CFP Quarterfinals Preview, What it Means to be a Champion, plus Fiesta & Sugar Bowl Picks

Summary

The Triple Option – Episode Summary: CFP Quarterfinals Preview, What it Means to be a Champion, plus Fiesta & Sugar Bowl Picks

Hosts: Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, Rob Stone
Release Date: December 27, 2024
Presented by Wendy’s

In this engaging episode of The Triple Option, hosts Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, and Rob Stone delve deep into the intricacies of the upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinals, explore the essence of being a champion, and provide their expert predictions for the Fiesta and Sugar Bowls. Skipping the advertisements and lighter moments, the conversation centers on defining championship success, analyzing playoff matchups, and offering insightful game previews.

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Defining What It Means to Be a Champion

The discussion kicks off with an exploration of the significance of winning national championships and how these victories shape careers and team dynamics. Urban Meyer emphasizes the ultimate achievement of securing a national title, likening it to the ultimate validation of a coach's career.

Urban Meyer (03:58): "It just kind of validates you, man. You go out there and... holding up that crystal ball. It's just validation."

Mark Ingram echoes this sentiment, highlighting the bond formed among championship team members and the enduring legacy that accompanies a national title.

Mark Ingram (05:15): "The moment you win a national champion or a championship, it's like a blood transfer. You're officially brothers."

The hosts discuss the lasting impact of championships on locker room culture and leadership, noting that victorious teams often see former players returning, driven by the pride and recognition that comes with being part of a winning tradition.

Mark Ingram (05:33): "When you win a championship, you walk together forever."

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College Football Playoff Quarterfinals Preview

Moving into the heart of the episode, the trio analyzes the remaining eight teams vying for a spot in the semifinals, focusing on the Fiesta Bowl and Sugar Bowl matchups.

Fiesta Bowl: Penn State vs. Boise State

Urban Meyer and Mark Ingram provide a comprehensive breakdown of the Fiesta Bowl clash between the sixth-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions and the Boise State Broncos. They discuss the challenges Boise State faces in overcoming Penn State's robust defense and the importance of quarterback performance in such high-stakes games.

Urban Meyer (37:59): "I think the quarterback battle is what's going to win the game for you."

Mark Ingram adds that while Boise State's Ashton Genti is a formidable runner, Penn State's defensive strategy of swarming the ball carrier with 11 players could neutralize his impact.

Mark Ingram (39:30): "You put an extra hat in a box. The number two thing is line movement."

The hosts agree that Penn State is favored to cover the 10-point spread, citing their defensive prowess and ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

Urban Meyer (36:53): "I think they're going to cover Penn State."

Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Georgia

The Sugar Bowl features a narrow favorite in Georgia taking on Notre Dame. The discussion highlights Georgia's slight edge but acknowledges Notre Dame's strong defensive reputation.

Mark Ingram (43:18): "It's a talent equated game. Notre Dame should have the same players because they recruit against each other."

Urban Meyer expresses confidence in Georgia's preparation and coaching under Kirby Smart, anticipating that Georgia's defense will effectively manage Notre Dame's offensive threats.

Urban Meyer (45:35): "I think Kirby Smart is going to have his team ready to play."

Both hosts predict that Georgia will cover the 1.5-point spread, emphasizing Georgia's consistent postseason performance and Notre Dame's reliance on efficient quarterback play.

Mark Ingram (45:57): "I'm gonna go. Georgia cover."

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Insights on Leadership and Team Preparation

Beyond game analysis, the hosts delve into the importance of maintaining team routines and effective leadership in preparing for major playoff games. They recount strategies used by successful coaches, such as adhering to consistent practice schedules and keeping players focused without reaching peak performance prematurely.

Mark Ingram (10:00): "Remember that game's not played till January 8th at 7pm. You don't want your players to apex until January."

Urban Meyer shares insights on adapting game plans based on the extended break before the national championship, emphasizing the need for situational football and minimizing turnovers.

Urban Meyer (12:08): "The small things will win this game. So that's what you focus on over the time period of having a month-long break."

The conversation underscores the balance between maintaining player readiness and preventing skill deterioration during extended periods away from competitive play.

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Fiesta & Sugar Bowl Predictions: Pick Six

In the finale, the hosts present their predictions for the Fiesta and Sugar Bowls, aligning their analysis with betting lines and leveraging their expertise to forecast outcomes.

• Fiesta Bowl Prediction:

  • Penn State is favored by 10 points over Boise State.
  • Urban Meyer (36:53): "I lean Penn State in this game."
  • Mark Ingram (37:59): "Common sense tells you Penn State will cover."

• Sugar Bowl Prediction:

  • Georgia is a 1.5-point favorite against Notre Dame.
  • Mark Ingram (43:25): "Georgia's gonna cover close though, man."
  • Rob Stone (45:43): "Yeah, Georgia's gonna cover."

Both predictions reflect confidence in Penn State's defensive strategies and Georgia's postseason consistency, while acknowledging Boise State's and Notre Dame's potential challenges.

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Conclusion: The Essence of Championship Football

Wrapping up the episode, Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, and Rob Stone reaffirm their commitment to providing expert analysis and fostering a deeper understanding of college football's competitive landscape. They emphasize that true championship teams are defined by their ability to maintain focus, execute game plans effectively, and embody the spirit of leadership and teamwork.

Urban Meyer (47:01): "Love you and a Happy New Year."

As the season progresses, listeners can anticipate more insightful discussions and expert commentary from the trio, continuing to shed light on the dynamic world of college football.

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Transcript

[Mark Ingram]

Look at Mark. I love Mark. Look at him shaking his head.

[Rob Stone]

What are you shaking your head at? What do you want to shake your head at?

[Urban Meyer]

Move on to the next topic, man.

[Rob Stone]

I don't want grumpy Mark Ingram. I don't want surly fatigued by the holidays.

[Urban Meyer]

I was grumpy watching the first round of the cfp. That's what I was grumpy.

