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Week 7 CFB Preview: Rivalries, Playoff Stakes, and Upset Potential
20 Plays8 months ago
Week 7 of college football is stacked with high-stakes matchups that could shake up the playoff race! We’re breaking down the biggest games, starting with No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 17 Illinois, where the Buckeyes’ dominant offense and defense face a scrappy Illini squad fighting for the Illibuck Trophy. Next, No. 7 Indiana clashes with No. 3 Oregon in a playoff-caliber showdown, pitting two explosive offenses led by star QBs against elite defenses. In the SEC, No. 8 Alabama takes on No. 14 Missouri, where the Tigers’ top-ranked rushing attack meets Bama’s potent passing game. Finally, the Red River Rivalry heats up as No. 6 OU’s stifling defense squares off against Texas in a must-win for the Longhorns. We’re diving into the key stats, X-factors, and trench battles that will decide these epic showdowns. Tune in for all the analysis and predictions!
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Transcript
Introduction and Weekly Lineup Overview
00:00:01
Mike Bell
All right, welcome back to another episode of Balone Coverage. I am Mike Bell with my co-host Caleb Schreuer. Caleb, we've got a big week this week. You know, last week we talked about maybe a little bit of a letdown week coming off of, you know, Penn State, Oregon, Alabama, Georgia.
00:00:19
Mike Bell
But really this week we've got pretty stacked lineup. You know, we're not even going to be able to get in-depth with all the games that we want to get in-depth on. um And I don't want to play spoilers.
00:00:31
Mike Bell
But I did look ahead to the next week. And the next week may be even better than this week. But I'll save that for next week. But yeah, what what are your thoughts?
00:00:41
Kaleb
as overly to be
00:00:42
Mike Bell
Just yeah.
00:00:43
Kaleb
The next week will be even better.
00:00:45
Mike Bell
Yeah. What are your thoughts on the coming week?
00:00:49
Kaleb
It will be busy. It will be busy watching all the games, that's for sure. um Yeah, pretty much stacked week. I mean, in any week we have college football, balls it's great.
00:01:00
Mike Bell
Mm-hmm.
00:01:01
Kaleb
um But there are some weeks that are better than others, and I don't think last week was bad by any means, but ah the kind of matchups we have this upcoming week is –
00:01:13
Kaleb
I don't know, pretty unique and a little biased, but, you know, I think one of the best rivalries in college football ball is happening this weekend as well, the Red River ah shootout. And maybe that will be controversial to some people. But anyway, ah which we'll get to that in a moment, but I'm excited about it.
00:01:31
Kaleb
Yep.
00:01:33
Mike Bell
I think it's going be a great week ah for sure. There's pretty much good games on from 11 all the way to 9 o'clock at night. There's some great games on. so
00:01:42
Kaleb
Yep.
00:01:42
Mike Bell
Let's get right into it.
Indiana vs. Oregon Analysis
00:01:44
Mike Bell
I think we have to start with where game day's at. I think this is, it's debatable, but maybe the biggest game of the day. And that is the number seven, Indiana Hoosiers ah versus number three, Oregon.
00:01:57
Mike Bell
This is 2.30 on CBS. Oregon has opened as a seven and a half point favorite, although I will say that has come down from 10. And yeah i think this game has playoff feel to it.
00:02:09
Mike Bell
I'm really looking forward to it.
00:02:10
Kaleb
ah yeah
00:02:11
Mike Bell
ah what What are your thoughts on this game?
00:02:15
Kaleb
So going into this game, Oregon's undefeated.
00:02:24
Kaleb
Indiana looking great as well. Okay. They're undefeated as well. um Who is, who's Illinois' best win?
00:02:35
Kaleb
I mean, excuse me, who's Indiana's best win? It's against Illinois. Excuse me. I gave you the answer.
00:02:39
Mike Bell
Yep.
00:02:40
Kaleb
um Okay. Oregon, who's their best win? Penn State, right? Okay. So how are we supposed to view the Penn State win with the debacle that happened this past weekend?
00:02:55
Mike Bell
I still view it as a great win I think you have to look at yeah yeah i
00:02:58
Kaleb
double lp yeah I do too. The atmosphere that they had to go into.
00:03:01
Mike Bell
yeah
00:03:03
Kaleb
I'm not trying to discredit it. I'm just not necessarily a rhetorical question, but it's just a question to think about.
00:03:11
Mike Bell
sure I agree
00:03:14
Kaleb
ah Whereas Indiana, their best one is against Illinois, right? Who is playing Ohio State this weekend. What has Illinois done since they lost against Indiana?
00:03:27
Mike Bell
Thank
00:03:27
Kaleb
and It was a horrible loss. They've come out and they fought and they've won both games, right? I'm kind of curious to see how this game will go because it's been like a tale of two cities between their best opponents, like Penn State They're o n two since the are their o n two um since the Oregon game. And then Illinois is 2-0 since the Indiana matchup.
00:03:56
Kaleb
So I think it'll be interesting. I think like ah the coaches, Signetti and then Lanning, they're both very aggressive coaches. I think they'll be interesting to kind of see what kind of chess match they will have.
00:04:09
Kaleb
I think...
00:04:13
Kaleb
I don't know. If had to give a slight edge, it would probably be to Oregon, and they're playing it at home, too. I think just Oregon's offense, they have a lot of weapons, and I think their defense is equally as great. okay ah Not to say that Indiana going to be able to go in there and compete. I think Coach Cignetti has done a great job as far as turning the culture around at Indiana.
00:04:34
Kaleb
and Because Indiana's got some great players too. The quarterback's playing great and the wide receiver Surratt is, which even last year he was playing great. at may I may have butchered that name, Surratt, whatever you want to call it. ah So if Oregon is able to figure out how to cover that guy, um they may have found the recipe to victory.
00:04:53
Kaleb
But we'll see, I guess. What are your thoughts on it?
00:04:57
Mike Bell
I'm really excited about these this game. um I would have naturally been excited for it anyways, just because you know we've seen Indiana over the past year and a half before perform at a level that they have not in the past.
00:05:12
Mike Bell
Oregon's Oregon. We've seen Indiana already versus Illinois, as you were mentioning. But as I researched this game more, I got even more excited about it, and I can't wait to watch it.
00:05:25
Kaleb
Yep.
00:05:25
Mike Bell
both this Both these teams are coming off a bye week, and ah they aren't just, in my opinion, just some above-average team that's over-performing.
00:05:31
Kaleb
yep
00:05:37
Mike Bell
you know Can they do anything in the playoffs? Can they even make the playoffs? No, I think this is just a straight-up great-to-elite team. Now, we'll see how they perform versus Oregon, but I think they've ah taken a step forward from last year, and they were good last year.
00:05:48
Kaleb
yeah
00:05:54
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:05:55
Mike Bell
ah
00:05:55
Kaleb
10-11 team, if I'm not mistaken.
00:05:55
Mike Bell
min
00:05:56
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:05:57
Mike Bell
Yeah, Mendoza, he's now a Heisman candidate. I mean, i think they're absolutely rolling. They've been super impressive. They're averaging 47.8 points per game. That's number four in the country.
00:06:11
Kaleb
Mm-hmm.
00:06:12
Mike Bell
And I just mentioned, you know, Fernando Mendoza. He's been awesome. ah He's got 16 touchdowns, one interception. He's been pretty much flawless.
00:06:23
Mike Bell
ah running the ball. They're number seven in the country. They've got 11 touchdowns on the ground. ah And their running back, Roman Himbe, he's been fantastic.
00:06:36
Mike Bell
ah In the nation, they're top 10 in almost every offensive category, which is interesting because you just don't think of Indiana as that type of team, you know, but they have been elite on the offensive side of the ball.
00:06:46
Kaleb
Yes.
00:06:53
Mike Bell
They're second and first downs in the country, fifth and rushing yards. And like I said, fourth and points. So that's the offensive side. Defensively, nine point six points allowed. That's third in the country on the defensive side of the ball.
00:07:10
Mike Bell
And they're first in the nation and first down and 10th in sacks. So, yeah, I wouldn't just look past Indiana. ah It does suck for them. That it's at Oregon. That's one of the tougher spots to play in the country.
00:07:24
Mike Bell
ah From the Oregon side, they're coming off an emotional win. Is it possible that they come out slightly flat like we saw Alabama do against Vandy last weekend? you know they came out just a little bit flat.
00:07:38
Mike Bell
um But. Dan Lanning always has the team ready. I mean, they're averaging 47 points a game. Granted, that's a little inflated because of the Penn state overtime game, but still 47 points.
00:07:50
Mike Bell
That's six in the nation in points. And Dante Moore has been as good as anybody, ah He's been electric. He's only got one interception. These quarterbacks combined have 30 touchdowns and two interceptions.
00:08:04
Mike Bell
ah So we're going to see elite quarterback play. And then their defense, Oregon's defense, 12.2 points per game, seventh in the country in points allowed. So I'm excited. I think these are two elite squads.
00:08:17
Mike Bell
I do not think Oregon's just going to blow this Indiana team out. I definitely see a path to victory here for Indiana. And and Yeah, im I'm really excited for this game.
