Trey Wallace: Why Texas Wins SEC & Josh Heupel Facing Most Pressure

Summary

Podcast Summary: That SEC Football Podcast

Episode: Trey Wallace: Why Texas Wins SEC & Josh Heupel Facing Most Pressure
Date: July 29, 2026
Hosts: Michael Bratton (SEC Mike), Cousin Shane
Guest: Trey Wallace, Senior National College Sports Reporter, Fox/Outkick
Theme: A deep dive into 2026 SEC football storylines — especially why Texas is favored to win the conference, what’s at stake for top coaches (notably Josh Heupel), and who’s flying under the radar.

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on major SEC narratives heading into the 2026 season. Guest analyst Trey Wallace joins SEC Mike to break down why Texas is positioned to claim the SEC crown, debate which coaches are under the greatest scrutiny (with a focus on Josh Heupel), and evaluate key programs like Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Kentucky, and Alabama. Honest, insightful banter defines the tone, with a mix of expert analysis and the show's trademark candid, humorous style.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. SEC Media Days Vibe and Expansion (03:21–04:07)

• SEC Media Days in Tampa: Both hosts note the adjustment to Tampa versus traditional sites like Atlanta/Nashville. It’s “kind of like being out in Dallas a few years ago, a little awkward, but I get it. It’s all bid out. Tampa wanted it.” (03:28, Guest)
• The focus is finally “football talk,” with anticipation to shift from legal NCAA drama.

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2. Why Texas is the 2026 SEC Favorite (04:15–05:42)

• Texas' Roster & Portal Success: Trey Wallace picks Texas to win the conference, citing the strength of the roster, portal additions, and returning talent:

  "This is one of those years where Sarkeesian has so much...what they did with the portal, what they had returning." (04:27, Guest)

• Arch Manning Evolution: Discussion of Arch’s uneven year, with patience now expected to pay off.
• High Expectations:

  “It’s got to be the year for Sarkeesian to not only make the CFP — make the CFP semifinal. I’m not saying you have to win a national championship, but with all that talent...semifinal is kind of the bust point.” (05:34, Guest)

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3. Skepticism Around Texas and Sarkeesian’s Pressure (05:42–08:31)

• Areas of Concern:
  • Arch’s limitations last year, the OC/DC debate, and offensive line coaching are noted as causes for concern.
  • Some Texas insiders blame OL coaching more than DC. “He’s back. So there’s reasons to doubt Texas, is there not?” (06:12, Host)
• Sark’s Hot Seat?
  • There’s a real sense of “CFP or bust.”

    "If Texas comes out and loses three games this year, are folks in Austin ready to run Sarkeesian off after the season? ...You don’t get two, three, four years anymore." (06:45–07:54, Guest)

  • The money invested (roster and staff) means patience is scarce.

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4. Coaching Pressures: Josh Heupel, Lane Kiffin, Shane Beamer (08:31–12:06)

• Most Pressure This Season:
  • Trey Wallace’s “outside the box” answer: Josh Heupel at Tennessee.

    “Not that he’s gonna get fired...they made the decision at the quarterback spot to roll with a redshirt and a true freshman...They can’t win seven games, and they can’t lose a few of those games by a wide margin. This is setting him up.” (08:54–09:36, Guest)

  • Forecasts a competition between young QBs and says identifying the starter is “crucial by the Georgia Tech game” (09:48–10:47).
  • Praises defensive changes under Jim Knowles, expects improvement.
• Shane Beamer:
  • Noted as “another one under the microscope,” but less likely to be fired as South Carolina could hit “eight, nine wins.” (11:37, Guest)
• Lane Kiffin & Ole Miss:
  • Lane faces high expectations due to investments and public statements:

    “Lane set expectations the minute he stepped off the plane in Baton Rouge and said, I can go win a national championship at LSU, but I can’t do it at Ole Miss. OK, go compete for a national championship this year.” (12:25, Guest)

  • Ole Miss described as “CFP worthy” and possibly a November force.

