College Football Live - Counting Down to the Natty

Episode Date: January 14, 2025

Victoria Arlen, Desmond Howard, Sam Acho and Pete Thamel are back with another Tuesday edition of College Football Live! The crew continues to preview the upcoming National Championship Game and also dives into some of the newest stories around the league. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome into college football live. I'm Victoria Arlen. Let's go out the tunnel. With the championship matchup set, we take a look at the explosive Ohio State offense, and DES tells us one possibility on how to slow them down. Plus, with a stingy Ohio State defense, Notre Dame is going to have to find the edge, and Sam will give you the key stat for Notre Dame you might want to pay attention to. And Penn State's dynamic duo are running it back. With Singleton and Allen returning for another season, we discussed us. What's next for Penn State after falling short this year? This is College Football Live.

Let's go. Welcome to College Football Live, presented by Great Clips. You know who also is running it back with me? Desmond Howard and Sam Macho, we also have Pete Thammel joining us in just a bit. But happy Tuesday, everyone. We are officially less than a week away from the national championship game. And to get you ready, let's take a look at some of the biggest storylines heading into National Championship weekend. This year, CFP is highlighted by two of the most successful programs in the FBS with Ohio State ranked second, while Notre Dame is ranked fourth for the most wins. Now, the Buckeyes are on the better side of this head-to-head matchup, winning the last six matchups against the Fighting Irish, with Notre Dame not having won since 1936. But let's not

Forget that Notre Dame is 7 and 0 versus AP ranked opponents this season. It is the most ranked wins in a season in program history. Needless to say, streaks will be broken. Now, the Notre Dame Ohio State title game will be just the third CFP championship game to not feature an SEC team. It will also be the first time without an SEC team in a national championship in consecutive season since the 2004-2005 season. And another story, Storyline that I'm keeping an eye on is the fact that Marcus Freeman played for Ohio State. They went to the Natty twice. Lost twice.

His head coaching debut for the fighting Irish was against the Buckeyes. It wasn't ugly loss. Nonetheless, very intriguing. But Sam, which storyline intrigues you the most? I'm most intrigued to see if Notre Dame can keep on winning the way in which they've been winning, which has been on defense and on special teams. Their offense hasn't had the utmost amount of production, but they've won games with their defense. whether it's pick sixes or sack fumbles,

and they've won games on special teams. They had fakes, reverse, block kicks, block punts. So I want to watch if that's going to continue to happen in this matchup. Guys, I think this is the classic David versus Goliath matchup. I mean, you're looking at Ohio State. Coming to this season, don't forget, because of the moves they made during the offseason, they were seen as a Goliath. They got the number one safety out of the portal, Caleb Down from Alabama,

the number one running back out of the portal, Quinshine Junkins from Ole Miss. They got Will Howard. They got the offensive lineman from Ohio State. But the big get was my man Chip Kelly. They got him to quit his job as their head coach in UCLA and become the offensive coordinator

for the Buckeyes. So because of that, they're the Goliath in this matchup and you got poor old Notre Dame coming in there with their slingshots in the pocket full of rocks, beat up all year. just made it to the finish line and they're playing the role of David trying to knock off this Goliath in the Ohio State Buckeyes. We do know how that story ends though, Des.

I'm just saying. We do know the slingshot did pay off well. But speaking of Chip Kelly, let's hear what he had to say earlier today about his offense. You do until you turn the tape on and look at their defense. I don't know if that play is going to work against them. I don't know if that play is going to work against them just because of how good they are defensive. That's the one thing in our week of preparation and going into it is just how much respect we have for Notre Dame's defense and what they can do and what they've done against everybody they've played. You know, it's you watch those guys play. As a fan of football, you just kind of admire how how cohesive that entire group is and then how hard that group play.

So credit to Marcus and Al for what he's got, how he's got how those guys got those guys playing right now. Des, let's talk about the Ohio State offense versus the Notre Dame defense. What is the game plan Notre Dame needs to have to be able to take down the number one offense in the country? Yeah, well, guys, Chip Kelly has been in his bag this whole postseason. Like everything he's dialed up has been right on point. So to me, what you need to do is you want to eliminate the explosive. This offense is geared for a track meet. They want big plays with Jeremiah Smith or Treviya Henderson.

If you can slow them down, then they're not designed to sustain drive. of 12 plays or 14 plays. To me, they just, they don't have that type of composure. When you put them in that situation, Will Howard will throw the ball to the other team. You look at the games they've had, the close games, especially against Nebraska. That game was 2117.

