Hour 1: Pat Forde, SI

Summary

The Paul Finebaum Show – Hour 1: Pat Forde, SI (July 31, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Paul Finebaum Show focuses on the ongoing rivalry and shifting narratives between the SEC and Big Ten conferences in college football. With recent Big Ten dominance and SEC introspection, Paul Finebaum is joined by Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde to dissect changing perceptions, coaching landscapes, and the future of college football. Listeners from across the country also voice their opinions on the state of the sport, conference pride, coaching changes, and the impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals.

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Main Topics and Key Insights

1. Big Ten vs. SEC Perception Battle

[00:48–06:30]

• Big Ten’s “Chest-Thumping” Era: Pat Forde praises the Big Ten's confident, unapologetic attitude during media days—contrasting with the SEC’s recent struggles to justify its continued dominance.
  • Pat Forde [01:42]: “The SEC… had to dial back some of the we’re the best rhetoric. The Big Ten dialed nothing back, fully beating the chest, pounding the drums… bringing in the trash talker in chief at the end, Kurt Signetti, to lay the smackdown.”
• Changing Momentum: The Big Ten is riding a wave after winning three straight national titles with three different schools, signaling a real shift in college football’s hierarchy.
  • Pat Forde [02:47]: “The present tense says Big Ten has all the momentum and all the bragging rights and the SEC is regrouping.”
• Perception Over Stats: Paul and Pat discuss how the conversation has moved from draft picks and recruiting rankings to on-field results and national titles. Old SEC talking points are losing potency.
  • Paul Finebaum [05:17]: “I used to make all these nonsensical arguments. Stop it already.”

2. Coaching Talent – Shuffling and Upgrading

[07:22–09:06 | 18:51–19:16 | 27:21–28:14]

• Big Ten’s Strong Coaching Roster: Coaches like Kyle Whittingham, Matt Campbell, and Pat Fitzgerald give the Big Ten legitimacy. Michigan finally has “an adult in charge.”
  • Pat Forde [08:00]: “In terms of adding… coaches who have an immediate level of gravitas, I thought the Big Ten had a really good offseason.”
• SEC’s Coaching Overhaul: Paul and several callers assess the wave of SEC coaching changes (Sumrall, Silverfield, Stein, Golish), arguing most programs thoroughly upgraded.
  • Paul Finebaum [19:16]: “You don’t need me to tell you that Will Stein is better on his first day than Mark Stoops was on his last.”
• Comparative Strength: Callers debate whether Big Ten’s coaching depth outshines the SEC, especially after years of SEC “damaged goods” hires.

3. NIL Money, Program Building, and the Future

[13:57–16:46 | 35:05–35:57]

• NIL as the New Normal: Callers reflect on how player payments—once under the table, now fully above board—have transformed the landscape. Arguments over “buying teams” are contrasted with the need for smart coaching and roster management.
  • Caller (Michael in Pell City) [13:57]: “Money’s the root of all evil. …I wish college football’d go back to coaching instead of buying a football team.”
  • Paul Finebaum [15:31]: “Players have been making money now for five years… if you’re going to follow college football, that is exactly where we are.”
• Fixing the System? Suggestions include paying all players the same, limiting transfers—though most acknowledge that the days of “pure” college football are over.

4. Listener Calls: Passion, Arguments, and Humor

Throughout the Episode (12:15–39:04)

• Big Ten Skepticism Persists: Some SEC loyalists (e.g., Diane in Florida [37:35]) outright deny Big Ten superiority, citing decades of SEC dominance, despite recent results.
  • Diane [37:35]: “There will be no day, no week, no year that the Big Ten will ever be better than the Southeastern Conference.”
  • Paul Finebaum [38:36]: “Without sounding like a smart aleck… You did watch last year, didn’t you? You saw some of the games.”
• SEC Frustration Grows: Others, like Blaine in Georgia [25:20] and Scott in Louisiana [35:05], are ready to admit the Big Ten’s case is overwhelming and that SEC arguments are wearing thin.
  • Blaine [25:20]: “I think the end goal is to win the championship. And the Big Ten last three years has won it.”
• Debating Coaching ‘Toughness’: Light-hearted rankings emerge on which SEC coaches you’d want with you in a fight, with John Sumrall and Pete Golding pegged as top picks.
  • Tyler in Louisiana [29:24]: “My winner would be John Sumrall, the new coach at Florida. Man, is that guy intense. He wants to throw a dadgum podium at people.”

