Transcript
Caleb Call: We are back in full force on the Holy War pod. We got Ben back from his trip from Tennessee. You can see the one little red balloon for his birthday. Big 30 for Ben today.
Caleb Call: um I mean, yeah. How are you feeling at 30, man?
Ben: Good. Good, 30 with the kid on the way. it's ah I'm officially old.
Caleb Call: Oh yeah. We can just take a look at your leg from a little softball accident and know that. Mine not the same as it used to be.
Ben: and know don't got it anymore.
Caleb Call: Well, we... yeah We missed you on our recap from week seven. Week seven was maybe the one of the wildest weeks we've seen in college football. and maybe since 2007 it feels like I had about that level of chaos and the night ended with BYU getting in on the fun and beating Notre Dame. we had really everything that you could have dreamed for as a Big 12 fan, you had happen.
Caleb Call: and right now you've got four top 12 teams or top 14 teams sorry And. The SEC is eating itself. The Big Ten is kind of falling apart, even Ohio State just lost their quarterback.
Caleb Call: You've got the ACC that's got Miami, maybe Wake Forest. It really does feel like the cultural playoff is wide open. and you've got all these Big 12 teams just... sitting there waiting.
Caleb Call: what happened How many do you think are probably like the... Most likely for the Big 12 to get in at this point.
Ben: I think if you made me bet on it today, it's two.
Caleb Call: Okay.
Ben: But I think there's a real world where... Where three could get in so I uh... before it was hard to it was hard to entertain so many what -ifs but
Caleb Call: me
Ben: One of the big what -ifs to get three in was BYU. um beating notre dame and so i think that's the big thing is now uh now that game's done
Caleb Call: It opened a can of worms for sure.
Ben: Yeah, and like I even was listening today to There was a podcast of a hot, like a big national media guy. And he was saying that. if like For example, if Utah beat BYU and Houston beat Utah this week, and you had three 11 -1 teams with Texas Tech at 12 -0.
Ben: um i don't know who gets i mean depending on who else wins where Who gets into the Big 12 championship game? If they beat Tech. They're in, you got 12 and 1 Tech in, and now you're gone.
Ben: Like if BYU say they lose a tiebreaker, they're 11 -1 with the win against Notre Dame. They're probably in. So there's a lot of... There's like a real world where. um you could make an argument for four in that situation um that's probably not gonna happen four is kind of an outside chance, but I think there's a real chance three now.
Ben: But I think the highest chance.
Caleb Call: I mean, honestly. if
Ben: Highest likelihood is two.
Caleb Call: it The winner of Utah -Houston this week, and we'll talk about that game here soon. Houston their November schedule their toughest game is probably Baylor maybe West Virginia. like they have Kind of a cruise in November. So if they beat Utah. They probably are at least.
Caleb Call: Like, very likely to go 11 -1. If Utah beats Houston. They've got BYU and Arizona up. Those are probably the two teams. Maybe TCU with their defense could make things tricky in Dallas. but BYU and Arizona, the two games you're scared of, you split those, win the others.
Caleb Call: Utah's sitting at 11 -1. BYU probably could get to 11 -1 with their November schedule. like It really does feel like the Big 12 contenders. all have the schedules they need to kind of finish the season strong utah probably has the toughest of them all just having both They have Houston and BYU and Arizona. It kind of came with having the easy start, got the tougher finish. but it's shaping up to be a pretty fun race the rest of the year. and It's not really the Big 12 racing against itself like it has been the last two years.
Caleb Call: It's the Big 12 racing against the rest of the country and to see where their contenders line up.
Ben: Yeah, it's a it's one of those weird ones where Like. If you've got like the Big Ten, you're looking at the Big Ten standings right now, and you've got like Ohio State and Indiana, those two feel like they're kind of in. and um I mean, you got UCLA sitting there undefeated.
Ben: um And so they're kind of in the thick of it. They've got a. Thank you. But besides that, like it's probably a max of three there. And then you look at the SEC schedule and you got lots of.
Ben: just basically feast your fam is like they. They're all going to beat each other up like right now. Tennessee and Kentucky are 11 and 12. They play each other. They got some other tough games. You got Ole Miss playing Texas this week. You've got like all these teams that are kind of like, they have losses on the schedule. And so the SEC doesn't feel like it's got five. Like in the last two years, you've gotten five from either that the Big Ten or the SEC. The Big Ten definitely doesn't have it. And the SEC.
Ben: plays enough games against each other against the top where... it doesn't feel like fives for the sec and so it really does open up two to three for the big 12.
Caleb Call: Nah.
Ben: And so it's kind of a, as a big 12, if you're a fan of a big 12 team, it's kind of exciting because I think it's going to be a a wild finish. You just saw it last week. That was, I think they said it was like.
Ben: like the craziest week of college football of upset since like 1930, like the 1930s or something like that.
Caleb Call: Five top seven teams lost. And number three Miami was in overtime with Florida State.
Ben: Yeah.
Caleb Call: and very well could have lost that game too. like Just an unbelievable week.
Ben: Yep. And the only win was, I mean, besides the Miami one, but the only one was against another one. So they had to.
Caleb Call: Yeah, they had one of them had to win.
Ben: so one of them had to win.
Caleb Call: And not even the team that won came out unscathed.
Ben: yeah So it was just.
Caleb Call: They lost their quarterback for the season. like you could
Ben: Yeah.
Caleb Call: I mean Ohio State.
Ben: And have a nice day. is very beatable now I I think they looked It looked pretty bad. in that second half against Indiana. and so It's a...
Caleb Call: Especially offensively, yeah.
Ben: Yeah, that's what I mean. Offensively, it looks pretty bad. So it'll be. Interesting to see. I know they got their... um They've got like USC. And they got to buy this week so they can kind of.
Ben: It's nice they got two weeks to kind of prepare for USC, but they got USC, Oregon, Northwestern as their next three games.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: Those are all.
Caleb Call: And Nebraska and Michigan, like their every single game on their schedule.
Ben: Tough issue. Yeah.
Caleb Call: They should win, but will be losable if they play poorly.
Ben: Well, if the I mean if that quarterback plays like he did I I don't think it's like that spread. i I think you're. Wouldn't be surprised if all those games are. about seven or under for Ohio State as favorites. And those are all losable games. And so Ohio State now seems beatable. and um It'll be interesting to see how the Big Ten plays out with...
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: no saying now and so i uh i from my understanding is sayings done for the regular season at least and so I think Ohio State's really susceptible to.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: losing and the nice thing is they already got that Texas loss so they got one loss and so
Caleb Call: It really is just too bad Indiana.
Ben: Thank you.
Caleb Call: Nick Marsh needed to get that foot down. Because Ohio State already sitting with two losses without their quarterback. They drop one more, they're done. but them sneaking out that wing gives them a little bit of wiggle room. You think Indiana's going to finish their season strong and get into the playoff.
Caleb Call: I think at this point, if you're a big 12 fan trying to get two or three teams into the playoff. um I think that is what you have to cheer for. You need Miami to win the ACC.
Caleb Call: They cannot lose in the conference championship game to somebody else and let two teams in. You need the Big Ten. to have two separate themselves so that means if ucla keeps winning if Indiana keeps winning. You need Ohio State to crash out.
Caleb Call: or you know if UCLA starts losing, it's fine. like you just You want two Macs from the Big Ten. I think they'll end up getting three with... UCLA, Iowa. Ohio State and Indiana three of those four I think will end up getting in but You would love to see UCLA drop a couple without Nico.
Caleb Call: And then the SEC just... Keep beating yourselves up. As many 9 -3 teams as possible. You do not want double -digit win SEC teams. because If any of them go 10 -2, they're in the playoffs.
Caleb Call: you want. If you see a two -loss team playing, Georgia playing, like, for example, you've got Ole Miss and Texas playing this week. i Think it's in everyone's best interest to have Ole Miss go beat Texas and just knock Texas out you can stop thinking about them with their third loss and have you know Ole Miss in there at one hopefully Ole Miss Georgia kind of separate themselves and so I know it's going to be a fascinating finish the rest of the way you've got. every conference in mayhem with a ton of potential losses.
Caleb Call: except for the big 12 that really is just kind of sitting pretty right now
Ben: Yeah, the I mean you got three 6 -0 teams all ranked
Caleb Call: okay Three of the last five. There's five undefeated teams left, and three are in the Big 12, and two are in Utah.
