Adnan Virk (1:54)

Listen to NHL Unscripted with Virk and demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Brady Quinn (2:03)

What's up everyone?

Steve Covino (2:03)

It's Justin Penick from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today podcast with Bobby Skinner and Chris Rose. We roll three times a week on Mondays, on Wednesdays, on Fridays, breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL. We're gearing up for the NFL playoffs. I hope you can join us. Join in with us three times a week. Listen to Football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and you will be glad you did. You are listening to the Dan Patrick.

Dan Patrick (2:36)

Show on Fox Sports Radio. He's Brady Quinn, Fox college football analyst, Big Noon, Kickoff and Two Pros and a Cup of Joe, the radio show that precedes ours on Fox Sports Radio. And Brady Quinn joining us on the program. How nervous are you for this game coming up tonight?

Brady Quinn (2:55)

Well, first off, let me answer that question by saying this. Fritz, he sounds very much like Bill Belichick when he, when he calls in for these, these radio hits. So I just want you to know it's a very similar demeanor from Fritzi and Bill Belichick. They almost sound like the same person. But in regards to tonight's game, there's some nerves there. I mean, look, this is a really good Penn State football team. You know, Notre Dame's banged up. I think if you look at the matchup of these two teams, you know, it's going to come down to the effectiveness of running the football and stopping to run. And I think if you look at Penn State, they've got a couple of backs and Catron Allen, Nick Singleton, who's been phenomenal, their tight end, Tyler Warren will be a part of that rushing attack. And for Notre Dame, you know, Riley Leonard and Jeremiah Love, his health and status is obviously of some concern. He's an incredible player. Jadarian Price can kind of take over that load along with Williams as well, the freshman. But that's, you know, this is going to be a good game. The spreads tight for a reason. And I think it's going to be potentially a really ugly game to watch though. Dan, when it's all said and done, meaning defensive football, you know, I think you're going to see a lot of back and forth punting. Special teams will play a role. I'll be shocked if they give Notre Dame's returners opportunity to actually return the football, given that if there's one distinct advantage for Notre Dame this game, it is their special teams play, especially the way it's been throughout the course of the year. Field goal kicking hasn't necessarily been as good consistently, but Jeter was great, obviously in the most recent game.

Dan Patrick (4:22)

So Brady will be on the field tonight. Urban Meyer, Matt Leiner, Vince Wilfort, that'll be pre game. You know, I was wondering about or how you thought being a former Notre Dame athlete. James Franklin was at the press conference with Marcus Freeman and he says, hey, no offense to you, but you know, everybody should be in a conference. So there's only one school that you're talking about when you say everybody should be in a conference here. Do you see a scenario at any point in the next five years where Notre Dame is in a conference?

Brady Quinn (4:55)

I don't. And I think there's only two ways that hand would be forced. You know, the first would be if they weren't able to play for a national championship in football, if they weren't a part of a conference. So if that ended up being the case, that would force Notre Dame to have to make that decision. I think the next thing would be the economics of it. You know, if Notre Dame didn't have a television partner like NBC that is able to, you know, single handedly help, you know, promote their brand, their school and the university, that would be probably. The other thing is if the economics become so big in favor of joining a conference that you'd be playing at a huge disadvantage because with the NBC contract, the parcel affiliation, with the accident, that's just not the case as of now, you know, and in fact, if you look at their advancement through the College Football Playoff while all these other teams are, you know, making money, but they have to share with the rest of the conference, Notre Dame pockets all of it. And that's a huge advantage for them in particular, even, you know, not having to play a conference championship game, but and then having to play a first round game because they're going to be making money off that, not only hosting one if they are good enough to host a game like this season, but also if you're looking at, you know, the subsequent rounds and all the money they'll be keeping in their pockets.

Dan Patrick (6:07)

This whole thing about, and I've railed on this for a while about conference championship games, I know it's a money grab, but every conference either has to have a conference championship game or not. And I wonder if we get to the point, where can these conference championship games be a first round bowl game? Can we add more importance to it as opposed to they're trying to diminish the outcome? Hey, Penn State lost Oregon, no big deal. You get to still, you know, be a top seed here. I'm wondering the future of these Conference title games.

Brady Quinn (6:41)

No, to your point, it does feel like it's a money grab, you know, in reality. And I think if you look at the attendance too, in some cases, I mean, it's a lot on the fans. It's hard to get probably the environment that you want, knowing that we now have an expanded playoff and there's going to be an initial home game or you're going to be traveling to, you know, one of the new year six games at some point, the quarterfinals and the semifinals and then the national championship, if you're so lucky to get there. So there's a. There's a lot of economics that it's hitting the pockets of fans and some of the teams that are a part of it, but there's also the television portion of it. And I do think you bring up a good point. You know, how necessary are these conference championship games? Because it felt exclusive to college football. You know, as this model looks closer and closer to the NFL playoff system, you sit there and go, well, they have a regular season where they just determine who wins the division. They don't need to play off with the top two teams at the end of the season to determine that. They've already got that figured out. You could do the same thing with the conferences. The only, the only tough part about saying that is you only have four teams in division, and these conferences now are so big that it's almost an apples to oranges comparison. And looking at, for example, the schedule Ohio State played versus, for example, the schedule Indiana played within the same conference. So because of that, you start to look at those things and go, all right, you know, maybe it's harder than we thought to just determine who the conference champion is. And there's going to be a lot of years where you have a tie. I mean, the Big 12 went through this back when they didn't have their conference championship game. There was the slogan was the one true champion. And then you had Baylor and TCU tie the first year of the playoff, and then neither made it in the playoff because the Big 12 could even decide who their conference champion was.

Dan Patrick (8:17)

We're talking to Brady Quinn, Fox Sports college football analyst. He is part of the Orange Bull hall of Fame committee joining us on the program.

Brady Quinn (8:28)

It's very prestigious. I chair it, actually. You had a big part along with the rest of the committee and getting our three selected hall of Fame inductees in there today. So if it just so happens that even though it's an ESPN broadcast, you know they're going to have to Maybe put a couple of Fox Sports big new takeoff guys on TV at some point. I may or may not have played a role in that.

Dan Patrick (8:51)

Okay, so Urban and Matt Leinert and Vince Wilfort are going into the Orange bowl hall of Fame?

Brady Quinn (8:57)

Yes, that's correct.

Dan Patrick (8:58)

Okay, and you're hoping that you get some kind of acknowledgment on ESPN with the Fox big noon kickoff?

Brady Quinn (9:06)

I'm not saying I'm hoping anything. I'm just saying it might be hard to cover a game that not cover, you know, three historic figures. In this, you know, tradition, the history of the Orange bowl could not include acknowledging that at some point, like, hey, Urban Meyer and Matt Lantern, Vince Wolf worker here, because they're being inducted into the hall of Fame. Like, it just. It seems like if you're espn, they make some mistakes. But if you're esn, you probably want to include that at some point, the broadcast. Maybe I'm wrong.

