Week 6 Preview

00:00 Um

00:01 check, check, check, local audio.

00:07 Here come

00:07 the

00:07 outstay pop.

00:20 Sort of long Michigan piece, like talking to anonymous people and people

00:23 on the record.

00:24 I'll have to go back and dig in on that one.

00:27 I think they're off this week, right?

00:29 Yeah.

00:30 Okay.

00:31 Penn State next week.

00:33 I have

00:36 speed and speed.

00:40 All right, here we go.

00:43 And I presume you've got a nickname.

00:45 I've got a nickname.

00:46 All right, here we go.

00:47 Now

00:47 that I have a nickname, I almost let it leak to you early.

00:52 Okay.

00:53 All right.

00:54 Here we go.

00:55 In

01:00 here we go.

01:00 In

01:01 three, two.

01:06 Dan Rubenstein, welcome back to the podcast, my good man.

01:09 Does anybody call you Danny Boy?

01:11 FYI?

01:14 Why did I say FYI?

01:14 I didn't mean FYI.

01:15 Here I do it again.

01:16 Oh my God.

01:17 That was a new record.

01:18 I know.

01:20 Three, two.

01:22 Dan Rubenstein, my good man, welcome back to the podcast.

01:26 Question: Does anybody ever refer to you as Danny Boy?

01:30 No, I mean, like

01:32 maybe

01:32 somebody that doesn't know me

01:34 as like a fun thing, but no, nobody.

01:37 There are people who call me Danny.

01:38 Right.

01:38 We've talked about this probably on the bonus show: that I was Danny until the first day of college.

01:43 And so I've grandfathered in people that knew me, you know, high school, elementary school, whatever.

01:48 But no, no, there's no Danny Boys.

01:50 I'm just wondering: the reason I thought of this

01:52 is because I was reading one of these

01:54 long.

01:55 Very detailed think pieces

01:57 out on the World Wide Web.

01:59 Yeah, yeah.

01:59 Talking about the perils of referring to somebody else as

02:02 chief.

02:04 And I was just wondering, because usually that's kind of a derogatory thing.

02:07 You just get a chief out of nowhere.

02:09 And I was just wondering if anybody referred to you as Danny Boy and if you viewed it as such.

02:13 No, I

02:13 like calling coaches skip.

02:15 I think that's a nice throwback.

02:17 But I don't go

02:17 chief.

02:18 I don't get the Danny Boy

02:20 thing.

02:21 But I appreciate you reaching out to see if it's appropriate or not.

02:24 But no, I'm surprised you did not start the show with.

02:27 What am I going to say?

02:29 Can you believe it's week six already?

02:32 Which I can because

02:33 I have a fond recollection of it being week five last week.

02:37 So

02:37 good on you for moving past it.

02:40 It is week six.

02:41 I am very excited.

02:43 It is a loaded slate.

02:45 It's going to be nuts this week.

02:48 It's going to be even crazier next week.

02:51 Things are building to week 10 as we get into November.

02:54 Let's not put the cart before.

02:55 The horse, okay, of course

02:56 not.

02:57 Let's stay here

02:58 in the moment.

02:59 Week six, we've got a huge giveaway

03:03 this week, which we will discuss.

03:05 For

03:05 ballers.

03:06 com is where you can go if you want to sign up and play our run-the-board

03:09 pick'em

03:09 game.

03:10 We've got 12 games on the slate.

03:11 I've got the slate in front of me.

03:13 We're going to talk through most of the games that you pick against the spread.

03:16 You will be

03:17 Competing for a $500

03:19 Bass

03:20 Pro Shops gift card, if you can believe it.

03:23 Right.

03:23 We will get into that in just a little bit.

03:26 Of course.

03:27 Please do rate, review, and subscribe to

03:29 podcast, the show, wherever it is you find this content.

03:33 We would love to have you in tow the rest of the season.

03:36 And if you've got something to get off your chest, yes, you can do so on social media.

03:40 You can always email in at solidverbal at g.

03:44 Gmail.

03:44 com.

03:45 Dan, what is the nickname for week six?

03:47 I'm beating around the bush here.

03:48 You're all good.

03:49 Where are we going with this?

03:50 How are we feeling about week six?

03:52 Well, you're a big,

03:53 like

03:53 the trust Ashanti guy, right?

03:55 And

03:55 we're reaching the point where

03:57 we have an inkling.

03:59 We have

04:01 Some sort of guidance in our minds that, like, okay, this team seems like they're going to be pretty good.

04:05 This team seems like they might be in rough shape.

04:08 But in a lot of instances, this week included, but sometimes

04:11 this

04:12 happens much earlier in the season.

04:13 You get an opponent where you're like, okay, that sort of confirms what I was thinking.

04:17 Or maybe that

04:18 goes against everything I was thinking, right?

04:20 Like

04:20 last week, we thought,

04:21 well, Florida state's really

04:22 Struggling this season to do anything consistently on either side of the ball.

04:26 In Virginia, like we kind of have an idea of what they are.

04:28 And even if they don't win, you know, they have a good offensive line.

04:30 The defense is opportunistic.

04:32 And then Florida state completely trucks them, right?

04:35 And that

04:36 sort of turns it on its ear.

04:37 And so I think we've reached the

04:39 the point of the season where

04:41 we suspect a lot of these teams are kind of who they are.

04:45 But we have matchups this week that I think will

04:47 confirm or debunk a lot of our

04:50 September assumption.

04:52 And, you know, in the case of like UCLA, they look very strong.

04:56 They look like they're going to be pretty strong all season long.

04:58 Going to Oregon is probably a different animal, right?

05:00 Nebraska has started off really well.

05:02 Indiana, albeit in Lincoln, different animal, and vice versa, right?

05:05 Indiana's schedule is nothing terribly impressive.

05:08 They've looked excellent against it for the most part.

05:11 But this is a different level

05:13 going to Lincoln to play a Nebraska team that looks

05:15 Pretty feisty.

05:16 And you go up and down, you know, with Kentucky and LSU.

05:19 You know, like

05:20 LSU looks good, but it's on the road.

05:22 Kentucky's been performing.

05:24 So.

05:25 I think you could use the term suspect where just

05:27 like, I

05:28 'm kind of suspect of this team, or you could say, like, I suspect they're good.

05:31 And

05:32 I have landed on

05:34 us

05:35 getting

05:35 to

05:36 Suspicious Minds Saturday.

05:39 Colon,

05:40 we can't go on together.

05:42 We can't go on

05:43 together.

05:46 Suspicious Mind Saturday.

05:47 Colin, we can't go on together.

05:50 We can't go on

05:51 together.

05:53 Suspicious minds.

05:55 Yeah, shout out Elvis Presley, one of the greats.

05:59 Suspicious minds, we cannot go on together.

06:02 I've got

06:03 well,

06:03 and the song's about trust, right?

06:05 They can't go on together because they feel that they can't trust one another.

06:09 And so

06:10 they're at this inflection point.

06:12 And I feel that Elvis may have been writing that song

06:15 or whoever wrote that song about the 2026 college football season.

06:18 And about

06:18 week six in particular, yeah, we've got a big slate

06:21 of games here.

06:22 Now, full disclosure: this is

06:26 your last

06:26 public episode.

06:28 Before you go off to parts unknown for a wedding this weekend, which means

06:33 what a pause!

06:34 This is your last public episode.

06:36 Three seconds of silence.

06:38 Yeah, I do know how to do the pregnant pause here.

06:41 I've been doing this for nearly 20 years now.

06:44 I'm going to be doing the show by myself.

06:46 Okay.

06:47 Unless a white knight

06:48 swoops in and wants to co-host with me.

06:50 I will take your applications at solidverbalgmail.

06:54 com.

06:55 Or, if you know us personally and you want to text and

06:58 want to reach out, if you're interested, let me know.

07:00 See what we can do.

07:01 But

07:01 time

07:02 of recording, I'm going to be doing what I did a year ago.

07:05 I forget what week you were away last week, but I'm going to be.

07:08 Similar, it was during the

07:09 playoffs, maybe during the World Series time

07:11 of the MLB side of things.

07:12 Yeah.

07:13 I'm going to try to get myself back into that fugue state and just riff for like an hour.

07:18 Call it a day, and then hopefully we don't put off too many people by doing the solo thing.

07:22 But

07:23 I'm going to try that, provided we don't get a better option.

07:26 Solidverbal at gmail.

07:27 com.

07:28 Let me know if you're interested.

07:28 All right, Deal, let's do it.

07:30 Please.

07:30 Damn.

07:31 Time.

07:32 Help.

07:33 I need pics of the week.

07:36 Week six.

07:37 Week six.

07:38 Run the board

07:40 is our

07:40 pick'em

07:41 game.

07:42 You can sign up at Verballers.

07:44 com.

07:46 Certified

07:47 Premium for

07:47 ballers

07:48 both get access to our Pick'em game.

07:51 There are 12 games on the slate.

07:53 As I said, we will talk through

07:55 most of them.

07:56 This week, we are giving away

07:58 to the Victor

07:59 a $500

08:00 Bass

08:01 Pro

08:02 Shops gift card.

08:03 We are giving away that gift card

08:05 courtesy of our good friends over at Newegg.

08:08 You've heard of Newegg.

08:10 You've probably

08:11 heard of Newegg for the computers, for the tech.

08:14 They've also got a huge

08:17 selection beyond that.

08:18 Electronics, home products, gaming gear, appliances, even gift cards like the one we are giving away today.

08:26 Newegg, our new friends here on The Solid Verbal, whatever you're into, there's a pretty good chance Newegg can help you get it.

08:33 Enter, run the board, sign up, compete.

08:37 Dan, you got to sign up, but only if you're willing to compete

08:40 Yes.

08:41 And win that $500

08:42 gift card from our friends out at Newegg.

08:44 Okay.

08:44 You and I have both bought from Newegg many times over the past.

08:46 So

08:47 excited to bring them aboard and excited that they want to help make the run the board game all the merrier with a beautiful $500

08:54 gift card.

08:55 We love it.

08:56 Start at high noon on Fox.

08:58 It's a big noon game.

08:59 It's a big, big game.

09:01 Number seven, Indiana on the road at Nebraska.

09:05 They are a 7.

09:06 1

09:07 point

09:08 road favorite.

09:08 Nebraska's having a good year.

09:10 I don't know how long people out there have been asleep, but Nebraska is off to a 5-0

09:15 start.

09:16 We've got them at 25 in our poll.

09:19 You've got them as the fifth most improved team in FBS in terms of net points per drive.

09:25 It's not me having them.

09:26 The numbers have them.

09:28 Your maths.

09:30 Have it as such.

09:30 It's more Brian Freemo's calculations, and I just organize it and aggregate it.

09:35 But yes, I don't want to take credit for doing

09:38 the deep data dive, but yes.

09:39 In a metric that I appreciate, Nebraska, in terms of their net points per drive, offensive performance minus defensive performance, withholding garbage time,

09:48 a terrific

09:50 improvement over the first five weeks.

09:52 Opponents.

09:54 Up in the air in terms of how much that number actually means, but you can say that about a ton of teams right now.

09:58 You can say that about Indiana.

09:59 Absolutely, you can.

10:00 You can say that about Indiana.

10:01 We don't know how good Indiana is.

10:02 They smoked a bunch of teams with defenses outside the top 120.

10:07 They won by six against the thirty-fourth

10:10 best defense in the nation, Northwestern, per our friend Bill Connelly's metrics.

10:15 Juggernaut.

10:16 My main thought, if I am just reacting to the matchup, my main thought is that

10:22 Indiana can win this game simply by being consistent, as they mostly are.

10:27 Whereas if you're Nebraska, if you're a Nebraska fan,

10:30 You need to make something happen.

10:32 You can't just rest on your laurels.

10:34 You need to go out there.

10:35 You need to create havoc.

10:36 You need to get big plays.

10:37 You need Anthony Calandria to go out there and improvise and

10:40 do something magical.

10:41 That is the only way you're going to win this game.

10:44 Indiana can just sort of go right down the middle of the fairway.

10:47 Nebraska's got to take some chances.

10:50 Totally agree.

10:52 The Nebraska profile is an interesting one.

10:54 Obviously, the defense is super improved.

