Michigan Punished, Jeremiah Smith Joins, & Players to Watch This Season

Summary

The Triple Option – Episode Summary

Episode: Michigan Punished, Jeremiah Smith Joins, & Players to Watch This Season
Date: August 20, 2025
Hosts: Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, Rob Stone
Main Guest: Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State, WR)

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Overview

The hosts kick off Year 2 of The Triple Option by diving into college football's return and tackling the fallout from the Michigan sign-stealing scandal. They discuss NCAA enforcement, legacy implications for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan, and broader impacts on college football. The state of the Power Four (Big Ten, SEC, ACC, Big 12) and Notre Dame are analyzed ahead of the 2025 season. Notably, Heisman-contending Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith joins to talk about stardom, humble beginnings, and the coming campaign.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Michigan Punished: Breakdown of NCAA Sanctions and Legacy

• Details of the Sanctions:
  • Michigan fined up to $30 million.
  • Four years probation for the program.
  • Show-cause penalties:
    • Jim Harbaugh (10-year show-cause; effectively banning him from college coaching)
    • Connor Stalions (8-year), Denard Robinson (3-year), multiple staff with shorter bans
  • Current coach Sherrone Moore: Additional 1-game suspension; two-year show-cause
• Compare to Previous Eras:
  • In the past, similar or lesser violations would carry two-year post-season bans and major scholarship losses (USC and SMU cited).
• NCAA’s Weakened Role:
  • Urban Meyer: “The NCAA is no longer an enforcement entity. It doesn’t exist, Mark. It does not exist.” (09:41)
  • Monetary fines seen as ineffective deterrents for wealthy programs.
• What is a Show-Cause?
  • Urban Meyer: The hiring school must “show cause” to the NCAA for why the penalized coach should be employed, risking further punishment for violations—viewed as “nonsense” for high-profile coaches like Harbaugh, now in the NFL.
• Legacy Fallout:
  • Despite being “a winner,” Harbaugh’s legacy is marked by controversy.
  • Mark Ingram: “He [Harbaugh] was a winner…they got away with it. They’re paying money from a very wealthy university and they got a show cause to a coach who’s not coming back to college.” (18:24)
• Memorable Quotes:
  • Rob Stone: “This is one that will go down in history books. This is something in my lifetime I’ve not seen.” (07:13, Urban Meyer)
  • Urban Meyer: “There was little if any emphasis on following the rules…Compliance directives were rebuked, dismissed and disregarded by the football program." (11:19)

2. Transfer Portal, NIL, and the Essence of College Football

• Coach Thomas Hammock on Long-term Lessons:
  • “I would do it again for free…because of the things I learned. That’s why I’m standing here today.” (26:25)
  • Hammock criticizes NIL/transfer obsession, urging focus on education, life skills, and legacy over short-term gains.
  • Urban and Mark echo the importance of education, adversity, community, and growth (28:08, 29:20).
• Player Perspective:
  • Encourages embracing challenges and cherishing the college experience—not just chasing money or immediate starting roles.

3. The State of the Power Four and Notre Dame (2025 Season Outlook)

• Big Ten:
  • Urban Meyer: "You’re number one…It’s amazing to say that the Big Ten has surpassed the SEC the last two years." (32:19)
  • Conference depth bolstered by Oregon, Washington, USC, UCLA.
• SEC:
  • Mark: “They trying to prove…they still the most dominant conference." (35:12)
  • A chip on the shoulder after losing top spot, eager for redemption.
• ACC:
  • Needs Clemson and others to step up.
  • Next episode: Dabo Swinney guest announced.
• Big 12:
  • Wide open; "six to eight programs could win it all" (39:47).
  • Modernized, innovative approaches under Commissioner Brett Yormark lauded.
• Notre Dame:
  • “As long as they keep doing what Notre Dame typically does, they should be in the College Football Playoff just about every season.” (41:13)

4. Farmageddon in Ireland / Importance of Early Season Conference Games

• Iowa State vs. Kansas State (Week Zero):
  • Discussion of the unique challenge and strategic significance of opening the season with a key conference matchup overseas (43:15).
  • Early games and new playoff format: Win the conference = automatic playoff bid, so every game matters.

5. Players to Watch for 2025

• Urban Meyer’s Picks:
  • Julian Sayin (QB, Ohio State): “The ball jumps out of his hand…he’s very slight. I’m anxious to see how the strength staff has developed him.” (45:25)
  • DJ Lagway (Florida QB): "He did all that as a freshman…incredible."
  • Bryce Underwood (Michigan QB): "He has it all."
• Mark Ingram’s Picks:
  • Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame RB): “Straight baller…17 touchdowns also a threat out of the backfield."
  • Ty Simpson (Alabama QB): "Respect that he stayed, learned, waited…has his opportunity."
  • Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State WR): "15 touchdowns as a true freshman…an alien out there at wide receiver one."
• Rob Stone’s Picks:
  • Arch Manning (Texas QB): "It’s all about Arch Manning, baby…can he bring the Heisman back to Austin?"
  • Cade Klubnik (Clemson QB)
  • Garrett Nussmeier (LSU QB): "Most passing yards over 4,000 last season by any returning quarterback."

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Featured Interview: Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State WR)

Begins: [53:28]

Segment Highlights & Insights

• Dealing with Stardom:
  • “I come from humble beginnings. I don’t let all that stuff get in my head. I just focus on football and the team.” (54:48)
• Ohio State WR Room Legacy:
  • “Each week that we play, I feel like we’re obligated to go out there and perform at a high level because those guys did it each week… I’m obligated to go out each and every day and perform at a very high level.” (55:42)
• Offseason Focus:
  • “Becoming a student of the game…last year, being a freshman, a lot of things were thrown at me…now I have a better understanding of what’s going on." (56:04)
  • Example: Understanding coverage and defensive schemes.
• On Teammates Carnell Tate & Brandon Ennis:
  • “[Carnell] could do any and everything that you ask him to do...Brandon, same way, he got that dog in him.” (57:05)
• Why Ohio State:
  • “When I first came up here for a visit, I felt like this was home...I wanted to get out of Florida...focus on ball and school.” (57:53)
• Handling Pressure of Defending National Title:
  • “I feel like everybody thinks we need to go back-to-back, and that’s something on our minds as well…pressure, we trying to go back-to-back.” (58:42)
• Julian Sayin (QB):
  • “Smart quarterback, can make any and every throw, a student of the game.” (59:28)
• Youth Football/Adversity Story:
  • “Coach told me I was off the team…just walked away, went to my dad, he didn’t get mad...just kept working, made the team next year. To kids getting overlooked: don’t take it too personal, keep your head down, keep working.” (60:52)
• On Michigan ("team up north"):
  • “With everything in me, I hate ‘em.” (61:36)
  • Initial recruiting story: “I made a mistake and I was wearing dark blue…Coach Hartline and Coach Keenan Bailey were like, you can’t wear those colors here.” (61:58)
• On the Offense Under Brian Hartline:
  • "A lot of energy…everyone flying around, want to make plays." (62:33)
• Favorite Play:
  • Third and long, go-to route is “go ball from the field up top.” (62:49)
  • Loudest moment: “National championship game, third and 11…go ball.” (65:00)
• Advice from Mark Ingram (handling noise and hype):
  • “All the outside noise, it was just conditional…When you did good, they praise you. When you did bad, they try to tear you down…stayed focused on what mattered." (66:15)

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Notable Quotes and Moments

• Urban Meyer on NCAA Power Erosion:
  • "I lived it...the NCAA is no longer an enforcement entity. It does not exist, Mark." (09:41)
• Mark Ingram on Sanctions as Bargain:
  • “You’ll write the check 10 times out of 10 to win a national title.” (09:52)
• Rob Stone on Harbaugh’s Return:
  • “He is going to be embraced and loved because in the end, Jim Harbaugh got Michigan a national title and that’s all that matters.” (20:19)
• Thomas Hammock on College Football Purpose:
  • “The lessons I learned were more valuable than any money you can ever pay me…Long term." (26:25)
• Jeremiah Smith on Rivalry:
  • “With everything in me, I hate ‘em [Michigan].” (61:36)
• Mark Ingram’s Advice to Young Athletes:
  • “Don’t take it too personal. Keep your head down. Keep working…the outside distractions didn’t matter because it was all conditional to me anyway.” (66:15)

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Important Timestamps

• Michigan Sanctions Deep Dive: 00:57–20:19
• Thomas Hammock on NIL, Lessons: 25:10–28:08
• Power Four/Notre Dame Outlook: 32:19–42:27
• Farmageddon in Ireland Preview: 43:15–45:25
• Players to Watch: 45:25–50:41
• Jeremiah Smith Interview: 53:28–67:21

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Tone and Takeaways

• Lively, candid, and insightful—deep-dive analyses by veteran football minds, balancing critique (NCAA’s lack of teeth, Michigan’s slap on the wrist) with respect (to player achievements/wins).
• Emphasis on tradition, locker room culture, and life beyond football—especially via the transfer portal/NIL debate.
• Jeremiah Smith comes off humble, grounded, yet driven—echoing the “team first” and “hard work” mantras championed by the hosts.

