← Zone 1150 - TexAgs Live
Zone 1150 - TexAgs Live
TexAgs Live - Aaron Torres : 08.06.26
00:45:16
Fox Sports Radio host Aaron Torres joins the show talking about Kalen DeBoer in year 3 at Alabama and how replacing Nick Saban is not an easy task. + a preview of the ten o clock hour with the Damian Sanford interview!
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- [00:00]
A
Working on getting Aaron Wallace on the program here in a moment as we try to figure out if he'll zoom or be on the phone. So we'll see if the folks in Brian Broadcasting want to ask him directly. Hey, do you want to do the phone or the zoom zoom link was sent, by the way. Let's go to the Angry Elephant News and social center as we figure that out. And we've got Carson Stein there.
- [00:17]
B
Carson, I want to get into a little text message we got from Ryan in Laporte saying, As a fan, I'm splitting the season into two parts. We have to start 80 and get that last month with the goal of at worst splitting 2 and 2 with games against playoff level teams. That gets you into the cfp.
- [00:35]
A
All right, so take that. Okay, I understand. He's splitting it into two parts. So he's doing the six and the six. Is that what he's saying?
- [00:40]
B
Really? He's doing eight and four.
- [00:41]
A
Eight and four.
- [00:42]
B
Saying you have to go eight. No. And then that last four game stretch, go two and two at the worst to make the cfp.
- [00:48]
A
I recognize that I personally want to be playing my best football at the end of the year. And I don't know if two and two at the end after a couple years of struggling down in November. Right. Is going to give me the confidence in the post season that I want. Now, the end of the day is can you make the post season? Right.
- [01:08]
B
Can I ask, would you rather start two and two and finish eight?
- [01:11]
A
No, two and two with, like, Missouri State?
- [01:14]
B
No, let's say Arizona State.
- [01:17]
A
I would rather. Look, I'd rather not lose ever. Okay. For the record.
- [01:20]
B
Well, obviously.
- [01:20]
A
But in this scenario, in this scenario, I think maybe one loss late, one loss in the middle kind of thing. And that's super late. All right. I don't want it to be the last game late.
- [01:30]
B
Yeah.
- [01:31]
A
I'm saying, oh, you accidentally stumble at Oklahoma, accidentally stumble at South Carolina. God, I hope not, because that place has been a disaster for me to go to. But those are the places I would say if you're going to and somewhere early. If it's lsu, if it's Bama, I would rather not lose any of those games. Please understand. But if you had to lose two, right. If you had to lose two, that those would be the two that I would pick. But I'm not picking to lose any. I hope people don't get mad at me for saying this. So let's do this. Why don't we run the interview that we're talking about doing at 10 o'.
- [02:04]
C
Clock.
- [02:04]
A
Why don't we run our interview with Damian Sanford as I figure out what's going on with Aaron Wallace, and we'll do that here. If Nick can get that queued up for me, he'll let me know when he's got that. And so let's do that. Let's run the interview with Damian Sanford here as we figure out when we're going to get Aaron Wallace here on Texags Live, everybody, and welcome into the huddle brought to you by Texags and United. Our guest is Damian Sanford the day before camp begins. What's up, man?
- [02:29]
C
Sir. What's up?
- [02:30]
A
So I know you, obviously it's going to take some time for you to be able to do what you want to do, but how exciting is it that it's here? Like football season, it's been here for you guys because you work all offseason, but, like, it's like another step towards that first game.
- [02:44]
C
Yeah, I'm really excited. I'm really excited to see what the team, you know, has to, you know, go this year. You know, a lot of, you know, fall camp, you know, a lot of people, players, you know, they take it. They take it differently. They try to go in survival mode. So I feel like we come with the right mindset this year during fall camp, you know, trying to be what our feet are, you know, take those major steps this fall camp and make sure we focus on the little details that we need to focus on. We're going to be really good. First Missouri State.
- [03:11]
A
Yeah. So help us understand, like, people think about, like, yeah, we know they work in the off season, but really it's all about fall camp. But everything is a kind of like a piece of the puzzle. Right? So you've got to do, you know, your conditioning initially and you got to get ready for spring ball. And spring ball lays a foundation. And then what you do in the summer lays a foundation for what you do in the fall. And what you do for the fall doesn't happen unless you've done all the work before. So kind of help us understand that process for you guys.
- [03:37]
C
Yeah, Echo has, you know, taught us, you know, that process well, you know, we categorize in quarters. You know, we're in fourth quarter right now, so we just trying to be with our feet are. And like I said, you know, it's fourth quarter. We got to finish this fourth quarter out the right way. So, you know, fall camps where we
- [03:53]
A
do it, do you, like, when we get to a Milestone, like, the first day of practice, does the intensity kind of, like, there's a certain level of intensity you bring to spring ball, and. And it's high. But then now it's like, hey, this is season time. Like, we gotta.
- [04:05]
C
Yeah, we're getting closer and closer to the game, so, you know, the intensity of communication, all that chemistry gotta be there. Cause, you know, we getting closer and closer to the game. You know, that's. It's really, you know. You know, same thing we've been doing, spring ball. You know, it's the same. Really the same intensity. It's really. Nothing really changes. But, yeah.
- [04:23]
A
During your rehab, how important is it the relationships with the other guys that are rehabbing? We spoke earlier about DeJean sticking around. You guys were working together. How important is it for you guys to kind of be there for each other because you're all going through things.