Dan Patrick (9:33)

Maybe I'm wrong Handicap. Ohio State, Texas.

Brady Quinn (9:37)

I would say the line sitting right now at 6 at this point, I think, you know, again, it comes down to, like, both these teams playing to their potential. We've seen Ohio State do that the past two weeks, and everyone goes, my goodness, that's the best team in the country and it's not even close. And the flip side, we watch Texas and it feels like at times, not that they get disinterested and, you know, I'm not going to play on that narrative, but it doesn't feel like they ever play up to their potential. So I don't know if they can find that. If Quinn Ewers in this offense can. Can find more of that, consistently find more of that, like, big play, ability to break off, you know, versus Ohio State like they did and have so far in this playoff. I mean, it's like between Oregon and Tennessee and they put their foot on the gas, it's like, it's not even close. And I obviously have a ton of respect for Dan Lenning, the job he did at Oregon this year. So that to me, that Ohio State team, it's more about can they continue the momentum, can they continue to keep playing at the level which they have now the past two games. If they have, no one can touch them like, this spread, in my opinion, should be like nine and a half. Ohio State's going to be the team we saw the first two games so far in the playoff.

Dan Patrick (10:44)

What if Quinn Ewers wins the national championship and then has to leave Texas?

Brady Quinn (10:51)

It's a great hypothetical to throw out There. But if he's leaving Texas after winning the national championship, he's going to be going to the draft. Like, everyone wants to make this, like, some big conversation about, you know, the Arch Manning and he's going to be the guy next year, then that's. That's all, you know, true. But if I'm Quinn yours and then that scenario plays itself out, I'm looking at this quarterback draft class and going, hold on a second, like, Shador looks to be the number one guy based on the tape and film and all that. But, like, why can't Quinn be the next guy based on these evaluations? You know, he's played really well throughout his career, big games, he's got the arm strength, he's got the ability. He's been tough this year playing through injury. I'm just. I'm not sure in a year where with the tape that Carson Beck put out there, he's coming off an injury. You know, Cam Ward was special and dynamic, but people are going to have concerns about, you know, operating an NFL offense. All those things that come up that people try to, you know, draw and take away from what they see on tape. And so why not, if your Quinn Ewers try to be a part of this quarterback draft class, playing on all that momentum that you would be getting off a national championship.

Dan Patrick (11:53)

Is Riley Leonard an NFL quarterback?

Brady Quinn (11:56)

I think so. You know, and look, I think there's still parts of his game that are developing. He reminds me a lot of Ryan Cannonaut, you know, when you go back to Ryan, who played wide receiver at his time at Texas and M, then transition to a quarterback. Now, I think Ryan had, you know, in his final time at Texas A and M, displayed himself as much more of a passer at that point. But if you look at Riley, I mean, he's getting to a team in his, you know, final year of play, and he's got to learn a new offense, he's got to develop chemistry with these guys, and there's a lot of moving parts to all that. And so I think there's going to be people who are going to be able to watch the tape and say, he's an incredible athlete, good leader. He's obviously tough. He has all these intangibles we're looking for, obviously the size and he has the arm strength. It's just there's things they got to hone in on in regards to how he sees the field, how he processes, and in particular, throwing down the field. You know, that's one of the Things that I think stands out to me is they haven't been able to be as successful over 10 yards downfield consistently within the offense. And again, there's a lot of reasons to that, but I think he's got the capability of playing at the next level.

Dan Patrick (12:57)

If Bill Belichick asked for advice, what would you tell him?

Brady Quinn (13:03)

Oh man, I would tell him, why the hell are you asking me first? I'd be like, you already got problems. If you're like, let's just start with this. Like, like where did you go wrong? Like, I'm probably turning back around him. Like, like who's, who gave you bad advice or why? Who told you to ask me something? Hey, I guess the first thing I would say is it's so hard because we're assuming he's the head coach in North Carolina, right? We're not assuming he's going to potentially leave for an NFL job, which still baffles me that, you know, someone hasn't hired him in the past two years. If that's the case, I would say the number one thing is he has to go find a quarterback, like evaluate the roster and you can, you know, construct the roster through nil and high school recruits and all that. But he needs to find a veteran guy and get to the portal, the best guy possible. And he needs to go attack and get one of these stud guys coming out from high school. And you need to have at least a couple guys there to provide you depth, ability, but also for stability. So that would be the number one thing that I'd say if you look at a college game, like I would actually say the, the college quarterback is more paramount then, then even an NFL quarterback to a degree and people might take issue with that, but I just think the way the game is played nowadays and the way the advantage that the elite quarterback at college gives you over even at the NFL, we gotta go up against good defenses and the offensive line matters even more. There's all these other parts play a factor. I mean, if you have an elite quarterback, like you really can go far. And I think Cam Ward's an example of that. Like how many of those other players on Miami this year you look at saying, well those guys are draftable or those guys are going to be, you know, top pick. And I think without him this year they're probably a five win team. And then it's dramatically different conversation when Camborg gets there. So I would say he's got to go address that position first and foremost with, with an older, experienced guy. If he can if you have to, through the portal. And then obviously a high school guy.

Dan Patrick (15:05)

Have fun tonight and don't be like, you know, somebody's on the field. Espn. Are you going to be like, jumping behind them and jumping up and down? You're not going to be waving or anything?

Brady Quinn (15:14)

Okay, no, I'll be hard to miss. I'll be wearing my orange jacket down there. So. So if you look down, they're like, why? Why is he wearing orange? Like, what? Like, not a lot of people know that I'm on the Orange bowl committee. So it's, it's always funny to see the response from people when you wear those orange jackets because they do stand out. It's tremendous marketing. But then it always comes with, like, who are you rooting for if you're wearing orange? So, like, well, I've got my nd stuff on underneath, but I'll be wearing an orange jacket during the presentation.

Dan Patrick (15:40)

Thank you, Brady.

Brady Quinn (15:42)

Thank you.

Dan Patrick (15:43)

That's Brady Quinn.

Steve Covino (15:44)

Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows@foxsportsradio.com and within the iHeartRadio app.

Dan Patrick (15:53)

Search FSR to listen live. Hey, it's Steve Covino.

Steve Covino (15:57)

And I'm Rich Davis.

Dan Patrick (15:58)

And together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio.

Steve Covino (16:01)

You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio and of course, the iHeartRadio radio app.

Dan Patrick (16:08)

Why should you listen to Covino and Rich?

Steve Covino (16:10)

We talk about everything. Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world.

Dan Patrick (16:14)

We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss.

Steve Covino (16:22)

And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved, too.

Dan Patrick (16:30)

Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say.

Steve Covino (16:33)

I say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive.

Dan Patrick (16:37)

Show on planet earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific.

Steve Covino (16:44)

And if you miss any of the live show, just search Kovino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course, on social media, that's Covino and Rich.