He threw an interception. Against Penn State, 20 to 13. He threw an interception, and he fumbled going into the end zone. Of course, against Michigan, they lost 13 to 10. He threw two interceptions. So if you put them in a situation where they can't go up and down the field because they get so much confidence with those explosives, but make them earn every yard, then I believe that you're playing the type of defensive game that they will have a problem with on offense. And if you're Notre Dame, you talk about earning yards.

I actually want to talk about the unearned yards, at least on the offensive side of the ball. Notre Dame defensively gets a lot of interceptions. But let's have those interceptions turn into pick sixes. That's one thing Notre Dame did better than anyone else in the entire nation. They led college football and interception return yardage. And so, no, when the season ended, they didn't have the most picks, but the amount of yardage that they gained on the defensive side of the ball, change games and change their season.

And so if Will Howard does throw you the ball, if they're trying to force feed Jeremiah Smith, what Notre Dame needs to do and gets to do is have guys like Xavier Watch number zero, the former de Gersky Award winner, guys like Christian Gray, have those guys not just get interceptions, But find the end zone to create some hidden yardage and some points on offense for your team. Now, Notre Dame has been stingy on defense, allowing the lowest completion percentage among all FBS teams. However, the Buckeyes defense also ranks in the top five in yards per game, allowed in pressure rate.

But here's Jim Knowles earlier today on the top two defenses squaring off. That's how I led with our guys is, you know, we have to outplay their defense. you know, they're obviously very good in all aspects and in that area. So, you know, our mantra has been since I've got here to be able to win games on defense. So, yeah, we embrace it. From one defense to another, let's compare the Notre Dame offense versus the Ohio State defense. So, Des, give us one player on Notre Dame's offense that could be the difference maker in this one. I think the difference makers, they're running back.

Jeremiah Love, now, he was a little banged up in the last game. that they had, but he had some extra time to get a little healthier. He had a right leg injury, had a brace on it, so we wasn't sure how he was going to perform in the Orange Bowl, but he played extremely well. I think he's the guy who they

need to get going and get going early. He can just, you know, he's a tough runner in between the tackles, but he's also a home run hitter. I was there in South Bend when the young man went 98 yards in the first playoff game against Indiana. So to me,

They have to get Jeremiah, I mean, they have to get Love going early and often because that running game is going to be paramount if they're going to attack this Buckeyes defense. A big difference maker for Notre Dame all around is Marcus Freeman. But take a listen to what he had to say during halftime at the semifinal game. It's a seven-point game. We get the ball first. So just understand. That's all it is right now.

Now, what do we have to do to change it? We got to be able to run the ball, right? We got to be able to run the ball, right? And we got to stop the run. That's all it is, man. We're about to panic. They don't need to be nervous. It's a fight.

It's a seven point ball game and we get the ball first. It's a fight. Go out there. Now, Sam, when you hear this, I want to talk to you about this one. When you hear Coach Freeman and you see this team, what stands out to you? Hey, what stands out to me is where are my pads? I want to go out there and play. This team is dominant when it comes to what they do in the first.

Ended the first half in the beginning, the second half. And the reason why is that you hear what you hear it. Like in that game, they were down to three. Couldn't do anything. And all of a sudden, like, what happened was, boom, they all of a sudden they had an opportunity and they got suited up. And so for me, I found a helmet, coach. Sign me up.

It might be the wrong helmet too. But put me in the game. Like, for the long way, this is the first time I've wanted to go back and suit up and play a game. Marcus Freeman. Hey, I'm in, coach. Put me in. Put me in the game.

Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Straight up. I'll tell you, there's something special about listening to a coach that has that kind of motivation for you. Like, I straight up was getting chills. Listen to that.

To be totally honest with you guys. Yeah. We heard a little bit of the sound before the show. And I literally put my earpiece in so I could hear what he was saying, the passion, the fire, the energy. Sign me up. I'm ready to play. I have a little bit of eligibility. I trust me, I got like six more months.

Let's go. Come on. Hey, Sam. I feel you on that. I mean, you know, we've all had these coaches who are like, it's like a fireball. brimstone halftime speech that has you ready to run through a brick wall for him. So I get it. I completely understand.

And to me, that's what it's going to take for the Notre Dame to compete, especially defensively, against all the weapons that the Buckeye is going to bring to the game. Well, guys, I have a helmet. How could you not want to play for that? Like, that's my question. How could you, that's the wrong helmet, Victoria. That ain't going to fly. Hey, with Matt McRaeeman, that'll fly.

