Hour 1: Mike Rodak, 247 Sports

Summary

The Paul Finebaum Show – August 6, 2026, Hour 1: Interview with Mike Rodak (247 Sports)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of The Paul Finebaum Show centers on preseason storylines for the upcoming college football season, with a particular focus on Alabama’s changing identity in the post-Saban era, the mood within the program, and the ongoing quarterback competition. Key guest Mike Rodak (247 Sports) provides insider analysis, while additional segments highlight national scheduling issues, Urban Meyer’s latest controversial comments, and wide-ranging listener reaction.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of Alabama Football: New Territory and Perception

• Alabama’s Preseason Ranking: Alabama is ranked #11 in the preseason coaches poll — their lowest since 2008.
  • Mike Rodak (02:23): “It's an interesting spot for Alabama because I haven't been in this spot as a program in quite a while. ... So it's a very different spot, I think, for the program, for the fans. And it's more of the trying to sneak up on people and prove people wrong than it has been, you know, not drinking the rat poison and trying to stay on top.”
• Shift in Mentality: Whereas past teams had to protect their dominant status, this group faces skepticism and lower external expectations. Mike Rodak explains that new head coach Kalen DeBoer is taking a quieter, less reactive approach to media “disrespect” — working in silence compared to last year’s attempts to use perceived slights as motivation.

2. Kalen DeBoer’s Leadership and Messaging

• Media Messaging: DeBoer’s public comments on preseason rankings were intentionally brief (“We're aware of it”).
  • Rodak (02:23–04:06): “It was a very intentionally measured response ... not responding to it and working in silence as he's told his players.”
• Comparison with Last Year: Previous efforts (like DeBoer trying to be more “fiery”) “fell flat,” suggesting that program identity is still a work in progress under new leadership.
  • Rodak (04:30): “Last year was Calyn DeBoer’s being tougher on his players...like, remember when he came out before the town and was slapping the goal post and was more fired up...That all kind of fell flat, too, in the Rose Bowl.”

3. Quarterback Battle: Austin Mack vs. Keelan Russell

• Rodak’s Insight (06:44–08:44):
  • Austin Mack: Older, physically gifted, experienced in DeBoer/Grubb’s system — “people wrote him off too early.”
  • Keelan Russell: Five-star freshman, more buzz and excitement, but less game-tested.
  • Rodak: “If the key trait you're looking for is poise in big moments, I think you tend to look at the older quarterback ... But at the same time, if Keelan Russell goes and balls out this fall camp ... it's going to be hard to keep him off the field.”
  • Both are legitimately in contention, and Mack might have an early edge due to experience and the “easier” opener.
• Psychology of the Pick: Fans and media see the outcome as potentially shaping or reflecting the DeBoer era’s personality.
  • Feinbaum (08:44): “If Austin Mack wins this job ... it shows that that is the personality of Kalen DeBoer, where if it goes to Keelan Russell it shows that maybe Alabama can get better, maybe it won’t lose four games this year.”
  • Rodak responds by noting DeBoer is aggressive in play-calling, but the QB decision might be more about practicality than philosophy: start with safer Mack, pivot to Russell if needed.

4. Expectations: Over/Under, Team Ceiling, and Unknowns

• Consensus Inside the Program:
  • Vegas Over/Under is 8.5 wins; staff believe this is low.
    • Rodak (12:01): “If you were to ask people in the building, they would say that's probably low because they feel like they have a lot to offer, especially on defense...They feel like they have the talent and if it all comes together they're right there in the national championship conversation.”
  • However, this team has “more questions ... than I can remember with an Alabama team,” and the floor is “probably lower.”
• SEC Landscape: The new 9-game SEC schedule means everyone’s margin for error is thinner — expect a wider variation in team records and more parity.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Alabama’s Underdog Status
  • Rodak (02:23): “...trying to sneak up on people and prove people wrong rather than...trying to stay on top.”
• On Kalen DeBoer’s Messaging
  • Rodak (04:06): “Maybe the strategy here is just saying a little bit less.”
• On the QB Battle
  • Rodak (06:44): “People wrote off Austin Mack too early ... but if Keelan Russell goes and balls out ... it's going to be hard to keep him off the field if he's not making any big mistakes.”
  • Rodak (09:23): “…you tend to see kind of the safer option first and then if that doesn’t work out, you go to more of the wild card..."
• On the Over/Under Win Total
  • Rodak (12:01): “The over/under being eight and a half, I think is low and ... they feel like they have one of the best secondaries...if it all comes together ... they’re right there in the national championship conversation.”
• On Urban Meyer’s Latest Commentary
  • Feinbaum (15:56): “Urban Meyer says the Big Ten fans have bypassed the SEC. What does that mean? ... Urban, you’re a TV bloviator. What are you talking about there?”

