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Tony Kihl: Welcome back to the latest episode of In The Flat Podcast. I'm your host as always, Tony Kihl. Joined this week as always, Jess and Jordan. Obviously we have some actual games to react to instead of just talking about previewing things we have no idea as you heard all weekend, all week about how the best defensive line in the country was Florida State's and they did not look like the best defensive line in the country, yes, that's where all that talk gets used is, no results there. What we're here to do is talk about the actual games from Week 0, but then do our best to preview Week 1. Crazy things can happen, teams could be worse or better than we think. But we'll try to give you our best opinion on where we think things will happen for Week 1.
Let's start there if Week 0 look back. Wasn't a lot of games, but there was some surprising results. I think we talked a little bit about it on the podcast and we felt Georgia Tech could be a team that is better than they've been in the last couple of years. They had to end the last year on some momentum.
They played Georgia Tech at the end of last year. And they came out and they beat Florida State on a late field goal there in Dublin. If you look at the, to me it was a lot of scrimmage that they wanted. They're able to run the ball, I think for 275 yards, two touchdowns for Jamal Hayes.
Their quarterback, Haynes King, ran for another 54 yards, threw for 146, and they're able to win that line of scrimmage battle against the Florida State, which was supposed to be, better in that field. For me, Florida State just, they had some early oppressive drives, but I think it came down to me that they couldn't pass the football, and once I think Georgia Tech realized that they, made, tried to make DJU throw to beat him, and he just couldn't, falling 193 yards past him.
Which is again, we talked about when we talked about Florida State, our only worry about Florida State this year was DJU the right answer. Pass around to you guys, Jordan, what did you think of this performance? Anything surprise you from Georgia Tech being in Florida State?
Jordan Schultz: It just surprised me.
I thought Florida, like you said, Florida State was going to be the contender, top team in the ACC when the, the ACC, but then they just, DJU just did not look good, couldn't throw the ball more than I think at halftime, negative 0. 1 yard passing, like forward
Jess Sabin: in the air, one air yards per pass, meaning he did not average a pass beyond the line.
As
Tony Kihl: long as the ball doesn't have to go forward, he's good. He would have been great for the 1930s and 40s. I think,
Jordan Schultz: no, Florida state just did not expect that to happen. I think Georgia Tech. Crazy to me is that they are one, one good quarterback away from being, somewhat relevant in a lot of ways.
Tony Kihl: I guess that's my question for you guys. With this already having a loss, you can still make the playoffs obviously with the new expanded playoffs, but would you just at some point near next game or two, just throw it out to one of the young guys and have it more of a developmental type year?
To try to build one of those guys up and maybe he can make a run to the playoffs for you. If not, to be ready for next year or what would you do, Jess?
Jess Sabin: Are you asking me about Florida? Oh, yeah. No, they're not. They're not doing anything at quarterback. They're not doing anything at quarterback. They've got all this. They had all this hype in the offseason. It was the first week. They're going to run with it. But. I think, they got him in the transfer portal.
This whole team is essentially we talked about this in the ACC projections. It's so much of this. It's like new guys that haven't replayed it all together. There, there's growing pains with that. You got punched in the mouth in week one. You were in an entirely different country.
I think they, they keep rolling with it. And chances are they're with that loss, I think. I think Florida State is all but They would really have to turn things around to make the playoffs because they have no room for error All I gotta do is
Tony Kihl: win the conference
Jess Sabin: Yeah, did you see someone saying that like essentially that they should only play their starters in like conference games or some someone's like hot take crazy strategy Rest your starters, you know against these cupcake easy opponents In the non conference games and then just play your starters in the games where it really matters to just make a run for the For the whatchamacallit the For the conference championship.
Tony Kihl: Yeah, you're here in a minute. Yeah No, I think I definitely could see a team that's going for the conference championship Like for to say they're back in it by the end of the year They played Notre Dame in november like those non conference games late in the year I could see teams resting a bunch of their starters because They want to make sure they get healthy and win all their conference games to get to the conference championship.
That's what's going to matter. That's what's going to get them into the playoffs. Almost like the NFL, of sorts, when they arrest players at the season. It's it's going to be something similar to that, I have a feeling. All right. Other scores of note for Week Zero. Montana State came back from 17 down to beat New Mexico.
35 31. I jinxed them. I said, Oh, we picked New Mexico. They're going to win. And they lost. My bad, guys. Sorry.
Jess Sabin: You always call it too thin, Tony.
Tony Kihl: I do. I do. I get too excited when I see it. Don't mess with
Jess Sabin: the football, guys. I'm like,
Tony Kihl: Oh my God. We did it again. We called a good one. And we always lose. SMU came back.
I was surprised that this wasn't more of a blowout. But they came back to beat Nevada 29 and 24. They didn't look as good as I thought they would. So I'm a little worried about SMU getting into a bigger conference there in the ACC. And then hawaii, did not stay up with live stream. Sorry if you guys were expecting that they did to beat delaware state 35 to 14 in pretty easy fashion, but a little closer than I think vegas had so I don't think anything crazy there any closing thoughts before we move on to our next segment
Jordan Schultz: No, I just feel bad for Delaware State getting they missed their butt they're trying they're playing yeah and yeah, that's just I feel bad Yeah, so you probably didn't get as much time to celebrate in Hawaii as you would like, yeah. The
Jess Sabin: only the only thing I'm really taking away is that I, my hesitancy with SMU might have been a little validated, at least for one week.
Yeah, we all, yeah, every
Jess Sabin: Not that, any of us even remotely expected to get I'm done. A dog will always
Jordan Schultz: catch his tail once. Yeah.
