SEC MEDIA DAYS: Hardy Update, Stein's Swagger, Mateer's Injury, Vols QB Battle | Chewing Clock EXTRA

Summary

SEC Unfiltered – SEC Media Days: Hardy Update, Stein's Swagger, Mateer’s Injury, Vols QB Battle

Date: July 20, 2026
Hosts: Chris, Cole, Demitri
Episode Theme:
A lively, opinion-filled breakdown of the opening day at SEC Media Days in Tampa, with takes on event location, commissioner Greg Sankey’s press conference, major team and player updates, and a first look at coaching drama and quarterback competitions across the conference.

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Overview

The episode kicks off with the hosts lampooning Tampa as the host city for SEC Media Days, sharing strong opinions on event logistics, and celebrating the announced return to Nashville for 2027. The discussion quickly pivots to the implications of a nine-game conference schedule, the future of the College Football Playoff (CFP), and the increasingly vocal maneuvering among college football’s power brokers. Key updates are given on player health, particularly Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy, as well as standout moments and quotes from several coaches and players present at Media Days. Memorable banter and a few classic one-liners—especially about mustard bottles and Lane Kiffin—underscore the trademark SEC Unfiltered style.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. SEC Media Days Location – The Tampa Controversy

• Timestamps: 00:00–03:44
• Chris criticizes Tampa as an impractical host city, noting its distance from most SEC schools and sharing how his social media posts against the location gained traction ([00:00]).
• Chris: “Tampa just doesn’t make sense to me … everybody’s essentially got to catch a flight or make a super long drive.”
• Return to Nashville in 2027 is met with enthusiasm, particularly from Chris, who lives nearby and jokes about offering guests a place to stay ([01:23]).
• Humorous detour into the mystery of the enduring SEC sand sculpture at beach venues, with speculation that it isn’t really sand ([03:14]).

2. Greg Sankey’s State of the SEC and Playoff Politics

• Timestamps: 04:16–11:01
• Greg Sankey’s commissioner address focused on the nine-game conference schedule and CFP selection process, but the hosts found his comments unsatisfying and evasive ([05:55]).
• Chris: “It is a master class of how to speak for 50 minutes and not say anything…”
• Sankey’s Notable Quote ([07:57]):

  “We have what I would call an unsatisfactory conversation with the College Ball Playoff staff at spring meetings. We have questions about them understanding the strength of the SEC.”

• Discussion about whether the SEC could or should break away from the rest of college football if playoff selection remains unfair ([11:01]).
• Consensus among hosts: Much posturing, little substance until renegotiation windows on media rights ([11:21]).

3. Nine-Game Conference Schedule – Consequences and Motivation

• Timestamps: 05:05–10:31
• Will nine SEC games harm or help playoff prospects? Demitri suggests it was supposed to guarantee more CFP representation, yet the selection committee’s stance is unclear ([08:23]).
• Comparison to Big 12 tactics under Brett Yormark—branding and maximizing exposure for the conference should be every commissioner’s blunt focus ([09:31]).

4. Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy – Injury Update and Recovery Outlook

• Timestamps: 12:11–17:45
• Biggest On-Field Story of the Day:
  • Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy, medical status after being shot in May.
  • Coach Eli Drinkwitz offered rare clarity: Hardy’s bullet wound broke a bone, but it’s fully healed. He has started the recovery process, and return-to-play protocol should take 5-8 weeks ([14:21]).
• Drinkwitz’s Quote:

  “The bullet did strike a bone in his body, and that has been fully healed and cleared. Today is his first day back to…for recovery.” ([14:11])

• Strong praise for the honest, detailed injury timeline ([15:05], Cole):
  • “It would have been peak coach speak to say that he cannot comment…so I appreciate that we got a real answer.”
• Discussion of Jamal Roberts as a capable interim starter, easing the pressure on Hardy’s return ([15:45]).