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Transcript

[Mark Ingram]

The Saint's going to tank for for the Nuts.

[Rob Stone]

Take for the N. We'll have to come up with a better, a better line than Tank for the Nuts. All aboard the Nuts bus. Welcome to the Triple Option presented by Wendy's. Try Wendy's new Frosty Fusions with flavors like Caramel Crunch, Oreo Brownie and Pop Tart Strawberry. Oh, it's back, baby. Love that music, man. I love watching Mark Ingram dance to the Triple option music. Hey, welcome to episode one of year two, Deuce your Deuce of the Triple Option. Rob Stone, Mark Ingram ii, the coach, Urban Meyer here with you boys. We're back, man. So good to see you guys. You know what else is back? College football's here, man. We finally get to talk about games.

[Mark Ingram]

Let's go collect.

[Rob Stone]

Kind of. Kind of. We've got some other stuff to talk about. That program in Ann Arbor has been.

[Urban Meyer]

Not so fast, my friend.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah, they've been creating some news lately. As always, thanks for joining us. Remember, please Rate subscribe at Apple Podcast Spotify wherever you get your podcast as well as across social media. You can find us at 3X option. Show new episodes coming away every Wednesday on YouTube and wherever you find your podcast. So we're gonna fire up season two with some weak zero talk. The best college football player in the land, Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith. He joins us this week and we're going to talk the mood of the big four conferences and Notre Dame as we head into the season. But we begin with the long awaited news arounding the suspensions and the fines and everything that is the Michigan sign stealing scandal. And boy, there is a lot to digest courtesy of Ann Arbor and it finally came down. So coach, I know we've been talking about this for a while and man, there is, there is a lot. We're going to talk about legacies, we're going to talk about what actually went down and, and how it impacts college football and the NCAA as a whole. So we begin with any given Saturday. We're looking at the moments that make college football what it is. We're going to start off the field. Finally that investigation that started all the way back in 23 around the national championship season of Michigan, they finally received their sanctions in relation to that Connor stallion sign stealing SC during that national championship run. Fine. That's I guess the big news, right? Could be up to $30 million. And if that's the big news that tells you how little this punishment really is. Sharon Moore, the current head coach, given an additional one game suspension Next season and two year show. Cause we'll talk about the, the real bite that is show cause you can snicker somewhere off camera. Michigan, remember they self suspended him if you will for two games this season. The big one. Jim Harbaugh, former head, head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers a 10 year show. Cause that's on top of an additional show cause that he already had Connor Stallion's eight year show cause Denard Robinson, three yard, three year show cause program put on four year probation. That's it. That's it. So if you kind of reflect back to the old days, Coach, if you will, you look at what they did and what came down, this probably would have been by most accounts a two year postseason ban, a loss of a number of scholarships. But again the NCAA has kind of moved away from punishing players that weren't involved during those infractions, which I'm, I'm in favor of. But then it's. The question is how do you, how do you really, you know, how do you really dole out proper punishment? So let's get to the Harbaugh factory.

[Mark Ingram]

Wins.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah, yeah. Wins and titles and Heismans and I don't think that's fair. But what is fair? We'll get to that in a second. Let's start with this quote and this will really trigger things. And I know Coach, it's triggered a lot of, a lot of high ranking people in the college football world, including yourself. This is from the infractions report. Okay. Coach Jim Harbaugh ran a program that was largely dismissive of rules compliance. There was little if any emphasis on following the rules to the contrary. His program saw compliance as the enemy. Made their own decisions regarding interpreting rules to their benefit or outright committed rules violations. Again, Coach, that was in the infractions report. That's not from an Ohio State or Michigan State fan. This is from the people that were working on this investigation. What does this say about what Harbaugh's legacy will eventually be at Michigan?

[Urban Meyer]

I have to sit up for this one now. So just in a little context, we were covering a big noon. We were covering the Wolverines, arguably one of the top football teams in recent history. We all witnessed the national championship. And I remember when this started hitting. If you remember, I was the one guy on the set that kept pushing back and saying, I don't believe this, I don't believe that. You know, I've seen the media report things that just aren't true. And so I was pushing back on it, you know, with the Whole sign stealing and say no. There's no way that they sent people on the road to videotape them. No way that they dressed up. Some guy dressed up in the, in a coach at the counter Stallions dressed up in Central Michigan coaching gear to steal give signs to on Michigan State. So I pushed back on this and now that it's all in front of us, I'm going to tell you what the legacy is because I forgot most of this. So I'm going to read this and Mark, take this in for a second. So in April 2024 this is the COVID 19 cheating. Okay? During COVID you were not allowed to recruit and some people say it was a hamburger thing. No, no, they were, they were recruiting when you're not supposed to recruit. In April 2024 the schools put on three years probation. So my question is if they're put on three years probation under a second violation, why just get rid of that. My challenge is get rid of that. That means nothing. Three years probation. Jim Harbaugh given a one year NCAA ban and four year show cause. Okay, we're going to get to the show cause here in a minute. Jim Harbaugh served three game suspension to beginning of the season for this. Jesse men are a coach on their staff got a one year show cause once again we'll get into what show cause means because I wasn't aware what it meant. Another defensive back coach clink scale received a two year show clause. So basically members of the staff and then the current head coach Sharon Moore was involved in that and he was suspended for the first game of 2023. Now we go to the sign stealing stallion resigns. He has an eight year show cause. Jim Harbaugh final suspended the final three games of the 2023 by the Big Ten.

[Rob Stone]

He returned the regular season, right? But remember he was able to return for the Big Ten title game and their run through the playoffs, right?

[Urban Meyer]

And then Chris Partridge a linebacker coach was fired in season for destroying evidence. Sharon moore self suspended two games in 25. This is on top of the one suspension. Already had two games in 25 and now one in 2026 and the Wolverines are fined. I've been around college football for you know and some people might say because this I coached in that rivalry game. But I've said this many times. I've just, you know from Boshin Beckler to following the Wolverines to the respect I have, this is a, this is one that will go down in history books. This is something in my lifetime I'VE not seen this. It. I released a statement. You know, people were asking me what to say and all that. And I referred back to a story when I coached a team that were not allowed to play for a national championship and they lost because they had nothing to do with. So I agree with that. They shouldn't punish the current players. But I don't know how. How else you do it? Monetary fine to a university with a very wealthy university, Mark means nada.

[Mark Ingram]

Nothing.

[Urban Meyer]

Nothing.

[Mark Ingram]

Nothing.

[Urban Meyer]

Zero. I took over a program and I know I'm going to hit it real quick. I was hired in 2011 and I hired. This is incredible story. So Gene Smith called me about coaching the Buckeyes. They just fired Jim Trestle for you look back now. It was nonsense. Why that happened. It was players exchanging tattoo. Exchanging memorabilia for tattoos. Think about that for a minute. They fired a coach. They fired a coach and there was a thought that they might lose a bowl game and lose scholarships. I hired someone from the NCAA to look into. They came back to me and said, this looks like it's only be probation. And then I asked Dr. Gee, Gordon Gee and Gene Smith any chance that we're going to lose a bowl game or scholarships because I wasn't going to take the job. That's. That's usually a death knell. And they assured me, no, I take the job. Contract unsigned. Two weeks later, Gene Smith comes to my office and says, we got a problem. I said, what's that? He said, the NCAA just took nine scholarships. Nine. Nine. And that's a big hit. And then also your. Your team cannot go play in a bowl game. They took a bowl game and there's no championship game, etc. And you're the worst thing is every senior could leave without punishment.

[Mark Ingram]

Wow.