Dan Patrick (16:52)

What's the future hold for business? You can ask nine experts and you'll get 10 answers. Bull market, bear market, inflation up, down. You need somebody to help you well over 41,000 businesses have future proofed their business with NetSuite by Oracle, the number one Cloud ERP unified business management suite. One source of truth giving you the visibility and control that you need to make quick decisions, real time insights, and forecasting, you'll be peering into the future with actionable data. Now, whether your company is earning millions or even hundreds of millions, NetSuite helps you respond to immediate challenges and seize your biggest opportunities. Speaking of opportunity, download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at netsuite.com Patrick the guide is free for you at netsuite.com Patrick that's netsuite.com Patrick Good luck.

Bobby Bones (17:50)

Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirrorball trophy from Dancing with the Star. So where else are you going to find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? Based in Nashville, we're more than just your basic NFL show. We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything because we got lots to say. I texted you and you texted me back. Now, I don't know if you have the update, but like all the little thumbs up and heart and stuff, like it's all colored. They changed it and the heart's a little pink. It felt like I told you I loved you. I'm gonna be honest, it was a little pink.

Steve Covino (18:34)

There was something sentimental when you like when, when you send it, it's like.

Dan Patrick (18:38)

Do I send the heart?

Steve Covino (18:40)

Now?

Bobby Bones (18:40)

I don't like the color edition.

Steve Covino (18:41)

It's extremely pink.

Bobby Bones (18:43)

Listen to Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Adnan Virk (18:50)

What's up, everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast from iHeart podcast in the National Hockey League. It's NHL unscripted with Virk and Demers.

Jason Demers (18:58)

Hey, I'm Jason Demers, former 700 game NHL defenseman turned NHL Network analyst, and boy, oh boy, does daddy have a lot to say.

Adnan Virk (19:07)

I love you, by the way, on NHL Network. We're looking forward to getting together each week to chat and chirp about the sport and all the other things to running it that we love. Right?

Jason Demers (19:15)

Yeah, I just met you today, but we're going to have a ton of guests from the colliding worlds of hockey, entertainment and pop culture. And you Know what? Tons of back and forth on all things NHL.

Adnan Virk (19:26)

Yeah, you're soon going to find out we're not just hockey talk. We're into all kinds of random stuff on this podcast. Movies, television, food, wrestling. Even the stuff that you wear on NHL.

Jason Demers (19:35)

Now you wish you could pull off my short shorts, Ferkie.

Adnan Virk (19:38)

That shirt of Casa ruckus. Listen to NHL Unscripted with Ver and Demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Dan Patrick (19:50)

We spoke with Kyle Hamilton yesterday after practice and he is a two time Pro bowl safety for the Ravens and a Notre Dame grad as well played under Marcus Freeman as his defensive coordinator. And I started out by asking Kyle Hamilton which game does he feel more confident about. The Ravens against the Steelers or is Fighting Irish playing tonight against Penn State?

Kyle Hamilton (20:15)

You know, take it one step at a time. So Notre Dame is tomorrow. So I'm, I'm worried about that Notre Dame game tomorrow. I got a few Penn State people talking a little trash. But you know, I said it's, it's. They had a good season. They. It's kind of a cool story that came this far, get the program started, but we got bigger things to do.

Dan Patrick (20:35)

Okay. You have, I think three teammates who went to Penn State. Are there any side bets on this game?

Kyle Hamilton (20:42)

A ton of bragging rights because that's all anybody does is brag about their college. But you know, come Friday morning, I'm going to be really loud.

Dan Patrick (20:49)

Marcus Freeman looks like he could still play.

Kyle Hamilton (20:51)

Kyle, I think he's only about 35, something like that.

Dan Patrick (20:57)

Is he? But around there I think he was pretty. Was he? He was what, defensive coordinator when you were there?

Kyle Hamilton (21:05)

Yeah, he was my dc. He was. It was cool to have a DC that was closer in age to us than our head coach and can kind of relate been in it and can relay the messages very well to us.

Dan Patrick (21:19)

Do you get to tackle Lamar Jackson or Derrick Henry?

Kyle Hamilton (21:23)

No, I mean I wish I could. Lamar more so than Derek.

Dan Patrick (21:27)

But you don't want to tackle Derrick Henry.

Kyle Hamilton (21:31)

Yeah, no, that's, that's, you know, when has to do so, you know, you got to do what you got to do. But I'm glad he's on the Ravens.

Dan Patrick (21:38)

Okay. But that's where you make a business decision. If he was playing on the Titans. Have you made business decisions when you're tackling somebody?

Kyle Hamilton (21:47)

I feel like you can't really do that because if you try to do that then you know you're just going to get embarrassed.

Dan Patrick (21:52)

Well, you can't admit it, but in your mind it's like, God, this is going to hurt.

Kyle Hamilton (21:58)

Yeah. Yeah. But most of the time you get up next play and then you forget about it.

Dan Patrick (22:03)

But trying to corral Lamar, I mean, how tough is that? And he's your teammate.

Kyle Hamilton (22:09)

Yeah. Obviously I can't speak from experience other than fall camp, but even then when he's going 50% Lamar, it's still tough to stop him. And you see it every single game day. It's just like, I know the defense has to be frustrated being out there and you feel like you got the perfect play dialed up. And you do, and then you get to him and he squirms out and runs for 50 yards or throws a 60 yard touchdown. It's just. It's got to be demoralizing.

Dan Patrick (22:32)

Okay, if we ran a 40 yard dash, who's winning on the team out of everybody?

Kyle Hamilton (22:38)

Yeah, definitely not me as I showcase at the combine.

Dan Patrick (22:45)

What was your time at the combine?

Kyle Hamilton (22:48)

4, 5, 9.

Dan Patrick (22:49)

All right.

Kyle Hamilton (22:50)

Yeah.

Dan Patrick (22:52)

You're tall, you're rangy, you make up for it.

Kyle Hamilton (22:55)

Yeah, the teams didn't care. They thought I was slow, but, you know.

Dan Patrick (23:00)

Did they call you slow?

Kyle Hamilton (23:04)

Some of them did, but, you know, it worked out and I'm right where I need to be at.

Dan Patrick (23:09)

You're. You're speed challenged is what you are. You're not slow, you're just speed challenged. And your 40 was faster than Jerry Rice's.

Kyle Hamilton (23:18)

Oh, I can. All right. That's something to stand on. Somebody tries to make fun of me, but 40 yard dash winner on the team. Probably. Probably. Keaton. No, Nate Wiggins. Nate Wiggins. Nate Wiggins and Keaton Mitchell would be a good race.

Dan Patrick (23:33)

Where's Lamar in this? If we did a 40 or 100.

Kyle Hamilton (23:36)

Yard, I don't think anybody's ever really seen Lamar run full speed. When he does, he's super fast. So I probably put Isaiah. Lamar runs around high four three.

Dan Patrick (23:49)

He's Kyle Hamilton, the Ravens safety, two time Pro Bowler and former Notre Dame Fighting Irishman. The difference between playoff practice and a regular season practice is what?