5. Drinkwitz’s Media Day Performance & Spicy Quotes

• Timestamps: 17:43–19:24
• Drinkwitz criticized the CFP committee and took a shot at the Big Ten’s recent titles:
  • Quote: “Part of the reason the Big Ten has won the last three national titles—when you don’t play a non-conference P4 game.” ([17:45])
  • His push for on-field play to decide championships, not committees ([18:10]).
• Demitri: Drinkwitz isn’t the right messenger for some of these criticisms, given Mizzou’s standing ([18:53]).

6. Player/Coach Standouts, Injury Updates, and Noteworthy Soundbites

• Timestamps: 19:24–21:55
• Brent Venables (Oklahoma) comes across confident, “great tan” noted.
• John Mateer’s thumb injury and detailed mechanical explanation impress Chris ([19:24]):
  • Chris: “Really breaking down the thumb injury … I just, I thought that was really, really interesting.”
• Will Stein (Kentucky) brings bold self-belief:
  • Stein when asked why they can win big: “Because of me. I think we can get it done. I know what it takes.” ([20:15])

7. Player Quotes & Media Day Dynamics

• Timestamps: 21:55–24:04
• John Mateer delivers an unvarnished answer on reading SEC defenses:
  • Quote: “There’s really not much to it. Someone’s open, gotta throw it to him.” ([21:55], Demitri attribution)
• Will Stein lauded for authentic ties to Kentucky, seen as a stabilizing hire.

8. Tennessee’s Josh Heupel Joins the Fray—Mustard, Golf Balls, and QBs

• Timestamps: 24:04–26:28
• Heupel’s Standout Soundbite (re: Lane Kiffin’s return):
  • Quote: “I certainly hope that our fans haven’t cooled off, whether it’s the grocery store stocked up on mustard or the sports stores that they’ve got reinforcements on the golf balls. Hopefully Knoxville is ready for his arrival.” ([24:31])
• Acknowledgment that the quote was lighthearted; no personal beef with Kiffin.
• Confirmation that the Tennessee quarterback competition is wide open between George McIntyre and Faison Brandon ([26:22]).

9. Rapid-Fire Notes: Playcallers & Transfer Portal

• Timestamps: 25:05–25:32
• Joe Sloan apparently taking play-calling duties at Kentucky; skepticism about offensive fireworks.
• Brief mention of Chaz Coleman’s situation—Heupel offered only generic support for the player ([25:32]).

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Chris: “Tampa just doesn’t make sense to me … everybody’s essentially got to catch a flight or make a super long drive.” ([00:00])
• Cole: “I don’t believe it’s really sand. I believe it is a hard substance back there to keep the shape.” ([03:46])
• Chris: “It is a master class of how to speak for 50 minutes and not say anything.” (re: Greg Sankey, [05:57])
• Greg Sankey (via Chris): “We have what I would call an unsatisfactory conversation with the college ball playoff staff at spring meetings. We have questions about them understanding the strength of the SEC.” ([07:57])
• Demetri: “Bottom line, you want more money for the SEC, you want more opportunities…guess what happens—that means expansion.” ([08:23])
• Chris: “Eli Drinkwitz…the winner of day one of SEC media days. There are very few, if any, more entertaining than Drink when he takes the podium.” ([12:11])
• Drinkwitz: “The bullet did strike a bone in his body, and that has been fully healed and cleared. Today is his first day back to...for recovery.” ([14:11])
• Cole: “It would have been peak coach speak to say that he cannot comment...so I appreciate that we got a real answer.” ([15:05])
• Drinkwitz: “Part of the reason the Big Ten has won the last three national titles—when you don’t play a non-conference P4 game.” ([17:43])
• Drinkwitz: “As nice as I can be, committees are a bad idea in deciding on who should get in sports. Arena sports are meant to be played and decided on the field.” ([18:10])
• Will Stein: “Because of me. I think we can get it done. I know what it takes.” ([20:15])
• John Mateer (on reading SEC defenses): “There’s really not much to it. Someone’s open, gotta throw it to him.” ([21:55])
• Josh Heupel: “I certainly hope that our fans haven’t cooled off...Hopefully Knoxville is ready for [Lane Kiffin’s] arrival.” ([24:31])

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Conclusion

Day One of SEC Media Days demonstrated the enduring power of the SEC’s off-field narratives, from venues and media politicking to player recoveries and the ever-popular drama between charismatic coaches. The hosts cut through the platitudes to deliver actual news—most importantly on Ahmad Hardy—and seasoned the episode with the perfect measure of wit and skepticism. Nashville’s 2027 Media Days already seems a home run. For SEC fans, this episode is a front-row seat to the stories shaping the league’s present and its high-stakes future.