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5. Breakout/Underrated Teams: Texas A&M, Kentucky, Alabama (14:09–20:47)

• Texas A&M:
  • “Poised here to be a problem this year in the SEC.” (15:11, Guest)
  • New QB Marcel praised for leadership, Mike Elko cited as a top CEO-style coach.
  • Lack of media attention could work in their favor.
• Kentucky & Will Stein:
  • Will Stein credited as a “grinder” who could restore momentum, not immediately a CFP team but “setting up for the future.” (16:27–18:17, Guest)
• Alabama & DeBoer:
  • If DeBoer goes 8–4 again, “I don’t think they can afford to fire him...” (18:29, Host)
  • Guest credits DeBoer for taking the Saban challenge; says four losses means “the pressure — Finebaum be blown up next year.” (18:40–20:47, Guest)
  • Team talent is there but chemistry and performance are the questions.

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6. Is Auburn Ready for a Leap, and Assessing Oklahoma (20:47–24:52)

• Auburn:
  • QB praised as top five in SEC, but OL concerns linger. Guest likes coach Golesh’s innovation, says 8–9 wins would be a successful first year. (21:12–23:22)
• Oklahoma:
  • “Want to buy into Oklahoma...John Mattier can be one of the top QBs in the conference...but defense is the concern.” (23:31–24:52, Guest)
  • Guest not sold yet as a semifinal CFP team.

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7. Congressional & Legal Stuff Simplified (25:28–28:13)

• NCAA/Congressional Deadlock Explained:

  "You got two sides...trying to add their own stuff to a college athletics bill to make themselves look good, while at the same time trying to help...there’s too many cooks in the kitchen." (25:28, Guest)

  • If nothing passes Senate in 2.5 weeks, “it’s dead on the water.”
  • Warns current system will lead to “$90 million rosters” and “NFL light” without federal regulation.

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8. Bold Predictions & Memorable Quotes (28:13–30:45)

• Boldest SEC Take:

  “Ole Miss will have a better record and go further in the CFP than LSU.” (28:33, Guest)

  • Believes QB and RB rooms at Ole Miss are even better than LSU.
• Texas Warning:

  “No three losses for you Texas this year. Your ass better make the CFP. Don’t screw me over here.” (29:15, Guest)

• Lane Kiffin, Golf Balls & Mustard:
  • Lane’s “bring your golf balls” joke for the Tennessee game:

    “I went to the SEC website...did he really say that? Let me go check. Yeah, no, he actually said it. Go get your mustard and your golf balls.” (29:56, Guest)

  • Good-natured ribbing about SEC traditions and hostile road environments.

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9. Coaches’ Social Media and Personal Notes (31:25–32:06)

• Trey Wallace on Twitter/X Handle:

  “I paid $5 and I tracked down the guy in Birmingham who had my name and I got it from him. So, yeah, follow me at @TreyWallace on all platforms.” (31:29, Guest)

  • Story about finally dropping the underscore from his handle.

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Texas’ Expectation Level:

  "With all that talent that they have, I think semifinal is kind of the bust point for them now." — Guest (05:34)

• On New Realities for Coaches:

  "When you put the amount of money that you’re putting into these rosters and the coaching staff...You’re not saying, 'I’m bringing in Jordan Seaton so I can win in two years.’ No, you’re doing it right now." — Guest (07:26)

• On Coaching Pressure:

  “Not that he’s gonna get fired…It’s just, fans expect you to go out and win now." — Guest on Josh Heupel (09:05, 11:25)

• Texas A&M ‘Sleeping Giant’ Angle:

  "I think Texas A&M is poised here to be a problem this year in the SEC." — Guest (15:11)

• Bold Take:

  "Ole Miss will have a better record and go further in the CFP than LSU." — Guest (28:33)

• Lane Kiffin & Tennessee Banter:

  "Go get your mustard and your golf balls...And I give credit to Hypo. You don't hear that type of stuff from him sometimes." — Guest (29:56)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Media Days Tone & Vibe: 03:21–04:07
• Texas as SEC Favorite/Analysis: 04:15–05:42
• Texas Hype and Skepticism: 05:42–08:31
• Coaches Under Pressure: 08:31–12:06
• Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss, LSU: 12:25–14:09
• Texas A&M Outlook: 14:09–16:17
• Kentucky, Will Stein: 16:27–18:17
• Alabama & DeBoer: 18:17–20:47
• Auburn, Golesh: 20:47–23:22
• Oklahoma Prospects: 23:22–24:52
• Legal/Political Landscape: 25:28–28:13
• Bold Predictions: 28:13–30:45

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Episode Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive look at the SEC’s elite and emerging contenders for 2026, spotlighting Texas’ loaded roster and immense expectations, pressure cooker situations for highly-paid coaches, and surprise teams primed for a breakthrough. The candid dialogue and friendly digs — along with memorable lines about “mustard and golf balls” — make this a lively guide to SEC football’s upcoming drama.