Kyle Hamilton (24:02)

Honestly, not much, at least for us. You know, we try to take that mindset in every single week so we don't get to the playoffs and then change what we're doing. It's something that I think the Ravens have done a great job of. Coach Harbaugh, everybody in the facility and everybody on the staff is just, you know, we're kind of built for this. At this point, it's just business as usual. So go out on Saturday and do we need to do.

Dan Patrick (24:22)

Are you preparing for both quarterbacks?

Kyle Hamilton (24:25)

Yeah. Yeah. I think that's kind of something that you got to prepare for because they deploy Justin Fields when, you know, QB driven run stuff, and obviously he's still a quarterback and still throw the ball. So, you know, you never know how the game's going to go. So you got prepared to be prepared for everything.

Dan Patrick (24:41)

Best wide receiver you faced this season was who?

Kyle Hamilton (24:46)

That's a good question. You know, CDs pretty good. I'm forgetting somebody. I. I will always say it wasn't this season but last season. Pukinaku is probably one of the more underrated people in the league. Just playing against him. He's physical, he's tough, makes great catches, runs good routes and, you know, not a lot of people give him credit for what he does. And that's one person that really stuck out to me last year.

Dan Patrick (25:11)

But. But Kyle, I watch him play and I'm like, okay, how did everybody miss on Pukinakua being a great wide receiver? Even a good wide receiver in the NFL?

Kyle Hamilton (25:21)

Yeah, I mean, I think he had somewhat of a subpar combine or something coming out, maybe measurables. But I think people get stuck in the numbers a little too much and forget that, you know, you got to play football. At the end of the day, he's definitely a good football player.

Dan Patrick (25:34)

Jim Harbaugh is quirky, weird. Is John Harbaugh quirky, weird?

Kyle Hamilton (25:43)

Honestly, I don't think so. I think he was probably the cooler brother growing up. Even though Jim was the NFL quarterback, you know, John was still the older brother and. Nah, I feel like. I feel like he kind of has those older brother qualities and Jim has those younger brother qualities.

Dan Patrick (26:00)

Does John say goofy things, though?

Kyle Hamilton (26:03)

Yeah, he does. Goofy, borderline corny. Yeah, he tries and we appreciate him trying to have a little satirical side to him, but, you know, sometimes he is. It's kind of a hit or miss with them.

Dan Patrick (26:17)

Well, congrats so far. Good luck against the Steelers and thanks for joining us.

Kyle Hamilton (26:23)

Thank you, Dad. I appreciate it.

Dan Patrick (26:24)

That's Kyle Hamilton, the Raven safety.

Steve Covino (26:27)

Be sure to catch the live edition of the Dan Patrick show, weekdays at.

Dan Patrick (26:31)

9Am EST Eastern, 6am Pacific on Fox.

Steve Covino (26:34)

Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app.

Dan Patrick (26:37)

What's the future hold for business? You can ask nine experts and you'll get 10 answers. Bull market, bear market, inflation up, down. You need somebody to help you. Well, over 41,000 businesses have future proofed their business with NetSuite by Oracle. The number one Cloud ERP Unified Business Management Suite. One source of truth giving you the visibility and control that you need to make quick decisions, real time insights and forecasting. You'll be peering into the future with actionable data. Now. Whether your company is earning millions or even hundreds of millions, NetSuite helps you respond to immediate challenges and seize your biggest opportunities. Speaking of opportunity, download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at netsuite.com Patrick the guide is free for you at netsuite.com Patrick that's netsuite.com Patrick Good luck.

Bobby Bones (27:35)

Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirror ball trophy from Dancing with the Stars. So where else are you going to find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? Based in Nashville, we're more than just your basic NFL show. We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything because we got lots to say. I. I texted you and you texted me back. Now, I don't know if you have the update, but like, all the little thumbs up and heart and stuff, like, it's all colored. They changed it and the heart's a little pink. It felt like I told you I loved you. I'm going to be honest, it was a little pink.

Steve Covino (28:18)

There was something sentimental when you, when you send it. It was like, do I send the heart?

Bobby Bones (28:24)

Now I don't like the color edition.

Steve Covino (28:26)

It's extremely pink.

Bobby Bones (28:27)

Listen to Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Adnan Virk (28:35)

What's up, everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast from iHeart podcast in the National Hockey League. It's NHL Unscripted with Virgin Demers.

Jason Demers (28:43)

Hey, I'm Jason Immers, former 700 game NHL defenseman turned NHL network analyst, and boy, oh boy, does daddy have a lot to say.

Adnan Virk (28:52)

I love you, by the way, on NHL Network. We're looking forward to getting together each week to chat and chirp about the sport and all the other things surrounding it that we love. Right?

Jason Demers (29:00)

Yeah, I just met you today, but we're going to have a ton of guests from the colliding worlds of hockey, entertainment and pop culture and you know what, tons of back and forth on all things NHL.

Adnan Virk (29:10)

Yeah, you're soon going to find out we're not Just hockey talk. We had all kinds of random stuff on this podcast. Movies, television, food, wrestling. Even the stuff that you wear in NHL.

Jason Demers (29:20)

Now you wish you could pull off my short shorts. Virky.

Adnan Virk (29:23)

That's sure to cause a ruckus. Listen to NHL unscripted with Burke and demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Dan Patrick (29:35)

Mike Breen, ESPN ABC NBA play by play Commentator on the call Last night, Cleveland against Oklahoma City. Did it feel like a finals preview to you?

Mike Breen (29:46)

It did. There's a long way to go, and there's a lot of teams that will have a say about that. But the buzz in the place, it's just. It just was different. I had to keep reminding myself that it's January 8th, so easy does it. But it had a spectacular field. You could tell the players were so fired up and so into it. You know, they're all trying to say it's a regular game, but it wasn't. They knew it. The crowd knew it. It was really wonderful. For a game on January 8, when.

Dan Patrick (30:19)

You do a show, when you, if it's on the mothership or radio show, whatever, you like to play the hits. And the Cavaliers aren't playing the hits, but they've gotten to that point. Mike, they're 32 and 4. Like, you can't ignore the topic. This is one of the great starts in the history of the NBA. Do you get that sense of. People are really struggling to grab a hold of this. Certainly Cleveland, Oklahoma City, we expect them to be maybe there in the Finals. Cleveland, they've been a really good team, but they just haven't been, you know, in the headlines because LeBron's gone.

Mike Breen (30:54)

Couldn't agree more. It's like I even said in our open, I repeated the record to Richard Jefferson. Not because he didn't. He didn't know it. Obviously he knew it. But it just sounds crazy to say that the Cleveland Cavs are 32 and 4 and they're. They're that good. They're really that good. And I think the fact that the betting line now still has the Boston Celtics the clear favorite to come out of the east, despite the fact that the Cavs are doing this. And it's, you know, it's a credit to the whole organization from Kobe Altman, who made the roster, the patience to keep the roster and not make, you know, sudden changes because they lost in the first round two years ago and got beaten pretty badly in the second round last year. Although it was injuries, they just, they play Such fun basketball to watch because they play team basketball.

