TexAgs Live - Billy Liucci : 07.24.26

Summary

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TexAgs Live - Billy Liucci : 07.24.26

Date: July 24, 2026
Host: David Nuño (A)
Guests/Analysts: Billy Liucci (C), Olin, and the TexAgs Crew (B)
Theme: State of Texas A&M Football after Nick Saban’s Comments, Roster Management in the NIL Era, SEC/Playoff Scenarios, Aggie Roster Analysis

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Episode Overview

This episode captures an in-depth conversation about Texas A&M football, springboarding off Nick Saban’s recent praise for head coach Mike Elko on the Pat McAfee Show. The TexAgs team discusses the significance of Saban’s comments, analyzes the Aggie roster and recruiting efforts, debates the impact of NIL on college rosters, and dives into the brutal SEC schedule landscape. There’s plenty of banter, a little shade, and some strong opinions about national narratives and the realities of CFB in 2026.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Nick Saban’s High Praise for Mike Elko and A&M

[00:52 – 04:54]

• Nick Saban appeared on Pat McAfee’s show praising Mike Elko for turning A&M into an SEC contender, citing:

  • Record ten draftees
  • Top-rated recruiting classes
  • Defensive development and scheme
  • “Reloaded” roster and portal work

  "I'm a Mike Elko guy in terms of what he's done at A&M. They had 10 guys get drafted. ... They’ve won more games, they've played better defense. He's one of the best defensive coaches in the country, scheme-wise. ... They're going to be one of the teams that people need to contend with in the SEC. No doubt."
  — Nick Saban (quoted by B, 01:06)

• David and crew break down why NFL draftees are the ultimate “marker for success” both in the SEC and for program credibility in recruiting.

• Development and showing a path to the NFL resonates with recruits, leading to players like CJ Mimms and Anto Saka wanting to join.

  “What Coach Elko has done such a good job at doing is ... if there's an issue that you've identified, you do what you have to do to fix those issues. And I think Coach Elko has done a phenomenal job of doing that.”
  — David (A, 04:05)

2. Aggie Roster & Recruiting, Portal Acumen

[05:12 – 07:22]

• Praise for Marcel Reed as “a really, really good quarterback” who makes defenses uncomfortable.
• David notes that while Reed’s "ceiling was really high last year", he and the staff know that turning flashes into consistency is key.
• Saban commented on A&M’s strong portal work, with the crew agreeing about recent smart additions.
• Confidence among Aggie players is high, but “not a cockiness” — more a businesslike approach to expectations.

3. Billy Liucci Joins: Aggie Confidence and Talent Evaluation

[07:22 – 13:53]

• Billy Liucci emphasizes the difference between confidence and swagger in the current team culture.

  “The confidence that I heard... was not a cockiness. It was just a very matter of fact: 'We know we're good, and we know what we have to prove.' Let’s go prove it."
  — David (A, 06:55)

• A&M’s upper roster (1–40 or so) can “compete with anyone,” with maybe only Georgia or Texas at a talent edge.

• SEC's talent gap between programs is much smaller than it was during the Saban/Smart heyday. “There's more than enough talent to win individually every game on your schedule.”

• The schedule is brutal, and getting to 7-2 means stringing together wins against several top-10 playoff contenders.

  "To get to 7-2, let’s say you beat Arkansas and Kentucky at home... That leaves seven SEC games. ... You still have to split on the road: LSU, Bama, OU, Texas. ... That’s four games, three on the road, all top-10 teams. To get there, it's absolutely brutal."
  — Billy (C, 11:23)

4. SEC Playoff Pathways: Can a 9-3 Team Make It?

[13:53 – 18:47]

• Discussing winning scenarios for the SEC title and playoff selection.
• Consensus: A 9-4 team won't make the playoff; a 9-3 with high-quality wins might — especially Texas or Oklahoma, given schedule and brand.
• Georgia is predicted to be the only “sure bet” for 10 wins due to schedule.
• “There’s no team A&M will play that is ‘way ahead’ of them—but the grind of the SEC means splitting against a murderer’s row.”

5. Oklahoma’s Early Season — Make or Break?

[18:48 – 19:50]

• If OU doesn’t take care of business early (vs Michigan, Georgia), finishing strong becomes almost impossible given the parity and schedule.
• “The talent gap just isn’t enough to coast; every loss early basically kills playoff hopes.”

6. Lighter Segment – Food, Travel, and Banter

[19:53 – 27:23]

• The crew digresses into a debate over Tampa restaurant picks, travel exhaustion, and missed Lionel Richie concert opportunities.

• Notable Quote:

  “Y'all are two of the worst restaurant pickers ever— not just at Texas A&M, ever.”
  — Billy (C, 21:05)

7. Quick NBA News Break – LeBron to the Sixers

[28:31 – 29:43]

• Interlude about LeBron James signing with the 76ers. No one seems emotionally invested in modern NBA storylines, but acknowledge the news is huge.

  “Does this move the needle for the world? Like, do people care like they used to care?”
  — David (A, 28:45)

  “Liar. ... He’s gonna retire without a, like, appreciation lap around the country?”
  — Billy (C, 29:16, on LeBron’s retirement teasing)

8. Quarterback Discourse: Marcel Reed & Arch Manning

[31:17 – 33:23]

• Liucci praises Arch Manning for his “likable” personality and work ethic (“teammate, person, character, all of the above”), but notes he “still needs to make strides in passing accuracy.”

• Emphasizes the need for steady, multi-game performance, not just highlight moments, for both Marcel Reed and Arch.

• Aggie fans and staff want moments to become entire seasons of elite QB play.

  “His ceiling is as high as any quarterback in my opinion in college football.”
  — Billy (C, 33:06, on Arch Manning)

9. Roster Construction in the NIL/Salaried Era

[33:23 – 39:47]

• The crew dissects Steve Sarkisian’s approach to NIL “salary cap” management, specifically his media day comments naming players who left for larger deals elsewhere.

• Billy criticizes mentioning names publicly, advocates transparency but not singling out individuals.

