Transcript
Mike Bell: All right, welcome back to another episode of Blown Coverage. I'm Mike Bell with my co-host Caleb Schreuer. We are in week 10. And I think it's safe to say this week we have some good games, but it's a little bit of a drop-off compared to the past several weeks.
Mike Bell: We were kind of due for one of these, but we do have some good games with some good playoff implications and some straight-up elimination games. So let's get right into it.
Mike Bell: Caleb, i want to start with your team. They're one of the big games this week. It's number 10 Vanderbilt versus number 22 Texas. That's at 11 a.m. on ABC.
Mike Bell: Vanderbilt has opened as a two and a half favorite. That line is kind of moving around a little bit. What are your thoughts on the game?
Kaleb: oh I think it's – I think Texas matches up pretty well with Vandy. Biggest thing is we don't know if Arch is going to play that game.
Kaleb: He just got in a practice yesterday, if I'm not mistaken.
Mike Bell: Yes.
Kaleb: So we don't really know if he's going to be ready to play on Saturday. So it might be relying on our backups. ah Matthew Caldwell, which I mean, I know he came in threw that pass for a touchdown to get us over Mississippi State last week. But, know, that's one play.
Kaleb: What can he do for us in a game? So that's probably the biggest question for me about that. um You know, Vandy predicates their offense on the run. Texas is third in the nation against the run.
Kaleb: um I think if Texas can control that Vandy run game and control Pavia, which Anthony Hill will be a huge part of the game plan for this. Anthony Hill is like one of the best linebackers, if not the best linebacker in the nation.
Kaleb: He controls mobile quarterbacks for the most part pretty well. So um unless something weird happens, you know, i don't really expect Pavia's mobile run game to like be the game-defining thing. i mean, don't get me wrong. He's going to probably wiggle and get out of some things because he's a little magician. But for the most part, um I think if Texas can control that run game and force him to throw, which is where Texas' is defense is a little weak at, is the secondary.
Kaleb: um i think we're i think that will set us up in a pretty good situation just because that's not Vandy's strength either. So – um Another thing I'd like to point out with we have our Texas has a seven plus turnover margin ranking 13th in the nation and Texas a special teams have come on huge in the past several weeks.
Kaleb: So as long as our offense, no matter who the quarterback is can at least.
Kaleb: Move the ball enough, get us, I don't know, maybe 20 points. Something like that. I think we have a good shot. But we'll see. There's a lot of ifs to this game just because without Arch Manning. So not to say that it would be a slam dunk win with Arch Manning in the game either. I don't think that's the case at all. But anyway, um and we probably won't know that until the end of this or maybe tomorrow or you know maybe even Saturday.
Kaleb: So what were your thoughts?
Mike Bell: Yeah, you know, i I am curious to see if Archie's going to play and what that does to affect the game. ah You know, this is, on a note for Texas, their first home game since September 20th.
Kaleb: yeah
Mike Bell: So in about five weeks. And I'm curious to see how they respond to kind of both these teams respond to being battle tested, but kind of in different ways.
Mike Bell: ah Texas has kind of been finding ways to win games, both low scoring, high scoring, but against you know mostly bad opponents other than OU. But yeah they're coming off emotional to OU, emotional loss to Florida.
Mike Bell: and then you barely beat Kentucky, Mississippi State, but you do find ways to win those games. And then now you're back home. It's like, okay, well – ah does does that now give them confidence? And then Vandy on the other side, they're finally in the national spotlight these past few weeks and they've taken care of business and they've beaten the good teams. And now Texas is just the next opponent.
Mike Bell: But the last two teams that they've beaten ah that were good were at home. So now they've got to find a way to win on the road at Texas. So that's a big deal as far as the storyline, you know, Arch playing,
Mike Bell: There's a lot of Texas fans that are saying like that they don't want Arch to play and they think the line is the way that it is. Oh, you know, by the way, I made a mistake. I said that Vanderbilt is favored by two and a half. i i admit Texas is favored by two and a half.
Kaleb: Right. Yeah. I figured as much.
