College Football Live - Ascension in Athens

Episode Date: October 22, 2024

Matt Schick, Sam Acho and Desmond Howard go over what was a hectic weekend of College Football throughout Week 8. The crew discusses Georgia and their reactions to a statement win over Texas as well as if there should be any concerns with Alabama as their loss count raises to 2. All that and more on CFB Live! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you fly in Emirates business class and you're picked up by your private, luxury, chauffeur-driven car, you'll see that your vacation isn't really over until your flight is over. Fly Emirates. Fly better. Welcome to College Football Live, presented by Google Pixel. Going forward. Tennessee survives 2417. This is the centerpiece of the weekend. Touchdown, Georgia. It's all dogs. Dogs and Austin so far. A 23-point halftime deficit for the number one team.

What an incredible game for these edge defenders. Dogs. Come to Austin. Knock off number one, 30 to 15. Welcome into the Tuesday edition of College Football Live. I'm Matt Schick, along with Sam Macho and Desmond Howard. Between the three of us, we have won a combined one Heisman Trophy and have authored many best-selling books.

So it's great to be with all of you today. Georgia authored one of the best wins of the season over the weekend, taking down and taking it to Texas on the road Saturday night. They led 23 to nothing at the half, finished the game with seven sacks, Trevor ETSN, three rushing touchdowns, as the dogs overcome a controversial call, and, according to head coach Kirby Smart,

a multitude of doubters. These players get the best out of me, and I'm so proud of these guys, because nobody believed. Nobody gave us a chance. Your whole network doubted us. Nobody believed us. And then they tried to rob us with calls in this place.

And these guys are so resilient. You know what I mean? We talked about intent. What was our intent when we walked on the field? Our intent was not to take pictures, not to do all the superstar stuff. Our intent was to eat. Our intent was to come eat and be hungry.

I'm not interested in all the bells and whistles. What I want is a team that fights their asses. ass off and they did tonight. 49 straight games is a betting favorite heading into that game. Yes, everyone always doubts Georgia. Sam, how did Georgia do that to Texas?

Well, Georgia dominated up front, specifically at the line of scrimmage. Texas had a reality check, and the reality is that Georgia is still the class not only of the SEC, but of all of college football. A motivated, a mostly motivated Georgia team is a team that you don't want to see.

Texas's offensive line had been solid all season long. And then they met guys like Jalen Walker, who had three sacks, three tackles for loss, eight tackles. They met some of that pass rush. They met a motivated, hungry, and inspired Georgia football team that played their best football to date. Yeah, well, Sam, you know, you played the game and you understand that this game is, it's more than just physical. It's much more mental than it is anything else. And mentally, Georgia was just more mentally prepared for that game

than Texas was. And I don't know what Sark said after the game and the post-game presser, but I'm sure he took the brunt of the blame because it's his job to have his team

mentally prepared for that game. Texas came out there like they were ready to play a football game. Georgia came out there like they were ready for a street fight. Two completely different mentalities. And because Georgia's back,

I guess, was against the wall because people doubted them, then they came. came out with their hair on fire, and they played that way for four quarters. But, you know, to comment on what Kirby said, I mean, we can only judge you by what you put on film. You know, we do give a lot of teams benefit of doubt, which is expected because they have a championship pedigree.

That's what we do give the Georgia Bulldogs. But, you know, I was in Tuscaloosa for that Alabama game, and they completely slept, walk a whole half. Like, they walked the whole first half. like they weren't even there. And then I watched them against Mississippi State, and they have like a freshman quarterback, Michael Van Buren, and he threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns

against their defense. So these are things that we don't typically see from a Georgia defense and saying, why would I think that Sarkeesian one of the best play callers in college football and Queen Ewers, why would I think Sark and Quinn would struggle against the defense that I saw? you know, Mr. B State have their way with them in the passing game. Well, you're totally right, Des.

Georgia played their best ball, but here's what I will say. That loss for Texas is the best thing that could have happened to the Texas Longhorns. And the reason why is this, Texas got a chance to see what real championship football looks like. Last year, they got a chance to beat Alabama. And they lost in the college football playoff. This year, Georgia, like that level of Georgia is the standard. And so if Texas wants to go and not only compete in the SEC champion, championship game, compete in the college football playoff, but go and win a national championship, their

level of preparation has to change. Their level of physicality has to change. They got a chance to look in the mirror and see what it looks like. Now they can emulate it. It's really interesting. You go back to this game, especially in that first half. Quinn Ewers really struggled in this game, especially that first half, six drives, 23 plays, 29 yards by my count, an interception and a fumble. So Sark benches and brings in Arch Manning. Had a couple of okay drives had a nice long run there as well, but his second drive ended with a fumble

