College Football Live - CFB Live 7/17 - Day 4 SEC Media Days

Episode Date: July 17, 2025

The Crew Zubin Mehenti, Ben Watson, Dusty Dvoracek, Heather Dinich and Pete Thamel continue their coverage of SEC Media Days. Day 4, we were joined by Missouri's head coach Eli Drinkwitz who shared some laughs, the crew discussed upcoming expectations for specific SEC teams and broke down how transfers and returning talent will play a big part of the upcoming season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

And the SEC Media Days are officially petering out and coming to an end after four very interesting days. On the fourth day, you don't expect much, but this guy may have given us the best podium performance of anyone. Wait till you see what Drinkwitz had to say. He's going to join us. Mike Elko in Texas A&M at a fast start last year, a bit of a tough finish. We'll get some thoughts on the Aggies here in just a little bit. Mark Stubes and Kentucky won one SEC game last year. That was a big one.

It was against Ole Miss. This is a big bounce back year in Lexington. And we talked about how much pressure could be on Hugh Freeze. Feels like you could say the same for Sam Pittman. We'll talk a little bit about the hogs as well here as we welcome you inside college football live. So again, it's the final day of media days. We have four teams talking. We'll break it all down for you today with the crew.

that joins us from the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. That's Dusty DeVorechak, the OU great, and Benjamin Watson, the Georgia great. They'll be with us here in just a moment. But we do have to start with Texas A&M, mostly because they are entering a huge season. And for more on that, we bring in our

Pete Dammell. And Pete, bottom line, this team, right until the last couple weeks of the regular season was in there to try to make the SEC championship game, They lose for their last five, but they've really felt like this offseason, they put a ton of work in, and the playoff word is being discussed in College Station. It sure is Zubin, and I just spoke to Mike Elko in the last few minutes, and he didn't shy away from what the goals of Texas A&M are this year. He said Texas A&M wants to be in the SEC title conversation and in the college football conversation for the playoff this season.

It's a very interesting roster at A&M Zubin. They don't have the same high, high-end talent we saw last year, especially on the defensive line. But what Mike Elko told me was that they have double-digit NFL draft picks on this roster. By his estimation, it takes about 13 NFL draft picks to win the SEC title when he looks back historically. So the fact that they have the depth of talent, maybe without the high-end talent, is the case for A&M. And then finally, the wide receiver position has been significantly upgraded at A&M. Casey Concepcion comes from NC State. a productive, prolific receiver.

He has over 1,300 career receiving yards. He gives them an instant identity at their receiver position on offense. Mario Craver comes from Mississippi State. He's a speedster. He's a field stretcher. And he's the kind of guy that can give A&M some of the juice they lacked at that position last year, Zuban. No doubt. And they also have much more clarity at the quarterback position, which was an issue that kind of plagued them last year.

They seem to have a clear answer. Pete, thanks. We'll check back within you in just a bit. So now we'll go back to Atlanta. and welcome Dusty and Benjamin back inside the program. And Dusty, that's where I want to start with you. It felt like toward the end of the season, this became Marcel Reed's team.

And Mike Elko has made every comment since saying, don't blame the one in four on him. This is our guy moving forward. What are you expecting to see out of this quarterback and this team? Improvement and growth. Look, Marcel Reed was ahead of schedule last season. We saw the athleticism on display. He can really run and put defenses in binds.

and I expect he's going to continue to develop as a pastor. It's year two with him and the offensive coordinator, Colin Klein, who came over from Kansas State a season ago. I only expect they're going to continue to grow together. And I totally agree with Pete. Casey Concepcion is a weapon. He is going to be a nice piece for Klein to utilize, and I think a safety blanket for Marcel Reed,

the quarterback to utilize as well. And I love this offensive line. They bring back essentially the entire. starting unit. They're going to be a strong point. And look, they're going to want to run the football and it's going to be a big piece that's going to continue to help the maturation process for Marcel Reed. Talk about Levi-on-Moss as well. We didn't even bring him up. But him coming off of the injury, I think it's going to be key for that run game. And the defensively, I thought Pete brought up a great point about the high-end talent over there on defense. Look, this defense

struggled a bit. They were last in the SEC when it comes to defending against long run. So that's somewhere they've got to tighten up. But also the past defense. was not up to par. They were 13th in the SEC and past defense. So look, the sky is the limit, I think, when it comes to Texas A&M, but most importantly, I would say this. They go seven and one last season. They have an opportunity to kind of control their own destiny.

Then they flip and they lose one, they lose three of the last four. They've got to find ways to win when it really matters at Texas A&M. They do. And one more thing with the defense, because I love what you said about the defense. Mike Elko is going to take a bigger role on that side of the ball, Remember how he became a head coach. He was a fantastic defensive coordinator. Him calling plays, having more of an impetus on that side of the ball,

I think is another huge piece that can help get them over that hump. You talked about, Benjamin. Week three at Notre Dame, I think that's a key game to go on the road, kind of set the tone for this season. If they can go win in South Bend, sky's the limit for this Texas A&MT. Dusty, I want to invoke one more guy that Pete talked about because I don't think he got a lot of shine,

but Concepcion did catch he's kind of that Hunter Renfro he kind of catches everything that's thrown at him and he did it at NC State with having that sort of weapon I understand Reed loves to use his feet but having somebody on like the outside like that provides

what sort of dimension for the A&M offense well I think with him and the way NC State used him and I expect Klono do the same they move him all over he's a motion guy you saw him in the backfield as a freshman he had over 300 yards rushing.

