Transcript
Caleb Call: Week two coming up. Thanks for joining us for another. episode of Blue vs. Red, the Holy War pod. Finally have some actual football going on in the state of Utah. Before we jump into that, though, we got an AP poll this week, the first one since the preseason poll.
Caleb Call: We're not really a lot of upsets, not a lot of crazy movement. BYU and USC were tied at 14 on the first one. BYU falls behind on the tie, and so we're 15th this week. Utah jumps up to 20 as a result of Michigan, I think, rightfully falling out.
Caleb Call: I think they probably deserved that even with the win. They looked really bad against a MAAC team. Got to earn your spot in the ranking early in the year when teams are winning games. Any other big thoughts or takeaways from the AP poll coming out?
Ben Fowers: Yeah, the big one for me was Oregon dropped down to six. They were at two last week. and so struggled with Boise and Boise jumped up to, I think they're the first receiving vote outside of the AP. So essentially the 26 team. So Boise kind of got a bump even with the loss.
Ben Fowers: Um, and Oregon kind of dropped a little bit. One other thing was the ACC, Virginia. I i thought they were kind of. day. They're at 24 right now or 25 right now And...
Caleb Call: yeah
Ben Fowers: they were out of the ranking last week And just with their game. I uh... just kind of dom this is a week zero game so it's two weeks ago so maybe it's not um not fresh on the minds of voters but They dominated NC State, who was supposed to be a decent team this year.
Ben Fowers: and so i think i ah In my personal rankings, I had them in the low teens, so I would have moved them up a little bit.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: But that was the the main takeaways for me.
Caleb Call: We had the conversation last week where... I think that AP voters spend too much time visualizing what they think a season is going to look out. look like and not just reward teams that won games the year before.
Caleb Call: Virginia was an 11th.
Ben Fowers: and dominant fashion too.
Caleb Call: Yeah, yeah. I mean, Virginia was 11 -3 last year.
Ben Fowers: Bye.
Caleb Call: And they start this season unranked, which I think was ridiculous. I had them ranked 17th in my preseason poll. They went out there and looked like an awesome team. I agree. Virginia, at least they're ranked at 25, but man, they should be a lot higher than that. and i think they'll have a chance to move up pretty quick if they keep winning in games. They looked impressive.
Caleb Call: Bo Perbula looked awesome. So, yeah, I'm excited to see, I guess. But the ACC's got some juice. It's not just Miami over there. Louisville looked great against Ole Miss. We had – We'll talk about that game.
Caleb Call: or I guess we won't talk about that one. But, yeah, Louisville, they had an awesome game against Ole Miss, and then we had – SMU survived Florida State. Kevin Jennings in the offense moved the ball all game but struggled to score. So, yeah, I mean, we had – Got some life in the ACC beyond just Miami, hopefully, this year.
Ben Fowers: Yeah. and I was looking at Virginia's schedule after I watched them beat NC State. and I mean, they've got like Florida State, Syracuse. They play West Virginia in the Big 12. And so they've got very winnable games. Like they could go undefeated, climb up a little bit. and Face ah a ranked SMU game. It could be a fun game. in October.
Caleb Call: Yeah. And. Again, just to we talked about Notre Dame's soft schedule. Miami Dodgers, Virginia. Miami Dodgers, Louisville. Miami Dodgers SMU.
Caleb Call: Miami. really almost has their ACC bid already locked up. I'm not sure if they're going to be losing to Pitt or Florida State or Clemson with how everyone looks.
Ben Fowers: They do got Notre Dame on the schedule, which would be a fun one for her.
Caleb Call: I mean, we might have a situation. Yeah.
Ben Fowers: uh to see that one but they kind of i mean they played what was it four to a and m earlier today and Just kind of dominated it was Last I saw it was 49 -0 at like half, so.
Caleb Call: They might have the best offense in the country this year. they they've had a Solid start being up Stanford too, so
Ben Fowers: 77 -7 final score.
Caleb Call: We'll see you on the internet. Yeah. 10 -minute quarters there. We had 10 -minute quarters for ASU Morgan State and had it again here for Miami.
Ben Fowers: yeah
Caleb Call: Well, as for... the state of Utah. We got a couple of. Big games this week. Time to figure out who BYU and who Utah are. We'll start with the game that's happening first, Arizona Wildcats coming up to Provo.
Caleb Call: This game. Obviously for Arizona, it's a revenge game, not just because BYU won in double overtime last year. But BYU also beat Arizona the year before that. And Kalani Satake is 5 -0 against the Wildcats since he started coaching at BYU back in.
Caleb Call: 2016 it really is a team that byu's held their owning. Again, every time we've played them, the last time they beat us was almost 20 years ago in the Vegas Bowl. and Arizona knows that. They remember it. They've been talking about it. in their press conferences this week.
Caleb Call: The defensive coordinator, Danny Gonzalez, he was talking about how. He did not let his staff leave after the bowl game until January because they had to spend that time.
Caleb Call: Game planning for BYU. That's what he was saying earlier in his press conference. i mean Not that this is Arizona's Super Bowl. But it's a game early in their season against a gets the team that they probably felt they should have beat last year. they were of 10 on BYU. you know, five minutes left before A couple of late scores got BYU into overtime and eventually won the game. so Yeah, I mean this one's gonna mean a lot for the Wildcats and it means a lot for BYU
Caleb Call: BYU doesn't have to access tech on the schedule. So without that, you're too. Toughest conference games are probably going to be Arizona and Utah. You beat Arizona, and you're already... essentially halfway there to the big 12 championship game assuming you don't drop games you shouldn't along the way so It's going to be a big matchup. Noah Fafita.
Caleb Call: Obviously, he's a great quarterback. He's generally struggled against BYU, turned the ball over a decent bit. um I think he's thrown four interceptions combined in the last two meetings between these two teams. So I feel like BYU's defense being able to...
Caleb Call: Rattle him will be a ah big deal for the Cougars. And I'm just very curious, last year their defense. BYU ran the ball all over Arizona, struggled to pass the ball on them. And that was kind of just par for the course with Arizona. they've had one of the best secondaries. Danny Gonzalez also mentioned how...
Caleb Call: They had five members of their secondary last year on NFL rosters. during preseason. What she said was some sort of record. So, I mean, they they lost.
Caleb Call: what made their defense special. But against ah and NAU, they held them to negative seven rushing yards. They were stout up front. And. Secondary was solid there, too. So, yeah, I'm excited to see both sides of the ball against Arizona. it's a Legit test for the Cougars after blowing out Utah Tech last week.
Caleb Call: Seven and a half point favorites. Probably feels about right playing at home. Yeah, but this is a game that... You can't mess around with them when you got to be on your best. You got to win the turnover battle. I know that's kind of. Aaron Roderick's calling card. and It'll be a fun battle here with the Wildcats.
Ben Fowers: Yeah, this was a fun one last year where it goes a double overtime. BYU kind of started out quick and then... It looked like Arizona was going to win it, and then BYU came on in the fourth, sent it to overtime. and Um, And like you said, I think Bear, when I was looking at this game last year, I kind of.
Ben Fowers: don't back through the the box score, and I think Bear was under 200 yards, but LJ had like 160 yards on the ground and kind of was able to to run the ball. Um,
Ben Fowers: And it'll be interesting to see if Fida, I mean. The more experience you get, usually it makes it. you don't always see it but Usually the better you get. so um this time around i think he had one pick last time and in arizona and three picks the in Provo the last time.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: So he had a bad outing two years ago in Provo. So coming back to Provo, we'll see if he can make any adjustments, if the crowd rattles him at all or anything like that. and I kind of expect this game to be close.
Ben Fowers: i I think Arizona, for the most part, brings back a lot of their... They bring back a ah good chunk of people on offense, and then they ah have a ah core on defense that they.
