How Auburn will finish 2026 | McElroy & Cubelic in the Morning

Summary

McElroy & Cubelic in the Morning

Episode: How Auburn will finish 2026
Date: August 5, 2026
Hosts: Damian Mitchell & John Saber (Filling in for Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic)

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, Damian Mitchell and John Saber analyze Auburn’s upcoming 2026 football season. With a brand new head coach, Alex Golesh, and a sense of optimism (or skepticism) among fans, they walk through Auburn’s schedule game by game, debating possible outcomes. They explore the impact of the new 12-team College Football Playoff era, the evolving SEC landscape, and Auburn's potential trajectory in a pivotal transition year.
Listener reactions are incorporated, reflecting the hope, doubt, and excitement that define the college football pre-season.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Context: SEC Preseason & Coaches Poll ([00:50]–[04:59])

• Damian Mitchell and John Saber usher in “hour two” as Auburn’s fall camp opens. Greg is away at a seminar, and Cole is off; Damian and John are in the saddle with call-in and text lines open.
• New Coaches Poll Top 5:
  1. Ohio State
  2. Oregon
  3. Georgia
  4. Texas
  5. Notre Dame
     – Defending champs Indiana at 6, with significant SEC representation though Alabama is out of the preseason top 10 for the first time since 2008 (#11).
• The unpredictability of preseason polls:

  "Take these things with a grain of salt ... We genuinely do not know."
  – Damian Mitchell ([03:36])

• Surge of new contenders in 12-team playoff era – “You catch a team that gets hot, you never know what may happen.”

---

2. Auburn’s 2026 Schedule Walk-Through: Game-by-Game Predictions ([05:00]–[13:56])

September: Fast Start?

• Baylor (Atlanta):
  • Auburn gave up home advantage for a neutral site.
  • Damian notes: "I think Auburn knocks off Baylor ... this new-look offense Alex Golesh is presenting ..." ([05:28])
  • Score: Win.
• Southern Miss:
  • "Respect those guys ... Auburn should be 2-0."
• Florida (SEC Opener):
  • Vital for both teams; Alex Golesh v. John Sumrall (former Auburn candidate, now at Florida).
  • “You have this game at home ... going to be one of the hardest places to play. So we're told.” ([07:31])
  • Outcome: Narrow Auburn win, 3-0 start.
• Vanderbilt:
  • Challenging in recent years but, “Diego Pavia ain't there.”
  • "But I do think Auburn wins that game too. So you are four and oh." ([08:19])
  • Hosts discuss the risk of looking ahead to Tennessee.

October: Road Tests & Forks in the Road

• @ Tennessee:
  • Goldish’s return to Knoxville as head coach.
  • Damian: "This is a coin flip to me, but if I'm going with my gut, I'm going to say Tennessee defense, home field." ([11:54])
  • Mutual respect between Tennessee and Golesh noted.
  • Score: Loss.
• BYE WEEK
• @ Georgia:
  • “Loss, move on.” – John Saber ([16:47])
  • No-nonsense consensus; “Not this year.”
• LSU (Home):
  • “On paper, you could say LSU mops the floor ... but games ain't played on paper.”
  • Damian predicts an upset, Auburn bounces back. ([17:49])
• @ Ole Miss:
  • "I think Ole Miss gets them ... but it will be competitive."
  • Noted as part of a brutal stretch (Missouri, @Texas, Auburn, Georgia, @Oklahoma for Ole Miss).

November: Closing Stretch & Iron Bowl

• Arkansas (Home):
  • “I think Auburn handles their business” ([20:31])
• @ Mississippi State:
  • “Auburn is a better football team ... first win on the road for them.”
  • Some caution – MSU’s identity evolving, but this is where Auburn “should” win.
• Samford (Home):
  • “There's still a gap ... no disrespect to Samford, but I do think that [Auburn will win].” ([23:39])
• @ Alabama (Iron Bowl):
  • “I know Auburn fans are going to get sick of hearing this, but ... I don't think you're going to get it done.” – Damian ([24:34])
  • Notes home/away Iron Bowl trend favors Bama when in Bryant-Denny.

Damian’s Final Prediction: 8–4 (Losses: Tennessee, Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama)

• "That's a fantastic start ... you are a few pieces away, but the foundation is set." ([24:35])

---

Listener Interaction & Debate ([27:35]–[43:33])

• Fan Reactions:
  • Predictions from “Auburn 5-7” to “12-0, WAR DAMN” received. Many see 7-5 or 8-4 as a “huge step in the right direction.”
  • One texter: “Auburn will be the best 6–6 team in the nation.”
• Critique of Recent History:
  • “That feels rather Auburn-y ... everyone thinking they're going at least 7-5, probably 8-4, maybe 9-3 ... and they end up 5-7. Is that not the most Auburn thing ever?” – John ([34:59])
• New Coach Mindset:
  • “Alex Golesh is kind of Gus Malzanish ... he's a mad scientist, but on a different level ... I feel like he's chomping at the bit to really push Auburn to where they want to be.” – Damian ([35:40])
• Program Culture Change:
  • On preseason distraction-free camp: “If you are going to be committed here ... you are 100% bought in. There's no like, 'well, maybe...' you’re either locked in or we’ll holler at you.” ([37:44])
• Expectation Management:
  • John: “I just don't know if they can do it this well in year one ... that's asking too much of a virtually brand new roster and a new coach having to learn a whole new system.” ([40:35])
  • Damian: “I'm not doubting him ... but can you do that week, to week, to week?” ([40:15])

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On preseason predictions:

  "Just about everybody in sports media is pretty much dead wrong when it comes to these preseason outlooks."
  – Damian Mitchell ([14:11])

• On Auburn's new era:

  "It's laying the foundation. Something that Alex Golish has spoken about just throughout the off-season – can we establish what Auburn football will look like as we continue to move forward?"
  – Damian Mitchell ([29:19])

• On the Iron Bowl reality check:

  "Whenever that game's been in Bryant-Denny, it hasn't been correct. The same like it just hasn't."
  – Damian Mitchell ([25:25])

• Listener challenge (Golden Domer):

  "I am so confident Auburn will not have eight wins heading into the Iron Bowl that if they do not, you have to wear my kilt at next year's Jocks Kickoff Party."
  – Golden Domer ([44:35])
  (Damian declines, citing Alabama law).

• On culture change:

  "If you are going to be committed here ... you are 100% bought in. There’s no like, ‘oh maybe I ...’ There’s no hesitancy. It is either you’re locked in or we’ll holler at you."
  – Damian Mitchell ([37:44])

• On new coach’s "mad scientist" energy:

  “He's kind of Gus Malzanish ... he's a mad scientist, but he's on a different level ... you’re probably going to hear the exact opposite [of golf]: we can't get Alex Golesh out of the facility.”
  – Damian Mitchell ([35:40])

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• Coaches poll rundown/SEC landscape: [01:33]–[04:59]
• Auburn schedule predictions (game-by-game): [05:00]–[13:56], resumes at [14:11]–[24:34]
• Final summary, takeaways & fan interaction: [24:35]–[43:33]
• Notable listener contributions (Golden Domer, text line): [43:34]–[46:55]

---

Tone & Style

The show is conversational, honest, and energetic, featuring fan banter and classic Southern college football optimism mixed with skepticism. Damian and John keep it light-hearted while offering genuine, often self-aware analysis and playful jabs at Auburn’s historical ups and downs.

