TexAgs Live - GO Hour with Nuño & OB + Ross Dellenger : 07.23.26

Summary

Podcast Summary: TexAgs Live – GO Hour with Nuño & OB + Ross Dellinger

Episode Date: July 23, 2026
Hosts: David Nuño, Olin Buchanan ("OB")
Guest: Ross Dellinger (Yahoo Sports)

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Episode Overview

This episode, live from SEC Media Days in Tampa, features a lively discussion about the state of Texas A&M football, takeaways from head coach Mike Elko’s remarks, the narratives around the SEC’s top teams, and key national college football issues with guest Ross Dellinger. The tone is conversational and candid, as Nuño and OB reflect on the Aggies' status, coaching philosophies, team development, and the rapidly evolving college sports landscape.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Reflections from SEC Media Days

• Personal/Professional Connections (00:00-01:22):
  • OB discusses enjoying the chance to reconnect with peers at Media Days:
    "At Tech Sags... 90%, maybe 95% of the employees at Texas. I'm old enough to be their grandfather... Here I have an opportunity to hang around guys that, you know, former co-workers and colleagues that are, you know, more my demographic." (00:41 - OB Nuño)
• Hosts pivot quickly to a deep-dive on football—“nobody wants to talk about our social life here in Tampa.” (01:22 - Olin Buchanan)

SEC Coaches on the Podium (01:23-03:13)

• Lane Kiffin’s Deadpan Style:
  "He might just come out in deadpan and say nothing. That's apparently what he's done so far." (02:21)
• Texas, LSU, Mississippi State, Arkansas:
  • Mild expectations for Arkansas ("may be the weakest team in the SEC this year").
  • Discussion of the risks/reward for taking jobs at major SEC programs—financially rewarding but unstable.

Texas A&M’s Current State & Elko’s Philosophy (04:24-07:03)

• A&M’s Unmet Ambitions:
  • "Getting there was not the goal.... They have not done anything. And this program through its history will have a good year followed by a bunch of mediocre years." (04:24)
• Mike Elko’s Mindset:
  • Quote: "Being good's not good enough. 11 wins is not good enough. We need 12. Yeah, no, we need to keep winning. So I would embrace that." (05:00 - OB Nuño)
• Confidence Without Cockiness:
  • Elko delivers confidence while avoiding arrogance:
    "There's a confidence that they're giving, but there's not a cockiness... when Coach Elko speaks, he's like, hey, we've got the best secondary I've had since I've been here. He doesn't just throw those lines out there." (05:52 - Olin Buchanan)
  • Emphasis on player development and improvement, not resting on reputation.

SEC Rival Tiers and Team Questions (07:03-08:44)

• SEC “Tiers” according to hosts:
  • Tier 1: Texas and Georgia ("based on perception… and roster").
  • Tier 2 (Ole Miss, LSU, A&M, Oklahoma) — all have “questions,” mainly about offensive lines and depth.
  • Brief critique of media narratives around Oklahoma and individual players.

A&M Player Development and “Brand” (10:11-13:50)

• Focus on development of players like Marcel Reed, Damian Sanford, Marcus Ratcliffe
• Elko’s recruiting eye highlighted:
  "His evaluation of talent is what sets him apart, I think." (11:37 - OB Nuño)
• "Believing in brands":
  • Hosts discuss how, like Georgia and Alabama, A&M under Elko may soon deserve the benefit of the doubt even after roster turnover.

Has Mike Elko “Arrived”? (13:09-14:50)

• Nuanced view of Elko’s reputation—"In my eyes, yes [he’s earned it], but if this year is a step back, then you're like, all right, well, let's see what the next..."
• Emphasis on finishing strong—a theme for offseason improvements.

The Strongest Message From Elko (14:02-14:50)

• Key Quote:
  "We were good. Good isn't good enough. We're not satisfied. And we still think we can be a good football team, but we're not going to celebrate too much an 11 win season." (14:06 - OB Nuño)
• Contrast to other coaches who might recite resumes when challenged ("AFC South Champ, Brian...").

SEC Media Perceptions & "C Block" Respect (17:55-19:50)

• Media Perception:
  • Nuño notes newfound “pleasant” coverage and respect from SEC Network/analysts:
    "Texas A&M is a legitimate playoff contender. They have a coach that speaks the right language, and then they move on. Like, they're getting the respect, but they're not a big story, and I think A&M likes it that way." (18:14)
• A&M has performed best historically when not pre-season favorites.

National Playoff Stakes & Next Steps (25:08-25:55)

• For A&M to break reputation as a “one hit wonder,” hosts agree consecutive CFP appearances required.

• Elko on “Arrival”: "He said, no, we haven't done jack. All right. You know what they are, though? ... It says in range. Yeah, that's where A&M is." (25:42)

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[33:12] Key Interview Segment: Ross Dellinger on College Sports Legislation

The Protect College Sports Act & Congressional Timeline

• Congress is on a tight timeline; if no deal before summer recess, chances of passage dip.
• SEC and Big Ten support is crucial for bill passage.

Main Points of SEC/Big Ten Opposition (35:13-37:30)

• Ten requested revisions by SEC/Big Ten; 6-7 likely to be provided.
• Key issues:
  1. Expansion Provision:
     • Originally only prevented SEC and Big Ten from expanding.
     • Now covers all Power Leagues, with cap at 19 members.
     • Also prohibits private equity creation of super leagues.
  2. Athlete Revenue-Sharing Cap:
     • Bill sets a hard cap; to address this, a separate “retention pool” for retaining players is proposed.
     • "So your $21 million could be spent on transfers and high school players... In this concept they're discussing, you'd have an additional $25 million bucket for retaining players." (37:30 - Dellinger)

Will a Bill Pass? (39:30-41:00)

• Dellinger’s prediction: If SEC/Big Ten on board, above 50-70% chance; if not, very unlikely.
• Both conferences are getting close to supporting the bill.

