Big Game Breakdown: Keys To The Game For Texas-Vanderbilt, USC-Nebraska, Tennessee-Oklahoma, More!

Summary

Cover 3 College Football Podcast

Episode: Big Game Breakdown: Keys To The Game For Texas-Vanderbilt, USC-Nebraska, Tennessee-Oklahoma, More!

Date: October 29, 2025
Hosts: Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, Danny Kanell, Bud Elliott

---

Episode Overview

In this wide-ranging, analysis-heavy episode, the Cover 3 team dives into the slate’s biggest college football matchups, including Texas vs. Vanderbilt, USC vs. Nebraska, Tennessee vs. Oklahoma, and key battles in the Big 12 and ACC. The hosts assess quarterback storylines, matchups in the trenches, playoff implications, and playoff committee politics, providing insider context, tactical breakdowns, and some entertaining banter. They also discuss coaching situations, Heisman debates, and toss in their “Day Trading Danny” buy/sell takes for national awards and playoff formats.

---

Texas vs. Vanderbilt – Key Storylines

Quarterback Situation Looms Large

• Texas QB Arch Manning is questionable. If Manning can’t play, Texas’ offense could be limited.
  • Danny Kanell (03:28): "I think you're preparing the same… similar style of quarterback from what we've seen so far from Matthew Caldwell. So I don't think you prepare that much differently for that."
  • Bud Elliott (04:20): "I think Arch is one of their better players on offense... that's still a problem because he has not been amazing this year."

Vandy Offensive Line Challenges

• Vanderbilt faces a third straight elite defensive front, raising concerns about sustained offensive success.
  • Bud Elliott (06:23): "Missouri winning on the defensive interior quite a bit… I know we talked about Vandy did not have a lot of tackles for loss suffered in that game, but they did have a whole lot of runs that were stopped for 0, 1 or 2 which are, you know, basically not, not successful plays."

Low-Scoring Battle Expected

• Both squads could struggle to put up points given OL and defensive strengths.
  • Chip Patterson (07:57): "Over/under 45 and a half... this is a 24-21 game."

Playoff Implications and Committee 'Metrics'

• With the first playoff rankings looming, hosts debate how the outcome will tilt committee perception.
  • Danny Kannell (10:22): "Who knows there might be number eight in the country... if they're anywhere because they're this new advanced metric system network. Who knows what it means Most black box like probably just code for ESPN FPI."
  • Bud Elliott (10:52): "They did play Ohio State closer than anybody else has. Yeah right. And they also beat Oklahoma."

---

Utah vs. Cincinnati – Big 12 Late Night

Utah's Machine-Like Resilience

• Utah keeps winning despite QB uncertainties, with freshman Herb Ficklin impressing (15:48).

Cincinnati’s Road Test

• Bearcats have weapons, but must prove themselves away from home:
  • Danny Kanell (16:58): "I think it is a big test for them to show they can take this show on the road... this Utah defense is probably the best that he's faced all year."

Key to the Game:

• Cincinnati must avoid 3rd and long situations; Utah's D-line best they've faced all season (20:44).
  • Bud Elliott (20:44): "Utah is the best line of scrimmage test they're going to have faced. For sure."

---

Tennessee vs. Oklahoma – A Knockout Game?

Quarterback Questions & Turnovers

• Oklahoma QB John Matiere’s play, especially handling pressure, is pivotal:
  • Danny Kannell (21:25): "I think John Matiere... his confidence has kind of been shaken now. Now he's got to go on the road to Knoxville and do it. He has been too careless with the football..."

Trenches & Tennessee’s Offensive Edge

• OU’s defense is steady, but Tennessee’s offense could stress them in ways OU hasn't seen.
  • Bud Elliott (22:08): "Has Tennessee faced anything like Oklahoma's defensive line? I don't think it's anything close… I do go home, I can get home on him like quite a bit."

Revenge, Vibes, and Playcallers

• Coaching storylines and possible 'extra wrinkles' from Tennessee staff with Oklahoma ties.
  • Chip Patterson (24:21): "Seth Luttrell revenge game... I know that he's only an offensive analyst... but I'm just suggesting that there might be a few wrinkles..."
  • Danny Kanell (25:06): "There's no love lost either between Josh Hypo and his alma mater."

Must-Win for Both Teams

• Effectively an elimination game for Big 12 and playoff hopes (25:21).

---

USC at Nebraska – Culture Clash and Line Play

USC’s Road Game Woes

• USC’s struggles outside L.A. highlighted; can they correct on the road, especially if OL gets healthy?
  • Danny Kanell (33:38): "USC is better along the lines of scrimmage... I thought USC really was devastated by the rain against Notre Dame. I think that game might have been much closer..."

Nebraska’s Trenches a Major Concern

• Offensive and defensive lines are limiting factors for Nebraska, and QB Raiola is feeling the heat.
  • Bud Elliott (34:36): "They lost offensive lineman... they really don't have good lines of scrimmage at Nebraska this year... limits their ability to play offense."

'Trap' Game Only If Lincoln Riley Doesn’t Prepare - Bud Elliott (38:01): "If USC shows up, they win... but I don't trust USC to show up under Lincoln Riley on the road because we've seen this movie so many times."

---

Georgia vs. Florida ("Cocktail Party") – Rivalry Dynamics

Gators Live If DJ Lagway Gets Loose

• Florida’s best shot is to throw and take risks; Georgia’s pass rush is lacking.
  • Danny Kanell (42:25): "I do think you get a little post Billy Napier, bump an emotional team that probably rallies around each other."

Strategic Adjustments Needed for Both Sides - Bud Elliott (43:02): "On defense you just got to be super aggressive. Stockton does not throw the football down the field. I think you need to like a high variance positive result from your defense..."

---

Day Trading Danny – Buy/Sell Hot Takes & Heisman Buzz

Heisman QB Will Come From B1G or SEC Champion

• Hosts debate whether statistical “hype” awards will go to QBs from these leagues.
  • Danny Kanell (44:22): "I am buying that the Heisman Trophy winner comes from the Big Ten championship game."
  • Bud Elliott (47:36): "The Heisman winner will be the quarterback of either the Big ten champion or the SEC champion."

Haynes King vs. Diego Pavia Hype

• Comparing QBs who “do it all” for their teams; Pavia gets more buzz partly due to storylines and marketing.
  • Bud Elliott (46:19): "Pavia gets Heisman hype and Haynes King doesn't? Well, one is beating SEC teams and one is beating a really kind of a garbage schedule so far."

Playoff Format: Should G5 get Auto-Bid?

• Big debate over group of five teams and playoff access, with Danny arguing for minimum 'Power 4' games played for G5 playoff berths (52:50–56:30).
  • Danny Kanell (53:08): "I think there should be a minimum requirement of how many power four teams you play...so at least you could see how they would go against it."

---

Additional Notable Segments & Moments

Indiana vs. Maryland

• Indiana expected to overwhelm Maryland; segment highlights Coach Signetti’s (probably facetious) praise of Maryland to keep his team focused (61:56–63:01).

ACC Wildness

• All ranked ACC teams are on the road; the panel expects several upsets or struggles.
  • Bud Elliott (67:12): "Like four teams [in ACC] that are record wise pretty fraudulent. So I don't know. I think three of the four lose."

Coaching Carousel Musings

• The hosts riff on rumors and contract politics, especially regarding Matt Rhule and Penn State (37:03–39:59).

Trending Down: NC State, Miami, Clemson

• Quick hits on pressure facing coaches and teams that could flame out or need bounce-backs.

---

Memorable Quotes

• Bud Elliott (04:16): "It's like they don't block anybody."
• Chip Patterson (24:23): "Seth Luttrell had to go up against that Brent Venables defense every day in practice... Now he's got Chris Brazil, one of the best wide receivers in the country."
• Bud Elliott (38:01): "If USC shows up, they win... but I don't trust USC to show up under Lincoln Riley on the road because we've seen this movie so many times."
• Danny Kanell (44:22): "I am buying that the Heisman Trophy winner comes from the Big Ten championship game."
• Bud Elliott (54:17): "It's a better take for podcast than for Twitter, because on Twitter, your character limited. The way you explained it here makes more sense."

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Texas vs. Vanderbilt Deep Dive: 03:28–11:55
• Utah vs. Cincinnati (Big 12 Impact): 15:17–21:05
• Tennessee vs. Oklahoma (Elimination Game Status): 21:18–29:45
• USC at Nebraska (Road Woes & Trench Play): 33:38–39:59
• Florida vs. Georgia (Cocktail Party): 41:07–44:22
• Day Trading Danny & Heisman Discussion: 44:22–51:41
• G5 Playoff Bid Debate: 51:41–56:30
• Indiana vs. Maryland, ACC Segment: 61:06–70:15
• Army-Air Force, Ohio State-Penn State Quick Hits: 70:15–74:36

---

Tone & Style

The hosts blend sharp analysis with informal camaraderie, mixing in jokes, jabs at each other's teams, and references to coaching politics and playoff selection intricacies ("the vibes department," "black box metrics network," etc.). The discussion is informed and quick-moving, with a balance of schematic insight, institutional knowledge, and personality-driven takes.

---

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode unpacks all the major angles for the week’s college football showdowns. If you want to understand not just who may win and why, but also how coaches, committee politics, and “narratives” will shape the stretch run of the season, this is a must-listen. The Cover 3 crew give you rapid-fire, interlocking analysis while mixing in subtle humor and a window into the backrooms of college football decision making.