Find Trey Wallace: @TreyWallace on all platforms; Outkick.com.
Hosts: @MichaelWBratton & @BigOrangeVolz

Transcript

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

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[Trey Wallace]

All right. Trey Wallace, SEC Media Days Tradition senior national college sports reporter for fox.

[Guest Analyst]

What's up, buddy? Man, I'm good, dude. I'm enjoying everything. Being down in Tampa is, is, is different. But it's fun. It was kind of, it's kind of like being out in Dallas and we were talking about a little bit kind of like being out in Dallas a few years ago. It's always a little awkward when you get outside the, you know, the Atlanta, Nashville area. But I get it, you know, it's, it's all bid out, you know, so Tampa wanted, but, but it's good to be here. I think it's, I think it's different like what they did with all the, the digital drive and all the coaches. So. Yeah. Finally made it to talking season. I know we got the House settlement and the congressional bill and all that fun stuff, but it is good to talk about football.

[Trey Wallace]

But. Yeah, this is football talk.

[Guest Analyst]

Yeah. Thanks Gunner, with all that. I know we're talking about. Gunner stocked his pickup truck in there a minute ago, so it was good.

[Trey Wallace]

So who you got winning the SEC then, man?

[Guest Analyst]

I remember last year. Okay. Yeah, Texas is not going to lose three games this year.

[Trey Wallace]

I think they jumped all over your ass and you were 100% right.

[Guest Analyst]

Yeah. Thank you. I, I'm going to go with, I mean, I've been going back and forth on this. I'm going to go with Texans this year to win the sec. I know that's an easy pick for a lot of people, but I do think it will, I think it's going to come down to Texas, Georgia and Ole Miss atop the conference. Texas A and M right there as well, in my personal opinion. But this is also one of those years where Sarkeesian has so much and what they did with the Portal, what they had with returning players this time last year we were talking about Arch Manning and like, all the expectations, the Heisman talk and all these preseason award lists and I'm trying to tell everybody, hey, chill out. Like, he hasn't done anything yet. He needs six games. Let him get six games. Then he get what happened last year. Six games. He was mediocre last six. Okay, this is what we're going to get from Arch moving forward. So I look at them and I think, okay, this has got to be the year for Sarkeesian to not only make the cfp, make the CFP semifinal. I'm not saying you have to win a national championship, but with all that talent that they have, I think. I think semifinal is kind of the bust point for them now.

[Trey Wallace]

I get it. I get all the Texas hype. Everyone's on Texas, Texas, Texas, Texas.

[Guest Analyst]

And it's an easy thing. I get it.

[Trey Wallace]

Let me ask you because a couple things. Last year was weird. Remember when Arch was clearly limited?

[Guest Analyst]

Yeah, yeah.

[Trey Wallace]

It was like, hey, how about we put a camera on you when you go to the bathroom?

[Guest Analyst]

Right.

[Trey Wallace]

He changed the defensive coordinator. He says, now I don't have to focus on defense.

[Guest Analyst]

Right.

[Trey Wallace]

You're fricking the offensive court. Why are you focusing on defense? And defense wasn't the problem?

[Guest Analyst]

No.

[Trey Wallace]

I talked to a lot of Texas people. They think the offensive line coach was a bigger problem than defensive coordinator.

[Guest Analyst]

I would agree.

[Trey Wallace]

He's back. So there's reasons to doubt Texas, is there not?

[Guest Analyst]

Yeah, no, there absolutely is. Because you've seen them, even in the past with Quinn Ewers, like, you've seen them have the talent to go win a title. They haven't. I mean, they came up short in the cotton ball and whatnot and the plp. Like, I get all that, but they've had the talent. And I have to wonder, you know, if Texas. I'm not saying this is going to happen, but if Texas comes out and loses three games this year, are folks in Austin ready to run Sarkeesian off after the season? I'm just.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

I'm just saying, you know, we had that conversation. Is, is it playoff or bust for Sark? And I'm like, nah, surely not with all the money and stuff. But damn, they got a 40 million dollar roster. I mean, yes, they definitely can find the money to get rid of him.

