Locked On ACC - Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast - College Football Kickoff: Cincinnati is Legit But Faces Test Vs Utah, Arch Manning and Texas Face Playoff Elimination

Episode Date: October 30, 2025

The Cincinnati Bearcats are legitimate, but have a big test vs the Utah Utes. Also, the Texas Longhorns can't afford a loss this weekend vs Vanderbilt. And Brian Kelly has been fired by the LSU Tigers.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!PelotonLet yourself run, lift, flex, and push forward. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ today at https://www.onepeloton.com.DoorDashWith DoorDash Streaks, you save every Saturday you order — stack it up all season and you could save up to $250. Order this Saturday. Keep the streak alive. Fuel your gameday — only with DoorDash. Terms apply. Promo period through 11/18.MazdaIt’s the small details that make the big plays. And just like there’s more to every player, there’s more to a Mazda vehicle. Mazda. Move and Be Moved. GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our game of the week is in the Big 12 for just the second time this year. Cincinnati might be legit. Then the Texas Longhorns, it's a playoff elimination game against Vanderbilt. And Brian Kelly has been fired. All that more right here on Fire TV's college football kickoff. Welcome back to Fire TV's college football kickoff presented by Coca-Cola. I'm your host, Drake Toll from Locked on Big 12 and the Savannah Bananas organization. And we're coming in hot from the heart of college football country in Dallas, Texas.

set with me, the former Tar Heel and Dallas Cowboy Jesse Holly, and filling in for Coach Gary Patterson, former Notre Dame color commentator and Houston Oilers running back, Alan Pinkham. Every week throughout the college football season, we'll be right here, breaking down the matchups, the moments, the madness with expert analysis from across the nation. Look for new episodes every Thursday on your fire TV and Echo Show devices. This is your all-access pass to the week ahead in college football. Let's kick it off. Alan, welcome to the madness.

to be here. Another coach got fired. We fired. We didn't fire. We're glad to have you, Alan. Alan's the Notre Dame, guys, so certainly he'll talk about the LSU coach, Brian Kelly, being fired.

In the meantime, that LSU team is out of the top 25 altogether. Let's go there now without rankings report. Unchanged in the top six. The AP top 10 so far through this eight games of college football still has Vanderbilt. Georgia Tech. Now, BYU is kind

of there, 11 top 10 teams. Jesse, there are a few names, Indiana being paramount, that we did not expect to be here, really at any point in the year. Here they sit late in the season. No, absolutely. And having Indiana in the fold, and this goes to show you just how much the transfer portal, NIL and coaching matters to these different programs. And that could be why you're seeing, we'll get to this later on, why you're seeing so many of these top level coaches being fired because people are looking around and going, wait a second, this guy got Indiana turned around, Vanderbilt got turned around. We can't wait for this thing to happen when we have things like. like this moving in the country. Well, I think all the teams that are there deserve to be there.

They've played good football. I was impressed by Ole Miss coming up in the rankings, but Ohio State, they still continue to be, I think, the darling of the year. Let's check out the rest of the rankings. Notre Dame, Allen, number 12 in the country right now. They've once again positioned themselves right there for the college football playoff. The committee will give their first ranking next week. That's going to be so key, especially on our show. Do you think Alan Notre Dame is as good as advertised a playoff team? Well, I use my eyes, you know, as a way to measure,

and they look really, really good. And you do have to consider that they hit two quality losses, but it puts me in a position now where I have to cheer for those teams that beat them, which is kind of hard to do. I've never cheered for USC before in my life. Are you surprised, Alan, to not see Navy, who is unbeaten right now in the top 25? A little surprised, but I know it has to do with the type of competition that they've played,

but the competition is coming. And Navy is a good football team. I mean, they consistently outrush everybody. Yeah. And so that has to mean something, but they're going to get tested in their last four games. I'll take a look at who is in and who is out this week. Houston number 22 in the country, Jesse, their defense is one of the more elite. They have been electric on that side of the ball.

That's why I think they could help win the Big 12th Cup. What could help them win the Big 12 conference, I should say, later on this season. Utah in there at number 24. They've got a big matchup this week with Cincinnati. And we lost LSU for good. They also lost their head coach, No More Tigers, who a couple of us thought could win a national title. Yeah, well, coming into this year, you thought LSU, you know, Nussmeyer is their quarterback, and you thought this team was poised to find themselves back in the college football playoffs.

