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John Middlekoff
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John Middlekoff
What is going on everybody? John Middelkopf 3&out podcast how are we doing A little Friday night extravaganza because the Indiana Hoosiers are 15 and oh and they're headed to the national championship to take on Miami where they are a seven and a half point favorite against the Miami Hurricanes who have a home game and feels right because Indiana is incredible. So tonight I'll be joined by Jackson producer Jackson, who is actually at the Ole Miss Miami game last night, his boots on the ground, he was talking to Michael Irvin, taking pictures with Andre Johnson and Edgerton James, living it up with the U and Ole Miss people. So we'll, we'll have him join the show tonight. We'll talk a little college football and that will be the game plan tonight. We'll be live tomorrow on the YouTube channel after Packers Bears, which I read today is supposed to snow. So sign me up for that bad boy and we'll talk about that game as well as Carolina Rams potentially. We'll see how much. Hopefully that's a good game actually from entertainment standpoint. So we'll be talking some menafel tomorrow night and then Sunday. Our video podcast will live on Netflix on Monday morning and the audio will stay the same. So if you listen on Collins feed, make sure you subscribe to three and out podcast wherever you may listen. Apple, Spotify, you guys know the drill and hopefully you guys have a great weekend and me and Jackson will talk a little college football from Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore, Signetti to the NFL. Yeah, just there's a lot of stuff going on tonight. So excited to talk a little college football, Jackson. Listen, we've seen Indiana against Alabama. I think we all chalked it up okay. Alabama's not that good. Obviously. Oregon had some running back issues, they have some injuries, but they treated him tonight like they were playing UC Davis week two. You know, in a game that no one's paying attention to in Bloomington. That was these last two games. You go the last three games, the Ohio State win, but that was a true football game, right? It was a slug fest. They pulled it out. It was biggest win in program history. These last two weeks it's felt like, I don't know, Peak Bama. I update myself maybe Urban Meyer at Florida, Pete Carroll at usc they obliterate. And the difference is comparing Indiana to those teams. Those teams were littered with just first and second rounders. You remove Fernando Mendoza. You know I talked to people in the NFL, they're like, well they got Surat, the running back, the corner, the pick six, the left tackle. That's viewed as a guard. I mean they got a handful of guys are going to get drafted. Third, fourth, fifth round. The linebacker viewed more like a. You know, I think this is going to sound bad just a guy but talk about a late round pick or an undrafted free agent. This is not Georgia three years ago where 10 of their starters on defense are going to get drafted in the first two rounds. So I think when you factor in the lack of 5 stars Signetti with the Google me it's, it's been incredible to witness and tonight piggybacking off Alabama is truly one of the biggest ass kicking two game stretches now we haven't had the playoffs for two years and who knows maybe we'll see this again. But I am, all I can do is be like holy shit, this team is good.
Podcast Host
Yeah.
Jackson
I looked up the CFP history to see like what was the biggest blowout in the college ball playoff. And this was obviously what 34 points, 35 points was the Peach bowl with LSU and Oklahoma back in 2019, 2020. And it feels like those teams obviously they're going to get the comparisons about who's better 2019 LSU or 2025 Indiana. I don't know the answer because of the star studded talent NFL prospects of 2019 LSU. But I do think if you were to remove the logo of Indiana and put an Alabama logo on there then you have that discussion. But it's just remarkable. Like they, they had the whole piece beforehand about all these guys coming from JMU and how they were so under recruited for the portal and you got these guys, even the running backs tonight, not black but hem. Hemby was a three star back coming out of the transfer portal. Fifteenth running back, they grabbed him and then you see the guys that they're grabbing today in the last couple of weeks.
John Middlekoff
Where did he come from?
Jackson
He came from Maryland. So he was a four year starter at Maryland, played 49 snaps. So it, I mean 49 starts, I should say just a productive back. But to have those two guys 11 of 14 on third down, I mean you just get more and more impressed by this team. They're just so, they say it all the time, assignment perfect, fundamentally sound. But to be able to develop these guys that quick, like I haven't seen anything like it. And even you know the broadcasters, Greg McElroy said it was one of the best fundamentally sounded teams that he's ever broadcasted. And you know, you follow the sport for a long, long time. Me, I don't think there's an argument to saying that because this team just doesn't make mistakes.
John Middlekoff
Well, offensively they feel like a well oiled NFL machine because they can run the ball down your throat. You know, a lot like Miami, right. They could physically dominate you at the point of attack and run the ball at you with multiple backs. Hemby's really good. The backup Black who I mean tonight had outrushed him. He's a really, he's a good player too. So I mean they're 12 punch at running back is high level for college football. Again, this isn't Jeremiah love, right? Christian McCaffrey. These guys aren't going to Bijan Robinson but both of them are going to get shots in the NFL especially I think Hemby will be late round pick undrafted free agent. But undrafted free agents make teams all the time. The difference between them and Miami is their well rounded passing game. You know Mendoza is a better player than Carson Beckham but they got three wide receivers, right? Seurat who's going to play in the NFL for sure and Becker is really, really come on tonight. I don't know if that's a better throw, better catch, just a great play, right? That's ideal pitching catch. I mean that's the guy. It's not like it was terrible. It's not like tripped. I mean he's right there, his hands up. It just doesn't get a better throw. And obviously Cooper's just you feel like makes plays in the red zone. He's just, I mean so him being healthy, which he got injured right in that Ohio State game, the first series, they feel like a well balanced attack on offense. And then defensively what were they mentioning tonight? The defensive coordinator when he first, I mean both the coordinators started working for Signettio. I think what's cool is part of Saban or Pete Carroll or Urban Meyer. They started getting these real. Especially Saban and Pete Carroll, these really famous coordinators. Back when I was young, when you were like five, Pete used to have guys, like, obviously had Lane and Stark who were in their 20s, but he had like Norm Chow. I mean, he had some really well known older guys. Saban forever had famous guys being coordinators, former head coaches. Like Mario was known as a Saban guy. It's because Mario had coached at like FAU and failed and then went to Nick, right? Lane had been at usc, then goes to Nick. So Signetti's doing with these two guys who have worked for him the entire time. The defensive coordinator was making like $6,000 at their first stop and was on food stamps. And then they're like, yeah, you just signed a contract. $3 million a year, three years, $9 million contract. The offensive coordinator, maybe he gets. Because I started thinking, how does the offense, the defensive coordinator, not make the same amount? Maybe because Signetti is an offensive guy. Even though to me, at least from the outside, he feels much more like, I don't know, like the CEO of the entire operation. Like, I envision him talking with the defensive guys, the offensive guys, but his babies, the offense, clearly. And both those guys, Mike Shanahan, you see those guys, the walkie talkies. This is the difference if their logo. Let's just pick the conference was Oregon, was Penn State, was Michigan, Ohio State, and they had had the same success for two years. How have you both those guys not gotten 10 interviews?
Jackson
That's what I was going to ask you. Because, like, what's the. Because on the flip side of it, you got Will Stein, who's going to be the new coach at Kentucky, and then you got Tosh lapoy, who's going to go to Cal. And I'm not diminishing them as bad coaches. They're going to be transitioning fine. And they've had great times and great tenures at Oregon, but I'm shocked that they don't even get an interview at Florida.
