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SEC Unfiltered
Biggest WHAT IF For Each SEC Football Team, Where The Media Got It WRONG , Aggies Being Slept On?
01:38:59
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- [00:00]
A
Hello, everyone. I'm Chris Phillips. He's cold. Bear Thompson. This is Chewing Clock SEC unfiltered bi weekly SEC football show. The best SEC football show on the Internet. And we have got a jam packed show here on a Monday. But first things first, I welcome in my co host, my colleague, my partner in crime, one of the best in the business, Mr. Cole the bear Thompson Bear. Appreciate you taking the time, my friend. No Demetri of onas today, as everyone can tell by now. And Cole, it feels like old times for you and I, but really excited to chat with my man. We got a lot to discuss, a lot of exciting things to get into.
- [00:33]
B
Yeah, old times for sure, but a new bone to pick with most people. Listen, guys, I understand that you are prideful of your teams and of your programs and certainly of the players that represent your programs. I'm gonna ask you to do me a favor. Read context before you come for me in the comments section. I'm gonna be doing a video later on this week talking about my power rankings of players and I'm very excited about it. Wide receivers, running backs, quarterbacks, guys, I pick one per team. That doesn't mean that I don't think highly of your players. My wide receiver rankings were so popular that it started trending on Twitter because of names I left on it. You really think that I'm stupid enough to leave Mike Matthews and Ryan Wingo off when I throw in a Nick Anderson from Kentucky or a Crisp a. A Chris Marshall from Arkansas? Come on, gang. Like I'm just at context. Clues matter here. That's all I'm begging for you at this point before you DM me at three in the morning telling me I am a terrible human being that does not deserve to talk about college football anymore. That's all I'm asking for.
- [01:34]
A
Yeah, Bear, you created quite a stir over the last couple of days with the the running back and the wide receiver rankings. I will say though, I will take some of the blame because I know better and I know you do as well. But I know better from the standpoint. I've been in this game long enough to where you have to dumb things. And I'm not attacking anyone, coming at anyone, but this is just reality. You have to dumb things down to a point where nothing can be misconstrued, nothing can be taken out of context. And so unfortunately, when we drop wide receiver rankings, people do not read the fine print. So maybe that's on us. We'll do better next time. But yeah, to be fair, again, to Be fair, you did specify that in the comments and the replies. But hey, either way, I mean, the beauty's in the banter, I suppose.
- [02:19]
B
And hey, we almost had a million views on it. Just, just mostly people saying, God, I hate this man for not giving respect to Vernal Brown or Mike Matthews or Ryan Winkle.
- [02:28]
A
Pick your poison.
- [02:29]
B
Isaiah Horton, who we're going to talk about a little bit later on in the show, got a lot of praise too.
- [02:32]
A
Yes, yes, indeed. No, it's. It's an exciting time. Obviously, the beauties in the banter. And of course that is the case when we get into peak talking season. And that only continues this week, guys. We got an exciting week upcoming. Like I mentioned, no Demitri Ranas today. No Demitri Ranas for the next two weeks. Our guy Dimitri is out and about with the family. I believe he said he's going to a concert in Canada, doing some other stuff, taking some downtime with the fam. Totally understand. So it will be Cole and I holding it down on chewing clock for the next two weeks. And again, we got some exciting things upcoming, guys, including all of what's happening on today's show. But Cole, Wednesday, we're going to be talking fall camp because fall camp begins early next week. We're going to talk top storylines for every SEC team entering fall camp. Could be position battles, could be something else. Finding your identity, whatever it might be. As again, the countdown to kickoff, guys, we're almost just a month away. I believe that this past Sunday, Cole, was the final Sunday, if I saw correctly, on social media, without football until February. I believe that's correct.
- [03:39]
B
I believe you are correct on that one. Because of coming up, we're very close
- [03:44]
A
to a point to where some form or fashion we are going to get football. I know the hall of fame game is coming up. That might actually be this weekend. You could tell me, Cole, you're.
- [03:53]
B
I believe it's. I believe it's this Sunday, if I'm not mistaken.
- [03:56]
A
Okay, so then that would make sense. There's football essentially every single weekend up until February. So we're entering one of the best times of the year. Obviously it's going to be a great time. But again, Wednesday we will be previewing fall camp. Looking ahead of that. Going to be a lot of fun. Obviously, really excited for these teams to actually get on the field pad start to pop and football to be in the air. But bear with that being said, let's go ahead and get into it because again, we do have a jam packed show today. Biggest what if for each SEC football team this season. Of course this is, this can go a number of different directions. It can be on field, it can be off field, it can be a certain player, a coach, a position, a game, the schedule, whatever you want. We're essentially playing a hypothetical game today. But biggest what if for each SEC football team this season. And guys, we would love to hear yours as well as I see our guys Turkey slammer and Riley Carothers 20 in the chat. Appreciate you all tuning in but Bear, we're gonna do this, we're gonna go backwards. So instead of starting with Bama, we're gonna start with Vandy because most people don't start with Vandy and we'll go the opposite way and we will end with Alabama. So do Cole. Let's start with the doors. I'll let you go first and I'll follow up. Biggest what if for the Vanderbilt Commodores this season?
- [05:20]
B
I'll take the low hanging fruit. What if Jared Curtis is not ready to start in college football for 2026? I mean again we can, we can play the game of yes, there is a quarterback competition. Yes, we believe that they that he has to win the starting job. But to be completely transparent, you're not paying for Jared Curtis to sit on the bench. You're bringing him on in to become the face of Vanderbilt football. And what if there is regression? What if there are some signs of where you put the wagon before the horse and he's not ready to take on that giant mantle? That's not to say that he can't figure it out, but a selling point for I think a lot of transfer portal players will be. This kid with this offensive personnel is already making magic. I want to be a part of that in the future. So. So it derails your potential to bring in transfer portal pieces. It derails your opportunity to continue to win with recruiting. And I think this is a point of where Vanderbilt has turned the corner to where we know they're no longer the doormat of the sec but they still need to show a little bit more before we give them the reins of now. You are one of these teams that we are paying attention to week in and week out. Any regression from the quarterback position after how impactful it was last season, it could be a recipe for disaster in Nashville.
- [06:27]
A
Yeah, Cole, I think just following up on that and I'm going to take it a different angle if you will but very similar to what you're saying. What if the Diego Pavia effect is even Greater than we realized. Because I think what's been interesting this preseason is Vanderbilt fans taking offense to the fact that with no Diego Pavia, there could be regression. And I, I think you really have to understand just how much he meant to that football team and how much he met at that football program, not just on the field, but off the field as well. He brought swag to Van. Yeah, he brought confidence, he brought moxie. He brought a level of aura as Ryan Silverfield likes to refer to at sec. Many days he. He brought all that and then some. So what if there is this void, this absence, because you can have talent, right? But Diego Pavia had more than just talent. He was a winner. He was a gamer. He found ways to will his team over the finish line. So what if that void, that loss is greater than even, you know, any of us even expect? Could lead for a down season for the Vanderbilt Commodores this upcoming season and one that leads to disappointment. Cole, let's go to Texas A and M. Biggest what if for the Yaggies this season.
- [07:41]
B
Pretty simple. What if the offensive line is not up to par? What if. I think a lot of people forget that last season one of the more underlying traits of A and M's offensive success was Marcel Reed had time to throw and he was able to build a rapport with both Casey Concepcion and Mario Craver. And then when he was able to kind of maneuver inside the pocket, it was because the offensive line did a damn good job of holding its block. Well, you replace four starters and all four of them come from the transfer portal. And my big question here is, while you bring in a bunch of new pieces, it's a big deal. What if they don't gel together? What if they all were let go from their previous schools, whether that be LSU or Alabama, because if they weren't a part of the long term plan, like, you can go ahead and piece things together with the portal and that's promising. But at the same time, when you're so dependent on the portal, especially at a position like offensive line, it usually goes one of two ways. It's either going to be a massive success or a giant failure. And if Texas A and M doesn't have a good offensive line protecting Marcel Reed, will you take away the run game? You're not going to give him time to throw and it's going to lead to a lot more three and outs and potentially regression to where you're putting a lot of pressure on your defense to have to deliver. And to me, that's a Major question mark going into the year, simply because even with Mike Elko's defensive prowess, you can't just rely heavily on your defense to bail you out of trouble. Even last season, we saw that with Oklahoma in the games, the defense did give up explosive plays. 90% of the time, they lost. When they kept things in front of them, they were able to win.
- [09:17]
A
Cole, what I think is interesting about this exercise, too, is you can, you can go what if for the positive or for the negative, right? I don't think either one is wrong. They're both valid. But I do think it's an interesting part of this exercise. So where I'm gonna go is, what if Marcel Reed cuts his turnovers in half? Guy threw a dozen interceptions last year. What if he only throws six? What if he throws single digits? What if he takes the next step? And what you mentioned, the offensive line is going to play a big part in that. But what if Marcel Reed, you know, we give all these other quarterbacks the benefit of the doubt that, you know, their following year, the next year, they're going to get even better and they're going to progress. And, you know, with Marcel Reed, and I understand it right, there's still a lot of up in the air. People don't really know what to expect. Is he. Is he what he is or can he take a step forward? What if he limits the turnovers? What if he keeps the turnovers in the single digits? What does that mean for the A M offense? And what does that mean for A M's playoff hopes and maybe even national title hopes? There's some out there that think they could even reach those heights. Cole let's talk Texas. Biggest what if for the Longhorns this season.
- [10:22]
B
What if Arch Manning's end of 2025 is the star of his 2026? What if, I mean, like, let's be real, from the third quarter on, at that Mississippi State game until the season bowl win over Michigan, Arch was a big reason why Texas was winning. Arch was a main proponent of why Texas was winning. With a limited run game, with weapons that were kind of iffy at times, with the underwhelming off, he still made plays. So what if the version of Arch that we saw late last year carries on into that Ohio State game, and then it goes into the Ole Miss game, and then it goes into the Florida game, and then he handles business against against Texas A and M down the stretch. Texas right now on paper, may have the best roster in the sec. I don't think anybody is Arguing that for pound for pound type of players, what you added in in the portal, what you retained, what you have defensively, you won't be considered one of the premier teams in the conference. It's why you were voted second. But the big question comes to Arch with another gear. So what if last season at the beginning of the year was the worst we've ever seen? Arch and he only gets better. Is Texas going undefeated? Are they finally going to be able to beat Georgia and Atlanta? Will they run the sec? I mean like that's, that's, that's where we are when it comes to the potential and the ceiling of Texas in 2026.
