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College Football Week 8 Preview 2026 · College Football Nobodies

• Kevin: Welcome back, everybody. College football nobodies. Erich and I are at it again. We're gonna certainly try to top last week in college football. Not sure if that is possible, but it's college football. So there's always a chance. It's another fun week on tap here as we work our way through October. Really, really excited about these matchups. Casual fans might say, it's not a huge weekend and tune out. That's your first mistake. There's a lot of intriguing stuff here. Contenders, pretenders separated from each other, Erich. Conference races. I don't love to always talk about playoffs, but this is a fair part of the year where you can start to talk about that positioning. And so let's let's get right to it. We'll start with the SEC this week. We're gonna work ourselves around all the conferences, of course, as usual. So we're start the Southeastern Conference, Erich. LSU at Auburn. One of my favorite uni matchups every year, an old SEC West game. Down in Jernon Hare, Battle of the Tigers. Another one of those situational spots. I love to talk about Auburn coming off that monument, monumental upset of number one Georgia last week. Between the hedges, one of the stories of the weekend. Now they get a host an LSU team that's maybe found their footing. What gives here, Erich? What are your initial thoughts of this? Really, really big SCC showdown. Erich: Yeah, I this is tough because do I expect chaos? What is chaos? Chaos is not always the higher ranking loses. Sometimes chaos is everyone that took a step forward last week takes a step back this week. And the SEC is just kind of crazy right now for a variety of reasons. I I would love to pick Auburn in this one. It's tough though because on the on paper side of it, you think LSU, but I'm not an on paper guide, Kevin. I refuse to be. I'm going Auburn. I'm going with the home team here. Yep, I know LSU's favorite by seven and a half. I know top to bottom LSU is probably a better team, but I really like what I saw from Auburn last week defensively against a very high powered Georgia team in terms of limiting some points. And I think they can potentially do that again here with LSU. Again, LSU is more of a running team than a passing team this year. This isn't a 2019 Joe Burrow type team that's a true two-way threat with Sam Levitt at quarterback. But I think Auburn might be a little bit better in that regard. And I think we saw Byron Brown really get going for the first time against what is probably one of the top two or three defenses in the in the league there down in the SEC country. So give me Auburn. I'm going with the home team K Kevin here. Right off the bat and upset. Kevin: Well, I'm glad you did, Erich, because out of the gates, I love that we're against each other. Erich: Ha Kevin: Give me the bayou bangles here. I won't say everything I'm gonna say here because I'm gonna save that for our categories, but I think this is the perfect time that you go against Auburn. I just mentioned the situational spot. I think there's a letdown even at home. And I think there's a reason LSU's favorite by seven and a half. They found their footing the last couple of weeks, and there's a couple statistical advantages I like for. The LSU Tigers in this game is they get after the quarterback. I think they can get after Byron Brown. Auburn last week did show show some growth with their offensive line, but I think I'm still not ready to buy into their consistency week to week. And LSU allows less than 90 yards rushing per game. And I think they can turn Byron Brown into a drop back passer in this game, which favors LSU. I like LSU's ground game with your buddy Dylan Jones. I like Sam Levitt to throw for over 300 yards in this game. I just think they have more of a repeatable formula, if you will, in this game to throw against Auburn, get after their quarterback, and then control the game on the ground. So give me LSU in this game. Phenomenal bands, phenomenal uniforms, early kick down there in Jordan Hare, which I also think works against Auburn a little bit. The locals can't. Get us juiced up for that one. So LSU in a key game and Lane Kiffin starts to make his march back, perhaps towards a playoff in year one in Baton Rouge. Erich: Yeah, I I I think you're logically probably right. But I want Auburn to win. I'm going against the college football's billing, but let's keep going. Kevin, another one, all these games are hard to pick. I don't know what to do with Tennessee at South Carolina, and I don't know what to do with Ole Miss at Texas. That's why I'm talking about these at the same time here, because I'm just flipping a coin for probably all these games. I hate That South Carolina's favored. Because I feel like that's a good recipe for Tennessee. And Tennessee has Kevin: Mm-hmm. Erich: the recipe to tr with with their team that travels well. Defense running the ball. That's what they do best. And so that should travel. But the emotional upswing. Ole Miss at Texas now, there's been times where Ole Miss has shown defense. And then there's been the times where they just get throttled by Florida. But Texas hasn't exactly been competent on offense either. So are they gonna drop two in a row at home? Boy, we haven't seen Sark do that too often in his time there. These are tough, Kevin. I I really am going to go with what I know in both of these. And what I know is Trinidad and Chambliss is really, really good at QB. And that offense has been consistent, and there's at least been glimmers of good defense for Ole Miss. So give me Ole Miss at Texas. Wild that I'm picking that considering what you and I initially had thought about Ole Miss early in the year. And then same thing. What I know is from a consistency standpoint is Tennessee's running game and their defense. So give me Tennessee as South Carolina. So I guess on all these, I'm just going against the spread. I guess I could have just started off with that from the get go rather than being long winded as I am now. So give me Ole Miss over Texas. Give me Tennessee over South Carolina. I might be starting off own three here, Kevin, when we do where we're right and wrong next week. I'm not sure, but I'm going against the experts. Kevin: Hey, there's nothing wrong with that, Erich. Carve your own path. I like it. I'm with you. These games are really tricky. I love tricky games like this where there's just so many interesting storylines. And when you get in the middle of the season, and these there's tons of film on these teams, and you just don't know what to expect week to week in the SEC, which we really enjoy. You know, you always talk about how Alabama and Georgia. When they were ruling the roost, that incredible games, don't get us wrong, but this feels more like the 90s and early 2000s, SEC, you know, SEC East versus West, and you just had tons of eight and four and nine and three and ten and two teams for a lot of those years. And you didn't know what to pick. And so that's what's really fun about the conference lately. I'm gonna be really crazy and pick Texas in this game. And if you listen to last week's show, that that should surprise some of some of you out there. And Erich: Yeah. Kevin: I I it's probably the dumbest