College Football Live - CFB LIVE - 8/27 - QB EDITION

Episode Date: August 27, 2025

Our crew Zubin Mehenti, Sam Acho and Roddy Jones are back for another episode of College Football Live. Today they discuss what to expect from Arch Manning and Julian Sayin as 1 Texas prepares to face 3 Ohio State Saturday at noon. What will Deion Sanders and Colorado do without Shedeur and Travis Hunter this season? Could Drew Allar be the piece Penn State needs to make a playoff push? All that and more on CFB Live! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's week three of Canadian tires early Black Friday sales. These prices won't go lower this year. Maybe too long. Freezing. Save up to 50% November 20th to 27th. Conditions apply, details online. I love college football as much as these two apparently love each other. While you may not get an invite to the wedding of the year, the century, the millennium, or ever,

you are cordially invited to join us today on college football live. With my groomsman, impossible because I'm not married. Roddy Jones and Sam Hachow. I'm Zubin Mahanty. Don't remind me of it as they get closer to 50 years old. Let's talk about some football. Sorry, Taylor. Sorry, Travers probably wants to talk a little bit about football.

Of course, we're talking about the matchup that is dominating week one. That would be Ohio State and Texas, and we are ready to go. Okay, so this will be the first meeting in eight months between these two. That doesn't seem like a long time, but obviously if you're in Texas, you've got all the motivation, right? Ohio State ended your season. And Ohio State, of course, use that win to springboard, a win over Notre Dame, and win the championship. All eyes on Arch Manning, but maybe all eyes should be on Julian saying it's hard to believe you could go from being an Alabama transfer to an Ohio State quarterback and not get a ton of attention in a game. That's how much arch blocks out the sun.

And this is how tight this is expected to be. One and a half point dogs, but if you believe in the home field is worth three points, it shows you just how tight this. game could be. This is Colin Simmons. He is a standout for Texas providing the Buckeyes of the little bullden board material. Then again, maybe it's not. Maybe he just actually feels this way. Check this out from social media. There it is. It's just a picture of Julian Sayan. What's this all about? Colin providing a little bit of clarity. Honestly, I'm just excited that they chose a quarterback, you know, there's really nothing major behind it, I'll say. You know, there's no target for him and nothing like that.

I'm just glad that they have a quarterback that I'm ready to sack. That is absolutely phenomenal. Roddy, let's start with you. You know, they famously called it the pancake factory. Texas's offensive line used to be their biggest concern. Then it got great. Now they're depleted. What does it mean for Saturday?

Zumin, I can't skip over what's happened so far in the show. The entry to the show, the opening of the show, that's the best you've ever done in your life. Come here, bring it in, big guy. I'll give you a hug. Come on. Give you a pound. The way Taylor looks at Travis. And then with the Colin Simmons thing, I think we're blowing that out of proportion.

But none of that's here nor there. The Texas offensive lines are placing four starters. They're going up against an Ohio State defensive line that is not the same. same group that it was a year ago, but it's still incredibly talented. So we all assume Arch is going to be great, but the quarterback is obviously incredibly dependent on the guys in front of them to keep them safe. Those Ohio State defensive linemen are going to be talented. And if you look at the guys that they lost, three selected in the NFL draft, and Jake Majors was a borderline all-American at center. So I am concerned, or at least want to see how this group that has guys that

played last year but weren't starters comes together against a talented Ohio State front. Yeah, Texas's offensive line may be a weakness, but Ohio State's defensive line is definitely not a strength. You talk about some of the players that Texas lost from the offensive line. Let's talk about some of the guys who Ohio State lost on their defensive line. Talk about guys like Jack Sawyer, who had that sack fumble to seal the game last year in the college football playoff when Texas played Ohio State. JT. 2M. Lowell, number 44. He's currently with the Indianapolis Colts. He's a dog. He was dominant in that game as well. And oh, by the way, Tyleek Williams on the interior was a first round pick to the Detroit Lions. So you talk about

strength on strength in certain matchups. This is almost like weakness on weakness. It's not the strong suit of Ohio State going against the strong suit of Texas. So I'm not overly concerned about the departures from Texas because Ohio State has lost some key departures and playmakers from that position as well. The thing is it's easier to throw a defensive line together in their first action when they all have stars next to their name. And Bo Atkinson was a really talented defensive end at North Carolina that transferred over. It's easier to throw that group together and say, hey, go play. I just need you to penetrate that gap, go right up field and hit somebody as hard as you can,

especially when you got a guy like Sunny Stiles behind. It's harder to have an offensive line that hasn't been in the environment like they're going to have in the horseshoe, that hasn't played, that hasn't had that 5C things as one, hasn't gone. hasn't gone through that with an opposing defense on the other side. It's harder to have that group come together and perform at a high level early on, Sam. But, Roddy, you're acting like there aren't stars next to the Texas offensive linemen's name as well. Steve Sarkeesian has been one of the best recruiters over his tenure at Texas. Even in Alabama was great at recruiting.