- [11:42]
A
Cole, my biggest what if for Texas, what if Texas runs into Georgia again? Now they're not on the regular season slate, right? So it had to be the SEC title game or God forbid, the College Football Playoff. What if Texas to achieve what they want to achieve in 2026, what if it has to go through the Georgia Bulldogs? Then what? You know, then what, what, what are we talking about? Can Texas get over the hump? It's becoming a thing called where. Listen, Texas is going to beat Georgia at some point. It's going to happen the same way that Georgia beat Alabama at some point. But let's address the elephant in the room there. There is a problem. Texas has a Georgia problem. Georgia had a Bama problem. Some would argue. Maybe they still do. They do Alabama problem, but Texas has a Georgia problem. What if them reaching their ceiling or reaching the heights that I know all Longhorn fans were expecting. What, what if it has to run through the Georgia Bulldogs? Then what? What if they have to get through Kirby Smart and take down the Giant and take the crown crown off the head of the team that has given him so many problems over the last couple years. Cole let's go to the Tennessee Vols biggest what if for Josh Hyple's team this year.
- [12:46]
B
What if Faison Brandon's it? Like what if he's it? I mean, I'm serious because I think he's going to win the starting job. I have been high on Faison Brandon since the end of spring camp. I think that he is a much more solid passer and fits the mold of what Josh Hypo wants for his quarterback than George McIntyre. But I'm genuinely saying you, you are really high on Tennessee. I, I'm iffy. But you look at Tennessee's roster, they got a top five running back in the conference. They got two top seven wide receivers and two other guys that are really Promising and upand cominging. They have an offensive line that is not terrible. It's probably one of the top three in the sec. You have a defensive coordinator that has been able to turn units that were underwhelming into staples and, and your schedule isn't as challenging as people want to make it out to be. So what if Faison, Brandon comes on in and looks like the best quarterback prospect that Josh Hypo's ever worked for? We're not doubting Josh Hypo with quarterbacks. Last season he took Joey Aguilar, who was there, for a quick cup of coffee and turn him into the SEC leader in passing guards. What if you get a younger guy who has more mobility with a great supporting cast around him and he just immediately flourishes like we're four games into the season and it's the Texas game and he's going down to the wire with Texas's defense. Do you start buying into this being the year that Tennessee actually looks like it has finally gotten to a level of sustainability and we could stop the BS of Josh Hill being on the hot seat because he didn't deliver.
- [14:12]
A
Cole I will go the opposite direction of you. What if Tennessee wins seven or fewer games? What if they're not the surprise team that I think they're going to be and they're just a fringe bowl team this deep into his tenure, what does it mean, if anything, for Josh Hypo's future? Now, again, I, I don't think it should, but like you said, let's call it for what it is. Josh Hyple seat is at least warm. I mean, I, I think Tennessee fans, we all know the Vols fan base, they want it to feel like 98. They've got very high hopes and expectations. You made a playoff two years ago. Nothing else will suffice. It's very College football playoff or bust mentality, right? Wrong or indifferent. What if they disappoint? What if they're a fringe bowl team? What if it's a year similar to last year where, you know, context matters? Cole so let's get, let's say they go seven and five, but they don't beat a team with a winning record similar to last year. What is the feeling around Knoxville? Are there major changes made? Is Josh Hyp's job in jeopardy? You just got the big commitment from DGG and you paid this running back, all this money. Are Balls fans going to be willing to be patient and see what's being built with Faison? Brandon, DGG coming in at running back some other prospects, you know, they'll add or does the patience run out from the folks on Rocky Top and they go a different direction? I I think it's fascinating. Tennessee feels very boom or bust to me, but I wonder, what if the bust comes into play this season? Cole let's go to South Carolina. Biggest what if for the Gamecocks this season.
- [15:37]
B
What is South Carolina? 7 and 5, but they have two upset wins because again, here's what we know. It's an even year. Shane Beamer somehow, some way is able to get the best version of his teams in even years. He has gotten upsets. He has been able to show you that he can coach up to a certain level. But South Carolina's schedule is a little challenging. There are some moments throughout the season where you say, yeah, that's not a guaranteed win, that's not a guaranteed win, that's not a guaranteed win. But what if they just randomly beat Oklahoma and Oklahoma goes 10 and 2 and they're in the playoff, but one of those losses to South Carolina, what if they beat Alabama and that's the only loss for Alabama this year and you still go seven and five and you're underwhelming to a degree, but you have these upset wins. Has Shane Beamer done enough to say we had a tough schedule but at least we were competitive in some of the biggest games of the year? Did we have enough to be able to say that we are returning a talent that is going to only help us get better for 2027? We know that we have a quarterback that was unfortunately left in the open because of his offensive line, didn't improve entirely but still had his moments. 7 and 5 is probably the worst scenario that you're in if you're South Carolina, because if it's good enough to be in a bowl eligibility and get that eighth win. But it's also bad enough to realize you didn't meet the standard of what you sent last season. But is South Carolina a premier job where you're going to get somebody who will be better than Shane Beamer walking in that door? That's the world that you live in. If you're Jeremiah Donati and company in Colombia, wondering who what is the worst case scenario? In my opinion, it's going seven and five and having an upset win or two. Because if you don't know what is the best course of action to go
- [17:13]
A
in next Cole I'll go with what if the offensive line is just serviceable? What if does Lenora Sellers return back to former glory that we saw in 2024. Does he put his Superman cape back on and lead the Gamecocks to a charge potentially to the college ball playoff? Does it open things up for Kendall Riles offensively get the best of Nick Harbor. Obviously the running game is a strength. You feel pretty confident what the floor of the defense is. So what if the offensive line they don't have to be great, they don't have to be good. Just what if they're serviceable? Go. What if they're not the worst offensive line or at least one of the worst in college football A season ago no quarterback sacked more than the North Sellers. South Carolina one of the worst rushing teams in the country. What if the offensive line is just serviceable for the Gamecocks? It's interesting Cole, how you look years past when they can block people they tend to win football games. So just what if Cole let's go to the Ole Miss Rebels biggest what if for hottie Toddy this season.
- [18:11]
B
What if Trinidad Shamlist is not Trinity Chambliss? That that's just kind of the case because if Trinidad Shamlist what he did in the playoff was why you got to the semifinal. Trinidad Shamlis and what he did to be able to create opportunities is why we are all selling the idea that Ole Miss without Lane Kiffin they're going to be fine mainly because of we trust who is starting at quarterback. Well what if a new offensive personnel comes on in the wide receivers aren't up to same speed and the offensive line takes a massive step back and trade ad Chanbas can't do trade ads Chambers stuff. What is the ceiling? Is it 9 and 3? Is it 8 and 4? Is it 7 and 5? Does it change the way that we view Ole Miss entirely going into the future underneath Pete Golding? Does it change the way that they go about recruiting and transfer portal metrics? It's a big deal because Trinidad Sham was also could have gone pro and he would have bolstered up his draft stock to a level of where it may have never reached a certain point again. And so you ask yourself what if Trinidad Chambliss doesn't look like 2025 version of Tramless? It's a question mark because of you hope that you were going to see a quarterback that is probably the best returning player in college football. But if he's not, how how trustworthy are you in the rest of the roster to be able to bail him out of trouble if things go south?
- [19:28]
A
Yeah Cole, I'm gonna piggyback off what you said, but just take it a little bit, a different direction. What if it really was Charlie Weiss Jr. And Blaine Kiffin? I mean, what if, you know, I mean, it's, what if the scheme and the way that they were put them in a position to be successful? What if that's really what it came down to? And I think they can still, here's the deal. I think Trinidad Chambers and Kawan Lacy in the offense can still be good, but not be what they were last year. And this will apply, right? Like I, I, I think it can. So, yeah, what if we're looking at each other and we're coming on this show and we're talking and saying we didn't give enough credit to the loss of those guys, that those guys were the ones that engineered the run to the College Football Playoff and certainly being a game away from the national championship. What if it was them and it was less about the players on the field, as crazy as that sounds to say, just what if we didn't give enough credit to the hand they played in the success they had? Cole, let's go to Norman. Oklahoma, biggest what if for the Sooners this season.
- [20:27]
B
What if Oklahoma Has a top 50 rushing attack? What if, I mean, I Again, we are vastly at the national perspective, underselling Oklahoma going into this year. They still have eight returning starters on defense. They still have a ton of potential on the offense. They return four starters from that line a season ago that got better down the stretch. They brought in weapons that are going to be upgrades with Rocky Beers and Trell Harris and Parker Livingston. You still have Isaiah Satania around. So it's like they're, they're in a good spot of where I, I believe John Matier is going to be better, even if he has some dumb decision makings from time to time. The weaponry is better. All I'm asking for is for you to run the BLEEP in football at least at an efficient rate. You were 104th in rushing. You were, I mean, 125th in rushing. You were 128th in yards per contact. And I understand that we could talk about what Xavier Robinson looks like and what Tory Blaylock looks like going into this year. Guys, the facts are, is that Xavier Robinson had two good games and was docile the rest of the season. Tory Blaylock never got the ball moving. We can go ahead and say that they have potential, but all I'm asking for is for you to run it at an efficient rate. Because if you do that, knowing what we saw last season, knowing what's returning this season, knowing who is in charge of the defense and the personnel structure. Oklahoma may be a freaking wagon. Like we are not giving enough credit to them potentially being a national title contender. And honestly, the only reason why I would be worried about them going into the season is, is you have to trust John Mature to do everything with his legs and you can't run the football again. So I'm not even asking you to be an elite unit with like the days of Adrian Peterson or, or having a guy such as like a Derrick Henry in your backfield. I'm saying run it for at least 4.2 yards a carry and call it a day. Because if you do that, the only thing that's going to stop you is a team that maybe feels like that it has a better shot of winning the national title. Because I think that Oklahoma is good enough to be in that conversation if they can just have something on the ground.
- [22:31]
A
Cole what if John Mateer Has a healthy 2026? Yeah, I mean, what if the thumb injury really was the reasons for, you know, we talk about it all the time that, well, the thumb injury didn't make him throw into triple coverage. Well, what if it did? You know, he detailed at SEC media days the, the, the changes he had to make to his throwing motion, the way he drops his elbow. I mean, people don't realize and probably don't even get enough credit to the fucking fact that like, you know, you got a bum thumb and you're having a maneuver and, and, and, and change your mechanics to, to compensate for that. Yeah, it can lead to some errant plays, some errant throws, some bad decision making when you're trying to go out there and make plays for your team. So what if he stays healthy for all of 2026? Can John Matier. Will John Matir, I should say, get to the level that so many last year this time thought he could, which was being in the Heisman Trophy conversation and being in New York at seasons in what if he can stay healthy, could certainly be one of the best signal callers in all of college football. Cole let's go to the Missouri Tigers biggest what if for Miz this season.