pick ever, especially after Ole Miss just throttles Mizzou 313. But I cannot fathom Texas in this roster losing three weeks in a row. And that's really what it is for me. I'm solely picking them Off that fact that you have to get off the mat. You can't lose three weeks in a row. Arch Manning has been. Erich: Season's over for them if they do with the expectations. So Kevin: And that's even worse when you consider Texas has a really great offensive line. I think they're around top 10 in the country as far as protecting the quarterback. So that even looks worse on Arch. I think there's gonna be a lot of points in this game. If I was a betting guy, I would for sure take the over. Colin Simmons isn't playing for Texas. Trinidad Chambliss, of course, is phenomenal and can make plays. And there won't be someone like Simmons to chase him down. Ole Miss's run defense. Isn't very good. Maybe Texas finally gets on track in this game. So I think we see a lot of points. I'll go long horns and a close one. It's really more a feel thing than the X's and O's. And wow, if they lose, then who knows? I might not pick the horns the rest of the season. As far as Williams Bryce Stadium in Columbia, wow, really tough turnaround for Tennessee. They get their huge third Saturday in October win over their hated rival Alabama. I am gonna go with the Valls here, though, in this situational spot. I just think they have key advantages here. Jim Knowles defense has been rocking for the Valls, number one in the SEC in points allowed. I believe it's around only 14 points a game. That defensive line is ferocious. Dejaon Lane in the secondary is a ball hawk. They're just more consistent. I guess you look at the record, that would tell you that. So that's nothing super profound. I like the run D here, especially for the Valls, because Tennessee's or excuse me, South Carolina's path to win this game is their run game. That's their strength. They throw or they rush for over 230 yards a game, and Lenora Sellers wants to get after it on the ground. I don't think they're going to be able to do that. And Lenora Sellers is going to be put in positions where he has to be. Really, really good thrower, and he's just slightly above average in that regard. So great game. The home field advantage will help him. Like you said, they're they're favored with that home field by two and a half points. And then a little bulletin board material, or maybe that's not the right way to phrase it, but don't kid yourself. Josh Heiper remembers that debacle in 2022. Remember when they went in there and allowed 63 points? Got Erich: Yes. Shocking. Kevin: their sixty three, thirty-eight, and that end of their playoff hope. So that's a good story to tell. Erich: 'Cause that was right after they beat it was it Bama or Georgia? Yeah. Kevin: Yeah. Mm-hmm. I think it was I think it was J I think it was Bama, wasn't it the fi yeah, Erich: Yes. Yep. Kevin: the fifty two forty nine game? And so that's a great story to tell your kids like, hey, it's a it's a tough team to play, but I really like what the Vols doing and I'm I'm glad to be on that wagon. I was late to it, but this they get a tough, tough business like win here, Erich. So any any other Erich: Hey, you and I would love to see Rocky Top consistently rocking and making some waves in the SEC, no doubt about it. Especially my brother, who was at the game last week and rushed the field. And he was at the he was at the Georgia game the year before. That was almost like damn nearly a a field rush as well. So he's been to two pretty good games year after year there, going down there and traveling to see it. Kevin, I did want to mention we got a little feedback on one of our shorts about Our Midwest accents with vols, just so you're aware. Kevin: Believe it, the 24-7 cold up here. Erich: So apologies, downs out there. But yes, we are both both born and raised in Wisconsin. And you can probably hear it when we're saying certain words. But let's move to the big ten, Kevin. really big game, big noon, finally not covering Ohio State. Thank God. Indiana at Michigan. And this one. Two weeks ago, I wouldn't have said is interesting, but kind of is now. especially if Michigan is going to let Carr play QB and hopefully that at least gives their team some confidence and play some offense. I still think I'm gonna go with Indiana here. but I I did want to touch on this game a little bit at least. I don't think we need to get too into it. And just the Signetia effect, you know they're gonna be dialed in. I mean, that they should have won last week. Obviously Jew and Julian Sane going down very much changed the game and allowed them to just really get momentum back and be in the position to not allow Ohio State to put any more points up there in the fourth quarter. It's just really hard to bet against Indiana twice here, just when they've been the more complete team, but it is on the road at Michigan. We'll see. So I'm gonna go with Indiana here, but I don't feel good about it. And I'm gonna go my next two games at the same time, but what what do you think here? What are you feeling? Kevin: Yeah, I I'm going with the Hoosiers here as well. We don't have a lot of evidence of Kurt Signetti losing, but I believe a so what, last week a twenty-two game win streak was broken. And a couple years ago following a loss the very next week, I think they beat Purdue sixty six zero because they they lost to Ohio State in their first playoff year. And I and I know it's Purdue, but That's still a response. And he's done that a couple times after losses. He's he's like Saban in that regard. And you always hear that in his interviews. He's very forward thinking. He's he's even this year, you know, that was last year's team with the national championship. And he wasn't into talking really about any of that stuff last year until they actually did it. And that's part of the reason it makes him a great coach. So I think they get off the mat in this game. They're just a better overall football team. And they'll have to work for it. It's never easy to win the big house. And it still is so weird to say like Indiana has to work for a win at the big house then as the clear favorite here. I think they actually cover. And I know Michigan fans are really excited about Tommy Car. And he came in last week for Penn State and he did some good things. And it is the right move. He's more composed than Bryce Underwood. His footwork was better in the spring game than Bryce Underwood. And he's just more of a fundamental football player. And the team feeds off him as that was shown last week. So he'll do some good things in this game, but this is still a really, really tough spot versus a Kurt Signetti defense and the talent of Indiana's front seven, especially. I think that can confuse him and and make it tough on Michigan. They're gonna have to throw the ball pretty well in this game to win. I don't see Michigan bludgeoning Indiana on the ground. that just doesn't happen. So that's a concern. At the same time, what Michigan has going for them is their run defense is fantastic. And Indiana's they have a great rush game, but look at Ohio State, how they were able to shut down that rush game last week. I think Indiana or excuse me, Michigan can do similar things, but They have an experienced quarterback in Josh