Nussmeyer hasn't played up to potential, of course. Brian Kelly, they fire him. that thing is in a little bit of disarray. And as you're starting to see now, a lot of former players that were coaching under Brian Kelly is starting to come out and tell you just how this thing wasn't as good as we thought it was from the inside out.

Yeah, we'll talk a lot about that later on in the show with Allen as well. In the meantime, Coach Gary Patterson is on vacation in Africa, but still took the time to send us little people his top five this week as well as his lurkers. Ohio State is tied still at number one alongside Indiana for coach with a slew of SEC teams in there.

Then his lurkers for Coach Gary Patterson. He thinks that Oregon, Old Miss, Vanderbilt could all make some noise down the stretch here in college football. Alan Pinkett, though, joining the desk, it would be unfair to not give you an opportunity to one up. Well, maybe not one up, but at least give your own top five here. Well, I actually have in my top five, Texas A&M at number two.

And the reason I do is because I think winning at Tiger, stadium, Death Valley at night against LSU means more than Indiana winning at Oregon. And so I value that more. And it's plus, it's more recent too. But then four and five haven't changed. But I just value the win that Texas A&M had. And I think they are a potential number one. Indiana goes on the road and beats Oregon, Jesse. But Allen thinks that the road winning against LSU is more impressive. I get it. I mean, the SEC going into Death Valley, that that place always has its mystique and the inability for teams to go in there and come out victorious. But if I had to push back a little bit, is that going across the country, talking about different times,

those playing in that type of atmosphere. You know Dan Lannock has that Oregon football team primed and ready to go. That was a huge win for me from a team in Indiana. Still, a lot of people don't believe are truly here and truly a team that can contend in the country to go on the road to Oregon State and win that game. to Oregon and win that game was real big to me. I also think it's a moot conversation. They should both be top four teams. Yes.

I think they'll both be top four teams and get buys in the college football playoff, even if Indiana doesn't win the Big Ten or A&M doesn't win the SEC. I think they still probably deserve to be around that three, four, maybe five slot. In the meantime, a couple of teams that are just trying to climb into the college football playoff conversation come out of the Big 12. This is our game of the week. It's our game of the week here on college football kickoff presented by Coca-Cola. They are the experts on these two teams.

Jeff Carr of Locked on Bearcats, J.T. Wistersell of Locked on Uts, talking all things Utah and Cincinnati. This is like reminiscent in my brain of what a 1991 holiday bowl would have been. These two teams have never competed in the sport of college football before until this weekend. And college game day will be on site. It's our game of the week. We'll start with you, Jeff. Brennan Soresby, he's the top 10 of the Heisman race right now.

You might have a Heisman contending quarterback playing a Utah team that might be without their starting quarterback. Efficiency and the fact that he's a dual threat guy. I mean, he is a true passing threat and a true rushing threat. You cannot defend against just one part of his game. And the turnover worthy plays have been so low this season. It's been impressive to watch him work. Yeah, Brennan Sorsby is maybe the most underrated quarterback in the country. Certainly not getting a lot of national attention.

Probably deserves that. J.T. Wister still early in the year, I think we heard more about Devin Dampier than we're hearing right now. And maybe a piece of that is because Byrd Fickland, the freshman, walked through the doors last week and was electric for Utah against Colorado. Does it matter who the quarterback is for the Utes in this game? It definitely does. When you look at what Devin Dampier has meant for this team, it's still hard to quantify because of his rushing abilities.

And Bird Fickland, yes, he did it last week, but that was not a good buff team. I mean, also, Utah defense is playing good at the right time right now. Sorsby's a really talented quarterback. Utah held Colorado to negative 18 yards in the first. staff last week. This is a top 10 defense in sacks. And the last couple Big 12 home games that Utah's seen opponents, they're outscoring their last two opponents in those games, 95 to 17. So thankfully, this isn't going to fall on a true freshman in Bird Fickland. I don't think it matters who the quarterback is. Utah is going to have a good chance on Saturday. Hence why they are 10.5 point favorites right now.

