← The McShay Show
The McShay Show
Todd’s College Football Power Rankings (6-4): Expectations for Alabama, Notre Dame, and Ohio State in 2025
01:05:58
Loading summary
Transcript193 lines
- [00:00]
Daniel Jeremiah
Foreign college football is cute. It's adorable, actually. But let's be honest. It's game week. The countdown continues. Preseason college football power rankings with teams four through six today. And by the way, Stevie boy, it's our 100th show, and we're just five days until Saturday, week one, and 241 days until the NFL draft. So, mensch, you good? I'm good, man. All right, let's roll. Let's get right into it. Team six, teams five, team four. We're gonna do it right here, right? The power rankings continue. Preseason power rankings. We're not saying this is how it's going to finish. We're saying these are the rosters, the coaching staffs, all the tape we studied, all the people that we're talking to in college football and scouts across the league. This is where we are from a personnel standpoint, a coaching standpoint, and we've whittled it down to the final six at number six. These are my power rankings, so don't act you good, mensch, okay? Come after me. And as we found out last week with Fly Ducks, Fly Men doesn't agree with all of them. And that's good, too. That's what this is all about. At number six men, the Alabama Crimson Tide. I'm excited to see the product, this man this year, man. Like you look, last year, they were nine and four. Disappointing year in Tuscaloosa, right? Kaylin Debo's first year, kind of, what did we expect, right? Like, DeBoer is a great coach. He's a proven coach.
- [01:53]
Bucky Brooks
That's a tough gig, man, to come in after Nick Saban. I mean, that is a tough deal. I thought he did a pretty good job of. Of holding it down when things could have got gotten a lot worse, to be honest with you.
- [02:03]
Daniel Jeremiah
I do, too. And also, we should mention, like, 10 NFL draft picks in 20, 24, 31 transfers out of Alabama. Okay? So when we go back and look at it, I know everyone's like, well, is it going to be the same as Nick Saban? I just want to remind people I just said, like, my man can flat out coach. You know, he was 104 and 12 when he got that job. And you think Nick Saban didn't, like, kind of hand pick? So let's. And here's the other thing that I found out this week, and I noticed this trend with a lot of great coaches, the second year is kind of the year, including, like. Do you guys remember Nick Saban first year? Was it Louisiana Lafayette? They Had a horrible loss early in that first season, right. Second year national championship, okay? Urban Meyer was always that. Second year. Florida, Utah, Ohio State, like second year in the program. That. That's when it kind of becomes the standard for great coaches. So now we enter the second year, all right, and, and by the way, took UW to. To national championship game. Second year Sioux Falls, won the national championship. Second year talent lost. Alabama actually didn't lose. What we're used to, Alabama losing to the draft. Only seven players, okay? Lower than usual for them. Only two of those guys in the first round. So when you lose 10 players to the draft, 31 transfers, there's going to be a little bit of a, you know, kind of a year to get your bearings, figure out what your program is, bring in your players, and that's where Alabama is this year. Let's look at. And I, and I went through and I ranked. We. We've done a loose top 75, okay, for the NFL draft prospects. We also have the Senior Bowls Top 300 prospects to watch, right? Prospects that are on their radar, that they're evaluating, that, you know, when they pare down to their final, final rankings and they invite the players, it starts with this top 300 going in. I found it interesting. They've got. Alabama's got six in our top 75. You know what that is? M at the highest. It's more than Clemson, more than Penn State, more than Ohio State, lsu, Florida and beyond. Okay. And while. While other programs. Well, only one. One other program has more. And we did talk about this. I. I do think Ty goes to the runner with Alabama when you're at the Senior bowl and it's in Mobile, Alabama. But still, it didn't go to five runners. Okay? Right. Tie. Didn't go to five run. LSU's got the most. Has the most prospects of our and I probably of any school in the country. I didn't go back and look at every other school, but of the schools that are in my top 12 preseason preseason power rankings, LSU has the most with 14, Alabama has the second most with 13. So the talent is back in Tuscaloosa. All right, and. And just so you understand, Kaden Proctor at offensive tackle, Damani Jackson at cornerback, LT Overton at edge, wide receiver, Jeremy Bernard, Tim Keenan the defensive lineman and Deontay Lawson, inside linebacker. All grades in the first two rounds. For me, at this point, it's early, but all grades in the first two round. I'm not going to agree.
- [05:21]
Bucky Brooks
By the way, the best out of all of them Might be Ryan Williams.
- [05:24]
Daniel Jeremiah
The wide receiver, right? Exactly. Not dissimilar from what Ohio State with Jeremiah Smith and not dissimilar from Ohio State. A year ago you could argue that Caleb Downs, best defensive player. They had eight players drafted. So Alabama, the talent is back to what we're more accustomed to see. State of the team. I'm going to start with you this time, Steve.
- [05:46]
Bucky Brooks
State of the team.
- [05:48]
Daniel Jeremiah
Just take me wherever you want to go. I've got two pages of notes, offensive notes, defensive notes, all this stuff. I don't want to get lost in the. I don't want to, like, get your thoughts lost in the shuffle. What are a couple things on the offensive side. Let's start on offense that stand out to you and I'll go through some of my notes from tape, from just kind of looking at the roster and also from the conversations that I'm having.
- [06:12]
Bucky Brooks
I think first of all, Ty Simpson being named the starter, right, hasn't started a game at Alabama. Redshirt junior. It's his time. It's his time to step in. We'll see what he's going to do. What I love looking at the offense, what I'm excited about is them bringing in Ryan Grubb who was with the Seattle Seahawks last year but was with the Washington staff. With Michael Penix was there and Caleb DeBoer was there two years ago and Michael Pennix had that just outrageous run and they had that great season. So the fact they bring in Ryan Grubb from Seattle, I like that they kept Nick Sheridan on the staff who was the offense corner last year. I like that too. By the way, they averaged, I think, 33.8 points last year per game. Not bad, man.
- [06:48]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah.
- [06:48]
Bucky Brooks
Kind of stumbled down the stretch. You look at that Oklahoma game, they only had three points in that game. I was a little concerning. So I'm excited about Ryan Grubb coming in and getting his hands on this, on Ty Simpson and seeing what that. That looks like, how that evolves because there's. There's reason to be optimistic. I love the receiving core. I mean, we've talked about it before. Ryan, Ryan Williams, Bernard, Jeremy Bernard, and then Isaiah Horton, the transfer. Miami, that's got a chance to be super good. I also think this offensive line has a chance to be really good. I may not be as confident in that group as some people are. I see the, the potential, I see the ceiling. But I really think that Kaden Proctor, who the super talented tackle, super talented tackle, has got to be a little more consistent. Got Parker Brailsford on the inside too. He's a really good player. Jaden Roberts, the offensive guard. Parker Brailsford is at center. A chance to be an outstanding offensive line. I think they got to be more consistent as a group. It'll be interesting to see if they're able to do it.
- [07:42]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah, I, I think this, this offense, the wide receiver core has a chance to be elite.
- [07:52]
Bucky Brooks
You want to hear about the receiving cores the other day? This is the one man. This is the receiving.
- [07:56]
Daniel Jeremiah
I kind of think you might be right.
- [07:58]
Bucky Brooks
Yeah.
- [07:59]
Daniel Jeremiah
Just looking at it like Ryan Williams is the best wide receiver not in Columbus, Ohio in the country.
- [08:06]
Bucky Brooks
Right.