---

Key Takeaway

Auburn looks to enter the Alex Golesh era with hope and caution—8-4 is possible if the Tigers win all the games they "should," but SEC road wins will be hard-fought. The program’s floor and ceiling will depend on how quickly a new identity and culture take root, and whether this “mad scientist” coach can turn preseason talk into wins amidst the relentless, unpredictable theater that is the SEC.

---

For more, listen to the full episode or find highlights via the Jocks94.5 app or YouTube channel.

Transcript

[Bretzky]

Oh, I have had no luck lately.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Wait.

[Spinquest Promoter]

Lady Luck Bretzky.

[Spinquest Announcer]

I got you.

[Spinquest Promoter]

I've had so much luck on spinquest.com they have all of my favorite games, slot games, live blackjack craps and bubble craps. You can even get a 30 coin pack for just 10 bucks.

[Bretzky]

10 bucks for 30. I'm headed over to spinquest.com right now.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Jocks 94.5 Announcer]

This talks94.5 podcast is brought to you by Millennium Satellite and Video. Log on to msbnow.com tv excellence everywhere.

[John Saber]

That's millennium.

[Jocks 94.5 Announcer]

McElroy and Kublick in the Morning starts now.

[Damian Mitchell]

Welcome into McElroy and Kubelik in the Morning Hour. Number two, Damian Mitchell. John Saber hopping in the saddle. Greg had to step out getting ready for the seminar for espn. Cole off the rest of the week, but we are here with you 205-834-9450 if you want to text, you want to call in as fall camp is open Open for Auburn Yesterday Alabama getting ready to hit the field this morning. We'll hear from Kaylin DeBoer later on today. Got a chance to hear from Alex go with the head coach of the Auburn Tigers and getting you started for the 2026 season. What 24 days away from kickoff, the

[John Saber]

college football just like that. Yeah.

[Damian Mitchell]

I'm telling you it feels like just yesterday we were triple dig as Greg would say we were at 100 days. Now we are in the month of August and we are getting closer and closer to the start of college football. Yesterday the coaches poll was released and for the first time since 2008, Alabama. The Alabama Crypts and Tide are not a top 10 team to start the season. The coaches poll looks like this and again we can only we'll take it with a little bit of grain of salt. This is what the coaches poll looks like. Number one, the Ohio State Buckeyes. Oregon coming in at number two Georgia 3. Texas at 4. Notre Dame at 5. That rounds out your top five. Coming in number six the defending number national champions, the Indiana Hoosiers at 7. Miami 8. Texas A&M 9. Oklahoma 10 O miss. So that rounds out your top ten in the coaches poll. Alabama speaking of the Crimson tie, they come in at 11 12. Texas Tech 13 LSU 14 USC 15 BYU 16 Michigan 17 Penn State 18 Tennessee 19 Washington 20 SMU 21 Utah 22 Iowa 23 Clemson 24 Houston and to round out the top 25 at the number 25, the Missouri Tiger. So we got SEC representation and if again, take these things with a grain of salt because we do not know what to expect, if anything that we saw last season, as Greg pointed out in hour one, Indiana was anywhere between 18 to 20 in some polls to start the season. And then as we started watching each and every week, it's okay. There's one team that is unlike the the rest of them and they ended up being the national champions in the Indiana Hoosiers. Fernando Mendoza transferring in from Cal. Again, this is. And that's the thing too. Indiana was coming off of a college football playoff appearance where, you know, they ran across Notre Dame who end up playing for the national championship, losing Ohio State. But going into the 2025 season, they were looked at as towards the bottom of the top 25. And all they did was go out there and physically dominate on the, on the path to winning a national championship. So really and truly, you take these with a grain of salt. You look at it, it's like, okay, a lot of it is we don't know. We genuinely do not know. But I think that's what the intriguing, that's one of the intriguing factors going into the 2026 season because of what's happened in the 12 team playoff era the first two seasons. Man, you catch a team that gets hot, you never know what may happen. But one thing we do know is Ohio State is going to get that benefit of the doubt. Pretty much they're going to get the benefit of the doubt as they come in as the number one team in the coaches poll. But something I want to do this hour because now since we've, we've kicked it off and I don't think any of us have officially given our takes on what to expect from both Auburn and Alabama. With Auburn kicking off, I figured, you know what, I'm going to look at their schedule and we're going to do the win loss predictions. We're, we're going to get. I'm going to give you my prediction on the Auburn 2026 season under new head coach Alex Golish.

[John Saber]

Total or game by game?

[Damian Mitchell]

Game by game.

[John Saber]

Okay.

[Damian Mitchell]

Game by game. So let's look, take a look at the auburn schedule in 2026. Start things off September 5th in Atlanta. Basically a home game for Auburn.

[John Saber]

No, they gave up the home game.

[Damian Mitchell]

That, that is true. You got to get that. That Affleck money must be good.

[John Saber]

We shouldn't say anything. The mayor hates us. But yeah, but yeah, they gave up that game.

[Damian Mitchell]

They're messing up the economy Literally chose to.

[John Saber]

Yeah.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Yeah.

[John Saber]

Okay. Not a home game like the Lee

[Damian Mitchell]

county economy is at risk for this game because they moved it from Jordan Hair to Atlanta. I think Auburn knocks off Baylor and again you could tell me DJ Lagway goes back to the freshman year, but I don't think that, I don't think again, this is, this is a 20,000 foot view. I just think Auburn right now, even when it, even last season they were able to run up and down the field against Baylor. And I don't think Baylor. I love Dave Aranda. I like, you know, his mindset. He's different, he's unique. But I do think now with this new look offense that Alex Gold is going to be presenting and what DJ Durkin returns on the defensive side of the ball, I think that's going to be a little too much for Baylor. So you're starting off the, you start off the season one and oh, you're feeling good. You follow that up with Southern Miss. Respect those guys out there in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

[John Saber]

But do you.

[Damian Mitchell]

You will be, you will be too. Auburn should be 2 0. Okay, now September 19th, prime time. You get a night game, SEC opener. You have the Florida Gators. And we've spoken about this a lot during the, during this off season of that is a pivotal game for both Florida and Auburn because we know how to. When, when Hugh Freeze was let go and Auburn did the coaching search during the, during the months of December going into January, you kept hearing John Sumrall. John Sumrall's name, it, it just kept bubbling up. He was also in, in obviously, you know, Florida ended up making that decision, but he was also in the mix for lsu. He's in the mix for Florida. John Sumrall ends up taking that Florida job and surprising to some, Alex Golish becomes the head coach at Auburn. I think it's a pivotal game and one key thing that you got going for you and I know it probably hadn't felt like this in a couple years because we've, I'm actually watching a game right now where Auburn loses at home. But you have this game at home and I know it's going to be

[John Saber]

one of the hardest places to play. So we're told.