[Urban Meyer]

So I've lived it. The NCAA is no longer an enforcement entity. It doesn't exist, Mark. It does not exist.

[Mark Ingram]

Does not. It doesn't exist. Coach. Like you talk about gaining a competitive advantage to help you win a national title. That you are guilty of doing something that gave you a competitive advantage. And all they did was have to, you know, they just have a couple fines, they have a couple show causes and that's it. Like you said, for a wealthy university like Michigan, you'll write the check 10 times out of 10 to win a national title. You're right. To check 10 times out of 10 to Win a national title. So NCAA, previously we could go back to like USC. We can go back to USC when they had their Reggie Bush gate, whatever that was.

[Rob Stone]

Right 15 years ago. Right. 15 years ago. It was a. A two year postseason ban. 30 scholarships.

[Urban Meyer]

30. Wait, don't. Don't say that. 30. USC has not been right since.

[Mark Ingram]

No.

[Urban Meyer]

Yep.

[Rob Stone]

Lost the Natty. Lost the Heisman, which has since been returned to register. That was 15 years ago.

[Mark Ingram]

Disassociate with their best player. Most prolific player in the history of their program.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah. They took down the banner. Right.

[Rob Stone]

Was that a competitive. Was that a competitive advantage that Reggie Bush's family received some funds for housing.

[Mark Ingram]

And that did not help them win on the football field. Right.

[Thomas Hammock]

So.

[Rob Stone]

Well, maybe it kept. Maybe it kept Reggie happy and kept him around campus.

[Urban Meyer]

I want to hit something.

[Rob Stone]

Mark.

[Urban Meyer]

Mark. I want to hit something really hard here that Rob read a quote and there are a couple of pieces of that quote that I want to hit. And I want to give you something else. There was little if any emphasis on following the rules. His program saw. His program saw compliance as the enemy and made their own decisions. The one, I had two other quotes in there that I saw. The compliance directives were rebuked, dismissed and disregarded by the football program.

[Thomas Hammock]

Wow.

[Urban Meyer]

The compliance directives, that means it's a compliance office. And they meet frequently with the coaching staff. They were rebuked, which means they're turned away. They were dismissed and they were disregarded by a football program. And then the second part, it's one of the most serious violations that the NCAA have ever witnessed. So I don't know. I mean, there's two things that you look at. Number one, there's a lot of players that had nothing to do with this. They will not be penalized. I witness it. Yeah. I just don't know what you do.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah.

[Urban Meyer]

What the NCAA did.

[Rob Stone]

What is a fair punishment? What would have been a fair punishment?

[Urban Meyer]

I've been thinking about this for a lot and I think financially, coaches have to. When they sign a contract, there's got to be. They have to take the financial hit, not the university.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Wow.

[Urban Meyer]

So when you sign a contract and I don't know. I mean, once again, I. I don't know.

[Rob Stone]

I'm coming out of your. Your bank account.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah.

[Mark Ingram]

And then 100 agreement that the players that are currently there should not be punished for people priorly making mistakes. Like, that's what you had to experience, Coach. That's what USC experience. That's what SMU experienced. Having the death.

[Urban Meyer]

Penn State. Penn State experienced it.

[Mark Ingram]

Penn State. So I'm. I'm all for not having the players currently punished, but there was losses. I mean, you have wins Vacated, you have titles vacated, you have accolades vacated. So for what you have done, the, the punishment for your actions was vacating the success of that time period.

[Rob Stone]

Well, again, we listen, we know the NCAA is toothless at this point, right? Th, this is not their game. They're, they're not here to dole out punishment. This, this was kind of like their last hurrah, right? They, they could have come down hard on Michigan. And if you're a Michigan fan, Mark, give me that beautiful white smile of yours, huh? That's a Michigan fan right there. They're like, thank you. We just paid $20 million for a national title every damn day. They would do that. Any school would. It doesn't sound like the Michigan way, does it, Coach? Right. And I think there's a lot of people who, who are very proud of their university and they should be. That should be bothered by this and upset. You know, it's an interesting situation too because there's a lot of institutions, guys, where, if this took place under somebody's watch, the school president, there's firings, there's. There. You're clearing things out. Michigan right now, they don't have a president, they have an interim president. So now you're going to be eventually bringing in a new boss. And I'll be very curious to see what that new boss thinks about what transpired in this program. And I guarantee you, if Sharon Moore has a rough year or a rough two years, they're going to say, you know what, there's systematic issues with this program and we need to clean things out.

[Urban Meyer]

Okay, let's talk about show clause real quick.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah, no problem.

[Urban Meyer]

So show cause, what does that mean? I looked it up. I've asked, I've re done some research. So a show cause means that if a university and for the next 14 years, which Jim Harbaugh is a great coach, he's going to win the NFL and he's not coming back to college if he wanted to, for some reason, the university would have to meet with the NCAA and show cause why they want to hire the guy. And also make a stand saying, we realize if he does commit another violation, we will be penalized, which to me is bullshit. It's nonsense. Just that's. You're wasting people's time talking about that. You have a current head coach, your own Moore, that's operating on a two year show cause right now. What does that mean, Mark? That means he has to go to a couple rules meetings.

[Rob Stone]

He's still a head coach.

[Urban Meyer]

No, no, he's Going to have to go to a couple rules meetings.

[Rob Stone]

I looked it up and he suspended two games this year and, and one next year.

[Urban Meyer]

And that's after being suspended one a couple years ago.

[Mark Ingram]

This is just crazy to me because I was able to go to Michigan and meet with Blake Corm, I met with Strong Moore, I met with a lot of those peoples and I respected them. I, I do respect them and what they stand for and who they are.

[Urban Meyer]

Hell yeah you do.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah. And so I appreciated them welcoming me into their building. And I never, you know, thought that the findings of this investigation, you know, I mean, I never felt that when I was there. You know what I mean? So I'm a big fan of tromo. I'm a big fan of those players there and what they do. But like when you hear what coach said that the investigators found, like they were rebuking or rebellious against compliance, like.

[Rob Stone]

Deleting texts, you know, you completely avoiding interviews.

[Mark Ingram]

You just did not follow the rules and you didn't get, you just got a slap on the wrist for it. They earned, they got the national championship.

[Rob Stone]

They got their chip.

[Mark Ingram]

If I'm a missing get bad, hey, I'm walking, I'm proud. You know what I mean?

[Rob Stone]

That banner is going to look good in Ann Arbor.

[Urban Meyer]

Let me put a final stamp. And I'm fairly uniquely qualified to do this because I coached against him. I grew up in the ten year war with Boshin Beckler and Woody Hayes. And I've said this many times that across the country, if you can name someone that respects the, the, the Wolverines more than I do, I'd like to meet that person. I, I didn't say like and all that and I'm not a fan, but respect because I knew, I knew Bo Schembechler. I read his books, I studied him. When I, when I was hired at Bowling Green, he called me up, I went and met with him. A lot of things that I did in my coaching style was the Woody Hayes, Earl Bruce, Bo Schembecker, Lou Holt. That era of coaching. When I coached against the Wolverines, it was every ounce of everything because you knew that was team was going to be a trained killers on the other side. When you face the Wolverines you better buckle your chain strap a little. And I this is same pregame talk I'd give you better buck. It wasn't making fun of them. It wasn't because. What are you talking about? Are there great players and great coaches there? Yes. Is that an incredible university? Yes. You checks all the boxes the winning this program in history of college football. So this has come from someone who knows I stood on the sideline and faced him. I know many of their alums, Charles Woodson and all those guys, but this is different. Yeah. This is different. Yeah.

[Rob Stone]

I want to wrap real quickly with our thoughts On Coach Harbaugh. Nine years in Ann Arbor, one national title, 89 wins, 25 losses, three Big Ten championships. When people look back, Mark, at his legacy in charge of the Big Blue, what are they going to say about Coach Harbaugh?

[Mark Ingram]

He was a winner.

[Rob Stone]

Bingo.

[Mark Ingram]

He was a winner.

[Rob Stone]

Bingo.

[Mark Ingram]

89 wins a national title. He won. Now, say what you want because the. The punishment wasn't as significant or severe as it probably could have been. But they got away with it. They got away with it. They're paying money from a very wealthy university and they got a show calls to a coach who's not coming back to college.

[Rob Stone]

Right.

