Rusty Mansell SEC Media Days 2026

Summary

That SEC Football Podcast

Episode: Rusty Mansell SEC Media Days 2026
Host: Michael Bratton (SEC Mike) with Cousin Shane
Guest: Rusty Mansell (On3, DawgsHQ)
Date: July 25, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode, recorded at SEC Media Days 2026, features SEC insider Rusty Mansell in conversation with hosts SEC Mike and Cousin Shane. The show dives into the current landscape of SEC football, putting a spotlight on Georgia’s roster and outlook, the buzz around Texas, breakout players, staff changes, key SEC storylines, and bold predictions for the upcoming season.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Georgia, the (Not-So) Forgotten Juggernaut

• Texas Stealing the Spotlight:
  • Rusty notes the overwhelming hype for Texas at Media Days:
    • "I didn’t know I was going to SEC Media Days, I thought I was going to Texas Media Day. I mean, anybody just shouldn’t show up." (02:36)
    • “Are they sizing rings tomorrow for Sarko’s guys?” (02:48)
• Georgia’s Roster Questions – Receiver & Portal Additions:
  • WR depth is a legitimate concern, but Rusty is bullish on the newcomers:
    • “I’m confident Isaiah Canyon, the kid they got from Georgia Tech…[is] basically their replacement for Colby Young.” (03:44)
    • London Humphreys is also singled out for his speed:
      “London Humphreys ran 4.35 in the summer test. He was second fastest on the team.” (04:52)
  • Georgia's adeptness at addressing needs:
    • “They plugged and placed some pieces in there...This is going to be an older team for Kirby.” (05:08)
• Returning Production a Difference-Maker:
  • “Georgia has...16 returning starters...They fit the formula of what’s been successful in this typical setting of college football.” (05:08)

2. Key Player Evaluations & Matchup Concerns

• Receivers are STILL the Question:
  • “That is a question, no question about it...It’s time for those guys to grow up.” (05:08)
• Defensive Standouts & Portal Winners:
  • Khalil Barnes joins at STAR from Clemson (highly coveted).
• Biggest Threats & SEC Fears:
  • “Trinidad Chambliss is the one guy that would scare the piss out of me...I think Georgia fans look at that [Ole Miss] game and go, man, we pissed down our leg. We should have won that game.” (06:33)
  • Also high on Lenore Sellers: “Lenore Sellers is a talent equalizer on any given Saturday, man, he could hurt you.” (07:18)
• On Gunner Stockton, Georgia’s QB:
  • “Gunner Stockton would give me issues...he can hurt you with his legs. He made the throws.” (08:12)
  • “I want to see Gunner Stockton take over a 4th quarter game... That’s where Stetson Bennett would break you off...” (08:45)

3. Which Games Scare You Most?

• Ole Miss vs. Alabama Trips:
  • Rusty, pressed on biggest worry:
    • “If you asked UGA fans here, I bet you 85% would say Ole Miss.” (09:38)
    • Still haunted by Alabama visits: “I’m not over that Alabama point yet. What they have done to Georgia, particularly under Kirby...They’ve just had his number.” (09:45)

4. Alabama’s New Era & Coaching Carousel

• Caleb DeBoer’s Early Record:
  • “He is such a good game or coach... When he faces Kirby, when he faces Sark, when he faces Dan Lanning, I think he’s only lost on one of them. And it was the SEC.” (10:36)
  • "He can win games and you have these unexpected wins and losses, but it's a big year for him too for sure." (10:50)
• Auburn & Florida Overhaul:
  • “I think John Sul had a hell of a staff [Auburn]... Florida’s wide receivers are freaking good... If Philo plays really good, we got a hell of a running back in Ball, we got Eric Singleton... but don't have a ton of depth.” (14:12)

5. State of the SEC: Depth, Injuries, and the End of “Superteams”

• Injuries Are the X-Factor:
  • “That’s the difference between 10-2 and 8-4, perhaps. Georgia lost Drew Bobo and Gabe Harris. Nobody gave a damn. But they weren’t the same.” (15:32)
• The Era of Loaded, “Three-Deep” Rosters is Over:
  • “I truly believe that Georgia 2022 was the last ‘super team’. Those days are over for everybody. What makes it more important is can you be hot at the end and can you be healthy?” (16:34)
• Championship Games Becoming a Liability:
  • “None of them want to play in the SEC Championship. Why would you? Extra game of beat to hell.” (17:05)
• Narrative About Bobo:
  • “Think about this. The guy played at Georgia. His wife went to Georgia. His parents went to Georgia...If there’s anybody that’s ever been on the staff at Georgia that’s more entrenched as a damn good dog...it’s Mike Bobo.” (18:11)
  • On criticism: “He just worries about Georgia football...There’s just some fans. It doesn’t matter.” (18:44)
  • On respect from peers: “I have personally heard Todd Monken say, ‘I told Kirby he better hire [Bobo].’” (19:00)

