SEC Media Days Day 3 LIVE Recap

Summary

That SEC Football Podcast — SEC Media Days Day 3 LIVE Recap

Date: July 22, 2026
Hosts: Michael Bratton (@MichaelWBratton), “SEC Mike” & Cousin Shane (@BigOrangeVolz)
Episode Theme:
A lively, inside-the-room recap of Day 3 at SEC Media Days 2026, with candid impressions, coach/player interviews (teased, full interviews coming soon), shifting buzz on programs (particularly Ole Miss, Florida, Bama, and A&M), and trademark banter and food power rankings by Mike and Shane.

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Main Theme & Purpose

SEC Mike and Cousin Shane give a boots-on-the-ground recap of SEC Media Days Day 3, spotlighting the evolving narratives, off-podium interactions with coaches and players, and the unique atmospheres surrounding each program. Major attention is paid to exclusive access—mentioning their surprise sit-down with Commissioner Greg Sankey—shifting media buzz about Ole Miss and Florida, and the candid, dynamic personalities reshaping the SEC.

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Key Sections & Discussions

1. The Scene at SEC Media Days: Energy, Access & Surprises

• Day 3 Fatigue: The hosts admit they’re running on fumes—but hype up the day’s interviews and action, even more than Days 1 and 2.

  "SEC Media days. Day three. Probably the most tired day yet." — Mike Bratton (00:47)

• Exclusive Guest: Commissioner Greg Sankey stopped by for an unexpected, “father-in-law” nerves-inducing interview—audio coming later.

  "Upset of the century, commissioner Greg Sankey joined... That SEC podcast exclusive interview... It felt like I was going to talk to my father in law, you know..." — Mike & Shane (02:00-02:30)

• Other Notable Drop-bys:
  • Josh Pate (storm chasing talk)
  • Pike Golding, John Summerall, Florida players, media folks like Neil McCready & Zach Goodall.
• Atmosphere:
  • Coaches seem more candid and transparent, breaking away from “coach speak.”

    "Coaches are different these days. I feel like they're a little more open, a little more transparent and guess what? The media loves that... they're not going to BS you." — Shane (03:29)

• Standout Media Day Moments: Pete Golding drew major crowd applause during his press conference, something the hosts “never seen before” at SEC Media Days.

  "How about this, Shane... Pete Golding... I don't know if it's standing ovation but Applause for after his media presser. Never seen that before." — Mike (03:09/03:27)

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2. Coach & Player Personalities: John Summerall, Pete Golding, & the “New Regime”

• John Summerall: The Florida head coach stole the show with charisma, approachability, and energy—compared to a politician in the best sense.

  "He lit up this room... just going in here, kissing babies, shaking everybody's hands..." — Mike (04:12) "John Summerall would be the last one standing in a Royal Rumble fight... he's a football player too... one conversation with John Sumrall, you're hooked." — Shane (04:51)

• Pete Golding: Praised for honesty and openness at the podium, bucking the old Saban-school secrecy.
• The “Media Bump” Effect: Both coaches seemed to boost their schools’ profiles among journalists.

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3. Big Program Buzz & Shifting Preseason Narratives

Ole Miss — Dark Horse or Overhyped? (06:00–07:41)

• Media personalities and interviewed guests are suddenly bullish on the Rebels, talk of a national championship run floats around.

  "We've heard multiple people... have picked Ole Miss to win the national championship." — Mike (06:00)

• Defensive strength is the key rallying point.
• Some skepticism remains about sustainability and the grind of the new 9-game SEC schedule.
• Lane Kiffin's ability to keep things under radar is noted.

  "Lane Kiffin flying under the radar... Ole Miss is in good hands as well." — Shane (07:12)

Florida Gators — Early Breakout Candidate? (08:22–09:46)

• Quiet preseason playoff candidate, with positive word-of-mouth from media like Zach Goodall.

  "If there's a team that kind of comes out of nowhere to make the playoff out of the sec, it is Florida." — Mike (08:22)

• Depth, improved defense/wide receivers, and quarterback battle spark optimism.
• Florida’s pairing with Tennessee, Ole Miss, Oklahoma at a “7.5” vegas win total marks them as the league’s mystery box.

  "Maybe this is the team... You're looking for that lottery ticket." — Shane (09:30)

Alabama QB Battle — The Mack & Russell Show (10:56–11:55)

• No official QB named, but consensus at Media Days shifting to Austin Mack as the likely starter over Keelan Russell.

  "The consensus now, Shane, I've heard from a couple of people today, Austin Mack. Likely the starting quarterback." — Mike (11:10)

• DeBoer describes both QBs as having "elite traits" (11:10).
• Fans’ expectations and buy-in are discussed, as is concern about the OL being the bigger battlefield.

  "If you were to poll the fans right now, Alabama fans, that's not who they would have at QB1.... I'm not concerned with the quarterback as much as... offensive line is what I'm more concerned about." — Shane (11:55)

Texas A&M — High Ceiling, High Doubt (14:42–15:49)

• Mike Elko’s press conference zinger:

  "He was asked how does he keep the players from... getting [complacent] after last year's 11 win season, he said, 'Hello. I show him the trophy case. It's empty.'" — Mike (14:51)

• Not much hype outside of College Station, big questions remain about OL, new OC, and defensive turnover.
• A&M grouped with Alabama as least-hyped playoff returners so far.