• Explains A&M’s (and everyone else’s) process: weigh performance, fit, and prevailing marketplace prices; sometimes losing players is just pragmatic roster management, not a sign of any “collapse.”

• A&M prefers multi-year portal players, not just “one-and-done mercenaries,” and feels optimistic about their portal scouting.

  “My only thing I didn’t like was I don’t think [Sark] should have mentioned those players by name... But I also get the reality: you have to look at production and what they cost and make a cold decision.”
  — Billy (C, 35:13)

10. National Media, Narrative, and QB Criticism

[41:00 – 43:20]

• Billy gets animated about national media underrating or shortchanging Aggie QBs—particularly the “can Marcel Reed win a big game?” narrative.

  "Can Marcel Reed win a big game? ... On the road in South Bend ... a fourth down pass to win it. 400 yards. And people [still] say, 'Can he win a big game?' It's ridiculous."
  — Billy (C, 41:31 & 42:39)

• The perception is shaped by a couple games (Miami, Kentucky). Billy calls for more nuance and context.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 01:06 | “I'm a Mike Elko guy ... They're going to be one of the teams people need to contend with in the SEC. No doubt.” | Nick Saban (via B) | | 06:55 | "The confidence that I heard ... was not a cockiness. It was just ... 'We know we're good, and we know what we have to prove.'” | David (A) | | 11:23 | "To get to 7-2... you have to go two and two... That's four games, three on the road, all top-10 teams... It's absolutely brutal." | Billy (C) | | 21:05 | "Y'all are two of the worst restaurant pickers I've ever seen. Not just at Texas A&M, ever." | Billy (C) | | 29:16 | "Liar. ... He’s gonna retire without like a, like an appreciation lap around the country?" | Billy (C) | | 33:06 | "His ceiling is as high as any quarterback in my opinion in college football." | Billy (C) (on Arch Manning) | | 35:13 | "I don’t think [Sark] should have mentioned those players by name... But I get the reality." | Billy (C) | | 41:31 | "Can Marcel Reed win a big game? ... It's ridiculous." | Billy (C) |

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:52 – 04:54: Saban’s full comments & breakdown
• 05:12 – 07:22: Roster/portal analysis, Marcel Reed debate
• 07:22 – 13:53: Billy on A&M’s talent/tier status, SEC road to playoffs
• 13:53 – 18:47: Playoff math for SEC contenders, 9-3/10-2 debate
• 18:48 – 19:50: Oklahoma’s schedule analysis
• 31:17 – 33:23: QB talk: Arch Manning, Marcelo Reed, raising the floor
• 33:23 – 39:47: NIL/roster management realities, philosophy on portal
• 41:00 – 43:20: National narrative about A&M quarterbacks, big game performance

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Episode Tone and Style

• Candid, jovial, and unapologetically pro-Aggie
• Mix of Xs and Os, insider recruiting talk, and locker room banter
• Billy Liucci provides detailed roster/schedule breakdowns, doesn’t sugarcoat SEC difficulty
• The crew occasionally digresses for light humor and gentle ribbing (food, travel)

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Summary Takeaways

• Nick Saban’s public praise of Mike Elko spotlights A&M’s progress and underscores the program’s new national respect.
• Aggie fans and staff buy into the “NFL factory” identity, using it as recruiting ammo.
• The SEC is (and remains) an absolute gauntlet; even elite teams may only emerge 9-3 or 10-2.
• Roster and NIL dynamics mean tough, sometimes cold decisions, affecting both the Aggies and their fiercest rivals.
• National narratives around QB play can oversimplify realities—Marcel Reed’s “big game” question is a particular target for Liucci’s ire.
• The expectation in College Station: high. The room for mistakes: razor thin.

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Transcript

[A]

Damon Temple sends in a hard hitting airtime eating segment there, but your smile is invigorating, David. I don't know if that was a compliment or a punch in the gut. Paul Feinbaum's. I don't even remember what we talked about. You remember? You don't either?

[B]

No, I don't remember. Oh, Delirious.

[A]

Oh, Eddie Murphy. Delirious. One of the best stand up comedies of all time. You know what I'm talking about? No, our audience. I know we got a bunch of old people listening. I guarantee you they many of them. The olds. Us olds. Yeah, it was great. Aiden Ross. Yeah, he's 50. Whoa. I'm kidding, Aiden. I'm totally kidding. Anyway, you said Coach Elko went on Pat McAfee. Is that what I heard you say?

[B]

No. Nick Saban went on Pat McAfee.

[A]

Saban went on Pat McAfee.

[B]

And he had a lot of high praise for Elko. And I do have those quotes right here.

[A]

Okay. By the way, Billy Lucci should be joining us here in a moment. I think if he hasn't joined us in the next four minutes, we'll call him. Cheerio.

[B]

So Nick Saban said, I'm a Mike Elko guy in terms of what he's done at A and m. They had 10 guys get drafted. That's more than they've ever had. They've got some of the highest rated recruiting classes, which they've never had in the past. And when they did, they fell apart. They've won more games, they've played better defense. He's one of the best defensive coaches in the country. Scheme wise. I think they've reloaded. They've got some good players coming back. I think Marcel Reed is a really, really good quarterback who puts a lot of pressure on the defense. And I think they did a good job in the Portal and they did a good job recruiting. I think they're going to be one of the teams that people need to contend with in the sec. No doubt.

[A]

Okay, first off, Coach Saban I like even more right now. I didn't like you when you were the coach at Alabama because you would be often. But I like that, that praise. So I want to take those in part. So I feel like he said 18 things.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

So maybe let's do three or four things at a time. Let me discuss. Okay. First, first the first stanza, if you will.

[B]

He said, I'm a Mike Elko guy in terms of what he's done at A and m. They had 10 guys drafted. That's more than they've ever had. They've had some of the highest rated recruiting classes that they've never had in the past, and when they did, they fell apart.

