Billy Liucci: Does Texas A&M Have a Texas Problem?

Summary

Podcast Summary: That SEC Football Podcast

Episode: Billy Liucci: Does Texas A&M Have a Texas Problem?
Date: August 2, 2026
Host: Michael Bratton (“SEC Mike”), Shane, Guest: Billy Liucci (TexAgs)

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Michael Bratton ("SEC Mike"), Cousin Shane, and guest Billy Liucci (longtime Texas A&M insider and founder of TexAgs) dive into the pivotal question: does Texas A&M have a “Texas problem” as their rivalry intensifies in the SEC? The discussion covers Texas A&M’s expectations, the fierce SEC landscape, the resurgence of the Texas rivalry, playoff possibilities, quarterback evaluations, and the impact of Mike Elko’s leadership.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

SEC Teams and the Nature of Fandom

• The hosts share humorous animal-attack hypotheticals before shifting to SEC personalities.
• Lane Kiffin is dubbed “the biggest snake in the SEC”—not as a diss, but as a sign of respect.

  “It is [Lane], for sure. LSU fans know that, too...but they're like, that's our snake.” (Host 2, 07:35)

• SEC fans passionately defend their disliked coaches once they become “their guy,” a recurring conference theme.

Texas A&M’s Place in the SEC & The Path Forward

• Fifteen Years in the SEC:
  Billy Liucci contextualizes A&M’s tenure:

  “This is the 15th year in the SEC for A&M. You know how long they were in the Big 12? 16. It's crazy to think for me that they have been in the SEC pretty much as long as they were in the Big 12.” (Billy Liucci, 09:14)

• The Aggies are adjusting to their growing SEC identity: more parity, tighter schedules, constant fan expectations.

SEC Playoffs: Parity & Uncertainty

• Strength of Schedule:
  The group debates whether Aggies missing (or making) a bowl or the playoff is more likely in a loaded SEC.
  Liucci argues that A&M should match up with almost every SEC team on talent:

  “If I look at A&M’s schedule, I say, should the Aggies be better, worse, or the same as this team? ... At worst, even if not better than 11 of the 12. I'll give Texas a nod there, and they get them at home.” (Billy Liucci, 13:03)

• SEC Parity in 2026:
  Predictions range from floors as low as 7-5 to ceilings at 10-2/playoff berth for a half dozen SEC teams.
• Multiple “coin-toss” games complicate projections; nine-win teams could still sneak into the playoff given tough schedules.

SEC Quarterback Rankings & Marcel Reed

• Host ranks Marcel Reed (A&M QB) as the fifth-best in the conference—a spot some fans find too low.
• Liucci pushes back on narratives that downplay Reed’s performance:

  “The finish was not good, but...they stopped running the football [in the last three games]...He played probably...the best half of football played in the SEC last year.” (Billy Liucci, 21:40)

• National skepticism often comes because most only watch A&M in big moments/losses.
• Prediction: A&M’s offense could go more up-tempo and spread, leveraging a deep and underrated receiver group this season.

Roster Strengths and Question Marks

• Receivers:
  Names to watch: Mario Craver, Terry Bussey, Isaiah Horton, Ashton Bethel-Roman, and Aaron Gregory.

  “The most underrated group I think in the SEC is the A&M wide receivers.” (Billy Liucci, 28:02)

• Offensive Line:
  A&M lost four starters to the NFL; new faces from the portal create uncertainty.
• Running Back & Defense:
  Reuben Owens’ continued growth and the need to replace three drafted defensive linemen (including SEC DPOY) are major storylines.
• Coaching:
  New OC Holmon Wiggins brings intrigue but inexperience, while Liucci expresses total confidence in DC Mike Elko’s defensive work.

The Big Question: Does Texas A&M Have a “Texas Problem”?

• Liucci’s nuanced take: Not yet, but potentially soon:

  “I say, not yet. But they would if they lost this year. ... If they lose two out of three, I mean three in a row and two of those at Kyle Field, then I think you go, yeah, they got an issue here.” (Billy Liucci, 31:00)

• Texas has, by A&M’s own captain’s admission, “kept them out of Atlanta two years in a row.”
• Historically, A&M has rarely beaten Texas since the rivalry resumed—but context is key (including not playing in Austin since 2010).

Elko Era – National Title Hopes & Program Direction

• On Mike Elko’s long-term outlook:

  “It's as high under him as it's ever been. ... The culture in that program...is a lot different than I've ever seen it.” (Billy Liucci, 35:58)

• Elko's relentless recruiting and NIL efforts have made A&M a “have” in the modern era.
• “If anyone is the right coach for A&M, it’s Elko.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On A&M’s SEC Identity:
  “Aggies love that. And when they came to the SEC, they joined a league where everybody's like that same way. So I think that's part of why it was such a fit.” (Billy Liucci, 09:20)
• On Conference Strength & Scheduling:
  “Look at all those teams. ... The gap between that group of like eight teams is so minimal...” (Billy Liucci, 13:26)
• On Quarterback Criticism:
  “If you show that and you don't go show the bad throws by guys like Matier, Levitt, and Arch Manning, go show their misses last year. ... You could put together a hell of a highlight reel of incredible plays made by number 10 in maroon and white.” (Billy Liucci, 23:49)
• On Beating Texas:
  “Of all the games on that schedule, they need to beat Texas this year. ... They’ve kept us out of Atlanta two years in a row. That is obviously something that sticks in the craw because it is reality.” (Billy Liucci, 33:40)
• On Mike Elko:
  “I am truly convinced that Mike Elko is their right guy. And they've been searching for that really since RC Slocum.” (Billy Liucci, 38:49)