- [08:07]
Daniel Jeremiah
Certainly the best wide receiver of. And I talked about it in several shows now like the sec, almost like collectively. Almost like a memo went out to all the coaching staff.
- [08:17]
Bucky Brooks
Figure it out.
- [08:19]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah. And, and to, to the Red Elephant Club and you know, everybody else that we, we got to bring in more talented playmakers on the perimeter. Ryan Williams, like he, he's so damn explosive. Yes. He was 17 years old. We know that a year ago. But then, but what I felt like watching is they had a, the really good slot. Not like an, an elite slot. Not a guy who's like this dynamic 4:3 guy. But Jeremy Bernard. The more tape I watched on him, the more I'm like, oh, he's a, he's a number three slot in the NFL.
- [08:51]
Bucky Brooks
Right.
- [08:51]
Daniel Jeremiah
I gave him a pretty high grade. You, you weren't quite as high. But like I like him.
- [08:55]
Bucky Brooks
Good player though.
- [08:56]
Daniel Jeremiah
But what were they missing? They were missing an X opposite Ryan Williams to allow Jeremy to. Instead of be that number two to be the number three in the slot. Now they got this complete group with Williams, Horton. Right. And Bernard. And by the way, like talking to people there's. And by the way, Bernard had 15.9 yards per catch last year. 794 with Jalen Milroe at quarterback. And I'm not going to sit here and bash Jaylen Milro that this was not a passing offense.
- [09:23]
Bucky Brooks
It's going to be a different looking offense for sure.
- [09:28]
Daniel Jeremiah
Rico Scott is a red, red shirt freshman. I'm told to watch. Coaches are really high on him. Okay. Rico Scott. Okay. Cole Adams is another guy coming back from injury and Jalen Hale is another player. I'm told those three guys. But Hale is kind of a riser. Scott is like, he's going to be like the number four, it sounds like. And, and Hale showed a lot of promise in 2023, but didn't play last season. So you're talking six dudes. Yeah, three dudes and then three other guys that like, you know.
- [09:59]
Bucky Brooks
But there's some depth here.
- [10:00]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yes, there's some depth. Running back like, you lose Jaylen Milro at quarterback, that hurts. Okay. Jam Miller's expected to be the guy this year coming into the year and to make strides as a second year player. But. But he suffered a dislocated collarbone in Alabama's second and final scrimmage last Saturday. Okay.
- [10:21]
Bucky Brooks
I didn't know until I saw that in the McShay report, by the way. I didn't realize it had happened.
- [10:25]
Daniel Jeremiah
That's why we're here. Google it.
- [10:27]
Bucky Brooks
Right.
- [10:28]
Daniel Jeremiah
Subscribe. 50% off, by the way. 50% off till September 1st. But DeBoer did come out and say he expects him to be back for the SEC opener, which is Georgia on the 27th. So they won't happen against Florida State. Won't have them early in the, in the month. But they're hopeful that Georgia on the 27th. That means that there's a, there's a lot of pressure on these younger guys. Okay. And I had a good conversation the other day. Here are some names that you gotta kind of be on the lookout that I think, I think all four, I think I'm gonna give you four names. All four of these guys are going to get some run early in the season and kind of determine who the number two, number three backs are as it, as it goes. But there are pair of sophomores, Richard Young and Daniel Hill.
- [11:09]
Bucky Brooks
All right.
- [11:09]
Daniel Jeremiah
Then they, they got brought in a transfer match that they really like. Dre Washington, three years at ULL Louisiana Lafayette. Hit 1343 rushing yards and just a productive back. Also Kevin Kelly, redshirt freshman. And then they're really, they're really high on this guy. A key. AK Deer, highly touted freshman. Don't know Kenny Pass, bro. Does he know where to be? All the little things protecting the football, but he's another guy that they're, they're really high on for the future. You mentioned the offensive line. They lose Pritchard, Elijah Pritchard, Tyler Booker obviously, but they, they've got Brailsford coming back at center. Caden Proctor, you mentioned also added Cam Dewberry from Texas A M and true freshman. I don't know. We'll see about this true freshman, but Michael Carroll, they like a lot. So there's talent. There is, there always is.
- [12:05]
Bucky Brooks
Right.
- [12:07]
Daniel Jeremiah
What's intriguing to me is you got your guy Grub now back. They want to be a balanced team, right. And Ty Simpson, this Is I don't pretend to like I'm not going to sit here and tell you all the things about Ty Simpson in high school and what he can do. But when I talk to people who are in the know, who are around, who are around the facility, like they just need, they don't need him to be. They don't need Ty Simpson to be Joe Burrow in 2019 or CJ Stroud in 2021, 22. They don't even need him to be Tuatanga Violoa or Bryce Young. Be Mac Jones.
- [12:46]
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, be Mac Jones.
- [12:48]
Daniel Jeremiah
You know what I mean? Efficient. And while Mac Jones didn't have the strongest arm, what he did a great job of with, with Henry Rugs and Jerry Judy and Devonte Smith and, and all those guys and, and Jalen Waddle. Remember that run? Four receivers taken.
- [13:05]
Bucky Brooks
It's insane. Yeah.
- [13:07]
Daniel Jeremiah
In the top 12. I think it was in a two year span. But, but what, what they were able to do is throw the ball down the field to take advantage of a strong run game, a big offensive line, all that stuff. So Simpson represents an upgrade in the passing game. There's no question they lose that run dynamic. That run dynamic but like decision making, ball distribution, protecting the football. He's a better peer passer. That's what they're expecting from him. Remember Milro? 16 touchdowns, 10 interceptions last year. Think about all those critical errors that just killed Bama. And while it's not, it's not Nick Saban's team, you know, defensive schemes a little different, a little bit more athletic. Not as like gap sound. A little more zone than man. The match, the match zone, the match stuff. It's still a defensive team that can run the football behind a big offensive line. So there's a lot on his shoulders and he's in great hands. Simpson is with Grubs good offensive line. Maybe not great, but a good offensive line.
- [14:13]
Bucky Brooks
Chance to be great. It has a chance to be great.
- [14:15]
Daniel Jeremiah
So that part's exciting. The defense I think is going to be like. It's like they had a bunch of injuries last year men. And they still finished 10th in scoring defense.
- [14:30]
Bucky Brooks
That actually surprised me. I knew they were good. That, that it surprised me how good the numbers were.
- [14:35]
Daniel Jeremiah
17.4 points a game.
- [14:38]
Bucky Brooks
Yeah.
- [14:39]
Daniel Jeremiah
And they had guys like Keon Sab, Deontay Lawson, Quay Russo who, who all. Who all missed significant time and had. And there were some other guys who had lingering injuries. So they get eight starters returning from that group. Kane Womack's entering his second year as Defensive coordinator now. So there's a little bit more continuity to me. Like the front seven is really talented, but not as deep as we're used to seeing.
- [15:10]
Bucky Brooks
I think that's fair.
- [15:11]
Daniel Jeremiah
Like, I really like Over LT Overton and I really like Tim Keenan the third and, and Russo and. And like those guys up front are really solid. Deontay Lawson's a damn good player if he's 100.
- [15:24]
Bucky Brooks
Yeah.
- [15:24]
Daniel Jeremiah
Obviously Justin Jefferson's a very solid weak side linebacker, but the depth isn't what it normally is. But I'll tell you what is like outrageous is the secondary chance to be outstanding.
- [15:36]
Bucky Brooks
Yeah.
