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The McShay Show
10 Tape Truths From Week 10: Ohio State’s Challengers, the Loaded 2027 QB Class, Clemson’s Collapse, and More
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- [00:00]
Todd McShay
There's always a whole lot to unpack on a 10 tape tr Monday. Today's no exception. Just 171 days until the NFL draft. You good men?
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Mitch Muench
I'm great, man.
- [00:12]
Todd McShay
Roll that beat, Tuck. We're coming off a marathon on Saturday night. I got carried away. Fall back. What else you know? Well, we get an extra hour tonight. Let's keep going. It's like a two and a half hour show. This is the McShay show, presented by FanDuel. And college football Saturdays are heating up. Whether you're in for the early kick or the late night action, FanDuel lets you bet your way with the same game parlays, live betting game props and more. And Missouri, get excited because FanDuel is coming your way on December 1st. Download the app or head to FanDuel.com McShay and make every Saturday count. Must be 21 and older in present select states or 18 and older in present in DC, Kentucky or Wyoming. Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit rg-help.com, call 1-888-789-7777 or visit CCP. Do chat in Connecticut, but there's still a lot to unpack. You and I, you and I would gone into it on Sunday. We've kind of created this problem for ourselves where Sundays should be like a leisurely family day. And now all of a sudden we're watching tape all day. But you know what? It pays off in this Monday show and, and once again, we've got our 10 tape truths. I'll remind everybody the McShay report is out kind of recapping and some personnel notes from Saturday's games. And you can just Google it if you don't subscribe already. For those who do, thank you. If you don't already, just google the McShay report. Subscribe there for free. The Sunday mornings edition comes right to your inbox. It's right there. Click it directly from me and.
- [02:14]
Mitch Muench
Yeah. How many did you put out last week? Three.
- [02:17]
Todd McShay
Three last week. Or was it four, man? No, it was. It was three last week. So. And we're doing two or three a week every week. And then there's some premium ones as well. So we appreciate all the support there. Appreciate all the support. Like it was the World Series on, on Saturday night. I kind of didn't. I mean, I knew there was a game. I didn't know it was like a limit. Like it, it was it.
- [02:35]
Mitch Muench
I got.
- [02:36]
Todd McShay
Poor Tucker. I'm railing on him all night because I'm just I'm all wired.
- [02:41]
Mitch Muench
He's mean.
- [02:42]
Todd McShay
He's doing the show while watching his, his LA Dodgers win the World Series. So congratulations to Tucker. I got, I'm messing around with Dan about going out clubbing and, and there's a lot going on in the world. But we still had one of our biggest live shows of the entire year. So we appreciate all the support. Mitch, tell the fine folks how they can support us moving forward.
- [03:01]
Mitch Muench
You can go to the YouTube, the McShay show on the YouTube and I, I haven't done this in a while. Hit the follow button. Go to wherever you can find your podcast at the subscribe button. He's at McShade 13. I'm at you. Good mensch. It's M U e n C h.
- [03:17]
Todd McShay
You caught me off guard.
- [03:18]
Mitch Muench
When's the last time I did that?
- [03:19]
Todd McShay
I know. And I even thought to myself I should probably tell Mitch. I'm going to throw it to him again. But I do appreciate you're wearing Perrones Gourmet Italian. Go to Peron's Gourmet Italian.com and get some of the finest red sauce marinara gravy if you call it that you can, that you can find. And it's, it's a family affair. So it's a big show of the.
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Mitch Muench
Perrones hats coming out.
- [03:39]
Todd McShay
It is.
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Mitch Muench
That's how I feel.
- [03:41]
Todd McShay
And it's a big show because like I can feel it like the selection committee is, you know, they're getting on their private planes and they're, and they're making sure that they're ready. We get the first reveal this week. It's kind of as much as it's narrowing. You still got all these bubble teams like the Texas is, the Oklahoma's, the USC's, the Notre Dames, the Miamis. So this is a big week in college football and we've got another great week of games set up for, for Saturday in week 11 of the season.
- [04:09]
Mitch Muench
Did you know you can opt out of winter with VRBO? Save up to 1500 dollars for booking a month long stay with thousands of sunny homes. Why subject yourself to the cold? Just filter your search by monthly stays.
- [04:21]
Todd McShay
And save up to $1,500. Book now@verbo.com but today is about recapping what we saw and not just what we saw as we're sitting on our couch watching games and texting each other and going through it. What did the tape tell us? And I just want to jump right into it. Every Monday we do it. The 10 tape tr this is stuff that Steve and I went back and watched sitting here on my clicker with my iPad. And I'm just studying every. Everything I can. I know men is doing the same and we want to share it with you today. So without further ado, Steve, why don't you kick things off with the first tape truth on this Monday. Tape truth number one.
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Mitch Muench
Oregon is on upset alert at Iowa this weekend. They are a six and a half point favorite.
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Todd McShay
Whoa, whoa, whoa. They're on. Who are they playing?
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Mitch Muench
Iowa. Iowa.
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Todd McShay
Listen, Iowa's been good.
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Mitch Muench
Iowa is the best unranked team in the country. I don't understand how they're not ranked. I mean, you look at the.
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Todd McShay
I got wrote them off after a rough start, but they have been rolling.
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Mitch Muench
The last four games. They lost to Indiana by five. I mean, they gave everything Indian everything it could handle. They lost Indiana by five.
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Todd McShay
They beat them, by the way, I keep interrupting him. So losing to Indiana by five, there's no moral victories. But my goodness, that's. That's the best kind of loss you can have.
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Mitch Muench
It took some late game heroics from Fernando Mendoza and Elijah Surratt for them to win that game. That was a tight game. So you look at that game. They only lost by five to Indiana. They beat the Wisconsin Badgers by 37. They beat Penn State by one, and then they beat a pretty good Minnesota team by 38 this past week. I mean, they're just blowing the doors off of some teams, right? So you're looking at the same. I don't, I have no idea, have no idea how they're not ranked. And I'm sure that Lanning is telling his Ducks that, hey, man, this is a damn good team. Don't look at those rankings. This is a better team than you think. They're averaging 31.1 points per game. You look at that and you're, you know, you might be surprised at some of these, you know, Iowa offenses that haven't put up a lot of points. They're putting up some points. They have one of the most dangerous, probably the most dangerous return man in the country and Kaden Region, who has two pot returns for a touchdown for touchdowns and one kickoff return for touchdowns. And I know Oregon fans, I know no one is giving up fewer pot return yards in Oregon this year. They've been outstanding. Don't have a bad week. Don't have a bad week or you're going to be in trouble. And you know, they got. I always got an edge guy named Max Llewellyn who could give their Oregon offensive tackle trouble. Phil Parker, like I mentioned, the defense coordinator had a great plan for. For Indiana. I'm sure he's going to have a great plan for Oregon. And then on the flip side, I'm not. I'm trying not to put too much stock. McShay, in that 217 game, Oregon over Wisconsin, when that was the last time they were out. Oregon's coming off a buy. The last time they played 217 at home against Wisconsin. I'm trying not to put too much stock in it. Dante Moore came out in the third quarter. Oregon ran the ball pretty damn well in that game. And it was a down that. I mean, it was terrible weather. Terrible weather. So you try not to, but it's still. It's sticking and it's sticking to my crawl a little bit. Just 21 7.
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Todd McShay
I hear you.
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Mitch Muench
That's a game.
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Todd McShay
I sense it.
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Mitch Muench
That's a game you should handle, man. That. And you know, and of course, you look at Lanning's record off a buy. Coming off a buy at Oregon, it's 4. 1. He doesn't lose a lot of games. I mean, I think the only team he's lost off a buy is Washington. So it's no surprise there that they've been pretty successful. Again, I fully expect Oregon to win this game. It's a six and a half points.
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Todd McShay
Iowa doing well.
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Mitch Muench
Oh, they. They are. Iowa. They are. They. It's right off the bat. They are the least penalized team in the country. They are not going to hurt themselves. Number two, they run the ball well. Right. They are. Their offensive line is built for that zone run game. Everything's off play action. Mark Gronowski, the transfer quarterback, not much of a threat in the passing game. Not going to lie to you. I think he has four touchdowns and four interceptions. It's not. This is not a passing game that's going to scare the Ducks. But he has 11 rushing touchdowns. And you have to be aware of that when they get down in the red zone, he's. He's another added element to it. So they're. They're what you expect Iowa to be. And then defensively, I think they have. It's seven. It's eight players. Eight different players have a pick. They could turn you over. You got to be careful. Don't put the ball in harm's way. Dante Moore. And the other thing is, this is one of the best run defenses in the country. They give up 2.64 yards per carry. You know who else gives up 2.64 yards per carry. Ohio State. Yeah, this is a real good run defense. So Oregon's are running the ball, but they haven't really been able to unlock the Corian Moore, the talented freshman receiver he's had. He's been good, but not great. And Kenyon Siddiq, the talented tight end who should be putting up incredible numbers, has not been. They haven't really been able to unlock that either. So this is Oregon. Teams have been leaning on the run really since, you know, losing to Indiana and. I don't know, man, I don't know. It's just, be careful. Ducks don't go in there and think this is going to be an easy.
- [09:06]
Todd McShay
One because it's not interesting. I like that way to kick things off with my green shirt on, going.
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Mitch Muench
After the Ducks, you know, I love my Ducks, Ben.
- [09:15]
Todd McShay
I'm just giving them a warning. I, I feel like it's a PSA for, for the Ducks program and, and you're doing a service for Dan Lanning to like get the.
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Mitch Muench
I'm sure he's on it, man. I am sure he is.
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Todd McShay
Yeah, I'm certain. I'm certain. Captain Gladiator, like, he's, he's, he's getting it going this week.
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Mitch Muench
Also say the Duck should get a boost from their guy coming out and saying, I'm not interested in any other jobs and saying during the bye week that I'm here and I'm staying at Oregon, which is not a surprise, but still could give the team a little bit of a boost.
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Todd McShay
Yeah, certainly did with Rhett Lashley and SMU and that upset over Miami. So.
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Mitch Muench
Right.
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Todd McShay
Okay, tape truth number two. This is Arch finally. Like it's, it's been exhausting if you're, if you're pulling for Arch, if you're just a fan of college football and, and you knew all the hype coming in, right. And the struggles that he had early in the season and you start to question like, is he ever going to be what, what the hype was? And I listen, I don't know that anyone is ever going to live up to the hype that Arch had coming in as a first year starter. You can't just roll in with, you know, a couple starts and a few games played in and all of a sudden you're the Heisman favorite, favorite to be the number one overall pick and Texas is going to win national championship. Just all has to happen. Right?