So gadget-type player, move him around as a defensive player and a defensive coordinator, you have to find him, you have to identify him. And on third down, that's where I think he can be a weapon after the catch he's so dangerous and his ability to get open and run good routes. This could be a security bank for Marcel Reed this upcoming season. All right, so we'll see what happens there. Plenty of discussion on A&M in year two of Mike Elko. It is actually year six, believe it or not.

for Eli Drinkwitz at Missouri. Let's take a look at the Missouri's schedule. They're coming off a 10-win season. Prior to that, it was an 11-win season. They won each of their last two bowl games, and we discussed Texas A&M a moment ago. They will welcome the Aggies to Columbia on November 8th. Where I want to go here with Missouri and Dusty,

I want to start with you. This is a big picture thing, and we're going to have Eli Drinkwitz join us on college football live in just a bit. Georgia and Ole Miss are the only other teams besides Missouri to have double-digit wins each of the last two years in this league. They get all the shine and attention. Why doesn't Missouri get the same amount of accolades for basically in the regular season doing the same thing?

Well, Eli Drenkowitz would love a good answer to that question. I think it's because it's not a household name. It's not a brand like the ones you just mentioned. They don't have as much NFL talent year-eastern. in year out, but give Eli Drinkwits all the credit of the world. Back-to-back double-digit win seasons. If they go 10 plus wins this year, that'll be the first

time in Missouri football history. And it wasn't that long ago where they beat up on Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. And when you look at that schedule, Zubin, I'm glad you pop that. They don't go on the road until the seventh game of the season. I know that six games, Alabama. They

could be bowl eligible before they even have to leave Columbia, Missouri. I think it's the most advantageous schedule of anyone in the SEC and talking to Eli Drinkwitz here today, he feels really good about his football team. Benjamin, they got to figure out that quarterback position, but there's pieces in place for Missouri

to be an under-the-radar team that could make another run here in the SEC. Yeah, definitely. The quarterback situation, and Bo Pribula comes over from Penn State. You know, you lose a guy like Brady Cook who is not only an excellent quarterback when it comes to execution,

but also the leader of this football team. And looking at the cover, the cupboard is not totally, Barry. Of course, you lose Luther Burden and Theo Wees, but then you go on the transfer portal. You get a Kevin Coleman Jr., a guy who's a vertical threat, a guy who can take the top off of any coverage.

And so, offensively, they've got to be really, really happy about what they've done. They also add a running back in the portal, and Ahmad Hardy. So I'm looking forward to seeing what drinkwits and this offense is going to do. And you mentioned we had drink quits on with us at SEC now,

and he talked a lot about the fact that he's seen a transition and how people talk about his team, another 10-1 season will only add to that. There's no doubt. And, you know, what's interesting is I thought prior to coming here, Bo Pribula was the guy. Remember, he was at Penn State, and he didn't even take place in the playoff push for Penn State. He went ahead to transfer to Missouri.

But I actually ran into Eli Drinkwoods in the gym this morning at about 5 a.m. We got to chat and we got to talk. And he assured me and assured everyone here today. There is a legitimate quarterback competition. Sam Horn was just drafted in the 17th round by the last. Los Angeles Dodgers. He's coming off Tommy John. He missed all of last year.

Goes back to February of 24. He's fully healthy. He was healthy in the spring. He actually said coming out of spring, Horn had an edge up on Pribula. So watching that quarterback race develop here throughout fall camp is going to be a huge piece. But they've added nice pieces.

They got a lot coming back on defense. If they get that quarterback position right, Zubin, I don't know, man. Missouri's probably a team we should be talking a little bit more about. Yeah, it feels like it's the most interesting position. battle of any team in the SEC. We'll wait to see what happens here as we move towards the opener. On the way here on college football live, Florida, ready for a breakout season.

How much of a breakout season? Well, all you have to do is look to last season. Coach Napier will explain. And speaking of last season, that's not something Alabama wants to repeat. We'll hear from Coach DeBore about a critical second year. When college football live continues. Okay, Coach DeBoer, that was a nice little introduction. Nine and four.

A perfect 7 and 0 at home. Not so perfect, 2 and 4 on the road. But that's all it was, an introduction. Honeymoons don't last long in Tuscaloosa. Pressure does. And this 2025 schedule feels like it was conjured up in a pressure cooker. Week 1. A Florida state team in search of a reckoning.

Wisconsin. A trip to Athens. Revenge matches with Vandy and Tennessee. Oh, and that little holiday party known as the Iron Bowl. The good news is that the Ryans are back. Ryan Grubb returns after a year in the league, and Ryan Williams is finally old enough to vote. Now, the RTR crowd is eager to cast their vote on the Boers' second Crimson season.

