College Football Live - Media Days Conclude

Episode Date: July 25, 2024

Last day of ACC and Big Ten media days as host Phil Murphy is joined by Sam Acho, Eric Mac Lain and Pete Thamel to bring you all the sites and sounds of the day. Hear from Sherrone Moore, Dan Lanning and Jedd Fisch from the Big Ten and Dabo Swinney from the ACC, all on this episode of CFB Live Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the final day of ACC Media Days and the expanded conference in Charlotte, but a familiar face. Davosweeney heads to the dice today. Al Clemson bounced back from an uncharacteristic 9 and 4 season, and Big 10 media days close out in Nap Town. Oregon's there with a large inflatable duck in tow. And the defending national champ, Michigan looks to replace head coach DC quarterback. But what they bring back impacts the potential for Sharon Moore. What's happening? and welcome into college football live, Phil Murphy here in studio.

But it is a big geographic footprint for us today. We got Pete Thammel here from Big 10 media days in Indianapolis. Eric McLean is at ACCC media days in Charlotte. Sam Macho's got a home game, but dressed for the occasion. And we roll deep with the reigning national champs in the spotlight. It is a new era at Michigan. Jim Harbaugh heads to the Chargers. Sharon Moore then takes over.

Moore was OC last year, for no as interim head coach, as Harbaugh served separate suspensions at different points in the year. Things will look a bit different on field after last year's Natty. The Wolverines had an FPS high 13 players drafted, returning just 36% of production, according to ESPN's Bill Connolly. That's 128th of the nation. And probably the biggest piece they were placed is QB, J.J. McCarthy, 10th overall picked by the Vikings. Former four-star recruit Alex Orgy seems next in line, but there are six rostered QBs have just 219 career combined. PSPS pass attempts. Here's Coach Moore today.

Tough, smart, dependable, relentless, enthusiastic, and together is how I'll describe our team. We're going to do everything we can to strive for perfection. Everything we do every day is a process and we'll continue to strive to do that. And we'll continue to do that with contagious enthusiasm, unknown to mankind. Our players have done an outstanding job of keeping the cold. culture, keeping the togetherness, the brotherhood. And really it's, it's a testament to them. For our team, you know, it'll take shaping training camp, and then it'll take shape in game one and game two to see where we're at. I feel very confident about our team, very excited

about our team. Every team is different. And we're always hunting. Regardless of people are coming after us, we're coming after them. So for us, we're not in the mentality of sitting back and waiting to see what goes on. We're going to attack our process. We're going to work our tails off to make sure we're doing the best things we can possible, the way we know. to be to be successful. New coach, new QB, no shortage of confidence in Ann Arbor, though it might feel like the Wolverines are starting from scratch. According, again, to Bill Connolly, Michigan returns just 24% of its offensive production

from a year ago. Only Ohio returns less. And as mentioned a moment ago, overall returning production also ranks bottom 10. So, guys, there is talent. I mean, Will Johnson, Mason Graham, Donovan Edwards, that balancing with new head coach, new DC, new QB. Pete, what is the level of concern that these Wolverines can make a smooth transition off of last year's national title?

Phil, I think there's legitimate questions about Michigan coming off the historic season they had last year. And I'll start up front on the offensive line. They had three offensive linemen drafted. They lose all five of their starters. It's going to be very difficult for a team that had an indelible identity the last three years. They were a full frontal assault on offense. They ground out games and they balance.

that with an efficient passing game. Can they reestablish that identity quick with Texas and USC coming to town in September? And it's not just the beginning. It's not just Texas and USC in September. Even if you do establish that identity, you have October, quote unquote, off. You don't have

that tough of opponents. But the beginning of November, you start that with Oregon, then you end it with Ohio State. Let's say you struggle early September 7th against Texas. Let's say you're struggling against USC. Even when you find your identity, you get tested again at the end of the season. It's like you're actually in college. You have exams early and exams late.

