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Week 8 College Football Preview: SEC Showdowns, Rivalry Heat, and Playoff Push
38 Plays8 months ago
Dive into the heart of the 2025 college football season with our Week 8 preview! We break down the biggest games, including three ranked-on-ranked SEC clashes like No. 5 Ole Miss vs. No. 9 Georgia and the iconic Tennessee-Alabama rivalry. From the Holy War (Utah vs. BYU) to USC-Notre Dame, we unpack the stakes, key players, and upset potential that could shake up the College Football Playoff race.
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Transcript
Introduction and Upcoming Games
00:00:01
Mike Bell
All right, welcome back to another episode of the loan coverage. I'm Mike Bell with my host Caleb Schwoer. um Caleb, much like last weekend, we have a really good slate of games this week and I'm really looking forward to it. But before we get into the games, I want to talk about something that i didn't prepare
Coaching Moves and Rumors
00:00:22
Mike Bell
you for at all. And that is the Kirk Signetti news.
00:00:27
Kaleb
Oh, yeah, them.
00:00:27
Mike Bell
I just signed an eight year contract with Indiana.
00:00:30
Kaleb
Yeah. and
00:00:32
Mike Bell
Do you have any thoughts on that at all?
00:00:34
Kaleb
Smart move by them. Very smart move. When I saw that, I was like, okay, very smart move because I don't know that Penn State job.
00:00:45
Kaleb
I think Indiana knows, like, dang, that's pretty enticing. You know, same conference, just probably more race resources. Smart move.
00:00:53
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:00:53
Kaleb
have
00:00:55
Mike Bell
Agreed, agreed. i don't have too much to say about it other than, yeah, smart move for Indiana. And I think this is good just for the Big Ten in general, because you've added like another school that's going to kind of remain or should remain as a pretty good team.
00:01:10
Mike Bell
And otherwise, I think it'd be a drop off for Indiana and they'd kind of go back to being nothing most likely.
00:01:15
Kaleb
Mediocre.
00:01:16
Mike Bell
say thatty So um last point before we get into the games, ah the favorite
00:01:16
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:01:24
Mike Bell
to land James Franklin is Arkansas. And I think that it's a very intriguing place ah for him to go. You know, he's been a guy who's turned programs around, you know, Vanderbilt and yeah, yeah.
00:01:38
Kaleb
Both. Yeah. And it would say, yeah.
00:01:40
Mike Bell
yeah So, so anyway, I just think that's fascinating. Keep an eye on that. um
00:01:46
Kaleb
Earlier this week, while we're kind of discussing this kind of stuff, I saw that someone linked Penn State job. Now, i don't know if he would do it or not. It would be, oh my gosh, freaking forgot his name. Marcus Freeman for Notre Dame.
00:02:02
Mike Bell
Yes.
00:02:03
Kaleb
I saw that, and I was like, dude, I mean, I don't know if you would leave Notre Dame, and i think that would be like a very – like there would be probably minimal differences. I'd probably say the the main difference is is just what kind of athlete athletes he could get at Penn State versus Notre Dame just because the academic side of it.
00:02:20
Kaleb
um But, man, at Penn State, we're able to get Marcus Freeman. I think that be a really, really good
00:02:28
Mike Bell
it would be It would be. I would be curious to see if he would leave as well.
Ole Miss vs Georgia Preview
00:02:33
Mike Bell
um
00:02:33
Kaleb
I would kind of be surprised, honestly.
00:02:36
Mike Bell
Yeah, yeah. like you don't see ah It's not like it's a big upgrade. like They're both pretty highly touted.
00:02:42
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:02:43
Mike Bell
If anything, maybe Notre Dame a bit more. Yeah. But who knows, maybe Marcus Freeman just isn't happy, but it's probably one of those things like with the agents just throwing names out there to see like who's interested, that kind of thing.
00:02:55
Kaleb
yeah
00:02:57
Mike Bell
But it's going a fascinating job to watch. But let's get into this week's slate of games. We've got some great ones. always like to start where game day is.
00:03:10
Mike Bell
It's a top 10 clash. It's Ole Miss, who's the fifth-ranked team in the country, versus Georgia, the 10th-ranked team in the country. This is at 2.30 on ABC.
00:03:22
Mike Bell
As of now, Georgia is a seven-and-a-half-point favorite. Ole Miss is chasing their first SEC title shot since 2014.
00:03:34
Mike Bell
And Georgia, of course, trying to survive in the playoff race. And they really need to you know win these games. They still have some somewhat tough tests coming up on the Georgia side of it.
00:03:47
Mike Bell
But yeah, what are your opening thoughts for this game?
00:03:52
Kaleb
I think it's going to be an interesting matchup just because i don't necessarily, I think George's offense does enough to like get by, but in this kind of game,
00:04:06
Kaleb
Ole Miss' is offense, and I know they just kind of had an off week with Washington State last weekend, but I don't really put too much stock into it. I think Ole Miss' is offense is going to kind of make it hard for Georgia to keep pace with them.
00:04:21
Kaleb
Georgia's defense is still, like, really good. It's not like one of those, like, eatite different elite Georgia defenses that we're kind of used to in the last couple years, but they're still really good. I'm just kind of curious how they can hold up against Ole Miss and Lane Tiffin's play calling.
00:04:40
Kaleb
Ole Miss' defense is, i don't know, I guess you could say somewhere around middle pack. So Georgia's probably going have some opportunities. I think the key thing is going to be that just the third down.
00:04:55
Kaleb
Georgia's 84th in defense, and Ole Miss is 17th in the nation on conversions on third down. So, in other words, Ole Miss is really good at converting to third down, whereas Georgia's defense is allowing the team to convert ah pretty regularly, and that's not necessarily the best thing.
00:05:14
Kaleb
um So, penalties is another thing. o Miss is horrible with penalties. Georgia's not – I mean, Georgia's – I don't know, slightly above average, I guess, in that regard.
00:05:26
Kaleb
Ole Miss is 58th in red zone offense. Georgia's defense is ranked fifth. So that's very good because what does it boil down to?
00:05:32
Mike Bell
Thank you.
00:05:36
Kaleb
Points on the board. So I'll be interested to see, like, how Ole Miss does in the red zone. Now their quarterback, Chambliss, you know, very good goal threat. He'll be able to, I don't know, he may be able to kind of make it more complicated for Kirby's defense to really keep Ole Miss out of end zone. I think, I don't think they'll do that because it's just kind of impossible to keep Ole Miss out of the end zone.
00:06:01
Kaleb
Um,
00:06:02
Mike Bell
Thank
00:06:02
Kaleb
I think it'll boil down to time of possession at the end of the day. um o Miss is actually not the best at time of possession, but that's just because they're a pretty explosive offense, whereas Georgia's kind of more like steady pound and ground kind of thing.
00:06:22
Kaleb
They're 19th in the nation. So that's kind of my thoughts on it. um I think it's going to be a great game. Just curious how – I think the matchup to watch here is going to be Georgia defensive line, Ole Miss offensive line.
00:06:38
Kaleb
What are your thoughts?
00:06:41
Mike Bell
Yeah, I think of all the games we're going to discuss today in terms of the big games, I think this has the best potential to be the best actual game in terms of you know yeah well yeah in terms of
00:06:52
Kaleb
It could go any direction or a lot of directions.
USC vs Notre Dame Preview
00:06:57
Mike Bell
watchability.
00:06:57
Mike Bell
Something that I forgot about completely is that this is a revenge game for Georgia. Ole Miss beat Georgia last year, 28-17, which I just completely forgot about.
00:07:07
Kaleb
That's right. I forgot because Ole Miss' is downfall towards the – not downfall, but their little slump towards the end. So it kind of made you forget about that, I guess. Yeah.
00:07:16
Mike Bell
Sure. And i think this is kind of a referendum game on Ole Miss because are they overrated? Are they not? You know, their only win, ah I'm sorry, their only big win that you can point to so far is LSU. They should be giving credit for that. But I think LSU is no longer looked at the way they were when Ole Miss beat them.
00:07:39
Mike Bell
Now, time will tell if that's true. You know, i mean, a lot can happen. But Ole Miss, you know they're undefeated. Are they an elite squad? I would not say they are yet, yet they're ranked the fifth team in the nation. So they've got to prove that they are that you know top of the SEC team and they have an opportunity to do that here.
00:08:03
Mike Bell
The problem is, you know where they're playing and who they're playing against a team that already has a loss. And if Georgia loses, they're out of the SEC title race, most likely. I mean, two losses in the SEC is probably not going to get you to the SEC title game. It could happen, but I think it's very unlikely.
00:08:25
Mike Bell
I also think this is going to be a high-scoring game for the reasons that you were kind of mentioning. I think both defenses haven't been the best. And what's interesting about Georgia is they've had no – they haven't been good at rushing the passer this season.
00:08:42
Mike Bell
They've been very bad. And that's kind of Ole Miss' game is to pass the ball. So I'm curious to see if Georgia can create any sort of a pass rush. They're bottom 15 in the league in that area.