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Mitch Muench
Right. It's already written.
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Todd McShay
It's written. But, but this is Arch and it started against Oklahoma, okay. Which at the time, remember, was the number one defense in the country. Texas is now on a four game win streak and it has not all been beautiful, admittedly it hasn't.
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Mitch Muench
Mississippi State. No.
- [10:54]
Todd McShay
But, but you look at this, that that win streak has included two top 10 wins and Texas hasn't done that in the previous four years combined. Okay? So with, so things are. While it doesn't seem like it's Oklahoma, it's Vanderbilt, their top 10 wins at the end of the day, at the time they played Oklahoma, at the time they played Vanderbilt, they were top 10 teams in the country and Texas got those wins. That's something they had not done in the last four seasons, you know, while Sark has been there. So, so that's something. Why am I saying it today? Because for the first time, and I said this Saturday night, I wanted a long rant about it and I, I wanted to go back and study the tape and make sure that it wasn't just, I'm watching the game copy and it's different. And I'll be. You want true serum? Here's true serum. You pop in the tape if you're, if you're me, I don't like the third person. But, but you pop in the tape and you're like, all right, let's go, let's go. Solidify with the, all the points I made on Saturday night. And the first two throws bat well. The first two key play throws, right. He had, he had that orbit swing to. To Wingo. He takes it 70, 75 yards to the house. Touchdown. That's not, Keep that, that's. I don't learn anything from Arch. Arch on that throw. He's got another screen to Wingo for 14 yards. Don't learn anything from that.
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Mitch Muench
Great job.
- [12:19]
Todd McShay
But then, yes, great job, Sark, and great job Wingo. But Wingo injures his thumb in that on that play. Takes himself out straight to the tent. We don't see him again in the second half. He comes out without his helmet on. Reports are positive. Sark said in an emergency, like if this was a critical, but not that it's not in an emergency, we could have, you know, Wingo could have gone back out. And so Texas has a buy and there, there's speculation and hope, but follow the reporting and we'll see how, if things change, that Wingo will be okay in a couple of weeks as the schedule doesn't get any, you know, a whole lot kinder as they've got at Georgia, number five in the country. They've got Arkansas and then they've finished with Texas A and M and home. Okay, the rivalry game. So that's what's, that's what's on tap. And that's kind of the, the best update I could find on Wingo in the moment. So I see the first key throw, the first throw where like, you can learn something from him. It's a bad out, a bad miss, on and out. Next throw, bad decision, kind of scattering to his right. Nobody's open. Roll throws back over the middle. Bad decision overshoots it. Bad throw. And I'm like, oh, no. I'm. I'm proclaiming that arch is back. And the first two throws are scaring me. Okay, then at 4:40, first quarter. You can see the first time like, oh, he settled down now. All right. He drill it's a curl route to, to DeAndre Moore, but he drills it with confidence. Then there's the touchdown pass. Rolling, rolling to his right, patient, locates the wide receiver number four and, and makes that throw. Then there was another throw a little bit later. It was like an 18 back to 16 deep out in the right rail. And I slow mowed it, rewound it like the ball is out before he breaks and drills it. And I'm like, here we go. This is what we were expecting to see, right? And it keeps going from there. Here are my notes. Poised in the pocket, working right to left with his eyes. Drills an in breaker between three zone defenders. Then 1206, third quarter. Love this throw sale concept. Two overs with, with the slot, it's trips to the, to the left yet two overs. Picture the out to outside. Two receivers are running overs to. To the middle of the field. And then. And it's a beautiful design. You see a lot of teams do it. Lane Kiffin lives off of this design. And, and then the, the slot receiver is going to work to the out. Balls out on time. It's a thing of beauty. It's a confident. This is the throw that I was talking about on Saturday. This is the throw where I was like, oh, he is feeling it right. Balls out on time. Layers it over the linebacker, hit perfectly in stride and does so with enough room before the sideline that, that, that Moore is allowed to, to create yards after the catch too. So you got to get it there with a layer but in time to give him the opportunity to work his way up the field. Then I just kept writing, he's under control. Even an incomplete pass. He had the Livingston over the middle of the field near, near the goal line was, was a, like a high difficulty, high degree of difficulty throw put it on him a little bit high. But Livingston's a real tall receiver. It's a catch that Livingston needs to make. Yeah.
- [15:34]
Mitch Muench
Let me see what up with one hand on that one, right?
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Todd McShay
Exactly. Steve RPO hit. He was hit while throwing drills and easy strike. It was, you know, wide open receiver but under pressure. Quick on the RPO gets it out. Touchdown. It's 31:10 at the time and outside of those first two throws it was kind of a thing of beauty. He felt like this is, this is the deal now. There wasn't a lot after that. We had a really nicely placed out route to the right side, touch placement through and then the last throw on the reel because I kept asking myself, because you got to Remember they're up 3110 and now there's other games that I'm watching because this feels like it's in the B. Yeah. But I see I keep watching the ticker and it's like oh, 3116 or 3416 and. And then it keeps growing from there. They. I thought 3416, right. There was this deep throw because I was questioning does is Sark being conservative and, and he, he was after that and a lot of things just went poorly and the defense kind of collapsed and playing prevent. But he had this deep ball down the right rail up 34 16. Sark recognizes. We got to keep, we got to keep, you know, our foot on the gas at this moment. And he. I thought Stark showed a lot of confidence in him driving the ball down the field right rail. The wide receiver didn't haul it in, but it would have been a touchdown. It would have made it 41 to 16 drop. That would have ended all the drama. We wouldn't be talking about. Yeah, but, but Vandy came back and all that stuff because it would have been 41 to 16 at that time or yeah, 41 to 16 had they kicked the extra point. Anyway, my takeaway from all of it is at the very least now I know that they have in arch what they hope to have. A guy who's mobile, who knows where to go with his eyes, who is making all these throws that are NFL like throws and the talent is there. And so all the people who are on X and media showing me their, you know, the low level high school competition he was playing and, and the short arming and all that stuff like yeah, there's some stuff he can continue to develop and work on and he'll get better and better as time goes on, but I know it's there.
- [17:55]
Mitch Muench
And I can.
- [17:56]
Todd McShay
Like, if I'm. If I'm a Texas fan, if I'm an Arch fan, if I'm close with the Manning family, or if I'm not. And I just want Arch to be good because it makes college football better. You breathe a sigh of relief because you see it's there and this is Arch, and that's exciting for Texas. And it doesn't mean they're going to make the College Football Playoff, although it's all in front of them. And this. This SEC is wild. And now the SEC is down to one team. The Big 12 is going to be down to one team. There's an opportunity for the SEC to get five in. And Texas, if it handles business, and I think it's capable of doing it. I truly do. The defense has got to step up, but at least. At least it's not your quarterback. And that's. That's not something five weeks ago that any of us was prepared to say. So that's a. That. That, to me, is a huge step in the right direction. And really, like, it's what the whole program is about this year. Because if Archers and playing at this level, they get no shot with Arch playing at this level. All right, we got a shot now.
- [18:58]
Mitch Muench
I couldn't agree more. Like, you're going into those last three games, and I'm thinking if they don't run that, they don't win out. I'm more worried about the defense than I'm about Arch now. And you wouldn't have said that a month ago. There's no way you would have said that a month ago. But, I mean, the defense gave up 31 to Vanderbilt. And, you know, I know it was kind of a unique 31 in that they just kind of. It felt like they just took their foot off the gas. Right. But 38 to Mississippi State the week before, like, I just wanna. That defense is so good, but it's not consistent. They got to be consistent. So if that defense can play at the. If it can elevate and get back to what it needs to do, that team. I mean, Texas is dangerous.
- [19:35]
Todd McShay
Yeah. It's going to be interesting. It's going to be a wild ride in November. It's what we signed up for. Right?
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Mitch Muench
Right.
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Todd McShay
And everyone screams about the SEC and why don't you just do an SEC show and, like, get out of here.
- [19:47]
Mitch Muench
Sorry.
- [19:48]
Todd McShay
There's.
- [19:48]
Mitch Muench
Sorry.
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Todd McShay
You got. You got a M's. 8. No Alabama 7 and 1 but 5 and oh in conference. Georgia 7 and 1. 5 and 1 in conference Ole Miss is 7 and 1, 5 and 1 in conference. George has got the, the beater against Ole Miss and you can do all the tiebreakers, right. But Texas seven and two but four and one in conference. And then you got Oklahoma and Vanderbilt both 3 and 2 in conference but with opportunity to knock some teens off and for things to happen where they're not completely out of it. So that's, that's seven teams I just listed right there. Yeah, I don't think I'd say maybe 50, 50 at best of the SEC gets 5 in but a week or two ago we would have said maybe it's like 15, 20%, you know, so it's growing as other conferences are. Are kind of collapsing as we get closer to the finish line.
- [20:40]
Mitch Muench
It's interesting, man. I mean I think they should. Will. Will three loss SEC team get in. I think they should be considered. That was the problem last year, right. That they, it just. I don't, I trust the committee, Todd. I don't trust them to do the right thing. But I'm with you.
- [20:56]
Todd McShay
Tape truth number two. Three.
- [21:00]
Mitch Muench
Three.
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Todd McShay
My second one but thank you. Tape truth number three. I'm not saying he should win Heisman but I am saying Arch is good. Sayan is better. Julian saying is playing better football than Arch Manning right now, period. All right.
- [21:22]
Mitch Muench
Should he go to New York? You're saying he's. You're not saying he should win it?
- [21:26]
Todd McShay
Should he be.
- [21:26]
Mitch Muench
Should he be invited to New York?
- [21:28]
Todd McShay
Absolutely. And we'll get to the Heisman in a minute and he's the odds on favorite right now by fanduel saying is but yes.
- [21:36]
Mitch Muench
Oh, I didn't know that.
- [21:38]
Todd McShay
That is interesting.
- [21:39]
Mitch Muench
I didn't see that. You didn't tell me.
- [21:41]
Todd McShay
We'll get, we'll get to the heism but the most important thing is this and we'll get to the Heisman and have that discussion at the end of this. The most important thing I want like probably the most important thing that the conclusion that I came to on Sunday watching tape like yeah, again I'm not saying he's going to win the Heisman or should win the Heisman but I am saying that Arch is really good.
