College Football Live - CFB Live- Looking Ahead to the Conference Championships

Episode Date: December 4, 2025

Join our crew Samuel Acho, EJ Manual, and Zubin Mehenti as they look ahead to the conference championship games set to take place this weekend! A No.1 vs No.2 matchup for the first time in Big Ten Conference Championship history is set between Ohio State and Indiana...which Heisman front-runner will set them self apart? The SEC and Big 12 Conference Championships set up two big rematches....what is it like to face the same team twice in a season? Will we see a 7-5 Duke team take the ACC? And what in the world is going on with Penn State?!?! Hear the guys weigh in on this and more on today's episode of College Football Live! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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It's pretty simple. I win. It's their family against our family. Google me. Time being concerns over. It's time to attack and play. You do everything you can to defend your family. Ohio State, Indiana. This is a one-verse-two matchup.

Heading to the Big Ten championship. And that's where we're going to start college football live. It is the first ever one-two matchup in the history of the Big Ten title game. A couple of other instances in the SEC for whatever it matters. The lower-ranked team won. And if you're Indiana, maybe just maybe, that's a little feather in your cap. And with that, we welcome you inside College Football Live, EJC. Sam Zubin. Let's get right to it. In the parlance of Kurt Signetti, if you were to Google the term

humility, you might hear this. We recognize the challenge. We respect the highest state. Not pleased with really the way we played last year. We went there, our first real big test on a national level. You know, we've talked through that yesterday. Things are happening in that game. But this is a different team. wanted to get to Indy, you know, and certainly that was something that, you know, that these guys haven't done, haven't been there, haven't played in this game before. So there's a lot of stake here, you know, there's a Big Ten championship at stake, you know, being the one seed in the CFP, you know, there's a lot at stake.

It's a good point. They haven't been there in five years. A reminder, last year, Ohio State finished tied for fourth in the Big Ten and won the whole thing. Sam, let's start with you on this game. There is no lack of start. power and storylines. But what's the biggest theme you're watching Saturday night between the Buckeyes and the Hoosiers? This could be Fernando Mendoza's moment to actually steal the Housman away from any other competitor. Fernando Mendoza is going against the number one defense in all of college football led by Caleb Downs. And you're going to see him use his legs. He's done that a little bit more this year. But they're going to have to rely not just on his arm,

but also on the running game. Ohio State loves to get after the quarterback when it comes to sacking. They have one of the best safeties. not the best safety in all of college football and Caleb down. So yes, it might be a chess match, but the quarterback on the other side is in the Heisman conversation as well. This could be Fernando Mendoza's moment. Yeah, I hear you saying, but it also could be Julian Sane's moment, Ohio State's quarterback. And look, in his first year as a full-time starter, he has been fantastic, guys,

well over 3,000 yards pass and 30 touchdowns, only five interceptions. And my favorite stat of saying is actually the six sacks. But I'm going to talk about, can Indiana's secondary not give up the explosive plays to Ohio State's offense? Right here, you're going to have cover four from Michigan's secondary. You're going to get a post in the middle by Cardinal Tate on your right. Then Max Claire, the tight end is going to run what we call a curl route to distract the safety here on the left of your screen. I'm going to highlight him because now the read is on this safety. If he stays back and takes the post, well, Julian San is going to hit Max Claire.

But if he takes Max Claire, he's going to hit the post. Now, the other key here, the safety for Michigan. and he needs to go over the top and take the post away because now that safety that was closest to the hash is in the bind ends up being a touchdown carnal tape easy walk in for ohio state now this next one this is indiana's defense lewis more a safety for indiana leads the team in interceptions five to be in fact and this is a very similar past concept that maryland tries to run so watch lewis more open up his hips but as soon as he sees the post

he knows there's no other safety go and make that play look the play i mean you got to put this in the indiana state museum i even went back and look at and look that thing up to see what was the most famous museum in the state of Indiana. I think that's the one that needs to be in there because that's a picturesque kind of catch. But ultimately, can Indiana secondary limit those explosive plays by Ohio State's offense? All right. One thing I just want to mention on the end of this conversation, anytime Ohio State, for the most part, plays in any neutral site game,

the crowd is heavily in favor of the Buckeyes. But I'm not sure that's going to be the case on Saturday, considering how far Indiana has come and where this game is being played. Just a reminder, it's V-Weak here at ESPN, where we highlight the urgent need for cancer research. And thanks to Principal Foundation's generosity, you can double your impact. They're matching up to a million dollars in donations during V-week. If you're able, please donate at v.org slash donate. And 100% of your donations, every last penny goes directly to cancer research.

