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Week 11 college football Preview
18 Plays7 months ago
The first CFP rankings just dropped and the bracket is already on fire. This week we’re breaking down the games that will shatter resumes: No. 7 BYU vs. No. 8 Texas Tech with GameDay in Lubbock, Oregon walking into the Kinnick buzzsaw, Alabama-LSU for SEC survival, and Texas A&M facing a desperate Missouri ambush. We’ve got upset alerts, trap-game red flags, bold picks against the spread, and the exact scenarios that flip the playoff picture upside down by Sunday morning.
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Transcript
Introduction and Week 11 Overview
00:00:01
Mike Bell
All right, welcome back to another episode of Blown Coverage. This is week 11, and we have more big games this week. Last week, it was your team in the spotlight. Now it's back to my team, somewhat in the spotlight.
00:00:16
Mike Bell
Texas with the bye week, A&M against Missouri. But we've got ah lot to get to. Before we even get to the games, I just want to point out while we're on the air talking, we may get our first playoff committee rankings. Those are going on right now.
00:00:32
Mike Bell
So maybe at the end of this, we'll have those, maybe not, but I am curious to see what those are going to look like. Is there anything, ah putting you on the spot here, because we didn't talk about this before, but is there anything you may be looking for ah in those rankings that maybe will be different than the AP poll or just any thoughts on that in general?
Playoff Rankings Debate
00:00:57
Kaleb
um Well, I'll be curious to see where they put Texas because Texas is right there on the cusp, right? I mean, they're 13. But um
00:01:08
Kaleb
maybe i'd be a little curious to see what they do with Alabama. Because I believe they're four, right?
00:01:15
Mike Bell
Mm-hmm.
00:01:17
Kaleb
ah I would be curious, not being biased either, I would almost be curious to see if they would bump you guys. Just because the gauntlet of a schedule. And, i mean, you could probably argue that for probably for everyone else ahead of them, frankly.
00:01:33
Kaleb
I think Alabama's had a harder schedule. I know they have that one loss against Florida State, which really sucks. and maybe that's why they don't. You guys are under-defeated. don't know.
00:01:43
Mike Bell
I would be surprised, honestly, if they do that. I think they'll keep Ohio State, Indiana, A&M just because they're undefeated. think that'll be one.
00:01:49
Kaleb
yeah Yeah, for some odd reason. i completely forgot when I started talking that Alabama had that loss, but they've been really impressive. um No, i don't i mean I don't necessarily think that there'd be anything different.
00:02:08
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:02:09
Mike Bell
I'm curious, just while you're maybe getting your thoughts together, I agree with you. I'm curious to see where they put Texas. And I just don't want them to have Texas too high because I can see what is already being set up.
00:02:20
Mike Bell
And that is a three loss Texas getting into the playoffs. And, you know, look, we'll have to see how it happens. But
Texas Three-Loss Playoff Chances
00:02:27
Mike Bell
here's the deal. I think this is actually a big deal because if they put Texas at like 11 even 12, you know,
00:02:33
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:02:33
Mike Bell
and then they let's just say they lose to georgia but no yeah yeah let's say they lose to georgia well they're losing to the number five team in the country so they're not going to fall back that much and then they have arkansas they beat arkansas and then other teams are going to lose so then texas is right back there and on that cusp and for a and m it's like maybe they're inside the top 10 so now if they lose to a and m are they still in the top 12 like obviously if they're in and four they're not going to get in but
00:02:43
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:02:59
Mike Bell
To me, right now, three-loss Texas should not be in the playoffs. I'd have to see who they're against, but ah I just want to see why they have
00:03:09
Kaleb
Yeah, and the one reason why would maybe ah the only reason I would agree with you is just because of the Florida loss. Well, I mean, you could almost argue like any three-loss SEC team.
00:03:21
Kaleb
However, i think – Just like every year, there there everybody can debate on who's that 11th and 12th spot, you know, and it's like really sometimes, you know, like last year, for instance, like the Boise State, ah like because they won the Mountain West, you know, they went in and lost basically when maybe another team, like ah I think it was South Carolina was a team getting a huge amount of buzz.
00:03:45
Kaleb
So anyway, um for the most part, I agree with that statement. However, something that would piss me off is just like some little crappy school getting in. So anyway.
00:03:55
Mike Bell
Yeah, we'll see.
BYU and Texas Tech Ranking Implications
00:03:57
Mike Bell
I guess last thing on this, and this is the game we're going to get to, I'm curious to see where they're going to rank BYU and Texas Tech. Because it's going to be very important to see those teams and some of these ACC teams, because if any of these teams are kind of ranked too highly,
00:04:04
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:04:12
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:04:13
Mike Bell
then it's like, well, a loss is only going to move you so far back. And these big 12 teams, ACC teams, in my opinion, shouldn't be looked at the same way as the big 10 SEC.
00:04:24
Mike Bell
And I just don't want them to set themselves up down the road where they have to make a tougher decision than they actually should be making at the end of the season.
00:04:32
Kaleb
Right, because therere they're almost kind of at that – I wouldn't say the cusp, but like they're kind of near it being 8-9 right now and the coaches in the ah AP poll. So especially like Tech, you know, I'd almost be curious like if they'd be able to make it back in just because they already got that one loss.
00:04:43
Mike Bell
ye Yeah, that'll be...
00:04:51
Kaleb
So um maybe – I think BYU has a little bit more room just because they're undefeated so far. But anyway –
00:05:00
Mike Bell
yeah
Texas Tech vs. BYU Game Preview
00:05:01
Mike Bell
Well, let's get right into that game then.
00:05:01
Kaleb
which also makes the game this Saturday. Makes this game win.
00:05:03
Mike Bell
Yeah, well, let's...
00:05:04
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:05:05
Mike Bell
Let's get into it. It's Texas Tech minus 10. They're at home 11 a.m. on ABC. This is where game day is going to be. I don't remember the last time game day was at Texas Tech in Lubbock.
00:05:22
Mike Bell
So it's going to be good to see. It's a good opportunity for, I think, the public to watch both these teams in full. I think a lot of the public has seen bits and pieces of both teams, but, you know, really Texas Tech, their big win on the season is Utah.
00:05:37
Mike Bell
And Utah's a good team.
00:05:38
Kaleb
here
00:05:39
Mike Bell
People saw Texas Tech in that game. BYU, I think people have seen snippets of, and this is just a good opportunity to watch them both. What are your thoughts on this game?
00:05:49
Kaleb
So I think that'll be interesting just because what we just talked about with the... playoff committee coming out with those rankings just seeing where those two are at so it's the two top teams the big 12 playing in lubbock which can be a really crazy place and yes i know this because we had to play them every every other year there and the crazy tortilla throwers are insane so for big games they show up and it can get loud and emotional for sure so like you said the best win for ah tech is the utah game And give credit to them because that was with their backup quarterback too. um Their sole loss is to Arizona State.
