A CFP Title Game Preview With Todd Blackledge and Chris “The Bear” Fallica

Summary

The McShay Show | A CFP Title Game Preview With Todd Blackledge and Chris “The Bear” Fallica

Date: January 16, 2026
Host: Todd McShay & crew (Steve, Mench)
Guests: Todd Blackledge, Chris “The Bear” Fallica
Main Topic: In-depth preview of the College Football Playoff national championship game: Indiana vs. Miami

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Episode Overview

This episode of The McShay Show delivers a comprehensive preview of the upcoming College Football Playoff national championship between Indiana and Miami. Host Todd McShay and his co-hosts are joined by two of the sport’s most respected voices—game analyst Todd Blackledge and gambling expert Chris “The Bear” Fallica. The crew breaks down the key matchups, coaching strategies, storylines, and betting angles for the title game, painting a vivid picture of why Indiana and Miami are such compelling finalists.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Stage: Why This Title Game Is Special

• Indiana’s remarkable rise under head coach Curt Cignetti and the culture shift from his JMU imports was highlighted.
• Miami, returning to national relevance after a long journey back, features a revitalized program under Mario Cristobal.
• Both programs are lauded for their defensive prowess and physical style of play—a rare, classic championship matchup.

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X’s & O’s: Tactical Matchups That Will Decide the Game

1. Miami Offense vs. Indiana Defense

• Key players: Miami OC Shannon Dawson, QB Carson Beck vs. Indiana DC Brian Haynes
• Indiana’s defense “moves as one organism”—rarely out of position, excellent at limiting YAC, and highly disciplined.
• Miami’s offense thrives with Carson Beck’s patience and decision-making but must resist the urge for risky big plays:

  “Can Carson Beck stay patient when they take away the big play...and not revert to some of his bad habits?” – Mench (04:46)

• Indiana’s ability to disguise pressure and play sound zone coverage is a huge challenge for Miami.

2. Indiana Offense vs. Miami Defense

• Miami’s defensive line is more talented and physically imposing than most, featuring stars like Bain and Messador.
• Indiana's offensive line is coached by the revered Bob Bostad, crucial to their efficiency:

  “My man knows how to coach offensive linemen... They take good players and coach them to a level few in college reach.” – Steve (11:22)

• The game could be won in the trenches, with Miami looking to stop Indiana’s Heisman-winning QB Mendoza and power running.

3. Strength-on-Strength: Defensive Showdown

• Both defenses are elite. The consensus: Indiana’s defense might even outshine Miami’s.

  “As good as Miami’s defense is...I just think Indiana is on a slightly higher level.” – Mench (13:41)

• Zone vs. man schemes, simulated pressures (especially by Indiana), and discipline will determine the pace and style.

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Coaching & Culture: The “Secret Sauce” Behind Indiana’s Success

• Curt Cignetti’s impact goes beyond tactics; it’s a cultural overhaul
• Blackledge details how Cignetti brought staff and players who set high expectations and focused on small details:

  “They just don’t do things that so many teams do to get themselves beat. They do all the little things in situational football.” – Todd Blackledge (18:12)

• Fast, penalty-averse, turnover-conscious—Indiana doesn’t make mistakes.
• The continuity of Cignetti’s staff (same coordinators for 15 years across three programs) is a differentiator.

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Quarterback Play: Mendoza (Indiana) vs. Beck (Miami)

• Fernando Mendoza (Indiana): Praised for intelligence, fast processing, preparation, and off-script playmaking.

  “He makes things look easy right now. But that’s attributed to his preparation, ability to process, knowing where he wants to go.” – Todd Blackledge (20:53)

• Carson Beck (Miami): Entering on a hot streak, experienced, increasingly trusted not to commit costly errors.

  “I’m seeing a different Beck than I saw at Georgia...more fun, more energy, playing a little more loose.” – Steve (37:28)

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Keys to Victory & What to Watch For

• Win the trenches: Both teams must establish and defend the run to control tempo.
• Don’t beat yourself: Indiana’s discipline is legendary; Miami must avoid turnovers and penalties.
• Coaching chess match: Both sides will be adjusting and adding wrinkles. Miami DC Heatherman’s prior relationship with Cignetti is noteworthy.
• Skill matchups: Indiana’s DB Ponds vs. Miami’s Malachi Tony (superstar WR), and Miami’s ability to limit Mendoza’s comfort.
• Start of the game: Early momentum and response to adversity could dictate the play-calling and outcome.

  “I think the start of this game will give us a good indication of what we’re going to get.” – Mench (40:45)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[Indiana’s defense] is 11 players, but they move as one organism...It is fascinating to watch on tape.” – Mench (06:15)
• “They [Indiana] don’t have the five stars, the four stars...but you have to appreciate and applaud coaching.” – Todd Blackledge (31:10)
• “This is going to be a fascinating watch.” – Steve (13:18)
• “They have to be aggressive, but in being aggressive, can’t afford critical mistakes.” – Todd Blackledge (41:43)
• “Malachi Tony...might be the most popular athlete in South Florida, outside of Messi.” – Chris Felica (56:36)
• “If Miami wins, you’re probably going to see a couple of stories about the losses sportsbooks took on Miami futures.” – Chris Felica (70:15)

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Betting Angles & Predictions

Spread & Prop Bets

• Opening spread moved from Miami +5.5 to +8.5—consensus among the crew is that this line undervalues Miami.

  “That spread’s way too big to me. I think it’s going to be a much closer game.” – Mench (59:12)

• Prop pick: Over 104.5 Miami rushing yards; especially relevant given Bear’s read on Miami’s game plan (60:12, 73:13).

“Bear’s” Betting Philosophy & History

• Loaded up on Miami futures at long odds.
• Suggests a possible parlay play: Miami +8.5 & over on rushing yards.
• Cautions not to get greedy; play props and spreads individually (74:04).

Game Prediction

• Blackledge: Indiana edges Miami in a close one—“I think it’s a magical season for them, and I think they’re going to find a way to get one more.” (40:25)
• Consensus: Game should be tight, decided in the trenches, with turnovers and discipline as wildcards.

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Segment Timestamps

• 04:46 - Key tactical discussion: Miami offense vs. Indiana defense
• 11:22 - The Bob Bostad effect on Indiana’s offensive line
• 17:27 - Todd Blackledge joins; breaks down Indiana’s transformation under Cignetti
• 20:53 - Detailed analysis of Mendoza’s evolution and impact
• 26:42 - Trench warfare: Where the game will be won
• 29:03 - Indiana’s defensive plan for Malachi Tony
• 41:43 - The fine line Miami must walk: Aggression without mistakes
• 47:21 - Chris Felica (“The Bear”) joins for a gambling, Miami history, and fan perspective
• 52:32 - Bear & crew debate spread movement and reasons Miami is undervalued
• 60:12; 73:13 - Best bet/prop: Miami rushing total over (104.5-107.5 yds)
• 66:45 - Intersection of soccer & college football among the crew

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Episode Highlights & Tone

• Plenty of good-natured ribbing, deep coaching admiration, and insights into both team cultures.
• The show balances technical schematic talk with fan and betting perspectives—fun, respectful, enthusiastic, and loaded with expertise.
• Blackledge is analytical and measured; Fallica is animated and betting-savvy; the hosts keep the energy lively and accessible.

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Final Takeaways

• This game is a true clash of elite defenses, rugged offensive lines, and two very different program stories.
• Indiana’s discipline, staff continuity, and unique defensive style give them an edge.
• Miami’s talent, recent form, and motivational edge cannot be overlooked—especially given the betting market underrating them.
• The result could hinge on early momentum, turnovers, and which line asserts itself.
• Both guests and hosts are expecting a tightly contested, physical, classic title game—well worth tuning in for.

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Transcript

[Chris Felica]

Foreign.

[Steve]

The College Football playoff national championship is finally here, just a few days away. Monday, the big game, Indiana versus Miami. And boy, do we have a show for you today. You don't want to miss it. And guess what, men? It's only 92nd days till the NFL draft. Men, you good?

[Mench]

I'm good, man.

[Steve]

Roll that beat, Tuck. I, I thought about it, right? I was like, it's a national championship game. Last year, I think before the national championship, we had, we had Kirk, Herb street come join us. He's a busy man. Not saying that we chose one over the other, but I was like, who? There are very few guys that you put on on the Mount Rushmore of college football when it comes to game analysts. The McShay show is presented by FanDuel. FanDuel's got it all. Same game parlays, quick bets for jumping in live in your way so you can build the bet that fits your play. Plus, don't miss out on all the action during the rest of the college football playoffs. Download the FanDuel app or. Or head to FanDuel.com McShay to get started, must be 21 and older in present in select states or 18 and older 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 chat in Connecticut on my Mount Rushmore, including Herb Street. I'm not going to give the four because this would create a real controversial.

[Mench]

Yeah.

[Steve]

What are we doing here? Yep. I'm just saying. Another, another face that would be up there would be Todd Blackliches. Right. And so Todd's going to join us today. And I was thrilled when he, when he said yes and agreed to it. He's going to join us. We're going to break things. He had Indiana live. He's watched a lot of their tape. Obviously, he's been following. He follows all things college football and has watched a lot of Miami as well. So very interested to get to that. And then we couldn't have a my. You got to understand, I traveled for like a decade with the Bear. Chris Felica going to get college game day. When I was doing college game day radio and he wasn't even on tv, we would sit in the back of that bus and watch games and he would and moan and moan and bitch about Miami as he should have. As he should have. He had every right because back in the day, it was Sean Taylor and.