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4. Key Upcoming Games & Predictions

• Ole Miss at Florida, Week 4
  • Both teams carry preseason win totals of 7.5; hosts debate which outcome would shift the season more.

  "Florida hosting Ole Miss week four... How big's that game for both those programs?" — Mike (19:07)

  • Shane’s pick: “Florida wins by two scores.” (20:31)
  • Mike’s pick: “Ole Miss gonna whoop Florida’s ass by six.” (20:38)
• Bama vs Texas A&M
  • Despite being at Alabama, Shane likes the rested Aggies over the Tide due to Bama’s tougher schedule run-in.

  "Yeah, I like A&M in that situation. Give me that all day long." — Shane (21:56)

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5. League Trends & Power Rankings

• Media Narratives:
  • Texas (most talked about team), Ole Miss, then Oklahoma/South Carolina, according to the frequency of media discussions. (26:51)
• South Carolina:
  • Not getting segment time, but “moving up” in media lists off the Beamer Bump. Shane: “I think South Carolina’s in for a big year. Big freaking year.” (27:14)
• Tennessee — RBU & Defensive Upgrade:
  • New running back commit feeds into the Vols’ “RBU” legacy: “Three straight 1,000 yard rushers, all SEC, all as first-year starters.” (29:16)
  • Jim Knowles, new DC, draws high praise:

    "Oscar Sooner says that Tennessee is going to shock people with the new defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles. He is absolutely elite." — Mike (30:02)

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6. Food/Banter/Atmosphere

• Media Days Food Power Rankings (30:42–32:31)

  • #1: Steakhouse visit
  • #2: Brisket & chicken at the day's lunch
  • #3: Mexican place
  • #4: Naked Farmer—called “plain, but good sweet potatoes”
  • Shane on meal strategy:

    "I have to have an upper and a downer... If I'm at a salsa place and I get a spicy... then about three chips in, you're like, dude, I got to cool this down." (31:42)

• Further banter:

  • Boiled peanuts, Mexican cookies, and how to handle food conversations when running out of meaningful questions.

    "When in doubt, throw out a food question. If you hear a food question come up, that's not because I'm hungry. It's because I ain't got nothing for him right at that moment." — Shane (26:19)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On interviewing Greg Sankey:

  "It felt like I was going to talk to my father-in-law, you know, for the first time. And I was like, what if he doesn't like me?" — Cousin Shane (02:19)

• On John Summerall’s charisma:

  "He was over here. Yeah, high fiving, saying what's up to everybody. That was unique." — Mike (04:14)

• On media respect:

  "Do we feel like the. We get more respect from the SEC each media days?... I could tell by the table location... Getting a little bit closer to the front door, which is awesome." — Shane (17:47–18:05)

• On the seasonal nature of SEC narratives:

  "There's a whole grouping of these guys that can beat you. And I may have them 13 on my list, but that doesn't mean 13 can't beat 5. I certainly can see that this year in the SEC." — Shane (19:16)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:47 – Tired but excited: Media Days Day 3 kicks off.
• 02:00–02:30 – Commissioner Sankey's surprise booth visit, nerves and all.
• 03:09–04:51 – Pete Golding and John Summerall emerge as star personalities.
• 06:00–07:41 – Ole Miss rising as a real playoff dark horse, media consensus shifts.
• 08:22–09:46 – Florida emerges as the “sleeper” playoff candidate.
• 11:10–11:55 – Alabama’s QB battle updates; Mack edges ahead.
• 14:51 – Mike Elko’s “empty trophy case” quote.
• 19:07–20:38 – Ole Miss vs Florida: Early season prediction battle.
• 21:56–22:13 – Bama vs A&M, Shane picks Aggies.
• 26:51–27:14 – Media talking points power rankings.
• 29:16–29:30 – Tennessee’s “RBU” streak.
• 30:42–32:31 – Shane’s SEC Media Days Food Power Rankings.

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Tone & Style

Conversational, loose, occasionally irreverent, with a friendly “insider” energy. Both hosts blend football analysis with slice-of-life anecdotes, food talk, and plenty of self-deprecating humor and camaraderie with their community of listeners (the “cousins”).

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Takeaways for Listeners

• Biggest Day Yet: Day 3 at SEC Media Days stood out for exclusive interviews (Sankey especially), candid coach/player moments, and a rising sense the league is shifting both on and off the field.
• Buzz Meter: Ole Miss and Florida are sneaky hot topics; Bama and A&M, though quieter, remain pivotal to 2026’s race.
• Changemakers: Coaches like John Summerall and Pete Golding are breaking molds in approachability and transparency.
• QB and OL Watch: Both Alabama and A&M have major questions still to answer—under center and in the trenches.
• Fun Factor: Food, travel mishaps, and inside jokes (like “meal strategies” and “emergency exits for big guys”) keep the content relatable and lively.

More in-depth interview content promised in future episodes!

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For up-to-the-minute SEC football banter, exclusive interviews, and Southern culinary musings, keep listening to That SEC Football Podcast.

Transcript

[Bank of America Announcer]

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[Mike Bratton]

Hey, welcome in latest episode that SEC podcast. I'm your host, Mike Bratton. Go by SEC Mike. There's old cousin Shane, everybody's favorite cousin.