Transcript

[Chip Patterson]

This episode of the COVID 3 podcast is presented by Cash App. For a limited time only, new Cash App users can use our show's code when they sign up for a reward. Just download Cash App, use our code cover 3 and send $5 to a friend. Within 14 days, you'll get $10 right in your account. Terms apply. That's money. That's Cash App. So if you're headed out of town this weekend for a big football game, of course you're going to be thinking about tailgating, cheering from the stands, the experience. But while you're off soaking in all that excitement, you might also be thinking, wait. Your home could be doing something for you while you're away. That's right. You can host your home on Airbnb while you're gone. And it's such a practical way to earn a little extra money. I started thinking about it myself. A few nights of hosting could help cover part of a trip or even fund tickets for a future game. It's easy. It doesn't take over your life. You just make space available and let others enjoy it while you're out having fun. And it doesn't just have to be your whole home. Maybe you've got a little extra space. Maybe you've got that room above the garage. Well, you could do something similar. You're out of town for a little bit. You come home to a little extra cash and no hassle at all. So if you've got an upcoming trip, whether it's a football weekend, a quick getaway, or a family visit, hosting really does feel like a smart move. Seriously, your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how [e-mail] host.

[Bud Elliott]

Welcome back.

[Danny Cannell]

To the COVID 3 podcast.

[Bud Elliott]

With your hosts, Chip Patterson, Tom Fernelli.

[Danny Cannell]

Danny Cannell and Bud Elliott.

[Bud Elliott]

It's your call for the best college.

[Danny Cannell]

From national signing day to the national.

[Bud Elliott]

Championship and everything in between.

[Danny Cannell]

CBS Sports presents the COVID 3 podcast.

[Chip Patterson]

And welcome back to the COVID 3 podcast here on CBS Sports. That's Danny Cannell, that's Bud Elliott, I'm Chip Patterson coming to you [e-mail] cover3 and everywhere. Get your podcast on demand. Thanks for hanging out. Smash that, subscribe Smash, smash that like, and come and join us in the chat, aka the COVID 3 tailgate. They're just trying to hire James Franklin away, you know. Hey, look, maybe we'll have some coaching carousel talk a little bit later on, but not, not right now, because it is Wednesday. Because this is the time, not for our best bets, but to take you inside some of the biggest matchups of the week. Let's not waste any time. Let's get into big game breakdown. All right, let's begin down in Austin. We're after about a month away. Steve Sarkeesian says he's excited to be back in dkr. Danny, we got questions about the quarterback availability for Arch Manning. Are, are you expecting two different offenses? Obviously a huge experience advantage. Then if, if we do end up not getting Arch Manning here, how if you are Clark Lee and Vanderbilt, are you preparing to head into this matchup?

[Danny Cannell]

I think you're preparing the same. I don't think you're, you know, maybe for more of a run game approach, but I don't think the skill set is that much different where you're going to get that much of a, you know, it's not like you're going to see a ton more RPOs or a lot of quarterback run looks similar style of quarterback from what we've seen so far from Matthew Caldwell. So I don't think you prepare that much differently for that. I mean, I think they still have the same offensive line issues. So I mean, I guess you would expect for more of a ground attack, which actually maybe would be better for Texas if they're kind of forced to utilize that. But I think philosophically, I think you're approaching it the same way.

[Bud Elliott]

Man, I, I don't know if forcing Texas to use more of a ground attack is. It's like they don't block anybody.

[Chip Patterson]

This is, I think this could be very bad if Arch Manning doesn't play.

[Bud Elliott]

Yeah, I think, I think Arch is one of their better players on offense, which is like, even if true, if I'm right, that's still a problem because he has not been amazing this year. I think he has played like better football down the stretch. Overall. But yeah, I mean that's, that's a problem for sure. I, I would say. I, I'm not really sure how, how many points either side is going to score here. You know, to be Frank, you know, Vanderbilt's offense two weeks in a row has not looked great. You know, they did score some points on lsu, but against Missouri they were kind of miserable. Like they hit that 85 yarder that counts on the scoreboard for sure, but man, like, they don't look great. Honestly, I, I fully understand why Texas is favored here. You know, if you couldn't block Missouri like at home, can you block Texas on the road? There's absolutely a chance. Texas just, just, you know, totally suns that, that Vanderbilt offensive line and you know like 17 points might win this for Texas. With the way this Vandy offense is playing right now, they have got to find a way to sustain more drives. They got to get the run game going so they can get the play action stuff going. You know Pavia throwing the ball right now, it's not real pretty. They got to get back on track there. So I do think this is a big Diego Legs game. I think they gotta be like hey man, look at the schedule coming up after this. It's a little bit softer. We, we need you here. Like we might need 14 carriers from you today.

[Chip Patterson]

This is the third straight really good defensive front that Vanderbilt's offensive line has faced. I thought to my eye that against LSU they were able to run the ball more effectively. You know, like run it with Alexander. Felt like they were doing a better job of getting a little bit of a push and blocking. Do you see? Because I agree with you, the offense did not look great. The performance just it was not as good against Missouri. Is that being worn down or was there something different that Missouri was doing or is Missouri a better defensive front than lsu?

[Bud Elliott]

I, I saw Missouri winning on the defensive interior quite up quite a bit. Like that was not a great game for like your guard, center guard for Vandy there. Zion Young I think the kid's name is or Young for Missouri. He was getting in the backfield a lot and blowing up plays, you know, pretty consistent. I know we talked about Vandy did not have a lot of tackles for loss suffered in that game but they did have a whole lot of runs that were stopped for 0, 1 or 2 which are, you know, basically not, not successful plays in almost any scenario. So yeah, I think they were winning up front against this Van Dio line. And look, also there's 100 chance that Tim Beck has the ability to dial this up and create some, some explosives and then some one offs. I say Vandy has sustained drives but if arch plays, they really don't. Right? They just have to find a way. Now look, if you go back and watch last year's game, they did not find a way to hit explosives. Like Texas did a good job of saying, all right, we're not going to get beat by all the eye candy. We'll give you some of the short stuff, we'll tackle it, we'll win in the red zone a lot like Alabama did, right. Vandy hit the one long run but they didn't allow like the explosive pass plays there to Vanderbilt. I'm interested to See how Texas will play this. But like part, like part of how you call it is how many points you think you're going to need. You know, I know coach will say like we're going to go out, we're going to try to execute every play, all this kind of stuff. But you, I, I do think you game plan with so something in mind, like how many points do we think we need to get today? You know reasonably well.

[Chip Patterson]

I mean over under 45 and a half, two and a half. I mean this is a 24, 21 game. On the implied Texas, I think they.

[Bud Elliott]

Take it all day.

[Chip Patterson]

Danny, do you think that Texas defensively, is there any concern that Mississippi State moved the ball with a little bit too much ease? That maybe Texas defensively, talent wise on paper there might at least be some opportunities there. Because I think about Texas's strength with like real difference makers. An edge rusher, linebacker. I mean some of those just athletic freaks that you've got, you would want those to be able to try to close, close speed on Diego Pavia, try to be able to limit what he's able to do, getting stuff done out of structure. But they still did find themselves in that deficit against Mississippi State. Is that a, anything to take out of that? If, if you're looking at Texas's defense?

[Danny Cannell]

No, I think Mississippi State's offense is unique and entirely different. The way they stretch the field, the way they spread the field out, I just think it's different. I think they have a better quarterback that can exploit you in the past game. I think the, the formula to beat Vanderbilt is pretty clear from a defensive standpoint. You have to take away their run game and you have to put it on Diego's shoulders as a thrower. And if you're able to do that, I think your chances dramatically go up to win. So. But I, I do think they'll be able to. Although I thought the same about both LSU and Missouri. Lsu, they ran it pretty good against Missouri. They did not run it with as much success and I think that's why those games were even as close as they were. So I would say we're going to take away the run game. Diego, good luck. Go beat us.

[Chip Patterson]

All right. This is the last week before we get our first College Football playoff rankings from the selection committee. This is how Texas does it, right? This is how they just continue to stick around.

[Bud Elliott]

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Chip Patterson]

You're a two loss team.

[Danny Cannell]

I'd be the top 10 opponent.

[Chip Patterson]

You get a head to head win against Vanderbilt, head to head will be considered when you have similar records. There'll be a two loss team. Vayner built a two loss team. I mean they'll fly. Who knows there might be number eight in the country. You know they kind of if they're.

[Danny Cannell]

Anywhere because they're this new advanced metric system network. Who knows what it means Most black box like probably just code for ESPN fpi. That's probably what it is. The FPI has Texas ranked seventh right now that the metrics are going to love this team. So I do think they have that going in favor as well as if they beat Vanderbilt. It's a good win on paper.

[Bud Elliott]

They, they look they did play Ohio State closer than anybody else has. Yeah right. And they also beat Oklahoma.

[Danny Cannell]

Yep.

[Chip Patterson]

So if we're bringing if we're putting a voice to a model. A model.

[Danny Cannell]

I think seven.

[Bud Elliott]

I think seventh is high but I don't think seventh is crazy. Like their defense is really really good. Most teams don't find a way to score on them unless the offense helps them out also.

[Danny Cannell]

But Texas controls their own destiny. That's the best thing you could add. They went out, they're in. No question if they lose I think they're out.

[Bud Elliott]

No I think they can get in nine and three with the Ohio State on the schedule. Like if Ohio State is. Is still undefeated and still killing people and they'd beat Indiana by double digits. I think you can say hey that Yalls number one team undefeated Buzzsaw. We played them in their own house closer anybody else has all season I will.

[Chip Patterson]

I'll take that as you saying. I think, I think that they do not have control at 9 and 3.

[Bud Elliott]

I would agree but I don't think.

[Chip Patterson]

All their own destiny. I think that you could find yourself getting Alabamaed if you are a 9 and 3.

[Bud Elliott]

Is Vandy 10 and 2 in phrase another way is this elimination game for Vandy because if they lose this like their wins are Hokies South Carolina. So two teams that probably won't bowl. Right. You lost Obama. LSU will bowl most likely but like not ranked. I'm guessing by the end of the season Missouri's not going to finish ranked obviously with without the quarterback you know Auburn, Auburn won't. Kentucky won't. But you would have beaten Tennessee in. In Neyland. So I think Vandy at 10 and 2 is probably in.

[Chip Patterson]

I would agree. I mean my better to lose this.