[Mench]

And.

[Steve]

And will Fork and I mean the names go on and on for Eder and James Winslow. Yeah, all of them. And then there was this. Until the U is back. So. So Miami's in a national championship game. I couldn't have a national championship preview game without my good friend the Bear. And your guy you've. You've come to know as well. And so and not only do I want to bring him on and just talk about the game in Miami and what it means and kind of the where. Where it's all come full circle but oh by the way, he's one of the preeminent voices in gambling and so how can we win some money on this thing too? And FanDuel, we're coming after you. You put, you keep the lights on here. You pay a lot of our bills. We know it. But we're coming after your ass. Okay. So fired up.

[Mench]

Keep poking the bear.

[Steve]

They love it. They do love it because I keep coming after him. They keep winning. Not always. Okay, but I want to get your take before because we've done a lot of tape on this and obviously for the quarterbacks and we had a break in emergency show on Wednesday with the the decision part two if you will Sports center reveal of where if Dante Moore is going to take his talent somewhere he's just going back to Oregon which is wonderful and we covered all of that and if you haven't watched it, go back and watch the show. It's about a half hour show. We get into a lot of detail mentioned. I wind up in a fight at the end about Ty Simpson.

[Mench]

He just really needles me about. Yep.

[Chris Felica]

Uhhuh.

[Steve]

Yeah.

[Chris Felica]

Just.

[Mench]

Just me.

[Steve]

But in case we don't get to it as we bring on Todd and then we'll bring on the Bear after. What's one thing is you've watched a lot of tape this week and I know you've been texting me. I could do a three hour show and all that. So condense it and give me a, give me a few minutes on what is most intriguing. What stood out on tape to you? What are the. What are the folks who watch this show and expect different level analysis from us? What can you share with them as they get ready to watch this game on Monday night too?

[Mench]

There are so many angles. I mean there's so many angles and the people that support me. I have to say this really quickly. The offensive lines are going to play a big role in this game. But what really stands out to me is Miami offense coordinator Shannon Dawson and Miami quarterback Carson Beck. Going up against Indiana defense coordinator Brian Haynes and that game of cat and mouse, what's going to happen there? And I will say I'll start from Indiana side. Brian Haynes does a great job of masking where pressure is coming from. He doesn't often bring more than four, but you don't know who the three or four are going to be. He will drop eight at times. They're at their best when they're. They're back seven or back eight are dropping into zone coverage and they can read the quarterback and drive on the ball. They are very dangerous in terms of how they can play the ball. They're excellent at limiting production after the catch. On the flip side, can Carson Beck stay patient when they take away the big play, which they can do, can he stay patient, take what's available underneath, throw the ball away when it's not there, live to fight another day and not revert to some of his bad habits as he had a time at times, Will Shannon Dawson stay committed to the run if Indiana is able to slow it down early and really help his quarterback with the play action package and what that'll set up for him? So that game, the, the game between those two people on from Miami and from, you know, the offense creditor and quarterback from Miami versus the defense coordinator for Indiana is going to be, I think, critical to the outcome of this game. And one thing I will say about what I love about Indiana's defense, and there's no other way for me to say this, it's 11 players, but they move as one organism. They are, when you watch them in coverage and Todd talks about how safeties are tied together, there are 11 players, or I guess you could say the seven or eight who are dropping who are tied together. It is fascinating to watch on tape. They are rarely caught out of position. They force quarterbacks to be on time and accurate. And this is very important, confident. You cannot hesitate. You have got to pull the trigger. Carson Beck has created an outstanding opportunity for himself with the way he's played in this run that Miami's had. And it'll be interesting to see if he can continue that and take advantage of another opportunity to impress NFL teams. But it's going to be a challenge.

[Steve]

Yeah, it is. It is. And I don't want to see the cute stuff, but I do want to see aggressiveness early.

[Mench]

Yeah.

[Steve]

I'll go the other side of the ball. What's fascinating to me is that Miami has better people. They have better people up front. They have better skill, talent wise. I Don't necessarily think on the outside, to be honest with you, especially with the. I really don't. I like their corners. I think Xavier Lucas, number six, has really progressed. He's a sophomore. He's a transfer from. From Wisconsin. I'll get to Wisconsin in a second. But. But still he's the better of the two corners, in my opinion. I don't think the grades even, you know, like, pff. I think the. The other cornerback, Ethan o' Connor is grades out slightly higher, but I. Other than that. And I do want to see Surat going up against Ethan O' Connor in that lean frame at 172 pounds. A lot of matchups, but when you look at the front seven, you look at the safeties. I mean they're. They're people. Their personnel is really skilled and we know about Bain and Messador up front and we know about this defensive tackle position. By the way, an update. Crystal ball. Mario Cristobal, the head coach obviously at Miami said that Moton, the defensive tackle is. Was going full throttle in practice the other day, which is huge because I watched the tape against Ole Miss and you could tell when Moton was out and he can take up space and he's big and physical up front. They kind of rotated three guys, 11, David Blay and then sophomores Armando Blunt, who by the way, I don't know if you watch that tape, he's gonna be a really good one. It's just he's tall, long arm. He had a couple pressures and hurries, but. But he'll get pushed around the run game a little bit because he does. He plays a little high, he's inexperienced. And then the other guy is. Is kind of the opposite. Not much of a pass rusher. Justin Scott, number five, but is kind of thick and strong versus so with Moton back, it's going to help them. And I think the critical part in this game is make men knows is the Heisman Trophy winner, presumed number one overall pick. He's. He's Mr. Everything, right? He's absolute machine. The accuracy, the decisiveness, the touch, all of it. But I still want him to prove it in this game, you know. And so it's going to be critical for Indiana to be able to run the football and for Miami to be able to stop the run. And that to me is the whole key in this game. And Miami's defensive like Bain is awesome versus the run. Macedor is active, but he's going to. There's going to be a couple times, I promise you, Mark my words. Every tape I watch of Macedor, as good as a pass rusher as he is and as fast as his eyes are in the backfield and he'll peel off of what his responsibility is and he'll go make a tackle someplace that the defensive end normally doesn't make a tackle. And this positionless defense that Miami plays. And I love Corey Heatherman. Heatherman has experience against Signetti. Heatherman kind of knows the system better than anyone who's played Indiana this year.

[Mench]

So many storylines.

[Steve]

Yep, so many. But the positionless part sometimes can get Miami into a little bit of trouble. All that said, I truly think this game is going to come down to which team runs the football better. And it's boring analysis. But the I think the untold story in all of this is a name. A man named Bob Bostad.

[Mench]

You might not be wrong.

[Steve]

Yep, Bob Bostad is the offense. I'm speaking your language. I'm handing you caviar and sushi sushi right now, sweetheart. Bob Bostad. Let me tell you a little bit about this guy. He's coached in the NFL, coached real small school, college, bounced around a little bit. But his key stops in college outside of Indiana would be Wisconsin. 28 to 2011 he was, he was basically 28 to 2012 he was there. It was a little bit tight ends but it was offensive line run game coordinator. All that while he was there. Joe Tippman, right. Second round 2023 draft. Tyler beach, signed as a free agent. Also was the O line coach. Specifically 2008-2000, 2011 Gabe Karimi, Outland Trophy winner in 2010. Kevin Zeitler, Travis Frederick. Those are some of the names eight of his pupils went on to earn first team all American. Frederick became the NFL's highest paid center in 2016 while Zeitler was the had the largest contract by a guard in NFL history. And all by the way, he had Rick Wagner came the highest paid right tackle in NFL history. My man knows how to coach offensive linemen. So when you ask why is it this, this team is so good, One of the big reasons is they take some good players along the offensive front and they coach them to a level that very few in college are coaching them to. That to me is going to be a big thing.

[Mench]

Huge.

[Steve]

I mean the nose is a superstar. He's great. He's get Surat, he's got Cooper Jr. He's got, he's got. Charlie Becker has been a sensation. But this team doesn't run well if the run game isn't Setting all of this up. He doesn't throw 30, 35 times a game. So it's this physical, tough, nasty, positionless defense. In your face, by the way, Miami, because, you know, I'm a huge Heatherman guy, too. Yeah, they probably rally to the football better than any other defense I've watched the entire year, whether it's the white jerseys, the green jersey, like, you see those colored, that color jersey around the ball as much as any other or more than any other program in the country. So this is going to be a fascinating watch.

[Mench]

Man, listen, I said it. I said it. I forget who we were interviewing. I asked him about. I think it was Joel Clatt. I said, who. Which defense would you take in the playoff? And he said, ohio State.

[Todd Blacklidge]

No question.

[Mench]

I said, you got to think about Indiana. You got to think about Indiana. I think India, as good as Miami's defense is, this is what's so great about this matchup. I'm watching this tape. And you think that Miami's limped into the playoff, right? They're playing better.

[Todd Blacklidge]

They.

