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The McShay Show
College Football 101: Arch Manning’s Future, Transfer Portal Names to Know, 2026 NFL Draft Odds, and More
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- [00:04]
Todd McShay
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Steve Levy
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Todd McShay
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- [00:33]
Unknown Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Prime. Prime. Delivery is fast. How fast are we talking? We're talking a cooler for your snacks, a folding chair, a Bluetooth speaker, and a six pack of your favorite seltzer. Delivered by tomorrow fast.
- [00:46]
Todd McShay
Oh, yeah.
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Todd McShay
Fast.
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- [01:02]
Todd McShay
We're back. Mensch. I see you there. We are back, man. I hope you've enjoyed your summer. I know Steve and I have, but we're restless. Trust me. The text coming in from men. We are restless, and it's time to go. Big things are happening for this show even while we've been on vacation a little bit. Some big news coming up, so we'll share some of that today and others will start to share as the month proceeds. But today we're going to break free from the summer scouting series and get down to business in college football. It is time, man. Just 11 days until the college football season kicks off and 258 days until the NFL draft. Men, you good?
- [01:42]
Steve Levy
I'm great, man.
- [01:43]
Todd McShay
All right, roll it. Let's keep the tempo rolling today, men. You know, let's, let's, let's get some new, some new stuff, some, some information on the show. Let's get it out of the way, okay? The McShay Report newsletter spent a lot of time this summer while we weren't watching quarterbacks and players and evaluating with, with Conor and Dan and all of our other trusted confidants and even, you know, talking to Bill Simmons and, like, trying to refine what we're doing. You got to Remember, we started October 22nd last year in the middle of the season, so that we're coming up on our first full season, our first full year of the NFL draft. So we kind of went back and looked, and I don't think it's a surprise to anyone listening to this show working on this show, being my. My. My co man over there. Men. I know it's not a surprise to you. I talk too much, I write too much. And, like, we got it. We got to refine things. So a little bit more Tempo in the newsletter, a little bit more news. Kind of playing off the news, right? Playing off of, like, here's my new theory on it. If I'm gonna bother your inbox, it better be with something you need or you desire, right? And so that's the whole new strategy. We started it kind of impromptu. How about. How about Arch Manning and his grandfather Archie, a good friend of mine, coming out and. And making it kind of like, yeah, we haven't talked about it, but yeah, like, he's coming back and I saw that and. And Connor's like, hey, bud, I know we're gonna. I know we're gonna start the whole newsletter like, Tempo, getting in people's inboxes, but, like, it's kind of. I need to know what are your thoughts? If I need to know, then. So I'm like, yeah, literally on the beach.
- [03:40]
Steve Levy
Get off the beach, man. We gotta know.
- [03:43]
Todd McShay
Literally. So. So I dove into that and like, just a.30 seconds. It's just how the Manning family operates. And when you're kind of like, there's an inner circle. I ain't in that, and I. I'm. There's probably another circle, and I'm on, like, the third or fifth, but, like, I'm in a. A circle in the Manning family. And especially when it comes to. To Archie and. And he's been wonderful to me, and I wouldn't have ever said it publicly, but he came out and. And I wouldn't have spoken about his support for me had he not just done it publicly and he got blasted all over social media. Yeah. Really cool, him talking about, you know, basically, I've worked with him over the years to create his list, to make sure he has the top guys there working at his camp that also can showcase some of their NFL talents for people who are there and just a chance to work with. With Eli and Peyton and. And refine their skills and get out there and throw before the season. So. Go ahead.
- [04:42]
Steve Levy
What I liked about the mcsh Report thing was it was. It was an evenhanded, balanced response to what he said. It wasn't a hot. You're not, you know, McShay report's not a hot. Take place.
- [04:52]
Todd McShay
No.
- [04:52]
Steve Levy
You're not going to go in there and you're not going to get the hot take on what's happening. I thought you explained it really well. And if you're someone who's looking to take. There's only so much time on the pod. We can't go two hours. We'd love to go two hours every time. There's only so much pod. So that's why the mcsh reports that great addendum to what we're doing, where you want to take a deeper dive or maybe we're not around during the summer. Whatever it is, I thought it was a. It was a great example of what the McShake report can provide on top of the pot.
- [05:17]
Todd McShay
I appreciate that. So I went into all the reasons why I truly believe that is the. The. They have a process. The Mannings do. That is exactly what the process sounds like. And we've been telling you for months now, just like we told you a lot of things that were going to happen with Shador and Nussmeier. And like, when, you know, because you're talking to the actual people and, you know, the people who are involved in this, you know the information. And I've been telling you without. I've never once. I have, like, my text, you can go. You can swipe 20 times. And that's how. And you're still in this last, like, six months that I've been talking to Archie. Like, I've never once asked him. So was your grandson thinking about coming out after this year? And you know what was interesting? I talked to a general manager who's actually close to the Manning family through some different ties, and we'll get to all that as we get closer to the draft and as the season progresses. And he said the same thing. He's like. He's like, yeah, I don't. I don't know. I'm not asking Archie then, not because I'm afraid to ask him. But, like, this is. If, you know the Mannings, you know the process. The process is we're going to do the right thing. We made a commitment to Texas, and we're going to see that through. They made a commitment to us, and they have done everything that we asked of them. Gradually bring him along, allow him to play, you know, in certain packages and. And don't thrust him in while he's still developing. And. And we're going to give you everything that we have. And it goes back and forth. And it's. That's how they do business. And so at the end of the day, the process is the process. Eli shocked people when he came back for his final year. Peyton Manning, surprise came back for Eli, I think was a fifth year. Okay. And so it's not about like where do I get drafted, what number pick am I? It's about are we ready when we get into the league. And we've seen that last in the last couple years with Jaden Daniels, Bo Nicks guys were coming in with more starts, are having more early success and are more prepared than guys like even Caleb Williams and certainly like Anthony Richardson and like Mitch Trubisky and mark Sanchez. The 13 start club. Right. But then there's this other side talking to an actual general manager who actually knows some stuff around it. And his thing was they like they absolutely, they're going through the process, head down, working, grinding, doing all the things. There's an expectation yes, he'll be back. However, one thing to factor in is I don't know that everyone quite understands what his day to day life that being arch is in Austin, Texas. And it's no fault of anyone's. It's no fault of Steve Sarkeesians of the of the the program of the Sid of the president of the school. It's no one's fault. It's inevitable anywhere in the country that he went to school and Texas is as equipped, if not more than any other program in the country to shield him from that. They have the resources, they have the money, they have the people, all those sorts of things. But at the end of the day like if, if it's a he's so generous with his time, he's so kind. I told you the conversation I had with him talking one on one was so different than most other 18 to 22 year old young men like gen, genuinely curious and like talking and stuff that you don't normally get. But it, it's going to wear on anyone. And so the bubble's a lot smaller and more intense where you go to get a bottle of water from a convenience store like a 711 and there's 15 selfies and videos and you, you just feel like you can't breathe. Sometimes you get to an NFL city, it's different. So there may have to be a weighing of quality of life versus am I truly prepared to the level I wanted to be prepared or should I just go to the NFL for a better quality of life and get into a situation which the Mannings can also help dictate where maybe I have a little bit more time than expected. So I don't know, just something to think about. And I dove into all of that in the newsletter also coming up I'm excited. Today is College Football 101. And like, just, I'm like the, the juices are flowing. Like I can smell, you know, it's like 90 degrees out. I still like feel. I feel it starting to come in the, in the air. And I know you, you, you and I have studied a ton of tape. We also have been, you know, reading and talking to people in all of our sources and we're, we're ready to start that conversation today, but we're going to kind of pivot. Go right Thursday, big day. First ever appropriately early mock draft for 2026. Okay. We've had time to study the top players. You and I actually talked about some of the guys you helped me a lot with the offensive lineman, because I just, I'm not an offensive lineman yet in July and in, in the summer, so, so we'll unveil that. We'll have that show. The newsletter will, will come out as well. And it's. And that will, you know, you'll have the. Just subscribe. It's the McShay Report. Google it. Subscribe. We also, as part of our decision and decision making summer self evaluation, there's going to be a lot more free. A lot more free. And if you decide when you're in there, and I hope you will, but if you decide while you're in there that, hey, like, I gotta get the, I gotta get the other stuff, then there's opportunity to do that too. But we're just, we're gonna flood the market and we're gonna, we're gonna be on top of things. It's good. Like there's gonna be times at 10 o' clock at night, something happens and we just got to respond. That's the kind of going to be coming in and it's going to come from sources, tape study, all the things that we do. Okay, get in now.