as well, ended with a turnover. So, Sam, what does that decision tell us about how Sark views the quarterback position moving forward? Well, it doesn't tell us anything about how Sark views the quarterback position per se. It tells me more about how Sark viewed that game and that offensive line versus

defensive line. I got a chance to be at that Georgia Bama game as well. And I talked to Georgia outside linebacker coach Chidera Uzo DeRibbe. And he talked to about this Texas game out. He was looking forward to the matchup. So what happened in the matchup? Kelvin Banks, Hayden Connor, Jake Majors,

the offensive line could not handle the pressure. And so you don't want an athletic quarterback like when you were sitting back in the pocket. You want to get Arch Manning, who is a supreme athlete who's able to move his feet to scramble in the pocket to avoid some of the pastures. So that's all that was. I don't think there's a quarterback controversy at this moment.

Now, if Quinn Ewers continues to struggle and Archmane gives Texas the best chance to win moving forward, then those conversations will begin to be had. But as of now, that was more so of a matchup on that day decision. Des, let's go big picture here with Texas because we went into this game thinking Texas is the team to beat. And now you look and you wonder if there are multiple losses on the schedule for Texas. As we take a look at the schedule, look, that win over Michigan is certainly losing a lot of its significance. The win over Oklahoma isn't meaning a whole lot here.

You go to season's end here, Des. I mean, clearly if they go 11 and 1 in the regular season, they're making the college football playoff, but if they were to slip up against, like, say, A&M at the end of the regular season, they might have no regular season wins against one of the committee's top 25 teams at season's end, Des. So do they need to go 11 and 1 to make the playoff?

I think so, because when you look at their schedule, I mean, you look at Georgia, then they have a relatively light schedule until you get to Texas A&M, and that's going to be at College Station. This is going to be another team is going to come out with a lot of fire, a lot of passion.

I mean, these two schools, they absolutely hate each other. So that's going to be a big game for them. They have to come out with as much fire and passion as the Aggies will because they didn't match Georgia's and we saw what happened. And by the way, they've got giant killer Vanderbilt

coming up this weekend. As mentioned, the game was not without controversy. boatload of it in the third quarter. John A. Barron intercepted a Carson Beck pass, returns the ball, but there was a flag on the play for defensive pass interference. It certainly didn't look like defensive PI. The student section felt the same way, deciding to treat the football field as a

recycling center, throwing bottles and trash on the field. Four minute delay after the trash was picked up, the officials picked up the flag. Let's welcome in Pete Thammo, college football insider. So, Pete, what's been the fallout from the that that play was handled and what the fans did at Texas? Well, when there is controversy, Matt, there will be statements. The SEC issued theirs first on Monday. They fine Texas $250,000 a fairly hefty fine for the unruly fan behavior.

And they are requiring Texas to identify through any means necessary, including video. Think of it as CSIDKR fans who were unruly and threw objects onto the field. Then we got a phalanx of statements from Texas suits who said they do not condone the behavior and this type of behavior will not be tolerated going forward. Okay, so we have that aspect of it. It was interesting, though. You almost had like your kid throwing a tantrum so you give the kid what he wants, right? That's not how you parent. That's not how you officiate here, Pete.

What is the level of concern out there that if fans might have the power now to overturn a call by making? making a scene. Well, from talking to coaches around the country in the last 36 hours, this has obviously been one of the busiest topics. And they really feel like there was a failure on the part of the SEC officiating crew to give an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to the fans at DKR. They were essentially rewarded for their rebellion as it caused a pause in the game, which allowed the officials to huddle and reverse the call. And there's obviously fear around the country that other student sections are going to follow that lead when there's a call they don't like because the Texas student section was not penalized by the game officials.

A lot to get to there. We'll talk to you again very soon with some other goings on in college football. Georgia has certainly bounced back nicely from that loss to Alabama. As for Alabama, they're going through an identity crisis since that game, a win that seems like months ago. That win over Georgia that was after Alabama gave up a 28-point lead. Then Alabama, a week later, experienced the yin to the yang. Its first loss to Vanderbilt in 40 years, Vandy's first ever win over an AP top five team, out gaining Bama by nearly 100 yards on the ground in the process.

The next week, Alabama trailed South Carolina, entering the fourth quarter, but escaped with a two-point win. Bama overcame Jalen Milro's two picks, four sacks, relied on its defense, came up with four turnovers in the win. And then this past weekend, the loss to Tennessee.

