College Football Live - The Best of the Best

Episode Date: August 15, 2024

CFB Live Host Matt Schick is joined by Sam Acho and Harry Lyles Jr to discuss Will Howard as the new starting QB for Ohio St and Tyler Van Dyke for Wisconsin. The crew also looks at the Top 100 CFB Players on espn.com and tells us who they would have on their CFB Fantasy draft board. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you're flying Emirates business class, sampling our range of vintage wines. From the largest selection in the skies, you'll see that your vacation isn't really over until your flight is over. Fly Emirates, fly better. Welcome into college football live, a show that was so captivating yesterday. They're running it back with us three. Matt Schick alongside Sam Macho and Harry Liles Jr. We know this time of year that quarterback battles can keep coaches awake at night. A couple of Big Ten programs put those competitions to bed, namely Ohio State.

In news that was no surprise to truly anyone, Will Howard named the starting quarterback in Columbus today. It's the earliest in fall camp Ryan Day has ever named his starting quarterback. Will Howard, also the most experienced quarterback he's had. 28 career starts passing for nearly 5,800 yards during his time at Kansas State while leading them to a conference title in 2022. to both Chip Kelly, the offensive coordinator, head coach Ryan Day. Today, a fusive in the praise saying he's really taken over the team, commanded a lot of respect. Sam, Acho, we'll start with you. What does Will Howard do for this offense?

Well, he brings this offense stability. You talked about how this is the earliest Ryan Day is named a starter. Well, last time around last year, they were trying to figure out their starter for the first three weeks. You have some stability when it comes to your quarterback, and not only a guy who can do it with his arms, 24 passing touchdowns, but also nine runs. rushing touchdowns last year. Will Howard is a large-bodied human being. So he's physical. He can take hits and also can rush the ball.

And Ryan Day even said they like what he has done physically to his body to be more of a dual-threat quarterback, which I don't know is necessarily going to be something that he has to do this year. Because, again, he's going into a situation for at least transfer quarterbacks that might be the best in the country, right? Like we're talking about on paper arguably the best roster in all of college football chip. Kelly's going to be his offensive coordinator. and he's playing with an Ohio State defense that has finally been fixed because it was better last year and even 2022. It was a tough look for them. But this is a team.

He has absolutely set up for success. He has been a leader. He led the Kansas State Wildcats to a big 12 title in 2022. So this is exactly the type of situation that's not just going to be good for him, but for Ohio State as well. And certainly raise some eyebrows when Will Howard committed to Ohio State because they had just decided, you know what, Kamakord, not good enough to where we want to go. even considering they're really a play or two away from potentially beating Michigan, winning that big 10.

So, Harry, back to you. Is this a definitive upgrade over what they had last year? You know, I think it is an upgrade, but I do think people, oddly enough, were a little bit tough on Kyle McCord. I think it's easy to forget. The standard there seemed so high for a minute at Ohio State. You saw Duane Haskins, who was obviously picked very high. We watched Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud.

just make everything look incredibly simple playing against these great Big Ten defenses. So I think Kyle McCorber is a little bit of a victim of that success last year because he still put up good numbers. I mean, if we had those numbers for many other quarterbacks, you'd look at that and say that's a good season. So I think he will be an upgrade, but I don't think it is something that was entirely necessary or dire for this Ohio State team. Harry, I think that Will Howard is absolutely an upgrade. Yes, the standard is high, but as coaches used to say, played, the standard is the standard. You do not go below that standard. And that's what happened last year with Kyle McCorn, Devin Brown, who's going to be our quarterback? Call McCord wasn't playing

up to par. Will Howard, I believe he will be. I know last year people say was a down year for Will Howard. Well, he was one of only eight quarterbacks who had at least 24 passing touchdowns and at least eight or excuse me nine rushing touchdowns. And so I think it's going to be an upgrade. He's a leader. He has a lot of starts under his belt and he's taking control and commanded this offense early and often. He is definitely an upgrade in the quarterback run game. You're going to see that quarterback read option game. That zone read Chip Kelly likes to run. He has a few 70-yard runs during his time at Kansas State clocked at 22 miles an hour in the summer. 11 games with multiple touchdowns responsible for last season tied with Dylan Gabriel for the most in the