6. Kirby Smart: What to Expect at Media Days

• “He always comes with one [message]...They’re not the media favorite, but they’ve got so much coming back...I’m sure he’s going poor, pitiful me a little bit. He’ll probably...He’s got that part in him that the Sabies come down here and use as a platform.” (20:04)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On SEC Depth:

  • “I truly believe that Georgia 2022 was the last, I would say, quote, unquote, super team…Those days are over for everybody.” – Rusty Mansell (16:34)

• On Georgia’s Receiver Corps:

  • “They got some young kids and they got some talented young kids. I think at that point, Kirby probably said, you know what, we made a run at one, we’re good with what we got. It’s time for those guys to grow up.” – Rusty Mansell (04:38)

• On Gunner Stockton’s Development:

  • “I want to see Gunner Stockton in that fourth quarter going, 'you’re not going to beat us,' because that’s where Stetson Bennett would break you off…” – Rusty Mansell (08:45)

• On South Carolina as a Sleeper:

  • “Last year I sit here with you and I said Texas A&M is gonna make the playoffs…This week, I really think South Carolina is going to be good…They went 4-8 last year, I think they get to 8 games.” – Rusty Mansell (23:52)
  • “Lenore Sellers is a talent equalizer...He could hurt you.” (07:18)

• On the Value of Experience:

  • "Older teams have been winning it...I'm not saying Georgia win a NAS championship, but they fit the formula." – Rusty Mansell (05:08)

• On Mike Bobo’s Relationship to Georgia:

  • “His entire family are alumni. Like, this guy is a Georgia Bulldog.” – Rusty Mansell (19:45)

• On Rivalry Feelings & Tennessee:

  • “Let me tell you something, man, I was in that building last year…Tennessee’s better today…They have clearly outplayed Georgia...But also, you know, Gunner Stockton throwing an unbelievable ball…Look, I grew up to the 90s. I’m not apologizing. I had my share of ass whoopings with Phillip Fulmer...And you know, having to deal with all that and then watching Jamal Lewis shred us from Atlanta and Cozy Coleman and Deon Grant. Trust me, I went through those ass whippings, but I thought that Tennessee deserved that one that day and. But it still sucks, man. That’s just. I mean, that’s fall, man. Georgia, Tennessee.” (26:53)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Arrival and Texas Hype: (01:45 – 02:48)
• Georgia’s Receiver Question & Portal Additions: (03:35 – 05:08)
• Georgia’s Returning Starters and Team Outlook: (05:08 – 06:30)
• Biggest SEC Player Threats and Ole Miss Loss: (06:30 – 07:57)
• Quarterback Discussion – Gunner Stockton: (08:03 – 09:32)
• Alabama vs. Ole Miss Game Anxiety: (09:32 – 10:36)
• Caleb DeBoer and Alabama Coaching: (10:36 – 11:10)
• Georgia’s Pass Rush and Under-the-Radar Players: (11:10 – 13:05)
• Offseason Coaching Moves (Florida/Auburn): (14:01 – 15:07)
• The End of “Superteams”: (15:07 – 16:34)
• Mike Bobo Underappreciated: (18:03 – 19:57)
• Kirby’s Media Days Script: (20:04 – 20:47)
• Rusty’s SEC Bold Take – South Carolina will surprise: (23:52 – 25:10)
• On Tennessee Rivalry & Mike Matthews: (26:43 – 29:13)

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Standout Predictions & Bold Takes

• South Carolina Bounces Back:

  • “I think South Carolina is the team that’s going to make that jump back...They went 4-8 last year, I think they get to eight games.” (23:52)

• Georgia Remains No. 1 Until Knocked Off:

  • “I’m gonna say Georgia number one because until somebody knocks them off, I would treat. If Alabama was back to back, I would treat the same way.” (25:43)

• Skepticism About New “Now Money” Era in Baton Rouge:

  • “They didn’t spend build-program money, they spent now money. That $100 million for you and then $40 million for this roster... LSU ain’t doing this. They want to go like this.” (25:43)

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Final Thoughts and Tone

The episode features Rusty’s signature blend of honesty, insight, and SEC football nostalgia, with plenty of candid humor and real talk about where each program stands.
The mood is conversational and friendly, punctuated with colorful comparisons ("pissed down our leg", “beat to hell”, “talent equalizer”), acknowledgments of fan anxieties, and respect for the grind of the modern SEC season.
Rusty is adamant that experience, depth, and health will decide the season—not just five-star hype or perception.

