Transcript
Travis White: Hey everybody, welcome back to the Pack South podcast, and we are here with our 2026 -2027 College football preview. Pat, we're going to go straight into our headlines around the country before we dive into our actual conference teams.
Travis White: Um, Hearing some news out of Texas, I'll let you dive into that a little bit more as you know on that.
Pat Q: Yeah, I mean, Texas is just like... I don't know. I feel like they're the Buds Kings at this point. It seems like every year of the Sark era. Right around this time of the summer, we get into...
Pat Q: the hype factory or the hype train you know like last year was the arch manning hype house where everybody was kind of like guaranteed. Hart was gonna... Run away with the Heisman. Texas was going to win the natty. after they had made the CFP with Quinn Ewers the year before.
Pat Q: Um, we know that did not happen right didn't sort of go According to plan, Um, Excuse me. For Texas last year. But I feel like a lot of the hype. this year.
Pat Q: is coming around the fact that Cam Coleman is in town now. right they went out They spent a ton of money.
Travis White: sure
Pat Q: I'm getting. Him. from Auburn. Um, I would. proven SEC talent. SAC success. Um, And I saw... Couple different.
Pat Q: national reporters. post that video some of them posted it as a still picture of him making the catch last week in practice did you see that where he's like jumping up and grabbing it did um
Travis White: I did not know.
Pat Q: insane vertical, so...
Travis White: It's got to be worth two Texas wins.
Pat Q: Now the hype. Yeah, exactly. Right now the hype train's like, well, even if Arch makes a crappy pass, look at this guy. You know?
Travis White: Yeah, yeah
Pat Q: Um... I just feel like the hype train is out of control right now at Texas. And. We are fortunate enough as fans that we are going to find out real quick um if it's worth it or not. right Last year, we noticed Arch was super uncomfortable in that Ohio State game week one.
Pat Q: They got Ohio State week one again this year in Austin this time. um so Strap in. you know get ready I think it's gonna be an awesome ride but Yeah, we are once again at...
Pat Q: I don't even know if we can do the, do the Texas is back joke anymore. I feel like...
Travis White: Unfortunately, it's been killed for like a decade and a half
Pat Q: Yeah. Um... But we are at that point of the year where... you know the media is running away with. Is Texas the best team in the SEC? Is Texas the best team in the country? Et cetera, et cetera. Just because of the consistency Sark has built. And now the fact that.
Pat Q: I mean, based on his stats, based on his profile, we can probably anticipate Cam Coleman is gonna have success. um But I think. How much success is... Still TBD.
Travis White: Sure. Let me pose this question to you. I mean, obviously 14 to seven kind of. ugly game the way it like transpired. in Columbus. um If Texas is able to...
Travis White: kind of pull out an ugly win. Does that pose the same? like you know Ohio State won that game last year. they ended up having a good season.
Pat Q: and
Travis White: Texas is still good season, but not by their standards.
Pat Q: for sure for sure
Travis White: If... If Texas can be on the other side of that this year, should we be expecting that? I mean, certainly the talk will be there, but should we realistically expect that?
Pat Q: I'll say yes. because I do think Ohio State is one of the best teams in the country um from a talent perspective, right? Like, it's always... you know, kind of the joke that like, what are they going to do? Are they going to live up to that talent and actually succeed with Ryan Day, et cetera, et cetera.
Travis White: Right.
Pat Q: But. um If you're beating a team that good, and actually I think it's week two this year, not week one. I think they have Texas State week one. But regardless, if you're beating a team that good. early in the season that's always a good sign whether it's sloppy or not um And.
Pat Q: I mean, the SEC schedule is the SEC schedule. I'm pretty sure they have LSU. And... I want to say Tennessee this year. um In addition to.
Pat Q: Ole Miss and... Oklahoma, I think, are like two of their more permanent um sec
Travis White: Well, they'll have A and &M to end the season as well.
Pat Q: And A and &M, of course. Right. So like. It's going to be a grind. But. I think if Texas can get through this season. At two or less losses, they're definitely going to make the playoff. Just because of...
Pat Q: the pedigree of the sec um i know you and i kind of talked about this off camera but definitely the respect that the conference gets. in terms of The committee. um alongside the big 10.
Travis White: Sure. sure So we'll... speaking of conferences we'll slide over to the big 12 now still very much in texas for the most part this question coming from utah Um,
Travis White: Well... question statement. Kalani Sitake. Has come out in the last week and said He needs more money for the football roster.
Pat Q: yeah
Travis White: Obviously, they are very much backed by crumble cookie They have some good donors at the university. Do you think this is fair for him to say? From my point of view, BYU is...
Travis White: now positioned to be the best team in the Big 12. Parton, thanks too. Brandon Swordsby's, Brendan Swordsby's departure from Texas Tech.
Pat Q: Hmm.
Travis White: So I feel like this is BYU's... conference to win this season. I could be wrong. What was is your like perspective on this ask?
Pat Q: um I won't talk too much about like how I feel about BYU. I want to talk about them in a later section in terms of like talent and stuff like that. But from like a pure NIL perspective.
Pat Q: Um, On one hand, I understand it. Because... Really across the Big 12, besides Texas Tech, if you look at the budgets and the spend, it's nowhere near like top programs in, let's say, like the SEC.
Pat Q: or even like a mid -tier program in the SEC that has a lot of money.
Travis White: Sure.
Pat Q: Allah. auburn right i mean obviously it's a top name but The success hasn't been there recently.
Travis White: Right.
Pat Q: Um. It just doesn't line up financially. Right. So. I understand what. Coach Satake is kind of talking about in... The big picture?
Pat Q: Right. But like you said. I think they're in a very, very strong position right now in the Big 12. They're coming off a Big 12 championship. appearance um where they were you know ah Not as good in the Big 12 championship, but they had hung right there with Texas Tech all year up until that point.
Pat Q: And. i don't know I think this is a team that can build for the future But. I think that's more about... Keeping talent once it's there. You know?
Pat Q: um Unless you are. going there and you are um Of. the lds faith Do you want to stay in Provo, Utah? Or do you want to make more money and go to...
Pat Q: No. North Carolina. Right. I feel like that becomes a question for... non -lds or non -mormon players um who are on the roster and we've seen the basketball program spend big right they spent to get a really expensive roster last year um so i think it's a
Travis White: right
Pat Q: fair ask uh in the landscape of college football right now where I mean, money's crazy. Right. And. I know there's attempts to regulate, but we really haven't seen anything come to like serious fruition yet.
Pat Q: So until...
Travis White: Sure.
Pat Q: we get a salary cap or something along those lines. i don't know i i think you gotta commit as many resources as possible to succeed at the power four level.
Travis White: For sure. And speaking on... not just this season, but like, let's assume. next season as well. Do you think that BYU has just as good a chance, if not maybe better?
Travis White: in the Big 12 for how they're currently built before more money. Obviously, more money would.
Pat Q: Hmm.
Travis White: only help their situation.
Pat Q: Help. Yeah.
Travis White: um But would you not say that? Even looking at next year, we don't know what Texas Tech does, but BYU is still right there 1 -2.
Pat Q: Yes, I would Definitely echo and agree with that sentiment.
Travis White: All right, so interesting there by Satake, obviously. More money helps in college football in 2026, but...
Pat Q: How much?
Travis White: Maybe listen.
Pat Q: Right?
Travis White: Maybe let's let's check the room a little bit But also, never know, BYU could have a little bit of a down year, 9 -3.
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: That would be a disappointment. for them now which If you look back a couple seasons ago, 9 -3 in the Big 12 is a disappointing year for BYU.
Pat Q: that's a pretty good spot to be in yeah Yeah.
Travis White: That's not. I was about to say, that's a pretty good spot to be in. obviously not what you want because of it being disappointment, but. not what we thought we'd be in. One final. uh Around the country thing before we go to our buying and selling segment once again Um, This time we're going to be.
