Hour 1: Worth the Hype?

Summary

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Podcast Summary

The Paul Finebaum Show – Hour 1: Worth the Hype?
Date: July 29, 2026
Host: Paul Finebaum (ESPN)
Main Guests: Ross Dellinger (Yahoo Sports), Jordan Reid (ESPN)
Main Topics: NCAA controversies, Congressional NIL bill, SEC & Big Ten politics, College football draft hype, Media Day revelations, and listener calls.

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Episode Overview

Paul Finebaum kicks off a densely packed hour with fiery commentary on NCAA controversies, spotlights imminent Congressional action on college sports pay caps, and explores whether the next college football draft is truly "worth the hype." Through insightful interviews with reporter Ross Dellinger and draft analyst Jordan Reid, the episode investigates the nitty-gritty of NCAA and Congressional negotiations, scrutinizes rising and controversial names in college football, and takes the pulse of the college football fan base through lively listener calls.

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Key Topics & Insights

1. NCAA Rulings & Backlash

[00:41 – 04:13]

• Arian Carter Suspension: Tennessee player suspended for two games over a $427 flight, leading to strong criticism of the NCAA by Finebaum.
  • Paul Finebaum:

    “The NCAA, which is without a doubt the scummiest organization, at least functioning ... suspended someone for two games. Forget spitting on the sidewalk he anything wrong and this organization wants Congress to bail them out.” (02:20)

• Broader Frustration: Comparison to recent $40-50 million SEC rosters and Sarkisian's need to drop players to “meet the cap.”
• Underlying Sentiment: NCAA’s decision-making appears out of touch and “corrupt,” according to Finebaum—with continued calls for Congressional intervention.

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2. Congressional NIL Bill & College Sport Economics

[04:13 – 12:54]

• Guest: Ross Dellinger (Yahoo Sports)
  • Deadline Crunch:
    • Congress is under pressure to advance an updated NIL/pay cap bill before the August recess. (05:15)
    • The SEC and Big Ten’s support is pivotal, contingent on new anti-circumvention language closing a multimedia loophole.
  • Key Provision:
    • Cap raised from $21M to $48M, divided across regular athlete pay, retention pool, and a pool for women athletes (06:30).
  • The Dilemma:
    • Some schools already spend more than the new cap; debate focuses on whether “associated entity” sponsorships (e.g., Nike/Texas) should count against the limit.
    • Lawmakers want a hard cap, but schools seek flexibility to keep up current spending. (08:18-10:51)
  • Outlook:
    • “The wind seems to be blowing in a positive direction for the leagues to support the bill, but there seems to be still a disagreement again on little definitional language…” (12:03 – Ross Dellinger)
  • Finebaum’s Take:
    • Bemused that seven years of negotiation comes down to what he calls “minor” definition disputes. (12:54)

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3. Listener Calls: Coaches, Credentials, and Conference Hierarchies

[14:28 – 21:40]

• DeBoer’s Perception at Alabama:
  • Caller discussion debating Kaylan DeBoer’s likability compared to legendary coaches.
  • “Maybe he’s just not Kirby Smart ... they’ve slipped, they’ve fallen behind Texas and they continue to slip.” (15:28)
• Media Day Credential Controversy:
  • SEC restricted credentials to two per organization; rumors and confusion swirl about fan/reporter “Legend” attempting to gain more access.
  • Finebaum:

    “You don’t have to have a degree in journalism to do anything anymore if you want to be a reporter.” (19:37)

  • Finebaum stresses facts over rumor, provides perspective on restricted access.
• Community Banter:
  • Notable moment of humor as “Old School” launches into a colorful discussion about pod callers, “black cat” community members, and media personalities. (32:47-34:49)

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4. NFL Draft Hype: Worth It or Overblown?

[21:40 – 29:28]

• Guest: Jordan Reid (ESPN NFL Draft Analyst)
  • Quarterback Prospects:
    • This class is “a lot more juice … and much more quality” compared to previous years. Top names: Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Julian Sayin, Darien Mensah, C.J. Carr, Drew Mestermaker. (22:28-23:38)
  • Spotlight on Sam Levitt:
    • Injuries have hampered consistency; transfer seen as a “huge coup” for LSU, has to step up if LSU is to live up to expectations. (23:55)
  • SEC Quarterback Ranks:
    • Trinidad Chambliss viewed as top SEC QB, gives “Russell Wilson vibes.”