- [22:10]
Mitch Muench
Julian better. Oh yeah. Gotcha. Gotcha.
- [22:13]
Todd McShay
Julian's better than Arch and there's, there's. I'm not here for any debate on that. And listen, I got news for you. At one point in time Drew Henson in the coaching staff's mind was as good as Tom Brady. Brian Greasy was better than Tom Brady. Drew Bledsoe was better than Tom Brady. Eventually Tom Brady became the best to ever do it. So just because Julian's better than Arch right now doesn't mean that that's how it's always going to be. But it's my job to go watch the tape and report what I'm seeing. The tape tells me what's what, what the facts and the truths are. And tape truth number three is that Julian is playing better ball than Arch. And if you were to give me one game, one player, one quarterback for the biggest game of the year and said, you can choose between saying and Manning, I'm taking Julian. This tape was, I mean it's not just this. I begged people buy his stock now a couple weeks ago and it was even better this past week. And I get it, Penn State, they've lost five straight. They don't, they've fallen apart. It's not what we expected. Who cares what. But this is Penn State with a lot of talent and this is the final punch that this, this program was going to throw. And it's a defensive coordinator that understands well, it's not Chip Kelly what Ryan Day wants to do and what Brian Hartline wants to do and a lot of those tendencies and they were prepared to play and I didn't see any lack of effort.
- [23:44]
Mitch Muench
I was going to ask you. I'm glad you're saying that because they. I'm glad you're saying that.
- [23:48]
Todd McShay
I, I didn't, I saw, I saw a system and I want to give a lot, I want to give a lot of credit to two places, both the coaching staff and the offensive lines for Texas and Ohio State. Arch had more protection in this past game than I've seen all season. Julian saying, I don't want to say more than any other game but Julian saying's protection against that defensive front and with Jim Knowles knowing kind of how to get pressure on the quarterback and to do it against this offensive scheme, I thought they were outstanding. Both quarterbacks had to, had to maneuver around and there were times and. But like for the most part in college football to have that kind of protection, you don't see it very often against.
- [24:35]
Mitch Muench
Right. It's never 100 clean. It's never 100% clean.
- [24:38]
Todd McShay
Vandy's gotten pressure on, on quarterbacks. I'm not saying they have any first round draft picks along the defensive line. They don't.
- [24:44]
Mitch Muench
Right.
- [24:45]
Todd McShay
But, but they've got some players and they've gotten pressure. Penn State's got better talent up front. They've got players, they've gotten pressure. And, and both of these offensive fronts and both of the coaching staffs did amazing jobs this past weekend. But back to saying this guy man, to see what he was. This, this should be a, a coaching clinic. And granted Ohio State has, has luxuries because of its defense, because of its talent, because of its weapons that most other programs are not afforded. So, so to do this at another program, the way that Ryan Day and Brian Hartline slowly brought this young quarterback along responsibilities, you know, pass run ratio, different things that he was asked to do in terms of his pre snap, post snap, his reads. You have seen almost on a weekly basis this ascension in the responsibilities handed to Julian saying so that now here we are in the back half of the season and we're to a point where I'm not saying he has the key to the entire palace, but he's, he's allowed to enter most rooms. Okay. And I'm seeing a quarterback who has complete, a complete understanding of what they're trying to do, where his eyes should go and in doing that he's gaining confidence every week. And yeah, nobody else in the country has two first round receivers like Ohio State does. And the level of. Because we all know Jeremiah Smith's going to be a top 10 pick at worst, probably a top five overall pick. And we're watching Carnell Tate grow up in front of our eyes. He's, he's become an absolute weapon because of the attention to detail and the route running skills that he has. But here's. Here are my notes. You ready? Drilling the ball with confidence. Ball hitting spots on time out route to his left to Jeremiah Smith like NFL style throw isolating Smith and getting the ball out on time. And by the way, Ryan Day in heartline. Like I love what they're. Whether it's bunches formation or motioning pre snap, three guys to one right before. So the ball snapped and all of a sudden it's like shit. We, we game plan all week so that we wouldn't allow Jeremiah Smith to be man to man. And here we are, you know and so they're doing a lot of stuff pre snap that's, that's creating these, these matchup advantages for them because their personnel. But then I saw plays with, with Julian extending and doing it like under control with poise and not rushing, not getting hurried, not making young quarterback mistakes under like it's just everything's done with confidence, trajectory and catchable Catchable ball. That's the thing. Like, it's. It's great to have Carnell Tate run that post to seam where he just snaps off the route and gets the safety turned around and get. Gets five yards. But if he overthrows it or if he doesn't throw it with a trajectory, it allows the defensive back to get in the play, or it takes or prevents Tate from tracking it down. He's throwing a catchable ball down the field where his receivers, who are great, can go up and utilize that greatness. And that shouldn't be overlooked. So while they're so special, no one's taking anything away from. From 4 and 17. Those dudes are like, they are the real deal. But somebody's got to get him the ball and give them opportunities to go make those plays to showcase their greatness. And he's doing it. There's even more tempo and decisiveness in what Julian's doing than what I'm seeing from Arch. Arch looked really good. Looked really good, man. And I just told you all the reasons in Tape Truth, too. Why I really like where Arch is right now. This guy's doing it with a little bit more and, like, it just looks better. It's cleaner, it's crisper, it's more confident. The ball's coming out a little bit better. The ball's being drilled into spots a little bit more precisely. Everything he's doing, while Arch is doing it really well, Julian's doing it better.
- [29:01]
Mitch Muench
So why isn't saying that Heisman winner. Why. Why isn't he not. Why is he not the guy right now?
- [29:06]
Todd McShay
I'm not saying that he shouldn't be and. And absolutely in the conversation, but I'm also saying, like, let's keep. I'm just. I'm always a. A pushback guy on. It's got to be the quarterback from the best team. You know what I mean? Yeah. And this is the best defense in college football. And this is starting to shape up to be one of those defenses where we put it in the conversation. I've mentioned it before. Like USC in the early 2000s, Miami back in 2001, Alabama in the. And like the 2011. That kind of early 2010s range. Georgia and like the 20. What was it? 2019.
- [29:42]
Mitch Muench
That 2020, maybe 2019. Yeah.
- [29:44]
Todd McShay
That range. Right.
- [29:45]
Mitch Muench
Yep.
- [29:46]
Todd McShay
It's shaping up to be that level of defense. So he's got that work working for him. He does.
- [29:54]
Mitch Muench
You would give a Haynes king a nod because he means more to his team.
- [29:57]
Todd McShay
That's. Yeah. And Again. And I think we have that. So it's Julian saying right now, this is FanDuel, always trusty. No Haynes King, keep the lights on for. Well, Haynes King's coming off that, that loss.
- [30:09]
Mitch Muench
I know, I know.
- [30:11]
Todd McShay
But this, this is the top five and I was surprised at it. No Haynes King. No, no. Jeremiah Love from Notre Dame.
- [30:18]
Mitch Muench
Right.
- [30:19]
Todd McShay
There are other guys that you can argue, but this is. I'm just like. These are the odds on favorites. Julian saying +175. Fernando Mendoza just behind him from Indiana, Haynes King. I'm being told right now by, by Daniel. Daniel Comer. I don't. I've never called him Daniel before. I'm just reading the screen. Sorry. Dan is plus. Plus 10,000.
- [30:41]
Mitch Muench
That's wild.
- [30:43]
Todd McShay
Yeah, I think it's really.
- [30:44]
Mitch Muench
I might have to get. I might have to get on FanDuel after this.
- [30:46]
Todd McShay
No, you shouldn't because he's just not going to win it because people. You don't think so if he wore. I told you, if he wore a Gators jersey, then, then. Yeah, but. And you saw Marcel Reed on that list.
- [30:58]
Mitch Muench
Yeah.
- [30:59]
Todd McShay
Gunner Stockton on that list. Gunner's coming off kind of a. Yeah. Haynes King is 11th best odds.
- [31:06]
Mitch Muench
Wow.
- [31:06]
Todd McShay
Don't forget that Dan's a 500 total.
- [31:09]
Mitch Muench
Yards on Saturday night. Just trying to gut it out for his team.
- [31:13]
Todd McShay
But Jeremiah loves. Interesting that he's not on that list. We'll see how it all plays out. But. So I'm not saying that, that Julian doesn't deserve to win it. I'm just saying, like, let's, let's also keep in perspective what other individuals are doing and their value to the team and where that team would be without them. That's the only thing. So I'm, I don't really care about the Heisman right now.
- [31:36]
Mitch Muench
No.
- [31:36]
Todd McShay
And so because fanduel just came out with these odds and all of a sudden I think that's going to be a lot of talk when you go watch other shows. Julian sayings, you know, odds on favor to win the Heisman, they're great. I'm not saying he shouldn't, but I'm also saying let's keep some perspective on the schedule they've played the talents that are around them. Carnell, Tate, you can make an argument in some years, Mike might, might deserve a look. Problem is he's got, he's got a top five NFL draft pick playing opposite him who's not eligible this year, who hasn't had like the production and the numbers to win a Heisman. But is the best player in college football. And I'll, like, fight me on it. So you know what I mean?
- [32:15]
Mitch Muench
So there's a fun conversation. But. Yeah, but.
