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The McShay Show
Week 4 Reactions: Miami's Ceiling, Indiana's Precision, a New-Look Texas Tech, and More
01:51:34
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- [00:00]
Todd McShay
It's time, Bench. It's time to do a recap show. So I so I I want to tell the folks it's 215 days until the NFL draft and I want to ask you the question I ask you before we start every show. Men, you good?
- [00:15]
Steve Wiltfong
I'm good, man.
- [00:16]
Todd McShay
All right, Tucker, let's roll that damn thing. All right. I didn't mean to cut you off, men. I never mean to cut you off. But it just felt like it was time to start doing our recap show. So let's get serious. Yeah, it wasn't the, the right ending to Miami, Florida that we were kind of hoping for to, to talk, to talk through it. That's fine. We caught the end of Baylor. Arizona State. Nice win, Sun Devils. Baylor's a good team. They're just not there yet. This is the McShay show, presented by FanDuel and college football Saturdays are already delivering. Every game means something right now. Ranking, shift, upsets hit and the best place to stay on top of it all, fanduel. Whether you're riding a noon kickoff or betting the late games, FanDuel lets you bet it your way. Same game parlays, live betting, player props, alt lines. Whatever your angle is, it lives in the app. So if you're watching the action, bet on it with FanDuel. So download the app or head to FanDuel.com McShay and make every Saturday count. The ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available and listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Must be 21 and older in 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 chat in Connecticut and Sawyer Robertson's a really good quarterback. I'm excited to see how he continues to develop. But it wasn't enough. Tonight. We got. I just clicked it on. It's going to be in the backdrop. We got usc, Michigan State. Aiden Chiles has shown a lot. Please, people, stop when you see someone with exciting weapons who's not played enough ball and isn't there. Stop the conversation about 2026 draft. We'll see him in 2027. He's super talented. Hope he has an awesome game against USC tonight. We'll see him in 2027 with Arch, with Lagway. There's a lot of really talented young men playing college football that need more time to develop. But I want to get to Florida Miami now.
- [03:00]
Steve Wiltfong
Let's do it.
- [03:03]
Todd McShay
Are. It's interesting because like it. It's an impressive win, but it's. It was not a dominant win. They did not run away with it. They. They impose their will lately and that comes from a series of body blows and fighting and being more physical in the trenches. Even though physical was the calling car. Physical, aggressive, all the things that Florida's defense was. But at the end of the day, Miami had a semblance of a respectable, balanced offense in Florida didn't. And Florida's defense couldn't just, you know, at some point the water takes over the vessel and cracks come in and there's a flood right.
- [03:50]
Steve Wiltfong
Leg wave. Finished with for passing yards.
- [03:52]
Todd McShay
No, tell me 61.
- [03:55]
Steve Wiltfong
They average. They average 2.8 yards per carry tonight.
- [04:00]
Todd McShay
Like Brian Haas comes on our live feed every. Every Saturday night. If you're on the live feed, I just want to give some back with.
- [04:06]
Steve Wiltfong
Bad intentions every time.
- [04:08]
Todd McShay
Yeah, man, I've just read it. Fire Debo.
- [04:12]
Steve Wiltfong
Dabo.
- [04:18]
Todd McShay
Who was. What do you call him? Yeah, I was trying to make fun of you and I got it wrong. Davosween. He wants to fire Dabo. He wants to cut Lagway from the Florida footballs. I mean, that's just who he is. So just let him. Let him. Let him cook. Let him do his thing. Occasionally he'll come on with something legitimate and he's asking that there's another game. But. But he's all over the place. But, But I want to ask you this. We haven't seen Penn State play anybody and we've got Oregon next week. And I'm thrilled. And Dante Moore, by the way, is.
- [04:54]
Steve Wiltfong
Can'T, can't wait, man. Decor and more Dante Moore. That offense is. It's fun. Noah Winnington, that, that offensive line that all those transfers.
- [05:04]
Todd McShay
It is it. It is. Poor hood up or shut up time for Drew Aller next week.
- [05:09]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah, it is. I cannot wait.
- [05:13]
Todd McShay
We're going to dive into his tape a little bit this week. I've had a couple calls from scouts and somebody else who, who's involved going to do some more deep dive into. Into Al or what we've seen so far. But I don't say none of it matters. But what matters is is he ready to perform in these. In these big type of games. But I. I guess the question I want to ask you is how many teams right now do you believe are better than Miami Okay.
- [05:43]
Steve Wiltfong
Ohio State, LSU and Oregon. And I'll tell you right now, I think it's interesting. I know and again, I'm a prove it guy. And I don't know, I, I from, for the longest time now, I think since the beginning of the season, I have just believed. I said Will Stein and Dante Moore, man, I said to you, roll the tape, man, I said to you, look at what he, Will Stein has done with other quarterbacks who maybe weren't as talented when Bo Nixon got to Oregon. Bo Nixon, you know, they used to drive me nuts at Auburn. There's no way this guy's going to be that great in Oregon. And then Will Stein turns him into a, you know, an NFL quarterback. Dylan Gabriel, same thing. And then now he's got a guy who I think has more talent than both of those other quarterbacks. And I just believed in it. I just thought that Will Sound was going to develop him. And so far so good. So it, they haven't shown enough yet. I get it. But I, I believe in Oregon. I think that defense is really good. The run game's been really good. Again, the offensive line with all those transfers been really good. I think Oregon's in that mix. So maybe not better than Miami, but they're right there. Those, those are the teams that are right there. And I am also infatuated with Florida State, but I'm not ahead ready to put them ahead of Miami. That game's going to be awesome in two weeks.
- [07:07]
Todd McShay
Yeah, I, I, I am obsessed with this Miami defense though.
- [07:11]
Steve Wiltfong
You should be, man, they are flying around.
- [07:14]
Todd McShay
I mean, Muhammad Tory, Wesley Besane, Physit, Reuben Bain, David Blay, Jacoby Thomas. Had a sack and a tackle for another tackle for loss. Keonte Scott, Akeem Messador.
- [07:29]
Steve Wiltfong
Dude.
- [07:32]
Todd McShay
They got players, man. They've got players. And I, and I, I can't say any. Like Corey Heatherman is letting them play free, but with discipline, but with violence. It's exciting to watch. And I, and I look at Miami, I mean, when's the Florida State? Is that next week or two weeks?
- [07:54]
Steve Wiltfong
Two weeks.
- [07:54]
Todd McShay
Two weeks. That's double checked.
- [07:56]
Steve Wiltfong
I'm almost certain it's two weeks.
- [07:58]
Todd McShay
Okay, so it gives us something to look forward to.
- [08:03]
Steve Wiltfong
It is two weeks. Yeah, get Oregon, Penn State next week, Miami, Florida State, the week after. I mean, we're starting to roll now.
- [08:14]
Todd McShay
This episode is brought to you by Vuori. As an analyst, I'm a rankings guy. I scope the landscape, look at all the prospects and then make the call. And looking at the Vuori Sunday performance jogger. It's safe to say I found your new favorite jogger. Soft, lightweight, four way performance stretch. The Sunday performance jogger moves with you. No restrictions. And get this, we just landed a deal for friends of our show. They're offering 20% off your first purchase. Get yourself some of the most comfortable and versatile clothing on the planet@viori.com McShay exclusions apply. Visit the website for full terms and conditions. It's hard because, and I'm transitioning to Florida now and I don't want to do a show on this but I do think it's worth covering. It's not worth it's nest. It's a necessity. This, this team clearly is not quitting on its head coach. But Billy Napier, the results are not there. What he did last year was brilliant. It was, it was amazing to watch. It was inspiring, truly. From the what 3 and 3 start to finish the way they did and to see them rally.
- [09:31]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah.
- [09:32]
Todd McShay
Yes. Saying it ain't working and he's an offensive guy and the offense isn't like, I don't. It's, it's gonna be a long week. I mean it's been a couple long weeks but at some point you can't isolate and keep it in the bubble and you know, it's going to be hard to see what happens there. It's going to be interesting to see how loud the noise is at Clemson and we'll get to them a little bit with Dabo. It's a big industry, man. It's a big industry. And, and from TV to money to nil to transfer portal like this thing is vicious and when it's not rolling the right way, like there's just not patience and, and I get it. And, and quite honestly, like I can defend Billy all I want. Friend of the show like came on with us. Gracious with this time. I've had great conversations with him over the years but at some point there's going to have to be a change made and you just wonder. You just wonder. How about Indiana?
- [10:45]
Steve Wiltfong
How about Indiana? What. What's interesting to me about this is, is Indiana's pass rush so awesome or is Illinois's pass protection issues that. Because that's something that I know we're going to get into. Mendoza on the offense. I know you want to. I can't wait to hear you riff. I know you're going to go off on that. So really quickly. I'm going to add in the big guys up front. That pass rush tonight was, I mean, overwhelming Luke Altmire had no shot tonight. No shot. I don't know what the. I don't know what the total numbers were, but Indiana, Aiden, Fisher, Kamara, all of them were like, they were just flying around.
- [11:20]
Todd McShay
So I, I do want seven sacks. Seven. I had nine tackles for, lost seven sacks is what I saw.
- [11:28]
Steve Wiltfong
I actually feel, I thought that number would be higher just watching the game. And so I do worry because I. Illinois had pass protection issues all year, but you, you knew this Indiana defense was going to be good. You knew they were going to be good. That's for the first team, the real team that they've played. That's super encouraging that this Indiana defense is for real and that's not even going into the offense, which I'll let you do.
- [11:52]
Todd McShay
Here's the thing that I, that, that I, I did it. Remember we did a deep dive last year on Indiana. Like, how legitimate are they? They didn't play anybody. We're getting closer to the College Football Playoff. They may wind up getting in. I kind of, I was, I was late to the party on purpose because I didn't buy it. And I still, when the season was over, didn't completely buy it.
- [12:15]
Steve Wiltfong
Honestly. Can I just say this? I think they kind of pissed you off with the way they kind of slow played the Ohio State game to try and make that a little bit closer than it was. And then Ohio State just went down and scored anyways. You remember this?
- [12:25]
Todd McShay
Yeah, yeah. But, yes, but, yes, but even before that I was just questioning, like, who have they played and all that stuff.
- [12:34]
Steve Wiltfong
Right.
- [12:35]
Todd McShay
And it was legitimate. And, and we have a history, like, we don't have a history with Signetti, but, but we, we've worked with people who have, who like, have worked with him and, and the Whitels and everybody else. And like, I know who he is and, and, and I've always understood, like, how efficient he is, but I don't think people understand unless you're like, sitting here studying tape the way we do with the, like, you don't see many college teams play with the efficiency in which they do. And by that I mean like, hat on hat as a blocker. I mean gap discipline and defense. I mean, every little, like the minutiae, the details. And so what, When I watch them, I see more NFL draft prospects. And we went through that. They had more last year drafted than they had, like, you had to go back like a decade. And, and they're going to have more drafted this in 2026 than they did in 2025. The talent's getting better, but it ain't Ohio State or Penn State. And it isn't even. I'm watching USC against Michigan State. It's not usc. It's, you know, it's not Texas Tech.
- [13:42]
Steve Wiltfong
I would say it's not even Texas Tech.
- [13:44]
Todd McShay
Not this year. No.
- [13:45]
Steve Wiltfong
No.
- [13:46]
Todd McShay
After they brought in 22 transfers and all that. But as a collective whole, the way they play. And so I watch Mendoza tonight, Fernando Mendoza, right. And I loved a lot of things on tape from Cal. He's got the arm, the frame, mobility, kind of got like courage to anticipate and to make some gutsy throws. And I watch him in this offense and I had watched the first few games because I'm keeping a tabs on all these quarterbacks, but I just like how much do you see in those when they're routing teams? And then you watch them against Illinois and I know Illinois was down to the third string cornerback and I know they had injuries, but like guess what, you're number nine. You're ranked number nine in the country. That's a talented Illinois team. There's a reason why voters spent the whole off season and looked at all these programs, all the teams in the SEC and the Big 10 and the top of the Big 12 and the top of the ACC and they put them really high, like 13 or 14 somewhere in the between day 10 and 20 coming into the year. And watched them beat Duke and started as there was carnage. They were rising up, they got up to number nine. That's a talented football team. But Illinois, I mean, but Indiana came out and like so efficiently. He completed 90% of his throws tonight. What was the final number? He was 20 of 22 last I checked. And like he did some great things. But I'm telling you right now as an evaluator, he's harder now to evaluate than he was even at Cal last.
