Transcript
Travis White: Welcome back to the Pack South podcast. We have a Friday episode here. No Pat. Just TJ. We're going to dive right into it starting off with the biggest news of the week. Steve Belichick out of North Carolina. officially resigning.
Travis White: Been under investigation now for a little bit. Same thing with Michael Lombardi. Lombardi has already... relieved. himself of the position. as general manager at North Carolina, but now the program losing a second big name, the defensive coordinator.
Travis White: Um, I don't know if we can say this is a big... Blow. For North Carolina, we saw what they had last year. Obviously, it's not the best when you have the head coach's son, who is a defensive coordinator, obviously resigning.
Travis White: with the allegations that surrounded him there. For the program, this continues to be a bad look for North Carolina. I don't know if it's gonna... ultimately affect the on field um situation Obviously, Bill Belichick will have to probably step in further with some play calling.
Travis White: um But Steve Belichick continues to make this Bill Belichick era. at North Carolina, a super rocky and tumultuous time. You really have to wonder If this move to build Belichick.
Travis White: was worth it we'll have to see we are going to pick the North Carolina Clemson game at the end of this show so it's you know going to get a little bit more into it then but This is just another blemish on...
Travis White: what's been maybe 14 months, 15 months. in the bill belichick era and it's just been highly confusing to ditch Mac Brown the way that they did to go to this.
Travis White: really, really challenging. and weird time. So interesting stuff in Chapel Hill. We'll go in a little bit further later on. Going to go into our Pac -South football rankings for the first time.
Travis White: um Washington. Currently number one in the conference. They have 11 points right now. A lot of that coming off of the Washington State victory in week one, the Apple Cup.
Travis White: They haven't looked the best this year, though. i mean Washington's getting it done, but... You can mainly just say Damond Williams is getting it done. Defense is being serviceable enough. They're holding. lesser opponents too.
Travis White: Few points, which is what you want, but the offense really has not gotten it going if it's not the Mon Williams making plays with his legs, or putting the ball exactly where it needs to be.
Travis White: They're not getting as much help in the run game. They're not getting as... reliable receiving options as we growing a costume. ah at Washington. so they're really going to have to turn some stuff on here. i mean The fact that it was a one -score game with Utah State.
Travis White: Not really, especially me on the program talking about this Washington program going in. possible dark horse team competitor in the big 10 but For what we've seen so far Very shaky that be at the top of our conference, and I don't like their chances in their current form, going into Big Ten play.
Travis White: So it would be interesting to see. how long Washington can kind of maintain this top spot. Close behind, you have Notre Dame. Notre Dame obviously very solid again this year.
Travis White: Um... my personal rankings i have them at number two behind only Indiana. Again, because I If you're the national championship. National champion, you're undefeated.
Travis White: I'm not moving off number one until you do. Notre Dame though. Very impressive. Just haven't had the games to stack up the points in conference play for the Pack South. They're good. They're comfortable. I like where they are right there Some notables in the middle here a couple teams with three points.
Travis White: South Carolina, Florida Be interesting to see, I don't think. both of those teams will stay in that middle ground. One of them will dive. One of them will probably still stay around there. Lots of points available for SEC teams there.
Travis White: But... Both. right now. Uh... in the middle Yeah. three points. Florida with Auburn this weekend. South Carolina. with Mississippi State both are pivotal games especially that floor game Alex Goulish, John Summerall, first SEC game as head coaches of their current programs.
Travis White: Lots of proof. loss approved i think florida I would give the slight. Edge 2. but also We cannot disregard Auburn. I mean, we see what Alex Goulish did at South Florida. Yes, he did have a one Byron Brown, who was incredible at quarterback for him.
Travis White: But i I think Florida Borderline has more to lose here but should. Should be able to get it done. I think Florida gets a win over Auburn.
Travis White: South Carolina. We will pick that game here at the end of the show as well. Big challenge for the Gamecocks this Saturday. Big challenge.