- [32:17]
Todd McShay
But I guess my point is, at this moment in time, I don't really care. I don't want us to be the show that's talking about Julian Sayings, the odds on favorite for the wins, that win the Heisman. I want to tell you something that I saw on tape, and while I'm. I'm, like, all in on what Arch is doing, and I think it's amazing, and I'm relieved for him because no human being should start their first year as a starter with that kind of external pressure on him. And so it's awesome that he's been able to weather that storm with Sark, with that supporting cast around him at Texas, with, I'm sure the help of family members there and the first family in football, the Mannings. He's had a lot of people kind of, hey, stay the course, work the process. And so it's great to see the results start to come with that process. And I feel really good about Texas and its quarterback position, but Julian Saying is playing at an even higher level, and I didn't know that we would like. I'm talking about. He's. He's getting to a point now where it's like, oh, this guy's a legitimate NFL draft prospect. And 2027 starting to shape up to be something that could be like, holy shit. If Arch keeps playing like this, if Julian Saying keeps playing like this, if we've got other guys like Ty Simpson, Lenora Sellers coming back. I don't know if Mendoza's leaving after this year or not, but he can come back. John Mattier can come back. I mean, it may get gutted in 2026, Steve. We may have a draft that, like, doesn't have as much as excitement as we thought it would coming in this year with, hopefully, Clubnik takes the next step and Nussmeier takes the next step. And, and, And Dante Moore, yeah, might be the best pure passer of all these guys, but he needs another year. But you could have. You could have Julian Saying, Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Lenora Sellers, John Matier, Ty Simpson, all in that 2027 draft, and I'm not. And there's a few other names going to be in there, too. So it's going to be not only for this season, but, like, when we get to January and we're getting ready for the Senior bowl, that's going to be like, Holy smokes, that January 15th date where, where prospects have to declare, are we in or are we going back to school? And with the NIL money that they're going to get to come back to school right that January, everyone else can be talking about the national championship and we will be, too. We'll be doing live shows after those, those playoff games and after the national championship game. That's going to be our focus. But we're going to have like a firm eye on who's declaring and who's not because it's going to dictate what's going on for the next few months leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft in April. And then it could be setting us up for an unbelievable 2026 season in college football and a 27 draft. When it comes to the quarterbacks, like, like is maybe, maybe or maybe as good or better than what we saw a couple years ago. With six quarterbacks drafted in the top 12, starting with Caleb Williams, Jaden Daniels, Drake May, Michael Pennix, J.J. mcCarthy and then Bo Nicks. 12 to the. To the Broncos. It could wind up being a better class than that.
- [35:29]
Mitch Muench
I'm with you. I'm with you. And then you add in all the other talent that could be in that group, it's going to be. I get excited about every draft. I don't want to overlook what's going to happen in 2026. But you're right, 2027 could be different.
- [35:42]
Todd McShay
Mind blowing. Yeah. All right. All right. You're up.
- [35:45]
Mitch Muench
Got a tight 45 minutes on two quarterbacks. Good for you. That was really good. Good pace.
- [35:49]
Todd McShay
Get out of here. Go. Tape truth number four.
- [35:55]
Mitch Muench
FanDuel. FanDuel gives our guys that. Our guys at FanDuel give Indiana the best odds to beat Ohio State on a neutral site. And I think they got it right. We've got Todd's odds. Here we go. To give Ohio State's favored by four against Indiana, five against Alabama, and six and a half against Texas A and M. Let's start with the most obvious about why they got it right. Ohio State should be favored against everyone. So that's step one, right? As much as I am concerned about that schedule, like I think it's 33rd strength schedule so far. 43rd remaining strength of schedule. It hasn't been overwhelming. I do want to see them play someone. I said that on Saturday night. I still believe that. But I still think they're the best team in the country and they should be favored against everyone. Here's why I think Indiana Matches up best with them. Okay. Indiana's defense, I don't, I'm not sure people understand how good this defense is and how good Brian Haynes is the defense coordinator. They are special. This is. They ranked third points allowed per game, seventh and yards allowed per game. They're eighth in sacks in the country even though they didn't have a sack against Maryland this past week. They can get after the quarterback. They know how to do it. I, I just think that defense is super good. One of the least penalized teams in the country. Signetti's not, Signetti's team's not going to beat itself, man. And we talk on offense all the time about Fernando Mendoza and those playmakers on the outside are we, do we realize how good the Indiana run game is? 6 in the country and rushing yards per game with Kalyn Black and Roman Hemby and by the way, they've got a freshman, Kobe Martin. Oh, he's got two 100 yard rushing games this year. They are deep at running back. They are talented at running back.
- [37:29]
Todd McShay
Man.
- [37:29]
Mitch Muench
This is, it's, it's just a really good team. And now I look at Alabama and I love Ty Simpson and I think that passing attack could give Ohio, Ohio State some problems. I love, I mean as good as that Ohio State defense is, they don't have an elite edge rusher. Outside of Arvl Reese. Outside of Arvl Reese. I understand that. I get that. I think Alabama's passing attack could give them problems. But like Alabama's defense, inconsistent play at, at corner. I think their passing defense numbers are inflated by the fact that they've played Missouri, Georgia, Florida State, all these run heavy teams. I think when you will look at it Alabama's past defense that you can get them, they don't, they're not as great on past events as they've been in the past. And when you got Mendoza and those two receivers on the outside, I, I mean I, I, I, I, I'm getting it mixed up. Ohio State, when you look at them trying to slow down Ohio State, that's going to be a hard thing for Alabama to do. So as much as I like Ty Simpson, I just don't, I don't see it. I will say, I will continue to say that I think that Texas A and M is the most dangerous team in the country. They're just not the most consistent. And Marcel Reed has had some, you know, he was, I forget was his numbers against Notre Dame where it was 17 for 37, 12 for 21 against LSU. He is absolutely Electric, but he has stretches where you're like, oh no. Like it gets scary.
- [38:51]
Todd McShay
Marcel Reed is. Is the reason why A and M is so dangerous and legitimately can beat any team in the country. Marcel reed is also 100% the reason why A and M of these elite teams is the most gettable.
- [39:05]
Mitch Muench
Right.
- [39:05]
Todd McShay
And I'm convinced of it. And I. And, and I believe and I've said this and both things can be true. I can be blown away by the talent and the playmaking ability and how special of an athlete and like decision maker on the fly and some of the things he does. I can be blown away by all those things and have a great appreciation for them. But I also. I'm also the one who said I think Texas A M is going to get got. They could easily think Mars and I think Marcel Reed is going to be the reason those. Those things can both be true at the same time.
- [39:38]
Mitch Muench
100% they can both be true. It's why there's so much fun to watch. It's a. It's a tightrope act. It's. Are they going to get to the other side of this thing? Because I mean they're wobbling here. They're wob. Look at the other thing. They've had a couple of real shootouts with Notre Dame and Arkansas. As good as that defense can be.
- [39:53]
Todd McShay
As good as that pass, it is weird to watch. Right?
- [39:56]
Mitch Muench
They give up some points in games, man. I mean they gave like was 42, I think to Arkansas all of a sudden. And I get that. That's a different offense than what Ohio State is. I get all of that. But that defense, man, they every once in a while they start giving up points, they start giving up yards and I just. So it's clear to me that it's Alabama and Indiana. I do give Indiana's light edge. I do want to ask you something.
- [40:17]
Todd McShay
Yeah.
- [40:17]
Mitch Muench
If you're Kurt Signetti, you go into the Big Ten championship against Ohio State. Let's say that's how it plays out. It's Indiana, Ohio State as we all think it will be. Right. How do you game plan? Are you hiding some stuff? Are you saying yourself we're not coming out with. Think about it, think about it. I know the full game plan you want to get. It could be a real. If you're talking about not only is Indiana maybe the best built team, the best matchup for Ohio State and again I think Ohio State wins that game. But not only that, they will have a distinct advantage of playing them in a Game that, I'm sorry, won't really matter that much in the long run. That's what that is now. The Big Ten championship won't be like. I understand fans want that big tension. I get that. The team wants to win it. I understand all that.
- [41:01]
Todd McShay
I hear you. I do.
- [41:04]
Mitch Muench
Am I off the rails?
- [41:06]
Todd McShay
It is an interesting thought, but you have played competitive sports your entire life, and you have been part of a college football program. What.
- [41:16]
Mitch Muench
I'm not saying you don't compete. That's not what I'm saying. I'm not saying you said starters. I'm not saying any of that. I'm saying that you maybe tweak your game plan, even if it's tweaking your game plan, to see. We want, like, if we were trying to win this game, we might be playing our strengths, but we might want to see what their weaknesses are, and we're going to adjust it that way just so we can have.
- [41:35]
Todd McShay
When you're. When you're a coach at this level, it's.
- [41:41]
Mitch Muench
They.
- [41:41]
Todd McShay
They might want to not throw everything at us because. Because we're the ones to beat. You know what I mean?
- [41:47]
Mitch Muench
Yeah.
- [41:50]
Todd McShay
You don't hold something back in that game because if you. Because by throwing it all at them, then you come back and you work counters off of what you did the first time around.
- [42:00]
Mitch Muench
Yeah.
- [42:00]
Todd McShay
You can still to. So whatever you throw at them, then you throw them kind of the reverse, and it's like a, you know, like the reverse psychology off of what you did. So I. I know what you're saying, and it's. And it's kind of a fun thing to play with mentally for a few minutes. But. But I, you know, that is. You have a responsibility to your players to give them every opportunity to win, and then it's your responsibility if you're going to play that program again in five, six weeks or whatever, however it plays out to then. To then go study that tape and work off of. Okay, what worked, what didn't work, what are they going to expect? What can we throw at them differently?
- [42:37]
Mitch Muench
Right. Yeah.
- [42:39]
Todd McShay
Here's my biggest takeaway of this, and I think this is fascinating. First, I. I do think. I do think, like, we're very fortunate that. That we have a relationship with. With FanDuel, that. That they would be willing to put these things together for us. And we joke around about Todd's odds, and they think I'm kind of crazy. And they probably are like, yeah, sure, here we go.
- [42:59]
Mitch Muench
But they might be on to something.
- [43:01]
Todd McShay
The fact that we're able to get these things to work off of because of our relationship with fanduel is awesome and we appreciate it and I rail on Tucker all the time and but I do it in a loving manner and this show would not like it doesn't have a chance to do anything without Tucker. He is the wizard of Oz and he and beyond just like the operational stuff. I don't think people realize it that that my guy Tucker is like constantly working with it's the ad teams, the reads and all that stuff. So my appreciation for the for the Major League Baseball World Series champion and Tucker is it Tas Gian. I can't believe here we are and I of course do it on air because I do everything on air and I get made fun of. Task gin. Oh, there's his voice. There he is. Oh, you can't hear him on the show.
- [43:54]
Mitch Muench
What a tease.
- [43:55]
Todd McShay
Zoom. What a tease. He'll we'll get him on. That's the biggest reason why I I keep needling Tucker Taschin. There's two ways to pronounce it.
- [44:04]
Mitch Muench
The chat keeps calling.
- [44:06]
Todd McShay
Huh?
- [44:07]
Mitch Muench
The chat wants to see him too. They want him to come on.
- [44:09]
Todd McShay
Oh no. Like and wait till they see him. He's a handsome man.
- [44:12]
Mitch Muench
Oh, here we go.