Ben: Top 10.
Ben: Yep, so he got a lot of fun football and even Houston at 14 in the big the big 12. It's you've got. Those four teams, they all control their own destiny. It feels like if they were to all win out, I think they're...
Ben: probably all four in and so
Caleb Call: There's a fifth.
Ben: and uh
Caleb Call: That was the fifth team.
Ben: And then... Let me think. The fifth team you're saying, if they win out. Oh man. I uh...
Caleb Call: They play. and Lubbock On Halloween. and then they host Utah and Tucson.
Ben: Is it?
Ben: You think Arizona controls their own destiny?
Caleb Call: Don't forget about the Wildcats. they They're 25. Their only loss is to the number two team in the country. and they still play Texas Tech and Utah. If they win every game on their schedule.
Caleb Call: they may not 100 make the conference championship it it would depend on what tiebreakers do with whoever ends up tied. But 11 -1 with those two wins. And. You're the only loss being to BYU. Close in Provo.
Caleb Call: I think Arizona's in. I think you've got five teams that control their own destiny to the playoff right now.
Ben: One uh one interesting thing too when I was looking through the standings and rankings. Baylor's only got one Big 12 loss, and they actually play Tech, BYU, and Houston. And I don't know, I haven't dove.
Ben: quite yet into the tiebreakers. i don't Does Baylor like control their own destiny into the Big 12 championship game? I'd have to go look and see if like...
Caleb Call: They probably do. but
Ben: Yeah.
Caleb Call: That...
Ben: It doesn't feel as likely after losing to TCU, but. um
Caleb Call: And I will say this as a fan of a team that played TCU. i think TCU may just have the best defense in the conference. It just sucks that they paired it with... arguably the worst offense in the conference like those If you play TCU, you are not going to enjoy watching the game. it Their defense is awesome.
Caleb Call: Jaden Craig is a terrorist. He should not be on the football field. They'll be a fascinating team to watch the rest of the way, and they've still got some big games. TCU still plays Texas Tech. They still play.
Caleb Call: um Utah as well like they play Arizona so that tcu defense if they just can score one or two touchdowns on offense, they could throw a wrench in someone's season too.
Ben: Yeah, they already got two big 12 losses so they don't feel likely to get back in but they could definitely play spoiler a little bit
Caleb Call: And they aren't good enough to win out. but they could ruin a season for sure.
Ben: yeah yeah So.
Caleb Call: Well, we've got for the second week in a row, call it a game day.
Ben: That'll be it.
Caleb Call: They decided to leave the set in Utah, take it 45 miles up north. the salt lake city into university of utah and uh yeah this is i think the third year in a row Utah's hosted game day at some point.
Ben: I don't know. I think it was 2023, 2025 and 2026. I think they skipped 2024. Yeah.
Caleb Call: i Guess 2024 their only game that would have had a shot was the Oklahoma State game and that one didn't get it
Ben: And that was. That was in Oklahoma State too, so.
Caleb Call: um
Ben: Yeah, I don't remember if that one was it went to Stillwater but yeah this is the third uh third year in a row where they've came to salt lake too like they've been the home the home team for the game.
Caleb Call: Damn.
Ben: So um yeah, it'll be fun to. Fun to see you get the late -night game. It's always fun to. play under the under the lights and houston's kind of an interesting team because um They've kind of been tough to... figure out everything about too because you have the the ucf game where they struggled for the majority of that game. and barely i mean they came out They finished that game strong. they I think in the last 20 minutes of the game, they outscored them 27 -0 after they started out down 17 -0.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: They, uh... I mean, you kind of – great finish for for Houston. and But they ah they didn't play. or they didn't put points on the board. When I went back and looked through that game, it was kind of an interesting thing, was they actually got the ball to the UCF three -yard line twice and went for it and turned it over on downs twice.
Ben: and so They did move the ball early in that game. But, I mean, you find yourself down 17 -0 with. Five minutes left in the third quarter. It was kind of kudos to them to score 27 straight to win that game, 27 -17. So they're kind of an interesting team because they – They were able to win that one. and um They just, I mean, they they play with tech where it didn't feel like they really had a shot, but they kind of just hung around like it.
Ben: They didn't feel like it.
Caleb Call: They led for a lot of that game. It felt like...
Ben: Yeah.
Caleb Call: today We're going to win that game in the first half.
Ben: Yeah, and I guess in the second half, it just felt like Texas Tech was going to pull away, but then they kept it close. and they had They were obviously down eight and went and scored a touchdown late and had to go for two to try to tie it.
Caleb Call: yeah
Ben: and They came up short. but um yeah it kind of was an interesting one for houston they've kind of had weird see Weird games this season where like you said the tech game they put better in the first half and then the UCF game they put better in the second half and so they've kind of played both the styles of game that are games this year and so It's kind of tough to know much about Houston because...
Ben: I mean, we we talk a lot about it with SEC teams is like the biggest thing on Houston's schedule so far is a loss. like that's like That's kind of like what's...
Caleb Call: The Oklahoma State win was a big one, and that was a fun shootout too. and They got a good shot from that's the maker and they still won that one.
Ben: I know, but I
Ben: Yeah, for me, I feel like the biggest. biggest data point. Um, That keeps Houston afloat is the loss. though i I just think, okay, they can play with Tech. that's kind of what has kept me from thinking like okay they're actually a team that's a a solid good team.
Caleb Call: yeah
Ben: and um
Caleb Call: It's what BYU needed to do with Tech last year and failed to. Yeah, Houston. Granted, Tech probably isn't as good as they were last year. Houston played a great game against them. in Lubbock
Ben: Yeah, and so It'll be interesting to see. how Now Houston's coming off that win last week. um kind of a Kind of a funky game late, too, where you're...
Ben: You're up by... 10 late in the game, and then they ah they were able to score, kind of cut it to a field goal, and then Houston was able to... play good four -minute offense and kind of milk the game. and I don't know. Houston's been ah an interesting team. They've kind of played like they're able to score a bunch of points against Oklahoma State and win kind of a higher scoring game. and then win that lower scoring game and their defense played pretty good against ucf they've kind of played like multiple styles of games and found ways to win and so
Ben: um it's one i don't know i don't i don't think that country or conference knows the full story about Houston yet. So, and it's the same thing with Utah.
Caleb Call: You can argue.
Ben: where
Caleb Call: Yeah, Utah is the same story. it's kind of prove it moment for both of them.
Ben: And Utah's the same. Yeah, and so that's what I was getting at with it is that you don't know a whole lot about Houston and and Utah is a similar where they uh I mean, they've played They've played.
Ben: There are six teams that. Like we talked about at the beginning of the year, I was telling you that there they have a 6 -0 ramp where... I would kind of be shocked if they dropped a game somewhere. And.
Ben: And they've played, I mean, at the beginning of the year, they played a little bit more sharp on offense. and then um The last three weeks, they kind of just found ways to win.
Caleb Call: time
Ben: and found themselves in games late in all three of the last games.
Caleb Call: The Boulder game was legitimately kind of scary there late. in He had a receiver with the hands on the ball to win on a Hail Mary that he dropped.
Ben: Yeah.
Ben: Well, Utah's guy kind of knocked it down. like it It didn't really feel like it was a...
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: a legit like it didn't feel like the the florida state miami hill mary's
Caleb Call: Wasn't nearly as close as that. Yeah.
Ben: Yeah, where I think it was Utah's receiver actually was down there, Braden Pagan, and he was the first guy to get up and get the ball and so kind of deflected it.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: But any time you have a shot to lose a game like that. where a ball comes down, it's... I mean, you never feel great about it, but that was one where it was weird where Utah's just – they've put really bad third quarters this year, and the third quarter kind of just – the woes stayed there where they They kick the ball to them. They go.
Ben: score a fast touchdown like a 70 -yard bomb or not bomb but like a 70 -yard catch and run
Caleb Call: Okay.
Caleb Call: A little check down that turned into a touchdown, yeah.
Ben: yeah and then you go you punt the next drive and then next thing you know you're down and so Now you're just kind of scrapping. But it was it was a game they kind of dominated in the first half. And so it was it was one where you dominate and then all of a sudden you're kind of.
Ben: Just trying to win the game.
Caleb Call: Kind of got dominated in the second half.