[Guest Analyst]

Yeah, they can. And look, money is just a thing now in college athletics. I mean, LSU spending $100 million, you. You add in the team, you add in the coaching staff, all the changes at the university level, like, so they've Got money. If they don't need it, just maybe go get a loan from Cody Campbell. But at the same time, I think it is, like, I think it's CFP or bust for them. A lot of people have been asking that question about, like, Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss, too. And I would say, hey, we're in a different world now. You don't get two, three, four years anymore. Like, this is it. Like, when you put the amount of money that you're putting into these rosters and the coaching staff, you can ask for patience all you want, and you can say, hey, we're building a program here. Give us time. Okay, well, it's different when you're going to the donors, boosters, the Rev share, and you're spending this amount of money on a roster to win. Now, you know, you're not saying, hey, I'm bringing in Jordan Seaton so I can win in two years. No, you're doing it right now. So I think there's a different level, I think, for certain teams out there. And when you look at somebody like Texas or even LSU in that conversation, to me, for lsu, it is CFP making it or bust. For Texas, in my opinion, it's get to the semifinals or bust.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

I want to ask you, too, because I'm not in the camp that I think Sark's going to get fired. But, yeah, as far as far as pressure is, is there a coach that stands out to you? Because we got some, I mean, Beamers running around here. He's on the hot seat. Levy. You know, there's. There's talk about him being on the hot seat. So if you were to pick one coach that's under the most pressure this year, who do you think it is?

[Guest Analyst]

I could go three different ways with this one. I. I'm gonna go outside the box here. I don't. Not that he's gonna get fired. Pressure. Okay, Josh Hyple. Not that he's gonna get fired or anything like that. I just feel as though they made the decision at the quarterback spot to roll with a red shirt and a true freshman. We talk about buying time a lot in this sport. I'm not saying that Josh Hill in Tennessee has to go out and win 10 games next year, but they can't win seven games, and they can't lose a few of those games by a wide margin. I think this is setting him up. I think Faison is going to be a really good quarterback at Tennessee. I think he's going to be the starting quarterback. Now, does that Happen in the first game? No. I could see them pulling a Eric Ains, Brent Schaefer played both in the first and then let's roll to Georgia Tech.

[Trey Wallace]

Wait a second. You said it was about Hail Mary. Yeah, I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding.

[Guest Analyst]

No kidding, right? Took a lot of heat for that. Then a lot of other, hey, buddy. Then a lot of other national pundits want to come out and say, well, Faison's gonna beat the starting quarterback. Well, why were we giving to Trey for about, for a month and a half, whatever. Yeah, I, and, and that's, I just think expectations because with, with Hypo and where we were. But I will say all that to say this. He went out and hired the best defensive coordinator that they could get for Tennessee and that is a two year transition. Like, I understand that they brought in a few players to help out with that transition with Jim Knowles. For now, I think Tennessee is set up perfect for what they're going to try to do defensively. It's a far cry from what Tim Banks was, but again, I'm just talking about building towards the future here. You need to go out and be able to excite this fan base a little bit more than they are now. Have a quarterback that, you know, you can go into 2027 with, that's going to be successful. And I think that's why you're going to see him make a decision as soon as he possibly can. And I know that might take him. You know, it shouldn't take a minute or two, but I think by Georgia Tech game, Tennessee figures out who their starting quarterback is. And I hate to put that pressure on Hypo, but we're just all being reality here. You're spending the amount of money that you're doing. Fans expect you to go out and win now. And when you decide not to get into bidding wars with transfer portal quarterbacks. Now, you know, Hypo couldn't help that Lane Kiffin was sitting at T Pack, you know, the attack air, I'm sorry, tack air right there next to Tyson McGee, waiting on Sam Levitt to get into Baton Rouge. But at the same time, I think if, if, if, if they wanted him, not saying they could like had him, had him, but the money could have been there. And so that, that's why I kind of look at it with, with Hypo a little bit. But then I would also go to you guys and say, you know, Beamer is another one. But I think Beamer finds success this year. I think this is an 8, 9 win team for South Carolina. I think they, I think they surprise them folks bigger.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

First year Pete and Lane, obviously that was the storyline this, this whole off season. But I don't know, man, I'm looking at these over unders. I was surprised how high LSU was. I was surprised how low Ole Miss was. So who needs it more this year?