Hoover. They got Nick Marsh out wide. They're more dynamic in the passing game and will be able to do enough. And who knows, maybe they get some turnovers off the young kid as well. Long term Overrange fans, this is the right play, but this is a really tough spot now with all the bright lights on you. It can sometimes be easy to come into a game and have some moments like you did last week. And some of it was turn to turnover aided. By the Kittney Lions this week. You're the guy. You are now starting versus the defending national champs. And that's just different. Erich: Yeah, I think it also was worth pointing out that Indiana actually contained Jeremiah Smith. so if you wanna know how good of a coach Signetti is, they clearly had a game plan and for the most part it worked. I mean, who knows if Julian Sane was playing what that difference would have been in the fourth quarter there, you never know. But at least Jeremiah Smith for once this year did look human. Next two games, Kevin. We're talking about the Big Ten. I'm gonna go double upset here. And maybe I shouldn't do this two two weeks in a row for for my boys in red in Wisconsin there. But give me Wisconsin over USC and give me Minnesota over Iowa, which I'm sure you weren't necessarily expecting. And my main reason for Iowa losing this game is I just I think their backup QB is still starting. If I read that correct today, I do think this is a perfect game. For Minnesota here, just the type of game that they win where Iowa's still a little bit banged up. And while they're favored, I mean this is this matchup wise is a good matchup for Minnesota, just in terms of how Iowa plays. so I'm taking Minnesota here, PJ Fleck rowing the boat, getting the win. And you know, I don't pick that lightly considering the the rivalry between Wisconsin and Minnesota there. So give me Minnesota to upset Iowa. And then give me my boys in Wisconsin to upset USC. They're gonna get off the mat after the loss to UCLA. I gotta at least get one win out of the West Coast here for my boys. if you really when I went back and watched that game last week, Kevin, again, we talked about if you look at the box score, you're just like, How did Wisconsin lose this game? UC UCLA was able to get some passing yards going, a lot of drives extended by just horrific penalties for Wisconsin throughout the game. Killed drives, extended drives for USC the UCLA on the other side. And it just really disrupted the game for them. And they were never able to get up and running from there. I think that looks a lot better this week at home. really their last big chance for a big win. And if they lose here, then they got to go to Iowa next week. So a very narrative game for them as well, because it's a pivotal point for them. You got to go one at least one and one over these next two. If you don't, if you go on two, you're four and four. The Penn State win looks like nothing now. hate saying that to you, but it just doesn't really matter anymore. The Michigan State win doesn't matter either. They're pretty they're on the lower end of the conference. So if you come out of these next two four and four, it it's not looking good for fickle long term because you can't really say anything's different at that point compared to the the past couple years. So just a pivotal game and not just this week, but next week for Wisconsin. So giving the Badgers over U USC, I do think it's gonna be close. There's gonna have to be some points because UC scores. So give me twenty seven, twenty four, Wisconsin. And then for Minnesota over Iowa, I don't see points there. Give me Minnesota twenty, Iowa seventeen. Kind of a similar type game for them when they beat Michigan. Kevin: Yeah, the the Floyd of Rosedale battle is never gonna have points, but it's always gonna be Erich: Ha ha ha. Kevin: very interesting and fun to watch. I enjoy this old school Big Ten battle. Good uniforms going at it. Two polar opposite coaches, but that like to get it done the same way when you're talking Kirk Friends and PJ Fleck. imagine those two guys like at like A breakfast diner together. You can't. Like it just would be yeah, I would love to see that though. It'd be quite interesting. I think those two steer clear of each other at Big Ten meetings and media days and all that. But as far as as as the game goes, you're right. No, Minnesota has a legitimate path in this game because anytime you get low scoring teams going at it, the margins are close. It all it can take is a red zone stop for one team, and that can change the outcome of the game. You hold a team to a field goal, that that's a huge deal. Someone like, especially these teams, gets a touchdown. All right, your percentages to win go way up. I'm fascinated at how these teams come out in this game because Iowa is getting a lot of playoff love and rightfully so. They're right in the thick of it. They had that demolition out in Seattle on a couple weeks back on a Friday night at Washington when they were the slight underdog. Couldn't have played better. Game was over in a blink of an eye. And Minnesota on the flip side could not have played worse versus Purdue. The Gophers were coming off that huge win versus Michigan. If they go to West Lafayette and just get mauled 41 to 13. Hard to pick here. I'll lean Iowa. Just I I I think they're the better team. And I know Minnesota has a lot of magical upsets at home, but I think they already got that with Michigan this year. Erich: That's fair. Kevin: Even though I know Michigan's not a great team this year, they're a good team. They're at least a great defense. For Minnesota, that's always a big deal to win that jug. So I think viewers know what mean by that. But I don't think they get Iowa. Drake Lindsay, if he is able to win this game with his arm, then that excuse that towards the gophers. you gotta do versus that Iowa defense, you just gotta dink and dunk through the way, but I don't trust him enough to not make a key turnover that Iowa always seems to get a tipped pass linebacker catches it for a key moment in this game. I think Iowa can lean on their run game in this game with Kamari Moulton, regardless of who's that quarterback. So give me the Hawkeyes on the road there in the Twin Cities, but a narrow, narrow game. I'll say I'll say Iowa twenty two. Minnesota sixteen. And then I can't go back to the Luke Fickel well this year. Like you know, I shouldn't say this year, this week. I can't You're on mute. So just say what you're gonna say after I said that. Erich: I I I can't blame you, Kevin. It's a tough well to go back to. Some it's just got that well water smell to it at times. And it's just tough to take a shower in that. So yeah, I'm not expecting you to scoop that water up and take a drink, but you know, it's the maybe the one last hurrah for me to hope for a big win. But what were you gonna say? Kevin: Yeah, I I thought last week was the week they could get one of the LA schools. It it seemed to be a prime spot. but they laid a an egg, no other way to say it. And I do like the spot for them at home at night camp Randall. But we've seen those environments before at home in recent years. I think they really needed that UCLA win for this place to be on fire and belief. And I I think it's back to skepticism there. And Erich: I agree. Kevin: I really just think the