[A]

True, true, true. And Coach Elko said that from the very beginning. Right. Like, hey, we got to get more guys in the NFL. And that is a true marker for success in this league and beyond. So I am. Yes, exactly right. And Coach Oko identified an area that needed to be better. And it's not just picking the right. The talent. It's about getting that talent. And what you do with that talent either. Not only developing them, making sure that they see their path to the field and excelling. And when you have that on a chalkboard. I don't even have to use chalkboards. What are they, dry erase chords?

[B]

Dry erase? Yes.

[A]

Do people. When was the last time you had a chalkboard in your class? Have you ever.

[B]

I have no idea, actually.

[A]

Like, when you were a kid, was that a thing?

[B]

Yes. Yeah. I don't remember when the last time was.

[A]

Okay. Yeah. So dry erase board. And you can point out, look, this is what we did at this position. We put these offensive linemen in the league. Look at this secondary. Look at this wide receiver. Look at this. Look what. KC was already highly regarded, but look what he did when he got here. He became the best wide receiver in America. So that's something that Coach Oko can point at. And it then makes for people like Anto soccer who's like, dude, I want to be the next Cassius Howell. I'm going there. Right? C.J. mim's like, I'm going to play on that D line. This is what they do, is they put people in the NFL. More people on this defensive line than anybody since Coach Elko got to Texas A and M. So those are all markers that he can point to and be like, all right, this is why you should come here. What else did Sabins say?

[B]

He's definitely proven he can do that. And so I feel like that's been a big reason why he's done so well in recruiting. But moving on, he said they've won more games, they've played better defense. He's one of the best defensive coaches in the country, scheme wise.

[A]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. And which is why it is exciting to hear him praise the secondary the way he. He is now. I forget who we were talking to on the show yesterday. They're like, dude, they got to get more interceptions. Yes, they do. Roman Harper. Roman Harper. Thank you. Thank you for the memory. They do got to get more interceptions. They can't drop them, and they got to get them right. So you're exactly right. But what Coach Elko has done such a good job at doing is. And you know who else was good at doing this back in the day was Buzz. Like, if there's something to identify, if there's an issue that you've identified, you do what you have to do to fix those issues. And I think Coach Elk has done a phenomenal job of doing that. Let's get through a couple more of these before we call Billy.

[B]

I think they've reloaded. They've got some good players coming back. True. Yep.

[A]

Yeah, they do. The reload question is, yes, on paper, we will see on the field, but the track record again of people that he has developed and picked has been very high. So, yes, agree with the reload.

[B]

I think Marcel Reed is a really, really good quarterback who puts a lot of pressure on the defense. And I think they did a good job in the portal and they did

[A]

a good job recruiting people remember the end. It's what they want to remember. And of course. And the end wasn't. I mean, I can justify. I can make excuses. We all can. Right. And you can listen to it from a different fan's perspective and be like, you're just coping. Look, he. We have never said that he doesn't have to get better. He has to raise that floor. But his ceiling was really high last year. Like, there were times he was the best quarterback in America. I know Fernando got the Heisman, but like, there were moments. And again, you want moments to be seasons, right? You want it to be long. But there were moments that he was playing out of this world. But people like to focus on the very last part. We're talking about Nick Saban's comments about Coach Elko and Texas A and M that he said on the Pat McAfee show just yesterday. Billy Lucci joining us here on Tech Sacks. Like, hey, buddy, how are you?

[C]

What's up, Dave?

[A]

How are you? I'm good. Yeah. So what was your takeaways? And I know you don't like the questions, so I'll try to be a little bit more specific.

[C]

Let's get specific.

[A]

Okay. You want to, you want. Let's get down to brass tack, shall we? All right.

[C]

To me, I've been interviewed 76 times in the last four days, so this should be no problem.

[A]

Yeah, well, I've done 119 interviews in the last four days, so I'll just ask you the same 29 questions.

[C]

Is it really 119? I'm. I wouldn't be surprised if you counted. No, no, I would count. I'm interested.

[A]

No, I think we did count how many hours of exclusive content we had. Do you have that number? Kate? He walked away. It's. It's ridiculous. Richard wrote an article about it.

[C]

Good.

[A]