Transcript

[Chris]

Day one in Tampa, Florida, which, of course, the festivities are still going on, but a lot to discuss, lot to talk about. First thing, guys, specifically from SEC media days today. Media Days has come back to Nashville in 2027. Let's cheer on the SEC. I want to take full credit for this, by the way. I did not realize I had voiced this on our show, and I think to you guys, but yesterday the wind hit me just right and I was just randomly sitting there. I'm like, I'm gonna tweet this out, you know, whatever it is, what it is. And of course, I had our good friend Chuck, Chuck Dunlap comment on the post. Who's with the. Yes. I'm like, this is really going to help my credential application next year. But essentially, voice that was like, hey, Tampa just doesn't make sense to me. I've said this many times. It's far away from like 90 of the SEC schools. Everybody's essentially got to take catch a flight or make a super long drive. Tampa just does not. And I. I love Tampa. Awesome city. But for this event. Event, it didn't make sense. Greg Sankey announces today, which backtracking. How much attention that tweet got was a stun. I didn't really. I mean, I was like, hey, whatever, we'll see what happens. But how much attention and how many opinions. And I. I loved Demitri and Cole. The people that were coming at me saying, well, it's better than having it in Hoover every night. I'm like, whoa, whoa.

[Demitri]

I'm.

[Chris]

I'm not saying have it in Hoover, brother. Like, let me make that very clear.

[Demitri]

I.

[Chris]

My biases are very, very well known. I. I live not even five minutes from the hotel that I'm pretty sure they will have it at next year. So I. Safe to say I am ecstatic to have SEC meeting days back in Nashville next year. And Cole, Dimitri, if you need a couch to stay on or a spare bedroom, I got you. Very good.

[Cole]

I will. I will call my sister and tell her I'm sorry. I'm staying with my colleague on the podcast this time. I will say it's funny, Cole, I don't know if you know Heath Klein. Chris. I know you at least know who he is.

[Demitri]

Yeah, I know.

[Cole]

Yeah, from his time at 10:75 the game in Columbia. Now he's part of the Chuck Oliver show. He is a Tampa native and we got together last week at ACC media days. And even he was like, this is stupid. Like, this doesn't seem like the right place for this. It doesn't make any sense to me. So I don't think, Chris, you are at all in the minority and thinking this year, I don't want to say feels like a throwaway, but it doesn't feel normal. For sure.

[Chris]

Happy for all my Gator friends. I mean, at least. Yeah, shout out. Ali Peak. I was talking to her about it. She lives in Tampa. Dan Thompson lives in Tampa. So shout out to them. But yeah, for everybody else. My biggest thing, I was like, if I go to Tampa this time of year, I'm going to the beach and I'm going to play golf. I'm not sitting in the. The conference center all day long. I'm going to be in the sunshine of Florida.

[Demitri]

You want to hang out with the lightning bug that made its appearance last night at SEC Media Network? Come on, man.

[Cole]

Along those lines. I do. Anytime the SEC is doing anything at like, a beach location.

[Chris]

Right.

[Cole]

Like, you know, you could turn on on Sundays. In the fall, you could turn on SEC Network and. And women's soccer is on. Right. And I think they played the tournament for that down in Gulf Shores. Yeah.

[Chris]

Every year.

[Cole]

I've got to know, do they hire a new sand sculptor every time or does that thing just go around with it? Because that is the first picture I saw on Twitter today was that same damn sand sculpture that is everywhere. I've seen it.

[Demitri]

I genuinely think they carry it around. I think it's actually the same.

[Chris]

If they redo it, is it the same guy? They have, like, one. I am the SEC sand sculptor. Is there one?

[Demitri]

Like, he gets paid, like the way you pay the guys who watch the Stanley cup to travel around.

