Brent (6:22)

They can win the whole thing.

Host (6:24)

They have a chance.

Brent (6:26)

Oh, they. They play games like Texas right now is. And Sark is campaigning. Cristobal is campaigning. Ole Miss is in like. And they're going to be in likely unless something.

Host (6:40)

The committee does something FSU would like a quick word because fsu, my quarterbacks hurt. It's not the same team because of injuries in the criteria of the committee. Well, here's the thing. They realistically could look at this and go, the best part of this team is their offense. Their offensive coordinator's gone. The head coach is gone. Who. Who is the other offensive installer and play caller would they dream of. I'm just here to tell you, like, I will absolutely quit college football. I will walk away from college football and go. I will go nomad the earth. I'm going to run across Georgia to California naked if they fricking do that crap. Like, I know nobody wants to see that, but I'm just saying, like, I will be so pissed if they leave. If they leave.

Wesley (7:27)

502 is what I got on the time code.

Brent (7:29)

Yeah, I was just thinking is who's already texting you to. If they're listening to say that, but I don't know. I don't think that's happening. And they also saw Florida State play a couple games without the qb, so that was one of the things with that, too. But I'm gonna, like, maybe be a.

Host (7:50)

Little grumpy with this because I like cantankerous Brent.

Wesley (7:54)

I.

Brent (7:55)

Well, today was like the first day I went to work when it was dark, and I got home when it was dark, so that's rare. I don't like that.

Host (8:01)

That.

Brent (8:02)

So I'm a little grumpy as is. Like, shave, shower, show.

Host (8:05)

I like it. Oh, the essence.

Brent (8:09)

First off, there's a. I think there's some psychology part of a lot of this, because when your dad's an NFL coach and. And you move. I think I looked. It was like eight times before he graduated high school. Seven times, something like that.

Wesley (8:23)

Yep.

Brent (8:24)

And then the coach life of. Just the sort of nomadic life of being a coach and pros and in college, all that. I think there's a. Hard to feel comfortable in one place for longer than. I mean, six years, as long as he's been in one place. USC was also there for six years, but before he went to the Raiders, but still. So there's. I think there's some of that. That's part of all this and who he is and all that. But anyway, I had, like, in the. In my job and day job and academia, I have people that I work with that they leave and they can go and then could do other things. And I always tell them, look, you are the president and CEO of you Inc. Like, Lane is the president and CEO of Lane Kiffin Inc. And whatever he thinks is in the best interest of that business, have at it. That's the thing.

Host (9:13)

And that's what he did.

Brent (9:14)

And that's exactly what he did. However, David Pollock would never do what he did. I would never do what he did. There, to me, is something different. And. And I've seen a lot of great analogies about, you know, like, SVP has some good ones about the wife and, you know, hanging out with the family for the Christmas while you're down the street with the other lady kind of thing. There's all sorts of work analogies that you can put into this football and coaching a team and leading young men, to me is different, like what you ask of them. There's. There's so much that goes to pour into that and that relationship and all that. All that goes with that and the team and the bonding and everything. Everything that is great about the sport and all goes into that and you quit and you told those kids that they weren't good enough to win a championship. Because I got to go elsewhere to win it. I can't win it with you. I got to go elsewhere to win it. I can't stomach that. Oh, there's the utter crap out of me.

Host (10:17)

I like, I like this, Brent. I like this. I like this thought process that you're going down right here.

Brent (10:23)

Couple other things. One is, yes, the calendar sucks. We all know that. Everybody knows that. But still, he could have said from the get go, if you call my agent, he's, here's what my agent is going to say. Talk to him after the season. If they don't want to wait, that's their prerogative.

Host (10:43)

But the calendar should say that already. I agree. The calendar should outline it right now. Every single job. If you have a job and you are filling your job. That's why I want to get rid of buyouts. I'm, I'm done with buyouts, too. Screw buyouts. Like, forget buyouts. I, I don't want those anymore in the sport. Like, if you have a job, you shouldn't be able to take another job. That shouldn't happen. That you can't do that in the NFL. Like, you can't have a team that's, that's about to go to the playoffs and be like, oh, wait a minute, oopsie. Like, I'm going to coach them. Like, it doesn't work. This is business. We've got, like, we've got to take, we got to take this calendar and we got to do something about it. That's bull crap.

Brent (11:25)

I agree. And that's. But, and that's where, like all this makes it, it makes it so there. But just the decision itself, I couldn't have left the team in the football aspect that, because, like, those relationships, I would have been like, hey, I'm staying with my team until the end of the year. If you want me, when the end of the year, we'll talk, fine. But this is my team. These are the guys I poured into this. And it's, and it's this team. It's this individual team. Because now, I mean, it's going to be 40, 40 to 60 different kids every year oftentimes. But the last thing for, for him, okay, to me, he's lucky he's going to LSU because the kids in that state, that they're big time athletes. The dag on number one recruit in the country was at his, you know, office there when he first Got there. Those kids want to play for that school independent of the coach. I went and looked top 12 recruits in. I think it was 12, maybe 13 recruits in the state of Louisiana are committed to LSU. The only one else is Ohio State. They want to go play for that school. And versus him having to go look at a kid and be like, hey, commit to me. Do all these things. I'm gonna help you.

Host (12:33)

Yeah, I got this for you. So, yeah, but here's the thing.

Brent (12:35)

I'm done. Don't rant. Done.

Host (12:38)

I love the rant. I want to holler my boy Kevin Chavis in the chat. LSU is clearly a much better opportunity to win a natty. You know who else thought that? Brian Kelly.

Brent (12:49)

Yep.

Host (12:50)

Brian Kelly thought it was a much better opportunity than Notre Dame. Brian Kelly said, I'm leaving Notre Dame because I can't win the big one here. Lane Kiffin didn't say that, but he said it. Just listen. He absolutely said it.

Brent (13:05)

So his actions.

Host (13:06)