- [15:31]
Steve Wiltfong
Year because it's 21 for 23.
- [15:35]
Todd McShay
21 for 23. So it's like 88% or something? No, no, it's like 92%.
- [15:44]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah.
- [15:45]
Todd McShay
Get your calculators out. And I, and I look at, and I look at Surat. He's an NFL draft prospect, could be day two, big six foot three frame, athletic, not the fastest guy, but a really good possession X receipt type receiver Omar Cooper has been a revelation because he's not like last year he averaged like 20 yards per catch. This year he's like 22. But he's, he's more the consistencies there.
- [16:14]
Steve Wiltfong
He's starting to come on.
- [16:15]
Todd McShay
Yeah, right and so those two guys have 15 catches for 170 yards and three touchdowns. And you're like, oh, they were rolling. But as you're watching in this game, it's like Signetti and the coaching staff, like, they, they're so freaking efficient. And you wonder like, are they, Are they? Because last year, was it Rourke, right? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [16:42]
Steve Wiltfong
I was trying to think, I was trying to. I wasn't sure. You're talking about Curtis Rourke. Curtis, quarterback, quarter referee.
- [16:47]
Todd McShay
Curtis Rourke was so good. Like, and it come to find out, like, Maybe he wasn't 100% and didn't have the mobility, but he still was never mobile. But now they've got this Mendoza guy who can run a little bit. And he only ran one time for 14 yards, Steve. But there's the threat there and all that RPO ship.
- [17:07]
Steve Wiltfong
Oh, and the way he had some, some off platform stuff too, that was pretty.
- [17:10]
Todd McShay
He did. But I'm saying in the run game, so. Yeah, yeah. So that keeps you more honest. When Rourke was doing that stuff, it was like, yeah, right. That's funny. That's funny. But now he's moving around a little bit. He's helping that offensive line, which is good. But I will see against like, better competition. I thought this was going to be the real test. Maybe they just passed the test and we're staring at it. Or maybe Illinois is overrated. Or maybe Illinois got behind and they get injuries and they just fell apart, whatever it is. But I'm telling you, this team doesn't have to be as talented as some other teams. And Mendoza is going to be a really tough evaluation because Signetti didn't let. Signetti didn't let him go to the Manning Passing Academy. You want to know why? He wanted every single second he could get with him in his little. Like, it's almost like the lab. It's almost like culture ish. Like we, we have. This is how we do it. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. And that's the only way, it's the only way to be this efficient in college with the little amount of time you have to practice. So I'm saying all this and saying, I don't know if Mendoza is getting better as a draft prospect. I don't care right now. I don't know that they're. I know they're not as talented as Ohio State and LSU and Miami, but I'm starting to wonder if they're talented enough with the right pieces in this scheme to be a real problem. Like, a real problem. Not like last year problem. But like a real one. They're going to beat Iowa and then they're going to be what, five? And oh, and then they got Oregon. At Oregon, I'm starting to wonder could they beat Oregon?
- [19:01]
Steve Wiltfong
Truly anything could happen.
- [19:04]
Todd McShay
But are the. But like even though they're not as talented as Oregon and they don't have a world at left tackle and they don't have. I mean they've got the quarterback. They can stack up there. But they don't have. They don't have what is Sadiq at tight end. They don't have the weapons. They don't have the defensive T. Like they don't have that level of athlete from top to bottom. And they're starting 22. But are they better? Are they. Are they just as good a football team?
- [19:39]
Steve Wiltfong
A few things here and you're all over the place. So I'm gonna.
- [19:41]
Todd McShay
I'm.
- [19:42]
Steve Wiltfong
Let me see if I can rattle some stuff off here for you.
- [19:44]
Todd McShay
Good.
- [19:44]
Steve Wiltfong
Dan Lanning's a pretty damn good coach too. So I like. I like the Ducks. I. I still like the Ducks because Dan Lanning is a pretty damn good coach too. And I think he'll have them ready. So let's just start there.
- [19:54]
Todd McShay
Okay.
- [19:54]
Steve Wiltfong
A couple other things to speak to Signetti. All three phases tonight. I mean it was.
- [19:59]
Todd McShay
And that's what he is exactly.
- [20:01]
Steve Wiltfong
But they had a block punt for a touchdown.
- [20:03]
Todd McShay
I know. With. With our. Our guy that P. Who's a legitimate. Might be their first draft pick in 2026.
- [20:11]
Steve Wiltfong
They had a long punt return. Their defense was outrageous. I think they held them to like 1 yard per carry or something like that. Outrageous. So it feels like a different Indiana team this year. They do win in all three phases or they showed tonight that they can win in all three phases. I do like Oregon in that game still. I'll say that. And this is the last thing before you come back.
- [20:33]
Todd McShay
I. I understand.
- [20:35]
Steve Wiltfong
Don't get mad at me. Don't get mad at me. I understand your point about Mendoza being a tough evaluation I get. Doesn't hurt to go 21 for 23 with five touchdowns.
- [20:44]
Todd McShay
Oh no shit.
- [20:46]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah.
- [20:46]
Todd McShay
I don't think evaluators.
- [20:48]
Steve Wiltfong
I think it kind of helps his case.
- [20:50]
Todd McShay
I'm just saying.
- [20:51]
Steve Wiltfong
And I've seen enough throws. He makes some big time throws, man.
- [20:56]
Todd McShay
Yes, I know. I know that. And that's why I. I was probably as high as anybody out there on Mendoza coming the year. I absolutely love the guy. I'm just saying. I'm saying it as a positive to Signetti is that he's got all his pieces to this puzzle right where he wants them so that everything is working together. And that's why he's got the resting Signetti face, because it's never enough. Do you know, that's also. He's.
- [21:23]
Steve Wiltfong
Listen, the thing about the resting Signetti face that I think is also substantial is this is an Indiana team that's had a little success in the last few years, but not historically understood how to handle that success. And that can hurt teams. And he needs to keep this team. This team's to be. I mean, what 19, 20, 21 year old wouldn't be rolling after this win over Illinois, like just thinking that they're on top of the world. There's, you know, it. You know, Saban talking about the rat poison, right? Talking about, you guys give us rat poison every week. And. And it could kill a team. All these compliments and how good we are and. And look at that. The. That Indiana team, it can kill a team. And so Signetti kind of has to keep his team level and so I kind of get the RCF with him. It's a little bit of like, yeah, that's great. We haven't done yet. It's great that we got this big win. That's not what we're here to do. That is not what the goal is. The goal is to go out and compete with the Oregons and the Penn States of the World. So I see him as a like kind of having to do that and I get it with him. So a little bit of hypocritical, but I love it. I love the rcf.
- [22:31]
Todd McShay
Yeah. Is it Andrew Cooper says that I use. All right, let me pull up fanduel. Come on, fanduel. Indiana is only favored by two and a half against Iowa. Wow. I'm going to watch this. I'm logging in right now. This will be my first wager placed on air. If that's the case, can we get lines for next week?
- [23:00]
Steve Wiltfong
Signetti, blink 1, 2 6, 8, 9. Signetti is the Missoula of college football. I don't know if people know Missoula, the head coach of the Celtics, but he's. They're both. Both crazy.
- [23:09]
Todd McShay
You know, Alabama, Georgia's next week.
- [23:12]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah.
- [23:16]
Todd McShay
All right. I can't find it now, Tucker, get to the bottom of this. I don't care if it's late. Call someone, Tucker. Find out if that's correct. Two and a half. I'm just telling you right now. I. At this moment. And it's not like I'm not the recency bias guy sometimes a little bit, but like I usually keep pretty good perspective on things usually. And I don't see a team that has the talent that Penn State has or Oregon has. I'm going to say right now I'm so much closer to thinking they're going to knock off one of those two teams this year. Those are the two marquee games they have on their schedule then I than I have thought since this signetti thing started. All right, I guess that's my point in all this. And as I say this, Michigan State now three. Zero, by the way, as USC is and I keep talking about USC sneaking around the chicken goop. Maybe the Spartans are. They just scored a long touchdown. Childs. Nice, nice throw. They're up six to three. This is good for our, for our show that's going to last the next couple days, but I don't care. All right. I hope I made my point on Indiana. You did. All right.
- [24:30]
Steve Wiltfong
Can we talk about Utah, Texas Tech now?
- [24:33]
Todd McShay
Well, I want to get to my spotlight player of the day and this is a great transition, great transit. Tucker, I hope you're there. I know you're on the phone with, with FanDuel right now trying to figure out that line. Get back to me when you can. I don't even know if this chat thing but, but Will Hammond is my spotlight player of the game of the day. The entire day, all the big games, everything that went on today. Will Hammond is my guy. Thirteen. He came off. He's the backup quarterback for Texas Tech and I'm going to post something to you in a minute, Stevie boy. 34 to 10. They wind up winning this game. The starting quarterback, Baron morton, very successful NFL prospect. Some guys are talking about him like midday.
- [25:22]
Steve Wiltfong
3.
- [25:25]
Todd McShay
Under. Threw a couple receivers today, couple interceptions. Then gets injured, had the injury in the off season, was recovering. You know who was taking snaps? The first team. Will Hammond, 6 to 210 pounds. You know who led all Texas, all of the state of Texas in passing his senior year? Will Hammond in high school. Wow. Will Hammond is supposed to be there like their guy. And we know what the, that, that the Matador Club, El Matador Club is doing down in Lubbock. They're not my, they're. They're kind of like us. This is the not around crew. They are going out and they whatever truck it takes from the oil field straight to the, straight to the recruiting trail. Throw that graphic back up. Tucker. I'm sorry, I'm Rambling tonight. I'm all over the place, and I love it. 13 for 16. He was passing. He came in cold in that game. Okay. And he was dealing. And normally when a backup quarterback comes in and you got a little bit of a lead, you're cautious, you protect. Not him. They got. They actually put their foot on the gas more every once in a while. We've been doing this long enough, men. Every once in a while, I see something in a guy and I'm like, there's something here. He also ran the ball eight times for 61 yards. Can we.
- [26:51]
Steve Wiltfong
Can we stop running him at the end of the game?
- [26:52]
Todd McShay
I know.
- [26:53]
Steve Wiltfong
Stop running him. What are we doing? Game was in hand, and they're running him.
- [26:58]
Todd McShay
But changing arm angles, like throwing with conviction. This is the year where we came in and we used to get Lenora Sellers and Arch Manning and Clubnik and Nussmeier and Aller and all these guys. This is the golden age of quarterbacking, right? This was supposed to be the year where all these guys at NFL scouts are calling me. I'm getting texts all summer. And you know what? A lot of guys have had a lot of pressure on them, and a lot of guys, for different reasons, have not lived up to the preseason expectations. And part of it is some of the pressure that's being put on him. But Heisman National Championship, NFL draft. And then you see this young pup with all like, no cares in the world come into a game and he's like, yeah, let's go. I was doing it two years ago, Texas in Texas high school football. That's all I know how to do. I'm young and dumb, and I'm perfectly like. There's nothing better than life than being just young and ignorant to all of it, you know?
- [28:01]
Steve Wiltfong
Truly.
- [28:02]
Todd McShay
And he came in playing like, let's go. I've been running first teams with. With this team. Yeah, they get. And to see him get for the sideline after that first touchdown pass, and they're jumping him like he. And this isn't anything against Morton, but I gotta ask you, watching the offense with. And then with the backup, did we get a Wally Pip today? I know most people in our audience don't know what that is, that reference.
- [28:26]
Steve Wiltfong
But Tucker didn't know what it was, so that's not a good sign.
- [28:28]
Todd McShay
Well, Tucker's like 18 years old. When I met Tucker in person, I couldn't believe how young this guy is who runs our whole show. Everybody's like, the wizard of all. What do we call? What were we talking about in the text thread? He's. He's Christopher Walken back there. Yes. I don't know. I see something special in this guy. And, and I. For the first time ever, I guess we should state it. Texas Tech wins 34 to 10. They doubled him up on the ground. Utah, That's a Hornets nest that you're going into. I've been there. I've done multiple games at Utah. I've done night games and I've done. I did one game, it was like afternoon, but it's almost creepier in the morning than it is at night.
- [29:15]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah, don't give me that 10 o' clock start, by the way. That place was electric.
