Locked On ACC - Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast - Revealed: What's Wrong With Florida State Football? | Pitt Pulls Off Massive Backyard Brawl COMEBACK

Starting point is 00:00:01 Are the Florida State Seminoles about to make a quarterback change? 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 Locked on ACC, your first listen and your first watch today. We're available free wherever you get your podcast. We're free on YouTube. We're part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day.

Starting point is 00:00:35 Today's episode is brought to you by Five Hour Energy. Go to 5hourenergy.com and use promo code locked on CFB to receive 20% off your order. I am Alex Dono from Locked on Cains. We got, as always, Kent and Gibbs from Locked on Wolfpack. And Brian Smith from Lockdown Seminoles is nice enough to join us on this episode. We will break down my new ACC power rankings. We'll talk about BC looking competitive against Missou, but ultimately falling short, pit with a huge, another comeback win this time in the backyard brawl.

Starting point is 00:01:09 But we're going to open up here with Brian Smith on the Florida State Seminoles. So Brian, so far, DJ Uyungal-Lay is completing 56% of his passes, 666 yards. That's kind of bad mojo. One touchdown to two interceptions in three games so far. Is Mike Norvell going to make a quarterback change, Brian, now that the Seminoles are 0 and 3? Well, he needs to or he needs to increase security around him. The fan base is ready. I can assure you of that.

Starting point is 00:01:40 But they released a depth chart with DJ at the top of it. And based on the press conference, he gave so much coach speak that it was, oh, we love the guys that the backups. They were just trying to keep guys from transfer. It's basically what I thought of it. And unless Luke Cromahawk or Brock Glenn ends up playing in the game, at least rotating in, I guarantee you you will hear booze when DJ comes out on the field. Guarantee it. Florida state fans are done with DJU.

Starting point is 00:02:10 So let me ask you this, Brian. What were the percentage odds, right? Let's jump in our time capsule. Let's jump in the time portal a little bit. One day before the Georgia Tech. What were the odds that this Florida State team comes out of what could be their easiest quartile of the season, winless? what say you in terms of odds that that was going to happen?

Starting point is 00:02:34 Less than 1%. Yeah. I mean, there's no way anybody could have foreseen how bad in your alignments, you know how important experience is. The offensive line that DJ is protected by had 210 starts career going into the season. And they stake. Yeah. The running backs, I mean, they're getting hit at the line of scrimmage or behind.

Starting point is 00:02:59 about one every five plays. You know, it's like they are 133rd out of 134 teams in Russia. Literally. That is garbage. So DJ is obviously not great. Not going to sit here and argue that. But if the guy's in front of him because he's a pure pocket passer, old school, 1985, Big Ten kind of quarterback,

Starting point is 00:03:24 if he doesn't have a run game in a consistent offensive line, it's not going to work. So they don't have that. And then the receivers, let's be honest, they lost two NFL guys, an extremely unique H-back that kind of played like a receiver. I mean, they lost insane talent. They got all the catches last year,

Starting point is 00:03:45 but they haven't exactly killed it either. So there's not a single part of the offense that's doing well. And until the last game, the tight ends that combined for one catch for 12 yards. So, I mean, everything is above, you know, being just called names per se. I don't like that stuff, but they're all bad right now. There's not a unit on the offense that's not bad. Some might say worse.

Starting point is 00:04:10 I won't comment too much on what some of the live shows I've had at Florida State have been like some of the comments I have to skip over before putting them on the screen. But it's gotten ugly. And right now, I asked a simple question, when will Florida State win a football game? They got Cal this weekend. Yeah, I don't see that. They go to SMU. Any road game right now, are you going to feel so good about a team that's 130-30-thrund rushing and averages like 15 points a game?

Starting point is 00:04:39 Really? No. They got Clemson in a few weeks. That'll go great. I can imagine Dono is going to be doing all kinds of special dances on TikTok when Miami plays them. I got to learn how to dance first. You're going to be shaking those hips on TikTok. I mean, it could go viral.