5. Alabama’s “Embarrassing Losses” and DeBoer’s Legacy

[21:47–24:49; 36:04–37:15]

• Growing Discontent: Multiple callers scrutinize Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, questioning his ability to deliver under pressure, listing surprising blowout defeats, and worrying about his perceived softness and lack of control.
  • Paul Finebaum [22:13]: “I would probably start with Vanderbilt his first year… The Oklahoma game the first year too because of what was at stake… And then the Indiana game… we’ve been around the idea of Alabama losing the Rose Bowl by 35 points. Never.”
  • Clint [36:04]: “I believe DeBoer is soft, and I don’t believe that he teaches intensity. …That’s the problem with where we are.”
• Respect and Discipline: Respect for the coach within the team is brought up as potentially lacking under DeBoer.
  • Paul Finebaum [37:15]: “You can only succeed if you are able to maintain the respect of your football team. … There is some debate whether that is around the Alabama program right now.”

6. The Future of College Football Legislation

[09:06–10:54]

• Congressional Gridlock: The hosts discuss the minimal likelihood of current legislative bills (likely NIL or transfer policy related) passing in Washington, D.C., despite ongoing “optimism.”
  • Pat Forde [09:47]: “We've passed the point of no return like three times and we still haven’t called it quits yet... and now we’re two months later and it just looks dead in the water.”

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Memorable Quotes and Moments

• Pat Forde [01:42]: “The Big Ten dialed nothing back, fully beating the chest, pounding the drums, putting the hardware on the stage there. And yes, bringing in the trash talker in chief at the end, Kurt Signetti, to lay the smackdown.”
• Paul Finebaum [05:17]: “I used to make all these nonsensical arguments. Stop it already.”
• Pat Forde [06:30]: “Player development, roster retention and smart evaluation in the portal. Not recruiting five stars, not who, how many guys get drafted. You got to bring in guys that can play on Saturdays because that’s where this game is played, not Sundays.”
• Tyler in North Carolina [18:51]: “Big difference between the Big Ten and the SEC is just coaching. …You look at Indiana… they're just good all season.”
• Diane in Florida [37:35]: “There will be no day, no week, no year that the Big Ten will ever be better than the Southeastern Conference.”
• Paul Finebaum [38:36]: “Without sounding like a smart aleck… You did watch last year, didn’t you? You saw some of the games.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment / Topic | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:48 | Paul introduces main theme: SEC vs. Big Ten rhetoric post-media days | | 01:42 | Pat Forde on contrasting conference attitudes | | 02:47 | Big Ten’s new dominance and SEC’s regrouping | | 05:17 | Old SEC talking points and new realities | | 07:22 | Coaching changes and comparisons in both conferences | | 09:06 | Update on college football-related federal legislation | | 12:15–19:16 | Rapid-fire calls: Indiana skepticism, NIL debates, coaching chops | | 21:47 | Callers dissect Alabama’s embarrassing losses under DeBoer | | 25:20 | Admission from a longtime SEC loyalist that Big Ten is on top | | 29:24 | Fun segment: toughest SEC coach debate | | 33:02 | Passionate call from Michigan: SEC fans must accept Big Ten’s current edge | | 36:04 | Criticism of DeBoer as being "soft;" lack of discipline at Alabama | | 37:35 | Diane from Florida defends SEC pride, denying Big Ten’s rise |

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Episode Tone and Style

• Paul Finebaum: Candid, slightly self-deprecating, open to changing his own views (“Stop it already”), but enjoys lively debate and occasionally prods SEC loyalists who ignore new realities.
• Pat Forde: Analytical, wry, and unsparing in his assessment of perception versus reality in college football.
• Callers: Ranging from emotional to humorous, from diehard traditionalists to others ready to face the facts of the sport’s changed landscape.

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Conclusion

This episode explores a seismic shift in college football, as the SEC faces a legitimate challenge from an ascendant Big Ten across both on-field achievement and off-field perception. Coaching, NIL, and institutional culture are scrutinized, and callers from across the country—often passionately—air both acknowledgment and denial about the sport’s new era.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

the pride, passion and pageantry of college football lives here. This is the Paul Feinbaum Show. Our one podcast, this might be College Football.