John Middlekoff
Like a drum tonight by those two guys. Now, Tosh and Will. Tosh has been famous for a long time. He played for Tedford transition and became like one of Tedford's. Like Mario Crystal Ball for Sabin, for Tedford back in the late 2000s, getting dudes Mar. Marshawn Deshawn, Cameron Jordan, like, they were producing. And then he. And then he worked for Saban. So Tosh has been a very famous kind of name in the cycle and he got hired as alma mater. I would say Will Stein, he's been a relatively famous offensive coordinator now for several years at, let's face it, a sexier program. Well, not now. I mean, Indiana is the sexiest program going. So I would say going into next year, even if I'm not going to bet on them taking a step back. But let's just say they go 9 and 3 next year after winning, let's say they win the national championship. You, you have to interview these two guys because they've worked with this guy who feels much more like he's a drill sergeant for the Navy Seals than he does. Like even Saban was pretty unique personality on the sideline. He, he does not show very much emotion. Like he's, and clearly it's his age. I, I, I'm, listen, anytime that you have to go through the mud to get where you're at, I think you have perspective. Like, this is. How old's Dan Lanning? My 40 years old. My age.
Jackson
Yeah.
John Middlekoff
You know, he pretty quick riser. I mean, what, what year is this now at Oregon? 4. Before that he was Kirby's DC like he's been living the charm life throughout his 30s. Right. I know it was hard for him early, but he's 64 years old. A lot of time at IUPI or wherever the hell he was. Obviously JMU was going pretty well. But even when you kick ass at jmu, no one's discussing you on college game day. Maybe you get a blurb. Right. But so what he's done in his name in this program. But again, you just watch them play. I, I think going into the NFL playoffs, maybe the Jags, I don't think there's just a team in football, college or the NFL that's just playing as complete football as them defense. Offensively, they blocked a punt tonight. I mean, what are they not doing? Well, it's, it's shocking when they had to put shocking. And you could tell they kind of got conservative. Right. Started running the ball in the second half. So is he, Are they truly pushing the pedal to the metal, like running crazy plays? Like the game you were at last night, every third and five was make or break in the game. So you're running your best plays. You come out of halftime up 35 to 7. I mean, when your defense is good, it's going to be basically impossible to beat you. But that, that was, I don't know if I didn't respect them because it's impossible not to when you blow Out a playoff team as they did in Alabama. Even if Alabama's down. I'm blown away after tonight. That first half is. That's one of the most impressive things I've ever seen. I mean seriously, I'm not trying to be hyperbolic, but factoring in the stars and listen, it's not. I was at Fresno State. We if. If you go back to the teams I was a part of in 0809 we would had 15 guys getting poached by Texas, USC, multiple guys that would have got seven figures. So just because you're not a five star guy, that doesn't determine. But to just take all these guys and kick everyone's ass at the highest level is. Is a crazy experience. As a viewer, I think it was.
Jackson
Crazy too just to see the buy in from Indiana, how fast it was. I mean it was a home game in Atlanta and we were texting beforehand. You know, it's the national championship is going to be in Miami. The tickets like $3,000. The cheapest one that 32, 30 $200 what you sent. I wouldn't be shocked. I know it's in Miami and Miami actually showed out well last night against Ole Miss. I wouldn't be shocked if Indiana had what, 60, 40 at that game, 55, 34.
John Middlekoff
They're going to like. You gotta factor in two things. They have more alumni. Miami's a smaller school. Right. It's private. Smaller private school. Number one alumni base in the country. It was coming out and most of the schools are the Big Ten schools because they're huge. ASU sleeper was like five and Indiana, it's a good school. A lot of successful people. My guess is that number. When's the game next Monday by next weekend's close to five. It's going to be huge.
Jackson
We got to wait 11 days for the national championship, which is good because.
John Middlekoff
Miami, I saw Mario, I think their team's kind of beat up.
Jackson
Yeah, yeah, they're really beat up now. They're not going to have.
John Middlekoff
They're in trouble. They're in trouble. Yeah.
Jackson
Yeah, they are in trouble in the defensive line too. Against Ole Miss was pretty quiet, which I'm looking forward to obviously. You know, we'll talk about Miami, Indiana, just to see that defensive line. I guess it's Indiana offensive line. I just don't know offensively for Indiana what they're bad at. I do not understand what they're bad at. The rp, he's a good decision maker. They had five penalties which I think is one of the More higher penalty games they've had in the last couple of weeks. I mean, five is not horrible, but compared to the most of the games they play, I think it's like two or three or four. But yeah, the emergence of Becker. It also didn't help that Dante Moore had three turnovers. I mean, that pick six that first play. Yikes. And then the two fumbles with the exchange with the running back. And you know, they obviously have running back issues because Lamar hits the portal. Two days ago, Davison gets his clavicle broken against Texas Tech even though he still played. I don't know how he played with a broken clavicore when that happened. Hill looked off, no winning. Noah Whittington, their first leading running back, had turf toe and they showed his bandage on the sideline. It looked like he didn't even have a cleat on. Like his bandage was so big. But regardless of that, like, we saw them beat Texas Tech. You saw the line at three points. And I'm right. Like, you're right. It's one of the more impressive things. And they made Dante Moore look really rattle.