Dan Patrick (31:47)

I have a bet here with Marvin and I think there'll be two Cavaliers named to the all star team. He says four.

Mike Breen (31:56)

Won'T be four. I think three is a really good bet. I think Mitchell Mobley and Darius Garland, although Jared Allen, the last couple of weeks, he's played as well as any of them. So it's going to be interesting. It'll be interesting to see. I think four is a lot because you know, you know, Boston has definitely two, New York has definitely two. Although there's a couple of normal guys that get on that aren't going to make it. So I wouldn't count it out. They certainly deserve it. It's, you know, like you said, it's, it's one of the great any era of any team of any franchise. It's one of the greatest starts that the league has ever seen.

Dan Patrick (32:39)

If you were going to describe Shea Gilous Alexander to somebody who hadn't seen him play, how would you do it?

Mike Breen (32:49)

Magical control of his body in no matter where he goes, no matter what, he does an incredible poise where nobody can speed him up and nobody can really stop him. Killer instinct. And even though, you know, he's averaging so many points, he is such a team first guy. Everything about him, it's hard to do it in just a quick sentence. He's got this supreme confidence, but at the same time humility. He's just, he's a perfect guy to, to, to kind of take over the, the throne of, of of the superstars. Now with some of the, some of our greats aging, everything about him is, is just wonderful from a, from a league standpoint in terms of, of being the guy that, that you know, could lead the next generation.

Dan Patrick (33:41)

I kind of see some Kawhi Leonard comps with him because Kawhi had an ability when he was healthy to control the tempo of a game. Not necessarily a three point shooter, but had that ability to if he wanted to take you inside or that mid range jumper and you know, maybe similar size. I don't know if Shea's a little bit taller, but you see that comp.

Mike Breen (34:02)

Yeah, no, I like that because neither one of them you would say are fast. They're both athletic, but that's not what they, they rely everything on. They're both super smart. You know, I think that's a big part of it. Shea smiles a little bit more than Kawhi, but it's, you know, what the two, the other thing you can say about the two of them. And this is something he could play in any era. He could have played in the 60 his game because he kind of incorporates every, everything from, from the way players scored in the 60s, 70s, you know, the 90s. He can take the physical style of the 90s. You know, he's improved on his three point shooting of today's current game. He's one of those guys that he' just, he's just a great basketball player that could play in any era.

Dan Patrick (34:53)

We're talking to Mike Briny, espn, ABC NBA play by play commentator on the call last night. Cavs in the Thunder. How often do you get somebody coming up to you and say, hey Mike, can you give me a bang?

Mike Breen (35:06)

You really want to know? When I go into an arenas, it's all the time. And I take it as a compliment. And I'm flattered. Like you wouldn't believe that people say that, but when they start, the kids start shoving the phone in your face and they're yelling, say bang.

Brady Quinn (35:26)

Say bang.

Mike Breen (35:29)

Sometimes it gets a little much, but again, I'm so flattered by it that this one word has been so good to me.

Dan Patrick (35:36)

Okay, but wait a minute. How do you do when somebody says, hey, Mike, will you say bang? Do you just go bang?

Mike Breen (35:45)

No. What? What? Sometimes I just go bang. And sometimes I'll say that I. If it's after a game, I'll say I lost, I lost my voice. I can't say it.

Dan Patrick (35:57)

Wow. What constitutes or warrants a double bang?

Mike Breen (36:03)

There, there's no, no criteria formula. Yeah, it's, it's strictly off the flow of the game, what's going on? And wow, is this, this unbelievable? It really just comes out. I wish I had a better answer. I'm sorry, you know, I'm. Next time we're on, I'm going to come up with a better answer.

Dan Patrick (36:20)

Okay, I got to help you with your profile here. I mean, let's, let's embrace that. Do we, do we have copyright? Do we got T shirt? Like, what are we doing?

Mike Breen (36:29)

Mike, first off, you've always been helpful, so I appreciate any additional help. I don't have copyright. I have, I have a T shirt, but that's just one. I never thought of selling it. And you know, here's the interesting thing. And I don't know if you and I have discussed this. I'm not the first one to use it. And I didn't know this until later. Johnny most used to say bang when he did Celtics radio back in the day.

Dan Patrick (36:55)

You weren't aware of that?

Mike Breen (36:57)

You Just, I was not aware of it. And his son, his son who was in the business, Jamie, his son, alerted me to it. And I think right after I found that out, I. I did bang in a Celtic game and I said, that's dedicated to the great Johnny Most. But, you know, back in the day, we didn't. If you weren't in that town, you didn't know or listen really to the radio voices of other teams. Now, you could listen to entire broadcast of other teams no matter where you are, but I didn't know it at the time.

Dan Patrick (37:25)

I watched Wembayama Wembanyama the other night against Joker, and I said the following day, he's going to win an MVP before he's 25. If. If you don't. Now, he didn't have a great scoring night, but. But he. He's got like a. He can shoot the three. He. You know, he's a force at the other end. I'm trying to figure out what is going to be his weakness. Like, Giannis is not a great shooter. You know, these guys have weaknesses, but Wemby looks pretty polished.

Mike Breen (37:58)

Mike, he does everything really well. And I agree with you, in a matter of a year or two, he's going to be great at everything. I mean, there's certain things he's great at now, but he doesn't really have a weakness. You know, he's going to get stronger every year. He's improved on his perimeter game every year, but his is just his instincts, his feel for the game, and his desire to keep working every single day to get better. When you talk to the spurs people, they're pinching themselves because not only is this kid such an unbelievable talent, but his makeup mentally and his desire to be the best who's ever played is just. Is off the charts. So I would not bet against you on that. 25. He's going to win multiple MVPs, that's for sure. I don't know by what age, but he's going to win multiple.

Dan Patrick (38:53)

If I said to you, you have to pick one of the two teams most likely to be in the finals of the two teams. Last night. Cavs.

Mike Breen (39:00)

Not going to do it. Not going to do it. Don't do that to me. I'm sorry.

Dan Patrick (39:06)

Bang.

Mike Breen (39:11)

There's so much. You know what the cool thing is? There's so much time left and because this year there's a possibility of a number of players, like really good players, who are going to change teams by the trading deadline that could absolutely swing. Who's the Favorite. So that's what I find fascinating. So there might be a team that we're thinking they'll make the playoffs, but they won't do much. All of a sudden, they pick up one or two guys, and now they're. Now they're favorites to get to the finals. So it's really hard to do that right now.

Dan Patrick (39:44)

Who retires first? LeBron, Steph, or KD?

Mike Breen (39:55)

KD is going to keep playing for a long time. Steph is still loving, and LeBron is still loving, too. I think maybe LeBron, because he's starting to drop hints. But then again, he also just said that he knows he could contribute until he's 50, which he could. And that's the crazy thing. Like, if he wanted to, he could be 50 years old and probably average 15, 6 and 4. I mean, he absolutely could do it.