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Additional Segments & Timestamps

5. Call-in Reactions: DeBoer’s Fit at Alabama & Fan Expectations

• Caller Travis (17:06–19:07): Questions if DeBoer is a good culture fit for Alabama; misses “in your face” style coaches like Saban, suggesting DeBoer would be better “where the stove is not always hot.”
  • Feinbaum: “The Alabama fan base has been spoiled ... all it takes to prove people wrong is to win.”
• Caller Kyle (19:37–20:57): Argues there’s no QB competition—Keelan Russell, as a five-star, will start, and Alabama is being underestimated.
  • Feinbaum: “Alabama ... looks like about a 9–3 team, which isn’t terrible ... could easily go 10–2 or 8–4.”

6. National College Football Schedules & Playoff Paths (Jake Trotter, ESPN)

• Toughest Schedules: Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas, USC — their playoff outlooks are shaped by brutal slates.
  • Trotter (23:32–27:52): Details Ohio State’s schedule gauntlet, Oklahoma’s brutal November, and USC’s challenge with new DC Gary Patterson.
  • Trotter (30:15–31:24): Highlights two upcoming blockbuster weekends (Oct 10 & 17).
• Georgia-Alabama Playoff Prospects:
  • Feinbaum (38:09): “I think Georgia has a better chance than Alabama. ...They just feel like a more complete team.”
  • Georgia’s advantageous schedule (missing Texas).

7. Urban Meyer’s Big Ten vs. SEC Comments — Fan Backlash

• Caller Michael (32:58–36:45): Refutes Meyer’s notion of greater Big Ten passion; stresses SEC’s unique football culture, the difference between college towns, and regional pride.
• Caller Robert: Mockingly suggests Urban Meyer must be “smoking something” for his take, laments his fall from grace.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Start/Main Headlines: [00:45]
• Alabama, DeBoer, and Rodak Interview: [01:45] – [13:28]
• Caller Travis (DeBoer fit): [17:06]
• Caller Kyle (QB controversy/expectations): [19:37]
• Jake Trotter (National schedules): [23:32]
• Caller Michael (Big Ten/SEC passion): [32:58]
• Caller Elijah (Georgia vs. Alabama playoff chances): [37:35]
• Caller Robert (Urban Meyer lampooning): [38:58]

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Tone and Style

The tone is lively, opinionated, and conversational, combining hard analysis with wry humor—especially when skewering media narratives or controversial takes, as with Urban Meyer. Listener engagement is central, providing authentic fan perspectives and sharpening regional rivalries in classic Finebaum fashion.

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Summary

This episode delivers an in-depth look at Alabama’s preseason uncertainties — new head coach Kalen DeBoer’s evolving approach, the real QB competition between Austin Mack and Keelan Russell, and a program grappling with lower expectations and outside doubts. Nationally, Jake Trotter outlines how brutal schedules may shape the playoff landscape, especially for traditional powerhouses. The show balances insider analysis with candid fan reactions and controversy, offering a rich snapshot of the mood and debates animating college football as the season approaches.

Transcript

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[Paul Feinbaum]

the pride, passion and pageantry of college football lives here. This is the Paul Feinbaum show, our 1 podcast.

This might be college football. And welcome back as everything seems to be heading for the football season. Yes, after a long off season, we are opening up camps all over the place, getting you ready and you picked a pretty good place to drop by. If you're listening or watching on this Thursday afternoon, let's get started with some headlines and there are many here to share. Jake Trotter's got some superlatives for the 26th season. What are they? I want to know. I can't wait 30 minutes, but you'll have to. Meanwhile, what we're hearing buzz from day one of the boot camp at the golf resort. Nathan King, 24 7, updates us on Alex Gord says a little bit later in the show. Meanwhile, Alabama is in the news. In case you haven't heard, this is just the coaches poll where they're number 11. Wait for the AP poll in about two weeks. A lot of people are wondering and people are paying attention. Kaylin DeBoer dropped the bomb on us yesterday that we are aware. Mike Rodak obviously aware, too, since he covers the team. Mike, a lot to unpack here. Help us understand that mood because that that 11th ranking to me looked pretty good compared to some of the other predictions. Kaylin DeBoer said what he did. Ryan Grubb has chimed in today saying things are getting better. What is your assessment from the upper deck?