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How to Follow Rusty Mansell

• Twitter/X: @RustyMansell_
• On3 DawgsHQ

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Closing Note

In a transitional year for the SEC—new coaches, new favorites, and rosters in flux—the 2026 campaign, according to Rusty and the hosts, will be defined by adaptability, experience, and the unpredictable grind of life in college football’s most competitive conference.

Transcript

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[Podcast Host 1]

Man. It's not SEC Media days unless we're here with Rusty Manziel on three.

[Rusty Mansell]

I landed, hugged my daughter, came straight here. Got my priorities right, man. Got my priorities right.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Honestly, I. I'm trying not to say it because I always start with the man, the myth, the legend. But I'm going to do it. The absolute legend. Thank you so much for joining us. And, well, every time somebody mentions the Georgia Bulldog, whether it be good or bad, I think of them Menzels down there.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Rusty Mansell]

Oh, man, I got a video. One of these days, I'm gonna. I got one. I gotta find it. When kaylee was, like 3 years old and she named the entire SEC and she only missed Mississippi State, and, I mean, you could just see her brain going like. And thinking. So I'm saving that one. I'm gonna get, I'm gonna release it one day. No front teeth. That's a good one. It's a real good one.

[Podcast Host 1]

So I've noticed you've taken note that Texas seems like the pick down here.

[Rusty Mansell]

Well I realized that when I landed I was like, damn, I'm supposed to go to SEC media days. I didn't know I was going to Texas media day. Like, I mean this is, I mean anybody is. Anybody just shouldn't show up.

[Podcast Host 1]

Is it over?

[Rusty Mansell]

We get. Are they sizing rings tomorrow for Sarko's guys when they get here?

[Podcast Host 1]

I heard Georgia's going seven and five.

[Rusty Mansell]

You hear that? That's what no one's missing. He text me. I got on the planes at 7 5.

[Podcast Host 2]

Isn't it kind of crazy? I mean the buzz, the buzz around Georgia for years and, and this year back to back.

[Rusty Mansell]

Yeah, it's like what do we, what do we got? Well listen, I get it and listen if you're going to go out and they've done really good, they've had a hell of a job recruiting and they go in and bring in Will must champ. But you got art, you got all these, you know, portal kids and all these five stars with that comes with the smoke.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Rusty Mansell]

And this week is about to be the smoke. Like you ain't lying under the weeds. It's Texas and they're going to be the, they're going to be the media darlings. I knew that for a guy on the plane this morning.

[Podcast Host 1]

Well, whenever people talk about Georgia this offseason, the biggest question mark is receiver.

[Rusty Mansell]

That is, it is a question really is.

[Podcast Host 1]

Who will be that answer for the dogs?

[Rusty Mansell]

Well, I'm confident Isaiah Canyon, I think the guy that got kid that got from Georgia Tech, he's six foot four, six three and a half. He's like 209. Probably get in trouble for this. They did their summer test and a couple weeks ago he was 443. I mean he can float. Now this is a big ass kid and this is a guy that they went and they wouldn't paid. Now he was about to go to Ole Miss the next morning visit and Kirby said nahla, let's sit down and never got off campus that way. He's basically their replacement for Colby Young. Well Georgia goes after Trey Richardson from Vandy and I think that would have been their replacement for Zachariah Branch. They went after two kids and Louisville said you ain't nobody's getting him. We've got him. And you know, and at that point I Didn't see Georgia get back into the wide receiver. They got some young kids and they got some talented young kids. And I think at that point Kirby probably said, you know what, we made a run at one, we're good with what we got. It's time for those guys to grow up. Talon Taylor, big time player there in London Humphreys. You know, I put it on the dogs HQ. London Humphreys ran 4, 3, 5. Yeah, summer test. He was second fast on the team.

[Podcast Host 1]

So that's cousin chain speed right there.

[Rusty Mansell]

Yes, yes.

[Podcast Host 2]

Blazing, son.

[Rusty Mansell]

Yes, yes, I like it. He's gonna run 435 the day cracker Barrel calls.

[Podcast Host 2]

Well, is that.

[Rusty Mansell]

That is a question. The dough, no question about it. Your question there. And Georgia has so many. I was looking at a couple of magazines on the flight. One magazine had Georgia with 14 return starters. One had with 15. They actually got 16. I can't. Juan Gaston's a starter. I mean, he started most of the year. I think Georgia's got 16 returning starters. I think they got some great portal kids. You know, they get a freshman all American, three year starter, Khalil Barnes out of Clemson to go play star position. They really needed him. They went and got him. They go get Isaiah Canyon again, a wide receiver and some, some depth there. I think Georgia knew what they needed and they plugged and placed some pieces in there and said, this is what we got to have and this is what they want. Got so pretty complete team. You know, my message this week will be that older teams have been winning it. I'm not saying Georgia win a NAS championship, but they fit the formula. You know, this is going to be an older team for Kirby. When I see you guys next year, we're going to have a totally different discussion on what happened to the team this year. What did Kirby do in December? Did he get in a portal heavy? You know, what's he going to do? Because they're going to lose a lot of what I call minutes. They got a lot of guys that are starting. Those guys are going to be gone. A lot of guys going to pros, new quarterback, all those questions. They don't have that right now. They fit the formula of what's been successful in this typical setting of college football.