00:08:58
Mike Bell
Then on the other side of the ball, it's kind of the opposite because Georgia offensively likes to run the ball. Also, as you were saying, well, guess who's outside of the top 100 in defending the run?
00:09:10
Mike Bell
That would be Ole Miss.
00:09:10
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:09:12
Mike Bell
So for that reason, i don't really see either defense getting a lot of stops. ah Georgia's like the team that just can't die. They just seem to always find ways to win games.
00:09:24
Mike Bell
They did Tennessee, Auburn.
00:09:25
Kaleb
Goes back to their coaching. Yeah.
00:09:26
Mike Bell
Yes. Yeah. I mean, that's a culture that just expects to win. You know, they don't pay.
00:09:31
Kaleb
yeah
00:09:33
Mike Bell
So, you know, there's gonna be a lot of talk about Georgia if they lose this. But there's gonna be a lot of talk about Ole Miss if they can win this game.
00:09:42
Kaleb
Oh yeah.
00:09:42
Mike Bell
So ah this is just an interesting little stat I wanted to bring out, and that is the average depth of target for Gunnar Stockton is 6.8 yards.
00:09:55
Mike Bell
So he does not throw the ball deep. They keep it really close.
00:09:57
Kaleb
Yeah. yeah
00:09:59
Mike Bell
So, you know, that's interesting to see if like Ole Miss could maybe take advantage of that or if any team could take advantage of that and they can maybe load the box a little bit more, defend the run, you know, just load the box up with eight guys or something or seven guys.
00:10:16
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:10:16
Mike Bell
And just see where you can go with that. Yeah, I'm not sure Stockton has been a proven passer yet. So would be interesting.
00:10:23
Kaleb
Yeah. and there' yeah Yeah.
00:10:25
Mike Bell
Go ahead.
00:10:26
Kaleb
You know, and if, if Georgia can't like have an explosive play down the field, it's just going to make it easier for Ole Miss's defense to kind of shrink. And I swear, like every week, you know, i see them just do a lot of like side passes out to branch and, you know, they, it's not necessarily a screen per se, but,
00:10:45
Kaleb
It's just kind of, it's more so like a further along handoff. It's kind of like an extended run play for all intents and purposes.
00:10:49
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:10:54
Kaleb
They do that a lot because like you're saying, they don't really have... I guess they don't necessarily have anybody that can take the top off the defense, and so it's making Gunnar Stockton's yards per attempt very low, which in turn even makes a mediocre defense, makes it easier on them to stop it or stop what passing game they do have and also kind of helps the run game and make the offense more one-dimensional.
00:11:18
Kaleb
So it'll be interesting to see what Georgia's offensive coordinator can do from that perspective.
00:11:23
Mike Bell
Mm-hmm.
00:11:24
Kaleb
Um, but I could see it going several different ways.
00:11:30
Mike Bell
For sure. Yeah, I will tell you, and you know don't steal my pick, but I will tell you, i think Ole Miss is going to cover the seven and a half point line. i think it is going to be a close game.
00:11:41
Mike Bell
And i'll be I'll be surprised if Georgia just runs away with this. Again, both teams' offensive strengths match the opposing defense's weaknesses.
00:11:52
Kaleb
Yeah. Right.
00:11:53
Mike Bell
So I'm very excited for this this game here.
00:11:57
Kaleb
I think another aspect of it too is just like they maybe had a gut check last weekend against Washington State. Like i know they still won, but it was pretty close and it came down almost to the wire, you know, and maybe that was enough of a gut check to say, oh crap. Okay. We've got to be better because we've got Georgia this upcoming week. So I'll be interested to see how Ole Miss starts out the game.
00:12:22
Kaleb
yeah And just, I don't know, I'm interested to see because depending on this result, you can kind of see what the culture is for this team specifically under Lane Kiffin.
00:12:34
Kaleb
So anyway.
00:12:36
Mike Bell
ah Agreed. Agreed. Okay, so let's move on now. I actually want to immediately get into the game that we were talking about a little before we started, and that is the USC versus Notre Dame.
00:12:45
Kaleb
Okay.
00:12:48
Mike Bell
ah This is 6.30 night game on NBC. Notre Dame's favored by 9.5, which you told me before that you think this could be you know a great game. Well, that's interesting because the odds makers think, like well, maybe not because that's a pretty big line.
LSU vs Vanderbilt Analysis
00:13:04
Mike Bell
So tell me what you're looking for in this game. Why did this game catch your eye?
00:13:11
Kaleb
Well, just because like the statement you made just a few seconds ago, like basically, it's almost like
00:13:23
Kaleb
USC, top-tier offense. I'd probably just put Notre Dame's offense just a smidge behind them. okay But both defenses are almost identical.
00:13:35
Kaleb
And their worst stat, like for both teams, the worst stat is defending against the pass. okay Both quarterbacks are very good. So that, to me, it almost just makes it seem like there's a potential for – just a back and forth game really and truly who's going to make a horrible turnover and who's going to win. So who's going to win the turnover battle?
00:13:59
Kaleb
Who's going to be able to have somewhat a run game to at least slow down the other team's offense. So the run game is going be pretty good or a ah big thing in this game. I feel like, and both d defenses are kind of around the middle of the pack as far as run defense goes.
00:14:13
Kaleb
So, but it, I guess what it boils down to for me, and kind of we touched on this with the Georgia and Ole Miss matchup, you know, I was you know saying the coaching at Georgia is just, you know, there's no other coaching staff like it, I think.
00:14:28
Kaleb
I, you know, I'm i'm very high on Marcus Freeman and what he's done at Notre Dame to this point. So do I trust to Marcus Freeman more or Lincoln Riley?
00:14:38
Kaleb
Probably Marcus Freeman. However, i think there's a lot of stake. There's a lot of stake for both coaches and okay in this sense. like So if Notre Dame loses, they're really just out of even the playoff race.
00:14:54
Kaleb
and it on it It does kind of suck just because the kind of schedule they've had, but they'll be out. okay USC, they're kind of getting some recognition. Lincoln and Riley, we've kind of talked about it in weeks past.
00:15:06
Kaleb
What has he done at USC that's been – you know, memorable, not really too much. Okay. So if he goes out there and loses this game, there'll be five and two. And then it's going to be just some noise is going to get a little louder for Lincoln rally. I feel like.
00:15:21
Kaleb
So it'll be an interesting game. I see it being a high scoring game, but if one team is able to, really just run and be down the other team's defense. I mean, whoever can do that, I think will win the game just because you got to slow down the other, the opposing team's offense to have a chance at this.
00:15:40
Kaleb
So.
00:15:42
Mike Bell
Yeah. So I said the last game is biggest in terms of the, why didn't say biggest, it could be the best in terms of the actual game we've watched, but this is the biggest game in terms of implications.
00:15:55
Mike Bell
In my opinion, before the reasons that you just laid out, but according to the all state playoff predictor, whatever you think of that predictor, but it's gotta be kind of like, you know, yeah ESPNs, whatever, they're all probably the same, probably pretty accurate.
00:16:07
Mike Bell
If Notre Dame wins, USC just has a 17% chance to get into the playoffs. They've got at Nebraska, at Oregon left. They're not getting into the playoffs if they lose this game.
00:16:19
Mike Bell
Notre Dame, if they win, it's just 34%, even in a win. Keep in mind, they already have two losses. have to run a table.
00:16:27
Kaleb
Yeah,
00:16:27
Mike Bell
um I'm surprised the number's actually that low because I think they're going to get in. Excuse me.
00:16:31
Kaleb
yeah I know. Me too. there what are They're 13 now. and want to say USC is like, yeah. That is super odd.
00:16:43
Mike Bell
Here's the deal with that. Even if Notre Dame runs the table, I think the reason the number is so low and I still think it's too low is because they're, exactly, exactly.
00:16:53
Kaleb
Conference.
00:16:55
Mike Bell
So there could be chaos elsewhere and these teams get in and then Notre Dame's kind of that odd team out. I hope that doesn't happen because i think Notre Dame is legit. They're gonna have a chance to prove it.
00:17:07
Mike Bell
But if USC wins, USC jumps up to a 59% chance to make the playoff. Notre Dame, 0.3%.
00:17:18
Mike Bell
So they're not getting in, you know, if if they lose. So there's a lot on the line this game. What you were talking about with Lincoln Riley, i found this interesting, and this is why i don't think his job's on the line almost no matter what happens this year.
00:17:34
Mike Bell
They've got the number one recruiting class for next year. So I think that buys him time for at least one more year. They're not going to get rid of Riley.
00:17:45
Mike Bell
And I get that. You don't want to risk losing that class. See what he can do. But as far as the game – well, yeah, I don't think he's going anywhere, though.
00:17:51
Kaleb
Let's see if he's able to retain them.
00:17:56
Mike Bell
But as far as –
00:17:57
Kaleb
Well, and yeah. I mean, I don't – I'm just saying there's going some chatter about it. I don't necessarily think he's going to get fired by any means. I just think there's going be chatter, and there's already kind of some of that coming into this year.
00:18:06
Mike Bell
Yes.