- [23:32]
B
One of Austin Simmons is what Lane Kiffin predicted. Austin Simmons, you got to remind everybody was supposed to be the starting quarterback at Ole Miss. And the way that Lane raved about him going into 2025, I mean you would have thought that he was better than Jackson Darth, the best quarterback to ever come through the Lane Kiffin era. And the only reason why he didn't start was because if he got hurt and trade out it was the hot hand. So he kept him on in and trade. I wasn't leaving so he had to go somewhere. Chip Lindsay is the new offensive coordinator and has worked with mobile quarterbacks in the past. What if all you do is tweak a few things here or there that limit the turnovers and now you see the version that was already being instructed by Lane Kiffin in Columbia. You have the weaponry. You have arguably the best two running back tandem in college football with Jamal Robertson, Ahmad Hardy. I think that your offensive line is going to take a small step back but not a big one. And your defense, while I don't think will be elite this year, it still will be pretty good. Anger schedule will be challenging, but challenging isn't going to be that big of an issue if you have a quarterback that is good enough to lead the charge and be that difference maker. So what if finally Missouri as a quarterback that is not just all hype, he actually lives up to the billing because of everything that's there right now. Would say that all I need is Austin Simmons to take that next jump forward. If he does that, we'll at least be in every game. And that may not be good enough to get you to the College Football Playoff, but being in every game knowing that you have a shot to win would be a lot better than us saying, well Missouri, you know they had an easy schedule, Mount Missouri, they got 10 wins because of look at who was on the radar. Like you have games against really, really talented opponents that all could easily make the College Football Playoff. What if you're the reason why they don't?
- [25:21]
A
Cole what if Ahmad Hardy doesn't touch the field this season? Or if he does, what if he is a shell of his former self now you might be wondering and asking yourself, Chris, where in the world is this coming from? And we're not necessarily in the breaking news business most of the time and that's not what I'm doing here. But I do feel inclined to tell you what I've heard. As recently as this weekend, I talked to somebody on SEC staff. I won't say who or what team, but let me just say without going into great detail, there is a lot of skepticism and even a belief that he will not play this season to a point to where I was told it is an opponent that Missouri has near the halfway point of the season and the head coach of that football team told him we will not be seeing Ahmad Hardy. So I just again not sitting here saying you certainly won't. We heard what drink was said at SEC media days. But what if because we all don't know what the recovery is like from a gunshot wound and exactly what that entailed. What if Ahmad Hardy does not play? Yeah, Jamal Roberts lead this team on the ground, certainly great player, third in the conference last year in yards per carry. But Ahmad Hardy's Ahmad Hardy for a reason. Or if Ahmad Hardy does play, what if he's a step or two slower than we're used to and he's just not the same player. So I just something to keep an eye on. I'm not saying he hope and I hope that that's not the case. But very, very interesting what I was told over the weekend. I'll just leave it at that. Cole let's go to Mississippi State. Biggest what if for the Bulldogs this season.
- [26:49]
B
What if Jeff Levy only has one conference win? Again, you're you're in a spot of where Jeff Levy, I will give the benefit of the doubt. He has not had great resources. He has not had a staff that was able to reach its certain pinnacle and he certainly hasn't had the players over the first two years that have elevated where this program is supposed to be. He has that now. He has a quarterback that we all are salivating over of being potentially the breakout star. Got a good running back in my opinion. He has the most underrated wide receiver one in the country in Anthony Evans. He's got an offensive line that should be sustainable defensively. You went out, you brought in Zach Barnett. That would be a massive upgrade over Coleman Hutzler. But at the same time, wins have to matter in the conference. And if I'm a booster that wants to give millions of dollars to the program, am I going to be okay paying that for a guy that has two conference wins in three years like Mississippi State has got to be able to not only upset somebody, but they've got to be able to show that they are at least trending outside of just well the offense is improving. Well we added in this player. You have to be able to prove that this is a year where you are putting your foot down and realizing the next step is competing alongside the other teams in our tier to get to that nine win range. And I'm not saying that they have to get to nine wins. If you get the bowl eligibility, I think it's a win is if you get an upset or two. But you have to show me in conference play you're going to be competitive enough and you're going to close the door. Last season, Jeff Levy did a hell of a job knocking on the door the, the Tennessee game, the Texas game, getting the win over Arkansas, like, like they were able to make it work, but at the same time you still didn't win. I don't know if I'm a booster. I want to continue to invest money into a guy that's won two conference games in three years. It's, it's a very hard sell for me.
- [28:38]
A
Cole, what if Camario Taylor is as good as advertised? And when I say the advertised, I don't mean from the national media or even us. I mean from folks that are around that program in Starkwood because the way that they talk about this guy, the comp that I've heard, Cole is RG3. So do with that what you will. What, what if, what if he's even close to that? You know, what if Kamario Taylor is that dude, the next breakout star quarterback in the league? What will that mean for Mississippi State this season? In conjunction with that, Cole, I could go what if Zach Arnett can fix the Mississippi State defense? Yeah, turn them to former glory, but I'll stick with the Camario Taylor point. You know, what if he really is that guy and pops and you know, we're talking about some other QBs in this league. What if he's better than them? You know, what if he lives up to the billing highest rated quarterback recruit goal in program history. What if he lives up to that state could be a surprise team this season. Cole let's go to the LSU Tigers biggest what if for LSU this season.
- [29:37]
B
What if LSU looks like LSU of old in game one? All right, let's be real. The reason why I would doubt LSU going into the season is because if you have 50 new players, a brand new coaching staff and a couple of trap games early on in the year against Clemson, Texas A and M and Ole Miss, they're all within the month of September. What if they're better than advertised? What if everything is clicking at the right time? What if everything looks the way it's supposed to at the season's end and the season's beginning. The way that we're going to view LSU is they're right back in title contention. They're right there to be able to be hosting up a national, I mean to hosting up an SEC championship appearance. They're going to get to 10 wins. They won't have to worry about a Texas A and M. They can Go into Oxford and beat the brakes off a train at Chamberson Co. They can handle business against Texas. They're laughing at Alabama coming into Death Valley. Like if everything looks the way that we think it could by the season's end in that week one game and it carries on into the end of September, you're starting off 4. 0, and you have all the good vibes around you. I don't know if it'll happen, but it's a big what if. It's a massive what if. Because I think that we all believe that this will be one of Lane Kiffin's weakest teams in Baton Rouge. So what does week look like? 10 and 2 in a College Football Playoff first round exit? Is that it? Like that? That's what I'm looking at as an LSU fan. Year one, I'm excited for 2027 and beyond.
- [31:08]
A
Cole, my biggest what if for LSU. What if some of the issues that plagued Lane Kiffin and Oxford follow him to Baton Rouge? And what I mean by that is, well, Pete Golding was very click quick to point it out at SEC media days, Kentucky at home, Florida on the road, some of those inexplicable losses that they had during his tenure while he was at Ole Miss. And obviously the latest sample size is a college Football playoff appearance and the greatest single individual season in school history. But what if some of those problems of old, what if they still exist in Baton Rouge? How will that go? Maybe year one you get a pass, but over the long haul of his tenure, what if that is still a problem? What if LSU inexplicably has these games where they flat out don't show up? Lane Kiffin doesn't show up. He's distracted with off the field issues or whatever it might be. What if that is something that lingers and that's just part of who he is as a head coach?
- [32:12]
B
Yep.
- [32:13]
A
Cole, let's go to Kentucky. Biggest what if for the Kentucky Wildcats this season.
- [32:17]
B
Short sweetened to the point. What if Kenny Minchi is as advertised? Like what if you're gonna ask me to doubt Will Stein as a play caller, let me remind everybody, Will Stein has had a top 25 offense in college football since his days at UTSA. He had two Heisman Trophy finalists at quarterback and he helped turn Oregon into a college Football playoff national title contender. And in year one in the Big Ten, go undefeated like. Like Will Stein's offense did that. And Kenny Minchi pushed CJ Carr, a guy who I believe is a top five returning quarterback in the Sport to the limit last season in South Bend for the starting job. So what if you compare? You take the guy who just was working with guys like Bo Nix and Dante Moore and Dylan Gabriel and got them all to the highest peak with a quarterback with unlimited potential out in Lexington and they start delivering early on. This is not a team that I am buying into to be like an 8 win roster. I do not think that this is going to be a resurgent Indiana 2.0. What I can tell you is if Kenny Minchi looks as advertised, if Kenny Minchi is as polished as I think he can get to. When you see Kentucky on the schedule this year, you at least are game planning a little bit differently because you know that if you find any opportunity to slip up, they will feast and they will be able to pull off the upset. Kentucky is one of those teams that I think at their best ceiling in 2026 is there in every single game knowing that it upsets about to be Brewery Cole.
- [33:48]
A
What if Will Stein is really him? We heard him at SEC media. They said because of me we're going to win big because of me. What if he's able to back up those words right? Get Kentucky to a bowl game in year one. Kentucky puts its money where its mouth is or yeah, puts its money where its mouth is. And I mean I've heard Cats fans and people that cover that team say that they could be the next Indiana. You know, they're going to go all in on this program and invest the money necessary. The domino effect that I think could happen with Kentucky football. It starts with a guy in charge. People will invest in people they believe in. So what if Will Stein really is that guy and he can back up the big words that he had at SEC medias? Cole let's go to the Georgia Bulldogs biggest what if for the dogs this season.
- [34:33]
B
What if there is a wide receiver that finally breaks on out? Because that's really one of the only few questions that you have with this offense. Now you do wonder about what is it going to be with Gunnar Stanton going into year three, really year two of being the starting quarterback. I think that you got to talk about what does this offensive line look like. You gotta look at the tight end play. But we all trust that at some point. You know what we don't trust wide receiver one because they haven't had a 1000 yard wide receiver in years. So it's like what if Taylon Taylor or Isaiah Canyon or one of the other guys that's younger on the way up ends up being that difference maker because if so, well, now you got a weapon on the outside. Now you got a weapon at the tight end spot. Now you know you can trust your run game. And honestly that's probably one of the bigger questions that you've had last year because if Zachariah Branch was good, but Zachariah Branch still didn't reach that final level. So you got to ask yourself that,
- [35:31]
A
Cole what if Georgia finds a pass rush was the only thing they were missing a season ago? And I mean they were missing it, no doubt. But Kirby Smart has done a really good job of issues have not lingered around Athens like when they've had something they needed to address, they do it. And typically if not every single instance, that issue gets rectified the following season. So Georgia's got a lot of experience returning on defense. They have a lot of talent, could have one of the best defenses in college football. What if they're able to improve the pass rush and get back to what we normally expect from Georgia from the defensive side of the football when it comes to getting after the quarterback. What if they find that? I think that and to your point, wide receiver are kind of just the two questions. They answer those Georgia is as complete a team as any. Cole let's go to the Florida Gators biggest what if for John Sumrall's team this season.
