College Football Live - CFB Live - Week 11 Preview, Heisman Talk, and CFP Rankings Discussion

Episode Date: November 7, 2025

On today's episode of CFB Live, Jen Lada, Pete Thamel, Stanford Steve, and Desmond Howard preview Texas Tech/BYU, discuss who their vote is for Heisman, and talk about the initial CFP Rankings. All this and more on CFB Live! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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He changed the culture. He changed sports. Booja, presented by Modelo, premieres on December 10th at 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. College Football Live is presented by Vanguard. Jones AT&T Stadium right here in Lubbock, Texas, the site of the biggest game of week 11. And if you think these kids are excited, you haven't seen anything. They have been sleeping out since Tuesday.

to show their support of the hometown team, a battle to seize control of the Big 12 as Texas Tech hosts BYU. Welcome into college football live with the usual suspects here on set. He's Desmond Howard. That's Stanford Steve. The authority Pete Thammel over here next to me

and I am Jen Lada. All right guys, just one month until selection day. That means you have about 30 days to make your case as to why your team deserves to be a playoff squad. And of course, these two teams, BYU and Texas Tech, certainly believe they belong in that conversation. Number 7, BYU, facing off against number eight, Texas Tech for the first top 10 matchup in the Big 12 since the 2020 Big 12 championship. Here are both of these coaches headed into the big matchup.

You know, if we take care of the football and not give them any easy short fields, we'll have a great opportunity. and then we need to create explosive plays. We need to create easy touchdowns and make them play from behind. Saturday puts us in the driver's seat if we take care of business. This game against Texas Tech, they're a great opponent,

so nothing's going to be easy. It's okay. We know that it's not going to be easy, but we don't mind that. And so we can just be resilient and just find a way to grind it out and be gritty. That's going to be a big factor going into this game.

A huge game, certainly. a big crowd out here today for this Friday college football live. That's right. We want to hear from you guys. Pete, I'll start with you on this one. What is the key to each team getting the win tomorrow? Well, BYU is much healthier, Janet. It's going to be good news for the Cougars.

L.J. Martin, the leading rusher in the entire Big 12, former Texas commit, which they remember around here, is back after he injured his shoulder against Iowa State. I've been told he's looked great in practice this week, and he's going to be full go at 11 a.m. in that stadium on Saturday.

Also for BYU, receiver Jojo Phillips is back for the first time since the second quarter of week two. He's a 6.5, 205-pound wide receiver, and he's really going to be an asset for BYU this week. And for these fans here, there is no Texas Tech injury update. I saw Baron Morton in the facility today. And I said, I did not type your name this week. That's good news. Very good news. Steve, what about you?

I think this is, first off, it's great to be back in Lubbock, Texas. This place is phenomenal. The way the hospitality is here, they love having us, and we love coming here, and it's great to be back. As far as the game goes, to me, it's all about BYU and how they handle this atmosphere. The excitement level is at an all-time level here with what Texas Tech, the preseason expectations, the money that they've spent. Everybody knows that. But how does BYU come in? You just saw Coach Sataki talk there.

How nonchalant. He is like, yeah, it's going to be tough, but we've been around tough things. But I think that the defense has to respond because I think the office. Offense is going to struggle against Texas Tech's defense, the BYU defense has to play well to keep them in this. The trademark of the Cougar's team, especially their offense, is their offensive lines physicality. Like, that's how they butter their bread. They want to run the ball, and they want to go up against this Texas Tech defense that everybody's been talking to. The most expensive front seven in all the college football.

And you got guys like Romello Hike, David Bailey. All I can tell you guys is they've been asked. advertised. Those guys are great coming off the edge, but they're also very good in the running game. And speaking about the running game, they have a linebacker. Man, Jacob Rodriguez, he's

just a tackling machine. So, BYU's offensive line against Texas Tech's Front 7, man, I'd pay to see that any day of the week. Well, speaking of paying, they did. They did. You talked about how expensive it was, $7 million plus for that defensive

line. But you know what, guys, a few of those guys, that they went out and got made up the number one transfer portal class this off season and so far it is paying off. Now for the players to watch, it's presented by Kudoba. Jacoby Williams and Cameron Dickey have been an elite duo that has taken the big 12 by storm. Williams leads the conference

in yards after the catch per reception ahead of his counterpart, Cameron Dickey, who has also been getting it done on the ground, averaging 83 rush yards per game. That's good for third most in the conference. Let's go to the clicker. What else do we need to know about this dynamic duo? The Red Raiders running backs got a lot of talent, guys.

You're right about that. Cameron Dickie and Jacoby Williams. Both of them are very productive in the running game, but they also bring a unique skill set to the offense. Let me show you exactly what I'm talking about. Now, this play right here, here we have Cameron Dickie right here in the inside run. His angle is right here in between the left guard and the left tackle. That's his mark.