[Danny Cannell]

Game though and beat Tennessee.

[Bud Elliott]

Yes.

[Danny Cannell]

Yeah well only because it's recency. There is a recency bias.

[Bud Elliott]

Yeah I think the recency the fact that it's on the road, this is, this doesn't like Tennessee might blow you out, you know, because they do run it up in a way that Texas, I'm not really sure has the capability to do so. So if you had to pick pre flop without knowing the margins, I think you'd rather have the win in Neyland.

[Chip Patterson]

No, I think what you'd rather do is just win this football game, go into dkr, take out Texas, and then you put together, you know, when the team sheets are put side by side, it'll show, you know, win against lsu, win against Missouri, win against Texas, and that bang, bang, bang run. Even if no matter what the score is at the end of the season against Tennessee, it's going to be a pretty good argument for being one of the top teams in the country. Not to mention keeping you in the mix for the SEC title. Yeah, maybe get a second shot at Bama. All right, before we get to any more sec, let's take it to the Big 12 late night action on Saturday night. While you're hanging out with us on the Instant Reaction show, we will have an have another screen. So actually, you know what? Let's do this again. All call Saturday night. Show us your Cover 3 instant reaction show setup. I mean, we're not crazy. We understand that. Cincinnati at Utah with the Big 12 title implications, with the College Football Playoff implications. This game is huge. So show us how you're watching both the game in Salt Lake City as well as us on the COVID 3 podcast live. Tag us on Twitter at Cover 3 podcast or on the socials. So Utah beat the pants off the Buffs, blitzed every dagum down. Deion Sanders said himself, they gave. They just put the blueprint out on how to beat us. We can maybe deal with Colorado later or on another, another episode, but certainly not right here. Are we going to get Devin Dampier? Can we even like, are we making up new quarterbacks? Does it even matter? Is this just a Utah team that legitimately can generate players with AI and then go out there and win football games with a style and the machine that has been built? And on the other side of this is Cincinnati getting disrespected. I understand Salt Lake City is like a 3.54 on your home field advantage. Yeah, especially when you're dealing at night. Especially when you're dealing at night. Brendan Sorsby is one of the best quarterbacks in the country. How's. How is he gonna fare in this type of situation?

[Bud Elliott]

I mean, I think you're gonna have to use his legs an awful lot. Utah plays a lot of man. Obviously when you do that back turn like that, I think his legs will be big time. Obviously. I think Utah's gonna be focused on stopping some of the play action stuff, some of the screen stuff and the run game. So sores beyond scrambles has probably got to find a way to create explosives. Like if you see it, just take off and go and get it. I don't, I don't think you're going to need to score 35, you know, to win this game. I, as much as Utah's quarterback played well last week.

[Chip Patterson]

I mean, Herb Ficklin. All right. I do need to say his name. I mean he's not actually AI generated. He's a freshman. He came in there, he had three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Like I need to give compliments to the young man who stepped in. Surprisingly, when we were, we said who.

[Bud Elliott]

He was much better running it than he was throwing it. And Colorado is not awful every game, but some games they just really don't show up and that, that's what it looked like there on, on Saturday night. So I don't know if he can replicate that. Cincinnati is a decent defense. They're not amazing, but they're like, they're certainly improved. And since he does have real weapons on offense. So if they don't have damn pier. I think this line is, is quite disrespectful.

[Danny Cannell]

I think it's interesting to point out this is a lot of teams this country. Some, some teams that have really strong records haven't had to travel much. Cincinnati, they played neutral at Nebraska. At the game at Arrowhead. Against Nebraska lost that they won at Kansas, they won at Oklahoma State. That was passed post Mike Gundy, which doesn't really count. There was nobody there. Every other game has been won at home.

[Chip Patterson]

So.

[Danny Cannell]

So I think it is a big test for them to show they can take this show on the road. But I do think to Bud's point, this will be a Brendan Sorsby's gonna have to make some plays type of game. He's been great with the football. He's been great making the big plays. He hasn't had the big turnover. And I think this Utah defense is probably the best that he's faced all year.

[Bud Elliott]

Totally agree. I will say this Nebraska on a neutral is a more hostile environment than most of the Big 12 stadiums you're going to see. Like that that was, that was a very Nebraska crowd.

[Chip Patterson]

Oh, all there to see their boy you know. Yeah.

[Bud Elliott]

Also for. For all y' all who want to ding us for putting USC Nebraska in. In the headline and on the A.

[Chip Patterson]

Couple comments in the tailgate. I'll take. Hey, no.

[Danny Cannell]

Yeah.

[Chip Patterson]

But I'll take the blame for that. Dylan Raiola is going to hit a lot more then Dylan Rayola and Jane Maeva are gonna hit a little bit more than Brendan Source being worth.

[Bud Elliott]

We're more excited to watch this one but we know what the casuals which drive the ratings are more excited too. So we juice the SEO and then we give you what you want first here where we talk the better game.

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah. I mean come on. It's still in Raiola. You think I'm. I think I'm a shy away to. From putting Arch Manning and Dylan Raiola in a. In a. Yeah.

[Danny Cannell]

Yeah.

[Chip Patterson]

Don't let them hate. But I'll eat that.

[Bud Elliott]

It's a bit. It's a business.

[Chip Patterson]

The business here we still control the content when the red light goes on. Yeah. And I do think that the home field environment's going to be crazy and it's. Danny, to your point, even the Kansas game wasn't great. You know, 37, 34 back and forth shootout with a Kansas team. It's kind of imperfect, you know, a little bit dangerous but flawed. Will be. Will be interesting to see what kind of game plays out right there. If Brendan Sorsby is forced to. They cannot run the ball effectively against Utah's defense and he's forced to get it done in passing downs, third and long type scenarios. Do we think that Cincinnati has the offense for that kind of night?

[Bud Elliott]

They're so much better than they were last year at receiver. But this is still an offense that's much better off play action and running the football.

[Chip Patterson]

On schedule ahead of the sticks, you off balanced. We got multiple backs. You've got to account for Sourceby's legs. I just. That's the one thing on my notepad where I'm like, how does this end horribly for Cincinnati? It's 3rd and 9 all night. You know, just having to get back. Which probably means you're throwing short of the sticks and punting.

[Danny Cannell]

Right.

[Bud Elliott]

I would agree. Trying to think like how many like legitimately good offensive lines Cincinnati's front has seen. It's not many.

[Chip Patterson]

Well, I mean also if you're doing this for a comparison's sake, it talent wise, especially in Utah, like we're not putting Utah with Miami or Texas A M. But you're not going to listen.

[Bud Elliott]

You're not gonna list not Too many.

[Chip Patterson]

Offensive line groups without getting to Utah. So I.

[Danny Cannell]

Aren't they probably similar to Nebraska?

[Bud Elliott]

No. Hell no. They're way better than Nebraska. Nebraska lines of scrimmage suck.

[Danny Cannell]

But don't you think that's Nebraska's. That was probably their best test was against Nebraska.

[Bud Elliott]

No, I think Kansas is better online scrimmage than Nebraska is. I think Baylor's offensive lines better than Nebraska. Probably not the D line.

[Chip Patterson]

State.

[Bud Elliott]

Iowa State's better on the O line than Nebraska is defensive line without. Do they have Dom Morris in that game?

[Chip Patterson]

In that. In the Iowa State game?

[Bud Elliott]

They did Then. Then they're better than Nebraska.

[Danny Cannell]

They.

[Bud Elliott]

They've certainly faced better ones than Nebraska. But I do think Utah is the best line of scrimmage test they're going to have faced. For sure. Yeah.

[Chip Patterson]

I mean, I think a lot of teams in the Big 12 who Utah play will end up saying that given.

[Bud Elliott]

What they have faced some bad D lines for sure. I mean, Baylor, Oak State, Nebraska. Yeah.

[Chip Patterson]

Tough. Tough test for. For the Bearcats heading out to Salt Lake City. Is. Is Oklahoma in trouble?

[Bud Elliott]

I don't think so.

[Chip Patterson]

You don't?

[Bud Elliott]

Okay.

[Danny Cannell]

I do.

[Chip Patterson]

Really?

[Bud Elliott]

Yeah.

[Danny Cannell]

I think. Offense.

[Bud Elliott]

Let's do it.

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah.

[Danny Cannell]

I think. I think John Matiere. I don't know. I wouldn't say he's regressed because I don't know if I've ever fully bought in. I don't think you have either, bud.

[Bud Elliott]

No.

[Danny Cannell]

You know, we were watching the same damn thing.

[Bud Elliott]

Just getting away with it.

[Danny Cannell]

Right? He was getting away with it. I think his confidence has kind of been shaken now. Now he's got to go on the road to Knoxville and do it. He has been too careless with the football and they have been able to take away his legs in the run game. I think Oklahoma's in trouble and I. I do think their defense is good, but it was one of the reasons we asked, well, who was the best offense they faced? Well, now it's Ole Miss and now they're going against an offense which is really talented in Tennessee's. I think they're in. I think they're in a little bit of trouble.

[Bud Elliott]

Okay. So the. I think they're okay, mainly because. Has Tennessee faced anything like Oklahoma's defensive line? I don't think it's anything close. Like, Georgia has no pass rush this year. Arkansas and Mississippi State are not really like, SEC quality defenses. Okay. Neither is Kentucky. Like Bama in Bama in Tuscaloosa, and Bama got home a pretty good bit. Like Aguilar under pressure is A disaster. So, like, you know, I'm not real high on my tier. I think he misses a lot of reads. Like he just doesn't see the field well. You know, like he doesn't. Aguilar, when he's not pressured is awesome. Like, as a 7 on 7 guy, he's probably freaking amazing. But when he's pressured, he's not very good. And I do go home, I can get home on him like quite a bit.

[Chip Patterson]

I'm not out on Oklahoma's team wins a game.

[Bud Elliott]

I think they're a better football team.