00:18:10
Kaleb
If he were to lose, I just think would get a little louder. Not necessarily saying he'll get fired, but –
00:18:16
Mike Bell
I agree. It's going to get louder for not this season, but next season. It's going to make it more so like, hey, man, we know you're probably not going to get it done now, but you now have to get it done next season.
00:18:22
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:18:29
Kaleb
It's an interesting spot to be in because we're kind of seeing, you know, which some some of Franklin's top recruits have already decommitted, like a five-star running back that he had committed for next year's class has already decommitted.
00:18:29
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:18:44
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:18:44
Kaleb
You know, and so it's like if Lincoln rally is able to retain all the players and stuff for this and upcoming recording class. USC, they got to know like, hey man, if we let it let him go, you know, our number one recruiting class, which it's been a long time since they've had that, a lot of them are probably going to ditch and go into the portal, you know, and it's going to make kind of, and that's the thing we kind of touched but on this, like, when is this, a week ago or whatever, when you fire a coach, it's arguably going to make it hard, like the it's the hardest time
00:19:23
Kaleb
there are the most consequences to firing your coach, like more than ever now, I feel like, just because it's so easy for the players to leave.
00:19:28
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:19:29
Kaleb
Whereas before, like, yes, it's still crappy because the players are stuck, but you you know, you had them still
Alabama vs Tennessee Preview
00:19:37
Kaleb
more so then than now.
00:19:38
Mike Bell
yeah Yeah. Another note on this game, you were just talking about the running games. ah The last I saw, and I think this is it's just confirmed, but ah their running back is going to be out for this game, USC's starting running back.
00:19:55
Mike Bell
And that is a big you know part of their offense. They need to be able to run the ball.
00:19:59
Kaleb
Right.
00:19:59
Mike Bell
So, you know, that's pretty big.
00:20:01
Kaleb
And that's something people don't really realize about Lincoln Riley.
00:20:01
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:20:03
Kaleb
When and he was at OU and, you know, we had to play play against his offense every year. And for the most part, he like pretty maybe bit him twice. But I mean, the only ah the top of my head, I can only think of once.
00:20:15
Kaleb
But People always like think about all the quarterbacks he's coached, but every year he's got a great running back, you know, and I think a couple of his running backs last couple of years, they've had kind of some injury issues, but every year at OU, great running backs, great running game. And that was the base of his offense.
00:20:33
Mike Bell
Yeah. ah One more note about this game and the rivalry.
00:20:36
Kaleb
Really?
00:20:37
Mike Bell
This game is not on schedule for 2026.
00:20:41
Kaleb
Really?
00:20:41
Mike Bell
This, yes, this may be the last time these two teams play for a while, which is a shame.
00:20:47
Kaleb
Yeah, it is.
00:20:47
Mike Bell
They play every year.
00:20:50
Kaleb
Yeah, it is.
00:20:51
Mike Bell
Yeah. So more reason I think teams will these two teams will come out motivated.
00:20:54
Kaleb
Historical, man, it's just, oh man, yeah I would say you got to put it near the, you know, maybe not the top, but top six, probably, just from a historical purpose, you know, it's, I don't like that.
00:21:06
Mike Bell
yeah
00:21:11
Mike Bell
Agreed. So as far as kind of, I guess, the matchup itself, I, you know, as you were saying, both defenses have kind of, well, they've been very bad.
00:21:23
Mike Bell
And I think USC has a little bit of shine on them right now in terms of the whole team, but maybe that defense a little bit too, because of what happened with Michigan last week. The problem with that is,
00:21:35
Mike Bell
this Notre Dame team is not Michigan. Notre Dame can pass the ball and they can run the ball as good as anybody in the country.
00:21:38
Kaleb
Yeah. Yep.
00:21:44
Kaleb
ye
00:21:44
Mike Bell
And this is what think in Notre Dame, and and I hope they get in into the playoff because I was really thinking about who matches up best with Ohio State.
00:21:56
Mike Bell
And I actually think it may be Notre Dame. Because think about how good that defense has been for Ohio State versus how good this offense has been for not for Notre Dame. i don't Nobody money has stopped Notre Dame's offense.
00:22:10
Mike Bell
So I think that would be a great matchup. um So i mean I say that just to say how much I think of this Notre Dame team. They've got to take care of business. But...
00:22:22
Mike Bell
This could be a great game if it's a shootout. I could also see the case where Notre Dame just goes down the field you know over and over, is not stopped, and then Notre Dame's defense makes just enough plays on the defensive side of the ball. If you look at their rankings, they're not very good, but if you look at the way they've performed these past three weeks specifically,
00:22:44
Mike Bell
It looks like maybe they've cleaned it up a little bit on the defensive side of the ball. And I do think that is kind of what's going to happen in this game. i don't think USC is going to be able to stop Notre Dame. Another note, Lincoln Riley, even though this isn't technically a conference game, ah when he's traveling into Big Ten territory, they are yet to win a Big Ten game on the road.
00:23:11
Mike Bell
Like I said, this isn't you know a Big Ten game, but it might as well be in terms of the actual travel.
00:23:17
Kaleb
It feels like one.
00:23:18
Mike Bell
if you do it on
00:23:18
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:23:19
Mike Bell
Yeah, they haven't been. So all of that said, in a weird way, I wonder if this goes kind of how I thought Ohio State versus Illinois last week would go.
00:23:31
Mike Bell
Weird comparison, but I don't think that much of USC. Like I said, they've got the spotlight right now because they're USC and they're coming off of a good win. But now they're on the road and I think Notre Dame is just legit.
00:23:45
Mike Bell
So that's kind of what I have to say about the game.
00:23:49
Kaleb
Yeah, I would maybe just say like you know we've both been like really high on Notre Dame. I mean, you've got to look at the schedules and the offenses ah that they have played up to this point.
00:24:02
Kaleb
Miami, A&M, Arkansas. um Really good.
00:24:08
Mike Bell
They're the only team to stop Arkansas, by the way. Arkansas scored three points there.
00:24:10
Kaleb
Yeah, right. which ah Which we're going to – we'll probably briefly talk about the game that you guys play against them. But, Up to this point, Arkansas has had a – that's the only thing good that they've had all year is their offense. It's really good. and you know It's not an easy offense to stop, okay? Their quarterback is very interesting player. and So I think Notre Dame is – more battle tested for sure.
00:24:38
Kaleb
And I just trust in the coaching at the end of the day of Notre Dame versus USC. Because up to this point, Lincoln Riley, yes, I can rely rely on his offense pretty well, but his defense, I mean, it's just inconsistent, you know.
00:24:53
Mike Bell
Now, if USC does find a way to pull out a win here, be ready because that's all anyone's going to want to talk about. And honestly, rightfully, if they do win this game, but yeah, USC, as we kind of mentioned at the beginning of this, they've still got a tough schedule, no matter happens.
00:24:59
Kaleb
oh I know. and Yeah, I know. USC is a blue blood and ugh.
00:25:10
Kaleb
Yeah, they do.
00:25:11
Mike Bell
At Nebraska is not a give me, and then at Oregon, for the sake of having good games,
00:25:14
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:25:18
Mike Bell
Maybe i in a weird way, would like USC to win because then there's some big matchups.
00:25:23
Kaleb
This makes more great yeah chaos or whatever, maybe.
00:25:23
Mike Bell
But
00:25:26
Kaleb
I don't know.
00:25:26
Mike Bell
yeah, but then at the same time, I just love Notre Dame and what they've done. So I'm fascinated to watch the game for sure. um Okay.
00:25:34
Kaleb
That UCLA game that they play at the very end, I think...
00:25:38
Mike Bell
Good point.
00:25:39
Kaleb
I think that could be a very – because it's just – it's like the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry. You know, you've got to throw everything out. It's pure emotion.
00:25:48
Mike Bell
And you you know UCLA has figured something out.
00:25:49
Kaleb
And,
00:25:53
Kaleb
yeah.
00:25:53
Mike Bell
They've looked really good these past two weeks.
00:25:55
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:25:55
Mike Bell
So yeah, that that could be very fun.
00:25:57
Kaleb
It's very – you know, really, at the end of this year –
00:26:03
Kaleb
We'll just have to talk about that, I guess. I am very interested to see how UCLA does just because of how much they've lost.
00:26:10
Mike Bell
Mm-hmm.
00:26:12
Kaleb
And now they've got it figured out and going. I don't know. It's kind of funny, I guess. But, yeah, I don't think that'll be a gimme game for Lincoln Rally either.
00:26:22
Mike Bell
For sure.
00:26:23
Kaleb
It's at home at least, but.
00:26:25
Mike Bell
Yeah, yeah. yeah Okay, so next game, we've got number 10 LSU versus number 17 Vanderbilt. It
Texas A&M vs Arkansas and Other Key Matches
00:26:35
Mike Bell
was ABC.
00:26:36
Mike Bell
I did not write down what time, but I know it's at 11 a.m. Okay.
00:26:40
Kaleb
Yeah, 11.
00:26:41
Mike Bell
So Vanderbilt, they're off a bye and a loss to Alabama. LSU coming off a win at home against South Carolina. Maybe they didn't look the best, in my opinion, in many ways. I guess their defense still looked elite.
