Hour 4: Live from SEC Media Days

Summary

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The Paul Finebaum Show – Hour 4: Live from SEC Media Days

Date: July 23, 2026
Host: Paul Finebaum
Location: SEC Media Days

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Episode Overview

This lively episode of The Paul Finebaum Show comes to you from the heart of SEC Media Days, capturing the unique energy, inside jokes, and urgent storylines that define the annual gathering of the college football world. Joined by veteran journalists, coaches, and special guests, Paul explores everything from Texas and LSU football to Lane Kiffin’s evolving persona, the rise of new SEC quarterbacks, and the unfiltered pulse of the conference. Conversations oscillate between playful banter and deep football analysis, giving listeners a ringside seat to college football’s biggest preseason storylines.

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Key Discussions & Insights

1. SEC Media Days Atmosphere

• Panel: Paul Finebaum, Kirk Bowles, Daniel
• Vibe: Playful, self-deprecating banter about being the "last media members standing" and the age of veteran writers (00:51–02:21).

“I would rather not have to come up and say Kirk Bowles, you. You are the last media member. Are you officially the oldest or not?” – Paul Finebaum (01:18)

Notable Moment

• Discussion on being ‘starstruck’ by Arch Manning and the informal hierarchy of SEC Media Days guests.
• “Last year everybody made fun of me because he [Arch Manning] jumped up and I was like a 12 year old at a Taylor Swift concert.” – Paul Finebaum (03:15)

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2. Texas, Steve Sarkisian & Arch Manning

• Topic: Insight on Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and star QB Arch Manning
• Key Insights:
  • Sarkisian’s evolving confidence and laid-back charm at Media Days (02:21–03:01).
  • Coaches’ thin skin regarding media narratives.
  • The challenge of getting Arch Manning to open up in interviews; Paul teasing an upcoming “walk and talk” with Arch in Austin (04:08–04:34).

“He [Sarkisian] was really, really cool, relaxed.” – Paul Finebaum (02:27)

“Here’s my thing on Arch. He gives the shortest answers to Kirk and myself... but I bet when you finally get him on, oh, he’s going to open up like Tiger Woods talking to Tom Rinaldi.” – Daniel (04:08)

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3. Media Personalities & Pop Culture Crossover

• Light-hearted Detour: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and ESPN show banter (05:05–07:03).
  • Paul jokes about being a ‘Swiftie,’ gets ribbed for his playlist, and the crew speculates on what it would take to get Taylor Swift’s ratings to ESPN.

“I am a Swiftie. I am not a fan of all everything, but I really do like her.” – Paul Finebaum (06:30)

“That’s so 80s.” – Daniel on media cliches (06:04)

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4. Texas and Sarkisian’s Off-Field Interests

• Revelation: Steve Sarkisian is a big soccer fan, and shares memories about growing up near the old Forum in California and seeing rock concerts (08:06–08:41).
• The group discusses their soccer exposure through the World Cup, with playful skepticism about some rules (08:47–09:39).

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5. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss, and the Challenge of Narrative Control

• Panel: Paul Finebaum, Michael Cobble, Scott Rabelais
• Topics:
  • Media’s fascination with Lane Kiffin and his efforts to control the storyline at Media Days (12:05–14:05).
  • Kiffin’s long media answers (“filibuster”) as a strategy.
  • Discussion of how coaches prepare and react to last year’s talking points.

“I think he’s trying to control the narrative… He’s been the story of the whole meeting, days, week. All the coaches, the pundits, the media, they’re talking about him in one way or another.” – Scott Rabelais (13:01)

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6. LSU Outlook and Quarterback Situation

• Why wasn't Sam Levitt present? Injury management and media avoidance discussed.
• The pattern of cautious quarterback media exposure (Joe Burrow’s first LSU season as precedent – 14:18–15:14).
• Paul recounts initially ranking Joe Burrow among top SEC QBs—and Burrow's self-confidence (16:20–16:28).

