College Football Live - Big Showdown in the South

Episode Date: September 26, 2024

Phil Murphy has Sam Acho, Trevor Matich and Joe Fortenbaugh join to go over a packed Saturday, including the most anticipated matchup this season, 2 Georgia taking on 4 Alabama in Tuscaloosa with College Gameday in attendance. The crew breaks down everything you need to know about this SEC Powerhouse game and Joe gives his plays for a few ranked matchups that are sneaking under the radar. And we can't forget tailgate tips, where we tell you everything you need to know so you can sound smarter this Football Saturday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you're flying Emirates business class, sipping your favorite cocktail at our onboard lounge, you'll see that your vacation isn't really over until your flight is over. Fly Emirates, fly better. Welcome to college football live on this Thursday. Phil Murphy here, let's go out the tunnel. Saturday features one of the best games we'll get all season. SEC Powerhouses, number two, Georgia, number four, Alabama. College game days in Tuscaloosa, our crew gets you ready.

Plus, Joe Fortinball joins a show with his best college football plays this weekend. He's got two ranked versus ranked games on his sheet. Also, Riley Leonard, number 16 Notre Dame, face off against Tyler Shuck and number 15 Louisville. And Leonard use a bit of the luck of the Irish to pull out a home win Saturday. This is College Football Live. Let's go. College Football Live is presented by Dr. Pepper. Welcome in to College Football Live.

running 12 personnel mostly, one host, two analysts. Sam Otto, Trevor Matt is getting... I thought you're saying because of our size, 12 personnel. Well, that too. I would, I'm happy to have you guys for protection and, well, tackling if needed. He plays defense. Look out. A lot of touches today for these two guys. Headline game this weekend, in fairness, it would be almost any weekend until December. Georgia at Alabama. And yesterday, Marty Smith caught up with Tide Coach Kalin DeBoer. What is your message to them this week as you prepare to take on dogs. Yeah, to me it's all about us. It always needs to be that way and focusing on what we do best, who we are, and just the work that goes into it. And I love the way our guys kind

of carry the mantras, they carry the messaging. I think they believe in it. And so again, we're attacking every day, making the most of every opportunity, each and every practice, each and every rep. But most importantly, we just got to be us. What are some aspects of this game that you feel like could be determining factors that you see that maybe we don't. I think the turnovers and just how well they've taken care of the football and knowing how big of a deal that is in field position each and every game, but especially a game like this. And then I just think that, you know, the offense is getting into a rhythm and the defense is doing a good job of trying to keep them, keep them out of it. You got some strong defenses here.

We know that they haven't allowed a touchdown, you know, through their, through their season here. And that's impressive. You know, you're going to have to put plays on top of each other. But a lot of it, to me, it just starts out with taking care of the football. How do games like this define seasons for teams like that for you guys? So for us, it's getting off to a good start. And, you know, we have a lot of things that are important to us, protecting our own home, protecting Bryant-Denny Stadium. But, you know, this is a game that in a lot of ways will, you know,

set the direction for, you know, what's to come for our season. And getting that momentum going, getting a win under our belt would be huge. Well, Georgia's coming off a buy that the Bulldogs looking to improve their sputtering offense. And this is not a get right game on paper. Bama's defense is dominant, ranking third in yards per play aloud, number one in all the land and stopping third downs. And Georgia also starts particularly slow. Bamo looks prime to give that side of the ball fits on Saturday. Trevor Madditch, last time we saw Georgia 13, 12 to the good.

but just 13 points in Lexington. What did you see from that offense that needs refining this weekend heading into Tuscaloosa? Well, you've got to give credit to the Kentucky defense. They've played really well, but I'm not as concerned as a lot of people are about Georgia's offense because a lot of those problems in Lexington are fixable. And it starts with not making it so easy for the defense to be dialed in on what they're doing. Now, when this tight end is out wide, it means this defender has to be out wide in coverage. But then before the snap, they'll motion him in so he can block on one of their favorite plays.

But that triggers an automatic assignment change from this defender. He goes from coverage to firing into the backfield and messing up the play before it can even get started. All Georgia has to do to fix this is to have more counters off of their favorite plays so that defenders can't dial in like this. Now, good players seem like they've played often with their eyes closed. These two guys can block on the screen. They do it well. And they've got it here. This is going to be a big play.

