Transcript
Speaker: This. is Gateway Sports. Ladies and gentlemen, I've got a couple questions for you. Do you love college sports as much as I do? Are you always wondering where you can find the latest NCAA reports?
Speaker: When you come to the right place. Welcome, sports fans. Peace. The NCAA Report. Gee that sounds kind of interesting.
Speaker: to win. Game.
Speaker: May he shine.
Speaker: young man. Burp out.
Speaker: um this is for your own good The moment you've all been waiting for. All right, here we are, folks. It is time for the NCAA Report. we Switch up this year. My old partner, Russ Robinson, is recovering from a health concern, health scare. so I wish him well in his recovery.
Speaker: And so we've got this season, we're going to have a, I got a new. Co -pilot, if you will. You heard him last year at the NCAA Tournament time. He is the Homer High School basketball legend, Gary Cromwell.
Speaker: And we're going to call this... The NCAA Report with Uncle Don and Krom. Gary, welcome. Thank you, Don. Appreciate it. So switching from the hardwood to the gridiron and you see what we can do on this deal. And glad to see you're healthy. Well, for those of you that don't know, I had my own little health scare ah back in April.
Speaker: um Well, early before that, I was having some issues. ah And in April, I ended up undergoing a four -way bypass open heart surgery. Everything is is doing well. i'm I'm doing well. I've actually lost a lot of weight. So that's helping. yeah I'm ready to get back into this mess here and talk some sports.
Speaker: Ready when you are. All right. Well, the first thing, we talked about this a little bit, do you and I, before the show. What do you mean? What do you make of the... the hullabaloo now. I mean, because it kind of flew under the radar for a little bit.
Speaker: Nobody really knew what was going on. With LSU. wanting to court the services of a NFL... player who got released and this comes on the heels of a couple of basketball players that have got G League contracts or two -way contracts, getting back into heighted into college sports and playing.
Speaker: And the Big Ten. kind of upped the ante on the SEC and said, oh, by the way, we're not allowing that to happen in the Big Ten. And that was unanimous. All 18 teams said this ain't going to happen. And now the SEC is saying, oh, well, we're going to do the same thing. What do you make of all that?
Speaker: yeah Yeah, it'd be nice for the NCAA to kind of get ahead of the mess before all this comes about. It just seems like, you know, you... Cover one hole and another one. you know pops up and um just uh seems like the ones that benefit the most of the lawyers sometimes the Players seem like they win most of the time, but the the lawyers seem like they win all the time. but no you I don't like it. I didn't like it for basketball. so Certainly don't like it for football. it really ah You know, that's the timings of... ah
Speaker: you know, rosters and and and recruiting and and and, you know, you. kind of get your your high school kids. out there and then all of a sudden you're bringing back you know two or three guys that could You know, take their spots or or any spot, really. Right. and ah So that surprised me that LSU took the... first shot at it with with ah their landscape of immorals with their coaches. I hope it doesn't.
Speaker: drag into the courts and we just have you know one junction after another where the Of course, they haven't played and they can't and all that. Glad the Big Ten took a step forward and glad the SEC's thinking, sitting there, he's following the lead. and
Speaker: yeah And his reports are the ACC and Big 12 are probably going to follow in quick order yeah to make it kind of a powerful or unanimous. Yeah. One of these things, though. Maybe all the guidelines will fall into place, but it's time for Congress to get involved. That's all there is going to do.
Speaker: Uh, yeah i mean it's it's i'm sure one of these days it'll it'll come to that but um Until then, we have... $40 million dollars rosters, playing against $20 million dollars rosters, playing against $10 million dollar rosters, you know and and the rich get richer.
Speaker: Probably going to get the better players, right? Well, i I mean, that's the way it stands to reason. And and you know like you said, I think a lot of this... and I've said it before too, is that a lot of this has become the product of the NIL.
Speaker: I mean, yeah, I mean, don't get me wrong. yeah For years, universities have been profiting off the kids. And the kids have seen nothing for it except. supposedly in education.
Speaker: Which isn't all bad. Which isn't all bad. I mean, so and some of them made some very good strides with that. I mean, like I think currently of the Illinois AD, Josh Whitman. Ended up with two master's degrees and now he's a...
Speaker: One of the top 80s in the country. so you know But, you know, for years, I mean, it was it was the kids that... that that did all the work and and got all the glory, but the university got all the money.
Speaker: You know, ah and I was glad to see them say, OK, we could. But I think. They opened the barn door. Way too wide to start with. And now they can't close the damn thing. i i don't think it i don't think ever anybody ever even thought that uh the The players will be making the money that they are. Hand over fist, the millions. and Um,
Speaker: Not being really. Hell of a count. We'll go into classes. I mean, you see some players. um you know, going six, seven years at six, seven different schools. And and and a lot of those, you know, grades are are not.
Speaker: uh transferred Yeah. So they don't really have a lot to show for. They don't graduate with, you know, graduate and they run out of money. Then they're, you know, back to kind of ground done Clark is on his. Left UCL, he's going to be in at LSU this year, I think it is.
Speaker: I think Scott Clark in basketball. you yeah And you say you said you see it happening all over the place. ah um The quarterback. for um Nebraska.
Speaker: ah Yeah. Moved out, and then you had the Tennessee quarterback that, you know. And and it's it's yeah it it attends to the one. quarterback last year oh my i mean it's just it's I kind of like, and I can't remember which coach came up with it. There was one coach that came out and said. yeah There's a way to end it.
Speaker: You get... When you first enroll, you get one free transfer. But... When you transfer... You have to stay two years. And if you go to ten if you go to transfer again... It has to go before a panel. And it has to be for hardship reasons. You can't just transfer because you want more money.
Speaker: Well, I mean that that would make sense. you know um you just can't keep throwing money at kids and then they go and take somebody else's money and The recruiting boards are just...
Speaker: yeah you know i'm sure they would probably look like My chessboard. i have pretty messy and not knowing what the hell I'm doing. I get that. but I get that for sure. yeah For sure. All right. Let's move on to something a little bit more, more fun to talk about. um talk a little bit maybe about the uh ball rankings.
Speaker: if you will. And how. what we what what we might expect you kind of got the usual suspects up there for the most part um on those rankings, ah no matter which one you.
Speaker: You look at. I happen to be looking at... ESPN's college football preview, just for an example. and You know, I was going to Ohio State and... Oregon and Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas, the top five. you know i don't think that's i don't think it's out of the out of the realm of uh i mean it's And you're your're you look at, ah I've got them pulling the AP up now.
Speaker: Um... This goes from the bottom of the list up. Unfortunately, I wish it went your way. That's all right. All right. So, yeah, they got Ohio State number one, like you said, Oregon two. And I've seen that flip in a couple of different polls. I've seen that flip.