“He said ‘I’m the best quarterback in the SEC.’ And that was like, who is this guy?” – Paul Finebaum (16:26)

Team Chemistry & Expectations

• LSU’s roster turnover, transfer impact, and whether the group can coalesce quickly.
• The importance of September’s Clemson game and how the new staff and talent can shape the season (16:55–18:26).

“Do they have chemistry? Do they… trust each other?” – Scott Rabelais (16:55)

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7. The Lane Kiffin Saga & SEC Scheduling Storylines

• Discussion of the narrative when Lane Kiffin takes Ole Miss to play LSU and other high-stakes battles.
• National focus and SEC scheduling drama: “parachuting into Oxford” for top matchups (18:26–20:22).

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8. LSU Fanbase Expectations

• Question: Is it “championship or bust” for LSU?
• Answer: More tempered locally than in the national media; fans eager for improvement and playoff contention, with realism about the challenge (20:34–21:48).

“There are people who, if LSU, first time LSU has to punt against Clemson, they’re going to want to fire somebody.” – Scott Rabelais (20:58)

“Just get back there, you know… build a foundation of trying to be good and be, be a consistent winner again.” – Scott Rabelais (21:12)

Resource Investment

• LSU’s substantial financial and leadership backing for football, and how that fuels optimism regardless of immediate trophies (21:48–22:38).

“I think people are just excited about the potential… We’ve been starving for some offense for a while… I think a 9 and 3 season is realistic for this Tiger football team building towards the future.” – Michael Cobble (22:02, 22:32)

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9. "Last Media Member Standing" and Mississippi State

• Guests: Sam Scar & Sam Hutchins (Clarion Ledger)
• Fun Segment: The two Sams, identical twins and sportswriters, are the “last media members standing.” Short discussion on the overlooked Mississippi State program (24:11–26:52).
• Spotlight on QB Camario Taylor’s rise and the confidence the staff places in him.
• Reflection that Lane Kiffin hasn't fundamentally changed, despite the media glare.

“Everything is really about Camario Taylor right now. And he could kind of be the ceiling raiser, I think, for Mississippi State this season.” – Sam Hutchins (25:42)

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “I would rather not have to come up and say Kirk Bowles, you. You are the last media member. Are you officially the oldest or not?” — Paul Finebaum (01:18)
• “He [Steve Sarkisian] was really, really cool, relaxed.” — Paul Finebaum (02:27)
• “He [Arch Manning] gives the shortest answers to Kirk and myself... he's going to open up like Tiger Woods talking to Tom Rinaldi.” — Daniel (04:08)
• “I am a Swiftie. I am not a fan of all everything, but I really do like her.” — Paul Finebaum (06:30)
• “I think he’s trying to control the narrative… He’s been the story of the whole meeting.” — Scott Rabelais (13:01)
• “He said ‘I’m the best quarterback in the SEC.’ And that was like, who is this guy?” — Paul Finebaum (16:26)
• “There are people who, if LSU, first time LSU has to punt against Clemson, they’re going to want to fire somebody.” — Scott Rabelais (20:58)
• “I think people are just excited about the potential… I think a 9 and 3 season is realistic for this Tiger football team building towards the future.” — Michael Cobble (22:02, 22:32)
• “Everything is really about Camario Taylor right now. And he could kind of be the ceiling raiser, I think, for Mississippi State this season.” — Sam Hutchins (25:42)

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Key Timestamps

• 00:51–03:41: Media Days banter, aging media, Arch Manning stories
• 04:08–04:44: The challenge of interviewing Arch Manning
• 05:05–07:03: Taylor Swift and pop culture crossover
• 08:06–09:39: Soccer, Sarkisian’s interests, and the World Cup
• 12:05–14:05: Lane Kiffin, narrative strategy, coach prep
• 16:20–16:36: The rise of Joe Burrow at Media Days
• 16:55–18:26: LSU roster and chemistry
• 18:26–20:22: SEC scheduling drama, Lane Kiffin vs. LSU
• 20:34–21:48: LSU fan and program expectations
• 21:48–22:38: Investment and optimism in LSU football
• 24:11–26:52: The "last media members" segment, Mississippi State QB talk

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Episode Tone and Style

This episode balances irreverent humor, SEC inside baseball, honest analysis, and sincere affection for college football’s culture and characters. Paul Finebaum keeps the tone conversational, occasionally ribbing guests and inviting them to poke fun at the nature of media coverage, coaches’ quirks, and SEC fandom.