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Segment Timestamps

• [02:20-07:10] – Cold Opening & Wildlife Banter—Setting a fun, comedic SEC tone.
• [07:11-10:18] – “Biggest Snake in the SEC,” Fandom Shifts, and A&M’s Conference Identity.
• [10:31-18:13] – SEC Playoff Predictions and Parity, the Case for A&M’s Ceiling and Floor.
• [18:13-21:21] – SEC Schedules & Perceptions: How schedules look better/worse in hindsight.
• [21:21-27:12] – Marcel Reed’s Reputation, Quarterback Debates, and Offense Outlook.
• [28:02-30:55] – Roster Deep Dive––Receivers, O-Line Turnover, Running Back Questions, Holmon Wiggins as OC.
• [31:00-35:30] – “Texas Problem” Analysis—Historical Context, Emotional Impact, 2026 Stakes.
• [35:32-38:59] – Elko’s Direction, National Title Probability, Institutional Support.
• [39:05-41:08] – College Station Recommendations: Where to Eat, What to Experience.
• [41:21-43:27] – Boldest SEC Takes for 2026 (Texas playoff odds, Kentucky optimism).
• [43:32-47:01] – SEC Coaching Hot Seats, South Carolina Stories, and Halftime Hysteria.
• [47:01-End] – Closing Banter, Social Media Plugs.

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Fun Recommendations & Rapid-Fire

• College Station Must-Tries:
  • Republic Steakhouse, 1775 Barbecue, Cooper’s Barbecue
  • Midnight Yell at Kyle Field
  • Visit Northgate, especially during home football weekends
• Boldest SEC Take:
  • Kentucky (Will Stein) predicted as most impressive Year One coaching job after LSU
  • Texas projected at 9-10 wins, but only in playoff with win over Ohio State

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Final Thoughts

This episode is essential listening for Aggies and SEC fans alike. It showcases the unique pressures, narratives, and stakes facing Texas A&M as their rivalry with Texas heats up—and as Mike Elko and Marcel Reed aim to navigate one of the most competitive, unpredictable seasons in SEC history.

For more:
Follow Billy Liucci on X/Twitter @billyliucci
Follow the hosts @MichaelWBratton and @BigOrangeVolz

End of summary.

Transcript

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[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Yeah.

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[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I don't trust your nuts.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Well, speaking of nut sacks, Billy Lucci, Texas on the show.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

How.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

How's the bear situation right now? Shane in the Smokies?

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

One second, dude, I am getting there. Sorry, I'm a little slower than Mike. All right. Boom.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Look at these little ergonomic computer stands. Y' all have I like it.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Yeah, the bear. The bear scene is. Is pretty wild in Gatlinburg.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Is it?

[Serta Mattress Child Voice]

Yeah.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I've never seen them. I mean, they. They've always been kind of part of that area, but this is the most I've ever seen downtown, you know, I

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

feel like bears are making a comeback. Oh, yeah, like social media. A couple attacks in Glacier and Yellowstone. I've been following those because I was there last summer and supposed to go to Glacier here in August. And you're getting some attacks. You're getting them going crazy in Gatlinburg and Asheville, places like that. I've been. I'm on the bear.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

She kind of like. I don't want to say you root for him. I mean, I'm not rooting for.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Not to hurt people, but, yeah, I root like.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Like that bison with the. The guy that's just launched in the air. I mean, that was awesome, dude. But, I mean, there was a part of me, I was like, I hope he's okay.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Well, he did get hurt, so that makes it hard to. You know, he's an older guy that broke his leg. That ain't easy to come, but. But it was spectacular to see not only the flipping him, but just how mad that. That, like, he's gonna knock down a tree. Now, if you really want to go on a deep dive. Do moose attacks go? Just let moose attacks get in your algorithm. And you're. We were within. We were within from, well, 15ft from a mama moose and her baby last summer. And it was. If you'd seen those videos and how tall they are. And they'll just stomp you. They'll just stomp you out in one hit from one of those hoofs.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Let me ask you this. Which SEC coach most likely to get flipped by a bison in Yellowstone?

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

My first thought would be drinkwits. I don't know why that just popped into my head. Second might be the guy that's in there talking right now. Venables. Because I could see him try to, like, kind of, you know, bow up and not, you know, not back down to the.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Not be intimidated.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Hit the moose with a lot of cliches, like, hey, look, I'm gonna cliche this thing out. And then the moose just says, come on, man, and just boom.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Now, is there any. Any wildlife in College Station?

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

We should wear chain. When I walk my dog every night in a. Just little park right by my house, four doors from my house. I mean, you got the. The usual suspects. Rabbits, squirrels, possums. But probably I'D say at least three times a week, you see a copperhead, which you. You know, you don't want to see those on the sidewalk there in the path. We got foxes, we got bobcats, got deer, got hogs, a lot of hogs. And that's in a park, like in my neighborhood. So, yeah, we have. Texas has a ton. There's some. I don't know if you call them mountain lions in Texas, because there's no mountain lions. I've never seen one of those, but, you know, they're starting to be seen more.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I would say snakes would be up there because I heard what they were

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

doing that they were doing that.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Dutton Ranch.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Yeah. Oh, I saw that.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

And they had to get rid of all those snakes that were down there. I was like, damn. I didn't think about there being that many snakes.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

No, there's. And obviously where they're at, there are probably a lot of rattlesnakes, too. Like those five, six foot rattlesnakes. So, yeah, we have some. I'll tell you what. I saw something about a bug the other day, and it's. They said it's the most painful sting in North America. And it's called a red. They call them a cow killer. And it's called. It's a red velvet ant, but it's not an ant. It's a ground wasp.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Oh, interesting.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

And I'm walking down the. I'll show y' all afterwards. I'm walking, and my blind ass just happens to look down. I. Two days after every finding out that thing even exists. Like some Tick Tock guy that gets bit by everything. And I look down and I see one in. In my neighborhood. I'd never heard of it, and it was just crazy. It's like. It's like that Tick Tock just went and planted it there. So.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

We live in the matrix.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Had to step on it.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Well, speaking of snakes, who's the biggest snake in the escc?

