Locked On ACC - Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast - Why Cam Ward's "mid" self-assessment shouldn't surprise Miami Hurricanes fans

Episode Date: October 18, 2024

Tony Bennett's Sudden Exit: Virginia Cavaliers Basketball Faces Uncertain Future. Just 20 days before the season, Virginia's head coach Tony Bennett has retired, leaving fans and analysts questioning the impact on the ACC landscape.This episode explores the unexpected timing of Bennett's departure and its potential effects on the Virginia Cavaliers. We also dive into Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward's self-assessment, where he describes his performance as "mid" despite impressive stats. The episode previews key matchups, including Florida State vs. Duke, where Duke is favored despite never beating FSU, and Virginia vs. Clemson, with Virginia potentially challenging the 20.5-point spread. Additionally, we analyze the Cal vs. NC State game, pondering which version of the Cal team will emerge.Join us for an engaging discussion on these pivotal moments and matchups in college sports. Listen now for unique insights and expert analysis.For your next listen, check out the Locked On College Football podcast! From NIL deals to never ending conference realignment rumors, Spencer McLaughlin gets you ready for an exciting season on the gridiron! Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!ROYDownload Roy for iOS or Android and enter referral code LOCKED ON and you’ll automatically be entered into a sweepstakes to win $5,000 cash. Visit JoinRoy.com for additional details. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited. Get off the sidelines and into the NIL game with Roy.HIMSHims is changing men's healthcare by providing access to affordable sexual health treatments, all from the comfort of your home. Start your free online visit today at Hims.com/LOCKEDON for your personalized ED treatment options.  LinkedInThese days every new potential hire can feel like a high stakes wager for your small business. That’s why LinkedIn Jobs helps find the right people for your team, faster and for free. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE. Terms and conditions apply.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelYou can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. Place your first FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - guaranteed ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started. 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.

If Miami's Cam Ward has been playing mid, I'd like to see what good quarterbacking looks like. 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 Locked-on podcast network, your team every day. Today's episode is brought to you by Fanduel.

Place your first $5 bet, and you'll get started with $200 in bonus bets guaranteed. Visit Fanduil.com to get started. We had some shocking basketball news on Thursday. I did not have Tony Bennett retiring on my bingo card. We'll get into that. I guess there were like Kenton, you made me laugh so hard on social media. there were one too many Tonys involved in Virginia athletics. I don't think this is the one people wanted to step away, though.

No, no, he's just too good of a guy. He loves UVA too much to say Tony Elliott, Tony Muscat, or Tony Calandra had to hit the road. He's out. I'll go for the greater good of everybody else. I'll get on out. One Tony had to go. We'll also talk some Virginia football because they're big underdogs at Clemson for Tony Elliott's homecoming. another of the Tony that was left standing there in Virginia coaching circles.

Duke against Florida State, can Duke get their first victory ever in football against FSU? We'll start out, though, with this Cam Ward story. Now, Kenton, when I use that word in air quotes, mid describing Cam Ward, probably some of the people listening to this are like, okay, which Florida State podcast referred to Cam Ward is mid, what's going on? it was actually Cam Ward who referred to his play six games into his Miami career. He was asked to describe his level of play so far. Now, knowing Cam Ward having the privilege of covering him since January when he arrived at Miami, I knew he was going to give like a humble response. Like there's no way Ward would come on and say, yeah, I think I should win the Heisman.

I think I'm in light. Like I knew that wasn't going to happen. But he referred to his play so far as mid. That's the exact word he used. And he talked about, and he's not wrong. He has left, despite how well he's played, he's left a lot of plays on the field so far this year, Kent. And I think that, you know, when people see this,

they need to understand that he's not saying that he's mid compared to everybody else. He's saying he's mid to his own standard, which is why I love this guy. I love this guy because this is how you need to approach the game. You truly get in that mold, that zone, that bit of greatness when you run into, you know what, I am going to be my own worst career. Nobody's going to be harder on me than me.

