Oregon-Ohio State Showdown, Penn State Tops USC, Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel Joins, and a Big SEC Weekend

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Triple Option – October 16, 2024

Title: Oregon-Ohio State Showdown, Penn State Tops USC, Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel Joins, and a Big SEC Weekend

Hosts: Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, Rob Stone
Guest: Dylan Gabriel, Quarterback of the Oregon Ducks
Presented by: Wendy’s

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Introduction and Big Dune Kickoff Highlights

The episode kicks off with the hosts engaging in their signature banter, setting an energetic tone for the discussion ahead. Rob Stone introduces the episode’s main topics, including the impressive Big Dune Kickoff event held in Provo, Utah, featuring undefeated BYU. The team praises the enthusiastic fan base and the remarkable performance of BYU’s legendary mascot, Cosmo.

Notable Quote:
Rob Stone [03:02]: “Have we ever leaned on a mascot so much in the history of Big Dune Kickoff? He’s a unicorn!”

Oregon vs. Ohio State Showdown

A significant portion of the episode delves into the thrilling showdown between Oregon and Ohio State. The game was marked by numerous lead changes and intense clock management issues that ultimately led to Ohio State’s narrow loss. Urban Meyer critiques Ohio State’s coaching decisions, particularly the handling of penalties and clock management in the final seconds.

Notable Quote:
Urban Meyer [07:18]: “Greg Shiana was on my staff; he was an extremist as far as covering every situation. This penalty call was something I don’t believe in.”

Mark Ingram adds insights from his extensive playing experience, emphasizing the importance of preparation and situational awareness, highlighting how unexpected plays can determine the outcome of high-stakes games.

Notable Quote:
Mark Ingram [09:30]: “Landing and being able to intentionally have that situation ready and his players prepared for it, that’s chess and not checkers.”

Penn State Tops USC

The hosts transition to discussing Penn State’s impressive victory over USC. Despite USC being a top-tier team, Penn State mounted a significant comeback, maintaining an unbeaten record and solidifying their position within the Big Ten Conference. The conversation highlights quarterback Matt Liner’s pivotal performance and the strategic prowess of Penn State’s coaching staff under James Franklin.

Notable Quote:
Mark Ingram [24:43]: “Tyler Warren, one of my favorite players in the country right now. Number four Bulldog. He is a beast.”

Urban Meyer emphasizes the resilience and strategic depth of Penn State, comparing their ability to overcome adversity to championship-caliber teams.

Big SEC Weekend Analysis

The discussion shifts to the SEC, covering key matchups and team performances:

• Alabama: Meyer expresses concern over Alabama’s defensive struggles despite having one of the most talented rosters. He underscores the need for defensive improvements to maintain their national championship aspirations.

  Notable Quote:
  Urban Meyer [18:56]: “The defense performance was not what I expected. And where? Both. When you say no sacks…”

• LSU vs. Arkansas: The hosts analyze LSU’s strong performance against Arkansas, citing their formidable offensive line and strategic gameplay as reasons for their continued success.

• Tennessee vs. Alabama: A heated discussion ensues about the upcoming Tennessee vs. Alabama game, with Meyer drawing parallels to a prizefight, emphasizing the physical and mental toughness required.

  Notable Quote:
  Urban Meyer [76:27]: “This to me is again the testimony of the alpha. You are in a prize fight. This is going to be the Wills.”

Interview with Dylan Gabriel

The highlight of the episode features an in-depth interview with Dylan Gabriel, Oregon’s star quarterback. Gabriel reflects on the recent game against Ohio State, discussing the team’s offensive strategies and his personal growth as a leader. He credits the coaching staff for fostering a culture of trust and resilience, which was pivotal in their victory.

Notable Quotes:
Dylan Gabriel [46:18]: “Just being vocal and not just being a guy who’s a lead by example. A leader is one who changes the temperature in the room.”

Urban Meyer [50:05]: “So, as I think this is great for the viewer and I know Mark believes the same thing, football team that can punch the hardest in the line of scrimmage wins those games.”

Viewer Questions and Responses

In the “Viewer Questions” segment, the hosts address questions submitted by fans, covering topics such as:

• Kalyn DeBoer and Tennessee’s Performance: Mark Ingram expresses confidence in Coach DeBoer’s ability to rebound and lead Tennessee to victory against Alabama.

  Notable Quote:
  Mark Ingram [65:13]: “Coach DeBoer and his team will be ready to play.”

• Potential for Archie Griffin’s Heisman Record: The hosts discuss the feasibility of future players matching or surpassing Archie Griffin’s two Heisman Trophy wins, considering the evolving landscape of NIL and player retention.

  Notable Quote:
  Mark Ingram [67:13]: “It's tough to win it twice, but with the talent out there, it can happen.”

Comedic and Promotional Segments

The episode weaves in light-hearted moments and promotions, including shout-outs to sponsors like Wendy’s, BetMGM, and ZipRecruiter. These segments are seamlessly integrated into the conversation, maintaining the episode's engaging and dynamic flow without detracting from the main content.

Notable Quote:
Rob Stone [42:27]: “All right, so if you haven't signed up for BETMGM yet, use the bonus code option or go to betmgm.com option and you will get up to $1,500.”

Closing Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts summarize the key takeaways from the discussed games and upcoming matchups. They emphasize the unpredictable nature of college football, where every Saturday presents new challenges and opportunities. Urban Meyer reiterates the importance of physical dominance and strategic depth, while Mark Ingram highlights the critical role of the offensive line in determining game outcomes.

Notable Quote:
Urban Meyer [38:26]: “The team that punches the hardest in the line of scrimmage wins those games.”

Mark Ingram [40:33]: “If you are not protecting your quarterback, you can’t get it to them on the outside. The onus goes on those offensive lines.”

Conclusion

The Triple Option episode provides a comprehensive analysis of recent college football games, insightful interviews with key players like Dylan Gabriel, and thoughtful discussions on coaching strategies and team dynamics. The hosts blend expertise with engaging dialogue, making the episode a valuable resource for fans seeking deeper understanding and insider perspectives on the ever-evolving landscape of college football.

Follow The Triple Option:
Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. For bonus content, follow @3XOptionShow on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Sponsored by Wendy’s:
“Try Wendy’s new Saucy Nugs today, available in seven delicious flavors.”

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Note: Quotes included are selected to highlight key moments and insights from the episode, providing listeners with a vivid glimpse into the discussions and analyses presented by the hosts and guest.

Transcript

[Urban Meyer]

At the premier programs, you got about four or five of your games a year that you look across the field and they gots what you got that Spider man meme.

[Mark Ingram]

They just pointing at each other like.

[Urban Meyer]

That'S it, light it.

[Rob Stone]

What are you playing there? Is it the drums? Is it like a high guitar? What are you doing when you hear that music?

[Mark Ingram]

That's just my vibes for the triple option. You know what I mean?

[Rob Stone]

Trust your vibes. Welcome to another edition of the Triple option presented by the Wendy's. Try Wendy's new Saucy Nugs today. Glad you're here with us, Rob Stone. We got a couple national champions. Mark Ingram with Alabama, Urban Meyer with Florida and Ohio State with you. As always, Mark, we urge you to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts, as well as across social media.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah, like comment, comment, tell a friend.

[Rob Stone]

Tell a neighbor all those things you can find us on social media. 3x option show. Rate us. Throw questions at us in the comment section. We're going to answer three of those questions on today's show. Speaking of today's show, Oregon quarterback Dylan Gabriel will join us after the Ducks big win over. Big, big win. Big, big double big, double big. We're going to look at some close calls for some top 10 teams and kind of pivot and look ahead to a big week, particularly in the SEC. But let's start with the Big 12 guys. And for the first time, big dune kickoff made its way to the Beehive State. And we were in beautiful, warm, sunny, welcoming Provo, Utah for undefeated byu. And let me tell you that that fan base, that student body, man, they showed up and they showed out, man, they were really impressive.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah, I think it's one of the most beautiful settings in college football. I told you the first time there, Lavelle Edwards is the coach. 1990, a guy named Ty Detmer was playing quarterback. They beat the hell out of us. And in the third quarter, Mark, they sang Happy Birthday, 60th Birthday to Lavelle Edwards, as he was kicking our ass inside out. And the last one, the last One was in 2003. We brought the Utah Utes in there playing for the. We're tied for the top of the conference, Mountain West Conference, and we beat them three nothing in a blizzard. So the fans still remember that. If the student body, I don't think the student body would remember that. That was 15 years ago. They remember everything 20, 20 years ago.

[Mark Ingram]

Coach, when you are coach and you whooping on programs, they don't forget that. And they don't welcome you when you come back.

[Urban Meyer]

But Mark's always welcome. That's the best thing, isn't it?

[Mark Ingram]

I don't know how. I'm just waiting for the boo day.

[Rob Stone]

You know, Wisconsin, a little bit when Alabama was in town. But you were, you were instigating that you were asking for.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah. We roll. We roll into Auburn, Alabama, I imagine they'll. They'll throw things.

[Mark Ingram]

We roll into Auburn. I'm. I'm throwing balls, man.

[Rob Stone]

Those barns. Those barns are going to be mad at you. We can't have those barners. Those barners. One last. One last shout out for Provo. Legendary mascot Cosmo. Like, have we ever leaned on a mascot so much in the history of big noon kickoff? Like, if Cosmo called in sick last Saturday, we would have had like an extra 20 to 30 minutes to fill on the show. The dude's falling out of airplanes. He's break dancing. He's. He's jumping through fire. Dude did it all, man.

[Mark Ingram]

He's doing push ups on tables.

[Urban Meyer]

If I had another, if I was coach and I had a scholarship, I would seriously say, I'm going to give you a tryout. His athleticism, when he did the push ups, he was doing all that.

[Rob Stone]

I mean, is that tables, pushing yourself up and landing?

[Mark Ingram]

I have no idea.

[Rob Stone]

In an outfit, in a Cougar outfit.

[Mark Ingram]

I have no idea who Cosmo is. He's back flipping out of a airplane. He's doing push ups and then a dismount. Like her hooping, flipping through fire. Like, he's an elite athlete. Cosmo is an elite athlete.

[Rob Stone]

Cosmo is an awesome get, man. An awesome.

[Urban Meyer]

One last comment about Utah and the great state of Utah is that I'm not. I'm glad we got to witness it because I did the intensity level, because everybody think Utah skiing or whatever it is, football is very serious out there. And BYU and Utah are rugged. You know, the LDS religion, the Mormon religion is very prominent, obviously in Provo. Not as prominent in Salt Lake. You know, it's about 90% in Provo, Mark. In Salt Lake, it's I think 15, 20%. Yet the church is a big part of it. And I'm telling you now, the intensity level when you step in stadiums is as good as anywhere in the country. And people, when I tell them, they're like, come on. I'm glad you guys got to witness.