Starting point is 00:04:59 It could go viral. I would. So, Florida State, I don't know when they're going to win a football. That's just my honesty. Does Noel 321, does he, do we believe in the curse of the dog poop? Because I see a lot of people on Florida State Twitter saying, like, he's got to do it if they ever want to win a game again. I stay away from that guy because that guy's an idiot. I mean, I don't know.

Starting point is 00:05:26 He's standing away from the world right now. He's doing the rank down, you know, no public sight. He's a whole three to one. Look, man, don't ever talk about that. I mean, it don't matter if you're playing a piece. It's the perception. And then, of course, it happened too. So it's just like, what are you doing, bro?

Starting point is 00:05:43 So, yeah, I get it. I get it. Florida State is just shell-shocked in every way, shape of form. So let me ask you this, right? Everybody's piling on Florida State right now. And rightfully so, to some extent. With everything that happened is offseason and all the money, you know, you got beat by money powerhouses, Boston College, Georgia Tech, and the richest of the rich,

Starting point is 00:06:03 the boys from Memphis, when they say the hard urge. So with that being said, what's the path to riding the ship for Florida State? Or do you see a path to riding the ship potentially? The one thing in the Memphis game that was interesting, Kenton, was the defense played much better. They were on the field a lot because Memphis, I mean, their quarterback's legit. I mean, he's going to get drafted or at least make the combine. etc he's an accurate guy they got a couple of good running backs a couple good receivers etc but they had the ball 36 and changed to fortuit states 23 and change and they're both grinded out teams yeah and

Starting point is 00:06:37 that's like come on bro defense was gas but they held on they only gave up one score in the second half so that's a good sign uh i know this is kind of comical in a way but their place kicker and punter are probably the two best players in the nation at those spots the kicker's got a 52 54 and 59 yard field goal this year. I mean, he's, he's going to get paid. The master model of the punter is legit, too. So they just, like the offense is offensive. That's the thing. Like, you can't, you can't do what they're doing. Like, they make your NC State Wolf Pack look like the 8849ers. I mean, it's just crazy. Hey, we got our Joe Montana. We got our Joe Montana now. So don't worry about us.

Starting point is 00:07:18 But, I mean, seriously, they're embarrassing to watch. I know, for sure. For sure. Yeah. Well, you know, you already, you already tipped your cap, I think, on how you expect, or at least what the win-loss is going to be against Cal this weekend. And I will remind people that, yes, like Florida State losing to Memphis this past weekend was probably surprising for a lot of folks out there.

Starting point is 00:07:42 It was not surprising to Brian Smith. Brian Smith did predict that that would happen, that the Seminoles would lose to Memphis and they would start 0-3. I think you already mentioned you don't think Florida State is going to win against Cal this weekend. So part A is how do you think the game will play out? And then part B would be if Florida State is going to win that game, what has to happen? Well, the key here is finding ways to put pressure on Fernando Mendoza.

Starting point is 00:08:10 They don't have a great O line. As an example, I was studying a little bit this morning. UC Davis held Cal to under three yards of carry. Not a good sign for your running game. And they got a couple of guys that will probably get paid in the backfield. I've seen them play live at Auburn. They're pretty talented in terms of the skill guys, but not necessarily any burners or anything. They got a true freshman receiver. It's got four touchdowns already. Kind of one of those guys is got overlooked. But you got to keep everything in front

Starting point is 00:08:39 of you, which you probably will because they don't take a lot of shots and try to get them in more manageable situations for your defense. They got a good pass rush, Florida State does. But at some point, somebody has got to be able to hook up with DJ. They got to get into the 20s and scoring. I mean, God forbid, you know, 12 points this last, come on, man. 12, come on. And they struggled to get to 12. So it's really sad. They're going to need a pick six, a special teams play, a scoop and score.