Tony Kihl: He does. Unless DJU is throwing the tail to him.
This is
Jess Sabin: not a good good pod for me. I can't. No wins for Jess.
No, you're at the bottom of the barrel here. We're going to rest you for a little bit. Alright. Next segment, we're going to go around the horn a little bit here. Obviously there's a lot of A lot of things that we were predicting to happen this year.
So we're going to run a horn, get a little hot take. We'll rethink our, maybe something that's a little outside of normal, what the normal pundits are saying. And so I'm gonna start with you, Jordan. What you give us one of your hot takes here. Give us 30, 40 seconds of of this hot take. Let us know what do you think is going to happen.
We'll go from there.
Jordan Schultz: Alright, this started off, we talked about Florida State and everything. I definitely think that, NC State could win the ACC Championship this year. Without Florida State, basically, I feel like that loss knocked them out. With Grayson McCall coming, they haven't had that quarterback, Grayson has carried, brought GCU to 8 win, multiple 8 win seasons, he's super accurate with 90, or 69.
9 percent completion. He's only thrown 14 interceptions in his, 5 years, so he's played in the college football, a long time. But, not just, Grayson Cummins, they also have some decent receivers, and Kevin Cantopcino I can't pronounce his name. He had 839 receiving yards, they also have, multiple deep threats out there that have, can carry this team.
They also Jordan Waters from Duke at running back. He rushed for 819 yards last year over at Duke, their offense has always been that question mark and always been that, area of, can they get over that hump? But, we always, their defense is still going to compete, still be that defense we've seen last year.
They were third in third down stops, fourth in interceptions. With Aiden White returning a corner and a transfer from Ohio State in Ja'Had Carter, their secondaries should be good, but they also have that, easier schedule. They really only play Clemson this year in conference play NC State, in my eyes, is going to win, their conference, the ACC, and be in that college ball playoff this year.
Tony Kihl: All right, good call. Yeah, I think North Carolina State is going to be definitely one of the top contenders as well. I could see them, if things break their way actually, going a distance and winning the ACC, but it's going to, I can see it between them and Clemson.
It's going to be pretty tough. All right, Jess, what's passing over to you, sir? Colorado has been in the news a lot. So why don't you tell us a little bit what you think Colorado will do this year?
Jess Sabin: I don't think they win more than six games. They've got some pretty they've got a pretty rough schedule.
Week two they got Nebraska, then they end the year with Utah, Kansas, and Oklahoma State. Back to back. They've had such bad vibes in the off season. All of the Deion and Sheadeur talking controversies. I don't think they make, I think six games at best for them.
Tony Kihl: Alright, six games at best. I tend to agree.
I don't, I haven't seen any enough improvement from the transfer portal or definitely not recruiting to improve this team in year two here. So I agree with you totally. All right. I'll pass it over to my, myself. So I have a popular topic, especially for my family in Ohio. I'm going to talk a little bit about Michigan.
So for me, I think this will be the year Michigan beats Ohio state again. So I don't think Ohio state would break through. And I think there's a real simple reason as to why that is. It's basically on our defense and our physical approach versus the funnest approach of Ohio State. I just haven't seen enough in the offseason to think Ohio State will change.
And I think Michigan's defense will remain in attack with Will Johnson. Mason Graham can have Grant, Rashawn Benny ends Derek Moore and Julius Stewart. I think they'll continue to control the line of scrimmage and really stop that vaulted Ohio State offense. And then when you look at the Ohio State side, I still have questions on their offensive line and how they'll deal against this front, as they haven't shown they can do anything.
And I don't think they made any changes to beat this team in the last three years. And I think Michigan will do just enough on the offense with Alec Orgea quarterback and the pieces around him with Semaj Morgan, Tyler Morris, close to Loveland and then Donovan Edwards at running back. So I have them in my playoff bracket.
I think you're going to continue the mystery for Ohio State. All right, now let's move back over to you, Jordan. So I think you want to talk a little bit about Missouri now. So what is your hot take on Missouri?
Jordan Schultz: My hot take is that Missouri makes the playoffs this year. They only really have Texas A& M and Alabama on their schedule.
They did lose their top running back, but they did bring in Carroll from Georgia State, who rushed for 13, 000 yards last year. They have some veteran players on defense, brought back a lot of offensive line players. They also have Luther Burton III, who a lot of people think he's the number one receiver in the college football right now.
He had over 1, 200 yards of receiving last year. Missouri's making the playoffs this year.
Tony Kihl: Alright, good pick. I think a couple of us have Missouri in our playoff picks, which we'll show you a little bit later on in the podcast. All right, Jess, back over to you, sir. I think you want to talk about a little more high profile team to Colorado.
Let's talk about Georgia. What is your hot take on Georgia this year?
Jess Sabin: I think that Georgia could lose two to three regular season games this year. They have one of the tougher schedules in all of college football. They start the year with Clemson, but they get Clemson at home. So I think they'll win that.
But games at Alabama, at Texas and at Ole Miss. I think they could lose two, if not possibly even all three of those games. I think Texas has the size. I think they're gonna have issues with Jalen Milroe Jalen Milroe of Alabama. And, I think of the last ten, they've lost eight against Alabama, particularly they haven't done well at Alabama.
And I think Ole Miss is gonna be very good this year, and being that it's at Ole Miss, can't count anything out in the SEC.
Tony Kihl: Alright, I am not riding with you on that pick. Georgia fans, you'll see later. You're in my playoff, you do quite well in my playoff bracket. We'll see what happens with Georgia this year.
