College Football Live - Live from the Crimson Tide!

Episode Date: November 3, 2023

Host Jen Lada is joined by Stanford Steve, Desmond Howard, and Pete Thamel, live from Alabama as they looked at all the exciting ranked matchups happening this weekend. Not only that, but the possible playoff implications that can come from these games, including the top 6 ranked teams in the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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The Denny Chimes I hear? Well, that was an elephant. What else would it be here in Tuscaloosa as we are getting you set for a very big matchup between LSU and Alabama tomorrow right here in T-Town? This game is very personal for us. That's the messaging that you have heard from Alabama players this week as they get set to take on LSU. Could it be, gentlemen? of what happened last year with LSU when Alabama was essentially knocked out of the college football playoff conversation. And oh, by the way, that could be the case again this year.

Who can say alongside Desmond Howard and Stanford, Steve? He's Pete Thammell. I'm Jen Latter. A big show for you today, guys. Let's get started with the biggest storylines that you all have on your mind. Steve, I'll start with you. What should we look forward to week 10 of the college football season? We got plenty of time to talk about the game here, right? We got to go out west for a little bit. We got Keel Williams and the Trojans. I've called it. Caleb's last stand. This is the way it looks. I mean, the road they have against them, what the house has already happened to them,

and then you look at who's coming in, the new shining star of the Pack 12, Michael Pennix Jr., who has struggled the last two weeks, six turnovers, the last two games after that big win against Oregon, and now he gets Caleb. I look for a big spot with Caleb Williams, sir. You call it Caleb Last Stand? Yep. This may be Bedlam last stand because there's no scheduled games in the foreseeable future between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

Why? Because Oklahoma's joining the SEC. But check out this game is going to be great, guys. You're looking at Oklahoma State team, two losses, but only one in the conference, right? And then Oklahoma a week ago dropped the game to Kansas. I want to see if they can bounce back in Bedlam and Steelwater. This is going to be a great matchup. I can't wait.

Sleepy-O Missouri rolls in in the teens in the first college football playoff. They have given Georgia during this indomitable. run of back-to-back national titles, perhaps the biggest regular season threat that the Bulldogs have seen last year in Columbia. If they are going to stretch this game to the fourth quarter in Athens, it's going to be with the stretch run play. Missouri average 4.9 yards of carry last year in that game against Georgia's bullying defense. If Cody Schrader and Missouri can control the game on the ground, keep that dynamic Georgia passing attack off the field, we could have a chance at an upset. No Brock Bowers in that game, but we did talk about how Dom,

love it transferred from Missouri to Georgia. He could see some production in that game. As for the story that I am watching today, let's take a look at today's road test presented by Goodyear the LSU Tigers, guys. You cannot talk about this team without talking about the offense and what a juggernaut it has

been this season, leading the FBS in both points per game and yards per game. I know they don't want to hear about it. We have to give you the facts on this one. They will be traveling to Alabama to take on a very capable Crimson Tide team that ranks in the top three in the SEC in both of those categories.

So, Des, when you look at the big game this weekend that these fans are obviously very excited for, what is the storyline? We should be paying attention. There's so many games within the game in Alabama and LSU, right? You look at this offense, that defense, but LSU's offense, especially with quarterback Jaden Daniels. I mean, this kid is on fire. He's one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in all of college football.

I was at Alabama's practice yesterday, and I spoke to a couple of coaches. And they said, listen, Jaden Daniels is a. problem. He's a legitimate dual threat quarterback. Even when he breaks contained, that's when he's most dangerous. And he has those two White House right there. Neighbors and Thomas, two of the best from White House and all the college

football. So when LSU is on offense, going up against Alabama's defense, especially Alabama's secondary, that's going to be the game within the game. Another way to take away Jane Daniels is to play keep away with the football days. Yeah, exactly. And I look at Tommy Reese, past game plans

that he's had. I go back to last year, Notre Dame upsets Clemson. How do they do that? They possess the ball. And when you look at the matchup, Alabama has with that advantage of the offensive line and a depleted LSU defense on the front line, no wingo, on the back end, no Alexander at corner. They've run through a bunch of different corners.