He's leaving Ole Miss and a chance to go to the playoff because he thinks he has a better chance to win a national title consistently. And here's the thing. When you're at Ole Miss, bro, and you win 10 games, five out of the six years, and in the 40 years before that, they haven't done that, but like three times total, you know what they do? They build statues outside. You know what they do at Ole Miss when you don't win 10 games? Or when you win just 10 games, they fire your ace and they say, go home. And they say. And then they try to sue you to take back some of your money like they did with Brian Kelly. So, listen, I get it. But. But this is not the old school days, man. Like, this isn't the building of fence around the state of Louisiana because you. It's nice. It's a nice idea to say, I'm going to go get all those guys. It's another thing when someone else is going to break out their checkbook, too, and overpay, because those guys are really, really good. So, listen, everybody has the opportunity. Here's the thing. Everybody has the opportunity to say that, to go do that, to go to. But be careful what you wish for, because I think at Ole Miss, I think you can win championships. I think Ole Miss. I think he has Ole Miss at a spot right now where it's in great shape and moving forward. The way they built it, this. They could accomplish. He could accomplish every dream he wanted to. And, And I think the. The. The part I. The part that I don't really like the most is at least, at least he didn't break out a Southern accent. Like, thank God. Like, if you broke out a Southern accent, I probably would have lost my, lost my mind. But, like, you know, he said, I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay with the players. Like, what did you learn a long time ago I. I get it. What did you learn a long time ago from your parents? Like, when I do something, there's. There's a consequence. When I mess up, people, I get reprimanded. Like, when I mess up, I. When I mess up, there's consequences to my action. Actions, right? Like, there's consequences to this. And they said no. So Lane had the right to say, I'm going to go to lsu. Ole Miss had the right to tell him to kick rocks. Nationwide is so much more than a great insurance company. They're one of America's largest financial services companies. Like how I'm more than just Peyton Manning. I'm also motivating Manning. When I say insurance, you say financial services. Insurance. Financial services. Insurance. Financial services. Now when I say nationwide, you say is both. Nationwide is both. Nationwide is both. For your insurance and financial needs, Nationwide is on your side. Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, Ember Finra, Columbus, Ohio and now Superhuman Shack. I keep telling them not to say that. I'm no superhuman. Believe it or not, I struggle with moderate obstructive sleep apnea or or OSA in adults with obesity. Moderate to severe OSA is a condition where breathing is interrupted during sleep with loud snoring, choking, gasping for air, and even daytime fatigue.

Caleb Downs (15:50)

Let's just say it could sound a lot like this.

Host (15:54)

Sound familiar? Learn more@don'tsleeponosa.com this information is provided by Lilly, a medicine company. Not sure if you have the experience to start your dream job? Good news. These days it's the skills that count. Udemy can help you get those in demand. Skills. Want to be an AI mastermind? Learn with us Game developer. We've got you covered. AWS Certified Cloud practitioner. We can help you prep. You'll learn from real world experts who love what they do so that you can love what you do. Go to udemy.com for the skills to get you started and get set for.

Caleb Downs (16:29)

Your dream job as a quarterback.

Host (16:32)

I love sports but sometimes when I get hit on my blind side, front side and put on my backside, I wonder if I is sport clips better than sports? Because sport clips haircuts is sports on tv. Plus a relaxing haircut, hot steam towel and massaging Shampoo, which is better than Sports plus Sport Clips. It's a game changer. Check in online@sport clips.com here's the thing. I was if, if I was Ole Miss, I would have kept him through the playoff. I'd have kept him through the playoff. And I know the argument is he's going to recruit the roster. He's already recruiting the roster.

Brent (17:15)

So that's already happened.

Host (17:16)

That's already happening. He's already recruiting the coaches and taking some of the coaches. So I think it just would have been fun to see. I lost in the fourth quarter to Georgia at Florida or at Georgia. Like, that's a tough place to do it, man. Like that's a, that's a tough place to win. So there's nothing wrong with that. I won some clutch games. I get hot, I go put this thing together, I might win a national championship. How about the money that comes into my school, homie? How about the money that comes in for going to the playoffs, going to the next round of the playoffs? That we ain't talking about like little Benjamins. We talking about a lot of Benjamins. Like we talking about making a lot of money.

Brent (17:50)

Everybody else is unlike Notre Dame. They got us still more.

Host (17:54)

And by the way, we'll talk about Notre Dame tomorrow. I got, I want to talk about something about that.

Brent (17:59)

But yeah, Wesley, to me it's one where they should have said, yes, go away. No, you don't want to be here, fine, go away.

Wesley (18:08)

I got something really quick before we move on. Get on to believe it or not, other coaches were hired and changed their destinations as well this weekend. I don't know if anyone paid attention, but I got a quote here. This is from ESPN.com way back in October of 2025. It seems like a couple years ago now, but it's a FAQ about why did college football change the portal window and Ryan Day Nebraska coach Matt Rule. They went on the record and said that most Big Ten coaches wanted it to be in the spring. But a lot of SEC coaches acknowledge it might not be easy for the last few teams in the College Football Playoff, but it's the right change for everybody else. And here's the quote that caps off this segment about what SEC coaches about.

Host (18:54)

It thought about it.

Wesley (18:55)

It says, I'm sorry, there's no crying on the yacht. LSU coach Brian Kelly said, thought that was interesting how much has changed with him, that school and who is the head coach there now?

Host (19:11)

A lot, a lot has changed. And listen, can I ask you A.

Brent (19:14)

Question, quick about this.

Caleb Downs (19:16)

Yeah.

Brent (19:17)

Do you think all this happened and waited till Sunday because he was waiting to see if Alabama lost?

Host (19:25)

Yes, I do. I do. I do think he was waiting. I think he was waiting. Now, I think. I think he knew what he wanted to do because the extension's been there, right? Like, he could have signed the extension. As soon as he started waiting, we started talking. We knew.

Brent (19:39)

Yeah, we knew that he was going.

Host (19:41)

To leave, which, again, I still had hope. The heart inside of me was like, man, maybe he can still do the right thing. Like, in my eyes, he did the right thing in his eyes. But I think the right thing would have been for him to just stay happy and do his job there and just go kill it. But, like, yeah, I think. I think that's the. But here's another thing, too, about that, what Just west just said. It is interesting when you start debating schedules and the teams that are always going to be playing in the playoffs probably have a different thought process, right, Than the teams that are not going to be playing in the playoffs and jumping and getting head starts and different. Like, all of them can have different opinions. Get this Shiznik fixed. This stuff sucks, man. Ncaa, what do you do? Fix the calendar. Fix the tampering. Fix the fix. Coaches leaving in the middle of the season. This is not that hard to fix, man. Like, give me a collectively bargain. Give me a players association. We need everybody in the room together to talk this out. We need smart people to able to do it. Like, listen, I just want to be in the room. No, I'm going to say. I was going to say I'd shut up and be in the corner. No shot, because I can't mouth shut. Brent's like, yeah, try being me on the podcast with him the whole time. But. But I just think there's so many easy things that we could knock down and take next steps one step at a time to get closer to. Listen, we did it with the one portal window. That's. That's a step in the right direction. Again, I said it from the beginning. I would do the portal window at different timing. That was me, because I'd like to see my roster. That would be a great thing. All right, we'll get to other thoughts.

Brent (21:17)

We should maybe have, like a show. Whole show where we. We let our ideas put it together. Everything. I wrote an article about it on ugasports.com January 2024. Like, everything, structure, portal, schedule, all of it.

Host (21:34)

I think I could fix it.

Brent (21:35)

Go back and look at that.

Host (21:36)

I think I can fix it.

Brent (21:38)

More coaches, though.