John Middlekoff
Let's talk about the two quarterbacks because I think going into this game, Fernando Mendoza was the consensus number one overall pick. He's bigger, he's more accurate, he's got a lot more experience. I think tonight the Raiders general manager was in the house. I don't even think it's a question now. I'm not putting everything on more the last two weeks. I mean, their team is not as good as Indiana. Super young. He's not. It's not apples to apples. Their offensive line clearly is not playing that well. Their wide receivers are questionable. Their running back situation was a joke to start with. The pick six, he ain't the first and the last guy that's thrown a pick six. Peyton Manning throw a pick six in Super Bowl. Like it. I don't. I'm not gonna like, end the guy's career. But one thing you see with Fernando Mendoza, it kind of hit me tonight because I know Daniel Jeremiah threw out Matt Ryan. People been throwing to me, Matt Ryan wasn't a good athlete, right? And Fernando Mendoza and his cow background, Jared Goff. When you look back, Jared Goff was a pure pocket pastor. Now, the world was a lot different when he came out in 2014 or 15, but I think Fernando Mendoza, like Matt Ryan, like Jared Goff, similar arm. I mean, good arm, not great on drive throws that I think his last touchdown, even McElroy was like, God, that was a Dot, you know, he can drive it, but he's got great touch, great accuracy and he throws a very nice deep ball. I mean he's proven that the last three weeks, right? His deep ball, that big game, Ohio State, multiple big deep shots tonight. That deep ball was a thing of beauty in contested areas too. Like NFL people, whether you're playing Oregon or whether you're playing a D2 team, they don't give a shit when you hit wide open people because that's, anyone should be able to hit a wide open guy. It's contested catches. I think he's the level of, you know, Matt Ryan was a third pick off, but he's a way better athlete. You saw him tonight run multiple times. He had the one where he fumbled, he did the. I think the only reason that 360 is because he kind of got bumped off the spot. So he just kind of continued. I don't think that's, that was like his go to move. But to me he's not some all time great prospect because he doesn't, you know, Caleb physically like talent wise or John Elway. His, his traits aren't like elite elite, but he's a really, really good prospect. And when you watch him play tonight, he's just in complete control like his game. All the Shanahan type guys, Kyle McVeigh, LaFleur, Kevin O', Connell, they would love this guy. Any, you know, Stefanski, the boots, the waggles, the accuracy. And then every once in a while you just got to make a play on your own. I think he's a really, really good number one overall pick. And if I was a Raider fan and they got a lot of them that are down and out because their team's been so crappy, I'd be really excited. Like the high level guy, he's big, solid arm, accurate, ton of playing experience, smart as clearly well liked by his teammates, competitive. I, I mean Mario, who's you'd argue is the best recruiter in the country. Hell, Sig's right up there now too. They're recruiting a little different kid. You know, Mario was on this guy now turns out he knew his dad plays dad in high school. But like would they have taken Fernando? I'm sure he's going to get asked about it this week. Like was it if he would have said I'll come to Miami over Indiana and not play with my brother, would you have taken Fernando Mendoza over Beck? Now he's not even if he would have, he's not going to admit that this week because he needs Carson. But I do wonder inside the meeting like Mario and his oc, who would they wanted out of the two guys? I. I don't know. In fairness, Fernando was not viewed like this. A cow. So he. No one. But this happens a lot. You go back to Joe Burrow. Listen, I actually think Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow is a great example. Not great physical traits. He's just an excellent player. I talked about this last night with Tony because I was thinking about this today. Some people on earth and whether it's obviously in sports there are God given talents you need. You can't play wide receiver if you're slow and fat, right? So you got to be athletic, you got to have some speed traits. But clearly whether he played backyard football as a kid, developed it. I don't know. Playing soccer, basketball, like just the open feel. His instincts to play football are elite. Tony was born to play football, but he could play in an NFL game right now because I'm not saying he'd be like an all Pro as an 18 year old, but like his understanding of football, you go from that Notre Dame game to where he's at now. He's so much more comfortable playing against higher. It's like God, he was like, I'm the best player on the field. And I. You see Mendoza like his instincts, very, very natural and a lot of instincts. And it's like this in any industry. Some people, whether it's the, the training they've had from youth, they, whenever they get to the spot where they got to perform, they are just way better than whoever they're going up against. And this goes for I, I think any industry. And Tony last night, you just see it. Fernando Mendoza, like I was kind of born to play quarterback in like an NFL style offense because that's what it looks like. It looks like an NFL team. And he's kind of the orchestrator. I, I thought tonight he was, he looked like an NFL player. And the other guy who has shit going against him. I think really you go back these last two games because listen, Texas Tech's quarterback, not any good. That's why they're paying a ton of money. You see that they got a. Tex Tech has to give Cincinnati a million dollars to buy the kid out.
Jackson
Oh, I didn't see that.
John Middlekoff
A million dollar buyout. You know how Williams is going back now. But if he had left, they were going to do a buy. They were gonna have to pay. They're gonna pay a buyout just to get them. So that's what they're willing to do to improve their quarterback.
Jackson
Is it a million dollars? Yeah that's easy. That's that's a little check just there you go.
John Middlekoff
Here's a million and here's five for the player. Just I just thought he looked overwhelms the it's just really difficult. He just looks like a college player and that's what the jets would look like all season long. And the difference is it can derail your career for every Sam Darnold. I think Troy Aikman talked about this on the Monday night game or a week ago. A lot of guys get just destroyed and aren't able to overcome it. And Dante Moore like you know you get $5 million to go back or whatever your team's loaded my recommendation because clearly money you're going to make money either way. I I and a lot of people have been saying this I think he would benefit a lot from going I think it get ugly. He could have one of those rookie seasons where it could be it could be really really bad. And I think he you'd have to question watching him play these last two games. Is he just some lock top five picks. You're kind of betting on the come and the potential of like this what it's going to be where I'm not betting on anything in Fernando. I I just want Fernando to play like he's playing and obviously the natural improvement but to me more watching these last two weeks is pretty risky and you know I think if you're Oregon in a weird way you're kind of lucky because now he might you know like just come back But I think Fernando separate he was already separated but clearly separated tonight and now I think the conversation goes hey Dante come back. And I think I wonder if that's why Ty Simpson because I'm sure he could have made millions starting for somebody right Even if he was leaving Alabama.
Jackson
But he's also too it's weird because with Ty that he according to his dad he didn't get a report that I was going to be a second round. He was going to be a first round guy. Well also Carson Beck declared. Cam Ward declared. I hope he doesn't go through with it the way he's talking in the video he even posted that he's going.
John Middlekoff
To go through it.
Jackson
That seems like a mistake for his long term NFL career. I agree with you for Dante Moore and he could be one of those.
John Middlekoff
You'Re saying Ty Simpson's dad said that they got a report that he's going to Be a first rounder.
Jackson
Yeah, that he didn't get a second rounder. But I don't know if it was through. You would know the name of the people that they go through to get those reports. Blessedo or never really said the name of who they got the advice from. So that's kind of suspect too. But when you're talking about back to Mendoza, I was going to ask you this question because I, you know, friends talk a lot, a lot of times about Mendoza being a one read guy or being in an RPO offense and only being on a one side field reading. What would your response be? Because to me I see that but I also see to your point, an instinctive guy where he knows where to go with the football. It doesn't seem like he goes to his first read and it's not there and he's flustering with his eyes. He goes to his first read and it's always there. So what would your argument be to that in terms of the RPO offense translating to the NFL? Not necessarily the Raiders, but just in terms of, you know, the time.
John Middlekoff
I thought there were times tonight where he went off his first read to another guy. The last touchdown I thought was not his first read in the back of the end zone.
Jackson
Yeah.