Yeah, Jeff, Cincinnati is undefeated in Big 12 play. They control their own destiny in the conference. Give me a brief synopsis and a final score of this game. I think they're going to run the ball well in this one here, Drake, because I really believe that the efficiency of the offense has been led by this offensive line, been led by Brendan Sorsby. And the play calling that Scott Satterfield has had has been on full display in this his third year. In a year that he started off on the hot seat and now the hot seat has turned into the iron throne. Maybe not the iron throne.

Okay. But definitely a very comfortable chair for him this year. But ultimately, I think the efficiency keeps them. ahead in this ball game, they end up winning by a field goal. I have at 3128. J.T. Worcesterill, the exact same for you. Yeah, I think this is a Utah team. They're hitting their stride at the right time.

They are one of just four teams in the country in the top 12 of scoring offense and defense. They're coming off a really strong performance against Colorado. It's one of the best offensive lines in the country. They have one of the best pass rushers in all of college football. Quarterback is a big deal for this team. But the atmosphere that is Rice Eccal Stadium at night, I believe, will overcome whoever is that starting quarterback if it ends up being a true freshman. freshman, dampier or fickling, it won't matter.

I'm going to roll with the Utah Uts to win this one, 27 to 20. Injuries on both sides, a late night start. This is a funky game in the Big 12 and the biggest game in college football this week. Jeff Carr, J.T. Worcesterill are two experts from locked on bear cats and locked on Uts, all things Cincinnati and Utah. Thank you guys and thank you for being a passionate fan. We know that that pomp and the circumstance makes you work up a thirst. Fan work is thirsty work.

Enjoy a refreshing Coca-Cola. Hey, today's show is brought to you by, Vandal. Fandle is exactly where I go every single week when BYU is an underdog. Or when I take, I was four in one last week on the Big 12 best bets. And so all you got to do is go to Fandul. And every Thursday, you see the Big 12 best bets come up on your feet and you say, I'm going to click on that. And then you can go play those at Fandul. And right now, if you go to Fandul and put $5 on the bat and that bet hits, you get $300 in bonus bets.

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The official sports betting partner on the NBA, it's Fan Duel. Alan, I think the biggest misconception with games like this is that it's the lowly big 12. But both of these teams have first round draft picks, NFL talent on their rosters. And I think Cincinnati at now plus 10 and a half is being overlooked. Yeah, and I think that I've never seen a team that's been more under the radar winning seven games in a row. Yeah. You know, and when I think of Cincinnati, I look at the quarterback, Sorsby, and the thing that impresses me the most, because you can look at stats. Stats don't always tell the entire story, but this guy has one interception.

He's only been sacked twice. So you know he takes care of the football, and you know he makes good decisions, and he's a dual threat. So he gives Cincinnati a chance every time they play. So, Jesse, here's one of the intricacies of Utah's quarterback situation. We saw with Texas Tech. Remember when they played Utah? They lost their starter. Their backup comes in.

There's no film on him. He tears it up. Last week, Utah's backup quarterback freshman, Burdickman, there's no film on him. He tears it up. This week, I think it's hard to trust a freshman two weeks in a row if he is their guy. For me, I look at it and say, hey, if Deapier can go, he goes. But young fella, be ready.

Right. And you can do this more so in the college game. you can in the pro game. If things aren't quite going well for you, kind of make that switch, inject that type of energy into the football team that you had. We can go with the freshmen. So, but in these type of big moments and these big games against this level of competition, you want the guy with a little bit more experience in Dan Pier to go out there leading your football team, but in the event that he's not 100% and he can't go, then you'll be a little bit more quicker to go, hey, we'll get your next game. Yeah. You're right? Young fella, see what you got and go

out there trying to save the game for us. In Utah's case, you know, you've heard the old adage, when you have two quarterbacks, you have none. But sometimes when you have two quarterbacks, you have two. Yeah. Could be the case for the Utah youths this week. No Evan Pryor, the star running back for Cincinnati, but it's been running back by committee for them.

So they could be okay. If no Devin Damp here and no Evan Pryor, this is a game without two stars. We'll see which team has the better offense as they fill their holes to try to win the game of the week on Kyle. football kickoff at Cincinnati and it's Utah. But certainly we can't go this long without talking about the SEC. Vanderbilt and Texas. It's time for our can't-miss matchup.