Starting point is 00:09:07 If they're going to win, they need a special play. And the Fernando Mendoza kid, who Donna would right down the street from me because he went to Miami Columbus, that kid doesn't make many errors. He just doesn't. And in the game I saw him play against Auburn, at one point, he was. literally 20 of 22. I forget what he finished. They kind of caught up to him towards the end because they threw a lot of short passes.

Starting point is 00:09:32 But his accuracy is uncanny. So Florida State has to be able to tackle better. Their angles in the secondary against Memphis, I don't know if you two watched any of that, but like they really struggle with switches and stuff. Cow runs a lot of shifts in pre-snap motion. It's an NFL offense. I'm very concerned that Florida State's going to get out schemes and they're going to get a couple freebies. So they got to clean that up too. So I'm not very optimistic.

Starting point is 00:09:58 And for the listeners out there to speak to Brian Smith's point, he talked about Florida State getting into the 20s. Florida State has not scored more than 21 points a single time this season. Not once in their three games so far this year have they put up more than three touchdowns worth of points. That just ain't going to get it done, regardless of what conference, regardless of how much better they are than teams. But let me ask you this. Donno about how it would play out for Florida State to win. How do you think it's going to go down? If you had to give the Bryant Smith crystal bald, you see what I did there,

Starting point is 00:10:31 crystal bald prediction, what would it be? I think Fernando will play keep away late in the game, make a couple of clutch plays. There was the game against Auburn on third downs between one and four yards to go. Here's a stat for you. Cow was eight of nine. I mean, that's insane. That's 89%. saying he's going to do that again. And for the record, Auburn has some serious talent at

Starting point is 00:10:57 defensive bat. I mean, they legitimately do. So if so is Florida State, but four states got to, I sure are going to do better than that. But I think Cal will play keep away in the fourth quarter and win a very close game. I don't know the exact score. I need to see a few more things, find out some injury notes before I give a prediction. But barring somebody being hurt that I don't know about, I do think the Bears get the W. Wow. Illuminating stuff here from Brian Smith. And Brian, I hope folks are checking out Brian's work. Help the man keep his sanity during what's been a really tough start to the season. Brian from Lockdown Seminoles,

Starting point is 00:11:31 thank you so much for taking the time, man, and we'll talk to you again. We'll probably talk to you later this week on the squad. Are you going to be on the squad this week? We'll see. We'll see. It's embarrassing. We'll see you later this week. Thanks, Brian.

Starting point is 00:11:45 I appreciate it, sir. Take care. Awesome job there as always. And folks, we're nowhere near done yet. on this new episode of Lockdown ACC, because you need to start paying attention to what's happening in Pittsburgh. And the special freshman quarterback

Starting point is 00:12:00 who is not playing like a freshman. Pittsburgh Panthers, I'm going to start calling them the comeback cats with what they've been doing. You guys want to keep it locked right here. We're only getting started on this brand new episode of Locked on ACC. I'm only getting started with five-hour energy.

Starting point is 00:12:19 Five-hour energy, it's such a great tool, especially during football season, because I love staying up late to watch all the evening games. I wake up early every morning. Five-hour energy, it tastes great, and it gives me a boost in the morning. It helps me get through the day. With zero sugar and a convenient portable size, it's the perfect pick-me-up for getting stuff done. The Five-Hour Energy website has flavors galore like watermelon, tropical burst, great, berry, and more. There's a flavor for everyone, try them all. On the site, you even have the option to build your own 12-pack or 24-pack.

Starting point is 00:12:50 You choose the flavors, and it's delivered right through your door. You go to five-hourenergy.com, That's the number five, hour energy.com. Get some five hour energy product today. You can use my promo code, Locked on CFB, to receive 20% off your order. This offer only valid until September 30th on one order cannot be used with other promotions. The code is not good on subscription orders. Go to five hour energy.com today. Thank you so much for making this episode of Lockdown ACC, your first listen and your first watch today.

