College Football Week 3 — Power-Cleaned Transcript

Ty Hildenbrandt · 00:18

Dan Rubenstein, welcome back to the podcast, my great and good friend. I have a confession that I must make to you right now.

Dan Rubenstein · 00:24

Please do.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 00:25

I'm running on fumes, man. I'm running on like three hours sleep. I did the thing in the middle of the night where I woke up, tried to flip on a couple podcasts that usually do the trick, usually put me back to sleep.

Dan Rubenstein · 00:37

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 00:38

None of them worked. Here I am, running on caffeine. I'm excited about week three. I can't guarantee I'm not going to keel over midway through. How are you?

Dan Rubenstein · 00:47

What did you drink caffeine wise?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 00:50

all the caffeine in the house, all the black tea, all the other kinds of tea.

Dan Rubenstein · 00:53

Wow.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 00:55

I don't really do coffee, I know I'm weird.

Dan Rubenstein · 00:57

Okay, so this is a lot for you. Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 00:59

Yeah, we got we got the heart palps going on feeling a little bit jittery. A lot going on over here on this, and I'm gonna try my best to get through this today.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:08

Well, I'm glad to hear you're doing all right enough to record a week three preview. Because this is gonna be a really fun one. This one I went back and forth in a number of different directions with regard to a a nickname. I looked up golf ball brands because of the lame Kiffen in a hostile environment situation like he found himself in before.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:25

Oh no.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:31

I the one I could find with an S is Srixon. I don't know if they're a Japanese company?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:40

Mm-hmm.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:40

I don't know. They are Japanese.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:41

Yep.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:41

Okay. Surixan, that was just too specific, too esoteric. I ultimately settled on because after looking at the weather report across this great land with some of the bigger games Ty, we're seeing. humidity. We're seeing heat and we're seeing thunderstorms Ty. And so sometimes you're just looking at a team and you say to yourself, you know, I think they're pretty good. But there you are in the trunk of your car and you realize you didn't bring the beach bag in and there's some wet towels there and all of a sudden it becomes a stanky Saturday. Yeah. I don't know why. I mean that's that's it's a funk riff that I found. I think there's something about like the clouds forming over a stadium. I think there's something about the potential for a team looking like trash in bad weather. That stanky Saturday, even with that riff. Mmm. I think there's gonna be something on like on our mustachios Ty. There it is.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 02:54

Hope this is royalty free.

Dan Rubenstein · 02:56

I used a significant portion of our budget for the next six to seven years.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 03:01

Damn you, Rubenstein.

Dan Rubenstein · 03:02

No, that is royalty free, yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 03:04

You missed a prime opportunity to go with Swamp Ass Saturday if you're gonna go into the whole, you know, sweltering theme.

Dan Rubenstein · 03:07

I did. I thought on Salty Saturday, just because of the emotionally. Fraught matchup with Ole Miss and LSU headlining the week. I went in a number of different directions emotionally and mental mentally, excuse me. I kind of like that this will. literally and figuratively cover a lot of these games, I think, is the the stanky nature of what we have in front of us. Truly, when you look at I wrote this down and say and sent it to you. Houston, Texas Tech, 90 Degrees. SMU Louisville, stanky weather. Mississippi State, South Carolina, Stanky Thunderstorm, which by the way was the name of Ty's custom cocktail at his wedding, the stanky thunderstorm.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 03:48

Love it. Yeah. It was very strong. Yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 03:50

we have LSU Ole Miss expected to be around 90 degrees at kickoff. Stanky Thunderstorm for Auburn hosting Florida. Stanky Thunderstorm for Virginia hosting West Virginia in Charlotte. Stanky tea storms just abound.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 04:05

Okay, all right.

Dan Rubenstein · 04:06

So here we are.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 04:07

Well, it's a big weekend in the South. I got my collared shirt on. I dressed up for the occasion.

Dan Rubenstein · 04:11

Yes, you did.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 04:11

Don't normally do that, but thought it would be appropriate here on week three. Welcome back, one and all. If you're new here, we are The Solid Verbal. We are the longest running college football podcast. Please hit rate, review, or subscribe so that you can stay tuned into all of our episodes. If you want to compete for prizes, and I stress, only if you have the gumption to compete.

Dan Rubenstein · 04:30

Only, of course.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 04:32

Going out to support the team at verballers. com, V-E-R-B-A-L-L-E-R-S. com. We do a weekly pick'em contest called Run the Board. 12 games against the spread. The winner this week is going to get a $150 DoorDash gift card, Dan.

Dan Rubenstein · 04:50

Ooh.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 04:50

We bought it. Bought it out of our own petty cash. They're not a sponsor, though they could be.

Dan Rubenstein · 04:53

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 04:55

We'd love to bring them aboard if they are so interested.

Dan Rubenstein · 04:57

Sure.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 04:58

But until that point in time, we bought the card, we're giving it out, but only to people who subscribe and support the show at verballers. com.

Dan Rubenstein · 05:09

Yeah, especially look, you think about what dinner's gonna be like this week. Like if you could get something to your couch while I'm sorry about the dinner slate of games on the East Coast, yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 05:18

Oh yeah, exactly.

Dan Rubenstein · 05:20

So your six, seven PM starts, you know, making dinner easy. Pretty good if you can if you can compete though.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 05:25

That's what I'm that's what I'm thinking.

Dan Rubenstein · 05:27

If you can compete, if it's in you.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 05:28

If you've got.

Dan Rubenstein · 05:29

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 05:31

The strength to compete. Yes.

Dan Rubenstein · 05:32

Yes, absolutely.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 05:33

For ballers. com is where you can go. And just a quick reminder: I'm gonna do this at the top this time because we had such a great week of calls a week ago after week two. Generational. version of the reverbs that ran on the Saturday night live stream. 855 Verbal3. 855 Verbal3.

Dan Rubenstein · 05:51

No runner.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 05:52

That's 8558372253. Call throughout the day, leave a bunch of voice messages. We will mash those together. We will play them on Saturday night.

Dan Rubenstein · 06:01

Absolutely, we will.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 06:03

Without further ado, let's jump right in, Dan. A wise man once said it is a stanky Saturday, and he played a little bit of a riff too, if I remember correctly.

Dan Rubenstein · 06:18

Yeah, it's the one yeah there's mmm, yeah. Ooh,.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 06:21

Would have worked better if you said you played that in your home studio.

Dan Rubenstein · 06:25

Yeah, I'm playing multiple instruments at once. I have my Rhodes piano out, my electric piano all at once. Yeah, no, it's it's nice and stanky.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 06:35

Dan Rubenstein, we're gonna do something we don't normally do. Normally we push the Friday or the Thursday games in some cases off until the very end. This year we're releasing these episodes on a Wednesday night. So you got plenty of time. You got 48 hours before a really big matchup in the Big 12. 8 p. m. on Fox, number 22, Houston, on the road at number 13, Texas Tech. Dan Rubenstein, Texas Tech is a seven and one half point favorite. Interestingly enough. It's only week three, but these teams do have a common opponent in Oregon State. Both had a bit of a fight on their hands, which honestly probably says a little bit more about Oregon State than it does about either of these sides.

Dan Rubenstein · 07:13

True. I'm hoping so.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 07:19

But . I am very curious about this matchup. We have had this one circled for many months on end, dating even before we did our Big Twelve preview episodes. I'm excited about Houston, Texas Tech. We like both these teams. We're high on both these teams. Where'd you come down on this one?

Dan Rubenstein · 07:36

What did we say winsock willy? Weathervane Willy?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 07:39

Weathervane Willie.

Dan Rubenstein · 07:40

Something like that.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 07:40

Yeah, Weathervain Willie.

Dan Rubenstein · 07:41

With regard to Houston being the first real test, it seems, for a number of these Big Twelve teams who have started off impressively or somewhat impressively, where do I land on this one? I'm concerned Texas Tech doesn't look like Texas Tech, which I imagine Texas Tech themselves and Texas Tech fans are people with concerns at the same time.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 08:03

Which, by the way, not to cut you off, if you went back like 10 years and said that, people would be like, what the hell are you talking about?

Dan Rubenstein · 08:03

Like the yeah. Yeah, we went eight and four.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 08:12

We're we're like an eight and four team.

Dan Rubenstein · 08:13

We won seven and five.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 08:13

What are you talking about here?

Dan Rubenstein · 08:14

It's fine.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 08:15

We're gonna go to the Alamo Bowl.

Dan Rubenstein · 08:15

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 08:16

What are we talking about here?

Dan Rubenstein · 08:16

Yeah. We had the 131st ranked defense yet again, of course.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 08:20

How quickly things have changed, but please continue, my friend.

Dan Rubenstein · 08:22

Yes. yeah, the team has not like met expectations on both sides of the ball, especially along the line of scrimmage. the rushing attack hasn't been there given the. the depth of quality running backs, it seemed like the offensive line would get quality push has not always been the case this early going. the defensive line has not been nearly as disruptive and overwhelming as well certainly last year's, but expectations now they've been dealing with injuries. Looks like they're getting a little healthier this week, which should help things against a looks to be a tough and balanced Houston offense. And on the other side, Houston has been sort of. Undisciplined, a lot of penalties on the Houston side, some up and down moments for them. It look it's early on in the season, that's to be expected. this is gonna be a tough environment on the road. We're talking about a short week return from a road game for Texas Tech. And a short week on the road for Houston. So there's the variable there. If you're a believer in stanky weather affecting things, it could affect you know defensive stamina and depth being tested. I think I like Houston in this one.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 09:25

To win or to cover?

Dan Rubenstein · 09:25

I really do to win this game.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 09:28

Okay, so to outright.

Dan Rubenstein · 09:30

I think Texas Tech will be quite good this year. I think Texas Tech is sort of. finding itself right now. I think they're figuring out what they can and can't be on offense. The explosive plays on defense from Oregon State last week kind of scared me a little bit. Now it could be one off. This could be a correctible thing. I think the coaches are quite good. There is something about Houston right now that I think there is less up in the air in this moment for Houston on the road. I think they're well coached. I kind of have a Will Hammond question that's lingering in the back of my head, and maybe it's a health thing for him that he's not fully feeling like himself. But I'm just not there with Texas Tech, especially with this number. now I have them Houston winning outright, but. I it falls under the like sure we like them on paper, but what has this year's team done to earn this number?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 10:22

Russik.