Mike Bell: yeah
Kaleb: Yeah.
Mike Bell: Yeah, so Texas is favored by two and half, and people on the Texas side are saying that, well, the reason Texas is even favored is because Arch may not be playing, and that's not true. The reason that Texas is favored is just because it's a very good matchup for Texas, given what Vanderbilt does.
Kaleb: Yeah.
Mike Bell: So here's the deal. it's The line would actually not be as favorable – if Caldwell, I think it's his name, right?
Kaleb: yeah
Mike Bell: the If he's playing, for sure. So I think you want Arch to play in this game, one, for short and long-term reasons. but But the thing is, has been throwing the ball better. He's still not great, but he's throwing the ball better. But his dull threat ability is just needed because Vanderbilt defensively is pretty good against the run.
Mike Bell: So you don't want to be one-dimensional and just be passing the ball. It's going to help to have a quarterback who has been y'all's leading rusher in a lot of games.
Mike Bell: You really want him to be active so he can –
Kaleb: Hmm.
Mike Bell: you know, create that dynamic of they need to watch for both the pass and the run. So, but this, to me, it's not really about that side of the ball. I think Texas's offense is going to look how it always does.
Mike Bell: And that is, it's probably going to be a bit of a struggle. It's really about the other side of the ball. Can Pavia do anything versus Texas's front seven? And I think you're going to know how this game is going to go probably in the first quarter, because what I imagine Vanderbilt is going to do is they're going to try to run it.
Mike Bell: and it's not going to work, and they're going punt, and then they're going to get the ball back, and then they're going to try to run it, and it's not going to work, and they're going punt. And it's like, okay, that's their whole game plan, and I don't think it's going to work versus Texas, to be honest.
Kaleb: yeah
Mike Bell: it's just It just never does. So the question is, can Texas put up any points no matter what their quarterback situation is?
Kaleb: yeah and
Mike Bell: And I imagine, kind of like you're saying, like if they can get to 20 points, that might be enough. So that that's my general thoughts.
Kaleb: yeah
Kaleb: yeah and You know, Matthew Caldwell is a little similar to Arch as far as like Kenny run. Yes. He's just not as ah well. Really and truly haven't like we haven't seen him whole lot of this year to even see like how his running ability is. Okay.
Kaleb: I mean, Arch Manning, though, like he is like a really good runner, though. So I doubt that Matthew Caldwell is as good of a runner as he is. Yeah.
Kaleb: And like you said, Vandy's defense is really good at stopping the run, which is obviously what Texas has had issues doing to begin with. And like you said, Vandy's able to get us one-dimensional, especially with a backup quarterback, it I would not be surprised if this almost was kind of like a Missouri-Vandy game.
Kaleb: um
Mike Bell: Yep.
Kaleb: Just kind of low-scoring, kind of just dogfight.
Kaleb: in, don't know, War of Attrition game, I guess you could say. So anyway, I think it'll be interesting. um I think if Texas is able to push past Vandy, I mean, you know, i know I said like last week that Vandy is kind of not necessarily like a Cinderella team, but like everything's come together and they're getting recognition and probably one of the most interesting stories in college football this year, I would say.
Kaleb: So they have a lot of momentum on their side. um If Texas is able to propel a again ah propel past them, think that'll be a great game. And plus, Texas isn't is in the corner ah now because if Texas loses another game or as loses to Vandy Saturday, that's going to be our...
Kaleb: yeah
Kaleb: six That would be our second SEC loss gay and third loss overall. Probably be done for the season at that point because you know there's going some other better teams in Texas up to this point that will probably just have two SEC losses that will get in over us.
Kaleb: And who's to say, i mean, we've got Georgia in the upcoming weeks too. So, you know, That one's more than likely probably going be another loss.
Mike Bell: Thank you.
Kaleb: So anyway, there's there there are a lot of implications as far as the season goes. Vandy, they'd be a two loss SEC team. um
Kaleb: So ah would they be out of it? I don't necessarily think so. But however, it would be better if they won this game for sure. Yeah.
