Transcript
Caleb Call: What's up everyone part two The Holy War pod, blue versus red. um I feel like Blue definitely won last time, so we'll see if we can make it two for two here.
Ben: okay
Caleb Call: but Um... Week zero. In the books, what what were your main takeaways there, Ben?
Ben: um Going to the Big 12, TCU and see that game. Over ah in Ireland, I... I was texting you during the beginning of the game. i I thought ah TCU's O -line in that first quarter looked really good, and I thought they were kind of... Like they scored 10 points quick, and I thought they were going to run away with that game. and then Good old Bill Belichick kind of.
Ben: I don't know, in -game adjustments or what. but They didn't score again and they did a pretty good job of stopping them. and I don't know, at the at the beginning of the game, they were saying... Ball might have been a little wet. and I don't know. It didn't look very good from TCU after the after the first. but Uh... That.
Ben: Both of the away games for BYU and Utah. at TCU. That game looks a little bit easier than it did last week. so
Caleb Call: No kidding. Fear level went from pretty high to almost at the floor there. Bill Belichick winning a... rainy game, low scoring defensive slugfest. Feels like he's right back in New England with that kind of performance.
Caleb Call: Um,
Ben: He felt right at home.
Caleb Call: Yeah, he looked awful. Craig looked. Not great. If I were a TCU fan having waited the entire offseason for that performance. I would be looking for things to do on Saturdays. I don't think that this fall is going to be very fun for the horned frogs.
Caleb Call: There were a few teams that impressed. Virginia, looked I mean, they won 11 games last year. They look poised to do it again. Their schedule is easy. They don't have Notre Dame. They don't have Miami. I think they even dodged Clemson.
Caleb Call: I... I think Virginia might even be probably one of the favorites to go play Miami. I know SMU. Louisville were the favorites preseason to face Miami, but I think Virginia put themselves right in that conversation.
Ben: Yeah. ah Yeah. I think. I mean, I like Louisville too, so it would be interesting to see how that. plays out with. who dodges who. but I think that ACC... I mean, I think it's kind of up for grabs, and they look good on Saturday.
Ben: I actually was kind of... We did a little draft with some friends for college football teams, and I picked NC State. And after I was watching that game, I was like, that might have been one. One of my worst picks on that one. so
Caleb Call: It's funny you bring it up because this brings us back to our conversation from last time about... Do we like Penn State or do we like the schedule? Do we like Utah or do we like the runway? NC State.
Caleb Call: You had a lot of faith in them because of their schedule. They dodge almost every one of the big dogs in the ACC. But an average team playing an easy schedule is still an average team, and I think that'll end up.
Caleb Call: still losing their fair share of games. Outside of that.
Ben: Yeah, I mean... ah They brought their quarterback back.
Caleb Call: Go ahead.
Ben: there was There was more to it than that, but they just ah i couldn't get anything going. I didn't think the offensive scripts were good. It was just three and out after three and out. I think NC State will still be all right. but it It was just one of those things where I think everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. and they Yeah.
Ben: I mean, and that team was good.
Caleb Call: They have 160 yards of total offense. i I think that is an average team.
Ben: Yeah.
Ben: I mean, yeah, i I still think it's a bold team. I think it's probably like a. Seven, five. 8 -ish team, 8 -14.
Caleb Call: Yeah. 6 and 675.
Ben: right Yeah, I... Where I think before the season, I thought they... with you. quarterback and everyone back, I thought there was a chance it was going to be higher higher ceiling than that, but they obviously didn't. they got We've got some work to do between week zero and week one. so
Caleb Call: I feel like in college football, a lot of people get. a little too high on quarterbacks that they remember their name from like a big highlight moment and they just assume they're going to progress and get better.
Caleb Call: and CJ Bailey feels a little bit like that. you We've heard about CJ Bailey. He had a couple cool moments in the last two years with NC State. You just assume that he's going to be this awesome quarterback going into year three.
Caleb Call: Doesn't always play out that way sometimes Quarterbacks don't improve like you think. they're Improvements not linear. And so I hope. We'll see what happens there. Over at the... G5 side of things.
Caleb Call: Memphis and UNLV played a fun game. I thought UNLV looked like they were the better team in the first half. And then in the second half. Memphis realized. They can't block us. Let's have pressure every down and sure enough. I mean...
Caleb Call: I almost felt bad for the kid, but you had Jackson Arnold on his butt probably every other snap in the entire second half. and UNLV couldn't find a way to score and Memphis snuck it out on the road.
Ben: Yeah, and like we were talking about before, that could be a big game when it comes to um the g5 college football playoff team. so that ah You know, I think Memphis has. Remind me who their second, they play another big G5 team, is it Boise?
Caleb Call: They have a road trip to Boise in two weeks.
Ben: Poise, yeah.
Caleb Call: And I think that game will decide the G5 representative. If Memphis wins, it doesn't mean Memphis will make it. but I think it means the American champion.
Ben: mm -hmm
Caleb Call: Okay.
Ben: Yeah. Yeah. So I think, because I mean, if they go take care of. UNLV and Boise. that's Potentially to... teams that could win g5 conferences and then memphis has got the but not over both and then if someone else knocks Memphis off. then you would think that they kind of get the nod unless Unless they all...
Caleb Call: have
Ben: And. They all beat each other in the American. up but
Caleb Call: And we assume that Boise is going to beat Oregon, so that probably means Boise would have two out -of -conference losses quick to start the season. It makes it harder for them.
Ben: Oh I thought you were saying a joke.
Caleb Call: the conversation.
Ben: Or... Oregon beat Boise, right?
Caleb Call: For Oregon beat boys, yeah. I think most people would be shocked if Boise walked into Autzen.
Ben: Yeah.
Caleb Call: with the wind. It'd be awesome. It'd be a throwback to the Chris Peterson days over at Boise when they were taking down Goliath every year, it felt like.
Ben: And Boise beat Oregon in the opener with that LeGarrette Blount game. the punch game.
Caleb Call: Oh yeah.
Ben: and Yeah, there's some fun. There's some fun history in that Boise. ah Boise, Oregon, week one.
Caleb Call: We'll end. It's funny because we talked about what BYU last year missing the playoff because they were blown out by Texas Tech. Well, the year before we saw like. There was some consistency for that argument because Oregon.
Caleb Call: barely beat boise out in boise 34 31 ashton gentry had a great game And even though Oregon won, that almost was treated like a Boise win because Oregon went undefeated and Boise went toe to toe with them. So even though it was a loss, it kind of vaulted Boise up and they were even seated higher than the big 12 champ that year.
Caleb Call: And so I think when it comes to. Like look at what BYU and... the Notre Dame in that matchup. Notre Dame goes 12 -0 and BYU plays them close. There may be some reward there, even though it's a loss on the schedule. I mean, you can earn some respect. Boise has a chance to do that this week.
Caleb Call: I'm sure we'll talk about it more next week. but Oklahoma State's got Oregon. ASU's got Texas A and &M. There are some big games for these fringe playoff contenders to kind of go out there and.
Caleb Call: prove that they belong on the field of the playoff team.
Ben: Yeah, I actually think – I know a lot of people don't wish it wasn't kind of a – a beauty pageant but like last year me personally um watching the BYU Tech game, I thought.