And then, any other explanation, but that they close their eyes on that one? I mean, again, credit the speed of Kentucky's defense, but George is better than that. And you talk about better than that. Carson Beck is expected to be a top 10 draft pick when he comes out. And this is a wide open receiver, tons of space out there, possible touchdown, and a great quarterback. And this ball goes exactly where you don't expect it for Carson Beck. He missed several throws like this. So with two weeks to get ready because of the by week,

I expect them to have these things fixed. And for this offense to be dialed in and look completely different than it did against Kentucky. But one of the things that great defenses do was they try to make good offenses, make mistakes that they don't usually make. And that's what Alabama has done, at least as of recently, they've gotten better and better and better. There are a lot of new pieces on this Alabama defense, but they're living in the backfield.

A lot of tackles for loss. You see sacks. That's what's helping this Alabama defense. And the secondary early on, I think it was week two when they played U.S. you saw some missed assignments or busted coverage. And all of a sudden, they play against Wisconsin. And granted, it was a backup quarterback. But you start seeing this Alabama defense, not just make the plays that they're supposed to make,

but have the communications that they're supposed to have as well. So for me, I think a good defense actually tries to exaggerate some of those mistakes that a struggling offense may or may not make. That's what Alabama is going to try to do. They've got a by week to prepare to get all their ducks in a row, so to speak. That's what I think is going to happen in this game. We've seen this, Trevor, be a national championship game, not all that long ago. It's September.

It's two versus four. And with the expanded playoff, this is not an elimination game for the playoff. But what does a late September result mean for Georgia, for Alabama? It greatly complicates their ability to get to the SEC championship game. And remember, if you're one of the top four highest rated conference champions, you get a buy. And you only have to win three games to win a national championship. Otherwise, you have to win four.

And Georgia's remaining schedule, they've got three top. 10 teams, Texas Ole Miss Tennessee. Bama has two, Tennessee, Missouri, and then they still have to go to LSU. So the loser of this game picks up their first loss and looks at that schedule, and it's very possible that they could pick up another loss or two and not play for the conference championship. But even if one of these two teams doesn't play for the conference championship,

they still have a chance to make that 12 team playoff. And so they won't have a by week per se in the playoff, but they wouldn't have been playing in that conference championship game. And if they're still good enough, they'd still make it. Such a good game. wifey asked me for a date night Saturday. I said, no problem, babe. 6 o'clock reservation.

Got to be back in the chair for 7.30 because we got this coming up on ABC Saturday night matchup. Coverage kicks at 730. Hey, I told her before the sun goes down, you know, chest not checkers. I don't think you get points for that. Well, especially if she's watching. Hey, before that, though, tomorrow night, ESPN and the app, number seven Miami hosts Virginia Tech. ACC opener for both these teams at Hard Rock Stadium coverage their kicks with college football

countdown at 7 p.m. Eastern. Coming up on college football live, Joe Fortinbaugh joins the show. He's got some betting tips for this coming Saturday, including one game with a crazy spread to keep an eye on. Plus, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard firing on all cylinders, but will it be enough against Louisville? Sam and Trevor break down the Irish game plan next. College Football Live is presented by Ice Cold Dr. Pepper. College football. It's a pepper thing.

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our Black Friday offers won't last. Shop now at IKEA.ca.ca slash Black Friday. IKEA, bring home to life. Story shared history with a fresh chapter Saturday. Marty Smith spoke with Bama QB, Jalen Milrow on Wednesday. Jalen first, how do you describe the magnitude of this matchup against two fantastic football teams? I think one thing you have to recognize is how much is

important to both of these teams. So many resources that's provided for both Georgia and us. And the number one thing that we have to do is prepare. Prepared the best as possible for moments like this, four games like this. And it's all I come from preparation. I think that's something that's been so evident along the process of us, you know, mastering our game playing, coming together as one, just having the mindset. I think the mindset is so important when you approach these games being prepared. And for every outcome in the game, you just fall back to your level of training, not rise to the occasion. And so, of course, you know, there's a lot of external factors

are going to be taking place with playing a game like this, but it's all about looking within. All games are not created equal, though. And this one's different. What makes it different? What makes it different is another opportunity. This is the 2024 season, so prior to this season, you know, nothing really matters.