Ben: and so
Caleb Call: And then Isaac Wilson throws the pick. if You knew Isaac was going to do it at some point. and gave Utah the 10 -point cushion. I'd love to play the game. Dan Pierre on that third and long, making the 50 -yard pass that got them.
Caleb Call: um the lead back if he doesn't make that throw Honestly, Utah might have lost that game. but clutch throw by dan pierre and what you needed to kind of get out of there from boulder
Ben: I was watching this ah film guy. on Twitter, and he was kind of breaking down Utah's...
Caleb Call: Brooks Austin or was it the Notre Dame guy?
Ben: Oh, man. what's his
Caleb Call: lincoln
Ben: Uh... I can pull it up right here. it's the I think he calls himself the film guy.
Caleb Call: That's yeah Brooks Austin.
Ben: Brooks Austin got the glasses
Caleb Call: His video has been awesome, man. Yeah, Brooke's awesome.
Ben: yeah I hadn't ever seen any stuff before this year, and i I've started to watch more of his stuff this year, and it's kind of been... um it Interesting. and um Fun to watch.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: And if, I mean, Utah fans, if you want to watch something, the Utah Colorado breakdown was interesting where Dan Pierre actually played a really bad game. he ah He missed a lot of throws where we had. ah Routes and schemes where.
Ben: um there was like he left probably 28 points on the board where he just missed guys that had beat a DB. and And then I was watching also something about Saban saying that there's seven right now. Utah has kind of have like 17.
Ben: different formations and personnel groups. to plan for any and Saban was basically just saying you can't get everybody on the same page of what they're trying to do out of 17 different formations and so it's kind of an interesting thing because the combination of that and what the film guy was saying was um that Basically, it's really hard for the state.
Caleb Call: it's the church the defense but are you tricking your offense a little bit too
Ben: Well, I mean, honestly it's it's been it's worked out well and what the film guy was showing was um honestly if dan pierre can just Thank you said basically he's just he's thrown on the run more than setting his feet and he's missing guys that are open and so schematically the the interesting schematics of it is the safeties are falling or crashing down and you got one -on -one and these receivers are beating guys deep. And right now, whether the pocket gets moved or whatever, and Dan Pierre doesn't reset his feet. and
Ben: And in the Colorado game, luckily, Dampier. um basically just clutched up in the last Like. two to three drives he had some big throws late on the last two scoring drives at least for utah they were spread out a little bit the two drives were but um if he doesn't make those throws like you said we'd probably lose that game and so it's one of those things where um
Caleb Call: Yep.
Ben: Just schematically. he We've got a lot of points on the board that we just aren't capitalizing on. and And that's kind of how it's been the last few weeks. The third quarter, we just haven't. I mean, the first three weeks of the year, we just kind of dominated and didn't need to play the second half. And we went to the second string, third string guys for the first three games. and Thank you.
Ben: Like the offense hasn't played four quarters. And honestly, it's kind of carried over into the next three games. and That's just kind of been my takeaway is that we just need to play a better third quarter.
Caleb Call: yeah
Ben: And and if Utah can play a better third quarter, they're going to be all right. and there's a lot of points on the board that Utah's leaving on the field. And I think. ah I mean, you win a game 27 -24, it's a nice win, but honestly, there was probably like... If, honestly, you just make a couple throws, you're sitting at 48, 55 points, and it doesn't even look like a game. And so and those are two or three plays that are very...
Ben: I mean, they weren't even like crazy plays to ask your quarterback.
Caleb Call: they were there to be made Yeah.
Ben: Yeah. so That was kind of my takeaway from that Colorado game.
Caleb Call: What I can't wait to see. this matchup Utah's had a couple of quarterbacks that weren't perfect. have good days against them. Isaiah Marshall had 340 passing yards. Isaac Wilson had...
Caleb Call: I think he pushed 300. I think it may have ended with 280. You've got... statistically maybe the best quarterback in the country. now is he actually the best probably not but he's a Fifth -year quarterback, been with Houston now for three seasons, and knows the system very well. and Houston offense is moving the ball. They've had a great season to this point. I think Connor Wegman's got... took 20 passing touchdowns. So two interceptions.
Caleb Call: And he's got a few rushing touchdowns as well. i mean that dude is He's playing great football right now. Insight. I can't wait to see him go up against the Utah secondary. I feel like we haven't seen Utah get tested with a good quarterback yet.
Caleb Call: And so having a guy like Connor Wegman, who's in command of the offense, Houston's got playmakers on the outside. I think Utah is going to be able to score on Houston. They probably get. you know, 28 to 31 is kind of where I feel where Utah is going to finish.
Caleb Call: And I just can't wait to see what Houston does. I feel like their offense is going to be. the story of the game. Are they going to finish drives like they did against Oklahoma State, or are they going to struggle to finish drives like they did against UCF and even did a little bit against Oregon State early? so That'll be kind of what I have my eye on this one.
Caleb Call: I think that at least from what we've seen so far this year. I think Houston has the quarterback edge. And I honestly. Coming into this week, I planned to pick Utah over Houston.
Caleb Call: The... It feels like the kind of spot that in the past we have seen Utah win these games. Whenever they play what I like to call like a pretend contender, you had Cincinnati come into town. and Utah ran them off the field last year. And you see it back in the Pac -12 a little bit. You have a USC team that's a little too finessed. They aren't truly a contender. They go to Salt Lake and things don't go well for them. And I kind of thought Houston fit that bill.
Caleb Call: But the last couple of weeks, it kind of flipped me a little bit where I think that. Houston might actually be a... solid team and maybe even a better team than Utah. I think they're kind of a similar team, at least from what we've seen so far this year. and I think I'm gonna trust Wegman with a close Houston win.
Caleb Call: Kind of lean in 30. 8 to 31 kind of game where Really, it comes down to. which quarterback can make the play in the fourth quarter. and We'll see. So far Wegman's been doing it outside of the Texas Tech game. and Dampier is going to have his chance to as well.
Ben: I just think Oklahoma State in general. defensively you've seen them kind of um Look. Not great. last few weeks like they've given up 35 against houston 28 against
Caleb Call: immediately
Ben: UCF and then 24 against West Virginia. and Those aren't great teams, I think. The 24 and 28 against West Virginia UCF, you kind of expected. houston to score a little bit more than that so i uh i expect utah's defense to kind of be more dialed in. and to keep like 38 points, I would be absolutely mind boggled if using what we put 38 points in rice cycle stadium.
Ben: So that's one where I, I think this.
Caleb Call: Well... Think about this too, though. Kansas put up 24. And they had the ball within the five -yard line two other times in the third in the second half. like Kansas wasn't that far away from putting up 38 points. they were at the one yard line once in the five yard line another time so i i don't think it's that would be that shocking if Houston did that, especially if you have offenses that are putting up points and scoring quick with a lot of possessions.
Ben: you You had different plays in that game where... Isaiah Marshall is making a 60 -yard. Throw on the run out of the pocket in a little bit of like in a bucket type of throw. And you'd have to make those plays three or four different times for it to happen.
Ben: And I i would be my like i would be shocked. i'd i'd be able to I'd be willing to bet whatever you wanted on 38 points in this. They're not coming into Rice Eccles and putting 38 points on the board.
Caleb Call: Maybe we'll have to have a little bit of a side bet here because I just watched Isaac Wilson.
Ben: All right, let's do it right here.
Caleb Call: that important form
Ben: What is the, what's the bet?
Caleb Call: it Let's call it 35 if Houston scores 35 or more then I mean, 20 bucks to me in the Houston. Puts up. 28 or less we'll have a seven point hedge 28 to 35.
Caleb Call: 28 or less, I'll pay you 20.
Ben: so i i got so you're saying 38 so you you just took 10 points off you said 38 to 28 for me
Caleb Call: I mean, yeah.
Ben: Watch it.
Caleb Call: he's heard the aid and um The team total for Houston is probably sitting there at about 27 .5. I'd rather go bet with Vegas if that's the number I'm going to get from you.
Ben: I know, but I think it's kind of an interesting thing to say. They're going to score 38 and then backtrack to 28 right there.
Caleb Call: I'll go bet with Vegas. Houston team total. That's my bet of the week then. all we can makell We'll figure out a bet. We may put it on Twitter for you guys. but Um... They just...
Caleb Call: I did. The lasting thoughts from the Utah defense that I've seen, you had the Kansas State game, which was a weird one last year. and so you hoped to see better from this year and then Having Isaiah Marshall and Isaac Wilson both put up 24.