Speaker: Let's see. We got Georgia three, Notre Dame four, and Texas five, Indiana six. and That's basically what this is here. Yeah. Yeah. And Miami seven, Texas A and &M eight, Mississippi nine. And Oklahoma rounds out the top 10. I'm actually a little bit shocked of that one.
Speaker: um I think Oklahoma. We can start anywhere you want. It's your show. Yeah, no, go ahead. Get along. so ah I think Lom was counting on ah Mater, the quarterback. Yeah. He was hurt last year, and they they kind of lost. but they They had a really, really good defense.
Speaker: Blackster, Oklahoma dead. I think there's a couple. spots they've got to Fill in there. But I think. or uh I'm afraid Simon is... uh dynamite yeah and uh so i think and then you know the Depends on the schedule and we can kind of look you know on those certain teams. And always the preseason rankings. Russ and I have always said the preseason rankings are just a guess.
Speaker: That's just something to talk about. somebody Somebody to give up people like you and I sit there and talk about. Yeah. And they got Mississippi at nine. um And you I'll say.
Speaker: After Kiffin left last year for LSU. And I still... To this day, I'm... I'm very respectful of Pete Golding for the job he did when he, you know.
Speaker: He got thrown into a situation he didn't want. And he made the most of it He did a great job in the playoffs there. Yeah. And so... I think.
Speaker: Everybody's probably got that. September 19th at 6 .30 p .m. Week three. when uh The Tigers. there's a Love you.
Speaker: That Ole Miss. yeah that I think that'll be a sellout. I got this feeling. that They ain't going to find a seat in the place. Think game day will be there? Oh, what?
Speaker: What? All right, I... i If I would if i would have have a bet on which game they really would like to see, but that I think they would. I think they would. That'll be hyped from all you if you ban it'll be It'll be hype starting in to start next week. Imagine the... Well then.
Speaker: Security will be pretty... ah You might say that. You might say hey that. I think that... The National Guard may be on hand. Oh, maybe not at the stadium, but they'll be within close proximity. I got this feeling. so yeah But, yeah, yeah that's going to be fun. I mean, it is going to be a fun game to watch yeah when those two teams out match up. I mean, i both of them are really good teams, and you know but you kind of like it. It's kind of like when when Bill Self left Illinois.
Speaker: You kept hoping that they would face Kansas and we would stick it. Hello. I think it's just going to be talking about this here so we didn't want to face ocean where want to face it. means is that too so It's kind of the same thing here. I mean, you know, ah you know Mississippi, they're like, okay, you you left us. We're going to show your butt.
Speaker: Be, you know, be a top 10 matchup. Oh yeah. Pretty much. I mean, unless. so I don't think either one would probably get upset. Yeah. And then, let's see, eight, we got Texas A and &M. A lot of people are looking at them to take the Big 12.
Speaker: Oh, no, they're SEC now, aren't they? Yeah. They're being lined to take a shot at the SEC. I don't know if they'll do it. I mean, they got a tough road to hoe with Georgia in the way. Well, you do, and and a lot of people...
Speaker: we're writing them last year and they kind of uh fell at the end a little bit. yeah i'm Maybe it's a good run. vi Some are saying they're overhyped a little bit. Maybe. You know doesn't c really you don't you don't know until you get on the field and everything shakes out.
Speaker: I imagine they'll probably be in the mix. Yeah. I mean, they've got some tough road contests coming up and is conference -wise. that At LSU, Alabama, and Oklahoma. So that'll be... ah yeah that'll be a test for him for sure on road wise absolutely you know Miami, ah a lot of people picking Miami to take the ACC.
Speaker: Yeah. Which I think that's illogical. I mean, after what they've done, after what they did last year, they surprised the holy hell out of me. yeah i did not expect them to make the run that they made You know, he really took off there in the playoffs and, you know, had a couple hiccups in the regular season. and um Matter of fact, didn't win the ACC. No, they didn't win the ACC. Yeah. i mean Right. So, so I think.
Speaker: probably a challenge to them would maybe be. you know probably clemson virginia maybe louisville in the ACC, but I think Miami will be in the hunt. well you know for not only to win the ACC, but to you know continue on in the playoffs.
Speaker: yeah their Their quarterback that they got out of Duke. um You know, he he had a decent year, so they're looking to come back. Then try and try it again. Indiana at number six. I mean...
Speaker: Three Big Ten teams there in the top six. In the top six. Is Indiana kind of a little overrated maybe? I mean, I'm not supposed to feel, but I think Signetti, I think... Indiana was maybe in the top. i don't I don't think they were number one, but I think they were the top couple of filling holes for transfers. Yeah.
Speaker: And Cignetti seems to do a pretty good job with that. He does well with that, yeah. The quarterback they got. um They got that. Well, they got that receiver from Michigan State, that tall, fast. ah Mark? is nick mar Nick Marsh. Yeah. And. ah so
Speaker: They're just kind of, this quarterback settles down for them. They're, you know, as long as he doesn't throw a lot of picks and stuff. But, yeah. Yeah, I mean, no. They'll be there. Yeah. I mean, and arere already already i I know they were national champions last year. So people are probably saying, over overrated? Are you crazy?
Speaker: But you know I guess if you look at it, they did lose a lot of key. Key guys after that. Mendoza, I think. I mean... um the The quarterback they have coming in of Josh Houles from TCU. yeah I mean...
Speaker: He's not Mendoza. There's no two ways about that. That really is pretty favorable through the first five games. i mean North Texas, Howard, Western Kentucky, Northwestern, Rutgers. They do go to Nebraska. Ohio State at home at Michigan. That's a blessing, Ohio State at home. Yeah, and then USC at home later on and then at Washington. so But, you know, it's it's a schedule with the schedule that they can make something out of. Yeah. Yeah, no doubt. No doubt.
Speaker: So number five is Texas. They got Ohio State coming in to Austin. Mm -hmm. Now, last year, I believe... and Columbus, Ohio State.
Speaker: Won that game 14 -7. I believe you're right. But yeah, now now it's going to be a little bit different. They've still got Arch Manning texting. Yep, does.
Speaker: And that's September 12th. That's right game two on the schedule. Yeah. Ohio State's first Big Ten game is Illinois at home, the 26th. Yeah. who do we Did you have to remind me of that one? Yeah, I did. again you know martin I mean, start the season out 0 -1, but I think that's what's going to happen. Might as well get it out of the way. yeah Yeah, get that first loss out of the way. And Ohio State, they've got their the Big Ten schedule. They've got Illinois at home at Iowa.
Speaker: Maryland at home. At Indiana, at USC, and then Oregon home. That's three straight. Weekends. You know, they'll be tested. That's a gauntlet. That's for sure. They finished out in Nebraska and Michigan at home. So they they didn't have the.
Speaker: They don't have games on that schedule. And Texas, like I said. the You know, we'll see how they how they fare. I mean, they they did well last year. there ex there's A lot of the lot of the key players are coming back. They picked up a couple of kids.
