Locked On ACC - Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast - Georgia vs Tennessee Leads Big Stakes Week 3 Slate | College Football Kickoff

Starting point is 00:00:00 It's going to be wild in the SEC. Tennessee and Georgia, and thanks for losing Florida, to USF to make this week all that more interesting. Right here on college football kickoff. Welcome back to Fire TV's College Football Kickoff, presented by Coca-Cola. I'm your host Drake Toll of Locked on Big 12, had a broadcaster for the Savannah Bananas organization, and we're coming in hot from the heart of college football country in Dallas, Texas. On set with me, two legends, 22-time coach of the year, Gary Patterson, and the former Dallas Cowboy and North Carolina Tarheel, Jesse Holly.

Starting point is 00:00:41 Every week throughout the season, we'll be right here breaking down the matchups, the moments and the madness with elite insight from experts 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 weekend ahead in college football. Let's kick it off and let's do it with the number 18 South Florida Bulls. It's time for our rankings report. Gentlemen, two wins for South Florida and two wins to define a program. They go against Boise State and beat a top 25 team.

Starting point is 00:01:15 Then on the road against Florida, Jesse, are we overvaluing USF based on just two games? No, you got to give them for what they were. They went out there and won those two football games against two ranked opponents. And if they get this weekend, about this weekend with the W, they've had some elite competition. Only four other teams in college football history have gone back to back to back wins. versus ranked opponents? You know, I love them because being at TCU, when we first started, they were, we were the underdogs. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:01:44 Trying to get into the four playoffs positions, you know, South Florida sits in a situation where they can play themselves in. It's a lot better access than what it used to be. And so I'm cheering for them because it's exciting for me to see how their coach handles things and also see how their players have handled it. Yeah, looking at the 11 through 25 mark, what stands out the most, to me, we saw Alabama take a tough loss to Florida State, a team that was two in ten last season. And then, Jesse, we just watched Arizona State go on the road in the SEC in a night environment and the Big 12 champions lost and were dropped completely out of the rankings, much less bumped a couple of spots. The AP poll had no mercy for the sundevils. No, absolutely. Sometimes your

Starting point is 00:02:29 reputation precedes you, right? So people look at Alabama and they're the SEC Kings for a long time under Nick Saban. And so they get that advantage to have a little bit of leeway and how they're scheduling. But Arizona State, they made a nice run last year, but they lose a lot of pieces. And so when you look at the schedule that they have, do they have the wins in there that can kind of bump it back up in there? Are they worth watching on TV? It's like a lot of these rankings have to do whether I want to see you in that top 25,

Starting point is 00:02:54 are you worth watching on TV? Will you get the fan base to come out? So for Arizona State, it's going to be tough to get back in that top 25 with those early losses. Yeah, and you know, I'm one of those guys that watched coach. when they do their interviews. And, you know, their head coach, Dillingham has been on them about need more energy, playing harder and doing things. So I think probably coaches and riders have kind of looked at it and said, hey, this team

Starting point is 00:03:18 needs to get going. We need to show them. It's not because they still got votes. We need to show them that, you know, you just can't show up and you just can't be a part of it. If you want to be one of the top 25 best teams in the nation, you better start playing better. Yeah, I was surprised to see them bumped out. We see a couple of SEC teams come in. 11.

Starting point is 00:03:36 That's a record for SEC teams. Why not just rank Vanderbilt in Arkansas and the rest of them, Jesse? I mean, it's pretty crazy to see. Not just the record, but at 11, 24 and 25, Auburn and Missouri sneak in after big wins against coach, big 12 teams. Well, yeah, you know, I thought the Kansas, Missouri game was a great ball game. Yeah. And it was at Missouri, hostile environment.

Starting point is 00:04:00 I thought it bode well for Kansas. I thought I was kind of mixed on the whole game as far as Missouri was concerned. But I would tell you, I wouldn't count Arkansas or Vanderbilt out. I think they both have a chance to make some noise here going forward in a couple weeks. Yeah, it's as deep of a league as maybe we've seen it. And I think as deep of college footballs, we've seen it again, you're looking at an Alabama team that this week had a statement. They proved themselves in their, I say prove themselves.

