Locked On ACC - Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast - Cam Ward headlines the top quarterbacks in the ACC but others are exceeding expectations!

Starting point is 00:00:00 The ACC has long been known as the conference of quarterbacks. Has the quarterback play actually exceeded expectations this year? You are Locked on ACC, your daily podcast on the Atlantic Coast Conference. Part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. Shout out to the everydayers and thank you so much for making Lockdown ACC your first listen and your first watch today. We're available free wherever you get your podcast. We're free on YouTube.

Starting point is 00:00:34 We're part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. Today's episode is brought to you by Fanduel. Place your first $5 bet, and you'll get started with $200 in bonus bets guaranteed. Visit Fanduel.com to get started. He is Kenton Gibbs from Lockdown Wolfpack. I am Alex Dono from Lockdown Cains. We're talking ACC quarterbacks on this episode, best and worst quarterback situations in the conference,

Starting point is 00:01:00 and whether for all 17 football teams, if their quarterback play has met expectations exceeded or in certain cases fallen way below of expectations in this one. And so Kenton, I was looking this up today, which is encouraging for the ACC, they're living up to that conference of quarterback's moniker. So top 10 passers in FBS football in terms of passing yards, the ACC's got three in the top 10. The SEC's only got two.

Starting point is 00:01:28 The big 10 only has two. The big 12 has two. a couple of group of five quarterbacks that snuck in there. So with Cam Ward at the top of the list, Tyler Shuck at number 10, and I don't want to forget Kyle McCord, who's been lighting it up at number seven. The ACC has three of the top 10 passers in the entire FBS right now.

Starting point is 00:01:50 Yeah, this is, I mean, ultimately, how strange is the ACC in that we all said this year, oh man, these quarterbacks are such wild cards. They're unknowns. Which Cam Ward are we going to see? Hey, Kyle McCourt, the guy who I was down on openly, I openly admit I watched him play. He's changed my opinion.

Starting point is 00:02:10 He's been a guy who's shown up and shown out. We knew Shuck could do it if healthy, and they've kept him healthy. They kept them healthy at a very high degree out there in the bill. And so you're looking around and saying, the quarterback situation for a lot of these teams is very possible, but even if you look at some of the teams where their quarterbacks weren't just like this guy's played up,

Starting point is 00:02:31 It's been quarterback changes. SMU's quarterback. Kevin Jennings is one of, I want to say that the conference's top 40 or so rushers, and yet he's a guy that didn't even start the season as the guy. He didn't go down to ACC Media Days as the guy. So I think it's very interesting to see how a lot of these different quarterback situations have developed, like you talked about earlier with C.J. Bailey and all that with injury. There's been plenty of, you know, shuffling and moving and grooving in terms of quarterback

Starting point is 00:03:01 rooms. But today, we're going to break down each and every one of them and how they've looked well, let's start with the team that's at the top of the ACC standings right now with a 5 and O conference record. And it's the Clemson Tigers. Now, Kenton, you and I have both said our Maya Copa's about Codbnic. And we, you know, we thought we were proven right in that opening game against Georgia where the entire Clemson offense club Nick included just didn't do anything. Since then, Clubnik has been excellent. I love his touchdown to interception ratio, which is something that really stands out.

Starting point is 00:03:38 20 touchdown passes, which is second in the ACC, to just three interceptions. He's up to 1836 yards on the season, 66.7 percent completions. And, you know, he's not only, you know, because we were kind of wondering, like if Clemson was really going to succeed this year, would Clubnick be like a really good game? manager. He's actually been one of the reasons why they've been winning football games since

Starting point is 00:04:04 dropping their opening out of conference game. I want people to think about this because I was one of the guys who I would wholeheartedly admit, hey, I was out. I didn't believe I gave a one K very early. He is the only quarterback in the conference, only one in the conference, including Cam Boar, to have over 20 touchdowns and a six to one or better touchdown to interception. ratio. He's the only one. Him and Cammer are the only two that have 20 or more touchdowns, but Cam Ward has a slightly higher reception