On the way, Ohio State Indiana is the only Power 4 conference title game that is not a regular season rematch. So what's it like when guys see each other for the second time? Our guys with the expertise on that next. College Football Live is presented by ice cold Dr. Pepper. College football. It's a pepper thing. The NBA is happening Christmas Day. Five games, one unforgettable.

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He changed the culture. He changed sports. Stream Boo-ya, presented by Medello, right now on the ESPN app. Welcome back to college football live, presented by Dr. Pepper. We mentioned it before the break. We meet again. Six rematches from the regular season we are going to see on championship weekend this Friday and Saturday. So it's a likely occurrence to see somebody you already saw.

E.J., I want to start with you here. There's a difference, right? Because Alabama and Georgia saw each other in September. They're massively different teams. Meanwhile, Virginia and Duke just saw each other like three weeks ago. So I know you can parse your answer a little bit, but take me inside the mind of a player on what it's like when you see the same team a second time

and how that could ultimately benefit you, whether you won or lost the first matchup. Well, here's the thing, Zubman. So I believe the team that won the first time around actually has a bit more pressure the second time to beat that team because it's hard to do. And I remember my rookie year. We played the New York Jets.

in New York, and this was when Rex Ryan was there. He was doing all this eight up, seven up with defenders up there. You didn't know who was going to blitz. And Nathaniel Hackam, my offense coordinator would tell me, hey, get into this protection. And then Rex would all of a sudden jump out of it. And then there would be eight guys back there, and nobody will be open because we made a check. Well, the second time we played them, we had a plan, and we were ready for it. And we were able to stone them and end up winning that game.

So sometimes just because you won the first matchup, it's a little bit harder on that second go around. But it may depend on how you want. Look at this Virginia in this Duke game. Virginia was up 31 to 3 versus Duke at the end of the third quarter. They had 224 rushing yards. They held Duke to 42. And so if I'm in the mindset of a Virginia player, I'm saying, okay, yes, I have to respect my opponent.

But I also dominated these guys before, at least on the ground. And I know I can do it again. When you've played each other that close to a time frame, I believe it can build a sense of confidence, not cockiness, to know that you ran the game plan, you establish what you needed to do, and now it's just time to do it one more time. You want to talk about confidence and cockiness. Think about this. Each of the last 12 years, the SEC title game is featured either Alabama or Georgia, and wouldn't you know, they're both in it again this Saturday.

Georgia and Alabama tonight, we cannot wait. Touchdown, there's Bernard, the tide, raw first blood, touchdown. Isaiah Horton. Stockton, loops the throw. Wide open is Colby Young for a touchdown. On the pitch. Walking in for the touchdown is Bowens. Simpson on the move.

He's going to keep it at score. And Simpson says, hush now. And Kirby Smart is going to taste defeat at the hands of the Crimson Tide again. Yeah, that was September 27th, Week 5, as we look forward to our Dr. Pepper Championship. Drive game of the week. It's the SEC title game, Georgia, Alabama. Let's just say this rivalry has absolutely positively been dominated by the Crimson

Tide, at least in the Kirby Smart era. So what does one game in September really mean? Well, it means everything to one coach and nothing to the other. You know, you understand what that game was about, but you also understand more who you are now. there are things that you maybe tried or that, you know, that didn't go as well the first time around that you learn a lesson or two from. But, you know, there's an identity now, and you still got to do what you do, but it has changed some. I think it's pretty clear that each and every game has a history and life of its own.