      “Incredible story starting off in his Division 2 ranks and working his way up ... I think Trinidad is going to end up having a really good year.” (25:22)

    • Lenoras Sellers (South Carolina): immense talent but disappointing previous year; “This is the year that everybody’s expecting him to [put it all together].” (25:22-27:16)
  • Defensive Standouts:
    • Colin Simmons (Texas): “Far and away one of the best, not only defensive prospects in the country, one of the best NFL draft prospects ... he has the potential to be a top 10 pick.” (27:32)
    • Dylan Stewart (South Carolina): Explosive talent, possible first non-QB taken if production matches physical gifts.

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5. Rapid Fan Perspectives

[30:43 – 39:32]

• Scheduling and Conference Powers:
  • Callers debate Big Ten vs. SEC out-of-conference schedules and suggest annual challenge series.
  • “If you look at the outer cover schedules for the Big Ten and SEC … the Big Ten blows the SEC away ...” (31:50)
• Future of College Football Playoffs:
  • How far will expansion go—24, 28, 32 teams? Finebaum predicts stopping at 24 due to calendar constraints. (35:36)
• ACC Talk:
  • Miami viewed as the favorite; coach Cristobal praised for following the “Saban blueprint.” (37:21-38:06)
• Dark Horses:
  • Texas Tech, Virginia Tech under Franklin floated as “sleeper teams.” Auburn optimism for a 9-3 season. (38:31-39:32)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Paul Finebaum, on NCAA:

  “The NCAA, which is without a doubt the scummiest organization, at least functioning ... they suspended someone for two games.” (02:20)

• Ross Dellinger, on NIL Bill:

  “If you can get a hard cap with this language, then maybe you have the Big Ten support ... all boiling down to the anti-circumvention language in the bill.” (06:56)

• Paul Finebaum, on modern journalism:

  “You don’t have to have a degree in journalism to do anything anymore if you want to be a reporter.” (19:37)

• Jordan Reid, on QB Draft Class:

  “The good thing about this year’s class is even though we have some obvious candidates... there isn’t a clear cut quarterback one at the top.” (22:28)

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Key Segment Timestamps

• [00:41] – Finebaum monologue: NCAA criticisms
• [04:13] – Ross Dellinger NIL/congress negotiation update
• [14:28] – Listener calls: DeBoer, Media Day credential drama
• [21:40] – Interview: Jordan Reid on the NFL Draft class
• [31:40] – Callers: Scheduling, playoff expansion, Miami, sleeper teams

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Overall Tone

• Energetic, direct, and irreverent: Finebaum does not mince words when criticizing the NCAA or Congress.
• Informative and in-depth: Both Ross Dellinger and Jordan Reid provide authoritative, detailed analysis of rules, money, and talent impact.
• Fan-driven: Regular calls from passionate, knowledgeable, and sometimes eccentric fans give the show its unique personality.

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Takeaways

• NCAA still mired in controversy, struggling with the realities of modern athlete compensation and public perception.
• Congress is on the clock to pass crucial sports legislation, with developments that could reshape college athletics for years.
• QB draft hype is high but not settled—expect a more competitive and less predictable 2026 draft.
• Fan engagement is vibrant, with ongoing debates about coaches, conferences, and the future playoff format.

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Perfect listen for college football diehards, policy wonks, and those craving both expert coverage and colorful community banter.

Transcript

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[Paul Feinbaum]

