2025-06-25- KSR - Hour 2

Summary

Podcast Summary: KSR - Hour 2 Release Date: June 25, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, Shannon The Dude, Billy Rutledge
Presented by: iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)

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Introduction

In the June 25, 2025 episode of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR), hosts Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, Shannon The Dude, and Billy Rutledge delve into a lively discussion centered around listeners' unpopular opinions. The segment encourages fan engagement, inviting listeners to share their candid and often controversial takes on various sports-related topics within the Kentucky community.

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Unpopular Opinions and Discussions

1. Sharing UK Fan Resumes

• Caller’s Opinion: It’s unnecessary to share a UK fan resume when making a point.

• Hosts' Reactions:

  • Ryan Lemond: "Agree." [01:30]
  • Matt Jones: "Agreed." [01:30]
  • Shannon The Dude: "Agree." [01:31]

  Discussion: All hosts concurred that a listener's long-term support for UK wasn’t required to substantiate their opinions, emphasizing that dedication alone doesn't strengthen an argument.

2. Separate Championships for Private and Public Schools in Kentucky High Sports

• Caller’s Opinion: Kentucky high school basketball and football should crown separate champions for private and public schools.

• Hosts' Reactions:

  • Matt Jones: Disagrees, valuing the inclusivity of current systems. [01:53]
  • Shannon The Dude: Prefers the existing structure despite some drawbacks. [02:02]
  • Drew Franklin: Sees value in teaching fairness and overcoming disparities. [02:14]

  Discussion: While the caller advocated for a bifurcated championship system to ensure fairness, hosts argued that maintaining a single, inclusive championship fosters a more open and competitive environment, despite inherent inequalities.

3. Buc-ee's Overrated Status

• Caller’s Opinion: Buc-ee's is overrated, merely a grocery store with beef jerky pretending to be a pilgrimage destination.

• Hosts' Reactions:

  • Ryan Lemond: "100% agree." [02:44]
  • Drew Franklin: Labels himself a "clutch puppet shop" fan, humorously expressing similar sentiments. [02:48]
  • Shannon The Dude: Compliments Buc-ee’s bathrooms while critiquing its overrated status. [02:58]
  • Matt Jones: Agrees on the overrated nature but appreciates some aspects. [03:39]

  Discussion: The hosts echoed the sentiment that while Buc-ee's excels in cleanliness and marketing, its reputation as a must-visit destination is exaggerated, comparing it to a well-organized but commonplace store.

4. KSR’s Peak in 2017

• Caller’s Opinion: KSR peaked in 2017 and has since declined in quality.

• Hosts' Reactions:

  • Drew Franklin: Strongly disagrees, highlighting recent improvements and continued quality. [02:44]
  • Shannon The Dude: Acknowledges nostalgia bias but maintains the show’s current strength. [04:10]
  • Matt Jones: Supports the show's ongoing enhancement. [04:44]

  Discussion: The hosts defended the evolution of KSR, attributing recent successes to new segments and contributors, while recognizing that nostalgic comparisons can color listener perceptions.

5. Jeopardy Hosts: Ken Jennings vs. Alex Trebek

• Caller’s Opinion: Ken Jennings is superior to the late Alex Trebek as a Jeopardy host.

• Hosts' Reactions:

  • Matt Jones: Notes Trebek's authoritative style contrasts with Jennings' demeanor. [05:29]
  • Shannon The Dude: Agrees with Jennings' superiority in hosting style. [06:55]
  • Ryan Lemond & Drew Franklin: Express skepticism about altering iconic roles.

  Discussion: While some hosts saw merit in Jennings' approach, the general consensus leaned towards appreciating Trebek's legacy, emphasizing the difficulty in surpassing established favorites.

6. Dual Loyalty to UK and UL Sports Teams

• Caller’s Opinion: Rooting for both University of Kentucky (UK) and University of Louisville (UL) sports teams is unrealistic and problematic.

• Hosts' Reactions:

  • Drew Franklin: Criticizes dual loyalty as inconsistent and confusing. [12:28]
  • Shannon The Dude: Finds dual allegiance rare and perplexing. [13:43]

  Discussion: The hosts largely dismissed the idea of supporting both rival teams, highlighting the challenges in maintaining genuine enthusiasm and commitment when divided between two competing institutions.

7. Vince Merrill's Coaching Performance

• Caller’s Opinion: Vince Merrill is overrated—exceptional in recruiting but mediocre as a tight end coach.

• Hosts' Reactions:

  • Matt Jones: Argues Merrill's recruiting prowess is unmatched, countering the caller's assessment. [37:01]
  • Shannon The Dude: Agrees on Merrill's coaching shortcomings while recognizing his recruiting impact. [37:22]

  Discussion: Hosts defended Merrill's overall contribution, particularly his exceptional ability to recruit top talent, while acknowledging areas needing improvement in coaching.

8. Matthew's Critique on Lip Injections

• Caller’s Opinion: Lip injections in women are awful and unappealing.

• Hosts' Reactions:

  • Matt Jones: Discusses the societal pressures and celebrity influence behind cosmetic procedures. [26:14]
  • Shannon The Dude & Drew Franklin: Agree that overdoing cosmetic enhancements can lead to unnatural appearances. [26:56]

  Discussion: The conversation delved into the personal and societal implications of cosmetic procedures, with hosts agreeing that moderation is key to maintaining natural beauty.

9. Manual vs. Automatic Transmissions

• Caller’s Opinion: Prefers manual (stick) transmissions over automatic ones.

• Hosts' Reactions:

  • Drew Franklin: Questions the practicality and safety of manuals, especially for those unfamiliar with them. [27:30]
  • Shannon The Dude & Matt Jones: Discuss limitations and safety concerns associated with manual transmissions. [28:03]

  Discussion: While acknowledging a niche preference for manual transmissions, hosts highlighted the declining practicality and safety of manuals in modern driving contexts.

10. Playing Styles and Hit Songs in Live Performances

• Caller’s Opinion: Older artists should be mandated to play their biggest hits during live performances.

• Hosts' Reactions:

  • Drew Franklin & Matt Jones: Discuss the balance between new material and classic hits, emphasizing audience satisfaction. [29:17]
  • Shannon The Dude: Supports the idea, suggesting a fair duration for performances. [30:50]

  Discussion: The hosts debated the merits of balancing legacy hits with new material, agreeing that while hits should feature prominently, the duration and flow of performances are crucial for audience engagement.

11. Andrew Harrison as the Best Point Guard in the Caliper Era

• Caller’s Opinion: Andrew Harrison was the best point guard during the Caliper era due to his achievements at Kentucky.

• Hosts' Reactions:

  • Drew Franklin: Agrees on Harrison's tournament success and being underappreciated. [09:34]
  • Shannon The Dude: Confirms Harrison's impressive win records. [10:49]

  Discussion: The hosts praised Harrison’s contributions and success in the postseason, agreeing that his efforts were often undervalued compared to his peers.