Caleb Call: Does have me worried a little bit about the Utah defense. And maybe they get things fixed. And maybe with a big opponent, they... maybe take things a little bit more seriously. and play better down to down and don't have the kind of lapses that they had in those games but There's been a little bit of cracks against worse teams, and I think Houston's a pretty big step up in competition.
Ben: Yeah, I think it's... I mean, they're definitely the best team they've played, so there is a it is a step up in competition. Utah's historically gotten up for these games. they've They've beaten. Oregon team that was going to make a playoff. They're going to make they've beaten USC team twice in the season where they've had to make a playoff. so Utah's historically, when these big games come to Rice Eccles, they've They've delivered, and I don't think this Houston team is it.
Ben: is near the the spot as some of the teams that they've had to to come in and be. Honestly, I kind of view this team similarly to Cincinnati last year where they have a good quarterback and Wegman. versus Soresby last year.
Caleb Call: I think this Houston team is better than Cincinnati. This Houston team. Almost reminds me of BYU last year. where they, like... a really solid team that isn't. Perfect. There still are flaws on the team, but they're good enough to win most games on their schedule. like I feel like that's kind of the tier that Houston is.
Caleb Call: Whereas Cincinnati last year, they had a... five game losing streak to end the year and they really were just a They were built up by a week's schedule early. and fell apart late.
Caleb Call: It'll be a fascinating one.
Ben: Yeah, it's
Caleb Call: This is the biggest game of the day by far for the college football landscape. and is it Like we both said, it's prove it time for. Both of these teams. what What's your score guess on this one? What kind of a game are you feeling?
Ben: I've got 3120, so for Utah. pulls it out i think Utah, I think Houston coming off the the big win. ah against Oklahoma State last week now traveling on the road.
Ben: The night game, I i just think it's and Utah does enough where. they uh they don't play a terrible third quarter like they have the last few weeks and so I think if they can fix the third quarter woes, then I think they'll be able to to control this game.
Caleb Call: All right.
Ben: and
Caleb Call: I just figured out our bet. I think 20 is as ridiculous as you think 38 is. 21 to 37 is the hedge. If Houston scores 38 or more, I'll pay you 20 bucks. If Houston scores 20 or less.
Caleb Call: you' um i'll pay you 20 bucks that's I think that offense is too good to score 20 after watching what. Colorado and Kansas were able to do to Utah's defense
Ben: and just I just looked at the the Vegas, so it's 56 and a half. Utah's a six and a half point favorite. So the implied line. is 25 points. So it definitely is. Pointed towards me and so I think Vegas is more in line with uh the low end of the
Caleb Call: Well, if you like what Vegas is cooking there, then let's do it.
Ben: the push. Okay. 20 or less, I get 20. 38 or more, you get 20.
Caleb Call: Deal.
Ben: I think it's probably a push.
Caleb Call: College of Green Bay coming to town.
Ben: I.
Caleb Call: the They end up picking Dalton Kincaid for guest picker. How did you feel about that? I'm kind of surprised at the pick, but it sounds like Eric Weddle was supposed to be. but had some schedule constraints that didn't let them.
Ben: Yeah, I mean the Bills have a bye this week in the NFL so
Caleb Call: be Brooks out.
Ben: Doesn't surprise me. You saw Kincaid ah be a part of the last. um big Utah teams and so i i Didn't think anything of it. i You mean you had Eric Whittle?
Ben: I mean, recently you've had Alex Smith and Steve Smith beat. guest pickers and so
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: I mean Eric Weddle seems like the next biggest name. of the kind of like they had a really good NFL career type of thing.
Caleb Call: look
Ben: and so Yeah, i don't I don't know what what happened with Eric Weddle, but Eric Weddle, he just barely got put in the ring of honor and was in Salt Lake City.
Caleb Call: for this last engagement
Ben: I think it wasn't the last home game, but it was the home game before that.
Caleb Call: Two weeks ago.
Ben: I can't remember which one it was. but um so he was just in salt lake and so that maybe that had something to do with it too so i uh
Caleb Call: yeah
Ben: Bye.
Caleb Call: And his kids getting recruited could be an official visit somewhere else too.
Ben: did you Are you seeing the the stuff about Mishkin and him?
Caleb Call: Oh, yeah, because he called out Bryce Underwood at the beginning of the year.
Ben: He basically just said Bryce Underwood's not a good quarterback, and then...
Caleb Call: said that is not a good quarterback.
Ben: ah Michigan came out and I mean a lot of the staff that coached him too and they basically just withdrew the offer from his son so kind of a a little bit of dramatic dramatic our drama happening in ah Ann Arbor.
Caleb Call: yeah
Caleb Call: Which is hilarious because six weeks later, here we are finding out that Eric Weddle was very justified in his opinion. and Now Tommy Carr is starting.
Ben: Yeah.
Caleb Call: in ann arbor
Ben: Yeah. it'll be a
Caleb Call: We... Man.
Ben: I feel bad for the Carr family.
Caleb Call: This whole season.
Ben: they You have two sons going. playing and now you have to try to split between the two
Caleb Call: Good for the Carr family is Notre Dame's got to buy this week so they can go see his first start against Indiana. No. worries about missing that so We'll see how the rest of the year plays out.
Ben: What was kind of.
Caleb Call: but
Ben: Well, it was kind of interesting. I don't know. You were at the BYU game, so you probably didn't hear this, but on the broadcast, they talked about how they initially were both planning on coming to Provo, but they had heard. going into the week that there was a good chance that he was going to get in for Michigan this week.
Ben: And so I can't remember who it was. I think the mom went to Provo and then the dad went to the Michigan game. And so the dad, there was. There was a good chance he was going to play, and so they they did split it last week.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: Because they they kind of heard through the grapevine, through their son, that there was a good chance he was going to get in. so
Caleb Call: um I mean, good for him for getting in Michigan. Definitely, I think it's better off. in the post bryce underwood era What's tough is you spend so much money to invest in these.
Caleb Call: high recruited quarterbacks. And if they don't pan out, it becomes a really awkward thing because they're getting paid more than probably. most of the rest of your roster are combined. and you got to be able to have the confidence to say no.
Ben: Probably more than... Probably more than all your coaches besides your head coach too.
Caleb Call: Yeah. like Again. When they come out and just disappoint and fall flat on their face like Bryce Underwood has, it can create a pretty tough dynamic. and Your boosters are probably going to be a little jaded for spending all that money on a quarterback who sucks. and
Ben: Because didn't Portnoy spend like a million or two million bucks on him?
Caleb Call: It won't be Kyle Winningham's judgment.
Ben: I can't remember what
Caleb Call: Oh yeah, I mean, if he was... When they stole him from LSU. The number floating around was 10 million. I think that might've been for two years of play, but. I mean, it was double -digit million was the number floating around. and he decommitted from LSU to go to Michigan.
Caleb Call: and Not been worth a penny of that.
Ben: Yeah. aye
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Caleb Call: the it makes you wonder like We'll flip over to BYU here for a second. you got bear box meyer Who? you wouldn't trade him for most quarterbacks in the country the way he's been playing lately Ryder Lyons is on his one -year mission. and You know, he's supposed to get back when Bear Brockmire still has three years of eligibility.
Caleb Call: and it was an exciting recruiting gig at the time but You just... You take what's in your hand. If you've got... A five -star freshman, if Ryder ends up transferring and going somewhere else, so be it. You live with it because you've got the quarterback in your hand that's playing great.
Caleb Call: And I think that that might end up being a... As long as Beal, you can keep Bear and pro Provo. I wouldn't be shocked to see Ryder go play somewhere else. but Thankfully, there hasn't been as big of an investment to Ryder as there was to Bryce Underwood. but it just It's tough to have two good quarterbacks on your roster these days. They want to start. They want to go play somewhere. and You're not always going to have an arch man that's willing to sit for a year or two behind the starter.
Ben: I know I was talking to one of BYU's... recruits. And... I teach at a high school and he's he's committed.
Caleb Call: be
Ben: in this upcoming BYU class. and he was meant He mentioned that the NIL doesn't kick in until you can't get... it until you're after your done with your high school career so like potentially depending on when you enroll or whatever you could get it in like january of your senior year um do you know what lions like did they Pay him in like the January of that year.
Caleb Call: It's not like... started getting paid.
Ben: Say that again.