That being said, this was a takeaway. I had. I'd like for you to. The confidence that I heard the players in Mike Elko talk with was not a cockiness. It was just like a very matter of fact. We know we're good, and we know what we have to prove. Let's go prove it. It was kind of like they're not going to say too much, not too little, but they believe in what they've done so far, and they believe they're going to be good.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And they believe they can replicate and exceed it. But they also know that I think they learned last year. You could just tell from talking to them. I've been talking to them, you know, here, and, you know, we just. They know how fine a line it is to fall back, and they don't want to go back. They want to actually go forward. And they know that if they don't match or exceed the work ethic and the commitment level they had last season, and not just during the offseason, but week to week in the season, that they will fall back. And. And they also know that they won't exceed it without at least matching that. You try to exceed it. But, like, they get it. This is a team of players that get it. They're. They're. They are receiving the coach's message, and they're living by that message in terms of, like, how hard they're working, what they're putting into it. And right now, at this point, that's all you can do is that. And have the players to get it done. And they do have the players. Like, I'm. I don't know, like, where A and M would rank, let's say 1 to 40 on your roster. Like, the guys that really play want 1 to 35, whatever that number is, where you want to cut it off. And, like, I don't know where A and M sits, but I know if there's anyone with more talent than them, it's not by much. So maybe it's Georgia. I know they got, like, a ton of D linemen this year. Maybe it's Texas. You know, they certainly have the highest end probably, maybe in the country this year. You know, they might Be like last year's Ohio State where they've got five potential first rounders and maybe three potential second third rounders. But still, when you line up and you look at their, their talent level in Georgia or Ohio State, it's not like it used to be when Nick Saban had Bama rolling or when Kirby Smart in Georgia. It's not this big gap. So hell, it might. You know, everybody's making a big deal about the talent Kiffin's assembled in Baton Rouge. That's not any better than a half dozen teams in the sec. It's not better. Just period. It's not. I'm sorry, like you. So, yes, he has a lot of talent for year one as a coach. They have enough talent to win, but there's not a big deal. So my point about A and M is there is more than enough talent to win individually. Every game on your schedule. There's not a team you're playing where you go, man, they're just way ahead of us. Yeah, it's just not the case. And you don't play Georgia and you don't play Ohio State, you don't play Oregon if they're. I don't, you know, they'll be up there again, but I don't still don't think Oregon overwhelmed. They might overwhelm you if you're not fast enough. But yeah, I just, I just think A and M, there's nothing talent wise that you can say, well, we. Everybody has a position that you'd like to upgrade. The town on A and M is no exception. You know, there's, there's. Everybody has. That they're dealing with. But yeah, it's there. So there should be. And you've got a returning quarterback, so there should be nothing holding you back other than like all those teams I mentioned it's going to be. What's your record in close game? I was talking to somebody a minute ago at breakfast and. Who are you talking about? Whoever Bud Elliott picking them five and four. And I said, man, like get to six and three on that schedule in the SEC and look at the wins it would take. And by the way, you'd also have to beat Arizona State, who may, you know, manned up this season, ranked in the top 25. But in conference, like, you know, to get to seven and two to get to a playoff. Right? Here's a way to look at how difficult that is on this schedule. It's not. This is not exclusive to A and M. It's most of the league this year. But take to get to seven and two, you have to. Let's say you beat Arkansas and Kentucky, you get them at home. Okay, you need to win those two games. Obviously, that leaves seven SEC games. So let's say 3 and 1 and 3 and 1 and 2 and 1. That gets you to 7 and 2. That's 5 and 2 in those games plus Arkansas and Kentucky. So 3 and 1 and 2 and 1. Let's start with a 2 and 1 down there at the end. So you're going to have to go 2 and 1, Tennessee, Texas and at Oklahoma, right. So let's say you beat Tennessee at home. Again, far from a given, but let's say you do. So you have to split with Texas, who you're 02 against and who's going to be preseason top three and at Oklahoma, who most people are picking to return to the playoffs and having the top 10. Lot of people do you have to win one of those to get two one. Now to go three and one at Missouri, at Alabama, at South Carolina, at LSU, you got to go three and one of those four. Let's say you go get Missouri again because they're, I mean they're going to be the worst of those. Well, maybe it's that, but you go get Missouri again. Now I almost have to give you at South Carolina, which you and I and Elko and everybody else knows how tough that's going to be. And they'll be tough if they're the 24th ranked team. Forget if they figure out a way to put it together. But I'm giving you at Missouri at South Carolina and Tennessee at home. And now you still have to split on the road. Lsu, Bama. So giving you South Carolina and Missouri on the road and Tennessee at home, you still will have to go two and two in four games, three on the road. Oh you. Oh you. Lsu, Alabama and Texas. You have to go two and two. That's giving you both Columbia's and the Vols at home. And you'd still have to split those four games. Top five team, top 10 team, Alabama at Bryant, Denny, LSU and Death Valley Lane, Kiffin, Kaylin, DeBoer. Look at the quarterbacks in there, Sam Levitt, Matier, Arch Manning. And you'd still have to split to get to 7 and 2 in the league. It is not just for A and M but for everyone. It is going to be absolutely brutal.

[A]

Could you see a world where. And I'm sure you can, but I mean how. I don't know how realistic it is. A world where two, nine and Three teams are going to the SEC championship game. And what that means for the SEC in the playoffs, I mean, that would be.

[C]

No, I. You could take me through it off the top of my head. No, I don't see a world where that would happen. I could see one. And if that team loses and is sitting at 9 and 4, they're going to be left out of the playoff, which will be crazy. You know, say it's Texas just because I know they've got Ohio State or ou. Let's say Texas because, you know Ohio State's going to be good. I don't think.

[A]

You know. Yeah, we don't know about Michigan.

[C]

Well, if they lost to Ohio State. Right. And then they lost two games in the conference. Let's say for our fund, let's say they lost in College Station and let's say they lost on the road to Tennessee. Okay, so that would include wins over Oklahoma. Over. That would include wins over Oklahoma and Dallas at lsu. Who else at. You know, what are some other impressive ones they'd have there?

[A]

Did you say at lsu? You just say that. Florida, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Ole Miss.

[C]

Okay, so you would be. If you lost to Ohio State and at Tennessee and at A and M, you would beat LSU on the road, you would beat Oklahoma and Dallas and you would beat Ole Miss and Trinidad Chambers and Kewan Lacey at home, you'd be 9 and 3. That would be a 9 and 3. That would get you into the College Football Playoff. I think everyone would say, hey, Texas is 9 and 3 is actually better than any other 9 and 3. It's better than a whole lot of 10 and twos. Not in the SEC, I think. And plus with their brand. Right, you go. They're going to get in. If seven and two for them got them in on some kind of tie break to the SEC title game. And let's say they lost a close game to a Georgia. They're not getting in at 9 and 4.

[A]

Especially if they lost their last two games.

[C]

They're not getting in at 9 and 4. I don't think they would anyway. So it's pretty crazy to think of. But.

[A]

But yeah, but that's everybody.

[C]

But I don't think. I don't think that would be the only to me. Them or ou, the kind of three law. I just. I just think. I don't think it'll happen.

[A]

So you don't. So you today would say, I don't think Texas, Oklahoma goes nine and three.

[C]

No, they could.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

And I think either one of them, because Depending on how good Michigan is, could be the SEC team that would get in at nine and three more so than most because I think both of their schedules are really tough. So is A and M's by the way. But you were saying. Yeah, yeah, it got to the title game. I'm like, yeah, imagine a 9 and 4.

[A]

But I'm just wondering, I don't know

[C]

that that would get you to the title game.

[A]

I'm wondering what that would mean though for the SEC in playoff chances. Right. So last year they had five teams in the playoffs. If you have a 10 and 2, 9 and 3 team in the SEC championship game, maybe you have another nine and three team that loses on a tie break a couple eight and fours. You only get two or three teams in the.