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Notable Quotes

• Matt Jones on Shared Fan Resumes: “Yeah, my whole life.” [01:32]
• Ryan Lemond on Buc-ee's: “100% agree.” [02:44]
• Drew Franklin on KSR’s Improvement: “It's been really good.” [04:16]
• Shannon The Dude on Vince Merrill: “He was O.C. for the day.” [38:35]
• Matt Jones on Jared Lorenzen: “The dude was doing stuff with a team that was very under talented.” [43:37]
• Drew Franklin on Play Calling: “It ended up working and we won the game.” [42:33]

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Additional Segments

Storefront Advertisements

Throughout the episode, hosts promote Stockton Mortgage, highlighting its extensive reach across Kentucky and emphasizing its user-friendly mortgage services. Notable endorsements include personal testimonies and listener reviews underscoring the company's professionalism and customer satisfaction.

Fun and Interactive Segments

The hosts engage in humorous and light-hearted interactions, including mock advertisements and playful banter about sponsoring brands like T-Mobile, enhancing the show’s entertaining atmosphere.

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Conclusion

The June 25, 2025 episode of KSR showcased a dynamic exchange of candid opinions, reflecting the passionate and diverse views within the Kentucky sports community. Hosts adeptly navigated through various controversial topics, balancing agreement and disagreement while maintaining an engaging and respectful discourse. The episode reinforced KSR's role as a vibrant platform for sports enthusiasts to voice and explore a wide spectrum of perspectives.

Upcoming Events:

• Shelbyville Animal Farm Visit: The hosts announced their upcoming presence at the Shelbyville Animal Farm, promoting the KSR Golf Scramble in Louisville.
• Louisville Golf Scramble: Tickets go on sale at the end of the show, with quick access provided via their website and social media channels.

Closing Remarks: The show wrapped up with a recap of the day's highlights and a reminder of the next day's activities, ensuring listeners remain informed and engaged with KSR’s ongoing initiatives.

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Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments to focus solely on the core discussions and key takeaways of the episode.

Transcript

[Matt Jones]

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[Ryan Lemond]

Welcome to our two of Kentucky sports radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Now here's Matt Jones.

[Drew Franklin]

Welcome back our number two Kentucky Sports Radio 859-280-2287 text machine. But we are blowing up with unpopular opinions. These are, these have all been really good. So I'm going to go through a few of them to 772-7745254. One person writes, let's see you all quickly. You decide whether you agree or disagree with these all. Uh, unpopular opinion when you call in. There's no need to share your UK fan resume when making a point.

[Ryan Lemond]

Agree.

[Matt Jones]

Agreed.

[Shannon The Dude]

Agree.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, my whole life.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, we all have, you know, and I mean if you haven't been a fan your whole life, Drew, I'm interested in that. Like if you just became a fan. But we can just assume we've all been a fan our whole lives. One person writes, Kentucky high school basketball and football should have a private school champ and a public school champion.

[Matt Jones]

I'm, I'm going to disagree with that because I love the fact that Kentucky is one of the, the only school left that kind of makes it open to everybody.

[Drew Franklin]

School, private school, big school.

[Shannon The Dude]

Yeah, Drew, I, I understand that argument, but I like the way it's set up now. It's probably not the best for some schools, but I still enjoy the chaos.

[Drew Franklin]

Shannon.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah. Disagree with the person. I think we keep it the way it is.

[Drew Franklin]

I'm fine with it. You know, it's not fair. But you know what else isn't fair? Life, unfortunately. And so It's a good way to teach people early on that there will be people that have more than you and you can still beat them. And then when you beat them, it's even more special when that happens because you, you know, you. You've overcome it. Another person writes, matt, I think Buc EE's is overrated. People act like they're going to God's favorite planet, and it is just a grocery store with beef jerky.

[Ryan Lemond]

100% agree. More of a clutch puppet shop guy anyway. Right?

[Drew Franklin]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

I am a clutch puppet shop puppet shop.

[Ryan Lemond]

I was.

[Matt Jones]

I would open one right across the street from Bucky's because everybody goes to Bucky's. But it's always. The line is so big. I think I would make a fortune just going across the street.

[Shannon The Dude]

Drew Team Clark's Pump and Shop. But if I may compliment Bucky's bathrooms. I think that's where they do their best work.

[Drew Franklin]

So I think Buc ee's is a very nice place. I think people who act like it's a Mecca to go to, it makes no sense to me. It is very clean. That's probably the thing they do the best. They pay their employees well. I'm very. I'm very. That. That makes me very happy as well.

[Ryan Lemond]

Great at marketing, too.

[Drew Franklin]

They have great marketing. And some of their food, like, the. The food is really good, but people treat it like it's Mecca and they're going for a pilgrimage. And I don't really understand that. It's like it's Walmart, but with cleaner, with a nice barbecue.

[Matt Jones]

And a lot of gas stations. A lot of gas.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. But there are gas pumps everywhere. So I don't understand that one person writes. Matt, my Unpopular opinion is KSR peaked in 2017. You don't care as much. And it can in. It shows. Well, that's rude. I disagree with that completely. I think the show is better now in the last year than it's been ever. Part of that is. Was adding, how do I. Why do I hear the music still playing? Shannon? I still. I still hear Werewolves of London.

[Ryan Lemond]

You still hear it?

[Drew Franklin]

Okay, now it's good.

[Ryan Lemond]

I don't hear it.

[Drew Franklin]

All right. But part of that was adding Mario. We've got more of a social media element. But the other part is, like, sometimes people look nostalgically at things. Go back and listen to some of Those shows in 2016, 17, we weren't as good. There's a lot of dead time. There's a lot of time where it's just. We're sitting there talking about, like, you know, players in detail, that it's just not as interesting. I think there was a little dip for this show in cows last year because I found it harder to do and that probably came through over the air. But since Pope's been here, I'm our harshest critic. But I think it's been. It's been really good.

[Ryan Lemond]

I think that person's opinion peaked in 2017.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, that may be true as well. I think most shows, if they stay on this long, they do hit a part where they start to really go downhill. But I will quit before that happens. Cause I can feel when a segment stinks. 859-280-2287. Let's go to Major. What's your unpopular opinion?

[Billy Rutledge]

Hey, boys. So it's my favorite show of the year for sure. But I did just eat. This is not even a lot. I ate a bacon, egg and cheese with ketchup from Bucky's for breakfast.

[Drew Franklin]

No, you did in a backwards. Wow, that's a backward. Okay, so you just. This is all you.

[Billy Rutledge]

Yeah. So if, if someone calls out socks and sandals, I'm really cooked.

[Drew Franklin]

I would call that out.