- [44:13]
Todd McShay
He is. He's a handsome man. And so yeah but no but my biggest takeaway from all this and we again, we appreciate being able to do this. The odds makers really respect Indiana. Think about last year when we did this exercise. How much disrespect and I and I agreed with the odds makers. Now you look at you look at Indiana and not only not like of so it tells me the odds makers view Indiana as the better football team than Alabama and Alabama and Indiana is a better football team than Texas A and M. So I think to be honest with you, they kind of are in line with our thinking. While we agree with them and they deserve to be number number three in the rankings and if they were number two, we wouldn't put up a massive fight based off of what they've done. They're seeing a little bit of what we're seeing as well. The other thing that we asked and I forget which which person on the chat asked a great question this week wouldn't not even a question just pose like how awesome would it be to see Lane Kiffin with his personality.
- [45:17]
Mitch Muench
Yeah.
- [45:18]
Todd McShay
Versus Kirk Signetti Mateus. It was Mateus who's becoming he's a rising star on on our Saturday reaction show. We all know the hostas of the World. And always.
- [45:30]
Mitch Muench
He always trade backs. Yeah.
- [45:31]
Todd McShay
Yes. But, but. But Mateus is. Is a fast rising prospect. Right? And if you, if you don't join, like, it's the most fun thing we do all week. And we'll be back on Saturday night breaking into the PrimeTime game on YouTube. So. So lock that in. Go check it out. We send it out early in the week. You can even get it where you get a notification. But that matchup's fascinating to me. Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss versus Kurt Signetti and in Indiana. And that's kind of how this whole. Whole thing started. Indiana would be favored by 5 overall miss. Thoughts on that?
- [46:05]
Mitch Muench
Yeah, I mean, that's the same number as Alabama, right? Is that. Did I get that right?
- [46:09]
Todd McShay
Well, that was against Ohio State.
- [46:12]
Mitch Muench
Oh, yeah, I'm sorry. You're right. I'm getting them all mixed up now. Yeah, I still think, I think. Listen, your guy, Trinidad Chambliss, I put him, he's a better kind of version of Marcel Reed. I don't think he's as volatile, but I still, I'm not sold that he's gonna be. I mean, he was a little inconsistent this past week. We saw him at the end of the Georgia week. I love him. I, I really like Trinidad Chambliss, but if you tell me who's going to be steadier at a big point in the game, it's going to be Fernando Mendoza to me. And I do think that Indiana. And again, Ole misses run defense a little shaky at times. And like I just said, this Indiana run game might be. Might be underrated by some people. I think it's really good.
- [46:51]
Todd McShay
Oh, it's really good. But this is a transition. This is a perfect transition to tape Truth 6K1. Lacy is the untold story for almost.
- [47:00]
Mitch Muench
You just told. You're just. You are. You are off the rails. Tape truth 5. Not even a thing any. Anymore. We're not even gonna let men do tape truth 5.
- [47:08]
Todd McShay
I thought you just had one. Oh, yeah, go ahead, go ahead, go ahead. Fine.
- [47:13]
Mitch Muench
I'm worried.
- [47:14]
Todd McShay
It just felt like a good transition.
- [47:15]
Mitch Muench
This is what happen. This is what happened back.
- [47:18]
Todd McShay
We'll bring it back to. To Kiwan Lacy. Go ahead.
- [47:21]
Mitch Muench
Yeah. This is what happens when, you know, we. We like what we're talking about. Like, we're gonna have a long show. We're gonna, like, start pushing each other around a little bit. Here we go.
- [47:29]
Todd McShay
All right. The McShay show is brought to you by FanDuel. Ready to fire up your Saturdays, FanDuel's got a boost you don't want to miss. It's called boosting with the boys and it's giving everyone a college football profit boost every single week. So here's how it works. Each week we're giving everyone a profit boost to use on college football. No invite only nonsense. Everyone gets the boost. We're talking real games, real teams, real Saturdays with an extra payout on the line. It's easy, it's fun, and it's only on FanDuel. Go to FanDuel.com McShay to download the app and get in on the action. Must be 21 and older in present in select states or 18 and older and present in DC, Kentucky or Wyoming. Opt in required bonus issued as non withdrawable profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including any token expiration and max wager amount. See terms@sportsbook.fanduel.com gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit rg-help.com, call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org chat in Connecticut this episode is brought to you by American Eagle. Gift Gift.
- [48:49]
Mitch Muench
Hooray.
- [48:50]
Todd McShay
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- [49:28]
Mitch Muench
I feel like Indiana is a no name defense. Tape Truth number five we're going to put some names on these guys. Lewis Moore is safety. Lewis Moore for Indiana is one of the best player one of the. He's playing for one of the best defenses in the country and he's one of the best players on that defense.
- [49:43]
Todd McShay
And nobody knows who he is.
- [49:44]
Mitch Muench
No one knows who he is. And his story is awesome. Okay? He started at Navoro College where he played DB and wide receiver for three years, I believe. Goes to Indiana for two years and then they hire Signetti. He's like, I'm not playing for this guy from jmu. I'm out of here. He goes to Ole Miss for a year, then he transfers. Yeah, then he transfers back to Indiana. He's like, wow, you know what? That's a good Guy might know what he's doing. Transfers back if you're doing. I don't know if that's really what he's thinking, but that's what I'm thinking in my mind that he's thinking. He gets back there and he says to. If you're keeping count of the numbers.
- [50:19]
Todd McShay
Of years here, like six or seven.
- [50:21]
Mitch Muench
He'S out of eligibility. Okay. But he sues the NCAA says an Avora really shouldn't count. Much like Diego Pavia, who kind of paved the way for this loss.
- [50:33]
Todd McShay
Oh, okay.
- [50:34]
Mitch Muench
Very interesting. Right?
- [50:35]
Todd McShay
Yeah.
- [50:35]
Mitch Muench
He wins the lawsuit. He wins on Sept. In late September, by the way. He's playing early in the year, doesn't know if he's going to be able to finish the season. So what's he doing? He gets. He gets this shot, right?
- [50:45]
Todd McShay
How do I not know the story? This is unbelievable.
- [50:47]
Mitch Muench
Awesome, right? It's awesome. He's tied for the FBS lead with five interceptions right now. He leads in. Leads Indiana in total tackles and solo tackles. He is having a year and he's awesome. Now we'll say this.
- [51:01]
Todd McShay
How is game not done this like, this is. This is amazing.
- [51:04]
Mitch Muench
It's amazing. So I went through it, right? And he has. I went through every. All the five interceptions. He is a vulture for overthrows and tip passes. Okay. It's a lot of overthrows and tip passes, but he still makes those plays, knows how to track the ball and is very natural catching that ball. And to me, I was like, this guy's kind of more of a ball magnet than a playmaker. You know what I mean? Like, these picks are kind of finding him more than. He's finding more magnet than Hawk. Right? So. But that's not a complete knock there. Listen, that's not a bad thing to be. You're still getting them in. And then I watched the Maryland game this past weekend and he has a pick as a single high safety where he runs under a receiver running a go route that I'm like, oh, you can do that too. Oh, okay. All right. So you're not just this guy who's getting lucky all the time. You can actually go out and go get it. You can go make plays too. Okay. Plays mostly single high. He plays mostly high, but he also plays in the box a little bit. A little bit over the slot. I love how physical he is at 5, 11, 200. The way he closes, breaks on the ball and limits yards after contact. He is really good in that area. He's really tough against run like a lot of Safety misses some tackles. He's not give his name again so.
- [52:13]
Todd McShay
That we can get it out.
- [52:14]
Mitch Muench
Lewis Moore. Lewis Moore, Lewis Moore. Very physical dude for his size. He will come up and hit you after the catch. He will get involved. He will knife into the backfield and try to blow up the run. Here's another thing I love about him. He's on every special teams unit. He's been on every special team for this year. This is a guy that like, you know, we're talking about, I think Aiden Fisher. People know about Aiden Fisher. You know, there's not a lot of d' Angelo Pons. Yeah.
- [52:38]
Todd McShay
Kamara.
- [52:39]
Mitch Muench
A lot of these kids aren't getting a lot of, you know, it feels like it's a no name defense for Indiana. It really does. This guy, I was, I threw on the tape, I was like, this is awesome. Awesome.
- [52:49]
Todd McShay
I love when you throw on your Perrones Italian gourmet hat with your beard going on a Monday morning start to store.
- [52:55]
Mitch Muench
I'm fired up, man.
- [52:56]
Todd McShay
Storytelling with, with draft Santa. I love it. That's fascinating. That, that's amazing. Yes. Yes. Now I can't wait to watch this cat play. All right, now, now going up against Ole Miss in our hypothetical if we can ever get that Signetti vs. Kiffin matchup, which would be awesome. And all the attention has been on shambless. Right. And as I mentioned before, I already spoiler alerted it and I blew through the alert tape. Truth six, not five. Is that Keon Lacey? The running back is the untold story for Ole Miss. His value to that team has been and I believe has been great. And I believe it will be. He could be the difference if Ole Miss can run this thing, get in the playoff and make a run in the playoff and. But if he's not right and they can't keep him going, I don't know that they have enough balance as a team. Why do I say that? Okay, you look at, he's just a sophomore. He's 5 11, 210 pounds. He started out at Missouri. Okay. One year at Missouri before transferring to, to Ole Miss. He had just 23 carries as a reserve. Got to Missouri, probably saw Ahmad Hardy. It was like, I'm going to be a backup here for a couple years because Hardy's not eligible until 2027 draft. So Hardy's going to be back for another year. So he goes to Ole Miss. Great opportunity. If you're, if you're leaving because you're not winning a job or I don't know how exactly it Played out. This is a great opportunity, right? He goes here and he wins the job. 20, 25. So far this year, he has 189 carries, 863 yards, only 4.6. We're not talking about some of those magical college football rushing average numbers. Excuse me, but he's got 13 touchdowns, just an outlet in the passing game. He's got 21 catches, but he's only averaging like 5.7 a catch. Okay, only 121 yards. He had an undisclosed injury prior to the Arkansas game. He only rushed for 62 yards in that game. And that game was a scare, as you alluded to earlier. It's 41, 35, right? They had to throw the football and the defense didn't play up to, up to the level that they were hoping that it would. And then the only rush for 31 yards in the loss to Georgia. So two of their worst performances, I shouldn't say two of the performances where they just didn't feel like they were clicking as a team. They couldn't get Lacy going, right? And so it's a trend that you watch. He's been critical, though. He's gotten back healthy 100%. He's been critical in four tight games for the last five games for Ole Miss have been. Have been tight. And I'm even including this past week against South Carolina, it's lsu, Washington State, which was. I went back. There's only three or four point win, right? Oklahoma and South Carolina, the first three were one score games and South Carolina was for a while and then they pulled away all right. And Chambliss was struggling, so they needed the run game to offset that. Lacy carried the ball. You ready? In these, those four games, LSU, Washington State, Oklahoma, South Carolina carry the ball 23, 24, 27, 24 times respectively.