Ben: I know a lot of BYU fans wanted to. to be considered, but I thought after the Big 12 championship game and how it looked, I thought. there wasn't even a shot they were going to be considered in that. That does play in the fact of the committee. and Let's get it. I mean, if you go play Notre Dame tough, I think that helps BYU.
Ben: in the eyes of the committee rather than going and get losing a two or three score game. like they did in the Big 12 championship game. As much as you don't want to...
Caleb Call: I could talk to her. for hours.
Ben: kind of overvalue.
Caleb Call: because
Ben: Yeah.
Caleb Call: There's the double standard. Alabama, what are they going to do?
Ben: The SEC gets the benefit of the doubt, yeah.
Caleb Call: Yes, yes And that that brings my biggest problem with the way college football works right now. Like you said, it's a beauty pageant. And it feels like when you're talking about SEC teams, the conversation always goes to their best moment.
Caleb Call: Bama beat Georgia early in the year. and that's really all you kind of heard about but you don't hear about i mean The committee wasn't talking about them losing to Florida State who went 5 -7 by two scores.
Caleb Call: The committee did not want to talk about 28 -7 blowout in the SEC championship game with negative rushing yards. No, they talked about week four. The big win early in the year.
Caleb Call: And that was enough to carry them. Whereas when you go talk about a team like...
Ben: mm -hmm
Caleb Call: BYU or even other like French playoff teams that aren't in the SEC. I feel like a lot of times the conversation goes to What was your worst moment? What was the very worst you looked? And that's the standard that you're held to, whereas the SEC gets held to the standard of their best moment.
Caleb Call: so It's a beauty pageant, and there's different standards for everyone, and the SEC has earned the reputation in the past.
Ben: Yeah.
Caleb Call: but It's a different world than the NIO.
Ben: Yeah. And I... Yeah, and I mean, I'm probably more in the middle than most people. like i'm I'm not all like I think the SEC has earned it like Alabama's done.
Ben: i mean You've seen what Alabama's done. They've kind of earned the right to be. um to get the benefit of the hour on some things and but i mean it kind of from year to year Teams are completely different. and So I'm... I'm in the middle on it. I think the SEC gets the benefit of the doubt.
Ben: almost every year, but at the same time. last 10 to 15 years. and One of the most. national titles. so It's kind of. I don't know.
Ben: It's it's tough to...
Caleb Call: yeah And yet here we are, it's been three years.
Ben: It's tough to argue.
Caleb Call: moving on one
Ben: It's tough to argue sometimes, but.
Caleb Call: Three years going on forward without an SEC team in the championship game.
Ben: Yeah, three in a row for Big Ten. so
Caleb Call: Not even just Big Ten.
Ben: maybe
Caleb Call: SEC has not even competed for a championship. in three years.
Ben: Maybe we should start giving the Big Ten more of those at -large bids.
Caleb Call: So we'll see what happens. Okay. Yeah, no kidding.
Ben: So.
Caleb Call: Um... Well, for on the docket for Utah and BYU, we got a couple of FCS games. I'm so sick. of watching FCS games every year. I wish these were not on the schedule. But they are.
Caleb Call: And let's talk about him. Utah plays tomorrow, probably today for anyone listening. playing against the Idaho Vandals, former FBS team turned FCS.
Caleb Call: You all should be at the game. What are you watching for? What what are you hoping to see from Utah in the opener against?
Ben: Yep.
Caleb Call: ah undermatched or i guess overmatched opponent
Ben: Yeah, so on offense... I just want to see the offense align and see how they do and see how. Honestly. the rotation because i've i've heard it's going to be rotated multiple guys and so um Just as a...
Ben: As a recruit, someone that follows recruiting, I like Obot, five -star highest recruit in Utah history, so I'm going to be. watching him and seeing when he checks in because i don't think he's listed on the first 5D, but...
Ben: I think he'll rotate in pretty quick. And so I want to watch him. and offensively Not too worried about the game because Cal Poly went in. threw 38 up on them last week in week zero. and um Idaho's defense didn't look very good. And so I would imagine Utah. kind of pours it on on the offensive side of things. So, but that's what I'm looking for offensively. I just want to see offensive line, see how they.
Ben: See how they play and just what it looks like. And then on the defensive side of things, they got this dual threat QB that actually put up some. pretty big numbers last week and Kind of ah like he ran for 40 yards on top of throwing for over 300. They put on 30.
Ben: 34 points. and He let him right down the field. and Kicked a go -ahead field goal with a minute left and looked like it was going to be the win for them, but then their defense gave up. a Okay. 75 -yard, one -minute touchdown drive to lose the game. So he's ah he's a good little player. I think he'll actually – Um,
Ben: I think they'll be able to have it. A couple drives during the game where they'll be able to. sustain a few plays get a couple first downs and make the defense work and so really i want to see Um. the defense and see how they uh um on those drives because they'll probably get their handful of three and outs too but on those drives that last a little bit longer I want to see how they get off the field. and hopefully how they can turn a touchdown drive into a field goal drive. and
Ben: um Like if you look at the Vegas spread, it's I think it's 12 points that Idaho is projected to have. and so I mean, that's Probably, I don't know if that's a touchdown, a couple of field goals. or if they're just planning on a couple drives where they can go down and score. So I just really want to see how they're getting off the field, how the defensive line does, gets after the quarterback. and I see if I can get after this quarterback, I think. For him for Utah, too. Good test for the Big 12 for this quarterback. and I don't think the game's close, but I think.
Ben: He's going to be. Shifty enough to. be able to put a little pressure on utah to kind of make them have to make plays so
Caleb Call: I know it's kind of interesting. They like two years ago. They went to Oregon. And that was a one -score game in the fourth quarter. Idaho looked like they might pull off.
Ben: Yeah.
Caleb Call: one of the craziest upsets we have ever seen since Appalachian State. And then the very next week, we go to Wyoming and beat them.
Ben: Apple, I just said.
Caleb Call: And then, so 2024, Idaho looked awesome. Last year, Idaho falls down to four and eight. They struggled the whole year. But there was some hype around on this offseason. Obviously, like you said, their quarterback's good.
Caleb Call: They had that game one against Cal Poly, fourth and eight, and they gave up a touchdown under a minute left. It was too bad for them. um Yeah, I mean... I feel like this game. is If I'm a Utah fan.
Caleb Call: I know what Devin Dampier can do. I know what Wayshon Parker can do. My eyes are on. the line to scrimmage i want to see what our offensive line looks like. are we Pushing guys off the line are we getting some you know open holes for our running backs I include Devin Dampier and Bert Ficklin there as running backs. I feel like the entire offense kind of operates that way. Are we opening up holes for them?
Caleb Call: and then on the defensive line what does our pass rush look like losing logan fano losing. John Henry Daly to Michigan. or are we going to have the same pass rush we had last year? So it'll be interesting to see there. I think Utah probably wins that game comfortably. I'm not sure what the spread on that one is, but I'm imagining like a 42 to 10 kind of game where it's.
Caleb Call: out of hand.
Ben: Yep.
Caleb Call: and
Ben: I think it's 35 and a half.
Caleb Call: Should be overcooled. Yeah.