[Billy Rutledge]

So I'm not. It's not a Kentucky or sports related question or controversy, but it is for a niche population for sure. I'm a huge trivia and Jeopardy. Fan and Ken Jennings is better than Alex Trebek. I think Trebek was an icon. I think Trebek was an icon. He was an icon. But Jennings is smarter, funnier, interesting, and he was born to be the host.

[Drew Franklin]

All right. I appreciate the call. I don't watch Jeopardy. Every night, but any Jeopardy. Fans have an opinion?

[Matt Jones]

I don't watch it, but I know Alex Trebek was like, really? He talked down to you be like, I'm a smart ass and I don't think Ken Jennings does that.

[Drew Franklin]

And I always feel like Ken. But I like. I think Ken Jennings knew the answer without it being on the. On the screen there. I've always thought Trebek was a little hoity toity when he was reading the answers.

[Ryan Lemond]

As long as nobody calls in and tries to make the case for Drew Carey being better than Bob Barker.

[Drew Franklin]

Nobody believes.

[Ryan Lemond]

No, no, not even close.

[Drew Franklin]

I kind of wonder if Ken Jennings, though, is like a Jon Stewart on the Daily show thing, which is the show was good before Craig Kilborn when Craig Kilborn was the host. But then it really got good with Jon Stewart. Could that be the case, Drew?

[Shannon The Dude]

Uh, no. There's something about just all the classics. I haven't seen Ken Jennings on the Jeopardy.1, but in almost every example, anybody that's been doing a long time, they're hard to top.

[Drew Franklin]

It is hard, but he would. Can we agree he'd be better than Aaron Rodgers would have been?

[Shannon The Dude]

Yes.

[Drew Franklin]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

Didn't Blossom do it?

[Drew Franklin]

For a while, I thought Blossom, Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

You mean Blossom, the actress that played Blossom?

[Shannon The Dude]

She did it.

[Drew Franklin]

M. B Alec.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Billy Rutledge]

That's who it is.

[Matt Jones]

She did it for a little while.

[Drew Franklin]

She did it.

[Matt Jones]

She did it for a little while.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah. She did, huh? She did, like, the night version. It was like. Or.

[Drew Franklin]

Or wasn't it all at night?

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, I mean, maybe. Yeah, you're right. It was the. It was like an afternoon version of it, I think, or like something. Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

Wow. Who knew? Blossom Jackson, what's your unpopular opinion?

[Billy Rutledge]

Hey, guys, My unpopular opinion. I love what Pope has done for the program of bringing in kind of a. An older taste of Kentucky for the older fans and incorporating the new fans.

[Drew Franklin]

Yes.

[Billy Rutledge]

But whenever we talk about the jersey situation, I don't think we need to bring back the denim or I believe it's ice spikes or whatever. The icicle jerseys, they both are horrible. They don't need to touch the court. I think they will look horrible. Nowadays. They looked horrible. Then we don't never, ever need to bring them back. And honestly, if you need to bring a jersey back, bring back 2018 when we had the checkboard. That was way better.

[Drew Franklin]

Okay. All right. So that's the worst opinion we've heard yet. I appreciate the call. First of all, icicles are awesome. Denim is controversial, but I'd like to see it for a game. But the checkerboards, I don't know if I can let you know. I said no judgment, Shannon. I don't know if I can do no judgment.

[Ryan Lemond]

The caller really believes that. I think he's just stirring the pot.

[Drew Franklin]

True. Do you believe that?

[Shannon The Dude]

I'm with Shannon right there. That until they said the checkerboard part. All right, have your bad opinion. But when they threw in checkerboard, I think they're seeking out violence on the radio show.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Do you guys know anybody that one time have ever said, man, I really like those checkerboard?

[Ryan Lemond]

You know that guy right there?

[Drew Franklin]

Dude, no, it. That. No, they're terrible. You know, they. They. There are many reasons they're terrible, one of which is that they look bad. But two of which is we stole them from Tennessee. Now, people will go, well, Tennessee stolen from us, but it doesn't matter. They stole them from us in, like, the 40s. Everyone associates that with Tennessee.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Drew Franklin]

So like we, we, we can't. It was a terrible idea. And Mitch Barnhart came from Tennessee, so it even looks worse. I've never.

[Shannon The Dude]

Even if you liked them, we had them way too long. We just kept that jersey longer than we've kept any jersey. It just needed to change, regardless of whatever you thought of them.

[Drew Franklin]

Scott, unpopular opinion?

[Billy Rutledge]

Yeah. Andrew Harrison was the best point guard in the Caliper era based off what he did at Kentucky.

[Drew Franklin]

Well, I mean, I appreciate the call. I know you're never going to find a bigger Andrew Harrison fan than me. I don't think he was the best as a talent. But I will say this. There's going to be nobody in the Cal era, Ryan, who had more tournament success than Andrew Harrison.

[Matt Jones]

Absolutely. Yep. Absolutely.

[Drew Franklin]

I mean, if I told you that a point guard at Kentucky had gone to a championship game and a Final Four in his two years there and was undefeated going, most people would say, well, that's pretty good. I think he's one of the more disrespected players of all time compared to how much crap he got versus how good he was.

[Matt Jones]

I agreed.

[Drew Franklin]

Do you agree with that?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean, you know, John Wall, Brandon Knight, Dear and Fox all had great NBA careers, but everybody thought they were great. But Andrew Harrison and then Tyler Eulis, his accolades.

[Drew Franklin]

Tyler Eulis everybody thought was great. I'm not sure how many players Drew were more successful and took more crap during the time than Andrew. There were players who took more crap like Saul Smith, but they also had huge screw. Andrew Harrison took a ton of junk and was good. Do you agree? I mean, can you think of anyone else like that?

[Shannon The Dude]

No, I agree. And I don't have all the numbers in front of me, but I can't think of a point guard that had been a more winning point guard. He had to have won almost 70 games.

[Drew Franklin]

Well, he lost a lot his first year though. I mean, they, they, they, they were an eight seed. They.

[Shannon The Dude]

But I mean they went all the way to the championship game. So tack on those five turns onto whatever they want in the regular season.

[Drew Franklin]

38 and one in the second year.

[Matt Jones]

Would we remember him?

[Shannon The Dude]

He's close to 70 wins in two seasons. That's going to be hard to top.

[Matt Jones]

Would we remember him more over Aaron if Aaron hadn't hit those three shots? I'd say probably.

[Drew Franklin]

I think he was a better player than Aaron, but Aaron has those moments.

[Matt Jones]

Yep.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, I think Andrew was disrespected a lot when he was here now Was he the best cow point guard? Probably not, but I think he was disrespected a lot. Greg, unpopular opinion?

[Billy Rutledge]

Yes. I'm both a UK and UL sports fan.

[Drew Franklin]

Wow.

[Matt Jones]

It's a rare breed.