- [10:50]
Steve Levy
Get in now. Get in. Before it all starts, trust me, you're going to want to be a part of the process. You're going to want to look back and be. And say, big Shay said this in September. Whether you want to stick it to him if it was something we're wrong about, or stick it to me about something wrong about, go for it. But I guarantee there's going to be three or four Nuggets you're going to hear now that are come back into play when the College Football Playoff rolls around or when the draft process starts to really roll out. There's going to be stuff that you want to hear now. You want to be on top of it.
- [11:16]
Todd McShay
And then we've got quarterback tears. And I know like Eduardo is the best clip guy in the whole world and he's on our show and he's going to help cut up some of the best of what we did earlier in the summer. And then we're going to go through tears and kind of rank and do all that. And then we're going to do the college football breakdown. We're going to come at you.
- [11:32]
Steve Levy
Speaking of that, how about the odds changing after the Arch announcement? After the Archie Manning came out and said that Arch was going to stay, do you see the odds change? You sent that email, right? We're now it's Lenora Sellers and I also Lenora Sellers out of South Carolina, my guy. And the other one that was really interesting to me was Drew Aller jumped up. The Penn State quarterback is now the second favorite to be the first overall pick, which really surprised me, but that was interesting.
- [12:01]
Todd McShay
Well, I'll give you the list while we're at it. I mean, we're going to bounce around today and we're going to have fun with it. Sellers is 3 to 1 odds in April, the first day of the draft, he was 33 to 1 or 28. 28 April, it was 33 to 1. He's now 3 to 1. What's interesting about Aller, he's number two in terms of the odds to be top draft pick, number one overall pick, not at the quarterback position, number one overall pick, he went from five to two, which is like 2.5 to one if I do my math right, to seven to two, which is 3.5 to one. So higher odds, but tied for second with Garrett Nussmeier. And the guy who I've got ranked number one, number one of the quarterbacks is Kate Klubnick and he's four to one. So those three guys, those four guys, sorry, Sellers, Aller, Nussmeyer, Clubnik, are the the odds on favorites to be the number one overall pick? And then it really drops. Then it Arch Manning, obviously with that, with the Grant, his grandfather coming out and saying that takes some of the pressure off. It's like, come on guys, let's just worry about the season. He's down to 15 to 2. Then Sam Levitt is 16 1. Mendoza, Fernando Mendoza, who obviously transferred from Cal to Indiana. We did a whole podcast. You can go back. All these quarterbacks just YouTube, Spotify, Apple, just type in, you know, the McShay show on YouTube. You can go find all the video of that and the same for Spotify. And then if you just want to listen to the shows, we did a deep dive into all these top quarterbacks that we're talking about. So that's kind of.
- [13:33]
Steve Levy
I might have to take a chance and put some money on Arch with those numbers, because you never know. Again, we don't think. I don't think. I really don't think he's coming out. But with those odds, you know, maybe throw a little bit at it and take a shot at it.
- [13:45]
Todd McShay
Oh, I absolutely would because I just told you the plan is the plan. And. And.
- [13:50]
Steve Levy
Right.
- [13:51]
Todd McShay
And senior. Senior knows the plan. Archie knows the plan. But plans can change due to.
- [13:57]
Steve Levy
Right.
- [13:58]
Todd McShay
Unique circumstances. And 2025 is not. Was it 2001, 2002 when. When Eli came out, and certainly not 1998 when Peyton came out. If I guess those right, I'm. I'm. I'll be proud of it. But that's ballpark. It's. It's 20, 25 or so years later, you know, 23, 25, 26 years later, and. And the whole world has changed. So that's it. So we're. We're fired up. We, like, we're prepared more than we've ever, ever have been before, and we're doing it differently than we've ever done it before. And we finally get a preseason to ramp up to get everyone involved. So. Oh, final thing. We just got news. We will have more details on Thursday, but I'm flying that. I'm flying men's ass out of New Hampshire again.
- [14:47]
Steve Levy
You're always jumping the gun. I think Connor told us not to make the announcement yet, but here we go.
- [14:51]
Todd McShay
All right, men and I are going somewhere early in the season, and we want you to be there and join us. I'm not telling you what it is. I'm not saying it's a live show or anything like that. I'm just saying on Thursday, be prepared. We're going to have some more news. And after that, I've got even more news that I'm working on that Men doesn't even know about later in this month. So we, like. Here we go. All right, men, quickly, tell the fine folks how they can support. Support the show so we can move on.
- [15:21]
Steve Levy
Go. Go to YouTube. Hit the follow button on. On the YouTube channel. Subscribe at Spotify. You can find us at all.
- [15:29]
Todd McShay
Everywhere.
- [15:29]
Steve Levy
You can find your podcast and.
- [15:30]
Todd McShay
And more.
- [15:31]
Steve Levy
More than that. Tell your friends about it. Tell your mom about it, tell your dad about it, Tell your cousin about it. Get the word out. It doesn't always have to be the like, follow, share all that stuff. We appreciate all that stuff. Get it out there. Word of mouth to let everyone know.
- [15:43]
Todd McShay
Our moms like it. Yeah, why wouldn't you buy a little biased. Why wouldn't yours? Here's where I want to start with college football. One on one. We're going to do a few shows on, you know, the rankings and really dive deep into this. I want to bounce around like what's, like what's jumping out to us and I feel like it's just today's day and age. Like the transfer portal is so critical and is so impactful that I just want to start throwing out some names and see where we go with this. Okay. First of all, I feel like we have to talk about every year now. It's going to be the case this year it's the case. We've got some major names moving into major programs. Okay. And I'm going to give you a list right now and whatever jumps out to you, just respond. Mitch. John Matiere from Oklahoma. We talked about day two grade. Freaking fun to watch on tape, man. The fullback mechanics are a disaster. Legs like a fullback. None of it makes sense except the result. And the result is a beautiful thing. Just rips the ball from his, just snaps his wrist and he's just like one of those gamers is competitive. I just, I love this guy and I'm excited to see him in Oklahoma. Same coordinator, new place. That offense needed a more than a jolt. They needed like what is it when you. The defib, defibrillator, whatever. They needed one of those. Carson Beck from Georgia to Miami, one of the most fascinating, certainly the most high profile transfers in the, in the portal this year. Fernando Mendoza I just mentioned, I'm talking guys like he's not there yet. But to summarize a 50 minute show that we did earlier in late June or early July and you go back and watch it. He's got the tools to, to be a first round pick and I like a lot of things on tape and what Indiana is going to like is they were so damn good. They were not, not so damn talented, but so damn good up front in terms of like cohesiveness and blocking together. And they had a pinpoint accurate quarterback in Roark and, and they did so many things well but when push came to shove against better competition, they didn't have mobility at the quarterback position. And now they get Mendoza who can be all the things that they had with their previous quarterback. Plus that Mobility. I'm excited to see what Signetti and the gang have. Have cooked up for Mendoza. Then our boy Nico. I am Aliava. I mean, big, big news. Everyone knows the story. Like, he. He messed with the bowl and he kind of got the horn. So let's see how it works out at ucla. Tommy Castellanos from F, at fsu, from bc. I read all these magazines, all these publications. No one's talking about this, that he played right up the road here. Played right up the road here. The Heights. He. You may not like his. The way he. Some of the things he does. You know, I'm certain a lot of people in this area don't love the. The departure and how that ended, but he is a playmaker, and at fsu, they've got to bounce back, and they've obviously made some moves in the transfer portal and recruiting and everything else. Miller Moss. Nobody knew about Tyler Shuck last year. Shuck is more talented than Miller Moss. I promise you that.
