College Football Live - CFB Live - 9/10 - Week 3 Warmup

Episode Date: September 10, 2025

Join our crew Zubin Mehenti, Sam Acho, Roddy Jones and Pete Thamel for another episode of College Football Live. Tune in as University of South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown joins the show ahead of their matchup against Miami. After losing to USF, should Billy Napier and Florida be worried about their future? Pete updates us on injuries ahead of Week 3 and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders weighs in on naming his new starting QB. You don't want to miss CFB Live! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you're flying Emirates business class, sampling our range of vintage wines, from the largest selection in the skies, you'll see that your vacation isn't really over until your flight is over. Fly Emirates, fly better. Off and running on college football live getting you set for a big SEC weekend. Tennessee and Georgia. Remember the last time Tennessee beat Georgia? If you don't hang tight, it's worth scooping. We'll have that for you in just moments.

They meet on Rocky Top Saturday on your local ABC station. It sounds strange to say this considering LSU as a number three team in the country. But all of the attention on this game is about the unranked Florida Gators, which we're going to dig into in just a moment. That's your Saturday primetime game. And then last year when A&M played Notre Dame, it was not Marcel Reed's team. He didn't really take over full time until late October. So this will be a little bit of a different wrinkle with him clearly.

nearly now the man in charge. And with that, we welcome you inside college football live. Pete, Roddy, Sam, Zubin. Great to be with you all. Let's dig into the program and the loss that simply will not go away. What do coaches say? Just flush it after 24 hours. Easier said than done in Gainesville after USF came up with a stunning win over the Gators.

USF is sitting there at 18th in the pole. There's a lot of people that believe they could be. A top 10 team. Sounds crazy, but who has two better collective wins, thanks to Automatica, Gramatica? Billy Napier is 20 and 20 at the University of Florida. By comparison, 40 games in, Dan Mullen was 31 and 9. 20 and 20 at the home of Urban and Coach Spurrier. Pete, let's start with you.

I know this is mostly wins and losses for this fan base, but I know there's a lot more that goes into what's going on with Napier. us inside. Well, Zuban, I think we're sort of right back where we were last September when Florida got off to that terrible start against Miami and Texas A&M. The goodwill that Billy Napier earned by winning the final four games of last season after he was given the vote of confidence and there was an announcement he'd return. Much of that has been rescinded. He needs to now make that up in quick time. Look, Zuban, if we learned anything about Florida last year, they are not going to be knee-jerk with Billy Napier. There's no sense in projecting any kind of early season firing here, especially

in this era of the portal that we're in. But what he does need to do is get momentum back and get it back quickly. Now, the schedule, as we're going to talk about, guys, affords both opportunity and quite frankly, a little bit of intimidation if you are the gaiters. And the final point, Zubin I want to make here is that Napier, by not going outside last year and bringing in a play caller or promoting a play caller, has really had a lot of the eyes and the eye or the fan base pointed directly at him because there's no one else appointed at. It's a great point.

The irony that going 8 and 5 and saving his job actually made 2025 tricky is just another subtext to this story. Sam, let's go with you because Pete mentioned the schedule. I say this facetiously. There's some NFL teams that might shudder over the next four games. The next three are teams, Sam, in the top 10 and then A&M might vault there if they get that win over Notre Dame. How do you see the next month developing for Florida?

It doesn't look good. I mean, I might see one win if I kind of turn sideways and squint just a little bit. LSU is rising. Defensively, Blake Baker has been outstanding. Miami and Carson Beck, they're playing great football. Texas and Arch Manning is building confidence. And oh, by the way, A&M, not only are they a healthier receiver, but they have weapons like Casey Concepcion.

The Florida Gators need to get better and get better quickly. This seems like the same story over and over again. Last season with Billy Napier of the team. struggled early, everyone wanted him out, then he won late, but they're losing games they shouldn't be losing, especially if you're a Florida Gators fan or Florida Gator faithful. You have too much

talent in that state to continually lose to teams that you should be better than. Yeah, and Sam, we stopped at that A&M game, but Mississippi State just knocked off Arizona State, and then they got Georgia after that. You can go right on to Kentucky before you get to one that looks like Florida can win it based on what we saw

a week ago. The thing is, though, Sam, you know how it is as a player. You're going to go in and watch the film and Florida should come out of watching that film. I'm going to take the positive side of it and say, hey, look, we weren't that far away. It was our mistakes, whether it's a read missed here or a block miss there.