Dan Patrick (40:28)

Could you ever see him ranked higher than Jordan?

Mike Breen (40:32)

I don't. Here's another cop out. Don't be mad at me, but I refuse to rank players from different eras. It's just. It's impossible. I mean, whether you want to talk about Russell or Chamberlain or Cinder or Kobe or LeBron or Michael. I mean, it's hard to ever argue against Michael Jordan. But my favorite saying is comparison is the thief of joy. And to start comparing one to the other, all of a sudden, to make your point, you're starting to criticize the other. And how do you criticize the other?

Dan Patrick (41:07)

All right, fair enough. I think I've. I've used you. I've. I've talked to you long enough. I can hear the voice. Maybe it's starting to waver a little bit here.

Mike Breen (41:16)

What's. What's starting to waver?

Dan Patrick (41:18)

It just sounds like you're kind of losing your voice. It's. It's not as like, like, I, I. Guys, I think we can all agree it sounds like Breen's voice is going a little bit there.

Kyle Hamilton (41:28)

A little?

Dan Patrick (41:29)

Yeah, it's a little. Yeah. You know, I'm not going to compare. I mean, you're not Doc Rivers, because Doc river sounds like this.

Steve Covino (41:36)

You got to give me 48, guys.

Brady Quinn (41:37)

You got to give me 48.

Mike Breen (41:39)

We're going to get this. I tell. I could tell it was him.

Dan Patrick (41:45)

Yeah. Yeah.

Mike Breen (41:46)

You know, Todd. Do you have any idea how important Todd was to my career?

Dan Patrick (41:50)

No.

Mike Breen (41:52)

Well, when I worked on the I'm a in the Morning show, my whole shtick was getting. Getting quality sound bites to play off of and have fun.

Dan Patrick (42:03)

Yeah.

Mike Breen (42:04)

And he was the morning news and sports producer, and he was the one that would find the bites that he, I, he knew would work and he knew I would like to try and work. He was, I couldn't have done it without him. He was spectacular.

Dan Patrick (42:19)

Because I thought you were awesome with that when you had fun with these sound bikes. And now we're talking about Todd Fritz, right?

Mike Breen (42:27)

Yes.

Dan Patrick (42:27)

Okay. All right, fair enough. Just to make sure, I, I didn't know. I'm a journalist, Todd. I got to ask these questions where I started at WFAN with Breen and the gang, early 90s.

Mike Breen (42:38)

He was amazing. He was amazing. Him and another guy who did it was Craig Shamitis. Those two guys were invaluable.

Dan Patrick (42:44)

Well, that's, that's great to know and I know the voice is going, so I don't know your next game, so I'm going to let you rest that. But thank you for sharing your thoughts. You're quite welcome. That's Mike Breen.

Steve Covino (42:58)

Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows@foxsportsradio.com and within.

Dan Patrick (43:06)

The iHeartRadio app, search FSR to listen live. What's the future hold for business? You can ask nine experts and you'll get 10 answers. Bull market, bear market, inflation up, down. You need somebody to help you. Well, over 41,000 businesses have future proofed their business with NetSuite by Oracle, the number one Cloud ERP unified business management suite. One source of truth giving you the visibility and control that you need to make quick decisions, real time insights and forecasting. You'll be peering into the future with actionable data. Now, whether your company is earning millions or even hundreds of millions, NetSuite helps you respond to immediate challenges and seize your biggest opportunities. Speaking of opportunity, download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at netsuite.com Patrick the guide is free for you at netsuite.com Patrick that's netsuite.com Patrick. Good luck.

Bobby Bones (44:08)

Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirror ball trophy from Dancing with the Stars. So where else are you going to find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? Based in Nashville, we're more than just your basic NFL show. We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything because we got lots to say. I. I texted you and you texted me back now. I don't know if you have the update, but like all the little thumbs up and heart and stuff, like it's all colored. They changed it and the heart's a little pink. It felt like I told you I loved you. I'm going to be honest, it was a little piece pink.

Steve Covino (44:52)

There was something sentimental when you, when you send it. It was like, do I send the heart now?

Bobby Bones (44:58)

I don't like the color edition.

Steve Covino (44:59)

It's extremely pink.

Bobby Bones (45:01)

Listen to lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

Adnan Virk (45:08)

What's up, everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast from iHeart podcast in the National Hockey League. It's NHL unscripted with Burke and Demers.

Jason Demers (45:16)

Hey, I'm Jason Immerse, former 700 game NHL defenseman turned NHL Network analyst. And boy, oh boy, does daddy have a lot to say.

Adnan Virk (45:25)

I love you, by the way, on NHL Network, we're looking forward to getting together each week to chat and chirp about the sport and all the other things surrounding it that we love. Right.

Jason Demers (45:33)

Yeah. I just met you today, but we're going to have a ton of guests from the colliding worlds of hockey, entertainment and pop culture. And you know what, tons of back and forth on all things NHL.

Adnan Virk (45:44)

Yeah, you're soon gonna find out we're not just hockey talk. We had all kinds of random stuff on this podcast. Movies, television, food, wrestling, even the stuff that you wear in NHL.

Jason Demers (45:53)

Now you wish you could pull off my short shorts, Virkie.

Adnan Virk (45:56)

That's sure to cause a ruckus. Listen to NHL Unscripted with Burke and Demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Dan Patrick (46:08)

He is Greg McElroy, ESPN college football analyst. He'll be on the call, ABC, ESPN. Tonight, it's Penn State, Notre Dame. How about we start there? Dion in the NFL or staying at Colorado?

Steve Covino (46:25)

Well, are you suggesting which way? I would. If I were giving Dion some type of advice, which way would I go? I would probably stay at Colorado. You can, you can write your ticket there. Man, he's become must see television. The elevator, a bowl, a game that he lost by 20, 30 points was the highest rated game outside of the College Football Playoff in the bowl season. He's appointment television for many and I think now with the support that they're getting from an nil standpoint, Dan, I, I think it's easier to win on a consistent level in college. I think in the NFL, you can be the greatest thing in the world and then fired the next year. Yeah, college, college, you got a little bit more Runway if you can have a positive impact on the kids.

Dan Patrick (47:11)

All right, the point spread tonight is Notre Dame by one and a half. Let's say the game comes down to that kind of point spread. Paint the picture for the audience of you being the analyst tonight of how you think that would play out in the final seconds.