- [36:20]
B
What if you don't have anything at quarterback in general, just in general, it's gonna feel like another wasted season. And here we are once again talking about overhyping Florida when the reality is they probably didn't deserve it. Florida has the weaponry. I mean like I, I personally think that they have and I got arguments for Florida fans this past weekend. I think they have three receivers in the top 30 in college football this year. I think that Vernon Brown, Dallas Wilson and Eric Singleton Jr. Are all stars. They are legit underrated playmakers in the grand scheme of the sport. Jaden Bond, I think is the best running back in college football when used properly. And while I do have my questions for the defense, especially at on the defensive line, I still know that John Sul and Brad White will give you something that is going to be serviceable. It doesn't matter if you don't have a quarterback. If you at the trust your run game, even if you go throw in Evan Pryor, the Cincinnati transfer and you're just pile driving it into the ground and you're unable to get anything moving into the offensive side with the passing attack, you're going to be a One dimensional offense that probably goes six and six or even worse. And then here we are once again saying another wasted season out in Gainesville. I like Aaron Philo, I like Tramell Jones, but we genuinely have no idea what they are at quarterback. They are good at every other spot. And I think the reason why people are buying into what Florida can be is because the supporting cast. But we know this like we do whenever we watch a movie. The supporting cast will do its job, but if the lead character sucks, you leave the movie theater feeling disappointed in what you witnessed. That's that, That's Florida this year. That's Florida this year in my opinion.
- [38:02]
A
Cole, what if Florida starts 6 0? I mean you look at the first half of the schedule. FAU, Campbell at Auburn, Ole Miss at home at Mizzou, South Carolina. What if they start 6 0? Cole, they're 60 going in that three game stretch at Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma. I mean, I think we're having real conversations about Florida. Number one, that three game stretch looks completely different.
- [38:26]
B
Yeah.
- [38:26]
A
Number two, we're having a real conversation about the Gators making the College Football Playoff in year one of John Sumrall. And I bring that what if up, Cole, because I don't think that's really an outlandish thing to say. If, if they hit it quarterback, that is a big piece of that. But what if they start 60 Florida be the talk of college football if that happens? Cole, let's go to the Auburn Tigers biggest what if for War Eagle.
- [38:52]
B
What if we all just were making fun of Byron Brown's throwing motion for no apparent reason? Like what if again, Auburn needs a quarterback. Auburn hasn't had a quarterback that's been sustainable since Nick Marshall. And they haven't had an elite quarterback since Cam Newton. They've had some guys that have come on in and done their job, but nothing to the level of what we expect. Especially with a guy like a, like a, an Alex Gor led defense. I mean, Alex Gor sled offense. That, that, that's bottom line. And the funny thing is, is that we all saw that Byron Brown was a good quarterback at South Florida. Everyone loved him in South Florida and everyone said that, oh my God, look at, look at the passing, look at the structure, look at the way that they were able to attack off defenses. And then he goes into Auburn and we see the throwing motion and it's like, oh, this guy's going to be a bum. Oh man, this guy is going to be such a problem. Like, like the issues are just going to be such a woeful experience. What if it's not like, like what if that's something that doesn't derail Auburn, doesn't mean they're going to go 10 and 2 and make the playoff or they'll be a 120 roster and be the favorites to win the national title. But that's not an issue. We got to remind ourselves that this is a guy who is the only returning quarterback in college football with 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards. And what if he does that with the same staff just at the SEC level? It changes the way that you view Auburn. It really does. Because I think that we all trust that the defense is going to be serviceable, if not great. You got to wonder what are we going to do if this offense does, if this offense can take that next jump forward?
- [40:29]
A
Cole, what if the USF to SEC transition does not go smooth, smoothly? What if there is a transition? What if going up a level because this offense especially is largely South Florida Bulls. When you look at the quarterback position, wide receiver, I know Cobb's back at running back, but what if, what if there is a transition period? Heck, maybe what if there's a transition for Alex Golish? And I understand they had some success beat a Florida a season ago. He's had a lot of success. But what if there was an adjustment period? Certainly I don't think any changes are made in year one, but what does it mean for year one essentially is my point.
- [41:07]
B
Sure.
- [41:07]
A
What if, what if that adjustment does not go as smoothly as some are hoping or expecting? Cole, let's go to the Arkansas Razorbacks biggest what if for Woo Pig.
- [41:18]
B
What if they just get to bowl eligibility? Genuinely, what if they just get to Bull eligibility? It would. It would number one show that Ryan Silverfield was a good enough hire to be able to change the narrative of how we feel about Arkansas. And does that get buy in from from Arkansas boosters? Like the thing that I thought was so interesting about Silverfield's press conference at SEC media days was he mentioned Walmart and he said if we get Walmart on our side, it's game over. Guys, in a day and age where nil is so important and having the right boosters to write blank checks, a guy like Sam Walton or the company, the Walton family, being on the side of Arkansas alongside Tyson Chicken Nuggets or better yet Jerry Jones, to be able to have that, that allows you to be able to play with big boys, that allows you to be able to play alongside some of the premier teams in the SEC that are able to afford whoever the hell they want. And for me, getting to 6 and 6 is not an elite season, but man, it's a lot better than we all are predicting for Arkansas this year. I mean, I put it the standpoint of, okay, you ended up being better than what half of the conference was and you probably had three or four upsets along the way with this staff. What if we actually gave you more of a better personnel to work with in the future?
- [42:38]
A
Cole, I'm gonna go the complete opposite direction. What if Arkansas goes defeated in SEC play? Interestingly enough, Cole, take it for what it's worth, right? There has been a lot, there's a lot of people that I talk to that no football whose opinions I value that they feel like this Ryan Silverfield thing could be a one and done. As crazy as that sounds, they feel like it's. It is possible he could be one year out of there if it's. If it's bad enough. So I mean, what, what if they go defeated? Will they what. I guess my point of that is what direction will Arkansas go? Will they look at it and say, hey, we need to do a better job on our end of putting Brian Silverfield in a position, position to be successful, we need to invest more, we need to give him more, or will they look at it as we hired the wrong guy? I, I just, I'm very curious because I do see it as a rebuild. But you know, what if they go 09 and SEC play, win two, maybe three games and how does Arkansas move forward at that point? Cole? Finally, let's go to the Alabama Crimson Tide biggest what if for Bama this
- [43:46]
B
season, what if we're overhyping Keelan Russell or Austin Mack? Because I think that the one thing that we continue to come back to is, well, there's questions with the offensive line. Well, there's questions if they can run the football. They certainly got to have somebody step on up at wide receiver not named Ryan Coleman Williams, but you know, we have the quarterback and both Keelan Russell and Austin Mack have been impressive throughout camp. Both were hand picked by Kaylin DeBoer to lead the charge. Both were supposed to be in the running for QB1. We could trust that either one of these guys could start tomorrow and we will win a game. But what are we overhyping? And all those questions that we do have for Alabama, the inability to run the football, the new look of the offensive line, the drops by Ryan Coleman Williams, nobody stepping on up. Lottie Brooks, you throw In Noah Rogers when he's fully healthy, Rico Scott, they all don't take that necessary jump forward. And we're watching as a quarterback that was supposed to be the next big time name in the sport, ending up being the reason why Alabama takes a massive step back in year three underneath Kaylin DeBoer. Now, I don't think it happens. I don't. But I'm gonna say, just to be completely transparent, that's a big what if, because all we've done this offseason is say just wait until Kelon Russell or Austin Mack makes the start. Okay? What if it goes up in flames and we're looking at that Georgia game and the entire reason why you weren't able to win and Kirby got his act together is simply because of Keelan. Russell handed the ball over five times. How does that carry on into the rest of the season? Does it affect the rest of the season?
- [45:17]
A
Cole simply what if Bama can't run the football again? I mean, here's what's interesting. They couldn't run it last year and they won 10 games and got to the SEC championship and won a college football playoff game. Can they cheat death again? I mean, really, truly. Because, you know, you think about some of the ways they won football games last year and at some point you will get exposed for who you are. And they did when they played. The best competition they faced, obviously later in the season because I know they got the better of Georgia in that first matchup, but they got exposed in Atlanta. They got exposed in the playoff against Indiana. What if they're unable to run the football again? What if physicality is an issue? Cole, from the standpoint of you and I have talked a lot, it's not just about record this year. It is how it looks. Kaylin Abor's football team, what if they're getting bullied up front again at times? How will that sit with Bama people? I'm not saying Kaylin Abore is going anywhere, just got the extension, but will Alabama be able to overcome that again? Right is my bigger question here. So that'll do it, guys. Biggest what ifs for every single SEC football team this season. We'd love to hear from you your biggest what IFs in the SEC this season. Cole, really quickly, before we move any further, do you want to highlight some comments? We've had a lot of people chiming in. Evan says, go Dogs. Our guy Luke, RJ Is in the chat. What's going on? Mike G. Says Kiffin's gonna build a powerhouse let's see our guy. Nice. Will says, why is it you did not give a good what if for Ole Miss but did so for every other team? I mean, listen, I think it just varies. It varies on what the questions are for each individual team coming in the season. I mean, I think for Ole Miss, I mean, I don't know. I mean, just the way we went. I really don't know.
- [47:02]
B
I give some negatives. I get a lot of negatives.
- [47:05]
A
Well, I think he's saying like we did not give a positive one for Ole Miss. I guess you could say, what if Trinidad Chambliss wins the Heisman? There's that.
- [47:12]
B
So. But do you win the Heisman still go 9 and 3 missing the college football Playoff? I mean, like, okay, cool, you won the Heisman. You're still gonna make the playoff.
- [47:19]
A
Yeah, no doubt. Mike G. What if Texas goes nine and three and misses the playoff? That's a really good one.
- [47:26]
B
No longer having the same office coordinator. Which means that Steve Sarkis is given a play calling.
- [47:31]
A
Yeah. Jesse says A and M's biggest what if. Can Marcel re get more comfortable getting to his second read in the check down before he starts running? I think that is a good one. Again, that's goes hand in hand with Marcel Reed taking the next step. No doubt big for the Aggies. Beaumont Ari says whoop. Giga Maggies. Bo, we appreciate you tuning in. We are going to get a here shortly. Andrew Saylor says I think Stein's gonna send shock waves to the SEC. I'm calling in. Kentucky will beat Bama and DeBoer will get fired.
- [48:01]
B
Okay, I will meet you halfway. Andrew. I could see a scenario where that offense is so dominant against Alabama that they can get the upset. DeBoer is not getting fired this year.
- [48:11]
A
No.
- [48:12]
B
Kaylin Deborah could go three and nine. He is not getting fired because that buyout this year will be back in 2027. Now after that, that's all up for debate.