[Cousin Shane]

Live from Tampa.

[Mike Bratton]

SEC Media days. Day three. Probably the most tired day yet. How about you?

[Cousin Shane]

Oh, buddy, I tell you what, I got a little bump of volunteer energy before I jumped on here. DGG Buckeyes. That one's on you. Come on. Oh, there's only one thing that makes me happier than landing a five star recruit, Mike, and that's going over to Tennessee Legend Distillery. Remember this whole episode, this whole event is brought to you by Tennessee Legend Distillery. Best damn whiskey this side the Mississippi. And if you get down there to to the Severe locations, one of the NASHV locations, be sure to let them know the cousin sent you. Not only will get a discount, but you will also receive a bonus gift. We got a bonus gift today. Thank you.

[Mike Bratton]

Someone's saying they could use that fire hydrant right next to your face.

[Cousin Shane]

The fire alarm was going off. That's why that I appreciate everybody coming in. I know that the time's been very fluid this week and I apologize for that. But we have been on the go. We got a lot of great stuff coming your way. The buzz was in the air until Alabama showed up.

[Mike Bratton]

Yeah. And how about this, Shane Upset of the century commissioner Greg Sankey joined.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah.

[Mike Bratton]

That SEC podcast exclusive interview. So tons of. We've done more interviews today than we've done the entire media days and we're going to try to top it tomorrow. But today's gonna be tough to top.

[Cousin Shane]

You know what, I'll tell you, man, I, I don't stay up all night like I used to knowing that we're going on fine Bomb. They used to be a thing. I'd be like anxious and thinking about it. It's not that Sanki coming to the table. However it happened, it felt like I was going to talk to my father in law, you know, for the first time. And I was like, what if he doesn't like me, you know. So great conversation with Sankey. That's actually a pretty cool interview. I didn't expect it to go that way. So it was, it was a great, great Day, man. Who else? We have Josh Pate came over, talked a little storm chasing with us.

[Mike Bratton]

Haley Manzill.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah, we had some players.

[Mike Bratton]

We had.

[Cousin Shane]

John Summerall didn't actually come to the booth but he did swing by actually he came by here and talked to us for a little bit. So it was good to see him and some Florida players.

[Mike Bratton]

Yeah, I mean it was fantastic. But the star of the show, the star of media days up to this point, Pete Golding. How about that standing ovation. I don't know if it's standing ovation but Applause for after his, his main media press conference.

[Cousin Shane]

Bless you, man.

[Mike Bratton]

Never seen that before.

[Cousin Shane]

No. But this is a sign of things coming, I sense especially today. Coaches are different these days. Right. I feel like they're a little more open, a little more transparent and guess what? The media loves that and we're not going to. I feel like hiding from stuff and the coach speak and you know, it's. I'm watching Papa Saban watch this thing, you know, and it's like the reigns have been handed over and I like this new group because they're going to tell you exactly what's going on. They're not going to, they're not going to BS you. They're going to let you know they've got some things they got to work out. But I thought Pete did great at the podium. I thought John Sumral did.

[Mike Bratton]

All the haters are saying Summer all won the day.

[Cousin Shane]

Shit, man. I'm telling you, he lit up this room.

[Mike Bratton]

I think he might run for president, Shane, after he wins a couple natties in Gainesville. Yeah, he was like a politician and I say that in a good way. You know, just going in here, kissing babies, shaking everybody's hands, giving them what's up. I don't, I didn't see anybody that was not very. Was not excited to see John Sumrall and he was excited to see everybody. I promise you we've been doing this long enough. Like most of these coaches, I don't even think as big as we are, I don't even think they know we're here, you know, like they don't look at us. They're just like, not John Sumrall. He was over here. Yeah, high five. And saying what's up to everybody. That was unique. So I thought that was pretty cool.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah. And I appreciate his team. You know, they really reached out too. And you know, this is a, this is a new group, man. It's a new regime. And I would like I said John, John, Summerall would be the last one standing in a Royal Rumble fight. But it's. It's definitely John Sumrall because the guy is an absolute monster. And what I like about it is he's a football player too. You know, he. You kind of sense that Braudo, when he was out there, he was giving somebody a hard time because their phone went off during the. The press conference, you know, but, yeah, this is a guy that, you know, when we talked to VB3, he was over here. He's like, one conversation with John Sumrall, you're hooked. You're hooked. You want to be a part of that. And I feel like Florida is in good hands.

[Mike Bratton]

Someone asked, is Craig Sankey a cousin? Now,

[Cousin Shane]

I would love to have him in the family, but I think we're gonna have to ask his handler first.

[Mike Bratton]

That's true. That's true. We'll say that for. Let's leave the premises before we get into that. But all right, let's do. Let's just talk these teams. Shane.

[Cousin Shane]

Yes.

[Mike Bratton]

Ole Miss. Lot of. Lot of Ole Miss love. We've heard multiple people, Shane, Multiple. Have picked Ole Miss to win the national championship. People that we spoke with, that's pretty interesting. And again, a lot of people are very high in their defense. Yeah, I think Ole Miss is, I think, as crazy as it sounds, they're being overlooked.