[Mench]

They've earned their right to the championship, whatever. How they got in, it doesn't matter now. They are playing as well as any other team in the country, and that defense is outrageously good. I just think Indiana is on a slightly higher level and I think they rally the ball just as well.

[Steve]

It's.

[Mench]

It's fascinating to me because they're both awesome. They're both really, really freaking good. But, yeah, it's, it's.

[Steve]

Yeah, I know you're all worked up, but guess what?

[Mench]

I'm excited about this.

[Steve]

We're just starting what promises to be a marathon show because Blacklidge, Blacklidge is going to get his two cents in. And he. He, of. Of all of us, probably is the most concise. And you know, and then we got, we got the bear, we got Felika coming on, and we got a lot to cover with him. So sit back and enjoy it. And I get news for you, too, is my only programming note because everyone's always yelling at me. Stop fast forward to eight minutes in and you can finally start talking. Well, we didn't hear. And we're. And I'll be better about it moving forward, so I apologize. But my only programming note is Monday night national championship game. We're breaking in at least five minutes in. Follow us on on x @mcshay13. He's at you good mensch. M U E N C H. We'll let you know exactly when we're gonna. Come on. We'll maybe it's 10 minutes left, maybe it's seven, maybe it's five, but at least the last five minutes of the national championship game. Come join us on YouTube at the McShay show page and we should have a fun night. We'll recap it once the game's over as well. So without further ado, you know how when we bring guests on and this is the first time he's on and when you watch he's going to be a little pissed. You watch Black, which is one of my great friends in the business and I honestly, I've said Mount Rushmore like he is, he's he find me someone better at doing what he does. But he's honestly, he's just as good a person. And when you go through things in life like I did with some, you know, medical and personal stuff and all that, my man was there the whole time and like really had my back and really checked in like the real stuff. So I appreciate him just as much as a human being as I do a football analyst that, that everyone in the country has come to well know. So without further ado, let's bring on Todd. The McShay show is brought to you by FanDuel. The division round is where the NFL's best take center stage. And with everything on the line, FanDuel is turning on playoff mode because all customers get a profit boost pack every NFL playoff game day waiting for you in the app. More boosts mean more ways to level up your playoff bets. FanDuel makes it fast, easy and fun to get in on the playoff action. And when your bet win, you'll get paid instantly. So visit FanDuel.com McShay that's FanDuel.com McShray and grab your profit boost pack every NFL playoff game day must be 21 and older in present select states or 18 and older in 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 [e-mail] gambling problem. Call 1-800-gambler or visit rg d help.com call 1-888-78-97777 or visit ccpg.org chat in Connecticut. And there he is. I gave him a very nice introduction. I know he's a humble man, so I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna make him blush here but, but a good friend of mine and one of the the best to do it in terms of college football analysts and just pleased to have him with us today. Todd, how you doing, bud?

[Todd Blacklidge]

I'm doing great, man. Excited to be with you guys here. Got one week left, right? I mean, it all comes down to, to one game. This whole season flies by every year. Right. But this, this should be fun.

[Steve]

So talk to me. Like, I, I love what I read on social media and different people, like, are we going to find out there was some kind of, you know, scandal like sign stealing or, or how is it that Signetti has come in, in, in your opinion, what you've seen. I know you covered them in a game this year and you've watched him a lot on tape. What makes it so different what Signetti is doing with, what was it, eight, four and five stars compared to all these other programs? And they were in the, the final four, if you will, with like 40, 45, 55 of those guys that were elite college recruits.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah, well, you know, I don't know if there's a secret sauce. I mean, I don't know what that secret sauce is. I know that he is a guy who, from day one when he came to Bloomington, was very sure of himself, very confident in his process and his approach. And, you know, he brought most of his staff, the integral parts of his staff. He brought 13 really good football players with him from JMU that immediately began to set the culture in the locker room in the winter, work and everything at a place where they just hadn't expected to do anything positive. Right. So, you know, he got a hold of them and got their attention right away. He was able to put his plan and his process into place. And then when you watch him on tape or see him live, I mean, they just don't, they don't do things that so many teams do to get themselves beat. You know, they do all the little things in situational football. They're really good. You hear people say, oh, they're really well coached. I've heard so many people talk about they're a really well coached team, which is true. But how does that show up? They don't get penalized, they don't turn the ball over. They're good on third down, they're good on third down. Defense, you know, all the little things that go into winning, they don't do things to beat themselves. And it. But it's still, in the midst of all that, it's still remarkable what he's done.

[Steve]

Yeah. Even like I remember, I remember last year, right?

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah.

[Steve]

Trying to figure out, like, is this Indiana team really Any good or is it the schedule? Yeah. And then watching the tape on both sides of the ball being like, oh, this is, this is like a coach's dream.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah.

[Steve]

It's like, you know, it's all the old, like the hat on a hat. It's the right angles, it's gap discipline. They just, if for all the reasons I think you're alluding to here, you're stating they just seem to do every little thing right, and so there's like nothing left. There's no stone unturned.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah.

[Steve]

And then you've got this Miami team that is, is super talented, a bunch of NFL guys, but if you're to poke one hole in what they do, it's. It's kind of, you know, untimely penalties, turnovers, some mistakes. So it's going to be an interesting matchup. The other story, obviously is, is Fernando Mendoza. We had the decision made by Dante Moore to go back to school, which I thought was a really smart decision.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Very smart. Yeah.

[Steve]

Right. So now it's kind of Mendoza as the, as the quarterback in the 2026 draft. What have you seen from him and what have you seen from his development that maybe the average person doesn't see just watching these playoff games?

[Todd Blacklidge]

Well, first of all, obviously, he is an incredibly smart, bright guy who is, you know, an uber preparation guy. I think he's a very fast processor guy. You know, I think that, you know, it was a perfect storm for him going this year because, you know, Indiana is better this year than they were a year ago. They made the playoffs last year, but they're better this year because they're better in the offensive line. They're better at running the football. You know, the, the addition or the emergence of Cooper, you know, really coming up, they, they've just, they're better, you know, so. And then, you know, I think Chandler Whitmer coaching quarterbacks coming from the NFL has been great for Fernando Mendoza. So I just think his development has off the charts and he's gotten better and better. I think I heard you say last week after the last game that he makes things look easy right now. And he does, you know, but I think that's attributed to his preparation, to his ability to process knowing where he wants to go with the football and, and getting rid of it. And he's extremely accurate. I mean, I haven't seen a guy in college consistently throw back shoulder throws as well as Fernando Mendoza. I mean, he, he just lets it rip and his guys know where the ball is going to, going to Be and, and he fits the ball into some really tight spots.

[Steve]

Yeah, I thought it was interesting they. A report came out that, that, that Surat his, his lead receiver.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah.

[Steve]

Sent him some tapes of Devonte Adams and Aaron Rodgers in the past and the back shoulder fade like before the season or early in the season. And it's something they've worked on. I'm also interested too. Like just watching their tape, they do a lot of two by two, right. You know, two receivers to the right, two to the left and work the combos, the combinations. Yeah, I'm interested. You know, it's not, that's, that's the thing. It's not that like unique or different or groundbreaking.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Right.

[Steve]

But the reads are very, are. I don't want to say simple but you know your read so you can be decisive with the ball. I also find it interesting that you got a Corey Heatherman who's, who's worked with Signetti and kind of knows what to expect. What do you think if you're Miami, what is, what are you trying to do to kind of. And I know it starts with the run, but what are you trying to do to kind of get Mendoza out of this comfort level that he's seemingly been in for two months now?

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah, well, you know, you're right. And this is where college football is still different than pro football. Even though it's starting to look more and more similar. It still starts with trying to stop the run in college football. You know, in pro football it's more defend the run but then really focus on taking the ball away, limiting explosive plays and affecting the quarterback. Now all that's important in this game coming up. But both teams want to run the football and then everything else kind of flows over that. So look, I looked at the numbers and I think Carson Beck over in this seven game winning streak is playing lights out football too. Right. Doing everything that he can do to be a championship quarterback. But the difference is. Listen, listen to this. 12 out of the 15 games that Miami has played this year, Carson beck has had 25 or more pass attempts in the game. Fernando Mendoza, 10 of his 15 games this year it's been under 25 attempts. You know, they're two wins in the playoffs. I mean he threw in count no Ohio State game. You know, I mean it was like 20. I think he's averaging 19 attempts a game, you know, with Ohio State and the two playoff games. So he's in a comfort zone because they're able to do exactly what they want to do do which is run the football first. They got RPOs off of, they got play action. And then even when you have things covered, the thing that I think both these guys do but maybe Mendoza has been even more effective is he'll make plays with his legs when, when things break down, he's going to make a key run, a big run on third down, a big run in the red zone. So. But you have to try to make him uncomfortable. And you know, I only had them in one game, that was the Illinois game. And they just did whatever they wanted against Illinois. We went into that game thinking this was going to be a close game, a hard fought Big Ten game. And it was so one sided, right? But I studied the Penn State Indiana game because I had Penn State Nebraska the following week or two weeks later. And Penn State did a great job of first of all, you know, taking the runaway and doing a great job stopping the run and then creating pressure on Mendoza. And for all up until the last quarter and really the last drive they had him kind of out of that comfort zone. They were making him leave the pocket. He's not quite as good throwing the ball on the move as he is when he can throw it on time. He hits that back foot. And Penn State did a great job until that last drive, right. And they sacked him on the first play of that drive. But then they, they couldn't stop him after that. So. But, but you have to do that. You have to start by trying to stop their run, make them throw more than they want to, and then affect him with pressure. And Miami has the team defensively that, you know, at least has the formula to be able to do that and the personnel to try to do that.