Mike Bell: I agree. Okay, well, let's stay in the SEC and move to 6-30 on ABC. ah 18th ranked Oklahoma versus 14 Tennessee. Tennessee is favored by 3.5, and this really is an elimination game.
Mike Bell: And I would argue maybe even the battle of the overrateds. Because if you look at a game like...
Kaleb: Yeah.
Mike Bell: Both teams could still be good, but, you know, when we talk about Tennessee, what have they done this season? Well, what they've done is they barely lost to Georgia. Like they're hanging their hat on really a loss.
Mike Bell: Now, look, everyone saw the game, but everyone's also seen ah Georgia since then.
Kaleb: Mm-hmm.
Mike Bell: And that is kind of in the way Georgia's played, like barely getting out of there against teams.
Kaleb: three
Mike Bell: And, Look, at the end of the day, Tennessee could still say, well, yeah, but if we nail our field goal kick, we only have one loss, and that's at Alabama. And that's true.
Mike Bell: On the OU side of the ball, like, what have they done? You know, they they kind of got exposed last week, I think, versus is a great team. ah Ole Miss is a great team. But I think that defense is a little bit more suspect than people would believe, and they're once again going against a high-powered offense.
Mike Bell: The difference in this game is going to be OU. I think this is what the game comes down to as well is how well can OU move the ball. And the difference is, you Ole Miss doesn't have the greatest defense, but they're better than Tennessee.
Mike Bell: And Tennessee can't stop anybody. So if OU can't move the ball here, then they've got serious issues.
Kaleb: Oh, yeah. Hmm.
Mike Bell: And I think that's what it's going to come down to is can Mateer just get a little bit better each week coming back from his surgery? And, you know, this is a night game at Tennessee. This is one of the tougher places to play in the SEC.
Mike Bell: But like I said, both teams need to win this game to have any sort of shot. OU knows how difficult their schedule is. This is just the next game. And I want to say Tennessee from here has a more manageable schedule. so
Kaleb: Yeah, I'm playing baby fan.
Mike Bell: So that's really what I've got. I think, you know, Tennessee at home, i think they're, they seem a little hungrier than OU. i don't know if that's really the right word to say, but I kind of trust their coach a little bit more.
Mike Bell: I know Venables is a good coach, but you know, off a loss, they're like eight and 10 under him. So i don't know. I trust, I think the coaching staff a little bit more from for Tennessee.
Mike Bell: And yeah, that's what I, that's what I got on this game.
Kaleb: Well, i think ah I think in comparison with the coaching staffs, I think Josh Eiple has done more with less at Tennessee than Brent Venable has done at OU.
Mike Bell: Thank you.
Kaleb: Because if you look over the past, like, I mean, i don't know if they got hired on the same year or not. I mean, I really want to say they did. But I don't know off the top of my head. But anyway, ou has had like top 10 recruiting classes like pretty much every year. Okay. And I would probably say that Tennessee has had top 15 or probably right around there.
Kaleb: Okay, so they have some – Tennessee has some players too, um but not as not sometimes to the same caliber as OU does in what always happens.
Kaleb: Tennessee's always got a really good offense. And last year their defense was – Closer to the middle of the pack and know the other years that our defense has really sucked. So once Josh Hopple can figure out how to get some defensive players over there.
Kaleb: Good coaches, good scheme. i mean Tennessee is really gonna be a force to watch. So, um Like you said, it's kind of funny how you put it, like, a game ah to see, like, who's real and who's not or whatever.
Kaleb: um ah put game of opposites, offense and defense, right? Tennessee, great offense, horrible defense. and vice versa for OU. Not really a great offense at all, and not really a... Or in a really great defense. Or potentially good defense.
Kaleb: I think they're good. They got exposed to where it's not one of the top ones, but... We're really going to see, though, if OU can be a top defense for the second week in a row facing ah you know high-powered offense. And honestly, I think Tennessee is a little similar to Ole Miss' offense just because they're quick.
Kaleb: ah They do like to run the ball, and but they like to error it out pretty quickly, too. So it'll be kind of interesting to see OU's defense second week in a row. I think home advantage will be key just because Tennessee at night, it's like a different animal.