[A]

Friday has arrived. We thank all of you for being a part of the program. Good afternoon. We have a really good show on tap as there are no media days today. They're all over. The Big Ten wrapped it up and they wrapped it up with a shot across the bow from their now most famous coach, Kurt Signetti. He did it innocently. Well, I don't know about that, but he did it very, very effectively. The quote heard round sports today. We don't want a hype machine up here in the Midwest. We believe everything is earned, not given. And while we. And when we fall short, we say we fall short, we don't cry or river whine and complain. That's why we're the best. Pat, 40, took it all in just like he did. So Pat, SEC one week, Big Ten the next. I imagine there were a few differences. Good afternoon.

[B]

Good afternoon, Paul. And yes, very different tones for sure. Sec. You know, I think by necessity had to dial back some of the we're the best rhetoric. And the Big Ten dialed nothing back, fully beating the chest, pounding the drums, putting the hardware on the stage there. And yes, bringing in the trash talker in chief at the end, Kurt Signetti to lay the smackdown.

[A]

And Pat, I mean, these are battles that once were mainly relegated to shows like this or to a columnist, but this is now center stage. I mean, you flipped around the dial yesterday and today and this is what you saw. And I'm really curious because I feel like you looked at these, you look at these things objectively and we're not quibbling here over who has the most NFL draft choices. We're talking about perception. And in a perception oriented world, how would you compare and contrast the Big Ten versus the sec?

[B]

Yeah, it's a significant sea change. Obviously in the last three years they got the hardware, they've had the bragging rights. Three different schools. Michigan fine. Ohio State fine. I think the SEC can look at them and say, yeah, they're kindred spirits to us. Indiana not so fine. When Indiana's winning championships and beating Alabama by 35 points in a playoff game, that's the real sign that times have changed. And doesn't mean they can't change back, maybe even this year. Doesn't mean the SEC is out of championship contention. But the present tense says Big Ten has all the momentum and all the bragging rights and the SEC is regrouping.

[A]

And Pat, little things matter. But when people talk about the SEC and, and you pointed this out in your column and it really doesn't matter if it goes back to what Sankey said a week ago or Saban or even talking heads on tv, it all gets measured and it all matters. And it just seems like the SEC can't get out of its own way right now.

[B]

Yeah, right. Because any sort of argument you're going to try to mount is going to ring hollow until you start playing some games and winning some. So, you know, if the argument suddenly becomes, well, we have more balance, we have more depth, it's just tougher every week we're beaten up by the time we get to the playoffs. Everybody's like, save it, man. You gotta do something on the field in a game where there's major stakes for us to buy into that. So that's what the problem is. I don't blame the SEC for wanting to tout what it has, which is very good depth and a tough conference. And I think playing a ninth game is good for the SEC this year. But you can't use all those things to necessarily lessen what the Big Ten has done. And that's the thing I keep hearing over and over and over again, where Indiana just seems to have broken a few people's brains of like we, well, Mark Cuban bought the team. Well, they were all 23 years old. Well, neither of those things are true. Indiana went 16. 0 with a lot of James Madison guys and a fair amount of money, but not the most money. And people are having a hard time adjusting to that reality.

[A]

In your piece, you started off with the latest about one reason given by one of our esteemed colleagues was that the SEC is gassed after nine games. And even though they only played eight last year. And then you went through the litany of what you just laid out. I mean, the head to head is simply unbelievable. And then this is Pat40 here writing, if someone wants to chalk up all these SEC shortcomings to the grind of the league's regular season, please call 1-800-DIAL immediately. Crisis counselors are standing by not even Paul Feinbaum is going to entertain that level of coping. Now, I'd love to disagree with you on that, Pat, but I want to publicly say you are correct. I mean, it is almost every time I was on a show this morning on ESPN and one of the ESPN graduates said, yeah, but the ESPN ranks a lot better in recruiting. I'm like, what does that have to do with anything? Because when recruiting has never meant less. And by the way, I also did a mea culpo on this. I, I said, I used to make all these nonsensical arguments. Stop it already.

[B]

Right? No, look, that's great. If, if the, if leading the nation in recruiting is leading to winning championships like it did when Alabama and Georgia were doing that. When it doesn't, you say, well, what's wrong with the coaching? That's the reaction. Or what's wrong with your transfer portal evaluations? Why are you, your five stars, getting pounded by James Madison guys? So, you know, those arguments just really don't hold any water at this point. It is all about, to me, player development, roster retention and smart evaluation in the portal. Not recruiting five stars, not who, how many guys get drafted. You got to bring in guys that can play on Saturdays because that's where this game is played, not Sundays. It's Saturdays. What are you doing there?

