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Week 11 CFB Review: Indiana And Oregon Escape, Texas Tech Dominates, And The ACC Implodes
17 Plays7 months ago
From Indiana’s heart-stopping escape at Penn State to Cal’s OT stunner over Louisville, Week 11 delivered upsets, defensive slugfests, and playoff-shaking drama. We break down the six top-25 losses, Texas Tech’s Big 12 takeover, Vanderbilt’s SEC surge, and what it all means for the CFP race. Plus: Heisman watch, updated rankings, and the ACC’s five-way tie nightmare. Buckle up—this playoff picture just got wilder.
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Transcript
Week 11 College Football Highlights
00:00:00
Mike Bell
All right, welcome back to another episode of blown coverage. Week 11 is in the books. And I say, Caleb, we just go ahead and get right into it. It was a very kind of interesting week of college football. It seemed like to me the, it was mostly about the 11 o'clock window, 2.30 window, 6.30 was a little bit boring. I'll get your thoughts on that, I guess.
00:00:24
Mike Bell
But I kind of say, we'll just go ahead and start and get into the games. And let's just start with the game of maybe the game of the day. And that is number two, Indiana and Penn State really look like Penn State was going to pull this one out.
00:00:41
Mike Bell
I was wondering, tell me what you think of this. If Penn State wins, do they rush the field?
00:00:50
Kaleb
Probably.
00:00:52
Mike Bell
Think so? It's kind of a weird thing to think about because I was thinking, well, are they really going to rush the field after their season's kind of been somewhat of a failure? But I was thinking, you know, they don't beat top five opponents. That's kind of been the whole thing on.
00:01:03
Kaleb
Yeah, yeah.
00:01:05
Mike Bell
And then the moment Franklin's gone, i think this was their first home game since James Franklin being fired.
00:01:07
Kaleb
Yeah, dude.
00:01:10
Mike Bell
And then does this make James Franklin look worse in your eyes or does it matter?
00:01:11
Kaleb
Wouldn't that have been pretty hilarious?
00:01:17
Kaleb
No, I don't think it matters just because, i mean, throughout his entire time there, it's not like he could not make them competitive against these types of teams. It was just they couldn't win, and that's exactly what happened today.
00:01:28
Kaleb
so um But I think they probably would have rushed just because it's kind of like a – I wouldn't say like a – really desperate time for Penn State but for the season's sake then yes it is kind of a desperate time because it's like what are we going to do from here on out I guess and they I mean they definitely played a really good game against Indiana who up to this point aside from the Iowa game they've just been blowing people out so you got to give Penn State a lot of credit um And the coaches have a good game plan.
00:01:58
Kaleb
so But I think you've got to give Indiana credit, too, for fighting because people have kind of written Penn State off as like a crappy team.
Indiana vs. Penn State: Victory and Debate
00:02:06
Kaleb
And they have – like if they could just put it all together, i think ah they can go and compete with pretty much almost anybody, I guess could say, on any given day.
00:02:18
Kaleb
out
00:02:20
Kaleb
consistently i'm not really sure but anyway penn state isn't just like a little knockoff school just because the despite the record what it shows
00:02:29
Mike Bell
That was going to be my next question. Do you think any less of Indiana being that the game was this close or do you still kind of have the same feelings on them?
00:02:42
Kaleb
i don't necessarily think so because i think regardless whatever conference you're in you know
00:02:48
Kaleb
There's always going – like every school, it seems like, has that one game that's like, really, like how did how was this team able to compete with you guys? You know, at the end of the year, you kind of – every team kind of has that game.
00:03:01
Kaleb
And as long as you come out on top, that's what matters the most. um So, no, not really. And for Indiana to have a game like that against Penn State, I mean, yeah.
00:03:12
Kaleb
It doesn't really affect my thought process on them. yeah. They came out and won a hard grid game. So, and that's exactly what counts in November. Right? So.
00:03:22
Mike Bell
Yeah, there's something to be said about winning that style of game, too. You know, being behind, it looks like you're about to get you know upset. Penn State, tough place to play. i think Penn State was fighting for a lot of pride there.
00:03:36
Mike Bell
They obviously, in terms of talent, have the talent to compete with anybody. They just haven't been.
00:03:41
Kaleb
hmm.
00:03:42
Mike Bell
And, yeah, I don't think any less of Indiana. If anything, I think more of Indiana, and I think more of Mendoza. I think Mendoza may have won himself the Heisman with that game.
00:03:53
Mike Bell
And another guy to come out of that game was Becker. is i don't know if his first name is Carson, but whatever, last name Becker. I think it is Carson Becker. If you're watching the game, he only had like five catches the entire season,
00:04:06
Mike Bell
today he had seven or Yesterday, he had seven receptions for 118 yards, and he was making some tough catches. so I would say right now, Mendoza is my Heisman favorite, but you know that last drive, championship drive for Indiana, you know i kind of thought they were legit anyway.
00:04:26
Mike Bell
to this point, but there's been some talk, should they drop in the ranking behind A&M? I do think that is an interesting conversation to be had just because if you look at the resumes, but my personal opinion is no, like, I don't think you drop Indiana for barely beating Penn state. Like these road games are tough.
00:04:43
Mike Bell
So that's kind of my thoughts on the game.
00:04:46
Kaleb
Yeah, and I'd like to point out probably the number one wider wide receiver for and Indiana was out, Surratt, I believe, if I'm not mistaken, so which probably allowed Becker to have such a big game.
00:04:54
Mike Bell
Hmm.
00:04:57
Kaleb
And so whenever your number one guy is out, you know who can step up? And you know Mendoza made that connection, and that's really good. you know that's good on That's good for Signetti to know that, too, whenever they get down to crunch time, um that they have another guy that they can count on. Because they will.
00:05:12
Kaleb
Because the later in the season gets, and then playoffs, you're going to probably deal with more situations like that that will come down to the wire. So...
Texas Tech's Defensive Strategy and Impact
00:05:22
Mike Bell
Yep, agreed. So let's move on now to, I actually want to go ahead and discuss the BYU-Texas Tech game. This is where game day was. you know High spread on this game, I think it closed at 10.5.
00:05:34
Mike Bell
ten and a half pretty Pretty big favorite Texas Tech was. and I was wondering, you know, is BYU going to be able to keep this close? Are you surprised that the score was kind of as lopsided as it was? Or was this about maybe what you were expecting?
00:05:53
Kaleb
So I think both of us, if I'm not mistaken, we both picked Texas Tech to cover the spread.
00:05:58
Mike Bell
Yes.
00:06:02
Kaleb
I just think that BYU relies... ah And there's nothing wrong with this by any means. I think they rely a lot on the run game. And that's what Texas Tech's defense does spectacularly, defense against the run.
00:06:17
Kaleb
And so I kind of had faith in Texas Tech's defense more so than I did BYU's running offense. um And listen, Texas Tech was able to run the ball really effectively.
00:06:29
Kaleb
so
00:06:33
Kaleb
I thought that maybe BYU would have like made it a little bit more interesting. But I mean, I know we both picked like maybe 10 points, but maybe it was going to be more like a 30-20 game, not necessarily pretty much a 30-7 game. you know I wasn't necessarily expecting that. However, i did think this was a good quality win for Texas Tech.
00:06:55
Kaleb
And this kind proves our point that Or not proves, but because anything can happen the next couple weeks. But you and I are both kind of on the same train as Texas Tech's probably going to be that team that comes out of the Big 12 that's pretty dangerous in the playoff.