And you play the game that season with the guys you have and the mindset of the guys you have. So I don't think these other games will have any effect on this one. Interesting, disparate views. E.J., let's start with you here. You know, the Heisman trophy ceremony is going to be filled with quarterbacks from transfer schools. And this matchup is going to be a couple of homegrown guys that have waited their turn. And in your estimation, nobody has risen to the occasion more relative to expectations when the season started than Gunner Stockton. Well, Zootman, there's a reason why I coined the nickname for Gunner as Big Game Gunner Stockton.

And fellas, really, whenever he's in a tough matchup, what you? is pretty often in the SEC. It just seems like he is more calm. He's more elevated. You look at the game against Texas. He had 229 passing yards in that one. Also four touchdown passes against Ole Miss. 289 passing yards in that game.

Again, four touchdown passes. And here's the other key about this. As much as everybody was saying, well, Gunner can't do this, can't do that at the beginning of the year. He only has five interceptions on the year. So not only is he throwing deep balls and making touchdowns, he's also protecting the ball by eliminating those interceptions. Yeah, but Ty Simpson on the other side is doing something very similar.

The only issue I think that Alabama has is can they protect quarterback Ty Simpson? Ty Simpson has been sacked seven times in his last two SEC games. So you're starting to see some of that pressure come. And Georgia only got to them once in their first matchup, but Georgia does love to bring the Blitz, specifically this season. And they also brought it about 50% of the time in their first matchup. So the question is going to be, can Ty Simpson continue to fit the ball in tight? height windows, or will that pressure up front from some of the blitzing and the five-man pressure, six-man pressures affect him and force him air and throws?

Yeah, Sam, that's a great point. They'll have to get after Todd Simpson to slow him down. But also looking at Georgia's receiving court guy, Zachari Branch, I know Coach Smart is so happy that he was able to get him in the transfer portal. He's been transcended for this football team, but also another transfer, Noah Thomas, a big receiver who I would expect to have opportunities to go deep down the field. He's 6'5, so anytime you get inside the 20, the 25-yard line, expect some kind of fade route, some type of jump ball to give him opportunities to make big plays.

And then Zacharov Branch, like I said earlier, just one of those guys. You could throw him a slant or a bubble route, and he has the speed and the swiftness to take it another 30 or 40 yards for a touchdown. So this is going to be a tall task for Alabama, but I know it's going to be a good game. All right, a tall task for BYU as well in the Big 12 title game because their really only regular season blemish came against Texas Tech. They're going to have a chance for revenge in the Big 12 championship game. Keep in mind, it was really the only time this year, Bear Buckmeyer looked flustered at all. But the game day crew was there. The expectations were huge.

And Texas Tech met the moment. The one thing I would say is we're going to start with Sam here in a moment is that Joey McGuire, the head coach at Texas Tech, did say, by the way, we are undefeated with Baron Morton healthy. Remember their lone blemish came when Morton missed that game against Arizona State. as you can pretty much tell, Texas Tech is going to be a lock to make the college football playoff win or lose for BYU. The situation gets a lot more interesting.

Sam, let's start with you here. I know you recently called the Texas Tech game, and I think this could be the scariest thing anybody in the playoff can hear. You talk to the head coach McGuire and you think they still, according to McGuire, in your conversation, they still haven't played their best game. Yeah, Joey McGuire, I called their game last week. and Joey McGuire believes that this Texas Tech team has another gear to get to. By the way, they're 11 and 1, and their 11 wins, the closest margin of victory was 22 points.

And so they're getting healthier. I understand. Baron Martin was injured in their first game, but they're also building more confidence. Or in the first game, it was when they played Arizona State and they lost. They're building more confidence. And so the defense is playing at an elite level led by Jacob Rodriguez and David Bailey. But Baron Morton, who's battled some injury this year, is getting healthier as well. So they're winning on all cylinders.