Speaker: ah from other schools to fill in some gaps. So we'll see how that works. Notre Dame, number four. Think about the Notre Dame schedule. I didn't see it. and I have to take a look at it here. it's Pretty easy.
Speaker: It usually that is for Notre Dame. Yeah. I know they have Miami at home. USC is off the schedule. Okay, they've got week one. They've got Wisconsin.
Speaker: Week two, Rice. Week three, Michigan State. Week four, Purdue. Those first three are at home. Yeah, the first three are at home. fourth Then they got to go to Purdue. I'm sorry, I should have said that. Then they go to North Carolina.
Speaker: ah Then Stanford at home. BYU on the road, Navy on the road. Miami at home, Boston College at home. SMU at home, and Syracuse on the road to finish out the season.
Speaker: Pretty much looks like 11 -1 to me, and it would only be maybe a loss to Miami. yeah that And that may not even happen. so I mean, depending... yeah I mean, I could i could see...
Speaker: I could see... An early game like Wisconsin giving them a you know give them a run for their money. Is that game in Lambeau? Where it's going to be at. Lambeau Field. I mean...
Speaker: They're right now, the they're giving who's a Microsoft or whoever's running this poll. gives them ah Wisconsin a 10 % chance of winning. So, which sure i think is not right. That's not right. But, you know, I mean, early in the season, we've seen that happen early in the season.
Speaker: you know, with, with, luer day yeah you know, i walk but with any school room. I mean, you get that one team that's... You know, you just have that bad day, and your your team's hyped because that's who they're facing. It was a pop -up. in Northern caught him a couple years ago. Yeah. Took Notre Dame. So it's possible. But I agree with you. I think the rest of that schedule is pretty, I mean, Purdue.
Speaker: Rice. UNC. That could be – I mean, UNC might give them a good game for a little while, but I think they'll – I don't think Belichick has turned to a character. He's had a little more problems than just the team. Oh, yeah. know that Well, there there you go. oh We won't get into that. That's ah that's a for another different show. Yeah.
Speaker: All right, so then we go to Georgia's number three. And. Smart. In the AP poll, they said they're number three, but did not get any first place votes.
Speaker: and How do you do that? and Get a lot of second and third. i and they they're they're They're bringing back their pretty much their offense with Stockton and Frazier. um I think.
Speaker: The rest of the schedule, i I think, isn't. isn it you know too bad for them i mean they're at arkansas they have oklahoma to home Yeah, Vanderbilt was tough last year, but they have them at home at Alabama. Florida's in Atlanta.
Speaker: which is obviously in Georgia at Ole Miss. Missouri, South Carolina, Georgia Tech I think they're the the favorite of the SEC. Oh, yeah, no doubt.
Speaker: So then we all move on to number two, Oregon. and So, yeah, and... Like I said, I've seen a lot of cases where, depending on the poll you look at, I think USA Today has Oregon at one.
Speaker: Sporting News has Oregon at three. I mean, it just depends on which poll you look at. but You know, in that top five is definitely where we're. Where are you going to find them? Um... Now, schedule wise.
Speaker: There it is. Start out with Boise State. Oklahoma State and Portland State for their... their Free season. if you will, or non -conference, then it's at USC.
Speaker: Home versus UCLA. Home versus Nebraska. And come to Illinois. Home vs. Northwestern. You mentioned earlier they go to Ohio State.
Speaker: They got Michigan at home, Michigan State on the road, and they end up at Washington. in Ohio State game, day number seven. i mean that Probably going to And, then you know, UCLA in California could be.
Speaker: Could be dicey for them. Yeah. and no i'm not so I'm not saying USC's definitely got a... is a has a but there're But they're going to be a better team than what we've faced. And right now they're looked at they're ranked at number 14, USC is. I miss you now, Lincoln and Riley, finally.
Speaker: Get a USC team over the. Hump Well, that's the next question. that That's another subject for another show. yeah you know just They just haven't really clicked under him. Now they they had four or five close losses last year. Right. lost a bunch in the final minute. but we we We beat them at our place last year. so you know look They say they're loading up.
Speaker: And I'm... I'm sure that's right. so Yeah, and we've talked enough about Ohio State being number one. So let's look at the back half of this top 25. There's Ole at number 11 with LSU. We have Texas Tech at 12.
Speaker: Alabama at number 13. BYU at 14, USC at 13. BYU and USC are both tied at 14. Michigan 16, Washington 17, Penn State 18.
Speaker: We've got a lot of Big Ten teams right there in that middle pack. ah SMU at 19, Tennessee 20, Utah 21, Iowa 22. Houston 23, Louisville 24, and our good old friends down in the...
Speaker: Missouri country at 25. How far down we got to go to find other teams. The others receiving votes, Clemson, Florida, Boise State. Hey, Illinois was in the top 30, or top 31.
Speaker: So there we go. We'll see. We'll take that, you know. New quarterback this year. oh yeah i've never seen about that uh anybody in that in that second group i mean Well, look at the first two, the 11 and 12, because that's going to be your cutoff for the playoffs is your top 12.
Speaker: So. yeah I don't think there's any too much argument with those two. Texas Tech is looked at as being probably the Big 12 rep this year. yeah um know We've talked about LSU, what they've got. you know Can Alabama make the inroad there?
Speaker: you think or i don't know i mean they were the outside looking in last year and You know, after this NIL stuff started, it seems like they just kind of... america and It's still Alabama. It's not the it's not the Bear Bryant Alabama. No, or at the Nick Saban either. Yeah, or Nick Saban, exactly. Now, BYU at 14.
Speaker: They have as much chance to win the ah Big 12 as Texas Tech, I think. So you could see a flip there. I would say Texas Tech, BYU, you might Houston might have an outside chance. yeah some Some are saying Oklahoma State, but I don't see that. i think they could be Well, we'll pre find that out when they in their first game their first big game against Oregon. That's in week two.
Speaker: Well, yeah. and so We'll be able to move from Llewyn, at least. ah USC, Michigan, Washington, Penn State, all grouped right there together. Four Big Ten teams. Four Big Ten teams.
Speaker: I think if Michigan and or if UCSC can put it together, like you said, if... if if ah Riley can get it put together over there. you know They may have a shot at getting in. when I do. i I mean, I have.
Speaker: I think the talent's there. It's just that they can. get it together on the scoreboard right and I think they can put a full four quarter game together. Yeah. Thank you. Oregon and Ohio State at home and at Indiana, so... And then they play Washington. You know, people people are kind of.
Speaker: Up on Washington, too, as you. Thing is, you know, at number 17. So do I'll take a look at Washington's schedule. Washington State, Utah State, Eastern Washington. So they're getting their Western swing out of the way early. Uh...
Speaker: And... Minnesota at home, at USC. Iowa at home, at Purdue, at Nebraska. Penn State at home. At Michigan State.