[Cole]

Right.

[Demitri]

He just watched the sand sculpture.

[Cole]

I'm gonna. I'm gonna drop an SEC conspiracy theory here. This is by. By. I swear to God. This is my belief. I don't believe it's really sand. I believe that it is a hard substance back there to keep the shape.

[Chris]

They just put sand, like, on. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Cole]

It's like. What is it called? It's like gold plated instead of gold.

[Chris]

That. Demetri, you should go to the timeline and be like, the SEC will not get back to and win a national title until the sand sculptor is actually made of real.

[Cole]

That's right. That's right. We gotta stop being.

[Chris]

We have to stop being phonies and really be about it if you want to get back and win the whole thing. Let's get into some of the conversation, guys, because, again, a lot to unpack here. Greg Sankey Obviously kicked things off this morning. You can imagine some of the topics he discussed. A lot of off field issues, future of the league, nine game conference schedule has been a big talking point. There's a lot of mixed emotions about it for the most part. What I pick up, I don't think the coaches are very happy with it. He mentioned and I thought this was really telling that was asked a question about essentially the big question. I think one of the big storylines going the season is nine game conference schedule is the College Football Playoff selection committee. Are they going to factor that in when it comes to strength of schedule? Because we are hardwired. Hey, 10 wins in nine wins. Ah, not.

[Demitri]

Probably not good enough.

[Chris]

We're looking at it sheerly from a wins loss perspective instead of factoring in strength of schedule. And of course non game conference schedule makes it even more difficult. Greg Senke said that the conversation with the committee and those who make these decisions about that said topic was quote, unquote, unsatisfactory. An unsatisfactory conversation. They also taught the 2014. Here, here's what I'll say. Is this because they were talking the 2014 College Football Playoff. There was a comment made about yeah, it's a real thing. The SEC could break away and. But I gotta be honest with you guys and this really isn't a shot at Sankey. I mean if you don't have the answers of the question, so be it. But when I'm listening to him, it feels like I'm listening to the principal from Charlie Brown where it's just. And I'm like, I'm just getting.

[Cole]

It's.

[Chris]

It is a master class of how to speak for 50 minutes and not say anything. Really, truly. When I hear Greg Sankey speak, that's not meant as a personal shot or anything like that. Whatever. You got to go up there and be the talking boy or the, the talking head and, and rep the league. But it's just, it's another opportunity where like please give us some hard, concrete, some sort of answer and we're just still left with more questions.

[Cole]

It's interesting. You go to Charlie Brown adult, right? Because I go. Whenever I hear Sankey speak, I go to Ric Flair, meaning that this is a dude that obviously is very good in front of the microphone. But I can go through the checklist of okay, Space Mountain, okay, you know, I ride a jet plates, okay, my money, all that kind of stuff. And it sounds very old compared to where we are going in college football. I mean, how long did it take him to get to his greatest hit of the value of a contiguous conference as opposed to having teams on the west coast like Greg Sankey is very good in front of a microphone. But I've heard these songs too many times, man. And to your point, Chris, I thought about this when you were texting us a little bit about the Sankey speech today. The idea that the response from the playoff committee was unsatisfactory on how they are going to consider nine conference games. If I may quote Don Draper for a second, that's what the money is for, Greg. Like you are getting paid to go in there and change their mind because they are not going to or at least they're not going to publicly say they're going to value one conference over another. It's your job to get that message across that nine SEC games is greater than nine ACC games or nine Big 12 games or nine Big 10 games. Like of course that the answer is not going to be satisfactory. Show us you know how to do your job.

[Chris]

Cole. I'll let you go in a second. This was the full quote. It was Greg Sankey on the confidence of the College Football Playoff selection committee recognizing the SEC strength of schedule quote. I'm actually one who believes competitors want a great challenge. We have heard about strength of schedule, strength of record. We have what I would call an unsatisfactory conversation with the college ball playoff staff at spring meetings. We have questions about them understanding the strength of the sec. End quote.