[Cousin Shane]

I think it was Neil that came over and probably the first eye opening conversation I had about Ole Miss because I was. I'm in that camp, right? I'm in that camp. That Ole Miss is going to take a step back, which naturally I think there's a lot of teams going to do that with the nine game SEC schedule. But, you know, he was convincing me. And then it seems like every Ole Miss cat we get over here, he's, you know, selling that snake oil. And I'm like, well, man, maybe. Maybe I'm wrong. Then Pete comes out here, wins the day at the podium, and Trinidad, I mean, look good. I. Yeah, maybe. Maybe that's the team that, that, you know, we got LSU sneaking in here tomorrow, Lane Kiffin flying under the radar. And I think that was where the conversation could have went. And I feel like if, if Pete would have went that route, that coach beat route, it would have been more about Lane than it was Pete. Established identity, this team real early. And I think Ole Miss is in good hands as well.

[Mike Bratton]

Are you feeling any more confident about the Rebels? Cause I know you've been kind of down on them. Are you feeling any more confident after Media days.

[Cousin Shane]

You know, I've got this list, I got a note list where I've got. I've already got the 16 teams in.

[Mike Bratton]

Are you changing it every day?

[Cousin Shane]

Basically changing every single day. Every day. And I. As soon as I feel pretty confident about one, I have to move it up, or soon as some more questions pop up, another, it moves down. Unfortunately, Mike, they can't all be number one. Right. So there's going to be.

[Mike Bratton]

You're not going to have 16 ones.

[Cousin Shane]

I tried like 1A, 2A.

[Mike Bratton]

Yeah. So we got to remember not to do. To do the ballot.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah.

[Mike Bratton]

That's another thing. Shane always. The end of the last day, he's like, I gotta do that. And, yeah, I gotta do who's the best defensive lineman.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah. Know when they start asking me left guards, I'm like, oh, this is not me.

[Mike Bratton]

How about some love for the Gators? Shane, about a lot of people are. Have them pinpointed. As I. I've not heard anyone say they're going to make the playoff, but they've said, you know, if there's a team that kind of comes out of nowhere to make the playoff out of the sec, it is Florida.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah. Well, I mean, we had Zach come over that. I think that was the initial conversation. That's where the buzz started for me, for them Florida Gators. And speaking of Tennessee legend, I mean, we're sitting here seven and a half. This is where Florida Gators are at seven and a half. You know what other teams are in seven and a half? Ole Miss, you know, Oklahoma, Florida Gators, seven and a half. That's. That's kind of Tennessee seven and a half. That's wild to me. I think they're seven. Maybe they're eight and a half. No, they're Tennessee seven and a half. Yeah. So, I mean, we're in that same grouping first year coach. That's pretty impressive. And then when I hear the players talk and then I hear Zach talk, talk about the. The depth on defense, you know, the wide receiver room coming together, the quarterback competition. There's. There's so much that that's going on in. In the swamp. But I don't know, man, maybe this is the team. You're looking for it. Right. Everybody's looking for that lottery ticket to say, hey, I told you first that this team is going to be great. And I. That's been a sexy pick here lately at media days.

[Mike Bratton]

Oh, how about. I forgot again, I don't want to give away any of the interviews yet, but we did have Someone's bold take. There's going to be a major scandal in the SEC. Yeah. How Shane, scale of 1 to 10, how likely is there a major scandal in the. I mean Tennessee just landed a big time running back. It seems scandalous to me.

[Cousin Shane]

No, he just, he just want, I mean he, he likes Knoxville, you know that it was a good decision by that young man and you know, I feel like something we were talking about yesterday, you know, if you're a running back, could you imagine, could you imagine coming out of high school as an elite running back prospect? I want to go somewhere that features a running back and not so much a committee, somebody that I can be a bell cow and get my opportunity to make nil money and move on to the NFL. Tennessee has proven that that is a, that is a location to do it.

[Mike Bratton]

You know who else is proving something to me? Shane, who's that players jingle for you?

[Cousin Shane]

It's Steve. Roll Tide.

[Mike Bratton]

Appreciate you. Steve. It up. You gave us a nice donation. 20 bucks. Shane. He says, did Deborah ever say it was going to be Mac attack with a Russell hustle? He did not. But very interesting. He said both guys have elite traits.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah.

[Mike Bratton]

Which people have picked up on. But the consensus now, Shane, I've heard from a couple of people today, Austin Mack. Yeah, likely the starting quarterback. And that's after months and months of us all saying Keelan Russell. Although shout out to Nick Kelly who we, we have interviewed at media days. But we interviewed him a couple months ago and he said the same thing. He said, this is not over. This has not already been decided. This is significantly closer than people are letting on. So again, Nick's a heck of a reporter, but the feeling coming out of media days is that Alabama starting quarterback could be Mack.

[Cousin Shane]

Well, yeah, and to kind of double down on that, he talked about his athleticism. You know, a lot of people didn't know that Mack could run. I mean, you're saying this in the big room. And so I feel like Kaylin DeBoer is kind of in a rock and hard spot. You know, he wants, he. If you were to poll the fans right now, Alabama fans, that's not who they would have at QB1. However, you kind of got to trust Kaylin DeBoer. And this is a guy that's been in Caitlin's system for a couple of years now. You know, he knows what's to be expected. The playbook's probably not a problem for him, but you got an Alabama football team that I feel like even though we didn't Have a lot of buzz about them on this floor. Very quiet. Very quiet. I do think that it's a team that kind of has an opportunity to make a run early in the season. So the offensive lines, my only concern, I'm not so much. It's like Josh Apple. I'm not concerned with the quarterback as much as I am maybe with a position group. And this one being offensive line is what I'm more concerned about.