[Mike Rodak]

Yeah, I mean, it's an interesting spot for Alabama because I haven't been in this spot as a program in quite a while. I mean, this is the lowest preseason ranking they've had since 2008. It's the lowest SEC, you know, preseason poll ranking they've had since 2008. So it's a very different spot, you know, I think for the program, for the fans. And it's more of the trying to sneak up on people and prove people wrong than it has been, you know, not drinking the rat poison and trying to stay on top. So, you know, there's been a change in kind of position. And, you know, there was some of that last year already. And so you think back to this time last year, and you had Tommy Castellanos from Florida State who was coming out and saying, alabama's not the same under Nick Saban. And, you know, we're going to handle them and we're going to win the game week one last year. And Alabama responded, you know, pretty vocally last year, and they said, you know, we're going to handle the disrespect and it will be addressed accordingly and we'll see it on the field. Well, we all saw what happened on the field in the opener last year. You know, Alabama did not handle the disrespect and address the disrespect, and Florida State won that game. So I think it's a different approach that they're trying to take this year. And, you know, Kalyn DeBoer has talked about working in silence and not necessarily responding to some of it or, you know, addressing the doubts. And I think it was a very intentionally measured response when he was asked yesterday about some of those, you know, rankings and polls and perceived disrespect and basically just said, we're aware of it, and very short answered and to the point. And I think the psychology behind that on his part is just, you know, not responding to it and working in silence as he's told his players. And obviously, like I said, we saw what happened last year when they said

[Caller]

a little bit more.

[Mike Rodak]

So maybe the strategy here is just saying a little bit less.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah. Mike, is there any reason to really take any of the verb. The verbiage seriously, considering it really doesn't mean very much? And we remember year one, Kayewin Deborah was serving ice cream last year. They were getting tougher. I mean, I. I've lost track of which of the yin and the yang they're going to be this year. But does any of that really matter?

[Mike Rodak]

Yeah, I mean, it's this different approaches and, you know, I think, like you said, they've tried some different things in terms of the psychology of the team and kind of what works each year. And, you know, there's the big storyline last year was Calyn DeBoer's being tougher on his players and he was using more swear words or bad words, whatever you want to call them, and, you know, he was hitting the goalpost. That was a big story, too. Like, remember when he came out before the town and was slapping the goal post and was More fired up, was more visibly, you know, emotional, whatever you want to call it, people like that. And it was like, there's a different energy with this team. He's going to yell at his players more. He's going to bring back some of that Saban fire. And that all kind of fell flat, too, in the Rose Bowl. So, you know, it's. There's no one way to skin a cat. There's no one perfect, you know, method. I think, you know, they've tried different things, and, you know, at the end of the day, it's the preseason rankings are what they are, and I think. I don't think they're going to argue with them. Like, everybody saw what happened in the Rose bowl last year. Everybody saw, you know, kind of the changes among the roster this year and that they have a lot to prove, you know, especially along the offensive line and in the running game. So I don't know if they're going to waste the energy, you know, responding to it, because in some ways, it's just. It's true. Like, it is what it is. It's where they are. So in their minds, I think they just have to go prove it on the field. And there is a confidence, like you mentioned, off the top with Ryan Grubb, the offensive coordinator, talking today, and he said, you know, we're trying to resurrect the run game, and we will. It was a very intentional statement that he made today. And so there's confidence, but there's also, I think, a realization that, you know, it's not the same position that they were as a program 10 years ago. And trying to be at the top of the mountain and SWAT people away, it's more climbing up the mountain for them again.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, let me get to what really is the most important question outside of that camp. And I don't know what's going on inside other than a lot of mind games, but the quarterback situation. And I realize you've been around. You covered Belichick, you covered Saban. You don't take the words very seriously, but you do hear a lot of things and you pick up stuff. What is your best guess on the way the QB battle is going to unfold?

[Mike Rodak]