[Podcast Host 2]

How bad do you wish you had that Ole Miss game back?

[Rusty Mansell]

You know, and this is what I tell you, man. Trinidad Chambliss is the one guy that would scare the piss out of me. I think Georgia fans look at that game and go, man, we pissed down our leg. We should have won that game, hell, they had to score 43 to beat him the first time. You realize they. Mike Bobo scored every freaking possession 43 to beat him the first time. I remember going, this guy in person. The second time, they didn't have an answer for him. He hurt him a couple of times and a couple of times those plays in the fourth quarter he made. It puts more pressure on you offensively. I mean, Trinidad Chambliss is the guy that, you know, I know Archman is getting a ton and I think two players. I think Trinidad Chambliss is the guy that would scare me the most in the SEC period. Also think Lenore Sellers is really damn good. I think he's really damn good. I know Coach Beamer might text me after he sees this, but, you know, stay in your damn lane, Rusty. I can hear him now, but. And I told him a couple weeks ago, I said, shane, I really like your team, man. And he gave me the hush emoji. Stay in your lane, Rusty. But I'm telling you, I like Lenore Sellers. I think Lenore Sellers is a talent equalizer on any given Saturday, man, he could. He could hurt you. And if that fit with the new offense coordinator there is good. It's going to be good news for South Carolina. Tough schedule.

[Podcast Host 1]

Speaking of quarterbacks, the one that when people talk about the best quarterbacks in

[Rusty Mansell]

this conference, I hadn't mentioned him yet.

[Podcast Host 1]

Gunner Stockton gets no love. And I'm not saying he's the best, but I think he's in the conversation. Why does he not get any consideration?

[Rusty Mansell]

Well, I say that Trinidad Chambers will scare the piss out of me if I'm playing Georgia. Gunner Stockton would give me issues because I've seen the. The Texas game in Athens. I've seen the Ole Miss game in Athens. That version of Gunner Stockton gives me all kind of fits because he can hurt you with his legs. He made the throws. You know, you go into the later in the year and they really didn't need him against Alabama. He didn't have a great game against Georgia Tech. That was the one I was like, is he banged up? Kind of what you know, and to be honest with you, I think Gunner still has a lot of room to grow. He had a hell of a year. Can you imagine the confidence that he gained on the road in those games, all these settings coming back? I think that's kind of invaluable. And again, experience, quarterback has been a formula if you want to get picky with it. I want to see Gunner Stockton take over a Fourth quarter game. I mean, he made a great throw in Knoxville, London Humphreys, and he had to outscore Tennessee and they had to have a couple of stops. He had to outscore Ole Miss. I want to see Gunners Stockton in that fourth quarter going, you're not going to beat us because that's where Stetson Bennett would break you off you. If he. He was not losing a game, he would take one over in the fourth quarter. I saw him against Ohio State. I saw him against Alabama. I'm talking about down double digits in both games. Now, Stetson Bennett turned that switch and he beat you.

[Podcast Host 2]

Which game are you more worried about, going to Tuscaloosa or going to that Ole Miss team You're telling.

[Rusty Mansell]

I would say if you said one down, UGA fans right here, I bet you 85 would say Ole Miss. For whatever reason, I'm not over that Alabama point yet. Because what they have done to Georgia, particularly under Kirby, you know, I mean, they've just had his number and he did have a very impressive win in SEC championship.

[Podcast Host 2]

I don't know what the hell he

[Rusty Mansell]

did to piss Sankey off, but like, he goes to Tuscaloosa every year. They're like, kirby, guess what? You're going back Tuscaloosa, Big cat. I don't even know. I mean, he's been like three times. Yeah, you know, I mean, I'm like, my God. And they've been that Athens once, and then Ty Simpson lit them up. You know what I mean? So I would say until Kirby, if. If Kirby goes down and Georgia wins that game in Alabama, that momentum they've had, would, to me, would be. Would be over. You know, I mean, I think Georgia's like, okay, we're.

[Podcast Host 2]

We're.