Big 12. It was tied for the fifth most in all of the FBS. He's not the only transfer quarterback to be named a Big Ten starter this week. Taylor Van Dyke will take the first snap for Wisconsin in their season opener. The transfer from Miami beat out Braden Locke for the job. Van Dyke brings plenty of experience of his own, 54 touchdowns and nearly 7,500 passing yards over three years with the Cains. O.C. Phil Longo says last season at Miami should not be an indicator of what Tyler Van Dyke can do in Madison. I mean, he comes into the first year and he's the ACC rookie of the year. And he had a good second season.

I mean, what people don't know is he played extremely hurt. the third year. He also was on the third year of a new offense and a new coordinator. I don't know if that approach that they took the third year was conducive to Tyler, but it's not my judge, my decision at the time when he's at Miami, and I don't want to judge the OCs that are there. But I just think we have to be careful and make sure that we try to do the things that feature what he does well. Wisconsin went seven and six last season. Miami went seven and six last season. Sam, Why is Tyler Van Dyke the answer for Wisconsin?

Well, because he's a good fit for what Phil Longo does well. Phil Longo at North Carolina for four years, 2019 and 2022, had them as the number one passing offense in the ACC, top five in the nation. Well, Tyler Van Dyke is more of a passing quarterback, not this dual threat like we talk with other quarterbacks. And so when you have an offense in Wisconsin, which used to be run heavy, all those big backs, right, guys like Braylon Allen. Well, well, fast forward, you're switching to more of a passing offense. second year in the system. I think that if Tyler Van Dyck can ease up on the turnover issues he's had in the past,

it would be a huge upgrade for this offense. Yeah, Sam, I think he's absolutely set up for success with this team. You know, actually was the sideline reporter for his first start in Miami in 2021 when Manny Diaz was still the coach and right Lashley was the offensive coordinator. We're living in very different times now. But he is the type of quarterback. Obviously, we saw why he was the ACC rookie of the year in 2021. because all of the attributes are there for him to be successful.

And Phil Luongo talked about it right there, about how hurt he was and everything that goes along with that. The thing that I am a little bit most interested in is how much of a leash that he is going to have. Obviously, the first two games on that schedule are very doable for them, but they obviously welcome number five, Alabama, to Madison in week three. And Longo talked about, and he mentioned that Luke Fickle also talked in this as well, is that this is more of a 1A, 1B situation as they opposed to 1 and 2. two situations. So if he does struggle early, I am interested to see how much leash they're willing to give him to continue to grow into what they're trying to build around

him. It's weird for an upperclassman to try and get back to his freshman form. That's what we're trying to do with Tyler Van Dyck. One of many transfer quarterbacks set to make an impact with new programs this season. Bill and Gabriel, Heisman favored and Eugene. Former Ohio State quarterback, Comacor joining first year head coach Fran Brown

in Syracuse. Plenty of quarterbacks to choose from which ones will we pick. create our own college football dream team, our highly intense, highly combative fantasy football draft next. The fantasy football marathon begins on Monday. And a reminder, ESPN fantasy football, the number one fantasy game with the season right around the corner, sign up now and get your league started at ESPN.com slash fantasy football.

Speaking of which, let's do the college version right here, right now. Sam versus Harry versus me. We're going to draft a quarterback, a running back, a wide receiver, a defense, and yes, this is college. So we are drafting a kicker as well. Now, this should be very fascinating because we submitted our picks last night and then found out the draft order this morning. So don't hold these picks against us unless I win. All right, Sam, who is your quarterback? Who you got?

Oh, I got Dylan Gabriel. This was easy. Y'all should not have given me the first pick. You're giving me a quarterback who not only is experienced, but he's going to an offense that have the number. Number one passing offense in all of college football. Remember Bo Nix last year, the first round pick, Deverebroncos. Yes, his career had a resurgence. So now you're giving me Dylan Gabriel with an offense that average over 346 passing yards.