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Additional Highlights

• The recurring joke of Media Days as a marathon and contest among aging sportswriters.
• Emphasis on the evolving landscape of college football: rapid roster turnover, transfer impacts, staff changes.
• Continuous comparisons between the national and local perceptions of team “expectations.”
• Playful nods to ESPN’s HR oversight and media restrictions, revealing the undercurrent of live sports broadcasting.

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In summary:
This hour of the Paul Finebaum Show delivers a spirited, personality-driven recap of SEC Media Days. Listeners are treated to inside stories, authentic skepticism, progressive takes on program development, and a window into the camaraderie and competition that define both football and its faithful chroniclers.

Transcript

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[Paul Feinbaum]

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

And there is breaking news. Barry Tramel, one of seven media members. I don't know what that says about his career. He is still here. I don't know you. Are you guys still over there working? And I. I say that as we say hello to Kirk and said, are you still working or you just.

[Kirk Bowles]

No, we've quit a long time ago. We just stick around and hang with you.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, no, okay. I just. We.

[Kirk Bowles]

And we're sweeping up, too, in about two minutes.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I really. I would rather not have to come up and say Kirk Bowles, you. You are the last media member. Are you officially the oldest or not? I ran into some guy that. He was like, 80 something.

[Kirk Bowles]

Really?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah.

[Kirk Bowles]

Then I'm not. Yeah, I'm number two.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You're still in your 70s, aren't you?

[Daniel]

Yeah, definitely number two. Yeah, definitely number two.

[Kirk Bowles]

Mid 70s. Yeah.

[Daniel]

75.

[Paul Feinbaum]

It's a good age.

[Kirk Bowles]

I'm just glad you're still here, surviving.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I am.

You know, I have no idea what I'm doing here.

[Kirk Bowles]

That's your secret to success.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Just don't. Don't act like you know what you're doing.

[Daniel]

Let me ask you something. Why do you have us on so late? Just having us. You know, you get all the star power on and then you bring us in.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Let me tell you why we came in here. Our first guest for 30 minutes was Greg Sankey.

[Daniel]

That's a big. That's a big name. Big name.

[Paul Feinbaum]

The next guy was Steve Sarkeesian.

[Daniel]

Huge name.

[Kirk Bowles]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

The rest of them really don't matter.

[Kirk Bowles]

You. So we got to follow them, huh?

[Paul Feinbaum]

You could have been earlier. This is prime time.

[Kirk Bowles]

You know, Steve's pretty brash these days.

[Paul Feinbaum]

He was.

[Kirk Bowles]

Did he say anything outlandish on your show?

[Paul Feinbaum]

I had fun. We had fun, though. He was really, really cool, relaxed.

[Daniel]

He was fired up. I saw him when he walked off of the stage here, and he was walking through there. He's clapping and. Yeah, he's excited. You could tell talking to him today. See, he was really great with me.

[Paul Feinbaum]

He had not heard some of the things I've been saying about him on

[Daniel]

tv, but I'm gonna tell him when I see him again.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You know, I don't know if he really cares.

[Daniel]

He does. Coaches are thin skinned.

[Kirk Bowles]

They care.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Okay?

[Daniel]

They care.

[Kirk Bowles]

Yeah, they do. Why wouldn't he be in a good mood, right?

[Paul Feinbaum]

He's.

[Michael]

Oh, no.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Okay, you guys, you guys had a chance to talk to Arch.

[Kirk Bowles]

Okay. Are we on yet?

[Paul Feinbaum]

No.

[Kirk Bowles]

Okay.

[Paul Feinbaum]

This is. Yeah, we're just pre taping this.