You're right, Ryan, McGee, Ryan is 18 years old. You know, Caitlin DeBowler is ready to go at SEC Media Days. Obviously, huge crowd around him, big pressure, and he realizes kind of what Ryan McGee just indicated, and they didn't meet the challenge last year. Like we fell short of making the playoffs, as simple as that, right? And giving yourself a chance to go compete for a championship. I think there's a lot of things that I'm super proud of

that are happening within the program that are part of the progression. Yeah, we fell short. Our guys, you know, again, I'm proud of them and the way they've responded to, you know, us, you know, not realizing the goals that we, you know, set out to have and getting back just to work, focusing on the main thing. I feel that's always been the case, but sometimes there's just ups and downs you've got to go through. And again, a lot of it comes down to those big moments, you know, building a culture where you just you keep fighting until the very end because there's going to be close games. And a lot of those wins you're talking about came down to the very end. There was even moments when it probably looked kind of bleak at times. But you fight, you execute, and you find a way to win.

And so that's what we got to do here going into year two. He's won everywhere he's been. Now it's just a matter of fulfilling the expectations at the most pressure-packed job he's had. As you can see, that's a 9-and-4 team. And they're not used to single-digit-win seasons there, obviously, because of his predecessor and all the great coaches that came before. DuBore. Speaking of, DeBore, our Heather Dennett,

had an opportunity to sit down with him, and it's just safe to say that they don't need to watch college football live or get on their phone. They are already plenty motivated. They are. Linebacker Deonté Lawson talked to us yesterday about how we're starving, he said. We're not hungry.

We're starving. There's a difference. He said the minute DeBore walked in the first meeting, they all sat up in their chairs. There's a belief in him and the future of this program. And DeBoer told us that he has spent less time this year building the culture and more time working on the things that are going to make them better in certain situations that contributed to those four losses last year. He said he knows what he's got in his locker room when it comes to effort and character. There's no guarantees, he said, that that's going to translate onto the field.

But he is confident about what he has coming back in his room. and these players are ready to get after it for him. Yeah, there's no doubt, Heather, I think maybe the best example of how excited they are is they had virtually no attrition in the portal, which is, I mean, you never can imagine something like that in today's world of college football. Heather, thank you very much. So now we want to kind of set back up with Dusty and Benjamin. And Benjamin, I want to start with you.

Ryan McGee mentioned Ryan Grubb being back. And you as a guy that, you know, knows a thing or two about offense in the SEC, you think that is a huge addition. It's all about continuity, and especially when you're breaking in a new quarterback. Presumably it'll be Ty Simpson that'll be under the helm for Alabama. But one thing that Kalin DeBoer talked about was just the fact that he's not going to be limited. Limited, not in the sense of his personnel last year, but limited in the sense that he's trying to teach a new offensive system. He's trying to understand his personnel, trying to understand what guys can do.

But now you bring in a guy that you've been with for 13-something years at several different stops that speaks to exact same language as you do. He can explain not only the how to run the offense, but the why we're doing what we're doing. There seem to be a lot of confidence when we talk to Kalin DeBoer, not just about the offense, but the fact that his players are going to now understand his offense. And he'll be able to do some of the things that you saw him do in Washington that made Michael Pennance a top pick. If I'm an offensive player, I'm excited that a coach is bringing in an offensive coordinator to take some of that office place so that we can really dig in and understand how to run his offense to perfection. Look, there's just a comfort level that Kailen Dabour has with Ryan Grub and Ryan Grub has with Kailen Nibor.

And we've seen it every stop along the way. These guys are virtually impossible to stop, especially in the passing game and exit Jalen Milrow and he was a great college player. But I think that the passing game is going to take a huge step in the right direction. I agree with Benjamin. I think Ty Simpson is going to be the guy. But when you've got Ryan Williams, who's the best playmaker in the SEC to distribute the football to, Jeremy Bernard who came over from Washington with Coach DeBoer. I think his role continues to increase.

And it's an offensive line that's going to be really, really good. Couple that with the fact that I think Kane Womack might have the best defense in the SEC returning. It feels to me like Alabama is going to return to the playoff. And I think they're going to return to Atlanta at the end of the season and compete for an SEC championship. All right. So you're seeing the tide here today.

You hope to see him in that first Saturday or so in December. I just want to go back to Ryan Williams because again, he's the other Ryan that Ryan Biggie mentioned and you just invoked him as well Dusty. Again, a reminder, everything he did last year was at 17. He's now 18. When you start like that,

what's the reasonable ability to move forward this year? We've almost seen it all in year one. What can we expect in year two? I mean, the growth of a Go ahead, Ben, go ahead. I'm sorry, Dusty looked at me and I guess it's time to receive. I just said I was just going to jump into it.

Go, go. But I think, I'll let you. But I think that the next step for a receiver is obviously understanding coverages better. Last year we saw Ryan Williams make these incredible plays largely because of his balance, his incredible athleticism. They're throwing the ball. He single-handedly broke a lot of hearts, including mine.