00:08:31
Kaleb
Yeah, I mean, I couldn't agree more. Like I said, i mean, both of these coaches, I mean, they'll just get you pumped up, you know, and I remember a couple pressers from last year's um season with Coach Cignetti.
00:08:46
Kaleb
i can't remember what exactly it was, but I remember he said some things were like, oh, crap, man. like you know He's saying some pretty confident things. you know and At the time, people were like, oh, crap, what's this guy saying?
00:08:56
Kaleb
you know Because nobody kind of believed the Indiana hype. Dan Lanning's the same thing. Every time the guy's got the camera on in postgame or whatever, it's like he's you know snorted several lines of cocaine or something.
00:09:08
Kaleb
He's just jacked up.
00:09:09
Mike Bell
Right.
00:09:09
Kaleb
So, and they're both like that in a sense. So I'll be very interested. I think they're, I think both teams are going ready to go. i think they're going to play good quality of at football. So and it's funny that they both had, but they ended up having bye weeks the same time to even prep into this game.
00:09:27
Kaleb
So I think it's going more of a chess piece than anything.
00:09:28
Mike Bell
right
00:09:29
Kaleb
Cause they are able to study with other team does and kind of be able to react but to what they do a little bit quicker versus maybe if they did not have the five weeks. So think it'll be interesting.
00:09:41
Mike Bell
Agreed. One of the, i guess you could call it matchups, X factors that I'm kind of watching in this game, if there is one weakness for Oregon, at least so far, is they have not gotten after the quarterback well.
00:09:54
Mike Bell
ah They're 100th in the nation in sacks. So if you give Mendoza time, is he someone that can maybe pick apart Oregon's secondary and they move the ball well? Because we think of Oregon's defense as a great defense, and I think they are a great defense, ah but they're going against a quarterback who has shown he's very good. You know, the quarterback they went against last week, i don't want to be too hard on Drew Aller. He is good.
00:10:18
Mike Bell
But, you know, I think Fernando Mendoza, there's a reason he's in the Heisman conversation right now. So I really, I'm very curious to see if Indiana can move the ball. So that's pretty much all I had to say about the game, though. I will say, i don't want you stealing any of my picks.
00:10:34
Mike Bell
I know we do picks at the end of the week. So I don't want to give anything away and you just take what I have to improve your record. But ah I think Oregon will find a way to win this game. But I think it's going to be like a three-point contest. I think this is going to be the game of the week.
00:10:52
Kaleb
Yeah, i would agree. It would not surprise me at all if
00:10:57
Kaleb
I would be surprised if this were not a close game at by the middle of the fourth, at least. Like, I'd be very surprised. i And if that is the case, because there is always a chance it could happen.
00:11:04
Mike Bell
Mm-hmm.
00:11:08
Kaleb
But whoever's beating the other team pretty handily, I mean, everybody else has got to be worried, I think, you know. um But, yeah, we'll see how it goes. I mean, I would probably have to give a slight edge to Oregon as well.
00:11:25
Kaleb
But we'll see.
00:11:27
Mike Bell
Sure. um Okay, let's move on.
Ohio State vs. Illinois Preview
00:11:29
Mike Bell
I want to go ahead and move on to one of the best rivalries in college football. A lot of anticipation for it this week.
00:11:39
Mike Bell
I am talking, of course, about Ohio State versus Illinois. ah That games at 11 a.m., Ohio State versus 4-1 Illinois.
00:11:51
Mike Bell
ah Ohio State's a 14.5 point favorite, and apparently this is a rivalry game. I didn't know that. I don't know if you knew that, but they're literally playing for a trophy.
00:12:00
Kaleb
No.
00:12:01
Mike Bell
Did you know they had a trophy for this game?
00:12:03
Kaleb
I did not.
00:12:04
Mike Bell
It shows you how kind of irrelevant Illinois has been.
00:12:05
Kaleb
did not.
00:12:07
Mike Bell
They've got, it's called the Illy Buck Trophy. And I guess no one knows about it because Ohio State's probably held on to it for like 50 straight years, you know?
00:12:14
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:12:15
Mike Bell
ah But in researching this game, this is a rivalry game. um So, yeah, this is... yeah So whenever I was you know doing my research for the week and going over the games, you see Ohio State versus Illinois. You just brought them up and how Illinois has been impressive.
00:12:30
Mike Bell
I love Illinois. I like their coach. And i was trying to say, okay, well, how can i convince myself that Illinois can really compete in this game?
00:12:43
Mike Bell
This is going to be a fun game to watch, all that. And I'll just have to, you know, jump ahead in my analysis to what I think is going to happen. And that is, unfortunately, i don't think Illinois can hang with Ohio state as much as I want it to happen.
00:12:59
Kaleb
but me Yeah.
00:13:01
Mike Bell
Yeah. As much as I want to happen, this is just two teams at different levels. Uh, you just can't expect that much from Illinois, even though they have returning starters, all that Ohio state is, there's a reason they're the number one team in the country. There's a reason they won it all last year.
00:13:17
Mike Bell
ah This is truly, I think, a David versus Goliath matchup. Their quarterback, if there could have been a weakness, Julian, how do you say this last night?
00:13:27
Mike Bell
don't know if saying Sion.
00:13:28
Kaleb
Sam, I think. Yeah.
00:13:30
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:13:30
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:13:31
Mike Bell
You know, if there was a weakness, you could argue, okay, well, Look, he's a freshman. Is he ready to go? Has he seen all the looks yet? Are there going to be any mistakes? And if you watched him up into that Washington game, it's like, okay, they haven't completely opened him up yet.
00:13:46
Mike Bell
So is he capable of making all the th throws?
00:13:47
Kaleb
yeah
00:13:48
Mike Bell
And then what do you know? Last week, he has his best game so far, 326 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions. ah He's been awesome, 14 touchdowns. hes He's been lighting it up.
00:14:01
Mike Bell
He's been on the road now. um And then not only that, just the pieces he has around him. Everyone knows about Jeremiah Smith, but Carnell Tate, their other receiver, has been excellent.
00:14:13
Mike Bell
I mean, I want Illinois to compete, but these stats are pretty jarring. you know Ohio State, outscoring opponents through five two twenty five
00:14:26
Kaleb
yeah
00:14:26
Mike Bell
through five game Five points per game allowed.
00:14:28
Kaleb
yep
00:14:31
Mike Bell
It's just like a next level good. And unfortunately, like, I don't know who really could at this point of the season, other than a handful of teams compete with Ohio State.
00:14:45
Mike Bell
I don't think it's going to be Illinois. ah Being that that's the case, if I had to write game plan for Illinois, I would say try to take chances.
00:14:56
Mike Bell
ah Try to do something crazy with – because, you know, look, Julian Sion saying he is a freshman. Give him some looks maybe he hasn't seen. Try to get to him early, get him off his game. And if they score on you, oh, well, you tried.
00:15:10
Mike Bell
um Offensively, i think Altmeier, who's been so so good this year, you're going to need to have him have ah just a special performance. ah To Illinois' credit, they have a great coach in Brett Bielema.
00:15:25
Mike Bell
Can he put together just a great game plan? They're going to have But I'm excited to watch the game. But unfortunately, i think this could be an Ohio State route.
00:15:37
Mike Bell
But what do you think?
00:15:41
Kaleb
So I think for the most part, you have copied my notes because, you know, really kind of had the same thing. so kind of back to what I was saying when we were talking about the working name.
00:15:53
Mike Bell
Thank you.
00:15:53
Kaleb
Illinois, and since the since that loss, Luke Altmaier has had two 300-yard games, has pretty much been perfect the entire year, to be honest with you, other than the loss, which did he look bad?
00:16:06
Kaleb
At times, yes. But since then, he's been perfect. And other than that game, he's pretty much been perfect. Many ah doubters have been silenced. So I think if Illinois were to have –
00:16:19
Kaleb
path to victory here kind of like you were saying I think, obviously, Luke Altmaier has to be perfect. I think Illinois has got to commit to the run game, um even if they're down by 10 points in the third or you know whatever the case may be.
00:16:25
Mike Bell
you
00:16:31
Kaleb
Because the more time that Julian Sane has with those toys of his, and Tate and Jeremiah Smith, there's just going more likelihood that Ohio State runs up the scoreboard.
00:16:43
Kaleb
Illinois has got to have a really good run game and just s Luke Altmaier, he doesn't have to go out there and throw 300 yards. He may have to, but he doesn't – I feel like we don't need to put him in that situation.
00:16:55
Kaleb
um As far as the Illinois defense, I think they've really got to cover up Jeremiah Smith and you know just do a good job at covering them. um I think that – I agree with pretty much what you said. Julian Sand is – I can't remember if he's actually like, he may be a redshirt freshman, but he's still very young in his game development. And really the only like major defense he's faced up to this point ah was Texas's.
00:17:23
Kaleb
And, you know, our defense was giving him fits for the most part.
00:17:26
Mike Bell
you
00:17:27
Kaleb
Okay. Um, he's actually Julian saying is actually leading the nation right now and put a completion percentage with 80. So whenever a quarterback has that high of a completion percentage, what are they doing?
00:17:40
Kaleb
They're kind of dinking and dunking. Okay. They haven't necessarily like gotten to where they're consistently going to the long game yet, which is fine. I mean, he's a very young quarterback still, you know, and he's doing very good.