- [15:37]
Daniel Jeremiah
So you got a perimeter wide receiver group that's got a chance to be best in the sec and that's saying a lot this year. And a secondary that's got a chance to be maybe best in the sec and that's also saying a lot this year. So I mean, you look at the secondary, they've got four defensive backs returning with six plus starts, nine or 10 deep. They run according to people. I'm talking to SAB returns from injury. The broken foot Bray Hubbard stepped in in SAB's absence last year, is now kind of ready to take over and take his game to another level. At cornerback, you got Damani Jackson we talked about. I get a second round grade.
- [16:13]
Bucky Brooks
I love demani Jackson. Yeah, I'm higher on him than you are, but yeah, I think he's a damn good corner. Go ahead.
- [16:19]
Daniel Jeremiah
61 1, 95 physical tools to make a big leap this year. Zabian Brown's a sophomore now and showed a lot of promise last year. They also added Camp Calhoun as a nickel at number three from, from Utah. This group is good.
- [16:34]
Bucky Brooks
Overton might be my favorite draft prospect right now. Every time I open up the tracker, you know, you, you know how you do, you pull up your grades and you're looking at who can I. Who can I move around a little bit? And I keep, I keep seeing his name and I'm like. Just because I think his body type is misleading. I think you see a big dude from Alabama and you think he's going to be stiff. He's got some more juice, he's got some more explosiveness. He's got more to him than just a guy who's gonna stop the run. I think he's a complete player and again, it's a deep edge class. So maybe that's why I'm keeping him down a little bit. And these. Let these guys sort it out this year, which will be fun to watch. But I Think he's got more tools than people may realize at this point in the process. Can I tell you something else that's really interesting?
- [17:14]
Daniel Jeremiah
Please.
- [17:14]
Bucky Brooks
I go to, when I look at these things I'm going through here, I go to the ESPN Power Index and I want to see the strength of the remaining schedule. So the strength of schedule because this was before even this, the season had started. The strength of schedule for Alabama is 12 in the country. You want to guess what that is and what it is in the SEC?
- [17:38]
Daniel Jeremiah
7Th or 8th.
- [17:40]
Bucky Brooks
11. 11. There's only one team, there's one non SEC team, Wisconsin State.
- [17:47]
Daniel Jeremiah
Wisconsin.
- [17:49]
Bucky Brooks
Wisconsin is the only team not from the SEC in the top 14 in strength of schedule. So you look at that and you're like, oh, they have the 11th easiest schedule in the SEC. Also happens to be the 12th in the country. And there's look LSU and Oklahoma at home. I like that. I think that's good for them. But you got that Iron bowl that came in. That Auburn team just seems so sneaky to me. And you got that Iron bowl at the end of the year and we'll see where Auburn is at that. But I know this, I know that Auburn's talented and even if their record isn't great, that's a game that's going to, I think it's going to be, you know, one of the all time great rivalries in college football. And that's going to be a fun game to watch just because of all the talent is going to be on the field as usual. Same as. Same as every year. But still, you know, that's something to look forward to at the end of the year.
- [18:33]
Daniel Jeremiah
So let me ask you something.
- [18:34]
Bucky Brooks
Isn't that wild?
- [18:36]
Daniel Jeremiah
It is very wild. I want to ask you a question though. I've got him at 6. You good with that?
- [18:44]
Bucky Brooks
Here's. This is okay. I was going to get into this with you. I thought this was going to come in later on in our conversation, to be honest with you. But I will say this. I. This is a. I waste. It's. It's a volatile, it's a volatile market right now, my man. And there's a lot of, there's a lot of question marks here that at 6 I would like to feel a little more comfortable about certain things like your starting quarterback who again I'm optimistic about. But your starting quarterback is a big question mark in the sec. Tough schedule. I'm okay with it. I think six is okay here. I really do. Again, I would have Oregon higher. I obviously went on My rant about that got real fired up. I would have Oregon higher, but I don't mind Alabama here because you look at the overall picture and again, I'm with you. Deborah is a guy, he's a dude. I, I, and I like Grubb coming back in. There's enough here for me to be excited about what Alabama could do this year. Are you second guessing yourself?
- [19:45]
Daniel Jeremiah
I actually, honestly, I, I could if I put him at four ahead of Ohio State and Notre Dame, who, spoiler alert, those are the next two teams coming up. I would be all right with that. I think I, okay, reset. I think I get excited. It's week, it's week one. You know, we should be. Yeah. This is a point you made a couple weeks ago. It's a great point. I think I went back and I think it's eight of the top 12 teams in these, these preseason power rankings for me have a quarterback coming in. That's, that doesn't, isn't a, it doesn't have a full year of starting experience. There's obviously Arch in Texas. That's not a full year of starting experience. And then there's one other matier I believe, who's a transfer in, who hasn't had a start there, but he's a starting so.
- [20:34]
Bucky Brooks
But Aiden and Beck in Miami, who.
- [20:36]
Daniel Jeremiah
Is a new face in a new place. Yeah, yes, but, but my point being it's easy to question yourself at this point because I feel like for every team, when I go and I'm like, all right, so what's the big question? Like for every one, I want to write quarterback. It feels like, you know, eight of the 12 I want to write quarterback even though I know they're talented. Football's almost here, which means it's time to start thinking about how the season will end. That's why FanDuel created a whole new holiday, Futures Day happening on Tuesday, August 26th. It's 24 hours of details on your season long picks, a day when you decide who will win the division, take home the MVP or take the whole thing for one day only. All customers get an instant bonus on any football futures bet, plus flash deals every three hours that you won't want to miss. So mark your calendars because the greatest day in futures history is coming August 26th. What are you doing for Futures Day? Visit the FanDuel app to learn more and get your picks ready. FanDuel play. Your game must be 21 and older and present in select states or 18 and older and present in D.C. kentucky or Wyoming gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG D help.com call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org chat in.
- [22:03]
Commercial Announcer
Connecticut Discover Ralph's Club New York. The new fragrance by Ralph Lauren with black currant, vanilla and sandalwood. This scent embodies the sensuality and confidence of Usher. Like the city that never sleeps, this masculine Fragrance lasts for 12 hours. Ralph's Club New York, Ralph Lauren Shop now at Macy's.com Discover Ralph's Club New York. The new fragrance by Ralph Lauren with blackcurrant, vanilla and sandalwood. This scent embodies the sensuality and confidence of Usher. Like the city that never sleeps, this masculine Fragrance lasts for 12 hours. Ralph's Club New York Ralph Lauren shop now@macy's.com.
- [22:47]
Daniel Jeremiah
And that brings me to Notre Dame at five the same. It's going to be the theme.
- [22:53]
Bucky Brooks
It's going to be the theme of the day. I mean we're going to talk when.
- [22:55]
Daniel Jeremiah
We get to them in a minute.
- [22:56]
Bucky Brooks
We're going to talk about them too. Yep.
- [22:58]
Daniel Jeremiah
Okay. So Notre Dame there it's when I was going through and doing all my notes for these teams, Alabama is more tangible. Like I was able to see the players that were great last year that were good, maybe they were banged up that I can see that I could see the growth potential with Notre Dame and with Ohio State, especially Ohio State. We'll get to them a minute. It's a little bit of blind faith at several positions going into the year and it comes down to how much do you trust the guy at the top. And I get so much damn trust in Marcus Freeman I couldn't let him out of the top six. Could make an argument maybe Alabama, but like they belong in that top six. Even though there's a lot of question marks coming in. So 14 and two last season for Marcus Freeman in the Fighting Irish. He's entering his fourth year. It's interesting. There was a lot. I don't think we realized it at the time. Maybe we did. There were a lot of coaches hired at big time programs four years ago just like Marcus. Marcus Freeman, Brian Kelly, Billy Napier, Dan Lanning, Brent Venables, Mario Crystal ball.
