the sisters and the poor.
25:45
So they're at full strength when they play their rivalry game
25:47
next week. It's awful, but this is the way
25:49
the SEC has done it. That Trent is right, Tennessee,
25:53
Florida is a sneaky game because Tennessee never beats Florida,
25:56
right? So it's a really pressure game
25:58
for hypo. I think you've got to go down
26:01
there when this Florida team is not without talent.
26:03
They made Texas look silly in the Swamp earlier in the year.
26:06
So I think that's an underrated game.
26:08
Obviously, Oklahoma with a great victory last week.
26:11
Suddenly they just have to beat Missouri and LSU and they're
26:14
going to the playoff, right? I mean, if the playoffs started
26:17
tomorrow, it's Notre Dame at Oklahoma.
26:19
Probably the Friday night game or whatever the hell of a first
26:21
round game. Baby.
26:23
And it feels like you mentioned that Oklahoma, Missouri game, if
26:26
you're on Visen, if you're a wise guy or consider yourself a
26:29
wise guy, if you don't have a Mizzou ticket this week, you
26:31
can't be wise anymore. Feels like all those guys yet
26:33
the betting split certainly do not show that.
26:36
Is that what you guys are seeing the smart money on Missouri this
26:38
weekend? And then you throw in the bow
26:40
peripula factor and his possibility and what he's going
26:43
to look like. We go back to Matir when he
26:44
tried to play maybe too early and how awful he looked.
26:47
Boy, a lot of layers in that Missouri, Oklahoma game.
26:51
Well, so I do a radio program on Thursdays in Saint Louis.
26:54
I've done for three years with two guys.
26:56
They're both Heisman voters, and it's really focused on college
26:59
football and the University of Missouri, some Illinois.
27:02
But mostly, you know, and they're very hopeful that he's
27:04
going to play. They really are.
27:07
And I just think this Oklahoma defense is so stingy.
27:11
You have to be so efficient in the red zone against them
27:13
because you're probably only going to get there two or three
27:15
times. You've got to score touchdowns,
27:18
which Missouri certainly didn't do when they were down at
27:19
Vanderbilt. They left a lot of opportunities
27:22
on the board there. The material looked a heck of a
27:25
lot better last week. I mean, he's been awful since
27:28
the hand injury. He finally kind of looked like
27:30
himself. And we know Venables can coach
27:32
defense and they made Ty Simpson look the worst he's looked all
27:35
year. Oklahoma's an interesting team
27:37
because if they get the lead in the second-half with that
27:39
defense, they're very tough. So.
27:43
But you're right, all the sharps in the world are on Missouri.
27:45
I want to ask you about a couple of games in the NFL.
27:47
One's got my attention just because I'm just shocked how
27:51
many people are betting Dallas against Philadelphia.
27:54
Game is in Dallas unless I get these teams are being obviously
27:56
division rivals. Go back to the Thursday night
27:59
game. Carter gets booted out in the
28:00
first series for spitting on on a Cowboy.
28:04
And yet there's well, the Eagles are favored.
28:07
Man, everybody I talked to or listened to is all over the
28:10
Cowboys. Mike, what am I missing?
28:12
How do you see it? I I lay 3 as soon as the line
28:15
went to three this morning. I mean, I this, the look ahead 3
28:19
weeks ago was 6. The look at the look ahead was 4
28:23
1/2 and the Cowboys beat the Raiders and all of a sudden it's
28:25
three. What does that do?
28:27
You beat the Raiders? Who cares?
28:29
I don't get it. I know the Eagles have been
28:31
lackluster on offense two straight weeks.
28:33
They also played two damn good teams in Green Bay and in
28:36
Detroit. OK, so I thought 3 is such a
28:40
bargain here. I got on principle.
28:42
I had a bet that three I could be wrong, but I would be shocked
28:46
if Dallas won this game. The defense is still not good.
28:49
You can run the ball on them, then you'll get the play action
28:52
going and you know the Dallas is going to turn it over a few
28:56
times. Now I get the passing game look
28:58
good against the Raiders, but so does everybody's passing game.
29:01
New England goes to Cincinnati and we await Joe Burrell as we
29:05
await the decision there. They have a quick turn around,
29:08
obviously Thanksgiving for them. It feels like a stretch just
29:12
knowing that that he'd go out there.