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

This might be college Football. Welcome to the middle of the week. Great to have all of you here. A lot happening in D.C. around college sports, Big Ten media days continue. But just when you think you have seen it all. Let's go to Knoxville to begin the program on this Wednesday afternoon. Arian Carter suspended by the NCAA two games for a $427 flight. It was just a week ago when Steve Sarkeesian told us he had to get rid of three three starters to meet the cap on probably a $40 million roster. We heard Lane Kiffin's got a $50 million Rodco roster in the NCAA, which is without a doubt the scummiest organization, at least functioning. I'm not going to go outside the boundaries of the United States, but they suspended someone for two games. Forget spitting on the sidewalk he anything wrong and this organization organization wants Congress to bail them out. For that reason alone, I would. It was three games and they chiseled it down to two. One of those games happens to be on the road at Georgia Tech. That could be an important factor, but again, not enough time in this year to talk about how backwards and really how corrupt the NCAA is, especially for a ruling like this. We'll get more on that later on. Speaking of bad tidings, Matt Hayes's latest no one wanted Bill Belichick. Before UNC called, disaster was inevitable. Gosh, this is all breaking news, isn't it? Most of this is as a result of Michael Lombardi getting suspended. He's under investigation by hr. So who's going to be the best in the draft? We haven't even gotten to the season yet. We're already trying to figure out what happens at the draft. Jordan will join us a little bit later on. So when we went to bed last night, Congress and the and the SEC in the Big Ten were under a deadline. Frankly, I believe it was the it was Congress who said to the SEC in the Big Ten we need an answer. This is Ross Dellinger who's nobody better on this reporting. Major concessions were made overnight. At this point, with every passing minute, odds are slimmer that we can move the bill before the August recess. Initially it didn't look like it. John Thune, the majority leader, said that. And then there was some late momentum right now in Congress. If you're watching the news channels, they're struggling literally to get anything done before this recess, including the president's attorney general nominee. Would that have precedent over this congressional bill? I don't know. But I'll tell you who does know, and that's Ross Dellinger. Ross, let's, let's take us through the last minute conversations which got college sports into a better position than it's been and then the inevitable result. What's going on?

Yeah, Napal, good to join you.

[Ross Dellinger]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

A little bit of a update on what's going on right now. First of all, there's a real time crunch here. Probably by the end of today, if not maybe middle of the day, maybe tomorrow is kind of the drop dead date where the majority leader, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, has to do what they say they have to file cloture, which means you schedule a bill to be voted on the floor. They really need to do that by tomorrow or late tonight to get it to the floor next week before they break for the month long August recess. If they don't do that, then I think it's longer odds in the bill passing if they don't get it to the floor next week by the time they break for a month. So you've kind of got that deadline hanging over. Now. You mentioned the deadline was at one point set for this morning and that deadline was for the Big Ten in SEC to give their support for the bill after revisions were made by the lawmakers. And that didn't happen. Partly it didn't happen because the Big Ten and SEC didn't get final text of the revisions that were negotiated overnight. So it didn't happen. The deadline came and went and but the real deadline is more like tomorrow to file again for cloture to vote on the bill next week. So we're kind of, I think the SEC and Big Ten is still waiting on final language. And really at the center of all this right now at least, is the provision in the bill that would close the loophole that schools are using to circumvent the cap through multimedia rights partners and corporate sponsors. So right now the bill raises the cap to $48 million from 21. And if you're going to raise the cap. The point the conferences are making to the lawmakers are if you raise the cap, you need to have a strict cap, and you don't need to have any kind of circumvention so that the cap is the ceiling and not a new floor of spending. So right now I think language is being worked on to make sure the cap is more strict, and that's kind of what everybody's sort of waiting on.

So, Ross, if they agreed on that, would the Big Ten and the SEC be a go?

I'm not completely sure, but I, I would lean yes on that. I think. I think I would lean yes. I don't, you know, I don't really know. We don't really know for sure. But it seems like, at least from the Big Ten perspective, you know, I'm at, I'm here at Big Ten meeting days in Chicago, and it seems like the vibe here is if you can get a hard cap with this language, then maybe you have the Big Ten support. And I don't think either one of those leagues are going to stand alone against the bill. So it seems like it's kind of all, all boiling, boiling down to the anti sort of circumvention language in the bill. And that's kind of where we are. And there's, you know, the clock is ticking, so to speak, if you want to get the bill to the floor, Senate floor next week.

And Ross, for those of us who aren't as knowledgeable or into the minutia like you are, Why is there such disagreement from the Big Ten, SEC side as well as the other side in terms of giving the SEC and the Big Ten what they want?