[Drew Franklin]

Okay, so the guy that I got into it, Shannon at. @ roosters about politics. Remember that?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

The other thing the guy said to me was he rooted for UK and U of L and I was like, communist.

[Ryan Lemond]

You calling Greg a communist?

[Drew Franklin]

No, Greg. Yeah. I mean, what is. What is the argument for rooting for both?

[Billy Rutledge]

There are times when I may like one team better than the other.

[Drew Franklin]

Wait a minute. Hang on.

[Billy Rutledge]

College is in Kentucky.

[Drew Franklin]

You don't have one you favorite regularly. More like you flip back and forth.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yes.

[Billy Rutledge]

You can enjoy a sporting event without being quote for either team.

[Drew Franklin]

So how do you decide which one you support more?

[Billy Rutledge]

Well, it just depends on the situation.

[Drew Franklin]

Who's good?

[Billy Rutledge]

If any Crumb were playing Coach Cal, I would be for Danny crumb because he's 10 times a better coach to get the best out of the material he has.

[Drew Franklin]

So do you tend to cheer for the one that's. Do you think. Do you tend to cheer for the team that's better that year?

[Billy Rutledge]

I just. I thought. I thought Danny Crumb ran a classy program.

[Drew Franklin]

Okay. All right. Well, I appreciate the call. That is an unpopular football example. All right, quickly.

[Billy Rutledge]

Okay. 2023. I was really pulling for Kentucky, and I was one of their biggest fans. I was for them to beat Louisville, which they did in the last of the season.

[Drew Franklin]

We don't appreciate the call. I don't think you can switch back and forth, Drew. I don't even think you can root for both of them, but you certainly can't flip back and forth based on the team.

[Shannon The Dude]

No. There. I've met some people that like both, and it's weird to me. It's like seeing a unicorn out in the wild. You just kind of take a picture of it and let it go on its way. But to just pick a side each season or each time they meet, that. That's way too far for me. You at least got to lean a direction a little bit.

[Ryan Lemond]

Can I tell you that I have a neighbor and his name is Greg, and he's also the same way as that Greg. I see him wearing a UFO jersey in a Kentucky hat.

[Drew Franklin]

Stop it.

[Ryan Lemond]

No, I'm serious.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, that should be deported. I know it's unpopular. I'm not supposed to judge.

[Ryan Lemond]

You're trying to send him out of the country. Yeah, he's a good neighbor.

[Drew Franklin]

That's Nice State Farm can be there for him but I'm still anti doing both those Pat, what's your unpopular opinion?

[Billy Rutledge]

Hey fellas, this wasn't what I was.

[Drew Franklin]

Calling in for but I do agree.

[Billy Rutledge]

I kind of like the checkerboards. I just thought they lasted too long.

[Drew Franklin]

But I kind of liked them when we had them.

[Billy Rutledge]

But the actual reason I was calling.

[Drew Franklin]

In I think we are going to.

[Billy Rutledge]

Be better as a basketball team next year when Otega Away is off the court.

[Drew Franklin]

I think Otega Away is a great.

[Billy Rutledge]

Player or a not so good team as we or an okay team like we were last year. I think Away can't shoot and is not a super good playmaker and sometimes he kind of suffocates the ball and.

[Drew Franklin]

Takes the air out of the ball. I think we'll be at our best.

[Billy Rutledge]

Next year when the ball's moving.

[Drew Franklin]

Wow. Appreciate the call. Actually I don't think you can win a national championship with OA being your best player but I think he can be a great second best player and I think last year he had to be our best player too often. But I don't agree with the opinion they'll be better Drew without him.

[Shannon The Dude]

I'm going to disagree too. I can get a little bit of money. He might have had some Archie Goodwin last season where at some point just got to lower your head and attack because the offense doesn't have any flow. But I can't meet him with they'll be better with him on the bench. I'm not there I think always still going to have another big year. Maybe not double digits every single game but one again but it'll be another good season.

[Drew Franklin]

Next to the catch up the least popular thing said was the Ken Jennings comment. Just judging by the text machine people don't like people love some Alex Trebek. Tell me about Stockton Mortgage.

[Matt Jones]

Stockton Mortgage they're located all across the state. We've got offices almost from Pikeville to Paducah and outside of Kentucky as well. So if you're looking to buy a house refinance, do a cash out refinance Sherlock Mortgage can help you. You don't have to live in Kentucky to do it. So give them a call. Stockton Mortgage their website is stockton.com they'll pair you up with a loan officer and they'll hold your hand throughout the entire process. Make it as easy as possible to get you to the closing table. And that's what it's all about. So give them a try. Stock Stockton Mortgage NMLS 8259 equal housing lender.

[Drew Franklin]

We will take a break and be right back on popular Opinion Day. Ksr.

[Billy Rutledge]

Hi, Zoe Saldana.

[Drew Franklin]

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[Ryan Lemond]

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[Drew Franklin]

Thanks. And here's my old phone to trade in.

[Ryan Lemond]

You don't need to trade in. When you switch to T Mobile, we'll give you a new iPhone 16 Pro. Plus we'll help you pay off your old phone. Up to 800 bucks and you still.

[Drew Franklin]

Get to keep it. There's always a trade in.

[Ryan Lemond]

Not right now.

[Billy Rutledge]

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[Drew Franklin]

I feel like I have to give you something in return for car.

[Billy Rutledge]

That's okay.

[Drew Franklin]

I don't really have much in my purse. Oh, let's see. Hand sanitizer. It's lavender.

[Ryan Lemond]

I'm good. Seriously.

[Drew Franklin]

Let me check this pocket. Oh, mints.

[Billy Rutledge]

Really, I'm fine.

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh, I have raisins.

[Drew Franklin]

I'm a mom. Wait, wait one sec. I've got cupcakes in the car.

[Ryan Lemond]

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[Drew Franklin]

Switch to T Mobile. Get a new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple intelligence on us. No trade in needed. We'll even pay off your Phone up to 800 bucks with 24 monthly bill credits. New line 100 plus a month on experience beyond finance agreement. $999.99 and qualifying ported for well qualified plus tax and $10 connection charge. Payout via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days credits end and balance due if you pay off early or cancel CT mobile dot com. Good stuff on unpopular opinion day. Taking a lot of calls, but we gotten some good stuff. Text machine, 772-774-5254. Here's some more. One person writes unpopular opinion. I think Shannon is the best person on the show.

[Matt Jones]

Agreed.

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh, I thought that was popular. You tell me it's unpopular.

[Drew Franklin]

I don't think that's particularly unpopular. I think there. I think everybody plays to an audience. That's why I think the chemistry is good with this group, is that everybody has the people. So, yeah, there are definitely Shannon. There are definitely. Shit. There are Shannon people, there are Mario people, there are Drew people, there are Ryan people. And then if we did a popularity contest, I think I would not come in first. But then I don't think you got to have somebody to hold it all together. So that's the whole. The whole thing. When I listen to Howard Stern, I. I never would have said Shannon. Howard Stern was my favorite person on the show. But if without him, there's no show.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

And so all the various people have. Have roles. So, yes, There would be. There are people who would pick everyone except Billy. I don't know that anyone would pick Billy. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. That's a joke. But you know what I mean.