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John Middlekoff
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John Middlekoff
And I'd say I thought the same thing. Carson Beck had some moments last night. These are experienced players that yeah, I mean they have better players than a lot of times their opponents. So they can just go to their first read. It's going to work. But I see the guy scanning the field and like is it NFL in terms of like yeah, your first receiver is going to get taken away a lot. You know that he can trust. When Surat or Becker is the number one option he can go to him. But I think to me part of that is football IQ and the ability to like as you get thrust more and more in those situations, how you go to that Cousins went on that rant how the NFL used to be consistent defenses. You just focus on half the field and just listen to what the coach calls. That's completely changed because everyone muddies the water with defense. So now it's become like a progression league. You basically go he said 1 to 5, but I mean most people probably going like 1 to 3 then check down or whatever. He clearly to me has that Style, honestly, Carson. But watching Carson Beck last night on TV on some slow motion stuff, he's doing that sometimes too. Because how do you get more comfortable? That's the hardest part of the, the, the sport. Right? Well, how do you accomplish the hardest thing of whatever you're doing? You do it more. Those guys have played a lot of football. And you saw Dante Moore, who has not played that much, I don't count his first year at ucla. It was a joke. By that point in time, Chip Kelly was in full mail it in mode and he got thrust in because they had injuries, he was not supposed to play. So it's like that was a disaster. Throwing picks, sixes left and right. This was his first year really starting. And honestly if we break it down like they did play some easy games because the Big Ten on the lower end was bad. So in some of his big games he only has so many experience against good teams. Tech, Indiana, Indiana again they didn't play in the Big Ten championship. Washington, right. Who's, who was, who was solid. But I would say they were, they were a 9 and 3 team that was, you know, was farther away from the playoffs than closer to it in my opinion. USC wasn't very good on defense. So I would say that I just have a lot more question marks. And anytime you have a lot of question marks when it comes to a quarterback who's young, that's where you can get in some weird situations. Like to me he comes back, wouldn't you immediately have him as a top two or three like Heisman front runner and a guy that is a potential number one overall pick in 2027. Historically, you know, I think you know, back before when guys could pay under the table and guys like him would stay right, because he'd be a redshirt junior next year. But now there is pressure, I get it and start your clock. But the problem with starting your clock is he's already a multimillionaire. And any quarterback that's going to go high, you should be thinking, I'm going to have a long career, right? I'm going to be even. I'm not Mahomes. I'm going to be Jared Goff, Dak Prescott, Kirk Cousins. I'm going to get multiple contracts and be a decade long start. Derek Carr, make hundreds of millions of dollars. If you told me Dante Moore went to the Jets, I'd be like, I would bet against it working and it could just get really ugly. And listen, same thing could happen to Mendoza and that's where I think there's going to be a lot of pressure and I think the conversation is going to come up and we can talk about Sig as well. Is like, should Sig go to the NFL? See that a lot. He makes like over $12 million. He is his own GM. Like any player on that roster, he picks. He hasn't had to lose a coordinator since he was at some school that no one could point out on a map 20 years ago or 15 years. He's had these two kids forever. I think they're both in like their late 30s. And he's absolutely rolling. He's going to win the national championship. And he's 64 years old with nil. He's got Mark Cuban giving him money to fund the team and multiple other rich guys. So like, if I'm John Spitek, I would, I'm sure if Tom Brady's like, we need to talk to this guy. I don't blame any NFL team for wanting to talk to him. But what can you offer him? It's like, okay, you can give him a couple more million dollars. He's already so rich. Like at this point in time, he clearly, he, he was working for nothing for most of his career, right. Relative to coaches. So he's not driven by money. No, no way. And now he's just signed a hundred million dollar contract. But he'd have to answer to people like if, let's say John Spy Tech wanted to hire him and he said, yeah, John sp picks the players. Right. And, or whoever. And, and I got to answer to the owner. Who's he answering to at Indiana? He's, he's like a God. He answers to nobody. He's like, they're saving. His job if they have the money to pay the players is as good as an NFL job. The top jobs in college, if you're rolling with nil, are NFL jobs because you run, you run the payroll, you pick the players. Even if you have a quote unquote GM all the big time. Like Kirby Smart doesn't answer to his gm. The GM answers to him. Dan Lanning, the GM answers Dan Lanning, right. So to me, SIG has a better job than any NFL job. When you have to work for a GM and it's pretty risky. He's never coached in college or I mean, in the pros. Yeah. So he's a lifetime college guy. I don't think. I think you get in trouble in life when, you know, Colin used to have this saying back in his ESPN radio days, like, don't try to make happier. Happy, you know, or I'm. I fucked that up. It's like happy, happier. You know, Basically the grass isn't always green. It's late. I haven't been drinking. I promise. The. Basically the grass isn't always greener. And when you got something really, really good, you kind of got to ride it, like secretary. And to me, he's. He's already turned down like Penn State and stuff. Why, to me, Indiana is a better job than NFL jobs when you work for yourself, essentially.
Jackson
Yeah. He wants to form his own Alabama. He wants to prove everyone wrong, which he already has. But on top of that, you're already getting more transfer portal guys. He's been one of the more coaches that hasn't really complained about this whole college football. And being how older he is, it's pretty impressive that he's investing in nil. He's investing in the portal and even recruiting these guys because there's a lot of older guys that, you know, haven't really adapted to that. And their. Their schools are falling behind. Like in Alabama, that's trying to get more funding and stuff like that too. But I agree, especially with the openings that they have in the NFL. I don't know if you're going to. I mean, you would know more than this. The discussion the other day about if college coaches would go up to an NFL opening, because the NFL, I don't want to say potential candidates, isn't as great as it was last year with Ben Johnson, Liam Cohen, and obviously that's a tough group to, you know, I guess, be after. I just. Yeah, I agree. I think it would be. Would be.
John Middlekoff
But I think the job specifically is the Raiders because he'd get to just go with Mendoza, but they have spy Tech who has worked his whole career and helped build the bucks to get this job. Like, part of being a GM is you pick the players and you got Brady above him. You just got. There's a lot going on in NFL teams. Owners tell you what to do. It's like no one's. None of these guys cutting checks as long as you're rolling. No one told Saban what to do for 15 years. Right. No one tells Dan Hurley what to do at UConn. No one tells these guys that are rolling. Like, Sark gets pressure. That's what happens when you don't win. He wins the national championship. To me, he'd be untouchable for forever at Indiana. Now, you could also make the argument it doesn't get any better than this. So you could Strike while the iron's hot and just take your shot. And you could always come back in a couple years if it fails. But he just. Didn't he just sign? Because when they were talking about Mendoza when he said my brother's going to be really good next year, didn't they just sign a quarterback in the transfer portal like Mendoza's brother's not going to start next year.
Jackson
Josh Hoover, tcu, he's one of the top quarterbacks. He was kind of at one point going to be a first round pick this year. He kind of fell off towards the back end of the season, but he's going to start. He's more tall.
John Middlekoff
Didn't they just sign like 10 guys in the portal? Indiana?
Jackson
Yeah, they got the number one wide. Number one or number four wide receiver, Nick Marsh. They got a three star guy at a Boston college that had a lot of reps over there. That's a stud. They got an edge rusher from K State. They got a bunch of more defensive line. Yeah, they're not going anywhere. But I was to your point about Signetti out like they're.
John Middlekoff
They're a pre. Even with losing the number one pick and Surat and some of these guys, if they win it, even though they have a brand new team, they're a preseason what, top five?
Jackson
Yeah, I looked at their schedule. They play season one, they play Ohio State. USC and Michigan are their toughest games. So they're not playing Oregon. You're not playing well. Penn State, I guess they're kind of down, but they used to be one of the powers of the Big Ten. Maybe they'll be even better next year with all those.
John Middlekoff
They'll be better next year.
Jackson
I think Iowa State players. But in terms of Signetti, I want to ask you this. Him in Indiana, I know that's one of the greatest turnarounds in college football. Where would you rank this turnaround in terms of sports? The only other one I could think of would be the Pats and the Patriots with Bill Belichick. But the quick turnaround with a team like Indiana doing that is just. I feel like it's the greatest turnaround we've seen in sports personally. And they're going to make another Hoosiers movie which honestly might be better than the first one because no one even saw this coming. 150 to 1 preseason to win the national championship. That's ridiculous. I think it's the greatest.