And to your point, yes, it's hard for five offensive linemen who are new to play as one. But Kyle Flood, who's the offensive coordinator and also the offensive line coach at Texas, is some of the, it's co-mastermind, if you will, with Steve Sarkesian. So if anyone's going to try and make sure the offensive line is protected, it's Kyle Flood, who's in the offensive position meeting rooms, as well as Steve Sarkesian. All right. So you mentioned, Sam, that Sark used to be at Alabama. That's where we're going to go next, because Alabama's certainly got some bulletin-mort material courtesy of Tommy Costalanos, who is Florida State's new quarterback.

I'm sure you remember this when it came out, but let's just go through it. This was back in June to Pete Naco, Savon, three. I mean, this is the, quote, reporters dream of, quote, I dreamed of moments like this. I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don't have Nick Saban to save them. I just don't see them stopping me. Whether you like this or not,

you have to respect the fact that at ACC Media Days, he didn't back away, he doubled down. I stand on what I said. Well, we stand on what I said. So I say what I said. We stand on that. And I don't mean no disrespect to none of those guys at Alabama or anything like that. It's just I have confidence in my guys and the work that we've been putting in and preparing

and the preparation we've been putting together. So that's all that was. I just, no disrespect to those guys, but we stand in what I said. No disrespect, but you don't have saving to save you. Roddy, I know you were at ACC. You were at ACC Media Days. I know you had a conversation. We had a chance to sit down with this guy.

Bottom line, what decides this game? I think whether L.T. Overton and Tim Keenan make the bus may decide the game. I'm just kidding. I'm giving Florida State Bulletin board material. Look, Tim Keenan's banged up. I do think that the Florida State offensive line has to contain the Alabama defensive line. That Alabama defensive line with Tim Keenan and L.T. Overton, it's two projected first round picks on that group going up against an offensive line for Florida State that has four transfers coming in. They're all very experienced, but we know that transfer offensive lines generally don't work particularly well, not at a high level.

And I'm not sure that we've seen one with this much experience. But that defensive line for Alabama is going to be one of the best in the country. The question is the health of Tim Keenan. Now, Chris Lowe recently tweeted out that Tim Keenan will be limited and could miss the game over the weekend, but will certainly at least be limited after sustaining an injury in practice. That's good news for Florida State because that's one of those first projection. first rounders that may not be at full speed. Yeah, I think the biggest point that I said that set out to me was that is

bulletin board material. I talked to one of the Alabama star players is going to be a top round pick in the draft right around after that comment was made. And he, he had some choice words that he didn't say publicly. But the fact of the matter is that that means something for Alabama. For an Alabama player to hear someone say, you don't have Nick Sabin to save you. They're definitely keeping receipts. Now, I will say this.

You talk about the defensive line at Alabama. Florida states replacing, they have nine transfers, really eight transfers and one true freshman starting on offense. And so if that D-line does slow down the running game with Gus Mazzan's new offense, then it's going to be up to the defensive backs. Guys like Zabian Brown and DeMani Jackson, who were really good last season, but they're corners for Alabama, who, if this turns into a one-dimensional game, will need to be key playmakers to shut down or slow down, if you will, Thomas Castellanos. Yes, he's athletic and yes, this offense led by Gus Malzon this season.

should be a potent rushing offense. But if you can stop the run, you have to be able to take the ball away to give the ball back to your new starter and Ty Simpson if you're Alabama. Fair enough, obviously, how Florida State bounces back from the worst season in 50 years is going to be one of the more intriguing

stories in the ACC. But the most intriguing, maybe not the best story. The most intriguing is obviously Bill Belichick at North Carolina. And just a few minutes ago, he actually introduced Gio Lopez. He basically said, look, he's going to be our week one starter. Not a real big surprise. He was at South Alabama last year. The other two guys on the roster at the quarterback position.

One is Max Johnson. He's coming back from a right leg injury, and the other was a true freshman. So maybe by process of elimination and the fact that he's picking up the offense, he's the guy. They'll play TCU ESPN on Monday, September 1. Dylan Edwards basically got knocked out of the Iowa state game right away in Dublin, and you can tell how much they missed him. And it looks like a quarterback family.

He's going to be out against North Dakota. and might not play against the Army next week after that. So that could be something to watch. Interesting. On the way, we'll go at the mic. Best comments from quarterbacks around the country, but the most intriguing comment will come from the only guy that isn't a quarterback in our next segment.