00:17:52
Kaleb
um But if, As long as Illinois can pretty much just not allow big plays, they can do they can make a little hard on him for sure. So I'll be interested to kind of see. I think the spread on that game is ah or ah Ohio State 15.5 points, which
00:18:12
Kaleb
I could see that may very well end up happening, although I don't like it, but we'll see.
00:18:19
Mike Bell
Yeah, yeah no agreed. um i do think I'll be watching this game, as I'm sure you will, and I'm not looking for Illinois to do any sort of crazy upset. I want to see, can they compete in this game and show that they're ready to take a step step forward as an above-average team to maybe a really good team. We'll We'll see.
00:18:41
Mike Bell
move on. um let's move on and I'll let you choose. Do you want to start with... go to Actually, I'm going to choose. Let's just get right into it.
Oklahoma vs. Texas Discussion
00:18:53
Mike Bell
It's your game. It's the number six Oklahoma Sooners versus Texas Long Corners. They're three and two This is at 2.30 on ABC. Texas, as of yesterday...
00:19:03
Kaleb
This crime, by the way.
00:19:05
Mike Bell
ah Yeah, it is. ah Texas is a Well, it was a two-and-a-half point favorite. That line today has come down to one-and-a-half. Last week, it was five-and-a-half, and that is because there is uncertainty about the John Matera injury.
00:19:19
Kaleb
Yeah, quarterback.
00:19:22
Mike Bell
And i know OU probably knows if he's going to play. They're probably playing a little bit on mind games.
00:19:26
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:19:28
Mike Bell
It's going to be very interesting to see if he plays.
00:19:29
Kaleb
I think they are.
00:19:32
Mike Bell
What are your thoughts on the game?
00:19:36
Kaleb
So doing the race research, ah there's like 69% of people think Texas is going to win. or Yeah, 60.9% people think Texas is going to win. And I think it's just because of the quarterback situation with OU.
00:19:51
Kaleb
Because even just today, I saw that John Mater was making a push to being able to play the Texas game. um And then I saw – actually, i really didn't even understand what it was saying, to be honest with you. But it was – Brent Venables was saying something along the lines of like, yeah, you know, i don't know if he's gonna be able to go or not kind of thing. So I think there is a little bit of a mind game because the quarterbacks that would be playing are too drastically different. Like John Mathier is a really good throw of the pass. Hawkins, their backup quarterback who we played against last year. And we did a really good job of containing him. He's a really good runner. John Mathier is too, but he's like a really good passer as well. Hawkins, I think he's like maybe a sophomore or something. He just hasn't developed as a passer as much yet.
00:20:37
Kaleb
Either way, honestly, i am still worried about the game. My biggest questions for Texas is how will your offensive line ah yeah show up against that great OU defensive line?
00:20:49
Kaleb
and Okay. And then how will our defense show up? Because yesterday, I mean ah last weekend against Florida, our defense just looked like, you know, we weren't one of the best units in the country.
00:21:02
Kaleb
And something I forgot to say potentially was, was Texas overlooking that Florida game in anticipation of this? I don't necessari necessarily think so, but – ah I don't know.
00:21:17
Kaleb
i don't know. If they did, it was foolish of them, you know. But I think it will be an interesting game. I'm very nervous regardless of the quarterback situation. I think if John Matera is out there, ah then it's like, okay, well, we might need to kind of be prepared for a loss.
00:21:34
Kaleb
And if John Matera is out there, i mean, is a great team. ah i mean, ah think they're ranked five. you could argue they could be a little bit further ahead too, to be honest, because they have a great defense, good quarterback, great offensive pieces.
00:21:51
Kaleb
Something that, like while was looking at some stats and whatnot, I thought something that was interesting was John Manteer was out this past weekend when OU played Kent State, but here's John Manteer's stats, okay? So he's 95 for 141 passes, six touchdowns, three interceptions, okay? Okay.
00:22:09
Kaleb
Arch Manning, 81 for 135 passes, 11 touchdowns, five interceptions. And if you want to, we can take away the Arch Manning's last game stats, which was, I believe, two touchdowns, two interceptions.
00:22:22
Kaleb
So that would put us at nine and three. So i think that I think that's kind of interesting because there's not really too too much of a separation here ah between the two quarterbacks ah footbacks and John Matera.
00:22:32
Mike Bell
Thank
00:22:36
Kaleb
don't know if he's a fifth-year senior or a fourth-year senior. But ah anyway, i thought that was kind of interesting just looking at it. But Texas has got to have a run game. We can't just sit here and just put the entire game on Arch's shoulders, kind of like we did against the Florida game or in the Florida game.
00:22:52
Kaleb
OU's got – I think OU has a more talented defense than Florida. They have more pass rushing capability than Florida does. Okay.
00:23:03
Kaleb
And i mean, if we put ourselves in that situation where we don't have a run game or Arch is going to have another game where he's hit like almost every play and you know, he's, it just won't be pretty.
00:23:15
Kaleb
So anyway, what are your thoughts on the game?
00:23:20
Mike Bell
um Would you agree this is a must-win game for Texas?
00:23:30
Kaleb
I think so because it's going to dictate how the rest of our season goes, I think. Like if we win this game, I think that shows some great – shows great resilience. um And frankly, you know, i was talking with my dad about this last night.
00:23:45
Kaleb
For Texas to even be in a conversation for the playoff this year, we've got to be perfect the rest of the year. There can't be any blemishes or anything. So if we come out here and lose this game, that's over. Our season for –
00:24:00
Kaleb
The season is over, essentially, if we lose this game. And, of course, you never want to lose to OU.
00:24:06
Kaleb
You just never want to do that.
00:24:06
Mike Bell
Yep.
00:24:08
Kaleb
Okay. So, yes, answer your question, I think it is a must win. I'm trying to think. I'm just trying to play devil's advocate. um I think OU has a little bit more of a mature team than we do. So let's just say Texas is loses.
00:24:24
Kaleb
I think it's just the manner of how we lose. Like if OU just goes and beats the complete crap out of us, then yes, really bad loss. And it's like, okay, then you're going to start asking questions of, okay, what's the what's a coaches doing here? Or, you know, what, because we have players, they're just younger, and that's not necessarily an excuse, but kind of just sets up some expectations.
00:24:48
Kaleb
If we're at least competitive for the majority the game and OU pulls away, you know, I can at least live with that.
00:24:56
Mike Bell
Yeah, and the thing is, if they do lose this game, could this loss then therefore turn into other losses? Because I think they know, like, look, we don't win this game.
00:25:05
Kaleb
yeah
00:25:06
Mike Bell
There's not a path for us in the SEC playoffs, you know, all that. ah
00:25:10
Kaleb
you know
00:25:11
Mike Bell
Here's a question. Is this a must-win game for Oklahoma?
00:25:17
Mike Bell
And I'm not talking just because it's a rivalry, because obviously both teams want to win. I'm saying, is this a must-win game for Oklahoma?
00:25:34
Kaleb
I think if OU loses this game, they at least have like
00:25:41
Kaleb
I think they still have some capability of coming back to go into the playoff picture. However,
00:25:49
Kaleb
i would probably say it's right there as far as like a must win because, you know, right now Texas is unranked. We've lost two games against really the only two opponents that are like real opponents that we faced.
00:26:02
Kaleb
So I guess it, I guess would just be on how the voters view Texas at this point in time, I guess.
00:26:08
Mike Bell
I think in that sense, OU can afford to lose the game if John Matera doesn't play because the voters will give them the benefit of the doubt. But that's not necessarily where I was going with it.
00:26:17
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:26:20
Mike Bell
um I think it's a must-win game because if you look at OU's schedule, which is one of the toughest in the nation, Texas is one of their easier opponents, at least to the the way Texas has played so far.
00:26:27
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah, would agree.
00:26:36
Kaleb
ah yeah i would agree
00:26:36
Mike Bell
um So given that, I think OU knows, like, hey, and that's just another reason Matier, you know, if I'm an Oklahoma fan, needs to play because that end of the schedule is brutal.
00:26:49
Mike Bell
I'll read it out to you real quick.
00:26:50
Kaleb
Yeah, it is. Yeah. Yeah. Go ahead.
00:26:52
Mike Bell
next game at South Carolina. Okay, you should win that one, but that's also depending on Matias' health. We don't know going be back. And then you host Ole Miss at Tennessee at Alabama, host Missouri, host LSU.
00:26:59
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:27:08
Mike Bell
So, like, you got to think, even with Matias...
00:27:10
Kaleb
I don't know if anybody has that part of a schedule like that late in the year.
00:27:15
Mike Bell
Yeah, I think there's one other team. I saw them earlier. In fact, I think it was South Carolina. They've got a rough one. um South Carolina's not going win any more games this year. But, yeah, if I'm OU, I'm looking at it at like, well, geez, we're probably not going to be perfect at the end of the year.
00:27:33
Kaleb
No.
00:27:33
Mike Bell
There's a good chance we have two losses. We've got to win this game, you know?
00:27:37
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:27:38
Mike Bell
So, yeah, I think this game has...