- [04:35]
C
Oh, yeah, yeah. I've grown. Grown closer to BD and Jermaine in the rehab process. Just, like, you know, understanding, like, their work ethic and, like, understand what they're going through, you know, but pushing each other was really good in off season, you know, because, you know, you never know somebody. What somebody's going through. You know, somebody could be down that day and another, like, guy in a little training thing could see them, like, they're. See them that they're down and try to lift them up. So I feel like it's really good, like, connecting with each other and, like, understanding, like, how we, you know, go about. Go about our day, you know, how we work. So, like, it's good.
- [05:11]
A
I know you're not cleared to go just yet. Whenever you are cleared, is there, like, gonna jump out of a cannon kind of thing, like. Or do you have to kind of take it?
- [05:19]
C
Oh, yeah, no, I'm taking it day by day. You know, everybody and up there told me not to really rush it. So, you know, I'm just trying to take that advice, not really rush it, be what my feet are. So I'm just, you know, take it day by day.
- [05:29]
A
Let's talk about some of the guys in the room with you that are. Have grown quite a bit. Some are new. Like, Ray came in. Jordan's been here for a minute with you, like, Talk, and Noah McHale, obviously, has had. Had a big spring. Take me through some of these guys and what you expect from them.
- [05:43]
C
Oh, yeah. Ray has been doing a pretty good job, you know. You know, a lot of people say Echo's defense is pretty hard, but I think he came in and really, you know, showed that he could really learn. And he's. He's grown since he came here. You know, he's making a lot of strides. Made a lot of plays in spring that I've seen, but he's making a lot of strides. Noah, he's. He's, you know, he's been. You know, I've seen what he could do, so I feel like he's.
- [06:07]
A
He's ready.
- [06:07]
C
Yeah, he's ready. Yeah. He's been making a big, big strides. I feel like this year, obviously, say, stay tuned for this year because, yeah, he's gonna. He's gonna be pretty. Pretty good for us. And I'm not really worried about what he can do because, you know, I've seen it last year. Jaylock has been making pretty good strides, too, taking that leadership role, too, in that group. You know, he's been setting an example for the young guys in there, too, the young guys coming to come along, too, very well. T. Watt, as you know, I talk about Ty a lot. He has great, really great potential. He'll be really good. I can't wait to see how he progresses through the years. You know, the other guys, Storm, Qui, Tank, all those guys, you know, they got a lot of potential. Now.
- [06:47]
A
Que looks like he's a man.
- [06:48]
C
Yeah.
- [06:49]
A
Yeah.
- [06:49]
C
He's big. Yeah, yeah. He's very physical, so I feel like he got a lot of potential, too.
- [06:54]
A
How much? So a lot of it was made about. You said something about the Elko defense being, you know, some people think it's really hard to understand it right away. What makes it. Because especially for linebacker, you gotta know everything's happened.
- [07:06]
C
Yes, sir. It's just really the terminology, you know, a lot of terminology. A lot of different checks that has to be made, a lot of different adjustments that have to be made. But, you know, it comes with reps, repetition, reps and practice, you know, creating those good habits and then just understanding, like, you know, different checks and stuff like that. So. Yeah. Yeah.
- [07:23]
A
How much pride does do the linebackers take this year? Last year, this team was really good defensively, but then you had the propensity to give up a big run. Right. Sometimes it was a misfit, sometimes it was just a big play. Sometimes D line, everybody shares in the blame. How much do you guys kind of look at yourselves, like, all right, we're going to make sure it stops with us.
- [07:42]
C
Yeah, I'm going to take ownership of that because, you know, I was part of that last year. I had a lot of, you know, bust during the games, you know, I feel like this year we just, you know, focus on consistency. I feel like in practice, focus on consistency and being, you know, being where you're supposed to be, you know, doing your job. I feel like, you know, we make big strides this year, so I feel like it's taught me to push those players to be more consistent.
- [08:05]
A
I forget the first time we talked in studio, let's say it was a year ago, year and a half ago, two years ago, mentally. Not physically, but mentally. Where's Damian Sanford today as opposed to a year ago today?
- [08:16]
C
Mentally, you know, just after the injury, you know, I felt pretty good, you know, like, trying to, like, going through what I went through last year, trying to cope through, like, everything that's happened, you know, to me last year, I came to understand, like, it's really a mindset thing more than physical, you know, like trying to approach the day better, approach practice better, you know, my practice habits, everything like that. But right now, you know, I'm just trying to focus, like, be where my feet are, focused on it now and just trying to become a better player than I was last year.
- [08:50]
A
You're trying to be a better player than you were last year. Can this team be a better team than it was last year?
- [08:54]
C
For sure. Yes, sir. I see. I say one thing I see in our team that everybody's really hungry. You know, we have something to prove. A lot of players have something to prove here. You know, we, you know, a lot of players don't really get the shine that they, you know, really deserve. But I feel like, you know, like I said, like I said at st. Media day, you know, we don't have any, you know, hardware, no trophies in the trophy case. Like, echoes always preach. So I feel like we really got a team that's really hungry that really want to go get it this year.
- [09:22]
A
So to get that trophy case, you got to do well in November. Does November come up or is it now? It's the whole thing.
- [09:30]
C
Yeah, really, the whole thing. I just, you know, I'm gonna just keep preaching, you know, be where your feet are and stay at. Now we focus on one game at a time. Just trying to be one and O against Missouri State.
- [09:39]
A
Do you remember when you fell in love with football and why you fell in love with football? Like, was it popcorn or where was it?
- [09:45]
C
It's a funny story. My dad keeps, you know, keeps bringing it up. He said that, you know, I was throwing the football around when I was a young kid, and we was always f by like. Like Little football practices when I was younger, and I always point at the field and he used to always tell us when we watch tv, like, you're gonna be on TV one day and shoot. It came, you know, it came true. So, you know, I think that's when I really love football, is when I was really young, you know. Yeah.