Host (21:40)

Yeah, it's. It's definitely different than the NFL, but I think there's some ways you could fix it. All right. More coaches. Alex Gollish goes to Auburn. Talked to a coach today. A long time. Our college football coach that has a good pulse of everything going on. They said they thought Golis was one of the smartest coaches in all of college football and that, like, really had an awesome plan and understanding when he went to usf, how to retain coaches. If you want a glimpse of Alex Gollish, actually, and who he is personally, we had him on the pod actually a couple months ago, like probably a month and a half ago from USF and talked about his background growing up Tennessee, who, who influenced him as a coach, how he was a. A defensive coach and he became an offensive coach. His time at Tennessee, like, he's got SEC experience, which I think is a really good thing. Another guy that has SEC experience, John Sumrall, he goes to Florida. I've seen a lot of Billy Napier comparisons. Is he Billy Napier esque? Summerall, fiery, passionate again, played in the sec, has experience from, from living in the state of Alabama. Like, you know, he's definitely a guy that's familiar with the territory. He comes from a school in Louisiana in the G5. Like, I feel like there's a lot of things that, like Florida fans are like this. They're ticking a little bit. They're like, it's not who I wanted. I know, I know you wanted. Lane was a. Was a shiny toy. At least Summer all has experience as a head coach in this era, which is craziness. I think that speaks volumes for him. That helps him obviously playing at Kentucky, familiarity with the league. Mark Stoops fired at Kentucky. I think that's a lot of money to go away for a coach that everyone thinks is a really good coach now. The talent has absolutely fallen off. And they're not winning. I mean, they're just, they. They haven't won football games. And he was one of those guys, man, before nil, that was one of the best in the country at taking guys and developing them. Like taking two star guys, three star guys, turning them into four and five star guys, basically four, four star guys that could get drafted. And you know, this is, this is a byproduct of nil, like, because you can be a great coach in college football nowadays and that doesn't mean you can survive. Because if you don't have alignment with President AD and with head coach and with funding and how you want to do this, it doesn't matter. You can be a great coach. You can be the best coach in the world. There's a reason Nick Saban got out. There's a reason he got out. Like, this is a different world. It's not just good enough to be a good. A good college football coach anymore. Like, you have to know and be a general manager, and you have to know how to talk to people and handle different situations and agents and field all the questions that Mark Stoops. If you've met Mark Stoops, he's one of the most fiery, passionate guys you'll ever meet. Like, come at me with that. Like, he'll probably tell people to kick rocks. Like, somebody walks in his office and be like, hey, I need this. He'd be like, don't let the door hit you in the ace on the way out, bro. Holla. I'll go get another Midwest guy from Ohio. He's a great football coach. Great football coach. But we got Ryan Silver, Silverfield went to Arkansas. Memphis, fun brand of offense going to Arkansas. Very, very interesting to me. The Arkansas thing is, it's interesting because you hear Bentonville, Arkansas has money, man. Like, they've got Walmart. They've got companies. Like, they've got Fortune 500 companies. Like, he. They've. I feel like they would benefit from. From nil greatly if they can find the right guy to mix it, to get it together. Listen, I don't envy that job. That's a tough job and to be in that league, you're not high on the list. You know, he's also the guy, remember Silverfield, that had a comment about Georgia and the drivers and how they speed, how fast do they play Georgia. Interesting. Kirby said he schedules guys that leave his school. I'm sure he has a quote board in his office, too. That's like, all right, when I can smash that dude and step on that cockroach, I'll do it. I'm not calling him a cockroach. I'm just using an analogy. But Silverfield to Arkansas, it's a tough job. Gotta have the right guy. They need some nil money to jump in with it. Like Virginia Tech, like, so. Actually, does Arkansas play? Brad Bush from the chat says Arkansas plays Georgia next season. I'm getting the nod from Brent. So. Hey, hey, Brad Bush. You the man, dog. Appreciate that. So next year, maybe they'll have some. Some fireworks on that one. Nothing on Penn State yet as we wrap up the coaching search here on C. Um, Penn State they thought they were going to be first in line. They thought they. They would probably get a big name coach. Matt Rule was the early connection. And. And I can tell you this. Matt Rule in the AD at Penn State. Buddy, Buddy. That got squad douched. It almost happened. It thought about happening. It did not happen. And then, so obviously, Matt Rule signs an extension, stays at the Cornhuskers. Kalani, Kelani Sataki from BYU being mentioned. That dude is a different cat now. Like, cool as it gets. No nonsense. He's got some fun element to him. I like his. His personality. Interesting. That would be a very interesting fit at Penn State. But Sataki, known for aggressiveness, known for fun. And I think that Penn State's. Penn State's really, really interesting because they're the one that jumped the gun, fired their coach first, and it looks like they might be last to. To be the guys to hire their coaches. I mean, everybody's starting to. To fill them. And if you look at the coaches that we're talking about filling them, a lot of sec. Filling their jobs first. Mr. Rollins, you got something to add, sir?

Brent (27:31)

Speaking of filling jobs, I had to, like, look around just to make sure, because that's one of the cool things about having a bunch of screens and make sure it was on three sports, not no three sports on. On Twitter. Kentucky's bringing in Will Stein from Oregon.

Host (27:47)

Oregon. It's already done?

Brent (27:50)

According.

Wesley (27:50)

Yep.

Host (27:51)

Wow. Oh, look at our boy.

Brent (27:53)

It was an hour ago.

Host (27:54)

Look at our boy. I don't know if it's. Idk.

Brent (27:57)

I don't know, James.

Host (27:58)

I don't know.

Brent (27:58)

I don't know, James.

Host (28:00)

On another move. Firewell, Stein and Barnhart. Go Cats. Gruden, he knows agents or even Mullen Elliot. Something's more splashy. Mark was good. Ish. So you just fired your coach an hour into the hiring. Like, he just. He just fired him already? Like the Kentucky. The Kentucky fan just fired.

Brent (28:20)

No, I think fire is like the. Maybe the. Like, it's a good thing, you know? Oh, like the texting fire. Like, hey, good. Because he said, go Cats.

Host (28:32)

So.

Brent (28:33)

Yeah.

Host (28:33)

Then he says, Gruden, he knows agents or even Mullen Elliott. He was already putting other names in there, so, I mean. Oh, okay, yeah, Brent, you're the one who's supposed to be smart enough to read.

Brent (28:43)

I don't. Oh, no, he doesn't like college football.

Wesley (28:45)

Timelines are brutal, man. I mean, get him out an hour.

Host (28:49)

An hour, and he's gone now he's fired.

Brent (28:53)

By the way, it was so Nikos and Clear. Chris Lowe from one three reporting that Kentucky is hiring offensive coordinator Will Stein, who's freaking good.

Host (29:03)

Freaking good. Really, really good. Great offense going to the sec, Dan. Just to point out another great coach going to the sec, Dan. More people in the sec, Dan. Okay, one thing I did not mention yet, as the. As the show continues to grow, we got Caleb Downs on today. How did I not mention that yet? Caleb Downs caught up with him earlier. Unbelievable. Stud muffin. Like, the dude is an animal. At Ohio State, he had some cool things to say about Jeremiah Smith. Julian saying, Ryan Day. We talk stories of all that stuff. Man, he was really, really good. Like, really good.