[Mark Ingram]

If you love football. I haven't been to Utah yet, but Provo is a bucket List stop the stadium. It's nestled in between the 3, 4, 5 mountains with the Y ingrained in the mountain. Like, that's beautiful. It's aesthetically pleasing.

[Rob Stone]

Very kind, welcoming people. I think they've got a lot of pent up energy, you know, not a lot of. Not a lot of vices to pull at them. So it's like Saturday, what time Saturday? Showing up big dude, let's go. I mean, the signs were off the charts. The energy screaming. It was so good. Yeah, we soaked it all in. All right, let's move on from that.

[Mark Ingram]

All right.

[Rob Stone]

On any given Saturday. We learned it last week and we're getting reminded of it again. Anything can, does and will happen in college football any given Saturday. And the big one last Saturday, of course, was in Eugene. The top three showdown between Ohio State and Oregon. Not five, not six, seven lead changes. This one, it was such a great game. In the end, time literally runs out on Ohio. Some interesting clock management, maybe some clock miscues, maybe some clock manipulation. As well as the Buckeyes, they got the ball back. A buck 47 to go down. One drive the field. There's that questionable offensive pass interference called on Jeremiah Smith.

[Mark Ingram]

Where highly questionable.

[Rob Stone]

Yes, there was maybe a smidge of extension, but it was a.

[Mark Ingram]

It was a physical route.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah. And physical game, by the way, took.

[Mark Ingram]

The buck and a physical coverage by.

[Rob Stone]

The DB from the 28 back to the 43. So that, that moved them out of field goal goal range. Range. And then a penalty was called with 22 seconds left on Oregon. The big thing, the clock started once the ball was spotted. I think a lot of people out there, and maybe in a tight moment, you guys can handle this better, would say, oh, it's a penalty. Naturally, the clock stops because the referee's talking to us. It's telling us what happens. The ball's down. But there was a bit of a laissez faire attitude to get the ball snapped. They didn't snap until 15 seconds left. And then with six seconds left, third and 25 from the Oregon 23, Will Howard looking for a quick play and runs and slides and not enough time to call the timeout. So time our boy, while our boy Will Howard was sliding. So, coach, where were you watching that game? Were you in a plane at that point? Were you home?

[Urban Meyer]

I was in Chicago.

[Rob Stone]

You were in Chicago? Did you watch, you watch that last drive? What was going through your head?

[Urban Meyer]

Oh, I mean, I've said this before and Greg Shiana was on my staff, obviously. I think one of the best coaches in college football, and many do what he's done at Rutgers, but he was an extremist as far as covering every situation. I was not. And people were shocked that. I don't believe in paralyzing players, and I don't mean that. I mean, I don't believe in slowing players down. I want players to play hard and fast. That's usually that wins. However, you do spend every day in training camp, the last half of spring ball, every practice. I think everyone does this. They finish with some kind of scenario. And I would keep a track. And I actually had a staff analytics guy helped me with that. Hey, give me a. Give me a. Give me a situation. Give me a situation. Give me a situation. I'm not sure I've ever seen that one. You know, the cost interference, the live ball. Now that's. Those are. That's a live ball where that means you start on the wind. And that is a completely different animal than when the official does this. If the official does this, then it's on the snap. And when you start losing seven seconds, you know, I. I mean, my heart was racing. Obviously, I'm a Buckeye fan, but I'm a college football fan as well, trying to figure out, I mean, how fast things change. And then Mark and Rob, the difference between that game. It's 60 minutes of football. Mark, it's that far.

[Mark Ingram]

Yep.

[Urban Meyer]

You know, if he. If he. If he slides that much quicker, they get the timeout, they line up and pop a field going get out of Eugene. Oregon with one of the great wins for Ohio State that far. And I'm not talking. That's not that. I'm not talking about the field goal if he slides that much earlier, because actually, as he's going down, there's one second on the clock. So you gotta have.

[Mark Ingram]

You gotta.

[Rob Stone]

You had one extra chance on the clock right from hurrying up that snap at that moment that you're talking about as well.

[Mark Ingram]

Just to piggyback off what coach says, like I've done. I've played a lot of football, like 12 years in the league, you know, three years in the NF. I mean, three years in college, like, I played for some great hall of Fame cards. And we work situation after situation after situation. You have a period of situations every day after practice working a situation. And I've never think that we ever work that situation.

[Urban Meyer]

Coach, like, no, I know for Dan.

[Mark Ingram]

Landing to be able to intentionally have that situation ready and his players prepared for it, that's chess and not checkers.

[Rob Stone]

So, like here's what you're talking about. Yeah, Mark, I want to get to this quote real quick because there was some chatter on our, on our text chain after the game like do you think this was an on purpose 12 man penalty by Oregon? Because it would only move it, what was it, five yards, I believe. But it would run some time off clock and at that point the clock was the priority. So here is Dan Lanning after the win addressing that, what looks like to be right now an intentional penalty.

[Urban Meyer]

Much of the commentary world has decided and struck you as a genius, dan.

[Dan Lanning]

For the 12 man penalty and declared.

[Urban Meyer]

That it was intentional. Was it indeed intentional to induce the throw one on one against Jabbar in that spot?

[Dylan Gabriel]

He wasn't one on one.

[Dan Lanning]

He.

[Dylan Gabriel]

We actually had a safety on top. So there was. So it's called dog. It's when you play. But he wasn't an extremely tight coverage, but he was in dog coverage where he had safety on top of him. And yeah, there was a timeout before that. We spent an inordinate amount of time on situations. There's some situations that don't show up very often in college football, but this is one that obviously was something that we, we have worked on. So you can see the result.

[Rob Stone]

Sly little smile through the course of that interview, by the way, Phil Knight and you know the board of trustees are going down to the coach's office right now like, hey, let's extend this thing a little bit. Yes, that, that is, like you said, some are playing checkers, some are playing chess. Mark.

[Mark Ingram]

Yes, he's playing chess. And for him to be aware of that situation in that moment is one thing to practice situation, but, but to be able to execute it in a game of that magnitude when it's that much pressure and still just have the wherewithal and the cojones to still execute the situation.

[Urban Meyer]

Well, let me, let me say this about that situation is if that's true. If he did that and he's a friend of mine and it's. I'm not going to ask him now because I don't want to know. But after.

[Rob Stone]

What do you mean you don't want to know?

[Urban Meyer]

I guess I do want to know, but I want to know if that's, if that's true, then for 38 years of my career I was. I've been playing checkers.

[Mark Ingram]

Yep.

[Urban Meyer]

And a lot of coaches, I never, I never even that. I'll be honest. That's never even.

[Rob Stone]

You're conceding five really important yards at a critical time. That almost gets you into field goal.

[Mark Ingram]

Range at the perfect moment.

[Urban Meyer]

And I'm just trying to think over the headset. Mark, do you know how nuts it is?

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

[Urban Meyer]

The sideline is chaos. And they said, all right, I mean, you have Jeremiah Smith, you have a Mecca. You got. I mean, they're. They're 12 yards away from kicking a game winning field goal and we're going to give them five more yards. And someone says, hey, run the timeout or run the 12 man play. I'm like going, wait, what in the.

[Mark Ingram]

Yes.

[Rob Stone]

So they did, they did have a checkers guy. Remember there was a timeout where they got together and they discussed it. Right. So, like there was. Wow, there was a breath, you know, it wasn't. It wasn't everything just kind of spinning. But that is. That is insanity.

[Mark Ingram]

Coach, I played for some sticklers with situations. Sean Payton was a stickler for situations.

[Urban Meyer]

Think of who you played for.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah, it's hardball, too. Like, stickler for situations, man. Like. And I never heard of that situation.

[Urban Meyer]

Have you ever heard a coach, Mark, and this is big, say, let's practice a. Intentionally taking a penalty in those. I'd never, I never thought of that.

[Mark Ingram]

I've. We've practiced intentionally doing things, but not intentionally. 12 men on the field to give up 5 yards and run off 8 seconds off the clock in a crucial moment. And to be able to remember, like you said, Coach, like, to be able to remember that all that craziness and chaos going on and you remember to call that like and to do it and to execute it to perfection.

[Urban Meyer]

I will say this, Rob. I did go out. I was asked to go out in to Eugene in the spring, speak to the team, speak at the clinic, spend time with them. I spent time with the offensive staff, if that is, they are playing checkers. Yeah, I mean, that is. I mean, chess, because that is a hell of a stat.

[Rob Stone]

They might be playing a game that hasn't even been invented yet.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah, yeah. Forget about checkers, solitary or some crazy.

[Rob Stone]

Game they're crafting in Eugene that nobody knows about right now.

[Urban Meyer]

So hats off if they did it and it worked. And obviously that rule will get revisited because really that should be a dead ball for sure.

[Rob Stone]

All right, let's talk about Oregon right now as we continue this conversation on the triple option presented by Wendy's and Dylan Gabriel. He'll be our guest coming up. He has played in more games than anybody else currently in college football. 56 college football games. Dylan Gabriel has Played in. That is your saucy nugget of the week. Try some at your nearest Wendy's. This cat played the part. And I know coach.

[Mark Ingram]

Yes, he did.

[Rob Stone]

He absolutely triggered you. In fact, the reason we have Dylan Gabriel on our show this week is because you jumped on the text chain and we're like, we got to talk to this cat. This dude was amazing. On Saturday, it's mandatory when you see a mark.

[Urban Meyer]

He's, he's 5, 11. His arm strength is, you know, an 8 out of 10. His speed is an 8 out of 10. His intelligence and leadership are 10 out of 10. I love this guy. I watched him practice. I spent some time with him. We've all followed him. Remember last year we watched him when they went when he was in Oklahoma. But I don't know if I've ever seen him win again. I mean, flat out win the game.

[Mark Ingram]

Yep.

[Urban Meyer]

And he did. The way he performed, I mean, spectacular against, you know, I'm, I'll turn this over to Mark in a minute. But I was wrong in big new and I said I don't see the match, the positive matchup in man coverage. I thought it was going to come down to the secondary can. Ohio State's got some high draft picks back there now. Yep. And you got Oregon, who has really, really good receivers. I'm going to change that. They have great receivers. I thought they were really good. They're great. They went vertical on a mark. They did. They didn't do the crossing routes like I said they would. They went vertical and they said, I'm going to go after your best corners. And they, I mean, Dylan Gabriel was dropping dimes on him.