Travis White: in the Pac -South Conference, actually. Um, And we're going to talk about Lenora Sellers.
Pat Q: perhaps
Travis White: The hype train has continued to go. on him after a down last season. i Assume that people are just only attached to his breakout year two seasons ago.
Travis White: He has the intangibles. athletically and physically, he should be. one of the top picks in the draft this upcoming season.
Pat Q: For sure.
Travis White: However, we saw A less than bowl game appearance campaign last year. Very tough schedule for the Gamecocks this year. Do we...
Travis White: By the hype. On Lenora Sellers?
Pat Q: um I feel like that's a tough question. Right? ah Because I feel like you can buy the hype on sellers as a player, but maybe doubt. The idea of South Carolina as sort of this dark horse, like there has been buzz about that.
Pat Q: Um, that I've seen on set. ah yeah ESPN a little bit, obviously living in South Carolina. Um, Our radio stations are a little bit biased, so that's been kind of circulating on.
Pat Q: a few of the sports radio stations here lately. But... I'm gonna say yes. um I buy the idea that Sellers is an extremely talented quarterback.
Pat Q: Um, But I don't buy that that's going to lead to... I'll say nine. or eight. maybe even, um wins this season.
Pat Q: Four.
Travis White: sure
Pat Q: his football team. um I think. During the offseason, one of the big things that... hopefully they've been working on with sellers is the idea of pocket awareness and pocket presence. um Because, you know, the O -line was not.
Pat Q: great by any stretch last year. uh but if you look at some of those sacks especially some of those fumble sacks he kind of set himself up for those mistakes by not having a great feel of the pocket.
Pat Q: Yep. also then led to him. sometimes bailing out of the pocket too early. but not fully committing to his legs, which helped him in that breakout campaign two seasons ago.
Pat Q: Um, Okay.
Travis White: first year
Pat Q: So I don't know. I think with a new OC, a new system. that i believe will use his legs use the rpo a little bit more i think we are going to see a good year from sellers himself.
Pat Q: um But I'm still a... Bit skeptical for now on the Gamecocks.
Travis White: okay And. Kind of one thing I want to say. obviously it's unofficial but Wins are kind of a quarterback stat.
Pat Q: Yep.
Travis White: You go back. South Carolina's prior quarterbacks. Spencer Rattler did get drafted. Um, Later in the draft, obviously. I don't think Lenorets would fall that far regardless, just based on physicals.
Travis White: Um, But if that's the case, you have two quarterbacks that get drafted in a row. And. They fail. Two out of five possibly three out of five seasons to make a bowl game What does that say? to you about the South Carolina program and Chain Beamer.
Travis White: I feel like that very much. becomes a telling point of the current state of the problem.
Pat Q: For sure.
Travis White: program.
Pat Q: For sure.
Travis White: You can't have two quarterbacks drafted in a row like that.
Pat Q: um And... I don't know. I think that's where the question kind of becomes. um Obviously, I think there's been a lot of more goodwill.
Pat Q: uh during the beamer tenure than during the must champ tenure but that was kind of it big theme of the Muschamp era. was there was a lot of talent on those teams. But...
Pat Q: They never seem to really...
Travis White: Yes.
Pat Q: reach the levels expected of them. Obviously, it fell apart really, really quickly for Will Muschamp. um
Travis White: Yes.
Pat Q: And we haven't seen that. Depth. uh of suffering let's say from shane beamer uh quite yet in terms of wins and losses uh it hasn't quite a approached 2020 Gamecock football yet.
Pat Q: um
Travis White: well Well, they only played 10 games. The other two wins were in the other two games.
Pat Q: True. True. True. um So I don't know. I think this season is very, very important for Beamer.
Pat Q: um for the future of the program and sort of restoring some of that confidence.
Travis White: All gamer bust.
Pat Q: In my opinion, yes. Um, However, I... think when you look at the schedule for next year. um Unless you have a lot of confidence in your NIL resources to fundraise around a new coach.
Pat Q: That is a... Ciao. huff schedule to walk into in 2027. as a first -year coach who is potentially losing. a large portion of the roster, including your star quarterback um and having to.
Pat Q: rebuild. put systems in place, things like that. So for me, as um as a fan, I would go, yeah. bowl game or bust. Um,
Pat Q: But I have a sneaking suspicion that might not be the perspective of Jeremiah Donati.
Travis White: Could be hiring a few other coaches. Throughout this season as well. He could be a busy man All right, that's enough on South Carolina. and We will talk about them more later with our full conference outlook.
Travis White: Let's buy and sell some teams. I will start us off in deep.
Pat Q: do it
Travis White: New. Pac -12 I'm going to be buying the Boise State Broncos.
Pat Q: Okay.
Travis White: Um, i think this is a very fun team. They have continued to build and grow post -Ashton Genty. Sure, they did take a little bit of a step back because... You have a guy who...
Travis White: Literally. Carried your entire program and they were able to build on that Um, Last year a little bit, but you don't see that in the record. I think moving over to the Pac -12 this being the first season. in that conference as it's Like...
Travis White: come back to life. I think Boise State has a lot to prove and a lot to gain from this. So I really love the Broncos this year. Could make a chance at an outside playoff appearance really depends. I do believe they have Oregon on their schedule this year. We'll have to see how that matchup goes for the Broncos.
Travis White: but I really like the blue turf boys this year. being a little shocking and sending some messages in the Pac -12.
Pat Q: okay I like that pick. um They were one of my potential choices actually that I was kind of kicking around and thinking about.
Travis White: Okay.
Pat Q: Bye. Since we're outside of the power for I'll go with my non p4 by here as well And I went with Navy. Actually.
Pat Q: Um. Navy is, believe it or not. projected uh as the top team in the american conference this year And I feel like a lot of that is because of question marks around the futures of Tulane.
Pat Q: USF, and Memphis as they all sort of try and replace successful coaches. Right. um For me. I feel like Tulane probably has the best roster in the conference.
Pat Q: um But do I have confidence in Will Hall as a head coach? I don't really know. Right. Like that went. Really bad, really quickly at Southern Miss. Um,
Pat Q: So I think we are going to find out. Is it a... money problem for will hall or is it a coaching problem for will hall um now that he has those resources and hasn't a really solid team roster -wise at Tulane.
Travis White: Yeah.
Pat Q: But Navy's a... Good roster. They had a really good season last year. um returning a good amount of contributors from that roster so Yeah, I'm excited about what the mids can bring to the table this year.
Pat Q: Dark Horse.
Travis White: Okay. very
Pat Q: Dark Horse CFP contender for me.
Travis White: Okay, interesting. Did not have Navy on my radar at all. I'll move over to my power four buys here. First one being in the SEC. And I'm going to take Ole Miss.
Travis White: I think Ole Miss is going to be a super, super chippy team.
Pat Q: Okay.
Travis White: This is. you're one fully under Pete Golding.
Pat Q: right
Travis White: Um... And. I don't know what it is. There's something I admire about uh golding like he's just so Like...
Travis White: kind of rough football guy.
Pat Q: Yeah, yeah
Travis White: Get away. Interesting dude, don't get me wrong. But there's just something about him where he's just so direct with it and very much like. This is how we're going to play. This is how we're going to do things. This is how we're going to operate.
Travis White: And.
Pat Q: That's fair, I like that.
Travis White: I mean, it didn't take long for him to really take control of that team. after kiffin left and i mean it very much was like Yeah, no, you're either honest or...
Travis White: You're against us. And that was literally his. selling point for Was it Kaywon? Loot. Louis, I'm blanking on his name
Pat Q: Lazy. Lacey?
Travis White: Lacey, thank you.
