CFP Semifinal Reactions: Beck Delivers in Miami's Dramatic Win over Ole Miss

Summary

The McShay Show – CFP Semifinal Reactions: Beck Delivers in Miami's Dramatic Win over Ole Miss

Podcast: The McShay Show (The Ringer)
Episode Date: January 9, 2026
Hosts: Todd McShay, Tucker

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Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal between Miami and Ole Miss, featuring dramatic analysis and raw reactions from Todd McShay and Tucker. The pair dissect Miami’s nail-biting victory, highlight standout performances (notably Carson Beck’s growth under center), and reflect on gutsy efforts, underdog stories, and the lingering implications for the national title and NFL Draft. The tone is lively, candid, occasionally self-deprecating, and deeply rooted in the hosts’ longstanding perspectives as football analysts.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Miami’s Identity Crisis (01:41–06:09)

• Miami’s Path to Success:
  Tucker emphasizes Miami’s winning formula: “Run the Rock, play great defense, get solid play from your quarterback, get Malachi, Tony the ball in space and this is the recipe for you to get to the championship.” (01:41)
• Sloppy Execution:
  Despite success, Miami “almost beat themselves” with penalties, late hits, and dropped passes/interceptions.
• Ole Miss Resilience:
  Ole Miss’s defense earns respect for staying tough despite being outmatched on paper and overworked on the field.

“Miami was, they were the toughest opponent they had tonight was themselves. And they better clean it up. And if they do, they've got a shot.” — Tucker (01:41–02:58)

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2. Game Flow and Sloppiness (03:42–06:09)

• The hosts break down the wild scoring pattern: slow 1st quarter, explosive 2nd, quiet 3rd, and a firework-laden 4th.
• Ole Miss managed 27 points with just 18 minutes of possession — a testament both to their grit and Miami’s mistakes.
• Miami constantly shot itself in the foot, preventing a potential blowout.

“This game was Miami Be all miss by 14 or 17 points tonight. Except they… didn’t.” — McShay (05:49–06:09)

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3. Tribute to Trinity Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss QB (06:58–09:37)

• McShay offers an extended, heartfelt tribute to Chambliss, emphasizing his underdog narrative:
  • Transferred as a low-rated recruit, overcame personal and medical challenges.
  • Persevered through public failures, coaching turnover, and adversity.
  • Showed leadership and resilience, nearly pulling off a miracle.
• Calls for NCAA flexibility to allow his return if health permits.

“There isn't a better story in College football in 2025.” — McShay (08:57)
“This guy's what's good in college football.” — McShay (09:28)

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4. Pete Golding’s Coaching Impact (09:39–11:25)

• Praises Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding’s influence and personal approach.
• Credits Golding for turning around an often-maligned defense during this playoff run.

“He may not be the next like Saban Tree guy, but man, I love sitting in his meetings and I learned stuff from him.” — McShay (09:39)

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5. Miami’s Redemption & Cristobal’s Growth (11:25–13:56)

• Miami’s coach Mario Cristobal is lauded for overcoming a reputation for late-game and late-season collapses.
• Senior leaders and emerging stars (Beck, Bain, Messador, Keonte Scott, Malachi Toney) highlighted as culture-setters.
• Team’s attitude seen as “fun,” “energized,” and potentially championship-caliber.

“This is an awesome, fun team to watch.” — McShay (11:25)

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6. Carson Beck Evaluation – NFL Draft Implications (11:25–14:52)

• Beck’s performance:
  • Stat line: 23/37, 268 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT (not his fault).
  • Growth in decision-making and trust, protecting the ball, reading the situation.
• McShay expresses increasing belief in Beck as a pro prospect:
  • “It’s always been about trust with Carson Beck. ... I’m starting to trust Carson Beck more.” (11:57)
• Beck moving into day two/round two draft discussions.
• Miami’s playoff run fuels his rise: “He looks like he's playing more free. I'm trusting him more. ... I'm not talking about first round, but ... in that top five.” (13:56)

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7. Miami’s Keys to Victory Moving Forward (13:53–16:27)

• Run game is the identity: RB Mark Fletcher Jr.’s playoff numbers are highlighted.
• Playmaker spotlight: Malachi Toney’s relentless impact, both offensively and potentially in the return game.
• Veteran contributions: Keelan Marion’s clutch performance in place of C.J. Daniels (19:33–20:31).
• Blockers get love: Miami’s receiver room gets props for physical play.