[Demitri]

Bottom line, you want more money for the sec, you want more opportunities for the sec, guess what happens that means expansion. Like if you want to guarantee because here, because. Because it'll be a perfect data point this year. Watching as the College Football Playoff selection committee has to view a 9 and 3 Ole Miss or a 9 and 3 LSU versus a 102 BYU and an 112 Louisville that loses in the SEC championship game. I mean the ACC championship game. It's going to be a great balance line because of you have to realize at the end of the day you're getting all this money, you're getting all this profit to be able to have the most representation. And better yet, part of the reason why you were so gung ho about moving into a nine game conference schedule is you figured it wouldn't hurt your chances of having representation in the College Football Playoff. That was the deal. So if the College Football Playoff committee doesn't hold up its end of the bargain, what's to say that you don't call up Tony Petiti and then whatever schools that you want from the Big 12 and the ACC and say, hey, when your media rights deals come on through in 20, 31 and beyond, we're going to have this thing called a new super conference put together, and we'll take all the revenue and we'll take all the sponsors and we'll take all the media rights, and we'll take all the distribution, and we'll create, create our own league and let the College Football Playoff committee think that they have a say on what they did, but they spurned us in the past. Like, like that's what's going on behind closed doors. When you talk about how you're going for a College Football playoff expansion, like, do you want to expand? Probably not. But at the same time, the entire premise, and I commend a guy like Brett Yourmark on this more than anybody else. Brett, your mark does not give a flying care in the world about what's going on in the SEC, the ACC, or the Big Ten. He cares about the Big 12 and he wants as much representation. So much so that he signs a deal with monster energy where every team has its own flavor, just so that way they get more brand recognition. That's the way that every single conversation should go for a conference commissioner. It's about respecting your conference and getting them the most representation possible.

[Chris]

And a great segue. Cole, this was the quote from Greg Sankey asking about if it's real about the SEC breaking away or just a negotiating ploy. He said, quote, they're real. The frustrations for some that bring them to the point of saying we should look at something significantly different, end quote. Y' all buy or sell that it's a real thing that they're thinking about. Maybe not immediate, but like long term if needed to be that, hey, we're just going to pick up our ball and go take it elsewhere and go do our own thing.

[Cole]

Yeah, the, the first rule of negotiations, Chris, is do not tell your opponent that your threats are lies and you have no intent to follow it through. I mean, no, it's. It's all, it's all gesturing at this point does. It doesn't mean that it's off the table in the future, but until those meteorites really are up for grabs, it's all, it's all conjecture.

[Demitri]

Bottom line, as long as you keep it at a 12 team college football Playoff format and don't expand the playoff and waste what is a beautiful postseason, I don't really care what you do at this point. I just don't want to see more than 12 teams in the playoff. It's not rewarding, it's not giving. And honestly, I don't want it.

[Cole]

I've said for years 12 is the perfect number because there are three different levels to play for. Like, the college football should value that.

[Demitri]

Yeah. They should also value everything besides money. They do.

[Chris]

Cole, I have some bad news for you.

[Demitri]

I know, I know.

[Chris]

I have very bad news.

[Demitri]

I moaned when it got to 12, and yet here I am still watching it. You're not going to get rid of me. It's just like, it's annoying.

[Chris]

I. That's why we keep you around. We know you'll hear be here bitching and moaning. No matter what number it gets.

[Demitri]

You'll drag me to the playoff game and I'll be excited about it. Just be like, I hate the fact that it's 24.

[Chris]

Go watch 18 verse 24. And two, seven and five teams do battle. Exactly. Guys, let's get into this because again, number of coaches have taken the podium. The one that one of the biggest questions I think we could argue our biggest question of SEC media days. This is one Dimitri brought to light, I believe last week. Eli Drinkwood. So I will say it, guys. I know with Josh Hyple is going to speak a little bit later. It might even be taking the podium right now. I will go ahead and proclaim Eli Drink, which the winner of day one of SEC media days. There are very few, if any more entertaining than Drink when he takes the podium. Love or hate him. But the status of Ahmad Hardy, the answer to that question was what we wanted. And we got some clarification today. And good news from a zoo, fans. It is a positive update. Ahmad Hardy after his gunshot wound he suffered in May. Eli Drinkwood said he has been medically cleared from that gunshot wound. And there was a little bit of confusion under Demetri and I. You were talking this out. So not medically clear. We're like, he would play today. He has been medically clear where he is participating in the rehab process. Actually today. Drink, which said his return to play protocol begins and it's expected to take anywhere from five to eight weeks. Could it potentially take longer?