[Mark Ingram]

He did, he bought. And you talk about the physicality. Everyone was questioning whether Oregon early in the, early in the season was concerned about this Oregon offensive line and they were a strength in that game. Jordan James runs for 115 yards. They protect Dylan Gabriel. JT Tui, Malo, Jack Sawyer, two of the best edge rushers in the nation. No sacks. They give up no sacks. That's four games in a row now with no sacks. Jordan games, three games in a row. Back to back to back honey yard rushing games. This offensive line is not a weakness anymore. It's not a concern anymore. It's a strength of this team. It's a huge reason why they won the game.

[Rob Stone]

And obviously it was a concern in the beginning of the season. Right. That was kind of the hesitation as Oregon continued to kind of sink down the rankings. But here they are now up to number Two this week trailing only Texas. Fair to say, guys, they are in the catbird seat in the Big Ten. Like the Big Ten goes through Eugene right now. Ohio State is certainly in contention. Penn State, we'll talk about them later, is undefeated. But the schedule that Oregon has in Big Ten play coming up is quite manageable compared to what some of the other teams out there have. I think you can go ahead and, and book a ticket to Indy for the Big Ten championship game if you're Oregon.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah, I think I see a, I see a rematch.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah, I do too.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah, 100% and it'll be a neutral ground, Coach.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah, I see Penn State, obviously, Big Noon will be in State College. That'll be the determining factor. But just when you stand up, because we're talking about Oregon, just transition a little bit to Ohio State. They went on the road. I actually texted Coach Day this. You went on the road. One of the most difficult. I never played there, but I coached there. But I hear it's one of the most difficult places. You took the team's best shot and you were seriously one yard.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah.

[Urban Meyer]

Away from winning that game. So somehow he's got to get through the, you know, the media, the big game. They're not winning the big games. The reality is that's a little bit like the Georgia game when they played Georgia in the essays in the playoffs a couple years ago. Whoever wins that game, I think their front runner with Texas to be a national champion.

[Mark Ingram]

Coach, like you said, it's this far away from having a chance to win that game. Getting out of Oregon, like, they didn't get any turnovers on defense. They took Oregon's best shot on the road at home. Like, I'm not. The sky's not falling for Ohio State. Like they still have everything ahead of them, you know, with this 12 team playoff, they still have everything ahead of them. They still have the great team that we, that we think they are. You know what I mean? They just went on the road into a hostile environment and lost by a little bit of time. An offensive pass interference, a little bit of time. So.

[Rob Stone]

But that's the game, man.

[Urban Meyer]

That's.

[Rob Stone]

That stuff happens all the time. But I agree. I think Ohio State, as much as of a bitter pill, this is for them to swallow. Coach, it's a tough one. And you mentioned Ryan Day having his struggles versus top five teams, two and six versus top five teams right now. Coaches, is there a problem in Columbus? Like, does Buckeye Nation need to just kind of calm down a little bit? These things happen or is there real, you know, kind of hand wringing going on right now?

[Urban Meyer]

All right, that's too. That's two fold a question.

[Rob Stone]

Okay.

[Urban Meyer]

No, there's. As a football team. No, they're there. I still say one of the most talented teams. Now you got to find out what happened on defense. The defense performance was not what I expected. And where.

[Rob Stone]

In the back end or up front or both?

[Mark Ingram]

Both.

[Urban Meyer]

Both. When you say no sacks.

[Rob Stone]

Yes.

[Urban Meyer]

I mean, those are. Whatever the figure they did on the defensive lineman.

[Mark Ingram]

150 plus rush yards, 115 from the back, five yards of carry.

[Urban Meyer]

And they went vertically after those two corners. And so. So let's go back to the question. Is there a problem? There's a problem. And you can say that. You got to tell the fan base to cool out, Rob, there's no chance of that happen. That fan base is out of their mind. Like Alabama, like Georgia. There's a handful of places and Ohio State's one of them. And so. No. And that's also why they donate so much money to help them with the, you know, with all the nil stuff. So it is. Is what it is. It's life in a big city. But they got to somehow rally the troops and they have the team good enough to go win it all. That's the bottom line.

[Rob Stone]

They've got a bye week right now. Coach, is that. Is this a good time for it or a bad time for it?

[Urban Meyer]

I don't know.

[Rob Stone]

I don't know. Rob, I'm coaching. I'm on a podcast. Leave me alone.

[Urban Meyer]

I know, but I. Right, because if I was coaching. Want to go play, right? I want to go play. I want to go play.

[Mark Ingram]

You can't get on the field soon enough after a loss like that.

[Rob Stone]

Let's wrap up this Ohio State conversation with this. And here you go. Here you go, Buckeye Nation. Come in. Gather close, Gather close. Put your ear holes near your device, near your phone right now. Ohio State still has better odds to win the national championship per bet. MGM with them coming in at plus 450 compared to Oregon's plus 550. There you go. Buckeye Nation Bet MGM is on your side. Wendy's is on your side. Zip recruiters on your side. Just. It's gonna be all right. It's gonna be all right. That's gonna be big. You've had Wendy's nugs dipped in sauce, right? Mark, you've had the Wendy Nuggs I've.

[Mark Ingram]

Had and I love.

[Rob Stone]

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

[Mark Ingram]

Oh, more than 10. More than choose between flavors like Buffalo Honey Barbecue, Garlic parm, or if you're a real heat seeker, try Spicy Ghost Pepper. Only on Whitney's signature Spicy Nugs. I dare you. There's seven delicious ways to try the nugs you already love.

[Rob Stone]

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

[Mark Ingram]

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

[Rob Stone]

Yeah, I can do the peppers. Pick a flavor, grab some extra napkins and then go back and get a few more napkins and prepare to nug. Apparently the word nug is a verb now. So Mark, prepare to nug like you've never nugged before. For a whole new way to nugget, it's got to be Wendy's at participating us Wendy's Keep on Nugging America. Nug City in our job, the office is always changing, whether it be at the Big House, the Coliseum, or even Death Valley. While there are many different types of offices out there, one thing is for certain. Choosing the right candidate for any office is a huge responsibility. Coach hey.

[Urban Meyer]

Well, if you're hiring, you want to find the best candidates for your office. You need Zip Recruiter. And right now you can try for free at ZipRecruiter.com option ZipRecruiter is the.

[Rob Stone]

Hiring site employees prefer the Most based on G2. How fast does ZipRecruiter's smart technology start showing your job to qualified candidates? How about immediately? And you can invite top candidates for your job to apply to encourage them to apply sooner.

[Urban Meyer]

Remember, if you want to find the right candidates for your office, you need ZipRecruiter see why 4 out of 5 employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate within the first day. Just go to this exclusive web address right now to try ZipRecruiter for free.

[Rob Stone]

ZipRecruiter.com options Again, that is ZipRecruiter.com options ZipRecruiter the smartest way to hire Want.

[Nico]

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[Dan Lanning]

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[Nico]

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[Urban Meyer]

Plus see [e-mail] let's talk about the.

[Rob Stone]

Rest of Saturday and again, anything can happen on any given Saturday. Let's start out here in Southern California. Penn State at usc. I called an upset, I said, I think USC is going to win this one. And boy, at halftime it certainly looked like I was right. Penn State down 20 to 6, but they come back, go to overtime and win at 33 to 30. You know, we talk about Ryan Day unable to win, you know, some of these big top five games. Lincoln Riley also has an issue. He's 5 and 8 in his last 13 games. James Franklin on the other side. You know, we've been saying, coach, he's got an Ohio State problem and a Michigan problem. Penn State's not a problem, but Ohio State and Michigan are a problem for them. But he goes on the road, goes down at halftime, comes back and gets a big win. So I'll start, I'll start with you, Mark. You know, give me the. Who do you want? You want the USC angle or you want the Penn State angle? Which one do you want, Mark?

[Mark Ingram]

I'll take Penn State angle.

[Rob Stone]

You take Penn State, coach, you get usc. All right, so let's start with the good. Penn State goes on the road, come from behind, win. They remain unbeaten and they control their destiny in the Big Ten.

[Mark Ingram]

Yes, they do. How about Drew Aller though? Three interceptions.

[Rob Stone]

How about his tight end?

[Mark Ingram]

Come on, Tyler Warren? How many kids he had? How many kids Tyler Warren had? That boy was going crazy. Let's see what, what Tyler Warren's number was. 17 catches for 2, 24.

[Urban Meyer]

My God.

[Rob Stone]

Co offensive player of the week.

[Mark Ingram]

He is a beast. Coach.

[Rob Stone]

Dude, dude was snapping the ball. He snapped the ball on one play and then went into the end zone and caught the pass for a touchdown.

[Mark Ingram]

Tyler Warren, one of my favorite players in the country right now. Number four Bulldog. Yes sir. But no, just what they're able to accomplish down 26 at the halftime on the road, being able to come back, being able to stay the course and essentially go for a game winning a game tying drive at the end of the game to put it into overtime. Defense holds them. USC misses a field goal, Penn State gets in striking distance and they're able to kick the field goal and get out of Southern California with a victory. So yeah, it wasn't a perfect game. Like I said, Jeweler had three turnovers. They really didn't run the ball that effectively. But at the end of the day, they found a way to win.

[Rob Stone]

I'm still not a Penn State all in believer. Like I believe in we are Penn State. But I think until they get over Ohio State. Like, if they had to buy Ohio State in a couple of weeks, then I'm like, you know what? You guys are good. You guys are legit. And they're in position right now to get themselves to the college football playoffs. We're looking at three, maybe four from the Big Ten. This was a game, Coach, that USC had to win if they were going to keep any of their College Football playoff hopes alive. Our boy Matty liner over there. Mr. Negativity. Matt. You hear me, Matt? As soon as the Buckeyes go up 7 0, he's like, this one's a blowout. This is going to be over. As soon as USC goes down by one point, he's like, I've given up on this team. It's over. But for USC and. And, you know, and coach, they've got. They've got some real question marks going on in Southern Cal right now.

[Urban Meyer]

I do a quick hit on James Franklin. He had that stigma of not winning in the big game.

[Rob Stone]

Right.

[Urban Meyer]

You know, this. That's that they want it. I think Mark. Mark had a good point. When you throw, have turnovers, you're on the road and you somehow claw and fight on the plane home, I know it's a long ride home. I would sit in my heart say I'm glad we had those miscues because our team just proved to me we can fight through some bad stuff. They're down at halftime, they're turning the ball over, and they find a way win. All right, now, usc, Mark and Rob. This does not compute. It has not computed with me for the last 10, 15 years. To me, that is a top five spot. You have. You stumble over players when you recruit. I recruited out there forever when I was at Colorado State and Utah. And I mean, it. It's like, to me, Texas and California are different. The quantity.