“That should be their identity. That's when they're at their best.” — Tucker (13:53)

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8. Program Culture, Legacy, and Swagger (21:01–22:59)

• Miami is compared to the Pete Carroll USC era:
  • Embraces legends (Ray Lewis, Michael Irvin) on the sideline — becoming part of the team atmosphere.
  • Emphasis on not running from the school’s history, but leaning into it.

“Michael Irvin is the only person involved that doesn't know that he's not really on the staff. And good luck telling them.” — McShay (21:28) “They seem to be leaning into, yeah, we are… we are back.” — Tucker (21:44)

• Ray Lewis’s sideline moment at the coin toss is recounted and goes viral on social media (22:28–23:15).

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9. Can Miami Win the Title? (23:58–25:58)

• Direct Question: “Can this team win it?” — McShay (23:58)
• Direct Answer: “Yes, 100%. They can.” — Tucker (24:01)
• Miami’s championship-caliber defense and physical run game give them a “formula” to upset Indiana or Oregon.
• The X-factor: Malachi Toney’s potential impact in the return game.

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10. NFL Draft Angle: Quarterback Showdown Looms (15:12–18:27)

• The remaining QBs (Dante Moore vs. Fernando Mendoza, plus Beck) set up high-stakes NFL audition drama.
• The semifinals/finals viewed as "Senior Bowl on steroids" — a unique and history-making pre-draft showcase.
• Ty Simpson’s recent exit in context of this "elimination bracket" for top QB prospects.

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11. Betting, Odds, and Predictions (02:58, 25:58–28:37)

• Live odds discussed for possible matchups (Miami-Indiana, Miami-Oregon).
• Slight edge to Indiana but Miami’s physicality and playmakers keep things close.
• Hosts’ picks: Tucker likes Oregon to win, McShay is less sure but leans that way too.
• Prediction that the next semifinal will also be a close, dramatic finish.

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12. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• McShay on Beck’s NFL Stock:
  “I'm talking about on day two in a class that has Mendoza, Dante Moore, Ty Simpson... I think he's putting himself in the mix in that top five.” (13:56)

• On Miami’s Swagger:
  “They seem to be leaning into, yeah, we are… we are back. ... We're not gonna run away from that. We're not gonna be scared of that. We're gonna embrace the history here in what we could be.” — Tucker (21:44)

• On Trinity Trinidad Chambliss:
  “There isn't a better story in College football in 2025.” — McShay (08:57)

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Noteworthy Timestamps

• 01:41 – Miami’s identity and self-inflicted wounds
• 06:58 – Emotional tribute to Chambliss’s season and college football values
• 11:25–13:56 – Carson Beck’s trustworthiness, growth, and draft status
• 19:33 – Keelan Marion’s emergence for Miami
• 21:01 – Miami’s culture, sideline legends, and embracing swagger
• 23:58–24:33 – Can Miami win it? The recipe for beating Indiana/Oregon
• 25:58–27:31 – Betting lines, spreads, and predictions

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Conclusion

This episode is a comprehensive, passionate breakdown of the Miami-Ole Miss semifinal. McShay and Tucker blend hard analysis, draft speculation, and the human side of the game, spotlighting both the tactical nuances and the personalities that define college football. The broadcast is a lively look at what makes playoff football so riveting: storylines, stars, slip-ups, and the rare chance to see legends being made in real time.

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Transcript

[Tucker]

Foreign.