[Rob Stone]

Post Christmas pre New Year's edition of the triple option, presented by our great partner all season long at Wendy's. Try Wendy's new saucy Nugs today, National champion, winning head coach Urban Meyer Heisman and national champion winner Mark Ingram. Former 247 WWE Champion Rob Stone back here with you. Thanks for joining us. Happy holidays to everybody out there. Please rate and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts and as well as across social media where you can find us at 3x option show. Next episode is coming out Friday, January 3rd, so right after the quarterfinals. And Coach, are you prepared for what that show is going to be? Because we're missing something. Yeah, we're missing something. Oh, Deuce.

[Mark Ingram]

Deuce is going to be overseas somewhere. And yeah, we might never. This might be our last time we see Mark. What I can't see from home, dude.

[Urban Meyer]

Dang. That's how you feel about the boy? I got a whole family. I got a whole family.

[Mark Ingram]

You're the first person I've ever met that said, I'm going to Tokyo.

[Urban Meyer]

Well, hey, your boy gonna be out there, you feed me in the flesh. Getting some of that, some of that top notch wagyu beef, you know?

[Rob Stone]

I mean, not the American wagyu like you and I, Columbus a couple times.

[Urban Meyer]

It ain't getting imported, it's getting right next door, you know what I mean? At Real Wag Hue, you know?

[Mark Ingram]

How long you there?

[Urban Meyer]

Nine days.

[Rob Stone]

That's how long.

[Urban Meyer]

Going to Tokyo, going to Kyoto. It's. It's like 14 hours from Atlanta, Coach. Like, it's a, It's a height.

[Mark Ingram]

I know.

[Rob Stone]

All right, all right. Well, we're gonna miss you. Have fun.

[Mark Ingram]

Next year. Triple option in Tokyo.

[Urban Meyer]

Yo, I'm sitting here looking at. I'm sitting here looking at the schedule. I'm like, it's like 14 hours ahead. I'm like, I'm gonna have to wake up 1:00am like 5:00am to watch these, you know, playoff games on the 1st. I'm like, I might be up all night, I might not be.

[Rob Stone]

But yeah, enjoy the time confusion. It should be fun. All right, let's talk College Football Playoff. All right, Defining moments brought to you by nhtsa. Drunk driving changes your world. Drive sober or get pulled over. Paid for by nitsa. We're going to talk, of course, the quarterfinals that are upcoming during New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. But let's kind of look ahead to what's lurking. The Monday of MLK weekend, the national championship game. Both of you guys won national titles. How did those titles. I'll start with you, Mark. Define your career.

[Urban Meyer]

I think it just. It's the ultimate. It's the ultimate achievement to win a national championship and to be able to do that as a team, to be able to. You know, I had a bunch of individual success, but it's only because I had a great team through team success, but it defined my career because it's just the ultimate goal, man. It just kind of validates you, man. You go out there and, you know, you put. You have a great career, you're on a great football team, and you're able to accomplish the ultimate goal of winning a national championship, being the best team in the nation, being the number one team, and holding up that crystal ball. It's just validation. It's just certification that you can't hate on me. You got to appreciate me and you got to elevate because, you know, I mean, we did this, and we ain't new to this. We true to this. I did one of them. Coach got three of them. So, man, we just got the natties on deck over here. We certified, we official. And as much as you want to hate, you can't, because we done did that. You know what I'm talking about?

[Mark Ingram]

I started every year. Bill Parcell has had a great video where he. He held his ring and he said, the moment you win a national champion or a championship, it's like a blood transfer. You're officially brothers. Rest your. I would use that in my team meetings every. At the start of every season. That the one. You know, one of the great things, you know, Mark Ingram goes back to Tuscaloosa with his family. He gets treated like Mark Ingram, like a Heisman Trophy one, like a national. I love that about the. The players. I would actually have a locker for all the guys that played in the NFL. They, you know, you know, the Ryan Shaziers back in the day, the Zeke Elliott's, when they come work out and I want it back, they should not be worrying about carrying their workout gear. They have their own lockers. I just think that's one of the great things about when you put your heart and soul into something, to be able to come back. And here's the reality. When I was at Florida, the one team that was always back was the 1996 team. You know why? They're the national champion. They're everywhere. I'd see the former players coming back, you know, who's not around. The players were on bad teams. You never see. But why would you come back? You know, your son's going to say, dad, did you play for Florida? Where, you know, what'd you do? Well, I didn't do anything, so let's move on. But. And that's. That's a hard reality. The ones that come back all the time are the teams that win.

[Urban Meyer]

Yes. Yeah.

[Mark Ingram]

And I used to wear the rings and bang them. You know, you walk around, you smack that ring on the table, and everybody kind of looks around. So it's reality that you get the name, national title, the term national title, after your name. It's a game. It's. It's. You talk about defining moments. Those are defining moments.

[Urban Meyer]

When you win a championship, you walk together forever. But dang, Coach, they. They ain't win no, Natty. They just can't come back.

[Mark Ingram]

Well, they come back. They don't want to.

[Urban Meyer]

What? Did. Did. Did you play, son? Did what the son say, Coach?

[Rob Stone]

I. I played in the Citrus bowl, dad.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah.

[Mark Ingram]

Did you play at Banner? Yeah, we didn't do very well. Okay. How was your career, dad? Well, we.

[Urban Meyer]

Where's your trophy at? Dad, where's your trophy at? Yeah, right.

[Rob Stone]

Participation. Ay, dad, where's your picture at?

[Urban Meyer]

Well, son, you.

[Rob Stone]

Hey, wait, Mark.

[Mark Ingram]

What? You know what I'm talking about, Mark, what do you know exactly? Who's around?

[Urban Meyer]

Oh, my goodness. Championship teams. Yeah, Championship teams on champions. The championship players on championship teams because.

[Mark Ingram]

They'Re so proud of that. And they see their brothers. And this is kind of cool, too. Whenever you see a national championship team together, there's tears and there's hugs.

[Urban Meyer]

Yes.

[Mark Ingram]

And that's sports and smiles and rightfully so.

[Rob Stone]

Just love that.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah. And smile.

[Rob Stone]

Love that. Love that. Mark, where's your ring? Where's your ring right now? I know Coach travels with his collection of rings all over the place. Where's your.

