Hour 2: Antonio Morales, The Athletic

Summary

The Paul Finebaum Show – Hour 2: Antonio Morales, The Athletic (July 27, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this hour, Paul Finebaum is joined by Antonio Morales of The Athletic to dissect major quarterback battles across the SEC and broader college football, evaluate coaching transitions, and reflect on shifting program expectations—most notably at Alabama post-Saban. The rest of the segment features passionate callers weighing in on quarterback situations, preseason projections, and the future of both football and soccer in the college landscape.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. SEC Quarterback Battles (00:45–08:21)

Alabama: Mack vs. Russell

• Finebaum introduces the Alabama quarterback competition, emphasizing how its outcome may shape the program’s profile post-Saban.
• Morales outlines the matchup:
  • Austin Mack: Followed coach Kalen DeBoer from Washington, experienced, trusted by staff.
  • Keelan Russell: Former five-star, regarded as having higher upside but still raw.
• Insight: “Fans tend to fall in love with the former five stars. So we’ll see if he [Russell] can beat Austin Mack who has more time in the system but might not have the ceiling…” (Morales, 01:21)
• Why is Russell not ahead? Experience and system knowledge still tip the scales toward Mack, despite Russell’s spring-game buzz.

Tennessee: Faison vs. McIntyre (03:20–04:26)

• Finebaum probes ongoing speculation around Tennessee’s QB job.
• Morales expects Faison to win:
  • “They’ve been high on Faison… there’s people in that program who thought he’s definitely going to be the guy in 2026.” (Morales, 03:46)
• Questions why they’d sign Faison if McIntyre was a sure starter.

Vanderbilt: Curtis vs. Berlowitz (04:26–05:36)

• Finebaum spotlights this under-the-radar battle.
• Morales: Despite Curtis’s top-recruit status, “Blaze Berlowitz has been more competitive… I wouldn’t be surprised if Blaze is the opening day starter, and eventually gives way to Curtis later.” (Morales, 04:57)

Florida: Experience and New Faces (05:36–06:47)

• New coaching staff, QB battle: John Sumrall hires Buster Faulkner, OC from Georgia Tech.
• Morales expects Aaron Philo—the OC’s handpicked transfer—to be favored over Tramell Jones, who performed well in spring.

USC Quarterback Spotlight (Jaden Maiava) (06:47–08:21)

• Finebaum asks about Lincoln Riley’s progress and Maiava’s development.
• Morales reveals: Improvement in decision-making; but must adjust to inexperienced receivers after losing Lemon and Lane to the NFL. The offense is expected to be strong, but defense remains a question.

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2. Changing Perceptions at Alabama (“The End of the Rat Poison Era”) (08:21–12:42)

• Finebaum cites Michael Casagrande’s piece declaring Alabama is no longer viewed as the hunted juggernaut; “rat poison” hype is dead.
• Alabama projected 6th in SEC Preseason Polls: “Being picked third last year was the furthest from the top Alabama has been… this year the group doubled that number.” (Finebaum, 09:31)
• Kaylen DeBoer under pressure: “If Alabama does well… what a great job of coaching by Kaylen DeBoer. Nobody expected them to do anything. However, if it doesn’t really move the needle this year, what does that mean for the future of the program?” (Finebaum, 10:04)
• Memorable Quote: “This is the moment in time. Now you can say nothing matters but what happens on the field. That is correct. But I ask you this question: in the age of NIL, when you need momentum… does a malaise affect you?” (Finebaum, 11:04)

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3. Audience Reactions: Callers’ Takes on QB Battles, Rankings, and Hot Takes (14:09–39:44)

LSU Quarterback Situation (14:09–14:45)

• Caller (Steve, LSU): Questions about transfer portal additions and the potential for Landon Clark.
• Finebaum: Levitt seems healthy, but the backup is vital due to injury risk.

High School Recruiting vs. Transfer Portal Realities (15:22–16:46)

• Caller: “Why should I care about rankings out of high school?” with careers so transient now.
• Finebaum agrees: Five-star recruits no longer guarantee sustained impact due to increased transfers.