They take the ball away. That's one of their calling cards on the defensive side of the ball. Their assignment sound and alignment sound, they held BYU in their first matchup to a season low and rushing. BYU loves to run the ball. BYU couldn't run the ball. And so that's the formula. That's how they win. They get after you if you pass it, they don't let you run it.

They make you one dimensional. And then all of a sudden you have no chance. Yeah, Sam, you make a great point because when L.J. Martin, BYU is running back did go up against this Texas. Texas Tech front seven. He only had 35 yards rushing. I really think, guys, that's going to be the key for not only Barrett Bachmire, but this offense of BYU to have success. You've got to create some balance. You cannot allow David Bailey and Ramello Hype, those guys to pin their ears back and go back for pass rush. So look, you look at L.J. Martin, the running back, the past two games, he's gotten five touchdowns on the ground. Also against Cincinnati's defense, well over

200 yards, 222 yards rushing to be in fact. So don't just put all of this on a young freshman in Bear Bachmeyer to kind of carry the low running the rock. You get some balance out of L.J. Martin, over 100 yards rushing. I would say BYU has a great chance to win. And even more so, the key for BYU would be also to win the turnover battle. When BYU played Utah, they got outgained in every offensive statistical category, yet they still won the game because they won the turnover battle two to zero. They forced two, didn't give it away.

And so if BYU wants a chance in this one, yeah, sure, try to run the ball if you can. Texas Tech is a number one run defense. Even if you can't, if you can win that turnover battle, take a one or take two away and don't give it away, all of a sudden, you're cooking with grease. Well, Sam, keep this in mind, too, though, because again, these teams have already played each other. So Texas Tech and Coach McGuire knows this is not going to be the same BYU team that showed up. Coach Sataki is going to be out of blood. And certainly, because this is a team in BYU that's trying to get into the college ball playoff. And really, this is their best chance of doing it.

So I would expect them to come out with a tough attack running the rock, certainly protecting the football, like you said. Also, their defense of BYU can be starboard as well and give Texas Tech some issues too. No doubt, DJ, if YW to win this game, it would create a very difficult situation for the committee because both then Tech and BYU would be in, which means somebody else would have to drop out. But that's if they can win Saturday. They'll be talking about that long and hard on Saturday night. Let's go to our Capitol One rewarding performance. It's the Virginia Cavaliers who have really been one of the great stories in all of college football this season.

And Sam, I want you to think about this as we size up their ACA. championship game against much maligned Duke. And that is this. If Virginia wins, Tony Elliott's first ever bowl game that he patrols the sideline as a head coach for will be in the college football

playoff. No late December none of those types of things. He's going to go right to the top and coach on the biggest stage in college football. What is the biggest key that you are looking for for Duke and Virginia, Saturday night on your local ABC station? Time of

possession. That's what I'm looking for. In their first matchup, Duke ran the ball for 224 yards. They had 22 first downs, and they held, or excuse me, Virginia ran it for 224 hours. They held Duke to only 11 first down. So it's that time of possession. It's Jamari Taylor, the running back, just pounding. They run a lot of what we call stretch or outside zone. Can Duke slow that down? Can Duke slow down Cherler Martin, the quarterback, when he's in that zone-rein situation? That's going to be the key to the game. Duke was unable to do that in the first matchup. That's why it was 31 to 3 going into the fourth quarter. Now Duke scored a couple of late touchdowns to make it look a little bit closer, but that's going to be the key.

Well, guys, let's keep in mind now Duke's mascot is the blue devils. And the devil at times does try to be tricky and ruin people's dreams. And Duke could certainly ruin not just UVA's dreams of making it to the playoff, but certainly the ACC if they do win this game. And I'll tell you what, Coach Manny Diaz is going to make sure his defense is ready for that run game like you mentioned Sam, but also Darien Mintsa, the Duke quarterback, has had a really strong finish of the year. I expect him to throw for over 275, maybe even 300 yards in his game.