Kaleb: um And I mean, this is a big game, right? um So both six and two, um
Kaleb: kind of prove it game like you were saying, to be honest with you. So, and in this situation, I trust Josh Heupel more. Josh Heupel has won, like, bigger games, bigger situations than Brent Venables has up to this point.
Kaleb: um And like I said, I think he's done less – or I think he's done more with less. So, yeah.
Mike Bell: Okay, let's stay in the 6.30 time slot and move over to the Big Ten now, and that is USC versus Nebraska on NBC.
Mike Bell: ah USC ranked number 23 in the country. You know, I'm pretty excited for this game. You're going to get more of these as we're kind of the last third of the season.
Mike Bell: These middle to higher tier Big Ten teams are going to start facing each other more.
Kaleb: Thank
Mike Bell: Whereas kind of the middle of season, it's a lot of like the upper teams against the bottom teams. and There's not much to see. And we've talked kind of all season about who that fourth Big Ten team is going to be. And will just tell you, as far as the seeding is concerned, I don't think it's a a lot that the Big Ten even gets a fourth team.
Mike Bell: But they probably do. And that's kind of what this battle is. You know, big hit or Nebraska has two losses in the Big Ten. USC just has one.
Mike Bell: If USC can win out and just have one loss, they're probably in. And, you know, it's interesting, USC's favored by six and a half, but this is really a an opportunity for both teams to do what they haven't done in now a couple of years And that is Nebraska hasn't beat a, I don't have this stat in front of me.
Mike Bell: Maybe you do, but ah Nebraska hasn't beat a ranked opponent. I want to say in like three years. And then USC under Lincoln Riley hasn't beat an opponent on the road in the Big Ten since he's arrived.
Mike Bell: So really an opportunity for both teams to, we've kind of talked about it all year, but get over that hump and,
Kaleb: Let me ask you before you don't or go further. With that being said about Lincoln Riley not winning, How much would you attribute? Because you know, a big thing with that is like the traveling, how ah much he's having to travel to go to some of these games.
Mike Bell: yeah
Kaleb: Do you think that is real or do you think that's just something like ah an easy excuse?
Mike Bell: Easy excuse. well I guess it's a bit of both, but like I'm sure it's difficult. But at the end of the day, like teams do it. And we're not just talking this season.
Mike Bell: This has been a problem for his teams since he took it.
Kaleb: Yeah.
Mike Bell: So, like, yeah, i'm sure I'm sure it has an effect, but, like,
Kaleb: Yeah, definitely not easy. I mean, because that's got to suck some of those times, like flying like you know across the country. But like... I
Kaleb: i mean, don't get me wrong. Perfect storm situation. Like, okay, maybe I could say maybe the traveling is kind of what kind of did him in. But I mean... That's so, I don't know.
Kaleb: i don't know. I think that's such like kind of a BS excuse, to be honest, because it's like, no matter what, you've got a week to prepare and kind of get ready mentally for all this. And, you know, you have a team of people to figure out how to efficiently get your team from point A to point B and what the best plan would be.
Mike Bell: I agree. The only thing I'd say is being on the road just in general does matter more in college. So I could see the longer the trip, the more it matters, you know, so.
Kaleb: Oh, for sure. It does.
Mike Bell: So, yeah, I mean, looking at their schedule, like they had to go to Illinois. They barely lost by two at Notre Dame, you know the kind of same area of the country lost. And then now it's at Nebraska.
Mike Bell: That is kind of a tough stretch for their road games to be kind of cross country like that.
Kaleb: Yeah.
Mike Bell: And then their next and final road games at Oregon, which is kind of more on the same side of the country. But here's the deal. If they can find a way to pull this off and their favorite, and I'm kind of surprised and're favored by this much, but they host Northwestern and then host Iowa, which could be a big game just depending on what Iowa does.
Kaleb: Oh,
Mike Bell: And then obviously at Oregon is going to be a big game. So, so yeah, i I would just say Nebraska, if they win, people are already talking about Matt Rule, you know, in terms of his job.