[Rusty Mansell]

We're here and you're not right now. But Ole Miss, obviously going there with Trinidad Jambas would. Is a. Is a. You better circle that one.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Rusty Mansell]

Promise you and Caleb DeBoer, I mean,

[Podcast Host 1]

he's just so confusing to me. He is such a good game or coach in these. When he faces Kirby, when he faces Sark, when he faces Dan Lanning, I think he's only lost on one of them. And it was the SEC where Kaylin

[Rusty Mansell]

DeBoer would be right now if he was. If he had lost both of those games against Kirby and Tuscaloosa. And in this one, that's. That's what's. That's what's showing Alabama fans, like, he can win games and you have these unexpected wins and losses, but it's a big year for him too for sure. Because they don't, they're not, they're not going to sit around out there too long, you know what I mean? And put your arm around you.

[Podcast Host 1]

Does Georgia meet the championship expectations if they don't improve at pass rush?

[Rusty Mansell]

Yeah, because they can manufacture it different, you know, I mean like sometimes when they didn't have a Nolan Smith or you know, a Zizo Jalari or one of those guys, you know what they did? They took Jalen Walker from inside backer and put him on the edge. Guess what? He was a first rounder. The guy for George. There's two guys for George this year. Most people know Chris Cole, former five star out of Virginia, super freak man. I think he ran 4, 49 in testing 38 inch vertical. He can come off the edge. The guy that's under the radar is Quintavious Johnson. He's going to be a second year starter. He was a former high school quarterback, kid, six six, 250 and I'm telling you he kind of fits what they like there. He's a big end, can rush the passer, but he's just a big body. I had a Georgia staff guy tell me a couple years ago, he said, rusty, it's not the hardest thing in the world to find those five star edges. It's not the hardest thing in the world to find a rook one like a great linebacker, you know what I mean? Like there's a lot of those guys out there. The hardest thing to find in our fit is a six six, 265 pound Trayvon Walker. Those don't come around and those guys that can set the edge play in and rush to passer. That's the bodies that are getting paid. And this guy kind of fits a mole, is a hell of an ebol by Georgia. And I think that he's really a guy under the radar. Obviously to Gabe Harris was out the second time they played Ole Miss. You know who gave Ole Miss issues in the fourth quarter when they finally got some stops? It was Gabe Harris. You go back and watch the fourth quarter of that game in Athens. Number zero was in his ass and that was the difference in the game. He sped things up for Trinidad Chambers. He wasn't in that game and Trinidad Chambers was, was rolling. I got, I gotta ask because we're

[Podcast Host 2]

coming off listseason, right? And thank God we got some real

[Rusty Mansell]

football to talk about. Yes, but I do think about, did you watch any soccer? I, I what here, I'll put him on the spot, I'll Put him on the spot.

[Podcast Host 2]

I bought. I got the YouTube TV. I always get the YouTube TV right there at college football. But I was like, you know what? I'm gonna get a little early. And it. Belgium game.

[Rusty Mansell]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

About halfway through, I called him up. I said, can I get a refund?

[Rusty Mansell]

Oh, man. I actually, I, you know, I'm not gonna sit here and say I'm some big soccer fan, but I appreciated it. You know, I thought it was. Came with a great time. But yeah, man, when they blew that, when they blew that whistle yesterday, I was like, all right, I'm ready to see somebody hit somebody's ass. And I don't want to see somebody

[Podcast Host 2]

get tripped and roll around like they've

[Rusty Mansell]

been shot with a blow dark in the neck. And I'm like, dude, get up.

[Podcast Host 2]

It is time.

[Rusty Mansell]

Y' all need some targeting in this thing.

[Podcast Host 2]

It looked like Lane Kiffin's team.

[Rusty Mansell]

Just, oh, boy. Well, I, I go back and forth,

[Podcast Host 2]

you know, big, big offseason moves, especially for your biggest rivalries. We, we got a new coach at Auburn. We got a new coach in Florida. Did any of those move the needle for you?

[Rusty Mansell]

I think, I think John Sul had a hell of a staff. I love the hire of Buster Faulkner. You know, they bring down Aaron Philo. I know he. People think he's in the battle. It's going to be Aaron Filo. Now, he can play himself out of that because they got two talented quarterbacks now. But I think it's going to be Aaron Filo. He knows the system, you know, And I think Florida's wide receivers are freaking good people. I know that kind of around that program are like, rusty, we're really good on defense. If Philo plays really good, we got a hell of a running back in ball. We got Eric Singleton, we got some freaking wide receiver. The question there is they don't have a ton of depth at offensive line. If they have an injury or two, they're in trouble there. And that comes with a first year coach. But I think Florida is kind of flying a little under the radar, man. They come to Atlanta this year, it could get real interesting real quick, man.

[Podcast Host 1]

I'm sure you saw it, but it was at some like, golf outing where Kirby was asked about, you know, Today's Georgia teams versus 10 years ago Bama, and he said, those teams kick today's team's ass.

