Episode 123: SEC Preview

[00:00:28] Welcome back to the next episode in the Flat Podcast. I'm here with Tony Kill, join again this week. So guys, we're going to continue our Previews. Last week, obviously it was the big 12th. This week, we're going to dive into the SEC and where

[00:00:40] you see the SEC going in a short term and long term. Before we get into the preview portion of our podcast, this week, we're going to dive into any major news updates are out there. Obviously,

[00:00:50] we talked about the Michigan, the Michigan scandal last week and we said we were reported anything updated. A little update here. I know there's the reporting from family and others. The Michigan receives a draft notice of allegations from SEC, NCA on Sunday that included

[00:01:06] a level two charge against head coach, Schromor, according to the two sources there. ESPN first reported that more face potential penalties for allegedly deleting text messages is the exchange of Connor stallions. And obviously that, I think it was also reported that

[00:01:22] it was confirmed at Connor stallions. Was that central Michigan in the coaching gear, which obviously a little bit illegal there. But also, contain the draft, also contain a level one charge against stallions, Jim Harball, Chris Partridge and former recruiting staffer, did an unrobocent.

[00:01:37] So there's a lot of charges being out there. There's been no report on officially about if there's going to lose games, lose the national title, what the future holds as far as like postsies and bands or anything. But not much to go on this last week,

[00:01:53] this set there is officially movement in that process. And I think we'll probably see something changing here in the next couple of weeks. You guys have any thoughts based on this any surprises? I don't think so, but he's presaged order anything else you hear

[00:02:06] in Michigan? No, I think the thing is being a Michigan everyone doesn't care. Everyone's like it didn't happen. We won the title. Everyone else should have. Everyone, everyone watch his film on other teams. But does that all? So I haven't heard anything different. I think stuff coming out

[00:02:24] it's slow, but I think the N-Slave I want to do this right. Yeah, I just don't know everything out and make sure everything's correct. But yeah, it's still early. Yeah, for sure if all this is true or not, there was going on.

[00:02:41] Yeah, also solid Jim Harbao. I think recently less couple hours also said that he had no knowledge of any cheating going on during his time. So he's continued to set fast on that.

[00:02:51] I don't see how you how this guy paid all this money to go to all these schools and pay premium prices for stuff on his own. But maybe he did. This will see here next few weeks. All right, more positive news. Let's get in the positive news.

[00:03:04] Coach is presaged and poll. I guess positive if your team was ranked on the coach is going to see some poll was released today. Let's go for the top 10 here. Georgia had the most votes. There's number one Ohio City number two,

[00:03:15] Oregon three Texas four Alabama five, Ole Miss six, Notre Dame seven, Michigan eight, Penn State nine and Florida State 10. A lot of other teams in there. You have your Missouri LSU, Utah Clemson's Tennessee that follow. So you're just anything surprising. Did they get it right?

[00:03:33] Anything you like you would change if it was you building? Honestly, I don't have much that I think I would change. I think maybe Alabama is a little high. I think we're going to be going into this a bit later, but what our thoughts on

[00:03:49] with no next say bin and how is that going to affect the program? But that top four is what I have as my top four that in that order. Notre Dame at seven, they had a very good off season.

[00:04:05] Sadly as you guys said in the group chat starting left tackle went down. So we're going to have to see if that's going to affect things closer to week zero and how the polls are.

[00:04:15] Michigan I think is a little high, but you do have to respect the national champs whether they cheated or not. They are there. There's going to be some respect there. But I think I might actually have them outside the top 10.

[00:04:29] But overall, I don't think there's really anything I disagree with that strongly. Are you Jordan anything on your hand? Nothing just hit on it. Only what I disagree with is how did Iowa squeeze into the 25. They have a post of office here right? New office.

[00:04:46] You know what happened when games 10 to 7 now instead of 7 to 3 Jordan. You got to respect it. Put the ball. You got to be a little bit better. I think this is correct. I think the SEC definitely is a dominant conference this year with Georgia, Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas,

[00:05:10] Missouri, they're all a dominant. They're also dominant this year. The conference is such a weird thing. So having so many on here is not really questioning, but no, like just said the top four probably majority of people's top fours.

[00:05:27] There's a lot of other note, Michigan doesn't new head coach, Alabama, new head coach, things like that. But I think the coach is no better than most fans, most people. So I think this is a pretty good list. Yeah, I agree.

[00:05:45] I have some little small grives. I would probably have Ohio State number one over Georgia, but that's this because I feel like Ohio State brings back to your entire defense. Plus added Caleb down from Alabama and some other pieces there.

[00:05:58] And I think they're going to be, they were one of the top defense last year. It'll probably be even better. And then if we'll Howard is can be that running quarterback today. And I think you'd have a chance to open off. It's up a little bit there.

[00:06:09] So I think Ohio State should be up. But that's just one that's I guess that's your own opinion there. And who you picture me the more on? Yeah, I think it's pretty even as far as the top 10.

[00:06:17] As far as the top 10, you have four big 10, four SEC teams in the top 10. So obviously this is going to be the two dominant conferences again this year. I do graphic Michigan's a little high. I think that has lost too many pieces at the B up that high.

[00:06:31] I still think they'll have a good defense. I think the offense really struggle where they won't have that consistency at quarterback this year. So I would probably drop them into maybe closer to 15. This because of that.

[00:06:43] I don't know if you said that Michigan did get one vote for number one. I'm guessing that's her own coach. You think that's who did that? Just so you got to just somebody know as they did have one vote.

[00:06:54] It's even more successful Michigan is like given them one because of the comments. Yeah, I saw that as well. Texas also got one vote. Probably from Texas as well. So I'm sure Oklahoma did give them that vote. Yeah, so yeah, the top heavy. I'm interested in Ole Miss.

[00:07:07] I still everybody's like really high in Ole Miss. I look at Ole Miss is Penn State. It's still Ole Miss can actually beat Alabama and Georgia's of the world.