And so now we're going to see defenses understand his capabilities. They're going to shift coverages to him. The key for any wide receiver is not when you beat one-on-one coverage. Anybody can beat one-on-one coverage. The key is when you can identify and beat double coverage. That's what Ryan Williams is going to see. And I'll tell you something else. Defenses are going to key on him,

but I think the sky's the limit for this kid. He's just scratching what he can do because he doesn't even know how to play the game yet. The sky is the limit for him. I was at Alabama Pro Day, and I was talking a lot of NFL, talent evaluators, GMs. He stole the show at the young age that he is Zubin. Then we all know exactly how Ryan Williams is. And he is becoming a much better and crisp.

route runner. Talk with the staff there. They've seen a lot of maturation, exactly what Benjamin talked about. He is going to draw a lot of double coverage. I don't know if it's going to matter. I think with his quickness in and out of breaks, his ability to get open, I think it's going to be tough for SEC defenses to deal with Ryan Williams. Pretty scary to

think you guys think he's just scratching the surface. That is going to be nightmares for SEC defensive coordinators here for the next couple of years. Just a reminder, Florida was at SEC Media Days yesterday. And safe to say, Billy Napier walked in. were some pessimists that thought he wouldn't be walking into Atlanta this year as Florida's head coach.

But after a great, great finish, last year, he's back. You spot the ball last year. At the end of the year, you know, you could argue we were playing as good of football as anybody in the country. And I think that that's a result of our development process. Our development process is working. As a competitor, you want to play against the best, the very best. And there's an old saying, To be the best, you've got to beat the best. And I think we get that opportunity competing in this league. They might have all the pieces in place as we welcome Heather Dinnich back in.

But they might have a first round draft pick a quarterback, one of the most hype guys they've had there in a while. But nobody can do anything about that schedule, Heather. It is the toughest schedule in the country, according to ESPN analytics again. But you know what DJ Lagway told me about it? Bring it on basically. He said, this is fun. He said in high school, you get that one homecoming game.

Now it's every week in the SEC. And he said, he echoed Billy Napier's comments, spot the ball. Lagway told us that he's been throwing three times a week. He's fully healed. His health, though, is the key to surviving that schedule and making a run to the college football playoff because the reality is, if they're going to get an at-large bid or something even better as the SEC champ,

then they're going to have to knock up multiple top 25 teams along the way, and he's going to be the catalyst for that. He's got to stay healthy. He has no questions about his own durability, focusing a lot on his nutrition this off season. Yeah, and you saw what happened when he wasn't healthy last year. So that's of extra importance. Heather, thank you very much,

as we welcome the fellas back in. Dusty and Benjamin from Atlanta. There's nowhere else to start here, Dusty, other than DJ Lagway. Everybody's keeping eyes on that shoulder, but let's just, you know, Heather said, you know, he stays healthy. What's his ceiling? He's a superstar. His ceiling is one of the best quarterbacks, if not the best quarterback in college football.

You know, I had a chance to call the LSU game last year when he was banged up. He had a bad hamstring. He couldn't even utilize his mobility. Yet he stood there in the pocket, accurate throws down the field and led this team to a victory. The great thing for DJ Lagway, who is much mature than his young age of 19. He acts like he's been in college football for four or five years. But, you know, the pieces around it. It's a veteran offensive line.

Jake Slaughter was here, the starting center, were the best offensive line in the league, and they're pretty much back intact. The depth at running back, headed by Jaden Ball, is fantastic. They're going to pound you. They're going to run the football. They're going to play action. Trey Wilson back at Rive Receiver.

Look, I think this Florida team is poised to pick up right where they left off from a season ago. Billy Napier was playing kind of quiet. I asked him about expectations. He's like, expectations. No one thinks anything of us. Oh, I don't think so. I know it's a tough schedule.

But Benjamin, I think Florida's got a chance to be a really good team this year. And let's not forget what we learned from this team. At some point in the season, about halfway, a lot of people were leaving Billy Napier for dead. There were talks about it's buyout. There were talks about the locker room falling apart. And you saw this team gravitate toward the center and do something that we haven't seen with that schedule.

And so when I look at this football team, DJ Lagway, he comes in, he has limited playing time, but he throws 12 passes over 40 yards. Immediately the offense changed where defenses have to respect the deep ball that, quite frankly, they didn't respect with the Graham Merck. And so, when I look at this team, I agree with everything you said, primarily the offensive line, bringing those guys back, having veterans there that understand how to play the game. And then for DJ Lagway, look, you can't control this, but staying healthy will be key for him and will be key for this football team next season.

There's a lot of optimism in Florida, and I think it's well warranted. Dusty, there is a lot of optimism. Look, great. Yeah, and they do have a superstar, but it's that schedule. That's kind of the issue, right? It is the issue. I was just going to say with DJ Lagway, one thing that he mentioned, his teammates mentioned,

the ability to see the field and understand, you know, last year was kind of half-field reads. You saw him push the ball down the field, but now the ability to see the entirety of the field and understand the complexities of college defenses. It's a bear of a schedule, Zubin. There's no doubt about that. But look, really good teams have to win tough games in tough environments.

We saw Georgia do that a season ago, go into Austin and win a tough game. So look, Florida does get Texas at home. They got to go on the road. It's going to be tough to go into Death Valley, tough to go into Miami. That Georgia game is going to be a neutral side. There's nothing easy about that schedule. There are some of the tougher games where those teams do have to go to the swamp. And at the end of the year, the swap, it was back and alive.

