Jackson (4:32)

I'm fired up, man. You know, this is the same team and I know people always talk about the NIU loss, but you got to give a lot of credit to Marcus Freeman, man. I don't know a lot of coaches out there that can get their quarterback in check and they've come out with on Peacock, here comes the Irish, like a documentary, Hard knock style. And they kind of went in on Riley Leonard and you know, him looking at his phone, looking at Twitter and all the social media stuff, which a lot of quarterbacks are eliminating during the season. And for him to turn around and for them to go towards their strengths and you could argue a better Georgia with Gunner Stockton. It's, it's an impressive win for sure.

Colin Cowherd (5:05)

He like looked at Twitter to see people talking crap about him, basically.

Jackson (5:09)

I think so. I mean it's tough like when you're, I mean, social media nowadays, you know too, like it's everywhere. Whether you want to see it on Instagram or Twitter or wherever, you know you're gonna have it in front of you. So. But yeah, no, that win, I, you texted me I think at like 5:30 when they're driving and it was like a long third down or whatever and you're like, I think you got this, this might be your night. And I just, I, I tell, it's zero.

Colin Cowherd (5:31)

I'm always like, I text you. I think it was, was it 20 to 10? No, maybe it was 20 to 3. And Gunner Stockton unleashes 1 to 86. And all of a sudden the ball's in the air and he's wide open and you're like, oh my God. I don't know if he's going to score. The DB might have caught him, but he would have been inside the 10. It would have been a 60 yard junk play. And it, I mean, I could have looked as bad as that. I mean it was pretty bad, right? He almost tripped, hits off, there's like shoulder hands, never even clutches it. And you're like, it's your night. Then ironically like, and this is why you're like, shut up. Three plays later they hit a touch, they hit a huge play for a touchdown. All of a sudden it's 20 to 10. You look up, there's like seven minutes to go. But I do think this game, because Gunner Stockton was letting it loose. I mean there was a play early in the game where he hits a bomb to what they said, the fastest guy in college football. I mean, I don't know how Aaron Smith, I don't know how we validate that, but I'm sure he's one of them. And clearly one of the redshirt kids runs out celebrating. When I was at Fresno State, I think we were playing Wisconsin. It was either Wisconsin or Illinois. It was one of our big non conference games that almost happened to me on like a pick six or a huge play that we scored on. And I remember running down and the referees coming, sprinting or backpedaling or however it happened. And I missed him by a quarter of an inch. And I remember thinking, if I would have fucking taken him out and it would have negated the touchdown and I probably would have got fired on the field. And luckily that kid. There were so many guys. I was isolated. It was just me. Kirby couldn't even probably tell who it was. And they all kind of, you know, jump back. That was a pretty devastating penalty for them. And then they just never really got anything going on offense. And obviously the end of the half happens that when that end of the half when they get the fumble and then they immediately score. That was, to me, a huge swing before even the kickoff return. You had to feel extremely good going in halftime after that play.

Jackson (7:37)

Yeah. Even for Riley Leonard to throw it on an rpo. And it's so funny with him. You're always on edge as a Notre Dame fan, whether he throws the ball deep. You just hope that he doesn't, you know, throw an interception on that play too. He's got so much room in front of him, in front of Bo Collins, but he just wants to put it right on him, make it a little tough catch for Collins. And you're right. I mean, they scored 10 points in 11 seconds. And I mean, it just completely changed that game. And then you go back to it, the you bring in a transfer from Marshall. We talk all the time about these group of five guys. That kickoff return felt like the nail in the coffin.

Colin Cowherd (8:10)

Early against Georgia, they basically scored 17 points. Then in 30 seconds of actual gameplay. I mean, that's, you know, for a team with a backup quarterback who actually some plays, he would look terrible, but then he would make some really nice plays. I mean, he made some. The throw that 86 dropped was a really nice pass. The bomb that the 39 ran into the referee was a beautiful play. The touchdown pass after 86 dropped, like he made some explosive plays. I mean, listen, your guy threw for 88 yards, so you're. You're passing game, you know, for this team, that was really impressive. A wins a win. But like, can they win the national championship? Now listen, Georgia, probably all 11 of their guys are going to play in the NFL on defense. Several of them are going to get drafted really, really high. So it's. It's a hard defense to play against. You know, love tweaks his knee. That's a little scary. Big picture. It's one thing Chip Kelly mentioned. I think I saw him say like a week ago, like, if. If you are talking about who's going to win the national championship and you're not talking about like, well, it's impossible to know who's going to get injured throughout all these extra games and you don't, and you see you guys already lost the defensive lineman. Love's already been hurt. Now what's like, is that an. That's not an ankle. Like, that's a knee. Did he sprain his knee? That's a big deal playing Penn State. But that's not to look ahead yet. But ultimately, you know, Marcus Freeman, let's really quick that first year when he lost a Marshall, and maybe it's unfair, but he did inherit a pretty really good situation. And that loss was really, really bad. And early on in that season, it was really, really ugly. And I honestly thought, I'm like, I don't know if he's going to make it through a year because, like losing these games, you lose a Marshall at home. Then it looked like he was going to lose to Cal at home. Then he righted the ship and he clearly proved that he could recruit really, really well, right? And these last couple years, the team has been really good. And last year, like, Sam Hartman was solid. This guy's just a more dynamic overall player because of his legs. But defensively, I mean, that's what put Marks Freeman on the map right at Cincinnati. It's why Brian Kelly hires them to Notre Dame. I mean, that defense is hitting a lot like Georgia, Texas, what Ohio State has looked like these last couple of weeks, what the best SEC teams have looked like the last three or four years. Like, if you hit with that much speed, you are going to be in every game, even if you don't have, you know, Joe Montana back there slinging around.

Jackson (10:34)

And it felt like too, they're a lot well coached for how young they are compared to Georgia out in space, it felt like anytime they had some kind of, you know, outside zone or screen on the outside, you had about three or four gold domes. I mean, number eight, Don Schulter, he's a sophomore. That kid's a player alongside Xavier Watts, those two safeties on the back end. And then Notre Dame's always had one of those older captain linebackers that kind of stout in the middle of the defense. And then you're right about the D line and you know, your guy, Bryant Young, I mean, or Bryce Young, I should say, looked a little rusty there in the beginning. Those three penalties, twice those looked like roughing. Both times, which they were running in the kicker, it looked like he hit both of his legs each time. But, I mean, I was just impressed, man. I know it's not attractive with Riley Leonard, you know, 15 or 2490 yards, one touchdown.

Colin Cowherd (11:24)

But he played way.

Jackson (11:25)

That's the way we're going to play. With his running ability. I know Colin Cower talked about. He kind of reminds him, Josh Allen when it comes to that grit and toughness. And I think for a guy they've always been wanting to feed like Riley Leonard, and they've always wanted him and for him to go out like that and be the leading rusher with 80 yards, I mean, how many times in the broadcast. Haynes King, Haynes King, Georgia Tech. And it's just crazy how I want to hear your thoughts about it, how Georgia can't stop a quarterback versus being able to stop the running backs.