[00:07:15] I see them as a nine to ten win team that this can't be the really good teams in our conference. And I just don't know if they should be that high, but if you compare them, repetitions might be they should.

[00:07:24] I don't think there's a lot of great teams just here. There's a lot of I think you have a potential great team in Ohio State. I don't even know Georgia should be a great team based on how they play. It gets good competition last year.

[00:07:35] There's a lot of good teams. I don't think there's any great teams. So I would've been surprised there was a lot of upsets and not a lot of them. Not a lot of like undefeated seasons.

[00:07:42] I think this year so it's pretty but overall I do a graphic the list itself is pretty decent overall. All right. So let's jump into it as far as the SEC preview. So obviously new to the conferences here, we have Oklahoma Texas. We get a pretty loaded conference.

[00:07:58] We also got rid of the divisional divisions. So there won't be like the West versus the East or however, or whatever was last million years where you had a really good Georgia Alabama plan a really weak is the opponent or vice versa.

[00:08:10] I think they play each other with Georgia and Alabama but you won't. If there's two dominant teams in one side, you won't have to leave one of them out just like the big ten. So I do that fact.

[00:08:18] If you look at the record last year, you have a it's pretty top heavy. You know, 12 to 13 wins from Georgia Texas, Alabama, 10 or 11 wins from Missouri, LSU Ole Miss, Oklahoma,

[00:08:30] then you jump from near Tennessee, nine wins and then you have a bunch of seven win teams in Texas A&M, Kentucky, but then you have your more of your bottom teams in Auburn, Florida, South Carolina,

[00:08:41] Arkansas, Mississippi State, to have four or five wins that are better built with two wins. We'd be interested to see how it kind of plays up this year. But yeah, my first question is about those new teams that we talked about Oklahoma and Texas.

[00:08:53] Who do you guys see from a short-term perspective which really this season having the better better the more success? And then maybe beyond the season between Oklahoma and Texas, do you see like what come in and fit it in right away?

[00:09:06] Do you feel like they're both going to need that time? Well, Oklahoma eventually catch up to the recruiting of Texas is doing right now. So start with you Jordan, what are you thinking? I think this year, Texas is a lot better than Oklahoma.

[00:09:19] And I think Texas is going to be able to ease right into that e right now. Just I feel like these two schools got really lucky at the point where they are. I think if it was two years ago, three years ago they joined them joining.

[00:09:33] They would be bottom. But right now with Texas or the SEC kind of being a weird, you know, we're spot with so many different things going on. Alabama and next day of the retiring Georgia having a weird time with arrests and everything.

[00:09:51] So people still can't drive in Georgia. So I think Texas is going to be especially next year with Queen Ures coming back. They brought in a lot of good transfer receivers from Bama or against day tight ends from Bama.

[00:10:06] They just they brought in a lot of good receivers. I think the biggest thing is that their defense can get up a little better. Their offense already put up 35.79 points a game last year. I think it's going to be a better year for Texas.

[00:10:22] I think Oklahoma has a kind of a difficult schedule. They play five or six schools that are projected to finish in the top 25 this year. And it really doesn't help to have a new offense and coordinator. And only five are all five of their old line.

[00:10:38] Thoughters are not on the team anymore. I got Texas. I also got Texas in the long run. I think recruiting in Texas is a lot better. I think Texas is going to be able to recruit better just because now they're in the SEC.

[00:10:50] And I just think Texas is going to be able to develop players better. Hopefully, arch manning pans out and a Tony loves arch. And no, I just love the arch. Just definitely was not me. I will say that.

[00:11:04] But Texas, I think Texas is going to be the better all around team going forward. All right, just you have the same outlook. Yeah, especially in the short term if we're just looking at this year. Just take a look at their schedules. The SEC schedule alone for Texas.

[00:11:20] And Oklahoma is just different levels. Texas gets Mississippi State. Oklahoma, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky and A&M. Oklahoma, however, gets its Tennessee Auburn, Texas. Ole Miss Missouri, Bama and LSU.

[00:11:41] At the very least, based on that preseason poll, Oklahoma has I think it's six of their eight SEC games are going to be against projected top 25 teams. And then Texas only has two. So obviously projections are projections.

[00:11:57] Things are going to change, but at the very least with what we are projecting here on the short term.

[00:12:04] And the Jordan said, Texas, PFF again, it's not the end all be all, but they have both the receiving core of Texas and the offensive line ranked in their top five position in it rankings across all college football.

[00:12:18] Really Texas is only weakness is going to be their past defense with the loss of to Vandre sweat and Byron Murphy, using two of their better past rushers.

[00:12:30] So they're really hoping on the development of Malik Mahamed and the addition of Andrew Mukubo, who I believe they got from Clemson and the transfer portal. So they Texas, they are a big team. And that is what you need in the SEC.

[00:12:50] They've got size, they've got power, they can just hit you in the mouth, they can finesse you. And I think when yours despite his issues, he is still one of the five best quarterbacks in all college football.

[00:13:03] I think he's going to end up being a mid to late first round pick this year granted currently being a projected week. QB class but still first round QB if nothing else in college means you've got yourself a good college quarterback.

[00:13:20] I think Oklahoma is going to finish in the upper mid section of the SEC but I think this SEC is very deep. But I think Texas is going to be competing with Georgia to win the whole thing. All right. Yeah, I agree if you both.

[00:13:36] If you look at this season, I think Texas definitely has won the better quarterback right now. I think they'll go on as the young quarterback who really is getting his first year to start.

[00:13:46] So I don't think you won't know what your habit will really get to their plays all year. But yeah, I think they have a bit of a quarterback that are offense and their defense is playing better. I was the Oklahoma's defense approved last year.

[00:13:57] They were at top like 16 defense, Texas is top 12 defense last year. But then again, they both played big 12 teams. I am interested to see what happens. They play more athletic SEC teams on a week by week basis.