Ben: Yeah, 35 and a half is the line right now. and so Yeah, I'll be curious to see. they I mean, I don't. scored the points last week so
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: Um, but they didn't really stop. they didn't really do anything to stop them. So I think. I think it's kind of one of those things where Utah scores a lot of points. and See how many points Idaho scores to see if they can cover.
Caleb Call: Yeah. The other side of the coin Improvo.
Caleb Call: Hard time even talking about this game. Utah Tech. They go play Montana State, the FCS. you know, preseason. I think they're number one. They're one of the favorites to win the championship in the FCS.
Caleb Call: And they lose 54 -0. And that's who BYU is opening their season with. it It almost feels like it is too bad of an opponent to even learn anything from if you're BYU. You get really concerned if this game is a struggle, but I don't see that happening.
Caleb Call: too much. You've got Bear Bachmeier back and LJ back. I'm not too concerned to see what they're doing, but I'm very excited to see. with the wide receiver crew. It'd be great to see Bear air it out to them a little bit.
Caleb Call: Bear last year, no secret to anybody who played him. He was a good short yardage passer. He was a... Average to good, medium distance passer, but when it came to long range passing, he really struggled. Completed very few, and it got to the point where that almost just kind of left BYU's offense.
Caleb Call: So I'm hoping that with some of these big bodies we got, Kyler Casper, JoJo Phillips, that we can get some. Um, Some of the deep passing game back in our offense with Jaron Hall and Zach Wilson and Jake Retzlaff.
Caleb Call: That was a staple. We were throwing deep all the time. kept the defense honest this and gave a lot of space to run the ball. I'd love to see that come back this year. So that's what I'll be watching. It's just to see Bears chemistry with the wide receivers and the new tight ends that we brought in Walker and Roger.
Caleb Call: Then on the defensive side of the ball. Kelly Papinga, new defensive coordinator. I'm excited to see. how different his scheme looks. There's been a little bit of personnel changes. You've got Newsy playing linebacker behind Glass. where I'm excited to see him play. I've heard great things about him.
Caleb Call: That's some of these freshmen as well. On offense, you've got Legend Glasker, who's a freshman. interested to watch. But on defense, one of the... big stories out of fall camp was Braxton Lindsey.
Caleb Call: He was a defensive end that we stole from Oklahoma, came down to the wire between us and the Sooners. and supposedly he's had an amazing fall camp. I'm excited to see him. Would love to see him get after the quarterback a little bit.
Caleb Call: But after Montana State shuts out Utah Tech. You gotta to do the same if you're by BYU. Any points against... Utah Tech would be a disappointment. We'll see how it goes. The Vegas spread is up to 51 points.
Caleb Call: And if that sounds high... SP Plus, who they have a rating for every single football team under the sun. Bill Simmons, he posted... I'm blanking on his name. but um he posted that the spread that sp plus says this game should be is BYU minus 73.
Caleb Call: He predicts a 73 -0 game based on the numbers.
Ben: ah
Caleb Call: Which again, this almost just feels like you're pulling.
Ben: I mean... i mean Montana State. 54 -0, so they would have covered this line.
Caleb Call: yeah
Ben: so You would think that the number 14 team in the country just. I mean, you'd think it would be, it would hit the line over too.
Caleb Call: on your claim.
Ben: so The 70 points doesn't matter. Doesn't sound like it's crazy.
Caleb Call: I'm as excited as anyone possibly could be for BYU football to be back.
Ben: So.
Caleb Call: And... Not that I'm not going to watch every second of this game, but... I'm already mentally on to week two. This week one game, I don't think there's going to be much to talk about before or after. Any thoughts on your side? is a You outsider looking in.
Ben: No, I mean, I just. and Same thing I just said was Montana. I mean, Montana State's the defending national champs in the FCS, so it's a good FCS team. so They're a... I always think the top FCS teams are kind of like borderline ranked teams.
Ben: And so. You'd probably imagine, just as somebody that's an outsider watching the game, as I probably would imagine a score similar to what Montana State just did. so I expected that 51 and a half point line. i I'd probably expect it to be over because Montana State just went over on it. so
Caleb Call: One thing I think could keep the scoreboard in check a little bit. Head coach for Utah Tech, Lance Anderson. He was a former BYU head coaching candidate when Kalani Satake got the job. Used to coach at Stanford.
Caleb Call: Him and Kalani are super close. I... Kalani is very respectful, and he very rarely likes to run the scoreboard up. So I think BYU will score as many points as they possibly can in the first half.
Caleb Call: And I think in the second half, you're going to see the most vanilla run game you've ever seen in your life. Maybe we keep score and maybe we don't, but yeah, that's going to be. it's going to be a slaughter i don't think there's really any other way to put it As far as the rest of the Big 12 goes, a lot of FCS games on the schedule.
Caleb Call: I'm a big advocate for taking the FCS game, make it your spring game, make it a preseason exhibition. But we got 12 regular season football games. Why are we wasting one forever? I know FCS teams win their... a handful of games every year.
Caleb Call: And there's room, I think, for like the G5 to play FCS teams. But man, it is just rough. Like week one is just littered with FCS games. And it's a game that is really...
Caleb Call: Almost shouldn't even count towards your record playing against a team from a lower division. But there are a few Big 12 teams still playing big games. Let's start by talking about Baylor and Auburn. um What are your thoughts going into this one?
Ben: Yeah, I mean, you got... Former five -star. I'm QB. Now in Baylor, Lagway, DJ Lagway, he's going to... um Play some more SEC games. so he yeah Leaves the SEC and he gets an SEC opponent.
Caleb Call: Shout out to Josh Pate by the way.
Ben: him
Caleb Call: Josh Pate last year called DJ Lagway the best SEC quarterback, and he got clowned all year for it.
Ben: Shout out.
Caleb Call: So let's clown him one more time before DJ Lagway hits the field.
Ben: Yeah, so he, I mean, you got DJ Lagway. I mean, Baylor hasn't been Great, but you got some SEC experience. ah I think Auburn. kind of the new era with alec golet or Alex I think...
Ben: It'll be interesting to see. I think this is a game that could go either way. i i You got a quarterback that's... Seeing the SEC. defenses. and You've got a ah new coach at Auburn, so you never know what to...
Ben: what to really expect when you got a brand new coach. And so I think this game could actually be a little interesting and I think it could be a fun one. this Saturday. So I think it's kind of a fun, when you get two FBS teams, two powerful conference teams playing each other in week one, it's always.
Ben: eyeballs to see like SEC versus Big 12, even if it's some of the low -end teams. so
Caleb Call: This game One of my least favorite parts of college football is just that so many of our biggest games get put on neutral sites. And this was supposed to be a home -and -home. Baylor got their game at home last year.
Caleb Call: And Auburn goes and puts this game in Atlanta. it just Almost seems nonsensical to me to go and do that. But yeah, I mean, last year, if you remember this game. Baylor with Sawyer Robertson, they were scoring a decent bid on baylor it was on Auburn. It was a close game all the way throughout, but Baylor just could not defend the quarterback run game. Jackson Arnold had a heyday, ran for over 100 yards.
Caleb Call: Byron Brown plays a very similar style. a as Jackson Arnold does. he may be a slightly better passer And probably a slightly better runner as well.