[A]

And I want to get your thoughts on the new coaches because, I mean, I saw Kyle Whittingham yesterday, Matt Campbell, and those are just a few. And they were also at critically important schools and nothing. I mean, the SEC coaches we've hashed out now for six months and all last week. But Kyle Whittingham and Matt Campbell, and you compare and contrast Ryan Silverfield and Will Stein, I mean, they've got some, they've got some, some bulk up there in the coaching ranks, including Rule and all these other guys who really haven't even been that good yet. Lincoln Riley, I mean, there's an endless stream of guys that are capable.

[B]

Absolutely. Guys who have either won conference championships, played for conference championships, played in playoff games, you know, been there, done that. And I think Will Stein's going to do well at Kentucky. I think John Sumrall and Alex Golish have a chance to do well. I kind of feel bad for Ryan Silverfield. He's fighting uphill. Maybe he'll do fine. But in terms of adding, I think coaches who have an immediate level of gravitas, I thought the Big Ten had a really good off season. You know, I think there's an adult in charge at Michigan, thank goodness, finally. And I think Matt Campbell is equipped to do well after succeeding with far less resources than a lot of the people he was playing against. So, you know, I think the coaching changes, like Pat Fitzgerald is an upgrade at Michigan State. I think the coaching general changes in general are probably good across both leagues, but on paper in August or late July, better in the Big Ten.

[A]

One final thought, Pat. And again, I swore I wasn't going to bring this up, but I just talked to somebody that works and lives in Washington, D.C. because the person's an elected official about what happened yesterday and what. And there's still optimism. Let me just paraphrase. Okay. There's still optimism. We're still talking. Everybody's in communication. We still think we can get there by Monday. Of course, you know what I'm talking about from a distance. And somebody who has watched this Senate circus going on now for seven years. What are your thoughts as the odds grow longer that this bill is going to go anywhere?

[B]

Yeah, two thoughts, I guess immediately, Paul. One being, I thought magazine deadlines were flexible. Apparently the deadline on this bill is really flexible because we've, we've passed the point of no return like three times and we still haven't called it quits yet. Now can it actually happen? I, I don't know. This does sound very much like, you know, somebody who's a school whose coach is leaving and you're trying to hold on. I'm saying, yeah, we're still talking. We're still talking. It's not over. When it's completely over, that kind of how this feels. And I go back to se spring meetings in Destin. We were there and the they, you know, that's when this was all fresh and hot. And I'm talking to Ted Cruz. But while I'm sitting by the pool in Destin getting the details of this bill and the optimism and everything, and this is going to happen. And now we're two months later and it just looks dead in the water. And I think kind of like, I mean, nice effort, everybody, but you kind of wasted our time for two months.

[A]

Yeah, I wasn't talking to Ted Cruz, but it's certainly in the same ballpark a minute ago. Here's what got me, though. He said, you know, we're talking to Greg, we're talking to Tony. You know, we feel, you know, when Thune gets back Sunday night, if we can make a presentation to him. And I said, is there anything else? He said, yeah, Randy Levine's got the White House covered at that moment. I was not very confident any longer that the president of the New York Yankees is handling negotiations for the president of the United States. I mean, worry about your bullpen. Okay, Randy, Pat, thanks so much for being on. Pat Fordy joining us at the top of the show. Plenty of time to hash all of those subjects out and then some. I can't wait for this guest, Professor Tim Johnson. I've gotten to know him over the years and he has put his life into a book on General Neyland. We'll talk to him. And then a man who hands out books at the Gainesville Library every Saturday morning, Chris Doring,

[B]

you're listening to the

[A]

Paul Feinbaum show podcast. Okay. We are back watching a little clip from this morning's first Take episode and John is up next or starts it all off from Chicago. Hey, John.

[B]

Hey, Paul. Thanks for taking my call. I mean, let's be honest. Yes, the Big Ten, Little Ten, Week 10, whatever you want to call them, they've won the past three. But I mean, let's, let's just pull up Indiana's schedule for next year. They don't play a real team until October 17th when they play Ohio State. Look at all those hard nail biters they got to play up till that one one game. Then they're only possibly going to play four teams that might be ranked in the top 25 the whole year. I mean, come on.

