A (2:14)

I think so I'm going to grab a few and I'm going to get the crispy ones. They're the best ones. Those little tiny crispy ones are so good.

B (2:20)

Yeah. So that's the, that's the main game of the week, the nugget platter. This all. Everybody's going to watch that one. So that's Michigan. Oklahoma.

A (2:26)

Okay. All right. So that's, that's what we're starting with. We're going to pick, we're going to pick there.

B (2:30)

That's where we're starting.

A (2:31)

I don't think there's very few games that I looked at Brent this week that I, that I had to pick immediately and I thought it was a no brainer. Like very few. When you look at. Oh, you. We talked about Mater and we just talked about, you know, like the way he's revitalized this offense immediately and made it better. Are there still question marks? Sure. But both these teams interesting coming in because a losing season for Oklahoma, which was disappointing, and then five losses for Michigan, you know that, that was, that was like the last three years combined. They've been so good and so dominant since winning a national championship. So it's been, they've been really, really good. Here's what I'll say about this game. Here's what I don't like for Michigan. I'm gonna tell you what I don't like. First, you're going to play at Oklahoma. That is not fun. Fans will be loud, fans will be rowdy, fans will be crazy. You're playing against one of the best defensive minds in all of college football. Like, I don't have to explain on here how many times I've explained about how awesome Brent Venables is, how aggressive he is, how creative he is. If you watch their defense, a lot of times they're going to sit there and hold their calls to the very last second because they want to be right. Like they want to be sound. They don't want to give things away. I think it's an extremely tough spot to be in as a freshman. I know Bryce Underwood's good. I've seen enough to say that. I know he's going to be great. But in this first start, you saw Arch Manning really, really struggle. I think Bryce Underwood could have some of that on the road with the Communication. I think Oklahoma gets up early, like a quick, you know, 10 point lead, you know, 14 point lead. I think Michigan fights their way back into the football game. I think it's close, but I got 27, 21 Oklahoma.

B (4:10)

I think that's a great score pick because appreciate that in terms of, and especially how the game's going to go. The only thing for me with Oklahoma and just as a, at a sort of macro level, true freshman on the road, crazy environment after what we saw last weekend, that's, I'm leaning I'd be a lean, big, lean Oklahoma and would pick Oklahoma in the game. But watching them try to run the ball against Illinois State, it wasn't good, wasn't great. And you know, Venables talked about you're going to see Jaden Ott a lot more this week. He had one carry in the game last week, so that's banged up or.

A (4:50)

Getting punished, one of the two.

B (4:51)

That's, that's a great. I think the latter probably is one that you might have to assume a little bit, but it's one where I, if they do enough of that, I like what they have the rest offensively, I like material making plays and I would go with Oklahoma as well. Probably like a 28, 20, 28 even 22, 23, something like that.

A (5:14)

Okay, can I give you something that, that when I watched the Michigan game back that I thought was unbelievable and I don't know that I've heard people talk about yet. Brent Justice Haynes, this dude, he might end up being a guy that you go on Saturday. Like when you watch this game, you're like, where the heck did that guy come from? Like, why, why is that guy not talked about more? Because he looked like a baller week one and he looks physical and he's got the speed, he's got the ability, you know, to break tackles, to run away from you, man, I, I liked what I saw from him. I didn't think they were, you know, elite up front by any stretch, but he was like, he was really, really good last week. So remember 22 Justice Haynes, like he might, could make this easy for Bryce Underwood. Easier for Bryce Underwood than it is for John Mateer. And if that happens, Michigan can win the game. Like that's what, that could be the trump card to even the scales second.

B (6:10)

Game of his career. By the way. That was one of my notes that he had 10 plus carries only the second game and he's, he looked highly recruited running back.

A (6:16)

He looked fantastic. The, the son of Ron Haynes.

B (6:19)

Yes, my Former teammate. Yeah, say so. Next sort of category of games, the heartburn games look good, you enjoy them, but you might have some indigestion because it's going to go down the wire, be close and be a little frustrating. I asked friend of the program get you some Oconi Gold's James Argo for some great tailgate heartburn things and he went with jalapeno poppers.

A (6:47)

Okay.

B (6:48)

Some chili.

A (6:49)

It's not surprising that me and you both don't really know what would cause heartburn at a tailgate because we wouldn't need it.

B (6:54)

But yeah, I mean Habanero wings was another example, you know, so that was, that was one that he got. So we've got I think three games in this realm and to me the second biggest game of the weekend, Kansas at Missouri. Oh, and the border war, baby. The border war. And one that it's interesting to read. I think Pabrula was talking about how he didn't realize what a rivalry and what a thing it was between those two teams.