[Mark Ingram]

Their show calls with their head coach. Right now he's already employed as a head coach. So pay a little bit of money. And Harbaugh's a winner. Harbaugh's a winner. He won. He was a winner at San Francisco. He was a winner at Michigan. He's going to be a winner at the Chargers. He's a winner.

[Urban Meyer]

Coach, you know, he's a winner. Now there'll be an asterisk there. I think this is going to be a couple weeks story and it disappears. I really do. Yeah, there's a. There's an elephant in the room here, boys, though, that no one's talking about. When Jim Trestle was fired at Ohio State and he was given a suspension, Roger Goodell, commissioner of the National Football League, came out and said that we're going to honor that violate. They were going to honor that suspension. And you remember he went to the Indianapolis Colts to work in the replay room or something. The Colts, because the respect they had for the NCAA and the suspension, do you realize, suspended Jim Trestle. So he was unable to perform his duties for the first six games of the year for the Indianapolis Colts. The qu. I think we all know the answer. Yeah. Any chance that Roger Goodell and the NFL? Of course not. And I, I don't know why that happened prior.

[Mark Ingram]

Right. So they came up with this ruling for Trestle. Right. And then he got hired. Right. Because Harbaugh went. He's been there and the investigation was still open. So I'm like, yeah, I don't know.

[Rob Stone]

Remember, they wanted Harbaugh to come back to Ann Arbor beginning of last season to celebrate the national title. And they, they kind of backed off on it with the optics with the investigation going on. But I guarantee you at that five year anniversary, that national title, that 10 year anniversary, there's going to be a good looking man in khaki strutting into Ann Arbor and he is going to be embraced and loved because in the end, Jim Harbaugh got Michigan a national title and that's all that matters. Coming up, we're going to leave Ann Arbor and head to the rivals hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Heisman candidate Jeremiah Smith joins the triple option. But up next, we talk Farmageddon in Ireland, which highlights week zero. If you love Wendy's classic frosty flavors, we have got some big news for you. There are all new Frosty Swirl and Frosty Fusion flavors. So yeah, it's the same creamy treat that you've always loved now with a flavor refresh. So what are these new flavors?

[Mark Ingram]

Well, stoner, thanks for asking. There are a lot, so I'm just going to list them. Okay, we've got the Frosty Swirls, Strawberry Brownie batter and caramel. Then we've got the blended Frosty Fusions, Caramel Crunch Oreo Brownie with swirl thick Brownie batter sauce and crunchy Oreo cookie pieces and pop Tarts strawberry with a street strawberry sauce and chunks of crazy good Pop Tarts pieces.

[Urban Meyer]

You know your flavors, not to mention that yes, you can still get your classic vanilla. Try them all and find your favorite.

[Mark Ingram]

Are you going to be a strawberry swirl girl? A Caramel crazed Fanatic Brownie batter, Buff Pop tart Strawberry Fanatic Oreo Brownie steak?

[Rob Stone]

These are all really, really good questions, Mark. Anyway, whatever flavor you're craving, odds are we've got a frosty for it. So check in for sweet treat time with Wendy's all new Frosty flavors. A refresh on a classic. Gotta be Wendy's. This college football season is delivering weekly showdowns you do not want to miss.

[Urban Meyer]

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[Mark Ingram]

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[Rob Stone]

Don't wait. Visit FanDuel.com Triple Option to download the app and boost. Your next bet on this week's marquee game must be 21 + and present in select states. For Kansas in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino or 18 + and present in D.C. kentucky or Wyoming. Opt in required bonus issued as non withdrawable profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including any token expiration and max wager amount. See [e-mail] gambling problem. Call 1-800-Gambler or visit fanduel.com rg call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org chat in Connecticut or visit mdgamblinghelp.org in Maryland. Hope is here. Visit gamblinghelplinema.org or call 800-327-5050 for 24. 7 support in Massachusetts or call 1-877-8-Hopeny or text hopeny in New York.

[Thomas Hammock]

Abercrombie is an official fashion partner of the NFL, and I'm CD Lamb, wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. You know, I'm here for Abercrombie's Cowboys Cowboys gear. That's not a question, but I need a whole wardrobe to go with it. No shade to the guys, but I'm used to having the best tunnel fits. This season, Abercrombie has me covered. Shop NFL by Abercrombie in the app, online and in store.

[Rob Stone]

Welcome back to the triple option presented by Wendy's Rob Urban. Mark, back here with you. And each week we're going to tap into the social stratosphere. We're going to find a clip from a coach, a player, a media member, a fan, whoever. And this year, we're going to kick it off with a friend of the show, Thomas Hammock, head coach at Northern Illinois. Remember had that big upset win last season at Notre Dame. Well, he made this passionate statement about the state of the transfer portal, rev share and the bigger picture of college football last week. Take a listen.

[Thomas Hammock]

Yeah, to me, I mean, to be honest with you, I love the challenge. You know, it don't bother me one bit. Because you know what? In life, you're gonna make decisions, right? Sometimes it's gonna work in your favor and sometimes it's not. I told our team the other day, you know, we lost all these guys, let's see who plays. So it's all good when people put it on Twitter. Hey, all, glory to God. I'm going in the transfer portal. Let's see if they play. How many other guys gonna play or travel or get snaps? You know, I was thinking I was gonna tweet something the other day, a picture of me and say, you know what? I enjoy my college experience. I didn't get one dime. But the lessons I learned was more valuable than any money you can ever pay me. And I appreciate that because that is long term. People are losing the fact that this is short term. I coached in the National Football League for five years. Five years, right. Don't lose focus of work the long term. Get your degree, learn valuable lessons. That's going to help you in a long term of your life. That's the whole purpose. This is a transition from being a kid to a grown up and I hope people don't lose focus of that. Everybody's talking about everything else besides what is the most important thing for going to college? Because if you going to college to go get a couple dollars, you might as well go get a job. This is too hard to to go get a couple dollars. Learn the lesson that you need to learn to be successful in life for the next 40 to 50 years of your life. I would do it again for free. For free because of the things I learned. That's why I'm standing here today because of what I learned in college, not because of how much somebody gave me. That's what I would tell people and parents. They need to learn that lesson too. Stop trying to live through your kids. Go teach your kids what are the things they need to learn to be successful. That's what I'm telling my kids. I don't care about no nil, no revenue share. I can care less. You need to learn things in college to get you prepared for life. To be a father, a husband, to work. Everything else. Those are the most important things. That's what people are missing. In my opinion. Just my opinion.

[Rob Stone]

I'll say, well, I'll send my kid to Northern Illinois. I'll let him play for coach Hammock.

[Urban Meyer]

You know, he was on our program last year and he's always been one of my favorite guys. And that's one of the. You know, I've heard a lot in my career. That's one of the greatest lectures I've ever heard. Yes, it's with 100 sincerity. It's 100 accurate and I so over 3000 people mark. I think it's over 3000 players hit the transfer portal media coach third straight.

[Rob Stone]

Year, third straight year that over 3300 players went into the portal.

[Urban Meyer]

So the residual damage and I've talked to people. I don't want to sound like that old guy. That man, man, what about this because there's some great stories, you know, from Dylan Gabriel to Howard at the Ohio State winning the national title so there's so many great stories, but what about the ones? And 40% of those 3,000 don't end up anywhere because they've received really bad advice. You know, we witness a guy leaving Tennessee and going to UCLA for, you know, we're going to see how that story plays out. So I'm, I just, I grew up in that. I talked about it earlier when we talked about the Wolverines. I grew up in the Bo Schembechler, Woody Hayes and Earl Bruce, Lou Holtz era. And it was always about education. And I'm going to say this and hand it off to Mark because I'm very passionate about it. That's why we did those real life Wednesdays. A job and education can't solve all problems, but a job in education can solve all problems. That's what I tell our. The players that move on and are misled and for some reason go astray without the ability to get hired become our problem down the road because we have to help. I mean, that's, that's. I'm just. It is what it is. So a job in education, that's the ultimate responsibility of a university. I don't believe it is anymore.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah, Coach. I disagree with Coach Hamrick. I thought it was an amazing lecture. Like you said, I think people are losing the fact of why do we love sports, why do we love college? It's because it teaches you life lessons. It teaches you values and principles that will help you be a better person when from be a better husband, be a better father, be a better, you know, asset just to our community. Right. And I think people get so infatuated with the short term. Like, how much money can I get right now? And yes, like, it is a good thing that players are getting paid. I do like that players can get paid and get for their likeness, but at the same time, it shouldn't be everything that you're focused on. You should be focused on where you could be to be the best version of yourself. People are so infatuated with just getting instant gratification right now. Like, no, there's something that happens. There's something that happens to you as an individual when you have to compete for a spot and when you earn that spot because you competed for it and you worked hard for it and you earned it. Like, there's something about that and it translates directly into life. Everyone that plays college, you're not going to the NFL. Like, there's. I don't know what the percentage is. I think high school athletes, only about 7% make it to college sports. And then from there, about 2% of those make it pro. So we need to continue to worry about what's important here is developing these young men, these young women, to be great citizens in our world, you know, being assets to our community. And that's overcoming adversity. That's learning how to work with people, that's learning how to communicate with people that don't look like you and knowing your role into being the best you could be to help whatever company or team that you're a part of. So I love the speech from Coach Hammock and I think it was, I think it directly resonates. I think a lot of people need to listen to it.