- [19:21]
Steve Levy
By the way, everyone's killing Shuck until he went in for his first preseason game. Then all of a sudden, oh, maybe he's not as bad. People need to calm down with their overreactions to everything right now, but go ahead.
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Todd McShay
Yeah, shuck through a pick six and. And could have kind of, you know, folded a letter, affect him mentally. And it didn't at all. Right. Wound up completing, like, what was it, like 18 of 24, like 184 yards, something like that.
- [19:42]
Steve Levy
Calm down. It's gonna play out. It'll play out.
- [19:45]
Todd McShay
Play out. And you know what? He's going to have some real downs and he's going to have some highs, but that's part of the process. And, and you know what? This is what we said during the process. He's uniquely prepared for that because of his career and the three different stops and the seven different years and all that. Miller Moss, though. Now the Braum brothers get their hands on another transfer whose career has not gone the way he wants and has some talent. Not as talented as Shuck, not. Not as fast. Doesn't have quite the arm. But I saw him at the Manning passing academy. I kind of like the way he carries himself. He's kind of. I don't know. I think that they're going to do some good things there in Louisville and transferring obviously from usc and. And Gio Lopez is the last one I'm going to mention. You can take all of this anywhere you want to go, men. South Alabama to unc. The hat backwards, crooked. Doesn't look Anything like doesn't look any short but like unbelievably athletic, snaps the ball off. He jumped out of all the quarter. Like I went to see certain quarterbacks at the Manning Passing Academy and we know the names, Sellers club, Nick Nussmeier obviously and a handful of others. I was disappointed that Aller wasn't there. I was disappointed that Mendoza wasn't there even though he desperately wanted to be. As I dropped my pen. But then this, this Geo Lopez guy stood out and he was just ripping the ball. And I'm not talking about NFL draft, I'm talking about college football this year. Bill Belichick chose him and he doesn't look anything like Brady and he doesn't play anything like Brady. But there's a reason I'm fascinated to see how that goes at UNC this year.
- [21:32]
Steve Levy
Let me give you an under the radar guy, okay? Caden Salter from Liberty, transferring to Colorado, threw for almost 6,000 yards and 56 touchdowns at Liberty in four seasons and ran for over 2,000 yards. I think when you look at him, it's not Shador, he's not that pinpoint pick you apart pocket passer. That offense is going to look a lot different. But if Colorado is going to be competitive, that kid's going to have to have a big year. And he's talented. It just seems like he's a player that no one's talking about, but he's a, he's one of those transfer quarterbacks that I think at the end of the year could surprise you with what he does.
- [22:06]
Todd McShay
You made an interesting point to me. Mention about the landscape with the quarterbacks and the top 10 teams. And I want you to share that with everyone and kind of take me deeper into what you were able to find. But I do think it's fascinating that we've got. And here I was texting with Rossillo last night, right? He just asked me a question out of the blue. It's like 10 o' clock last night. And he's like, how, you know, how many quarterbacks do you, do you have in. In the first round? And he was talking about what are, who are the SEC guys? Just curious. Don't just give me a loose answer. So I just started, you know, I'm like, I'm just going to send a few names. And I kind of got going and I'm sitting out in the porch and I'm like, yeah, I was like excluding Arch, you got clubnik nuts. Sellers. I said with Sellers, I wanted to, I want him to go back for another year. But he's up as we saw by the current odds. Right after that. I said, maybe Mendoza if he takes that next step. I said, I'm not completely sold on Aller, but you're going to have a lot of people who are include, including people who said set those odds. Right. I'm also, I'm, I'm not like I'm not selling back as a, as a round one guy, but certainly another name. Basically the Adler and Beck are two other names you're going to hear that I'm not as high on. Just call it what it is. Okay. I said, but there, but here's the thing. There's a handful of other guys that really like their potential. I see them as day two guys and, or like potential risers this year. Keep an eye out. You know, like Carson Wentz. I told NC State coming in the year before, nobody knew about him. All of a sudden we're talking about number two overall pick Cam Ward last year. Like there's some guys here that, that could have big years. And I said, I said Avery Johnson, Miller, Moss, Geo from unc. And I'm not saying second, I'm just saying these are other guys. Oh no, sorry. With the, with the day two and or risers. I said those are included in that list. Could be Matier and Levitt, John Matiere now at Oklahoma. Levitt coming back first for, for first full year. Well, coming back for a second year at Arizona State. Then I said other names that could have big years too, like Avery Johnson, Miller, Moss. I said I like the UNC Geo and, and the Washington kid. Both are undersized guys. I'm not talking about NFL but like they're, they're going to have big years, I think. And I said that's a ton of freaking names. Yeah. And then, and then I said to, I said it's, I said it's going to be a fun year after that. I said, oh by the way, Sawyer, Robertson, Baylor, he's got some shit too. And he's kind of my long shot guy. That could be a big riser so that I'm not going to sit back and count. But that's like 12, 13 names I just ripped up and ripped off. And that's not even everyone. So this is going to be a fun year in college football. But what's fascinating is I also get a text from Mensch being like, yeah, that's great, Todd for the draft, but there's some unknown. So take, take it from here.
- [25:01]
Steve Levy
It is. Listen, it's Great for the draft and what I'm going to and I'm super excited about it. What I'm going to talk about is a small sample size. I acknowledge that quarterbacks don't necessarily win or lose games. It's the whole team. Some of these guys that I'm going to get into, I just want to you know, know disclaimer here. They were overmatched roster wise. Okay, I'm just going to say that. But let's go back to a year from a year ago when the top 10, the top 10 teams or the the first rankings came out. The coaches poll on the AP what we are today. Okay. This year and last year, the same thing, same top 10 teams, slightly different orders, but those polls have the Same top team, 10 teams. Last year when you looked at those teams, only when you looked at their Michigan was when you looked at those top 10 teams, Michigan was the only team in the top 10 that didn't have a quarterback coming back with with fewer than 13 starts. And you fast forward Michigan ends outside of the top 25.
- [25:55]
Todd McShay
So Michigan's the only, Michigan's the only team in the top 10 to start the season last year that had a quarterback coming in who had fewer than 13 starts. Everyone else had 13 or more starts in the top 10. The nine other programs. And then go ahead then what happened to Michigan?
- [26:12]
Steve Levy
Whenever I do math, my head starts to spin outside the top 25. Right?
- [26:15]
Todd McShay
Yep.
- [26:16]
Steve Levy
So then fast forward to the first year of the expanded playoff. Right? 12 teams.
- [26:20]
Todd McShay
Michigan, Michigan's the only team that finished outside the top 25 or they finished outside the top 25.
- [26:27]
Steve Levy
Florida State also did too for other reasons.
- [26:29]
Todd McShay
But yeah, okay.
- [26:30]
Steve Levy
Right. So they weren't the only team that did that. But it's interesting that the of the one team, one team that had an inexperienced quarterback did not finish in the top 25. Fast forward to the 12 team playoff first year. We have it right. And again, small sample size. The four quarterbacks who were not were first year starters all lost the first game they played. That was Tennessee, Boise State, smu, Arizona State, some of those. I mean Levitt played his, his tail off against Texas. So don't get me wrong, it's not all about these quarterbacks, but we're not talking about the quarterbacks right now. We're talking about how well teams are going to do going forward. Okay, so that was just last year for the four guys who were first year starters all lost their first game in the playoffs. There was only one team that was, that had a in the top 10 that had a start well first year starter and that was Michigan Fast forward to this year we got Texas first I'm doing the coaches poll Texas is first Archie Manning has two starts Ohio State Ryan Day hasn't named a starter but when he does it's going to be a first year guy Then you got Penn State you got Aller coming back Gunner Stockton first year starter Notre Dame CJ Carr it looks like probably could be Kenny Menchee first year starter Oregon Dante Moore started five games at UCLA I don't consider that a full season of starter that was also two years ago didn't play at all really limited playing time last year at Oregon they're number seven Alabama first year starter I mean starting to look at these teams and I'm saying to myself look I'm not talking about how Dante Moore is I mean wildly talented Julian S saying from Ohio State wildly talented these guys are all talented.