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Mike's ready to get back to work.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Y' all put me on. You have time here. Biggest snake in the sec, huh? I feel like.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

I feel like I know the answer, but I'm just. I'm not saying.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I'm not saying Sark, if that's what you.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

No, not at all.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Oh, is it Lane?

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Of course. Of course.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I was like. I was sitting there going through them. Yeah, it is. For sure. Yeah, for sure. I think LSU fans know that, too. They wouldn't argue with it, but they're like, that's our snake.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Isn't that SEC Fandom, though. I mean, I truly love it. To where a year ago, LSU people hated Kiffin. Yeah, Hell with him. We got our guy and now he's their guy.

[Serta Mattress Adult Voice]

It's.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Damn. He's the best damn coach in the country. You know what?

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I love that. I love that. I mean, we'd all do it. Tennessee would do it. You guys could bring Lane back and would probably do it. A and M would do. Everybody would do. I like having the. I think this whole league likes having the guy that everybody hates because A, it means everybody's scared of it if they react that viscerally to that. And B, I remember well, to me, Texas A M and Elko's not viewed that way at all. But what A M does the. Oh, there's also Slosh. We forgot about that deal. Speaking of. But like A M. A M has always loved being able to say, like, this is our guy, it's our ball coach. Well, that was Jackie Cheryl, that was R.C. slocum, that was Billy Gillespie. Those are three that always stood out to me until, you know, when they. Now they're starting to do that with Elko. Aggies love that. And when they came to the sec, they joined a league where everybody's like that same way. So I think that's part of why it was such a fit. You know, I love what Bucky McMillan has done in year one and now this roster he's got now, I'm telling you, they're picked like I've seen him pick preseason, like 10 or 11. I think that's low. I think they're gonna be really good this year. But the Aggies went and tried to hire, you know, prior to landing on Bucky, they tried to hire Chris Beard. And Aggie fans would have loved it. You know, they would have loved the hire. Now, I don't know. I mean, Bucky McMillan had the better year at a M in year one and Beard didn't. But point being, with all that history, he was at Tech, he was at Texas, all the off court stuff that went on. When it got out that, hey, they're making a run at Chris Beard, I didn't see a lot of pushback. So that was very SEC of the A. But of course, y', all, this is the 15th year in the SEC for A and M. You know how long they were in the Big 12, 16. It's crazy to think for me that they have been in the SEC pretty much as long as they were in the. In the Big 12.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Well, I mean, I met David earlier And he was not too happy with me.

[Serta Mattress Child Voice]

But.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Yeah, I,

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I, here's the thing, man.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Would you, I love.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

No, no, no. I, I said, what is more likely, you know, make a college football playoffs or miss a ball or miss a bowl game? And, and, and I'm worried that going into this season, you know, Sankey was in there just talking about it. We're going into nine SEC games. I mean, it's, your schedule is a lot more daunting, I feel like, this year than it, you know, has been in years past. So it's not that I don't believe in Texas A and M. I just feel like the path is going. I don't know what it looks like. So when you have this standard that's so high, I mean, we just made the playoffs, we had that long undefeated run. There has to be a little bit of you worried that, what if we drop one or two early in the season? What does it look like? Are you worried about any of this?

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Yeah, but I think everyone in the SEC should.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Yeah.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

You know, so I, I apply that. Like, I tell a lot of A M fans and listeners or some of my buddies, like, anybody that gets to, I'm like, yeah, you know what? Like, Marcel has some, I think people forget how good that dude was all year, last year, until the last two games. He pointed at you. But like, he had, he had a badass season. And I know, like, okay, well, Arkansas was Arkansas. Compare what he did against Arkansas to what everyone else did against Arkansas. Compare what he did against Missouri to whatever. That's a good defense on the road that everyone else did against Mizzou, Auburn. I've done this with, with Mattier, Ty Simpson, Arch Chambliss, Stockton. I, I've, I've done, I've compared the numbers. Take all of those games and then throw in a Notre Dame game where he had 400 yards. And everyone just forgets it because they go, well, it was early in the season, South Carolina was the worst. And then the best half I've seen from him. Just take him and you go, well, man, he really needs to cut down the interceptions. And he had some bad ones that were real costly down the stretch there. But I don't hear people saying that about Mattier, who had like 30 interceptions dropped and threw about the same number as Marcel. I don't, I don't hear about, like, lsu. Everybody's on, did you go study what Sam Levitt did last year in the Big 12 with a number one pick? You know, a first round wide receiver, first round left tackle, a tailback that got a million dollars or so to go to Texas. A tailback the year before in Cam Scatter. Boo, like, go break down what he's actually done and not done to me and the schedule, right? Look at all those teams. And I go like this. If I look at A and M schedule, I say, should the Aggies be better, worse, or the same as this team? And you go 12 games. Look at Bama, right. I think it's fair to say today when you look at what each team is bringing back and what's in the portal, A and M is at worst, even if not better than 11 of the 12. I'll give Texas a nod there and they get them at home. Slight, slight nod, though. I mean, like Texas and Georgia to me are right at the top. And then you can go in any order. Ole Miss, Bama, Ou, A&M. And then right there with the threat to come up in there, Tamir, Tennessee and lsu. But I mean the gap between that group of like eight teams is. Is so minimal. So Texas can go lose in Baton Rouge, they can lose to Ole Miss, they could lose to A and M ou, but all those games could go either way. So I think what you're saying, Shane, I agree with it.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I don't think.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I agree with the missing bowl versus playoff thing, but if you're sitting there going, can this team go seven and five? Yeah, I think, I think that's their, their floor and I think their ceiling is like a 10, 2 playoff berth. But I think I could say that about a half dozen teams in the conference. And that's why, okay, give me the quarterback. Now. He's got to improve some. We know that. But give me the quarterback. Give me what they're returning at the skill spots, give me what they're returning on defense, and I'll take my chances. But the schedule is brutal. But that's. I looked at Ole Miss, I mean, at. Oh, you just. Now who I think is going to be really good, right. If they lose two of three to Georgia, Texas and. And who is it that they play real early to? Ole Miss.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Yeah.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Oh, Michigan.