A (7:23)

Well, in fairness, they haven't played since 2012. Right. So this is, again, this is what happens, right? You want expansion. You want, you like the different, the growing of college football. They haven't played since Missouri joined the sec. Like that's what happens. Like naturally those rivalries kind of dissipate. But what do you, what do you know about this matchup? That. That's my question, Brent. What, what do you know about Kansas or what do you know about Missouri coming to this football game? 100%. You know about.

B (7:53)

I know that Jalen Daniels is really good with their misdirection offense and the play action passing game. Because by the way, I'll throw some numbers at you for that on play action, which by the way is about half their plays because of the way they run multiple backs in there. Very sort of old school, rich rod type stuff. But he's 25 of 26 with a drop, five touchdowns on play action. That is perfect on his end.

A (8:16)

I'm not good at math, but that seems like really good. Like if you're 25 of 26.

B (8:23)

Yeah, I mean the drop 100% just a completion. So yeah, I know that Anderson and Pickett, the ball state transfer, like playmakers for Kansas. So good one, two punch for them. Missouri, you kind of, you know the players but you don't necessarily know what they have in this, in this moment. But they are a six and a half point favorite at home.

A (8:44)

Yeah, I, I'm kind of with you on the. I know that. And Jalen is. Is. And we talked about him week one, man. Like, we came right out the gates and we're going to continue to. He's just. He's so good, like. And this offense is so good. Can the. Can the Missouri's edge play, which I think is pretty good. Can they limit this? Like, can they. Can they hit him? Because. Because he's going to get hit, man. Like, he's going to get hit. That's part of his game. And so Missouri, Bo Peela. You've got all those beautiful numbers for me, Brent. And, and here's what I'll say. You didn't say, you know, Bo Peela was going to be good for a reason because it's a small sample size within a very contained experiment. And this is where me and the numbers disagree and we want to have a fight. Like, you can give me all these numbers about how he's been great. He's been asked to do things in spot duty for the majority of his career. Now he's going to be asked because of the injury, because now the quarterback spot is. Is. There is no competition anymore. It's his. He's going to be asked to carry the day. And I know he's going to make plays with his feet. I know he's going to. I know he's going to break tackles. I know he's going to be a. A talented guy that's going to run hard. But. But to me, it's about the other guys around him and the weapons for Kansas, I think the weapons. Now Ahmad Hardy's a baller. Like, that's why he's on my fantasy team. That's why he's like, going to be there firmly for Missouri. Missouri. Can they run the football the whole game? Can they ground and pound? Because they're good at it, man. Like, they're really good at it. That's what they do. Can Kansas hold up to that? I went back and forth. I went. Kansas 31, 27. Um, at Missouri, you shouldn't do that. Like, that's. You should take the home team if you think it's going to be really, really close. Think it's going to be a great game. But I just. Man, I love watching Jalen Daniels and I think it's the. It's the others, too, that this is. This is what's different to me. I watch Williams and I watch High Shaw and I watch Daniels. Like, they've got speed, man. Like, it's not just him. It doesn't have to just be him. It's going to be tough to defend. It's going to be high scoring. I wouldn't be surprised by either way. But give me rock chalk, Jayhawk and all that new money. 3127.

B (10:49)

I'm going Missouri, by the way, and should go Missouri. Well, here's the thing. Their kicker is out for the year. Saw that. Yes. Blake Craig towards acl.

A (11:00)

Yeah, it was big time news. I was, I was really dial into that.

B (11:03)

But I feel like this is going to be one where the new kicker, who's never attempted a kick, comes in and just wins it and he's like a hero instantaneously for them. Robbie Meyer, by the way, is his name.

A (11:13)

I've never hoped you were so wrong in your life that you just went kicker to decide a game. I, I hope you deserve to lose. Like you absolutely deserve to lose this. This. Now, because you mentioned two kickers. No, like, if y' all don't know, and I know this is, this is, this is going to be new news for some people and we appreciate all the new growth we've had because it's been awesome. Like, I can't stand that we play a game of football that is so manly and so gladiator and so physical. And then it gets decided sometimes by the little guys that play soccer. Like it's the guys that never practice, they sit on the side, they never hit anybody. They're not asked to do anything hard. Like it just bothers me. So, you know, like, I can't believe you just said that. It's going to be the backup kicker that's going to get this done. But we'll see. That's a, that's a good, that's a.

B (12:02)

Good one that we disagree on positive irony, but yeah. By the way, Damon Wilson and Josiah Trotter to transfers for them, Georgia. And then from West Virginia.

A (12:12)

Yeah.

B (12:12)

Players impact in week one. Trotter Letterman tackles. Wilson had two sacks.