Will the Retention Pool Fix Transfer Problems? (41:00-42:37)

• Doubts remain if $25M retention pool truly limits player movement:
  "I have a hard time believing that schools won't find some way around any new rule. And I'm sure they will find some way around this one." (42:32 - Dellinger)
• Enforcement of limits/violations will be a test for the future College Sports Commission.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On A&M’s Mindset:
  • OB Nuño: “Being good’s not good enough. 11 wins is not good enough. We need 12.” (05:00)
• On College Football’s Evolution:
  • Ross Dellinger: "I have a hard time believing that schools won't find some way around any new rule... I'm sure they will find some way around this one." (42:32)
• On Elko’s Credibility:
  • Olin Buchanan: "Mike Elko has earned the benefit of the doubt and what work he can do in the transfer portal." (12:28)
• On National Perception:
  • David Nuno: "They're getting the respect, but they're not a big story, and I think A&M likes it that way." (18:14)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• SEC Media Days/Personal Reflection: 00:00–01:22
• Coaching Discussions & Media Notes: 01:23–03:13
• A&M & Elko Mindset: 04:24–07:03
• SEC Team Tiers & Perceptions: 07:03–08:44
• Player Development Focus: 10:11–13:50
• Elko’s Reputation, “Brand” Talk: 13:09–14:50
• Elko’s Message and Coaching Philosophy: 14:02–14:50
• SEC Media Perception: 17:55–19:50
• A&M National Reputation: 25:08–25:55
• Ross Dellinger Interview on Legislation: 33:12–43:00

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Summary Takeaways

• A&M under Elko is ambitious and “in range” of national breakthrough but must continue to prove itself.
• Elko’s straightforward, no-nonsense approach is admired both inside and outside the program.
• SEC perceptions and tiers are shifting; Texas and Georgia viewed as elite, but all teams have flaws.
• Off the field, the future structure of college sports is poised for major change as Congress debates athlete compensation rules—SEC/Big Ten hold significant sway over legislative outcomes.
• Despite attempts at reform, hosts and guests agree that creative circumvention of rules by programs is inevitable.

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Tone & Flow

• Warm, knowledgeable, at times humorous (as in anecdotes about karaoke and food), but serious and analytical when discussing football and broader college sports issues.
• Designed for Aggie fans, college football followers, and anyone curious about SEC media days, this episode is rich with on-the-ground reporting, critical perspectives, and a sense of camaraderie.

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This summary covers the main football insights, legislative context, and colorful commentary, capturing the spirit and key points of the episode for listeners and non-listeners alike.

Transcript

[Olin Buchanan]

Thank you, Jesus. We are almost done. Welcome in to this SEC Media Days presentation brought to you by Paragon Financial Advisors. Helping clients nationwide focus on long game through independent fiduciary financial advice. Visit paragon-adv.com he's all. And I'm David. This is Tech Sacks live. We'll get to the other ones in a moment. We are presented by David Gardner's jewelers ob. We've hit the finish line and couple thoughts.

[OB Nuno]

Yes, sir.

[Olin Buchanan]

The older I get, the older I get. The older you get, the younger you get, buddy. You, you've, you've had fun this week.

[OB Nuno]

You know, it's probably.

[Olin Buchanan]

You have some friends here.

[OB Nuno]

Probably been more enjoyable for me than any of them before. Yeah, I've got a lot of friends here. You know, former co workers. I always say, at Tech Sags, I'm, with the exception of you, 90%, maybe 95% of the. Of the employees at Texas. I'm old enough to be their grandfather. So I don't do a lot of socializing at work. Right.

[Olin Buchanan]

We go to dinner and, and then they go do their thing, you go do your thing, and I go to sleep.

[OB Nuno]

But here I have an opportunity to hang around guys that, you know, former co workers and colleagues that are, you know, more my demographic.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

And we've had a, we've had a good time. Yeah, I could tell.

[Olin Buchanan]

I thought in my head, as I do on every trip, this is the trip that I let my hair loose. Right. But I haven't. I've gone to bed like normal. We hung out at the lobby for 12 minutes. That was fun. But nobody wants to talk about our social life here in Tampa. They want to talk about football. Football, football. So before I get to what we're going to talk about on Texas A and M side of things, because they did talk yesterday, let's talk about who's on the podium today. Apparently, Lane Kiffin already spoke with lsu and he didn't say much, but he and LSU are going today. Mississippi State and Jeff Levy, Arkansas and Ryan Silverfield and the University of Texas. The sips to you, Steve Sarkeesia.

[OB Nuno]

Okay, I don't mean to be rude. I don't think many people are going to care what Jeff Lebby has to say.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yep.

[OB Nuno]

Even though they never beat Texas last year, everybody wants to know what Lane Kiffin might say. He might just come out in deadpan and say nothing.

[Olin Buchanan]

That's apparently what he's done so far.

[OB Nuno]

Sarkeesian. He's a very businesslike approach to everything. So he'll give you about as much as as you need and nothing more. But he has a really good football or is projected to have a really good football team. And who's the other one?

[Olin Buchanan]

Silverfield.

[OB Nuno]

Oh, Silverfield.

[Olin Buchanan]

Man, we love the Silvers.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. John Daly's here. John Daly walked by, so I think he would be a better representative or the Arkansas representative that most people like to hear from. I don't mean to be disrespectful to Ryan Silverfield. He may be doing a good, great job at Arkansas. I think off the top of my head, I'm believing that they may be the weakest team in the SEC this year.

[Olin Buchanan]

I think so too. And sometimes I wonder. OB I know everybody wants to get to the sec, but sometimes, unless it's the right job at the right time, I think staying where you are is just fine.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah, except you like, I wish I could get hired to be an SEC football coach and if they fire me after the first year, I'm like, okay.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

So you know, he was at Memphis and I'm sure he got a nice salary at Memphis compared to most of us, but it probably quadrupled when he went to Arkansas. So of course you take that opportunity because there's not that many opportunities.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah, financially I understand it, but sometimes I'm trying to think of who I, I want to compare it to, but some don't build statues of you for winning nine, 10 games in smaller conferences. And if you don't win nine, 10 and the SEC, you're gone in 24 months.