Starting point is 00:04:37 rate. I can admit, I was wrong here. Hey, hey, don't let this black turtleneck fool you. I am not Morpheus. I do not know all. I'm just a guy. And this guy was just damn wrong about Katie Clubnick,

Starting point is 00:04:53 because he has shown up and shown out. That Georgia game was I'll say this. How many times, Donald, have we seen a team get decimated like that? And then all of a sudden, the entire program falls apart. Oh, yeah, a lot. This Clemson team appears to be cut from a different cloth because they were dominated in a way nationally in front of the world stage

Starting point is 00:05:14 and everybody's putting a fork in them. They're done. It's over. They are so done. No portal, no chance. And they rally together. And they say, hey, we don't need more than what's in this room. these guys that are in this room were enough to turn around and make whatever we need to happen happen. They played fantastic ball since then, particularly at this quarterback position.

Starting point is 00:05:34 Kay Klebnik has shown out due on the start of this conference. Yeah, so the quarterback situation at Clemson with Kate Klobnik has exceeded our expectations. The same can be said for Cam Ward at Miami. Now, I know that, you know, I know some people might say, well, he was preseason player of the year and quarterback of the year. What he's been doing out there is nothing short of magical. He leads the entire nation with his 2,538 passing yards, 24 touchdown passes already to five interceptions. It's not quite the Kade-Clubnik ratio, but it's very close to that. That's what one touchdown under a 6 to 1 ratio.

Starting point is 00:06:15 And he's completing 68.7% of his passes so far. He's already had to do some razzle-dazzle, you know, in games where either he started out poorly or Miami's defense really didn't show up. He's had to lead a couple of massive fourth quarter comebacks already this year. But, yeah, even though the expectations were high for Cam Ward, he has still exceeded those. Absolutely, like you talked about,

Starting point is 00:06:38 a damn near 5 to 1 interception, a touchdown interception ratio. And not only that, like you talked about, he uses his legs strategically and perfectly. It's never a moment where I'm like, oh, he don't know what the hell going on. He's just pulling it down and running. He runs when he runs when he.

Starting point is 00:06:55 He has to in big, big moments. And even beyond that, quick question, Donno, where was he in terms of Heisman odds to start the season off? What was he? Fifth, six, seven, somewhere down there. I think he was just around the top 10, like 10th, 12th, something like that. So, yeah, he's climbed. Even worse than that.

Starting point is 00:07:13 He's climbed way up. Yeah. So the expectation nationally was that he was going to be about somewhere 10 to 12. Where is he now in those odds, Donald, just out of curiosity? Number one. Number one. his jersey number. To hell with anybody who's going to lie on that man and say he has not exceeded expectations.

Starting point is 00:07:30 Take off your burgundy and gold glasses. The man is a baller. He's a stud. He's been everything that everybody thought it was going to be plus some. He's phenomenal. He's exceeded expectations. By the way, you notice as we're doing these quarterback situations in order of the ACC standings, not a coincidence that the teams that are near the top have the best quarterback

Starting point is 00:07:53 situations in the conference because I would also say very, very good, exceeded expectations for number 22 SMU, who's third place right now in the ACC, especially since as you, as you mentioned, there's been a couple of quarterback situations out there, SMU included, where it wasn't the guy who was supposed to be their starting quarterback. It was supposed to be Preston Stone. He did start the first couple of games. You know, they benched him after the BYU game. He still gets some work in here and there.

Starting point is 00:08:22 but Kevin Jennings has been the guy, and he has grabbed that opportunity. And, you know, Jennings so far this year, like he's not near the top of the quarterback and passing. A lot of that has to do with his dual threat capabilities and the fact that he didn't start the first couple of games, but 1,336 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns on the season, and he is one of the big reasons why SMU is right near the top of the standings in the ACC. Not only is he all of those things. But I want to tell people something right now, technically speaking, and I know this is going to hurt some feelings, technically speaking, he has met expectations.

Starting point is 00:09:02 He has exceeded expectations for who he is. He has exceeded expectations for, you know, what we expected of, hey, if this team has to bitch Preston stone for any reason, we're expecting there to be a drop off. He's exceeded in that room. But coming into the season, Donna, were you concerned about Preston? or that quarterback room for SMU? No. I wasn't. Not at all.