John Middlekoff
I don't. You want a little confession here? Never seen Hoosiers, probably never will. I'll Watch the football version. Yeah. It'd be like a lot of times in pro sports when it turns around. Let's use the Patriots, for example. They found this kid in the sixth round named Tom Brady. And they had a bunch of guys on the roster that, you know, Mike Vrabel had been a backup special teams practice squad guy from the Steelers. They just had random guys. And then it just kind of comes together because Brady and Belichick, the warriors, you know, when Steph Curry got there, the warriors were basically like the Arizona Cardinals. I mean, with less recent history than the Cardinals. I mean, the Cardinals, what, they went to the NFC championship game in like, four, 14 or 13. Yeah, 15 maybe. And they went to a Super bowl in 08. The warriors were dog. Most of the 80s, definitely most of the 90s, all the 2000s. And one guy completely changed your franchise. LeBron did that in basketball. It happens in basketball, if you get the right guy. I don't think there's really a parallel to this. It's also hard to parallel college sports to what we do now. Like, it wouldn't have been possible, what he's doing. He could have got Mendoza because he could have been a grad transfer, right, because he had his degree. But all the other guys, like the Mayor, I guess the Maryland kid might have been a grad transfer, too, but some of the guys you're taking from the Mac or whatever, they would have to sit out a year. And that goes for all these teams. You know, Miami's no different. They take Portal guy. All these good teams take Portal guys, right? Kewan Lacey, I had forgotten I was looking last night. The stud running back that Missouri has, they got him to replace Lacey because Lane stole him. So it's. It's just a weird time, but he's just done it so much better. And also, unlike Lane, I guess they get credit because of Trinidad, but it feels like Indiana's got like 10 Trinidads, doesn't it? Yeah, that. That's what's the cool part. That. That. That's what. The awesome part about last night, for a split second, when you thought this Division 2 quarterback's going to take this team to the playoffs, that. That. I would have said that's one of the coolest stories in the history of college football. But also it's not really. It wasn't even. I guess you could always go from like D2 or D1, double A, straight up. You didn't have to sit out. You just couldn't transfer D1 to D1 without sitting out a Year. So, like, when I was at Fresno State, we got a guy from Oregon, he had to sit out a year, but you could take a guy from D1, double A or D2, and they could come right to you. So technically, Trinidad 10 years ago could have done the same thing, but they wouldn't have been looking, right? You didn't.
Jackson
You.
John Middlekoff
You didn't scout the country for available players like you do in the NFL until the last couple years. So, yeah, it's remarkable. I don't know, I. I just don't even think there's a parallel to it, really. I mean, that you see it in pro sports, but then you look back, it's like, oh, yeah, the. The Giants sucked and then they got Willie Mace, you know, or it's like they got Buster Posey and Tim Lince comes like hall of Famers. That happens in pro sports all the time in college. It's just sometimes you get lightning in a bottle. And we've had individual moments like Auburn, they get Cam, Boom. Win the national Championship, but it was just one year over. And then a couple years later, what's his name? Chiswick's Fire. You know, just. This feels more sustainable. I don't. I don't know. I don't think there's. It's hard to compare to years past Pre Nil or transfer portal. I think it's impossible to compare to your point about.
Jackson
Wouldn't even exist when you're talking about Trinidad Chambliss. I mean, I was at media day for the Fiesta bowl, and I asked him, I was like, how did you get recruited to the SEC? Because if you're a Division 2 player, okay, like, yeah, I'm going to go in the transfer portal, but I'm going to look at, you know, a max school. I'm going to look at maybe a lower power 4 school. No way in my mind, like, yeah, you believe in yourself to be an SEC quarterback, but no way in my mind I'm going to get a full scholarship to go to Ole Miss. And he actually said he was about to commit to Temple. That was his only offer he had. And Charlie Weiss found his highlights on Twitter. So to your point about the old age, about social media not being there and Twitter being there, like, that's what's so great about this era. And what makes the story even greater about Trinidad is Charlie Weiss just scrolling on Twitter one day, finds this guy's highlights, schedules him for a visit, commits. Wasn't even supposed to play for this season. Austin Simmons gets hurt. He propels in, but I.
John Middlekoff
They were looking for a backup quarterback. They didn't even recruit him as a star.
Jackson
Yeah, he said he was supposed to be a part of a running package. He wasn't even supposed to be like the guy at all. Which makes you wonder how good Austin Simmons looked. At one point he looked a little rusty in that Kentucky game and then he got hurt and you know, Chambers obviously didn't look back. But I just think it's so remarkable it even opens up the landscape of now. People are going to look at Division 2, people were looking at FCS. Why would I not want to go to Ferris State, who just won the national championship again? And look at their quarterback. Especially with the low value of that versus going and getting a $6 million, $7 million quarterback and not even making.
John Middlekoff
The play, that that's where you could take advantage. That's where you could do the money ball. Billy Bean. Right. If you're, if you find the best player, like the MVP of the Mac, let's say that guy's a defensive end and he's going to end up being like, this guy's going to end up being a third rounder. That guy costs a million dollars because all the good teams are going to want the guy. Right. But Signetti and I think one thing that differs from Nick Saban is Nick Saban didn't deal with small dudes. And you saw him and I like five, nine corner, boom, the kick in play. And he values more competitive, like he's a great evaluator because he's finding these guys these lower levels and I think he puts a premium. And this is where I was texting with a buddy tonight. They're like, wait till Indiana starts getting five stars. We were texting about it too. I. I think he would want a specific type 5 star, like individual person. Like, you better fit what he wants or else it's not. He's not. You better be like, once you get to Oregon or, or Georgia, like, what they're doing, their standard is so high that like, they probably take some guys that they don't love. But the guy's just such a good talent. It's. It's worth the risk. I don't know if Sig's doing that now. Maybe eventually he'll have to do that if he loses a couple times Ohio State or Oregon in a couple years. But I think his evaluation of like the mental toughness chip on his shoulder guy, he's like, it's weird. They feel like the, like the buttoned up, much better version of Boise in their heyday like 15 years ago. But they're clearly better than that because they're killing everybody and they're a power four team. So it's. I don't think there is a parallel. I think they're just their own story. And every once in a while you just have like, this is just one of the crazy stories of all time. You know, it's just one of those stories to me that in like 20, 30 years there'll be a movie. Oh, 100% like root, like Rudy, but it won't. You couldn't talk about this team like they're Rudy because I'm watching them just kick the crap out of everybody. So they're not Rudy. They're better than you, but they're guys. Like Oregon probably has more guys on that field that will get drafted higher over the next three or four years. Right? I looked at now some of them are young, but still.
