TexAgs Live - Dennis Dodd + Aaron Torres : 07.16.26

Summary

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Podcast Summary: TexAgs Live – Dennis Dodd + Aaron Torres

Zone 1150 - TexAgs Live | July 16, 2026
Host(s): David Nuño, Billy Liucci, Olin, TexAgs crew
Guests: Dennis Dodd (longtime CBS college football writer), Aaron Torres (Fox Sports Radio, Aaron Torres Online)

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Overview

This episode dives deep into the evolving landscape of SEC and Texas A&M football, the implications of playoff and scheduling changes, and the shifting balance of power in college football. Dennis Dodd joins to discuss macro trends, playoff mathematics, and league politics; Aaron Torres delivers further perspective on SEC parity and “yeah, but” factors that cloud every team’s championship hopes. Other segments touch on fan reactions, British sports commentary, and media consumption.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dennis Dodd on SEC and Texas A&M’s 2026 Outlook

• TAMU’s Direction under Elko [(00:49)]

  • Dennis Dodd: “The trajectory is going in the right direction... all the arrows are pointing up, but there's some huge buts this season for the concern for regression, let's put it that way.”
    • Notable challenges: Loss of both coordinators.
    • Seven starters gone from offense.
    • The impact of the ninth SEC conference game increases risk, guarantees more league losses.
    • Difficult closing stretch: “at Alabama, at South Carolina, Tennessee at home, OU and Texas.”

• Marcel Reed’s Status

  • Reed is a Heisman contender, “should be bigger and better this year – would like to see him more accurate.”
    • Dodd: “If you got a quarterback, you got a chance.”

2. Expanded Playoff & SEC Playoff Math

• Can 9-3 SEC Teams Make the Playoff? [(02:19)]

  • “Oh, I think it’s very realistic... especially from this league, given the schedule you played.”
  • Expansion to nine conference games means stronger schedules will be weighed, more teams “battle-tested,” making 9-3 records more respectable.
  • Dodd reminds: SEC and Big Ten agreed to the expanded game largely because of promises on playoff expansion.

• Frustrations Over Playoff & Schedule Stagnation

  • Host inquires: Could the SEC undo the ninth game if playoff expansion stalls?
    • Dodd: “That’s trying to unthread the needle. I don’t think you can do that. ... The money is the money. ... Everybody in the league eventually supported it because of the access."

3. SEC Ups and Downs: Who’s Rising, Who’s Regressing?

[(05:14)]

• Teams at Risk:

  • Vanderbilt, Missouri identified for step backs (QB/roster issues, tough schedules, “not sold on Austin Simmons”).
  • Georgia: Incredible standard—“When you’re a superpower, if you don’t win it all, it’s kind of a failure.” ([06:15])

• Potential risers:

  • Tennessee: “Nobody’s talking about Tennessee... they’ve recruited well, they might be a team that moves up.”

4. Conference “Yeah Buts” – The Uncertainty Principle

[(07:15)]

• Every contender has critical uncertainties:
  • Alabama: “They’ve underachieved... they’ve got to find a quarterback. ... If they slide back, [coach] is going to be fired.”
  • Texas: “Everything's the same for Texas this year. ... Supposed to win the Heisman... SEC... Nat'l Championship... nothing’s changed.”
  • Texas’s roster is cited as possibly the most expensive ever—“some expectations, guys.”
• Dodd notes the Big Ten has eclipsed the SEC in recent seasons: “Three outright national championships in a row for the Big Ten... they make the most money by far. ... the Big Ten is past them for the time being.” ([09:00])

5. College Football Governance & The Future

• Protect College Sports Act & Congressional Drama [(10:26)]

  • College football powers are lobbying for federal intervention, but the proposed act targets SEC and Big Ten expansion.
  • Dodd: “The athlete hasn’t been at the table for any of these negotiations. ... I don’t think [the Act] is going to pass, which means more chaos.”

• Vision for 2030 [(12:37)]

  • Dodd predicts a landscape similar to now, not a 30-40 team “super league.”
  • SEC & Big Ten benefit from status quo; possible self-governance and player payment model.
  • Expansion only (possibly) if Clemson, Miami, FSU, or Notre Dame became available.
  • “There’s no additive schools to the SEC or Big Ten that make them better.”

• Notre Dame Independence [(15:13)]

  • “They get to keep every single dollar they bring in. ... They’re a brand amongst themselves.”
  • Key offseason story: Notre Dame now gets a guaranteed playoff spot if in top 12 but still can’t get a playoff bye.

6. Culture and Fan Talk – Parallels with British Soccer Fans

[(17:18)]

• Segment plays a dramatic British TV post-mortem after England’s soccer loss.
  • “Sports fans are the same regardless of where you are, regardless of the sport.” – Host (18:45)
  • Lively discussion on whether the “passion” of British fans is any different from SEC fans after a tough loss.

7. Pop Culture Tangent – British TV > American?

• Host claims British TV writing (e.g., Peaky Blinders, Luther) surpasses US.
• Banter about accents & media preferences, including soccer commentary.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On TAMU’s Season Outlook:
  Dennis Dodd [01:03]:
  “There's some huge buts this season... You lose both coordinators... That ninth conference game... at Alabama, at South Carolina, Tennessee, at home, OU and Texas... That's gonna be tough.”

• On SEC Playoff Realities:
  Dennis Dodd [02:29]:
  “Oh, I think it’s very realistic... Especially from this league, given the schedule you played. ... That was like throwing red meat to a lion.”

• On “Yeah, Buts” & Parity:
  Dennis Dodd [07:36]:
  “There’s a yeah but about the whole league... the Big Ten is past them for the time being. ... I don’t see [multiple superpowers] this year unless a team like Texas fulfils its destiny.”