I do agree, it's a much tougher schedule than they've probably had in the past though. Alright my last thought would be on Syracuse. I have my hot take is I have Syracuse winning 10 games this year. So I know that probably sounds silly. Being in Syracuse has done a lot in the last few years, but I really am a big fan of their new coach, Fran Brown.
He reminds me of Marcus Freeman in our name. The way he builds relationships, the people want to play for him, run through walls for him. I really like the team he has this year. Kyle McCord, I think, will be serviceable at quarterback and offers his upgrade there. I really like the physical receivers he has.
The Hatcher. Or on the Ganson and Justus Ross-Simmons for Colorado State. And Dan Villari, I like all those guys. On defense, we have 13 defenders that saw at least 300 snaps last year. Some of those are coming from LSU and Texas A& M and other big time teams. And looking at their schedule, I think they can beat Ohio, Stanford, Holy Cross, UNLV, Pittsburgh, Boston College, California, UConn.
And I think they get Georgia Tech and Miami at home. So I think they can split those. And I think they're going to be off to a great year in Bram Brown's first year. So that's my hot take on Syracuse. All right. So we have our hot takes. We talked a little bit about our playoffs for our hot takes. Let's take a look at our playoff picks now.
Some of you will be, love our picsk, some of you may think we're the stupidest people in the world. We'll sure, we'll get all the feedback on either side. Yeah. I probably will get the most hate, I will say, from certain fans. I'm ready for that hate. Yeah, I don't know about Jess picks either, yeah.
Let's take a look here though. Here we go, pulling on up. All right, so Jess. Walk us through your playoff picks here, sir.
Jess Sabin: So I have it being an Ohio State Texas final. I have Ohio State winning it all. I just think they're the most talented team in the country. That's what happens when you spend 20 million dollars on your team in college.
There's a lot of money there. I think the upgrade is going to be big. I have the first round being Ole Miss. Versus Penn State in the 8 9 game, Notre Dame versus Liberty in the 5 12 game, Oregon against Alabama in the 7 10 game, and Georgia Miami in the 6 11 game. I have Georgia winning Oregon winning, Notre Dame winning, and Ole Miss winning, all of the higher seeds, nothing really all that crazy there.
I have Ohio State beating Ole Miss, then we get to the ACC champion. Er, not the ACC. The Big 12. Arizona, that's Big 12, sorry. God, I am so out of it today. I do not know what it is. The Big 12. I have Arizona winning the Big 12 but losing to Notre Dame in the 4 5 game. I have Texas versus Oregon.
Texas is gonna win that. And then Clemson, Georgia and I do have Georgia winning that game. So it will be in the semis, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and then Texas Georgian. Like I said, I have Ohio State, Texas, in the final with Ohio State winning it all.
Tony Kihl: All right. Good picks. Pretty solid. The only point I want to question, I do think Arizona will be good.
I don't think they're going to win the Big 12, but that's just my only hiccup here. I like the rest of your picks. They make pretty good sense to me. So let's pass it over to Jordan to see what you have a little bit different here, sir.
Jordan Schultz: Yeah for me, I have Notre Dame, Oregon in my championship game and I have Oregon winning this one.
I just think Oregon, it's their time to actually shine. They always have the decent teams but, it's time. Dillon
Jess Sabin: Gabriel gets them over the top.
Jordan Schultz: I think so. I think he can win a championship. Sorry, Dillon Gabriel. I think he's putting, yeah you're wrong, Tony. My 8 9 games, Michigan, Alabama.
I'm different than Jess. I have Boise State, my 12, and Notre Dame, my 5. I have Texas, 7, Missouri, 10. Oregon, 6, and Ole Miss, 11. And then I have Alabama beating Michigan. Boise State beating, no, I'm kidding. Boise State losing to Notre Dame. Texas beating Missouri. And Texas losing. Oregon beaten Ole Miss.
For my conference championship teams, I have Ohio State at one. Alabama, playing Alabama the next game. You got Utah for Big 12. I got Georgia for the SEC. And I got NC State for the ACC. I talked about that a little bit ago. I do have Oregon beaten NC State. Georgia beaten Texas.
Notre Dame beating Utah and Ohio State beating Alabama. I do have Notre Dame beating Ohio State in the next game. I talked, they're going to play Oregon after Oregon beats Georgia in the semis. And I already said that I have Oregon over Notre Dame to win the national championship game.
Tony Kihl: All right. Interesting picks. Yeah, I have any other picks. I just don't trust Oregon. I guess that would be my big thing, but everybody, you guys seem to really love Dillon Gabriel. So maybe on this, on the, an outlier here, but I just, he'll be a good enough against the bad teams. I just don't think he'll be good enough against the good teams, but that's my own perspective on Dillon Gabriel.
All right, take a look at my picks here. So for me, I have Alabama coming in eight, Michigan nine, Notre Dame five, Boise State 12, Texas seven, Missouri 10, Oregon six, Ole Miss 11. See, I do have Oregon in the top, in the playoffs, so Oregon, get off me a little bit here. I have Michigan beating Alabama again for the second year in a row in the playoffs.
I have Notre Dame beating Boise State. I have Missouri beating Texas. Yes, a little shocker there, but I think Missouri has a good, really good offense. Don't shake your head at me, Jess. I have Ole Miss beating Oregon, just because I'm not a believer in Oregon and Dillon Gabriel, as I mentioned. I'm it might be a little shock to some here, but I had Michigan beat Ohio State again because I have them being already in the final game of the season and everybody can shake their head and say, Oh, that's not going to happen.