[Danny Cannell]

Tennessee's tempo, it's a big. I mean, that does help you with that pressure, but you got to get first downs, you got to start converting.

[Bud Elliott]

You know what, what does scare me is I still don't know if OU's offensive line is any good and going on the road, that, that is a.

[Chip Patterson]

Little bit scary at night.

[Bud Elliott]

Yeah. Is this the first road game they faced this year? Because like, obviously Texas is neutral.

[Chip Patterson]

Whoa, hold on. They had to have. Wait a second.

[Danny Cannell]

I don't know if they.

[Chip Patterson]

Oh, they're at South Carolina.

[Danny Cannell]

That was day.

[Bud Elliott]

Okay.

[Danny Cannell]

Oh, that was an early game.

[Bud Elliott]

Well, no, I mean, at South Carolina's tough.

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah.

[Bud Elliott]

I mean, as far as an environment, not.

[Chip Patterson]

Not roster, but yeah, I still think. I'm not gonna waver on thinking Oklahoma's defense is really, really good. It will be a big time challenge. I think the system spreading the field, playing with tempo allows for some mitigation. Also from the vibes department, Seth Luttrell revenge game. Oh, I don't know if y' all saw Brent Venables, but they said, hey.

[Danny Cannell]

Spoken to him.

[Chip Patterson]

Spoken to him?

[Danny Cannell]

Nope, not even a text. How you doing, buddy?

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah, I, I don't know. Seth Luttrell had to go up against that Brent Venables defense every day in practice with Jackson, Arnold and zero healthy wide receivers. Now he's got Chris Brazil, one of the best wide receivers in the country. I. I'm just, I mean, and I know that he's only an offensive analyst. He's not the guy calling the plays. And this is Josh Hypo's offense. But I'm just suggesting that there might be a few wrinkles that are specially put in for this game with some intimate knowledge of Oklahoma's defense, where that pot play, you just, you know what's going to lead to the coverage bust.

[Danny Cannell]

There's no love lost either between Josh Hypo and his alma mater.

[Chip Patterson]

Oh, God.

[Danny Cannell]

Yeah.

[Chip Patterson]

Okay.

[Danny Cannell]

I mean, there's a lot of reasons for them to have a few extra wrinkles late in that game.

[Bud Elliott]

Is this an elimination game?

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah.

[Bud Elliott]

For both sides. For Oklahoma, I think for Tennessee.

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah, I think for Tennessee.

[Bud Elliott]

Oh, for both.

[Chip Patterson]

I realistically, it's for both.

[Danny Cannell]

It's for both. It's absolutely for both.

[Chip Patterson]

If, If Oklahoma can't win this game, I don't think Oklahoma is going to beat Alabama and Tuscaloosa. It's like, what kind of team are you? Like. But you're like, you're dealing with the hypothetical. Is this an elimination game? Well, if they lose, they'd still have to run the table. They're to be 9 and 3. And you're going to say Oklahoma has the strength of schedule that 9 and 3 should get Oklahoma. And I hear you, but I'm saying that practically, not hypothetically, if you can't beat Tennessee and Neyland, you cannot beat Alabama.

[Bud Elliott]

And Brian Denny, I would generally agree with that, but it's. Yeah.

[Chip Patterson]

What are the other sort of matchup angles here? Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack the X's and Ostock with some vibes department, but you know, coaching. Coaching beef always, always gets the blood going over here.

[Bud Elliott]

I, I think it's a great matchup of play callers. You know, I mean, like, I, I love the way Hypo designs this stuff. They've been running some different stuff this year. More tight ends, you know, more variation information. I think our Buckle does a tremendous. Arbuckle's got to be like throwing stuff in the coaching box every week with how much crap material misses. Like, good guy. Now granted, he kind of knows what he signed up for because, you know, if you're missing. Right. But like, man, that guy is good. He schemes open so much stuff and, and Matir just does not see it like that. That's why, like when I was saying after the mission games, like, this guy needs to come back to school, you know, a lot of the chat was like, he's a first rounder, like, maybe eventually, but like, you can't play in the NFL if you just can't read it. And he just does not see it.

[Danny Cannell]

I just wonder if he's had that talk with him. And I, I would imagine it would happen at some point. But if you're watching the film against Ole Miss and you're pointing out all the underne that were wide open to keep drives moving and instead you're going for the chunk plays and a lot of that was in the fourth quarter. He was just trying to do too much and I would be Reminding him, hey, this defense is pretty good. Like even if we don't get the first down or, you know, if we can extend sustained drives a little bit longer, if we can get in a field goal range, that's still really good, just don't try to force the big play every single time. I would assume they would have that conversation, but I think this is another one where you've got to take what they give you.

[Chip Patterson]

Tennessee's defense to me is very boomer bust. I believe they are among the nation's leaders, if not the nation's leaders in defensive touchdowns. You know, like they, they can force turnovers, they can get it going the other way. They've got like five or six of them on the season at the same time. You talk to any Tennessee fan, this defense gives up explosive plays. Like they, you can, you, you can find some spots where you can hit a big play. And that's where Mattier running around, just looking for satagna somewhere down the field, chuck it up there, safety falls down and you've got a 60 yard touchdown. Like I could see Oklahoma having statistical offensive success thanks to explosive plays. Even if there are some, some droughts throughout the evening.

[Bud Elliott]

Yeah, Tennessee has got to get home because Tennessee secondary. I, if Tennessee has to blitz a lot, I think that is a problem for their secondary. Yes, correct. But there's, look, there's definitely a chance playing at night at home in Neal and you know, on, on Halloween that, that D line just gets home.

[Chip Patterson]

Golly. Black and orange too, we're wearing. Yeah, yeah, sorry. I'm sorry. Oklahoma, this is just what you're walking into.

[Danny Cannell]

You know, I also think it's some like, again, it's kind of like we were talking about Diego. Teams kind of figured out if you take away Matier's legs, he gets somewhat exposed and he hasn't been able to make any of those big plays, you know, since really since the Michigan game. Even for that, you know, I know he got hurt, but the teams have just. In the SEC defenses have taken away his legs and he's been exposed somewhat. So that would be like if he can somehow play that role of run around, make some plays. But he hasn't been able to do it lately. Like that's, that's because they have not been running the fall football great. So that's why they had to rely and they were able to get that. So I, I'm surprised Bud thinks Oklahoma's got a chance here. I mean, it's only three and a half, so clearly they have a chance.

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Danny Cannell]

He's confident.

[Bud Elliott]

Yeah, I just, I, I do not like. There's a big sample set on Aguilar under pressure and it's bad.

[Chip Patterson]

And you've got Brent Venables and a defense that can get after you. Yeah, yeah, I don't, I don't, I don't hate that angle. All right, coming up on the other side, going inside the matchup for a big matchup for USC as they go on the road to take on Nebraska. Oh, yeah, there's a cocktail party in Jacksonville, Indiana. Chris Ignetti's talking about Maryland like he's got to play the 85 Bears. We'll, we'll put some truth serum in that to see what it looks like. Day trading Danny and more next. You know, when we first thought about starting the COVID 3 podcast and it felt overwhelming, we had all the what ifs running through our heads. I mean, what if it doesn't work out? What if we can't keep up? What if someone else beats us to it? But the truth is, you can't let what if hold you back. And if you're thinking about turning your own dream into a business, Shopify is the partner that helps make it possible. Shopify powers millions of businesses around the world, including 10% of all E commerce in the US from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started. And whether you've got a big team or it's just you, Shopify's got you covered. From website design and inventory management to customer service and global shipping. Worried about marketing, Shopify's built in tools help you reach new customers and keep the ones you already have selling in person. Their award winning point of sale connects your online and offline sales seamlessly. And if global growth is on your mind, Shopify makes it simple to sell in over 150 countries. So don't let what if hold you back. Turn those what ifs into and keep giving those big dreams the best shot with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com cover go to shopify.com cover shopify.com cover.

[Bud Elliott]

Ready to level up?

[Chip Patterson]

Chumba Casino is your playbook to fun. It's free to play with no purchase necessary. Enjoy hundreds of online social games like blackjack, slots and Solitaire anytime, anywhere with fresh releases every week. Whether you're at home or on the go. Let Chumba Casino bring the excitement to you. Plus get free daily login bonuses and a free welcome bonus. Join now for your Chance to redeem some serious prizes.

[Bud Elliott]

Play Chumba Casino today. No purchase necessary vgw group void board prohibited by law 21 plus tncs apply.

[Chip Patterson]

Back here on the COVID three podcast. Now the good news USC is you do not have to go to the Eastern time zone. Still a road game though, and those have been a little bit problematic. So. But it's going to be a fun one. Right, Nebraska, as we know, in the idealized version of Nebraska in the heyday you are recruiting California. You know, there is a little bit of a connection, a little bit more regionality than you might expect otherwise. This is a Nebraska team that needed a good rebound from frankly a piss poor performance against Minnesota and then they do just enough to be able to get through on the winning side. Now USC has had two weeks to stew and dry out from its rain soaked loss in South Bend. We've seen a ceiling and a floor for this USC team. Danny, what's your expectation? You were again, you were in this stadium. You know the environment is going to be a challenge. What are you looking at when it comes to this matchup?

[Danny Cannell]

It is. It'll be a great atmosphere. I also watched an offensive and defensive line struggle against a superior offensive and defensive line in Michigan. I think it'll be more of the same. I think USC is better along the lines of scrimmage. I think USC is the better team. I think they're able to run the football. I think you. I like USC here and I thought USC really was devastated by the rain against Notre Dame. I think that game might have been much closer and potentially winnable for USC had it not been such a torrential downpour. I think they're a really good football team and I. This is one of those elimination games for both. Probably more so for usc.

[Bud Elliott]

They're closer.

[Danny Cannell]

But I think that. I think the one thing that I was disappointed in with Nebraska was the, the offensive line and defensive line.