Colin Cowherd (11:55)

Well, I think because you got to pick and choose your poison. I think I'm trying to think of the game, was it Pittsburgh. It was the second game that Pittsburgh played the Ravens. And this was. Was on Christmas or maybe this was the week before Christmas or, you know, four days before Christmas or whatever. And Derrick Henry went nuts. And it's because they're like, you're the Lamar is not going to beat us. So on any time when you're going to have like the, the RPO or the, the option of quarterback running back, the give, you're going to take out one or the other. It's really hard to like play elite sound football and take them both out. Like, you really got to sell out on one. And the Steelers, for example, sell out on the quarterback. And in that game, Derrick Henry went nuts. And tonight it was like those two running backs, I mean, looking back on Indiana, Love's run was obviously opened the gate and, you know, was a start. In the end of Indiana, it's like, we're not going to let these running backs get off. We're not going to let them have big plays and he can just kind of run around. Now they also have designed runs for Riley Leonard, you know, like they used to have them with Cam at, at Carolina. Like the quarterback power, that one, I don't think it was technically the last first down for Notre Dame, but essentially was the, like nail in the coffin of the game where he leaped over and the sideline just went nuts. Like there's. When you get a guy that big in space, that's where you have the Cam Newton, Josh Allen, you know, Lamar, for example, his speed is so elite, but he's not, you know, running through guys, running over guys. He's just beating you to the spot. The Josh Allens and Cams, I mean, Cam was fast, but they can take you out. So if you're in front of them, especially if you get to the edges. With a quarterback that big, it is not the middle linebacker in the defensive ends. Right. It's safeties and corners. And even on the broadcast, McElroy is like, that's one of the best safeties in the country. And what's he going to do? He's like catching him in the air. How tall is Riley Leonard? Like 6, 5, 6 6, probably 240. He's huge.

Jackson (13:57)

Yeah, yeah.

Colin Cowherd (13:58)

And he's leaping full speed. But that's how like he made some of those against A and M. And you know, in Penn State is essentially a Georgia, Texas, like they're all, they're all the same in terms of SEC bodies, NFL bodies. And this guy can run over them. It's like, are they good enough passing against them? You know, Georgia, sometimes you need luck on your side. Like I would say they got a little unlucky with some of their big plays tonight with their backup quarterback in who hit some big plays. Just didn't work out in their favor. But yeah, I mean, it was your guys defense. One thing I think that is different than some of Brian Kelly's best teams. Like you guys have had really good players on defense. Guys have played in the NFL. Obviously Kyle Hamilton would fit right in on this team. But like you go back to Mantay Teo, he didn't look like your guys look right now like the speed and Watts moves. It looks like a guy at Alabama, Georgia or Texas, doesn't it? Like the sideline to sideline the. And that's what you have to have to beat. You're playing Penn State like they got two NFL running backs and NFL tight end. So that's where they're going to win the game. So you got to be able to get really fast in a short period. You need to have Fred Warner, Patrick Willis, Luke Keakley. That's the speed and that's why the SEC is always separated. Well, Texas has come in, they've bought it, Notre Dame has bought it or recruited it or whatever. I don't know. You guys have some academic requirements, but I just watch you guys play and team speed. Because A and M is a bot, you know, NFL program and you guys went toe to toe with them speed wise. So it's like defensively, speed wise. I think you can play with anyone in the country, right? Just offensively, you just have to get into a game like your style is going to be. You're not going to play like the Detroit Lions. You just got to Play in kind of an ugly. Can we win the game like 20 to 15, right?

Jackson (15:47)

Yeah. And the different weapons they have too. You got a Mitchell Evans that you just throw it anywhere in his space, he'll catch it. And Fajan's been doing well in the slot at wide receiver. And then on top of that, I was going to ask you about this. Would you make a Marcus Freeman's little special teams, bring on the punt team, take them off, bring on the offense, and Jalen Walker and Michael Williams jump in there.

Colin Cowherd (16:08)

Have you done that before? Is that the first time you've seen him do something like that?

Jackson (16:11)

I think that's the first time I've seen that from Notre Dame.

Colin Cowherd (16:13)

I saw someone on Twitter, like a former player, say what Kirby should have done. You don't have to rush your subs in because they got to give you time. He should have just slowly kind of gone. You know, he rushed them all in like Marcus did and basically played right into his hand. So then they rushed up to line, their hearts beating. That's part of it, right? It's like it's so easy to go. They're morons. That is an elite coaching job. Because if he is going to rush his guys on when you don't have to, there's 12 seconds on the clock or whatever, you're going to get up to the line, your heart's going to be beating instead of just letting the play slowly. And it's a huge advantage because were they going to snap the ball, you think?

Jackson (16:51)

No. No shot. No. Their wide receivers were so out wide too. Like I was looking at that play and I told my friend this too. It's just crazy. I never thought. When was the last time you saw Kirby Smart get outsmarted with a situation like that, which he's not special teams ish. More of a defensive guy. But still, it's like that one of those things where. And then you wonder if he had three timeouts, would he have called one? Would he have just let it be like that? That play? Pretty much.

Colin Cowherd (17:13)

I mean, it was like Belichick or, you know, Vrabel got Belichick one time on this punt situation in a playoff game. Belichick lost it where he's like holding guys. You know, one thing I'll give Mark Freeman a lot of credit is if, like Al Golden's your defensive coordinator, that's a pretty high level defensive coordinator. I mean, this is a guy that was a head coach at Miami in Temple, I mean, and was viewed as one of the better assistants before those days. So like their defense, how many times a night did he. There was one play like a fourth and five and he called the perfect blitz. It reminded me like Steve Spagnoli, Spagnola at Kansas City. And Gunner was getting lit up right as he just had to like throw it up and the guy caught it, but he was like 2 yards short. But in fairness, the quarterback had no shot. I mean, they, the guy came right at the right time and you could tell golden was so fired up, he just went right to the bench to meet the dudes. It was like, well, that's a good call. I mean that's, that's a really, you know, for a younger coach. He's 38 years old and he was obviously, you know, high level defensive guy. But to bring in a guy for. It's not like they, you know, Algold's a Penn State guy, he's an Ohio State guy. So it's not like they ever played together. They're different ages. But however that marriage worked out, hiring him, that's a big time hire because some young guys, you know, like it's Lincoln Riley hiring Al golden. You know, I don't know.

Jackson (18:35)

So like I get Mike coming in. Yeah, Mike Dembrock coaching Jaden Daniels last year at lsu. Maybe got tired of Brian Kelly. He comes in. Those are two guys where, you know, you compare to the NFL with the Chiefs and having Steve Spagnolo and the guys that just maybe aren't going to be head coaches that want to be coordinators at a big time university given the money. So, I mean, that. What a win. Hopefully flips the narrative, I think it does. Of Notre Dame can't win the big one. My last thing I was going to say on this too is for Mitch Jeter, their kicker, I mean, they have the worst field goal kicking in the country. Him dealing with a groin injury since week two. They have a long time off because they didn't play since December 20th. I mean, three for three. And those are big kicks. And you think about yesterday with Texas and how many kicks they missed and I mean, for that, that too was, was so big for their momentum. Just get points.

Colin Cowherd (19:24)

Yeah, I mean, I, that was cool. I mean it's always cool when you see the family and stuff in the. And they go to them. But you know, yesterday with Texas, I didn't realize this, but I saw McAfee was talking with Saban and how Sark went out at the end of the game and was like talking with the kid. You know, it's like Bro, you just leave the kickers alone, man. The kickers. It's a weird scenario. I think it's a cool moment. And like, you beat Georgia, that's a huge win for Marcus Freeman. I mean, it'll be hard. Like even if he were to beat Penn State, you would say, like, beating Penn State's a really, really big deal, but beating Georgia just looks better on the resume. And Kirby's won multiple national champ. You can argue, you know, I know, shit, I'm almost putting money on James to win the national championship. But you could argue he's won two games and no one really even thinks he still won a big game because the two games he won, SMU and Boise State, he's a pretty big favorite. But there is pressure now on Notre Dame. I don't quite understand this maybe because they're kind of similar teams, but they are favored in that game. So there is just going to be pressure. You know, this is just a pretty unreal opportunity kind of, you know, with the terrorist attack and everything, the game gets moved back so you lose a day. Now you're just on a regular week schedule. They clearly can't move the games Thursday and Friday, like, because I was like, why don't they just flip flop them? But it's, it's clearly set in stone way before the season even starts. So that game was set to play Thursday, so they ain't changing it.