You guys didn't think they're going to be the last three times and they did. And I think my big thing you said I have upgraded quarterback for Will Howard. I do not think that's upgraded quarterback. I think he cannot pass the football to save his life. I think he could run the football really well and they'll be all the.
Sub bad all the bad teams in the Big Ten. They'll struggle against Oregon, but probably because of their roster Can out can manage to beat them, but I do not think they're gonna beat Michigan there at the end. I think most teams I don't think there's gonna be any Undefeated teams outside of Notre Dame in the regular season.
That's why I think I still have Ohio State at number one there But I have Michigan beat Ohio State again, I have Notre Dame beating Clemson I have Georgia being Missouri and I have Utah being Ole Miss. I really like Utah. I like their old school approach. And I think they will build us when the line of scrimmage with if Cam Rising Cam Rising, going down and not having a backup would totally ruin this for me, but I do think they'll be back and build ready to play after taking a year off.
I have Notre Dame being in Michigan which for Notre Dame fans, it'll be very sweet. Then I have Georgia being Utah and Georgia beating Notre Dame. I think Georgia is the most talented team. They're angry. They lost last year. They're one game. They were 13 1 and they took it as a really bad season last year.
Which means they're going to come back here angry and I think they're going to run for the teams. I think they'll probably wind up losing some games just because the schedule. It's hard to go into feed with that schedule. But I think they will maintain and win the playoff and beat Notre Dame in the final.
So that is my playoff prediction. Any thoughts there, guys?
Jordan Schultz: No, I think you're spot, I feel like all of ours. There's always, in everyone. But, nah, I think you got some horrible picks. It's alright. We all make mistakes. Ohio
Jess Sabin: State, if you wanna say that maybe Michigan beats Ohio State once, I could disagree but wrap my head around that.
But twice?
Jordan Schultz: Twice. Do you
Jess Sabin: want them to burn down all of the football facilities in Ohio State?
Jordan Schultz: I don't know if they could do a to, is it this,
Jess Sabin: how many games are Michigan in Michigan's getting into the playoffs because they're only the first rounds at home and then, oh dang. And then stun, Ohio stay in the regular season and then they're gonna beat them again in the playoffs.
Tony Kihl: Yeah. 'cause I think, and the thing is like. like I was to take the second round here or whatever you would call that round is not at home. It's going to be a neutral site in a bowl games like the Rose Bowl. So it's not like they would be beating them out of state.
Jordan Schultz: Yeah.
Tony Kihl: So it's a neutral feel. I don't know.
I just feel like that Michigan defense matched up really well against Will Howard. Now Ohio State, if they make a change of quarterback and they put one of those young freshmen in that could throw the football around, then maybe I'll change my perspective on Ohio State. But I think that's what they're going to have to do, because everything around them is good.
But I'm a little worried about their offensive line, and I'm a little worried about Will Howard being able to throw the football enough to beat a really good defensive team. I don't know if there's that many good defensive teams outside of like Iowa and Michigan, and Iowa doesn't have the offense, and if Michigan has any pulse on offense, I think they can, be very similar to what you've seen the last couple years with Michigan and Ohio State.
That's the playoff picks there. Shake your head at me all you want. Family in Ohio. I am sorry. It's nothing personal. This is my thought on the situation. It's personal. No, I hate Michigan. I wouldn't be picking Michigan if, trust me, if I did believe. Alright, what's up with I've
Jess Sabin: got some good friends who are big Ohio State fans.
And my dad hates Michigan.
Tony Kihl: Oh yeah, everybody hates Michigan. Who doesn't hate Michigan, except for me this year. I picked you guys. Just remember that, guys. I picked you. He didn't pick you guys to win it, so he still hates you. I beat you to pick Alabama and Ohio State, that's pretty good. He loses Notre Dame, that's fine, who cares.
Alright. Would you say that Michigan or Notre Dame is the Dallas Cowboys of Notre Dame. In terms that everybody seems to hate them. Oh, that's Notre Dame.
Everybody hates Notre Dame. As a fan growing up, I've gotten used to the fact that everybody hates every time I mention Notre Dame. I don't care.
It's you like the Giants. Everybody hates something. It no big deal, right?
Jess Sabin: Look, that's
Jordan Schultz: Hey, they suck. So we can talk
Tony Kihl: about
Jordan Schultz: it.
We can talk about it .
Jess Sabin: I we could, but that is that is not, that's a long podcast. We have to, we
Tony Kihl: have a lot to bring up in that podcast. So we'll talk about that.
Yeah. That,
Jess Sabin: that you want to hear me go off . Get me talking. Alright. We can
Jordan Schultz: talk about Tony. Tony's got Caleb Williams. I do. The Prodigy quarterback, I
Tony Kihl: mean. I took a turn away. I see what you guys were talking about last year now with him. Now that he's with the bears and a good team around him No, I was never talking about it.
I wasn't doing that.
Jess Sabin: You acknowledge the talent.
Yeah, I,
Jess Sabin: I like the talent that's on
Jordan Schultz: my team. Jess, I know you're upset that the Giants didn't get him. It's OK.
Jess Sabin: They got Danny Dimes. We were ever getting the number one overall pick. You got Danny Dimes, bro. We weren't able to get Drake May, but Malik Neighbors looks great.
Danny Dimes. Daniel Jones.
Jordan Schultz: Danny Dimes.
Jess Sabin: Alright. But, I am going to cheer for them and get very upset every Sunday.
Tony Kihl: We can riff on the Giants all day, but we're going to move on to the week one preview here. There's a lot of good games this week. Clemson and Georgia, I will start there.