Starting point is 00:04:28 They proved that they played ticked off. and an Arizona state team that will try to do the exact same thing when they come out here this week. Let's go to the biggest matchup in the country, though. That's a lot of banter about where the top 25 sits, but these are two teams that sit pretty out of the SEC, Georgia, Tennessee. It's time for our game of the week.

Starting point is 00:04:47 The game of the week here on college football kickoff presented by Coca-Cola. We have Clint Shamblin of Locked-on Bulldogs. Eric Kane of Locked-on valls. Clint, are the Bulldogs as good as they were a couple of seasons ago when they won the national championship? Can they get back to glory? And is a win against Tennessee prove that?

Starting point is 00:05:07 I think this game will prove one thing very, very dramatically. And that's the defense. Kirby Smart has said defense in the trenches, tackling is key. If you look back at the national championship winners the last five years, top five defense. 21, 22, we didn't know those names before they first round grades. These no-name dogs on defense are that exact same team. CJ Allen, Raylon Wilson, Chris Cole, if you don't know that name, know it now. That guy's a tear off the outside coming for quarterback sacks and getting in the backfield.

Starting point is 00:05:38 Offensively, I think we're going to be just fine. Running the football with a three-headed attack against Tennessee. We're going to dominate and get back to that status. Yes. Oh, what's that? Eric Kane? Did you say that's a bunch of bull malarkey? Can you say it with your chest?

Starting point is 00:05:51 Anything that Clint said that stands out is very untrue? I mean, Georgia's won eight straight in this series, so it's kind of hard to argue. But, no, I mean, I think Georgia's a good team. There's still a lot that I don't know about George. I think there's some you don't know about Tennessee. It's early in the season. It's kind of weird for these two teams to be meeting so early. But, you know, Georgia is going to be a tremendous challenge on the defensive end,

Starting point is 00:06:11 always having good linebackers. C.J. Allen's been there forever. He mentioned Chris Cole. They brought interior pressure from those backers in years past. And I mean, Nico I amaliavo was sacked six times in this matchup last year. Tennessee was able to run the football efficiently, but couldn't do anything through the air. So can Tennessee get after the opposing quarterback early, rattle him in his first SEC start?

Starting point is 00:06:30 And, of course, get things going with a new quarterback in their own. and right, Joey Aguilar behind the home crowd. We'll see that line's really, really close and should be a good one. Clint, this reminds me vaguely of when Tennessee knocked off Alabama at home a couple of years ago, and it felt like the monkey off your back. Another night game or make it afternoon game for this one in Knoxville makes a little bit different, though. Do you feel that almost genesis quah of when Tennessee knocked off the Crimson Tide? I think Tennessee had a much better team at that point matchup-wise against Alabama.

Starting point is 00:06:58 We see a couple of defensive backs who have played well in the first two weeks, Tennessee. But Redmond's going to get tested. We saw last week when Gunnerstocked and saw six, seven yard cushion, he went to the screen, got in the hands of Zachari Branch, who's quicker than quick, and he's going to get up the field. So I do think matchup-wise, it's a little bit different. Tennessee certainly hopes it is that feel. And this is going to be a raucous environment. First start on the road, Gunnerstocked in the SEC. It's going to come down to can the offensive line protect him. And this just in, Tennessee didn't lose a great defense. They still have very, very, very good up front seven pieces to pressure that banged up hurt offensive line.

Starting point is 00:07:38 Yeah, Kane, Will, and this one with you, if Tennessee is going to win it, what's the one X factor that the nation's not talking about? Yeah, I think when you, and I talked to Clint about this earlier this week, you know, Kirby Smart does such a great job defensively. He's a defensive-minded coach, defensive backs. Those corners, man, in these matchups, and four years under Josh Hopple, the corners for Georgia have just, they whipped Tennessee's receivers, press man coverage, can't get off the line.