Well, I think for this specific provision, you gotta remember right now that there's many schools out there that are spending on all their athletes this coming year more than $48 million. So if you raise it, you're raising the cap to 48 million. You know, that's fine. And basically, Paul, it breaks down. You got a $21.3 million regular cap and then a new $22.5 million retention pool for retaining, that's just used for retaining players, and then an extra $5 million that's for women athletes to be spent only on women athletes. So you combine it all and it's 48.8 million. So you're, you're, you're raising the cap to meet more of the market. But there are still schools, Paul, spending over 48 million. There's plenty, maybe half in the SEC spending over $48 million. On their athletes. So if you do the hard cap there, then what do schools do to continue their current athlete roster spin? And that's what where there, I think where there's a little disagreement on completely making it a hard cap. So I think the lawmakers are concerned that there needs to be a little more flexibility in there. So it's not costing players money, especially for the schools that are already spending over the $50 million mark. And so that's kind of where the rub is, you know, and, and right now the way the language reads, most of the associated entities that do deals with athletes, so those that have a contract with the school, like a corporate sponsor, a multi media rights partner, all their deals right now don't count against the cap.

[Ross Dellinger]

Right, Paul?

[Paul Feinbaum]

That's how everybody's circumventing. So in the bill, the way the bill is written, all those deals will count against the cap. But what if you have, I'll give you an example here, Paul. What if you have Nike is a school sponsor at, let's say, you know, let's just use Texas, right? Nike. Nike is a school sponsor at Texas. They're an associated entity. So any deal that Nike does with any Texas player counts against the cap. Well, I think the lawmakers specifically Maria Campbell, thinks that's unfair because there's maybe some real deals in there that athletes are doing and that should not count against the cap. So that's kind of the, the argument sort of right now.

Okay, Ross, I realize you can only read the room and the room you're in is Chicago, not D.C. where you live, but what's the likelihood of a resolution by tomorrow in your mind?

Well, I think it's very, very high. I think there will be a resolution either way because that, that pretty much is the deadline. So either the SEC in Big Ten lend support and the bill goes to the floor next week and probably passes the Senate pretty easily with the SEC and Big Ten support, or there's no support from the SEC and Big Ten by tomorrow and the bill probably doesn't go to the floor. If it does go to the floor, it probably struggles. And so that's kind of where we are. So either way we're probably going to have some kind of resolution tonight or tomorrow.

Okay, I'll phrase the question more succinctly. Which way is the wind blowing as of 3:15 Washington time today?

Yeah, the wind seems to be blowing in a positive direction for the leagues to support the bill, but there seems to be still a disagreement again on little definitional language around the associated entity anti circumvention provision. And if that can get fixed, I do think that lawmakers will get the SEC and victim support.

[Caller Darrell]

I really do.

[Paul Feinbaum]

But that's got to get fixed. You know, I don't, I don't hate to put a percentage on it, but, you know, it felt like they were really close and it does feel like they're really close. So will be monitoring over the next probably, you know, 6, 12, 18 hours to see if they can get there.

Ross Dellinger, Big Ten Media Days reporting on the situation in Washington sounds a lot more positive than maybe we were led to believe. If you, if you, if you've worked for seven years and you're down to a minor disagreement, it's hard to imagine. Well, I guess we're talking about Congress here. That's where we are here on Wednesday afternoon. Jordan joins us a little bit later on. Steven Means on the pick to win the Big Ten, that is Ohio State. And Matt Hayes on Belichick a little bit on the SEC and Big Ten a lot. And your phone calls next.

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[Paul Feinbaum]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast.

And welcome back. Blake starts it off from Georgia. Good afternoon, Blake. Blaine. Blaine is in Georgia. Hey, Blaine.

[Ross Dellinger]

Paul with all this talk about Calyn

[Paul Feinbaum]

DeBoer and his future, does anybody like Kaylan DeBoer?

Blaine I don't think the issue is personality. Whether one likes him or not. I think he's a likable individual. I think the issues go way beyond his hello, personality. I really haven't heard anybody ask a Question like that. Maybe since grammar school, Darrell is in Georgia. Hey, Darrell.

[Caller Darrell]

So maybe he's just not Kirby smart. Maybe that's what it is, you know, I mean, you think maybe that, you know, I mean, he. Alabama's now not Georgia. I mean, they're not picked to win the conference every year. They have slipped. They followed behind Georgia, they fallen behind Texas, and they continue to slip. And it's just. That's just how it is. It's going to be there now. I mean, unless they find another Dick Saban, which is probably not going to happen anytime soon. Would you agree with that? I mean, would it replace him? The boar. Who you going to replace him with? I mean, what's going to change? It's just. It's just how it is, you know, I mean, it's just who you are.

[Caller Old School]

Paul.