And so that's going to be the test for me in Michigan. You're placing so much on offense. You're replacing a new entire staff on defense. And all of a sudden, you have questions at quarterback. To me, those questions got to get answered early and late. Sam, I don't think there's any question about that. But the good news is there's some absolute star power that is still here. I mean, you're looking at potentially three first round draft picks on that Michigan defense. It starts at cornerback. and then on the interior of the defensive line. So how can you use that?

How can you utilize that star power? Continue to build around. And now it's just next man up. I mean, quite frankly, this Michigan team has recruited, has compiled this amount of talent around them. It's not just a one-hit wonder. So I believe in Coach Moore. I think that this unit is still going to be a force to reckon with.

Are they going to be perfect? Are they going to be national champs? We'll see. Well, and a big answer to that question is going to come, how they perform at quarterback. Alex Orgy's the presumed starter under center. He had 15 carries last season and zero pass attempts. And then you balance it with a 25-year-old Jack Tuttle,

who certainly has the edge and experience. Pete, where does Michigan stand at the most important position in the sport? I think Jack Tuttle was in Sam's recruiting class, Phil. Michigan stands in a place where we presume Alex Orgy is going to be the starter. But Sharon Moore may be a rookie head coach. He had some veteran poised today up on the podium. He didn't give a whole lot of way. at Big Ten Media Day on who the starter was going to be.

So I think we have to start with Alex Orgy. You mentioned the 15 carries, Phil. He took 17 snaps. What I will say about Alex Orgy is he took real snaps in the Rose Bowl. He took real snaps against Ohio State last year. He took snaps in the national title game. They used him in high leverage situations, and that's going to translate come September.

But the difference between the usage of Alex Orgy and the usage of J.J. McCarthy is that J.J. McCarthy, year early in his career, had some passing attempts as well. Alex Orgy in the last two years has attempted one pass. Not completed, but attempted one pass. You look at J.J. McCarthy as a freshman, he got play as a sophomore. He was in there a little

bit more. And all of a sudden he started playing better. And so for me, there's so many questions that quarterback for a guy who has experience running the ball, but he didn't have experience even attempting a pass. One pass and two years, big problem for Michigan. And he's a first round draft

pick, right? When you're replacing that type of quality of quarterback, that type of winner, that type of leader, a guy that has truly done it all for Michigan, that's some big shoes to fill. And we've seen that across the country with various teams when they have that, when a quarterback who was considered a generational talent moves on or a first round draft pick moves on. There's some struggle and there's going to be some growing pains. But it goes back to my first point around the talent around him, hand the ball off left, hand the ball off right. Let's get Edwards involved early and often. Well, and going back to a point Pete made a moment ago,

Tuttle wasn't in Sam's recruiting class, but he was in the recruiting class of Justin Fields, Trevor Lawrence, Brock Purdy, and Zach Wilson. Hey, they're not the only program that needs to replace a first round QB. Dan Lannning and Oregon have to do the same. Though they do have a more than serviceable replacement, it's why they are considered contenders in year one in the Big Ten. Expectations are the Ducks will fly high in 2024 ESPN Analytics gives Oregon a 38% chance to win the Big Ten. And that is the highest of any power for school in their respective conference. Now, yes, season star QB, Bo Nix, no longer in Eugene, but Oregon reloaded with transferred Dylan Gabriel.

At OU last season, Gabriel posted a total QBR of 89. That is the best of any returning FBS quarterback. And according to ESPN bet, Gabriel is the preseason favorite to win the Heisman. Oregon's lone Heisman winner was Marcus Marietta 2014. The Big Ten hasn't had a Heisman winner since Troy Smith. back in 2006. Pete earlier today caught up with Dan Lennon. Have you been in Dylan Gabriel's minivan?