[Kirk Bowles]

Did you get Arch's autograph this year?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, I didn't,

[Kirk Bowles]

no.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Last year everybody made fun of me because he jumped up and I was like a 12 year old at a Taylor Swift concert. This year I was more reserved. I was just standing there. I was doing something and he walked up and we talked.

[Kirk Bowles]

Well, you did kind of disown him after last year.

[Paul Feinbaum]

There's a picture. I think we got a picture here. I mean, that's just starstruck. Yeah, man.

[Daniel]

Look how. Look at you. I'm surprised you don't yell. The planes. The planes towering over you. Golly. Tattoo.

[Kirk Bowles]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I mean, I asked him. I said, arch, please sign this. I like the guy.

[Daniel]

He's likable.

[Kirk Bowles]

How do you not.

[Daniel]

He's likable.

[Paul Feinbaum]

We talked about the summer. I mean, I didn't really know what to say. I mean, it's like, hey, I knew you. I knew your granddad went to school with him. Yeah.

[Daniel]

Like, here's my thing on art. He gives the shortest answers to Kirk and myself. Oh, my God. They average about 12 seconds and answer. And that's good on TV, by the way. But I. I bet when you finally get him on, oh, he's. He's going to open up like. Like Tiger woods talking to Tom Rinaldi.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, no, we. We worked on that, too. I'm coming down to Austin before the Ohio State game and.

[Daniel]

Oh, you are.

[Paul Feinbaum]

We're going to walk and talk. Yeah.

[Daniel]

Going to walk the grounds.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah.

[Kirk Bowles]

So ours.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Right.

[Kirk Bowles]

So it won't be 60 minutes, you're saying I. He's very guarded. You need to break through, like today.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I don't care. I just want to.

[Daniel]

I just want to be in his orbit.

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[Paul Feinbaum]

I just want to say.

[Daniel]

Hey, you were so.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I was talking creepy. I was talking Arch Manning today.

[Daniel]

Oh, my God, you got you. You're gonna have to be more.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I did something today on with Stephen A. He was. You could tell. You watch. I don't know if you watch the show or not, but. Yeah.

[Daniel]

What's your show?

[Paul Feinbaum]

No. Stephen A.

[Daniel]

No, I don't Watch that.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Okay. He was, like, not listening to a word. I mean, he's, like, totally out of it because Jordan Rogers was going on about COVID two. Whatever.

[Kirk Bowles]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And I finally said, hey, Stephen, I gotta ask you something, kind of. I said, tell us about the Taylor Swift wedding. He goes, I was there. And then he said. He went, oh, yeah. I knew that.

[Daniel]

Oh, wow.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And we went. I mean, it was kind of a weird deal, but I wanted to know. I hadn't talked to Steven since then.

[Kirk Bowles]

Well, Said and I were invited, but we didn't know what kind of gift to get.

[Paul Feinbaum]

He said it was the best wedding he's ever been to.

[Kirk Bowles]

The best ever.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I mean, how many ways? I don't know. I haven't met that many great widows.

[Kirk Bowles]

Had to be good party favors. That thing right there was.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I mean, I'm. I would say he. He passed it off as, you know, Travis and our brothers.

[Daniel]

You know, I love this brother. He's like family to me.

[Paul Feinbaum]

He said he used a line. I really don't know. Brother from another. I mean that. I've had enough.

[Daniel]

That's so 80s. I just.

[Michael]

I.

[Daniel]

You know, I like Travis Kelsey. I like Taylor Swift. I don't. I'm not. I'm not playing her on my playlist, but I respect her because she does a lot for charity and. Why are you looking at your cell phone?

[Kirk Bowles]

You've already bored him.

[Daniel]

You've got Conway Twitty.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I'm a big playlist. I want to prove to you I was a big Swift. I am a Swiftie.

[Daniel]

You're a Swiftie.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I am not a fan of all everything, but I really do like her.

[Kirk Bowles]

You're publicly acknowledged.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Oh, this. This is not way back. Yeah, I mean, I did it on espn.

[Daniel]

You need to get her on the show. You're right. Those ratings aren't great. I'm surprised. I'm surprised you didn't get a phone call. Don't do that.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You can't do it.