29:14
But if he's ready, I guess he's ready.
29:16
What does that do? And if you get the word say this
29:19
afternoon, you guys looking at it currently, what circus got it
29:23
at 7:00. If Joe Burrow has been cleared
29:25
to play and he is going to start, how much does that change
29:28
the point spread for you guys? I think we move it to 5 1/2 and
29:32
then see where the market takes it.
29:34
I might be wrong. It might be 6.
29:36
It's not going to be more than a point and a half.
29:37
We don't know how healthy he is and it's still the Bengals
29:40
defense. So I think you make your move
29:44
where you think it's going to go and then you let the money tell
29:46
you where it should go all. Right, Kansas City back against
29:50
the wall. Here come the Colts have a
29:51
terrific season. Danny Dimes, he's banged up, he
29:55
says he's going to play. I just can't see Kansas City
29:58
being eliminated, essentially. I know the technical they're
30:01
not, but man, it'd be up against it.
30:03
And this would happen prior to Thanksgiving.
30:05
For that reason, I just can't see the Chiefs losing on Sunday,
30:09
Mike. Well, I said that last week.
30:12
How are the Chiefs going to lose to Denver?
30:13
I wasn't going to lay for, but how are they going to lose to
30:16
Denver with a must win for them to win the division?
30:18
I don't know. If the Colts win this game, then
30:20
I think you can officially say there's a changing of the guard
30:24
in the AFC at least this year for sure.
30:28
Baltimore still hasn't looked good even since Lamar's been
30:31
what game have they looked good in all year?
30:33
They haven't. Buffalo can't play 2 good games
30:36
in a row. So I mean, you're looking at a
30:40
whole new era here of, of of Patriots and Broncos and
30:44
Chargers and Colts and and even Texans if they make the playoffs
30:48
and you get Stroud back can be dangerous.
30:50
So, you know, I don't think they're eliminated Ken, because
30:53
their schedules manageable, but boy, they give themselves no
30:57
margin for error at all. And you know, when when a
31:01
dynasty ends, it's different than just when the champion goes
31:05
out after winning, you know, a one hit wonder championship.
31:08
There's a lot more clawing and scratching and fighting, so and
31:13
and this game's now down to three.
31:15
I'm gonna watch this game and try to learn a lot about both
31:19
teams. I'm not gonna get involved in
31:20
it. Just like we had before the
31:22
year. It's first place.
31:23
First, first place. Steelers, Bears.
31:24
Yeah, here we are, 2 1/2 the number I saw Aaron Rodgers that
31:28
they just wrapped up practice a little bit ago.
31:31
Mike Tomlin said that he was limited again and still has that
31:34
questionable designation and stayed under a field goal. 2 1/2
31:37
there, same kind of thing, quarterback uncertainty.
31:40
But the Bears that they're going to win, feels like they're going
31:42
to win it 20 to 19. They're not going to certainly
31:44
blow anybody out. What a weird game.
31:46
And it has to be weird for handicapping purposes as well.
31:52
Does Rodgers want to put his 11 and one and eighth straight win
31:56
record on the end Soldier Field on the line here?
31:59
I don't know. The Bears are very interesting.
32:03
The Bears have won seven games and five of those they've been
32:06
traveling with two minutes to go.
32:07
It's amazing. I've been trying to come up with
32:09
the term. I know alliteration is powerful
32:12
in riding monsters in the Midway.
32:13
Cardiac cats bypass bears. Not really.
32:17
I'm working on it. I'm working on it but.
32:19
Of course you love their ass, that's what it is.
32:22
They played through their own self created adversity.
32:24
They really do. I mean, if Santos makes the
32:27
field go with four minutes left, they're up 9, it's over.
32:29
They go a 15 point lead to them to the Bengals.
32:31
It's I mean, so they create the adversity onto them.
32:34
Also, how long can you sustain plus 16 turnover ratio as you as
32:39
you alluded to their trend. So I played, I played some
32:44
passing totals over for the bears because the Steelers pass
32:47
defense is awful. I played some rushing totals
32:49
over for Pittsburgh. I like him even better if
32:51
Rudolph plays because you know they'll run the ball more
32:54
because the Bears are still 28th against the rush.