[Urban Meyer]

It's upstairs in my closet next to the Rolexes and the jewelries. And I should go get it real quick. You know what I mean? I should go get it real.

[Rob Stone]

Get it.

[Urban Meyer]

I'mma save us the time. I'm going save us the time.

[Rob Stone]

You've had Wendy's nugs dipped in sauce, Right, Mark, you've had the Wendy nuggets I've had. All right. But Mark, I ask you, have you had them covered in sauce? Wendy's new Saucy Nugs. Take the crispy and spicy nugs that I know you love. And you know what they turn them up to? They turn them up to 11, Mark.

[Urban Meyer]

Oh, more than 10.

[Rob Stone]

More than.

[Urban Meyer]

Choose between flavors like buffalo, honey barbecue, garlic parm, or if you're a real heat seeker, try Spicy Ghost Pepper only on Whitney's signature spicy nugs. I dare you. That's seven delicious ways to try the nugs you already love.

[Rob Stone]

Are you man enough to try the Spicy Ghost pepper, by the way? Do you think you could pull that off?

[Urban Meyer]

That's not for me. I'm the honey barbecue type guy.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah, I can do the peppers, pick a flavor, grab some extra napkins and then go back and get a few more napkins and prepare to nugget. Apparently the word nug is a verb now. So Mark, prepare to nug like you've never nugged before. For a whole new way to nug, it's gotta be Wendy's at participating us. Wendy's Keep on nugging America.

[N/A]

Nug City this episode is brought to you by Google Gemini. With the Gemini app, you can talk live and have a real time conversation with an AI assistant. It's great for all kinds of things, like if you want to practice for an upcoming interview, ask for advice on things to do in a new city, or brainstorm creative ideas. And by the way, this script was actually read by Gemini. Download the Gemini app for iOS and Android today. Must be 18 to use Gemini Live.

[Rob Stone]

Drinking and driving is a decision that will change your whole world. Things will never be the same once you get a DUI because legal fees and time in court are just the beginning. Getting into a crash is another way your world could be irreversibly changed. After drinking and driving, your vehicle may not be the only thing that gets damaged in that crash. You could face a life altering injury or even death. But you're not the only one who could face these consequences. Your decision to drink and drive could permanently change someone else's world. Whether you injure them or leave their loved ones grieving. The next time you're out drinking, call a ride, share a taxi, a sober friend, or a designated sober driver. The only decision that will change your world for the better is the decision to call for a sober ride, drive sober, or get pulled over. Paid for by nhtsa. So there Are eight programs left fighting for one of these? Fighting for one of those national championship rings that both of you guys own. The big one of course is going to be what goes down in Pasadena. The Rose bowl. Eight seed Ohio State, one seed Oregon. Again the early line favoring the Buckeyes by one and a half points. One of the big talking points of course coach will be A the rematch, right? But B the long layoff for Oregon, almost a month long.

[Mark Ingram]

How.

[Rob Stone]

How does one try to get their program back in gear after one of these extensive type layoffs away from real football?

[Mark Ingram]

I think there's two points here. Number one, hit it quickly because I've been asked a lot. How do you beat. Is it hard to beat a team twice in a season? You don't really know. That's happened only a hand of times I think. Get used to it though. With this 12 team playoff there's a chance you could play a team three times in this season. So we're about to find out how hard it is. Because really I sure it's hard but it does it change the way you game plan? No. You try to win the game. The only thing that does give you a little familiarity. For example Ohio State better. They'll have a better feel for the juice at the wide receiver for so that's number one. Number two, Lou Holtz. And this is really cool. Lou Holtz gave me the greatest advice. He was like a walk. He's like a walking encyclopedia. I would call him non stop and he would spit out answers. Mark, he was phenomenal. My first time we we beat. We beat Arkansas in the SEC championship game in 06. We have a month to get ready for the national title game, ironically against Ohio State. First guy I call Lou Holtz. Here's his advice. Number two. Two things he said. Number one, remember that game's not played till January 8th at 7pm he reminded me for the next four weeks he said you don't want your players to apex until January, whatever it is, January 8th at 8pm So I would put that in bold letters right in front of my office on a big whiteboard in Sharpie. January 8, 8pm because you don't want to get them too high, too low. The second thing is your team is in a routine. Keep them in that routine. So that's exactly what I did for three to three weeks. We did a Tuesday hard practice, full pads, much less than what we did during season. Wednesday was the third down, red zone. Thursday was the scripted series. Friday was a walkthrough and Then Saturday I had him get up in the morning and we just quick. But we went through a game day routine because players are routine. They love a routine. Coaches love routine. So every week we just obviously was much. We didn't beat them up at all. So our players told me to the day the reason they played so well in those national championship games. We stayed on a routine for the next three weeks.

[Urban Meyer]

Gotta stay on a routine coach. But only thing about how hard it is to beat a team twice, it is. It's very difficult because of the familiarity that comes with playing a team two times. Much like the NFL, you play three, your teams, your division, twice a year. And what do you do? You self scout. So now Oregon has had this much time to prepare their self scouting. What gave us issues from Ohio State? What? What Ohio State issues gave us problems. What presented us problems that Ohio State was showing us and now we're working on them. The pressure packages. Oh, what have they got better at since we played them? Oh, the pressure packages. Oh, offensively they're getting the ball to their playmakers now. How are they using Trejon Henderson who had a big game? So you're self scouting and you're doing the things that gave you problems and you're working on those. So I think the extra time off, especially for a good coaching staff and a mature squad like Oregon has, I think it's going to benefit them tremendously as far as preparation goes. And when you have familiar ready playing teams two times, what wins the game for you? When you're familiar with a team, with what they do, what wins the game for you? Situational football, taking care of the football, not turning the football over, running the football. At the end of the day the small things will win this game. So that's what you focus on over the time period of having a month long break. And I remember man, when we had that month long break, man with coach Saban, he had us doing good on good man. I remember going back to some training camp practices man. Like one on ones like I'm like we was getting after it man. But was that a good thing for.