• On the Protect College Sports Act:
  Dennis Dodd [10:26]:
  “The athlete hasn't been at the table for any of these negotiations. ... The people that are running it are wrong. The leadership is wrong.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:49 | Dodd on Texas A&M challenges/progress under Elko | | 02:19 | Playoff mathematics – 9-3 SEC record playoff viability | | 04:30 | “Could SEC go back on the 9th game?” – Nope, $ is committed | | 05:15 | Biggest SEC risers and fallers predictions | | 07:15 | “Yeah, buts” – Uncertainties plaguing every SEC contender | | 10:26 | Congressional intervention, Protect College Sports Act | | 12:37 | What 2030 looks like: Super League vs. status quo | | 15:13 | Notre Dame’s playoff leverage & independence | | 17:18 | British soccer fan meltdown – global sports passion | | 34:36 | Aaron Torres: SEC parity/“yeah, but” takes | | 36:50 | Aaron Torres: TAMU’s “yeah, but” factors (O-Line/schedule) |

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Aaron Torres Segment Highlights

• “Yeah, but” Factors for TAMU [(36:50)]
  • Offensive line attrition is “probably the O line” his biggest concern.
  • Schedule is a step up: “You gotta play at Oklahoma, at Bama, at LSU, Tennessee late, Texas at home.”
• Key Point:
  • "Everybody else has yeah, buts too. ... It's going to be much more like the NFL where...the gap is just so small, especially in the SEC, between 1 and 16, between any team on any given Saturday.”
• On Narrative vs. Reality:
  • “Somebody’s gotta win these games and somebody’s gotta lose them... maybe you get by to the end of the year and you realize, hey, Alabama wasn't as good as we thought.”

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Memorable Moments & Color

• Segment replaying a British postgame rant builds camaraderie with SEC fans, highlighting universal sports heartbreak.
• Tongue-in-cheek media banter about the perceived superiority of British TV writing and whether accents impact enjoyment.
• Multiple references to how “every top team has at least one major ‘yeah, but’”—a recurring theme for the entire episode.

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Takeaways

• Texas A&M is “trending up” but faces deep questions, notably offensive turnover and a brutal closing gauntlet thanks to SEC schedule expansion.
• The expanded SEC schedule amplifies the reality that every contender is vulnerable—parity prevails, and “yeah, but” debates dominate preseason prognostication.
• Playoff access for 9-3 teams now seems more plausible given strength of schedule.
• Broader college football is at a crossroads: The balance of power, financial drivers, and governance mechanics are all in flux—2026 and beyond may see even more realignment, but no seismic “Super League” shift is expected.
• Fan passion and emotional volatility are universal, not regional.

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Final Note

For Texas A&M fans: The optimism for Elko’s program is justified, but caution is warranted—SEC parity is at its historic zenith, and even the most loaded rosters (e.g., Texas, Georgia) have pivotal question marks. The only certainty: every contender’s 2026 journey will be shaped by “yeah, but”—and the little things that break one way or another on Saturday afternoons.

Transcript

[Host 1]

We're back here on Tech Sacks Live. We're presented by David Gardner Schuler's Rollo Insurance Studio. Go. Our extended ob Sticking around. Dennis Dodd, who's a good friend of the program, joining us here on the Bupes Catering and Bartending hotline, was with CBS Forever. And Dennis, if I'm right, you're doing a sports show now on the weekends.

[Dennis Dodd]

Yeah, I got a little show in. In Nashville. Appearing on it just to keep. Keep my toes wet and forces me to keep track of the game, which I love. So, yeah, just a little bit.

[Host 2]

Are you living in Nashville now?

[Dennis Dodd]

No, I live in Kansas.

[Host 2]

Yeah, that's what I thought.

[Dennis Dodd]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Okay. But just doing it out of. Out of Nashville.

[Dennis Dodd]

So through the magic of electronics, we can. You can appear in other cities.

[Host 2]

You just can't get college football out of your blood.

[Dennis Dodd]

I can't. I can't. I did some preseason magazines. The wife has read the Riot act. So not too much, just a little.

[Host 1]

Well, Dennis, let's. We'll start off with our team. They'll kind of work our way around your thoughts on A and M here. Entering Elko's third year as the head coach, playoff birth didn't go as planned in the playoffs, but the trajectory seems to be going in the right direction.

[Dennis Dodd]

The trajectory is going in the right directions. I think all the arrows are pointing up, but. There's some huge buts this season for the concern for regression, let's put it that way. The fact that you lose both coordinators, for better or worse, you lose seven starters on offense. I think one of the biggest stories in the SEC this year, and it's obvious, but specifically for Texas A Mm, is the ninth conference game. Everybody's gonna have to live with it, but it assures that half the league has another loss. And when you're chasing a playoff spot or you're chasing a bowl or you're chasing a winning record, that's huge. And I'm looking at that. The end of the schedule starting October 24th. Last five games at Alabama, at South Carolina, Tennessee, at home, OU in Texas. That's gonna be tough. Now, that being said, if you got a quarterback, you got a chance. Marcel Reed is a Heisman contender. He was last year. He should be bigger and better this year. I'd like to see him a little bit more accurate. And A M as a whole has to get that bad taste out of its mouth from. From the playoff game with Miami.

[Host 2]

Yes. As you talked about with the ninth game is going to be so much more difficult. So how realistic in your mind is it that a 9 and 3 team can get into the playoff?

[Dennis Dodd]

Oh, I think it's very realistic. I did a story from Destin a couple of years ago when we were, when it was coming to, I think, going from 4 to 12, and I just. I just threw it out there to the coaches, you know, like, are we. Are we looking at nine and three getting into the playoff, especially from this league, given the schedule you played? And that was like throwing red meat to a lion. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. We're going to have nine and three.

[Host 2]

Yeah, yeah.

[Dennis Dodd]

Now I think it's. It's more than ever because of the schedule strength of the SEC. The downside of this is the coaches, the ADs, and the presidents who had to vote on this were sold the fact that part of the reason they did expand to nine games was that the playoff, you know, the playoff bracket was going to expand. And we can talk about 16 and 24 as long as we want, but that's a real sticking point with the SEC in Big Ten. I think it could be two or three years before this thing even expands. And what, what impact does that have on the SEC when teams are being left out? As I said, you know, having to play that extra game, extra conference game that half the teams are going to lose every other year. You're playing five road games and four home games in the conference. But to your question, I don't think it's nine and three if you win the best nine, you know, we're having that conversation. I think Texas, I still think Texas deserved a shot last year, you know, for the things they accomplished on the field. So, no, it's going to happen, and it's probably going to happen pretty soon because the field, to my mind, because what I just said is not going to expand anytime soon.