Alabama Fan Perspective (Victor, 18:04–19:49)

• Victor is optimistic about both QBs but says: “If you’re going to recruit these five stars… you can’t make them sit on the bench forever or they’re going to transfer.”
• “Regardless of who plays or who transfers, Alabama is loaded at quarterback over the next couple of years.” (Victor, 19:45)

Clemson/LSU Rhetoric (Chris, 19:58–22:24)

• Caller (Chris, South Carolina): Challenges Finebaum’s skepticism about Clemson.
• Finebaum claps back: “All you ever do is recite the same tired rhetoric. And every year you get stuffed in a locker with a rag in your mouth.” (Finebaum, 22:00)

Mississippi State Outlook (23:36–25:39)

• Caller: Predicts a breakout season and major improvement, comparing to the Dak Prescott era.
• Finebaum is cautiously optimistic: 7-8 wins is a fair projection.

Soccer’s Place in U.S. Sports (26:00–28:05)

• John (Plano, TX): Asks whether soccer can ever join football, baseball, basketball, and hockey at the top.
• Finebaum: Acknowledges soccer’s growth but doubts MLS will approach major league status and sees major hurdles to college soccer’s growth.

Texas QB Arch Manning (29:21–29:43)

• Caller: If Manning struggles, is he at risk of being benched?
• Finebaum: “Arch Manning is not getting pulled. As long as he is healthy, as long as he is capable, he is going to be the Texas quarterback.”

LSU and Tennessee QB/Coaching Hopefuls (31:02–39:44)

• Multiple first-time callers express optimism for LSU, and for Tennessee’s new QB (George McIntyre) and DC (Jim Knowles).
• On Tennessee QB competition: “Watching the body language [with Josh Heupel], I felt he was leaning toward Faison. That’s just a feeling.” (Finebaum, 38:19)
• On South Carolina: “You got one of the best defensive players in the country. You got one of the better QBs… Alabama game early is one to watch.” (Finebaum, 34:45)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Antonio Morales on Alabama QB battle:
  “I think Austin Mack has the years in the system. We saw the Rose Bowl last year, what happened when Ty Simpson got hurt and they went to Austin back in the game. So it seems like they really trust him a lot.” (02:48)

• Finebaum on the new reality at Alabama:
  “Maybe I’m being stubborn… I have a hard time believing that. I’ve been around this program for so long that I can’t buy that they are just going to be an also-ran in the SEC.” (09:59)

• Caller Victor (Bama fan):
  “If you’re going to recruit these five stars, especially the number one rated player in their position, you can’t make them sit on the bench forever or they’re going to transfer.” (18:32)

• Finebaum on the transfer portal’s impact on recruiting:
  “Getting a five-star quarterback, a five-star cornerback out of high school has the same significance that it used to.” (15:53)

• Chris (South Carolina caller) vs. Finebaum:
  "Every year you get stuffed in a locker with a rag in your mouth." (22:00)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:45 – Main show intro, Alabama QB battle analysis
• 03:20 – Tennessee QB battle
• 04:26 – Vanderbilt QB discussion
• 05:36 – Florida QB and coaching changes
• 06:47 – USC and Jaden Maiava preview
• 08:21 – Finebaum on Alabama’s changing perception (“Rat Poison Era”)
• 14:09 – Caller segment begins (LSU)
• 18:04 – Victor (Bama) on QB situation
• 19:58 – Chris (South Carolina) brings Clemson heat
• 23:36 – Tyler (Mississippi State) optimistic about 2026
• 26:00 – John (Plano, TX): Soccer’s future in America
• 29:21 – Texas QB Arch Manning discussion
• 31:02 – LSU confidence, Clemson banter continues
• 34:07 – South Carolina expectations & coaching stability
• 38:00 – Tennessee QB/defensive coordinator chat and SEC roundtable
• 39:44 – Hour concludes; preview of next hour’s college football “most influential games” discussion

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Summary and Tone

• The show maintains Paul Finebaum’s classic blend of skepticism, humor, and sharp commentary, with Antonio Morales providing analytical depth on quarterback competitions.
• Caller contributions bring insight, regional pride, and occasional fireworks, highlighting the passion and unpredictability of college football fans.
• The hour offers a snapshot of transition in the SEC: new coaches, the transfer portal’s impact, and a recalibration of traditional program hierarchies post-Nick Saban.
• The segment closes with hype for upcoming discussions and plenty of unresolved questions heading into the 2026 season.

Transcript

[Paul Feinbaum]

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[Antonio Morales]

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[Callers]

the pride, passion and pageantry of college football lives here. This is the Paul Feinbaum Show. Our two podcasts. This might be college football

[Paul Feinbaum]

and the second hour is live. We appreciate you sticking with us and Antonio Morales joining us from the athletics who dig into some of the high profile quarterback battles you heard some of them discussed when we were in Tampa last week. There are a few more out there. Alabama seems to be one that we are talking about a lot. Antonio, thank you for the call. Appreciate it. Let's start with Alabama because that was a program that used to be always on the tip of people's tongues and how this quarterback battle turns out may determine whether they remain that way. Good afternoon. Tell us all about it.