Caleb Call: I think. it's I think he did get paid a little bit like at the commitment point. um I don't know. like all the details and they'd never make NIO public. So we'll never have full details, but.
Caleb Call: It does sound like.
Ben: He got paid a little more.
Caleb Call: there was something there and so Who knows how it will be at when once he gets home. and Honestly, I think the best case scenario for... us. as BYU fans would be to have Ryder just go surface full two years. We don't need you back early. You can take your time out there.
Caleb Call: And. Obviously, if Bear hits the portal this offseason. then that changes the calculus there. but I just...
Ben: Emergency transfer home.
Caleb Call: It feels like bear. is entrenched in Provo at this point. And you kind of heard what happened with Notre Dame. notre With them being a Catholic family, Notre Dame is probably the school that you're most scared to lose them to. and They felt pretty jaded by Notre Dame. And during doing some digging, trying to figure out what exactly happened during his recruitment.
Caleb Call: Basically, it sounds like they... Had him come visit. They had offered him. but they were really trying to get this five -star to come commit instead. and kind of using Bear's leverage to get that kid to commit before Bear could commit.
Caleb Call: And so it sounds like basically on bear's visit. his offer was pulled and just a pretty sour experience there. and So. Obviously ends up working out great for BYU.
Ben: i saw I saw a clip that said basically that same thing. was
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: he was used as like the ah leverage to get somebody else to commit.
Caleb Call: And it happens in recruiting there's probably you know 30 to 50. players on every single team in the country that have had a similar experience. but What the kind of those tough sticking point is Notre Dame is to Catholics, but BYU is to... the LDS church. and He had a grandpa who was a huge Notre Dame fan his whole life.
Caleb Call: And. The offer to bear came in his grandpa's house. like it just was a very like probably very like fulfilling almost felt like you know this is like a destiny kind of thing to be getting that offer.
Caleb Call: in your grandpa's house who was a notre dame fan maybe even player i can't remember and then to have it pulled away from you when you go to visit it. You can see why he feels jaded. i If I had to bet, I think BYU is going to put up whatever dollar. number they need to to keep there his whole career and he doesn't seem like the kind of quarterback that would be too enthralled to go to a miami and honestly miami might have their set
Ben: What's the number right now? do you have Do you have any idea what he's getting paid?
Caleb Call: If I had to guess it. say somewhere around two and a half. million. So it's not and like an exact number, but I do know that in the offseason there was a Big Ten team trying to.
Caleb Call: double at what he was making. and If I had to guess, I think it was probably Nebraska. after they lost. their quarterback to Kentucky, and they were kind of scrambling. That's the team I would guess.
Caleb Call: came after Bear Hart in the offseason from the Big Ten.
Ben: gotcha
Caleb Call: We've had this game circled the whole season. We knew win or lose against Notre Dame. You follow that game up with a road trip? to Orlando. against UCF.
Caleb Call: UCF has three losses. I wanted them to pit in a rainstorm. Weird game. 12 -7 final score. A close game against Houston that you led 17 -0. We've already talked about it here.
Caleb Call: And then 42 -28 loss to Oklahoma State where you were tied at halftime. Feel pretty good about yourself. So I made three losses that none of them are like a. None of them scream this is a bad UCF team.
Caleb Call: Now they've struggled on offense. They have not looked perfect. But. when you're coming off the biggest win in decades maybe ever, you know, for BYU. Not the exact spot you want to put yourself in the very next week at trap game all over this and BYU is the better team. They should win the game.
Caleb Call: but without lj you don't have the same down to down force running the ball like you normally would And... just on the road how how can your team refocus how do they look a week after their best win and so I mean, we saw it last year, BYU, or not last year, two years ago.
Caleb Call: BYU beats Utah in a super emotional holy war. They followed up losing their next two games to Kansas and to ASU. and last year they came off the Texas Tech loss and did just fine. They didn't really have like a.
Caleb Call: huge they They beat Utah again last year, and it wasn't like a... and They followed it up just fine. but This year, UCF game looks a little... dangerous. their quarterback. He is still out, Alonzo Burnett, so they're still rolling with Jenkins.
Caleb Call: He's not been a great passer. I think running the ball is probably going to be what's a little scarier for the UCF offense. Do you think this is like legit trap game vibes? You've got a six and a half point spread, which I.
Caleb Call: Thought it was going to be three or four points higher than that. what What are your kind of thoughts and vibes going into this UCF road trip?
Ben: So initially I thought it was a big trap game. and Um, It's kind of... Like I was looking at. um like the weather and the wind because i uh Since... Since UCF's last few games, like I thought that... probably Like probably not as much as I thought at the beginning of the season potentially for for BYU as a trap game.
Ben: There is a chance that the wind is up to like 20 miles an hour. and there's like i think the the rain's now down to like 25 chance of rain and stuff Depending on if the rain, if it does hit rain, you get the wind. Like, I feel like that's more of a recipe of success where UCF is now in the game.
Ben: um
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: i that was That was my initial thoughts. like I don't. UCF's kind of an interesting team because they... They played this really high scoring game against Oklahoma State.
Ben: and lost. where they're in the game in the fourth quarter. And then they, like the Houston game we talked about before, they they jump out on them and then give up the fourth quarter. And it's kind of a lower scoring game, 27 -17. And so I feel like they kind of.
Ben: They're an interesting team where they play, like they played TCU and beat TCU 21 -13. It's like TCU is this defensive team. Houston's kind of. I mean, you can argue...
Ben: what type of Houston team they are, because we don't really know yet. Oklahoma State's more of an offense team, and they scored a lot of points with them.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: Houston's kind of in the middle of those two. towards the lower end so right now it kind of feels like ucf is playing they're almost like adapting to the team they're playing And so.
Ben: It doesn't feel like, to me it feels like BYU is more of a... It's similar to that Houston type of game where you're sitting at 27 -17. And that's actually what I have as the score guess. I got BYU 27, UCF 17. I think it's one of those where UCF is going to kind of play to how BYU plays.
Ben: throwing it around the yard and The weather's fine and they're able to play offense and score points. I think UCF is going to be able to score. scorn relatively keep up with them. But if it becomes this kind of ugly game, I think UCF plays into that. And so I think UCF is kind of. That's what they've showed they've been. They've been a team that kind of just plays.
Ben: to how their opponent plays so um It's an interesting game just because you've you've played two really good. three -quarter games against Oklahoma State and Houston and haven't been able to play a good fourth quarter.
Ben: um and so I mean, obviously, if you play good three quarters and you're in a game, anybody. Going into a fourth quarter of a tight game can win a game. and so It'll be inch interesting to see. i i don't know if you've heard anything about the weather but I mean, 20 miles an hour wind is no is no joke.
Caleb Call: and
Ben: So, I mean, if that actually is the case, like that could lower the scoring.
Caleb Call: i'm probably not taking deep shots to glasgow like ah that's not the kind of play you want to run when you got wind gusts that strong.
Ben: Yeah. And so I don't know if you've heard anything about that or because I think that really is. I think if you get that wind and you get a kind of a a little bit sloppier of a game and UCF's been able to play with teams.
Ben: Like that. i I think. then all of a sudden you are looking at that trap game that we talked about at the beginning of the season.
Caleb Call: Yeah, and This is a game where you really miss LJ Martin and the guy I think that LJ doesn't set our ceiling as much as he sets our floor. like You just can consistently churn out drives and score points when you get to the red zone.
Caleb Call: and I just... Without LJ at running back, ESPL, you should win. But. If you end up having a bad day passing and all of a sudden and you need to move the ball on the ground. becomes really taxing on Bayer because your running backs aren't the dynamic threat that LJ is. So I think BYU should win this game. My score guess is relatively similar to yours. I'm going with 28 -13.
Caleb Call: um but Again, if the offense kind of gets off the ground slow and you don't have LJ to turn to. um Yeah. There aren't as many answers on the offense without LJ. so We'll see. i The weather could be a factor there. You saw it against TCU where we kind of abandoned the pass game completely and just said, you know what, we're going to.
Caleb Call: win this game with defense and with the ground game despite struggling on the ground. and Hopefully the UCF weather ends up being a little better than we saw there. humidity is supposed to be really high which could mean like a kind of wet and sticky ball you've got um Potential for rain, lots of wind. so Not what you hope for when you go to Orlando. You kind of hope for sunny and hot, and it's not going to be that. so We'll see.