Speaker: And it worked. How would you like to end the season? Indiana, Oregon, back -to -back to end the season? Yeah. You're at home against san Indiana. Yeah. You could be in pretty good shape. you be I mean, they could really be in good shape because I don't see.
Speaker: outside of maybe USC and Iowa. Big Ten wise. Taking them down. Yeah, and Iowa's at home, and they are... They are at Nebraska and he's interesting. i see am not I'm not convinced on Penn State yet. I'm not convinced that they're that they're a top 25 team.
Speaker: I think they're going to be good. Don't get me wrong. Or in a top 20 team, I should say. But I just don't see them at that where they've got them at 18. Michigan State. You know, they're they're bottom of the Big Ten division. Yeah.
Speaker: So, yeah, I'm Gerald coach there now. I'm sure he oh i know a little bit. Yeah, I mean, turn it around, but it's going to take a couple of years for these guys. i yeah he Although I think he's got a better shot at turning around than Odom does at Purdue. Probably correct, yeah. Yes. That's a given. So, yeah, I can see him.
Speaker: What a scene. nine, eight, nine, or seven, eight wins before they get to the end of the season. Yeah, I mean... ah if They're as good as people are thinking.
Speaker: They could be 1 -10 -0 even they going in there. Going in there. It's finally two games. A little bit of luck. and Yeah, get some luck going your way here and there. And like I said, the schedule looks favorable to them. Michigan. I just don't know about Michigan. New coach, right?
Speaker: Yeah. whatdding him is it winning wing what he would I can't remember what the continued coach's name is there. Kyle Whittingham. Whittingham. Yeah, from Utah. Um,
Speaker: well we win Big Ten's been raiding the state from of Utah, haven't they? Yeah, yeah. Head coach for Michigan, our defensive coordinator. I see they've got – like I said, they do play Oklahoma first second game of the season, so that could be a – Good contest for them. Yeah, that's in Ann Arbor. um you know And then they have they get lucky with Iowa. They play them at home.
Speaker: for their first Big Ten game. Then next it's UTEP Minnesota, Penn State. i They got Indiana at home. but Boy, you can know the good ones at home. They ain't got to travel for these big games. Boy, it sure does seem like it. They got Oklahoma at home, Iowa at home, Penn State, Indiana at home.
Speaker: Or do they do go late. Yeah. They go to Oregon and and Ohio State. That's not a bad early schedule. Oh, no, I think that early schedule is very favorable for them. Penn State at 18. And again, like I said, I'm just not sold. I got the new coach from. Iowa State yeah Let's see who we got. We got Marshall, Temple, old Buffalo. Well, they should start at least 3 -0.
Speaker: its they usually do Which they usually do. all they but They play at Temple. And they have home games against Marshall and Buffalo. And they got Wisconsin. the western camp Took that job. I think me and you could coach that.
Speaker: Those first three games, he can mail that in. Let's see. Wisconsin at home, Northwestern at home. Arianne Evanston. USC at home. at Michigan, Purdue at home.
Speaker: At Washington, Minnesota at home. Rutgers at home and at Maryland. Actually, with that schedule, I can see them making some hay. I didn't realize their schedule was that was that. It's one of the easier ones in the Big Ten. Well, you're only playing one.
Speaker: How Washington would be. And then what? USC. USC at home. I mean, they they don't play they don't play a top 10 team. ah They don't have to play Ohio State. They don't have to play Indiana. They don't have to play Oregon.
Speaker: home than that michigan and yeah washington Yeah, well, Coach wouldn't like to have that schedule coming in. Um... So we saw i'll buy i'll buy their ill I'll buy the hype they can win that that that many games. I'm just not going to buy the hype they're that good. Yeah.
Speaker: We talked about Washington a lot already. SMU at 19, Tennessee at 20. They might have a shot at the SEC. Yeah, they might get a a shot here. Let me tell you a little bit about what they've got. They start with Florida State. And i' have heard I've read a couple of different things about that one. That you know that could be the Florida State's coach.
Speaker: Death knell if he loses to SMU. They kind of bottomed out in a hurry last year. But then he got you UC Davis, Louisville. I have no idea knew who that is.
Speaker: Missouri State. Oh, Missouri State? Yeah, Missouri State. That's right. That's Missouri State. Sometimes these abbreviations get me. Boston College. Now, both those are at home. The Louisville game is on the road.
Speaker: ah Virginia, they got three straight home games. Missouri State, Boston College, and UVA. And Cal. Four straight games at home. How'd they get that? And that's not that's actually a pretty good. scheduled for them in that respect. kind Virginia Tech and James Franklin. uh -huh espn game yeah that's gonna be a good game Wake Forest. They got Notre Dame. They got at Notre Dame and at Stanford. Well, they don't play Miami. you No, they don't get Miami. It's like Louisville.
Speaker: Virginia. would would yeah maybe... given the Maybe the most trouble. Yeah. a well yeah hi As far as conferencewise far as conference -wise. -wise. Virginia Tech could give them a game for a little bit forward for sure. I know. It's kind of late in the season. Big game, James. Yeah. That's true. and with agney lates That's true. They might have a shot at it.
Speaker: Tennessee, who we trounced. We didn't trance. We didn't trance. We got to dub you. We got to dub. We get the dub out of it. Let's see, Georgia Tech, Furman, Kennesaw.
Speaker: They start out there. Conference was Texas. And then Auburn, Arkansas, Bama. Alabama and Tennessee. That. Yeah. It's like death and taxes. I'm always counting on it. Third week in October. Yep. And then at South Carolina, they got Kentucky, at Texas A and &M.
Speaker: Home versus LSU, and then they get the giant killer. They got to go play Vanderbilt. Hey, Vandy was here. I mean, there. That program is coming on. Yeah. I mean, I don't expect them to win the SEC anytime soon.
Speaker: But they're making their mark now. For sure. Thanks a lot for coming on. kind of nowhere last year. but They were 10 -3, 62 in the SEC. And you kind of see the year, but that saw the year before when they beat the...
Speaker: Alabama. Like it was. Um... You can see that that that but program program is starting to change. And I think it's actually good for the SEC to see Vandy come back. I mean, they were 10 -2, then they lost to Iowa by a touchdown and and and a bowl game. And there's no slouch in that.
Speaker: Well, the two losses were Alabama and Texas. yeah Yeah. Good to see that. Yeah. see that and We got Utah. Who? Yeah, you know I don't know. um Let's hear it, babe.
Speaker: They're a big 12, so. i mean They could have a shot at making a name in the Big 12 title race, but I don't see it. Let's see. They got Idaho, Arkansas, Utah State, Iowa State, Kansas, Colorado.
Speaker: They've got to play Houston. And BYU. Houston's at home BYU, both of them at home. You're on the road. a bit Actually, they could they could repeat. I think they're... gay they're tough they're Trip -up games are probably going to be Houston at home.