[C]

Well, I think you're going nightmare scenario. I think there's going to be way more. I mean like teams are going to be a little better than others. Teams are going to catch breaks that others didn't. Hell, it might be A and M. You know, like what if A and M. Okay, what if LSU and year one or Kiffin is an eight and four or you catch them in September before they get good. What if South Carolina struggles and Beamer is kind of out by them? What if Tennessee can't get their quarterback stuff figured out? What if Bama and that's about right at mid season. What if they're not getting the quarterback play they want and they're kind of going back and forth. Like, I'm not saying all of those things happen, but a couple of them happen and that A and M schedule looks much more manageable and maybe they're 10 and 2 and everyone's going, oh, they didn't. They got lucky. You know, what if Matteo breaks his hand again? You know, like I'm just making up things. Somebody out of the seven or so contenders, eight you have count Tennessee and lsu. I'll get you to eight. Somebody out of those. A couple teams are going to have a clearer path than others. And like I think Georgia schedule is so manageable. I think they're going to be. I'd be shocked if they weren't 10 and two or better. So let's just say Georgia's one and then out of all those other seven, a couple of them are either going to be like better than the others or catch break. So I think you're going to have like, I think you'll have at least 3, 10 win teams out of the SEC this year. And then if you. I still could see two Nines. That's about my limit, though. You're not going to have like, you're going to have an eight and four. You're not going to have like three, nine and three teams get into that field.

[A]

Yeah, I agree with you. But I do want to point out Oklahoma's early half of the schedule to me will dictate what that game looks like midseason. Beyond if. Katie, if you can put Oklahoma schedule for a minute, but like, they can go two and two to start the season and that. That's because they play at Georgia.

[C]

They have to beat Michigan. Yeah, I don't think they have an option. They have to go two and one in those three. If they go one and two, they're going to play the final. What? You know, one. How many games is that?

[A]

Three, four.

[C]

So the final eight games on the brink where they might could lose one, but probably not. And you look at. Look at that back to back of Ole Miss and A and M there at Florida and at Missouri and South Carolina around it. Those OU is going to be better than those teams. But like I said, that gap is not enough.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So if you play poorly in any of those three games, that's it. It's over for them if they went 1 and 2.

[A]

Did you eat any Italian food when you were in Tampa?

[C]

No, I. Cuban. Cuban.

[A]

God, you're so smart.

[C]

Chilean sea bass. And of course, the worst restaurant I went to is the one you and Olin picked. It never fails.

[A]

Which one did we pick?

[C]

That place, Jackson. And I didn't want to say it.

[A]

Oh, this is great. Sorry.

[C]

No, it wasn't, David. And you know it wasn't. There was no apps. There was no atmosphere. There was no. It was not good. It was. It was the worst seafood I had when I was there. Like, of course, you and Owen Pickett. And it's the worst restaurant that I went to on the trip. I'm just saying it never fails.

[A]

But I don't get credit for the Cubs.

[C]

You on a lot of things.

[A]

I don't get credit for the Cuban place.

[C]

You said it wasn't even that good.

[A]

Yeah, because I know Cuban.

[B]

It was.

[C]

I, you know Cuban. But the people of Florida do not. Because. Because they loved it.

[A]

The people of Florida who aren't Cuban, the restaurant.

[C]

Oh, yeah. They're not Cuban in Florida. You're right. Another great point.

[A]

Listen, I said it was. I. Listen, you know what? I'm sorry that I defend my mother who made homemade. Now you're talking about my mother's cooking. I See what you're doing.

[C]

Well, your mom should start a restaurant.

[A]

Well, she's 85.

[C]

Give her some help. I'd go to it.

[A]

Yeah. Listen, I had a thing I was gonna transition to.

[C]

The point is you nob. And he's going to get way more offended by this. And you're going to pretend to be offended. You're going to laugh. He's going to actually be. If he's listening right now, he's stewing. He might come down here. Y' all are two of the worst restaurant pickers I've ever seen. Not just at Texas, in ever. And so the days of y' all picking like, we can't do this anymore.

[A]

Y' all can.

[C]

When I'm not. When I'm not on the trip.

[A]

So why do I get crazy credit for picking when I didn't pick it? I like it. I liked it.

[C]

Nobody liked it.

[A]

Nobody.

[C]

Nobody.

[A]

I don't. I think our waitress sucked. That's what I think. And it ruined the. The experience.

[C]

She was cool to me.

[A]

No, she, like, looked at you like this. Look. Yeah, Twice looked at me.

[C]

It wasn't like that.

[A]

Oh, really? That was it. I was trying to talk about.

[C]

I heard somebody clap back there.

[A]

Yeah. All right.

[C]

Yeah. So now that you're back, Tracy Mundon looks at me like that.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. He loves me.

[A]

Well, daily lunch special. So if you're thinking about lunch, I know you just had breakfast. 11 to 3. Warm and an inviting atmosphere at Fratella Italian Cafe. Perfect spot to unwind during your lunch break. Great place to go for dinner as well. If you're craving pizza, the copper domed pizza turns out thin crust Roman style pizzas. Check it out. 3901 S Texas Ave in Bryan. Discover why it's more than a meal. It's a tradition. It's Fratella Italian Cafe.

[B]

Give it to me.

[A]

Give it to me.

[C]

The Louis Polina show.

[A]

It's awesome. That sounds fun and not creepy.

[C]

Listen in weekdays, Levitt at 2 in the zone.

[A]

And we're back. Tech Sags Live, presented by David Gardner. Stewart Barlow Insurance studio hour number three of the program. I found it very interesting. Billy, not interesting. I was just. I was jealous. I think it was two hours after you left or something. Like you're already back having lunch with the staff here. Like, I was like, wait, it was just here? And then 12 hours later we got home.