[Rob Stone]

Timeout for Crossroads presented by nhtsa. Whether you get pulled over or get into a crash, drinking and driving will change your whole world. Drive sober or get pulled over. Paid for by nhtsa. Nhtsa. Their messaging is always on point and really appreciate it, especially with the big Labor Day weekend coming up. All right, so this off season there have been a lot of developments off the field, all based kind of of around a couple of things. You know, commissioners trying to position themselves in their conference in the best light. The future of the College Football Playoff format. TV deals, smaller conferences fighting for, fighting for their spot in the college football landscape. Rev Share La la la la la. Right. There's a lot going on, but let's talk about where these current conferences are real quick as we head into the 2025 season. And we begin, we're going to talk about the four big conferences and then Notre Dame. Let's begin at the home of the last two national champions, the Big Ten. They have three teams in the top 10, six in the top 25, back to back national titles from that conference. Coach, for the first time since the 1940s, if you are the Big Ten, where are you big picture in college football right now?

[Urban Meyer]

You're number one. And I never thought I would really say that again in my lifetime because I was in the SEC from 2000. Was it 2005 and 06 is when the SEC started the run. We won the national championship in 06, won it again in 08. LSU won it, but. And then Mark Ingram went through it. And it was, to be honest with you, when I went the Big Ten in 2012, it was not close. It was not close. The big, the Big Ten, even at the top of the conference was not as good. Near as good, I believe. No, I don't believe. But it's amazing to say that The Big Ten has surpassed the SEC the last two years, certainly at the top of the conference. But also you look at Illinois's win, you look at, you know, I still think, I still think top to bottom, the SEC's bottom is stronger. But when you add Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA, I know they added Oklahoma, Texas, but you see and I, I, I've seen it in the Big Ten. The stadiums are different, Mark. The talent is certainly different. It used to be the SEC has so many players drafted the Big Ten way down here now. It's very close. Yeah. So the recruiting is picked up, the coaching is picked up, the stadium environment has picked up. But I'm going to say this about the sec. They get pissed off real quick down there. They're going to want to get that title back. So I'm anxious to watch this here.

[Rob Stone]

Mark, what do you feel about the Big Ten right now? I think there's three national contenders sitting in that conference. Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State. And I think the, the success the last couple years Mark from that conference has got the programs like Indiana and Illinois, Michigan, obviously Nebraska, that chest is sticking out a little bit more. I think they're walking a little, a little, a little stronger around campus these days. The big, the Big Ten is back in a big way.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah, they're believing and they have shown it. They've the success of the Big Ten teams have had last year in the postseason, the success that the SEC kind of lacked thereof last year in the postseason. The Big Ten is walking with their chest out. They have the last two national champions. You know, Penn State is kind of trying to follow that regime of what Ohio State, Michigan did. So the Big Ten is in a good place. You add Oregon, you add Washington, you add ucla, you add these teams to a conference adds depth to the conference. The Big Ten's in a good spot, man, coming from an sec, boy, I know the Big Ten, all those guys are walking around in the Midwest with their chest out.

[Rob Stone]

They should be right now with their overalls on. All right, so prior to the Big Ten's two year run, the SEC had won four straight natties and 13 of the previous 17. They have four teams in the top 10 and mark 10 programs inside the top 25. The SEC's mindset right now is what.

[Mark Ingram]

They trying to prove, that they still the most dominant conference and they feel that they are the most dominant conference from top to bottom. They probably have the more depth than the Big Ten in my personal opinion and they coming with it. You know, the south ain't happy. That's what they do in the South. They live for that football, man. They live to be on top. They feel like it's football country in the south, and it is. And, man, I just went to Alabama last week, man, and I'm telling you, they are out there and they are competing at a high level in practice. So I know people want to talk this or talk that. I know Alabama got a chip on their shoulder right now. Ain't nobody talking about them, really. They got some respect in the rankings, I guess, but, yeah, I know Texas, they feel like they got what it takes. They were in the semifinal the last two seasons, so I feel they. They think they got what it takes to get over the hump. You know, Georgia, they. Their pedigree of winning the last few years. Alabama, their pedigree. Then you got South Carolina, you got lsu. You got all these teams, man, that feel like they have a shot, that they can get over the hump and get back to the playoffs and get back to national title. So the SEC is still an extremely strong conference, and they should be respected as such, but they won't shut everybody up until they go and have that postseason success that they're accustomed to having.

[Rob Stone]

I think those SEC meetings in Destin Florida this year, Coach, must have been interesting because they know that they've lost the last two natties. They've known, you know, what their dominance used to be in the Big Ten is taking it from them. I. For some reason. Listen, I know. I know the head coaches care about their program, and to an extent, they obviously care about the conference. But I think as a collective, you know, whether it's. It's Sark or Coach Kelly, I think they're all kind of coming together. Like, hey, boys, let's. Let's get the band back together. Let's hit the road, right?

[Urban Meyer]

Let's tell you the guy sell out big stadiums, the guy Sankey, Greg Sankey, who's a friend of mine, a terrific guy. We've had him on our show. He is as competitive SOB as there is. So I guarantee that meetings. I've sat in those meetings, and I'm sure they. They are. It's a collective group. And you look who's. Who's in that room. The team's in that room. The fan base is in that room. I still say the SEC top to bottom. When you start thinking of the eight now, you know, Texas and Oklahoma, 10 schools that are expected to compete for a national championship. The Big Ten, still not that way. They don't have eight to 10 teams that are expected to win championships, but they certainly have done it the last couple of years.

[Rob Stone]

Texas, first time in their history ranked number one in the preseason.

[Mark Ingram]

What?

[Urban Meyer]

In history.

[Rob Stone]

First time they've ever been ranked number one. I'd be stunned if, if I think four from the SEC are guaranteed to go to the college football playoffs. Texas, lsu, Georgia, probably Bama wouldn't be surprised if.

[Urban Meyer]

Damn, you're already throwing picks out there.

[Rob Stone]

I know. I'm already thinking like a Florida, a South Carolina. We love, we love what Lenore Sellers is. They, they might surprise some folks. So let's talk about the acc real quick. Two teams inside the top 10, three in the top 25 against Clemson and who else? Well, that's kind of the conversation, right? Clemson, who else? Like is was SMU a flash in the pan? Can, can they sustain themselves? Can Florida State build themselves back up? Miami? What are they going to be without Cam Ward, Bill Belichick is. Is in college football with Carolina. I think the ACC is fascinating, but they need, boy, they need Clemson Week 1 to show out big time against LSU when they host by the way next week. Clemson head coach Dabo Sweeney joining us on the triple option, huh? I think Clemson needs to kind of elevate that whole conference and remind the Miami's and Florida states. Hey guys, you're supposed to be up here with me. He Virginia Tech, ANC State. Hey Carolina, let's go. There's a lot that we're going to learn about the acc, but the conference I'm really high on right now and I have been for a while. The Big 12, it is, it is our limit. I'm turning a page right now. Our great research researcher at Fox, Adam Z, he gives us the man we love the Z man. He gives us this massive college football manual, right? And he breaks down conferences and I just wanted to read how he broke down the Big 12. Right? Most talented roster slash legit playoff aspirations. This is from the Big 12. Arizona State which won it last year. Kansas State, Texas Tech. All right, just those three could absolutely win this crazy ass conference. Iowa State, tcu, Utah High upside low floor teams. Baylor, Kansas falling back to earth. Byu, Midtown. Finally we mentioned coach prime in Colorado, Cincinnati, Arizona, Houston, Rich Rod back at West Virginia. UCF hosting North Carolina in week four. Then the issues that were Oklahoma State last year, are they able to turn things around? The Big 12 is wild. Six to eight programs I think could win it all. They have four teams that enter the season in the top 25. They're trying to work themselves up that pecking order. I have so much respect for the commissioner. Brett, your mark. Yes, we do what he has done. They're kind of modernizing things. You. They signed that conference deal with PayPal. They're going to release injury reports in an effort to quote, unquote, modernize. I know where the Big 12 sits right now. They're, they're, they're. But they're fighting to be that number three conference. And there is a lot of money being invested in college football by their alums. Watch out for the Big 12. That's all I'm going to say.