Starting point is 00:09:27 I wasn't at all. I thought, hey, he's going to be a really good quarterback in this league. And I, again, I just worry if he can stay upright. To me, the groups that have exceeded expectations for SMU, that defense. I have not seen a defense that just, they're not the biggest guys. But when it comes to stopping the run, they come in droves. They commit bodies to that thing in a way that I'm like, well, damn, somebody need to be able to hit him with a play action,

Starting point is 00:09:53 but they're so disciplined, even in their run fits, that it's tough to get that. Offensive line-wise, they've been much better than expected as well. So Kevin Jennings has exceeded expectations for who he is. But if we're looking at the overarching theme

Starting point is 00:10:08 of coming into the season, what do we expect from SMU's quarterback room to now? I think he's met expectation. I think he's met explanation. But that's a great credit to Kevin. That's a great credit to him. So I don't want anybody hearing it, because y'all know I love me to send some U.

Starting point is 00:10:21 Don't ban me now. Y'all know, I need to take a trip to Dallas. I need to take a trip down there to go to one of those days. But he's met expectations for what we believe their quarterback situation will be coming into the season. That's an interesting take. And I have an interesting take on Virginia Tech who we're going to get to in a little bit. Next on the list, the Pitt Panthers, Duke Blue Devils, Syracuse Orange, Virginia Tech Hokies, Georgia Tech also in that mix as well. You want to keep it locked right here, my friends.

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Starting point is 00:11:38 professional on LinkedIn. Two and a half million small businesses use LinkedIn for hiring, by the way. So post your job for free at LinkedIn.com slash locked on college. That's LinkedIn.com slash Lockdown College to post your job for free terms and conditions apply. Thank you so much for making this episode of LockdowneACC, your first listen and your first watch today for your next listen. Make sure you check out our other shows. Kenton also hosts Lockdown Wolfpack. He and Grayson do an awesome job breaking down everything NC State. Got a lot of excitement there with C.J. Bailey stepping up.

Starting point is 00:12:16 I host Locked on Cains where, of course, the Cam Ward excitement has been going on all season long. We'll see if that continues against the Florida State Seminoles this week. And spoiler alert, the Florida State quarterback situation has not been so good. We'll get to that one in a little bit. Another one where definitely has exceeded expectations, Kenton, their entire team has exceeded are the 19th rank pit panthers. And again, I know that he's come back down to Earth a little bit with his numbers, but he's still winning games.

Starting point is 00:12:47 Eli Holstein, who is not supposed to be their starting quarterback preseason, grab that job right before the season started, and he's been what, four times, five times ACC rookie of the week? I mean, that quarterback, I don't know what the expectation was preseason, but it wasn't this high. It couldn't have been this high. And another fun fact about Eli Holstein and this team and what he's done, he's one of the leading pastors in the ACC as well. In terms of his passer rating, he is, I want to say, a top five or six guy.

Starting point is 00:13:19 and he's exactly number six, with slightly behind Tyler's show. So this is a young man that when we looked at the quarterback position overall, did you expect much from Nate Yarnel? No. Oh, okay. So when you tell me, oh, he's unseated for this guy who has not played a snap of relevant football in college,

Starting point is 00:13:42 I'm not like, I'll tell you what, that young man is supposed to go on and win multiple awards. I said, boy, I don't know if I do this. who's he survives this year. This is going to be rough. This is going to be a really tough year for them. And lo and behold, all Eli Holstein has come out and do has been Captain Cool in the clutch.

Starting point is 00:14:00 He has shown up and shown out when this team needed them. Anybody who wouldn't say that he exceeded expectations, I want to know what the hell were your expectations for that quarterback room coming into the year. It got to be Nate Yarnel's parents got to be the only people who thought more of this quarterback room before the season. That's it.

Starting point is 00:14:19 Okay, so now we move on to the Duke Blue Devils. And I'm going to say Malik Murphy. I'm going to say he hasn't, my opinion, has not exceeded or fallen short. I just think he's met expectations, Kenton. Now, I would say Duke as a team has obviously exceeded the expectations with their six and one start. But most of that has been the defense. And listen, Malik Murphy has been fine. It's kind of what I expected him to be watching him a little bit at Texas last year.