- [56:12]
Mitch Muench
They want to run the ball, man.
- [56:14]
Todd McShay
Kiffin wants. That's the, that's the thing. Once you try this. I've sat with Lane. Every time I bring up the run, the, the run game, delay Lane, he goes back to his dad. I grew up in this sport with a defensive coach. I know the importance. I know what it does to one.
- [56:30]
Mitch Muench
Of the greatest defensive coaches of all time, Monty Kiffin.
- [56:33]
Todd McShay
Monty Kiffin, like birth the COVID two.
- [56:37]
Mitch Muench
The Tampa two, all those great Tampa defenses that you think about with the Derek Monte.
- [56:42]
Todd McShay
So when he's a pup running around in the field playing catch and like the doing the ball boy stuff and all the things you think with the coach's son, he's doing it from the defensive Perspective and that. That helped develop his offensive brain. And he. And I'm sure sat in 3 million meetings and at the dinner table and everything else, like, got to stop the run.
- [57:02]
Mitch Muench
Absorbing stuff when he doesn't even know he's absorbing stuff.
- [57:05]
Todd McShay
Exactly, exactly. Osmosis. But.
- [57:09]
Mitch Muench
But I think that's how he revolted against his dad. He was like, yeah, I'm not going to be a defensive coach, dad. I'll be an offensive.
- [57:14]
Todd McShay
Yeah, I'm gonna go beat. I'm gonna go beat all your schemes. I love it.
- [57:17]
Mitch Muench
Right?
- [57:18]
Todd McShay
But in those four games where I talked about 23, 24, 27, 24 carries, he averaged 119 yards, providing balance. And here's the important part. It's not just the balance for the offense. When they can get him 20 plus carries, it becomes. Kewan Lacey becomes the best asset for an Ole Miss defense that is not up to snuff this year. They lost all those guys to the NFL a year ago. Lacey's become a member of that defense. I swear to you, by. By possessing the ball, grinding it out, letting the defense rest, he's become arguably the best asset that Ole Miss's defense has. All right, now let's talk about his traits. He runs a little bit high. He's not.
- [58:01]
Mitch Muench
He does.
- [58:01]
Todd McShay
He runs a little bit high. And he's not super, you know, but the more I watch this cat, the more I really started to appreciate him. He's got this thing, whether it's lateral or off of sticking his foot in the dirt and going. He. And I think he's like a 4, 4, 8 guy. He ran a 4, 4, 9, I think it was in high school, is what they reported. He can scoot.
- [58:25]
Mitch Muench
He's not slow, but he's got this.
- [58:28]
Todd McShay
Thing with the first two, three steps where you think you got him because he's patient. He's going. And then all of a sudden he'll do this lateral and go.
- [58:37]
Mitch Muench
He one of those guys that ruins pursuit angles, you think in a short area. Watch him on tape. Yeah, Guys watch him on tape and say, nah, nah. And. And then you get into game situations in live speed, and you're like, oh, he does have more juice than I thought.
- [58:56]
Todd McShay
We've always talked about, like, the. The longer we've been in the. The evaluation game, the more I've come to just realize, like, let's not overthink the running back position. How many yards do they create on their own? And it can be a combination of power, speed. It can be shiftiness, like how many Yards because at the end of the day, if you're not creating yards on your own in college, you're not going to be able to do it with the speed of defenses in the NFL. This guy right now is. I went and looked at it because I'm watching the tape and I'm like, he's grinding out 3, 4 yards at the end of run, he's making one cut, he's weaving in and out of traffic. He's got this unbelievable, Steve, unbelievable sense for not just cut back lanes in the zone, but also when he gets to that second level, there's not a lot of like, you know, like the mogul skier, there's a lot of weaving, but he feels that where the defenders are coming from. And so you never, you very rarely get like the clean first hit on him. It's a lot of guys with arms out and he's breaking through that and then he's weaving around. So there's some special traits to him that you don't see right off the bat. It's not like, oh well, he's a 4, 4 guy. He's a. And maybe he's probably like 447-448- but he's not like a 4 3, 9 guy. He's not the shiftiest, he's not the biggest, most powerful, but he's got this combination of vision, feel, instincts, contact, balance and first step burst. And you combine all those traits and he's 96 percentile in the nation in missed tackles forced. That's pretty wild.
- [60:34]
Mitch Muench
Just. Yeah, maybe not the best athlete or whatever, but he's the, he's a damn good running back. I love him.
- [60:39]
Todd McShay
I do too.
- [60:40]
Mitch Muench
I think Knox. Wasn't Knox talking about him on the pod? Yeah, Knox is on it.
- [60:45]
Todd McShay
Knox under the lights. It's a fast rising pod. Pod coming out of Oxford, Mississippi.
- [60:51]
Mitch Muench
Yep, I'm with you on it, man. You ready for tape truth number seven?
- [60:55]
Todd McShay
Always.
- [60:57]
Mitch Muench
Haynes King is going to have to be superhuman for Georgia Tech to get in the playoff if they don't improve their run defense. I mean it's just, I mean the proof is in the pudding, right? He had 511 total yards, two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns against a North Carolina state. That's team that's good but not great. And they lost by 12. And the reason they lost by 12 is because the backup running back for the Wolf pack ran for 196 yards and a touchdown. So what are some of the problems? I talked about this a little bit with ole misses defense. I'm Going to try to be clearer about it here because I think it's worth saying they do some slanting, they like to move their defensive line around. And I want to be clear about this. You're trying to get into gaps, you're trying to be disruptive when that's the case. And so you are moving laterally, you're crossing an offensive lineman's face often, but you can't. Once you get across, you have got to get vertical because if you don't get up field and hold your ground a little bit, good offensive lines, good running games, they're just going to take you where you want to go. Oh, you want to go, you want to go inside. I'm going to ride you right down the line of scrimmage because I've got a patient back behind me who's going to wait for all this to clear and then I'm going to go. That's some of the problem the Georgia Tech has then when their defensive linemen are getting vertical, vertical and getting into gaps, they're not finishing. So even though they're, they're doing the right thing fundamentally in terms of getting up field a little bit, they're not finishing. Then you have linebackers and safeties taking bad angles and overreacting. I mean, play eight of the North Carolina State is a great example. Just a massive cutback lane opens up because guys are just overreacting. And then I gotta give North Carolina State's offense a shout out for the 36 yard touchdown run that seal the game for Scott. Recognize that they had a man look. This is such a great run scheme. Run, run, call. Basically they recognize they have a man look and they use the outside receiver to block the safety. And what happens is the corner doesn't recognize run quick enough so he runs with the receiver. The receiver doesn't even have to hit anyone. He basically runs the corner into the safety and it is wide open on the left side for Scott to break out.
- [62:59]
Todd McShay
So they've got to do a better job.
- [63:00]
Mitch Muench
You know, some the tackling they got to clean up a little bit. I didn't wasn't overly concerned with the tackling. But these guys got to be do a better job of their gap fits, getting up field and finishing. When they get into the backfield, you know, if, if they don't, if they continue to give up numbers like this, it's King can do everything in the world again. 500 yards, four total touchdowns and they still lost that game to an unranked team. It's going to Be. It's going to be tough for Georgia Tech to get in the playoff if they don't clean it up. And they've been, by the way, they're. They're 16th out of 17 ACC teams and rushing yards allowed per game. It's been a problem all year.
- [63:36]
Todd McShay
Yeah, he is special though, man.
- [63:40]
Mitch Muench
He's awesome. I, I give you a hard time because it's like I, I feel like it's when my kid Tyler is telling me that Mahomes is as good as Brady and, or look, you know what it is? It's LeBron Jordan. That's what I hear from you.
- [63:52]
Todd McShay
You know what I mean?
- [63:52]
Mitch Muench
My kids always like all LeBron's better than Jordan. And you're like, when you say Tebow, I mean you gotta be careful. You gotta be careful.
- [64:02]
Todd McShay
I'm just saying if he's wearing a Gators jersey and if he's got Urban, if he's got Urban as his coach and he's got all those first rounders around him on both sides of the football, we would be talking about Haynes King in the same light as we talked about Tebow. Now obviously he had massive religious backing and had all the support and had all the. But like I'm, he's carrying a program and doing some of the things and the leadership and the toughness and the dual threat and all that stuff. And while lacking great passing skills in NFL level, you know, ability to throw the football with trajectory and timing and, and the delivery and all those things. But you can't tell me he's not one of the five best players in college football.
- [64:49]
Mitch Muench
I can't tell you that. I will not tell you that. I love him, man. I do love him. I give you. I try to push back a little.
- [64:55]
Todd McShay
Bit, throw out the NFL. I'm just like value in college football. I don't know that there's. What is, what's Georgia Tech? What is Georgia Tech with a. Not just an average. With a good but not great quarterback.
- [65:10]
Mitch Muench
Middle of the road.
- [65:11]
Todd McShay
ACC Team 500 Team 500. Middle of the road.
- [65:15]
Mitch Muench
I appreciate his game. I really, I love him. I love him. So I don't want to get that to get mixed up. I just, you know, Tebow's different.
- [65:22]
Todd McShay
Tebow is different. All right, tape truth number eight, Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech linebacker is the unsung hero in college football this year. And you probably, maybe you'll get to know him a little bit. Game day is descending on Lubbock, Texas this week and Texas Tech in the Big 12 are going to be put in the spotlight. Going up against byu and it's an awesome showdown. One loss, Texas Tech, undefeated byu. Like this, it's going to be an awesome scene. And everyone talks about David Bailey and Romello Height and the defensive line and they deserve all the credit. And Bailey's like, he's got like 11 or 12 sacks right now and he's every bit of money that the El Matador club, the Red Matador club, rolled out for this entire defensive line and they rolled out a lot of money. But Rodriguez has been such a difference maker, man. And we know like. And they've told the story. His wife Emma, who's a Blackhawk pilot. He's not even the tallest human being.
- [66:21]
Mitch Muench
No.