Another field storming in Knoxville. Alabama now has multiple losses entering the month of November for the first time since Nick Sabin's first season in 2007. Let's start with you, Des, on this big picture for Alabama. What is wrong with the tide? Well, Matt, you said it. You say that they have an identity problem. Alabama's a team who's stuck between who they were and who they want to be. And that's what happens sometimes when you have a regime change like they've had in Tuscaloosa.

So this team is a cultural issue. I don't think it's a talent issue, especially when you have like the biggest win of the season against Georgia, and then you follow it up with the worst loss of the season against Vandy. So I think they have the talent. It's just a matter of this transition not being as seamless and as smooth as everyone anticipated it would be. And people are starting, the players are starting to get used to,

hopefully getting used to what the expectations are. offensively, defensively, and special teams from their new coaching staff. Well, the biggest issue, Des, for me is it's a defense issue for Alabama. And you might say, Sam, defense issue. Alabama first three turnovers last week. They forced fumbles, interceptions and Nico. Well, Tennessee's offense isn't that great.

Nico E.M. Aliava hasn't been playing at high level of football. Their defense, not only last week, but going back to Vanderbilt where they couldn't really stop the run, going back to the second half of Georgia, where they gave up play after play after play. Big play after big play after big play, their defense isn't doing enough to help the team win. Now, last week, offensively, they could have been significantly better as well, right? Jaylen Murrow threw an interception to essentially seal the game in the last seconds. But that defense for me is still leaky.

They weren't fully tested by Tennessee. They will be as this season continues. Defense also discipline, 15 penalties in that game, 38 penalties over their last four games. They've certainly got to clean that up. First time since 2007, SEC, the entire conference will enter. November without an undefeated team. Coming up next here on College Football Live, there are still 10 undefeated teams and the rest of the FBS, but not all unbeatens are created equal. Who are the true national title contenders? Who are the party crashes? We'll separate them next. College Football Live

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Get insurance that's really big on care. Find an agent today at Dejardin.com slash business coverage. How about this college game day? Headed to Bloomington for the first time on a fall Saturday as the Hoosier Square Off against Washington. And of course they deserve our Capital One rewarding performance after their 56 to 7 blowout win over to Nebraska. They've scored 40 or more points in six straight games. That extends the longest streak in school history.

The 56 points also tied their second most. points in a Big Ten game. They are the only FBS team this season to not allow a point in the first quarter and one of only two teams, along with Army, to not trail in any game this season. Off to their best start since 1967. Quarterback Curtis Roark, a huge reason why Pete Thammel, but he did exit that win against Nebraska with a thumb injury. What's the latest?

Curtis Fork, Matt, on Monday, had surgery on his injured right thumb, which is obviously on his throwing hand. I was told this morning that he's still doubtful for the Washington game on Saturday, which is obviously the college game day game. But there's an increasing chance because of an improved prognosis that he comes back and plays on November 2nd when Indiana plays at Michigan State. They obviously closed from there with Michigan, Ohio State, and then their rival Purdue. And Matt, I'm going to sneak in a little breaking news.

Coach Prime just said in his press conference that Travis Hunter is back. this week against Cincinnati, and he's expected to play more snaps than he did. He was limited last week with that shoulder injury and went out during the game. So that's fresh off the presses from Coach Fron. Very good stuff. Yeah, nice one on the road last week against Arizona. Good to see him perhaps at 100% this week. Thank you very much, Pete.

You mentioned Indiana, one of those 10 undefeated teams. Time to look at our college football rankings brought to you by Capital One. The Hoosiers just outside the top 10, sitting at number 13. Thanks to Texas has lost, Georgia, Oregon moved up to the new number one, their first number one ranking in 12 years. Army and Navy remain in the top 25 after their wins over the weekend. It's the first time in 98 years. Both have started a combined 13. All right, those are just the undefeated team.

So focusing on those, Desmond Howard, which of those undefeated teams is a true national championship contender? Well, guys, you know, we do like preseason picks before the season starts. And I actually picked the Oregon Ducks to not only win the Big Ten, but to win a national championship. And, you know, so far, so good. They've looked very well. The Dillon Gabriel is playing at a high level. And obviously, a couple of weeks ago, they went toe to toe with Ohio State. So I would still say, Sam, it's the Oregon Ducks for me.

Yeah, I agree with you on that. And their schedule is relatively promising. They have Illinois coming up next, which Illinois had a big win versus Michigan. Then they got Michigan. The teams at Oregon's playing, they are favored and should be favored in their following game. So that leaves a championship game in the Big Ten and then a potential by week in the first round of the college football playoff.