[Mike Bratton]

Very important question in the chat, Shane. Shout out Cousin Mason. Shane, have you partake in boiled peanuts while in Florida?

[Cousin Shane]

No. I mean, we really haven't left this building.

[Mike Bratton]

Last night for dinner. You said it was the best dinner.

[Cousin Shane]

Oh, well, yeah, one block. But there was no boiled peanuts on

[Mike Bratton]

the way we left the building.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah, yeah, we did. Yeah, I guess we did, to be fair. But, you know, I never understood the boiled peanuts deal because I've seen it. I've seen stands on the interstate and stuff. And it's like, to be honest with you, I'm not quite sure how you eat those. Do you. You do take them out of the shell, right? Or don't. I don't know. I don't know. I don't.

[Mike Bratton]

I thought you were the expert because

[Cousin Shane]

some of them things look like they've been sitting in there for about six months. So I don't know.

[Mike Bratton]

Well, I think what you're really the expert in.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah.

[Mike Bratton]

For the cousins that want to know, what are these, Chinese cookies or what are they, fortune cookies? No, those cookies you keep grabbing over there and eating.

[Cousin Shane]

Oh, Mexican cookies.

[Mike Bratton]

There you go.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah, those are good.

[Mike Bratton]

I mix that up.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just a little off there, but, yeah, small bag. 90 calories. I've only. I tried to do one a day and I've already had my sweet treat for the day, so I've been good.

[Mike Bratton]

Well, I don't know anything about it because when they get put out, Shane grabs them all.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah, I just get one. Yeah, the little pistachios. Those are the dangerous ones. 90 calories, but no, the cafeteria food. I will say this. I will say this, Mike. This was the best lunch today. And I think it has more to do with the tide being in town. Savings going to be here, and they put out brisket, and it was actually pretty good.

[Mike Bratton]

How about A M? Was the other one that went today? A lot of Aggies are fired up, Shane.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah. What about Elko's comments about the comment of the.

[Mike Bratton]

Of the event so far? Anybody that missed it, he was asked how does he keep the players from, you know, getting how does he keep him motivated? Essentially, after last year's 11 win season, he said, hello. I show him the trophy case. It's empty. Which I guess Texas fans are loving that more than A and M fans, but it's true. And that's how you motivate people. You know, we haven't earned anything yet.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah. There's no trophy for going 10 and oh, is there?

[Mike Bratton]

Nope.

[Cousin Shane]

You know, you wish there was. And obviously it gained you a lot of confidence in your program. And, you know, I think it elevated the expectations of Texas A and M. But at the end of the day, Mike, it comes down to how it ends in November. So Texas A and M is another one that was out of, you know, out of all the playoff returning teams, it seems like.

[Mike Bratton]

Actually, would it.

[Cousin Shane]

Would you say besides them and Bama, I guess, in the same boat, least talked about?

[Mike Bratton]

Yeah. Yeah. And I think it's because they're retooled on the offensive line. Change it, Offensive coordinator. Aside from people in Aggieland, the doubt people have for Marcel Reed, there's a lot of doubt with that team replacing some key players on defense. Hey, shout out to cousin Sharon. She says your sister loves boiled peanuts.

[Cousin Shane]

No.

[Mike Bratton]

Just in case you might need to get her something for. For her.

[Cousin Shane]

She's weird. Anyway, back in the day, you know, I didn't know this was a thing. I know it got real trendy about the pickles, you know, but she was the first one I ever known that liked pickled juice. And apparently that's a big thing.

[Mike Bratton]

Oh, I'll tell you who I thought she was weird Cousin Jared. Shane just gave us a nice donation. Appreciate your cousin Jared. He's fired up for lsu, by the way. He's fired up for lsu. Lsu, Cousin Jared.

[Cousin Shane]

That's what you're fired up, Cousin Jared?

[Mike Bratton]

Yeah. LSU fan.

[Cousin Shane]

I know not be fired up. I'm just. I'm. I'm messing with it, man. You know, I'm fired up. I want to hear what Lane says. Now, here's the thing. Lane really does suck at the microphone. He's great on the keyboard, but he's terrible on the mic. But he is going to be hammered with questions from what coaches have said prior to his arrival. You got Josh Hobble coming up about the golf balls and the mustard bottles. You got Pete golden talking about, you know, their. Their relationship and the conversations that they had. There was Kirby Smart called out and said he was a troll. You know, so these are. We hear this, and we're just building up ammunition. So when Lane does land. We're going to. He'll never.

[Mike Bratton]

He.

[Cousin Shane]

That's one coach I can promise you will not be on this. On this road.

[Mike Bratton]

Hey, we got a question here from one of the cousins. I missed it who it was, but they said do you. Do we feel like the. We get more respect from the SEC each mini days?

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah, I do. I could tell by the table location tables.

[Mike Bratton]

Yeah, we're doing.

[Cousin Shane]

Getting a little bit closer to the front door, which is awesome.

[Mike Bratton]

Yeah.