[Antonio Morales]

Yeah, it's an interesting quarterback competition. You have Austin Mack who signed with Kaylin DeBoer at Washington and he followed him from Washington to Tuscaloosa. So it's somebody who's been with Ryan, who was recruited by Ryan Grubb and killing DeBoer 3, three years ago and he's been with the program for a while now. And then you have Keelan Russell who is probably has the highest ceiling between the two and He's a former five star who is a top 10 top five prospects in the country last year. So I think the fans kind of, it seems like they're leaning toward him, but we'll see if he can beat Austin Mack. Obviously Keelan had had the big spring performance that got a lot of people excited and you know, fans tend to fall in love with the former five stars. So we'll see if he can beat Austin Mack who has more time in the system but might not have the ceiling that Keelan this

[Paul Feinbaum]

Antonio, it seems to a number of people that Keelan Russell has had plenty of time to make his move. And I realize some of us are just, we're just speculating here. But can you give us as somebody who explained who investigates this and reports on it, what do you think could be the holdup and why the guy with so much upside, the high ceiling, at least as of today, a week or two before Campus can't seem to get in front.

[Antonio Morales]

I think Austin Mack has the years in the system. We saw the Rose bowl last year, what happened when Ty Simpson got hurt and they went to Austin back in the game. So it seems like they really trust him a lot. And Keelan still has to gain that experience with the offense and at the college game. He was a true freshman last year. So I know those quarterbacks also have to adjust to the speed of the game as well. It's much different than it was in college, so I think that probably has something to do with it as well.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Talking to Antonio Morales, there are a number of competitions you also in your piece, talk about the one at Tennessee a week ago about right now. We had Josh Hypo on our set and he talked about Faison, Brandon and George McIntyre. I realize we don't know because Hypo really didn't seem to indicate much, although quiet whispers seem to point toward Faison. What are you hearing on that?

[Antonio Morales]

Yeah, I know they've been, they've been high on Faison for going over a year now during the recruiting process when he committed. I know there's people in that program who thought he's definitely going to be the guy in 2026. So I think I would lean toward him. It's been two years or two years with George McIntyre. This is his second year in the program. I feel like if they're that confident in them, why would they have signed Faison if they would have known George McIntyre was for sure going to be the starter? So I would lean toward Faison in that one as well. But it's obviously a toss up when you're dealing with these quarterback competitions.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Talking to Antonio Morales, there's also another one interesting. We had his coach on as well last week and Corkley did not give us much insight. He did the usual coach speak, but you have Jared Curtis, who in many ways the number one quarterback coming out last year. He looked at Georgia, chose Vanderbilt. You got a player who's been part of the system, both at New Mexico State under Tim Beck and now at Vanderbilt, all of them trying to replace Diego Pavia. What are you hearing on Vander?

[Antonio Morales]

Yeah, I feel like that one's been under the radar, one that people haven't really talked about much. I think the assumption is Jared Curtis is going to start and it may very well be that way. But I think Blaze Berlowitz has been more competitive or prolonged that more than people expected. And like you said, he has years in the system and experience in that offense, familiar familiarity with that roster and with the personnel and with the coaching staff. I assume Jared Curtis is going to assume the starting role at some point, but I want to be surprised if Blaze Berlowitz ends up being, being like the opening day starter and eventually feeds way to Curtis later on in the season.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Antonio, let me, let me get to Florida where John Sumrall is expected to completely change the direction of that program. Of course he is a defensive coach, but Buster Faulkner came over from Georgia Tech and so did Aaron Filo. One reason why people give him the edge. What are you hearing?

[Antonio Morales]

Yeah, I think Philo is the guy over there. It'd be hard to lean towards Mel Jones when Silo does have that experience with Butcher Faulkner. That was an inspired offensive coordinator hire by John Sumral and Faulkner brought his own guy with him. Philo, he didn't play a ton at Georgia Tech, but he got a couple of starts in over the years. Another game at NC State which he started and played pretty well. So he's familiar with that offense. He played with Eric Singleton who's going to be one of the top receivers for Florida year. So I think that's just one where you lean toward. Hey, the offensive coordinator brought in his guy who's familiar with the offense, knows the offense, knows the system, knows some of the personnel around him and you kind of got to lean toward Aaron Filo, even though Tramell Jones did look good in the spring game and made some big plays.