Travis White: Few other notables there in the middle. We have a couple Mountain West teams in New Mexico and North Dakota State both have impressed new mexico maybe a little bit more so Yes, North Dakota State, first year in the FBS. They've gotten what they've needed to get done so far. They have a win in conference play already against Air Force.
Travis White: One could argue That score did not dictate how close that game was. North Dakota State, really. held control that the fact that even got that close at the end is Kind of funny, I mean...
Travis White: I kind of point it to like. I think it was like a... 28 -7 or is about to be 28 -7 North Coast State throws like a 90 -yard pick six kept air force kind of in it i mean of course if Air Force gets one more touchdown.
Travis White: The result flips, but I mean, North Dakota State looked very good throughout. they really held. control that game. New Mexico obviously a win against a kind of lowly. Central Michigan team.
Travis White: Um, and then put up 77 points against mercyhurst doing what they need to do Big challenge this weekend They go to Norman. They play Oklahoma.
Travis White: This is... Probably going to be a very mad, very angry Oklahoma team after that Michigan game last week. But this New Mexico team has proven they can put a point even with their backup quarterback losing I'm forgetting his name. I believe it's Jackson Lentz.
Travis White: Uh... at quarterback for the season which was a devastating injury but they haven't seemed to skip a beat their running game has been super reliable and super efficient for them so New Mexico, I think their biggest thing is come out of Norman healthy.
Travis White: and feel good about where you are in like your performance i think oklahoma is going to get it done they need to bounce back when they cannot afford two losses especially to a group. conference team here but New Mexico, come out of it, feel good, be healthy.
Travis White: Get into conference play and be ready to go. Um... Then... There's a super interesting matchup one of our middle teams and one of our sellers this year this week we have a Pack South game, conference game. Oregon State currently sitting at zero points after their loss last weekend to Texas Tech.
Travis White: closer than I think most people thought. 24 -35, the Beavs put up a... Bit of a display. against the Red Raiders, at least for what I was expecting them. And then Montana. Montana's coming into this game 3 -0 in the FCS. They have three points in the Pac -South.
Travis White: This is a massive game for the Grizzlies if they want to move up the rankings in the PAX South Conference because this would be a group. non -conference win for them. Wish for them. most of their games.
Travis White: are worth one point. This game would be worth If I remember correctly, four points. more than what they're normally dealing with. Oregon State, on the other hand, this is only a one -point game for them.
Travis White: Oregon State should still get it done, especially... i'm a bit more high on them after last weekend's performance. but Montana. Very good team. A win like this not only helps them in our conference,
Travis White: A lot of momentum going into big sky play. I don't really have a pick here but this is definitely a game to keep your eyes on if you need that like background game.
Travis White: um or like lesser known game this will likely be a one score game. either way so it'll be very very fun. to watch We'll go over to now soccer. We talked a little bit about some soccer teams We're now going to give our packs out the rankings for the first time this season.
Travis White: with soccer and... Let me tell you. If you asked me who would have been... firmly at the top Yes, we're about to get in a conference play, but...
Travis White: Coming... through like the non -conference start to the season. Would not have bet South Carolina South Carolina sitting at 28 points firmly ahead of second place Notre Dame, who's having a very good season in their own right. They have 17 points in conference.
Travis White: And then defending national champions, Washington at 14 points. That's our top three. All three of those teams are ranked. Washington kind of like floating in and out the top 25. Notre Dame, I believe, is 17.
Travis White: in south carolina in the more wily. taken poll sitting at number four. Didn't see this coming. Notre Dame already going into a little bit of...
Travis White: Um, Conference play action. I believe they have a win over Syracuse. which is... Great for the Irish to get things going. Then we go into the middle. We have Providence, UCF, and Boston College. UCF.
Travis White: Again, kind of like that Washington, they're like. They haven't really gotten into the top 25 with their teetering. they're teetering right in there Um, UNC Charlotte sitting at 10 points. Duke at nine. st louis at four and oregon state at four St. Louis, I'm going to talk about them in a moment. but the Charlotte team.
Travis White: 10 points. They came into the season ranked. high expectations in the american conference they still can have a very good season but this has to feel a little bit like a letdown. They're beating the teams they need to beat.