Ben Fowers: They brought back. they have They're having to fill in some guys, like you mentioned. But I think this is a game that. could be close and I I think Arizona with ah with their... They've got the the big three and the big 12 on their schedule. They've got BYU early. and then
Ben Fowers: Like seven or eight weeks later, they get tech. And then like right after that, they get Utah. So like you said, I think this is kind of. in the circled game because it's the first one. on Arizona's schedule because they they're a team that got hot late last year and looked good last year. And they think they have Big 12 championship caliber aspirations. And so for them, this BYU game is.
Ben Fowers: It's like their Super Bowl. its If you win this game, now you're. Sitting there, if you can take care of the rest of your your Big 12 schedule, then you got Tech and Utah down the stretch where. You could theoretically go one on one there and make it to the conference championship.
Ben Fowers: So this is a big game for them. They're going in and they're wanting blood. And I saw some ah the defense coordinator come out this week and said he doesn't want the refs to call any phil flags this year. They just want everybody to kill each other.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: And so I think it's going to be a fun.
Caleb Call: I think Kalani wouldn't mind that either.
Ben Fowers: Yeah, i think I mean, I don't think any fan would mind it either. I think this this is what we – that's why we watch. So we love it when the when the boys get a play. So I think this is going to be a fun one. and um i I think it's a...
Ben Fowers: it's one that BYU kind of dominated Last time it was in Provo, and then Arizona was able to do keep it close. and Looked like they were going to be able to pull out the win. BYU kind of pulled out their late so or late game magic last time i'm at Arizona. So being back in Provo, it'll be interesting to see if Arizona can keep it competitive again.
Caleb Call: Yeah, I'm excited to see just really how our offense can do. I mean, you expect this team to roll Utah Tech, but the offense is by far the bigger question mark of the two sides of the ball for BYU. We saw it against superior competition last year.
Caleb Call: against utah deal you struggle to score until and the fourth quarter they managed a couple of touchdowns Arizona, they had 14 points late in the fourth. Texas Tech. Scored seven points in each of those games. So here's a test against another good defense It'll be fun to see if BYU can.
Caleb Call: Move the ball and generate some points here. I'm gonna Ended up going with a 28 -17 win here for the Cougars. I think that this game will be close all the way through. I think BYU is able to maintain the lead. and Uh,
Caleb Call: I'm hoping for a couple of turnovers that can kind of swing it and solidify the win for the Cougars. So yeah, 28 to 17 is my pick in this one.
Ben Fowers: I got BYU starting a little slow and then being able to kind of... I mean, keep it close for a while. And if Fafita makes enough plays to score. a few points, but then I got BYU edge and amount 27, 24 is what I got.
Ben Fowers: for BYU. I give them the edge in Provo. i I think Arizona covers, but I think this is going to be a fun, good game, and I think this will be a good first test for BYU. I think this is a... one that goes down the wire in the fourth quarter and whoever makes the The play's at the end.
Ben Fowers: Good.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: Come away with the game
Caleb Call: One note in a game like this where you're calling BYU to win 27 -24. BYU's got a new kicker, Matthias Dunn. Senior, upperclassmen, been with the program for a long time.
Caleb Call: 0 -1 on field goals so far this year. he missed the
Ben Fowers: Missed extra point is what I was doing for
Caleb Call: 40 -something yarder against.
Ben Fowers: Four touchdowns and a missed extra point, I guess.
Caleb Call: Yeah, so maybe that's what it ends up being. Hopefully BYU has a kicking game this year, but yet to be seen so far. So that's that's part of the reason I went 28 -17 in the past when Kalani, back when Jake Oldroyd was struggling.
Ben Fowers: Didn't kick.
Caleb Call: Kalani was happy to go for it on fourth down.
Ben Fowers: he He's pretty aggressive.
Caleb Call: Oh, yeah. so
Ben Fowers: Even it's back to like this.
Caleb Call: If we don't trust our kicking game. we'll We'll go for it.
Ben Fowers: Even back to like... to the Zach Wilson days, like in 2020, that. 2020 season for BYU. Kalani's been, I've always called it. um Kind of like reckless. Like I think sometimes he goes for it when he shouldn't on fourth down and I'm, I'm probably lean a little bit more on the.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: go for it side of things from people. And sometimes I'm like, what is he doing? But he seems to most of the time it goes in his favor. So it's it's worked out for him. And ah i I mean, if he got no kicking game, then I would probably imagine that.
Ben Fowers: Kalani goes back to those days where he's just. Fourth and four, fourth and five, he's ripping it every time.
Caleb Call: Yeah. It'll be interesting to see. Hopefully, when Ty is done, he'll prove himself to be a good kicker, but I honestly am not too sure. So that BYU Arizona game, we've got. That game starting 1 .30 Mountain Time up in Provo.
Caleb Call: Gonna be hot. And then, much to the dismay of Arkansas' athletic director, they are playing in Salt Lake at 8 .15 at night. He called it a genuine wellness concern for his athletes having to play a late -night game out west. It's and not even that far. It's like three states away for Arkansas.
Caleb Call: genuine safety concern for his players having to get back and have a He called it a short week before they go play Georgia next week. that they'll have six and a half days of prep instead of seven days.
Ben Fowers: On a Saturday. Yeah.
Caleb Call: Poor Arkansas, as if that's going to be their...
Ben Fowers: And.
Caleb Call: The reason they lose to Georgia next week.
Ben Fowers: And most of the time. I mean, every program is a little different, but the next day after game days. Most of the time for these programs, like on Sunday, it's go in and you're getting your body worked on and you may be watching some film, but it's...
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: Like you're not really. and they're not really losing a day and so they'll get their film work in on the plane ride at In the morning, they probably won't their coaches probably won't have ah much of a...
Ben Fowers: a night that first night but I I mean that's generally what most coaches do anyways and so I don't i don't i think this I think it was kind of an overreaction.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: I i thought it was crazy in the... when he first. brought it up at the beginning when the schedule came out that he was trying to get it changed. but Nothing like a night game at Rice -Eccles.
Caleb Call: Just already. no limit
Caleb Call: Yeah, I feel like the state of Utah has got these night games locked down. BYU and Utah, it's hard to beat the atmospheres there at night. I'm still excited for the day game against Arizona. but Having a game at night's a different animal, and Rice Eccles I expect on Saturday to be.
Caleb Call: Going crazy for this one.
Ben Fowers: Yeah, this one I'd be curious to im I mean, Arkansas kind of I don't know how good North Alabama is going to be, but they didn't really dominate the game. like they They only ran for three yards of carry. They scored a touchdown in each quarter. but Only one touchdown each quarter ended up being 31 -14 final. So it didn't really dominate North Alabama. i'm I'm curious to see how this game goes because, I mean, obviously you got the. a bigger kind of stronger line of scrimmage for on both sides for arkansas and so
Ben Fowers: Utah, I mean, you're going to get another. another test for this offensive line. You've got the the right guard, hopefully playing his first game this week, Keith Olsen. And you're still hearing that there's rumblings that the offensive line is.
Ben Fowers: might be switching it up again and It's not a true five still. So I'm curious to see what happens. for offensive front against the the defensive line for Arkansas. But, I mean, i I think this is one where, I mean, Arkansas is the bottom of the SEC. I think this is a game that if you're Utah, you should still win by a few scores. Lions have been kind of bouncing up from 11 .5 up to 13 .5.
Ben Fowers: I think as a Utah fan, player, coaches, I think you'd. want to see them cover that one by two or three scores and so i think that's one where I...
Ben Fowers: it'll be ah It'll be interesting to see McGiven's offense against kind of ah an SEC caliber roster. even a low -end SEC caliber roster. so
Caleb Call: Once you're not sure you can call Arkansas' defense. SEC caliber roster. right well We'll see what they look like this year. but
Ben Fowers: I guess I'm just comparing it to Idaho is what I'm saying. like It's just ah a lot better of a roster.