[Mattress Company Spokesperson]

Yeah.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

If they lose two of those three and then you look at the rest of their schedule, they're not making the playoffs. And I think that's a national championship defense with a quarterback that like Marcel could make a jump into that elite category.

[Shaquille O'Neal (Zepbound Commercial)]

This.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

We don't know that he will, but it's there. He's flashed it like so long answer. But man, I just think that's what makes this week so interesting is you can say that about almost everyone. So, I mean, if you would have said I could see him going 7 and 5, I would go, yeah, I don't think that's going to happen. But for. It's not shocking because like you said, if you drop one that you shouldn't and then you drop two close games that are last possession, you look up and you're flirting with seven and five.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I just feel like this year more than ever, like we're going to have so many coin toss games, coin toss matchups that we could sit here and we can say, okay, what does it look like at lsu? Was it look like at Alabama? But they're saying the exact same thing, you know, like, man, we got to get across Texas A and M and, and I don't know, man, I feel like this is going to. We talked about it many times that there's going to be some nine and three teams that are going to be getting in.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Well, do you think some? Because I think my biggest question for Greg Sankey this week is do you think some or do you? Because here's what I think. I think one, because I think the problem is. Well, you. I just think you're still going to have a couple of these 10 and twos. I don't think you'll have an 11. You might have an 11. I don't think so, though. You have a couple of these 10 and twos and then it's like, who at nine and three? You might have four teams at nine and three.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I got three nine and threes that are getting in. Texas nine and three is going to get in because they're going to look at Ohio State.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I could see that.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Oklahoma, Michigan and I feel like the third one, Georgia, just because it's.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I think they're going to lose three.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

No, I don't think so.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

But I feel like if they do. Yeah, yeah.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

That this could be a team that they're going to say like one of

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

my aggie buddies, like 9 and 3 gets us in on our schedule. I said, you say that unless Texas or OU are 9 and 3 and they played at Michigan and against Ohio State, whereas A and M played Arizona State. Or if Ole Miss is nine and three, they're. They're one of the schedules I do think looks even tougher than A and M's the big thing for the Aggies and for the Falls and for what you Missouri guy or OU this year? Oh, Oklahoma. He's Missouri.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Yeah.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Okay.

[Serta Mattress Adult Voice]

Okay.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

You're Oklahoma I know that, but I vote in Missouri.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

12th in the conference, I hope.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

See, that's the thing.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Okay?

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

So as an Aggie, if you're an A and M fan, you hope they are, because.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

But here's the thing, Billy. And they get mad at me for that. I think 12th in this conference is like seven and five. Yeah, I'm not saying that's a good year, but that's not awful either. Well, you're like two goes away from nine wins. That's. You know what I mean?

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

That's what it would be. Yeah. So I. I don't think anyone should be insulted by predictions this year. Just like what we just talked about, like, because, yeah, it could realistically happen to anyone. I think when you're talking about those playoff teams, the schedule this year for A M should be really tough. But we thought. Everyone told me how tough and unmanageable the schedule was for A M last year. And I'm not saying everyone said that. Right? And now it's because it was easy last year. Well, they did catch a break. But you know why they caught a break? Because everyone told me Florida finished so strong that Lagway and Florida were doing this and Ball and all their receivers. And Carolina caught fire. Carolina with Sellers and still Stewart, and they were back. So Carolina was going to be a brutally tough game. Lsu, how could A and M go win in Baton Rouge with the great Garrett Nussmeier? And that was Kelly. You were not beating Garrett Nussmeier. Lenora Sellers. And look at these quarterbacks they're playing. So Auburn, remember, it was like, hey, Hugh, Freeze. And he's got Cam Coleman and he's gonna read. He's gonna save Jackson Arnold.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Right.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

So those four games going from varying degrees of. Expected to be tough to. At the end of the year, they're looked at as nothing. So can that happen this year? And you're saying it might be. You know, it could be an A and M. That makes people's schedules look easier. I think it's more like, look at A and M schedule. And if Missouri's not any kind of road test, which typically they are, or if. If Tennessee. Like, I think Tennessee is going to be pretty good. Like, I think they'll be a contender. But if they're not, and you're like, okay, you get Tennessee at home. If South Carolina loses enough games early that they. That the air is out of the balloon when A and M goes to Columbia. And it's not that normal sandstorm atmosphere. It's a day game. So all of a sudden people start going, well, the A and M schedule wasn't quite what I'll take it like. And everyone's kind of hoping that their schedule turns out that way and some will because not everyone's gonna figure it out and be good. Is Florida gonna all of a sudden mid season you're gonna go, oh shit, I wish I'd a played them in September. Does A and M catch LSU at the right time? The week after their trip to Oxford and still in September maybe before it all comes together. So I think it's going to be one of those years.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