Jackson
I looked at Indiana's recruiting class for next year, for 2026 and the ranked 34th, 22 commits.05 stars, 74 stars. So even like next year, Signetti's prioritizing portal more than he is the high school recruiting. But he's still able to get those four star players. It's remarkable. And then when we were having the discussion about Chambliss, about him being a Division 2 guy that didn't make a lot of money, kind of a low risk, high reward thing. On the flip side with Carson Beck, you got to give a lot of credit for Miami. He got a lot of shit in the offseason because they made $4 million, $5 million. It looks like a pretty good investment if you're making the national championship. And down the stretch he's making big plays. I know he threw that interception and he had some bad throws, but you know, the rushing touchdown to be able.
John Middlekoff
To make the interception wasn't really his fault.
Jackson
The defensive line made a good play on the ball there, but.
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John Middlekoff
What's you were there last night. Let's, let's end on this. Did you watch the game on the field? No.
Jackson
So I, I thought I had press box access on my pass, but I did not. And I just had pre and post to be on the field. I wasn't allowed to be on the field during. I didn't have that like lanyard or whatever. So I ended up watching it from the 200 level. I just found a seat and just sat there and watched the entire time. Plus the press box at State Farm Stadium. I'm sure you've been a lot of press boxes. When they have that glass in front, you can't hear the noise of the fans. And I'm one of those people when I watch football and big moments happen, I like to kind of react like I'm just kind of a geek where.
John Middlekoff
You'Re a man of the people.
Jackson
If there's a big hit or, you know, explosive play by chambliss, like Kee Wallacey 74 yarder, I want to yell and scream and like what just happened? So I watched in the 200 we.
John Middlekoff
Don'T, we don't belong with the big J's. You know, they're a little quieter and you gotta be a little more professional.
Jackson
They're all typing and stuff. They're all like looking at what they're trying to write in the articles and stuff like that. But no. Yeah, I watched in the 200 level. I was just.
John Middlekoff
So you just found a random open seat?
Jackson
There was a lot of open seats. Yeah, there was a lot of open seats in the 200 level, which is like the club section also had a buddy.
John Middlekoff
That's like the best level to watch a football game.
Jackson
Yeah, I was over by like the Ole Miss end zone. But State Farm Stadium, anywhere you sit, I feel like obviously doesn't get a good reputation of where the location is or how good the football team is. The Arizona Cardinals. But if you want to in terms of like Final four national championship college football playoff games. I think it's one of the better stadiums that you could have a venue at. Obviously the grass is pretty shitty, which last night it wasn't slippery at all, but it was a couple times they were.
John Middlekoff
A couple of running backs slipped, Fletcher slipped on one, but it was, it was better in the super bowl. But still. Is that the owner for Arizona Cardinals going cheap grass.
Jackson
Oh, Bidwell. Yeah, he's cheap. Yeah, he's super cheap. Never going to win with Bidwell as the owner of his team. But it just felt like, it felt intense. Obviously the stars on the sidelines, seeing all these Miami legends, you walk around and I'm walking around the sideline, you see Ray Lewis, Michael Phelps, and you got Cam Warren Jackson, Dart Ederin James, Andre Johnson, like Reggie Wayne, like this girl that works for the Fiesta Bowl. After the game, she's like, yeah, who are those guys over there? I'm like, oh yeah, it's Andre Johnson, Edwin James, Reggie Wayne, like legends, hall of Famers. She's like, well, you should go over and take photos with them. I was like, no way. Like there's no way I want to bother them or take a photo. Next thing I look, she goes over there and asks them and I, I got a photo with Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne and Andrew James, which I'll probably frame. But it was just like the magnitude of that game and seeing how many stars in a loan base, which is cool with this new, you know, landscape of college football, seeing how many alma mater guys and you know, obviously it's Miami. They haven't been to this point since what, 2001, 2003. Both sides traveled really well. Obviously the game was intense too, but overall just a great atmosphere. And obviously got the interview with Michael Irvin, which for the program had to do it.
John Middlekoff
So it was, that was cool.
Jackson
He.
John Middlekoff
Yeah, those guys, me and Shane were talking last night. I, I do think the amount of Mario might need to cut off these guys. There are going to be so many Miami alumni that I, I would imagine they take up both sidelines.
Jackson
Yeah.
John Middlekoff
And a lot of them you don't realize, like Michael Irvin's like 58 years old. You know, even Ray Lewis, I mean Ray Lewis retired 12 years ago and he was old when he was like 40 when he retired. These guys, their heyday, late 80s, mid-90s, you know, the Rock. This, it is going to be for college football. Indiana obviously is going to be this all time story going into this game, but there's going to be like a Laker, Yankee Field to Miami with the stars and the famous people, especially being in Miami. I for the first time I told Maria tonight, you know, I Hard Rock wanted me and Colin to do something at the game. I think Colin is going. I obviously with the baby, I'm not going to be able to make it. Typically on this type stuff, like I've been lucky over my life and been to a lot of big NFL, Super Bowls, NBA Finals. Like I've been there, done that again. I never take it for granted having the ability, but I was like, if I can't go it, whatever. I kind of got a little FOMO like this. If maybe had been born like a month ago and I could have gone to see Miami, Indiana and been there as I think it's going to be pretty cool from a storyline standpoint and just like interest standpoint. I feel as if you told me it was like Oregon, Ohio State or like Texas, Georgia, like whatever. Right. This is pretty freaking cool. I mean there's no way around it. Did you see the interview with. With Mario tonight? Like you could tell he's pretty on edge. Like he's, he feels like, you know, Saban was ribbon him a little bit, but you can tell, like there's a lot on the line.
Jackson
Yeah. Even with SVP last night too. Svp, he was asking him, like, he's like, I'm not going to say the U is back. And Chris Ball's like, oh, here we go. Don't say it. And SVP kind of got pissed. He's like, I'm professional. Like, trust me, I'm not going to put you in that situation. He almost seems, I mean, Signetti is intense on the sideline, but Mario Cristobal almost seems more intense where it's like, I feel like in this game he's just going to overthink and he's going to do something stupid. But he's been so good throughout the playoffs. He's been so good throughout the season. I don't want to diminish him at all, but he almost seems like over intense on the sideline. You saw that video too of his assistant coach hugging him and he told him to get off of him, which I understand that circumstance because there's 18 seconds left. You have Trinidad Chambliss who's been dicing your defense and almost had an opportunity to win that game. But he. I don't know if it's him being a former player. And you're right, maybe it's the alum. Seeing those guys lined up on both sides. That kind of just adds to the pressure of this.
