Mark Ingram II (2:49)

Yeah, Rob, we all love college football. We all love sports, and we obviously heard of the amount of coaches have been fired through college football. But when you start hearing the information of what transpired to cause this firing, you start thinking of the human element of this thing, man, and all the lives that are impacted. Not only a program in Michigan, one of the blue bloods in college football, but Sharon Moore family, children, another family. You know what I mean? So you just start having sympathy and empathy for, you know, these families that are being impacted in these lives that are being changed forever. And I can't help but to, you know, hope that they can heal and be able to move forward with their lives, because I know as painful as is, I saw. We saw the Sharon Moore video when he was doing the court thing, and he.

Rob Stone (3:45)

That was tough to watch.

Mark Ingram II (3:46)

Yeah, he looked like a shell of himself, man. He looked lifeless. And, you know, someone who has spoke to Sharon Moore and like you said, you spoke about, you know, him maybe being a little bit over his skis, but I think he was dealt a hand and he played. He. He played his hand the best way that he possibly could. You know, I mean, Coach Harbaugh leaves, there's suspensions, there's all this bad stuff that got handed out to him. I thought he handed it really well. Obviously his players love play playing for him. But ultimately, man, just to hear the information that has happened, it's just heartbreaking. And my heart and thoughts and prayers go out to all the families involved, and hopefully everyone can heal and continue to move forward with their lives. But, Coach, I know you got some thoughts. I know you got some insights like you always do. You the man with the plan. What you got on the Michigan. On the Michigan front right now.

Urban Meyer (4:39)

Yeah. Ditto what you said, Mark, about the. About the family and the human element. I made that comment last week that.

Mark Ingram II (4:45)

Yes, you did.

Urban Meyer (4:45)

You know, rivalry put aside. I mean, this is. You're talking about young kids and the whole deal. So I'll tell you, the Wolverines had a tough few years, man. After putting together, you just go back, put it in reverse a couple years. That's one of the best teams in modern history. And then all of a sudden, stuff after stuff and serious stuff, you know, when. And I'm not talking about this current one, but, you know, I remember even a couple guys on Big News says, well, coach, everybody does that. You know, the sign still. I said, no, they don't. I've never heard of that in my life. What are you talking about? Yeah, you know. Yeah. So. And then. And then the COVID violations. So there's been a lot of stuff. Go on. Here's interesting, though, Mark and Rob, is that there's two guys on that staff that were on my staff, and I spoke with one of the coaches today, and he's. He made the comment to me, this is really a positive, that they are great kids up there and no one seems to be bailing in this day and age. Mark, of you. You. You're a player. I mean, yeah. I mean, my gosh, you. And this isn't just you just. You did make the playoffs, but they're nine and three and they're playing a hell of a team in Texas that the whole world's going to be watching this game.

Mark Ingram II (5:55)

Right?

Urban Meyer (5:55)

You said they're going about the business trying to win a game. Which of all the negatives, that's a positive. And that's the quality of person, I guess they have in Ann Arbor.

Rob Stone (6:05)

What I find interesting going on in Michigan right now is, think about it like, three of arguably the biggest positions at the university are in flux, right. They have an interim president, number one. All right, Their athletic director, Ward Manual. You know, I'm not sure he survives this. There is a thorough investigation going on for. About. For all the actions that have transpired lately through the athletic department. Right. And coach kind of touched upon it. But you go back, there were issues with the men's hockey team a few years ago with Juwan Howard as the basketball coach. The Connor Stallions signed stealing the multiple suspensions for Coach Harbaugh. Remember the former offensive coordinator there, federal indictment for unauthorized access to computers and aggravated identity theft. You know, and then this Sharon Moore bomb and. And how it happened. You know, that's a lot of stuff under Ward manual. Right? So. So you've got an interim president, you've got an athletic director that is essentially, you know, being investigated right now, if you will, by an outside company on how the athletic department has handled things. And Ward Manuals on top of that. And they don't have a head coach right now. So their acting head coach is. Is Biff Poggi. Talk about uncertainty at University of Michigan right now. You know, I've been going to a Couple holiday parties, last couple days. There's a lot of Michigan people where I live and they like beeline to me, Mark. Like they just want to talk about.

Urban Meyer (7:29)

What have you heard? Straight to you.

Rob Stone (7:31)

Straight to me. And. And they cut right to it. It's not like how the holidays, you know, how's the family? It's like, hey, what's going on with Michigan? What are you hearing? How they doing? And they are in an incredible state of flux and indecision right now because I think they're locked by their inability right now to go forward because they have so many question marks with the hierarchy. And I don't know when those decisions happen. And one of the things that has to happen and it's an awful time to do it is they got to find a head coach, Mark.

Mark Ingram II (8:02)

Right. And if you need a head coach right now at this point in time, it is not the spot that you want to be. It is the most inconvenient spot to be in if you need a head coach at this point in time. You talked about the uncertainty, the uncertainty of this program. Like you said, interim interim president AD is getting investigated from outside source. There's been a lot of suspect activity that's happened under in this athletic department while Ward Manuel has been the athletic director. Now you have an interim head coach. So there's a lot of uncertainty around Michigan. But with that being said, we need to talk about a head coach. We know it's not the right time. We know it's not convenient to be needing a head coach right now. Coach, who do you think is a good fit for Michigan right now?