And that's essentially a very useful tool to have at your disposal. No doubt. That's what Napier said. That second half surge essentially saved him. Benjamin kind of indicated that as well. This guy is looking for back to back to back double-digit win seasons. Eli is going to join us. What a Dusty says has never been done at Missouri.

And Dusty knows a little something about sooner savior John Mateer. We'll hear from him and get the fellow's thoughts. on a critical year and one of the biggest transfers in the sport arriving in Norman. Next. Whether it's a pair of running shoes or a new car, you check how well something performs before you buy it. Why should investing be any different? At Fidelity, we get that performance matters most.

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We're back just a reminder, the flag football championships this Friday through Sunday on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and streaming on Disney Plus. Earlier this spring, Eli Drinkwitz was on the Paul Feinbaum show and let it rip. This is a bold statement, but I would say this. the most talented football team that I've had since we've been here at the University of Missouri. And to whom much is given, much is required. I've put a lot of pressure on our coaching staff to get the most out of this team. There's a reason I think he feels confident because since he's gotten there, things have gotten dramatically better in all the categories that matter, like wins and postseason wins.

And it's great to have Coach Drinkwitz join us today on college football live. In your five previous trips to the SEC media days, you know about this coach, the guarded comments, get out of there, play it's safe. But you let it rip today on the schedule, a playoff proposal, even the Texas fight song, snafu, you were all over the place. What's gotten into you? Man, you got to hold people accountable, you know. I mean, the SEC, you can't play the wrong fight song and think nobody's going to make a joke about it.

But, but, you know, the other stuff, I think this is an opportunity for us to put our opinions outright. And, you know, for me, I think it's all about thinking about what's best for the fans and what's best for the players. Expanding the playoffs for four teams doesn't create enough access for me and it creates more uncertainty when you put it more teams in a selection committee that's got human bias. So why not make it more concrete? Why not have play-in games create more access for more universities, more fan bases, more players? You mentioned something there that I think is one of the most overlooked things in this whole thing. which is the fans are the group that make this entire sport go and always have. It feels like they're never really considered when these decisions are made,

but they're top of mind for you. Yeah, I think that's absolutely right. At the end of the day, I think coaches, conferences, commissioners, we're all expendable. The two pieces of this that are not expendable are the players and the fans. If the players don't play, we don't have games and the fans don't show up. We don't have a product. And so, you know, we've got to be a little bit more considerate

about what's best for them instead of maybe what's best for this conference or that conference or the byproducts of the game. And so that for me is one of these things. You look at the NFL, there's a reason why 44% of the NFL teams make the playoffs, it's best for the fan base. There's a reason why they have divisions and you only have to be the best team out of those four divisions in order to make the playoffs. You talk about college football.

You're talking about less than 12. opportunity for championship contention. And I think that's ridiculous. Why would you even expand it at that point? Good argument for sure. Let's talk about your team a little bit. There was a guy that you welcomed back to the SEC on your roster. And I know you mentioned today, Coach Sabin was on the horn asking about this guy.

Tell me about Jalen Catalan. Yeah, Jalen Catalan. I think he's been playing for 27 years in college football. But I definitely played against him in 2020 when he was at the University of Arkansas. He's just a really instinctual player. He's got great work ethic. He knows how to play the game. There's not a lot of things that offenses can do that he hasn't seen before.

But he's got a tremendous work ethic. He's got a tremendous character. He's an unbelievable teammate. You know, I shared a story on the main stage. We took 45 players and 15 staff members to Harmon's Jamaica to give back to the community. And one day I got a chance to work with Jalen Catalan. And he was absolutely a stud. Worked extremely hard.

never complained, was the first to volunteer for any task, and that's the mark of a great character. And at the end of the day, character is what really matters. Yeah, no doubt. There comes some wisdom being 24 years old that you're not going to get on a lot of the team. And last thing, your quarterback battle might be the most intriguing, interesting position battle in the entire conference. Size up each guy for us. Yeah, I agree with that.

You know, we've got two really talented players. Sam Horn is a young man that was actually just drafted. by the Dodgers for baseball, but is an outstanding football player, played at Collins Hill here in Georgia, led his team to a state championship. You got Bo Probulo transferred in from Penn State. Both of these guys are excellent passers, great decision makers, can add and create with their feet. I'm very excited about both of these guys and what they can bring.

It'll be our responsibility as the offensive staff to play around their strengths. No doubt. There are only three teams in the SEC that have back-to-back, double-digit win seasons. One's Georgia. One's Ole Miss. And one is Coach Drinkwitz's Missouri Tigers. Best of luck this fall, Coach. Thank you.

Thank you for saying that, M-I-Z. Z-O-U, just to finish it. So Oklahoma and Media Days yesterday. A couple days ago, there's been a lot of discussion about why this is such a critical year. Brent Venable, six and seven last season. He's actually had two six-win seasons, sandwiched with one 10-win season.

So it's a critical for year. Defense has been there and solid. Of course, probably no coincidence. That is Venable's specialty. But the real issue about getting this team turned around might be these two. New quarterback, John Mateer, and Ben Arbuckle, both coming over from Washington State.