I'm surprised he didn't kick you out of here when you comments with Tennessee there. But I want to swing it back to Marcel. I put Marcel as the I think he'll be the fifth best quarterback in this conference and I could see A and M fans being upset with that. But I'm kind of curious your thoughts. It seems like every SEC fan that's not A and M, they think he sucks. Like he's one of the worst. I don't understand that.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I see so many M fans, they don't think he's not good, but they're not all in. I'm like, listen, the guy was at first time full time starter last year so kind of like went through an off season as a starting quarterback for the first time. I always argue, as you know with Amanda on our podcast between Arch and Marcel, she always wins because she's just better at debating and arguing. But I'm like the first of all. The numbers are very similar. We're not talking about who's getting drafted higher. We know the answer to that. But if you just took like great games, good games, bad games and then you looked at who like I think the one thing that people have lost sight of with Marcel is this. The finish was not good, but it's like you gotta look A and M stopped running the football in the last three games, not counting Samford. They couldn't run against South Carolina and they basically said, hey, Marcel, win the game for us in the second half. And he played probably I would contend outside of Chambliss against Georgia. It might have been the best half of football played in the SEC last year. Go look it up. Go look at his second half against South Carolina, okay? And he was not good against Texas and he was not good against Miami. Look at what Miami did the rest of the way. Look what they did to. Gosh, now I'm forgetting. How am I forgetting his name? Julian saying look at I went there, I went to that game two weeks later. He struggled more than Marcel did. And we were joking about it, but it was also.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Now he's a Heisman favorite.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Heisman. It was also, by the way, a 30 mile an hour wind. We were joking about it. But if, if you need to throw the ball, A and M didn't have Fletcher running for 150 in that game like Miami did. That's why they won. The Aggies couldn't run. Miami did run once, once A and M stopped running the football. And you're going against Dylan Stewart and Colin Simmons and Bane and Mezador. That is a huge part of why Marcel Reed struggled. And I know you can put together missed throws by Marcel. I would say you are a. You are. You're being disingenuous.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Liar.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

If you show that and you don't go show the bad throws by guys like Matier Levitt and. And Arch Manning, go show their misses last year. You could put together a hell of a highlight reel of incredible plays made by number 10 and maroon white. And I'm not saying he's perfect. I'm not saying he should be in the top five or even ten. Heisman front runner list. He was in that top ten and maybe rising with a couple games to go last year and the Aggies stopped running the football and he wasn't, he wasn't good enough to win it all by himself against teams like Texas and Miami. Now again, he's got to get better. I don't have a problem with five. Who's ahead of him there?

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

So I got Arch one and this is, this is projections to the end of the year. So Arch, Trinidad, Gunner and then four. I have. But I think Mater.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Okay, Blake, look, I think you could shuffle those five any which way and I wouldn't argue. Do you have Marcel at 3? Do you have him at 4? Do you have. I know people wouldn't put him at 2 or 1. It could end up that way. I'm not predicting it will. It could. Just like I think the Arch stuff, I think it'll happen because of the weapons. But I think people that say this thing about how he was just on a skyrocket at the end, Michigan was without a coach and I don't know how many defenders he beat, A and M. And I give him all the credit. I said that was a gutsy win. That told me more about him. Because you know what he did that day as a passer? He hit two passes to players that A and M forgot to cover. For about 90 of his 150 yards or so. He completed like 46% of his passes in that game. But he gutted it out. He scrambled. He had the big run. I give him credit. But he missed so many throws and people forget that the second half of the season last year, it included Kentucky, it included. I know he threw for a ton of yards against Mississippi State, but go watch that game too. There were some really bad throws. He was a late hit penalty as a starting quarterback getting run out of Davis Wade. If they don't hit him, they're going to win by 17 points or double digits. I know he looked, I watched the Georgia game. He looked good. His team scored one touchdown, so it

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

was a hell of a touchdown.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Yeah, he had a great game against Vandy, but I just, I again, like, I don't have a problem picking Arch number one. I don't have a problem think viewing him as potentially being a number one pick and a Heisman finalist or thing. I could see it, but I think people that just assume that's going to happen are wrong. And I think he. There is a level that he should be in the bucket of Matier and Marcel and Stockton and these guys that go, they still got to get noticeably better this year. The only one to me that I don't say that about is actually Trinidad Chambliss because of what he did in the playoffs and because. But at the same time, how does that look without Kiffin and Charlie Weiss?

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I think the problem you're talking about outside of College Station is nobody watched Texas A and M until it was Miami game or it was the Texas game.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

They watched Notre Dame. Yeah, the whole country saw him then. And then I think it was a quiet straight. LSU they did.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

But on, on that Notre Dame I. Because you got new coordinator and I've heard from people, they're saying that A and M is going to run a faster tempo on offense. Which when I think of Marcel Reed at his best, dude, when his back's against the wall against South Carolina, when his back's against the wall up in Notre Dame, I agree. You know, it felt like when they all right, let's play some football. Yeah, he became a football player.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

So they had to score like, you know, unfortunately they had to score pretty much every time they had the ball, which they did.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

So you feel something like that coming this year?

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I do to an extent. And their receivers, I'll tell you what, the most underrated group I think in, in the SEC is the A and M wide receivers. You Got Mario Craver.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

I was going to ask you about Terry Bussy, who I feel like people don't even know he's on the team.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Bussy might have been the best one in spring. He got hurt after two weeks of practice, just like a high ankle or something. But he might have been the best one, which is crazy because Craver should have had it. He was hurt for the last month and still had 900 plus yards, 200 against Notre Dame. That dude. And he looks better now. You added Isaiah Horton. Go look at Ashton Bethel Roman's highlights and kind of dive into what he kind of saved the day against South Carolina. That force them at the top. And I hadn't seen an A receiver as a true freshman look as impressive to me at A and M since Christian Kirk, which is about 10 years ago, than Aaron Gregory, who's a borderline five star out of Georgia. So that group, yes, I do think you can see them go up tempo, spread it around to those wide receivers, be a little more wide open. But if you're A and M, some of the biggest question marks to me are if you're, if you're looking for that, if they're the team that, that slips down. They got a lot to prove on the O line. They lost four starters to the NFL. Okay. That's why they won so many games last year. I mentioned how bad they didn't play bat, but they couldn't run the ball in the last couple games. They were really good all year. You lost four starters, the NFL. You went portal for four SEC linemen. That's a big transition. Running back Reuben Owens has to take a jump. He was solid last year. But you need, you need special. Remember the name Jamari and Morrow. And then they signed a five star in K.J. edwards. But that group behind that O line and they've got to protect Marcel and you've got a first time play caller in Holman Wiggins. So that's a combo that it? Until we see it, we don't know it.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

So that is though, is that like the key I do for a playoff run?