But my question is, like, honestly, how could you not? not want to play for a coach like that. If you're a high school kid, a college kid, when you hear it's not somebody cussing you out and cuss you up and down. No, they're actually encouraging you. They're motivating. You know, by the way, he's done it before. So for me, the passion, the energy, the intensity.

It might be the wrong helmet coach, but hey, I got six more months. Let me, suit me up. It has made all the difference. And it all comes down to this. The college football playoff national championship game presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. in Atlanta. Ohio State squares off against Notre Dame Monday at 730 Eastern on ESPN. Still to come Penn State running backs. Ketron Allen and Nick Singleton surprised everyone by returning for another season.

Pete Thammel joins us to tell us what that might mean for the Nittney Lions in 2025. College Football Live is presented by Great Clips. Get game ready for the college football playoff with great clips. Welcome back to college football live, presented by Great Cliffs. Pete Thammel joining us. And Pete is that time of year, players declaring for the draft in Texas has a trio of players going. So can you tell us who are they? Yeah, Victoria, the eyes of Texas are clearly on the next level.

We'll start with receiver Matthew Golden. Few players in the country help themselves more in the final month of the season. Then Golden, he's a six-foot Houston transfer who, dominated down the stretch against Georgia in the SEC title game. He had 162 receiving yards on eight catches against Arizona State. In the playoff, he had seven for a buck 49 and a touchdown. I don't think many players are really, have really done more for themselves. He'll be a top 50 player.

As for Isaiah Bond, he started Red Hot this year at Texas after transferring from Alabama. He told me last night that he expects to prove to be the most explosive player in the entire draft. Bond measured 22 miles an hour, which is extremely fast, like an Olympic sprinter this year. Look for Bond to blow up in Indy. Then there's right tackle Cam Williams, 6.5, 335, a true road grader. He's leaving after his true junior season after 16 starts. He really fits that archetype that the NFL is looking for in their tackles, which is a huge position of need. Our field, the eighth sees him as a first round pick.

Look for Cam Williams to go early in the draft. No doubt that we'll be making quite the impact. Now on the other side, we've got some surprising news yesterday as both Penn State running backs, Ketron Allen and Nick Singleton, stated they would be returning next year. So Pete, what does this mean for PSU in 2025? Well, I think it means Penn State might end up being the favorite preseason in the Big 10 in 2025.

There will not be a better tailback tandem in the country than Ketron Allen in Nick's. Singleton. They've combined this season for over 2,100 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. It's hard to fathom another program. There is the portal, so you never know, caring better tailbacks. And then there's Drew Aller. He is going to be in the conversation for the number one pick in the NFL draft. Look, Victoria, there was a lot of buzz about him in NFL circles as the playoffs went on. Penn State will have Aller back next year. He will reaffirmed that commitment to James Franklin. And I think you can circle your campaign.

calendar, September 27th, when Oregon comes to state college, it will be one of the marquee games in college football next year. Yes, it will pee. Oh, you're just dropping a lot right there. Okay, well, we'll discuss that later on. All right, staying with the Nittney Lions, you reported yesterday that defensive coordinator Tom Allen was the top candidate for Clemson's D.C. position. What's the latest on that?

Well, sources have told me, Victoria, that Tom Allen is heading to Clemson, and that's going to be formalized, likely within the next hour at some point this afternoon. noon, it will go, it will go pen to paper with Tom Allen becoming Clemson's next defensive coordinator. And it's really a huge hire for the Tigers. After getting fired at Indiana, in one season at Penn State, Allen totally had that defense playing at one of the highest levels in all at college football. They were top 10 in total defense, scoring defense, et cetera. Look for Clemson to be in that early top five conversation next year, too, especially with Allen at D.C. They return a host of star players on defense, starting with tackle

Peter Woods, he'll be one of the five best players in college football next season. Pete, you always leave us with our brains just spinning and thinking and thinking. Thank you so much, Pete. But we're going to bring you back in just a bit to talk about Coach Prime. All right, so we have got a few players that are going to be sticking around with. So with all of those players that are coming back on offense, how far do you think they could go next year, Des, with what you just heard from Pete? Well, I think that it all rests on the shoulder of Drew Aller.