[OB Nuno]

But the thing is, if you are gone in 24 months, you're financially, you're some f. You should be financially secure and you can all almost always go back to those.

[Olin Buchanan]

That's good. True. Like Billy Napier.

[OB Nuno]

Like Billy Napier.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah, exactly right. So yesterday the message I got from A and M OB Was getting there was not the goal. And I know there was some good one liners from Mike Elko yesterday strung along with some good thoughts afterwards. But you know, the, the empty trophy case, there's. They don't need motivation. They don't. Oh, we've done. Because the facts are exactly what Coach Oko said. They have not done anything. And this program through its history will have a good year followed by a bunch of mediocre years.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah, that's. That's true. And he's brought that up before. Look, they've done amazing things. A M doesn't have a whole lot of 11 win seasons. And I think, if I'm not mistaken, the 2012 season and last year were the only 11 win seasons in, like, you know, 30 years. So they accomplished a lot. But his point is, you know, being good's not good enough. And I would imagine there are some Aggies somewhere that kind of bristled at that. Hey, you're given the sips, social media fodder, because even your coaches, you know, that kind of thing. But I would want a coach that says, hey, being good's not good enough. 11 wins is not good enough. We need 12. Yeah, no, we need to keep winning. So I would embrace that.

[Olin Buchanan]

I found it interesting is the right way to phrase it, but I. I'm just paying attention to. There's a confidence that they're giving, but there's not a cockiness like I feel when Coach Elko speaks, he's like, hey, we've got the best secondary I've had since I've been here. He doesn't just throw those lines out there. Right. His wide receiver room. There's a confidence of like, look, we've got some weapons here. There's a confidence with Marcel of he knows what he needed to fix, he's worked on it, and let's go prove it.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah, he talked a lot about that last night or yesterday when he said. He said something along the lines of, you know, people think they see what you are as a freshman and they get in your mind that's who you are, that you can improve. And, you know, it seems something that annoys Coach Yoko and he says, you know, you can get a lot better. Marcel's gotten better.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yep.

[OB Nuno]

And, you know, you see the things you got to fix and you go out and fix it. But, yeah, I think there's an air of confidence about him without being arrogant, you know, I think, you know, yeah, we think we can be pretty good.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah, I think they can be pretty good, but with a lot. The tier two teams, again, there's this mythical tier one and tier two and tier three. Right. The tier one teams. You guys don't want to hear it. It's Texas and Georgia based on perception.

[OB Nuno]

Right.

[Olin Buchanan]

And roster. Okay, Roster is part of the perception.

[OB Nuno]

Well, they have the same questions that A and M has. Offensive line, offensive line. Yeah. And, you know, they've got some linebackers guys they have to replace and Jordan.

[Olin Buchanan]

And Jordan Rogers seems to be the only guy who isn't a guarantee. He doesn't believe Arch is a first round pick yet, that he's got still something to prove from that respect while everybody's already trying to give him the Heisman again. Not as much as last year.

[OB Nuno]

Right.

[Olin Buchanan]

Not as much as last year, but. So there's that. But, I mean, Georgia and Texas, from an elite roster perspective, I get it. Then there's the tier 2. Ole Miss has questions, and we know what those questions are. LSU's got questions. We know what those questions are. A and M's got some questions. Who am I missing here?

[OB Nuno]

Oklahoma.

[Olin Buchanan]

Oklahoma. Oklahoma's question would be the offensive line, offensive line, ability to run the ball, and turnovers. Right, Right. So some of the same things that A and M had, that A and M could run the ball last year, and I expect them to run the ball again. Well. So with all that being said, they all got these questions and everybody pretty much has a hard schedule, so it's going to be who can and who can't.

[OB Nuno]

You know, the thing about Oklahoma that. That I don't get is that John Mattier is never really questioned like Marcel is or doubted. Oh, yeah. Oh, he got hurt last year, so, you know, he's going to be. And I'm like, yeah, he was throwing interceptions before he got hurt.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yep. But Michigan game.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. I said, okay, but, you know, we'll see. And. And they were hyped. Hey, look, they beat Michigan. Big fat deal.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

Michigan wasn't good, so.

[Olin Buchanan]

Well, then people will tell you, big deal. A and M beat lsu. They weren't any good.

[OB Nuno]

They were better in Michigan when A M played them.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yep.

[OB Nuno]

Before they quit. They quit after.

[Olin Buchanan]

I did ask Moscona that had had LSU beat A M, and look, it wasn't close, but to his point, he was. And we all have a certain memory through our own perspective. He's like, dude, LSU was beating A and M at the half. They were. Yes. But if you watch that game, you know, A and M was. They were about to. If it felt like they better not make another mistake because they're about to go on.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. A and M was. They weren't. They weren't winning at halftime. A M was losing. Yeah. A M was.

[Olin Buchanan]

They had to lead to.

[OB Nuno]

You was doing things.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

To themselves.

[Olin Buchanan]

But to that point, though, he believes if LSU doesn't have the collapse that they had on the second half, Brian Kelly's probably still.

[OB Nuno]

Their coach might be, you know, but, you know, they did, and he's not. Who knows what they are this year.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah. Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

I hope they're not good.

[Olin Buchanan]

I hope they're. I hope. I hope they're good at all.

[OB Nuno]

Or at least on that fourth week.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yesterday also was a day of. These young men have grown up and from in different perspectives because Marcel Reed, we knew he had some promise as a freshman. I don't think any of us really thought he was going to be a starting quarterback for almost three years. Right. Like, I don't. At least I didn't think that at

[OB Nuno]

the time Connor Wigman was going to be right.