He's the man who knows the most about the Longhorns from Lockhorns. Brad Kellner joins the show once again. Brad, Archmanning's health has been a main storyline this week. My question for you, based on his play, his health, all of it put together. I asked this week one, if his last name was Davis, is he still the starting quarterback for Texas going into this game against Vanderbilt? I think so. Steve Sarkesian has always been loyal to his quarterbacks. We saw this in 2022 and Quinn Ewer's first season in Austin, where he had some ups and some downs.

And there were a lot of Texas fans asking for a quarterback change, but Sark rode the waves and he stayed with Quinn Ewer. So, you know, even though the last name is Manning, obviously that adds more headlines to this whole situation. I still believe that Arch Manning would be the guy in Austin. I think he's had enough good moments this year. And we're still talking about a six and two football team that has a shot. an outside shot, but a shot of making the SEC championship and the college football playoff. So no surprise that Steve Sarkesian hasn't made a move there yet. This didn't make a lot of sense seven or eight weeks ago, but I think it does now.

Vanderbilt might be the better team this game. They could very well be the better team against the Texas Longhorns. What do Longhorns do against a better team to try to win this week? Yeah, I think it comes down to physicality, right? Vanderbilt has been really good on both lines of scrimmage this year. That's been a huge part of their program turnaround these last couple of seasons. And at times, we've seen Texas win up front on the lines of scrimmage. You think about that Oklahoma game in Dallas a few weeks ago, but also at times, we've seen them get bullied by a number of different teams on the lines of scrimmage.

So, Vanderbilt's a team that loves to limit possessions. They want to win the time of possession battle. They want to make you work for every single thing that you get. Texas has to be able to bring it up front and make the most of their offensive possessions if they want to win. This could be a slug fest. This could be a rock fight. and yeah, Texas has to be willing to bring the physicality and match what Vanderbilt has because that is a tough bunch, no doubt.

Brad, give me a final score for this game in Austin. Yeah, I'm going to go Texas 20, Vanderbilt 17. I think the Vegas line is kind of right on the money with this one. It's Texas's first home game in 42 days. Somehow some way this is their first SEC home game, and it's happening on November 1st. It's a crazy month of October, a lot of travel, but I think the Longhorns are going to ride the momentum from their home crowd and find a way to hand Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt their second loss of the year?

The expert, fun as always, Brad. You're the man, Drake. Thank you. Jesse, Texas Vanderbilt, I'm not betting against the Vandy Wagon until they give me a reason not to. Get your shovels out. Get your shovels out, right? Get the shovels out. Vandy Berries, the likes of Texas are making the college football playoffs.

That will no longer be in conversation. after this weekend. This Texas team has been far too inconsistent. The offensive line has been up and down all year. I think they have a really good defense, right? But you put so much pressure on that defense having to do so much for you to get the stop, to get the turnovers, and your offense has been up and down all year long. You just can't play good SEC teams and all of a sudden think that you can be that inconsistent

offensive line and running the ball. And of course, at the quarterback position, when you go up against a physical, physical Vanderbilt football team to think that you can win that game, even though it's in Austin. Well, I look at Diego Pavia, and to me, there is no greater example of leadership. And I think he wills them to win. And I think he has control of that team. They don't call themselves teammates.

They say it's a brotherhood. And coach isn't too bad either. Clark Lee. In fact, if you close your team, eyes and listen to him talk he sounds like Nick Saban so Penn State LSU you want the next good coach that's the guy you need to go to yeah Clark Lee has revamped a program that was the the Vanderbilt of college football actually he walked through the doors and I think that's a big reason Vanderbilt to Indiana Georgia Tech you mentioned this earlier jessey on why these coaches are on the

hot seat at the top of college football Steve sarkesian with a loss here folks in texas down in Austin are going to start asking those questions. Is he the guy? Is he the answer? That leads me to one man. Two initials, Brian Kelly. Former head coach at Notre Dame went to the national championship. His overall record is stupendous. He goes to LSU and he's 34 and 14. So why on earth, Alan, would a guy who you've been around a lot when you were spending your days at Notre Dame as a radio color analyst, why on earth would Brian Kelly already be fired? Well, I'll tell you, I had the fortune to do the radio for Notre Dame, and I covered much of Brian Kelly's tenure.