[Paul Feinbaum]

One last question, Antonio, we've talked to you many years ago. You once covered Southern Cal, which used to be one of the most talked about programs in the country. I don't know what year we're in with Lincoln Riley, but it seems like forever five. Yeah, it's a daunting schedule, but they seemingly have the right quarterback. Give us the skinny on your former, the former team you used to spend a lot of time around.

[Antonio Morales]

Yeah, Jaden, my people are really high on him coming into this season. People within the program are just talking, raving about the steps he's made even during the spring. I think he made considerable, considerable progress last year in terms of cutting down the mistakes and playing more within himself a more contained style of football. He didn't turn the ball over as much as he did the previous year, but he's losing his top two receivers. Makai Lemon was a first round draft pick and Jacoby Lane was a third round pick and those guys made him look right a lot of the time last season. He's going to have to work with an inexperienced group of receivers this year, which could limit him in some ways. But if he's the quarterback everyone says he is, I think he should have a big season. It's his third year and in Lincoln Riley's system and I know Lincoln Riley's had his his fault as USC's head coach, but offense has always been a constant pretty much during his time there. So you would expect third year for my Alva with Riley. You would expect big things from them. We'll see if that's enough to get them to the playoffs, though. The defense has to step up and we'll see how that Gary Patterson hire goes.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Antonio, always great. Antonio Morales, thank you very, very much joining us. And before we go to the break, I want to I saw this earlier and the headline got my attention. It's a column from our friend Michael Casagrande and the headline is Alabama's Rat Poison Era Officially Dead. Everyone remembers the rat poison. I mean, it's been almost cliche. He mentions it was on October 7, 2017. You remember the game when Saban dropped the rat poison line. It was a win over Texas A and M. They were not very good. They won the game and he talked about that, which became a cliche. But he says in his column and even 3,212 days later, the term can officially be retired, at least in Tuscaloosa. A few days after now, media member Nick Saban called Alabama under the radar. The SEC press offered the most preseason doubt since Saban's early days in Alabama. The Crimson Tide were picked to finish six, like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6th. Being picked third last year was the furthest from the top Alabama has been in memory this year. According to Casagrande, the group doubled that number. And he goes through. And it's remarkable, by the way, these things don't really matter, although Alabama has mostly finished in the top one or two or three every year. But it's more about the era. And I know nobody wants to say that your program is being ignored. Maybe that's a good thing. This is what it was came out Friday at Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, LSU, AL barely ahead of Oklahoma. And you know, what does that mean? Well, I'll tell you what it means. It means that if Alabama does well, then its fan base and its PR apparatus, which is mighty, will say what a great job of coaching by Kaywin deboer. Nobody expected them to do anything. However, if it doesn't really move the needle this year, what does that mean for the future of the program. Alabama has a coach who it cannot move out because of a $70 million price tag that compliments of its athletic director. And it's just become another SEC program. Now. I don't, I have a hard time believing that. I've been around this program for so long that I can't buy that they are just going to be in also ran in the sec. Maybe I'm being stubborn. I was being stubborn last year, thinking they had a chance to beat Indiana, lost by 35, waved the white flag at the end of the game or maybe earlier. But this is the, this is the moment in time. Now you can say nothing matters but what happens on the field. That is correct. But I ask you this question in the age of nil, when you need momentum, when you're out there beating the bushes for money, does a malaise affect you? Now, seasons can change all that, but nothing that really happened last week moved the needle. We all know how Kaylen DeBoer performed. Okay, we know the season starts off fairly underwhelming. Alabama should be 50 when Georgia comes to town and they won't be an afterthought on that night. That will be the biggest game in the country. But after that is when all of this comes into play. We'll talk about that throughout the program. Appreciate your calls at 855-242-7285. And we are back after this.

[Antonio Morales]

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[Callers]

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[Paul Feinbaum]

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[Callers]

It's the WNBA on ESPN all season long.

[Antonio Morales]

Foreign.

[Paul Feinbaum]

To the Paul Feinbaum show podcast as we are here talking off the air, on the air and to you at 855-242-7285. Steve is up next in Colorado. Good afternoon.