[Rob Stone]

Florida's not in that conversation. Those three.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah.

[Urban Meyer]

I just think the coaching is so. I think the coaching is good in Florida.

[Rob Stone]

Oh, okay. It's at a higher level in California, Texas.

[Urban Meyer]

What, what they pay those coaches?

[Rob Stone]

Yeah.

[Urban Meyer]

In Texas and California, they're like college coaches.

[Rob Stone]

Right.

[Urban Meyer]

You know, I mean, you get dealer cars and. I mean, you walk in and there's 12 guys on a coaching staff at modern days and all that. So I don't. It does not compute. To me, the history, tradition and recruiting base and financial support at USC and coach Riley has gone 5 and 8 in the last 13 games. This is on the heels of a. The previous staff that really struggled. So you can keep Blaming coaches. But is there some. I'm. I guess. Is there something there? Is there. Is there a problem? Because that is a top five job. It is.

[Mark Ingram]

And you don't have to compete like you say. You compare it with Florida. Florida has three, four, five universities. Southern Cal is Southern Cal, like who they compete with? Ucla? No. USC is the premier program in Southern California.

[Rob Stone]

In the whole state. In the whole state, yes.

[Mark Ingram]

Yes, in the whole state. Unlike Florida, where you got Miami, Florida, Florida State, which are struggling right now. But you know what I mean. And how many schools.

[Urban Meyer]

And I used to do this. I count about three that you walk in. And everybody knows exactly how. As an assistant coach, when you're wearing.

[Rob Stone]

A shirt, those colors in that logo, right?

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah. Well, in the golden dome, when you walk on Notre Dame shirt, everybody stops because there are Notre Dame fans everywhere. All due respect, Alabama became that with Saban, but I'm not. You know, I. I think usc, you walk in any place in the country and everybody sees that Trojan or usc, those colors on your shirt, and they stop and they're like, I gotcha. I think are like that, too, because they're a national. National school.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah. I don't get it. It doesn't make sense. You're right. It doesn't compute. Right? Is that your phrase, Coach? It doesn't compute?

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah, it doesn't. It doesn't compute.

[Rob Stone]

I agree. One quick note on the game. After the game, Penn State players had a flag out and they were trying to plant it on the floor of the Coliseum, and Coach Franklin kind of swooped in. I couldn't see what he said. There were some words, and he just kind of took the flag and he looked like the alumni varsity cheerleader out there running around the field with the flag, just trying to get it somewhere else. Have you. You've never taken a flag from a player, Coach, I'm going to assume.

[Urban Meyer]

Sure I have.

[Rob Stone]

You have.

[Urban Meyer]

I have. I have.

[Rob Stone]

Where?

[Mark Ingram]

Absolutely.

[Urban Meyer]

And I don't. At Ohio State. I can't. I can't remember exact game, but. And our players knew we would always talk about that. Act like you've been there and you know those players on that. And there's alumni, there's players pick fights. And I love players having fun, but have fun at your own expense. Don't have fun at someone else's expense. And I just. I'm. When I saw that. Once again, Mark, I believe in players having fun, but have fun at your own expense. Don't. I guess I lived. I'm such a college football fan. You don't do that. And I'm glad they didn't do that.

[Mark Ingram]

At the end of the day, like, you just got off the hook because they missed a field goal. So you could easily lost this game, man. And you have bigger. You got. Yeah. You got bigger problems on your plate than.

[Rob Stone]

Right. Like solid. Still enjoying.

[Mark Ingram]

Yes.

[Urban Meyer]

I gotta tell one story, Mark. So we used to have a rule that as a. Whoever scores a touchdown, you throw the ball the official and you go hug the lineman because they got you there.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah.

[Urban Meyer]

So Zeke Elliott was the best at it. And so, I mean, I show the videos on Sundays of the players celebrating with the offense lineman. And I said, however, if you score and you want to do something nuts, I mean, go nuts now. I mean, take your helmet off, jump in the crowd because it's your last time you're going to score in a while. You're done, you're not going to play. And so. And the players used to just laugh like crazy because I'd say, don't, don't just like dance in the end zone. I mean, go nuts.

[Rob Stone]

Make it worthwhile.

[Urban Meyer]

Because. Make it worthwhile. I mean, take your shoulder pads off, take everything and throw the ball. Kick the ball in the stands and don't stop. Keep going because you will not score again for the next four or five games.

[Rob Stone]

That's great. That's great. So James Franklin goes all the way across country, gets a huge win for Penn State. They move up the rankings. They remain unbeaten. Also unbeaten. Texas Red river rivalry. Quinn Ewers comes back. There was some rust, but you certainly wouldn't see it in the score line. 34 to 3. Is Texas the best team mark in the country right now or are they just part of a conversation of X number of programs?

[Mark Ingram]

I think right now you can definitely say that they are probably one of the most complete, well rounded teams in the country. But with. I think this thing is wide open still, Rob.

[Rob Stone]

I do too.

[Mark Ingram]

I think anybody can beat any given Saturday. Any given Saturday. Like, I don't think there's this huge gap between teams, but if you want to look at it right now, and we'll find out more about them Saturday, they have Georgia coming to town and. But right now you talk about the quarterback play. They have two of them. You talk about their defense, their offense. They're just a very complete team, you know, and their schedule's favorable. We'll see how they do when they get past Georgia. If they get past Georgia, the Bulldogs are in a must win situation. So they got to go down to Austin and obviously the Longhorn is going to be ready to play. But right now, on whatever date this is, October, whatever, I think they are the most complete team in the country right now.

[Rob Stone]

All right, Coach Bama. Tennessee, second straight week, they narrowly avoid an upset. You're. You're a little worried about our guy, Nico.

[Urban Meyer]

I.

[Rob Stone]

Right now.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah. And I'm, I'm. Was his biggest fan. I remember when I first watched him play early this year, I called Matt Liner and Brady Quinn, obviously, two guys I respect on Big Noon, and I said, is this guy a top 10 pick? The ball comes out of his hand like a tennis ball. He's a big athlete. He's. But some's happened. They are in reverse right now. I mean, there's 20 points per game the last three games. 20 points a game. Mark, that's usually in the first half.

[Rob Stone]

It's different. But still.

[Urban Meyer]

I know, but still. They just don't look right. I watched them. I. Before we did this, I went. They look a mess. And Alabama on the other side here, 29 over here, 25 plus points per game. You know, so I don't, I don't get what's going on. They're going to go to Tennessee. I got to pick this team here, and I'm going back and forth on who's going to win this thing. But I'll tell you what, and I'll let Mark jump in this second. I would always do this right here. I'd walk. I'd start. Just walk on the practice field. I'm doing this. And the coaching staff, I do this. I would just. And that means, you know, in the, in the military, those are stripes on your sleeves. And, you know, stripes are on your sleeves. That's the higher you move up in the military with your titles, your rank, you earn your leadership stripes. You don't learn your age, you don't earn leadership stripes when you're beaten. Lesser competition right now in Tuscaloosa, in Knoxville, in Columbus, people are walking around like this. And those that don't are going to lose more.

[Mark Ingram]

Yep.

[Urban Meyer]

Those that don't. And I'm not talking about coaches, because I am, but I mean, the alphas in that room. I think I've said this earlier. I mean, I'm. I'm probably meeting every morning, I'm having breakfast. I say, you guys meet me there at 7am we're having breakfast and I just walk in. I said, this is. God made you for this moment right now. And that's the lead situationally.

[Mark Ingram]

Alabama is Just not. It's not crisp. Right now they're up 140 with four minutes to go and a half. I'm going to just talk two quick scenarios. They're a 14 0, Rob. They got the game in control. Fourth and nine at like the 36 yard line is going to be a long field goal. They let a bomb go over their head for 36 yards. Get the ball. Okay, we still got a minute and some change. We can go down the score, whatever, get a personal foul. Now they're backed up Jayla Milroe. They get pressure, they take a safety, nine points. Now you punt them the ball, they fumble, we get it, you still have a chance again. Then we throw another interception, they return it to the 19. They get 12 points, they get a field goal. So now it's 14 to 12 within a minute and 30 seconds, Rob, like you have the game in control and now it's a two point game. Then at the end of the game, ball goes over your head again for Ball goes over your head again. Now they're down two. Luckily they missed a two point conversion. Okay, just, just recover the ball and let's get out of here. Just recover the onside kick.

[Rob Stone]

It was a great onside kick, by the way. It was tremendous on.

[Mark Ingram]

It was like a knuckle ball. Turning, curving.

[Rob Stone]

Anyways, beautiful. It was like a backhand kick.

[Mark Ingram]

They get the ball on the outside kick. Now you're about to lose the game, like. But fortunately you get out with interception. Just situationally, situationally, you almost lost that game just off situation and awareness. So Alabama has a lot of stuff to do, man, especially coming on the road to Tennessee, like, they gotta fix this thing.

[Rob Stone]

You feel like if you have one of those games and you escape, you're like, all right, that's good. You're always gonna get one of those type of games a season, right? And you're gonna learn from it, move on. But when it starts reappearing, that's when I think when you start saying, wait, we got an issue here. We've got some problems. This is not an outlier Saturday. This is something that is happening. And then there was the chaos down in Baton Rouge. Our boy, Garrett Nussmeyer.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah.

[Rob Stone]

27 seconds left, ties the game. They go to overtime. Immediately win it over Ole Miss. The Rebels now have two losses. Tigers 2 and 0 in the SEC as of now, if you look at the College football playoff little grid, LSU was seen as a 9 seed. Remember how high Ole Miss was? They're not even in the first four outside Is lsu, Mark for you right now a playoff caliber team?

[Mark Ingram]

Right now, the way they're playing, how their and defense has improved significantly. Their offense, we know Nuss Meyer, Kyron Lacy like this, they could put up points with anybody. And now this defense is playing at a much higher level. LSU is a dangerous team and Alabama has to go to lsu. I don't, I forget who, who else remains on their schedule, but LSU is in prime position to be where they want to be, man, and right now they're playing at a high level and they can, everything's ahead of them as.

[Rob Stone]

Long as they're home. Man, when they're home, that place is different.

[Mark Ingram]

So coach, Death Valley is a mother is different.