00:06:26
Kaleb
Okay. um BYU's best win is against Utah. And I'd like to kind of point out there that BYU-Utah was pretty close. I believe it was 25-22, whereas ah Tech blew them out thirty four to ten um So for me,
00:06:41
Kaleb
and trying it not trying to be biased or anything like that, but both teams, are they legitimate? Because who have they played? Not horrible teams, but I don't think like they're elite teams either. Or I think they would maybe, maybe Tech would be kind of, be able to be kind of near the top of the SEC or the Big Ten per se.
00:07:05
Kaleb
But I don't know, i'll kind of question some of the competition to be honest with you.
BYU's Passing vs. Tech's Defense
00:07:09
Kaleb
Um, So I think the matchup for this game is going to be BYU's passing attack, which is 85th in the nation against Tech's 37th-ranked passing defense.
00:07:20
Kaleb
I don't think BYU is going to be able to run it against Tech's defensive line just because they're one of the best in the nation um at run defense. And that's honestly what BYU likes to do. They like to run the ball and lean on that and not necessarily make their freshman quarterback have to throw it. However, his last game – He threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns and interceptions.
00:07:43
Kaleb
So I think that's his best game of the year. So he's got got some momentum there. um They're going to have to be basically no turnovers for either side to win this game, I think.
00:07:54
Kaleb
And they both have great turnover margins. I think it's like plus 10 or something like that. I can't remember. But anyway, it'll it'll be interesting. Yeah.
00:08:07
Kaleb
Like I said, I think it will come down to if BYU's quarterback is able to pass the ball to be able to set up the run in this game. And if they can, they can maybe compete with Texas Tech. Otherwise, i think Tech's got this one.
00:08:23
Mike Bell
Yeah, I pretty much agree with what you said. Bear Bachmeier is the BYU quarterback, and yo he's a freshman. He's been really good, really impressive, and I've been waiting every...
00:08:32
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah. yeah
00:08:35
Mike Bell
Yeah, every week I've kind of been waiting for this BYU team to fall. BYU kind of feels like destiny. Like they just don't lose.
00:08:41
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:08:42
Mike Bell
Like they've had games where they could have lost. They've been down multiple scores. They've been able to play from behind and and win. Now, Texas Tech has been dominant. Their one loss, you just have to say it was without their quarterback and their quarterback is healthy now, Morton.
00:08:57
Mike Bell
And the other thing would be, I agree with you on how well is BYU going to be able to pass the ball? But if they can run the ball, I wouldn't expect them to because that tech defense, it's number one in the nation, as I think you mentioned in rush defense.
00:09:09
Kaleb
yeah
00:09:13
Mike Bell
But if they are able to run the ball, that's how they could win this game if they can control the clock.
00:09:19
Kaleb
Oh, for sure.
00:09:21
Mike Bell
That's really key for them.
00:09:21
Kaleb
Yep.
00:09:22
Mike Bell
You know, Baguio has been very efficient. 11 touchdowns, three interceptions. Has he faced a team like Tech yet? No. But look, 11 touchdowns, three interceptions.
00:09:35
Mike Bell
He's shown that he can be a pretty good game manager, and maybe that's all you'll need. So...
00:09:41
Kaleb
Especially from a freshman, I think. It's pretty good.
00:09:44
Mike Bell
gre Agreed, agreed. So, you know, they both had the common opponent against Utah. I agree that, yeah, that game was closer, although i will say that was a rivalry game.
00:09:55
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah.
00:09:55
Mike Bell
So it's it's a little bit different. But... yeah It's interesting how many points, but you know, it kind of reminds me actually of the Texas Vanderbilt game because, you know, Vandy, good team, they're ranked high against Texas, but it's a very good matchup for Texas specifically.
00:10:11
Kaleb
yeah
00:10:15
Mike Bell
And that's kind of how feel about this game for BYU in tech. And this is maybe just a good matchup for tech in that they're very good at containing the one thing that BYU does well, and that is running the ball.
00:10:28
Kaleb
Yep.
00:10:29
Mike Bell
So,
00:10:29
Kaleb
In text offenses, fairly bad, like pretty well balanced, to be honest.
00:10:34
Mike Bell
Right, right. So if Tech can just get out to a lead here quickly, we'll see if these guys, Bachmeier, can play from behind. That would kind of be my thing.
00:10:43
Kaleb
Mm hmm.
00:10:44
Mike Bell
And I think you just have to lean Tech here. I do have to say 10 is a lot of points. Like at this point, with the way BYU's been playing, I don't know if I can see them getting blown out.
00:10:51
Kaleb
Yes.
00:10:57
Mike Bell
Like they just, they're just so competitive.
00:10:57
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:10:59
Mike Bell
They just play so hard versus everyone they play. But
00:11:02
Kaleb
Who did Cincinnati play last weekend? I forgot off the top my head.
00:11:05
Mike Bell
Utah.
00:11:06
Kaleb
That's right. Okay. So you, and trying to think, because you were saying that feels like the Vandy Texas game. I think last week, you know, since Cincinnati was seven, Utah was, I don't know, 18, 20, somewhere in there, but Utah was ah picked, beat them by 10 points, which they beat them by more, but anyway, so another similar game to that.
00:11:29
Mike Bell
Agreed. I think BYU is probably a little better than Cincinnati, though. i will say this.
00:11:33
Kaleb
Oh yeah yeah. I'm just saying as far as like the point, like the spread.
00:11:37
Mike Bell
Yeah, know, i get it. i get it.
00:11:38
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:11:39
Mike Bell
I'll say this. If BYU can find a way to win this game, then you got to start talking about them the way you're talking about any other top 10 team. Like they're at this point, like the favorite for the big 12.
00:11:49
Kaleb
Hold on.
00:11:50
Mike Bell
And even i would say that honestly about either the team, because this is kind of either team's last major test within the conference as far as regular season play.
00:11:58
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:12:00
Mike Bell
And they're probably going to face each other again.
00:12:03
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:12:03
Mike Bell
So I'm excited for it. That's kind of all I have to say. I'm excited to watch both these teams in full. Is there anything else you want to say on the game or do you want to move on?
00:12:13
Kaleb
Well, I wish it were at night just because I do think there's something to say about playing in Lubbock at night. It is pretty crazy, but it is what it is, I guess, playing at 11, but nothing else.
00:12:26
Mike Bell
They can't all be at night, but I will say –
00:12:28
Kaleb
I know.
00:12:29
Mike Bell
I will say this week, there's an absence of really good night games. There's some big teams, but not necessarily like competitive games or games you would expect to be competitive. so But that's not the way they necessarily make the night games is or who's going to be the most competitive. Not necessarily, but...
00:12:51
Mike Bell
Let's move on to what could be a very competitive game. And it is number three, Texas A&M versus 19 Missouri. This game's at 2.30 on ABC. A&M is favored by 5.5.
00:13:04
Mike Bell
five and a half And being that this is my team, by the way, that lines up to 6.5 now. But being that this is my team, I'll kind of start out with the analysis, I guess.
00:13:18
Mike Bell
And...