Trojans have an athletic and speed matchup in this game. That's going to be hard for Wisconsin to keep up. I think Colton Joseph, because he's Jekyll and Hyde, will bounce back and play better than he did last week. He'll need to because 66 passing yards versus USC is not going to bode well. But I think he can set up the pass well and and hopefully the backs for your sake get going more in this game. And Cole Joseph then can make some plays downfield with a threat of play action. But I I think USC is gonna come out pretty strong, just like they did in in Happy Valley. I know Wisconsin has a better defense, but Lincoln Riley, their offenses generally start games pretty strong. And that's certainly not their weakness on that side of the ball. Jaden Maiava and my guy Trent Mosley at receiver. Caden Dixon Wyatt. They got dudes out there that I don't think Wisconsin can keep up for four quarters. And then people forget about King Miller and Wyman Jordan in the backfield. Everyone knows about USC and throwing the ball. Those are backs that they can lean on, whether it's throwing it to them or grinding out some tough yards that will be tough for Wisconsin's front seven. So maybe they use the pass to set up the run in this game, which Riley likes to do. And I just think over four quarters, Wisconsin's going to be chasing too much in here, and they don't have the firepower to keep up with. one of the nation's best offenses and best quarterbacks. Jaden Maiava still does not get the love he deserves. And he's played in all sorts of environments. And I think USC gets out of it and in a game that's a a game, I think, into the third quarter, but the Trojans pull away in Southern California. They got all the goals right in front of them. And I think that was a key bye week for USC last week to get some rest going into this big spot in the second half of the season. So Sorry, Erich, Trojans. I'll say thirty one twenty. Erich: All right. Well, that's probably the more logical pick there. let's go to the big twelve. And I wanna add a game here, Kevin. I know we're I'm not gonna spend a lot of time on it, but I'm just gonna ask you the question is BYU has to travel now all the way to UCF. Kevin: Mm-hmm. Erich: Do you think that's potential letdown spot for them or are we pass that with this team and how Kalani Sataki keeps his teams grounded and so forth? Kevin: I don't pick Scott Frost to win big games, so that's my answer. Erich: Okay, fair enough. I'm with you. It's a question that's out there. If it was a different team, if they were going to West Virginia or something like that this week, then I'd be like, okay, you know, they might find themselves in a shootout and that's really tough to do off the emotions, but I'm I'm with you. It's a question that's out there, and I just did want to touch on it since they're ranked number two right now and we didn't have them on our list. but I am in agreement with you. Hard to trust Scott Frost to do anything important at this point. The boy, what an upset that would be if he pulls it off. but let's keep moving here. a team that you and I have agreed to stop dumping on Texas Tech at Cincy. You know the saying about going to Sincy, Kevin, but I think Texas Tech is going to go into Sincy and leave with a win. And I do think they're gonna cover by the 10 and a half. Kevin: I'm with you. It is never easy to go to Nippert Stadium. old Venerable Place. The Cincinnati Bearcats. We'll see what type of crowd shows up. Hopefully it's good there. Early start there in Nippert. This is the Fox noon Eastern game. And they're undefeated. I do think it's gonna be close again. I think it's gonna be ugly. I don't think they cover the ten and a half. I I think If I if I was getting those points, I I would take those with Sincy. I did like what Texas Tech did last week, putting up 53 points on ASU. Will Hammond seemed to be in a groove. Jacoby Williams is who they got to lean on in this game. He's a good running back. He had big yards last week. Control it. Keep that ball away from Cincy. Take care of the ball. If they don't, that's just like any team on the road. That that's where you get into trouble. But I I still think the Red Raiders and the money that they've spent, of course, the last couple years is enough to get them over in this game. Too much talent for Cincy and you know. I I thought about this. I I I don't know if there's gonna be huge upsets this week. I I can't say it though. I wanna I I almost want to go against the picket because JC French is a is is is a quarterback that can throw it for Cincy, but I'll go Texas Tech narrowly and I'll I'll stick with that. So almost had almost had a change of heart, but they're a little bit more of a of a complete team, and I think they can get They're not their pass rush isn't as good as last year. So that that scares me. And I think they'll give up points, but they get out of there a alive. Erich: Okay, I like it. another one that's same spread right now, currently we'll see if it changes, but Iowa State, Arizona's laying Iowa 10 and a half over Iowa State at home. another 530, kind of so sunset kickoff over there, near sunset kickoff. I am gonna talk about this one a little bit later, Kevin, but I do think Arizona wins. I just I'm not sure about that point spread. and Iowa State has. played pretty well and against some high powered teams they've they've showed the ability to stifle them a little bit. So I am going with Arizona on this one though. I just think they're the better team, frankly. and I think Iowa State has played honorably and is going to be competitive in all their games, but I I don't think they're gonna get this one. Kevin: Yeah, that's one I'm gonna I normally would agree. I'm I'm feeling Arizona here. I think this is one of the spots where it shows up why people picked Iowa State last in the conference, which I I don't think was right because Colorado exists. Aiden Flora has been really spectacular for the Cyclones, but there's enough film on these guys now. He has to do way too much. And Arizona's defense is It's sneaky. It's pretty good. If you look at a lot of their metrics, they they rank pretty strongly. You add in a more explosive offense, the ability of Noah Fafita with his legs and the Wildcats ground game. They're explosive, obviously, in the passing game with him. I think they're able to jump on the cyclones at home and put Iowa State in a position where you have to pass the ball. And that's the last thing they want. The only thing is. Iowa State is, I looked up plus three in the turnover margin on the year, and Arizona's minus three. So that's one thing. If Arizona's really gonna make a run down the stretch in the Big 12, that they got to reverse. So I'd like to see them have a clean game. I'm gonna go Arizona pretty big here. it's a Saturday name. I think the folks will come out there in Tucson. I'll go Arizona by three touchdowns. I'm going big here with Erich: Wow. Kevin: the Wildcats. So I'll say thirty-eight seventeen cats. Erich: All right, we'll have to make sure the translator here remembers that you said three touchdowns. 