Urban Meyer (8:45)

Yeah, I think you got to add that the transfer portal is about to pop here too. So you're going to. There's a potential losing a roster. But like I said that my inside source says that the players are all in. They're going to try to go win this game. So this is interesting that you have Florida, LSU now the Wolverines. You're talking of the bluest of Blue Bloods is open. And I was. I didn't. I've been like you guys just listening. I don't have much inside scoop on this. But you, you know, someone said like Marcus Freeman and what are you out of your mind? You know, you. Kaylin DeBoer, you're not going to leave Blue Blood to go to. I don't. I mean, I've never really heard of that.

Mark Ingram II (9:25)

You know, put out. They. They made Coach DeBoer put out a statement yesterday. He said he's not interested. He hasn't had any contact. I'm like, don't even acknowledge.

Urban Meyer (9:33)

Here's. Here's what's going on, Mark. Here's what's going on. I'm convinced when you hear that stuff, that's an agent out there throwing his name out. And I can promise you, you're going to hear the word extension and a raise. So that's. That's what happens, you know, the name that popped up is the Washington Coast Jet Fish. He was actually at the Wolverines when I coached against, I want to say, back in 12, 13, 14. Early in it, early in my career at Ohio State, Jed Fish was part of the Wolverine staff. I believe he will. Yeah, I think he was with Jim Harbaugh and then. But I don't. I don't know if he'll leave Washington or. I don't know if you know. Is he.

Mark Ingram II (10:13)

You want to know? You want to know. You want to know a name that's coming up on the radar?

Urban Meyer (10:16)

Coach, Talk to me.

Mark Ingram II (10:18)

Urban Meyer.

Urban Meyer (10:21)

That's my. I think that's my agent doing that to get me a raise on Big Noon.

Mark Ingram II (10:25)

That's what I think.

Urban Meyer (10:27)

You know, the name. The name, I met him real quick at the hall of Fame was Clark Lee. And you talk about a guy that I know, Brady Quinn loves him. Brady Quinn loves him. He was at Notre Dame, I guess, And I. I don't know much about him other than the job he's done. But that kind of name, when I saw that name show up, that made sense. And then the coach at Arizona State, he's done a great job. And I keep hearing his name bounced around. So.

Rob Stone (10:52)

Dillingham, Blue Blood.

Mark Ingram II (10:54)

Yeah, Dillingham.

Urban Meyer (10:55)

Yeah, Dillingham. And I don't. Once again, I don't. I don't know him, but he's done a hell of a job there. And I would imagine they're going to throw some things against the wall, see if they stick, and then they're going to get real, which normally happens, and that means they're going to go try to hire a guy that was. That wants to be a Wolverine.

Rob Stone (11:13)

Mark, let me throw this out. And we kind of talked about this a couple weeks ago with this flood of vacancies and who's going to fill this? Right. I had this feeling that there's going to be a lot of programs. They're going to be forced to hire a head coach that they don't really want to be their head coach that maybe they don't believe in with all their heart or maybe they need to take a little bit more of a risk than they would like to because there's just so much transactional activities going on. You know, why not just stay with Biff Poggy, right?

Mark Ingram II (11:41)

Right.

Rob Stone (11:42)

If things work out. And listen, he was already interim head coach a couple times this season when Sharon Moore was suspended. Right. And he has had coaching experience. He's a guy that loves Michigan, that bleeds at the locker room as coach was talking about, believes in this guy. They haven't left the program. You know, I think if Poggy has a good couple weeks and the Citrus bowl against Texas goes well, and again, there's all this indecision going on at Michigan, maybe they just say, hey, let's put a. Let's put some brakes on it and let. Let Biff handle it right now. Let's get through this recruiting. Let's get through this transfer portal. Let's give him the season. Because, listen, nobody thought James Franklin was going to be available. Right?

Mark Ingram II (12:22)

Right.

Rob Stone (12:22)

Nobody thought Brian Kelly was going to be available. Things change so rapidly in college football. Maybe just let Biff handle it and see how things play out in the coming, you know, whatever it is. 9, 10.

Mark Ingram II (12:35)

I agree with you, though, especially in this day and age where now you get rid of Biff Pogi and now there's a new coach coming in like that, you might have to settle for. This is all about damage control, right?

Rob Stone (12:46)

Michigan doesn't settle, man. Michigan should not settle for a head coach.

Mark Ingram II (12:49)

And coach said that he got information that these kids are staying together, that they're focused, that they want to be at Michigan. So why not have a Michigan man lead them instead of settling for a coach that you don't want, kick the can down the road, let a Michigan man, someone who's been there, who's been a part of this championship, that was two years ago, who's been a part of, you know, Michigan and knows what Michigan is about. Why not have him stay there and keep this thing kind of tightened together and continue to grow it until you find the exact candidate that you do want.

Rob Stone (13:19)

You know what, though, Mark? We might know who that exact candidate is, and he's right under our nose. Dave Portnoy.

Mark Ingram II (13:25)

Portoy.

Rob Stone (13:26)

Dave, you want the gig, Dave?