[Daniel]

You might. You may have been laid off already and don't know,

[Kirk Bowles]

you'll be the last to know. Oh, how about those Yankees?

[Paul Feinbaum]

See, we. I don't know if you know this or not. The ESPN has, like, people who monitor this stuff. And you dare. You dare say. I dare react to that with what I wanted to say.

[Kirk Bowles]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I'm Mr. Fine Bomb Bartholomew T. Quinn, the 14th in HR. We'd like to have a conversation with you.

[Kirk Bowles]

You go to the principal's office and

[Paul Feinbaum]

bring your name tag in your playbook.

[Daniel]

Don't forget the playbook.

[Kirk Bowles]

We may get banned again.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I've got a very nervous producer in my ear saying, get this back to Texas.

[Daniel]

We never got to Texas, Daniel. We try and he brings us up here and he makes fun of us, but we have information.

[Kirk Bowles]

What do you want to know about the Longhorn?

[Daniel]

Yeah. Ask a question about the Longhorns. Any question.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Tell us the most interesting thing about Texas that you know.

[Daniel]

Okay, let's get back to Taylor Swift.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Oh, I got this out of Steve Sarkeesian. They were talking off the air and he was asking me about something I don't know and I. We were talking about Sofi. Where that national championship game. He said he grew up down the street.

[Daniel]

Yes. And Carson.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah. And he said he, you know, that used to be the fabulous Forum. They played all. All the rock concerts in the 60s, 70s. He said he saw Pearl Jam there.

[Daniel]

Oh, that's cool.

[Kirk Bowles]

Big Pearl Jam fan.

[Daniel]

I did learn something today about Sark that I did not know. He's a big soccer fan. I did not know that.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I didn't know that.

[Daniel]

I did not know that.

[Kirk Bowles]

Yeah, he did say that. Yeah.

[Daniel]

They said he's a big soccer fan and he was loving on the World Cup. I. That part I did.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Did you watch it?

[Daniel]

Did I watch what? The World Cup. I watched a couple games, A couple of matches.

[Kirk Bowles]

I watched it. You know, Marcel Reed met Lionel Messi.

[Daniel]

Yeah. They had a jersey swap.

[Kirk Bowles]

Wow.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I did see that.

[Kirk Bowles]

I did sign soccer ball.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I was really into it and I've never been that big, but I was really having fun with it.

[Daniel]

I watched. I watched the championship game.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah.

[Daniel]

I watched two USA Games.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Okay. But I mean I'm watching like Spain and I mean I'm watching all this stuff.

[Daniel]

Do you want. You watch during non World cup season,

[Paul Feinbaum]

I went to a soccer game when I was living in Charlotte. That's the league Messi's in. And I mean, it was really entertaining. But no, they could change some of the rules. Yeah.

[Kirk Bowles]

Do you need 30 minutes?

[Paul Feinbaum]

It's extra time. No, that's absurd.

[Kirk Bowles]

I mean, come on.

[Paul Feinbaum]

That's ridiculous.

[Daniel]

In America, you know what we contributed to the World Cup? Hydration.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Okay, yeah, stops we brought up. We'll get to the Arch Manning questions later. They're telling me that.

[Kirk Bowles]

Speed it along.

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[Paul Feinbaum]

You gotta go. They can't. Actually, I have to go.

[Daniel]

You know, they can't, they can't lay us off.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I mean, we don't.

[Kirk Bowles]

I mean, you don't invite us back.

[Paul Feinbaum]

My phone is ringing right now. ESPN headquarters.

[Daniel]

Magnus.

[Paul Feinbaum]

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

the contest that everybody wants to win. The Last Media Member 4 remaining. We will talk to the winner coming up here in just a few minutes. Meanwhile, it was a big day here. You heard from Sark? He was here a minute ago. Lane Kiffin was the first coach here to talk about it. Michael Cobble and of course, Scott Rabelais. Michael, you were. I ran into you with Lane Kiffin earlier. What was it like to follow him around all day?