[Guest Analyst]

I think Lane, I think Lane needs it more because of the expectations and everything that went on to get Kiffin. God love him. I don't care about his seven week Twitter sabbatical. Ex sabbatical, like that. That means nothing to me. Lane set expectations the minute he stepped off the plane in Baton Rouge and said, I can go win a national championship at lsu, but I can't do it at Ole Miss. Okay, go compete for a national championship this year. You spent a lot of money on your portal roster. The additions were great, by the way. I think what they had returning, you know, his future son in law is on the team. You know, like I'm just saying defensively they're going to be good. And I look at, you know, and I also look at Ole Miss and I think to myself, man, they got the defense, they get, by the way, they got one of the best defensive minds as their head coach. And Pete Golding, who I thought has handled himself extremely well through all of this. And on offense, my goodness, you're good at wide receiver, you're good on the offensive line. You got Trinidad, you got Kewan. Kewan's healthy. Trinidad, like that team to me is CFP worthy. And you know what? First year headaches as a head coach, like a real head coach. Because even Pete said last year I'm an interim. And I loved the way he said that. I'm an interim head coach for this team. Next year will be my team. So I think that maybe I don't want to say expectations like low for Ole Miss. I think they exceed those expectations and I think Ole Miss can be one of those teams that, that is a force, you know, in the first week of November.

[Trey Wallace]

Well, one team we're not hearing much talk about this offseason is A and M. They're just coming off the best regular season record in the conference. Ivan. And one, everybody's. I don't want to say they're sleeping on them, but they're just kind of overlooking them. So. Yeah. What are your thoughts on the Aggies?

[Guest Analyst]

Goodness gracious. So Marcel spent a lot of time in Nashville over the summer, working out, bringing teammates up to the D1 facility. I think he's really embodied the starting quarterback role at Texas A and M. And I think, you know, I was thinking, I think I had this conversation with Hugh who I thought was the best coach overall from the CEO, CEO standpoint. You know, I said Mike Elko, because he's.

[Trey Wallace]

Texas fans, didn't like it.

[Guest Analyst]

Right. Because he's able to delegate, you know, but I, but I, but I do think that Texas A and M, it's what I mentioned earlier. I think they're that, that, that fourth team right there, offensively they've got it. Defensively they've got it. I think at the same time with Texas, I don't want to say taking the headlines.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

Who.

[Guest Analyst]

Okay. But what's the conversation been like in that state? It's been about Arts Sarkeesian, Texas Tech, Brendan Zoresby, Cody Campbell, blah, blah, blah. Not a lot of attention on Texas A and M, not by their own doing. I think Texas A and M is poised here to be a problem this year in the sec. I like their schedule. I know it's tough. I know when they got to play LSU essentially the week after the National Guard will be in Oxford, you know, and that like, that's another thing to me, it's like, you know, LSU and Ole Miss, y' all realize that that's not the season ending game. Like, y' all gotta go play. One team's gotta go to Florida, one team's gotta play Texas A and M, like. And I think Texas A and M is one of those squads where I think folks look at Marcel and they look at that Miami game from last year. I think he's growing as a quarterback and I do, I like Mike Elko. And I think Texas A and M is going to be a problem this year for the sec.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

We haven't heard from Silverfield yesterday, but we did.

[Guest Analyst]

Who's that?

[Co-host/Interviewer]

We get the old Steiner recliner in here, coming out here, say, I am who you thought I am. You know? Yes. So I, I love that attitude. But in your opinion, which of those teams are we talking about at the end of the season saying, hey, they've got something here that just need a little more time?