[Damian Mitchell]

It's so we're told.

[John Saber]

Yeah.

[Damian Mitchell]

Now you look at that home record the past couple seasons.

[John Saber]

Okay. Well, maybe not lately.

[Damian Mitchell]

Maybe not lately. But I do think with the cohesion that they have and what Alex Golish is building, you're going to get the full representation of that in week three. I think Auburn knocks off Florida, so you're three and oh, and you, you wrap up the month of September with a team that the past two seasons has gotten the better of you. But you know what? Diego Pavi ain't there for Vanderbilt anymore.

[John Saber]

That may be a good thing. So you got a five star.

[Damian Mitchell]

That is true. Jared Cards, I hadn't seen him play.

[John Saber]

Correct. Right. And probably won't play in this game, but. Right.

[Damian Mitchell]

But he's a five. I've never heard, I've never heard anybody utter the phrase there's a five star

[John Saber]

at Vanderbilt except maybe a hotel in Nashville. Yeah, that's about it.

[Damian Mitchell]

Exactly. But I do think Auburn wins that game too. So you are four and oh. Going into the month of October.

[John Saber]

See, I think it's very interesting because as pivotal as we think that the Florida game is, it's the SEC opener for both schools. Both schools are feeling like they could, they should be both eligible, should be 7 to 5, 8 and 4. If things go right, they very well could be 9 and 3. Yeah. So both teams are not really. Both fan bases, I would say are circling this game. But I think was all the more important for both of these teams is that next game is that week four, especially whoever gets well, really whoever wins or loses. Because if you're Auburn, you get that, you get that win against Florida, it's like, okay, things are starting to rock here. We know what we're doing. You've got Vanderbilt at home next week, but then after that you've got at Tennessee. Are you looking ahead to Tennessee? Is Alex, not that Alex golden necessarily would trying to go home looking ahead at that game, but a Vanderbilt team that probably talent wise is below you. Right. Are you overlooking them potentially to the next one? On the flip side with Florida, even if you get that Auburn game now you've got Ole Miss like okay, you were probably supposed to beat Auburn. Maybe, maybe not. But close enough to where. Okay, at home, but maybe slight underdog. Now you're going up against a team that you're really not supposed to be. Yeah. But if you get that win against Auburn. Okay, let's see how you can do it again. Is that so week four, I think both sides is going to be extremely pivotal. But for Auburn, I, I do think it's interesting that you do have the wind, especially given where that Vanderbilt games fall falls between week three and five.

[Golden Domer]

Yeah.

[Damian Mitchell]

And I think for, for Alex Gollish, what he's at least from what he said, I think that he is truly a week to week one and oh, mentality where he's. By week three, by week three, we're not going to be sitting here talking about, you know, how close they are. And then I think for Vanderbilt it's okay. Now you're not, you're not sneaking up on anybody anymore. You're not, you're not having that element of surprise where okay, yeah, we're, it's still Vanderbilt on that side. On the field, it still has the V on the side of the helmet. Nah, like you are going to get everybody's best shot. And I think for Auburn it's, it's very pivotal because I go back to last season with that Vanderbilt matchup. It was right after you had fired Hugh Freeze. DJ Durkin has to assume the, the interim head coaching spot. And there's. It was the first time that you saw leaks in the defense because Vanderbilt, at least in the second half, they really turned it on. They were able to move up and down the field. But again, Diego Pavia, now you still have Cedric Alexander who I think is going to finally, I know Cole talks about him a lot, but I think he's finally going to put himself in that conversation of hey, I'm one of the better running backs in the league. Like I've been doing this for a while. Everybody wants to hang on, to hang their hat on Diego Pavia, but more than likely you're having a first, you got a first year starter who's only played what, three games up until this point. They're going to depend on me. They're going to need me to tote that thing. So I agree with you. I do think that Vanderbilt matchup is going to be intriguing, but I'm giving Auburn the win on that one. Now the month of October, first week of October, you take a trip up to Neyland in Knoxville, Tennessee to take on the Tennessee Volunteers. Now with all the question marks that Tennessee has offensively, who's going to be their quarterback? You know, you have the Sean Bishop in the backfield, you got a host of receivers, Jim Knowles defensively, Arian Carter, assuming that he serves that two game suspension, this is probably his second game back. So he's kind of juiced up. It's hard right now, it's hard for me right now to say that Tennessee is like this is a, this is a, this is a coin flip to me. But if I'm going with my gut, I'm going to say Tennessee defense, home field. Of course I'm going to say Tennessee defense, home field. Alex Goldish and his return back To Knoxville. Of course. He was the offensive coordinator for Josh Hyple.

[John Saber]

What do you think they would throw on the field for him? Obviously, with Lane, it's mustard bottles and golf balls. What do you think they would throw for. For Gollish?

[Damian Mitchell]

I think there, There is a mutual respect between Tennessee and Alex goes. Because I don't think Alex goes left. He didn't leave, like, just burning trails. I don't think he burned bridges. It was, hey, I got a head coaching opportunity. I appreciate what y' all did. And they are.

[John Saber]

I mean, so did Lane. That's. That's why he.

[Damian Mitchell]

No, no, no, no, no. Lane left him. Like, in.

[John Saber]

Lane left for usc. He left for. He left for arguably the co. Head coaching opportunity.

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah, but his was. His was not a.

[John Saber]

It was also how many years until he came back.

[Damian Mitchell]

And also Lane was the head coach. Alice Go was just offensive coordinator. He gave him the. The best year statistically that they're still chasing. And they watched him like, hey, man, like, we're not going to hold you back. You are a head coach. Like, go do your.

[John Saber]

But yeah, now he's the enemy. And what if he says something that week that then.

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah, like. Yeah, then it'll get. It'll get right.

[John Saber]

That's what I'm asking. What do you think they'll throw on?

[Damian Mitchell]

I think there's pierogies. I think they'll be. I think there'll be class on both sides. I genuinely think there'll be class on both sides because I think Alex Goldish, they knew Tennessee knew they weren't going to be able to hold on to him forever.

[Golden Domer]

They.

[Damian Mitchell]

They just knew that. But I, I think for. For him being the offensive coordinator and orchestrating with Josh Hypo, you know, the Hinton Hooker year and all the success that they had, I think there was a mutual respect of like, man, go be great. Go be great. We'll continue because it's a perfect time. It's a bye week. So Auburn, right now through the first five games of the season. I got you at 4 and 1. Let's see what it looks like on the other side. We return here on McElroy and Kubelik in the morning.

[Jocks 94.5 Announcer]

Don't leave jocks back at the house. Download the Jocks94.5 app and take. Take us anywhere in the car, at work or at the game. Live audio, video and podcasts on your schedule. The Jocks94.5 app, wherever you may be.