[Cole]

Sure.

[Chris]

And it's because, you know, what's the timetable for a recovery from a gunshot wound? Interestingly enough, the Drink said the bullet went in and did he say break a bone, guys, or you say fracture? I think they broke a bone.

[Cole]

He said broke a bone and that's one of those things where, like, you know, colloquially broke a bone. Right. If it is a fracture, that's pretty good. Like my wife was explaining this to me. It is not uncommon for bone to break when it has been hit by a bullet. The question is, how deep did those fissures go? If it is a clean separation into two places, we're talking a longer recovery process than a shatter at the point of impact. Going a little bit deeper. Yeah.

[Demitri]

Here is the exact quote from Eli Drinkowitz. The bullet did strike a bone in his body, and that has been fully healed and cleared. Today is his first day back to. For recovery.

[Chris]

Yeah. So Ahmad Hardy on the road to recovery. Guys, the. The most positive update, I think, is that barring a major setback, he's going to play football this season.

[Demitri]

Yeah.

[Chris]

The season opener is what, six and a half weeks away?

[Cole]

You mentioned 45 days. Like that is right in the middle of five, eight weeks.

[Demitri]

You. You think you're okay? If he misses the opener, it's like, what central army comes.

[Chris]

I was gonna say, I'm sure, like, that Kansas game is the one they're targeting. We're like, man, if we could have him back, that would be great. But, guys, you guys thoughts on what Drink had to say about Amar Hardy?

[Cole]

Obviously, it's.

[Chris]

It's huge news. And if there was one question we could have got answered all week, I think this was the one that pretty much all of us were. Were most intrigued by.

[Cole]

Yeah, I'm with you. And on top of that, too, Chris, I commend him for giving us a real answer to that question. It would have been peak coach speak to say that he cannot comment on a guy's ongoing medical process on, you know, he might have thrown the word HIPAA around or whatever. So I appreciate that we got a real answer. And by the way, a. A plausibly real answer. He didn't just say, hey, a month or two. He gave us a specific time frame that we could expect Ahmad Hardy to be back on the field. I am, as a. As someone that. You're right, that has been my biggest question of the off season. I'm happy to get some real info there.

[Demitri]

I think that when you look at a guy like Ahmad Hardy, the great news is for a place like Mizzou is that they have a guy who can take over the load while he is recovering. And he's there right now in Tampa with. With Jamal Roberts. It was such a massive find for them to be able to keep him. There were rumors that he was trying to enter the portal. They made sure that they paid him handsomely to stick around as a complimentary piece. And, and that's going to allow you to really put yourself in a standpoint of not forcing the issue of rushing back Ahmad Hardy. And I think that's really what you want to see because when you're at, when we're talking about a guy like Ahmad Hardy, he is going to be able to be at his peak, the best running back in college football. And the last thing that you want to do is have any setback caused by on field play that forced him to miss more time than issues. So he may be a week behind. He may not be fully there for the, for the Kansas game. You know, he may be at a on a snap count. It's not the end all be all. And it keeps you I think alive and well in the race to be able to say we're going to be a threat in the SEC because of what our run game is. Because if you know what you have with Jamal Roberts taking over that load and not forcing yourself to twist the issue of we got to get some, we got to get some momentum on the ground game, rush a mod back. Because I think the worst thing that athletes do more often than not is is they put themselves ahead of the team. Not always, but just like from time to time they want to be out there. And sometimes coaches will tell you we know your body best but your mindset is no, I'm a competitor. I got to be out there. When you got a guy like Jamal Hardy, I I mean Jamal Roberts, I think that you're in a good spot to where Ahmad Hardy can recover recuperate me back better than ever before.