- [10:14]
A
How much do you love being here at Texas A and M?
- [10:16]
C
I really love it. You know, they, you know, supported me all through these years, you know. You know, they've been great to me. I like seeing the fans, you know, show out in game days. That's really fun. Like, Cockfield beat rocking during the game.
- [10:30]
A
Has A and M changed you? Like, just like being a part of this community around these people, like, has it kind of changed you in a positive way?
- [10:36]
C
Oh, yeah. I feel like coming in, I was really, like, really, really introvert. And I feel like they helped me open up a little bit more. You know, I show my personality a little bit more. So I feel like they've done a great job with that.
- [10:49]
A
In my time, knowing you, I would have said introvert, but a little bit more quiet. And you are definitely. You're not quiet anymore, man. Like, yeah, it's part of growth, right?
- [10:59]
C
I'm still kind of a little bit quiet.
- [11:00]
A
Yeah.
- [11:00]
C
Off the field, but on the field I'm, you know, I'm loud, but off the field, you know, I like to just, you know, I'm not really, like, outgoing. Not really. Like, I like to make fun of people sometimes, like, you know, joke around here and there, but, you know, I just, you know, not really outgoing.
- [11:16]
A
Well, I can't wait to see you out on the field. Hopefully the next time we chat, we'll be playing get some sack and some interceptions and. And going all the way to some hard work. Thank you, David.
- [11:25]
C
Appreciate you.
- [11:26]
A
Damian Sanford here on the huddle on TexActs.com all right, that was part of our conversation with Damian Sanford. Appreciate him coming by studio. A lot more left on the show. 9:35, Aaron Torres trying to figure out Aaron Wallace situation. I'll let you know when we get back in contact with him. When it comes to your money, your peace of mind, it starts with the right team. That right team is Aggie own Paragon Financial Advisors. They're an independent fiduciary serving clients all across Texas. No commissions, no sales pitches, just trusted advice tailored to you. They have a team of 18 professionals, including nine CFPs, the CFA and a CPA. And their expertise runs deep at Paragon because credentials matter. And so does your future. Visit paragon-adv.com or give them a call 979-693-3907 to schedule your free consultation today. It is Paragon Financial Advisors. Integrity, Expertise and trust. Paragon Financial Advisors.
- [12:16]
D
The Money Machine. The Money Machine is open now. Let's go@sony1150.com or you can enter through the Zone newsletter to win $5,000.
- [12:26]
A
Come on. We're back. Tech Sags live presented by David Gardner's jewelers Rollo Insurance Studio. And I know we're gonna have Aaron Torres at 9:35. Haven't heard back from Aaron Wallace. He texted me this morning. So let's see what he says. Yeah, we'll get it. We'll get him on here soon. So I'll let you guys know when I hear from him. Anyway, couple of things I want to get into this caught my attention. And then Carson Steinman, like, of course it caught your attention, because he was gonna bring it up anyway. I don't wanna make this a political segment. I don't wanna do it. I just found it interesting. Nick, did you see what I put on the rundown for this segment?
- [13:02]
B
Check.
- [13:02]
A
I'll just read it to you. Yeah, read it to me. FSU Board Chair Uses Cubanology to Criticize Realignment Restrictions. Tell me more. I'm like, wait, what? Because, like, you know, in. In 1960s Cuba and throughout Castro's regime there, if you had a disagreement with the government, they'd put you in jail, they'd kill you. This is documented. This is factual. Right? Everybody, It's a socialist government. And, sorry, my parents fled that. We're not a fan of socialism or communism. But compare the Protect College Sports act to. It caught my attention just for a moment. Like, I was like. And the. The FSU guy, the Florida State Board guy, said basically, like, you want to move to Miami, but you have to live in Cuba for five years. That was the comparison. And by the way, I personally don't like the idea of, hey, you can move to a conference, but you got to wait five years. But then the flip side to that below, well, you guys want to go back to the way it used to be to where you can transfer ones without a penalty and then you have to serve a penalty if you're an athlete. Couple things on that. There's way too much with football around the corner. Like, literally not even around the corner. We're less than a month away from the first game. And practice started yesterday. You have your second practice today. Way too much talking about legal courtrooms, what the playoffs could look like. We need to talk football. And I, and I'm the one who's choosing the topic. So I'm the blame here. But like I think all of us, regardless of what happens in a courtroom, at least if you watch tech decks, I believe you're going to watch college football on Saturday. That's just my opinion of the situation. Is it possible that you get disenfranchised with the way college sports are going? Yeah, of course it's possible. I don't watch the NBA anymore. I watch a little bit of it. I love watching high level basketball, but I don't love it the way I used to. Well, why, David? Why don't you love it the way you used to? There's several reasons. Some people stop watching the NFL for political reasons. Some people stop watching the NBA for political reasons. I just personally don't like the brand of basketball as much as I used to. That's just me. And I don't know if I like the personalities the way I used to. Right. And I'm talking about an NBA here now, the nbis. I love Chuck, I loved Michael. Even the generation after the Dirks, the Steve Nash's, you know, there was something these guys, I just, I don't know, just like rappers today. I don't, Sorry, I'm not going to mumble and talk through the show. So I think we do grow. But part of the reason some people stop watching is for political reasons. College football is in a similar space that like if, if college athletics does not take care of today, tomorrow could look different. Right. But right now I don't think there's ever been more interest. And I'll get back to the Florida State thing. I don't think there's ever been more interest in college football. I think more people are interested. I think the reason Texas A and M, the reason Texas A and M is considered a top 10 team with 10 guys going to the NFL is because of A, the head coach and B, what he was able to do in the portal. So the portal has helped A and M to make people think. All right, the transition shouldn't be that long. So there's a lot I like about it right now and there's a lot that I would wish it would change. Do I think this whole you got to sit out five years is similar to Cuba? No. I chuckle. I'm not offended by it. I chuckle at it. I understand what they mean by it, but I think they could absolutely do something different to where you don't have to wait. Like, I just don't think that makes sense. Like maybe once you start this deal right and you say, all right, you've, there's, you got five years from now that you can make any changes. But once that deal is done, it is what it is and you've got to stay in it for the next 10 years. You got to sign a deal. But I don't like this. I'm going to put you in this little space for five years and you're going to have to find your own schedule. You're going to have to play the little sisters of the poor for the next five years. That, that part I don't like. So I just wanted to bring that up for a moment because I thought it was a little extreme comparison, but I get it. There was a topic that came up, Carson, that you wanted to bring up to the show.