You know, of course we have, you know, history of playing against this opponent, but only thing that matters is this Saturday and putting our best forward, you know, putting our best forward. foot forward. So I think that's so important as they approach this game, just realizing that this is 2024, you know, it's all about flipping the page and attacking the task at hand, which is getting the win. Time now for our weekend lineup brought to you by Wendy's saucy nugs. College football

weekend kicks off Saturday, got number 20 OK state in Manhattan to face number 23 K state. Number 15, Louisville heads four and a half hours north to face the 16th ranked fighting Irish. Another top 20 showdown, Illinois heading to Happy Valley and the headliner to wrap. the night, fireworks as Bama opens conference play against Georgia in Tuscaloosa at 730. Joining our college football live family now, ESPN BetLives, Joe Fortinbaugh. Joe, last Saturday in September, it feels like we're starting to get a feel for who these teams are. What plays do you like this weekend?

Got a wave to the crowd, Phil. Got a wave to the crowd. Acknowledge. I'm sorry, I was too busy making a stupid joke. I didn't even hear the press. Your bets. Why you're here. Who are you like, Joe?

All right, let's start with Central Florida. Horrible spot for Colorado this week. and absolutely horrible. What do we mean by that? Huge win with the Hail Mary, the crowd storming the field. Everybody celebrates as their want to do in college football. Problem is you've got to turn around a week later. Third road trip in four weeks,

cross the country, heat and humidity of Central Florida, who's off there by week, number two in the country in rushing, 336 yards per game, number nine in yards per attempt average at 6.1 yards per carry. I think this is a bad stylistic matchup for the bus. Let's go with Arizona plus the 10 here. Rough number. This was 14 to open.

It was 11 earlier today. It's now down to the key of 10. Why? Few key reasons. Again, tough spot for Utah. They were in a war at Oki State last week. Hot, humid. They're on the buy next week.

Now wedged in between is a date against Arizona, who had a bad loss their last time out, which was two weeks ago. They're on a buy. That game's going to be ugly. Utah wins, but it should be tight. I've got nothing in this one, fellas. I'd love to tell you how to pick.

I cannot figure this one out. Penn State opens as a 16-point favorite over an Illinois team that is 4-0 has an extra day of West and just came off a huge win in Lincoln, Nebraska, against the Cornhuskers. So how are they rewarded? 16-point dog to 19 and a half points. Wow. I know some guys that played Penn State at 17. I can't lay that number considering their one big wins against West Virginia, and that is not aged well. This matchup here, under the total 46 and a half between Notre Dame and Louisville. Louisville's offense, a little bit overrated, in my opinion, coming into this.

game. Why? Last week they hung 31 on Georgia Tech, but 14 of those points came from a fumble return touchdown, I believe, and a block kick return touchdown. They struggled on offense. Notre Dame's defense hasn't allowed more than 16 points in any game this season. Obviously, they all haven't been tough games, but I think that game's going to be a grind. Watch out for the weather there as well. Yeah, I like that under. Yeah, nicely done. By the way, the crowd is just going nuts up there. Crowd loves it. We do have a green screen. We can put in a crowd. Yeah. You don't really ever hear from the crowd, interestingly enough. Yeah, they're respectful. They're listening to you.

And I'm listening to you because I like that under a lot. And the reason is that you've got two good defenses. You've got a Louisville defense that last year when they played Notre Dame lived in the Irish backfield against a much more experienced offensive line. Most of those defenders are back. So I expect this to be a tough grind for Notre Dame, but I expect Notre Dame to keep it on the ground because they really struggle throwing the forward pass down the field. And that's the big difference in this game.

Great defense for Notre Dame. but Louisville, who likes to run more than people think, they've got a good quarterback, good receivers capable of making circus catches, and they can throw the ball down the field. If both running games struggle, there's only one team that can stretch the field. And Sam, it's been kind of a gradually tougher test for Louisville each week at Austin P and the Jacksonville State and then Georgia Tech. Now we've got to wake the echoes in South Bend.