32:56
And that's how I I didn't I didn't play a side or a total.
32:59
I played some props in this. Game last one football for me
33:02
obviously when the Raiders are at home as we saw on on Monday
33:05
night. I mean the the stadium seemingly
33:07
was 5050 with everything that's going on both downtown and on
33:11
the strip. Cleveland and the the Raiders
33:13
will play on Sunday afternoon. Normally I would think that
33:16
Cleveland that's one of those fan bases that would follow
33:18
their team. Are they able to this week
33:20
Michael, with what are rooms readily available throughout the
33:25
throughout the city or will Browns fans take this sit this
33:28
one out? There's two questions.
33:32
Are they able and are they willing?
33:36
Because the problem here is the disinterest in the team, right,
33:41
coupled with the difficulty in pricing of F1 makes for a bad
33:45
combination. Cleveland would be a good fan
33:47
base, a good Midwest fan base for us.
33:50
And it becomes a disappointing in terms of a Raiders weekend.
33:53
Now, the Cowboys was terrific. Having the Cowboys on Monday
33:55
night and having Cowboys fans here from Friday on through
33:59
Tuesday morning. That was great for the city at
34:02
this time of the year as though as the weather turns a little
34:04
bit worse. So, but it's a it's a waste of
34:07
Cleveland on this weekend. Last thing, I'm sure you read
34:10
Michael Loss growing up in Dubuque as you did.
34:13
He was given his walking papers as The Gazette was bought by a
34:17
private equity firm. I'm sure you read Halos back in
34:20
the day. I read him religiously and you
34:24
know, when I tell this about alliteration and writing, as
34:27
soon there'll be no more writing, I just, It will all be.
34:30
It is. It's very sad.
34:32
I still like to read a sports page.
34:34
I still like to read an opinion page.
34:36
I still like the feel of the newspaper in my.
34:38
Ink in your hand, ink in your fingertips.
34:41
My dad was never a big fan of the Telegraph Herald.
34:44
He always said it, You know, the Witness was the paper, weekly
34:46
paper put out by the Archdiocese of Dubuque.
34:48
He always said if the Witness had a sports page, he'd put the
34:50
TH out of business. But still, there's something
34:53
about that newspaper. Yeah.
34:57
He hung out with us at Circa and, you know, this summer.
35:01
Forgot about that. Absolutely, Mike.
35:03
Have a good weekend. You guys will be.
35:05
There'll be a madhouse in downtown for Neon City Festival.
35:08
Thank you, Mike. We'll talk to you on Mediacom on
35:10
Tuesday. Thank you.
35:12
Yeah, Happy Thanksgiving to your radio listener.
35:14
Good to see you. Absolutely.
35:15
Thank you, Mike. Mike Palm, VP of operations at
35:17
Circus Sports. Our picks next.
35:19
Miller and Condon on the Iowa Sports Radio Network.
35:21
Then off the bench, who knows football better.
35:25
The war wages on. It's time for the afternoon
35:29
pickup sponsored by Circus Sports on One O 6.3 KX&O and the
35:34
Iowa Sports Radio Network. I'm Millie Condon, our final
35:38
segment of the week. Trent's got some work to do
35:40
before his week comes to an end. A game you can hear right here
35:43
on Des Moines sports Station One O 6.3 KX&O.
35:46
It's the 5A state championship. Iowa City Liberty Dowling
35:51
Catholic Maroons 7:00 kick. 7:00 kick off we'll take the air 6:50
35:57
with the pregame show probably about a seven O 5 kick off for
35:59
that one, but getting ready for it should be fun too contrasting
36:03
styles and liberty. This would be an epic upset that
36:07
they can pull it off. Have the call for you right here
36:10
and you can also listen on the. IHeartRadio app.
36:12
You know, I kind of find myself rooting for him.
36:14
Yeah, I like the story. Nothing against Wilson and his
36:17
group. They're there every year.
36:19
They've won a lot. They've won a lot, just they
36:21
have. I've not won a lot, though
36:24
things are turning around this week, and I have the T box this
36:27
week for once. So let's start things off.
36:29
I got Illinois, I'm going to lay the 8 1/2 against Wisconsin.