00:07:12
Kaleb
So anyway, it was like a good overall win for Texas Tech. First time Game Day has been there since 2008 when they beat us at notoriously horrible catch by Mackle Crabtree.
00:07:24
Kaleb
And that every they kept showing that crap on Saturday, it and it hurt and burned every time. So, anyway, I'm glad that now we can move past that moment. So, um yeah, anyway, i thought it was a really interesting game, ah really interesting.
00:07:40
Kaleb
ah Honestly, their linebacker and their defensive lineman, I forgot the guy's name, for the defensive linemen, but it was pretty impressive, to be honest.
00:07:53
Kaleb
They definitely have a defense that could go out there and compete with anybody.
00:07:58
Mike Bell
I think that's what I'm most curious to see is because it looks like Tech is going to almost certainly make the playoff now. And I mean, yeah they're probably going to face BYU again. We'll see what BYU does, but it just doesn't seem like BYU is going to be able to compete with a team like Tech. At least that's what I think.
00:08:18
Mike Bell
So here's the question, though. You know, BYU was number eight, I believe. Maybe they were number seven.
00:08:25
Kaleb
and
00:08:25
Mike Bell
They have fallen to number...
00:08:25
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:08:27
Mike Bell
Yeah, they fall into number 12, which isn't that far of a drop.
00:08:34
Kaleb
yeah
00:08:34
Mike Bell
And we still have a little bit more of the regular season to go. I'm kind of curious to see what happens in the Big Ten because, you know, Utah, number 15. This is the AP poll, by the way. We'll see what the college committee does.
00:08:46
Mike Bell
I kind of think it's looking like in the ACC and Big 12, they're going to drop these teams a little bit more than if an SEC team or Big Ten team loses.
00:08:54
Kaleb
Thank
00:08:56
Mike Bell
But that was still a top 10 team that BYU lost to. I'm curious to see Texas Tech when they go against some of these playoff teams, if their defense holds up as well. Because so far it has been super impressive. And BYU not able to do anything.
00:09:12
Mike Bell
I'm looking at this. Their running back had 35 yards, 35 rushing yards. Like that's not going to cut it. They just never really seem like – it just seemed like a top tier team versus a team that is not in the top 25.
00:09:25
Mike Bell
And a lot of what are called like the SP plus rankings that try to like really rate these teams, BYU is oftentimes not even in the top 25.
00:09:36
Mike Bell
So I'm curious to see if, you know, BYU wins out, if they can compete again with Texas Tech, but otherwise i just don't really think they should be in the playoff, but I'm curious to see what happens if that is a two bid conference.
00:09:53
Mike Bell
But I guess that remains to be seen.
00:09:54
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah.
00:09:56
Mike Bell
Regardless, I'm very impressed with Tech. Don't forget their one loss is when their
Georgia's Dominance in SEC
00:10:00
Mike Bell
quarterback was hurt. So I think that's worth mentioning.
00:10:01
Kaleb
yeah
00:10:03
Mike Bell
But I'm very curious.
00:10:04
Kaleb
yeah
00:10:05
Mike Bell
Tech is a legit, but I'm curious to see how they would do against a team kind of outside the Big 12. Because let's face it, it's just kind of a weaker conference. But you got to give them credit for what they've done so far.
00:10:15
Kaleb
Yeah, true. I would like to say with the BYU running back situation, they have a really good running back. I forgot his name. He just was coming kind of off of a shoulder injury. And so i don't really know like how, like what percentage he was able to play, like as far as was 80% ready to play or, you know, whatever the deal is, which definitely is a factor going into this game because that's what BYU relies on. And plus also that's what Texas Tech's defense does the best. So, and yeah,
00:10:44
Kaleb
in a sense, that running back needed to have his best game. And I think Elf was probably a big reason why he only had the 35 yards. um yeah And I don't know, Texas Tech's defense just kind of swallowed them up. I think it'll be very interesting to see who Texas Tech has to play the first match because, like you said, like Big 12 is – and I know we just came out of there a couple years ago now, but – I guess you do like question how how good is that defense truly?
00:11:19
Kaleb
you know Because it's not like the Big 12 is – it's not like you think about a Big 12 school and think, holy crap, man, that offensive line is grueling. They're going pound and ground, and then you know their defensive line may be fantastic, but what of their offensive line in a sense? Have they really been tested in a sense?
00:11:40
Mike Bell
Sure, sure, definitely. So that's going to be a fun team to watch, Texas Tech. Let's see. The next game, you know, I don't know how much you have to watch this game. It was on my screen. I was watching it, but once I saw it, wasn't going to be as competitive.
00:11:55
Mike Bell
You know, it kind of went into the background. I would say a lot of these teams, and this is an example of – this is an example, but I noticed this week it seems like the teams, you're starting to really see the separations.
00:12:08
Mike Bell
The really good teams are starting to play maybe their best ball right now. And your condi you've been yet to kind of see that from Georgia. And Georgia, i would say in this game, really looked like Georgia.
00:12:22
Mike Bell
They had the initial scare. Mississippi State moves the ball pretty well, like the first drive to go up 7-0. And then from there, Georgia kind of took over. And I think that's very impressive to do at Mississippi State, a team that has been playing very well and competitive in all their games.
00:12:39
Mike Bell
And Georgia was able to kind of flip the script. You know, everyone thought this was going to be, it was a seven and a half point spread. a lot of people thought Mississippi State was going to cover.
00:12:47
Kaleb
Thank you.
00:12:49
Mike Bell
And instead, Georgia just looked like the, you know, vastly superior team. Very impressed. Running the ball, they're running back 181 12 carries. If you're Georgia, you're happy to see that.
00:13:02
Mike Bell
Defense can still maybe be a little shaky, but I think this is a big win for them heading into, obviously, next week, what is going to be a big game against Texas.
Texas A&M's Strategic Season
00:13:12
Mike Bell
And I think this is good just for their confidence as well to get a win like this.
00:13:18
Mike Bell
And if they do beat Texas, it feels like, i mean, look, Georgia's number five right now, but it does kind of feel like it's weird to say, but Georgia's back in that elite group after they've kind of had some questions.
00:13:30
Mike Bell
So just, I would say this is another example. and We've got a few more examples of teams showing their separation. Who are the top teams in the SEC?
00:13:43
Mike Bell
Got to put Georgia in that category right now. That's kind of all I have to say about the game. and don't know if you have anything on it.
00:13:51
Kaleb
Well, Georgia's putting together their last several games. Their offense has been very good. you know like the offense is just starting to click, which is not good for us because we face them this coming weekend. It'll be very interesting to see how we do against them.
00:14:05
Kaleb
And listen, honestly, this game, like several people like reference this could be like an upset alert. This game, the Mississippi State-Georgia game, just because Mississippi State has been very competitive throughout the season. I know the record is five and five but No matter what, for the most part, they've been very competitive and taken a lot of their games down to the wire.
00:14:24
Kaleb
So I didn't – I expected Georgia to pull this out for sure, but not necessarily like beat the crap out of them like they did. So I thought but that that's a really good win for Georgia, especially in confidence purposes, um like you're saying, because by no means is Mississippi State a pushover team, a good quality win for them.
00:14:46
Kaleb
And it could make it scary too –
00:14:49
Kaleb
Because it's like, ah get well, I guess it would be Alabama and A&M SEC championship right now.