[A]

Well, listen, John, that's, that may or may not be the right point. And I made the same argument you're making last year because they didn't play anybody in the preseason. But when they got, when it all happened, they started loading up wins. They wanted Penn State, they beat Ohio State, they destroyed Alabama by 35 and Oregon by 34. And by the end of the season, all that other stuff just didn't make any difference. And it won't make any difference this year. I happen to think they have a pretty challenging schedule by their standards. No, maybe they don't get Missouri in, South Carolina in Vanderbilt in the middle of the season like Alabama did last year, which we all said got them into the playoffs. I mean, all I'm saying, John, is you can make that argument, but Indiana is still going to be in the playoffs this year with probably a 10 and 2 record. Let's check in with Michael in Pell City, Alabama.

[B]

Hey, Paul, thank you for taking my call. Thank you, Paul. Hey, sir. I'm gonna say this money's the root of all evil. And I still believe I wish college football go back to coaching instead of buying a football team. And I really think that's what happened. What's going on? We have got to do something about buying football teams and football.

[A]

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[A]

Michael, thanks for the call. Players have been making money now for five years. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. Well, no, Michael, but I'm not saying you have to like it, but if you're going to follow college football, that is exactly where we are. Paul. Paul is up next in Sacramento. Good afternoon.

[B]

Hey, how are you doing? We've been playing. We've been paying players since the 80s. How about the SMU Mustangs? Come on.

[A]

Well, Paul, first of all, I mean, there's a difference between what was going on in the 80s and what's going on now. I mean, they're being paid above board today and I ain't. Yeah, I mean, I'm an Oregon. What does the SMU Mustangs have to do with anything other than. And that happened, let's see, 40, 40 years ago.

[B]

Yep. Well, we're paying our quarterback, I think, 750,000, and I'm cool with that because we're going to win.

[A]

By the way, if you can get a quarterback for 700,000 right now, you're doing pretty well.

[B]

Yes. Dante Moore, he. He's the best in the business. There's no one better than him.

[A]

I promise you. He's making more than 700,000. Probably making a little closer to 5 million. Luke is up next in Houston. Good afternoon.

[B]

Hello. I'm Luke from Houston, Texas, and I want to talk about the chances of A and M winning the national championship this year.

[A]

Okay, tell us why you think that's going to happen.

[B]

They got really close this year, but of course, Miami did take them down. They have Marcel Reed, they have one of the best recruiting classes in all of college football. And I think they have the possibility to go on and win the national championship.

[A]

You know what? I think you may be right, Luke. I think they are one of those teams that are not getting much attention at all. Thank you for the call. Francis is in Dallas. You're on the air. Hello, Francis.

[B]

Good afternoon, Paul. I have a two part question. Number one, how soon when a team makes a contract with another team and they want to get out of it, how soon have they have to notify them that they want to renege on their contract?

[A]

So are you, are you referring to player contracts?

[B]

No, I'm talking, I'm talking team contracts. Other words. I just read where lsu I think got out of their contract with Arizona State.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, I don't want to act like I know very much about this because I don't. But every contract is specific. It's just a basic contract between two entities. And I'm sure there is fine print saying you have, if you're going to get out of it, you have until this day or if not, you'll pay a penalty. I think it's just like any other contract. I don't know if there's a standard contract, but with every contract there has to be some language that gives you a way out. Tyler is up next in North Carolina. Tyler, good afternoon.

[B]

Good afternoon. Nice talking to you. I wanted to say like, I think the big difference between the Big Ten and the SEC is just coaching. I mean like you look at Indiana like that's just a really well coached team. They might have the talent like Alabama does, but like unlike Alabama, they don't lose those big games. You see like Alabama's losing like some bums like South Carolina, Vanderbilt, like that's just unacceptable. But you look at Indiana, they're just good all season.

[A]

Yeah, you know, I think you're, I think that's really a good point. And 40 was making it. And it really depends on which, which, which coach you want to talk about. But thanks for the call. I think at the risk of sounding blasphemous here, that the Big Ten coaches as a group are incredibly strong. And you know, Pat Fitzgerald, who got run out of where he was at Northwestern, is a top flight coach. Whittingham, Campbell. And I mean everybody thinks their coach is great, but the truth of the matter is the SEC had some terrible coaches. Hugh Freeze was terrible. Billy Napier was not up for prime time. Sam Pittman didn't belong any longer. Than he was there. I'm trying to think some of the other coaches, I mean Kelly, Brian Kelly was a good coach just at the wrong place. So those are four schools I just mentioned that made coaching changes. Mark Stoops was way past his prime. And by the way, every time I say one of these guys you're going to come back and say, well yeah, but I'm talking about on the day they got fired. I'm not talking about the day they got hired. Every one of these guys was damaged goods and each program has upgraded. You know, you don't need me to tell you that Will Stein is better on his first day than Mark Stoops was on his last. Or Silverfield for Pittman or Sumrall for Napier, Goal ish for Freeze and even Kiffin for. I mean the only, I mean if you want to be honest, you know which I'm going to ask this question because I think I don't. I want to give a. Which job in the, in the SEC did not end up with an upgrade. There were six changes, weren't there? Of the six changes, which one got an inferior coach? Anybody? Anybody? Have a guest? We'll take a break. More to come, more of your phone calls. We are coming right back. You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast. Tonight, right after we go off the air you got a bunch of coaches. Five coaches will join Chris Doring and PB for rare in home visits. Sit downs with the coaches later today. Bob is up next in Florida. Hey Bob.