00:27:40
Kaleb
we don I mean, yeah. Just going to your point, you know, if they if they were to win this game and lose two games like later down the road against those kinds of teams, I think the ah think the committee would be able to like kind of give them a little bit of grace because that is a hard like last month and a half there. Like how many teams do you think could go perfect?
00:28:04
Kaleb
I don't even know if you can name one, but um yeah, if OU were to lose against Texas and then add in one more, two more, their season's done too.
00:28:14
Mike Bell
That's tough.
00:28:15
Kaleb
Yeah, it didn
00:28:16
Mike Bell
Right, right.
00:28:16
Kaleb
It is. Yeah.
00:28:18
Mike Bell
Yeah, so i think this game has just, I think it's a must win for both teams, and that makes the game even more exciting. ah
00:28:25
Kaleb
yeah
00:28:26
Mike Bell
From the Texas point of view, it's just like, geez, how much can you really fix in a week? Because it's not like they have one issue.
00:28:33
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:28:34
Mike Bell
I don't think their defense last week is actually who they are. I think they are a better defense than that.
00:28:38
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:28:40
Mike Bell
My concern would be is that that offensive line. Because,
00:28:43
Kaleb
Uh-huh.
00:28:45
Mike Bell
I'd be worried for that offensive line about just about any team, but like it's OU.
00:28:48
Kaleb
Oh, yeah.
00:28:49
Mike Bell
OU, they are harassing teams. so
00:28:52
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:28:53
Mike Bell
Can Arch use his legs? Can you guys find any sort of a run game?
00:28:55
Kaleb
It have been since the parables have been here. Yeah.
00:28:58
Mike Bell
Right, right. so you know um When I was looking at the stats earlier, OU is top five in just about every defensive category. And then when you compare that to Texas's offense, their best stat is like 48th in the country, and that's yards per play.
00:29:12
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:29:16
Mike Bell
You know, that's 48th in the country. So they're going to have a hard time. I think if I were to talk myself into how can Texas get this done, one, it's a rivalry, things happen.
00:29:27
Mike Bell
But Oklahoma, despite their defense being great,
00:29:27
Kaleb
yeah
00:29:32
Mike Bell
is 108th in the country in turnovers. They've only got one interception this year. Now, that could be...
00:29:38
Kaleb
And RD is one of the top in the country as far as getting turnovers.
00:29:43
Mike Bell
Exactly, exactly. So I'm thinking, mature or not, can Texas generate some turnovers? And whoever has the most turnovers defensively could be the team that wins the game.
00:29:55
Mike Bell
And that could be bad for Texas, too, in the sense that OU doesn't get a lot of turnovers. So if you just give them some freebies, if Arch isn't on his game, it could be a long day for Texas.
00:30:04
Kaleb
Okay.
00:30:07
Kaleb
Yeah, exactly.
00:30:07
Mike Bell
ah But I'm excited for this one, even though it could be an ugly game. um
00:30:13
Kaleb
It could
00:30:14
Mike Bell
but we don't know how it's going to be. So listen, I'm going to put you on the spot right now. Who do you honestly, let's say, give me both mature and non mature. What do you think is going to happen here?
00:30:29
Kaleb
With Matier, I definitely think it's a loss. I think if ah Hawkins is a quarterback, I think we at least have a chance, but honestly, I would not be surprised if OU won. Now let me say this as well.
00:30:41
Kaleb
It's kind of interesting since Sark and Brent Venables have been coaching. It's like we're taking turns on who's taken that hat afterwards. One year we win, the next year they win, the next year we win and dah, dah, dah, dah.
00:30:54
Mike Bell
Mm-hmm.
00:30:55
Kaleb
So it's kind of interesting. And, you know, last year we won. um And so thankfully we have that hat still. So i here's my question.
00:31:06
Kaleb
i i still believe in the Texas coaches. I really do. i think Sark has done a fantastic job with Texas, getting us out, ah like basically getting us out of the ashes of arguably the worst 10-year period in Texas's history.
00:31:21
Kaleb
I just don't see –
00:31:26
Kaleb
Like, here's the question Sark's going be asking his players. How do I make sure that they're ready? I believe in Coach Sark. I believe in all of our coaches. I think we have great coaches. I think we have one of the best coaching staffs in the nation.
00:31:36
Kaleb
I think we're going to show up and be ready. um Just, I think it's going to come down to, you can our offensive line give Arch a chance and at least have a good enough run game to just make the passing game a little bit easier for Arch?
00:31:54
Kaleb
This will come down to, but either way, both quarterbacks, I'd maybe give a slight edge to Oklahoma.
00:32:01
Mike Bell
Yeah, I would pretty much agree with that. I will say i think I was prepared to maybe go – and I still might go Texas. But ah prepared to go Texas without Mateer. But ah you looking at the stats, I just don't know how Texas is going to move the ball.
00:32:17
Mike Bell
I just don't – I don't know.
00:32:18
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:32:18
Mike Bell
I think OU's defense is just that good.
00:32:22
Kaleb
yeah
00:32:22
Mike Bell
um so But you never know. This is a rivalry game.
00:32:26
Kaleb
Ravelry games are crazy.
00:32:26
Mike Bell
Things happen. Watch it be like 49-41 game or something.
00:32:27
Kaleb
new Yeah.
00:32:30
Mike Bell
ah but
00:32:30
Kaleb
yeah I could see it being a very defensive slugfest. didn um And then just it coming down to the quarterback play, which if Hawkins plays for OU, I think Arch is better quarterback than he is.
00:32:45
Kaleb
I just think OU has a better overall team than we do right now.
00:32:46
Mike Bell
Yep. Yep.
00:32:50
Kaleb
I think –
00:32:50
Mike Bell
yeah
00:32:52
Kaleb
Off of last week's episode, i think we both agreed that Arch didn't play his best game by any means. But given the circumstances, he played a you know a really good game. I know he tossed those two interceptions.
00:33:03
Kaleb
What else to expect? So this game won't hinge on Arch. It will hinge on our offensive line. And that's where the conversation needs to go if we lose the game.
00:33:11
Mike Bell
yet
00:33:13
Kaleb
And, yeah you know, actually, I'll bring this up because I forgot about it till just now. I saw an article saying that ah basically Sark may need to go back to BYU and coach there because of the expectations at Texas and whatnot. And I was like, guys, are you freaking kidding me?
00:33:31
Kaleb
Like, I mean, don't get me wrong. The expectations, they're definitely a problem at Texas. Like, too many people are just not patient enough and just, like, realistic about it. But is it's just insane to me as far as the – and I don't know who wrote it.
00:33:43
Mike Bell
Thank you.
00:33:48
Kaleb
i don't know if it's anti-Texas person or a fan or whatever, but it's just ridiculous. Like, the guy has taken us to the college football playoff ah multiple years in a row. And, I mean –
00:34:00
Kaleb
the first yeah The first one against Washington, um it's like literally one play could have changed and we could have gone to the national championship. Probably would have lost Michigan. But it's not like we're – I don't know.
00:34:12
Kaleb
It's not like we're horrible. It's just, I don't know, life cycle of a team, I guess, right? So –
00:34:17
Mike Bell
Not to get too off track, but on that note, and this is, we talked about it a little bit with Arkansas a couple weeks ago and you know, that job. And here's the thing that I don't think Texas fans fully appreciate.
00:34:29
Mike Bell
ah It is hard to win in the SEC.
00:34:33
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:34:33
Mike Bell
And it's going to get harder because I saw y'all schedule for next year. everyone i saw our schedule. I mean, it's tough. I mean, when you have Alabama, Georgia,
00:34:46
Mike Bell
and just these teams, you never know if they're going to be good. it's just not the same as the Big 12, where you only have a couple games that you got to win. Like, no, the SEC slate is tough.
00:34:57
Mike Bell
So to just expect to be the number one team every year, that's just not going to happen.
00:35:01
Kaleb
yeah
00:35:02
Mike Bell
And I would also say, remember, as we talked about the last episode, you guys still are a pretty young team, especially at important positions, especially with Arch Manning. So uh yeah you may just have to as i said last time look at this year kind of like a rebuilding year so
00:35:19
Kaleb
Yeah, I mean, I agree. i just don't know if the whole fan base would.
00:35:24
Mike Bell
true true um yeah yeah okay uh next game we've got number eight alabama four and one
00:35:26
Kaleb
I think they've dropped a little too much of the Arch Manning Kool-Aid, you know, but we'll see.
Alabama vs. Missouri Game Analysis
00:35:38
Mike Bell
Versus number 14, Missouri. 5-0, 11 a.m. on ABC. Alabama is favored in this game by three. um Missouri, they're off a bye.
00:35:53
Mike Bell
Alabama, they're off a pretty tough schedule, especially these last two weeks. ah Obviously talking about at Georgia and hosting Vanderbilt. And I know that Vanderbilt game,
00:36:07
Mike Bell
While the talent may have been different than the talent they faced versus Georgia emotionally, I know that was a big game for them, knowing game day was coming into town, knowing that Vandy beat you last year.
00:36:19
Mike Bell
And also, it's a tough spot for Alabama because next week they have Tennessee. If I had to rank those four opponents, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Tennessee, I would say Missouri is probably the worst of the four yet.
00:36:41
Mike Bell
I think this could be the toughest spot in that four-game stretch for Alabama for the reasons that you're coming off those two games, you're at Missouri, who is coming off a bye, and they know Alabama's coming into town.