And number two in scoring offense. Easy money for me. Yeah, I hate how easy that was for you, Sam. I'm going with another dynamic quarterback in Cam Ward. Obviously, it was great at Washington State last year. Goes into a situation in Miami where he might be the best quarterback that they've had since Ken Dorsey, an incredibly talented team around him. I'm excited to see how much more dynamic he looks in this offense.

I know I have a degree from Colorado. I also know they're going to be in some games where they have to throw to get back in at 3,200 yards, 27 touchdowns, just three picks last season for Chadour Sanders. I am hoping and praying he's more upright this season than he was last, but give me the dynamic playmaking ability of Chudor Sanders. Remember, guys, this is about stats. This isn't about wins. So whether or not they make a bowl game, no skin off my breath.

back. I'm looking for stats. All right. This is a snake draft. Okay. So running back, I'm next up with the last pick in the first round, first pick in the second round. I'm going off the grid here. I'm going group of five. I'm going Boise State and Ashton Genty. 1400 yards, nearly 600 receiving yards last year. Awesome if we're in a PPR league. 19 total touchdowns. He missed two games last year. You put him against a Mountain West schedule. Love this guy. Give me Gentie at the R. B. Slot, Harry, who you got? Matt, I love how giving you are because I am going to take the best running back in all of college football. The man we're going to see in New York in December.

Ollie Gordon from Oklahoma State over 1,600 rushing yards last year, 21 touchdowns. He is only going to get better behind this experienced Oklahoma State offense this year. Absolutely give me Ollie Gordon a second. Man, I'm going to be Dan Lennie. He said, y'all do this for clicks. I do this for wins. Give me Quentin Cooley running back out. of Liberty.

Ollie Gordon's going to be stopped. Why everyone's ready for him? Quentin Cooley, 5, 7 with the soul of a 6th. This dude had 1,400 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns, both top 7 in all of college football rushing touchdowns. Oh, by the way, this dude's got one of the best stories in all

of college football. Second year of Liberty, give me Quentin Cooley. All right, just looked at my phone. Amarian Hampton from UNC has just called, had to ignore the call. He's very upset to what just transpired. All right, wide receivers, Sam, we're going back to you. wide out.

Ricky White the third. Easy money. U.N.LV. Why? There's only two other receivers who had more receiving yards in him last year. Roma Dunzee and Malique neighbors. They're both in the NFL. This dude had 1,400 receiving yards, number one. Number two, oh, by the way, his wide receiver coach Brennan,

Coach Xavier Worthy, coach Jordan Addison, worthy first round pick, Addison. He won the Balinikoff. I'm going back to the Big 12. I'm going with Ted Toro and McMillan, T-Mack, out of Arizona. Any athlete who's nicknamed is T-MAC obviously does incredibly well in their career. He

doubled his yardage from his freshman season. His quarterback is going to be back this year. And going up against these big 12 defenses this year, he's going to have a monster season. I can't believe this guy fell to me. What are you guys doing? I need you guys in all of my draft rooms. Luther Burden,

six 100-yard games last season, a threat to score every time he touches the football. Give me the All-American Wide Out for Missouri. and give me a fantasy football championship. All right, we're midway through. Time now for the defense. I am up yet again.

I don't know where else to turn, except to a team that won 10 games last season despite being unable to cross midfield on a consistent basis. Give me the Iowa Hawkeyes. How about this? Sebastian Castro, Jay Higgins, Hawkeyes Swarm Defense, going to cause a lot of problems for Big Ten.

quarterbacks, whether it's Norm Parker running the D or Phil Parker running the D. They have stood the test of time. Six in the FBS, first in the FBS over the last six years in yards per play aloud, Harry, top that. Matt, I'm going to stay in the Big Ten at least here and go with the Michigan Wolverines. We've got multiple All-American candidates at every level of this defense, Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant on the line of scrimmage, Ernest Housen was a great addition for them as well. And then, of course, they've got one of the nation's top cornerbacks in Will Johnson. give me the Michigan defense.