[Olin Buchanan]

Damian Sanford, a guy that was, you know, supposed to go to Duke, we didn't have high expectations. And then he. He burst on the scene last season and I've interviewed him throughout that his time. We even talked about on the show yesterday. He's such a mature young man and a different level of confidence from him. And Marcus Radcliffe, he was a guy that we didn't know San Diego State. Who is this kid? And he is, I mean, a leader on and off the field.

[OB Nuno]

Well, I think especially those last two guys you mentioned. Go back to the genius, if you will use that word. Michaelko. We've talked about how he finds these diamonds in the rough. Interact. Boca Chip. We've talked about them and on you them and well, Marcus Ratcliffe's another one.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

Whoever heard of Marcus Ratcliffe? When they saw they got a Aggies. When you. When you saw a couple years ago, hey, they got a guy in the transfer portal committed named Marcus Ratcliffe from San Diego State. You're not giving everybody high fives. Who. And then Sanford, Michael calls at Duke. He was looking for players and he

[Olin Buchanan]

says, I want that guy.

[OB Nuno]

Nobody's really recruiting that guy, but I'm going to. You know, he. He's. I think what we've talked about, his evaluation of talent is what sets him apart, I think.

[Olin Buchanan]

But there's a lot of other ones too. Armage Reed Adams.

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah.

[Olin Buchanan]

When they brought him on, we're like, oh, you know, Kansas guy, he'll be good. Right. But you can go cash as how nobody thought this dude was going to be a day one, day two NFL round, NFL pick. That's not what they thought. When they. Not they. They may have thought that we. That's why we. The TBD is we don't know what they really have because there's players that they've brought on. But I can use the Elko thinking like, all right, well, Elko seems to do pretty well when he brings guys in. So I'm gonna like yesterday, one of the themes of the show was believing in brands. And when I believe in brands, I'm talking about the coach. Right?

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. It's like we used to talk about, no matter what the situation was, players they lost. People would Put Alabama and Georgia in the top. You just know because they had earned the benefit of the doubt. A and M had never earned it. But what is going on right now is people are projecting A and M. I saw someone said A and M was. They're putting them either third tie with Ole Miss, a third in the SEC standings, People saying, oh, they could be a playoff team after they lost 10 guys. You never hear that about. About A and M. If they lost them in. The reason is Mike Elko has earned the benefit of the doubt and what work he can do in the transfer portal.

[Olin Buchanan]

But has he completely earned it? In my eyes, yes. But if this year is, excuse me, a step back, then you're like, all right, well, let's see what the next. He's not going to lose it either. Right. Like. But he hasn't. Has he had very many. Mrs. Jordan Shaw, another name that he's. He's developed under the system. So when you look at this year's transfer portal guys, and what it can mean to the bottom line and what. What being in this system has done and you know, we've made a lot about Tommy Moffat, but that offseason conditioning program, putting these guys in position. Look, there's no doubt about it, OB they didn't finish last year, but they finished better than they had in years past. Now it's about finishing even more.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. Look, they were five yards away from one overtime with Miami, played for the national championship. It was in the game.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

All right. You're not that far off.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

Five yards away.

[Olin Buchanan]

So what do you think the strongest message Elko delivered yesterday?

[OB Nuno]

I think the strongest message was the one you touched on. I think people would hear him say, yeah, we're. We were good. Good isn't good enough. We're not satisfied. And we still think we can be a good football team, but we're not going to. We're not going to celebrate too much an 11 win season. We. Even though you could.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

You know, how many times have you seen coaches, even at A and M, they start, like listening their resume like, see, and we finished in the top

[Olin Buchanan]

and we did this.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. And he said we had done anything most. Coach, hey, we finished, you know, whatever here and finish. And you know. No, but nobody's done that. And we won 11 games and that's only been done X amount of times here and all this. He's just saying we haven't done anything.

[Olin Buchanan]

I remember, and I don't remember the context of the question, but Bill o', Brien, when he was the coach of the Texans, I believe we were in Denver. I don't remember where we were as a Monday night game. I think it was Denver. May was Cincinnati. Wherever we were, Monday night game, I believe. And Brian T. Smith of the Chronicle, who's a columnist, asked Bill a question, and it irked Bill, and he started saying, AFC south champion, Brian, AFC South Chan. He was, like, reminding him, like, because he didn't like the framing of the question of what the Texans had done. And when you start giving your resume, it is a defense mechanism because you don't have an answer typically, sometimes. Hey, guys, I understand where you're coming from, but look what we've done. A and M has never done this, this and this. And now we're doing. We're getting ten guys into the. We made the playoffs, like, so there is a place for it. But when you come from it, from an adversarial point because you don't want to answer the question, that's where you know there's a problem.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah, I. I didn't ever saw that. Yeah, that one.

[Olin Buchanan]

But AFC South, Brian. AFC South, Chance Brian.

[OB Nuno]

AFC south wasn't that good back then, was it?

[Olin Buchanan]

I mean, it doesn't matter if you're the Big 12 champion. You get invited. You get invited, buddy.

[OB Nuno]

Right? I. I want to see the. I want to see the Aggies in that SEC championship.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah. I don't want them to be the opening act. Right. I don't want them to, you know, hey, we're close to making the secj. I want them to play in it. I want them to win in it. But.

[OB Nuno]

But Elko doesn't either. He doesn't want to be there. And that's what he made clear.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

He did it.

[Olin Buchanan]

Hey, this is Texas Life.

[OB Nuno]

It is. We're presented by David Gardner's Jewelers. We are in the what, Rallo Insurance Traveling Studio.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah, the mobile studio is what I like to call it. And this name. We call it the Go Hour.

[OB Nuno]

Presented by the warehouse of CC Creations.

[Olin Buchanan]

If you want to be a part of the conversation, you can do it multiple ways. One way is to call us on

[OB Nuno]

the Bupies catering and bartending hotline.

[Olin Buchanan]

Nobody calls 979693, 1150. But you do text. And that number is the what?