[Rob Stone]

You as a player, Mark?

[Urban Meyer]

Like he. It was a great thing. I mean I, I didn't know in.

[Rob Stone]

The moment, in the moment where you're like what are we doing? I hate this. We.

[Urban Meyer]

I hated it because I had to block Rolando McClain and Dante Hightower and like Courtney Upshot. I'm like these dudes are huge. But at the end of the day it was getting me ready for Brandon Spikes. Who I was going against with coach, with Coach Meyer, Carlos Dunlop, all these dudes. Major. Right. Like you had dudes on the other side that if you weren't preparing, you weren't going to be ready for the game. So going against that good on good type of atmosphere, that competitive atmosphere, it had us prepared and ready to play the game when we had to play Coach Meyer and his Gators.

[Mark Ingram]

Here's the reality, Mark, and Rob too, is skill sets deteriorate, especially with the younger player, the veteran, the old dude that's played 2000. I used to have a competitive. I called the 2000 club your junior year mark. When you play 2000 competitive reps, now it's all about getting you to the dance. You know, your skill set's pretty developed, but you take that young player, if you sit him down and not keep, you know he's going to regress.

[Urban Meyer]

Yes.

[Mark Ingram]

That's science. That's. That happens. Your skill set deteriorates unless you practice and get going. So I'd have my, you know, I'd have my, you know, the Zeke Elliott or whoever had that competitive reps. I. He'd practice.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah.

[Mark Ingram]

But he'd get one of these early. Get out.

[Urban Meyer]

Yep.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah. Where Curtis, Sammy was a young buck at the time. He needed to keep going because it's science and it's factual skill set that is not being utilized. Do what they deteriorate.

[Urban Meyer]

Wow.

[Mark Ingram]

So you got to keep them going. You got to keep them going.

[Urban Meyer]

On point, Coach. On point.

[Rob Stone]

And again, this one. A rematch of the 2015 National. Excuse me. A rematch of the 2015 National Championship game won by Urban and the Buckeyes 42 to 20 over Oregon. And a rematch, of course, of that October 12th thriller in Eugene. A one point win for the Ducks over Ohio State.

[Mark Ingram]

This is turning into a little bit of a rivalry in it. And you know what the future is. Those are the top dogs. You know, Wolverines will be back, but those are the top cats right now.

[Urban Meyer]

It's a birth of a. It's a birth of an amazing rivalry. I mean, a one point loss by Ohio State on the road in Oregon. Now you get your chance for redemption in a neutral site. This is what football is all about. And we.

[Mark Ingram]

Right.

[Rob Stone]

So you're. If you guys are saying those are the big two in the Big Ten, Penn State would like to have a word with you. They absolutely dominated SMU.

[Mark Ingram]

Exactly.

[Rob Stone]

So. So they took care of SMU. 38 10. A convincing win. A pair of pick sixes. James Franklin, he had been just 5 and 21 versus top 12 teams at Penn State entering this year's playoff. That is your saucy nugget of the week. Try some at your nearest Wendy's. So Franklin able to get that top 12 victory over SMU. People can say, hold on. Was SMU really a top 12 team? That's neither here nor there. They had that number in front of them. So yes, they were Penn State getting the win. And Mark, I think this, this Fiesta.

[Mark Ingram]

Mark, I love Mark. Look at him shaking his head.

[Rob Stone]

Well, what are you shaking your head at? What do you want to shake your head at? James Franklin. And what? Going for it. And on fourth goal to zone 19 and it back. Is that what you want to talk about?

[Urban Meyer]

I'm just move on to the next topic.

[Rob Stone]

Okay.

[Urban Meyer]

All right. Well, I'm going to cheer you up.

[Rob Stone]

I don't want grumpy. I don't want grumpy Mark Ingram.

[Urban Meyer]

I was grumpy watching the first round of the cfp. That's what I was. Grumpy.

[Rob Stone]

All right, well, I want to cheer you up ahead of your big trip to Tokyo because the Fiesta bowl is a game that Mark Ingram should like because it is. It is. It is. There are some runners out there, man. And of course Ashton Genti 2,497 rushing yards this season. Number one in the that came in second place in the Heisman. He only needs 132 yards to break Barry Sanders single season rush record.

[Urban Meyer]

132.

[Rob Stone]

Only 132. And Ashton's had, you know, some more games. But we saw what Penn State did on with their running game throughout the course of the season and clearly what they did against smu. So it feels like this game is, is really going to kind of hinge on the running games of these two programs. Mark.

[Urban Meyer]

And you have three NFL backs in this game and I love it. Talk about Ashton Jenty, the Heisman runner up in the closest race since your boy. 132 yards away from breaking Barry Sanders record. But Barry did it in 11 games. Let's not.

[Rob Stone]

Right.

[Urban Meyer]

Let's not. But the fact that he's temper it.

[Rob Stone]

A bit but still give him the accolades.

[Urban Meyer]

Much props to Ashton Jente on the season he's had. And then you have K. Tron Allen and Nick Singleton. This is going to be. If you want to watch a football, if you want to watch NFL running backs, you want, you want to tune in for this game. And it's because we got three legit ones who will all be Sunday football players. And I'M just super excited for this one because it's Boise State, the real deal. We have a chance to see you go. You have Penn State. Everyone wants to know, okay, the College Football Playoff. Everyone wants to know what will a team like Boise look like in the playoff? Well, hey, we get a chance to find out and Penn State is on the roll. They, you know, Drew Aller didn't play his best game and they still want in a convincing fashion. So, you know, we know Boise plays tough on defense. We know they're going to stop. We know Penn State is going to load the box up and try to stop Ashton Genti. So can Maston, the quarterback, do what he needs to do, make some plays on the outside to back this defense up to give Genty some chance to be able to be successful. But if I'm, if I'm a football fan, I want to watch this game because there's three NFL Sunday running backs in this game and we'll. And you get a chance to appreciate that, the love for the RB's.

[Rob Stone]

You know what I found interesting, you were saying, you know, is Boise State for real? And this is an opportunity for them to prove that against, against a program.