[Rob Stone]

You guys both as a mother, watch your mouth. People are throwing bags of lemonade at coach over there. All right, so we had some great games this Saturday or last Saturday. Some more big ones coming up this week, coach. And there's a lot of these games where things talent wise, look, look kind of even, right? You know, they like, like if you look at Oregon, Ohio State, like pretty, pretty darn even talent base. So, you know, what are some of the things that end up being a deciding factor in these type of games?

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah, I'm glad Mark's on this because I can't wait to throw this right at him. So in talent equated games, and that's. We all know what those are. That's those four or five games a year at the premier programs, you got about four or five games a year that you look across the field and they gots what you got. And if they gots what you got.

[Mark Ingram]

To me, that Spider man meme where they just point at each other like that's it.

[Urban Meyer]

And then I just got such respect for the game of football. The team that punches the hardest in the line of scrimmage wins those games. And I don't want to negate the outside guys because that's huge. But every, to me, those, a lot of times equate each other. The difference to me, when we won our one, when we won national titles or championship games, I had an offensive defense line that would, that would tear your throat out. And so I would get in the routine every talent equated game, I'd walk right back and I'd sit right with my, whoever my center, usually my center. And I look at me now, I say, can we handle these guys? And they would always say yes, but I could look in their eye and sometimes they're full of, you know what? And the other times they're like, I can see that. They're like, coach, we can handle them. And same thing on defense line. And one quick story. We're playing Alabama and I'm at Ohio State.

[Mark Ingram]

And we always call us back to Bama.

[Urban Meyer]

We're in the playoff game and we turn the ball over twice. We don't score in the red zone touchdowns, we kick field goals. We're down 20 to 19, 21, 19. I think at halftime, I'm walking in, they hand me a sheet of paper, the sid and I notice, I just look right at the total yards. We have 300 and some yards against Alabama has 100 some yards. And I'm thinking, wait a minute, what's going on here? I go and visit with a training, training room like I always do. And then I start walking towards our coaching staff and the offensive line, mark all five of them and they're badasses. They're screaming at me, run the effing ball. I mean, and I look, I go, I have fun with them. I said what they said, you run that mother of effort. And they're, I mean, standing up screaming at me. And so here's what kind of mind I have. I march right in the offensive staff room. What do you think? I say to Omar, you run that mother.

[Rob Stone]

Throw the ball, go deep.

[Mark Ingram]

Run that mother. Watch your mouth.

[Urban Meyer]

So as I think this is great for the viewer and I know Mark believes the same thing. As the season progresses, the team that can punch you right square in the face and the offensive defense line to me is going to be holding a big gold trophy at the end of the year.

[Mark Ingram]

I agree with you, coach. At the end of the day, I don't care who you have on the outside. If you are not protecting your quarterback, you can't get it to them on the outside. I don't care if you have Barry Sanders running the football. If you don't have somewhat of blocking up front, they're not going to be able to run the run the rock. So the onus goes on those offensive lines, it goes in the trenches. And if you are the most physical team, being able to impose your will, move the line of scrimmage, you will be successful. If you're able to protect your quarterback, you'll be successful. So that onus goes on the trenches, it goes on the line of scrimmage. Then secondly, I would say situations is just being able to win the situations. But 100%, Coach, if you got your offensive line, your defensive line causing havoc, dominating the line of scrimmage and winning the game, winning their play, doing their assignments and dominating. You have a high probability to win that game.

[Urban Meyer]

I'm just going to add this, Mark and Rob, I'm such a believer in special forces and training people. I believe that's done in January, February, March. That's when you. That's when you scar that team up. So when it's time to go punch someone, you can deliver the punch and not have to take it all the time.

[Mark Ingram]

But, coach, you're not always going to win either. So you got to have that alpha dog on your line of scrimmage, too, because every now and then they going to get hit in the mouth. They just got to wipe that off. They got to wipe that off and be like, okay, you ain't going to do it again, though. You ain't going to do it again, though. So you got to have them type of people on the offensive line. And I love my offensive line because I wouldn't be where I'm at today without my offensive line. So shout out to all the linemen that ever blocked for me.

[Rob Stone]

Shout out to all the big boys out there pushing some weight around and going back for thirds, fourths and fifths at the commissary. Coming up next, Oregon quarterback Dylan Gabriel joins the triple option.

[Urban Meyer]

Light it.

[Rob Stone]

Well, as you all know by now, we have teamed up with our great friends at BETMGM this season, and we're going to be using bet MGM lines to make all of our picks. We'll also have special offers for our listeners each week. Mark, you're listening, right? You're listening to this?

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah.

[Rob Stone]

Pay attention. Pay attention. All right, so if you haven't signed up for BETMGM yet, we urge you to use the bonus code option or go to betmgm.com option and you will get up to $1,500. First bet offer. Mark, on your first wager with BetMGM, we're talking 1500 bucks, Mark.

[Mark Ingram]

1500. But here's how it works. Download the BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code option. Deposit at least $10 and place your first wager on any game. You'll receive up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your bet loses. Just make sure you use bonus code option when you sign up or go to betmgm.com backslash option.

[Rob Stone]

It's all about the option, Mark.

[Mark Ingram]

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

[Rob Stone]

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[Nico]

This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Some people just know they could save hundreds on car insurance by checking Allstate First. Like you know to check the date of the big game first before you accidentally buy tickets on your 20th wedding anniversary and have to spend the next 20 years of your marriage making up for it. Yeah, checking first is smart, so check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate Savings vary terms apply. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Northbrook, Illinois Chronic migraine is 15 or more headache days a month, each lasting four hours or more. Botox Onpatulinum toxin a prevents headaches in.

[Dan Lanning]

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[Nico]

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[Rob Stone]

Welcome back to the triple option presented by Wendy's. We are joined now by the quarterback of the second ranked Oregon Ducks, Dylan Gabriel. Dylan A. Thanks for joining us. B I want to read you a text. This is the stuff I have to put up with. Dylan Urban Meyer 7:22am Sunday watched Oregon offense versus Ohio State. We need to get Dylan Gabriel on, period. Wow. Period. Go get him, coach. We got him on for you.

[Urban Meyer]

I love Dylan. Good to see you, brother.

[Dan Lanning]

Good to see you.

[Urban Meyer]

Hey. One of the great moments in a coach's life is when you see a player that's committed and has his moment. And I know you've been around, like 20 years in college football, but you've had plenty of moments. But I'm telling you, brother, that was a moment. Congratulations. How did you keep with all those? How many rule, game change, how many?

[Rob Stone]

Seven game changes. Seven league changes.

[Urban Meyer]

Seven league changes. And you just kept going and going. Just tell us about the huddle, tell us about the sideline and how you led that team.

[Dan Lanning]

Yeah, just a bunch of faith and trust in one another. You know, I think a lot of these guys, not only myself, but have just played a bunch of ball and been in a bunch of situations that either went their way or didn't, and understand that it's a couple plays that'll be the difference, but also just kept swinging. You know, certain things didn't go our way, and whether it's in the red area on the fourth down conversion or, you know, having to settle for field goals, you know, twice, it's things that we realize that, you know, that that could have been the difference, and we may never know, which is a great thing. But coming together, all together as one, you know, as a unit, on offense and making plays when it needs to be had.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah, man, we know you came from Oklahoma, man. You played in a Red river rivalry. What was the atmosphere like, man, Saturday night when you was going against the Buckeyes? I know it was turned up in there, man.

[Dan Lanning]

It was amazing. I think college football fans get excited for it. Players, coaches, everyone involved. But that's. That's moments you dream of and, you know, the atmospheres, you know, there's nothing better than that. So anytime you have those opportunities, you got to seize it and take advantage of it, because everyone's watching. It's prime time.

[Nico]

Yeah.

[Rob Stone]

Dylan, those last couple Ohio State drives, when you're on the bench, they had a lot of cutaways of you, and you had the big headset on, and a lot of times your head was down and you're looking around, you were clearly engaged. I'm curious, who or what were you listening to during those last couple drives?

[Dan Lanning]

Yeah, I was on the headset, not with the defensive staff, but with the. The O staff.

[Rob Stone]

Okay.

[Dan Lanning]

And, you know, they were kind of narrating for me, you know, I was in my prayer warrior type of vibe with the boys, but yeah, I just was listening to, you know, the, the play by play through that drive and ended up ripping it off and celebrating.

[Rob Stone]

Have you been in that position that Will Howard was in with that six seconds left and, and having that clock ticking in your head and knowing I gotta get down, I gotta get out of bounds? I guess you certainly know what he's going through right now and what he went through in the moment, for sure.

[Dan Lanning]

You know, and that's the tough part about these crucial situations and situational football. You know, a lot of times, you know, if you're on the right side of it, nobody's talking about it, but you know, it's tough. And in those certain situations you have to execute and, and be very deliberate on your decision making and you know, it's something that we talk about a bunch here. You know, whether it's on Fridays watching other situations of other teams or, you know, us putting ourselves in those situations and walkthroughs in practice, it's things you really can't practice enough. And you know, luckily I've been in a lot of those situations, but I've been on the good side of it and the bad. So you just try to learn from them and, and get better from them.

[Urban Meyer]

You know, Dylan, I respect your staff a lot. That's why I came out there and spent time and just talk briefly about this. So game planning, your coaches get together on Sunday after, you know, they let you go Monday and then Tuesday is the day one installer or the install first down normal and all that when they made the decision to take the vertical shot because I in Big Noon, I thought you were going to run more of the crossing routes to get guys open. You went over the top and I didn't know, I mean that those are some high, high draft pick corners. So you and the receivers, when you saw that game plan unfold, I'm talking about Tuesday.

[Dan Lanning]

Yep.

[Urban Meyer]

Were you like, holy cow, we're going to go over the top against these guys? I mean, that had to be a shocking moment or a great moment or. Tell me about that.

[Dan Lanning]

Yeah, we had a little bit of both, to be quite honest, of the crossers and even vertically, just confidence in our guys. And you know, we've also watched back a bunch of, you know, a lot of guys just not really taking them vertical and rightfully so. These are corners, like you said, they're extremely talented and have been really good at keeping everything in front and limiting explosive plays. But we also Knew we needed to have explosive plays to win. So it was a combination of that and really just the confidence in one another. But I think Evan Stewart, you know, Tez Johnson and then even Tiefurg, just competitive plays down the field that could have went both ways, you know, and that's what you have to do in those big time moments, is make plays and explosive ones to, you know, eliminate long play drives that, you know, like I said, if it gets long, then it's strenuous. And more plays that you may not execute on.

[Mark Ingram]

Man, you throw for 341. I know you mentioned your receivers. Is there a moment in the game where you. They come to the sideline, you come to the sideline, you like, man, they can't mess with us, man. We going up top on them. Like, is there a moment in the game where y'all just got the playmaker just flashing and you like, oh, it's time. Like, we in our bag initially, you.