Starting point is 00:14:47 But I'm not going to say he has exceeded or fallen short. short. Here's the thing, right? Malik Murphy and your projection of whether or not they've exceeded falling short met the expectation is about what you thought about him coming in. I'm going to tell you, I didn't think much. I think he's exceeded my expectation. If we're talking to national expectation, I'd say maybe, maybe he's at it. I'd say he's just about met for everybody. He's been good enough. There are three categories of quarterbacks, Quarterbacks that you win because of, those are your Cam Awards of the world where it's like he can, you give him chicken scratch, he's going to make you a chicken sandwich somehow. Then you have the quarterbacks that you win with where it's like, we don't need you to be great.

Starting point is 00:15:29 We don't need you to be terrible. Just don't be in the way, which I think Malik Murphy is. And then you've got your quarterbacks you've got to win in spite of where you're just begging them, please don't blow this game for it. Please, you've got the talent around. You just don't blow it. And Malik has not been in that category. So I'll say he's met expectations in my opinion. So we get next to the Syracuse Orange, who were two and one in ACC play so far.

Starting point is 00:15:54 Kyle McCord transferred from Ohio State. And a lot of people, myself included, I think you included, felt like he was really holding the Buckeyes back last year. And maybe he was. But he has been a different quarterback this year, Kenton. And he's like in yards per game. He's just a few yards behind Camp Ward per game so far. is a passer. He's thrown for 2,160 yards so far this season,

Starting point is 00:16:19 19 touchdowns, six interceptions. He's seventh nationally in passing yards. I'm maybe we agree. You let me know. I think we agree. Kyle McCord and Syracuse's quarterback situation has exceeded the expectations this year. Hey, listen.

Starting point is 00:16:36 See, Donald just likes torturing me. And that's the problem here because he said, maybe we agree. I don't say I was wrong about the man a thousand times on me. I'll say the thousand. I'll say it 1,000, if Donald wants to hear it. People might be watching this or listening to this for the first time. If they haven't heard our last episodes, I just want you say it again.

Starting point is 00:16:54 You know, see, this is like the Osley brothers. Say it again, girl. Say it one more time. He doesn't want to hear it one more time. So I'm saying one more time. Kyle McCourt has exceeded my expectations by a lot. He has shown up for that Syracuse team in a massive way. And I think the biggest thing that I've seen out of McCord where I'm like, hey, you got to give him his props is,

Starting point is 00:17:14 watching him in the Big Ten, he would have these McCord moments. He would have those moments where he would be the quarterback you had to win in spite of. He has taken those away to a major degree. I'm not saying he hasn't had any. I'm not saying that. Don't get me the line. But he has taken them down in such a meaningful way. Because if he had had one or two against NC State, I have no doubt in my mind.

Starting point is 00:17:37 NC State wins that football game. He just didn't. He just didn't have that throw where you were just like, what the hell were you looking at, man? And he's prevented the terrible boneheaded mistakes. You got to give him his credit. Two thumbs up. He's exceeded in my book. All right.

Starting point is 00:17:52 So now we get to the Virginia Tech Hokies, who are two and one in ACC play. It pains me to say this because I think if you're just going strictly by talent, I think he's probably top three in the conference. But I'm going to say Kyron Drones. He's fallen short of expectations so far. And Kenton, like, the brilliance is absolutely there. Like, I got to watch him in person for the first time this year when Virginia Tech played Miami. And he made some incredible plays in that game.

Starting point is 00:18:23 Like it, and maybe if that, you know, if that Hail Mary had been completed, people would feel a little bit differently about drones. And he put the football in the right place. But for all the brilliance we've seen where at times in that game, like he and Cam Ward, who are cousins, we're going like toe to toe, making big play after big play, the consistency has not been. in there. And I haven't seen enough big games. And obviously, like, Virginia Tech just got their biggest win of the season, but that was basically all Vichel Tootin in the running game with Tutin putting up 266 yards. So I know, because I've seen it, that Kyron Drones is capable of more consistency and more brilliance than he's put up so far. But I just, I'm going to say so far this year, he has fallen short of the expectations. He's 14th in the ACC in passing right now.