00:36:56
Mike Bell
I think this is going to be a great game. ah Major stakes on the line, major SEC stakes. Let's not forget, you know Alabama, we think whenever they're, because Alabama is kind of back right now, right?
00:37:09
Mike Bell
But back doesn't mean the Alabama of the Nick Saban past. Probably not. These teams are a lot more even, more even than they than they ever have been. I'm not saying Missouri is quite there with Alabama, but I'm saying Alabama still has its flaws.
00:37:27
Mike Bell
um So I think this is going to be a very exciting game. i i don't I think this line is ah properly placed at Alabama minus three. Those are kind of my general thoughts on the game. i am very excited for this one.
00:37:43
Mike Bell
yeah So this is happening at the same time. What was the other game at 11? The Ohio State, Illinois. I told you I think Ohio State probably going blow doors. I do not think that with this game.
00:37:54
Mike Bell
I think this is going to be an exciting game. What are your thoughts?
00:38:03
Mike Bell
good
00:38:04
Kaleb
Yeah, so I pretty much agree with everything you just said. i think it will go back to, so Missouri has had a pretty decent, like decently balanced offense.
00:38:08
Mike Bell
Thank you.
00:38:14
Kaleb
My only question is, what is Missouri's best win? ah And really that's kind of a toss-up because devalues South Carolina a little bit better than Kansas just because the competition that the two teams have played.
00:38:29
Kaleb
I'm not really sure. Here's maybe where I give the edge to Alabama. Alabama is more battle-tested. They've played really good games. like pretty much almost The only game that I would maybe say Alabama hasn't played a top-tier opponent is ULM.
00:38:46
Kaleb
Ever since then, or every other game that Alabama has played against, it's been like a pretty good opponent. okay Whereas Missouri hasn't necessarily played or played like a
00:38:57
Kaleb
Like a truly top tier team. and Okay. um But kind of going back to last week when we were previewing the Vanderbilt-Alabama game, what did Vanderbilt need to do to win the game? They needed to have a very good run game ah because Alabama's defense is a little weak to that.
00:39:13
Kaleb
Missouri has done ah very good job of running the ball this year. So far, their running back has nine touchdowns in seven one hundred and 730 rushing yards.
00:39:16
Mike Bell
you
00:39:21
Kaleb
And also the quarterback is playing very good too. 75.9 completion percentage, nine touchdowns, three interceptions. um So they're a very good balanced offense.
00:39:33
Kaleb
Be interesting to see how Alabama's defense shows up against the run game. Um, If they can't hold it, I think Missouri's got a good shot at winning this game. um But...
00:39:46
Kaleb
without knowing how the game will go, I'm going to probably give a slight edge to Alabama just because the fact of the quality of opponents Alabama's faced versus the Missouri strength of schedule to this point.
00:39:51
Mike Bell
you
00:39:57
Kaleb
I think there is something to be said about iron sharpening iron. You know, when you play better opponents, it's going make you better as a football team and facebook and just make you more resilient, so to speak.
00:40:11
Kaleb
I think it will be a good game. It's just my question is, How long can Missouri be competitive? And I think, listen, I think Missouri could win this game potentially, but I think more likely what would happen is Alabama wins. And I think it's just a matter of when will Alabama pull away with the game?
00:40:31
Mike Bell
I like that analysis, and i also agree with what you were saying about, you know, we talked about Vandy last week. How can they run the ball? Alabama, 87th on defense against the rush. Guess who the number one rushing offense in the country is?
00:40:46
Kaleb
But I would have to imagine Missouri.
00:40:48
Mike Bell
Missouri. So if Missouri is going to win this game, can they run the ball?
00:40:49
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:40:53
Mike Bell
And the thing is, you know, I've got some stats here. ah Yeah, you mentioned the running back has 730 yards. That's number one in the country?
00:41:00
Kaleb
Yeah, that's pretty insane.
00:41:01
Mike Bell
Of all running backs. Yeah. So here's the note. Even though the schedule hasn't been great, that's still impressive.
00:41:08
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:41:08
Mike Bell
But going over these stats, it's like, well, geez. Like, yeah, Missouri's been really good, but they've had a really soft schedule. And yeah, Alabama, if you look at where they actually rank statistically, it's actually not the best in a lot of categories.
00:41:23
Mike Bell
But it's also against, as you were saying, pretty good competition. Like, maybe one of the toughest schedules in the country. um and They're only right right to this point and their only soft game was ULM.
00:41:31
Kaleb
Up to this point, I think.
00:41:37
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:41:37
Mike Bell
So. That's the thing. There's still so much unknown about Missouri. Like, could I see a Missouri, even though they clearly are playing better, could I see a Missouri being one of those teams? Like, this is where it's like, oh, yeah, that's right.
00:41:50
Mike Bell
This is Missouri. Like, they're a 7-5 team. They just don't know it yet. They haven't actually faced anybody yet.
00:41:58
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:41:58
Mike Bell
I could absolutely see that.
00:42:00
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:42:00
Mike Bell
That said, I still think the spot really favors them.
00:42:05
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:42:05
Mike Bell
And their quarterback has been very good. bold How do you say his name? Pervola? Whatever. Adult threat star.
00:42:12
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:42:12
Mike Bell
ah seen him.
00:42:12
Kaleb
prabula I think. Yeah.
00:42:13
Mike Bell
Yeah, I watched him quite a bit in the Kansas game.
00:42:15
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:42:16
Mike Bell
And I think the key to this is, can Alabama stop the Missouri run? By the way, Missouri can pass the ball pretty well, too. Don't forget.
00:42:24
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:42:25
Mike Bell
ah But if they can't run the ball, then this could be, I think, a long day for Missouri.
00:42:32
Kaleb
yeah You know, and Alabama is, you know, I heard this like last week. This is like the best wide receiver group for Alabama since probably in the last five years.
00:42:41
Mike Bell
Thank
00:42:43
Kaleb
The guy Ryan Williams, and I forgot the other guy. His number's five, though. I forgot his last name. You know, so, and Ty Simpson, you know, we're both very high on him. Kim Missouri covered them. Okay, and then also i will say Alabama's running back.
00:42:58
Kaleb
He had his best game against Vandy last week. is that success going to continue? Okay. um So those are, those are my questions. um Can Missouri control the Alabama passing attack?
00:43:15
Mike Bell
That's going to be...
00:43:15
Kaleb
And it's at Missouri too.
00:43:16
Mike Bell
the
00:43:17
Kaleb
you know, I'm not going to sit here and say Missouri is like one of the top team or top places to go play at, or, you know, for home field advantage purposes, but it does help them or it helps Missouri, you know,
00:43:28
Kaleb
I'd much rather play at home than go anywhere, of course, but you know Alabama, i mean that's one of the best stadiums in the country. you know So at least –
00:43:36
Mike Bell
Right. Well, you know Missouri's... You know Missouri's going to bring their best because it is Alabama coming to town off a bye.
00:43:42
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:43:43
Mike Bell
Alabama's got to be, yes, you're right, iron sharpens iron. But they've got to be like, okay, we're coming off some pretty big games. You know, they got to start feeling a little sluggish.
00:43:51
Kaleb
Yeah. We're at some point, well, the war of attrition, right?
00:43:55
Mike Bell
Right.
00:43:57
Kaleb
I mean, there's only so many great opponents you can play in a row before you're there's kind of some wear and tear that shows up in a sense.
00:43:59
Mike Bell
Mm-hmm.
00:44:06
Kaleb
um I'm not saying that's going to happen here, but, um you know, something that you never had to worry about under Nick Saban was the was the team's mentality.
00:44:12
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:44:17
Kaleb
You never had to worry about that with Coach Saban. with Kalen DeBoer, that wasn't necessarily a concern you had when, like, coming into last year because he done he has done great, like, pretty much at every job he's been at. But it was very up and down pretty much throughout his coaching tenure with Alabama. So, i and I think he's done a great job this year. Like, you know, I'm not going to sit here and say Alabama's done anything bad. i mean, i don't really view the loss against Florida State as being –
00:44:51
Kaleb
that bad but i think this will be like kind of a good culture test you know is caitlin de boer building a resilient culture at alabama
00:45:03
Mike Bell
Agreed. And just by the way, the receiver you were thinking of was Jeremy Bernard. 25 catches, nearly 400 yards receiving.
00:45:07
Kaleb
yeah yeah overriding williams which is kind of crazy to think about you know
00:45:10
Mike Bell
actually been their top guy. Five touchdowns.
00:45:17
Mike Bell
Right, right.
00:45:17
Kaleb
lot of people very high on him last year and always were comparing him and Jeremiah Smith to each other nonstop last year. Duck the stats and stuff. Two different players for sure.
00:45:29
Kaleb
But anyway.
00:45:31
Mike Bell
For sure. um Okay, so I think that's kind of like the big four games. All of these games are either 11 a.m., 2.30. There's some other games. I know we didn't go in in our research as in-depth, but there's other games to talk about. Is there a game that immediately kind of catches your eye that you think needs to be discussed?
00:45:54
Kaleb
I think there's two for me. um i think the Arkansas versus Tennessee game will be interesting just because Bobby Petrino taking over and everything like that.