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: Um, literally a selling point it's like you see what they did to kiffin you want to be that or you want to stay here like That's just directly how it's going to be. Like you either want that or you don't. And.
Travis White: You know, I mean he just tells it how it is and There's something kind of admirable about that. Takes it to his players straight up, and that's very much how they... play and operate. We saw that in the CFP.
Travis White: I think this year especially. A lot of emotion will go into that LSU game early.
Pat Q: actually
Travis White: But I think that... There's going to be kind of a hard nose about them post. that game because there's just there's no way there's not emotion there Um, But after that game.
Travis White: I think is where Ole Miss is really going to thrive. and 10 -2 Ole Miss. They're in the playoff.
Pat Q: Yeah, that's that's a totally fair... projection, I think. Ole Miss is like one of those teams where... The roster's there. I think Golden's the guy.
Pat Q: Um. The CFP definitely proved he knows how to coach in high stakes scenarios.
Travis White: Indeed. Yep.
Pat Q: So yeah, I really like that pick. I really like where you're looking there. um I'm probably gonna go with another team that was not on your radar here. um But I don't know. I think they're a fun team to kind of consider and look at, especially on the offensive side of the ball. They've got a ton of talent. And this is the Louisville Cardinals, actually.
Pat Q: um yeah yeah as you guys can see uh this was not scripted and rehearsed beforehand Thank you TJ for that reaction.
Travis White: Sorry.
Pat Q: Oh. But... I don't know
Travis White: Hey man, if this works, this is going to be an all -time clip.
Pat Q: Yeah, I mean clip this Kentucky fans. bring it back to me if it flows up in my face but um i think Louisville.
Pat Q: has I'm not saying it's a great chance, but an outside chance to win the ACC this year. Um.
Travis White: I hope you know. When three and eight Louisville goes to Kentucky, I will be tailgating with the Wildcats.
Pat Q: ah I'm just saying. you know uh they've got Isaac Brown, who is a really, really solid running back. Their transfer quarterback, Lincoln Keinholtz.
Pat Q: Bye -bye. pronounce his last name right uh is getting a lot of like Heisman buzz which I was not really anticipating um But we know that Jeff Brom can build an offense. The question is...
Pat Q: Will the defense have? a pulse this year. Right.
Travis White: Yeah.
Pat Q: Because the defense definitely let them down and a lot of games in a lot of ways last year, they could have been. Virginia last year if the defense Could stop anybody.
Pat Q: All right.
Travis White: Yeah.
Pat Q: decided to run the ball up the middle. Um. So I think that's a big question mark. But I have confidence. um and I don't know if we're supposed to like...
Pat Q: Talk about odds and things like that, but I have a lot of confidence in Louisville over their a mark of eight and a half wins this year uh that was set by vegas so i am buying Louisville stock.
Travis White: I gotta look at their schedule here. Bye.
Pat Q: It's actually not that bad. Um,
Travis White: They... Albeit. it would be an upset. They could start 1 -3.
Pat Q: See, I don't have as much faith in SMU as other people. May. Um...
Travis White: See, i think I think SMU could be... threatening Once again, I mean, I think they do have the second most expensive roster in the...
Pat Q: They do, for sure.
Travis White: ACC.
Pat Q: And Kevin Jennings is a really good player. Um... But. I don't know that defense had a lot of question marks last year. and like you said i know they've got money i know they were trying to shore that up but I know it's stupid.
Pat Q: I don't know Give me the cards.
Travis White: I mean, because I don't want to only put... emphasis on expensive rosters because like that does come back to bite you very quickly but also smu was in the playoff two years ago people forget that
Pat Q: kind of yeah for sure
Pat Q: They were. They were.
Travis White: They played. at a very good Penn State team. And I think, to be honest, if they would have drawn one or two other teams. they may have gotten through the first round and had a win.
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: Um...
Pat Q: And they got a little unlucky in that ACC championship against Clemson where they could have had a much favor more much more favorable excuse me first round matchup.
Travis White: So.
Pat Q: Oh.
Travis White: That is true.
Pat Q: I don't know I feel like if... you All right. For those of you who are not. looking at the schedule like TJ and I are. They start with Ole Miss on... I believe in neutral city.
Pat Q: all right right?
Travis White: they I think it's in Nashville.
Pat Q: Um. That's. Probably a loss. of Full transparency here, right? But... Besides the SMU game, there's not really and another opponent on that schedule.
Pat Q: That I'm not. sort of confident that Louisville... will have more talent than. Right. Like. We know that Wake Forest overachieved last year, and that was an awesome story.
Pat Q: But I have confidence Louisville can beat them. Florida State. Got no confidence in Mike Norvell. So I have confidence that Louisville can beat them. Right. And then it's really kind of like.
Pat Q: the dregs of the SEC or ACC excuse me besides Pitt uh down the home stretch there And pit. under Pat Narduzzi is always a question mark and always a wild card. If they get consistent quarterback play. That could be a really scary team.
Pat Q: Or... it could go south really fast. so I don't know.
Travis White: See ya. I do. I look at that schedule in just a caliber. room putting into Louisville this year. I see lots of toss -ups. I mean, yes. Stanford at home is great because.
Travis White: the three -hour ACC rule. Is. way too obvious.
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: um
Pat Q: yeah
Travis White: Syracuse on the road, I don't... So - They always get an upset win there. Always get an upset win every year. So I don't love that for them Florida State, I'm with you. Not great. NC State.
Travis White: could be way forth. Probably a win. I mean, they're not 3 -8 going into Kentucky, but, like...
Travis White: How I look at it, if...
Pat Q: I don't know.
Travis White: The way they look at the toss -up games... It could be... It could be a bowl game or boss game.
Pat Q: So get ugly quick. It could could definitely get ugly quick on me.
Travis White: So.
Pat Q: Oh.
Travis White: so
Pat Q: So we shall see how this ages.
Travis White: very interesting. Obviously very polarizing bye right there. I don't think we've ever contested a buy or sell that much.
Pat Q: I don't think so.
Travis White: Um,
Pat Q: yeah Usually it's pretty like... I can see that.
Travis White: Yeah.
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: Alright. So I'll go into my final buy, and I don't think this will be much of an issue nor a talking point because we've talked about them already. my final buy is going to be BYU. The opportunity that they have in the Big 12, doors wide open.
Travis White: Uh... money or not. For Coach Satake, I love the Cougars in that conference.
Pat Q: that was my final buy as well um so we are aligned we are aligned on that one Dang, I should have seen Louisville for...
Travis White: Well. There you go Okay.
Pat Q: last that we could have had some good conversation to end.
Travis White: Yeah. No, ah Cardinal fans are...
Pat Q: Heinz.
Travis White: Punching air. now.
Pat Q: Bye. All right.
Travis White: All right, we'll move over to ourselves, and we will go back to the ACC here, and I'm going to sell. Clemson.
Pat Q: Mmm.
Travis White: A little bit of hype for the ACC again this year. but To me, Dabo Sweeney is a walking... NIL. and or PR nightmare.
Travis White: for college football players in...
Pat Q: All right.
Travis White: this day and age. uh literally quoted the other day saying we're just a bunch of somebodies hopefully somebody turns into Er. hopefully anybody turns into somebody or something like that.
Travis White: And. You know, it was, like, great. like You need to prove yourself on the field. like That's definitely the message he's going for. However... you literally coming out of Fall camp.
Travis White: at this point now. going. We have no one. No one stands out. There's no one notable to talk about. is not really... A signature of confidence.
Pat Q: Not what you want to do. Yeah. Yeah.
Travis White: from your head coach. as a player and He's trying to... coach everyone as the unit but i mean you do need to single out like your star players and if He can't signal. out his star players here three weeks before the season starts.
Travis White: That really is kind of signaling to me that They don't know or have anyone that they can... so consistently call upon to make the play. so And this is a wide -open ACC again this year.