I did it for 17 years, and Coach Kelly was there. He was always good to me, you know, but he left Notre Dame because he felt that he had a better chance at winning a national championship at LSU. Now, some of the sentiment around the building was he did not like that he couldn't change the academic requirements for the students,

and there were a lot of the students, also some issues about he wanted some extra buildings built on campus and wasn't able to get that and so he he went to LSU and I was a little disappointed but I wasn't mad at them because they offered him a ton of money and I will never begrudge someone for going for the money the thing that I find ironic is his replacement Marcus Freeman embraced the academic requirements embrace the culture at Notre Dame and how ironic that last year he plays for a national championship and coach

Kelly lost four games the thing that comes to mind for me that because we're talking about these coaches getting fired we also have to talk about coaches that are being going to be retained so I'm wondering is there a number out there that Marcus Freeman would leave Notre Dame for oh that's good question like Brian Kelly's on the market Mike Gundy's in the market James Franklin these long-tenured big names in college football my question Jeff A lot of people brought it up since day one at that press conference where he said, family, the Southern accent, right? It wasn't a very good first impression, the awkward photo shoot with a spinning thing.

And if Brian Kelly was this nice stand-up guy that everybody loves like Marcus Freeman, would he have bought himself more time in Baton Rouge for being less controversial? I think yes. I think the answer is yes, because being likable goes a long way. When you're snarky with players and families and alumni and donors and all that kind of stuff, snarky with the media and everything, you just come off as this gruntry commudgeon. People just have a little bit less patience with you. And then you're talking about LSU football here, right? So losing that amount of games, not being in the conversation with the Alabama, the Georgia, the Texas of college football, that also puts a sour taste in a lot of people's mouth from that school.

That school, football-wise, is looked at as supposed to be the cream of the crop, the top dog. And when you're not being talked like that and you're not a coach that people actually like, your lease gets shorter and shorter and shorter to finally, he just unhooked that thing. And Brian Kelly's out the door. It never really felt like an LSU tiger. They're not really losing an LSU tiger. They're losing Brian Kelly. We'll see where he lands next in college football.

In the meantime, though, Matt Mascona of locked on LSU, had some very keen thoughts on the head. Tiger being no more. So when the head coach says we're taking receipts, we'll see it, the national championship, and then asks for ban and booster support for NIL, even doing the million-dollar match, remember Brian Kelly himself put a million dollars of his own money into this roster. Okay. So however you want to phrase it, the man put his money where his mouth is. put a million dollars of his own money into this.

And then they went all in in the transfer portal. They signed the number one portal class in the country. I've been very transparent with you when I've had numbers and shared them with you. You don't need me to tell you anything off the record. Brian Kelly said on the record, $18 million is what they spent on this roster. Okay, well, if you're all in, you're talking about taking receipts and being all in for a championship, $18 million roster, you're a preseason top 10. team in the country.

And you've got three losses before November, and it's over. And by the way, you lose to Vanderbilt. It's your second loss. You go into this home game against Texas A&M with an all-in approach, understanding, like, you lose one more time and it's over. So you have to win to keep your playoff dream alive. And you're up 18 to 14 at half, and then you are Blitzkrieg, 21-0 in the third quarter. you lose the second half, 35 to 7.

The fans empty out. The A&M crowd takes over. The team leaves the feel. Frank Wilson has to bring some guys back out to do the alma mater. Kelly, who had left, then comes back out. I mean, it was a total mess. Yeah, Alan, very clear stuff from Muscona there, that Brian Kelly's last game was the quick nail in the coffin.

If you're LSU, where do you go next? Well, you're looking for the next big star And you have to take a big swing Because to me, it's the most important job Out there in college football The talent is so immense and great In the state of Louisiana Don't have to go very far to recruit

You know, they bleed that purple and gold So they have to get the right person The right person will make that team a national champion. Today's show is brought to you by Mazda. There's a reason I drive a Mazda. That's because I saved up a lot of money, enough money. Mazda because they deliver confidence with every ride.