[Damian Mitchell]

8:17 here on McElroy in Kubelik in the morning. Damien and John Here with you filling in for the guys. Taking a look at the Auburn schedule. Me personally, this again, this is just Me personally. I could be dead wrong, but just about everybody in sports media is pretty much dead wrong when it comes to these preseason outlooks of what the season could look like. Auburn opened up fall camp yesterday, so decided, you know what? Let's take a look at this Auburn schedule and I'm going to see, I'm going to give you the wins and the losses for Auburn that I see right now. And again. Oh, you can hold me to it. That's fine. I know Auburn fans, they, they, it couldn't really get to me a lot last year because the season went the way.

[John Saber]

Not really much. Right.

[Damian Mitchell]

Right when I was, I was the one trying to give them hope of like, hey man, you gonna knock off? And then you only scored three points against Kentucky. And it's like, okay, it was fun while it lasted, guys. It was fun while it lasted. But right now, through the first five games going into the start the season off. Going into the season, I have Auburn knocking off Baylor to start it off, Southern Miss, Florida, Vanderbilt. But I have them dropping their October opener on the road against Tennessee. So you're four and one and really and truly, again, I, I can't speak for all Auburn fans. You feel okay? Like, all right, if you say we lost to Tennessee on the road, fine. But that fork in the road game against Florida where it's like, okay, are we trending upward? Sure, absolutely. Now that month of October, the rest of the month of October, see, I,

[John Saber]

I, I think, I would disagree. I think if they're, for one, I think they feel good. I think they feel okay if they're 3 and 2. Say if they split Vanderbilt, Florida, however, whatever happens, and then lose to Tennessee or really, okay, yeah, lose if they're three and two, however that shakes out, I think they're feeling okay. It's like, all right, you know, we, we let one get away that we shouldn't have, probably. But I think if they're four and one at that point, like, hey, okay, like, we, we lost the teams that are, we lost to the team that's probably better than us. Yeah, we, we. Or at least equivalent. But same with Florida, we beat them at home and we lost to a team equivalent us on the road, that's about what should happen. So I think Auburn fans will feel good with that. I think they feel okay with three and two where if we were doing this exercise with my games, I think I'd have them at 3 and 2 right here because I think they, I think they split Vanderbilt, Florida.

[Damian Mitchell]

Okay.

[John Saber]

I think they probably lose to Florida, but I think they get Vanderbilt but then lose to Tennessee. Okay.

[Damian Mitchell]

All right.

[John Saber]

So not that far off.

[Damian Mitchell]

Okay. So going into your bye week, got a bye week. October 10th. And after that bye week, you are on the road against Georgia.

[John Saber]

Loss, move on. Loss.

[Damian Mitchell]

Not, not, not this year. Not, not this year. So looking at 4 and 2, I

[John Saber]

mean, I know Georgia's at Alabama the week before.

[Damian Mitchell]

Right. So if you catch him, if Alabama can bruise them up.

[Golden Domer]

Right?

[John Saber]

Maybe. Correct. Maybe. And, but Greg always says after Auburn is Georgia's bye week. You know how many guys are often checked out, hey, where I'm going to go with my girlfriend, I'm going to do this for my time off. Maybe looking at that wrist, but also at Georgia. So. Yeah. So you're Kirby after a loss is kind of.

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah, yeah. It's usually brutal for the, for the next team following up.

[John Saber]

Yeah.

[Damian Mitchell]

So right now I have Auburn at 4 and 2 with losses on the road at Tennessee and on the road at Georgia. Saturday, October 24th, you're back in your home stadium and you're taking on the LSU Tigers. On paper, on paper you can tell me that LSU goes into Jden air mops the floor with him.

[John Saber]

Okay.

[Damian Mitchell]

But games ain't played on paper and Lane Kiffin has shown it throughout his career. He's got one that he'll blow. This is it. I think Auburn knocks off LSU at home. Ruins LSU's hope. I'm gonna say ruins, but it definitely puts a. They circle that game. When LSU is having, you know, discussions. If they're sitting there at 10 and two at the end of the season of, hey, what happened this week? I think Auburn knocks them off. I think you kind of get that monkey off your back. From two back to back losses on the road, you feeling juiced up and you want to play the, the upset card. I, I, if there was a upset I see on Auburn's schedule, this would be the one. So I'm picking Auburn to knock off lsu. Now Halloween, the next week on the road against Ole Miss. I think it'll be competitive.

[John Saber]

Very interesting. This is your team versus the shirt you're wearing.

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah. Oh, no, listen, ignore the shirt.

[Golden Domer]

Now.

[Damian Mitchell]

I think, I think Ole Miss gets them. I think Ole Miss gets him because Trinidad Chambers, if we are going to make this a quarterback battle, I, I think Trinidad Chambers has shown numerous, on numerous occasions he can, he can rise up.

[John Saber]

You don't think this is a Trap game for Ole Miss because Auburn is sandwiched in between at Texas and Georgia. Okay.

[Damian Mitchell]

I think it's a, it's a get right of like, okay, we know what to expect moving forward. Nah, we can't. We can't mess around with that potential

[John Saber]

letdown because this is Ole Miss is a stretch right here of Missouri at Texas, Auburn, Georgia at Oklahoma.

[Damian Mitchell]

It's a, it is a fine tune. It is a fine tune of like, hey, we, you know what? We got to get our set. We got to get our mind right because the rest of this way is going to look pretty, pretty rough. But I do think with the talent that you have in the backfield with Kewan Lacey, Trinidad Chambers, and then defensively, Pete golden ain't gonna, he ain't gonna let no, he ain't gonna let this one get by. But I do think that it will be a competitive matchup. So right now we're looking at Auburn. I have him at 5 and 3 going into the month of November. I think you're cooking with Greece at this point. Like you, you're like, hey, we, we. We see that. We're getting there. If you knock off lsu, but you fall to Ole Miss, Georgia and Tennessee and, and they're all on the road. So, I mean, getting a win in the SEC on the road is extremely difficult. And then with these teams, again, a lot of projections moving forward. But I do think that these teams right now are better than. Better than you at this point. At this point. So you go into the month of November against Arkansas at home. I think Ryan Silverfield is a. Is going to be good, but not this year like Auburn. I think Auburn handles their business with Arkansas to start off the month of November, follow that up on the road at Mississippi State. I think it could be interesting because Mississippi State's identity, if Kamario Taylor is what they expect him to be, I think they're going to be a lot better. They're going to be a lot tougher out. I mean, they played extremely hard last season. They knocked off a top, at that point, a top 15 team in Arizona State. But I do think Auburn is a better football team than Mississippi State. So I think they handle their business on the road. Knockoff Mississippi State, first win on the

[John Saber]

road, too, for them.

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah, first win on the road all

[John Saber]

the way in November.