- [28:04]
Todd McShay
No no I know that's a great.
- [28:06]
Steve Levy
Point but I'm looking, I'm spinning this forward and I'm saying to myself does having an experienced quarterback is that going to matter when it like push comes to shove and you're looking at all the other talented quarterbacks that you mentioned a lot of them are outside that top 10 are the when we are we in a month or two months from now talking about how man we there was a lot put on these young quarterback shoulders and some of them weren't ready for it and that's opened the door for some of these more seasoned guys to step in so we'll see it's something we'll keep an eye on with seasons going forward with the new expanded playoff but it's something that jumped out to me earlier I should never do math my head starts to.
- [28:38]
Todd McShay
Spin but it is interesting no it is and you look at I mean I, I'd have to go back but like Michigan in 2023 JJ McCarthy experience starter Georgia in 2022 and 2021 was that both what's his name the Ramp no no no sets and Bennett Yeah Yeah Alabama in 2020 was that two.
- [29:15]
Steve Levy
I think Tua came in was that the year he came in in the playoff to replace Jaylen Hurts or was that the year after I'll say this.
- [29:23]
Todd McShay
About LSU in 19 was Burrow Clemson 26 or 2018 was that was a young, that was a young Trevor Lawrence but yeah it's just an interesting point.
- [29:37]
Steve Levy
I, I like it JJ McCarthy in Michigan lost to that TCU team that was JJ McCarthy's first year first year early.
- [29:44]
Todd McShay
So it's not.
- [29:45]
Steve Levy
We'll see.
- [29:46]
Todd McShay
Yeah, we'll see.
- [29:47]
Steve Levy
But it's something to keep an eye on.
- [29:48]
Todd McShay
The word you use when you text me, it was. It creates a lot of potential for volatility.
- [29:55]
Steve Levy
I love that. Yeah, there's a lot of volatility here and I'm excited about that. I also think it also spins into what we're going to talk about with some of this transfer portal stuff, which is, I mean, you look at these teams and Ohio State, 14 guys drafted Georgia, 13 guys drafted, 12, 12 at Texas, 10 at Oregon. Now you have the LSU lost four offensive linemen, including Will Campbell. You have. Now all this portal stuff's going on. The volatility in college football I don't think has ever been higher. And I love that. I think that's actually exciting because there are so many unknowns. We're sitting here trying to preview the college football season. I'm like, man, I wait till the lights come on. I have no idea. Like, on paper, this all looks great, man. This all looks great. You got this guy from that team and this school. They, they brought in a starting center from Troy and they got a receiver from. From Virginia and all of these things and it looks, it looks really good. But, man, they haven't played a snap together in competitive football.
- [30:48]
Todd McShay
Yeah, we know Ole Miss was the portal king last year.
- [30:52]
Steve Levy
I, I get it. Didn't make the playoff.
- [30:55]
Todd McShay
That's what I'm saying. And so, and, and Ohio State won the national championship. And yeah, they spent a bleep ton of money, but look at how much money was spent on that defensive side to keep the players there. What was it? How many? 14 players drafted from Ohio State last year? It was either from Ohio State, it was either eight or nine on the defensive side. Those guys, I think every one of them, I think every one of them was a like 3, 4, 5 year player. Ohio State, okay. Caleb Downs was the only guy who came in and they brought in Quinchon Judkins. Caleb Downs is the only significant piece that was a.
- [31:39]
Steve Levy
From Alabama.
- [31:40]
Todd McShay
Yeah, from Alabama at the safety position and, and obviously a star. But they had eight other eight or nine other guys who got drafted that they, they had to fork up the money to keep them in school and keep them in that school. Right? Yeah, they were homegrown and they had Trayvon Henderson and Judkins. Quinton Judkins, yes. They, they had to pay him a couple million, whatever it was, to come in from Ole Miss. And that certainly played effect Their run game certainly. Like no question. But of all those guys, like you're talking two or three that made massive impacts that were transfer portal guys. And then you look at Ole Miss, they, they like, like, holy, like I can't believe all this talent. And Ole Miss did have all the talent and they had a bunch of players drafted, that whole defensive line. Right. But they didn't make the College Football Playoff. So there's something still to the cohesion and the development within a program. So how do you balance all this stuff? And that's your, that, that's. Can I ask you this? Yeah. Are we going to start.
- [32:43]
Steve Levy
Our team's going to start this because I wanted to get into the College Football Playoff committee at one, at one point. Right. Because they did the right thing with the seating. The seating is no longer tied to conference wins. The top four, four teams in the rankings get by. Right thing to do. Glad they did.
- [32:58]
Todd McShay
Absolutely. There's a no brainer. Yeah.
- [32:59]
Steve Levy
Are they going to pay more attention to strength of schedule this year? Because it seemed like last year's strength of schedule was not that important to them. When you look at a team, it was all about wins and losses. SMU had one less loss than in Alabama or an Ole Miss and they thought that that was so listen to me. Are we going to start seeing softer schedules to start the year?
- [33:20]
Todd McShay
I'm listening, I'm listening to Texas, Ohio.
- [33:23]
Steve Levy
State, Clemson, LSU matchups. Are they going to go away?
- [33:27]
Todd McShay
I'm listening to you the same way, the same damn way that I listened to the same executives that came up at the college football seminars that we had in Orland or, or Hartford, Connecticut or wherever. Well, wherever else it was with the top analysts in the freaking world there and all these executives, from rules officials to, to, you know, espn, Disney, abc. Like there were probably a billion dollars worth of salaries and revenues in that room. And every year it was the same thing that we're going to balance all of these factors and we're going to have some coaches in there and some analytics and it went from, from the, you know, the BCS to the computers to like committee and, and at the end of the day, I, I, yeah, it's maddening. But like, what are we going to do in the show? Sit here and like complain about it and like, yes, I'm hopeful, Steve. I was hopeful for, for 15 years sitting in those meetings that we were going to have people who understood how difficult it was to play in an SEC schedule and that it's not just about the one week And Big Ten, but whatever. Yeah, and Big Ten. Yes, absolutely. This past couple years. Absolutely the Big Ten. But I think what gets lost is the wear and tear and what it does to a program. But I don't want this show today to go down that road. Awesome point. Valid.
- [34:59]
Steve Levy
Hold on.
- [35:00]
Todd McShay
We all hope. What do you want me to tell.
- [35:02]
Steve Levy
You if our hopes don't. What I'm asking you is it's the next, the next step if, if we, what we hope doesn't happen. And you're the athletic director for an LSU and are you now not scheduling an out, tough out of conference schedule?
- [35:16]
Todd McShay
Because why would you.
- [35:18]
Steve Levy
Yeah, all these games we're getting, we're getting Texas, Ohio State, we're getting Clemson, lsu.
- [35:24]
Todd McShay
Right. It's a dream. It's a dream.
- [35:26]
Steve Levy
But going forward, why would programs do that?
- [35:29]
Todd McShay
And, and it's important for, for listeners who don't know and I assume a lot of people do, but maybe not. These schedules are done like five, sometimes 10 years in advance.
- [35:39]
Steve Levy
So like do teams start backing out? I mean that, we've seen that happen before. Teams start backing out of commitments. Stranger things have happened in college.
- [35:48]
Todd McShay
Texas, Ohio State, lsu, Clemson is Notre.
- [35:53]
Steve Levy
Dame, Texas A and M, Alabama, Florida State.
- [35:56]
Todd McShay
Okay, Notre Dame, Miami, ucla. Okay. Tcu, Bill Belichick. That's the first week. Michigan and Oklahoma the second week plus like Iowa, Iowa State, Arizona State, Mississippi State, Kansas, Missouri, it's okay. But the third week is awesome again. Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, lsu, Alabama, Wisconsin. Yeah, that's a good point. Right.