[OB Nuno]

That's the catalyst. Pure performance Energy. PPE text line.

[Olin Buchanan]

Let's go around the room. Let's go left to right. Let's go behind. No, he's not behind the class. He's right here to my right. Nick Savage behind the tablecloth. Behind the tablecloth. Nick, how has your week been? How are the people in hu. Oh, not Houston College Station doing?

[OB Nuno]

How.

[Olin Buchanan]

How's our crew doing? They're doing great. They have done a great job. Done a good job. Cade's done awesome. Cade's been great. The rest of them. The rest of the Nigrans, the Kayla's,

[OB Nuno]

the whole group, very good.

[Olin Buchanan]

What about the interns? Good.

[OB Nuno]

Okay.

[Olin Buchanan]

I think everybody gets a passing grade. An a B or a C so far. Yes.

[Ross Dellinger]

That's.

[Olin Buchanan]

The work's not over yet. All right, well, I give. I. I grade on a scale. Did I say that right On a curve?

[OB Nuno]

Yeah.

[Olin Buchanan]

Oh, sure. Whatever. What's my grade been so far?

[OB Nuno]

I. I grieve on a scale every time I step on it. And I've got a. Oh, yeah, good one.

[Olin Buchanan]

That's an OB joke, for sure. All right, buddy, what do you have for us? This morning, I was impressed by the reception of. I feel like every year at this event, the.

[Caller or Guest]

The.

[Olin Buchanan]

I don't know what the word I'm

[OB Nuno]

looking for is becoming the must.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yes.

[OB Nuno]

Here co. Definitely, like, for different reasons. It was Mike Leach. It was Steve Spurrier. It was some other guy. Mike Elko is becoming the guy that everybody wants to hear. Everybody wants to be present.

[Olin Buchanan]

Absolutely. I was thinking the same thing. What I really liked about it, what I liked about yesterday and when I. So this morning, I watched SEC Live with Doring and PB while I was working out, and I listened to some stuff last night as I was going to bed, and there was a lot of A and M talk. Okay, but hold on. I don't have a problem with that, because when they talked about A and M, it was complimentary and pleasant. Okay? They weren't an A block story. They weren't a B block story. They were maybe a C block story yesterday. And what I mean by that is, I think that's how Coach Elko likes it. He doesn't want the limelight. He doesn't want to be taught. Like, last year at this time, there was the question, well, why is Marcel Reed not here? And this. And you're actually like, hey, A and M. Coach Elko, he speaks. He gets more confident. He does this, he goes that, yada, yada, yada. And yes, yesterday and this morning, I felt like, hey, Texas A and M is a legitimate playoff contender. They have a coach that speaks the right language, and then they move on. Like, they're getting the respect, but they're not a big story, and I think A and M likes it that way.

[OB Nuno]

Well, historically, A and M's best years were when they entered the season. Kind of under the radar a little bit.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

You know, they're problematic years often have been when they've been like, top 10 coming into the. Into the season. So they may be a. A bottom or a C. You said C block. They may be a C block team with a block. But if they. Let's say they get off to a 4, 0 start, which means they just beaten LSU and they're going to be an A block. Yeah.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah. I mean, they have A block moments, but storylines, I think people are pretty comfortable. Ray and M is. They're a really good team. They got to answer some questions, but they like the direction A and M's going. There's not the intrigue of a coaching change or a Heisman contending quarterback that I think Marceau should be discussed in that vein because he was last year. But it's fine. He's got to go through some things.

[OB Nuno]

Good.

[Olin Buchanan]

Let's go prove it.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. Yeah. Of course, the Heisman Trophy winner so often isn't highly, highly acclaimed at this point. At this point. Yeah. Look at Fernando Mendoza. You know, nobody didn't. Right. I was hearing Arch Manning, Lenora Sellers, Carson Beck. I was hearing a bunch of different other names. And what do you know when those want it?

[Olin Buchanan]

All right, let's hit a break. We'll come back. More chit chat here on Texas Live OB I've eaten a lot of food this week. I didn't have lunch yesterday, which meant I gorged out at some random Mexican restaurant that was recommended to us. That was. It was all right. Anyway. But I started thinking, because I got these beef quesadillas. They were okay. They're fine. I was thinking beef. I was hoping taste. I wanted, like, an explosion of flavor.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah.

[Olin Buchanan]

And then I realized anytime you get 1775, it ruins the rest of the food for you. So you got to keep going back to 1775.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. I went to an event last night, and they served us some barbecue chicken and some ribs. Well, probably fine. The price was right.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

Free. But once you've had 1775 pork ribs, you know, it's that whole thing about once you've been to the city, do you really want to go back to the farm? You know.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah. Right.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. So the 1775 pork ribs, that's. That's the big city of pork ribs. What I had last night was, you know, that white spot in the road.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

You know, but. But maybe it's not fair because once You've been.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah, I guess that's my point. If you want to taste the top of the mountain.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah, the mountain of taste.

[Olin Buchanan]

Right. You go to 17, but it will ruin everything else for you. But that's okay because you can keep calling me back.

[OB Nuno]

You can come back every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

[Olin Buchanan]

The website is 1775 txppq.com call them up 979-492-6241.

[OB Nuno]

It is 1775 and it's the Mount Everest of barbecue.

[Olin Buchanan]

It's good. It's good.

[OB Nuno]

Spend your summer with a zone.

[Olin Buchanan]

Crank it up a notch.

[Ross Dellinger]

This is great.

[OB Nuno]

We're Sports is a way of life.