[Host 1]

So is there any way to go backwards, Dennis? Like, all right, we're not getting our teams in the playoffs that we expected to get in when we expanded the nine. We haven't expanded the playoffs to 16 or 20 or 24. Do they. I mean, is it too late to tell ESPN and everybody else we're going back to eight?

[Dennis Dodd]

Yeah, I think that's a. That's trying to unthread the needle. I don't think you can do that. I mean, remember how many years they talked about this? How many years in the off season at Destin did we, Greg Sankey, get up there and talk about adding the ninth game and the hurdles and the advantages? I got sick of writing about it. I got sick of asking about it. So I don't think they're going to go backward. The money is the money. They're not going to, you know, that's the biggest reason they got more money for adding the ninth game. Everybody in the league eventually supported it because of the access. So it's going to be what it's going to be. I just think there's going to be that uncomfortable period until, and I do believe the bracket is going to expand at some point, obviously, but until it does or maybe some uncomfortable points here.

[Host 2]

Dennis, do you have an opinion on what team in the SEC may take the biggest jump forward this year and what team may be have the biggest drop?

[Dennis Dodd]

Wow. The biggest jump. You know, if you look at teams like last year, I think like Vanderbilt takes a step back for obvious reasons, they lose their quarterback, maybe Missouri takes a step back. Their, their schedule is really, really tough. And I'm not sold on, on Austin Simmons. You know, it's taking a step back. I mean Georgia is really, really good. They have gunners, Stockton. They have a quarterback who's, who's capable. And you know what, that's okay when you're Georgia, the receivers are better, the defense is great, but they're the two time defending champs in this league and they, there was a perception I think in Georgia as well that they've underachieved because they haven't made a run in the playoffs. And that's one of the, the downsides of the playoffs. When you're a superpower, if you don't win at all, it's kind of a failure. We're kind of seeing it the World cup, you know, some of these powers that aren't, you know, playing for it, the season's a failure, the World Cup's a failure. So I don't want to say Georgia takes a step back, but when the standard is a third straight SEC title, well, they make the playoff, they got a great shot. But unless they make a run, then that's a step back. So you know, a team like Georgia, is that a step forward? You know, not, not Texas, maybe a Tennessee. Nobody's talking about Tennessee. They've got, they've got to find a quarterback or get a capable quarterback. A team that can make a run. They always have players. They were the, to me for years they were the Auburn of, until they broke through against Alabama a couple of years ago. They were, they were the Auburn junior of the SEC where you wrote about them and talked about them and they didn't do squat. Now Tennessee's on. On the. They've recruited well. They might be a team that moves up.

[Host 1]

Dennis, I want to go back to the comment you made about A and M. Yeah, but. And just looking at the SEC overall because I feel like in today's era there's a lot of. Yeah, buts like lsu. Yeah. But they got a quarterback who's coming off an injury and they got a new scheme. Alabama. They got to figure out their quarterback situation and it's going to be a first year starter. There's a kind of go through some other. Yeah. Buts if you can.

[Dennis Dodd]

Yeah. No, you mentioned Alabama. It's hard. Look, they've. They've underachieved. They've gone 28, 20 and 8. And Kaylin DeBoer's first two seasons. Why he got extended, I have no idea. With the Jimmy Sexton special, you know, there was, I guess there were some rumors at Penn State and Michigan State were coming after him. He never interviewed with them. He was happy. He gets seven years and a bigger buyout. Okay, that's fine. I guess that shows a message to the recruits. But they've got to find a quarterback. They go into to camp with a quarterback battles. I don't know if they're a team that. That overachieves. If they slide back, he's going to be fired. You know, so they've got to take that next step into the playoff and be successful into a playoff. There's a. Yeah, but about the whole league. Because to my sense, because the reason why the SEC is in this situation, it's in right now and I wrote about it in Athlon. It's like whatever happened to the sec? Tongue in cheek. But the Big Ten is past them for the time being. Everything's cyclical. But I think we, we have to. There's no arguing three outright national championships in a row for the Big Ten in a playoff format for the first time since 1942. They make the most money. They make the most money by far. And they've somehow found a way to weaponize it on the field. Indiana certainly done it. Others have Michigan winning a national championship. Ohio State's always good. So the SEC's got to get back. They can't have too many nine and three teams. They have to have one, two or three superpowers like they usually usually have in those years when they won 13 out of 17 national championships. And I don't see that this year unless, unless a team like Texas because as I said, I think Georgia is probably going to be in It. Unless a team like Texas fulfills its destiny. And in Texas, look, everything's the same for Texas this year. And an Arch Manning, I look at it, nothing's changed, okay? He's. He's supposed to win the Heisman same as last year. Supposed to win the SEC same as last year. Supposed to win the national championship same as last year, go to the playoff, win it all same as last year. So what's changed with Archman? You know, I thought he was. He not the team. I thought he was overall an above average quarterback. He was, he was really good at the end. I don't know where Texas sits. They look like they're loaded. I mean, anecdotally they're telling us that they're spending $50 million on the roster. Those are some expectations, guys. So they need two or three teams to step up and not have a bunch of 10 and 2, 9 and 3 teams that go to the playoff and flame out.

[Host 2]

Dennis, has ever, when, if ever, does all these people in college football come to an agreement about what they want? You know, like this, this, this.

[Host 1]

Yeah, Protect College Sports Act.

[Nick]

Yeah.