A (12:17)

I know you're going next 100% because I know we're going to have a disagreement because your playoff team is going to be right here in the mix next. That's my.

C (12:25)

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B (14:33)

This is also a heartburn game. It's a three and a half point spread and Illinois is the road favorite at Duke.

A (14:40)

Yep, I figured you were going here. Go ahead, sell me big fella. Sell me on the highly ranked align I Brett Bielema, former guest of the show not too long ago. We appreciate you big man.

B (14:51)

We talked about Gabe Akis. He was one of the highest graded players in the country.

A (14:56)

Dude's a baller, an absolute game wrecker.

B (14:59)

We talked about how Illinois has a veteran team and if you want a veteran team early, that's a good thing to have versus a team. Maybe breaking in a new qb, but obviously Mensa did things. The biggest thing for me with this is Duke missed 17 tackles and was almost at the bottom of the power five in tackling grade against Elon. That's not going to bode well against Illinois.

A (15:23)

Physical style. Elon's got that speed, baby. Just so 17, four, three guys.

B (15:29)

I feel like the physical nature of Illinois, which by the way, offsets some humongous plays from men's in that first, in that first game, he was dropping some serious dimes. One of the highest passing grades in the country that week. But no, I think the physical play of Illinois veteran Altmire making plays, they're running the football. They get it done. Get about a three or four point victory on the road.

A (15:52)

You're right, they are physical. I like, I like watching Illinois because they play a ton of man and a ton of like, here's what I love, Brent. I love it because they play. They'll play with five defensive linemen and have no problem with it. Like, that's, that's fantastic to me. Like, they're all about like the big boys. I'm all about the big boys. Akis is a game wrecker. Um, we're going to disagree here. It's at Duke. I like, I like what I've seen from Duke so far. And here's another thing too. When you watch Altmeyer, he is a, he's a really good football player. And if they get the, if they get the running game going like it's, it's really hard. And you like you said with broken tackles, like, I think he can, I think he'll function. And he's Cool Hand Luke, dude. He is so good, so efficient. And if it comes down to the last moment, like I believe in that cat. I really do. Like, he's that, he's that good, man. He did it last year time and time again, big moments. He stepped up and made plays. I could not been more impressed with Venture than I was week one. Like, that dude went 27 to 34. He threw for almost four hundo, like three TDS. He's throwing to a Harvard wide receiver, for God's sakes. Like superb.

B (17:00)

Kate. Yeah, I'm like at 1100 yards at Harvard last year, by the way.

A (17:04)

Well, he's on pace now to break that because he had 5 for 1. 17.

B (17:07)

Yep.

A (17:08)

I think when I, when I look at this matchup, I think I love Manny Diaz. I love his pressures. I love his ability to mix things up. I think they can muck it up. I think this could be a low scoring football game. I'm going to take the home team because that's what you should do. That's why I should have taken Missouri when you go back. But I'll take 24, 20 Duke ease. My wife had surgery at Duke. I am forever a Duke fan the rest of my life, probably in all aspects because they, they help save my wife's life. So I'm all in on the Dukes all the time and my wife just sits there and does the hand signal all. It's hilarious. Like she absolutely loves it. Give me The Duke. He's 2420.

B (17:45)

How can you go against that squad in that. In that case you might. You should probably never pick a Duke against Duke ever again. You ain't next one. In terms of rivalries, that's I think also going to be a heart, heartburn game. Slash. Who can get the 20 points game? That would be Iowa at Iowa State. Last year it was Iowa State first getting to 20, winning 20 to 19. And by the way, in terms of watching, I went and watched Iowa because we talked about Gronowski and what he possibly could bring and if he gives them something element, the QB position, it was not good.

A (18:20)

It was very ungood. Now he talked about, he talked about being nervous.

B (18:25)

He looked it beyond. So maybe that's out of a doubt.

A (18:29)

I think, I think the most disturbing part was like I was really excited to read one of the articles I read about from the Iowa papers. And it was like coach for coach, Forensic compares, you know, his new quarterback, Granowski to, to a famous, you know, player. And I was like, oh, this is very interesting to me. Who do you think? And it was like, I think it was Drew Tate, like a former Iowa quarterback. Like, I was like, oh, well that's not really what I was. I was, I was like excited. And I'm like, if you compare him to another hour quarterback period, like I'm out. Like I'm not excited because there hasn't been a lot at that. That's why the, that's why the expectations are high. That's why people are excited about Iowa. To think something would change. They're down Van Der Zee, I think too Moulton's hurt at running back. They've already got some injuries. He got hurt after his third carry. Now Xavier Williams came in and he.

B (19:20)

Looked like a dude now freshman.