[McShay]

There's no time for the weary. We got 105 days until the NFL Draft. Mets, get that face up. Let's go. How you doing, buddy? Mitch, you good?

[Tucker]

I'm great, man.

[McShay]

I'm great. Would you. Tuck. Welcome back in. Here we go. We had to reset it. Give me your thoughts. I've talked too much.

[Tucker]

I feel like we've talked about it a lot already. I feel like it's cool the way that it played out, but Miami scared me a little bit tonight because they all this whole run, I was like, are they going to forget who they are?

[McShay]

The McShay show is presented by FanDuel. FanDuel's got it all. Same game parlays, quick bets for jumping in live and 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 head to FanDuel.com McShay to get started, must be 21 and older in present select states or 18 and older and present in DC, 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.

[Tucker]

This getting to where they've gotten right now, they've remembered what their identity is. Run the Rock, play great defense, Run the Rock, play great defense, get solid play from your quarterback, get Malachi, Tony, the ball in space and this is the recipe for you to get to the championship. And then all of a sudden I felt like they were getting cute with some of the passes and all of that when all they had to do was run the ball. And then they did the pre snap penalties, the late hits, the drop passes on offense, the dropped ints. This game, a ton of credit to Ole Miss and that defense, especially for being just a gutsy performance considering how long they were on the field. But Miami was, they were the toughest opponent they had tonight was themselves. And they better clean it up. And if they do, they've got a shot. But they better clean it up and they better remember who they are because if they do that, they're a competitive team. They could win this whole thing. But there was a stretch in this game where I thought to myself, you have allowed this, that you've allowed Ole Miss to hang around and now you're in trouble because Trinidad Chambliss doesn't care. He doesn't have a pulse and he will keep coming at You. And to the very last snap he did tonight. I mean, hats off to that kid, too. But to the very last snap, he played his ass off. And it almost caught up to Miami.

[McShay]

Just looking at Fandor real quick. Oh, they just took it down for a second. It was interesting. Indiana to beat Miami is the closest odds. Is. Is the. Is like almost one to one. I don't have the. The numbers went jumping up here. Indiana beat Miami is plus 120. Oregon to beat Miami is plus 2 or 270. Miami to beat Indiana is plus 400. Miami to beat Oregon is plus 500. Do with that as you will.

[Tucker]

I just.

[McShay]

I wanted to see if they had any odds early on for what the matchup would be. This was a wild game, man. This was a fun game.

[Tucker]

It was awesome.

[McShay]

It was sloppy at times. It felt stunted at times. Right. It felt like it just couldn't. Like there were. It was kind of. It kind of mirrored like the first half kind of mirrored the second half. I'll look it up right now, but I think it was three points. It was three nothing Miami after the first quarter, right? And then 27 points were scored in the second in the second quarter, then three points for Ole Miss in this. In the third quarter. And then 25 points were scored by Miami.

[Tucker]

Yep.

[McShay]

It was the second in the fourth quarter where all the fireworks there wound up being 58 points in this game. Ole Miss scored 27 points and had the football for 18 minutes.

[Tucker]

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[McShay]

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[Tucker]

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[McShay]

Buy your car the easy way on Carvana. Delivery fees may apply. They had the one Kewan Lacy run in the first half, and besides that, they didn't do much at all. They had three different three field goals. And then the second half. Miami continued to possess the ball in the third quarter, but they couldn't finish a drive. They had a couple bad pass interference calls. They had a, A, a late hit on Chambliss. They had offensive penalties at horrible times. And it wasn't like one after another. It was like right when you thought Miami was about to kind of pull.

[Tucker]

Away.

[McShay]

There was something that happened. A penalty, a mistake, a drop, a dropped interception. You know, like this game was Miami Be all miss by 14 or 17 points tonight. Except they, it felt like it. Except they didn't, right?

[Tucker]

Yeah.