Dan Rubenstein · 10:28

And it's at home. It's a short week, which I can appreciate as an advantage, hopefully, for Texas Tech. But in watching them, they just. They seem too different from where they were at their best last year. I think they will grow into it. But yeah, I'm going Houston to win this one, actually. I think they have the quarterback advantage. I think they have the balance on offense advantage. I think their ability to stop the run will show itself against a rushing attack that has struggled with consistency this year. I'm taking Houston here.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 10:59

Aren't we all sort of finding ourselves, Dan?

Dan Rubenstein · 11:02

I've been looking for a long time, Ty.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 11:04

I mean, I still haven't found it.

Dan Rubenstein · 11:06

Right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 11:07

Maybe we'll get there someday.

Dan Rubenstein · 11:08

I mean that's the basis of a pretty popular U2 song, right? That I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 11:12

Still haven't found what I'm looking for.

Dan Rubenstein · 11:14

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 11:16

I was curious to see what Houston was gonna look like last week. In week two, because to your point, there was some significant cleanup that needed to happen after week one.

Dan Rubenstein · 11:27

Again, so they have southern?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 11:28

Granted, it was against Southern, they won by 71 points.

Dan Rubenstein · 11:30

Yeah. It's pretty good.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 11:32

But it was basically mistake-free. Whatever you make of that.

Dan Rubenstein · 11:37

Yep.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 11:38

I think we saw a little bit more of their offense last week. Again, you got to take it with a grain of salt. But right now, they've been rushing like crazy, over 300 yards a game on the ground. I think we saw a little bit more play action. I think we will see a little bit more play action if things go well in this game, too. Against Texas Tech. I'm going to repeat a lot of what you just said. I hope that's okay with you.

Dan Rubenstein · 12:03

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 12:04

I hope that's okay with the Verballer hood, but I do want to go back. Well, we are. We are. I want to go back to the thing that I talked about on Monday with the Texas Tech Lines. And I will echo again what I said on Monday and what you just said a moment ago. They've been somewhat underwhelming. I got messages from a handful of people this week, all of whom agreed. On the defensive side of the ball, that pertains more to the pass rush, though, than I think the run defense.

Dan Rubenstein · 12:29

Right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 12:29

And that's an important thing to call out in a matchup like this. They've been pretty stout against the run. So for me, that's the first key. The first key is can Houston continue what it's been doing against what I still think is a pretty good rushing defense? We haven't seen that much of Connor Weigman this season on the ground, design quarterback runs, things of that nature. I don't know if that's part of the offense and what they're trying to scheme up this season, or if they just.

Dan Rubenstein · 12:56

Or at least this week, yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 12:57

Yeah, or if they haven't shown it yet because they haven't had to. But either way, my guess is we're gonna see some version of that or a little bit more of that in the playbook on Friday night. Houston does not need to run for 300 yards at this game. They just need to make tech respect it so that they can play off of that and maybe mix in some of that play action stuff. So that aspect of the game to me is I think the first key, the first thing that I'm looking for. The second is the pass rush on the Texas Tech side because that part certainly has underwhelmed to this point in time. It's not like Houston's offensive line, though, is a brick wall.

Dan Rubenstein · 13:32

No.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 13:32

And that's something else that I think is important to call out here, kind of in this talk of, well, tech hasn't really done what we expected. Well, let's see what Houston can do. against a pass rush or against a defensive line like this. Willie Fritz went sort of all in this offseason with a team like Texas Tech in mind. Especially with some of the help that they added along their offensive line. I expect they'll be prepared, but there are no guarantees here. We can't just assume that it's gonna work and they'll be fine against an opponent of this caliber.

Dan Rubenstein · 13:58

Right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 14:04

I think Texas Tech is still pretty good, even if the pass rush isn't exactly where it was a year ago. So for me, this is the whole game. Like if the pass protection holds on the Houston side,. I think they've got decent matchups out wide. They can pull tech apart and they can win this game. But we got to see it. I don't know. I'm not willing to make that assumption quite yet. I like Houston a lot this year. I really do. I think I am in on Houston plus the points.

Dan Rubenstein · 14:35

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 14:36

I think it's a lower scoring game. I'm not fully there on their ability to win one like this, though.

Dan Rubenstein · 14:43

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 14:43

And it comes down to the trenches. And, you know, maybe people will hear this and they'll say to themselves, well, you spent two episodes now talking down to the Texas Tech trenches. Now you're going to pick them to win.

Dan Rubenstein · 14:54

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 14:56

Yeah, I am going to pick them to win. I am going to pick them to win because I still think they have a better roster. I still think they're going to figure it out. I don't think Will Hammond has been a limiting factor at all. I think he's been fine. I think Texas Tech is going to come to play. This game's at home on a Friday night. This might be their biggest game of the year.

Dan Rubenstein · 15:15

Did you see Joey McGuire is wearing like the Texas High School Football Coaches Association hat in warm up as a state because.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 15:21

I did see that. I did see that.

Dan Rubenstein · 15:22

Texas Tech is against the idea of playing on a Friday night, which I don't I don't blame them for given the culture of high school football in the state.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 15:26

Oh.

Dan Rubenstein · 15:29

Yeah, the good thing the other good thing I, you know, it's a very limited sample size here. Look, Houston lost to Texas Tech last year. Different teams, especially on the Texas Tech side, by like 24 points. otherwise, they went out on the road. They finished in tough environments in close games. Maybe that they're they shouldn't have been close, you know, victors in, but like. I do enjoy the fact that they took care of business on the road last season. Like this is a team that is tested in difficult environments and they came out on top last year. I think it's the I think it's the perfect time to get Texas Tech because I think this team is going to turn into more this season. Curious to see how they continue to use and make decisions around Thomas Castellanos as a change of pace type. option at quarterback, whether it's in the red zone, whether it's on, you know, short yardage situations. Texas Tech's a fascinating team. I just think now is the right time, especially given the short week. I just think it's gonna be a little screwy. I have Houston winning close and ugly.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 16:30

Still think tech can run, even though the line hasn't been the best. And like I said, it's not like Will Hamm has been a liability. I think this is a good game. And by the way, I love the fact that this is the big Friday night game.

Dan Rubenstein · 16:42

Yeah, it's huge.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 16:42

I love the fact I, you know, I whatever Joey McGuire thinks of Friday night games aside. The Big 12, much like the ACC, much like other conferences around college football, not named the SEC or the Big Ten, everyone is fighting for eyeballs. So to have this as be like basically the centerpiece on a Friday night. I'm pretty excited about it. I think it's cool for the Big 12. I think it's a great game. I'm taking Texas Tech. I've got it at 27-21. So Tech wins, but Houston covers.

Dan Rubenstein · 17:11

disrespectful to Portland State, Oregon, but I get where you're coming from.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 17:15

Let's move on. let's let's go chronologically this time.

Dan Rubenstein · 17:19

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 17:19

I don't know, why not?

Dan Rubenstein · 17:20

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 17:21

High noon, Eastern Time, important caveat, FS1, Arizona State, minus five on the road against Kansas in Wembley Stadium, Dan.

Dan Rubenstein · 17:34

Yeah, for some reason.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 17:35

Can you do a British accent? I can't.

Dan Rubenstein · 17:38

Not really. I mean there's like the Cockney like cartoonish ones that people do, but I like the specific words and unique turns of phrase to. England and that particular dialect where you say like in it like it's a good game, innit?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 17:57

Of legend.

Dan Rubenstein · 17:58

Like I like that stuff. Brav, of course.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 18:03

Wembley Stadium. We're playing this one at Wembley Stadium. Don't ask me why. I don't know.

Dan Rubenstein · 18:09

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 18:09

But whatever. Shout out to Verballer Andy who messaged us from Bournemouth. Go Tyler Adams.

Dan Rubenstein · 18:16

Mm-hmm.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 18:17

He will be at the game. Andy, not Tyler Adams. Maybe Tyler Adams will be there. I don't know. Defensive midfielder for the U. S. men's national team.

Dan Rubenstein · 18:24

So that's a that's a club, Bournemouth.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 18:26

Fournemouth, yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 18:26

Are they any good?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 18:28

I have not been paying attention this year. So someone can fill me in.

Dan Rubenstein · 18:30

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 18:31

I'd be lying if I said otherwise.

Dan Rubenstein · 18:31

I think I've decided I'm a Brentford guy.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 18:34

A Brentford guy.

Dan Rubenstein · 18:35

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 18:36

I think they got like the little if I'm if memory serves they got like the little like the B logo yeah the logo it's a cool logo.

Dan Rubenstein · 18:36

I'm but it's a bee. Yeah. I'm going Brentford. I'm not positive why I need to learn more, but I watch them because my boys are into watching EPL. I'm like, all right, let's let's do this.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 18:50

And for the Bre Entertainment.

Dan Rubenstein · 18:51

I'm in for the Brent Entertainment. Good call.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 18:54

I think this is a low-key must-win game for Kansas because you lose this one, you're one and two going into a bye week. After that, you've got middle Tennessee who you should beat, but then back-to-back weeks, you're on the road first at Utah. Than at Kansas State. So this is a big game. So low points for at five points. Vegas is looking at this and thinking it's winnable. I think it's a bad matchup for Kansas, if I'm being honest with you. Like, I know I did the thing asking for respect for their quarterback Isaiah Marshall a week ago, and that was fun. I had a good time with that bit. He wasn't good against Mizzou.

Dan Rubenstein · 19:33

Not especially.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 19:33

He just like he wasn't good. He had guys open. He went 13 of 30 with two picks. It seems obvious to me. that he's gonna need a big assist from the running game if they want to have a shot here. And I thought Arizona State looked really good against Texas A&M. I think Arizona State is way better than I expected. So. Like, they're more physical on defense, provided Cutter Boley doesn't throw three bonehead picks, which I cannot rule out.

Dan Rubenstein · 20:00

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 20:01

I think they win going away. I th I got it at like 3320, somewhere in that neighborhood Arizona State.

Dan Rubenstein · 20:10

Yeah, I think it's reasonable. I'm gonna give the points as well. I think there are real questions about Arizona State right now, on the field, whether it's. The discipline of penalty stuff or obviously the turnovers that ultimately led to Texas A&M quite literally well not literally, I guess the AM wasn't able to run away with it, but they were able to throw and return passes. four touchdowns. Arizona State is not a finished product, but you can see the outline of a high quality team. Whereas with Kansas right now on defense. I there are too many questions to me about quarterback and defense, and obviously those are the two things that I hold in highest esteem. I think Kansas will evolve into a feisty threatening type team this season. And you know, it's gonna be matchup dependent and I guess like defensive line dependent. But right now with Arizona State, you don't really have to squint and see the quality. Maybe you wish their tackles were better. Maybe you wish that some of the decision making was better. That can improve with a new quarterback and more comfort in the system. It seems like they have obviously like a go-to number one quality receiver in Reed Harris in this moment.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 21:23

Dude. He's a monster.