Jackson (20:51)

I'm a little concerned for Notre Dame's defense against Tyler Warren. I felt like the tight ends to if Gunner Stockton on that fourth thing, what was it? 4th and 2, 4th and 3 have the backup tight end, which I don't understand why Delp wasn't playing. If he keeps running, I think he catches that football. They score and they had a bunch of inside routes to Delp and their tight ends. Tyler Warren is one of those guys. I feel like I'm a little concerned that Notre Dame won't be able to bundle him with their linebackers.

Colin Cowherd (21:16)

Yeah, he, he looks sweet. I mean, you were, you were at that game. The one thing that's cool about this Final Four is you just get four rosters that are just full of NFL bodies and that if you just went to a sideline, you just would go holy moly. Because I was watching the SEC Network clips on what day? I don't even know what day it is. So it would have been Wednesday morning. And the SEC network is, you know, at the, at the game against Texas and Arizona State and they're like, you know, if you just. And this is like an hour before when warm ups are going on in the back and they're like, if you just look at warmups you go like I don't know how fair this game is going to be. And I would imagine, I mean you were on the sideline for Boise Penn State, like Boise does not look like Penn State physically coming out of the coming out. Now in fairness, they never really have for 25 years and have been averaging 10 plus wins. But it is pretty hard to overcome. I mean Penn State is truly like a top five roster in the in college football and I do think that they are. They're playing really, really well. I mean if Carter can get healthy, they definitely have in their quarterback is he's not playing in the cold anymore. I mean he's going to look a lot better in a situation in these controlled environments because he does throw the ball better than Riley Leonard. Right? Like he's. Yeah, he's not. He's actually pretty overrated athlete. Turns out like when I see him move around, it's like just stay in the pocket. But he can throw the ball a lot better than Riley. You know, obviously Riley can run it. If you could combine the two of them, you'd probably have number one overall pick.

Jackson (22:45)

I mean both those throws he had to Warren were pretty tight. Had to get over the defender. Pretty sweet like you mentioned. And it's cool too. We always. Him returning is. Is going to be really cool for college football and for himself too because you always forget like this is first year in a new system. Like his first year in a new system, him being able to. I know. I talked to the offensive coordinator too from Penn State and he colonec. He said one of the biggest traits is he knows what everything's going on. So many shifts and motions and he's got it dialed and it's pretty cool to see him engaged in the game yelling at the refs and the want from him. I think it's something that. How big.

Colin Cowherd (23:17)

How big is he when he just walks by?

Jackson (23:19)

Huge. Huge. Warren. Warren's massive. He's kind of a quiet guy too, which I guess you kind of get. You know, the long hair, him giving me one of those tougher guys that just wants to play football. But those two and an Abdul Carter, you look at him, it's like that dude, that dude's a top five pick and hopefully he can get back. I think he's one of those guys that will grill out an injury just to play. But then you think Penn State, it's like the national championship the week after. So I don't know, I wonder how him against, you know, I guess the outside game with Notre Dame will fare out if he does play or doesn't play.

Colin Cowherd (23:53)

Yeah, I mean, I know you said what's his name come back. I would say this. There is some buzz in NFL circles. I mean, this is going pretty well for Drew Aller. If Drew Aller has another, like, if he throws three touchdowns against Notre Dame and wins, there could start being some momentum. Like, bro, you're like a top 10 pick lock right now. Why couldn't he just. Why couldn't he be the number one overall pick? I'm serious. I mean, it's just like there was a lot of hype. Last year was a disaster. Gets a real coordinator, new offense. And by the second half of the year, definitely the, the stretch, the end stretch of the year going from Oregon to. As we move on, I think he's made himself a lot of money. You'd have to entertain it now. Penn State's paying him to come back. But if you could be a really, really high pick, like you telling me, the Titans or the Raiders, some of these teams would pass on that guy. I'm actually really, really impressed. I just always heard from my Penn State buddies that he was like a much better athlete. Do you think he moves around that well?

Jackson (24:52)

I think he moves up when he's going forward, not laterally, if that makes sense. I think when the pocket collapses around him, he's going to step up and run for a couple, five, six yards. But he's. He's not laterally as fast as I thought. No.

Colin Cowherd (25:11)

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Jon Stewart (26:40)

Jon Stewart is back in the host chair at the Daily show, which means he's also back in our ears on the Daily Show Ears Edition Podcast. The Daily show podcast has everything you need to stay on top of today's news and pop culture. You get hilarious satirical takes on entertainment, politics, sports and more from John and the team of correspondents and contributors. The podcast also has content you can't get anywhere else, like extended interviews and a roundup of the weekly headlines. Listen to the Daily Show Ears edition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Jackson (27:26)

I texted you this photo over the weekend with Jalen Milroe. The UFL jersey. What do you make of him? I'm just, I'm surprised he declared, but I guess it's one of those things where you just, you transfer, you hope you go somewhere else or you hit the draft.

Colin Cowherd (27:41)

I do think when you it's easier to transfer, you know, when you're at kind of a random school, not even a random school, but when you see like, this guy used to play at Arizona State, like when they were bad, right? Or whatever, and now he's at Texas or Penn State or wherever. It's like, I totally this guy was at Washington State, now he's at Alabama or Oklahoma. It's like, oh, I would have done that too. If you're at Alabama for two years and you've been a starting quarterback at Alabama, and it's like, okay, I go the transfer portal. Like, what are my options? You know, like, where am I actually going? And you start, look at your list. You're like, I'll just, I'm just going to go to the draft. Like, I'm not, I'm not, I'm not transferring. No way. Like, at least Quinn yours, and we'll see how that plays out. If Quinn yours were to transfer, I do think he would have better options than Jalen Milroe I think Jalen Milroe, I don't know if he's been injured. I didn't watch that whole game, but I did watch the first half of Michigan. It was really, really bad. And you're watching these other quarterbacks, you know, like, Drew Aller is a good example. Like, Jalen was playing better than him. Felt like, you know, 12 months ago, and now you're looking at him, it feels like they're playing two different sports. And part of. And, you know, like, you've been around. See these guys that you play with, the NFL guys in Montana, like, you got to keep getting better. Like, the moment you start going backward, you know, it's a. It's a problem. And at quarterback, it's so far under the magnify. You, like, you can't really hide. Like, if you're a running back, you can be in a rotation, you could have a bad month or, you know, a defensive end, you kind of blend in, not getting pressure. Your quarterback start playing bad. It's like the whole offense sputters. Yeah, it's just. I think he. I understand why he went pro because I couldn't transfer. If you've been in Alabama, it's like. It's like if you start living in a penthouse, it'd be hard to move to some, you know, to the bottom of the floor. Right. I mean, it's just you're living pretty well. I mean, he's been coached by Saban and DeBoer. I just think that, what the hell, GoPro now. I don't know. I. He stock. I'd be shocked if he gets around pick or something.

Jackson (29:46)

Such a fall off from all these guys this year. I mean, you look at Carson back, Quinn Ewers yellow, Melroy. At one point, I think jail Milro was projected to go to the Saints in the top 10. It's like now you look at it and you're right about this year's class. With Ward and Shadora, it's like, well, as I know they're both talented, but are they. Are they overhyped by the media and stuff? Like, there's some areas that you see on both, both Ward and Shador that you're like, I don't know if I really want that as a Giants getting one of those guys. And do you feel that confident you're a Giants GM looking at those two, or do you?

Colin Cowherd (30:16)

I mean, I don't even if I'm a Giants gm, I don't even know if I'm gonna have my office in about five Days.