[Olin Buchanan]

As a reminder, the final segment of the program is brought to you by Double Dave's. That's at 1050. But right now, caller number 12, 979693. 1150. We're going to hook you up with your choice of a dozen pepperoni rolls or a large one topping pizza from Double Dave's. They've been serving Aggieland since 1984 with your favorite pizza. And of course, those worst world famous pepperoni rolls, reliable in house delivery, bringing piping hot goodness straight to your door. Just click on double davis.com and your favorites are on their way. It is Texas Live from SEC Media days, brought to you by Paragon Financial Advisors. OB so we. We had Alyssa Orange come by from Arkansas. She covers the Razorback. She said she did the whole karaoke thing. I would rather seriously watch paint dry with the Taliban than do seriously. I would like. I'll just hang out with them before I do karaoke. I think you have to drink to enjoy karaoke or like to sing. That's just my thought process. I could be wrong, but it got me thinking. What would be your karaoke song? You got to pick one. What would it be?

[OB Nuno]

You know, I've only sang karaoke once and it was pretty heinous. And it was. We were being. It was very mean spirited and we. Right as me buddy. We rightfully got booed off the stage. Like I said, it was mean spirited. I feel bad about it now. We were at a place in Houston and we followed a group of girls, some of whom were maybe a little robust. In their wardrobe? No, in their size.

[Olin Buchanan]

Okay. Oh, okay.

[OB Nuno]

Big girls.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

And big personalities. We were very immature back then.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

And we sang Girls Just want to have fun. We changed the.

[Olin Buchanan]

The lyrics.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. Like I said, we were very mean spirited.

[Olin Buchanan]

We were saying, girls just want to eat gum.

[OB Nuno]

No, we were saying those, those girls.

[Olin Buchanan]

Oh, I don't Know if we should go there.

[OB Nuno]

They weigh a ton. Oh, no, especially the middle one.

[Olin Buchanan]

You did not.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah, we did. Yeah.

[Olin Buchanan]

Oh, man.

[OB Nuno]

I felt that was back in my drinking days.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

Bad about it later.

[Olin Buchanan]

Your mojito days?

[OB Nuno]

I mean.

[Olin Buchanan]

No, no, the real drinking days.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. So, yeah. That was not one of my best days.

[Olin Buchanan]

By the way, Chase in Houston sends in and, oh, by the way, I would have picked an Oasis song.

[OB Nuno]

I've never heard one, but Liam and Noel Gallagher.

[Olin Buchanan]

Okay. On the, on the other side, we're gonna hear, I don't know, if not Wonderwall, whatever. You. Soul Sally. Whatever. Right.

[OB Nuno]

Oh, Salad.

[Olin Buchanan]

Well, that's the, the hook. It's Soul Salad. That's not the name of the song. I just couldn't remember at the time. Soul Sally and Supersonic from Oasis. There's a lot of great ones. Okay. Anyway, A and M has to be pushing for a playoff spot in the Texas game to break away from the narrative that the last. That last year was a one hit wonder. Jason Houston says if A and M pushes through to two consecutive CFPs in a row, they'll have become a program that has nationally broken through to the next level as that kind of program.

[OB Nuno]

The question he was, that Mike was asked yesterday was, has Texas A and M arrived?

[Ross Dellinger]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

He said, no, we haven't done jack. All right. You know what they are, though? You ever go to the airport and you're waiting for to pick up somebody who's flying in and you're looking at the status of.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

And it says in range. Yeah, that's where A and M is.

[Olin Buchanan]

They're in range. And you better hope a thunderstorm doesn't come and it delays all that.

[OB Nuno]

Well, yeah, you don't want any delays like we have tonight on our flight.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah. Sucks. I understand that Roger Dellinger is going to join us at 8:45. So I'm going to try to keep our hits or our breaks on time. All right. Because I like to talk to Ross Dellinger about the future of college football. He's the best at reporting behind the scenes right now. When the unexpected happens, whether a car or property damage or business liability, car damage, you name it. Preparation matters. At the Rollo Insurance Group, you are properly covered before crisis strikes. They're going to take care of you. They have independent agents that provide consultation across all insurance types to give you the confidence that the details are handled correctly. They've got over 60 offices statewide. There's always help nearby and the people are great. The true value of insurance becomes clear during those Critical moments when you need to file a claim. And Rollo agents are going to take care of you each step of the process. Do not wait until disaster strikes. To discover gaps in your coverage, visit rollinsurance.com texact or call them up. 8844 Rollo. That is 8844 Rollo. It's Rollo Insurance.

[OB Nuno]

The Money Machine. The Money Machine. The Money Machine. Back to school. Your next chance to win $5,000 begins July 27th.

[Olin Buchanan]

That is unbelievable.

[OB Nuno]

@zone1150.com

[Olin Buchanan]

A better place to play. I don't even know if the timing on the radio works, but because we're on a delay.

[OB Nuno]

So that's as close to karaoke as I'm gonna get with you. Right there.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah, that's it. One line. Although the very average Mexican restaurant we went to yesterday played a lot of Bad Bunny, so it had that put headset on. Am I right? Like, am I overreacting? The Mexican food yesterday was, eh, never.

[OB Nuno]

Go ahead.

[Ross Dellinger]

I agree. Yeah.

[Olin Buchanan]

No, it wasn't. You don't go to like, I knew it before. It was like a 5 out of 10. It was a 3. But to the person that recommended it, it will be a 10 out of 10. Here's the thing. Gotta manage relationships. You don't go to Mexican restaurants in Florida, bro. Yeah, you don't. You go to Texas.

[OB Nuno]

I love it said never eat Mexican food north of the Red river or east of the Mississippi.

[Olin Buchanan]

I knew it. You know, it's like when, you know, like, I'm gonna get a ticket, I'm gonna go down this, this road and there's gonna be cops and you get that ticket.

[OB Nuno]

That's.

[Olin Buchanan]

I knew.

[OB Nuno]

That's why I don't like to go eat barbecue.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

I'm out of Texas. Especially 1775.

[Olin Buchanan]

Hey, everybody. I love 1775. Who faces more pressure this season? Lane Kiffin, who, by the way, apparently had an 18 minute monologue and then left. No time for questions today. And very someone like. Yeah. Or Kalyn DeBoer.