Here's Mateer on earning his keep. I wanted to make sure I didn't come off. off is like too cocky, too confident. I wanted to, I didn't want to say too much. You know, I wanted to build relationships, but I didn't want to, you know, make it, oh, I'm this guy. And I wanted my work to show that I could be a leader. And knowing the offense as I came in, it helped me be able to build relationships instead of having to sit in the room and learn the offense. And then I spend a lot of time with O-Line. I believe that, you know, you got to spend, I'm taking them out to dinner tomorrow night. I'm not saying that to brag, but I'm saying,

like, you know, they got to love me because if they don't love me, you know, who are they going to play for, you know, and I play for them and they'll play for them, and they'll play for me and it's going to be a lot of fun. Considering his off season, that waitress or waiter can expect a hefty tip. Pete is back with us. Pete, you know, this guy hasn't played a down yet in the SEC, but you're saying by the end of the season, you might not be able to write the story of the SEC without mentioning this guy's name. Zubin, I think that's 100% right. John Mateer Looms is one of the most impactful players in the SEC. see, excuse me, Oklahoma finished 15th in scoring offense in the league last year and dead last 16th in passing offense.

Mateer comes with Ben Arbuckle's scheme and they will move the ball, they will go up tempo and they will utilize the quarterback run game. You saw that shine around John Mateer's nose. He is not afraid to stick his nose in it and go. He really clicked with Brent Venables, who's obviously a paragon of intensity. John Mateer brings that element to the offense. He also, to get ready for the SEC, said he gained about 15 pounds of muscle. He's been eating steak, he said, in avocados. And Zubin, I have sources that told me he has a dinner date with our friend and Norman resident, Dusty DeVorechek, this week. My sources did not reveal who was going to pick up the check. But John Meteer could be putting on a couple more pounds this week with old Dusty.

Okay, let's see. Now, as you know, Pete, you're a great reporter. I always have to get a second source, so why not just go right to the source? All right, let's bring in Dusty. First of all, hard-hitting question. is that true and who's picking up to check? There is a potential dinner date on the horizon. I can verify from my sources as well.

If it's at my house, I'll do the grilling. But if we're going out to eat, that man's pan. I'm not paying. I don't make quite as much as he does. But the impact that John Mateer has already had on this program is amid Zubin. Like you can feel it. It's palpable. The energy that he brought to spring practice.

Obviously the productivity, but I think there's intangibles. He has a confidence. It's not an arrogance. It's a confidence and a work ethic that is permeated throughout that locker room. It was infectious all throughout spring into summer. And the same is going to happen in fall heading into the season. 44 total touchdowns he accounted for last year. This offense needs a shot in the arm.

And John Mateer is exactly what the doctor ordered. And Benjamin, as you said, he stole the show. Here these last four days, everyone I've talked to has been blown away by John Mateer. Just so mature. You know, we didn't know what to expect, but getting a chance to talk to him, getting a chance to hear from him. And again, you know, pairing him with his offensive coordinator, Ben Arlbuckle, we're seeing this kind of happen throughout the league and throughout the nation. I look no further even than Diego Pavia and his offensive coordinator over at Vanderbilt. You see how things accelerate when you bring those two together.

But also, it's about staying healthy. Look, a guy like Dionne Burks, we waited to see Dionne Burks last year. He never was quite healthy. So the offensive weapons are there for John Mateer to use. Also bring in Jaden Ott, the incredible running back from Cal. He has over 3,400 total yards. So he's going to be impressive, the offensive line. And then they're going to be able to rely on that defense because, look,

the expectations are high from offense, but we also know as offensive players that it takes time to build that camaraderie. But this defense is stout R. Mason Thomas 9, 9 sacks last year. The defense has really been what's buoyed this football team and provided opportunities for their offense to score when it did last year. Yeah, Dusty, I know you're right there in Norman every day of the year, and it's going to be a critical year. You'll have a front row seat,

and we'll certainly be checking back with him with you week to week, especially if Mateer is what everybody says he is. One of the great moments on the sports calendar of all of 2025, no matter what happens the rest of the year. Lee Corso at 91 years old, entering his final year with College Game Day, honored at the SB Awards last night, surrounded by his college game day teammates. I want to thank ESPN for this tribute

and an opportunity to do a job that I've loved for 38 years. My goal on TV was to bring a smile to everybody's face. I hope I have done that. I think it's pretty clear he has, and then afterwards, it felt like game day. A lot of partying, a lot of energy, big atmosphere. Kirk's standing right next to him, and you can't have a game day moment without a, you bet, pick,

Corso's selection going with USC. It seemed to be the good local flavor and flair. Benjamin, what did you make of something like that? I think that just captured the attention of the sports world yesterday. Truly, truly classy, a name that is synonymous with college football, a name that I grew up watching. You wanted to be playing in a game and see him put your mascot head on his head. And so you want to inspire people. The reason why anybody does what they do is because they want to do it with excellence and they want to inspire people.

Lee Corso has done that for a very long time. Congratulations, sir. We appreciate you. Coach Corso is one of one, Zuban. One of one. He made college football more fun, more exciting. He came into my home as a young kid on college football Saturdays, and he put a big smile on my face and so many other people.