[C]

That was rough. Yeah. Luke came and met me in. In Spring or Cyprus, I guess. In Cyprus. Yeah. It was. It was crazy. How late? Because I think I Was probably. Yeah, probably asleep before y' all landed. And I damn near wanted to fall asleep before you guys took off because it was. It was a pretty exhausting trip. I wasn't out too late during all that, but, I mean, I was out past midnight every night. And then other than Sunday when I hung out with y'.

[B]

All.

[A]

But why do you say it like that? I was actually surprised.

[C]

It was a wholesome. It was a wholesome night. We did.

[A]

You did not invite me to anything.

[C]

Ice cream. Nuno wouldn't have any ice cream, which pissed me off.

[A]

Is that why you didn't invite me to hang out? Usually you invite me one night to hang out.

[B]

Got.

[A]

I got zero em.

[C]

Yeah, I should have.

[A]

That's all right.

[C]

I should have. You know, I should have. You know why, though? Because out there on Eastern, in the Eastern time zone, you know, we weren't having to go on till 9am so that was nice.

[A]

It's still the same time, but.

[C]

No, it is not.

[A]

It is the same time. No, the show is at 8, so the wake up is the same time. In Central. It's the same time.

[C]

No, it's not.

[A]

Yes. Your circadian rhythm, it takes a few days to adapt.

[C]

No, it's not. If you go to bed when the clock says one thing and you wake up when the clock says one thing, that is still the same number of hours that you slept and rested.

[A]

Sure.

[C]

So, yeah, everything is starting at the same, but it's not.

[A]

It's the same.

[C]

This guy. So what he does is he keeps his. All of his watch, clocks everything. The way he talks is central time zone. When you're in the Eastern time zone, it's the most confusing, silly thing I've ever heard. Because you'll be like, well, you're on it. You're on at 10. We have you for 10. And I'm like, okay, Central.

[A]

I always say Central 10.

[C]

No, you don't. You're on at 10. And I'm like, all right, well, then I'll be there at 10, Tampa time. And I'll walk over there and be like, no, it's not for another hour.

[A]

I. Not once you have an open seat on the show. There's not a time it's your show.

[C]

It'll be like, well, when so and so on, they're on at 10, and I'll get over there at 9. No, they're not on for another hour. It's just. It's the silliest thing I've ever seen anyone do.

[A]

I think it's the best thing I've ever done.

[C]

She did a great job hosting the show. And a lot of people were real complimentary around, like, that, talked to me on the side. And then they're like, you know, and they were like, why isn't he at dinner? And I'm like, well, I don't know

[A]

why he's not fun. No fun menu.

[C]

Honestly, a lot of it is that I don't think you'll go. I would have called you to go to Lionel Richie Wednesday night. I would have gone, I should have called you because I walked by the arena, and it was Earth, Wind and Fire and Lionel Richie right by our hotel. I was like, why are we not going to this?

[A]

I would have gone.

[C]

I would love to have seen Big Time Partier. I'd have been going all night long.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Dancing on the ceiling.

[A]

I would have taken Paul Feinbaum, my new good friend.

[C]

I would have seen you walk in. I would have been like, hello, Is

[A]

it me or looking.

[C]

Finally caught it after my third Lionel reference.

[A]

I think we should probably talk some football, even though we're passing.

[C]

What about Stuck on you?

[A]

Oh, stuck On.

[C]

That's.

[A]

What about the Commodores?

[C]

Yeah, Easy. Like Sunday morning. Brick house.

[A]

I'm not a big brick house guy.

[C]

What's. The Commodore? Is one that I love. Oh, man, there's. I'll keep going. I'll come back to it. Well, but you're getting. I'm giving you back your name.

[A]

What was the name of the guy performing yesterday? Like Cody Hernandez or something? Somebody. What's the dude's name that I'm looking

[C]

for A good Time. You don't know that one?

[A]

No, I don't know. It's maybe the way you say sail on. Oh,

[C]

okay.

[A]

Sounds like a country song.

[C]

A lot of Lionel. I always thought he sounded country. And then he did a country crossover album. It was really good. He got a signed copy of it. Huh. From our boy Josh, stage left ag.

[A]

What up, Josh?

[C]

We went to see Lionel, and Kenny Rogers came out with him. And my date to Lionel was. I'll just feed y' all's field. Keep in mind, this is like 12 years ago. My date was too young for Lionel, you know, like, probably like 26 at the time. Whatever. Oh, is that Kenny? We were like, kenny. And she's like, is that Kenny Chesney? It's Kenny Rogers.

[A]

Kenny Rogers. Chesney.

[C]

Either you can't see very far.

[A]

All right. We will actually talk football on the other side. I want to talk to you.

[C]

We're going to do go long today, too. I hope you know that.

[A]

I didn't know that because I wanted to go to sleep immediately after the show. 151 segment and preseason kickoff. I got to get ready for that. So that's tomorrow, by the way. Right now we'll hit a break. We will come back with a little bit more. Let me do this. Let's. We'll just hit a break. We'll. We'll figure it out on the other side. All right, we'll do it now. Never mind. When it comes to your money and your peace of mind, it starts with the right team. That right team is. Is our good friends at Aggie own Paragon Financial Advisors. They're an independent fiduciary firm 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, a CFA and a CPA. And their expertise does run deep at Paragon and credentials matter and so does your future. Visit paragon-adv.com or give them a call 979-693-3907 for your free consultation. Today it is Paragon Financial Advisors. Integrity, expertise and trust. Paragon Financial Advisors.

[C]

Because life is so much more than just sports. Pickles.

[A]

Pickles.

[C]

I like pickles. Join Chip Howard evenings four to six on the zone.

[A]

So breaking news doesn't affect tech stacks at all, but LeBron James is going

[B]

where Kaylee Dryer LeBron James is signing with the 76ers for a two year, $8 million deal.

[A]

Does this move the needle for the world? Like, do people care like they used to care?

[B]

I feel like not as much, but I do think it's pretty big news. I mean, the 76ers is definitely interesting.

[A]

Sham says breaking James is signing with the Sixers on a two year, $8 million deal with a player option Clutch sports group and clutch CEO, Blah Blah Blah tells ESPN. LeBron says, I thought I was done when the season was over. I wasn't ready to announce it. I needed some time to really decide, but wasn't sure I played my last game. I was honest.