[Bud Elliott]

Yeah, that just does not appear to be getting any better. Right. So they lost offensive lineman. Teddy, we. We've said this guy's name before and I always butcher it. Is it Prohaska, however you say it. But like they really don't have good lines of scrimmage at Nebraska this year. I mean I think they're probably bottom four or five in the Big Ten and it limits their ability to play offense. Rail has not been playing very well overall. But I do wonder if he's just spooked in the pocket at this point. Like I think he realizes like the protection is really spotty. Gets the ball out super quick and underneath doesn't really challenge, you know, downfield it, man, by everything we've seen, I totally agree with Danny. Like, USC should bully Nebraska on the lines of scrimmage. But, like, also, from everything we've seen, Lincoln Riley does a terrible job preparing his teams to go play road games since. Since they switched conferences. So, like, something's got to give because Nebraska's lines of scrimmage look like they don't look very good. And USC has been a really bad road team under Lincoln.

[Chip Patterson]

So what's going to change the very, very big. In terms of the USC offensive success, in my opinion? Lincoln Riley told reporters that it was, I believe it was like, quote, more realistic that they'd be able to get both starting center Killian o' Connor and left tackle Elijah Page back. I don't either. Neither player played against Notre Dame. Right.

[Bud Elliott]

Pretty sure Paige was.

[Chip Patterson]

I forget about the center, but this was. This was sort of the, the talking point around USC football was that the off week, if nothing else, was going to allow that offensive line to get a little bit healthier and a little bit back to full strength. Those are two really good players. Paige obviously is someone that we, we all our biases, our experiences. Paige was amazing. I enjoyed talking to him. And so I've been rooting for him on a human level throughout the season. Want him to get healthy. If he is back, then that is really, really going to help this offense in a major way, especially when it comes to trying to take advantage of a weakness or at least a relative weakness for Nebraska if USC can lean on its offensive line, which we think can be finally healthy again. Yeah, that's. That to me is a real key here.

[Bud Elliott]

I'm gonna do the very like, dad, like your dad thing and describe a meme. Right. But who's the guy that does like, like all like the budget stuff on. On YouTube and bald guy?

[Danny Cannell]

David Ramsey.

[Bud Elliott]

Dave Ramsey?

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah.

[Bud Elliott]

Oh, so, so, so Penn State's calling Dave Ramsey, like, all right, so you're firing James Franklin because he can't beat top, top five teams and your plan is to hire Matt Rule, who can't beat a top 25 team.

[Chip Patterson]

That's right, Dave.

[Danny Cannell]

All right, make it make sense.

[Bud Elliott]

How many credit cards?

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Make it make sense. I mean, and isn't that unfortunate from the Nebraska side that I really am looking at this as though it is USC's road failures that would allow them to play down into a road loss? Yeah, it would. Or I mean, it would take a really Special performance.

[Bud Elliott]

If USC shows up, they win.

[Chip Patterson]

Right.

[Bud Elliott]

And bully them. But I don't trust USC to show up under Lake and Riley on the road because we've seen this movie so many times, you know, like.

[Chip Patterson]

Do you think that. You think we get an extension announcement on Friday night from Matt Rule in Nebraska?

[Bud Elliott]

If Matt Rule wants to leave for Penn State, I let him go. Like. Like, I don't. Would Nebraska fans be that, like, ticked at the ad if they had to go hire another coach? Like, that's a good job.

[Chip Patterson]

No, but it's way Matt Campbell from that rule.

[Bud Elliott]

Like, do you think you're gonna get different results? You don't beat anybody in the top 25. Like, why. Why would you leverage yourself here and like, bro, we got a good thing going here. We spend good money. You haven't beat anybody of significance. If you. If you want to go to Penn State, go. I'm not getting into a bidding war from that Rule. Sorry.

[Danny Cannell]

That's the stance that somebody has to take to.

[Bud Elliott]

Really. But it's nuts to him because like, like a lot of these ads give the extensions because they're worried about what the boosters are going to say if they lose the guy.

[Danny Cannell]

Right.

[Bud Elliott]

And part of it's because they've hyped the guy like crazy to get donations. Right.

[Danny Cannell]

I. I think this is a good one where you could take the stand and I think you're. Yeah. Be understandable. Now, that doesn't mean we think.

[Chip Patterson]

Right.

[Bud Elliott]

Matt Rules a bad coach. Right. I just don't think he's anywhere close to irreplaceable.

[Chip Patterson]

The funniest anything. Funniest result is a Friday night extension announcement and Saturday night losing by 14.

[Bud Elliott]

Yeah. Ryan in the chat says that's basically the stance that Notre Dame took with Brian Kelly. And he says the media clown them for it. I don't. I don't remember clowning them for it.

[Chip Patterson]

No. And like the media. Okay, sure.

[Bud Elliott]

Okay.

[Chip Patterson]

It's college football in the 2020s. The media could be literally anything. Yeah.

[Bud Elliott]

Like, Matt Rule is above a replacement level coach. But. But he's not irreplaceable. And there's a difference.

[Danny Cannell]

Was that about the money, though, man? I thought it was about the better resources. That. Or that was. Was that spin. Because I didn't remember Notre Dame. Like, I caught everybody by surprise. Everybody was like, whoa, where'd this come from? Maybe Brian Kelly just did one out.

[Chip Patterson]

I mean, the story about him finishing the burnt ends at Tobias Meriwether's parents house, stepping outside to take the call coming in to finish his plate, wipe his mouth, and then as he's pulling away in the luxury suv, Tech start coming in to buy us. What's Brian Kelly leaving for LSU for.

[Bud Elliott]

Bk, According to Ryan in the chat, who is pretty plugged in on Notre Dame stuff, BK1 in the extension after 2020 and 2021.

[Chip Patterson]

2020, they made the playoff. Don't remember 21 specifically, but yeah. All right, let's keep it rocking and rolling. There is a cocktail party in Jacksonville. Any chance we get a little Billy Gonzalez rise up and throw a haymaker? I mean, I was thinking about it.

[Bud Elliott]

I thought about this.

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah, like, this is like good old school rivalry stuff where everybody, all the Florida fans already bought your tickets, right? You'd already made all your reservations like you were going to the game, and now there's no pressure. I mean, nothing would be better than to stick it to Georgia and to be able to go out there and throw an upset win. And is DJ Lagway going to get better play calling? Are we going to see DJ Lagway unlocked a little bit?

[Danny Cannell]

It was funny. Well, so that's what I talked to Chris Doring this morning. He was on our radio show and Doring said, you know, hey, there's a chance that DJ Lagway could be unleashed. And I was like, well, didn't they try that against lsu? Like, they let him go. They let him go and that went off the rail. So how much do you want to let him go is the question. But I think there's two things. One, I do think you get a little post Billy Napier, bump an emotional team that probably rallies around each other. The other thing is, I think Georgia is good. I don't think they're that much better like, or they're the team that they were several years ago when they were national title contenders and they had these dominant guys up front. So I still think Florida's roster is pretty talented. So I do think this game is a potential upset for the Georgia Bulldogs.

[Chip Patterson]

Dallas Wilson against Georgia secondary that has given up some explosive plays through the passing game. I mean.

[Bud Elliott]

It'S weird because, like, on the one hand, you don't want to put this thing entirely on DJ Lagway. Right. But on the other hand, there's part of me that thinks every time Florida calls a run play, it's a bad decision because Georgia's run D has been really good and Georgia has no pass rush. And their coverage in the secondary, it's not bad. It's just not what it used to be under Kirby. So are we really going to try to just run the, like, how stubborn are you going to be if you're Florida? Right. And I think on defense you just got to be super aggressive. Stockton does not throw the football down the field. I think you need to like a high variance positive result from your defense. Right. Hey, challenge him to make some downfield throws. He misses them, maybe throws it up when he shouldn't. And maybe you get a sack and a turnover or something like that. But I, I, I do think Florida can win this ball game. Like, Georgia's a good football team. They're just not a, like a great football team. At least not so far.

[Danny Cannell]

Also, DJs best other game was coming off a bye. You know, you wonder somebody who's been banged up a lot if that opportunity to get a little bit healthier allows him to play better.

[Chip Patterson]

He was playing good in this game last year until he got hurt.

[Bud Elliott]

Yep.

[Chip Patterson]

Kind of. Gators had the dogs all twisted in knots in, in that case. All right, let's, let's go ahead. I want to make sure that we get to it and then let's, let's do a little day trading, Danny. And then we will come back and we'll keep ripping through some games and storylines of note every single week. We got to check in with our advisors. It is day trading, Danny.

[Bud Elliott]

All right.

[Danny Cannell]

Markets open. I am, I heard Bud say this the other day, and I would tend to agree with him. I am buying that the Heisman Trophy winner comes from the Big Ten championship game. I think it's going to come down to Fernando Mendoza versus Julian saying head to head. Even though they have different. They're not going head to head. But I think the winner of that game, the opportunity shine. Unless it's just a defensive bloodbath and somebody else steps up. But I don't think that'll be the scenario. I think one of them will step up and have a big day. I'm buying the Heisman Trophy winner coming from the Big Ten title game.

[Bud Elliott]

Yeah. I don't know if it's a lock, but I think it's, it's pretty likely given that you have two of the three favorites there. Like, if Pavia is going to stay in this race, he's got to start throwing the football better and put it up, put up better numbers. Like, it's.

[Danny Cannell]

Which is why you gotta sell right here. Because the amount of Diego Pavia Heisman love, it's crescendoed to a point where I'm like, all right, we Gotta slow this thing down. He's a really, really good college football player. He's been really good for Vanderbilt, but he has not been Heisman worthy in a lot of these games that he is winning. Now he did have the two rushing touchdowns versus lsu. That was when he striked. That struck the host the Heisman pose in that one. But unfortunately it is a statistical award and I don't think he's coming anywhere close to the passing touchdowns to do it. And I think Haynes King and him are the same quarterback. Now Haynes King is starting to creep up there as well. I think they should be the exact same Heisman odds. I don't think either one of them are a Heisman winner though. And I love them both because I think what they do for their team is huge. But I don't think either one of them are Heisman candidates. Heisman winners. I'll say I do think one of them probably goes to New York.

