Hour 1: Big Fans of SMU

Summary

Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron – Episode: Hour 1: Big Fans of SMU
Release Date: November 24, 2024
Hosts: Matt Jones & Myron Medcalf
Description: Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf delve into the intricacies of the sports world every Sunday morning, offering insights, debates, and engaging discussions for football enthusiasts.

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1. NFL Weekend Recap

The episode kicks off with Matt and Myron assessing the NFL schedule for the weekend. Both hosts express disappointment over the lackluster matchups, highlighting teams like the 49ers, Packers, Eagles, Rams, Chiefs, and Panthers.

Notable Quote:
Myron Medcalf [00:46]:
"This might be the worst one of the year... Monday Night Football is pretty good with the Ravens and Chargers, but overall, it's a week to possibly spend with family."

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2. Giants’ Management of Daniel Jones

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the New York Giants' handling of quarterback Daniel Jones. Matt criticizes the franchise’s decision to bench Jones in an undignified manner, while Myron emphasizes the importance of maintaining player dignity even when cutting ties.

Notable Quotes:
Matt Jones [02:10]:
"We're an embarrassment of a franchise."
Myron Medcalf [02:48]:
"Let's have fun with it... But let's not just be a respectable franchise again."

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3. College Football Playoff and SMU's Potential Inclusion

The hosts transition to college football, debating the potential inclusion of Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs in the newly expanded 12-team playoff. Myron advocates for SMU's inclusion despite their losses, arguing they deserve a spot based on their performance relative to conference strength. Matt counters by emphasizing the superiority of SEC teams like Georgia, regardless of SMU's appeal.

Notable Quotes:
Myron Medcalf [04:44]:
"If you're a Power 5 school with two losses, SMU should be considered over a three-loss SEC team."
Matt Jones [10:09]:
"But SMU can't put SEC teams on its schedule, so it can't prove it can compete the same way Georgia can."

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4. Playoff Selection Criteria: Deserve vs. Better

Matt and Myron delve deeper into the playoff selection criteria, debating whether deserving teams (like SMU) should be favored over teams that are objectively better (like Georgia). They reference Heather Dennis from ESPN to underscore the complexities of the selection process.

Notable Quotes:
Myron Medcalf [20:14]:
"What matters more to you: who deserves it or who's better?"
Matt Jones [20:33]:
"That's what this feels like, arguing for deserve vs better, similar to debates in the NCAA tournament."

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5. NFL Teams Analysis: Lions and Vikings

Shifting back to the NFL, the conversation focuses on the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. Both teams are praised for their performance, with particular attention paid to the Lions' undefeated road record and Myron's skepticism about Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold's clutch performance.

Notable Quotes:
Matt Jones [24:35]:
"The Lions have not had a nine-game winning streak since 1934. They have a legit chance to leave this season with a Super Bowl ring."
Myron Medcalf [26:49]:
"Do you believe in Sam Darnold when the chips are down? I don't think he can handle that situation."

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6. Quarterback Rankings and Playoff Scenarios

The hosts engage in a ranking exercise, listing their top quarterbacks based on performance in high-pressure situations. Myron ranks Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow at the top, while Matt critiques the absence of NFC quarterbacks in the list.

Notable Quotes:
Myron Medcalf [31:34]:
"If it's two minutes left, down four, I want Josh Allen or Mahomes in that situation."
Matt Jones [32:25]:
"You can't put Kirk Cousins on that list... The stats never tell the story about him."

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7. Highlighting NFL Rookies: Bo Nix and Others

A spotlight is cast on NFL rookies, especially Denver Broncos' Bo Nix, who is making a strong case for Rookie of the Year with impressive stats. The discussion covers other promising rookies like Caleb Williams, Jaden Daniels, and Drake May, debating their potential to become franchise quarterbacks.

Notable Quotes:
Matt Jones [34:12]:
"Bo Nix has been the biggest surprise, helping Sean Payton rise in the coach of the year conversation."
Myron Medcalf [40:35]:
"If I were drafting today, I'd pick Jaden Daniels first, followed by Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, and Drake May."

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8. Broadcasting Incident in Lexington, Kentucky

Towards the end, Matt and Myron discuss a controversial broadcasting decision in Lexington, Kentucky, where a high school girls' basketball scrimmage was aired instead of the Indiana vs. Ohio State football game. The decision was met with backlash from local fans.

Notable Quotes:
Myron Medcalf [37:24]:
"The local Fox affiliate chose to air a girls' basketball scrimmage instead of the Indiana Ohio State game, causing significant frustration among viewers."
Matt Jones [38:30]:
"Come on, it's never too late to switch. Hit the doggone button and play the game everybody wants to see."

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9. Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with a brief mention of upcoming games, including the Chargers vs. Ravens match on Monday night, and a nod to future discussions on quarterback performances and team strategies.

Notable Quotes:
Myron Medcalf [43:42]:
"The Colts are looking for their future quarterback, but will it be enough to compete with the Lions?"
Matt Jones [44:10]:
"Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the Podcast. You can listen live every Sunday morning on ESPN Radio and SiriusXM channel 80."

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Conclusion

In this episode, Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf navigate through a plethora of topics, from NFL team analyses and quarterback performances to the contentious debate over SMU's place in the college football playoff. Their candid discussions, coupled with sharp insights and humorous banter, offer listeners a comprehensive and engaging overview of the current sports landscape.

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Notable References:

• SMU Mustangs: Central to the college football playoff debate.
• Daniel Jones: Highlighted as a case study in player management.
• Bo Nix: Emerges as a standout NFL rookie.
• Broadcasting Ethics: Examined through the Lexington incident.

Disclaimer: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and may not align precisely with the actual podcast runtime.

Transcript

[Matt Jones]

Being a marketer is no sweat.

[Myron Metcalf]

You just have to manage dozens of channels, launch hundreds of campaigns, score thousands of leads and.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, fine, it's a lot of sweat.