00:14:56
Mike Bell
For now, yeah.
00:14:57
Mike Bell
I don't think there's much of a case for Georgia to be in the SEC Championship just because they'll have the tie-breaking loss to Alabama.
00:14:57
Kaleb
So,
00:15:01
Kaleb
be very interesting. Like, man, it's kind of crazy to like the top.
00:15:04
Mike Bell
If A&M loses, I believe Ole Miss gets the tie-breaking.
00:15:05
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:15:08
Mike Bell
I'd have to look again, but Georgia, I think, actually has the toughest road to be in the SEC Championship, which is kind of good for them because...
00:15:10
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:15:18
Mike Bell
That means they probably get the playoff home game. I think they're fine with that. Whatever. But, yeah, Georgia's going to be fun to watch. I've been curious to see if they can return to that, get to that next level. Everyone's kind of described them as a high floor team, but maybe their ceiling isn't as high.
00:15:37
Mike Bell
And it would be curious to see if they could turn that around. I don't know. I mean, it's not like Mississippi State's the greatest team in the world, but we know how competitive they've been. And obviously Texas is going to be an interesting test for them this week.
00:15:45
Kaleb
Yep.
00:15:48
Mike Bell
So.
00:15:49
Kaleb
Yeah. And, you know, we could get to that like this upcoming week or whatever, but Texas, it's very interesting for them too, because what do you do with them if they're able to win out, which that'd be extremely hard, but I mean, they've been kind of putting things together. So I think that is a potential thing.
00:16:05
Kaleb
thing that could happen will it happen have no idea but anyway the sec is gonna be very interesting conference to watch over the next couple weeks because some of these teams very well could lose a game that we expect them not to right and then just messes everything up which you know i know we were talking earlier about the acc um so anyway big interesting interesting storylines are about to come up in the sec for sure
00:16:32
Mike Bell
Well, speaking of interesting storylines, Texas A&M, people keep saying that all these games are going to be competitive and it's going to be a close win in LSU. Maybe they lose LSU. Maybe Missouri can beat A&M.
00:16:45
Mike Bell
No one's beating A&M right now. A&M keeps you running away from their opponents winding ah winning pretty handily. And their 9-0 best start since 1992 is probably their best start really ever because now they're in the SEC.
00:17:01
Mike Bell
It means more. And now, you know, if they win out, it's good it it looks very likely they're going to have a great shot to win out. They're not losing to South Carolina this upcoming week.
00:17:12
Kaleb
Okay.
00:17:13
Mike Bell
Then they have Samford. Obviously, at Texas, no matter if Texas loses to Georgia or not, that is going to be a big game. But it it is pretty impressive what A&M has been able to do to be undefeated at this point, to go on the road three straight weeks, win like they have.
00:17:29
Mike Bell
You know, this game, we were talking about it earlier. Missouri kind of annoyed me with, if I were a neutral, I'd be more annoyed with kind of their game plan. I understand their quarterback clearly they thought was very limited, but at some point you have to take the risk with them.
00:17:46
Mike Bell
And it just never felt like they did that until it was like maybe too late. And they were just content on running the ball. One thing I'll say is yeah, if you look at the box score, you see both running backs had 100 yards, in a and A&M still does struggle to contain the run a bit.
00:18:04
Mike Bell
I will say that's a little deceiving because a lot of those yards, especially by Hardy, was kind of at the end of the game in somewhat garbage time. But I'll also say it's deceiving because that's all Missouri did.
00:18:17
Mike Bell
I mean, they didn't really try to pass the ball that much. i mean, I'm looking... Zollers, he had 22 attempts, but I think a lot of that came in like the fourth quarter. I remember they were down 21, and they're still trying to run the ball.
00:18:31
Mike Bell
And that may work one drive. I just don't know if you're going to be able to come back on A&M just running the ball. And when you're one-dimensional like that, A&M's defense is good against teams that are one-dimensional.
00:18:44
Mike Bell
So, yeah, Missouri, obviously they proved they can run the ball. they got to figure out the quarterback situation. Maybe they're just done. But yeah, seven for 22, that's not good for Matt Zollers.
00:18:56
Mike Bell
And for A&M,
00:18:56
Kaleb
I think the back they both their backups are like walk-ons, if I'm not mistaken.
00:19:03
Mike Bell
that is interesting.
00:19:03
Kaleb
so fines all So it's almost kind of like...
00:19:05
Mike Bell
And as i as I was telling you, like they have the best scouting report on their own guys. like I'm sure they saw in practice, okay, this guy cannot throw the ball.
00:19:16
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:19:16
Mike Bell
But I don't know. I just feel like you had to at some point try, and then when you tried, the game was away from you. and The one thing I'll also say, Missouri's defense is legit.
00:19:22
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:19:27
Mike Bell
Credit to A&M for putting up 38. I will say the way they put up 38 had a little something to do with the defense and Missouri's lack of offense. At the end of the day, though, A&M was able to run the ball for like over 100 yards in the second half alone.
00:19:42
Mike Bell
So credit to them. But Missouri's defense is legit. Impressive win for A&M, and we'll see what they do from this point. But anyway, that's my thoughts on the game. You got anything on this one?
00:19:55
Kaleb
and I mean, honestly, I wouldn't need to say like too much more than what you already did. i think that this game could have been a little bit more interesting, like you said, if they had committed to the passing game little bit more as far as Missouri goes, just because, honestly, it was pretty limited. And as you can see, like I don't know, they probably just didn't put together the best passing plays together for Zollers. 7-22, like you said, for 77 yards, like surely they could have come up with a better game plan.
00:20:27
Kaleb
And like I said, I think your guys' defense is good. However, it's not like Missouri doesn't have some weapons that they could use to, I don't know, just relieve some of the pressure off of the run game. And if they did that, I mean, it could have at least been a little bit more competitive in my opinion. yeah.
00:20:45
Kaleb
Anyway, but it was good. Good win for you guys. Missouri's got a really good defense. um So, yeah.
Oregon vs. Iowa: A Competitive Clash
00:20:52
Kaleb
That's all I have to really say.
00:20:56
Mike Bell
Okay, the other game that was on at 2.30 that was the big game was Oregon against Iowa. We were talking about how great this game was going to be. It was a great game. Being that this was going on at the same time with A&M, I was watching it. I saw it. It sounds like you maybe had a better feel for this game, read on this game. So, you know, I'll let you start. What were your just thoughts on it?
00:21:18
Mike Bell
Yeah, go for it.
00:21:19
Kaleb
Well, I will say that this is, which actually just got an email about this too. Forgot to discuss that with you prior to getting on here. But um so this game was on CBS. So I could have watched this on YouTube TV.
00:21:33
Kaleb
The... ah A&M Missouri game was on ABC. So I had to watch that on ESPN Plus, ah which I had that on the tee for a little bit watch the Oregon game on the iPad and then kind of reverse those two once I kind of saw the writing on the wall for the A&M Missouri game.
00:21:52
Kaleb
This game was fantastic. Me and you both were talking about it like this has the makings for an Iowa upset ah being played in Iowa. And then in game day, they reported that it was going to be really windy and really rainy, cold, kind of the makings of like a classic Big Ten game.