Caleb Call: Yeah. Step up in competition.
Ben Fowers: Yeah.
Caleb Call: Yeah, this one. I honestly don't expect the Utes to have a whole lot of trouble with Arkansas. I think that. Yes, it's a step up in competition, but... Arkansas is just one of those teams where if you have your crap together, you should not lose to Arkansas.
Caleb Call: They had some good years in the recent past, but nothing really crazy in the last. three, four seasons they've been really down. Their quarterback, K .J. Jackson. He's had good moments. Last year he... played in their games against Texas and Missouri and actually put up some decent numbers against both of them.
Caleb Call: I feel like he is probably gonna be the key to winning this game. I expect to have a lot of third and longs. and if he can complete those and convert those. or run for it too. I know he's a little bit of an athlete. i mean Maybe Arkansas can hang in there.
Caleb Call: They're really going to have to rely on their defense. Keeping this game close. I mean last year the calling card for Utah winning games Their defense got enough stops to let their offense go get a three -score lead, and by then the game was over.
Caleb Call: That happens here. This game is over quick. So if... a If Arkansas can keep up early and kind of keep this an ugly... Fight. Maybe they can stick in there. I think I saw that the spread's about 12 and a half. I feel like that's kind of being generous to Arkansas. but We'll see. You never know. Utah had some struggles against Idaho running the ball. and Protecting Dampier, maybe Arkansas' defense can...
Caleb Call: provide some sort of Test for the offense, but... I'm just not seeing a lot of reason to think Arkansas can win this game.
Ben Fowers: I'm the same. I i kind of have Utah pulling away, and I've got 37 -10 as the final for the Utes in this one. at home
Caleb Call: Yeah, I put 41 to 20. And I wouldn't be shocked if Utah got to that 41 mark. before Arkansas got to the 20, I feel like. Utah's gonna put up points and I just don't see Arkansas keeping up here what What do you think?
Caleb Call: If you were to... Come back Sunday morning and tell yourself right now that Arkansas won this game against Utah. What do you think that looks like? what What's the path to Arkansas winning?
Ben Fowers: I just think it's probably... The game got ugly and... It's probably a low -scoring game. and it goes quite a bit under the this the over -under right now. Thank you.
Ben Fowers: Last I looked, the over -under was sitting around 55, I think it was. And so I think. I think you're looking at probably like a like arkansas Scores three touchdowns, maybe a field goal. So they're sitting at 24 and Utah's 21.
Ben Fowers: I think it's kind of like a... Lower scoring. game where Utah's offense just never got going. so
Caleb Call: I feel like Arkansas. I know getting rid of Pittman, they felt like they needed to do that. He had had some rough years there. Going and getting Ryan Silverfield almost just kind of felt like a settle. like I don't think that their program is necessarily in a better spot with Ryan Silverfield than it was with...
Caleb Call: Um, the prior coach. And so with that, like i Don't know I feel like sometimes cool These schools kind of make a panic move without really knowing. what the future is going to hold they probably hoped they were going to get somebody like summerall but there was enough big schools in the coaching carousel that scooped up a lot of the main candidates
Caleb Call: If they would have went and got Chesney instead of UCLA grabbing him from James Madison, I'm probably feeling a lot different about this Arkansas team. But with Ryan Silverfield, who he had some okay years with Memphis, but honestly was somewhat underwhelming.
Caleb Call: I mean, last year they managed to beat at Arkansas, and they still were only a 9 -1 team, didn't play in the American Conference Championship.
Ben Fowers: If you were Chesney, would you have gone to UCLA or would you have gone to Arkansas if you had offered both? same Similar salary.
Caleb Call: Honestly, probably UCLA. And I say that just because I feel like you're more likely to win games at UCLA.
Ben Fowers: Me too.
Caleb Call: I think Arkansas, you can probably field a better roster. at least immediately than you can at UCLA. But that doesn't mean you're going to win more games. I think the Big Ten, the bottom of the Big Ten.
Caleb Call: leaves a lot of chances to win a bunch of games. And I think that the SEC schedule kind of is a nightmare. And when you're a team like Arkansas, kind of stuck at the bottom. It's hard to.
Caleb Call: claw your way to the top when your schedule is filled with teams. that generally are going to be better than you. So I probably would have gone UCLA, but honestly, it would have been a tough decision. i I feel like they're kind of a similar caliber program. They both have potential to.
Caleb Call: I don't know if like be a mainstay in the top 25 and have a bunch of 10 win seasons. But their ceiling is both making the playoff. I mean, both programs are capable of it.
Ben Fowers: Yeah. Yeah. I lean on UCLA too on that. but Not to be that dead horse, though. But I uh... I just think Arkansas, you're playing better teams and you're probably going to end up losing more.
Caleb Call: Yeah, Arkansas is going to be an easier job to get fired in then than UCLA for sure.
Ben Fowers: yeah
Caleb Call: As for the rest of the Big 12, we've got a fun slate coming up. The border war. Kansas and Missouri. I don't know if you saw Kansas' post on social media earlier. they put out ah a hype video for this game, essentially, you know, a lot of college football.
Caleb Call: teams. No. Say they hate their rival. Kansas just went out there and straight up called their rival evil talked about the Civil War and how They were on the ah the side trying to abolish slavery. and So yeah, there's a lot of hate in this one.
Caleb Call: Kansas is a slight underdog at home against Missouri. I think this one on Friday night, it'll have my full attention. I'm excited for it. Kansas kind of. I don't know if dominated is the word, but they played a better game than Missouri, and they botched it in the fourth quarter last year. at missouri and i'm hoping i mean kansas showed against long island they they were explosive I'm hoping that they can do enough here to get a win against Missouri. but They are underdogs for a reason. Missouri had an okay team last year. and
Caleb Call: Look to probably have the same this year
Ben Fowers: Yeah, I don't know if you remember. For you guys that don't remember, it was like... Kansas early. I think it was 21, like. 3 or 21, 6. like first quarter. And then Missouri kind of. I don't know if dominated is the right word, but kind of outscored them big to end the game. And so they ended up winning by two scores in that one. And it was kind of a.
Ben Fowers: Kansas had the lead. Big and Missouri just kind of like. You were kind of waiting for after they scored 21 points in the first. It was kind of like you're waiting for them to get going again and kind of never did.
Caleb Call: Keep going, Anna.
Ben Fowers: it Yeah, so Missouri ended up taking that one. and It was at Missouri last year, so this year being in Kansas, it'll be interesting to see how that changes things. but i ah uh kansas i mean No Jalen Daniels now. They lost quarterback. and I think. ah i this is what i got in this one i got missouri Going on the road. I mean, they're five and a half point favorite, but they're going on the road. I i got them winning 27 -20.
Caleb Call: Yeah, I... I was going back and forth with this one. The Kansas hype video might have swayed me to Kansas' side.
Ben Fowers: ah
Caleb Call: I like Kansas. Isaiah Marshall had an awesome game against Long Island. I think Jalen Daniels. Might have been the most overrated player in college football the last couple years, and I thought he was a good quarterback.
Caleb Call: But I thought the players behind him weren't really any worse than him. and I don't think replacing him is going to be you know as tall of a task as it seems. So I've got Kansas winning a close one here. I'll call it 24 -19. I wouldn't be shocked if the scoring got higher than that. but I think if it goes higher than that, it probably favors Missouri, which is why I kind of called it a lower scoring game. so Going for Kansas here, but I can see it going either way.
Caleb Call: And then... ah Bright and early Saturday morning, we have maybe the game I'm most excited for on the conference slate. You've got Arizona State. Traveling out to College Station against Texas A and &M. Last time we saw ASU play a... playoff caliber team from Texas. It was an instant classic.