[Myron Metcalf]

Unless you have HubSpot's AI powered marketing tools to help you do all that and more. Get [e-mail] marketers.

[Matt Jones]

This is Matt and Myron. The podcast I've been. Football I've been waiting a long time.

[Myron Metcalf]

Is here. The time is.

[Matt Jones]

This is the countdown to kickoff on ESPN radio.

[Myron Metcalf]

It is countdown to kickoff here on ESPN radio, the ESPN app, Sirius XM channel 80. Presented by Progressive Insurance. Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf here to take you and get you ready for the NFL games this weekend. Last weekend was a great schedule. Three top matchups throughout the weekend. This one, meh. I mean, it's not the best. You get a little, I don't know, 49ers, packers, tickles your fancy. Does Eagles, Rams make you happy to be alive? I don't know. This is not the best week. Chiefs, Panthers. But you know what? These are the weeks where we shine because we try to make things entertaining and you could be a part of Canada Kickoff nation on the Dr. Pepper call in line call eight eight, eight, say ESPN 888. 729. 3776 ESPN nations presented by Dr. Pepper. It's not football season without the delicious taste of an ice cold Dr. Pepper. College football is a Pepper thing. I'm sitting here looking at the schedule. Myron, this might be the worst one of the year. I mean, Monday Night Football is pretty good. Ravens, Chargers. But besides that, this might be one to go hang out with your family this weekend.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean, I think it's rough because of some of the teams that are just underperformed. I mean, like, we got what Tommy DeVito now is the starting quarterback of that. Yes, sir. Please don't do the whole. Don't. Why not the Italian thing? Like, why can't you do that?

[Myron Metcalf]

You don't like Italian people?

[Matt Jones]

I don't, no. What?

[Myron Metcalf]

Why? I like Italian people. They're good.

[Matt Jones]

It's just. It's just over the top. It's over the top. They go to his agent in the stands and he's dressed like he's in prohibition or something like that.

[Myron Metcalf]

You don't like to have fun Fun, do you? You don't. You.

[Matt Jones]

No.

[Myron Metcalf]

You're like way too serious. You don't like to have fun? You don't like.

[Matt Jones]

I do like to have fun. That's a lot Though you. The Tommy DeVito thing is a lot. It's gonna be a lot today and I just don't know if I'm ready for it.

[Myron Metcalf]

Nick.

[Matt Jones]

I like it.

[Myron Metcalf]

Nick, do you like Tommy DeVito?

[Matt Jones]

No. We're an embarrassment of a franchise.

[Myron Metcalf]

I agree with you. You are. But it's still as long as you are going to be embarrassment. At least let's have fun with it.

[Matt Jones]

Let's not and just be a respectable franchise again.

[Myron Metcalf]

Let me ask you this. If you're a Giants fan, you. You are you. Are you embarrassed with the way they treated Daniel Jones this week or no?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I'm a. I'm probably a Daniel Jones apologist more than not. But yeah, they definitely fat handed it and could have done it with more class. Given everything, I feel like it was a pretty class. What does that mean?

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, just like they could have not had him play scout team safety. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

But after they bench been like, thanks for everything, go home, we'll pay out the rest of your car. Like, see you. Here's $108 million for absolutely nothing. But now let's hold a ceremony as we move you aside and move on as a franchise with them just mentioning.

[Myron Metcalf]

But they did not need to make him play scout team safety. That's a little much, Myron, wouldn't you agree?

[Matt Jones]

I mean, I don't know, maybe he'd be better than say, I mean, I don't know.

[Myron Metcalf]

Turn the lights off before we go home. Will you go to the grocery for us? Like there comes a point you can give the man some dignity.

[Matt Jones]

He ain't working third shift.

[Myron Metcalf]

What are we talking about?

[Matt Jones]

This guy got an eight figure deal.

[Myron Metcalf]

You don't need to keep the guy. The scout team safety was a little much for me.

[Matt Jones]

My problem with it is we really don't care about guys getting cut. And I think that's what always frustrates me is you get a thousand players cut from the starter training camp to the end of it, we don't care. But all of a sudden Daniel Jones, who had every opportunity to prove that he could play at this level, doesn't do it. And it's like, all right, he deserves more. What? I didn't know. What does that even mean?

[Myron Metcalf]

I'm not asking for a ceremony or a ring. I'm just saying don't be like, hey, Daniel, there's some grass that needs mowed over there. Do you mind?

[Matt Jones]

What if he's good at it?

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, okay, but then hiring is that. I just felt like that was unnecessary. I'll Tell you what also was unnecessary is the debate we're going to have over the next two weeks because we had it a little bit before we started. First of all.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, it's already annoying.

[Myron Metcalf]

By the way, if you are an alumnus of Southern Methodist University or as I like to call it, rich people University down there in Dallas where Myron, if you went there, I don't think you would like the people that go to smu. It's not your crowd, all right? They're literally tick tocks. Oh my goodness. Do they have money? Have you ever been on SMU mom TikTok?

[Matt Jones]

I haven't. I don't know that I should go there. That's what I want you to get on that. I should get like an HR thing. No, I'm just like an HR issue.

[Myron Metcalf]

No, no, no. It's not like, it's not, it's not dirty. What SMU mom TikTok is, is like they go to SMU games and they just stop random people in the, in the little, I don't know what you call it, galleyways. And they say how much did your outfit cost at the SMU games? And literally these people go to games with like $10,000 outfit. Well, that's who you're defending because Myron is of the belief that the SMU Mustangs should be in the playoff even if they lose in the ACC championship. Yesterday was chaos. Alabama loses to Oklahoma, Ole Miss loses to Florida A and M loses to Auburn. Colorado loses to Kansas. And now all of a sudden the playoff is murky at best. But I think we would all agree it's going to come down to the last spot is going to be Myron's SMU Mustangs versus a good hard working team from the SEC with three losses, SMU Mustangs with two admiring. You believe SMOO and their $10,000 outfit should be it.