- [24:14]
Bucky Brooks
Wow. Yeah.
- [24:15]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah. Of all those guys you have to say Freeman and, and Lanning, I think Lanning has been more steady but Freeman has reached more of a pinnacle and, and they've been really good.
- [24:30]
Bucky Brooks
I love the both. I think that Freeman's actually done more with less. I think that land's actually had. Yeah, he's had more tools to work with. Love them both. I think they're both great.
- [24:40]
Daniel Jeremiah
So. So let's go through the talent a little bit, just from an NFL perspective. Six players drafted in 2025, not nearly as bad as some of these other teams where we're talking about, like, 15, 10, and 12. So six players and none in the first round. And their top draft pick was in the second round. And that was a Benjamin Morrison, who, you know, didn't even factor in really, barely last year. Okay. Missed most of the season due to the injury. So Notre Dame isn't losing as much. Yes, they lose, and we'll get to the defense in a minute. They lose some, like, foundation pieces. Xavier Watts was awesome. And playmaker at safety Jack Kaiser was unbelievable. Linebacker Riley Mills was really good, but he was nicked up and in and out. Right.
- [25:23]
Bucky Brooks
So Riley Leonard, Bills man.
- [25:26]
Daniel Jeremiah
And Riley Leonard, their. Their last of the draft picks, the six draft picks, was one of the most instrumental players for that team and became like, the leader and the tough guy and everything that embodied Notre Dame football. But it's not as. It's not the departure level of talent that. That we see from some of these other teams that we've highlighted in the top 12. What's also interesting is this roster still has a lot of a youth b. Unknowns we just talked about. Was it five, five or six guys? Six from Alabama in our top 75, five from Clemson, five from Penn State, five from Ohio State we'll get to in a minute. Four from LSU, four from Florida. They just. Jeremiah Love, lonely on that list from Notre Dame. And so you. Well, maybe it's McShay's problem. Maybe McShay and Mench aren't evaluating. Right. Well, the Senior bowl and 300 players only has three guys on their watch list. Jeremiah Love, Malachi Fields at wide receiver, and defensive back Jaylen Stroman. Interesting. Right?
- [26:32]
Bucky Brooks
Right.
- [26:33]
Daniel Jeremiah
So maybe I'm putting a ton, a ton of, like, respect on Marcus Freeman's name. Yeah, I still. I still believe in this program. So offensively, I think it starts with the offensive line. And it's honestly the reason that, like.
- [26:54]
Bucky Brooks
It always does me, Shane, and you, like, you're the.
- [26:57]
Daniel Jeremiah
You're my offensive line guy. Tell, like, what do you see? But I do know this. They've got 4:54 starts returning this year on the offensive line, and that's a lot more than they had before last year's group. And last year's group turned out to be pretty awesome.
- [27:11]
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, I mean, yeah, and they got. Some guys are coming back from, you know, their starting center last year was hurt. He's coming back. Ashton Craig, he had an acl. He'll be back in the lineup. I mean, that's a player right there. Getting back. Nap was a. Just a pup last year. Trying to figure it out. The. Anthony Knapp was the left tackle. He's figured it out. Emil Wagner, the right tackle. Dude. I mean, there's just guys everywhere. And here's what's going to be really interesting. It's kind of. Here's what sucks, but it's a very intriguing part of the Notre Dame season to me is Charles Jagasaw. And I, I know I didn't say it right, Dan. I've, I've seen three different pronunciations on this guy's name, and I just went with the one I've heard over and over. Saw over and over again. So it's Charles Jagasaw, who is. Was supposed to be a starting guard.
- [27:54]
Daniel Jeremiah
Broke dog you saw is what it says, but go ahead.
- [27:57]
Bucky Brooks
I know, I know, I know. It doesn't feel right. It's a debate. No, it doesn't. But anyways. Broke his arm in a new TV accident in July. I mean, of all the things, man, he missed, I think all of last year with a torn pack or most of last year with a torn pack, he is a dude. So they can get him back in October. You're starting to look at that and you say to yourself, man, that could be a silver lining here if that kid comes back and is healthy and you insert that guy.
- [28:22]
Daniel Jeremiah
What's a utv? Isn't it an ATV utv? Like a ut I used to call it atv.
- [28:27]
Bucky Brooks
They're calling it a UTV now.
- [28:28]
Daniel Jeremiah
UTV sounds like a hybrid between, between. Between a urinary tract infection and a. And a. And an off roading four wheeler fair.
- [28:37]
Bucky Brooks
I don't know. I just read the news article. It said utv. I just went through it. I'm like Ron Burgundy. I just read what's on the, on the screen, man. So he broke his arm. And they can get a player like that back in the middle of the season. And again, it's tough because we'll get into this, but their, their schedule's front loaded, so you love to have everyone in the beginning, but, you know, go one on one in those games. And they're looking like they were going to make another playoff push the way they did last year to get Char Charles Jasa back in the lineup as a starting Guard, that offensive line could be loaded. And then I'm sure you're going to get into this. I think they might have the best backfield in the country. I mean, you're looking at that offensive line and then that backfield. And I mean, that's their. Their. I love that recipe. We just talked about it with Alabama. Run the ball, play great defense, make sound decisions on offense. It's great to, you know, to put on the laser show and have guys running all over the field making plays at receiver. And you do want talent at receiver, and I get all that. But it as. As long as I've known football and I've watched football and played football. Run the ball, play good defense. So I think that's the recipe.
- [29:44]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah. I mean, we did a whole show on Jeremiah Love, so I don't want to sit here and, like, start breaking down the tape again. But my goodness is like, he. He's the guy. This year in the NFL draft.
- [29:54]
Bucky Brooks
We're.
- [29:55]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah, we're fans. He's light on. I call him like poetry in motion, like for a big back, the ability to accelerate, but also light on his feet. I just, I. I grew in appreciation the more obviously watching college football last year, but not through the lens of the NFL draft because he wasn't eligible. I. The more I watch him, he can catch the football. Like, he just. He does all the things.
- [30:17]
Bucky Brooks
The determination he runs with is insane.
- [30:20]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yes, yes. So. So, you know, like, that's the guarantee is Jeremiah loves in the. In the. He's in the lineup, he's healthy. And it was, you know, he was dinged up at the end of the year. I understand he's healthy. And that offensive line is what we think it can become. It takes a lot of pressure off of. Off of C.J. carr, who was just announced obviously last week as the starting quarterback. Excuse me. I also think this match, I think this wide receiver group, while it was a liability for most of the year last year, and maybe it was just because Riley Leonard is just not a great thrower of the football and maybe not. He didn't make them bad. They weren't bad, but I don't know. They always got the most out of the talent there last year. Yeah, when they needed in most, like, certain spots. Jaden Greathouse was awesome. He came on strong last year.
- [31:20]
Bucky Brooks
Excited to see what he does this year.