These little individual plays when you go in and watch film, you can see how you can get over those things. If you don't spit on a guy at the end of the game, if you go for it on fourth down and convert a couple of those rather than kicking field goals. So, Sam, there is room for positivity. I agree with you, though. If Florida doesn't turn around, that schedule is an absolute bear

and it could get real late early. But those changes, Roddy, to your point, do not happen overnight. Some of that is built by a culture. Think about it. Florida got out physicaled by USF. They got out schemed, out maneuvered, out everything by USF. And you might go back and watch the film and say, man, okay, Florida made this block there, made that tackle there,

maybe didn't make that mistake or didn't spit on the guy. Sooner or later, it becomes who you are. It becomes a culture of what your team has been under Billy Napier. And so you might say, okay, we're just a play away here or play away there. But behind the scenes, there may be a deeper story of there's not a winning culture. So that's what's still to be determined. It's why you play the games. But that's my concern when I watch Florida in the way they've played at least the last two seasons.

Sam, I feel like we've reversed roles. You're being the voice of reason and I'm being the voice of optimism. This is a Florida team that also had DJ Lagway miss a bunch of. a time in the preseason. Miss some in the spring with that shoulder, miss some in the fall with the lower leg injury. He's going to continue to get better. So there's growth there. And with those receivers, a lot of whom haven't had the reps with DJ Lagway.

As they get those, this is an offense that should improve. It just needs to improve quickly. Sam, you kind of encapsulated what's wrong with Florida. You said it. What would have happened if we wouldn't have spit on that guy? I think that tells you where Florida is as a program right now after what happened. The other big one in the SEC, as I mentioned, it's going to be. on Saturday afternoon.

It'll be Georgia and Tennessee. The last time the Vols beat the dogs. Remember this? Josh Dobbs, Jennings, throw it up. Hail Mary between the hedges, you bet. And an absolute stunner as Tennessee won October 1st of 2016. It's been nearly a decade.

Kirby has dominated against the balls. I want to actually point out that Kirby's dominated all of their main rivals. He's been great against Tech. He's been great against Florida. and he's been really good against Tennessee. All right, though, Roddy, this game is getting a lot of chatter, a lot. But there is seemingly something missing when it comes to the discussion.

And that's the team that won the SEC a year ago. Curiously missing from the conversation is the Georgia Bulldogs. Everyone's talking about Tennessee and Joey Aguilar and how this offense looks so much better. Nobody's talking about Georgia. And I think that's how Kirby Smart loves it. He's been waiting a few years for this Georgia team to be doubted as much as this one is, to be as much of an afterthought as this one is. And the thing is, he's got Tennessee's number.

Last year, only Florida and Ohio State held Tennessee to fewer yards than Georgia did. Georgia held Tennessee to season lows in yardage in 2023 and 2022. So Kirby Smart's defenses give Josh Heifle's offenses trouble. And that's still a really talented team that this Georgia team has. it's just a lot of names that we don't know yet. Well, Roddy, it's an interesting point about the defense. And I think talking to scouts this week, one thing that stood out to me was I had four or five different scouts say they don't see a surefire first round pick for the upcoming draft

on this Georgia defense. And remember, three, four years ago, they had five first round picks just on defense alone. So I'm not saying this is a bad Georgia defense. I'm not saying they're going to get manipulated in Knoxville. But there isn't the same high, high-end star caliber that we're. we've seen. And also, because of the portal, there isn't the same depth that we've seen. And that will be tested against a Tennessee offense that likes to go. That's one of the underpinnings of the season, Pete, the thinning out of talent across the nation, the guys that used to just stack

and wait and they're not waiting anymore, they're going to play. Sam, I want to go to you because as Roddy kind of mentioned, all the talk was on Tennessee, and Joey Aguilar has played great. Nico hasn't. And that storyline has taken off. But as you dig a little bit into the tape, It's not all sunshine and roses for Aguilar. Take us a little inside your thoughts there as a defensive mind yourself. I still have concerns about Joey Aguilar when it comes to turning the ball over. Last year he led the FBS and interceptions with 14 and though those numbers haven't necessarily shown up, he does put the ball in harm's way.

You'll see him just heave it up and say somebody's down there somewhere. And where you're playing lesser opponents, okay, throws like that may make sense. But there will be times when you play a team like Georgia where some of those, those 50, 50 balls end up being 80, 20, but in the other team's favor. So whether it's throws like that down the field or even some throws where you're wondering, okay, did he not see the underneath defender? My concerns are with the turnovers that may happen that have shown up on tape, at least historically, for Joey Aguilar.

We also haven't seen this Tennessee offense really tested in the run game. Syracuse is a team that's rebuilding and almost lost the Yukon a week ago. And obviously East Tennessee didn't provide much resistance at all. This is still an offense that lost the SEC offensive player of the year last year in Dylan Samson. And we haven't seen them have to run the football. If Georgia can make them run the football, make Tennessee prove it, I think that's a recipe for success. So you kind of have questions both ways with the quarterback and with the run game. There's no question about it, Roddy, and to Sam's point, Aguilar might throw it up.