What must Louisville do to keep their perfect record intact Saturday? They have to slow down, not just the run, but specifically the quarterback run. Notre Dame has focused their offense on Riley Leonard, not as a passer, but as a runner. The last two weeks, back-to-back weeks of over 100 rushing yards. Last week, he went for 154, average 11.9 per carry. The week before went for 100. They realized, okay, our passing game down the field isn't working. So let's turn our quarterback into a running back.

Let's get 10 guys blocking and then use Riley Leonard's speed, use his strength, use his long strides. That's what Louisville is going to have to slow down. Now, thankfully, Louisville is good against the run, but this Notre Dame team wants to be known for running the football. So if you can slow that running game down, now Tyler Shirk on the offensive side can get that passing game going. Plays right into the hands of an under. Run the football. Take your time. We're not in a rush to get up to the line of scrimmage. Let's use up that clock. Let's be methodical. Obviously, that's a very selfish request on my behalf. But that's what we want to see here

with the clock leading down in this game. Louisville's offense, if Notre Dame's defense can continue to perform at the level they've performed. And we find ourselves in a bit of a rock fight here. That's going to play right into the under at 46 and a half. We saw Notre Dame lose in Louisville last year is six and a half point favorites, giving six and a half again this year at home. Either way, Allstate playoff predictor gives Saturday's winner about a 50-50 shot, almost exactly to reach the college football playoff. Thank you, Joe Fortinball. Appreciate the insight. Thank you, Phil. Coming up, we're giving you some tips to take to your tailgate this weekend so you can sound like a professional. Which game has big rivalry implications? That's next on College Football Live.

You're watching College Football Live, presented by Dr. Pep. College Football Live is presented by ice cold Dr. Pepper. College football, it's a pepper thing. The place where legends are made. This is a huge game. To the end's up, touchdown. Get your hounds tooth ready. College game day from Bama's campus in Tuscaloosa for the 19th time.

Hang with Reese and the Gang from 9 a.m. Eastern Saturday on ESPN. A lot on offer around the college game on the last Saturday in September. How about a Big Ten clash at the big house? Minnesota visits Michigan. Their 36th meeting since 1980 in those, Michigan's 32 and 3. Alex Orgy aims to keep the defending champs hot after last week's home win over SC. Meanwhile, number three, Ohio State looks to make it nine straight over Michigan State. The Buckeyes offense led by freshman Jeremiah Smith faces a ball hawking Spartan defense in East Lansing.

Ohio State's won 18 of the United States. their last 19 conference openers. It'll be Cardinal versus Orange when Stanford faces Clemson for the second time ever. Dabo Swinney aims for his 100th home win. Kate Klubnick, Phil Maffa, leading Clemson's surging offense against Stanford's stout run defense. And then you got Arizona's high flying offense meeting Utah's tough defense, former Pac-12 rivals now in the Big 12.

This features star receiver, Tatero McMillian looking to keep the Wildcats, give them a rare win in Salt Lake City. And it's the 73rd beating, though first as Big Ten conference opponents when UCLA hosts number eight, Oregon. Oregon's Dylan Gabriel leads the ducks in their Big Ten debut against struggling UCLA. Bruins aim to avoid a rare 0-and-2 start to conference play. Let's take a look at our Dr. Pepper Championship Drive game of the week preview. Number six, Ole Miss, boast the nation's best offense leading everybody with 55 points per game, 29 total touchdowns of Kentucky's attack pills in comparison, 23 points per nine touchdowns.

History, though, tells a different story here. The rebels have squeaked by in their last three games against the Wildcats, winning by a combined margin of just seven points. Ole Miss, the first team with more than 200 points scored and fewer than 25 allowed through four games since Kansas in 2007, that Orange Bowl team that had Akib Taleb and Todd Reesing and Micah Brown. Sam, let's talk about Jackson Dart in this passing offense this year. What's made them so particularly explosive?