Starting point is 00:13:22 For your next listens, make sure you check out the other shows that we do. Kenton does an awesome job on Lockdown, Wolf. pack. They got a big game against Clemson coming up this weekend. I also host Locked on Canes. Miami will be taking on South Florida USF this coming weekend to try and improve on their 3 and O record. You know who else is 3 and O Kenton? That's the Pitt Panthers. And that backyard brawl, that game. And I feel like we predicted it pretty well. We both predicted close wins for Pitt. I said high scoring game. The overall score was what, 17? if I do the math correctly on that one.

Starting point is 00:14:00 But the most impressive part about that, Kenton, and yeah, we did have some dazzling special teams plays. Pitt had a blocked punt that they returned for a touchdown. But Eli Holstein, their freshman quarterback, who three straight weeks, every game he's played in, he's been named ACC rookie of the week. And in week three, he actually also won ACC quarterback of the week. So Holstein took double honors this week. If he keeps winning rookie of the week, they're going to have to name that the Holstein

Starting point is 00:14:30 trophy starting next year with the way this guy is cleaning up, 21 for 30 in the game, 301 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions. And, you know, Kenton, what impressed me most about Holstein, and I know I raised the question before the game, I kind of wish I hadn't. Like, you know, will the freshman quarterback have the poise to step up in a big game like that? He was oozing poise this past Saturday, Kenton. And I love his pocket awareness and presence.

Starting point is 00:14:58 He was out there dropping dimes throughout that game. The thing that I found so interesting about him is what he could do with his legs. When things broke down, you're right. He did look to pass and he was poison the pocket. But to me, when you have a guy that's that poise in the pocket, normally it's not just because he doesn't want to run. It's because he can't run. Dan Marino famously was a master of manipulating the pocket.

Starting point is 00:15:23 Two steps here, one step. and that's how he worked that thing out because he couldn't run. Dan Marino was slow as dirt. And then you look at the guy like Holstein, you know, the new iteration of Pitt quarterback, and he was there leading rusher. Think about that for a second. That young man played a phenomenal game.

Starting point is 00:15:42 He played a phenomenal game. And here's the thing about what Eli Holston is doing. He is why I love college football. And I know that that's a big statement, but let me clarify it by saying this. he's why I love college football because you and I both thought Pitt was going to be terrible with you. You and I both thought Pitt is in for a very, very long year, potentially a year that sees Narduzzi

Starting point is 00:16:07 have to answer some questions and maybe fill out his LinkedIn. Lo and behold, don't get me wrong, Eli Holstein wasn't some unheralded nobody who everybody thought was going to be terrible. He wasn't that. But nobody expected every single week he's going to get better. He wasn't even supposed to be the starting quarterback like Pittsburgh. They sent Nate Yarnel to the ACCC kickoff media days, kind of assuming he was the starter. And that's exactly what I mean by this is why you love college football because what other sport do you see a guy who is, again, the presumable backup.

Starting point is 00:16:45 The other guy gets sent to the event where you send your best. And he just comes out and says, oh, y'all don't know which way to go. I'll make it easy. Follow me. Follow me. I'll lead you to the province land. Follow me. I'll lead you against Sinci. Follow me. I'll lead you against Pitt in the backyard ball. Follow me. I will lead you to the promised land.

Starting point is 00:17:04 He's looking phenomenal. He really and truly is. Pitt, overall, is looking good. Do they have some problems defensively? Absolutely. Do they have the problem of spotting teams a lot of points before they wake it up? Absolutely. Hey, listen, stop doing it, Pitt. The betters ain't giving

Starting point is 00:17:19 you no favors, okay? The sharks don't owe y'all nothing. And y'all don't know. It starts nothing. But in all seriousness, that is a team that is relentless. They're together. They got a special guy at quarterback. Those three things spells danger for the ACC. They've been one of probably the two or three most entertaining teams in the ACC to watch so far.