But apparently when Dobbs throws it up, the right guy always comes down with it for the valls. tongue planted firmly in cheek there. Pete, to you, speaking of quarterbacks in the SEC, there is some SEC quarterback injury news. Get us up to date on this. Well, Zubin, a follow-up on Sam Horn, who obviously left the opener against Central Arkansas with what appeared to be a significant injury. Sources have told me today that Horn underwent successful surgery on a fractured tibia, and he is going to be out for the season. As for Alabama this weekend, all eyes.

will be on Ryan Williams. Kaelin Boar said today on the SEC conference call that Williams is expected to play against Wisconsin. He had obviously suffered the concussion in the opener against Florida State. He missed last week against Monroe, which was expected. He's gone through protocols, and he

is expected back for the tide this week. He has certainly been the ire of that fan base in many ways, so there will be a lot of eyes on him and Bryant Denny. No doubt about it. Wisconsin's dealing with some injury issues of their own at quarterback Pete. Thank you very much. On the way here on college football live, You know, USF made it to number two in the country back in 2007,

but they might be about to have a seven-day stretch the program is never seen in its 25-year-plus history. The engine of the Bulls, Byron Brown, joins us next. College Football Live is brought to you by Popeyes. Love that chicken from Popeyes. And the USF Bulls are here to stay. Stanked away from the pocket. He's got space.

There goes. A near side. Pass is caught. Kishon Singleton. He will go on touch to the end of touchdown South Florida. We thought the Bulls had a statement win last Thursday night. Then they're opener. He can put that one to the backside. This is their statement.

Opposing defensive coordinator is going to hate to see that. The man that shares the screen with me is loving it. The man, Byron Brown, UFSF's standout quarterback, joining us here on College Football Live. First things first, how would you do? describe the energy around the football program and the campus right now in Tampa? I say the energy is electric. You know, you know, students and everybody supporting us has been extremely excited for this upcoming weekend the past week. So it's really, really a buzz

over here in Tampa. Well, let's talk about what happened last week and what could happen this week. What would it mean for the program if USF could knock off Mighty Florida and Mighty Miami both on the road in a span of seven days. It would be great, you know. Just putting South Florida back on the map and showing everyone what we're capable of. But it doesn't go without saying that it's just about us and we're focused on what we got going on and how we play football. Yeah, those teams have combined to win eight national titles. South Florida's been playing football since the year 2000.

It's pretty amazing what you guys have been able to do. you get set to play Miami as a quarterback, what's your biggest concern when you look across at the Miami-D? They're a discipline defense, fast, physical, but, you know, we do what we do, take care of the football,

get into the playmakers, let them make plays, and we'll be in a really good spot. So last season, year over year, last September, Miami beat you guys in Tampa by 35 points, but then you guys rallied. You made a bowl game. You won a bowl game. What would you say

is the biggest difference year over years you kind of look at the growth you guys have made over the last 12 months? I'll probably say our brotherhood. Our brotherhood has gotten much stronger. We're connected. And it's a player-led team, not just coaches coaching us. We got players coaching everybody and everybody has the same goal and same standard for the team and for this season. What is your head coach meant to you? Coach goal, she's meant everything. Someone that truly believes in my capabilities and everybody capabilities on the team pushes us, brings the juice.

Great, great leader of men, so really grateful to have him as our head coach. I heard him say, though, despite everything you've done, you've got to quote, ton to work on. That was coach. What's the biggest thing you got to work on? Just, you know, delivering the ball from the pocket, still becoming a

pocket passer in a way and relying on my feet when I have to. I feel like I'm taking strides. However, it's always work to be done. I'm never satisfied. You know, you guys hit number two back in 2007. You referenced it in one of your earlier answers. It's about bringing South Florida back.

What have you heard from fans in Tampa and old school people that have been around the program about what this rekindling means to those that have followed the program since day one? Like I said, everybody's excited and everybody's, you know, making comparisons to the past team. You know, us inside this building, us inside this facility, we're focused on this team, what we got to do in order to win. And that's what we'll do. Last thing, you're getting a little Hysman, Buzz. Don't tell me you haven't heard it. You're getting a little Hysman, Buzz.

How do you feel about it? You know, it's truly a blessing. But, you know, like I said, focusing on what's inside this building. That's cool and all. But we got a game to go in. And I got to prepare and, you know, put this team in the right position in order to go in. Yeah, right now you have to settle for American Conference Player of the Week, which you just won. Maybe just maybe there'll be another award in your future.

Best of luck this weekend. We'll be watching. Yes, sir. Thank you so much. Go Bulls. Big spot. Big spot for them coming up. Saturday afternoon, 430 local 85 degrees and rain.