Dan Rubenstein · 21:26

He's a monster. He's a big dude.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 21:27

He is a friggin monster.

Dan Rubenstein · 21:30

And they have other receivers. They have, you know, I like the running back. I. There's enough about this Arizona State team. There's enough talent on this defense. The one question, obviously, is like Arizona State was just on the road at AM and now they're on the road in London. Right that and I think the weather's supposed to be pretty good actually, like sixty-eight and overcast. That's in Fahrenheit. I did not do the Celsius translation here. But. I don't think that's gonna play a factor, but yeah, well, you know, if you have weird legs after traveling, that's why I'm I'm not positive that Arizona State's offense specifically is gonna be fully operational given the circumstances. But I can't find a reason in this moment after watching Kansas against Mizzou. It's one game. It's their it was their first real challenge. But I think there's just more plainly to like about Arizona State in this moment. So I'm gonna give the points.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 22:17

The other thing that came to mind when I saw this was at Wembley. I hope they fix the whole thing with American football and the turf. over there because I have visions, I have nightmares of a game that the New York Giants played. I want to say against the Miami Dolphins. Forgive me if I'm wrong. Way back when the NFL first started playing these international games, and obviously they're playing everywhere now, but when they played, I believe, one of the first games, if not the first game.

Dan Rubenstein · 22:38

Right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 22:44

at Wembley Stadium. They used the soccer turf and none of the guys had any traction and they tore it to crap.

Dan Rubenstein · 22:51

Yeah. Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 22:53

They were sliding around like they were on ice over there. I think it's gotten better. Clearly the NFL's got budget for that. I don't know if the Big 12 does. So let's just watch the footing and see if there's any issues.

Dan Rubenstein · 23:02

Right. Well they got monster energy money Ty.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 23:04

Well, that's I'm imagining that they're gonna have the logo on there.

Dan Rubenstein · 23:05

Come on. They have a million dollars. Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 23:10

Let's go to 330 ESPN2. It's on the deuce, a big game on the deuce. Number 16 SMU on the road at number 23, Louisville. Louisville is a two-point favorite. Maybe the most important ACC game of the year, Dean Rubenstein.

Dan Rubenstein · 23:28

Yep. Maybe the most important? I mean if you're you're talking about that like the battle to play Miami.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 23:36

Could be. Could be.

Dan Rubenstein · 23:38

Yeah. Could be a tiebreaker for sure.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 23:40

We got the winner of this game, I would assume, is going to get a nice boost in our poll when we put the ballot out on Saturday night.

Dan Rubenstein · 23:44

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 23:47

Probably puts him in the driver's seat alongside Virginia to get to that game, presumably against Miami. Who knows? This is the game for Louisville. You look at their schedule. I would implore the Verballerhood to pause the episode. Go on out to like FBS schedules or ESPN or CBS, whatever you're into. We don't discriminate. Go look at the Louisville schedule. No, you know the schedule. I'm just, it's a dramatic pause.

Dan Rubenstein · 24:16

Yeah. Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 24:17

But like, go look at the schedule. This is the thing. This is the game. You gotta win this one. You gotta win this one.

Dan Rubenstein · 24:23

Yeah, that's true. Yeah. Wake, NC State, Florida State, Q, Stanford, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Pitt, Kentucky. I think Pitt's gonna be pretty good this year.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 24:35

I hope so.

Dan Rubenstein · 24:36

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 24:37

Otherwise this is the game for Louie. Like th you gotta have this one.

Dan Rubenstein · 24:41

Right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 24:41

So. I think this is a banger. I think we're going to see some weird stuff. This is a game that features both Kenning Jennings Kenning Jennings.

Dan Rubenstein · 24:51

No Ken Jennings, the the Jeopardy host and superstar, will be playing tailback for Louisville.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 24:58

A little undersized, but very smart, has a very high football IQ.

Dan Rubenstein · 24:59

Yeah. Yeah. Lot of wiggle.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 25:04

Kevin Jennings and Lincoln Kienholz, who I think definitely bring the promise of some weird stuff in this game.

Dan Rubenstein · 25:05

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 25:12

We know that Kevin Jennings is an improviser back there. We don't have as much on Lincoln Kienholz, but from what I've seen, he's also that kind of player. I've I've been told he's got a little bit of Baker Mayfield in him. I don't know if that if that holds up under the weight of scrutiny, but .

Dan Rubenstein · 25:26

Is that true? Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 25:28

I think because we've got those two figures playing quarterback, this should be a fun game.

Dan Rubenstein · 25:33

Definitely.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 25:35

What is your belief system in this game? Where are you at?

Dan Rubenstein · 25:38

I'm curious about both of these teams. Now we have the data point with SMU on the Florida State game, which is a game they sort of pulled away from the jaws of defeat. It was a turnover prone game. They still looked a little bit uneven at times against I think it was UC Davis last week.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 25:58

Yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 26:00

we'll see on Louisville they beat your beloved Villanova Novers Ty.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 26:06

Well, yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 26:08

No, they beat they beat down Villanova, Louisville did. I came away quite impressed with Lincoln Kienholz, given not having played a ton of meaningful action for Ohio State, and he came out and was able to make plays. It was a very slow start. for truly both of those teams in that game, but I came away impressed with what I think Louisville could be on offense with Lincoln Kienholz. and what we hope to be a better rushing attack than what they were able to show against Ole Miss. That to me is going to be the big thing in this game is how much can Louisville control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Right, forcing Kevin Jennings into any mistakes, like he can be forced to do, especially on the road. And then what they can do controlling the ground game when they have the ball. I like Louisville here. I don't think SMU is a finished product. I like Louisville at home. I don't have a concrete enough reason beyond. Look, it's a good reason, Kevin Jennings and his upside, but right now. I think I like the combination of the upside from the Louisville defense. Maybe. They didn't show it a ton late against Ole Miss.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 27:15

No, I didn't.

Dan Rubenstein · 27:15

But I still think there's enough talent there that was a tough opponent against a top, you know, five or six quarterback in the country that and Kevin Jennings, I guess, could be at his best as well, for sure. I'm going Louisville because I think they're going to be able to run a little bit more. And if they're able to clean up the defense, and really both of these clean up the defense because SMU gave up a little bit too much on the ground to Florida State. I want to see a faster start from Louisville. Again, this is one game data point, but if we can see that, I think there's enough about the home team here in a tight spread. I'm gonna take Louisville by three to six points. Stanky weather as well.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 27:55

Very stinky, yeah. my belief is that we're underrating Louisville right now.

Dan Rubenstein · 28:00

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 28:00

I think they're underrated. obviously they could have beaten Ole Miss. We watched that game.

Dan Rubenstein · 28:05

Mm-hmm.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 28:06

Even after a first half that was mostly Lincoln Kienholz trying to settle in. Like he wasn't great in the first half of that game. But he settled in. Obviously, they were in a position to win. He looked a lot better in his next start. I think we're starting to see him cook a little bit. And I'm not sure that the college football community has caught up to that point yet. Like he's already getting some NFL draft type from people after two games, which is admittedly a bit excessive, let's be honest.

Dan Rubenstein · 28:38

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 28:38

But he's you can see that there's something there. They are creating explosive plays, in part because of the threat of his legs, which truly is a place that Louisville has not been in a great long time at the quarterback position, not to this extent. So I think he gives them an added dimension. I am excited about what the Cards can do with Lincoln Kienholz. I didn't know in the preseason no one did what they had here. I think the second half of that week one game against Ole Miss was a pretty good example of what he brings to bear.

Dan Rubenstein · 29:10

Right, and that's neutral field in an NFL stadium game one, and was able to show that against a team. Now, it's a different Ole Miss team than where they were last year, but there's a lot of the carryover talent. I thought given the circumstances and given the slow start, I think he acquitted himself pretty well.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 29:26

A hundred percent. The central question in this game though is who's gonna contain the quarterback best? I don't think it's more complicated than that. Like if Louisville can turn Kevin Jennings into Ken Jennings, at least as a quarterback, then I like their chances.

Dan Rubenstein · 29:37

Yeah, sure. Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 29:40

It's a big if because Kevin Jennings. Kevin Jennings is an escape artist. Kevin Jennings pulls all sorts of plays out of his hat.

Dan Rubenstein · 29:49

Yes.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 29:51

Also, the Louisville defense, as we saw. in that week one game against Ole Miss has been prone to some big plays. We also saw some coverage busts. We saw communication breakdowns. We saw. penalties in the early going here for Louisville. This is not exactly a finished product on the defensive side of the ball. So for them it might be less about the whole like true containment and more about a little bit more discipline and some version of containment. if they want to get the better of SMU in this matchup. and, you know, obviously if SMU can turn Lincoln Kienholz into. an ex an inexperienced quarterback. He is still relatively inexperienced. And make him show his stripes on that side of things, they'd be better for it. I think we're going to see points. I think it's gonna be back and forth. I think it's gonna be a fun game. I got it at 34-31, but I'm with you. I'm going with Louisville.

Dan Rubenstein · 30:42

Yeah, I have twenty eight twenty-four. how do you think the return of Papa John Schnatter? is gonna affect Louisville moving forward.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 30:49

Is he coming back?

Dan Rubenstein · 30:50

Because he's back. No, he's back. I don't think it's gonna be called like Papa John Stadium or whatever, but he's back in the fold after being sort of excommunicated.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 30:58

What does that mean exactly?

Dan Rubenstein · 31:00

I don't know, but occasionally his face comes across my I think it's an Instagram algorithm.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 31:08

Oh no.

Dan Rubenstein · 31:09

I think he's he's older than you think, and his face moves less than you think it would given his age.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 31:18

Right.

Dan Rubenstein · 31:18

So I can't tell you with certainty what it means for Kevin Jennings, but I don't know, man. The vibes could be different, maybe in a good way for Louisville.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 31:28

Oh man. Is there a Papa John's curse that we need to discuss?

Dan Rubenstein · 31:29

I don't know.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 31:32

I don't know the status of that. I'm just sort of speaking freely here.

Dan Rubenstein · 31:36

TVD. I think this is the first season in which he's back.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 31:39

The fact that he has wormed his way now into your pizza algorithm out on the socials is, I think, news in and of itself.

Dan Rubenstein · 31:48

He you know what his social presence is? He sits with what I assume is a grandchild on his lap. and watches the pizza videos of others and never gets the joke. He was like, is that kind of some kind of joke? I'm not sure I, okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 32:04

Is it a bit or is he just like unawares?