[Caller Darrell]

So I hear one of your famous callers showed up at SEC media days trying to interview coaches. Is that correct? Is that what happened?

[Paul Feinbaum]

You know, Daryl, I don't think that is correct, but.

[Caller Darrell]

Okay, okay.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Credentials.

[Caller Darrell]

He applied for credentials and the SEC denied them.

[Caller Josh]

Right.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I will give the. I will explain the story. As it was explained to me by the sec, the organization that he is affiliated with applied for credentials. They were told they could only have two, which is not unusual. They're not that big of an organization. So two were granted, and the two were granted. That means you have all access inside the cutoff area, where you have to have a credential to go past this point. Legend, I understand, was according. This was according to Kip Keefer, who told me this last week, was going to roam the lobby talking to various fans and other people that he saw.

[Caller Darrell]

Okay. And obviously somebody reported him, right? I mean, he stuck out like a sore thumb, obviously. And he got reported.

[Paul Feinbaum]

No, he didn't get replaced.

[Caller Darrell]

Right.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, no, there. There was a. There was a debate about whether he was in a restricted area or not. By. By most.

[Caller Old School]

By. By.

[Paul Feinbaum]

By Matt Stahl's account. He's a AL.com reporter. He was not. He was not over the line of demarcation, but a conversation ensued and controversy erupted. Well, you know what I mean.

[Caller Darrell]

I don't know who Legend's getting his advice from, but when they denied your credentials, that right there should have told you all you needed to know. You just can't just show up there and start trying to interview coaches and all that high flies. You got to pay your dues. You get there is a pay.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Darrell, listen, if we're going to have a conversation. Darrell, if we're going to have a conversation. Let's be factual. There's no evidence to support that he was trying to interview coaches. He just simply was in, according to the sec, a restricted area. He argued that it was not. I literally don't know what happened after that because I wasn't there. I was working on the other side. There's a media story out about it, and that's about all I know right now. So if you're going to talk about it, welcome to do. Just be factual. Don't make up your own facts to suit your video.

[Caller Darrell]

I saw a video of Legend talking to the Mizzou coach, asking him questions.

[Paul Feinbaum]

By the way, Darrell, that. That may be true, but that was probably also in the lobby of the hotel where you can talk to anybody you want.

[Ross Dellinger]

There is.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I hate to break this to you, but I didn't go.

I'm not.

I don't wake up in the morning trying to think, how can I see more video of the Missouri football coach?

[Caller Darrell]

But you know what?

[Caller Josh]

Would you agree with this?

[Caller Darrell]

Like I said, there's a path for Legend, but it starts with going to school and getting a degree in journalism. That's where it starts right there. Getting that degree. That right there is the first step. That's the big step that.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, first of all, Darryl, I got. I got news for you. You don't. You don't have to have a degree in journalism to do anything anymore if you want to be a reporter. Why was he denying the forum to report?

[Caller Darrell]

Yeah, lady, I thought he sent to the law.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Darryl, I've already explained it to you. It wasn't personal. If Kip Kiefer had decided to designate Legend as his number two person instead of some lady, Legend would have been accredited. It was not personal about him. It was just the organization only got two, and he was asked by his person to. I mean, yeah, listen, I know that's a big story out there, and I really don't care what anyone's opinion of the situation is, but one thing we try to do on this program is be factual, and that is being factual. We'll take a short break and we're coming right back.

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You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast.

We are back taking your phone calls. More guests will be dropping by. More maddening nonsense from Washington, D.C. about whether the Senate bill goes on the docket next week or not. Let's say we to Jordan Reed, who is writing about what else but the NFL draft. It is around the corner and with all the quarterbacks that are making the go around, what is going to happen? Will the draft live up to the hype? Jordan joining us now. Jordan, thanks for the time. I mean some of the names are pretty amazing. I mean last year was interesting with Mendoza and company. Of course, Dante Moore dropped out at the last second. So good afternoon. Tell us about this year's.