[Dan Lanning]

Know, what is the second or third drive? When I hit Evan in the seam on, like a switch vertical concept, I felt like then, you know, we knew we'd have our opportunities. And just seeing those. Those opportunities were important. But, you know, definitely the one that Tez and maybe the Evan was setting the tone there, but just the one that Tez knowing that, you know, the confidence is there for us both.

[Mark Ingram]

Then we talk about, you know, we talk about you with your arm, but you was devastating with your legs. Had the 27 yard TD run put y'all up. You know, what you was feeling right there, man, where you had to get loose with the legs and showing them boys that you, hey, you real versatile with it, you know.

[Dan Lanning]

Yeah. On third down, I'm like, hey, I'm trying to go get it right here, you know, regardless. But, you know, as it opened up and we finally got, you know, in the end zone and split one open, dude, it was probably the loudest I've ever heard Austin, in my experience, so hopefully we continue to make it loud that way.

[Rob Stone]

Coach Landing is a pretty passionate dude. He had some great words prior to the Colorado game last year. What was the energy, like, what was the messaging in the locker room after that big win Saturday?

[Dan Lanning]

Yeah, just rooted in the process, you know, and everything we've done to get up to this point, you know, obviously we've done some things right to be 50 headed into that game. But also, you know, just as a unit, we've also been through some things in adversity early in season, which taught us a bunch about, you Know ourselves and our identity. But also when we get into this game, that's a big game, that's going to be a dog fight, a heavyweight pound for pound like we've been in this moment, you know, so just season that and. And keep swinging.

[Urban Meyer]

So the most improved moment or most improved part of your team is obviously that O line.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah.

[Urban Meyer]

You know, caught a little heat early in the year, giving up a few sacks. Zero sacks against Ohio State. I know you helped him out a little bit, but I'll tell you what.

[Mark Ingram]

Zero in the last four games.

[Urban Meyer]

Coach, think about that again. I. Zero last four games, but you're talking about some NFL talent. What's the biggest change that you've seen? The offensive line, the last few. The last few games.

[Dan Lanning]

I'd say early on, I didn't help him at all as well on my end of being able to get the ball out and extend plays. So I think it was a combination there, but two, I just think the mentality, when we had a certain amount of rushing yards, remember that week of practice, I mean, those guys were getting drilled a little bit. And on the coaches shirts we'd have, you know, 2.9 yards per carry, you know, and kind of just setting the tone that way. But the mentality changed. And that's as a unit. You know, we all took pride in it. You know, whether it's the guys up front creating, you know, some room for the running backs to work, the running backs, you know, getting downhill, and then guys on the perimeter. So we all took pride in it together. But it starts up front with them. And you just have seen that mentality switch since, you know, the early couple weeks.

[Mark Ingram]

Have you thought about the magnitude of that victory that you had? So you go, obviously, Ohio State comes, guys, great win in Austin. But also your performance, a huge performance, has you square in the heart of the Heisman Trophy conversation. You guys are leading the guys got control of the Big Ten, control of, you know, your playoff destiny. And you in a square root of the Heisman conversation, man, have you thought about the magnitude of that victory you've had?

[Dan Lanning]

I try not to, to be quite honest. You know, I've been in this situation before last year and, you know, you just continue to try and stay focused and. And, you know, I've continued to emphasize with the guys and coach has done a great job of it, too, is just living week to week, you know, and just being rooted in our process of preparing the right way and not taking anything for granted, you know, and the beauty in the game, we Play is every week. You gotta, you gotta come to play, you know, and you're only as good as your last outing. So, yeah, I think as I've grown up in this, you know, college career, my long college career of mine, you know, you just realize that it's a one week focus and getting guys dialed in, in that, you know, the human nature is normal to find the easiest time to relax or when you can take off, but to be different, you know, and do something different, there's got to be some changes to your natural habit. So that's what we've been focused on. And for me too, I'm a guy, I'll look back down the road, but I'm focusing the now and let it all take care of itself.

[Mark Ingram]

Hey, that man knows something, Stoner.

[Rob Stone]

That man knows something right there, man. You talk about your path here and it has been a unique one of your four stops and I'm going to include Hawaii, your hometown, you know, your home state as stop number one to ucf, to Oklahoma, to Oregon. Tell me something you took out of each one of those stops that has brought you to the point you're at right now. So you can start in Hawaii.

[Dan Lanning]

Yeah, in Hawaii. I think I found my love for the game, you know, with my dad being my coach and kind of just the experience I had at a young age growing up, it was special. You know, I had coaches that pushed me to be the best version of myself. And you know, on a little island like Oahu in Hawaii, you know, you're just a very simple life and you find that love of the game and want to continue to get better everywhere you can. When I went to ucf, I think that was my first moment of really, you know, welcoming to the show of what football is really about. You know, I learned a lot about the game and you know, I think I called every two high show cover two when I first got there. So I, I learned a lot in that sense and kind of was thrown into the fire. But I call those my young days because there was a lot of just doing and not a lot of knowledge behind it. But when I did make that transition to Oklahoma, I felt like, you know, the, the new and improved kind of grown up version of myself. I was forced to grow up after a six and seven year that was up and down and a bunch of games that were, you know, one score games. They could have went our way or not, but they didn't. And you just, you learn a lot about the difference, you know, and the difference between winning and losing is very slim. So you're grateful for the wins and you realize that there's so much more to get better at. So that off season going into my second year, you know, I really took it serious. Changed my body, changed the way I led. Being vocal, you know, and not just being a guy who's a lead by example. I don't, I don't believe in that anymore. You know, lead by example is just a good teammate, somebody who just kind of does the right thing. You know, a leader's one who changes the temperature in, in the room and when you walk in, everyone knows you're there. So made that change and kind of grew up there. And then coming here, I feel like Oregon's getting the best version of me, you know, in my playing style, who I am as a person, you know, and more importantly, just what I bring to the table for this environment. And that's just me being me. And I think that's important as well. An authentic version of a quarterback that's not presidential or better than, you know, I'm one of the boys. And I'm also one that'll get everyone fired up and riled up. So, you know, I think through that, that long journey of football, I've played a bunch. You know, I've started my freshman year in high school, all the way up into my senior year. Got thrown into my, the fire at UCF freshman year, and been playing ever since. So I think all that experience, you're kind of forced to change and grow up. But, you know, I've been the young guy, I've been the rookie, I've been the vet. I've been everything in between. So.

[Urban Meyer]

Hey, Dylan, my last question is this. And the hall of Famer Lou Holtz. Coach Lou Holtz, who used to always call me after a big win and he says climbing a mountain takes passion and energy. When you're top of the mountain, there's nothing but fatigue. Is everybody shooting at you? How are you going to keep the boys feet on the ground, man? Because, you know, you're getting, you know, interviews and I can only imagine Sports Illustrator is going to roll out there. You got to earn those stripes now, keeping everybody's feet on the ground, how are you going to do that?

[Dan Lanning]

Yeah, I've been through it once, you know, and know, I. It didn't necessarily get handled the right way, so I know what it doesn't look like, you know, and I think, you know, getting the guys going of, you know, staying rooted in the process. Like we always talk about you got to prepare some certain way, and it can't change week to week of who the opponent is. It's got to be something within your, you know, building and your culture. But I just love how the. The veteran guys on this group have continued to push the team. And, you know, whenever we have team meetings with just the guys, you know, I think we're all speaking the same language, and that's important, you know, and in everything we do. So, like I said, I'm a stay present. We got Purdue this week, and that's what we're focused on and dominating that moment.

[Mark Ingram]

What is Dylan Garry like to do in his off time? You play the video game, what you like to do, man, when you kicking it, man.

[Dan Lanning]

I'm not a video game guy. I don't want to sound like this guy, but I do love watching film, but I love enjoying my time with that, whether I'm grabbing a guy with me or, you know, if the. The cues are in the room or coaches. So I always love doing that.

[Mark Ingram]

But just a football junkie I am.

[Dan Lanning]

But in my off time, I love taking walks, spending time with my fiance, and I love food. So we'll. We'll eat some dinner together, go get some food on. On whatever off days we do get. And then, yeah, like I said, I like trying new things, so anything I haven't done, let's try it, and as long as it's safe. Guidelines.

[Rob Stone]

Wait a second. Did you say you're engaged?

[Dan Lanning]

I am engaged.

[Rob Stone]

Oh, man.

[Urban Meyer]

Oh.

[Rob Stone]

How long have you been engaged?

[Dan Lanning]

Two months.

[Rob Stone]

Two months.

[Mark Ingram]

Congratulations.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah. That's big news. Have you set a date?

[Dan Lanning]

We haven't. That's. That's the funny part. I kind of just knew that I wanted to be engaged to my fiance, Zoe. But even saying fiance is kind of. We've been joking about, it's, like, kind of weird. You know, it's usually girlfriend.

[Rob Stone]

Tough word to say it. Yeah. It's not one in your normal vocabulary.

[Mark Ingram]

It's just too much.

[Rob Stone]

So, you know, let her pick the flowers, let her pick the colors, let her pick the veg. Just make her happy.

[Urban Meyer]

All right, Stone, stop. Stop.

[Rob Stone]

Be there as much as you can.

[Urban Meyer]

You're talking to Dylan Gray. Bill, he just beat Ohio State, man. Let it go. Let it go.

[Rob Stone]

He needs this advice. All right, so, Dylan, we let everybody that we interview have an opportunity to ask us a question. If we just. After we just bombarded you for, like, 17 minutes. So feel free to fire off a question to any one of us right now.

[Dan Lanning]

I guess I'll ask all three, you know, on, on any, you know, great team you've been a part of. You know, and I know Coach Meyer probably answered one of these when he was here, but, you know, we always talk about the difference. You know what, I guess every great team you've been a part of, what do you feel like the difference was? And not talent or people that did a really good job at, you know, whatever field they're in. But what was the difference you thought, whether it's the people, the process and how you did things, were you guys efficient? You know, I know people may say hardest workers, but, you know, I'm, I'm always looking to see how, you know, everyone's been at their best and why they're at their best.