[Ryan Lemond]

I listen to Howard Stern, and he's not really my favorite on there. I like the guys that do like the prank calls. They're my favorites on the Internet.

[Drew Franklin]

But if you didn't have Howard, the show wouldn't work.

[Ryan Lemond]

Exactly. You got to have him. He's the face.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. One person writes mat popular opinion. My favorite segment you ever used to do was when you would read the birthdays from your Facebook page. I actually thought those were pretty good segments because I usually didn't know the people on them.

[Ryan Lemond]

We got 30 friends with a birthday. Pick a number, one through 30, and.

[Drew Franklin]

Then I would just tell you about the person, and that was so bad.

[Ryan Lemond]

Killing time. Back then.

[Drew Franklin]

We were killing time. I couldn't do it now because I think it would lead to too much on the person. But back then, Chin. When we were only on in Louisville, I'd be talking about some random person from around the state, and we'd learn about them.

[Ryan Lemond]

No, we should bring that back, maybe for.

[Drew Franklin]

I did enjoy that segment back in the day, but we did. I'm thinking about some of the ones we did. Unpopular opinion. One person writes, I think Mark Stoops is actually great for the program. And even if he doesn't win six, I would keep him. Drew.

[Shannon The Dude]

Great for the program. He's been great for the program. It's. I can't join you in that. I think he will continue to be great for the program, so I will. It's another unpopular one, I believe.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, I think that one would be unpopular, but, you know, that's okay. Let's go to Kyle. What's up, Kyle? Hey, good morning, Ryan. Play along with me, okay?

[Matt Jones]

Gotcha.

[Billy Rutledge]

All right. What's your favorite color, baby?

[Matt Jones]

Blue and white.

[Billy Rutledge]

All right, see, that's why I hate that. Because the question is posed, asking for.

[Drew Franklin]

A singular answer, and you gave me two.

[Ryan Lemond]

That's a great point.

[Shannon The Dude]

Great point.

[Drew Franklin]

You know what? I've never really thought of that. You're exactly right.

[Matt Jones]

Blue and white can't be one color.

[Drew Franklin]

Sometimes you just need somebody to explain something obvious, so we need to stop. What's your favorite colors Would be much better. Good point, Mike. Unpopular opinion.

[Billy Rutledge]

Yeah. I can't believe you call that guy rude while ago. But that's not what I called about.

[Drew Franklin]

Why. Why did. Why can't you believe I called him rude?

[Billy Rutledge]

Because you're so rude yourself.

[Drew Franklin]

Stop it. That is an unpack. An unpopular opinion, isn't it, Shannon? To say that I'm rude now?

[Ryan Lemond]

Go ahead, Mike.

[Billy Rutledge]

You'll get. You'll get people on the text. Agree with me.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah.

[Billy Rutledge]

If you listen to the show. A female listens to this show. And I've been wanting to say this for a long time. I just never did. Well, two years, three or four years. If there's females that listen to the show, there's no way any of them would go out with you. I think. I think you're your own.

[Drew Franklin]

So you don't think there's any woman that would go out with me?

[Billy Rutledge]

Well, you say any.

[Drew Franklin]

That you know, any woman of quality. You're saying that would go out with me.

[Billy Rutledge]

Well, your boys know how you are. And when you talk about hating kids, eating in the corner, kids, kicking dogs.

[Drew Franklin]

I never say anything about kicking a dog. I never said I kicked a dog.

[Billy Rutledge]

Okay, okay. You know what I'm talking about.

[Drew Franklin]

Well, I appreciate the call. No, I. Yeah. I mean, if you don't like. I don't dislike kids. I don't want them in public screaming. And then dogs have been very clear on my opinion. So maybe. Maybe he's right, Drew. Maybe that's not unpopular. Maybe there isn't a woman that would go out with me.

[Shannon The Dude]

We gotta let the callers have their moment without judgment to share their unpopular.

[Drew Franklin]

Zero women that would go out with me.

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh, there's. There's plenty out there. But, you know, we used to do. Speaking of things we used to do on the show, the Dating Game. Maybe we should bring back the Dating Game on ksr. Do you remember that?

[Drew Franklin]

You know, there's things we did, Shannon, that. I cannot believe we did that. Yeah, we brought in. We did the Dating Game. We brought this woman in. Do you remember that? Oh, yeah. And people got to call in and try to. And try to date her.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

And she went on a date with it. We did. With two different women, I think. Yeah.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yep, we did.

[Drew Franklin]

With two different women.

[Ryan Lemond]

I still have a UK basketball game. I have the.

[Drew Franklin]

You know, we sent them to a UK basketball game. I remember going up to them. They looked so awkward at the game together.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

I saw one of those two women not that long ago, and we laughed about it, but I can't believe we did that. Shannon, there are things we did back then that if we did now, we would. People would lose their minds, but we just didn't have as much attention on us back then, you know.

[Shannon The Dude]

Yeah.

[Ryan Lemond]

I don't think it was that bad. You think it was that bad that we did a dating?

[Drew Franklin]

I think it would be a. It would be, it would be different now. It'd be funny to do.

[Ryan Lemond]

I think we could still do that.

[Drew Franklin]

Now people though, I think who would do it would they would like do it to try to get like famous.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

That woman was actually trying to be genuine and the dudes were remember the guy called and said I'll take you to Applebee's. The nicest Applebee's. You want to go to?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. Jay, unpopular opinion.

[Billy Rutledge]

Hey guys, love ksr. I got an unpopular opinion about covers a couple of different people. First one is Dave Buzz Baker. I think he's overrated. All he does is argue with every point Cameron makes. Even if it's about playing basketball. He thinks he knows more about it than Cameron does. My second one is Chester. He is the biggest cow suck up there ever was in the state of Kentucky and I think he needed to pack his b go to Arkansas with Cal.

[Drew Franklin]

Wow. Appreciate the call. Come strong Smack and Buzz Baker and smacking Chester.

[Shannon The Dude]

Drew a lot of people catching strays on today's show just minding their own business. I mean earlier with Keith Elkins reading the scores. Now we got Dave Baker. Just some people enjoying their their Wednesday on KSR just called out.

[Drew Franklin]

Wow, that was a that was a very harsh segment that came after said I couldn't date anybody. Buzz Baker needed to go home and Chester should move to Arkansas. Whoa.

[Ryan Lemond]

Judgment.

[Drew Franklin]

TJ Smith, personal injury attorney. Call tj. He'll make him pay.

[Ryan Lemond]

Now more of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Here's Matt Jones.