Starting point is 00:08:02 of scrimmage. You know, I'm looking at that matchup. Of course, you got to protect the quarterback first and foremost to have an opportunity. But can Tennessee's wide receivers get off those press main coverages, get down the field, go make a play Mike Matthews, Brayland Staley, Chris Brasel. I'm interested in seeing that because the last four matchups, it's like Tennessee really didn't have a chance to even have a chunk play because they were just getting beat and beat the line of scrimmage. So I think that's something that a lot of people might not be looking for, but it's been pretty dominant in Georgia's favor of these first couple of matchups. They are the experts. It is Clint Shamblin of Locked on Bulldogs. Eric Kane of

Starting point is 00:08:34 Locked on Vols. Thank you both for being here. Not only are the experts, but they're big fans. And being a passionate fan is hard work. All the popping circumstance makes you work up a thirst. Fan work is thirsty work. Enjoy refreshing Coca-Cola. Coach, I want to start with you here. Tennessee reminds me of Ole Miss or Oregon, kind of the big engine that could until they couldn't anymore. They're the team that gets to the playoff and then they fall apart. They can't win the big one of the regular season. Is that still the vibe in Knoxville? You know, I think Aguilar, the quarterback. He's older. I think it's going to help him instead of a freshman they had a year ago. Both teams are big on defense. They're both fast. I think it plays the

Starting point is 00:09:12 advantage of Tennessee having the energy of the crowd. Georgia is going to have to, what we just heard, I think Georgia has to be able to run the football to protect their young quarterback on the road, first game of the season. And Tennessee's got to be able to get their wide receivers off. If they can throw the ball and be as explosive that they've been in the last couple weeks, then I think Tennessee has their first time getting after the Bulldogs in a while. Yeah, Jesse, that's the question I'm asking about Tennessee, but is Georgia really Georgia right now? They may not be the Georgia of old, but they still have Georgia of old components, and mainly being defense, because you have to understand. Two things travel, a running game

Starting point is 00:09:51 and defense. Right now, I'll read these numbers off to you. Georgia defense is elite. They're only allowing 201 yards per game and only six and a half points per game. And they're getting off the field on third down. Teams aren't converting third downs on them. So if you're able to do that on the road, you don't allow teams to have extended drives. You calm the crowd, you get off the field and you give your office opportunities to go out there and make place. I just double checked to build off of your note. Georgia has played William and Mary, William in week one and Mary in week two. Yeah, sure. So that is, of course they're holding. It's good practice. It's good practice.

Starting point is 00:10:26 They're holding the red and white teams to 201 yards of offense. This is their first big test. The same thing for Tennessee. Coach, if you get two weeks of smaller opponents or smaller schools going into a big matchup, how does it prepare you? And is there any way to truly prepare your guys for this? Well, yeah, I think I saw 600 plus total yards. They're average in a game.

Starting point is 00:10:47 That means your defense is on the field a whole lot more than they're off, whereas Georgia runs the football. I think Tennessee has to decide. with the quarterback, get away from the pressure. How do we get away from the pressure? Do we boot? Do we get out the side of everything? Do we make them have to think?

Starting point is 00:11:03 And to be honest with you, I think it's time for Tennessee's defense to step up in a big ball game and get the ball back. I think if Tennessee does that, they're in Knoxville. I think they have an opportunity to make this game. And if they win this one, then you set everything out of balance. Today's show is brought you by DoorDash. The reason it's brought you by DoorDash is because I, as a human being,

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Starting point is 00:11:58 DoorDash terms apply. Promo period beginning and finishing now. Finishing through November 18. That is DoorDash. Yeah, I'll be glued to this matchup, but especially glued to one that I think the rest of the country might be forgetting or overlooking because the South Florida Bulls are legit. Don't count them out. It's time for I can't miss matchup preview. He is the local expert. It is Alex Dono of Locked-on Cains. Dono, it's a massive matchup, and it wasn't supposed to be. Call it 2007 all over again. South Florida might just be a game.

Starting point is 00:12:34 Yeah, people are starting to call the USF Bulls, America's team. They're America's Cinderella right now. And I'm sure that when USF fans and people across the country looked at their schedule to open up the season against then 25th ranked Boise State, followed by at the swamp against the top 15 Florida. They probably didn't expect the South Florida Bulls to be number 18 coming down to number five Miami, but here we are. Yeah, Dono, Carson Beck came in against Notre Dame and was as good as advertised when needed. Is he good enough to not just win the ACC, but take Miami past this game and to the college football playoff?