[Michael Cobble]

I mean, it's interesting. It's still new for us, right? So the mystique hasn't worn off. We're still trying to figure out kind of who he is and how to deal with him and, you know, how repetitive he can be or not repetitive. So it was, it was good. I thought he was good today. He didn't, you know, his filibuster certainly probably took a little bit of the shine out of the media's chance to get back at him if they wanted to. But, you know, I thought he handled himself well. The LSU players really handled themselves well. They were great in their interviews, Scott.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You know, too often, you know, we see what he says behind us. Other people see him in different rooms, and it's a different Lane Kiffin talking to six or seven people than this I'm most interested in. You know, what do you think? What do you think went into his mindset? Coming in here, knowing that part would be the most difficult. Sitting with Saban is not going to be hard for him. You know, talking to a small group. What was behind just going on for as long as he did?

[Scott Rabelais]

I think he's trying to kind of control the narrative. I mean, he had to be watching the last couple of days. I mean, he's been. He's been the story of the whole thing, of the whole meeting, days, week. All the coaches, the pundits, the media, they're talking about him in one way or another. I really like Kirby Smart, calling him an Adonis of coaching.

[Paul Feinbaum]

By the way, you're right. Steve Sarkeesian told me about last year. He said, I've been watching the whole thing. I'm not saying they sit at rep, but you do want to get an idea of what it feels like.

[Michael Cobble]

They got prep, they got notes. I mean, I asked Lane right out of the gate if he heard Pete's comments about him and. And he had, and he appreciated them and kind of understood it, and I thought it was interesting. I think the closest that Lane got to a mea culpa moment was where he admitted he was just trying to make everyone understand what he was doing, you know, back in December. That doesn't absolve him from anything in anyone's eyes, even in Baton Rouge. But, you know, I think that's as close as we were getting today with any kind of truth about the moment.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And, Scott, I mean. I mean, I'm not there where you guys are, where things are. The health of the quarterback is a bigger issue than what Lane Kiffin is going to say here. Speaking of that, why wasn't Sam Levitt here?

[Scott Rabelais]

They said because he didn't practice in the spring. I mean, threw a little bit. We didn't talk to him in the spring. And they didn't want his first media outing to be all the questions. How's your foot? How's your foot? How's your foot? People who don't know, he. He broke his. He had a frank injury in his foot last year at Arizona State. Had surgery and everything. And now they say he's 100%. Lane also said they had a player practice today. You know, but that's just another thing. But we'll get him during, during fall camp.

[Paul Feinbaum]

So there's some rationale behind a rather bizarre decision.

[Scott Rabelais]

I get it from we, we want everyone all the time, but I get their, their what they're thinking.

[Michael Cobble]

I will say this in, in LSU's defense, Joe Burrow did not speak with us prior to his first season as well because Joe said that he wanted to put it out on the field first before let his actions do the talking, so to speak. They probably could have handled the messaging a little bit better.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Joe was pretty omnipresent the last time around though.

[Michael Cobble]

Yes.

[Paul Feinbaum]

He pretty much stole media days last

[Michael Cobble]

time in Hoover, I think too he

[Paul Feinbaum]

was, I'll never forget I was talking to him and we didn't really, we still weren't sure. I said, by the way, I feel like I defended you. We were talking about it earlier on the set.

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in the SEC or the five best? And I was the only one who had you in the top five. He said. Top five. He said I'm the best quarterback in the sec. And that was like, who is this guy?

[Scott Rabelais]

I'm not surprised he said that.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I don't know. It was, I didn't know him. I'm like, that's quite a statement to make.

[Kirk Bowles]

Yeah.

[Michael Cobble]

And then he went out and had quite a season.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, he was, he was in the best at the end of the year. Let's talk about this team because we've all been pundit, you know, being pundits about it and everyone knows how many new players? Everybody knows all this, but I realize you're not seeing much, but at least you're down on the ground. You guys can sense something, maybe.