Dan Rubenstein · 32:04

no. I can't tell his face doesn't move. So you can't really you can't really read. but he is back.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 32:15

Well, we know he'll be rooting for Louisville.

Dan Rubenstein · 32:17

Yep.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 32:18

I'm I'm not really rooting for either side of this one, but I'm rooting for a good game. And I think it would be of great service to the ACC if this were the banger that I am describing here. 34-31 for me. What was your final? It's 28-24?

Dan Rubenstein · 32:32

Twenty eight, twenty four.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 32:34

So we agree.

Dan Rubenstein · 32:35

We do.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 32:36

330 ABC Florida State on the road at number 10 Alabama. Alabama favored by 19 and one half points, Dan. Case you were unaware yourself, Florida State fired their athletic director this week, Michael Alford. Probably was going to happen regardless, but. I do think the optics of the lights going out at the stadium before the big Monday night game against SMU.

Dan Rubenstein · 33:02

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 33:03

I do think the fact that they lost to SMU, my hunch is that all of these things factored in, that was the straw that broke the camel's back. Obviously not a great sign for Mike Norvell. He'll lose the AD. Have a game like this. On the road. Heavy underdog. I lurked around some Florida State message boards, some Reddit threads. Suffice to say, the mood is bleak. Bleak. Bleak. So with all that as the backdrop, Dan Rubenstein, I am assuming you and I are both of the mind that Alabama will win this game, like rather handily.

Dan Rubenstein · 33:40

Yes, yes, yes.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 33:41

Yes? I do not mean to be like dark. A little bit of gallows humor here, okay?

Dan Rubenstein · 33:49

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 33:51

And given where I think the Florida State community is at, I don't feel bad about posing this question. Is there a margin of defeat that gets Mike Norvell fired before week four?

Dan Rubenstein · 34:03

Just a from a pure optic standpoint?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 34:05

From a pure optic standpoint, they're nearly a three-touchdown dog, right?

Dan Rubenstein · 34:06

I'm not sh.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 34:09

On the road, Bam is a top ten caliber team. not without some of their own flaws. We can get into that here and pick this game. But is there a margin of defeat? That you look on Sunday morning, you're like, oh, they lost by 38 points. And Florida State, the administration decides, all right, we can't we can't deal with this any longer. We're pulling the plug.

Dan Rubenstein · 34:31

I say no. It's still a money thing rather than like an inspiration thing. To me from afar, I sure I at a certain point if they lose in the manner in which like Clemson lost to LSU or something like that, where these are still two big name programs, even if. the quality has waned to say the least. I think Alabama wins big. I think it's a I mean I know it's a revenge spot on top of this. that, you know, Alabama became a punchline after losing to a team as down as Florida State was heading into that game. And. The way Alabama played in the second half against Kentucky, particularly on defense, you know, the linebackers really showing out. The ability to suddenly run the ball. And look, Alabama basically has the job of stopping the run, and you'll be fine against Florida State.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 35:24

I don't mean to laugh, but that's I mean that's I jotted the same thing down.

Dan Rubenstein · 35:25

Because those running backs are good. The r the rushing attack is good for Florida State.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 35:28

I love my guy Usman Chroma.

Dan Rubenstein · 35:31

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 35:31

I wouldn't mind any of my teams, any of your teams verballerhood, floating a bid to him now to get him to play for you.

Dan Rubenstein · 35:36

Sure. Sure.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 35:40

In 2027, I think he is really good. I'm not sure Florida State can do anything other than run.

Dan Rubenstein · 35:48

Right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 35:48

That's what they're going to try to do. If we know it, clearly Alabama knows it.

Dan Rubenstein · 35:53

Right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 35:53

Make Ashton Daniels throw in order to win. I don't think he can. That's why I think Bama will win.

Dan Rubenstein · 35:59

Right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 35:59

Full stop. If this game were in Tallahassee, if this game were in the Doke.

Dan Rubenstein · 36:12

I mean Alabama has South Carolina, quality team, but nothing that's like detracting.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 36:17

If this game were on the road for Bama, I w Right, right, exactly.

Dan Rubenstein · 36:20

Yeah. We already saw what happened last year.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 36:24

But like even still, if this game were on the road, I could I could. Like find it within myself to make the case, okay, Keelan Russell showed much more of his youth last week on the road against Kentucky, right?

Dan Rubenstein · 36:38

Early on, yes.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 36:38

Like we early on, early on, until they started running the ball, to your point, we saw his youth. Alabama had to change their game plan. That's what it took in order for them to pull away. It wasn't necessarily because of Keelan Russell. Kentucky made them adjust. I could make the case, okay, Florida State can probably do some of those same things. And that would be my case if I was trying to mount one for Florida State to cover the spread. But I just like I can't get past the fact that Florida State's offense to me feels like a one-trick pony. And if they can't run it, they're not going to throw it and beat you. Bama's gonna sit on that ground game all day long. They're gonna force Ashton Daniels into third and whatever. And that's gonna be that. So even if the Bama offense does not hit the ground running, I still think the defense is more than good enough to hold down Florida State until the offense comes around, like we saw a week ago. So yeah, and by the way, I'm just gonna re-emphasize this again. We said it twice now.

Dan Rubenstein · 37:38

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 37:39

Don't look now, but. Bama did, quote unquote, figure it out last week against Kentucky in the second half when they started running heavier sets and running the damn ball. Which was a big question coming into the season and probably a theme that we're going to have to talk about moving forward. And it worked.

Dan Rubenstein · 37:55

Now, when all is said and done, we might be talking about them doing it against like a four-and-eight Kentucky team.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 37:56

It worked, right?

Dan Rubenstein · 38:02

So who knows what it fully means, obviously. But yeah, I think the vibes are already not great with Florida State. Given how they've started the season with an unimpressive win against New Mexico State and the manner in which they lost a very winnable game against SMU. I think Alabama might be peaking at the right time. This will be a game, probably amongst many, where we're gonna see more of the like infrared thermometer gun type situations on the field.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 38:29

Stanky Saturday, Stanky Saturday.

Dan Rubenstein · 38:30

It's stanky Saturday, but I don't know if they're gonna do that like during a thunderstorm, but I think this is gonna be over a hundred degrees or something at kickoff, so they'll have field temp, whatever.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 38:38

Yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 38:41

yeah, I have Alabama winning this game like. Forty two to thirteen.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 38:47

I got 3817. I'm I'm not crazy confident about that points, but that's a big number.

Dan Rubenstein · 38:54

It's a big number.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 38:55

You know. And if Florida State covers, I think it's because they hold the Bama offense down, not because they go off for like thirty-one points. I just don't have any confidence in their offense here.

Dan Rubenstein · 39:04

Right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 39:06

I can in good faith go Florida State plus the number. I just can't. I don't I don't know what I'm betting on. I'm not betting on this game at all. I'll pick it and run the board because that's what we do. It's one of the games. But otherwise, I'm not very confident in this one.

Dan Rubenstein · 39:19

They're not even like finding ways to get Deuce Robinson the ball, right? They're just like it's still it seems things are sideways. So I'm out.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 39:29

Let's stay at 3. 30. This one's an ESPN. We mentioned the Kentucky game a week ago.

Dan Rubenstein · 39:31

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 39:33

Kentucky's got Texas A&M on the road this week. They are a 16. 5 point road dog in Kylefield.

Dan Rubenstein · 39:42

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 39:43

Two interesting notes, two things to flag here before we go into a quick preview of this one. AM possible look ahead spot. They have LSU next week, so factor that in if you're playing or on the board.

Dan Rubenstein · 39:57

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 39:58

Also, another thing to factor in, sometimes see these like weird situations like this. You know who Kentucky's defensive coordinator is?

Dan Rubenstein · 40:06

Jay Bateman, my guy, yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 40:07

Your boy, Jay Bateman. You love Jay Bateman. Jay Bateman last year calling defense for Texas A&M. Mike Elko called this out. Called this out. Maybe there's like a. You know, something that Jay Bateman knows that no one else does.

Dan Rubenstein · 40:21

He knows the twenty three secret herbs and spices, yeah. Is that how many there are? Or is that the Dr. Pepper formula? I think 23 is how many ingredients go into Dr. Pepper.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 40:31

Okay.

Dan Rubenstein · 40:32

How many herbs and spices? I think it's 11.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 40:34

I don't know.

Dan Rubenstein · 40:36

11 er yeah, it's it looks like it's 11 Thai.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 40:39

Okay. Okay.

Dan Rubenstein · 40:41

By the way, a great combination of herbs and spices. All time. No, no, no. I mean Dr. Pepper's good, but the herbs and spices, the KFC one, terrific.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 40:52

Everyone in the Texas A&M bubble has acknowledged this week that the offense needs to get better. Everybody. Mike Elko said it. He said the run game hasn't been good enough. Marcel Reed, I think we'd have acknowledged here, is has been a mixed bag as well. Kentucky's interesting. Kentucky's interesting. And I spent a good chunk of time this week. trying to figure out why. Why do I think Kentucky's interesting? And where I came down on Kentucky was they're interesting because there's a lot new, not because they're any good.

Dan Rubenstein · 41:26

Right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 41:26

And I don't think that's particularly great for them in this matchup. Kenny Minchie was not good last week against Bama. Bama just kind of sat on him, right? Kind of sat on him in the second half. We just got done talking about that game a little bit, but there wasn't much downfield pop. Wolstein's got to come up with some answers for that because if he's gonna. r you know, end up at the spot where Kentucky's playing pickleball and everybody can sit within like a twelve yard radius of the line of scrimmage, that's not really gonna fly. And you're basically going to let AM sit on you the same way that Bama did. Even with a look-ahead spot here for Texas A&M, I still think all the chatter, all the hubbub about needing to improve. I think they will be up for this one. So given that the Kentucky offense struggled the way it did at home, mind you, in a big game, boy howdy, what are they going to look like on Kyle Field?

Dan Rubenstein · 42:23

Mm-hmm.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 42:27

So I've got AM late, let's call it a front door cover 3820.

Dan Rubenstein · 42:33

Yeah, consecutive former Oregon coordinators for Mike Elko, right? Getting Kenny Dillingham and now Will Stein. I. I actually really want to take Kentucky in this one. The thing I like about AM aside from them being at home and both of these teams have this same quality is this is their first game. after the ability to truly self-diagnose. Right? This is Texas A&M getting Arizona State, seeing where they can improve. Obviously you mentioned the ground game, some of the breakdowns in the past defense against Arizona State. And for Kentucky, yeah, everything you mentioned, I think, is applicable. They actually ran the ball okay, it seemed, at times against Alabama. So that was a bright spot to me. Obviously, the way they started out the game with a lot of energy and turnover. There's a lot to like about long term what Kentucky could be under Will Stein. I just think it's it's too early in the process to like them in this kind of spot. The number once again, the latest number.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 43:29

Latest number is sixteen and one half points, Dan.