Travis White: And if Clemson can't live up to the hype that they're... kind of being brought up again this season. What does that say about them?
Pat Q: I was...
Travis White: with the stay there I feel like the 2010s Clemson. completely gone now, if that is the case.
Pat Q: yeah Yeah, and I mean... I agree with you. I don't think this is a great Clemson team. um so it shocks me to kind of hear this notion but like there is some like Soft buzz, let's say.
Pat Q: Um. around them as kind of like Not really challenging Miami, right? But maybe being like that second ACC team that can backdoor their weight. in um to a potential playoff, but...
Pat Q: I don't know. I'm with you. I think it's going to be a tough season. Um, for Clemson. in trying to let's say like reestablish that identity, right? Like I was shocked when it came out that they were ranked 23rd in the preseason poll.
Pat Q: Um,
Travis White: Yeah, that was... Quite shocking. I did not feel like that was an earned. ranking more of just a reputation ranking.
Pat Q: Here we go. Yeah, like, I mean, the fact that... I don't know. we'll talk about them when we talk about our pack south teams but the fact that they're getting more respect than a Florida team that I actually think has the potential to be.
Pat Q: intriguing. this year. um really is surprising to me. So, yeah, I agree with you there. I'm not selling Clemson, but I totally see why you would.
Pat Q: I will follow suit, though, and do another ACCT so we can kind of pair up the conference here.
Travis White: Okay.
Pat Q: And I'm going to go with Georgia Tech. So...
Travis White: No Haynes King.
Pat Q: No Haynes King. Lost both your coordinators. So that's a lot of continuity off the roster. Um. I like Brent Key. I think he's a really good coach. I think he's really passionate.
Pat Q: about being at Georgia Tech. But I see this as like a six win team this year. And coming off. Two really good seasons in a row. That's not exactly the follow -up that you want.
Pat Q: ah So that's kind of why I'm selling. the idea of georgia tech even though they might not be getting the same level of Fuzz. respect that Clemson is getting right now.
Travis White: Okay. I can't. say one way or another, they're kind of my spoiler team for the ACC. I feel like they're going to be good enough.
Pat Q: Hmm.
Travis White: It's like Pitt a few years ago when they did make the ACC at like seven and five.
Pat Q: Yeah, yeah
Travis White: Um... That's kind of like the feeling I have for Georgia Tech this year, but of course divisions are no more so not seeing a 7 -5 Georgia Tech team make it to Charlotte.
Travis White: Um, All right, I'll move over. Once again. a second power forward team for me and i'm not going to talk about them much because we already did. Texas Tech, Source B's departure is killer for them.
Pat Q: Hmm.
Travis White: I think they will still be a good team. However, going into this season, it was, man, Texas Tech, they're going to make the playoff. They're going to be really good. Final Four team and... One or two upsets, they win the national title.
Travis White: Very good team, very good roster. Go out, spend a bunch of money. On a quarterback. who can't play a game for you.
Pat Q: tough Ciao.
Travis White: That's just... Awful. for Lubbock, but you know, that's the situation they're in. and I got to sell them. Still a very good team, but 8 -4 is... Abe. Hard disappointment if they end up there.
Pat Q: For sure.
Travis White: Um, Yeah. Sorry, Red Raiders.
Pat Q: Yeah, no, I agree with you there Um... i don't know texas tech is like a weird team for me to kind of like put a label on or put a understanding on it's like I feel like The rest of the team has enough talent where they could theoretically win nine, maybe even 10 games in this Big 12.
Travis White: Sure.
Pat Q: But like we talked about, I think BYU is the favorite now. And I don't see them beating BYU. the big 12 championship if they were to make it that far um So yeah, definitely a disappointment. coming off of last year coming off the buzz of Getting sores be out.
Pat Q: portal. Yeah. understandable sell there.
Travis White: Yeah.
Pat Q: Um, I'm going to sell it to you now. lost their quarterback for different reasons. Um. He just got. finally too old to play college football still.
Pat Q: ah so You might be seeing where I'm going with this. The team of... One of our Heisman finalists, Diego Pavia. I am selling the Vanderbilt.
Pat Q: Commodores. I think it's been a great story what they've done the past two seasons making Vandy. respectable in the SEC.
Travis White: Yeah.
Pat Q: I'd say over respectable last year, right? That was a solid team.
Travis White: Very good team.
Pat Q: Um. I think. People might have overrated them a little bit just because of how bad they have been in the past. But still, it was a good. football team. Uh, I...
Pat Q: I think they're... gonna take a step back this year they've got a hard schedule this year as well which doesn't exactly I don't know Do you any favors?
Pat Q: um So, yeah, I'm selling or I'm fading Vandy a little bit here. just
Travis White: Okay.
Pat Q: I just. Can't see them replicating that success. Kind of similar to Georgia Tech, right? This is probably fading back to like a six or five win team for me this year.
Travis White: Clark Lee or Brent Key?
Pat Q: Like who would I want moving forward?
Travis White: Who would you want as your guy?
Pat Q: I'll say Clark Lee for right now. Just because he won. with less like Nobody gave a crap about Vanderbilt football. um And...
Pat Q: I mean, even Diego Pavia, when they got him out of the portal from New Mexico State, it's not like he was this. heavily sought after, heavily recruited guy. right they saw something in him they felt that they could create a system that maximized his talents and credit to them for doing that So for that reason, I'll go with.
Pat Q: Clark Lee. instead of Brent Key. Also... Clark Lee did it in SEC. Brent Key. Not to any fault of his own, right but the ACC has been down the past two seasons.
Travis White: Indeed. Alright. Fair enough. My final sell, and this is back to a group. team and
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: We also spoke on this team earlier. It is. Tulane. um I...
Pat Q: Ooh, okay.
Travis White: do not like. the cop out. higher coordinator that they pulled here. I think that was. Stupid. Really?
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: um Tulane's been a very good team for a while. i mean they have Um... New Year's Six wins against Southern Cal. They've had a very good roster. They make the playoff last year, and their only loss being to... one of my buys again for this season in Ole Miss.
Travis White: Um, That was... their only two losses last year. Like... Very good program has been building building building And then you tell me that the best you can do for a head coaching hire is just. a guy who was...
Travis White: He picked up off the street as a coordinator. because he got fired at his last job. That's the best guy you got. Like I get maintaining culture. But... And I'm b blanking on the guy's name right before him who just went to Florida.
Pat Q: John Summerall.
Travis White: Summerall, yes You can't tell me. Summerall's culture is in. Will Hall because... Summerhall did it in Troy in two years. He did it in Tulane in two years.
Travis White: like he
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: That is his culture. Will Hall is not that culture. And I think that this is a big miss on the hire. Bye. don't love their roster going into this year, and I think that... Will Hall as a coach is only going to make that a bit worse.
Travis White: Uh, So it's a cell. with regret for our motion. But... Also. This just needs to be done. i This could be a...
Travis White: They could be in threat of not making a bullpen.
Pat Q: Yeah. yeah um Kind of like I said in the... Navy bit that... um i put forward where We really don't know what the American's going to be this year.
Pat Q: Like, it's just a huge question mark.
Travis White: Oh yeah.
Pat Q: ah
Travis White: It is. at First time in a while, I feel like, too.
Pat Q: Yeah, because I mean, they've been solid since the conference was founded. It took a little bit of a dip. early 2020s but it's been back uh the last few years in terms of you know, good young coaches.
Pat Q: Decent. amounts of talent things like that but I don't know. I feel like we're really. Really up in the air. Um, right now because Again.
Travis White: Yeah.
Pat Q: We don't know what Tulane is going to be. You are not super confident in them. Um, Memphis is a big question mark. Right. Pretty sure Aaron Noland is projected to be their starting quarterback.
Travis White: I do believe that Memphis of all the...