Speaker: And TCU on the road. I think Arizona possibly on the road. and But they have a new coach as well. Yeah. I mean, that ranking is probably about right for them.
Speaker: Iowa at 22. Iowa's a team that probably could wreck a lot of people's schedule this year. If I own them. Can score more than... 14 years ago.
Speaker: They're trouble. baymer who do you actually Actually, I probably did that a little too high. i I'd say they can score more than like 11. 11, yeah. and ah They got Northern Illinois, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa.
Speaker: Then they start their Big Ten season. oh Right out of the box. Michigan, Ohio State, Washington. Yeah, you know, and a few weeks ago, somebody and I... I don't know what channel I had it on. was saying It might have been maybe the Big Ten channel saying how how easy Iowa's schedule was. And when I went and looked at that a couple weeks ago and then... studying again here tonight.
Speaker: I go. At Michigan, Ohio State at home, and at Washington, I mean, that's no picnic. Yeah, I mean, now now the back half of the schedule is not bad for them. ah at Minnesota.
Speaker: home versus wisconsin at northwestern home versus purdue at illinois and home versus nebraska yeah you know Yeah. The only game there that I think that they're in trouble with would be the Illinois game. Well, Nebraska, they you know. Hey, Nebraska. keeps there You know, Matt Rule keeps thinking they're going to.
Speaker: Yeah, but I think that game being in Iowa City, that's where I think I don't think. Yeah, I was. It was Nebraska the last, a last kind nebrass oh You could get some decent travel out of out of that one.
Speaker: you know no doubt with that oh absolutely yeah they still travel well they still travel pretty good So. let's and Let's take a quick break. We'll finish off this top 25 and then we'll have some thoughts on week zero.
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Speaker: Go to liquidiv .com using the promo code GCS at checkout. And we are. back it's the ncw report with Uncle Don and Crumb.
Speaker: I have partner Gary Cromwell sitting in this year. taking over the reins. As my co -pilot. And so how do you like it so far? So far, so good.
Speaker: Okay. That's the best I can hope for, folks. Huh? So we were like... Not a whole lot to work with yet until we start saying something. Until we start getting into the games and start talking about stuff. So we've got the two or three left here on the top 25. Houston, Louisville, Missouri.
Speaker: Uh... And i'm kind of I'm kind of sorry Russ isn't here to talk about Missouri because he yeah he's he's my missour my Missouri guy. He talks about it a lot, so sorry that he can't. cant yeah And just to let you guys know, he had he had a...
Speaker: And i I don't think he'd mind me letting you know. He did have, his medical problem was he had a ah kidney issue. Acute kidney failure, passed out in his at home. Oh, my. ah spent some time in ICU, so he's recovering.
Speaker: and And I wish him well. and Hopefully he's doing okay. Yeah. And, you know, we we might i might it up to it. I might bring him back for a three -way guest host here once one time. So we'll see what happens with that. but But, you know, so my my prayers and and well wishes to Russ. And like I said, I got i got a great co -pilot right now with for the for this season. So let's continue on. We'll tuck him mil lookcus we'll just go to the bottom and take a look at Missouri.
Speaker: Yeah, they did. They did. Well, last year, I mean, they really. They had people talking the first half of the year. Since joining the SEC in football, they've done...
Speaker: ah really well. Yeah. I think. i don't see why i can't continue i i think there's a lot of uh uh pipe the that's uh going on down there you didn' when they joined the SEC.
Speaker: I figured they would take over basketball in the SEC. When they got when they first. God in. you know or Maybe may not take it over, but they would be in the in the upper echelons.
Speaker: Well, good. Drink with me. Seventh season there. 46 and 29. Which is a new record for the SEC, yeah. Well, yeah. you know, they're You know, last year they were 8 -5, 4 -4 in the SEC.
Speaker: Their losses came to Alabama by three. At Vanderbilt by seven. At home to Texas A &M, lost by 21, 38, 17. They lost that in Oklahoma. I watched that game. Lost 17 -6, and then they lost...
Speaker: In a bowl game, they're probably. Probably like to have that one back. Lost to Virginia 13 -7. And seventy and i if I remember right, too, they led part of that Alabama game. you know If I remember right, they led part of that game. so Let's see. Looks like, uh, what's has a new contract. Oh yeah.
Speaker: $10 million per year. More than $10 million. Not bad. So where do I go to get that kind of money? But this year... They play at Mississippi State. I mean, this is conference.
Speaker: Right. At home to Florida, at home to A &M, at Ole Miss. Right. At Arkansas, Texas at home, at Georgia, Kentucky at home. They have a very tough. Tough schedule. yeah that That is, I mean, is well I count just in the preseason rankings, I count, what, five ranked teams they got to play right. over you know Yeah. um
Speaker: and you know and And they've got Kansas as one of their non -conference games, which be that's their rival. That's their rival. That's their rival. is or the game Oh, yeah. i'm that's That's a standard game. so But Kansas is no slouch, really.
Speaker: when it comes to to football right now. But yeah, i and Mississippi State, even though they're not ranked, that's always a dangerous team to play, especially. Yeah. you know at their place.
Speaker: What do you got? Yeah, three in a row of Florida, Texas A &M and Ole Miss. And then you've got. Three of the last four Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma with Kentucky sandwiched in there. Yeah i mean yeah yeah i Good luck to the Tanagers. That's a killer schedule. um How they're ranked 25, I really don't have a clue.
Speaker: you know, that, you know, scheduled and just, you know, even if you lose the game against, you know, the. Somebody in the top 25, you're not going to. They're really going to drop. Looks like they also have a 25th in the coaches poll as well.
Speaker: And they still got question marks, it looks like. the Amar Hardy, the running back, is still questionable. And they're saying he may not even play at all this year. Well, like I said, good luck to... to Missouri for that. see Louisville is number 24. We've talked about them. louis Houston.
Speaker: Houston's and an interesting... Play to me. In that. Is. I mean, if outside of... Texas Tech. and Utah.
Speaker: and maybe Oklahoma State. They really... they They've got a wide open shot at 11 wins. Yeah, well, they were 10 -3 last year. Yeah. and yeah so um I don't think they can really be. Yeah, at Texas Tech, September.
Speaker: 18th, so that must be a Friday night game. friday ah like and That's on Fox. Yeah, so there we go. so You know, you get past that. And then didn the next one you got to worry about is Utah. Yeah.
Speaker: So there could be a fun, fun, fun time down in Houston town. So, so let's go to let's go now to the room. The week zero. I always love that. week How did they come up with week zero?
Speaker: i just I just want to know. I can answer that one. Okay. then Just thought I'd ask. All right, so week zero, I mean, and... Usually there's one.
Speaker: Really good game you can find on Week Zero, but I had to kind of struggle a little bit. I did find a couple that I think are going to be interesting. um And that's New Mexico State, Florida State.