Jackson (30:21)

But do you keep. I would keep Drew Locke another year.

Colin Cowherd (30:23)

Like, I mean, no, I think Drew Locke, yeah. They should have been starting him for a lot longer when they went to DeVito. How about the contraption on what's his name's arm today on the sideline? Like clearly Carson Beck had pretty serious elbow surgery. So it's like is his next year in doubt? Even if it's, you know, maybe he'll be ready for training camp. His draft stock had already taken a huge hit. Now I, I don't see how he goes any earlier like the fifth, sixth, seventh round with a major elbow injury after the season he just had. And then Gunner came in and I would say I don't think it made Carson look like better. He's like, oh, see what you could. Like he was slinging around, getting the ball to some guys. Look a little rusty for a guy making his, I guess technically his first ever start.

Jackson (31:11)

First ever. Yeah.

Colin Cowherd (31:12)

So it's like I, I don't think that now college is weird because you know, high end teams and even Saban said like this guy was a pretty high level recruit. It's not like you're back up at some of these programs even though that maybe the average fan hasn't heard of him. Like all the coaches have, like Gunner Stockton, I don't know exactly if he's going to be this quarterback for Georgia next year, but if he, let's say went in the transfer portal tomorrow, Gunnar Stockton would have options immediately.

Jackson (31:38)

Like when Carson Beck would like a.

Colin Cowherd (31:40)

Top 10 team, like would Notre Dame call Carson back? I'm saying if he was healthy, you know, I think a lot of teams like wouldn't even be that interested given like how big he, his ego is, how much money he'd want. Quinn yours. I'm not the biggest fan but I would rather have yours than Carson Beck if they were both healthy. Now Carson's arm doesn't work, so it doesn't even matter.

Jackson (32:02)

How shocked were you that Ewers made that throw on 4th and 13? I thought of you right when he threw it. I was like, well you know, he's not good with pressure. They're going to bring a ton of pressure and then him to check out of that and the protection on them, I think they brought six guys was spot on by him. I didn't think he had that in him. And for him to do that was, was you got to tip the cap a little bit for you think they.

Colin Cowherd (32:24)

Called like a double move because it looked like he was running out of the sticks, and then he went forward. That's a pretty. That's a pretty ballsy call because you're basically playing for the touchdown, thinking they will bite at the sticks. It's like, it worked and it was. It's all credit to Sark and the boys. But, like, what if it doesn't work? What if the pressure gets there, he runs off a spot? I think that's. You're basically playing for the end zone shot, nothing else on that. And it worked because the guy bit. And listen, I mean, if you're that db, you got to play the sticks on that spot, right? 4th and 13. Because if you. If they don't throw to the sticks and you tackle them at the 11 or 12 yard line, you hold them, it's. You're a legendary individual in the history of the program. So it's hard for me to blame the db. Maybe that speaks to why it's such a great call. But part of that call is, like, you got to make sure the protections there's. Because he's got to have a little time. And they obviously blocked it up. And he made a great. He makes great passes. I mean, the game opened up in a blink of an eye. They scored a touchdown. Like, he. He has a nice arm. He just makes some bad decisions, throw some bad picks, sometimes leaves. Like, sometimes he makes the right decision, but he puts too much air under a ball. The ball that was picked did, I think, ended up leading to a touchdown, which I'm glad they didn't call targeting on when the. When the other DB took the guy out and luckily turned his shoulder. But I think Sark gets kind of gun shy with them where it's like, look at Boise and ASU with their running backs. They just go down swinging with their guys, right? They just go down with the guys where it's like Sark's like, how do we kind of get around this? And they try to. And the problem is they can't run the ball, so they just. They're kind of screwed.

Jackson (34:03)

The running game's so up and down. You mentioned that, too. And that was one thing with Marcus Freeman in the first quarter. They interviewed him. They said, hey, you know, what's. What are you going to continue to do? He said, hey, you know, Jeremiah Love's not getting anything prices and getting anything, but we're going to commit to the run because that's what we want to do. It felt like Texas even up 16. It was like first. First and 10. They got one yard, and it was immediately all right, let's throw the ball. Let's get it out there. I just.

Colin Cowherd (34:24)

You.

Jackson (34:24)

What do you make of what. What's the identity of this team is just. We're just. Texas is going to come out and win barely, and run the ball one week and throw the ball the next week. Like, it just seems like you're right. The trust is not there with Sarkin as quarterback or his offense.

Colin Cowherd (34:38)

What was weird about that game is in basically, it's two series. They score immediately, then they take the punt to the house, and you're like, they might win this game. Like, they might really embarrass Kenny Dillingham here. And then all of a sudden, they just. Nothing happened for a long period of time. And it's like the end of the half, it's 17 to 3. You're like, how is this humanly possible? And I saw someone put out the drive chart. It's like, what happened? But that happens to them a lot where it's like, you can watch one drive. They look like Ohio State. Like, oh, my, look at that guy move. Look at that throw. Look at that. That pancake block by the guard. You're like, geez Louise. And then they just have a quarter stretch where they just look like an awful football team. On offense, their defense always looks good. Their defense is good. It's why Cam Scatter Boo impressed so many people. Like, he's running over NFL players, right? Their defense is good. Now their secondary, I think, isn't a little question, right? Like, the play Scatter Boo just kind of threw up the prayer. Like, that's. The Clemson was hitting big plays on them. They got hit big plays. Like, that's. Even ASU hit some big plays. That's the one area, like their front seven is really, really dominant. Like Penn State, like Georgia, like Notre Dame. Their secondary, I would say, can be just a little hit or miss. And it's at least in the playoffs so far, which is scary against Ohio State.

Jackson (35:58)

It's crazy that. That Taft you mentioned scatterball and their longest play being that running back wheel for him to get out there and scatterball catching that football, too. But, yeah, it's a mismatch for Texas. And that's one thing, too. I felt like their secondary has been fine until the playoff hit when Kate Clubnik started dealing it. And then you kind of sit back and you're like, well, they got the Thorpe Award winner. They've got some good DBs. But I feel like teams have found ways, like you mentioned, to expose this.

Colin Cowherd (36:24)

Texas Defense, it wasn't good last year. Right. That's why that was their downfall against Washington. Their secondary was bad mainly all season. Despite being a Final four team. Clearly was better this year. I think a lot of that, the front four and really the front seven's pretty dominant. But it feels like it gets just a little weird right now these last two games. And like, you know, everyone's being critical. You get tight in these playoffs. You're talking about 18, 19, 20 year olds. Scatterbooth made some incredible plays. The double pass a little. I saw Scatter Booth say he was supposed to be Philly special. He was going to throw it back to the quarterback. But either they, I don't know if they covered him or he kind of got gun shy.

Jackson (37:02)

He said, he said he rolled his ankle the play before too. Love it. He said, yeah, don't, don't throw it to me. And on that too. He kind of tripped.

Colin Cowherd (37:09)

Okay.

Jackson (37:09)

And he throws the under throw.