- [29:20]
Todd McShay
No, but it is electric. But it's not the Northwestern 10, 11am Kick. No. Where it's the opposite of exciting. So it's hard to get up. It's like, whoa, I just woke up and I just got dropped into a hornet's nest. And now I'm fighting for my life. And Texas Tech didn't flinch. This is a different Texas Tech team than I've ever seen. I was there for the Michael Crabtree game when they upset Texas. Texas was ranked one or two. Vince Young, I was there for that game. If you go back and watch the ABC coverage, you could see a guy running across the field in the opposite direction of everyone because I was trying to get out of there because it was Halloween night and it was bananas and Lubbock and I slept in a bloody bed. The night before that, I showed up at midnight in LCK and there was blood in the bed. True story. But I've seen crazy stuff there. But I haven't seen a football team built like this. They're physical, that pass rush. And so I'm asking you now, like, if. If I'm looking at this, I'm like, whoa, we're not. We're not like, cute top 25. We're not like, oh, we're going to be around at the end and maybe. Maybe get a fighting shot to, like, sneak in. Like, they're better than everybody in the Big 12. I just watched Baylor and, you know, I love Story Robertson and Arizona State and I love Sam Levitt. They're better. They're better on the defensive and offensive lines. They're physical, they're balanced on offense. But now you've got this veteran quarterback who's put in the work, done all the things. This is his year, might get drafted, all that stuff. But you bring in this kid and Will Hammond, who's our spotlight player. Of the week in week four in college football. Of all the players that we saw today, and I'm asking you, do you got the onions? It feels like Tom Brady. We both lived. No, that's. We lived in Newark.
- [31:20]
Steve Wiltfong
That is the exact.
- [31:21]
Todd McShay
Because it's like, no, we got Drew bled. So, yeah, he's injured. When he comes back, he comes back. But it took a Bill Belichick, someone who's crazy like a fox, to recognize it and say, I love. I love Drew. I love what Bledo did, but this guy gives us a better shot.
- [31:41]
Steve Wiltfong
So a couple. There's one significant difference there. Obviously. Drew Blitz almost died and was out for multiple weeks, which gave Tom Brady a chance. Chance to show what he's doing. And, And. And I loved Hammond today, by the way. One of his completions was a gorgeous ball down the right sideline that was just dropped. I mean, the touch he put on that pass was unreal. But that being said, I love Hammond. I think you have to really consider doing it. I think Morton's got a real short leash. But we've only seen one game of Hammond, and it was in very difficult circumstances in the biggest game of the year. And that's all encouraging. I think it's going to be interesting what the medical report is going to be on Morton, and they're going to have. And that'll, you know, either make it a tougher or easier decision. But I would not. I'll say this. Let me put it this way. I will not be surprised. Will Hayman's the starting quarterback coming out of the Arizona State game. Because I could see. I could see Morton going into that game and maybe having a slow start. And then they. They don't mess around and they go back to the kid. He played that well.
- [32:44]
Todd McShay
He did, man. And the defense played that well. I'm, like watching the pass rushers, Bailey and Hunter and Height and Gil Howard, like they're getting after your ass as a quarterback. They did to Utah what Utah does to teams, didn't they? 100.
- [33:08]
Steve Wiltfong
I thought that game was going to go the other way. I really did. And maybe that's, you know, maybe that's just some of the. The brand name. Some of that's the, oh, Texas Tech can't come into Utah and win that game and be the tough guy and be the bully. And they 100% were. 100% were. I was impressed.
- [33:24]
Todd McShay
And this is the day in which Clemson is a disaster and Michigan, Nebraska and Auburn, Oklahoma. And I'm not accidentally talking about it this early in Our show and spending this this much time. If I don't see it, like if you and I didn't. Didn't see something today that is so unique to what we're used to seeing in our two and a half decades of covering the NFL draft in college football. Like, it's different, man. And I was skeptical. I'll be the first to admit coming in the year, I'm like, yeah, Arizona State's gonna. They'll be good. Baylor's got a good young quarterback. Kansas State, Iowa State, like these are more proven commodities. I'm telling you right now, we'll see how they handle the quarterback situation. We'll see how things go. But I'm telling you right now, Texas Tech's the best team in the Big 12. And the Big 12 has some. A handful of good teams.
- [34:21]
Steve Wiltfong
Who you starting? A quarterback?
- [34:23]
Todd McShay
You didn't say I'm starting. Hammond.
- [34:25]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah, you and Brian. Hoss. Hoss is already. He's ready to cut Morton.
- [34:30]
Todd McShay
Is he?
- [34:31]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah.
- [34:33]
Todd McShay
So.
- [34:34]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah, I, I get it, man.
- [34:35]
Todd McShay
I don't. Jordan. Jordan Withrow knows he was there for the Crabtree 08. Good to see you, Jordan. He's a Texas Tech guy. Good to have you. He knows all the defense. Jacob Rodriguez, David Bailey, Gil Howard. Tech defense, finally he gets it.
- [34:55]
Steve Wiltfong
But Hammond, I mean, he definitely deserves the player spotlight. I wonder who some of our listeners, who they would have for today. There's some. I mean there were some big time performances in other games, so.
- [35:07]
Todd McShay
Yeah, yeah, throw that out there.
- [35:11]
Steve Wiltfong
I mean that Michigan game I want to get into a little bit later on. There's players in that game, man.
- [35:15]
Todd McShay
Myava, by the way, he's sneaky. Touchdown run. USC's up 97 pending the extra point. All right. I mean those are my two biggest takeaways from today in terms of like the college football picture. Indiana. I'm not saying Texas Tech's more. You said it before. Texas Tech's more talented. Indiana as a football team is highly intriguing to me. I think they're, they should be. I think they're a problem. And Texas Tech is legitimately the best team in the Big 12. And it took going to Utah, playing in that environment. A big noon kick was there, man. Portnoy and Big Cat were there going to bookstores and making all sorts of ruckus and everything. Like that thing was fired up.
- [36:05]
Steve Wiltfong
All.
- [36:06]
Todd McShay
Eyes from Fox and you know, half the nation were there while the other half the Nation was watching McAfee jump into a pool which was highly entertaining as well. It was that was fun, you know, like, yeah, that show's different than it used to be, huh?
- [36:27]
Steve Wiltfong
It is a little bit different. And it's. It's morphing. It's changing and. Or maybe we're just the old guys. I don't know.
- [36:34]
Todd McShay
No, no, I mean, it fits. WWE was being promoted all. All day long on espn. Okay. So when. When we had Miami Florida going on. But we got wwe something like.
- [36:52]
Steve Wiltfong
I couldn't believe it.
- [36:53]
Todd McShay
Yeah.
- [36:54]
Steve Wiltfong
I honestly couldn't believe it.
- [36:57]
Todd McShay
So. But those are my big two takeaways. Michigan, Nebraska. We'll get to them in a little bit.
- [37:06]
Steve Wiltfong
All right.
- [37:08]
Todd McShay
I think something's changing in college football, though. I want to bring that to your attention. And it's a good time for me to bring up a sponsor that we have with a partnership that I am thrilled about. And I know you are as well, Mitch, because I'm. I've kind of become like a. A home Renaissance guy, if you will. Like, I rolled up these sleeves this summer. Told you about the outdoor project. Fix my. On Thursday. Fix my grill. How do you. Who do you think helped Home Depot?
- [37:44]
Steve Wiltfong
Home Depot.
- [37:45]
Todd McShay
Underneath the grill. Mensch.
- [37:47]
Steve Wiltfong
You should see.
- [37:47]
Todd McShay
I'm becoming kind of a weirdo in my old age with this stuff. I love it, but it's time to get into it.
- [37:53]
Steve Wiltfong
All right.
- [37:53]
Todd McShay
A special segment of, like. And I'm pumped that Home Depot is. Is helping us out. And they are. They're. They're in partnership with us and they're going to be here all fall. So this is a special segment of the show that's called the Home Field Advantage, and it's perfect for what we're about to talk about. Okay. It's brought to you by our friends at the Home Depot, the place to go to build your dream game day setup on your own home field, whether it's tailgate or your backyard, your living room kind of grill. You got Mensch, I got a Traeger. You got a Weber.
- [38:24]
Steve Wiltfong
I got a Blackstone. And I don't probably.
- [38:27]
Todd McShay
You're probably saying something we're not supposed to say. Let's just say I'm a Traeger guy. I probably shouldn't have asked. It's my fault. I'm going to get a text or an email right now.
- [38:36]
Steve Wiltfong
I'm pretty sure I got them both at Home Depot. I get. I honestly get all my stuff at Home Depot.
- [38:39]
Todd McShay
Okay. Perfect. Perfect. Good save. In case. If we needed a save.
- [38:43]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah, I.
- [38:44]
Todd McShay
That's.
- [38:44]
Steve Wiltfong
It's my go to.
- [38:46]
Todd McShay
But since we're talking about Home Field energy. I just want to. We're going to get to the game in just one minute, but I really want to say this to you. And I said, this isn't me. Like, oh, mch. Such a shill for Home Depot. Like, I said this before. I said this after the Michigan game. Something feels different in Norman. Man. I've done Norman games. I did, Norm. I did games at Oklahoma, shoot, going back to Sam Bradford, right? And that was a good environment. Baker. Baker. I did Baker on senior night. Great environment. I did. I was there for Kyler Murray. Great environment. He was suspended for the first series of the game. I forgot it was Kansas. Okay, so I've been there and I've been to some big games, but something felt different watching on television this year with, With. With Michigan. And I told you, it looked like the Rose bowl almost. The colors and the, the setting. And like, I think sometimes in life, and I truly, like, I was thinking about this today before I even knew that we're going to do this, do this as part of Home Depot. Sometimes in life, you know, it's. You don't know what you got until it's gone. I think they had it ripped away from them for a couple years in Norman and they like, they're like, oh, no. And there's a new, like, re enter. And maybe it's talking to Nagy and, And seeing how they're. They're putting this whole thing together. But there's something about Norman now where I don't want to go and play. And so if you don't believe me, believe the results. Norman. Norman. Oklahoma. Today was raucous, and, oh, you won that game 24:17. But it was ugly. It wasn't the John Mattier flinging around show. It wasn't what we kind of come to expect. Early in the season. It was Auburn with seven false starts. It was a defense that was stifling even though Jackson Arnold played his tail off. And so I'm starting to think we're gonna. As we go through this series, throughout the next, like, six, seven weeks with Home Depot, I'm gonna list off some of the, like the, the top, the best in. In all of college football, home, Home advantages. Right? But I'm telling you right now, oh, you starting to creep up there into like the top 10 in the, in the nation. And it definitely gives the Sooners a big edge. We saw that today.
- [41:00]
Steve Wiltfong
But you can create a different vibe right now.
- [41:03]
Todd McShay
It's a different vibe right now. And you can create a different vibe. You can create your Own home field advantage. Whether you're tailgating at the stadium, watching from your backyard or from your living room, the Home Depot has everything you need for a game day setup that brings the energy from grills and smokers, from top brands like Traeger Next Grill or Weber to fire pits to in smart light. Smart lighting, speakers, outdoor TVs. I actually need to go to the Home Depot. I've got to figure out my audio thing now that I get an outdoor shower fast. Free delivery over two. I'm just thinking as we go here, over 2 million online items delivered for free to your door and I am a living shining beacon for that subject to availability. See home depot.com for details. The Home Depot how doers get more done and I thought Oklahoma today got it done in a way that I did not expect takeaways for you from that game. I'll let, I'll let you start here.
- [42:05]
Steve Wiltfong
I mean it got it, it got tight man. And Auburn went up in the fourth quarter and it was kind of like, okay, this has been cute Mater. Now, now you really now like let's see what you're really about. And then on the next drive, 9 yard pass, 4 yard run, 7 yard pass, 15 yard pass, 31 yard pass, 9 yard touchdown. We're right back in the lead. I mean no, like there's no negative plays there. There's no incomplete passes. He's the run game. He just takes over. He took over at the most important part of the game. That's one thing I'll take is that John, he's the real deal. Matier is the real freaking deal, man. But the second thing is so is that Oklahoma defense, man, they had 10 sacks today and those guys were swarming. Swarming. There is a couple, there are a couple offensive linemen. Connor Lou, the center from Auburn and Xavier Chaplin, the left tackle from Auburn. Those are NFL players, man. And both of them, both of them had their, their hands full today. So that that defense is awesome and you got that quarterback and you got receiver. It seems like a different receiver will step up every week. I it's well known how we feel about the Titan Cannon. Like this team is for real. That's a good Auburn team that they beat today and camp and it's a.