Texas A&M vs. Missouri Game Analysis
00:13:20
Mike Bell
ah You know, I don't know what to think about this game from the Missouri angle, just because, you know, they're playing their backup quarterback and we haven't really seen him yet other than, you know, two quarters of football.
00:13:31
Kaleb
Right. Mm-hmm.
00:13:34
Mike Bell
And I remember mentioning it in the postgame show. He looked pretty good passing the ball, but that's just in one half. You know, we don't show how much to judge. That could be actually in favor of Missouri.
00:13:48
Mike Bell
It is in college not like the NFL when there's a backup quarterback, there's a major drop-off. In college, it's oftentimes not the same thing.
00:13:59
Mike Bell
So keep that in mind. i mean, Bo Perbula had been good. he He had been good, but he could be mistake-prone, I think. But, you know, good enough to keep Missouri in all their games.
00:14:12
Mike Bell
So both teams are off a bye here. By the way, must win game from Missouri pretty much. They lose this game they's probably out of it.
00:14:17
Kaleb
Next.
00:14:18
Mike Bell
They're going to have three losses. A&M has kind of got unlucky in the sense that they keep having to face teams with their backs against the wall. Like literally starting out with the Notre Dame game early in the season.
00:14:32
Mike Bell
Notre Dame had to win that game. Like just go down their schedule. Like every game has been like that. Maybe that's helping them be more battle tested. But, you know, we got Texas at the end of the year. And I think no matter if Texas loses to Georgia or if they beat Georgia, Texas is probably still going to be in a position to say, hey, if we win this game, we have a shot to be in the playoff.
00:14:50
Mike Bell
So that's going to be a must win game right for Texas. So A&M just kind of keeps having to face opponents maybe at their best. Also for A&M, this is their final little leg of a long road stand after going to Arkansas, to LSU, my week, and then now to Missouri.
00:15:10
Mike Bell
You know, of those teams I just mentioned, you could argue Missouri is maybe the best overall team that they faced ah ah in the SEC on the road to this point.
00:15:21
Mike Bell
Their defense is legit. And that's what I'm going to say. Now, I don't think they faced a team... like A&M's offense in terms of depth of weapons, but I'm not sure A&M's faced a defense like Missouri, and it's going to be on the road, and Missouri is very good at defending the run, so could they force A&M to be a little bit one-dimensional, force Marcel Reed to make some mistakes?
00:15:48
Mike Bell
Would not shock me. Now, on the other side of the ball, A&M is kind of sneaky. I don't want to say bad, but they can give up run plays.
00:15:58
Mike Bell
They kind of have a little bit of a weakness there of giving up some runs. And the one thing I'll say is if their new quarterback, you may know his name. i don't know his name, actually. But if Missouri's quarterback can...
00:16:14
Mike Bell
If he's struggling to pass the ball, then A&M I think will be fine because they can force Missouri to be one-dimensional and they can like load the box. But if he's passing the ball well, then I think A&M could actually have a tough time defending Missouri's offense.
00:16:28
Mike Bell
It's not a team that's going to put up 40, at least I don't think they are. But this could be a much closer game than people are thinking. Missouri is also very good at controlling the clock. They have everything to everything to play for. They win this game. I mean, Missouri's – they may go all the way up to the top 10, for sure the top 12.
00:16:48
Mike Bell
And they're in the p playoff conversation. I don't know if you have it in front of you, but what's but the rest of Missouri's schedule? They – I think it's pretty manageable. I think they have some games they could lose, but, you know, they have – at Oklahoma, you know, it's –
00:16:58
Kaleb
hey Yeah. Yeah. At Oklahoma and Arkansas. um
00:17:04
Mike Bell
Losable, but winnable.
00:17:04
Kaleb
Mississippi State, too. Yeah.
00:17:06
Mike Bell
Yeah. So I think after A&M beat LSU the way they did, they're going to start getting other teams best shots.
00:17:07
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:17:14
Mike Bell
I think everyone's kind of respecting A&M now.
00:17:14
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:17:17
Mike Bell
And how does A&M respond to success? Are they a little bit too cocky, a little bit too confident? Because, you know, they haven't won anything yet. They're undefeated. But I've kind of been saying, like, I don't know if they're going to run the table in the SEC. I don't know if anyone is other than maybe Alabama. So I guess that's what I have to say.
00:17:37
Mike Bell
Minus six. I look for this to be inside of a touchdown in a game going into the fourth quarter. What say you?
00:17:44
Kaleb
Yeah, i pretty much agree with everything you said. i think this could almost be a matchup pretty similar to Missouri and Bandy. Not in the sense that it's just both of your teams are similar. you guys are, you know, i would say maybe Missouri leans on the ball or the running get rung yeah excuse me run game a little bit more than you guys do just because you guys have pretty deep weapons like you just said.
00:18:10
Kaleb
And especially now with Missouri having a backup quarterback, it always just makes it little bit easier to just, you know, run the ball, set up the pass that way. But what I am curious to see is how Missouri's pass defense, which is ranked seventh in the nation, does against those weapons that you've got, specifically at wide receiver.
00:18:30
Kaleb
Um, you know, if Missouri secondary, which by the way, I do agree with you, Missouri's defense is really good. Like they are pretty legit. Like that's a defense that could carry you to a championship as long as you've got a somewhat steady offense.
00:18:45
Kaleb
Um, I think this will be a good test for your ah for you know to kind of see you where is Marcel Reed really at in his quarterback journey in college. um you know Just because there's been a slight chatter about it, you know I think he's really good.
00:19:01
Kaleb
Of course, he's a true sophomore too, so he's still really young. um But anyway, I think this will be an interesting game. I'm curious to see like how Missouri's true freshman quarterback comes in and plays against you guys, just because your defense is pretty good as well. like That's the thing. like your Your team is both pretty good at offense, pretty good at defense. So, in other words, pretty good overall team, right?
00:19:27
Kaleb
Missouri, before Pribula kind of got hurt, they – I would probably say like three quarters down the list in the passing, maybe somewhere right around that ballpark, but right near the top in the rushing game.
00:19:40
Kaleb
So if you guys are able to make this game one-dimensional, force the true freshman to pass, they could very well be in trouble. Missouri luck's around ball. So do you guys. You guys are both right around the same ranking as far as time of possession goes, um which I think will kind of go to your point, and i was thinking the same thing. I think this will be right inside a touchdown.
00:20:00
Kaleb
ah think it's going to be a slugfest. um I would not be surprised if it were under 20 points, to be honest with you. It may not be an exact replay of how Vandy and Missouri played out, but i mean i think we may very well see a pretty close
00:20:19
Kaleb
game to that, in a sense. um ah Excuse me. I'll probably give you guys the edge. just be I mean, I'll give you guys the edge. Even before Papila got hurt, I'll give you guys the edge because I let Marcel Reid over him.
00:20:35
Kaleb
And just the weapons you guys have on offense. ah Just a little bit deeper than Missouri's. how Like, would I take Missouri's defense over your guy over you guys'? is Probably.