Colin Cowherd (37:11)

He said he looked up, he saw one on one. He said, I'm okay, screw it. And that's why. But that's what you have to do in a game like that when you're ASU and you do start getting a little momentum. That was a classic Boise, you know, for in the Chris Peterson era, you got to have some trick plays. That's why I thought Boise State, like they just kind of ran a traditional offense against Penn State. It's like you got to pull out some, some tricks against a team that has better talent. Like hell. Penn State was running like double passes with Tyler Warren and you're thinking like, why are you doing this? Just run normal place. Why isn't Boise trying that? That's where I give props to Dillingham and ASU for kind of pulling some of those plays when the ball was in the air. You're like, what is he doing? And then the guy, you know, they benefited from it. But I thought these, these four games were just really, really entertaining. And the amount of just star players, you know, I think this is where college football is really taking a huge step. When I was a kid, college basketball used to have this too. But you know, it doesn't. It's not the same anymore. Like so many of these guys are playing in the NFL. Like think about even the two big underdogs that lost ASU and Boise. I mean they have two star running backs. I mean Genty is, I mean an all time running back. Name is going to be on the list forever. In Scatter, Boo became like a cold hero I mean, when do you ever see a white running back who like kind of gained some momentum throughout the season? Like, oh, this guy's kind of fun, this guy's kind of fun. And by the end, everyone even like NFL guys like, Jesus, this guy's incredible. You know, I think that Scatter Boo earned more street cred just in terms of like, is this guy a real NFL player or Jesus a good college player? That game, all the other games combined this season. Because like, listen, you can run for whatever against West Virginia or whoever you're playing in the Big 12. And even early on in that game, like this is a different animal. You know, this is a different animal. In fairness, his offensive line couldn't block those guys. And then it was just like this guy and clearly he had like the flu or sick or something. He's puking on the sideline and he just starts trucking guys, making guys miss, making plays. And then you see his stats at the end of the game, like 120 yards rushing, 89 yards passing. He had the passing touchdown. It's like what a performance by the kid, what a legend. There was zero stars, went to Sac State, ends up there and caps that effort off. And honestly, I mean they 4th and 13 to be Texas is one of those. When I'm looking up I'm like, this is almost too good to be your race. She was really going to pull this off. But then you're looking like fourth and 13. I mean, what's the likelihood of that hitting 10%, 15%. Especially late in the game when everyone's.

Jackson (39:45)

One receiver, they had one receiver, Matthew Golden. The whole time I'm watching I'm like, everyone's talking about on college game day the emergence of Isaiah Bond, like oh, him coming back to big plus for the offense. He didn't get one, only got one target. Was the one where he got blown up on the targeting. It's weird. I don't know what's going on with him. Is it you were saying, is he still banged up? Like he played some snaps and he was even on a one on one matchup. It wasn't even look towards his way. This is the guy that was supposed to be a potential first round pick, maybe even second round pick. And it's like now you're going to guys, Golden, Moore, some of those younger dudes. It was kind of weird just seeing him the last because Miami or not Miami, Michigan game, he went off and after that it's been really quiet for him.

Colin Cowherd (40:26)

What I think is going to be interesting Is like big picture. Texas is always going to be good now with the NIL era, they're going to dominate. Yeah, Ohio State is going to dominate. Penn State's going to dominate. You guys are going to dominate. Like, these teams are not going anywhere. ASU caught lighting in a bottle a little bit this year with Scatterboo, who kind of fell into their lap. Right. Just sacked State. No one wanted them. The likelihood of that happening over and over is pretty slim. Now he does gain momentum because they're on national television. Maybe they get some better recruits, but it is going to be very difficult. And I'm thinking once they lost that game, that might be their best chance ever to be in a situation like that. Because one thing you'd say about Boise, like Boise been winning 10 to 12 games for 25 years. Like the chances Boise wins 10, 11 games the next couple of years and puts themselves in a position in the non power forward to get another spot. Now, they may never get a buy as they change the rules, but if you told me what are the chances Boise's in this game in the next three years, you know, in a playoff game, I'd say like 90%. If you tell me in the next five years, even if I think, I think Dillingham's clearly really good as you might never get back to the playoffs. I mean, asu, are they going to win eight games next year? Not because he's not a good coach or whatever. It's just, it's hard. You know, Oklahoma State was down. You know the schedule, you don't play certain teams. I just think that's the one you just lose sleep over. You're like, oh my God, like Georgia sucks to lose. Kind of a weird season. Their team clearly wasn't as good. They're like, we'll be fine. We'll be back. Even Alabama, you miss the playoffs, like, we'll reload. We got, we'll be okay. A program like ASU is like this might have been our best shot ever. Especially once we come back and then take the lead in overtime.

Jackson (42:09)

Don't you think with Levitt though that they may have some in a Big 12 where, I mean, I'm looking, trying to think on top of my head. Utah's got a transfer quarterback, maybe Avery Johnson in Kansas State this next year ends up turning it around and he becomes better. But I look at the Big 12, Colorado losing all their guys to door and you know, Shiloh and Travis and stuff, I kind of feel like, at least throughout the season that you saw Sam Levitt progress in what he was able to do in that football game. I mean he made some big time throws, extending plays. I get that. I feel like there's maybe one more if they can recruit. But you're right, they're never going to find another scoutable who was basically their entire offense. But Levitt did improve and you kind of look at that game like, okay, the future may be bright for asu.

Colin Cowherd (42:52)

Yeah. And the one knock they've had is like nil has been an uphill battle for them. It's like. And hopefully this helps, you know, just some of their famous. Like they might not have the crazy boosters, but maybe they just got some rich former athletes that all put in a couple hundred grand each. You know, even if there's a lot of Phil Mickelson, there's a lot of the world, it doesn't even need to be. They don't. It doesn't have to be football players just because it is cool like the football team like saw Phil Mickelson tweeting about like it just brings people together in a moment like that. Yeah, I just, it's just sometimes you hope like the wide receiver they got injured, is he going to the draft? Is he coming back?

Jackson (43:28)

Is like sophomore.

Colin Cowherd (43:29)

Yeah. So it's like, is he a transfer portal guy? It's like. Or does Texas call him up? You know, that's. That's where. And that's what. And that's where I say Boise is a lock to be back. Maybe in the old pre nil days. But it's harder like when they get the genties now as freshmen or sophomores. It's going to be harder and harder for them to keep him. It was just hard for them to keep him this offseason. And they got lucky, stayed very loyal and it obviously worked out for him pretty well that he stayed. He made the playoffs. It was all worth it. But he's. I would say he's probably the exception that most guys at a school like Boise, when Alabama calls or Ohio State calls or LSU calls or Georgia calls, I give you $800,000 and you'd be my starting whatever. It's hard to turn that down. You know, that's what makes me nervous about like the non super superpowers, which is like a pretty clear like 10 teams. Oregon, Ohio State, I would throw Michigan in there. Penn State, Notre Dame, Georgia, Bama, lsu, Texas. Like when, when those schools call to any non you know of that group is they're going to get basically guaranteed yeses. Like I Saw Jim Mora going nuts. Like, I'm start turning people calling my good players. Like, I had good luck with that, Jim. I don't think anyone cares, but that's happening. Like, they're just. I just think their personnel departments are like, who's the best player on then who's. Give me the list of the top 20 players in the non power 4. Let's fucking start DMing them and calling them.

Jackson (45:02)

And then like the F. The FCS national championship next Monday might get some attention too. You talked about it. I mean, I'm a Montana guy and I hate Montana State being in the national championship. But they've got some dudes there too, that can move. I mean, either wide receiver position or running back to their quarterback. Malott could be one of those guys that a Notre Dame, he kind of plays in that similar style. But FCS on the cheap, you tell me. Like, even Ohio State, I don't know if they would go and get a guy from the fcs. But it's. It's the tampering part of things.

Colin Cowherd (45:30)

It's a domino. If Ohio State takes a guy from Minnesota, then Minnesota calls Montana, right?

Jackson (45:35)

Yeah. So if you take moving up the ladder.