Urban Meyer (13:28)

Dave Portnoy, the new head coach of the Wolverines. And Charles Woodson and. Yeah, Charles wood.

Mark Ingram II (13:34)

Charles Woodson.

Rob Stone (13:36)

C.W. is D.C. can you. Can you imagine Portnoy running, running down the ramp, through the tunnel, trying to jump up and hit the flag, doing his thing?

Mark Ingram II (13:45)

Portnoy, head coach.

Rob Stone (13:46)

Oh, that would Be a trip.

Mark Ingram II (13:48)

Charles Woodson, D.C. our boy, Devin Gardner, O.C.

Urban Meyer (13:53)

And then Portnoy. Portnoy still owes me a thousand bucks. I know that he does.

Mark Ingram II (13:58)

Portnoy always coach. A thousand bucks for the nil. For the go bucks nil.

Rob Stone (14:03)

There it is. There it is. Dave Portnoy. Congratulations. You're the new head coach at the University of Michigan. Coming up next, Mark dubs his final deuce deuce dog of the week of the regular season. And we talk about a quarterback who did not win the Heisman. College football not feeling as juicy as it once did. Let me put you on to something that'll shake up your Saturday and every other day of the week. Because now that Wendy's has crispy chicken tendies and a powerhouse lineup of new sauces, it's time you transferred to the hottest team in the league.

Urban Meyer (14:44)

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Mark Ingram II (15:00)

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Rob Stone (15:30)

One, two, three.

Mark Ingram II (15:33)

Tendy. Let's do this. Oh, no.

Rob Stone (15:37)

Rehearsal Wendy's chicken tendies now at participating us Wendy's, this week's big match on campus and SEC rematch in the first round of the college football playoffs. It is Bama on the road mark at Oklahoma Stoner.

Mark Ingram II (15:52)

You know my tide, they got to get right against the Sooners. They lost the last two matchups, but it won't be three. But it won't be easy with the game happening in Norman.

Rob Stone (16:02)

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Urban Meyer (16:18)

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Rob Stone (16:31)

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Mark Ingram II (17:39)

This year marks the 126th meeting of the Black Knights and Midshipmen and both will be going all out in their quest for victory and the chance to sing second.

Urban Meyer (17:48)

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Mark Ingram II (18:01)

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Rob Stone (18:15)

So whether you're rooting for army or for Navy, USA is proud to join you in honoring and celebrating one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. Visit USA.com to learn more. Welcome back to the Triple Option. Mark, you know what time it is?

Mark Ingram II (18:33)

Let's go.

Rob Stone (18:37)

Dog of the Week.

Mark Ingram II (18:39)

Hey man, where are we going?

Rob Stone (18:41)

We going to Baltimore with this?

Mark Ingram II (18:43)

Yes. You know I'm going to Baltimore. We're going to America's game. We go army versus Navy one point game and I gotta go with the Navy quarterback Blake Horvath. The stats aren't electric but it's game full of dogs and he is the dog of dogs in this week for the Deuce Deuce Dog of the Week 7, 1482 yards. But he also had 34 carries, 407 yards and another touchdown and a one point victory for the commander in chief Trophy is back in Navy again for back to back seasons. Blake Horvath the dog of the week. The Naval Academy holding it down for the dog of the week.

Rob Stone (19:27)

Clutch.

Mark Ingram II (19:27)

But coach was in the locker room. Coach Jeff Monkin, you was in the locker room, man. Tell us what, tell us about it, man.

Urban Meyer (19:36)

Yeah, Nike also, they redo their locker room every year. And it was 250, 250 year celebration of our country. And Jeff Monk has been a friend of mine. We went back to 1990, we've been friends. So that's how many years. And I saw his wife on the sideline and this is, this is their version and you could probably say the second or third, you know, probably the Iron Bull second and then this one's maybe third or some people. This is the number one rivalry in, in the, in the game. And the intensity, the nervousness. I was actually with him for a walkthrough Mark and Rob the night before, but they put everything into the game. Navy took the ball right down, scored. I thought we're in trouble. I'm an army guy because my father. And they fought their way back. I thought they won. And they had the ball in their hand twice at the end of the game. You know, Horvath the quarterback fumbled the ball on the one yard line, one yard line. Army had the ball in her hand. That's a game set match. If they recover it instead of falling on it, try to advance it. And Navy got it back and threw a, a touchdown pass. I want to say an eight yard touchdown, Pat, right in front of me. I was standing right in the end zone.

Rob Stone (20:44)

And on fourth down too by the.

Urban Meyer (20:45)

Way, on fourth and eight. And then, and then they had another turnover at the end of the game. And it was called. Yeah, the correct call. No, it was a correct call. The quarterback was down.

Mark Ingram II (20:55)

So yeah, he fumbled it, recovered it and stood it for the first down.

Urban Meyer (20:59)

I know we do the triple option there. Boys, you have to someday join me on the sideline for that game. It makes your heart warm. The best part of the game is the march on, they call it. And that's all the cadets and midshipmen, the, the entire student body of the elite of elite march on the field. I tear up every time I see it. They had helicopters going over, they had fighter jets going over and they had the President of the United States there, all the dignitaries. It was a day for our country, but it was a great football. And I'm going to add this. Newberry. The coach at Navy and the coach at Army, Monkin. I'm biased. Those are two excellent coaches, and this was two really, really good teams playing each other.