Caleb Call: i'm not This Baylor defense, I mean, that's Dave Aranda's strength and calling card as a coach is defense. That's where he came from as defensive coordinator all over the place. and I think we just need to see it. Can Baylor. defend a team this year? Can they defend a running quarterback? because their schedule is not going to be easy this year. This Auburn game is big for them. They're seven and a half point underdogs.
Caleb Call: Doesn't mean they can't go out there and win it, but the defense is going to be what I'm watching closely for for Baylor. I think the offense will be fine. They're not going to be the best offense in the Big 12, but I think they're going to be good enough to.
Caleb Call: win their fair share of games, especially if their defense can step up and be a strength this year instead of a weakness. And they added some big portal pieces. They feel good about what they did this offseason.
Caleb Call: After that, we've got...
Ben: Yeah.
Caleb Call: Oh, sorry. Go ahead. You have one more thought on this one.
Ben: No, that was it.
Caleb Call: We got a game tomorrow. Probably the best game of the day tomorrow. Colorado. Georgia Tech. uh we got the new little brother Mendoza. traveling from Indiana over to Georgia Tech to be their starting quarterback.
Caleb Call: Colorado with an interesting portal. I'm not sure if you saw the... camp highlights where their players looked like They belonged on a high school field a little smaller than usual This game... I feel like it's important for Dion.
Caleb Call: what What are you watching for going into this one tomorrow?
Ben: Yeah, I'm just seeing if Colorado can keep it close. I'm not high on Colorado this year, I think. we You talked about it last week where you so you wouldn't be surprised if Deion gets the can before the year ends. and um I uh...
Ben: it could get i just It could get ugly quick for Colorado if they don't. if they don't keep this one close. and so It's one of those things where I think if I think if Colorado can start and be competitive, maybe they can scrap some wins out through the year and stay.
Ben: close -ish to 500. If they look bad in this one, and I didn't get ugly and start to spiral down. So I'm just seeing if Colorado can keep it close is what I'm looking for in this one.
Caleb Call: It looks like they're starting Julian Lewis. There was a big freshman recruit that they got last year. He'd never really stole the job from Salter, played a little bit, but didn't look great. I think that.
Caleb Call: This game will tell us a lot about. if they have the future quarterback. If Lewis looks awesome and they have a big game against Georgia Tech. They might end up being able to have a decent year. I know they're going to have a good receiving crew to go with it with Julian.
Caleb Call: Julian doesn't look good. The backup behind him. Isaac Wilson. Everyone in the state should know him well. probably is not going to win you many football games on the college football level.
Caleb Call: so You better hope. I mean, you got all your eggs in the Julian Lewis basket.
Ben: Bye. as Yeah. i I'd be curious. I hope Isaac Wilson gets a shot there because I i was always of the impression that Isaac... like When I watched Isaac in high school, I thought he was one of the best quarterbacks I've ever seen. and so I hope he gets another shot, whether it's at Colorado or wherever. so I think it'd be kind of fun for him to to get on the field at some point this year. I'm hoping it does for his.
Ben: Just for him. but
Caleb Call: I hope so too. well I'll be interested to see how. That quarterback battle plays out. Colorado last year started a bunch of different quarterbacks. Ryan Stopp started for a little bit. Julian Lewis had his chance.
Caleb Call: You had Caden Salter come over from Liberty. Deion was not. hesitant to pull the quarterback when he was struggling. Probably was a little hesitant when Shadur was there, his own son. but Now that it's back to not his own kids, we ensured her plenty good to keep the job.
Caleb Call: but
Ben: shorter shorter was legit when that yeah color was good when he was there though so
Caleb Call: Okay.
Ben: okay
Caleb Call: Yeah, that this game I feel like really almost is the make it or break it for Deion. If they lose this game and have a quick spiral after. Yeah. i Do not anticipate him being the coach going into the offseason.
Caleb Call: But a big win to start the year against Georgia Tech. Get off on the right foot, make a ball game. Who knows what potential openings might happen in the future if he wants to leave or stay or retire. A lot open to him, but...
Caleb Call: I think this game will give us a really good. feel for who Colorado is going to be. They're at a conference this year. They travel to Georgia Tech. They travel to Northwestern. Probably the only power four team traveling to two different power four teams. So respect to Colorado for scheduling like this and excited to see this one.
Caleb Call: Saturday, we got a bunch of other... I wouldn't say great Big 12 games, but interesting games that we can learn about. for some teams i'm going to name four here You don't have to go over every one, but just give me some thoughts on a couple of these. You got West Virginia, Coastal Carolina.
Caleb Call: Oklahoma State, Tulsa. Houston, Oregon State. and Cincinnati Boston College. If I have not said your name yet and you're in the Big 12, you're playing an FCS team. We're not going to waste our time talking about those games.
Caleb Call: Yeah, those four games we just listed, what are you looking out for?
Ben: I really want to see the Oklahoma State -Tulsa game. That's the one I'm most excited about. That's the one I think will be the best game. Um, That's one where I think Oklahoma State should take care of business. Tulsa's not a bad... G5 team though so it's a team that's gonna I mean.
Ben: Make sure you're ready to go and we'll test you. and so But the... New coaches and with no Gundy, turn the Gundy page in Oklahoma State. on I'm curious to see how Oklahoma State does. and I think it's a big... ah Big statement game for him because it's not an FCS game. it's a Like, Tulsa could go beat...
Ben: Oklahoma State this Saturday. So I'm curious to see how the new.
Caleb Call: They did last year.
Ben: Yeah, they did last year. So I i think it's the new – I'm curious to see the new coaching staff, how the new – I think I got it. this pretty good running back, Caleb Hawkins. I'm curious to see how he runs. and um He was a big time.
Ben: pull that they got. um from the g5 and so i uh I'm curious to see that game. That's the one I'm most excited about. I i think Oklahoma State should. Um,
Ben: Probably win that game by. a score or two, but I'm curious to see if. Effort. I mean, brand new coach, you never know what's going to happen. And so I'm curious to see if Tulsa can kind of hang in that one and keep it close. and and win that game too in that little, I guess, little in -state rivalry.
Caleb Call: Yeah, I'm excited to see that one too. I feel like everyone is very curious to see what Oklahoma State's going to look like. They... Just completely fell apart down the stretch in the Gundy era, which is too bad.
Caleb Call: Love gone deep. Love what he'd done for the Cowboys. Post Gundy era, I think they made about as good of a hire as you possibly could. with Eric Morris coming on board and.
Caleb Call: Bringing in. Drew Mestemaker bringing in Hawkins, like you mentioned. That offense I'm hoping can be explosive. I hope Oklahoma State gets back to what they were doing. Back in the heyday under Gundy that the conference needs it. It'd be a fun to have them be a competitive team again.
Caleb Call: And yeah, this game against Tulsa, they lost last year, a really ugly game, lost by a touchdown to a bad Tulsa team. ah Last year, I looked to go see if... they Tulsa had played North Texas and Eric Morris and his crew. They did not play last year.
Caleb Call: so We haven't seen them really play against him in this squad yet. Drew Mestemaker. is a true freshman. I mean, he... had an unbelievable season, put up all sorts of numbers. against the American.