[Guest Analyst]

I think Will Stein, I loved his answer yesterday because, and he wasn't saying it because he's the best coach in the sec. He's saying it because he's been through the gauntlet as an assistant. I sat there and watched him have to figure out how to be a head coach at Kentucky while being an OC at Oregon while they played Indiana in The cfp. I remember having a long conversation. Obviously that didn't go well, but at the same time, I saw what he did with the transfer portal. I saw the excitement that he's bringing, and he's got that Kentucky in him. Like, I get that he wants to succeed, but I think it's more, I think it's more in depth than that. Will Stein is a grinder, and I think he's going to be able. He's going to, he's going to excite the fan base, and you're going to have Kentucky in games that, I guess it was, what, five years ago, Mark Stoops was, you know, they started on that run and you're like, okay, is, is this it for Kentucky? Can they finally break through? And we all saw how things went. But I do think that it's an opportunity for Kentucky to take that next step and get back in. I'm not saying CFP and I'm not saying 10 wins, but go in seven games this year, go win eight games, and then set yourself up here for the future, you know. And, you know, two years ago, Kurt Zagnetti said, google me. You know, Will Stein gets up there and says, you know, because of me, like, I get it, and you've got to be able to promote your program and yourself. And I think that was very smart on his part. And let's, you know, it's hard to say, let's see him backing up, but I think you're going to get the same Will Stein that you've seen since he took the Kentucky job and he was in Oregon and other places that you're going to get now. And I do think that there's going to be a different level of football at Kentucky that we've seen in the

[Trey Wallace]

past what happens at Alabama.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

So Trey hates Arkansas is what I got from that.

[Trey Wallace]

Well, I mean, it's Arkansas, you know,

[Guest Analyst]

I love Dicey Chicken.

[Trey Wallace]

What happens at Alabama if 4 lost a bore, does it again, goes 8 and 4? I don't think they can afford to fire him, not anymore.

[Guest Analyst]

He'd be wishing that he was in Ann Arbor right now. Like, you know, and I mean that in a respectful way. You know, probably not with all the nonsense with the war and everything else going on, but I, I, or Penn State, you know, I, I think that there is going to be. There would be a hard conversation. And I agree they're not afford to fire thing. Like, I get that again. And I, and I give credit to Caitlin DeBoer for he took the job knowing he was in Nick Saban's shadow. Usually you take the job, you let somebody else take it, let that shadow kind of get bigger and then all of a sudden you take the job. I think Calen Deboer is a really, really good football coach. I think that it is a different animal in Tuscaloosa. He's starting to understand that he gets it. It's not lost on him. He didn't run last year from the job. He stayed, fought his way through. I get it. Said all the right things. But you, you asked the question, you know, this is a four loss team. I think there would be the same conversations that we had last year after the Indiana game. I think that, I think that would be brought up. Is there another. Not saying you would do it, but would there be another job for him to take if he wanted to go somewhere else and whatnot in this industry? I know we got the extension and whatnot and that's great for him. But I just think if that happens again, me and the pressure, boy, I would, you know, fine bomb be blown up next year if he has four losses. So I am curious to see about Alabama. I think they got talent at the quarterback position. I think defensively they're going to be good. I think running back wise they're going to be good. Can they put it all together is my big concern. And if they can, okay, we'll see. But you're also entering this new dilemma, I guess. And can he finally, you know, deliver in a big way? And I don't just mean going out to Oklahoma and winning a first round CFP game. No offense. Great win but you got it. Got to get back to going again.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Are you, am I sleeping on Auburn? I mean I hear Doring this morning he had, he had Brown fourth best quarterback in the SEC and I was like, damn, if that hits, maybe I'm. Maybe I'm wrong. What, what's your. I love Golish. I think he is the guy and I definitely feel like he's a guy that can take this program back to greatness. But is he going to do it year one?

[Guest Analyst]

No, I think he's got, I think he does have top five quarterback in the sec. I mean probably number five. But I need to see that with an Auburn offensive line. I know what they did in the portal. I need to see that with them potentially giving up decent amount of points and them trying to keep up. I think Alex Golis was a really good hire. I think there are people at Auburn who probably look at John Sumrall and they're like, damn, we should have went out and got him while we had time. Because Summerall has Florida right now as kind of that talk of that team that's like, okay, well, might not make the cfp, but they're going to be a problem this year, I think. I think Golis will have success. I'm curious as to how to measure success at Auburn in a first year. But, you know, don't get beat by Kentucky at home, I guess, is probably a good way to put it. And also at the same time, I think Byron can be, he can be a problem. We've seen Alex Gollish, these types of quarterbacks and I, you know, I go back to 2022 at Tennessee, like he's not going to do anything at Auburn right off the bat. Like everybody's gonna go back and look at the tape. You know, it's going to catch defensive off guard. But here's the thing about Alex Golis. He is so innovative and can think on the fly and the way I think he's going to be able to command that offense, play calling wise. And you also have that trust component with your quarterback. I think that's key for them. And I do think Auburn is better suited this year to cause some problems for some teams. And then, you know, it's like I said, like you fight for eight wins, nine wins, build that momentum and then you can move forward from there. But I do like goalish and I think that, you know, there was a reason why he's in Auburn compared to Fayetteville and that's no shot at Fayetteville. It's just how the cookie crumbled.