He takes care of the football as well. One of the top passes in the ACC, so this will be a fantastic matchup. And one that I think Duke could even win. In fact, guys. Well, I love the point you made. You said the devil comes to steal to kill and to destroy. Try to steal Virginia's hopes to kind of kill

their dreams and destroy their chances, not just their chances, but potentially the ACC's chances of getting into the college football playoff. If Duke wins this game, a five-lossed Duke, a Duke team that lost to Yukon, all of a sudden, that James Madison that is ranked in the top 25, if they win versus Troy, they will be most likely one of those top 12 teams instead of Duke. Now, if James Madison loses and Duke wins, then Duke has a chance. But man, the blue devils are trying to make a mess in here, put it that way. That's actually the real story, Sam. I'm glad you hit it. And E.J. I

should mention that the Virginia mascot is the Cavaliers, but they will not have a cavalier attitude on Saturday to play on your Blue Devil talk there because this is the biggest game Tony Elliott has ever coached in. One quick look at the one final team vote brought to you by Dr. Pepper. We asked which one of these teams outside the current top five in the rankings has the best chance

to win it all. More than half of you said Alabama. Notre Dame got 19%. A lot of people are hoping for the best story of all which would be a somehow amazing rally by Old Miss. On the way, wait until you see what our Chris Fowler said about Penn State's disastrous coaching search.

And I can tell you one guy who for sure will not be the Nintney Lions head coach, this guy. There's never been any link. There's never been any conversation. There's never been any interest either way. And so I'm glad we can put that to bed right now. Canada's Wonderland is bringing the holiday magic this season with Winterfest on Select Night. now through January 3rd. Step into a winter wonderland

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in just a second. Championship week begins tomorrow night on ESPN, North Texas and Tulane are playing for a spot in the field. That's some Friday night steaks. And then a couple of really big ones on Saturday as well, ready to go. It's championship weekend. Sometimes you see these street signs. Everybody's been careful out on the road for Penn State hasn't been too careful. Fifty-three days without a head coach. James Franklin dismissed October 12. Here's the one and only, Dan Patrick, yesterday, asking our Chris Fowler this simple question.

What is Penn State doing? Oh, you're not comfortable if you're a Penn State fan waiting like 53 days after firing your coach. Then I'd have another one in place when all the teams around you were going, boom, boom, boom, deal done, deal done, deal done. It's hard to argue. what Fowler just said. Tony Rojas, inside linebacker for the Nittney Lions with this tweet a couple days ago. Take a look at the hashtag, quote, hired Terry and the whole world is happy, referencing interim head coach Terry Smith,

Penn State lifer, Joe Paw, Guy. I think the players in the locker room would love it. I'm not sure if the media or the fans would love it after everything the Nittney Lines have been through. EJ, let's start with you. This is a despondent fan base right now. So give them something to be excited about knowing that, hey, anything could happen. Pat Kraft could hire anybody and flip the script here in seconds.

Well, Zuman, technically, he can't hire anybody because then we would say, well, they already have their coach. But it's two thoughts that come to mind. One, some of the coaches that he might hire maybe are coaching this weekend in a conference championship game. The other part, though, I would have gone ahead and hire Terry Smith. One, because he's been there for a long time, he's a Penn State guy. And if the players, which I think is extremely important, want him to be the guy, then that's the direction of this. this football team should go in. They've been playing for him for the past couple weeks as the interim head coach.

He's comfortable in the position. I give him the opportunity. Patience is a virtue just because your first doesn't mean you are best. And so all these coaches that are trying to snatch the first coach available doesn't mean that's going to be the right higher. And so I would encourage Tony Rojas and any other Penn State player, not necessarily to trust the process, but trust that they're going to get it right. Stay patient and believe maybe it is Terry Smith. Maybe it's somebody else to get the right guy. Here's some couple stats on the way out the door, which probably isn't going to make Penn State fans feel great.

But this is the James Franklin effect. He flipped 10 Penn State recruits to Virginia Tech. And when Franklin took over the Virginia Tech job, their recruiting class ranked 124th. He has them up to 22nd. It'll be a story to follow. Enjoy championship weekend and selection Sunday. Talk about stepping up. It's time to level up your game, introducing the all-new ESPN app.

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