Caleb Call: I like the Cougars here, the six and a half number. I think the Cougars cover, but... I understand why Vegas placed it there. I think with LJ, you probably see that number a few points higher. I think that this is the kind of game where you could really miss him.
Ben: Yeah. yeah with the
Caleb Call: Okay.
Ben: If you really do have the bad weather with the big wind. And no LJ. LJ is kind of your antidote in a game like that. And so now with no LJ.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: that Maybe that's why that game is kind of... That lower line goes. Next thing you know, maybe it's 10 -7 at half. The offenses haven't really done much, maybe even lower than that. I can't remember what the score was at BYU -TCU at half. but um You all of a sudden are in this three -point game.
Caleb Call: Yeah. Halftime was 7 -7.
Ben: Seven to seven that's right. Like maybe you're getting the game like that if if the wind really is affecting the passing attack like a
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: Kind of like what it seemed like it was doing for TCU. It more seemed like it was doing it for Craig.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: Craig. It kind of seemed like it affected him. And so maybe that was just a quarterback issue than a weather thing. but
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: I guess BYU had only scored seven points, but anyways, I i think it's going to be, it'll be, I mean, it's a trap game just because you you go beat Notre Dame.
Caleb Call: Could be.
Ben: Now everyone's talking about you, you're ranked two. And so. It is a game where.
Caleb Call: highest you've been since you won a championship i mean yeah it's More talk about BYU than you've seen. ever at this point.
Ben: and Nick Saban, I was listening to him talk to... I'm McAfee today on. um about BYU and he was talking about how and it wasn't specifically about BYU but I think it correlates is that teams nowadays they just don't know how to deal with success they win a win a big game you're seeing it a lot in the SEC where they win a big game And they just are feeling really good about themselves and they don't move on to the net the next task and really prepare for the next task.
Ben: And so you've seen it a lot in the SEC.
Caleb Call: Just happened to Georgia with the Auburn loss.
Ben: Yeah, you've seen it a lot in the SEC with those back -to -back -to -back weeks with like the LSU -Ole Miss, then the Ole Miss -Florida, then the Florida -Missouri.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: You're just seeing a big win followed by a loss, big win followed by a loss. And so that really does – I mean, if that really is – crept in and it's hard to say it's not gonna at least creep in a little bit it's just the differences can you can you hold on and win a game after that happens and so Um, i mean you saw it
Caleb Call: I think what helps BYU here is... If the last two seasons hadn't happened... I think that BYU would be a lot more susceptible to this. but the last two years you came up short and missed the playoff in two seasons where Going into November, you were undefeated in both of them. like I feel like the mentality of the team.
Caleb Call: hopefully is better. and more poised and ready to tackle the challenge in front. when You saw you know two years ago where you go and you lose to Kansas and you lose to ASU. and You just hope that this year the team has the mindset of like. our season's climax cannot be in October against Notre Dame. It just...
Caleb Call: We don't want to be disappointed and left out of the field again. so I think that that helps and I'm sure. Kalani and all the other coaches are harping on them. that Like the season did not just end because you beat Notre Dame.
Caleb Call: But rat poison's a real thing.
Ben: And it's a... Yeah, and I Just out of curiosity, I went to go look. Just for BYU's sake, like last year.
Caleb Call: yeah
Ben: You have. I was just trying to look at their biggest win. and Last year they played three ranked games, two against Tech, one against Utah. so really the only one where you can look at it's like a big win the next week is You beat Utah. And then you wick into Ames and play at Iowa State. and Just.
Caleb Call: Slow start.
Ben: You'd probably know this game a little bit better. I think Iowa State was winning late in the third quarter in this one. BYU came out a little sluggage sluggish. Slavish, I don't know, remind me about that one.
Caleb Call: Iowa State. was winning this game 24 -10. and driving to go up a third score. and then rocco beck threw a pick and the game flipped BYU goes, scores a touchdown. They end up tying it at 24. And the whole game, like.
Caleb Call: The third quarter, of they kind of played even with each other. and then We scored a touchdown to go up by seven, back through a pick six, and the 14 -point final score. held but the bill you went down and The first half, they could not defend Iowa State at all. It looked ugly.
Caleb Call: And then as soon as Beck threw that pick. everything flipped so Maybe, I mean, UCF last year also went up 14 -0 in Provo before BYU got things turned around.
Ben: and
Caleb Call: so You just got to avoid.
Ben: And then.
Caleb Call: Muggish start.
Ben: And then looking at BYU two years ago when they... when they played when they barely they had those two November losses. They had a win against number 13 Kansas State at the time. and then um the following week they played at baylor so it's kind of an interesting is both times it was like a big win at home and then they played at baylor and that one they
Caleb Call: Road trip right after.
Ben: they They won by six. They did jump out big on that one and then let Baylor come in. Um... late And then. Before the two losses, they had that win in Salt Lake City. It came down to the wire, and then they had the two losses right after that.
Ben: and So it's hard to say that Utah was a big win in that situation, but it's a rivalry win. and so
Caleb Call: it's still an emotional win Yeah.
Ben: Emotional win is probably the better way to put it. and so I mean, just by looking at that, like it did happen a little bit last year and it took. um BYU into the third quarter, late into the third quarter before they turn it around against Iowa State. and so You've seen it, and that's against an Iowa State team that was.
Ben: Um,
Caleb Call: They finished eight and four and they had. I think the Iowa State team is probably a tier better than this UCF team is.
Ben: Yeah.
Ben: Yeah, but I guess the the whole point is... is Coming off of an emotional game, a BYU team should have beaten that Iowa State team better. And really, Iowa State, if...
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: and Correct me if I'm wrong, that pick was pretty deep in BYU's territory, wasn't it? Like, Iowa State had driven.
Caleb Call: Yeah, that pick happened at like the 15 -yard line. They were... either in or right outside of the red zone. And he threw it. One of the worst throws I've ever seen. He threw it straight to our defensive end who jumped out in coverage. and Terrible throw.
Caleb Call: and
Ben: And so that's, that's basically the big, the storyline is, can you, that's a team that BYU should be in Iowa state.
Caleb Call: completely flipped.
Ben: It's a team they should be in UCF and coming off an emotional win. You might see a little bit of a, maybe if it's just a first half thing and BYU has to turn around in the second half, but. You never know. Sometimes in college football, we saw it last week where if you're in the late game in the second half, something crazy could happen.
Ben: so they ah They definitely need to be.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: a They need to be... a I don't know what if the coached up is the right term, but if Kalani can keep them humble. and um and kind of down, like. Hey, this season didn't just end there.
Ben: I think they'll be alright.
Caleb Call: Kalani's motto, and they just put it on the wall in the locker room. Stay humble, stay hungry. And that's what you got to be. You got to be hungry. You got to be humble. and
Ben: Thank you.
Caleb Call: BYU, if they can go out there and just score on their first drive and just kind of...
Ben: That would be big.
Caleb Call: Not even give UCF a chance to jump out with the lead. like i'd I'd almost rather have BYU. I always want to kick. you win the coin toss take the ball go score touchdown and just like Kind of you know throw the whole game script off for UCF getting a quick start.
Ben: I'd be interested to go look this up, but just from my... initial instinct I think Utah and BYU are both pretty good on first drives like they're the opening script the offense coordinators have made I think this year I think Utah's.
Ben: 100 % on touchdowns in the first drive. I'd have to double check that in the first six games. I think BYU's done it. most of their games. If not, I think they maybe missed one.
Caleb Call: It did not against TCU.
Ben: Miss one. I think it was one they missed.
Caleb Call: I think TCU is the one they missed. I know they did against Notre Dame. um
Ben: And I don't know about...
Caleb Call: Arizona, I want to say they did.
Ben: touch I don't know if touchdown is the right word for BYUs.
Caleb Call: All right. Good scoring. explorings
Ben: Maybe he just went and scored. But I think that's a big thing is BYU's been good.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: with the script to start the year so to your point maybe you just go get seven points on the board Try to go. take it to him because i mean i We just talked about all these and you see it every.
Ben: every week and college football with the SEC. You saw it with BYU last year. like These are games where. the better team can lose. And so it's definitely one that I think BYU is going to win, but it's definitely one where.
Ben: Coming off with such an emotional win where it could go the other way, so they're gonna have to come ready to go.
Caleb Call: For sure. The rest of the Big 12, you've got. Not like a major game, but you got a couple of sneaky games You got Arizona hosting Iowa State.