[McShay]

And so, yeah, part of it is the Miami, you take the blame. They played sloppy in a lot of ways. Part of it is this, this Ole Miss team is, is as much about resiliency as it is Lane Kiffin and the offense. And remember how bad this defense was for half the year. Like, they'd have to. I look 40 and still like feel like it was a close game.

[Tucker]

Their, their run defense, we talked about it halfway through the year. We did a tape truth on them where it was. You know, they can get better, but here's what they got to do. And they kind of hit on it tonight. They move around so much they get caught out of gaps and it was happening in the first half and they kind of cleaned it up in the second half. They were much better. But I mean, they were. That defense was atrocious at times this year and then for this playoff run, much better.

[McShay]

I want to, I want to give a couple nods. Okay. First of all, I want to give, I want to give a sincere nod to Trinity Trinidad Chambliss. Like, my hats are off to you, young man. I don't know that there's a better story in all of college football. To be brought in as the 200 plus 230th, 250th ranked transfer portal quarterback to come into the SEC and to show the onions that you did throughout the entire season, to absolutely have that meltdown in front of the nation's eyes and you can see it in your eyes in the fourth quarter of Georgia and to have it inside of you because of everything you've gone through and, and the faith you have and, and the hard work and everything you have inside of you and to bounce back from that and to become the guy that everyone looks to and says, oh, he's going to deliver in the fourth quarter and to do it over and over and over again when you're program needed you the most and for your head coach to leave in the manner in which he did. The guy who brought you in and believed in you and you don't bat an eye. Yeah, Ole Miss. I'm coming back. Get. Help me get that transfer portal. Send out 90 plus pages of medical, of medical documents because I want to be back here because I love it here. This is my new home. You guys have embraced me and I'm going to give you everything I got. And to go out tonight with no Kiwan Lacey for The vast majority of this game outside that 72 yard touchdown run because of the hamstring injury he suffered on that play. And to have to carry this team when not a whole lot was working and to have your, to put your team up by driving them down at the end of the game and even to have that shot inside the 40 yard line to take the throw a Hail Mary because of a couple great throws you made.

[Tucker]

Yeah, he threw two darts at the end. He threw two darts to get him down there.

[McShay]

There isn't a better story in College football in 2025. So while this is like going to be impossible to overcome in the next, I don't know how many hours and how many days I hope people understand what he, what he did, who he is and how badly the. I think the NCAA will miss the mark if they don't give this young man an opportunity who missed time because I believe there's a lung or some sort of condition or issue that health wise back in 2022. Just a wild, wild west of people doing horrible things behind the scenes all over the place. This guy's what's good in college football. He wants to come back, let's bring him back.

[Tucker]

Okay, Agree.

[McShay]

All right, so that's that. And Pete Golding, like, my goodness, man, we're all in love with you now. Man, I, I can remember sending meetings with them and I told you like Scruffy, just kind of a mess. Been in the film room like a sailor on like the sailor's mouth times four. This guy may never be a head coach. He may not be the next like Saban Tree guy, but man, I love sitting in his meetings and I learned stuff from him. To see him now doing this and leading young men the way he is is really cool too. Let's bring it back to Miami though, because this is the story and this is a coach in Cristobal who's been deservedly maligned for poor clock management and not handling situations well late in games and more so or just as much so latent seasons. His team's collapsing and his team started to collapse late in the season and they, they, they found it inside with the help of Carson Beck and the leadership of Bain and Messador and all those guys and Keonte Scott and with this freshman Energizer Bunny that just won't quit, Malachi Toney. This is an awesome, fun team to watch. And we documented earlier on the show everything that Carson Beck has been through and got here. And you can love him, you can hate him. I've seen him grow and mature. Right. And the thing I want to say about Carson Beck is he finishes the night 23 of 37 for 268 with one touch, two touchdowns, one interception, which was not on him. It was just batted in the air tips.

[Tucker]

Yeah.