00:26:57
Mike Bell
um Vanderbilt is favored by two and a half points in this game. What do you think of that?
00:27:05
Kaleb
Honestly, man, like,
00:27:09
Kaleb
I'm fine with it. So the reason why say that is like what I have written down. Vandy's all around, they've been more consistent.
00:27:19
Kaleb
and Okay. Now when LSU, when they have more talent, okay, both sides the ball for sure, undoubtedly so. But consistency on offense is a major issue.
00:27:33
Kaleb
They haven't really been able to run a ball. Now this past weekend they were, okay, for the first time. Garrett Nussmeier, though, still very inconsistent. I think he threw two picks last week, if I'm not mistaken. Okay?
00:27:44
Kaleb
So they're not gelling very well on offense. Okay? Not to say that Vanderbilt is like USC's offense or, you know, that Vandy's got one of the top defenses in the nation or anything by any means.
00:27:56
Kaleb
But I think from a psychological standpoint, who is going to have more juice in this game? I think it's going be Vanderbilt between the head coach and then Diego Pavia. Okay? Okay? Motivation is not a question for me for Vanderbilt in any game that they played this year.
00:28:13
Kaleb
and Really and truly, I think that up to this point, I think Vanderbilt's been a better team than LSU has. They've been consistent, and I know that the only loss they've had this year is to Alabama, like you said, and then they had the bye week.
00:28:29
Kaleb
And like we talked about that week ah or that next week, the reaction to that game, you know, it was 30 to 14. Yes, but it was a much closer game than the scoreboard indicated, which were both very high on Alabama.
00:28:41
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:28:44
Kaleb
um They're firing pretty much on all cylinders. Their only Achilles tendon is the run game. And they were able to hold Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt to really not rushing the ball. So they were able to do what they needed to do there.
00:28:58
Kaleb
In other words, I think Vanderbilt, two and a half points, I'll take it. Don't steal that pick.
00:29:06
Mike Bell
We'll see about that. We'll see about that. Um, yeah, ah to me, i think this is a good measuring stick game for both teams. I don't think either team is great, but i also don't think either team is bad.
00:29:16
Kaleb
Mm-hmm.
00:29:20
Mike Bell
I think they're both kind of like hovering to that for SEC standards, you know, good to very good range.
00:29:28
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah.
00:29:28
Mike Bell
And I think this game is going to tell us a lot about both these teams. Here's an interesting thing. If I told you who, but if I asked you who the better passer was, if I just asked the average fan who the better passer was, they would probably say Garrett Nesmeyer.
00:29:47
Mike Bell
maybe technically that's true. They both right now have 1,400 passing yards.
00:29:54
Kaleb
yeah
00:29:55
Mike Bell
Nussmeier nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Pavia, 14 touchdowns, four interceptions. So that's maybe not a stat that you would have guessed would have been the case.
00:30:08
Mike Bell
ah But yet it is the case.
00:30:08
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:30:12
Mike Bell
it's going to be very interesting because lsu likes to pass the ball very And Vanderbilt likes to run the ball. LSU has been known to have struggles defensively against the quarterback run.
00:30:27
Mike Bell
I remember last year when they faced A&M, that was a major problem for them and against other teams whenever they had to go against Marcel Reed for the first time and there were other teams that could run the ball.
00:30:34
Kaleb
yeah
00:30:38
Mike Bell
Now, granted, this year lsu has a much better defense. So they're probably going to do the Alabama strategy and just try to force Pavia to pass the ball. And also this LSU team is elite when it comes to turning the ball over.
00:30:53
Mike Bell
And that is the one thing, because I agree with everything you're saying in terms of like motivation for Vanderbilt, their awful bye. And I just read the numbers for passing, but like,
00:31:05
Mike Bell
can he pass the ball without turning it over because that is going to be so key because you know lsu is going to be ready for that run
00:31:10
Kaleb
Yeah.
Miscellaneous Game Previews and Wrap-up
00:31:13
Mike Bell
and if vanderbilt tries to be one-dimensional i just don't know if that's going to win them this game so now on the other side of the ball lsu's offense has really struggled and i would say this is kind potentially a get right game for them
00:31:21
Kaleb
Right.
00:31:28
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:31:34
Mike Bell
Because Vanderbilt really hasn't been good on defense, really all season against any opponent. And they're especially not good at defending the pass, which is what LSU wants to do.
00:31:48
Mike Bell
They have not been balanced.
00:31:48
Kaleb
That's the only thing they've really been able to do, too.
00:31:52
Mike Bell
Yes, exactly.
00:31:52
Kaleb
they're Given the talent they have there, it's kind of surprising that LSU is just so one-dimensional. But, I mean, really and truly they are. Yeah.
00:32:02
Mike Bell
yeah Yeah, well, I know last week they started to try to run the ball a little bit more, but all season that's just not what they've done. That is something they're going to have to figure out. If they want to go anywhere, they're going to have to balance that attack more because, I mean, Ness Meyer, whether he's injured, whatever's going on, I think the top receiver is still hurt.
00:32:24
Mike Bell
on the LSU side. So they're going to have to be able to do that so far. They haven't. So I largely don't know what to expect in this game. I get why Vanderbilt's favored.
00:32:34
Kaleb
Yeah, it's hard.
00:32:36
Mike Bell
Nothing would really surprise me here. Like nothing would surprise me. So I, I will keep hidden my pick because I don't want you to steal it, but I'm, I'm very excited
00:32:49
Kaleb
almost have no choice now but to say what I said on here. so i mean, ah it doesn't matter now.
00:32:55
Mike Bell
The thing is, you know, Vanderbilt, they are at home, but let's face it, that's as Nick Saban said last year, it's just not the biggest home field advantage.
00:33:00
Kaleb
Yeah, yeah, right.
00:33:04
Mike Bell
But at the end of the day, it is LSU on the road. They're having to travel all that. Vanderbilt, again, off the bye. I think that's the biggest thing, Vanderbilt being off the bye. And they've been thinking about that loss for two weeks.
00:33:12
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:33:14
Mike Bell
Vandy? really needs to win this game because they have a tough schedule. ah LSU doesn't have the easy schedule either. But yeah, measuring stick game, I'm excited for it. there anything else you want to say on this one?
00:33:28
Kaleb
Just to touch on the off the run game for LSU a little bit, injuries have been an issue. Caden Durham is their ah best running back, and he is actually really good. It's just he's been a little injured this year, which definitely can make it a little bit harder for you to have a consistent run game when your best running back is out.
00:33:44
Kaleb
They kind of have some depth issues as well, which is kind of interesting. I mean, LSU and LSU. You got to think like for 10 years, Les Miles, every year he had like one of the best running backs. And when's the last time you've heard of a great running back from LSU?
00:34:00
Kaleb
Really? Maybe like whatever that name, his name was with Joe Burrow or whatever.
00:34:11
Kaleb
Anyway, just kind of an interesting little point there. um But that's really it. I could see this game going in a lot of different directions.
00:34:16
Mike Bell
yeah
00:34:20
Kaleb
um
00:34:20
Mike Bell
Yeah, I would just say, as I was – well, I was just saying, I would say if LSU can't do anything against Vanderbilt offensively, then I think their offense is just done.
00:34:20
Kaleb
Last thing. so
00:34:31
Mike Bell
oh This is really, i think, their opportunity.
00:34:32
Kaleb
Yeah, right. Yeah.
00:34:35
Mike Bell
By the way, that 2019 season, that was when they had Edwards Hilaire, however you say his name. But since then, i don't see –
00:34:41
Kaleb
Yeah. I can't really think of a running back. Yeah.
00:34:46
Mike Bell
Yeah, yeah. yeah
00:34:46
Kaleb
Off the top of my head. LSU's upcoming games too, by the way, man, very hard. Like it may even be two top five matchups, A&M and then Alabama, which Alabama six.
00:35:02
Kaleb
But for all intents and purposes, two top five matchups or two top five games, very hard.
00:35:08
Mike Bell
Yeah, well, and speaking of coaches that might be on the hot seat, I mean, LSU's fan base is downright like delusional, if you ever hear about their fan base. And I mean, like on one hand, I appreciate it because, look, they've got diehard fans and all that. I get it.
00:35:23
Mike Bell
But they truly expect perfection. And they haven't been that happy with Brian Kelly. I would say, look, it's the SEC, all that. But Brian Kelly has not done anything at LSU ah significant yet.
00:35:36
Kaleb
Which is very surprising because when he got hired, I mean, who would have thought that LSU would still be kind of like the way it is, still kind of maybe around middle tier of the SEC. Maybe not middle tier, but just right above it.
00:35:53
Kaleb
ah would like I would not have thought that.
00:35:53
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:35:55
Kaleb
This is the most resources Brian Kelly's ever had. Anyway, very weird.
00:36:02
Mike Bell
Yeah, the argument there is that he's always been a little overrated as a coach because, I mean, Notre Dame, let's face it, those schedules that he used to have were pretty easy. And then whenever he got to the big game, didn't really win him.