[Dennis Dodd]

Yeah. We could go for the next two hours on that. I just think it's ironic. All the commissioners, all the powers that be, have gone to Capitol Hill for seven straight years begging Congress to intervene, keep all these different state laws from being able to do our duty, being able to do our work, give us an antitrust exemption. Then when a bill, the bill that's advanced the furthest finally comes through is basically aimed right at the SEC in Big Ten. That's the reason they haven't agreed to it and may not agree to support it. I mean, how do you not see that coming? What are you paying these lobbyists for? Part of it is an agenda. I think Cody Campbell, billionaire, is part of this commission who formed this bill, this Protect College Sports Act. It was him. You know, don't forget, de facto owner of Texas Tech, not Michigan or Texas or A and M. Texas Tech is guiding the discussion. And the president of the New York Yankees, Randy Levine, whose stated purpose in life as a Major League Baseball owner is to cap salaries. I mean, we, we know that from baseball. And what does that say to the athlete? The athlete hasn't been at the table for any of these negotiations. And part of me said, you guys, you know, the conferences deserve whatever you get because, you know, you didn't see this coming. And by the way, I don't think it's going to pass, which means more chaos. But I'm all for the Players getting paid, I'm fine. Anything that advances, and this is just personal, anything that advances, you know the cause for them to collectively bargain and or get a union is fine. For the last five years, we have witnessed what it will look like. It's not the end of the world. Ever since NIL started July 1, 2021, we know what it looks to get paid. We know what it looks like to get paid unlimited amounts of money. Not that that's going to be the future. And the game's never been more popular. Record ratings, record attendance, great games. So what's wrong? I think the people that are running it are wrong. The leadership is wrong.

[Host 1]

So Dennis was looking 2030, let's say, what does college football look like in your opinion, 2030. Do they have some kind of collective bargaining? Do we have a super conference? What is going to look like?

[Dennis Dodd]

Yeah, I was at a point when people would ask me that. I said, yeah, it was going to be a Super League. 30 or 40 teams. I don't think that's going to happen. I think it's too valuable to conferences like the Big Ten and the SEC stay the way they are. What they're really concerned about right now is the way that the Protect College Sports act is worded that it would keep them from expanding and that's a big reason they don't want to support it. Not that they are. Not that they're looking at teams, but they want to have that option if it ever comes about. So, okay, what does it look like in 2030? We are right at the end of the TV deals for every major conference except the the ACC, which expires in 2036, I think, and the SEC expires in 2033. So they'll be talking about what those, those contracts look like. The biggest consideration I guess right now for that sort of talk is the NFL is going to go to market before that and the NFL is going to suck all the oxygen and all the money out of the room. They're talk. I saw. What did I see? I saw and I'm not no expert on NFL TV negotiations, but nine figures, 10 figures, 12 figures. That's what it would be hundreds of billions of dollars to to get the NFL contract for various holders. So I think it's going to look much the way it does now. I think there may be a situation where the SEC and or the Big Ten decide to go with self governance and say, you know what, we're going to pay the players. We are going to have our own enforcement staff. If you think about that. That doesn't preclude them from playing anybody. It stays the same. But they don't want to be under this, you know, under the, the restrictions of the Protect College Sports Act. So I thought at one time we might have a super league. I think these leagues are too valuable at the top the way they are to, to do that. It's going to be very careful. I think the only teams that bring value to any of these top two leagues are Clemson, Miami. It was Florida State maybe, and that's a big maybe, and Notre Dame, and that's about it. There's no additive schools to the SEC or Big Ten that make them better. So I think it looks a lot, a lot like it is now.

[Host 2]

Did you ever, ever say Notre Dame

[Dennis Dodd]

in a conference ever?

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

What's it going to take?

[Dennis Dodd]

Ever? But yeah, I mean, what. Not the way it's structured right now. They get to keep every single dollar they bring in. They don't have to share it with anybody. They're a brand amongst themselves. And now Orland, I think everybody realizes this. One of the biggest stories of the offseason, at least to me, was they get a guaranteed spot if they're in the top 12. I mean, I, I made some calls yesterday because I still didn't understand what had they done, what leverage did they have to get to get that designation? And I was told that part of it had to do with the fact when, that when the playoffs started, they can never, they can never get a buy in the first round. The highest they can finish is fifth. Even if they're number one, they won't get a buy in the first round and, and go right to the second round. Okay, so in return for that, you know, they've asked for this. The other part of this is what almost happened in the ACC last year. If Duke would have won that championship game, they would have been a bid stealer potentially and knocked Notre Dame out on. Notre Dame got knocked out anyway. Miami was chosen. But a team. My point is a team ranked below them or not even ranked with a chance to get into the playoff. This was on the books for a while and Notre Dame got it, so I guess I'm okay with it. But in answer to your question, it's another reason why they wouldn't join a conference. And there's no real, you know, there's no real push for them to do it right now.

[Host 1]

Dennis, great stuff, my friend. Thank you so much for joining us. Appreciate your time. I hope to see you soon.

[Host 2]

Dennis.

[Dennis Dodd]

All right. Thanks to you guys. Thanks.

[Host 1]

Great seeing you. Dennis Dodd. Always a great conversation. Obi, before I let you go. All right. We're already late for a break, but I do want to play that British sound bite to see if we want to respond at all. Who was it that said it? David Ubin. Right. I want to see how crazy it is. I have not watched it. I just saw tweets about it. So here's the British show breaking down what happened to England yesterday and how that matches. Maybe what the postgame rap is like. Or our Monday show. Let's take a look.

[Caller or Guest]

You can almost accept it. I know you're playing against Argentina. You can't sit off for 25 minutes against Argentina. He absolutely bottled it. Thomas Tuchel's cost us the World Cup. He cost us the World Cup. We're one nil up. Played well, first off. All right. KG affair. We go one nil up. Be brave. Be brave, Thomas. This is what we brought you in for. We brought you in for this moment. We got rid of Southgate because he bottled it because he weren't brave. We brought you in for now to make that decision. We're one nil up in a World cup semi final. Bring on Rashford. Bring on Saka. And if they score, they score. But at least we're gonna go down fighting. At least we're gonna go down with some pride. We fell out of the World cup in disgrace because of him. Because of him. And we brought him in for this job. This is what we brought him in for, to get us over this line. And it's the same old England. Same old crap, same old guff. I have to watch every tournament that we're in. And it's the managers. Tucked us up again. Tucked us up. We're on. We're dead on our feet. Got Morgan Rogers playing right wing. Jude Bellingham on the left. Brings on Nico Riley. We can't get out. Harry Kane's done nothing. He's dead. Nothing. Got nothing left.

[Dennis Dodd]

I don't.

[Caller or Guest]

I don't. I don't. Can't believe it. Jace. But, Jace. I can't believe it. It's a disgrace. It should be sacked. Get him out. Gone.