Pat Q: and
Travis White: hire American programs. and programs that lost their coaches. I do think Memphis has the most stability.
Pat Q: ability Yeah, yeah, that's fair.
Travis White: the program.
Pat Q: Um, And they are also building a pretty solid n NIL program and trying to get funding for that. So.
Travis White: Just revamped their facilities to put a lot of money into the Independence Bowl
Pat Q: Yeah.
Pat Q: Yeah. Um, I don't know. I've been kind of going back and forth on my last sell. And if I wanted to do like. Kind of a similar team to Georgia Tech or Vandy where I just think they're going to regress.
Pat Q: Or... um if i want to do a team that i think is going to fall short of expectations And I decided to make this fun. And go with the ladder. So. I'm going to go with a team with lofty expectations.
Pat Q: and they spent a lot of money on their coach. this year. They spent a lot of money on their roster this year. Uh... With the precipice of getting back to being a national championship contender.
Pat Q: And. I don't see that happening in year one. So I am actually going to sell. Lane Kiffin. and LSU.
Travis White: Very nice.
Pat Q: Um...
Travis White: i I was like he's building toward it. He's doing it. He's going to do the thing, which honestly poetry, since I went with Ole Miss, we did not talk about that.
Pat Q: So...
Pat Q: I was going to say, Ole Miss fans are... pumping their fists right now um but i i don't know like i think this is more of a Yes, NIL helps you build quickly. Yes, Lane is a phenomenal coach.
Pat Q: Um. But... I feel like the SEC is super deep this year. Um, And... They've got it.
Pat Q: We've got a fairly tough schedule. You know what I mean? Like they've got. Texas A and &M this year. They've got Auburn. In Alabama this year, they've got, obviously, Bama. They've got...
Pat Q: ah Ole Miss. They've got Texas. like There's a lot of places for them to trip up and if they're not careful They've got a night game. At Kneeland. like the second to last week of the season.
Pat Q: so
Travis White: Yeah.
Pat Q: I don't know. I feel like there's a lot of landmines to navigate there. there's Already this... Press. storm swirling around the team since Lane Kiffin was announced as head coach.
Travis White: you
Pat Q: Easy to get distracted if you're a player. Um, I don't know. I just don't see Ole Miss or sorry, LSU doing what they hired Lane Kiffin to do in year one. So that's why I'm going to sell them.
Travis White: We're in agreement that a nine -game SEC schedule is not smart, right?
Pat Q: Yeah, definitely. Um,
Travis White: Okay. Yeah, I don't know why they come.
Pat Q: I mean it's good for money. But, um...
Travis White: Good for money, but like I mean
Pat Q: I think it hurts the conference.
Travis White: the committee has The committee has said like. A 9 -3 SEC team, they're not getting in.
Pat Q: right
Travis White: So, like, nine wins or nine conference games for what?
Pat Q: um
Travis White: I mean, you go 10 -2 with... eight games in the SEC. They were making...
Pat Q: We're good. Yeah.
Travis White: the playoff.
Pat Q: um I think it is going to. hurt the sec in terms of like trying to stack The CFP. with as many at -larges as possible. Because now if you've got two teams, like you said, that are, let's say, like nine and two going into that final week.
Pat Q: Where? Maybe before one of those other games that they lost could have been against a random FCS team in the middle of November before we start ramping up for rivalry weekend and things like that. Now.
Pat Q: You've got an absolute grind. With a few breaks, albeit, from September through November. Right? And... I don't know. I think it's going to hurt the conference, especially like those mid tier slash like dark horse type teams that maybe could have gotten hot and made a run.
Pat Q: and benefited for one more week or out of conference game that they're not getting anymore.
Travis White: For sure. Yeah. i don't know We'll see how the SEC persists. i'm
Travis White: Bamboozled by I guess they're following the Big Ten model, but like the Big Ten that you also it's such a big conference now
Pat Q: Huge, huge.
Travis White: You kind of do need to have nine games because... Depending on how they draw. Wisconsin's down. you could catch of Minnesota team that's like Meh.
Pat Q: ah froggy
Travis White: the Northwestern is like...
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: building so like that is not what it used to be You get a Purdue, next thing you know, like.
Travis White: Do you have more than half your conference schedule? that's Not great. You go to the SEC. you catch like a A down South Carolina, a down Vanderbilt, a down Kentucky. And that's like your max.
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: That's your max.
Pat Q: I mean...
Travis White: Or like a down Mississippi State.
Pat Q: I was going to say Mississippi State's a question mark too, but like. They could be good this year. We don't know. Um, And I don't know, I think that's a huge risk because like even though they did not win a ton of games last year, Mississippi State played a lot of good teams very closely.
Travis White: Yeah.
Pat Q: Um, And is that worth? a potential doc on your resume, where even if you win that game, but you don't win it pretty. And let's say. Um, Notre Dame beats the crap out of.
Pat Q: Rice. um they're probably going to jump you in the rankings.
Travis White: Yeah, I mean, I just... Big 10. Makes more sense. SEC, like... literally some of those in conference rivalries. our playoff games every two three four seasons depending on who you are like Missouri -Arkansas, not as much because Arkansas has been down lately, but Missouri very much a playoff contender.
Travis White: Auburn, Alabama every two years is a playoff game. Um, Texas, Texas A and &M is basically a playoff game. Mississippi State. of They figure out whatever's going on at head coach basically, but I mean you go back 10 years ago, over.
Travis White: with Dak Prescott. Number one team in the country. Egg Bowl was a big game. i mean these are playoff games in conference before even a conference championship game. so like There's no real need.
Travis White: for nine games, but...
Pat Q: Thank you.
Travis White: I digress.
Pat Q: Thank you.
Travis White: I'm selling the nine -game SEC schedule. That's my fourth sell.
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: Alright. Well... We'll get off the soapbox. We'll go into our PAX Health Conference rankings here. And we're going to go 14 -1. We did expand a little bit, as we mentioned last episode.
Travis White: I will dive right in with my number 14 team. who was also our seller dweller last year, and that is the Charlotte 49ers. i don't think they're as bad as they were last year I think they will be a little bit better part in case, case in part, to Uh...
Travis White: a questionable american conference i think they do steal a couple wins this year but i unfortunately think that three wins is the ceiling for this team. um So I have Charlotte.
Travis White: at the bottom again
Pat Q: Same here. um And for the same reasons where, yes, they are better.
Travis White: Alright.
Pat Q: I do think if... Charlotte gives Tim Alvin the time. um I know since I went to a Charlotte game last year, I get. blasted with emails constantly asking about NIL fundraising. So if they get that money and they give him time, I think that they can find success in the American, especially.
Pat Q: Um, for the size of the school right like yes it is a big school but it doesn't have like massive facilities um So they are punching above their weight a little bit for a relatively new program.
Pat Q: Um, Feels weird still saying that, but whatever. But yeah, yeah.
Travis White: Yes.
Pat Q: I won't go on. They are my 14 team as well.
Travis White: Okay, my number 13 of this might make you upset. I'm going with the Beavs of Oregon State. I...
Pat Q: Come on man. Yeah.
Travis White: I don't love it. It's first year head coach. They were. down bad last year, just...
Pat Q: clear it Very down to that.
Travis White: voting it. play Um, you know, the pack to. rivalry game last year was entertaining for all the wrong reasons. Um...
Travis White: And I think unfortunately for Oregon State, they will not make a jump like I think Wazoo will this year. I think Oregon State will stay right there at the bottom, if not second to bottom of the Pac -12. Um,
Travis White: That new stadium, it hurt. The the Pac -12. Originally. falling apart when it did was brutal they were literally funding this massive new product uh What do you call it?
Travis White: A facility at Research Stadium.