John Middlekoff
He's I, I, I, I had a buddy that was almost became his GM at when he was at Oregon and just was like, well he's a grinder. He's not a big happy go lucky guy. I mean Signetti openly talks about, it's weird. You would think he'd be like a raging dick. And they're 20 hours. Like he's got the Bruce Arians. Like I tell my guys we 7:30 and we're out of here like after dinner. Like have a life, go see your kids. You know, if you can't get it done, then you shouldn't be working for me. So I think they're a little, they feel the same when they're just standing there with their scowl. I think they're way different personalities now. Part of it goes back to Mario. I think Chip on his shoulder is like an overachieving player. You know, I think this goes back in kind of the, the Miami culture back then. He was like probably one of the worst guys on the team and earned his spot and became like part of this huge, you know, what they've become. And then he gets a shot, fails, goes to Saban, resurrects his career, goes to Oregon, does well. But everyone still kind of nitpicks them, right? Like think one thing, let's end on this. Like we, Dan Lanning kind of gets a pass. You know, a lot of people we talk about passes. Mario does not get a pass. Some of that's brought in on him. Done some crazy play calls, fumbles, you know, guys like Lane Stark, those guys do not get passes. Kirby gets a pass because he won back to back natties. So no one holds a loss against him. Dan's been rolled now. I mean lost some big games to deboer obviously the last two playoffs. Ohio State blew him out, got blown out tonight. That Texas Tech game was pretty close. If, if they just would have had, if you just gave like Texas Tech, Trinidad, Chambliss, Oregon could have lost last week or whatever. They played 10 days ago. Right. So I listen, I, I'm pro Dan Lanning, but I mean I, I think that he gets to fly under a little bit of the radar. They're in Eugene, right? I think that's part of it. I think Oregon and Washington in a weird way get to fly under the radar more than most programs, especially Oregon. I mean they're a consistent top five team. Like that would not be the case like if, if this was the equivalent of like Auburn or Florida or something and they were top five program. But getting blown out like it would just. I'm not saying fire the guy. I'm just saying it's. He just doesn't get criticized ever. And it's. They got worked.
Jackson
Yeah. Yeah. Especially with how much.
John Middlekoff
And now he's got new coordinators coming in.
Jackson
Yeah, especially with how much elite talent they have. You talked earlier about Indiana and how they're obviously going to have Mendoza and probably a lot of second round guys. Kenny and Sidi can be a first round guy. They got a couple defensive linemen that could be a first round talent. And you're obviously conquering the west coast too. And you go against a guy in Kurt Signetti who's done it for two years when you're about to be entering the year five next year with back to back years where you get blown out. I mean that's one of the largest deficits, largest margins of victories or loss, I should say that Oregon's ever had and the spread being three points. Like you just thought it was going to be a close game. I don't know. I don't know where you go. I think Dan Lane's going to be a great coach. It's just kind of one of those things that he's kind of the maturation of coaching. It's going to take probably longer than a lot of Oregon fans expect versus.
John Middlekoff
What there's going to be is there's going to be pressure these next couple of years with this loaded roster, you know, to really kind of next year's the year.
Jackson
Next year would be the year if I were to say Oregon would have win the national championship.
John Middlekoff
Especially if Dante comes.
Jackson
They're making the semis. This year was a really good, really good season for them, especially with how many injuries they had.
John Middlekoff
Totally.
Commercial Announcer
Yeah.
Jackson
At the wide receiver.
John Middlekoff
I just think anytime you get blown out by a conference opponent that you, I mean could have beat, I know you lost by 10 but I mean they were, they went toe to toe with them early in the season and then you watch them now, now they've had injuries. But I, I do think, I think these next two years people are going to want to be like can we win a national championship? Because that's one thing that has eluded Oregon. But other than that. Yeah, I mean fun couple of days and we now we got one more game. How long it take you to get home last night? That's my big issue with the place. Just such a pain to get out of there.
Jackson
There it took me 54 minutes because it was raining. And you know how people in Arizona, when it rains, they feel like it's ice or snow, so they drive like 20 miles an hour to get back. Because I left there like midnight. It took me like 45 minutes. Traffic was already rolling on the one on one.
John Middlekoff
So when you went out to your car last night, everyone was gone? Yeah.
Jackson
Yeah, everybody was gone. It was. It was dark, Parking lot was empty, stadium was empty. It's always nice too. I hate the traffic when you leave one of those games, especially as a fan, like dealing with that type of traffic. But I was going to ask you real quick, what would your prediction be for the line? Like, what would you project the line for Indiana, Miami to be without even. I have the line. If I would.
John Middlekoff
If. If Hard Rock hired John Middlekoff and gave me my own little book, I would set it at a touchdown.
Jackson
Seven and a half.
John Middlekoff
That's what it is.
Jackson
Seven and a half. I think it seems accurate after what you saw tonight.
John Middlekoff
And they're starting corner. Who's good? Got the targeting call. He's out for the first half. You know, I know mess door came back in the game, but he got his arm snap. So we'll have to see Mario when. When he was being interviewed tonight by the game day guys, I think part of his face was like, you know, we're pretty banged up. We're pretty banged up. I. I think they are. They're pretty banged up.
Jackson
He even talked about, I mean, that.
John Middlekoff
D tackle that tried to go for him last night. His leg didn't work after like two plays and I had to like, limp off the field. So they are it the one concerning part for them. It's why I. I love them. Last night I was like, I think Miami's gonna win this game by 10. I. I thought four would absolutely dominate them. You didn't really notice them. Yeah, like, in part of it, Chambers can move, but so can Mendoza. Like, their pass rush did not smother maybe Ole Miss. I mean, they did, you know, only lose to Georgia in the sec. Maybe their alliance probably better than they get credit for because, I mean, Perkins was the best pass rusher on the field last night out of the two teams.
Jackson
Chambers didn't get touched against Georgia either. So he might honestly be good at just evading those tacklers. But if you're Mario.
John Middlekoff
Yeah.
Jackson
And he also. He hyped on. You talked about it last night. The whole targeting ejection thing, which is another discussion other day. That's like the worst Rule joke in college football but if you're Mario, you had 42 minutes of possession against Ole Miss. It seems like you're gonna do the same thing against Indiana because that you're not gonna be able to stop this offense. How two dimensional.
John Middlekoff
Yeah but you can't do that against them. Their defense is too good and they play like that. That's the other thing you know so they play even if you do well on the ground they play just like you you would most you're trying to, you're trying to. You're just trying to even be even with them. Like what was the I bet I'm looking to nighttime possession. It probably got skewed in the second half but it was 31 to 28. But I bet the first half, I mean I guess Indiana scored on the pick six so their offense wasn't even on the field for the first like eight minutes of the game because then Oregon drove. So yeah I mean I, I, I'd be stunned if honestly if Miami wins I'll end on this my if Miami wins Mario should be a, should be a made man and get a lifetime contract because that's he's got no business winning this game which is crazy. Save Miami in the national championship has no business beating Indiana but that's where we are in 2025. Okay Jackson, head off to bed on this crazy or head out on the town. I mean it's 10 o'. Clock. You go hit the town. Do whatever you do because I'm, I'm going to go to bed so have a good night. I'm glad you enjoyed the game and found a seat in the 200 level. That's life hack football unlike basketball or baseball much better in the middle rows than it is close and obviously the nosebleed is hard to see but anytime that you can get somewhat 2, 300 depending on the stadium best place to watch football game by far.
Jackson
So and you just got to act like you just got to act like you've been there before. You could buy a 400 ticket and you could walk to the 200. There's no security guard that's going to check your ticket. Just going to open the door, find an open seat. If someone comes over and says hey that's my seat then move. It's just that easy. But no, I will be, I will be staying here.