00:22:09
Kaleb
And it just made me even more excited. um And really and truly, ah this game was very close and very –
00:22:18
Kaleb
Pretty much throughout, you know, and at one point I was kind of thinking like, okay, is this maybe where Oregon starts pulling away, but Iowa came together and kept it very competitive and honestly, like I was saying before we got on this phone call, or when we got on this ah video chat, whatever.
00:22:26
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:22:37
Kaleb
ah Literally, Iowa, after they scored their touchdown, only inches away from being able to like convert and get that two-point conversion, which would basically Oregon would have had to go get a touchdown to win the game or tie it with a field goal. you know and Who knows what could have happened. Anyway, it was just one of those... like grimy, gritty games, like Big Ten games, which is why like those are the best Big Ten games, in my opinion, are those like really hard-fought, bad weather. The only thing that could have made this game better, in my opinion, was like if it was really snowing, you know like so much snow on the field. and
00:23:15
Kaleb
i don't know. ah crazy game, in my opinion. Honestly, probably one of my favorite games to have watched like throughout the season so far. um But honestly, you have to give Dante Moore some credit. Definitely a hostile environment.
00:23:27
Kaleb
Very hard game.
00:23:30
Kaleb
Was it his best game? No. But, like, I don't know if you were able to see the last drive, but he led Oregon very well against the Iowa defense to get them in position for that field goal.
00:23:38
Mike Bell
Yep.
00:23:41
Kaleb
And, honestly, one of the prettiest throws I've seen this year um where he just would a literally teardroped in to the wide receiver and – I don't know. It was awesome. So awesome game. um It's a shame that Iowa, like if they could just have like a quarterback, they they could have just a decent enough pass game.
00:24:02
Kaleb
Man, I think this Iowa team could be pretty dangerous, to be honest with you. And it'll be interesting to see if they go in the portal this upcoming year and see what they try to do at the quarterback position. Because if they if they did, they're i mean, theyre both their running backs were running pretty well against this Oregon defense, which I forgot what they ranked, but their top five in run defense, if I'm not mistaken. so And they were kind of their offensive line was just kind of bullying them. So it was pretty it was a good game. and i know that was a little challenging for you to watch because at the same time as the A&M Missouri game.
00:24:34
Kaleb
But I guess how much were you able to watch and what were your thoughts on it?
00:24:39
Mike Bell
I mean, I was able to watch the majority of it. There were times I looked over and I was like, whoa, I was on the goal line. and yeah, i was like, I must've missed something. But I agree with you, that last drive by Dante Moore, when they really needed it, struggling to move the ball all day.
00:24:54
Mike Bell
And you see that so much in NFL games where it seems like it's a defensive game, but then they get in that two minute drill, they're able to pull it off. Also credit to that receiver for making the catch he made for that pass you're talking about.
00:25:01
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:25:05
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah, that was hard.
00:25:06
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:25:07
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:25:08
Mike Bell
I mean, you know, if that play doesn't happen, and there's a good chance Iowa just wins the game. and We don't know. We don't know. But it did seem like that was kind of like they needed that to happen. And I feel for Iowa. I think they played so well.
00:25:20
Mike Bell
I think they played as well as they could in that situation versus a great team like that.
00:25:24
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah.
00:25:26
Mike Bell
And, you know, this week they have USC at USC. That's a fascinating game. And I hope it's still a top 25 matchup. I hope they remain in the top 25. I don't feel good for USC in that game because i think USC's offense is great, but you know they struggled against that Nebraska defense the other week, and Iowa's defense is legit.
00:25:51
Mike Bell
And of course, the question is always going to be, can Iowa put up points? But you know we can get into that later. I do feel for Iowa. They win this game. They're in the playoff hunt. But now yeah they have a very hard time. Regardless, it's been a very good season for them and a very good turnaround.
00:26:08
Mike Bell
I remember watching them early in the season thinking, wow, this team is bad. But look, two of their losses are Indiana and Oregon, and they lost by combined seven points.
00:26:19
Kaleb
Right. For
00:26:20
Mike Bell
So, you know, worth mentioning, worth mentioning. So, Phil, for them, ahead.
00:26:23
Kaleb
sure. is
00:26:25
Mike Bell
go ahead
00:26:27
Kaleb
think that I think their coach is like so like underrated, to be honest with you, because Iowa never has just the top-tier talent, but yet they're honestly pretty relevant almost pretty like every year. When I mean relevant, it's not like ah they're always in the top 10 or anything, but they're always hovering like – Being in the top half of the Big Ten, which is pretty hard to do, um considering all the other schools which do get top-tier talent in. so and Actually, he's the winningest Big Ten coach in history, I believe it is.
00:27:03
Kaleb
and It doesn't surprise me because the guy's been there for like freaking ever. like I remember him.
00:27:06
Mike Bell
Yeah, I think he's 106, but yeah.
00:27:09
Kaleb
Yeah, yeah, yeah, because I think I remember him like when Texas played Iowa, like, gosh, what was that, 2006, 2007? I think he was a coach then. So, you know, it's it's been for forever.
Washington's Unexpected Defeat
00:27:21
Kaleb
Anyway, it was it was a great game. um Man, if we could at least get one game like this every week, oh, man, it would be awesome.
00:27:30
Mike Bell
Yeah, now for Oregon, from here on out, their next big game is going to be USC. And Oregon kind of needed a win like this, not to get in the playoffs. Obviously, they were going to be in the playoffs. But there were questions like, okay, the last quarter of their schedule is a little difficult. Could they fall?
00:27:48
Mike Bell
Is it possible they fall out of the playoffs if they lose one of these games? They're able to pull it off. It's a good quality win after, let's face the Penn State win isn't looking as good anymore. So now they have this win.
00:27:59
Mike Bell
Next game, host Minnesota. They probably got that one. Then they host USC. That could be fascinating.
00:28:04
Kaleb
Yep. Yeah. It is.
00:28:05
Mike Bell
And then, you know, this wasn't the game i was going to pivot to, but I think it's fitting. The last game of the year is at Washington, and that's a team we have to talk about.
00:28:13
Kaleb
yeah
00:28:15
Mike Bell
I think just quickly on Oregon, it's still going to be a losable game for Oregon because Washington one of the toughest places to play.
00:28:22
Mike Bell
But part of me was wondering if Washington was being a little overrated after people were calling them underrated because Washington really hadn't done anything all year.
00:28:22
Kaleb
it is
00:28:33
Mike Bell
And they really humiliated themselves this week. And they lost to one of the worst teams really in the FBS this season, and that is Wisconsin. this was It was snowing.
00:28:45
Kaleb
Oh,
00:28:46
Mike Bell
i don't know that had something to do with it. But there is no excuse to lose this game. And I don't know if you saw. I don't know how legitimate it is. But there's ah Jed Fish. was There were reports that he wants another job. And that his family is not happy there.
00:29:01
Kaleb
ah wow.
00:29:02
Mike Bell
ah you know I do wonder if that had anything to do with this. you know I don't know if he said anything about it.
00:29:06
Kaleb
It's very odd.
00:29:08
Mike Bell
But that was the report prior to the game. So, yeah.
00:29:13
Kaleb
If that's true, though, like, I don't know. I find that, like, if it is true, it's a little ridiculous on his end. Like, why leave Arizona then at that point? Because when you were at Arizona, you had you had a pretty decent team, I think a 10-win season, you know.
00:29:31
Kaleb
And don't know. I think this is his second year.
00:29:34
Mike Bell
Well, I don't know. I mean, look, Washington is a job upgrade and you don't know what Washington is like. Apparently it was some sort of family thing. His family is the one that's not happy in Washington for whatever reason.