'cause if they win by less than that, it doesn't count. Has the right Kevin: Thirty eight thirty-eight eighteen picks socks. Erich: Kevin, I want to talk about the biggest game of the week in the Big 12, but I also want to talk about the crime that keeps occurring to these Western-based Kevin: Mm. Yeah. Erich: teams. And that is the start time of these games. There's no game. Well, let me phrase it like this, Kevin. When does an NFL game ever start at 1015 Eastern Standard Time? Kevin: I don't know if that exists. I don't think there is. I don't think they do that. Yeah. Erich: It doesn't happen. Yet it criminally happens to these Big 12 teams and these West Coast teams over and over again. You are asking someone that most of the country lives in the Eastern time zone, Kevin. And you're basically saying to Houston and Utah, a top 15 matchup, the winner of which probably is a top 10 team going forward, in a position to potentially go to the conference championship, depending on what happens in some of these other games. And you're just basically saying, yeah, we're we don't want half the country to watch a game. And it happens over and over and over again to these Western based teams, which is why when people talk about historical TV ratings, it's not good data because a lot of these this is the second week in a row now where Utah's playing in a game, you know, the kickoff says 815, but it's probably gonna be closer to 830 mountain time. Right? Like, you know, that and that's gonna mean it's gonna end close to midnight mountain time. That's two AM Eastern Standard Time. That's ridiculous. It it shouldn't happen. And if I'm I know that it was mentioned this week, the Big 12 Commissioner did the whole, ESPN's a great partner, but we are having discussions about these start times. And it just needs to get to the point where if there's two games on at the same time, create options for people to watch whatever. ESPN has it goes up to ESPN eight. You're telling me you can't have one on ESPN two, ESPN three, and then move it. To the main channel as the other game ends. it is ridiculous. And it's also too asking a lot of the fans. Kevin: No, I'm with you and I have nothing else to add because you nailed all the points. I want to add one more thing that is a is another reason that this is wrong. Texas old Texas and Ole Miss is in the 630 central ABC game, the prime time game. And Utah Houston's the bigger game, and you gotta Erich: Yeah. Kevin: be able to make adjustments as a company. And that's gonna just fuel that SEC bias more, whether you think it's right or you think it's wrong. And you gotta go with Houston, Utah in that 630 slot. Texas O miss those SEC games. That's why the conference is so great. Those games happen multiple. There's all sorts of those games every week. So slot that one earlier in the day and go with it's time for Utah Houston. Erich: Or you need to do what Fox does and CBS does in the NFL, where it's like, okay, there's an East broadcast and a West broadcast. Kevin: Yep. That's why I missed the old ABC regional days that all ended in two thousand and six when it just went all ESPN. So thanks, Disney. Erich: Well, enough about that. Kevin, I'm picking Utah on this one. I'm curious to hear you who you're gonna pick. I know you have some question marks over the last two games of what Utah has shown, particularly in the passing defense. But give me the home team here, Kevin. I can't pick against Utah until they lose. Rice Eccles, night game. They're just night warriors now. They've played so many at night, Kevin. They know how to do it. now Houston has to do that late travel to a hostile environment. We know how hard it is to play there. But I do want to see Utah shut down the or at least limit the passing game a little bit more there because you can't play with fire like that every week. but give me the two the dual quarterback system, the Dampier Bird Fitland show, Kevin. Getting it done, speedy running back, hitting home runs. Utah, legit top 10 team. Hopefully, I don't eat my words. And my friend Matt, he hates how I'm glazing these Utah teams. I'm gonna keep glazing them. Matt, until I'm wrong. Give me the Utes in a bigger win than people are expecting. 3525. Kevin: That that had some salt on it, Erich. I like that. I could feel that through the screen. Erich: Mm-hmm. Kevin: Fantastic. No, you gotta. You had this, I mean, you're right, you're right in the thick of like the golden era of these two programs out there, living in that Erich: yeah. Kevin: holy war. So own it. I thought about this more and everything, and it's like, yeah, I I get why. Utah's laying six and a half points in this game. So I was worried about their D, but you know, doing, you know, just kind of things popping into my head. I was thinking about this game and doing a little bit more digging on this one. It does make sense. I like the Utes here to cover a couple reasons. I I'd like the over as well. If people are into that, I think it's at what 57, 56 and a half. I this is a this is a very good ball game. It's a very good Kooks team rolling in. You mentioned a letdown spot. That was a big win over Oakie State last week. Now you got to travel west. Rice Eccles and the Must student section, the mighty Utah student section, as there's a lot of pride there. It's gonna be rowdy. Game days there, full day and most of the night to get ready for this one. Where I worry is where Houston and Connor Wegman. Is have been able to control games on the ground. They've been doing it for some lesser defenses at times like versus Oklahoma State last week. And you can do that. They're not going to have the advantage to control this game on the ground with Utah's run defense. They'll be able to make some plays in the air against Utah, and Amari Thomas can get loose, and Braden Pagan is is a really good running back and They use, they can use him out of the backfield. So they'll they'll make their plays. And I I think they can score somewhere in the mid 20s. And a lot of times with Utah style play, you'd say, hey, if you get to 24 points, you you got a real chance there in Rice Eccles. But this is Erich: Not this year. Kevin: a not this year. You mentioned Devin Damp here. now hopefully the country will tune in and stay up late for this. You get to see one of the most fun college quarterbacks. You mentioned Bird Ficklin, the two QB system they run. Way Sean Parker, phenomenal name, better game, home run thome Erich: Home run threat. Home run threat. Kevin: run threat. And you know, Houst Houston, their their defense is it's interesting because it ranks it ranks really well versus the run. Underrated one of the best run defenses out there, so that it's gonna be a challenge for Utah, but Dan Pierre can let it go downfield. and excuse me, I mentioned Braden Pagan earlier for for for Houston. That's what I was thinking of. Braden Pagan or Pagan for Erich: wide receiver for Utah. Kevin: the wide receiver for Utah, yeah. Getting my red teams guys mixed up. He can really go and they can spread it out to a lot of guys there and Houston is abysmal on the back end. That's where OK State feasted, and a lot of teams have feasted on them, but they've been good enough in the ground game. They haven't seen a ground game like this. And then I think they're just gonna get torched in the past. It wouldn't it wouldn't surprise me if the Utes just come out throwing and establish that first because Houston's well into the 100s in a lot of the past defense metrics. So give me the Utes here 34 24. I think it