Dan Rubenstein · 43:33

It's a lot of points, but it's hard for me to see things getting demonstrably easier for Kenny Minchie throwing into the AM defense as much as they struggled at times. I don't know where the points are coming from to to cover this one. So I have this one thirty-four to fourteen, Kentucky going down by twenty.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 43:55

Yeah. I think that's a responsible pick, Dan Rubenstein.

Dan Rubenstein · 43:58

Oh my god, thank you so much, Ty Hilda Brandt.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 44:01

Stay in the SEC. Big week of the SEC. Collard shirt.

Dan Rubenstein · 44:04

It is Stanky Saturday.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 44:05

Collard shirt. You see it.

Dan Rubenstein · 44:06

I see it. You look very dapper.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 44:08

Thank you. Four fifteen Eastern Time, SEC Network. Mississippi State on the road at South Carolina. Boy, is this a fun game!

Dan Rubenstein · 44:17

This is the SEC game of the day to me.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 44:20

I love it. South Carolina minus four. A lot of riding on this game.

Dan Rubenstein · 44:26

Sorry, sorry, hold on. Let me take that back. There's an LSU Ole Miss game as well. This is the SEC game of the day that's not that. Continue.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 44:33

Well, of the day. That game's at night.

Dan Rubenstein · 44:35

Oh, day. Right, that's true.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 44:38

Big win for Mississippi State on the road last week against Minnesota. It wasn't just that they won. It was that they killed them.

Dan Rubenstein · 44:46

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 44:46

Killed them. I played a sound on Saturday night. Murdered him.

Dan Rubenstein · 44:50

I believe.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 44:51

Wasn't even close.

Dan Rubenstein · 44:52

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 44:54

South Carolina also 2-0. They've looked very good, albeit against Kent State and Towson. Make of that what you will. I am excited about this game. There is a lot riding on this game. We talked about it on Saturday night as well. Winner of this game is getting ranked in the poll. They have to be.

Dan Rubenstein · 45:10

I agree.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 45:12

What is your belief system around this game, Dan? I don't know why I'm saying that today, but I like it. What are you feeling deep into your marrow.

Dan Rubenstein · 45:20

Okay, here's what I'm feeling. I'm feeling I need to see more from South Carolina on offense before I feel good about them because even though it was Towson, there was. Way too much slop. And the final score is not evidence of South Carolina's offense looking crisp. One, because you could watch it not look crisp, but also I think. Vicari Swain, that's who it was, had two punt return touchdowns against Towson, which by the way, this is not me saying.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 45:45

Kõik.

Dan Rubenstein · 45:51

lucky. This is not me saying that, you know, South Carolina isn't good because they needed that to make the score look like that. He is awesome. He is ridiculous.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 46:01

Yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 46:02

And any team would be thrilled to have him. I'm just saying that final number is indicative of not a full offensive performance. The drops, the receiving has not been good.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 46:11

Seven drops against Towson, I want to say.

Dan Rubenstein · 46:13

At least, yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 46:14

Yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 46:15

And that was a concern from last year moving forward is what could these receivers be and how disciplined and crisp could they be? And it was a sloppy effort, but it's early on. Once again, it's early. Things can improve. You can go out extra time with the Jugs machine, get the hands right. I don't know. But they just seemed out of sync as a passing attack against, once again, Towson. So that's worrisome to me because there's not much else that like you can truly be worried about with South Carolina if the offense is in a better place. They ran the ball really well. To me, it's just the mistakes. It's just shooting yourself in the foot. LaNorris Sellers, his final line is not indicative because of the drops of his quality, though he did look out of sync at time with the receivers. from Mississippi State side, it's okay, you have our attention, and now that there is more attention on you, how do you respond? Like. I don't think I'm incredibly high on the Minnesota offense.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 47:08

Mikä on.

Dan Rubenstein · 47:10

So to me, there is a question of like what does this defense look like against better competition in a very tough spot? Like how real can this defense actually be? Because I think it's pretty evident that the offensive line is at least decent in front of Kamario Taylor. I think it's evident that the receivers are going to be pretty lethal, especially Anthony Evans, obviously the clear number one, are gonna be pretty great and they're very quick.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 47:33

They're quick.

Dan Rubenstein · 47:37

against a lot of teams. So to me it's just like what does the weight of a tough road environment now that Mississippi State has a lot more of our attention. what does that mean for their performance, especially early on in this game. Do they look shaken? Do they look weighed down by the moment? Those kind of things. Because as you said, the winner of this game should be ranked. It seems like it will be a quality win with the limited data we have. I like Mississippi State here. I don't like teams, and as an Oregon fan, kind of an expert on teams who come out of the gate looking sloppy. Okay? It's kind of my thing.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 48:12

Yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 48:13

In South Carolina, to me, and we still we don't know the status as we record this of what Jacurius Peak? Jacarius Peak and Dylan Stewart. I mean I'm sure there'll be a depth chart released either today or tomorrow that might say questionable. I don't know. So it's I think at best a game time decision. So South Carolina down parts of each of the lines of scrimmage. And serious questions about offensive rhythm. I hate taking a road team with a stadium that can be as, what do I say, electric as Williams-Brice can be.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 48:45

It shakes, it literally shakes.

Dan Rubenstein · 48:47

Yeah. But there is something about the magic of what Mississippi State is doing. Frankly, on both sides of the ball, I'm gonna keep riding it. I'm going to Kamario Taylor. I think Mississippi State wins this one outright.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 48:59

I mean the biggest thing to call out about Mississippi State is the offensive line.

Dan Rubenstein · 49:04

Yes.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 49:05

Because that was a question coming into the year. And even like you can, if you want to, talk down on their competition. Maybe you don't think Minnesota is all that. And I would understand that point of view. The lines look better. The line has looked dramatically better thus far. It has made everything on the ground much more of a threat. You can obviously do a lot when you've got a quarterback like Kamario Taylor.

Dan Rubenstein · 49:31

How dare you!

Ty Hildenbrandt · 49:31

But then if you're also running for 252 yards, that helps, right? That's suddenly now a three-dimensional offense, especially given how he can make all the throws on the field. He's really a unique talent. I s I still think South Carolina is the better team.

Dan Rubenstein · 49:49

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 49:50

I think they'll win if they don't beat themselves. And that is not a given. You gave voice to that with the drops, with some of the mistakes. Not winning the turnover margin, etc. etc. I'm gonna watch their running game. Thus far, their running game seems better with Kendall Bryles running the show. I think I think I'm gonna give the nod to South Carolina.

Dan Rubenstein · 50:10

Totally fair.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 50:13

I do not feel good about it. I know. I know. I. 3126 South Carolina is going to be my final prediction.

Dan Rubenstein · 50:24

But like a fun back and forth?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 50:25

Fun back and forth, man.

Dan Rubenstein · 50:26

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 50:27

And you only get the you only get the 26 if you're Mississippi State if you're going for too late to try and make it a field goal game.

Dan Rubenstein · 50:27

We disagree. Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 50:35

So let's let's say 31-26. Fun game.

Dan Rubenstein · 50:40

I what with the line once again.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 50:43

Mine right now is four points.

Dan Rubenstein · 50:44

Three and a half?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 50:45

Four points in favor of South Carolina.

Dan Rubenstein · 50:45

Four points.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 50:46

Yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 50:47

Yeah, I'm gonna say Mississippi State outright thirty to twenty-three.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 50:53

We're gonna preview three more games. It took us a good chunk into this episode. We apologize for that.

Dan Rubenstein · 50:59

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 51:01

But hopefully you hung around to hear us talk about 730 ABC number seven LSU, a three-point road favorite on the road at number eight, Ole Miss O Baby. Oh, baby, we've had this one circled. Everyone's had this one circled. In case you were wondering about the temperature of this batchup, Dan Rubenstein. Per a gentleman by the name of Caleb Sayers, Sayers, excuse me, of Super Talk News in Mississippi. Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter says Oxford and the school's campus will be safe this weekend. Despite Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry's remarks about LSU possibly needing military assistance for security purposes.

Dan Rubenstein · 51:45

Of course. Of course, of course. When in doubt, send in the military. Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 51:50

Caleb Sailors, excuse me. Send in the troops, man. That's the kind of game we got here.

Dan Rubenstein · 51:56

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 51:59

We had LSU looking like a juggernaut against Clemson. Then against Louisiana Tech, they had, what, four first half turnovers? They gave up five sacks. They gave up 11 tackles for loss. Their work in the short yardage game was not exactly inspiring. But the defense has been really solid. The defense has been really good.

Dan Rubenstein · 52:21

I don't think they allowed a first out in that first half, the defense.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 52:23

Defense has been really solid, especially up front.

Dan Rubenstein · 52:25

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 52:26

that I would say in stark contrast to what we have seen on the Ole Miss side, which has been given up a ton of big plays so far. Mostly in that Louisville game.

Dan Rubenstein · 52:37

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 52:37

But even a couple last week against Charlotte, they had a couple coverage busts as well. Ole Miss has shot itself in the foot too. Turnovers in that Louisville game. Tackling in that Louisville game was suspect. Was it just week one? Was it jitters? Was it normal stuff we got to clean up in week one? Will it also be on display in week three? I don't know. I don't know. There's a lot of questions here around this game. It's a biggin.

Dan Rubenstein · 53:05

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 53:05

What's your belief system, Dan Rubenstein?

Dan Rubenstein · 53:09

My belief system is both of these teams, as you like directly and indirectly reference, have things to clean up, obvious things. that make them not obvious as national title contenders, which at their best they seem to have been lately. Well I mean we have no idea, but. There seems to be a lot of quality to both of these teams. I think the most pronounced advantage, or not advantage, but the most pronounced . Side in this one is LSU's defense. Like I believe in the LSU defense more than I believe in either these offenses or the Ole Miss defense in this spot. So that's my starting point. I think Ole Miss has the quarterback advantage, although Sam Levitt can be quite good. I'm not there on Ole Miss as a. Anywhere near a finished product keeping things going from where they were last year. I have a lot of defensive questions that I kind of didn't think I was gonna have. We'll see where they are at tackle on the offensive line. Deuce Alexander's great. we know Keewan Lacey's very good. But I think right now, because I believe in the LSU defense more than anything in this game. Even more than Trinidad Chambliss, just because of what's new around him and it's, you know, a not a new system, but new voices for this for this Ole Miss offense. I think I'm taking LSU here. I think I went into this week thinking all of the pressure was on LSU because of the Lane Kiffin element to this. But now because it's at Ole Miss. And because they do bring so much back, and because there are I think there's gonna be basically everybody watching college football rooting for Ole Miss, other than LSU fans, right? Because of how people seem to feel about Lane Kiffin, I almost think it swings the other way. That there is more pressure on Ole Miss here to do what everybody wants them to do. And I don't believe them to be enough of a finished product to get this done. So I'm taking LSU. I'm taking LSU. The turnovers scare me. The running game still scares me for LSU. The offensive line still scares me for LSU.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 55:26

Russian,.