[Dennis Dodd]

I. I told.

[Host 1]

I don't think it was that bad. I think it was pretty tight.

[Host 2]

All that tells me is that sports fans and. And. And reporters are all the same all over the country. I expect the only difference is, like if. Like in a Jimbo Fisher when we were the first. The only difference is we've never, no matter what the situation was. Referred to it as a cagey affair.

[Host 1]

That's true.

[Host 2]

Which I kind of liked actually. But sports fans are the same regardless of where you are, regardless of the sport.

[Host 1]

I was expecting a T Bob and Matt Moscone meltdown after A and M destroyed him.

[Host 2]

I didn't know Ricky Gervais was A.

[Host 1]

I didn't know that.

[Caller or Guest]

So ubit.

[Host 1]

I don't have a respons. I think if you were to watch the post game show after Appalachian State that, you know, that was kind of tame. Yeah, that was kind of pg. Yeah. So you're right. Texacts we have. Well, we didn't lose anything yet. So I'd say rewind and put the post game wrap after the Miami game. The go hour after the Miami game, the Texas game. Anywho, Obi, thank you buddy. We'll hit a break, we'll come back. I want to kind of go back into the yeah but segment that Dennis Dodd told us. But right now, great news ags. If you want a one stop shop for nothing but AM Related Content the Association of Former Students is proud to share the aggiespirit.com a website that is designed for the Aggie network where the 12th man can scroll anytime, anywhere. The aggiespirit.com features nothing but Aggie generated content from social news, good bull and what's going on at A and M with education, research, campus life to former students doing great things. You can like the content by giving it a gigging or share the content on your own personal network via your social media channel of choice. Giving it a Whoop on the aggiespirit.com you also have the opportunity to share your own Aggie content for the opportunity to be featured on the website. So for 147 years the Aggie Network has existed with and would not exist if it wasn't for the Aggie spirit. And that's because of friends like you who help fuel the Aggie spirit across generations through generosity and good bull. Visit theaggyspirit.com that's theaggyspirit.com today to experience the latest Aggie content across social news, video and more. It's the association of Former Students.

[Dennis Dodd]

Music, music history, history and some occasional sports.

[Host 1]

Chip Howard Chip Howard Weekdays 4 to 6 on the Zone 11:50am Number 1 and 93.7 FM. All right, do you think we have any British listeners?

[Nick]

Very slim. Must be my guess.

[Host 1]

People who have an English accent. Do you listen? If you do, I got a question for you.

[Nick]

Call into the show.

[Host 1]

You can call into the show. And if you call in with a fake British accent, I might even find a way to hook you up with a high five. That being said, 979693, 1150 is the Buffy's Catering and bartending hotline. My question is. So I was talking to Kay about that video. The British guys breaking down the England loss, and this is not gonna be a World cup segment. Although I know you have a question for me. Do British people listen to American accents the way we listen to British accents? Because I was talking to K and we both agreed what? That video wasn't ridiculous. Right? The commentary was not. Like, that. Seemed like a pretty normal response after your coach loses a game, right? Listen to an sec postgame show. Right? Like, I think that's pretty normal. But she did make the comment that the accent makes it better. Right? So I'm wondering, British folks. Sup? I was rooting for you guys. Do you guys listen to American shows and think the same thing? Oh, it's the accent. Or does our accent not stick out to them? Like, you hear a British accent, you're like, holy smokes. I don't know what he just said. You watch Peaky Blinders, which I know you don't, but I do. Sometimes I need subtitles. Yeah, sometimes I have no idea what he just said. And Thomas Shelby's like, my role model. I'd like to be like him, except a better dad, better husband. But I'd like to, you know, handle my business grievances the way he does.

[Host 2]

Kidding.

[Host 1]

But do you guys. The British people. And I think we probably have three listeners that are British, and they're probably not listening at the moment, but when you go back to the podcast and listen, tweet at me, text me, whatever. Don't text me. Text Olin. He loves to give out his phone number, but I want to know if you guys listen to it. What do you guys think?

[Nick]

I feel I. I don't ever talk about our accents. I feel like they don't talk about the American accent because the American accent, it's.

[Host 1]

But I don't know if you're the right source. I watch British television. No chance you do.

[Nick]

You're right. I don't.

[Host 1]

Nick, Big British television watcher.

[Dennis Dodd]

Why?

[Host 1]

I want to know why you watch British television. Oh, I'll tell you right now. This is easy. I know where this is going. But where's this going? Tell me. Well, because their news is more centered, right? No. Has nothing to do with news. Do you think I want centered news? No, that's true. You know what team I'm on? Yeah, Team Center. Anyway, no, the reason the best written shows are British. That's just the facts.

[Nick]

Can you give us some examples?

[Host 1]

Oh, I can give you several examples if you want. Peaky Blinders, Breaking Bad level of greatness. Okay. People who've watched that show will agree. If you haven't watched it, it's because you are anti voiceite. You don't like their voice. Okay. Peaky Blinders, Luther with Idris Elba. Or Idris Elba, Breaking Bad level of writing. Maybe better never seen. Should I keep going?

[Nick]

Please. Give me two more.

[Host 1]

There was. What's the name of that show? I can't remember the name of all the shows that I watched, but they're so good. They're fantastic. Let's see. Let's see.

[Dennis Dodd]

Let's.

[Host 1]

Oh, Sherlock Holmes. I thought I was gonna hate Sherlock Holmes. The movies are terrible. With Robert Downey Jr. I've tried 12 minutes out, but Benedict Cumberbatch, whatever his name is, fantastic. They made that show interesting for me. Like, I was like, I'm all in.

[Nick]

The only British show I ever know is Doctor who.

[Host 1]

Doctor who? I have not tried it. Just sounds time traveler who, like, talks to people.

[Nick]

Yeah, we used to just watch it back in, like, high school. It was very simple. I don't know any other British shows. You got me on the British media, okay?

[Host 1]

Downtown Abbey or Down, whatever. I've never watched it. Everybody says it's amazing. Black Mirror. Haven't watched it. Let's see. Killing Eve apparently is amazing. It's Searching for Answers. The Crown. I haven't watched that one either. But everybody says amazing. If you care about Queen Elizabeth. I don't care. The industry. The Devil's Hour. Ted Lasso.