- [36:36]
Steve Levy
I mean it's some other teams. I'm, I'm just pulling it up now. I'm not going to see who these teams are, but they're going to be some teams playing, you know, Delaware. There are going to be some teams who are playing these lower end competition out of schedule and you know, careful what you ask for. I always think about App State.
- [36:51]
Todd McShay
The only thing we.
- [36:51]
Steve Levy
Michigan.
- [36:52]
Todd McShay
I, I hear you. The only thing we have working on our advantage. And again, I don't want to spend too much time but the only thing we have working to our advantage as football, college football fans is like money has always run this sport in every other sport. Let's not lie to us.
- [37:06]
Steve Levy
That's true. That is true.
- [37:09]
Todd McShay
And now more than ever you look, I read something recently, I forget the numbers like 200 something million dollars that Texas had as an operating budget for football last year, but it was like they, they only netted like 20 or 12 million or something because they, because you know, it was a, it was revenue versus budget, you know, very simple math. Revenue versus expenses. And so you have 246 million or whatever the number was in. In revenue, but 212 or 220 million went out in expenses to pay these players to have the facility. They just put in new lockers. The new locker room with. The locker with. With chairs and lockers. That. Unbelievable.
- [37:56]
Steve Levy
Oh, they're so sick.
- [37:59]
Todd McShay
We had a folding chair, a metal folding chair. In college. We had.
- [38:05]
Steve Levy
There was. At Richmond, there was a freshman locker room and then an upper classroom. I'm not kidding. The freshman locker room was. It was a storage closet. I mean, it was a glorified storage closet.
- [38:14]
Todd McShay
Oh. So my point is you. You got to pay the bills, so you got to play some games anyway. All right, so. So I do. I love that. About, like, the volatility, I think coming into the year, we've got so many great teams and programs that we know and that we know the coaching, we know, we know the recruiting, we know what they've brought in. We know some of the portal stuff, but we don't know, like, the quarterback position and how they're going to mesh. The portal stuff. Right, right. What I do know is this. While Ole Miss was a very good team and quite honestly, probably should have gotten into the College Football Playoff last year, but didn't. I saw that. Look, there are some other. LSU now is taking on the. The SEC mantle, apparently. I just. I love this stuff. It's like the gossip and the. Especially down south, man, I've got myself a Southern, a Southern woman I love. Like, I've been traveling down south, the SEC my whole life in the ACC and the Big 12, and I just love the passion and, you know, but I also love. I don't love necessarily, but I'm always fascinated by, like, the booster clubs and. And what goes into all this. And LSU apparently was like, we got Nussmeier one more year. Open it up. I would love to see the text messages, the emails, the phone calls. Hey, buddy, this is our. You know, let's go on. Tuesday, August 26th, it's FanDuel Futures Day, a new holiday for football fans. It's 24 hours of deals on all your football season predictions. So take a flyer on the MVP race. How about Joe Burrow, crown your champion in August, The Buffalo Bills. Or parlay your division winner Dark horses. Mark your calendars. This is your day for your hunches, your hot takes, your calls, and your odds. Visit the FanDuel app today and start planning for future bets now, because Futures Day is one day and one day only. FanDuel play. Your game must be 21 and older and present in 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 backslash chat in Connecticut.
- [40:48]
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- [42:25]
Todd McShay
The Tigers allocated more nil funds is what I read to this portal cycle than any other program in the country. And I'll get to the other that was just behind him, apparently. I mean, if you believe all the reporting. But the reporting is I. I understand the jumping off point is it's inaccurate because so many private deals. But essentially LSU and Texas Tech are the two programs that just.
- [42:47]
Steve Levy
Who had Texas Tech number two before he said it? Texas A M. Texas. Texas Tech, man.
- [42:53]
Todd McShay
I know. But lsu, they opened it up. Jack. Jack Pyburn from Florida, Patrick Payton from Florida State. Two edge rushers. LSU's always got edge rushers. They haven't developed the guys that they wanted, apparently. So they brought in two guys to make sure that they always got edge rushers and weapons for Nuss. They brought in some weapons for Nuss. Brian Kelly, like now can he do. And I'll get to some. I'll get to LSU in a little bit with the weapons, and I want to get to the SEC and all the weapons in a little bit. But can Brian Kelly do what Lane Kevin could, Kiffin couldn't do and make it all gel to a. To. To a national championship level? Lane did it. They were a damn good football team. They just. It wasn't. They couldn't take that next step. So I'll be fascinated to see. And now Nuss. And the reports are that Garrett Nuss, Meyer, this, this patellar tendon. Patellar tendon, tendonitis, whatever it is, in his knee. They call it a 1.5 out of 10. It's. It's just nothing to see here. Right. But I told you last year, it was, it was unique to me because I don't often see from a quarterback that the season wore on the quarterback and his. He didn't have the same twitch and urgency mentally he did physically. His body couldn't. He just. It was too much on him. They got to run the football this.
- [44:15]
Steve Levy
Year and got to run the football.
- [44:18]
Todd McShay
That's the number one thing. If you're an LSU fan, like going back and watching the amount of tape that we've watched and talking to the people we've talked to that have kind of the inside knowledge of the system, the personnel, like if they can't run the football significantly better than last year, it's going to end with disappointment.
- [44:37]
Steve Levy
Four with four offensive linemen that got drafted, including the guy who got drafted fourth overall. They couldn't run with that group.
- [44:43]
Todd McShay
I know. So I know.
- [44:45]
Steve Levy
I mean, better figure it out.
- [44:47]
Todd McShay
So I'm just going through a few of the top portal, like these. These are the programs that think that they have solved all the issues and put throwing a lot of money at it. And now it's kind of on the coaching staff to make it all work. Lsu, as I mentioned, Texas Tech, the Red Raiders, Nil Collective. I love this name. It's called the Matador Club. El Matador Club. Right. Cody Campbell, the top booster, has been very vocal. Like it's been, you know, I just love this stuff. 16 transfers from the portal Class number one ranked port portal class according to a couple different places. Doesn't matter. 16. Three offensive linemen, four cornerbacks, four defensive linemen including Edge David Bailey, who we could be talking about. We'll see if he's in my mock. My, my appropriately early, early mock draft that's going to drop on Thursday and we'll do an entire show surrounding it. Okay, so Joey McGuire now head coach. 23 and 16 I think is right. Yeah. 23 and 16 during three years. Pretty good. They haven't had great talent. They lose Taj Boyd, right. Or sorry, Taj Brooks.
- [45:56]
Steve Levy
Taj Brooks.
- [45:57]
Todd McShay
Yes, Taj brooks and like 15. Yeah, 1505 he rushed for last year. So they lose that. But now you got all these other. And now we're in the Big 12, right? Not, not as. Not the competition level of certainly the SEC and Big Ten and even the acc.
- [46:17]
Steve Levy
I would agree.
- [46:18]
Todd McShay
Arizona State still the top dog. Sam Levitt returns. Scatter booze out. They brought in a running back transfer. They're going to have two or three man rotation. They're going to spread things out more. It's going to be Levitt's offense, not Scatter Boots. Not, not the run game.
- [46:30]
Steve Levy
Jordan Tyson.