There will never be anyone else quite like him. And, you know, his impact on college football, it's tough to really put into words and truly measure. And boy, it's going to be great at Columbus, Ohio, when he puts that headgear on the final time where it all began so many years ago. A huge thank you to Coach Corso. No doubt. Bivo or Brutis for one.

last time. Coach has about 45 days to think about it. On the way, the SEC's thinking about nine conference games, but there's a huge pitfall if they go there. That's next. Snap up Ancestry DNA's lowest price ever in our incredible cyber sale. With 50% off ancestry DNA kits, it's the perfect time to help a loved one unwrap the past.

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Besides the future of the playoff, the SEC is really concerned about whether they're going to go eight games or up to nine, and that'll obviously indicate what the future of the playoff would be. Here's Sanky. Quote, I think we should be working towards that. My life doesn't end if we don't. There's this absolutist notion that he's going to dictate what's going to happen. I think we should have an adult conversation.

We should be able to make a decision. I think nine games would promote great interest through the year, but it would also be hard to coach. I've had candid conversations with coaches. I've told them that one of the guys who I'm sure it was in the room was Eli Drinkwitz, who weighed in on eight versus nine himself. I've been for the nine game. I think if it was about players and about fans, I think it's a nice. nine game schedule for the SEC.

If it's about coach preservation, which, hey, man, I get it, you know. But if we're going to go to 11 humans deciding on a committee, which are the 11 best teams, and we stay at eight, we ain't getting in. I think that's fair. Benjamin, let's start with you here. Let's say I'm a fan of a Big Ten team. And I say, you know what? We've won the last two titles.

You claim you're better than us. We play nine conference games. Didn't affect us. We won the last two titles. Why ain't the SEC playing nine conference games? Well, you see the divergence there. And a lot of the conversation here at SEC Media Days has been about the eight-versed to nine games.

I hear what Drink is saying. And as a former player, you understand that for players, you want to play extra games. You want to play meaningful games. And also, you understand that for the growth of the game and for fans, which are vitally important, fans want to see more games. So whether that's eight or nine games, I kind of, lean on what Kirby Smart said, which was, look, whatever it is, it is what it is. We have to go out and win those football games.

Strength of record and strength of schedule is really what's key here because at the very end of the season, when it comes to playoff times, teams want to know, players want to know, programs want to know that their record means something if they're playing difficult competition. But something that you talked about, Dusty, was just the fact that if we don't go to eight or nine games, can we get more powerful games in the non-conference schedule? Yeah, that's where I want to go. Look, one thing I want to say, Zubin, the last two national champions from the Big Ten, neither Michigan or Ohio State played a powerful game in the non-conference.

So they played nine conference games, but only nine power four games in the SEC. It's eight conference games, and they are mandated to play at least one more power-four game. And that's where I wish this focus would shift to. Not getting the nine conference games. Let's get more power-four on power-for non-conference games. We've got a handful of them this year, and we're fired up for 10. Texas, Ohio State, for Michigan, Oklahoma, for LSU, Clemson, I can go on. I'd like to go on even more because for me, that's the bigger answer,

not increasing how many SEC or how many conference games we have, getting a nine. Let's get to more power four on power for non-conference games so we can really figure out who the best teams are, who the best conferences are. With also understanding, and this is the frustrating part for ourselves, this is frustrating part for fans. This is not the NFL model. So at the very end of the season, there's always going to be a bit of ambiguity. It's tough to deal with.

But as Drink said, when you're allowing humans to make the decision, that's what happens, unfortunately. There's no doubt about it. We should also say that Sankey clearly wants nine games. And I'm taking a look at the things he hasn't gotten over the years. That's a pretty short list. So we'll wait to see what happens there. Drinkwitz also weighed in on the playoff format. Now this one is a doozy.

I think we all would agree that the full. four college football playoff games at home campuses was a huge win for college football. We need to expand that opportunity, the energy and excitement. So my math could be wrong here. But if we did the 12, okay, and you had four automatic qualifiers, everybody thinks that's limiting. It's not limiting if you think about it from, you take those four automatic qualifiers and you divide that up into eight opportunities of eight play-in games. So now you're taking the SEC's playing in for eight.

You're taking the Big Ten's playing in for eight. Since we've expanded the bubble to 16, give three to the Pact, three to the Big 12, three to the ACC, one, one. Now you've got 30 teams, 30 teams. Now we're talking about an opportunity for 30 teams, 30 fan bases to be excited and engaged, engaged in giving revenue. Got 30 teams with players who have access to compete for a championship. All right, Heather, a 30 team playoff. I know you had a chance to speak with Coach Drinkwitz. What are your big takeaways here?