[B]

Hey Paul, how are you doing? Thanks for taking my call.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

I just have, you know, Deborah's record is not horrible. They've had some, you know, they won some games. It's not horrible. But when you look at their losses, this is some of the most embarrassing losses I've ever seen from Alabama. What do you think is the most embarrassing loss he has had?

[A]

Well, I think there's a lot to choose from there but I would probably start with Vanderbilt his first year because, and you know the problem is you look at Vanderbilt and we found out who they were but at the time Alabama was a three touchdown favorite. They were the number one team in the country. They had just beaten Georgia and it was just so unexpected after that. I would probably rank Florida State just because there wasn't anybody in the world who thought that was going to happen. And the Oklahoma game the first year too because of what was at stake. All Alabama do was beat a very average Oklahoma team and they were about a 16 point favorite and they were in the CFP. And the loss this year didn't surprise me because we had gotten used to them by now. And then. And then the. I know I got a long list here. The Indiana game, some people have alibi it, but we've been around the idea of Alabama losing the rose bowl by 35 points. Never.

[B]

Absolutely. You know, in that Michigan game, in the first bowl game he was in, that was embarrassing too. I mean, Michigan was that good.

[A]

And you have just labeled. I think what some people. The problem some people have with Calyn DeBoer. I think he's a really good coach. He may end up being a great coach at Alabama or somewhere else, but he has been unable to stay out of his own way, really. I mean, these losses just keep getting in the way of the narrative that he's done a great job at Alabama.

[B]

You know, the Florida State loss was unbelievable. I mean, Florida State was terrible, but Alabama was not prepared for that game at all.

[A]

No, I mean, it's just with. With each one of these losses, there's just such a backstory. You know, losing to Georgia probably wasn't as upsetting this year because he had beaten Georgia a couple of times and it was a rematch. But the Florida State game, the Indiana game, the Michigan game, there's just so many of those. And I think that's why every time you want to believe or collectively that DeBoer is the right coach and deserves all the support the university is giving him, he gives you a reason not to believe in him.

[B]

Right. Well, I hope he can turn it around this year.

[A]

Thank you very much. Yeah, I think that's another thing people say. What's it going to take for everybody to get off Deborah's back? I mean, if he goes, let's say he goes 10 and two this year and makes the playoffs and his two losses are at LSU and Georgia at home. Nobody's going to get all that upset if they're respectable games. It's just the. The unexpected and the gobsmacking nature of some of those losses is really what has gotten to people. Let's talk to Blaine next in Georgia. Hello, Blaine.

[B]

Paul. Hey, Paul. Watched your segment this morning with Jordan Rogers and you and kind of going back and forth with all the championships that the Big Ten has won in the last three years. And I've always been one to defend the sec, but I think I'm ready to join the ranks of you and annoyed. The Big Ten is the best conference. I think we keep playing these statistic games about, you know, whether or not they've got the most draft picks or, you know, whether. Look at the stats here. But like you said, I think the end goal is to win the championship. And the Big Ten last three years has won it.

[A]

Yeah. And Blaine, I think 40 made the point earlier when it's Ohio State and Michigan. Yeah. There's a reason for that. In Alabama, Georgia, you can understand that this year it was, it was really hard to accept. But. But I just. And I don't think I need to offer my, my credentials at the door. I think everybody knows what we do here, but.

[B]

Right.

[A]

I just got a little tired of it. And even when the other guy today, you know, started saying, well, yeah, but you know, most, most Big Ten coaches would rather go to sec, that has not a thing to do with what we just got through watching. And this can, this can be changed. I mean, the second week of the season, this can start to change. If Ohio State wins and Oklahoma wins in the two big games, you know, you start. But the record is. The head to head matchups in the CFP are too insurmountable to argue with right now.