Brent (29:41)

Did you happen to ask him which was the better, slash, bigger rivalry game? Auburn, Alabama versus, you know, Michigan.

Host (29:53)

Let me tell you this.

Brent (29:54)

I mean, obviously he should say his current deal, but he should. But 31.

Host (29:59)

Let me tell you this, Brent. I asked him about playing in the Big Ten in the sec, and he gave a clear and definitive answer of which one's harder. So that's a tease. That's a professional tease right there. I'm gonna leave. That's really good by you. We're gonna leave that right there. Hey, Dan Laning. Caleb Downs answered the question, not me. So. God, I love Dan. He texted me again today. He's fantastic. Like, that dude. I love that. That dude has so much juice and is so fantastic.

Brent (30:26)

Well, he's got time on his hands now. He's just sitting there waiting where he's. Where's he gonna.

Host (30:29)

He's an ass.

Brent (30:30)

Who's he gonna play in the US at home?

Host (30:31)

He's an animal. All right, now, next, we're going to college football. We're going to the top 12, baby. This is not near as exhilarating as. As it's been. We. We were so wrong. Like, we were. We were here and we were like, man, we're here for the chaos. This season's been fantastic. There's going to be movement. Somebody's going to lose this. This is going to be fantastic to be able to debate X, Y and Z. Texas beat Texas A and M. So that makes it fun. Virginia wins, so that obviously they're going to move up in the ra, be a part of it. But, like, everybody else kind of survived, right? Like, everybody that was in the. In the catbird seat. So let's. Let's talk about it. We still got Ohio State number one. And it's a. It's an exclamation point now. It's a. It's a. Come at me, bro. Now like it's a, it's a clear and definitive. There is one team in college football to beat and it is the Ohio State Buckeyes. Like it's very, very clear. Indiana would like a word and they'll get a word this weekend. They just might have a different word when they leave. So Ohio State 1, Indiana 2, Georgia 3. So Georgia moves up to the three hole after a and M loses. Texas Tech goes into the four spot. So you see what's happening. A little bit of slidage, a little bit of people gliding on up. Oregon to the five spot, A&M to the sixth spot, Ole Miss to the seventh spot. That was not an accident, ladies and gentlemen. Like I, I look at Ole Miss, I'm not going to move them below Oklahoma. They beat Oklahoma. But every other one loss team, man, I've got to take into account what I'm looking at and what I'm looking at is no Lane Kiffin and no Charlie Weiss Jr. The best part of this team is their offense, man. Like I, I would have a tendency to maybe move them up and I would have had them above the one loss team. I would have them as the best one loss team probably outside of Georgia because Georgia beat them. But because of it now I have them at the lowest one loss team because I just, I don't know that they're the same team. I can't say that they're not and I can't say that they are. But I have a pretty good guess that when you take Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weiss Jr. Off of that team, they're going to get worse, man. And I hate it for the school, but I absolutely hate it for Ole Miss. But I do think it's the case. Okay, eight Oklahoma. This is where we get into the world of 8, 9, 10 and who you want here and who's going to be there because Miami would like a word, Vanderbilt would like a word again, we have to have an ACC team. So Virginia is going to get the 11 hole JMU back in the 12 spot, baby. Because we rotate. That's what we do here on seatball. Get ball. It's, it's pull a group of five name out of the hat, slap it in there baby. Because you never know who it's going to be. But you have to decide now between, oh you, the two lost teams. Ou, Notre Dame, Alabama. We went. Oh you eight we went Notre Dame nine we went Alabama ten. If you have them in any other order, don't care. I really don't care. Like obviously you've seen enough from, from Notre Dame where you've seen that they've been really, really good. Haven't played the competition of, of Alabama. But, but if they played. But they've played a bunch of Florida states and they've beat them. Right. So, like, the losses that they have that are really, really good on the ledger continues to, I think, matter in the committee's eyes. And that's what we got, man. That's what we got. One through 12. Brent, you want, you want to chime in? Wesley, you want to chime in? Anybody chime in and what they see and if they want to complain or. Oh, I like it. Wesley, come on.

Wesley (34:01)

I got a question and I just want to look ahead. I like to think about the chaos that could potentially happen.

Host (34:08)

All right.

Wesley (34:08)

I'm not saying it's going to. Let's take a look at this. All right. JMU wasn't ranked in the committee last week, but JMU and North Texas are ranked in the ap.

Host (34:18)

Okay.

Wesley (34:19)

Yep. What the heck happens? Let's say.

Host (34:23)

I know.

Wesley (34:24)

Let's say Duke beats Virginia. JMU wins its conference. Tulane or North Texas win their conference. What's going to happen? Dp Brent, what do you think?

Host (34:38)

I mean, go ahead, Brent. I'll let you get the first stab at it. But this Duke's in.

Brent (34:43)

There's no way they're taking five lost dudes.

Wesley (34:48)

Champions five height. You think they're just gonna rank Duke? Hold on to save face, Brent.

Host (34:55)

Brent, here's why you're wrong. Two lane beat Duke.

Wesley (34:59)

I know.

Brent (35:00)

So if Tulane beat Duke. But I think whoever wins that game, the American game, like, I think JMU's out of this. To me, you don't, you don't get.

Host (35:11)

No love even though they played Louisville really, really good. Do we? Do we? But do we. Do we conveniently forget that. That Tulane beat Duke? Like, no, handle Duke.

Brent (35:21)

Yeah, because I just, I think they're, they're going to put them, find a way to put them in because they'll have just beaten 18 or, you know, 17th, 18th or something like that. 18th last week. Virginia. I, I think they'll find a way to put them in. I just, I don't see. I don't see them putting JMU and North Texas slash Tulane now.

Host (35:46)

And I, I did think about this.

Brent (35:47)

Today on the, on the drive home. Just think if this were last year, all these, these games and these teams that we're talking about would be competing for a buy.

Host (36:01)

So how good is it that that got rich? That's where I'm gonna go right. That's actually where I'm gonna go. So this is a change that needs to happen immediately. Like, we need to get rid of this crap, too. Like last year, we needed to get rid of the top four. Like this year. Don't give me. I'm tired of it. Like, okay, like the. You have to have one team from each. Each league. It doesn't have to be a conference champion. Doesn't have to be a conference champion. I don't need. I don't need. I don't need the conference champion to have an automatic bid. You got to have at least one team from each league so that. That satisfies that need, but it does not have to be a conference champion. This is a perfect example. Why. Remember why we're here, ladies and gentlemen. Don't forget Duke played NC State. Right? What happened in that game, Brent?

Caleb Downs (36:50)

Didn't they.

Host (36:51)

Didn't they lose to NC State and it didn't count?

Brent (36:54)

No, that was Virginia.

Host (36:55)

Oh, that was Virginia. Okay. Virginia loses to NC State and it doesn't count. Like, that's. That because of the ACC scheduling crap?

Brent (37:02)

What account of Miami's probably in the game.