A (19:23)

Yes, he looked like an absolute stud. But I know Iowa State after watching the big citrus, you know, Dominic Orange week, week one. Like they're going to stop the run they're going to make. They're going to play physical. And the clear advantage to me is that quarterback Rocco Beck, all the experience, like, I think it's going to be so fun to watch this game because this is literally going to be a flashback to like 1970 because both squads are going to have two tight ends on the field almost the whole game. You're probably going to see some fullbacks like it's going to be absolutely fantastic. I got the Cyclones, man. Hard to bet against Rocco Beck. So I got cyclones at home 2417.

B (20:07)

Yeah, I, I don't even know. I almost think you could repeat the score from last year or 20 to 19 and make that as pick. But I always say as well and talk about back leap, big time leap. First career game over 90 PFF grade last week against granted against South Dakota. But you obviously you play some of those along the way as well.

A (20:26)

I will won the first half last year. Iowa State just commandingly won the second half. So Cyhawk trophy goes to the Cyclones this year for me. Where are we going next?

B (20:34)

This, this might be your favorite grouping, by the way.

A (20:37)

Okay.

B (20:38)

This is the veggie tray.

A (20:39)

Yes sir.

B (20:40)

These are the, these are the games that you might like not watch as much but, but are going to be really good for you.

A (20:46)

Well why, why would you not watch them? That, that is foreign to me. That's about like going to a tailgate and not eating the, the, the cauliflower, broccoli and carrots. Like that's the best part of the tailgate usually.

B (20:59)

I'm sure. How many. What percentage of the viewing public just disagreed with you?

A (21:04)

You literally get to chew on all of that stuff and not get any calories. Like how is that not winning? That's all, that's all I look at. Like I'm eating that first because then it keeps me from eating the bad stuff.

B (21:15)

All right, what, whatever you, whatever you say. That's, that's, that's you. But Anyway, Baylor at SMU, first time in nine years they played like 80. I think it was 80 times. Now this is the 81st time in the history that they played, but this is the first time that they played in nine years in a big time game for me, for smu because of what their schedule looks like.

A (21:35)

Well, who you got brother? I want to hear it.

B (21:38)

I'm. I'm actually going with SMU at home.

F (21:40)

Oh.

B (21:41)

Because here comes another running quarterback that Baylor just had infinite problems with and Kevin Jennings and making plays, Romello Brunson making plays for them. They got a lot of sync. By the way, if you watch SMU's defense, a lot of single digit numbers that are making plays for them, especially along the defensive line. Robertson number nine. Emba, big guy six. So as tackling issues for Baylor last week, I think I'm going SMU at home.

A (22:09)

See, this is, this is what we do. This is what people do every, every time they look at certain types of games and they go, okay, well, they struggled to stop the quarterback run, so they're going to struggle to stop the quarterback run this week. Jackson Arnold is not Kevin Jennings. Kevin Jennings is not Jackson Arnold. Now you can debate whether which one you'd rather want. Jackson Arnold is a physical runner. He broke tackles. Like I think the, the physicalness of Auburn up front. One, I don't see that for smu. I, I, I don't, I don't see the, the trenches being elite, the offensive line like being able to push people around. So that's why I think this game is a little bit different. I think Sawyer Robertson has to run the football more. I, I don't think he had a design run against Auburn, which I don't understand. Like, he's got to run the football. We talked about the Pendergrass injury. The Knighton kid came in and looked pretty good early. Like, that kid can fly. So you know Washington Knighton, the speed combo, rebuilt defensive line for smu. That did look good. But you know me, bro, I'm a Bears fan. I think the bears bounce back. 31, 30. Bears go on the road. They get it done. They make enough plays. They look better offensively this week because they're not playing Auburn because they can win some matchups out wide at the cornerback spot. So, so give me sick em.

B (23:31)

There we go. Next one. Arizona State at Mississippi State.

A (23:37)

I mean, come on now, like, do.

B (23:39)

How much cowbell do you need?

A (23:41)

This is going to need more. Going to need more. You know, the most disappointing thing about this game a year ago, like, everybody looked at the score and they, and I think they, they felt, you know, some kind of way with, I think they thought it might have been closer, but this game was like 30 to, to nothing or 30 to a little, like a lot to a little most of the game. And then they, Arizona State, like kind of gave up some yards. But I'll never forget Cam Scaboo just putting bugs on his windshield, driving down the highway, just go, just slapping Mississippi State around. They better be ticked off. They better be upset about that. That better be something they want to change. Um, but it was, it was not pretty. It was ugly. I think that when you, when you look at Arizona State, the quarterback advantage is so big. He's so good. You saw Levitt last week. He rushed for almost 100. And it's just, it's effortless. It's easy Shapen on the other side. Like he needs the run game. Like they've got to do a better job of being more physical. They couldn't do it. That's Brent. They almost got outrushed last year by 300 yards in this football game. I didn't say 50, I didn't say 100. It was 350 to 61 in this football game last year. Like that's embarrassing. And I just, I don't think I, I, I, I'm interested to watch Arizona State without, without Scaboo and what it looks like with Kyson, with Udo, like how it becomes. But I do know I got Levitt and his wheels and his ability to make plays. So they're going to win. But I do think this game will be a little bit closer. I got, I got, I got Arizona State 31, 21.