Mark Ingram II (21:42)

Well, if you tell us that you haven't all that access, I'll definitely be there next year. You know what I mean? But also, Coach, I got to show you love, man, because not only are you a podcaster, not only are you a College Football hall of Famer, not only are you a college football analyst, but now you are an influencer. That video you took at the game, with all the. That video you took going around the stadium, everybody was turned up and down, jumping up and down. I mean, like, you was talking about atmosphere. That look like an amazing atmosphere, Coach. So. So shout out to the influencer. College football hall of Famer, college football analyst, podcaster.

Rob Stone (22:17)

The hell has happened to you, Coach?

Mark Ingram II (22:19)

This man is the jack of all trades. If you can't beat him, join him. Man, he is the one and only Urban Meyer influencer.

Rob Stone (22:30)

Coach doesn't even know how to turn on his camera. You kidding me? He was trying to send a text and next thing you know, there's a video coming out at us.

Mark Ingram II (22:36)

Hey, it was a good video. He tricked the hell out of me.

Rob Stone (22:39)

Shoot. That was the fresh take of the week, presented by Wendy's. Join Team Tendies and enjoy a lineup like never before. Crispy, juicy Tendies now at Wendy's. I'll be honest, I hadn't watched a whole lot of Army Navy games in the past just because travel or work commitments, and it just wasn't in front of my face. But this Saturday, I made a commitment to it and sat down. Man, that was. It was really entertaining. To your point, Coach, the pomp and circumstance, the passion, these. These are just these. These student athletes that are there to defend your honor, to defend your country. The people in the stands that care so much about the red, white and blue, an amazing spectacle. And I hope it remains that. I hope it can stay as the game of that second Saturday in December. But, you know, if there's playoff expansion, that game gets jeopardized. You know, the fact that they're in the same conference right now and it doesn't count as a conference game. That's a nuance to it. And I think Army Navy has enough muscle and enough power that they might be able to navigate some of it for some. Some stretch. But I don't know how much longer Army Navy is going to be the way that you saw it on Saturday, Coach.

Urban Meyer (23:50)

Yeah, I saw New Heisel and Aaron Taylor, you know, the CBS crew. They do. And then Gary Danielson and they do a great job. And I went over to him, I said, man, I've been pushing Fox somehow get this damn game. And they're like, we ain't giving this thing up.

Rob Stone (24:03)

Yeah. I mean, don't give them inside information, Coach. They do a flank around the back. Yeah.

Urban Meyer (24:10)

And it's the second time in my lifetime I've ever tailgated. Wow. I tailgated at Army Navy with my friends, Josh Payton from Golf Association.

Mark Ingram II (24:19)

Did you have that Los Linderos out there?

Urban Meyer (24:22)

No, I just had a little chilly. I didn't have any, any refreshments because I knew I was going to meet in Generals and everything else. And I'm good, Coach.

Rob Stone (24:33)

Tailgating, man. It's not just a bowl of chili. Like, there's, there's got to be some.

Mark Ingram II (24:37)

You didn't tailgate, Coach.

Rob Stone (24:39)

Yeah. You didn't tailgate for coach. He tailgated you, Coach. Did you jump off a, a minivan into a table that's on fire if you didn't?

Urban Meyer (24:48)

No, you didn't tailgate.

Rob Stone (24:53)

How much would I love? I would pay a lot of money, Coach. By the way, that's what you should do for charity. Put up Urban Meyer tailgates at a Buffalo game, and you come into a flying, flying elbow into a table that's on fire. That'll. That'll raise a lot of money. That'll raise a lot of money.

Urban Meyer (25:08)

All right, time to pivot.

Rob Stone (25:10)

Yeah. Yeah. Time now to sound off. Oh, it's a good one. This week, Vanderbilt quarterback Mark Ingram favorite Diego Pavia came second to Indiana's Fernando Mendoza in the Heisen race. By the way, congratulations, Fernando. What a hell of a season. And I know you got my number one vote, and I'm proud that I voted you number one and, and you, you deserved it, my friend. Diego Pavia finished second, got 189 first place votes. Mendoza, 643. So this race really wasn't as close as people were talking about. But what made the headlines afterwards is how Pavia reacted to not winning the Heisman. So there you go. Take that to the voters. Right. But apparently he wasn't done when he was out in New York. Had another sign with the Indiana contingent in mind.

Urban Meyer (26:01)

Ouch. Ouch.

Rob Stone (26:03)

Yeah. So he did post an apology to his credit. But, Mark, it feels like some of the damage was done already. And I'm not sure much of that can come back.

Mark Ingram II (26:15)

Listen, instead of giving the love to somebody who's ungrateful for the opportunity to go to the Heisman, I just want to go back to what you said. Stoner. For Fernando Mendoza, an amazing year and an amazing speech. You can see the gratefulness, you can see the humbleness. You can see the gratitude to be there. He paid homage to his mother, he paid homage to his teammates. The speech was just very articulate. It was very heartwarming. And it was good to see someone of high character win that award or horse that trophy. Because not only is the Heisman Trophy about elite athletic ability, it is also about being an elite human being. And I think the right guy won the trophy. But with that being said, going back to what you showed us f all the voters is crazy when 186 people had you for 189 people had you first on the ballot. So maybe you should have said F643 voters.