Starting point is 00:19:12 which I would not have expected at this point, and it's not like he's missed any starts or anything. 1,319 passing yards, 9 touchdowns to 5 interceptions. Maybe this is because my expectation was so high, but he's fallen short so far. Not only that, he's not on pace to hit most of the things that he did last year. Last year, you're looking at 17 touchdowns to passing touchdowns to three interceptions. This year, we're looking at 9 to 5. Last year, we saw 818 rushing yards. This year, we're looking at 318 more than halfway through the season.

Starting point is 00:19:51 I don't know what else to tell, folks, other than you are lying to yourself if you're saying that this young man has not disappointed to a high degree. Remember when I talked about Cam Ward and said he uses his leg strategically? It's never, oh, damn, I can't make the second read. read. I don't know how to get from one to two. I got to go. There have been multiple times this year. It just broke my heart because, and I'm going to be fully honest when I say this, and I know some people going to get upset about it. I'm very slow to criticize any quarterback in this regard, but especially black quarterbacks because the statement that's been thrown upon him in terms of he struggles to read the defense. He struggles to get from read one to read two. But there have been moments like that

Starting point is 00:20:36 with Kyron Drones that are so frustrating. It's so much. It's like, how do you not? How do you not find somebody? And don't get me wrong. Has his offensive line been a God squad that set him up in great positions this year? No. Have the past catchers done amazing things to where it's like, hey, Kairon, just hit the open man and you'll be okay.

Starting point is 00:20:57 No. But he was supposed to be in that first category of I'm winning because of you. And he hasn't been. He hasn't been. So he has definitely not met expectation. Help me out with the next. two teams in the ACC standings. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Louisville Cardinals.

Starting point is 00:21:16 Now, in the case of Georgia Tech, I feel like for me, because we really saw Haynes King coming on last year, I think he's met expectations. I don't think, to me, I don't think he's exceeded or fallen short, but then Tyler Shuck with Louisville, he's exceeded my expectations. And it's not only the fact that so far, you know, seven games into the season, he's managed to stay healthy, which is something he has struggled with, a lot of bad luck in recent years at Texas Tech. But even with being on the field, Chuck to me still has been pretty consistently making the type of throws that say he is, he is exceeded for me.

Starting point is 00:21:51 I'm going to say something that a lot of people aren't going to hear and they're not going to believe me because a lot of people watch the box score instead of watching the game. Hans King and Tyler Shuck have both exceeded my expectation. Okay. I look at Haynes King and I say, that's a guy last year. He was just a gunslinger Supreme. he had that Brett Farr in him that oh no no no oh yes or a lot of times it's oh no no no no why are you doing this

Starting point is 00:22:18 he would have those moments a lot I believe he led the league in interceptions last year at 16 do you know how many he's on pace to throw this year now how many two he's on pace to throw two he's got one interception all year to eight touchdowns

Starting point is 00:22:35 and and on top of that Guess what he leads all quarterbacks in the competition. Rushing. He's the leading quarterback rush. Really? rushing yards than Kai Ron Drone. Yeah. Six touchdowns on the ground, 353 yards.

Starting point is 00:22:52 He is a guy that you can make an argument that, hey, the team around him has not been great. They have not done amazing things. And again, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that Haynes King has just been indefatible and has been, hey, the offense is going, God, movement. many times this year because they haven't. There have been moments where they went missing a little bit. I'm looking at the Louisville game.

Starting point is 00:23:14 I'm looking at the Notre Dame game. But for the most part, by and large, he has done enough to have them either win the game or be on the brink of winning every single game. And the guys around him have not played excellent ball to the point where I'm like, hey, Haynes, that's on you. So I think Haynes is exceeding. And shut, just staying healthy, really. was like a lot of people thought really big things about it.