[Trey Wallace]

Are you buying into Oklahoma who's tried to upgrade at the skill position, but it's a huge year for John Matier and Ben Arbuckle that the offense year too.

[Guest Analyst]

I want to buy into Oklahoma. I do. I like John Mattier. I think he's going to be obviously a lot different. After the hand incident last year, you know, we were all praising the doctor and whatnot for a little bit. Like it was all right, right. And then, you know what, they go do it at Alabama. Like I want to. There's a part of me that is nervous to go all in on Oklahoma and I think that is a defensive thing, you know, meaning I know they have talent, but at the same time it's okay. Can Brent Venables take that next step at Oklahoma, knowing what they have in the quarterback position, at the wide receiver position, running back, they're going to be Good. Like it. So it worries me so, you know, again, like, we sit around here and we make predictions all the time, you know, on what we think. I think Oklahoma can be a first round CFP team. Can they be a semifinal CFP team? And I'm not there yet, but I do like John Mateer, and I think, again, he can be one of the top quarterbacks in the conference. And I know the conference is deep, but let's see him take that next step at Oklahoma this year with this squad. I gotta.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

I gotta give you a shout out, man.

[Guest Analyst]

All right.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

My papa, when he turns off his tv.

[Guest Analyst]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Fox News emblem still just. It's just embedded into the screen because it's the only channel he has. So really shout out to you, man. Being on Fox, I just.

[Guest Analyst]

I was like, we know this guy.

[Trey Wallace]

Yeah.

[Guest Analyst]

I didn't even know I worked for Fox News. I'll be damned. I thought I worked for msnbc, if I'm being honest with you.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Guest Analyst]

But I do want to ask you,

[Co-host/Interviewer]

man, when I hear all this legal talk, man.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Might as well be Chinese to me.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

Can you.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Can you kind of filter it down for a dummy? Where are we and what's going on there?

[Guest Analyst]

Yeah. I'll make it real, real simple, because this is how simple it is for me. You got two sides, Republican and Democrats. They're trying to add their own stuff to a college athletics bill to make themselves look good, while at the same time trying to help the sport of college athletics while knowing in two months they're gonna be worried about getting their ass elected again. I think there are too many cooks in the kitchen when it comes to this college athletic spill. And I think you also have to be very careful about what you see come out being maybe just this provision to a bill and that actually going into it. Greg Sankey is not bluffing when he says, we will self govern ourselves. They have been talking about that now for 18 months. That is not a new conversation. But I do think the threat is real. And I think that we are at a spot right now where the cap, the portal, the eligibility, the lawsuits, the NCAA also doesn't help themselves. And they put out these rules, five and five, but they forget about the 2022 class. So to dumb it down, because I have to do this to myself, we have two and a half weeks. If they don't get this through the Senate floor and vote on it in two and a half weeks, which good luck, this thing is essentially dead on the water. And I know that's a little different phrase. But I'm from the south in Mobile. Dead on the water is kind of a thing. I just feel like there is. At the end of the day, we all try to act like we can get along when it comes to the political nonsense, which is why I never get into it. And you're trying to tell me that you're gonna do that with a college athletics bill, with four different big conferences trying to get all their stuff in the sec, Big Ten, you know, over here, I just think it's a lot, man. And I think that if they do get something passed, good luck, you know, passing it through the House. So, you know, I know this isn't a political thing, but unfortunately we are in an era where college athletics is being discussed at a congressional level. And so there is optimism that there can be some kind of federal regulation. And I do think that it's worth having something like that because we can't keep this up. And if we keep this up, we're gonna have a 90 million dollar rosters in two years and we might as well be NFL light, which is essentially what we're at now. So I am curious to see where this thing goes and we can stop talking about it in about two and a half weeks because if they don't pass it in the Senate. Good.