[Scott Rabelais]

I think they have assembled a great collection of talent between the players. They were able to keep, like Whit Weeks at linebacker and trade as Green at tight end, who they brought today, and then all these transfers like Levitt, like TJ Daughtery and other linebackers coming in from. From Ole Miss. But do they have a. Do they have a team? Do they have, you know, do they have chemistry? Do they. Are they going to be able to trust each other and depend on each other? Whit Weeks painted a rosy picture of that, the season, but this today. But, you know, it's the one. It's the one version of football where you don't get to practice. There's no jamboree, there's no preseason game. You come out cold, and it gets to an opponent like Clemson who's just good enough to upset you if you don't. If you're. If you're too rusty. So I think they'll be. I think they'll have a good team. But, you know, I think expecting them to go all the way to the national championship game is a lot to say at this point.

[Michael Cobble]

I'll just say it's not that undifferent. Undifferent from every other college football team in America, too, right? I mean, you got 40 to 50 new guys on almost every college football team. So while it's new for us, the people that have college covered college football for 20 years, it's probably not that different, except for the fact that they will be playing Clemson, who is the antithesis of that, if you will. But no, the guys are excited. And I'll just say, Paul, I think the difference with this is not only is it a collection of talent, but I think the coaching that has amassed itself in Baton Rouge, retaining most of the defensive staff, you know, coupled with the additions on the offensive side of the ball, I think that is what unlocks the potential for whatever LSU football will be here going forward.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And the schedule, which everybody's talking about, the September 19th. I mean, I don't know about you. I mean, I'll see you guys there. I'm already sick of it, though. It's just. I think that Clemson game is very intriguing. But we know all this. But nationally, on that week, everybody's going to parachute into Oxford. Do you feel like, how do you think that week will play out for Kiffin? Because he's already he's done this before. He's been to Knoxville. He's had the world against him. It almost seems like it feeds into what he's good at.

[Scott Rabelais]

I mean, I think he can try to play it to his advantage in terms of making. Right now Ole Miss is portrayed as the victim in this Lane Kiffin saga and he can try to make it. Hey, it's against the world. Most people, I think, come down on Ole Miss side, so you can probably use that to. To his advantage. But eventually they're going to have to. LSU's going to have to go there and play very well against a very good and well motivated team. What's going to be interesting to me is how, you know, has Lane Kiffin been telling Blake Baker as defensive coordinator anything about how to pick Trinidad Chambliss's lock? Good point. I don't think their offense is going to run quite as smoothly as it did without Lane and without Charlie Weiss. We're going to see they got a pretty A test in Louisville to start too this season.

[Paul Feinbaum]

It feels like they have. I mean, I mean, I'm kind of tired of hearing my colleagues. And don't forget, I mean, Lane Kiffin had nothing to do with that. Pete Golden, 1, 2. I mean, Lane Kiffin built that team, he built that staff. He put all those players there. The three of us.

[Scott Rabelais]

And Charlie Whites was still calling the plays.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah. And the three of us could have coached. Ole Missile went over two Lane.

[Scott Rabelais]

Yes.

[Michael Cobble]

You know, you say that he's been there before, he's done that, but we've done that as well with Nick returning to Baton Rouge. So, I mean, it's not unusual.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I guess that was a big deal that night.

[Michael Cobble]

That was a huge deal and it will be a huge deal then. But I think the week after against Texas A and M will really define what this LSU football team is about.

[Kirk Bowles]

And

[Paul Feinbaum]

in relation to that, Scott, I realize the expectations, you know, may be tempered on this table, but nationally the questions are all the same. Is it. And I cringe when somebody asked me this yesterday. Is it, Is it championship or bus for lsu? I'm like, I'm not even sure they're going to make the playoffs. But yeah, I mean, there's an expect. What is the expectation when you run into people on the street?

[Scott Rabelais]

I mean, look, there are people who, if lsu, first time LSU has to punt against Clemson, they're going to want to fire somebody. I mean, there are those fans, right?

[Paul Feinbaum]

That's true.