[Mark Ingram]

Every time we say that though, and I jumped on that bandwagon too. And then I went back as we did the Boise State game, the Mount West Conference championship, and on the plane, I downloaded Boise against Oregon early in the season. You know, I ran wild and there's a lot of Oregon has a better defense than Penn State. So I'm all in. I think it's going to be really rugged for a gentle. And I love that kid. I mean, just that whole environment that we experienced at Boise, that was one of the greatest things I've experienced. The whole town's there. Yeah, but the reality is that how many players in the trenches could actually hold up? I don't know. This could, can hold up and could actually play at Penn State. I'd watch, I'd start at center and I'd work my way out and say, okay, where's the matchups? Obviously you're going to find outside a little easier to find because, you know, you got Jeremiah Smith, you got the freaks out there, you can see that usually, but you got to really study it inside. And I haven't done that yet. But how many players Mark at Boise State in the trenches could play at Penn State, right? If the answer is 0, 1 or 2, this is not going to be a good coach.

[Urban Meyer]

You said you talked about that first game. Real quick, stoner Ashton Genti, 192 yards, almost 8 yards per carry. The difference, the quarterback play Maston, 17 of 40, 17 of 40. That's not going to get it done versus Penn State. So you will have to have better quarterback play in this game from Boise State because we know Gentee, we know the identity of this Boise team. But when you're in this playoff at this stature of the season, your quarterback must get you to the next level. So that's going to be the key for all these teams in the playoff moving forward.

[Rob Stone]

And Batson certainly has improved from that point. Only three interceptions thrown this season, 29 touchdown passes. Just. I want to go back to one of your points, Mark. You say, hey, there's a chance for Boise State to prove themselves against a program that is nationally recognized like a Penn State. Totally get it. What will be interesting about Penn State is should they get by Boise State? There's still going to be these questions about is Penn State really good enough?

[Mark Ingram]

Right.

[Rob Stone]

They're going to be like, oh well, you hosted smu, right? Oh, you took on Boise State at a, at a neutral site. You know, I think the questions for Pen still be there. No questioning.

[Urban Meyer]

Oh, we still have questions for Penn State. We still have questions.

[Rob Stone]

Understood. And we have questions for Drew Aller because he looks the part, you know, he, he's a, he's a leading man. He's a first round pick off the bus.

[N/A]

Is he?

[Rob Stone]

But he's still not quite just the.

[Mark Ingram]

Look, that's too early to ordain that one, Rob. That's too early to ordain.

[Rob Stone]

That's why he's coming back for another year, right?

[Mark Ingram]

Well, he has to. He's not a first rounder right now.

[Rob Stone]

In these type of, of situations.

[Mark Ingram]

You look at Mark's face.

[Rob Stone]

I know, I'm just. You've mentioned in the past that they don't have that speed out wide. Penn State, you know, that is, that is a concern for them. But their defense, top 10 rushing defense in the nation, allowing just a hair over 100 yards a game. They've only allowed seven opponent rush touchdowns all season. Again, top 10 in the nation. So that's kind of strength on strength as well, right? Like again, Boise State's going to go as far as Ashton Genti can run them, right? And one other interesting note about it, the Fiesta bowl and Boise State. Yeah, those two have a history, right? 18 years ago, that classic win in the festival over Oklahoma. Coach Peterson, our good friend, all those trick plays. So the Boise State faithful are going to Be happy to be in Arizona back at the Fiesta Bowl. That place is going to going to put a smile on, on their faces. Exciting.

[Urban Meyer]

Not far for them either.

[Rob Stone]

So I'm sure for them that's, that's a manageable. They would go anywhere. They would go anywhere and for sure. So a proving ground definitely for Boise State. If Penn State gets by, there'll still be some more question marks. The winner of that game will take on the winner, the survivor of kind of a blue blood showdown. Notre Dame and Georgia that one New Year's Day in the Sugar bowl in New Orleans. The big talking point of this one of course Mark is the quarterback situation for the Bulldogs. Carson Beck came into the season Heisman favorite, first round grade. He was going to be all everything and instead he's, he's a. He's found the other team a lot more than most would expect and certainly more than Georgia fans wanted. But also it clearly sounds like he will not be available for this game. Talking about surgery options for the elbow on his throwing arm. So what you're going to bring in right now again as expected, is Gunner Stockton will get his first ever start for Georgia and it comes in a quarterfinal showdown against seven seed Notre Dame.

[Urban Meyer]

I just have this belief in Kirby, man. Like I've said it before, I was at Alabama when he was the defensive coordinator. I know how this guy thinks. I think he's just going to have this team prepared. Then you give Gunner Stockton two weeks to prepare as the starter, get the starting reps, get the number one reps. He came in the game in the SEC championship and was efficient. He only had three incompletions, had a turnover. So look, you clean up the decision making, you take away the turnovers and let your team do what they do. The defense, we know how physical they are. You know they've been up and down. We always say team A or team B. Georgia comes with team A. I like them to win this game versus Notre Dame. But Notre Dame is as advertised defensively. Their defense flies around, they cause havoc, they get tackles for loss. They, they're great in the secondary. Jeremiah Love 98 yard touchdown run flu like symptoms. The question is, the question is will Riley Leonard, can he do it? I keep saying can Riley Leonard bring the Irish to the victory? And that's what's going to have to happen for Notre Dame. Riley Leonard is going to have to have a huge game. But at the end of the day I think Kirby smart. I just have this belief in Kirby. I think he's going to have his team prepared. Prepared. I think Gunner Stockton with a week, two weeks to prepare as it's actually.

[Rob Stone]

Kind of like three weeks when you think about it.

[Urban Meyer]

Three weeks. Three weeks to prepare as a starter.

[Rob Stone]

And remember he came in the SEC championship game at halftime when Georgia was trailing six to three. You're right. He, his efficiency was good. Not a whole lot of yards. Only 71 yards passing on those 16 pass attempts. Did have that interception. But I think sometimes in those situations the guys around you step up, right? They're like, oh, Beck is gone, number two is in. I need to, I need to move.

[Urban Meyer]

I need to elevate my game.