Kaleb: yeah.
Mike Bell: and Is he going to go anywhere? He wins this game. That is going to be talked about even You're going to start talking about Nebraska even more.
Kaleb: a
Mike Bell: It's like, okay, are they that fourth playoff team? You know, the rest of their schedule is at UCLA, at Penn State, and then hosting Iowa. Don't get me wrong. I don't think Nebraska's a lot to win those games. I think it'll be interesting.
Mike Bell: But if you lose this game, you're for sure out of it. Both these teams know they need a win. Night game at the Nebraska. And you know their fans are just dying to get a win like this. And I would even borderline say they may rush the field if they win this game.
Kaleb: Oh yeah, probably.
Mike Bell: Because
Kaleb: They're pretty desperate, yeah.
Mike Bell: they only lost by three to Michigan. Now, I remember that game now, and it wasn't that close. But at the end of the day, they only lost by three to Michigan. And then they go to Minnesota, get blown out. Kind of a weird game.
Mike Bell: But...
Kaleb: Yeah.
Mike Bell: But anyway, that's that's all I got. I'm actually pretty excited to watch this game. It'll be on like the side-by-side for me with the Tennessee-Oklahoma game.
Kaleb: Yeah.
Mike Bell: But that's really all I have to say about it.
Kaleb: Yeah, I mean, pretty much to piggyback off of you, you know, not game in Nebraska, which, you know, pretty much while we've been able to really kind of take college football seriously, Nebraska has been kind of a joke.
Kaleb: But like.
Kaleb: Back in the day, Nebraska was almost kind of like the Alabama in a sense, you know, and pretty much just in all facet. So I think it's like a sleeping giant. Like once they kind of get the ball rolling again, which Matt Rule is, I think he's doing,
Kaleb: I don't think it's going to easy for him to kind of get them back on track just because they've been gone for so long, so to speak. But I do think Nebraska is going to be a tough place to play, depending on the situation.
Kaleb: And these are one of those situations. This game means a lot to them. Like you said, they haven't won a ranked game in three years. um I think the most intriguing matchup, which the more I kind of looked at this game, was like, dang, this is actually really interesting here.
Kaleb: So Nebraska's got the second-ranked pass defense, okay? And USC's got the first-ranked passing offense.
Mike Bell: Mm-hmm.
Kaleb: So we'll really kind of see. I'm really interested interested to see how that goes, okay? um And you could say, i don't know, who has Nebraska played that's really, like, effective at passing?
Kaleb: I would say Maryland at times can have some success at passing. Let me kind of look at their schedule again just to refresh.
Mike Bell: um
Kaleb: I remember Maryland, but... um
Mike Bell: Well, here's know whyre why you're looking at that just quickly.
Kaleb: Yeah.
Mike Bell: ah Yeah, in terms of the stat being like, oh, yeah, they haven't faced anybody. I'm sure that's true as far as passing. But if you're the second ranked team in the entire country, it means you have a good pass defense.
Mike Bell: It may not really be the number two, but it means that it's good and formidable.
Kaleb: Yeah, good. Yeah. Yeah.
Mike Bell: So it is a matchup to watch.
Kaleb: Yeah. And probably up to this point, I mean, I don't know off the top of my head, but this may be the best, like, best pass defense USC has faced all year. I mean, probably because, I mean, i don't know who number one is, but I doubt it's any of the other teams USC has played up to this point.
Mike Bell: Yes.
Kaleb: But I definitely think between the Between those two coaching staffs, I think there's just been so much inconsistency with Lincoln Rowley since he has gotten to usa mainly just with a defense, not necessarily the offensive side of the ball, but i would almost have to give Matt Rule an edge in that sense.
Kaleb: um I think the matchup overall favors USC, just a really high-powered offense. Like, everything is ranked top 10, okay? um it's Slightly behind the middle of the pack, defense.
Kaleb: I think what will happen is Nebraska is just kind of like – e on offense, whereas you USC is like like pretty high-powered, to be honest.