[Scott Rabelais]

You know, but I think generally they're. They're a little more tempered. I think they just want to get back to the playoff. Remember, LSU has only made the College Football Playoff one time, and that was the year they won it with Joe Burrow in 2019. So just get back there, you know, you know, build a foundation of trying to, trying to. To be good and be, be a consistent winner again. You know, it's, it's. I think they're right on the cusp. I think they're going to be. They're going to be picked. It'd be interesting to see what they pick tomorrow in the sec, you know, media rankings. They're going to be one of those teams that can make it, but no one's going to be sure if they will make it. So I think the expectations of veterans are a little more tempered than what I've seen from some people saying it's a failure if they don't make it to the national championship.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And Michael, finally, I mean, with a 40 or $50 million budget and the governor all in, a new president who's all in, it's hard for me to believe that even missing is going to really damp or stem this enthusiasm.

[Michael Cobble]

No, I think people are just excited about the potential of having laying on their sidelines and the visor going up, the play call sheet going up in the air. We've been starving for some offense for a while, you know, since Joe and company, really. So I think the addition of that and the potential of that is hope springs eternal in Baton Rouge, if you will. You know, so I think they're just excited. I think a 9 and 3 season is realistic for this Tiger football team building towards the future. And I think that's why Lane has really been preaching the schedule matters. You know, not every team's going to get in. You know, I think he's a little realistic about their chances as well.

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[Paul Feinbaum]

Guys, thank you. We will be touched. Michael, appreciate it. Scott, always. Final segment on who the media member. We'll do that next. The last media member standing or sitting because they're sports writers.

After that, you're listening to the Paul Feinbomb show podcast.

And we are back. And it's down to two reporters and writers. They happen to be, at the same time. Publication. I don't even know what the exact word is anymore. The same outlet. The same digital publication outlet. Both a Clarion ledger in Mississippi. Sam Hutchins over there covers the Bulldogs. And you may remember, excuse me, Sam Scarr is over there and Sam Hutchins is in the middle. You may remember, Sam, we had him on the show about a year ago with your brother.

[Sam Scar]

That's right. That's right.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You guys are twins.

[Sam Scar]

Identical twins. He covers. Yeah, he covers Iowa State. So somehow wound up doing the same thing.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Surely when you guys walked up, I'm like going, you're not twins anymore. But Sam, it's good to have you. Let's talk about Mississippi State for a second because they obviously have been overlooked a little bit today with all the attention. What did you take away from Jeff Lebby and all the conversation about a quarterback that most people haven't heard of until today, but we'll be talking about soon?

[Michael]

I think it's that Camario Taylor's fame is growing a lot, especially over these last couple of months. When you go back to like the Manning passing academy and then, you know, coming into this week, I think the SEC is starting to take notice about kind of who Camario Taylor is. He's a pretty confident guy. Had some experience coming in last season as a freshman, started the last two games of the year. And Mississippi State's been really excited about this guy for a really long time. The day after Jeff Levy was hired, he went to go see Kamario Taylor to reaffirm that they were committed to him being the quarterback of the future. And so, you know, everything is really about Camario Taylor right now. And he could kind of be the ceiling raiser, I think, for Mississippi State this season.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Just a couple seconds left, Sam. Kind of a dual beat today, covering the old coach and the new coach.

[Sam Scar]

That's right.

[Paul Feinbaum]

The other day, I should say.

[Sam Scar]

Yeah, you know him, too. Paul. I don't think Lane's changed a whole lot. Right. Maybe on best behavior, as all of us are, when you get a new job and you know, you, you want to do all those things. Things. But I think Lane was Lane at the end of the day and maybe he'll be back on Twitter by week three. And, you know, there's, there's a lot of time between now and the rematch

[Paul Feinbaum]

before you're both serious journalists and you're the last guy. So I don't know if your boss is watching back at the home, home plant, but when you're the last two guys working at Media Days, I mean, I saw people leaving here this morning after Kiffin quit. So congratulations, Sam. And Sam, you win an award that you probably never thought you would have, and now you will never be able to get rid of it. Thank you, guys. Thank you so much. Sam Scar, Sam Hutchins. As we head to the break, you're

listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast.

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