Rob Stone (27:12)

And I was one of them. I was one of them. He was definitely. You were another one.

Mark Ingram II (27:15)

I was one of them too, cuz.

Urban Meyer (27:16)

Fernando was. So he. He effed you, guy.

Rob Stone (27:18)

He effed you.

Mark Ingram II (27:19)

Yeah, he f me. That's fine. That's fine. Because guess what? My trophy sitting right there. So I don't give a damn who you f. You know what I mean? But at the end of the day, man, he's just showing the apology. Stone, that wasn't his apology. Some PR team. You know, he told us how he felt. He said f all the voters. He told us Haas vet how he felt in the video at the club, like f Indiana, you know what I mean? That's a straight shot at Mendoza. Like, you know what I mean? Like, be humble, be grateful in defeat. Just congratulate the people who earned it. Fernando Mendoza did earn it. Jeremiah Love did earn it. All you guys earned the opportunity to be there. You should celebrate that. Be humbled by it. Be grateful for it. That's not the way that you present yourself or your university or your family in that manner. So whatever, man.

Rob Stone (28:13)

Very un. Vanderbilt, like, right. You know, if he had another season, Clark Lee definitely would have taken him by the ear, right? And like, come here.

Mark Ingram II (28:21)

What are you fighting for another season?

Rob Stone (28:23)

We can't have this. Who knows? He might play another season with. With his. With his background and what he's doing, who knows? But as of now, he is declared for the NFL. It'll be very interesting to see how NFL offices react to that. Right?

Mark Ingram II (28:36)

Good luck declaring for the NFL, dude.

Rob Stone (28:39)

Well, there's part of me that does love that fight and that attitude. And hey, it's, it's me and my brothers and that's it. And everybody else, screw you. Right? That wasn't the moment for it. And I wonder how that's going to play in, in those interviews, you know, with scouts and GMs and head coaches. But let's go back to Mendoza. Guys, I have a good little story for you. Went to a holiday party last night and I'm real good friends with this one family and she came up to me. She doesn't really watch college football, but she did see Mendoza's speech after winning the Heisman. And she goes, rob, she goes, I went on the computer and I googled, does Fernando Mendoza have a girlfriend? Because I really want to set him up with my daughter. And I was like, I just love that. Like she has a super Ivy educated daughter. And, and she's like, that boy is welcome in my household. Right? That boy can please date my daughter.

Urban Meyer (29:36)

That was when I was, when I was coaching Tebow. I'd get those every week. Hundreds of them. Hundreds of them. And one was Shelly. Well, Tim Tebow, date one of our daughters.

Rob Stone (29:48)

Not wrong.

Urban Meyer (29:49)

I'll tell you what, Mendoza was on triple option. And you guys, that was one of the greatest interviews we had. I watched the highlight of the acceptance speech. And I'll tell you what, there's a, that that's good for our sport, that's good for Indiana and obviously the Mendoza family and for the NFL. I mean, he proved me wrong. I kind of thought he needed another year. He's ready to go. He's ready to go play. He's. I don't know if he does anything great. I mean, like elite. Elite. But he's great at everything. The ball comes out fast, he's got good size, he's mobile enough to get out of the trouble. But when you cut him open and you listen to him speak his intellect, his toughness and his competitive spirit, remember on the road at Oregon, on the road at Penn State in a two minute drill, one of the best I've ever seen. And then to go be the team that's more talented to them in the Big Ten championship, Heisman Trophy winner and the best season in iu, One of the best, I think, best turnarounds in college football history.

Rob Stone (30:54)

Mendoza, I wonder how he's going to look in that New York Jet Green.

Mark Ingram II (31:02)

I don't even want that for my guy. I don't even want that for my guy.

Rob Stone (31:06)

Why do that to him. Why punish him?

Mark Ingram II (31:08)

Well, I do love Aaron Glenn, head coach of the jets for sure. I do love Chris Banjo, the special teams coordinator for the jets, which are two of my guys, but just the jets overall as organization has not been great as of late. So I don't, I, I don't prefer that for him.

Rob Stone (31:23)

No, no. We only want the best for Fernando and, and we want him to, to date lovely ladies as well. All right, tell us what you think about Fernando Mendoza. Diego Pavia's reaction to getting snubbed with the Heisman in the comment section. The question segment, wherever you want to put it. Coming up next on the triple option presented by Wendy's News from Utah as a legend steps away and we hit the playoff games coming your way this weekend.

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Rob Stone (32:24)

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Urban Meyer (32:41)

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Rob Stone (33:04)

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.

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Rob Stone (33:46)

Welcome back to the triple option presented by Wendy's Urban Meyer. Mark Ingram ii, Rob Stone, back here with you. Time now 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 pulled over. Paid for by nhtsa. Love that message, particularly here during the holiday season. Folks, be careful. Get somebody else to take you home. Right? How about the crossroads at the Utah football program is at right now. After 21 highly successful seasons, Kyle Whittingham retired on Friday, winning his head coach in program history with 177W's coach. He won at least 10 games eight times, had 18 winning seasons, three conference titles. He was consistency epitomized and I, I love everything that he did for Utah and I know the love I have for him isn't even close to the love that you have for him.