[Rusty Mansell]

Oh, yeah, they're four deep, right? Yeah, they're four deep.

[Podcast Host 1]

Does that make it so hard to project even a Georgia, even a Texas, which we can never Predict injuries like a crucial guy here or there. I mean, I think that's the difference between 10 and 2 and 8 and 4, perhaps.

[Rusty Mansell]

Listen, Georgia lost Drew Bobo and Gabe Harris. Nobody gave a damn. But they weren't the same. That weren't that. Those were two key pieces. Offensively, they couldn't do what they. They played a true freshman against Alabama and Ole Miss at center and he did all he could do. But, but, but in the day, they weren't the same. And Drew Bobo is an All American for a reason. And then you look at Gabe Harris, that's just the way it is. You know what I mean? Back in the day, somebody gets hurt, hell, they'll throw in. You know, I'll never forget the tackle got hurt and they throw in Amaris, ma'. Am. I'm like, well, here's the next five star. You know, Jordan Davis rolls an ankle. Well, Jalen Carr's gotta play 10 extra snaps. Those days are over. I truly believe that Georgia 2022 was the last, I would say, quote, unquote, super team. Where I'm saying LSU, you know, 2019, I'm saying Bama 2020. And all those teams, I'm saying that was the last team that was going to be three or four deep. Those days are over for everybody. So what makes it more important is can you be hot at the end and can you be healthy? And that's where sec. I don't give a damn until, you know what these teams go through week to week. We talk about Texas, they got a hell of a schedule. What, what are they going to be like in. Freaking out in November? You know, I mean, because if you play Texas, Ohio State's gonna play Texas. We're gonna find out. If you play Texas early, get your ass right out of the building. But what are they gonna be like in December? And I don't care what they say, none of, none of them want to play NCC championship. Why would you? Why would you.

[Podcast Host 2]

Extra game.

[Rusty Mansell]

Yeah, extra game of beat to hell. I mean, beat to hell.

[Podcast Host 2]

You do got a nice case out of it. You know, you got the last two.

[Rusty Mansell]

So listen, and I think I talked. I think I talked to Mike about Michael about this. You know, Georgia's back to back SEC champs. Nobody brings that up. They bring up. You just lost two games in a row in the playoffs. You lost Notre Dame, you lost Ole Miss. You know, you beat Texas and Alabama. That's pretty good. Damn feeling in Mercedes Benz. That lasted about eight minutes. Where are we going? Oh, God, we're Going to handle this by, you know, just the way of the world now, eventually, it's going away. Is a great game. Great memories. Unbelievable. I told the story before. I was at the 97 Tennessee, Auburn game. Didn't give a damn about anyone. A team. I had a ball. First time I ever set in a suite, dude, I was like, that's free. Go big Orange. You know, I'm like, let's just drink it up, you know? But little memories like that, those games, you know, those days are. They're coming to an end.

[Podcast Host 1]

Where's the Georgia fan base today going into the season with Mike Bobo? And why is it that the guy never gets credit for consistent.

[Rusty Mansell]

Truthfully about Mike Bobo? Think about this. The guy played at Georgia. His wife went to Georgia. His parents went to Georgia. His son is an all American at Georgia. He married into the Vince Dooley family. If there's anybody that's ever been on the staff at Georgia that's more entrenched as a damn good dog, as a Georgia board fan, it's Mike Bobo. Like, this guy has literally blood, sweat and tears for this team. And there's some people that is like, it's.

[Podcast Host 1]

They.

[Rusty Mansell]

I don't give a damn. It's like, he scored 43 against Ole Miss. They're like, we should. What do we. Why would we do that? Why we go on that play for two? What was the problem? You know, it just is what it is. I've said this, too, and I'll say it again. The best thing about Mike Bobo is he doesn't read a thing. That dude could not log into his Twitter right now for 100 million in cash. He stays in. He stays worried about football at Georgia, and that's just where he is. And he's learned all that, too, you know, being a head coach and all those different things. And he just worries about Georgia football. And so there's just some fans. It doesn't matter. You know what I mean? It does not matter. I mean, I. I have personally heard Todd Monk and say, I told Kirby he better hired. This is the guy. Don't even fool around. This is the guy. I have heard Todd Monkin say some of those plays in Ohio State. He's like, mike Bobo drew that up that we put that in this week. You know, I mean, so there's those things.

[Podcast Host 1]

Some people.

[Rusty Mansell]

He's just never gonna get over the hump. I just don't think people understand. This guy is red and black. His entire family is red and black. His entire family are alumni. Like, this guy is a Georgia Bulldog.