This is going to be an inside run. There's penetration. He's going to make a little subtle move here to make him miss. But this part right here, we call this getting skinny to get through the hole. Watch them. You see that? See how you got skinny to get through the hole? But then watch this.

This is what makes him special. Boom! I mean, when you can make a safety, do a 360 trying to tackle you in space, B'Bow! I mean, he just has quick footwork. guy who actually played quarterback in high school so they like to use him in the wildcat too and now we're talking about Williams he's an excellent receiver out of the backfield he's going to be one-on-one with this linebacker right here now at this moment the linebacker has outside

leverage he's going to run a quick slant and what makes him so special is getting him the ball out in space he catches it about the 32-yard line he doesn't get tackled until about the other 37. That means he gained about 30 yards after the catch two special running backs. I tell you what, the Cougars defense is going to have their hands full with Dickie and Williams tomorrow afternoon. Really good stuff, Des. I really appreciate you channeling your John Madden there with the boom. There are more than a handful of top 10 teams hitting the road in some big matchups. Number two, Indiana heads to Penn State seeking its first road. win against the Nittney Lions in program history. Can you believe that? Then an electric SEC

matchup number three, Texas A&M, traveling to Columbia to face off against number 22 ranked Missou. That game is at 3.30 Eastern on ABC. Pete, I'll begin with you on this one. What will you be watching in those games we highlighted there? I'm going to watch Fernando Mendoza. We mentioned Tech having the top portal class. Well, he's been the top portal player this year. 16 touchdowns, four interceptions. He's completed 72 percent of his passes. Little game day tease tomorrow. The NFL scouts really like Fernando Mendoza. He's been an elite addition to an elite team that's charging back to the college football

playoff. No doubt about that, guys. How about Georgia at Mississippi State? Guys, listen, I'm watching the Bulldogs, and they used to have like, you know, these ward daddies up front who can disrupt offenses, just haven't seen that yet. They used to have running backs who were difference makers. I mean, they're just average in those departments, but they are resilient and they will win games, they're playing against a Mississippi State team, that they just cannot finish games.

They have like double-digit leads in the second half, but they can't finish. Yeah, I'm going to look at Oregon traveling to Iowa. The ducks are very familiar with precipitation, but not this kind of precipitation when you're talking freezing conditions. Iowa has everything you want to pull the upset. Weegean is a touchdown punt returning, kick returning as you see here, receiving and rushing. Oregon, watch out. Iowa has the goods to pull off this upset. Okay, so I'll stay with you, Steve.

You just mentioned that Iowa has the chance to pull the upset there. Why now? Why this team? I believe they're different. Grinowski gives them stability at the quarterback position. He's not the greatest thrower. He only averages about 20 throws, but that's fine. As long as you're not turning the ball over and you keep that defense of, you know, for Oregon on the field, Iowa's going to have a chance at this game.

You know, I was thinking the same exact thing. And I, you know, kind of still do, but I don't know if you guys saw Herb Street. He did the McAfee show, and he just happened to open his mouth and said, hey, I think I was going to beat Oregon. All that did was wake up a sleeping giant out there in Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. So they're going to come ready to play. I do like Iowa's chances because of the weather, because they just really bring you down to their game level.

They want to muck it up. They want to make sure that they win time of possession. And they want to just be a physical matchup in the trenches. And I think they have to be able to do that. But now that Kirk said what he said, I think Dan Lanning has enough ammo to give to his players so they can go out there and they won't get caught sleeping. Well, and for teams and people who have not been paying attention to Iowa,

this is not the Iowa from a few seasons ago where they were averaging 10 points per game. They're averaging 31 points per game this season against FBS opponents. That's the most for an Iowa team since 2015. So in a decade, not the Iowa that we have seen recently. All right, Pete, take us around. What are the top stories this week? Well, we'll start in your home state, Jen. Wisconsin will be bringing back for the 2026 season.

Athletic director, Chris McIntosh, told me that yesterday. And what this return comes with is a significant uptick in investment for the Badgers. They want to be competitive with the top teams in the Big Ten, and they will be in the portal. As for tonight, Brendan Lewis, Memphis's star quarterback who's been their star, starter this season. I've been told by sources he's a game time decision tonight against south Florida. This game's at nine o'clock eastern on ESPN. Lewis remember got hurt in that loss to UAB. Memphis has only lost this season. He's been dealing with that lingering ankle. We'll find out around game time if he can go. Bad news for Missouri for tomorrow. A, they're starting true freshman