I have not made it into the van. Second time I've gotten this question, actually. I've seen the van. I haven't made it in the van yet. Special invite only, I think. Yeah, well, you're not one of his receivers, certainly you're not fast enough to run with that duck crew. The reasoning he bought it was so you could be able to bring those guys around

and drive him to go throw. It has to say something about him and who he is and the impact he's made in a short time in Eugene. Yeah, I think one of the things that's impressed me the most about Dylan and his leadership style is his ability to connect. I think you realizes how important that is. Certainly it's one of the DNA traits of our program, but he does a great job of getting integrated with our guys

and spending some time with them. A lot of expectations coming into this season with a lot of change. What do you think the ceiling is for this team this year, yeah, you know, I don't know the ceiling yet because I haven't seen us perform yet. I'll say this, we have higher expectations for ourselves than anybody else. And if they're talking about you, that can be a good thing. it isn't if you don't perform. So we got to go out there and perform, see what kind of team we have and then play to the best of our ability. For your university, there was a duck in the river here.

Oregon has always made it a point to make a splash. What kind of opportunity lies for the school and the program in this new league? Yeah, I would just tell you when you think about Oregon, you think about mighty different. We're different in our process. We've always been innovative, whether it's going back to jerseys or facilities or having a big old duck in the pond out here. So I'm hoping We can carry that thing around away games this year. That might be a fun distraction for opponents. Remember, Oregon 12 and 2 last season, and they went undefeated against everybody not named Washington.

Sam, Lannning addressed expectations in that conversation. But for you, what is realistic in Eugene in year one of Big Ten play? Well, it's realistic for Oregon to not only compete for a Big Ten championship, but potentially win it or win or loss, go to the college football playoffs and possibly a championship game. This is one of the most talented rosters in all of college football. And it starts with quarterback, but it goes to coaching. Dan Lannning and Will Stein offensive coordinator.

We saw what they did last year with Bo Nixa quarterback. They have another veteran quarterback with experience talent-wide receiver, talent on the offensive and defensive lines. Oregon is a problem. I think where Oregon is really going to be a problem in the Big Ten is they have the lines ready on both sides of the ball. Their tackles on offense are arguably the best pair of tackles in all of college football. And I think their identity on this season comes quick in the run game. Obviously, Dylan Gabriel returns boatloads of yards.

But I love Jordan James. If you talk to the Oregon coaching staff, they'll tell you that the ducktailback who averaged more than seven yards per carry this year is poised to be a breakout player who could really end up as one of the most productive players in the entire country this season. And talking about returning on field talent, whether it's inbound or from the roster last year. There's also stability on the coaching staff. Both coordinators return, O.C. Will Stein gets to integrate now OU transferred Dylan Gabriel into this offense. Eric, you played O-Line. How do you grade Gabriel's fit into this offense? Hey, here's the deal.

Gabriel would fit anywhere that he went, okay? He's that good of a player. And when you look at what he did last year, I mean, his most productive year in college by fall. over 3,000 yards passing, the most touchdowns on the ground and through the air he's ever scored and as high as QBR rating there. So to me, man, it's a match made in heaven. You have a power team at the foundation there, the foundation that they have fundamentally. And now you add this guy that can absolutely light it up through the air, can pass as all get out extremely accurate, was as accurate as he's ever been last year as well. We fully expect him to take Oregon to the

promised land. That's what they want. That's why they brought him in. and the things he's going to be able to do will be very fast. And one of the benefits last year in Oregon's offense was the completion percentage. Everyone talked about Bonix and its completion percentage. People argued, well, he throws it, you know, not far down the field. Well, Dylan Gabriel is very accurate down the field as well. And so you have him at quarterback. Tess Johnson at receiver went over 1,000 yards last year, 10 touchdowns.

Now all of a sudden, you have, there's a continuation number one right now this year. And then not to mention Dante Moore. The five-star recruit, number one quarterback in his class, transfer from UCLA. Just turned 19 years old in May. And so even if he doesn't play this year, you have some continuation of success for the next several years to come. Sam, I think that was a great point that you just put out there about the deep ball accuracy. And it kind of goes back to, again, foundationally wanting to run the football. Oregon's going to slam that ball wherever they want.