[B]

That's right. And here's my point. What else needs to happen for us to start changing our minds? Do we need a fourth or fifth year to prove this? I mean, if they keep winning national championships and keep performing well in the playoffs, I mean, I hope people come to their senses. But I'm just at a point, kind of like you. The facts are the facts and let's just acknowledge it.

[A]

Blaine, thank you very, very much. Good call. And yeah, and you start talking about coaching and a lot of you may not know that much about Matt Campbell or Kyle Whittingham. I mean, they both had their career pretty much off Broadway, but they're highly respected coaches. And the sec, with this new crop, they're taking a flyer. Five new coaches in Kiffin and how many will still be around? I mean, I think everybody thinks they've got the right guy, but Somerrall and Kiffin were the ones everyone wanted. And then the rest of the coaches just, just kind of filled in. Why don't we take a break? More to come, more of your phone calls. A long way to go. We're back after this. In a sunny Californian suburb, one family's home is unusually quiet.

[B]

When detectives walked into that house, they said that it was like time just stood still.

[A]

It's 2010 and the McStay family is nowhere to be found inside the home. No clear answer where the family could have gone. Husband, wife, and two children.

[B]

All gone. Like, poof. Disappeared.

[A]

The search for the McStays quickly captures the nation. But for years, the search for answers only brings more questions.

[B]

Who's ever heard of an entire family going missing? A family of four doesn't just drop

[A]

off the face of the earth with no contact. Is this a family on the run?

[B]

Or is the truth far more sinister?

[A]

From ABC Audio in 2020, this is what happened to the mixed days. Coming August 11th, wherever you get your podcasts or subscribe to 2020 True Crime plus on Apple Podcasts for ad free episodes, early access to new episodes, and so much more. You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast. We are back in. Tyler is up next in Louisiana. Hello, Tyler.

[B]

Hey, Paul. Good afternoon, Paul.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Last week when I was watching SEC the media days for the coaches, I had the thought of who's the toughest coach in the SEC right now? The guy you at least likely to want to get into the octagon with in years past, I mean, it was a foregone conclusion when we had the immovable object Brett Bielema in the conference, but things have changed, and now I'm kind of thinking, who's that guy? So a few popular coaches that I kind of took out was Josh Hyple. Josh Hyple looks like the local manager at any autozone that you're going to go into. I took off Kalyn DeBoer, my own coach, because he kind of, he has the disposition of a middle school guidance counselor. And I took off. I took off Lank Kiffin because although he's in shape and we all know he does hot yoga, if the rumors are true, he's always been more of a lover than a fighter. So I took him out, too. So my top four would be Venables, who's kind of like Sam Elliott in Roadhouse Scrappy.

[A]

I agree.

[B]

I would put Clark Lee in the top four because he's a former player and what that dude's done at Vanderbilt, you know, he's tough. And I would also put Pete Golding in the top four because I'm a Louisiana boy and I'm sure he can skin a buck and run a trout line. So I would definitely put him in the mix. But my winner would be John Sumrall, the new coach at Florida. Man, is that guy intense. He wants to throw a dadgum podium at people. You know, it made me think Florida may be onto something because if you have a coach that has that type of intensity, it sometimes it just leaks and it Just saturates into the players. Kind of like with Saban. In the next few years, Summerall could go on a streak at Florida. I really think that. But thanks for taking my call, Paul, today. Bye Bye.

[A]

Thanks. Yeah, I started thinking as you went down there, I mean I want Clark Lee. If you're, if you in a competition that's being judged, I think he would, I mean Clarkley would unfortunately follow the rules where these other guys wouldn't. I mean Pete Golding, I want in a, in a bar fight. I mean, you don't want to get near that guy. But Sumrall, he might just toss everybody out of the, out of the, out of the bar. David is up next. Hello, David.

[B]

Yes. Yes, sir. Paul. So Alex goes at Auburn. That's a name that dude left out on that list. And not only that, Auburn could be. Auburn can dominate some teams in the SEC and with them dominating some SEC teams, Josh Hypo could be one of them. He could dominate and all that. He could dominate Georgia and dominate Florida, but what a, what a dude. Alex Golish is a good man and one of the worst teams in the sec I would have to say upcoming this season will be Arkansas. They will have a 2 and 10 season. The way I looked at their schedule, they got the number one hardest schedule in the country. And then as long as they got that Ryan Silverfield guy, they're going to probably lose 10 games this year. And then if you look at their schedule for the next two years, it gets a lot even harder. They'll. They can lose 10 games this year and the following next year, in the year after that. Ryan Silverfield might be gone the next three years. Thank you for you, for my call. Paul Ward, AM Eagle.