Matt Zollers at quarterback and he will be without one of his top targets. Sources told me that Brett North Fleet, Missouri's tight end who leads the SEC and touchdown catches for tight ends is going to be out. He's been dealing with the separated shoulder and he will not play for the Tigers. And then finally, some good news for the

basketball game here tonight. I've been told by sources that J.T. Topin, the All-American Forward for Texas Tech, is back from a lower body injury. He's going to play, as is Luan Watts. Two starters back for the Red Raiders tonight against Sam Houston and their sniper, po-boy. A little bit of a bo-go

Buy some football insight, get some basketball insight from the authority, Pete Thamel. We'll take a break here on College Football Live. But when we come back, the race for the Heisman continues. Who's leading the odds and who still has a realistic shot at hoisting the trophy in New York? That's next. College Football Live is presented by Vanguard. 50 years of investor success doesn't happen by chance. When you fly in Emirates business class

and you're picked up by your private, luxury, chauffeur-driven car, you'll see that your vacation isn't really over until your flight is over. Fly, Emirates, fly better. Get no frills, delivered. Shop the same in-store prices online and enjoy unlimited delivery with PC, Pass. Get your first year for $2.50 a month. Learn more at p.c.express.ca. Well, I'm not sure if you've heard here in Lubbock, but our guest picker tomorrow morning on college game day

is the gentleman by the name of Patrick Mahomes. Yeah, I guess he's pretty popular around here. Join us at 9 a.m. Eastern Saturday morning for college game day. Let's take a look at today's proven performance brought to you by Goodyear. Number three, Texas A&M hits the road for its matchup against number 22, Missou, it will be a huge test for Heisman, hopeful, Marcel Reed and the Aggies as they look to stay perfect this season. Now, A&M leads the SEC ahead of both Alabama and Georgia. The Aggies looking to add a third-ranked road win this season, tying their most in a season in the AP poll era.

But if you're talking about Missou, guys, it is not the same Missou team that you saw at the beginning of the season. Of course, quarterback Bo Probula has been out. Quarterback Matt Zollers is a true freshman, but it is at home at Missouri. So Pete, can the Tigers end the Aggies run? Yeah, there's been some bad quarterback injury luck. Remember Sam Horn got injured in the opener and he's been out this entire season for Missouri. Mad Zollars has

29 career attempts. He looked good against Vanderbilt. He was Preston. Steve was watching on the field there. He was 14 to 23 in that game. He has shown promise. He's one of the bigger quarterback recruits in Missouri history, but there's doing it and doing it against Mike Elko's defense in your debut. That's

going to be the tension that's going to be the factor for Missouri on Saturday. Yeah, that's what I think they have to do with their defense. You and I were on the sidelines in Nashville. I mean, Zion Young, Tristan Newton, Josiah Trotter, Damon Wilson. Those guys are studs. And being at home, they got to bring it because that offense with a young quarterback, I think is going to struggle a little bit. But that defense, they love physicality. I love how the linebackers come up and love to make contact with opposing players. So Missouri's defense has to be the answer tomorrow, Des. I agree with you 100%, especially when you're starting a freshman quarterback.

You want the defense to a rise to the occasion. But, man, offensively, I thought that Ahmaud Hardy would be a difference maker because the Aggies, they kind of struggled defending the run. But when Pete just told us that Brett Northfleet is questionable, like to me, that's always like a safety blanket for a, for a, he's out. He's out. He's out the game. So without him, I don't know.

He's a guy. I can tighten him as a guy who can, you know, you can throw those high percentage passes to to keep the chains moving without North Fleet. It's going to be an uphill battle for the Tigers. Do they like the Aggies here in Lubbock? Do y'all like the Aggies? That's what I thought. The Aggies have 32 sacks this season.

Marissa, our researcher, tells me, that's tied for fourth in the country so they can certainly get after opposing quarterbacks. LSU hitting the road against fourth-ranked Alabama. It's first game since firing Brian Kelly. Steve, what will you be watching in that one? I just, Alabama is going to have to match LSU's energy. They got rid of Brian Kelly,

Frank Wilson come in and just talked about energy, bringing former players back to practice. There's like a rejuvenation. I just don't think they have enough offense to go against Alabama for 60 minutes. I want to see how much fight is left in the Tigers. I know they're going to come out in the first quarter and they're going to fight. But second quarter, second

half, is it going to be four quarters of the type of fight we need to see from the Tigers to stay in this game against Ty Simpson in Alabama? LSU's run game has been dreadful this year, guys. They have a new offensive coordinator along with a new coach, and that's Joe Sloan being out. Alex Ackins is in.

He's an O-Line guy. He's a run-game guy by trade. Can he get that run game going? Because you're not going to win throwing it 60 times in Tuscalo. We know that Alabama has been very successful in Tuscalo winner of 16 straight games. Now let's take a look at that Heisman update. It is brought to you by Nissan.