I think Alabama has the ability to play, keep away from Jaden Daniels in that offense. And I expect them to dominate time of possession, therefore leading to a win. You mentioned the defense, Steve. Will Harold Perkins bust out? We obviously remember that four sack game he had against Arkansas. last season. Opposing coaches have been a little bit baffled that they moved him around a lot this year, not let him in his

electric skill, speed, and diamondism be on the edge and just tee off. With Wingo out up front, will we see Mason Smith finally have a dominant game? Going into this season, he was supposed to be a top 10 pick, one of the best interior defensive lineman in the country. He was suspended from

FSU and he's never really gotten it going. Will we see one of those two guys emerge for LSU on Saturday? You know, in order to control time of possession, you do have to run the ball. Alabama has not run the ball lately as well as they have in the past. And that offensive line guys is giving up sacks by the handful.

35 sacks this season. Got to get that cleaned up in order to have a good game against LSU. Let's take a look at the Heisman update. That is brought to you by Nissan. Jaden Daniels, who Dez just mentioned, been making a case for himself in the Heisman conversation through the first eight games. He ranks top two in

FBS in total QBR, touchdowns responsible for, and total yards per game. In fact, guys, His numbers look eerily similar to another quarterback that wore the purple and yellow there back in 2019, Joe Burrow. Plenty more big games coming up this week, guys. Let's get into some of those as well. The biggest games that we need to talk about, guys, let's begin with the Colorado play callers, Pete. Well, Colorado's lost four or five, Jen.

They're going to be underdogs in their final four games, and they've hit their moment of on-field adversity in Coach Prime's first year. They have elevated Pat Shermer, who is an. analyst to become the play caller this week. That means a demotion for Sean Lewis, the former Kent coach, who left a head coaching job to go to Colorado. It's obviously Lewis's offense, that spread wide system with a lot of tempo. It'll be interesting to see that offense with a new play caller on Saturday. With Clemson, there's a huge injury storyline to be following going into this game.

Will Shipley, the star running back, and really the most dynamic player on an offense that doesn't have a lot of dynamic players, suffered a concussion last week. He's been in protocol this week, and I'm told he's questionable for this game. There is a path back for him to play. We likely won't know until tomorrow morning what Will Shipley's status is, but they need him against the Irish. The latest in the Michigan investigation started last night at his radio show. Purdue coach Ryan Walters said the quiet part that coach has been saying out loud. He detailed how Michigan's alleged sign stealing operation truly impacted Purdue.

Basically said they had to learn a different language this week to change their signature. going into that game. As for steps forward in potential punishment for Michigan, there's three things to watch. One, President Santa Ono met with Tony Petiti today in Ann Arbor. The second one will be the Big Ten presidents who are expected to meet in the upcoming days. And then the third will be Tony Petiti potentially meeting again with the NCAA. A very important point here, Jen, is that Tony Petiti told the ADs last night he has engaged with the NCAA, which is the start of gathering a fact set, which would potentially allow him under Big Ten laws, or Big Ten rules, I should say, they don't really have laws, to potentially punish Jim Harbaugh or Michigan in real time and not

wait for the NCA investigation to end. This is a story that is not going away. Pete, you have done exceptional work on it. But it is interesting to see how he handles all of the rumbling from all of the teams on one side and Michigan on the other. That will be very telling about the Big Ten going forward. We've got a lot more coming up here on College Football Live from Tuscaloosa. including where Michigan landed in the college football playoff rankings, why Desmond thinks they deserve to be higher and how that top six shaped up in the first rankings of the season. Plus, lots of ranked versus ranked matchup this week.