[Nick]

Ted Lasso is the only kind of

[Host 1]

an American show, right?

[Nick]

It is an American show.

[Host 1]

All right. Doctor who fleabag. Don't know about that one, but the best. That's why Nick. Okay. And sometimes I like to watch British commentary on soccer. And I promise, the last thing you wanted to ask me about the debate between CR7 and Messi. Why it's such a passionate debate.

[Nick]

Yeah, I mean, I.

[Host 1]

It's not a passionate debate anymore. Messi's winning by a landslide.

[Nick]

Me and a lot of the audience, I don't keep up with soccer at all.

[Host 1]

CR7 fanboys.

[Nick]

I watch soccer for the World Cup.

[Host 1]

CR7 fanboys. At the time where he was at his peak, there was an argument to be made, okay. Over the. Over the history of the career. Messi is still playing at a Michael Jordan level late in his career while CR7 is playing like Michael Jordan on the Wizards. So that's. The debate's over, unfortunately. And I love CR7, but Messi is amazing to watch. I did want to talk about the. How did Dennis phrase it? The yeah, but. But I think we should maybe wait till after Aaron Torres to get into that because I got some yeah but ideas because I think I'll just do it now. Forget it. Sorry. Brian. Broadcasting deal with the long segment when it comes and Louis, shout out to you, you're my guy. When it comes to yeah buts. They're exactly right because I have the same yeah buts with A and M. We all should have the yeah, but I got to know about the offensive line. Yeah, but I got to know if Marcel cuts down his turnovers. Yeah, but there's a brand new defensive line. Yeah, but Damian Sanford's health, I get. Oh, yeah, but that freaking schedule. You're right. Those yeah buts. And I've always maintained a philosophy when you have too many question marks, they're not all going to land on your way. So you can't go all in. Right. If you don't have it. I didn't have a lot of question marks last year. I didn't. They exceeded my expectations. But I didn't have a lot of question marks last year. This year I have more question marks. Yeah, but to answer my own question, lsu, a ton of yeah buts. We just automatically assume because it's LSU and Lane Kiffin that oh, they're going to. It's going to be amazing. Maybe quarterback who has an injury last year, a rebuild offensive line, a defense that was better last year. But were they that good? Like that's still the same defense that Marcel. I was about to call him LeBron that Marcel demolished. Right. And he's done it for two straight years. So there's a yeah, but there Alabama. Yeah, they win some big games, but they lose some stinkers under Kaylan Deborah.

[Nick]

That's my big yeah but team is Alabama.

[Host 1]

They brand new quarterback, kind of similar

[Nick]

to A and M. You're losing a bunch of your offensive line like welcome form becomes here. Kaden Proctor goes to the NFL. The center, Parker Brailsford I think is his name goes to the NFL.

[Host 1]

Oklahoma. Yeah, but. Yeah, but their schedule. Okay. Yeah, but Mattier throws a lot of interceptions too.

[Caller or Guest]

A lot.

[Host 1]

Oh yeah, but his finger was hurt. Oh, he had a hurt hand. Well, he threw interceptions before that hurt hand.

[Nick]

I liked what Dennis Dodd was Talking about when it comes to Tennessee. Yeah, but they got to find a quarterback.

[Host 1]

They do, and I'm not. So you can do that for any team now, because A and M is our beat. You know, we. We heavily think about our potential deficiencies more than others. Right. You like. You think, oh, my God, you got to go on the road and do this. That. I think Coach Elko has earned the benefit of the doubt of winning on the road. This ain't 2021 through 2023. Right. Where winning on the road was not happening. One time, I think in that stretch. Right. It was the Missouri game after the Alabama win in 21. So you didn't win that until Elko was your head coach on the road. Okay. You went from 21 until the 24th season without winning on the road. Since then, all Elko does is pretty much win on the road. Okay.

[Caller or Guest]

A lot.

[Host 1]

So, anyway, I say all that. A lot of teams have. Yeah, buts. Ohio State. I gotta hit a break here. I know. I'm sorry, guys. Ohio State. Yeah, but have you seen their schedule? They're also replacing people. Texas. By the way, I am aware that Ohio State's not in the sec. I was doing SEC teams, but I threw them in there, and I had another cup of coffee. I shouldn't have. But Texas. Yeah, but I agree with everything what people say. The most expensive roster in the history. They're the New York Yankees roster. Okay, cool. Got it. Yeah, but Arch did show, as Dennis Dodge said, not David Nuno was average a lot of the season. Above average, I think, is how he phrased it. Yeah, but Kentucky happened. Yeah, but what was the other one? Kentucky and Mississippi State. Excuse me.

[Aaron Torres]

Now.

[Host 1]

You won those games.

[Host 2]

Props.

[Host 1]

But. Yeah. So there are. Yeah, buts for everybody. I understand that our team has significantly more than other teams, but I think our head coach has earned the. Not only the approval, but, like, the optimism. He's earned that optimism. Yeah, but if you disagree, you can text the show. Coming up next, Aaron Torres. He will probably disagree with everything I said. We're talking Heritage Films. Chance McLean runs that company. So recently I've been more focused on the farm and ranch side of his organization. If you own a farmer or a ranch and you're listening, you should probably consider having Chance to tell the story of your ranch. You just bought it, you inherited it, Whatever the story may be, your Yellowstone story. Let Chance and his team tell that in a documentary form for your entire family and for the future generations that are going to inherit that awesome land. But also, you Got an awesome story. I was with my parents yesterday, and, you know, my dad, we did his story a few years back. He's gonna be 96 in two weeks. July 31st, he'll be 96 years old. And we did his heritage films. And like, dude, I'm telling you, I said dude because you guys are family. When we watched that video together as a family with my kids and my wife and my brother's family and my mom, like, it was just. It was a really impactful moment, one that I know my kids are gonna remember 30 years from now. But also like 30 years from now when they share that video with their kids. That's what it's all about, is like keeping the family story alive. The website is YourHeritageFilm.com YourHeritishFilm.com or call them up. 713-893-8341. It's Heritage Films blending southern culture with college football.