00:46:05
Kaleb
And then I believe, where's this game being played at? Let me see where, I forgot where it was at. Let me look real
00:46:11
Mike Bell
Tennessee.
00:46:13
Kaleb
So it's going very hard environment for them. That's a good rivalry as well. um I will say a little back story. this When this game was played last year, we were at Noah, which is a guy that we both grew up with um to the audience.
00:46:29
Kaleb
I was at his bachelor party in Hot Springs, Arkansas. And, you know, Arkansas came out and beat Tennessee, who was ranked number four at the time. i believe Arkansas was probably unranked.
00:46:40
Kaleb
Anyway, the next, ah the next day after Arkansas won in dramatic fashion, everybody downtown, that was all they were talking about, you know? So there's a huge passion for football in Arkansas.
00:46:52
Kaleb
ah There really is. um I just, man, I think we're both pretty high on Tennessee too. think Josh Eiffel has done a great job with Tennessee because,
00:47:06
Kaleb
listen, it's a great environment and you could argue it's a top 10 place to coach, but
00:47:16
Kaleb
I don't know how to describe it. Like I don't necessarily view it like an Arkansas job per se, because it's not, it's easier to get more talent to Tennessee, but it's not necessarily like a job like a Texas or an Alabama or even A&M or a You know, there's like a different, like they're right under that cusp in a sense, you know, so it's definitely a, I think it's a difficult place to coach in a sense, but one they they have a great fan base as well and a very interesting environment to go play in.
00:47:37
Mike Bell
You
00:47:45
Kaleb
But out how will Bobby Petrino's team come out and play? I expect Tennessee to come out and just beat the crap out of them, but how long can Bobby Petrino's team be competitive?
00:47:58
Kaleb
And that'll be interesting.
00:48:01
Mike Bell
you know, and he's auditioning as well. He probably wants job.
00:48:03
Kaleb
Yeah, he is. Wouldn't that be insane if he got re-reacted?
00:48:09
Mike Bell
I mean, in he's shown to be a pretty good coach.
00:48:10
Kaleb
Yeah, he is. Yeah, he was. Yeah.
00:48:14
Mike Bell
Yeah. Yeah, you you remember he was an A&M offensive coordinator just a couple years
00:48:18
Kaleb
Yeah.
Arkansas vs. Tennessee Preview
00:48:19
Mike Bell
ago.
00:48:19
Mike Bell
So, yeah, I think, honestly, ah yeah, I think Tennessee could roll here.
00:48:19
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:48:26
Mike Bell
um The thing is...
00:48:27
Kaleb
I'm not saying the game's interesting. I'm just... I mean, I think Tennessee is probably going to out and beat the crap out of them. ah The only thing I'm curious about is how will Arkansas's team show up?
00:48:39
Mike Bell
ah g Agreed. Well, and also Tennessee, could they be looking ahead to Alabama? They've got Alabama next week.
00:48:43
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:48:44
Mike Bell
um Here's the thing.
00:48:45
Kaleb
Which it's a rivalry game too.
00:48:45
Mike Bell
here's Yeah.
00:48:46
Kaleb
This is a rivalry game. And
00:48:50
Kaleb
It's one thing to look at it on paper, but, man, it's kind of like we were talking about with the OU-Texas game.
00:48:53
Mike Bell
Things happen.
00:48:56
Kaleb
Just any rivalry game, it's like you got to throw the papers out. You know what I mean? it's I don't know how to describe it to those that don't watch football. But I don't know.
00:49:08
Kaleb
It's just like no matter the talent level, no matter how the team's been playing, i don't know.
00:49:13
Mike Bell
These games can be close.
00:49:13
Kaleb
Yeah. yeah
00:49:15
Mike Bell
Well, here's the deal.
00:49:15
Kaleb
It could be question.
00:49:15
Mike Bell
here Here's what I would say about the game. ah Arkansas has, other than Notre Dame, I don't know what happened, but they've moved the ball well versus everybody.
00:49:24
Kaleb
yeah Yeah, they're pretty good offense.
00:49:26
Mike Bell
Tennessee, has moved the ball well against anybody, against everybody. Tennessee's defense hasn't stopped anybody, have they? I mean, I don't have their schedule right in front of me. I can look, but I know they allowed a lot of points in Mississippi State.
00:49:38
Mike Bell
I know they nearly lost to Mississippi State. um So this could be one of those things where it's like a high-scoring affair.
00:49:43
Kaleb
Pretty much every game, yeah.
00:49:46
Mike Bell
Yeah, I...
00:49:47
Kaleb
only game that there's a team of separation that they've had against was ETSU. And, I mean, it's like, who the hell is that? I don't even know. um Every other game, there's – I mean, when they played UAB, it was Okay. But, 24 points to UAB.
00:50:02
Kaleb
mean, yeah. but i made twenty four points cab i mean
00:50:06
Mike Bell
Right. well I mean, look at both these teams.
00:50:06
Kaleb
so if
00:50:08
Mike Bell
Both these teams score a lot and allow a lot of points.
00:50:09
Kaleb
yeah
00:50:11
Mike Bell
So this could be a crazy game. You you really don't know.
00:50:15
Kaleb
Well, exactly. You know, and really the only game that Arkansas has like really been out of was against Notre Dame, which we're both pretty high on Notre Dame. The Memphis, and listen, you know, the do I think Arkansas should have allowed that game to be lost?
00:50:31
Mike Bell
Yep.
00:50:31
Kaleb
No. But Memphis, I believe they are still undefeated. Yeah, they're 6-0. They're ranked 23 in yeah. so
00:50:38
Mike Bell
even
00:50:39
Kaleb
i Is it a bad loss for Arkansas? Yes, but it's not like Memphis is like a you know a little podunk school or anything by any means. and they you know Arkansas was pretty competitive with Ole Miss too.
00:50:52
Kaleb
So ah I definitely think Bobby Petrino, I mean, I think it was just kind of coming down to a coaching point at this stage for Arkansas.
00:50:53
Mike Bell
yep
00:51:02
Kaleb
Arkansas's got a great offense. If they can just figure out a little bit on the defense, I think they've got a chance. Yeah.
00:51:10
Mike Bell
Agreed, agreed.
00:51:10
Kaleb
are getting They're coming off a bag.
00:51:11
Mike Bell
For
00:51:12
Kaleb
So they were able to get the lab a little bit and kind of take a look and see what they needed to get done. So... Let
00:51:19
Mike Bell
for sure. um
Michigan vs. USC Game Breakdown
00:51:21
Kaleb
me see what's...
00:51:21
Mike Bell
Okay, next game next game that I was going to bring up would be ah Michigan at USC.
00:51:29
Mike Bell
I think that's probably going to be the game of the night window that probably draws the most ratings. And rightfully so. You have two big-name programs. ah Both these programs, four and one both these programs i'm sorry Michigan's 2-0 in the Big Ten, USC is 2-1 in the Big Ten.
00:51:49
Mike Bell
ah USC coming off bye, their last loss was to Illinois. They were right there in that game. Couldn't get it done. Everyone was kind of expecting USC to win that game. I remember they were favored by 7.5.
00:52:02
Mike Bell
Very interested to see. Now, it makes sense because they're coming off a bye and they're at home, but interested to see that they're favored by two and a half. And Michigan is one of those teams I've actually watched ah just about every game just by happenstance.
00:52:19
Mike Bell
And they are improving each and every week. I think their ranking is right where they are. It's proper for the level they've performed at.
00:52:25
Kaleb
Yeah.
00:52:29
Mike Bell
Their only loss is to OU. That was one of Underwood's first game. It was one of his first games.
00:52:34
Kaleb
Very competitive ah game at OU2.
00:52:36
Mike Bell
Yeah.
00:52:37
Kaleb
I mean, really, that was a very competitive game until maybe around the 10-minute mark at the fourth quarter.
00:52:37
Mike Bell
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
00:52:43
Kaleb
True freshman quarterback going and playing against Brent Venables' defense.
00:52:49
Mike Bell
Mm-hmm.
00:52:49
Kaleb
There's not too much more expectations you could have for Bryce Underwood. He played fantastic in that game. Or as good as you could
00:52:56
Mike Bell
Agreed. Agreed. And one of the things I get from Michigan every week when I watch them is they're one of the best running teams in the country, obviously because Underwood moves the ball, but they're they're running backs.
00:53:04
Kaleb
expect.
00:53:08
Mike Bell
Haynes has been spectacular. 654 yards. I don't know what that is in the country, but we were just talking about Missouri's guy who's got 730, that number
00:53:16
Kaleb
Number one.
00:53:17
Mike Bell
and that was number one
00:53:18
Kaleb
Top three, maybe? I don't know.
00:53:19
Mike Bell
Yeah, it's something like that. So they can run the ball, and this is versus a USC defense that has yet to show up. So um I'm excited.
00:53:29
Kaleb
Yeah, was about say that.
00:53:31
Mike Bell
I'm excited for this game. I do think it'll be fun to watch. ah USC, they're in a must-win spot. If they win, they're probably back in the rankings. Michigan, <unk> kind of everyone kind of acknowledges they're kind of in they're supposed to be kind of in a rebuild year, a rebuild phase.