00:36:13
Mike Bell
But he was looked at as a pretty good coach. I don't know. I guess i was somewhere in between all that. I thought he was a great coach, but I didn't think he was an elite coach by any means. And now you're going to the SEC.
00:36:25
Mike Bell
That's tough. That's tough. So curious to see what the talking heads will say if he loses a couple of more games.
00:36:34
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:36:36
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:36:36
Kaleb
Maybe his next spot will be Penn State.
00:36:36
Mike Bell
Okay. So, ah you you know, I saw the rumor actually that he might, I don't see why he would ever do that, but I did see the rumor.
00:36:45
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah. I know.
00:36:46
Mike Bell
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
00:36:47
Kaleb
LSU versus Penn State. I mean, it's like all day you got to go LSU. mean, just no bias, but just think about like the recruiting aspect of it, in my opinion. I mean, you're just like right there in the deep south, arguably the best players.
00:37:03
Mike Bell
For sure, for sure. Okay, so last game of our kind of big four, and that is going to be number 11, Tennessee, versus number six, Alabama, at 6.30 on NBC.
00:37:11
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:37:16
Mike Bell
It's going fun flipping between this game and the Notre Dame game. This is another revenge game. i Don't forget, Tennessee won this game last year, although Tennessee has not won at Alabama since 2003.
00:37:32
Mike Bell
And Tennessee is a field goal away from being undefeated this year. Don't forget if that kicker makes that kick against Georgia.
00:37:38
Kaleb
yeah
00:37:41
Mike Bell
They are undefeated.
00:37:44
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:37:44
Mike Bell
So, yeah, what what are you thinking about this game?
00:37:48
Kaleb
You know, that's been like a recent, like really good, I mean, it's always been a really good rivalry, but... To this day, like, I forgot what year it was, 2022 or whatever it was when Tennessee, they were in Rocky Top, last second field goal kick or whatever, and they went through the goal post in the river.
00:38:07
Kaleb
Arguably, that's just one of the top football games of recent memory that always comes to my head when I think about college football. So I think here recently this has been one of the best football games to watch, like, every year, I think.
00:38:18
Kaleb
Yeah. course, this being the second year without Saban. But I think what DeBoer and Heupel have going at each other, I think it's i think it's definitely one of the more interesting coaching matchups.
00:38:37
Kaleb
Nuts and bolts of this matchup, I really think. Alabama is just really good. And i think...
00:38:51
Kaleb
Here's the deal. Josh Heupel likes to run the ball too. That's another misconception. You know, everybody always just sees the flashy passes, everything like that. But Josh Heupel uses the run game to set all that stuff up.
00:39:02
Kaleb
And that's Alabama's Achilles tendon, right? So if Alabama is able to kind somewhat control that Tennessee run game, I think it's going to be – I think the spread on this game is 11 and a half.
00:39:18
Kaleb
If Alabama can somewhat –
00:39:19
Mike Bell
that Six and a half.
00:39:21
Kaleb
huh
00:39:23
Mike Bell
and half.
00:39:24
Kaleb
oh where the hell did i see 11 and a half don't know if alabama is able to some extent slow down the tennessee run game i'll take that because Tennessee, really good offense, really bad defense.
00:39:42
Kaleb
Okay. And Tennessee – or not Tennessee. Alabama's got a really good offense. We're both very high on Ty Simpson. um i would also put ah Alabama – playing in Alabama, that's going a big factor as well. Really just – you have to like give a point to whoever has the home field advantage with both of those because they're two of the some of the best stadiums in the nation, but definitely in the SEC, especially at night, which this game is 630 game for all intents purposes, night game.
00:40:02
Mike Bell
Bad.
00:40:11
Kaleb
um So what will it come down to? Because really it's two great offenses. Alabama's defense, middle tier I'd probably say, Tennessee's defense probably – how do you say this?
00:40:28
Mike Bell
bad
00:40:28
Kaleb
Behind the middle of the pack, probably like thirds or whatever. So back in the 75 percentile or whatever you want to call that.
00:40:40
Kaleb
And I don't know. I just like what I've seen from Alabama a little bit more. than Tennessee. However, both teams have done very well up to this point. So it's not like there's too much separation as far as what they've done and accomplished, but I like Alabama's chances in this.
00:41:01
Mike Bell
Yeah, Tennessee, weird to say, but Tennessee has two of the last three against Alabama.
00:41:06
Kaleb
Yeah, that is very weird.
00:41:06
Mike Bell
So the area has been at home, has won the game the last three years. So, yeah, weird to say. Now, the thing is, Tennessee's kind of a weird team for me to figure out because they're first in the nation in points.
00:41:22
Mike Bell
They've got a great offense. ah Alabama, as you were saying, they have a great offense too, particularly passing the ball. But Tennessee on defense is, i think I see here, they're 106th in points allowed.
00:41:36
Mike Bell
You know, that's it's not good.
00:41:37
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:41:39
Kaleb
We could go out there and play.
00:41:39
Mike Bell
But which what's What's that?
00:41:43
Kaleb
We could go out there and play for them.
00:41:45
Mike Bell
Yes, agreed. um Well, me, I don't know about you. But here's here's the weird thing about their defense is they're bad everywhere except for getting after the passer.
00:41:49
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:41:58
Kaleb
Yeah, right.
00:41:58
Mike Bell
They're number one in the country in getting after the passer. So I'm just going to say it now. If they want to have a chance in this game, they're going to have to get after the passer.
00:42:09
Mike Bell
If they don't do that, I think they're done.
00:42:09
Kaleb
Yeah. ah Ty Simpson.
00:42:13
Mike Bell
Yeah. Ty Simpson's going to move the ball.
00:42:14
Kaleb
Believe. Yep.
00:42:15
Mike Bell
He's going to move the ball. Here's the other thing I want to say. Alabama has been dominant in time of possession. I've mentioned it every week for the past two weeks.
00:42:25
Kaleb
yeah
00:42:28
Mike Bell
They're seventh-minute nation for time of possession.
00:42:28
Kaleb
yep
00:42:30
Mike Bell
In the last three games, they're averaging 37 minutes a game for time of possession. That's impressive, but could that actually give Tennessee a chance in this game?
00:42:44
Mike Bell
Because what's what that is doing is keeping the score kind of close, right?
00:42:48
Kaleb
Yeah, that's true.
00:42:49
Mike Bell
And if it's a one-possession game, Tennessee has proven that they can go down the field and score. Alabama's got a great defense, so that would that's going to be a heck of a matchup. But I would imagine Tennessee's going score points. What do you got?
00:43:04
Kaleb
And I would agree with that. I think it's going to be hard for Alabama's defense to stop Tennessee's offense to some extent. I think the other aspect of the game too is like you said, Alabama has great time of possession, but they're also second to the nation with a turnover margin.
00:43:21
Kaleb
I think it's plus nine or something.
00:43:22
Mike Bell
Yep.
00:43:23
Kaleb
So in other words, they are controlling the game pretty much on their terms and they're not giving the other team many chances.
00:43:23
Mike Bell
yeah
00:43:30
Kaleb
So,
00:43:31
Mike Bell
yeah
00:43:32
Kaleb
That being said, like, yes, you definitely do have a good point. Like if Alabama's keeping the score a little bit down because they're just like having these long drives, can that keep the score close?
00:43:44
Kaleb
Yes. Alabama should be able to excel or excel a little bit more than Tennessee could as long as they don't turn the ball over and give Tennessee's volatile offense an extra possession per se.
00:43:58
Mike Bell
Yeah, yeah agree this is another one where like if you look at it, I agree with the spread of Alabama 6.5. That's probably what I think, especially because Alabama keeps the ball so much that they're probably not going to win this game. like Something crazy like 42-10. It doesn't seem to be their game.
00:44:19
Mike Bell
My thing is, like i don't know if it works like this. I would like to ask but somebody who used to play the game this question, but Is there any chance Alabama is just exhausted yet?
00:44:30
Mike Bell
Because, I mean, they've been on, like, kind of this – their own gauntlet. You know, Georgia, and then they face the team that beat them last year, emotional game versus Vandy. Then they have to go to Missouri.
00:44:42
Kaleb
Mm-hmm.
00:44:42
Mike Bell
That's a battle. And then now you're hosting your rival, Tennessee, who also beat you last year. And, by the way, i don't know who's next week, but I know the next week is LSU. Like – like is there've I've said, like I don't think an SEC team is going to run SEC table, but yet Alabama is a couple games away from kind of doing that.
00:45:02
Mike Bell
So where are they going to slip up? it I don't know. I don't know. I don't know why it would be here. Again, at home, it seems like kind of a favorable matchup in some ways, but ah is there a chance they just come out flat?
00:45:17
Mike Bell
I don't know, but that is something I'd like to ask a former player. Like, hey, after you've been off this rough schedule, like, is there more of a potential for a letdown game?
00:45:28
Mike Bell
Maybe even, i know in basketball, NBA players have said one of the toughest games to play is actually the first game at home after a tough or after a long road stand.
00:45:44
Mike Bell
And the reason is, is because you just went to battle every day on the road and then you come back home and you get a little bit complacent. You're like, okay, I'm back home now. You're a little bit relaxed and then you get punched in the mouth.