Colin Cowherd (45:37)

Yeah. So if you take the starting guard from Wisconsin and he comes Ohio State or Alabama, then Wisconsin goes, well, who's the best guard I can get this All American at Montana, that's a fourth round pick. We take him here, it's actually not even a downgrade. But Ohio State might not go there. They'll just come to us because they see them. It's just an easier transition for them where for us, like, this guy's a starter and. But for that kid, how does he turn down when Montana or Utah calls him? Right? And that's where the shady part of this whole thing, it's like, he's not technically. Like, a lot of guys don't enter the transfer portal till they hear. Who knows? You hear so many different stories. Agents are working the back channels, but it is kind of. It is kind of lawless, which I got. No problem if your coach leads or whatever, you can do whatever you want. But some of these guys that are just like their coaches staying and just their DMs are flooded, it would be difficult. You just got to hope, like, the dude's got a girlfriend that he doesn't want to leave, you know, because they clearly. One thing's proven, the friendships, like your boys and your team, they're not that strong. Because I don't hear many people say, like, you know, I Just couldn't leave my boys. Everyone's like, yeah, it was a great opportunity. See you guys later.

Jackson (46:44)

That's like Finley. He's been to five schools. When you look at getting married, who is going to be on your. Your best man, your groomsmen set up? You're not going to have any type of friends. I think the only. The only one that's been kind of, I guess have friends of people sticking around was Notre Dame, some of those big schools. But yeah, you're right, it's the tampering part of it. I don't know how they're going to fix it. I don't think they ever will. You just think that's might just be part of the sport, just tampering and stuff like that.

Colin Cowherd (47:11)

That's why, like, James Franklin's pounding the table of, like, we need just a commissioner that can just write some basic bylaws. And he keeps messing with Saban doing it. But I think they know they need a coach that can understand, like, we got to not harp on this, you know, whatever it is, push the envelope on these five things. But we got to have a hard line of like, if you sign an nil with me, you can't leave unless these three things happen. Your coach leaves. If you break the contract, you got to pay, you know, you're under contract. I don't know. I don't exactly know, but I think that's their big thing. We just need some bylaws. Like in the NFL, they're just rules. If you're under contract, you can't leave now, but can you get cut? Like, again, I don't exactly know how it would go, but there has to be some sort of rules. Right now there just aren't any. And even for coaches, like, well, they can leave whenever. Well, yeah, if you want to steal said coach, they have, there's a buyout usually, right? 20 million, you know, some are bigger than others, so there's no buyout players. It doesn't seem like, you know, that Cam Ward thing didn't play like, you know, was part of his nil playing in that game. I saw Bruce Feldman, right, that him playing in that game did help a lot of other guys not opt out and also play in that game. I mean, he practiced, you know, for, you know, three, whatever weeks, ten practices, I think. Listen, we jumped the shark so long ago with guys sitting out the ball games. How could. In what world, if he helps other people stay and play in the ball game. If he wants to play a half, how is that more polarizing. The guys just quitting and just leaving, which have been happening now pretty consistently for a while. That's why I don't even know what to make about half of these bowl games. It's like I fell asleep before the A&M USC game. But I remember seeing the list of A and M guys that opted out. It was like half their team. Like, they just. And I would guess the majority of them didn't go to the bowl or just left. Especially that bowl, you know, against a 6 and 6 USC team. So you tell me what's worse. A guy practicing with his team in a bowl game that doesn't mean anything. And I'm not even some huge. It's not like I'm pounding the table for Cam Moore. I'm just looking at this logically. Playing in the half. And clearly they want to get a look at their backup as their backup quarterback can be their starter. They need a transfer portal. And you know, they lost. Mario's is not a. Mario loses a lot of big games. Like, just check his resume. Now, would they have lost with Cam? Probably not. But who knows? Mario's a coach. Or all these guys just say, peace, I'm out, and just head to la, start training. Like, you tell me what's worse. Like, Cam was there with his guys. I think people, you know, feel like they listen. It's. It doesn't happen a lot. Guy just leaves at halftime. But I do think that is much, much better. And I have more respect for that than the guys that just leave. And now everyone's so numb to. No one even cares. Like, oh, they just opted out. Look at, look at. Just Twitter on a daily basis. Like, not now because all these bull games are mainly over. But like two weeks ago. Opt out, opt out, opt out, opt out. All these guys either transfer portal or the league. I respect guys. It's like he's in the transfer portal, but he's also still playing. I think orgy for Michigan is in the transfer portal, but he's playing like.

Jackson (50:26)

Devin Brown from Ohio State, their backup quarterback still playing.

Colin Cowherd (50:28)

I respect that.

Jackson (50:30)

Yeah, I agree with you. I think part of it too is the reason why is sports betting. Sports gambling has been so popular and for Miami to be a 5, 6 point favorite and have its flip around where Iowa State, Not a lot of guys left to go to the portal for them. They got their starting quarterback. They're all young versus Miami. You've got Emery Williams, who hasn't played like the entire season. I think that part of it is why people were all, I will say.

Colin Cowherd (50:56)

This betting on bowl games, non playoff games in general is a very difficult proposition in this era and it has been for a while. You know, it's just you don't know who's playing, you don't know who cares. It's always been tough as they've got, especially as they've gone to the four team playoff. And it's really kind of, I would say, diminished a lot of the importance of the Bulls. Smaller schools still kind of mattered, but for the bigger schools like you turn on Alabama U.S. or Alabama Michigan. Listen, I know Jalen Milroe played bad, but it didn't feel like Alabama cared at all. You can't tell me if throughout the season, if Alabama played them in a regular season game in like Oct. 10, that Michigan would beat them. I would doubt that. Who knows now maybe Michigan beat Ohio State and turn the corner and now they're better. I don't know. But bowl games are weird non, non playoff games that it feels like everyone's all in game planning. I mean half these players are screwing around like Colorado. Well, I wonder what Colorado's focus was leading up to that BYU game. I would imagine it was pretty low ass kicking. It was like, hey dad, we'll play, we'll play for you because we love you. But yeah, we're don't expect max effort out of us here. You know, it was crazy. I looked up because the NFL game was going and Shador was getting chased down in like the fourth quarter like five minutes ago. I'm like, this is. He's getting peppered. I'm like, this is crazy.

Jon Stewart (52:30)

Jon Stewart is back in the host chair at the Daily show, which means he's also back in our ears on the Daily Show Ear New Year's Edition podcast. The Daily show podcast has everything you need to stay on top of today's news and pop culture. You get hilarious satirical takes on entertainment, politics, sports and more from John and the team of correspondents and contributors. The podcast also has content you can't get anywhere else, like extended interviews and a roundup of the weekly headlines. Listen to the Daily Show Ears edition on the I Heart Review radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Jackson (53:15)

So what do you make of all four teams with buys? You know, Arizona State, Boise State. Most likely we're going to lose that football game. Ended up having opportunities and not winning. What do you make against the four teams with buys losing?

Colin Cowherd (53:30)

I, I think what's going to happen is, well, Georgia and Oregon Just, I mean, you just play against a game. This happens in the NFL. You just play against another high level team. It's football you could lose. I don't think that's that weird. I would say that I would imagine the next couple iterations as they change this. If I was a by team, I would want a home game. I think that's a huge, huge advantage. Then have to travel three or four days before, stay at a hotel. Like, I'd want a home game now. Oregon might have lost that game. Whether they play that thing in Austin, whether they play that thing in the moon, it might not have mattered. Probably wouldn't have. But I would say, hey, if I'm going to go undefeated and be the only, like, how do we not get home games? We got to figure this out. I think Klatt or someone had said that he envisions a scenario that essentially the Big Ten in the SEC flex their muscles and they say you guarantee the SEC championship and the Big Ten championship winner a buy and then the other two buys. Like you guys can figure that out. It doesn't have to be championship games. It can just be the highest ranked team however you guys want to do it. But our two teams get buys and then just like if it's other teams from our network, fine. But like, this situation is not. It was kind of clunky this year with, with Boise and Arizona State, but I also think the combination of the Bulls still having their hand in the cookie jar throws things off just a little weird. I mean, you're, I would say this, the passion at the game you were at still felt pretty cool. Now Boise, you know, has a passionate fan base. I would imagine a lot of their alumni live on the West Coast. A lot of people from the Northeast live in Arizona or Southern California maybe. So it's not that far of a travel. That atmosphere felt pretty cool. That, that spot, I feel like works better for big college. Now Arizona, you know, the Cardinals haven't been good since like Bruce Arian days, but that place is a good place to host a college game. A lot of people like coming here.