- [43:22]
Todd McShay
Good Auburn team that was wounded. Not wounded, but like chips were like they had to have this game. It felt like right like they had to have this game. They had to showcase what. And it also is an Auburn team for me at least with a quarterback that I can't imagine the chip in the grudge. Because I told you I went back and watched some of that tape indirectly and I started watching Oklahoma last year and. And to be booed out of there and to be like, like hung at the stake or like wild with 5, 5 starting your top five wide receivers out all year in an offensive line that absolutely sucked. Beat him. Bow is the best offensive line coach. I would argue put him in the top three if you want, but he's as respected as there is. I've told you like over and over again when I talk to NFL scouts, like they like he's the guy okay for developing guys to the NFL and getting an offensive line ready and. And with all.
- [44:25]
Steve Wiltfong
You're beat up there too.
- [44:27]
Todd McShay
But my point is, can you imagine how like talk about. He didn't just circle this game. Every ounce of his being was put into this game. And his teammates who have come to love him wanted to do this not only for the team, but for him. And you could see it in the way he played. And Oklahoma still found a way to win.
- [44:50]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah, I thought he had a really good. He had a really gutsy game. I do think he held onto the ball too long at times. Jackson sucked, but he's got to get rid of that ball. There are times you're like, dude, come on. You got. You gotta throw it away. Run. Do something. You can't just sit there in the pocket like that.
- [45:07]
Todd McShay
How about Arbuckle? They. They said on the broadcast apparently that they. That was illegal. What they did what they do f. The first touchdown for. For Oklahoma. They. They pretended like a guy wasn't on the field or.
- [45:21]
Steve Wiltfong
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. That's illegal.
- [45:24]
Todd McShay
Some I. I read somewhere where apparently the. The rules person, the former. The officiating person in the booth, I guess or someone back in. In Bristol. What game? Who is calling that game? Whoever it was. Someone came on and said that it was the way they executed. It wasn't legal. But I don't. But either way, Arbuckle handed them six points.
- [45:46]
Steve Wiltfong
You know, that was a design perfect time to call. It was right after that punt got. You know, you're kind of on your heels after that.
- [45:52]
Todd McShay
Yep.
- [45:53]
Steve Wiltfong
That muff pun or that whatever you would call it, the botched punt. So you're kind of still, you know, quick change. You're not expecting to be in that field position. It was a perfect time to call.
- [46:03]
Todd McShay
It if I'm worried about something. And again it is Auburn. Auburn's defense is outstanding. It really is. Jade Knot is in the witness protection Protection program.
- [46:15]
Steve Wiltfong
Correct.
- [46:18]
Todd McShay
And while I like Tori Blaylock a lot and everyone I talk to there, like thinks he's going to be a star, I, I do too. But he had 11 carries for 13 yards. Steve.
- [46:29]
Steve Wiltfong
I know. Correct. You're right.
- [46:31]
Todd McShay
So if, if there's something that's going to derail this team, to me it appears to be their run game. It just, it hasn't been to the level.
- [46:44]
Steve Wiltfong
It's true. I think that they're. Yeah, you're right. You know what? I'm not going to argue with it. You're right.
- [46:50]
Todd McShay
It's.
- [46:50]
Steve Wiltfong
It is a concern right now. I do think they're playing some pretty tough run defenses, but you're right. Right now that's. That's a question mark for them.
- [47:03]
Todd McShay
What'd you think of material today?
- [47:06]
Steve Wiltfong
Just he, I just.
- [47:07]
Todd McShay
It.
- [47:08]
Steve Wiltfong
All that matters is that when it's on the line, he's poised, he's under control and he makes plays again. That last drive. It's all about that last drive for me.
- [47:15]
Todd McShay
How many, how many schools are there in the country right now, truly? And I talk. And I already went on my whole rant about all the quarterbacks coming into the year that we thought how many. And I think he's been the best player in college football. If we had a draft of every player right now in college football. Every player, including Jeremiah Smith. If I could. If you started a draft and you could pick one player for this season in college football, I'm taking mater.
- [47:43]
Steve Wiltfong
Agree. Do we have the fanduel odds on him winning the Heisman? Do we have those?
- [47:48]
Todd McShay
I'm sure. I'm guessing he's.
- [47:50]
Steve Wiltfong
I'm guessing he's the leader, right?
- [47:52]
Todd McShay
Oh, yeah. Yes. NCAA futures plus 750. Can people hear Tucker when he talks? He said no. Can we fix that? Tucker?
- [48:08]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah. We need the voice of God to come in.
- [48:09]
Todd McShay
I feel like we're always talking to you and Dan and like we never hear your voices. So like. And pretty soon, let's get your faces on here. You guys get all cute and dressed up. Dan's gonna have to get out of his. His clubbing outfits. That he's going. He's going hitting the clubs out in LA after the show.
- [48:28]
Steve Wiltfong
Dan didn't like that one.
- [48:29]
Todd McShay
No, I know, I know. Dan's the hardest working man.
- [48:33]
Steve Wiltfong
I know.
- [48:34]
Todd McShay
Hardest. Like we've been around some grinders. Dan is up in that elite.
- [48:39]
Steve Wiltfong
Dan. Yeah. Dan is a grinder.
- [48:41]
Todd McShay
We are surrounded by grinders and we're very fortunate for it. But I also like I. I only bust balls when I love you. But I'm asking you this question. Did we say out loud, what did you say it was?
- [48:56]
Steve Wiltfong
Tucker plus seven fifty.
- [48:59]
Todd McShay
Plus seven fifty. Is that he's. He's the leader. Correct. Okay, so. But. But more importantly, are there any other quarterbacks in the country in the fourth quarter tight game you would prefer to have? And I want to think. I want you to think about this too, because he's also capable of giving away the. The farm.
- [49:21]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah.
- [49:22]
Todd McShay
With one. With one aggressive decision.
- [49:25]
Steve Wiltfong
Well, another guy who would be in the mix would be Nussmeier, right?
- [49:28]
Todd McShay
Yes.
- [49:29]
Steve Wiltfong
Also capable, but shown.
- [49:32]
Todd McShay
But you got to have shown reform meant this year.
- [49:36]
Steve Wiltfong
Still capable. I think you have to. You have to have a little bit of it in you. You have to have a little bit of that into you for you. For you to be that guy in the fourth quarter, man, you got to have a little bit of that. You know, like, this might not go my way, but we need to make a play right now. So I'm just going to lay it on the line and, and put it in there. And the other thing I like about Mater more than Usmeyer is that just like you saw today with that touchdown run. He is a problem when he runs. I mean, he can hurt you as a runner. His mobility is an issue. Yeah. I mean, not right now. No, I can't think of like. No, there's not. I don't even know if there's anyone close.
- [50:16]
Todd McShay
How. How good is Red river going to be this year?
- [50:21]
Steve Wiltfong
I hope it's going to be good. I hope Texas. I hope Texas is good.
- [50:25]
Todd McShay
You think you hope Texas is up for it?
- [50:28]
Steve Wiltfong
I do.
- [50:30]
Todd McShay
Hey. Hey. Hey. Nasma and Arch today, they were damn near perfect. Both had like four or five touchdown passes. They. Both teams scored nearly. Nearly half a hunch. Everything's fine. Sam Houston State, Southeast Louisiana. No, honestly, that game I've actually done. I've done the Red river when it's Oklahoma. When I did a Red river, when Oklahoma was like fifth in the country and Texas wasn't ranked. And I've done it in the opposite way. And both games were. One of them was an upset and the other was like just dog fights. It doesn't matter. But I mean, Texas is loaded. Texas has more talent than Oklahoma has a ton of talent. Texas doesn't have a quarterback that it took. True. That it truly trusts at this point. Oklahoma does. That's going to be fascinating to see. I want to know what the Red river line is already. I mean, we Had.
- [51:30]
Steve Wiltfong
Remember Dylan Gabriel beat them with that unbelievable last second pass. I mean, that game always, almost always is good. Yeah, Dylan Gabriel had that 3430 win over Texas in 23 before he went to Oregon.
- [51:48]
Todd McShay
Why does Josh Pate have a tab on college football odds and we don't get to the bottom of that? Tucker. I'm just looking at futures, all right? I don't know. All interesting stuff. We. I'll tell you one thing. The next two weeks we've got some mess.
- [52:05]
Steve Wiltfong
We're starting us. Yeah, we're starting to roll now.
- [52:07]
Todd McShay
We got Georgia, Alabama next week and we've got Oregon, Penn State, and then the following week is Red river and a few other awesome games. Anything more you got for me on Oklahoma?
- [52:22]
Steve Wiltfong
No, again, that defensive line is for, it's, it's, it's for real. Grayson Halton and the defensive tackle, I think is some of the people are sleeping on when Thomas Armies and Thomas came in in the second half and just kind of took over for a little while. Marvin Jones Jr. I mean, it's unbelievable, man. I mean, they've got guys and there's guys that I, that I was watching today. I was like, who's this dude? And also, I mean, this is running around.
- [52:45]
Todd McShay
This game was, it was kind of a, it was kind of a snooze. It was kind of boring in the first half. You had that. Our buckle generated touchdown. Great response by Arnold Jackson. That's where I was like, oh, I'm excited to see this for Arnold. Five for five passing that, that long drive they kept attacking. That freshman cornerback was a guillory.
- [53:08]
Steve Wiltfong
Gil Gill, very, very good. But.
- [53:10]
Todd McShay
Yes, no, I know, but, but he's, but he's a pop and he. And oh, and I'll get to the other point that I wanted to make in this game real quick. So you kind of had that back and forth. 10, 10 halftime. Fascinating game, but kind of boring in the first half as a whole pair of field goals for Oklahoma kind of grinding it out early in the second half. And then all of a sudden Auburn starts this drive and then with nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, right after, oh, after Oklahoma got away, do you remember that throw in the end zone where the ref was turning and running to get out of the way? So he didn't, he didn't interfere with the play.
- [53:46]
Steve Wiltfong
He.
- [53:47]
Todd McShay
He missed the interference where Cam Coleman was tackled, Right?
- [53:51]
Steve Wiltfong
Yep.
- [53:53]
Todd McShay
So that. So right after that play, Hugh goes for it. Fourth and 11, Jackson. Arnold takes it, tucks it and runs and picks up the first three plays go by, now it's fourth and one. Hugh goes for it again. False start. Fourth and six on the own. On the, on their 20, on Oklahoma's 20. And. And it's. They're down 16, 13, right. They're down 16, 13. Doesn't kick the field goal. There's still like eight and a half minutes left. Doesn't kick the field goal. Still doesn't blink. Fourth and six, go for it. Cam Coldwind gets a PI against Guillory again. And then jet sweep to Malcolm Simmons. Touchdown. 1716 Auburn. And all of a sudden I'm like, this game happened fast.
- [54:42]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah, whoa.
- [54:44]
Todd McShay
This was kind of the boring game. Then Mattia responds. 75 yard drive. And this is what we're talking about. 75 yards when you need it. Seasons on the line. Because you, because you're looking at a schedule. If you're Oklahoma, you're looking at a schedule. Beyond this you got Texas, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, lsu. Can't drop this one.
- [55:08]
Steve Wiltfong
We're at home.
- [55:11]
Todd McShay
Jump on my back. That awesome throw, 31 yard completion to Satenga who we should mention by the.
- [55:18]
Steve Wiltfong
Way, who had a monster game today.
- [55:21]
Todd McShay
He finished with nine for 127 and a touchdown. Isaiah Sarah. Every week it's like someone it's. Can it get at tight end? It's Dion, Dion Burks, who's, who's, who's a legit, like could be a second round draft pick. Okay. And then, and then. So they go up 22 to 17, 450 remaining. And that's when the closers came in.
- [55:47]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah.
- [55:48]
Todd McShay
Defensive line, this is a team match that picks each other. You always hear compliment, playing good complimentary football. Now I'm telling you, you know like you always hear that. That's what that was. And our, it was so, so fitting. Our Mason Thomas comes in and actually closes the door. Ninth inning. Strikes out the last batter. Bang.