00:45:57
Mike Bell
Is there anything to that kind of in football? I don't know. I don't know, but I'm excited for this.
00:46:03
Kaleb
Surely there is. i mean, you play so many of the – I mean, Alabama, man, i really need to go figure out what their strength of schedule is. But it's like at some point it's a war of attrition, right?
00:46:17
Kaleb
I mean, if you have a team that's going to go and play
00:46:17
Mike Bell
Mm-hmm.
00:46:25
Kaleb
notable team, top-tier team, almost every other week at least, like Alabama's done up to this point for the most part,
00:46:34
Kaleb
there's going some wear and tear on the team, even mentally. You know, it'd be hard for them to just have that laser edge focus each and every week. I think it takes a special kind of coach.
00:46:45
Kaleb
And that's what made Nick Saban so legendary was just he was able to maintain that no matter what, no matter who they were playing. Expectations were never bigger than what Nick Saban's expectations were, you know.
00:46:57
Kaleb
And I don't necessarily think like Nick or Kalen DeBoer, like doesn't have that potential per se. um
00:47:07
Kaleb
it's just a tough spot just because the teams that Alabama have had to play. i mean, it's it's up there as far as one of the hardest for sure. um
00:47:20
Kaleb
But if they do if they do come out with this, I think that is a pretty like
00:47:20
Mike Bell
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
00:47:26
Kaleb
That's going to great thing for Kaelin DeBoer, just because at this point, like last year, i think that's this is kind of like around the time that their season started going downhill rather quickly, you know?
00:47:38
Mike Bell
you
00:47:38
Kaleb
And just the trajectory. Like, this team is definitely more consistent with than what they were last year, but just because Ty Simpson has given them a consistent quarterback play versus Jalen Milrow, could – I mean, man, he – yeah Would you want him as your quarterback? Probably so. i mean, who wouldn't? He could run very well.
00:47:59
Kaleb
He could throw that deep ball very well. It's just his short intermediate game was questionable, and it just made the passing aspect of it very inconsistent. So anyway, um i think it did.
00:48:12
Mike Bell
Well, guess I guess just to finish up this game, Alabama, it's actually even a tougher schedule than I thought because next week they go to South Carolina.
00:48:21
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah.
00:48:25
Mike Bell
I don't think anything of South Carolina. But they're goingnna it's a team that's desperate, and it's one of those games.
00:48:32
Kaleb
Yep.
00:48:33
Mike Bell
Alabama coming off a bunch of big games. Now you're at South Carolina. It's not going to be as talked about potential for a letdown game. Next game, post-LSU. Coming off bye, though, I actually feel pretty good about them in that case. But then the next game, OU.
00:48:50
Mike Bell
Next game, FCS opponent. Next game at Auburn. And that's a rivalry game. So, like... Running the table there would be extremely impressive, but it just would not shock me if there's just a random letdown game.
00:49:04
Mike Bell
And didn't they...
00:49:05
Kaleb
Which really and truly I don't think Alabama – well, did Alabama play OU last year?
00:49:07
Mike Bell
but Did they lose to OU last year? Am i I thinking about... Is that Alabama?
00:49:14
Mike Bell
They did play last year because it's the same opponents as last year. I think...
00:49:17
Kaleb
Surely they didn't. I mean, I find that very unlikely just because of how bad Oklahoma's offense was last year. I mean, I think they were.
00:49:23
Mike Bell
That's why i think it was such a shocker. I may have to like look at that real quick. um
00:49:29
Kaleb
Yeah, honestly, i am too.
00:49:30
Mike Bell
I remember OU won some big game last year versus Alabama. They did. They won 24-3. Yeah.
00:49:37
Kaleb
Oh, that's right.
00:49:39
Mike Bell
yeah A lot of revenge spots for Alabama this year.
00:49:40
Kaleb
Okay. That's interesting. Huh? Yeah, I know. was about to say, yeah. It's like every other game we're talking about up here is a freaking revenge game. um Here's what I would say, man. It's kind of crazy to think about it in this sense, but...
00:49:56
Kaleb
who Georgia, Alabama. I would say that's a pretty good rival rivalry, correct? I mean, yes.
00:50:03
Mike Bell
Yep. Mm-hmm.
00:50:04
Kaleb
Then Tennessee, another great rivalry in college football? Yes. LSU, another great rival? Yes. at or Auburn, great rival ah arguably probably the most exciting rivalry.
00:50:19
Kaleb
Top three rivalry game every year, for sure. It's crazy just how many like top-tier rivalry games Alabama has, not only in this schedule, but per year, I would say.
00:50:31
Kaleb
And if Kalen DeBoer is able to get out of this season just having one loss, ah man, very impressive. Very impressive.
00:50:42
Mike Bell
Yep, agreed. Okay, so I think that covers our big four. Let's briefly maybe touch on some other games going on. The next big game in terms of like ranked matchup is going to be Utah versus BYU.
00:50:58
Mike Bell
I've been watching BYU every week because I've been hoping they're going to lose because I've just...
00:51:04
Kaleb
Right, you're you're a huge hater. Look at this, guys.
00:51:06
Mike Bell
I kind of am, and like keep they keep pulling off the win, and I don't know when it's going to stop because I'm convinced they're overrated.
00:51:08
Kaleb
The hate fuel.
00:51:16
Mike Bell
Utah is supposed to be pretty good. i mean, the problem is both these teams, you know, Utah faced Tech. They got destroyed. BYU hasn't faced anybody. Their best opponent was, like, probably last week against Arizona.
00:51:31
Mike Bell
They barely pulled it off. You know, this it's rare that this game would have any spotlight at all because both these teams have not been – well, Utah has been decent, but BYU hasn't.
00:51:42
Mike Bell
This time it's a top 25 matchup, and I have no idea what to expect. I know Utah is favored by 3.5. I could see BYU winning this game.
00:51:54
Mike Bell
Yeah, I don't know. I'm excited to watch it because of the Big 12 implications. And like it's weird to rank these teams. If BYU keeps winning, are they going to find their way in the top 10 somehow just because of the chaos? And then what do you do?
00:52:06
Mike Bell
Because I don't know if they face Tech this year in the regular season. So are you going to have like multiple Big 12 teams now in the playoff? It's just another game that has a lot of weight to it, you know both because it's a rivalry, but it has actual playoff implications.
00:52:21
Mike Bell
And I'll be definitely watching this game. It'll be on my TV for sure.
00:52:26
Kaleb
I think it has one of the most interesting rivalry names in in the college. I think it's called the Holy War.
00:52:33
Mike Bell
Holy War, yeah.
00:52:34
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah. Pretty interesting. Yeah. yeah um Yeah. I pretty much agree with you for the most part on that. I think the matchup that i am, and
00:52:47
Kaleb
I think the matchup that I'm looking forward to quite a bit, honestly, ah I'm really excited about the A&M Arkansas game, not just because it's your A&M people, but always really just watch this game every year because I think it's an interesting one.
00:53:05
Kaleb
And yes, you guys typically do pull it out. Um, I think it's going very interesting. Y'all's defense is very well are very good. Yes.
00:53:16
Kaleb
Arkansas's offense. Very good. Um,
00:53:20
Kaleb
The only Achilles tendon on your team is Marcel Reid. I think he can do just enough ah passing the ball to get you guys by. The only thing I would be concerned about is which, yes, you have – what's his name? Rubel – or is it Ruben Owens? Yeah, Ruben Owens. Yeah.
00:53:37
Kaleb
Le'Veon Moss, though, got hurt, which – Could be a little detrimental to you guys. but
00:53:43
Mike Bell
big loss
00:53:44
Kaleb
Yeah, big loss. So we'll kind of see how your offense is without him. Now, I think Ruben Owens is a good running back. It's just you had two great running backs. I don't know why that was funny.
00:53:55
Mike Bell
yeah yeah
00:53:58
Kaleb
um but We'll see how you guys do. um it Many teams aren't able to stop Arkansas, though. So I'd be like, if you guys are, like, okay.
00:54:09
Kaleb
I would say, like, okay, A&M's defense, definitely up there. Very serious, like, championship-level defense. um I don't know. And it could be a proven game. too oh Well, you know what? I'll take that back necessarily. Marcel Reed had a big game – I don't want to say I wouldn't think much of it per se, but it's like Arkansas's defense is just really bad. You know what I mean? and But rivalry game, we could – I don't know. It could be interesting, I guess.
00:54:39
Mike Bell
I think A&M is going to score points because Arkansas, if you look at their defensive stuff, they're like 120th in every category.
00:54:45
Kaleb
Yeah, right, right.
00:54:46
Mike Bell
It's crazy how bad they are. But then on the offensive side of the ball, they're great. So that is going to be a very interesting test for A&M's defense because the last time they faced an offense kind of like this was Notre Dame and they allowed 40.
00:54:59
Kaleb
Yeah, right. And it was a 40 to 41 point game.
00:55:02
Mike Bell
Right, right.
00:55:02
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:55:03
Mike Bell
So also first A&M road game in like over a month. First time we've been to Fayetteville in 15 years.