Starting point is 00:13:14 I believe he is. Something that I've noticed since I first started to watch him practice back in early August, he's truly a perfect fit for. for Shannon Dawson's offense because he gets rid of the football quickly. He processes well. He's not afraid to take the checkdown, which is a lot different from Cam Ward last year, who obviously had a spectacular season, of course, but Cam Ward was a home run hitter.

Starting point is 00:13:37 Carson doesn't mind hitting singles and doubles, and I especially think in a game like this, where South Florida did a pretty good job taking the deep ball away from DJ Lagway, Carson Beck, being willing to take what the defense gives him, I think is going to go a long way in this game. And based on the way that Beck has played so far, Drake, you know, obviously the 2-0 start with the significant win being against Notre Dame, but no interceptions thrown so far. He's taken care of the football. He's really playing with a chip on his shoulder. And so far, he's been really good at the U. Dono, give me a quick final score projection. Yeah, so it's a huge spread.

Starting point is 00:14:13 I'm looking at it at 17 and a half Miami favored. I think it's a big number. I'm looking at Miami probably 31 to 17 in this game, with the big difference being the line of scrimmage. I think Miami's offensive line that's lived up to the billing so far is going to be able to get enough push against the USFD line. And I think Miami's pass rush led by Ruben Bain is going to be able to get enough done. The key for the defense is going to be slowing by.

Starting point is 00:14:37 Byron Brown down from running. He does that very well. But I think Miami's got enough talent to pull this off. And they're not going to take South Florida lightly after what the Bulls just did to Florida. So can't even call this a trap game anymore. 31 to 17 Keynes. That is Alex Donno of locked on Keynes. Donno, thanks so much. Thank you. Coach, you mentioned it. You've been in USF shoes a time or two. The last win they had against Miami was six to three in 2011. I've slept since then. How do you prepare for a juggernaut like Miami on the?

Starting point is 00:15:07 Well, number one, they have the advantage. I don't think that they feel like they have any pressure. They've already shown two weeks in a row. They played good competition. And so I don't think they're worried about coming in. They've gone on the road into the swamp. They're not going to feel like it's going to be a tougher environment than what they just did.

Starting point is 00:15:26 Then their quarterback also didn't play early in that ball game. South Florida's didn't because something that went on outside of football. So I would have to think that they're way excited. and just do what they do. Jesse, quickly, you've been an underdog as a player before. How do you keep from getting too hyped up going into a game like this and missing assignment? Not only being an underdog, I've been an underdog against the canes who came in the Chapel Hill, who we beat. But the thing is that you're playing with house money.

Starting point is 00:15:53 You understand that you're not supposed to win this game. Nobody is counting you in the winning side. Look at the point total. Look what happened last year to you against this football team. So you throw all caution to the win and you say, what do we have to lose? We have everything to gain here so you play fresh, you play free, and you let everything hang out, and you see at the end of the game, if you can come up with a victory.

Starting point is 00:16:13 I was the underdog of my third grade spelling bee. Okay. I hope this thing goes way better for South Florida. What was your word? It was like Apple. I mean, we were really not doing too hot in third grade. A lot's changed since then. Let's go into a bit.

Starting point is 00:16:25 Last week, Coach, we talked about money in college athletics. Really, the entire premise of Coach's Corner has been a bunch about money. And not that it is the focus here, but it's going to be involved. Let's talk Transfer Portal with Little Coach's Corner. You know, there's two topics in college football that everybody wants to talk about, that's NIL and Portal. Everybody has their opinion, bad or good. What I want to talk about is the good.