B (25:20)

Yeah, it's a six and a half point spread, so it's not like it's.

A (25:22)

A. Oh, is it really?

B (25:23)

Yeah, that's it.

A (25:24)

Oh, wow. Or was it last year? Because it was probably the final score was closer than.

B (25:29)

Yeah, because I mean with Arizona State was in the interest of time. We'll go to the next one. By the way, I agree with that one. I do think Arizona State is going to win. Vandy at Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech is a one and a half point home favorite.

A (25:45)

So here's what I did on my predictions I was going through. I wrote down scores on all of them and on this one I wrote down 27, 24. Except I didn't pick a winner because I hadn't decided yet on where I wanted to go last year. This was an awesome game. It was a really good football game and it, I think this kind of got Vandy started last year and because they won a close one late in the ball game when they needed to. But everything this, this is the problem. When you have data of Virginia Tech a week ago and you watched him against a really good team, it clouts your judgment and you're like, they suck. Like, Kyron Drones is terrible. Well, South Carolina is a good team and so I think Drones naturally won't be that bad. Vanderbilt's defense is not very good typically. Like, and we're going on like 15 years, not like every year, not like a once in a year flash in the pan, like it's consistent. So Virginia Tech at home, that atmosphere give me, give me the Hokies. 27, 24, I guess. But Drones plays better, runs the football, makes plays they're used to the the Pavia running game this time as opposed to last year.

B (26:52)

I'll go Pavia again.

A (26:54)

You should just.

B (26:55)

Just. Because I want to. I want there to be a non zero chance that Vanderbilt makes the.

A (27:00)

That's right. Because you did say that.

B (27:02)

All right. Last. Last two. We'll get to them kind of quickly. This one's kind of the. The chips and dip a little bit that just. It's always there on the side.

A (27:12)

Okay.

B (27:12)

You're fired up to kind of dig into it. But it's not really necessarily a marquee game. One that is very interesting. First one. Ole Miss at Kentucky. I watched Austin Simmons and there's not a throw that he won't try to make. Is probably my takeaway. Biggest takeaway from that game. And by the way if. If we could get. If you could guess who the highest graded defender for Ole Miss was in their opening game. Who might it be? Because it's a name you mentioned earlier in the. In the off season.

A (27:38)

The big boy is my big boy in the middle.

B (27:41)

Yep. Xavier Harris. 90.5 grade.

A (27:44)

That dude is a man child. Like enormous mountain of a man game.

B (27:51)

By the way too.

A (27:52)

That. That. That's what I was going to say. Big time revenge game. Kentucky somehow beat them last year. It was like fourth and something in their own territory. Member. And they threw it to Vandergrift. Chucked one to Brown I think wasn't it? And it went the distance. Okay. Ole Miss has the speed advantage. It ain't even close. Ole Miss has the talent advantage. Here's what I like from Kentucky. Week one. It was not their offense. It was not Calzada. That was not what I liked to be. Very clear and very upfront. Now their defensive line ain't that bad and I'm interested to watch their front. Bob or Bob Stoops. Mark Stoops always has tough guys. He always finds diamonds in the roughs. So Ole Miss and the offensive line last year they could not block them up front. Didn't do a great job. Can you block those guys up front? That will be pretty good. Like the David Gustos of the world. Like they've got some dudes up there with Kentucky that will. That will make life hard for Simmons. That will get to the quarterback. And what I saw from Ole Miss was the interior of the offensive line and the offensive line.

B (28:53)

Period.

A (28:54)

I don't see a lot of push. I didn't see a lot of great like are they going to be good enough to protect Simmons? I got 2413 in the revenge game. Give me the hottie Toddy. You're taking hottie Toddy to it. You ain't picking Kentucky again. But I do think it could be somewhat close.

B (29:08)

A lot of quick pressure that they actually allowed, especially early in the game against Georgia State. Florida. Another Florida battle. USF at Florida. This feels like kind of like the ultimate trap game because of what's coming up in on Florida's schedule.

A (29:24)

Good Lord. Because she's stupid.

B (29:27)

Lsu, Miami and Texas, just.