[Bud Elliott]

Wait, so you wait, one of whom.

[Danny Cannell]

Haynes King or Diego Pavia?

[Bud Elliott]

Oh, so yeah, Patrick in the chat asked why does Pavia get Heisman hype and Haynes King doesn't? Well, one is beating SEC teams and one is beating really kind of a garbage schedule so far. Also Vanderbilt historically is a much worse program than Georgia Tech. So it is more impressive that you're elevating them than if you're elevating Tech. Like we've seen Tech play for the conference title.

[Danny Cannell]

One had a not a Netflix series that featured him in it as well. One has a Johnny Manziel as a hype man. One is hanging out with Theo Vaughn every weekend like in the post game. One guarantees wins and talks a lot and gives you a lot of quotes. That's kind of my point. I think a lot of it is hype driven which is a part of the game, right? It is a part of the game. I do think too that Georgia Tech is going to try because they did, they did throw it a little bit more than normal in Syracuse when the game was in hand. I think they're going to try to get Haynes King's numbers up if they're allowed to, you know, if the game dictates that they want to win first. But if there's an opportunity to keep his numbers up, I think he should. But a lot of that's just the reality of the hype, the hype game that is around Diego Pavia. I think that's why he's been given more airtime and everything, more conversation around the Heisman.

[Bud Elliott]

Can I suggest another day trade yeah, the Heisman winner will be the quarterback of either the Big ten champion or the SEC champion.

[Danny Cannell]

Oh yeah, that'd be a great one.

[Bud Elliott]

Because there is a real shot.

[Danny Cannell]

Or Marcel Reed.

[Bud Elliott]

Yeah, like right. Like Bama A M could be a shootout. Shootout. And so like if Simpson drops 45 on a M which is totally possible because I mean car totally carved them up like a month ago and Alabama's got better receivers certainly than, than Notre Dame does like that. That's where the Big Ten champion quarterback, you know like Stockton's not going to Heisman. But if it's Reed or especially Simpson that could be.

[Danny Cannell]

I just look at those teams. The reason I said Big Ten champ is I think there's less opportunity for them to slip up. Getting there. I mean the Ohio State Michigan game is looking like it's going to be more competitive. So there's an op you know, maybe saying you know, doesn't play well in that game. I just feel like that the, the Big Ten champ probably gets there unscathed.

[Bud Elliott]

Is A and M losing.

[Danny Cannell]

I know.

[Bud Elliott]

Well yeah, you're getting Missouri with a third string freshman quarterback.

[Danny Cannell]

Texas, Texas rivalry game. But no, they might not.

[Chip Patterson]

I, I will. We obviously are sworn to a blood oath and you know all kinds of psychological and emotional torture to get through our Heisman voting process. You know I recently went through round one of the of seeing if I was going to make the cut again this year. I can't tell anyone what my ballot is going to be but I will provide more thought than whoever wins the Big ten or SEC title game. I'm picking the quarterback. It might line up that way but that is not the way that I will go about my ballot process. I can promise you that.

[Bud Elliott]

I mean, you know, in theory, like somebody in a losing effort.

[Chip Patterson]

You know, I think all the games matter but. And also to your point about the Heisman hype, they're not ask the the description of the award is not for the most valuable player. It is the most outstanding player. And you know what helps you stand out? Striking a Heisman pose. Talking, getting people, getting the people going. That helps you be outstanding.

[Danny Cannell]

No doubt. I have another buy here. A quarterback. I am buying that he can take his team to the Big 12 championship game. And it is not a quarterback who I've bought on here before and Brandon Sorsby raved about him. I still have a hard time looking at Houston and seeing up in the top 25 and look at them as 7 and 1 and then you look at their remaining schedule. Connor, Wegman has 20 total touchdowns and only two interceptions. And I thought this might be a good spot for him because we've seen other quarterbacks, they find their level where they can succeed. Bo Nix was one struggle in the sec, goes to Oregon, succeeds there. We've seen this happen multiple times. Connor Wegman is playing really well. And if you look at their schedule, it sets up for Houston and Willie Fritz to potentially be a 111 team. With their only loss to Texas Tech, West Virginia on the road at ucf, tcu, Baylor. How many of those games do you think they're favored in? Because they're good teams that is the Big 12. But I think they're probably better than all those teams. Now, Sawyer Robertson could be problematic. You know, same thing with Hoover at tcu. Like you could have to get in these shootout games. But Willie Fritz should be up for the Heisman or Heisman coach of the year for the job that he's done in year two.

[Bud Elliott]

I think he absolutely is.

[Danny Cannell]

Yeah.

[Chip Patterson]

I don't know if people are thinking Heisman. Yeah. It's like, yeah. Would you want to buy Willie Fritz Big 12 coach of the year? Yeah.

[Danny Cannell]

I said Connor Wegman can take them to the Big 12 championship game. That was the take.

[Chip Patterson]

You are, you are correct.

[Bud Elliott]

Gets in there. Yeah.

[Chip Patterson]

Connor Wegman can be a player on the team that Willie Fritz takes to the Big 12 championship game. Yes.

[Danny Cannell]

Yes. All right, I have another buy and then a cell that I want to let breathe a little bit because I want to hear your guys reaction. So my buy is Alonza Barnett III, James Madison's quarterback. He's got 23 total touchdowns, three interceptions. By the way, does anybody remember Matthew Sluka? Oh yeah, Matthew Sluka, the quarterback that he beat out that last year was out at UNLV and ended up quitting on his team to go look for the nil money is not playing at all. But Barnett has been awesome. James Madison very much in the group of five race. Now I heard you guys say this on the post game reaction show. There was a lot of response to a certain tweet that I put out there. I am selling the group of five getting an automatic spot into the 12 team playoff. Has anyone looked at all these team like there is a scenario where you could have a two loss American champ or you could have a one loss James Madison, whose only power four opponent that they played would have been Louisville, which they lost by two touchdowns. And we're just gonna just pop them right in there with all these other teams. Now I got a Lot of pushback. I think it was North Texas. I don't know if there's athletic director or there. Some. Some associate.

[Chip Patterson]

I hope it's a university president with hot Twitter fingers.

[Danny Cannell]

There was a lot of upset people. And the one thing that. The one thing that I wanted to push back against was everybody's like, hey, this is all fbs. It's FBS football. Why do we call them different? Why do we call it Power four and group of five or group of six? Take your pick. They're different levels. I think there should be a minimum requirement of how many power four teams you play. Three would be probably a good number that you could put in there, so at least you could see how they would go against it. But James Madison's probably one that bothers me the most. We had talked about Liberty. Thankfully, you don't have to deal with them because they had0power4conference opponents. It's a different level now. If you are qualified and you've beaten several of those and you are ranked, even if you jumped a couple spots, maybe the old one was what, top 16, I think you had to be for the New Year's Six Bowl.

[Bud Elliott]

Yeah.

[Danny Cannell]

In the ranking. I. I don't think that is too much requirement, but every single year, guaranteeing them a spot, and I know people hated that take. I think, well, this year could be one where the people come back and revisit to say, you know what, maybe we shouldn't be guaranteeing them spot.

[Bud Elliott]

It's a better take for podcast than for Twitter, because on Twitter, your character limited. Right, Right. Like the way you explained it here makes more sense. Like that. Yeah. They should probably have to be a certain rating to get in. And I think that that should, like. You should apply that standard universally. Right. You know, if you have some really, really crappy ACC champion or Big 12 champion. Sorry, like that. That's. Like that. That's not it.

[Danny Cannell]

And like I argued for UCF to get an opportunity in the 14 playoff. Like, I thought that team was worthy of that discussion. So I would. I'll pound the table if there's a team that's deserving for it. Because people are saying, I used to say, give him a chance. I want them to have a chance if they're worthy of that chance. I just think there's a chance this year might be one where you're looking at it saying, man, there's a lot of good 10 and two teams that you might have to leave out.

[Bud Elliott]

Look, some of the teams of yesteryear, that kind of rose up by doing this back when they were an independent or in a G5. Like they, they played like real non conference opponents.

[Danny Cannell]

Yeah.

[Bud Elliott]

You know, I mean like Florida state in, in 88. Okay. Pre acc when they were independent, they just, just left the Dixie Conference. At number six Miami. At number three Clemson hosting a good Michigan State team. Okay. At Tulane on the road at number seven was one double A Georgia Southern. At number seven at number 15, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia Tech and at number seven Auburn. Like it. There was kind of an element of back in the day it was like, yeah, we'll give you guys credit. If you actually go and barnstorm on the road and win these ball games nowadays, there seems to like not be very much looking past the lost column.

[Danny Cannell]

Right. And I think, I think that's the way that you appease the group of five is. I think you're. It's a spot on about the make the Power 4 champion be in the top 12 as well. So you do keep out a team that would have, you know, if you had a disastrous season and a lot of teams were beating each other up and There was a 9 and 3 couple 9 and 3 teams playing in a championship game that they wouldn't be deserving either.

[Chip Patterson]

I don't know man. I've heard a lot of. Even if the ratings and you know, looking at the, the way that it's all shaping up, there is something to be said for what coach can tell his locker room. You know, not like hey guys, and if you play well, we'll go to the New Orleans Bowl. You know, it's like, hey, if we win this championship, we get a ticket and then who knows after that and we'll see. You know, like there's, there's still. Well, there's still some more years to go. These are conversations that not I haven't had, I haven't heard in recent weeks. But you know, at least in the, over the course of the last 18 months that was something. That's a, that's a talking point. You know, probably not at Kennesaw State. Congrats Jerry Mack for getting the, the.

[Danny Cannell]

Owls bowling bowl eligible. Yep.