Kaleb: I think USC's ah offense does just enough to get get them past Nebraska. ah or excuse me. I think USC's defense does just enough to get them past Nebraska.
Kaleb: could be a hard fought game too it could be another 30 to 27 game or something you know because i think there is a lot of emotion both sides have a lot to prove um and especially in kind in a deep conference like the big 10 this year i mean kind of crazy um big 10 is um both of these teams let's see here usc yeah so usc and abrass are kind of in the
Mike Bell: know
Kaleb: upper middle so to speak okay um and depending on what the other teams do this upcoming week uh we'll kind of change that of course right but anyway um who wins very well potentially could i don't know Don't want to necessarily say playoff. I mean, maybe if USC wins the game, you know, they could sit sit there and say, okay, yeah, we deserve to be and playoff or something like that, depending on what they do the rest of the year, of course. But um it gives them a better shot at the playoff.
Kaleb: As far as Nebraska goes, i don't really think that's gonna be in the cards just because they're two losses. Michigan kind of – I think Michigan's good, rank twenty one minnesota un ranked unranked.
Kaleb: ah
Mike Bell: Okay.
Kaleb: I think it's kind of done for them. But USC, they maybe still have a shot, depending on what they do. Let me look at USC's schedule real quick to see if they have, like, okay, that could propel them.
Kaleb: Will they still play Oregon? Okay. So if they went out, they go and beat Oregon, they've got a shot, I think. So interesting game.
Mike Bell: good Yeah, that'll be a fun game to watch. Let's open it up now to just, you know, other games we want to talk about. i do think we have to start off with, and I think both of us don't have a lot to say about it because we're not experts on the teams, but we do have to at least talk about, you know, number 17 Cincinnati versus 24 Utah.
Mike Bell: By the way, this game at so a lot of the country will not be watching this game. But, You know, like you that could be a big deal for Cincinnati because for Utah, that's kind of like normal time.
Kaleb: Sadly.
Mike Bell: And then for Cincinnati, not so much so. But um yeah, Utah, it's kind of been a disappointment. Both times that they've had a chance to face decent teams, they've kind of blown it versus BYU and Texas Tech.
Kaleb: Yeah, good team.
Mike Bell: But they're still like a good, formidable team. Whereas Cincinnati...
Kaleb: Yeah.
Mike Bell: Look, they're undefeated in the Big 12. They've got a legitimate shot to you know be in that title game. But I think they're kind of looked at as a little bit of ah a glass cannon. And I think their schedule is mostly second half loaded.
Mike Bell: So, you know, Utah opened up as I think like a four and a half point favorite. This line has moved all the way to 10 and a half, which tells you that they expect like, yeah, Cincinnati is kind of just overrated and they're about to run into actual good team for the first time.
Kaleb: Yeah.
Mike Bell: So, you know, I'm not going to sit pretend I've watched a bunch of both teams. I have watched Cincinnati. They've kind of been like my fourth team on the TV that I kind of track sometimes.
Mike Bell: But I will say i'm i'm a bit surprised at the line extending this much. But it will be a big game for the Big 12 because believe it or not, I mean, look, Utah has two losses.
Mike Bell: And if they went out, they're still in the playoff conversation. And the way the chaos is in the Big 12, they're probably out of the Big 12 championship. But you never know. Like, you don't really know what's going to happen.
Mike Bell: So... Yeah, Utah has to win these games. They're at home. But if Cincinnati wins, watch out for Cincinnati because that's just going to add more chaos into this playoff picture. But that's all I have to say about this game. If you want to talk about it, you can or you can just go to whatever game you want to talk about.
Kaleb: Yeah, I mean, I would pretty much just say, like, who is Cincinnati, like, won against? And their best win is against Iowa State, which, you know, how's Iowa State's season done?
Kaleb: think it's – I don't want to ask.
Mike Bell: Barely lost to Nebraska, though.
Kaleb: Yeah, barely – which, yes. I mean, that is good. You know, don't get me wrong. Like, that's a good contest. Still lost. And Utah – I mean, Here's the deal. Utah has faced a little bit better opponents.