- [17:43]
B
Yeah. So USA Today named, they released a list of the top 25 teams from the coaches poll that came out and it's one lingering question for each of those teams. I kind of just want to go over the SEC teams or just the teams on A and M schedule at least. So Missouri, the question they have is can the Tigers handle a tougher schedule?
- [18:01]
A
I got other questions than that.
- [18:02]
B
Well, they bring up how the past two seasons Missouri's had a more favorable schedule, but this year they face A and M, Ole Miss, Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma.
- [18:13]
A
By the way, I feel like this schedule talk, every show in the SEC is having the same talk because now with the way the schedules are rotating every year and I know there's like a two year cycle where you're going to take on these teams, but there's a year in between that you're going to face. There was a time where if you were in the SEC east, there might have been one really good team and the rest were good. But not right now. You're going to get. If you're not getting Georgia, you're getting Texas. If you're not getting Texas, you're getting Oklahoma and you're probably going to get LSU or Alabama. And in A and M's case, everybody I just said. Yep, everybody. I just said Missouri, yes. Can they handle the hard schedule? I think that is low brow or low hanging fruit. Yes. Can they? They got to figure out their quarterback situation. If Austin Simmons is what they thought he was going to be at Ole Miss and I know Lane Kiffin was all in on him, then they that transition because they're going to be able to run the ball. I will say about Ahmaud Hardy's health, but I think they'll be able to run the ball and Drake is a good coach, the schedule, but it's going to really come down to what kind of quarterback Austin Simmons will be. What else?
- [19:28]
B
So they have in Tennessee, obviously number 18 in the coaches poll. Their question for Tennessee is could the quarterback battle last into September? And they bring up how Josh Hyple is yet to name a starting quarterback between George McIntyre and Faison Brandon. I mean, I think that's. We talked about it before on the show. I think that's a big question for Tennessee and what they can look like this year.
- [19:48]
A
Well, the first month of the season, the first game is Furman, then they go to Georgia Tech, then they host Kennesaw State before they get the Texas game at home if it goes in. I am not worried about the quarterback situation at Tennessee. For Tennessee, now, that's from them being a pretty good offense. There's a difference between Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton to where Hen and Hooker made them a potential championship level team. And since that point they've been good, but not that level of good. Right. Like they've been. I mean Joe Milton was good, but he wasn't heading in Hooker.
- [20:24]
B
Oh yeah, it was a big fall. Not a. I wouldn't say a big fall off, but it was a fall off.
- [20:27]
A
And Nico was fine.
- [20:30]
B
He was the same.
- [20:31]
A
But they went to the playoffs with Nico. Right. So I'm not worried about their quarterback situation. I think they're going to get good play now. If they get great play, that's where it's a game changer. But I think they're going to get good play regardless because I think it, it's kind of like Lane Kiffin in a different way. In a, maybe a Pepsi versus Coke kind of way. Whichever one you think is the better one.
- [20:53]
B
So can I ask what would your question be for Tennessee or about Tennessee, if you have one?
- [20:57]
A
How quickly does the Knowles defense take form? That would be my question.
- [21:02]
B
Okay.
- [21:03]
A
I think the defense was a problem for them last year. They had some injuries as well. I think that would probably be my question for them. I, I am not as worried about their offense being good now. How. What level of good is a completely different story.
- [21:17]
B
Okay. Now we got LSU at 13. They say how quickly does this team come together? Which I feel like that's a question we've talked about a lot. Yeah, everyone's kind of talked about a lot.
- [21:27]
A
Yeah, I'm, I'm going to Agree with that. I'm going to. But I hate to be easy. Easy like talk show host. But like to me, what is Sam Levitt's health more? I don't think he's great. I don't. But I don't think it matters with Lane Kiffin as your head coach. If you're healthy, I think you're going to put up some really good numbers.
- [21:47]
B
Yeah.
- [21:48]
A
So I agree with how long it takes. But Lane Kiffin has rebuilt teams before. He did it at Ole Miss on several occasions. I think their success comes down to Sam Levitt's health. If he is limited and not a go go. And I'll follow that up with. How important to his success is the LSU running game? Because we saw him at his absolute best with Cam Scatterboo. Without Cam, he was good. Ish. And then he got hurt.
- [22:17]
B
So they were good at Arizona State, but they struggled at times.
- [22:19]
A
Yeah.
- [22:20]
B
Next one, Alabama at number 11. They have. Is this another struggling rushing attack?