Caleb Call: Vegas isn't seeing it go that way. Vegas has Texas A &M as a 14 .5 -point favorite. Honestly, it's probably pretty similar to what Texas was back when they played in the playoffs. Granted, there's no scataboo this time for ASU.
Caleb Call: You think that ASU has a... a chance in this one.
Ben Fowers: Hiya! I don't. I think It's one of those ones where you see the 14 or 15 and a half and you think that's about right. I think. ah This is a... I mean, you lose Sam Levitt, you lose Scataboo. two years ago. and The roster, you lose Jordan Daniels, or not Jordan Daniels, ah Jordan Tyson last year.
Caleb Call: They lost Relief Brown to Texas, too.
Ben Fowers: And...
Caleb Call: They're a star running back.
Ben Fowers: Lots to really Brown yep, and so they kind of just have a lot to replace on offense and A and &M with read back. I. I just kind of think A and &M is going to be too much offensively.
Ben Fowers: And then I think defensively it's going to be... I mean, Texas A &M defensively against Arizona State's offense. I think it's going to be – I think Arizona State will be able to score, but I think it's going to be a loaded scoring game there. and I just think A &M is going to be able to score.
Ben Fowers: Fine. and Not really going to slow down a whole lot, so I think they they cover this big line.
Caleb Call: As long as Dillingham has been there, I've honestly been pretty impressed with ASU's defense. I feel like they have been able to... at the very least just keep points off the board and keep themselves in football games. And I think I kind of expect that same thing to happen here. I don't think that ASU wins the game, but I've got A and &M winning this by one score. I put 27 -21.
Caleb Call: And I think that... when When I saw the spread at 14 .5, I probably was thinking it was going to be closer to... 10 and a half 11 and a half or just closer to that 10 point. range and So I've got – I think ASU covers this one. I don't think they win it, but I mean – if cutter bowling if he can hit a couple of big plays I know in general, Dillingham in the past has relied on some explosive plays. They had it with Skadaboo. They had it with Tyson.
Caleb Call: Yet to be seen if this team can do it with... the guys on the roster, especially against an opponent like Texas A &M. But I don't know of Texas A &M. Last year they made the playoff, lost one regular season game.
Caleb Call: But they honestly, they beat Notre Dame early in the year. and they really did not Have another tough game on that schedule until they played Miami in the playoff and scored three points. they got This Texas A and &M team, even though they're a top 10 team.
Caleb Call: They probably are coming into this one overrated. Maybe Marcel Reed's going to be better than I expect him to be. So I think ASU can hang in there. i Six -point win for the Aggies is what I'm going to be. lean him on though.
Ben Fowers: I ended up going 34 -14. I think Marcel Reed. I think just makes enough plays to take care of it. And like you said last year, their schedule really wasn't bad. You had a. an LSU team that was ranked after the Notre Dame win.
Ben Fowers: and then you had like a I mean, they ended up going 11 -0 and then dropping the last week to Texas. and so They kind of just were able to take care of the whole schedule. and I think.
Ben Fowers: and emsa i think last year they were kind of more of a product of their schedule more than Bingo.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: playoff team in my head so i agree with you there i don't think they're going to be all right as I don't think they're 11 -1 team this year and like they were last year, but I still think they take care of Arizona State this week.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Caleb Call: It's for the rest of the Big 12. We have... A bunch of other fun games. You got Oregon coming to Stillwater. hopefully Oklahoma State can turn things around. Kansas State's hosting Washington State.
Caleb Call: UCF playing Pitt on the road. Iowa State going to Iowa. Texas Tech going up to Corvallis against Oregon State. It's pretty fun slate compared to a week one slate that really was pretty rough in the conference as far as these bunch of games go. The one I've got my eye on.
Caleb Call: Iowa State and Iowa. And I've said it to you before, I think Iowa State, everybody just assumed because of what they lost. They were going to be a bad team. And... It's a completely new roster new coaching staff new team completely from what they had last year But these... Iowa State -Iowa games are always...
Caleb Call: Low scoring. Anyone's game. And Iowa's a 14 .5 point favorite. I'm calling Iowa State to win this one. Spoiler alert, they are going to be one of my super dogs this week. I like Iowa State here. Maybe not to win, but at least to cover the 14 .5.
Caleb Call: I think this game is going to be a dogfight. And honestly, I would not be shocked to see. Iowa State come out with the win in this one.
Ben Fowers: Yeah, I think this one's going to be a fun one too. i ah That 14 seemed like a lot. to me. two scores in a game that's typically 10 -3. But... I just think, I do think Iowa's a little bit better than they have been in the past. but I... yeah It's interesting. to I don't know. Iowa State, I mean, they lost their whole roster to Penn State.
Ben Fowers: There's coaching staff, and so maybe their Vegas is kind of on that. and so i uh i'm curious to i for me it's just i don't have a strong pull on it one way or the other. I don't have a strong pull towards Iowa State. I mean, just knowing they lost all their coaches and players and stuff like that. i I just kind of want to see it first before I...
Ben Fowers: um before I had to go pick Iowa State. So I'm interested. um Because you've got to measure Superdog, I'm going to be following this game. this this saturday so
Caleb Call: As far as the other games go, I mean, Oklahoma State hosting Oregon, and you think there's anything Oklahoma State can do to give themselves a chance to win that one?
Ben Fowers: No, i think I think Oregon is probably, I think they're probably getting.
Ben Fowers: they're practicing hard this week after I think they kind of. Their coaching staff's probably feeling like they kind of let – I don't know if laid an egg is the right word, but kind of – Um, honestly it was physically like boise state like physically hung with them and so i think
Caleb Call: They look like equals.
Ben Fowers: the Yeah. And so I think until the fourth quarter, I don't know, Oregon kind of like pulled away in that fourth quarter. um They just kind of like, Boise couldn't stop them in the fourth quarter.
Ben Fowers: Ah.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: Oh, this... Going into that game, like i I think now you've got another. Power 14 that Oregon's going to, probably. ah Or I guess not another one. Boise State's not a powerful team. It feels like they are. but um I just think Oregon's going to...
Ben Fowers: I think their week of practice is going to be better this week, and I think they're going to come more focused. I think they're not going to beat them like they did last year, 66 -3 or whatever it was, but I think they're going to go take care of Oklahoma State.
Caleb Call: I'll be honest. I don't care how Oregon practiced. They could have had the worst week of practice. They could have not practiced. Oregon is winning this game. Oklahoma State against Tulsa, that just was one of the most pathetic performances I've seen.
Caleb Call: scoring 10 points, and even then they struggled to score those 10 points against Tulsa. I was honestly kind of surprised that the spread was only, I think I saw it at 22 and a half.
Caleb Call: I think that's being generous to... Oklahoma State. and Maybe they can figure some things out, but I wouldn't be shocked if Oregon has that spread covered in the first quarter. I think this one gets ugly fast.
Caleb Call: Oregon is going to want to come out and make a statement like you said. They just fell four spots in the rankings for winning a game at home. I'm sure they're pissed. So, yeah, I've got Oregon winning this one big.
Ben Fowers: The one other Big 12 game that I'm excited to watch is the UCF Pitt one.
Caleb Call: uh
Ben Fowers: UCF's seven -point underdog. And so I'm curious to see how they do. I mean Scott Frost. back at us ucf so um his little stint in Nebraska before.
Ben Fowers: He's now back in Orlando. I'd be curious to see how UCF responds. This is a game they can win. They're a seven -point dog. and They, I mean. This is kind of like the big first test for Scott Frost in the 26th season. So I'm curious to see how he gets them playing. I mean, they got to go up to Pittsburgh. so It's going to be a tough game on the road. so I think that's a big one for them early in the season.
Caleb Call: Yeah, it's kind of a prove -it game And. I liked what they did I mean, it was against Bethune -Cookman, but they blew him out last week. I feel like. they This is a perfect game for Scott Frost.