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah, it's. If, if there were. When I looking at these road games that they have with Tennessee, at Georgia, at Ole Miss, at Mississippi State and then at Alabama, the one, I would say that they have the best Chance right now.

[John Saber]

Oh yeah, no, that's zero doubt about that. Yeah, that's. That's one of four in the road. That's, that's. I know it's a first year coach but ultimately if that trend continues, that's not going to get it done. The sec.

[Damian Mitchell]

No, no, no.

[John Saber]

I know it's first year and I'm not saying that he's done. It's just if we're looking, it's like, okay, well if we're looking for ways to, hey, like we're trying to establish how good of coach he is and looking for things, look forward to trying to prove whatever for next year seemingly if it looks like because jumping ahead a bit in the schedule, I assume you, you have them beating Sanford so they will have held serve in all their home games. Yeah. So look like the magic of Jordan Hare is back potentially. But only one and four on the road like that. That's. That that would be a little worrisome. Yes. I know the teams that it is, Tennessee, Georgia, Ole Mississippi and Alabama. But you're expected to win on the road. The sec.

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah, I mean, yeah, I think that's fair. But I think when you look at just the teams and where like the question marks that I have for these teams that Auburn does face on the road, like again it, it could be on. When you look at Tennessee, it could be that Faison, Brandon is that five star that they expect and he looks pretty doggone good and they get that thing rolling. That game could be 48 to 45. It could be a high scoring matchup. I think Georgia is just more talented than you. They're going to be able to kind of, you know, force their identity on you of how they play football and it just may not be enough. You don't have the necessary. Jimmy's and Joe's Ole Miss again. I think talent wise they're. When you have absolute game changers and erasers and Trinidad Chambers and K1 Lacy, it doesn't matter. Like it's almost a. You can stop the run but then you still got Trinidad Chambliss dicing you up in the pass and okay, if you make it tough for them in the past game, Kiwan Lacey can, you know, slice and dice you in the run game. So it's just kind of pick your poison if they're both rolling. That's just. It feels like a snowball effect of like man, we just, we can't stop everything. So yeah, I'm looking at going into the Iron bowl right Now. Auburn is 8 and 3,

[John Saber]

assuming you have them being savored.

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah, yeah. Listen, love what John Gross is building over there. It's. But there's still a gap. There's still a gap. No disrespect to Sanford, but I do think that they will, they'll play tough, but still a big gap. Respectfully, I know I'll be hearing that one when I'm on the broadcast this fall at the home games for Sanford.

[John Saber]

But I was like, I mean, the week before it is Sanford's homecoming against Western Carolina.

[Damian Mitchell]

So West Carolina, boy, they were last year.

[Golden Domer]

They.

[Damian Mitchell]

That's.

[John Saber]

Maybe they're so busy focused on that game that they, that they don't take Auburn seriously. And I don't know.

[Damian Mitchell]

Maybe. Maybe it's possible it could, but I'm leaning Auburn on that one.

[John Saber]

Oh, correct. Understandable. Yeah.

[Damian Mitchell]

But the. A, but the final regular season game, we know what it is, the Iron bowl in Bryant. Denny. I know, I know Auburn fans probably go get sick of hearing this, but I think you're. You're close, but I don't think you're

[John Saber]

going to get it done.

[Damian Mitchell]

Don't think you're going to get it done. So all in all, realistically, I'm looking at the roster. I'm looking at, thinking of the roster, looking at the schedule, 8 and 4 in year one for Alex Goldish. I think that's a, that's a fantastic start because you know that you're trending in the right direction. You are a few pieces away, but the foundation is set. I have Auburn losing to Alabama, Ole Miss, Georgia and Tennessee. And again, kind of to John's point, they're on the road like these are teams right now. If we're stacking it face at face value and just the way that these teams are constructed right now, they're better than you. And not to say that again, we saw last season not to harbor too much on Hugh Freeze. Again, like, you were close, right? But now it's different. Like, now it's completely different. I do think that Auburn will be competitive and I think Auburn would be competitive in every single ball game, and they were last year. But I do think that some of these teams that you're going on, you're going on the road and some of these teams that you're facing, they have, they have bona fide answers to a lot of the questions that you could potentially have because again, the Iron bowl, no disrespect, but whenever that game's been in Brian Denny, it hasn't been correct. The same like it just hasn't. And if Keelan Russell or Austin Mack and whoever that they have QB1 is solidified by by the end of the season they going, we're going to know exactly what Alabama is.

[John Saber]

You know what I find fascinating? Going through this exercise and coming up in a few minutes we'll do the same thing for Alabama. But if Auburn does do this, the season plays out exactly how you have it. There's going to be so much hype, so much buzz, so much fervor around Auburn for 27. Oh yes. If they go. If basically they lose all their road games except Mississippi State. Well then next year Alabama comes to Auburn, Georgia comes Auburn, Oklahoma comes Auburn. A and M comes on. All of those teams are coming here. They do have to go on the road at Texas, but also at Kentucky, at Missouri, at Vanderbilt and I won't forget the out of conference at Notre Dame now very well. That could get shifted and end up in Chicago. Well, I don't play the Bears anymore. It's in Hammond, Indiana. It could end up there. Judging how many Auburn that could get moved, I don't think it will. It might. But if Auburn is able to have this kind of season, I think 2020 something could shape up to be a special season for them if they're able to lay the foundation as you've laid it out and then improve on it for 2027. But I think that would be a fantastic start for the Auburn Tigers if they were to pull this off. Especially because you've. You didn't lose to a team that you weren't supposed to that you lost. All the teams you lost to you were at least comparable. Right. If not worse than. So all the teams you beat you were. If not equal to you were definitely better than. So that. That to me is a. Is a start of a good campaign for Alex Golich and the Auburn Tigers.

[Damian Mitchell]

Absolutely. 200-583-49450 I have Auburn going 8 and 4 with the losses on the road at Tennessee, on the road at Georgia, on the road at Ole Miss. I got you knocking off LSU though. Got you knocking off LSU and a loss in the Iron bowl there to wrap up the season. How wrong am I? Do you. Are you with it? Do you think that is a successful season for Auburn? Are you trending in the right direction? We'll get your reaction on the other side. Also take a look at the Alabama Crimson ties scheduled for 2026 as well here. Keep it locked right here on McElroy and Cubic in the morning.

[Jocks 94.5 Announcer]

Keys Check. Seat belt. Check. Jocks 94. 5 on your presets. Locked in. Your ride's not ready till jocks is on. Jocks945, your daily drive. Done. Right. Turn it on, lock it in.

[Damian Mitchell]

Welcome back into McElroy and Kublick in the morning. Damian Mitchell, John Saber hopping in for the guys. If you missed the first couple segments, take a look at the Auburn schedule for 2026. I gave my prediction. I've got Auburn going 8 and 4. If you want to talk about it, let's do it. Feel free to text in. Call in 205-834-9450 if you think the conversation needs to be to be had at the Jocks Kickoff Party. Let's do that as well. Come celebrate the kickoff to college football with us at the Bill Smith Buick GMC Jocks Kickoff Party in the ballroom at Regents Field. To win a pair of tickets for you and a guest takes the keyword win and your Full name to 205-834-9450. Again, that keyword is WIN W I N and your full name to 205-834- 9450. Winners are drawn and notified daily. It's the Bill Smith Buick.