[Chip Patterson]

Eligible last night. But you know, at, at some of these other programs, especially in the American, the Mountain west and the Sun Belt, I think that when they're competing for championships, they're telling their team hey, like if you we win this, we at.

[Danny Cannell]

Least imagine but also imagine telling them they could be playing for a national championship. A 12 team playoff that just features schools on their own level. Group of five Champion.

[Bud Elliott]

I think the problem there is a lot of those guys have never been paid and your studs would definitely sit out anticipation of the portal.

[Danny Cannell]

And by the way, none of this take has to do with ratings. I know our buddy Todd Furman, he had a scorching take where he was getting absolutely raked over the coals because he said, I know everybody loves parody, but wait till you get Georgia Tech, South Florida in round one. None of this has to do with ratings. I don't care. Like, I want to watch good football games. What I worry about is you see in a really ugly football game, you know, in, in the playoffs, if you see one of these teams get in, which you could see anyway, I mean, you could see it with Power 4.

[Bud Elliott]

Points you had last year at SMU, Penn State and you know, like Boise, Penn State blew out, but you had that in the four team as well.

[Danny Cannell]

Right?

[Bud Elliott]

Right.

[Chip Patterson]

From the perspective of a student or a member of the local community, I think an FCS Final four run is more fun. But that's a student that's a member of the local community. I don't, I don't know if that translates the same when it comes to the players, especially if these players are also potential targets to be, you know, called up into the big league, so to speak. So I don't know. I, we, we gotta. Hey, Danny, I'm not, I'm, I'm not gonna push it all the way back, but consider me skeptical. Let's get some more data. We need, we need to gather some more data from, from research and development on this, on this 12 team format. Last year, of course, Boise State kind of cracked the mold, right with where they were ranked. With the kind of season that they had, this year is probably going to be a little bit more of the true. Let's see if Cinderella can go do a 512 upset and that if, and if they do, then, you know, now we've kind of changed the conversation around that for sure. Anything else, Danny?

[Danny Cannell]

Markets closed.

[Chip Patterson]

Markets closed. Coming up on the other side, more of our matchups and storylines to note for a busy week 10 and more nukest. Whether your team just crushed it or fell short, keep the adrenaline going with Chumba Casino. The online social casino built for fans who love non stop action play. Exciting games like slots, blackjack and live casino anytime anywhere. No downloads needed. Sign up now to unlock your free welcome bonus and enjoy daily login rewards. Jumba Casino. Because when the buzzer sounds, the fund's just getting started. No purchase necessary. VGW Group voidwear prohibited by law 21 + terms and conditions apply.

[Bud Elliott]

Guys, by now you've heard me talk about collars and company makers of the Dress Collar Polo. They've already sold over a million of these amazing shirts. Well, Collars and Co just came out with the new Maverick Performance Blazer. This blazer is sharp and wrinkle resistant so you can travel anywhere with it. Just throw it in your bag and it will remain wrinkle free. It even comes with security zip pockets, a sunglasses loop and an optional pocket Square.

[Chip Patterson]

So visit collarsandco.com and use code TIKI.

[Bud Elliott]

For 20% [e-mail].

[Chip Patterson]

Back here on the COVID 3 podcast the Big Time Game this week will feature Indiana hitting the road to go take on the Maryland Terrapins, a young Maryland team that we've discussed a lot. Malik Washington, the headliner, but he is one of about seven or eight freshmen that get a lot of burn for this team and with a young team we've seen great moments and also incredible collapses. You know, it has been very much an EKG meter if we're measuring performance and that might be what you would expect from a young team. But buddy, you listen to Kurt Signetti talk about this team talks about like this the most stout defense they've ever faced. Danny I I am loving Coach Sig's scouting reports of the opponents at this point, but doesn't it also kind of make you think they're going to go put 50 on the board against this team?

[Danny Cannell]

100%. This is a page I've talked with BMAC. Brian McFadden played at Florida State after me with Coach Bowden. This was one of Bobby Bowden's tricks that he would talk to us every single day we would be playing at the time Wake Forest wasn't very good and he would talk about how they were the best team in the country on fourth down conversions and then you'd go like look at it and they'd be like three for three and it was like week eight but like they had a stat where it was 100 on fourth down and he made well this team is outstanding in situational football, you know, and he would have something that would make them sound like they could pull off the upset. Kirk Sinetti did it last week with the three and oh UCLA team made sure they were dialed in on this one. This one's a little bit more challenging because as Maryland and this has kind of been Maryland's M.O. they start off hot and they built you beat up on some non Conference opponents. But then once they get to the better competition, they come up short. I like Malik Washington a lot. I think he's a really talented young quarterback. But I think this is one where Indiana is just going to completely overwhelm them.

[Bud Elliott]

Man, if ever there was an argument to expand the Big Ten and that Florida State, Miami, Clemson. Sheesh, that would be. That'd be useful. All right, so Maryland has played, what would we say, one above average P4 defensive line. And that would be Wisconsin, Nebraska, UCLA, Washington, when they were down some guys, Towson, Northern Illinois.

[Chip Patterson]

Fault Washington, even with their injury issues, I would still say defense as a whole is above average.

[Bud Elliott]

Yeah, I think that's fair. I don't think they can block Indiana. I this. I think there'll be a whole lot of pressure. Indiana is also really good at figuring out what your protection schemes are and then creating free runners at the qb. I think they did a masterful job against that, against Oregon wasn't always free runners, but sometimes like you got like you just don't want to back blocking that guy. And it ended poorly for the Ducks. I would expect more of the same here also. I mean, don't we think Indiana is trying to get him the Heisman?

[Danny Cannell]

I think he's just trying to run it up on everybody.

[Bud Elliott]

Just. But like that. That's a great recruiting tool, man. Like, come here. Win the Heisman at Indiana.

[Chip Patterson]

I don't think he's already got his brother.

[Danny Cannell]

He's already got his next quarterback.

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah, yeah, I, I really don't think like, yeah, I think he's crushing teams.

[Bud Elliott]

Right.

[Danny Cannell]

And I think he still is irritated about last year's conversation, the narrative about his team. And I think he's still. That burns him deep down inside.

[Chip Patterson]

I mean the Chip Kelly Oregon rise is just putting crooked numbers on the board, you know, like, oh, you're not going to respect us. 56, 14, 50, 63, 10. You know, just. You just continue to just go pedal to the metal. Yeah, he said, he said Maryland's top 20 in scoring defense. They got a defensive coordinator won two Super Bowls with the Ravens. I mean, making sure that that 50 burger comes with no asterisk after Indiana runs. I will be stunned though. It would be a good, I think a good sign if Maryland is able to make this a game early. But this, this might be a smoke it through the filter game. We'll see Come Locks episode 11am on Thursday.

[Bud Elliott]

Maryland has some good pass rushers. I mean, there's some chance they get home. Indiana's really good at Avoiding like slip ups. But they're not like completely immune from it.

[Chip Patterson]

I would agree with that. Is Miami on upset alert at smu?

[Bud Elliott]

I still like that. Wake win was not Fluky.

[Chip Patterson]

Wake fumbled the ball. Wake could have won by more correct inside like the 10 yard line twice.

[Bud Elliott]

Yeah.

[Danny Cannell]

Barring Carson Beck four interceptions. Yeah, they're not acceptable.

[Chip Patterson]

I'm kind of in the. Rhett Lashley would probably love to do it. I don't know if he's got the team to do it right now.

[Bud Elliott]

I, I would agree with that.

[Chip Patterson]

What about the ace? Oh, we've got all the ACC boys here. Tom was gonna be like why are we talking about these guys? So all four ranked ACC teams are on the road. Oh, and not a single damn spread is bigger than ten and a half. And that's the Miami game that we just talked about. That means you've got Louisville, right?

[Danny Cannell]

You know, Georgia Tech at NC State.

[Chip Patterson]

You got Louisville at Virginia Tech 3pm on the CW. Don't go get CW'd. And then you've got Virginia playing at Cal. How many of these ACC teams make it through the weekend without taking a loss?

[Bud Elliott]

Well, it, it's interesting that you mentioned that. I think I'm trying to find this tweet now from Parker. So wins with a negative success rate in 2025.

[Chip Patterson]

Virginia.

[Bud Elliott]

There, there are four teams that, that have done it three times. Virginia, Stanford and Georgia Tech.

[Chip Patterson]

Let's go.

[Bud Elliott]

Like four teams that are record wise pretty fraudulent. So I don't know. I think three of the four lose.

[Chip Patterson]

Oh, I was saying, I was ready to say two. I, I don't have any X's and O's angle. I think Louisville should be able to run the football at Virginia Tech and take care of business. I just wonder if vibes wise they're actually like not checking out. I mean they went to double overtime on a Friday night. They're playing at home. Got a ranked team in town. I don't know. I don't see Virginia Tech packing up the circus just yet. I think that will be tough for Louisville to get in and out of. And I know that history says that NC State playing at home at night with an undefeated Georgia Tech in town that looks like a house of horrors. But I might be skeptical of that one.

[Bud Elliott]

Gosh, acc.

[Danny Cannell]

It wouldn't surprise me if all four lost.

[Bud Elliott]

Miami's the one that's trustworthy or somewhat trustworthy, which is kind of scary to say.

[Chip Patterson]

Of these four teams, I trust Miami.

[Bud Elliott]

The most because their body types are not going to change. Overnight like they, this is kind of usc, Nebraska, like if they show up and they care, they should push SMU around.

[Danny Cannell]

I kind of trust Georgia Tech, but not that much.

[Chip Patterson]

North NC State's defense is awful right now. Yeah, they are. They're.

[Danny Cannell]

And I feel like they had their slip again. Wake was a good football team, but I feel like that was the game that kind of used. You can use as a wake up call and tell them, hey, let's not let that happen again.

[Chip Patterson]

Have you listened to Dave Dorn's press conferences too?

[Bud Elliott]

No.