[Mench]

Yeah, I'm, I'm fascinated by this matchup and I think there's just so many ways you could approach it. Talk about our coordinators, to players, to schemes, all of those things. But really when I was going into this, I was thinking about what I was going to ask. You really want to know is. What I want to know is, is there something that you're excited about seeing that you think is going to be a difference in this game that maybe not a lot of people are talking about? Obviously Mendoza and Beck are going to get a lot of attention. Maybe it's the backs, maybe it's the offensive lines. Is there something that, something else that jumps out to you?

[Todd Blacklidge]

You know, I don't know that there's anything else specifically that jumps. I do, I agree with you. I think it's going to be a Fascinating matchup. I think the game's going to be won or lost in the trenches, you know, I mean, and you hear that. But in a championship battle, both these teams pride themselves on their physicality, on their ability to run the football, their ability to win at the line of scrimmage. Defensively, they do it a little different. You know, Indiana is not like a heavy, heavy blitz team, but they're a heavy, simulated pressure team. So they get to the quarterback and they affect the quarterback without wholesale blitz. They're not a heavy man coverage team. They're more zone, but they create tons of pressure. In fact, I think in their two playoff games, I saw this on Pro Football Focus, they, according to PFF, 40% of the drop backs, they were pressuring the quarterback against Alabama and Oregon. And they don't do it by committing a lot of extra bodies. Right. They don't expose themselves by creating pressure. Miami, they have the ability, with their talent up front, particularly on the edges, to create pressure with four men rush. And when you do that, that enables you to do a lot of creative things, coverage wise, you know, that can. That can kind of COVID up guys. So I think it's just going to be fascinating to see which team at the line of scrimmage, you know, can control and can kind of impose their will on the other team. You know, Miami in the last couple games has played really good in the fourth quarter. Carson Beck has played really well. They've run the ball, you know, late in the game when you need to, when the game's on the line. So it still comes down to what happens in the trenches. But I will say this. You know, unless Indiana goes way off script from what they've done all year, Miami can't help Indiana in this game because Indiana is not going to beat themselves. Now, Miami has the talent to beat them, but they can't turn the ball over, you know, they can't have foolish penalties. They can't do things that, you know, that would allow Indiana to capitalize on it because they're too good and they're too opportunistic and they don't beat themselves.

[Mench]

Yeah, Malachi, Tony has obviously been special this year. Yeah, what kind of. I think Indiana's defense is different. As much as good as he's been every step along the way, I think this is a new challenge for him and I think he's going to have to be special. And in terms of looking at that Indiana defense, what kind of, you know, are they going to be able to slow him down? Do you think?

[Todd Blacklidge]

Well, I think their approach is going to be, no, look, they have an outstanding cover corner in d' Angelo Ponds, but I don't think they're going to say, okay, we're going to, we're going to put him on Malachi, Tony, the whole game, because that goes against who they are, you know, and their M.O. defensively, I think we'll see that match up some, but I think the biggest emphasis will be limit the yards after the catch. Okay. If he catches the ball, be a great tackling team, rally to the football and limit what he does after he catches the football. You know, and the same thing with dealing with, with Mark Fletcher. I mean, he's been outstanding, too. Right. Limit the yards after contact. You know, with those two guys, you're going to get the ball a lot. We're going to see them get fed the ball. We have to find a way to limit their effectiveness when they have the ball in their hands.

[Steve]

I mean, these, these are two programs with two coaching staffs that, like, this could be a fast game.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah, yeah.

[Steve]

Like, I honestly both like Miami, obviously, with crystal ball and his belief in the trenches and, you know, is background in the offensive line. Like, they want to come out, especially with Nick Saban. I don't know if you caught the, the, the back and forth between Chris, you know, which was classic. I thought it was great stuff.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah.

[Steve]

But like, basically, yeah, you're talented. Congratulations, you're here. But you can't, like, you can't play. Like, you did, make these mental errors and think you're going to beat Indiana. But I envision a game where they were. Miami's bigger and stronger.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah.

[Steve]

And they, they want to show that and they're going to want to. But Indiana can't, like, they believe deeply in, you know, setting up the pass with the play action off of the run and that they, they believe and they've proven that. They're as physical as any team out there.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah.

[Steve]

So it'll be interesting to see what wrinkles, which staff, you know, deviates or when they press the buttons to try to do something big in this game.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah. You know, when you, when you look at Indiana on defense, you look at them and you say, we, we should be able to run the football.

[Steve]

We're big.

[Todd Blacklidge]

We're bigger up front. They're not particularly big up front, but they're just, you know, they're so well connected and they do a lot of movement, a lot of stunts, a lot of twists, the simulated pressures and passing situations, but they do a really good job against the run with quickness, you know, with moving in unison and then really great tackling team, you know, and, and Aiden Fisher, you know, is one of those fun guys to watch, right? The middle linebacker. He's a, he just runs and hits and he's the, he's the brains of the operation, the key leader, the communicator with that defense. But here's another thing, guys, that I think, and I think they made the point in the game in the win against Oregon. I know I talked to Sean McDonough about this. You know, we had a conversation before the game and you know, so much is made about, well, they don't have the five stars, they don't have the four stars like some of these other teams they've played and they've beaten. And I think it makes you appreciate and kind of applaud coaching a little bit. And what I mean by that is, you know, look at that game against Oregon. And I think those, I love their coaching staff. Dan Lanning's awesome. Love him, right?

[Mench]

Yep.

[Todd Blacklidge]

You know, Will Stein, great tosh, love him. But both of those guys were trying to do two jobs getting ready for that game. You know, they're trying to manage another program. They're not sleeping, you know, they got stuff going all different directions. Right. Meanwhile, Signetti's had the same coordinators for like 15 years at three different stops. They're so well oiled and so on the same page in terms of how they prepare, you know, how they get a team ready, how they do walkthroughs, how to do everything, and there is no effect on their focus at all. And that's what, that's what shows up, you know, their continuity as a staff and then just what they look like from an execution standpoint, it kind of makes sense, you know, and how important that has been now, how long he keeps it that way, I don't know. Because both of these coordinators are, are going to be hot topics, you know, but, but right now and for the last several years, they have been, you know, so in sync and that's, that's rare in college football nowadays. Yeah.

[Steve]

And Mench has been screaming about their, their defensive coordinator for a long time.

[Mench]

They've had to extend him twice.

[Steve]

They've had to extend twice.

[Chris Felica]

Yeah, yeah.

[Mench]

I mean, they know.

[Steve]

Smart.

[Mench]

It's smart for them to. I agree with you completely. It's smart to have that continuity going on. It just, it makes sense. And it also, also, just while we're on the topic of the staff, their Advanced scouting. I mean, you want to talk about stealing signals and all this, like, whatever people want to say on X and all that nonsense, it just speaks to how well their operation of advanced scouting is. And I don't think people realize how quickly you have to turn things around when you're going. It's different in the playoffs, obviously.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Obviously.

[Mench]

But when you're this regular season and you got to turn around a game plan and you got to look at tendencies, your own tendencies, their tendencies. Whoever's doing the advanced scouting for Indiana has been.

[Steve]

I mean, un.

[Mench]

Like you can't sing their praises enough because they've been outstanding and that's why they look like they always have the answers.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah. You know, I'll say this about Miami, and I didn't cover them this year, but I've enjoyed watching them here in this playoff run and they have been as impressive as anybody. Right. But. But a couple things that stand out to me about them. Number one is, you know, they are going into this game as a. For a championship game with teams as evenly matched on paper as they might be. Pretty serious underdog at this point, which that is going to put a giant chip on this team's shoulder, you know, and sometimes I think that gets overplayed or overstated. But in a program like Miami, for them to have, you know, everybody's talking about Indiana. Indiana's the darling right now and they deserve the attention. But here's Miami coming into this game maybe feeling a little disrespected, maybe feeling undervalued. Whatever it is, they will use that to their advantage. I think the other thing is, again, I think Carson Beckman, you know, he's had some bad moments right early in the year, the Louisville game in particular, but his overall record as a starter, he's been outstanding. And he's an older guy, he's a veteran guy who's played a lot of ball and he's playing his best ball right now. And so I think that team can really rally around him because, you know, you look at those two scoring drives in the last five minutes of that game and that. That last touchdown drive, what was like 16 play, 75 yards. I mean, every play that he made was exactly what needed to happen. And so from a confidence standpoint, for him individually and for the team around him, you know, they're going to feel just as good about going into that game with Carson Beck as Indiana does going into it with Fernando Mendoza mentioned Stanford.