That's going to cause those safeties to come down. And that's exactly where Dylan Gabriel's accuracy will light people up. And you can see on screen they also added UCLA transfer Dante Moore to back it up. All of this is why only Ohio State has shorter odds to win the Big Ten, according to ESPN bet, than does Oregon. Okay, so we've built up a big lead here on College Football Live. I think that means we can rest Pete Bammell for next week, plus he's got a flight to catch. Coming up, though, we pivot to Charlotte in ACC media days where Clemson looks to bounce back from four conference losses a year ago. CFB Live will be RB.

College Football Live is brought to you by. Inspire. No mask. No hose. Just sleep. Back here on CFB Live and back in Charlotte for ACC Media Days, where Clemson helps close things out. Two national titles under Dabo Sweeney, but just nine and four a year ago. Clemson failing to win 10 games for the first time since they went six and seven in 2010. They did finish very strong, though, last season, with wins in each of the last five. That does include their bowl game. analytics gives the Tigers a 27% chance to make the college football playoff.

That end of season win streak preserved Clemson's run of nine plus seasons to third. There's nine plus wins to 13 seasons. That's the second longest active FBS street behind only Alabama's 16. And Dabo's program does have continuity returning 68% of its production from last year. That's 32nd in FBS, a number that includes junior QB Kate Klubnick who had 19 touchdown passes last year. Here's Dabo today on his stability under center. It's a blessing, certainly when you've got your starting quarterback back for sure.

I mean, we've had great ones that have come in, you know, that, you know, it was their first year in our system and have done well. But it's always great when you're not starting over, you know, and you've got a guy that's, you know, grown, had some experience under his belt. And that's, I mean, Kate Klobnik's a great young. man, a great talent. He's he's just blossoming right before our eyes physically and mentally and also as a leader. So we're excited about, you know, year two with him as our starter. And also with Garrett, you know, so it'll be Cade's first time, you know, to have the same coach, same system, you know, so I think we all expect to see some great growth from that. Back here with Sam Acho and Eric McLean and Eric, you heard Dado say it. It's another year with the same

KUB, another year with the same QB OC tandem. You are a Clemson alumnus. You know that QB bar is high there. What are the keys to Club Nick making strides in year two? Well, the most important thing is it's year two. You know, we see so much growth from quarterbacks when they go in from their first season to their second and natural progression, things that you see, understanding the offense. All the by the while, he was learning a new offense last year as his first year as a starter. So those natural things that we'll see there. Accuracy is never a concern, but just knowing where to go over the football, having those hot reads, getting his checks, if he sees something, getting out of the bad play, and it doesn't help or it doesn't hurt

when you have a guy like Phil Moffa behind him and the healthy wide receivers that he'll have back. Remember last year, Clemson was ridiculed with injury at the wide receiver position. The things that they are trying to do now with those guys will certainly help them get back to where they want to be. And the great thing, about the quarterback position, at least Kate Klobnik, is that the problems are easy to fix. Nine interceptions, ten fumbles, five of them lost. But they happened at critical times, whether it's in the fourth quarter or at the goal line. That's when those fumbles happened.

And so if you're pressing, you're trying to do too much, all of a sudden, you can see issues start to come. Well, if you find ways to eliminate some of those, that pressure you may put on yourself, eliminate the noise, all of a sudden you see like a Jalen Monroe situation, struggled early last year, got benched, came back and dominated. So for me, I look at some of the issues, but some of the opportunity for growth, they are easy fixes as you mature. Yeah, I mentioned that five-game win streak to close this season.