Dan Rubenstein · 55:29

I think the Tigers have the coaching advantage. I think they have a good quarterback. Not the best one in this game, but a good quarterback. And I think the defense does enough here to corral whatever Ole Miss can do on offense that I think LSU close is where I'm going with this one. That's why they're favored in this game. I have them winning by four.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 55:51

Let me throw a turd in this punch bowl and ask you a question.

Dan Rubenstein · 55:54

Please do.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 55:57

LSU won by forty-one points in week one against Clemson, yeah?

Dan Rubenstein · 56:02

Correct.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 56:04

That game's doing a hell of a lot of lifting. with regard to public perception just with respect to how we think LSU is this year.

Dan Rubenstein · 56:14

I yes, but like this is a defense that's basically it's a lot of its back, although I did see that .

Ty Hildenbrandt · 56:14

Like.

Dan Rubenstein · 56:22

one of their what the one of their defensive ends was served papers this week or today in the parking lot with regard to I think old Miss NIL stuff. You're you're not wrong. We don't know what Clemson is. We're not especially impressed with Clemson, especially after last week and now making quarterback change and a lot of open questions about Clemson. So that game does do a lot of lifting. You're right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 56:44

Like it could just be that Clemson is capital B bad. And that game is gonna be a mirage.

Dan Rubenstein · 56:47

Totally true.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 56:50

And that concerned me going into this one because especially, granted, they won, they pulled away from Louisiana Tech, but it was sloppy. Maybe there was a bit of a letdown effect. Everybody and their uncle was fired up for that LSU Clemson game. It was arguably the best game of week one.

Dan Rubenstein · 57:06

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 57:06

At least the highest profile. So I could understand it to a degree, but that was a real slop fest in the first half against Louisiana Tech. That part to me was the most concerning. You know where I stand on LSU, Dan.

Dan Rubenstein · 57:20

Mm-hmm.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 57:20

I've been talking up LSU since like May. I wasn't as in on LSU back in May, but I was still really in, more in on LSU than most. Then I did the previews and I did the studying and we did the research and the work and everything that goes into our previews and I was full speed ahead LSU's in my playoff. So at this point, for me to do an about face, to pull a 180 and go in the other direction and suddenly be like, I don't think they can win, I'd be the biggest hypocrite in the world.

Dan Rubenstein · 57:55

I mean you could say that they're going to the playoff and this is just a bad matchup.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 57:58

I don't think it's a bad matchup.

Dan Rubenstein · 58:00

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 58:01

I think they're the better team. I've got LSU winning on the road. I think we're going to see more of a vertical element out of this offense that we haven't seen yet. I think they'll be able to run the ball better than last year, which isn't saying much. But I think there'll be more of a presence on the ground.

Dan Rubenstein · 58:17

Right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 58:20

I'm not fully there on Sam Levitt, if I'm being honest with you.

Dan Rubenstein · 58:23

Same.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 58:24

I'm not fully there on him. I know he's a high-priced, high-profile quarterback. I understand why he could be a good fit for this offense. Not fully there yet.

Dan Rubenstein · 58:34

He's also a quarterback that at any given second the way in which he plays could lead to him getting hurt.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 58:41

They're gonna have to wrap him in bubble wrap.

Dan Rubenstein · 58:43

And then having like a Hassan Longstreet conversation.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 58:46

They're gonna have to wrap him in bubble wrap if they're gonna make it through a gauntlet. I do think that part of the game, Sam Levitt, I think at some point he will come back to bite him. Either because he gets hurt or because he makes a dumb decision. Like I'm just, I'm not I don't think that's a finished product yet.

Dan Rubenstein · 59:04

Right. But to be fair, I mean look, he had very good coaching, quarterback coaching at Arizona State. Lane Kiffin, I'm saying to be fair, is known for extracting the maximum amount, it seems, out of his quarterbacks.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 59:17

Thirty-eight twenty-eight LSU wins on the road.

Dan Rubenstein · 59:20

Ooh, a fun one. Some scoring.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 59:23

Let's do two quick ones real quick here, okay?

Dan Rubenstein · 59:26

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 59:26

Then we got under the radar games and windows, and we'll get you out of here.

Dan Rubenstein · 59:29

90 degrees at kickoff, by the way, in that one.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 59:31

Ooh, stanky.

Dan Rubenstein · 59:32

Should also mention, I forgot to mention I pulled this up earlier. You know who's calling the game in London? We're getting RG3, who's going to be making all sorts of British jokes at weird, untimely times with Connor Onion.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 59:38

Oh man. What are the odds on a fish and ships joke?

Dan Rubenstein · 59:49

Oh it's gonna be c it's all gonna be all over the place. A lift, a loo. Yeah, all that stuff.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 59:55

also at night 7 p. m. ESPN we got Florida the Gatas minus.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:00:01

This is a this sounds like we're doing a ton of SEC. And I feel bad that it sounds like that. The SEC is having there's the collar shirt.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:00:08

Yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:00:09

is seems to be having the deepest schedule of fun games this week. It will vary by the week. This is a particularly interesting SEC week.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:00:21

It is. I you know, what are we gonna do? The stanky SEC.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:00:23

I mean we can go through other conference schedules, it doesn't compare.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:00:26

Stanky SEC. Florida minus two and a half on the road at Auburn. We got two new coaches here. look, Auburn needs to take the game away from Jadan Baugh, the Florida running back.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:00:40

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:00:40

They need to take it out of, take the ball out of his hands. Florida, I think, needs to force Byron Brown to throw it. I was not impressed by Byron Brown. in the bits that I saw of him. uh in particular that Baylor game, obviously they won, was not impressed.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:00:53

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:00:55

So I think for my money, Florida has I know, but he.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:00:57

Game one.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:01:01

I'm workshopping the theory that Byron Brown is not an SEC caliber quarterback.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:01:06

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:01:06

I need more data, right? It's like when you're waiting for something to load and you got the pinwheel going. I'm waiting for that theory to fully hatch. But based on what I saw in week one, nah. Didn't do it for me.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:01:18

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:01:20

Could change. I love Byron. I was all about Byron Brown a year ago for USF. I loved him for them.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:01:25

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:01:28

So I'm where's my sound? Trying to go back to back SEC road favorites. I had Tennessee a week ago. That one covered. Florida's got more ways that they can win. Aaron Philo has been making really good decisions. I think he has looked very solid. Vernell Brown III has looked electric, very much turning into a game breaker. The Florida pass rush in a game like this is going to be really important because I think you can force some mistakes out of Byron Brown. And the Florida pass rush hasn't been fully there yet. They're still sort of hatching that as well. But I don't know. I'm just. Low line, I think Florida's better.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:02:14

Yeah, I think Philo is showing a good amount of maturity and comfort in this offense. I mean look, it's opponent adjusted obviously, but. I like Florida as well. I think they're going to be a little more balanced on offense. I like the speed on their defense. it is going to be a much bigger test for Philo in the Florida offense, especially on the road. This is the West Byram game, right? Kicker, Gator, Chomp.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:02:37

Yeah, yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:02:39

Love that salt there as well in the SEC.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:02:41

People in our Discord were talking up how they're already stressed about this one. Florida fans, Auburn fans are stressed with it being Florida versus Auburn week, but first real test.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:02:45

I'm sure. But this is the first real test for both of these teams.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:02:53

Yep.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:02:53

I mean, well, I shouldn't say that. The Baylor defense might be something this year. So that was a fun game. But the first real obviously SEC test. So. Yeah, I like Florida here by a few, so I'm gonna take them another road favorite here.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:03:05

And also at 730, and then we're gonna go under the radar real quick. We'll do rapid fire, I promise.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:03:09

Okay. Yes.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:03:11

ACC game here, ACC network. West Virginia squaring off against Virginia. They're the ACC team.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:03:21

Stanky Tea Storm game.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:03:21

This one's. Neutral site in Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium, Virginia favored by 10. 5 points. Got an interesting clash of styles, if I don't say so myself. We've got West Virginia, which has survived its own. defense and its inefficiencies because they create so many explosive plays on offense.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:03:37

Mm-hmm.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:03:41

And then we've got Virginia on the other side of it. Which has basically been living solely off of offensive efficiency, their roster depth, their takeaways. Each team kind of plays into the other's weakness. Which I think makes for an interesting matchup. I think Virginia's better. I know it's ten and a half. My question to you is. Is West Virginia plucky enough to go out a really good defense in Virginia and keep this one within that number, or maybe even challenge for the winner neutral site?

Dan Rubenstein · 01:04:13

So they almost gave away the was it Coastal Carolina game early on? Michael Hawkins has been solid. It's hard to know, you know, what they I know you like Cam Cook a lot, but they've been running the ball with Cook and Hawkins a good deal. I think Virginia big. I think the defense is the difference in this game. We'll see if the weather's as sloppy as it looks like it'll be. So maybe that changes the calculus of things and. We already know Virginia may not want to throw the ball with any sort of consistency. Not they want to throw consistently, but with any sort of drama downfield. I think Virginia. I think there's more to like here. I think there are a couple touchdowns better.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:04:55

I'm gonna go West Virginia plus the points.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:04:57

Too many? Too many points?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:04:58

Yeah, I just I. I got a soft spot for Richrod. He's going to have this team up.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:05:05

He will be able to do that.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:05:06

This is a top 25 caliber Virginia team. He will find a way to make this into a bigger game than it actually is. And I think this will be a fun matchup. I Virginia wins by like eight.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:05:17

I'm worried about West Virginia up front trying to stop the run.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:05:18

But.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:05:20

That's what I'm worried about.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:05:22

Let's do some very quick under the radar games like Rapid Fire, okay?