- [22:24]
A
That is. You could kind of say that exact same thing for lsu. To me, the running game will make. I think Keelan Russell is going to win the job. I don't think it's going to be Austin Mack. Yeah, I don't. So how good is Keelan Russell as a first year freshman? But you can't put everything on him, a first year starter. What you can though do is you can put a lot of that on the running game to take it off. And they weren't able to run. They didn't have a great offensive line last year. So the protection of the quarterback and also the ability to run the ball. Yes, I agree with that.
- [22:58]
B
All right. We have Ole miss at number 10. Their question is what changes under Pete Golding.
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A
Don't disagree. I think Pete Golding has a couple things going for him. Continuity. Right. But now like he, like he, he. He has a little momentum from the end of last season. He starts this season with that quarterback in Trinidad, Chambliss. Right. The running games intact. Like I feel from that perspective and where the momentum feels like is going. I think he is fine. But without your coordinators in place, how different does it feel? Because I feel like at the end of last year it was Lane Kiffin wasn't coaching, but Lane Kiffin's the ghost of Lane Kiffin still had hands on what was happening. Right. Like he had set the agenda. He had from, you know, the moment of the off season, training through. What was it? November ish. Where he left. I feel like all that was. And then it was just. All right, we're just going to continue doing meetings at the same time. We're going to continue running the same defense. We're going to continue running the same offense. Now you have Pete Golding doing everything, and I'm curious how much of it is his own and how much of it is just an extension of what he had with Lane.
- [24:09]
B
I feel like not enough people are talking about Ole Miss in this situation in the sense of so much of their offense is returning. Pete Golding's a defensive guy, and I feel like more of their defense left and went with Lane Kiffin lsu than any other part of that team.
- [24:22]
A
Yeah, but if their defense, if Pete Golding's a good defensive coach, you would expect the defense to be at least at a certain standard.
- [24:32]
B
Yeah.
- [24:33]
A
And then you've got freaking Trinidad Chambers, who is the best quarterback statistically in that conference, and he should be going in as the 1A quarterback in the SEC.
- [24:42]
B
We have Oklahoma at number nine and they ask, can the offense become more explosive?
- [24:47]
A
Yeah, I mean, we talked about mater. I mean, I would say can Mattier just like Marcel cut the turnovers down? To me, more than the explosiveness. I don't expect them to be this explosive offense. No, but can they be more explosive? Can they run the ball? Can they limit turnovers? Yeah, I don't disagree with that.
- [25:04]
B
I feel like they're the most cut and dry team of. If the offense can play any way better than last year, they'd be good. The only problem I have with this list is A and M, number eight. We. We already know the answer, but is Damien. Is Damien Sanford ready to return?
- [25:20]
A
That's not my question. If. If there was a little bit less visibility from Damian Sanford, then I'd be like, oh, you know, maybe. But that's not my question. Is still the offensive line. That's still my question. And if they get that figured out, I think they'll be fine.
- [25:35]
B
And then we have Texas at 4. Can Will Muschamp elevate the defense?
- [25:40]
A
The defense was pretty good last year, I think. Can Will Muschamp bring a physicality to the entire roster? Right. Can they be some. Some angry dogs? I think that they lacked a little bit of that for parts of the season. So, yeah, I mean, I can get that Also, you know, what does arches maturation process look like? Do we get the arch we saw at the end of the year? Do you get the one you got beginning and middle?
- [26:04]
B
Yeah. Georgia number three. They have. Who emerges at wide receiver?
- [26:09]
A
Yeah, I mean, they lost Zachariah Branch. I think Noah Thomas is out too, right?
- [26:14]
B
Like Noah Thomas.
- [26:16]
A
Yeah. So I think they picked up Isaiah Kenyon. Is that right? Isaiah Kanyon. So. And he played at Tech and had a really good year. So yeah, I can agree with that. Anyone else?
- [26:26]
B
That's the last of the SEC teams. Do you want anybody else?
- [26:28]
A
Nah, we'll hit a break because we got Aaron Torres on the other side. Right now we're talking Caldwell Country Chevrolet, Highway 21 and Caldwell online at caldwellcountrychevrolet.com if you're looking for a deal, you're looking for a vehicle. You're looking for good people. You go to Caldwell Country Chevrolet. They're always stocking up on new vehicles and their inventory is growing daily. And they are south of those big city prices with no dealer add ons, what you see is what you pay. They're locally owned. They have an Aggie alumni team ready to roll out the red carpet for you. And they will give you value. Every purchase comes with a free oil change for life. As long as you own that vehicle, that's thousands of dollars in savings just by buying your car at Caldwell Country Chevrolet, making sure that you keep it. Remember, it's about a 15 minute drive, the edge of bright to the beginnings of Caldwell. A short conversation away. But you'll see the difference when you step on the lot and do business with the good people at Caldwell Country Chevrolet, Highway 21 and Caldwell Online. Caldwellcountrychevrolet.com Blending Southern culture with college football. You guys are awesome.
- [27:25]
D
Music, sport commentary and more. It's Marty and McGee. Marty and McGee. Saturday mornings from 6 to 9 in the zone. 11:50am and 93.7 FM.
- [27:35]
A
And we are back. It is Tech Sags Live. We are presented by David Gardner's Jewelers. We are in the Rollo Insurance studio. It is our number two of the program. And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is time for Around College Athletics, brought to you by Millikan Reserve, a college station community featuring home sales, farms and wide open spaces. With a mission to build a healthy community around nature. Take part in the Millikan Reserve community with a conservancy membership. Learn more@millikenreserve.com with that, we go to the Puppies catering and bartending online. Aaron Torres joining us at. What up, buddy?