[McShay]

The thing I want to say about Carson Beck, that my problem with him and I, we joke about the Lamborghinis and the Cabinet twins and the social media and all that stuff. We do. I know, listen, but this time I'm serious. Carson Beck is big, tall, strong, armed, can make all the NFL throws. And on paper you say, yeah, I like him. It's always been about trust with Carson Beck. Right. Do you trust him?

[Tucker]

Right.

[McShay]

Trust him in key situations. Do you trust him to protect the football? Do you trust him? If a receiver does something wrong or a coach does something wrong in the post game interview, he's not going to say something. Do you trust he's going to work like he's supposed to work, that he's going to have his teammates back and they're going to have his back. Do you trust him? And without trust, like a relationship in life at quarterback, you got nothing. I'm starting to trust Carson Beck more. And I told you it was fewer than 300 passing yards in two games combined in the College Football Playoff the first two rounds. But I'm watching him pull the ball back instead of throwing into harm's way. I'm watching him make good decisions because he understands the game situation. His defense is playing well. He's got a back who's absolutely possessed in Mark Fletcher Jr today my job's to not screw it up. Let those guys win. Make a throw here or there. For the last two outings tonight, Fletcher was awesome. Another game, his his number. 22 carries, 133. And I looked it up coming in Fletcher. Fletcher had three games all year. And I know I'm bouncing around here, but stay with me. Fletcher had three games all year with over in 10 he that he hit 90 yards rushing or more, three in 10 that he played, two that he missed because of injury in the College football playoff. All three games he's gone 90 or above. In the first two games it was 36 carries for 262 yards. And so you add these 22 carries, you got 58 carries in three games. Man, Ford, I'll do the quick math. 370. No, 395 yards. Just shy of 400 yards in three games.

[Tucker]

That should be their identity. That's when they're at their best.

[McShay]

But let me just finish on Beck, and you carry it where you want as an NFL evaluator. I'm seeing the guy now. He. He's kind of. He's running around and doing some more things. He looks a little bit more mobile. He looks like he's playing more free. I'm trusting him more. He's still got the army. The deep ball stuff is not where it needs to be right now. But I'm. I'm not talking about first round, but I'm talking about on day two in a class that has Mendoza, Dante Moore, Ty Simpson, and then what Garrett Nussmeier. I think he's putting himself in the mix in that top five. I'm not saying he wasn't already, but, like, for me, I. I'm coming along and I've been very, very resistant on Carson Beck.

[Tucker]

I think you're right. I think that he's. He's climbing right now, and it'll be interesting to see what the performance does in the championship game does for him. But I think you're right about that. You know, the other thing that I'll say.

[McShay]

Are you. Are you. Are you done?

[Tucker]

Done?

[McShay]

I. I don't have to say another word tonight, and I'm good.

[Tucker]

We talked a lot at the end of the game anyways. But like Mesador and Bane, kind of quiet tonight, right? They kind of game planned. I think Indiana and, you know, or Oregon will look at that and say try and take away some things from that. I expect them to have bigger performances. But if you're looking at another draft angle for this, we're going to get Dante Moore versus Fernando Mendoza in this semifinal, and then one of those quarterbacks is going to go have to go up against this Miami defense. I mean, there's storylines everywhere, I hope. Message everywhere.

[McShay]

I. I don't know the nature of injury.

[Tucker]

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[McShay]

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[Tucker]

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[Tucker]

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[McShay]

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[Tucker]

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[McShay]

Clock.

[Tucker]

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[McShay]

Yeah, and it's, it's hard. We're going to watch the tape right? And we'll be back on Monday. We're back tomorrow night by the way everyone. And I'm not going to waste a lot of time promoting or anything like that. We've had a wild week and it's been awesome. The Ty Simpson thing was, was, was unexpected and we came and broke it in and a lot of people were watching that and we appreciate all your support. We had the mock draft early in the week. That's best show we've done all year and since last year's draft and now we've got tonight and we've got tomorrow night. We're breaking in with similar situation. If you're here tonight, you better be back. Tell a friend pass, pass the word along. Tomorrow night's gonna be more exciting and I don't know how you beat this but to be able to watch the top two quarterbacks with these stakes on the line. It's like this, it's like this Senior bowl on heroin. I don't not promoting. I'm just saying.