Julian Sayan leads this group with 81% completion percentage. That is best in the country this season. But you can't forget about some of the other guys, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza owns the third best total QBR in the FBS this season. So the race for the Heisman, you're seeing some of the big names right there, has had a lot of movement already this year.

If the vote was today, Des. Who do you think is most deserving? Well, I don't think there's any player that's most deserving right now. If I had to submit my ballot, it would be blank. We just saw those four guys who I guess are candidates. Those are just four quarterbacks on the four highest ranking teams for the most part. in college football. It's just that simple.

And to me, it shouldn't be that. It should be guys who have had impactful games who have separated themselves from the pack because they've been so special. That list right there, to me, that's like a Johnny United list, a Davey O'Brien list. That's what that list is.

Not the best player in college football. One more thing, Julian is saying is having a magnificent year. There's no doubt about that. But he ain't even an MVP of his team. He's not the best player on Ohio State's team. So how's he going to be the best player in the country? So I think Coach Corso used to say the games in November are the games they'll remember.

Guys have this whole month now to make an impact in some big games and really start to separating themselves as far as the Heisman is concerned. It's an elite trophy. You can't just be, oh, well, this quarterback is on the number one team, this quarterback's on the number two team, yada, yada, yada, yada, yada. No, it should not be that simple. To your point, I think Marcel Reed has been very good in those difference-making games and made him a difference-maker.

I would have him at the top of the list. But to your point, also, Mr. Smith still plays for Ohio State. I'm just saying. So does Mrs. Downs. I was going to be able to as well. Mr. Smith and Mr. Downs. Yeah. Mr. Tate, too.

Yeah. Yes, sir. Well, the first college football rankings of the season were revealed earlier this week. Who's too high? Who's too low? We'll discuss all of that as college football live rolls on live from Lubbock. This Heisman Update is brought to you by Nissan. Premier partner of the Heisman Trophy.

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Ohio State and Indiana hold the top two spots while Texas A&M is third. That's the highest ranked SEC team ahead of Alabama, Georgia, and Ole Miss. The two teams squaring off here tomorrow. the seventh and eight spots and rounding out the top 10 are Oregon and Notre Dame. Guys, what are your biggest takeaways from the first reveal of the rankings? Des. Oh, man. Where do we begin, huh? Where do we begin? I think that we got a glimpse into how they think, you know, how the committee thinks as a group.

And I think that when you look at the number one team, number two team and number three team, I think those are interchangeable parts depending on how you view, you view. the rankings and view the metrics and view the eye test. I just didn't agree with what they came up with. I agree with Joey Galloway. I thought that maybe Texas A&M should probably be in the number one slot because obviously they got the best win of the three teams. There's no doubt about that.

Going on the road and defeating Notre Dame in South Bend, the way that they did showed me a lot about that team. So, I mean, I guess they said the eye test was greater than the metrics. I guess we'll see moving forward, but I didn't agree with that. You're holding them to that then. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Moving forward, I want to stay consistent. I think visually seeing three big 12 teams ahead of any ACC team was massive.

When you look at what this league and, you know, everybody talks about the SEC, the Big 10 having the last two champions, but the Big 12 to get multiple teams in, I think would be enormous and they are set up. As long as you take care of your own business, in this day and age, a college, football. You ask for opportunity. Those teams have the opportunity in the Big 12. Go get it. So that's BYU, Texas Tech, and Utah ahead of Virginia in the standings peak. Well, I think the committee told the ducks, your fancy uniforms and your neon green ain't enough. We need a couple wins if you're going to be in this playoff because they put the ducks

at number nine. Oregon's best win is at Northwestern. Saturday, opportunity looms in Iowa City. Opportunity looms later at home against USC. They go to Seattle. But this is not a great starting pole position for the Ducks. If they're going to drop a game or two, they said we need to see big wins, not just big names. Well, and even if they win that first game, as you can see there, then they'd face Ohio State. Yee! That did not go well for them, did it?

That's going to change. Let's get to game picks. It's brought to you by Dick's sporting goods. The spotlight is on the AAC tonight as Tulane faces Memphis. Who you got in this one, Steve? I'm going to look at Tulane not being as horrible as they looked against UTSA last week. I mean, they got smoke. at UTSA. They've got to be

having a better effort. I'm going to go to Tulane. You know, I was going to go with Memphis, but then Pete said that Brendan Lewis is questionable game time decision. They're going to decide about an hour before the game. Yes, I do think they're the better team, but with him being a little banged up, I'm going to go with Tulane also. All right, those are the guys' game picks

brought to you by Dick's sporting goods. Don't forget college game day comes your way, 9 a.m. Eastern. Going to be an epic show. Patrick Mahomes will be here. We've got Pat McAfee's kicking contest. We're doing profiles on both of the quarter quarterback's featured in the big game here. Make sure you join us Saturday morning at 9 a.m. for college game day.