goes over slightly. but really competitive and but you clearly can see that Utah will be the better team in this game. Erich: Yeah, we'll we'll see. I'm certainly gonna tune in. that's gonna be your how much caffeine game of the week how much caffeine did you drink game of the week? And we'll we'll see how it goes. Kevin, let's go to the ACC and we're not gonna cover a ton of games here. I'm gonna add one for us so that we're covering more than one. your boy, James Franklin, going into do we still call it Death Valley at this point? I don't wanna make Clemson fans mad, but let's be real. It hasn't been the deadliest of valleys over the the past couple years. Kevin, I think Clemson beats Virginia Tech here. And then all of a sudden then Clemson's gonna be they'll be five and two. So, you know, this is gonna be your typical Dabo season. Probably ends eight and four, nine and three. And you know, how are you gonna move on from a guy that's eight and four, nine and three? Tough to do that if you're Clemson and hoping for that. But I'm I'm going dabo there. What what say you and James Franklin roles in the town there? Kevin: This could be really stupid, but I'm picking James Franklin and the Hulky's to go Erich: Okay. Kevin: into Death Valley, get get a big win. The these are the type of like big role games that James Franklin does win because there's like not a top ten number next to Clemson. So they just he seems or excuse me. yeah, James Franklin didn't get the chance to go up against Dabble last year in the pinstripe bowl when Pennsite played Clemson. I don't love a couple things for Clemson. Tate Reynolds, I think, is gonna play again, the youngster at quarterback for for Clemson, Vizinas on injury watch in this game. And I don't think it really matters. I think this is strictly Ethan Grunkmeyer is pretty damn good at quarterback for Virginia Tech putting up huge numbers. Kushon Brown's a really good receiver. He just had a near two hundred yard game last week for Georgia Tech. He's pretty good in the punt return game. I think that is enough for the Hokies, more firepower. but it just comes down to Vodtek's, defense showing up versus a team they should be able to corral. So close close game, but give me the Hokies and James Franklin on the road, and that's gonna have the Clemson faithful probably calling for for Dabo's time again. But really interesting interesting game there. Erich: Yeah, this game where if Clemson wins, maybe people are like, okay, we're five and two. Dabble's still here, he's doing his thing. but if it doesn't happen, and on the convert on the flip side of that, if if Franklin goes there and loses, you know, all this early love Vatek fans are feeling for him, maybe they're kind of like, All right, we still have a ways to go. and then you could flip that around the other way, too, like you just said. So that's it's an interesting, like narrative game that way in regards to the coaches. another one, Kevin. So number one team in the country, obviously we're gonna talk about their game. Pitt at Miami. I think I said last week this spread wasn't enough. And boy was I wrong. Miami did get a win, big assist from the refs. I think that was probably this you know that's like that scare they needed. And if Pitt's QB wasn't on for the year, maybe this could be like a shootout, and maybe it kind of is early. But give me my Miami twenty and a half. Give me Miami forty five pit twenty. Kevin: Yeah, that's that's the thing with Pitt is Mason Heinchel out at quarterback. I I I just don't know if there's a path for them to have this within Erich: Yeah. Kevin: two touchdowns or hang around and be interesting. Miami, we know, you know, has they're not a bad defense by by any means, but they've been had in a couple games this year. Crystal balls probably gonna have a pretty tough practice for those kids this week. Can't be happy with them barely surviving Florida State last week. So I would think more focused for Miami. we'll see what type of crowd shows up there. That's the only concern. It can be sleepy at Hard Rock Cafe at a noon Eastern kick with that fan base that is rather fickle. They might not be interested in pit. So maybe Narduzzy gets off the mat and and and puts a scare in into the hurricanes. otherwise they start to go in a tailspin. That'd be three three losses in a row for Pitt when they had when they had some momentum and They're coming they're coming off a tough loss at BC, who Billy O'Brien and the boys, they are playing better football up there in Chestnut Hill, but but that Erich: Playing better football. It's just it's just so hard when you lose your starting QB, and especially in the NIL era. Just the odds that you have two starting caliber QBs on your team is so low. Kevin: Correct. Yeah. You need to be explosive versus Miami, which Florida State has some of the athletes to do that. And Ashton Daniels played played well. Pitt, you know, I just think this is where Miami is going to stack the box. So their run defense will look a little better than it has. And they'll say, hey, beat it, beat us over the top. So if this isn't pit, then then this has a chance to get. get weird. Not that I I think they have I don't think they have enough to win, but Miami anytime they go into colder environments and they've had some issues at Pent in the past, but this isn't the case. This is I think a bounce back spot for Miami who's probably getting chewed out all week in practice. So give me the canes here and I think it yeah they could definitely cover. Erich: Let's keep moving. I love it. And let's do a little group of six. We got three group of six games we want to cover, Kevin. Cause we actually care about the group of six. And to all those out there acting like the group of six should not be a part of the FBI's playoff going forward. Yeah. Kevin and I don't agree because there's some darn good football that can be played in the group of six. And we've got a few good ones this weekend. and I want to close with the game. You know I want to close with Kevin, but let's talk about your sweatshirt that you're currently wearing. Air Force runs in, literally, runs in triple option to War Memorial Stadium and coming off a big win last week over FAU. Air Force about a five and a half point favorite on the road. Interesting fact about Air Force, Kevin. Well, two interesting facts. One, they've already run for over 2,000 yards as a team this season, which given their offensive style, shouldn't surprise us. The surprising thing is that as a team, they haven't even passed for over 400 yards yet. And their starting quarterback hasn't passed cumulatively for 300 yards yet. So they are the definition. Of a running team have been more consistent. Obviously, the run game, they're committed to a certain style. they're playing really well this year. you know, I you know, you know how much you and I love Wyoming. We're both owners of Wyoming hooded sweatshirts for that reason and that program. But I'm gonna go with Air Force here. I I do think they get it done. Kevin: Yeah, I'm leaning Air Force here as well, despite my beautiful hoodie of the Cowboys and this great logo. This is a a really fun game on on Friday. So this is on the CW. We love watching games on the CW. Friday, nine Eastern. I think I think this game's gonna be the over, which is a