Starting point is 00:17:40 Because like you said, drama fueled like every single game for Pitt. They're down three touchdowns into the fourth quarter against Cincinnati. They win. They're down 10 points with a little over three minutes, a little over three minutes left against West Virginia, and they pull out the wind in front of their home fans. So it has been worth the price of admission so far when it comes to Pitt Panthers football. You know, I do, I want to give some props to Boston College, Kent. And now I know that, you know, they were only in in the top 25 for a week.

Starting point is 00:18:10 They were 24th. They have dropped out of the rankings. But like you want to give them some credit because they went into Missouri as massive underdogs against the at the time number six team in the country. and they led for most of that game and they lost by less than a touchdown. Like BC played so tough against Mizzou. So it's like I'm not a big moral victories guy,

Starting point is 00:18:33 but I'm proud of the way Boston College is playing this year. I'm not a moral victory guy. I'm a logic guy. If they're the number six team in the nation, and this team hung in there step for step, blow for blow, toe to toe. How the hell are they not on the top 25? Great point.

Starting point is 00:18:49 You saw what I saw. Listen, there are many people that have proven me, this year. Last year, things were smooth sailing. I didn't get proved wrong this much. I looked like the smartest guy in the world. This year, I look like a fool. I look like an idiot. And let me tell you, a rapper name Obitrice says something I'll never forget. A wise man knows a wise man knows nothing. Okay? And I don't know nothing about this thing no more because Bill O'Brien has got those guys playing inspired football and he's putting Castiano's in positions to succeed. He is constantly, constantly, constantly putting Thomas Castellanos in positions

Starting point is 00:19:23 where he can make plays. Get on the perimeter, make plays with your legs or with your arms. Get on the perimeter, put some stress on that defense. Oh, and by the way, when teams try to account too tough on the perimeter, let's pop them with a joke. Let's work something right up the middle. He's calling some fantastic game plans. The defense, we knew that the talent was there.

Starting point is 00:19:41 Donovan Azarako, welcome to the party, baby. Welcome to the party. I have talked about him as one of the more underrated pass versus in the ACC. He's turning into one of the premier guys in the nation this year. And, you know, I, I struggle to say that I don't believe in BC anymore. I'm right here on the edge, Dono. They're about to pull me on that bandwagon. There's something about Bill O'Brien that's keeping me off,

Starting point is 00:20:06 but I'll be damned if they don't got the rope tugging on me. Well, when we come back, so like earlier today, Kenton, I'm looking at a lot of different, you know, college football, news sites, and blogs, and I'm looking at everybody's power rankings. I'm like, well, why don't we just make our own? I've got my one. I've got my 1 through 17 ACC power ranking. I also want to give some props to the best quarterback in the country right now.

Starting point is 00:20:30 Not Eli Holstein, although he's pretty good. Got to give some props to Cameron Ward. He's climbing up the watch list, Kenton. So you guys want to keep it locked right here. We're not done yet on this brand new episode of Locked on ACC. And you know I'm not done with Fandul. Guys, every Saturday, every Sunday, every Monday night. I love getting action on these college and NFL games.

Starting point is 00:20:59 And yeah, you've heard us talk a lot about Fandual, America's number one sports book. Well, we have something a little different for you. Now through September 22nd, all Fandual customers can bet $5 and get a three-week free trial of NFL Sunday ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV. Now, that's a deal. Then with a YouTube TV base plan, you'll be able to watch every regular season Sunday afternoon out-of-market game. All you need is a Google account and a current form of payment, and you can cancel any time.

Starting point is 00:21:26 And while you're there, you can get wagers on all the big games coming up this weekend, including NC State against Clemson, which we're going to talk a lot about throughout the week. So, guys, make sure you're checking out Fanduil.com and download America's number one sports book. Thank you so much for making this episode of Lockdown ACC, your first listen and your first watch today. We're free wherever you get your podcast. We're free on YouTube. We're part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. We're also, we're on live right now. me if you're watching us. If you're not watching us live, then you missed it. But you're,