[John Saber]

Excuse me?

[Damian Mitchell]

It's the Bill Smith Buick GMC Jocks Kickoff Party presented by Myers Tree Service. For more information, visit us online@jocks fm.com so take a look at the Auburn 2026 schedule. I gave my win loss prediction. I think that Auburn loses at Tennessee, at Georgia, at Ole Miss and at Alabama. So you only get 1, 1 win on the road. I'm sorry, it's Mississippi State. I think you're a better team than Mississippi State. I do think Mississippi State has improved, but I still think you should handle your business there. I did give you the win against lsu. What better way to stick it to Lane Kiffin than him having all these lofty expectations, Lofty goals. Oh, this 50 million dollar roster. You're poaching guys from your old school at Ole Miss and then Auburn hits him in the mouth in Jerdan hair. You don't think Alex goes is going to be juiced up for that? What if we have Byron Brown, you know, look very Cam Newton esque. What if we get the full package? I think that's it's a brewing game because it's a, it's a rivalry game that we haven't, we had. We didn't see it last year, but there have been times where that game has gotten crazy on both sides. I think for Auburn building towards Again, it's, it's laying the foundation. Something that Alice Goish has spoken about just throughout the off season of. Can we, can we establish our, our identity? Can we establish what the foundation of what Auburn football will look like as we continue to move forward? And I think in year one you go and knock off a team like LSU if you're competitive on the road. And again, I think Tennessee is a coin flip. I lean Tennessee basically because it's at home and also the offense that both of these guys run, it may take a couple games to kind of iron some stuff out. And I think for Tennessee you'll be battle tested with that matchup against Georgia Tech. And I think for Auburn, that's your, that's your first road test. That's the first one. And I think that both Josh Hypo and Alex Goldish, both offensive minded guys, they know, they know each other like the back of each other's hand. Like they, they've worked together hand in hand. They know the styles.

[John Saber]

Excuse me.

[Damian Mitchell]

Which will be extremely similar. But I do think that defensively it's, it's going to be one of those chess matches between DJ Durkin and what Jim Knowles has done defensively over his career as well. So I'm interested to see how that one could potentially go. You could tell me that Auburn goes on the road and knocks off Tennessee and I'm like, hey, I wouldn't be surprised either way. I think John brought up a great point after that Florida game. You, you, you definitely cannot have that letdown because you find because you knocked off Florida in week three, it's your homecoming. It's your home. Exactly. It's your homecoming. On top of that, on a Vandy team that again, it's. What are we going to see from that, from that Commodore unit? Because now there's no Diego Pavia. Do they still ride that momentum? They still have that juice from what

[John Saber]

stand is SEC opener? Oh yeah, yeah. Granted on the road. But yes, it's a team. You cannot be solely focused on this.

[Damian Mitchell]

You cannot take them for granted. You can't take them for GR it and try to look forward of, you know, hey, we got a first, we got our first road test the next week on the road at Tennessee. But I do think that it's going to be an interesting matchup. And again, you can understand the matchup with Georgia. You could tell me how close they were last year, which I know that you're probably getting tired of hearing that, but it's on the road in Sanford Stadium like That's kind of one of those, you could probably keep it competitive. But Gunner Stockton, he knows that offense like the back of his hand. They their style in which Georgia plays, if you want to make it a fist fight, Georgia, well, they will welcome that with open arms. Like come on, this is right in our wheelhouse. I do think that the matchup with Ole Miss could be interesting, I think because again what they have in Trinidad Chambers and KE1 Lacy and the way that that structure is for Pete golden again he's coached, he coached at Alabama defensive coordinator for a long time for a while and he's not going to be one of those guys that's going to take Auburn for granted. Like he knows exactly what to e expect in a matchup with Auburn. And I think the Iron bowl right now Alabama's a better football team than you. Like even with the inconsistency in the offensive line. Like if we're still having question marks. But right now on paper, I think the experience that Alabama has in the secondary, the pieces that they have offensively, if they do iron out some of the things on the offensive line and establish some sort of identity in the run game right now, yes, I think Alabama is a better football team. So I asked that question. Am I, am I wrong? What are your thoughts both Auburn, Alabama fans, whoever your team of do you think that 8 and 4 is A is a good spot for Auburn to be in 205-834-9450 somebody takes in Auburn 5 and 7. That's tough.

[John Saber]

That would be a rather, rather disappointed season. Like to me doing this exercise, I have him six and six. I, I basically the difference major with me was Adam losing the LSU game, now losing the Florida. Ultimately I have them splitting Florida and Vanderbilt. So they beat Florida but I think they lose to Vanderbilt. But I think they're one and one in that two game stretch and I do think they lose to lsu. So in my head I have them going six and six. So five and seven, while that would be a major disappointment, that's also not that far off where I have them. Yeah, but five and seven from where you're protecting them or would be a major, major letdown.

[Damian Mitchell]

And that means you lost the game that you weren't supposed to.

[John Saber]

Maybe more than one, right? Yeah. And I, I'm not saying this to make fun or to dump on the team, but that feels rather auburny for everyone thinking they're going at least 7 to 5, probably 8 and 4, maybe 9 to 3 if things go right and they end up 5 and 7. Is that not the most Auburn thing ever for. For that team to do?

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah. Because then we're still going to be having conversations of how close they are, correct?

[John Saber]

Right.

[Golden Domer]

Yeah.

[John Saber]

And it's paid all this money and you still close.

[Golden Domer]

Yeah.

[Damian Mitchell]

So we're still close. And I think that. I think that's fair. Somebody takes in and says Auburn will be the best 6 and 6 team in the nation. I feel like we heard that one before.

[John Saber]

I don't know some other ones out there.

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah, Auburn. Somebody else takes in and says 12 and oh, war.

[John Saber]

Damn.

[Damian Mitchell]

I'm kidding. But realistically, 7 and 5 or 8 and 4 would be awesome. Huge step in the right direction. And I agree with that. I think that is. That's the one thing that you couldn't get over with Hugh Freeze was you look at the talent that you were able to pull in and it's okay. Well, how are we not getting the best out of. And Greg brought up a great point yesterday of like the clutch. Like the clutch games, the clutch situations Auburn wasn't able to overcome. And I think with Alex Golish, he's kind of a. He's kind of Gus Malzanish in a way where it's a. He's a mad scientist, but he's on a different level of just football. Like, he is. He's a bald guy. Like, I don't think we're going to be hearing reports of him going out there playing golf. It's like, no. If anything, you're probably hear the exact opposite of we can't get Alex Gollish out of the facility. Like, he's got a family to attend to. But he, like, he loves ball and he's very structured, at least from what he has spoken about. Of this is how it's going to be done. This is how it's got to be done. Let's build the standard and let's get this thing rolling. Like, I feel like he's chomping at the bit to really push Auburn to where they want to be. It's very similar and I know it's a little bit of difference because we've at least seen Auburn be at the top in spurts. But it's very similar to Mike Elko in a way at Texas A and M where it's, if this is where you want to be, this is how we got to go about this. Like, this is our business. Like, this is how we're going to do it. And really and truly starts at fall camp with them going, staying at The grand national of eliminating all distractions. It is football if this is where you want to be. These are the things that we have to do. And it's not just talking about it. It's actual putting in the action with it of saying, hey, we're. There are no excuses. There's no excuses if you're sick. We got the training facility. We've got everything, the medical staff and everybody's here.