A (29:29)

Just those back to back to back. And then A and M, I think, right?

B (29:33)

Yes. And then A and M. I mean.

A (29:34)

So that's just really fun. But. But here's the thing. This game could have been a trap game to me if USF didn't do what they just did. Like, I think it helps Florida be like, it helps coach. Now go. Hey, like, do you see this? Like, did you see what they just did to a top 25 team? Because they were ranked in the top 25. So I think it. I think it helps them. You get to turn on the tape and you get to watch the spacing, the speed. Like, Byron Brown can win a game by himself. Like at qb. I mean, if you watch him, they space it so much and he is a big, physical quarterback that can get downhill and be a problem. So now we're going to find out if they can block him. But it's all about to me, can, can Brown put on that superman cape and lead them? Because the talent is clearly Florida all every way, seven ways to Sunday. But. But the offense, can it be a pain in Florida's butt? Can they let him hang around? Can you take away the deep ball from DJ Lag? Lag. Bombs away. I mean, he just drops bombs. That's what he does. Like, he continues going to give up or to take shots. And South Florida gave up a lot of big plays against Boise and Mad Dog at quarterback. So this is not Mad Dog. This is a different caliber. So I think it's 3421. I do give USF some staying around power and some scoring power because they're QB. But I'm taking the Gators.

B (30:53)

It's a 17 and a half point number. And by the way, you went full Berman there. That was actually beautiful by you. DJ Lag, Bombs away. You might want to like trademark that one. That's pretty good. I agree. I think the Gators. I actually think the Gators, because of what they did, because of what USF did last week.

A (31:11)

Yep.

B (31:11)

I think they are dialed in and roll because it's going to get really tough.

A (31:18)

You get people's attention, which is good because a lot of times when you catch people sleeping is when you can have success. So.

B (31:23)

All right, let's get last but not least last. Well, last not least. Oh, we got another last little category, the cooler game, the one that'll be on ice the earliest. Oh, Oklahoma State at Oregon. I think that was. I think that one's going to be.

A (31:38)

There's not enough in the budget for. For Oklahoma State to be competitive. So. Yeah, you. I like that. The cool. That's a good one, by the way. That's a really good one. Cooler game on ice. All right, so that's the picks this week. Let's get to the man who had the biggest say and probably the biggest upset in week one with with Gus Malzon. Let's talk to the Gus from producer Jordan Peele.

D (32:00)

The movie him asks the question, would you sell your soul for greatness?

A (32:05)

What are you willing to sacrifice?

D (32:07)

Activate my on September 19th do you.

A (32:09)

Want what I have? You have to take it from me what if I say no? I ain't a killer but don't push.

E (32:16)

Me.

D (32:18)

Experience fear like never before it's.

A (32:21)

Time meet show you exactly who I am.

D (32:25)

Directed by Justin Tipping. Only in theater September 19th. Rated R. Get tickets now.

F (32:29)

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A (33:16)

Debt relief.com the most exciting game of the week. To start it off to kick off college football season, nobody said it was going to be Bama and FSU. Gus. Like everybody was talking about all the top 10 matchups and but, but I really want to talk about man, like you were a head coach and you were at ucf. You UCF and you, you were at UCF and you wanted to be a head coach. Obviously. What made you decide to to step away from Being a head coach and, and go pursue and being a coordinator.

E (33:46)

Yeah, there was a lot of factors that goes into it. You know, my wife Christy, which we do this, this football thing together, she got sick about four years ago. About, about lost her. And it just kind of totally changed my perspective, you know, about coaching, everything. Ucf, when we had a, had a great time, that's a great place. You know, in the future, I think that's going to be a program to be reckoned with. So it's kind of one of those deals. Like we got through the season, I thought about retiring and then I talked to Mike and hey man, why don't you just come here and be the offense coordinator and call plays? And just the joy of kind of getting back to kind of, you know, who I was when I first got in college football. And, you know, my grandkids and kids live in Auburn and Birmingham were a lot closer. So really it was just a combination of all the buff.

A (34:31)

Well, you, you, you, you take that job and then you have a guy that you have familiarity with, like Gus. We've seen your offenses, man, like you, you're an, I'm a defensive guy, but you're an absolute pain in the arse when you get the guy that can run and just make people miss. It's just, it's not fun. And then you do it with tempo, which drives defenses even more nuts and makes them play a certain type of way. So talk about Tommy and you recruited him to UCF and the history with him.

E (34:58)

Yeah, first of all, you know, we recruited Tommy to ucf. We felt like he could be a great quarterback, kind of fits our mold, what we like. And John Rice Plum was our quarterback. He was coming back and Tommy just said kind of coaching, I want to play. So we had a great relationship. He went to Boston College and kind of always had my eye on him and we kept in touch and when we got this job, I mean, it just made a lot of sense for both. And he's such a great leader. He's a dynamic playmaker. He made some things right Saturday when things weren't right. And I think that's a key to a big time quarterback.