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: It looks beautiful. They owe millions of dollars toward it. So anything that they can use to fund the football team. Part of that needs to go to the stadium to be able to get that. squared away. So unfortunately for the Beavers, they're in a very tough spot.
Travis White: with their football program. So I think we will see that. at number 13.
Pat Q: yeah As a Beavs enthusiast, that hurts me to hear, um but I do not have them very far from where you have them. so uh I definitely see your point. My 13th team, this might hurt you, TJ.
Pat Q: as an enthusiast of this program, but I'm going with the Chippewas of Central Michigan. Um, There were signs that were definitely positive last year.
Pat Q: um played close in a few big rivalry games. um first year head coach so like there was that confidence that this can carry over and Builds. ah I don't know. The Mac's just such a weird conference. So much wildness happens.
Pat Q: I just can't confidently say that they're going to win. eight games let's say or seven games right like a seven and five team could play for the mac championship um That's how the conference works, right? So...
Pat Q: I don't know. I just. I never. Feel confident. Predicting Maction. And so for that. for that reason i'm just gonna slot The Chippewas.
Pat Q: at the bottom end of the totem pole. Um, The roster also isn't Super great. um So.
Travis White: no
Pat Q: Yeah, it could get could get tough for the Chips.
Travis White: Yeah. it Very much could. I... echo your exact same sentiment from the reaction about Oregon State. Um, However, my number 12 is my first power team. It's going to be Boston College.
Travis White: I...
Pat Q: yeah
Travis White: Don't love the Eagles. Yes, they do. Did. rework their roster thoroughly, especially when it really needed to after Last season, and obviously you go back two seasons losing Thomas Cassianos.
Travis White: To me, that was a... Death Nail. for the program in its current state. Losing Thomas Castellanos to Florida State. I just...
Travis White: Because to me you look at Florida State. There's not a lot offering Yeah. money, but Boston College actually did have a little bit of stuff going on in the football program.
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: There were glimmers of hope. They played really well. just their defense decided to turn into a...
Pat Q: Thanks. yeah
Travis White: gaping hole. whenever they needed to actually make a stop.
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: So... That was their biggest thing. I think otherwise they were a nine -win team a couple years ago. I think they were very fun and very good.
Pat Q: Dean. Indeed.
Travis White: Lose Thomas Castellanos. fell apart. reworked it. I don't think this is going to be the right answer. I feel like there is a like... culture vacuum.
Travis White: right now in chestnut hill So I don't think that Boston College will get a lot done in ACC play this year.
Pat Q: Sorry, I don't know what happened to my microphone there. ah yeah Yeah, I think that's...
Travis White: back He's back. He's back.
Pat Q: Totally a fair estimation on Boston College. like For me, they were a wild card. and I took maybe a more positive swing on them.
Pat Q: just because
Travis White: okay
Pat Q: I really don't know what the ACC is going to be like this year. Like I feel like the ACC is going to be like three. Maybe for solid teams and then just like a whole bunch of mid to bad.
Pat Q: um So that I feel like they can sneak a few conference wins because of that. And as a result, kind of. bump up our conference standings.
Travis White: Sure.
Pat Q: ah
Travis White: Yeah.
Pat Q: So my number 12 team. It is the Beavs.
Travis White: Okay.
Pat Q: for all of the reasons that you mentioned. um Yeah, it hurts to see because... Oregon State, when things are going right, is such a fun program to watch, such a fun program to root for. When they get the chainsaws going at Reser, like...
Pat Q: fires you up you know um even as a neutral fan um But yeah, it's it's not good in Corvallis right now, and it probably won't be good for another two to three years.
Pat Q: um
Travis White: Yeah.
Pat Q: Yeah, we' we've talked about Oregon State enough, so I won't dwell on that.
Travis White: Okay. Well, you putting Oregon State there shows you just how much more of a homer I am toward my teams than your teams. This is where I slotted in the chip was
Travis White: I don't think they will be... And they might be. I don't know. This is very much a team in the MAAC that is fighting for a bowl game. I was about to say they're not going to be abysmal, but...
Pat Q: Who knows, right?
Travis White: I mean, they they could very much fall to 3 -9. They could be 7 -5. I think a 7 -5. campaign with this team would be good. Um...
Travis White: I just really don't think there's going to be a lot of toss -up games that they do. win. So I think the Chippewas will have a rough season. as Did you?
Pat Q: Yeah, that's totally fair. um unfortunate for two programs that you and I kind of really enjoy watching.
Travis White: Yeah.
Pat Q: Have. sort of connections to soft spots for The next one? that I'm putting in there. I'm only putting it in here just because, like...
Pat Q: I didn't really know. how to slot them with the way that points are allotted for.
Travis White: Mm hmm.
Pat Q: our conference Um, So this is the only FCS team That is a member of the pack South. And that is the Montana Grizzlies. um So I really do think that the Grizz are a good team. Great FCS program.
Pat Q: Um, I just. I don't know it's tough. kind of like we saw with Oregon State in baseball this year, when you're not getting...
Travis White: Right.
Pat Q: conference points like for a in their case fbs conference um It weighs on you a little bit and you really have to do something. Calm.
Pat Q: FCS playoff time if you want to make up that gap on some of the other teams. um I do think this is a team good enough to make the FCS playoffs good enough to. potentially win it all.
Pat Q: um But... i don't know like i i feel like it's like one of those weird things where This team could go 11 -1. in the fcs and maybe like a crazy upset takes place like we saw last year in the FCS playoffs. They lose round one, and then they just don't really rack up that many points. Um...
Pat Q: So that that was kind of my apprehension with Montana. in terms of our conference.
Travis White: No, I think that's totally fair because I slotted them in right here at number 10.
Pat Q: Ha ha.
Travis White: Um. Yeah, I mean, I think that if stars align, they... could If they win the national title and you have a few extra teams drop back than what we're anticipating, I actually think the conference as a whole will improve.
Travis White: in the packs out this season. Um, Stars aligned they win the national title. They could maybe make it all the way up to third, but like that's their ceiling I don't think they can win the conference at all That being said...
Travis White: I think there's one or two losses in the regular season. I still think they make the playoffs. I just don't love them to make a huge run. I think.
Travis White: best case scenario for this team is the semifinals but i think that's totally where it ends i don't think they can make it past that point um Of course, we will be there for Senior Night.
Travis White: In Missoula.
Pat Q: Bang, bang.
Travis White: So we will definitely be able to get a. Temp check. on the Grizzly and really see how they are doing.
Pat Q: yes
Travis White: um You never know. Maybe the energy will be in the air. Maybe they'll be talking national title. We don't know, but for now. They're my number 10.
Pat Q: yeah um I think we both kind of... see it the same way um really great fcs program it just kind of hurts the way our points are accrued Um,
Pat Q: All right. So my number nine program. Is another team that I really had a tough time thinking about, like, where do I want to put them?
Travis White: 10.
Pat Q: Um, And it is... An FCS newcomer? in North Dakota State. So.
Travis White: Are they to your number 9 or number 10?
Pat Q: Oh shoot. Hold on. Oh, I skipped a team. My number 10 is Iowa State. My fault. Hand up.
Travis White: Whoa! woe
Pat Q: Um.
Travis White: Okay.
Pat Q: Yeah, yeah, sorry. And up. um Yeah, Iowa State is that low for me. mostly Mainly because I just don't know.
Travis White: wow
Pat Q: what we've got to work with here. um when it comes to Big 12 play.
Travis White: Sure, okay.
Pat Q: Right. I mean, like. The roster, there's a ton of turnover from the Campbell era. um Yes, they have a... veteran quarterback in Jalen Rayner, who was at Arkansas State for a few years, but...
Pat Q: I mean, is that Going to translate to the next level easily. um
Pat Q: I don't know. This was a weird team for me just because... They could be. Decent I'm not I'm not gonna say really good, but they could be decent Or they could be like.