[Podcast Host 2]

Well, Kirby ain't out here yet, but when he takes that, that podium, is there a message you feel coming?

[Rusty Mansell]

He always comes with one, doesn't he? I tell you what, it'd be interesting because they're not the favorite, like, media favorite, but they're going to get. I think people are starting to put together. I was listening to some radio yesterday. I think people start to get how much they got coming back. Like they've really dug into him. Like, wait a minute, they got a. They're one of the five or six has got a real. You say Georgia, but you really start digging into him this week. I'm sure he's going poor, pitiful me a little bit. He'll probably.

[Podcast Host 1]

He.

[Rusty Mansell]

He's. He's got that part in him that the Sabies come down here and use as a platform. I bet you he comes down here and says something about us playing nine games. Everybody. Everybody's adding it. Half the teams are adding a loss.

[Podcast Host 2]

And what do we get? What do we get out of it? Drink. I think Drink said that these days

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[Kyle Martino]

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[Rusty Mansell]

to his squeaky avocado. Dearest squeaky Avocado, my heart yearns to chew thee. Alas, I've devoured a small action figure and have taken ill, unable to partake

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[Rusty Mansell]

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[Rusty Mansell]

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[Rusty Mansell]

yeah,

[Podcast Host 2]

you know, hey, there's a lot of coaches that are talking about okay, don't

[Rusty Mansell]

think they own a text thread without sanking. I promise you that.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yep, this week we are. Our sponsor is helping us pay for the trip. Tennessee legend. The best Tennessee whiskey you can buy. We're asking everybody for their Tennessee legend boldest take this season in the sec. Could be Georgia, could be anything in the sec. What's your boldest take heading into the season?

[Rusty Mansell]

Last year I sit here with you and I said Texas A and M is gonna make the playoffs.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yep.

[Rusty Mansell]

And my boldest take this week, man, I really think South Carolina is going to be good. I think a tough schedule. They won four and eight last year. I think they get to eight games. I mean they went eight and that means they got to win either like at Florida. I think they're like they got Georgia at home. I mean they got some pretty. They've got about six you would be able to bet on. You think they can handle it's those two you think they're going to steal on the road. They got at Clemson. I think that South Carolina is the team that's going to be that's going to make that jump back into okay, they had a great year. I think they got a hell of a defensive end in Stewart. I think Lenore Sellers is a, is a, is a really good quarterback. I think the last two games of Nick harbor and you see this freak, you're like, okay, is this just a track kid playing football? Like he should understand this is a money year for him. You know, I mean and really Truthfully, there's nobody in SEC like this guy. I mean this guy's four, two, five, whatever. It's six. Six. I mean, I just think South Carolina is going to be better and they can't have any injuries. They don't have the depth. I just think my bow.

[Podcast Host 1]

Kendall Browns at offensive coordinator, Randy Clements at offensive line coach. Those could be the moves of the offseason.

[Rusty Mansell]

I think this, that Kendall brows for Lenore Sellers is going to wind up being a really good fit. Now, I don't know what's going to happen with the next quarterback. I think those two particular together it's going to be a good fit.

[Podcast Host 1]

Last question. Shay.

[Podcast Host 2]

He's nailed them all, man. Man. No, I. So you have. You haven't done your ranking right? You haven't done.

[Rusty Mansell]

I have not.

[Podcast Host 2]

Okay, so other than Georgia being number one, who you got number two?

[Rusty Mansell]

I'm. I'm gonna say Georgia number one because until somebody knocks them off, I would treat. If Alabama was back to back, I would treat the same way. Here's. I'll end with this. You know, Lane's here at the end of the week and Lane's gonna walk in here, talk about the process and building a program that ain't. They didn't spend build program money. They spent now money. That 100 million for you and then 40 million for this roster. You know what I mean? We. We spent now money. They are very capable of being damn good, but they've also got a lot of variables. There's a lot of. A lot of new pieces of the puzzle, a lot of transfers. I mean, how does that mesh? Is this quarterback healthy? I'm very interested not just in that Ole Miss game. I'm interested in where they are and how he messages this because, you know, he built Ole Miss like this and he got him there. But like Ole Miss, LSU ain't. They ain't doing this. They want to go like this. So it's be interesting. I bet you he walks in here and gives me. It's a process speak. Now they spent now money in Baton Rouge.

[Podcast Host 2]

Now I figured y' all be favorites now that Tennessee's off the schedule.

[Rusty Mansell]

You know, does that not suck? Does that not suck?

[Podcast Host 1]

We're fine with it. Was that nine in a row? Ten.