10:56 They're, I think, the best team in the nation in terms of success rate on third down, a great third down defense.

11:02 Their balance on offense, Anthony Calandria is kind of the playmaker.

11:06 They're building the whole plane out of him, for better or for worse.

11:08 They're beat up at running back.

11:10 They make plays out wide, but it's not a

11:13 terrifically downfield passing attack.

11:15 The air yardage isn't great on passes and completions.

11:19 I like watching Nebraska a bunch.

11:21 You can definitely feel the vibe shift.

11:23 First year defensive coordinator from San Diego State.

11:26 They're just doing more little things correctly, but at the same time,

11:30 Crazy penalized.

11:32 And another

11:32 week, they started the season this way, and they had it this week.

11:35 They had it last week against Maryland, I believe.

11:37 And this game was in Lincoln.

11:38 16 penalties.

11:39 And this was a game heading into the fourth quarter against Maryland.

11:43 So

11:44 say what you will about whatever the upside you think still exists with Maryland.

11:48 If we're talking about a team with its

11:50 act

11:50 together enough to beat the defending national champ.

11:53 I would hope they would look a little bit stronger.

11:56 Maybe it's a look ahead spot, but Maryland is also coming off of like a fifty-point loss to UCLA at home.

12:01 So

12:02 I worry that Nebraska has built up a five and oh

12:06 start by definitively looking improved, but without the needed

12:10 necessary pop or proven ability.

12:13 And Northwestern didn't have it when they made it a game against

12:15 Indiana.

12:17 But

12:18 I look at Matt Ruhl's track record against the best teams in the Big Ten.

12:21 I'm not there.

12:22 And I said that about Minnesota last week against Michigan.

12:25 And obviously, Michigan did everything they could.

12:29 To prove me, I guess, wrong.

12:32 I don't see it with Nebraska.

12:34 I know Josh Hoover isn't necessarily Fernando Mendoza.

12:37 The thing I like about Josh Hoover thus far, and I know there have been scares.

12:42 He had a concern coming in.

12:43 There was a concern about him in terms of carelessness with the balls and throwing pickable balls and throwing too many interceptions.

12:49 Do you know how many interceptions he has thrown this season?

12:52 To be to be zero.

12:53 0.

12:54 0.

12:55 Isn't to say he can't just have a

12:58 three-interception game at some point this season and have a you know

13:01 a terrible Saturday somewhere

13:03 I'm going to need to see it from Nebraska before I fully believe it against one of these types of teams.

13:09 It's a tough place to play.

13:11 I know my rubric.

13:12 My standard is a home dog.

13:14 Tough place to play with a good defense.

13:16 Nebraska checks those boxes.

13:20 When I see this Nebraska team play

13:23 It's still too much

13:25 on the fly.

13:26 It's too much undisciplined play.

13:29 And

13:30 I want to feel like there's a reason for Indiana, right, to keep two safeties deep or something like that.

13:34 Like that, or to be scared about the gravity.

13:36 I mean, Quasi Gilmer's good.

13:38 Like, there are good guys, but

13:40 I don't think they're good enough against what Indiana can do in a pretty big spot.

13:44 So, I have Indiana winning this by 14.

13:47 I mean, you calling out the mistakes is

13:50 kind of where I go first.

13:52 I mean, you mentioned what Indiana looked like from a penalty standpoint.

13:56 16 just last week against

13:58 you mean Nebraska.

13:59 Nebraska.

14:00 You did Indiana, yeah.

14:02 In contrast, Indiana's only been flagged 17 times this season.

14:06 Total, yeah.

14:07 In total, they're one of just six FBS teams that have fewer than 20 penalties so far.

14:14 They're Scotty Scheffler, they don't make mistakes.

14:16 Sure.

14:17 And

14:18 on the whole, for the season, Nebraska's been flagged 43 times.

14:23 There's a pretty stark contrast there.

14:25 So

14:25 for starters, if you're Nebraska, you cannot give up free plays.

14:28 You cannot give up free yards to the

14:30 Defending national champion.

14:32 Indiana is hard enough to beat if you're not beating yourself.

14:36 I'm not convinced either.

14:38 That Nebraska is going to be able to do that.

14:41 Indiana is also really good at staying on schedule.

14:44 They're a good rushing offense.

14:46 They almost never get stuffed.

14:48 In general, they don't take negative plays.

14:51 In turn, that sets up second, that sets up third and manageable, and makes it really hard to get them off the field

14:57 because you also don't know what's coming when it's third and manageable.

15:00 They can run, they can throw, it's not an obvious passing anything.

15:04 They use that to great effect.

15:06 Nebraska is going to have to figure out a way to disrupt that.

15:09 They're going to have to take some chances

15:11 They need to force some negative plays here.

15:13 At a minimum, they need to force some of those obvious passing downs that I mentioned a second ago.

15:19 They have been, for their part, pretty good at getting pressure up front.

15:23 And creating those types of havoc plays in the secondary so far this season.

15:27 I definitely think this will be more of a challenge for Indiana.

15:31 to what end remains to be seen.

15:33 But the Nebraska pass rush for sure

15:36 has been pretty good thus far this season.

15:38 We'll see what they can do against an Indiana squad.

15:41 Nebraska also is going to need to find some way to stress that Indiana defense.

15:45 And this is the part that I'm not really sure about.

15:48 Another great third-down defense as well, Indiana.

15:51 For sure.

15:52 At the time of recording, I have not seen an update on Jamal Rule, their

15:55 leading rusher.

15:57 Health unclear right now at present, but um

16:02 they're gonna need to figure out a way to

16:04 Weaponize Anthony Calandria's legs.

16:07 They still do have some

16:09 talent in the running back

16:11 room, but

16:12 neither is as much of a home run

16:13 hitter as Jamal Ruhl.

16:15 And

16:16 I think it's going to come down a lot to what Anthony Calandria can do.

16:20 He's been very solid as a passer this year.

16:22 Yeah.

16:23 He had 108 rushing yards last week against Maryland with some of the designed quarterback run

16:29 stuff, whether it was a draw or RPOs or zone read, that type of thing.

16:32 If they are going to win this game, they're going to need to get him going

16:36 first and then probably build the pass around it, provided

16:40 Rule

16:40 is out.

16:40 I don't, again, I don't know his status here.

16:42 Yeah.

16:43 I just think too much needs to go right.

16:46 Too much needs to go right.

16:47 I'm adding more words where I don't really have to.

16:50 If you're listening to this, if you're watching this, you already know.

16:52 Yep.

16:53 You're probably feeling it too.

16:54 I don't think they're going to be able to get.

16:57 As many run stuffs as they will need

17:00 to bottle up Indiana and force some of those situations that I've been calling out.

17:05 I also don't think you can cure the penalties and some of the mistakes overnight.

17:10 And

17:10 Lord knows, I said

17:11 at the very top of this season when we previewed Nebraska.

17:15 I am the CCO.

17:16 I'm the Chief Calandria officer.

17:18 Sure.

17:19 I'm a big fan of his work.

17:21 Tony C.

17:22 For as much as I love him, a team like Indiana can absolutely force him into making a few mistakes.

17:28 Yeah,

17:29 that's sort of his whole MO.

17:31 We've seen that plenty of times before.

17:32 So

17:34 I don't think this is a blowout.

17:36 I think it's close for a good chunk of the way.

17:38 I do think Indiana wins.

17:40 I think they cover.

17:40 I think it's something like 34-24.

17:43 Yeah, I think it might be somewhat close for a chunk.

17:47 And we saw it a couple of years ago: the Ohio State game, right?

17:49 Where Nebraska gave them all they could handle for basically four quarters.

17:53 I think we could see a 17-10 game late in the third quarter that ends up at 34-17, 31.

17:59 17, 31.

18:00 13, that kind of thing.

18:02 And it's just

18:03 Indiana adapting to what Nebraska is trying to do.

18:07 And then when they go to their second or third or fourth pitch, it's too little, too late.

18:12 Late.

18:12 And so, yeah, I think we're on the same page.

18:14 Indiana wins this one, and

18:17 it's not a game late.

18:19 Let's go to 3:30 on ABC.

18:22 Texas, number one team in the country.

18:25 An eight and a half point favorite squaring off against Oklahoma.

18:29 What do we do in a rivalry like the Red River shootout, Dan?

18:32 Now

18:33 you got to throw those records out, Tom.

18:36 Get him out of here, man.

18:38 Get him out of here.

18:40 How do you feel about this game?

18:41 It's a big one.

18:43 I

18:44 think I feel good about Texas.

18:45 I mean, that's the obvious path to walk down.

18:48 You'd have to sort of invent a reason to feel good about Oklahoma.

18:51 At this point, given where their offense isn't, scoring like eleven points a game against Power Conference teams.

18:59 Actually, not even like their last

19:00 Are they

19:01 non-UTEP games?

19:02 We can call that

19:03 New Mexico, Michigan, Georgia.

19:05 Those teams are all good teams, at least defensively.

19:08 And

19:10 Texas is a good team defensively.

19:13 So if you're going to say, number

19:14 one,

19:15 yeah,

19:15 whatever the number is.

19:17 If you are going to say

19:19 Oklahoma struggles against top tier defenses

19:22 ,

19:22 And that's

19:23 not a huge data set that we have right now.

19:25 And they're playing against a team on a neutral surface

19:29 that has a strong defense at their best, maybe the best pass rush in the country via Colin Simmons, but it's not even just Colin Simmons, they're collapsing pockets.

19:37 From the edge and from the inside.

19:39 We'll see on Justice Terry's health, who's a big deal for this team.

19:42 But

19:44 if you feel like Oklahoma can do something on offense, you are believing in something

19:50 Out of the

19:51 toposphere.

19:52 Is that a word?

19:53 Oh boy.

19:54 Troposphere.

19:55 I'm going to go.

19:55 Probably

19:56 set myself up for this one.

19:57 Keep going.

19:58 Okay.

19:58 Please, please keep going.

19:58 It's fine.

20:00 The only real reason, I think, not to believe in Texas is because

20:05 their offense is weirdly average for the personnel on hand and the experience.

20:12 Again, I think if Arch Manning had a different last name, we'd be talking about him in different contexts.

20:17 Against good defenses, he's not much.

20:21 The passing game isn't much.

20:22 Whatever you want to, you want to say that he's skilled, you want to say that his footwork is incredible, you want to say that his mechanics are terrific, his vision is great.

20:29 He doesn't throw the ball downfield all that effectively against good teams.

20:33 Four years in.

20:34 This is it.

20:36 I don't love Texas as a superpower in this moment because of their offense.

20:41 Because of the lack of obvious gravity from a passing game that should be much farther along, further along, right?

20:48 That is he the

20:48 eighth best quarterback in the SEC

20:51 Four

20:51 years in?

20:53 Maybe?

20:53 I think he's better than that.

20:55 Do you?

20:56 I do.

20:57 Yeah.

20:57 You

20:58 want to go through some quarterbacks who have performed better, obviously

21:01 better

21:01 against better teams?

21:03 I'll vamp for a second and give you a chance to pull up.

21:05 The list of teams in the SEC.

21:08 And you can tell me, can you tell me

21:10 seven quarterbacks in the SEC that you would take over Arch?

21:14 Seven quarterbacks right now who have been performing better?

21:17 Or however many, because you said eight.

21:20 I would not go to those extremes.

21:22 Okay.

21:23 But I would like to hear your.

21:25 Body of work here.

21:26 Okay.

21:27 So, within

21:28 what,

21:29 however, you want to

21:30 categorize

21:31 what I'm saying here,

21:33 Keelan Russell.

21:34 You'd rather have Arch Manning than Keelan Russell in this moment in a big game.

21:37 I'm asking you, please tell me who you would take.

21:40 Keelan Russell, Gunnar Stockton, Cambario Taylor, Trinidad Chambliss.

21:45 Lenora Sellers has won.

21:48 Big games in the SEC.

21:49 I don't know if that is more talented.

21:50 I don't know if that is

21:51 better.

21:52 Right now, Austin Simmons

21:53 against Florida last week.

21:55 Has Arch looked like that against a really good team?

21:59 Or what we perceived

22:00 like he played Florida last year.

22:04 I'm waiting.

22:04 Keep going.

22:05 I'm listening for your list.

22:07 Sam Leavitt.