Steve Covino (47:28)

Well, it would be phenomenal. You know, Sean McDonough, something tells me we would have a voice crack and we would have a lot of energy and we would have one heck of a finish as long as a punter doesn't drop it and allow Jalen Watts Jackson to return one to the house. That could elicit some stronger reaction. That would be two or three voice cracks potentially. But Dan, I don't know about you. You've been a, you've been a college football fan for a long time and you've supported and helped promote our sport and we're very grateful to you for that. But I think the College Football Playoff, while we haven't had the most compelling matchups from a competitive standpoint, it's been captivating television. And I think if we could just get one that would go the distance. You look at the game between Arizona State and Texas A, game that went to overtime, multiple overtimes. That game had 17.3 million viewers at noon or 1:00 Eastern Time on New Year's Day. A window that had not performed well in the past gets an all time high because of how compelling that game was. And it was between two programs, one blue Blood and one that's kind of an upstart in Arizona State, that would be magnificent. But I think if Notre Dame and Penn State, two of the most storied programs, two of the top programs in the, in the history of college football, from a win standpoint, two in the top seven. If it comes down to the wire like that, it'd be pretty remarkable and it's probably going to be a defensive slug fest. It's going to feel like a pitcher stool. It's going to feel like, you know, Verlander on the mound against Kershaw 10 years ago and whoever can somehow find a CNI singles got a chance to win the game. It's going to be pretty remarkable.

Dan Patrick (49:07)

Best player on the field tonight will.

Steve Covino (49:08)

Be when Notre Dame's on offense. The best player on the field tonight could actually be two players on either side, depending on their health. Abdul Carter, in all likelihood Will play for Penn State. The defensive end, pass rusher. Kuiper's got him as the number two overall player behind Travis Hunter. Super dynamic player. I mean, but they move him around too. I mean that's what's fun I think. He's not one of those guys that's just stationary end of the line of scrimmage player. Like he can be over the center, he can be over the guard, he can blitz off the second level. Like he's a very versatile piece. He can move around. He is at less than 100% because of a shoulder injury that he suffered against Boise state. Played just 17 snaps in that game. So we'll be monitoring his availability as a game time decision. Then on the other side is Jeremiah Love who has a right knee injury. The running back for Notre Dame. He hasn't really been all that effective. He hurt his knee against, against USC in the final week of the regular season and has like 13 touches in the two playoff games since. The problem is that one of those 13 touches is a 98 yard touchdown run. So he's still got great top end speed. But those are the two players that I think are probably the most captivating television for tonight's game.

Dan Patrick (50:21)

Handicapped tomorrow night's game. Ohio State, Texas.

Steve Covino (50:25)

Everybody's on Ohio State, aren't they? Yeah, you know, it's. I feel like you're getting Texas on sale from a handicapping perspective. Texas on the heels of a two overtime win as a double digit favorite, two touchdown favorite against Arizona State. Texas got flaws. Quinn, yours is flawed.

Dan Patrick (50:42)

Are you going to buy it sounds like you would buy Texas a home game.

Steve Covino (50:49)

It feel well, is it? Is Ohio State ever on the road? I guess the other question that I've started to realize when it comes to neutral sites, man, Ohio State's going to be there and they're going to be loud and they're going to make their presence felt. I do think though that Texas is a really, they're a team that can absolutely match up again. I think they match up really well. I'm not saying they'll win the game. I actually think Ohio State will win the game. But if you're going to tell me I can get nearly seven if I get six, six and a half, five and a half. I kind of lean Longhorns. I look at where they're built and their strength. They're very similar to Michigan with what they have along the defensive front. And while I think Oregon's a good football team, I don't think Oregon is as equipped. I know they beat Ohio State earlier in the season. I also acknowledge though that that version of Ohio State very different than the Ohio State that they saw just this past weekend at the Rose Bowl. Ohio State at that time in that game lost. Their left tackle, Will Howard was not yet as comfortable as he is right now. Their receiver Jeremiah Smith in that game was a good player but not a takeover the game. This is the best player, player in college football type of player at that point. So Ohio State's very different. So they beat Oregon badly because Oregon took the same plan that they used the first time around and they don't match up as well. Texas will kind of keep things in front and their defensive line can win the game. That's Texas's strength and that's where Ohio State lost the game against Michigan. So I do think that Texas matches up better than anyone else up to this point in the postseason against Ohio State.

Dan Patrick (52:20)

Greg McElroy, ESPN college football analyst. He'll be on the call. It's on ABC and ESPN. Sean McDonough will be there. Molly McGrath, Katie George. And that starts at 7:30 Eastern. Also part of Omaha Productions Always College football podcast, co host of Mac and Cube in the morning on WJOX in Birmingham. How often do coaches get out coached?

Steve Covino (52:45)

Oh, a lot.

Dan Patrick (52:48)

Because I'll go back to what, what Notre Dame did against Kirby Smart, what Marcus Freeman did when they swapped out and then they were going to punt. They were not. Then you get, you know, off site. I mean that's, that's one moment but to me that helped change the game. So I don't know, like you played for Nick Saban, but the number of times, like Bill Belichick, how many times will he out coach somebody in the college, in college games, you know what's.

Steve Covino (53:18)

Funny is it, and I know that this is like the most obvious coach speak thing ever, so apologize in advance. But more games are lost than one, you know what I'm saying? Like we'll go back to the game in the Sugar bowl with Notre Dame against Georgia. Two moments stand out in the game. Okay? One was at the end of the half. They have a backup quarterback in the game. Notre Dame is thinking, hey, they're going to run the ball, take it to half. The game's going to be 6, 3. Notre Dame's got a slight lead but for the most part, you know, it's a, it's a low scoring game and it's, it's lacked a lot of offense. Well, they put their run defense personnel in the game. RJ Oban is a guy that had that moment, had zero sacks on the season. Well, what does he do? He goes right around the left tackle, strip sack, fumble recovery, Notre Dame on the next offensive snap. Touchdown. Now it's a game that is feels like it's blown Open at 13 3. That was one moment in the game and that was Kirby being probably a little bit too aggressive there at the end of half. Hindsight's 20 20. Like do you really expect your left tackle to get killed by a run stopping defensive end? Probably not. All right, so that was one moment. The other moment was like you referenced late in the game, Marcus Freeman opts to run his punt team on, on 4th and 1 and then all of a sudden run his punt team off, put his offense on, which allows Kirby's team and defense to substitute. But they're thinking about getting lined up. The last thing they're thinking about in that scenario is the snap count. It was chaotic on the sideline, it was chaotic near the line of scrimmage. Their best player, a guy in Jalen Walker, who's going to be a three or four time all pro in his career, leans just ever so slightly in the neutral zone. Free play, first down, next thing you know, nine plays later and six minutes off the clock, they've stolen the possession. So I think great coaches know how to just tweak and create that slight edge to steal a possession, whether it's a timely onside kick, a fake punt, a surprise onside kick, the you know, thing going forward on fourth down, maybe backed up and getting it somehow. Great coaches know at that perfect time when to pull that card and play it. Marcus did it once and Kirby made a mistake at the end of half and that's why the game ended up the way it ended up.

Dan Patrick (55:44)

How often have you had to or did you have to consciously say to Greg McElroy, former Alabama quarterback, don't be SEC friend friendly because you're going to get criticized no matter what. Because we're going to read into what you say and how you say it. But I'm asking you, understanding that, have you had to remind yourself, be, be as fair as possible, even though subconsciously it might still be in your DNA?