[Mark Ingram]

Just Texas Tech put that big money out there.

[Rob Stone]

Big, big money. Mark Ingram. Big, big money. I can buy a lot of tortillas down there in Lubbock. And then the last one to talk about and Urban, we'll hit it with you because he used to coach there. Notre Dame won a program record 14 games last year en route to that run to the national title game. Ranked 6 in the country. And as long as they keep doing what Notre Dame typically does, they should be in the College Football Playoff just about every season.

[Mark Ingram]

Built for them. Stoner.

[Rob Stone]

Right. Isn't that insane?

[Mark Ingram]

They have the conferences and they have their own slot built for Notre Dame. So as long as they play decent, they will be in that slot. Like proven they don't.

[Urban Meyer]

They have. They have a hell of a coach in Freeman. They have a guy he's built for Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman. Here's the thing. As they open up at Miami and then home against Texas A and M. That's unusual for that used to be the schedules but Notre Dame has in recent years not had those tough ones early on they got to replace the quarterback. There's also a guy that left Al golden, the D coordinator of. Of Notre Dame who I've always had great respect for him. He did a hell of a job, man. Notre Dame's defense was legit. Legit with players obviously. But Algon did a great job. He's gone. They brought in my former assistant Chris Ash. Was the head coach at Rutgers, was our D coordinator to run the defense. I did a interview or podcast or something like that Blue and Gold Illustrated a couple days ago and he was kind of filling me in. Expectations are extremely high. They do have a new quarterback. I don't believe they named him yet. But look for Notre Dame to be standing at the end. They'll be one of the top 12 teams in that fight for. In the playoff. They'll be in the playoff.

[Rob Stone]

Are you Guys, are you guys ready for week zero? By the way, that's how beautiful college football is. We now start at zero. No. Who needs. Week one is so passe. It's so far down the line. We start at week zero and we have a ranked matchup in week zero Saturday. It's coming away from Ireland, number 22, Iowa State. Number 17, Kansas State. K State, favored by about three and a half. Big 12, as we mentioned, wide open. And it has been wide open the last couple of years. They have had five different conference champions in the last five years. The 109th edition of Farmageddon in Ireland. Potatoes. Beware. How do you think starting the season with a conference game impacts, impacts your program, Coach?

[Urban Meyer]

I've done it a couple of times and it's, it's actually awful. I mean, it's like, you know, you just. The intensity level picks up and whether you're opening with a conference game or like Ohio State play in Texas, you have to stop pounding on them two weeks before that game. So you have to be, you have to jump in. But here's the thing that's different, Mark, than back when you played and I coached is they have OTAs all summer now. So you remember used to show up in late July, early August, and you're just lifting weights. And the first time you were out there organized with the ball and all, they're doing that all summer. So it's not quite as. It's much different than it was when we played. However, two weeks prior to that first game, the pads either are coming off or it's pretty close to coming off because you can't be beating up those players. You know, if you're, if you're open up with a three game, easy slate, it's a much different attitude. But as you get ready for a conference game, one that you, those two teams that's must win already must win because you know, those are two really good programs. Yep. But reality is, for them to make the playoff, they got to win this game.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah.

[Mark Ingram]

And like you, and like we said, with this new college football playoff format, you win your conference, it's an automatic bid. So that puts a tremendous amount of significance on this opener because you go, you lose this game, you go one back in that race to get the automatic bid.

[Rob Stone]

So, you know, we talk about the importance of this game. You know, they start in Ireland against Kansas State, come back home, have South Dakota, and then they host Iowa and Big Noon kickoff will be there at that game. So that is a big start for a wide Open conference in Iowa State, ton of success last year. Will they be able to carry it over? In the opening game of the year is your treat of the week, presented by Wendy's. Try Wendy's new Frosty Fusions with flavors like Caramel Crunch, Oreo Brownie and Pop Tarts Strawberry. All right, time now for three and out. Top three players that we are most excited to see this upcoming season. Coach, we start with you. You're. You're big three. And I got a funny feeling you're going to have a Buckeye on your list.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah. Julian Sain was just named starting quarterback. He's an Alabama transfer. And how the hell that happened, Mark, I don't know. But the minute he walked on campus, I started hearing about him. They talked about his. The ball jumps out of his hand. I stood next to him, watched him throw on one of the games. We were there. He's very slight. He's not real big. I'm anxious to see how the strength staffs developed him because he was not very big. But he's also throwing to the best player in the last decade in college football. And Jeremiah. But they also have Carnell Tate. They also have some loaded. That's a loaded receiver room again, the job that Brian Hartline's done. New quarterback, two new coordinators. But the one guy I want to really see play and he's going to. We're going to see it early and in person. And that's quarterback Julian saying, second guy is DJ Lagway. I'll tell you what, you need to watch that Netflix. It talks about him. I've done some due diligence on him asking some people up at Florida. He did all that as a freshman. And the jump you make between your first and second year is incredible. And he played great his freshman year. So I think this is a year. The Gators are back, baby. You watch Mark. The Florida Gators will be back. And then finally, Bryce Underwood. I think I read somewhere that he is not named the starter, which is shocking to me if that's the numbers that I've seen that they paid that player, the quarterback, the quarterback for the Wolverines and not be starting. But he's a guy that I watch high school film on and he has it all. So I can't wait to watch him play.

[Rob Stone]

Mark, your big three.

[Mark Ingram]

My big three. You know, I got to start with the rb, you know what I mean? I got to go with number one, Jeremiah Love, just a straight baller. A huge reason why Notre Dame made it to the college Football championship game last year, man, he had over 1100 yards. He had 17 touchdowns. Also a threat out of the backfield. I'm extremely excited. He's the number one running back in the country on my list coming back in college football and I'm eager to see how he balls out again and gets better from an amazing season he had last year. Number two, gotta go to Tuscaloosa to the Roll Tide. I gotta go with Ty Simpson. We talk about this new day and age, nil. And I respect Ty Simpson. He stayed, he's learned, he's waited. Now he has his opportunity to go out there, improve his worth and what his value to this Alabama team. Because Alabama's trying to get back to prominence. They trying to get back to the top of college football. You can't do that without a great quarterback. And so Ty Simpson has his opportunity. He's been having a great off season. He's been named the starter and so I'm excited to see what he does this year. And then last but not least, the man that we have it on the show here coming up very shortly. I'm going with wide receiver one, Jeremiah Smith. He was a straight baller, a freshman phenom. Just a, a straight dog out there. 15 touchdowns as a true freshman. Over 1300 yards receiving. Just a mutant, a specimen, an alien out there at wide receiver one. So super excited. We get to see him week one going against Texas and yeah, and we get to have him on, on the Triple option podcast here. Next segment. Let's go.

[Rob Stone]

He's coming up next and he is a huge name in college football. But guys, the biggest name in college football this season and he only needs one name, Arch. It's all about Arch Manning, baby. Finally gets to take it over the number one spot at Texas after backing up Quinn Ewers for the last couple years. Last season, threw it for almost a thousand yards, did have a couple starts, nine touchdowns, two picks. Remember, he's got deceptive legs. Four rushing touchdowns as well. The last Texas player to win the Heisman Trophy, Mark Ingram, was Ricky Williams. Ricky Williams back in 98, back in 1998. Could Arch Manning bring the Heisman back to Austin? Clemson? They bring back 16 starters, including their quarterback, Cade Clubnik, over 3,600 yards, 36 touchdowns, nine picks. Also ran it for seven scores. He has what many consider to be a top three wide receiver room down there at Clemson. They've got a manageable schedule. Maybe, maybe Cade Clubnik becomes Clemson's first Heisman Trophy winner. And all aboard The Nuts Bus, baby. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU's quarterback Most passing yards over 4,000 last season by any returning quarterback in the country 29 touchdowns, 12 interceptions. Got to cut that down. Ran it in for three more scores. He's a coach's kid like everybody loves a coach's kid. His dad, Doug is the offensive coordinator at your former program, the New Orleans Saints. Mark Ingram, and he is the projected number one quarterback in next year's NFL draft. So those are the three guys that we're really excited to see in number.