[A]

Terry is up next in Michigan. Hello, Terry.

[B]

Hey, how you doing, Paul? We're doing great. I'm in this group. Yeah, I'm so tired. Sick and tired of these SEC folks whining and moaning about nil money and weak schedule. Look here, the Big Ten the past three years, it's just a better conference right now. And now that the nil you got a even playing field. You won't see. Now the SEC might win the championship this year, I don't know. But you're never going to see the dynamic dominance that you've witnessed in the past 10, 15 years that you saw in anything. Look here, Kirby Smart and those guys didn't all of a sudden forget how to coach. You just don't have that type of dominance anymore. And even though Indiana may not win the championship this year, but it could come from Ohio State, Oregon and even Michigan is a dark horse. So I'll just get off and listen to you, Paul, and see what your take is. Thank you.

[A]

Thank you. Thank you very much. John is up next in Maryland. Hello, John, Good afternoon.

[B]

Hello, Paul. Happy Friday.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Just want to start off by saying orange and blue skies ahead, Nixon 5 all day. And then what I want to talk about is top 10 quarterbacks for 20, 27. And I have the stats to back up what I'm saying. They're not in any particular order. Julian saying. At Ohio State, number two, Dante Moore. At Oregon, number three, Arch Manning. At Texas, number four, Darian Mensah. At Miami, number five, Trinidad Chambliss Ole Miss.

[A]

John, thanks for the list. Scott is up next in Louisiana. Scott, go right ahead.

[B]

Good afternoon, Paul. Carlsu, Tigers. I'm looking forward to this season and the anticipation of Lane Kiffin and what he's doing with our players there. And I got a opinion on how we need to get college program back to where it should be. Whenever we're talking about equal field and competition, if we would take these players and we would pay them all the same amount, and I understand that they need to get paid, you know, it's only fair. They're playing for a program. They need to work. And if we would pay them all the same amount according to experience and then limit them to one move in their college career, I think we'd bring the integrity back to college football.

[A]

Scott, thanks for your optimism. Appreciate it. Let me check in with Clint, who is next up. Good afternoon, Clint.

[B]

Hey, Paul. How you doing today? Well, you had a caller earlier that was talking about Alabama's embarrassing losses. And it's not the fact that they lose, it's how they lose that irritates me. I don't. But soft and I believe DeBoer is soft, and I don't believe that he teaches intensity. And I just, I think he's soft and it's a reflection of his football team.

[A]

Well, I think we heard it yesterday. And again, this is just a caller, but he was pretty close to the scene and he talked about a discipline problem on the field, off the field, on the sidelines, in the locker room. It was very troubling to hear. And when that's who you are as a coach, it's hard to find. You can only succeed if you are able to maintain the respect of your football team. And I think there is some debate whether that is around the Alabama program right now.

[B]

Well, you said it respect, and I don't think they fear him nor respect him. I think that the players down there think they're running the show now, that they're making all the money.

[A]

That's the problem with where we are. Clint, you may be onto something. DeBoer has been very successful, but he's in a different environment now. He's had some success. This is a critical year in terms of which way that wind is going to eventually blow. Diane is up next in Florida. Hello, Diane. Good afternoon.

[B]

Well, hey, Paul Feinbaum. How are you?

[A]

Well, thank you.

[B]

This guy that was just on before, this caller about the Big Ten being better than the sec, he's lost his mind. There will be no day, no week, no year that the Big Ten will ever be better than the Southeastern Conference.

[A]

And, Diane, could I ask you to maybe dig down on some of the details that back up to what you are saying?

[B]

Well, you know, the Southeastern Conference has won so many national titles over the last, say, 30 years, and there's no game that you don't put an SEC team in that they don't dominate teams in the Big Ten.

[A]

Without sounding like a smart aleck, which I'm sure I will. You were. You did watch last year, didn't you? You saw some of the games.

[B]

Yes, I did. And, you know, everybody has a time where everything is lining up the way it should, but that doesn't happen very often. Okay. And this year the SEC is coming out strong.

[A]

Okay? Yeah, sure. We all believe you. Diane, thanks for chiming in. We'll be back. Three hours to go right here. Friday afternoon has arrived.