00:20:46
Kaleb
But, therefore, you guys can are more well-balanced overall on the team. so But here's one thing I thought was very interesting. Okay, and i i would not I did not expect this until I saw this earlier.
00:21:00
Kaleb
So Texas A&M ranks 131st in FBS in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score on 96.2% of their trips. Missouri's red zone offense ranks in the nation, scoring on 87.2% of red zone opportunities.
00:21:14
Kaleb
zone opportunities I don't know if you knew that or not, but very interesting stat. And like I said, I would not have expected that before I read. So anyway, we'll kind of see.
00:21:28
Kaleb
And I think this is one of those games, and I was going to say this about the Iowa-Oregon game, which we'll get to soon, but I feel like this could be a game where a field goal is a touchdown. So anyway.
00:21:40
Mike Bell
Yeah, I think it's going to be an exciting game. Let's go ahead and get into that Oregon-Iowa
Oregon vs. Iowa Game Preview
00:21:45
Mike Bell
game. Number six, Oregon versus unranked Iowa, which is a travesty. Iowa should be ranked.
00:21:51
Mike Bell
230 on CBS, Oregon's favored by five and a half. So, ah fun fact. This is only the third time they've ever met and Iowa holds a two nothing edge on Oregon all time.
00:22:03
Kaleb
Bye.
00:22:06
Mike Bell
So ah just a, you know, a matchup you don't get to see very often. The last time they faced, it was in 1995. We've been talking about this game. I've been, I'm really excited for this game for a lot of reasons.
00:22:20
Mike Bell
Both teams are off a bye here. This is a good shot to see really what both teams are made of. Oregon, it's been a while now since their loss to Indiana, but this is kind of their next chance in the spotlight again versus a good team on the road.
00:22:39
Mike Bell
So and you know for Iowa, they've been blowing people out, but they haven't really faced a team like Oregon. So it's kind of a good litmus test for them. Now, the thing is, we're talking about slugfest.
00:22:52
Mike Bell
The over-under for this game is 41.5, which is for college, that is very low. And I think that's exactly what this is going to be. i mean, Iowa's defense is one of the best defenses in the country.
00:23:05
Mike Bell
But on the other side of the ball, yeah, they're talking to everywhere.
00:23:05
Kaleb
they rank top 10 everywhere man top yeah it is four touchdowns four interceptions oh yeah for sure
00:23:09
Mike Bell
On the other side of the ball, though, their quarterback, Gronowski, has less than 1,000 yards passing for the season. It's pretty wild. And Yeah, and here's what I like about Iowa's defense is they've been tested by a pretty good ah offense in Indiana already, and they pulled out that win against Indiana.
00:23:30
Kaleb
Yeah, they only lost by five points.
00:23:32
Mike Bell
And no one's really been able to compete with Indiana like that.
00:23:34
Kaleb
Exactly.
00:23:35
Mike Bell
Yeah, so I think this is a very good test for Oregon's offense. Here's the deal, and this is kind of the matchup I'm going to be watching. Can Iowa move the ball at all versus Oregon's defense?
00:23:49
Mike Bell
so Solid defense. The thing is, like even if they're not a top five defense in Oregon, they're still very good. and it's just about Iowa. like They've got to run the ball because they're one of the worst passing teams in the nation.
00:24:02
Mike Bell
So if by chance, Oregon comes out with just a great opening game script and they are up 7-0 and then maybe it's a quick you know three and out and Oregon scores again, I don't see Iowa being able to play from behind.
00:24:18
Mike Bell
But I definitely see this being like kind of a rock fight. Iowa trying to shorten the game and it being something like 20-17 or maybe even a lower scoring game.
00:24:29
Mike Bell
I think it's a matter of Oregon find a way to just out-talent Iowa and just sustain drives offensively because Iowa is going to be kind of capped on what they're going to be able to do offensively.
00:24:44
Mike Bell
But if they can just score enough points and keep Oregon at bay and have a shot in the fourth quarter, that's what they're going to need to do. I'm telling you right now, I don't know what to think about this game. I mean, obviously, I think it's fair to say Oregon is favored for the right reasons.
00:25:01
Mike Bell
But Oregon's kind of got a sneaky kind of tough last quarter of the season. And it starts with this. And i'm I'm really excited to see the game. I'm really excited to see both teams on national television. So that's what I got.
00:25:17
Kaleb
Well, and I agree with what you said. Who would it who but benefit from the win more? Iowa. Who is probably more battle tested in the sense of just being in close games and finding a way to win them?
00:25:36
Kaleb
I would also probably say Iowa.
00:25:39
Mike Bell
Yep.
00:25:40
Kaleb
So that's – I mean, seriously, if I were Oregon, I would be a little nervous. And, you know, I doubt they did. But, you know, if they look past this game, i mean, they could be in really big trouble.
00:25:51
Kaleb
Oregon's defense is really good as well. And, you know, i think it will boil down to Iowa's pass ah offense. Can Iowa just be able to pass the ball and maybe get 150 yards just to allow them to have somewhat a run game?
00:26:07
Kaleb
And like you said, I think this is probably going to be – I don't know. It may even be a 17-14 game. I don't know.
00:26:15
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:26:16
Kaleb
Now it would be in very insane, though, if like this game were just like thirty one forty five or something. i mean, it would be kind of crazy if it went to that route just because – I really don't know if Dante Moore has like face defense, like quite like I was, to be honest. And they're playing at Iowa too, which is a very passionate ah fan base.
00:26:37
Kaleb
um Much like the stat I gave up, I found that I saw this earlier and I was like, holy crap, I wouldn't have thought this either just because Oregon's defense, ah you know, know their offense is pretty spectacular. Yeah.
00:26:52
Kaleb
Like they have weapons and stuff like that, but always just think of Dan Lanning in the defense first when I think of Oregon. So here's a cool little stat. So Oregon is 135th in FBS, which I want to say is the last place in red zone defense, okay?
00:27:07
Kaleb
Allowing opponents to score on 100% of their trips. Iowa's red zone offense ranks 10th in the nation, scoring on 94.1% of red zone opportunities. I think that will be very interesting just in what helps like in the red zone, being able to run the ball pretty effectively.
00:27:25
Kaleb
um So anyway, I'm very excited for this game. um Upset alert, maybe.
00:27:34
Mike Bell
Yeah, it it would not shock me. And I'm excited just for the last kind of third of the season or quarter of the season just in the Big Ten in general because a lot of these teams and like the top layer starting to face each other other than, of course, Indiana and Ohio State who just don't face anybody this year. It's kind of crazy.
00:27:52
Mike Bell
Ohio State has Michigan the end of the year, I guess. But we've been talking about it all year. but It's looking more and more like the Big Ten has a better shot to get a fourth Big Ten team in there.
00:28:02
Mike Bell
– and Yeah, it's going to be kind of an interesting race to watch. But Iowa could really you know get that spotlight, get the national spotlight. I think they face USC next.
00:28:16
Mike Bell
Or maybe that's Oregon that faces USC next. But either way, some big games coming in the Big Ten.