00:55:11
Kaleb
Hard place to play, probably underrated.
00:55:12
Mike Bell
Arkansas. Yep, Bobby Petrino was the coach here three years ago. you knows some of these players. And that's a team that has been in every single game except the Notre Dame game.
00:55:25
Mike Bell
So, yeah, i'm I'm certainly not. I see that seven and a half points.
00:55:28
Kaleb
Whether that be a good or a bad thing. Yeah.
00:55:32
Mike Bell
Yeah, yeah, no. So, I mean, I think this has the potential to be a shootout. I'm praying our defense could show up and just make enough stops.
00:55:36
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:55:41
Mike Bell
I'm also going to be worried if A&M has any offensive issues because I haven't been the highest on their offense. If you can't move the ball on this defense, that is an issue. I think they're going to.
00:55:53
Mike Bell
Not even just because of A&M. I just think Arkansas is just a really bad defense.
00:55:55
Kaleb
Yeah. Right. Right.
00:55:57
Mike Bell
So, and here's the other thing.
00:55:59
Kaleb
How long? Go ahead.
00:56:01
Mike Bell
Just kind of last point on A&M. They're undefeated to this point, but now they've got five weeks away from Kyle Field before they play at Kyle Field again. Their road games, right, they've they've got three strong...
00:56:12
Kaleb
Wow. Wow. Texas has been kind of, yeah, Texas has been kind of in that. well Like, we're, I think we're in a four week stint of Texas not playing at home. So.
00:56:24
Mike Bell
Yeah, well so well, here's the deal. The three road games are at Arkansas, the road games are at arkansas at LSU than at Missouri.
00:56:34
Mike Bell
That's tough.
00:56:35
Kaleb
Yeah, very tough for sure.
00:56:35
Mike Bell
if you lose If you lose this one, that's tough because now you've got a yeah gotta to be perfect. So this is the game you've got to win. i expect to probably drop one of those, and then here's the deal.
00:56:47
Mike Bell
You get one more SEC home game, and then it's at Texas. So those road games being as tough as they are, you got to take care of this one. And it's not going to be easy because Arkansas has been there with everybody.
00:57:00
Mike Bell
Funny enough, this is a weird thing to say, and we'll see after we watch LSU this week. I toughest place to play in the nation, especially for a night game. And it's going to be a night game is at LSU. But strangely enough, like LSU has been so bad offensively.
00:57:17
Mike Bell
i almost feel more worried about Missouri and Arkansas than LSU. I know that's a bold statement. I know it's a bold statement, but I just think LSU can't move the ball. But that's a conversation.
00:57:29
Kaleb
mean, Missouri almost took down Alabama last week, and that is with – don't want to say their quarterback like played horribly. i don't think he did. he just turned the ball over twice, and they only lost to three points, and really they almost had a chance there at the end to even still tie it.
00:57:41
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:57:47
Kaleb
So I think Missouri is –
00:57:52
Kaleb
I think maybe we need to see them like really go toe-to-toe with another great opponent before, like say, decide like whether or not they're really good or just kind of slightly above average or whatever.
00:58:03
Kaleb
But, you know, I would at least say that Missouri's been more consistent than LSU has up to this point.
00:58:05
Mike Bell
Well, the let's talk about it.
00:58:12
Kaleb
And, hey, our same thing with Arkansas. Yeah. The only only team that stopped them is ah Notre Dame, like you're saying.
00:58:16
Mike Bell
Yes.
00:58:19
Kaleb
Every other week, their ah offense has been great their defense has sucked horribly. There's not much variation.
00:58:27
Mike Bell
Well, I guess briefly, let's talk about Missouri because they have Auburn this week, night game at Auburn. Auburn is 3-3.
00:58:35
Kaleb
game, yeah.
00:58:35
Mike Bell
They're 0-3 in the SEC. Missouri, it's weird that Missouri, if you just line these teams up evenly, you would think Missouri would be favored by more. Missouri is only favored by 1.5, but I get it because Auburn is probably still playing hard.
00:58:51
Mike Bell
That is one of the toughest places in the nation to play at night. In Missouri, look, it's different on the road. So if Missouri wants to prove kind of what you were just talking about, I think this is a big step for them.
00:59:02
Mike Bell
And and honestly, they're on upset watch.
00:59:02
Kaleb
Oh, for sure.
00:59:04
Mike Bell
They're on upset watch.
00:59:06
Kaleb
Oh yeah.
00:59:06
Mike Bell
Because all
00:59:06
Kaleb
I think Auburn's really pissed about last weekend too. You know?
00:59:10
Mike Bell
that defense is look turning into me versus everyone they play.
00:59:12
Kaleb
Yeah. Their defense is really good.
00:59:14
Mike Bell
Very good. Very good.
00:59:16
Kaleb
Oh yeah. Oh yeah.
00:59:19
Mike Bell
Yeah, but um okay. What other game would you like to maybe briefly get into here?
00:59:24
Kaleb
I think, I think an interesting game to watch is the Washington versus Michigan game too. ah
00:59:31
Mike Bell
Yes.
00:59:32
Kaleb
Michigan coming off a lot the bad loss to USC. Washington, I'm actually not even sure who they played against, but I was very impressed with how they were able to come out and be very competitive with Ohio State, which...
00:59:46
Kaleb
Okay. Not biased, but the only other team to really be competitive with Ohio State in any way was Texas the first game. So i thought that was pretty awesome of them to do that. Now, Ohio State eventually pulled away.
00:59:58
Kaleb
Yes, but... um i would actually be curious to see who is favored in that game, Washington or Michigan.
01:00:06
Mike Bell
Michigan is by four and a half.
01:00:08
Kaleb
Oh, wow. Actually, i kind of find that a little surprising. Yeah.
01:00:11
Mike Bell
It's at Michigan, Michigan in michigan coming up a loss.
01:00:16
Kaleb
Yeah.
01:00:16
Mike Bell
But I agree. It is surprising to me too, because I think a lot of Washington, and I'm not sure how much I think of Michigan. A lot of people think Washington should be ranked. I mean, they did kind of compete with Ohio State a bit, and they've looked good, and this is kind of their moment to make some noise.
01:00:30
Kaleb
yeah
01:00:36
Mike Bell
I mean, no one's talking about ah Washington. If they win this game, I think people will be talking about Washington little bit, how they're talking about USC now, because after this, they host Illinois.
01:00:46
Kaleb
Yeah,
01:00:50
Mike Bell
That's a winnable game for them. They've got Oregon at the end of the year. if If Washington can go through this schedule, they're kind of like a sleeper playoff team. All these games are winnable for them.
01:01:01
Mike Bell
So, yeah, I'll be excited to watch this too. It'll probably be my first game, like, watching all of Washington, like ah the full game. So, it's also a big get-right game for Michigan because is Michigan now just going to fall apart?
01:01:14
Mike Bell
And like we were talking about the last episode, is there going to be noise around that job now?
01:01:15
Kaleb
yeah right
01:01:19
Mike Bell
So this is a great game.
01:01:19
Kaleb
Right.
01:01:21
Mike Bell
I am excited for it.
01:01:23
Kaleb
Yeah, I mean, me too. I forgot the guy's name that's the head coach at Washington now. I want to say like Jeff Fish or something like that. But I'm probably wrong. But keep in mind, I think it was two years ago, he had Arizona like – Pretty good. I think they won nine games, if I'm not mistaken, um which that's really hard to do at a school like Arizona. And he just had, I think yeah he had a wide receiver that was like taken in the first round, Terry, whatever his name was.
01:01:52
Mike Bell
Jed Fish is his name, but yeah.
01:01:54
Kaleb
Yeah. So anyway, I think Washington's got a good coach. It'll be interesting to see kind of where it goes. I think maybe the only other game, and I don't really have team too much to say about it,
01:02:08
Kaleb
ah Louisville versus Miami. I mean, I think it – don't know. We'll kind of see how it goes. But, you know, two of the better teams in the ACC going at each other.
01:02:20
Kaleb
um We'll see, I guess. I mean, not really much to say about it, but – Yeah.
01:02:27
Mike Bell
Yeah, I think ah Louisville may be a little bit overrated. And I say that because I watched them play against Virginia last week, who I think Virginia's looked pretty good.
01:02:33
Kaleb
Yeah.
01:02:37
Mike Bell
But I expected more out of Louisville, and they just didn't look good. And now the only thing I'll say is Louisville has to win this game to have any shot at the ACC, any shot at the playoff.
01:02:49
Mike Bell
But at Miami, by the way, this is on a Friday, Miami favored by 13
01:02:55
Mike Bell
and This is, by the way, Miami's the last kind of real game. If you look at the rest of their schedule, what's that?
01:03:00
Kaleb
It was two weeks ago. go ahead. I thought you were about to say their last game was like two weeks ago.
01:03:05
Mike Bell
No.
01:03:09
Mike Bell
No, no, but that is true. i forgot about that. They had like a weird schedule.
01:03:12
Kaleb
Miami's very odd to have two buys like that back to back.
01:03:13
Mike Bell
They had like... Yes.