[C]

Liar.

[A]

You don't believe him?

[C]

No, I don't think he ever thought he was done. No. Hell no. He thought he was done. My ass.

[A]

He's gonna.

[C]

That guy's gonna retire without like a, like a appreciation lap around the country.

[A]

You're right. I. I like Giannis, so I'm glad he's not going to Miami because I couldn't like Giannis if they played together. Just like I used to like Dwayne Wade. But they.

[C]

LeBron makes you hate who everybody plays with.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's how it works. Except for Luca.

[C]

I don't love him, but I don't. I don't have like anti feelings. I just don't. I'm just not a. I'm just not a LeBron guy. I appreciate the longevity. I just think it. It's a lot. It's a lot that. Unless old older school thinkers like me and you just don't. We're not used to that. You know, I'm a. Like, I don't like today's Tom Brady, but like, like, you know, you think about Jordan and Gretzky and Brady and. And Jeter.

[A]

Jeter.

[C]

I don't even. I don't even put Peyton quite in that category. But he was a star, though.

[A]

But like Dan Marino.

[C]

No, come on, man. I'm talking about just like iconic athletes of our time. You know, Tyson kind of gets put in there because his prime was incredible, but he's really shouldn't be with that group. But like, who else is in the. Magic Johnson's in that group. Tiger woods in that group. I respect short list.

[A]

I respect the longevity that I do respect. I don't respect.

[C]

And he's.

[A]

He's fantastic. One of the three best players ever.

[C]

Ever. Yeah, yeah. Maybe number two.

[A]

Yeah. Definitely not number one. But. But I'm just done with that sideshow. I just think it's too much of

[C]

a. I agree with that. But I do think that's an interesting pick of a team. That is very interesting pick of a team. The crew out there has already got them in the Finals. I was like, did you guys. I was just going to pretend like Brunson and the Knicks don't exist and they kind of rolled their eyes like they were like a flash in the pan.

[A]

I know we're going to go long, so we'll get into some A and M stuff. Probably on that side. I did want to ask you, by the way, I thought Sark, for the most part came across very likable yesterday. Was it yesterday? Yeah, yeah, sure.

[C]

I like Sark in there. I like. And I like. Arch is the one that's very like.

[A]

Yeah, for sure. Yeah.

[C]

He's one of those guys that you can really like but not root for because he's wearing the wrong colors. But there's nothing about him that you wouldn't like. The way he carries himself, the way he's handled.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

The attention and what kind of teammate he seems like. And seems like a good. By the Way a guy that really seemed. It comes off that he just. He absolutely loves football which is. It definitely shows. So I, I respect the way Art. You know, like I think teammate, person, character, all of the above. But I will not let that keep me from saying I still need to see him make strides in terms of his passing accuracy. I don't care about this number that these Longhorns are putting out. First three games, last 10 and they're going crazy because he threw 20 touchdowns his last 10 games. That's two a game. It's fine. It's nothing crazy. Interceptions are low. I like that they act like Kentucky, Mississippi State and by the way their fans and even my co host would love to give him a lot of credit for how he played at Georgia. But it's still. You're the quarterback of a team that produced one touchdown and that same thing's held against Marcel for the Miami game. When you're a quarterback and you can only get your team in the end zone once in a game which is also did in the second half of the season against Kentucky, it's nothing write home about. So I think he's got to get better and you know he sounds like the type guy that will.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And I do think he was certainly getting better as the season was going on. So there's no. I don't think anyone's crazy for thinking that's going to continue through the season. His ceiling is as high as any quarterback in my opinion in. In college football. Maybe he and C.J. carr to May or the two even more so than Dante Moore.

[A]

What I wanted to ask though and by the way, this is not a singular situation to Texas but Sark yesterday talking about the cut. Yeah.

[C]

I didn't. There was one thing I didn't like that he said and I liked. I liked Sark still. I thought he did a really good job at media days. I went back and was watching last night because I was traveling during that. I. I thought I liked his answers about the rivalries. I like that he didn't like them putting that thing up. Ridiculing Elko after and ridicule. It's all in like everything's fair game. But you know me, I don't like when the admins make fun of coaches and players.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Like you make fun poke fun at A and M and the Aggie fans if you're going back. You know. But like I don't like when they. And neither did Sar. Yeah. So I was glad to see it man. It didn't surprise Me, because that kind of stuff, you know, remember, he stopped.

[A]

He's the one who stopped them on

[C]

the Plant the flag here. Like, he. I liked what he was saying about the rivalry and karma and handling it. Right. My only problem with what he said because what. Everything he said about that topic, salary cap, basically, is true. It's roster management. It's where we're at. You have to make tough decisions. You know, A and M lost Cam Dewberry to Alabama. They lost T.J. shanahan to. To Penn State. He's now Florida. But you. They would have liked to have kept those two guys. Dewberry started a lot of games and, and Shanahan was still young and talented and started a few games and. But when it's. It's the ask versus I'll give you a good example here in a second. But my only thing I. An A and M example. My only thing I didn't like about what he did was I don't think he should have mentioned those players by name.

[A]

I agree.

[C]

And I don't think he was trying to. Well, he was trying to because at the end he said, I think you guys would all agree that our skill, what we replaced him with basically is better. I don't think you should have done that. Everyone could assume who they are. You didn't have to say their names, you know. But I also get what the reality is. Parker Livingstone wanted more money than they thought they should pay for that. Trey Wisener, if he got as much as people are claiming he got to go to Florida State, that's too much. I think a Rylan Kennedy would be similar in Florida State, you know, like, so Rylan's a good example. And Cam Dubai, like, if they're going to pay those guys that much more, you say, hey, here's what we can do. You have to come. And I can say names. I don't think I had. Coach.

[A]

Sure, I agree with that.