[00:14:10] It's always a I would say always a challenge this first couple years of as a transition to a new conference. And there was a lot of games where Texas lost they should have Iowa states of the world or Kansas state or those type of teams.

[00:14:24] There's going to be a but there's going to be like a team like that every week for both of these teams. But your point of the Texas is gets it easier schedule and they have a better team this year.

[00:14:32] So little unfair advantage for them this year compared to Oklahoma. So I think they will do better then in a long term, yeah, I think Texas is just recruiting on different level.

[00:14:39] Then Oklahoma right now Oklahoma is a good top 15 type of recruiting function right now where Texas is more in the top five type. And there's going to athletes they were missing that for many years.

[00:14:49] Texas obviously to say the Texas is vehicle crewed that well like many of the ever schools have been doing. Then you're going to be well in your way to having a good team every year and then that big that's what Texas is doing.

[00:15:00] I definitely think long term they'll be there as well. Yeah, I think mentioned that they came on the right time. I honestly think this is a few years ago when Lincoln Rally was in Oklahoma.

[00:15:08] They'll Oklahoma may have failed better because of the offense, but their defense obviously would have been destroyed.

[00:15:13] So I don't know if it's a I think I think a good year for Oklahoma joined but I definitely think they hired right person bread and retables to continue to work on that defense get the right people in place.

[00:15:23] And then keep hoping you get the right quarterback to really lift that offensive up to back where it was with Lincoln Rally because I think there were decent offense last year.

[00:15:31] I think it's a year of the top 20 top 17 defense last year, but they're going to get teams that are at the top 10 offense Georgia Texas Alabama Ole Miss LSU all in the top 10 and we'll offense last year.

[00:15:44] And then so you got to compete with those teams that you're not quite there yet so half the comforts has a better offensive years you need to catch up there and have to comforts has probably a better defense in you. So you need to build that as well.

[00:15:56] So Oklahoma is long way to go, but I do feel you guys are right on with Texas this year.

[00:16:00] I think in terms of sorry to you know cut you off there telling me, but I think in terms of long term projections for both these teams it actually might be better than what a lot of people are expecting.

[00:16:13] Because Texas in Oklahoma have that Midwest backing in terms of the NIO Texas is going to have all of the oil money them and SMU is a team that I think people looking towards the future ever to couple people mentioned like they're going to be in the top 10.

[00:16:27] So much money. It's one of the reasons why Oregon is going to have what's his face from Nike just promised, yeah I'm going to give you guys like a freaking hundred million dollars a year in NIO.

[00:16:43] Oklahoma in Texas are going to have that kind of backing because so many of their graduates are so invested in their programs and. So teams like Alabama and Alabama doesn't have that breath that that amount of money that's going to be coming into them.

[00:17:03] They were able to just dominate recruiting with Nick Sabin for song and obviously like any top program I'm sure there was some stuff under the table that got some guys there, but now that's it's all going to be pretty much out in the open.

[00:17:17] Everybody's on quote unquote equal footing, but you know my kind of the whole point is not every school has equal footing, but I think teams like Oklahoma and Texas are going to do a lot better.

[00:17:29] And maybe teams like Alabama or LX teams that Florida is going to have a ton of money. Are they going to rise up?

[00:17:37] I'm not saying we know any team that has them on their schedule it's going to be a much harder schedule instead of what Florida is currently dealing with which I'm sure we'll get into Alabama is not one of the top 10 NIO schools.

[00:17:51] I don't think both Texas and Oklahoma are so if NIL is going to be as impactful as I think we think it is.

[00:17:58] Two or three years down the line here Oklahoma might we Alabama might start slipping LSU might start slipping some of these SEC schools that don't have that level of financial backing that right now we love Ole Miss are they going to be able to keep up with that oil money in the Midwest there.

[00:18:17] I think Oklahoma might be able to get up these ranks faster than we're giving him credit for.

[00:18:22] Yeah, no, but sure. I'm definitely Texas has the money. I think Oklahoma is in a pretty decent spot but your point I think Alabama I even heard that they struck a little bit to get the money.

[00:18:32] That may change over time with various booster funds and things like that they could put out but you're right somebody schools are going to be richer to others, but does it quite mean everything if you.

[00:18:42] I mean a lot of these players are balancing NIL with where they feel like developed on the best for the NFL so Alabama right now has that the back key to get's why they have number one recruiting class right now because.

[00:18:55] They still are our look at as a team that could to develop for NFL so killing the board first few years I think is going to be interesting to see.

[00:19:05] How they perform with the current players how he brings his own players in and if that development is still there that may dictate how Alabama does this will ever change to as well.

[00:19:14] But speaking about Alabama obviously I think the biggest change for SEC this year is that Nick same is no longer there and they now have killing the board coming off of his national championship game.

[00:19:24] A parent's wash is now their head coach he's doing really well from like recruiting perspective he's getting the right players there again number one recruiting class right now so players are fired up the play form but how do we see what's the outlook for Alabama or killing the board we feel like.

[00:19:41] They're going to take a major step back they'll keep the status quo they make place step up that's that's got a lot of Alabama program but last couple years I have a one title Alabama so I'm interested what you guys think is going to happen here so just let's argue.

[00:19:55] I think they'll keep the status quo in that I think there'll be good enough to make the play off.

[00:20:00] I think they're in a I think they're in that second tier of SEC teams right now but I think that top tier is really just Georgia and Texas I think they're a bit separated from the pack as it were.

[00:20:14] But Alabama the chances are they're still going to win a play off game at least depends how the bracket falls but I think Jalen Monroe is.

[00:20:26] Good he doesn't blow me away I need to see him take that next step forward this year which I think he's more than capable of but as it stands right now I think he's. He's not the best Alabama quarterback I've ever seen.

[00:20:40] But I don't know really where to put them I'm not blown away by their weapons they already lost as a bond to Texas but overall it's Alabama.