Caleb Call: conference. Can he do it in the Big 12? I hope so. I hope he has a chance to. that I'll be watching that one, too. That's probably one of the games I'm most excited for this whole weekend, even though it is against a G5 team like Tulsa. They've got Oregon coming to Stillwater next week, so i mean that's a chance to make a big splash.
Caleb Call: So this Tulsa game will kind of give us an idea of if we can expect them to be competitive in that one next week. I will also have my eye on. the West Virginia -Coastal Carolina game. The early window does not have many good games on Saturday. That's one of the ones that will be on.
Caleb Call: West Virginia. with Rich Rod. Last year, slow start for Rich Rod. They had a pretty rough year. Struggled to really... do much of anything. They did have one or two decent wins down the stretch.
Caleb Call: But... This game against Coastal. Last year they lost to Ohio. lost their G5 matchup. They couldn't score in that one. They lost 17 -10. struggled to move the ball the entire game.
Caleb Call: But this year, they bring in Cam Cook from the Sun Belt. They're starting Hawkins, who's a great running quarterback. I'm excited to see their run game I don't think West Virginia is going to compete for the Big 12. championship But every year we see teams in the Big 12 go from the bottom and have, you know, 7, 8, 9, 10 wins. I think West Virginia is a candidate to potentially be able to do that. And so it'll be interesting to see this game here. and See if the running game can get off to a dominant and quick start.
Ben: I think... ah at fun storyline to follow this year is I think West Virginia. Maybe I shot to have three 1 ,000 -yard rushers with how they run the ball and the quarterback that runs. And so I'm i'm interested to see how many they and or how many yards they run for this year and how.
Ben: Um, like I was, when I was looking through the roster, looking through. Guys, I was like, the guy. like the I mean, if they split the running back duty up at all, all like i I wouldn't be surprised. if three of them hit it. so i i think that'll be a fun thing to watch and coastal i mean they don't have those I remember when BYU played them if in 2020, they had those really good two defensive ends. but um I think Coastal's down from...
Ben: that was those good times that they had. So I think westford should West Virginia should run the ball all over them.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Caleb Call: Yeah, the West Virginia offensive line, if they can get any sort of a push, they should be able to run the ball on almost everybody on their schedule. They've got Tech. They've got Utah. They'll have some tough games. I know they've got Arizona traveling out there.
Caleb Call: I hope West Virginia is good. College football is more fun than West Virginia is good. I was just watching highlights. I know they're about to honor Pat White and some of those old West Virginia Mountaineers from 20 years ago. and That was just such a fun era of football. They had such a fun brand of football.
Caleb Call: I would love to go see some guys make some highlight plays, some 80 -yard runs like they had going on back then. with All the different guys they had come through, Noel Devine, Steve Slayton, and everyone else.
Caleb Call: That was a fun squad. We got Rich Rod back.
Ben: Yeah.
Caleb Call: Let's get this rolling again, Rich Rod, please. We're begging you.
Caleb Call: Outside of that, not too much else to talk about.
Ben: And it was retrod back in the day too.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: Yeah.
Caleb Call: Houston and Oregon State. Oregon State had a really rough year last year. They still almost beat a good Houston team last year. I still think Houston takes care of business pretty good. easily there. Cincinnati Boston College.
Caleb Call: Boston College might be the most boring brand in Power 4 football. They are just a consistently. 500 or worse team. Cincinnati. Really what we're looking for here is just get a win. like This is not a game that you can lose and feel good about your team. Go get a win in Boston College. Move on. and Let's see what you got. but Yeah, for i mean Cincinnati -Boston College for being one of the few powerful matchups.
Ben: i don't
Caleb Call: It does not feel like a game that... the world should be too excited for anyways.
Ben: Yeah, and that's one since he has to win. And with Bill O 'Brien there, it kind of reminds me, I mean, obviously this is. This is the Walmart version of Bill Belichick, but you got to. experienced NFL coach, but...
Ben: Like you never know, like Boston College was 500 the first year he was there. Like this is a game since he could very well lose. They're favored in the game, but. I wouldn't be surprised if Bill O 'Brien kind of made it an ugly game in this game.
Ben: It's kind of a one score game ready. right at the end so that's one since he needs and And hopefully the Big 12 gets to you guys. hope what we're just gonna Big 12 open the the resume bolsters.
Caleb Call: Last year. Boston College. went through a 10 -game losing streak. 2 -10 on the season. They beat Syracuse to end the year. They beat Fordham to start the year.
Caleb Call: And they did have a bunch of close games throughout the year. They almost beat Michigan State, almost beat Stanford, almost beat Cal. They played Notre Dame close. That was 18 -10 late before Notre Dame. Dame scored a touchdown. to you know get that more comfortable. They almost beat Georgia Tech. so Despite having a 2 -10 record, that was probably a team that was...
Caleb Call: slightly better than the record would suggest. But regardless, yeah, if you're Cincinnati. You should not be feeling good about your team if you lose that game. That probably will not bode well for the rest of conference play.
Caleb Call: As far as the rest of college football.
Ben: Yeah, I got that's what There you go. Couch football. We got. Clemson LSU, that's going to be a fun one with Dabo taking shots at Lane this week.
Caleb Call: So yeah, stay in your lane. I loved that.
Ben: there Did he say no pun intended, I think?
Caleb Call: No pun intended, as if that was not the most intended pun I've ever heard in my life.
Ben: Or pun intended.
Ben: after So I... I'm curious about the the beef in that. Clemson's kind of – it's weird. They kind of feel like they've been down for a while. But, I mean, they made the playoff two years ago. and I feel like they're always kind of in the and the mix for things. I'm curious to see how this game goes. because i It's a game. Clemson.
Ben: And we're not too far out of them being real relevant. but Since the NIL stuff's happened, it just doesn't seem like they're kind of to the level they used to be. so I'm curious to see.
Caleb Call: At the beginning of the portal era, Dabo refused to take portal players, and that's changed.
Ben: What?
Caleb Call: He's bringing portal guys in now, still slowly. He doesn't have the same inflow that somebody like Lane Kiffin has. On the LSU side, they're still trying to add NFL players two days before their game. We'll see how that goes. but Is LSU going to be able to portal in a team? They paid enough money to want to compete for a championship.
Caleb Call: Can a team comprised fully of portal guys go and do that? i don't know Sam Leavitt at quarterback. i hope that works out i like sam levitt he was good at asu asu fans weren't too sad to see him go i know there was some issues in the middle of the year there may be a on the court. injury that kept him out of football games. that That's the the rumor over there. in Tempe that he was
Caleb Call: jeopardizing his football playing by playing intramural basketball and injured his foot and missed a bunch of games. and Anyways, he's at LSU now They have a a bunch of big receivers they brought in. LSU is a big favorite in this one.
Caleb Call: And I feel like with Dabo Sweeney, his back's kind of against the wall. I'm not sure. Clemson really would ever have the guts to fire him with what he's done there but after a pretty rough year last year that was supposed to be a very good year.
Caleb Call: I'm not sure how many more down years Clemson can have without him getting you know some heat under his seat there. So yeah, this is going to be a big statement game for Clemson. They have a pretty rough schedule. They still have to play Miami.