- [66:22]
Todd McShay
Under that roof. Nope. And they have an awesome relationship and she's always there in the first row and they're hugging like it's a great story. And I'm sure game day and everyone will cover it. What I want to cover before the people, even all the folks from espn get down to Lubbock this week. Week is what this young man has been doing. Number 10. Watch for him on defense. Defense this week against BYU. Texas Tech owns the top run defense in the country, Steve. The country.
- [66:51]
Mitch Muench
Yeah.
- [66:52]
Todd McShay
74.6 yards per game per game allowed on the ground. 2.4 yards per carry allowed on the ground. Better than Ohio State. Better than it was Indiana, you said earlier. Better than everybody else. Okay. Rodriguez has 77 tackles, eight and a half for loss. He's got a sack, he's got five pass breakups. And you want to know what separates him from a lot of damn good linebackers in the country? And there's a lot of damn. There's a lot of damn good. He's got two interceptions.
- [67:25]
Mitch Muench
I knew he had a pick in the Utah game, not that he had.
- [67:28]
Todd McShay
A pick in the Utah game. He had another pick this last weekend against Kansas State. Okay, so two interceptions this year. And I'll get to some of those things in a minute. And I want you to hear these names. This might be. This is going to go down as one of the better off the ball linebacker drafts in at least a decade because you've got Arvell Reese, who could be a top 10 pick, very likely to be. CJ Allen, who's 12 solo tackles this past week. Sonny Stiles on that same defense as recent has first round ability. Anthony Hill Jr from Texas. Jake Galde from your favorite Bear Gatsby Bearcats program in Cincinnati. Justin Jefferson's playing his ass off at Alabama. Aiden Fisher, you Talked about at Indiana and beyond. What separates this cat from all those guys? Seven forced fumbles.
- [68:19]
Mitch Muench
Oh, wow.
- [68:20]
Todd McShay
He's forced in a fumble turnover almost every single game just doing that.
- [68:25]
Mitch Muench
That's crazy.
- [68:26]
Todd McShay
Between the forced fumbles and the interceptions, he's taking the ball away at a clip that's greater than one per game. Think about all the work a defense does. 11 guys trying to find a way to get one or two takeaways. He's giving you one a game. I went and watched. Oh my gosh, man. And listen, he's 6:1, he's 235 and coming into the year like national blesto undrafted free agent. I get news for you. They're wrong.
- [68:51]
Mitch Muench
He's good. Yeah.
- [68:52]
Todd McShay
He's getting drafted. And I'm not saying it's going to be the first day, I'm not saying it's going to be the second day. He's going to be a day three pick and he's gonna latch on because he's instinctive. And yes, he does. He's not the fastest and yes, he's not the biggest. And I promise you I'll sit here and admit he gets washed sometimes and there's some times where he's got to kind of work around all those things FOR and listed 6, 1 2, 35. I don't even know if he's that big.
- [69:17]
Mitch Muench
Right, right.
- [69:18]
Todd McShay
But when you watch him, they're all the traits are average by NFL standards, but his read and react skills are exceptional and he has a feel for getting around and off of blocks. And he. We talked to Teddy Bruski about take that snapshot like a Polaroid right before you get into contact and his and get in quick and then get out. He makes so many tackles like that. Like. All right, he's the back's coming this way. Let's get into this guy's pads, jack him up and then go. He's bigger than me. So I can't get into the phone booth. We used to say back.
- [69:49]
Mitch Muench
Right.
- [69:50]
Todd McShay
I can't wind up in a tight.
- [69:51]
Mitch Muench
Alley, hallway, whatever it is, but I.
- [69:53]
Todd McShay
Can give him a little slash, a little jack and then get off of it and go make the tackle. So he does all that stuff really good in coverage.
- [70:00]
Mitch Muench
Like his eyes, distinctive.
- [70:02]
Todd McShay
Yeah. No false steps, takes the right angles. I see him like turning and running and carrying guys down the seams, doing all that stuff. But this thing he does, man, they call it a peanut punch.
- [70:15]
Mitch Muench
Yeah.
- [70:16]
Todd McShay
I call it like a one man jackhammer. And it happens so fast that your World is spinning. All of a sudden you're a hero. You got a nine yard carry, you're going for yak. I'm the, you know, the cheerleaders are cheering for me, the crowd's screaming for me. Here we go. And then he comes out of nowhere and he's a nightmare with this little. And he, like I'm telling you, 135, first quarter in this last. Against Utah. That peanut puncher. Yeah, little jackhammer. Right.
- [70:48]
Mitch Muench
Part of that game, man. Big point in that game.
- [70:50]
Todd McShay
Big point. And. And that's the other part. He's doing it. He's trying it and he's getting. And he's successful with it a lot. But he's. It just so happens the. These critical moments in games, it's what's happening. And Kansas State, this is, this is a fight, right? This, this past week. 618, second quarter, there's a drag route, wide receiver underneath, punches, punches it out. 13:53, Third quarter, second force fumble of the day. He's everywhere. He's a machine. He just comes in, pops it out. He's got this punch, man. He get like a welterweight fighter. Like, it's awesome to watch. So now, now BYU comes in and they're not going to do a bunch of crazy stuff offensively, but they are nothing without the run game because Bear Batchmeyer is, Is ascending. Is. He's a freshman, he knows where to go with his eyes. And we did a whole thing on him last week. But everything's built off of play action. If Rodriguez and this defensive front take care of the run game the way that they have all season long, Texas Tech, like should win this game. And I betcha Rodriguez will have one big play in it when they need a swing that turns the whole thing for the, for the Raiders.
- [72:08]
Mitch Muench
Yeah. Do people get the peanut punch reference? I got it right away. I don't wonder if that's from Charles Tillman. Right. The. From the Bears. That's, you know, Tillman. Yeah. Because he used to. He was outstanding at that. Yeah.
- [72:20]
Todd McShay
Yes, that's exactly.
- [72:21]
Mitch Muench
I, I love those punch outs, man. It's becoming more of a thing. The coat. The defensive coaches, I don't know what they're doing in the last five to ten years about coaching that up, but it is so cool to watch. And he's outstanding at a.
- [72:34]
Todd McShay
It's almost like a nail gun. Like you ever used a nail gun in your house from Home Depot. Home Depot will deliver one for you, by the way. And we appreciate their sponsorship. Sponsorship on the show, but like when you do a nail gun and you hit it against the thing, it's like it happened so fast. You didn't. You don't know. Did it get in there? Yep, it's in there that. It's almost like a nail gun.
- [72:54]
Mitch Muench
Like. Yeah, it's. It's awesome. By the way, 127 tackles last year, five sacks. He's been doing it for a while. He is. I was. I'm gonna be honest about this one. This was one of those ones where I was pissed. He took it. I was like, why haven't I done him yet? I love him.
- [73:09]
Todd McShay
Him.
- [73:10]
Mitch Muench
Love him. No, I know you got on it, understandably. So. You were talking about. I'm glad we got him some. Some love. And he's a big part of what they do, man. You can talk about that front as much as you want. He is the heart and soul of that defense. All right, tape truth number nine. Ready?
- [73:24]
Todd McShay
Yep.
- [73:25]
Mitch Muench
Dimension is always a downer. He's always a downer. Clemson, too. Tape truth number nine. The collapse of the Clemson defense has been one of the biggest disappointments of the 2025 season.
- [73:33]
Todd McShay
As you're wary of Peron's Italian gourmet from Greenville, South Carolina.
- [73:38]
Mitch Muench
I didn't think about it.
- [73:39]
Todd McShay
Better days ahead.
- [73:41]
Mitch Muench
Better days ahead.
- [73:41]
Todd McShay
Listen there. Everyone is in agreement. It is what it is and it's frustrating for them and they've gone to Clemson games and the Peron family and it's. It's frustrating. So I think everyone wants to know what you're seeing.
- [73:53]
Mitch Muench
So I'll say this. Since, you know, obviously since Brent Venables left before the 2022 season, things it has been. It hasn't been the same. 2023 was actually a pretty good year. The last two seasons, it's been a problem. You know, There were there 9th in total defense in 2024, 49th in points per game that year, 54th in total defense and 64th in points per game this year. That is not what we have come to love about Clemson. Also coming in the year, you got Peter woods, the defensive tackle. You got TJ Parker, the edge potential top 10 picks in this draft. And Avion Terrell. Avion Terrell the corner, could be a first round pick. You got Will Health, the transfer from Purdue look good. Early thought maybe we've got something here going through the tape. I'm not as worried about that front man. The. The pass rush could be better at times. I get it. They could be better against the run at times. That's not the problem. This secondary is an absolute mess and Avion Terrell is part of the problem. They're 103rd and passing yards allowed per game. And I'm watching. You know why, you know why they gave up so many points? Because Darian Menza, the Duke quarterback is one of the most efficient passers in the, in the country. And he walked into that stadium and saw that secondary was like, it's time to eat. He, he had, he was like, this is, I'm gonna have, it's going to be a good day for me. And it's everything, it's everything you think it could be. You know, it's, it's the, the corner Missouri, the nickelback Missouri Kelly. They have a hard time covering the middle of the field with their nickels and safeties across the board. First touchdown of the game. The nickelback Missouri Kelly just gets torched. The slot receiver runs right by him like he's standing still. Play 12 busted coverage for 77 yard touchdown. It's, it's, it's Avion Terrell's side of the field. He's pointing at the safety Ronan Hannifin as he's chasing down the field after this guy. You know, we're blaming guys which in.
- [75:48]
Todd McShay
Play, which is not a good sign of what's going on.
- [75:51]
Mitch Muench
Yeah. How about the end of the first.
- [75:52]
Todd McShay
Half, McShay tell me.
- [75:55]
Mitch Muench
Ashton Hampton dropped pick. Two plays later, Avion Terrell drop pick. What happens two plays later after that? Third a 43 yard touchdown pass to the slot receiver running right by Strong City, Khalil Barnes, another player who's supposed to be really good. I mean there's, I mean I just. You want me to go through the whole thing? I'm not going to do it.
- [76:16]
Todd McShay
No, no.
- [76:17]
Mitch Muench
The secondary is just not good enough this year.
- [76:19]
Todd McShay
But I, I, I'm curious, I'm, I'm curious. Those two guys, top 10 prospects coming in into the season and I've done a little bit of tape on them before. The top 32. I, I don't see the level of dominance from either that are expected, but the traits are there. What did you see from, from woods and Parker? Parker, T.J. parker and Peter Woods.