Caleb Call: And you got Texas Tech playing Cincinnati. I think it's in Cincinnati. Both of those games, again, you've got Big 12 contenders. playing teams that they should beat. But it's not a guarantee in either of them.
Caleb Call: I'm probably very curious because... Arizona and Texas Tech, they play each other on Halloween a week from this Saturday. If they can both win those games... that's going to be just another hyped big 12 matchup the week after that's the holy war like you really could have a month -long big 12 spotlight if you can get these teams to keep winning the right way
Ben: Yeah. Arizona -Iowa State is one that I'm really interested to watch because they have a it came out as a 10 -point line for Arizona. arizona Like we talked about earlier, their biggest thing on their resume is that. tight game against BYU.
Ben: Hi. I mean, they went and scored 52 on West Virginia, and West Virginia's defense has proved not very good. and um they played a tight game against Washington state who hasn't been good. Arizona has just kind of been a weird team where it's like, it doesn't feel like they've played great, but then they played a really good game against BYU. And so that loss is kind of what's keeping them as like, Oh, is Arizona better? So I, I really want to see this game against Iowa state. I want to see if Arizona actually like 10 points is a lot of points.
Ben: I know it is a home game. and so It'll be interesting to see what they do.
Caleb Call: The other thing with Arizona like Their entire wide receiver, for I think they had four receivers miss their last game. One's out for the year. I think one's going to be out a little longer, right? I don't know if Geo is going to play or not. he's Probably their best receiver.
Caleb Call: If he does still winning without those guys, but at some point you think that's gonna come back to bite you and hopefully it's not this week.
Ben: Yeah, it'll be – I mean, it'll be interesting to see because then if they do win that game, then they're going to Lubbock. um on Halloween and so that'll be
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: kind of the Hopefully it's not a look -ahead game for Arizona. But 10 points, when I saw that, I was shocked how big it was. so
Caleb Call: Iowa State's had a great season to this point. they played Both BYU and Utah close on the scoreboard, two touchdown losses to both. they beat West Virginia in a high -scoring game. but Iowa State does feel like the kind of team that could hang around there with Arizona.
Caleb Call: And then Cincinnati, Texas Tech, to me, this game. I don't think Cincinnati is good enough to win this game even at home. I'm excited to see what Texas Tech does. against another inferior team because you saw them kill asu as he was going to new starting quarterback You saw them kind of play around with Colorado for a long time. like i I just want to see last year of Texas as Tech was stomping teams like Cincinnati and just you know tearing their heart heart out.
Caleb Call: and they did it against Arizona State, Vadim. struggled to against Colorado, and that game really went into the second half, even the fourth quarter, still a one -score game. so Be curious to see if Texas Tech is figuring things out or if they still are.
Caleb Call: you know susceptible to kind of a clunker against the worst team
Ben: Yeah, I mean, Texas Tech's played a tight game against Oregon State. Played that tight one against Houston. Honestly, played a pretty tight one against Colorado for three quarters. and then
Caleb Call: I think it was 12 -7 going to the fourth. that That game was not won until the pick six that Isaac Wilson threw standing in his own end zone.
Ben: Yeah
Ben: And then you have them blow out Arizona State. And so it's kind of an interesting thing where they've played the teams that. um are quote -unquote I guess the conference games plus Oregon State like those have all been really tight games but besides last week against Arizona State.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: so Is it? Texas Tech's now like they're figuring things out and they're getting better which happens all the time in college football you see teams get hot later and it takes them a slow start to get going but yeah it'll be interesting to see this game because I think Texas Tech They're going to be, I think, really. it would I think they're going to win this game. but them, how they look is going to be like.
Ben: determining how I pick the Arizona game too. Like these two games, Arizona versus Iowa state and tech versus Cincinnati.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: I think the big thing is how does Arizona look? How does tech look? Because they're playing the week after, and I think it's going to be interesting. because They both like. It could be a top 25, top 20 matchup. and so um
Caleb Call: Yeah. And Utah plays Cincinnati next week, too.
Ben: That'll be a...
Caleb Call: So if Cincy gives Tech a scare, and then you've got Utah traveling out to Cincinnati week before the Holy War. a little bit of a look ahead spot so not a bad chance to Kind of get a feel for what Cincinnati does against a team of Utah's you know caliber with Texas Tech.
Ben: Yeah, Cincinnati's kind of had a tough little stretch. Texas Tech, Utah at home, and then they go to Houston the week after. And so and that's coming off.
Caleb Call: And they still play v BYU later, too.
Ben: And then they played BYU late. And that's coming off two losses already. And so it's kind of a... That's kind of a tough, now West Virginia.
Caleb Call: Season could unravel quick.
Ben: That West Virginia loss last week was a tough loss. and so um
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: It'll be interesting to see. they They've had two pretty bad games in a row where they gave up 45 against West Virginia. It was a close game, but then got blown out by Arizona the week before. and I just think... I mean, they've got a it's one of those things where this is the turning point where the season could snowball down quick if they don't.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: We'll compete against tech this week.
Caleb Call: Two more quick thoughts on the Big 12. ASU. Finally. Cutting color bully off the starting lineup Mikey Keene's getting his start there against kansas state they go to provo next week on halloween midday game and I'll be very curious to see how the new quarterback does for ASU. Cannot be worse than Cutter Bully.
Caleb Call: From what we've seen so far with ASU, I think BYU should handle that game pretty easily. but a backup quarterback definitely can throw like a you know It can motivate a team. It can kind of kill a team depending on how it goes. So I'll have my eye on there just to see how Keene looks against Kansas State.
Caleb Call: And then. Maybe the game. of the week as far as contrasting styles go You've got West Virginia. playing TCU. A team that does not know how to defend anyone playing a team that cannot score.
Caleb Call: Then on the other side, you've got the West Virginia offense, who has been explosive against everybody they've played. in a TCU defense who despite three losses has not given up more than 21 points to anyone this year.
Caleb Call: held BYU to 17, held North Carolina to 15.
Ben: Have you looked at the over -under for this game yet? I wish I hadn't before. I wish I would have guessed it before I looked at it.
Caleb Call: I... see a game like this it's hard to know if it's going to go high is it going to go low i probably would guess somewhere kind of in the middle but leaning low because of how tcu's offensive struggled
Ben: I don't know what I would guess
Caleb Call: i i would guess like 48.
Ben: I would have probably guessed somewhere in that range too, but West Virginia's defense has been so bad. So I guess that's what's pulling this number up, but it's at 58 is what I'm, or 50. It's opened at 58. It looks like it's at 57 now.
Ben: So I guess they're leaning on West Virginia's defense being that bad. And so it'll be interesting.
Caleb Call: What's funny about that is TCU's defense has been so good. like I might have to go sprinkle some on that under and maybe even an alt under that's like. 10 points lower than that.
Caleb Call: Because I wouldn't be that surprised if this game looked kind of like what that TCU Baylor game looked like.
Ben: that 48 that you just said
Caleb Call: Baylor just came off putting 55 up against ASU. And they scored six. Amen. TCU's defense. like This TCU defense. really might be the best defense in the conference. and If West Virginia's offense can't move the ball against them, that...
Caleb Call: 56, 57 number is way too high.
Ben: Honestly, a similar type of game is... Oklahoma State, Colorado. Colorado is actually.
Caleb Call: That's true.
Ben: played a pretty good defensive game against Tech three weeks ago, and then they held Utah to the lowest points they had all year at 27. Does that. Oklahoma State's been on a good offensive team, so that'll be another one where it's two contrasting styles where they go at each other. and I'll be interested to see how that one plays out in the Big 12.
Caleb Call: And then the rest of the conference, let's just both throw out one game. Or what's the country? I mean, one game. that you've got your eyes on for potential upset alert. Thank you. South Carolina, Tennessee is awesome. the table because South Carolina is a favorite despite Tennessee being ranked high um I'm going to say for me.
Caleb Call: I'm a little scared about the...
Caleb Call: Indiana, Michigan game. with Tommy Cargill and his first star. Indiana coming off a tough loss to Ohio State. Their offense has not looked great. They struggled against Nebraska. They struggled to score against Ohio State. Even Northwestern and had them in that game.
Caleb Call: And Michigan's kind of rejuvenated. You just got a quarterback switch, which I'm sure the whole team was begging for. Jason Beck might be sitting there like, oh, man, we just got our season back getting rid of Bryce. like And Michigan's defense has been great too.