[Matt Jones]

Are you on the campaign trail? The hard working SEC team over the rich folks at smu? First off, wealth doesn't define character, right? I mean so you can wear $10,000 suits and still be a good person.

[Myron Metcalf]

Say again? Now you're looking up for the rich class, one of the ones.

[Matt Jones]

What I'm saying is we gotta, we have to be willing to look at the games and that's all you can do. If you're an ACC team right now, if you're a Big Ten team right now, you have not had some of the opportunities that you see in the sec. Every week's a quality game for most SEC teams. That's the advantage at the same time. We got to measure them according to what they did against that schedule. So three loss Georgia for me, SMU with two losses, losing in the ACC championship. I'm putting them in. If I'm on the committee.

[Myron Metcalf]

That's insanity to me. All right, so let's just, let's just set the scene for who is in. Okay.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

The SEC champ will clearly be. Well, first of all, the SEC, Big 10, ACC, Big 12 and a Power 5, non Power 5 school is going to make it. So right now, if you were to guess, you would say Oregon, the winner of Georgia, Texas, Big 12 is a cluster. Who knows who's going to make it? Let's just say Miami and the ACC for conversation. And then Boise ended up winning that game last night, didn't they? Or did they lose late at night? They won. Okay.

[Matt Jones]

Boise won. Yeah. Yeah. They recovered.

[Myron Metcalf]

So that. So those are the five. Then there's going to be a group of other teams that I think are in. I think it's very likely that Ohio State would be in. You know, I think it's very likely loser like. Like Penn State's going to be in. So the question is going to be, do you take a fourth SEC team or a. With three losses or a two loss smut? That's going to be the fight we're going to hear for the next couple of weeks. And Myron's basic view, you tell me if I'm wrong, I'm not trying to mischaracterize, is any two loss team from a power conference should be in over any three loss team from a power conference. Is that fair?

[Matt Jones]

I think in most scenarios, you know.

[Myron Metcalf]

What'S the scenario where it wouldn't. Because Georgia has a chance to have three losses if they lose in the SEC championship game. All the top 10 teams, two of them on the road.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. What I don't like with this is it almost feels like the Grammy awards, right. Where you have a high profile artist that maybe made a so so album. Not their best. They've made classics in the past, but it's like that's album of the year. And then you have sort of this upstart group that maybe nobody's heard of and they have one of the best albums they've ever done and it's like, no, but are they really better than Taylor Swift or Beyonce? That's how this feels to me.

[Myron Metcalf]

I love that.

[Matt Jones]

At the end of the day, I.

[Myron Metcalf]

Love what you just said. You're basically saying your last question was the good one is the unknown Groups album better than Taylor Swift's album. So let me ask you this. Three loss Georgia. Two loss smu. They go play. Who's winning?

[Matt Jones]

Georgia would be favored in that game on a new win.

[Myron Metcalf]

If they play.

[Matt Jones]

I don't. I don't know. I'm not Nostradamus.

[Myron Metcalf]

I'm gonna take your big salary. You make like $6 million a year. Yeah, I'm gonna take your $6 million year and I'm going to make. I'm going to make you bet Georgia. SMU money line my money. Million dollars.

[Matt Jones]

Just bet Georgia or smu. Well, if it's my money, I'm putting on Georgia, but somebody else. So now you know, but it's not.

[Myron Metcalf]

The answer, right, Georgia.

[Matt Jones]

But here's my thing. Most deserving has to be a part of this 12 team playoff. And I wouldn't normally say that I've been anti most deserving in a lot of conversations. So this probably sounds somewhat hypocritical, but I do think you have to consider the reality that if you're in the sec, you have this significant advantage with strength of schedule that no other league can recreate. SMU can't put those teams on its schedule even if it wanted to. So it's never going to be able to prove that it can go up against the ole misses in Alabama's the way that Georgia is.

[Myron Metcalf]

But then society's not fair, Myron. The question is who's.

[Matt Jones]

Let's make it fair, but let's make it more fair.

[Myron Metcalf]

So let's make all of us watch SMU lose by 20 instead of a great game against Georgia. You'd rather see Ohio State play SMU than Ohio State play Georgia.

[Matt Jones]

But under your scenario, Matt, Georgia would have had multiple opportunities to avoid this scenario at all.

[Myron Metcalf]

SMU is going to play in the ACC championship game. Isn't that their opportunity?

[Matt Jones]

But George has had more of those opportunities and if they get three losses, I don't know that it's automatic. It shouldn't be on the thing.

[Myron Metcalf]

It's Myron like single mom university. He always.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, whoa, don't do that. That's not fair, man. Don't do that.

[Myron Metcalf]

Sm, you.

[Matt Jones]

That's not.

[Myron Metcalf]

That's what he likes.

[Matt Jones]

What do you guys. Single mom. Single moms are great. No, I don't.

[Myron Metcalf]

I love single moms. I'm just saying that, you know, that's what they, you know what that's like. What's what they call SMU? Endowed. Right. They call it.

[Matt Jones]

I haven't jumped on SMU mom TikTok. So I don't know what's going on.

[Myron Metcalf]

What you're going to do tonight, you're going to get on SMU mom TikTok every day.

[Matt Jones]

I'm. I'm not jumping on SMU mom TikTok at night. I don't know what you got going on over there, but I might do it during the day just for the purposes of the show, but I'm not jumping on that night just for the.

[Myron Metcalf]

Purposes of the show. All right, we are going to. It's the first year of the 12 team playoff.

[Matt Jones]

Me in trouble.

[Myron Metcalf]

But could it be a thing of the past in a few years when we come back, if Myron's not here, it's going to be because he's scrolling on SMU mom dick, not me. That's next here on Countdown to Kickoff on ESPN Radio.

[Matt Jones]

Football Sunday on ESPN Radio. Bo Nicks has worked his way into the rookie of the year discussion.