Caleb Call: If you're going to go compete in the Big 12, you've got to be able to go out there and be a probably above average ACC team if you want to have any chance of. doing the same in the big 12. I'm excited for that one. I feel like the Big 12 and ACC are kind of seen as equals, and ACC probably leaning a little ahead with just Miami at the top being as good as they are. So games like this do mean in a lot when it comes to perception between the two conferences. Hopefully UCF can get the win there.
Caleb Call: and really the main other thing I'm looking for this week in the Big 12. I want to see how Texas Tech's defense does against an Oregon State offense that managed to put up some points and put some pressure on Houston. Texas Tech last year. No secret, their defense dominated the whole conference, except for Jordan Tyson.
Caleb Call: and Honestly, I mean, Texas Tech, everyone just kind of assumed that. Because they went out and spent a bunch of money in the portal again that they were gonna reload and play just as well as they did last year The first game, at least on offense, they struggled. But on defense, they still gave up 10 points, too.
Caleb Call: Abilene Christian. So I'll be watching Tech's defense just to see what they're doing against. ah probably average Pac -12 team. i I feel like it'll be a good chance to see if they're going to be as... stout as they were in the year before.
Ben Fowers: I'm really excited for this game for the purpose of watching. um If their offense can go finish drives, um I didn't think they, I mean, they only put up 33 points against. Abilene Christian. and so I think it's one of those.
Ben Fowers: umm i'm also I think for both reasons, like you're you're excited to see the defense. I'm excited to see the offense and see if they look any better. Um, This week, I mean, they kicked. I think it was four field goals last week.
Ben Fowers: is what it was and so
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: Um... I just – I'm curious to see if they can go finish drives because Oregon State is going to be a better roster than Abilene Christian was. So I'm ah i'm really excited to see Tech's offense this week and see – I think both of us are – I mean, going into the year, it felt like tech was kind of like the the 1A and the the conference and they kind of felt. after that first game, it feels.
Ben Fowers: they're They feel like a beatable team. And so I think that for me, just eyeballs, I'm i'm curious to go watch them now.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: And so, i'm ah I mean, you don't play them in the regular season this year. So just I'll hypothetical go to the Big 12 championship game. But i'm ah I'm excited to see. and follow them this year because I think ah i think they're down compared to how they were last year.
Caleb Call: It's kind of funny, too. You don't see ah this happen a lot, but you've got. Houston and Texas Tech playing next week. And both of them will have played Oregon State leading into this game. So kind of like a mini round robin with an out -of -conference team. And not that the Texas Tech -Oregon State game is going to tell us who wins the Texas Tech -Houston game. But seeing Houston give tech or give let State keep that a game.
Caleb Call: Had a six -point lead in the fourth quarter before they extended it and won it. If Texas Tech goes out there and dominates Oregon State, you'll probably feel pretty good about them beating Houston too. But yeah, Texas Tech this week.
Caleb Call: leads into a much tougher test next week with Houston. So I'm i'm excited to see this one as well. For the rest of the college football slate. I don't know what it is. College football ball saved a lot of the fun matchups for week two.
Caleb Call: Probably the biggest one by far of the day Texas hosting Ohio State. We saw last year, I mean, Texas outplayed. Ohio State yardage wise, they just couldn't finish drives.
Caleb Call: And. you know arch manning struggled for sure um down to down And ended up losing 14 -7 last year. up in Columbus. But hosting them this year, this is a make it or break it year for Sark. It feels like they spend all the money. you could have hoped to in the portal and brought in some stars ah Coleman from Auburn, a couple of running backs, Hollywood's mothers. raleigh brown I feel like.
Caleb Call: the Texas's schedule I don't know if you necessarily have to win this game. I know Steve Starkeven thinks losing this game last year kept him out of the playoff. Sorry, Steve. Losing the Florida the game last year kept you out of the playoff.
Caleb Call: But Texas has a lot of losable games on the schedule.
Ben Fowers: Either of them did.
Caleb Call: So if you lose this one, you're already... you You don't have a lot more mulligans to go, and you've got a lot of tough games left. so And both teams really have a tough schedule. So this is ah a huge game for both of these teams. And the loser really could put themselves in a spot where they missed a playoff despite probably both. teams having a top five roster of college football.
Ben Fowers: Yeah, this one's going to be fun. ia I'm really excited about this one for the... the aspect of I think ah I mean, you got it's in Austin. I think the perspective is that it should be.
Ben Fowers: I think without seeing the line, I think most people, if you would have pulled the nation, I think. The average college football fan would have probably picked Ohio State. And so. I uh... going into this i kind of dove in into the game. and Last year, they kind of held Jeremiah Smith. Oh. down a little bit. He only had 40.
Ben Fowers: I think it was 43 yards receiving. last year and Um, I think ah as as I was kind of going through Jeremiah Smith's progression, as a freshman, he played with Emeka Abuka. And as a sophomore, he played with Carnell Tate, so he had a legit one first -round pick of the nfl of both NFL drafts the last two years. Crossroom.
Ben Fowers: This year, it doesn't feel like there's that. the alpha on the other side They've got Chris Henry, this big five -star recruit, but he's not even – like last week he wasn't even a starter. He caught a late touchdown when scrubs were in. But right now he's not even playing, and he was kind of supposed to be the the two across from him. So I think this is by far the worst skill package that's been around. I'm Jeremiah Smith.
Ben Fowers: at Ohio State. and as I was diving into it. So we'll must champ. new defense coordinator for Texas. As I was looking through the stats, he, so he. kind of learned and studied under Nick Saban. So Nick Saban hired him at LSU and he was the DC for Nick Saban on those LSU teams. And he actually won the natty at LSU in 2003. And he had.
Ben Fowers: um three top 15 defenses and i also had the number one defense. In 2003 when they won the national title Then he went and took the. Auburn defense coordinator job. two top 10 defenses at Auburn. Then he goes to Texas.
Ben Fowers: And this is when Colt McCoy was there. Yeah, top.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: And then he had the number three defense at Texas when they went and lost to Alabama in the natty. And then.
Caleb Call: Head coach in waiting at Texas, too.
Ben Fowers: head coach in waiting at Texas, but then he went and took the job in Florida. and um and All four years at Florida, he had a top 10 defense at Florida. and um Obviously, you follow a Urban Meyer there. then um you kind of everyone's a little bit like if you're not winning a natty you're kind of so you kind of got pushed out even with um
Ben Fowers: four years of legit defenses as the head coach. And then he's the. He goes to Georgia, and he's on both of the staffs for Georgia when they win the Natties. He was the special teams coordinator the first one, and then he was the co -defense coordinator for the second one. and So, anyways, you've got 20 years of Will Muschamp being.
Ben Fowers: um he's He's got these elite defenses and he's now in Texas. He's got a roster that's probably. um probably similar to better than a lot of the rosters that he's he's dealt with. And with Ohio State not having the skill guys like I was talking about before with Jeremiah Smith, I think this Texas team is going to get after Ohio State. I think Ohio State's going to have a hard time moving the ball, scoring.
Ben Fowers: points this week. And last year you saw Texas, this, I mean, Will Muschamp wasn't the DC last year, but last year, Texas, when we get 14, it ended up being 14, seven. And it was.
Ben Fowers: uh manning's really his first start. I mean, he The year before, Ewers was the starter and he got hurt. Manning came in and played, like I think it was three games in 2024. But this is his first year going into the season as a starter. It was the first game of the year. and Honestly, like you said, just didn't finish drives. And so I think it's one of those things where if s Sark, and I do think Patricia got better of Sark last year in that first game.
Ben Fowers: Matt Patricia, the defense coordinator at Ohio State, and he's still there. And I think it's one of those ones where. Like we talked about Arizona, they're kind of game planning for. um for eight nine months for BYU I think this is the same thing with Sark I think Sark's gonna Have a little bit more. I think he's going to have the. the answers to the test a little bit better offensively. I think they finish a few more drives. I don't think they score a lot of points, but. I don't think they're only scoring seven. I think Manning, with a year of experience under center, I think the offense is able to.