00:29:46
Mike Bell
So it could just be as simple as that.
00:29:47
Kaleb
Okay, then fine. you I guess you don't really know that for anywhere. um again
00:29:51
Mike Bell
Right.
00:29:52
Kaleb
To Wisconsin's credit, though, because there was some chatter about Luke Fickle or whatever his name is, the Wisconsin coach. You know, they came out and said that he was going to be the coach through 2026. And for him to get a win like that, that kind of helps him in his corner because he's been there for like four years and he had a good run at Cincinnati. And then, you know,
00:30:14
Kaleb
We're probably about 10 years removed away from it, I know. But Wisconsin, honestly, like through the time we were in junior high all the way up through high school, Wisconsin was like a really good team every year, you know.
00:30:25
Kaleb
um
00:30:25
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:30:26
Kaleb
And then now they kind of faded out. So whenever they initially hired Luke Fickle, it was like, oh, wow, okay, maybe this guy can kind of return this team back to prominence. But that hasn't happened yet. And I think Wisconsin is a hard job, maybe especially now as far as the transfer portal goes, because it's like,
00:30:42
Kaleb
They may be able to throw some money around to a couple of guys, but how are they going to attract other people there? Because there's more desirable schools, in my opinion, than the Big Ten. So, anyway, i I think it's kind of a hard job not necessarily going not necessarily saying Luke Vickle sucks as a coach. I think Wisconsin's just a hard spot.
00:31:01
Mike Bell
Agreed. and i don't really know how you turn that program around, to be honest, but I guess that's one to watch.
00:31:05
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah. you I think you have to give Brett Belima, the Illinois coach, just credit for what he was able to do at Wisconsin because it's like every single year they had a top-tier running back. Like, oh, man, I forgot. that i mean, they had Melvin Gordon. I know that. They had James White, I think his name was, and there was another guy that was really amazing. But anyway, you just have to give that guy credit.
00:31:29
Kaleb
Anyway. Yeah. I think we can briefly speak about this game, you know, the LSU-Alabama game, unless you had something else to say about the Boston-Church-Rombs game.
00:31:41
Mike Bell
No, I'm good.
00:31:43
Kaleb
So, okay, in my opinion, and id honestly, ah barely watched this because I was like, okay, honestly, this – I kind of see how this is going to go.
Alabama vs. LSU: A Powerhouse Performance
00:31:52
Kaleb
ah Now, the first couple possessions, like LSU came out and it – Defended against Alabama pretty well. And then after that, I mean, this was Alabama's, like, best offensive game by any means.
00:32:03
Kaleb
um Somebody said it, like, when I was watching the Vanderbilt-Auburn game, which we can get to that point here in a moment. But, you know, whenever a coach gets fired, typically that that next week the team is super emotional.
00:32:16
Kaleb
And I think you could kind of see that at the very beginning. I think Alabama just has too much firepower. However, their run game, I think, was pretty atrocious, if I'm not mistaken, just from like what I was looking at.
00:32:26
Mike Bell
Yep. yep
00:32:28
Kaleb
Yeah, it's pretty atrocious. And honestly, I think that's going to get Alabama into trouble. okay Because Alabama is going to have to face some teams that can defend the pass pretty well.
00:32:42
Kaleb
And if Ty Simpson is not gonna be able to get it done, which, because by the way, I don't think that's like something horrible either. Like if you, for you to win the national championship, you can't necessarily be a one dimensional team. And up to this point, for the most part on the offensive side, Alabama has been dimensional. They've had several games where they had a pretty good run, run game.
00:33:04
Kaleb
But at this point, if Ty Simpson wasn't doing what he was doing, Alabama would probably have won. not done so well this year. So anyway, that is somewhat a concern.
00:33:16
Kaleb
But on the flip side of that for LSU, you know, that's good for them. They came out and actually played with some heart and stuff like that. And they sat Nussmeier, I think for, I'm not sure what point of the game. I mean, it was towards the end, but I'm not sure how many reps that other guy got.
00:33:31
Kaleb
I'm kind of curious where – what Nussmeier's going to do from here on out. You know, it kind of sucks for him because he came back and for a senior year and it's been nothing short of a crap shoot, honestly. And I think it honestly reflects more on the organization.
00:33:50
Kaleb
Like, I think there's just organization organizational issues for LSU, not necessarily just football.
00:33:58
Mike Bell
State issues for LSU, Louisiana.
00:34:01
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah.
00:34:01
Mike Bell
But, yeah, you know, the quarterback, I think his name is Van Buren. He came in and he's very, very dynamic.
00:34:07
Kaleb
Oh, Mississippi State. Yeah.
00:34:11
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:34:11
Mike Bell
The weakness on LSU is their O-line.
00:34:14
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:34:14
Mike Bell
Now, the good thing about this new quarterback, since he is so dynamic, he can work around that, whereas Nussmeier really can't.
00:34:20
Mike Bell
I am curious to see what they do, because at this point, they might as well just start worrying about the future, maybe get this guy some reps. But I do feel bad for Nussmeier. I'm curious, you know what's he going to do? But Yeah, i I've been kind of thinking that all season about Alabama.
00:34:21
Kaleb
yeah
00:34:36
Mike Bell
They are very one-dimensional. They have not shown all season that they can run the ball.
00:34:40
Kaleb
great
00:34:41
Mike Bell
It has not mattered. Will it matter? I don't know. But it might matter this week. You know, they face OU, and that's a legit defense.
00:34:48
Kaleb
Yeah, that's.
00:34:50
Mike Bell
I think that's going to be and maybe much more fascinating game than people realize just because of Alabama's one-dimensionality.
00:34:50
Kaleb
ah Yeah.
00:34:55
Kaleb
yeah
00:35:00
Mike Bell
So we'll we'll see. going to be a fascinating one to watch. Don't forget, Oklahoma's playing for everything. They're playing for everything. They really can't afford to lose another game. And, you know, Alabama's still kind of going through this gauntlet.
Vanderbilt vs. Auburn: Surprising Outcomes
00:35:14
Mike Bell
Auburn at the end of the year now, you kind of wonder what how that team's going to be because all of a sudden they can score, which is insane. They did the anti-Hugh freeze where they could score a bunch of points, but then they couldn't stop anybody. I don't know what happened against Vandy.
00:35:28
Mike Bell
Like, it looked like it was going to be perfect against Vandy. kind of transitioning transitioning to that game now because once Auburn could score it just seemed like like oh well that's going to be it for Vandy because it's a bad matchup for Vandy for the same reasons it was mad right right it's so credit to Vandy for being able to win that way but for Auburn I mean they just sucks for them they just can't win the game even whenever they find their offense but
00:35:33
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:35:41
Kaleb
Yeah. Then Diego Diego Pavia came alive. Yeah.
00:35:56
Mike Bell
Back to Bammer real quick. At Auburn, end of the season, watch out. Those games are always crazy. You never know. you never know, especially Auburn can figure it out.
00:36:04
Kaleb
Oh, yeah, for sure. Listen, what's crazy to me is Vandy's defense is not bad at all, right? Pretty much for until now, they have rode Jackson Arnold at quarterback, right?
00:36:20
Kaleb
Literally, the guy, this their backup starts, goes out and throws for 353 yards. And it's like, why? i mean, seriously, how is this possible?