It's Florida. What do you expect? All right, so he's a pretty dynamic guy, one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in all of college football this year. But Pete, there's plenty of guys that are up for that honor. In your estimation, most dynamic quarterbacks. back we've seen early so far this season is. I think I'm going to go for the second consecutive year, Zubin,

with a Poulouse to Rich's story. And I'm going to go with John Meteer. He already has accounted for seven touchdowns at Oklahoma since transferring from Washington State last year. He accounted for 44 touchdowns while at was Zoo. And look, there were some

oh my moments on Saturday against Michigan and there were a few oh no moments, but that's what makes Mattier so fun to watch is you get a little bit everything. Yeah, I was talking with Ben Arbuckle, who's John Mateer's offensive coordinator this year and last season. And he said that John Mateer isn't just a quarterback.

He's a football player. So I'd agree with you, Pete, in saying that John Mateer is the most dynamic quarterback that we've seen. But it's because what he does as a runner as well. You see about, look about some of the ways that he moves in and outside of the pocket. That tape doesn't scream quarterback. It screams like running back. It screams like elite.

level juice. Like so when I think about dynamism, I definitely go with John Mateer, not just what I believe, but also his coordinator, his coaches, and his teammates. It will be boring if I win with John Matera as well. So I'm going to go further out west to Utah and talk about Devin Dampeer. Now, the thing about Devin Dampeer is his stats don't overwhelm you. The guys only played 68 plays in two games this season. But you talk about revitalization of an offense.

It's what he and Jason Beck have done to, to that Utah offense that's really been devoid of a consistent threat at quarterback for the next few, for the last few seasons because of Cam Rising's injury. But Devin Dampier does it with his legs and his arm. I'm going with him as the most dynamic. Yeah, I'll quickly say our colleague Tom Luganville had Dampier earlier in the season as his choice. And yesterday he joined us and spoke to Jake Dickard, who was the coach from a tier last year, coach of Wake Forest this year. And Dicker told Tom, best player in the sport, John Metteer, best player in the sport. Mean something. You thought Nick Saban had the intellectual copyright on rat poison?

Not so much. It's the guy that solves Saban a couple times in the national title. It's got something to say. That's next one. Get you and your crew to the big shows with Go Transit. Go connects to all the main concert venues like TD Coliseum in Hamilton and Scotia Bank Arena in Toronto. And Go makes it affordable with special e-ticket fairs. A one-day weekend pass offers unlimited travel across the network on any weekend day or holiday for just $10.

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So join the more than 400,000 Canadian entrepreneurs who already count on us. and contact Desjardin today. We'd love to talk, business. We're back for the second time in three weeks. Colorado's going to be on ESPN Friday nights. They lost the Georgia Tech. They'll take on Willie Fritz and Houston, who's off to a good start Friday night.

7.30 Eastern. Pete Damwell reported Colorado's got a brand new starter. Ryan Stodd for Friday. Coach Prime, your thoughts? I'm not confirming none of y'all. You don't know that. We ain't like that. We're good.

We have capable guys. Stob has been doing a phenomenal job doing and getting the majority of the reps, but I haven't made that assessment of the decision yet. I don't want to play musical chairs as a quarterback. Why would I want to come to the game and do that? I'm spending the darn wheel and it lands on, you know. I wasn't good at Roulette. Roddy, does he have a gripe here in any way, shape, or form?

No, he had a leak. He even said that Stob was taking most of the first team reps. Like, sorry, he had a leak. I don't know why he's mad at Pete. Pete, he's just doing his job. He's the best of the game. It got out. Ryan Stom wasn't even on the radar to play a couple weeks ago,

according to our buddy, Dustin Dvorchek, and now he might be the starter going into Houston. We'll see how he does. No doubt about it. He did say after Saturday, y'all saw what I saw. Dabo, channeling Nick Sabin on their struggles. I feel like I'm living 2016 all over again. Honestly, this group ain't had the rat poison.

They've just had the You Suck Poison. And this is the first time this group's really had to manage that. And I don't think some of them have managed it well, obviously, you know. Is that a legit reason, Sam, for why they've looked uninspiring? It's not a legit reason, but it's part of it. They've been uninspiring on the opposite side of the ball. They've been disappointing on the defensive side of the ball. You thought with the addition of Tom Allen, the tackling would be better.

It hasn't. K. Clubnays has been inconsistent as well. But to his point, to Davos point, that you suck poison can either change you for the better or you can start believing that outside noise. You know, Sam, that 2016 team won a national championship. But the thing is, the way they turned it around, a lot of it was Deshaun Watson putting on the cake. They played a ton of close games through the ACC that year, squeaked by a number of times and ended up winning at all. I wonder if Kate Clement can put the cape on and save this team the way Deshawn did.

Oh, Sam's going to put the Cape Bond forum. I will mention the only guy, the only guy the Dabo is praised this year as the guys are suited to booted dress for success. The only guy that Dabo said has lived up to the preseason hype is his defensive coordinator, Tom Allen. He notably did not mention any of his 85 players, including his quarterback, Cade Klubnick. Something to watch. We'll see you tomorrow for more college football.