[Ross Dellinger]

Hey Paul, thanks for having me. It's always a pleasure being on. And you're exactly right. I think there's a lot of excitement in this year's class after a somewhat down class last year with only two quarterbacks in the first round with Fernando Mendoza being the obvious number one overall pick and Todd Simpson going inside the top 15 to the Los Angeles Rams. But this year's class is a lot more juice behind it, I believe of starting caliber quarterbacks as long as they lived up to the hype, which is what did not happen last year. But I think this year's crop has much more quality, especially at the top. The top names that you hear, Arch Manning and Dante Moore of Oregon going into the year of talking to scouts, those are seen as the top two options right now. But after that, there's really a lot of quality after those two. You have players like Julian Sajan at Ohio State, Darien mensah at Miami, C.J. carr at Notre Dame, and another name that a lot of people are calling the wild card this year is Drew Mestermaker at Oklahoma State. So the good thing about this year's class is that even though we have some obvious candidates going into the year, there isn't a clear cut quarterback one at the top. And there's a lot of room for other quarterbacks to emerge too.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Jordan, one that we're really interested in. We did not see him a week ago because Lane Kiffin said he needed to work, he needed the workout back in Baton Rouge. But that's Sam Levitt. The injury has always been a concern. We've seen good Sam Levitt before. What do you make out of him?

[Ross Dellinger]

He's another one that I didn't even mention in that crop that I just talked about that once again is the ultimate wild card as well. Going back to Arizona State, I thought he was a bit up and down, especially last year battling the injuries, but a lot of similarities to Jackson Dart who ended up being a late first round pick Ole Miss when he was paired with Lane Kiffin as well. They're very similar from a stature standpoint and also playing style perspective as well. Really good arms, really good mobility as well. But LSU I think is the ultimate wild card this year as well. Just because we don't really know what we're going to get from Lane Kiffin in Year one. Just the expectations are sky high, but we really don't know what the product in the field is going to look like. But if the expectations are going to match, excuse me, the production is going to match the height that they're getting right now. Sam Levitt has to be a huge catalyst behind that. He was seen as somebody that was a huge coup out of the transfer portal this year. One of the top quarterbacks in the portal this past offseason. So if Sam Levitt wants to catapult his draft stop, he has to be much more consistent than what we saw last season at Arizona State

[Paul Feinbaum]

and Jordan. Other quarterbacks in the sec Trinidad Chambliss, of course, Linares, Sellers. I know people are all over the map a little bit depending on what specifically you're talking about. But first, Trinidad Shambles because a lot of my colleagues and yours last week at Media Days felt like he might be the best quarterback in the whole country.

[Ross Dellinger]

Yeah, I mean he's another that a lot of people are really interested in just because of how he finished the season last year. You know, he came in the third game of the season, wasn't even the starter coming into the year, which is crazy to think about considering how he finished last season. Is a little bit undersized right at 6 foot 210 pounds. Gives you a lot of Russell Wilson vibes when he was coming out of Wisconsin. Ended up being a third round pick for the Seattle Seahawks. I think Trinidad could go even higher if he builds off what he showed last year. Incredible story starting off in his Division 2 ranks and working his way up to the space that he's in right now. But coming into the sec, I think he's the top quarterback in the SEC right now just based off what he did a season ago. And once again, Ole Miss, even though Lane Kiffin is gone, I think they're going to have one of the better offenses not only in the conference, but also the country. Deuce Alexander, the wide receiver there. I'm a big fan of Kewan Lacey, who arguably is the top running back in this year's draft as well. So that Ole Miss offense still is going to be loaded and I think Trinidad is going to end up having a really good year. Now on the opposite end of the spectrum, Lenora Sellers in South Carolina. Nobody really knows what's going to happen with them this year as well, especially after the disappointment that not only he was but also the program was as a whole. There's no doubt about it that Shane Beamer enters the season, in my opinion, as probably the hottest hot seat of any coach in the country just because of what was expected of them last year and they just fell on their face. That's the easiest way to put it, but Northville is only 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions a season ago, but somebody that has the physical traits that you'd love to see at the position, but he still has not put it all together as a passer. But this is the year that everybody's expecting him to. They have a new offensive coordinator and Kendall Browse. He's been hyped up. The chemistry seems to be really good right now, so I'm interested to see how that does end up for Shane Beamer and company this year.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Jordan, let me get to the other side of the ball because we talked to Steve Sarkeesian last week about Colin Simmons and there's so many other players. But I mean it starts with him because of his NFL ready ability. What do you make out of him and who else are you watching?