Yeah, I think people wrote off Austin Mack too early. And so Austin Mack has been with Calyn Deboer and with Ryan Grubb for a while now. This is his fourth year in the system. He's, you know, he looks like an NFL quarterback in terms of his body. Six' six, 237 pounds is pretty live arm. And I think people saw him at a day and it wasn't even on TV because that's kind of the way spring games have gone. But for those who saw him in person at a day, he did not look great and he did not finish that practice. He had a little bit of an injury to his back and that was kind of the, it changed a lot of people publicly. This is Keelan Russell's job and Russell's the more exciting player. He's this five star prospect, he's a younger player. And I think from a day which was in the middle of April until now, there's been a lot of talk about Keelan Russell possibly getting the job. But I do think that people have written Austin Mac off a little bit too early and I think this is a very tight, actual legitimate race and you know, I still would not be surprised to see Austin Mack be the starter week one. I not ruling out Keelan Russell at all either. But I think if people are writing off Austin Mack, it's too early and you know, that's really, I think, been the subtle message from Kalyn Devore. I think he's treating this very much as a two way battle. I think he has a lot of respect for Austin Mack and his experience within the system and really the biggest quality that Kalin is looking for. And he's talked about his poise and kind of the ability to withstand some, some tough moments, especially on the road in the sec. And Austin Mack does have more experience, he's just a little bit older and you know, I think would point that direction. If the key trait you're looking for is poise and big moments, I think you tend to look at the older quarterback or the more experienced quarterback so we'll have to see exactly what happens. But at the same time, if Keelan Russell goes and balls out this fall camp and has two great scrimmages, then it's going to be hard to keep him off the field if he's not making any big mistakes. So that's, that's kind of what it comes down to.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Mike Krodak with us 24 7. Mike, a lot of people just in the grocery stores and at Starbucks think that the winner of this battle tells us a lot about Kaylen DeBoer. I realize that's not exactly what you cover, but you do hear, and I bet you know where I'm about to go, that if, if Austin Mack wins this job, it is, it shows that that is the personality of Kaylen DeBoer, where if it goes to Keelan Russell. It shows that maybe Alabama can get better, maybe it won't lose four games this year. I know that's a lot to unpack, but try to explain to laypeople what we're talking about here.

[Mike Rodak]

Yeah, I get. I get where that's coming from and I kind of understand how people, you know, kind of want the big swing and kind of want the more exciting, the younger player. I don't know if that necessarily correlates to Kalin as a coach because you think of him like he's one of the more aggressive player coaches going forward on fourth down, for instance, like he's. He's pretty aggressive when it comes to coaching in a game and taking risks. So, yeah, I don't know if one necessarily correlates to the other, his coaching style to the quarterback pick, but I think if you're Caleb Naboor and you've had Austin Mack in your system and you feel comfortable with him running your offense and you know that, you know, to be honest, it's probably a little bit of an easier start to your schedule this year with East Carolina at home versus going on the road to Florida State. And that might give you a little bit of an opportunity to ease into the race, if you will, and let Auston Mack go out there and, you know, kind of see what he can do. And I think it's easier to go from one direction to the other in terms of if Austin Mack doesn't work out, then you can kind of break the glass in case of emergency and go to Keelan Russell and that's the young exciting player. And that kind of invigorates you when maybe you're down because you've lost a game or it doesn't look good at quarterback or whatever. I think it's harder to go the opposite direction and go from Keelan Russell and then have to if he doesn't play well, if you lose a game or two, to bench it and to bench such a talented, young, exciting player and then go to Austin Mack, who I don't think invigorates the fan base quite as much, to go that direction might be a little bit tougher just from a sales standpoint, quite frankly. So again, I don't know if that's exactly going to be the thinking, but I do think just historically watching quarterback battles, you tend to see kind of the safer option first and then if that doesn't work out, you go to more of the wild card. And that's why, if you were asked me today, I would still lean a little bit towards Austin Mack being the starter. And then if it doesn't working out. If it doesn't work out, go to Keelan Russell.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Mike, finally. You know, we talked a lot about predictions and the reaction or lack of reaction, but just in terms of a sense, I mean, you're around a lot of people in that program where, where would you say? Not so much your own opinion, but just people you talk to, people that cover the team. Just is there a number that you would give us that you'd have to relate to as a consensus, like what is this team about? What are they going to do? Are these preseason predictions right? Are they too high, they're too low? Where are they?

[Mike Rodak]

Yeah, I mean, I think the over. Under being eight and a half, I think is low and I think that's, I think if you were to ask people in the building, they would say that's probably low because they feel like they have a lot to offer, especially on defense where they have a lot more returning players and they feel like they have one of the best secondaries in the country and they feel like they've revamped their front seven in a good way. And it's really the offense and the offensive line in the running game that's kind of the wild card. But you know, they still feel like they have the talent that if they hit on player A, player B, player C, whether it's Keelan Russell, if he plays, whether it's E.J. crowell, the freshman running back, whether it's Darian Morgan at wide receiver, if Ryan Williams comes back and has a big year, they feel like they have the talent and if it all comes together like they're right there in the national championship conversation. So eight and a half might be low, but I think you also, you know, you have to be realistic and acknowledge that this team has a lot of questions and probably more questions than I can remember with an Alabama team having covered. And you know, the floor is, is probably lower than what I'm used to seeing around here. So it's a wider range of outcomes and you know, there's, there's paths in both directions in terms of how this season might play out. And it's a nine game SEC schedule and it's, it's going to be tough for everybody and you know, it's, there's more losses to go around and kind of a different grading scale that every team will need to be looked at when you have eight more losses to go around in the conference as a whole.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Always great. Mike Rodak, many thanks. Mike Rodak from 247 covers the Crimson Tide of pretty interesting analysis there with that number at eight and a half and I agree with Mike that is too low for whatever criticism you may have. This team looks better than that. Jake Trotter joins us shortly. National Perspective Lucci covers the Aggies. Pat Narduzzi as we continue our week long interview of coaches outside the footprint. Outstanding coach there from Pittsburgh and Nathan King covering Club Goish down on the Plains and Urban Meyer sticks his foot in the mouth. Stick around.