[Mark Ingram]

One for putting us Are they going.

[Rob Stone]

To take for the Nut? We'll have to come up with a better, better line than Tank for the Nuts. All aboard the Nuts bus. One of the players that Mark just hit and the whole country is excited to see again, Jeremiah Smith. He joins us next on the triple option presented by Wendy's 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.

[Urban Meyer]

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[Rob Stone]

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[Urban Meyer]

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[Mark Ingram]

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[Rob Stone]

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[Jeremiah Smith]

This.

[Mark Ingram]

Episode is brought to you by State Farm.

[Rob Stone]

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[Mark Ingram]

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[Rob Stone]

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[Mark Ingram]

Availability and eligibility vary by state.

[Rob Stone]

Welcome back to the triple option. We are now joined by the Big Ten receiver of the year last year, a freshman all American last year, a national champion last year. This year he is a preseason all American. And the teenager, that's right, he's still a teenager that most say is the best player in college football. Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith joins us right now. Jeremiah, man, so good to see you. Thanks for joining us. But real quick, I want to go back just a couple days ago, right? This was like a Goldberg type entrance for you, walking into this mall with security guards all over you, going in for the signing and the picture. Take me through this, the scene that is your, your new world order. This is your reality in Columbus these days.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Yeah, that was pretty crazy. That's probably the most people I seen that one time. No, just going to the ditch, walking in and you know, I see the whole store surrounded by me and everything. It was just surreal moment for me.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah, man, so you got thousands, you got a whole student section, half the horseshoe in the store for your autograph signing. You made the NCAA cover. You're the best player in college football. You up for the Heisman. You up for the Belitnikov. You defending national champion?

[Jeremiah Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Mark Ingram]

Tell me, man, what has it been like, all this attention and outside noise, man, how you been handling it?

[Jeremiah Smith]

I've been handling it very well. I come from home, beginnings. I don't let all that stuff get in my head. I just focus on the main thing, that's football and the team. So I don't let all the wars I'm up for and all the hype around my name. I just want to focus on the team and focus on ball.

[Urban Meyer]

Hey, Jeremiah, thanks for joining us. You know, when I grew up as a Buckeye and when I got hired there, I put, I don't know if they still have it in the meeting rooms. I have the fat heads of all the great players. Your position group, do they still have that in your receiving room?

[Jeremiah Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah, so. So when I say the names like Chris Carter, David Boston, Joey Galloway, Michael Thomas, Taryn McLaren, Olave Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr. Arguably the greatest program, as far as they call it, wide receiver, you what kind of is that pressure or is it. Or do they support you? Is it like a brotherhood or. Tell me what it's like to be part of that group.

[Jeremiah Smith]

It's very special to be part of that room. Like you said, all the guys that came before us. So I feel like each. Each day, each. Every week that we play a game, I feel like we obligated to go out there and perform at a high level because them guys, they did it each week they was here. So I feel like I'm obligated to go out each and every day and perform at a very high level.

[Rob Stone]

What did you work on this off season? What were some of your priorities? I know diet was a big part of it.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Yeah, diet. But really just becoming a student of the game, get a better student again. You know, last year, you know, being a freshman, a lot of things throwing at me real fast. You really think you know ball, but you really don't. So I'm just out there not even playing as fast as I need to. I'm just out there reacting. Not really playing fast. But this year I got a better understanding of what's really going on.

[Rob Stone]

Give me an example of something you picked up in the off season that's.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Going to make you better this off season. No, just understand the coverages. That's the main thing, really. I play receiver, so I gotta understand what they're trying to do. So that's really the biggest thing for me.

[Urban Meyer]

You know, Jeremiah, it's not that difficult. Take away a great player. You know, just put two guys on them. And you have Carnell Tate, you have Brandon Ennis. You know, you lost two good running backs last year. So I think when I had Mike Thomas, I thought Jalen Marshall was as important as Mike Thomas because you can tilt the COVID at the field one way. Tell us about Carnell Tate and Ennis in the receiver room. Because other than you, these guys are not household names yet.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Man. Them guys, I feel like this year they go shock a lot of people, especially Carnell. I mean, that guy there, he could do any and everything that you asked him to do. Very smooth, right? Runner could block, could do it all. Brandon the same way he got that dog in him. So I feel like this year, I mean, our room is very special. I feel like it's better than last year because we. No, come on. All could do different things. I feel like that's. That's. That's what I think.

[Rob Stone]

Did you tell a Mecca that yet? Is he aware of that?

[Urban Meyer]

I just. I just texted it to him, so I told him.

[Mark Ingram]

Jeremiah, man, you from South Florida, man. You first went to school at Chaminade. How did they get you out the south, man? You up there at Ohio State. It's cold up there, man. What you. How they get you, a South Florida boy, to come all the way up to Columbus and deal with that cold weather, man?

[Jeremiah Smith]

I don't know. When I first came up here for a visit, I felt like this was home for me. I fell in love with the program day one. Like Coach Hartline, Coach Daley, they always supported me and always called and checked on me. My dad loved it up here. My whole family loved it, my uncle, everybody. So I just know just the right place for me. And I wanted to get out of the state of Florida as well, because there's too many discussions down there. So I just want to go somewhere where I just focus on ball and school.

[Urban Meyer]

We won a couple championships, three of them. And then it always felt like the year after, especially in 14 and 08, we had so many returning players. The pressure not only on the staff, but I felt it with the players. Do you feel that in the locker room? Do you feel like anything other, you know, because you kind of get that mindset that we got to win it again, and, damn, it's hard to win it. Do you feel like. Do you feel that pressure yet?

[Jeremiah Smith]

I think a little bit. I feel a little bit. I feel like everybody think we need to go back, back to back, but that's something that's, you know, on our mind as well. I think we want to be the first team to ever do that in the Big Ten. I haven't been done since, I think, the 1960s. I think the last team I did was Michigan State. So I feel like we. I think it's very, you know, pressure. We trying to go back to back.

[Rob Stone]

Is that national title shown all around the offices right now, or. We've already moved on. Have we?

[Jeremiah Smith]

Yeah, yeah, we moved on. I mean, it's a new team, new year. So we just got to know, make a name for ourselves this year. That was last year. Team. We got to make a name for ourselves for this year.

[Rob Stone]

Team Coach Day finally named quarterback number one. Julian say and getting the nod. Break down Julian's game and what you're expecting from him this season.

[Jeremiah Smith]

I'm expecting Julian though. Just go out there each and every week and put on a show. I mean Julian's a smart player. Smart quarterback can make any and every throw a student of the game. Not just what the things he to see the things he do this year.

[Urban Meyer]

Favorite restaurant in Columbus.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Favorite restaurant in Columbus.

[Urban Meyer]

Come on, man.

[Rob Stone]

It's a pint house. It's a hint.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Favorite restaurant.

[Urban Meyer]

Have you been to the Pine the Urban meer Pine House yet?

[Jeremiah Smith]

I haven't. No, I haven't.

[Urban Meyer]

Okay. I'm not going to talk to you any more than Jeremiah.

[Mark Ingram]

No. Where is that that spot with the fried lobster tail?

[Urban Meyer]

Where the hyd. The Hyde Park. Hyde Park.

[Jeremiah Smith]

I like High Park. I like. I'll go hard part. Yeah, I part.

[Urban Meyer]

What about Jeff?

[Jeremiah Smith]

Ruby too. I like both of them. I like both. Can't go wrong.

[Mark Ingram]

You had the fried lobster there though, is the question at High Park? No, I haven't.

[Thomas Hammock]

No.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah.

[Mark Ingram]

You like lobster?

[Jeremiah Smith]

I love. Lost it.