Host (37:04)

So. So get rid of that crap, too. So last year we fixed the seating. Listen, we can start fixing this piece by piece. Just. Let's just listen. Like, we fixed the one through four because I told you I'd get tired of looking at the graphic stuff. Now let's fix this. Each team needs one in. It makes it very easy. Group of five. I love you. You guys play great football. Go do your own thing. We're going to let you go do your own thing. And we're going to bring millions to it. We'll put it on television. It'll be awesome. It'll be fantastic. We're going to raise money. We're still going to let you play other teams. But here's the thing. The best 12 teams get in. The best 12 teams get in. Minus, you're going to have at least one team from each conference. But I think if you do that, I think it'll satisfy the other. I think you can accomplish the other. Miami's a perfect example. Like, if Virginia wins, we don't have a debate. Virginia's in. Like, and Virginia deserves to be in. They should be in. If they win the game, if Duke wins. I can't see a. I can't see a world where I can't. I. Like. I. How does Duke deserve to be in? They deserve. They would deserve to be 11 and.

Brent (38:04)

12 in that instance would be JMU potentially and Tulane or North Texas. We had talked about earlier how like.

Host (38:14)

Hey don't forget that.

Brent (38:15)

Yeah. So Tulane would probably be 11, Duke would be 12 in that instance.

Host (38:19)

Think about that.

Brent (38:21)

We had talked hey G5 have a caveat that you have to have a power four win. Well Tulane actually has a power. They have two Northwestern and Duke.

Wesley (38:31)

I don't. I just don't think we're spending too much time talking about something that's probably not going to happen. But I just to get inside the key.

Host (38:38)

You asked the question ninja. Exactly.

Wesley (38:41)

I started it but. But we're still talking about it five minutes later. But this is more about. This is more about the committee thought process. And when you think about a five loss Duke team, the committee has hemmed itself in based on its own rules that it made. You can't put a five loss team in. It's going to be much easier for them to say sorry, these are the rules. Highest ranked conference champions. When you've got Texas, you've got Miami, you've got Vandy that aren't in. It sucks for all of them but what's the harder pill for them to swallow? A five loss Duke team. That's terrible man. There's not. Neither one of them is good. But that, that is awful.

Host (39:25)

I I like it Wesley. I like when you come here emphatically. I like can tanker cantankerous Brent earlier and then I like fired up Wesley right there. I'm all this this show just gets keep getting better.

Brent (39:36)

Is there any world where Miami's in your playoff because they beat Notre Dame and they have the same record?

Host (39:43)

If Miami and Notre Dame and they get in the same cluster and they put Miami in I have absolutely no problem with that. I have and I would advocate for that. I think if they played right now I think Notre Dame is the better team. I absolutely think Notre Dame's the better team. Miami has earned the right. They want it on the field. They would have deserved to be in the college Football playoff over Notre Dame. Did you see what Phil Sim said by the way? Or Boomer Sias and said he said it about Notre Dame. He said if I'm the Big Ten and I'm the acc, I'm not scheduling Notre Dame. See if they can get in the playoff then no, see if they can get the playoff. Go, go, go make them because you're satisfying their schedule. It was a brilliant thing because they're going to take one of your playoff spots again back to back years. They're going to take a playoff spot from you because they're independent. Like, it's an interesting take because you can fix that through scheduling. Like, you literally could be like, nabra, I'm not going to play you.

Brent (40:41)

So one other thought. Question with the two. Two things I think will be interesting tomorrow night. Does Oregon potentially jump Texas Tech because that's another quality win that they had against Washington. And then does Alabama stay in if they lose the SEC championship game? Because I think they don't.

Host (41:02)

Well, it adds another loss.

Brent (41:04)

I think Miami's sitting there.

Host (41:07)

I think Miami's sitting there. But how do they lose? Matters to me. If they play an extra game, they have an extra loss. And it was a great game. And it was back and forth. And you punish someone for playing in their conference championship game. I'm out on that. That. I'm out on that. Like, I don't. I don't agree with it whatsoever.

Brent (41:26)

So last year they wouldn't. Last year they said they wouldn't.

Host (41:29)

That. Yeah, but last year, last year's committee was different. But that's.

Caleb Downs (41:33)

That.

Brent (41:34)

That'll be the only intrigue, I think. I don't think in A. M. Like, they're going to be six, seven, one of those. I didn't do that on purpose.

Host (41:43)

Did you do that on purpose, really? No, I.

Brent (41:45)

Straight up. I was looking at the numbers.

Host (41:47)

You did six, seven.

Brent (41:48)

It's okay.

Host (41:49)

We have kids. So all y' all that have kids know. All right. Caleb Downs again. Coming up. He's going to tell you which conference he thinks is better. The Big Ten of the sec. Now we've got Eliminator, the college football eliminators. Brent, where are you going? First with the College football eliminators.

Brent (42:05)

I think by his own mention and sorry, Junior, I didn't. I didn't mean to do that. By his own choice, Lane Kiffin is eliminated from the College Football Playoff.

Host (42:19)

I like it. I like it. I'll take. I'll take Michigan. It was a fun ride.

Brent (42:26)

They had a chance.

Host (42:27)

They had a chance.

Brent (42:28)

They were in the game.

Host (42:29)

Started six, nothing. And then Ohio State kicked it in gear. Kicked you in the teeth. Took the trophy back, took the rivalry belt back. It was a good run, though. Four in a row. Michigan, that's nothing to sneeze at. So I have college football eliminator as Michigan. Wesley, who you got.

Wesley (42:48)

The only other one is smu. I mean, Brent filled the list out for us. Brent did our homework for us.

Host (42:54)

But appreciate that. That's just like college. I just cheated off everybody else. That's exactly what I did in college.

Wesley (43:00)

I mean, and I was the guy.

Brent (43:01)

That you.

Host (43:04)

Appreciate that guys appreciate the cheat. All right, Winners of the weekend. This to me is, is WWE style winning right here. We let you know in the preseason we were coming, coming down the tracks who we are anchor the freak down. We own the state of Tennessee is what Clark Lee said. He said it. He came in to Neyland Stadium, to Nealon Stadium, took the belt off of his pants. And by the way, that's a rich belt. That's one of them big old buckles because he just signed that contract. He's a fat. It's got diamonds in that belt. He took it off and he whomped that ace. He took it to your bottom. And Diego Pavia and his boys said Heisman me. All the dudes got together in the end zone, 21 point beat down. He said it preseason, Clark Lee, and he backed it up.

Brent (44:04)

I mean, Pavia said it too, I think as well. Kaylin DeBoer, though, for me is the winner of the weekend. The. The stones with the fourth down call late. Now, they still win the game if they just kick the field, go there, quite possibly, but you go for it, you get the touchdown, and you basically maybe alter the course of a lot of teams because if they lose, they're.

Host (44:32)

Out of the playoffs.

Brent (44:33)

They're like, it's all sorts of teams are having a whole lot more fun and maybe different coaches.