[C]

I don't. And so like, to me say Texas went and got Hollywood Smothers and Rayleigh Brown, okay, Who led the Big 12 in the ACC in rushing last year. A and M stuck with the only veteran that's coming back is Reuben Owens. And they said, we're going to ride with Ruben Owens. There's some thought that goes into that. If Reuben Owens would have come in and said, hey, I want a million dollars a year, then you have to look and go, well, what does a million dollars get us out there? And if it gets you more production, if it gets you, you know, a quote unquote, Better back then, hey, Reuben, sorry, like that's too high, we think for your production. And we're going to go. And then you go your separate ways. But when you're evaluating Ruben Owens versus guys like Smothers and Brown, you look and you go, okay, these guys did this, but he did this in the Big 12, he did this in the ACC. Now we're going to look at tape and Reuben did this in, in the sec. We're looking at yards per carry and we're going to look at, you know, we're going to get, you know, go with our gut on what we think here. And we're also going to factor in what they cost. And I'm making up a number of. Smothers and Brown were each 7, 800, $900 million. You factor that in as well to your decision. So the decision in this case was Ruben's the best for us. He's been in the system. We believe in him. We think he's going to take another jump. You look at all that and you made the decision to do that. Texas looked at Trey Wisner and what he was asking for and looked at his production in all games outside of A and M and I guess OU and said that's a wild number for his production. Same with Parker. We're moving on another direction. I think with Parker they said we need to spend about 3 million-plus to get CAM Coleman. So sorry, you weren't going to get much more anyway, but you're damn sure not getting that. And he went and got it and Wisener went and got it and Rylan Kennedy and Cam Dewberry went and got it.

[A]

So are they getting better running backs, you think? Texas?

[C]

Oh, without question. Then they had. Yeah, no doubt. I mean, because Cedric Baxter, so, you know, oft injured, he was a five star back in the day. But yeah, they definitely look, they upgraded significantly at receiver and running back and that's the part of Arch that you. All right. And I think, you know, I think A and M kind of just, you know, it's funny because people were asking me what did you think about A and M and the Portal? I think they did a great job, but I just don't think you always know that right away with. It's like people weren't jumping up and down for Cassius or Will Lee or I'm talking about outside of Aguilen or Maje Reed Adams or you know, I'm trying to think of who were some other. Who's some other Portal guy, Craver. They, they were jumping up and down over KC Nut Craver as much Ratcliffe like these are all guys that end up being like multiple year portal starters that went on or will go on to the NFL. And I think that's what you're going to see. This staff recruit more so than the than the Cam Colemans of the world. But they will recruit Cam Colemans. Casey Concepcion was their Cam Coleman. Anto Saka might be, you know he's a one year guy that you hope can be played like an all conference level so they'll do it. But generally Elko likes multi year transfers.

[A]

We'll hit a break, we'll come back with a final segment but if premium subscriber you can watch the overtime because we're going to just continue on for a few minutes after the show on TechSags.com all right. Burgers for the Brave Parking Lot party. You know Bubba's 33 is our partners. They give our post game meal for home games are fantastic. The food is great when you go to Bubba's Dirty three, but they love to give back. And join them this month for a wrap up of an incredible month of community support for Burgers for the Brave Parking Lot Party. They're going to announce their final fundraiser total for Homes for Our Troops, recognize two outstanding local veterans, enjoy live music, shop with local vendors and make one last push to support the amazing cause. Bring the whole family. Kids can enjoy face painting and balloon artists while everyone takes part in an evening of great food, entertainment and community. It's the perfect family outing and a chance to make a lasting difference for our nation's heroes. It is Bubba's 33. Check them out on Highway 6. You're gonna love it. Bubba's 33, the money machine.

[C]

Back to school begins July 27th.

[A]

Your chance to win 5K from the

[C]

zone and the Louis Bellina show

[A]

the Inconvenient Truth here on Tech Sacks Live. We are presented by David Gardner's Jewelers. We are in the Rollo Insurance. Wasn't that a movie?

[C]

Yeah. Was it a podcast? Whatever.

[A]

Yeah, whatever. It doesn't matter. Anyway, we're going to go long so we're gonna do Texas overtime. We got about two minutes left on terrestrial radio.

[C]

One thing I want to say on your terrestrial radio, I was listening this morning to terrestrial radio or XM and it was New Heisel and maybe Childers. Oh, New Heisel was, you know, talking up A and M and New high school. You gotta, I gotta see if I think it was Childers. Who was he the one that made a run at Olin.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But he was like, I, I just can Marcel Reed win a big game? I'm just like, bro. And that was kind of a thing that was going on over there too. And I'm like, what are we doing like that games just because of one game. The other one just leaves your memory altogether. On the road in South Bend in front of Touchdown Jesus against a really good football team that finished 11 and two or whatever should have been in the playoff. In the playoff. And a fourth and fourth down touchdown pass. Was it fourth and 13 for a touchdown to win the game. Drive down the whole field to win it. Lay 400 yards and people go, people like this are saying can he win a big game? It's ridiculous. And it's more I, I agree with. Can he make that final step or the next step? Because he does have two years left. Can he make that next step to be an all sec first or second team qb? To be a, a quarterback that wins games in the playoffs and kind of perform like Chambliss did in the playoffs versus like what he and Mattier did, you know where they didn't get it done at home. Okay, that's a fair question. But to say can he win a big game?

[A]

It's so strong.

[C]

Stupid. And like they act like going to Baton Rouge at night was not even Guys remember all you people were picking LSU to beat A M at home in that game and Nussmeier and you know they were ranked and this was a just a very difficult proposition for A and M and they went out there and Marcel had four touchdowns or whatever. So it's crazy to me how much focus they put. And I saw the stat. 25 touchdowns, eight pick zero touchdowns.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Those two games have really shaped how people perceive Martel. I think it's absolutely ridiculous. With the American Express Platinum card you can access over 3, 500 in annual value with benefits and eligible purchases across travel, entertainment and more. There's nothing like Platinum. Learn more@american express.com Explore Platinum enrollment requirements, monthly and other limits in terms of.