00:28:20
Kaleb
Where would you – where do you think they would have to put Iowa, though, if they came out and beat Oregon? Being a top-10 team, pretty much going toe-to-toe with – Indiana for all intents purposes.
00:28:33
Kaleb
Iowa has lost to Iowa State, which, okay, yes, I know like there's maybe not a much but not much stock in Iowa State, but in-state rivalry, those are always crazy. So ah wouldn't say it's a good loss.
00:28:46
Kaleb
It was a close loss. um And then obviously they lost to Indiana, which, by the way, is now ranked number two in the nation. so top yeah.
00:28:55
Mike Bell
If they beat Oregon, I think you have, I would put them, because i mean, look, I think they should be ranked now. I'd put them at 15.
00:29:03
Kaleb
Yeah, that's i mean, i think you have to just compared to some of the other teams ah that are in the top 15. I think deservingly so. Now, they may be some one of the most one-dimensional offensively teams in there, but hey, you know it is what it is. They have a top-tier defense. um Everybody else wished they could probably have, but and there's something else i was going to say. One thing to point out here, the Oregon-Indiana game is being played on CBS, and I want to say...
00:29:35
Kaleb
you guys are playing at the same time, which I bet that would probably be on ESPN.
00:29:38
Mike Bell
ABC.
00:29:39
Kaleb
So therefore, if we're not in still in this lockout situation, right.
00:29:41
Mike Bell
abc
00:29:44
Kaleb
So if we're still in this lockout situation, in other words, you'd have to have two TVs or bring out your laptops, people, because you can't have the double or double games on ah like we had been previously. So hopefully they get that fixed. i actually haven't even looked at anything like about that up to see if that was go be fixed or not. But
00:30:05
Mike Bell
Yeah, I don't think they are going to have it fixed, but it just is what it is. There's nothing we can do. ah
00:30:13
Kaleb
unfortunately.
00:30:14
Mike Bell
But I will be watching it.
00:30:14
Kaleb
Hmm.
00:30:16
Mike Bell
probably just be watching those games at 2.30. But let's go ahead and open it up to whatever other games you want to talk about. You know, big brands going at it this week. And this could have been like if some other teams had held up their end of the bargain, like a big week, like just quickly, we have LSU, Alabama, Florida State, Clemson, you know, and that that could have been a big game.
00:30:44
Mike Bell
We have Penn State, Indiana. That could have been a big game. And in its place, we get BYU Tech, and that's cool to see. But let's just face it it's it, it is cool to see, but it could have been a much bigger week this
00:30:57
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:30:59
Mike Bell
But we're not going to get It's just too bad. But the first game that I kind of wanted to go over, i think you have
LSU vs. Alabama Game Expectations
00:31:06
Mike Bell
to talk about it. It'll be the most watched game at 630, and that is LSU-Alabama.
00:31:11
Mike Bell
i don't know what to expect from LSU at this point. I mean, ah it's hard to imagine them being ready to play at Alabama. Both these teams, by the way, off buys.
00:31:23
Mike Bell
I was going to say, like, hey, well, LSU's off a buy, so they've had more time to prep, but Alabama's off a buy, too. So it's kind of hard to imagine LSU going in there and ah putting out much of a fight, to be honest. It's a rivalry game, so maybe they will, but...
00:31:42
Mike Bell
Yeah, I think it's every one of those games you see on TV and you're like, oh, it's LSU Alabama. And then by the end of the first half, you're watching other games.
00:31:48
Kaleb
and
00:31:50
Mike Bell
But I don't know if you have any thoughts on it.
00:31:54
Kaleb
so
00:31:57
Kaleb
i do i'm trying to think how i want to say this i don't necessarily disagree with you but my question with this game is how much pride does lsu have as far as football goes right brian kelly being fired first game without him
00:32:13
Kaleb
how awesome would that be for them to be able to be at Alabama? I mean, regardless rank, whatever the case.
00:32:17
Mike Bell
What you mean, sir?
00:32:18
Kaleb
Yeah, it would be insane, but
00:32:23
Kaleb
are they able to do that? I have no idea, but maybe this is like, you know, them coming off the buy. I think that's key to kind of get them just refreshed, mentally ready to go. Um,
00:32:34
Kaleb
And I don't know. I'll be curious to kind of see. Like, I think LSU can maybe make it close in the first half, but then by the end, but after they after halftime, Alabama probably pulls away. But I'll be curious just because kind of almost like we thought of Penn State going against Ohio State last week. You know, how would Penn State show up when they have their pride and do their best? Yeah.
00:32:54
Kaleb
they pretty much It pretty much went how we expected. Maybe a close game at the beginning, and then second half Ohio State pulled away. But here's the deal. LSU's got players. If they just can put it all together, I mean, they could they could almost, I want to say, go beat anybody. But they just haven't yet, and I don't know.
00:33:13
Kaleb
Can they do it this weekend?
00:33:13
Mike Bell
I just think that's not their team this year.
00:33:16
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:33:16
Mike Bell
You know, they just don't have it
00:33:17
Kaleb
And it's sad to say, sad to say, i mean, seriously, because I briefly just looked at like some things for them. Their offense is just atrocious. I mean, it is atrocious.
00:33:28
Kaleb
And I seriously, man, like at the beginning of the year, I was like, Nussmeier might be one of the best quarterbacks in college, you know, going into this season. And i still, for the record, I still think he's a good quarterback just for whatever reason. I don't know what's going on. i don't, maybe he's to blame to some extent, of course, because he's out on the field, but also I think some of it is coaching. um Now I don't know a percentage wise how much is which, but anyway, I think it'd be a good, could be an interesting game.
00:34:00
Kaleb
I think an interesting, ah another interesting game, unless he had something else to say.
00:34:06
Mike Bell
No, that's all I got for that game.
00:34:07
Kaleb
not
00:34:07
Mike Bell
Go ahead.
Auburn vs. Vanderbilt Preview
00:34:08
Kaleb
is maybe the Auburn Vanderbilt game, which could maybe be under the radar a little bit. My question is with Hugh Freeze being fired first week without him, um how does Auburn show up against Vandy?
00:34:20
Kaleb
It's kind of crazy because it's like every week we've got two like big time programs without their coach. but Like, like, I don't know.
00:34:26
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:34:28
Kaleb
To me, it was a crazy because I was like, damn, I just said that about Brian Kelly, you know, but ah Anyway, kind of crazy. But seriously, Auburn's defense is for real. I know their offense – or, yeah, their defense is, like, legitimate. Their offense is meh.
00:34:43
Kaleb
You know, but – Auburn, can they just stop the Vandy run game and just do enough to kind of just not let ven or ah Diego Pavia pass it all over them? I think that could be a potential. And can their offense do just enough?
00:34:59
Kaleb
And same question to them, how much pride does the program have? Just because they have plenty of talent to go and do things, they've just got to put it together. So I think that could be potentially an interesting interesting game. I don't know if you have any thoughts or questions on that. Yeah.
00:35:14
Mike Bell
Auburn, I don't know what it means to them, but they could still make a bowl.