He's going to have the running game behind him. That's very important because you want to have a strong running game. But don't forget, they played in the playoff game where not one player with the letters WR in front of him caught a pass. And he won't have his tight end, Tyler Ward, who is his go-to guy. So I'm curious to see just how, you know, how they bring up this receiving court,

where they find talent. Like Pete said, there is the portal. Maybe they hit the portal and get some wideouts, but it's going to depend on the development of Drew Allen. It's going to be a second year under OC, Cotoniki, so maybe he'll make that huge leap to get them over the hump beating teams like Ohio State, Michigan, or wherever they want to go next year in the playoff.

They do have Oregon on September 27th, too. That's a bit of a brutal third weekend. But with the likelihood of yet another defensive coordinator, the third in four years coming into the mix, what is your level of concern on the defensive side of the ball, Sam? No, it's not high at all for Penn State. I have very little concern for Penn State defensively. And the reason why is that they have had a multitude of defensive coordinators,

but the talent is still stable. Think about it. This year, they were seven total defense. Last year with Manny Diaz, they were second. The year before, they were also in the top 20. And so this defense is going to have talent all across the board. Names like Michael Parsons are names that come through that building. Names like Abdul-Karraf.

Carter's name is going to be a top 10 pick this year. So I'm not concerned at all about the talent. I know that Tom Allen is leaving. So no matter who the coordinator is, I'm confident that high level coordinator will be able to coach the high level talent. Yes, Sam, I'm looking at this defense. I've looked down the past couple of years with both coordinators.

And Sam, good is just not good enough for the nitty lines. Like they're going to have to be great. They're going to have to go out, especially if Alan leaves and goes to Clemson as reported, then they're going to have to bring in the exceptional DC, going to be able to, you know, get them over the hump because good is just not good enough anymore and Nittany Valley with the Nittany Lions. So I'm expecting them to make a big splash higher for the new D.C. And good doesn't win you national championships. And look, they're going to

have to be great. They have Oregon, Ohio State, and Indiana on their schedule next season. All right, coming up. Will the D&BIGD stand for Deion? Does Dion want to turn the Cowboys into prime time players. Our guy Pete Thammel joins us to give us all the latest on Coach Prime and the Dallas Cowboys. College Football Live is presented by Great Clips. Get game ready for the college football playoff with great clips. National Championship presented by AT&T begins Monday at 730 p.m. Coach Prime making headlines this time with the NFL as his name has been mentioned as one of the many who could potentially replace former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. The former Cowboy cornerback has spoken to owner Jerry Jones only informally.

We're going to bring Pete back with us and Pete on a scale from not happening to happening. Where are we with Dion and the Cowboys? That's an interesting scale you give me, Victoria. I would say as if now not close to happening. Again, we're not even at the interview phase of this potential courtship. Obviously, Jerry Jones and Dionne Sanders are old friends. It makes sense that he would reach out. You know, Dion gave a statement last night to R. Adam Schaefter.

And the general tenor was intrigue, but not ready to take next steps. So I would think this. When you look at the Big 12 pay scale right now, Dion Sanders is behind Mike Gundy before his pay cut anyway. He's behind Kyle Whittingham. Kenny Dillingham of Arizona State got a new deal right before the CFP. He jumped ahead of Dionne, who's. making $5.7 million this year, about $5.9 next year. You have to wonder if perhaps Dion could use this to go atop that Big 12 pay scale. We will keep a close eye on that. Thank you so much, Pete.

We always appreciate you. All right, Sam. Where do you see Coach Prime being more successful in the NFL or college football, hypothetically speaking? I could see him having success in the NFL level. And the reason why is that people are going to believe in Dion Sanders, aka Coach Prime. Why? Because NFL players, they either watch him, they admire him, game, recognized game. And so for me, yes, you saw success in college. And I think you'll see more success in college. But I could also see a place where Dion Sanders has success in the NFL because the players in that locker room will have the immense amount of respect for Coach Prime. You're exactly right, Sam. I was just thinking if he walks into any locker room in the NFL,

No matter which team it is, he brings instant credibility and respect. And that's the one thing that you need as a head coach. And he can gap, he can close the gap between multiple generations because who he is, he's been relevant in this sport for three or four decades. So he would be a great coach on any level. Well, I feel like that's how I feel being on the show with you guys is game-recognized game. And you guys were really great football players. I can't catch a football.

I'm going to save my life. So I'm messing up my hair for the two of you because gay-recognized game, you guys make me better. All right. For Sam, Des, I'm Victoria. Thanks for watching.