[John Saber]

We.

[Damian Mitchell]

We're eliminating saying like, hey man, I overslept. I missed.

[John Saber]

Nope. You.

[Damian Mitchell]

If you are going to be committed here at the Auburn. At Auburn University and you're playing football for the tigers, you are 100% bought in. And it ain't. There's no like, oh, maybe I. There's no hesitancy. It is either you locked in or we'll holler at you. And I think that's what Auburn has been missing where they. Greg brought. Greg and Cole talk about it. The focus isn't what's going on around them. It is what is going on in our building where, you know, Hugh Freeze goes up to SEC media days yesterday last year and was saying, I will be surprised if this team is not in the College Football Playoff. Well, hell, if you're the head coach, you giving them that kind of expectation, then yeah. When you're only scoring three points against Kentucky, it is a problem. Like it is an absolute problem.

[John Saber]

Major problem.

[Damian Mitchell]

So I think for Alex Golish and the way that his mind is set for Auburn, I think is exactly what you need in getting that refresher Josh from Birmingham. He says he got. He has Auburn going nine and three and they get one of Ole Miss or Alabama on the road. Okay.

[John Saber]

Let's also keep in mind that. Do you remember in his what, two and a half seasons at uab, do you know how many conference wins that trend overhead? None. He had five.

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah.

[Spinquest Promoter]

Five.

[John Saber]

Yeah. One of them was to Alex golden usa. So let's.

[Damian Mitchell]

Oh, no.

[John Saber]

Yeah.

[Damian Mitchell]

Don't know.

[John Saber]

And also. And he said he. They had the. The distraction free camp or whatever at the hotel. Did all three years. Seven to six. Seven to six, nine and four. Just. Just keep that in mind.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Yeah.

[John Saber]

Maybe not distraction.

[Damian Mitchell]

That means he never. He never went under 500. So you gotta. You gotta feel confident about that. Like we. We either gonna be average or right above.

[John Saber]

You were. No. You were not distracted preseason. I mean, you got to the season okay. Yeah. That's what like. Like a lot of your kids, you took them away for the vacation. Took it. This means. Oh, it was so great. So fine. As soon as you got back, boom. Right on it.

[Golden Domer]

Okay.

[John Saber]

All right. Made up for lost time.

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah, for sure. An Alabama fan texting and says, auburn going four and eight Rotai. Nah, man, we can't do that. We're not gonna do that. I think. Listen, I, I do think I love Alex G. And I loved him. He was at Tennessee. And really and truly, if you look at the South Florida and Alabama matchups the past couple seasons, it's been ugly. Like, it hadn't been pretty. It took three quarterbacks the last time they played to knock him off. And it again with Bryce Young at quarterback. It took a minute for Alabama to really find their footing from Alex Goler. So I'm telling you, man, he. I'm not doubting him. I'm not doubting him. But again, the jump from. Again, we saw what he did to Florida down there. Down there in the swamp. You knock him off, but can you do that week to week to week to week?

[John Saber]

See, I, I'm not doubting him either. I just don't know if they can do it this well in year one. Yeah, I think they. I think he was a great hire. I think he will be very good at Auburn. I just don't see 8 and 4, 9 and 3 in the first year. I see a 6 and 6, maybe 7 and 5 in that first year and then maybe the year after that. It's like, okay, now at that point, 8 and 4 probably is the floor. Yeah. And then we can start going from there. I just, I feel like that's. That's asking too much of a virtually brand new roster, at least on offensively and a new coach having to learn a. A whole new system.

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah.

[John Saber]

And a lot of things. I, I just, I, I'm, I'm more than willing to be proven wrong.

[Jocks 94.5 Announcer]

Yeah.

[John Saber]

But I think I'd rather go on

[Damian Mitchell]

the side of caution.

[John Saber]

Right. I'd rather go predict six and six, because I think you guys can do that. Rather than say, oh, I expected eight and four, I expect nine to three, and they end up seven to five. I'm like, oh, this guy. Oh. Oh, my gosh. Okay. Yeah, go back to Raymond James.

[Damian Mitchell]

We will. We'll keep it going on the other side. 205-834-9450. Your text message, your calls, keep it locked right here on Mac and Q. Josh.

[Jocks 94.5 Announcer]

94. 5 is live on YouTube every weekday, plus video shorts and podcasts. Find us at jocks94.5 and smash the subscribe and like button so you never miss a moment. Jocks94.5 on YouTube.

[Damian Mitchell]

You're right, brother.

[John Saber]

The song just don't hit the same no more, man. Look forward Friday at what, like 150, 140. Something sitting around.

[Damian Mitchell]

Hope Matt's doing well. Hope he's doing well.

[John Saber]

He is.

[Golden Domer]

Yeah.

[Damian Mitchell]

I know it had some time with

[John Saber]

him in media days. Yeah, he's.

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah, I saw him when he walked by a couple of. I think it was the first day. And it's like, man, reunion. Like, how you been, dog?

[John Saber]

He's living the life, man. He's literally living his dream.

[Damian Mitchell]

I know it, man. Congratulations to him. Interested to see what Texas is going to look like out there? You know, big, big Longhorns guy. And he hates Texas A and M. So all the positive things I've been saying about A. Yeah.

[John Saber]

You can't find it, and it's hard to do that. Nope, nope, nope.

[Damian Mitchell]

Welcome back into McElroy and Kubelik in the morning. Damien and John here with you. Went through the Auburn 2026 schedule. I have Auburn going 8 and 4 and just begin some reaction. 205, 834, 9450. And this is what I love. Like, these are the things that, like, now I know we're back. Kind of what Greg said yesterday, the Casuals were back. Like, they're back. Even on the Auburn side, I said 8 and 4. Other people saying 9 and 3.

[John Saber]

Like, I know.

[Damian Mitchell]

Yeah, let's go. You got to have confidence. I saw one pass from Cam Ward to Carnell Tate yesterday for the Tennessee Titans, and complete logic went out the window. We going to the Super Bowl. That's. That's.

[John Saber]

That.

[Damian Mitchell]

That was the. I'm talking about. That was the first thought.

[John Saber]

Okay, we're gone.