Jackson (55:26)

Yeah. Even the Final Four last year, I mean, the amount of fans they had, they packed it all the way up to the, to the rim on both sides. And you could see the, the college spirit they bring in because Arizona Cardinals have those casitas in the end zone. So they remove those and they bring in all the extra stands in there. I did find it weird though. This was the first time, even last year with the 14 playoffs, how it's like, hey, you, congrats. You win this bowl game, they're passing all these bowl hats and you get the trophy. Even James Franklin's like, yeah, we'll celebrate this. But it's like, now we got to go on to the Orange bowl and win an Orange bowl trophy and then win a national championship. Show me that part of it's like a little conflicting where back in the day, you want a bowl game, it kind of meant a big deal to wear the hat. You're going to throw that hat in the dumpster.

Colin Cowherd (56:05)

It's a little off. Like in basketball, you cut the nets when you make it to the Final Four, it's a really big deal. And then you'd only cut the nets if you won the national championship. You won't cut the nets after you win the semifinal game. Yeah, but now that's. They're still figuring their way through this. It's got a little baseball feel to it. Like when you, you know, win every playoff series, you spray champagne. Where in football, like the Chiefs really celebrate once that when they win the division and then you don't really celebrate it again until you win the Super Bowl. I guess you would celebrate if you won the AFC and then the super bowl, but like celebrating each round of the playoffs, it's just a little clunky. But I get if you're these Bulls and this is where I don't think you would do it. Like if you were Oregon, you just interview. If you like, you know, at that game was at Notre Dame today or at Georgia, you just wouldn't have a celebrate. You just interview Marcus Freeman, you'd interview Riley Leonard, guys would be on the field celebrating. Then they just go to the locker room, do a sweet celebration in the locker room and go shower, eat, go home. But you got it like the all the sponsors. He's got too many hands in the cookie jar right now. There's just too much going on with the sponsors, the bowls, the playoffs. It does feel a little clunky. I. I didn't realize that watching it today, but it makes sense now. Like, it feels. Because they're going to do it again, the semifinal games, right?

Jackson (57:28)

Yeah, they're going to the Orange bowl and the Cotton Bowl. So it's like, ok, you're going to win that game and then you go to Atlanta for the national championship. That's just a lot of. I don't mind the bowl games for the semis, but I think that quarterfinal and look, I mean all four were great atmospheres outside the Sugar bowl what's been going on. But it did feel a little like the celebration after giving him the trophy. And I even saw even the Cam Scatter will get in the Peach bowl offensive mvp. They lost. Like, that's. I don't know. It's. Congrats, you got this Peach bowl trophy, but we want the big one at the end.

Colin Cowherd (58:02)

Yeah, let's end on this one thing that's going around. And this is where I think all these guys pushing for. They're just using Saban because he just retired and he's old and he knows a lot, and they know he'd be a dick and would just like, drive a hard line on things, is that I think all these Bulls, eventually, they got to kind of figure out a way to just keep it pretty consistent with, like, maybe there's a. Between six polls, you kind of rotate between the semis and then just keep the national championship at the Rose Bowl. Because the Rose bowl is just the sweetest. The way it looks, it's pretty cool. And that it does feel like a push in college football world to have the national championship at the Rose bowl forever. It's just like, this is the Masters just at Augusta every year. It's like, we don't rotate venues here now. This is where I think so many people are involved that the Orange bowl, the Fiesta bowl, like, these people ain't going to allow that to happen. Right? I mean, you saw today when Molly's trying to interview the Allstate, person's grabbing the mic, and it's just everyone up on the dais. You always have these sponsors and the bowl president. Those people have a lot of juice, you know, in the commit. You know, they just. They're a part of this thing. So it's. That's where I just wonder. We talk a lot about Nil and transfer portal. The bowl system is pretty like, there's a lot of money exchanging hands there, you know, where they ain't giving up their power. That's where I think the coaches are like, oh, my God, the Rose Bowl's cool, but James Franklin's like, we just be Boise State and we're like, doing this celebration, you know, can we just. We only got like 8 days till our next game. It probably felt really weird to him. It would definitely save it. Saban wouldn't handle it well.

Jackson (59:51)

Yeah, it was. It was a little weird. I mean, none of them were wearing the hats after they all had them in their. In their hand. I think the only one that had some type of Fiesta Bowl, I Guess relevancy was Tyler Warren with his trophy. But you talk about the Rose Bowl. Don't you think that some cities would get a little jealous? Like, hey, well, if Pasadena is going to get the national championship every year, the economical impact it has on their city, why can't we have it in Indianapolis? Why can we have it in Phoenix? Like, do you think that battle would happen if they were to have it in one spot?

Colin Cowherd (60:20)

Well, that's the pushback. I'm thinking. Like, I think always think the college games in Glendale pop. Like, it looks good on tv.

Jackson (60:26)

The ones at night too, especially.

Colin Cowherd (60:27)

Yeah. Miami, New Orleans always works. Georgia always works. Right. They land it. Like, so the rotation does work. I just think people think because the weather, it's perfect outside, it's such a historic venue and that's where maybe we are just destined to have. I don't think the second round. The buy teams are going to get home games for the foreseeable future. Like, maybe that's. Maybe that's. It's a stupid conversation to have because it's just not going to happen. Because I would imagine they made so much money with all the sponsors. That's why they did this. So it's almost like if Ohio State wins it, it's harder because you got to play the extra game, but it is pretty cool if you do got to play the first round, get a home game, win it, and then go on if you get the right bracket. Or Penn State. Like, if it's Penn State versus Ohio State, it's been pretty sweet for them. They got to play in, you know, three bowl games and they got to play a home playoff game in December. That's pretty, that's pretty wild. And maybe, maybe there'd be. We'll have to see. You got to need like five years of data, but you do get some momentum, you know, having played. And you just, you know, it's like people say, you know, and sometimes a bye week in football can slow you down a little bit in the NFL. And those teams just stay hot and they just keep going through. Especially for college kids. Right. And I know something to keep an eye on. But then now I talk about it like, I don't think these bowl games are going anywhere. It's just too much money, too many sponsors.

Jackson (61:58)

Yeah. It is interesting though, with the whole buy situation, I. The only two things they could do is shrink it to 8 or expand it to 16. It ain't any world.

Colin Cowherd (62:09)

It ain't getting shrunk.

Jackson (62:10)

Exactly. Yeah. It won't. Won't get shrunk. But it would be funny if they did flip it where the 10, 12, 11 and nine were to get the first round by then the first team. But then you have to play the obviously five through eight.

Colin Cowherd (62:22)

What's your. What's your number grade out of 10 so far in these playoffs?

Jackson (62:26)

I've been. I'm a fan of more football. I'm a fan of the March Mattis side of college football. I don't think it's anything we'd ever see. Even 10 years ago when they came out with this model, I think the second round definitely brought it up. Compared to all the blowouts in the first round, I'd probably say eight out of 10. I think there's been a lot of drama and still parodying the sport where it's like you're on your. Especially these four games. Every game it felt like the other team, the underdog, had an opportunity to win. What about you?