[Ross Dellinger]

Yeah, I mean Colin Simmons, far and away one of the best, not only defensive prospects in the country, one of the best NFL draft prospects in this year's class to led the SEC in sacks. Somebody that just understands how to get after the quarterback. He was a highly heralded recruit. He's definitely lived up to the hype ever since he stepped foot on campus. And once again similar to some of the other teams that we have talked about already, this is the year for Texas to do it. There's no excuses for them to not get it done to win a national title this year. They've been very busy in adding additions in the transfer portal. You have Kim Coleman now on campus to be that top flight weapon to Arch Manning. They've revamped the backfield as well. They bought in some defensive additions as well, along with Colin Simmons being the key piece, the key catalyst of that defense. So I'm expecting Colin to go out and have a great year. He has the potential to be a top 10 pick, but this is the year for Texas to do it. In my opinion. They could have as many as five first round picks before it's all said and done, including Arch Collin, both of their offensive tackles, and Trevor Goosby and then also Melvin Ciani who came over from Wake Forest and then also Cam Coleman as well. So they could have as many as five first round picks. So I'm really excited to see what Texas does this year and if they're able to get it done in a championship or bus season for them in my opinion. But other another defensive player that I'm looking forward to seeing this year, Dylan Stewart of South Carolina. I think he has the potential to be the first non quarterback selected in this year's draft class, just even ahead of Ohio State all world receiver Jeremiah Smith. There's so many people that are very high on Dylan Stewart coming to the year. He was a bit disappointing, very similar to what we talked about with North Sellers on the offensive side of the ball a little bit earlier. Only four and a half sacks this past season, so he has to put that production together. But somebody that just has otherworldly traits and explosiveness at the position. He just has to put it all together, Paul, and if he's able to do that, he's without question going to be a top five pick.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Great stuff. Jordan Reed, ESPN's NFL Draft Jordan, thank you for the time. We will keep up with you very soon. Talk to you very soon. More of your phone calls as we roll on. Busy first hour. We're coming right back.

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[Paul Feinbaum]

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[Ross Dellinger]

1,800contacts.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show

podcast and welcome back. And Rob is up next calling from Rochester. Hello, Rob.

[Caller Old School]

Hey, Paul.

[Ross Dellinger]

Thanks again for taking my call along with your team. I just wanted to discuss a couple topics with you and I want to hear your opinion. Number one, I'm on Indiana and Penn State out of conference schedule. Penn State trash. They're embarrassing. But Indiana I think needs a little bit of slack because it's Indiana and they're a miracle. No way they of what happened. No one could predict that. Number two, I would like you and your SEC brethren. What if we had a Big Ten SEC challenge every year along with the ACC, Big 12 and rotate would stand everyone gets five home games. In other words, if you had five home games in your nine game conference schedule, you have to play on the road. And I think the SEC is right. Every team should play a P4 conference opponent. That's of equal caliber. But I will say if you look at the outer cover schedules for the Big Ten and sec, you put them up against each other, the Big Ten blows the SEC away as they have three games against Notre Dame with Purdue, Michigan State and Wisconsin, who all are

[Caller Old School]

going to get blown out, put them

[Ross Dellinger]

up and the SEC guys will be shocked at what they say. And that's all I have to say.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Rob, thank you. Appreciate it very much. Great to hear from you. And old school. Old school is up next. Old school, go right ahead.

[Caller Old School]

Oh, how you doing, buddy? Hadn't talked to you since your birthday. How you doing?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Thank you. Old school.

[Caller Old School]

You know, when those babies were born, they were two pretty, pretty babies. But we were both flawed. You do know that, right?

[Paul Feinbaum]

I do.

[Caller Old School]