Man, y'all are tripping. Y'all are tripping. Y'allelts'all. Give me the Ohio State University. Tide for first last year in defense, number one. Number two, that man, Lathen Ransom, coming back for more. This defense is going to be leaked. J.T. Tuwey Malow out. Jack Sawyer, number 33, number 34.

No, by the way, they got Caleb Downs. He led Alabama in tackles last year as a freshman. Oh, man, y'all are tripping, tripping. Defense all the way. Did not see any Ohio State Michigan highlights there in that B-roll. All right, Sam, we are taking kickers now, Sam. Who's your kicker? Let's go.

His name is Bert Auburn, but some call him Bert Orange because he went to Texas. 29 field goals made. He goes to Texas. Highest in all of college football. Now, here's a deal about Texas. High-powered offense under Steve Sarkeesian, but their red zone efficiency isn't great. 88th in college football. Not good for Texas, real good for my fantasy team.

That means you're going to get in the red zone and get it. give my kicker chances to kick field goals. Give me Bert Orange, aka Auburn. That's cute, Sam. I am picking the guy who is actually the one kicker that a team went to go into the portal to get. I am going with Graham Nicholson, who was the first player in Mack history to win the Lou Groza Award, which is why Alabama went and got him.

84 and a half field goal percentage last year, that is the best pick. Props to our crew for getting B-roll and video of these kickers. Give me a guy named Dragon. All right, it's Dragon Kessich, okay? but he's the Big 10 kicker of the year. Game winner in the season opener last year. Minnesota is not going to be the most prolific offense. If quarterback Max Rosmer crosses the 50, they're in field goal range.

Three field goals of 50 plus last year. I'm going to get them in field goal range of plenty. All right, here's what we got. Oh, look at those three beautiful men. I don't see a ton of SEC players on this. You can build a good roster without SEC players. Gabriel, Cooley, White, Ohio State, and Bert Orange. Ward, Gordon, McMillan, Michigan.

You see the picks there, and, of course, the winning roster here. Harry, any regrets, any thoughts? Any stones you want to throw? I think we played it perfectly. I wanted to stay away from the SEC because those defenses are tough, baby. I'm trying to get yards. I'm trying to get touchdowns. I do have one quick comment, though.

We know we prepare for these shows. We said I probably prepared more for this fantasy draft that I did for all my other stuff. I'm trying to win the league. I don't know if we got on it, but I'm going for the W. That is fantastic. That is the way to do it. And I'm not sure the W is coming your way. We'll see.

A few guys from our teams made the top 100 college football players list. You may be surprised by how low some of the players are ranked. Little underrated, overrated. We'll get to that next here on College Football Live. Welcome back to College Football Live, ESPN.com, with its preseason rankings of the top 100 players in college football today. four of the first five are defensive players, eight of the top 10, 22 of the top 30 are from the Big Ten or SEC. It was a panel of experts on ESPN.com.

They considered players past contributions on the field, anticipated roles for 2024, their recruiting pedigrees, their draft stocks, trying to formulate a reasonable expectation, which I'm sure everyone will be in agreement with. Matt Schick, Sam, Acho, Harry, Lyle's Jr. Harry, let's start with a player that might be a little overestimated for a preseason list. Who do you go? Okay, guys, don't laugh at me because I know I was gassing them up yesterday, and I still believe that Miller Moss is going to have a good season. However, you mentioned we're talking about past performances and also projecting into the future.

I don't know how you could put Miller Moss on this list and then leave out guys like a Seth Henigan from Memphis, a Grayson McCall at North Carolina State, a Haynes King, Georgia Tech. So for me, again, this is less about Miller Moss. I think he's going to have a great year. He's especially in that Lincoln, Lincoln Riley offense, but I don't know how you could put him at 91 and then leave those other guys off this list. Well, I love that comment. It's almost like in the financial world. People say that past performance is not a guarantee of future success. So I get it. Miller Moss was awesome. But who I think is a little overrated, just a little bit is Carson Beck. All right? I'm not, okay, great stats. I get it. There's so much talent. So, oh, hold on tell you. Hear me out. So much. talent around to him. Brock Bowers, top pick in the NFL. Ladd-McConkey, first pick in the second