- [56:11]
Steve Wiltfong
It wasn't even close by the way.
- [56:12]
Todd McShay
Go ahead, go ahead, suspend me for a half again. I'll come in fresh and I'll ruin your defense. I'm. You're better off letting me get worn down for four quarters so I can't do what I just did to Auburns offense.
- [56:23]
Steve Wiltfong
Oh man, that's power rush.
- [56:26]
Todd McShay
I wanna, I wanna ask you this question.
- [56:28]
Steve Wiltfong
Hey, by the way, real quick, can I just tell you this? We also have LSU at Ole Miss next week.
- [56:35]
Todd McShay
Sneaky.
- [56:36]
Steve Wiltfong
And Auburn at Texas A M. By the way, that Ole Miss team that, you know you like, that two lean team, Ole Miss handled them today.
- [56:43]
Todd McShay
I put that in my notes. Let's just get to it real quick. But I want to come back to this.
- [56:51]
Steve Wiltfong
Ole Miss, these games next week. It is loaded.
- [56:56]
Todd McShay
I love when I, I love when we're so all over the place I can't even find my.
- [57:00]
Steve Wiltfong
I know.
- [57:01]
Todd McShay
No, no, no, no, no. I've got it. I, yeah, I, I called it the D GTF performance. Get the out of here. Tulane. Get the out of here. Too late. That's what it was. Yeah, that spread was, that spread was not much, dude.
- [57:32]
Steve Wiltfong
Jake was 5 or 17 for 56 yards.
- [57:37]
Todd McShay
That spread coming into the game I was 11. But yeah, yeah, there's this. I feel like Lane's a little, little pissed and, and, and I think like don't forget who Lane Kiffin's dad is. People always get it mixed up on Lane, you know, Southern Cal guy on, on X and used to be Twitter poking the bear with, with Nick. Lane's a lifer in this. His dad was one of the great all time defensive coordinators. Like he is a grind it football guy. Loves running the ball. Now he's got a quarterback and Jackson Dart's wonderful. You know how much I love Jackson Dart now. You know he loved Jackson Dart and Jackson Dart had some mobility. But this is kind of a new fun project for him. This Trinidad Chambliss, he rushed for 112 today. Now they can't throw the way they want to and we'll see what happens when both guys are healthy. But they've beaten Kentucky, Arkansas by the way. Arkansas is kind of sneaky good too.
- [58:48]
Steve Wiltfong
Lost a tough one today.
- [58:49]
Todd McShay
Lost. But they're still, they had a huge lead in that game.
- [58:54]
Steve Wiltfong
Quarterback Green's pretty damn good, man.
- [58:55]
Todd McShay
Taylor Green is good.
- [58:57]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah.
- [58:58]
Todd McShay
And talking to NFL scouts, there's a lot more love for Taylor Green than there is for some other big names out there, surprisingly. And then they beat Tulane. So they're sneaking around, but yeah. Oh, I wanted to ask you this question before we get completely off the Auburn Oklahoma game. Watching Cam Coleman today and knowing what we know about Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams. I'm going to pose this to FanDuel. I want a futures unique NFL draft bet that comes out sometime after the season. Looking ahead to 2020, I want it to be the first bet on the board for 2027. Odds on those three guys all go in the top 10 picks. And mind you, that could be a draft with Arch and I know Arch is not played to the level and I, we did a whole show on it and I Did a whole newsletter on it. The McShay report. Google it. Just like Signetti. Subscribe, please. But there's going to be quarterbacks in that traff. Could be Arch, it could be Lagway, it could be. It could be Sellers, it could be. We're just talking about another guy. Oh, it could be Childs who are watching now against usc. There's a. It could be my Ava. There's a lot of guys. So I'm saying I. But I still think they're that good.
- [60:31]
Steve Wiltfong
I agree. I think the other two are locks, by the way. Like, you know, as. As far as locks can go this far out. I mean, they have to stay healthy. They have to avoid, you know, any of those kind of pitfalls and whatever they may be. But talent wise, Jeremiah Smith is.
- [60:46]
Todd McShay
Is the first player in the draft that's not a quarterback and, and, and really should be the first. First pick in the draft.
- [60:52]
Steve Wiltfong
Agree. And I think Ryan Williams could be a top five guy.
- [60:55]
Todd McShay
Yes. And I.
- [60:58]
Steve Wiltfong
Can I say this about Coleman?
- [61:00]
Todd McShay
Yes.
- [61:00]
Steve Wiltfong
I. I freaking love him. Love him. I think he is like the other two unique talent. I think he's a little more inconsistent. I want to see him. There are times where I feel like he's not running through routes. There are some times where he's still kind of feeling it out. He's got.
- [61:17]
Todd McShay
He's got the rest of this year and next year.
- [61:19]
Steve Wiltfong
And I already. I also think he's already starting to do it. I think you're already seeing some progress. He is not where Jeremiah Smith could play. He could go play for. If the Raiders had Jeremiah Smith tomorrow, they would be a much better football team. Yeah, I mean, they would be. You know, they could. They would love a Jeremiah Smith. You know, he's ready to go. I think Ryan Williams is ready to go, too. I think Cam Coleman is. We're gonna have to work with him a little more, but he's just a rare talent. Now, again, people are yelling at me too.
- [61:49]
Todd McShay
Saying. Saying as well. Saying could be as well. I need to.
- [61:52]
Steve Wiltfong
We need to say, yeah, but.
- [61:54]
Todd McShay
But blink 1, 2, 6, 8, 9 is. Is yelling at me. Joseph Rawling is yelling me about, say, saying I. It was just off the top of my head. Gotta see more. We got to see more from all these guys. So. Yes, thank you for, for chiming in on that. But yeah, I, I just. I'm fired up about the 2026 class, but 2027 has a chance to be like one of the greatest drafts in the history of the NFL.
- [62:18]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah.
- [62:19]
Todd McShay
And there's a long way to go. We'll see. But I just couldn't help my brain going there. This episode is sponsored by American Eagle. So it's official. American Eagle just launched their exclusive limited edition collab with true colors by Travis Kelce. And we could not be more excited to check it out. From sweater polos to loose and baggy pants to comfy sets, there's literally something for everyone. They also dropped a handful of incredibly comfy graphic tees that you can easily wear on repeat with relaxed cargos or with jeans. If you're a huge fan or just love the collab, shop the first drop now before it's gone. You can check it out on AE B or just go to the store.
- [63:03]
Steve Wiltfong
This episode is brought to you by Disney. Tron Ares is coming soon, only to theaters on October 10th. Experience the invasion that could end it all. Sophisticated AI soldiers have crossed over from the digital realm. Humankind has lost control of their own creation. One AI soldier, Ares, has been sent here on a dangerous mission. But when he goes against his programming and starts to think for himself, he might be the only thing that can save humanity. See Tron Ares and IMAX in 3D only in theaters October 10th. Get tickets now.
- [63:37]
Todd McShay
This episode is brought to you by the Home Depot. The Home Depot is here to help you create the perfect game day energy. Whether you're hosting friends in your backyard, turning your living room into the ultimate viewing space, or even hitting the tailgate. Download the Home Depot app and get fast and free delivery on thousands of items plus tons of services, digital tools and guides to help you get your project done. Free Delivery on over 2 million online items subject to availability. See home depot.com the home depot how doers get more done Michigan.
- [64:15]
Steve Wiltfong
Yes.
- [64:16]
Todd McShay
Let's go. Take it away. I know you've been dying to talk about this game. Michigan versus Nebraska, 30 to 27.
- [64:25]
Steve Wiltfong
I mean, look, the Michigan gave up that Hail Mary at the end of the first half and you know, it was like, what are we doing here other than that, Man, And I will say this, Bryce Underwood, we'll just say this. 105 yards passing, you'd like to see a little bit. You'd like to see better numbers there. I absolutely am in love with two things from this game. One is the is the run game for Michigan. And I do mean the run game because Justice Haynes is awesome. He's justice. Justice Haynes 17 for 149 with a 75.
- [64:57]
Todd McShay
Every single game he's got like every.
- [64:58]
Steve Wiltfong
Game he's breaking One man, he just breaks one and he doesn't have a ton of wiggle, but it's patient. He's strong and he's fast, man. So I love the way Haynes runs, but here we got Jordan Marshall coming in as that second back and he's 6 for 80 today. He runs his ass off too. And then you look at that front, that Michigan front fitting up that defense. I mean I talk about hat on hat and creating seams for those backs. It's so awesome to watch when an offensive line is getting into position and creating seams and then the runners are taking advantage of it. There are times where an offensive line blocks super well and they don't. And they can't run the ball because the backs aren't taking advantage of it and vice versa. There's times the offensive line gets handled and the back can't go in anywhere. Today that against Nebraska they average 8.7 yards per carry. And some of some of that is. You add in Underwood too.
- [65:50]
Todd McShay
Yeah, yeah.
- [65:51]
Steve Wiltfong
33 for 286, man. What do you want me to tell you? You want to get upset about the 75 yard run pumping it up. Marshall had a 54 yard touchdown run too. I mean, sorry, but when you run for 286, you're going to have a couple long runs. I mean that run game.
- [66:05]
Todd McShay
How good is this offensive line? Truly, from what you've seen, it's a Michigan offensive line.
- [66:10]
Steve Wiltfong
They are better at offensive tackle. I will say this, I'm not sure. I still think they're developing there. I. There's. They're not a drop back. We can pat, you know, we can pass protect with the best of them in the country. But it is a very, it's a solid, sound offensive line that I think is going to get better and is actually a little more talented. Some of some of the office lines they had in the past, they haven't had a real dude since Taylor Luan walked out of the building. They haven't had a. As far as I can remember, they haven't had a. A real stud offensive tackle in a long time. So it is a Michigan offensive line. Very good. I'm not sure they have any elite individuals that said the other thing about this. We told you that Michigan defense, that defensive front was for real. That Michigan defensive front is for real, man. They are for real. They. Raola had no shot today and I know it was a closer game and they got that. They got the Hail Mary at the end of the first half again. But man, that, that defense Was that pass rush was all over him.
- [67:10]
Todd McShay
I'm going to give you a little behind the scenes, okay? Let's just call this a list where NFL teams dial into it, okay? Most teams have like two or three guys with a grade that. I'm not going to share the grade number, letter or whatever it is with a grade that's let's say here, which means draftable in the first two, three rounds or higher. And these are just seniors. I'm not talking about any of the underclassme, even a lot of the guys that will go the Senior Bowl. I'm talking like the seniors. I feel like we don't even have a ton of those. And like true seniors. Michigan has one, two. I'm talking a lot of the big time programs have like two, maybe three and they're like from skill position play, like all that. Michigan has 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5 of them. And a lot of guys that weren't even stars coming in the year but scouts were all over this, okay? And I'm talking high grades coming in the year. Derek Moore, Ja Jaan Barham, Rod Moore, the safety, Ray Benny and ernest Houseman and TJ Guy 6. And they all showed out today, all those front guys, all of them. I'm watching today and it's bar him. Here's the other thing watching Michigan mention and I, I'm. I'm like I'm old school in a lot of ways. There's something that I absolutely love about defensive front guys getting after quarterbacks with skill position player, offensive skill position player, jersey numbers. And I'm watch because it's, it feels like this swarm, like if it's like 99 and 90. But there's something about like I've got one, Barham, eight, Derek Moore 15, Housman four, TJ Guy 26, Benny and Benny had a sack and a half. Housman had a sack, Moore had a sack and a half, Barham had a sack. They're all. As a quarterback, it's like extra insulting to see these guys. It's like 1 8, 15, 26 and they're all 250 to 310 pounds. You know that defense is fun to watch.
- [69:32]
Steve Wiltfong
It is, man. I'm a believer. I am a little concerned about their corner play, but that front is for real.
- [69:41]
Todd McShay
Yeah.
- [69:42]
Steve Wiltfong
Biff Posey.
- [69:45]
Todd McShay
This is, this is a good Tucker. Let's get to our My favorite things of the day or what are we calling it? Absurd things from today. We need a name. We're gonna throw it out. What do we Want to call this every week. Stuff that's, like. I don't know if it's viral, but it stands out that, like, you just can't. You can't turn your eyes away from it. When I was texting Tucker about it, I was like, what's called the. Yeah. Absurdities for a day. That sounds so. I don't know. Like, what was I trying to say?
- [70:17]
Steve Wiltfong
Something we can have fun with.