And so Oregon has a great opportunity not only to win, but to be healthy as they enter the playoff in the next few months. Yeah, certainly might have to beat Ohio State twice, right, in order to to, in order to get that by. All right, outside of Oregon, then, we've got a bunch of other undefeated teams. Of those unbeaten, Sam, outside of the Ducks, who are some of those legitimate playoff contenders,

teams you expect to see in the CFP? Give me Navy, the midshipment, and let me tell you why. So Navy, you're saying, okay, Navy, why would Navy make the college football playoff? Let's all remember, let's remind everyone that the highest ranked group of five champion automatically is going to receive an opportunity to be in the college football playoff.

Well, Navy gets a chance to improve their so far week schedule by playing Notre Dame coming up this weekend. And Notre Dame wasn't able to stop the run when they played at N IU. Navy's really efficient at running the ball. Blake Horvath and quarterback, he's one of their leading rushers. He is their leading rusher along with Eli Hayden, Riker Running Back. And so if Navy can run the ball on Notre Dame, get a ranked win, they also have a win against Memphis from earlier in the year team that people thought was going to win their conference, all of a sudden, Navy's going to have a chance to increase their rankings,

increase their strength of schedule, and potentially if Boise has a chance to get a loss, be that highest ranked group of five champion. Yeah, I like that Navy pick, and I can't wait to see them play Notre Dame this weekend. But, you know, guys, I'm looking at Penn State, right? You look at James Franklin, and obviously he has a two-team problem,

two teams, Michigan and Ohio State. He's going to play Ohio State November 2nd. And you watch this new office that they got a lot of truth, I'm glad you showed that play because I spoke to a couple of scouts and I was like, hey, Ohio State, Penn State, who's your pick? Who you think is going to win that game? They said, I think Ohio State, I said why. I said because Penn State, they score with a bunch of games right now. He said, I just don't think that's going to fly against the Buckeyes.

So I think if obviously, if Penn State's able to win their home game, which is like a noon kick, I wish it was a whiteout, like a 730 kick, but so. noon kick. If they're able to get over their hump, things look really good for the nitty lions. Well, I love that. I'm going to give you one more. And this isn't because of any kind of robbery, but I know I said Navy earlier, Army is another team that

has a chance to crash the dance. Why do I say that? Well, Army plays Notre Dame as well later on in the season, number one. Number two, if Army were to win that game and if Army is to go to the AAC championship game, they could potentially play Navy and have another rank to win if they were to win.

Bryson Daley and quarterback has been outstanding. This Army team leads all of college football and rushing yards. Bryson Daly is more of a running quarterback in this offense because of a triple option, but he ran for five rushing touchdowns last week. So this Army team has a great opportunity to make the college football playoff, and their rushing offense versus Notre Dame as well could be a big reason why. We could have a pair of Army Navy matchups. That one in the AAC championship game than the next week in the Army game,

which would have no bearing on playoff selection. According to the committee, they will have already made their... Coming up next, it was not a good weekend to be number one. In more ways than one. That's next. You're watching College Football Live, presented by Google Pixel. It's the Nissan Black Friday event where you can... Wait, wait.

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College Football Live is presented by Google Pixel. ABC College Football Saturday Triple Heather, Notre Dame Navy, Bama, Missouri, LSU, Texas A&M. Let's welcome back in Pete. Last year, we had 31 FBS head coaching changes. Now we've got at least two this time around. What's the latest? Well, Matt, there's actually going to be four openings right now

because we have two interims running from the summer at Utah State, obviously in Fresno State with the retirement of Jeff Tedford. As for the in-season work, Southern Miss fired coach Will Hall on Sunday. Southern Miss had started one in six this season, underhaul and he was 14 and 30 overall in his four years there. Southern Miss had been on a five game losing streak. Southern Miss is a proud program. They've got five conference championships there and they feel like they can compete for the Sunbelt.

Sources they're expecting a really strong candidate pool to try to regain that program's championship form. Another proud program is East Carolina. They fired Mike Houston over the weekend after back-to-back blowout losses to Charlotte and to Army. Houston is, Houston was the lead at East Carolina. Obviously, they're going to try to replace him and keep for AAC titles. And the final big firing in the weekend came from Seth Latrell at Oklahoma. That opens up one of the marquee openings in the sport.

All right. Thank you, Pete. Number one's on the weekend, Division 2, FCS and FBS, all losing. It's not always good to be on the top. See tomorrow.