[OB Nuno]

Oh, Kaylin DeBoer.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

Kailyn Deborah. If he goes nine and three, that may not. That may not be good enough.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. And Kiffin's his first year, so if he does struggle at all, they're going to blame it on Brian Kelly. But that's the way it always works.

[Olin Buchanan]

But I, you know, it's interesting ob I heard this perspective and I think Cole Kublick and Jordan Rogers were kind of talking about it in different ways. Lane is expected. He doesn't do Rebuilds. He just reloads every year. Doesn't matter. Quarterback changes. Last year's Ole Miss roster was completely different than the year before. And if he goes to LSU with all the resources in the world and still his ability to coach and he doesn't get them into the playoffs or beyond, it is a failure because he's got all. Everything he's ever asked for, and all he's ever done is win with whatever quarterback you give him.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. And they're going to expect him to, but if he doesn't, let's say they go seven and five again or whatever. If they were last year, he will not have.

[Olin Buchanan]

He won't be fired.

[OB Nuno]

He won't be fired. But if Caleb DeBoer goes nine and three, he might be.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah. Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

So I think Kaylin DeBoer is. Is the guy that's under the most pressure.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah, I agree with that. I. But I do think that there is a pressure to Lane Kiffin, and maybe pressure is not the right word. He. Pressure is what you allow it to be. Sometimes. Like, sometimes there is outside pressure, but if you don't live your life on social media. But there is the booster perspective. There is the fan perspective. When you're a head coach and. And let's face it, when you're the head coach, you're trying to win for yourself. It's not for everybody else, too. I mean, yes, you want to make your fans happy, but you got into the sport because you're competitive and you want to win in everything.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. And I know that LSU expects to win this year.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

And a lot of people expect them to win this year. That's why I've seen so many people reject them for the playoffs. But. And it'll be a gross disappointment in Baton Rouge if that's the case. If they don't make the playoff.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah.

[OB Nuno]

But I still don't think that the reaction will be as negative for kiffin as a 9 and 3. But, I mean, if. If Alabama just doesn't get into the playoffs, you wonder if the boy are safe.

[Olin Buchanan]

People got really loud over the last couple minutes. You notice that, like.

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. Somebody must walk through.

[Olin Buchanan]

People are yelling. I love that when people walk by our set, they, like, do this, like, up. And like, when you look at, like, a pretty lady, you kind of double take. People do that with our set here. Well, we do stand out. If we should be able. I wish we could show you. Maybe we can at some point. Like, everybody else has got a table. We've got a presentation.

[OB Nuno]

Buddy, do with these, these lights on us and a couple of cameras. Yeah, yeah.

[Olin Buchanan]

Let's hit a break. OB I know I've asked you this before, but how many Bubba's 33 Buffalo wings do you think you could have if I gave you 30 minutes?

[OB Nuno]

30 minutes?

[Olin Buchanan]

Wing per minute?

[OB Nuno]

Yeah. How can he. If I was hungry enough, I could probably eat 30 wings.

[Olin Buchanan]

I could definitely eat 30 wings. Could you speed it up? Could you do maybe for the first 15 minutes a wing and a half per minute? Probably. Have you had those wings before?

[OB Nuno]

I have not had the wings.

[Olin Buchanan]

You've had the burger, though?

[OB Nuno]

I've had burgers, yeah. Because they're so good. I've not. Not had the pizza, but the pizza looks really good.

[Olin Buchanan]

I've heard a lot about the pizza.

[OB Nuno]

So good that every time I've gone there, I've had a burger.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah, you got to check out Bubba's 33. And right now they're doing the burgers for the Brave Parking lot party coming up on July 31st. Join them for a wrap up of an incredible month of community support for Burgers of the Brave the Parking Lot party. They're going to announce their final fundraising 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 this amazing cause. Bring the entire family. Kids can enjoy face painting 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. It is very delicious on Highway 6.

[OB Nuno]

Can't reach your radio? Listen to Aggie football [e-mail] love and

[Olin Buchanan]

we're back here live presented by David Gardner's jewelers Rollo Insurance Studio. This SEC Media Days presentation brought to you by Paragon Financial Advisors, OB Nuno and Ross Dellinger of Yahoo Sports with us. What's up, Ross? How you been, bud?

[OB Nuno]

Good, good, good.

[Ross Dellinger]

Busy, but always good. Plenty of content things.

[Olin Buchanan]

Yeah, well. So I don't know how to feel right now. And I actually told this to Greg Sankey yesterday coming into this week, I was like, there's no chance they're going to be able to figure things out. Then I felt there was a little bit of optimism that maybe they can figure it out, you know, and then I'm reminded there's not a lot of time to figure this stuff out. So what would be your take on the state of the Protect College Sports act, the SEC and Big Ten's involvement in with it and then what the next steps are.

[Ross Dellinger]

Yeah, they're, they're dealing with a very tight timeline. The Senate after this week is in session two more weeks before the month long recess that starts August 7th. So they, the goal is to get the bill to the Senate floor for a vote before that. I think it's going to be very tough to get to the floor next week. There's Lindsey Graham's funerals. Funerals, plural. One Tuesday in D.C. and one Wednesday in South Carolina. That leaves maybe one, one and a half days of floor time. So that's going to be very tough. So then you think, all right, well if they do reach a deal with the SEC and Big Ten this week, which many expect either that maybe to come by the end of the day or tomorrow maybe, then they'll, maybe they'll push, push it to the first week of August and but that's the last week before that recess. So it is, it is tight. If they don't get it before the recess, it seems like it's going to just make it more difficult to get through Congress in general. But it's going to be really difficult to get it through Congress if they don't get the SEC and Big Ten support. In fact, it's probably going to be impossible to get it through Congress without the SEC and Big Ten, which is why I think we've seen so much movement from lawmakers lately on trying to revise the bill and to appease the two conferences because I think they know now they need them especially to get it through the House of Representatives.