Speaker: You know, this is one where, again. Florida State's got that. Um, Season opener for... like who he was and now I'm a My...
Speaker: Not Miami. Yeah, Miami, I think it was. Um... You have this? they could be 0 -1 after this game. I mean I don't think they will be. But, Al.
Speaker: If they are, then you just don't know about Florida's open season. oh yeah i mean i Like I said, it's one of those where... Um, Norvell, he's been so under fire.
Speaker: ever since he got there. i think The minute he got there, they were wanting him fired. Do they have a why on that? schedule there Uh, for... yeah i think For which one? For Florida State?
Speaker: Yeah, I thought I saw... You had Hawaii hooked up there a minute ago. That just reminded me that one of the magazines are... it's kind of just thumbing through they they've got them making the playoffs.
Speaker: Dumb dumb. The team to be out of the group of a group of five. group of six or yeah six i guess it is now yeah good to give you got to include the the new pac -10 Yeah.
Speaker: Hmm. What? I mean... You saw James Madison last year. So, and that's way and yeah, we were teaching a group of five last year. so that Which I... i Still kind of...
Speaker: wondered that, how that happened. I mean, I like, don't get me wrong. I like seeing it to an a certain extent of seeing somebody seems to get ripped, but. You know, that and.
Speaker: Here's a question for you. I know we're going to get a little off topic here, but here's a question for you. Given the... what's happened with the group of five in the last two tournaments. if you will or playoffs.
Speaker: Do we need to just have a group of four? or A Power Four tournament any the and a Triple Five tournament? Yeah. i I mean, I think there's been obviously some discussion about that. and Probably, arguably so.
Speaker: Um. Kind of like you know basketball with the mid -majors. Right. In basketball, some of those mid -majors sometimes can... Make a little bit of a... iran ah And we've seen that happen. yeah we've seen that I don't think you see that in football. and football And. you know god bless them they have great seasons and you know get a chance to be there but i think the way those outcomes came about i i think
Speaker: at least football and you hate you hate to say it gets so separated right there going on the NIL and the... 40 million rosters and the 20 million rosters and all this. and the Rich get richer. and Things you you kind of hate to...
Speaker: See it go that way. Us old school people still like the old... conference or some way it was yeah i'm i'm sure the The new folks probably like the way it is. yeah And, you know, you kind of.
Speaker: It is what it is. but I just don't think. the group of six or whatever works for the new college football playoffs. Yeah, I mean, it's going to be very tough to me.
Speaker: So at some point in time, the thought is going to have to be to. bring elevate one of those into the power into a power of conference when i don't see which one they're gonna which one they can choose yeah Thank you.
Speaker: kind of the bottom line is when you Choose. 12 teams or a 16, or if it goes to 24, whatever the number is. And even in basketball. when you I guess it's not so much in basketball because of the the little guys, too. but in When you put them into the tournament or into the bracket. You want to feel alive.
Speaker: they have a shot shot Just to win one game. but ah But to win it. right or you know to get hunt in the championship or you know get there yeah And it just didn't happen for them and in the first game. And if they even would win one, they're not going to probably win a single. I think it's even worse.
Speaker: for And the thing that I have absolutely detested, and now they're talking about expanding that, is the play -in games for basketball. I know we're talking about football, football almost football folks, and we'll get back to it in a second.
Speaker: um But... it that's you know It's expanding the play in games, which is... stupid They shouldn't have the playing game to begin with. Yeah. There should be 64 teams. End of story. No questions asked. Just quit screwing around with the great thing. Exactly. Because now all you're doing. Eww.
Speaker: More or less, as you're just... Now you're letting. 14 teams get in out of a power conference, out of the Big Ten or the Southeastern Conference or the ACC. Right.
Speaker: And now you've got a. Maybe a 7 and 13. that goes in the conference are 7 and 13 and there may be barely 500 for the year but you're you're putting them in because of your power ratings or whatever. And do we really need that?
Speaker: We don't. No, we don't. and You mentioned 12, 16. We know they're going to expand the football to 16. Yeah. and fact word twenty four I've heard the the the ultimate. Some people say, forget 16, let's go straight to 24.
Speaker: I don't know. 16, I can wrap my head around. because that eliminates the buys. That'll limit it all the bye week. Well, but by necessarily.
Speaker: I mean, if 24, you're getting it. 24, 12, 6, 3, you'd have to have a ah buy. No, I'm saying it at 16. Oh, at 16, yes. You're getting rid of the buy. yeah that That buy is gone. Yes. and i So I can understand going to 16.
Speaker: Yeah. you know Going to 24, I mean, you might as well just say, okay, top 25, you're in. Yeah, it's off the top of your head. I mean... For instance, this year in the Big Ten, the start of the Big Ten. so Ohio State.
Speaker: Good one. Oregon. Good one. Indiana could. Uh... You have the hype machine and at USC. Possibly. I mean, they they say they're they're loaded with talent.
Speaker: Does that turn into... A monstrous season for him. So, you know. You got three or four, maybe the Big Ten. I'm i'm not including Michigan at this point. yeah um I mean, you get some people that could that on the outside fringe, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, that could.
Speaker: If. That was interesting. Yeah, I mean, if the gods smiled, they could end up in that championship game and get and win it, you know. That'd be a shame, which I think you think. But I think the four you outlined are pretty much, you that that's who's in. Before there, then you go to the Southeastern Conference.
Speaker: And. You know, Texas, Georgia, and you'd have Texas. And, you know, maybe Texas A and &M, Oklahoma possibly. Four or five there in the SEC.
Speaker: People out there would probably know that a little little better. i mean you know So you're you're talking eight. You're going to throw in Notre Dame, of course. Right. um And then you got.
Speaker: You got Miami. Right. Um... Florida State kind of fell off the hill last year. I don't know. I mean, Duke got in last year only because they won the conference tournament.
Speaker: That was a championship game. ah You can get 10 or 12 there. that this deserve Legitimately. And then then, you know, somebody that has a a good season. so you could get it to 16 24 might be 24 is a stretch to stretch for It's like, it's like.
Speaker: It's like you said, yeah, because like you said, then you're then you're bringing in... instead of the top four or maybe five from each company, now you're going down to the top six. or top seven in some cases. yeah and yeah not recipe That second tier could win a couple games, depending on the matchups. Right, depending who you choose. You may be favored in the first matchup. You might get lucky in the second one.
Speaker: um You start getting... the chances of running it all the way through are slimmer. Well... Now, for a and to be given that, from the competition end of it, I can see it.
Speaker: making it a tougher run to get to that championship. I can see that Um, But like you said. If you go to 24. you're still going to end up with ah with with four buys somewhere along the line. Somebody's getting a buy some at some point in time.
Speaker: So. you know Is it a long run? i just I just don't know. I'm in favor of going to 16. I'm not in favor of going to 20. Yeah, and then you know, then you start getting into it. Well, we're already getting into.