Starting point is 00:22:03 we're on live right now. So make sure you smash that thumbs up button. Hit that like button subscribe to locked on ACC. I've been hitting the like button on anything Cam Ward related for the past three weeks, Kenton. So, you know, my quarterback's actually did it as advertised. We're having a great time. I'm not telling us all. 75% of his passes so far, 11 touchdowns to just one interception. He's been over 300. Like this guy wakes up in the morning. He's got 300 yards. already in the box score. 346 yards against Ball State. I know it's not the toughest of opposition,

Starting point is 00:22:36 but 346, what was it, five touchdowns, career high for him, no interceptions in the game. And he has actually, Kenton, and obviously this is something we monitor throughout the entire season. You don't crown a Heisman trophy winner in week three or week four. I get that. But Cam Ward has climbed now to the top odds in the country.

Starting point is 00:23:00 this moment to win the Heisman trophy. I think he was like 12th or something when the season began. So, you know, so far, so far not only has he been as good as advertised, I would say Cam Ward has been better than advertised. Oh, for sure. Cam Ward has absolutely been better than advertised. But, and this is a very big butt, this is a situation where Cam Ward has yet to play a power 14 that will still have their head coach by Thanksgiving.

Starting point is 00:23:27 See what you did there. Sorry, Billy Napier. Come on now, Billy. You know what's coming. But in all seriousness, he has yet to do that. Don't get me wrong. This is not me knocking him because I know how Miami fans get. I know y'all like the tussle.

Starting point is 00:23:42 I know y'all like it. You're a little roughy, around. I firmly believe in Cam Ward. He's doing what I thought he was going to do. I said, hey, this is the ACC player of the year. He's probably going to go to New York at the end of the year. I am very excited to see how, he handles those tough pressure-packed moments.

Starting point is 00:24:00 I'm very excited to see that because those are going to be his Heisman moments. With all due respect, what he did to Florida, that's not a Heisman moment, right? Like, that's a part of winning a Heisman. Don't get me wrong. Yeah, you need to whip the wheels off of mundane below average bad teams. Absolutely. What he did against Fabio, that's part of a Heisman resume. He needs some Heisman moments.

Starting point is 00:24:21 And he'll have his opportunity. I know he will. And I believe that he'll flourish in those moments as well, because this is a young man that's been at those big stages for forever now. I mean, you go back to Incarnate Word. Wasn't he, didn't he take them further in the, the FCS playoff than they've ever been? That's the type of guy he is. He's used to those pressure pack moments at Washington State.

Starting point is 00:24:42 It was a very similar situation where he was the guy. And you know they run that air raid offense where, objectively speaking, if your QB is not rolling, it's going to be a tough time. So I see Cam Ward as a guy who has the experience in these moments, who's been the guy it's had to be counted on to make it happen. I'm excited to see him continue to make it happen. All right. So let's go through.

Starting point is 00:25:03 You can tell me where I'm wrong. But I ranked every ACCC football team, one to 17. I've got Miami at number one. And I know that outside of a road game at Florida, they've not been seriously tested yet. But it's kind of impossible not to have them number one so far with the way that things have played out. I've got Louisville at number two in Clemson.

Starting point is 00:25:26 at number three. I know a lot of people can't have it a little bit reversed, but to Louisville's credit, they haven't lost yet. I know Clemson lost to, you know, one of the top two teams in the country, but that wasn't pretty. And by the way, Clemson's only played twice. And I noticed when the new AP top 25 rankings came out, I noticed they moved up a spot from 22 to 21. So then I'm like, oh, well, let me see. Who did they play this way? I can't remember. They didn't play anybody. Like, they just, they moved up a spot because. Like, there was one time. Kenton the only time in my life I was ever named employee of the month. This was in 2023 or sorry, not even 2013.