And that, of course, is Dion Sanders. What does Prime have ready to say? We'll tell you next. Black Friday is here at IKEA, and the clock is ticking on savings you won't want to miss. Join IKEA family for free today and unlock deals on everything from holiday must-haves to cozy at-home essentials, all the little and big things you need to make this season shine. But don't wait.

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a bulletin board material, including this yellow jacket saying Boulder? Big deal? So what? Everybody says it's a different experience, but I've experienced some crazy stadiums since being here. So just knowing that, not trying to over-hype it, honestly. Like, it's another game. I know they bring out celebrities.

They do all this crazy stuff, but we're playing football. Then none of them playing? They can hype you all they want to, but you want to feel not them. Interesting, Roddy, let's go to you here naturally since it's tech in Colorado. What do you make of the fact that if all the things you could have talked about, he chose that as sort of as his main stump speech? Well, you don't love it.

But look, I don't think he said anything too inflammatory. It is an environment that is different. And they do have the celebrities on the sideline, whether it's the Rock or Lil Wayne or Big X the plug or Rod Wave. like the sidelines are a who's who. But ultimately, you want it to be about the football. Now, I don't love the way that he brought it up. I don't love the fact that he went there,

but I don't think there's anything too inflammatory there. All right. Let's take a look a little deeper inside Colorado. As you know, Dion was very clear when he first got there. There's going to be a lot of people coming in and a lot of people moving out, as the screen there indicates. But Dion also said, despite all of the first, all the star power that's in the NFL now from last year's team?

This year's team? Better? Some people get baffled because you think this guy's good, but he's playing against your guy that's bad. And then he ends up going against the lot and he's not David. So we understand what we have and we're excited about that. We don't think we lost, we think we gained. Sure, there's a couple of athletes that were phenomenal.

But I think we, and I've been saying this for quite some while, we have a better team. Okay, Sam, minus the Heisman trophy winner and one of the most productive quarterbacks in school history, which happens to be his son, they're somehow better? Are you buying this? I am buying it. And the reason why is that you had

two superstars on your team. Yes, you had some talented receivers as well, but as people start to see success, you start getting new transfers in. So that's part one. Part two, I think more important than anything is the coaching staff. They added Andre Gerard, who played a decade in the NFL for the Cowboys, was coaching the last probably four or five

years plus, even more than, and he's one of the best offensive line coaches I've been around. One of the problems for this Colorado team was Sederer's getting sacked. Now, of a sudden, you have one of the best offensive line coaches who's going to be able to keep your quarterback protected, and now you have elevated roster. I think I'm buying what Coach Prime is selling.

Sam, they are not going to be better at the most important position, and they lost an All-American on offense and defense in the same player. There's no way they're better. Yeah, two years ago they were the worst. They're deeper. That's true. That's true. Two years ago, they were the worst team in the Power 5, and they now won nine games last season.

Got to give them some credit. Kate Clubnick, basically saying, look, man, if I ain't ready by now, I ain't ever going to be ready. I feel like if I woke up any different today or Monday in a game week, then I have the last three weeks in fall camp or have really the whole year. I feel like I've been living out the last three weeks of fall camp wrong, honestly.

My mentality is I've got to wake up and, you know, treat it like game week and treat it like it's the biggest day of the year. You got a random workout in February, and it's leading to something. And it's leading to this Saturday and then the next Saturday. And like you said, 12 opportunities. So, you know, it's exciting. Sounds crazy, Roddy, because he played in the playoff last year. But is this really the moment he's been waiting for?

Is this the culmination of everything for him? I think it is, Zubin. He is so locked in. And I think the maturity of Kate Klovenick really shines through in comments like that. you know, treating the workout in February the same way as you treat game day. You don't necessarily learn that by going 13 and 0 or winning all the games they did in high school. You learn it by being 4 in Clinton, South Carolina, which they were two years ago. So he's got a lot to prove, and he'll try to start to prove it on Saturday night.

Another big quarterback in the ACC is Carson Beck, getting ready for Notre Dame. Carson, how you feel? I feel great. I mean, I feel like I'm the best I've ever been. I'm in a great mindset mentality. the guys around me, man, have been working their tails off, and we've all been working really hard together. So, again, I'm really excited for opportunity to just go out and compete.

But, I mean, I feel like I'm in a great spot mentally, physically, and just all around. He's used to being under a ton of pressure, Sam. But what kind of pressure is he facing in this situation? He's facing pressure for sure. But I think it's the right environment for Carson Beck to thrive. Think about it. One of the best passing offenses in all of college football last season. And he has a really good offensive line led by Francis Maui Noah in front of him and a team that knows how to win.