Pat Q: Three and nine. Um.
Travis White: i mean They definitely are a very variable team. for sure.
Pat Q: Eh. I don't know. I think that. The thing that hurts them in my eyes is a lot of our points come from rivalry game wins, especially, and I don't see them beating Iowa or Kansas State this year. So that kind of eats into their projected totals.
Pat Q: For me, at least.
Travis White: Yeah. wow Okay. Fair enough. And as you said, you're number nine as well at North Dakota State. That is also my number nine. Um, I think it's going to be very fun to watch them play in the Mountain West this year. I think, realistically speaking, they are probably an 8 or 9 win team.
Pat Q: For sure.
Travis White: unfortunately for that program as Great success they've had lately. Still a very, very, very good team. I don't think they're coming into FBS with one of their best rosters they've had in the last decade. And to be honest, I think it is more on the bottom half of talent.
Travis White: in the last decade for this program. so I think they'll still be very good. I think they can compete in the Mountain West, and I think... There for a bit, they will be. right there at one or two. realistically speaking, I think they will be. just outside looking in at the conference title game.
Travis White: Eight wins, a third or fourth place finish in conference in first year in D1. I don't think Bison fans. they could be mad at it because they're used to winning but Realistically.
Travis White: I feel like this is...
Pat Q: I mean, it's it's a...
Travis White: a good spot to be in for year one.
Pat Q: For sure. That's what I was gonna say. It's a good transition point. um You don't want a scenario. like some of these programs we've seen where it's like really rough year one really really good year two and then abysmal year three sam houston state um
Pat Q: because that's just not sustainable but like I don't know. I think North Dakota State has the pedigree that some of those teams that made the jump didn't um and that will kind of help them retain some talent as they work their way through.
Pat Q: FBS play. in their first few years here.
Travis White: for sure i do want to go on note this next little stretch here for the next three teams. this is my like gauntlet run here
Pat Q: Okay.
Travis White: I think any of these three teams could end up. realistically in any of these three spots. Bottom of these spots, I think, is disappointing here. Top of these spots.
Pat Q: Good year.
Travis White: is a successful year.
Pat Q: Okay. Um,
Travis White: And I want to start that number eight.
Pat Q: Okay. And are we going to. Are we going to rapid fire these or are we going to... kind of go one by one.
Travis White: We can rapid fire it because I think.
Pat Q: Alright.
Travis White: most of these teams will still be in the same spot for you. One could be off.
Pat Q: Yeah, I think.
Travis White: Um.
Pat Q: One. That you already put. I've got here. But I think we're kind of. pretty closely aligned.
Travis White: Okay, so I'm gonna go Eight, Florida.
Pat Q: o
Travis White: Seven, South Carolina. Six UCF. So obviously that Florida, South Carolina, I have that as a direct matchup this year.
Pat Q: Okay.
Travis White: I think South Carolina does eat that one out.
Pat Q: Mm hmm. Mm -hmm.
Travis White: And I have UCF at six. With another growing year in the Big 12, year two under Scott Frost, if they don't grow, I think that that's just... Unfortunately, the program did not translate to the Big 12 the way that they wanted.
Travis White: Scott Frost is still the guy for probably two more years for UCF.
Pat Q: first
Travis White: But... the program is not where they want it to be after the success they had a decade ago.
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: Um, South Carolina, make or break. Thankfully for them, the SEC gives a lot of points by the way that we do our conference rankings, so that helps them a lot. And then obviously Florida, year one under Summerall.
Travis White: Could be some growing pains and they have a very tough schedule as well. So That's kind of where I fell into it, but also UCF. I'm expecting them to grow. They could do the exact same thing they did last year. Move back. Florida could beat South Carolina.
Travis White: Then the whole thing. moves around a bit. What is your eight through six?
Pat Q: Yeah. Alright, so we do have two teams that are the same here. So we kind of were a little aligned there.
Travis White: Okay.
Pat Q: We have them in slightly different order, though. So my eight is a team that you were. way less high on. at Boston College. Um,
Travis White: Okay.
Pat Q: Just because. Kind of like I said when you were talking about BC. Um, We don't really know what the ACC is going to be this year. I feel like they can eke out a few wins. and Gained some points that way.
Pat Q: I do think having... Bill O 'Brien call the plays does help them a little bit. um Instead of him. telling somebody else what to call and then getting mad when it's not.
Pat Q: The way he... envisioned it. Um... So they're my eight. UCF is my seven.
Travis White: Okay.
Pat Q: And then South Carolina is my six. Um,
Travis White: Okay.
Pat Q: So. I am. Not crazy higher. But I am higher on Florida than you are.
Travis White: Okay. Well... I can only assume that. that's Probably coming in right here at number five.
Pat Q: Bleh. They're actually not.
Travis White: Okay. We'll see who comes in at number five. My number five. ah I believe has made the biggest jump of any difference we've had so far, and that's going to be Iowa State.
Pat Q: Okay.
Travis White: I think...
Pat Q: okay
Travis White: Iowa State. is going to be... on the good end of the bounces in year one post Matt Campbell.
Pat Q: fair enough
Travis White: Um, I mean... There's definitely a lot of question marks around this program right now for sure Matt Campbell Leaving after 10 years, 11 years, 10 years.
Travis White: Um. I mean he brought that program from Nothing. and everything he did was incredible for the Cyclones. And I think that you will still have his fingerprint on that program for a while.
Travis White: Lots of questions to be made. I'm not saying this is going to be... Like... Best year or second best year that they had under Matt Campbell coming into the season But I think they are going to win a lot of games and benefit from a...
Travis White: Not as open as ACC but
Pat Q: pretty open conference.
Travis White: Still open. middle of the conference obviously the top two teams are the top two teams but like
Pat Q: For sure. Appreciate it.
Travis White: If you told me Iowa State finishes fourth and was like... 8 -4, 9 -3. I could believe it. I think the Cyclones do have that capability. Lots of questions still.
Travis White: but they have the capability.
Pat Q: I like your confidence in the Cyclones. are ah Our guy. close to the program would probably appreciate that confidence. confidence as well.
Pat Q: um My number five team is... A team that I did not want to put here, I will... say that I wanted to put them higher. Um, but I put them here because I feel like.
Pat Q: Their conference? hurts them in terms of point ceilings. And I'm not sure if they're... going to get over the hump and win the conference championship this year.
Pat Q: um So that is our only non -power team left. The Lobos of New Mexico. So I really, really like New Mexico. I think this is a team.
Pat Q: That could win 10 games this year. But... I feel like UNLV is still kind of... the top dog in the Mountain West right now, at least like preseason.
Pat Q: They have a ton of questions. Don't get me wrong. Um.
Travis White: Yeah.
Pat Q: But I'm just not sure if New Mexico has the offensive firepower to... Run with UNLV? If that comes to... um a matchup. for the conference championship.
Pat Q: Um.
Travis White: Okay.
Pat Q: i don't know and i feel like hawaii is kind of a wild card for the mountain west this year where like
Travis White: Wild wild card, yes.
Pat Q: They are... Maybe it'll be really good.
Travis White: They could be fun this year. They could be very fun.
Pat Q: Um... And I feel like that's a team that like. could give a New Mexico team that likes to grind you out and play you slow fits because Hawaii is hawaii they're gonna play fast they're gonna air the ball out um I don't know. And Fresno is even like a decent team this year too. So.
Pat Q: i don't know i like the lobos oh wait fresno's pack this now sorry sorry my apologies to My apologies to Fresno State. Didn't mean to. Ring up.
Pat Q: tender moments. um But. I don't know. I just feel like... New Mexico. It's gonna be very good. I'm just not sure if they're good enough to win the conference championship, which could potentially vault them over. Some power teams that are going to get...
Pat Q: More. Points for conference wins.