- [31:22]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah, me too. He averaged 14.7 yards per catch. Then you got Malachi. Field, field. She comes in right, 6, 4, 2, 20 average 14.4 yards per catch of Virginia last year. And Jordan Fason is back at as the number three, where he should be. Will Pauling was also added from Wisconsin where he had 18 contested catches last year. So now I'm, now I'm a quarterback stepping in with a really good offensive line. We suspect the best running back in the country and a really good running back group overall and wide receivers that not only are talented, more talented than what Notre Dame had a year ago, but they're bigger, you know, like great. House is a playmaker. You got, you got Fields at 6, 4, 2, 20. You got Pauling, who's got the contested catches. So you don't have to be perfect and there's going to be a lot of play action opportunities. Here's what I do know about car and I'm. Again, I, I'm not ever going to sit here and tell you. I know. I've studied his tape in high school and what I do know is a couple, a couple things. Grandson of legendary coach Lloyd Carr, who I've, I've known Lloyd for a long, long time dating back. I went to Michigan football camp in like 1993. Like I've known. So like. And I know.
- [32:41]
Bucky Brooks
Did you know when you got there you weren't like the others or did it.
- [32:44]
Daniel Jeremiah
Oh, it's, it's sunk in like 10 seconds. Yeah.
- [32:49]
Bucky Brooks
I think the grass and McShay was like.
- [32:51]
Daniel Jeremiah
I think like Elvis Gerbach and shoot, Brady was probably there for all I know, greasy, little different talent level. But what I do know about CJ Carr is he does have a. He's got a big arm, throws a beautiful deep ball. I also know, and it's like the chicken, chicken and egg debate, like cause and effect. C.J. carr made a lot of mistakes early in camp. Three interceptions on the first day of, of camp is what I was told. Okay. And. But is it because that secondary. And we'll get to the defense and all that in a minute. But the sec. But the defense has been unbelievable in camp.
- [33:34]
Bucky Brooks
Secondary is good.
- [33:36]
Daniel Jeremiah
We just talked about Alabama. Notre Dame's got another one. So here's what I'm told. This is information that I've gotten. C.J. carr is the starter. C.J. carr with that wide receiver group, with the running backs, with the play action, with the opportunity to stretch the field and be more balanced than they were with. With Riley Leonard. Obviously they lose that toughness, they lose that, that grit, they lose that mobility. They. I shouldn't say. I don't know if C.J. carr is the toughest son of a in the world. And he probably is because. Because Lloyd Carr is one of them too. I'm just saying they right off the jump, you can't rely on him with the mobility, the toughness, the competitiveness, all those things to. To get you a lot of the first downs when it's not happening through the air. The fascinating part to me is I'm told that this guy Minchi, and every time I see Minchi, I just think of Mench and I think of Marissa Southern accent calling you Mint Minch. Me. But Menchi in camp played really well and made it a competition and he's more of a dual threat. So here's what I'm told. And it's not like breaking news. But Cars the starter, he's the guy think he's going to have a lot of success, will be protected and the hope is that he comes out against Miami, plays great and they never look back. But don't even if he's playing great, don't be surprised if Mitchie gets some run early in the season. Okay. And I think it could be one of the storyline. Think about it like this is Notre Dame, the history, the program coming off playing in the national championship game 14 2. Marcus Freeman is what probably like, you know, the top two or three biggest names in coaching right now. Okay. So if they start rolling in this guy Menchie, it's going to be interesting to see if that, you know, Kenny Menchie, what does that do? The. I can hear the reporters typing up in the box right now, you know. So, yeah, keep an eye on. That is all I'm saying. Keep an eye on. We could see them both. Even if Car's doing well, the hope is that we don't see both all season long, that this isn't some kind of rotation. But I'm told, like it may be part of the. More part of the plan than people might be expecting when C.J. carr gets the starting job. We'll see.
- [35:59]
Bucky Brooks
I think one of the good things for Carl, say this is the offensive coordinator, Mike Dembrock, he was the offense coordinator at LSU for Jaden Daniels in 2023.
- [36:07]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah.
- [36:07]
Bucky Brooks
Jason Ritter at Cincinnati, he had Riley Leonard last year. If you look at how he. He can tweak his scheme and really mold it to the player he has, I think he's going to put C.J. carr in the best position to succeed. And I do think. I hope I hear what you're saying because Notre Dame Press, I think, is going to be different. Notre Dame football is different. The way it's covered is different, especially right now. You're right. The spotlight's on and that's a good thing. That's what Marcus Freeman wants. That's why he took the job. I get all that. I do hope that people understand that there are these different packages these days that you can go with a mobile quarterback and bring them in. It was the same thing we're talking about with Quinn, yours and Arch. Arch Manning in Texas last year. Anytime you step. You know what, Anytime Arch Manning stepped on the field, you're like, oh, boy, here comes. Are they going to start? Right? But they're also like, use both of them. Use them. Make it the most dynamic offense you can do. If there's a way you can use Menchi to compliment Carr, do it. And hopefully Carr, who's a young dude, has the, the confidence to understand that that's what they're doing and he can handle it. But, you know, they shouldn't worry about the press. Just win games, man.
- [37:11]
Daniel Jeremiah
I know I mentioned that the defense had a really good camp and I know that Al golden was an absolute wizard last year. Felt like he. Everything he touched, every call he made was brilliant.
- [37:23]
Bucky Brooks
Yep.
- [37:24]
Daniel Jeremiah
It was like, almost like he felt like it almost pitched the perfect game. Yeah.
- [37:28]
Bucky Brooks
Ohio State was the home run in the bottom of the ninth with the. But. But he did so well up until then. And they were outmanned in the. In the state.
- [37:36]
Daniel Jeremiah
Completely outmanned. I know they lost Benjamin Morrison, who didn't play a ton. And we talked about Xavier Watts and Jack Kaiser, Riley Mills, leaders of the defense, Riley Mills. They also lost three defensive linemen. But like, I can't stress enough, I'm excited to watch them against Miami. I didn't realize the level that they, that they believe the defense is going to be. And it starts with the secondary. I'm told that the secondary we talked about Alabama could have the best secondary in the sec. I'm told, like this might wind up being top two, top three, maybe the best secondary in the country when it's all said and done. I'm just saying.
- [38:16]
Bucky Brooks
No, I like it. I like it. There's Christian. There is guys everywhere.
- [38:20]
Daniel Jeremiah
Christian Gray, Leonard Moore should be excellent at cornerback. Okay.
- [38:26]
Bucky Brooks
Possibly silver lining of, of not having Morrison last year, by the way, is all playing. So now that pays off. It was unfortunate that it happened last year, but now that pays off because they got those, that experience, those reps, that playoff run. Like these guys, they're battle tested now.
- [38:42]
Daniel Jeremiah
Possibly top five cornerback group in the country. Okay, Aiden Shuler's an ascending player at safety. He's paired with Jalen Stroman, who I talked about is on the top 300 list for the Senior Bowl. And, and Schuler, by the way, is like one of those guys that stolen the show.
- [39:00]
Bucky Brooks
Yeah.
- [39:01]
Daniel Jeremiah
So now you got Shuler, a veteran in Stroman, you get the tandem of Gray and Leonard Moore like this. Like I can't wait to see Carson Beck in this kind of unknown wide receiver group. But a lot of talent there for out for Miami. This is going to be a fascinating first week game.
- [39:18]
Bucky Brooks
Good offensive line. Yeah, I'll check right now.
- [39:23]
Daniel Jeremiah
I did Saturday, one of the games is Sunday. Then we got Bryce Young. Not to be, not to be, you know, mistaken for the quarterback with the Carolina Pants Panthers with the talented Bryce Young. Pass rusher for Notre Dame. Son of Bryant Young, by the way. Huh? Had it. Had a really good 20, 24 season, I'm told. Like next level this year. Different.
- [39:50]
Bucky Brooks
Miami is Sunday.