[Cousin Shane]

I just. I feel like maybe not respect, but we've been here so long now I can't get.

[Mike Bratton]

Yeah, they're gonna show up.

[Cousin Shane]

I always wonder like you. You have something in your living room, you know, like you put a potted plant, one of them fake plants or something. And then next thing you know, it's five years later and you're not noticing the plant because you've gotten so used to it. But then somebody's coming over and saying, damn, that's an ugly, ugly plant that you get. That's. That's us. We're ugly panda. We're ugly plants sitting over here.

[Mike Bratton]

They can't get rid of that.

[Cousin Shane]

They can't get rid of. There's some sentimental value to keeping. Now that Sankey knows us, we may lose it. We. We may have lost it.

[Mike Bratton]

All right, so hey, these two teams go head to head this year, Shane. And since they're. They were today. Ole Miss at Florida, both seven and a half over under, how far could that game go in determining which one of those has the better season? Florida host Ole Miss week four. How big's that game for both those programs?

[Cousin Shane]

Florida hosting ole Ms. Week four after

[Mike Bratton]

LSU, it's so after Florida, Auburn, which I mean two big games for them back to back.

[Cousin Shane]

Because if your power ranking teams we've talked about this week, Ole Miss is top three. And the one games that I keep referencing how important week one is against Louisville. And then everyone obviously wants to talk about the LSU matchup, right? But it's the games after the quote unquote trap game. But you remember the last time that Ole Miss went down to the swamp? They ripped their hearts out. And the reason that Lane Kiffin's never been to a college football playoff is because of those Florida Gators. So yes, I. You better damn believe. And that's one of the things, Mike, that we keep talking about. This middle, this middle pack these tears. There's a whole grouping of these guys that can beat you. And I may have them 13 on my list, but that doesn't mean 13 can't beat 5. I certainly can see that this year in the SEC.

[Mike Bratton]

All right. But I'm going to put you on the spot.

[Cousin Shane]

Yes,

[Mike Bratton]

you can. You reserve the right to change your opinion. The last can change. We got to pick it today. Ole Miss at Florida. We don't have any information. Yeah, Ole Miss could drop both the big games they have. They could win both of them. I'm not telling you.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah.

[Mike Bratton]

Who wins? Ole Miss at Florida.

[Cousin Shane]

Ole Miss wins the first quarter. Florida wins the last three. They beat them by two scores. Florida Gators.

[Mike Bratton]

Hey, I'm glad you said that, Shane, because you couldn't be more wrong. I think Ole Miss gonna whoop Florida's ass by six.

[Cousin Shane]

By six.

[Mike Bratton]

I think it'll be a good game.

[Cousin Shane]

It will be a really good game. I. I don't know if that's the John Summerall bump.

[Mike Bratton]

Golden get a bumps too. But I guess he didn't come.

[Cousin Shane]

He didn't even come over here. I don't even know if he was here. You know, I'm just. I'm going off what people have told me.

[Mike Bratton]

Right.

[Cousin Shane]

But no, I get it, Pete. Everybody wanted to talk to him. They wanted. They want a little Pete of that. So. No, I think that's going to be a great game. But that's what's funny is we circle most important games coming into the season and it's a game like Florida and Texas that knocks a team out of the college football playoffs. But it also that I argue is part of the reason that they got a new coach because they show that it can be done down there, you know. So. Yeah, I feel like these games of the week, games of the season are going to change.

[Mike Bratton]

They're fluid now. Same thing.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah.

[Mike Bratton]

The other two teams we had today, Bama, A and M, it's later in the season. It's at Bama, but Bama's got Georgia and at Tennessee prior nah's got Citadel

[Cousin Shane]

and a bye week after. Yeah, I like A and M in that situation. Give me that all day long. It is on the. No, I don't hate A and M.

[Mike Bratton]

So you're going A and M to beat Bama even though you love Bama.

[Cousin Shane]

Sorry, Stephen up, but there's a team that's moving quick down my list and it's. It's the Tide right now. Yeah. I'm not getting the warm fuzzies and honestly, Caitlin Deborah, terrible at the mic today. Nothing that I got nothing here and. And I feel like it's. It almost feels like there's A setup going on, but we don't know about it yet. You know, you talk about conspiracy, it just feels like that everyone is convinced that this is Deborah's last year. They don't know how it's going to happen, but it just feels. Feels like that when I'm talking to some of these guys.

[Mike Bratton]

Maybe take like a Southern Cal job or something or NFL job or.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah, I. I told somebody earlier, I don't feel like Kaylin gets fired, but wouldn't surprise me if a Big Ten opportunity comes open. He doesn't take it, you know, or an ACC team or, you know, I would imagine he goes north, but we'll see.

[Mike Bratton]

Goes north.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah. Yeah, he is. But that being said, Mike, would it blow your mind? I guess it would yours, but I should.

[Mike Bratton]

No, it would blow. My defense is going to be solid.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah.