We have big implications in some of those games for the final quarter of the season. Which games are the guys most pumped up to watch? All that and more coming up on college football. This Heisman Update is brought to you by Nissan. Premier partner of the Heisman Trophy. From Searchlight Pictures comes Rental Family, now playing only in theaters. Earning rave reviews at Tiff, rental family is emotional, funny, and the feel-good movie of the year. Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser stars as a lonely American actor living in Tokyo,

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Nationwide is on your side. Both these teams have big aspirations of what they can accomplish. With us tomorrow morning here on college game day. Lane Kiffin coming to us live from the field as well. You won't want to miss it. It starts at 9 a.m. Eastern. Let's take a look at those ranked matchups that we talked about a few moments ago.

Let's start off with the Texas-Kansas-State matchup, and if recent history is any indicator, this game is going to be close. Six of the last seven games in this series were decided by seven points or fewer. In the SEC, we have Missouri going on the road to take on Georgia. We talked about that a little bit. The Tigers have a tough task ahead since Georgia is, of course, riding a 25-game win streak, including starting this season, 8 and 0. the Bedlam series between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

A lot of history between these two. They've matched up for 114 straight years. That's the second longest uninterrupted series in FBS history. Then over on the West Coast, number 20 USC hosting fifth ranked Washington. Huskies enter this game on a 15-game win streak. Second longest in FBS, only trailing Georgia. And last but not least, the big game here, LSU, Alabama. The Crimson Tide can wrap up the SEC West title on.

Saturday with a victory over the Tigers and an Ole Miss loss. So plenty of stuff for us to talk about in those games and Beyond. Des, I'll start with you. The game you're most excited to watch this weekend is Washington versus USC. I know you guys hit on it earlier in the show, but I think, you know, we were out there in Seattle. We saw Oregon versus Washington. It was an instant classic. But since that game, I don't think we've seen the best version of the Huskies. They followed that with a home game against Arizona

State that they won. 15 to 7, sound like a baseball score. And then they went on the road and got into a dog fight against Stanford winning that game, 42 to 33. Surprise that their defense really gave up that many points and now they get to play

Caleb Williams and the Trojans who were still, you know, they had back-to-back losses one a week ago, but they're still trying to figure out who they are this late in the season. I think it's a really good matcher with two teams just really trying to gain some sort of prominence. Sidebar, that baseball game, that was a bullpen day, I assume.

15 to 7. 15 to 7. I like one of those games. I'll take one of those games. Steve, what about you? Obviously, besides here, I look at Bedlam. Judge touched on it last week. So much emotion, it being in Stillwater,

little brothers at home in the rivalry. It's funny, the last time Oklahoma State won, Caleb Williams was a quarterback of Oklahoma. Wow. And now you look at what's at stake. I mean, look at that. I wish Oklahoma State would come out and wear those uniforms. The old Barry OSU,

the helmet. Gundy at quarterback, that's what we need. This has all the makings, though, guys. And the one thing I worry about is Oklahoma State's defense, as good as Ali Parker's been, over 250 yards the last two games. Their defense still has problems. And I wonder how an upset Oklahoma offense is going to do in Stillwater.

I don't think you can statistically quantify the hate in the air that will be in still water tomorrow. Don't even try. They've never liked each other. And now they're divorcing, which is only going to make it worse. I'm going to look at the quarterbacks in Kansas State, Texas. Now, we know Malik Murphy's obviously starting for Texas, but I'm really curious how much we'll see Avery Johnson for Kansas State.

Will Howard completed 15 of 17 passes against Houston. You couldn't have played any better. But boy, is Avery Johnson a tantalizing talent. Look at him here, run around the end, that bullet flowing in the back. I don't know what his 40-time is, but he has a burst that looks like it's a 4-3. He's a special talent, and remember how the quarterback run game has been a weakness. We saw Oklahoma use it effectively against Texas in part. And boy, does Avery Johnson have a nice,

burst. And if those games don't do it for you guys, there are 12 total matchups between Power 5 winning record teams and winning record teams. So plenty to go around this weekend. Let's get to you, Steve, for coughing up. Yeah, we've got some time for some picks here. Let's try and get after. We've touched on plenty in this show. It's Caleb's last day into USC. They're a home dog against Washington. And when I look at that matchup, same thing I'd write Cal against USC last week. I thought they could score with them. Give me Lincoln Riley in any type of shootout high scoring game. They're detail to their offense. They know what's at stake. They have zero room to work with.