- [46:31]
Todd McShay
Yep, Jordan Tyson, a wide receiver leading the charge. Yes. Byu, Kansas State with Avery Johnson. Iowa State with Rocco Becht. Baylor with my guy Sawyer Robertson who I mentioned before. Maybe Utah brought in some transfers as well. But into that offensive line, you love those tackles. I, I watched some just to make sure that I, I agreed with you and I do but I would put. So I mentioned all those other programs. Byu, Kansas State, Iowa State, Baylor, Utah based off of like the Portal and all this talent coming in. There are a lot of people that believe it could be ASU top dog and Texas Tech. And I haven't even mentioned Colorado. Right. Like so that's going to be fascinating in the Big 12. Oklahoma, our guy, Jim Nagy, senior executive director or executive director of the Senior bowl. Friend of ours for 25 years or so, dating back to my first job coming out of college. Sleeping on Gary Horton's couch in midtown Manhattan in a one bedroom and going up to the office in 57th and 7th, I think it was. And every day I'd open up the door to a okay sized office and with an awesome view but a Gary in one corner, Nagy in the other corner and me sandwiched between the two. It was a one person office for Mike George, the agent at the time. Three of us were plugged right in there. So I've known Jim a Long time and you have to. But Jim comes in and the program's committed to making sure that they, they bounce back. I don't know. Like I can't think of a better combo than, than Matier and Ott for an offense that was struggling.
- [48:18]
Steve Levy
Right. Odd's got to bounce back. He wasn't as good last year. He's banged well.
- [48:21]
Todd McShay
He had the injury in the second, first or second game last year.
- [48:24]
Steve Levy
Yeah.
- [48:24]
Todd McShay
We're talking about him as like a second or third round pick at Cal at the running back position.
- [48:28]
Steve Levy
I agree. Got to get the offensive line right too though. I mean they've got to get that offensive line right. You're in the SEC now. That was a big problem for them last year. If they can get that offensive line right, it's going to be interesting.
- [48:39]
Todd McShay
Yes.
- [48:39]
Steve Levy
I love Mater. I don't, I don't think he's the best quarterback. I wouldn't say that. The best transfer, Porter quarterback. But he might be my favorite.
- [48:47]
Todd McShay
Yeah. And our guy Connor, who's our executive producer on the show, like it was his. It was his. It was his midnight snack every week.
- [48:55]
Steve Levy
Just watching it like we started last year in October. I think by November Connor was talking about material. Have you guys seen this guy Mater? Have you seen him in the tier?
- [49:03]
Todd McShay
Yeah. Yeah. And now I get why he wouldn't shut up about him. Truly. Like he. Not only is he really talented and successful and competitive and all the things, he's just a blast to watch every play. You have no idea. So Oklahoma is going to be a lot more fun this year and I think when we go to our rankings in a couple weeks with the top 15, I think Oklahoma is going to be in there for me. Speaking of Oklahoma, Jackson, Jackson, Arnold, transferred from Oklahoma to Auburn. Putting a lot of stock in that. Right? They had an awesome reportal class too. Eric Singleton, absolute flipping burner like 4, 2, 8. I'm told he could run something crazy from Georgia Tech. Horatio Fields. I'll get to the kind of the weapons in the SEC below Oregon, another program. Dylan Tieneman. Go ahead, Dan. I don't know how to say it either. Text me in the waiting for chat. How I screwed it up again. This one's on me. The first time's on Dylan. The second one's on me. Dan Landing also added seven other starters or seven other players that were starters for their previous program. Okay. In the portal including Makai Hughes, two time 1000 yard rusher, Tulane and three offensive linemen including Isaiah World who check on Thursday might Be in my first round as well. Okay. And three defensive backs. So lot of portal stuff for some big programs. Lsu, Oklahoma, Auburn, Oregon. And then this wild card coming out of nowhere. We know where the money's coming from. Still drilling into that ground, but Texas Tech put some oil into it, man. All right, I want to get to the Big Ten and I'm gonna get, I'm gonna give you three names that I'm really excited to see. And you can go anywhere you want on the Big Ten. You can go anything. I don't care. Again, new newcomers, Penn State desperate. This is one trend that I saw throughout and especially in the sec we'll get to in a second. But one trend I saw is some big time programs were desperate for playmakers on the perimeter. Penn State was like chief among them. They bought in, brought in Trabor pena from Syracuse. 5, 10, 186, not even a burner, but just a great, like a really good football player. Former five star, had 84 catches last year, led the ACC. And you, you now give Aller a weapon on the outside. They've got to get the receivers more involved because they don't have a first round tight end. Right, Right.
- [52:03]
Steve Levy
Although I like their tight ends.
- [52:04]
Todd McShay
Although Frank Leonard thinks that they might.
- [52:07]
Steve Levy
Yeah, I like Dinkins and Reynolds. I think they have, they have, they're not, it's not Tyler Warren, but they have two pretty good tight ends.
- [52:12]
Todd McShay
My point is that Aller, like, you have to believe that they're. Aller's going to have to advance his game and be able to throw to receivers when they're running away from him with accuracy and timing. And if he doesn't, Penn State season's not going to be the season they wanted. And Aller's not going to get drafted where he wanted to get drafted. And I think Pena is going to be a big part of that. But you can't deny the one, two punch. They got a running back.
- [52:34]
Steve Levy
No, no, I, I'm a massive fan of Nick Singleton. I think he's. I don't know if he, he was in the conversation for you, but I think he's got a chance to go early next year. And Katron Allen might not be as naturally gifted, but damn, he's a good running back. He's just a good back.
- [52:50]
Todd McShay
Singleton could, could be in that first round as well. So.
- [52:54]
Steve Levy
Yeah, yeah. And I'm interested to see how they use those guys. I mean the, Penn State's going to get creative with how they use both of those guys at the same Time. I think they did that last year. Singleton, they almost lined up in an H back spot. And by the way, kind of reminded me a little bit of Trayvon Henderson when I went back and watched the tape with how willing he is to block. He had some monster blocks in the run game for Penn State last year.
- [53:16]
Todd McShay
Okay. Michigan running back Justice Haynes, Alabama. I don't think he's like, he's not special special, but he's, he's, he's got a chance to be a really good player and I think he fits that offense. Chip Lindsay comes in from unc. He's bound been, he's bounced around. He's been with some really bright minds over his career and he did some really good things at unc and, and they're kind of entrusting him to maintain the integrity of Michigan football. Offensive line play, run the ball. But let's like maybe not have five tight ends on the field at once. Let's, let's try to like seven offensive linemen. Let's advance things a little bit. We got Underwood under center right coming in, who's going to have some bumps in the road. First year starter, the pop, but very talented. And now we get some, a little bit of kind of mobility. No matter what, like how hard the, the, the first year stuff is for Underwood, it's gonna be better than what they had at quarterback last year. And Lindsay adds a little bit of, remember, like obviously Omari and Hampton, downhill runner, kind of try to spread the little things out some more, create some creases. And I think that's what Haynes is brought in to do. I'm interested to see. But you got to remember they lost Donovan Edwards and much more importantly Khalil Mullings last year with 1537 combined rushing yards. So he better be ready to step in. And it's going to be a rotation. But I think Haynes has got a chance to be a big impact player and another guy in the Big Ten. And I know this isn't like sexy to talk about, but Ohio State lost 2, 2, 2 tackles the first round, right. Donovan Jackson went earlier than we thought. And the Chiefs drafted.
- [55:05]
Steve Levy
Josh Simmons.
- [55:05]
Todd McShay
My guy, Josh Simmons. Thank you. They said brain squeeze at 32, right? Or 31.
- [55:12]
Steve Levy
Seth McLaughlin, the center graduated and I think he signed as an undrafted free agent. Right. They, they got some work to do up front.
- [55:19]
Todd McShay
So Ethan Anwa from Rice comes in and apparently this guy is talented. I'm not going to sit here and lie to you and say I've watched Anwa's Tape on from Rice.
- [55:27]
Steve Levy
He's next to my list, man. I've, I've heard some things. I got, I gotta watch him too.
- [55:31]
Todd McShay
But he's 6, 6, 357 pounds and Ohio State chose him, so.
- [55:36]
Steve Levy
Right.
- [55:36]
Todd McShay
I'm interested. They also added Max Claire, who we both like from Purdue. I went and I've, I've watched enough of his tape and there was somebody else too. But, but I'm interested to see with that tackle position, that offensive line and then, and then claret tight end. I'm interested to see what those two guys do.