00:36:28
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:36:30
Kaleb
Like, you know, Jackson Arnold, probably they had to pay some NIL money, get him there, five-star recruit, but he has not panned out, okay? He has not panned out now at two schools.
00:36:41
Kaleb
And I don't know how much you can blame that on him, play calling, whatever the case may be. i don't want to, you know, say anything like that. But
00:36:50
Kaleb
and interesting...
00:36:54
Kaleb
I don't know, interesting story there, I guess you could say. And same thing for them, like we were talking about the LSU game. um They came out, showed heart, nearly beat Vandy, which is a great team. Credit to ah Diego Pavia for what he was able to do.
00:37:08
Kaleb
ah believe I believe over 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards. um And I want to say this was at Auburn, right?
00:37:16
Mike Bell
No, no admin.
00:37:16
Kaleb
I want to say, oh, is that Vandy?
00:37:18
Mike Bell
Yep.
00:37:18
Kaleb
Oh, wow. Okay. At Vandy. So let me ask you this question. So if Vandy wins out, do you think they deserve to be in the playoff? Their next two games are Kentucky and then at Tennessee.
00:37:31
Kaleb
And they're ranked 16 right now. So, I mean, I think at this point they would need some help from the other teams, right? But yeah.
00:37:42
Mike Bell
Yeah, it I agree. It depends on what the other teams do.
00:37:48
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:37:48
Mike Bell
But it yeah, it just depends because the ACC, and this is what we'll talk about in a minute, they're having a lot of trouble right now. So they only may get they may only get one team.
00:38:02
Mike Bell
The big 12, funny enough, the way it's kind of looking, all of a sudden has like a shot. It's a small shot, but a small shot at like three teams, but they may just get one team depending on what happens.
00:38:15
Mike Bell
So in that case, yeah, it depends on like what Texas and OU do. You know, if Texas loses, then they'll probably choose Vandy over Texas. And then same thing with OU.
00:38:29
Kaleb
And there's some chatter right now too about Texas potentially being able to even get in with a third loss.
00:38:29
Mike Bell
I think,
00:38:32
Mike Bell
Has a three loss. Yeah. Yeah. So that's, that's the thing. But if Vandy wins out and they have two losses and, and let's just say Texas ends up having three losses, Texas has a head to head to head, but also Vandy has
ACC Playoff Race Intensity
00:38:47
Mike Bell
less losses. That's going to be a big, that's going to be a big discussion.
00:38:52
Kaleb
Yeah, it will be very dramatic.
00:38:52
Mike Bell
So I don't know. I don't know. I think, I think probably so. I think they probably do make it if they, if they went out, that'd be my guess.
00:39:02
Kaleb
Yeah, I think they could somewhat be – I mean, I think it just depends on who they play first, if they could be competitive or not.
00:39:12
Kaleb
But it would be a great storyline, though, I think, right? Because I keep calling them a Cinderella team. They're not really like a Cinderella team per se, but just the storylines that they've been able to procure throughout the year, i think it would be pretty awesome to have them in the playoff.
00:39:27
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:39:30
Kaleb
Especially, i don't know, just Diego Pavia. I don't know. It'd be pretty cool. But we can segue into the ACC now. Now, I will say I forgot who Miami played, but I noticed it was almost halftime, and Miami was like barely beating the team they played, which was a nobody. And I was like, holy crap, dude.
00:39:47
Kaleb
This team is like going off the rails.
00:39:49
Mike Bell
Well, they ended up pulling away.
00:39:51
Kaleb
Yeah, they did.
00:39:51
Mike Bell
ah Yeah, yeah.
00:39:52
Kaleb
i saw that. Yeah.
00:39:54
Mike Bell
Yeah, I don't know if anyone wants to win the ACC. I'm very curious to see what's going to happen. You could almost make an argument that they shouldn't get any bids. They're going to get at least a bid. It's going to be weird the way they do the the ranking. So you have five teams with one loss, and that's this is within the conference, and that's Georgia Tech, Virginia, Pittsburgh, SMU, Duke.
00:40:15
Mike Bell
Coming into today, Virginia was undefeated within the conference, and Louisville had one loss. Louisville looked like they had a great shot to be in that title game. They had the best shot to make the playoff. They just needed to not lose, and then they lose to Cal.
00:40:31
Mike Bell
And the thing is you have Duke, who lost this week. They are overall 5-4.
00:40:37
Kaleb
Still four to one though.
00:40:37
Mike Bell
but Three of their losses are out of conference, so they still have a shot to win it.
00:40:41
Kaleb
Yeah. There's one, two, three, four.
00:40:44
Mike Bell
Now they face Virginia this week.
00:40:45
Kaleb
Five teams with one loss on the conference schedule.
00:40:49
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:40:51
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:40:51
Mike Bell
Right. So, so now Virginia faces Duke this week. So whoever wins that game and whoever loses it is kind of out. SMU, I think has a good shot. Pitt now kind of looks like they may be the best team in the ACC. And of course you still have Georgia tech.
00:41:06
Mike Bell
You know, they only have the one loss. So I don't know what's going to happen here, but to me, the most fascinating team still might be Miami because Miami doesn't really have a shot to be in the ACC championship game. But how are they going to rank Miami?
00:41:19
Mike Bell
Because if all these other teams that were on top of the ACC fall, well, just according to the ranking, Miami's next in line.
00:41:24
Kaleb
Yeah, right.
00:41:27
Mike Bell
And you don't want to end up in a situation where all of a sudden you have two ACC teams. Because I'm sorry, like, i just don't think you can do that. This league just does not look good right now.
00:41:38
Mike Bell
So I think you just have to choose the winner of the league and the winner only.
00:41:44
Kaleb
Yeah, just because both I mean, this year, there's just really not like a clear cut definitive like
00:41:55
Kaleb
team you could really see as a threat in the playoff. And listen, there's a couple teams to have that argument in the Big Ten and the SEC. um
00:42:05
Kaleb
So, yeah. I mean, I'm still going for a pick.
00:42:07
Mike Bell
If Georgia Tech can win out, you know they still have Pitt, which is a good team, and they have Georgia.
00:42:11
Kaleb
At least – Yeah, right.
00:42:13
Mike Bell
So I think that's a big test for them.
00:42:13
Kaleb
Yeah, did it.
00:42:15
Mike Bell
If they can compete with Georgia, win out, be in the ACC title game, and then win, I still think they're a good team. But outside of that, we'll be back.
00:42:24
Kaleb
Oh, yeah. I mean, if they if they went out and beat Georgia and then beat whoever in the ACC title game, I think for sure they definitely deserve to be in the playoff. It's just the team behind them, what happens to them? I think that's the next question, you know.
00:42:41
Kaleb
But that will be very hard for Georgia Tech to go in there and do.
00:42:42
Mike Bell
Yep.
00:42:44
Kaleb
Actually, I'm not sure. Is that Georgia Tech? Georgia. Oh, they play Georgia at home.
00:42:52
Mike Bell
Yeah. No, I mean, that's going to be interesting. i I mean, i think it'll be a close game no matter what, as it was last year.
00:42:56
Kaleb
Yeah, for sure. Oh
00:42:59
Mike Bell
So to me to me, the most fascinating team in the conference to watch is going to be Pittsburgh.