Ben Fowers: to put a little bit more points on the board. And then I think, well, most champs going to get after this Ohio state team. I don't think. I think this is one that's kind of a... i I share this opinion with not very many people. I think most people think this is going to be a pretty competitive game. But I think Texas' defense is going to get after Ohio State's offense. I think they're going to keep them low scoring. So I think this is going to be a fun one to watch on on Saturday.
Caleb Call: To your point with Will Must Jam. Some people are just born to be coordinators and not a head coach. i like
Ben Fowers: 100%.
Caleb Call: Lincoln and Riley. Probably. i mean He's an elite offensive coordinator. Nobody's going to argue that. I think USC and anywhere Lincoln Riley is, it's probably better off having a head coach that...
Caleb Call: is a little more defensive minded and let Lincoln just own the offense. That's all Lincoln can really. wants to own anyways. And Will Muschamp with the defense, he's just kind of the opposite of that. I agree that Texas' defense is going to give Ohio State problems.
Caleb Call: This game really just comes down to me. I've seen Ohio State win so many big games under Ryan Day, including games where I thought that they were the worst team going in. Now, granted. the last two big games they played.
Caleb Call: They lost against Miami and struggled to score. lost against Indiana. struggled to score. So you have me almost wanting to re -pick my... decision here on the fly I am going to stick with Ohio State. I called them winning 31 -24.
Caleb Call: I probably would lean more low scoring than that game. I... I'm trusting Ryan Day here over Steve Sarkeesian. Steve tends to lose a lot of these games where...
Caleb Call: Ryan days one a lot but I think that you're right that Texas has the game. The game script when they played last year is probably the game script that Texas wants again this year. You just hope that you finish more drives than Ohio State did.
Caleb Call: And Texas brought in the players that they need to finish drives like that. I think this is going to be a game that, I mean, I'll be glued to the TV first thing in the morning when this one comes on. there's a I'm... Very excited for it. These probably are two of the, I'd probably argue, five best teams in college football. ended it It's a big game for both of these programs. I feel like the...
Caleb Call: winner is going to feel like they already made the playoff and the luge is going to feel like they have a lot to prove the rest of the season.
Ben Fowers: Yeah. Yeah, it's a big one. i I just... It's going to be, ah like you said, I think the winner is probably the number one. Texas is ranked four right now, but they probably jump up to one. I think the winner at this. Going into week two polls are probably.
Ben Fowers: The number one team in the... the rankings and I'm excited to watch this one. I think in Austin, I think I got austin i got Texas -13. Um, my My favorite bet of the week is actually this game's under. It's at 49 and a half. i I uh...
Ben Fowers: Last year it was 14 -7, so it was a 21 points. Obviously you've got Will Muschamp, new defense coordinator, so it's a different guy calling the plays. but I I'm a fan of him. I you got Arthur Smith as the new offensive coordinator for Ohio state. And he's been known to just run the ball, run the ball at his two stints at.
Ben Fowers: with the Steelers and the Falcons as the head coach when he was calling the plays for the Falcons. and i yeah I just, I think the the run at. The run mentality that Arthur Smith, brand new coordinator for Ohio State game.
Ben Fowers: um, shortens the game. I've got 27, 13. I wouldn't be surprised if it goes under that. And so that 49 and a half feels like a a smash. That's my favorite bet of the week. And I, uh, give me a Give me Texas. I think Will Muschamp kind of takes advantage of Arthur Smith, and I think ah i think Texas is a happy this one. and Ryan Dave.
Ben Fowers: Not born on third base. Loses his last three big games. Indiana, Big Ten Championship game, Miami, playoffs, Texas. ah He's only three in the last three big ones.
Caleb Call: And that that's three games where, I mean, if you're calling 13 points for Ohio State, they scored 10 against Indiana and they scored, I think, 14 against Miami. Yeah, I'd be questioning the offense with the talent that Ohio State's bringing in, and you mentioned that. It feels like it's kind of Jeremiah Smith and a bunch of unproven guys this year. It'll be interesting to see.
Caleb Call: If Ohio State can score on Texas, Texas' is defense is obviously... It was great last year. We expect it to be great again this year. so that's the That's probably the game that everyone's going to be watching. on ah Saturday, primetime.
Caleb Call: and then in the morning We've got. Oklahoma, Michigan. What's supposed to be a big game. Michigan did not do their part in helping hype this game up. They fell out of the rankings.
Caleb Call: And. Oklahoma is a pretty big favorite honestly i expected it to maybe grow a little bigger five and a half six and a half kind of floating in that area Oklahoma. With their defense, definitely a step up from what Western Michigan's defense was, and Michigan struggled against them.
Caleb Call: But we saw it all. year Last year, Oklahoma's offense struggled to score. A lot of that was blamed on Mateer's hand injury. But I don't think that it was that simple. I think that Oklahoma really just...
Caleb Call: Their offense may not have been as good as they hoped. A lot of their points came from their defense putting them in. opportunities to score so this will be a Very interesting game. I know Michigan, they need this one to...
Caleb Call: Feel good about their team. It's a Kyle Whittingham must -win, it feels like, already in week two of his first season in Michigan.
Ben Fowers: Yeah, I uh, this one's gonna be a fun one because um I think going into the year, I think the line was. I think even and it opened as a slight favorite for Michigan, Michigan being the home team in that. game in Ann Arbor.
Ben Fowers: um I think this is going to be two teams that were like supposed to be in the mid teens, the upper teens ranking wise. And so. I thought it was one of those ones where it was going to be... a I mean... Big 10 versus SEC is going to see.
Ben Fowers: Really is. those two teams is. the argument factor of it and so i think this one's going to be a A fun physical game, like you said. And I agree. I don't think it was just the hand injury. injury for a material last year. I think Oklahoma had underlying problems offensively. And I mean, the defense is elite there. and I uh...
Ben Fowers: I'm curious to see if they can fix things. and I mean, Michigan ah Michigan still got some dudes on both sides of the ball over there. They got a good staff. ah I mean. bunch of local guys that we're familiar with and they've ah They've coached their butts off. There's a reason that they've been coaching for 20 -plus years, a lot of those guys. And I i think ah i think this game is going to be – I mean, swing from – I think it opened as a two -and -a -half point favorite for Michigan.
Ben Fowers: Correct me if I'm wrong there. And then if I think it swung all the way to, it's like eight points the other way. I think it's five and a half for Oklahoma now. So it'll be interesting to see how it goes. I mean, a lot of it it has to do with that Western Michigan game and them not looking good. and You're going to have a lot of question marks about Michigan now. So it's going to be an interesting one to follow. and um we'll see how ah We'll see how that one ends up in Ann Arbor.
Caleb Call: One thing I learned watching Oklahoma last year as a BYU fan. We needed Oklahoma to lose the whole month. of November. and They just never did.
Caleb Call: And their offense was bad. and their defense was just finding ways to win games. That defense, I mean, against LSU, even against Alabama. and just a ah really the whole season last year.
Caleb Call: is the reason Oklahoma was able to score points on offense. and Just... They were throttling teams. There were teams, I mean, LSU could not move the ball against them.
Caleb Call: And after watching just how Michigan played, I feel like Oklahoma is going to overwhelm this Michigan ah offense. I ended up calling this one Oklahoma 30 -6. I don't know if Oklahoma gets all the way up to 30, but.
Caleb Call: The reasoning there for me is I just think that they're going to have a lot of short fields. I foresee a lot of Michigan three and outs. I don't even think that Michigan's going to turn the ball over that much because I just don't think they're going to have very many plays. We saw Western Michigan keep away with Michigan's offense.