Travis White: But anytime they're facing a ranked opponent, they just cannot get it done. They played South Carolina earlier in the year. It was a 2 -1 game, South Carolina getting the win. Charlotte's only goal coming off of...
Travis White: a South Carolina shot that hit the crossbar went basically back to midfield and they took it on the counter. so Charlotte needs to win. the big game this season.
Travis White: to really bolster their resume and I guess mojo. for the big game come tournament time because right now. I don't really like...
Travis White: them getting anything past quarterfinals in their conference tournament. And I don't really like them. Probably getting into round of 32. for the actual NCAA tournament. So Charlotte needing to get some wins here. The 10 points is not indicative, I think, of their season.
Travis White: But there's a lot of work to be done there. St. Louis St. Louis I was very high on going into this season Very is shocked we were sitting at bottom of the table tied with Oregon State.
Travis White: They've had some tough teams. They had Akron on their schedule. Um... Again, they're not getting it done, but then also... They're not. outright winning the games.
Travis White: that they are fully expected to win they have a lot of draws with a lot of lesser competition They... came plummeting out of the rankings. I believe they started the season at number six or number eight. They are firmly out. They are not receiving votes. Billikens need to figure it out.
Travis White: very quickly in A -10 play. Once I get into ATEM Play, I... do anticipate them winning and like climbing back in our rankings But I'm a bit concerned about their ability to...
Travis White: get back to the top when you're looking at teams like South Carolina who is Not traditionally one of the best teams. but this year they look very very sound on all aspects of the pitch.
Travis White: Notre Dame. very good program and washington Again, they're coming off a national championship season. They're showing glimpses of what they can be, but they're just not being consistent right now. I think if they figure out their consistency.
Travis White: The Huskies could be... right back in it so That is our PacSouth men's soccer rankings rundown. and we're going to hop in to our predictions now i mean Friday show.
Travis White: Solo show. They're usually fast. Seems like it's going to be. But our predictions. four. This weekend is going to start off in men's soccer. That's going to be number four, South Carolina, unbeaten.
Travis White: taking on the 13th rank old dominion monarchs who are also under P. L, unbeaten.
Travis White: Biggest match probably in... South Carolina. Um... men's soccer history or at least recent history. I should say, especially for the regular season.
Travis White: I shouldn't say that. They're playing a lot of ranked games against Clemson these days now, too, so the rivalry is... Massive. but This, I believe, opening up Sunbelt play for both teams.
Travis White: South Carolina playing at home at Stone Stadium. They are currently leading the nation in attendance, which... It always helps. it's double helpful when you have a very good team on the pitch as well.
Travis White: Pat going with the hometown team here, South Carolina, and getting the win against the Monarchs.
Travis White: I'm going with a draw. i think that we're going to split points here I think both teams are very good. I think South Carolina is slightly better. and even though like slightly better and at home you would expect like okay well double Go to the win.
Travis White: But I'm just a little concerned. They've had so many big games. i believe they're already This is their fourth ranked matchup of the season. They're 3 -0 in ranked matches. I just feel like...
Travis White: Something's going to give I don't think they lose this match. I just think this is a draw They keep the unbeaten streak for the season. but a little bit of a comeback to Earth, and then... Okay, we need to reset. We need to get back going.
Travis White: get wins the next like Three matches. Four. On out in Sunbelt play. So I'm going with the draw pat going with the Gamecocks here. now Next game.
Travis White: Could have been our game of the week. Decided to go a different route for what our game of the week would be but this is the college game day Game of the week, Ole Miss and LSU. This is...
Travis White: The Lane Kiffin Show. um This is going to be an Oxford. It's going to be insane. We've seen what Lane Kiffin returning to SEC schools. He's the only coach that looks like already when Ole Miss went to Tennessee a few years ago.
Travis White: Just insanity. We've seen The press conferences, we've seen the leaked. locker room speeches. this Lane Kiffin is different and he fully maybe Maybe he's not different. Maybe it's the same Lane Kiffin, but he just fully doesn't care.