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I think so. Now D line, they got to replace three draft picks including the SEC defensive player of the year. But I, I like what they have back. I like what they did in the portal and I trust Mike Elko to figure that out. I think defensively they'll be anywhere from good to really good. So I think the key is can they score a lot of points with, with that formula on offense. There's a lot of things to Go, yes, they can. And there's a lot of things that will give you reason for pause if you're going, can this team score, you know, 35 a game or whatever?

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

But does A and M have a Texas problem? Because I've heard you say, no, I don't know.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

You say that. I say, not yet. But they would if they lost this year. So I get it. But they've lost two years in a row. I do.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

I'll tell you on the line.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Tell you one thing I get real tired of. They did it last year, A M. And even some of our friends here say this. A and M hadn't won in Austin since 2010. It's like, dude, shut up. They haven't played since 2010 in Austin. It was literally a zero game losing streak. They won the last time they played in Austin. So there's that thing. It's two games. I'll let you say three. Because the last time they played, so much was at stake in 11. It's two games. One of those years, Texas would have had no effing business losing. Even it was at Kyle Field. Texas A and M was in year one under a head coach. Texas was in year four and they were a playoff team that was fourth, you know, two yards away from maybe playing Notre Dame for the national title.

[DSW Commercial Narrator]

Right.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

So they probably would have won it.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Yeah, they would. Yeah, they probably would have. There's no way in hell they should have lost to A M and Mike Elko in year one of that. In that setup. Quinn Ewers versus Marcel Reed in his first, like sixth game to play. So that one I kind of asterisk and he should have. It counts. This past year was one. I thought A and M had no business losing. And by the way, people forget, they were up 10, three at halftime, getting the ball, had a chip shot, field goal blocked in the first half. They really, really shot themselves in the foot in that one of having control of that game. So they have no one to blame but themselves. But I thought Texas just out physical them. I thought Texas outplayed them that day. They certainly did. I don't think they have a Texas problem. If they lose two out of three, I mean three in a row and two of those at Kyle Field, then I think you go, yeah, they got. They got an issue here. So this year will be the tell there. If they beat the Longhorns at Kyle, you can go. All right. Year one was what it was. They've split the home games and then it's okay. But is something to watch. And I do think of all the games on that schedule they need to beat Texas this year. But like you said, I talked to the. I did an interview with the A M captains a couple weeks ago. We sat down, me and the five captains. Really interesting.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Shane was upset he didn't get invited to the dinner.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

It was a great. You would have loved it. I mean, we had. That's what I hear about. Salad, steak, extra rolls.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Yeah.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Good butter, dessert, like, the whole deal. So if one of them said, we're talking about Texas, and one of the guys said, hey, at the end of the day, like, we haven't beaten them, and they kept. They kept us out of Atlanta two years in a row. That is. That is obviously something that sticks in the crawl because it is reality. Forget about who was better two years ago or not or last. You lost to Texas twice. You could have been in Atlanta twice. You've never been to Atlanta. That is a major feather in the Longhorn cap. It is a bragging, right. And it is why my podcast over there, the Moving Goalpost, gets really tough for me at times, because what the hell can you say to o and 2 and 2? They kept you out of Atlanta.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

I mean, that.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

That sucks. And for me, like, I know people are talking about conference championship games, going away and stuff. You know, A and M's had some good teams. You know how many teams have finished in the top 10 three times in the 14 years since A&M joined the SEC? The two are obvious.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Bama and Georgia.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

There's only two teams that have done it three times. It ain't lsu. It ain't Florida, which is shocking. You know who they are. Well, you know, because the way I'm presenting A M, it's not Tennessee, which I would have thought. It's a M with two top fives and a top 10, and the other one actually is Ole Miss.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Yeah.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

So, I mean, they've had good teams, but they haven't gotten there. And if they could have beat Texas either last two years, they'd have been there. So that is. Maybe that is a Texas problem. Mike,

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

all that to say yes. I appreciate it.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Yeah, you're welcome.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

So let me ask you. Final thing I got for you. Confidence. Now that we've seen Coach Elko two years, the incredible record, we see the investment in the program, they're kicking ass in recruiting. I think a lot of people would probably ask you, is A and M going to win a national championship under Elko? But instead of asking you that, I just want to Ask you, what's your confidence that Coach Elko will win that national championship for A and M?

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

It's as high under him as it's ever been. I mean, maybe after year one under Coach Summerlin, you go, oh, my God, like that year, you know, you really thought maybe they'd win it the following year with Johnny and, you know, but as far as, like, long term, you know, so summon after year one, Jimbo, when you hired him, right? But as far as, like, now I've got some proof, and now I've got a body of work to actually analyze two years in, like, everything you said. And by the way, a lot of that nil support and all that, that. That comes from the heart. Elko bust his ass trying to put that together, like, trying to keep that interest at that type of level to make A M one of the true halves on the. On the Nile for. It's not just people going around, you know, cutting checks. It's Mike Oko is putting in the work. The way he's recruiting, the way he's portaled. The culture in that program of, like, toughness, but also, like, the skill, talent that they've got is a lot different than I've ever seen it. You know, the way they're recruiting defensive players, especially in this class, is at a whole nother level. You go look at, like, those top ten commits, like, those five stars. I think. I think I've seen enough to believe. Like, you said it. I actually once asked Slosh when A and M had it rolling. They'd been to two World Series in three years, and they were on track to go to that second one. I said, because I brought up the Texas stuff sometimes. I said, if you stay here, what's to keep A and M from winning multiple national titles? Seriously? And he just goes, baseball, you know, like, that's just baseball. And so it's really hard to win one, as we know. But I think the coach and everything else around it and. And just kind of how he's got it set up. It is set up to win a national title. I think they'll have shots to do it in his tenure. And then, you know, you got to get it done. But that's. To me, that's all you can ask for. And as these programs that we all. I'm looking at Tennessee, I'm looking at A and M. I'm looking at ou, the programs that have even done it where A and M hasn't, they all go through the Texas, Michigan, usa. I'll go through these Long Bama. Long dry spells. Florida, Miami. Florida State's in like their second or third one now. Long dry spells. And you know what gets them out of it? Bob Stoops, Nick Saban, Mack Brown. You just gotta hire the right guy and everybody tries. It's hard to do for A and M. I am truly convinced that Mike Elko is their right guy. And they've been searching for that really since RC Slocum.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

You got a final question, Shane?