I really expect a phenomenal effort from USC's offense to carry them as if this is a high scoring game. On the other side, we got another last thing. It's standing. It's been a long week in Clemson. It started with the loss since he's state. You saw Schifley go out with the injury. We heard Davos radio show. Now, what is the scene going to be like for a noon kick with Notre Dame coming in and favored Notre Dame. I think Clemson has enough in the matchup. I like the defensive personnel. I'll take Clemson plus the points in that one.

And then another one we have is Penn State in a sneaky spot. We saw how they look off of that loss against Ohio State last week against Indiana. Now they got to go to Maryland, but they'll get a boost because this is a Penn State home game whenever they go to Maryland. It's a problem and it continue to be. I just think Penn State has a matchup advantage of every asset, That may be quarterback, but that defensive personnel on the road, they'll play well. They'll take care of business as they get ready for Michigan next week.

We're going to see some of those games on the fridge tomorrow morning? Possibly. Maybe. I don't know if those teams want their signal on the phone. Oh, you stop a right now. You're not the jinx you think you are. Coming up on college football live guys, the first edition of the college football rankings came out earlier this week. Do the guys agree with Ohio State at number one or do they want to see things get switched up next?

week we discuss right after this. You're watching College Football Live. Presented by Nationwide. When you're flying Emirates business class, enjoying a good night's rest in your lie flat seat,

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That's at 3.30 Eastern, 2.30 Central. Then Michael Pennix, Jr., and number five, Washington, square and off against Caleb Williams. The number 20 USC coverage begins at 7.30 Eastern, 430 Pacific. Right now, however, our SEC Nation crew kicks off our coverage from Oxford as they prepare for Texas A&M at Ole Miss. Here's Tim Tebow and Roman Harper. Thank you, Jan and right there. You see Balt Hemingway Stadium.

It's a little quiet over there right now, but tomorrow it will not be. It's going to be rocking there right now. Roman Harper here joined by my man Tim Tebow. We're over here in the Grove. Tim, what are you thinking about this game tomorrow, Texas A&M at Ole Miss? Well, I think the first thing is that these, fans need to show up early because they're not used to getting up that early, right?

They like the late games. But what's important for this team is to show up early, especially with their running game, against this front seven for A&M. That's one of the best in the country. But with Quinn Sean Jutkins, with Bentley, with Jackson Dart, also his legs, this three-headed monster in the running game has to come up big early so that they can then in the second half have the big play down the field, which we know that Lane Kiffin loves.

Being able to set up that double move down the field, that's something that we need to keep an eye on. because this A&M team, they're such a good defense. But in the big games, they've given up the big play. Yes. But then on the other side of it, the East, the Battle for the East, Missouri, at Georgia in Athens. I'm really looking forward to this, another opportunity for Carson Becht to show

that he is still one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC in his first year. Missouri on the other side of it, will they be able to continue to keep this party rolling? I know. A great opportunity for them. Looking forward to it all day long, full of SEC football.

That's right. Big games everywhere. Kelsey Riggs, it's off to you. Take it away. Roman, thanks so much. A little history on the line here in Raleigh tomorrow night. As Dave Doran could become the winningest coach and program, history if his team can handle business and prime time against a Miami team

that has won two straight. As we say hello from Raleigh, North Carolina, alongside E.J. Manuel, the Hall of Famer. Coach Mark Rick, I'm Kelsey Ricks. Great to be with you. This is going to be a great game. But coach, so is Louisville, Virginia Tech. It's a high stakes matchup for sure.