00:53:47
Kaleb
Mm-hmm.
00:53:48
Mike Bell
But if they win this game, ah their schedule is pretty favorable other than that Ohio State game at the end of the year. So I'm looking forward to this one.
00:54:00
Mike Bell
i agree the line should be close. and And yeah, I'm actually looking at Michigan's schedule real quick. I don't know if it's favorable.
00:54:08
Kaleb
yeah.
00:54:08
Mike Bell
They've got Washington next week. That could be a fun game. And then Ohio State at the end of the year. But got to be impressed with Michigan to this point. um
00:54:16
Kaleb
oh yeah
00:54:17
Mike Bell
they've been They've been good. And USC is looking for that win, you know, that big win. This could be it for them. so I'm excited for this one.
00:54:28
Kaleb
Yeah, I mean, you've definitely got to give credit to – what's that guy's name? Sharon Moore. I think that's his name, the Michigan head coach. I mean, honestly, there has not been much –
00:54:37
Mike Bell
Oh, yeah.
00:54:42
Kaleb
I don't know how to say it. I mean, it's not like, you know, Jim Harbaugh, when he was still in college, he was one of the, if not the best college football coach, or one of the best college football coaches, okay?
00:54:53
Kaleb
There was really not that much of a dip between when Sherrod Moore took over.
00:54:53
Mike Bell
Thank
00:54:57
Kaleb
And I think that's highly remarkable, to be honest with you, because Michigan's one of those teams where you gotta kind of have a, I would almost say similar to Texas in a sense, you have to have the right guy and and that place could get running very well pretty quickly.
00:55:12
Kaleb
I think they did a great job hiring him. he's i mean and like i think this is his second year. He's done a great job with them. i mean they've been Like you said, and frankly, that was the same story last year.
00:55:23
Kaleb
every every After every game, they improved. which Honestly, that's what you want in your team. As long as you're improving each and every week, that's all you can ask your team to do at the end of the day.
00:55:35
Kaleb
um USC, I think it'll be interesting. Here's my thing. if Lincoln Riley loses this game, how much how much of a strain on the rope does he have?
00:55:47
Kaleb
and Okay? Lincoln Riley has been out there for like, ah what, like probably four years or something like that. And he has not really had the same success out there as he's had with OU in the past.
00:56:01
Kaleb
He just, for whatever reason, has not been able to get a defensive guy over there. And kind of the along the same lines as, oh my gosh, forgot the game we were just, the Missouri versus Alabama game.
00:56:15
Kaleb
Just look at the opponent difference between Michigan and USC. okay USC's best game or best opponent they had played against was Illinois, and they lost last weekend. Or, excuse me, two weeks ago.
00:56:32
Kaleb
ah believe in overtime. okay Every other game. ah Now, purdue Purdue, they're kind of a sneaky team. ah But you're right. Their defense is very leaky.
00:56:43
Kaleb
And Michigan... Very good run team. Bryce Underwood, yes, he's not like at that point yet where he's dinking, dunking, and tearing you apart through the air by chance, but he's like he's not doing bad at all. okay and Michigan has played Wisconsin, Nebraska, and o u and okay and
00:57:03
Mike Bell
Thank
00:57:04
Kaleb
They lost against OU, yes, but they did very well considering who their opponent was and the quarterback and their life cycle, that kind of thing. But... Which one is more battle-tested? I would probably go with Michigan.
00:57:18
Kaleb
And their defense is pretty good, too. So I think Michigan is just overall, even the quarterback edge, I'd probably give it to USC. But I think overall, Michigan is the better team, and they'll come out.
00:57:36
Mike Bell
Agreed. As far as Lincoln Riley, you know, it's interesting. I had the same thoughts about him, but from what I understand from the people I've watched, because I watched Josh Pate talk about this Colin Calhoun, and Colin Calhoun is a USC fan.
00:57:49
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah.
00:57:50
Mike Bell
Apparently they're in it for the long run ah with Lincoln Riley. Like there's not really any talk of getting rid of him. Like they don't consider that a thing. i don't really get it, but
00:58:03
Kaleb
yeah
00:58:04
Mike Bell
But yeah, they think, OK, no, we want this guy to put it together for us. We think he's eventually going to get there. So that's interesting. But I still think USC, they got to do it eventually.
00:58:16
Mike Bell
And if they win this game, that's going to give Lincoln Riley a lot more rope. And that is going to bring USC into the conversation ah a lot more than they have been.
00:58:22
Kaleb
For sure.
00:58:27
Mike Bell
So there's some pretty interesting opportunities there.
00:58:31
Kaleb
Well, it's just mind boggling. You know, you really think about it like USC, where would you put them as far as hey like if you were a head coach and search for a job, what kind of tier would you put USC in?
00:58:42
Mike Bell
I think it's the top tier, whatever the top tier is.
00:58:45
Kaleb
Yeah, top tier. Number one, just because the history, the tradition, but also just like look at all the players like right there around L.A. You know, California is, you know, arguably, depending on the year, probably one of the best states to get your recruits from. I mean, and USC is a flagship program of California.
00:59:03
Kaleb
So that the thing that's like mind boggling to me is how is Lincoln Raleigh not able to get a great defensive coach into there and attract some defensive players just to I don't know, just make them top 50 or something at least because, you know, God knows Lincoln Riley may be one of the ah best offensive coordinators in the country.
00:59:18
Mike Bell
Thank
00:59:24
Kaleb
I mean, I know he's head coach, but, you know, it's his offensive plan. And, I mean, actually be competitive in the college football ball playoff. I think that's the the most interesting aspect of USC.
00:59:36
Kaleb
um There was something else I was going to say, but I mean, even in the NIL, you know, it's like, what's that about money? and Okay. USC's got plenty of money. ah promise you.
00:59:47
Kaleb
ah you said USC has got plenty of money. So I don't know. Interesting situation. i almost think it's a going back to what you were saying.
00:59:58
Kaleb
I'd probably say it is a must win for Lincoln Riley. Because if not, it's going like, okay, man, you can go and smear the cream puffs, but when you're playing actually good teams, you're just going to fold.
01:00:10
Mike Bell
If they win this game, they will be ranked, and that could set up a very good game next week at Notre Dame. So that could be a fun one to watch.
01:00:19
Kaleb
Yes. and A rivalry game too. Yeah. Always a hard-fought game for the most part.
01:00:22
Mike Bell
Right.
01:00:25
Mike Bell
Right, so going to be interesting. Okay, is there another game you want to talk about?
01:00:32
Kaleb
Well, I mean, I don't think it would be fair for us to get to discuss my team and leave yours off the buffet table. So we can dive into it a little bit. We don't have to go in depth. But, you know, I think ah think it's a better matchup than what people are probably giving it a chance to be.
Florida vs. A&M Discussion
01:00:50
Mike Bell
ah Agreed. i mean, I think, you know Mike Elko said this week, this is the most talented team a m has faced all season. That is true. but This is a losable game.
01:01:01
Mike Bell
I think everybody knows that.
01:01:02
Kaleb
That's kind of funny, though, for him to say that, though, since you guys have played Notre Dame. i mean, I get where he's coming from, Yeah.
01:01:09
Mike Bell
Well, yeah, I think as the season goes on, like he wants to hype up the opponent.
01:01:10
Kaleb
Yeah. Yeah.
01:01:13
Mike Bell
I think he really wants to make sure that no one underestimates this Florida team.
01:01:19
Kaleb
yeah
01:01:19
Mike Bell
But look, coming into the season, who would you say is more talented, Florida or Notre Dame? I don't know. i think it's actually close, but I would probably lean Florida.
01:01:26
Kaleb
yeah
01:01:28
Mike Bell
um So, yeah.
01:01:31
Kaleb
It's probably just coaching staff difference, really and truly, you know, between Notre Dame and Florida.
01:01:34
Mike Bell
Yeah.
01:01:37
Mike Bell
Yeah, for sure. um And schedule as well. I mean, Florida has had a brutal schedule.
01:01:41
Kaleb
Yeah.
01:01:42
Mike Bell
So granted, Notre Dame has too.
01:01:42
Kaleb
Yeah.
01:01:44
Mike Bell
They faced A&M in Miami and –
01:01:45
Kaleb
Yeah.
01:01:47
Mike Bell
And, you know, at Arkansas, things like that. But but anyway, um
01:01:52
Mike Bell
Florida could win this game. I'm yet to see A&M put together a full four quarters in that inclusion Notre Dame game. I want to see A&M get Marcel off to a heart hot start, get him some quick passes, get him going, with penalties, stop with the penalties.
01:02:09
Mike Bell
And if you do that, I think you can win this game. Florida coming off an emotional win. They're still, well, for the rest of the season, they're a must-win situation. But they've got hope. They've just beat Texas.
01:02:21
Mike Bell
They just beat a top 10 team.
01:02:21
Kaleb
Mm-hmm.
01:02:22
Mike Bell
They're thinking, okay, this is just the next top 10 team in the list of top 10 teams we've got to face this year. If we beat A&M, we've got a great chance. Not a great chance, but we've got a chance to win out.
01:02:35
Mike Bell
ah We don't beat A&M. Our season is over. We will be 1-2 in the SEC. We will be 2-4 on the season. And they know that is A&M riding too high. They're ranked number 5.