[Chris]

Ahmad Hardy first in the SEC last year in yards per carry Jamal Roberts was third. So to your point Cole, they have got a more than capable replacement while Ahmad Hardy is rehabb. And again good news is this he's going to it sounds like he's going to for sure play football this season. Eli Drink was one on even said that he expects him to be a better version of Ahmad when he gets back.

[Demitri]

We, we'll see.

[Chris]

Really. Yeah we'll see what that really means. But again a positive update to say the least that he is on that road to recovery. Some other notable Drinkwitz comments. Drinkwitz said part of the reason the Big Ten has won the last three national titles quote when you don't play a non conference P4 game end quote. As you can imagine that that caused quite a stir fellas.

[Cole]

So I mean I, I literally I

[Chris]

just commented and said listen, I get where you're coming from right message maybe the wrong messenger here. It's not like you guys haven't gotten to the playoff because of that. You know that that P4 non con game let's not yeah it's a you know I I it would land coming from somebody else is all I'll say. Is all I'll say so he also said as nice as I can be about it. This is a direct quote as nice I can be. Committees are a bad idea in deciding on who should get in sports. Arena sports are meant to be played and decided on the field. End quote. So Mark Eli drink with is someone who's not a fan of the College Football Playoff committee which I'm sure will help his case if Mizzou meeting some some favorability.

[Demitri]

90 points. You know just like here we're the 9 and 3 team you need to consider I I I I'm sorry I gotta say this part and I love Mizzou guys. The SEC hasn't been to the national championship in three years. You are not the one to be running you honestly anybody but Kirby is not the one to be running your mouth at this one like it it it just isn't Big Ten's got three straight and they played against three other conferences that were at the sec. I'd maybe sit this one out that that's just my two cents. Pat Norduzzi didn't want to learn this way. So maybe it's time for D ledgers

[Chris]

to learn this way guys are the big takeaways. I thought Brent Venables sounded really confident about his football team. As you could imagine. That's sort of normally his MO great tan. You can tell he's been outside this summer. John Matier to me the most interesting player today. I was really fascinated with the conversation he had with I believe it was Aaron Rodgers and those guys on the SEC Nation. Yeah, Jordan Rogers. What it was not Aaron Rodgers. I bet he was talking about Aaron Rodgers. But when he was really breaking down the the thumb injury and why it caused him to play so poorly and his mechanics and dropping the elbow and cupping the football instead of gripping the football. I just, I thought that was really really interesting. And he's been a guy obviously hot button topic of conversation.

[Cole]

Excuse me.

[Chris]

Today at SEC media days. And then Will Stein finally again exuding confidence. And they asked him why do you believe you can win big at Kentucky? And his answer was because of me. He's like just because of me. I think we can get it done. I know what it takes. I'll let you guys add on you guys thoughts Day one of SCCVD days. Anything jump out to you specifically?

[Cole]

I mean, obviously the SEC network is never going to push hard for answers for some of these guys. But you know, I do want to hear Matiere's explanation at some point for like, okay, like this is all great information about your mechanics and all that kind of stuff. Thumb didn't break your brain though. So what exactly went wrong with your decision making process? Overall, I got a lot of what I expected. I put Eli Drinkwitz in this class with like Lane with trying to think of someone outside the sec. James Franklin would be a good example. Like if every word that comes out of your mouth I can tell you've been rehearsing in a mirror. It's just hard for me to get excited about what you're telling me about your team. I am not a, I'm not a big fan of this particular part of media days. I feel like we get a whole lot of conjecture from the coaches at a whole lot of, a whole lot of reporters that came in there to ask their question, regardless of if it got answered three answers ago. Right. So, you know, I, I'm glad, like, I agree with you. I saw a clip of that interview. Chris, I agree with you. Like Mattier gave us a lot. He didn't give us the answer to the big question though.