[Callers]

Hello, Paul. Thank you for taking my call. I'm a Big LSU fan and I wanted to get your opinion on the quarterback situation at lsu. Obviously it was a disaster going into the transfer portal, but we did quite well coming out of there with Sam Levitt and Hassan Longstreet. I wondered what you thought about Landon Clark potentially being the next trend in Chambliss. He had a pre good year at Elon, which of course is not the sec. But Sam Levitt was injured. He may still be somewhat injured, I don't know. But I just wanted to get your opinion on that.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, Steve, let me, let me address Sam Levitt first. And this is based on all available information. He doesn't appear to be injured. Now the problem with what he was injured with, it doesn't take a lot to re aggravate it if that happens. LSU has some issues, but absolutely. So I think that's why you need a backup and I know Kiffin and Charlie Weiss have spent a lot of time on that issue. Thank you for the call. Really do appreciate it. Great call. Bill in Colorado. Bill, go right ahead.

[Callers]

Hi Paul. Hope you're having a good day. Unlike 20, 30, 10 years ago where your high school recruits and how they fell into your rankings for recruiting mattered. But the transfer portal with Neil enticing kids to enter the transfer portal. Why should I care about rankings out of high school?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, Bill, Bill, I tend to agree with you. I think high school recruits have a, have a, have a place. They, they are there to fill needs and to hopefully build your roster. But there's almost no patience if things don't matriculate. So I don't think, you know, getting a five star quarterback, a five star cornerback out of high school has the same significance that it used to.

[Callers]

I agree. I would love. And there's probably stats available now. What, what statistically speaking, yet four and five star recruits, how many remain to be seniors on that program that recruited them? I can almost guarantee 50% or not.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Oh yeah, it's. Yeah, I thought. Thanks for the call. Bill. We just replayed Sarkeesian and he said something and I know, listen, we're all used to where we are. It's been a while since all this started. But he may have spoken about it. I think he was talking about Wisner and somebody else. He spoke about it in the starkest realist terms I have heard a coach do it. He basically said we had three players we had to get rid of. Not because we didn't like them, not because they haven't had good resumes. They have. We needed room, we needed cap Space. At least he didn't add, you know, for those student athletes. I mean, that was. Now Sarkeesian's been in the NFL, so he's a little different than some of these coaches. But that was just right down to the bone, to the core of where we are and how these evaluations and decisions are being made. Continuing with more phone calls and let me check in with Victor in San Antonio. Good afternoon.

[Callers]

Hey, Paul, thanks for taking my call.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Thank you.

[Callers]

Just want to let you know I have my tickets for the Bama Georgia game. That is going to be an epic game and I'm hoping Bama will put Georgia in the dog pound like we usually do. But I just wanted to comment also on our potential preseason ranking. I would say it's better to be the hunter than the hunted. I'd rather us be ranked low and then work our way up as the season goes on. I think that's the best thing to do. But as far as the quarterback battle goes, I think you touched on this last week on media days that I think Calyn DeBoer has to play Keelan Russell. Because if you're going to recruit these five stars and especially the number one rated player in their position, you can't make them sit on the bench forever or they're going to transfer. So the time has come. You got to play this guy and. And we got to see what he has. But I think he's going to win the battle. But if he doesn't, if Austin Mack does start, that's not the worst thing either. But I'm just going to Trust in Kalyn DeBoer and the coaching staff. I think they're going to get it right. But regardless of who plays or who transfers, Alabama is loaded at quarterback over the next couple of years. So we're in very good shape at quarterback.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Victor, thank you. Thank you very, very much. Chris is up next in South Carolina.

[Callers]

We missed you last couple of weeks. I'm out here down here on the island on vacation, man, to see if we got my teacher saying listen to the show and I can't enjoy the damn show. You know why? It's kind of same old, same old, same old, same old from the fall five bomb. The man that do the two step dance on the dance, four by team, he always want to go left on Clemson. What you gonna do, Paul? When Davo come out here and smack Lane Cliffen in the mouth this first game, what you gonna do, Paul? You gonna say that you're wrong? I don't think you're Gonna do that. You're gonna be like all the rest of your partner's on media day that's gonna say, hey, we miscalculated. We got, we got to talk a lot of football with Cole and a couple other hosts while you was out. Paul, you believe that? We got to talk a lot of football. I ain't have to come on here and fight the host and fight the cause we talk about football. I kind of enjoy it. But let's get the smoke back started because you've been saying a lot of stuff and like you said, I don't come over here and talk about clips, I defend them. But you've been saying a lot of stuff that you going to have to swallow, Paul. And it's coming up.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Hold on, Chris. Just hold on one second though. I remember last year you were citing the same rhetoric when Georgia was playing lsu. I'm trying to remember. Was that Georgia?