- [70:19]
Todd McShay
Yeah. Whatever it is. Still, we've got to work on that.
- [70:23]
Steve Wiltfong
Let's throw it out to the chat.
- [70:27]
Todd McShay
Yeah, I. I had something. But absurd. I sent him here. We. This is good. Good television. Whatever. Most absurd things we saw today. Find us a. Hey, hoss, do something positive. Get the. Get the crew fired up, and let's come up with a better name. These are the most ridiculous but absurd but kind of funny. Whatever you want to call it. But.
- [70:57]
Steve Wiltfong
But the Mike Leach Awards.
- [71:00]
Todd McShay
Yeah. So. So let's. Let's watch this. Let's. Let's see what we got. Tucker. Roll them out anyway. Which way you want.
- [71:07]
Steve Wiltfong
What are you gonna do tonight?
- [71:09]
Todd McShay
I'm gonna eat some Haagen Dazs coffee ice cream with my wife and smoke a Cuban cigar and then probably go to the hospital, but I will. So that was. That was the. That was your boy Biff. Tell us about it.
- [71:26]
Steve Wiltfong
Get some chocolate, getting some coffee ice cream with the wife and a Cuban cigar and then maybe going to the hospital. I freaking love it, man.
- [71:34]
Todd McShay
This guy, Machine, this is a guy.
- [71:36]
Steve Wiltfong
Who'S a joy in life, you know? You know, we're all like, oh, that's probably high pressure. You're the interim head coach for Michigan. You don't want to screw that up. You know, you just got to keep a steady ship. And he's just out there having a good time.
- [71:48]
Todd McShay
All right, I saw something else hysterical. Do we have the one with the. With Tennessee with the kicker?
- [71:57]
Steve Wiltfong
Dude, this was dirty.
- [72:00]
Todd McShay
So dirty.
- [72:02]
Steve Wiltfong
It was bad.
- [72:03]
Todd McShay
Uab, the. Oh, but it's still kind of funny, right? Yeah. For those of you who are listening. Uab. I don't know this, actually, but this UAB player walks over and intentionally stomps on the foot of the Tennessee kicker, getting ready to kick. Kick an extra point or field goal. I mean, just childish stuff. Yep.
- [72:27]
Steve Wiltfong
He went down, too.
- [72:28]
Todd McShay
Speaking of childish, we're have to do a weekly segment. I. I guess I'm to the point where I just don't care in life anymore because I golf down the street from. From Bill and. But like, Belichick, like, what are we doing Man, I'm concerned. There's got to be a welfare because every.
- [72:55]
Steve Wiltfong
What do you mean? Yeah, everything's fine here.
- [72:59]
Todd McShay
All right, let's find. But, like, every week, you got to check in on the. I just don't understand. We're in warmups, and have you seen some of the memes on it? Oh.
- [73:10]
Steve Wiltfong
Oh, my God.
- [73:11]
Todd McShay
Can we go to.
- [73:11]
Steve Wiltfong
Can we go to Disney World?
- [73:13]
Todd McShay
Can I. Can I have money for the concessions? Can we go see a movie after the game? Oh, dude. But. Well, like, it's funny because it's just, like, nervous laughter. I don't know what else to do with it. All right. My favorite one, though. If there's anything more Miami and Michael Irvin and just the absurdity that is. And I just loved watching them be. They're not back or whatever you want to call it. But I just love Miami in the mix.
- [73:43]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah, it's. Oh. Oh, my God. Dude, this thing sounds terrible.
- [73:49]
Todd McShay
It's horrible.
- [73:51]
Steve Wiltfong
It sounds terrible. It's just horrible.
- [73:54]
Todd McShay
And Michael Irvin's the only. Like, here we go. I'm just watching it now. I just love my. I'm on a delay in my own show. I hope. I hope people are laughing and enjoy it, but Irvin doing that, man, I can't watch it enough. And every. I can't tell if they're laughing with him or at him.
- [74:24]
Steve Wiltfong
I don't know, man. He's having fun, though. He's enjoying this run.
- [74:27]
Todd McShay
And I love. Beautiful thing. It's a beautiful thing. I mean. Yeah.
- [74:32]
Steve Wiltfong
Are we done with the absurd ones?
- [74:34]
Todd McShay
Yes.
- [74:35]
Steve Wiltfong
Can I tell you something that was really cool that I didn't know about today until today when we're watching that game this morning or this afternoon, early games, the. The linebacker for Texas Tech, Jacob Rodriguez, who was outrageous today. 11 tackles, force fumble and an interception. And they d. And I not. I did not know this until the broadcast. They started talking about his wife.
- [74:58]
Todd McShay
Oh, yeah. Share that.
- [74:59]
Steve Wiltfong
His wife. His wife Emma flies Blackhawk helicopters.
- [75:03]
Todd McShay
Man.
- [75:04]
Steve Wiltfong
How badass is that? I mean, that is so badass. And Rodriguez, by the way, is someone we got to look at. I mean, the way he. He was as good as that defensive line was. Jacob Rodriguez was all over the place today. And he's a guy who's been there the whole time. They didn't. They didn't go out and buy. Jacob Rodriguez. He's been there the whole time, dude. He's. He's a dude. He was the preseason Big 12 Defensive.
- [75:29]
Todd McShay
Player of the year, and he's not even the. The Toughest. You know what? In that house, you know. No, not. Not at all. So cool. So.
- [75:37]
Steve Wiltfong
Not at all.
- [75:38]
Todd McShay
I love that.
- [75:39]
Steve Wiltfong
Very cool.
- [75:42]
Todd McShay
How good's Michigan? Michigan. So. So you've got Ohio State and Penn State, and you don't buy Penn State as much as a lot of others. I'm in between on Penn State, there's the national Media, there's Todd McShay, and then there's Steve Metsch.
- [76:00]
Steve Wiltfong
That bad. But, yeah, I am lower than everyone else.
- [76:03]
Todd McShay
I feel like I'm lower than everyone else on Drew Aller. You're lower than everyone else on Penn State, including me. But my point is, I think nationally everyone would agree there are three column elite or top tier. The three teams at the top are Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, in whatever order you would go. What?
- [76:24]
Steve Wiltfong
You don't put LSU in there?
- [76:26]
Todd McShay
No, no, no, no, no. Listen to me. In the Big Ten.
- [76:28]
Steve Wiltfong
Oh, in the Big Ten. I'm so sorry.
- [76:30]
Todd McShay
No, that's okay.
- [76:31]
Steve Wiltfong
Go ahead. It's.
- [76:32]
Todd McShay
It's.
- [76:32]
Steve Wiltfong
You said Ohio State, Penn State and Oregon.
- [76:34]
Todd McShay
Yeah. How would you order. How would you order those for starters?
- [76:38]
Steve Wiltfong
I would go Ohio State, Oregon, Penn, Penn State, Penn State.
- [76:41]
Todd McShay
Okay, so that.
- [76:42]
Steve Wiltfong
I think that's fair, though. Penn State's up there. I would not put Michigan ahead. Penn State. I'm not saying that.
- [76:46]
Todd McShay
So I was asking you, how can they. When. When do they play? They. I don't think they play.
- [76:53]
Steve Wiltfong
But they don't play.
- [76:55]
Todd McShay
They don't play. But can Michigan get to. Well, we're going to find out next week. This. I mean, we can do this all week long here.
- [77:04]
Steve Wiltfong
Well, here's the thing. I'll say this about Michigan. Their next game. Their next big. They got Wisconsin next. No, no offense to our good friend Big Cat. Wisconsin's biggest. A dumpster.
- [77:13]
Todd McShay
Atrocious. It's atrocious.
- [77:15]
Steve Wiltfong
So, by the way, Van Pelt needling him on Twitter was one of my favorite things today. I should have brought that up. They were going back and forth. Van Pelt ruthless at usc.
- [77:25]
Todd McShay
At usc.
- [77:26]
Steve Wiltfong
That's the next. That's the next test.
- [77:29]
Todd McShay
And then after that, Washington's put it on Washington State. Washington's sneaky.
- [77:34]
Steve Wiltfong
They're hanging around Jonah Coleman.
- [77:36]
Todd McShay
We'll get to my top 12. That might have 14 teams in it. They're. They're hanging around.
- [77:40]
Steve Wiltfong
There they are. They're hanging out there.
- [77:42]
Todd McShay
But after that, It's. It's child's. USC's up 17 to 7 as we watch this game at 12:22 in the morning. I'm Telling you, here's my point.
- [77:52]
Steve Wiltfong
Hold on. Here's my point about Michigan.
- [77:53]
Todd McShay
Right on, go ahead.
- [77:55]
Steve Wiltfong
Jesus. They have these there.
- [77:58]
Todd McShay
They have these tests, right?
- [77:59]
Steve Wiltfong
I think at Nebraska was a pretty big test. They passed. You know, at Oklahoma was a tough one. Now the next one will be at usc. Can you now beat a USC on the road? That'll be the next one. Then I'll know more. I don't know enough about Bryce Underwood, where he's going to be. I know that Bryce Underwood's gonna be a hell of a college quarterback. I do know that. How quickly that development happens for him, I'm not sure yet. Especially because he doesn't have difference makers on the outside like some other guys do.
- [78:29]
Todd McShay
So R.J. morris just gave us his three and it's, it's yours. It's Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State. I want to ask real quickly and then we can move on. But I'll circle back with people who are on the chat right now. And we appreciate you for, appreciate you being here and I'm interacting more and I love this. This is exactly how we wanted it to be when we set it up. I failed it for a little bit as we were getting going, but this is how Saturday night should be. But R.J. morris won. Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State. I'm challenging you in our live chat and then you at home. If you're, if you're watching this on YouTube, if you're watching it on, on Spotify or listening on Spotify, if you're listening on Apple, whether it's Sunday or Monday, whenever you're, whenever you're ingesting this show, I want you to look at the Big Ten now. And if, if we're calling that the jumping off point, because I think most sane people would agree it's those three teams at the top. But after that, who's the next tier and in what order would you put them? Because I'm going to have a hard time watching USC and telling you since preseason this USC team is, is kind of dangerous as Michigan State is now inside the 10 yard line. But this USC team is kind of dangerous. Washington's kind of sneaky. Good. But I'm telling you tonight, Indiana, I saw something different in Indiana tonight. I think Indiana is pushing closer to tier one than they are fighting to be in tier. Like I think that they're, I think it's going to be fascinating to see what they do. Illinois is now out of the mix. Get out.
- [80:00]
Steve Wiltfong
Not even, not even the conference anymore. They're in the Mac now.
- [80:03]
Todd McShay
Got it. But now we got Michigan, Indiana, usc, Washington.
- [80:10]
Steve Wiltfong
That's, that's, that's it. Right? I'm with you. And I would probably go Indiana, Michigan.
- [80:18]
Todd McShay
So you would put Indiana ahead of Michigan?
- [80:20]
Steve Wiltfong
Yes, I would.
- [80:21]
Todd McShay
Right now I actually would too.
- [80:23]
Steve Wiltfong
I would go Indiana, Michigan, usc, Washington and I think that is the second tier and I'm trying to make sure I'm not missing anyone and I, I don't feel like I am.
- [80:32]
Todd McShay
Okay. Lenore Sellers is back. Did you see any of that? I saw limited.
- [80:45]
Steve Wiltfong
I saw limited. I saw him battling. I saw him miss a throw late. They are a one man team right.
- [80:51]
Todd McShay
Now and they are so it's not even fair to do that. The only reason I brought this up is A, college football is better with Lenore Sellers in it, period.
- [81:01]
Steve Wiltfong
He's on the field.