- [39:52]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah, I thought so, huh? Clemson, lsu, Saturday, Florida State, Alabama, Saturday, Clemson. I mean Miami. So we. And by the way, we've got our Saturday. Saturday Night Live. What?
- [40:06]
Bucky Brooks
Back to back reaction shows. I mean, I'm just saying if you need me Sunday, I could be there. I'm just saying I'm throwing it out there. Back to back reaction shows.
- [40:14]
Daniel Jeremiah
Tucker Connor's gonna kill me.
- [40:16]
Bucky Brooks
Dan's gonna kill me. Tucker's gonna kill me.
- [40:19]
Daniel Jeremiah
I'm just saying maybe we'll just do it. We'll do it for ourselves. Yeah, yeah, Facetime. But I can promise you this primetime game on Saturday, fourth quarter. We're going to be there. We'll give you more details on Wednesday as we get closer. But Bryce Young is a player that Marcus Freeman has done a great job of recruiting. And not just Marcus, the coaching staff in general, but Marcus Freeman has done a great job of recruiting and developing defensive linemen and offensive linemen during his tenure. Okay, Chris Ash comes in now, steps in his new defensive coordinator. Everything's gone great in camp supposedly. Can't imagine anyone. This isn't a slight on Asher. Ash has got a great career and is proven in what he can do. Notre Dame didn't hire Ash because he's. Because they're like taking a shot on a young gun. But Al golden was awesome last year. But my point is they got Bryce Young and a bunch of young defensive linemen that they have been waiting for this moment and they're ready to go. And linebacker Drake Bowen, I'm told is he's going to Be a dude this year I'm told he's leaned down. This is my notes lean down playing faster and the depth behind him is pretty awesome too. Okay. Three freshmen. I just want to throw out these names again. Don't. Didn't watch a single bit. Whenever all the recruiting guys are watching tape in the spring we're watching NFL draft prospects. But three guys I'm told from people that are in the know Jon Blair, safety Dallas golden, linebacker and Madden Faramo Foro is a defense I think an edge. Those three guys are are names to watch. That's a bet, you know.
- [42:06]
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, I got, I got nothing to add. I love the secondary. I do feel like Golden's a loss I the front seven I have more. I loved hearing your notes, to be honest with you because a lot of these guys I'm. I know there's going to be good players there, but I feel like the name recognition there isn't there for me yet. I know they're going to play hard, I know they're going to play disciplined but you getting that stuff is great. I'll also say this. Marcus Freeman, first year 9 and 4, second year 10 and 3 next year 14 and 2, 39 years old, did what a great hire by Notre Dame. What an unbelievable hire by a program that kind of middled for a long time and kind of was. I don't think knew what to do with Brian. Obviously they knew what to do but when Brian Kelly left, I think a lot of people are looking at that situation and saying what direction they were to go in and it's just unreal. Again, front loaded schedule. They start with Miami and then they get Texas A and M and I think the next toughest game after that is Boise State. Ideally they go 2 0, obviously 1 to 1, be great. I don't think 02 ends their playoff run. I really don't. I think this could be a very similar situation to last year. They lose one or two early and then they get better as the season goes on and they get in and they make some noise, they make a run. I think this team's going to be better. When you have young quarterbacks, I think this is true almost all the time. It'll be better at the end of the year than it is at the beginning of the year. And good coaches and young quarterbacks, that's usually how it works.
- [43:27]
Daniel Jeremiah
They get A and M at home, they get you USC at home, they get Syracuse. Like I, I don't see him losing more than two games, man. I really don't And I think two gets them in. All right, before we get to number four, the Ohio State Buckeyes, real quickly, let's get some housekeeping on. And I listen to your comments. I see all you, all you funny guys out there and funny girls doing like seven minutes in. Start the show. Seven minutes. McShay won't shut up. Housekeeping. So I just. We're. We're diving into my burner accounts. You're heard. Okay. Newsletter I'd mentioned before, Google the McShay report. We're doing all of everything that we're talking about and a whole lot more in print in your. In your inbox. You got an opportunity right now. This will cover you like you can for a full year. Half off. I'm going to get you. I'm going to get you. There's going to be mock drafts, there's going to be rankings, there's going to be draft intel. You're not getting anywhere else. We're going to get. So just do it for half off now. Wednesday, we're back. We talked about three. Three shows a week. It's season time. Started last week. We're on today, obviously, on Wednesday, and then back Saturday night. Saturday Night Live, it's our live streaming show. And I'm fired up. We're gonna have different guests throughout the year. Kind of loosen it up a little. A little mention McShay after dark. But we're gonna. We're gonna plug into that prime time game. We're coming in, like five, ten minutes remaining, and we're just gonna do reaction show and then like, kind of react as the game's going on, and then when it's over, reset and talk about the full day slate and what it means. And then we're back Monday mornings every week. That's a change up. We used to be like, Monday, late afternoon. We're gonna be back Monday morning. We're gonna tape and get it out as early as we can. Or, you know, it's gonna be late morning, early afternoon for. For folks out there. M. How can people support the show, please?
- [45:23]
Bucky Brooks
First of all, the Wednesday show's going to come out Thursday morning, right? You said?
- [45:26]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yes, sorry. We're taping it Wednesday night. To come out, go to Wednesday. But. But we're all. But Wednesday this week, I believe. Whatever. You'll find it.
- [45:37]
Bucky Brooks
Go to YouTube. That's how I should just lead this. Go to YouTube. Hit the subscribe button once you get in there, man. Thumbs up, thumbs down on the videos. Leave a comment. We read that stuff we're checking it out. Also, you can hit follow on Spotify, get the automatic downloads on apple. He's at McShay 13. I'm at you. Good Mensch. M U E N C H on all. All our socials. And again, the McSherry port. Check it out.
- [46:03]
Daniel Jeremiah
And if you really want to support us and you live anywhere in the Midwest, I got family coming in from Cincinnati. I got family coming in from Boston. Friends. Like it's going to be a fun show. September 10th, I think. Believe it's midweek Wednesday night. I want to say yes in Chicago at Lincoln Hall. Just be there. Get. Get your tickets. Okay. Go to ringer.comevents theringer.com events to get your. Get your ticket now. We're gonna sell out. Mensch.
- [46:37]
Bucky Brooks
Let's go.
- [46:38]
Daniel Jeremiah
I promise you, if I. If I have to buy 300 tickets, we're gonna sell out. And finally, Mensch, I'm an. And everyone here knows this. Happy birthday. Last week.
- [46:49]
Bucky Brooks
Oh, thanks, man.
- [46:50]
Daniel Jeremiah
You've had a big week. Your son Tyler got engaged.
- [46:54]
Bucky Brooks
Yes. An adorable couple.
- [46:56]
Daniel Jeremiah
He's a good looking man.
- [46:58]
Bucky Brooks
Yeah.
- [46:59]
Daniel Jeremiah
And she's. And she's a beautiful woman. And. And from what you and Iris, your wonderful wife, have to say, you're thrilled to have her in the family. So congratulations to. To Tyler and the future bride. Your birthday. Mention your wedding anniversary to.
- [47:15]
Bucky Brooks
Where are you getting all this? I told you, none of this.
- [47:17]
Daniel Jeremiah
And your sweet daughter. I won't mention her name, but your sweet daughter starts kindergarten today. Started kindergarten.
- [47:24]
Bucky Brooks
Tough one. It was a tough morning. I'm not gonna lie.
- [47:26]
Daniel Jeremiah
All right, come on. How many tears?