- [28:08]
D
David, what's up, buddy? How you doing, man?
- [28:10]
A
I'm good. So I don't remember, but we were talking, we were having a great conversation last Thursday. We're up against it. Do you remember what it was about. No, I just remembered as I started talking to you.
- [28:22]
D
Okay, good, because I actually don't remember. So I'm going to toss the ball right back to you. I'm Marcel Reed. You're open in the end zone. Just go ahead, lob it to me. Or I guess you'd be the opposite. Anyway, what were we discussing?
- [28:34]
A
I don't know. I forgot, too. So Nick said he'll let me know by the end of the interview so I can ask you, and then we'll run out of time to talk about that again. That's okay, though.
- [28:42]
D
Maybe we'll remember next week. It's okay. Sorry. It'll be week eight, and we'll just be discussing whatever it was in the preseason that had us so fired up. It'll be great.
- [28:53]
A
So now that practices have started around the country, does your. I don't know, does your. The way you prepare for your show change? Does the way you talk about football change? Because I feel like as their intensity steps up, I feel like we as talk show hosts have to kind of step up what we're looking at. It's not these, hey, is the Protect Sports act going to pass? Are we going to do a 16 or 2014 play? Like, we're. We're getting the football now?
- [29:20]
D
Yeah, it was funny. Your buddy Ryan Fowler yesterday said we survived another off season, and I think in the way that you framed it of, thank God we don't have to talk court cases and whatever. I still feel like the news is. Is maybe more of a trickle now than ever before. But I think the good part is we're at least getting coaches at the podium, players at the podium. You know, I think. Yes, and I think there's obviously storylines that need to be followed. I mean, obviously. I know this is an A and M show, but Alabama's got a quarterback competition. Tennessee has got a quarterback competition. You know, Texas has a new defensive coordinator. And so I'm not saying that, you know, Josh Hyple is going to name a quarter a starting quarterback for week one on day two of fall camp. But, you know, if you listen to the press conferences and you do your homework and you put in the work, it's like you kind of start to get a feel for. For where things are trending on a lot of these stories. So it is close, but it feels like it should be closer. I mean, we still have, I think, exactly 30 days till that first Saturday of the season. I'm GLAD it's only 30, as opposed to whatever 150. But it's like, it's, it's the weird time of. Camps are open, you can smell the grass, whatever. But it's also like the actual tangible news that we're going to get. I'll be curious to see over the next two to three weeks.
- [30:41]
A
So Nick tells me we ended the show with the topic about teams that are most dependent on elite quarterback play. Oh, but I think we talked about it. I think we. We broke it down, did we not?
- [30:52]
D
No, I think we did. I think my answer was probably. I think I said Alabama, but we don't know the quarterback is. And I think I said Sam Levitt at lsu, who I kind of have some more doubts on than maybe the national discourse. But no, it's a great Trinidad shambles. I mean, you could, you could name 100 different teams. Great topic by you. Great prep. Great job by Nick for coming back. Full circle. But it was a great topic. Was a great topic.
- [31:17]
A
This is a complimentary show. I appreciate that. You're doing a great job today. Aaron.
- [31:21]
D
Hey, thanks.
- [31:22]
A
I'm going to ask you about the. Thank you. And we'll probably get into Sam Levitt here because I agree with you, but I'm going to throw you some topics of the biggest unknowns in college football. I want you to pick the biggest unknown for what I throw at you and then we can kind of work our way through these. All right, so Marcel Reeds, Leap lane Kiffin at LSU, Alabama Year three for Caleb DeBoer, Oklahoma's offense. And let's throw in Florida under John Summerall. How different they look. What to you is the biggest unknown. And then we can kind of work our way through these.
- [31:55]
D
Okay, I actually think that's an easy one. I think it's Galen de Boer entering year three. And you know, you mentioned again, I mentioned because I'm doing a great job, according to you. You know that you're starting to see stuff out of fall camp. And it was interesting. Caitlin DeBoer was asked, hey, pick to finish sixth in the SEC, 11th in the coaches poll. It's the low crazy stat. It's the lowest ranking Alabama has had in a preseason coaches pool since 2008. But anyway, he was asked about it yesterday and he said, yeah, we're aware of what you guys think of us, basically. And so it feels like there is internal confidence in that building and why I think it becomes a fascinating conversation. David Nuno. It's not. There isn't an obvious answer. It isn't crash and burn. This guy doesn't Know what he's doing? They went to a playoff and won a playoff game. But one, there was a reason that we spent 10 years saying I sure wouldn't want to be the guy to replace Nick Saban. Like that's going to be the toughest job maybe in the history of college football. And I think it is proving to be because to your point, you know, you just brought up Oklahoma, the offense, Brent Venables. Oklahoma is coming off of a playoff appearance where they lost in the opening round of the playoffs. And all we're doing is talking about how great of a job Brent Venables did and da da da this and that. Alabama made the playoff, played for an SEC championship, won a playoff game at Oklahoma. And all we're doing is saying what the heck is wrong with that guy? Is he as good as we expect? So to me, that is an easy answer of the biggest question mark because you can look at it from the glasses half full perspective. Playoff appearance, win a game in the playoff. You can look at it from the glasses FMD perspective of you lost four games in back to back years at Alabama. That is well below the standard. That's why to me, to answer your question, that's the most interesting topic to
- [33:47]
A
me specifically, I agree with you because I think people are way too critical of what Alabama did last year other than they got embarrassed in the playoffs. But I feel like Indiana embarrassed everybody that they played. Let's, let's go through some of these. I am not that worried or I don't think it's that of an unknown for Marcel Reed to take a leap. I don't think he has to take a leap. Aaron. I've said it over and over. I don't think that's the problem with Marcel. I think what he just needs to do is not turn the ball over at the end of the season. I don't, I don't know. His highs were so good last year that if he just gets rid of some of those lows, I think Marcel's going to be just fine.