22:11 I'm just telling you right now

22:13 ,

22:13 if you were to give many of those quarterbacks, the Texas offensive line, Sark, and the Texas receivers, I don't think it's a doubt in my mind that they will be outperforming him in big game.

22:23 Okay

22:24 ,

22:25 Texas fans don't feel good about him.

22:29 Why am I supposed to?

22:31 Okay.

22:32 I've watched him play big games.

22:33 He'll be fine against Oklahoma.

22:35 I think he's beaten Oklahoma.

22:37 I think he's fine.

22:38 I think he's above average.

22:41 Man, everyone's got Oklahoma dead to rights.

22:44 Yeah.

22:45 I don't think Oklahoma is that good.

22:47 I think they're a half team, to be clear.

22:50 Let me just put that on the record here.

22:52 I think they've got a really good defense, a bad offense.

22:57 But

22:59 they are good at getting after the quarterback.

23:02 They are good at forcing three and outs.

23:05 They are very good at stopping teams in the red zone.

23:08 I think this is

23:09 weirdly

23:10 an interesting matchup for a Texas offense that, to your point, is just kind of fine.

23:16 Yeah.

23:16 And they're not super reliable right now.

23:18 They have not figured out how to run the ball, Dan.

23:21 They are not particularly explosive despite

23:25 all

23:25 the weaponry.

23:26 Dude is just a late quarterback.

23:28 He is late all the time.

23:29 They are allowing pressure on 25% of their dropbacks.

23:36 This Oklahoma offense

23:39 is sort of like a poor man's Texas

23:41 right now.

23:42 And I feel like

23:43 your offense is a poor man's.

23:45 This is arguably like the most disappointing offense in America.

23:48 Okay.

23:49 The difference is

23:51 they're completely dysfunctional.

23:54 The difference is they have yet to score more than 14 points against a non-UTEP.

23:59 They are certainly worse at running the ball and creating big plays.

24:03 They're just as bad at protecting John Matier.

24:06 The big difference is that John Matier has been crap and Arch Manning is not.

24:10 Right.

24:10 My only point is this.

24:12 This one comes down to pressure, Dan.

24:14 This is all about pressure.

24:16 Cue

24:16 up the Billy Joel sound,

24:17 whatever you got.

24:18 Billy Joel?

24:19 Is that who did?

24:20 No,

24:20 pressure is

24:21 under pressure.

24:22 That's David Bowdoin.

24:23 No, I'm talking about Billy Joel, pressure.

24:25 Oh, okay.

24:26 That's the lesser of the pressures.

24:29 I think

24:30 this game comes down to who pressures the quarterback the best and who can force mistakes.

24:34 I think Oklahoma is going to be up for this one.

24:37 Not only is it their biggest rival, this is basically the season, right?

24:42 Like

24:42 you lose this one, what's the bottom?

24:45 The bottom could potentially fall out of this season as a whole.

24:48 Kentucky, Mississippi State, Florida, Old Miss, AM, Missoula, all still left on the schedule.

24:53 Yeah.

24:55 So I think Texas is going to win.

24:57 I think they're going to win it because Arch Manning's legs are going to allow him to mitigate that pressure

25:02 to create some big gainers down the field.

25:05 But I think this devolves into the Red River rock fight.

25:09 Okay.

25:09 And I think this is a game of field position, and I think it's a lot of quick, conservative throws.

25:15 So

25:16 I am on board for Texas winning.

25:19 But I think it's close.

25:20 I think it's low scoring.

25:21 I think there's a lot of defenses.

25:22 And I think we see two offenses that are frankly

25:25 struggling to figure it out.

25:26 We know that's the case on the Oklahoma side.

25:29 The cracks in the foundation have been forming for a while on the Texas side as well.

25:34 21-14 is my final Texas wins.

25:37 Yeah, I have

25:38 24 to 10

25:41 this winning, 24 to 13, somewhere in there.

25:44 They'll

25:44 cover.

25:46 330 CBS.

25:48 Number 21, UCLA.

25:49 Number 13, Oregon.

25:51 You're

25:52 Oregon Ducks.

25:54 Yeah.

25:54 11.

25:55 5

25:55 point

25:55 home favorite here, Dan.

25:56 What is the status of Dante Moore?

25:59 He quote unquote practiced, which all that was sort of revealed was, and we're recording this on Wednesday, and there'll be an injury report that comes out later, perhaps

26:07 with a more specific indicator about his status.

26:10 Doubtful or probable or question, whatever.

26:13 He was on the practice field throwing footballs

26:15 was basically what Dan Lanning said.

26:18 So

26:18 he wasn't specific that, like, he went through the full practice as our starter.

26:22 He did not say that.

26:24 There was nothing

26:25 in line with that.

26:25 And maybe nor should there be, given the gamesmanship, before a big game, you don't know who to prepare for.

26:30 I assume UCLA is preparing for Dylan Rayola.

26:33 That's my assumption.

26:34 And I assume Oregon is preparing for Dylan Rayola.

26:38 But who knows?

26:39 We'll get more details as

26:41 the days go on.

26:42 That's first and foremost

26:44 where we are with that.

26:45 Good to see him practicing.

26:47 Yeah.

26:48 Our assumption as we record this is that he has yet to be cleared.

26:52 Right.

26:52 We will prepare as if it's going to be Dylan Ryle.

26:54 As well.

26:56 I have many thoughts on this game.

26:58 You are much more the Oregon, the West Coast

27:01 aficionado.

27:02 What is your biggest question going into this game?

27:04 And I would say, to put it bluntly,

27:08 Is

27:08 UCLA good enough to win?

27:11 UCLA is good enough to win.

27:12 Yes.

27:13 Okay, why?

27:13 For sure.

27:14 Why?

27:14 They run the hell out of the ball.

27:16 They're really well coached.

27:18 They maximize their roster, which I think is pretty good, and they take care of business.

27:22 And Dan Lanning mentioned that with saying, you know, Bob Chesney reminded him of.

27:26 Former James Madison head coach Curt Cignetti as well, coming into a place, bringing a ton of transfers

27:32 and getting everybody on the same page and locking in super successfully.

27:35 Their schedule hasn't been amazing.

27:37 San Diego State, Cal, Maryland, Purdue.

27:40 But that's okay.

27:41 They've taken care of their schedule for the most part.

27:43 You know, the Cal game was back and forth for a chunk

27:46 and.

27:46 Purdue was able to throw on them.

27:48 We're talking about Purdue on a Big Ten win streak, by the way, right?

27:52 For their win against

27:53 what, Illinois.

27:55 They're absolutely good enough to win this game because of how they run the ball.

27:58 They've got two very good backs.

28:00 They have a definitive strategy on offense.

28:02 They're well coached.

28:03 Nico has made enough plays, though I don't think he is a

28:07 Top, top tier quarterback.

28:09 He has made plays both with his arm and his legs.

28:12 And Oregon, if we saw what they look like against the run against USC, if we saw what they look like against the run against Oklahoma State.

28:19 Have some cleaning up to do.

28:20 They have

28:21 maybe the most disappointing defense going to 2025-26 in terms of their performance and preventing points.

28:28 Getting off the field.

28:30 And the biggest key in this game, I think

28:32 in both directions, is what UCLA looks like on offense on early downs.

28:37 What does the number after third and

28:39 look like for UCLA?

28:41 We saw it against Boise

28:42 that they were able to continuously generate third and ones, third and twos, and stay on the field.

28:46 It wasn't an especially explosive offense against Oregon.

28:49 If UCLA finds themselves in third and two situations, they should be in a really nice position in this game.

28:56 If Oregon's linebackers and safeties

28:58 make plays

28:59 tackling and taking good angles

29:01 and

29:01 You know, clean up where they were against USC a couple of weeks ago, or

29:05 it'll be fine in this game, no matter who the quarterback is.

29:08 I think they're getting healthier on offense.

29:10 The offensive line should be coming together more and more.

29:12 We saw them use DeAre Hill in the passing game super successfully against USC.

29:16 Jamari Johnson's a big deal.

29:18 Then he's healthy for

29:19 Oregon over the middle.

29:21 Even though one of their starting receivers is out in this game, it looks like they're getting more younger guys back in this one.

29:27 It's at home.

29:28 It's in a difficult place to play.

29:30 You know, Otson Stadium has a reputation of like, you think you're something, let's see what you look like in Otson, right?

29:36 It's a terribly difficult place to play if that crowd is up for a game.

29:41 I think Oregon wins this game.

29:42 Still worried about their defense as an Oregon human and what they look like on those early downs.

29:47 But I think push comes to shove.

29:50 Their ability to get more explosive plays in more ways

29:53 And

29:54 the talent on their defense, both in rushing the quarterback, and they got terrific corners.

29:59 We'll see on the linebackers and safeties.

30:01 I think Koy

30:02 Parrich is just okay.

30:03 But

30:05 I think the talent will win out.

30:07 I think the explosion will win out.

30:08 And I have Oregon winning this game

30:11 something like

30:12 38-21.

30:14 I've got 3424.

30:16 Okay.

30:18 I think you're right.

30:19 The Dill

30:19 Brayola thing worries me.

30:20 I mean, this is how we started out with it.

30:22 Yeah.

30:23 Yeah, I think you're right.

30:24 I think there is a very specific path for UCLA to actually win this game, and it is on the ground.

30:29 They've been very good at running the crap out of the ball, making teams load up the box, attacking them downfield, then off of that.

30:37 In theory, that could work here.

30:40 Right.

30:40 In theory, that could.

30:41 Do we think UCLA can make Oregon commit enough defenders to the run that it opens up the passing game?

30:48 That's, for me, the central question here.

30:51 The only way it works for UCLA

30:54 is if they are running efficiently enough, though.

30:57 If they are running efficiently enough, like you said, early downs

31:02 Finding a way to create some of those passing lanes on their own terms.

31:06 Yeah.

31:07 Key there being on their own terms.

31:10 I think the Oregon pass rush is good enough to dictate their terms.

31:15 And I think that's why they're going to win.

31:17 I don't think Oregon is going to fall victim to it for the entirety of the game.

31:23 Yeah.

31:23 Maybe UCLA gets a little bit of momentum early and they can kind of dictate some terms early.

31:27 But I

31:28 think over the whole of a 60-minute game, this is going to be Oregon's time to shine.

31:33 UCLA has not been particularly good at protecting Nico Iamaliava.

31:38 And Oregon has actually,

31:39 you know, I've talked about this.

31:41 Oregon has generated a ton of pressure.

31:43 They just haven't converted it to sacks.

31:45 Right.

31:45 And so I'm worried about Nico constantly having to throw under pressure on like third and 11.

31:51 Yep.

31:51 Something like that.

31:52 I'm worried about their ability to create some of those bigger plays

31:56 if, in fact, they're constantly dealing with that pressure from the Oregon front.

32:01 And if they do fall behind, it's not the easiest thing to see a

32:07 like

32:07 Nico Tasamaj Morgan come back.

32:10 Being affected, right?

32:11 If they really have to throw themselves back into the game for whatever reason, whether it's a turnover, whether it's a middle-late situation for Oregon.

32:19 Yeah, I'm with you.

32:21 This is a good UCLA team, though.

32:22 It is a good UCLA team, and it is actually a pretty good defense that gets a fair amount of stops against both the run and the pass.

32:30 The counterpoint is that when you beat UCLA, you really beat them,

32:34 especially through the air.

32:35 They give up some big plays.

32:37 I think it is a few of those big plays on offense that break the dam for Oregon.

32:43 And I think it's that sustained pressure that keeps UCLA off balance enough that they end up

32:47 Making a couple mistakes, or just can't be as efficient as they've been for the majority of the season so far.

32:52 So

32:53 I'm taking the points here

32:55 because

32:56 To my eye, Oregon has not been that impressive this season, and UCLA has definitely gotten some momentum behind them.

33:02 Yeah.

33:03 But Oregon wins this one.

33:04 They're the better team

33:05 34-24.

33:06 Yeah.

33:07 I mean, it is a schedule thing.

33:08 There isn't a team on UCLA's schedule thus far.

33:11 If Purdue has the clear best offense that they've faced, that's not great heading into Audson Stadium

33:16 in terms of how you respond.

33:18 The good news, by the way, for UCLA, the only other note here is.