[Steve]

Steve have been busting my balls for about a month now because. Because I I put up this chart right here. I'll show you this quarterback chart I made in focus. Okay. Going into the playoff, I looked back last year and I was like, let's figure out the ties that bind. And it was Will Howard, Riley Leonard, experienced quarterbacks, Both with like 20, 2200 snaps coming in with obviously good defenses and all that. But. And then now we're watching, the two quarterbacks with over 2100 snaps coming into the playoff are right there at the end as well. So I actually see it in Carson Beck's play. There's a conservative element to it where he's, He's. He's thinking about doing something and he's pulling it back. He's. He's making sure in those moments, he doesn't. He doesn't do something that's going to harm this team that is playing so good on the defensive side and does have a balance of the, the rushing attack that they've, that they've wanted and not always had to this level. But the run game has really taken off. Not to send more from Ohio State's last year in the College Football Playoff, but then in the fourth quarter, on those third downs where it didn't, like you didn't have the option to play conservatively, I was really encouraged by Beck.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah.

[Steve]

You know, the, the decisions, the, in breaking routes, the dis, the, the. The conviction behind some of those throws. I'm seeing a different back than I saw at Georgia, and I saw it in the beginning of the season. Just like more fun, more energy, playing a little bit more loose.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah.

[Steve]

But, but to now see that really good blend between the two, I'm curious. What. With Beck, do you. Are you. Do you think he can do it against this defense where most, I mean, we just saw, hey, these are giant killers.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah.

[Steve]

You got two guys we're talking about first round, right? Ty Simpson, knockout blow. Dante Moore, knockout blow. Why could it be different for Beck, I guess?

[Todd Blacklidge]

Well, yeah, I don't know the exact answer that. I mean, he's going to have to hope that they can run the football better than those other teams did. If they can run the football better and not get in a hole quickly, you know, I think it gives him a chance. But again, I think from what you're saying, I think his decision making right now, as good as it's been, you know, I think him knowing what to do, when to pull it down and run all those kind of things, as good as it's been in his career, and so his confidence, his decision making his awareness, understanding at peak level right now, but it can't just all be on him. He can't go into this game. They, they can't have him throw the ball 35, 38 times, I don't think, you know, they've got to be able to run the football and not put it all on him. So it'll be really interesting to watch. You know, another thing about Mendoza, and he's a fun kid to watch, a fun kid to talk to, you know, he's a fun kid to watch. And you know, I mentioned the Penn State game, him playing well late in that game and. But he did it at Iowa also late, you know, and he played great at the end in Austin when they played Oregon the first time, you know, and people forget that because they blew him out here most recently. But that game, he threw a pick six early in the fourth quarter that tied the game at 20 all.

[Chris Felica]

Yes.

[Todd Blacklidge]

And, you know, if anybody's been in Austin in a big game, that is a loud, hostile place. And he went right back down the field and let him on a touchdown drive and end up winning the game by 10. So I think, you know, he has played great when the game's on the line, the fourth quarter, and so has Carson Beck here of late. And the irony to me is I sat here all weekend watching the NFL playoffs and the teams at one, same deal, the quarterbacks who won this weekend, you know, for the most part now, the Steeler Houston game was a little bit of an anomaly, right, because Rogers is most experienced, but they weren't, they weren't very good. But the other guys, and I'm sitting here watching the Carolina Panthers, you know, I live here in Charlotte and I'm watching that game and, you know, and to watch Matthew Stafford go down the field and just do what he did at the end of the game, I mean, that's, that's, that's when the money's on the table, right? And, and that's where the key guys in the NFL rise up and make those plays. The Josh Allens, the Matthew Staffords. Right. Well, now we got the Fernando Mendoza and the Carson back that are doing the same thing for their teams here, getting ready for the championship game.

[Steve]

I guess that's it for us, man. You want to give us a prediction?

[Todd Blacklidge]

I know, I don't, I don't like to do prediction. I think Indiana is going to win. I do think Indiana is going to win, but I think, I think they're going to have to really fight for it, you know, and and, but I do think that. I think it's a magical season for them, and I think they're going to find a way to get one more.

[Steve]

Yeah, yeah, go ahead.

[Chris Felica]

Do you.

[Mench]

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? I think the start of this game will give us a good indication of what we're going to get. I wonder if Indiana jumps out early and gets out to that start that they can get out to. Does Miami blink and put it in Carson Beck's hands more than they. Than they would have, or do they stay patient and let that big offensive line wear them down and climb back into the game? I think how this game starts and how Miami reacts to it will tell us a lot. And does. Does Beck get to revert some bad habits and push if they do fall behind early? So to me, the start of the game and how Miami reacts to that start is going to be a good indication of how it's gonna.

[Steve]

I, I would go vice. Like, I. If I'm Miami, maybe I'm taking a shot early. Maybe I'm looking for one play early, too, you know, but is that getting me away from establishing the run? And what I'm worried about is three.

[Mench]

Passing attempts in a row. If you want to go play action and take a shot and see what you got, I'm fine with that. If you start getting into this where it's a pass heav, all of a sudden I, I start to get worried.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah, well, I think, I think for sure. And this is going to be the fine line for Miami, I think. I think Miami has to stay true to who they are, but they have to be aggressive. You know, they. They have to be aggressive. But in being aggressive, they can't afford to make critical mistakes. So, you know, you don't want to. You don't want to play. You don't want to play to loot, to not lose. You don't want to play to not make mistakes. You got to be aggressive and take some chances, but you got to really value and take care of the football. And I think that's, you know, you've got. What I mean, Indiana's, I don't know. They're number one, number two, whatever they are, Turnover margin. I mean, they only have one loss, fumble the whole season. They almost had one in the game the other night. Mendoza fumbled and it was covered up by Coogan, you know, downfield. But I think they're plus 21 turnover margin. Miami's plus 11, I believe. And Carson Beck has done a much better job in this seven Game winning streak of taking care of the football. I think only two interceptions. Exceptions here down the stretch in the seven game win streak. So they got to take care of the football first and foremost, but they got to be aggressive and take some chances and because they've got talented enough guys that can make some big plays for them.

[Steve]

We appreciate your time, my man.

[Todd Blacklidge]

My pleasure.

[Steve]

Say hi to your wonderful bride, Brittany. And I love. She told me also, yeah, we work together at espn. Mention, you know, big plans. Any trips or anything coming up for you?

[Todd Blacklidge]

Well, we got a few things coming up. I'm actually going up to Penn State and I know we were going to possibly talk about that with Matt Campbell, but I'm going up to Penn State the end of the month. There's a big special deal. They've got an outdoor hockey game against Michigan State, who's number one in the country, playing at Stadium on Saturday, January 31, and Friday night. The night before, they got a wrestling match, a dual meet with Nebraska. And their wrestling team is just ridiculously good. So under Kale Sanderson, another came from Iowa State to Penn State. So. So I'm going up for that with a couple buddies and gonna go to the Super Bowl. NBC invited me to come out to the super bowl, so I'm looking forward to going out. Yeah. So it'll be fun. But I'll say this real quick to you, Todd, and, and to give you guys something to think about and talk about. You know, it's so clear what, you know, the process, the plan, what Signetti did at Indiana and how successful it's been. I don't know if you can duplicate it or not, you know, but what I see Matt Campbell doing, who, you know, I think was the perfect hire for Penn State at this particular point and love him, I've known him for a long time, he's from my hometown. You know, think the world of him. But he is bringing a similar template, a similar blueprint into Penn State. Brought a bunch of staff with him. Right. Brought 19 players from Iowa State. You know, now they lost a lot of guys, but they kept some really good ones, too. But, yeah, but he's bringing the guys in. One will establish the culture in the locker room with your strength coach, with your players. This is how we do it. This is what the expectation is. I think it's gonna. I think it's gonna work. I think it's gonna be a great marriage. And I think it's. I think it's a really smart approach.

[Steve]

Yeah, it was wild how the, how it all landed and they came together, but. But at the end of the day, they. They absolutely got the right guy. I'm excited to see it.

[Chris Felica]

It.

[Steve]

I've been waiting for, and this is no disrespect to Iowa State and what he did there. I've been waiting for him to get a big time job, and then this is a perfect home for him. So this would be fun to watch.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah, I think so. And I think the cool thing is he, in knowing him and hearing him now, you know, he's not going to abandon or leave what he's done through his whole career of how he's evaluated players, how he's developed players, that whole approach. He's just going to have more resources. He's going to be able to get into more living rooms of high school kids than he ever could at Iowa State. Right. So he'll have access to better players through recruiting or the portal, but he's not going to change, you know, how they've done things and what's made him successful during his years at Iowa State.

[Steve]

Well, I do want to give you this word of advice. Okay. Yeah, I got an opportunity. My only experience with Penn State hockey. I got an opportunity. Me and Levy and Greasy got to go and shoot from, like, you know, mid ice or whatever.

[Todd Blacklidge]

I think Brittany was with you when you went.

[Steve]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Todd Blacklidge]

I got pictures of her there.

[Steve]

Yeah, and I missed. I went wide right on the goal. Greasy's the only one. I think he hit the post and went in. So if you get an opportunity to do that, I really regret to this moment I didn't. I feel like I didn't follow through. I tried to guide it, you know. Okay, so get that stick high and let it rip. All right.

[Todd Blacklidge]

I don't think that's gonna. I don't think I'm gonna have that opportunity, but I will remember, we'll talk.