[Chip Patterson]

Well, you know, he's got a job to do and I understand there's Stan talking about the athletics director, Boo Corgan. He's got a job to do and I understand there's standards around here and it's a results based business and. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Okay. I mean Dave Doran's not going to be the, the like splash thumbnail photo for any hot seat conversations given what else we've got going on. But buddy, that sounds like a coach who's feeling some pressure, some within some distance to his circle.

[Bud Elliott]

What's his buyout?

[Danny Cannell]

Gosh, he'd be a good hire for somebody too.

[Bud Elliott]

It wouldn't shock me if Day Doran like just takes it to the league. Man.

[Chip Patterson]

It'S a bait shop is what I've always. Yeah. Just working at a bait shop and tweeting it. Joe Gilio to tell him what Joe Gilio got wrong.

[Bud Elliott]

Like he doesn't seem to take himself too seriously. You know, like just living in Orlando, you know, a lot of the bold folks. Right. NC State's been down here a couple times and they're just like, man, he's great to deal with.

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah.

[Bud Elliott]

Like he's like, yeah, it's cool. Like we, we made a bowl game like, like, you know, happy about it, you know, gives people his time, you know, doesn't like. I don't know.

[Danny Cannell]

I think I.

[Bud Elliott]

It would not shock me if that's Guy who's. All right. That was a great run. Had a great run in Northern Illinois. Made an Orange bowl at niu and you know, now we're good. I'm right. At niu. The Orange bowl or is that. Yeah. Okay.

[Chip Patterson]

Jordan Lynch.

[Bud Elliott]

Yep.

[Chip Patterson]

It was. Right. It was the season before he got hired by NC State. So. Yeah, I don't, I don't know. Can't. It's. I'm not applying the law of the wolf. When you expect the most, you get the least. When you expect the least, you get the most. I'm not going to apply that into an upset alert for Georgia Tech. More than anything, I think NC State's defensive issues will be problematic against Haynes, King and the rest of that Yellow Jackets offense. We got a little. It's a double header on CBS before you get Indiana and Maryland. We've got Army Air Force. I mean, naturally there's the patriotic duty of what we're going to do with the total. We know that.

[Bud Elliott]

Yep.

[Chip Patterson]

Is. Is army off schedule? Is this. Have they been below your expectations this season?

[Bud Elliott]

I mean, honestly, if they. If they pull the win out against North Texas, which they were right there in that game. I don't think so.

[Chip Patterson]

Because we've not been high on Air Force once the season. No JV team analysis put set to the side once the season started.

[Bud Elliott]

They have a secondary issue and obviously Army's not going to exploit that quite as much. So this is one of those games where matchups, I guess they all matter, but the. The extremes of the matchup disparity matter here a little more.

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah. Is there anything that we can learn from Ohio State, Penn State, a game that Was a top three game in the preseason? It has been 67 minutes and not one person watching this live has asked about it. We haven't. There's been no clamoring. There has been no demand. I mean, this was supposed to be a weekend of. I don't know if you've gone back and looked at what Week 10 looked like in the preseason poll, but I think we had six ranked on ranked games. If you just went by the preseason poll, obviously that is not the case. We got. It's the Jim Knowles revenge game, I guess. But if it's a skeleton staff, how much passion is there? I. I don't know. It's. Is there anything we can learn from this game?

[Bud Elliott]

It's one of the rare chances for Ohio State to see a really, really.

[Chip Patterson]

Good D line just to test it. Oh, we're just going to get work in.

[Danny Cannell]

Well, yeah. Like.

[Bud Elliott]

Like, hey. Or does any part of their offensive line get exposed here? Because the last time you saw a D line with a lot of pros on it, if you're Ohio State was what, week one shoe again and they scored 14.

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah, I don't think I'll say again. I don't. I'm not ready to like Cat. I'm not ready to. To stand on the opposite side of you and cast Washington's defensive front into the realm of the elite. But they got. They met some resistance. Yeah, right.

[Bud Elliott]

And we think Penn State's is Better then Washington. Yes, correct. So, like, let's see if Penn State's like, even if it's for a half, can Penn State stand up and, you know, give saying. And those guys trouble.

[Chip Patterson]

Ohio State was not particularly dominant offensively against Illinois, obviously not particularly dominant against Texas. And then against Washington, they were actually pretty good.

[Bud Elliott]

Mm.

[Chip Patterson]

So we're just getting in work. Just getting in four quarters of good work in Columbus.

[Danny Cannell]

I think it's a good test for him.

[Chip Patterson]

Good.

[Danny Cannell]

Yeah. I mean, I don't think it's. I don't think Penn State's going to win the game, but I think this is kind of what they need to see a defense with this type of talent.

[Chip Patterson]

I am not, by the way, if it's being asked, I am not in a. Wouldn't it be hilarious? I don't think it would be hilarious. I think that'd be incredibly troubling. I like when good football teams are good and Ohio State is. We're deep enough into the season that if they lost this game, that would just be disappointing. I wouldn't even be mad. I'd just be disappointed.

[Bud Elliott]

Does Penn State score more than 10?

[Chip Patterson]

I think that might be my lock for.

[Bud Elliott]

Okay.

[Chip Patterson]

All right.

[Bud Elliott]

Sorry.

[Chip Patterson]

Danny. I are gonna pick every single top 25 game a little bit later on on CBS Sports Network. Check it out.

[Danny Cannell]

Fire, by the way.

[Chip Patterson]

What?

[Danny Cannell]

I'm on fire.

[Chip Patterson]

You are on fire. It's. You were like 14 transition those 14 and five last week.

[Danny Cannell]

Yeah.

[Bud Elliott]

Damn.

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah. Danny's cooking. Yeah. I think that the Penn State team total under was definitely a look as we were putting in the prep for the. The 19 games on today's 2 o' clock slate. So. Yeah. Any other games you want to turn our attention to before we get out of here?

[Bud Elliott]

What else do we have here? Is Clubnick back for Clemson?

[Chip Patterson]

I don't know. You saw I put it in there. This is legitimately a swing game for Clemson's bowl chances, which Dabo Sweeney, every single season that he has been at Clemson, he has at least gotten to the postseason at. That would be troubling. I mean, he. He stood up there at the podium after like week three. He's like, you know what? Maybe we don't have a good season. Maybe we go 6 and 6 now. 6 and 6 might be a good finish. They are playing Duke. This weekend is going to be a competitive game.

[Danny Cannell]

Carolina could get their first ACC win.

[Chip Patterson]

I. I think they are. I think I've come around on that. I think that Friday night there's going to be a Lot of, a lot of, a lot of, a lot of people thinking they're real funny at the Halloween party with their Bill Belichick Jordan couples outfits, you know, and they're going to be watching on the screen at the house party as North Carolina takes down Syracuse in the Dome on Friday night, gets their first ACC win of the season.

[Bud Elliott]

You know, Liberty's not played a game since the 14th.

[Danny Cannell]

Really?

[Chip Patterson]

Yeah, they were midweek and now they've got a cycle back, right?

[Bud Elliott]

Yeah, I looked, I was looking at.

[Danny Cannell]

This like when the last, when's the.

[Bud Elliott]

Last time Liberty played a game? And it was, it was the 14th. They beat New Mexico State.

[Chip Patterson]

That's incredible. Danny. It's funny you mentioned North Carolina. These are the teams in power conferences that do not have a conference win. North Carolina, Florida State, Boston College, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Michigan State, Purdue, Wisconsin, Mississippi State, Arkansas and Kentucky. This is particularly relevant because Mississippi and State or Arkansas are playing each other. So you're guaranteed one. Florida State is at home as a touchdown favorite against Wake Forest. Might get to North Carolina. Slight dog on the road at Syracuse. That's another one to watch. Kentucky is playing Auburn. I, I think we might see a couple, couple first conference wins for power conference teams this weekend.

[Bud Elliott]

Is there any chance South Carolina pulls us out?

[Danny Cannell]

Yes. I mean, they, they almost beat Alabama. I just wonder if that was the.

[Chip Patterson]

Shot, you know, but, and you're going to Oxford, right?

[Danny Cannell]

But Oxford, like, it's similar to where Bama was vulnerable. You know, Oxford's is coming off, you know, a really tough, emotional, hard fought loss at Georgia. Big emotional win. Like you just take your foot off the gas a little bit. I just wonder if South Carolina can do it on the road like you said, you know, but I mean, the old distraction, the distraction, everybody's talking about Florida and LSU and you know, Lane seems to thrive in that, though he doesn't seem to, don't seem to bother his team. They kind of revel in that.

[Chip Patterson]

I mean, that's the thing is he's too calloused. We're talking about the guy that left Tennessee in the middle of the night to go to USC and that happened 16 years ago, you know, like, it's just that that guy has just been through wars and seen some stuff. So he's not going to get coaching. Carousel ain't going to do nothing to Lane Kiffin doing it. He's doing a good job of, of handling that. All right. Anything else? All right, Thursday we will be back. It's the best time of the week 11am as we roll out our week 10 locks, you come show up early, get up the likes we give you the locks. The locks move lines. You know the way it goes. And you can follow him on Twitter at Danny Cannell. You can follow him@bud elliot3. You can follow me at Chip Underscore Patterson. Gentlemen, thank you very much.

[Bud Elliott]

What's up, everyone?

[Chip Patterson]

It's Sia Najad from Fantasy Football Today dfs, a weekly NFL daily fantasy show that's a picture of the CBS Sports Podcast network. If you're looking for NFL game by.

[Danny Cannell]

Game previews, which players stock is up or down and DFS strategies and advice.

[Chip Patterson]

Mike McClure, Meg Shoup and I have you covered every single week.

[Bud Elliott]

Download and follow us on Apple Podcasts.

[Danny Cannell]

Spotify and anywhere podcasts are found.

[Chip Patterson]

Make sure to turn on those notifications so you don't miss a single pick all season long.

[Bud Elliott]

Good luck.