And so, yes, there's pressure, but I see more of an opportunity for Carson Beck. I think it's the right fit for Beck and Miami. Another quarterback that's been around quite some time, Drew Aller, feeling really good about his weapons. You know, really the past month and a half, like a couple, like a week here and a half before fall camp. And then throughout fall camp, we've kind of been building into that game mode mindset. We're always talking to each other. always asking me questions on routes, what I'm seeing, and how they want me to run routes. It's a really good group, and I'm really excited to be playing with them this year.

All right, you know, Roddy, the bottom line is he was pretty good last year, but he's never quite lived up to the billing that everybody's had of him. Is this the year it finally happens? I think so. I think it comes down to his fundamentals, maybe more than anything else. and being steady in the pocket, not drifting. But the receiving core improvements certainly should help him. Kyrin Hudson from USC, Trevor Pena from Syracuse. Those would certainly elevate the talent that he has around him. No question about it.

All right. So speaking of Aller, I'm sure you recognize the guy in the middle. This is the new clothing line here from Kelsey. It's called True Colors. And one of the spokesman is Drew Aller. I think I recognize Sunni Lee there. It's a model. Look at it.

Stiling, right? Looking good. On the way. Yeah, good stuff. On the way, we'll go three downs. Is it Boise's time again? And is it South Carolina's time to finally break through that more when college football live continues? From Searchlight Pictures comes rental family, now playing only in theaters.

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Fly better. You can see that game and more than 47,000 others on the all new ESPN app, all of ESPN all in one place. Download it on your TV, log in, and start streaming. Boise State has started the trek to Tampa. Here they are. Boarding the plane in Boise, the capital city, heading down, hoping that this will be the first step in them making the... There's Maddox and their quarterback, making the college football playoff for the second straight season. You know, Sam, let's start with you to go three downs.

This is actually a huge game in the group of five, not just for Boise, but for USF. Is it Boise's time again to represent the G5? It is, and it's a huge game. Boise State plays tomorrow night. It is their time again to represent the group of five. Why? Spencer Danielson is one of the best coaches in America, 36 years old, but knows how to inspire confidence. Mattis, Maxson is a great quarterback. They also had two other top hundred players.

So that's who I'd go with Boise to represent the group of five. Second down, Nebraska and Sinci. Roddy, you're going to be on the cold. for this game. The Kelsey connections are everywhere, right? The stadium, his alma mater. But you want to talk a little bit about the improvement for Nebraska's quarterback that we might be able to see this coming season. Yeah, Della Riola has talked a lot in the offseason and to us in our meetings with him about the improvement in his body. Dana Holgerson also with his first full offseason as the offensive. Remember, he took over for the last four

games last year. And he's streamlined who they want to be offensively. You're still going to see a of under center, I would guess. I think you're still going to see a lot of different personnel groupings from Nebraska. But the improvement from Dylan Royola is certainly the thing that I'm going to have my eye on on Thursday. How much better can he be with all the talent that he has? Roddy, the main thing you said there is 100%. The first full year under Holgers. He talked about how big he was when he picked up and got to the bowl game.

And Nebraska won one for the first time in almost a decade. There's plenty of really good games that aren't being talked about. Third down, guys, give me a game that isn't getting a lot of chatter. Sam, let's start with you, but it's certainly worth watching. Auburn's playing Baylor, and that's a game that we need to start talking about. Why? Because Baylor won their last six regular season games, and it wasn't just because of quarterback Sawyer Robertson. It was because of running back Bryson, Washington.

On that six-game winning streak, Baylor and Bryson Washington ran for 800 yards. He did individually. They understand who they are. They're not going to try to out physical you, but they're going to spread you out in space, and then all of a sudden you start getting wide and in space, then it'll – Rossington will attack you downhill. So I think that Baylor knows who they are. Auburn needs to be ready.

Yeah, and Soya Robertson's second highest QBR amongst returning quarterbacks in the country. I'm going to go with the game in Atlanta, Virginia Tech, South Carolina. It really is because Lenore Sellers, like must-see TV, get your popcorn ready. Virginia Tech's going to have to be ready, certainly. But Kyron drones on the other side has a similar skill set to Lenora Sellers. And if Philip Montgomery, the new offensive coordinator, can unlock that skill set, you can see absolute fireworks. But you know Lenora Sellers is going to come to play. Clemson still hasn't tackled him.

We'll see if Virginia Tech can. All right, Sam. Give me one quick thought here on Lenora Sellers. Yeah, he's untacklable. He's impregnable. He's amazing. I mean, he's one of the best quarterbacks I've ever watched. His skill set is ridiculous.

Yes, he's an okay passer. But as a runner, it's hard to put in the word. So just watch him. Watch him. Double dip. We'll be watching tomorrow. Boisey and USF. And then Roddy on the call of our nine Eastern games.

We'll see them.