B (35:28)

So you think, coach, you had Nick Marshall back in the day. How much. What are this, what similarities do you see? What slight differences maybe are, are there because you had some success with Nick and already having some with him?

E (35:40)

Yeah, I tell you, after watching him against Alabama Saturday, I think, you know, there's a whole lot of similarities. I mean, Nick was an unbelievable player. He could make things right. Nick was a great leader. You know, he really affected his teammates and brought the best. Him and Tommy did the same thing. And I was so proud of our offensive line. I mean, Alabama's Alabama, I mean, they've got real players. I mean, they have a lot of NFL players. And our offensive line really did a super job. For the first time. We had five new starters. They never played together. We were kind of beat up in the spring, and we only had like two weeks of really practice, you know, before we played them. So it was really good. Real proud of our offense.

A (36:17)

So basically you're saying practice is overrated, Coach, that's what you're saying?

E (36:20)

No, I didn't say that. I'm just saying since we've been here, our guys have been beat up. In the spring, it was like we had 16 guys out fall camp. We had some hit and misses, and we finally had all of our 11, you know, the last two weeks of practice, and it was really good. They responded good. The first game is about adjustments, and I was so impressed with my guys, the way they adjusted because Alabama threw some different things at us that we hadn't seen on film and we had to adjust.

A (36:45)

When you came into the game plan this week, like, or with Alabama, and you saw them and you knew that, like, you know what they do, you know who they are, you know, they've got monsters. But like, using Lucas, using misdirections, running the fake counter, reverse, like, all the different things, like, how do you decide when you put in certain things or when you call certain trick plays and when you go to your staples where you're going to run unbalanced out of the sugar huddle and do your different things.

E (37:11)

Well, playing, I mean, it was good, you know, having them first game, we had all summer to think about it, and really what I wanted to do, I wanted to throw the book at them early. I mean, I wanted to make their keys lie to him, give the ball, run counter tray, opposite, run the quarterback. And it was plays to set up plays, too. And the goal was to take away their aggressiveness, that they would be thinking we could call anything, and then we could just line up and start going downhill. Adam. So it worked out real well, and our players really, you know, did a super job with that.

B (37:38)

So speaking of the QB run game, coach, why is it that QB power read is the greatest play in the history of football?

E (37:44)

I tell you what, it's. I don't know why more people don't do it, but if you got A quarterback. I mean, Cam Newton made that thing famous in 2010, you know, but when you got to run a quarterback, I mean, when you have power read and the guys up front and you can also run the counter tray off of it and make their keys lie to them, I mean, that's. That's a tough deal when you got a quarterback that can make it happen.

A (38:04)

It's pretty simple. Brent, when you make stupid defensive players like me think it slows us down, it's pretty easy.

E (38:11)

People slowed you down. I mean, I watched you play. So they didn't do a very good job of it.

A (38:16)

Well, I mean, it does. It just makes you. It makes you think for a second. It puts doubt in your head. You don't block me and then you're reading me. And then basically, instead of using two people to block a great player, a lot of times you can leave them unblocked and just. And just read them. And it makes it easier on the numbers up front in the game, in the run game.

E (38:33)

That's exact plus one runs, you know, with the quarterbacks. Easiest call there is.

A (38:38)

So how much fun is it now, like, moving forward now with your squad? Like, what's different around the building is FSU more juice because. Because, coach, they were demoralized a year ago. You got more inches of snow in your stadium than you had wins, which is crazy to think about in Tallahassee. So what's the. What's the. What's the vibe now around. Around the program?

E (38:58)

Yeah, there was a lot of curiosity. You know, we had 11 new starters on offense that never played together, so I didn't know really what to expect. I felt like our guys were going to play hard together and all that, and they did more than we even thought. So I think we have great potential. As long as we can stay healthy, we have great potential. You know, on the offensive side, of course, our defense did a great job against our offense, too.

B (39:20)

Speaking of offense, with not just the QBs, but the running game and the running back position. Yeah, a lot of different guys caught my. Was Chroma the true freshman?

E (39:32)

Yeah.

B (39:32)

Like, what do you have. What do you love about your running back room?

E (39:35)

Yeah, we got depth, which is great. And we did play a lot of them, especially first game. You know, you don't really know until you get out there and play somebody else, especially a quality opponent like Alabama. So, you know, Ooze has a real chance. I've been blessed to coach some really good running backs, you know, and I think just for his first outing against that bunch. I mean, he ran, physically ran hard, and we got some depth in that room, so. Which is really great.