- [48:19]
A
Yeah, guys, we're going to keep it moving, dive into media predicted order to finish coming out of sec. We got a bone to pick with the predicted order to finish. Guys, before we get there really quickly, want to tell you about our friends over at KI because as always, we are brought to you by our friends at Cali. Guys, before the season even kicks off, everyone is making predictions, including us. Who wins the division, who makes the play playoffs, who's lifting the trophy at season's end on Kalshee, America's number one prediction market platform. You can trade those predictions in a live market again guys everything from individual games, percentage chance to make the playoff, win the national championship, etc. Etc. On CalShi you're trading its peers in a live market meaning there is no house and is the probability changes. You can buy in and out of your position, trade the draft, pick the game and more. On Kalshee Download the Kalshi app use promo code secu. Get up to $500 in bonus credits when you trade $25 a new promo co new promo from the folks over at Kalshi. Make sure you take advantage. It's K a L S H I kalshi trade on anything 18 and up. Only restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for investors. Cowshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information, see c.com regulatory Cole let's talk about the way the media voted the SEC predicted order of finish at Media Days. Of course this was released on Friday afternoon, so our first time discussing it on the airwaves. Cole going to pull it up here. Now this is how the media selected the order of finish. You see at number 16 the Arkansas Razorbacks 15 Mississippi State 14 Kentucky 13 Vandy 12 Auburn 11 South Carolina 10 Mizzou 9 Florida 8 Tennessee 7 Oklahoma 6 Alabama 5 LSU 4 A&M 3. Ole Miss 2 Texas and number 1 Georgia. Cole, your initial reactions Initial thoughts on how the media voted in the preseason
- [50:27]
B
bowl Clear as day. They have tears going into 2026. Tier 1 is Georgia and Texas. 99.9% of people would put Georgia and Texas in some order one and two. Tier two is all the way up to number seven. Ole Miss, A&M, LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma. Figure out whichever order you want to put them in. Those are the teams that are right now gunning for a College Football Playoff birth. And what's interesting about those teams, every single one of them has made the College Football Playoff in the past. So everyone believes this is not a year where you will see a newcomer South Carolina and Auburn a Missouri make the make the jump on in. I think there's tier three, which is seven, I mean eight through ten. Tennessee, Florida, Missouri. Every single one of them can probably pull off an upset. Every single one of them can get into that nine win range. It wouldn't be shocking to see one of them get into that 10, 10 and 2 range. But they all still believe they are a slight cut behind everyone else that's ranked ahead of them. Tier four is I would go with the next three, Auburn, South Carolina, Vanderbilt. Every one of these teams should be bowl eligible. Every one of these teams should be flirting alongside with one or two upsets. They're not as good as everyone else that's ahead of them. And then tier four, the bottom dwellers. I think Mississippi State's slightly being disrespected at 15, but I understand that you still have all the questions with the defensive personnel. What are you returning on the offensive side? What are you getting from Jeff Levy in year three? But it's clear that these are the bottom dwellers of the conference. They're not expected to do much. Probably just go ahead and lay down. Maybe you make things interesting. You pull off the upset that now derails somebody in tier two making the jump on up into tier one conversations. But it was clear, I think by most voting standards, outside the one person that voted for Kentucky to win the SEC title, you're going in with tears this season and you don't have any question marks about who ranks where.
- [52:17]
A
Yeah, Cole, I think my biggest takeaway, and not to defend the media if you will, but just bring some, shine some light, bring some context as someone that did this exercise and you know, I went through the helmet schedule that every single predicted, you know, every single predicted record which gave me my predicted order of finish. I think what you may not realize or don't think about when you look at, for example, Oklahoma fans are up in arms at their 7th, 5, 6 and 7 very well, probably do all have the same record. I mean, four through seven could have the same record. So I think that's something you have to keep in mind with this immediately off the jump. As much as I like Trinidad Chambliss and Kawan Lacey, Ole Miss feels too high to me. That's just right off the rip. I feel like Ole Miss and LSU too high. Oklahoma for sure. Too low. I think Florida too low. Those are the ones that really jumped out to me. I know you had a bone to pick about Oklahoma as well. Yeah, I just, I think especially, I'll be honest with you, Cole. As we get closer to kickoff, I'm starting to feel less and less confident about Ole Miss. Like it's the. The picture is getting painted in my head, right, wrong or indifferent. I'm starting to like I could see, hey, there is going to be a transition without Kiffin and Charlie Weiss Jr. Like, the offense is not going to be the same. All these new pieces they wrote on defense. What if they're not able to mesh and come together? Like I, I could See it. You know what I mean? So I, I think Ole Miss being at three is a little high. I'll be honest with you, Cole. I'm sort of surprised the media didn't pick Texas. I. I picked Georgia. I'm surprised to a degree the media didn't go Texas because it seems like the Texas hype and everything that, you know, from what we were told, that surrounded that event, everybody was on Texas, but the media does go Georgia. But yeah, for me, Ole Miss, lsu, too high, Oklahoma and Florida too low.
- [54:12]
B
Oklahoma should at least be in the top five. I think that when you look at what's returning in the roster, what they were able to bring it in the portal and knowing what they did last season, remember Oklahoma had the toughest schedule in college football and they still managed to go 10 and 2 with mediocre offensive production. I mean, when you realize all of that, they at least should be in the conversation of top four. Here's a bigger question that I have. Is this a new norm with Alabama? Alabama at 6 feels weird. It just does. And it's because it's not because of Kaylin DeBoer. It's just in general, because Alabama is a brand that has good, bad and different. Been given the benefit of finishing top two for years. Georgia, Alabama, Georgia, Alabama, lsu, Alabama. It would be in some capacity of that. And now we look at Alabama and we see them at 6. And this was back in the olden days when we had the divisions. Chris, you realize they would be fourth in the SEC West. That doesn't happen at Alabama. But in a new day and age where nil is so poignant and we do buy into the recency. Biased. And there are question marks surrounding Alabama's toughness and their ability to throw the first punch or be able to respond when they're down and it looks like they're out of the count. Is this something that is very new? Because in no mindset do I believe Alabama should be ranked any less than top four just because of its Alabama and what they've been able to accomplish. But it is interesting that right now they're sitting at number six. So a lot of people are looking at Alabama and saying, even with Kaylin Deborah finding a way to get a win over Georgia and take his team to the playoff and win the regular season title. Like, remember, Alabama was number one in the SEC going into Atlanta, the way that they looked in those big games, maybe this is who they are now. And it's a little disheartening if you're an Alabama fan Cole.
- [56:07]
A
I do want to give credit before we get off this subject because I was very vocal about, hey, you know, obviously the championship votes are. Are public from the standpoint of who received votes, not who cast the vote vote. So Kentucky did receive a championship vote.
- [56:23]
B
He did.
- [56:24]
A
I want to give credit where credit is due because I said, whoever voted Kentucky, I don't care that you did necessarily, but have the balls to stand on business like put your name on this thing. I'd welcome you on this show. I'd love to hear your explanation and hear your reasoning. Bruce Marshall of the Gold Sheet, Matt Moscona pointed this out to me on social media, replying to our tweet or applying to my tweet, if you will. He called in, I believe, to the 1045 ESPN show that they do.
- [56:57]
B
Yeah.
- [56:57]
A
Bruce Marshall of the Gold Sheet, he owned it. He stood on it and he gave his reasoning. Why, I can respect you for that. I really can. Because we've seen in years past, you know, teams have, with all due respect, picked Vanderbilt or picked whoever and we never knew who it was. Bruce Marshall of the Gold Sheet, I have an immense amount of respect for you that, hey, you picked Kentucky. You were the lone person to do so, and you gave your reasons why and you face the music and, hey, listen, I. A prediction's a prediction. All of us are right or wrong right now, not a single game has been played. But I wanted to commend Bruce Marshall because that's the first time I've ever seen that where somebody really owned up to a prediction. I don't even think goes against the grain. Cole is the right way to put it. Right. So kudos to Bruce Marshall. I. I will give you credit for standing on business for that pick.
- [57:49]
B
I'm glad that we all came to our senses and realized that Arkansas has to be in last place until further notice. I. I am, because there was a part of me that was good, that was thinking there's going to be a discerning factor that we're going to see Arkansas and Kentucky, like, neck and neck with each other. Well, what they do is they reveal the votes in general, how many each team gets. You have to have a certain number to reach with the vote. I think you have to be top half. Over 200 people were the difference between Arkansas and Mississippi state and over 350 people were the difference between Arkansas and Kentucky. So I'm glad that we all have come to our senses and said, look, this is not a shot at Arkansas because we think that they're just a sad sack of misery being run into the ground by the current regime of the athletic staff. This is just a team that right now is not in a position to win and nobody is trying to go ahead and hype them up like guys. You are who you are. This is where you are.
- [58:44]
A
Guys, Love to hear your thoughts on how the media picked the SEC to finish this season. Of course, our predicted order of finish, well noted, well documented and on our YouTube podcast, social media everywhere, you get our content really quickly. Cole, the All SEC Teams I won't run through every single player that's listed. Most notably though, the All SEC quarterbacks. Trinidad Chambliss was named first team, Arch Manning second team, Gunner Stockton third team. Again, I'm not going to go through the entire list, Cole, but from what you saw, did anything jump out to you? I I will admit to you, Cole, the All SEC team Unless it's something just egregious, it really doesn't bother me all that much because I know how the voting works.
- [59:31]
B
Yeah.
- [59:31]
A
And a lot of guys are referencing whatever preseason magazine they have in front of them or Cole if they get stumped. Pick a guy from Georgia, pick a guy from Bama, pick a guy from Texas. So like, and I'm not, I'm not saying that like there isn't a diligent process done, but I understand how the voting works to a point to where I don't really let it bother me or affect me. But was there anyone specifically for you that you felt like someone got snubbed or you felt like there was an egregious miss with the All SEC team.
- [60:00]
B
The only one I would say is Ryan Coleman Williams being a guaranteed first teamer alongside Cam Coleman. When I look at Ryan Coleman Williams and I have a ton of questions, I know I have a ton of questions when it comes to Mario Kraver at Texas A and M, who was the first team All AP player. I don't have a ton of questions when it comes to Isaiah Satanga over at Oklahoma. I don't even have that many questions when it comes to Ryan Wingo. Like. Like I genuinely don't. And if you want to go by the logic of we'll just pick the player from Texas if you want to, there's a reality of where, yeah, Ryan Wingo probably deserved a little bit more love. The only other thing that I will say is I do hate that when we do the first teams for the defensive line, we don't care about position because David Stone, in my opinion, for Oklahoma is the best defensive tackle in college football, not just the sec. And because of William Echols as a defensive tackle and you have three edge rushers and got moved down to second team. So just for future reference, when I build my teams, I build them based off of what is the position I'm looking for. Bygones, bygones. It's not going to be the end all, be all. I just personally think that David Stone is an elite player. I think that he is going to have a breakout year. I would have had somebody, whether that be Dylan Stewart, which probably wasn't going to happen. So who would it have been next? Principal Oo Manley, Ellen? I just would have moved him down a second team. That that's about it.