This is, Georgia came into last year with a quest to win three in a row, and they came up short in the championship game. We're Alabama. So like I mentioned earlier, I think they're coming in, this one hungry. They're loaded with a lot of talented players across the board, offensive defense.
They have Carson Beck coming back. Many thought he was going to the draft last year. He's come back to, try to win that championship this year. Yeah, this game will be taking place in Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. So home, it's a neutral field, but home game there for in many cases.
As for a little bit short of exe I think many thought that coming along, they would lot out of cave clinic th moments where they went a at the end of the season, gets some good competitio in this game, they're loo dog, 13. 5 points at one p could be more or less. No 13. 5. Yeah, it is. Okay. Yep. So do we think coming to this game, do you guys think the K Clinic will be approved?
Do you think this Clemson is going to have enough firepower to keep up with Georgia? Or do you see this as Georgia just putting their foot on the throat and slowly, taking them out of this game? So starting with you, Jess, what do you think about this one?
Jess Sabin: Look, I have Georgia I have Georgia moves in a couple games this season.
I have Clemson winning the ACC, but I think Georgia is going to win this game. I think Clemson's coming off, the end of the season strong. I think Cade Klubnik still has a lot of potential. Hopefully he doesn't end up like DJ has looked at DJU rather, not Daniel Jones, being that we were just talking about the Giants a bit.
But I don't think this is going to be a game they're going to win. I think That while Clemson has a great defense, I think this is gonna be a lower scoring game. I think Clemson will be keeping it close. I don't think Georgia's gonna blow them out of the water. But I do think Georgia's gonna win this one and probably, I think Clemson will cover.
I think Georgia wins by 10. It'll feel like a relatively comfortable 10 that'll have moments throughout the game where ah, can Clemson do this? No. So I've got Georgia by 10. All
Jordan Schultz: right, Jordan. Yeah, I got Georgia. I think, I don't think Cade's gonna improve. We already have given him a year and he did not improve last year.
I think the only real thing going for Clemson this year is they have Phil Mafah still on their team. But I think Georgia's just gonna comfortably win this game. It might not be a blowout I, but I think that Georgia is going to be in the lead the whole time. I think Georgia just is the better team offensively and defensively.
They look more complete on offense. I just think Cade is not going to be able to improve enough and show enough.
Tony Kihl: All right I tend to graphic Georgia wins. I think it could be closer game than maybe people are thinking. I think it's a low scoring game. I like Phil Mafah for Clemson. I think he can run the ball.
I really punished that Georgia defensive line. And I think the offensive line is gonna be much approved for Clemson this year. I like some of the additions in the new offensive line coach they have. I think they're gonna do some good things there, and I think this game could be close, but I think it ends up being Georgia by about 10.
As you mentioned, just I think that's a good score there, so I'll give it with you as well. Georgia by 10. All right. Never again. Penn State in West Virginia. Yeah. So Penn State faced a little bit of a test here as they go on the road in Morgantown to take on West Virginia. Obviously we always talk about Penn State.
They're coming into their second straight double digit win season under James Franklin. They finished third in the Big Ten last year. They're predicted to finish third in the Big Ten this year. It feels like they're always ten and two. But not quite there. And so they need to win this game if they want to make that the next step.
But I will say West Virginia took a step up last year. They finished 9 4 in Neal Brown's fifth season. So they see some improvement there, but will it be enough to will it transfer over this year? I guess the big question, if you're high on or not high on Penn State is you see Drew Aller approving as a passer for Penn State.
I think your receiving corp was too good just to be wasted if he's not going to improve. But in West Virginia perspective, their offensive line is among the best in the Big 12. They have a talented group of secondary to slow that talented Penn State receivers down. Jordan, to start with you, who do you got, sir?
Penn State
Jordan Schultz: or West Virginia? I got Penn State. I think they just have a little bit more star power. I just don't, I think it's going to be a lot closer that I think they're giving Penn State eight and a half. So I think it's going to be a lot closer. I think it's going to be a touchdown. Yeah.
Jess Sabin: It's going to be a touchdown.
Two
Jordan Schultz: field. Two field goal game. I don't know. I think, I don't think Drew Allard's going to improve enough. We all thought he was going to be, they all thought he was going to be the guy. He was going to be Penn State's, person. They're going to improve, but they haven't improved. They're going to do the same thing they do every year.
And lose two games and make a bowl game. If we still have those. I don't remember.
Tony Kihl: We
Jordan Schultz: do.
Tony Kihl: Jess, what do you think?
Jess Sabin: I think Penn State's gonna win handedly. I think they're gonna hit that 8. 5 over and I think they're gonna I've got a lot of Oh, I was talking about hitting
Tony Kihl: it the other way. I'm sorry. I think West Virginia
Jess Sabin: I think Penn State I think Penn State wins by like 17.
I think they I think I don't think Drew Allard is that guy. I'm high on Penn State. I think Sorry, Penn State. Am I the only I forget what you guys had there. Did,
Jordan Schultz: I don't even I didn't even talk about Penn State. Am I the
Jess Sabin: only one that had Penn State? You are.
Jordan Schultz: You are. I didn't even I didn't even talk about Penn
Jess Sabin: State.
I think Penn State's gonna be good this year. I think they're gonna, they're gonna be good enough to make the playoff. I think West Virginia I don't think West Virginia's gonna even, I don't think they're really touching Penn State. I've got Penn State by 17.
Tony Kihl: I think West Virginia wins this game outright.