round. There's so much talent. He outperformed. Now, I'm not saying he should be number 15, 20. I mean, he's a seven, moving back to nine a little bit. Give me two years in a row of sustained success without some of those weapons that are now in the NFL. He was 78th in the FBS in yards per attempt at a 125 qualified quarterbacks. Nothing real flashy. He just gets the job done and likely going to be a top 10 pick going into the next season in the NFL. All right, underrated player. Let's give some love here. Let's stop offending people and start exciting them, Sam. Who is it? Yes. Well, it's Quinn Ewers. How would you have Quinn Ewers at number 23? It ain't 20, it ain't 22 dudes better than Quinn Ewers in college football. But why do I say that? He missed two games last

season, yet through for over 3,100 yards, right? 22 touchdowns. And that's after missing time. Quinn Ewers could also be a topic in the NFL, but now he has another year, third year with Steve Sarkesian, another level and layer to his offense. He even improved his off-target percentage last year down to less than 10%. And so it ain't 22 dudes better than quid. I'm telling you, move him up. Sam, you know, as much as I want to accuse you of your burnt orange showing, man, I can't even do it, man, brother.

I agree with you. I am going to go on the defensive side of the football, and I'm going to go with Mike Kell Williams. We're talking about a guy who has floated all over this Georgia defense over the last two years, and all he did was basically build up a resume to. possibly be the number one pick after this year. And I think because he's going to be moved into that outside linebacker position this year and play primarily from there, it is really going to allow his pass-trusting skills to

pop and put him in a position where he might actually be the number one overall pick. Who else, Sam? Here's my thing. I'm going to go Preston-Sone. Now, why do I say that? If I told you all that somebody had 17 touchdowns and one interception in their last seven games, you might say, hmm, that sounds like Jordan Love. Well, no, it wasn't Jordan Love.

It's Preston Stone at SMU. He was ranked at 87. What are we talking about? So Preston Stone, those last seven games, the stats you heard about? By the way, they won each and every one of those games. This dude is a baller. Moving to the ACC, it's going to put up even better numbers. Preston Stone underrated.

Move them in the 50s, 40s maybe. And they got snubbed in the New Year's 6 last year. Let's not forget about that as well. All right, there is, in this day and age of college football this year specifically, some really interesting numbers going into the 2024 season. We just have two of the top ten of last year's Heisman Ballad, Heisman rankings returning this year. Just four of the 25 players who were consensus. All-Americans last year are back this year.

So there's not a ton of stardom. Sam, who is the face of college football in 2024? Jalen Milro. What do you say he said, let a naysay or no. Let a nay say or no that Jalen Milrow is back and better than ever. I got a chance to run into him

at the SEC Media Day. This dude was shining. I mean, beaming. It was crazy. He went through it all last year, got benched early in the season and came back on a tear. Jalen Milro with Alabama

offensive coordinator and head coach, really, Kailin DeBoer, it's going to go to even newer heights. He was one of the best deep ball throwers in all the college football last year. That's Kayland DeBore specialty. Did it with Michael Pennis. It's going to do it now with Jalen Milrow.

You know, I'm going to go with one of Matt's draft picks. I'm actually going to go with Chador Sanders because, look, he is going to be all over the football field. I mean, hopefully he's not going to have to be so much running around trying to avoid sacks. But look, one of the best throwers in all of college football, we talk about another guy that could go in the top five in the NFL draft. Whether or not they're winning a lot of football games or not is really not going to matter because the flash on the field and the flash off the field or even throwing up some watches. Just an Apple watch over here for me. but he is going to be a guy that is going to be on our televisions every Saturday during the week on this show because he is that dude. Sounds like the kind of dude that could.

The flash has to be sustained. It sounds like the kind of dude that could really make a good pick in a college football fantasy draft. Thank you very much. Dylan Gabriel, by the way, your pick, Sam, could become the NCAA's all-time leading passer this season because of that COVID-exture year. A lot to be excited about, a lot of good faces in this sport. See you next week.