A (39:58)

Who's the pain in the butt guys you go against every day on defense? Who are the guys that make life hard in practice down there?

E (40:05)

Earl Little. You know, he's. He's a dynamic player. I mean, he really brings the wood. And I'll tell you what, like, with what Tony, our defense coordinator, does, it's extremely challenging. It's very unconventional. Houdi ID the robber. And he gave us fits, you know, really, since I've been here.

A (40:23)

Yeah, we. We had him on the. We had one of his things, one of his clips from a press conference, man, and he was just. He was just. He was just lighting people up. And I'm like, dude, that's fantastic. Like, building that accountability. And so. So his defense is hard to identify, you know, with all the different guys. Is that what makes it difficult?

E (40:42)

And they'll bring Florida to a side and they'll trap behind the pressure. They mix things up. He knows his answers, and our defensive players really respond. It's been really tough going against this defense.

B (40:54)

So, Coach, with. Looking forward though your schedule, and I went back and looked at Nick Marshall specifically, and it was about 13 carries a game. Do you. Do you kind of look at. Hey, look, we got to keep a pitch count here with. With Tommy running, or do you a game flow, whatever that. That kind of thing?

E (41:11)

Yeah, I think. I think each game you have a plan. You know, we knew going in, you know, against Alabama, I felt like he was going to have to run it about 15 times or really 10 called runs, and he'd create the other five. And that held pretty much true. Each game's a little different, but at the end of the day, you got to do whatever you got to do to win the game. You know, back when I was coaching high school, you know, a lot of times we wouldn't run our quarterback unless it was a big game or in the playoffs. And so it's that kind of same mentality, you know, in the regular season, you got to do what you got to do. And here's the thing about Tommy. He's willing to. I mean, and he loves it. And so, you know, it's really good feeling as far as that goes.

A (41:44)

How big is he, though? He's. He doesn't look like the biggest guy in the world.

E (41:47)

Yeah, he's a little over £200. He plays big. You know, he's got that edge to him. You know, he's got that chip on his shoulder. And he's had that ever since I recruited him because a lot of people didn't recruit him play quarterback. And he's a dynamic player. He's got a great arm, you know, but we didn't do it. You know, he create when things break down, the scramble drill. I mean, he's, he's dynamic with that. So real excited to watch him play this year.

A (42:11)

Well, the thing about him versus other people that I watch around the country, like Haynes, King and some of those guys. Tommy doesn't take shots. Like, Tommy's so quick. He's good enough to, to make you miss in such a small. I mean, you could play touch football in an elevator and lose to that cat. Like, he's kind of quick.

E (42:28)

You're exactly right. He hadn't taken a whole lot of big hits in his career. He has that savviness about him. He knows when to dive and get down and, and he knows when to run out of bounds. And he's fast. Like, he's quick fast. I mean, he can really escape. You know, they, they brought some pressure from the field and we were hot and he made a guy miss and got the first down. That was real impressive.

A (42:46)

So what can you tell us about, like, what do you, what did you learn about Mike Norvell in your time with him, now that you've been with him a short period of time that you didn't know or that kind of surprised you?

E (42:55)

Well, you could tell when he was our ga, like Tulsa, he had something special. He was the hardest working G I've ever had. So it doesn't surprise me all where he's at, you know, and then just his relationships with players has really stood out to me. And nobody works harder than him. I mean, no one. Whether it's recruiting or just everything, special teams and everything that goes with it.

A (43:15)

So.

E (43:16)

Doesn't surprise me at all that he's having success. He's having.

B (43:20)

Are you enjoying life just being an offensive coordinator?

E (43:23)

Tell you what, it's a different world now. It's almost like a different profession now. I mean, all you worry about offensive players and you got to worry about this and that. And then in the game it was like, like, you know, so used to managing every situation. Man, I get that iPad. I sat down with my quarterback and you get to see what they're doing and like, it's so much easier. And then you get to talk to your player. Here's what we're going to do next series. Like, I mean, it was like eye opening for me.

A (43:48)

So back having a lot of fun. And and I think the. The. The only way to go out, Gus, is. Is by the the way you went out the other day was feels like old times, baby.

E (43:59)

Like old time, man. We're going to throw the book at people. We're going it to put play fast and. And see what happens, man.

A (44:05)

Coach, we appreciate your time so much. Keep having fun. Keep being you. It's great that you. We're so thankful you didn't retire because we get to watch the excitement that you the way you call plays and the way you go fast. And now with the qb, man, it's going to be pretty exciting watching the Knowles.

E (44:19)

Yeah. Thanks for having me, guys.

A (44:22)

Have a good one.