00:43:00
Kaleb
oh yeah
00:43:04
Mike Bell
You know, they have been impressive, at least these last several games. As I'm looking at it now, they kind of lost to, you know, Louisville and then at West Virginia. But they face Notre Dame this week. I would expect Notre Dame to win, but can Pitt be competitive?
00:43:18
Mike Bell
And then they have at Georgia Tech. And then they host Miami. So that's going to be a pretty good litmus test for them to see if they are worth anything. But I am...
00:43:28
Kaleb
Well, let me ask you this. yeah Let me ask you this.
00:43:30
Mike Bell
yeah
00:43:31
Kaleb
So up to this point, you know, we both have liked Notre Dame. I still do. But do you.
00:43:39
Kaleb
ah Yes, you could say that it's very impressive for them to have like only lost by one point to you guys. But the that loss against Miami, how do you view that now, knowing weeks ahead of where we were at the time? Does that Miami loss by three points, how do we view that?
00:43:58
Kaleb
Because at the time, we werere like, holy crap, you know, Miami's were like, I think they got up to like number two or number three or something like that. Now they're all the way back at 18, and potentially the season is like getting derailed. So I just wanted to ask your thoughts on Notre Dame, because really and truly, like their schedule – relatively weak.
00:44:15
Kaleb
You know, they played Miami. Yes. Good team. Tech A&M. Good team. Yes. And then USC. And then everybody else pretty much after that. I don't know if you can even have been, if you can have the argument. Yes, they do play pit, but are they only seven and two and rank 24 just because of conference that are in or anyway,
Notre Dame vs. Texas: Ranking Debates
00:44:35
Kaleb
what's your thoughts on that? I guess.
00:44:36
Mike Bell
Well, I think the only reason you're saying that is you're worried Notre Dame going to get in above Texas and Texas is going to be the first team out. But, but.
00:44:42
Kaleb
Listen, listen, Right now, we we would we would definitely deserve to get in over them because right now we have two.
00:44:49
Mike Bell
Oh, that's ridiculous. That is absolutely ridiculous.
00:44:51
Kaleb
we do. No, it's not.
00:44:52
Mike Bell
I was joking, but that is ridiculous. let Let me just get back to that because that's going to be a discussion, but just hang on. As far as the Miami loss. ah No, I don't view it a lot differently because Miami was legitimately playing good.
00:45:09
Mike Bell
Don't forget, um it's not like that was the only game Miami played.
00:45:10
Kaleb
That's true.
00:45:12
Mike Bell
you know they They had beat USF, which is a good team. they had ah who else did they face? they Florida, when Florida was still fighting their hardest. And Miami had somebody else too, right?
00:45:25
Mike Bell
I'd have to look at their schedule, but I'm looking at Notre Dame's schedule. And the thing is, and this is kind of what I like the committee, what they're doing. is you have to use the eye test and they've They were competitive. Don't forget that game was at Miami.
00:45:40
Mike Bell
And don't forget Alabama lost to Florida State the first game of the year too. There is something about the first game of the year, the first few games of the year, where yes, the wins and losses should count.
00:45:51
Mike Bell
But let's face it, you have to weight them, I think, a little bit differently. Just a little bit, but a little bit differently. They've gone through their schedule. They're blowing out opponents. USC, that win is looking better and better.
00:46:04
Mike Bell
And I mean, we'll see what USC does. Navy was a team that was right on the edge of the top 25, below them out, 49-10. you know, their offense has been unstoppable. They've been figuring out defensively. It's not the strongest schedule in the world.
00:46:18
Mike Bell
But like at the end of the day, they're going to be 10 and two. If you watch them play, you can tell they're one of the best teams in the country at Pitt who has been impressive this week. They win that game. They're going win out.
00:46:29
Mike Bell
Do I wish they'd get in a conference so we wouldn't have to have this conversation with them every year? Yes. But, oh, well, by the way, Arkansas, I just have to say, i do think this is impressive to go at Arkansas and hold that team to 13 points.
00:46:44
Mike Bell
Nobody has done that.
00:46:45
Kaleb
That's true. Yeah, I forgot about that.
00:46:46
Mike Bell
know So, so,
00:46:47
Kaleb
That's true. That one is impressive. I mean, and they would fit right in with the Big Ten, in my opinion, just with their style of play and everything like that.
00:46:49
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:46:52
Mike Bell
Oh, yeah
00:46:53
Kaleb
and i love their I love their coach. Listen, I'm not saying that Notre Dame doesn't necessarily deserve to not be in the playoff. um just I just wish they would get into a conference and just play, i guess, better all around more games.
00:47:08
Kaleb
All around more just better opponents throughout the year.
00:47:08
Mike Bell
yeah. Yeah.
00:47:14
Mike Bell
For sure, for sure.
00:47:14
Kaleb
And I guess you could say in their circumstance, I guess –
00:47:14
Mike Bell
and there
00:47:19
Kaleb
Credit it to them, because I'm not really sure how they do their schedules, but, you know, they – with them not being in a conference, it is probably hard for them to get some top teams maybe. I don't really know, but um playing Miami, playing you guys, and then, you know, doing our – yeah, USC, which that's like the Rumble or game, which they need to keep that for sure.
00:47:38
Mike Bell
usa
00:47:44
Kaleb
But anyway. Anyway.
00:47:49
Mike Bell
Well, listen, as far as them being in over you guys, I mean, you know, they are in over you guys right now. So you're, you're basically making the case that, I mean, right now you think Texas should be in the playoffs.
00:48:01
Mike Bell
You know, I,
00:48:01
Kaleb
ah
00:48:05
Mike Bell
That is what you just said.
00:48:05
Kaleb
I'm just saying between the two.
00:48:06
Mike Bell
You just said that.
00:48:07
Kaleb
I'm saying between the two of us, then yes.
00:48:10
Mike Bell
Well, so then you're saying, if you're saying Texas shouldn't be in the playoffs, then you're saying Notre Dame shouldn't be in the playoffs. You just contradicted yourself.
00:48:18
Kaleb
I think um I'm not saying one way or another yet for Texas until the end of the year. like these nexts This next month will really tell everyone, I think, what comes
00:48:27
Mike Bell
okay of course, of course that's true. We're talking about right now.
00:48:30
Kaleb
okay Okay, but with Texas, our offense has been so up and down, though. it's hard luck if Arch was able to be consistently as good as he was it in the Vandy game, then, hey, I mean, Arch is like making big improvements.
00:48:41
Mike Bell
Okay, yes. If Texas plays at a championship level, then they're going to win the championship.
00:48:46
Kaleb
No, that's...
00:48:47
Mike Bell
I'm talking about right now.
00:48:48
Kaleb
No, you know what I mean.
00:48:50
Mike Bell
Right now.
00:48:53
Mike Bell
You just said it. You said that Texas should be in over Notre Dame right now. That's all I'm asking.
00:48:59
Kaleb
yes
00:49:01
Mike Bell
Okay. Based on what?
00:49:04
Kaleb
Vandy win, OU win. And without the – okay, I get that, yes.
00:49:06
Mike Bell
Okay, you have you have a loss to an unranked Florida. Okay.
00:49:11
Kaleb
But how many – how many ranked wins does Notre Dame have? I think it was against USC who at the time was ranked like 24 or something.
00:49:21
Kaleb
i I don't know off the top head what ranked now, but that's like really their – their what?
00:49:23
Mike Bell
you speak
00:49:27
Mike Bell
They're 19 now. And again, you you cannot just use metrics. You have to like look at
00:49:33
Kaleb
i
00:49:33
Mike Bell
You have to use the eye test.