John Middlekoff
You know how many country clubs I've hit golf balls at the range over the course of my life by just tucking in my shirt, putting on a hat and just going out to the range that no one notice. You act like you've been there. Life's not that complicated.
Jackson
Act like you've been there. And no, I'm not hitting the town. I will be staying here and probably editing a social tonight and going to bed maybe, you know, playing some Call of duty, playing some 2K and ripping the good old Penske and heading to bed audio.
John Middlekoff
See you, buddy. The volume.
Podcast Host
This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.
Date: January 10, 2026
Host: John Middlekoff (with producer Jackson)
Podcast Feed: The Volume / iHeartPodcasts
This episode is a lively, in-depth recap and analysis of Indiana's shocking dominance over Oregon in the College Football Playoff (CFP) Semifinal, led by star quarterback Fernando Mendoza. John Middlekoff and producer Jackson break down how Indiana, formerly a perennial underdog, delivered one of the most astounding two-game stretches in recent college football history and preview the implications for the National Championship versus Miami. The episode interweaves tactical football insight, historical perspective, on-the-ground atmosphere, and speculation about NFL draft and coaching futures.
“These last two games… you go, the last three games, the Ohio State win… true football game, slugfest… These last two weeks it’s felt like, I don’t know, Peak Bama… Urban Meyer at Florida, Pete Carroll at USC… Obliterate. And the difference is… those teams were littered with first and second rounders. You remove Fernando Mendoza… handful of guys are going to get drafted. This is not Georgia three years ago…” (03:58)
“They had the whole piece beforehand about all these guys coming from JMU and how they were so under recruited for the portal… Hemby was a three-star back coming out… 15th running back, they grabbed him…” (04:36, Jackson)
“To be able to develop these guys that quick, I haven’t seen anything like it.” (05:25, Jackson)
“Offensively they feel like a well-oiled NFL machine because they can run the ball down your throat… their well-rounded passing game. You know Mendoza is a better player than Carson Beck… three wide receivers… just a great play, right? That’s ideal pitch-and-catch.” (06:00)
“The defensive coordinator… making like $6,000 at their first stop and was on food stamps… you just signed a contract… $9 million contract… The offensive coordinator, maybe he gets… Started thinking, how does the defense coordinator not make the same?” (09:05)
“If their logo… was Oregon, Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, and they had had the same success for two years… how have both those guys not gotten 10 interviews?” (09:05, Middlekoff)
“You gotta factor in two things. They have more alumni, Miami’s a smaller school, right? … Number one alumni base in the country… By next weekend [attendance] close to five [figures].” (13:17, Middlekoff)
“He wants to form his own Alabama. He wants to prove everyone wrong, which he already has… he’s investing in NIL, investing in the portal…” (33:21, Jackson)
“I think Fernando Mendoza, like Matt Ryan, like Jared Goff… similar arm… good arm, not great… but he’s got great touch, great accuracy and he throws a very nice deep ball… he’s just in complete control… a really, really good number one overall pick…” (15:07) “When you watch him play tonight, he’s just in complete control… All the Shanahan type guys … would love this guy.” (17:36)
“He just looked overwhelmed… my recommendation, because clearly, money, you’re going to make money either way. I think he would benefit a lot from going [back].” (21:07) “If you told me Dante Moore went to the Jets, I’d be like, I would bet against it working and it could just get really ugly.” (27:15, Middlekoff)
“I thought there were times tonight where he went off his first read to another guy… The last touchdown I thought was not his first read.” (23:53)
“Where would you rank this turnaround in terms of sports? … I feel like it’s the greatest turnaround we’ve seen in sports personally... 150-1 preseason to win the national championship.” (36:11, Jackson) “I don’t… I just don’t even think there’s a parallel to it, really. Sometimes you get lightning in a bottle… This feels more sustainable.” (36:46–39:39, Middlekoff)
“Charlie Weis found his highlights on Twitter… schedules him for a visit, commits. Wasn’t even supposed to play for this season…” (40:30, Jackson) “That’s where you could do the money ball… if you find the best player, like the MVP of the MAC… that guy costs a million dollars… Signetti… is a great evaluator because he’s finding these guys these lower levels…” (41:55, Middlekoff)
“If Hard Rock hired John Middlekoff and gave me my own little book, I would set it at a touchdown… Seven and a half. That’s what it is.” (56:59–57:10)
“He got his arm snapped… I think they are… pretty banged up.” (57:16, Middlekoff)
“If Miami wins, Mario should be a made man and get a lifetime contract because that's—he’s got no business winning this game…” (58:39)
“Magnitude of that game… seeing how many stars and alumni base… walking around the sideline, you see Ray Lewis, Michael Phelps, Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Edgerrin James, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne…” (48:19, Jackson) “It felt intense… Both sides traveled well. Obviously the game was intense too, but overall just a great atmosphere… Obviously got the interview with Michael Irvin.” (49:27, Jackson)
“If I’m John Spytek [Raiders GM], I don’t blame any NFL team for wanting to talk to him. But what can you offer him? … He answers to nobody. He’s like, they’re saving… I think you get in trouble in life when… you got something really, really good, you kinda gotta ride it.” (27:15–33:21, Middlekoff)
“Mario Cristobal almost seems more intense where it’s like… in this game he’s just going to overthink and he’s going to do something stupid…” (51:29, Jackson)
| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:03 | Indiana’s playoff run and setup for episode | | 03:58 | Indiana’s dominance vs Alabama & Oregon, compared to dynasties | | 04:36 | Discussion: JMU transfers, underdog stories, Hemby’s journey | | 05:25 | Development & fundamentally sound play | | 06:00 | Indiana’s offense compared to NFL units, breakdown of weapons | | 09:05 | Coordinator hiring and program perception vs reality | | 13:17 | Preview: Indiana likely to have more fans in Miami for title | | 15:07 | Mendoza vs Moore, NFL evaluation, QB mechanics | | 23:53 | ‘One-read QB’ argument analyzed for Mendoza | | 27:15 | Is Moore ready? Should he return? Warnings about QB development | | 33:21 | Signetti’s leadership, NIL, and portal strategy | | 36:10 | Is this Indiana turnaround the greatest in sports? | | 40:30 | Portal as ‘Moneyball’ & Division II stories | | 44:11 | 2026 recruiting class; credit to Miami’s investment in Beck | | 46:30 | On-the-ground: Jackson’s National Semifinal experience | | 51:29 | Cristobal's intensity vs Signetti’s style, Miami pressure | | 56:59 | Point spread for national championship game | | 58:39 | If Miami can pull off an upset, Cristobal’s legacy secured |
The episode blends Middlekoff’s sharp, opinionated, conversational analysis with Jackson’s on-ground observations and historical knowledge. The tone is candid, energetic, and irreverent—marked by direct language, banter, and frequent storytelling.
A stunning new era has dawned in college football, with Indiana rewriting the playbook for program turnarounds and talent evaluation. Their resounding victory over Oregon solidifies not just an underdog story but a blueprint for sustained success in the NIL and portal age. As the national title game looms, the Indiana–Miami showdown promises not just on-field drama, but a collision of history, culture, and college football’s rapidly shifting landscape.