[Demitri]

I thought Mattier gave the quote of the day because of, let's be real. We all act like that we can be an armchair quarterback and we can survey the field and understand all the concepts and pro quos of what you need to watch for with double coverages. And his quote was asked about reading defense in the sec. There's really not much to it. Someone's open, gotta throw it to him. Which honestly is the most dumbed down answer of all time. But it's like the most brutally honest answer because let's be real, you have like a split second to fight a dude and if you miss it is clear as day you are going to be in a world of hurt. And how many times last year can you go back and watch as probably John Mateer was a split second too late and that's why he threw into double coverage. So I, I thought he was a big winner. I, I appreciate the comments made by Will Stein because Will Stein probably could have held out for a bigger job if he wanted to. There, there, there's, there's jobs out there that are nowhere near as coveted as being the offensive coordinator at Oregon where you have all the resources possible. But the fact that he brought in. Like, I grew up as a Kentucky fan, Kentucky is me. This is where my family has been, this is where my livelihood has been. This has been where everything that has made me and who I am comes back to from the baseline. I think that's a good way to sell the idea to boosters and to sell the idea to the fan base. I know what is actually wrong with this program. Now, the problem is that you're going to have to show instantaneous results in some capacity and not go 2 in 10 to be able to keep that fan base alive and well. But at the same time, Kentucky was that job that was available, that even though it's an SEC job, how good is it when you look at everything else that is going around the world for. I mean, in the. In the world of college football, for him to want to go to Kentucky, for him to make it clear that this is where he's meant to be, I think it's a sign that Mitch Barnhart's parting gift to the Wildcats was making sure I got somebody who was not going to be leaving anytime soon. And he probably isn't because of. Let's be real. When a coach is really hot, they'll get offers from other schools. Kentucky is going to be, I think, two or three years away from even being in that conversation to begin with.

[Chris]

Guys, we have a new candidate for quote of the day. By the way, as Josh Hyple is actively speaking at SEC media days, he was asked about Lane Kiffin's return to Knoxville. He had this to say, quote, I certainly hope that our fans haven't cooled off, whether it's the grocery store stocked up on mustard or the sports stores that they've got reinforcements on the golf balls. Hopefully Knoxville is ready for his arrival. End quote.

[Cole]

Okay.

[Chris]

And apparently the guy, Michael Cobble, is the. The reporter that asked it. I guess he. He quoted and said, I caught up with Hypo after this. He was just having fun with Lane Kiffin said, there is no beef there. But, yeah, have your mustard bottles and golf balls. God. Like. Like, they needed encouragement from him on that, you know?

[Cole]

Right. Correct me if I'm wrong, haven't we gotten to the bottom of the mustard bottle? Like, was like, that's just how they do ketchup and mustard for hot dogs at Neyland Stadium. And someone just took it and decided, yeah, this is going right upside the Lane's head.

[Demitri]

By the way, for anyone out there that is a Kentucky fan, I need you to do me a favor while you can Call LSU fans and just, just, just, just ask them a simple question. What was it like having Joe Sloan as your offense coordinator? Because apparently Will Stein's not calling place this year. He's giving it over to Joe Sloan. So a lot of bourbon, a lot of exits. Hopefully you got something really fun to eat during the day, because you ain't not gonna be seeing a lot of scoring, I can tell you that much.

[Chris]

I. I thought it was also interesting, guys, he talked, well, he talked about the Chaz Coleman thing. I don't know if you guys saw the quotes. I don't even have the quote right in front of me. But essentially he said, definitely did not identify what the main issue was. Just, essentially just pointed out, hey, we're always going to support our players and our guys. And he had some off the distraction, things that were happening that, you know, we. We wish him well, put it that way. We wish him well. So, yeah, that's what there was. Not a whole lot beyond that. So, again, Josh Hyple continues to speak, but the Elaine Kiffin comment, certainly one that's going to steal the headlines here on SEC media days. Josh Hyple also appearing to leave the door open to playing both George McIntyre and Faison Brandon this season.

[Cole]

So don't commit.

[Chris]

There is an active. Go ahead. What'd you say?

[Cole]

I just said don't commit to anybody till you have to.

[Chris]

Yeah, I mean, there's an open quarterback competition in Knoxville, to say the very least. So, again, we'll continue to keep you updated, guys from SEC media days. A lot more to come all throughout the week, but really good stuff on day number one,

[Demitri]

Sa.

[Chris]

Sam.