[Damian Mitchell]

But that's the. That's the fun part about getting ready for, like, this is the. Like, we're all just sitting there on pins and needles and I'm here, over here trying to have, you know, like, let's. Let's look at this logically. It's like all eight and four. That's not a bad start. Like, nope. We going nine and threes. Like, let's go, let's go.

[John Saber]

Now the hilarious part is, like, you're. You're all excited. Like, oh, you saw one patch and great and everything.

[Damian Mitchell]

All I needed.

[John Saber]

And then they lose our opening to the jets and you're going to be ready to fire everyone.

[Damian Mitchell]

I'll be sick. Like, solid. Can't beat his whole team. Like, man, I'm telling you. But that. That's the fun stuff. Like I always see tweets and you know, like it's so many days before I let you know my NFL team ruin my entire Sunday. Or my. I'm about to put my faith in 18 to 23 year olds on a Saturday for my mood. That's exactly what it does. At 100%. 205. 834-9450. Let's go to the phone lines. Let's talk to our buddy, Golden Domer. Top, top, top of the morning.

[Golden Domer]

$10 now. I got that patented.

[Damian Mitchell]

Oh man, my fault. I'll text, maybe find a patent on

[John Saber]

that phone because that needs, that needs fixing.

[Golden Domer]

That'd be a ten dollar fee right there. That's a ten dollar fee. Let me ask you this, baby. Let me, let me ask you this, all right? Have some fun. You seem like a fun kind of guy. You seem like the kind of guy that would stand up for something that he says. Is that accurate?

[Damian Mitchell]

For the most part. I mean, I'm vertically challenged, but I'll stand up.

[Golden Domer]

Okay. Okay. Hey, that's all right. We're about the same. I might have you by an inch or so, but we were pretty close. How about this? I am so confident that Auburn will not have eight wins heading into the Iron bowl that if they do not, you have to wear my kilt at next year's jock's kickoff party. Are you a man of your word or not?

[Damian Mitchell]

In the state of Alabama.

[Golden Domer]

Come on.

[Damian Mitchell]

Now, wagering, Wagering is illegal, so

[Golden Domer]

I

[Damian Mitchell]

have to respectfully decline.

[Golden Domer]

This is a, a friendly bet between friends. All you got to do, you. If Auburn does not have a win betting in before Alabama destroys them, by the way. But, but, but all you gotta do is next year just wear my kill, man. And look, if they do, you come up with something I'll wear. I mean, hell, I'll dress up like a damn tiger if I need to. How much do you believe it? Are you trying to do like what Greg said or do you believe it?

[Damian Mitchell]

No, I believe in my heart of hearts. And listen, I just, I just don't think it's worth it. I don't, I don't think it's worth it.

[Golden Domer]

Look, man, look, we. You could get me wearing an Alabama or. I love the sec. I'll do anything. I'm not scared.

[Damian Mitchell]

Just do it for fun.

[John Saber]

Just do.

[Damian Mitchell]

If you ain't scared, just do it for fun.

[Golden Domer]

Just look, look, David, I thought you, I thought you was a fun guy, man. I thought you would jump at this.

[John Saber]

No.

[Damian Mitchell]

Well, that's what you get what's wrong with the kill?

[Golden Domer]

What's wrong with the kill? Man? That's the, that's the battle. That's the battle outfit of the Irish, man. I mean that ain't nothing wrong with that.

[Damian Mitchell]

Why ain't Irish.

[John Saber]

Yeah. And isn't that your killed? Yeah. I mean, yeah. Why, why do you want them up in your kill?

[Damian Mitchell]

No, I'm cool. Yeah, cool. But I appreciate it. Appreciate it, man. I thought he's. At least he didn't have a Notre Dame's thing like it was just. It was just more of a. I

[John Saber]

do find it rather interesting that he's never said on air but so many times this year he's guaranteed that Notre Dame will win a championship. This year he's guaranteed off air to me. Never said it on there. Oh, by the way, it's the same person that said Marcus Freeman can coach. This is not the guy I want coaching the squad all of a sudden after a couple years ago.

[Damian Mitchell]

Oh, you know what?

[John Saber]

I always liked him. Okay. Yeah, sure.

[Damian Mitchell]

It takes that wait and see approach

[John Saber]

all in on his team.

[Golden Domer]

Oh, I'm.

[John Saber]

Yeah, I believe in it, but not really. All right.

[Damian Mitchell]

Hey listen, I've got Auburn going 8 and 4. You know, when we get back at the top of the hour, let's look at the Alabama crimson tide in 2026. My schedule predictions on the other side, keep it locked on Mac and q.

[Jocks 94.5 Announcer]

This is McElroy in Kubelik in the morning.

[Shopify Advertiser]

You didn't start a business just to keep the lights on. You're here to sell more today than yesterday. You're here to win. Lucky for you, Shopify built the best converting checkout on the planet. Like the just one tapping ridiculously fast acting sky high sales stacking champion of checkouts. That's the good stuff right there. So if your business is in it to win it, win with Shopify. Start your free trial [e-mail] win.

[Grainger Advertiser]

When you're a maintenance engineer in a beverage manufacturing plant, you keep production lines moving and quality on track because there is no room for slowdowns. With Grainger's vast selection of high quality motors, sensors, belts and hard to find parts, you can get what you need fast and all in one place. So nothing gets in the way of getting the job done. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Bretzky]

What's up everybody? It's Bretzky and America is turning 250 and I can't think of a better way to celebrate that than playing on an American owned social casino. Spinquest.com with all of your favorite games, live craps, bubble craps, live blackjack, there's no better place to play for free and win real cash prizes.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Spinquest.com Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Damian Mitchell]

Meet Keith Loving Dad Board Game Champ

[Keith Loving]

Bus Driving Pro I drive 65,000 miles in my bus each year. If people knew what I know, lives could be saved. Like how there are some things I simply can't see on my route. The other day a car tried to sneak past me and ends up right in my blind spot. I turn slowly so accident avoided but no car should be in the blind spot for a 40,000 pound bus.

[Damian Mitchell]

It's our roads.

[Keith Loving]

It's our safety.

[Damian Mitchell]

Visit www.sharetheroadsafely.gov the US Soccer Podcast these

[Spinquest Promoter]

players are battered and exhausted. But you don't hurt like this. If you don't care about this team, about this country, about this game.

[Damian Mitchell]

You can feel the intensity, the goals, the energy, the wow.

[Spinquest Promoter]

Look at us here in the us. I have got some news for you. There's so much more to come. My name is Megan Klingberg and we're just getting started.

[Grainger Advertiser]

The U.S. soccer Podcast presented by Henkel. Follow and listen on your favorite platform.

[Shopify Advertiser]

Hanging out at the pool is great. Relaxing and playing Vegas style games on my phone at the same time. Drink in one hand and a blackjack in the other. It's all at Spin Quest. Over a thousand games including your favorite slots and table games. Be cool with this summer special. New players get 30 coin packs for

[Spinquest Announcer]

[e-mail] Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.