[00:20:54] They've got a top level recruiting class that's going to stay the same right now again like I was saying with Oklahoma I think that's going to be in a couple years we're going to see how I know really shakes things out.

[00:21:04] That's going to affect the conferences like the big 10 and the SEC but right now Alabama is still more than good enough to be competing possibly for the SEC title depending on how things break I personally think they're tier below Texas and Georgia.

[00:21:18] But it's Alabama and excitement isn't there but it's still Alabama they're still going to be easily one of the best teams in the country they'll be they'll probably finish in the top 10 and they're going to make the play off so when to play off game and then everyone's going to be like let's still Alabama.

[00:21:33] So I think they're going to keep the status quo in that sense maybe an extra loss here there but they're play off team easily. Jordan what are you thinking about Alabama?

[00:21:44] I think they're going to take a step back this year I don't think they lost their star weapons Isaiah bond transferred tight in. I'm already nickel black transfer the Texas they got a lot of players in NFL just their offense.

[00:22:01] Dylan Monroe is going to have a lot to he's going to have to step up huge like I did it get a transfer from Washington on offense but he's going to really have to step up.

[00:22:11] All of his game and actually play really well every game no inconsistencies is it's just going to be tough on defense I think they'll be fine but it's going to be different because they do have a defense of coordinator and everything so that's going to be a shift.

[00:22:27] There's a little huge shift in culture already because you don't have coach you're going to have any defense of coordinator. The big issue mark for me is that offense is Jalen Monroe going to take that step forward develop better at quarterback.

[00:22:43] I think you think new head coach has shown that he can develop quarterback to develop players develop a good offense and I think last year and the year before Alabama's offense hasn't been there.

[00:22:59] I haven't developed enough offensively to have that dominant team like they always have but this year I could see them taking a step back.

[00:23:09] Will it happen probably not their schedule their schedule is if he can be bad, but it can be really they can wait at two games called more games and you think.

[00:23:19] But this year I think they'll take they'll take a small step back depending on how Jalen Miller goes it really is all on his shoulders their defense is going to be Alabama but if it's going to be like last year and we don't know if they're often going to show up.

[00:23:37] Then Alabama's just going to have a rough season. So I and all good points there. I think to be a kind of echo back if we're for this question, I do feel like probably status quo as far as Ryan about the same record.

[00:23:51] But they do play Georgia in the regular season this year instead of in the potential SEC championship so there's a potentially on the get early lost.

[00:23:59] If as I look at the team as it's makeup, I fake my questions on the off or on the offensive line so they do get back all as you see your Tyler Booker.

[00:24:07] Caden Proctor transferred Iowa they came right back but he struggled a bit and his first true freshman starting year some interest to see what kind of development he has.

[00:24:16] I do did they got the center from Washington Parker brills for it was part of that Joe Ward winning line last year so they have I think they could probably make improvements with the offensive will on.

[00:24:27] I do worry about the receivers they do have a colleague apprentice is coming back because you only really only returning to your court when at 15 passes so lot of youth and a lot of experience during the while receiver side.

[00:24:40] I do like to pick up during Bernard the Washington, while receiving a transfer to over. I think he can add something to be like more of a secondary receiver but I don't see it true number one receiver unless.

[00:24:51] The true freshman Ryan Williams or Caleb Odom can step up and become those threats but I think they might need a little more time so I'm a little worried about the offense.

[00:25:00] The only have six defensive starters that returned at had over 200 stamps last year and so you got to be a little worried about that based on the transfers they lost the ones that graduated.

[00:25:11] So a little worried there but I do say I think the defense will be fine they have the new defensive coordinator came one Mac that has a really a bunch of 300 pound.

[00:25:21] Studs there like to him oh this or Tim can keen in or Tim Smith all those are back and they also have LT over 10 who transferred from Texas A and so they have a bunch of like stop defensive linemen so I think the defense line would be elite which will help them make up for maybe a little bit of youth on the secondary so there's some worries but they also have some of the top to your talent in the country so.

[00:25:44] It's going to be interesting to see like how they do I do fake like your point you guys made on Jalen Merrow will he develop like he needs to I think he has a good coach to help him do that obviously Michael Panics Jr.

[00:25:57] I've really thrived in the board's offense and so I think can Merrow if Miller could do the same thing he may be able to help carry the office on his back because I'm worried that the receivers are too young the running backs are too on an experience.

[00:26:11] The offense of line struck last year will make enough of adjustment so I graph it could be a status call or could be a step back maybe two losses in the regular season which is not something I think Alabama is used to but I still think them potentially making an outside shot there at the playoffs but I do think it's going to be maybe a little more stronger people are thinking this year.

[00:26:29] All right, what's jumping to games that we're looking forward to the most so there's a bunch of games especially newer games with if you talk about taxes and I don't want to be involved but.

[00:26:38] What's talking about what game you're looking forward to the most so Jordan will start you wouldn't which game do you have circles that you really want to jump in and see.

[00:26:46] Honestly, the easiest one Georgia Texas we could that could be the championship game played October 19 and then played again championship week.

[00:26:56] But I just think that's going to be the biggest test for Texas going into the SEC they're going to have to play their best football and it might honestly be a test for Georgia Georgia.

[00:27:09] Definitely probably I'll play Alabama, but it'll be another test they need to I feel like last year they really did cost a lot on every game they played majority of time they coasted so I think this game.

[00:27:24] After the Alabama game with this Texas can win this game Texas is going to play the championship game of Georgia can win this game it's going to be a toss up but this could definitely come down to being the championship game also.

[00:27:41] All right that that Georgia Texas is that game. All right, Jess what do you look for to mine is one that might be a little I think could be potentially really interesting but isn't going to get as much love as the.

[00:27:58] Texas storage game Ole Miss at L. L. L. L. I think the teams that are going to make the play off this year out of the SEC I think you have.