[Steve]

To somebody if I do.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Okay. All right. Good being with you guys.

[Steve]

It's great.

[Mench]

Thank you.

[Steve]

Catching up with you, my man. It really is. I will. I'll talk to you soon.

[Todd Blacklidge]

All right, see you later.

[Steve]

All right, take care.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Thanks, man.

[Steve]

Obviously, amazing stuff from Blacklidge. Just diving deep in.

[Chris Felica]

I.

[Steve]

Nothing embodies, I shouldn't say, this show. I'm not gonna lump you in because you're a little bit more buttoned up and like, you know, but nothing embodies what I wanted this show to be more than this transition.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Right.

[Steve]

You've got Mr. NBC, Todd Blacklidge, you know, longtime, you know, Penn State guy, does but all that stuff doesn't even want to give a game prediction, let alone the spread. So let's bring on Bear. Chris, Felica, you know, I love it.

[Chris Felica]

I mean, why. I mean that's just perfect. I mean, buttoned up, classy, sophisticated, analytical. And then you got me.

[Steve]

And you're watching Morocco, Nigeria in, in overtime or what do they call it?

[Chris Felica]

Yeah, we're AFCON semifinals. Looks like we're about to go to penalties. A couple of minutes left in, in stoppage time right now. So the host nation looks like they're going to go on a. Penalties and be a lot of, a lot of squeaky, squeaky bums in that, in that stadium if Morocco failed to get to the uh, the final. That's for sure.

[Steve]

I love it. So if people don't really like, we would go. So Bear and I, and I was telling the story earlier. Like I remember back when you weren't even on tv, I was doing like college game day radio. We would hang out in the back of the bus and watch all these games and, and, and Bear, we. First of all, two things that Bear would be just miserable about Miami, right. His as. As an alma mater, his alma material. And the second thing Bear would like, we'd be watching like one versus four. You know, it would be like Michigan versus, you know, whoever, let's say even Ohio State. And he'd have something on like Morocco versus Nigeria or the horse races.

[Chris Felica]

Yep.

[Steve]

And even like in the, in the first round of the NFL draft, I'm like, bear, what do we got? Because Bear would give me all these unbelievable numbers, make me look smart. And he'd be like, yeah, hold on a second. And he'd be like, come on now. Come on on. Come on, come on.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Three.

[Chris Felica]

Here we go.

[Steve]

Three around the corner. Here we go. You know, And I'm like, this is unbelievable the way he balances it all.

[Mench]

Yep.

[Chris Felica]

Low, low, lower, you know, Todd, lower left monitor.

[Steve]

Yeah.

[Chris Felica]

Of the five pack middle and the four lower left. I would sit in the front row to the left and out of nowhere you'd hear a come on the three. Edgar and you and Kirk and whoever else would start laughing and know that I'm dialed into TVG or whatever it was. Oh yeah, you gotta have some action somewhere at all times.

[Steve]

So harking back to those days, I can remember we had like the 2001 team was probably the greatest collection of athletes ever for any program for Miami.

[Chris Felica]

Right.

[Steve]

And the days that you spent there and the winning and the tradition and the you. And then they went through this like long lull of just not being able to get it right, you know. So to have this program back to this spotlight in the national championship game, just take people through what, what that whole experience has been like for you.

[Chris Felica]

It's been an unbelievable year for sure. And I've always been very upfront and straight about my opinions and analysis and thoughts on Miami last year when they were 10 and 2 and people were, oh, maybe they could be in the playoff. They are not getting in the playoff. I've been honest in the past about how this is not a team that is on good ground or whatever. So this year, prior to the year, by the people down there that I trust and have spoken to for quite some time and we're like, no, this is. It's starting to look a certain way again. And I was very high on them and to see it pan out that way and for the team to be playing better now than they were at the start of the year and to overcome what happened in the middle of the year, the four pick game from Carson Beck, the loss at SMU and to be where they are now, it's been great and it's kind of made it like even if they didn't get in or whatever, it didn't make the final, it still would have been worth it. But that was one of the reasons why I was so passionate about kind of having my alma maters back late in the year for them to get in the College Football Playoff because I think people were kind of just overlooking them and just overlooking the win at Notre Dame and how great they were at the start and how great they were at the end and just, just kind of. They got. They lost a couple of games, but everybody's lost a couple of games with description of Indiana. So it, it's been.

[Steve]

Were you surprised they got in? Like, I know you, I know all the reasons why they should have gotten in, but knowing the committee and some of the decision, the Notre Dame factor, like, were you surprised you had to be at least nervous?

[Chris Felica]

Yeah, I was a little nervous that I was always very confident that the flip was ultimately going to happen. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous there on selection day because why did it take. So that's the biggest issue I had with the, like, why did it take so long for this head to head with Miami to batter and get them in? So I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit nervous. But as soon as they showed Alabama 9 and that logo popped up. Alabama 9. I knew Miami was getting in because then it ultimately did mean that they were, they were, they were right next to each other. So yeah, it worked out. I mean, God, you talk about a, a path. Go to a M. Okay.

[Steve]

Yeah.

[Chris Felica]

Win that game. Oh, by the way, here are the reigning national champions. He got them. Okay. And then you got an Ole Miss team with a chip on their shoulder from their coach walking out on them a 13 and 1.

[Steve]

It felt like a Disney movie too. Like there's no way, you know, like the magic carpet ride.

[Chris Felica]

Yeah, it's been great. And either, either way, whatever happens on Monday night, you're going to get a great story. Either you're getting the return of Miami to national championship prominence or the most unlikely national champion that you're ever going to get.

[Steve]

Go ahead, Steve.

[Mench]

Yeah, the spread. Talk to me about the spread.

[Steve]

It seems high when it started five and a half and now it's eight and a half.

[Chris Felica]

Yeah, yeah. The look ahead before the Oregon game, Oregon, Indiana game was five and a half. And to see it where it is now at eight and a half in most spots.

[Steve]

I think you get it at five and a half stuff or you wouldn't have wanted it.

[Chris Felica]

Yeah. No, no, no, no. I am loaded up on Miami futures. So like I, I, I'm kind of in a position now where I just kind of have to let it ride and really can't even lock in a profit unless I want to take a little bit of a chance and play a little Indiana money line parlayed with, with Yannick center to win the Australian Open. I could do a little something like that to get plus 130.

[Steve]

I just had to throw that in that.

[Chris Felica]

But you're right, it's gotten out of hand. Look, I get Indiana has been awesome against Oregon and Alabama and they beat Ohio State. But Miami is beating the number 2, 3, 6 and 10 teams in the country in terms of power ratings. Like, this is a team that played great against Ohio State a couple of weeks ago, arguably played better against Ohio State than Indiana did. If, if you want to be, just take it down to that, which really, I mean it's a one game sample, so it's nothing. But, but I, I just think Miami's being overlooked here and it would not surprise me at all to see the Canes win on Monday night. What.

[Steve]

If you had to, like, there's a lot of difference, like Heatherman on defense, crystal ball not making some of those like late game time management blunders, if you will. Carson Beck's experience, if you had to pinpoint a couple things to you that, that why it felt different this season and why you, you think it could be different in this national championship based off of the few times where everyone's tried to be screamed like the U is back. What's different about this team?

[Chris Felica]

Line play on both sides of the ball. I mean that was an emphasis with Mario and Alex Mirabal. They, they built the program from the inside out so it finally looked like a legitimate power five like top 10 offensive line, defensive line unit and number two Corey Heatherman. They finally got it right with the defensive coordinator higher. They went heavy in the portal on defense to bring him some help and it has worked out. They have been an elite defense. They got through the Trinidad Chambers Ole Miss kryptonite game and we'll see what happens. But, but the, the biggest thing is just being able to control the trenches and that kind of branches everything. If you went up front on both sides of the ball, that kind of has an impact on everything else either getting sped up off for the good or the bad.

[Steve]

Heatherman, correct me if I'm wrong, I believe this is Heatherman coached with Signetti jmu, right?

[Mench]

Yeah.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Yeah.

[Steve]

I mean we gotta, we gotta kind of believe this gives Miami a little bit of an edge that no other opponent has had.

[Chris Felica]

You would think that he would know a little bit of their insides and outs and maybe that will, will come into play. The one thing that I will, I will say does have me a little concerned. It is just the Xavier Lucas suspension for the first half and some of the injuries that Miami may be dealing with on the defensive side of the ball. I think we're really going to see Miami lean on that running game, lean on that offensive line, lean on hopefully some long time consuming drives to minimize their defense. Being on the field in the first half without Lucas and maybe without some other guys, who knows? Because if they, if Indiana has, is. Has those water Cooper and Surat and Becker on the field with those wide receivers for say the first drive of the game or whatever else, I, I would think that would be bad news for Miami and that could give IU a, a quick start. And that my, that's the one thing Miami really I don't like. Maybe I played from behind yet really early on so that could change things.

[Steve]

I know mentions are worried about it.

[Mench]

I'm worried about it. That's the one thing I'm worried about. By the way, is Malachi Tony the most popular athlete in South Florida regardless of of sport, organization, whatever.

[Chris Felica]

Oh, well, outside. Outside of Leno. Messi. Yes, absolutely, man. I think Messi is his own.