- [81:02]
Todd McShay
I'm glad he's on the field and he's healthy. That's actually A B, college football is better for it. C I did find it fascinating and I don't want to do it right now but I want to get your initial reaction on it and I think we can circle back to this on Monday. I thought it was interesting. Like it's our wheelhouse. You're like thaml's our friend. Thaml texts us about our show, thaml's our guy. But it's like the convergence of what we do when Thaml goes on game day this morning and he starts talking about I talked to 25 NFL scouts executives and I polled them on who's your number one quarterback right now And I thought it was interesting. He gave the caveat that last year he did this in early October or in October, just before we started our show I think. Or maybe it was around the first week round then. Yeah, I vaguely remember us reacting to it and it had just, it had happened a couple weeks ago. So it was early October. We started on October 22 last year. We haven't even been around for one year. We've already got this awesome crew riding with us at 12:30 in the morning on Sunday. But he said that he pulled 25 different scouts executives and for who the their number one quarterback was. And I want you to listen to this list. Give me your quick initial reaction and a promise to everyone viewing because I want to kind of go back and have a little time to process and think about it and look at it and have a discuss a little bit of a discussion on it. On Monday Sellers had eight votes, the most, Nussmeier seven. Mattier and Beck had three Drew Aller had two and the reason I think he started the whole thing was to figure out like have people gone from. I think in the preseason a lot of people were, you know, obviously arch potentially 2026 draft. We begged people not to listen, didn't expect this. We did the whole arch thing. We don't have to revisit that right now. I'm glad he had a great game today. I'm excited to see what he did but most importantly excited to see what he does against Florida. That's going to be. It's going to be interesting to see Florida can re rack it. But all that. There was no club Nick in there. Not shocking. I did find it interesting. There was no mention of Mendoza. I can see that as. Because they were. He was asking the number one quarterback. This wasn't like a ranking. It was just like who got votes. But Aller got two. So it was Sellers with the most, Nuss with the second most. Then a big drop off to Matier, Beck with three and then Aller with two and Manning still got one. Which is fascinating to me.
- [83:49]
Steve Wiltfong
It's all fascinating and some of it. You know, I saw a lot of pushback on X from people and I get it about Dante Moore, the quarterback from Oregon not getting any votes because the people are really high on him and I get why they're really high on them. But let's keep in mind that the body of work was so small that I think these teams are still evaluating them. There may be guys a year.
- [84:10]
Todd McShay
Correct.
- [84:11]
Steve Wiltfong
He's a sophomore. He played one year at UCLA.
- [84:13]
Todd McShay
Started 2023. He played. Yep.
- [84:15]
Steve Wiltfong
He sat last year. Yep. And then he's. And then I was starting. So for a full time starter, this is his first season and worth four games in three or four games and.
- [84:24]
Todd McShay
He looks flat out awesome. And they've played absolutely nobody.
- [84:28]
Steve Wiltfong
There's. Yeah, well, let's get excited about it. But also I think it's, you know, there's probably a reason about this. There's also some pushback about this list coming out so early. It's just something to talk about. I don't know why people are upset about it. It's a good conversation starter. I guess.
- [84:41]
Todd McShay
My question to you real quickly is.
- [84:43]
Steve Wiltfong
Sellers and Zombies is a push. Go ahead.
- [84:46]
Todd McShay
Is there one that shocked you the most or stood out to you the most? Because I don't think it surprised either. You and I have been talking about.
- [84:54]
Steve Wiltfong
What don't put me in the spot. Yeah, it surprised me that two people think that Aller is the Best quarterback in this draft. It surprises me that there was two. It surprises me that there are any. To be honest with you, I haven't seen it. I do not see that. And, and I, and like, I know the Penn State fans think I hate them. And everyone like Savage team comes on, he's like, who do you hate more? LSU or Penn State? Mentioned. I get it. I get all of it. I really do. I do not see a first overall pick, which I think the first quarterbacks to go, the first overall pick. Usually what happens in Drew allergies, I just haven't seen it yet. It doesn't mean it won't happen. It doesn't mean that I don't think he's talented. But yeah, it's surprising. I'm more surprised that, that he got to than that Sellers is in the first place because I see the talent and I see what he's done in, in big games and when the game's on the line. I've seen that from Lenora Sellers. Like, I don't want to be a Penn State hater. I'm not a Penn State hater. I really am not. I really would like to see Penn State win. But like the idea that I, I just don't get it with Drew Aller. I just, I don't get it right now. He is not a mobile guy. I know that he, he can make some plays with his feet. He's not a mobile guy. He hasn't been overly accurate at times. I just, just how I feel.
- [86:11]
Todd McShay
I just did my job at a very high level.
- [86:14]
Steve Wiltfong
You just try to stir the pot and fire me up. I get it.
- [86:18]
Todd McShay
No, I, I wasn't. But I, I, I found, I found your spot tonight and that, that's part of my job. It's not my whole job, but it's.
- [86:25]
Steve Wiltfong
A part of my job.
- [86:27]
Todd McShay
I told you. We'll talk about it on Monday. All right. Syracuse, Clemson, you know my feeling on it. No, I'm not disagreeing with you at all. But it was nice to let you get some steam out and I think there are some scouts in the league who agree with you. But I think the fascinating part is it doesn't appear and I gotta have conversations. I don't like having the I don't like this guy conversation yet. It's early and I want to see him play against Oregon and I want to see him like, have, has there been improvement? Right. So I want to see that. We're about to start to find out because I've learned just about nothing. So Far. And I actually promised somebody of importance that I'm going to study allers tape and I'm going to do it tomorrow and I'm going to do it Monday. And it's got to be done by Monday for a reason.
- [87:12]
Steve Wiltfong
I can't wait for you to watch the Villanova game where he completes 55.2% of his passes and throws a horrific pick.
- [87:19]
Todd McShay
So. And I'm prepared to watch that this week, but I was too busy watching Arch and obviously some many other things this past weekend. Villanova, Penn State wasn't on the top of the priority list until a person called and asked a favor. And I respect that person. Have a great relationship with him, and I'm going to do that. Joseph Rawling. Thanks, Alan. Couldn't run. Joseph. We get a talk four or five speed. He said it's cute. Okay. Clemson, Syracuse. I didn't expect to talk about this game because I honestly. And I, and I do have a lot of respect for, for Syracuse. I thought Clemson was going to come out and like, shut everybody up at home. Enough's enough. Now I agree. Now I wonder, like, is it even worth talking about? Let me make an official show announcement. And like, I, I, I, you know, I love Clemson. I love a lot of people at Clemson. I have a, I truly hold a special place in my heart. Marissa and her children are from Greenville. Like, I live there for a period of time. I have family there now. Like, I love so much of it. And it's not just because Clemson is where Clemson is as a program right now, but I can make a show announcement. We are no longer going to Clemson Florida state on, on February 8th. And I was thrilled to go.
- [88:45]
Steve Wiltfong
Or November 8th.
- [88:46]
Todd McShay
Yeah. And November 8th. Sorry, what did I say? February. November 8th. And quite honestly, something else. Like, Tate has a tournament and it was a really tough decision that was being made. And so this was like, like done. So there it is. Promise to always be, you know, curtain, curtain pulled aside. But we're not going, Mitch. And we'll try another game this fall. I know, but it doesn't make any sense.
- [89:13]
Steve Wiltfong
No, it doesn't.
- [89:14]
Todd McShay
They're one in three, right?
- [89:16]
Steve Wiltfong
I, I don't know how you feel about it. I think we're going to have a long conversation about some of these draft prospects. I will say that for the Monday show, I am interested to look at that defense from a draft standpoint and see how some of those draft prospects play in that game. I, it almost feels unfair to talk about it right now. I mean, I, and To be clear. To be clear, I thought Clemson was the best team in the country coming into the year. I thought they were the best team in the country. And it just hasn't gone that way. And we could sit here and tell you every reason why, but it's. At this point, it's, it's. It just doesn't feel right to me to like, to beat a dead horse.
- [89:52]
Todd McShay
Yeah, it's hard to watch because, you know, there's talent there and I don't see a lack of effort. That's a weird part. I just don't see. I watch some of these, some of these teams, right? I watch Jackson Arnold come out and. And like, lay his life on the line and play with reckless, abandoned, but, like, in the best possible way. And it's not beautiful and it's not perfect, but he just comes out and he gives him. You know, I watch. I watch defenses from Auburn to Oklahoma to Michigan to even Nebraska, which is outmanned. I watch this like fire and fury and Bishop. I've watched Miami and then Florida. I watched Florida's offense suck. I watched them have. It's like a cancer. But I watched the defensive side trying to battle that cancer and going into like all the surgeries and everything, like, to do anything it can to save the loved one, truly.
- [91:05]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah.
- [91:06]
Todd McShay
And I watch Clemson. I see effort and I. But like, something's missing. And it's hard to watch because I'm looking at Parker, T.J. parker, and I'm not seeing a guy who, like, he's so talented and mate, but like, I'm not seeing someone like our, like our Tom. What's his name?
- [91:25]
Steve Wiltfong
Peter Woods.
- [91:26]
Todd McShay
No, Oklahoma. We're just talking about our Mason. Oh, yes. And then like the life, like his life's on the line like, like hell or high water. I don't know. Something's missing. And Cape Heart's playing great. K Park playing great individually. Woods and, and T.J. parker are great talents who flash, but I'm not seeing them dominate the way top 10 draft prospects should. And Health has played better than I actually thought. Watching the Purdue tape in the off season and, And Avion Terrell's had some great moments, but he got picked on early today. And you got two linebackers that are damn good. One's a damn good NFL prospect, the younger Cat and the older guy's a damn good college football. It's like, how are we not shutting down? Yeah. And I haven't even gotten to the offense. It got Antonio Williams back and has four returning starters in the offensive line, seven guys that we can rotate and all that.
- [92:27]
Steve Wiltfong
It's just.
- [92:28]
Todd McShay
It's over. So you turn the page.
- [92:32]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah. No complimentary football.
- [92:33]
Todd McShay
I do want to say this, though. I really do want to say this. And I feel terrible for Steve Angelli because he went out and he put his life on the line today and he played brilliantly. Someone had to poke. Poke the holes that were in the. And he did it. And they had a great offensive game plan and they got some dudes, man, they've got some weapons that Daryl Gilkat, six three junior Jonte Cook, six foot, 198 junior. That Dan Villari, former Michigan transfer. 20, 21, 6, 4, 2, 45. Making plays. So I want to give them their love because they played their asses off on the road today against a wounded team that came out that looked like playing really hard. But. But, yeah, that thing's getting ugly. Yeah.
- [93:29]
Steve Wiltfong
No complimentary.
- [93:30]
Todd McShay
And I'm with the people, by the way. I'm with the. The smarter people who see the bigger picture and all this. There's again a happy medium. Let's just get into it. It Clemson. I went to Clemson games when I first started scouting in about 2001, 2002, 2003, and Clemson fans. And I can say this because I've got family and a part of it. In a certain way, Clemson fans had like a lifelong inflated opinion of who they were in the football universe nationally. It was kind of a joke, like, you got your Death Valley and all that. The real ones in Baton Rouge, you guys are always middling. And Dabo came in and he changed everything. And even their bad seasons, they've won 10 games. I said this to someone today. They've had disappointing seasons by the new standard that Dabo created, okay? They have not done a bad coaching job until this year because coaching isn't just X's and O's. Coaching is getting everyone on the same page work coaching, whether it like Signetti is a madman. He's not for everybody. He's a different, different cat. But that's great coaching. Harbaugh was a lunatic. Still is great. Coach Urban did it his way. Nick did it his way and Dabo's done it his way. And Dabo knows these results are a reflection of the captain of the ship. And when he gets up there and it makes those statements, he's talking to his team, he's letting him know, like there's go ahead. You know, like that's some spite and that gets the team going, us versus them. And that's worked before and the efforts there, like, but it's not all clicking. But what are you going to do? Clemson, who are you going to hire? It's a unique place, tucked away. Like it's going to be. It's going to be a challenge. And so this expectation is. I've got to move on from Dabo. I understand. And the, the. The place that Dabo's vulnerable is he is not caught up or he's not like, unfortunately, like some of the people who. Urban's not coaching in college football because of health, but also he looks at it. I've had conversations with a lot of guys high who have left high rank and like some of the best to do it. Harbor's not there because this, because of the way. Well, and because of what happened in Michigan. Urban's not coming back. Nick left. He's not coming back. It's a different world and you got to adjust with it. And they've hired Kevin Kelly and they've done some really good things and they made a couple. But Dabo is going to have to change the whole, not his whole approach. Dabo is going to have to meet a little bit. If what's going on in college football is here and Dabo's here, he went there. He's going to have to come a little closer to here and get involved. As I'm watching Jim Nagy in Oklahoma create an NFL personnel department and I'm watching the nil for all these. And I'm watching LSU back up a brink and I'm watching Texas Tech. Now all of a sudden I'm looking at Texas Tech. I'm like, damn, that's one of the top, maybe the top 10, 12 teams in the country. So there's gonna have to be or there doesn't, or Dabo can keep doing it his way. But the crazy part is he's got talent. I don't know. It's tricky.