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Mazda, move and be moved with Mazda. John Summerall down at two lane. He's a Louisiana guy or at least fits the vibe enough. He could be the next headman at LSU. In the meantime, we haven't talked enough about a massive game from the group of five ranks, Navy and North Texas. That is our lock of the week. Thanks, Drake.

Another crazy college football weekend behind us. And looking forward to another one coming up Saturday. Lee Sterling looking to go six and three on these locks. Now another lock of the day. Open it, open it, open it. Lee has the key to the lock of the day. Big game inside the American conference coming up Saturday afternoon. North Texas plays hosts in Navy.

And Lee, what do you like in this matchup? Well, a lot of people don't even realize that Navy's undefeated at 7 and 0. North Texas, 7 and 1. Everyone's talking about all these other teams that aren't in power for conference teams that might make another college football playoffs like South Florida. Florida, Memphis and Boise State. But the winner here might determine who goes to the college football playoff. North Texas has scored between 33 and 59 points and all eight games, even against a solid South Florida defense. Now on the other side, Navy has scored between 32 and 52 and all their

games except for one of them. North Texas quarterback, Drew Mestamaker, 21 touchdown passes. Navy quarterback, Blake Corbath, more of a runner. He has 12 touchdown rushes here. Both defenses, tackling is optional. We're not going to take the side here at six and a half. We're going to go over 65 total points. It's going to be a level three lock all the way up. And for more daily picks, subscribe to Locked on bets. Back to the college football kickoff studio. We'll see you next week, Drake. And thank you, Lee. Thank you, Kevin. Always wise to bet on the Service Academy to go over in their football game, right Lee? Thanks a lot. Coming up next, playoff playbook.

Some of the biggest games we have not gotten to yet are here in our playoff playbook. It's the world's largest American beer cocktail party in the USA, Georgia and Florida. Outside. The outdoor, that's correct. Maybe the longest name for a rivalry, but Jesse, in rivalry games, weird things happen. No, it absolutely does. And we look at this game, Georgia versus Florida. Florida has the talent. We're talking now. The post-Billy Napier era, but Georgia may be the best second half football team in the country. They don't have all of the name recognition stars that they've had in the past, but this team is gritty.

It is tough, and you have to put them away because if you let Georgia hang around, they find a way to win at the end in the second half of football. Clint Shamblin, locked on Bulldogs. Will the Bulldogs win? Georgia will absolutely take the cocktail party, and it's for two simple reasons. One, Florida's defense is just bad. I mean historically bad.

I mean, for all metrics and efficiency purposes, some between 90 and 100 nationally in college football. And it doesn't get better as the season goes on. It actually gets worse against ranked opponents. It's worse. Their third down efficiency is far worse. Away from the swamp, it goes down to allowing teams to convert

or stopping on defense, 17% of third downs. That's not good for Florida. The second reason that Georgia is going to roll in this game. It's two words, two simple words, Gunner Stockton. He is a Heisman candidate. If he's not, it's a crying shame because metrically, he is the most efficient passer in the SEC.

His turnover worthy throws are next to nothing. This guy is a baller and gets it done. Two reasons. Florida's defense is bad. Gunner Stockton is. the man. That's why Georgia rolls in the cocktail party. And that's why you're the man. Clint Shamban, thank you very much. Alan,

number 18, Oklahoma at number 14, Tennessee this week. The loser is done. Yeah, pretty much an elimination game. But I kind of like Tennessee in this game. I think what happened to Oklahoma last week is on film now. Old Miss exposed them.

And if you don't correct that stuff and it's on film, then you're going to lose again. And I think that Tennessee has more explosive receivers than Ole Miss had. So I expect Tennessee to have their way with this team. And keep in mind, they're going to be more inspired because they're wearing the all-black jerseys. OU was number six in the country a couple weekends ago.

Wow, how mighty, how quickly the mighty can fall. Penn State, Ohio State. I'm going to keep it with you, Alan. You're the Big Ten guy. Any chance that there's that. You know how like you're in school and you're dissecting a frog, and the muscles twitch every now. They twitch every now and then.

Any chance Penn State's muscles twitch here? Well, feel bad for Penn State. What are you showing them over here? Ohio State by a million. That's what I'm showing them. I'm showing, Alan, listen, just say this right here. Ohio State by a million. Yeah, you know, I feel bad for Penn State.

