Podcast Summary: The Triple Option Episode: Nick Saban on Changes in College Football, Season Preview, and Opening Weekend Predictions
Release Date: August 21, 2024
Presented by: Wendy’s

1. Introduction and Debut Edition

The inaugural episode of The Triple Option kicks off with hosts Rob Stone, Mark Ingram II (referred to as "Deuce Deuce"), and Urban Meyer welcoming listeners. Rob Stone humorously highlights the absence of Mark Ingram and Urban Meyer during the recording, setting a lighthearted tone for the episode.

• Mark Ingram kicks off with a playful remark defending Urban Meyer:
  [00:00] “Ain't nobody gonna say nothing bad about Coach when I'm around. I'm gonna knock him out. I'm gonna drop him like it's hot, you know what I mean? Ain't nobody gonna talk bad about urban. Urban when I'm around.”

• Urban Meyer expresses his surprise and excitement about launching the podcast:
  [01:03] “Man, I can't believe, I can't believe we're doing this.”

2. Season Preview and AP Top 25 Analysis

The hosts delve into an analysis of the AP Top 25 rankings, discussing the strengths, weaknesses, and season expectations of various teams.

a. Florida State (Ranked #10)

• Urban Meyer praises Coach Mike Norvell:
  [04:09] “I really think he's one of the top coaches in America. I think they'll be there standing in the top 10. I might even have them a little higher at the end of the season.”

• Mark Ingram highlights key players and the impact of recent changes:
  [05:34] “Donovan Edwards, running back on offense. Their defensive tackle, Mason Graham...”

b. Michigan (Ranked #9)

• Mark Ingram expresses concerns about Michigan’s new coaching staff and limited returning starters:
  [05:26] “They have a really tough schedule. They start with Texas, like, in week two. They have USC, they have Oregon, they have the Ohio State University. So that's four games right there where I have them losing.”

c. Penn State (Ranked #8)

• Mark Ingram discusses the need for quarterback Drew Allar to elevate his game and the impact of the new offensive coordinator:
  [07:59] “Drew Allar is going to have to take his game to the next level. They got a new offensive coordinator, Andy Kolonicki...”

d. Ole Miss (Ranked #6)

• Urban Meyer commends Lane Kiffin and the team’s depth:
  [12:31] “They did fill in every piece that they needed. They lost a great running back to Ohio State, but they still have a great backfield.”

e. Alabama (Ranked #5)

• Mark Ingram lauds the leadership of Coach Kaylin Debore and the team’s robust recruiting class:
  [14:22] “Caitlin Debore has the resources of a program like Alabama. They have number one recruiting class for 2025. They have tremendous talent all through the locker room...”

f. Texas (Ranked #4)

• Mark Ingram welcomes Texas to the SEC and emphasizes their strong quarterback and emerging talents:
  [18:49] “They’ve got their quarterback returning, Quinn yours Heisman candidate for sure...”

g. Oregon (Ranked #3)

• Urban Meyer praises Oregon’s "pain in the ass" program under Coach Dan Lanning:
  [22:27] “Every play has a purpose. They’re a pain in the ass all over the field. Special teams, offense, defense...”

h. Ohio State (Ranked #2)

• Urban Meyer expresses confidence in Ohio State’s roster and the synergy between quarterback and offensive coordinator:
  [26:18] “This might be the best roster in college football in the last decade as far as NFL talent, as far as depth.”

i. Georgia (Ranked #1)

• Mark Ingram argues that Georgia deserves the top spot based on their consistent performance and depth:
  [29:41] “They would have won the national championship last year in my opinion if it wasn't for Alabama.”

3. In-Depth Conversation with Nick Saban

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban joins the podcast, providing valuable insights into the evolving landscape of college football, his experiences, and his perspectives on current issues.

a. Transition and Retirement

• Nick Saban discusses his transition from coaching, emphasizing the importance of balancing work and personal life:
  [36:20] “It's been really good, and I'm happy that I have something to do... retired from coaching, but I didn't really retire from working because I do enjoy having something to do all the time.”

• Mark Ingram celebrates Saban’s legacy and expresses gratitude:
  [36:47] “All them years you poured into players like myself, and you deserve to be able to enjoy your family.”

b. Favorite Championship Moments

• Nick Saban reflects on his national titles at LSU and Alabama, highlighting the significance of building programs from the ground up:
  [51:28] “The first one obviously was at LSU in 2003... the 2009 first championship here at Alabama.”

c. Changes in College Football

• Urban Meyer and Nick Saban discuss the impact of the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) on team dynamics and player development:
  [54:04] “The recruiting calendar now... was very set schedule... now it's constantly evolving with transfers.”