Starting point is 00:16:53 I think everybody believes that there needs to be a little bit more structure, but there's one position in college football that I think has benefited from the portal, and that's the quarterback. You know, everybody has basically signed and tried to mature four to five quarterback. through their years. And that was the one position if you left, you had to sit out and you couldn't play for a couple years and do things. I think we have found that in college football and in the NFL, that being able, quarterbacks

Starting point is 00:17:22 being able to move, move around quickly, find a place that they belong where they're needed, has really been a positive. And I'll give you three or four or five quarterbacks in the NFL. And let's just talk about Oklahoma guys. Let's talk about Jalen Hertz, Kyler Murray, and Baker Mayfield. Not only with them, if you want to throw a side note, even though he left, Caleb Williams, and then also talk about Bow Nicks and Cam Ward. All those guys have been, I coached against four out of the five of those guys in college.

Starting point is 00:17:53 There's no surprise to me that they're doing better in the pros. So now let's talk about the top 25, let's talk about the top 2,025 top quarterbacks in the portal this year. Let's talk about John Matier. Now, understandably, Oklahoma now comes to the top of the, of the space again because he came with his coordinator. It was a big deal. They came. They were a partnership and after two weeks, it looks like it's already been an advantage.

Starting point is 00:18:21 Tommy Castellanos has showed up at Florida State and they went from a two and ten football team to where now they're ranked in the top 15. Devin Dampere from New Mexico to Utah. They look like an exciting offense. You go with the defense of Utah. Jackson Arnold at Auburn running the football has really made a big difference in the first two weeks. Carson Becks to the Canes and then Joey Aglar to Tennessee. I would have to say that that trade, him going to Tennessee, has been a big deal.

Starting point is 00:18:52 What do you think, Jesse? Well, for me, when you look at this thing, you need a quarterback. That's the first things first. But I remember Matt Ruhl said this a couple years ago. He talked about the going rate for quarterback in NCAA is about one and a half million. to $2. That's the starting point. And the pot is only getting richer because now you're looking at how

Starting point is 00:19:14 things are going to go in the college football playoff. You have 12 teams in there now. And coaches understand there's bonuses tied to that, coach. You know all about that that, right? And so if I have a quarterback, if I have the point guard of my office, then I have a chance. And when you don't have one,

Starting point is 00:19:30 now you find yourself fishing for wins, trying to find wins. So I think when you look at this thing from a lot of different perspective, is it portal, is it NIL, is it loyalty? Is it fit? All these things. I feel like a lot of it has to do with the dollar-dollar bill, y'all. Well, think about this.

Starting point is 00:19:45 We talk about loyalty. If I work, let's use two accounting firms, KPMG or Merrill Lynch, right? And one of them offers me a million dollars. The other one offers me $3 million. At that point, my loyalty is to generational wealth, to my family. It's to Andrew. It's to Andrew. It's to Andrew Jackson.

Starting point is 00:20:01 It's to Ben Franklin. It's to all those. 100%. I mean, at some level, and I don't want college football to become that necessarily, this business of, oh, you're not. you're just an accounting firm. But at a level, there is an opportunity if you're Cam Ward to go make a name for yourself out of a small school, then be a runner up for the Heisman.

Starting point is 00:20:17 Go first overall in the draft. And coach, maybe the only downside from a fan perspective is if I look at guys like, you know, Ryan Mallet at Arkansas, right? He became this cult hero, this legend. Or I go over to A.J. McCarran in Alabama. Andy Dalton, who you coached. Fans are buying those jerseys. That's who they want to wear.

Starting point is 00:20:33 Today, you best not buy a jersey because that thing's probably worthless in six months. I would say that everything that you guys have said is true. But I would also say that in a lot of these guys' cases, they went to a situation where there was a need and there was a certain culture. Some of them followed their coordinator. Some of them followed their head coach. I would say that, you know, you want to go somewhere where you know your stock rises that you're going to be better.

Starting point is 00:20:58 I mean, you look at Bow Nicks from Auburn to Oregon, two unbelievable years. Cam Ward from Incarnate Word to Washington State, then to Miami, and how that all progressed. Yeah, everything, he made all that work. But at the end of the day, all these guys, the thing that I think is kind of cool, and I know that they got paid, but I think all of them chose because they knew it was going to be a better fit. They knew they had an opportunity to be better on a national stage and get an opportunity for their stock to rise. And because that happened, because that happened, I think all of them, and you're going to see quarterbacks later on here and now as we go forward, keep making those kind of decisions.