rare bet. You don't want to bet overs a lot of times with with service academies. However, you know. W Wyoming is a really, really rough defense. Hey, and you don't want to have that versus Air Force, obviously. And Air Force's defense also doesn't rank all that well. So I think there's points to be had here. This is an improved Wyoming team. And the Cowboys will be able to hang in this game with the home crowd. Air Force coming off the big win over UNLV. but Gimme Air Force, I think they're able to cover the four and a half point spread here. I think they can win by a touchdown. I think it's 28-21, maybe just all touchdowns, 27-20, somewhere in there. So rolling with the Falcons and Troy Calhoun have have having a really nice season. Like you said, Colorado Springs to Laramie. Stay up there in the mountains. That's not not too far of a trip. For the Falcons. So that's where I'm going there. What's your initial takes on a really, really big late night Saturday game? It's gonna be going on the same time as Utah Houston, but it's gonna get a lot of flipping out of us. also on the CW. Mountain West Showdown, the Bison of North Dakota State going into New Mexico with your boy Jason Eck. The Lobos got a real chance here. Obviously, they're favored in this one. By four and a half. this would be a really, really big win for either program, whoever can get this one. What are your thoughts? Erich: Yeah. This one I think is going to be the toughest game North Dakota State has played yet. they had a couple of weeks ago the tough game at UNLV. I think this one's gonna be even more difficult. it's gonna be as about the same amount of travel, but it's a night game at New Mexico. And New Mexico, if you look at just how they've played, I mean, let's be real, Kevin. If New Mexico's starting quarterback didn't go down. At the beginning of the season, they win that game at Michigan and they're undefeated right now, and they're the favorite for the G6 playoff spot. I I truly think just based off what we've seen so far and the way that game went, is Mexico had the ball at the end of the game. To I can't remember it was to tie it or to win, but obviously they couldn't get down the field. And I think North Dakota State will hang on early. I do think New Mexico pulls away at the end. You have to give Jason Eck credit here. with what he's done with these both his QBs, how he's used them. And I mean, they've put up a lot of points on teams. They've kind of flexed their muscle against other anyone who's not a power four conference team this year, along the way. they, you know, they won their rivalry game against New Mexico State earlier this year and a big win there. And they just look like they've gotten better every week. last week they started slow against Hawaii, but then they They poured it on. So I think they had a slower game then. And I think just this team, I I love both these programs. We really love Jason Eck. We love the North Dakota State program, but I'm gonna go with the Lobos here. And I think they do cover and I think it's something around the realm of like 31, 21, something like that. I think North Dakota State is competitive and then New Mexico pulls away at the end. And again. Jason Eck is going to be a hot name in the coach of carousel this offseason as they continue to look really, really great every week. Kevin: Yeah, both these guys will be T Tim Polisek for North Dakota Erich: Agreed. Kevin: State. So huge opportunity for both programs. You're going with the lobos and a close one. That's I I think I'm with you on this one. We've we disagreed a lot, but tough, tough, tough to pick against the bison. I think they're favored. Erich: If it was in North Dakota at at their in their dome, it'd be different. I just think this is New Mexico's a very, very good team in the and they're probably the best in the Mountain West right now. Kevin: Yeah, it is gonna be so tight. Expect a lot of punts in this game, by the way, but I don't mind that sometimes. I I think it's gonna still be really good football. It's a more so to do with these are good defenses, but these teams both play really slow and methodical. They're both ranked lower than 125th in the nation in tempo. So and fun fact for you, Erich. These are the top two scoring defenses in the country. So you don't want to get behind in this game. Both teams lack the passing pop to come from behind in this game. I was looking at, schedules. It's hard to say. They both played some tough teams. North Dakota State's got that great win at Air Force. Of course, New Mexico played really well in Norman versus Oklahoma. You know, New Mexico last week went out to the islands and smoked Hawaii. That's never easy to do out there. Like I said, it's gonna be soggy conditions in Albuquerque. Passing is gonna be even tougher. I like the Lobos front a little bit more than the Bison. It's North Dakota State's I'm defensive front, I should say. North Dakota States is is really good, but New Mexico is just a little stronger. That's part of that transition. And North Dakota States done an amazing job transitioning to FPS. We knew. I think this is one of these teams that that can match them maybe a little bit more in this. And it's the home field advantage. So give me New Mexico and the Lobos just making a a few more plays, but this is this is down to the to the bitter end and and a fun late night game to watch. So last one would be in the glass bowl. We talked about this a little last week. Western Michigan going to Toledo in a key maxion game. What say you, Erich? Erich: One's tough. obviously you and I big fans of Coach Lance Taylor there at Western Michigan. he follows us on X, which we love. I I am gonna pick against them there. I just think Toledo's passing game is is really, really good. and and I think the home team here is gonna get it done. And I think it's gonna be based off of how explosive Toledo is on the outside. Kevin: Yeah, that's the tactical advantage in this game. Broncos want to control things on the on the ground with Lowry and Toledo. What do they come into this? They're four four hundred and sixty yards per game, and Western Michigan's 322 yards per game. The Rockets are averaging almost 300 passing yards, and the Broncos are well under 200 yards. So I think it's gonna be still physical, though. These are two of the very best teams in the Mac. really hard to go against the the Broncos. Like you said, Coach Taylor, we appreciate you following us, man. Western Michigan's got the turnover advantage. Hmm. Erich: Ha ha. Kevin: You know what? I think something special, Bruin and Kalamazoo. Give me the Broncos. Erich: Love it. Kevin: They they're able to mine some turnovers off the Rockets in this game. They come to the glass bowl and they get the dub. I think the running quarterback advantage that they have in this game offsets some things. And I'm gonna need a turnover or two and them to dictate style. Otherwise, Toledo's pass game is gonna be tricky. So clash of styles there. I'll go with the Broncos on the road. Erich: I love it. Categories. Commissioner of College Football Jersey Colors right here. Color palette of the week award, Kevin. You and I talked about this a little bit off air. Really, really easy one this week, a classic one. You and I love this game from a color perspective. LSU at Auburn. LSU