[00:28:13] Three certainties in Georgia Texas and Alabama and then I think he gets interesting that's where you get your L. L.

[00:28:22] I think we have to use your Ole Miss you're going to have teams like maybe Missouri take that step forward kid Oklahoma be better than were initially anticipating Tennessee with their new quarter back how they're going to look.

[00:28:38] And I think that game will possibly determine which fourth team makes the college football play off because I think we're going to be talking the big 10 they're going to have some they're going to have a number of contenders. but the SEC is the big powerhouse right now.

[00:28:53] And I think it's going to be really interesting to see how LSU performs with quarterback Garin, Newsmyer who looked really good in their bowl win against Wisconsin, but being that it's not a, it wasn't a playoff game. A lot of players sat and were out. They were oldness.

[00:29:12] How are they going to look? Everybody's really high on them. Well, the lane train really gets to the station this year, get them into the playoff. I think that game's going to be really important.

[00:29:23] And it's also going to be at a kind of a pivotal time of the year. It's a week seven game. So you're about just halfway, maybe a bit halfway through your schedule at that point. There's not good if you lose something, a big game at that point.

[00:29:36] It's going to be really hard to make it up. But I think that game is going to be going to be going to keep an eye on. Especially the last year was 55 to 49. I'll miss. That was a, that was fun game last year. Yeah.

[00:29:50] I also have old miss game in my is when I'm looking forward to. But mine is Georgia and Ole Miss on November 9th. And I feel like I mentioned earlier, but I keep my stigma on Ole Miss is that they could never win the big game.

[00:30:03] And my big games are Georgia. Alabama and I guess Texas and Oklahoma could be in that right now. But I think this is opportunity. Georgia has to go to Ole Miss to play this game on November 9th.

[00:30:13] I'm interested to see like how Ole Miss does in that game. Can, can they pull the upset? Can they show up in a big game? Georgia already have one loss by this point because. Think about Georgia has to play Alabama and Texas before this game.

[00:30:26] So I'm interested to see Georgia on the feed of coming to this. I mean, we've got to loss as Ole Miss going to loss. If they both come here for one loss, this could be playoff on the line type of game that you're seeing in November.

[00:30:36] So I'm intrigued on how that looks. What that's going to feel like if Ole Miss could pull it off or we'll, one of these teams getting knocked out of the playoffs by this game. So that's what I'm looking forward to the most.

[00:30:47] And with talking about that, they play Georgia plays Alabama. All burn Mississippi State and Texas without having a buy. So they're playing Alabama. And then Texas also in a four week stretch of no break. Yes, it didn't get a winner.

[00:31:05] Those teams in the middle that they should be. They have one more trouble with them because they're coming off the Alabama game or looking forward to Texas game. So that's going to be interesting because those are body blows they and maybe taking them away.

[00:31:17] It was a game that they probably should it. You know, all right. What's up players now? Obviously there's a lot of great players in SEC, but which player are you looking for? Do you feel has the best shot to win the high as men?

[00:31:30] So I'll start your Georgia who you get your eye on as far as highs and winners from SEC this year. I can go with the easy easy one and just say yours, but I'm going to do different. I'm going to lose their burden of third.

[00:31:42] I think last year he had over 12,000 or 12 hundred yards. I say if he had 12,000 yards, he should have been husband last year. On a Missouri team that is definitely looking good. Continue to look good. I think he all day at nine touchdowns. He was really consistent.

[00:31:57] He averaged 14.1 yards of catch. Can break off got that speed. I think if he can take a huge step for, he can be in that top four. He's been players and just be that guy. I got a lose their burden of third. Nobody knows his name now.

[00:32:17] One of the best receivers in the country. And could step up. Their schedule is pretty easy this year. Missouri. So I definitely can see him. Take a huge step. All right, Jessica. It's a tough one. I don't want to take the easy answer and say yours,

[00:32:36] but then I don't want to take some ludicrous answer as great as he is. I don't see a defensive player like Harold Perkins, Jr., or James Pierce, really. They kind of see him in the defensive player. We need to put themselves in real highsmen consideration as it's crazy.

[00:32:52] I'll go with an M quarterback on our weekman. I hope I said that. He says his first game of the season. That's great tougher him to win the ice match. That. Oh yeah, they've got a Notre Dame week one, right? Yes.

[00:33:04] But I think with the pace he was at for over 3000 yards total KBR. He didn't do much last year. I think it was what 130 drop-ax before his foot injury. I think he can bounce back from that though. I think the NM sells talent.

[00:33:23] They're not going to be some tremendous team, but I definitely think that big brand, Dessie C, if he plays as well as he looks like he was going to play last year. Then I definitely think his name will be up there. He might not win it.

[00:33:39] I just don't think it ends good enough. But he as a talent, I think he can definitely have his name in that conversation. All right. I'll go get picks. I'm trying to think of something outside the box here.

[00:33:49] I can come back to Jailin Maroen that you guys were wondering if he can do it this year. I think with Kailin Borrific, he will improve and if you look at from the Vemba first on last year. He was actually pretty good. The 10th and total QBR,

[00:34:03] played a 67% of his passes, was make us some game winning plays, average 84 non-sack rushing yards, 7.2 yards of carry on lows. Obviously he's not as accurate as Michael Panic's Jr. was, but he's probably a lot more mobile.

[00:34:18] And I would love to see what Kailin Borrific really great offensive mind does with him. I think that offensive staff is coming over with from Washington. I think you're going to do some good things with Jailin Maroen put him in the best opportunity to succeed.

[00:34:31] If I think if I'm out of my wins, a lot of games this year gets to play off. When is a couple games there? I think it's going to be a part due to the improvement of Jailin Maroen. So I had you see him being in that contention

[00:34:42] and if they're able to get the most out of him this year. So that's my pick. We talked a lot about schedules today. I did what a plan I wanted to schedule. I think we talked about it in the podcast towards the end of last year.