[Mike Bratton]

They always have good quarterback play under Deborah and Grub. They got to figure out how to run the ball again. Shout out Nick Kelly again. We had him on the show. He was touting up this freshman running back. Says he's amazing. I don't know how many good freshman running backs there are that. That don't have blockers. Yeah. So they got to get that figured out. But if they get the offensive line figured out, I think it'll be. I think there's. There's a reason to believe in Alabama. And they probably love the fact no one's hyping up. Hyping them up. And they want to playoff game last

[Cousin Shane]

year and this is a program again. If you don't have the schedule, it's ECU at home, Kentucky on the road, Florida State at home, South Carolina at home, Mississippi State on the road. I mean, there's, I mean, odds are they're going to be favored in every single game there. So if that happens, they start out five and oh, going, you know, having Georgia at home, which we've seen how that's worked out here lately. So I'm not giving up on, on the Tide. I'm just not as confident as I was coming into this week.

[Mike Bratton]

But you are a little bit more confident in A and M. Is that the Billy Lucci, David Nuno rubbing off on you or what?

[Cousin Shane]

No, I'm still out on them, too. Oh, I just, I. I feel like we. We have a tendency to look the last year and there's so much transition, but, you know, part of receivers. No, no, no. Great. They got dudes, man. Again. I'm not saying A and M can't make the college football playoffs, Mike. I'm just saying if I'm picking teams that are and some teams that aren't, they're on the art right now. They got a tough one. They got a tough one.

[Mike Bratton]

They're in the art.

[Cousin Shane]

They're in the art group.

[Mike Bratton]

I've never heard that. Yeah.

[Cousin Shane]

Welcome to day three of media days. Mike. I'm going to come up some more words.

[Mike Bratton]

What is it? The Barry Trammel. What was it?

[Cousin Shane]

Dumb nimrods?

[Mike Bratton]

No, it was a new word I never heard before.

[Cousin Shane]

Dum dums or num dums.

[Mike Bratton]

That's something.

[Cousin Shane]

Rum dum or, I don't know, something like that.

[Mike Bratton]

Something to be on the lookout for. We. We're learning new words from Barry Tramble. So that was a really good interview. Always appreciate having him on the show, but, man, I'm. I'm. How about you, Shane? Did this happen to you? And I know it did. That's why I'm asking you. Yeah, we interviewed so many people today that we'll be in the middle of a conversation. Like Shane asked a question, then I asked a question back and forth. And then Shane just starts like, he fires like four or five in a row because I don't think he realizes he's doing it. But I think of the next question I want to ask and then we kick it to me and I'm like, I lost it. It's gone. You know, and I have to scramble. And it's usually a two or three questions later I get back to, yeah, that was a good question. I'm going to circle back to it. Does that happen to you? It does.

[Cousin Shane]

And the dreaded, I'm not prepared for a question. And you look over at me and I'm like, I'm up. You know, that's when I'm scrambling and saying, hey, where are we eating in Lexington, Kentucky.

[Mike Bratton]

It's always shades.

[Cousin Shane]

When in doubt, throw out a food question. You saying, so as you're going through these interviews, if you hear a food question come up, that's not because I'm hungry. It's because I ain't got nothing for him right at that moment.

[Mike Bratton]

Yeah. Anything else? I'm not seeing a lot of questions from the cousins here.

[Cousin Shane]

Well, tomorrow we got lsu. Lsu, tag us coming in Texas. Arkansas is a team. If you were saying the teams we talked about the most this week, would you say Texas?

[Mike Bratton]

Texas number one by a country mile. Shane.

[Cousin Shane]

Ole Miss number two,

[Mike Bratton]

maybe. You know what one we really talked to. And I don't even know that we've had a South Carolina guy on but everybody's talking to South Carolina. They did that last year too. Oklahoma.

[Cousin Shane]

Now that's one that's moving up my list.

[Mike Bratton]

Yeah, we had Beamer on.

[Cousin Shane]

I know, the Beamer bump. Yeah, I'm sorry, man. I'm. I may be doing it, but I think, I think South Carolina's in for a big year. Big freaking year.

[Mike Bratton]

Was that your phone, Shane? They keep asking. That went off during the summer all interview.

[Cousin Shane]

Yes. I thought nobody would see me sneak out. No, it wasn't me. I don't think I've had a phone off silent in the last five years. There's no point. Yeah. Because my watch goes off if it's a phone call.

[Mike Bratton]

Right.

[Cousin Shane]

And yeah, honestly, I'm not going to answer it if we're in the middle of something. Anyway. I don't like phone calls. If you can. If it's. If you can text it, text it to me. You know, nothing's worse than firing off text and then you get a phone call.

[Mike Bratton]

Bulldog, Mississippi. Shane was trusted with the responsibility of the fire extinguisher in the emergency exit.

[Cousin Shane]

That's it. I kind of messed up on the flight on the way down here, so fat guy mentality. I'm like, hey, I'm going to get in early and I'm going to get the extra, the leg space and I'm going to get the front row. That makes sense. But then I started thinking on my way down, I was like, I bet they thought that too, you know. So the biggest people on the plane had the same idea and we're in the same row because I thought about the emergency deal because it also is extra leg room and I feel like I messed up there. I messed up there. Rookie mistake.

[Mike Bratton]

You, you certainly did. You know who didn't?

[Cousin Shane]

Who?

[Mike Bratton]

Cousin Lou.

[Cousin Shane]

Appreciate you. Thanks.

[Mike Bratton]

Shane, what do you think about the latest running back commitment?

[Cousin Shane]

I love it. I love it, man. You know we need it. Tennessee has rbu. We haven't had a lot of good things happen here lately, so it was nice to have something good happen for once. And yeah, rumor has it that the school also received an Adidas package which is coincidence so they should have plenty of Tennessee gear to wear there.