00:35:17
Kaleb
Yeah, for sure.
00:35:18
Mike Bell
They could still go 7-5. I don't know that they will, but they could at least go 6-6. They're going to have to win two more games to do so. But you know the thing is, this is kind of an interesting situation where Auburn's defense is going to make any offense kind of look bad.
00:35:36
Mike Bell
And Vandy, it's kind of another be bad matchup.
00:35:40
Kaleb
Emotional loss for Vandy last week, too.
00:35:42
Mike Bell
Right, right. So the thing is, Auburn can just do nothing offensively. They can do nothing.
00:35:48
Kaleb
i
00:35:49
Mike Bell
So maybe it won't matter. But I could see this being another like really low-scoring game.
00:35:54
Kaleb
Yeah, exactly.
00:35:56
Mike Bell
Like a messy game.
00:35:57
Kaleb
Yeah, exactly. um
00:35:59
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:36:00
Kaleb
Just because, like I said, Auburn's defense is legitimate. And I know Pavia had like a good amount of passing yards on us last week. a lot them He just had no choice but to pass. And credit to him, like we said in the ah reaction, like credit to him for making those plays, bringing his team back almost single-handedly.
00:36:19
Kaleb
But I don't think he'd be able to do that against Auburn's defense. okay um So i don't know. And if Auburn is able to come out and – win out the rest of the year, including the Auburn game. I mean, number one, that would be insane.
00:36:34
Kaleb
But, hey, that would be like a statement season. And, you know, i was thinking about this earlier, man. Auburn, which we talked about in the reaction show, I think Auburn's a great – or a good job. You know, ah between that and Florida, I would probably choose a Florida job just because, like you said – or like I said, you can just – or like we both have said, pretty much all the talent's right around there. Auburn – auburn or in Alabama, I mean, I probably wouldn't say it's as saturated as Florida, but still good opportunity.
00:37:05
Kaleb
They just need to go actually hire a decent coach. Okay. So Gus Malzone, ah I'll give them a pass on that because he at least won a championship or almost, excuse me, almost won a championship. Well, hold on.
00:37:17
Kaleb
Was Gus Malzone there with Cam Newton? Can't remember.
00:37:21
Mike Bell
I don't think so.
00:37:23
Kaleb
I don't think so either, but I think –
00:37:23
Mike Bell
But I don't
00:37:25
Kaleb
I think he took them to a championship. I know they lost. Or no?
00:37:31
Kaleb
I don't know why. I'm having like a mental breakdown. Anyway, Gus Malzahn, I'll give them a pass on that because I think they were decent in a couple years. Okay? After that, Brian Harsin. Okay? Dog water. He frees.
00:37:42
Kaleb
I see why they thought at the time it may have been a good hire just because what he was able to do at Ole Miss and, you know, ah won't get into the – rules he broke or whatever recruiting but anyway it turned out to be dog water okay they need to actually go get in advocating for james franklin here again i guess but they need to go get a proven die that can basically build up the program the way it needs to be built up from the ground up and turn them into a contender think another interesting we need to get back onto the games but
00:38:15
Kaleb
while we're on kind of this topic that I'll let this off into Miami, uh, Mario Christian ball, uh, what's his situation with this upcoming week? You know, like, you know, people are starting to really kind of look at him and think, can he really do that with Miami?
00:38:30
Kaleb
And I think that's even like, and I think in the preview game or the pre or the ah reaction video, we were discussing how Hugh freeze just with all the talent he has and just really not doing all that much with it. I think it's even more so with Mario Cristobal at Miami, just because literally, know,
00:38:50
Kaleb
recruiting class after a recruiting class, getting all these big time quarterbacks and really not being able to do anything with it.
00:38:52
Mike Bell
Thank you.
00:38:57
Kaleb
And, uh, I saw an episode with Josh Pate, uh, where he was discussing that or discussing Miami as ah having players that are creatures all over the field, you know? So it's basically another school or another coach that has all the talent in the world, but just doing too little with too much in a sense.
00:39:17
Kaleb
So,
00:39:17
Mike Bell
Right, and it's not like he's losing to just like a kind of like a James Winkland situation.
00:39:20
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:39:22
Mike Bell
He's losing to like top five teams.
00:39:23
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:39:24
Mike Bell
He's losing to like teams he shouldn't be losing.
00:39:26
Kaleb
No, yeah, exactly. Yeah, that's the one thing you can say about James Franklin is, you know, he's losing to really good competition, not to lesser.
00:39:37
Mike Bell
Until he didn't and that's when he got on fire.
00:39:38
Kaleb
For the most part. yeah Exactly. For the most part, yeah.
00:39:42
Mike Bell
ah So that was Gus Malzahn you're asking about, right?
00:39:46
Kaleb
Yes, because I forget what year he was there
00:39:47
Mike Bell
He was the office of coordinator 2010 when they won the, yeah.
00:39:50
Kaleb
Okay. Okay. And I think like 2013, they – well, I'm trying to think because the and there was another year.
00:39:54
Mike Bell
ah
00:40:02
Kaleb
Remember that play that Nick Marshall threw in the Alabama player – Georgia, somebody like Tippett.
00:40:08
Mike Bell
Yeah, I thought that was 2010.
00:40:12
Kaleb
Uh-uh.
00:40:12
Mike Bell
I don't know, I forget, but.
00:40:14
Kaleb
They had another really good season. um I can't remember. I could have sworn. Oh, no, that's what it was, man. He took them to the championship that they played Florida State, and Jameis Winston beat them.
00:40:26
Kaleb
That's what it was, but it was very close. So Gus Malzahn almost won a championship with Auburn. I want to say maybe 2013.
00:40:31
Mike Bell
That was the kick switch.
00:40:32
Kaleb
twenty thirteen twenty Yeah, 2013.
00:40:33
Mike Bell
That was 2013.
00:40:36
Kaleb
But Gus Malzahn was a coach by then, I think, if I'm not mistaken.
00:40:39
Mike Bell
Yeah, yeah. There's head coach, yeah.
00:40:40
Kaleb
Yeah. So anyway, I'd give Auburn a pass.
00:40:45
Mike Bell
Well, you know...
00:40:45
Kaleb
That's my zone.
00:40:47
Mike Bell
Quick aside, but just by the way, i had mentioned that Iowa's unranked and they are, but I forgot being that this is the first week of the playoff committee rankings, they're going to be using those rankings, not the AP rankings. So Iowa still could be ranked.
00:41:02
Mike Bell
Not that it really matters. It's going to be on CBS at 230, but I just like to see like the number 25 next to Iowa when they actually play. Just a quick aside. Maybe we won't have to worry about that, but As far as other games go, you know, there are a ton of big games on the slate.
00:41:18
Mike Bell
I am interested just because this team likes to play with fire every week, and that is Georgia at Mississippi State.
00:41:25
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:41:25
Mike Bell
Mississippi State competes with every team they play. Georgia's a seven-and-a-half-point favorite. Is Georgia at all thinking about Texas the next week? They don't seem like that type of team, but it is on the road And it would not shock me if this is a close game.