Starting point is 00:23:40 And I changed my opinion toward the end of the summer when some fans not only got after me, but they sent me the tape to say, listen, watch this. And tell me what you think. And I said, let me walk. Oh, hold on now. There's something there. But I think that he's met the expectation and exceeded a little bit

Starting point is 00:23:55 because, again, just staying healthy was the thing. I was so worried about his health. I'm like, dude, go do something else, man. Go enjoy your life doing something else because this game is violent. I know. It was too violent for me. You know what I mean? I got two Achilles scars and two scars on my left bicep to show it.

Starting point is 00:24:12 So I think both of these guys have exceeded the expectation. Well, coming up next, we'll talk about the best of the rest. And we will reveal suspense, drumroll, who has by far the worst quarterback situation in the ACC. They're not living up to that conference of quarterback's moniker. You want to keep it locked. Alex Dono and Kenton Gibbs with you on this brand new episode of Lockdowne, And I already know you're keeping it locked to Fandul, America's number one sports book. So many big games this weekend.

Starting point is 00:24:47 So many player props happening. And NFL fans, you can start season with a big return on Fanduel. So when you get a hunch in the middle of the game, you can check out the latest stats, view live play-by-play and so much more right on the same page where you place your bets. You'll get started with $200 in bonus bets guaranteed when you place your first $5 bet. And we love the ACC schedule this week. There's some big favorites like Miami, 20 and a half point favorites against the Florida State Seminoles.

Starting point is 00:25:16 Maybe if you think the curse might have been broken because apparently there actually was a Seminole fan that did legitimately eat dog poo. I just saw Kenton's eyes light up backstage. You guys, check out Fandul.com. It's all right there on America's number one sportsbook. So, yeah, Kenton Gibbs, this morning. I saw a video which does not appear to be doctored in any way. A third,

Starting point is 00:25:46 it wasn't Noll 321. It wasn't the other guy who faked his video this week. There was actually a looked like a Florida state student who ate. It was a very, very small amount, but he did eat dog poo. So, like, I don't know. First of all, you know, whether people believe in curses or not, I do. But do you believe that like a third individual who was not the original one who made the problem like can this guy break the curse i but somebody really did it kenton what did they say in highlander there can only be one there can only be one man to fulfill the prophecy no one two three we're looking for it because it can only be you you were the one who started it nobody else can break it but i will say this donnell your team might need to be on the lookout because maybe

Starting point is 00:26:33 the prophecy was broken maybe it was broken by this guy but i'll tell you what maybe next time let's let's stick to something milder right like i will eat one whole arby's meal it's just as torturous as the dog food or the dog food is less dangerous you know it's dangerous i'll eat an entire chicken sandwich and the curly fries you know like making something like that um yeah what what a time what a time well and can can we agree that that that team the florida state Seminole say they've got the worst quarterback situation in the ACC. I mean, their original starter, not only got hurt and we wish DJ Owe Youngle who's got a injury injury, we wish him all the best in his recovery, but had he not gotten hurt, he still probably would have gotten

Starting point is 00:27:22 benched at some point. Then it became Brock Tober, and Brock Glenn gets his opportunity to play. Let's see how I want to pull up Brock Glenn's numbers so far. Please don't. You're not going to. see anything special in there. Would you prefer? Would you prefer I don't? I mean, listen, I've got his numbers in front of me. You've got him. You've got them in front of me. Here's the interesting thing about Florida State as a team. DJU goes four touchdowns, six interceptions in terms of passing this year. What do you think Brock Lynn has done? Do you think he has a better test down interception ratio than every two test downs you throw, you throw three pitch? What do you think,

Starting point is 00:28:06 I think it might be worse. It's the exact same. Two test out, three interceptions. Oh, there you go. There you go. DJU, 53.8% completion percentage. You think it gets better or worse underglue? I think it gets worse.

Starting point is 00:28:20 It gets 3.8% worse, 50%. I am sitting here looking at this team's quarterback situation going. Y'all may not be the only problem. but I'll be lying if I said I wasn't a damn big. I'll be lying if I said, don't worry about it, you know. I saw a meme the day that I shared on my Twitter that said, DJU is sitting out the rest of the season to focus on preparing to get his CDL. I saw that.