36:32
Look, a win against a Washington team that could not do anything
36:34
on the road is not enough to sway me that Wisconsin stinks.
36:37
Give me the line. I and Bielema minus the 8 1/2.
36:40
I'm grabbing your team, the Kentucky Wildcats plus 9 1/2
36:44
against Vandy. Kentucky playing better down the
36:47
stretch here north of a touchdown.
36:48
I like it. Thatcher, 9 1/2 is the number to
36:52
the NFL. We go Kansas City now I'm
36:54
playing them. There's a three in the market.
36:55
We'll grab it. Going to lay that field goal
36:57
with Kansas City as a host. Indianapolis and the Vikings too
37:01
many. 6 1/2 against Green Bay. Just can't trust this Packers
37:04
team. Minnesota, even with the crappy
37:06
quarterback, they'll be all right. 6 1/2 as we're getting in
37:09
that one. My best bet of the week back in
37:11
college it is Arkansas getting 8 1/2 against Texas.
37:15
I think the Longhorns might be dead in Arkansas.
37:17
They're 2 and 8. They still have a plus
37:19
differential in points scored this year.
37:21
You. Hear the rumor.
37:22
Who? They're going to be their next
37:23
head coach. I'm gonna buy it.
37:25
Dabble apparently interviewed. It's online, Trent.
37:29
You know that if it's online, it must be true.
37:32
Not always the case. All right, here's my picks for
37:35
the week. Let's start in the college game.
37:37
I'm going to take a lot of alphabets here.
37:38
I like BYU over Cincinnati. BYU they are, they love to run
37:42
the football. I think they'll keep doing that
37:44
against the Cincinnati team that is not real strong when it comes
37:47
to playing against the run. So for that reason I will take a
37:52
BYU with pick number. One, what are you laying, 2 1/2?
37:56
Playing 2 1/2 in a couple of these games.
37:59
The second game I'm playing is in your favorite conference,
38:01
Trent Con. Then it's the ACC, it's SMU and
38:05
Louisville, The Mustangs. They're laying 2 1/2 against
38:09
Louisville. I watched Louisville game.
38:10
Was it last Friday night? I think it was, regardless of
38:14
when it was, they did not win that game.
38:17
I think SMU is a better football team.
38:18
I will take SMU and BYU and both of those schools laying 2 1/2.
38:23
Speaking of laying 2 1/2, the Chicago Bears are laying 2 1/2.
38:28
I like this Bears team. I get it.
38:31
Cardiac kids. What a pom Call them.
38:33
The bypass. Bears.
38:34
Yeah, the bypass. Bears needs some work, but he's
38:37
on the right track. I'll lay the 2 1/2.
38:39
I just don't. I don't think Aaron Rodgers
38:40
going to play for that reason. I will take the Bears.
38:43
I think Seattle, after what they went through last week, I think
38:46
they get well. They're on the road against
38:48
maybe the worst team in the NFL, Tennessee.
38:50
It's a big number. But what does Lee say?
38:53
If you want to play it, you got to lay it.
38:55
Somebody says you got to lay. If you want to play whatever,
38:57
lay the 13 for Seattle. My best bet of the week.
39:01
We're on the same page on an NFL game.
39:03
Not sure if that's good or bad. The Kansas City Chiefs.
39:08
Excuse me while I go wash my mouth out with soap.
39:12
I'm taking the Chiefs. That's how we see it.
39:16
We go head to head, Trent and I do, and we also combine our
39:19
picks to go up against the boys in the afternoon.
39:21
I think our lead has ballooned to about 7.
39:24
Wow. Yeah.
39:26
Not official. Yeah, not over yet.
39:29
Nope. They got work to do though.
39:31
Yes they do. Let's get some wins this week.
39:32
Let's put it out. I'm all four.
39:34
I've got a couple of five and O. 'S I'm all four.
39:35
Do you have a good call tonight? Thank you. 5A state
39:37
championship. Enjoy the football weekend.
39:40
We will be back on Monday to the Rally House.
39:43
This station will go Coming up next off the bench with Lucas
39:47
and Sean Miller and Conda weekdays from noon to two.
39:50
Thanks for being with us. And we talk sports with you on
39:52
the Iowa Sports Radio Network.