33:21 Bob Chesney has played in this stadium recently.

33:24 He can

33:24 pair his team

33:26 in whatever emotional, mental way

33:30 from

33:31 a recent history standpoint.

33:33 And so there's that.

33:34 I just.

33:35 I'd be worried if I were an Oregon fan about UCLA in 2029, 2028, 2027

33:41 kind of thing.

33:42 I don't know about this year.

33:43 I'm not there.

33:45 7:30

33:46 ABC, number

33:48 two, Georgia

33:49 on the road at number

33:50 six, Alabama.

33:52 Alabama favored by a point

33:54 and a half.

33:55 This is the big one.

33:56 This is a crown jewel.

33:57 Of the weekend.

33:59 I do have to come clean about something actually.

34:01 Uh-oh.

34:02 We can't go

34:02 on

34:03 together.

34:05 Please.

34:06 Thank you for that.

34:07 That was a perfectly dropped

34:09 audio play there.

34:12 You sent me the weather forecast for this game in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night, which looks awful.

34:17 It looks terrible.

34:19 Then I saw a fake tweet

34:21 saying that they had moved the game to Atlanta.

34:24 Yeah.

34:25 Then

34:25 you also saw the fake tweet and sent it to me, and then I made fun of you because

34:30 obviously.

34:31 Then I saw Michael Casagrande, Casagrande, excuse me if I'm not pronouncing that correctly from amail.

34:37 com

34:39 post something about

34:40 like a hurricane

34:42 I

34:42 see

34:43 us, Iceus.

34:44 I don't know how you pronounce it.

34:45 I-S-A-I-A-S.

34:47 Only at that point did I realize there was an actual hurricane responsible for all of this.

34:53 Bearing down on the Gulf Coast this weekend.

34:55 Please, if you are out there, if you are one of our listeners in that region, stay safe.

34:59 I had

35:00 no idea what was going on, is my point.

35:02 Yeah, it's hitting the Gulf.

35:04 None until Michael Casagranda.

35:06 Posted this about a hurricane.

35:10 This could be a mess.

35:13 An absolute mess for a huge game like this.

35:15 Yes.

35:18 How do you feel?

35:19 I'm suspicious, Ty.

35:21 I have

35:21 a suspicious mind about this one.

35:23 Because of the weather or because of the teams or both.

35:26 Both.

35:26 Little Columbia, Little Column B.

35:28 Okay, this is going to be a great game.

35:30 I am hopeful that we're going to get a lot of answers about both of these teams

35:34 Georgia has very clearly taken care of business this season, depending on whatever you think of the Oklahoma win, depending on whatever you think of 2026

35:42 Vanderbilt.

35:44 Georgia fans will be very quick to say that they are not terribly satisfied with some of the elements of this Georgia team

35:51 when it comes to some of the skill position on offense, when it comes to allowing some of the chunk plays on defense.

35:56 I think Gunnar Stockton is very good.

35:57 I think their

35:58 options, especially when Nate Frazier is healthy, which is TBD, I think he only had a couple carries against Vandi

36:03 last week.

36:05 There are good players on this Georgia offense.

36:07 I don't know if there are transformational national championship, like, okay, this is our go-to guy as we drive down four

36:14 to try and win.

36:14 I don't know if there's those types of receivers, proven guys, on this roster.

36:18 Maybe

36:18 by that point there will be.

36:20 But

36:21 I think the offense is good.

36:24 I think they have enough answers on offense to beat just about anybody.

36:28 And defensively, there's star power once again, especially in the linebacking core and secondary.

36:33 The pass rush I expect to continue to be very good.

36:36 And the defense, I expect overall to continue to be a playmaking defense.

36:41 Alabama's a different animal

36:43 in the same way that George is a different animal from what Alabama has faced this season, though I think Alabama is a little bit more tested with

36:49 Some of the quarterback play

36:50 they've seen,

36:52 some of the environments that they've played in.

36:53 Obviously, this is a home environment, but it's a home environment that should be drenched.

36:59 That's what it seemed.

37:00 That's what it looks like.

37:01 Yeah.

37:01 Playing in Tuscaloosa, at least at the time of recording, that

37:04 it should be pretty sloppy.

37:07 I don't know who that favors.

37:08 I don't know

37:10 what difference that makes when everybody's dealing with the same conditions.

37:13 It's not like Alabama's an air raid team.

37:15 They're running the ball better.

37:16 They're making defensive plays.

37:17 They're taking advantage of mistakes.

37:19 Both of these teams are doing what excellent teams are doing.

37:22 The difference to me in this game, and I know they split the

37:25 season series last year, right?

37:27 Alabama won during the regular season, Georgia won pretty handily in the SEC championship game.

37:31 The difference to me

37:32 is some of the experience in

37:35 games of this magnitude that Kirby has.

37:37 And it's Kirby against Alabama, which is not a great record in his favor.

37:43 But

37:43 there is something to me about this Alabama offense

37:47 facing something

37:49 that they really haven't this

37:51 year.

37:53 Georgia being the type of program under Kirby Smart that when they don't play well, they still beat a ton of good teams.

38:01 And when they do play well, they basically always win.

38:04 And

38:05 so

38:06 I think in this situation, Kirby is closer to Bain

38:10 than Kalen Du Bois.

38:11 I'm Bain!

38:12 Thank you.

38:13 I'm still not crazy about your impression, but it's like

38:15 you think that the darkness is your ally, that whole quote.

38:19 If we are in bad weather, you merely adopted the dark, I was born in it, molded by it.

38:24 I think that ability, the winning is a skill, which both of these guys obviously have, and have won games when their teams haven't played that well.

38:33 I'm going to take Georgia here.

38:34 I think that defense makes enough plays.

38:37 This is Keelan Russell's first game against this caliber opponent.

38:42 Not to say he can't thrive, not to say he won't be incredible.

38:46 He

38:46 very obviously

38:47 has the talent and recent track record

38:50 to show that he can

38:52 be a transformational player against any team in the country.

38:56 I'm taking the weather factor.

38:58 I'm taking the step up defense factor for Georgia to say that they are going to win this game here.

39:05 2724.

39:07 24.

39:08 This

39:08 actually might be high scoring if we have

39:10 a weather situation.

39:11 2117.

39:13 I forgot I had that sound.

39:14 Yeah, thank you, William.

39:15 2117, Georgia.

39:16 They're able to get it done.

39:20 I think they make enough plays, a screen here, a screen there, an interception that like

39:24 there is something to me still about where they are.

39:26 I'm going dog.

39:27 So, you're going with the dogs, the literal dogs in this game.

39:30 Yeah.

39:31 Well, they're not, they're just humans playing college football.

39:33 Right.

39:34 Yeah.

39:34 They're called the dogs.

39:35 All right.

39:35 They're underdogs and they're the dogs.

39:37 Yeah.

39:38 There aren't a whole lot of flaws with this Georgia team.

39:40 They're not perfect.

39:43 But there are a few things to me that jump out at the spreadsheet.

39:46 Notable things that I think are meaningful going into a game like this.

39:49 Is.

39:51 Game isn't played on spreadsheets, Ty.

39:53 Well, it isn't, but

39:54 in this case, this is what we have to go on.

39:57 Because to your point, it's not like we've seen Georgia against any world beaters so far.

40:01 Good offense, you're right.

40:03 Go three and out a little too much.

40:06 Sure.

40:07 They're

40:08 also

40:09 not creating a ton of pressure with their front.

40:11 When they do, when they get the pressure, they turn it into a sack about a third of the time.

40:16 But they're not generating

40:18 a ton of pressure up front.

40:20 They also give up a lot of third and longs.

40:23 So, third

40:24 down

40:24 ,

40:25 that calculus, what plays Alabama is calling in those situations, I think, is going to be interesting to monitor here.

40:32 It is that thing about third downs that makes my eyebrows go up a little bit, though.

40:38 And

40:40 Alabama's been pretty good at converting them.

40:43 Not only that, they've actually had a lot of third and longs so far this season, and they're still pretty good.

40:49 At converting them.

40:50 Yeah.

40:51 And so that creates a problem to me.

40:54 The

40:54 problem being

40:55 you can stop Alabama's running game, which has gotten better.

40:58 It's still not

40:59 incredible.

41:00 It's not Northwestern.

41:02 But

41:04 you can stop them on the ground.

41:06 You can force them into obvious passing downs.

41:08 And then it's Keelan Russell time.

41:11 You know, this is where Keelan Russell has really shined.

41:14 The biggest key to this game for Georgia is: don't get cooked on third and medium or third

41:20 and long.

41:21 Don't give the home team momentum by letting them extend drives.

41:25 Easier said than done.

41:27 It is.

41:28 It is.

41:29 But that's the thing.

41:30 That's the thing.

41:31 That has been among Bama's biggest competitive advantages thus far this season.

41:36 Yeah.

41:36 And it's been

41:37 kind of a bad tendency on the Georgia side.

41:39 So who wins that

41:41 Chess match is going to be interesting to me.

41:43 Agree.

41:44 And then on the Alabama side, I just think you need a plan for Gunner Stockton.

41:48 Speaking of things that are easier said than done.

41:52 Quietly, he has been automatic this season as a passer.

41:56 He's been very, very good.

41:57 Hasn't done a whole lot of running yet.

42:00 And I think it's pretty telegraphed at this point

42:04 with all things

42:05 Georgia that the ground game, the ground game is what everything is based on.

42:10 You want to frustrate that if you're in Alabama.

42:13 You want to try and force them to find answers elsewhere.

42:16 This is why I think we see Gunner Stockton being used in the run game.

42:20 Which again, they haven't done a whole lot of so far, but this is the type of game where you pull that out.

42:25 And the running backs have not been sterling for

42:28 Georgia.

42:28 John C.

42:29 Bowens has not been great.

42:30 Dwight Phillips is more all-purpose.

42:32 Nate Frazier's been beat up.

42:33 So I think

42:34 by necessity

42:35 They'll need to use Gunner Stockton.

42:37 I think they'll need to use him.

42:38 Yeah.

42:39 I think they'll need to use him, whether it's designed, whether it's him improvising.

42:44 Gunner Stockton has been clutch.

42:46 In some of these key moments thus far over his career as a Georgia starting quarterback.

42:51 And I think they're going to need to lean on him because I think this is going to be a close game between two teams that are relatively evenly matched.

43:00 Let's give the edge to the veteran quarterback.

43:04 Let's give the edge to the Georgia defense.

43:07 I think they're able to make Bama

43:09 less efficient on third downs.

43:11 And I think that is the difference.

43:12 So

43:13 what'd you say, 27, 24, Georgia?

43:15 I said three

43:16 to four

43:16 point game, but then if we're accounting for weather, I said 21, 17, maybe 23 to 20.

43:21 I don't think either one of these teams scores 30.

43:23 I've got 27-23 Georgia.

43:26 Now I

43:26 feel like changing my pick.

43:28 No.

43:28 I think the worst thing in this game may be.

43:31 A very

43:31 good Alabama defense.

43:33 But

43:34 we saw Florida state have some success, Kentucky have some success, whatever.

43:39 It's an impossible game to pick.

43:41 And

43:42 both of these teams seem like they're going to be excellent all season long.

43:45 I cannot wait to watch it.

43:47 I mean, I hope I can watch it.

43:48 I might be honest.

43:49 I was going to say, what's

43:50 going to be watching like on a phone on your lap at

43:53 the wedding reception?

43:54 I will be checking.

43:56 I will be watching some, but I am dedicating basically all of my attention to celebrating love here, Ty.

44:02 And by the time we next speak, I will have watched all of these huge games in their entirety.

44:07 Are you giving a speech or anything, at least?

44:10 I'm not, but I'm always ready to, Ty.

44:12 I was going to say, you're always standing by.

44:14 I always have something to say.

44:16 And if

44:17 and I already told him, I was like, look, I don't expect to be invited to officiate this wedding.

44:22 Right.

44:22 But

44:23 if whoever is officiating it has like a salmonella situation, I can go up there and say some things and celebrate this lovely couple.

44:33 7:30

44:34 NBC.

44:36 There is a connection to college football in this wedding.

44:39 This is one of my former SI tour guy camera guys, my buddy from college.

44:43 Right.

44:43 Casey.