Starting point is 00:28:53 Brother, get ready to learn some enterprise rental car. You know, I feel like the N.I.L situation should have sent you up to where you can go on. And you got a good start in life. You can probably get you a nice little house in Florida or, you know, I don't know if that's enough to get to get your nice house in California these. But, you can try it. You can try it.

Starting point is 00:29:10 I know he's from Inland Empire, I believe. That's where he is. You can try it getting out of it. I'm telling you, football may not be your calling, brother. And that's no disrespect. That's not, you know, Brock Lynn, Brock Tover is Brock over. Because now they're looking at a third quarterback to bring in. I don't know what everybody watched from.

Starting point is 00:29:30 Yeah, Luke, Luke Kroman Hawk. It's just like, give somebody else to chill. like when nothing else is working, give somebody else a chance. This is musical chairs being played with a poker, with poker music playing in the background with three very hefty and non-attractive people playing it together. It's just not fun. We don't want to see anybody get the chair.

Starting point is 00:29:51 It's just like, turn it off. Make this be over already. Please and thank you. Oh, man. So any other quarterback rooms stand out in a good way? I'm not going to say there there's nothing nearly as bad as Florida State. I know I know Cal is struggling O and 4 in the ACC, but one of the things that stands out about Fernando Mendoza, who definitely has some ability, he's been sacked 28 times by far the most in the conference. So, you know, Mendoza, he's he's not been as bad as like Cal's conference record would indicate, in my opinion.

Starting point is 00:30:29 And actually, Bachmeier in Wake Forest is putting up pretty good numbers despite their record. Yeah. And same thing with Jacoby Criswell at North Carolina. Like, he's not the reason why they gave up, what was it, 70 points to James Madison. Yeah. I want to say this. A lot of, I know people are expecting me to say, oh, NC State has succeeded. They've been, we came into the season expecting a high has been hopeful. an ACC player in the year contender out of our quarterback.

Starting point is 00:31:00 We did not expect to come in and say, oh, it's a young guy that's playing great. So NC State has definitely fallen way, way short. But in terms of the best of the rest, in terms of guys who have shown up in a way that you're like, hold on now, that guy's cooked a little bit. Anthony Calandria, come on that. Come on down, little Tony.

Starting point is 00:31:20 You know, I talked about UVA exceeding their Tony quota, and who would have thought, that Tony Bennett would be the one to exit stage left. But hell, I'll tell you, with the way Tony Kalandra is playing, I get it. I get it because he has been a phenomenal player for them this year. And don't get me wrong. Again, that's another guy.

Starting point is 00:31:40 Would I say he's perfect? Would I say he's doing everything right? No. But last year, 13 touchdowns to nine interceptions. This year, 11 to 4. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that his completion percentage at 62.9 or whatever it is. in that area is like perfect and he's great.

Starting point is 00:31:59 He has exceeded what I thought because I thought he's still going to be a Maverick, but he's going to learn a little bit. He's going to reel it in a little bit and he'll get better over time. The game is starting to slow down for him and you can see it. He's got UVA competitive. He's got UVA on pace for a bowl game. And I'll tell you what, how many times have you thought to yourself, this game lands squarely on Calandria's shoulders?

Starting point is 00:32:23 That to me is the greatest moment to say he's exceeded. for this reason. I love it. By the way, I sold Fernando Mendoza a little bit short at CEC because he's putting up better numbers than I realize. He's actually, he's fifth in the league in passing. So I would say for a team that's bottom of the content. The team has failed him. The team has failed. The team has failed him, but he's exceeded expectations, Mendoza. And I like the, I like the Calandria shout out as well. And always a great time here on Locked on ACC. He is Kenton Gibbs. Check him out on Lockdown Wolfpack. I am Alex Dono. Check me out on Lockdown Canes. And we'll talk to you guys again tomorrow on another episode of LockdowneACC, part of the awesome Lockdown Podcast Network,

Starting point is 00:33:03 your team every day.

Locked On ACC - Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast - Cam Ward headlines the top quarterbacks in the ACC but others are exceeding expectations!

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