I, it's my first upset pick of the week. I, if you had to pick one of these, it's gonna be this one. If I remember correctly from last year's game, it was 14 7 Penn State at half. It was 21 15 in the fourth, and then I think Penn State rolled off like 17 points to pull away. But that was at Penn State. That was before West Virginia really found their footing last year.
That was the first game of the season. I feel like West Virginians would have come in here, in Morgantown, something to prove, make this a rock fight, and grind out like a three point victory. Pass the ball, big. West Virginia. Don't make me look stupid here. So I'm gonna go up there and do that.
Jordan Schultz: They're going to
Tony Kihl: All right, next up Miami versus, Florida So for Miami, there's a lot of hype coming in a season You have Cam Ward coming in from Washington State along with talented Oregon State running back Damian Martinez You have a huge talent for offensive line. They've been building the last couple years So there's gonna be a strength of this team.
You got to think it would be on the offensive side The defense, I think they still need to approve. They gave like 32. 4 points a game last year. They are bringing in the recruits, but all those recruits ready to perform. They have some transfers. Will it be enough to really get them up and running for Florida?
This starts a really a brutal year long stretch of schedule. What they have going for them. They have two enormous lines, both the offensive and defensive lines. They have a really good running back in Montrell Johnson. They have a solid set of receivers. They have Elijhah Badger from Arizona state.
They have Chimere Dike from Wisconsin. They have their quarterback, Graham Mertzbach, who, we weren't a fan of in Wisconsin, but he played much better considering what was around him last year at Florida. So you've got Florida starting off their season at the Swamp, winning this game. Where is Miami going to live up to their hype?
Start with you, Jess.
Jess Sabin: I think Miami's gonna. Live up to the hype. I think Miami's the better team. I think they've got a very strong foundation in, and I like Cam Ward and I think, the spread's only two and a half. You mean Miami went outright? Cover the spread. I think Florida's gonna be better than maybe people anticipate, like we, we discussed it like no one's schedule is rougher than Florida and the entire country.
But I think that they're going to be one of those teams that they're going to be a tough out. They're not going to win many games, but they're going to give teams a fight. I think they'll give Miami a fight, but I think Miami wins. I think they cover. And yeah, give me Miami.
Tony Kihl: Alright Jordan, do you agree?
Jordan Schultz: Yeah, give me Miami. I think this is This is the game that, Billy Napier's Someone's going to throw a fire underneath his seat and it's going to get a lot hotter. I think it's going to start early. I just think Miami, I think Cam Ward's going to really boost her, boost that offense. And yeah, two and a half.
Yeah, let me bet that, I think Miami is just a better team right now than Florida. I just don't see it. Give me Miami. Tony, I know you're wrong. So I've got
Florida because it's in the swamp and I don't see Miami going to the swamp and beating this Offensive defensive line. I think Florida usually plays well and swap a slip.
They beat Utah two years ago at the swamp then yeah, Utah team was a really good team that year I think better than this Miami team And so I feel I just feel like Florida is going to be motivated because they know they have a huge stretch They got to get the season off, right? Miami still has the whole team You know the conference after this to go on, but I just don't I'm not quite a believer in Miami yet Every year they come in that this is the year Miami turns that corner and they haven't really done that yet So I think Florida will come in here and handle business in the swamp So yeah, give me that two and a half and then I'll pick for it.
So that's my pick So we'll see who's right a lot of differences opinion this week So I don't hope I'm on the wrong side of things You will be. Usually I'm not though, I'm pretty smart. Some good things about Georgia Tech is all I'm saying. Alright, USC at LSU. Okay, so the Trojans have won a combined 19 games in the last two seasons and their third year under head coach Lincoln Riley.
They're hoping to make it to their third straight bowl game for the first time since 2015 and 2017. Obviously, Miller Moss is replacing Caleb Williams as quarterback. He has 92 career pass attempts of nine touchdowns. He obviously looked really good in the bowl game last year. USC also gets a big time transfer and Mississippi State running back Woody Marks who had close to 1900 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns at over 214 receptions last year.
So big time player there there's obviously high level recruits all over the offensive side of usc. So I don't think they're going to have any issues, Scoring the football. I guess what it comes down to as a defense. They have a new defensive coordinator they bring back mason cobb who returned who was the leading tackler last year of 85 tackles they have jamal muhammad who had 6.
5 sacks last year. Jacobe Covington had an interception So they have some pieces we'll all be able to put together and make it a a solid team. Jess, we'll start with you and your beloved USC Trojans. Who is winning this game, USC or LSU? I didn't talk about LSU at all. I guess I should talk about LSU.
They have Brian Kelly, the third year. They have Garrett Nussmeier. You're so
Jess Sabin: enthusiastic about this. Garrett Nussmeier replacing Jayden Daniels. This is like the worst game for you because someone has to win. Yeah,
Tony Kihl: I'm hoping for a 25 overtime slobber knocker and they beat each other after the rest of the season.
Yes, but I hope I think Garrett will come in. He has a lot of, a lot of experience, might take him a little bit of time to fit in. They have a really, I would say one of the better offensive lines in the country with Will Campbell, Emery Jones there on the offensive side. They have some good wide receivers that transferred in Zavion Thomas and CJ.
Daniels defensively, they have Major Burns, Harold Perkins, and some others, but I think their concerns will be on the cornerback side. Here's my LSU breakdown. Jess, take it away. Who's winning? USC LSU.
Jess Sabin: I've got LSU. And the big thing for me is that offensive line that LSU has. They have at least two first round guys in both of their tackles.