- [97:28]
Steve Wiltfong
So I'm going to give my take. I'm going to ask you, would you. And would you replace him and do you think he's going to be replaced?
- [97:38]
Todd McShay
I would not replace him. I truly would not replace him. I, If, If I was. If I was someone with authority in Clemson, I would have a. I would find a way, somehow, some way to talk with Davo and reason with and to find a way to structure it within his moral beliefs and, and principles that there's a way to do it principally. But we've got to, we. The college football is going here. We got it kind of we gotta, you know. But again, the tricky part for me is. And he brought in defensive coordinator. Bud.
- [98:25]
Steve Wiltfong
Listen, I'm gonna. I got it. I, I don't want to be insensitive, but that conversation should have already happened. Four losses last year. Four losses the year before. Three losses the year before that. Three losses the year before that. This Clemson team hasn't been the Clemson that we thought was so good for years. I'm not that addicted to winning under, under Dabo right now because he hasn't been winning that many big games. The biggest game was what, SMU in the ACC Championship. That probably, I think could have saved his job last year. If there's no expanded playoff and he doesn't get into the playoff, we're looking at another four loss season. What are we talking about? And here's. I agree.
- [99:16]
Todd McShay
You weren't there before Dabo.
- [99:19]
Steve Wiltfong
Let me. That's my next point.
- [99:20]
Todd McShay
I lived that great. Not personally, but I was down there like. And they were, they were like, they.
- [99:28]
Steve Wiltfong
Were Wake Forest great.
- [99:30]
Todd McShay
No, that's not fair.
- [99:31]
Steve Wiltfong
Alabama, Alabama.
- [99:33]
Todd McShay
Those like NC states and. You know what I mean.
- [99:36]
Steve Wiltfong
I, I know 100 what you mean.
- [99:38]
Todd McShay
They weren't Bama with Bear Bryant. We got to get back to the standard. They weren't USC with, you know, back to Robinson. We got to bring Carol to get back to the standard or Nick to get back to the Bear Bright. They were never that.
- [99:51]
Steve Wiltfong
I get that. That's fine. I get that. Okay. The downfall, one of the downfalls about him building such a great program at Clemson, which he did, man, he changed the face of that school. I get it. He deserves all the credit in the world. The world is changing and I think because of what he's got in that program too, in the conference that they play in, that the acc, where Clemson is always going to be or should always be competitive. I think that's an attractive job for a lot of young coaches. Let me ask you this. I'm telling you, Will Stein's coming from Oregon. He's in a coach.
- [100:28]
Todd McShay
I don't know if he can be a head. Like, I don't. So I'm gonna, I'm.
- [100:32]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah, I, I know, I know what the guy's. Do I know what the guy's doing there right now. He's refusing to use. He's not refusing, but he's not really using the transfer portal the way he should.
- [100:42]
Todd McShay
Let me ask you. And, and, and I don't know this answer. What's the financial backing and support there? I don't know to the, compared to the. I, I, I don't know either. I'd be curious.
- [100:56]
Steve Wiltfong
My assumption is it's good. I don't know. I don't know.
- [101:00]
Todd McShay
We've never had to truly find out. Right?
- [101:02]
Steve Wiltfong
No, I know they got talent on that roster. I know they got all kinds of talent.
- [101:10]
Todd McShay
Yeah.
- [101:11]
Steve Wiltfong
Like this whole thing of, like, that really rubbed me the wrong way. And, and he's in under a lot of pressure and I get that we're all human beings, but the whole if, if Clemson's tired of winning thing, huh? Really, like, you barely got into the ACC championship last year. Barely. You had Miami had have a meltdown for you to get in.
- [101:34]
Todd McShay
Yeah, I'm not an apologist. I'm truly not. I'm, I'm really not. And I'm trying to see the big picture. I guess I'm just worried about the grass is greener and what do we, I, I would have to know, truly. What do we have support wise. Who are the, who are our boosters? What's our, what's our Matador Club like? What's the lsu what's the Red Elephant? What's the, or the, not the, the, the Elephant. What's, yeah, the, the Red Elephant Club. All of those. What is it?
- [102:06]
Steve Wiltfong
Well, let me ask you this. Why is he not, does he not have talent? Does he need more resources to get more west coast, to get more Antonio Williams to get more TJ Parkers, to get more Peter Downs? Like, he's got players, dude, if you're asking about resources to get more players, I don't know. I don't understand. He's already got players. He's got players. Yeah, they're not playing for him. It's not working.
- [102:36]
Todd McShay
And I don't think there's a lack of effort playing for him. I just wonder, is the CO like, But then I say, I see Tom Allen come in.
- [102:46]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah, I, I mean, I, I, we can, we can keep going with this, but like, and I, I, I, look, I really want people to understand this. I take no joy in suggesting that someone, you know, is, he's going to be fine financially, all that stuff. I get all that. I still take no joy in suggesting that a school should move on from, or, you know, fire someone. I just don't, I, there's, I take no joy in it. But I mean, like, what are we doing here? I, I, I can't, I just can't sit here and be like, oh, no, this is the right move if you want to be competitive and compete for national championships. Because he did it 10 years ago or five years ago or whatever it is. It's been a bad run, man. A lot of guys would have been gone by now and he did build a great program there. But the fallback of that is now it's going to be attractive for other coaches and he's not meeting his own standard.
- [103:39]
Todd McShay
Hey Tucker, where are we on the Bose sponsorship when it's one in the morning? Like I just, like, I like to throw hats on and, but I can't because I got the stupid headset on. Thank you, Tucker. People can't hear you. Jesse. Jesse. Tucker's the best.
- [104:01]
Steve Wiltfong
Jesse's calling me out. Yes, I did hype up Clemson all summer, man. I absolutely did, absolutely did. And it just, I don't know what I look when I, and maybe that's why I'm a little bit like tilted the way I am. Because I look at that roster and I look at the potential of this team and it hasn't come close to matching.
- [104:20]
Todd McShay
Yeah, no, it's, it's, it, it is a, it's a massive failing period. It's a massive failing. I'm not ignoring it. I'd have to actually know more too about what, what we, what we have there. And I'm not talking about the buyout. I'm talking about like structurally ear in and year out to bring in someone who's young and hungry.
- [104:41]
Steve Wiltfong
Oh, you're more. Okay, I get what you're saying now. You want to know what kind of a candidate you're going to attract.
- [104:46]
Todd McShay
I want to know what kind of candidate I'm going to attract. And then can I support that candidate the way I need to support them or I got better off? Am I better off trying to work within these confines? So Dan's telling us it's 1:50 in the morning. I just want to say this.
- [105:01]
Steve Wiltfong
I think it's an hour and 53 minutes we've been or whatever on the stream.
- [105:05]
Todd McShay
It's 1250. Thanks Dan. I know the clubs are waiting for you in la.
- [105:12]
Steve Wiltfong
He's so pissed.
- [105:13]
Todd McShay
I'm on a rock. No, I'm pissed about a lot of stuff but I'll get over pissed because I want to go to Clemson.
- [105:21]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah, that was gonna be fun. Although I, I did text you during that LSU game and saying, can you please get me to an LSU game? That Florida LSU game was like, I, I wanna, I want to go down and see this. This would be fun.
- [105:33]
Todd McShay
There is a four day weekend in October when my kids above, we could all go down I think it's lsu, South Carolina, I think is that weekend. I don't know. Well, let's talk, Mitch. Let's talk. Let's regroup. Let's regroup. I want to say this. Not a lot of teams in the top played. And the one that did, Ohio State, Penn State, lsu, directional school, Miami. The big, you know, the nice win. Georgia. Oregon is up next. They beat Oregon State today, right?
- [106:08]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah.
- [106:08]
Todd McShay
Yeah. Florida State, Texas. Texas played Houston Baptist, right?
- [106:15]
Steve Wiltfong
Sam Houston.
- [106:16]
Todd McShay
Sam Houston. Sorry.
- [106:18]
Steve Wiltfong
Yeah. Florida State, Kent State.
- [106:20]
Todd McShay
Tucker's. Tucker's still falling here. So. So not a lot going on there in the top 10. Okay.
- [106:26]
Steve Wiltfong
No.
- [106:26]
Todd McShay
And Texas A M had to buy. But Illinois knocked out. Right. I just want to say this. And we're. We'll get Illinois's out. And then you had. And this is off the AP poll. Iowa State 12. Get out of here. Get out of here. Like that's egregious. Okay, but everyone else I can live with, I. I re rank them. But I don't want to do that show right now. We can come back to some of it later. But like, I honestly want to see. I want to see Penn State play next week. I want to see Penn State, Oregon and I want to see. Who'd you say A M's playing?
- [107:06]
Steve Wiltfong
Auburn.
- [107:08]
Todd McShay
Yeah, whatever. So, no, is it Auburn?
- [107:11]
Steve Wiltfong
Omez.
- [107:12]
Todd McShay
I want to see Texas play Florida next week. Does Florida have any fight left? But that defense is going to give Arch all sorts of trouble if Arch isn't playing the way he did today. But my point in all of this is. So with two teams out, one, because Illinois got. Got drumsticked and two, because I said, because I refuse to have Iowa State in my top 12. Just like I love Matt Campbell. I think with the job he does is phenomenal. Just get out of here.
- [107:40]
Steve Wiltfong
No, it's not there.
- [107:41]
Todd McShay
Top. Top 12 at this point, two teams that I would push hardest to be in or I would just vote for myself. Texas Tech has got to be in the top 12 and Indiana has got to be in the top 12 right now. That's ahead of Old Miss. That's ahead of Alabama. That's ahead of Tennessee right now. Okay. But I'm going to tell you this. I think you can make a legitimate argument that Texas Tech should be ahead of Texas, but it's not going to matter. It'll play its way out. I'm just saying, based off what we've seen. But Texas has more talent. We know that, but I don't. And anyway, I. I would vote with. With me kicking out Iowa State. And with me and with us agreeing, everyone in the world agreeing Illinois is out of the top 12. My next two in would be Texas Tech and Indiana. Would you have any problems with those or would you put someone else in?
- [108:46]
Steve Wiltfong
I have no problem with those. I think Alabama's better than I thought they were after that loss. I like Ole Miss, but I think Texas Tech, yeah, there would be the next two in for me.
- [108:59]
Todd McShay
The next two in because Ole Miss is better than I thought. Alabama, don't you dare. Don't you dare turn your back on Alabama. Tennessee with that loss. I think everyone who's sane agrees that loss to Georgia, even though at home with that stadium, was a oh, 10. Tennessee's legit top 12 team, potentially. USC just scored a touchdown after a long injury delay. I don't know the details on it, but USC looks really good. They're sneaking around the coupe and Washington's sneaking around the coupe. Those are what, 15 teams? No, no. 12, 13, Ole Miss 14, Alabama 15, Tennessee, USC 16, Washington 17.
- [109:46]
Steve Wiltfong
Is it one team that's a sleeper right now that a lot of our listeners have been hitting me up about? Missouri, Keep an eye on Missouri, man.
- [109:53]
Todd McShay
I gotcha.
- [109:55]
Steve Wiltfong
Keep an eye on Missouri. I think they're right. I mean, I'm getting a lot of.
- [110:00]
Todd McShay
Evan Holly, like, drumstick. We're gonna. That's gonna be our new phrase.
- [110:04]
Steve Wiltfong
Yes. So keep an eye on Missouri, man.
- [110:07]
Todd McShay
All right. This has been fun. Even the parts that were awkward and uncomfortable, I thought were still kind of fun. Meant you're always five star. Five stars to me. Five stars, mensch. We'll see you guys. Hey, thank you, everyone. Our chat still going strong, but we appreciate all of you. We'll be back Saturday night, but check us out. We got our show Monday morning as well, so we'll be around all week. See you 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 D help.com call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org chat in Connecticut or visit MD gamblinghelp.org in Maryland. Hope is here. Visit gambling helpline ma.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. This episode is brought to you by the AllNew ESPN app. All of ESPN all in one place. Your home for the most live sports and best championship moments. It's the ultimate fan experience.
- [111:37]
Steve Wiltfong
Step up your game and get even.
- [111:39]
Todd McShay
More than before with no annual contract required.
- [111:42]
Steve Wiltfong
Level up.
- [111:43]
Todd McShay
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