- [76:38]
Mitch Muench
One tape. Not top 10 tape, not top 10 tape. But also not the problem for the, for the Clemson defense this year. A Woods, I still want to see him turn it on as a pass rusher. All the traits are there. I haven't seen it.
- [76:50]
Todd McShay
Parker though.
- [76:52]
Mitch Muench
Yeah. Oh my God. He's talented and someone's gonna take him. I think he's A first round guy, don't get me wrong.
- [76:57]
Todd McShay
Oh, he definitely is. And those guys, a lot of times in the NFL continue to develop and become right absolute stars. And you look back almost like some.
- [77:05]
Mitch Muench
Left tackles, like in top 10 defensive tackles aren't. They're not the norm. If you're a top 10 defensive tackle, you're a dude. Like there's not a lot of Mason Grahams coming out every year. You know what I mean?
- [77:15]
Todd McShay
Yeah.
- [77:15]
Mitch Muench
The kid from Michigan who went to Cleveland last year and Parker, I still love his game because he's physical. A couple times it felt like he was running past the quarterback. I want to see you work back inside when you see the quarterback climb, you know, little things like that, but he's still a physical player who wins with power coming off the edge. You know, his numbers aren't going to wow you. I get that. And he's definitely fallen. He's definitely fallen. But I still, I still see a guy who's going to be a first round pick.
- [77:41]
Todd McShay
All right, we got to get this thing out of here. We got to land this, this, this plane. Tape truth 10 and we don't have to go on a long but I did feel like coming off of national tight ends week or day in the NFL that the college tight ends deserve a little bit of love because what's going on in the NFL is a direct byproduct of the development we've seen recently in college tight ends. And so I wanted to put a shine a little light on Eli Stowers from Vanderbilt and Michael Craig from Baylor who have been really good this year and they're not by themselves in that, you know, tight end department of guys who are, who are excelling in college football. But recently they've both stood out. I do want to say this mensch and as I've been watching a lot of NFL getting ready for the draft and just because I just love football. Do you know that six tight ends were drafted in the sick top 67 picks last year? You probably do know that. But it was a really good tight end crop last year.
- [78:41]
Mitch Muench
I feel like there's been an influx in the last few years of really talented tight ends.
- [78:45]
Todd McShay
And listen over the production that's been going on from said tight ends. The first, you know, the first three, first three and a few picks in the fourth round. Tyler Warren is number one. This is coming into this past weekend we saw Monday Night Football, but coming into this past weekend, prior to this, this week's games in the NFL, right. Tyler Warren is number one in receiving yards among all tight ends in the NFL.
- [79:09]
Mitch Muench
Yep.
- [79:10]
Todd McShay
Around A. Gadsden Jr. Who is a fifth round pick I want to say is Syracuse.
- [79:15]
Mitch Muench
Yep.
- [79:15]
Todd McShay
From Syracuse. 5th Harold Fannin, bowling Green. We all knew how awesome he was. He winds up as a. Was a slate second or early third, seventh.
- [79:26]
Mitch Muench
Tear up for the Browns. Yeah.
- [79:27]
Todd McShay
Three of the top seven leaders in receiving yards at the tight end position in the National Football League are all rookies for playing in college last year. Also in the top 32. And remember a lot of teams are playing two tight ends like so you're talking about 64 tight ends at least that are seen a lot of the field in the NFL. Also in the top 32 in receiving yards coming into last week. Mason Taylor, Gunner Helm, Elijah Arroyo. I'm watching Sunday night Football last night and Elijah Royals got 20 something yards touchdown reception. So that's kind of.
- [79:58]
Mitch Muench
I know you want to land this. Schneider nailed it again with this draft. Huh.
- [80:02]
Todd McShay
What I feel he's.
- [80:03]
Mitch Muench
He just kills it.
- [80:04]
Todd McShay
I remember jumping on the phone with Dan being like he's getting back to his roots. This like this. He, he's saying yep, you can take my quarterback. I'm going to go get another one who's younger and it's going to play at a higher level and I'm going to build this thing through the draft because that's my roots. That's what I do. And I've had enough with all this other bullshit. And look at what Seattle is right now. Pretty remarkable.
- [80:23]
Mitch Muench
I was talking about the draft but you're right about how he handled Darnold situation. It's unbelievable what he's doing. Most unassuming guy when you see him in person. And he's right. He's a killer.
- [80:35]
Todd McShay
He's the life of the party but he, but he's a trained assassin.
- [80:39]
Mitch Muench
It all right. He's awesome.
- [80:40]
Todd McShay
Eli Stowers, number nine for Vanderbilt. Former quarterback 64235. Adequate frame but lean. He's like. I think he's a mid round draft prospect. I think he could wind up maybe late on day two. But I'm just watching him. He's so damn smooth and smart and understands what the angles are and where the soft spots are in zone and he's so damn reliable. This guy catches, catches the football and he does it. Plucking on the run, getting up the field and he's got this weird thing man like, like Weebles wobble. He just doesn't go down. You got to like really. You got to bring him down even though he's only 235. He's got this great contact balance as a runner. He's got. He's combined for 115 catches since 2023. That was his first year of playing tight end. He was a quarterback as I mentioned. Right. He had a career high seven catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's loss at Texas. Pavia was awesome. Once they got it rolling and Stowers was awesome. It was a two man show offensively for Vanderbilt and I just wanted to shed some light on that.
- [81:49]
Mitch Muench
Evan Ingram.
- [81:50]
Todd McShay
Evan Ingram, similar type. I don't know that he's quite as explosive but similar type. Yeah, yeah, I don't think that's wrong. And this I'll get to the rankings in a second. And then Michael Trigg for Baylor. I watched Star wars tape first and really liked it. Like I told you all the positive then you put on trig it's like oh he's verified 6033. So he's he's six three and three eighths of an inch. He's verified 250 pounds. You just see it when you first put on the tape. He is put together well he's not the tallest. He is put together estimated 465 speed. Really good for a tight end. He's got 40 catches for 607. He's averaging 15.2 Steve at the tight end position with six touchdowns this year. He had another five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown this past week against on Saturday in in the win and mentioned mentioned while we're on the broadcast because I said stars there hasn't been a tight so there's been a tight end that's had that production all year in a single game like, like sours had against Texas matches like what about, what about trig Trigger gets Kansas right. Kansas State 1855 and that was just a few weeks ago. So while it was tight end day in the NFL just, just this past Sunday I did want to give a little bit of love but this guy Trig man and we knew it and I've been talking about him all season long. He, he's been, he's been in college ball so long that he was catching passes from Jackson Dart at USC. Well this is his year, his showcase year. 40 catches. 607 as I said 15.2 and 6. He's improving as a route runner. Has some sharpness. He's so sturdy catching the ball. Like when you watch him his two traits are 11 inch hands and then the ability to.
- [83:32]
Mitch Muench
Is that verified?
- [83:34]
Todd McShay
I don't know. Okay.
- [83:36]
Mitch Muench
Because that's not surprising if it's, it's, it's not surprising when you got him just massive swallow the ball with his hand.
- [83:42]
Todd McShay
I wrote in my notes it's almost uncomfortable. Like he's messing around with the kids on the playground at times when the balls. But he also adjusts to it. So it's not just oh yeah, I'm bigger, I get bigger hands and all that stuff. He's actually has the athletic ability. He's been awesome.
- [83:58]
Mitch Muench
All right.
- [83:59]
Todd McShay
I think he's, I think he's tight end too right now in the 2026 NFL. Kenyan Sadiq will be 1. I think Trig is 2. I really like Joe Royer from, from Cincinnati. I think he would maybe be three right now in the list and we'll dive deeper into it. But I just wanted to let people know like there's, there's another batch coming to the NFL after that. Max Claire is not. I mean when you've got Carnell Tate, Jeremiah Smith and Ennis and, and all the stuff that then Bo Jackson at running back, there's not a, there's only one football to be passed around. But Max did start to play a bigger role for a few weeks there.
- [84:31]
Mitch Muench
Max Claire, don't count him out, man.
- [84:33]
Todd McShay
Yeah, don't get Jack Andries at Texas is a good player and we, we saw everyone, everyone look past Gunner Helm and look he's in the top 32 in receiving yards for tight ends in the, in the NFL this year as a rookie in a fifth round draft pick. Jake Ferguson. These guys are Jake Fergusons. Go ahead, overlook me, draft me late. I'm going to tear you apart. NFL. Then I would put after Roy or Claire, Andre's at 6. I would probably put sours. Okay. Mid round pick I think. But then there's some other cats like Justin Jolly, NC State. Eli Rari from, from Notre Dame. This Miles Kitzelman from Tennessee. So there's a lot of guys in college football and I don't feel like we give them a lot of love because all the love is the quarterbacks and the wide receivers.
- [85:16]
Mitch Muench
Yeah, I'm with you man, all the way. First of all, I love tight ends anyways, but this, the influx of talent. When you see the guys who have been going in the league in the last like three, three to five years, whatever, the Trey McBrides, the Dalton Kincaid's, the Brock Bowers, I mean you're seeing an evolution of tight ends in the league.
- [85:33]
Todd McShay
No question about it. It's been and Brock Bowers was back yesterday for the Raiders. I don't know if you if you caught it.
- [85:38]
Mitch Muench
I didn't see it.
- [85:39]
Todd McShay
No, he letting it. He's reminding everyone I'm healthy now and there's only one best tight end in the NFL and it's. And it's me. And it's me.
- [85:48]
Mitch Muench
There's some good ones, man.
- [85:49]
Todd McShay
I don't know.
- [85:49]
Mitch Muench
Yeah, but he's awesome. He's awesome. He is a. He is a unicorn. He is different. So I guess that makes him the best tight end.
- [85:56]
Todd McShay
Give the give give the folks who who support the show give the Indiana safety name again so everyone remembers Lewis Moore. This show was a 4.9 men until you told that Lewis Moore story. And now it's 5 stars. Must be 21 plus and present in select states. For Kansas in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino or 18/ plus and present in D.C. kentucky or Wyoming. Gambling problem call 1-800- gambler or visit rg-help.com, call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org chatincenectic it or visit mdgamblinghelp.org In Maryland, Hope is here. Visit gamblinghelplinema.org or call 1-800-327-5050. For 24. 7 support in Massachusetts or call 1-877-8-HOPE NY or text hopeny in New York, Sam.