[OB Nuno]

Two things. First of all, do you feel like you have become more of a political writer than a sports writer? And then secondly, if you can break it down for not everybody that really falls at work. What is the disconnect with the SEC and the, and the Big Ten? You'll give some of the, I guess the highlights of why it's not why they don't like what what's been suggested.

[Ross Dellinger]

Well, Olin, it's good that I live in D.C. i guess good and bad. I'm in a good position to be cover this issue on the ground. The negative of that is I'm in a good position to cover this issue on the ground, but it's been fun, you know. You know, I tell people all the time that three or four years ago I kind of got tired of sports writing. Honestly, I was kind of like, you know, wanted to maybe change careers, maybe even get into news and then boom, like nil happened. You know, and it's kind of created this lane on off the field business related news and that's been, that's been kind of cool. So I'm enjoying it. A lot of people ask me if I enjoy it, but I really do. I really do. So they sent SEC and Big Ten sent lawmakers 10 requests for revisions to the bill. Right now I think they've probably gotten six or seven of those. They're still under negotiations, but I think they've, they're probably going to get six or seven of those. Is that enough? Is the question. And I think they haven't figured that out and maybe won't until they get an actual revised bill with the text. So some of those things that are changing mostly are really like, they call it definitional. It's just like changes in little language. Right. It's just, it's very small stuff. And I would say for of the seven changes or so they're going to get are probably definitional. Now there's a couple other bigger changes that are reported about the last few days. One, it's the expansion provision, the anti expansion provision which they have changed to. You know, used to be the SEC and Big Ten were prohibited with the only two leagues that were prohibited from expanding. And now they've opened that up to basically all the power leagues and now they're going to, they're going to change it again to allow the group of six programs to least be promoted up to power leagues. And they put a cap on expansion of 19 members. So they're doing their, I'll be honest, you know, they're probably a little hands on with that provision than they need to be in Congress. You don't want the government telling you how many schools you can have in your league. But when you go ask the government for help, this is often what happens. So there's that, that, that was a big piece, the expansion provision. And part of that change was also adding a line in there that private equity firms can't come in and take members 10 to 20 schools of the biggest brands and create a super league. So they're adding that into and obviously the second change they made, and this is the biggest change and the bigger one is the bill, basically the way it's written establishes a harder cap athlete revenue share cap. And so to sort of combat that, because the market has exceeded the current cap they've created or going to create at least, it's being talked about a separate retention pool to be spent on retaining your players. So right now you have a $21 million revenue share pool. In this concept they're discussing, you'd have an additional 25 million dollar bucket for retaining players. So your 21 million dollars could be spent on transfers and high school players. And then you have $25 million. That's the number they're talking about for the retention pool. So that's 46 million or so, which gets you at least closer to the current market. Probably still 10 to 15 million dollars off from a lot of schools. So those are the, those are big changes.

[Olin Buchanan]

Ross, tell me how I should feel like. Does it feel like maybe not this particular August, you know, recess is coming up, it gets fixed. But does it feel like some kind of bill will pass through in the next couple of years? Or is it just. Are we just spinning our wheels here? I guess is what I'm asking.

[Ross Dellinger]

Yeah, you know, probably about, I would say like two weeks before the bill was introduced, I had a good idea it was going to be eventually going to be introduced. And I was speaking to some coaches at an event in Nashville in probably early May, and they said, well, what are the chances this, this, in this bill that is about to be announced in the next week or so. What, what are the chances that it passes? I said 30 to 40%. You know, once it came out, you know, I. Probably based on the reaction of the SEC and Big Ten and many others, including the Congressional Black Caucus who spoke out against it, I kind of dropped that to 30 or lower than 30. 20 to 30% didn't pass committee at 19 9. It passed bipartisan. I thought, well, maybe it is. Maybe it does have that. Maybe I'm back to 40%, you know, but the bottom line is if they don't get the SEC and Big Ten on board, it's probably below 50% that it passes. If they get the SEC and Big Ten on Board, it's probably above 50%, maybe even above 60 or 70% that it passes. So I think it's got a good chance if the two leagues get on board. And all indications in the last few days are that the two leagues are pretty close to supporting the bill.

[OB Nuno]

Wow. Yeah. Hey, with this 25, how, how much do we believe that a $25 million retention pool is going to solve the problems of players bouncing around from one team to another every year?

[Ross Dellinger]

Well, there is good reason to doubt that it will solve the problem problems we've seen, you know, the way the bill is written. Oh, and it, it eliminates any, basically any deal schools are using. Obviously, as you guys know, schools are using all these corporate sponsors and multimedia rights partners to exceed the cap with, with associated entities. So any associated entity deal, the way the bill is written, counts against the cap. So all these, all these mmr, all these sponsor deals would count against the cap, which is why they're raising the cap. The big question is will the College Sports Commission and this bill gives the College Sports Commission legal protection to enforce its rules? Will the College Sports Commission police like it's supposed to? Will it reject, will it reject these deals? So it's all, it's kind of to be about enforcement. Now I'm, I would be led to believe that the College Sports Commission has a better chance of enforcing some of these rules when it, because it has the law behind it. Right. So the thought is, you would think, you think so, but I, I have a hard time believing that schools won't find some way around any new rule. And I'm sure they will find some

[OB Nuno]

way around this one. They always do.

[Ross Dellinger]

Yeah.

[Olin Buchanan]

Ross, I appreciate your time, brother. Thank you so much, man. You always do great work. Yeah. Ross Tellinger, Yahoo. Sports obi. Thank you, buddy. We'll hit a break, we'll come back. I think Billy's joining us. The top of the 9 o' clock hour, Roman Harper in the 9 o' clock hour. Brian Heyday who covers Mississippi State. Maybe Alyssa Lang, maybe Pablo Escobar. We'll get to it on the other side. Warning. The following ZipRecruiter radio spot you are about to hear is going to be filled with F words.

[Caller or Guest]

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[OB Nuno]

Fantastic.

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