[Mench]

I think he might give Messier, but.

[Chris Felica]

Right now, forget it. Like he is the cat.

[Steve]

So likable too, man.

[Chris Felica]

The catch that he made on the sideline, like the one hand out of.

[Steve]

Bounds, Are you kidding me?

[Chris Felica]

He's.

[Steve]

It was unbelievable. And he almost got his foot in too.

[Mench]

Yes, he did.

[Steve]

Yeah. But he got his toe in. It was just too bad his heel came down with it.

[Chris Felica]

Yep. The amazing thing. The amazing thing to think about him is as we, as we record this right now, Miami's kind of striking out, it seems in the portal for the quarterback position right now. Don't be. If you're looking at maybe some Heisman bets for next year, Malachi, Tony to win the Heisman next year might not be the worst play in the world because you might be looking at a situation where if they're unable to bring someone in here in the next couple of days, maybe Tony's gang getting 10, 15, 20 snaps a game at quarterback in a wildcat position. And you factor in what he can do with his. With the ball on his hands at a receiver, factoring maybe him throwing some touchdowns or maybe some runs from that quarterback position, he could be a pretty. I mean, as dynamic as he is now, next year can be completely different return game.

[Mench]

Return game too, which I think could be big in this game. I think if he. That could be a big difference for them if Tony's able to break one. The other thing I like about him is small, but tough and strong after the catch and blocks his ass off. I was watching Miami tape, I couldn't believe those receivers.

[Steve]

Yeah, I knew they were.

[Mench]

I knew they were blocking against Ole Miss. They were putting guys on. They were like dumping guys. They were.

[Chris Felica]

He and. And C.J. daniels as well.

[Steve]

Yeah.

[Chris Felica]

Go back and watch the A and M game and watch the job at. CJ Daniels did blocking his ass off. Unbelievable.

[Steve]

So you look at now. We got any update on that? Nigeria, Morocco.

[Chris Felica]

Oh, we just. We just started penalty.

[Steve]

He's always, always in that bottom left corner. Right.

[Chris Felica]

I'm not sure what sport it is right now. Yeah, for first. First kick. Just good for Morocco. So Morocco, one nil score goal in round one. Now we go to the bottom of the first.

[Steve]

Oh, if. If for anyone who's. Who's following this kind of stuff, then you know that we're taping this later on, on Wednesday night. So. So if the line moves or if there's quarterback Transfer portals kind of stuff happening. You know that we, we tape this portion on on Wednesday night night. Let's talk about I, I know you're looking at this from different angles, right. Anything jump like whether it's a prop, whether it's something tell the tell our fine. We're fanduel guys.

[Chris Felica]

Yep.

[Steve]

Men who what do you like in this, by the way? Eight and a half. What do you got? FanDuel Pick of the week.

[Mench]

I, I like Miami to cover. I, I, I'm taking Miami with the points. I don't know if they're going to win the game outright. I'm not going money line but that's spreads way too big to me. I think it's going to be a much closer game.

[Steve]

I don't know that I have the stomach and I'm sorry Bear, I shouldn't.

[Mench]

Do I know Indiana keeps proving us wrong. I know, I get it. I, you know I thought Oregon was going to play Indiana tough.

[Todd Blacklidge]

I get it.

[Mench]

But I'm with Bear, man. Like Miami beat Ohio State and that was a great game between Ohio.

[Steve]

Are you guys going to talk into this? All right, I'm going to do it. I'm going to, I'm going to give the points and let's, let's, let's let it run. All right.

[Todd Blacklidge]

I'm gonna get that.

[Steve]

Yeah, I'm gonna get. I'm gonna take the eight and a half and I'm gonna run with it. I'm gonna run. I'm gonna take eight and a half. So we both are taking Miami.

[Chris Felica]

That's been, that's been the theme lately in these championship games. It's either been favorite covering and win big or dog winning outright. I actually did play one of your fanduel props and I played the same prop last week for the Ole Miss game with Miami and I played the same prop again this week.

[Steve]

What is it?

[Chris Felica]

Over 100. Over 107 and a half rush yards for. For Miami. And just thinking the way the game script is going to go.

[Steve]

Is it 107 in this game?

[Chris Felica]

It was one. It was 144 and a half for Ole Miss and it was 107 and a half. What that I saw the other night, I haven't looked in a bit, but it was 107 and a half and just, just the same thing. I, I think with the healthy Fletcher now from getting he's a different animal.

[Steve]

Than he was earlier in the year.

[Chris Felica]

And Pringle may be getting a couple of carries in Charlie Brown. Marty Brown rather I think that's a big deal. Let me. Let me just throw one thing at you. And this is. I'm not saying I believe this, but I think if you're looking to. I'm not. I'm just throwing. I like to throw hypotheticals.

[Mench]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Chris Felica]

I love it. We think Indiana has been awesome. You look at the Alabama game. I think Alabama was a team that a lot of people felt like should not have been in the college football player.

[Steve]

Yeah. And was. Was kind of just like fractured.

[Chris Felica]

They haven't run the ball well all year. They got blown out by Florida State. Offensive line has been terrible. So you got that. So dominant win. But it's like, okay. Alabama really is the Alabama team we saw for the last six weeks of the year. Oregon, you got nobody healthy in the running back position.

[Steve]

Yes.

[Chris Felica]

You got two coordinators who were worried about Cal in Kentucky and going all over the country, not really focusing on the game. And you give the ball. You give Indiana the ball three times deep in your own territory. Like it. I'm just saying that you're such a. There are reasons.

[Steve]

I came into this with every intention to be like, I'm not getting duped again. And I'm fine telling my good friend Bear. I'm fine telling them that I'm. I'm going with Indiana and I'm giving the eight and a half.

[Chris Felica]

Half.

[Steve]

Give it.

[Chris Felica]

Get lamb.

[Steve]

No, I'm not. No, I. I'm.

[Chris Felica]

I. You.

[Steve]

I'm a swing state and you swung me. I like it.

[Chris Felica]

Georgia go to.

[Steve]

Are you going to the game, Bear? You going to the game?

[Chris Felica]

I am, yes. Yeah. I was in Glendale and I'm. I'm going Monday night. So it. It should be a. Should be a good thing. And the, the look, the other aspect of the game is with Indiana and just how well they're buttoned up in terms of no dumb penalties, getting teams off the field on third down, continuing drives, not turning the ball over. All that stuff that Miami. First two games against A and M and Ohio State, they were great. They were great. However, 10 penalties, the turnover, a missed field goal, a lot of dumb penalties. They do. They do stuff like that on Monday night. They're not. You have to. Indiana is not going to beat themselves. It's going to need to be a crisp, clean effort from Miami similar to what we saw against the Muckeyes.

[Steve]

I think Saban helped your cause when he kind of undressed crystal ball on the national television, being like, your team's not disciplined enough, you know, like. And that was a Great back and forth.

[Mench]

Gave it right back to him, was awesome.

[Chris Felica]

Oh, I, and having just been around Mario and just seen him, his demeanor, the, from like when he took over at Miami to now, it looked, he, he's a, looks like he's genuinely enjoying this and embracing and having fun and he's loose and because I think people just had this impression of just tough guy offensive lineman. Not, not jovial or anything but, but he's been great. He's been. And I think it has something to do with that relationship with Nick and the fact that on national TV like that, on the big stages and, and the fact that he had a kind of politic and campaign.

[Mench]

Yeah.

[Chris Felica]

To get in. I think all that matters. And, and like I said, win or lose Monday night, the trajectory of this program now is, is arrow up and, and now they are returning to a spot where they are expected to win 10 years.

[Steve]

The alumni is proud. You know.

[Mench]

Let me ask you something about that though. I, I, I wondered if this was going to be an issue for them. You look at their sideline, Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis, Cam Ward's back were, as a fan, were you ever at any time like, like this might be more of a distraction? I compared it to USC when Pete Carroll was there and all these stars started showing up and they embrace it. It feels like Miami's doing the same thing. They're not running away from the history. They're embracing the fact that we're the you and we're going to be the you and we're going to bring that same kind of swagger. Is that right or wrong?

[Chris Felica]

I, I agree. And, and that's something Mario, as I even said, he's like, we're not looking back, we're not trying to harken back and like say that you is back. We're, we're embracing the past, but at the same time, we're looking now the day and age in college football that we know we can ultimately evolve. But you're right. Just being on the sideline and seeing Irvin and Ray Lewis and Eric Winston and Lamar Thomas and all those guys. And that's what happened when I was there and in the early 2000s when you saw all those great players on the sideline, it was motivated.

[Mench]

Best college team ever. Best college.

[Chris Felica]

Embracing it. You didn't get scared and nervous. You were like, okay, I need to live up to that, draw inspiration. So it's been great. And I'm sure the sideline is going to be an absolute madhouse on, on Monday night.

[Steve]

So Is Michael Irving going to be all right.

[Chris Felica]

If Miami were to win, There aren't going to be enough. Enough belts in South Florida for him to.

[Steve]

And everybody.

[Chris Felica]

Everybody is. Everybody's dying to know. Morocco has indeed advanced.

[Mench]

Let's go.

[Chris Felica]

Is that, is that a good.

[Steve]

I mean that's good for you right now?