- [61:22]
A
Of note, Cole, Georgia, Texas and Oklahoma were all tied first with 12 preseason all SEC selections. So I, I think that kind of goes to your point of Oklahoma pick seventh. 12 preseason all SEC selections. You know, those two things don't really go together or make a bunch of sense. All right, that being said, Cole, let's keep it moving. Really, really good stuff there. And again, guys, we'd love to get your thoughts on the preseason media poll and the all SEC teams. If you think anybody got snubbed or what did the media miss on, we'd love to hear from you. By the way, Cole, you know, kickoff is close and I love to see it. The beauties in the banter, we got people fighting in the comments.
- [62:03]
B
Fantastic.
- [62:04]
A
Y', all, keep it up. Keep it civil, but keep it up. We look, we love to see it. We love to see the passion. Love to see a whole lot of passion.
- [62:10]
B
Don't keep it simple, go crazy. We don't care.
- [62:13]
A
With that being said, Cole, the 2026 season is just around the corner for the Texas Adam Aggies. Year three of the Mike Elko era in College Station is quickly approaching. Cole, before we look ahead at this season and this year's team, let's take a look, Cole, at what happened a season ago to set the scene of how we got to where we currently are. And it was a heck of a season. In year two of Mike Elko Koliaki started the season 11 0. They did finish 11, 2, 7 and 1 in conference play, missed out on the SEC title game and they did lose to Miami on their home field in the College Football Playoff. But what did I just say, Cole? The Aggies made the College Football Playoff. They broke out. They're one of the top ranked teams in the country and they were a game away from the SEC title. So, Cole, I kick it to you and I say all that and I say this. As you just noticed in what I just did, there's two ways to look at last season, right? You can look at it from the standpoint of what a breakout year too. What a great season. You won 11 games. But as you and I both know, Cole, they remember how you finish. And our last memory of Texas A and M is losing to your arch rival, Texas and not scoring a single touchdown against Miami. Granted, a Miami team that went to the national championship. But it was a very bitter ending to an otherwise sweet season. And Cole, as you know, that only elevates expectations going into year three.
- [63:38]
B
Yeah, I think that when you look at it, they're very similar to the Houston Texans at the NFL level. Houston made it to the NFL playoffs. They were a 12 win team. They had an elite defense. But the thing that everyone talks about going into 2026 is how bad C.J. stroud looked in the playoffs with seven interceptions. As good as we can say A M was because A and M was good. A and M is no longer living in this Texas 8 and 4 world. They ended up having a much more prolific offense. They had a very stable offensive line. They were excellent in the red zone. They had a damn good defense. People are going to remember you look terrible for a half against South Carolina. You look dreadful against Texas for a majority of the game and you didn't show up offensively. And the lasting images, an interception in the red zone by Marcel Reed against Miami that knocked you out of the postseason season. So I do think that you have to give credit where credit still. This is a new era of A and M football to where I think the respect has gone up. But to get that level on a consistent basis, to put yourself in the position of we are always going to be right there alongside Texas and Georgia and Alabama. You have to do it consistently. So you can't just have this one breakout season where you did benefit from having a relaxed schedule, whether or not fair because of again, you are given the schedule that you have and you're told win as many games as possible. A and M did that. I still ask myself, can you do it a second time to gain a little bit more respect from the per. From the. From. From the national perspective. Because A and M is a team that does have all the resources and all their ducks in a row to make it where last season was a worse. A worse year for Mike Elko and company moving forward.
- [65:24]
A
Yeah, I mean, I think you have to look at year two of Mike Elko, Cole was a massive success. People are going to talk about the schedule. They're going to talk about the way you finished. Listen, the fact of the matter is, you broke out. Like you said. You. You overcame all the Texas eight and four jokes. You overcame the preseason skepticism. You had signature wins, Right. Whether. I mean, no matter how these teams finish their season. You went to South Bend and you beat Notre Dame.
- [65:46]
B
Yeah.
- [65:46]
A
You throttled lsu. Right. Like, you had signature wins throughout the season. You and I talked about this earlier this offseason. What does success look like for the Aggies in 2026? And I think outside of making the college ball playoff, it feels like the next step, Cole, is win the Lone Star showdown, beat Texas. I mean, that's a big part of it as well. But I think you have to look at last season, no matter how it finished, as a massive success. You broke through. You showed it can be done. And to do it again, Cole, in year two of Mike Elko, to do it so quickly, which I thought they had a successful year one. People will snicker and laugh and make their jokes, but I thought they had a successful year one. They built on it in year two, got to the College Football Playoff, and now it sets up, of course, year three. And on that note, Cole, Mike Elko entering his third season. Just really quickly, I will say this. I. If you told me right now that we're going to get to a point where Mike Elko is the longest tenured head coach in the sec, I would believe you, because I. I really. I don't know. There's just something to me, Mike Elko gives me this calming feeling when it comes to Texas A M. Like, I. Yeah, I feel like it is a brand built to last in College Station. The floor is going to be really high. I'm not saying they're not going to have some down seasons. It is what it is. Everybody goes through those trials and tribulations. But it feels like to me, he has raised the floor there significantly to where you can count on the Aggies being a factor. Certainly in a 12 team format, we go to 16 or, God forbid, 24. I think you could almost bank A and M being one of those teams that should expect to be in it and probably will be in it every single year. But your thoughts on Mike Elko, the program he has built to this point, and. And also, too, something I didn't mention, Cole, like, you know, we've talked about this before, without the coaches, year three is important. Year three is kind of looked at Cole as, okay, this is who you really are.
- [67:38]
B
Yeah.
- [67:39]
A
Like if you're gonna pop a lot of these coaches, they do it in year three, right, wrong or indifferent. And that's not to. You know, obviously what happened in year two was incredible. But it is interesting how, like, if you go back and look at coaches, year three is kind of like the, okay, we should be hitting our stride and reaching sort of our, our peak into year three and beyond. So it is a big season. But Mike Elko, certainly, I think he's one of the coaches I probably feel the most confident in from the standpoint of I know exactly who I'm getting on a weekend, week out basis and I feel really confident in that product I'm getting out of him.
- [68:15]
B
Yeah, I would say that Mike Elko is a fringe top 10 coach nationally in college football. Like, like, if you have him in your top 10, I wouldn't fight back with you on that, especially because of the way he goes about building his rosters and the things that he expects from his team. But what I thought was so interesting is when Michael got hired at Texas A M, there were a lot of message boards looking at these high profile offensive names or going after like a Dan Lanning or making a move to go bring in so and so from this from the school because of his offense is so derivative. And all of us that were there said the easy fit is Mike Elko. Like sometimes you don't have to overthink this one. Mike Echo is a defensive minded coach that is a no nonsense mentality and brought out the best version of Texas A M when Jimbo Fisher was on the sidelines and now he's shown that he can be a head coach elsewhere. The last time that A M was at its peak in college football was when they had a defensive minded head coach leading the charge with a no nonsense mentality and knew what to expect from his football program. So when he got hired, everyone was like, this is the easy transition. It's supposed to happen this way. This is what we expect moving forward. And it is why I think Texas A and M has turned into a team that even though they went 8 and 4 last in their first year, you're right, it felt different, it looked different, it sensed like this is a new day and age of Aggie football and I'm in full agreeance with you. If you told me that we look 10 to 12 years down the line on everyone in college football and where they currently reside, I will be shocked to see Mike Elko move. There are sometimes just perfect fits, locations, atmospheres, mentalities, and I don't think there's anybody better that embodies what Texas A and M is right now, what Texas A and M needs to be to get to that next stage of this regime than Mike Oko. I genuinely don't it it. I feel like it would be harder to replace Mike Elko out in College Station than any other coach besides Kirby Smart out in Athens, Georgia in the SEC right now. It's just the way that he is built.
- [70:25]
A
Cole that being said, let's take a Look at this 2026 Aggies football team starting on the offensive side, it is a bit of a new era beginning as Holman Wiggins takes over at offensive coordinator. Joey lynch is your new quarterback's coach as well. Marcel Reed, of course he is the known commodity. He returns as QB1. And Cole, like we talked about earlier in the show, it was a dozen interceptions last year. He will look to at minimum, I would say cut that number in half, shrink that number, get to single digigit turnovers and also Cole play his best football against the best competition. Like I mentioned, the last memory of Texas A and M, the season did not end on a high note and Marcel Reed did not play his best football. But if he can take the next step forward, he's one of the best quarterbacks not just in the SEC but in all of college football. He does have Reuben owens back at RB1. Jamarion Morrow is his backup and again when you got a guy like Reuben Owens back Cole, we all know this football team ran through the running game a season ago. They will look to do that again with Owens back. Mario Craver returns as wide receiver one one of the best wide outs in the sec. According to you, he is the best wide receiver one in the sec. Ashton Bethel Roman returns after a strong second half of the season at receiver and they pick up Isaiah Horton from Alabama via the Portal, which I think was one of the sneaky best pickups of the off season of Portal players. The offensive line, Cole feels like the big question. On offense you returned just one starter and Mark Nabu Jr you did add four transfers with SEC starting experience. Tron Bow from South Carolina will inform me From Alabama, Tyree Adams and Cohen Echols both coming from LSU. Also you got Mike O'Reilly back at tight end. You added Houston Thomas from UTSA and Richie Anderson from Fresno State at that position as well. So Cole, it's it's really easy when we talk to Yaggy's offense to look at quarterback and say Marcel Reed, he's the big question. Can he take the next step? But there are a lot of other things on this offense that need to click and there are a lot of other big questions that need to be answered in my opinion. Cole, most notably the offensive line and a first time play caller. And Holman Wiggins.