Caleb Call: And I think Oklahoma is going to be able to do the same thing, get them off the field quick. And. Might not all be touchdown drives, but with short fields you can get some points up So I've got Oklahoma winning this one pretty comfortably.
Caleb Call: Now. There's a world where Michigan goes and does the same thing to Oklahoma. and gives them a bunch of three and outs and has short fields for themselves. And in that case, I think it could be a low scoring.
Caleb Call: Really fun game. But I just think that Oklahoma's defense is... probably a tear up for Michigan's defense, and I think their offense is probably... at least a little better than Michigan's from what we saw in that first game. So give me Oklahoma winning this one pretty comfortably.
Ben Fowers: I, uh... I got sound the... Sound the bells all week long. Michigan's supposed to be. Awful I got Michigan. ah I got Michigan doing it this week. So I think ah Kyle Whittingham, Jay Hill, I think...
Ben Fowers: Them being... As good of a coach as they are, I think they're going to get the the ship. going the right way this week. I think. They had a lot to fix this week, I think. Beck had a terrible game as the OC last week.
Ben Fowers: um I mean, i you saw it at BYU and Texas Tech last year where his two bad games, he bounced back. yep Big games the following week. I think this is.
Ben Fowers: I think this is one of those ones where Michigan. Worst thing that could have ever happened happened and they still ended up i mean argue it or not ended up getting the win but um It's one of those ones where I think Michigan's players are going to be more focused this week. I think Michigan's players are going to. Um, Play a lot.
Ben Fowers: Better this week. I think Michigan. Overall from a standpoint or just there This is one of those weeks as a player where you show up and the coaches are just down your throat all week.
Ben Fowers: Oh. every day, all week of practice. And you just practice harder this week. You want it heart you want it more. And for me, Oklahoma, like you said. Last year, down the stretch, Mateer. When we were all – because as a Utah fan, actually Utah was a couple spots. I think they started the – the college football playoff poll needing a few losses and it felt like there was a shot they could sneak back in. So I remember watching these games too.
Ben Fowers: I remember watching the Alabama Oklahoma game last year late, and I was banging my head on the wall just because it was like, how is Oklahoma in this game?
Caleb Call: Still can't believe family blew it.
Ben Fowers: Oklahoma. And I remember I sent this text to somebody after the game. Oklahoma, Mateer had 200 less yards throwing in the air than Alabama. They had like – I think they had less yards rushing too, so they had – 200 less yards throwing.
Ben Fowers: um like i think it was like sixes, but they had like 15 less yards. rushing, And. On top of it, they just Alabama just, like Ryan Williams, the downfall of Ryan Williams, he fumbled a big one.
Ben Fowers: They had a...
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: They had ah a deep fumble that gave them a field goal late. And Alabama just kind of fell apart. And it was like they ended up losing 23 -21. And it was like. I remember being like, if they play that game 10 times, Alabama wins nine of them. Like I could not believe Oklahoma won. That's kind of how it felt like. It was last year. They had another one against Tennessee where they barely scores it out. And I just.
Ben Fowers: Offensively, I just don't think they're that good. I think Jay Hill and the defense is going to be good enough to keep this a low -scoring game. And so I think this is going to be ah an ugly, muddy game. And if you can kind of muddy it up and keep it ugly, I think Michigan's got a shot. And I think this is one of those ones where they have the whole world, like, complaining about them last week. And I think they're just going to.
Ben Fowers: I'm refocusing. Really just get off the snide, and I think they're going to go win this game. Really low scoring. I got this one under, too, 20 -17. Tight, low -scoring defensive game, and Michigan pulls it off in Ann Arbor as a...
Ben Fowers: And that's my first super dog of the week.
Caleb Call: That would be the most Kyle Whittingham. thing ever to look like an awful team one week and then go and upset a... I think Oklahoma is 11 or 12. the very next week And I think there is a world war that happens when it is going to be led by that Michigan defense. I just i trust Oklahoma's defense to do it more.
Caleb Call: We'll see. That that one's going to open the day off. and I'm excited for that one. if you like a defensive slugfest that's the game for you those two defenses are Probably among the best in the country, so that should be a fun one.
Caleb Call: And then we have a... G5 Super Bowl. Week two. We got... Memphis, who is one of the only 2 -0 teams in the country, wins over UNLV and Arkansas State. They are traveling to... 0 -1 Boise State.
Caleb Call: And. Boise. after that Oregon game is probably the favorite and rightfully so too. Make the playoff from the g6 But boys, you leave. They scheduled Memphis and Western Michigan.
Caleb Call: two of the better teams in there. respective G6 conferences. Boise, they have a chance in their out of conference to almost solidify themselves as the main contender. for the playoff spot.
Caleb Call: if they can beat both of these teams. And then on Memphis' side, i mean they their pass rush was... insane against UNLV. We'll see if they can do it again against Boise. and Madsen was running for his life a little bit there in the fourth quarter.
Caleb Call: I'm excited for this one. I do think that the... Winner of this game will be the playoff favorite. and it's i think boise ended up being a eight and a half point favor i feel like it's a little high on this one for me but Two awesome teams from the G6 going at it.
Ben Fowers: Yeah, it's a big one. And it's one of those. ah i Mean this is why they play the games, but the Memphis UNLV one it was similar where I didn't. I didn't necessarily think Memphis was like...
Ben Fowers: A dominant, way better team than UNLV. I think that's one where they played 10 times. It's probably split. and Um, I lean after watching Boise State hang with Oregon the whole way.
Ben Fowers: I uh... I think. Boise is going to have the edge here. but um Also being on the blue turf, the Smurf turf, I think Boise is going to be able to take care of business. and I think they're the favorite right now to to do it. And like you said, they got some fun games coming up with Western Michigan and Memphis this week. and I... Memphis I mean if Memphis comes up and Kind of. plays a physical game. and kind of just like they did against UNLV, keeps it close late. and able to pull it out like you're gonna
Ben Fowers: I mean, if Memphis can go They don't even have to sweep the American slate. They could probably even drop a game. I wouldn't say two, but maybe two. And you've got to, if you go win the American.
Ben Fowers: With a win against Boise and UNLV, you're kind of boxing out. those other conferences, those other top teams in the other conferences. And so maybe you can even slide in at 11 -2. with two losses in the American last year, the American beat each other up a little bit, but.
Ben Fowers: there's a lot of really good teams last year in the americans so you never know how it's going to look with the roster changes and stuff but it's a big one if they win I think they've got some I think they got some wiggle room, honestly.
Ben Fowers: to kind of even drop a game or two. and still kind of sneak in if they go in the American. So this is going to be a big one. I, ah I still lean Boise. I, like I, like we talked about earlier, I think Boise kind of physically hung with Oregon and look like they're equal. And so I think. um I think Boise is going to do it. I got.
Ben Fowers: That line's eight and a half. I got 31 -24, so I got Memphis covering it, keeping it close. I think they're a quality team, but I think Boise's just going to be... a I think this is one where it's like kind of, it feels like it's like one to two scores. Most of the game, like it's bouncing from like.
Ben Fowers: Boise being one score game, go score, and then Memphis goes and cuts it to one. So it doesn't feel quite like a seven -point game, but I think Boise State takes care of business and is the favorite the big favorite for the G5 to make the playoff after this week.
Caleb Call: Yeah, I kind of see a similar Game is you. I've got Boise winning this one 38 -28. Now I will say... Memphis in both of their previous games against Arkansas State and UNLV.
Caleb Call: was down in both. Very close game in both. And then in the fourth quarter, their pass rush. turned it up a notch and was able just to basically stifle the other offense. and get enough points to win both of those games. Arkansas State ended up winning by I think 17 by the end. and UNLV hung on for a six -point win.
Caleb Call: I think that's gonna be the path that Memphis has to take for a win here. They're gonna need their defense to... force a lot of third and longs and Really just keep the Boise offense moving backwards in this one.