does that purple and yellow better than everyone, other than maybe the the ECU Pirates. believe it or not, Kevin, was on a call this week with work with someone who lives in that town. There and is a big ECU Pirates baseball fan because they have a great baseball program down there. if Kevin: Love that. Erich: you know, And so that was fun just talking. We were talking about their beautiful logo and you know, calling it the best logo in college foot in college and all that stuff. So fun stuff there. But yeah, this game's gonna be beautiful. It's gonna be fun to watch, and the colors are gonna be great. So, color palette of the week award, LSU at Auburn and Kevin. I'm Quite confident that neither of these teams is gonna wear something weird because neither of these teams ever does that. Kevin: They they never do. You could turn on a game in nineteen fifty-six and look the same today. LSU's rolling in there Erich: Exactly. Kevin: with the the white tops, the yellow britches on the road, and Auburn, the blue tops, white pants. And I respect LSU so much for that old tiger on the helmet that they've kept, similar to USC. LSU could have you know spiced that up or maybe gone with like the eye of the tiger that they have at midfield. Erich: Yeah. Kevin: No, that Old looking tiger is great. It's similar to like USC, that old Trojan. They could have gone SC. I just respect that so much. environment of the week, easy one. It's back out to the Wasatch Mountains, Erich, and your neck of the woods, Salt Lake City, baby, rice eccles stadium, one of the most in underrated environments. I absolutely love games there. It's gonna be a a Great fall night again as the Houston Cougars roll into town. And just really, really fun Big 12 game that means a whole heck of a lot nationally. And tune in, folks. That place is going to be on fire. And I have no doubt that it's not going to be rocking. I know we talked about the the late night Erich: yeah. Kevin: crowd. It's it's not going to affect those Utah fans. Unfortunately, that they're they're used to that. So They're gonna be bringing it fun one. That's the environment of the week, Salt Lake City. Erich: Well, let's do our point spread letdown on the week. I alluded to mine earlier. and you and I disagreed on this a little bit, but Arizona favored by 10 and a half over Iowa State. I think Arizona wins. I just think they don't quite cover. I think it'll be close. I think it's more in that six to nine range, but I I think they're just gonna fall a little short. and Arizona's Iowa State's just that team that fights everyone they play. And I think they get a score late and will. Make some gamblers angry for anyone betting on that game. I'm not a gambler myself, but if if I was, I would stay away from the points in that Kevin: Point spread letdown of the week for me is you might be tempted to take Auburn getting seven and a half at points at home versus LSU. I'm not buying it. LSU not only wins, they cover. I think they could win by two touchdowns. I love what Auburn's doing with Alex Goish, but I don't think they're at the spot yet as a program to put together a win over the number one team in the country and come home the following week. I think there's gonna be too many pats on the back. Little lack of focus. I think L S U is is focused coming into this game. And it's gonna be a letdown for those fans because they're gonna be riled up, rightfully so, after that Georgia win. But give me LSU by two scores in Jordan Hare. To the upsets of the week, Erich, what do you got there? Erich: So I am going with Minnesota over Iowa. And this is I think PJ Flack has only beat Iowa once since he's been at at Minnesota. And so that's why I'm making this my upset of the week. Obviously, Iowa is ranked in the top 20. So there's that component to it as well. But this would be a really big win for PJ Flack. His a team that he has his entire time back when it was the Big Ten West and then even into now, he's very had very little success against Iowa. So if I'm an Iowa fan, I'm excuse me, a p a Minnesota fan, boy, it would feel good to just get at least one more win over Iowa while PJ Fleck is still there. So upside of the week for me, Minnesota rowing the boat over Iowa in what's probably not a pretty game. Kevin: No, but PJ would love getting his hands on on on that slippery pig, the Floyd of Rosedale, and who who who knows? Yeah. Erich: yeah. Just he'll rub some blood from one of his players all like he'll paint his whole face this time. He won't just rub it on his cheeks. Kevin: Yeah. Erich: Ha ha ha ha. Kevin: I don't really have a huge upset this week. I I was looking and I I felt it would have been forced if if I picked one. So I think it's a little bit more tane this week, even though there's gonna be amazing games as always. I guess it'd be Texas beating all miss. That's what I gave up with. It it's Erich: Yeah, that's fair. I mean with how they've looked and it would be, you know, hey, it's a win over a top ten team, it vaults them right back into the conversation they want to be in. They gotta just win out now. But yeah, no, I I think that's fair. I mean it doesn't feel great saying it for this category, but Kevin: Yeah, it's it's only num it's and I've been bolder in other spots. So yeah, number nineteen over number seven, even though Texas is is favored out in the desert, but that's that's what I'm going with. Just the fact that he said I'm picking Texas to win a football game probably is is the upset of the week. So last but not least, game of the week, Erich, what do you got? Erich: Yeah, we talked about this a couple of times already. Salt Lake City, Rice Cycle Stadium, Houston at Utah. It should be getting more attention than it is. This should be a daytime game. 3:30 kickoff at the latest. It's not, I'll still be watching because I'm mountain time here and it'll be on around 8 15 for me. So huge one in terms of like who's still at the top as we go. And again, if Utah does win. And BYU keeps winning. We are continuing to build to an epic game on November seventh, which if it sounds like I'm cheering for it, of course I am. It'll be like the biggest in-game state between those two, in-game in state game between those two ever. So I think Utah Utah's gonna win that game, but I think it's gonna be a great game. And I think it's gonna be the fans are gonna be up for this one top 15 matchup between those two. Kevin: Got the same just so we can pound the table on this game again, Erich. central time zone for me. I'll be up till 12 30 in the morning. Doesn't matter when this kicked off. Erich: Yeah. Kevin: This is I love watching teams like Utah at night, and they got a really fun opponent coming in. Willie Fritz and the Kooks don't sleep sleep on them. I I know Morgan Scalley in in Utah is not. That's a fun one. And with that said, that is another show in the books, Erich. So Thank you, folks Erich: That's it. Kevin: out there that have continued to watch. We appreciate the comments. Anything else you gotta say, to bring up any one of your teams, ask a question. If if we didn't discuss your team, let us know, you know, if you want our thoughts on us and whatever it is. We'll we'll talk college football about anything and everything. So we appreciate you guys more than we could say. Erich: Thanks guys. Have a good week.