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Yeah, it's a little lighter.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

No, no, no, that's gonna be good.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Well, I mean, we talked about all the bad that comes with a nine game SEC schedule. The good is clearly that we're going to see some matchups that we don't get to see often, especially in College Station. Us coming down to Tennessee, coming down there. If you were to pick out two things a fan must try when they're in College Station, what are two things that they got to do?

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I don't want to leave anybody out here, but I'd say trying to think of our sponsors. Okay. No, I would say go. Go to like, I. I'm always at Republic Steakhouse, 1775 Barbecue. I know you would like. You would love that. Cooper's Barbecue. Those. So back in the past, I wouldn't have been able to tell you that College Station scene has gotten better. I'd say, I'd say those for you. You kind of got to go to midnight, yell for a big game, you know, like you kind of have to. And then I would say just like come out me for a couple hours to Northgate. I don't, contrary to what people think, I don't like, live at the bars during the Aussie. I go out like maybe once or twice a year during the off season. Just my social life depends on people coming in town.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Luch.

[Serta Mattress Adult Voice]

Let's go.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Let's go out, you know. Okay. Like when Dorian come in town, I took him out for a couple nights. We went to the A and M Texas baseball series. Normally I don't, but on a home football weekend, all I do is host. So you're like us.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

So you spend all off season getting in shape for football.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

So you can take. Yeah. So you can take pictures of me in, you know, in the bar without me knowing and post it on Twitter. Make it look like I'm some like, drunk bar rat that just trolls college bars. Like, that's what, that's what the certain group in Austin likes to portray me as. You can catch me and make it look like that for a home football Game when I'm out with Mike and Shane. So you got. I would say those three things you got to do.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Oh, and hey, sorry, I forgot. Speaking of sponsors, we are sponsored, all media days, by Tennessee legend. The best damn whiskey you can get in Tennessee. Okay, so we're asking everybody for their Tennessee legend.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

You want me to taste test?

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Well, I don't think we're allowed to do any here. The boldest SEC take heading into the year, and I think you've nailed this before with some of your other takes.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

My boldest take, y'.

[Serta Mattress Child Voice]

All.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Y' all would love for me to say Texas is not going to make the playoff.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

I mean, that's a good one.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Lose Ohio, I don't know.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Is that bold, though? I don't even know if that's bold.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

They didn't make it last year, so

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I don't even have to say it.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

No,

[Mattress Company Spokesperson]

no.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I think they make it if they beat Ohio State. I think they don't. If they lose, I think they drop a couple SEC games. And. And to me, boldest take. How about this might be a crazy one. Outside of lsu, Will Stein in Kentucky are the most. He does the most impressive year one job in the sec. I'm not saying they're necessarily better than Floyd, but, I mean, think about where their expectation level is. I really. I'm interested to hear him today. I really like Will Stein and what I think he can. If there's a little residual in that Mark Stoops defensive culture with what he can do with offense. And I think, you know, Minchi was that close to winning that job over C.J. carr last year.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

So I think they're overrunners, four and a half. So you're pretty. You're pretty confident they hit the over.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Yes, yes. My other one. My. My other one. My other one would be. I don't know what else you can really say that's Super.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Texas wins seven or eight games, you're saying.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

I've predicted them at 10. And I kind of. I'll say this. I'm going down to nine now, like you said. I do think it's a nine and getting the playoffs because of that schedule. I think that Ohio State game will be looked very favorably upon. So I think, like, they'd be the one. The first in line of the SEC teams.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Any coaches that are here at media days, that won't be next year, whether it's firing or going to another job.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Well, going to another job, I would never try to predict because there's not a Lane Kiffin I don't think this year that you look at and go man, he's out the. Who Put it this way, how about this one? Who's on more of a hot seat after this season? Let me give you three. I'm not saying they all will because they won't. Is it Venables? Is it Deboer? Is it Sark?

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Oh, I think Sark now. I think four lost Deborah should already been gone. But they just gave him that massive extension and I don't think Alabama has the money to pay out like the people assume that they do. And I think that's what we're seeing it in recruiting and we're seeing it in their soft ass team that was

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

going to be a. Do you predict them in the playoffs?

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Hell no. 8 and 4.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Okay, so when you talk about that A and M schedule, maybe it's Bama that isn't as daunting as it looks. That's a. Russell might have something to say about that. He could be special but he was

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

a three star when he was committed to smu. Yeah, he got that five star Bama bump.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

And you also, you had a high level. Was. Was Ty Simpson, he was second round or was he first round, first round quarterback last year? So to answer your question, I just thought of the name. I'm thinking it's. I'm going to go Shane Beamer.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

You didn't, you didn't like him celebrating in College Station.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

He's doing. He looked like. I, I thought when I saw that. I think it was Coach Sumlin that called me that night to talk about that and was like he brought it up and I go what? And I looked at it and I, I thought it was. I really, I swear to God there's a glitch in the video if you watch. I thought it was AI because I think someone said I thought I just saw the score and then I saw that and I thought they beat you guys and that was the end of the game. You know that's the only game we've

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

ever done emergency podcast at halftime like oh, A and M's getting smoked.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Okay.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

And then we did it post game.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Funny, funny story is I had, I had a couple of my friends from barstool there and I had a buddy of mine that he had played for the Cowboys right up until that year but he's from Canada so he'd never been to like a college football game. He played high school and college in Canada. Ended up playing about eight, nine years in the NFL. So I've Got them all at the game, and I'm at halftime, and I'm going, hey. I swear, they were like, no, the. The pregame, it was so awesome. And being down on the field was incredible. And I'm like, I got. Look, if they score again.