My son graduated from Penn State, by the way. So I sort of have to cheer for them. but I'm so impressed with Ohio State. They lose eight guys on defense to the NFL, and they keep rolling. The thing I would say, though, they get Matt Patricia, but it's not just the coaching, all right?

You know how they say it's not the X's and those? It's the Jimmy's and Joe's. They got the Jimmy's and Joe's, though. That's good stuff. Number 10, Miami at SMU will go to our ACs, expert. Jesse conversely, so here's the problem. In the SEC, you can lose two games still go to the college ball playoff. If Miami loses at SMU, this might be an elimination game for the Canes. It could be. But here's the thing. I think that Miami is the far superior team. I know that they're

coming on the road. They'll be here in Dallas, Texas, and some people may think this is a sneaky game. But here's a thing about Jennings where he's getting ready to face. He's getting ready to face a defensive front in the Miami Hurricanes that he has not seen at all this year. And so once Miami starts getting after Jennings, he tries to be a scrambler, he tries to be a playmaker. But that defensive front is just so good with Miami led by Ruben Bain Jr. That's going to be a lot for SMU to handle. Yeah. It was a quote last season from Desmond Howard when they got to the Arizona State, Kansas State game on game day.

He said, why are we even picking this one? Number 13, Texas Tech at Kansas State, who's lucky to be 500. Kansas State's playing better football. Alan, I want to pitch this one to you. Has there been a time as an athlete where the team starts slow, seasons start slow, not much to play for, but from game eight on, you can be that home record, that season record, because Kansas State looks like that.

Did you ever feel like as a player you had those opportunities? Oh, definitely, I've had it. You know, once you gain momentum, momentum in college football is a real thing. You get that confidence, and it's hard to stop you. So I think Kansas State has found something. that works because it was a dreadful start to the beginning of the season. But once you find that little niche and that thing that works, you know, it's like a drug you want to keep, you want to keep winning. It feels good to keep winning.

So they have found it and keep in mind now they have beaten Texas Tech a straight time. Yeah, they're in Manhattan, Jesse, Kansas State's blowing people out. Texas Tech. This is an elimination game for them? No, it's going to be a really big game. It's one of those things that kind of is this a trap game for? for Texas Tech because you look at Kansas State. And for Texas Tech coming off, you know,

that loss that they had against Arizona State, this is big business for Texas, Texas and for Kansas State quarterback, Avery Johnson, if he's gonna make this a game, he's gonna have to be a guy that stays on schedule. And then when he goes to create off script, he has to be successful because that defense of front of Texas Tech will be after him all day long.

But they are in Manhattan and spooky things happen in Manhattan for Kansas State. That'll be interesting. I'll have my eyes on this one. As well, Casey Cowan of Locked-on, Texas Tech. Casey, can the Red Raiders get it done? Casey Cowan here from Lockedon, Texas Tech. Big one for the Red Raiders on the road from Manhattan. Tech can get a win if they're equal or better. Number one, in the turnover margin. Cannot be giving it away to Kay State as the Wildcats have made so much, hey, recently. Taking the football away, and you better get back to getting busy to taking it away yourself. Number two, get the ground game going again. Cameron Dickie and John.

Jacoby Williams have got to get back online. And that actually starts with the return of the Red Raider starting quarterback, Baron Morton, playing smart, not necessarily safe, but of course deferring to some of the skill position players that he's got around him will pave a path to a Red Rader victory in Manhattan. Casey Cowan, live from being an extra on No Country for Old Men 2. Yellowstone. Lost in New York. That's a wrap on this week's college football kickoff, presented by Coca-Cola.

But this season is, we have so much to go. You guys, we're not even halfway done with the college football season when you consider the national championship being in January. Next week, though, BYU can cement their case for the college football playoff against Texas Tech. Plus, another huge matchup for the SEC, A&M and Missouri. Same time, same set, same unapologetic football energy. And a big thanks to Alan Pinkett and Jesse Holly for bringing the heat and to you for riding shotgun with us. Enjoy all the action this weekend.

Stay locked in. Stay fired up. We'll see you next Thursday right here on Fire TV.