Caleb Call: I think Boise is going to be the better team here. I've got them winning. It's easy to trust a senior quarterback who's been there for a long time, and Maddox Madsen. And yeah, this one got... put on the usa network so i this one should be on national tv for everybody to see i think technically usa network probably is a national channel but
Ben Fowers: 100%.
Caleb Call: It's a non -traditional football channel. We should not be doing this on USA Network. This game belongs on... yeah ESPN or CBS or something. I'm excited for it.
Ben Fowers: Yeah, the... G5 doesn't get enough.
Caleb Call: Feels like a G6.
Ben Fowers: Doesn't get enough credit sometimes. The top teams in the G5 are fun to watch. and they kind of always I don't know, always make for a good good TV. And even like I started watching North Dakota State a little bit this year.
Ben Fowers: They're fun to watch too.
Caleb Call: I am.
Ben Fowers: And those, I mean, I think there are a lot of those times they never really get ranked early, but I think they're kind of like a top 20. the 25 team most years, like the top two or three teams. And I think they're a team that could play with most. squads in the country. They, I mean, they've traditionally not done very well in the playoff against those top end teams, like top five, top 10 team, but they're fun to watch. It's fun TV. so
Caleb Call: Any other games that you were... watching on this slate. I know like Tennessee Georgia Tech is one that could be interesting. Mississippi State, Minnesota, I'm excited to see with Kamario Taylor to see if that Mississippi State offense can be.
Caleb Call: Explosive and as fun as they're hoping after that first game Anything that's got your eye?
Ben Fowers: Yeah, my my next big one is is Alabama versus Kentucky. This game's in Lexington, and lexing or and Kentucky's a 10 .5 -point dog.
Ben Fowers: and I uh... Alabama, new quarterback. I think. ah I think this is a Kentucky team with. new staff, new guys. This is my super dog pick for the week. I think Kentucky at home is going to be able to.
Ben Fowers: muddy this thing up. I just looked at the last year's schedule too. um even last year with uh a ah different staff that. honestly wasn't as good as I think the higher was from Oregon getting Oregon's.
Ben Fowers: coordinator over. I think, or Kentucky went, they had four SEC home games last year against some good teams and they covered three of the four. They had games against like Ole Miss. and um And I think it was Alabama. There was another, or not Alabama. It was Ole Miss and.
Ben Fowers: Was it A and &M? They had two top two of the top -end teams in the SEC come in, and they covered three out of the four. So I think this 10 .5 point is too big of a line for my Superdog. I'd really like him to cover here.
Ben Fowers: And. i In Lexington, new quarterback for Bama. Like I, I mean.
Caleb Call: He looked good against ECU. They dominated that one.
Ben Fowers: Yeah, and it's one of those things where i'm not I wasn't 100 % sure what ECU is supposed to be like this year. so i'm ah I guess i I want to see it again this week before I ah i'm curious before i kind anoint him.
Ben Fowers: But I got Kentucky this week.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: I i think at home, I think. the 10 and a half points too much i think they cover for sure And I think they're going to get after them. And I think there's a shot they go ah they go win and tear down the goalposts in Lexington. so That's my super dog pick.
Caleb Call: Teams aren't scared to ban them like they used to be. out
Ben Fowers: Uh -uh.
Caleb Call: My initial instinct when I saw the spread was I was pretty surprised to see Bama only 10 .5. I figured this would be closer to 16 .5, and I may have even taken Bama to cover that. But, I mean, yeah, Kentucky.
Caleb Call: They've got reason to like their squad, like their chances against Alabama. I hope that Kentucky can. it'd be awesome if they can go knock off alabama or the very least just make that a fun game Um, my last super dog, my first one was Iowa state, and I'm also going to go with Yukon.
Caleb Call: against Maryland. They are a Pretty big dog. I think it ended up. Being at 16 and a half. and I like UConn. Jason Candle.
Caleb Call: from Toledo comes over. locks they actually Called their opponent Toledo. They're playing UConn not Toledo. I think it got confused with the head coach change there um UConn last year, they had a good score.
Ben Fowers: he probably watched a lot of to He probably watched a lot of Toledo tape is probably what happened.
Caleb Call: probably spend all all week watching Toledo tape.
Ben Fowers: but
Caleb Call: Yes. I... Yukon I was a little worried with their FCS game last week and they dominated from the scrap from the Get go on that one I'm excited to see them against Maryland. It does feel like Maryland every year has a good September and then falls off.
Caleb Call: I think this is a game with UConn hosting Maryland. I wouldn't be surprised to see UConn. even winning this game. At the very least, I think that they cover a pretty big spread pretty easily here.
Caleb Call: It's going to be UConn for my last Superdog. Your two Superdogs you said are going to be. Michigan and Kentucky.
Ben Fowers: Got Michigan 5 .5, Kentucky 10 .5. both at home. or Michigan coming off the... the bad loss last week. So to I guess to summarize our competition, the seven picks I got.
Ben Fowers: um I got BYU taken care of. Arizona 27, 24. I got. Utah. kind of dominate in Arkansas at night in Rice -Eccles 3710. A and &M, I got them kind of running away with the Arizona State game, 34 -14. Missouri, the border war. I think Missouri's...
Ben Fowers: too much for them. and Kind of handles. the line of scrimmage late, just like they did last year and win the game 27, 20 Texas. That's my big one is I got Texas kind of. dominating Ohio State's ah offense. They kind of slow them down. Last year, they slowed down Jeremiah Smith. I think this year, collectively, they're going to slow them down again. and I uh... I'm curious to see. how this one goes. I think this is my favorite bet of the week. It's hit the under.
Ben Fowers: um it's a 49 and a half i got score 27 13 and i might be too high um And then Boise State, I got them 31. 24 over Memphis in the G5 Super Bowl. and then Last game of the week.
Ben Fowers: now Everybody down on Michigan. I think Kyle Whittingham. It's his bounce back game. There's a reason he's been a. coach an fbs legit coach for the last 20 something years and Give me Michigan in the bounce back.
Ben Fowers: Got the five and a half point. I got them as my super dog. so Give me Michigan at home in Ann Arbor over Oklahoma this week.
Caleb Call: We disagree on, I think, three games this week. I've also got BYU 20 at 17. Utah 41 -20 handling business against... scc's bottom feeder And I'm in the closer one, 27 -21.
Caleb Call: Then I've got Kansas. Coming out and winning the border war cheering for the North, abolishing slavery.
Ben Fowers: yeah
Caleb Call: abolishing the SEC here. I've got Ohio State beating Texas. Don't feel great about it, but I just don't trust Sarkeesian. or really Arch Manning, to be fair.
Caleb Call: And I've got Oklahoma winning big against Michigan 30 -6. And Boise beat in Memphis 38 -28. Fun slate of games. Don't make any plans on Saturday. You can do that another week. This is a week where...
Caleb Call: This is what week one should have been. We got fun games all up and down the slate. It's going to be a game where your day where you're utilizing your quad box. and Watching a lot of fun football.
Ben Fowers: Yep. It's going to be a fun one, and have fun. If you're you're local, go make it out to Lavelle Edwards or Rice Eccles. Go watch the team. Go cheer them on. It's going to be a fun one. Go Utes this week.
Caleb Call: and We have a handful of people making it to both games. The timing works out to make it to both.
Ben Fowers: Yeah, yeah, I guess if you're ah Uh... I guess if you like to cheer for both. eyee doesn't That doesn't happen a lot, so I...
Caleb Call: Okay.
Ben Fowers: ah
Caleb Call: not a lot of that
Ben Fowers: Working down I -15 or I guess it'd be up I -15 because you got BYU first and then to Salt Lake second.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben Fowers: So anyways, have fun this week, everybody, and go Utes.
Caleb Call: We'll be back Sunday with a recap. Recapping BYU's win and Utah's loss. Can't wait for it.