Kaleb: Okay. and um Losing to Texas Tech, though. ah Trying to figure – let me see. you Oh, and losing to BYU. Okay. Arguably, like, to the – there were two teams from the Big 12 that could maybe – like let's say put a threat in a college football football playoff, it'd be those two teams, Utah lost them.
Kaleb: Okay. At least they've played them, kind of made their team stronger. Cincinnati, best team that they've played and won against was Iowa State. Okay. And honestly, like Utah's coaching staff too is just really good. Like I forgot what's that guy's name, Pat Whittingham. Is that what his name is?
Kaleb: I forget, but The guy always has a consistent team. Really good physical run game. Does just enough in the passing. ah Just... Crap, I can't think of the word. But they don't really turn the ball over all that much.
Kaleb: Man, what a... I want to say technique. But anyway, Utah's...
Kaleb: They've got to get over a hump, and they could be a good team. i think like this year, Utah's remaining schedule is Baylor, Kansas State, Kansas, which I think they'll be favored in all those.
Kaleb: um And then they'll be you know So it'll be kind of interesting to see depending on what the other ones do. and Big 12 will be crazy in a couple weeks, but that's really all I have to say.
Kaleb: um Maybe wish this game were a little different time zone, or a different time, but
Kaleb: that's it.
Mike Bell: Okay. All right. So, you know, as far as other games, there's a few that are kind of interesting. Like I said, it's a little bit of a down week. And I think we do have to talk about this game a little bit or just bring it up, not necessarily even talk about it, but just because it's two big brands and...
Mike Bell: I hate to just constantly every week talk about how much Penn State has fallen, but, you know, three and four Penn State versus number one Ohio State.
Kaleb: yeah Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Mike Bell: This was like one of the most anticipated games of the year going into the season. And even after the Oregon loss, because everyone thought, hey, this will be Penn State's next, maybe last chance.
Mike Bell: And they're expecting it to be a 6-1 Penn State versus a 7-0 Ohio State. And now here we are. It's an 11 a.m. kickoff and Ohio State's favored by 20 and a half. So, boy, has Penn State fallen.
Mike Bell: you know I have nothing more to say about that. But wouldn't it be interesting if Penn State – they've still got a lot of talent.
Kaleb: not
Mike Bell: if they could keep this close. I don't expect them to win the game by any means, but but could you just imagine if Penn State did something crazy here?
Mike Bell: You know, just be like, what in the heck is going on with that team?
Kaleb: Well, here's the deal. And I have not watched them since Drew Aller got injured. So i have no idea how their backup quarterback has been playing for them. But listen, like luck you said, boy, what would that do to Penn State this year?
Kaleb: Not that they're going to the playoff or anything like that. But this is this is like kind of –
Kaleb: what if scenario on steroids for Penn State, like what they came out, held their own with Ohio State, and beat them, okay? And it'd probably be like a last-second field goal situation or something like that just because Ohio State is like super good.
Kaleb: I mean, I think in all likelihood, it'd probably be like a 20-point victory for Ohio State, but I'm just saying, Man, just Penn State's probably had to have this circled even before anything happened this year, right?
Kaleb: And so I think they're going to do the best they absolutely can because no matter what, they're, what, three and earth? Are they four and three now? Three and three? Something like that.
Mike Bell: three and four.
Kaleb: But yeah, three and... Jesus. Three and four. um If they were able to go out and beat Penn State, it would put a little bit of a band-aid on the boo-boos, so to speak. So, I don't know.
Kaleb: Man, I just, gosh, man. Like, yeah, Penn State hadn't, like, fallen, would have been a great game. i mean, it's been a great game, gosh, pretty much almost every single year, you know, and Ohio State's gotten the notch just barely, typically.
Mike Bell: Yeah. Yeah. um Okay. Speaking of, i mean, maybe that's not a rivalry game, but a rivalry game we have to talk about is Georgia, Florida.
Kaleb: Yeah.
Mike Bell: And Florida, they've fallen in kind of ah a less dramatic way than Penn State, but still a dramatic way. Obviously, Napier fired at this point. But this is a game, I remember last year watching it and Florida nearly pulling it off.