[Drew Franklin]

Louisville golf scramble goes back on sale. Well not go buy it on sale. It goes on sale right as this show ends. I'll tweet out the link. We'll put it out. Drew, you put it on the website.

[Shannon The Dude]

For the already have it on the website ready to rock going up any moment.

[Drew Franklin]

All right, we'll put it up at 12. It is the Louisville Golf Scramble for KSR that not not as many teams as Lexington. So make sure you get in. Usually usually it sells out in the first day or two so we'll make sure you get in. 859-280-2287. One person writes Matt on the text machine unpopular opinion. I actually like it when about politics I don't agree with you but I don't know any liberal that isn't crazy. But you aren't and so I like hearing your Opinion. I guess that's a compliment, right, Shannon? I don't know any liberal that isn't crazy. Except you aren't.

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, you're the one, so I'm the one. You're the one that's not crazy, according to him. Congratulations.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, that sounds like a compliment.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah. Uncrazy liberal.

[Drew Franklin]

I mean, you need to hear the other side, even if you. Even if you don't decide that part of the problem. We all get in a bubble and we don't hear what. What other people say. One person writes, I think Dr. Should take more vacations because when he leaves, cool stuff happens.

[Shannon The Dude]

I'll leave on Monday. So that's.

[Drew Franklin]

I mean, but it's true. Cow. The cow thing.

[Ryan Lemond]

Leaving is not cool.

[Shannon The Dude]

And. And Stoops Day. And m. My last three trips were the. The stoops. We should drive.

[Drew Franklin]

Prepare for something next week then.

[Shannon The Dude]

Yeah. Yeah. I leave Saturday. Got a flight Saturday morning. I would say the moment I leave Lexington Airport, anything can happen in the UK sphere. Probably while I'm in the air.

[Drew Franklin]

Matt. My unpopular opinion actually got me in trouble with my wife. But I think it's true. When women get lip injections, I actually think it's awful and it turns my stomach. Well, I mean, I don't understand the lip injection thing. I really don't. Like. I. Because they get. I. I'm not gonna say it's awful, but I. To me, Drew Ryan, that's like, been too much of a thing. You know what I mean?

[Matt Jones]

Because, you know, you see, all the celebrities do it and they get too big.

[Drew Franklin]

They start to look like Stiffler's mom from White Lotus.

[Shannon The Dude]

People overdo it.

[Matt Jones]

Way overdo it. Like, then lips been stung by a bumblebee and they swell up.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah.

[Shannon The Dude]

It's like concrete.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. We haven't had as many women call today on Unpopular Opinion Day. I'd like to hear unpopular opinions. Do I even go to this person, Shannon, do I really want to do this?

[Ryan Lemond]

I think you should. Yeah. He celebrates unpopular opinion every time he.

[Drew Franklin]

Calls Bob and Jamestown.

[Billy Rutledge]

Manual transmission over automatic. I said I like sticks.

[Drew Franklin]

I bet you do. A lot of people don't even know.

[Billy Rutledge]

How to drive a stick.

[Drew Franklin]

You don't. Wait a minute. You like it and you don't even know how to do it.

[Billy Rutledge]

No, I like sticks over automatics.

[Ryan Lemond]

Let's put that on a shirt. I like sticks. Bob and Jamestown.

[Drew Franklin]

All right. I appreciate the call. I mean, some people feel that way. I don't because I feel like you. It's a lot, is it? Not Less safe to drive a manual because you only have one hand on the wheel, right?

[Matt Jones]

I guess. I guess so.

[Drew Franklin]

What do you mean, you guess? Don't they teach you 10 and 2?

[Matt Jones]

10 and 2.

[Drew Franklin]

Okay.

[Shannon The Dude]

Well, if you are you always 10 and 2.

[Drew Franklin]

Always.

[Billy Rutledge]

Good for you.

[Matt Jones]

Department of Highway Safety put you up.

[Drew Franklin]

That's right. Are you suggesting I'm not?

[Shannon The Dude]

Drew, I think sometimes your clock Might get off 10 and 2 a little bit. Might just be 10 by itself. Might have like a 8, 15ish. I have an unpopular opinion that Bob and Jamestown or. Yeah, Bob and James sounds one of the best callers on the show.

[Matt Jones]

We had somebody call in and say.

[Drew Franklin]

That you really believe. That you genuinely believe Bob and James sounds one of the best.

[Shannon The Dude]

Yes. Now, if you took his subject matter and just wrote it down and that's all I had, I would say this is awful. But the way it works you up and that is usually has nothing to do with anything else we've talked about. I think it's good entertainment.

[Drew Franklin]

Okay. Terry is in Shepherdsville. What's your unpopular opinion?

[Billy Rutledge]

I went to see Clint Black, my favorite country artist, two weeks ago in New Haven, Kentucky. My unpopular opinion, if you're a major recording artist that has as many hits as he does, you got to play minimum two hours when you're on stage. He played an hour and 20 minutes. He was gone.

[Drew Franklin]

That's a good question. Appreciate the call. When you're a headliner of an act, Shannon, how long do you think a headliner should be forced to play for you to have to have paid for a full tick?

[Ryan Lemond]

I feel like an hour and a half's fair.

[Drew Franklin]

You think so?

[Ryan Lemond]

I think some of these go on for too long and there's something about leaving them one more. If you didn't get to hear maybe a song that you were hoping to hear, as long as it wasn't his biggest one, I think I'm of the.

[Drew Franklin]

Belief, especially as an artist gets older, they should be required by law to play their biggest hit.

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh, so you want the old man up there who can barely walk because he's so old he's still torn. You want.

[Drew Franklin]

But if you're gonna come, if you're Clint Black, you better sing Killing Time. I'm not there to hear your new album, Clint Black. Now, if you're somebody that's very popular right now, that's a different scenario. I'm not saying if you go see, I don't know, Jay Z, he has to play all of his old me. But if you exist like you haven't put new music out in 10 years. When people come, they are there to see you play the hits. Play the hits.

[Ryan Lemond]

But you're saying they got to play at least two hours.

[Drew Franklin]

Well, I was asking you. I don't really know.

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, I'm just saying, like Willie Nelson, the guy's 93 years old. I mean, he's. We were lucky that he's playing any shows, and you say he's got to Play.

[Drew Franklin]

When you're 93 years old, I think you get a break. You can play the amount of time that you. Yeah, but, like, if you go pay, like, what's a huge artist right now, Like. Like Taylor Swift, when she does her thing.

[Ryan Lemond]

She played long shows, like three hours.

[Drew Franklin]

Right.

[Ryan Lemond]

That's too much.

[Drew Franklin]

Okay. Okay. I bet the people that go though don't feel that way. But let's say you go see Pearl Jam. How long should Pearl Jam play?

[Ryan Lemond]

Hour and a half. Skill with me, I think I lean.