[Rusty Mansell]

Let me tell you something, man. I was in that building last year and I looked at Jake Rowe and I said, tennessee's better today. And I said, I got a lot of Tennessee fans, friends of mine. I said, they, they deserve this one. They, they. They have clearly outplayed Georgia. And I'm telling you, if I'd have wrote down three or four things, the only three or four things that could happen for Tennessee lose that game. They all did. But also, you know, Gunner Stockton throwing an unbelievable ball, great coverage, the only spot he could, and London Humphreys catching that. Look, I grew up to the 90s. I'm not apologizing. I had my share of ass whoopings with Philip. Former. And you know, having to deal with all that and then watching Jamal Lewis shred us from Atlanta and Cozy Coleman and Dion Grant. Trust me, I went through those ass whippings, but I thought that Tennessee deserved that one that day and. But it still sucks, man. That's just. I mean, that's fall, man. Georgia, Tennessee. Damn, you just jogged my memory.

[Podcast Host 1]

Last thing on Tennessee. You've talked up Mike Matthews for a couple of years with us. He had a big breakout year last year. How good could he possibly be?

[Rusty Mansell]

I don't know what's going on with him, but I know as a player that dude's a baller. If I'm Josh Hypo in this offseason, we're figuring out what we can do to make sure we use this kid because this guy's, he's wired different. Unbelievable speed. Tough ass kid. I think Mike Matthews could play corner, you know, and you got to figure that out. That's one of those pieces you're like, well, I don't know enough in quarterback play obviously is going to tell the tale there with Tennessee. It's such a, such a quarterback driven offense when they've been good, when Hypo has been good, he's had, he's had a guy. Do they have a guy? I don't know yet. We're all going to find out. But I am extremely confident in Mike Matthews that I will be on the table for him. And you know, this is a big year. Like, you got to make sure you use this kid and make sure what's going on because I know there's no, there's no like, okay, we thought he was this. I know what this kid is and I know his kid can fly. I know he's tough. Changes direction. Great hands. Reminded me out of high school a lot of Malcolm Mitchell. Played at Georgia in 2000 with Aaron Murray. Wind up going to the Patriots winning Super Bowls. He just, he's just fat. I mean, it's so good to watch Mike run routes. And when you say the football nerd to me, like when he makes a cut and you don't have to change speeds. Sure. He can go now. He can go.

[Podcast Host 1]

All right, thank you so much, Rusty. Before you go, tell our audience how to follow you. And you got any deals going on at Dogs?

[Rusty Mansell]

Yeah, man, Dogs hq. I'm sure we'll have some whenever this plays too. I'm sure we'll have some special football season going. But Rusty, Rusty Mansell, underscore. Thanks my ex. And you can follow me. And I have to text my mom here in a minute to get on and say, look, I've already seen. I've already seen the SEC boys. And she'll make sure she loves y'. All.

[Podcast Host 2]

She loves.

[Podcast Host 1]

She, she.

[Rusty Mansell]

I. I promise you, we love her. The day that you said my name on Fine Bomb, I swear, I like, my mom peaked. She was like, you're gonna be on Fine Bomb. He just mentioned her name. I'm like, what? My phone kind of blew up. You know, it's amazing when you're on there. Yeah, you hear? I'm like, dude, I ain't heard from you in 20 years. What are you doing watching Fine Bomb on Wednesday at 3:30? Do you work? You know, but I do always appreciate that. And she loves you, man. And again, man, I say this every time I'm on here. This is a good one. And I know you guys are doing it for right reasons and it's just fun. I'm not. I'm very picky, you know, to time with podcast of this, but I'll dig into, you know, especially now. I dig in. So, man, I'm proud of you guys and thank you playing your golf there.

[Podcast Host 2]

You know, he always.

[Rusty Mansell]

He always shows that video of the green and all that. He don't show his ass from the woods. You know what I mean? He's always like, I'm on number seven. Look how pretty this is. Well, how did you get to seven? What's going on behind you over here? Yeah, I want to see you looking for the damn ball over there and having to get out of your car, and you're sweating. Show me what's going on.

[Podcast Host 2]

I was reminiscing how many strokes I just had on that hole.

[Rusty Mansell]

Yes, yes, yes, man. That's awesome.

[Podcast Host 2]

Thank you, brother.

[Rusty Mansell]

Appreciate it, man. Thank you.

[Podcast Host 1]

Thank you.

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[Thumbtack/Spokesperson]

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[Rusty Mansell]

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[Rusty Mansell]

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[Rusty Mansell]

Talk to your doctor. Call 1-800-545-5979 or visit zepbound.lilly.com Nothing beats tradition like weekly game nights at Mom's House and Tostitos crafted with masa made the traditional way, starting with whole corn kernels with flavors worth gathering around like a hint of lime and Mexican street corn, and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. That's the Tostitos way. Bring Tostitos to your next game night and you'll be winning. Either way, Tostitos tradition matters.