Mike Bell: And look, it's just one of those games that any given year, Florida can win this. I mean, they don't forget Florida has elite talent.
Kaleb: yeah
Mike Bell: And I want to say, I can look at this right now. i want to say Florida's coming off bye because I don't remember seeing them play last week. And sure enough, they are coming off a bye because I remember the last game was Mississippi State. They barely pulled it off and then they followd ah fired Napier.
Mike Bell: You know, this is seven and a half points. I would expect a close game. Georgia, they play close games. That's kind of what they do. And yeah, I think this would just be a fun game to actually see on TV.
Mike Bell: But in terms of games remaining for the rest of it, you know, we do have, and you can talk about this game if you want, but just quickly before I'm kind of done with what I was going to talk about, Navy North Texas, that's kind of an elimination game.
Mike Bell: for the that 12th spot, there's four teams really in it, and they're all like in the American. It's Navy, North Texas, Memphis, and South Florida.
Kaleb: you
Mike Bell: and Navy's undefeated right now. Navy wins out, they're that 12th team. So, they're both They're all trying to get in the the American Championship, and North Texas has that one loss. They lost to USF a few weeks ago.
Mike Bell: So this is actually a sneaky good game to watch at the 11 a.m. time slot. So I will be watching that. North Texas is favored by 6.5. Navy is faced like nobody to this point. And the next opponent is Notre Dame.
Mike Bell: So if they do win this game, that could be a really exciting game next week. But... That's kind of my thought, honestly, on the entire rest of the slate and games that I'm excited about. But what other games are you excited about? Anything else you want to touch on?
Kaleb: Well, I think... Oh, man. It just left my mind. What game was it that you were talking about before the Navy? Yes. I think Florida is almost in the same situation as...
Kaleb: and probably even more so maybe ah because at least Penn State's quarterback is out. So it looks like, okay, what do you expect from them kind of thing, I guess? I don't know. But, you know, like you said, Florida's got elite talent.
Kaleb: um Coming off a buy this is like a – don't want to say prove it situation, but it's kind of like what are we going to do from here, guys, kind of thing. You know, perfect game for the – like if Florida were to go out and win against Georgia,
Kaleb: that would put some oomph to them. So it means a lot to them, right? I mean, it's a rivalry game. ah And really, I remember like when we were like kids, really, and maybe here and there around 2000, it kind of fizzled out probably around twenty tinnish But every year before that, like ah five years before that, it was like back and forth every single year. it was like definitely one of the top games of the year for sure.
Kaleb: Like Matthew Stafford, Tim Tebow, ah Aaron Murray. I'm trying to think. Who was the next quarterback? Forgot his name. But anyway, Georgia-Florida game was always one of the best. It's kind of fallen just because Florida has.
Kaleb: But it could be interesting. i I'm curious to see how Florida shows up after the bye week because, yes, they can. If they come in and do what they need to do they can definitely.
Kaleb: pull it off because it's not like Georgia's offense is like that high powered. Their defense is good, not as good as it has been. So if Georgia is able to go out there and kind of light it up, which I'm not expecting them to do per se, I'm just saying there's opportunity for Florida to kind of take some chances and exploit Georgia's flaws.
Kaleb: And don't know, it could happen. Rivalry game too. It's, you know, one of the better rivalries in college football, so anything can happen. That's really to bring up, to be honest with you. know ah bring up be honest with you ah
Mike Bell: Okay. All right. Well, listen, that's kind of all I've got for the episode. Is there anything else in general you wanted to talk about um as relate as it relates to this week or anything college football-wise?
Kaleb: I don't think so. I think that's pretty much it. um I do think there's probably going to be some really good games that we don't expect to be good, that will be good.
Mike Bell: Yeah.
Kaleb: And so the reaction video will be interesting whenever we do that. so But yeah, than that, I think I'm all done.
Mike Bell: All right, well, let's wrap it up. This has been another episode of blown Coverage. Caleb, I'll see you next time.
Kaleb: All right, see you.