- [47:28]
Bucky Brooks
The big guy gets a little emotional about the little one.
- [47:30]
Daniel Jeremiah
I know you do. I love it.
- [47:32]
Bucky Brooks
So last night was even worse.
- [47:33]
Daniel Jeremiah
But.
- [47:34]
Bucky Brooks
But it was bad. I'll say. That was bad.
- [47:36]
Daniel Jeremiah
So big week for the Mensch family. All right, rounding it up here, Ohio State number four. I talked about it. And. And honest to God, like, I can't.
- [47:45]
Bucky Brooks
Wait for you to break this down. I cannot wait to hear what you have on this one.
- [47:50]
Daniel Jeremiah
There's a whole lot of educated yet blind trust. I'm placing in Ohio State at 4.
- [47:58]
Bucky Brooks
A lot, man. And I get it. I again, who else are you putting here? Because eight quarter new quarterback. There are so many questions up and down the board. Why not trust Ryan Day? So I get it, but I want to hear you explain it. Because a lot of people, I'll be honest about it, go in and put their rankings and this is where I got. And they don't have to explain it they just put down Ohio State. Well, there, there's, you got, there's a discussion to have here. So I'm interested to hear what you have to say.
- [48:21]
Daniel Jeremiah
Well, obviously despite losing to Michigan last year, they go on to win the national championship. They lose a lot. But Ryan Day is entering his eighth season, first seven seasons, he's 70 and 10 overall. Made the playoffs four of six years. Okay. Broke through last year with the national championship. But they lose Chip Kelly who is like king maker last year to the NFL and the Raiders. Brian Hartline steps in. The best wide receiver coach in college football. One of if not the best recruiters in college football, certainly at the wide receiver position and, and other, not just that position. But this is a new, this is a new role. Yeah.
- [49:09]
Bucky Brooks
Heartline and Day have known each other and worked together for a long time. But there's a difference between that and what Day had with Chip Kelly. And maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like there's a difference between what Day's relationship with Kelly is and what it is with Heartline. It's going to be interesting to see how that unfolds. I'm not going to go negative on it, but it is a question mark. It is the first time Heartland calls plays and we're going to see how, how that goes. The good news for Ohio State is I obviously you don't want this to happen but if he struggles, if Heartline doesn't do well in the role, you just pull the rip cord and Ryan Day starts calling place.
- [49:43]
Daniel Jeremiah
And it's not just, it's not just Chip Kelly. It's, it's Jim Knowles is gone.
- [49:50]
Bucky Brooks
Yes, that's a bigger one for me.
- [49:54]
Daniel Jeremiah
No, no, let me go through the personnel first and then you. And then so Ohio State loses 14 players to the NFL Draft, ties the school record. Think about how many great years they've had. Urban Myers years and beyond. And it was the most by any school in the country last year. 14 players drafted. They haven't had double digit draft picks since 2021. And then they went on to go 11 and two with a young talented quarterback. Talking about Julian saying this year CJ Stroud at that year and won the Rose bowl that year before kind of even be becoming a little bit better the following year. Six of those 14 were in the first two rounds, including four in round one. Eight of those guys, Mensch, eight on the defensive side of the ball. All right, got it gutted. And by the way, they're their last player drafted. This seems to be A trend. It's like the third team now. We've said the last player drafted was their quarterback. He was in the sixth round to the Steelers. Okay, Will Howard. So what do we have this year? We have, not surprisingly. And this is why when I said it's like a whole lot of educated and this is the educated part, but also blind faith in the program and Ryan Day and what he's built as a program. Ohio State's got five in our top 75. That's tied for the second most behind. We talked about Alabama in the. What's interesting though is they only have six in the top 300 for the the Senior Bowl. Right. Which is tied for the fourth fewest of the 12 teams that, that I've highlighted here in my preseason rankings. And I'll give you those names. Carnell Tate at wide receiver, Max Claire at tight end, Ethanwa at often along the offensive line. Sonny Stiles, who we both love at linebacker is your guy. Davison IBN Osinb at cornerback, and Caleb Downs at safety. But it just so happens that Downs might be the best defensive player in in the country and Jeremiah Smith might be the best player in the country and he's not eligible. So again, a lot of blind trust here. Take it where you want, Mensch, but I'm really interested on the offensive side of the ball. What you expect to see. I'll get to to say in what I what I'm seeing, but I'm curious, like when you're looking at Ohio State and we get that Week 1 matchup against Texas, but throughout the entire season, what jumps out to you is like burning question. What. What do you have to have answered about this team outside of the quarterback spot?
- [52:38]
Bucky Brooks
It's got to be the offensive line. And I say this, and I want to be careful because I was. I had so many questions about the offensive line last year when Josh Simmons went down and then Seth McLaughlin went down. I mean, every time something happened, I thought this offensive line was cooked. And honestly, when I watched their tape, I mean, the sum was definitely better than the total of the parts. But they got it done. That offensive line found a way to get it done. So I hesitate to go there again. And yet here I am. I'm worried about that offensive line. I want to see how it all comes together. I just. I'm not convinced yet that that offensive line is going to be good enough for their young quarterback. And you know, you talk about the Rice transfer who seemed. There seemed to be a lot of buzz. Now I'm reading That he might not even start. That he's a guy who might not even start for them because they have questions about, you know, this or that. There's, you know, they're not really. I'm not being filled with confidence about the reporting on their offensive line right now. That's the number one thing that jumps out to me and that's something because their quarterback is a super talented kid, but he's, you know, he's a freshman. So Julian saying, we'll see again, I can't wait to watch him play. We'll see what happens there. But you got a new, you got a new play caller, you got a freshman quarterback. And I got questions along the offensive line. Their pass catchers who go positive are going to be like, they are the best pass catchers on the planet. I mean, Max Clear the, the tight end from Purdue, I can't talk enough about. I think he's going to be elite for them. And then you have Carnell Tate and you have Jeremiah Smith and you know, it's, it's ridiculous, the abundance of talent they have, the skill, position, so that's going to be great. But it's going to be the same thing as last year. Is that offensive line going to be good enough? Last year it was. They figured out a way to get it done and maybe they will again this year. But man, I mean, I don't know. I, I've got questions.
- [54:31]
Daniel Jeremiah
Here's the deal, man. Julian Saying is like an all world talent. He's supremely talented.
- [54:36]
Bucky Brooks
Can I say something, by the way? Can I just interject this really quickly?
- [54:39]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yes.
- [54:40]
Bucky Brooks
We could get Bryce Underwood, who was the number one COR. Number one overall prospect in the ESPN 300 this year, in the starting quarterback for Michigan announced this week. And Julian sand, who was the number nine overall player in the ESPN 300. We could get four Michigan, Ohio State games with those guys at quarterback. And if it, it like, no, you couldn't.
- [55:01]
Daniel Jeremiah
Three.
- [55:02]
Bucky Brooks
You're probably, probably, probably right. You could get four. I'm just saying it could happen. So you're saying there's a chance match.
- [55:07]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah. Then they won't be that. They won't be that great if that's how I know they'll be overrated. But three, three would be wonderful. Head to head. Yes.
- [55:15]
Bucky Brooks
You're the guy like ruins Christmas dude, huh?