Urban Meyer (34:42)

Yeah, I hired Kyle when I was hired, you know, it was really unique because he was the acting or he was interviewed for the head coaching job and I had no intention of keeping him. And I met him and they were awesome. They were really good on defense for years and I was like, what am I nuts? And I kept them. We, we became as close as I've ever been with a coach. He's that good. He's arguably the best coach I ever been around. And so you said that Crossroads. I would disagree with that. It's the smoothest transition. It's a little bit like what Bob Stoops did at Oklahoma when I did at Ohio State with Ryan Day. That train is still going at 100 miles an hour. Morgan Scally played for me all American safety, has been one of the best defensive coordinators in the land for a long time. And, and he's, he's the coach in Whiting. So that's they're, they're marked. There could not be a smoother transition. They won 10 games this year. Going to go to a good bowl game. Utah took Kyle Whittingham. All I want to know is where they're going to put their stat put a statue and what he's done for that not only be not only Utah for the state of Utah, he's put them square on the map that they're every year the, the TV cameras and the the whether it be big Noon or or other channels are going there to showcase that great school and that great state. So Kyle Whittingham deserves it and the recognition is all deserved. Is one of the best ever been around.

Rob Stone (36:08)

Did he drive into work on that Harley or did he just save that for the off season?

Urban Meyer (36:12)

I think that was after that was post Meyer when he started the hybrid. I'll tell you what though. I beat him in a race one time.

Rob Stone (36:20)

Oh, here we go again. Mark, how many times have we heard.

Urban Meyer (36:23)

This story in tennis? I look at that guy. He looks like he's 40 years old.

Rob Stone (36:27)

Yeah, he does.

Mark Ingram II (36:28)

He's a great dude.

Urban Meyer (36:29)

He looks stronger than us.

Mark Ingram II (36:30)

He's a great dude.

Rob Stone (36:30)

Amen. Coach, you talk about that statue like, like that's granite of granite, right? I mean that, that is going to be a jacked up. I mean coach has got forearms now, right? Forearms and arms, chest and torso like he, he is, he's a man's man. I'm, I'm, I'm all in favor for him, man. I'm, I'm excited for him to ENJ. Well deserved time off as well. Time now for 2 Minute Drill brought to you by FanDuel. Visit FanDuel.com triple option to download the app and take advantage of a 50% profit boost today. First round of the college football playoffs begin on Friday. We're not going to pick that game. We're going to pick the three Saturday games and we're going to save Alabama at Oklahoma for Friday where we will be live. Live live from Norman, Oklahoma at campus. A live edition of the Triple Bob Stoops.

Urban Meyer (37:24)

Right.

Rob Stone (37:25)

4:30 Central Time scheduled to appear. Coach scheduled to appear. He's the best. He's the. There's a reason I'm getting in Thursday and it's to spend time Thursday night at the Stoops Castle. Oh my goodness. Friday could get a little hazy. We'll see how Thursday Thursday goes. But yeah, Coach Stoops scheduled to join us live at campus corner 4:30 Central Friday before Oklahoma host Alabama. All right, so let's talk about the three other first round games. All of these are on campus. Coach, you're first, number 12 seed James Madison at five seed Oregon Ducks favored 21 1/2 points over under 50 and a half.

Urban Meyer (38:08)

Yeah, before I pick, I got a couple thoughts on that. You know, I coached a Bowling Green and I coached at Utah and we were the first. Utah was the first non BCS team to play a BCS ball and, and people hammered us about that. I remember Trev Alberts was I believe on ESPN and made some really harsh comments About. And I went after him a little bit and said, you know, you don't understand, you know, the players we have coming. I offered to buy him a ticket to come watch practice and so buy your ticket and come watch us. And then you tell me if we don't belong. And obviously we, we finished number, I think number three in the country that year, so we did belong. James Madison. I just, I think, I think this whole thing's going to be. It's. Everything's good. Everything's really good. The interest, the playoff. There's got to be a couple reboots here. And a reboot would, to me would be. I would mandate that a James Madison or a non power four. You have to play three, babe. You have to play three. Three programs in the top 50 or you can't be, you know, win your conference and win whatever, but you can't be considered. And that would tell the ads and all that. Then, you know, because you have to be judged on that. You can't be judged on the other side games. You just can. And I'm not disrespecting. I coached in the Mac Conference. It's awesome. I mean, my God, there's first rounders in those conferences. However, it's all. You're telling the Fighting Irish to sit home and James Madison's going and some people, whether it's right or. I didn't want to say right or wrong or deserving or not, the better team's supposed to be in the game. That's it. That's it. So if you're telling me James Madison and Vegas comes out and said, well, James Madison would beat Notre Dame, then, then they made the right choice. If not, then it's not the right choice.

Rob Stone (39:54)

Coach, I get your point, but.

Urban Meyer (39:56)

But what?

Rob Stone (39:57)

I don't, I don't know how you say but. No, I will, I will say, but you'll understand in a second because you want to put. And again, I know this is just a brief idea and you haven't laid out the whole thesis for it. I understand that. But to say, like, they have to schedule a top 50 team. So what is a top 50 team? Like, are we talking preseason? Because a lot of times you'd say Oklahoma State. We scheduled Oklahoma State. Good on us. But Oklahoma State's got a top 50 team right now.