[Rob Stone]

I need to bump my game up. And coach and the receivers need to.

[Urban Meyer]

Do it because they've been dropping passes all year long.

[Rob Stone]

And listen, coach, coach dealt with us. He understands what it is. You go Back to that 2014 run, coach, you did it with your third string quarterback in a stressful situation. Like how do you manage that football playoffs?

[Urban Meyer]

How did you, how do you manage that Coach? Like not with the second string, but.

[Mark Ingram]

The third string, third string, third string quarterback.

[Urban Meyer]

First of all, you did immaculate job recruiting. First of all, right, well.

[Mark Ingram]

And he didn't. Back then you couldn't leave. So you had. Most people don't have third string quarterbacks now because they all leave. They're walking the second one, first of all, card, I was so talented. But everyone, it was one of those next man up mentalities. A lot of people say it, we lived it and it was really cool. I want to hit something with Notre Dame. This is the second talent equated game that they played. All this is shocking because I coached at Notre Dame for I think six years. And I remember I used to ask, tell me your scheduling philosophy when I got there. And because of all the subway alums around the country, they go to the east and they play the top teams in the East. Back in the day they would play Miami. Oh, that's the south. The east, they play Penn State obviously every year they play Boston College. But the best teams in the east and they go the south, they play Miami, they play Florida State, they play Texas. They, you know, the best teams. Then you go out west, you play the best teams. And that was the scheduling philosophy. Here's their schedule in 20. This is how it's changed a lot. Obviously they opened up with A and M, North Illinois, Purdue, Miami, Ohio, Louisville, Stanford, Georgia Tech, Navy and Florida. States are down. Florida State, Virginia, army and SC's down. So this will be their only second talent equated game. That means now the difference in the game is going to be coaching. When you don't play talent equated games, it's, you know, you just don't turn the ball over and usually win that game. And they lost one of those. So I'm just staring at this thing and is, is Notre Dame ready for what's going to line up across from the other side? Because they have not seen it all year since game one. And I would say even game one A and M didn't have what Georgia has. How would that team react to looking across the line of scrimmage and seeing a big veined up cat that they haven't seen all year? Yeah, I don't know. That's why I'm so. Because I think Marcus Freeman's done a hell of a job. I mean it's, it's fun to watch him. He's a great dude and all that. But reality is about to set in and I'm not saying I don't. I don't know enough about him. I'm gonna watch more. It's only this. How many teams can say that Mark all year you've only played one other team that had similar type players that you have. Only one.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah. And they won though. They won. Well, they won it. When they played it. They. They won it and.

[Mark Ingram]

Except one.

[Urban Meyer]

And yep, they didn't be. They didn't Illinois and that wasn't talent equated. But they will be up for this game. And A and M has a great defensive line. Man. We talk about those guys that they have on the D line and they were able to win that game. So can they draw from that and build on that? Can they do it? We will see. We shall see.

[Rob Stone]

We Notre Dame. That Notre Dame defense showed up big time against a very good Indiana offense. And guess what? The Indiana offense didn't get on the bus to South Bend because they were absolutely marginalized and nullified.

[Urban Meyer]

The defense is as advertised.

[Rob Stone]

10 tackles for loss, three sacks. Indiana offense could never get anything going. Georgia has never lost to Notre Dame. 30 all time versus Notre Dame. Two of those wins have come with Kirby Smart in charge. Notre dame seeking their first ever 13 win season fighting program history.

[Mark Ingram]

How about that?

[Urban Meyer]

Trying to get Fighting Irish got a chance man. Hey, I'm getting excited again.

[Rob Stone]

As you should. As you should be.

[Urban Meyer]

And Notre Dame, they got a shot against the Bulldogs. Man.

[Mark Ingram]

Let's go.

[Rob Stone]

Coach, real quick. I. I'm curious your take on game planning with the quarterback change. And. And I want you from the Notre Dame side real fast. So Gunner Stockton comes in again. Again, limited numbers this season, but if you go back to his high school numbers and again, I know we're talking high school numbers here, but this cat can run. He's got legs. 4,377 yards rushing. He rushed for 77 touchdowns.

[Urban Meyer]

So he's a nugs.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah, that is a bonus Wendy Saucy nug. So he is much more of a, of a nimble running type quarterback compared to a Carson back.

[Mark Ingram]

Okay, couple thoughts. This is really cool stuff, Mark. All right. First thought about him being a runner. I don't know who's behind him. When Cardell Jones took over, we, we were done. I had Jalen Marshall was my h back who was a wishbone quarterback. We every six snap in practice, I'd stick Jaylen Marshall and you know, in case Cardell got hurt, you can't just stop the game. You got to keep playing. So I don't know, I'm not aware I'm going to look that up. What's, what's behind him. If you don't have a guy behind you can take those rushing stats and cut him in half, they're not going to run him very much. And you can't because that's not fair to the team. But you got to win that damn game. I used to yell at Cardell when he would scramble. I'd be screaming from the sideline, get down, get down, get down a little bit. Like when a player gets his first start in basketball, the first, you know, the adrenaline is pumping. The first shot, what always happens, it goes long, it hits the back of the rim or the, and it bounces off hard because everything you're. So we're getting ready. Cardell Jones is going to make his first start against Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game. And we're thinking it through. Our game plan was we did not have one pass in the offense between the hash marks. Everything was on the outside because what's a quarterback doing it? I mean, this kid's going to be out of his freaking mind. First he's going to be nervous. The adrenaline's pumping. He's going to over stride and he's going to sail some balls. When you sell a ball in an outcut or a corner route or a inside fade, you know where the ball goes right hi out of bounds. Oh, what happens when you let one sail on a square in or a crossing route? It's called interception. So if you go back and watch that, I, you know, obviously I'm not in the game plan meetings for Georgia, I would not play that game at all. Between the hash marks, I'd keep that sucker on the outside. Certainly in the first half. Let him calm down because that you don't lose the ball. You don't lose games because they can play passes. You're going to lose that game if he throws a pick.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah.

[Rob Stone]

You think it takes a whole half to calm. You think it takes a whole half to calm down?