- [55:57]
Steve Levy
I love Claire. I think he's got a chance to be really special. I think he's going to do some big things from them this year. I do. We've already talked about two names. Feeling bad for Purdue. Purdue lost some talent. Oh God, they lost, they lost the safety to Oregon. They lost Claire to Ohio State. Will help the edge to Clemson.
- [56:15]
Todd McShay
Clemson.
- [56:16]
Steve Levy
There's. That's the flip side of the portal, man. I mean it feels like Purdue got raided. Did a great job of bringing these young kids in. And that's just, that's the reality of it. It's just the nature of it.
- [56:28]
Todd McShay
I, I'm, I'm always like, make sure you're an SEC homer. I was. It was punishing watching programs like, like Georgia last year without weapons. It was even hard. Like Alabama, obviously. Ryan Williams, absolutely awesome, but didn't have anything next opposite him. Like not didn't have anything. It just felt like it was very like we've got to get the ball to one spot. But I, I actually going back, I like Jeremy Bernard. I think it was more of a quarterback thing, quite honestly than, than it was. So I'm gonna rip through. I here, like the SEC has been down by standards very clearly, if not in one. They've been number two and they've been the number two conference the last two years by most people's accounts. Okay. And I wouldn't, I wouldn't disagree. Champs are the champs. It is what it is. But I think one of the things that's been missing is like playmakers, difference makers. Yes. She's always had awesome defense and they've always had dudes like play, you know, offensive playmakers. And only recently in the last like seven, eight years, maybe 10 years now, had top quarterbacks too, to go with it. But I want to just rip off some names. You ready for this, men? Go Alabama. Isaiah Horton comes in. Former five star, broke out for Miami last year. 56 catches, 616 yards. Five touchdowns. Six foot four. He goes opposite Ryan Williams, which puts.
- [57:56]
Steve Levy
Bernard in the slot. I mean think of matchups Bernard's gonna get. Yeah, I mean everyone slides into their spot.
- [58:01]
Todd McShay
So is Ty Simpson who's an upgrade as a passer. Not nearly like, but, but is he good enough to take this offense to another level? That's going to be fascinating to watch. Georgia wide receivers been a problem for a long time. You consistent production whether it's guys with drops not feeling, you know, feeling like they're blocking more than they're going over routes. The tight ends are too involved, the running backs are too involved, all that stuff. But Zachariah, Zachariah Branch comes in, former five star USC transfer. He's a burner four three five gunner. Stockton's got to rely on Branch and some other guys that would all have already been there like Dylan Bell. And then the tight ends, Lawson Lucky and, and Delp. Oscar Delp. But oh and by the way, Nate Frazier, super talented running back. Got to protect the ball better but like, but this is. So there's weapons there. Can gunner Stockton play at the level and they, they were perfectly fine letting Carson Beck go but is, is Stockton going to be able to sustain that for the entire year? Massive question down in Athens. Lsu. Nick Anderson, right? Former five star U. No, no, no, sorry. Nick Anderson. Yeah, he's the big, he's the big, he's the six four 216 pounder. Okay. Average 20 yards per catch in 20, 2023 at Oklahoma. Injured most of last season, didn't have a catch. Huge weapon though for nuss meer that size 64216 Florida Dallas Wilson comes in five star freshman. This isn't a transfer. Five star freshman. Apparently this guy is the goods. I'm pumped to watch him. 63209. You ready for this? Lagway might have his guy.
- [59:55]
Steve Levy
Another speedy receiver in Florida.
- [59:57]
Todd McShay
Yeah, but 63209 he had 10 catches, 195 yards and two touchdowns in the spring game. Okay. And we, and we saw last year Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams, some of these guys that were freshmen come in. That's a position you can absolutely have a massive impact. And he's gonna I believe have one for Florida this year. He's also got a brutal schedule. But like we're gonna find out.
- [60:21]
Steve Levy
Billy Napier can't win, man.
- [60:24]
Todd McShay
Yeah, but maybe he can.
- [60:26]
Steve Levy
Yeah, you know what that's. I, I'm saying. No, I don't. I should have, I should have worded it, right? I should have worded, worded it. Differently.
- [60:33]
Todd McShay
But your point was well taken. But it's like road to go. But they might just be that good. They honestly might just be that good. That D line, Kayla Banks is that quarterback. If 100% can stay, you know, Ole Miss, is it designed Dizon Stripling. Here's a Washington straight transfer. Washington State transfer, Oklahoma state. He has 2, 153 yards and 17 touchdowns in his career. Those two different programs average 17 yards per catch. Career best last year for the Cowboys, six to 200 pounds. That's going to be interesting to see. Ole Miss, can they, can they recalibrate? Okay, South Carolina, all these other guys are wide receivers. I'm talking about they, they needed a running back after Raheem Sanders is gone. And they bring in Rashul Faison. 25 years old. Began at Marshall, then JC, then Utah State. Had 1845 yards rushing and seven and 13 touchdowns at Utah State. He comes in now at South Carolina with Sellers with those wide receivers. I don't know that South Carolina is going to make the have the dip that everyone seems to think that they are. But I'm a South Carolina homer too. Right? Oklahoma, we talked about Jade knott. Rushed for 2,597 yards, 95 catches too. That's the big thing. I think that Ben, Ben Arbuckle, remember we talked about him coming with Matier from Washington State as the offensive coordinator. They like to get running backs involved in the passing game. I think that that's going to be a big part for OTT at Oklahoma. Auburn. Eric Singleton, Burner. I mentioned him earlier, right? 104 for 14, 68 and 9 the last two years at Georgia Tech. Chess piece on offense. Jackson Arnold. We just mentioned it. But remember it's not just Singleton. It's Cam Coleman who had that three.
- [62:35]
Steve Levy
Game tear at the end of the season. Outrageous as I, I, you know, I'm so excited to watch Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams, by the way. Ryan Williams. I, it maybe I'm wrong about this. I feel like people kind of sleep on Ryan Williams, the freshman receiver from Alabama, as talented as he was because Alabama just had a down year. I watched his tape the other day. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. He was putting I, I love Jermond McCoy, the corner from Tennessee. He put McCoy in a blender a couple times. Ryan Williams is sick. And then you had Cam Coleman, who's also a true sophomore or a sophomore, super talented, had that absolute tear in the last three games. All the talent in the world. You look at those, those young receivers, man, I'm excited to watch those guys go. But you put Singleton opposite Coleman. You got to be excited as an Auburn fan about what that offense could do.
- [63:20]
Todd McShay
And they added this guy, Horatio Fields from Wake Forest, also really productive, highly sought after. So, like Hugh Freeze has got some, some dudes now.
- [63:30]
Steve Levy
Interesting.
- [63:31]
Todd McShay
And they believe, they've got to believe in Jackson Arnold to make him the guy to operate this thing so that it's going to be fascinating. Texas, I'm not leaving them last. I'm just like, I'm just. I just kind of threw these things in. No rhyme or reason about the order of this, but one of the big, one of the big additions is CJ Baxter, returns from knee injury. He's. I think he, if he's 100%, this guy's a star. And then they brought in Emmett Mosley, the fifth from Stanford and Cal, tied end Jack Endries. Mosley's six 2, 205 pounds. He's like, he's a weapon. I think he's going to really complement the explosive duo they already have in ryan Wingo and DeAndre Moore, who, if he catches the ball more consistently, DeAndre Moore's got a chance to have a huge year, too, and move up as a, you know, day two prospect. So this is a conference that I felt like was lacking firepower. Not all, not in every place. But you looked around, it's like, well, who's opposite Matthew golden in Texas and what happened? And then it's like Georgia with their struggles and Alabama's got their one guy. But maybe the passing game isn't this. It's set up for the SEC to have a lot of playmakers and more explosive firepower this year. And I think that, that if it plays out this way, we may look back and say it was this sweepstakes of weapons that they brought in prior to the season that allowed them to get back at the top, if that's how it plays out.
- [65:04]
Steve Levy
I agree. I. I definitely agree. I thought, you know, looking back on it, I was a big proponent about the sec, but I think the Big Ten had the better year last year. So, I mean, it's going to be.