Starting point is 00:26:06 So it was more than 10 years ago. 2013 at WQAM 560 in Miami. I was named employee of the month in a month where I was on vacation for two weeks out of the month. That's like Clemson moves up a spot. They didn't even play last week. So I got Clemson at number three. And if our guy Lawrence Ross is listening to this or watching this,

Starting point is 00:26:26 he will like that I've got Cal at number four in my top 17 so far. Really? You got Cal above Pitt? I got Cal about Pitt. I mean, listen, but you could argue. You could argue Cal has beaten a better team than anyone Pitt his face so far. Is that right? That's fair.

Starting point is 00:26:46 Well, here's the thing. I'm leery about Auburn at Jordan Head. They have a tendency to get relaxed and get the wheels whipped off them by teams that are I mean, that's the same team that we saw get beat up on by New Mexico State, right? Like, you know, with all due respect to the Mountain West or whack or whatever conference they're part of now, I don't think they're necessarily that deal. But credit to Cal, you are right. That is, on paper, the best win of anybody in this next group. That's your point.

Starting point is 00:27:16 I do have, I do have pit at number five. I was, I was captivated by their backyard brawl win. I have been captivated so far by Eli Holstein. I think Narduzi's doing a heck of a job, especially coming off of like an extremely forgettable season. I mean, he's probably lucky he's at Pitt because if he was coaching certain other programs, they wouldn't have even brought him back for this season. Yeah, you're going to get out.

Starting point is 00:27:40 So he actually gets a chance to correct that he's doing that. I've got Syracuse at number six. I was about to say, don't let Jackson get a hold of you if you didn't have that six. He's going to get on me for not having him at number one. We know how Jackson is. And then I've got NC State at number one. number seven because I still have faith in there. Do you think that's the team you cover and you played on? Do you think that's too high? It's much too high because with all due respect,

Starting point is 00:28:08 NC State is a team that lacks an identity right now. If I were to tell you of the first three games that you've seen them play, what's their identity? Do they run the ball physically? Do they throw the ball down field well? Is there a quick passing game hitting on something? Defensively, are there defensive backs just all over the place, constantly create turnover. Are they great tacklers that, hey, you know, they may not be the fast, but when they get there, you're going down. So I think

Starting point is 00:28:37 that Dave Doran is in year 12, so I'm not going to call them a rudderless shit. But what I will say is this is a team without a definitive identity and that this is who we are. NC State prizes themselves on being a hand in the dirt, ag school, which we are. We absolutely are that. But right now,

Starting point is 00:28:54 we're not showing we're a hand in the dirt people because Because tackling is one of the most hand-in-the-dirt things you can do. That's one of the grittiest, nastiest, grimyest things you do. I'm going to get you on the ground. They've struggled to do that. Louisiana Tech, breaking off 60-yarders, where you miss five tackles, you can't live like that. Tennessee, breaking off shovel passes, where they break going for 17 yards on 3rd and 14, because you miss five-tack.

Starting point is 00:29:16 You can't live like that. So I think that's a little high for NC State, even though I love me, some CJ Bailey, even though, we got to do something. I think it's a lot. Yeah. Well, you know, what's ironic was actually, I ranked NC State's, so high because I didn't want to upset you, but then I ended up upsetting you because I ranked them too high. So then at number eight, number eight, I've got Boston College. You know, they, they showed me again, a lot of toughness in that Missouri loss, which they really had no bit.

Starting point is 00:29:41 Yeah, they had, okay, I got Georgia Tech nine. And then, like, I didn't really know what to do with, with North Carolina. Like, they, they haven't played anybody. They've been winning their against. So I put North Carolina 10. Do you, are you, are you, you said Boston College probably too low on my list. What about Georgia Tech at nine, North Carolina at 10? I agree with both of those. I think that both of those are perfectly placed because the minute that you want to give your hopes to Georgia Tech, the minute that you're like, he's the guy, he's got it, he's got to figure it out. They have that game where you're just left saying, wait, what happened? Wait, how did this go down? So, you know, and North Carolina, I agree.