- [34:24]
D
Yeah, you know, listen, I can't follow every discourse on the Internet. I, you know, for what we do, I actually do try to do my best. No sarcasm. And maybe I'm blinded by the fact that I was on air during that fourth quarter drive against Notre Dame last year in South Bend. But I don't see the glaring, you know, I wouldn't even say concern, but I maybe question mark. I don't see that glaring question mark that everybody else does. And I do think part of it is the talent that is around him. Now the big question for me with A and M, which is something I'm sure you've been discussing for months now, is the schedule was just so much tougher and we don't have to do this debate now, but it is unquestionable that the bottom of the SEC was just dog. You know what last year, and you know, I was talking to Fowler about this yesterday, is what made last year so interesting was you basically, if you had those bottom four or five teams on the schedule, it was an automatic win unless those teams were playing each other. And I know you brought up a great point. Arkansas was competitive even if they lost these games. You know, Auburn had all sorts of NFL talent, you know, Florida, whatever. But there, I think this year the bottom of the league is going to step back up. I think, you know, you mentioned Summerall, I think Alex Goldish, I think Will Stein, those teams are just going to be tougher outs than they've been. And so not all of them necessarily apply to, to Texas A and M. But with the schedule at Alabama, with the schedule of Texas at home to end the year, with the schedule falling away. Listen, I know you destroyed LSU to the point that they had to fire Brian Kelly last year in Baton Rouge, but I think it's going to be a different deal. My concerns with A and M are just, can you survive a much tougher schedule than it is? Marcel Reed has to make some huge leap for this team to have success.
- [36:14]
A
Aaron, I think when it comes to lsu, it's more about Sam Levitt than it is about Lane Kiffin. Because if Sam Levitt is healthy, I think Lane Kiffin is going to get the best version of Sam Levitt. I was never that impressed with him. I think he's a gamer. But his game to me was predicated on an incredible run game that he had at Arizona State. So if LSU can run the ball effectively, I think he'll put up good numbers. But I just don't know how healthy he is. He is.
- [36:39]
D
Yeah. I'm torn because I tend to agree with everything that you said about Levitt and I haven't been as big of a fan. I, I sort of understood the, the bluster around him in the portal. But let's also call a spade a spade. Is that. I think the day Lane Kiffin left LSU, he thought he was bringing Trinidad Chambliss with him to lsu. We don't have to get into that, neither here nor there. But why I'm bringing it up is because I don't have faith in Sam Levitt. I think it's worth noting, like, he missed spring practice because of that foot surgery. The counter is, though, for all of the off the field stuff with Lane Kiffin, credit where it's due every year. His teams are competitive regardless of how much turnover that he has. And really, he was the first guy in this era to master bringing in 25, 30, 35 guys out of the transfer portal from different backgrounds, different schools, different win loss record, whatever, and figuring out a way to make it work. And so I'll try to be quick here, but I remember this time last year being really down on Ole Miss. Oh, you know, they lost Jackson dart, Walter Nolan was a first round pick and they were freaking awesome. And so I think their ceiling will certainly be how good is Sam Levitt? But I also have doubted Lane Kiffin at this time of the year before, and I've lived to regret it. And so again, for all of the, you know, stuff and antics off the field, the guy really is phenomenal on Saturdays. And that, to me, I think, just becomes a fascinating conversation about what LSU stealing can become because of that.
- [38:15]
A
Do you think Florida can have a quick rise with John Summerall?
- [38:19]
D
You know, I don't have the schedule in front of me. I remember looking at it about two, three weeks ago, and by Florida standards, it's relatively manageable. First of all, they were 4 and 8 last year. So like, like, that is something that I think, like, we think, oh, Florida kind of stunk last year. What? They finished like 6 and 6, 7. They went 4 and freaking 8 and got blown out by Kentucky, you know, a week before, you know, two weeks before they fired Mark Stoop. So they were really bad. I think why I like Florida is a few things. One, on the schedule, no lsu, no Tennessee, who? I think Tennessee is probably the most overlooked team in this league going into the season, which is just weird from a rivalry perspective. Florida State nobody thinks much of. But the other thing is, Nuno, I don't have the stats in front of me. Go back and look at the first month of their season. Last year they played nothing but excellent teams. And the defense was actually very, very, very good. And the defensive statistics kind of fell off because once Napier kind of got fired, the whole, you know, the whole building kind of fell apart, if we're being honest. But early in the season, they played Miami, they played lsu, they played, you know, I can't remember everybody off top of my head, but the defense was very good. And so they Bring back a lot of those guys. I think they. There can be an improvement, especially with no lsu, no Tennessee on the schedule. They're going to have tough games. I know they play at Texas. I know they got Ole Miss at home, all that. But I do think there will be an improvement in part because again, they were 4 and 8 last year, which I don't think people fully remember exactly how bad it got by the end of last season.
- [39:52]
A
At. Is there somebody in the top 25 that you think, man, those guys are frauds. Maybe they're LSU from last year. Is there somebody that you look at there in the top 10, 15, 25, whatever it may be, and you're like, I just don't buy them being that level of team.