[Dennis Dodd]

You guys are awesome.

[Host 1]

Music, sport commentary, and more.

[Aaron Torres]

It's Marty and McGee.

[Dennis Dodd]

Marty and McGee.

[Host 1]

Saturday mornings from 6 to 9 on the 11:50am and 93.7 FM.

[Host 2]

Interesting.

[Host 1]

When I talk about things that people don't care about, they talk more to me than they ever do. Like when I'm talking football, they're like having their own little conversation on the chat. But the moment I go British television soccer or dirt strokes, they now they want to chat with me. Well, too bad. I want to talk to Aaron Torres. You can catch his work, obviously on Fox Sports Radio and Aaron Torres online and. Or. Yeah, there you go. And it's brought to you by Millikin Reserve, a college station community featuring homes, trails, 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 [e-mail] with that, we go to the puppies catering and bartending hotline. Our buddy at Aaron Torres. What up, buddy?

[Aaron Torres]

What's up, buddy? How you doing?

[Host 1]

I'm good, buddy. How are you?

[Aaron Torres]

I'm good. Hey, disregard. I did send you a text about 10 minutes ago. I'm actually traveling, but this is actually a great time to catch me. So you caught. So I was like, oh, crap, I Forgot to sell NuNu. I'm not available today, but I am available today. Then you guys had technical difficulties. But guess what? I can hear you loud and clear. I hope you guys can hear me loud and clear because I'm ready to talk. Whatever David Nunez wants to talk about, I'll be honest, I don't know much about British morning shows or whatever you were talking about earlier.

[Host 1]

Those are good.

[Aaron Torres]

But. Yeah, but okay.

[Caller or Guest]

All right.

[Aaron Torres]

I think you were. Oh, because of the soccer game where they, they were they crazy this morning?

[Host 1]

Yeah. We played a sound bite from a British show that I didn't think was as crazy as people made it out to be. It seemed like an sec post game show where they were just yelling to fire Thomas Tycho or Tuchel, whatever they call him. The English head coach. England.

[Aaron Torres]

Yeah, I shared one yesterday that was pretty funny. It was like from the game. But yeah, that's awesome. Yeah. I mean it's not awesome if you're an England fan, but I believe they call them English supporters. But, but, but, but. By the way, I know we got talk football. Great, great couple months of soccer. You're a bigger soccer guy in everyday life than I am. Or as the kids say, IRL in real life. Really enjoyed this event. Sad to see it go. I know you watch a lot more soccer than I do, but it's been a really fun summer soccer. So at.

[Host 1]

We're going to have a programming meeting on the air right now. So in the future when you text me, and I mean this kindly, by the way, and I know people think we pick at each other during the show, text Nick as well because I'm really bad about checking my phone during the show. I apologize.

[Aaron Torres]

And I know because last week we had technical difficulties as well and you literally said, I don't check my show. But yes, no going forward. Hey, listen, it's game time. So. So you don't got to worry. I think every. Probably. I don't think there's a Thursday between now and probably December or January that we won't be talking. So I will be available. But. But yeah, so apologize for texting during the show. But anyway, we gotta talk football or something, man. You want to talk some football?

[Host 1]

Yeah, let's talk some football. So we did a thing with Dennis Dodd earlier. It got me going in my own direction on yeah, but he made a comment about A and M. Yeah, but. And he listed his reasons. I followed up with other teams that I have and he agreed with me. So in your mind, when we're. We're trying to evaluate this SEC football conference and really you could do it for any conference, Aaron. I feel like most teams, if not all teams, I don't have a lot of yeah, buts for Georgia, but I think they all have some yeah, buts.

[Aaron Torres]

Oh, they all do. And Shameless plug I actually had Will Stein, the Kentucky coach, on my show today, and he talked about. He's like, honestly, man, one of the reasons that excited me about joining this league is he said, I don't think there's a lot of gap between 1 and 16. And he referenced, you know, Kentucky last year. Obviously, listen, he didn't say this part, but coach got fired because they went five and seven, but double overtime lost to Texas. You know, they beat in Florida three out of the last four. And that. That's a program that people perceive as struggling. And so if Kentucky is there, it means that basically everybody is. And I, and I was talking one. One thing that he and I talked about is, listen, I know we all say this, and I think it's going to be. It's going to hit as reality this year. I think the sport of college football, the gap is just so small, especially in the SEC, between 1 and 16, between any team on any given Saturday. I really do think it's going to be much more like the NFL where, you know, it's going to be about injuries. It's going to be about who do you play, when do you play them. It's going to be about, you know, some years you can have a good team and the record doesn't reflect it. And so, you know, we could go in any direction on any team. But. But like, even somebody, like, I'll give you a good example. Like, I was thinking about this, like, Oklahoma made the playoff last year. They. They made the playoff. Brent Venables, you know, many believed was on the hot seat coming in. I think he established he knows what he's doing. They bring back John Mattier and a lot of other people. I don't really hear anybody talking about Oklahoma. People are talking about Georgia, Texas, you know, Alabama with a new starting quarterback, LSU with a new head coach, Ole Miss with Trinidad Chambers returning. So it just shows how. How deep this league can be, how thin the margins are, and to, I guess the original thing that got me on this tangent, the fact that just about everybody has a. Yeah, but about them. And everybody has a situation where if they don't show up on Saturday, they can get beat by whoever they're playing.

[Host 1]

Talking to Aaron Torrance here on Tech SAGS Live. Where are your yeah, buts on A and M? I think they're obvious, but I just like to get your thoughts. Is it the offensive line? Is it Marcel? If you had maybe your biggest. Yeah, but with A and M, what would that be?