Urban Meyer (40:24)

That should, that should count. That should count. But I. Okay, so that's what I would say, scheduling. But you have to. But they don't. They don't. They'll schedule one.

Rob Stone (40:34)

Agreed. Agreed. The other problem the other pushback might be those programs don't want to schedule a James Madison or a two lane because they're just good enough that they could screw it up for them. Right. And. And that's a pay game. Right? Like, you're. You're paying too late and you're paying James Madison to come. You're like, wait a second, do we want to bring in a good team that's really going to push us? I get it. And I think it. The big boys, the big dogs, as you say. Right? The big dogs need to play as well. Like, okay, if you want one of these spots, we have to sacrifice one of our Saturdays to take you on so you can prove that you belong or we can prove that you're not good enough.

Mark Ingram II (41:13)

And then, oh, 45 to 10 earlier this year.

Rob Stone (41:17)

So you got ahead of me. I'm gonna talk about that in a second.

Mark Ingram II (41:20)

Okay, My bad.

Rob Stone (41:21)

All right, let me give you.

Urban Meyer (41:23)

Let me give you the score. The. My feelings on that. I think you're gonna run into a buzzsaw in Watson. I think you got a bunch of players in Oregon that, you know, they're kind of used to winning the bit. They won the Big Ten last year. So I think. And I know that coach, they. I'm not saying a hundy, but I'm saying this. This can be a tough go for the boys and James. And I don't want to disrespect James Madison because they had a great year.

Rob Stone (41:48)

They did.

Urban Meyer (41:48)

They had a great year. They have an excellent coach. But I'm saying that I think it's minus 21 and a half is the. The spread.

Mark Ingram II (41:56)

That's the line.

Urban Meyer (41:56)

I'm saying that's gonna.

Rob Stone (41:57)

That's the line.

Urban Meyer (41:58)

That's gonna be a third. That's gonna be a 30 burger.

Rob Stone (42:00)

You think a 30 burger? I. I don't think people are giving Oregon enough credit right now.

Urban Meyer (42:05)

These teams.

Mark Ingram II (42:08)

21 and a half the line.

Rob Stone (42:11)

Yeah.

Mark Ingram II (42:11)

I'm betting they're covering that.

Rob Stone (42:13)

The winner gets Texas Tech. A lot of. A lot of. No, not. It's not going to be 100 and nothing. It's not going to be under nothing. Listen, they. Oregon's got a lot of questions at white out with the health as well. But Sadiq at tight end has been, you know, he's been the best tight end in the Big Ten. Three running backs, tight end of the year. Yeah, I agreed. Agreed. I. People are not talking enough about two words.

Urban Meyer (42:37)

Austin Stadium.

Rob Stone (42:38)

Yeah. Enough said. Enough said. All right. So coach likes the Ducks Makes sense. All right, I have number 22, lane at number 6. Ole Miss. The Rebs favored by 17 and a half over under 56 and a half mark. As you mentioned, a rematch of a September meeting in Oxford. Ole Miss won it comfortably 45 10. The quarterback Trinidad Chambers had himself a day 419 total yards and two touchdowns. That though was with Lane Kiffin as the head coach. We all know Lane is in Baton Rouge right now. So former defensive coordinator Pete Golding was handed the keys like instantaneously like right away to. To try and keep coaches try and keep players as they go to their first ever playoff game. I did some research on Coach Golding spent time coaching at Delta State, Southeastern, Louisiana, Southern Miss, utsa, Alabama, Mark. He was on their staff when they won the 2020 national title. Last three seasons, Coach Golding was the DC at Ole Miss. You know what's missing from his resume though? Coaching experience. None. None. So he makes his head coaching experience debut in arguably the most anticipated game in the history of Oxford. Right. So how is he going to handle that moment? How are his players going to handle this transition? Tons of distractions out there. Right. And they've been going on for a while. But I feel like there's this chance to win each over, win each group over. Like Coach Golding has the opportunity to win his players over. The players have the opportunity to win Coach Golding over. I see this as. As a. A unification type moment. Like let's rally together. Let's do this. It's a perfect tune up for what will be Georgia in the quarterfinals in New Orleans at the Sugar Bowl. So I like Ole Miss to cover guys and play with. I'm going to call it an excitable edge. I think Ole Miss, their story is far from being written. All right, Mark, a good one. Number 10 Miami heads down to Texas A and M. The Aggies, they are your seven seed favored though by only three and a half over under is 51 and a half.

Mark Ingram II (44:59)

Listen man, this y' all was talking about them games and Rudy Poo. Let's talk some real football. This is a real Rudy Poos, the rock candy. No, but no. Now we got some real football. A and Miami. Guess what? Miami's first time in the playoff. A M's first time in the playoff at Kyle Field. We know how Kyle Field is. You talk about Austin earlier, Coach. Kyle Field is another one of those venues. You got two of the best pass rushing teams in the country going head to head. Miami leads the ACC in sacks, A and M. Leads the nation in sacks. In addition to two of the nation's best individual pass rushers going against each other. Got Ruben Bane Jr. You got Reuben Bane down there in Miami, one of the top graded prospects in the NFL Draft going against Texas A&M's Cash's. How 11 1/2 sacks on the season. So both of these D lines correct the game. So I think a lot is going to come down to how these quarterbacks manage the pressure. Now. You know Marcel Reed, his ability to be able to run the ball with his legs. Electric with his legs, that'll be paramount in this game. Going against Miami's rushing attack, I mean Miami's pass rushing attack. But then you got Carson Beck, how do they do that quick passing game.