- [40:08]
D
So, first of all, you didn't do it on purpose, but thanks for the shout out. Because I remember last year saying, I don't understand the hype with lsu. I didn't think Brian Kelly was going to get fired, but I didn't understand the hype. You know, nobody, like, super jumps off the page. I do think Penn State at number 17 in the first coaches poll. Listen, I get Matt Campbell culture. You know, he brought us like, literally his entire, you know, starting 22 from Iowa State. I think he set a record for most players to follow him. It was like 22, 23, whatever. I think it's a big leap. I know their schedule is manageable, but the manageable schedule still includes at Washington, at Michigan, both top 20 teams, USC at home. And so, you know, I think 8 and 4 is probably about where they are. I don't. I don't know that I see them crashing and burning. I know that there's some stat that says, you know, one team that starts in the top 10 will finish with a losing record or whatever. I don't know that anybody jumped out to me as fitting that bill this year, but, yeah, I think Penn State felt a little bit overrated to me. There were a couple others. I think Ole Miss is maybe a little bit high at whatever they came in. 8, 9, 10, something like that. I think A and M was 8, so it would have been 9 or 10. But yeah, no, I don't actually see anybody that I think is just colossally misrad coming into the year. And I think in previous years, you could say that, like I said, like you said about LSU last year at.
- [41:30]
A
Great stuff, brother. Appreciate your time.
- [41:32]
D
All right, David. It was fun, man. We'll do it next week, all right?
- [41:35]
A
Yes, sir. That's Aaron Torres here on Tech Sags live on the Buffy's Catering and Bartending Hotline. We'll hit a break, come back with an open segment followed by, I don't know, maybe something fun. And then the fan show. Razz's Running Company. They're locally owned, they're Aggie owned and operated. They're a specialty running store with the best selection of running shoes and gear. When you need that running, I know a lot of you like to go running, walking, whatever it may be, they'll help you find the right one. From Brooks to on to hoka, they have it all. If you're a runner, a walker interested in fitness at all, the right shoe makes all the difference in the world. And when you go there and talk to Mike, you're going to find out, hey, that he's passionate about running. He's passionate about getting you in the right shoes. They are the local retailer for Vuori. They've got dubkin, they got turtle box speakers, you name it, they are the place to go there. At Century Script. It is the Brazos Running Company. Located a Century Square below the Star center and Grill in College Station. It is the Brazos Running Company. Give it to me.
- [42:25]
D
Give it to me.
- [42:26]
A
The Louis Polina Show. It's awesome.
- [42:28]
D
Stop, listen and look both ways. Listen in weekdays limited two in the zone.
- [42:33]
A
And we're back. Tech Sags live. As a reminder, the final segment of the program is brought to you by double Dave's. That is at 1050. But right now, caller number 12, 979693. 1150, we're going to hook you up with your choice of a dozen pepperoni rolls or a large one topping pizza from Double Dave's. They've been serving Aguilan since 1984 with your favorite pizza and of course those world famous pepperoni rolls, reliable in house delivery, bringing piping hotness straight to your door. Just click on Doubledaves.com and your favorites are on their way. Let's find out what's poppin on TexActs today. Carson Stein, Angry Elephant News and Social Center.
- [43:08]
B
Alrighty, David. So on Texacts today we have sights and sounds in the photo gallery from the first fall practice of yesterday with some snippets as well by Bronnie. Go check those out. Also on the site from yesterday we have press conference from DJ Hicks and Ruben Owens. I know we talked about that a little bit earlier. We have around the SEC by Jason Howell. So if you want to go see what's going on around the SEC in recruiting, go check that out in the set from K. Nagley officially dropped today. Sponsored by Capstone.
- [43:35]
A
Let's go.
- [43:36]
B
More practice coverage today. And another thing, I don't know if you know this, David.
- [43:40]
A
I don't.
- [43:41]
B
Lucci is on Paul Feinbaum today at 4pm on the SEC Network. So go check that out.
- [43:46]
A
Yeah, I did see that. Looking forward to seeing just Billy on that set. Paul Finebaum, good buddy of ours. It'll be fun. It'll be good times. All right, let's. Let's. We got a minute. Come on.
- [43:57]
D
Give me a.
- [43:57]
A
Give me. Give me something to chew on. Carson, this is what you get paid the big bucks for, to provide some commentary in these open segments. What do you have?
- [44:05]
B
Hold on. Let me get some tips.
- [44:06]
A
No, there's no hold ons. There's just go. All right? We just go here.
- [44:10]
B
I mean, I have a text from earlier when we were talking about the splitting the season into two parts. I mean, this is obvious, but Ray from Great Falls says TU is a must win game. Number one, he's flying from Montana to go to the game. And number two, I hate them.
- [44:24]
A
Well, it's a must win in my eyes, but it's not a must win in the grand scheme. What's a must win is the last game you play in and if. Well, if you made the playoffs. Right? Like, if you make the playoffs, just keep winning games. Look, I want to beat them so bad. I do. I don't like that they have scoreboard. I don't like their arrogance. I would have the same arrogance if we were beating them every time. Right. There's an arrogance that we have towards LSU right now.
- [44:50]
B
Yeah.
- [44:51]
A
Because A and M's beat them twice. I don't like it. I just. I don't think the conference likes them. There isn't a media member that I've talked to, like, man, those guys are great. You guys are, you know, they're a
- [45:03]
D
really nice group of people.
- [45:04]
B
Who could have predicted that my wife is a Longhorn?
- [45:08]
A
You know, he's all right.
- [45:09]
D
He's great.
- [45:10]
A
All right, we'll hit a break. We'll come back. I want you guys to hear from Tiger Ryder next on Tech SAGS Live.