Caleb Call: um Clemson does dodge Notre Dame this year, but. This is a game that if you want to make the playoff, it almost feels like you need a quick start. and at least at the very least go out there and compete against LSU. look like you belong on the field with them.
Ben: Yeah, if they go compete with LSU, even if they win or lose, a like if they lose a close one, like I think. I think if they lose a close one, I... Clemson might be. Kind of a dark horse today go do some damage in the ACC and maybe make it to the ACC title again.
Ben: a Miami, so. That'll be. It'll be curious to see if they can keep it a competitive game.
Caleb Call: Yeah. Outside of clubs and LSU, you got. Ole Miss -Louisville, that's going to be a big one. Not happening on Saturday, happening on Sunday. Sunday actually has a pretty good lineup. hey You might even argue that...
Caleb Call: Sunday is better than the top end of Saturday. Ole Miss -Louisville, the only ranked matchup in all of Week 1. You got... The Apple Cup, Washington, Washington State. Washington's a big favorite in that one, but you never know in a rivalry game.
Caleb Call: And then Wisconsin, Notre Dame. in Lambeau, Wisconsin, was hoping to get things turned around. And Notre Dame, still a big favorite there. But overall, those are going to be some pretty fun matchups.
Caleb Call: Ole Miss Louisville, definitely the biggest one. How do you think the new tenure starts for Ole Miss with their... new slash old head coach. uh pete golden
Ben: Yeah. Yeah, I think they do. I mean the nice thing is they kept a lot of um the continuity. They, ah I mean, obviously got shambles. They got. Kwon Lacey too back.
Ben: So they got their main skill guys back. and What I thought was interesting is they went and got an ah offensive coordinator that had been there under Lane Kiffin. so he was ah He was one of the main offensive assistants with Wayne.
Ben: Lane brought into Ole Miss. and um He left to be... an OC somewhere else so he could actually call the plays. and Pete called him back and got him in so that he could kind of run a similar system.
Ben: And so I think that's going to be interesting for Ole Miss is I think they're going to try, they're trying to keep it offensively um as similar as they could get to. to lane so they can keep the offense. about what it was and then obviously pete being back i'm him running the defense, I think.
Ben: The defense will be similar. So I think it goes well. I i am ah i kind of started to rise on Ole Miss. I was a little bit more down. um About two or three months ago, but I've started to rise on them in the last couple weeks while I've I'm followed. um kind of the their off season progression. And I'm curious to see if they.
Ben: I mean, this ah Louisville team is no. no slouch and like they could go lose the Louisville if they don't show up some. I'm curious to see how the offense looks with this new OC. Um, and see if they can... ah They can play with one of the better ACC teams.
Ben: can beat one of the better ACC teams.
Caleb Call: I am. Jeff Braun. is probably next in line to get one of these big jobs at a blue blood or blue blood type program. He's done awesome things at Purdue, Louisville now.
Caleb Call: He just wins. He has not had any of the... Top end to success, but again, he's been coaching at Purdue and Louisville. in Louisville this year, their schedule sets up pretty nicely. win or lose this game.
Caleb Call: They could find themselves in the ACC championship game and the playoff. I think this game for Louisville is pretty similar to the BYU Notre Dame game. You don't have to go out there and win the game.
Caleb Call: But you got to look like you can win the game. You got to be out there competing. Needs to be a close game in the fourth quarter. in a close loss against Ole Miss, as long as Ole Miss does well in the SEC. would almost feel like a win for louisville so yeah i'm excited to see what louisville can do on sunday Probably the biggest game of week one, probably even over LSU Clemson.
Caleb Call: Outside of that game, we've got a couple of interesting ones. We talked about one briefly, Boise and Oregon. you think there's any chance boys you can get the upset in this one
Ben: no no No.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: No upset. magic here I got these aren't Boise teams that are Um, that had the magic of the old ah the olden days. I actually, that was my, they're my big.
Ben: my G5. playoff pick and I still I don't think they I think Oregon gets after them. Kind of just too tough one
Caleb Call: How bad would this game have to get? for you to regret picking Boise. Is your... G6 representative in the playoff.
Ben: um I don't know. I'm pretty high on Oregon and Lanning. what they've done like i I think it would. what i What I would look for is I think Oregon's going to score on Boise all day long. So I don't care how high Oregon's score would get. I probably would regret it if Boise doesn't do anything on offense because kind of why I'm high on them is. Maddox. And so I.
Ben: The Utah boy, i I'm curious to see how he does. And so if I think if he can... go pour some points on, move the ball. If the yards new yardage totals are up, I think I'll be fine with the pick, even if they give up a 50 spot. because i I don't think they're.
Ben: I think Oregon's offense is going to score points on them. so i It would probably have to be like Boise State's offense looks really bad. is for me to regret it.
Caleb Call: in Boise, despite not having Ashton Gentry this time around against Oregon. They like their running back room a lot. You've got Dylan Riley. You've got Sire Gaines. Both of them have had big games in the past. And so, yeah, if we can see some good stuff from the running game, if Maddox Madsen can look good in his.
Caleb Call: You never know on culture buff. It'll be his final year or not. Maybe he plays five more years Who knows but what should be his last year? Yeah, I think Boise State. as much as anyone has a chance to beat that G6 representative. And the game against Oregon, I mean, you see teams all the time get blown out. and shrug it off their shoulder and go we saw dan landing do it his first year georgia beat them by 50 or 60 and he still went out there won 10 games and If there would have been a 12 -team playoff that year, I think he would have made it. so
Caleb Call: it's not to say that You can't get blown out and then go turn around and... you know fix your season after that And, yeah, Oregon, we both have getting a bye this year in the playoff. i They're going to be one of the best teams in football. They kept their quarterback.
Caleb Call: Which I mean he probably would have been the top three pick might be starting for the Jets, you know coming here soon if he had left for the draft I know you're not high on him.
Ben: Still might it still
Caleb Call: But. Heh.
Ben: still might Still might be the starter for the Jets next year.
Caleb Call: Probably.
Ben: Amen.
Caleb Call: Poor guy. I hope not. I'm not sure the Jets will ever have success at the quarterback position.
Caleb Call: And the last game we got.
Ben: Let's see if Gino's any better than what they've had.
Caleb Call: know Yeah, we'll see. We got a nightcap. Pac -12 after dark. between an ACC and a Big Ten team. ucla cow Fun quarterback play.
Caleb Call: New head coach for... both squads. What are you looking for to end the night on Saturday?
Ben: Yeah this is ah This is a fun game because I really like what Bob Chesney did at James Madison. and so I kind of want to see UCLA be back. Like I think it's, they're kind of like West Virginia. I think they're kind of.
Ben: College football is fun when UCLA is good. and I can see him getting that ship running. Um, quick. And so i I'm curious to see how UCLA looks and see if they... I really like the hire. And so I think. ah I think UCLA could.
Ben: surprising people this year. and um be competitive in some of those tougher games that they have. And I think. ah That's what I'm going to look for is I'm going to see if... UCLA can... um go beat Cal I think that's one they have to get if they're gonna I guess not I shouldn't say have to get, but to get the. the train rolling and to get there.
Ben: their culture set. Um, from what they were doing at james madison if they can bring that and I think they're gonna. I think they're going to go take care of business. and I like the staff so much that I think they're going to go take care of Cal and have him by.