[Trey Wallace]

Shane, Anytime I hear about politics, you know what it makes me want to do? Drink. So our SEC media day's coverage is brought to you by Tennessee legend Whiskey. The best whiskey you could buy. So we're asking everybody for their Tennessee legend boldest take. Could be anything SEC related heading into the season. What's your bold take for the sec?

[Guest Analyst]

Man, I did really good last year. I don't know if I can live up to that one. See, that's the tough part for me. Ole Miss will have a better record and go further in the CFP than lsu.

[Trey Wallace]

I like that one.

[Guest Analyst]

Yeah. Yep. I think, I think, I think quarterback wise they are better than lsu. I think running back wise, they are better than LSU right now. Other parts probably can't say that, but I think that if Pete Golding does a really good job of delegating everything and focusing on what he focuses on as the head coach, I think they do have the opportunity to go further than lsu and we'll see what that looks like, you know, so yeah, there's my. There's my. Take no three losses for you Texas this year. Your ass better make the cfp. Don't screw me over here.

[Trey Wallace]

I love that. And stick it on the lane Kiffin theme. I know you tweeted it out. Kip was a Hypo. Bring your golf balls. You know, be fired up.

[Guest Analyst]

That caught me off guard like that.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

I honestly thought it was. I saw it on another feed somewhere, and I was like, hey. And then I saw there's like, oh,

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

In Baton Rouge, Lane Kiffin made his return to Knoxville. In your first year as a head coach, things got a bit spicy. Do you think that fan base has kind of cooled off? And what do you expect? November, when LSU comes to town?

[Guest Analyst]

Certainly hope our fan base hasn't cooled off. So, you know, whether it's the grocery stores being fully stocked with. With mustard or, you know, our sports stores making sure that they got reinforcements on. On the golf balls, Hopefully Knoxville's ready for. For his arrival. I went to the. I went to the SEC website, and I. I went back. I had to watch it because it's in the digital media workroom. And I was like, all right. Did he really say that? Let me go check. Yeah, no, he actually said it. Go get your mustard and your golf balls. And I give credit to Hypo. You don't hear that type of stuff from him sometimes. And he actually is a big joker, really good guy. But, yeah, I was like, okay, all right, cool. Let's see what Lane says. You know, and he's probably going to say, yeah, you know, bring a sleeve of golf balls. You know, bring your mustard.

[Trey Wallace]

Like that.

[Guest Analyst]

Right, Exactly. I mean, look, you know, Hypo's over here promoting that, and we're talking about the National Guard being in Oxford on September 19th. So, I mean, yeah, it's going to be wild. And. And again, like, with Hypo, he's got a really, really tough decision to make over the next five weeks on what they end up doing. But I will say, like, this part in that conversation is we are no longer in the day and age where you can pay a quarterback $2 million to sit on the bench, put his ass in the game, see how he can do so. That.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

That.

[Guest Analyst]

And we learned that from Underwood and others around the country. So, yeah, that's going to be fascinating. And good on Hypo for having a little fun while he was here. You don't see that often.

[Trey Wallace]

All right, Trey, before you go, tell our audience how to follow you and how to find all your work.

[Guest Analyst]

Yeah. On NBC.com. no, I'm just kidding. You can follow [e-mail]. follow me on socials at Trey Wallace. No more underscore. I paid $5 and I tracked down the guy in Birmingham who had my name and I got it from him. So, yeah, follow me at Trey Wallace on all the platforms. And yeah, man, we're just cooking and rolling along, and the season will be here for you know it.

[Trey Wallace]

You know you're moving up in the world when you drop at Underscore.

[Guest Analyst]

Well, man, I had to have it. The darn guy in Birmingham had used his account. It was at Trey Wallace for 12 years. And I was like, how much did

[Co-host/Interviewer]

you pay for it?

[Guest Analyst]

There's got five bucks.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Five bucks.

[Guest Analyst]

Five bucks?

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Guest Analyst]

Really? Yeah.

[Trey Wallace]

Worth every penny.

[Guest Analyst]

Well, here's what I did, though. I upgraded to like something else on Twitter and they took his name from him and I was like, okay, great, fine, I got your name. So it. It. It worked out. Screw that. Garn. Underscore. So, yeah, appreciate y' all having me, guys.

[Trey Wallace]

Hell yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Thank you, guys.

[Guest Analyst]

Thanks, guys.

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[Guest Analyst]

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