[Myron Metcalf]

Touchdown Bo Nix.

[Matt Jones]

He is playing great and this week he leads the Denver Broncos fight for the postseason into Las Vegas to face Gardner Minshew. And the Raiders coverage begins today at 4 Eastern on select ESPN radio stations. Matt and Myron the podcast.

[Myron Metcalf]

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[Matt Jones]

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[Myron Metcalf]

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[Matt Jones]

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[Myron Metcalf]

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[Matt Jones]

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[Myron Metcalf]

Auto zone restrictions apply. Ryan Reynolds here for I guess my hundredth mint commercial. No, no, no, no, no, no, don't. No, no, no. I mean, honestly, when I started this, I thought I'd only have to do like four of these. I mean it's unlimited to Premium Wireless for $15 a month. How are there still people paying two or three times that much? I'm sorry, I shouldn't be victim blaming. Here, give it a [e-mail] switch whenever you're ready.

[Matt Jones]

$45 upfront payment equivalent to $15 per month. New customers on first three month plan only taxes and fees, extra Speed slower above 40 gigabytes.

[Myron Metcalf]

CD tails receivers each way.

[Matt Jones]

Snap Howard back. Howard throws end zone.

[Myron Metcalf]

It is caught. Touchdown Emeka Abuka.

[Matt Jones]

Caleb downs will let it bounce at the 30. Takes an Indiana bounce to the 20. Picks it up.

[Myron Metcalf]

Room service.

[Matt Jones]

Hop Downs spins by one defender.

[Myron Metcalf]

Right sideline, 30 to the 40 yard line, 50 to the 40.

[Matt Jones]

Touches outside the numbers.

[Myron Metcalf]

He may go downs in the 20.

[Matt Jones]

Downs in the 10 downs. Touchdown Ohio State. We're gritty, we're resilient, it doesn't matter what happens. And we're the hardest playing team in the country and we want to prove.

[Myron Metcalf]

That every single week. That was Mark Kestershire on the call the Ohio State game yesterday. I watched the Ohio State Indiana game. It was exactly what I thought would happen. Indiana is a nice story, but Google me needs to take a step back because I did google him and it said he lost 37 to 15 yesterday against the Ohio State Buckeyes, a complete domination. Thankfully for Indiana at the end of that game, it kind of looked like they weren't going to make it, make the playoff. And then the sort of results, the collapse of the SEC there at the end has made it to where I think they're probably almost certainly in. What did you think about the Ohio State Indiana game, Myron?

[Matt Jones]

I mean, I expected Ohio State to win. You're playing, you playing the Buckeyes on the road. I don't know how many teams win that game in college football.

[Myron Metcalf]

Not many, but there's probably teams that make it more competitive than Indiana possibly.

[Matt Jones]

But then, you know, again, the SEC goes in a row with three ranked teams losing unranked teams. It's just hard to win on the road, period. So I thought people were over the top on Indiana and saying this is the game that defines them when actual, in actuality, what does defines most teams in college football.

[Myron Metcalf]

What does define again, their best win this year is against a team that is now six and five.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I don't. They couldn't like they couldn't decide mid season like hey sec, can we play Ole Miss in Alabama in week nine and 10?

[Myron Metcalf]

Do you think if Indiana played Ole Miss in Alabama, do you think they'd beat them?

[Matt Jones]

They have a chance. Yeah, they definitely have a shot. I think in those situations. Here's the thing with the committee, right? Here's the thing with the committee. People talking about their strength of schedule. They were still fifth with that strength of schedule. So this idea that everything was on Ohio State, it doesn't make sense to me if you already had them as a top five team with the schedule they had at that point. They beat all those teams and it wasn't close. Even though they didn't have the best schedule. You go on the road and lose all.

[Myron Metcalf]

They beat all the worst team they beat I think everything is true that you said the games weren't close and it's not necessarily their fault. Their schedule's bad, certainly their Big Ten schedule. I think you could, you could criticize them for their non conference. They didn't just play bad teams, they played like the worst teams. But losing to Ohio State, no harm, no foul. I wish they had kept it closer. But you know what? That happens. Here's my thing about the Indiana conversation. I just wish people would be honest about it. I just wish people would note part of the issue here for the SEC and the Big Ten. So I'm giving the anti Big Ten argument. A lot of these teams aren't good. You're given the anti SEC argument but in reality both of these conferences have the same thing to blame for mine. And your argument, me downplaying Indiana is because the Big Ten has expanded and made it to where it's impossible to judge their teams. You're downplaying the SEC and the SEC only has itself to blame. They've expanded so much that they've made it to where their teams just have to go through a gauntlet during the season. Isn't the sort of expansion of these leagues partially why they have the right to complain or don't have the right to complain right now? They did it to themselves.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I don't know man. That that's what it is like to me. They did do it. They made it even more difficult. But it's also like an expanded playoff. Like the idea is in the expansion era there's going to be more opportunities. Like this is legitimately like the Lane Kiffin playoff and he does it get in. Guys like that are supposed to have a better opportunity despite their team, their conferences being even more competitive. But I think if you're outside the Big Ten in the sec, like if you're looking at this playoff, if I'm in the ACC, the big 12, group of five, Notre Dame, whoever. What you realize it is going to be very, very difficult to find your way into the 12 team playoff unless you win your league. And like that is how you have to approach the season.

[Myron Metcalf]

I agree with that. If you're outside of the season, I agree with that. I totally agree with that.

[Matt Jones]

But it's the reality.