[00:34:53] That was for the, it was announced, for the schedules now, so it's announced as loud. This has got to be the hardest schedule ever. And so if you look at their schedule, I can vary on the preseason poll that you look at,

[00:35:03] but they have a potential of 10 ranked teams on their schedule coming in. So yeah, Miami, you have an easier one and a sampled. And then you go Texas A&M, Mississippi State, UCF, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Texas, LSU, Ole Miss, Florida State.

[00:35:20] And I think that's that stretch when you start with Tennessee. You play what? One, two, three, four, five, six, seven ranked teams in a row with no buy. Oh, that's pretty hard. I will say, I don't know why they're buy so early.

[00:35:31] It's 10 or 28, but you got to hope today. They can make it out of this one alive. But what do you guys think? Do you think, how do you think the, the forward will do in a new X, SEC? Will they make it? They break 500 with this schedule.

[00:35:44] Will Millie Napier to head coach make it alive? So start you just, yeah, that is one vicious schedule. I think a lot of it's going to come down to grandmurts, the grandmurts, the quarter pack. I know a lot of people are high on him.

[00:35:58] I think he could be good, but Jesus. If they went a lot of games in this schedule, he'd been at one of the highs when then. You go Tennessee, home against Kentucky, home versus Georgia, at Texas, home versus LSU,

[00:36:12] home versus Ole Miss at Florida State to end the season. At least a couple of who's in home? I think they can get four, five wins here. Yeah, definitely you're Sanford. You have Sanford. Yeah, Mississippi State. And you have UCF, but UCF is,

[00:36:30] I want to shock me if you see a pull off an upset here because they're getting more and more talent. They're not as talent as forward. Florida has been as great, especially if it's bad teams last couple years. I then you have Tennessee and Kentucky.

[00:36:41] Those are just tough games back the back. Maybe an, like I know it's taught, taught kind of weak, widening, weakman, however he pronounces it. But maybe they could get that one. It is a home game. Florida's not an easy place to play early in this season.

[00:36:58] I need to be Miami to start the season for sure. To get this thing rolling, right? But maybe Kentucky, again, another home game. I don't know if I don't think they're going to do. I don't think they're beating Tennessee. They're not beating Georgia. They're not beating Texas.

[00:37:17] I'm really doubt they're beating LSU or Ole Miss. I guess we're best case scenario, right? Six and six if they can split Tennessee, could it be Kentucky? But then you probably lose Georgia, Texas, LSU Ole Miss, a four state. So you have to start off hot.

[00:37:31] You got to beat Miami, you got to beat Texas, you got to beat Mississippi State. You see F, you got to split Tennessee, Kentucky. That's how you get there. Six. I think their absolute best case scenario is I think they lose Miami. I think they beat Sanford.

[00:37:46] I'll give them in. I'll give them Mississippi State. I'll give them UCF. I'll give them Kentucky. So that's one, two, three, four. I think at best they get five wins. Luckily for them, they have seven games at home.

[00:37:59] I guess there's a positive he could take away from the sky. Yeah, I don't know if that. Because last year in all the SEC con games, they led up 33.6 points of game. Nearly 200 rushing yards. Okay. We got to get better. Can't get worse, right? That's what you think.

[00:38:20] But I just feel like Florida, he maybe you're not going to make it by then the year. I think he's gone by that Georgia game. I think Georgia's going to come in and it's Macam. And Billy, they're going to be like sorry. Did you're done?

[00:38:37] Yeah, or did this. They get rid of them after Ole Miss. They lose the Ole Miss game. And they come off like four losses and really probably would do it down depending on what their record is. Because they just they're going to get beat up.

[00:38:49] It's like you said UCF. It's not that it's UCF. It's the fact that they're not just playing another school. It's a Florida school. It's four Florida. Yeah, and you see, if it's going to be motivated to try to win this game

[00:39:06] because they want to win it because it's a four to team. Not even more motivation or normal. I could see them winning Florida state. But that's a half Florida state. That's going to be cheating for the state. If they get better this year. That's a big deal.

[00:39:21] They're going to be about that point. That's they would have no buys. They're going to be dead by the time I get to the fullest state. I don't like Grandma. It's never did. He did better last year though. We could give him that much.

[00:39:30] His was it nine interceptions in that game? Well, that's but he was on Wisconsin. We can't hold that again. He did definitely play a lot better this last year. I just think that they didn't build enough around him this year and build enough around that defense this year.

[00:39:45] I just think. It sucks. I think that there's so many schools in Florida and there's so many good schools in Florida. And Georgia is right there. Alabama's right there. They don't get the players that they should be getting.

[00:40:02] And I don't think Billy Napier's that guy that's going to get those players to come play at Florida. Yeah, no. I agree. We wish to best for you forward in Florida fans. That's a tough schedule. So if you could somehow get the six and six,

[00:40:14] I should say Billy Napier job because he made it out alive and then he could hopefully build upon this with some. His player has seen his burning. Oh, yeah. And he's getting blisters right now. So that's right. It's right.

[00:40:28] All right. Yeah, which team is a lot we talked a lot about the favorites. But what's team do you see that is not currently a favorite to win? So I guess looking at the favorites obviously you have your Georgia sex.

[00:40:38] Texas Alabama Ole Miss LSU Missouri or the top six favorites. And as you see, maybe outside of that group. Is there anybody that you can see jumping up and challenging for not moving out winning the conference but challenging when the conference. And potentially make it a playoff run.

[00:40:54] So start your Georgia. How do that? You know, bottom tier SEC is anybody to feel like it jumps to top tier this year. Oh, maybe Tennessee. I think it's really going to develop a. Go to the develop of a Nico and how good he gets.

[00:41:10] I think Tennessee can do it. We've seen them play. Really consistent ball the last two years. And I think Nico, if he can take a step forward, he could definitely. Make it so that Tennessee's offense is what they were two years ago when they beat Alabama.