Travis White: And I think this is going to be raw. I think it's going to be emotional. I think it's going to be hard hitting. But I don't think... that. helps. LSU. I think too much emotion in a game like this.
Travis White: Yes. is detrimental.
Travis White: If I'm Ole Miss. Yes, you want to beat them? But this game doesn't matter as much. I feel like everyone's talking about LSU. They're talking about Lane Kiffin. They're talking about how much money they're spending on the roster.
Travis White: Ole Miss just needs to go out there and play football. They will certainly be emotional as well. But I think that... Ole Miss will come in. and get the job done. I think it'll be a little bit more of just that mentality of we're just going to do it.
Travis White: Um... And... really Ole Miss has way less to lose. Way less lose they could lose this game and everything be fine LSU loses this game though A little bit the sky starts to fall.
Travis White: So I like the Rebels. In. Oxford. pat though going with the road tigers So we've got a split. right there in the College Game Day Game of the Week.
Travis White: We then move back to Columbia. South Carolina football taking on Mississippi State. Those are conference openers. Pat going with Mississippi State. He's very convinced after their display in Minnesota.
Travis White: um offensively. Mississippi State looks. way better than what we thought. Jeff Lebby has the team moving at a way more accelerated pace honestly i was a little worried jeff levy might be it at Mississippi State this year. and be on his way out.
Travis White: but Yes, we are two games into the season. Is Minnesota the best? Not really, but still an SEC team going into a Big Ten house. and having it be empty for the entire fourth quarter.
Travis White: It's an impressive display, so I understand Pat's pick there. This game is in Columbia. Williams -Brice is a very good home environment for the Gamecocks.
Travis White: I like what I see out of the offense. Defense is going to definitely need to step up, especially in that secondary. Does sound like ah Dylan Stewart will play on the defensive line, which will help the pass rush and should. sturdy up some of the run game.
Travis White: defense for the Gamecocks.
Travis White: I'm leaning. I'm going to lean to the Gamecocks. It's a slight. This is kind of like a toss -up game for me. I'm going to go Gamecocks here. But... Really, they're going to need.
Travis White: Lenore sellers and part of the reason that The Gamecocks maybe weren't as good as the offensive coordinator last year. Garrett Riley. This kind of needs to be Garrett Riley's We're here because you play Taos and you put up 45 points. Yep.
Travis White: That's expected. You play Kent State, you put up. 50 plus points. That's expected. Mississippi State. You gotta win this game.
Travis White: If you're South Carolina, like. Coach, fan, anyone, you've got to win this game. so Going with the Gamecocks on the sheer of it's at home. And if they're going to be anything this year.
Travis White: This is it.
Travis White: Over to ACC territory, we have a bit of a theme this week obviously. We have Louisville taking on SMU.
Travis White: Yeah, I don't have Pat here to... Deflect whenever I need to take a sip of water. So Might be. squeezing some in here in the last few picks, but Louisville SMU.
Travis White: This is... In Louisville, i I started writing them. back and forth. um We have another split pick here.
Travis White: Pat? Very high on Louisville. He's going with the Cardinals. I'm not as high on SMU as... He is high on Louisville. But I do think the Mustangs...
Travis White: are a sneaky good team and as we continue going into the season They haven't really gotten... The talk maybe that I would expect so much so that I'm even forgetting their results.
Travis White: um But I mean, this is a team that is. definitely capable. of going to Charlotte. playing probably Miami for the ACC title.
Travis White: But that might. Mind you. Good. Very good. But this is not about them. SMU. are... Most recent, yeah, I mean, we had... an interesting Labor Day game against Florida State. That's probably part of the reason why it's quieter.
Travis White: UC Davis 56 -10. Did what they had to do Florida State game, I try not to put too much effort in. Game got delayed because the stadium lost power. They played the game like it was 1990.
Travis White: um And it was on a Monday night. Just a lot of weird things. I don't put too much stake in it. They got the win. Started the season on the road in a conference game. you know.
Travis White: Probably should have won that by more. weird circumstances. I don't hold that against him too much. Obviously, this Louisville match. I mean, this this is kind of like the boys versus men game.