[Myron Metcalf]

I think, I totally agree with that and I think they know that. And I also. There are some teams. I just want you to know, Martin, I'm not blanket taking up for the sec. There's a couple teams in the SEC that have no right to complain. One of them is Ole Miss, you have no right to complain. You lost to Kentucky at home and you lost to Florida yesterday. For me, Lane Kiffin has no right to complain. And I thought it was the height of hubris for him to come out this week and go, you know, it kind of be better to not make the SEC game and then go lose the floor. You know what, you deserve that, Lane. So Ole Miss has no right to complain. I'll also say LSU has no right to complain. Right. Brian Kelly, you played USC to start the season. USC beat you and USC stinks. So you can't walk around and say you're better than the teams in the other conferences. You had a chance to play them and you lost. So if it comes down in the end to SMU and Ole Miss or SMU and lsu, I think Ole Miss is better. But I don't think Ole Miss can complain, Myron, because you lost to a 1 in 7 Kentucky team in conference in your home stadium.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean legitimately. When the 12 team playoff was announced, I think most people thought Elaine Kiffin, like, here's your chance.

[Myron Metcalf]

That's right.

[Matt Jones]

The playoff was literally created for Lane Kiffin and guys like that who can, no matter what happens at a given year, you get into the playoff, you get the contract extension, people call you a good coach, you have to get in. And so for him to miss this opportunity, especially after what he said during the week, it's embarrassing, you know, so we shouldn't have sympathy for teams like that who have had so many opportunities. But I also think we can't just say, hey, a three loss SEC team, if that's what we get with Georgia, automatically deserves to be in over a two loss SMU team if that scenario happens. But that will happen, and it should.

[Myron Metcalf]

And Heather Dennis from ESPN senior college football writer, best and best week ever explains why it not only could happen. Well, she'll say why it could.

[Matt Jones]

If the selection committee is going to put two lost teams ahead of one loss teams, which we've already seen, then.

[Myron Metcalf]

Think of it this way, you're just dropping down to the next batch and now you're comparing three lost teams with two lost teams.

[Matt Jones]

So don't be surprised to see three.

[Myron Metcalf]

Lost teams ahead of two lost teams. Because yes, at some point you're saying.

[Matt Jones]

Well, if it's Alabama or Tulane, what do you do?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I mean, if it's. First of all, if it's Alabama or Tulane, you have to be drunk to put in Tulane because Alabama's better. You know, ultimately, this whole argument you And I are having is a. Is a in practice version of a theoretical argument. What matters to you most in life? Does it matter what you deserve or does it matter who's better? Right. And that's ultimately what this is. Myron is sort of arguing for deserve and I am arguing for better. And ultimately the NCAA tournament in basketball has never been clear whether or not therefore deserve or better. And I'm not sure if the College Football Playoff. Myron has either.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, Socrates, I mean that was. What did you say? An in season practice on the physics of nature. What did you say?

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, no, I'm just saying.

[Matt Jones]

What was that the argument Greek philosopher on me, man.

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, you know, sometimes I like what is. I mean, listen. I have to listen to enough drivel from people online or from people on TV right now. Like we put the people yelling the dumbest things. Let me try to add some intellectualism. SMU or even Tulane might deserve to be in there.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

But the question for me is who's better and if. And we all know Georgia would be better. And so the question just for everybody is what matters to you more? Who deserves or who's better?

[Matt Jones]

Smu. Mom's tick tock. I think they deserve.

[Myron Metcalf]

See, I knew he got distracted. Nick. He got distracted. I didn't get distracted, Mom. Dick talk. You were sitting there.

[Matt Jones]

You were standing on a rock.

[Myron Metcalf]

In ancient Rome, this woman paid $9700 that outfit. Oh, my goodness. We'll go to the NFL next.

[Matt Jones]

Hey, it's Evan Cohen.

[Myron Metcalf]

Coming up Monday, we'll react to the impactful week 12 in the NFL.

[Matt Jones]

A huge game in college football, and.

[Myron Metcalf]

Of course, get you ready for the Harbaugh bowl on Monday night. It's unsportsmanlike. 6:00am Eastern right here on ESPN Radio, ESPN2 and ESPNU.

[Matt Jones]

Matt and Myron, the podcast. The Lions are far and away the best team in football.

[Myron Metcalf]

The Lions are a great team, but I am not drawing any dramatic conclusions. After two victories against the AFC South.

[Matt Jones]

I think Lions are the best team.

[Myron Metcalf]

In the nfc, but I still think there are better teams in the afc.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know if anybody can beat.

[Myron Metcalf]

The Lions right now, and I don't mean at all, period.

[Matt Jones]

Because they very much look like a.

[Myron Metcalf]

Team that is trying to prove a point. The Lions so far this year have been the best team in the nfc, but the Vikings, they're keeping pace behind them NFC north teams kind of, you know, leading the pack. Today the Lions play at the Colts. That'll be here on ESPN Radio. The Vikings go up against my struggling to say the least. Bears. Let's start with the Lions. After the Bills win the game last week against the Chiefs. Are the Lions your top pick in the NFL for best team right now?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. No, I mean, I think Buffalo made their case too. But no, the Lions are I think top. I mean they're the only, I think undefeated road team in the league right now. They just have it all and they've had the weather, injuries, man, you lose Aiden Hutchinson early, you go pick up Zaria Smith. I think we had a sack last week and that Jacksonville win. So I think they have it all. Dan Campbell, you know, certainly I don't know if he's the front runner for coach of the year, but he's right there with Mike Tomlin. So I think the Lions, to me you're not picking them over Kansas City yet, but they have a legit chance to leave this season with a Super bowl ring.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I mean for me there are three teams that are at the top. I think everybody would expect the Bills and Chiefs to be two of them. But I think you can now put the Lions right there. I'm kind of with you. I don't know if they were to play in the super bowl that I would take them, but I mean their numbers are pretty amazing. They have the longest active win streak with eight games. They're the, they've not had a nine win streak, the Lions, since 1934. So if they win today against the Colts, that's a pretty amazing streak. They haven't had a nine game winning streak since 1934. They've never been the first NFC team to reach 10 wins in a season. Ever. Ever. Yeah, there's never been a team reach it. The Lions have never been the one to do it. Now if you're so you can't help but be impressed. What's odd to me are your Minnesota Vikings, who at this moment are still only one game back. I mean, for all the sort of. They've kind of faded in in the background. Sam Darnold has 14 turnovers this season. It's the most in the NFL. He hasn't played as well recently. But with all that said, Myron, they're 8 and 2. There's still a game back. If they beat the Bears today and the Lions were to be upset at the Colts, they would be on top of the NFC North. I mean, are you surprised that we're 10 weeks into the year and the Vikings are still kind of holding serve?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. I mean, who would have ever thought that Jared Goff and Sam Donald would lead teams that be in this situation. I mean, Sam Donald, the thing is, like the mistakes he's mad he's made, it hasn't cost them in the win column yet, you know, but the reality is you can't go in the playoffs and do that. Like, you can't have the most turnovers in the NFL going to the playoffs, make those mistakes and expect to win. Like, the reality is like a, Jared Goff and Sam Donald, historically, those guys don't lead teams to Super Bowls. I think that's what Sam Darnold is up against. So I think the concern, Matt, is how long can they overcome some of those errors that he's made. But he's also played better than he has at any point in his career and he has, I think, his best coach. So I just think Sam Darnold, it's not costing teams the way it has in the past when he makes those mistakes. The Vikings have been able to recover. The defense has been good. I think the Vikings are a legit contender in the NFC right now.