[Mark Ingram]

I don't know the player. But for Cardell, after it was a whole game.

[Urban Meyer]

And you know what, you know what else helps calm him down? A run game. A run game. So Trevor ETN will have to have his best game of the season, not only to control the line of scrimmage, but to help out his quarterback who's in his first start in the biggest moment.

[Rob Stone]

ETN remember, missed a couple games because of that rib injury. Return for the SEC championship game, 87 yards, three touchdowns, three touchdown, three touchdowns. Speaking of running to wrap up this Notre Dame Georgia Talk, 1981 Sugar bowl coach a young freshman by the name of Herschel Walker. Walker led the dogs to a 1710 win in New Orleans that won Georgia the national title. Back on Bourbon street and Georgia coming up next are calls on the Fiesta and Sugar bowls, courtesy of BetMGM's pick six.

[Mark Ingram]

Light it.

[Rob Stone]

Well, as you all know by now, we have teamed up with our great friends at BetMGM. This season we're going to be using BetMGM lines to make all of our picks. We'll also have special offers for our listeners each week. Mark, you're listening, right? You're listening to this? Yeah, I'm Pay attention, pay attention. All right, so if you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, we urge you to use the bonus code option or go to betmgm.com backslash option and you will get up to $1500. First bet offer mark on your first wager with BetMGM, we're talking 1500 bucks, mark.

[Urban Meyer]

1500. But here's how it works. Download the BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code option. Deposit at least $10 and place your first wager on any game. You'll receive up to 1500 dollars in bonus bets if your bet loses. Just make sure you use bonus code option when you sign up. Or go to betmgm.com backslash option.

[Rob Stone]

It's all about the option, Mark.

[Urban Meyer]

It's all about the option, especially the triple option.

[Rob Stone]

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[N/A]

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[Rob Stone]

Welcome back to the last edition of the Triple Option presented by Wendy's for the year 2024. Great run for us. Thank you again to all of our sponsors. Man, how good has Wendy's been to us not only just on kickoff, but here with the Triple option. Mark Ingram, Urban Meyer, Rob Stone, back here with you. Time now for Pick Six, brought to you by BetMGM. Place your Moneyline Prop parlay and Same Game parlay bets at BetMGM. Download the app today. As always, please gamble responsibly. Again, these lines are going to fluctuate, but the early numbers are in. We're going to pick two quarterfinal games right now. We're going to start with the Fiesta Bowl. Penn State, Boise State. The Nittany Lions sitting there as the number six seed, a favorite mark by 10 points over the Boise State Broncos. 10 point spread in favor of the Nittany Lions. Does that feel right? Too big? Too small?

[Urban Meyer]

I think it's the right number. I think it's the right number and I think. I think they're going to cover Penn State. Listen man, like I still got questions about Penn State. Right. But at the end of the day, I think the difference will be the quarterback play. When you get to these moments, I keep saying this dawn, your quarterback, you have to have a guy at the quarterback position. And I just will lean Penn State in this, in this game. Obviously, Boise State with Ashton Genty, they have their hands full. He went for 197 yards on Oregon earlier this year. So they are very much capable. But at the end of the day, the, the quarterback battle, I think that's the difference. And I'm not saying I believe all the way in Drew Aller, but I believe in him more than I do Maston for Boise State. So I think I, I got, I got, I got, I got, I got Penn State covering this one because of their defense. I think they're going to swarm. I think they're going to try to load up the box, stop, edge. And Genti, I think they're going to put pressure on Mast and make him, you know, make a lot of decisions, put him in tough predicaments. So I think they're going to be ready to roll. And I think I got Penn State covering in this one.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah, common sense tells you Penn State will cover. The problem is I just go back. Well, you just. How many players at Boise State were recruited by Penn State? And I always go back to, you know, mano a mano, especially up front. And the reality is that I've watched Boise State, you take Genty out, I'm not sure how good they are. And Genti is a freaking manster. You know, he had one opportunity against a big dog and that was Oregon, and he did it. However, I just think this game will be extremely close at halftime, like, really close. And I think the wear and tear on the big dogs up front by Penn State on offensive and defensive line will wear them out. And by the time the fourth quarter games, I think they'll cover, but it won't be until the fourth quarter because I think they'll just wear them out a little bit. Coach, big bodies leaning on big bodies eventually give in.

[Rob Stone]

In the days, in your days when you had to neutralize a running back, right. And we know Boise State is built on the run game of Ashton Genti. What are some of the. Just the quick little things that you would do defensively that you're going to say to yourself, guys, this guy, number whoever, is not going to beat us.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah, there's two things. There's one, you can stop the run game. And now, unless the guy BYOB can just break tackles, which Genti can, which he does. He will. He will have extra people. There will be one extra person and they'll play one high the entire game. Penn State will. They're going to stop. They're going to force Boise to throw the football. However, everybody's done that. And this kid's that good that he, you see him. His post contact yard mark. You gave us 1800 yards. It's ridiculous.

[Urban Meyer]

More than any other runner in the country.

[Mark Ingram]

However, Penn State on paper has a much better player tackling them than other than Oregon on paper. So the number one thing is you, you put an extra hat in a box. The number two thing is line movement, and that's, you know, you try to discombobulate the offensive line of Boise State. How do you do that? You do movement. And they've had some time to prepare for this one. They've been, I, I tell you what. Penn State's been working on Genty for a month now. They had someone else in the back room as they're getting ready for smu. They've been working on this one. So they're. They're going to have a pretty good scheme.

[Urban Meyer]

What Penn State does really well, they run 11 players to the ball. We have a runner who breaks tackles. You swarm the football. You run 11 people to the football, get him down, because he is going to break tackles. But when he does break the tackle, you have to have another person hitting him right away. So swarming the football, 11 people running to the football will be paramount for this Penn State defense. But that's what they're built on. They run high energy. They run to the football, 11 people to the ball, playing with their hair on fire. So they'll be prepared for this game. They'll be prepared for this opportunity. But I do want to see Genti ball, though. I do want to see Genti ball. I do want to see Genti go crazy.