Rob Stone (46:12)

What Carson Beck are we going to see right? Throwing it, throwing it to Aggies.

Mark Ingram II (46:17)

It was Carson, Carson Beck a player or Carson Beck B Player.

Urban Meyer (46:23)

If this Carson Carson Beck B, they lose.

Mark Ingram II (46:25)

Carson Beck B, they lose and get thon. But yeah, what, what Carson Beck has going for him is Malachi Tony baby Jesus. You get the quick pass again to him. He's had back to back games over 10 receptions, over 100 yards. Mark Fletcher Jr. Running the football, that'll be paramount. Get on schedule, get positive plays on first and second down. Because if you get the third and long Texas A and M, what their, their defense is good at getting off the field on third down, their defense is. Is great at rushing the passer. So in this game we know the pass rush will be a paramount. We know being able to stay ahead of chance will be paranite with great pass rushers. I think in this game, I think the difference is Marcel's Reed's ability to use his legs electric in the run game. Electric. Scrambling electric with off schedule plays. Him throwing the ball down the field to Mario Craver, him throwing the ball down the field to Casey Concepcion. They got some dogs now, I'm telling you. The running back, Rube Owens, the second, he's their leading rusher. We got some questions. La'Vean Moss, will he be available? That's their number one back. He's been hurt with an ankle injury all year long. Possible to be available. Maybe, maybe not. We'll see. That could be a big boost for them. But I think A and M at Kyle Field, I think three and a half is a little too much. I think it's going to be a 1, 2, 3 point game.

Urban Meyer (47:43)

Ooh.

Mark Ingram II (47:43)

At Kyle Field. I think it's going to be a close game. But I got the Aggies winning.

Urban Meyer (47:48)

I think it's all Carson Beckmark. Yeah, I think it is. To handle that atmosphere and to handle that pass rush. The pass rush, Yep.

Mark Ingram II (47:57)

A and M is good at two things on defense, they're good at rushing the passer. They're good at getting off the field on third down because they had that pass rush. But their defense, let me tell you this, Coach, they've allowed 28 points per game and 175 rush hours per game in the last five games against FBS opponents. So they is so let me add.

Urban Meyer (48:14)

This about Carson back Rob Mark. Rob Mark. I think this will be the most important game that this quarterback, Carson Beck, has ever played, 100%. Because now he's got to prove to the NFL scouts he can handle because he's been up and down. I mean, the talent's there and but this, I'm telling you that every NFL scout and Jim GM is watching this game to see if he can really be an NFL quarterback because he's facing an NFL defense.

Rob Stone (48:42)

So that game's on Saturday. We want to remind you on Friday we got a lot going on. A if you're an Alabama fan like Mark Ingram.

Urban Meyer (48:50)

Mark Ingram, roll Damn.

Mark Ingram II (48:51)

Tie.

Rob Stone (48:53)

Also, if you're in Oklahoma, if you.

Mark Ingram II (48:54)

Don'T give a piss about nothing but the Tide, I better see you in Norman, Oklahoma at the live Triple Option podcast show.

Urban Meyer (49:01)

I can't wait to see that.

Rob Stone (49:02)

Yeah, that's going to be at campus Corner, the address, 746 ASP Ave. The ultimate tailgate. So if you're a Bama fan like Mark, if you're an Oklahoma fan, you're going to want to be showing up too.

Mark Ingram II (49:14)

Bring your energy. Bring your booze.

Rob Stone (49:16)

For sure. There's going to be music, food, drinks. There's also an episode of the Dynasty Right the Alabama podcast with A.J. mcCarron and Trent Richardson. Very come on. And then we follow them with a live episode of the Triple Option scheduled to appear. Our dear friend, the hall of Famer Bob Stoops. It all starts at 3pm Central. We take the stage at 430 Central Campus Corner, 746 ASP Ave. In Norman. Please follow, subscribe rate us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts. We're on social media at 3x optionshow. We love your feedback. We strive to have your comments and questions put in on our show. So give us the material. As always, thank you to our Wonderful sponsors, Wendy's, FanDuel, USAA, NHTSA and Google. Hope to see you Friday in Norman.

Mark Ingram II (50:07)

I'm tell you this, Stone. My son. You talk about Wendy's. My son. All he's been asking for for the last two, three weeks is a Frosty. All this man wants is a Frosty. Can we go get it? Frosty.

Rob Stone (50:18)

Go get him a Frosty. Now we're done.

Mark Ingram II (50:20)

To Wendy's. Go ahead and send him gift cards. I need it.

Rob Stone (50:24)

There you go. Throw in some tendies while you're at it.

Urban Meyer (50:26)

Mark.

Mark Ingram II (50:26)

I love me some tendies. You know what I.