When the season began, everybody thought number one and number two is going to be Florida State Clemson. Florida State is number one, but number two is not Clemson. So you've got these two teams who would have thought Louisville and Virginia Tech would be battling for the second spot this deep into the season. Both coaches have done an unbelievable job, and it's going to be an exciting matchup. Yeah, most may not see this Clemson game as a big matchup, but they host Notre Dame in their house. You look at Notre Dame's past defense. They're one of the best in the country. They're third in interceptions in the country at 13.

I think if the quarterback, Kay K. Clumnik doesn't turn it over, Clemson will certainly have a chance to win that game. That's going to be a noon game on ABC. We'll see what Clemson has in store. Maybe they'll bring that Tyler from Spartanburg Energy. Jen, we'll send it back to you. Kelsey, appreciate that.

It is time to get into the initial college football playoff rankings. The committee has Ohio State at number one, followed by Georgia and Michigan. But Michigan and Georgia have a chance to boost their resumes, guys. According to ESPN analytics, the Bulldogs and the Wolverine, remains remaining schedules, rather,

are top six in toughest remaining schedules in all of FBS. Of course, Ohio State has those wins over those ranked opponents in Penn State and in Notre Dame. Your reaction to those rankings, Des? Yeah, well, I thought that going into the rankings that the most impressive teams were Georgia and Michigan, just when you look at them on film. And I know they didn't play the stellar competition, maybe like Ohio State did, but when you talk about the eye test, they just have been two of the most complete teams all season.

But I get it. Ohio State's resume, going on the road, we were there. They beat Notre Dame. Then they beat Penn State at home. We were there, too. And then last week, beating Wisconsin up there in Madison. That's a quality win. We hope.

We'll see. We don't know about Wisconsin's the rest of the way. We'll see what Wisconsin looks like. Lost both of their running backs and their quarterback. So we'll see. But I get it strength of record. But if you do the eye test, then you would not say,

okay, this is the best team in America. You may even look at one-loss Oregon because they've been on fire lately. I'm just happy that the undefeated teams are all ahead of the one-loss teams right now. And Reese Davis loves to say, if you're not good enough, a loss will find you. Those teams already found a loss. And there's time. You know, you touched on Georgia and Michigan. Their stretch that schedule is only going to get tougher.

So the way they have it configured right now, I'd like to see Florida State a little bit higher, knowing that they did look at Ohio State's resume. But the way it sets up, I'm really happy with the way they put the undefeated teams on top right now. Steve, I know you like to dabble in horse racing a little bit. Think the CFP race is a horse race. Right now, I like where Oregon is. They're sitting there in the stock position.

We're at the three-quarter pole and they're picking up speed and they're picking up speed. They're sitting there at six. Wouldn't we all love to see the Oregon-Washington rematch of that classic game, Desmond mentioned earlier? But wouldn't we really like to see an Oregon-Georgia rematch? Dan Lannick starts his career in Atlanta and they get blown out of the building, right? Now here we are, two full years later. Can Oregon go toe to toe with the Bulldogs?

I wouldn't put it past him. That's a good question, especially without Brock Bowers. He may be back by then. He may not be back, but we know one thing. Oregon can score. You got Oregon his best one lost team. You know what? I would say, yeah, but this team, no one's talking about.

That's right. I was trying to. These guys are this team? I'm trying to bowl. Because now if they get this win, that's an equal win. That's a full state. best wins. So now you start talking and anything can happen. But the way it

is set up right there, everybody has so much more. The way these schedules are backloaded with everybody, there is plenty to like and look forward to it. I'm just mad that you didn't do that whole thing in like a horse racing thing. I'm still a drink guy, Jenner, right? Let's get to the video that we saw on the football field that you've got to take a look at. Yes, of course, we're

showing this. I agree this is a disgusting thing. But did you see the possum at the TCU, Texas Tech game running and around the field. Now you could do your horseways thing for him. Look at that day. I could. He can't have snatched him up. My sources told me that Conner Stallions did not send him there. Oh, now that would be good. Put a little camera on the possum, see if he can pick up some signals. Big game here this weekend. College TV starts at 9 a.m. Eastern. We will see y'all there.