[Rob Stone]

I think the neutral fan is thinking the same thing. I want to see this kid at a quote unquote underprivileged university compared to the Penn States of the world and the Georges and the Notre Dame's a little small, tiny, upstart program.

[Urban Meyer]

Like, listen, I'm not a whole believer in Penn State though. I'm not.

[Rob Stone]

I know. And nobody is. And they're not going to be a big believer in Penn State and James Franklin until they get, until they Notre Dame or Georgia in the semifinals. That, that's, that's the only way they can calm, calm that narrative down. And again Boise State going back to The Fiesta Bowl 18 years after that, that historic game against Oklahoma. Again, the one theme of the four first round playoff games, the four winners all won the line of scrimmage and it wasn't even close. And all the coaches said that's where we won the game. So who wins that line of scrimmage? Penn State clearly seems to have the advantage in that one. Let's pivot now to the Sugar Bowl. Notre Dame and Georgia. Of. Of the teams that had buys, okay, Only Georgia is a favorite right now. Of the four teams that got buys, only Georgia's favored and they're barely favored. Coach. The Bulldogs favored right now in the Sugar bowl by 1 1/2 points over Notre Dame.

[Mark Ingram]

I'll tell you, Vegas is amazing. And I stare at these points. I think they're right on. I mean, they're right on. My question is, and it will be until they play talent equated. I use that term because I would use it with our players. This is a talent equated game. Notre Dame should have the same players because they recruit against each other. Georgia probably has a little bit better roster for the NFL draft because they normally do. However, Notre Dame, I just. How is the player is going to respond when they see a high draft pick across from them? Because they've not seen that, Rob. They've not one time, and that was three months ago and they, they won the game at Texas A and M. But the, the rest of the season. Imagine, imagine that, Mark. Imagine you playing 12 or 13 games where you know that that guy trying to attack you is not as good as you. And that's the reality of the, you know, the, you know, the hierarchy of college football. So I think the point spreads right. I. You're asking me to pick. I don't know. I don't know enough about Notre Dame. Yeah, they're great. The coaches, I love the dude. Everything's great. What they've done so far. But the guys, they are blocking, they've been better than other than one time and that was three months ago. So I'm anxious to see where Georgie. On their hand, they played, they played probably four teams that have the same type of dudes that they have maybe five teams.

[Urban Meyer]

They play the A M team and they have some good defensive linemen. A and M, we know Nick Scorton, we, we know about their pass rusher.

[Mark Ingram]

So.

[Urban Meyer]

And they were able to kind of neutralize that and get that win a long, a very long time ago. Very long time ago. But the key For Georgia would be Gunner Stockton. Coach, you. You said you. You had to deal with a third string quarterback. You had to deal with third string quarterback. Coach, what's the difference between a quarterback having to get thrown in the game at halftime as opposed to preparing as a starter for two or three weeks?

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah, night and day.

[Urban Meyer]

Yes, night and day.

[Mark Ingram]

So he's getting all the reps at practice.

[Urban Meyer]

Exactly. So I think Gunnar Stockton will be prepared. I think he was efficient in his first matchup. Coming in in relief duty for Carson Beck. Trevor Etienne will be a key. And the physicality of that defense, I think all of those things is going to be a problem for Notre Dame. But the main thing is keys receivers who have some of the most drops in the country, can they make plays to help out their backup quarterback? Because they will have to. They will have to. But Notre Dame, man, they're as advertised on defense. They run around physical. They get tackles for loss. They're great on the back end. They run the football with Jeremiah Love. Riley Leonard. Riley Leonard. Gunnar Stockton. Riley Leonard. Gunnar Stockton. At this point of the season, Stoner, your quarterback must make plays to win you the game. Do not turn the football over and you will have to convert on third downs. Which quarterback will show up? Which quarterback will have the game of their life? That's who's going to win this game. I gotta be in Georgia.

[Rob Stone]

Riley Leonard, he's been. He's been very efficient and hot as of late, connecting on almost 75% of his passes over the course of the last three games. So Leonard is coming in with some confidence.

[Mark Ingram]

Clearly, one team that they've been throwing against had the same players. They've had this one. They will.

[Rob Stone]

Georgia. They have won seven straight postseason games. Their last loss where they're about to play the Sugar Bowl. 2019, their last postseason loss, and it came to Texas. And again, right now, Georgia a slim favorite over Notre Dame in that quarterfinal. One and a half.

[Urban Meyer]

One and a half. One and a half.

[Rob Stone]

You guys both like Georgia to cover.

[Urban Meyer]

One and a half? Wow.

[Mark Ingram]

I'm gonna go. Georgia cover.

[Rob Stone]

Yep.

[Mark Ingram]

Georgia's gonna cover close though, man.

[Rob Stone]

Don't let Brady Quinn hear it. Don't let.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah, Brady's not gonna be happy about it.

[Rob Stone]

No, he's not.

[Urban Meyer]

I'll tell you, man, Stone, I just got this belief in Kirby, man. I just believe Kirby is going to have his team ready to play.

[Mark Ingram]

For good reason.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah, for good reason. He's proven it. He's proven it over and over again and again. Georgia has never lost to Notre Dame 3 and O all time, including 2 and oh under Kirby Smart. Make sure to follow subscribe rate us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your podcast, as well as across social media. We can be found at 3x option show. Submit those questions again. We've got all kinds of fun coming your way in the New Year. This is the last episode of the Triple option here in 2024. We'll see you in 2025. Mark's going to be out in the Far east sending us videos of him eating Sushi. Meanwhile, Coach and I are going to be grinding talking about the college football playoffs when the Triple Option returns. Thank you again to our wonderful sponsors here in our first year in the podcast industry at the triple option. Wendy's BetMGM USAA NHTSA man, it has been so great to work with you guys. We appreciate the confidence and the belief you had in us. Everybody have a great, great New Year and enjoy.

[Urban Meyer]

We wish you a Merry Christmas.

[Rob Stone]

Safe travels, Mark.

[Urban Meyer]

Thank you. Appreciate you, Love you and a Happy New Year.