[Callers]

That was Georgia. For the last three years I've been

[Paul Feinbaum]

saying, I remember you reporting the exact, exact same nonsense 2 years ago when Georgia beat down Clemson. Didn't score. I mean, Chris, listen, I, I, I want to take you seriously because I feel like you are a loyal soldier of this show. You're a great promoter. I like you personally, but yeah, it's probably before your time. I grew up there was like this nursery rhyme called the Boy who Cried Wolf. That's all you ever do. That's all you ever do is recite the same tired rhetoric. And every year you get stuffed in a locker with a rag in your mouth.

[Callers]

And I'll tell you what, Paul, you know it's gonna be different. I'm gonna be down there in Baton Rouge with my icy whites on with Brian Wesco on my back and we gonna slap Lane Kippen damn in the mouth. Watch it come true. Have a nice day, Paul.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I can't wait. I will see you down there. We'll take a short break. We are one hour and 30 minutes in. A lot of great guests continue. A lot of fantastic phone calls continue as well. I'm not including that last one in that group.

[Callers]

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[Antonio Morales]

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[Paul Feinbaum]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbomb show podcast. And we're back with Tyler is up next in Mississippi. Hey, Tyler.

[Callers]

Hey, Paul. How you doing? Great. So let's be honest here. We've seen this story from before from Mississippi State in 2014 coming into the season. Nobody knows us. Nobody knows who Dak Prescott is, Nobody knows who Josh Robinson is, Nobody knows who Durania Wilson is. And we took the league by Storm in 2014. Here we are yet again, right, with Camario Taylor and Fluff Boswell and Evan, you know, it. It just seems to me we're being played way under because I'm looking at our schedule right now, and to be quite honest with you, and I know this is really high praise for a team that just went, you know, five and seven last year, but I see two losses on our schedule, and that's maybe to lsu, not to Sam Levitt because Sam Levitt threw against, you know, for 70 yards last year against Mississippi State with absolute garbage. And then maybe Texas, you know, the LSU game's a noon game, Texas game's a night game, you know, so I'm just, I'm confused at, like why we think that Mississippi State is going to be number 15th when we've seen this before.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You know, it's a manageable schedule. I would agree with you. I think you're looking a little bit shortsighted on the South Carolina game. I think that's a problem. And obviously at Ole Miss is a serious problem. But if Oklahoma at home, I mean, State is a good home team, I would agree.

[Callers]

But I mean, Auburn at home, Vanderbilt at home, Missouri at home, like, we, like everybody just thinks we're going to get rolled by these teams. And I'm like, you guys, like, this is a far different team from last year. And I'm going to be honest with you, I did not like Blake shaping at all. I thought he was absolute garbage. But we won five games with him. You're trying to tell me that Camario Taylor, who's a better athlete, an all around better talent, the highest rated quarterback in Mississippi State history, can't do better than five wins. I mean, if he is who he says he is, we're winning 10 games.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Tyler, I appreciate your confidence. I would take seven or eight maybe to start. I think that's realistic and I think State can do that, and I think that would be a significant improvement, frankly. Should have won seven games last year. Thank you for the call. Really do appreciate it. And let me check in with John in Plano, Texas.

[Callers]

Hi, Paul. Paul, I want to change topics on you in light of the World cup ending eight days ago. It was great while it lasted in the United States, but I wanted to ask your opinion about the future, realistically of soccer in the United States from two perspectives. Number one, do you think it will break in as one of the major professional sports, like the four professional sports we have in the United States? And two, do you ever see it as a college for college competition in the sec, either with men's or women's soccer?

[Paul Feinbaum]

John I think soccer has emerged after about 15 false starts over the last 40 years. I don't think the MLS is going to compete with any of the other major leagues. And I've been to an MLS game or two and they're fun, but I just think they are so far behind in terms of rivalries, in terms of known players. And I can't begin to sound like an expert on Premier League, but it's a different brand of soccer and I think soccer finally broke through. I think the World cup did that. I have no doubt the World cup the next time around will equal or better this, even though it won't be here. And I think soccer across the country has never been more important. But I do not have a lot of faith in the mls.