01:03:17
Kaleb
I guess their last the last game for ah people that may not know was against Florida State on October So,
01:03:17
Mike Bell
Yeah, yeah. Very true.
01:03:24
Kaleb
so good
01:03:25
Mike Bell
Yeah.
01:03:26
Kaleb
that may be, you know, there's always that debate of, okay, is that too much time off? Is your team going to to find their rhythm all over again kind of thing? or you know, in some cases it is really good because your team's injured and whatnot. But anyway, that may be the only reason why I'm like, ooh, okay, let's see how Miami comes out and fires.
01:03:45
Mike Bell
Yeah, they do they come out flat? But here's the deal.
01:03:48
Kaleb
Yeah.
01:03:49
Mike Bell
After this, I mean, their schedule is just so soft. Like, yeah, there's teams that like could occasionally give you a battle like at Pittsburgh at the end of the year, but like you don't really expect that.
01:04:00
Mike Bell
So.
01:04:00
Kaleb
Maybe Syracuse. don't even know about Syracuse.
01:04:03
Mike Bell
Again, you're all kind of reaches, you know.
01:04:05
Kaleb
Yeah, right.
01:04:06
Mike Bell
our So the only thing I'll say is like, it is a must win game for Louisville. I don't expect this game to be close. ah There is another game though, that I will be watching that I don't think it's getting enough attention and you didn't mention it, but I think it's one of the games of the week and it's going to be very big for playoff implications. And that is Georgia tech at Duke.
01:04:31
Mike Bell
ah Both are both ACC.
01:04:31
Kaleb
Oh, yeah. How could I have fruit?
01:04:35
Mike Bell
Duke is favored in this game by one and a half, which I thought was interesting. ah Georgia Tech's got to win this game to get in the play. Well, you know what? Maybe that's not true. They don't have to win, but they really need to win.
01:04:50
Mike Bell
They have a super soft schedule. They got to go and run the table really to be in the the ACC championship. Duke for sure has to win this game, or they'll be They win this game.
01:05:03
Mike Bell
They're in first place in the ACC. And yes, I did just say first place because they will have more wins technically than Miami. The point is that they they will be the favorite to be in the title game with Miami, which is a weird thing to say.
01:05:17
Kaleb
The next week they play Clemson too, which I know Clemson's three and three, but for all un intents and purposes, it's still a tough game.
01:05:23
Mike Bell
But that's a danger.
01:05:26
Kaleb
Dabo Sweeney, good athletes. um But wouldn't that be insane?
01:05:29
Mike Bell
Yeah.
01:05:31
Kaleb
Who would have thought if Duke came out and win this? whenever Duke and Clemson played, Duke would be at the very top. Clemson would be in the middle towards the the bottom.
01:05:43
Kaleb
are Yeah, the Clemson's pretty much right smack dab in the middle. Well, upper middle, yeah.
01:05:50
Mike Bell
Yeah. And the thing is the way Georgia Tech plays man is They're impressive to watch, yet they fit it feels like they could just lose to anybody. But for the same reasons, they could beat anybody.
01:06:00
Kaleb
Well, it's just they're so – they's so
01:06:06
Kaleb
I want to say one-dimensional. That's not necessarily the case. It's just they their team is going to go as far as Haynes King stays healthy. our hanynes king stays healthy If he stays healthy, their offense will be fine. If not, they're going to be in trouble.
01:06:25
Kaleb
Because he's pretty much – I don't know. i just feel like he's a huge focal point on the team. you know I feel like he's almost their entire offense.
01:06:31
Mike Bell
Oh yeah.
01:06:32
Kaleb
Yeah.
01:06:32
Mike Bell
He is.
01:06:33
Kaleb
And, yeah, yeah.
01:06:33
Mike Bell
He is.
01:06:35
Kaleb
I mean, and he's putting up crazy numbers too, honestly. Like ah last week we were kind of talking about some Heisman frontrunners, you know, like Ty Simpson, Mendoza at Indiana. But I also think that Ains King needs to be kind of in that conversation as far as Heisman goes.
01:06:52
Kaleb
lot of running yards every game and a pretty good passing amount – or a good amount of passing yards for how much running he does. Yeah.
01:07:02
Mike Bell
Yeah, you know, looking at these ACC standings, I'm very – I think this conference could cause so much chaos in the playoffs because of the way these schedules are set up. We know Miami is going to be in there barring some sort of disaster.
01:07:19
Mike Bell
But there's a very real chance that there's going to be a ah third team eyeing for the playoffs. And, like, just keep in mind where these teams might be ranked, you know. So if Georgia Tech runs the table – You're going to have them in Miami.
01:07:34
Mike Bell
Do you keep Georgia Tech if they run the table? Granted, they have Georgia at the end of the year, but even if they lose that game, you're going to take Georgia Tech out of the playoff for losing to Miami in the conference championship. And then, by the way, Virginia does not play Georgia Tech.
01:07:50
Mike Bell
So they could run the table as well, and then they could sneak into the playoffs. You have multiple teams that could like run the table in the ACC just because they don't play each other.
01:07:59
Kaleb
Mm-hmm.
01:08:00
Mike Bell
It's going to be very fascinating to watch. So that's why another reason this game is so big.
01:08:08
Mike Bell
But that's really all I have to say about this game specifically. The 11 o'clock window is going to be really all the windows are going to be good this this week, kind of like last week. But going through just one last time, i guess I will briefly mention the Texas Tech versus Arizona State game. Too bad that we don't know about the health of Sam Levitt.
01:08:32
Kaleb
Yeah, I was going to say, if see if he's back, then, hey, that could be a very interesting game. If not, I mean,
01:08:38
Mike Bell
Then probably not, but here's the deal.
01:08:40
Kaleb
yeah.
01:08:41
Mike Bell
I think I just saw that he's probable. Arizona State, they got a win out. They lost last week. It's too bad that Sam Levitt wasn't playing. would have liked to have seen him against Utah.
01:08:53
Mike Bell
So now Arizona State has to try to go win the Big 12. The only way you're going to do that is not to win the rest of your games in the Big 12. That is fascinating. I think Tech's on another level, though. like i think they're just a legit top-ten team. So I would expect Tech to take care of business. But it wouldn't shock me there's some crazy upset there.
01:09:11
Kaleb
Yeah, Big 12 always has some crazy upset at some point in the and the year. You know, it's kind of funny to me, like, how how fast – and I think you have to get – what's that guy's name? Jimmy – what's the Texas Tech's head coach's name? I forgot. always forget his name.
01:09:27
Kaleb
But I think you have to give some credit to him because in the NIL world, I think he had – compared to all the other Big 12 coaches, I think he's got Texas Tech like on a different level like you were just saying. you know And who knows, maybe by this time next year, he can maybe even have them at like – SEC or Big Ten caliber potentially. you know He's got several five-stars coming in this next year and maybe you say three years or another year or two.
01:09:56
Kaleb
But, man. ah
01:09:59
Mike Bell
Joey McGuire is his name.
01:10:00
Kaleb
Yeah, Joey McGuire. That's right. Okay. Joey McGuire.
01:10:04
Mike Bell
Yeah.
01:10:05
Kaleb
Yeah, the crazy tortilla throwers in Lubbock. Anyway, I think you got to give him credit for what he's been able to do at Texas Tech. I think Texas Tech is kind of like maybe a sleeping giant in a sense because I think if you get the right coach, they can be a really good team just because – They're in Texas. They're in West Texas. It's a little off than regular Texas.
01:10:28
Kaleb
They got a lot of oil money over there, which what's this, what's called football going to now? Money. So anyway, ah yeah, I think that could be a good game. It's, yeah.
01:10:43
Mike Bell
Okay, well, I think it pretty much wraps that up. Is there anything you want to say about Texas, Kentucky?
01:10:50
Kaleb
Oh.
01:10:52
Kaleb
Not really, man. i You know, you always have to respect Kentucky just because I think ah Mark Stoops is a really good coach and I always respect what he has done for Kentucky because what ah regardless of their record, they're not necessarily a bad team per se.
01:11:10
Kaleb
Their defense is always consistently very good. ah Offense is a different question, but um yeah, I would be very surprised if I'd be very surprised if Kentucky were able to, or were going to give us issues in this game, not to say that, Hey, we're over our offensive slumps by any means, but I think we had a wake up call against Florida and defensively woke us up and made us, you know, really hungry. And yeah,
01:11:41
Kaleb
got the best sound of us i think our offense, I think last week, what we were able to go do at ah on a top-tier defense, especially in a rivalry game full of emotion, as long as we can somewhat emulate that game into this week, which I think we can,
01:11:57
Kaleb
I think our offense will be just fine. I'll be interested to see how Arch Manning does because he actually started to get a rhythm and he played very well. So anyway, and he doesn't need to do too much. I just hope we're able to have a good consistent run game.
01:12:12
Kaleb
um But yeah, I don't really expect too much from it.
01:12:17
Mike Bell
Okay, well, i think that pretty much wraps things up. I'm really looking forward to the weekend. And yeah, we'll be back next week to talk about it. Caleb, I'll see you next time.
01:12:29
Kaleb
All right. See you.