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[Paul Feinbaum]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum Show Podcast.

Urban Meyer Back in the News it takes a lot to get Urban Meyer in the news these days, unless he's dancing at a nightclub with somebody. Anyway, Urban Meyer says the Big Ten fans have bypassed the sec. What does that mean? He says the passion of the sec, the passion of the Big Ten fans is bigger than the sec. I mean, I really, I just don't know how to explain that. I mean urban, I mean urban, you're a TV bloviator. What are you talking about there? Again, this is the same guy who, who had maybe the worst NFL career, and that's saying something of anybody in modern history. He, he just can't seem to shoot straight. We're going to get some more context on what he said in a few minutes. I don't want to just completely blow that up, but let's get to the calls here and talk to Travis in Alabama. Hello, Travis.

[Caller]

Hello, Paul.

How are you doing today?

[Paul Feinbaum]

We're doing great, thank you.

[Caller]

Yes, that press conference from Calyn Dubois yesterday, he's very, he's, he sounded very robotic and, you know, like, he might be, he is a great coach, but I think he's just not a great fit for Alabama. Like, you know, we're used to an intense in your face coach, like, you know, Nick Saban and Paul Bear Bryant and like, get with the program coach. I think he would be a better fit at a place where the stove is not always hot, but at Alabama, the stove is always hot. And like, so I would like to know your thoughts on that.

Paul.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, I tend to agree with you, Travis, that I think DeBoer is a really good coach and he would be a good coach at almost any place. But the question is, is he a good coach at Alabama? And that's the one we're trying to get answered right now. And it's not. Well, I was about to say it's not that Alabama is different. It is that Alabama is different. Alabama is a unique place. It's a place where no other college football program, maybe with the exception of Notre Dame, has the tradition. But no other college football program can lay claim to two coaches who were the best of their era, Brian and obviously Saban. So that's what he's fighting, right?

[Caller]

And he coached at Sioux Falls and Washington. And with all due respect, you know, he's playing, he's swim, he's swimming with the sharks now, Paul. And he's either got a get with the program or think.

And

you have a great day.

Paul.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, thank you, Travis. I mean, that's the confusing part. I know Alabama fans, like any fans, want to support their coach, but the Alabama fan base has been spoiled for most of its history and they're really struggling with that aspect of it. And all it takes to prove people wrong is to win. Let's talk next to Kyle. Good afternoon, Kyle.

[Caller]

Paul, how you doing?

[Paul Feinbaum]

We are doing great, Paul.

[Caller]

The SEC media just picked Alabama to finish six this coming up season at the SEC conference. What do you think about that? That just don't sit well with me. You got a five star plus Keelan Russell that will be the starting quarterback at Alabama. He was highly rated and rated higher than Bryce Young and Tua coming out of high school. There's really not a quarterback competition going on in Tuscaloosa. Everybody in the media is just making out to be some circus. But it's going to be Kelon Russell's job to lose. So for out for the media, especially you going on ESPN and all these other shows saying Alabama is going to be this and that. I got Alabama going undefeated. I got Alabama winning the national championship this year.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, you know Kyle, that's great. You're a fan and you have to believe whatever you say.

[Caller]

I'm not a fan. I'm an alumni first.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Whatever you are really doesn't matter. But I don't know anyone who follows college football who sees it the same

[Mike Rodak]

way you do because you've been listening

[Caller]

to all these clowns. Stephen A. Smith clown. Do we need to keep going down the list? Everybody over there at SEC Network clown. It's Alabama against everybody and it's been Alabama against everybody for a long time.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You know Kyle, I need to say something to you and I pull for Alabama like a lot of my friends, but Alabama just isn't quite as important as maybe you think they are. They're being treated the same way that any other school is being treated with an unknown quarterback, a suspect offensive line with so many key players that are gone. You lost your starting quarterback who's an NFL first rounder. You lost your offensive lineman who's an NFL first rounder. And yeah, we all may be proven wrong, but Alabama, I mean I think Alabama looks like about a 9, 3 team, which isn't terrible when you're not. When you, when you're projected to go 9 and 3, you could easily go 10 and 2 and you could easily go 8 and 4. We'll take a short break. Jake Trotter will break it down for us from ESPN right after this.