[Myron Metcalf]

Do you. But ultimately, do you believe in Sam Darnold when the chips are down? I mean, let's say that you're playing in the NFC Championship, they're playing at Detroit, they're down four with two minutes to go. I mean, we know that. We feel like Mahomes can win in that situation. Josh Allen can win in that situation. Do you, do you feel like A, Jared Goff can win in that situation and B, Sam Darnold can win in that situation?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean, I think that'll be the thing.

[Myron Metcalf]

Like, because again, what do you think? Of course that's the thing.

[Matt Jones]

I think. I don't think Sam Donald can. I don't think Sam Donald can do it on his own. You know, that's not what he is. I mean, he is the embodiment of a system quarterback. So he's not, to me, going to go into that situation and be a big play guy. Like, you can't even put him in that situation. The Vikings have to be in the middle.

[Myron Metcalf]

Let's say he is in that situation because he'll be in the playoffs. To win a Super bowl, unless you're a dominant team, you're going to have that situation at least.

[Matt Jones]

I agree.

[Myron Metcalf]

So can he. So do. Can he handle that situation?

[Matt Jones]

I wouldn't pick it. You know what I mean? Like, if you tell me that's the situation, I would be concerned about that because I, I don't think he's that kind of quarterback. I Think he's the kind of quarterback where if things are going well, you're in control of the game and you're not telling him that he has to be the guy that leads everything. You're in a good spot with Sam Darnold if he can be one of your top contributors. If you're telling them he has to pull you to victory, that's a whole different situation. And I don't think he's proven that in his career yet. And I think that's the, that's the mystery about the Vikings going forward. Can Sam Darnold be that in those situations?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I don't think he can. And I, you know, every week they kind of keep going. It's hard for me to say that the Vikings are a mirage. I mean, they're probably going to beat the Bears today, at which point they'll be 9 and 2. And so if you're 9 and 2, there comes a point like, how often do I have to keep saying they're not good? At some point they prove themselves. But I just know, like, I can't wait to bet against Sam Darnold in a big playoff game. Okay? So I don't know. I don't know which one it's going to be in, but there's going to be a playoff game where I'm going to go and I'm going to go, you know what? Sam Darnold's a 3 1/2 point favorite. How about I fade against that? Because I think there's a decent chance he won't do it. Now on the other side with the Lions, I am shocked at how confident they. I am in them. Maybe you can tell me on ESPN bet Nick, what it is right now for the Lions to make the Super Bowl. Because whatever it is, I don't see an NFC team that can beat them in a. In their stadium if they end up with the number one seed. Who you picking against them?

[Matt Jones]

History. I mean, they haven't done it right? I mean, at the end of the day, like, this is a franchise that just hasn't been in this.

[Myron Metcalf]

Other franchises we're talking for haven't been in it either. I mean, Minnesota hasn't. Arizona hasn't. Like, I still, you know, but I.

[Matt Jones]

Think what's, what's true about the Lions and every other team. You said this earlier. Which quarterback would you bet on in the NFC at all? Like, who's the quarterback? Where you tell me they're in the playoffs and they gotta win a game for you that you're Certain about you're gonna pick Jalen Hurts, you're gonna pick Jordan Love, who has 11 interceptions this year the most.

[Myron Metcalf]

I don't love any of them. I don't love any.

[Matt Jones]

That's the challenge, though.

[Myron Metcalf]

But I do think though. All right, so let's talk about the quarterbacks that are on the best teams right now. You got Jalen Hertz, Jared Goff, Sam Darnold, Kyler Murray, Brock Purdy Smith.

[Matt Jones]

Maybe.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, yeah, maybe Geno Smith, maybe Kirk Cousins. So you look at that group, I mean, I think I would at this point today take Jared Goff as much as I would anybody else. You know what I mean? I mean, like why would you.

[Matt Jones]

You would probably in that conversation because of the team around him. But they don't have the quarterbacks and I don't think any team has that quarterback where you go, don't worry about the situation. That is the guy you gotta bet on. And I think that's what makes the NFC playoff picture so interesting. I think Sam Donner is a guy who could collapse down the stretch in the big playoff game. But we watched Derek Goff throw five interceptions a week ago. So he's really a believable quarterback because.

[Myron Metcalf]

There are people who love when we. When you do ranking. So let's do a ranking for a minute. Let's say two minutes left, down four or down two and you got to drive down the field. What quarterback do you want to have? I'm going to rank the top five in the league and you tell me what you would change in the NFC.

[Matt Jones]

Or the whole league.