[Callers]

Do you see it even at the, the ncaa, you know, college level, you know, developing soccer? Paul, you and I are about the same age and I remember where women's basketball wasn't even. It was just emerging in the 70s when I went to school, University of Texas and but now it's a, you know, it's a great sport. It's a, it's a big time college sport. So do you see it, Soccer, possibly.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I don't. John, listen, I'm with you. I mean, I remember I've told the story before of going to interview Pat Summitt in a broom closet at the University of Tennessee. I mean, she didn't even have a real office. I've seen soccer games on Friday night. The problem is the time of the year. I think it would take a lot to make soccer a standalone event on a Friday night or Thursday night or whatever night it is on a college campus or a Sunday. I think there's just so much competition. I mean, I could give you a namby pamby answer, but I don't have a lot of faith, especially as college sports are under attack and the fear really is more to do with losing sports than putting money and effort into the ones they have other than the three big ones. Thank you for the call. It's a legitimately great question. Maybe I'm short sighted. I hope I am because it is a fantastic sport and we've interviewed soccer players when we're on college campuses. There is a lot of enthusiasm but I think it's going to have to go a long way before it can start resonating more. Tony in Fort Worth, you're on the air. Hello Tony.

[Callers]

Yes, high power. Quick question. Art Manning, the quarterback from Texas, he struggled a little bit last year. I guess he didn't lift up like everybody thought he's gonna do. But if he struggled this year, do you think that they gonna pull him? And if they pull him, who would they put in in his replace?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Texas has a five star backup and yeah, I don't know whether he's ready to play or not. But Arch Manning is not getting pulled. As long as he is healthy, as long as he is capable, he is going to be the Texas quarterback. Thank you for the call. Thank you very much, Tony. Appreciate it. No, I mean Texas is in reasonably good shape as a backup but they really would rather not go to him if they can help it. We'll take a break. More of your phone calls, more guests coming up at the top of the hour. We're back up to this foreign. You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show. Conley, top of the hour. 100 most impactful influential games in college football history. Not. We'll let Conley explain. How about Sean in North Carolina? Hello, Sean.

[Callers]

Hey, Paul. Hey. First time, first time color to actually get through. I'm a big LSU fan. I'm stuck in the ACC country. Paul, you know what the ACC stands for?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Sir, what about, what about the acc?

[Callers]

You know what it stands for? Sir?

[Paul Feinbaum]

No, I don't.

[Callers]

All choked conference, sir. Because Clemson thinks they're going to come down to Baton Rouge and put a whooping on us. We went down to Clemson with a quarterback that can throw over 20 yards and still beat him, sir. The only thing that's going to stop us this year is ourselves. I really believe that if they give us a top 30 defense and Kiffin can put his magic in. I don't see anybody that's gonna stop it, sir. What do you think?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, I certainly don't think Clemson will stop lsu. I think there are three or four games on the schedule that are problematic but I think they're self explanatory. Hey Corey. Corey is up next. Hey Corey.

[Callers]

Hey, how you doing, Paul? First time caller. How you doing, sir?

[Paul Feinbaum]

We're doing great.

[Callers]

Big LSU fan, man. Paul, I think you know, ever since Lane keeping around, man, you know, we make. I. I feel like we're going to be a real good team this year, you know, with all the portable players. As long as we get the offense and the defense connected. And the most, the most important thing is Sam Lincoln. If he can stay healthy through the whole season, I feel like we can make some noise and make a run and play off. And I also want to get at Chris talking about he's gonna come. They're gonna come down to Baton Rouge and beat us. Chris. Y' all could even beat us. Well, we had a broke up Garrett Nuts Mike. A branch heavy team. So how the hell you think you're gonna be us with a lion kibble team, man? We might beat you like PlayStation, man. 21 points plus. That's all I got to say.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Paul, thank you. Thank you for the call. Appreciate that. Beckett is in Houston. Hey, Beckett.

[Callers]

Hey.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Go right ahead, Beckett.

[Callers]

I was just wondering how you think Byron Brown's gonna, you know, keep up with these other SEC quarterbacks.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Very well, Beckett. I think Byron Brown is in great shape. He has tremendous experience. Still some question marks on chemistry. That's important. You got to get everybody beating to the same heart. But I'm really high on him. I think people, people should know what a good offensive coach Goersch is. But they'll be reminded of it when you see Brown in the first game. Yeah.

[Callers]

Thank you. That's all I really had to say. Thank you.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Appreciate that very, very much. Man, it's been a while since I've said cat daddy is next.