- [65:15]
Todd McShay
I agree.
- [65:16]
Steve Levy
It's going to be a battle between those conferences. I really believe that. I think that they say power four, but to me it's power, too. And then it's everyone outside that, including, well, here's the.
- [65:25]
Todd McShay
Here, here's the problem. Because Ohio State and Michigan have been better than the best in the SEC the last couple years. Right?
- [65:31]
Steve Levy
Right.
- [65:33]
Todd McShay
Truly, they have been and they Proved it on the field. Right. But I still always go back to this. And let's look at this year, right? Big Ten, Ohio State, and, and it's in relative order. But I'm not saying like we'll, we'll do our rankings in, in a week or so. Okay. In a couple weeks. Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and then you got Washington, Nebraska, USC as that, like seventh. Maybe one of those belongs where we're talking about teams that legitimately feel like top 25 or top 30, whatever, whatever it is. Okay. So there's like there's six when you get past Illinois and then there's like maybe one or two of those could rise but like, I don't know, we'll give them seven. Then you got the sec, Texas, Bama and Georgia. Big question marks. But they're still Bama and Georgia. Lsu, Florida, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas A and M and Auburn. That's 11. There's a difference. Yeah. What?
- [66:46]
Steve Levy
Yeah, I mean we're sneaking some guys in there. Texas A M, I think we're sneaking in.
- [66:51]
Todd McShay
Okay.
- [66:52]
Steve Levy
Auburn like our, when we were kids. Auburn, it's not there yet.
- [66:57]
Todd McShay
All right, Fanduel, you gotta, you got a week to help me here.
- [67:02]
Steve Levy
First FanDuel shout out of the year.
- [67:03]
Todd McShay
Let's go A M, South Carolina or Auburn. I want to know what the odds would be. Neutral site against Washington, Nebraska, USC. We'll get to those when we do our top 15.
- [67:23]
Steve Levy
Okay.
- [67:25]
Todd McShay
And I'm sure they'll come through. They always do.
- [67:28]
Steve Levy
I gotta give you, I gotta give you one more portal guy that I don't think we're talking about enough.
- [67:32]
Todd McShay
Go ahead.
- [67:33]
Steve Levy
Notre Dame, because they're outside the conferences, we kind of done this by conference.
- [67:36]
Todd McShay
Talk to me about, about Notre Dame, please. Yeah.
- [67:38]
Steve Levy
Malachi Fields, receiver from Virginia, really productive over the last two years. They're going to have a first year starter at quarterback. It's probably going to be C.J.
- [67:45]
Todd McShay
Carr. That's what we're.
- [67:46]
Steve Levy
That, that's what it looks like it's trending towards. But he's. This is a big bodied athletic receiver which could be a young quarterback's best friend. I also think he helps the other receivers slot into position. That offensive line was banged up last year, especially at the end and they still got all the way to the end. Obviously the quarterback's a big question mark, but if you bring in a guy who can make some plays downfield in fields and let everyone else go into their saint, their, their, their most natural positions, I think that could be a big, big ad for Notre Dame.
- [68:18]
Todd McShay
Let's end on this because you sent me another note. Some programs that got like, what does the start to the season look like? And the importance of. You mentioned three teams. I'll let you rip on it real quick, but Notre Dame was one of them.
- [68:35]
Steve Levy
Yeah, we'll just start with Notre Dame because they start with. I think I got it wrong before. They start with Miami and then they play Texas A M. I think it's Miami and then that sounds right, but it's Miami, Texas A M. The first two weeks, maybe I've got the order wrong. And then it's the only other ranked opponent down the stretch is Boise State. And I'm looking at that and I'm thinking to myself, they could lose those first two games. You're right.
- [68:56]
Todd McShay
It's at Miami August 31st and September 13th. So they've got a week in between. But September 13th is, is Texas A in them?
- [69:05]
Steve Levy
So the first two games of the year look to be their toughest. Right. I think they could lose the first two, two games and still get into the playoff because you're looking at that team, especially if they have a, you know, they have a first year starter at quarterback. Maybe the committee looks at it and says they play those teams top. They, you know, the young quarterbacks develop. They're a different team than they are. I'm a believer in Marcus Freeman, by the way. They've gotten better every year under Marcus Freeman and there's no reason for me to believe that they're going to take a step back under that guy. I mean, they've gotten better. He's been three years the head coach. They are, they get better every single year. They are. They do really good job recruiting. Again, I mentioned the offensive line. I think that offensive line is going to be one of the better ones in the league. I mean, in the country. I think they're going to be that good. So to me, it's interesting to look at that you think that they might have to get off to a great start. I'm not sure. The one thing you have to realize though is they, if that happens, there is no parachute for a Northern Illinois loss. They cannot have that Blip game. And there could be a Blip game. It could be Boise State. You know, it could be a number of teams. It's not a cupcake schedule. It's just the, the toughest matchups are earlier in the year. So that's one to keep an eye on. But the real one to me Is Clemson, lsu. LSU hasn't won a season opener under Brian Kelly. He has not won a season opener yet. And Clemson has lost three of their last four. These are two teams that have national title aspirations, it seems in the, in their, in their media, in their press. They're not running away from it. Especially Kelly talking about what they need to do to get off to a strong start. But that's the one that's going to be fascinating to me and I think the, the mo. One of the most fascinating matchups to me in that game will be that LSU offensive line as good as LSU looks in almost every spot. That new LSU offensive line again, four new starters. How does it look against that Clemson defensive front? Because that comes to defense front.
- [70:50]
Todd McShay
It might have two times. Unless I'm wrong. Top seven top ten picks.
- [70:55]
Steve Levy
They're going to come to play, man. And that's. It. Should be a good game. I think Clemson's a three point favorite right now. Should be a good game, all that stuff. But LSU is going to learn a lot about who they are in that first game and I think it's going to be that battle up front that'll be really interesting to say. I'll also say this. Clemson's offensive lines returning a bunch of starters. I didn't think they were that great last year. Everybody keeps talking about this Clemson offensive line, about how all these guys coming back, all these guys coming back.
- [71:19]
Todd McShay
Here we go. And it could be.
- [71:21]
Steve Levy
It could be. But they, they need to hold up their end of the bargain because Clemson is stacked everywhere. Everywhere in my opinion, except for that. Maybe that one spot. So that that seasoned offensive line for Clemson is also going to have to play well. So that's an interesting one for me.
- [71:37]
Todd McShay
That's.
- [71:37]
Steve Levy
There's a lot on the line for both of those teams. I think even mentally, if you lose another season opener after being early, you know, one of the early favorites to make a championship run. It's going to be interesting to see how those teams bounce back.
- [71:50]
Todd McShay
This is awesome, man. I feel it. It's in the air now. I'm not going to lie. I'm literally. I'm going to get. I'm going to turn off the lights here and I'm going to go down to the beach.
- [71:59]
Steve Levy
But thank God we're back, though.
- [72:02]
Todd McShay
Thank God we're back. I missed you. You were getting stir crazy. I'm excited. And we got a bunch coming up Thursday. We got the. The mock draft show and, and McShay report the newsletter. Google it. Please subscribe. But we're gonna have an awesome run and then we've got a lot of we got show news. We got some big things coming up that we're gonna Thursday. I'm gonna explain in more detail what I tease too much of and Connor will yell at me again and mention yourself. It's why Mensch is Connor's favorite. You're the teacher's pet because I go popping off all the time and you're more responsible than me. We appreciate you watching. We love all the support. Please continue to support us. We're getting excited about what's going to be an awesome college football run with the NFL draft mixed in the entire season. So please join us and we appreciate you being here and sticking with us throughout. And we will be back on Thursday. Take care. Must be 21 + and present in select states 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.org chatincenetic or visit mdgamblinghelp.org in Maryland, hope is here. Visit gamblinghelplinema.org or call 1-800-327-5050 for 24. 7 support in Massachusetts or call 1-877-8-HOPE NY or text Hopeny in New York.