Host (44:39)

I didn't, I didn't get it. I didn't, I didn't see the point at all. Like, I just. Of what of the fourth down. I, I can justify a lot of them. Like, I, I, I am with, I'm with a lot of the fourth down calls. I'm here for it and I think there's a place for it in the game. That was borderline stupid. Like, that was, that was like, hey, do I want to go to Penn State? I do. I want to get out of here. Because that, that's also a rumor. If you're seeing things, it's, you know, his name has been thrown around, thrown around for the Penn State gig. I don't know if there's any validity, validity to it, but it's. Let's look at our boy Lexus driver fast Bama will get in the playoffs now even if they lose in the SC championship game, per Heather Dennis. Heather Dennis isn't on the committee. I get it. Like, and I know she talks to them, but like, about them she talks a lot about. I'm not listening to that. Because here's the thing. If Georgia beats the crap out of them, it's not happening. They're not getting in. We heard the same thing about Ohio State a couple of years ago. Backup quarterback. No. No chance to get in, right? Like, no chance. I'm a lady. Nice. I love that. Appreciate that. Like, yes, ma'. Am. You know what? I'm going to change my. I'm going to change my demeanor because I respect women. I'm not going to talk to women in a bad light. But no, no, ma', am, I do not think you or Heather Dennis would be right if they get beat down by Georgia. I think Alabama would be out. So now that I stuck my foot in my mouth and talk bad to the lady, I apologize.

Brent (46:10)

I mean, sorry, Lexus.

Host (46:12)

Lexi. We're friends. Can I call you Lexi? All right, let's get to it, man. Wesley, did you have something to add? Wesley? After I just stuck my foot in my mouth?

Wesley (46:22)

Do you look at your dad? Gum notes. Do you look at the show? Do you look at the sheet?

Host (46:26)

I do. Not the time.

Wesley (46:29)

All right, I'll just stop making it then.

Host (46:32)

No, no.

Brent (46:32)

My winner.

Wesley (46:33)

My winner of the weekend is Kanze Matsuzawa, the Tokyo Toe, Hawaii's kicker. All right. This guy taught himself how to kick on YouTube. Tied an NCAA record going 25 for 25 to start. But that's not really why he's my winner of the weekend. I want y' all to check out this screen grab if you're listening. Only on podcast. I apologize. Check out the video.

Host (47:00)

This is.

Wesley (47:02)

This is our guy.

Host (47:03)

Heck, where is he?

Wesley (47:05)

Those are lays. He got laid. He's in there doing his post game press conference on the field with about 50 lays on him. Or maybe you can only be. It might be a lay for every kick he made. He did miss one.

Host (47:21)

Eyebrows.

Wesley (47:22)

Like, he missed one. He went 25, 26 on the year. But, bro, anything is possible on YouTube. You can become that man if you watch YouTube videos and learn how to kick. So, Kanze Masuzara, you are our winner of the weekend. Congratulations, sir.

Host (47:42)

Fact that you could say his name several times, but, hey, congratulations. That dude got laid a bunch. Look at that. I mean, that was a. That was a good weekend. Not only did he make some field goals, man, like, yeah, for those that can't see it, literally, it's. It's up to his, like, eyebrows. You can. You can barely see him but once. Maybe he'll go somewhere else and kick next year. Notre Dame could use a kicker. Sorry, too soon. All Right. Hold on. We got one more in the chat before we throw it to Caleb Downs. Let's try. I'm not going to do this to Lexi. I'm not going to be rude to Lexi. I screwed that one up, so. All right, rbs Bentley. Go Dogs. Here's to round or here's to round part, dear, with Alabama. With that said, that guy got laid a lot. Yes, he did. We're going to keep it PG on the show. Always. No cursing, not talking about too many things. All right, Ohio State fans, you're the number one team in the country. Clearly the best team in the country. You got some dogs on your team with Jeremiah Smith, Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs. The list goes on with Tate and company. All those guys. Caleb Downs joined us earlier and he talked about. Almost all of those guys talked about Ryan Day talked about the big game. So here's the convo with Caleb Downs. We got Joshua. I mean, Caleb Downs, brother of Joshua. That's a nice thing to have, man, to have a brother like that. Like, that's a good. That's a good mistake to make right there, ain't it?

Caleb Downs (49:17)

I'll respect it just because I love my brother.

Host (49:21)

Well, Caleb, well, now you have. I'm glad we could do that. Caleb Downs from Ohio State joins us. Caleb, my. I've known you for a couple years now. My favorite part about you is A.B. you're all business like you are. You are always locked in, always dialed in. I love that you came to the golf tournament.

Caleb Downs (49:42)

My.

Host (49:42)

My man's reading rich dad, poor dad, like, in the cart. I'm like, my goodness, like, this dude is driven. And I think to sum it up, man, watching the Ohio State Michigan game last week and watching Michigan talk a little bit of trash before the game, and you're that guy that seems like that you were kind of, like, smiling. You were kind of like. Like they don't know what's about to hit them. Or is that how you always handle trash talk?

Caleb Downs (50:08)

I mean, most of the time, yeah. Like, there's no reason. I was telling my teammates during the game, I was like, there's no reason to trash. Like, at the end of the day, if they lose the game, they don't have anything to say. So it doesn't matter. Just go win the game and then everything else they have to shut up about. But, I mean, it just felt like a great opportunity to be out there, and I was just thankful to be out there and have a chance to play. So it was good.

Host (50:28)

How much did that one mean though, Caleb? I mean just that that whole year, the negativity swirling, everybody just talking about it so much. Thursday Night Football is on, and it's only on Prime Video. This week, the Dallas Cowboys take on the Detroit Lions in a new rivalry with lots of heat. What we have in this game is two quarterbacks that are hot and they love throwing the football down the field for big plays. Two teams with playoff dreams where every play matters. Coverage begins at 7pm Eastern with football's best party, TNF. Tonight, presented by Verizon. Not a Prime member, not a problem. Simply sign up for a 30 day free trial. It's the Cowboys and the lions, Thursday at 7pm Eastern, only on Prime Video. Restrictions apply. See Amazon.com Amazon prime for details. Football is so much more than a single season. It's something you look forward to 365 days of the year. Just like Nationwide is so much more than a great insurance company, they're one of America's largest financial services companies too. For your insurance and financial needs, Nationwide is on your side. Nationwide Investment Services Corporation Member FINRA Columbus, Ohio the holidays mean more travel, more.

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Shopping, more time online and more personal.

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Caleb Downs (52:45)

Check in online@sport clips.com I mean, I'm not a big talker in terms of like, hey, we need to play like the game or anything like that. So for me it was like I was just trying to get people off my back about it because they were definitely like talking about it the whole year talking about how last year went. But it was like at the end of the day we're gonna have to see him again and when we see him it's gonna be a different story. So I mean it felt great, especially for Coach Day and those guys like getting the monkey off their back because they had a tough couple years against them. So it's a. It's a good feeling around here right now.