[Julian Barnes (New York Times Reporter)]

Net.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

If they score. I was like, if we don't score on this drive, we'll go up to the suite and just, you know, you'll stop. We'll get the rest of our day going. You know, basically, I'll make sure y' all have fun. This is. This sucks. Marcel, scram again. A play by Marcel. 4th and 12. He makes about three guys miss dives for the sticks. Rest is. You know, rest is A and M history.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

No, that.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

That was wild. And I was ready to do a. A halftime podcast of my own that day, but I. I've learned to. To know better. I've learned to know better, but it was. That was insane, that one.

[Host 3 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

So it was good for ratings, though. Talk about playing with your food.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Yeah, But I think South Carolina and Beamer, like, one of the wild cards in the conference, might be Kendall Briles. He did a hell of a job with KJ Jefferson. I watched KJ and Kendall beat A&M. They were up 17 oh through three drives. It's the one time Arkansas's beating A and M since they joined the sec. That puts. Should put a little fear into everyone. Sellers, Briles, couple those receivers, obviously, but I still don't think it's enough. I think that schedule, and I think that's the one. What happens if they go 7 and 5? What do people in Columbia think?

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

All right, Billy, we appreciate you. Shout out to your social media and where the cousins can find you.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Oh, you're pointing over that. It's just illy Lucci on my social and. Yeah, well, and like I said, y' all are on the hot seat, because, like Marler, we got. Drake has since moved into my organization, so it's like. I think we're gonna bump Marler, though. Don't tell him I'm setting him up to be out.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Thank you.

[Host 2 (Likely a Sports Analyst or Commentator)]

Weird beard.

[Firestone Auto Care Announcer]

These days, you've got two choices. Buying a new car or making the one you've got run new. We know which one we choose. That's why at Firestone Complete autocare, we have thousands of ASE certified technicians nationwide trained to spot an issue with your car before it becomes a problem, no matter the make or model. Get more out of your car. Firestone Complete Auto Care call or go [e-mail] to book today.

[Reese's Commercial Narrator]

Here's a quick podcast for all you true crime fans. The case of the Missing Reese's. It was me at the store with my mouth. Motive. Um, they're Reese's. What was I gonna do? Stop myself? Tune in next time to see if I do it again. Spoiler. I will. Wow, that had everything. Reese's Suspense. Reese's.

[Julian Barnes (New York Times Reporter)]

Normally in these ads you expect somebody to ask you to buy something. But this is something different. I'm Julian Barnes and I'm a reporter for the New York Times. I'm a national security reporter and that means I'm reporting on military operations. These are fast paced, quickly moving situations. What exactly is happening on the ground is often shrouded in mystery. But we turn to trusted sources, satellite imagery and expertise built up over years in order to ferret out the facts that wouldn't otherwise quickly come to light. I'm here to ask you to seek out a news source that does firsthand fact based reporting. If it's your local paper, great. If it's the times, thank you. Because where you go for your information matters.

[Host 1 (Billy Lucci)]

Yeah.

[Carl's Jr. Commercial Narrator]

Maxing is so maxing right now, bro. Get ready for spicy chicken maxing because Carl's Jr. Is saving you big with a 5.99 maxed out double stack. Double stack. Double stack spicy chicken sandwich. Seriously, just five double stack spicy chicken. This is unreal value in the bromosphere. The new spicy chicken Max wallet friendly. Max tasty only at Carl's Jr available for a limited time at participating restaurants. Tacked not included. Not valid for use within a combo or a combination with any other offer discount. And now the next chapter of the serta Counting sheep.

[Serta Mattress Child Voice]

Hey, uncle number one, why aren't we counting anymore?

[Serta Mattress Adult Voice]

Let me tell you a story. Long ago, Certa invented the Perfect Sleeper mattress.

[Serta Mattress Child Voice]

Oh no.

[Serta Mattress Adult Voice]

Oh yes. It says the all new Serta Perfect sleeper with a Q4 support system has 4 in 1 perfectly interlinked coils that help relieve aches and back pain. For perfect sleep night after night.

[Serta Mattress Child Voice]

We'll never get counted again.

[Serta Mattress Adult Voice]

Uh, nope.

[Carl's Jr. Commercial Narrator]

Serta.

[Mattress Company Spokesperson]

We make the world's best mattress.

[Shaquille O'Neal (Zepbound Commercial)]

Snoring, gasping for air during sleep. Daytime sleepiness. I'm Shaquille o' Neal and this shouldn't be anybody's experience. Ask your doctor about Zepbound Tirzepatide, the first and only FDA approved prescription medicine for moderate to severe obstruct sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

[Mattress Company Spokesperson]

Zepbound is a prescription medicine used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. To help adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea and obesity to improve their OSA. Zepbound is approved as a 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 or 15mg injection. Zepbound contains Tirzepatide and should not be used with other tirzepatide containing products or any GLP1 receptor agonist medicines. It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children. Don't share needles or pens or reuse needles. Don't take if allergic to it or if you or someone in your family had medullary thyroid cancer or if you've had multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. Tell your doctor if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, stop Zepbound and call your doctor if you have severe stomach pain or a serious allergic reaction. Severe side effects may include inflamed pancreas or gallbladder problems. Tell your doctor if you experience vision changes before scheduled procedures with anesthesia. If you're nursing pregnant, plan to be or taking birth control pills. Taking Zepbound with a sulfonylurea or insulin may cause low blood sugar. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, which can cause dehydration and worsen kidney problems.

[Shaquille O'Neal (Zepbound Commercial)]

Talk to your doctor, call 1-800-545-5979 or visit zepbound.lilly.com.