Dan Rubenstein · 01:05:24

Please, let's do it.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:05:30

Travel back in time, Dan Rubenstein. Thursday, 7 30 p. m. Eastern time. We've got Syracuse on the road at Pitt. Pitt favored by 10. 5 points. They are 2-0. They had. their own soggy affair a week ago winning 12-7 at home against the UCF. Syracuse, by the way. Syracuse has not won in Pittsburgh since the year of our Lord 2001. It has been a minute, Dan.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:05:56

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:05:58

Who you got?

Dan Rubenstein · 01:05:59

Jamie Deck Jamie Dixon, Jim Beheim, this is what we're doing. I'm gonna say Pitt with reasonable comfort, though I am curious about this Syracuse defense. So Steve Angelli looked pretty terrible against Cal. Through a ton to cal and now they're getting short weak road. The game's at pit, correct? Oh man, I just. I think the Pitt defense is gonna be opportunistic enough and I think Mason Heinschel's gonna make enough plays. I think the offense is gonna be quietly improving over the course of the season. I like Pitt by a couple touchdowns.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:06:34

I'm with you on Pitt. Let's go Pitt. High noon ESPN, North Carolina at Clemson. Clemson minus three and a half. Dabo Swinney making a quarterback change. Christopher Vizzina. Hurt his left elbow, apparently couldn't feel his arm, which is not good.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:06:47

Not great. Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:06:49

The new starter is going to be Tate Reynolds. Tate Reynolds, Dan, joins an exclusive club of Clemson quarterbacks. That I found Dabo Swinney has referred to as quote special.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:07:01

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:07:01

I went back and checked. 2014, Deshaun Watson was something special.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:07:05

Sure. Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:07:06

2018, Trevor Lawrence was a special talent.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:07:09

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:07:09

2020, DJ U, quote, he's special, he's going to be awesome. 2021, Cade Klubnik, he's special. Not just special, Dan, he's magic.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:07:19

Oh,.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:07:20

And now 2026, Tate Reynolds, quote, this kid's special, he's a different dude. He is a different dude. He played last week. He gave Clemson a spark. If you go back, if you watch the game, I think it's pretty obvious he's got more tools than Christopher Vizzina. But it's not like he came in and immediately fixed the whole thing.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:07:38

Right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:07:38

The reads were shaky. He was just four of 10 for 18 yards in the second half. I am a little bit worried about that decision-making piece against a Belichick defense. I've got to be honest with you. Maybe I'm giving Carolina Belcheck a little too much credit. That part concerns me a little bit. How do you feel?

Dan Rubenstein · 01:07:57

I like Clemson here. I don't think it's gonna be pretty. I don't think it's going to be a great watch. I like Clemson here. Just because I don't think there's a ton you need to take away from North Carolina when they have the ball.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:08:10

I'm gonna pick Clemson, okay?

Dan Rubenstein · 01:08:12

I'm taking Clemson. I'm terrified to align myself with Clemson in any fashion, but. I think North Carolina just doesn't have the capability to do too much in a varied way on offense. I think Clemson wins this one ugly.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:08:28

Can I have the floor for one second to get something off my chest?

Dan Rubenstein · 01:08:30

It's all yours, please.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:08:31

One just one second. I think this is it for Dabo. I think I think it's done.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:08:42

I kinda do too. But yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:08:46

You are kidding yourself at this point if you think otherwise. That's not even a take, by the way.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:08:50

He's owed a lot of money though, that's the problem.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:08:52

Not even a take. Even if he catches lightning in a bottle with this guy, Tay Reynolds.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:08:58

Mm-hmm.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:08:58

What's the best what's the best case scenario? He's Cade Klubnik, or you've got a good college quarterback and no vision around him?

Dan Rubenstein · 01:09:07

Is he a good college quarterback? Was Cade Klubnik, I guess.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:09:10

Better than average, I guess.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:09:10

Okay. Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:09:14

I think this is it. Dabo had a great run.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:09:17

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:09:17

It's over. It's over. Clemson spent last year $83 million on football. And they lost the pinstripe pole. Now they're going into a game against North Carolina. By the way, Clemson's got the superior roster. They're more talented. Three and a half point home favorite. I get that there's a quarterback situation. This is over. It's done.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:09:40

When you say it's dumb, you think this is his final season or you just think like it's never gonna get better than this? That it's just too difficult when you have it and lose it to have it again?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:09:52

I'm not saying they should fire.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:09:53

Right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:09:55

The man is a Clemson legend, they should build him a statue when he's done.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:09:58

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:09:58

He deserves the right to go out on his own terms, he deserves the right to get all the accolades.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:10:03

Sure.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:10:04

Oh let's like somebody should be talking about this now. This should be the last year. Those conversations should be happening behind the scenes. They should have a transition plan in place by the end of November so they can pass the baton. Much better than like say Penn State did at the end of the James Franklin era. Don't do that.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:10:21

When your fan base complains about like six straight offensive coordinators, maybe it's not the offensive coordinator.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:10:28

No, it's done.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:10:31

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:10:31

It's done. There's no shame in it. It's done. Period.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:10:36

Yeah, I agree.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:10:37

Should be a new coach next year. That's all I have to say. 1245 SEC Network. NC State on the road at Vanderbilt. Vandy favored by three and a half points. It is going to be the first start for freshman Jared Curtis. Dan, he had three total touchdowns a week ago. He played. I'm gonna go NC State.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:10:59

Why.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:10:59

I don't think NC State, I don't think Vandy's that good.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:11:04

It is it is a choice opportunity if you are not a believer in Vandy to have them as a favorite and if you are not assuming that NC State was who they were against Virginia in the opening I mean it was week zero.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:11:17

Week zero.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:11:18

It's a great opportunity.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:11:20

Look. Vandy's credit.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:11:22

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:11:24

Six sacks and a block punt touchdown last week. So they are still very disruptive on the defensive side of the ball and in the special teams.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:11:32

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:11:33

And NC State seems primed to be got by that. Okay. I've watched enough NC State to know that they're not exactly invulnerable when it comes to a team that plays this way.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:11:37

Mm-hmm.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:11:44

Give me NC State, man. I'm in for a diamond for a dollar at this point. I'm not gonna quit him quite yet.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:11:50

Okay. They have App State next week, Louisville the following game, but not a look-ahead spot obviously given Vandy's recent success. I'm going Vandy here. I just didn't see anything I liked from NC State. I know the biggest change can be between your first and second, I guess, real game because they laid waste to somebody last week, NC State. Maybe Richmond. Was that who they played? I'm gonna go Vandy here. I think I like the spark. I like the defensive performance. I'm going doors at home.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:12:19

you put this one on. High noon USA. We've got North Texas at Texas State. Texas State favored by three.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:12:25

Yeah, no, this one's fun. We have a Texas State quarterback with Brad Jackson. and I don't know, North Texas showed a good amount last week.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:12:36

They demolished UNLP. They killed them.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:12:39

I just think this is a high quality game worth monitoring. Like I just think North Texas, look, say what you will about Neil Brown, say what you will about his time at West Virginia. I think it's all fair. I think he can be a good coach at North Texas. It's a place where you can win. There is something about Texas State that is intriguing to me offensively. I just think this is gonna be good TV. That's all.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:13:03

Yeah, I agree. 4 p. m. C dub. We got Stanford at Duke. Duke favored by nine and a half points. We had Duke winning on the road last week in the John Shire bowl, 31 to 27.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:13:12

Yeah. Oh man, that's still raw for Illinois fans not getting John Shire. Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:13:18

Nate Shepherd had a really good game. Illinois couldn't tackle him. I'm not certain that Stanford will be able to be able to tackle him either. Stanford carries an 11-game road losing streak. So this one gives him another opportunity. Again, nine and a half points. I'm on Duke. I think Duke's underrated. I like Nate Shepherd. Give me Duke.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:13:42

Stanford coming off of a bye, I believe. So they have time to sort of figure Duke out. I really wanted to take Stanford in the points, but traveling across the country, I just I don't think the defense is gonna get enough stops. Although Duke is gonna try to move the ball in a different way than Miami. was very clearly able to do I'm taking Duke here. I still think it's low scoring, but like twenty three to ten.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:14:05

8 p. m. SEC Plus, it says here. I don't know what that is. UTSA on the road at number one, Texas, newly minted.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:14:10

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:14:14

Number one Texas, they're a 30 and a half point favorite. Shout out to our guy Tyler, who does the newsletter this week. It's a feature on Thursday on Jeff Trailer, the coach, longtime coach now at UTSA.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:14:24

Oh, almost a sandwich involved, right?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:14:27

is there any kind of letdown or look ahead situation going on here for Texas? Yeah, yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:14:33

I'm gonna say sandwich. I'm gonna say Texas wins this game by four touchdowns, but they don't cover.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:14:40

I'm gonna go with that as well.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:14:40

Because they have ten they have Tennessee, right?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:14:42

Let's see.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:14:42

Next week?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:14:43

Yeah, give me I'll UTSA plus the points for Texas wins.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:14:46

Plus the points.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:14:47

Yeah. Okay, ESPN2, 730. Here you go. Here's a letdown look ahead. New Mexico on the road at number 24, Oklahoma. Oklahoma favor by 22 and a half points, Dan. New Mexico quietly. 2-0. They just hung 70 points on Mercyhurst. That's the football team, apparently.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:15:08

Mm-hmm.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:15:09

Oklahoma only scored 10 last week on the road at Michigan. Mexico's got a good defense. Their quarterback, at least the start of the year, went down, so not playing.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:15:20

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:15:20

But . There is a question here, I think a fascinating one, about how does Oklahoma respond at home against a very good Lobos defense.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:15:29

Still have offensive line questions. Oklahoma does. Unclear who's going to be or not going to be playing this week. listen, I've been talking this game up as a letdown look-ahead sandwich forever. Oklahoma has Georgia, correct, next week. I'm gonna take New Mexico and the points. I don't think they win outright, but I think this is specifically the kind of game at the right time. For a New Mexico team who is led by its defense. I don't know if they can throw the ball forward, but I don't know if either one of these teams can do that consistently against quality competition. I think it's gonna be reasonably low scoring New Mexico plus the points.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:16:02

Something like a twenty three to. seven game or something. Kind of like we saw with Clemson and Georgia Southern a week ago.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:16:08

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:16:10

I'm with you.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:16:10

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:16:10

Give me the points.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:16:11

Twenty seven thirteen, I don't know.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:16:11

set. 730, Colorado at Northwestern. Northwestern favored by three and a half points. They are also off a bye. I was inclined to lock this one up. I won't, but I love Northwestern here.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:16:23

I like Northwestern too in this one.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:16:25

You wanna lock it up because you haven't made a lock yet?