• Nick Saban expresses concerns about the academic and personal development of players in the era of frequent transfers:
  [57:38] “I'm very concerned about that because there are some statistical information out there... how that impacts your chances to graduate.”

d. Advice to Coach Kaylin Debore

• Nick Saban offers guidance to Alabama’s new head coach Kaylin Debore, emphasizing authenticity and mental resilience:
  [60:33] “Be who you are, focus on the things that are in front of you and don't get impacted by external factors.”

• Rob Stone acknowledges the challenges of modern coaching:
  [61:55] “How many shots Irvin's going to give me. I mean, I'm just worried about winning a golf game now.”

e. Personal Anecdotes and Stories

• Nick Saban shares a memorable story about recruiting Mark Ingram, highlighting the personal connections and dedication involved in building a team:
  [46:15] “I sat there for two hours hoping it never came up. And finally his mom started laughing...”

• Mark Ingram recounts a tense moment during a playoff game, illustrating the intense coaching dynamics:
  [47:10] “Mark, look, we really did well. Worst we’re going to do is come in second... we lost because you had the wrong mentality.”

4. Opening Weekend Predictions

The hosts and Nick Saban provide their predictions for the upcoming college football opening weekend, analyzing matchups and potential outcomes.

a. Florida State vs. Georgia Tech

• Urban Meyer confidently predicts Florida State to cover the 11.5-point spread:
  [67:22] “I think that coaching staff, that head coach in particular... they'll beat Georgia Tech by more than 11 and a half.”

b. SMU vs. Nevada

• Mark Ingram supports SMU covering the 27.5-point spread against Nevada, citing their strong roster and transfer additions:
  [68:03] “I think SMU is able to cover North Carolina. The Tar Heels...”

c. North Dakota State vs. Colorado

• Urban Meyer favors North Dakota State over Colorado, emphasizing their historical success and coaching strategy:
  [69:45] “They can’t hang in there with Shador and Travis Hunter. They just can’t.”

d. Oklahoma vs. Temple

• Mark Ingram predicts Oklahoma will cover the substantial 42.5-point spread against Temple, despite Temple's home debut:
  [71:52] “Oklahoma is going to win this, right? Like that's not the question. But will they cover it?... I don’t think Oklahoma covers that.”

e. FAU vs. Michigan State

• Mark Ingram supports Michigan State covering the 11.5-point spread against FAU, highlighting the Spartans' tradition and culture:
  [72:38] “They have a great tradition and a great culture and a history of pride...”

5. Concluding Insights and Future Episodes

The episode wraps up with the hosts expressing excitement for future episodes, featuring upcoming guests like Oregon’s Dan Lanning, and reiterating their commitment to providing in-depth college football analysis.

• Rob Stone emphasizes the value of subscribing and following the podcast for comprehensive coverage:
  [76:50] “College football is back and the triple option is here for all of it.”

Notable Quotes

• Urban Meyer on Team Preparation:
  [74:18] “You need to be prepared for it. You need to be patient with it.”

• Nick Saban on Coaching Philosophy:
  [60:33] “Be who you are, focus on the things that are in front of you and don't get impacted by external factors.”

• Mark Ingram on Player Mindset:
  [28:07] “Focus on what you need to do to be the best version of yourself. So when your opportunity does come, you're helping the team win.”

Key Takeaways

• Evolution of College Football: The transfer portal and NIL have significantly altered team dynamics, recruitment strategies, and player development, raising concerns about academic and personal growth.

• Season Predictions: Hosts and Nick Saban provide expert analysis on the Top 25 teams, predicting shifts in rankings and potential playoff contenders based on team performance, coaching, and player talent.

• Nick Saban’s Legacy and Insights: Saban shares his experiences, reflecting on his championship wins, coaching philosophies, and the importance of team culture. He also offers valuable advice for current coaches navigating the modern college football landscape.

• Opening Weekend Analysis: Detailed predictions highlight key matchups, emphasizing the strengths and weaknesses of teams, and offering strategic insights into potential game outcomes.

This episode of The Triple Option delivers a comprehensive preview of the upcoming college football season, enriched by the expertise of legendary coaches and firsthand experiences. Whether you're a seasoned fan or new to the sport, this discussion offers valuable perspectives on the ever-evolving game of football.