[Tucker]

What I don't know what's wilder that take or me saying they should let him score one of us we've had all year.

[McShay]

It's, it's a rarity outside of like an all star you get to see this, this right and in this kind of moment right before the draft with one of the two players still up in the air reportedly Pete Thamill's still saying like there's people in the building who still think Dante Moore could. Whatever. I'm just saying. But, yes, we said. I mean, the. It's kind of been like this elimination thing where they knocked out Ty Simpson, and now you get more versus Mendoza, and now Beck is like, hey, what. Hey, remember me? Come. Hey, come down to my place. Come beat me in my place. You know, that's gonna be cool. Steroids is better. Yes, I get it led better, but I just don't like to be. And male. Male. Kuiper's always there to two bad takes. Todd, Drugs are bad. Yeah, I know, I know, I know. I was just joking. I was just joking. But you get my point.

[Tucker]

McShay After Dark, by the way, people, I don't know if you've seen this before. When we start, like, when the wheels are coming off for both of us, they start saying, McShay after dark. I love it. Yeah, that's.

[McShay]

I mean, that's what. So Keelan Marion, I just want to give you this. On him. What a night. Atlanta, Georgia, kid, 6 foot 195, like you said, a veteran. Been grinding it out. 7 for 114 in a touchdown tonight. I'm here to tell you. 36, 33, 13, 79, 96. He had 116 against that atrocious Syracuse defense. 77, 18, 33, 08, 81729. Those are his receiving totals before the semifinals in the College Football Playoff. That's pretty awesome to wait your turn, step up when C.J. daniels goes down. But, like, now Daniel's back, and to still be the guy in the biggest moment is really cool and good for.

[Tucker]

Miami for recognizing a guy that caught 24 passes at BYU last year, 44 passes over the last two years is a guy that could come in and help. Yeah, you know.

[McShay]

Yeah, good point.

[Tucker]

Good for them for seeing that. And I bet that, you know, you play at byu, you better block. And the way those receivers are blocking tonight, I mean, there's just, you know, there's all these, like, little story lines involved here.

[McShay]

Massive moment for Crystal Ball for what he's been building. Massive.

[Tucker]

By the way, at any point, let me ask you this. Ray Lewis, by the way, the edge looked good. I think the edge could still go out and play. Man, he looks. He's. He's always been the coolest dude ever. Oh, yeah. And he looked. He looked great tonight. You got the edge. You got. You got Ray Lewis, you got Michael Irvin running around. They're talking to players on the sideline. Michael Irvin's going up to Malachi Tony during the game, and at what point it reminded me of Pete Carroll.

[McShay]

Michael Irvin is the only person involved that doesn't know that he's not really on the staff. And good luck telling them.

[Tucker]

Right? But it remind me a little bit of those Pete Carol Trojan teams where they. All of those.

[McShay]

But they embraced it and did.

[Tucker]

Yeah, exactly. Those Pete Carol teams. They embraced it. So are the. Is this. It seems like this Miami team's embracing it. There was. I do at moments wonder, like, is this maybe not the best thing? But they seem to be doing the same thing. They seem to be embracing it. They seem to be leaning into, yeah, we are. That. We are back. We're okay with that. We're not gonna run away from that. We're not gonna be scared of that. We're gonna embrace the history here in what we could be. It's kind of interesting. I mean, there was. I mean, both sidelines. I mean, Cam Ward was out there too. I mean, they had tons of guys on both sidelines. I think Patrick Willis could still play.

[McShay]

The line pre game from.

[Tucker]

From.