44:44 Shout out, Casey.

44:46 That's all.

44:46 7:30.

44:47 Yeah.

44:48 NBC.

44:50 Number 19 USC on the road at unranked Penn State.

44:55 Penn State, a point and a half favorite in this game.

44:58 Dan, yes, that surprised you at all.

45:03 Nothing really surprises me in a matchup like this

45:06 when you have the kind of disappointment on display.

45:09 With USC and Penn State season

45:12 so far, that it's nothing's terribly surprising.

45:14 It's a white-out game, yes.

45:16 I don't know if it's a sold-out white-out game.

45:18 I don't know if that's been affirmed.

45:20 Good tickets still available.

45:23 And there's changes in the stadium, right?

45:25 They're rehabbing and adding to the stadium.

45:27 I don't want to talk about what they're doing in the stadium, all right?

45:29 Okay.

45:30 I went through that last year.

45:31 I know, I know, I know,

45:32 say they're, yeah, yes, they're

45:34 complications.

45:35 Yeah, thanks.

45:37 Very good.

45:38 Penn State is favored in this game because they're playing at home, because the belief is

45:41 the best of this year's version of Penn

45:44 State.

45:45 can

45:45 be

45:46 sometimes

45:48 potentially

45:49 perhaps

45:50 interesting and competitive.

45:52 Can we add on any more qualifiers there?

45:55 I got all day.

45:56 I got all day.

45:57 At

45:58 times

45:59 ,

46:00 When the wind is correct.

46:03 Okay, there's talent on both sides of the ball for Penn State.

46:06 There's talent on both sides of the ball for USC.

46:09 There's key players missing in

46:10 key receivers for both of these teams.

46:12 Kobe Howard for Penn State, Trent Mosley for USC, Mark Bowman for USC.

46:16 I don't believe

46:16 played last week against Washington.

46:18 Great head of hair, by the way.

46:20 Great

46:20 everything.

46:23 I like Penn State here.

46:26 Don't love.

46:27 Don't really like.

46:28 Come on.

46:29 Okay, well, look,

46:30 you're talking about the confluence of events of.

46:32 USC

46:33 not looking particularly consistently strong on either side of the ball and traveling across the country in the most difficult place, arguably to get to, unless they were playing in like Bangor, Maine.

46:44 Homo Julie the Cat Gaffney.

46:46 Is that true?

46:47 Yeah.

46:47 Okay.

46:50 I think

46:51 USC has issues traveling.

46:52 I think USC's defense.

46:54 Still has issues.

46:55 I'm not going to go as far as saying they're like Mr.

46:57 Softie and the cure for the common offense

46:59 because there's a lot ailing

47:00 this, at best, very common offense for Penn State.

47:03 The solid verbals Ty Hildemant was calling for Rocco Beck's head.

47:06 In the middle of that Northwest.

47:07 I mean,

47:08 literally,

47:09 the proverbial

47:10 in a figurative sense.

47:11 Starting head.

47:14 I was Alex Manske

47:16 curious at that point in time.

47:17 Listen.

47:18 Everybody has

47:19 said this before.

47:20 Everybody agrees.

47:20 Ty loves head.

47:21 Wait.

47:22 Okay, settle.

47:24 Okay.

47:26 Ty's not high on this Penn State offense.

47:28 Ty's not especially high on this Penn State defense.

47:30 No.

47:30 Somebody's got to win this game.

47:32 Somebody's got to win this game.

47:33 Can't you?

47:34 I know you're dealing with

47:35 leader pick in Penn State.

47:36 What is the obviously strong, like USC's offense?

47:41 Is that what you're banking on

47:42 on the road?

47:43 I didn't give my prediction yet.

47:44 I'm

47:45 just waiting.

47:45 Is that what one is banking on?

47:47 Sure.

47:48 This is a listening session, Dan.

47:50 Unlike you.

47:52 I like to take in all the information and present a fair and balanced projection of the

47:59 are

47:59 you

47:59 saying

48:00 that me

48:01 saying

48:02 everybody knows Ty loves

48:03 head is not accurate analysis?

48:06 For this matchup.

48:08 Okay.

48:09 I want to say this very plainly.

48:11 I have no idea who wins this game.

48:12 The line is one and a half in favor of Penn State.

48:14 It's a weird line.

48:15 I lean into the weird.

48:16 It's a home team hosting a game where a team is flying across the country after

48:20 Two straight disappointing weeks at home, even though one of them ended up with a win.

48:24 So I'm going Penn State here

48:26 because I think an average team

48:29 Could beat USC given the right circumstances.

48:32 And I think Penn State is just that average team for the job.

48:36 You're out of your mind.

48:37 Okay.

48:37 That's okay.

48:39 I'm going to steal a line from you if I can.

48:42 Please.

48:43 Because

48:43 we were talking about this yesterday, actually,

48:45 in reference to Cal

48:47 and how that program has sort of gone off the skids here.

48:51 Yeah.

48:53 The vibes in state college right now are subterranean.

48:56 Yeah.

48:57 Yesterday, Rocco Becht said,

49:00 I'm just going to continue

49:02 what

49:03 I do, end

49:04 quote.

49:06 Don't do that.

49:08 Rocco's been awful.

49:10 Sure.

49:11 For his sake, I hope not.

49:13 Do something else, man.

49:16 Here is the irony, though.

49:18 The irony is that there is a real opening for Rocco Beckt against a team like a USC.

49:24 Agree.

49:25 Because USC is almost exactly the same team as they were a year ago.

49:28 Like you posted it out on the Twitter feed.

49:31 I mentioned the points per drive thing

49:33 on Monday.

49:34 If you look at what USC was last year, net points per drive.

49:39 Versus this year, same statistic, it's virtually identical.

49:44 It's the same team.

49:44 Yeah, same performance.

49:46 The same team.

49:47 To give you some other numbers, USC Blitz is ten percent of the time.

49:52 Which isn't a lot.

49:53 They're 113th in the nation in pressure rate, which is basically bottom quadrant.

50:00 And

50:01 most of the defensive metrics that we measure here, they're in bottom quadrant.

50:05 There's not a good passing defense at all.

50:08 Rocco

50:08 Beck.

50:10 Not a good quarterback this year.

50:12 Right.

50:13 USC, not a good passing defense this year.

50:16 This game is truly

50:18 and we joked about this when we were together out in Chicago,

50:21 truly the stoppable force against the movable object.

50:24 Yeah.

50:26 I think this is a terrible matchup for USC, Dan.

50:31 I think it's a bad matchup.

50:33 Okay.

50:34 I think they'll be able to run some on Penn State.

50:36 Because everybody can run some on Penn State.

50:38 But this is not the modified wing tee

50:40 or whatever the hell Chip Kelly is running at Northwestern.

50:43 This is definitely something that Penn State's seen before that they're a little bit more familiar with, if only because their defensive coordinator was USC's

50:51 Offensive coordinator a year ago, D'Anton Lynn.

50:54 How was it the last time

50:56 an offensive coordinator in Play Carler was familiar with D'Anton Lynn's tendencies?

51:00 We have to go back seven days.

51:02 It was actually not ideal, to be honest with you.

51:04 Yeah.

51:05 Not at all.

51:06 We saw Dant Lynn running through the

51:08 press box area at halftime.

51:10 And he said, Excuse me.

51:11 He was very polite.

51:12 He was very polite.

51:12 I have nothing, but he looked

51:14 frenzied.

51:15 He looked concerned.

51:17 I look

51:17 concerned.

51:18 We all were concerned.

51:19 So I don't blame him.

51:20 He's getting paid to do this.

51:21 That's true.

51:24 Strength of the USC offense is the passing game.

51:27 Penn State's actually been okay on that front.

51:29 They've been all right.

51:30 Um

51:30 ,

51:31 They also have a little bit of an organ thing going on where they get pressure, but they can't get anybody

51:35 on the ground.

51:36 Would like to see that change, obviously, as a Penn Stater.

51:39 I cannot believe I am saying that.

51:40 Well, pressure is still good, right?

51:42 You hurry up a quarterback, you get tipped balls, you adjust a play,

51:47 you have a throwaway, whatever.

51:49 There's lots of good

51:49 things.

51:49 Pressure is good.

51:50 Pressure is good.

51:51 Yes.

51:51 Pressure is absolutely good.

51:52 Yeah.

51:52 Would like to see it be

51:54 a little bit higher in the sack count, but that's fine.

51:57 Sure.

51:57 Okay.

51:57 It's not everything.

51:58 They are changing the game with their front, and they have been a pretty good passing defense.

52:04 This is all leading to me saying that I cannot believe I'm saying this

52:07 less than a week after what I saw with my own eyes at New Ryan Field.

52:12 Yeah.

52:14 This is a bad matchup for USC.

52:16 It's an even worse situation for them traveling across the country to play Penn State in a wideout.

52:21 And Lincoln Riley doesn't win these games, Dan.

52:25 Not generally, no.

52:26 Doesn't win these games.

52:27 Penn State, 34-30, lock of the week.

52:31 Wow.

52:31 Lock

52:32 of the week.

52:35 Look at him.

52:35 Trying to set up some drama there, you know?

52:37 I appreciate it.

52:39 You're just piggybacking my intellectual property.

52:41 I get it.

52:42 I would do the same thing.

52:44 Look, it's possible for a lot of these teams.

52:47 That you just played your worst game of the week last week, or worst game of the season last week, a couple of weeks ago, whatever.

52:52 It's also possible maybe Northwestern just a good team.

52:55 It's tough to play a good team away from home

52:57 in

52:57 the band box that is Ryan Fields.

52:59 $800 million

53:00 band box, to be.

53:01 $800 billion.

53:02 $875, I think.

53:04 $875?

53:05 Did it go up?

53:06 $8.

53:06 75.

53:07 Jesus.

53:07 No.

53:08 It's a good amount of money.

53:09 So, all right.

53:10 We agree.

53:11 Dan, let's do some quads, all right?

53:13 Let's do it.

53:14 Now, my question to you

53:16 is: how

53:16 bad do you really want legs?

53:19 Badly.

53:20 Let's talk about some early quads here.

53:22 We like to group four games together in each time slot, keep you aware of what to watch, when to watch it, what channel it's on.

53:30 And we'll also do our window of opportunity when you can get out and be amongst the people.

53:34 Yeah.

53:34 Four games here in the early slate that I found interesting

53:39 and as of note.

53:41 ABC, high

53:43 noon, Texas A&M

53:44 on the road at number 14, Mizzou.

53:46 Mizzou favored by three point five

53:48 points.

53:49 Also, high

53:50 noon, ESPN, we got

53:51 North Carolina at number twenty five, the Pitt Panthers.

53:56 Four-point favorite at home.

53:57 Yep.

53:58 Also at high noon, TNT, Arizona minus three

54:02 on the road at West Virginia.

54:05 And to close out this quad, there are other games, of course, in this window.

54:09 High noon on the C dub.

54:11 We've got Wake Forest, a four

54:13 point

54:14 road favorite

54:15 at NC State Dan.

54:17 Which of these are you on?

54:18 Which of these are you most interested in?

54:20 I have three favorites in this one.

54:22 It's a

54:22 huge trap spot for Mizzou, right?

54:24 Coming off of

54:26 a letdown moment with how they trounced Florida.

54:29 Texas AM is real tough.

54:32 And by tough, I mean it's

54:33 Tough position to be in if you're Texas AM.

54:36 Correct.

54:37 I don't know that we didn't see the best of Mizzou

54:40 last week, though.

54:41 So I'm concerned about this one, but you also have to like the team you're picking and you have to like Marcel Reed on the road.

54:47 I am.

54:48 Skeptical, but I'm going Mizzou

54:49 at home here.

54:51 I like Pitt against North Carolina.

54:53 I think North Carolina's offense has quietly gotten better, and the tight end

54:58 Billy Edwards' connection was it, Jamari Rule?

55:00 Oh no, Thurman, excuse me.

55:02 Jelani Thurman.

55:02 Jelani Thurman.

55:03 There we go.

55:04 We finally got to the name.

55:05 It took a couple of iterations, but we got there.

55:09 I think Pitt

55:10 's offense, if they can get something out of the ground game, because obviously playing with a backup quarterback, they're going to need to get something out of the ground game.