00:49:34
Kaleb
Yeah, I get it.
00:49:35
Mike Bell
You have to use the eye test.
00:49:36
Kaleb
Listen, i love their I love their running back. I love their running back.
00:49:39
Mike Bell
Jeremiah Love.
00:49:42
Kaleb
And love their coach. It's not like I'm a Notre Dame hater. I'm just saying.
00:49:44
Mike Bell
Their quarterback is great. CJ Carr has been excellent.
00:49:50
Kaleb
Yes, for a first-year starter, he has.
00:49:52
Mike Bell
Not for a first-year starter. He's been great. He's been excellent.
00:49:55
Kaleb
what Well, I'm saying especially for a first-year starter.
00:49:59
Mike Bell
Yeah, well, here's the thing. nobody I don't think really many people would agree with you because I think just about everybody thinks Notre Dame is one of the best teams in the nation despite their two losses, and I don't think anyone thinks that about Texas.
00:50:10
Mike Bell
Is there potential for Texas? Yeah, they have Georgia and A&M left. They could just win out, like you said, and none of this matters. To this point, they beat Vandy, deserve credit for that. but you have to pay attention to the fact that their loss is versus an unranked team, Florida, and that they really struggled against Kentucky and Mississippi state, which are two bottom teams in the sec.
00:50:24
Kaleb
Yes.
00:50:29
Mike Bell
It wasn't until they beat Vandy the way they did, That people were like, okay, maybe Texas is figuring something out. And I just, by the way, that's just a good matchup for Texas, but they they did it. It was a top 10 team. They won.
00:50:41
Mike Bell
So i I just don't know if I agree with you. Like right now, ranking, you're saying that Texas should be ranked ahead note of Notre Dame. I don't know if you use the eye test, Notre Dame is a much more impressive team.
00:50:49
Kaleb
If it came down between you you got the 12th spot or whatever, who would get it between Notre Dame and Texas? I think up to this point, like right now, you'd have to give it to Texas. Just because what the resume says, and then yes, Notre Dame has been pretty good, but despite our schedule, we're still seven into One of the loss being yes against unranked, but the other loss was against Ohio State, which – We made that game competitive at the very end.
00:51:18
Kaleb
I get it may not have looked competitive the entire game, but we only lost by touchdown to them. I don't know how many teams can do that. ah Not many based off so far what Ohio State has done to pretty much everybody.
00:51:32
Kaleb
So pretty much for the year.
00:51:35
Mike Bell
If you want to compare resumes, then Notre Dame still has the better resume. you have a ranked you You have a loss to an unranked team. Notre Dame lost by one point to the number three team.
00:51:47
Mike Bell
And then three points at Miami, which is still a ranked loss. And then they've won now however many straight, and they have a ranked win against USC. So, I mean...
00:51:58
Kaleb
One, yeah, one win versus a ranked rank team, which was, i believe, 24 at the time. Or they were in the 20s or something like that.
00:52:08
Mike Bell
Yeah. So anyway, we just disagree on that. We could probably argue for that for 30 minutes.
Anticipation for Upcoming Key Games
00:52:12
Kaleb
Yeah, yeah, we probably could.
00:52:12
Mike Bell
um Okay. So is there anything else in terms of what happened last week that you want to discuss or do you think we covered it?
00:52:25
Kaleb
Hmm...
00:52:30
Kaleb
Honestly, I think we pretty much.
00:52:30
Mike Bell
mean, Notre Dame blowing out Navy. you know Speaking of ranked wins and losses, they blow them out. Navy was just ranked last week, but we only want to you know count it if they're actually ranked at the time, I guess.
00:52:38
Kaleb
Yes.
00:52:41
Mike Bell
We we don't want to use our judgment.
00:52:42
Kaleb
Oh, my gosh.
00:52:46
Mike Bell
ah That's pretty much all I got in terms of this week. I think next week is going to be very exciting. We have some big games.
00:52:52
Kaleb
Oh, sure.
00:52:53
Mike Bell
Texas, Georgia, OU Alabama, USC, Iowa. And I think I'm leaving something out too. So that's going to be very exciting. I'm looking forward to you think game day has game day announced? They're going to be at Texas, Georgia yet. do you think they'll go there?
00:53:13
Kaleb
I don't think so. I don't think they've announced where they're going yet. i mean, ah to me, I think that would be like, where else would they go? Like, I guess you can maybe say.
00:53:20
Mike Bell
Notre Dame-Pitt, that's not going to be the choice. Iowa-USC, OU-Alabama, and then it's just – and then Texas-Georgia is the last one. So I think it would be Texas-Georgia.
00:53:30
Kaleb
I think I'd probably have to go Texas, Georgia, just because I believe that.
00:53:38
Kaleb
Because I think we're almost on the fringe of like do or die here, like we really are, you know. um For us to for sure be in the playoff, we just need to win every single game. So there there is a lot of the line for for Texas.
00:53:54
Kaleb
But also, i mean, Georgia would be 8-2, and, you know, who's to say they would be able to make the SEC championship? I mean, they'd still probably be able to make the playoff, but...
00:54:06
Kaleb
I don't know. I think there's a lot a lot on the line for both teams, I guess. Yeah, I'd probably say...
00:54:12
Mike Bell
If Texas wins this game, they're probably in the playoff.
00:54:14
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah.
00:54:16
Mike Bell
You know?
00:54:18
Mike Bell
So...
00:54:18
Kaleb
Well, just because, like we said, Georgia has...
00:54:20
Kaleb
is You know, they're 8-1, okay? Their offense has been coming alive. And that's been... and Well, their defense hasn't been the best, but also their offense didn't look the best early in the year either.
00:54:34
Kaleb
You know, it's kind of like... chess moves when the game there. So I'll be interested to see because Texas' is offense, as per the conversation we had before, Arch has been kind of coming alive and doing better. And also I think the offensive line rotation that we have now has proven to be a little bit better than what it has earlier in the year.
00:54:56
Kaleb
So anyway, we'll talk a little bit more about that in the preview game. But yeah, I would be kind of surprised if Texas-Georgia didn't have game day there. Because I guess they had it at Ohio State in the Texas game, but maybe that's why they would choose not to do another Texas game, I guess.
00:55:15
Kaleb
I don't know. But how could you not?
00:55:17
Mike Bell
Yeah, if they just wanted to go somewhere different.
00:55:17
Kaleb
Yeah. Oh, my gosh. yeah
00:55:19
Mike Bell
No, no, they have announced it. And I kind of like they're doing i like what they're doing because it's somewhere different.
00:55:23
Kaleb
i go
00:55:26
Mike Bell
Notre Dame at Pitt. I kind of like that, actually. Even though it's not the biggest game, it's still a big game. And you're not going to get to go to that atmosphere very much. And they probably will go to A&M Texas at the end of the year.
00:55:36
Kaleb
Well, that's true.
00:55:40
Kaleb
Yeah, that's true. Yeah, that that's true. That's true. Got to keep that mind.
00:55:45
Mike Bell
Yeah. So, okay.
00:55:47
Kaleb
Yeah, I think this whole thing week's pretty interesting for sure.
00:55:51
Mike Bell
Yeah. Okay. Well, that's pretty much all I got. It's been another episode of blown coverage. Caleb, I will talk to you next time.
00:55:59
Kaleb
All right, next time.