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Starting point is 00:23:10 Do it today. I personally own a T.J. Finley, LSU, Auburn, Texas State, Wake, Western Kentucky and Georgia State Jersey. So I spent a lot of money on T.J. Finley in the quarterback position over my time. That's good stuff, coach. Thank you with perspective. The quarterbacks, I know that it's changed the way college football has worked, but it's saved. I think a lot of young athletes that could have been. buried in the game that got to rise to the top. Let's go take a different direction of back into

Starting point is 00:23:38 this week specifically with some of our bigger matchups and this week maybe it hits, guys. It's our lock of the week. What do we got? Thanks, Drake. After a wild week two, we have another lock for this week. Open it, open it, open it. Lee has the key to the lock of the day. Big game in the SEC coming up on Saturday, the Florida Gators and the LSU Tigers hooking up in baton ruse. The Gators looking to bounce back from last week's lost to USF. LSU comes in a two and O. Lee, what do you like here in this SEC showdown? Well, it's interesting that both of these coaches were hired four years ago. Obviously, Brian Kelly comes over from Notre Dame, but Billy Napier came over from Sunbelt Conference, Louisiana Lafayette, had a stellar career

Starting point is 00:24:28 there. Well, maybe he should have stayed there. He's just 20 and 20 so far in Florida. He had a huge upset last year when they beat LSU. He was probably a half away from getting fired. His team rallied in that game and won the game, 27 to 16, ended up with an 8 and 5 record. Things started well this year. They beat Long Island, 55-0. And then last weekend, things came crashing down against South Florida. They lost the game at home and committed 11 penalties doing so for over 100 yards. I also suspect D.J. Lagway, their quarterback, who was injured in fall camp isn't 100%. Now, LSU, I think they're laying in the weeds here.

Starting point is 00:25:11 After beating Clemson first weekend and a huge upset and the other Death Valley, they just went through the motions last week against Louisiana Tech. They showed absolutely nothing. This is their revenge game, the game last year that costs them from getting into the college football playoff. Love their team speed, especially at linebackers, which play like defensive backs here. or so Death Valley, if you're not playing at a high level and also you're not disciplined, it'll swallow you whole here. Revenge, revenge, revenge, revenge. Goodbye, Billy here.

Starting point is 00:25:48 Sunbelt, Billy, maybe no more in another three to four weeks. LSU is my luck of the week, 3114. And for more daily picks, subscribe to Locked on Betts. Back to the college football kickoff studio. We'll see you next week. Drake. Thank you, Kevin, and I agree with you, Lee. And if I didn't agree with you, I'd be a scared for my knees. Let's go from our luck of the week to our playoff playbook. Les me forget. You love Lee Sterler. I love him. That is my favorite segment of the day. I look forward each and every week. Lee, I look forward to seeing you each and every week, brother. Just to know, I know the white walls on the Cadillac is parked out front and it is clean.

Starting point is 00:26:35 He sends his best to the misses. I do. It really does. As we go to the playoff playbook, we have skipped over so far. Notre Dame, who gets to host Texas A&M this week. Coach, these are two different cultures kind of clashing right here. You don't often get to see this matchup. Well, in Notre Dame's case, they've got an edge to them. It didn't turn out the way they wanted it to.

Starting point is 00:26:55 They've got a really good football team. They get back to run. So with the home crowd, nobody there wants to lose and get to a second loss. So you're going to see a different Notre Dame team come out. He's the expert locked on Aggies. Matt Galatson, talking to all things Texas A&M, has a different take on how the Aggies can win this game. Hey there, this is Matt Galatson from Lockdown Aggies. And what does Texas A&M need to do to win against Notre Dame?

Starting point is 00:27:17 It's pretty easy for me. I think they just need to run the football and stop the run. This Texas A&M team has struggled early on in the season to stop the run. They cleaned it up against Utah State. I think that if they're able to do that against Notre Dame, slow down Jeremiah Love, slow down Jerry & Price. It's going to make things a lot easier for their defense to, to, uh, to, to kind of control the narrative of that football game and the momentum of that football game.