[00:41:30] I think that's my team. I think Tennessee is going to be a good team to watch. I think their offense is going to be explosive like a husband.

[00:41:36] I think they need to work on the defense, but assuming they did, I could see Tennessee being that dark horse that. Teams don't aren't like worried about, but they should be. All right. How about you, Jess? I guess Missouri. I think he's going to be pretty good.

[00:41:52] He had a deep we saw massive improvement for coke last season. I think that'll continue against Kirby more with him. I think Luther burden we talked about him a bit earlier. He's phenomenal. Their offense is going to be one of the best in the country.

[00:42:12] I think they could be like a top three in the country. They got so much talent there, but I think it's the same thing as Tennessee. Can their defense step up? If they can get even maybe just regular below average defense against these SEC offenses,

[00:42:30] I think they could be in that range play office tier. Maybe someone unexpected happens. They've got the offense of firepower to compete with anybody, but their defense needs to step up. They also have the schedule. They only really play Alabama this year. Better than top. That's it.

[00:42:53] So they do have the schedule to be able to have a one law season and be up there. They've got Murray state Buffalo Boston College to start the year on at home. Then they get a fourth straight home game to start the year against Vanderbilt,

[00:43:09] Kat and M at UMass homingants Auburn. Jesus. What is this? Is it SEC schedule? Because this is like it. Alabama homing again, so Oklahoma at South Carolina at Mississippi State, Home again, Sarcans. That's the easiest schedule. Yeah. So they have a chance to be.

[00:43:28] They can even if they can get past it. They lose the Alabama. They definitely could be. Yeah, I can see definitely in the playoffs, for sure. But it's hard. Texas A&M. Is it at Texas A&M or yeah? Yeah. That's a hard school to play.

[00:43:42] At Texas A&M is hard. Yeah. Yeah. The second easiest power force schedule in the country. I think it says your ESPN has him. It's SM used the easiest and then Missouri and Syracuse both get honorable mentions. All right. That concludes your outlook, Jared, that team.

[00:44:00] They will last year and with that schedule. That's like it could see him do some things. And they are ranked pretty high on the coaching thing. Yeah. So they start out that way and they're coming out with a gig of much of low-out wins

[00:44:11] because they don't play anybody. I can look good. And then they can we can further talk about like actually winning the SEC. Do we read? I just don't know if they can truly hold up against it. Look at they did get Georgia last year though.

[00:44:24] They almost beat Georgia. They barely lost my games. They won some good ones. They beat Ohio State did some things last year. I'd say like potentially do it for sure. But can they replicate the success? I guess that's the biggest thing. Yeah.

[00:44:38] They should be out of the sea last year. Yeah. It is playing Murray State and Buffalo really going to help prepare you. Hey, get you out of there early. Don't get you in your injuries.

[00:44:50] Get some of the young guys playing at the time before he plays a big guy. It could be a good confidence booster. You hope. All right. So my team is Kentucky. I think the defense as it always usually is is going to be solid.

[00:45:03] Yeah, corners, Maxwell Harrison has last year five interceptions. Seven breakups, nickel, Alex, afar, five point five tackles for the lost. Are now juniors. They have more experience. I think that might allow their coordinator bread white to allow them to be more

[00:45:17] little more aggressive with how he approaches defense, which is just how Kentucky has played the pass. They'll get a lot of disruptor from the front seven. They have the Eric Jackson JJ Weaver Capon for 17 tackles for last last year. And it's supposed to be this line.

[00:45:30] They have the on walker Josiah Harry and Kishan silver average six average height is six foot four. For 120 non pounds and they can pine for 16 and a half tackles for loss. That defense is going to be solid. Now we're talking easily fall short is their offense.

[00:45:47] So I'm interested to see how the offense looks this year to guess and transfers to come in. Obviously the biggest one being a quarterback, Brock of Antagriiff from Georgia. Obviously only had a small sample size last year, which 12 or 18 for 165 yards, 46 yards rushing.

[00:46:02] Been a little bit of playing time. He got he was a pretty top tier recruit. He just you know could it start their Georgia so he transferred to some starts.

[00:46:09] They also have ship trade them the one of the more tougher running backs that come in from Ohio state. They have receivers more Maclin who is one of the best transfer receivers coming from North Texas and Fred Ferrier. I'll never get a receiver coming from UAB.

[00:46:24] Their offensive line is returning four starters. So there's a lot that the build there now. I would say, I don't know if I trust them to develop their quarterback enough to do it because they've been getting a lot of transfers last few years.

[00:46:36] And they're really starting to get a lot of transfer receivers coming from the last year. They're really doing much with them. But that deep fence is good as I think it's going to be made allow a little bit of time to develop and get better.

[00:46:43] I'm not saying they win the SEC, but I think that can get that be it's up out and they can maybe upset some teams along the way. And maybe put them in a position towards the end.

[00:46:52] They went a couple key games that they get their intended for the SEC Championship game, but that's going to a lot probably at its team. But I think they've done a we're already well in the last couple years.

[00:47:01] And I think they might be able to take that next step. And they're starting to recruit very well now. They have a lot of NIL going into the school. So it's might be a jumping off point there for how they want to do so.

[00:47:10] That's my team to watch this here. All right. Well, that what's our final wrap up questions here? Who's winning the SEC? How many teams did I get into the playoffs? Just start with you, sir. Who's going to win? Who's your pick?

[00:47:22] How many teams you picked, SEC gets in? I think Texas wins and I think they get four teams. That as I alluded to earlier, Texas Georgia, Bama. I think are all but guaranteed. Who that fourth team is?

[00:47:35] I think it's going to come down to really LSU or Ole Missor. Now that we went over their schedule, I think you should definitely throw a Missouri in there if nothing else.