Ben: I think the line is like one and a half or something like that. and I like the UCLA side on that a lot.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: so but
Caleb Call: cow might have one of the Five to ten best quarterbacks in college football. Tosh coming over from Oregon. First chance to make a splash at Cal.
Caleb Call: i I like Kyle this year. They struggled down the stretch last year. They didn't have probably as good of a season as they could have. Again, they were starting a true freshman to quarterback. Not everybody. Yeah. Bear Bachmeier can ah win 11 games as a true freshman. but Jaren, I don't even want to buter butcher the rest of his name.
Caleb Call: electric true freshman quarterback last year, and I think they've got potential to do some damage in the ACC. Probably won't compete for the championship, but I could see them winning eight or nine games and really spoiling somebody's season.
Caleb Call: UCLA. Nico still in town. I honestly am pretty curious to see how they look, too. I like what Chesney was doing to James Madison. We saw in Indiana bring in a bunch of James Madison boys and win a championship with them.
Caleb Call: I don't think the UCLA turnaround is gonna be as drastic. But I do think that UCLA.
Ben: bold
Caleb Call: Could be a very bold prediction. I think UCLA could end up having a good season. They had good moments last year. Nico looked like... He was getting things figured out in a few of the games last year. Penn State game for sure kind of blew up the Nittany Lions season. So, yeah, that's going to be a fun game. I love getting the – It's weird to even call this an old Pac -12 matchup, but an old Pac -12 matchup, UCLA and Cal could be playing every single season.
Caleb Call: It's a shame they're not. but Here we are. It's 2026. Nothing makes sense anymore in college football.
Ben: yeah
Ben: and opening No alignment makes sense.
Caleb Call: All right, let's get through this quick. we got we're gonna do a college football pick 'em competition. So every single week. We're going to pick the Utah game, the BYU game.
Caleb Call: The two best Big 12 games outside of Utah and BYU. and then the three biggest college football games. So seven picks. every single week And we'll all alternate picking here. Utah -Idaho, I'll let you go first on this one. What's your score guess? Who do you got winning?
Ben: Yeah, so I got. I got Utah kind of pointed it on. so I'm going 55 -10. for this one. I don't think. Otho stops him. And so I think. ah Utah rolls, I think you see the second. I think you see Bird Ficklin get in and kind of take care of that game.
Caleb Call: I kind of spoiled my score already. I said 42 to 10. I'm gonna stick with that. I think Utah. Early in this one I think struggles a little bit. I think the halftime score might be something like.
Caleb Call: 14 -3 or something, and then by the end of the game, 42 -10, Utah cleans it up and win this one pretty easily. But I don't think the Points will be as drastic as 55 Could be wrong on that. I know Idaho gave up a bunch to Cal Poly.
Caleb Call: BYU Utah Tech. I think BYU covers but barely. I'm going to go out and say. 59 to 0. for BYU. against Utah Tech. Not much to say on this one. I think almost every one of those 59 points will be in the first half. and It'll be a very conservative second half.
Ben: Yeah, I... On this one, I got. 62 -3 is my score, I just think. it's one of those things where I First half, I think BYU is going to. be in the 40s or 49 -56. I just think every single drive they're going to go score a touchdown. and so i don't think i mean Utah Tech lost 54 -0 last week. so i'm uh i'm giving ah I'm giving Utah Tech the benefit of the doubt and be able to put one drive together. and score some points. and so That's what I got for that one.
Caleb Call: They'll probably have an entire quarter against third and fourth string. So maybe they can get themselves a field goal there
Ben: Yeah, it's like, come on. scar get ah get Get on the board for the year.
Caleb Call: Yeah.
Ben: This is your second game. Okay.
Caleb Call: Biggest game tomorrow. Colorado, Georgia Tech. I'm going to take the yellow jackets. I think it's close. I think Colorado hangs in there. I think Georgia Tech is going to have some kinks to work out with their new quarterback, Alberto Mendoza.
Caleb Call: I'm going to say Georgia Tech wins this one 27 -23.
Ben: i got ah I got Mendoza, the Mendoza magic, in ah starting in Georgia Tech. so i'm a I'm Les Bulge, like I said earlier on. Colorado. I'm going to give 31 -17 for...
Ben: Georgia Tech in this one. and Maybe SEC gets that one.
Caleb Call: Hot seat guitar for Dion right away. One of the early games on Saturday. Baylor and Auburn playing in Atlanta who do you got?
Ben: Hiya. This is my sneaky pick. I go on Baylor on this one. I think they – went out right so they're seven and a half point dogs right now so i'm gonna i'm just gonna I'm gonna go Baylor.
Ben: in ah In a tight one that comes down to the wire, I think. um DJ Lagway. can figure it out against this new staff. and Give me 3128.
Ben: Beware.
Caleb Call: DJ Lagway in a close game. I'm not sure I'm trusting DJ much there. I hope Baylor wins this one. I'm going Auburn. Auburn won last year by two scores. I think it'll be. Similar story this year. I think Baylor can hang in there for a long time and still make it an interesting and fun game to watch.
Caleb Call: But I've got Auburn winning this one. I'm going to call it. 38 to 24. Ugh. College game day is going there. We got LSU Clemson in Death Valley.
Caleb Call: This one here I think LSU is going to be too much to handle for. Clemson. I think Clemson's going to struggle to score. I think Clemson's going to struggle to stop LSU. I think this one could end up being a blowout pretty quick.
Caleb Call: I'm going to go with the final score of... 42 to 20 for LSU. But I think some of those Clemson points might come late. I think this one could get up to four or five scores. before it ends. I'm LSU big
Ben: I actually got this one tighter. I got, I think Dabo is going to. Kind of get this thing figured out. It's been a couple years Um, in the making but i'm gonna i still give the edge to LSU. So I'm going 27 -24.
Ben: for LSU in a close one that. is a, is a fun one to watch. And I, I saw c Clemson covers. I got Clemson as his covering, but I. yeah Give me LSU.
Caleb Call: All right, Saturday night late, we got UCLA Cal. I know you already canned it. gave your edge to UCLA, then I won't put in here.
Ben: i Yeah, I already said.
Ben: Yeah, so I i just I love the the James Madison hire. I think UCLA, what they're wanting to do. like I think they just needed a complete change in culture. And James Madison, he just. He went to James Madison and he won. You saw it last year. and so I think UCLA goes and gets on the right foot, and I think they win that game. and I'm going.
Ben: I'm going a lower scoring game in this one. I'm going to go like 20. 24, 21. um UCLA. uh wins it nico does all he needs makes the plays when he needs to to to give UCLA the edge.
Caleb Call: I'm going Cal, and I think it's a little bit of a shootout. I'm going to say Cal 37 -34. i think this one's gonna be fun Classic Pac -12 after dark. i hope we see some points i hope we see some nonsensical turnovers There's nothing more fun than that.
Caleb Call: So Kyle wins this one. Going into Sunday. Probably the biggest game of the weekend. Ole Miss and Louisville. This one I think is going to be a very important game.