[Drew Franklin]

More towards two hours. Drew, what do you think they should play?

[Shannon The Dude]

Hour and a half to two is my first thought. I think anything after two, I'm probably ready to go home.

[Ryan Lemond]

I'm tired of standing there after a while. Right.

[Drew Franklin]

Unless you're Taylor Swift, you probably do.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

Right. Ryan, how long?

[Matt Jones]

I think two hours is good because like you said, you want to leave them wanting more. You want to play all their great hits, and you leave them wanting more so they'll come back to the next show.

[Shannon The Dude]

The good thing is, if you have a lot of hits, they can get in their car and listen on the way home. They're already recorded for you.

[Ryan Lemond]

If you're Atlas Blue Gam playing in Nashville, you got to play for four hours.

[Drew Franklin]

There's. There's controversy. Like, there's a lot. I always see controversy about my guy Tyler Childers, because he often does not play Feathered Indians, which is most sort of generic. Tyler Childers fans favorite song. It's not mine, but it's what a lot of people's are. Do you think a guy like Tyler Childress, who only has, like, four albums, should always. Shannon, play Feathered Indians and White House Road?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, because those are two of his biggest hits. Right.

[Drew Franklin]

So you think it would. It's bad for him not to play.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah. Like Radiohead, they go out there and they play all these songs, but they won't play Creep.

[Drew Franklin]

They will not play Creep?

[Ryan Lemond]

No. Like, why? Because you don't like the song. Because it became popular. These bands that, you know, spend all this time trying to be popular, then they achieve that then they act like they're too cool to be popular. They're not going to play their biggest song.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, that's lame. But I don't think that's quite the same as Tyler with. But people get mad because he will not. He doesn't play feathered Indians most of the time now. And it made you. There are videos after every concert of people being upset about it. Joe in Philly, what's your unpopular opinion?

[Billy Rutledge]

Unpopular opinion, and I feel like I'm on crazy pills, is that no matter how bad this football season is, Mark Stoops is coaching in 2026. He's got. He's signed through 2030. All the assistants are signed through 2026. We're not coming up with 36 million to send him back in after this year. So let's just buckle down and make the best of it, boys, because he ain't going anywhere.

[Drew Franklin]

Wow. Well, I mean, appreciate the call. Drew, you think that unpopular opinion is correct?

[Shannon The Dude]

I think so. If I had to make a bet right now, would he be here in 2026? I think I'd probably say yes. Even though I don't have high hopes for this upcoming season, I just. I think that's the situation Kentucky's in.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, I don't want to think about that. I think if he doesn't win six, I think it'll be too toxic. But we'll see. Bruce Springsteen apparently goes three hours and 20 minutes.

[Ryan Lemond]

That's way too much.

[Matt Jones]

It's a lot.

[Ryan Lemond]

That's a lot of Bruce.

[Drew Franklin]

That's a lot of Bruce.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

How old is he?

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh, God, he's got to be.

[Drew Franklin]

But if you're a Bruce fan, though, wouldn't you like that?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. You pay a lot of money to go.

[Drew Franklin]

I mean, pay a lot of money. You. You play. You go see Bruce Springsteen now, you might never see him again. Yeah, right. Wouldn't you want him just to leave.

[Matt Jones]

It all out there, play all the hits?

[Ryan Lemond]

Three hours, though.

[Drew Franklin]

Long time.

[Shannon The Dude]

Are we standing up the whole time?

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, sometimes I'm sitting down if I'm there that long. Nothing says summer like long days. La De La Cruz and a firing off a few bets on the games at DraftKings sportsbook. If you never bet on baseball before, you could have last night bet on Chase Burns. More than five and a half strikeout Shin. It was done by the sixth, by the second inning. Oh, you got just vibes, dingers. That's all you need. It's DraftKings. You go new customers. Bet 5, get $150 in bonus bets. Download the DraftKings sports app. Use my code KSR code KSRs for new customers to get 150 in bonus bets. When you bet just $5, it is only on DraftKings. The crown is yours. If you have a game problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER 18/ Kentucky only LGBT supply new customers only bonus player 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms, responsible gaming resources, see dkng.co/audio. I need to go see Tyler again soon. And by the way, I saw the creek, Drew. I saw the creek next to the park. Finally saw it.

[Matt Jones]

Can you see it from your house?

[Drew Franklin]

No, but it's on the other side of that bridge. Kind of what Drew said. And it is out now I see it and it looks. It's. I'll say. It's a. It's a trickling creek, Shane. And there's nothing.

[Ryan Lemond]

No.

[Drew Franklin]

Ain't a lot of water.

[Ryan Lemond]

Not much of a creek, huh?

[Drew Franklin]

Might want to add a little bit.

[Shannon The Dude]

It's been dry lately.

[Drew Franklin]

It's a little dry, but it's. I saw it. We'll take a break. Be back. Final segment KSR.

[Billy Rutledge]

Hi, Zoe Saldana.

[Drew Franklin]

Welcome to T Mobile.

[Ryan Lemond]

Here's your new iPhone 16 Pro on us.

[Drew Franklin]

Thanks. And here's my old phone to trade in.

[Ryan Lemond]

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[Drew Franklin]

There's a always a trade in.

[Ryan Lemond]

Not right now.

[Billy Rutledge]

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[Drew Franklin]

I feel like I have to give you something in return for karma.

[Billy Rutledge]

That's okay.

[Drew Franklin]

I don't really have much in my purse. Oh, let's see. Hand sanitizer. It's lavender. I'm good.

[Ryan Lemond]

Seriously.

[Drew Franklin]

Let me check this pocket. Oh, mints.

[Billy Rutledge]

Really, I'm fine.

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh, I have raisins.

[Drew Franklin]

I'm a mom. Wait, wait one sec. I've got cupcakes in the car.

[Ryan Lemond]

It's our best iPhone offer ever.

[Drew Franklin]

Switch to T Mobile. Get a new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence on us. Plus no trade in needed. We'll even pay off your phone up to 800 bucks with 24 monthly bill credits. New line 100 plus a month on experience beyond Finance Agreement 999.99 and qualifying ported for well qualified. Plus tax and $10 connection charge. Payout via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days credits and balance due if you pay off early or cancel CT mobile.com I do really like this song, but I'm not sure if I would even make it one of my top 10 of his. I put those out about every two years. I'll put out on social media. Shannon. My top ten favorite Tyler songs. And you want to talk about getting engagement because people have strong opinions. I kind of think. I'm not sure there's any artists in America that is bigger in a state than Tyler Childers is in Kentucky in disproportion to like, you know, like, he's popular everywhere, but like here, it's crazy. Who doesn't like him? Do you know somebody doesn't like him?

[Matt Jones]

No. And every show is sold out.

[Drew Franklin]

Every show sold out, like, immediately.