55:19 Yeah, hopefully

55:19 Gerner gets something against North Carolina for Pitt's sake.

55:22 I like Pitt here.

55:23 I like West Virginia at home against Arizona.

55:26 I don't.

55:27 I think it's going to be a shootout.

55:28 I think West Virginia's defense is.

55:30 garbage.

55:31 I absolutely think West Virginia's defense is garbage.

55:35 But

55:36 it's a long way to travel.

55:37 I don't think Arizona's bulletproof.

55:39 Nice win against Cincinnati last week against home.

55:41 I'm going West Virginia to win that shootout because they're just too explosive on offense

55:46 to

55:48 win a close, low-scoring game.

55:50 And I like Wake on the road at NC State.

55:53 I just don't trust anything about NC State in this moment, whereas

55:56 Wake has been scoring, Wake has been moving the ball, they've been getting stops, they're looking like a full

56:01 on, above average ACC team.

56:04 And I don't believe that's where NC State is at the moment.

56:07 I have Texas AM outright

56:09 over Mizzou

56:10 because of the letdown

56:12 that you mentioned.

56:13 I am

56:15 Certainly

56:16 not convinced that Texas AM fixed its offensive line and ground game

56:21 in that game that we saw against Arkansas.

56:23 So

56:23 it's.

56:24 Offensive line concerns, ground game concerns, and what I assume are passing game concerns.

56:29 Yes, all three.

56:31 So, in the

56:32 three major out of

56:34 three elements of offense, you have 100% concern.

56:38 Yeah, it's truly 100% concerned, but it is a good defense.

56:42 I think it's a good defense, and we know that the defense came to play early on.

56:46 I'm just curious to see what state of mind Mizzou

56:49 is in after that big win that they had a week ago, which catapulted them now up into the polls.

56:54 I

56:55 listen, the best of Austin Sims is really good.

56:57 It really is good.

56:59 And I don't know where Marcel Reed is at.

57:01 I don't know if that's even a fixable problem at this point.

57:03 But

57:04 I'm going to go AA.

57:05 I'm going to,

57:05 this is my gut instinct.

57:07 Maybe I should go the opposite of that.

57:09 Texas AM defense is allowing their explosive play rate is

57:13 off the charts

57:14 bad.

57:14 Okay.

57:14 I know.

57:15 And Mizzou

57:15 hits big passing plays.

57:17 Yeah.

57:17 So there's another thing to be concerned about.

57:20 I don't know why.

57:21 I'm not going to act like I have hard facts on this one.

57:25 Okay.

57:25 Verballerhood, if you want to call me out for that, that's fine.

57:29 This is going purely on my gut, which has never failed me ever.

57:33 Yeah.

57:35 Texas AM plus the three and a half.

57:36 I got him out right.

57:37 I'm with you.

57:37 I've got Pitt minus the four.

57:39 I look forward to putting them in our top 25 when they get to 6-0

57:43 next week.

57:44 Okay.

57:46 I am going to go Zona

57:49 over West Virginia.

57:51 I don't get this line, to be honest with you.

57:53 Maybe I should steer into Weirdness.

57:55 Yeah.

57:57 I guess that would be steering into Arizona.

57:59 You would think it would be bigger, are you

58:00 saying?

58:01 I

58:01 yeah, because

58:02 I was looking at that game a week ago against Cincinnati as something of a bellwether for how they might handle a run-heavy team.

58:10 And they smoked him and beat him by 27.

58:12 So I think

58:13 more of the same here, even though they lose Trace Bivey for the year, and there is some question about who

58:18 knows if Fifita is going to throw to.

58:20 I like Arizona because they don't like the West Virginia defense.

58:24 And

58:24 I'm also on NC State outright over Wake Forest.

58:30 And I like Wake Forest.

58:31 I love Geo Lopez.

58:32 Did you know Geo Lopez has already surpassed his entire touchdown output?

58:37 Through five games from last season.

58:40 I did not know that, but that is, I guess, a

58:43 commentary on North Carolina football.

58:47 Yes, I

58:49 disagree, but

58:50 it's a CW game.

58:52 Those tend to have the weirdness quotient attached to it.

58:55 So let's hope for a fun, competitive game.

58:57 All right, in the afternoon block.

58:59 Welcome to the pain zone is where we live.

59:01 We've got number

59:02 22, Houston on the road at Kansas State.

59:05 Kansas State favored by two points.

59:06 We've got Ole Miss

59:07 minus 10 on the road at Vandy.

59:10 We've got Duke minus seven on the road at Georgia Tech.

59:12 We've also got Virginia Tech traveling across the country to square off against the Cal

59:17 Golden Bears, Dan Rubenstein, who you

59:20 got here.

59:21 I think I have Houston.

59:23 I don't think.

59:24 I do have Houston on the road.

59:26 I think they will get enough stops on defense, and even though Kansas State's

59:30 been

59:30 performing well-ish

59:32 on defense.

59:32 They've played exactly one, what I would consider to be real offense in Cincinnati and lost that game, giving up 30 plus.

59:40 So

59:40 I'm going

59:41 Houston here.

59:41 I think they're going to be able to run the ball well enough against this Kansas State team.

59:45 And the numbers are like

59:47 decent enough, but they do allow some bigger run plays.

59:49 So I think Houston's able to get it done.

59:51 On the road in the little

59:52 apple.

59:53 I have Ole Miss

59:54 against Vandy.

59:57 Ole Miss

59:57 with time

59:59 and Vandy

01:00:00 with

01:00:00 Quarterback health issues.

01:00:02 And I know Blaise Berlowitz made plays against Georgia.

01:00:04 I just don't like this Bandy

01:00:06 defense.

01:00:06 And I think Olema is going to be able to move the ball and

01:00:09 Bounce back from where they

01:00:10 've got points.

01:00:11 I'm going to go.

01:00:12 Got points.

01:00:13 Yeah, I'm taking it.

01:00:14 Ole Miss is going to win.

01:00:16 I think 10 points is too many.

01:00:18 I'm fine with it.

01:00:19 I think they win this game like 37-23.

01:00:23 I'm taking Duke against Georgia Tech because betting against Georgia Tech is a worthwhile pursuit this season.

01:00:29 And also, Duke has covered every game so far this year.

01:00:32 Duke covers.

01:00:33 Duke

01:00:34 has one of the most improved defenses in the country.

01:00:36 Granted, their schedule is not incredibly illuminating for where their team may or may not be come later in the season.

01:00:42 But

01:00:43 especially after Illinois lost to Purdue.

01:00:45 But even still, I think Georgia Tech is a mess on offense, and I don't know where the points are coming from.

01:00:49 So I'm going Duke there on the road.

01:00:52 And similarly, I don't love a team traveling cross country, as mentioned with the USC Penn State game, but Virginia Tech

01:00:59 giving nine point five, an angry Virginia Tech team

01:01:03 And a Cal team where I said what the vibes were subterranean, making a change at play

01:01:07 caller on offense.

01:01:09 JKS

01:01:09 got hurt last week.

01:01:11 I'm

01:01:12 I mean, they lost to UNLV.

01:01:14 I think Virginia Tech, after last week, this is one of those like

01:01:17 happy to be on the road and get out of town and regroup.

01:01:21 I'm going Virginia Tech to win by a couple touchdowns against Cal, who has been arguably

01:01:26 like

01:01:26 one of the three most disappointing power conference teams this year.

01:01:29 I think Virginia Tech goes limb from limb and destroys Cal.

01:01:33 They rip him apart.

01:01:34 Okay.

01:01:35 I think Duke

01:01:36 Will continue their winning ways.

01:01:39 They will run all over Georgia Tech and cover that seven-point spread.

01:01:44 I think

01:01:46 Houston's been fine.

01:01:49 They've been fine.

01:01:49 I don't like them as much as I expected.

01:01:51 Okay.

01:01:52 I still can't trust K-State, though, and I don't know what they're supposed to be.

01:01:56 So

01:01:57 interesting subplot here, sort of a reunion between Connor Wigman and Colin Klein.

01:02:04 I'll go Houston outright.

01:02:06 I don't have a strong lean there.

01:02:07 They're getting two points, two and a half points.

01:02:10 So

01:02:10 I'll take the points.

01:02:11 I say they went outright.

01:02:12 And yeah, I'm on Vandy with the points here.

01:02:16 I think

01:02:17 they can do enough to keep it close and be a pain in the ass, even though Oldmiss is the better team.

01:02:21 Okay, fair enough.

01:02:23 And then let's close it out.

01:02:25 You have to achieve failure, you have to take it that far.

01:02:30 Nobody wants to go that far.

01:02:31 Far, it's too scary.

01:02:32 Too scary.

01:02:33 You know something?

01:02:33 I got news for you.

01:02:34 That's where winning is.

01:02:36 That's where the winning is, Dan

01:02:37 S.

01:02:37 Tom Platt's

01:02:38 known as the actual quad father.

01:02:40 Look him up.

01:02:41 He got real into quads, not these quads, though.

01:02:44 Yeah.

01:02:45 He's talking about his upper thigh.

01:02:46 Okay.

01:02:47 Late block, late block, late block.

01:02:50 7 p.

01:02:50 m.

01:02:50 ESPN, number

01:02:51 10 LSU, minus 8 and 1.

01:02:53 5

01:02:54 points on the road at Kentucky.

01:02:56 Who also got North Dakota State on the C Dub.

01:02:58 Big slate on the C Dub

01:02:59 this week, man.

01:03:00 It's a really nice CW

01:03:02 week.

01:03:02 Yeah.

01:03:03 C Dub

01:03:04 7 p.

01:03:04 m.

01:03:04 Eastern.

01:03:05 North Dakota State minus three on the road at UNLV.

01:03:08 8 p.

01:03:08 m.

01:03:08 on Big Ten Network.

01:03:09 We've got Minnesota

01:03:11 minus two

01:03:12 and a half on the road at Purdue.

01:03:13 I'm going to talk about that one.

01:03:14 Fall number.

01:03:15 And then another C Dub

01:03:16 game, 10:30.

01:03:19 Number 23, Boise

01:03:20 State, minus six and a half on the road at Fresno, Dan.

01:03:23 How you feeling?

01:03:24 Who

01:03:24 you got?

01:03:26 I like LSU.

01:03:27 It's a letdown spot for Kentucky, and Kentucky still has

01:03:31 issues to

01:03:32 Correct.

01:03:33 My concern with LSU is

01:03:35 I

01:03:36 strongly dislike seeing the word hamstring in any sort of game report.

01:03:41 Sam Leavitt

01:03:41 trying to bounce back, obviously, was not asked to run.

01:03:44 Against who they have McNeese

01:03:45 last week.

01:03:46 Yep, says he's 100%, by the way.

01:03:47 Says he's 100%.

01:03:49 Guess who's not immediately 100%

01:03:51 after suffering a hamstring injury?

01:03:53 Literally

01:03:54 everybody.

01:03:55 It takes time.

01:03:57 I like LSU in this one, though.

01:03:59 I like the spot.

01:04:00 Still, no Trey-Ez Green.

01:04:01 I think they're going to be able to turn over Kentucky a couple of times and come away with a win in this one.

01:04:07 I think the defense does make plays.

01:04:09 Can I pause you for one second?

01:04:10 Please.

01:04:11 Sell, sell, sell.

01:04:13 Selling Kentucky?

01:04:14 Sell, sell, sell.

01:04:16 Sell

01:04:17 your Kentucky stock right now.

01:04:19 Okay.

01:04:19 I thought you were going to make an unbelievable pun

01:04:21 and say sell SU.

01:04:23 But

01:04:24 no,

01:04:25 you did not.

01:04:25 Kentucky's remaining schedule is rough.

01:04:28 They've got LSU this week.

01:04:30 Go out.

01:04:31 I'm not going to read it off, and you've got a bunch to get through.

01:04:33 Yeah.

01:04:34 I think Kentucky, and I'm saying this with love and respect to the Kentucky community.

01:04:39 They won't interpret whatever you're about to say.

01:04:41 No chance in hell.

01:04:42 We posted a Kentucky thing where

01:04:45 I was speaking to.

01:04:47 What I thought was disappointment in the Kentucky fandom over the last couple of years.

01:04:52 Yeah.