Well, they love spreading the ball all around the field. You'll see routes at intermediate level, deep, short routes. So Jackson Dart, what makes him explosive is that he's very patient, doesn't make a lot of big mistakes. This is a play from the Wake Forest game, their last game. He's going to find the open receiver, but what they love to do is, like I said, spread you out. And then when they don't spread you out, they'll also do it in the run game as well. You're not going to see a lot of that here on these highlights,

because Jackson Dart is such a great prolific passer, but they'll also hand the ball off and get big explosive run. So if you want to load the box, all of a sudden, you get a threat to get beat deep over top. And Kentucky will be impressed by the defenses that Ole Miss has faced. Wow. See, this is the thing. Kentucky faced Georgia and hit him in the mouth and gave them as good as they got. And they'll look at the schedule that Ole Miss has played and say, yeah, well, look at those stats.

That's just amazing. Oh, that's really great. But those defenses can't do what we can do, especially at the line of scrimmage. And you can bet that the Wildcats are going to have their hair on fire trying to duplicate what they did against Georgia two weeks ago. And so it's going to be really interesting to see good on good in that matchup. Should be a fun game in Oxford noon on ABC. Whether you're tailgating for a noon kick or a late kick, it's time now for our tailgating tips. And I'll go ahead and give you mine first off.

Penn State and Illinois meet up. And these teams have kind of funky list of interesting games from the LeVar Leap in 1998. I mean, I was in the stadium in 1994. Penn State number two, Kerry Collins, Cajana Carter, down 21-0 after the first quarter. stormback, 135-31. The LeVar Leith is some of the best video we have. And then this, 2021, we went 9-0-T's and still only got to 2018. But Illinois, going to Happy Valley that year and upsetting number seven Penn State.

You stopped me when you said these two teams are funky. I'm like, okay, maybe so. One of the best playmakers at wide receiver that doesn't get enough attention is Stanford's Ellick-I-O manner. Last week against Syracuse, he single-handedly made the big catches to leave. to the winning, game-winning field goal drive. And he'll be the guy that will need to get the job done if they're going to score against Clemson.

Well, here's my tip. I need a tailgating tip because I'm actually going to be going to the Bama, Georgia game. And I've only been to one other game in my ESPN career. Usually I'm on the field playing. Now I'm watching. So Trevor, I'm going to ask you. But also I want to ask the audience, give me some tips. Hounstooth.

Yeah, it's my tip. You can pull it off. All right. House tooth? Okay, what else? House tooth? Yeah. Not a funky house tooth, though.

Make sure it's good. Mine is it. When you're on the sideline, during a timeout, get on the sideline closest to the hash where both teams are standing, waiting for the come out of the commercial. And I want you to look at their thighs and their hips and their arms and shoulders. And I want you to tell me what you see. Because when I did that, what I saw was terrifying. All right, we got a game coming up before all of this. Army against Temple, two-night, three-no, black knights against the one and three owls.

Sam, who you got? I like Army in this one. Army is one of the best rushing attacks in all of college football, I believe they're second. Temple hasn't been great against the run, so I think Army's going to lean on their running game to try and get a victory in this one. Yeah, I like Army as well.

When their offense is humming, it's difficult for anybody to stop them, and I think that offense is humming. For me, I'll make a pick as well. Army is dangerously close to getting a call from PETA, a little cease and desist, 405 against the FAUs, 288 on the ground against the rice owls.

Now the Temple Owls. Careful, though. On whom Navy rush for 297, Bryson Daly is going for triple digits, multiple scores. I got Army like 3,1, 17. Careful. Ows look goofy, but they are formidable beasts. And they have predators.

Great range of sight as well. Turning all the way around, they can see everything there. I just think that run game is going to be brutal to stop. Hey, before we go, you look at the date. It's on the screen, September 26th. Happy birthday to our good friend, Victoria Arland. Legitimately one of the kindest people you will meet, not just at ESPN, but at any walk of life.

HBD to VA. She said to call her Tori. Don't call her Vicki, especially on her birthday. She hates that. Happy birthday, Victoria. We miss you. Hope you're enjoying your day. Array of sunshine everywhere you go. Legitimately, one of the finest people we ever meet. This is one of the finest shows you can do here at ESPN. For Trevor and Sam, I'm Phil. Enjoy college football live. Thank you.