The defense does get a good amount of credit for that. Eric, coming into 2024, where does this defense rank amongst the nation's best? Yeah, they're going to have the opportunity to be the best in the country. When you see who they return, that secondary is no joke. We've been here at Media Day all long talking to Coach Schwini, talking with Kate Klubnick, and these guys are electric. A bunch of freshmen last year. When you look at Khalil Barnes,

a guy that was just essential, you know, to the success and the things that they were able to do. Terrell at the corner position, Coval at the corner position, Mickens, they're loaded in the secondary. Then arguably the best linebacking corps in the entire country. You got Barrett Carter, who's an all-American. You look at Wade Wood as a guy that is an absolute thumper

that is thriving in the role that he has now. And then just a little five-star freshman that, you know, going to try to make his way on the field and Sammy Brown. So when I add all that up, I see the talent that the defensive line has that they're known to have, right, forever. I mean, historically, first rounder after first rounder that Clemson produces, they're going to get back to their ways of old on defense, putting together now two years in a row where they are absolutely elite. And as much as Clemson struggled last year, they still had a top 10 defense. Their defense ranked number eight in points given up or in yards given up. And so they were turning to your point,

their defensive leader, their star linebacker, Barrett Carter, guy who could have gone to the NFL last year, but he wanted to come back and play even better. All of a sudden, you talk about those four young who were freshmen last year, who all had interceptions, all returning in the defensive backfield. And so you think about the returning talent. You think about the consistency in coordinators. For me, Clemson has a test early against Georgia,

but after that, there's major opportunity. Yes, Florida State is on the schedule, but if they win that early game, it could be another multiple double-digit win season and a playoff appearance. for Clemson. Hey, Sam, speaking of Florida State, the ACC co-favorits alongside Clemson, Mike Norvel and the boys were at media days at kickoff Monday.

Wednesday, the Knowles were back on the practice field coming off a perceived CFP snub, Oregon State transfer in former Clemson QB, DGU Aga-L-L-A takes over under center for Jordan Travis. Week Zero kicks off with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic from Dublin, Ireland. College Game Day will be there, of course, kicking off at 9 a.m. Eastern before Florida State and Georgia Tech. kickoff the season. All that, of course, on the ESPN app and ESPN.

Now, Washington last year went all the way to the national championship game, but as they joined the Big Ten, the Huskies got to replace a head coach and two top ten draft picks. We discussed the conference sleepers potentially from Seattle. That's next. College Football Live is brought to you by Inspire. No mask, no hose, just sleep. Back here in college football live as Jed Fish arrives in Seattle, turned around Arizona in his three seasons there, 10 and three last year.

Now he inherits the reigning Pack 12 chance. Yeah, the biggest challenge, obviously, is no returning starters on offense and one returning starter on defense. So there's such new niche. And then bringing in starters from other programs and then asking guys to step up and become a starter. Certainly quarterback play is. all brand new. So we're going to have to figure out exactly how we're going to score points,

how we're going to move the ball, how we're going to stop guys. So it's a different type of year one. The good part is I brought my whole staff. So my coaching staff is with us, and that's really enabled us to hit the ground running. Yeah, the staff stays together, but it is still new in Seattle plus a new QB off a national championship game birth. This is a rude welcome to the Big Ten. This schedule is brutal. Just look at the last four. USC at Penn State for the Whiteout. game, UCLA and then at Otson to close things out. Well, like Washington, UNC also needs to replace a quarterback that was drafted in the first round, but Mac Brown sees silver lining there saying, quote, I think we have a better chance to have a better team without as much hype

at quarterback. We'll run the ball better. We'll play better defense. We'll play complimentary football better. With Sam Howell and Drake May, you're trying to win the Heisman. You're throwing it every time. Erica, ever optimist Mac Brown. You buy that? By it. They like being under the radar. Go ahead, Sam. No, no, I thought he said. I didn't hear his Navy said.

Lost one shirt I'm buying it. Amari on Hifton is a dog, 1,500 rushing yards last year, 15 touchdowns. But Emack, what do you say? I think it's one of those things where UNC is very comfortable being under the radar right now. There's been so much expectation. Amarian Hampton is that dude.

He's going to get the ride. Bye, everybody.