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[Paul Feinbaum]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show

podcast and welcome back. We obsess a lot over schedules because they are important. You can get a great one and get a terrible one and it will perhaps impact whether you make it to the playoffs or not. Jake Trotter, that is not him right there, has written this story and he joins us now. Jake, thank you very much. So when you look at schedules, at least particular when you related to the national race, you started with Ohio State and I'm sure for a very good reason because they finally have a good schedule, maybe a brutal schedule, maybe enough to really turn the national championship race upside down. What did you learn?

[Jake Trotter]

Yeah, Paul, I put Ohio State first. I think you could have made the case for Oklahoma, actually, which has to play at Michigan Week 2. They go to Georgia a couple weeks before that before playing Texas. Texas is scheduled by virtue of playing Ohio State is really tough. But I went with the Buckeyes and you know, you look at their schedule last year, Paul, they beat Arch Manning in week one and they just coasted the rest of the year. I don't think they had a fourth quarter moment really until the Big Ten championship game against Indiana. Penn State had fallen apart by the time they played them November 1st. And you know, you talked, I talked to some of the players, Jeremiah Smith, Julian, saying last week at Bigton media days and they said, you know, we don't know that. We felt like we were battle tested enough for the playoff and that the, the jump in competition really showed up against Indiana and Miami. So you wonder, you know, this time around that's not going to be a problem because in addition to going to Texas, they play everybody in the Big Ten. They play usc, Oregon, they go to Indiana. They got Iowa on the road, Michigan obviously. So they're going to have to earn their way into the playoff. I actually think 10 and 2 with that schedule probably ought to do it and it'll be interesting to see if we get a different Ohio State team in the playoff should they get there. But it's going to be really interesting. Texas and Ohio State, Round two, given what we saw from Arch in Columbus last year, is going to be a different story. I Think Arch really was impressive down the stretch of last season, especially the way he played early on. So I can't wait for that game. And really the college football world is going to turn. Week two, Austin, Buckeyes and Longhorns.

[Paul Feinbaum]

It's also going to be affected by what happens in Ann Arbor. And what's so interesting, I think Jake, about these schedules, some look tough, some look easier, some of it depends on the other team. And I think nobody replicates that more represents that more than Oklahoma. A very difficult beginning and a brutal ending. And so much of this is going to be determined by is Michigan any good? We, we know Georgia and Texas will be. What's it like having to go to Mississippi State late October? Texas nearly lost there. What about at Florida Ole Miss, A and M at Missouri? I mean there is almost no way to look at that schedule. And unless you're a sooner coming away feeling very good about their playoff hopes.

[Jake Trotter]

Yeah, and that's why Michigan is such a huge game for them. And I actually had Oklahoma with the toughest November in college football. You just ticked off some of the teams they have to play. But I mean you got two playoff opponents in Ole Miss and A and M with their quarterbacks back. You got Florida on the road. The swap is not an easy place to play most years. You know, they've got talent, new coaching staff there and then, you know, Missouri on the road with Ahmed Hardy, maybe the best running back in college football. You throw in Texas in the Red River Showdown and then at Georgia if they lose to Michigan week two, that is really tough to come back from and win enough games to make the playoffs. So I'm with you. And you know, the other part of it, I don't know that there are many teams in college football that have a wider variance than Michigan. Like If Michigan goes 7 and 5, I don't think I'd be stunned by that. If they win double digit games with Kyle Whittingham, I don't think I'd be stunned by that either. You know, the real key is can Whittingham and his staff get the most out of Bryce Underwood who had some moments last year, but I think overall was fairly underwhelming. But listen, he was operating with a ton of chaos amid his coaching staff, so you almost have to give him a pass on that. They've got better talent, I think at the skill positions with Andrew Marsh coming back at receiver, they've got an outstanding true freshman running back and hider to go along with Jordan Marshall. So you know we're going to find out about Michigan 2, week two. But I, I'm with you, Oklahoma. You know, I think that they're a playoff caliber team, certainly a playoff caliber defense, that if John Mateer can get back to that form he showed before the thumb injury, I think Oklahoma is a real threat, not just to make the playoff, but do some damage when they get there. But they got to survive the schedule. And that means, you know, they're probably going to have to win at Michigan to feel good about their chances.