01:04:53 Not

01:04:54 to the

01:04:55 love

01:04:56 and

01:04:56 respect that that fan base has towards the football program at all.

01:05:00 And people misinterpreted that.

01:05:01 So they will misinterpret this, but I'll be more direct about it.

01:05:05 This is a six, this is a seven-win team.

01:05:08 I mean, that's incredible.

01:05:09 That outperforms what I thought.

01:05:11 That is what this team is going to end up being.

01:05:13 That would be viewed.

01:05:14 I think it has to be viewed as a success given where this program has come from.

01:05:17 But look at the schedule.

01:05:18 This is a six.

01:05:19 This is a seven-win team.

01:05:20 If they do better than that, great.

01:05:23 You know, I like Kenny Minchy.

01:05:24 That'd be great.

01:05:26 That's how I'm feeling.

01:05:27 I think this starts it.

01:05:29 I've got this as like a

01:05:31 10 to 14 point win.

01:05:33 For LSU.

01:05:33 So I'm with you.

01:05:34 I think the

01:05:35 same

01:05:35 page.

01:05:35 Should be noted: if LSU is able to get Kentucky to third

01:05:39 down,

01:05:41 Kentucky has arguably

01:05:43 the worst third-down offense.

01:05:46 In America.

01:05:47 Likely the world.

01:05:48 Whoever's playing college football, Kentucky succeeds less often.

01:05:52 They are last.

01:05:52 They are dead last.

01:05:53 They are dead last.

01:05:54 There

01:05:54 you go.

01:05:56 I

01:05:57 would

01:05:58 be very comfortable taking North Dakota State running directly at UNLV.

01:06:01 Yep, I'm with you.

01:06:02 I agree.

01:06:03 I

01:06:03 feel good about that.

01:06:04 And I believe North Dakota State also covers quite often.

01:06:07 I'm taking a look at the.

01:06:07 Defense

01:06:08 has been really good, by the way.

01:06:09 Yes,

01:06:10 mixed schedule, but I'm taking Purdue against Minnesota in a big letdown spot.

01:06:14 All I had to see was PJ

01:06:16 Fleck drinking from the jug in a very like orchestrated, choreographed.

01:06:21 Okay, he's about to come around the corner.

01:06:23 He's about to drink from the jug, and then he's going to crowdsurf in the locker room.

01:06:27 I'm not saying he's the only coach that makes it about him.

01:06:29 I think, in some ways, you and I both root for teams who currently or who have recently.

01:06:34 Employed coaches who make it about themselves as well.

01:06:38 But in that moment, I said, Oh, I cannot wait for the letdown pick with Minnesota.

01:06:43 I have that.

01:06:43 I think Michigan's offense is that bad.

01:06:45 Continue.

01:06:45 By the way, I don't know if I told you about this theory.

01:06:48 Yeah.

01:06:48 My theory is that he can't actually take any of those pullovers off, that they're too tight.

01:06:54 Oh, he's like a never

01:06:55 nude, but with pullovers.

01:06:57 My theory is that he's never actually able to take those off.

01:07:00 He's just stacking.

01:07:02 Different ones on top of whatever he wore the previous week.

01:07:05 Do you think he like walks through a car wash?

01:07:08 I don't know.

01:07:08 I just think it's

01:07:10 like an extra smedium.

01:07:11 They hose him down and it keeps sticking.

01:07:14 You would need the jaws of life to get that thing off him.

01:07:16 And then, with all of the stuff that, you know, he's.

01:07:19 He's out there in the elements,

01:07:22 having water dumped on him, like all this stuff.

01:07:25 I don't think he can take him off.

01:07:27 Yeah.

01:07:29 That's interesting.

01:07:29 I like that theory, Ty.

01:07:31 We'll work

01:07:31 that even further.

01:07:32 I like Boise State to like an extreme degree against Fresno Lock of the Week.

01:07:37 Ooh.

01:07:39 Luck of the week.

01:07:42 I believe

01:07:44 they are actually going to walk into the San Joaquin Valley and come out with a comfortable win.

01:07:49 They are also going to run straight at Fresno State and succeed.

01:07:52 Before the season, I was all about this matchup on the Fresno side.

01:07:56 Yeah.

01:07:57 And I changed my mind because I think Boise's actually look

01:07:59 pretty good.

01:07:59 One of the best rushing teams in America.

01:08:01 Yeah, Boise's look good.

01:08:02 So

01:08:03 I'm going to go ahead and pick Boise to win in cover.

01:08:06 I'm on Minnesota.

01:08:08 Like I Purdue is better than we thought.

01:08:11 I still don't really get the line.

01:08:13 It's practically screaming to take Purdue.

01:08:16 Do you know how big Purdue's drum is, Ty?

01:08:20 Do you

01:08:20 understand the size of the drum at hand?

01:08:23 I did a video on it.

01:08:24 They couldn't bring it to Notre Dame Stadium because that's how big it is.

01:08:28 I'm sticking with my beautiful, beautiful gophers.

01:08:31 And

01:08:33 as a reminder to Minnesota people, the Zoom call is still going to go off.

01:08:37 Second week of December, if you're interested in the Minnesota Support Zoom, we're going to add in some NC State people this year.

01:08:43 I think we're going to do it.

01:08:44 On the same call, or is it just going to be like

01:08:47 You should

01:08:47 you know what you should make?

01:08:48 You should make a Coachella style band lineup

01:08:51 like poster

01:08:52 of all of the Zoom calls you're going to do.

01:08:54 Minnesota obviously being the headliner.

01:08:56 I could

01:08:57 will you help me with the design if I decide to.

01:08:59 Oh, there's like there's generators you can just

01:09:00 you can

01:09:01 Just make it online, but yeah, okay, sure.

01:09:03 We'll do that.

01:09:03 Um, sorry, I'm on Minnesota to win.

01:09:06 I don't get the line.

01:09:07 We'll go to North Dakota State, and we're going to go

01:09:10 We're going to go with

01:09:11 LSU.

01:09:13 We also have three Friday games that I want to call out.

01:09:15 I want to go through these quickly.

01:09:17 My second lock of the week is

01:09:19 not Wisconsin, excuse me, Washington.

01:09:23 Luck of the week.

01:09:27 That's a ballsy maneuver.

01:09:28 Okay.

01:09:28 9 p.

01:09:29 m.

01:09:29 on Fox on Friday night.

01:09:31 They are playing host to number

01:09:32 20, Iowa.

01:09:34 Hank Brown is questionable.

01:09:36 He's got an injury to his throwing shoulder.

01:09:38 Jeremy Heklinski did come in.

01:09:40 He went five for five a week ago in relief.

01:09:44 I

01:09:45 think

01:09:45 that

01:09:46 Washington's defense will keep this close enough, and DeMon Williams will find ways to make plays.

01:09:52 I

01:09:53 like them to win and cover against this Iowa team who is coming off of

01:09:58 a big emotional loss

01:10:00 with Ohio State in town, with Game Day in town.

01:10:04 I think maybe now that the seal has been broken, now that they're traveling cross country, a tough place to play, Washington, though they didn't win a week ago against USC, was damn close to it.

01:10:15 I like where

01:10:16 I just

01:10:17 I like where this matchup falls.

01:10:18 Give me Washington.

01:10:20 Iowa lock of the week.

01:10:23 Luck of the week.

01:10:28 Iowa

01:10:29 lives in this place.

01:10:30 Iowa lives in this place.

01:10:31 They are also Bane, right?

01:10:34 I'm Bane.

01:10:36 There's been like a Jedd Fisch

01:10:38 hotboard replacement topic on every Washington message board

01:10:42 in the comments section for weeks now.

01:10:44 Okay.

01:10:44 Washington, or excuse me, Iowa.

01:10:47 Can constantly lose.

01:10:48 They've had seasons where they're shut out by the best teams on their

01:10:51 just watch.

01:10:52 You're going to see.

01:10:52 You're going to see how right

01:10:53 I am.

01:10:53 I know their offense is not a good place.

01:10:55 I know they're not running the ball well.

01:10:56 I know

01:10:56 the defense isn't where it should.

01:10:58 I think.

01:10:59 What

01:10:59 the vibes in Seattle are pretty bad right now, whereas

01:11:03 I think Iowa can just 1310 their way to a win.

01:11:06 They're winning this game.

01:11:08 Write it down.

01:11:09 Have fun.

01:11:10 7 p.

01:11:10 m.

01:11:11 ESPN, Florida state on the road at Louisville.

01:11:13 Louisville favored by three and a half points.

01:11:16 I don't know if a look ahead exists right now in the Florida state universe.

01:11:20 May do have a road game against Miami on deck

01:11:23 for whatever that's worth to you.

01:11:25 I am rolling with Florida state here.

01:11:30 I think I am as well.

01:11:33 I am rolling with Florida state

01:11:35 because

01:11:36 Louisville has lost to

01:11:38 two

01:11:39 comparable teams, let's say.

01:11:41 in Wake Forest and NC State back to back weeks.

01:11:44 I think Florida state can essentially do what they did last week and run it with Ashton Daniels.

01:11:50 With Usman Croma.

01:11:51 I think that side of their offense is something they should lean more into.

01:11:56 I'm hoping that they're getting the word on that

01:11:58 and they will continue to do so.

01:12:00 But, you know, Florida state isn't great, but they're also not a complete train wreck.

01:12:05 And

01:12:05 I just don't know where Louisville's at right now.

01:12:11 I think I'm going to Florida state here as well.

01:12:12 I don't know if it was a commentary on where Virginia was

01:12:15 or is

01:12:16 this season

01:12:17 last week.

01:12:18 But

01:12:19 there is something about the defense coming alive at the same time as the offense coming alive.

01:12:25 And I think Louisville is going to offer more offensively than Virginia did.

01:12:30 But

01:12:31 I think there is something about Florida state's run

01:12:33 game and pass rush happening at the same time.

01:12:36 I agree.

01:12:37 I think I'm feeling better about the ceiling of Florida state in this moment and getting that proof of concept last week.

01:12:44 Whereas

01:12:45 Louisville's just all over the place.

01:12:47 They have, I think, along with Oregon, they have the most, this is barely English, collapsed defense from where they were last season.

01:12:56 Yeah.

01:12:56 But at least with Oregon, you can kind of point to

01:13:00 a specifically terrible game, and that they've shown more since then, whereas Louisville just sort of consistently looks like this every week.

01:13:08 So I'm going Florida state here.

01:13:10 Last game on the Friday slate, 10:15 ESPN.

01:13:13 Iowa stayed at number eight

01:13:14 BYU, BYU, favored by big

01:13:16 10.

01:13:17 5

01:13:17 points.

01:13:18 LJ Barton is doubtful.

01:13:20 It will be interesting to see how much they ask out of Bear

01:13:23 Bachmeier to run.

01:13:24 He had 15 carries, two rushing touchdowns in that game a week ago, the rainy

01:13:29 game.

01:13:29 At TCU.

01:13:31 I'm taking Iowa State actually, not to win, not to win, but to cover.

01:13:36 One, they've been very plucky this year, way better than I expected.

01:13:40 Yeah.

01:13:40 Two, the L.

01:13:41 J.

01:13:41 Martin thing, I think, is fair to question.

01:13:43 What will the identity be of this BYU

01:13:45 offense?

01:13:46 And three, it is a look-ahead spot for BYU with Notre Dame coming to town next.

01:13:50 Week.

01:13:51 That would be a monster matchup for them.

01:13:53 It wouldn't look at

01:13:55 all

01:13:56 beyond the realm of possibilities to me if BYU was sort of.

01:14:01 Paying attention to that Notre Dame game next week.

01:14:04 Let Iowa State keep this one relatively close.

01:14:06 BYU is going to win.

01:14:07 They're the better, more physical team, but I could see Iowa State battling them.

01:14:11 Is this Short Week Road, correct?

01:14:13 Yes.

01:14:13 Short week road altitude, correct?

01:14:15 For Iowa State, yes.

01:14:17 And Iowa State is not at like zero feet sea level.

01:14:20 I think they're

01:14:20 reasonably above sea level.

01:14:24 I think you're dead on.

01:14:25 I think Iowa State's going to be able to move the ball some

01:14:28 ,

01:14:28 but

01:14:29 I think BYU's defense, while they don't have the ceiling they did last year

01:14:33 and obviously

01:14:34 moving on to a new defense.