Caleb Call: If Michigan can win the turnover battle, I would not be shocked to see them win this game against Indiana.
Ben: That'll be that's an interesting I hadn't thought about that as a big ah as a big upset spot. So that'd be huge for... the big 12 in those, like we were talking about at the beginning of the show. Three potential bids. If Indiana dropped a game there, another one.
Ben: that kind of even opens up another spot or window for a big 12 team to sneak in and get that 13.
Caleb Call: yeah No kidding. You have any your eye on... Any other game this week for an upset alert?
Ben: Yeah, my upset alert this week is... I got. Illinois with the the true freshman coming in starting I got them 10 -point Dog against Oregon. That's my super dog of the week. is Give me the Illini at home against the Ducks.
Ben: And so I think the Ducks, it's just. Everything that could go wrong.
Caleb Call: They're falling apart.
Ben: so
Caleb Call: Went back to Raiola.
Ben: They're falling apart Yep. And I mean, he didn't look bad. Like he came in and won the game. um but Man, I just. Good. you go You go beat a USC team that we thought was overrated, and so...
Ben: I think that's what's kind of propping everyone's opinion about them up. But you you lose a tight, low -scoring game against UCLA, and then you win that basically same game against Nebraska. And I just think... ah Michael Clayton, this kid from Illinois. I don't know if you watched him against Michigan State at all, but he kind of looked at a...
Caleb Call: Oh yeah.
Ben: a little like He kind of had some juice in him, and so give me give me the Illini over the Ducks.
Caleb Call: I like that. And honestly. Illinois beating Oregon would be awesome because Oregon's still sitting there with two losses, them and Michigan both. It feels like their seasons are over. but they're two lost teams.
Caleb Call: that have big games in front of them. If they can get hot, they can make a run to make the playoff, make the Big Ten championship game. So having Oregon lose to Illinois before they play Ohio State would be great, just a case to go win that game. You already have Oregon eliminated from everything. and beating ohio state doesn't vault oregon it just really kills ohio state so um Love the call there. Would not be shocked at all to see the Ducks lose.
Caleb Call: um
Ben: Before we...
Caleb Call: Week 7.
Ben: Before we end, too, I don't know if you're about to leave, but we got one other.
Caleb Call: Okay.
Ben: There's only two ranked -on -ranked games this week, Utes versus Houston, and then Ole Miss versus Texas.
Caleb Call: Yes.
Ben: What do you got in the Ole Miss -Texas game?
Caleb Call: Ah. This game... We've seen Texas. have two huge wins two of the best ones in the country They are Ohio State's only loss. They are Tennessee's only loss.
Caleb Call: But the way they play on offense, I told it to you back when they were undefeated, when they were number one in the country. that. just how they play on offense would have me feeling like they weren't even like a top 10 to 15 team.
Caleb Call: An Ole Miss. I was a little nervous for them But they have come alive, and they looked so good against Missouri. I'm going to take Ole Miss to win. by enough points to where You honestly are wondering if Arch Manning starts next week. or almost by 10 plus.
Ben: Okay. ah It'll be... I mean, they went and took care of Missouri last week. where Missouri kind of has the the letdown two weeks after their big win. And so.
Ben: I uh...
Caleb Call: Yep.
Ben: Man, this is a tough one because you have Texas coming off two losses. They've lost back -to -back weeks by three points both games of Florida and and Oklahoma. The Oklahoma game, it felt like they...
Ben: I mean... Everything that. like Oklahoma, they play that game 10 more times. I don't know if they get another win. like You have to block a pump for a touchdown. and You have to have a pick six, and you have to have another pick to kind of shorten the field.
Ben: So that one didn't feel like as bad of a loss to me just because it felt like they won, like they outplayed them.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: like by a lot And so. This is a weird one because Texas' is defense is the real deal. Ole Miss' his offense is legit. but there's I haven't heard for sure yet. It sounds like there's no Colin Simmons this week, right?
Ben: And so if no.
Caleb Call: I don't think we've gotten final word on that, but that would definitely hurt Texas if he doesn't play.
Ben: If... If no Colin Simmons this week, I think Ole Miss' ah offense is going to be able to do it. Colin Simmons creates havoc, and he's done a good job. at kind of helping The pass rush for Texas. and them able to hurry the quarterbacks get home and so i think
Caleb Call: He honestly kind of single -handedly won that game in Knoxville for Texas. with I think he had five sacks, maybe even six.
Ben: Yeah.
Caleb Call: and thinking of the opportunity.
Ben: He's good he
Caleb Call: one.
Ben: He kind of feels like he's a top five pick this year in the in the NFL draft. He feels like he's a. Kind of one of those like. franchise edge rushers that they come someone goes and gets in the top of the first round and so I.
Caleb Call: He's one of the few players in college football that I would legitimately say is like a game changer slash game wrecker. Like if you changed him to another team. it would elevate them potentially to another tier. There's not many players like that this year, but he's one of them.
Ben: Yeah, so If he's out, I think... ah I think that's... I think Ole Miss is gonna win this game. Kind of like what you're saying, like a double -digit game where... They can go. take care of business, but I.
Ben: I uh...
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: if If he's in the game and he can kind of. Slow down the Ole Miss offense. And I think it's going to be a lower lower scoring game than Ole Miss is. prone to winning. And so I think ah that's kind of how Texas is going to win this game. If you made me put my actual hard -earned dollars on it, I'd probably put Ole Miss though. i i ah Right now, Texas is a three -point favorite.
Ben: I i lean Ole Miss in this game.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: I think Ole Miss is going to. pull out the win, but as a Like you said at the beginning, you want Texas out of it because they've got two losses, and so that would be their third loss. If Texas wins this game, though, it puts Ole Miss at two losses, and now you're sitting there looking for one more loss between both of them.
Caleb Call: Georgia.
Ben: that kind of is another path where it's like maybe we want both of them to get to two losses and then try to find another loss somewhere.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: Because I think Ole Miss plays...
Caleb Call: Texas still plays LSU, which could be an elimination game.
Ben: And I... And I think Georgia.
Caleb Call: The thing with Texas for me is.
Ben: Ole Miss plays Georgia, too.
Caleb Call: the ohio state win is big enough that because of the Ohio State win of three loss, Texas is still a threat. And so Ole Miss beating them, kick Texas out of the top 25 and get people to even stop thinking about Texas as a playoff team.
Caleb Call: Maybe they come on hot late and beat LSU.
Ben: Three straight losses. yeah
Caleb Call: Yeah, so that. I think Ole Miss, they still will probably lose to Georgia. I think they probably drop one more somewhere else and could knock Ole Miss out of the playoff. Maybe they make the playoff. but anodes.
Caleb Call: We talked about Bryce Underwood leaving for texas or Michigan. Do you think there's any way Arch Manning actually gets benched? It's not that the backup is practicing more with the ones that he has in the past.
Ben: Yeah.
Caleb Call: Can we be seeing the end of Arch Manning in Texas?
Ben: I think you have to consider it. Like if you're you're on a two -game losing streak. you lost two games in a row if you're playing and you're losing and He isn't looking good. I think you have to consider it. and I don't care what the pedigree is.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: or I mean, you see. I mean, that's the difference between really good coaches and great coaches is like you see Nick Saban do it in the national title game. They went Jalen Hurts to two. like It's not like out of the.
Ben: the woods when stuff like this happens, it's stuff they've thought about. So it's something that Texas, the staff's got to. They've got to have. the backup prepped. and um it'll be interesting to see i i definitely think there's a a chance though to answer your question
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Caleb Call: Last week, it'll be hard to top for this week. Bye. There is potential for chaos this week. Hopefully it doesn't happen or in Orlando. And then you get to end your night with. Not one. but two awesome games the same time Houston's playing Utah.
Caleb Call: You got the Mountain West Championship game, New Mexico and North Dakota State battling it out with each other. So it should be a fun day of football overall. I'm excited for it. Maybe a little bit more relaxing. if the favorite teams can just kind of. deliver and win like they're supposed to but Definitely some potential for chaos here.
Ben: and Based on last week, you never know.
Caleb Call: You never know. All right, we'll be back Monday morning first thing with our recap pod going over the BYU -CF game, Utah -Houston. and whatever else happens here but thanks for joining us like subscribe go cougs
Ben: Go Utes, baby.