[Paul Feinbaum]

There's a lot of optimism coming out of SoCal about Lincoln Riley and everybody feels great about the quarterback. And Phil, maybe this is the year they finally turn it around. That is until you talk about their schedule. Big Ten is much tougher than it has been. And when you, when you consider USC schedule, what do you see there, Jake?

[Jake Trotter]

Yeah, I mean, what's really hurt USC is they get in these moments in the fourth quarter and they need a stop or they need a tackle and they just have not been able to come up with it. You know, they lost so many games by a score less last year. You know, I talked to Lincoln Riley in Chicago last week and he feels like this the best they've been on the offensive defensive lines. They're going to need that to be the case because they've got, you know, they got Oregon at home, they've got Ohio State at home. They go to Penn State against Matt Campbell early in October at Indiana. I mean, it is, you know, they have a little bit of a window to get rolling. But starting with September 26th against Oregon at home, Coliseum, I mean, they, they pretty much have the toughest road remaining of anybody in college football. You're right about the quarterback. He's super impressive. And you know, Lincoln Riley's track record with offenses, you know, there's a lot to believe in there. But, you know, they lost their defensive coordinator, Danton Lin, to Penn State and they replaced him with Gary Patterson, who, you know, had an excellent run at tcu. And year after year they had these great defenses, but that was several years ago. You know, we really haven't seen Gary Patterson in this type of role in a long time. So what's that going to look like with him calling the defense at usc? This is a big year for Lincoln Riley. Like, this is the year with what they have at quarterback and with what they have, they believe they have up front. You know, this is the year they need to make a move and it's going to require them to play some defense and continue the trajectory that they had kind of started on under Lynn.

[Paul Feinbaum]

We mentioned Jake, Jake Trotter with us the second week of the season with those two Big Ten SEC matchups. I wish there was a little bit more the first weekend fairly, fairly rough compared to years past. But you identify two weeks in October that literally will be stop everything, get in front of a TV all day and watch go through those.

[Jake Trotter]

Yeah. If you're planning a wedding, don't have it October 10th, don't have it October 17th. Although it's probably too late. You probably already picked picked your day. I mean, October 10th, you've got red river, you got Georgia, Alabama. I mentioned USC going to Penn State. That's a big weekend. But October 17, I mean, it feels like everybody of note is playing somebody of note. That's the Ohio State, Indiana game in Bloomington, probably the biggest game in Bloomington history, maybe the biggest game of the year this year, a rematch to the Big Ten title game. You've got the Alabama, Tennessee rivalry game, Notre Dame at BYU is really interesting, you know, an opportunity for the Big 12 to get a big non conference win. You got Florida State, Miami, Penn State, Michigan, Auburn, Georgia, Arizona State, Texas Tech. I mean, you just go on and on. Even the Sunflower showdown, Kansas, Kansas State is that weekend. So October 17th is the big year it feels like in college football. And it's going to come off the heels of a really, really intriguing week in October 10th, you know, featuring the Red river rivalry.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Amazing stuff. Jake Trotter, senior college football writer for espn. Many thanks, Jake. We head to the break busy first hour with two very good guests. Let's take some time to catch our breath and come back with more of your phone calls.

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[Paul Feinbaum]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show

podcast and welcome back. Michael is up next in Montgomery, Alabama. Hello, Michael.

[Caller]

Hey, Paul.

Thanks for taking my call.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Thank you.

[Caller]

Hey, yeah, Urban's comment was a stupid comment. The Listen, the In the past three seasons, the Big Ten has obviously had our number and big games wouldn't matter especially. But to talk about Big Ten fans having more passion than SEC fans is just not true. Los Angeles, New York City, Spokane, Chicago, these are not college cities. They do have, they do have a few college cities in Auburn, Madison, Columbus. Nobody's going to deny that.

[Paul Feinbaum]

He also said the stadiums were just as good.

[Caller]

Yeah, you know, I just, I struggle to believe that when UCLA and USC can't build a Rose bowl on any given Saturday. But if you go to a place like Starkville, Mississippi, or Baton Rouge, Louisiana, or Columbia, South Carolina, week over week, you can expect that stadium to be full. And this is for a lot of the states. In the sec, we don't have professional teams to fall back on. Sure, we're fans of some of them, but Saturdays are a way of life for a lot of us. And listen, I'm not saying anything profound or sharing any opinions that probably aren't shared by anybody else listening or calling in today. But the loudest in the room is never the strongest. So when you have guys like BMW and Signetti and Irvin saying all these comments that are just frankly, downright ridiculous when honestly they don't have to, they, like I said, they've had our number for the past three seasons.