[00:47:46] I don't know how Missouri is going to be viewed if they let's say they lose to Alabama. And then losing the SEC Championship game against a Texas or a Georgia. Or something. That's two losses with that easy of a schedule. How was the college football play?

[00:48:04] I'm going to view that. So I think they've got an interesting spot there. But I don't see it would be such insane bias. If the SEC gets five teams in, you get each of the conference champions. So that would be four.

[00:48:26] And then if we're saying that three of the five gets in, that's five. That's five. Three more from the SEC. That's eight. You're probably going to have a couple others from the big ten and then one other. So I don't see the bias would have to be crazy.

[00:48:44] That's all I'm going to say. But I think they get four. All right. Jordan, how about you, sir? No, I'm with you. I just think Texas is going to be the team that wins it. I think they just, I don't know.

[00:48:55] Did I think when you were just going to pick a big step forward this year? I'm with just also. I think they could easily get four teams in. Jordan. I think whoever plays Texas in the conference championship is going to be just two. The SEC one team in.

[00:49:10] On the other hand, it's Alabama, Georgia. Whoever Alabama, Georgia. Ole Miss or Ellen, like, just a Missouri. I feel like, especially this year, there's a lot of top heaviness on the SEC. There's a good solid 16. That could really spice up the SEC a lot. And it's crazy.

[00:49:30] It really comes down to defense. We always talk about, when we talk about the big 12 or the pack 12 and their offensive is being great. But is there defense going to be able to step up? Right now that's where we're at in SEC Missouri.

[00:49:46] The defense is going to step up or Ole Miss. They put up the numbers, but is that defense going to be able to protect those numbers put up? And I think it's going to come down to that and it might come down to even if defenses don't

[00:50:03] know show up this year for the SEC teams. We could see only three teams. But right now I can say four. Including nine, including the conference championship before. Okay. All right. So my pick is Alabama and the reason being is I think, you probably got to figure out

[00:50:22] how crazy this. I think Texas is going to lose three games in the regular season. They play at Michigan and on Ann Arbor week two tough game. They got to play Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Georgia back to back weeks.

[00:50:33] So I imagine they would split that or maybe lose both. I don't know. That's always a tough game. It's Oklahoma and obviously Georgia. They play Kentucky and Texas A.M. Back in the season. Then they have the SEC championship game. I don't know.

[00:50:46] I just don't see them being in Georgia. Maybe I'm wrong there. And I feel like that Michigan game people probably are looking because Michigan's going to be down, but it's at Ann Arbor. And that's a tough place to play 100,000 people. And I don't know.

[00:50:58] I just feel like that's going to be tough. And then I think they'll lose one of the Kentucky Texas A.M. games. Especially at Texas A.M. Is that college field? Conversation. So I feel like that's going to be a tough one. And then we look at Georgia.

[00:51:08] That Georgia kicks it off of Clemson. They play Kentucky and Alabama with a buy-in between back to back weeks. They have to play Texas. They play Ole Miss. They have to play Tennessee. Georgia Tech's going to be approved.

[00:51:18] To make laugh at that, but Georgia Tech and Georgia always plays a close game. So I feel like Georgia may end up with two losses. One or two losses. I just feel like Alabama will sneak its way in there.

[00:51:29] I think they can potentially beat that Georgia team when they play because it's at Alabama. So I feel like that gives that Alabama an edge. And I feel like Killing the Boars is going to do a lot of good things with J.L. and the Role.

[00:51:42] So that's my pick. I may be way off on that, but that's just why I believe in these tours this year. With the Texas Michigan thing, I think if it was later in the season. I think it's cold. Colder. I think it would be a different store.

[00:51:54] I just think as they have played like it, the big house though. That's pretty tough. Play this to jump in and go. Yeah, they play there obviously. Especially also with how early that is and all of the losses that Michigan has suffered.

[00:52:09] And with all of this offseason stuff that's still going to be hanging over them. Honestly, I think we touched on stuff very briefly in the start of the pod. But I don't think the stuff that the NCA's really going to have anything come down on Michigan this year.

[00:52:25] But I think earlier in the season like we too. I think some of that stuff's still going to be hanging over them. But I think about last year, that's the thing it over and last year.

[00:52:35] And sure, I'm more had the coach last three games and he coaches but off to get them those wins. They had all that talent though. They still have all that talent on defense is what I'm saying. So the junior Colson. Yeah, but they have a lot of loaded.

[00:52:49] Johnson is leading that defense and they have a lot of good players around him, especially on the line. They develop really well on that program. So a lot of the young guys who did play as much are coming up there.

[00:52:58] Or they're for the four star recruits that they easily developed a five star. So that's where I'm looking at. I'm not Gary Tee and Michigan win. I'm saying that's not a hard one. I just think I think Texas is going to have that one.

[00:53:09] Hey, but think man, getting Saturday. I just think like we fought in years past. Texas would have a game against Kansas State and they didn't. This is the net that Kansas State tough environment, right? This is a tougher environment in Michigan.

[00:53:22] So that's where I see having an issue there. And one game only. Hey, listen, that king game. They trip up that game. It's going to put a lot of pressure on the beach, Georgia. And that's all in the world in that game.

[00:53:33] They lose that and the season comes crumbling down as long as I'm saying anybody. It's any given in the Saturday. Anybody can win. So we'll see what happens. But yeah, that wraps up our podcast again. We have a lot of interesting thoughts on SEC.

[00:53:45] We'll see who's right at the end of the season. Probably me like normal. But yeah, we'll see what happens there. But as always, if you guys were to keep up with our podcast.

[00:53:53] Make sure you follow our new website, which is in the flat pod dot podcast page.io. Follow us on Twitter in the flat pod or X. Sorry. And then tweet at us right us. You have any future ideas that you'd like us to address on the podcast.

[00:54:08] Any stories you want us to cover? We'll definitely do that. Or just yeah, make sure you follow us on on X and interact with us as the season gets started here. But until next week guys, we'll talk you later. Bye.