Caleb Call: when it comes to the playoff. Ole Miss probably does not make the playoff if they lose this game. Their SEC schedule is tough. They're going to take a few losses. Louisville on the other hand. They don't have to win this game, but if they lose this game. they might have to go win the ACC. So this is a big step for them.
Caleb Call: I'm going to say Ole Miss wins this one. I think it'll be close all the way throughout, and I think Ole Miss pulls away in the fourth quarter 4 -8. 31 -21 win.
Ben: That's funny. I had the score written down right here, 31 -20, so we were one point off. i I got it. A little bit. of My story is a little different, though. I think you said. It was tight the whole way, but I got.
Ben: I got Ole Miss getting up two scores. and it kind of just Like, it just kind of, like, stays two scores the whole game.
Caleb Call: co
Ben: Yeah, so it feels it feels like a game that's never really... Louisville never really has a shot to win, but I got Ole Miss winning that.
Caleb Call: Honestly... Pretty weak. Week one slate. Week two has got a bunch of fun games. Next week's discussion will probably be a little more interesting than this week's as far as the games that we're talking about. but College football is back. I'm not going to complain. I'm going to be glued to the TV this entire weekend.
Caleb Call: I love that week one, you get games on Thursday, on Friday, on Saturday, on Sunday. And even on Monday, Labor Day, you've got Florida State SMU. So it's going to be a fun weekend of football all the way throughout.
Caleb Call: ah Let's close up with this, some bold predictions for BYU, Utah, and college football. i'll pass it over you to run through your bold predictions and i'll do the same
Ben: or I do all of them at once.
Caleb Call: Yeah, let's let's get them all out at once.
Ben: Okay, Penn State goes and... ah makes it to the college football playoffs, and wins a college football playoff game. So I'm a big – I'm bullish on Matt Campbell. and Um,
Ben: him and He's two years removed from... um taking Iowa State to the Big 12 championship game. and i think ah Penn State. Them avoiding the top three teams in the Big Ten, I think, is ah is big for them. and so i think I think they make the college football playoff, and I think they'll get one win. So that's my bold prediction.
Ben: for them and then. Second one I got is. I got a little dark horse in the G5. I... First year coach, Brian Hartline. Old offense coordinator for one year at Ohio State. He's the longtime wide receiver.
Ben: Coach at Ohio State recruited. all these dudes that I mean, you've got like the. Jeremiah Smith and Chris Olave and all these guys. Going back, he's kind of been like the heart and soul of Ohio State. He's now the first year head coach of South Florida. He's got 24 power four transfers.
Ben: that have came in he brought in uh michael van buren who's a former four -star recruit that started eight games at Mississippi State two years ago. and then started a handful of games at LSU last year. He's now ah he's now at South Florida, so i got ah I got South Florida as a little dark horse. to to win the G5. They got a late game against Memphis at home.
Ben: And so I. ah I'm giving the Ohio State pedigree and the good recruiter. He's known as one of the best Ohio State recruiters, so I'm giving him the... Um, G5.
Ben: college football playoff. ah Um, out of the American.
Caleb Call: I like that. My side for all college football, my bold prediction, I'm going to say. that we see a three loss regular season team make the playoff. We heard the SEC whining and crying all offseason about...
Caleb Call: They're a strength of schedule. They're going to nine conference games. and they have a point to a point, but at the same time, you got to go out there and win games. You had last year, Tennessee and Missouri.
Caleb Call: go eight and five, and they were ranked for almost the whole year. They went in combined 0 -10 against teams with winning records. so That being said. My prediction is it's going to end up being Oklahoma at 9 -3. I think they get a couple of big wins.
Caleb Call: They've got a tough schedule. I think the committee After all the discussion, ends up putting them into the playoff at 9 -3. So I think we do see at least one three -loss college football playoff team from the regular season. I know Bama and Clemson both have lost three games before, but as an at -large team as well.
Caleb Call: And then... Outside of that. I know you're high on Penn State. I'm a little lower on Penn State than you I think James Franklin and Virginia Tech. win as many or more games than Penn State this year.
Caleb Call: Virginia Tech does not have an easy schedule, yeah have a relatively tough road to get there. But I think James Franklin with the recruiting class he brought in. With just the spike he probably has towards life and everything after Penn State fired him, you know one year removed from the – semifinal of the playoff.
Caleb Call: I think he's going to come out and just prove that he's still got it. He won games at Vanderbilt. He completely rebuilt Penn State from the rubble after everything happened with Paterno and Sandusky.
Caleb Call: I think he's gonna come out hot. and win eight, nine, maybe even ten games with Virginia Tech. And then for BYU and Utah, bold predictions.
Caleb Call: For Utah. Last year they ran for 6 .2 yards per carry. We went over this a little bit last episode I think Utah runs. Four. 5 .0 yards per carry or less. this year so a full yard worse than what they did last year per carry I think the new offensive line will.
Caleb Call: Slow them down a little bit. I think they may be more reliant on passing than they're used to. It's a new offensive coordinator as well. i know the system Looks like it could be similar. and But I think that the yards per carry is going to be very different than it was a year ago.
Caleb Call: And then for BYU. I think Bear Bachmeier last year, he threw for 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions. I think this year. He throws four times more touchdowns than the interceptions. I think he cleans up the turnovers a little bit.
Caleb Call: Anakis. It throws more touchdown passes this year than he did last year and overall has a much more efficient season.
Ben: This year for ah for Utah, I'm going a bold prediction right here. They. yeah They start out, like we talked about last episode, they start out 6 -0.
Ben: After they ah they played, no team projected to have a... a a winning record, they get things figured out, they get rolling, and they... ah They pull their third ever undefeated season.
Ben: regular season. So 12 and 0. Utah gets rolling. They take. Their two biggest games, they got BYU. And they got Houston at home. They take care of them in rice suckles. they've got ah They've got the schedule lined up to do the to do damage. so That's the 2026 bowl prediction, Utah 12 -0.
Caleb Call: Morgan Scali, year one, 12 -0. I'll be honest I do not see this happening.
Ben: dog
Caleb Call: I think Utah's going to be a good team. but 12 -0. It is not easy to win every game on your schedule. Do you have one in mind for BYU while we're on it?
Ben: Yeah. I don't have a bold prediction for BYU. I mean, like you said, you don't see it happening for Utah. I mean, that's why it's called a bold prediction. but um I don't know. BYU is kind of an interesting theme team just because it's – It's a team that.
Ben: it's I feel like it's at its ceiling right now. for the last few years. like I think a 10 or 11 win BYU team is what you're going to see. and so I think that's about what you're going to get. So record wise, I don't got anything crazy because I think you're kind of.
Ben: You're kind of getting what you're going to see from that.
Caleb Call: yeah Chloe now has had... Four 10 -win seasons at BYU, all four with different starting quarterbacks. We'll see if he can finally get a second 10 -win season with the same quarterback, Bear Bachmeier.
Caleb Call: ah Yeah, it's going to be a fun season. Fun week one. Lots to talk about. We'll be back. We're going to record Sunday night for a reaction show that will go live Monday morning for everyone. So be ready for your.
Caleb Call: Morning commute next week as well, Monday, to talk about everything that happened week one in college football. But, yeah, thanks for another great episode, Ben. And Caleb signing off from the Blue vs. Red Holy War Pod.
Ben: Go Utes.