[McShay]

Ray Lewis. And by the way, if you want to see how horrible people are and just in general and how little fun people have in life and people just don't get it, go check out the comments on my. I just don't like 8004000 impressions on this tweet. Like, just a funny thing pre game. I noticed they had the mic and the camera right on them. And I was. Because it was interesting because you got Ray Lewis sitting right there, right? And the coin flip goes up and Ole miss. We want the ball.

[Tucker]

Yeah.

[McShay]

Immediately I'm like, what's Ray got to say about this? Right? And he looks over to the defensive captain who is there, and someone say. He said, bet. I heard him say, they want that. Like, they. They want that. Okay. They want that, you know?

[Tucker]

Yeah.

[McShay]

Kind of like, okay, you. You good with the fact that they want. They want the ball. And I just thought it was an awesome moment. 8004000 impressions. Normally don't get that much unless it's like a major thing. I mean, you would have thought I committed murder. It's because, you know, Ray Lewis, this Ray the killer. I'm horrible. The jets take the other day. I ruined kids lives. I'm like, come. Can. Can we just have some fun, please?

[Tucker]

Yeah.

[McShay]

Can we just have some fun?

[Tucker]

Yeah.

[McShay]

Can this team win it?

[Tucker]

Yes, 100%. They can.

[McShay]

Tell, tell. Tell me. I got eight minutes to get off of this show. And we're not everyone who's on our chat. I love you dearly. We're. We're not going to midnight tonight and I know you guys wait to get like to get to 1am on Saturday nights. We're not getting to midnight tonight or else cinder Cinderella loses the slipper and I'm Cinderella. All right, but I just want you to tell me how they could beat Indiana if IND Indiana wins. What is it about this team, Miami UC that that that can beat Indiana?

[Tucker]

Well, first of all, that's going to be a tough game. I'm not, I want to be clear about this. If I had to say who I would like in that game, I would take Indiana. But the question is can Miami win this? And here's the formula for that. It's that first of all Miami has a championship defense even if they don't win the championship. To me that's a championship defense. Both personnel scheme wise it's just a championship defense. They can throw a lot at Mendoza. So we'll just start there. Then we'll go to the offensive side of the ball. I think the key will be how well do you run against that outstanding Indiana run defense. And I would say that Miami actually kind of matches up well there in my opinion in that they have the big boys up front to just not mess around and just get downhill on them. Yeah, I mean Indiana's. Those guys are quick and they get into gaps and they. It's difficult for you in terms of, of identifying assignments but you simplify things and you get a hat on a hat. And I think Miami, I'm not saying Miami will run the ball super well, but they could run the ball well enough. And then you get Carson Beck to just be the, you know, be the guy he needs to be, which is make sound decisions, distribute the ball, don't try to do too much, make a couple key plays, maybe run for a first down or two like he did tonight. You know, all that comes to play. And then the other thing I will say Malachi, Tony in the return game, keep an eye out. Just if can he make. Can Malachi, Malachi Tony find a way to get his fingerprints on that game like he's done so many times this year. And it could come in the form of the return game. Again, I like Indiana in that game.

[McShay]

What do you think this round would be? It literally just came out this second and I don't have one for. It's a hypothetical on Fanduel. Fanduel is the best. How great Indiana. Oh, by the way, hey, hey, shake my hand. Congratulations. I just know.

[Tucker]

What's that?

[McShay]

When I went in, I saw the bet slip and we apparently won some money tonight. Oh, nice. I wasn't even. I forgot we even our picks for FanDuel this week. By the way, you're following me on FanDuel 7 and 1. Now go make all the jokes you want about why doesn't McShay just mention Aaron Hernandez before he signs off tonight? The role he's on and the Ray Lewis stuff and the Jet stuff and all of that. Have fun. If you're seven and one and men is on a little run two right now, but can you by four and a half. Indiana by five and a half. Okay, but you're really close because. Yeah, because it's negative minus 108. So it's trending towards four and a half. Early monies on Miami.