Speaker: 16, 17 games. season Oh, yeah, exactly. yeah did Do you shorten the season by by by a couple games? I mean... I always thought the playoffs were a good idea because you know you're in that period of time where there's really no school going on.
Speaker: So you got you know you're not hurting anything. Yeah. But now we're talking about. if we go 24 Now, 16 still works within the framework that they've got. The championship game last year was like the third. Week of January on the other hand.
Speaker: Yeah, it's ah yeah the the old bowl system back. And let's let's um let's argue about it after the polls come out. but This was, you know, the bulls are starting to get. you know hurt you know yeah a little more you know um Sometimes you get some good matchups and and and some schools travel good enough to make it work. Yeah. like you know I grew up in it in a time when back in the 70s when, you know, it was just the bowl game. You didn't have this playoff crap.
Speaker: Um, You had the bowl games, and then you had the um the different media services putting out their polls saying who was number one, and then you had arguments all year until the season rolled around. Associated Press and the UPI. UPI, yeah.
Speaker: Yeah. yeah And then then think I think. What happened was I think when USA Today showed up and started putting their polls in and it just started now. Because then Sporting News started putting polls in. And ESPN came along. ESPN came along and then the...
Speaker: CBS Sports. and And so now you've got this this quagmire, and I think they decided, okay, let's just have a playoff system. and Again, I don't are. i'm not against the playoff system.
Speaker: I am not against the expansion of it to a certain extent, but I think what they should have done. Instead of expanding from four to 12, they're showing up four to eight. The first expansion should have been to eight teams.
Speaker: Then go to 12. You know get you Because I think they they expanded too quick, too fast, and they didn't figure this this plan out. ahead of time. Um, Just like I think with – Shortened it too much, just having four right off the bat. There's a lot of good teams going. Well, and I think that may have been the case, too. i think I think eight would have been a good starting point at that point, and they sort of started it, too. That's good that's a very good point. So, getting back to these matchups for the young folks, I made one good point.
Speaker: Oh, he makes a lot of good points. It's just sometimes they're on top of his head. Or don't make it on the air. And they end up on a wedding room floor. All right, so let's get back to the games. there is so got So that, you know, the Mexico State, Florida State, like I said, I think Florida State will win that game. But if that's one that, if it goes the wrong way, I mean.
Speaker: you know mike norville could be out of a job pretty soon One that does catch my eye is Memphis UNLV. I mean, that that... Could be an intriguing game to watch. It's 10 o 'clock on Fox on Saturday night, I think. Yeah, Saturday night. So...
Speaker: yeah It could be kind of an interesting game to watch. Outside of that, another one. Could be. North Carolina State at Virginia. I don't know how good North Carolina State is. But Virginia always puts out a pretty good... They won the ACC last year. and mean Yeah. there you know usually okay then usa usc usc Indiana Carolina with Bilicek. Yeah. That could be a TCU game. That could be.
Speaker: Yeah, that could be a really good test for... right North Carolina right off the bat. See what they're made of. If they can take down the USC game at San Jose State. I mean.
Speaker: What is it, the minors? Is that their... Aztecs. Aztecs. I thought that was it. No. Hey, I thought that was Texas El Paso. That's right. Minors for Texas El Paso.
Speaker: Okay, now you got me intrigued. i get sorry Spartans! Okay. spars San Jose State Spartans. um San Diego State has that. Yeah.
Speaker: Uh... I don't know. right i think that's I think that could should be an easy win for USC. But... um You know, we're talking first game out of the blocks.
Speaker: who knows i mean you could be right That's a 3 o 'clock NBC game. The Virginia, North Carolina is 330 ESPN. Those are Saturday games. Those are these are all Saturday games. um Those things are really big. Well, get Hawaii Stanford. If you really if you reallyt want to watch Hawaii, stay up until 7 o 'clock. On Saturday night, you're going to watch Hawaii, and then, Turner, watch Memphis UNLV.
Speaker: Remember, Hawaii might make the playoffs this year. Yeah. You better look at them early. Well, let's... Okay, we mentioned Hawaii. We've talked about this a couple. Let's see what they got. The Rainbow Warriors, what their schedule looks like.
Speaker: They're in the Mountain West, so they'd have to come out of that, like you said, out of that group of six. So they got Stanford obviouslyhecy right off the bat. Then UNLV. New Mexico State.
Speaker: Those two are home games, and Stanford's an away game. Then at Wyoming. San Jose State at home. at Arizona State. New Mexico at home, Northern Illinois. on the road You tap on the road. Dakota State at home, Nevada on the road, and Sacramento State. in California. So again, not sure what the Warriors were. licked
Speaker: How they they are, they... They're not favoring the game. it's theyre they're yeah They are favorite. They're a plus four. against Stanford. On the spread. They're 160 on the money line in case anybody follows them.
Speaker: So, yeah, so they could, I mean, again, we're talking, we're talking to conferences, and Russ and I do this all the time, too, or used to do this all the time, too, is we're talking conferences we don't watch. We don't follow that much. I mean, we see a game here, we see a game there. So, I mean...
Speaker: I know Wyoming was pretty decent last year to a certain extent. New Mexico's always got a pretty good team. UTEP. So they don't have a killer schedule. So, you know, they can get 10 wins and make it out of that group of six.
Speaker: And so, and we, I know last year was group of five. This year, group of six. And you had the. Pac -10, right? Yeah, that's homes, that's carried out, so. Yeah, there's...
Speaker: group of six yeah so It's going to be interesting. You know, your better games are going to show up in week one. uh And we'll just kind of we'll just kind of take a quick look at week one here.
Speaker: Um...
Speaker: Kind of a freezer one a little bit. Preview to a preview. As they say.
Speaker: Well... Those are Thursday nights. Those are Thursday nights. Not much going on Thursday night, except for unless you're an Illinois fan. We get the we get our first win of the season against UAB. We play Thursday night. Yeah, but they get Arkansas playing both. They're kind of like what we're playing with UAB. An easy game. yeah that and know Those are going to be big, like ah your conference networks.
Speaker: The ESPN. Yeah, that's going to be on Peacock. So. That might be a not mine might not be a bad game to watch. Eastern Illinois, Minnesota.
Speaker: Friday, you've got... An interstate in Purdue. Yeah. uah Oklahoma UTEP. That could be. interesting for a little while. Stanford, Miami. Still haven't got the...
Speaker: Saturday, we're looking at... Well, pitch my bow that's my name, Ohio. Iowa State and Southeast Missouri State could be a good game to watch. and That might be a fun game.
Speaker: You're reaching. i Well, I say that because... ah um Russ is a... Missouri State fans. Okay. i know Southeast Missouri State, so I got i got to give props. Tulane and Duke. Tulane could be a good game to watch. Boston College -Cincinnati might not be a bad game to watch if you're not worried about looking for a a top team to watch.