Host (53:22)

Do you get. When. When do you get like, here, or do you always just stay level and even cute, like, national championship last year. Did. Did Caleb celebrate and go crazy?

Caleb Downs (53:34)

Yeah, I mean, I celebrated with my teammates in the hotel. I mean, everything was shut down in Atlanta at that time because we got home at like 1am but it was. I mean, that's. That's about it. We gotta. We got to have something to celebrate if we're going to celebrate. For the most part. We're right there, though.

Host (53:49)

Coming into this year, man, y' all replaced so many dudes and got a new defensive coordinator, a new offensive coordinator. So many things were new, and there was a lot of doubt about Ohio State and what they would be and just kind of the new. All the newness. So, Matt Patricia, coming in as a dc, you being one of the most versatile pieces in all of college football. Like, what has the system been like for you to learn this system and play in it?

Caleb Downs (54:15)

I think it's been so great for me being able to learn his NFL defenses, his different system. I've been in three different systems now since I've been in college, so I think that that shows a versatility for me being able to play in different positions and in different systems and still make it work wherever I'm at. And I feel like our team wise, we felt the doubts that we had going into the year just because all the players we lost. And I feel like that's kind of the energy we go at every game with, to go out there and really show people who we are and show people what we're about. So I think that was actually a positive for us in terms of our mentality for the season. And we're gonna keep pushing and keep doing what we're supposed to do. But Matt Patricia was a. Was a huge. Was a huge piece of that. Just giving us the confidence that we needed to know that we had a DC that been at the highest level, like the highest of high levels, and knowing that we could trust in that with.

Host (55:08)

With Matt Patricia. I think an easier question, Caleb, is to ask you not what positions you have played, is what position you haven't played, because you can play all over the field. So what is. What is the positions on the field you haven't played this season?

Caleb Downs (55:23)

I'm gonna be honest. The only position that I have not actually, no, I'm not taking a snap at nose guard. I've taken a snap on the Edge. I've taken a snap at the tackle. I've been at corner, been in the half, been in the post, been a man. I would say nose guard is probably the only position I haven't lined up at this year. So that's my. Patricia's defense.

Host (55:44)

We need to get. We need to get the lobbying man. Come on, we got to hit them all.

Caleb Downs (55:51)

I'll say. I'll try to get that out of the. The next few. Next few weeks that we play, and I'll be able to say, I played all 11 positions this year. That'll be good.

Host (56:00)

Dang right. Dang right. So you play with a guy you know, just. He's. I. Number four out there, out wide, he's pretty good. Like, just. Just all the players you've seen, because obviously you've played college football for a while now. Give me the freakiest, freakiest story that you've seen on four. Like, what Jeremiah Smith can do.

Caleb Downs (56:26)

Like, I asked him that on my podcast the other day. It was like. I was like, what's the craziest catch you've made? But I was like, they don't even know about practice catches wise. Like those. Those red zone periods, those red zone fades. He's had a couple that's been like, that's. That's tough to see as a defender. It wasn't on me, but it was.

Host (56:44)

Tough to see for sure.

Caleb Downs (56:46)

So it's. It's great to watch every practice, and it's definitely a challenge. He got to. He gets a lot of reroutes and doubles in the. In practice, so that's. That's a challenge for him. But I would say red area, seven on seven. Probably, like, early on, when he got here his freshman year, it was during the spring, so nobody really knew what he was going to do. It was the first couple of days, but, like, Coach Day and everybody, they were like, oh, he's. He's the dude. I'm like, we gonna see. So they threw him a fable, and the DB's like, right on him. DB shoots his hands and he catches it over his head like he's. The DB's like, push against him. He catches it over his head, comes down, and you can see, like, the people that are sitting there watching on the sideline, you can see, like, their jaws dropped up, and some of them, like, are putting their hands on their head like this, and it's like, I'm on the other side of the field. I see it. I'm like, but he's out. He's out. He's out. I know he's in. I know he caught him. Worst one that I'm gonna see. So it's. He, he's. He's. He's been blessed with a lot of talent.

Host (58:01)

See, my favorite part about that is you immediately came to the defense of your defense, because that's the way it works. It's offense versus defense, bro. Like, we ain't got.

Caleb Downs (58:11)

I was like, he dropped it. He out. He out. I knew he was in, but I.

Host (58:14)

Was like, I can't.

Caleb Downs (58:16)

Can't say that. So it is what it is.

Host (58:18)

I appreciate that as a defensive guy.

Caleb Downs (58:20)

All right.

Host (58:20)

Your quarterback, man, he was also one of those guys coming in, man, just stepping into a new role. A lot of pressure. What do we not know about Julian saying. Because we've seen the accuracy all year, man, the poise has been pretty. Pretty crazy for a kid that just stepped into a starting spot. But, like, what do people not know about Julian saying that they're going to figure out?

Caleb Downs (58:46)

I mean, I'll say one thing that surprised me this year is how much he's actually ran for first downs and everything. Like, on, like, crucial downs.

Host (58:53)

He.

Caleb Downs (58:54)

He'll run, get it? I'm like. Because if we played against him, we would not be expected that at all. So I would say his legs have been. His legs have been used a lot more than I would have thought. Even just scrambling to make plays, scrambling get out, to get out the pocket. He's done that at a high level, but everybody can see the accuracy, the poise, and how he runs the offense and leads it with his. Like himself. He leads in with his calm manner and everything like that. So he's played at an elite level, and it's difficult to put the pressure standpoint on it because, like, the pressure is high being at a big university with a hundred thousand eyes looking at you every game. So it's. He's done at a high level.

Host (59:38)

So you've been. You've been around a lot of great players, and you've seen, obviously, a lot of great players. Like, one of the big things that we hear about all the time is sec, Big Ten. Well, you played in both. Like, I think you have as good a perspective as anybody else to talk about both leagues. Like, is there a difference to you, or is it pretty much the same? Football's the same.

Caleb Downs (60:02)

I would. I would definitely say, like, sec, you're playing every week and you're playing. You're playing like comp. Big comp every week. So that was. That was. That was Something. When I was at Alabama, it was every week playing, okay, Tennessee this week at LSU next week. Then we got Auburn. You're playing, you're playing dudes every week. And that's a, that's something that you prepare your body for, prepare your mind for. I would say Big Ten. You're gonna have four or five games maybe where you guys are. You're gonna have to play, like, high level competition and, and really be able to be at your highest point. So that's, that's a difference. But then again, I say that when I first got to. I said that when I first got to Ohio State. And then a lot of the teams that were in the Big Ten when it came to, like, bowl games, they ended up beating the SEC team. So I feel like it kind of negated what I said. So I don't know.

Host (61:04)

Well, that's why, that's why your podcast is good with you and your brother, because you can be honest. I love that. Like, say what you feel, say what you believe. All right, Give me, give me something. Give me something with Ryan Day. Like, he looks like he is just always like, you know, hey, hey, we're gonna do this. Hey, we're gonna do that. Like, he seems like he's, he's pretty chill, he's pretty cool. But, like, you got any good Ryan Day stories or how I know you've enjoyed being around Coach Day?

