The Triple Option Podcast Summary Presented by Wendy’s Episode: Ohio State-Michigan Fallout, College Football Playoff Rankings, Marcus Freeman Joins, Championship Picks
Release Date: December 4, 2024
Hosts: Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, Rob Stone

1. Ohio State-Michigan Fallout

Game Recap and Impact: The episode delves deeply into the recent showdown between Ohio State and Michigan, a pivotal rivalry that has significant implications for the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings. Michigan triumphed over the second-ranked Ohio State with a gritty 13-10 victory at the Horseshoe Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Urban Meyer reflects on the unexpected loss, citing Ohio State's key player absences and offensive struggles.

Urban Meyer (02:40): "One thing about the game of football, there's a scoreboard at the end and you have to take your hat off and give respect. And that was a rugged win for the Wolverines."

Emotional Reactions and Leadership: Meyer emphasizes the importance of resilience and regrouping after a tough loss. He discusses the psychological toll on Ohio State and the necessity for the team to quickly reset and focus on upcoming playoff opportunities.

Urban Meyer (04:27): "You have to pick them up and you have to grab each other and you got to go."

Flag Planting Incident: A major talking point is the flag planting controversy that erupted post-game, leading to a chaotic and violent melee on the field. The hosts express their disapproval and concern over the behavior exhibited by some Ohio State players.

Rob Stone (29:12): "There's no place for this in college football. There's a lot of spots I want to hit with this."

Meyer criticizes the NCAA's insufficient response to the incident, advocating for stricter penalties to deter future occurrences.

Urban Meyer (38:34): "The NCAA says we're allowing this. Yes, we're going to fine you $100,000. That is not a deterrent at all."

2. College Football Playoff Rankings

Current Standings and Movements: The discussion transitions to the latest CFP rankings, highlighting significant movements and the evolving landscape of the playoff contenders. Key teams such as Oregon, Alabama, Boise State, SMU, Notre Dame, and Penn State are analyzed for their playoff prospects.

Mark Ingram (47:01): "The Big 12 has probably been the most exciting conference all year."

Outsider Teams and Playoff Prospects: Hosts express enthusiasm for non-traditional powerhouses like SMU and Boise State, recognizing their strong seasons and potential to disrupt the playoff landscape. Urban Meyer admires the competitive nature introduced by the 12-team playoff system, which offers more teams a chance to compete for the national title.

Urban Meyer (56:04): "This is the greatest thing that's happened in college football in our lifetime."

Debate on Team Strength: The panel debates the strengths and weaknesses of top-ranked teams, particularly focusing on Oregon's speed and defense, Alabama's fluctuating rankings, and Miami's lack of ranked wins despite a strong record.

Mark Ingram (52:54): "They have no ranked wins. They have no ranked wins."

3. Interview with Marcus Freeman – Notre Dame Head Coach

Season Reflections and Leadership: Marcus Freeman joins the podcast to discuss Notre Dame’s season, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and resilience despite early setbacks. He shares insights into his leadership philosophy, highlighting the necessity of keeping the team unified and learning from losses.

Marcus Freeman (61:09): "We got to stay together. There's going to be a lot of noise outside of here. Stay together."

Handling Success and Future Focus: Freeman talks about balancing the joy of victories with the ongoing pressure to perform, stressing the significance of continuous improvement and preparation for each upcoming game.

Marcus Freeman (65:09): "Our guys bounced back, and we started to continue to improve as a football program."

Philosophies on Recruiting and Team Building: He outlines his plans to prioritize in-house talent over relying on transfer quarterbacks, aiming to build a sustainable and internally coherent program.

Marcus Freeman (66:17): "My vision is to major in high school recruiting. That's what this program is going to be built off of."

Flag Planting Perspective: Freeman condemns the flag planting incident, advocating for respectful celebrations and emphasizing the importance of unity and sportsmanship.

Marcus Freeman (73:26): "There's nothing more important than us celebrating together. Let's celebrate together in the locker room."

4. Championship Picks and Predictions

Boise State vs. UNLV (Mountain West Championship): The hosts analyze the matchup, highlighting UNLV's balanced offense and Boise State's dynamic play. Urban Meyer expresses confidence in UNLV covering the spread due to their strong defense and balanced attack.

Urban Meyer (80:17): "I want to say UNLV has the number one defense in the Mountain West Conference."

Tulane vs. Army (AAC Championship): Rob Stone praises Army's resilient season, crediting quarterback Bryson Daley's exceptional performance. He emphasizes Army's ability to handle the physical and mental demands of the playoffs.

Rob Stone (83:24): "Army's magical season is capped off with an AAC title and they earn it at home in West Point."

Big 12 Championship: Iowa State vs. Arizona State: Mark Ingram and Urban Meyer discuss Arizona State's powerful running game led by Cam Scatterboo and Iowa State's versatile offense. They predict Arizona State will secure a playoff berth with their dominant run game.

Mark Ingram (86:56): "Cam Scatterboo is getting it done. Arizona State to the playoff."

ACC Championship: Clemson vs. SMU: The panel debates SMU's rapid rise in the ACC and their potential to compete against Clemson. While supportive of SMU's talents, they acknowledge Clemson's experience and quarterback struggles as factors in the outcome.

Urban Meyer (89:57): "If Clemson does beat them, it's going to be a tough, nasty, jagged, dry. They have no to swallow for SMU."

SEC Championship: Georgia vs. Texas: Georgia's consistent performance and Texas's recent struggles are scrutinized. The hosts favor Georgia due to their strong defense and improved quarterback play, predicting another victory in Bulldog territory.

Mark Ingram (93:19): "Georgia's going to beat them again this weekend, man. Out there in Atlanta in Bulldog territory."

Notable Quotes

• Urban Meyer (02:40): "One thing about the game of football, there's a scoreboard at the end and you have to take your hat off and give respect."

• Rob Stone (29:12): "There's no place for this in college football."

• Marcus Freeman (61:09): "We got to stay together. There's going to be a lot of noise outside of here. Stay together."

• Urban Meyer (56:04): "This is the greatest thing that's happened in college football in our lifetime."

Conclusion

The hosts wrap up the episode by reinforcing their analysis and predictions for the upcoming championship games. They encourage listeners to engage with the podcast on various platforms and thank Marcus Freeman for his insightful contributions.

Rob Stone: "Thanks for joining us this week, coach."

The episode provides an in-depth discussion on the critical moments and future implications of the Ohio State-Michigan game, the evolving CFP rankings, insights from Notre Dame’s head coach Marcus Freeman, and comprehensive predictions for the championship weekend. The conversation balances strategic analysis with emotional and leadership perspectives, offering a multifaceted view of the current college football landscape.

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