[Urban Meyer]

I'll kind of start with that and then hand it off to Mark. But I visited with your team and we won three national titles, and I'm not sure they were the most talented teams. The difference, every, the number one thing they had is competitive. They were competitive maniacs, but they were also the most selfless team because football is a nasty, violent, tough man game. And the fans a lot of times don't see the nasty of the game. You know, the three technique. The guy running down on kickoff, the tailback stepping in the A gap, hitting a 240 pound linebacker, running through right under the chin. If your team's selfless, you got a great shot. If not, you'll lose a game.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah, 100%. I think the selflessness of it, just knowing like not caring who gets the credit, not caring who gets to shine. All they caring is being on one accord, accomplishing what the main objective is. And like you said, it's human nature after you have a big win to, ah, we could be comfortable. It's human nature after a big win just to be complacent. But, but like you said, you said it and you have the right mindset. It's all about what you have done for me lately. And if you have that victory like you have versus the Bucs, then you go and you lay an egg, then none of that matters. So it's just never being complacent, always pushing yourself to achieve greatness. And that's basically, it's like no secret recipe, man. You spoke all the right things, you spoke all the good things. And if you have that mindset and carry it and it resonates and it just trickles throughout the whole DNA of your team, you guys are special, man.

[Rob Stone]

So I don't think there's any worries over here that it's going to continue. Dylan, I think you are more than in the right direction and hey, we know how busy this week is. We know you got Purdue coming up this weekend. Congratulations again on last weekend and thanks again for joining the triple option presented by Wendy's man. Enjoy the rest of the season.

[Mark Ingram]

Appreciate you, Dylan.

[Urban Meyer]

Thanks, Dylan.

[Rob Stone]

Thanks, Dylan. Welcome back to the triple option presented by Wendy's. Time now for three and out. It's our viewer questions segment again. If you follow us on social media at 3X Options show, you can submit your questions in the comments there. For every episode we're going to answer as many as we can get to on the show. We start with our guy. Rex Green 9090. Mark this one for you. Do we think Kalyn DeBoer and company can rebound member? This Saturday is what the third Saturday, seventh meeting between Tennessee and that team from Alabama. Remember last time Alabama was in Knoxville, the goalposts went for a swim in the Tennessee river. Bama returns to Knoxville Saturday.

[Mark Ingram]

Listen here, Rex Green 9090. Hey yo, cigar ready? Because you know what we do after we whip them balls on the third Saturday in October? We light up them cigars that Cuban have yours ready. Rex Green 9090. And yeah, everyone's a little skeptical. Skeptical. I'm skeptical too. But listen, Coach DeBoer and his team, they will be ready to play.

[Rob Stone]

Got it Rex Green 90. 90. You got it. Rex Green 9090.

[Mark Ingram]

Had your Cuban cigar ready and a little whiskey on his hat, you know what I mean?

[Rob Stone]

So that's how Marcus gonna celebrate Saturday. All right.

[Mark Ingram]

We've been doing good, we've been looking good. We just have to be more consistent.

[Rob Stone]

All right.

[Mark Ingram]

We've had too many ups and downs. Let's just keep the ups, the ups and let the gold of the downs. You're going to be just fine.

[Rob Stone]

We're done with the downs.

[Urban Meyer]

All right.

[Rob Stone]

Over To Alex Morse 2012 coach, I'm a Big Ten fan. Would Vanderbilt, you know the team that beat Alabama a couple weeks ago beat a good middle of the conference Big Ten team like say a Nebraska this year?

[Urban Meyer]

Absolutely. And I How about this Mark? I actually went back and watched Vanderbilt film. I can honestly say I've done that in a minute. I did back when I was. Why would I watch Vanderbilt film? I am watching it now because Clark Lee, that coaching staff a little bit like what the games, Nebraska and Indiana, they're an extremely, extremely well coached team. They take care of the football, they're in football position. They play with great Violent hands. They tackle you and they run the ball and play good offense. So. Absolutely. That was when they beat Alabama. They beat Alabama. They didn't.

[Mark Ingram]

They did.

[Urban Meyer]

I mean, it was, it was shocking. But then when you watch a film, you're like, alabama, Vanderbilt's got some good players and they're very well coached.

[Mark Ingram]

And they were running. Guess what, coach? That triple option.

[Rob Stone]

One more question for you, mark. Edwin Newman, 21:37, as a running back and Heisman Trophy winner, do you think Archie Griffin's record of winning two Heisman Trophies will ever be matched or broken?

[Mark Ingram]

Edwin Newman. It's hard, my dad. It's hard to win it once. It's even harder to win it twice. So I think it can happen. But it's very, it's tough. It's very tough. And I know there's a lot of talented young fellas out there. I think it can happen. If it will, I don't know, but I know it can because of the talent that there is out there. You gotta win it young, then you gotta come back when everybody's gunning for you and win it again. So it's truly difficult. I tried it. My boy Matt Leiner tried it. We seen just last year, Caleb Williams try it, you know, so it's a tough, it's a tough task. And Archie is the king right now. So let Archie live in his, in his, in his glory. Let Archie bask in his glory as the only two time winner.

[Rob Stone]

I think if it happens.

[Urban Meyer]

But it can happen.

[Rob Stone]

It can happen. If it does happen, I think it's going to be a quarterback, you know, I think if you're a running back and you know it, Mark, you only got so many hits in your body. Yeah, right. If you've got that, if you've got the ultimate hardware, you skip out of town if you can. But with nil, right, you know, players are sticking around longer and longer and it's easier to stay on campus in some instances than it is to jump to the pros. I think it's going to be matched. I don't think it's going to be broken. I think it's going to be matched. All right, pick six brought to you by BET mgm. Place your money line prop parlay and same game parlay bets at BetMGM. You can download the app today. Please gamble responsibly. All right, each week we've got six games. We pick them against the spread. Mark, what do we have?

[Dan Lanning]

The correct.

[Rob Stone]

The deuce. Deuce. Dog of the week. That was dog talk for Deuce, deuce, dog of the week. So you're going to find an underdog that you think is going to cover or maybe even outright win. All right, we're going to start in the acc, number six, Miami. Unbeaten, favored by four and a half on the road at Louisville. The Cards have had the used number lately. They've won four of the last six meetings. That includes last year's trip where Louisville, for the first time ever won at Miami en route to their first ever ACC championship game. Guys, I've got a quick quiz for you.

[Mark Ingram]

All right, let me know.

[Rob Stone]

Since Miami joined the ACC 20 years ago, how many ACC championships have they won in football?

[Urban Meyer]

Wow.

[Rob Stone]

I think 20 years ago. Five, four. So Mark is gonna.

[Mark Ingram]

Five or four.

[Rob Stone]

Coach, what do you think? Miami, how many ACC championships have they.

[Urban Meyer]

Won since what year?

[Rob Stone]

2000 when they joined the ACC?

[Mark Ingram]

That's when they had McGahey and all them too, right?

[Rob Stone]

Some studs, man.

[Mark Ingram]

So that. I'll say three, then.

[Rob Stone]

Three. All right, he's down to three, Coach.

[Urban Meyer]

Man, I know you're already asking, so it's going to be really low, which blows. They should have 12, but I don't. I'm saying five. I'm saying five.

[Rob Stone]

The U's got the zero, the O's.

[Mark Ingram]

No, they didn't get none when they won that national championship.

[Rob Stone]

They have only been to one ACC championship game. But maybe this is the year they finally win it in the acc. They lead the conference in total offense and total D. We know Cam Ward is a legit Heisman contender. Kane, 6 and. Oh, guys, for the first time since 2017, but they've won their last two games by a total of five points. Both of those, those nail biters, Virginia Tech and at Cal, they've had a week off to kind of move on, get healthy. Their D line will be back to full strength for this one. They get their big left tackle, Jalen Rivers, who's. Who's so fluid he can even play at center. He covers that whole line. He is back after getting injured in their opener. I say the Canes. Initially, I thought Louisville was primed for a home upset, but I think the Canes flex their muscle in Louisville. They win and they cover. Coach, you touched on it. Big dune kickoff off to Bloomington this week. Nebraska at number 16. Indiana. The Hoosiers favored by six and a half. And the job that Kurt Cignetti has done this season in his first year in Bloomington, absolutely remarkable.

[Urban Meyer]

Coach, I've met Coach Signetti, actually hung out with him recruiting several times. And when he got hired there and he came out and made those bold statements, I mean, I laughed. I was like, come on, don't say that. You know how state sucks o rings suck and Google me or something. You know, I win or something like that. You know, be your own guy. But I'm telling you this now, and this is a bold statement. I'm going to say it on Big Noon and I'm going to show it on Big Noon Saturday is that they are the best offensive coach team in the Big Ten. That's a bold statement. I get it. And they are. But here's the thing is they're going against Tony White's defense at Nebraska, a guy that I mentioned last year. I think they're the best coach defense in the Big Ten.

[Mark Ingram]

Wow.

[Urban Meyer]

And I actually talked to Tony White this morning. I wanted to before I got on the podcast today. What's your thoughts of Indiana? And he said the same thing. He said they, they are as well coached offense that he's faced in many years. They do the little things right, Mark. They give great effort, they block you. They understand leverage. I don't want to spend just 10 seconds on that. Leverage means the defense is trying to force you not to lose leverage. The offense is trying to get leverage. So there's, there's you against you is the easiest way to think of it. Someone's going to win and someone's going to lose. You know what does it. First of all, it's effort, but also, also technique. And the technique that I'm seeing from the perimeter players at Indiana is as good as I've seen in a long time as far as defeating leverage. And that'll be a big part of this game.

[Mark Ingram]

Yep.

[Urban Meyer]

Indiana, minus six and a half wants.

[Rob Stone]

To know who's winning.

[Urban Meyer]

I'm going to go Indiana because it's home and Big Noon's there. Big news worth about three points because we're there big no. And so I'm going to pick. The Big Noon bump is going to cover the spread.

[Rob Stone]

I love it. The Hoosiers 6 and. Oh, right. It's their best start since 1967. Their point differential is plus 196. That is the best sense ever. Ever. Their points per game, 47 and a half. That is their best sense ever.

[Urban Meyer]

And one last, one last thing, Mark. They will be picked to win every game until they go play. We're talking about the Hoosiers.

[Rob Stone]

The Hoosiers, Indiana.

[Urban Meyer]

Is that a spicy.

[Mark Ingram]

It's not a basketball school anymore.

[Rob Stone]

It's a football.

[Urban Meyer]

Is that A spicy nug or not, because Indiana could be favored to win.