[Matt Jones]

Yep.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. One person writes madam, a woman. And here's my unpopular opinion. Vince Merrill was overrated. He was a good recruiter, but mediocre as a tight end coach. And by the end, the recruiting wasn't even great. Overrated.

[Matt Jones]

Ryan, we can't deny the fact. Recruiting. He did things here that nobody has ever been able to do and may never be able to do again. Out recruit Alabama and Michigan and Ohio State for kids. Now, we all knew the tight end position coach. You know, we had graduate assistants kind of handle most of that over the years. But that's not what he was here for. He was here to be the recruiter, and he was fantastic.

[Shannon The Dude]

Drew, I will completely agree on the tight ends coach part. I think losing him in recruiting is a big deal, whatever was going on here in the last few months. But, I mean, has there been a more disappointing position on the entire roster in the last decade than the tight ends? Seems like. Seems like they're getting good additions, which is to the point about recruiting. But as far as developing and actually getting them numbers, there's really. Hasn't. CJ Conrad had a good year, but other than that, there hasn't really been anything.

[Drew Franklin]

So, Drew, should we do this? Should we do the Vince story now or finish the unpopular opinions and do it tomorrow? Because I got to tell it. It's one of the subject.

[Shannon The Dude]

Let's just do it.

[Drew Franklin]

All right.

[Matt Jones]

Never been told.

[Drew Franklin]

This is on you, Drew. For us, this is on you.

[Shannon The Dude]

I'll take it.

[Drew Franklin]

This is one of those things. You help me with this, with the details. This is one of those things that I don't think a lot of people do know. What was the bowl game? Is it NC State? Is that who we were playing?

[Shannon The Dude]

Yes. That was the Gator Bowl.

[Drew Franklin]

NC State. Shannon, do you know this story?

[Ryan Lemond]

I do, yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

Okay.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

So NC State, if you remember, they had fired Eddie Grand. But what was it? Liam Cohen hadn't started yet, right? Correct. So Vince called the place.

[Shannon The Dude]

He was. He was O.C. for the day.

[Drew Franklin]

He was O.C. for the day. It was almost like a reward for him for all that he had done right. And this is. Now granted, this is. Comes from the players. This is not me saying this. Okay? Drew, you've heard this from players too, right?

[Shannon The Dude]

I have heard it directly from a player's mouth and confirmed from another player's mouth.

[Drew Franklin]

Vince is in charge of calling plays. And if you remember, we ran the ball a ton that game because we just dominated with the run. And we ran it 1 time, 2 times, 3 times, 4 times, 5 times. Every single time running it to the left. All right? Every play, always to the left. Six times, seven times, eight times, nine times to the left. And the offensive line and the players are like, we just keep going left. Okay, that's the play call. 10th time to the left. 11th time to the left. The NC State players, Drew, if I'm correct, are going. You guys are going left.

[Shannon The Dude]

My favorite part of that is the offensive line. Who I think was Fortner, maybe Canard, maybe Landon Young, they were leaned over the ball before the snap and telling the defensive line, yeah, we're going right there again. And then would still just push.

[Drew Franklin]

But NC State is sitting there thinking, shannon, at some point they're going to go right. Right. Yeah, they just keep going left, left. 22 straight runs to the left. And finally one of the offensive linemen says to Vince, hey, man, you do know that the. And, you know, let's say a call is alpha, target, murder, murder. And they're like, you know that if we say beta instead of all alpha, we go to the right. And Vince is like, oh, yeah, of course I know that. And then the next play, beta, and they go right. But they had run 22 plays to the left. And the offensive line believed. Drew, the Vince didn't realize that you had to say the other one to go right, which is why they just kept going left. But here's what's nuts. It worked because NC State kept thinking, there's no way they're going to run this left again. And they just kept running it left, likely because they didn't know that to use the other one, you go right.

[Shannon The Dude]

Kentucky had almost 300 yards rushing and.

[Drew Franklin]

Ran left every play.

[Shannon The Dude]

As told us, the players were like actually giggling a advance, but also giggling in at the line of scrimmage in the trenches, knowing that NC State Couldn't do anything about it.

[Drew Franklin]

They were giggling because they knew, Shannon, that Vince didn't know. But it was also working.

[Ryan Lemond]

It's really an amazing story. I mean, we're calling our shot. We're telling you where we're going and you still can't stop.

[Drew Franklin]

But NC State apparently was still confused. They were like, they have to go right here at some point.

[Ryan Lemond]

But after 17 times, I would think, okay, we're going. Why would you just load everybody up on that side of the field?

[Drew Franklin]

Then when they do, when he. When the offensive line tells Vince you could do this and go right, then they go right and he busts it for 35 yards because they had assumed he'll never go right.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

You could argue was brilliant play calling on Vince Merrill's part.

[Drew Franklin]

Maybe he knew what he was doing all along. I love that. I love the story because it's so just perfectly Vince. Like, he does things that are like, come on, Vince. But you know what? It ended up working and we won the game. And then at the end he was like, how about those Playco and shows.

[Shannon The Dude]

How good that line was.

[Drew Franklin]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

Right.

[Shannon The Dude]

Everyone knows the exact spot they're running to and still couldn't do it.

[Drew Franklin]

Still couldn't stop it. Wes, Go ahead, Wes. Hey, what's going on, guys?

[Billy Rutledge]

So I'm going to build off one of the callers earlier said about getting rid of my old Kentucky helmet. Football games and stuff.

[Drew Franklin]

I think it's awful.

[Billy Rutledge]

I don't think it's an awful song, but I think it's boring.

[Drew Franklin]

It kind of kills the vibe pregame.

[Billy Rutledge]

And I think we should replace it with a song called War that the marching band put out. And I feel like nobody really knows about it.

[Drew Franklin]

Well, I don't know the song to appreciate the call to say I agree or disagree, but I think the old Kentucky home. While everyone. Drew's ketchup thing has made everybody the maddest. The old Kentucky home one has probably been the one people have agreed with the most. Brian, one more.

[Billy Rutledge]

Hello.

[Drew Franklin]

Yes.

[Billy Rutledge]

Yeah, my unpopular opinion, football opinion here. Jared Lorenzen is actually the fifth or sixth best quarterback since 2000 and that's he's a career never had a season over 60.

[Drew Franklin]

So how would you rank him real quick, all his.

[Billy Rutledge]

For me, I would say Woodson's number one, probably Levis number two, Steven Johnson and then probably Mike Hartline.

[Drew Franklin]

Okay, Ryan, I'll give you a quick rebuttal.

[Matt Jones]

There is no way Jared Lorenzen is the fifth on this list. The dude was doing stuff with a team that was very under under talented. The line was not as good and yet he put up numbers that are still unmatched to this day.

[Shannon The Dude]

Yeah, number one in career yards, number one in single season yards.

[Matt Jones]

Can't deny that.

[Drew Franklin]

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