Colin Cowherd (62:53)

Yeah, I'd say. I'd say the second round really amped up Notre Dame. That last game, I mean, that was just. That was a war. Arizona State, Texas. The game of the year so far, right? Game of the playoffs by a mile. Yeah, I go like seven, seven and a half.

Jackson (63:11)

I mean, even Ohio State, I mean, I know you and you and Colin talked about it and I was leaning more towards Oregon. I mean, that type of performance, that's not a performance. You watch them. I was just in awe about both sides of the football for Ohio State and the fact that you have two players that are going to be number one overall picks that aren't even. That's what's great about the sport too. I think that's what we've seen in the playoff is there's been a lot of younger guys that have stepped up in the playoff that'll get a lot of fame. That'll bring a lot of people back to the sport when you look at next season.

Colin Cowherd (63:44)

And I think the one good part about this playoffs, year one, if you would have taken like the group of like however many teams, probably eight to 12, they would have been like, who. Who's going to be in the Final Four? These would have been for the 8 or 10, right. I mean, it's Notre Dame, Penn State and I mean, I would have said everyone would have picked Ohio State and Texas. Right. Ohio State would have been a lock, I'd say for most people to be in a Final Four, I think Texas would have been high up there as well. Penn State probably would have been closer. Like most team People's eight, you know, but if I would have told you who they would have got to play to get to the Final Four, you might have picked them. But once you watch them play this year, it's clearly they're pretty freaking good. And Notre Dame was just kind of the wild card of, like, how good are they actually? But people thought they were definitely a playoff team before the season. That was why the. And it turns out they're actually probably better. You know, that was a freak loss. I mean, they're really good on defense, and the quarterback's gotten better, but that's like. That's an excellent Final Four for TV viewing. You get Notre Dame, Texas and Ohio State. I mean, those are. Those are probably the top three brands in the sport. I mean, I. I don't even know. Maybe Michigan, Alabama. I'm just talking, like, brand. Put them on tv. Get people to watch. I mean, Ohio State's definitely one. Most people would argue Texas is two. I mean, Notre Dame's probably like to be. I mean, it's. I mean, Penn State ain't small. I mean, Penn State's closer to 5 than it is 15. So it's. It's going to be. It's really good. And, you know, Ohio State's a pretty big favorite over Texas. The one good thing with Texas is they got so much talent. They can, like, it's not a lock. It wouldn't shock me at all if it's tight game at halftime, right? I mean, they are. They're well coached. They got. I know people think like, Sark. I've actually come around on Sark. I think that he gets scared with Quinn that he's going to make a mistake. And they kind of coach around them. Their defense is so much more physical than in the history of that pro. You know, in the history of sar. Coach in that program, like, they are. Their defense is good. I mean, their secondary gives up balls like, shit. That happens in the NFL. What are you going to do, DB on an island? He's either good enough or he's not. There's. It's not like, well, he's better than the guy on the bench, but their front seven is every bit as good as Ohio State's, Notre Dame's, Penn State's. I mean, it's. That's. The amount of NFL guys in this Final Four is pretty stupid. And a lot of them are like 19 and 20 years old. They're not even going to the NFL. I mean, Brian Young's kid on Notre Dame, I mean, that guy's the guy's an NFL player. I mean he's, he's a lock to be like in two years like a 15 sack starting edge guy. I mean how big is that guy going to be as he eats and lifts? Because he technically doesn't even really start this year. Right? He's a rotational.

Jackson (66:27)

No, he didn't get playing time until the playoff because we lost a couple guys in the interior and then you lose Howard cross for a little bit, but hello as well and Mills him. That was one thing to the middle of the defense. That's one thing that's been so impressive about this Notre Dame team is just their ability to just plug and play guys like they're secondary. You're playing three freshmen. It's.

Colin Cowherd (66:48)

See that's the thing about these, that's the thing about these programs. So like a guy like him next year there'll be a lot of tie. Like he's putting 15 more pounds of muscle. He's starting this year like in 2025 and maybe takes maybe it's like he's a 12 sack guy all American. Like that's, that's on the table with a lot of guys like him on all four of these teams where it's like these guys, like there could be like 10 guys that are rotational guys that are going to be top 20 picks in 2027 and the talent on the field, it's not just like, you know, the, the NFL guys who are getting drafted. It's also the freshmen and sophomores who are future NFL players. That was the Georgia team like when they first won the national championship. It's like guys, I hope you know that half their defense as sophomores and they're all going to be top 45 picks next year. So every guy that's not draft eligible is going to be draft eligible and some of them are even better than the guys that are drafted this year. So that's. These teams are just stacked with talent. Maybe in the NIL era, one thing that's going to be impossible, you could get an upset like an ASU or Boise, but you couldn't win like three games if you don't have elite talent. So it's going to be the top programs. Like I don't need to see five years of this playoff. Like you couldn't have like back to back upsets with just the little engine that could. Right? You could have one.

Jackson (68:06)

And if it's awesome. I was going to say it's awesome. Fluky stuff like you mentioned Arizona State with the fake yeah, exactly. Double pass. And then Boise State at one point had it because Genti fumbles and Drew Aller gives the ball back and then they run down the field and they score. So yeah, a lot of fluky stuff in those games that would have been potential upsets.

Colin Cowherd (68:25)

And there was some freaky stuff in that game like when Genti fumbled twice. Has he fumbled all season? And he fumbled. That first line popped up was incredible. Yeah, it was crazy. Okay, Jackson, thanks for, for joining me. Congrats. Big day. I mean Notre Dame, this is, this is why you're a fan. Because these moments, you're not that old. So most of your moments, I mean, what's your losing Alabama. I mean your moments haven't been that terrible. Like you've had a lot of good teams, a lot of sweet NFL guys, but. And honestly you're not even that much farther. Like you've been to the national championship with Brian Kelly, right? You've been to the Final Four. So now you're just back to the Final Four. But beating Georgia feels like cooler than those moments. Losing yet you still got to win. If you lose against Penn State obviously was a successful year, but we'll feel great. You are favored.

Jackson (69:13)

So I'm excited. Man, I cannot believe this Notre Dame team has flipped around. And I'm actually, when we get off of this, I'm going to buy some more Notre Dame merch because we're pretty low in the department and as they keep playing, hopefully I can wear it on throughout the season. But I just feel like Marcus Freeman, the perfect timing of him for Notre Dame to finally get over the hump that they can't win the big one and in against a Georgia team with Gunner Stockton. And I know the whole headline was, well, a backup quarterback, it's Georgia, but they got a backup quarterback. I think we all could tell he looked pretty much better than Carson back and I guess he should have. His receivers would have helped him out a little bit. I mean that, that 86 catches, that 80 yard pass, it looks even better for, for Georgia.

Colin Cowherd (69:53)

Yeah. You didn't, you didn't just beat some like scrub who couldn't play. Like that was a real win. That was a real win against a defense that was really trying with an.

Jackson (70:01)

Offensive line that was hyped up throughout the entire season too, that has a offensive guard that's going to go in the first round too.

Colin Cowherd (70:07)

So yeah, so you, you, you take that pride and now just get ready for a game and in seven days. Well, I'll talk to you soon. Buddy. And congrats.

Jackson (70:20)

The volume.

Colin Cowherd (70:24)

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Colin Cowherd (70:34)

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Jon Stewart (72:17)

Jon Stewart is back at the Daily show and he's bringing his signature wit and insight straight to your ears with the Daily Show Year's Edition podcast. Dive into John's unique take on the biggest topics in politics, entertainment, sports and more. Joined by the sharp voices of the show's correspondents and contributors, and with extended interviews and exclusive weekly headline roundups, this podcast gives you content you won't find anywhere else. Ready to laugh and stay informed, listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.