Well, first of all, to be clear, when he's talking about 30 teams, he's talking about the pool of candidates, right? Which was pretty similar, quite honestly, to what we had this year because even in the 12-team college football playoff, because the five highest ranked conference champions are guaranteed spots, you were going all the way down the top 25 to, what, 21, 22, where Clemson was ranked as the three-lossed ACC champ, Arizona State, sitting there at number of. number 12 at the end. So that 30 was the pull of candidates. But what he told us in our room in our exclusive interview was he doesn't want the selection committee. I said, you want to get rid of it? 100%. Get rid of the selection committee. He also said he wouldn't be opposed to getting rid of the SEC Conference Championship game because when they were in Destin, Florida at their spring meetings, they were presented models of a 16-team playoff with automatic qualifiers,

which is what the Big Ten is in favor of. Some with an SST and. championship game and some without. And if you take the SEC championship game out of the mix, which is a major revenue driver and a big, big deal, then you've got these playing games for eight teams. And that's his point. His point is if you're focused on the blue bloods, the Alabama's, the Georgia's and the LSUs of the world,

what about the mazoues of the world, who are the middle of the pack SEC? You got a chance to be the eighth team and player way in? Yes. So if you're a college football fan, you've got to figure out what side of this you're on. When it comes to automatic qualifiers, their argument is we're not handing this to anybody. You've still got to play your way in. And when it comes to the 11 at-large teams, that's just saying you've got to earn it through the selection committee

and the human element is still involved. Yeah, you're right. There's only so much room for Blue Bloods at the top. He seems to be speaking for the lion's share of the sport that wants to make sure they're not going to get weeded out. of the sport. Great stuff, Heather, really appreciate it. On the way, you know, one of those teams that actually was able to buck the odds and get there and give Penn State a little bit of a scare was Boise State. But now they have to replace the greatest player in school history. Apologies to Kellyn Moore if he's listening. Mountain West Media Days are happening in Vegas. We'll talk about it then. We're back. Final day of the SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame with all those helmets. And Pete Dammel has been posted out. They're among the throng of journalists there, and he joins us again here on college football live. Let's run through some of the big topics here in and around the sport. Let's start with the team in the SEC that really needs to turn it around in Lexington.

Yes, Zubin. Mark Stoop struck a defiant tone today. He told me that the one in seven SEC season for Kentucky is going to, quote, bring the Youngstown out of me. Put me in a corner, let me fight my way out. Well, to do that, they're going to rely on Zach Kelsata, the trend. transfer from Incarnate Word. SEC fans would know him from Auburn and A&M as well. Zubin, Kentucky finished last in the SEC and scoring offense at 20.6 points for game last year. They need Calzada and O.C. Bush Hamden to amp things up.

As for Mississippi State, there's an overhaul happening in Starkville. Since Coach Jeff Levy took over, 80% of the roster has flipped. Levy was especially excited about the defensive front. They added 10 defensive linemen in the portal, and they, overhauled that offensive line. They need to keep quarterback Blake-shape and healthy when he got injured in week four last year. Things went off the rails for the Bulldogs. And out at Mountain West media today today, Boise State is picked first. They do not have Ashton Gentie, but they do have a player who's following his arc. Left tackle Cage Casey is not only one of the great names in

college football. He's a top 100 NFL draft pick at left tackle. It's one of the top tackles in football had a lot of opportunities to play elsewhere. He is a lot of is staying on the blue to make opponents black and blue. Boise State returns its entire offensive line, and they will be blocking from Malik Sharada-Fresno transfer and look for the blue to get some more Ws. No doubt about it. They have really feel like their Boise once again under Spencer Danielson.

It took over under some pretty adverse circumstances and has been great. We'll say goodbye to the four-day SEC media days with the best of the best from everybody. That's when you come to. We're back. SEC Media Days. If you're a transcriber, it's been tough. Last four days. A lot of words have been spilled. We're going to get the final thoughts. Pete, biggest takeaway, your biggest thought, final thought, as the media days have come to an end. I think when we look back on these media days, Zubin, they are the media days of Arch. Arch Manning arrived and he came with a good sense of deprecation. He basically said, look, I don't deserve all this. I haven't done enough quite yet. And I'm paraphrasing, obviously, but Arch was comfortable with himself. He had a blend of a quiet confidence with a little Southern aw shucks. And he certainly has to justify the giant man crush our friend Paul Feinbaum has on him, which was,

which was illuminated this week. So no, I think these are Arches Media Days and I think he performed well. Let's see if it happens on the field for the Longhorns. 45 days away from test number one at the shoe. Ben, you're up next. Well, I think LSU. I wasn't quite certain about LSU coming into these media days.

But I look at them as a team that has a really, really high ceiling. they've got the most certain quarterback position of any football team with Garrett Nusspire coming back. But they also brought in some additions like Berrien Brown from Kentucky. I'm looking at this LSU team and saying, you know what, if they can catch fire offensively and if this defense can get a lot better with Harold Perkins and with weeks, they could be sitting right here in December for the SEC championship. We've been hanging out too much, man, because that's what I got.

I walk away from here and I feel like LSU is my pick to win the SEC and the team to beat. But honestly, my biggest takeaway, Zubin, I think this conference race is wide open. I don't think there's a clear-cut favor anywhere. LSU is my pick to win the league. But, man, I think in Georgia, Texas, Alabama, LSU, I think you start to bring some other teams, Florida, A&M, Oklahoma, if it's right, Missouri, who knows,

I think it's wide open. It's going to be fun. It's going to be competitive. It's going to be a great year in the SEC. You guys are in Atlanta, but according to Dusty, who knows who will be there to decide the SEC championship. In Atlanta. It should be a wild ride. Reminder tomorrow on college football live. We'll be joined by Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. We'll see you then.