Travis White: Whoever wins this match. Game. is going to really show like hey we are a top acc program this year We're... we're ready to compete against Miami. Like, we want to be there in Charlotte. And I think the winner of this game does have a great shot. of going to Charlotte to play because Virginia's...
Travis White: okay this year. Bo Pebula is kind of like continuing. The opribule of things. um Duke definitely taking a step back, although... Decent win last weekend, but definitely not the same without Darian Mensah.
Travis White: So these two teams really can signify, hey, we are the number two team in the conference. We're here. so I'm going SMU, Pat. going with Louisville. Lots of splits. this week.
Travis White: Um, You could say... 4 for 4 on splits, but... chose a draw in the soccer match, he chose a team outright. Not a full split, but...
Travis White: Definitely different results. but Now for our final. game of the week, the PAX Health Game of the Week. And that's going to be North Carolina and Clemson. So I mentioned earlier.
Travis White: We would talk a little bit more about the UNC program. Steve Belichick resigning. I say... earlier. I don't know if this affects the defense as much Thanks very much.
Travis White: Which probably. But this is... A must -win game for both programs. Clemson starts here on the road, gets destroyed by LSU. They then turn around and play.
Travis White: A. quite rough. offensive game against Georgia Southern. They won 23 -7, 22 -7. They kicked five field goals and one offensive touchdown.
Travis White: Um... 22 to 7. Not. not what Clemson is used to um and I mean Georgia Southern was going into that game confident So like... Clemson as a program has definitely taken a large step back. They're sitting at one. one They're going into conference play here. North Carolina sitting 2 -0.
Travis White: They have a power for non -conference win. over in Ireland against TCU. funny enough statistically speaking the winner of that game typically goes on to win eight or more games in the season North Carolina needs that right now.
Travis White: They need. This game especially. to kind of like get their program going. There's been so much negative stuff. It's always been, well, Bill Belichick's just not producing. You talk about his age. How long is he going to be there?
Travis White: what's now The next step because. Well... Steve Belichick may not affect. the play of the defense. this season. He's still bill Belichick son He still learned the same system from him.
Travis White: He probably came to North Carolina as the head coach in waiting. And now North Carolina does not have the head coach in waiting. That program is essentially now cut off. They are just on an island. So if Bill Belichick then calls it this year.
Travis White: whatever that may be. you know they're kind of still starting from scratch the next year there's nothing to build on and yes the cnil era is a little bit different but you still want to have a little bit of a ground. face like a little what what am i What am I trying to say here? like it Ed Rock.
Travis White: like you have a bedrock you have something like some kind of sturdy bass. to then build up from. Losing. potentially the head curse in waiting. really hurts this program.
Travis White: Clemson. As I said, needs this. Dabo needs this. Both programs need a win here.
Travis White: That's why Pat and I are both going with Clemson. I think it's gonna be one of those cases. where Both programs are probably sitting about the same. I think both teams are... Believe it or not.
Travis White: about the same caliber. but Clemson's just won more games. in the last decade. They figured it out more. I think this is a case of just Dabo figures it out.
Travis White: And gets the win. um Does this necessarily dictate? the end of the season. Especially for Clemson. No.
Travis White: I mean they both have quite light schedules. um North Carolina needs this. I made the comment last week. I think eight wins is on the table. That was with this Clemson win.
Travis White: Clemson I'm really foggy on where they go from here but as a program In this game because you look at both and they're like they just need to win You can't.
Travis White: You can't be the one. to lose this game.
Travis White: pat and i are going Clemson. so As I... continue to run circles and chase my tail on that. That will be all for the PAX South podcast this week.
Travis White: um We'll be back. next week with our Wednesday show and then we will go into it for the first time this season are women's soccer. uh rankings and standings as well as reflecting a little bit from this past weekend.
Travis White: Any college football news, of course. and then predictions and any other special things that may come up between now and then. So again, thank you all so much for watching and listening wherever. You may see this podcast on. We appreciate it so much.
Travis White: and we'll see you all next time.