[Callers]

Big Paul, looking good and sounding good as always. Now there's a lot of hope for our Gamecocks. I know in the past you have given me some great hope. You think we're going to do good, but if we don't win at least one more thing. Clemson is not going to beat lsu. LSU is going to prove where the real Death Valley is. And it ain't in Clemson. Now, with that said, my Gamecocks, if. If he don't win at least eight or nine games, who do you think South Carolina should look for as another coach if he just don't come out this year? Right.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, Cad Daddy, first of all, I. You're going to laugh, but I'm pretty upbeat on South Carolina. You got one of the best defensive players in the country. You got one of the better quarterbacks in the country. And I think Lenora Sellers makes them dangerous in every game. And I think that Alabama game early on is one to watch. I think there are other games that they are going to. To have to turn these games and I. And whether they can. They did two years ago. They didn't last year. So it's a miss. It's a mystery.

[Callers]

Well, get you some golf medicine. Take care of that cough.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, I was feeling great and all of a sudden I've talked myself right into being. Being unable to talk. So we'll figure that out.

[Callers]

Well, let me tell you, get you a couple shots of alcohol, that'll help you. So get you a little Jim Beam.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You know what? I could. So you're saying Palmetto moonshine or Jim Beam. Is that. Is that it?

[Callers]

Oh, no, Palmetto moonshine, of course.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Okay.

[Callers]

Anyway, have a great day. Miss Thy bomb. Enjoy the show and I hope you get to feeling better.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Thank you. Yeah, I don't think I've really got anything wrong with me other than I've been gone almost for two straight weeks. Everybody knows about last week. I was gone the week before. And I think it finally got the better of me and hit my voice. But I will lumber through and appreciate your patience. Bobby is in Oregon. You're up next. Good afternoon.

[Callers]

Hey, Paul, thanks for taking my call.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Thank you.

[Callers]

I. I just wanted to say this is just a possible prediction for the next head football coach at North Carolina. If things kind of play out as it's looking right now. I would say, how about Dan Mullen? He's probably going to have another eight to 10 win season. I don't think he's going to take his third program in the sec. But North Carolina, I think that'd be a pretty amazing job for him. I think he would take it just, just throwing a name out there.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Thank you, Bobby. I think you've identified somebody that could be the next North Carolina. By the way, there is going to be a new coach there. Thank you for the call. And I think Dan is a, you know, would be an outstanding choice. He's done a great job. If you. You may have missed it earlier, but. But Mike Lombardi, who is really. I don't want to call anybody the brains behind that operation because it's a dumpster fire. But he's the. He's the gm. He's the highest paid GM in the country. He was with Belichick for a long time in New England. He was put on administrative leave today because of an HR complaint, whatever that means. You can, you can Draw your own conclusions. I don't really know. Let's check in with Dave who is up next in Florida. Hello Dave.

[Callers]

Hello Paul. Thank you very much for taking my call. I'm a first time listener.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Thank you.

[Callers]

And I'm a die hard Tennessee fan and I want to know your feeling about our quarterback battle going on this year between a freshman and a great quarterback from the name of George McIntyre. And also I wanted to get your opinion opinion on how you feel about our new defensive coordinator in Jim Knowles.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Dave, I'm pretty high on Jim Noel, one of the wraps on him and there's not many is it? Sometimes it takes a little bit of time for him to put his system in place and that's not always the worst thing in the world. He runs a pretty complicated defense but I think ultimately he will get it done there. And yeah, I'm trying to, I'm trying to remember last week we talked to Josh hyple about the McIntyre, Faison, Brandon battle. He didn't offer anything but I would just tell you sitting there watching the body language, I felt he was leaning toward Faison. And that's just, that's just a feeling. It's not based on anything other than just trying to read tea leaves and a very awkward, which is very awkward to do, but that's my best bet. I think those are two really good quarterbacks though and I have no doubt they'll have one of the best offensive minds in the country calling the shots because Josh Hyple is truly outstanding. Thanks for the call. We are heading to a break. We are two hours in. A number of guests will have already dropped by. A couple will be dropping by now. Bill Connelly, a really interesting article on the 100 Most Influential Gifts games in college football history. Not because they were necessarily outstanding, although most of them were, but the impact they had.

[Callers]

Thank you for listening to the Best of the Paul Feinbaum show podcast.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Watch the Paul Feinbaum show weekdays from

[Callers]

3 to 7 Eastern on the SEC Network. Plus you can listen and watch on the ESPN app.