[Chris Felica]

No, no, no. My result was already good with this. I played okay. I played Morocco double chance either win or draw. So my, my bet has been done for about 45 minutes, but you still watch.

[Steve]

Just loving the game.

[Chris Felica]

Yeah.

[Mench]

Future bets.

[Chris Felica]

And now we have a great final, by the way. We have. What is it we have Morocco versus Senegal. Host nation Morocco looking to win in Senegal, who probably has been the best team in the competition so far with Saudi Armani and some of the players that they have.

[Steve]

I promise my good friend Todd Klein, who ironically helped build the. The stadium, the Hard Rock Stadium as a chief marketing officer back in the day. He's now with Chelsea as the president. When the season. When the draft season's over, I am going to become a full blown Chelsea lunatic and we're going to show that it's okay to be football fans and both, both footballs in the world.

[Chris Felica]

It's great. It's such a small world because one of my classmates at Miami who we crossed over a couple of years he got early coming in Jim. Jim Fravola, he was with the Vegas Golden Knights and now he's with Bournemouth over with that same ownership group. So he's over in UK with Bournemouth right now. He's coming in for the game as well. So in Brady Quinn owns a share of leads. Obviously my cohort on a big new.

[Steve]

Yeah.

[Chris Felica]

So yeah it's a very unique kind of closely tied in where a lot of college football and soccer turnover. It's awesome.

[Steve]

Yeah. Mention I are going to go full Chelsea. I mean I can't who he has to root for. But yeah, we're going to. We're going to to. We're gonna dive in this year I finally need to. Life has settled down, so it's time.

[Chris Felica]

Stanford Bridge is a good place. Good cool place.

[Steve]

Yeah. Yes. We'll. We'll have to get out there. Maybe we'll do a McShay show from there.

[Chris Felica]

What else is.

[Steve]

What else is jumping out at you? Anything on. On this game? Anything.

[Todd Blacklidge]

Can it.

[Steve]

Can I ask you something?

[Mench]

You guys have a lot of shared experience. I feel like there's some things that maybe you guys aren't even remembering to talk about. Is there a game? I'm kind of Putting you on the spot. I know. Is there a championship game or maybe a playoff game that you have a bet that you remember that either went really well at the end or really poorly at the end or something? You know, you went against the grain and you. And you picked the, the right team. Anything jump out to you in the past?

[Chris Felica]

You want me to go first? You want Todd to go first?

[Steve]

No, I don't care about.

[Mench]

I could care less about Todd.

[Chris Felica]

Oh, the, the first BCS championship game. Tennessee, Florida State. The fact that Tennessee was an underdog in that game with, with Chris Wen being out. Yeah, that was Tennessee. Tennessee plus the points. Tennessee money line under in the game. That. That was.

[Steve]

Oh, you just pound.

[Chris Felica]

Oh, yeah. No, that. That was everything. And then the same thing two years later with Oklahoma and Florida State. Florida State, a massive favorite in the game, shouldn't have been in the game. And Oklahoma had kind of been living on with motivation after being like questions like how good they were and they dominated that game. So yeah, a couple of the early BCS championship games were just absolutely great.

[Steve]

You know about. You know, it was this year I realized There was a plus 700 for Miami with a quarterback named Carson beck, who had two 881 snaps going into the College Football Playoff. I went back and I looked. Last year he had two quarterbacks that made the national championship over 2100 snaps. I said to myself, huh, wonder if this good defense, run game, experienced quarterback back got him plus 700 just to get to the semifinals.

[Chris Felica]

That's, that's a hell of a job. And that's one of the weird things. Well, not really weird, but if you follow this stuff like we do, there were some unbelievable prices on Miami. Whether that would. There were 150 to 1 on Miami to win the title. The week, final week of the regular season, there was 15 to 1 on Miami to reach the quarterfinal, which basically meant. Meant winning win a game. There were some ridiculous numbers out there because it's something that we as people who follow the sport, you and me and Menchie, like the process of the College Football Playoff and like assuming that they're going to get in. And maybe this was something where the odds makers and the books really didn't know what the committee was going to do. And they really don't have an algorithm to price these things properly. So I just know from talking to some books in Vegas that there are some monster Miami futures out there because they really weren't planning or projecting this. So if Miami wins, you're probably going to See a couple of stories there on, on Tuesday and Wednesday about the, some of the losses that these books took in the, in the future polls.

[Steve]

Yeah. And and mentioned in Stanford. Steve are still busting my balls about that experience chart I had.

[Todd Blacklidge]

So.

[Steve]

All right, so I, I think plus, plus eight and a half and how about and over in the run over, over 107 or whatever the number is.

[Chris Felica]

107 and a half is what I saw.

[Steve]

It might be something we take a little.

[Mench]

You're taking that against Indiana though. You taking the over in the rushing yards against Indiana.

[Chris Felica]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's what it is this week. Yep.

[Todd Blacklidge]

All right.

[Steve]

I wonder what that's bad as Oregon's.

[Chris Felica]

Run game was before that game got out of hand. They were had a little, they had a little bit of life to them and they moved the ball the first couple of drives and then they just started turning it over and it got out of hand.

[Mench]

I was watching, I watched the tape and I agree with you especially on the inside runs and you look at Miami's inside zone game and the double teams that creates for them. I, I, I, it's not out of the question.

[Chris Felica]

Well both, both of you obviously watch a lot of tape and I'm not a, a tape guru and really don't know what I'm looking at. But on bare bets the other day just Schwartz, Oregon alum mentioned about the Indiana's right tackle and that he may be a, he may be a liability on Monday night. Have you guys noticed that or anything? Have you looked for that he.

[Mench]

No, no. The right tackle, Khil Benson. I think his name is for Indiana.

[Steve]

I'll look for Indiana. Sorry. Yes, I'm on Fanduel right now.

[Mench]

They've actually there because I don't think they've loved how he's played. I'll just make sure it's. It is Khil Benson but they've rotated a little bit. They platoon a little bit. That is the weak link. That is the weak link of that, of that offense and it's going to be interesting. Also as good as Indiana's interior defense has been win and I think you know this from watching Miami. They're going to see Messador and Bane on the inside a lot. Those guys work inside a lot and that's a different animal. That is you're not, you're not going against like your average defensive tackle. When those guys are getting after you. When they rush inside, the question will be can they slow down that Indiana run game and get them in obvious Passing situations because if they can. As good as that Indiana offensive line's been, they've played really well as a unit. Heatherman will create one on ones. He will find a way to create one on ones for his guys and favorable matchups for his guys. And that's going to be. That's going to be one of the games within the games to watch.

[Chris Felica]

And that's something where it is the emergence of Justin Scott. He's played a hell of a lot better as the year has gone on Blade despite a stupid penalty in the. In the semifinal.

[Mench]

Yeah, he.

[Chris Felica]

He's there mowing almost a stupid penalty with pushing out of bounds. I'm shocked they didn't call that. They. They do some things on the inside and then out of nowhere here comes Motori to stuff it up and just create a. A, a big hit. So, yeah, it's going to be a fascinating matchup because like you said earlier, Todd, the fact that these two guys know each other so well, it's kind of. Kind of who can throw the. The wrinkle in there and do a little improvise and adjust to kind of catch the other team off guard.

[Steve]

I got about 24 hours to get this in before we move the line, Bear. But it's over. Under is 104.104.5 on Miami. Rushing yards on Fanduel right now.

[Chris Felica]

The market moved against me. Good. I could bet it again. Again.

[Steve]

Yep. And then Marty Brown's on the ball. Well, man, plus 164 if you're to take Miami plus eight and a half and over 104.5.

[Chris Felica]

So you're a little, little, little too like parlay. Okay.

[Todd Blacklidge]

But.

[Steve]

But you also got to wonder. Let's just do this before we let you go. You figure if. If Miami's gonna win this thing, they're getting over 104. We're getting 105 rush yards. Correct. So what if you do the money, money, money line is two set. It's not that big of a jump. Three plus three 14 if you take over and rushing and.

[Chris Felica]

Yeah. Yeah. You're not yet 40 something. Yeah. That's not.

[Steve]

Yeah. No. Okay. It's good stuff, man.

[Chris Felica]

Playing. Playing individually.

[Steve]

Yeah.

[Chris Felica]

Don't get greedy.

[Steve]

Yeah, don't get greedy. I thought maybe it was going to get me over closer to like plus 400, you know, but.

[Mench]

All right.

[Steve]

Yeah. We're in the lab. I get 24 hours before Tucker. Don't release this show until we. I love catching up with you, man. I hope you have an awesome trip.

[Chris Felica]

Thanks.

[Steve]

We're going to be actually home watching it and we're going to break into the game and do what we normally do for these games. But I do miss the days of being in the bus with you and hanging out back there and the laughs and, and all that. So it's always great catching up with you and I'm, I'm sure we'll be in touch soon.

[Chris Felica]

Yeah, absolutely. Just had a lot of fun in the, in the past, certainly in all these championship games, too. So, yeah, we'll look forward to Monday night. And anytime you need me, you know where I am.

[Steve]

All right, brother, I'll talk to you soon. Enjoy the game.

[Chris Felica]

Good luck.

[Steve]

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[Chris Felica]

Sam.