Their book ended there. I like the little we've seen from Garrett Nussmeyer. He looked good in the bowl game last year. But It's gonna come down to how much improve that USC defense is. And I do think it will be better than last year. I do think they got some bodies now, they got, they added some size.
I just don't think it's gonna be enough. I'm gonna go with LSU. I think that offensive line is gonna give Garrett Nussmeyer time. I think he's gonna take time over the course of the season to really see what we've got with him. But, he's got the Hog Mollies in front of him to give him some, let him get through his progressions, read the defense.
He's gonna have time in the pocket. He's not gonna need to be running for his life. Give me LSU.
Tony Kihl: All right, Jordan, do you agree?
Jordan Schultz: Yeah, I got LSU. I just, USC's defense is still such a question mark for me. I never know what it's going to be and what it's not going to be. I just think Nussmeier showed, glimpses of greatness last year.
Especially in that bowl game. Yeah, it's a bowl game, but he did almost put up 400 yards. They brought some good players in. Talent in my receiver and CJ Daniels from Liberty. He caught over a thousand receiving yards last year. So I just think LSU is all around a better team defensively and offensively.
I just don't think Lincoln Riley can ever under figure out that defense. It's showing as all his, all the seasons he was at Oklahoma, it's showing a lot here at USC. He just can't get that, spot. And I think it's a huge ask for a quarterback to come in and replace a player like Caleb Williams. I just think that LSU all around is a better team.
Not a coach though, but all around, every other position, they're just better.
Tony Kihl: Alright yeah, this game's
Jess Sabin: interesting. It is in And betrayal Is still fresh, huh? It is in
i'm still pulling a knife in las vegas
Jordan Schultz: So it is in las vegas. So
Tony Kihl: it is in las vegas. Yeah, this is interestin game for me. Hey, I know usc have so much trust in their defense but if you remember last year LSU's defense was gave up a lot of points in certain games where You that the secondary was a concern and a secretary is still a concern this year.
And USC has the receivers, a quarterback that could potentially, hurt that secretary. But I do feel like the athletes on defense or on the front are gonna be enough to slow down the USC offense enough to have LSU witness one, but I think it could be a closer game than maybe somewhere predicting, I could see this being a seven to 10 point LSU win over a USC.
I guess gimme, gimme LSU all right. Finally we have the main event of the evening.
Oh, this is apparently it's 36 seconds. Yeah Main event the prime time event notre dame and texas a& m. This is where game day will be at. You know a lot of expectations on both teams. I you know, I think some are Justified some or not. I think Texas A&M is coming to the season with plenty of expectations though They have a new coach after getting rid of Jimbo Fisher in the offseason They have Conner Weigman coming back on our center at quarterback.
He threw over 979 yards, eight touchdowns, two interceptions last year before getting hurt. They have a new offensive coordinator, Collin Klein, coming over from Kansas State, who should bring some fun along with the run personnel. They have three offensive linemen starting to return. They, they have, obviously, they're, I hate to say they have the best defensive line in the country, but that's what it's looking they have the best defensive line in the country. I know that was some praise said the same thing about Florida State. I imagine it's a little different here with Mike Elko as the head coach. He'll make sure the defensive line is actually, the best in the country. They do have injury.
Reuben Owens is out for running back, but they have the two behind him that are really good. They have, good all around defense. I would say their weakness, just looking at it would be their offensive lines might struggle a little bit. The receivers have been struggling a little bit in training camp.
So you gotta wonder if they're gonna get that shirt up. And then for Notre Dame, they bring in also having some new coaches. They bring in Mike Denbrock coming from L. S. U. Over to Notre Dame as the offensive coordinator. He, obviously had some success in his last two stints at Notre Dame.
His last time he was there was in 2015. One of the most explosive years Notre Dame has had. Obviously, they Moved on from Sam Hartman, brought in Riley Leonard, who is a good, running quarterback that is showing some ability in training camp to throw the ball down the field pretty well.
And they, I think the one area where they have upgraded the most on the Notre Dame side, obviously, is wide receiver. As they have obviously they have Jayden Thomas still, they still have Jayden Greathouse, Jordan Faison. They also added Kris Mitchell Beaux Collins. Both have a bunch of passes caught in their career.
And then defense. predict to have one of the top five defenses again in the country. They lose Audric Estime. Jeremiyah love is taking over with Jadarian Price right behind him. Jess, we'll start with you, man. What are you thinking about Notre Dame, Texas A and M? This will be at Texas A and M. 110, 000 fans.
It's hot. Little facto. It is hotter Wednesday. In Notre Dame, Tuesday and Wednesday in Notre Dame, then it will be at the actual game time. And the humidity will be worse in South Bend than it will be in the game. Maybe that will, maybe that's God bringing down a little bit of heat to South Bend to get them ready for the game on Saturday.
But what do you think happened here, sir?
Jess Sabin: First of all, I must say that I am very impressed with the level of research that you've done. That you even know that it is going to be hotter. Prior to the game on specific day, Tuesday and Wednesday specifically in that's because Marcus
Tony Kihl: Freeman had a press conference today and didn't mention all this.
I wasn't watching the weather
Jordan Schultz: or anything. So it's like we know Miami's gonna be Florida's gonna be hot, so And USC at LSU is in a dome, so why does it matter?
Tony Kihl: Yeah, all these teams playing domes, get out there and play in the environment,
Jess Sabin: we let Mother Nature take its course. That's right. Say that Notre Dame, I think it was posted, you guys posted it in the chat, they're going to be starting two true freshmen on the left side of the line.