00:41:44
Mike Bell
In fact, at this point, it may shock me if it's not a close game because that's just not what Georgia does.
00:41:47
Kaleb
yeah
00:41:49
Mike Bell
So in Mississippi State, they're they're trying to get those signature wins. They finally got their first SEC win last week. I think this could be a sneaky game, like just this random kind of upset that the general public is like, what? Georgia lost to Mississippi State?
00:42:04
Mike Bell
Now you should be really rooting for Georgia in this game. ah Because you don't want to go against a pissed-off Georgia.
00:42:07
Kaleb
Oh yeah.
00:42:10
Mike Bell
But why this is going to be interesting.
00:42:11
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:42:13
Mike Bell
you know Mississippi State now, and they could be saying, look, we lost to two against Florida, had a very good shot to win it, should have beat Texas, and they just beat Arkansas. They could be on like a three-game win streak, but they're not.
00:42:27
Mike Bell
So they're competing with these teams.
00:42:29
Kaleb
Yeah, I mean, really, i think all it will take for somebody to beat Georgia is just get on top of them quickly and just do enough to bless you have just do enough to stop Georgia's offense, because really, the only player I can think of off the top of my head that's like, okay, that guy's a game changer for sure is as a cardian branch.
00:42:49
Kaleb
um if you're able to kind of cover him up and they have him do pretty much everything on the offense, like, you know, just do like quick little tosses out of the backfield, quick little passes. I mean, it everything. And he exploded last game too, but man, ah Jeff Levy's offense is pretty tricky. It's really good. i mean, I know it pretty well just being, or I don't know it, but I experienced it two weeks ago and man, it almost gave me a heart attack for sure.
00:43:18
Kaleb
um But yeah, it could be a sneaky good game. um However, I will say, i think...
00:43:28
Kaleb
I don't think Kirby Smart is or or is looking past this. Now, could they? out of i guess there's always a chance, but I don't think so. I think another sneaky, interesting game.
00:43:36
Mike Bell
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
00:43:38
Kaleb
like I think there would thered be a little bit more chatter about this if they didn't lose last week to North Texas, but the Navy-Notre Dame game. I think that maybe could be an interesting game. um I don't know. is it Is the Navy football team pissed off? Are they goingnna be able to kind of make this a game against Notre Dame?
00:43:56
Kaleb
I don't know. I know we're both very high on Notre Dame, but I don't know. Navy, Army, Air Force, all those teams kind of have – between all four of them, there's always like one crazy win between them, I think, once a year.
00:44:10
Kaleb
I don't know. and Could this be it? Maybe. and
00:44:13
Mike Bell
I'll be honest, I will be shocked if this is a game. I think Navy is just not very good. Notre Dame favored by 26 and a half. You know, that's what teams are favored against, like versus some FCS opponents.
00:44:27
Kaleb
yeah
00:44:28
Mike Bell
I just think,
00:44:28
Kaleb
I actually would not have guessed that, to be honest with you.
00:44:31
Mike Bell
yeah, I mean, you know, Navy just, they're seven and one that hadn't faced anybody. And then when they faced North Texas last week, they pretty much got shut down. So,
00:44:42
Mike Bell
Yeah, I mean, it would be it would be very interesting if this was a close game. But you got to remember, in Notre Dame every week is in, like, must-win mode. And they got to win in convincingly.
00:44:51
Kaleb
Mm-hmm.
00:44:53
Mike Bell
so So, by the way, I want to correct myself. We will not be getting to the playoff rankings today because they are talking about they're doing their meetings today, but it's not going to be released until tomorrow.
00:45:04
Mike Bell
And it's going to be at 8 o'clock Eastern time. Yeah. That's just something to keep in mind. You know there's only one more game on the schedule that I, I think I just have to mention just because it's two big brands and both these coaches are kind on the hot seat and it's just like a disaster of, of just schools
Florida State and Clemson Struggles
00:45:22
Mike Bell
right now. And it's Florida state and Clemson.
00:45:24
Mike Bell
I don't even, I feel sad because I don't even want to watch it. You know, like it's on the ACC network. It's not on any like major television broadcast Clemson favorite two and a half. Like,
00:45:36
Mike Bell
I don't know. Both these teams could have new coaches next year. Probably not Clemson. Actually, probably not either of them. I think they decided to stick with Mike Norvell. But again, what could been here?
00:45:45
Kaleb
Could be controversial for some.
00:45:48
Mike Bell
yeah Well, what could have been? And like i I don't know what to expect from this game.
00:45:52
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:45:54
Mike Bell
like Clemson favorite two and a half, literally no idea who the better team is.
00:45:59
Kaleb
and
00:46:01
Mike Bell
But you could you imagine losing this game, being on the the losing end of the stick here?
00:46:01
Kaleb
Exactly.
00:46:05
Mike Bell
it's just like, geez, like what a disappointment.
00:46:08
Kaleb
Oh, for sure. i think, I mean, just because Florida State has one more win, one less loss than Clemson does, like if they lose, it wouldn't be as bad as Clemson being three and six, which I thought was going to.
00:46:20
Mike Bell
I don't understand how Clemson is this bad. Like, okay, you lost to LSU, or you're losing them versus, like, good.
00:46:23
Kaleb
Yeah, know. Look at how much draft talent they have, man.
00:46:28
Mike Bell
Oh, yeah. Well, it's like if you're going to lose versus, like, good power for schools and you're going to go, like, 8-4, like, it's a bad season for you. But that's not what's happening. Like, there're they're losing to Syracuse.
00:46:41
Mike Bell
You know, SMU is good team. Duke's a a good team. But those are teams you've got to beat. Like, you're only beating Boston for all of
00:46:46
Kaleb
Especially with Clemson's talent that they have. I mean, we were I was talking about ah Garrett Nussmeyer being one of the best quarterbacks like coming into the season. I thought ah thought c clay Cade Clubnick would have been neck and neck with Nussmeyer.
00:46:58
Kaleb
And Clemson's defense, they've got like draft it or NFL draft talented players all over the field. And I forgot the guy – want say Brian Westmore or something like that.
00:47:10
Kaleb
On the ah offense, you know, he's going to be a drafted wide receiver one day too. So that's an insane thing. Like I think regardless of this record, I think Dabo Sweeney is one of the better coaches. he His just inability to adapt to the times and the transfer portal has really damaged him at this point in time.
00:47:30
Kaleb
But as far as culture and talent goes, I still think Clemson –
00:47:36
Kaleb
top tier you know it's just will Davo agree and maybe that's what the the athletic director will but kind of make force him to do is just hey man dip into the portal a little bit more do what you need to in there and you can stay on or whatever I don't know
00:47:54
Mike Bell
Maybe this season will be so bad for both teams, but especially Clemson, where no one will have to step in. And maybe Dabo will say, okay, you know what? Like, this is so bad. I have to make major changes.
00:48:09
Mike Bell
Because you've got to think, like, this ah he can't do this another year.
00:48:09
Kaleb
Oh,
00:48:14
Mike Bell
You know, like, this is kind of his year.