[Myron Metcalf]

Who's the best? The whole league. It's not who's the best. Who do you want to have the ball with? 2 minutes to go. I'm still putting my homes one today, tomorrow, whatever. I'm going to put Josh Allen two today, tomorrow, whatever. I'M going to put Burrow three. Because even though they didn't win, I still feel like he makes those plays when he has to. Down the stretch I'm going to go Lamar 4. But I will say that's a. That's a tentative one. He's done it some, but then sometimes he doesn't.

[Matt Jones]

Not enough.

[Myron Metcalf]

And I think number five is really, really hard for me. I guess I'm probably, I'm going to probably go a little off the board here and take Matthew Stafford in that situation down and needing one touchdown. What about you? Where would you change anything on that order?

[Matt Jones]

I think that's a fairly strong list because I mean you have what, one NFC quarterback on this list and I think.

[Myron Metcalf]

And one not on one of the best four or five teams right now.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Because I don't think you can put Jordan Love or Sam Darnold, Jared Goff or Brock Purdy. I mean, I might put Purdy there, actually.

[Myron Metcalf]

I think, I think Purdy and Stidderford.

[Matt Jones]

Might be in my fifth spot. I mean just because we've seen him play into. But I mean he's led a team to the late stages of the playoffs, so. But the NFC doesn't have. Because this is old Matthew Stafford and the Rams are injured. Like half their roster is on the injury list every week. Right. So you can't count on them and.

[Myron Metcalf]

The guys I know and I don't count on them to be there, but if you put them in that moment, I kind of think he'd find a way to do it. You know what I mean? If they could get to the, if they could get through the first however many minutes, 57 minutes to put them there, then I actually would feel confident in that situation.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I think the challenge on that list is going to be where does Lamar stand at the end of all this? Because now you got a Ravens team that is in a really tough playoff spot. They're going to have to travel in the first couple of weeks and they got to go through Pittsburgh and then through Buffalo or Kansas City to try to get to a Super Bowl. They're in a tough spot, man. So I think Lamar is four now, but he might fall if he can't find a way to wield his team to a Super Bowl.

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, actually the way it works out, he's probably going to have to, you know, they'll be the 5 seed. So he's probably going to have to win in both places. He's probably going to have to win in Kansas City and Buffalo and that is a, that is a very, very difficult way to go. But interesting comment. Maybe. I don't know who else you could put on that list though, to be honest with you. To me, that's kind of.

[Matt Jones]

No quick interjection here. I didn't have enough time for it on screen. Most game winning drives this year, Mahomes obviously. Number one at four. Two and three and four. You guys didn't even mention who is Gino, Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff and Jalen Hurts.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I mean they would be in my next tier. I almost put Jalen Hurts number five.

[Matt Jones]

You can't put Kirk Cousins on that list though. You can't put him on. The stats are never the stats never tell the story about Kirk Cousins, so you can't put him on that list.

[Myron Metcalf]

Coming up. Don't look now, but Bo Nicks. Yeah, that Bo Nicks. He's making a case for rookie of the year. Could he be the best quarterback in the draft? Could there be four really good quarterbacks from this draft?

[Matt Jones]

You got a Bo Nick segment. It's a rough week, Myron.

[Myron Metcalf]

I'm just telling you. This is a Bo Nick segment. By the way, before we go, one person writes, I think Myron is just looking for his future wife on SMU. TikTok the moment you've said that since then his mind has been in another place.

[Matt Jones]

No, it has not been.

[Myron Metcalf]

No, I just told you what they're saying. This is what the people are saying.

[Matt Jones]

You can take the Bo Nick segment off if you want, Myron.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, just scroll. Just be like, I spent $9,300 on this. On this outfit. For SMU versus PIT. Next here on Countdown to Kickoff, Jim.

[Matt Jones]

Harbaugh has the Chargers in the playoff hunting his first year in Los Angeles and now faces his toughest test yet, his brother John. And the Ravens get the very latest with the voice of Monday Night Football Joe buck tomorrow at 1:15pm Eastern on Carlin versus Joe on ESPN radio and on the ESPN app, Matt and Myron. The podcast.

[Myron Metcalf]

With an extra alignment of the game. That is Matt Kurt lined up as a tight end on the right side. Play fake for Knicks.

[Matt Jones]

And third and two loads it up.

[Myron Metcalf]

He's got a home run ball. It is their touchdown. Denver Cortland Sutton.

[Matt Jones]

What a call. What a throw.

[Myron Metcalf]

32 yard touchdown pass on third down and two. It is countdown to kickoff here presented by Progressive insurance. That was 850k away. Showing you a little Bo Nick's action. Matt Jones, Meyer Metcalf. By the way, I do have to tell you one quick thing, Myron. That happened in Lexington, Kentucky yesterday. It was great. Indiana played Ohio State and football. Right. And you know, I want you to look on the map of Kentucky. Think about your United States map. What are some states that border Kentucky?

[Matt Jones]

Indiana is right there. Tennessee is right there. Yeah, what else? That state to the west of it. It's not Ohio.

[Myron Metcalf]

No, I wasn't prepared for city as well. And Ohio is to the north of it. Ohio, you've landed.

[Matt Jones]

No, I got nervous.

[Myron Metcalf]

I was in Kentucky.

[Matt Jones]

No, I was in the sixth grade. Geography be all of a sudden, man, I was having flashbacks.

[Myron Metcalf]

Not good at it. But that's okay. But you mentioned two of them.

[Matt Jones]

I think Michelle Cheated, by the way. But yeah, go ahead. Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

Indiana and Ohio border Kentucky. They play yesterday. Indiana, Ohio State. The local Fox affiliate in Lexington did not show the game and instead showed a girls high school basketball scrimmage. Okay, there was in Kentucky.

[Matt Jones]

What?