Steve Covino (56:16)

I don't even know and I think it's a great question. I think it's all from a matter of perspective. Like if you want to know who I am biased towards, it's great teams, you know what I mean? Like, like I kind of just follow. I like to watch the teams that execute at a really high Level, Like, I really, really. And I've all. And whether it was Michigan last year or whether it was TCU two years ago or whatever the teams it may be, I've always loved Utah. Like, I just love how they, you know, never maybe as far as getting off the bus, maybe not the best team, but even dating back to when Urban Meyer was there in the early 2000s, it's long been a team I've just had a tremendous amount of admiration for. So I've kind of found myself navigating towards the teams that play really high level football. As far as the SEC stuff, I do have more familiarity with the league. Let's be real. I called five Georgia games this year. I called four Kentucky games. You know, I called for Ole Miss games. I called a couple of Tennessee games, couple Bama games. You just have maybe a deeper understanding of the depths of the roster. But there's never really a point. If you do your work professionally. I could care less what patch they have on their jersey. I simply see numbers, names, coaches, records, statistics and tendencies. What conference they align with is not one that I usually pay a lot of attention to. And I know people ask me all the time, how do you call Bama games? And not get, not allow your fandom to come out of, like, pretty easily? Because when I was in school, I was probably harder on Alabama as a player than I could ever be in this line of work. So I think if you look at it through a. Not a critiquing lens, but a lens in which you're trying to offer constructive criticism and point out observations, then the conference affiliation should have no impact on how you call the game.

Dan Patrick (58:14)

But college football is about brands. You know, everybody was screaming for Alabama to be in the playoffs, and I go, no, they don't deserve to be in the playoffs.

Steve Covino (58:23)

I think it's about brands to an extent. I do think there's. There is this perception that, you know, this, you know, they, the big brands are, are going to get preferential treatment. I. I don't know if that.

Dan Patrick (58:36)

Well, they do bring eyeballs. I do they. They do bring, like Notre Dame brings eyeballs.

Steve Covino (58:41)

Absolutely.

Dan Patrick (58:42)

People are going to watch. Absolutely, absolutely. And. And I think because of Alabama, they're like, well, God, do we want Boise State or Arizona State in there? We want Alabama in there. And we saw Alabama against Michigan in the bowl game. You know, they just weren't a great team, a good team this year. And I think that's a problem for college football. We get top heavy with Georgia, Ohio State, Clemson Used to be in there. It's like the same six or seven schools every year that we get programmed to think, oh those are the best teams in the country. Arizona State was awesome. I mean that was so much fun. And Boise State did what Boise State was supposed to do. Indiana did what they were supposed to do. Now do I think Indiana was deserved to be in there? No. From a talent perspective or who they played, but they played who's on their schedule. So I, until we come up with a better format with this Greg, or scenarios that make it fairer, you know, I don't want us to fall back on. Well, I don't know. Just put Alabama in. Put Clemson. Yeah, I don't like that.

Steve Covino (59:47)

I worry about when in doubt, give the teams with more stars. Meaning like star ratings, they're recruiting ratings. Like when in doubt, give them the benefit of the doubt. I don't think that's the proper way to go about it because while would Alabama potentially have been more competitive in the playoff setting? I have no idea. You know and I. That's why I can't sit here and pound the drum. Oh clearly we need to reevaluate, you know, how we're seeding teams or how we're putting teams in and who should get in and who should. Now I think we, there are things we can do to adjust our criteria by incentivizing improved and strengthened non conference schedules. I would like to see that because that benefits all of us. If we see stronger non conference games, that's going to only create more intrigue and maybe add a little more context to the conference supremacy argument. I'd like to see it. We see it in basketball. If you play a murderer's row schedule in the non conference then your likelihood of having a high RPI come tournament times, really high. And if you're 19 and 15 from Syracuse, doesn't really matter because you make the tournament. Next thing you know in a play in game you're 11 seed, you're playing the final four. So we've seen it in the past. I mean it's definitely, it's definitely possible. I'd like to see stronger non conference because right now in bloated conferences you can't. Not all SEC schedules are created equal, not all Big ten schedules are created equal. So I think non conference play is where we need to focus. And if we can incentivize teams that go out of their conference and play top tier competition, that should be rewarded regardless of the outcome. In some cases now they get blown out. No, absolutely. Not like that's a data point that needs to be considered. But it also, if it's close and if it was on the road and you tried to go play a top tier team and lost, that should be rewarded as opposed to playing an FCS team and winning by 35. You know what I'm saying, Dan?

Dan Patrick (61:45)

I think it should come down to Vegas should be relied on to rank the teams, your top 12 teams. It should be Vegas. Vegas has no opinion, no bias. They're, they are looking at what is the best matchups. And I think, I think Vegas would make more sense. I don't want these automatic births. I don't want any of that. It should be here's the 12 best teams. I saw you cringing.

Steve Covino (62:10)

Yes, to an extent, yes. Because if we did that, then USC from a power rating standpoint at the season's end at seven and five is in the mix. The. If we went strictly off Vegas now Vegas plays a little bit on psychology too. I mean, why do you think now power ratings are a factor, but there's also, you know, which team is playing better at the moment, which team is going to garner more public interest? Which team is. If I set the line maybe a shade the line maybe a point, point and a half higher, is that going to generate more buzz and to create balance on either side of the line? I just think Vegas, Vegas has different incentives. While I understand and appreciate the thought process of that, then at that point, why do we play the game? Let's just have a 64 team tournament and let' just see how things go.

Dan Patrick (62:59)

That'll be for another day. That'll be enough for another game.

Steve Covino (63:01)

All the way. And let's go. I like, I like. I don't think it's broken. The one thing I would adjust is I think that Big Ten and SEC conference champions should be rewarded with a home playoff game. And however we figure out the bowl system after the fact, I think we'll probably get rid of buys because it's proven, at least in this tournament, that the buy does not benefit you. And how can we get the conference champions to get home games? That needs to be examined as well.

Dan Patrick (63:26)

All right, have fun tonight. Okay.

Steve Covino (63:28)

I appreciate you.

Dan Patrick (63:29)

And be nice to both sides. Okay?

Steve Covino (63:31)

Always.

Dan Patrick (63:32)

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Steve Covino (63:50)

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Bobby Bones (64:37)

Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirrorball trophy from Dancing With a. So where else you can find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit everything. Listen to Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Adnan Virk (65:06)

What's up, everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast. It's NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers.

Jason Demers (65:11)

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Adnan Virk (65:30)

Listen to NHL Unscripted with Vir and demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Brady Quinn (65:38)

What's up, everyone?

Steve Covino (65:39)

It's Justin Pennock from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today podcast with Bobby Skinner and Chris Rose. We roll three times a week. On Mondays, on Wednesdays, on Fridays, breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL. We're gearing up for the NFL playoffs. I hope you can join us. Join in with us three times a week. Listen to Football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast and you will be glad you did.