00:48:15
Kaleb
oh yeah.
00:48:16
Mike Bell
Okay, clearly this is a bad year. You've got to, like, be back next year.
00:48:20
Kaleb
Man, it's either this year or the next. and And depending on how that the next maybe four games go, the first four games of the next season if he stays, depending on how that goes, that could be a midseason fire right there too.
00:48:23
Mike Bell
Right.
00:48:33
Kaleb
Yeah. Maybe he'll have a little bit more of a leash, I guess, just because he'll have a brand new quarterback, and I don't know Clemson's quarterback situation on the back off the top of my head.
00:48:35
Mike Bell
Yep.
00:48:44
Kaleb
So i don't know like I don't know if they've got a good one and behind Cade Kolebnick or, you know they I don't know, Portal or something like that. Yeah. Anyway, Debo is on a short leash, and I feel really bad about that because I really like the guy.
00:48:59
Kaleb
I really do. Just skimming off the top here, though, I think another game that could be interesting, yeah and this is kind of more your thing, not necessarily mine, but two-lane middle.
00:49:07
Mike Bell
Tulane Memphis. Yep. yeah
00:49:10
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:49:11
Mike Bell
I'm looking forward to that
00:49:11
Kaleb
ah Yeah, do you have anything to say about it? Yeah.
00:49:15
Mike Bell
Not really, other than it is like Friday night game, doesn't have any competition, other than you know Northwestern USC playing at the same time, which you know I just will say, I'm not impressed by USC's victory last week.
00:49:28
Mike Bell
They tend to play better at home, and they're about to be facing a team that's doing a cross-country trip. Northwestern has been very competitive. versus a lot of teams they've played, I'm just saying watch out. But as far as the game you're talking about, I think Memphis is probably a little bit better than Tulane. But by the way, Tulane's coach, what is it, John Summerall?
00:49:50
Kaleb
People are talking about him.
00:49:50
Mike Bell
He is kind of expected to be ah one of these high-profile coaches in the mix for all of these jobs. You know, the Auburn job, LSU, they're talking about him for LSU, Florida, and then Penn State. So,
00:50:07
Mike Bell
You know, been good.
00:50:07
Kaleb
And maybe that makes sense because, you know, there has been chatter about people saying like they want to get somebody that fits into the culture down there. I mean, in two lanes, like right there. Right. So, yeah. what's What he's been able to do there at Tulane, he can just do that and more at LSU.
00:50:20
Mike Bell
Mm-hmm.
00:50:22
Mike Bell
yeah
00:50:22
Kaleb
um
00:50:26
Kaleb
you know i was thinking about this the other day. um so you know Texas, We went out and hired Tom Herman after having two really good years at Houston.
00:50:38
Kaleb
No discredit to him. That was pretty awesome, to be honest. But sometimes, for for whatever reason, i don't know what it is, it's not just Tom Herman, but all these other coaches that sometimes have like a year or two of magic, like at these smaller schools, and then they get hired and they go to these bigger schools. It just does not pan out.
00:50:57
Kaleb
So I would, like, say, error like, caution with a little bit of that. But, however, in that instance, maybe it works out just because I think LSU, very much like Texas, it takes – a special type of person to be able to be in that program, I think.
00:51:14
Kaleb
And that was just, I mean, kind of whenever Brian Kelly got fired, we were like, yeah, he just, he didn't really fit in there. People didn't like him all that much. And just that cringy first interview or not interview, but thingy in the pep rally or whatever, you know, that just never got out of my head. And I don't know.
00:51:33
Kaleb
So anyway,
00:51:33
Mike Bell
Yeah. Yeah. as far as the game itself, I will be you know watching it just because it is kind of my thing because we are like these are kind of playoff games to decide this 12th team.
00:51:44
Mike Bell
And they both have one loss in the conference. Weirdly enough, Memphis, their one loss on the season is to UAB, who is three and five on the year, is like a random loss.
00:51:54
Kaleb
And
00:51:54
Mike Bell
But at this point, they beat South Florida, and this is their next test in Tulane. So, yeah, i'll I'll be watching it. And, yeah, that's kind of all I got personally as far as the games. Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?
00:52:12
Kaleb
Not necessarily. Maybe just a little tad point on the Northwestern-USC game. Northwestern has been pretty competitive and putting together a pretty good season compared to what it has been lately.
Northwestern's Upset Potential Against USC
00:52:24
Kaleb
Their defense is pretty, i don't know, ah pretty all-around good. you know i know USC's ah offense is really good. like top tier. So we'll kind of see how north that Northwestern defense is able to control the USC offense because Northwestern is kind of a team um like a couple others we talked about earlier. They like to run the ball and not really have to come from behind.
00:52:52
Kaleb
They're 118th in passing yards every hour per game, 172. ah hundred and seventy two Probably the only other school that they're ahead of is Iowa in that regard, maybe. I don't know. But, um yeah, I think it could be interesting. um USC playing at home. And that was a hard-fought win for them, too, against Nebraska last week.
00:53:13
Kaleb
And kind of curious to see where USC's head and head is going into this game. But other than that, yeah.
00:53:20
Mike Bell
Agreed. Well, look let me ask you this before we sign off. Of the games this week that are more than like a two and a half point spread, which team is the most likely to get the upset this week?
00:53:39
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:53:41
Mike Bell
I'll give you mine while you're looking it over because i've been kind of thinking about it. I think it's, I actually think it's the Auburn Vanderbilt game. I think, you know, six and a half points spread, i could see the Vanderbilt magic kind of just being over with and Auburn just doing enough to pulling that one out.
00:53:52
Kaleb
Mm.
00:54:01
Mike Bell
That would be my upset to watch.
00:54:05
Kaleb
yeah
00:54:09
Kaleb
I was thinking that...
00:54:15
Kaleb
was thinking that game or... You know, really and truly, man, seriously...
00:54:23
Kaleb
There's an argument to be made for the missouri ah Missouri to potentially have an upset. i don't Like I said, I still favor A&M, but there's an argument to be made that Missouri could potentially upset you guys, right?
00:54:35
Kaleb
ah Same thing for BYU and Tech. And also, like you said, Vandy and ah Auburn. But I guess you could say, like, however, i really actually think I'll just go all in on the Iowa bandwagon for this week.
00:54:52
Kaleb
I'll just go out and save it.
00:54:53
Mike Bell
I think that's fair. right.
00:54:56
Kaleb
But I think this week, there's not like high profile matches, like we said throughout the episode, but there's definitely some interesting ones in my opinion, just because we're kind of starting to get down to the wire and you kind of know who teams are at this point.
00:55:03
Mike Bell
Okay.
00:55:06
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:55:12
Kaleb
And i don't know, there's just a lot of potential and college football ball will be college football and there'll be an unexpected upset somewhere. So anyway. Yeah.
00:55:22
Mike Bell
Agreed. Well, I think that's a good way to end it. And yeah, let's sign off. I'll see you next week.
00:55:28
Kaleb
All right. See you next week.