[Myron Metcalf]

In Kentucky, they blacked out the Indiana Ohio State game and showed two, not one, but two high school basketball preseason scrimmages. The of Lexington has a lot of Indiana and Ohio State fans because it borders those two states. People, Byron, lost their minds. I mean, they absolutely lost their minds. It was like if you just were to search on Twitter, Fox 56 News and just go look at what people were tweeting them yesterday. It was one of my favorite things, things I've seen in a long time. Not the best programming decision to skip Indiana Ohio State for a girls basketball scrimmage.

[Matt Jones]

Who made the choice? Like, I mean, what was the justification for that?

[Myron Metcalf]

The justification was that they thought they were going to be preempting a Northwestern Michigan game and then Fox changed it and that they thought and it was too late to switch the scrimmage.

[Matt Jones]

Come on, it's never too late to switch. This is TV. You can hit a button. I hate when TV people act like they got to take 56 steps to make things like this happen. Hit the doggone button and play the game everybody wants to see.

[Myron Metcalf]

Man, that was one of the great. Just think about how angry you'd be if, like your big game was just taken away for a high school scrimmage.

[Matt Jones]

Now that's mad.

[Myron Metcalf]

Denver Broncos with Bo Nicks have been surprisingly good this year. Like, you know, competent. Sean Payton's done a good job with Bo Nicks. Bo Nicks is one of only three rookies in NFL history with a 75% completion percentage and three pass touchdowns in multiple games. Dak Prescott and Justin Herbert, the only ones. Other two other people that ever done Denver 6 and 2 or excuse me, 6 and 5. So now you look at the rookies in the league. Bo Nicks is playing great. Jaden Daniels obviously had a heck of a start. Caleb Williams, Yeah, the Bears lost in a heartbreaking fashion again last week, but he looked great. And then Drake May has had his moments. Is there a chance that the league got four competent rookies in this draft? Myron?

[Matt Jones]

It's possible. I mean, this. This could be a, you know, a fun class at a minimum. It's intriguing, right? Caleb Williams. Caleb Williams. You know, we know all the strugglings in Chicago, but he's not going much better. Everybody playing better, but, I mean, he's playing much better. Yeah. And I think people look at him and go, okay, what pieces do we have to put around him from the coaching staff on down to get the most out of him? So that'll be fun to watch. The years ahead, we've seen Jay McDaniels and what he's been able to be. Drake May, I think has surprised people and the Patriots feel like they have something to work with. But Bo Nicks has been the biggest surprise man. And I think he's helped Sean Payton rise in the coach of the year conversation right there with Mike Tomlin and Dan Campbell. Like he had what, 300 plus yards last week against the Falcons, four touchdowns, completed like 86% of his passes. I mean, pretty remarkable what he's been able to do to this point. And it looks like you might have four guys who could make the case that they're franchise quarterbacks in the years ahead. And I can't think the last time we had a class like that where you had that many guys in the conversation to be the quarterback of the future for their franchise.

[Myron Metcalf]

Let's say you were drafting today and you were having to pick the quarterback for the future. I think for me right now I would go Daniels 1, Williams 2, Knicks 3, May 4. But I think I'd be pretty happy with any of them if I had them on my team. What would you do?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, Daniels will be one, I think for everybody at this point, you know, and I'm glad you've come around to that because.

[Myron Metcalf]

No, no, I'm not saying he'll be better forever. Well, hang on. I'm not saying he'll be better forever. I'm just saying if I had to make a decision today, you have to base it on what you've seen. And I think at this point Daniels has shown more. But I'm not ready to give up forever that Williams could be better.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, well, we're going to find out. Daniels would be number one. I think Williams still number two because of the potential there. And again they're going to put you hope if you're the Bears fans, like the right coach, the right staff, the right people around him. I think Bo Nicks is number three and then, yeah, Drake May at four. But you could see all of those guys, you could see all of those guys working their way to being second contract guys potentially. It's really early, but again, I don't know the last time we had four quarterbacks in the class since maybe what that mahomes that class.

[Myron Metcalf]

But we also thought these Guys could.

[Matt Jones]

All be quarterbacks in the future.

[Myron Metcalf]

We also had people in that class like Trubisky, who was not good. I think at this point, you know, Pinnix has barely played. McCarthy hasn't played at all. But I think we haven't had an obvious bust yet. And when's the last time you can say that, Myron, where you've had a bunch of rookies play and haven't had one yet, just look like they're just not good.

[Matt Jones]

That's the thing. It's been a while, you know, and it's a good thing for the league, man, because you know, what we're seeing with sort of the Aaron Rodgers generation is you want to see that next class of quarterbacks, like who are they going to be? And Daniels obviously has looked at part, but Bo Nicks is intriguing. Caleb Williams, we'll see what he becomes. And then Drake may. You know, the Patriots fans have been waiting on a guy that they can build around again. So it's good for the league to have these rookies playing at this level.

[Myron Metcalf]

By the way, I just. I just hate that Aaron Rogers hadn't played well. I mean, such a.

[Matt Jones]

You think he'll come back? You think he's back?

[Myron Metcalf]

Humble. Just such a humble guy that you just.

[Matt Jones]

What is he doing next year? If you had to bet now, what is he doing next year? What do you think if he. If you had to bet right now? Is he playing football or is he.

[Myron Metcalf]

On a podcast hosting an unlistenable podcast? He's awful. No, he's awful. Yeah, you know, I hate.

[Matt Jones]

You can't come back.

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean, what a good. What a nice guy. Coming up, the Colts are looking for their future quarterback, but will it be enough to compete with the Lions? We will talk to somebody. Calling the game next on ESPN Radio. Hey, it's Greeny. And a huge Monday is on the.

[Matt Jones]

Way after a sensational weekend of football, both college and pro. And we're looking ahead to what could easily be a preview of AFC playoff game with the Chargers and Ravens on Monday night. It's greeny starting 10am Eastern on ESPN.

[Myron Metcalf]

Radio and the ESPN app.

[Matt Jones]

Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the Podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10:00am Eastern on ESPN radio, the ESP and on SiriusXM channel 80. Matt and Myron, the podcast.