Speaker: Um... And that's no disrespect to you guys. It's just... Well, of course, wass Auburn -Baylor, that's ah that's a decent matchup for at least a couple of, ah for the fan bases anyway.
Speaker: That's still week one? This is week one. Well, week zero, week one. It's in the yeah the September. third, fourth and stuff. Clemson and LSU. Yeah, there we go. Clemson and LSU. There's a good one.
Speaker: Dave O'Swiney and And let's take a little flame keffing. Tiger State at LSU. It's going to be at LSU, so that'll be an interesting game.
Speaker: to start with being at that LSU. That makes it kind of tough. It is not an easy place to to play. No. But yeah, so that's go to be ah that could be a very interesting game to watch.
Speaker: and we we we taught And we haven't quite decided our schedule yet, whether we're going to do every other week like we did with – like Russ and I did. We might be back next week just because it's Illinois playing. and And, you know, we'll see what happens. but Let's see what else we got here.
Speaker: Yeah, week one's kind of a kind of a weak week one, if you want to be honest about it. oh Hawaii's got UNLV. That ought to be decent. Well, so Sunday, Louisville -Ole Miss.
Speaker: Wisconsin -Notre Dame. And Wisconsin -Notre Dame. So there's a couple good – and actually Washington -Washington State. Yeah. A good rivalry game to watch. So there's there's you know there's a few games. apple right i think so i think that's right i think it's the apple club or the apple bucket or something like that Yeah, the Washington game is 4 o 'clock on NBC. The Louisville Ole Miss is 7 .30 on ABC.
Speaker: Or you can watch Notre Dame of Wisconsin over on NBC at 7 .30. And tickets are starting at $234 for the Wisconsin Notre Dame game. Want to go? Not really. okay i watch it on tv yeah same here And then, well, we do have a Monday game too, SMU Florida State.
Speaker: That might be. Hey, those are only 30 bucks a ticket. not just sure I'm not sure who that slap in the face to. It's in you. Well, it's at Bobby Bowden Stadium, so, you know.
Speaker: wooll We'll go from here. As the view goes unranked and Florida State is known. Yeah. Yeah, no doubt. that said and That could be fun. I mean, if Florida State pulls off the win, do they knock SMU out of the rankings at that point?
Speaker: I mean, it's early it's it's early in the season enough. I mean, you know. Probably. I mean, he there's enough, yeah you know, yeah teams that get votes in the final five, six in the top 25. I think they get released pretty quick. Oh, yeah. No doubt about that. No doubt about that. And you see that so much early in the season. A team will be 18th. They win a game, and next thing you know, they're ninth. you know It happened in Illinois a couple years ago. They were like came in at 21. They beat, I can't remember who it was.
Speaker: Michigan, I think it was. They beat Michigan. And automatically we're in the top 12. Yeah. such kind of i did i just I kind of marvel at that sometimes. It'll be good.
Speaker: So many teams loaded. from a conference in there. you know, yeah when you're... Top two, three, five, eight. I mean, it's hard for you to get knocked out.
Speaker: And that's where the strength of schedule comes in. just because you were Right. High early. Yeah. Well, that's true. um You know, and yeah going back and looking at these rankings, I mean, I can see.
Speaker: After week one. I really. ah To be honest with you, i'm not going to see my I don't think we're going to see much of a change in this entire structure. You might see some flipping here and there, and you might get...
Speaker: let's see who is in the also yeah includ in so You might see Clemson move in. Yeah, Clemson movie at clemson and and LSU. Yeah. yeah I don't. Disclosing range.
Speaker: No, they were they're 26. Well, they would have been 26. If they pulling upset, they would move up pretty quick. and yeah and The only one I think that's not in the top 25 that could move up quick.
Speaker: i Is it 112 points? And the next one after that's Florida at 51. I just don't see any. i would say they're I don't see anybody in that first week losing. You know, Clemson played LSU tough.
Speaker: and somebody we'd get you know say an smu get knocked off they right they could get replaced yeah But outside of that, I don't i don't see any other. I don't think you're going to get. Yeah, because like I said, the be week one, you know, look now, like I said, Louisville.
Speaker: They get beat by Ole Miss. You know, that could that could upset an apple cart. to an extent because, I mean, it's supposed to be because Ole Miss is ranked number nine. But, you know, that that could. yeah could kick if They're 24. That could kick them down, bring Clemson up.
Speaker: Or if Louisville pulls an upset, then you put then you put them up, and I don't think it would knock ella or Ole Miss out of the rankings at all. It would hurt to him. And he said the Clemson -LSU game, Clemson pulls that upset.
Speaker: they're definitely going to move up into the top 25. It's just who gets knocked out. becomes the question, you know, if Missouri has a a good game. But Louisville says, please.
Speaker: Ole Miss close. you just don't know how they're gonna how and When do the when does the... uh CFP rankings start what week. 10, 8. Eight or ten? Yeah, down the line. I'm not sure what we could do. Like I said, because when I bring that up because these rankings don't mean anything until you get to the CFP rankings, really.
Speaker: We've gone on a little more than an hour now, so ah you may be tired of hearing us ramble. least So anyway, any parting thoughts, Gary? Well, one thing we mentioned off the air. um There was 34 coaching changes soon this year. and Yeah. and throughout the college there, and and I... Saw that there was six alone just in the Southeastern Conference. Right. That's a...
Speaker: That's a fair amount of changes. Changes, and there was a few in the Big Ten as well. And that's just that's just head coaches. That doesn't count all the coordinators and assistants that have changed. Sure, but 34, I mean, my God. I mean, that's always fourth, I think. and but and again And I think I said to you off the air. um If I remember right, I think at least about 14, between 14 and 20 of those, or 14 and 18 of those, I think, something like that.
Speaker: were. after the last game of the season and before the end of the playoffs. Yeah. So, you know, you still had about another 20 after that. Yeah.
Speaker: That's a lot of changes. It's a lot, so say what. you know those teams do with uh New coaches. We'll pick out a couple of new coaches and see how they're faring. First week or second week and track them a little bit. Track them a week and see what we do. So, like I said, we haven't decided.
Speaker: We'll figure it out, and I'll post it on my Facebook page, Talking Sports with Uncle Don, if we'll be back next week or in two weeks. ah he said We might just do next week just for the heck of it because it's Illinois' first game. and You know, really the the real kickoff to the season. But as we just looked, there's really not many big games to think about. Yeah. yeah So we'll have to see. There might be, you know, some injury reports. Some injury reports. And we may just focus on Illinois. what Illinois, Missouri. sir you know
Speaker: And then we might do that too sometime. We'll just have to see how it goes. But so anyway, for my broadcast partner, Gary Cromwell, the crumb, this is Uncle Don. And we wish you a very good evening. So have fun. Stay safe. We'll see you again.
Speaker: When we're talking the NCAA report. Goodnight, everybody.