- [55:19]
Daniel Jeremiah
Saying's got a big arm, incredibly quick release. I've watched a little bit just to, you know, just to have a feel. Extends plays, makes throws off platform. All the things you want really good in football intelligence from people I talked to in the build, like they believe it, but there's a reason why it took a while to name the starter. And I get like, you don't want to anoint, but like it wasn't as clear cut as maybe everyone in Columbus, including Ryan Day and Heartline were hoping it to be. I. It's okay to not know because Ryan Day is the most in the know person in this program and he doesn't know until we see it. And the beauty is we get to see it against Texas. But I can tell you this, I want to impart a little wisdom. Old man stuff. When I watch tape on quarterbacks a lot, especially quarterbacks that are in their first year as a starter and I'm getting ready, I go back and watch their tape like Garrett Nussmeier last year is as an example. The biggest jumps that you always hear, the biggest improvement should come from game one to game two. And yeah, there should be a jump. I notice it's a four game stretch.
- [56:30]
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, I mean it's got. It takes more than one game. Go ahead. Yeah, I agree.
- [56:33]
Daniel Jeremiah
And that doesn't mean what game four, at the end of game four, you're like, oh, that's who he's going to be forever. But I guess I'm talking to you lunatic French at Ohio State and Herb street loves to call him the lunatic French and they are as lunatic as lunatic can be. And it's why we love college football. But there's also like, there's got to be a little bit of reason here too. If saying something against Texas and that highly talented defense in week one, saying is probably going to be a little bit better in week two. And if he has a dipped week two, he's probably going to be better in week three. So after four games, let's talk about it. Because I've been doing this for 25 years of studying quarterbacks and studying football and studying players. It's really after four games you start to get a feel like who was oh, oh, oh, South Carolina, Lenora Sellers was an absolute nightmare. I went back this summer and watched.
- [57:31]
Bucky Brooks
A little harsh, but yeah, I get it.
- [57:33]
Daniel Jeremiah
No, no, I think Lenoris would admit it. The front side blitz, sack ball out like multiple times, same things coming at him, took him a few games. Sellers in, we in game four and five started to get a lot better. The first three games were not pretty. Got a little bit better but like I still was seeing the same stuff. So let's season's not over. If he doesn't play great against Texas. So that's kind of my, my PSA today. But the talent like you said, Jeremiah Smith, 13, 15 last year, 15 touchdowns. I'm told on good authority this guy's like noticeably better this year. I don't even know what that means.
- [58:18]
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, how does that.
- [58:19]
Daniel Jeremiah
It's hard for my mind to. But they're like, no, he's different now. There's like a maturity level about him.
- [58:24]
Bucky Brooks
I read something about his diet. He's changed his diet. I was like, man, I don't. Don't change anything.
- [58:32]
Daniel Jeremiah
Carnell Tate I think is going to take another step. And he had 733 yards, four touchdowns last year as the third option. And the guy that you love, and I agree with you, I think he might be the best pass catching tight end in the country is Max Claire. And they got a lot of depth behind those guys. Okay. I don't think the running back position and this is not breaking news or offensive line is necessarily as talented as last year, but remember Simmons didn't play most of the year and yeah, he was a late first round pick to the Chiefs at 30.
- [59:03]
Bucky Brooks
You're talking about the offensive line? Yeah, I think it's a running back, but go ahead.
- [59:06]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah, well, no running back and, and, and.
- [59:09]
Bucky Brooks
Oh, okay.
- [59:11]
Daniel Jeremiah
But, but I think that they're there. There's a lot of experience and I think they trust the guys there. Like people's in and Donovan are talented backs and you talked about the offensive line. Here's what I do know from talking to people in Columbus. The interior is going to be dominant. They absolutely love was a Carson Hinsman at center who kicked out to guard to allow Donovan Jackson to kick out to left tackle. He struggled in 23, kicked out to guard last year, played better and better as the season went on. I'm told he's going to be great this year. Set to be like the. The leader of that group and the two guards, Luke Montgomery and Integra Shoot Shabola are. They're kind of proven commodity. So I think the interior is going to be dominant. It's that right tackle position and the tackles that are still kind of works in progress. Two names that I want to mention to you. One of them is a familiar name, but not for the reasons you think. Bo Jackson at running back, I told his acceleration is absolutely different and he could see an increased role as the season progresses. But they're gonna make sure he's ready for, for all of that. And I think it's Mylan Graham M I L A N Graham, I'm told he's an absolute burner and if, and if Heartline recruited him.
- [60:26]
Bucky Brooks
He'S probably pretty good.
- [60:28]
Daniel Jeremiah
And I'm told, don't be shocked, maybe like number five, number four receiver but could work his way up to number three behind Jeremiah Smith and, and Carnell Tate if, if he's what they expect him to be and he's ready to make the steps as a true freshman. Final thing here, the Ohio State defense absolutely gutted from a year ago and it's kind of like the Julian saying thing. Like I can sit here and tell you they're going to suck, they're going to be awesome. I don't know. Here's what I know. Eight defensive players for Ohio State were drafted last year. Jim Knowles is gone. Matt Patricia's in. So if you're telling me you know, you don't know. But I know that Caleb Downs is the best defensive player that I watched on tape this summer. And I, when I watched two damn good defensive linemen from Clemson, I watched, I watched a lot of good players and you did too match. Sonny Styles is phenomenal. Talk about him on the freak list and athleticism and explosive and Igbosin had ups and downs. Not an elite player, may never be. But he's a big press corner who's a good player.
- [61:35]
Bucky Brooks
Penalties, he's got to cut down on the penalties. He's a talented player. He's got to cut down on the penalties.
- [61:40]
Daniel Jeremiah
But other than that, they're just young guys that we have to trust. Were recruited well and I'm told that this. But I'm told like, like, trust me, I get to trust me. You're going to see early. Trust me. Where's talented? We're Ohio State. So like we'll see. But they're going to be a fascinating team. And what you see, week one against Texas, maybe they just come out gunning, but it's probably not going to be. And I got news for you. What we saw in the throughout the majority of the season, what we saw against Michigan was not what we saw in the College Football Playoff. So this, this is probably going to be a team like last year that gets better and better and better as the season progresses.
- [62:23]
Bucky Brooks
I'm fascinated by the Texas Ohio State game. So much young talent just running around the field. A lot of guys just trying to figure it out. Still it's gonna be, it's the way that game plays out, the way the.
- [62:32]
Daniel Jeremiah
Coach Julian saying versus versus Arch Manning. Like, come on.
- [62:35]
Bucky Brooks
I mean let's go.
- [62:37]
Daniel Jeremiah
Saturday, Mensch. Five days.
- [62:39]
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, I'm ready.
- [62:42]
Daniel Jeremiah
I started this whole thing. Week zero is adorable. It's so cute. Oh, by the way, game in Ireland.
- [62:48]
Bucky Brooks
One for one on our bets.
- [62:50]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah. If you're on the FanDuel app and you're watching the McShay show, you're. You were 2 and 3, 0. Really? Moneyline Kansas. I mean, Moneyline. Iowa State over Kansas State plus three and a half. Iowa State over Kansas State. And Mensch is under, which got dicey. Dicey.
- [63:08]
Bucky Brooks
I needed the callback. I needed them to go to the tape and be like, no, I didn't get in.
- [63:13]
Daniel Jeremiah
5 stars. See you on Wednesday. Must be 21 plus and present in select states. For Kansas in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino or 18/ plus and present in D.C. kentucky or Wyoming. Gambling problem. Call 1-800- GAMBLER or visit rg-help.com, call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org chat in Connecticut or visit mdgambling help.org in Maryland. Hope is here. Visit gamblinghelp linema.org or call 1-800-327-5050 for 24. 7 support in Massachusetts or call 18778 Hope NY or text Hope NY in New York.