Starting point is 00:30:20 They haven't really been tested much. And it's tough to say yay or nay about a team that hasn't had their chin tap once or twice during the season yet. By the way, as soon as I rattle off the rest of these, I want to, I don't want to spoil it now, but as soon as I rattle them off, I'm going to screen share with my document so you guys can screenshot it and tell me how wrong I am in a few weeks.

Starting point is 00:30:42 I've got Virginia Tech at number 11, which is, you know, kind of disappointing because I had them at my top five preseason. Yeah, I still, I can't forgive them for that Vanderbilt embarrassment. I've got Duke at number 12. like, dude is just all right. Malik Murphy's playing well. So it's like they're at the quarterback position.

Starting point is 00:31:00 They're doing fine. Another major disappointment. I've got SMU at 13. They just, you know, they have been, that they have not done what Cal has done as new members of the ACC will say that. I've got the rest of these, I don't know. I got Stanford at 14. I've got Virginia at 15.

Starting point is 00:31:20 I've got Wake Forest at 16. And who's left, Kenton? Who have I not mentioned who will be number 17 on my power rankings? Hmm. Could it be a team that has a fan who owes the debt? A very big debt, which may be collected upon nationally. I have no clue. Hmm.

Starting point is 00:31:45 Interesting. Oh, it's the nose. It's the nose. Who would have thought? Who would have thought? Yes, the nose are the only team. And listen, like, I know if someone wanted to argue with me that, like, if Florida State were to match up, you know, this weekend with Virginia or with Wake Forest,

Starting point is 00:32:00 that they would be favored to win both of those games, you're probably right, but they were favored to beat Memphis. They were favored to beat Georgia Tech. They were favored to beat Boston College. They haven't done it. Kent and Florida State, I saw this, I was watching ACCC Network this afternoon, and they pointed out, you know, that media poll comes out every year in, you know, late July or early August, of conference winners.

Starting point is 00:32:24 Florida State has become the first preseason ACC favorite to start their year O and three. So they have that distinction right now. So that is my, that's my power ranking. Florida State at 17, Wake Forest 16, Virginia 15, Stanford 14, SMU, Duke, Virginia Tech, UNC at 10, Georgia Tech, Boston College, NC State, too high at seven. I didn't want to piss Kenton Hoff. Syracuse at 6. I didn't want to make Jackson upset. I should have ranked them higher. Pit 5, Cal 4, Clemson 3, Louisville 2, Miami 1. And of course, that cannot be disputed until, you know, until some of these teams let me down. And then we'll revisit this in a couple weeks. I will say this and I want to leave it right here. For anybody who's upset at us for putting Florida State of 17 or for me not disagreeing for Florida State of 17, what other ACC team is 0.N3? what other ACC team has a loss to a group of five schools combined with no wins outside of it.

Starting point is 00:33:32 Objectively speaking, when we look at the results, that's why I have NC State at below seven because they have a grinded out win against a FCS team in Western Carolina, a grinded out team against the Louisiana Tech team that's won three games a year for the past two, three years. I can't put them high. even if I want to say, oh, Tennessee is going to be a national champ, throw that game up. I still cannot put that team higher. So, you know, Florida State, based on the results that we've seen, they smell like dog do-doo that they're, that there are no three to one needs to have a date with. It smelled like something that he's got an appointment with.

Starting point is 00:34:11 Well, I had a great time today. And huge thanks to Brian Smith for joining us early to talk about Florida State. He is Kenton Gibbs from Lockdown Wolfpack. I am Alex Dono from Lockdowne Canes. Guys, make sure you check out Lockdown College Football. I would imagine anyone who's listening to this right now is probably a college football fan. You need to check out the work that Spencer McLaughlin is doing on Lockdown College Football. Like this show, it's available free wherever you get your podcast and available free on YouTube.

Starting point is 00:34:36 We'll talk to again next time on another episode of Lockdown ACC. We are part of the awesome Lockdown Podcast Network. Your team every day.

Locked On ACC - Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast - Revealed: What's Wrong With Florida State Football? | Pitt Pulls Off Massive Backyard Brawl COMEBACK

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.