But,

but, but saying these things obviously gets people talking about them, talking about the comments, talking about the Big Ten. Because otherwise, I mean, if you turn on Big Ten network to your points you've made many times, like if I want to watch a call a talk your lacrosse game, then I'll just turn on the ACC or the Big Ten Network. And the SEC is different. We have shows like this. We're talking about football, we're talking about baseball, we're talking about basketball. And you know, I just, I just can't respect, I just can't have the same level of respect for a school that's going to cancel home and homes against Virginia and Notre Dame and say that they're more passionate then or their conference is more passionate than what we have here in the sec. Auburn Fans would more than likely be pissed off if our home and home got canceled against Notre Dame. Same thing with Bama and fsu. Same thing with Mississippi State and Arizona State and the list goes on. This is a way of life for us.

And

yeah, I mean, I'm not going to speak over myself anymore because I think I've made my point. But as SEC fans, we continue to embrace our teams. We continue to embrace what we have here and fingers crossed our coaches can get it together and we start winning big games so that the big thing can't continue to say things like this anymore because honestly we, I mean, we can't be mad at it because the, you know, they're holding the past three championships,

so. But anyways, if they want to talk

about passion, if they want to talk about passion, then maybe they should keep homes with us or schedule home and homes with us. Come to an Oxford, Mississippi, come to a Fayetteville, Arkansas and see what an actual real Saturday football Saturday looks like.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Because Michael, first of all, you make a really good point. Hey, thank you very much. We appreciate you sharing that. And the top of the leagues are similar. It's after you get in the middle, you start looking at schools like Rutgers and Maryland, ucla and you're going to try to compare them to the middle, to the, to the third tier of the sec. Thanks for the call. Elijah is up next in Georgia. Hello, Elijah.

[Caller]

Hey there, Paul. How are you doing today, sir?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, thank you.

[Caller]

Yes, yes. My thought is, I just want to get your opinion and see what you thought about Georgia and Alabama, chance of making the college playoffs this year. Who stand a better chance?

[Paul Feinbaum]

So Elijah, you're asking me, do I. I'm sorry, Georgia, what was the question again?

[Caller]

I was just asking what is your thoughts of Georgia and Alabama making the college playoffs this year?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Okay.

[Caller]

Who you think have a better chance? Georgia.

[Jake Trotter]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

No, I'm sorry. I think Georgia has a better chance in Alabama. I just think they're, you know, the most important position on the team is known. They have a lot of compliments. They just feel like a more complete team. And I think Georgia really, I mean, Georgia's got a couple of tricky games, but I thought from a scheduling standpoint, missing Texas, they missed the second, either the first or second best team in the sec. They don't have to play Georgia. That's a tremendous advantage. I know that sounds comical, but they do have, let's see, they have, they're at Ole Miss. That's certainly maybe the toughest game along with being at Alabama. Robert is up next in Iowa. Hey, Robert.

[Caller]

Hey, how you doing, buddy? My pal. How you doing?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Hey, Robert. What's going on?

[Caller]

I did want to tell you. I cannot believe Irving Meyer bypassed bedtime. What? He's been smoking. He told. He's smoking crap, man.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, I mean, it's. Listen, I mean, Urban Meyer's story is really kind of sad to me, Robert. He was once considered among the best coaches in college football.

[Mike Rodak]

Football.

[Paul Feinbaum]

His fall from grace from the NFL was pathetic and making. I mean. I mean, he knows better. He's been the head coach at Florida, won two national championships. I mean, he doesn't have to do this other than the fact that he's bought and paid for.

[Caller]

Hey, Paul. Yeah, you're right. He terrible. And he's smoking. I don't know what he's talking about.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I tell you what, Robert, if you could get me a toke. Of what? Urban smoking, I wouldn't mind it.

[Caller]

Yeah, Urban smoking. Urban smoking marijuana, man.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You said you're smoking marijuana?

[Caller]

No, no, no, no, no. I do not smoke marijuana.

Urban.

I don't know marijuana.

[Paul Feinbaum]

So you say you think Urban's out there on the boat smoking it? Yeah, it could be. There's no other way to justify what he said. Hey, Robert, great to hear from you. We're up against the break. We have a busy show. We're one hour down. Number of guests will be dropping by. We may. We all may be smoking if we keep talking about this subject. And we're coming right back.

Thank you for listening. Listening to the best of the Paul Feinbaum show podcast. Watch the Paul Feinbaum show weekdays from 3 to 7 Eastern on the SEC Network. Plus, you can listen and watch on the ESPN app

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