[Tucker]

Yeah, I think Miami, Darlington.

[McShay]

And it's just a hypothetical, obviously, because Oregon. Oh, here we go. Oregon. What? What would it be? It literally just popped up. This is awesome. Oregon, Miami. What's the spread?

[Tucker]

Oregon three and a half.

[McShay]

Dan Comer, our trust, our trusted and wonderful editor basically runs runs our show. He pretty good. He just popped in the chat with my Aaron Hernandez prop bet just, just hit. What did you guess?

[Tucker]

Three and a half.

[McShay]

Oregon two and a half. Okay, remind people who you like tomorrow. Who's your FanDuel pick tomorrow night?

[Tucker]

I got Oregon tomorrow. I think it's really tough to beat the same team twice. I think that Oregon will make some adjustments. I, I, I have a ton of faith in that Oregon defense again. Indiana's outstanding. I, when I say this, I, I takes nothing away from Indiana. I've just been on Oregon all year. I love Dante more. I think they're healthier than, well, you know, I just, I just like Oregon. I think defensively people are maybe sleeping on that defense and I think the corners have gotten a little bit better than they were in the first game.

[McShay]

I don't know.

[Tucker]

I just like Indiana. I mean, I just like Oregon.

[McShay]

I picked Oregon, but I feel like.

[Tucker]

I'm talking myself into it.

[McShay]

I know.

[Tucker]

I feel like I'm talking to myself.

[McShay]

We get closer, I'm starting to get.

[Tucker]

A little more nervous. So good there.

[McShay]

I think even the ones who have been believers, as you and I have been for a long, long time now, I still think we might be underestimating that this team is just awesome, but.

[Tucker]

It'S a freight train. I fully understand that. I just think Oregon's really good, too. Like, I just, I don't know. It's going to be interesting.

[McShay]

I'll be absolutely stunned if we break in tomorrow night and it's. And it's a two. I don't want to say two score if it's out of hand either way.

[Tucker]

Right.

[McShay]

I'll be blown away. Like, I can't envision Oregon running away from Indiana. I just don't think that that can. Can happen. I could see India fluky. Yeah. But I think tomorrow night when we break in with 5, 7 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, we're going to have another situation like this, back and forth and honest to goodness, like, what would be better? The top two quarterbacks in the NFL draft getting ready to come out, going head. Head to head down, marching down the field back like we just saw Chambliss back chambers, you know, like more Mendoza. More Mendoza, you know?

[Tucker]

Yeah.

[McShay]

Oh, this has been a fun ride. Love everyone in that chat, even the ones who are horrible to me.

[Tucker]

Yeah, they. The chat's getting a little. Got a little tougher on us, but that's good.

[McShay]

But they're like, keeping us on. They're like my best friends in the world and my family. They will get. They will get on us and they will bust. But if anyone else from the outside comes in, like, they will have our. They're allowed to. Nobody else is. And I appreciate that about them. I like to surround myself with people just like that. All right, it's 11:57.

[Tucker]

I'm so tempted to ask you something else to see if I can get you going.

[McShay]

Ask me. Go ahead.

[Tucker]

No, I don't. I actually don't have anything. I mean, who's the MVP tomorrow night?

[McShay]

Dante Moore. And it just shakes everything up.

[Tucker]

I gotta. I like Oregon. Here's. Here's the one I got for you. Roman Hemby, Indiana.

[McShay]

Okay. Nice try. Join us tomorrow night. Five minutes remaining in the game. I tried. I know, I know, I know. And Dan and Tucker are wishing that you did it. 1157. Just about 1158. Appreciate everyone being here. Love you guys. See you tomorrow night. Bye. Five five stars. Five stars for Kansas in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino or 18 plus and present in D.C. gambling problem. Call 1-800- gambler or visit rg-help.com call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.orgchatinconnecticut 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-HOPENY or text hopeny in New York.

[Tucker]

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