- [72:34]
B
Yeah, the Wiggins one is going to be the interesting thing because I think there's a lot of people who kind of were fed up with Colin Klein by the time that you got to the end of his tenure. So how much different will it look? I think that you got to ask yourself what would Holman Wiggins do as a wide receivers coach versus a quarterbacks coach different that will open up plays for his playmakers on the outside or in the slot. I think what's so interesting is that you talk to A and M people and I actually reached out to somebody that's on the staff. They love Jamari and Morrow. They believe that Jamari and Morrow may end up being the better of the two running backs of Ruben Owens, but Owens is still a good running back and has been able to show you why he can be a nice complimentary piece. So one thing that is really important I think about having a second gear with his A and M offense, especially knowing what we have seen with the long history of the last 10 years of running backs in College Station. Having one guy is great, having two is better. Isaiah Horton is probably the most slept on transfer portal move of the off season because if he plays the game different than Mario Craver and in a lot of ways what worked with Casey Concepcion opposite of Mario Kraver is a way that this will work with Isaiah Horton but in a different brand style. Like I like like for me Isaiah Horton's a physical machine. Isaiah Horton will throw people off of him to get that first down where a guy like Casey Concepcion uses suave route running and the ability to make cuts at the right time to really be able to win his one on one battles. So I think that you pair that alongside with the speed threat such as Mario Kraver who can also work the intermediate part of the field. Plus another year with Bethel Roman. What you got in the tight end position? The personnel is going to be really sound for Marcel Reed to hit the ground running and by the time we get to mid season feel like that. This may be the most explosive offense in the sec, but this really comes down to the offensive line. It's my biggest question mark going into the Year, I think that we took advantage or took, took for cr. Took took too much credit or didn't give enough credit to what we saw last season by Texas A M's offensive line and what they're having to replace. It's four new starters and it's four new starters that don't have ties to the program. They all come in via the portal. And so on one hand I asked myself, you're getting experience and you are getting experience in the sec, which is a big deal. It's a massive deal. But on the flip side, and this is probably a bigger one, why were they out of the portal to begin with? Why did they leave their current program? So that leads me to have my question marks up. Is this a good offensive line or is this just a bunch of experienced players? Sometimes experience doesn't mean it's great. It just means that they have time to play. But A M's offense, I think it could take a step forward. The big question mark is the offensive line. Because if you have this, if you have a formidable offensive line, you're going to be able to have stability at the wide receiver position, you're going to be able to run the football with whoever you have as your RB1, and you're going to be effective inside the red zone. But if you don't have an efficient offensive line, everything else is a question mark for me going into the year. How much better can Marcel Reed get? How much more consistently can we see this passing attack be able to improve? Can we see a sufficient run game? It all starts in the trenches and it's important that you start off the ground running in that standpoint.
- [75:48]
A
Yeah. Cole, it really does feel like to me to pick, to click is the offensive line because I, I don't even worry as much about Marcel Reed. I think Marcel Reed, you know, from a decision making perspective and a taking care of the football perspective obviously has to improve. He's got to cut down on his turnovers. You cannot have a dozen interceptions again like you had a season ago. But I, I do think he'll take a step forward. And we also didn't mention what he means for the running game, what he does with his legs. And I, I was there in person last year watching them against LSU and got, he put on a clinic. I mean, it was an absolute field day the way he shredded that defense, you know, with his rushing ability specifically. Yeah. So if the offensive line, like you said, they don't really have to be great, just be good enough, you know, Holman Wiggins first time play caller I do think is really, really intriguing, but I think Marcel Reed can take the next step. I think this offense can be one of the better ones in the SEC as long as the pieces that come together on the offensive line. But like you mentioned, if we're being totally honest, most guys that are in the portal, especially if they're coming from an SEC school, there's a reason they're in the portal.
- [76:51]
B
Yeah.
- [76:52]
A
You know, like for example, because here's the thing, if you've got a really good offensive lineman, Cole, you ain't letting them go, you ain't letting them walk because they are so valuable. Can those pieces, I don't want to call them castaways or misfits, but can they take some guys that maybe have not played their best football at previous places and play their best football for Texas? How you name and come together as a unit, that's going to be the big question here. Pick to click Offensive Line for the Aggies I agree with you 100.
- [77:19]
B
What I will say real fast is that I, I totally agree with you on Marcel Reed. I don't know if Marcel Reed will improve. Here's what I think. I don't think he will regress. He'll either be the exact same quarterback he was a season ago where if your offensive line is able to click okay, then you probably are still in that 10 win range and making the College Football Playoff and you do have better personnel but you just can't take a step backwards. And for me I don't think he will. I think the question is how much more can he improve. But the supporting cast around him I think needs to be the key here because even if he is the same type of quarterback as last season, that's probably still good enough to get you to nine and three. And in a day and age where we are having a nine game conference schedule, yeah, I think a nine and three team in the SEC could easily make the playoff this year. So maybe that is Texas A and
- [78:04]
A
M. Cole, let's go to the defensive side of the football. This of course is Mike Elko's bread and butter. The secondary starting with them, they look to be a strength. Marcus Ratcliffe, Dalton, Brooks, Des Ricks all return. You did also add Ricky Gibson from Tennessee the Portal. Cole. One of the things they're going to look to improve on last year, just three interceptions as a unit a season ago. Certainly they will look to triple if not quadruple that number in 2026. Marco Jones, TJ Searcy are back at your edge spots. DJ Hicks returns inside. You added Anto Saka from Northwestern. I know a player you're really high on. CJ Mims from North Carolina via the Portal as well. Damien Sanford back at linebacker. You added Ray Cony from Tulsa, who was 10th in the country in tackles in 2025. Cole, most notably, you got to replace a guy like Cash's Howell, who was so fierce for you A and M, I think ranked top five in the country in sacks. You remember they were fierce getting after the quarterback in 2025. Cole, your thoughts on this defense and as much as we want to talk about offense and certainly it is important, this is a Mike Elko team. The defense is going to be the bread and butter. If the Aggies are going to get back to the College Football Playoff, it is going to be because of another strong defensive performance.
- [79:20]
B
Yeah. Is it weird that I'm not concerned about all the new pieces, John, together? Because I've seen Mike Elko do this before. I saw him do it in 2024 when he brought in a bunch of new players, especially on the defensive line, and they ended up finishing top five in sacks. They end up finishing top five attackers for loss in the SEC. You already mentioned it. They were top five in sacks nationally last season and they were top 10 in tackles for losses nationally last season. So now you're saying let's just do it again and replace the talent that comes with high expectations. The development that we have seen and this goes all the way to not just Mike Elko. This goes to Tommy Moffat, the strength of conditioning coach. This goes to their personnel department to be able to scout out what type of talent they want. It's a trust factor because Elko consistently is getting guys better prepared and acclimated for what is the translation from the college game to the NFL game. So when you return all these pieces in the secondary, a secondary that ranked top 20 last season in coverage, I feel really good about them being in a position where they should only see more improvements. When you're talking about a run defense that needs a little bit of a boost. But they have CJ Mims coming on in Anto Saka. They still have Marco Jones coming off of the edge. I feel like that they're going to be in that range of we're gonna probably keep you to under 110 yards per game. Can our secondary be able to improve and create some more turnovers to where we can live in a you being in a third and six forever. But what I really like is that Elko has a certain brand of player that he looks for and he doesn't care about where you came from. He doesn't care about your pathway to the FBS level. He doesn't care about what your production was. It's you fit my mold and I'm gonna get you prepared for that. That that's where you look at a lot of the transfer portal names that come on in, even if they're not the biggest names, they're names that you got to feel confident in are only going to improve because of who is the one calling the shots defensively. And again, it's a Mike Elko defense. I, I expect nothing less than for them to be one of the better units in the sec. Now better units could be a top six unit. They may not be the best unit this year, but I do have a trust factor I of whoever Elko brings on in is going to end up hitting their stride by mid season. They're going to be a really, really, really solid roster all around at that standpoint.
- [81:35]
A
Yeah, I think it's just built into the culture of Texas A and M under Mike Elko, Cole, where they're going to be fundamentally sound and really, really tough defensively. Even if, even if they don't meet the standard to say what they did a season ago or whatever the standard is, they might, they may have. I feel like it's going to be a unit where I'm not looking at them as a life liability person. Yeah, I feel really confident in what, you know, what brand of football I'm getting on the defensive side. I don't think defense under Mike Elko, you know, we'll see, you never know. But I don't think it's ever going to be a question mark to the stand from the standpoint of, you know, they're fielding one of the worst defenses in the sec. I think it is a top half of the league unit probably at its worst. Again, I think similar to what I said about Mike Elko in this program, the floor for the defense is really high. I think the pickup of Ricky Gibson from Tennessee was really, really, really interesting. And I know anti Anto Saka is one goal you've talked about from Northwestern. Super high on. I'm excited to see him play as well. Can the secondary make more game changing plays? I think that is the. That's sort of a low hanging fruit, but it is a big question. I mean three interceptions in 2025. Cole. We saw teams get three picks in a single game last year. So obviously improving on that number is going to be huge. But I, I feel really confident with Mike Elko on the defensive side. Defense is never going to be something we really have to overly worry about going into each and every single season.
- [82:57]
B
No, what would be interesting is seeing a Mike Elko led defense finishing the back half of all defensive metrics in the sec. That's where the concern factor is. I'm not saying year in and year out they are going to be the best defense in the sec because I think that you have a conversation with, with Texas every year, Oklahoma every year, a degree, LSU right now of what they got with when you have a guy like Blake Baker running your defense. But if you're less than anything top six, it's, it's concerning. Like I think that that's where we are when it comes to the floor for Mike Elet team.
- [83:30]
A
Top six defense Cole let's go to the special teams. David Alano from Illinois takes over at kicker, Tyler White is back at punter, and the Aggies have got some of the most dynamic return men in this conference. Mario Kraber, Terry Scary, Bussy, just a few that give them electric options in the return game. Cole, your thoughts on how special teams plays into Texas A M's outlook for the 2026 season?
- [83:53]
B
I mean, like, let's be real. It's part of the reason why Ole Miss and Oklahoma made the playoff last year was just trusting their kicking game. What Lucas Canaro was able to do in the playoffs gave them a boost to be able to win over Georgia. The fact that Tate Sandell was as prosperous as he was in terms of being so clutch for the Sooners. I think that kicking is such an underrated asset. But you bring it on in with David Alano. Last season he had an 87% field goal percentage rate. He did not miss a single point after attempt. It's a big deal. But you mentioned the explosivity of what they have in the return game. Setting up the offense in a premier position I think is going to be so critical for this team. You don't want to be living in the world of where you just take the fair kick. But at the same time, if you can just get yourself out of like the 30 or the 35 yard line, maybe even the 40 for a breakaway here or there. You got to feel really confident that if this A M offense is as advertised and the offensive line holds itself together, you are going to have a team that probably is scoring more often than not.