Travis White: Okay. Um, My number four. Still not the Lobos. Actually, our defending conference champion. i think Duke. It's going to fall back a few spots.
Travis White: Obviously, you look at the ACC, it's wide open. It's Miami. Then we'll see who they play in Charlotte. Could be SMU. Could be Duke.
Pat Q: probably fair
Travis White: Could be Clemson. Could be out more of all Um, I just don't think... Duke has the firepower this year, nor do they have the luck.
Travis White: that they did last year as well.
Pat Q: fair enough
Travis White: Um, Still a good team. Still going to have a good season. Just not that good.
Pat Q: Totally fair. Um, I'm in a similar. vibe with Duke, although I did place them a little higher. Um, I put Florida. at my number four.
Pat Q: So. Um, In this case, I do have Florida beating South Carolina in the head -to -head matchup. I feel like that game being in the swamp. does do Florida some favors there.
Travis White: them Yeah.
Pat Q: um where i do think it's going to be really evenly matched and you know Can South Carolina grind out a win? on the road against a good team. We don't really know um At this point.
Pat Q: But. I feel like Florida could shock some people this year. I'm not saying college football playoff or anything like that, but. I mean, I could see this team winning eight or nine games uh like that would not surprise me
Travis White: Nine games with this schedule. Very good year for Florida.
Pat Q: huge Huge step in the right direction if they can win nine games this year.
Travis White: For sure. Okay. So i'll I'll head back west. This will be my group team.
Pat Q: those.
Travis White: This will be the Lobos in New Mexico. i I hear you. I don't agree with you I think that they are winning the Mountain West this year. I think Jason. I mean, we've we've talked about Jason Eck, I think.
Travis White: half of our shows in the last calendar year Uh... Guys amazing coming over from Idaho in year one doing. what he did to a New Mexico program that does not have historic success.
Travis White: at all. Um... Built it up in year one. um after losing you know a very good quarterback.
Pat Q: Mm -hmm.
Travis White: um to the portal Bring me in his guys. Got a very sound. Tough front seven. offense. can ground pound We saw that against UCLA last year. I mean, they went into the Rose Bowl and just.
Travis White: ran all over him. I think they only threw for like 180, but why need to when you... I think ran for 250. Um, so brought back a lot of key pieces that they thought they were going to lose to the portal I feel like this is New Mexico's conference. to lose and it's just a matter of Can they win?
Travis White: Outside. of the conference to then make
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: a bigger national resume. I think, unfortunately for them, the Mountain West is just so down this year.
Pat Q: it's It's down. Yeah.
Travis White: They're not going to get a lot of help. I think they have to be undefeated to get that chance I don't think they're at that point. Could realistically see an 11 -1 Lobos team. Still don't know if that's enough.
Travis White: This year, but they are my number three team here in the PacSouth.
Pat Q: Totally fair. Um, like i said i am also high on the low boats i think this is a really good team Uh... I don't know. We'll we'll see. what UNLV even is this year, because...
Pat Q: That could be a team that... you know regresses um with some change there as well All right. My number three is going to be. Duke. Um,
Travis White: Okay.
Pat Q: So. I think it's going to be. A good team. Chandler, he gets a good quarterback. um coming over from san jose state and they spent a lot of money on the defensive side of the ball which was their pitfall.
Pat Q: Um. last year. So it does seem like you and I have the same number two and number one.
Travis White: we do have one and two i feel we have to be the same right there's no way
Pat Q: Yeah. I think we've got to be the same here, yeah.
Travis White: we gotta be a say Do we want to both go number one first?
Pat Q: sure Share. Sure.
Travis White: Alright.
Pat Q: So.
Travis White: Three three two one
Pat Q: Yeah, let's do it.
Travis White: Alright. Three. Two. One.
Pat Q: Notre Dame.
Travis White: Notre Dame.
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: Yep, yep. Alright. No, I mean, they're super good. i mean Marcus Freeman is just an incredible head coach. and We talked about it. in depth how they should have made the playoff last year.
Travis White: Miami making the national title game kind of hurt our...
Pat Q: You'd heard it a little bit but Remember my argument was they should have made it over Bama, not over Miami. Oh.
Travis White: Indeed. Indeed, you did say that. I didn't, but that's fine. um the Yeah, I don't know. I think Notre Dame makes the playoff this year. I think they're a top -five team probably from start to finish.
Travis White: Um, realistically, they could win the national title this year. Obviously, once you get into the playoff with the way it's set up now, it's anyone's game, but...
Pat Q: sure
Travis White: Very good team. They should have been able to compete for one last year as well.
Pat Q: Yeah. I agree. And I look at CJ Carr as a guy who's going to take that next step this year.
Travis White: Yeah. And not to be forgotten. Once again, a bridesmaid last year to this year. ah The Huskies. Still a very good program. Not losing to Mon Williams in that whole saga was very big for their chances in the Big Ten this year.
Pat Q: image
Travis White: Um, I think they are a ceiling 10 -2 team.
Pat Q: For sure.
Travis White: They're 10 -2, Big Ten. I can't remember their schedule right now. they I know they do have Indiana later in the season.
Pat Q: We do.
Travis White: That would be a big resume boost if they can pull that win off. probably based on the wins and the losses they would have. A 10 -2 Washington team is not guaranteed to get in.
Travis White: But they're on the fringe. and I feel like... The... progression they've had the last three seasons. That's all they could ask for.
Travis White: The question will be what they can do. in the transfer portal in the offseason.
Pat Q: For sure.
Travis White: with jed fish i mean obviously he's had all his stuff around him as well 9 win, 10 win UW team. very happy and very easily our number two team here.
Travis White: unless New Mexico makes a playoff and goes on and wins a couple games. I did anything possible. Is this possible?
Pat Q: Anything's possible. Anything's possible. um yeah i i agree and i'm looking at them Washington schedule right now. It's a really interesting closing stretch. So three of their last four. are against Penn State. And then.
Pat Q: To end the year, it's... Home against Indiana. and at Oregon. So... I mean.
Travis White: Gauntlet actually.
Pat Q: Yeah, this team could be... 8 -0 heading into that. You've got Michigan State sprinkled in there. That's a win. Um... It could be 8 -0 headed into Penn State.
Pat Q: Right. So.
Travis White: Penn State, you never know. You're one Matt Campbell, obviously. two very tough games. Um...
Travis White: Yeah, wow. Okay, so let's let's let's play a little. 10 -0. Washington, they're probably sitting top three if they are.
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: Um. You lose Indiana, you lose Oregon. Do you fall out of contention?
Pat Q: I think it depends on how badly you lose those games If...
Travis White: Okay.
Pat Q: They're both close. I think you can reasonably stay. If you get. boat raced by both. I don't think you stay. Um, Let's say you get boat raced by Indiana, but then...
Pat Q: Oregon's probably undefeated headed into that game. um You hang with a really good Oregon team. That could win you some points at the end there. Obviously, you wouldn't have to play in a conference championship game, so that came.
Pat Q: Count against you theoretically um I think it depends on the losses.
Travis White: Okay. There you have it. That would be very interesting to see at the very end of the season. um so Worst team? Same? Top two teams, same. North Dakota State, also the same.
Pat Q: Yeah.
Travis White: um
Pat Q: Okay.
Travis White: So. Decently aligned, I feel like, for at least our polarizing points of our ranking system, the middle ground would... be confusing iowa state and florida are two differences that we have so those will be two teams to watch throughout. so That is our 2026 -2027 college football preview.
Travis White: We will be back again next week. We'll get into a few other of the fall sports. We have soccer kicking off here. i Actually, this week, and we'll... kind of go into that for our PacSouth teams next week as well. and including any football news we hear between now and then. so Until next time, everyone, thank you all so much. for watching and listening and we'll see you next time.