01:14:35 Defensive coordinator.

01:14:36 I don't know what I think about the BYU offense.

01:14:38 It is a kind of letdown spot for Iowa State as well.

01:14:41 They'll be up for this game.

01:14:41 They're not ignoring this game, but I think they're still too much for BYU at home.

01:14:47 The number's too big, but I think they win by a touchdown.

01:14:49 Four under-the-radar games just to pay attention to.

01:14:53 No picks from us.

01:14:54 We don't need to give picks.

01:14:54 We don't want to.

01:14:55 But just

01:14:55 pay attention to these games, all right?

01:15:01 2 p.

01:15:02 m.

01:15:02 ESPN Plus, we've got Miami, Ohio, minus two

01:15:06 and a half

01:15:06 on the road at UMass.

01:15:08 You should watch because UMass

01:15:10 has TY

01:15:11 Harding.

01:15:12 He

01:15:12 is the only player in FBS this season with a receiving, a rushing, and a punt return touchdown.

01:15:19 Umass

01:15:20 also off to a very, very good

01:15:22 start.

01:15:22 Miami, Ohio, a two and a half point favorite.

01:15:25 We'll see what goes down.

01:15:26 Could be an interesting game if you are into

01:15:28 Mac football.

01:15:29 Yes.

01:15:30 Also, 330, FS1, we've got

01:15:33 Illinois

01:15:34 minus two

01:15:34 and a half as well

01:15:36 on the road at Michigan State.

01:15:38 Illinois

01:15:39 in something of a

01:15:41 I don't know, like, disarray?

01:15:44 What do we?

01:15:44 I don't, how do we even phrase what's going on at Illinois this year?

01:15:47 They have fallen way short.

01:15:49 of our expectations.

01:15:50 They still do have Colin Dixon, who could Ty the single season receiving touchdown record in game six.

01:15:57 He already is eight.

01:15:58 The record at Illinois is ten.

01:16:01 I am going to go

01:16:03 With Michigan State?

01:16:05 Ooh, how about that?

01:16:08 I could not be convinced.

01:16:09 I'm going Illinois here.

01:16:10 If we're having serious questions about Michigan State's ability to score

01:16:14 14, 20 points for the rest of the season?

01:16:17 I think this could be an ugly game.

01:16:18 I think the offense is broken, broken.

01:16:20 And I think even Illinois' defense might be able to get off the field some.

01:16:23 Even Illinois will be able to get off the

01:16:25 field.

01:16:26 I have the align eye here.

01:16:27 415 SEC Network, number

01:16:29 15, Tennessee.

01:16:30 A pretty healthy two-touchdown favorite on the road at Arkansas

01:16:34 under

01:16:34 the radar, just because Tennessee is going to turn to George McInner.

01:16:38 Entire this week for his first career start phase

01:16:40 on Brandon

01:16:41 still has a shoulder.

01:16:43 It is also a place where Tennessee has not won since 2001, 25 years since they went on the road and won at Fayetteville.

01:16:50 So pay attention to that one.

01:16:52 Weird, but I like Tennessee.

01:16:53 Yeah.

01:16:54 I like Tennessee as well.

01:16:55 Last

01:16:55 but certainly not least, 7:30.

01:16:57 It is a rivalry.

01:16:58 It is a rivalry that is coming as a result.

01:17:02 Of conference realignment.

01:17:03 How about that?

01:17:04 Okay.

01:17:05 Louisiana.

01:17:06 Appreciate it.

01:17:07 On the road

01:17:07 at Louisiana Tech.

01:17:08 Louisiana Tech favored by three points.

01:17:11 They both joined the Sun Belt.

01:17:13 This is their first conference meeting since they were back in the Big West in 1995, Dan Rubenstein.

01:17:20 There you go.

01:17:21 Louisiana Tech, one of the funnier explosivity profiles as like the number two most explosive and number 130 least.

01:17:30 Successful explosivity defense in America.

01:17:33 So

01:17:33 there should be big plays.

01:17:35 There should be entertainment in this game.

01:17:36 And just because of

01:17:38 the comical nature of that, I'm going with Louisiana Tech.

01:17:40 Here, Sunbelt, Funbelt.

01:17:42 What do you think about a window of opportunity this week?

01:17:46 When is the time to go out and be amongst the people?

01:17:48 I kind of think it's early.

01:17:50 Because

01:17:51 you want to be around for the Alabama Challenger game later.

01:17:54 Probably.

01:17:54 I think USC Penn State

01:17:56 could

01:17:57 be, you know, nothing if not.

01:17:59 interesting optics because of the wide out.

01:18:02 Yeah.

01:18:03 There's a really good slate

01:18:04 of games later in the afternoon, three

01:18:07 thirty

01:18:07 and beyond.

01:18:09 So

01:18:09 the only thing that you'd potentially be missing if you go out, go see cats, go to the wedding, go to the flag football, the soccer match

01:18:17 early.

01:18:18 Potentially some weirdness in the game between Indiana and Nebraska.

01:18:23 We also have that quad that we called out

01:18:26 Texas AM, Mizzou, North Carolina, Pitt, Arizona, West Virginia.

01:18:30 But

01:18:30 I think that's probably your best bet if you need to go out there

01:18:33 and

01:18:33 You know, do some fall activities

01:18:35 is apple picking going on right now?

01:18:36 I assume so.

01:18:37 We're into October, depends on the part of the country in which you live.

01:18:40 But yeah, go apple picking, pumpkins,

01:18:42 go to the

01:18:43 driving range.

01:18:44 Go on a coffee date.

01:18:46 Do whatever you got to do.

01:18:47 But do it, do it.

01:18:48 Where's my thing?

01:18:52 I think

01:18:52 your window of opportunity is probably early.

01:18:55 Okay, I think I agree.

01:18:57 In week six.

01:18:58 That does it, Dan.

01:18:59 We covered a lot of ground, 20-some odd games.

01:19:01 We hope everybody gets in on our Pick'em

01:19:03 game.

01:19:04 To compete for that wonderful $500

01:19:07 gift card to Bass

01:19:08 Pro

01:19:09 Shops, courtesy of our friends over at Newegg.

01:19:12 Run

01:19:13 the board is available to all.

01:19:15 Patreon subs, certified and premium.

01:19:18 If you head on Altuverballers.

01:19:20 com and join there, we will, of course, be doing our live stream

01:19:25 Midnight Eastern Time, Saturday night, after week six.

01:19:29 As of now, just me.

01:19:31 We will have something for all y'all.

01:19:33 I'm very excited to do this.

01:19:35 As you are watching the games, don't forget to give us a shout at 855

01:19:39 Verbal3DN.

01:19:39 Rubenstein.

01:19:40 That does it.

01:19:40 Another episode.

01:19:41 That does it in less

01:19:42 episode in the books.

01:19:43 Unless

01:19:45 you have what it takes to drop that big, stanky, clenching, twisting, drop in five.

01:19:59 I'm going to cut the music.

01:20:01 There's only three games.

01:20:02 Oh, okay.

01:20:03 What do we have?

01:20:04 What a disappointment.

01:20:06 Who scheduled this for the Pat League?

01:20:10 This is

01:20:11 this is the

01:20:12 must next week must be huge.

01:20:16 Where's my sound?

01:20:17 I'll bring it back.

01:20:19 I'm working my way up to bring it.

01:20:22 I can't trust whoever put this schedule together, if I'm being honest with you.

01:20:25 Okay.

01:20:26 Let's start Saturday, 12:30.

01:20:29 Bucknell

01:20:30 on the road at Georgetown

01:20:31 Mall, Teesport Field.

01:20:33 Give me the Georgetown Hoyas, why not?

01:20:34 I'm going to Nelly's in a big upset bid.

01:20:37 Saturday, 1 p.

01:20:38 m.

01:20:38 Bill and Mary

01:20:39 on the road at NC Central. We

01:20:42 got to go Pat Lee. Give

01:20:43 me Bill and Mary. I'm

01:20:44 going Bill and Mary as well. And then to

01:20:46 close things out, again, there's only three games.

01:20:49 I don't know what the hell's going on over at the Pat League office.

01:20:51 I should probably stop by their local.

01:20:53 I should see what's going on.

01:20:56 Richmond on the road at Fordham.

01:21:00 I'm going to go Richmond here.

01:21:01 5-1.

01:21:02 Fordham's 1-5.

01:21:03 Richmond

01:21:04 yet to drop a Patriot League game.

01:21:07 Yeah, I'm going Spiders.

01:21:08 Pretty big in the Bronx.

01:21:10 Give me

01:21:10 the Spiders as well.

01:21:11 Why not?

01:21:11 Yeah.

01:21:12 Now we're done.

01:21:14 Now we're done.

01:21:14 Now we're done.

01:21:15 Yes.

01:21:16 Dan Rubinstein, safe travels out to the West Coast.

01:21:19 Thank you.

01:21:20 Enjoy the wedding.

01:21:21 Can you send in a video or something to show us sort of the

01:21:25 well, I'll be watching college football during the day

01:21:27 because

01:21:27 it's an Oregon duck wedding.

01:21:29 So we'll watch Oregon UCLA.

01:21:31 And I'll try to have some kind of setup as well, either phone or iPad or something else to watch some of the other games.

01:21:37 And I'll send in a video with my.

01:21:41 I guess

01:21:42 early

01:21:42 and

01:21:43 afternoon

01:21:44 and early evening takes before the night action is concluded.

01:21:47 Or maybe if something, if I happen

01:21:49 across

01:21:50 the end of, like, if it's a crazy ending to Georgia Bama.

01:21:52 I'll send in a video that you can you can play

01:21:54 at whatever point you'd like.

01:21:55 I'll do my best.

01:21:57 All right.

01:21:57 Well,

01:21:58 we will miss you dearly.

01:22:00 Thank you.

01:22:01 But please enjoy your time away from the

01:22:04 comfy confines of the recording lab, and we will do it again next week

01:22:09 in very short order.

01:22:10 Solidverbal at gmail.

01:22:12 com again is where you can email in if you got something to say.

01:22:14 If you want to apply to be the co-host or something, I don't know.

01:22:17 By the way,

01:22:19 breaking news during the show, but not breaking news by the time people listen to this show, because you use the word apply.

01:22:25 I might apply to be the next Oregon basketball men's head coach.

01:22:28 Dana Altman

01:22:29 just retired

01:22:30 like an hour and a half before the season starts.

01:22:33 Wow.

01:22:33 Do you have qualifications beyond like

01:22:36 Six-year-old basketball.

01:22:38 You talk

01:22:38 to some of those parents from that first-grade team last year.

01:22:41 Transformed.

01:22:43 I communicate.

01:22:44 I am patient.

01:22:46 Transformative.

01:22:47 I'm already getting kids who want to be on my team, so my recruiting skills are apparent.

01:22:51 Okay.

01:22:52 So

01:22:53 I'm not willing to live in Eugene, Oregon.

01:22:55 I don't know if that's a deal breaker.

01:22:57 But

01:22:58 yeah, Dana Ullman.

01:22:59 Happy trails.

01:23:00 Do it via Zoom.

01:23:01 It'd be perfect.

01:23:02 I'd love to.

01:23:03 $500

01:23:04 is on the line this week.

01:23:06 Courtesy of our friends over at Newegg, compete for fabulous prizes right now, verballers.

01:23:13 com.

01:23:13 Sign up to support the show, play

01:23:14 the game, be part of the Verballerhood.

01:23:17 We'd love to have you out there in our Discord server all throughout the day on Saturday.

01:23:21 Dan Rubinstein, as I said, enjoy your weekend.

01:23:24 Verballer Hood, enjoy your weekend.

01:23:27 Same time, same place, next week.

01:23:29 When we do our preview episode

01:23:31 before week seven, it'll be a biggie.

01:23:33 Dan

01:23:33 will be in tow for that one.

01:23:35 In the meantime, though, we got to get through week six, and that in and of itself is going to be pretty damn big.

01:23:40 Catch you all here on midnight Saturday.

01:23:42 For that, go over there, Dan, for myself.

01:23:43 Here, Ty, you know the drill

01:23:45 stays solid.

01:23:46 Peace, yeah, right near the end.