- [84:56]
A
Cole so in our overall Outlook for Texas A and M. First things first. What do our friends at Kalshee have to say? Percentage chance when it comes comes to Texas A and M win totals? Cole they give the Yagis, of course, a 97% chance to win five or more games, 86% to win six or more, 86% to win seven or more, 71% to win eight or more, 44% to win nine or more, 35% to win 10 or more, 21% to win 11 or more and 7% to win 12 games. So again, it feels like the floor is high cold. I mean 71% to win eight or more games. That's kind of where it breaks because it drops to 44, nine or more. So eight and a half. Sort of feeling like the over under win total for the Texas Ain't Maggie's Texas A and M with a 38 chance to get to the College Football Playoff via our friends at Calshe, which is one of the highest numbers certainly from the sec. And when it comes to winning the national championship, Texas A and M with a 4% chance via our friends at CalShe. Cole Nine starters are back for Texas A&M. Four on the offensive side, five on the defensive side. Let's take a look at the Aggie schedule, Cole, because let's face it, a lot of people want to write off Texas A&M's 2025 season and discredit it by saying they got there because the schedule, it was a soft schedule. Listen, the fact of the matter is this. They played seven of the bottom eight teams in the sec. Now they beat them, but they did right. So this year's schedule goal, it is much, much different. A M open ups with Missouri State and non conference. They get Arizona State the following week coming to their place in College Station. They open SEC play at home against Kentucky, then their SEC road opener the following week at lsu. They then get Arkansas at Mizzou, the Citadel at Alabama. Bye week. Here's where things get really fun, Cole. The month of November at South Carolina, Tennessee at Oklahoma and Texas to close it out. Cole, your thoughts on this 2026 slate. The draw for Texas A and M. What does the schedule say to you? Again, so much was made of it last year that people felt like they took advantage of a softer slate. Again. This one will leave nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. If the Aggies get back to the playoff, there will be no debate or no, no discrediting what they did on their way to get there.
- [87:24]
B
Yeah, I think A and M is a perfect set at eight and a half wins. To me, they fall into that tier two category alongside Ole Miss, Alabama, lsu, Oklahoma, where if they make the College Football Playoff, I'm not going to be shocked that you shouldn't be. They were talented enough to be able to get to nine wins. They're definitely talented enough to get 10 wins. It's just where the lumps are in the schedule. Do you play to a certain brand, to a certain expectation to where you don't feel like that you're falling up short? Like, I think that you really gotta look somewhere in that range of the game against Oklahoma. Like, like the game against Oklahoma, can you win that one? Because the thing that I worry about is down the stretch, are they going to be able to hold their own? Because like the LSU game, to me, that's a toss up. I feel good about where they are against Arkansas at home, good about where they are against Missouri, Alabama. They probably should be able to be toe to toe with them. But if they lose that game, you could say, hey, you know what happened in Tuscaloosa, it's, it's down the stretch of where you got to ask yourself, can this team be playing at its best performance because of what's on the schedule? And my biggest fear right now, I think, if I was an A and M fan, is I show up in a big game, but then I have a letdown in a weaker tier game. That, that, that's where I am and it's back to the version of what we saw level. And I hope that I'm wrong on that one because I think the culture has changed enough to where A and M has put itself in a position where they should never feel that way. They shouldn't. But we remember the Jimbo Fisher era. You beat Alabama, the number one team in the country. You don't show up against Mississippi State. Does that happen for you? Is it something where you go into Tuscaloosa and you get away for you to be able to have incredible success, but then find a way to. Find a way to mess it up against South Carolina, I mean, that's where you are.
- [89:06]
A
Yeah, it's interesting, Cole. I mean, I think Texas A and M, certainly you'd agree they are talented enough and good enough. They could start 7 0. There's no question LSU game is tough, but A M has had the. Had LSU's number over the last couple years. I mean, what's, what's the next toughest game outside of LSU at Mizzou? I suppose they certainly can get off to a really, really hot start, be the talk of college football yet again. What do you do in that five game stretch to close the season? At Bama, at South Carolina, Tennessee, at Oklahoma, Texas? I think that is the stretch. It goes without saying that is going to define your season. Can you go three and two? Can you do even better?
- [89:43]
B
Right.
- [89:43]
A
I think it's why in the Texas game is of such importance. There's a good chance the Aggies into that one with their playoff hopes on the line.
- [89:50]
B
Right?
- [89:50]
A
I mean it's, it's, you know, like you said, can you avoid the big upsets? If you want to say at Mizzou would be one at South Carolina who's given them problems. They got throttle the last time they went there. So that end of season stretched it out. But I mean you could look at it on the up. The, the flip side goal is that, you know, you kind of, you have a front half of the schedule to get whatever kinks you need to get worked out, worked out. And again, that's not me discrediting LSU or what Kentucky could be under Willstein or even what maybe Arizona State is or what Mizzou is or whatever. But the tougher half of your slate is in the back half. You know, this schedule is backloaded, if you will. So it will give you some time to kind of find your identity, find yourself, you know, get whatever kinks out you to get. But it's going to be that last five games that really defines who you are and what you are. And I, I mean, listen, Cole, if you get to 10 wins, like I said, I think Willie, you will have more than earned and deserve a spot in the College Football Playoff. Is this a slate, Cole? I'll ask you that. You think 9 and 3 could get a and M in?
- [90:55]
B
You have to win one of these four games. Lsu, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas. You have to win one of four.
- [91:05]
A
You got to have a signature win. I would agree.
- [91:06]
B
You have, you have. Because here, here's where I am and I know A and M fans are going to come for me in the comments section. So get ready for it. You could be Texas 8 and 4 again this year. But it feel different than the past years being a Texas A and m with an 8 and 4 record. When we say Texas 8 and 4, it's because of the way it looked on the field. I don't feel that way about Texas A and M. I feel like that the culture's changed. I feel like that the Persona changed. I feel like the expectations are different underneath a guy like Mike Elko with what he has on his current staff. But there could be a moment where you look and say, Oklahoma's defense is too much for Marcel Reed. Texas is still the best team in the state. You don't meet up to the standard of Alabama. Alabama has a opportunity to once again be the best roster that nobody talks about going into the year. LSU got its act together and looked better. And you lose those four games, but you beat everyone else on the schedule. But it feels different. That may be where you are. I think Texas A and M is going to be in that nine win range this year. I do not have them making the College Football Playoff tonight, but it wouldn't shock me if they do. You have to have a signature window. That's where it is.
- [92:20]
A
And on that note, Cole, in closing, it's just the overall outlook for A M. So many different storylines, right? The pass rush, the secondary improving on big plays and forcing more takeaways. The offensive line's a big question. Marcel Reed, can he cut down on mistakes or is he the player that he's been throughout his entire career? Essentially the schedule, right? Does it take its toll? A M? Cole, I mentioned all those things and they could all work out in the positive as well, right? I think the bigger question is can the majority of the questions work out in the positive versus working out in the negative? Cole, A M is fascinating because they're the one team. Maybe Oklahoma, y' all can throw in this bucket as well. But A M especially, they're the one team. I've heard as many people say they're overrated as they are underrated. I just don't think people really know what to make of the Aggies this season. Here's the thing. Do they take a step back from last year? I think it is us as analysts, prognosticators, dudes who talk ball, however you want to label us or just fans out there in general, I don't think you should be held. It should be held against you. If you are sort of still in wait and see mode with Texas A and M. Because I think there is some validity, looking back at last year and like, hey, to have a great season, to have a magical season, to have a notable season, you need a draw and a schedule, Cole, that is conducive to a big year. I don't know that this schedule really is. Again, if you can get off to a hot start, I think you need to start at worst six and one to have a real shot. If you can start seven zero. Obviously you're in the driver's seat. Last five games will define you. What do you do? Do you rise to the occasion in the biggest moments in the biggest games or where we saw you fall through a season ago? I say all that again, Cole, and I'll say is this. There's reasons to feel good about A and M. There's reason to feel skeptical about A and M. And I know you can say that about every team, but the Aggies are fascinating because I do think the floor has been risen on this program. Yeah, I think the Texas 8 and 4 jokes are sort of a thing of the past. Not to say that they're going to go eight and four again, but to your point, what they meant with what they really truly meant to their core. I don't think A and M is just going to waddle in mediocrity over the course of the Mike Elko era. But the bigger question is are they a team that's just on the outside looking in or do they have the pieces and do they have the wherewithal and the will they be able to break through and make it back to back season? Show and show that hey, last year wasn't the exception. It is the rule for A and M football moving forward.
- [94:53]
B
Like okay, I'll say this one more time. Like I 3 through 7 in my in my rankings, Ole Miss, Texas A M, LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma. I'll go 8 and 4. I'll go 10 and 2. I wouldn't be shocked. There's two teams that I expect right now to be in the College Football Playoff in the sec, Texas and Georgia and everyone else wide open. So it's not a shot at A M because if I do think that they have the culture, they have the personnel, they have the core core in place to be able to make a run. But I also have to see it and I feel that and I'm skept and I'm skeptical on all of these teams in that 2 through 7 range, a 3 through 7 range, any single one of them could break on up and find a way to be the first team in of this core to make the College Football Playoff. They also going to have a bad showing and they end up going 8 and 4 and it wouldn't shock me. That's where we are with this next core of tier two teams in the sec. So A M, if you want to prove me wrong and say we were better than you expected, do so on the field. It's not just the fact of oh going 6 and 1 to start off your year, it's having an upset win over somebody and it may be Texas, it may, it, it may be Oklahoma, it may be Alabama and it wouldn't shock me. But at the same time, you got to show me it.
- [96:08]
A
I think to your point, Cole, Texas A and m could go 9 and 3 this season and it feel more impressive than the 11 and 1 they went last season.
- [96:17]
B
Exactly. Yes.
- [96:18]
A
I think that is a. There is a real scenario where that is the case just because of the signature wins, the teams you overcame and the teams you beat to get to that point. Especially if one of those wins is finally over your arch rival in Texas. So context matters. Who you beat matters. What do you do in those last five games that will define your season? In my mind, if you get down to the point, if you got to beat an Oklahoma, you got to beat a Texas, you got to beat both to make the College Football Playoff. Can you do it? It's not about just doing it once. It's not about just popping off once. It's about can you be consistent? Can you do it year in, year out? And when you get the opportunity late in the season to prove yourself, can you rise to the occasion and not fold like you did a season ago? So yeah, Texas A and M, to me, Cole, and I know to you and everybody else, one of the most fascinating teams in the sec. Are you overrated? Are you underrated? Hell, what are you rated? I don't even really know at this point. It is going to be a really, really interesting 2026 season for the Aggies. So guys, we'd love to hear from you, your thoughts on Texas A and M, how you're predicting the yaggies to finish in this upcoming season. Guys, that's going to do all for us. Really, really fun show. Cole, you're the man. This is a lot of fun. Felt like old times. Yet again, we can't say thank you enough for your continued love and support, guys. Really appreciate you all tuning in. In the meantime, we're live every single Monday, Wednesday 10am Central here on Chewing Clock. Make sure you hit that like and subscribe button on YouTube. Check us out wherever we get your podcast all across your favorite social media platform as well as our website sec unfiltered.com make sure you follow Colbert Thompson on all of his social channels. Follow me @C Philly19 on all my social channels as well. And stay tuned for all of our content. Content bleeding out of the eyeballs. For Cola Bear Thompson, I'm Chris Phillips this is Chewing Clock. We appreciate each and every single one of you tuning in. Have a great rest of your week. We'll talk to you all on Wednesday. Cheers.
- [98:29]
B
Sa.