Starting point is 00:27:41 And they also need to run the football. Again, week one against UTSA, they struggled to do that. Week two against Utah State, they ran the football down the Aggie's throat. It's a critical part of their offense. It allows things to open up for Marcel Reed. It allows things to open up for those explosive wide receivers. If they can do those two things,

Starting point is 00:28:00 I think that they're going to be very, very successful in South Bend come this weekend. Yeah, Galatzin, that's gonna be an awesome game. I personally believe that Notre Dame still has the keys, the defense, the trenches to knock off A&M this week. How about the Vanderbilt Commodores? Oh, those guys are looking good, Jesse. I think Vanderbilt could be a Diego Pavia quarterback, by the way, against South Carolina number 11 in the country. Vanderbilt's kind of scary.

Starting point is 00:28:24 They are scary. Those are one of those teens when they're coming to your home that you want to make sure that you're clicking on all cylinders. You don't want to bite the cheese and think about too good for yourself. But Lenore Sellers is a little bit. above, he's one of the best quarterbacks in the country. And I like him at that quarterback position for South Carolina. Yeah, coach, anything different? Well, I thought when I walked on the field before he had his jersey on

Starting point is 00:28:47 because I saw him in person last year when they played this game, I thought he was a defensive lineman. I mean, he's a huge human being and he's a great athlete. Yeah, Florida at number three LSU. We heard that take from Lee. Again, I'm not going to disagree with Lee. I think it's a very good chance. You see there, Florida, on the road against the Tigers.

Starting point is 00:29:05 Brian Kelly should have the advantage in that one. Arkansas on the road against Old Miss. Coach, you mentioned this one off the air a little bit, any chance for the hogs. You know, they played them well through the years. And so they're close enough. There's a rivalry there. I see it being a shootout. I think so.

Starting point is 00:29:22 Jesse, this could be an Ole Miss team that after last week they proved with the win against Kentucky monkey off their back, that actually contends the top of the SEC. No, absolutely. You're talking about a hot toddy out there in Old Miss. You definitely like what they're doing. And that offense is very explosive. You know they're going to pass the ball down the football field. So Arkansas better bring the area game when they're thinking get out of hand.

Starting point is 00:29:40 Haynes King, Georgia Tech. What do you think? Sneaky. Sneaky. He's a sneaky quarterback because you know he's going to run the ball multiple times the game. So now you have to account for 11 guys on offense. The quarterback's not going to sit in the pocket. He's going to definitely tuck in and run.

Starting point is 00:29:56 And that gives your defense, you know, in Clemson a tough matchup each and every week. Yeah, coach. This is a Clemson team, but I still think could be in the college. football playoff probably will, but Georgia Tech's a stalwart in their way this year. Well, yeah, I think, I think Clemson's very talented. You know, you have to worry about with the quarterback from Georgia Tech. You've got to worry about him staying healthy because I was looking at some stuff online and it was talking about him being probable.

Starting point is 00:30:23 But that was his biggest problem last year. He ran the ball enough that he didn't stay healthy and he was injured. So he has to stay healthy for Georgia Tech to move forward. I think so. They've got a really good shot this week. The slate is here. We're finally opening up more of these conference matchups as we look down the SEC, the ACC, the ACC, and the like. Even the Big 12 with a couple of big games on Friday night.

Starting point is 00:30:42 And, man, I really want to shout out once again, Lee Sterling. I think all to make sure we stay on the good side. With all due respect. We want to make sure we get that out there. One Lee Sterling this week. That will do it for us here with college football kickoff. And it's a wrap on today's show is presented by Coca-Cola. But we're just getting started next week.

Starting point is 00:31:03 gets the chance to prove themselves again, and they can do it against Oklahoma. A little bit of homecoming for Jackson Arnold. And how far will some teams fall after this week? Same time, same set, same unapologetic football energy. Big thanks to Coach Gary Patterson, the Hall of Famer and Jesse Holly for bringing the heat into you. That's right, for riding shotgun with us.

Starting point is 00:31:21 Enjoy all the action this weekend. Stay locked in, stay fired up, and we'll see you next Thursday right here on Fire TV.

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