You know, you know, we supposed flawed. I had, I had personally on my side of it. I know what happened to you too. But on my side of it, I had an unusually large head for the size infant that I was. I had to grow into my head. In fact, mama used to have to bail me when I'd go outside, which is just purely embarrassing. Probably could have walked at 6 years old if I wouldn't miss a damn top at you. But that's not what I called today. Well, I called today was giving the two new black cats the roses that they damn well deserve. And one being Chris, which I know and got his number. First that we talk and then My boy Dylan, which we all call the future, baby. We call him the future, the enforcement, the Pete Hegzack of the damn black cat community. He's the man. Why is it upset everybody so damn bad? Why? Because he's the damn future. We got us a damn enforcement right now and all the rest of them. Don't even worry about it. One other thing. This Geno dude. Hey, Gino, you're a one weird dude, man. Don't you ever, ever, never mention the word intelligence on one of my damn calls. Being did. You missed it, bro. Excuse me? The dumbass calls you make, bro. You, you, you, you, you. You don't. You don't make a good call. Don't you put money into one other thing. Bash, I got something to say to you, brother. And I don't want to start no war. We. Bash. The only reason I'm even talking to my damn cards in the shop, there's some people that's got a face for radio and there's some people that's got a face for television. You figure out which one you got because all the damn rest of us on here has got it fixed. Figured out, brother. I am out. Thank you, Paul. Happy birthday and many, many years of good health, brother. See you later.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Travis is up next. Good afternoon, Travis, you are on the air.

[Caller David]

Yes, Paul, as an Alabama fan, I'm a huge Alabama fan. And so do you think Ryan Grubb will be fired if Alabama once again has no running game? And my last question is for the 20, if we go to 24 to a 2014 playoff, do you think that

[Ross Dellinger]

will be the end of it?

[Caller David]

Do you, like in a couple years later, will they go to 28 or 32 or, you know, where's the stopping point for that? And so those are my questions.

[Caller Old School]

You have a good day?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, I think. I think the best way to look at the 2014 playoff, I mean, three years ago, we were at four. We've come a long way in a dramatically quick period of time. I think if it goes to 24, it stays there. There's no rhyme or reason why. Then you add a few more. The NCAA basketball tournament has done that. But it's all money driven. And I think at some point you either get the money for the 24, it doesn't mean that. Then you start adding. There's no. There's no. There's no. There's no room on the calendar for any more games. That's why this is such a challenge. Thank you very much for the call. Appreciate it. Josh is up next. Good afternoon, Josh.

[Caller Josh]

An educational call, then confrontational. I wanted to talk a little bit about University of Miami. I know this is an SEC station, but I wanted to explain to the callers. People are griping that Miami has spent so much money on their team. But what people don't understand is when Clemson and Florida State pulled the power play and they changed the breakup of the payoff if you made the college football playoffs, Miami was able to acquire $20 million from the College Football Playoff system because they finished second, all because of Clemson, Florida State. Now, I imagine you know this. I want to ask you a question, Paul. What do you think the prospects are for Miami this year in your opinion?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Miami is the favorite to win the ACC and should be the favorite to win. I think they have a chance to go far. I mean, the fact that Miami is in the conversation is great. I think they're probably on the second tier of national championship contenders, but I would, I would easily put them among the top 10 teams in the country.

[Caller Josh]

I agree with you there. And he's taking the Saban, Chris. Well, I know he's taking our credit and everything, but he's taking the Saban blueprint and copied it masterfully, in my opinion. What do you think?

[Paul Feinbaum]

I think, I think, I think Mario Cristobal is a coach that has. Thanks for the call, by the way. He's been sitting there for a couple of years ready to break through. It finally happened. He's had, he, you know, he's had some, you know, some unfortunate things when he was at Oregon, Miami, but, but I think last year it all came together and I think it's now the norm. Thank you very much for the call. David is in Georgia. Hello, David.

[Caller David]

Yes, sir. Paul. So my sleeper football team upcoming this season and I'm just saying that they're going to be pretty good and people don't really touch talk much about them. Is Texas Tech. I really like James Franklin at Virginia Tech and I think they're going to be one of sleeper teams this year to watch out for in the acc. But I don't know if he'll make the playoffs showing. But if he doesn't make it, year two will be the year that Penn State makes it and I'm at a Virginia Tech will make it year, year two under Franklin and it just, I think Franklin's a good coach at Virginia Tech. And then another one, Florida probably lose. Florida probably win seven games this year counting that they got hard games this year.

[Caller Old School]

They'll probably lose five.

[Caller David]

And I think Auburn, my team will go nine and three. Thank you for my call. Paul Ward and Eagle,

[Paul Feinbaum]

thank you for the call. Fantastic analysis there. We'll talk a little bit about Ohio State. Media day is going on right now in Chicago. Ohio State is the pick. Is the schedule going to get in the way? Stephen Means joins us next.

You're listening to the Paul Fine Bomb show podcast.

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[Caller David]

from beyond the logo, every.

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[Paul Feinbaum]

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