[Rob Stone]

Brought to you by Wendy. We'll throw out bonus spicy nugs. Yeah, coach, they are favored in the fighting sick netties Ohio State. They could be 10 and oh, going against the Buckeyes. Insanity. All right, we're going to stay in the Big Ten with one of three ranked matchups here in week eight. Michigan at Illinois. The Wolverines favored by three and a half for Michigan. This is one of four remaining games they have left against ranked teams. Remember, they also have already suffered two losses and now they're on their third quarterback, the seventh year journeyman that they call Uncle Jack Tuttle. Uncle Jack is now taking the snaps for the Wolverines. The Michigan D. They've certainly been doing their best, but their weakness, the past defense, 110th in the nation, is their pasty. And that goes against the strength of the Illini QB Luke Altmeier through for a career high 379 in their kind of odd overtime win over Purdue last weekend. They had a big lead, let it get away and then had to win an overtime. I'm chalking that up to one of those looking ahead type moments as Illinois looking ahead to Michigan coming into town. And there's going to be history Saturday. They are going to rededicate Memorial Stadium exactly 100 years and one day after its initial dedication and the day that Red Grange ran for historic six touchdowns against. Against who? Yeah, Michigan. Right.

[Mark Ingram]

Michigan.

[Rob Stone]

The Illinois are going to use this occasion. They're going to use all this energy in Champaign. They are going to get their third ranked win of the year. Michigan is going to lose for the third time this season. Mark, let's go down to the sec. LSU favored by three at Arkansas. I remind you, two Saturdays ago, Tennessee fell at Arkansas. Now the Hogs have LSU in town.

[Mark Ingram]

Yes, the Hogs have LSU coming to town. Like you said, they just upset them Volunteers last time they played. You know why they did? It's because they was able to get pressure on the quarterback. And they must do that if they want to do that to LSU too. But hey, they got one of the best offensive lines in all college football. Speaking about lsu, Will Campbell, Emery Jones too high prospects. So I think they're going to protect our guy, Nuss Meyer. I think LSU is going to go down to Arkansas. They just got a huge win. Will they have a letdown? Will they have a little letdown off of. No, I don't think so. I don't think so. I got the Tigers going to Arkansas. I Got them covering the spread and yeah, I think the Tigers, man, they got some good momentum going on right now and they in a good position. I don't think they're going to lose it to Arkansas this weekend.

[Rob Stone]

All right, two more games from the SEC this week. Number 11, Tennessee hosting seventh ranked. Bama. Bama favored by two and a half at the moment. Coach, if you look at the College Football Playoff picture, Bama seen as an eight seed. Tennessee just sneaking in there as an 11 seed. How do you see this one?

[Urban Meyer]

I think the sec, I used to talk to our players about it. It's a heavyweight fight and you got, you got a price fight going on and, you know, big, strong, athletic guys going after each other. What just happened is Alabama and Tennessee got hit and they got knocked down. Mark. They had to pick themselves up. I'd say Alabama might have got a standing eight count against Vanderbilt. They did survive the fifth, sixth, seventh round against South Carolina. So I cannot really wait to watch it. If we can't watch live, I'm going to go back and watch it because this to me is again is the testimony of the alpha. You are in a prize fight. Isn't that a great visual, too? You are actually in a fight and you just got hit right square in a jaw. Pick yourself up, dust it off and go extremely hard because a guy facing you, I mean, that's sec, man. This is going to be. This is going to be the Will O. Wills. I'm going to go Alabama. Alabama's whoever has a ball last. I keep going back and forth. This. I. I'm going to pick. Mark's going to get pissed, but I got. I'm going to go Tennessee because it's his home. I think it's a draw. It's a draw.

[Mark Ingram]

I'm not pissed.

[Urban Meyer]

It's a draw.

[Mark Ingram]

I'm not pissed. Please give them some.

[Rob Stone]

Give them, Give them some motivation.

[Mark Ingram]

Yes, give them some motivation.

[Rob Stone]

They'll take anything they can get right now. All right, let's stay in the SEC one more time. Our last game here, Mark. Texas number one in the nation, favored by three and a half. Number five, Georgia in town. It's the third top five showdown of the season and it's the first regular season meeting between the two programs since 1958.

[Mark Ingram]

Hey, Stoner, you said it's the third top five matchup of the year and the first two. I've lived up to the hype and I'm expecting this one to live up to the hype. You know why? Because Georgia is in A must win game. They lose this one. It is. It is panic time in Athens. So I'm going with the.

[Rob Stone]

There it is.

[Mark Ingram]

No, I'm not. I don't think Texas go. I don't think Texas is going to lose. I think they go. I think they going to win, but I think it's going to be a close game. I think they went by a point. Two points, three points. What is it? Minus three and a half?

[Rob Stone]

I'm looking.

[Dan Lanning]

Yes.

[Mark Ingram]

Minus three and a half. Minus three and a half. So I got Texas winning by a field goal. They going down. This is one of the most complete teams in the nation. Offense, defense, Isaiah Bond. There was some uncertainty if he's going to be playing. They're optimistic that he's going to play versus Georgia. That's a huge break for them. Quinn Ewers knocked the rust off, but Carson Beck and the Kirby Smarts coming into town, you know what I mean? And they going to be fighting because it is a must win for them. But at the end of the day, I think Texas, that home crowd of Austin, I think that's worth three points. So I'm going to give them a three point win. So that is my deuce. Deuce. Dog of the week. Is Georgia covering the spread but not winning outright? Is that a baby?

[Rob Stone]

It's a tiny puppy. It's a. It's a tiny dog. Tiny dog.

[Mark Ingram]

A puppy. A bulldog puppy.

[Rob Stone]

A bulldog puppy. One last note on. On Georgia. I just want to go back to an incident that happened last week in their game versus Mississippi State Bulldog quarterback Michael Van Buren. He completed a play and it concluded on the Georgia sideline. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart came from kind of off screen and. And pushed Van Buren, you know, put his hands on and pushed him out of the way to get Kirby out of mind.

[Dan Lanning]

Yeah.

[Rob Stone]

Get to get to one of his coaches to talk about. Talk about something. So that was the scene.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah. Okay.

[Rob Stone]

Okay. That's the scene, Kirby, and you know, the chaos of the sideline. So.

[Mark Ingram]

Okay, Kirby, whatever you say.

[Rob Stone]

I don't. I haven't even run the sound bite yet and Mark is already jumping on him. I get it. All right, so this is Kirby Smart addressing that incident.

[Kirby Smart]

Yeah, absolutely, I have. And I'm glad you brought that up because after you guys said that in the. In the press conference, I went back and watched it, you know, and didn't even realize that I had run into him. But I reached out to Levy that night and talked to him and he said the kid was great. And then yesterday I talked to Mike and told him, you know, I had no intentions or ill will towards him at all. It was. If you've ever been on the sideline in a game, it's pandemonium. It's really pandemonium when you're trying to change personnel and you only got three to four seconds to do it. And we were bad off in a bad personnel grouping against empty that we actually had messed up the week before. And so I was trying to get to Schumann to get that changed, but I reached out to the kid. He was great. He's a really good player. He's going to be a good player in this league. And he played better as the game went on against us.

[Rob Stone]

So Kirby did the right thing after the incident and a day later, Marcus enjoyed it as an Alabama fan. So he reached out to the head coach, reached out to the player, apologize. The SEC said it should have been a penalty, there should have been something on the field, but they're happy on.

[Mark Ingram]

The way that the SEC Lucky wasn't an ass whooping.

[Rob Stone]

Well, they're lucky because he went after he pushed the right guy rather than the wrong guy. Is that your point, Mark?

[Mark Ingram]

Yes. I know Kirby personally. He was my defensive coordinator when I was at Alabama. And he knows if he would have touched any one of us alphas like that, then he would have been squared up on. If he would have tried to push Rolando McLean, Courtney Upshaw, them cats like that, me like Julio Jones, like, I would have been trying to get at Kirby. I would have been trying to get at Kirby. Now it was on their sideline, so I don't know if I would have been able to get to him, but I damn sure would have tried. Kirby, Kirby, Kirby.

[Rob Stone]

No, he lost his mind. Lost his mind.

[Mark Ingram]

Push somebody like that, coach.

[Rob Stone]

I mean, push somebody.

[Mark Ingram]

Child, man, come on now.

[Rob Stone]

Well, here's the thing. And coach, you know it so well being in Columbus. You know, like the first name that comes to mind when you see a coach touch a player that's not on his team, It's Woody Hayes. Right. And you have that incident. But that's like the golden rule in coaching. Like or do free will, do not touch players on the other team. Right. I mean, that. That's like coaching 101.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah, I was shocked when I saw that. I know Kirby as well. I've known a long time. And first of all, I can't imagine there was any intent at however it happened. Should there be a recourse there should.

[Mark Ingram]

It happened and imagine there was any attempt did you. You showed the app. You showed the cop out excuse. You didn't show the clip. He.

[Urban Meyer]

I know.

[Mark Ingram]

Roy, you can. Roy, you can. He pushed the out my guy, man.

[Urban Meyer]

So, I mean, to me, players and coaches need to be treated the same. Can you imagine if a player would have did that to a coach? The player is not their players. Something's happening. I don't think the player would play the next game. Yeah. So, yeah, I was disappointed. I saw that. But once again, I know Kirby and I. I was shocked when I saw that.

[Mark Ingram]

I would have tried to beat Kirby ass out there, man.

[Urban Meyer]

I remember on our. On our text, I was listening to a couple players that, you know, I threw Nick Bosa and a couple was like, oh, my gosh, you need a body bag.

[Rob Stone]

Can you imagine? Can you imagine? Hey, props to Michael Van Buren for handling it with class and walking away and dealing with his business in Mississippi State.

[Mark Ingram]

He picked the quarterback. It's okay.

[Rob Stone]

He didn't pick the quarterback. That just happened to be the dude that was in. In his way to go yell at his.

[Urban Meyer]

Just visualize Nick Bosa going over to the opponent's sideline and someone pushing Nick Bosa.

[Rob Stone]

Nope.

[Mark Ingram]

I know for a fact the bench would have been empty. Probably.

[Urban Meyer]

Yes. Yeah.

[Mark Ingram]

Yeah, I was playing.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah, that's by. Hey, you coach against spikes?

[Mark Ingram]

No.

[Rob Stone]

No. I got a little pee coming down my leg right now thinking about that. I'm out of here.

[Mark Ingram]

All good.

[Urban Meyer]

All good.

[Rob Stone]

Oh, my goodness. All right, so you got away with one, Kirby. You got away with one. Don't do it again. He knows that that'll never happen again. We remind you, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts, as well as across social media at 3X option show. Submit those questions. We love answering our fan questions. We love to answer them. New episodes coming your way every Wednesday and again, big heart out. Big heart out to our sponsors, Wendy's, BetMGM and Zip Recruiter. The triple option done. But there's so much football to come this Saturday. We ready for it, boys. We ready for it. We're coming for you. Bloomington More ready.

[Mark Ingram]

So we ain't gotta get ready.