Dan Rubenstein · 01:16:26

It's going to. Let's lock it up. Let's go local lock. it's gonna be rainy and windy on the lake, taking on a team who I'm not positive can throw the ball against I mean they did it they did a better job last week, Colorado dig did, but against quality competition. I'm going to go with Northwestern to figure out more answers with the superior offensive coordinator. I am terrified of Aidan Chiles throwing in weird conditions as well.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:16:58

Yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:17:00

But I think Northwestern should be able to solve more problems. I like the speed on their defense a little bit more or the back end, I guess. So I'm going Northwestern at home to get it done in a weird, ugly game.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:17:11

730, Virginia minus three on the road at Maryland. Both teams 2-0. Malik Washington went 34 of 41 for almost 350. Squaring off on the road at UConn last week. Virginia Tech has scored 117 points in two games now to lead off the James Franklin era. Did you see Franklin's? Hey, Michael. Michael!

Dan Rubenstein · 01:17:35

Just can you go like a week without being weird, dude?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:17:36

Michael? How you doing, Michael?

Dan Rubenstein · 01:17:40

Just a week. A week. Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:17:44

I don't know what that was all about. There was definitely some deep-seated passive aggressiveness in there. Maybe Michael asked him a question along the way.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:17:50

Michael. Michael.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:17:52

Hey yo, Michael.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:17:52

I think I like Maryland. It's September, right?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:17:57

I don't. It's September, but I don't. James Franklin exclusively beats Maryland.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:18:01

I know he doesn't. There's long held bad blood, but games at Maryland. I think the pass rush is there against a Virginia Tech offensive line that I'm not a full believer in. I don't know. I'm going Maryland here. I think there's there's more seasoning to Maryland right now. There's a lot to like about Virginia Tech. I'm going Maryland at home.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:18:21

Give me tech.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:18:21

How about that?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:18:22

I'm done I'm taking tech here.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:18:23

Okay, fair enough.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:18:24

and I'm gonna close this out with three games that I'm actually not gonna pick.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:18:28

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:18:28

They're just interesting, okay? 6 PM ESPN plus, they call it the Shula Bowl. It is FIU versus FAU. It is a rivalry. They need to work on the trophy. Let's be honest.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:18:44

Mm-hmm.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:18:44

FAU leads series 17-5. Both offenses are interesting. Both teams have been throwing the crap out of the ball. I think it'll be a fun game. I think it'll be high scoring. Sort of hiding on ESPN Plus. And they call it the Shula Bowl. So put that one on your radar. 1030, ESPN.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:19:02

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:19:04

We've got a matchup between the two newest members of FBS. North Dakota State on the road, about a four-touchdown favorite against Sacramento State. Interesting.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:19:16

Yes.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:19:16

North Dakota State's going to win, but interesting. Interesting subplot.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:19:20

Agree.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:19:21

And then the close things out, Dan, the last one on the list because I know you like a good body clock game. James Madison on the road at San Diego State. San Diego State favored by two and a half points. James Madison coming off a program record 87 points a week ago.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:19:40

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:19:40

Now has to travel cross-country to square off against the Aztecs.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:19:44

I do like San Diego State in that game, which by the way, the other direction cross-country, west to east, the funniest possible thing that could happen this week is Rutgers covering against USC. Cause I USC has Oregon the following week.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:20:01

Right, right.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:20:02

So USC traveling from LA to New Jersey to play a conference game for some godforsaken reason.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:20:05

Oh man.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:20:10

And I love New Jersey, let's be clear.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:20:13

okay, your window of opportunity. It's a good week of games. I think you can get away though with going doing your thing until maybe like five PM Eastern time, Dan.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:20:26

Okay, then it gets real.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:20:26

yeah, that's when it's gonna start to get real with the second halves of the afternoon games. But yeah, if you got something to do like. Probably a little early, I guess. It's still pretty hot for the apple picking, unless you're in the northeast. But you know, like a you got soccer, flag football, get together with friends.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:20:45

Get your gutters in order.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:20:45

People want to. Yeah, get the gutters in order.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:20:47

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:20:49

you know, maybe put the tarp on the pool.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:20:52

Is that what I should be doing this, right? Getting gutters in order, a head of leaves falling?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:20:56

I got the not a sponsor.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:20:56

That's probably a good move.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:20:58

Not a sponsor could be.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:20:58

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:20:59

I got like the gutter cover thing.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:21:01

Ah, okay, so it filters and lets the water in, but not the stuff.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:21:03

Yeah, it works pretty well except for when it rains really hard or when it hails. Then it sounds like the house is caving in because it's just you know bouncing off of that.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:21:12

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:21:12

But otherwise it's kept the gutters relatively clear.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:21:15

Oh, love to hear it.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:21:17

Relatively clear. go see cats. I don't know. It's back on Broadway. I don't know if you heard this.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:21:22

I definitely have not.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:21:24

5 p. m. Eastern Time is sort of your call to get back home.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:21:28

By the way, if you need a pizza window in London, Vincenzos.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:21:33

Vincenzos.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:21:34

Vincenzo's. London is having a moment pizza-wise. I know that sounds funny. London is absolutely having an impressive moment with regard to pizza. Vincenzo's.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:21:45

Vincenzo, okay.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:21:46

Yeah, that's all.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:21:47

great week. Great week of games. I don't think it's quite as loaded as week two, but we did our part here to take you through it.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:21:50

Yes.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:21:55

Gave you like 20 some odd games to pay attention to. Verballers. com is where you can go if you want to play run the board and support the team. As we said at the top, please give us a shout at 855-Verbal3 throughout the course of the day. 85553. 837-2253 is your number. Social media will be tweeting and posting or whatever throughout the course of the day on Saturday. And come on back, of course, live stream out on YouTube, out on XThe Everything app. And TikTok starting at midnight Eastern on Saturday night, Dan.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:22:28

That's all I've got is something I would say if I weren't prepared to say, please drop that big, stanky, sticky, strangling. I'm I don't king shame.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:22:39

Settle, settle.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:22:40

Drummond five.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:22:42

Now, did you find that using stanky twice in one episode degraded the value overall of the word stanky?

Dan Rubenstein · 01:22:51

You know I didn't give it that much thought Ty, but no.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:22:55

No.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:22:55

No, it stanky is stanky. It's a great word.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:22:58

Saturday, 12 p. m. Lafayette on the road. Ah, Columbia big game. The Patriot League. Early game. Who you got?

Dan Rubenstein · 01:23:06

I have Lafayette taking it to the streets in New York. No problem. This is a big Ivy Pat League week, right?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:23:12

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:23:14

Yeah, I'm going I'm going Lafayette big against Colombia.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:23:17

I'm going yetis, going yetis.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:23:18

Yep.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:23:19

Also at high noon, Dartmouth on the road at Lehigh Mountainhawks.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:23:21

Hmm.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:23:24

Give me Lehigh.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:23:24

In your backyard.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:23:26

Oh.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:23:26

yeah, I'm going Lehigh. Even with the new coach, new systems, I'm going Lehigh.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:23:30

I'm doing a meet and greet at this game, did I tell you?

Dan Rubenstein · 01:23:32

Is that true?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:23:33

No, not true at all.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:23:34

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:23:34

Saturday, 1 p.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:23:34

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:23:35

m. Cornell on the road at Colgate. Nelly's versus the toothpaste. Who you got?

Dan Rubenstein · 01:23:42

I'm gonna go Colgate here. They've been tested, Cornell's I believe, just starting their season this week. Right, didn't Colgate almost beat Central Michigan last week?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:23:49

Yeah. I think they did, yeah.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:23:53

I think they were up 10-0 and lost 13 to 10 or something.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:23:55

Yeah. Yale on the road at Holy Cross.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:23:56

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:23:58

Cross Satyrs playing host. I'm going Crossaters here. I gotta go Cross Saters.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:24:01

I'm going Yale big.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:24:02

Big.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:24:03

Yeah, absolutely. Doesn't Yale have the Lehigh coach from last year?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:24:08

maybe a little bit of insider knowledge, right?

Dan Rubenstein · 01:24:12

Yeah, exactly right.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:24:12

I'm still going cross saters. Still going cross saters, gotta do it.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:24:16

Okay.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:24:16

3 p. m. UPenn on the road at Bucknell. Give me UPen. Never go Nelly's.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:24:24

I'm gonna go bucknell here.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:24:25

Hashtag nevernellies.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:24:27

Never Nellies. I guess it. I get it.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:24:29

330. Saturday, Georgetown away from multi-sport field squaring off against the Spiders of Richmond.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:24:38

I'm going Georgetown here. I think when you get away from the distractions of multi-sport field, they're getting it done against the Spiders. Tough loss last week for the Spiders.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:24:46

Go spiders. Go and spiders here.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:24:47

I think they lost seventy-seven nothing to NC State, potentially, is that right?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:24:51

I the score was not indicative of how tough they played in that game.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:24:56

Okay. Seventy-three nothing.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:24:57

Saturday, six p. m. This is sort of like the the centerpiece of the weekend. Fordham on the road at William & Mary.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:25:07

William & Mary. No question to me.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:25:10

Yeah, I'll go William & Mary too. Now are we done? Are we done? We're done now.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:25:17

I guess I had to be reminded that Villanova and William & Mary are now in the Patriot League, right?

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:25:21

I know. Crazy, man.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:25:24

Strange. Yeah. All right. That now we can be done.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:25:27

Thank you to one and all. We greatly appreciate all your support. If you like the show, if you're still with us listening now, whatever, an hour and twenty minutes after the fact.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:25:36

Yeah.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:25:37

Please check us out at verballers. com play our run the board pick'em game. Don't just play the game on. Early Sunday morning, we're going to open up the Verballer Top 12 poll, which you can vote in. You've got like 24 hours, a little bit over 24 hours, I guess, to vote in that. We talk about it. Out on the social media accounts. We're going to start talking about it a little bit more on the Monday episodes as well. We want your participation. Again, V-E-R-B-A-L-L-E-R-S. com is the best way to support what Danny and I do.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:26:05

Yes.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:26:07

I made it through.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:26:08

You made it through. You're on no sleep. You are feeling far below the weather.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:26:13

Caffeine lasted longer than I expected.

Dan Rubenstein · 01:26:15

Look at you. I need to I need to re up. I'm I'm feeling tired.

Ty Hildenbrandt · 01:26:18

For that guy over there, my good friend Dan Rubenstein. For myself over here, Ty Hildenbrandt, thank you so much for downloading, for listening, for supporting what we do. Please rate, review, and subscribe. We'll catch you all Saturday at midnight. Stay solid.