Yes. That is not nothing. That is a big deal there's going to be an experience factor there, there's going to be a conditioning and strength and, unlike the NFL where people For the most part, you a lot of people, a lot of the guys go to NFL, they've grown into their bodies more. If there's a 23 year old going up against an 18, 19 year old true freshman, there's going to be that body developmental factor.
That being said, I'm going to go with the Irish. I think they have a better all around team. They have, who I think is the second best corner in the country. Benjamin Morrison, I believe his name is. Yes.
Tony Kihl: He's the number one cornerback in the country. I think you were mistaken there.
Jess Sabin: Yes. I think he's number two behind Will Johnson.
But, I'm not going to get into this. I'm not going to. We could spend all the time arguing this upcoming corner class. It looks really good. It does look really
good.
Jess Sabin: But, I just think Notre Dame is a much more talented team. I like Riley Leonard. Thankfully his ankle, I believe it is doing alright.
So his mobility shouldn't be too impacted, so I'm going with Notre Dame here.
Tony Kihl: Jordan, what do you got, sir?
Jordan Schultz: Oh man let me, I'm gonna throw a curveball in there. Ready? I got Notre Dame. Got my hopes up, Jordan. I really thought you were gonna
Jess Sabin: do it. I
Jordan Schultz: wouldn't have done it to myself.
But last year they had the seventh best scoring defense. 5th best total defense. They allowed, they were the 5th in yards allowed per play. Their defense was just dominant. They were turning 5 starters from their defense. Especially, All American Xavier Watts, a bunch of other players.
A couple transfers that corner, but I definitely think, yeah, they're a true freshman on the offensive line, but they're another name. Offensive line, you man. They're that, they're beating out. Players have been there. There's a reason they're starting. So that doesn't give me concern. But, Riley Leonard, you can mobile, good quarterback.
I think that's what Notre Dame has been missing the last couple of years. Someone that can throw and move. Sam Hartman last year just didn't seem mobile enough. But Jaden Greathouse looks good. We went to the spring game. He looked ready to go. He'll look bigger, faster. Mitchell Evans remains healthy.
He's just going to put up numbers. I think Notre Dame, like you said, just has a better all around team. I think Texas A& M is still going to be trying to get out of that Jimbo Fisher mindset that they've had for the last couple of years and all the money that they're paying him to sit at home and watch the game on TV.
Notre Dame, I think they're going to cover. I think Texas A& M is a mind blowing team. Three. Two and a half? Three? It was a three at one point. I don't know if it dropped back down. Yeah, but I just think that Notre Dame has a better own team, better coaching right now. I think they want it more and they're really hungry and I think it's, their time.
I think Violent Hunter is going to put up huge numbers in this game behind that offensive line.
Jess Sabin: It's Notre Dame by two and a half, I believe.
Is it Notre Dame? I thought it was Texas A& M by
Jordan Schultz: two and a half. Yeah, it's Texas A& M
Jess Sabin: by two. Oh, I'm sorry. No, I read, I did read that backwards. Yeah. Notre Dame plus two and a half.
Jordan Schultz: No, on ESPN bet, it's three. Yeah, I knew it was three in some places. A& M favored by two and a half. The over under is at 46 and a half.
Yeah a&
Jess Sabin: M is favored.
Tony Kihl: Yeah, for me, I think this is going to be a rock fight. I don't foresee this being an easy game for either team. I like Mike Elko a lot as a coach.
He did, I think he did a lot of good things with Duke. Look at year one and year two at Duke. They're both really good years. He took a less talented Duke team and really elevated him really quickly. And I like what he did as a defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, seeing him up close. I think he'll get this defense where it needs to be.
The offense, I think, will be a little bit of a downfall. That's because I think the offensive line will struggle a bit. Receivers may struggle a bit. They're going to be depending a little bit on some younger guys as well. I, so I can see it being like a really, Slugfish because both defensive lines are really good.
It's gonna be really hard to run the football against these teams And so that means they're gonna not be able to throw the ball They're have to refer to ball and I just don't know both corners are good, too So you're gonna have to have some quarterback runs here and I think Riley Leonard is better at that I think it'll open up.
I also think Mike Denbrock Part of the reason they put two young freshmen Offensive linemen in because they're lighter. He likes a lighter shiftier offensive line for you could do more of The screenplays and the quarterback runs and get down the field quicker and that kind of thing. So I think he did it on purpose.
I am worried about the offensive line though, even though they are talented. If this was game four or five, I'd feel a lot better about it in game one at College Station. So I'm a little worried about that. So they might have some issues early in the game. I think both teams probably will in the offensive line because they both are struggling.
In that area. So I could see this being like, 14, 10 kind of game, wins. This would be a close one, I think. Should be a good game. I hope it's a good game. Yeah, you, I hope it's one that actually lives up a little bit to the hype yeah. Hope to see a good one on on Saturday though.
Alright, with that, we are wrapping up the the podcast for the week. Again, thank you for for joining us. If you want to follow us on x, make sure you follow us in the flat pod. We have all our information there, our website, and all of our details. If there's anything you want to talk about, throw it there on Twitter, or X, and we'll go ahead and add it to the podcast for next week.
Next week, after the first week of games, we're going to give us, give you our Heisman picks. I figure we should at least give it for the first week. That way we're not just throwing out names based on what media is hyping up, but we'll actually see them in the game. We can see what they actually do before we can give them a good opinion on who we think is going to win the Heisman.
So we'll do that next week, and we'll be able to break down all these games. Hopefully talk about some good contest. Maybe some surprises out there, but until next time guys. We'll talk to you soon. Bye