[Mike Bratton]

How about this stat, Shane from Tennessee. They have produced three straight thousand yard rushers. The current longest streak in the sec. All three did it. First year as a starter and we're all sec.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah. I love it.

[Mike Bratton]

Rbu.

[Cousin Shane]

Rbu. Yeah. Back in the day we had a case for it, right? I know there's been some good ones. Auburn's had some good runs. Texas has had some good runs. Oklahoma definitely has had some good runs. There's. There's been a couple of. But I feel like right now, man, consistently in the world of committees, to have that consistent run is tough. And Tennessee's on it. I like it. Rb, it's better. And punt you. You know,

[Mike Bratton]

Oscar Sooner says that Tennessee is going to shock people with the new defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles. He is absolutely elite.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah, yeah, I do, I do. Sharp dressed man. He's. He's a great. Honestly, for me, I'm in that camp. Well, it can't be worse.

[Mike Bratton]

Right, Right.

[Cousin Shane]

You pair that with what I think will be a better Tennessee offense. Yeah, I'm feeling pretty good. And I know Aguilar's gone and that kind of sucks, but even need them. Don't even need them making room. Yeah, just. I mean, they didn't want controversy, you know, could you imagine benching Aguilar for one of these guys? Which was going to happen anyway.

[Mike Bratton]

I could imagine it. Can we get a power ranking updated? Shane's food and yes.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah. So right now, number one is the steak place you took me to yesterday. It's great. The steak was great. I did not make it to the sides because I've been like I said, a good boy. But then I would say today, brisket and that little chicken thing that they made. Really good. Really good.

[Mike Bratton]

That was up there for you, huh?

[Cousin Shane]

The potato salad threw me off. I wasn't expecting that. I don't know if you had any, but you know, there's like two types of potato salad. There's like that mayonnaise yellow one and then there's kind of that whiter one. Does that make sense? And so I was expecting kind of a cool down on that potato. Had some spice to it. Wasn't ready for that. Caught me off guard. Had to go back to the chicken to cool things down. So. Fantastic. Fantastic.

[Mike Bratton]

I love how you strategize your meals.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah, well, I like to. It's like I have to have an upper and a downer. You know, if I'm at a salsa place and I get a spicy. I love spicy salsa. But then about three chips in, you're like, dude, I got to cool this down. Got sour cream. Take a sour cream chip.

[Mike Bratton]

That little chicken thing.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah, yeah, that was good. So that would be number two and then number three, I'd probably say the. I'd probably say that Mexican place we had. Yeah.

[Mike Bratton]

What about naked farmer?

[Cousin Shane]

Naked farmer. About four. I'd put it at the four Spot. It's right there. It was plain, you know, I mean it wasn't not seasoned or anything like that. It's just exactly what you thought it would be. The only thing that that brought it up was the sweet potatoes. So that would be in the four spot.

[Mike Bratton]

All right, buddy. Anything else? I mean, I'm kind of running out of words here.

[Cousin Shane]

No. Yeah, I know it sucks that we can't give you more information on these and I appreciate all the cousins are tuning in, but I.

[Mike Bratton]

They're going to be so loaded with content where you don't have to apologize for anything. We got like, you'll see it, 40 videos coming.

[Cousin Shane]

We got some, we got some good coming, man. I. It is worth the wait, you know, because, because everybody's doing theirs right now. And so let's, let's get all that, the boring content out of here. We'll get all the fun stuff coming up later. We hard hitting analysis coming from that SEC podcast, boys. So I appreciate everybody that's giving us a thumbs up.

[Mike Bratton]

Yeah, old mace says shade looking sliver than yesterday. The food really is bad at the

[Cousin Shane]

hotel, you know, but it looks like I'm smaller than I was yesterday. You know what kind of camp I'm living in here, so. Oh, man. No, I, again, I, I appreciate all the coaches. I know because some of the coaches are listening. They do. And the players are listening and people you're not expecting are listening. And I appreciate everybody that has brought a player over here. I appreciate everybody's brought a coach over here. It's not easy to navigate this thing because Disney's gonna get theirs right on three is going to get theirs. And then eventually there's going to be

[Mike Bratton]

the last man on the totem pole.

[Cousin Shane]

That's right.

[Mike Bratton]

Wouldn't have it any other way.

[Cousin Shane]

Wouldn't I would. Yeah. The people's podcast.

[Mike Bratton]

All right, buddy. So that's going to do it for this episode. We appreciate each and every one of you. We're going to try to re energize. I've been going to sleep at 9pm every night.

[Cousin Shane]

Yeah.

[Mike Bratton]

Still waking up exhausted. But we're going to do it one more day. Yep. It's going to be the best day yet.

[Cousin Shane]

Hell yeah.

[Mike Bratton]

And then we're going to have to head home and drop all this content. So we appreciate each and every one of you and we'll catch you on the next night.

[Cousin Shane]

See you guys. Go Balls.

[Mike Bratton]

Hey, buddy.

[Cousin Shane]

This beer's for you.

[Mike Bratton]

Mike and cousin Shane. That SEC podcast loves the pirate and

[Cousin Shane]

the pirate loves that SEC Podcast Hail State.

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