[Mark Ingram]

You need to go there and get the fried lobster. All right, I'll put you on. One thing, man. I saw some that you doing an interview, man, and you were explaining, so I coach you football. My son's 7 years old, just started tackle football. And you told the story about when you were six years old and your coach came and told you you got cut.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Yeah.

[Mark Ingram]

So can you share that story with us and also what you would tell a youth athlete who is being overlooked at this point in time at their six, seven, eight years old.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Yeah. So it was just a typical day. I was going to practice, stretching and everything. Coach pulled me to the side. He just like you off the team. And I was like, okay. And I just walked away and went to my dad and told my dad and my dad didn't get mad. He didn't get mad about nothing. Just that day after. I just was working out each and every day to the next year and I made the team. And what I tell the kid that's getting overlooked, I mean, no, don't take it too personal. No, just keep your head down. Just keep working because there's better days ahead.

[Urban Meyer]

Hey, Jeremiah, when I say the team up north, what. What hits your heart?

[Jeremiah Smith]

Hey, you know, with everything in me, I hate him.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah. How did you learn to senior?

[Rob Stone]

How did you learn that?

[Mark Ingram]

Were you. Were you not there at the last game?

[Jeremiah Smith]

Yeah, I hate him. You said when I learned that high School recruiting first came in. I think I made a mistake. And I was wearing, like, dark blue.

[Urban Meyer]

Oh.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Oh, yeah. I was wearing dark. And it was Coach Heartline and Coach Keenan Bailey, and it was like, you can't wear them colors here. And then from that day four, I was like, okay. Yeah, it's real.

[Urban Meyer]

Do you guys ever hear the stories when the Colts or the Bills would show up to watch practice? They weren't allowed to wear their. I had to. I made them wear, like, scarlet jackets at practice all day.

[Rob Stone]

You mentioned Coach Hartline. I know he had a big part in your recruitment. Now he's the offensive coordinator. What looks different, what feels different about the offense? This year in Columbus, we got a lot of energy.

[Jeremiah Smith]

I mean, that's one thing I realized. Offense bringing a lot of energy. Everybody just flying around, just want to make plays. Nothing really changed. All scheme wise, but maybe just a lot of energy.

[Mark Ingram]

Third and long. Gotta have it. What's your go to route? What's your go to play? What you.

[Rob Stone]

What you.

[Jeremiah Smith]

What you going with my go to route? I gotta go. Go ball from the field up top.

[Urban Meyer]

They still call them inside nines Inside now?

[Jeremiah Smith]

Yes, sir. Yeah.

[Urban Meyer]

On flooding levels.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Blood and levels. Yes, sir.

[Mark Ingram]

I gotta know.

[Urban Meyer]

I won't give any more on that one.

[Mark Ingram]

I gotta know, man.

[Jeremiah Smith]

You.

[Rob Stone]

You.

[Mark Ingram]

Obviously you the top of the food chain, wide receiver. Y' all doing one on ones. What? DB Comes over there and gives you the toughest reps in training camp, and.

[Jeremiah Smith]

One on one, to be honest with you, I haven't. I don't think I even did one on ones.

[Mark Ingram]

This whole clump, you know, that rep count. I'm telling you, coach.

[Jeremiah Smith]

I can't say it was simple. 1. I say all them boys give me, you know, give me. Good, good work.

[Mark Ingram]

That's all right, man. They sit you out. We trying to build confidence. We don't need you. We don't need you messing their confidence up for the season.

[Rob Stone]

We. We talked about the pedigree and the history of that wide receiver room at Ohio State. What have you done now that you've matured? You're a sophomore right now. What. What are your responsibilities for taking care of that whole room?

[Jeremiah Smith]

Oh, you know, just being a leader, going out each and every week and, you know, just putting on the show because the guys before me did it, so I feel like I have to do the same thing.

[Mark Ingram]

And.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Yeah, that's all.

[Rob Stone]

When did you guys start preparing for Texas? How far back?

[Jeremiah Smith]

I say probably last week. Last week? Yeah. So last week, this week, we've been on them, so. Yeah, we.

[Thomas Hammock]

We.

[Jeremiah Smith]

We've been on them for sure.

[Rob Stone]

What do you think about starting your season in one of these epic matchups of blue Bloods, Texas and Ohio State?

[Jeremiah Smith]

Yeah, I feel like it's. No. It get us ready. No. Throughout the whole season, though, we just need that first game, first big game. I feel like that'll help us know later in the season, in the playoffs and everything like that. So I feel like it's very good for us. We need that.

[Mark Ingram]

All right. All right. Man, you've had a lot of big plays, man. You went for over 1300 yards, 15 touchdowns. What's the loudest stadium moment you felt so far? Tell me to play. Paint the scene for us, dog. You said stadium like the loudest moment that you've heard of. Stadium, your favorite play, you know, paint the scene like the play. It was the loudest. You heard the stadium after you made the play. What was it?

[Urban Meyer]

National champ Game.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Gotta be. Yeah. National championship game, third and 11. Yeah, gotta be that one. Third and 11, third and 11.

[Mark Ingram]

What was the route?

[Jeremiah Smith]

Go ball.

[Mark Ingram]

Go ball. Third alone. Gotta have it.

[Rob Stone]

How often are you pushing for the goalball?

[Jeremiah Smith]

Oh, I'm pushing for it probably two, three times out the game. But, you know, gotta know, take our time. Especially in this game coming up, they don't really let everything get behind them. They keep everything in front of them. So, you know, we got to just be patient. And when it's time to take our shots, we got to hit them like coach, they say.

[Urban Meyer]

So that'd be, you know, Mike Thomas. Mike Thomas would call for the goalball two or three times a series.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Okay.

[Urban Meyer]

I say Mike.

[Mark Ingram]

Mike wanted that ball, man. For sure.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Mike wanted that ball.

[Mark Ingram]

No, but, man, we appreciate your time. We know you busy, and one of the things we do on the show, man, is we've been firing questions at you for the last 10 minutes. If you have a question for any one of us, man, go ahead and shoot it to us, man. And we like to give our guests that opportunity to fire a question back.

[Jeremiah Smith]

I got one for you, Mark.

[Mark Ingram]

All right.

[Jeremiah Smith]

You won the Heisman and everything like that. Had hype around you at Alabama and everything. Successful, like, how did you block out all the notes? I think I do a pretty good job at it. But how did you handle all of it, man?

[Mark Ingram]

The same thing you said, man. I felt like we were relatable with what you said. Just coming from humble beginnings, you know, the way my parents brought me up, I always kept what was important to me you know, the main thing, and that was my family, that was God, that was making sure I was doing the best that I could do to help my team win championships and win games. And all the outside noise, it was just conditional because when you did good, they praise you. When you did bad, they tried to tear you down. And so I didn't want to be involved with nothing conditional. I stayed focused on what mattered to me the most. I wanted to be the best football player that I could be. I wanted to be the best person to ever carry the football as, as high as those expectations were. That's what I strive for. That's what I pushed for every single day. So as long as I did that, I kept my focus on my family, God, football, and being the best person that I could possibly be. All the outside distractions didn't matter because it was all conditional to me anyway.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Yes, sir. Appreciate it, sir. No problem.

[Mark Ingram]

Anytime.

[Urban Meyer]

Thanks, Jeremiah.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Thank you. Appreciate you.

[Rob Stone]

Yep, Jeremiah, have a great season. Can't wait to see you. Week one, Ohio State and Texas live on Fox, man. Have a great season, Jeremiah. Thanks for the time, sir.

[Jeremiah Smith]

Thank you.

[Rob Stone]

So before we head out, Buckeye fans and those Longhorn fans traveling into Columbus next week want to let you know that on Friday the 29th, we encourage you to swing on by the Tailgate Tour at the River Watch Tower near the Ozone on Lane Avenue. It is free for all guests. There will be music, there will be top tier tailgate food and a live episode of the Script with Ohio State legends Cardell Jones and Beanie Wells. They will be joined by Texas legends Mack Brown and Vince Young. RSVP for more info on the event and you can find it at tailgate tour, ohio state.rsvpify.com and next week, Clemson head coach Dabo Sweeney joins us ahead of that massive Game with LSU. Make sure to follow, subscribe and rate us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts as well as across social media. We can be found at 3x option show. As always, thanks to our wonderful sponsors, Wendy's ZipRecruiter, FanDuel, NHTSA. Enjoy the football here on week zero and we will talk to you next week. Week ahead of week one.