01:02:48
Mike Bell
you know They haven't had a true test in a while in terms of talent.
01:02:53
Kaleb
Yeah.
01:02:53
Mike Bell
Mississippi State, Auburn are good. But again, talent-wise, is not to Florida's level. This is a night game at Kyle Field. That heavily benefits A&M.
01:03:04
Mike Bell
ah that That defense has been outstanding so far. At least these past two games, they seem to have figured something out. I find it hard to believe. Florida's offense could do what they just did two times in a row because that's just not who they have been all season.
01:03:21
Kaleb
yeah
01:03:24
Mike Bell
Would it shock me? No, it would not. um To me, this is more about how does A&M's offense do versus Florida's defense. um We'll see.
01:03:35
Kaleb
Well, the thing that we talked about regarding the Texas and Florida game was we could not get our running game started, you know, which would help ah our quarterback.
01:03:36
Mike Bell
We'll see.
01:03:45
Mike Bell
Mm-hmm.
01:03:46
Kaleb
I mean, you guys definitely have a better running game than we do. You guys have a very good backfield, way better offensive line than what we do at this point in time. So I think it's gonna be harder for Florida to stop your guys' run game compared to ours, per se.
01:04:01
Kaleb
um So I think if you guys stick with that and just Marcel Reid is just serviceable enough, you know, you got great playmakers out there. Just get them the ball. Just do enough passing.
01:04:12
Kaleb
um I just think it's an interesting spot. I think what makes Florida dangerous is just the fact that they do have the talent and that they're kind of backed up against the wall.
01:04:22
Kaleb
You know, that's a dangerous combination.
01:04:23
Mike Bell
Right.
01:04:24
Kaleb
When you have that mentality of you know, you're going to lose, it's, you know, pretty much like you're locked in. Okay. Now, if we we're over to lose, then that's gone. You don't, you're not really up against the wall because you know, your season's really over at that point.
01:04:39
Kaleb
But right now,
01:04:39
Mike Bell
right
01:04:41
Kaleb
there's, I'm not sitting here saying if Florida wins out, they could still, I mean, well, actually I won't go into that, but Florida can still turn the season around at to this point. So it makes them dangerous.
01:04:54
Kaleb
So I'll be interested to see how they come out and play. And if they do come out and play and it's competitive and they end up winning, it's like, Holy crap. You know, that Florida and team is, i don't, they're coming alive and they're dangerous.
01:05:06
Kaleb
Do think it's going to happen?
01:05:07
Mike Bell
yeah
01:05:07
Kaleb
Probably not just because I do think A&M is good and, I think the Achilles tendon is probably Marcel Reed, but i think he's serviceable enough against a really elite running
01:05:21
Mike Bell
ah Agreed, agreed. i do think this will be an exciting one to watch. um I think if you're looking for two games to watch in that night slot, it's
01:05:29
Kaleb
And a nice high-up game, too. That's a very hard environment.
01:05:33
Mike Bell
Exactly. And that, that is honestly, that I think is what puts it over the edge to me.
01:05:38
Kaleb
Yeah.
01:05:38
Mike Bell
is It's just like, that that's that's a lot for Florida to just overcome all that. ah If they do, impressive. And I will be very angry. But hopefully that does not happen.
01:05:49
Mike Bell
a am about to go on a ah road stretch.
01:05:51
Kaleb
You'll go through what I have been going through this past this past week. Yeah.
01:05:55
Mike Bell
I'm sure, I'm sure. But A&M about to go through a road stretch. So they really have to win their home games if they want to be special this year. They're about to go at Arkansas. We just talked about them. We haven't played at Arkansas in like 15 years because we've been playing at Jerry World.
01:06:09
Kaleb
Oh, wow. It's actually, they moved it to, i actually did not know that. So they moved it to, okay, I do like that a little bit better.
01:06:14
Mike Bell
Yes.
01:06:16
Mike Bell
Oh, I love that. I love it because it shouldn't have been a Jerry World.
01:06:17
Kaleb
Yeah.
01:06:20
Mike Bell
But, ah you know, Arkansas, you never know.
01:06:21
Kaleb
Yeah.
01:06:22
Mike Bell
You don't know how they're going be with, you know Bobby Petrino.
01:06:25
Kaleb
That could be a, you know, in that game too, man, it's like,
01:06:25
Mike Bell
But so we
01:06:31
Kaleb
I mean, that's a rivalry game. Okay, not to the same level as Texas, Texas A&M, but like I was telling you a few minutes ago, Arkansas's fan base is, they're very passionate. In that game, it's always like, no matter kind of what is happening, there's a huge turnout for that game on both sides.
01:06:48
Kaleb
So it's a very interesting atmosphere. It's
01:06:52
Mike Bell
Agreed. So then after Arkansas, it's at LSU and then at Missouri.
01:06:54
Kaleb
of
01:06:58
Mike Bell
So, you know, A&M's got to win these home games if they want to do anything. um So that's all I have to say for the A&M Florida game.
01:07:08
Mike Bell
Some other interesting games, we don't have to get into them, but I do want to briefly mention it is a rivalry game.
Georgia vs. Auburn Thoughts
01:07:15
Mike Bell
I don't know what to expect, but Number 10, Georgia at Auburn.
01:07:19
Mike Bell
I'm interested to see. Now, Auburn's coming off a bye, but I'm interested to see that the line is Georgia minus three and a half. I thought it would have been more, as bad as Auburn's kind of been.
01:07:30
Kaleb
Yeah.
01:07:30
Mike Bell
um That's 630 ABC. I'll have the game on i Look, I haven't looked into this game. i think I just don't think anything of Auburn. I think Georgia's going to take care of business there. i don't know if you have any thoughts on it.
01:07:45
Kaleb
I mean, honestly, man, not really. um um Other than I'm surprised that the spread's only three and a half in Georgia's favor, to be honest with you.
01:07:55
Mike Bell
Yeah.
01:07:55
Kaleb
um
01:07:56
Mike Bell
Right.
01:07:56
Kaleb
Just because...
01:08:00
Kaleb
I know they and they lost against Alabama, but how many teams right now could beat Alabama? Okay.
01:08:08
Mike Bell
right
01:08:09
Kaleb
Gunnar Stockton playing very good. um They just have more weapons offensively than they did last year. And don't know. they're I think they're playing good. Auburn is still kind of like, are they handicapped by their quarterback situation?
01:08:27
Kaleb
That's my question. When's Jackson and Arnold going to kind of let loose, let go, and play to his potential?
01:08:33
Mike Bell
Right, right. Well, and Auburn coming off a bye week probably explains, you know, night game.
01:08:36
Kaleb
Yeah.
01:08:38
Mike Bell
By the way, that's tough place to play at Auburn.
01:08:40
Kaleb
Yeah, it is.
01:08:41
Mike Bell
It's actually one of the toughest in the SEC.
01:08:42
Kaleb
Yeah. I'm just asking Xabin. Yeah, for sure. Yeah.
01:08:44
Mike Bell
Yeah, yeah. so ah So there's that. South Carolina, LSU. I don't think anything of South Carolina, but I am curious to see how LSU responds. They're off a bye.
01:08:56
Mike Bell
And I just want to see, can LSU kind of put it together? Can they figure some things out offensively? Can they get some momentum going? um Other than that, there's no other games I want to talk about. is there any other game you want to mention?
01:09:10
Kaleb
No, I don't think so. I mean, but that being said, though, that is a crazy lineup for just one week. You know, it's kind of – it's crazy how much college football has changed since the realignment of ah of the two power conferences, the Big Ten and the SEC.
01:09:17
Mike Bell
Yeah.
01:09:26
Kaleb
You know, know there's debates on the good and the bad aspects of it, but one thing it definitely has done is it's made college football like – it's taken it up another old notch because there's just way more weeks filled with way better games.
01:09:42
Mike Bell
Agreed, agreed. um Okay, before we go, who's your team to watch for an upset this week?
01:09:50
Kaleb
Hmm.
01:09:54
Mike Bell
And try to go with one that would actually be an upset. So, for example, Texas is favored one and a half. OU doesn't count as an upset in this case.
01:10:04
Kaleb
I would probably say Missouri over Alabama. It
01:10:08
Mike Bell
Yeah, that was going to be mine. I think I might choose Missouri to win this game outright. It's tough to do because part of me is like, look, Missouri is still Missouri. They haven't proven anything yet. It's just a tough spot for Alabama.
01:10:21
Mike Bell
And who knows?
01:10:22
Kaleb
is. Yeah.
01:10:22
Mike Bell
Maybe Missouri is good. So ah that would also be mine as well.
01:10:26
Kaleb
Yeah.
01:10:28
Mike Bell
so All right. Well, listen, who that covers week seven. I am very excited. Like I said, I think these next two weeks are going to be great. And, yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
01:10:42
Kaleb
Yes, I am too. Like I said, it'll be a very busy Saturday. going to to wake up, drink a lot of coffee, get ready for the day. going be tired by the end of it. I'm going to sleep well. I can guarantee that. All
01:10:56
Mike Bell
Agreed. All right, this has been another episode of Blown Coverage. Caleb, I will see you next time.
01:11:01
Kaleb
right. See you.