Caleb Downs (61:32)

I would say, like, I would say the change in, like, this year and last year has been, it's been a blessing to see, like, just how much, like, the intensities turned up for him. Like, he was intense last year. He wanted to win and everything, but, like, the level of that, he's turned it up this year of intensity and focus Every game and how he pushes us every game and every practice, it's been, it's been great to see because, like, even, even the guys that have been here for a couple, like a couple years, they're like, he's got that look in his eye that he had when I got here last year and he got. When we lost last year. He's had that look inside all year. So.

Host (62:20)

I, I don't.

Caleb Downs (62:20)

I can't think of like, one necessarily story, but it's, it's that look in his eye right now is. It's a, it's great to see, story wise. I, I always tell the story about when I, When I committed to Alabama, when I called all the coaches and I had to tell them, I was like, ah, it's not gonna happen, Coach and the. The pain that was in his eyes, he was. You could tell he was mad about it. And then when I got in the portal, I committed there. I did the same thing. I was like, yeah, I'm not coming. And then he don't do this to me again. Don't do this to me again. And then I was like, I'm just playing. It's all good. It's all good. That was.

Host (63:04)

That's probably the happiest turnaround he's ever had.

Caleb Downs (63:07)

Oh, yeah.

Wesley (63:08)

Because he.

Caleb Downs (63:09)

When I told him out the portal, he was on a flight. So when I called him, he didn't answer. And then when he got off the flight, he called me back. He was like, what's the word? I'm like, I'm not coming. And then you tell him, don't do this again. What do we. I'm like, all right, you're good, Coach. It's all good. So it was good.

Host (63:32)

That's awesome. The. The one thing he talks about and that. That we saw last year, and I wonder if you can feel this player like, Coach Day talked about it after the Michigan game, and y' all did it in the playoffs, man. He talked about aggressiveness, like, he's not coaching scared anymore. And last week against Michigan, first play, like, you're going to. Tate, like, you're dropping.

Wesley (63:53)

Yes.

Host (63:54)

Like, is that something that y' all are. Like, is that something that y' all are always talking about now at Yalls University and how you turn that around?

Caleb Downs (64:01)

Yeah, I mean, that. That's kind of what I'm talking about with that looking as. I just. The assertiveness that he's attacking every game with, that he's attacking everything with. It's. It's at a different level. And, I mean, I. I'd love to see it, because I think our team plays the best when we're going at it, when we're going for it. Every play. Trying to make a play. Every play, so. And every. Every play is thought of, like, a home run hit. So, I mean, I'm. I'm excited to see it, and I'm. It's a pleasure to be around here.

Host (64:31)

All right, I'm gonna get you. I'll get you out of here. But I want to ask you. It'd be. It'd be a crime as a defensive guy not to ask you about Arvel Reese and just that dude coming in and another guy, man, that just. Like, you guys, man. I watch you guys, and I'm like, you play all these positions. He can play all These positions. And I know. Listen, I know you got other guys that are really great in the secondary, and you got so many great players on across the board, but talk about that freak, man, because he's. He's not that thick, Caleb. But I watch him put his hands on people, and they feel it.

Caleb Downs (65:02)

Yeah, he. All right, I'm gonna talk. I'm gonna talk about two people, because I can't. I can't leave out Sunny if we're gonna talk about. Okay, I say they're two freakiest players I've seen, like, in terms of just six. Four.

Host (65:15)

Six.

Caleb Downs (65:15)

Four and a half. 240, 245. And they both, like. They're both like. Like the exact same size. And it's like. And then you see Arvel on the edge, and it's like, when he first got to Ohio State, he was playing dn. So it makes sense now when you think of it, like, okay, he was playing dn, and then they moved him back to Stagbacker, and then now he's getting to play in Matt Patricia's defense, where he's playing both. And you're like, scary. That's scary. And I told my brother and my dad, I would say early in spring ball, I was like, they're like, so who's playing? Well, I was like, y' all need. Nobody knows right now but Arvel Reese, he's.

Host (65:58)

He's gonna be a dude. I'm like, he's gonna be a dude.

Caleb Downs (66:01)

And in that first game, when he went off like that, everybody was like, I think he just made, like, the last six plays, like, he made a sack. Everybody was like, oh, shoot. But I'm like, he's got, like. He's got man. Like the. Like, when you say, like, man child, like, he is like, man child type of strength. Just put his hands on you. It's like, ah. So I don't.

Brent (66:28)

He.

Caleb Downs (66:29)

He's playing at the highest level, and he's put himself in a great position. And then.

Wesley (66:35)

Watch.

Caleb Downs (66:36)

Watch Sonny Styles film from this past game against, I guess, Michigan. Watch that film.

Wesley (66:42)

Yeah.

Caleb Downs (66:42)

Let me know what you think after that.

Host (66:44)

Yeah. All right. Last one. I promise I'm letting you out of here. Kind of got a big game this week. It's kind of. Kind of big. So what have you seen so far from. From Indiana. And speaking of, you talked about big linebacker, a big quarterback that's built like a linebacker over there with that gun Mendoza. That's a big old horse. But what have you seen from Indiana?

Caleb Downs (67:06)

I mean, I've Watched three or four games so far. They. They're playing at a really high level. He's able to see the field and put them in whatever calls and whatever positions they need to be. But it's also his legs.

Wesley (67:19)

He.

Caleb Downs (67:20)

He's running and doing a lot with his legs. Even when he. When the picture doesn't look right, He's. He's doing what he needs to do. So he's playing at an elite level, and they got a good system, they got a good coach, and their defense is actually playing. I didn't. I didn't know, like, they told us yesterday, how good their defensive plan. So it's. It's gonna be a game.

Wesley (67:40)

So. Yeah.

Host (67:42)

Where do we get more downs, brothers? Where do we get the podcast at?

Caleb Downs (67:49)

Anywhere you look up. YouTube, Instagram, Spotify. Downs to business. Go check that out and you'll see all our stuff.

Host (67:58)

So down to business. Hey, it's a different world, Caleb, when you have to do that and when you talk about it, I know it's. I know it's. I'll be honest.

Caleb Downs (68:07)

That's the first time I've really had to say that.

Host (68:12)

It's downs, the business and such a great perspective, man. You and your brother both. Let me tell you something, man, Just. Just as a dad, like, you represent everything good about college sports, man. I hope my son, who's a senior in high school, can grow up to be like you, like the way you handle everything in your life, man. And you got a great family. So anybody that needs. That wants a podcast to listen to, I promise you it's good. And appreciate everything you do for the sport, man, and the way you carry yourself. All right?

Caleb Downs (68:40)

Appreciate that. Thank you for having me.

Host (68:42)

You the man, dog. Have a good one.

Caleb Downs (68:44)

All right? Appreciate it.

Host (68:46)

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