[Aaron Torres]

Yeah, I think it's probably the O line. I think, listen, you know, you've talked about it. I know probably every day since, you know, at minimum, you know, the NBA, the NFL combine. Excuse me, but certainly going into the season. But you have to replace so much production there. That. Excuse me. That it's going to be a challenge. But I also know that Mike Elko is up for that challenge. And you know, the one thing that his teams are. Have always brought dating back to Duke is a toughness and physicality to him. And you feel like it's almost in an inherent thing with him. I think the other. Yeah, but to me, and this isn't even necessarily an A and M thing, but. But it is clear there's. There's a step up in schedule. You know, I mentioned Oklahoma, A and M having to play at Oklahoma, you know, at Bama, at LSU early, obviously Tennessee late. Just shows. Again. One, there's no off night off nights and off weeks, especially with the ninth game in the conference schedule. Texas at home obviously just shows. There's just no. That that would be the. Yeah, but to me is whatever. And you and I have had the discussion about the sec, but I think we can all agree that A and M got a beneficial draw last year. You know, you got Florida when they were kind of down. You got Arkansas after they had fired a head coach. This year it's just a step up. But again with the ninth game, I think it's a step up for everybody, but I think for A and M, you could say it definitively. So my. Yeah. But is really like Mike Elko really like the tone that he has set for the entire program? Yeah. But the schedule gets much, much tougher this year at.

[Host 1]

I'm going to respond to that and people are going to think I'm mad.

[Aaron Torres]

Please.

[Host 1]

I'm not.

[Aaron Torres]

No, no.

[Host 1]

I'm just. I'm just going to respond. Okay. Here are a couple of my thoughts. I agree the schedule ended up being a little easier to navigate than we initially expected. A year ago today, you and I probably talked about it. You've been going to South. Yeah, yeah. Going to South Bend and going to Baton Rouge and yada, yada, yada. The other thing I'll say about that and I just. I'll make it quick. The Arkansas game, I think is harder than most people thought because it was Bobby Petrino's first game as interim head coach at home and I don't know, just A and M has been in that position before when they went to Auburn a couple years back and I forgot who was the interim head coach and they beat A and M in a game and it was, you know, it was a Cadillac Williams. I think so. But I do agree with you that because of the ninth game, it is definitely a more difficult schedule and especially the way the season ends.

[Aaron Torres]

Well. And I think if, if you want to make the counter argument is it stems from what Dennis Dodd and you talked about whenever it was an hour ago, which is everybody else has. Yeah, buts too. And again, I hate to keep saying it, but these are the same conversations that I have with Ryan Fowler. And you know, Alabama has a tough stretch in the middle of the season that includes A and M. And he said to me, what do we have to go win? Loss record. I said, well, the good thing is, you know, one, you don't have to win every game like the old days. But then two, for, for all of the concerns that you have about those teams in the middle of your schedule, this is Alabama. They've got their own concerns they got to worry about. And I think the same is applicable to A and M is like you said, I think it's a great point. Oh, LSU early in the season, Baton Rouge, Lane Kiffin. Okay, well, A and M went into that and I went into that building last year and ended somebody's career. How about that? So, you know, I think lsu, Sam Levitt is there. Yeah, but he didn't participate in spring. He was hurt for most of this this past year. Alabama, they have two quarterbacks, but do they have a star? So that's where I think, again, I'll just go back to. I think my point is fair. I think your point about the schedule on paper looking tougher a year ago than it ended up being. And let's be realistic. Somebody's got to win all these games and somebody's got to lose them. And so maybe you get by to the end of the year and you realize, hey, Alabama wasn't as good as we thought. We went into Brian Denny and one. And I'm just using them as an example. So I think you could make the same argument for a lot of these teams that you can for A and M about. You know, they got just as many questions, just as many yeah, buts as A and M does.

[Host 1]

Yep. Aaron, I hope you enjoy your kind of time off. I apologize that we called you, but you're the best, buddy. I appreciate you making some time.

[Aaron Torres]

No, I didn't. I didn't give you a heads up. I thought I had. Enjoy Tampa. No sarcasm. I don't expect to Hear from you. If you think there's a spot for me, let me know. But I will not be planning on speaking with you. If not, have fun and we'll talk in two weeks, okay?

[Host 1]

Oh, buddy, you're penciled in. There's no way I'm passing up this opportunity to have you on the show.

[Aaron Torres]

Oh, all right.

[Host 1]

Unless I get sank here somebody huge.

[Aaron Torres]

What, are you going to pre tape me at like 6p on a Thursday or something? No, I'm kidding. Just let me know if you need me. I'm happy to join. All right.

[Host 1]

Appreciate you, brother. Take care.

[Aaron Torres]

All right, buddy.

[Host 1]

Aaron Torres there on the puppy skating and bartending hotline. Not under a freeway. When it comes to your real peace of mind, it comes to your money. When it comes to your money, check out Aggie owned Paragon Financial Advisors. They're an independent fiduciary serving clients all across Texas. No sales pitches, no commissions, just honest financial planning and investment management. And what really sets them apart is the over nine CFPs. The CFA and the CPA all on staff. They take their credentials seriously and they work tirelessly to help you build a future that you can feel good about. Go to 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. The money Machine.

[Aaron Torres]

Back to school.

[Host 1]

It's your chance to win $5,000 and it starts July 27th.

[Aaron Torres]

Thank you so much.

[Host 1]

We got just a minute left. I do want to say this before we go to you, Carson, which I'm gonna leave you no time. So people are responding with. When I talked about what England did yesterday with like, their football, thoughts of comebacks. They talked about the Super Bowl. They talk Atlanta Falcons, Patriots. Talking about the Oilers in Buffalo. I'm not talking about amazing comebacks, and maybe you guys aren't either. I'm talking about when a coach. Basically, England was up 1 nil. It's like being up 70 in football. Like, that's not the time to, like, not play offensive, right? And I'm thinking about a coach. Just the wrong strategy at the end of a game that costs them a game. Not a blowout on Texacts. Today, though. What. What can people do?

[Nick]

Sign up for preseason kickoff. You see your favorite coaches, A and M athletes and Tex personalities.

[Host 1]

If you haven't signed up yet, you're missing out. Guys, Elko, Early, Bucky, Pablo, all of them will be there. All right, when we come back on Texas Live. Luke giving us a little basketball practice update followed by the fan show Texas Live. Hey everybody. Lady Luck here and we're celebrating America's 250th birthday. Now all summer long I'm going to be celebrating by playing on spinquest.com, which is an American owned social casino. It obviously features over a thousand slot games and live blackjack, live craps, live bubble craps. Head on over to spinquest.com get yourself a thirty dollar coin pack for just ten bucks. Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.