Nobody's going to deflect praise more than me because when you are in that mode, that means that you're always looking for that next edge, that next little bit, that next what's getting dull so you can resharpen it. And when every tool in your kit is sharp because you constantly say, they got to get it better. Nope. I got to get this part better now. that part of the guy got to get this part better. That's where you find yourself in a territory where you're not just one of the best players in the country.

You're the guy. That's how guys become the guy. When you take it upon yourself to say, I need to be at a level that is unprecedented. I need to be at a level that scares people. That's when you truly ascend to that next level, that high as in the level, that number and overall pick level. Yeah. And so far, and again, if this is mid, I'd like to see. what he can do, statistics-wise, the second half of the season.

Because so far, you know, Cam Ward has Miami. They have the number one total offense in college football at a little under 600 yards per game. They're exactly 400 passing yards per game. They've also got the number one third down conversion rate in FBS. And Ward so far this season, completing 69.2% of his passes, 2,219 yards, 20 touchdowns, five interceptions. He would like to have some of those interceptions back. I'm sure he's also scored three rushing touchdowns

this year. And I do think Miami has some tougher game. It's not that tough of a schedule on paper. Miami does have a couple of tougher games to go, including Louisville this weekend. But some people might say, oh, you know, Ward, he's putting up those big numbers, but they played an FCS team this year. They played Ball State this year. But he was out of those games

shortly after halftime. So it's not like he was compiling massive stats in those games. What he's done so far this season is nothing short of impressive. And I'm wondering, Kenton, because I think the game this Saturday for Miami tomorrow at noon between Miami at Louisville could end up being a shootout. Miami's defense, how they play, could decide the game because they were shaky in Miami's last couple of games. But it seems like he could continue his success this week, KG, because Louisville, their 70th in passing yards allowed in FBS this season.

They have 30 missed tackles from their defensive secondary, which is fourth worst in FBS so far. So this seems like another game, unless it's a get right game for Louisville's defense, where Ward could continue putting out some fireworks this season. Not only could he continue to put out some fireworks, he could also have a Heisman moment in the old Snellenberger ball. He could have a moment in the battle for the boot where many people are like,

that's it. We saw it now. He pieced it together. He played a complete game against the quality team. That is going to be something that I'll be monitoring closely because, again, Cam Ward, I think one of the best players in the nation. I think he's absolutely a first rounder. I absolutely think he's phenomenal.

But if we're talking about hitting that next level where you leave no doubt, right, where people are like, wait, Astin, who? Wait, Travis kid, he's pretty good, but he's, you know, I mean, playing both way. Damn Lord, nobody impacts the game like him. If you are to hit that level, at some point in time, he has to have a game from start to finish where you just go, nobody in the country could do that except him.

Because when you talk about the Heisman race, right, you look at Ashton Junti, or Jentie, rather. That game against Oregon, who else in the country do you think can put up 192 and 3 against Oregon? Yeah. You look at Travis Hunter. He's had games with 100 receiving yard.

and an interception and a past breakup. Who else could do that in the country but him? Cam Ward has not had a moment, a game rather. He has had moments. He has had moments. He has not had a game, rather, full body of work, start to finish. Did you say, bring your baddest to the floor? Bring your best out.

Bring the guy that you think he can do it with anybody. And he can't imitate this. he hasn't had that entire body work in the game yet. And Louisville's defense, while they do mistackles, while they do give up big chunk plays, this just off name and reputation alone, which, again, y'all know me. I don't give a name of reputation. But the Heisman Award, a lot like CFP voting, is a popularity contest, does depend on human voters who don't have the capacity or the time to watch every game.

Say, who did he do it against? A big game against Louisville where your stat sheet looks clean, you throw for, you know, complete 75% of your balls, no turnovers. Maybe you rush for a touchdown to two, 40, 50 yards on the ground or more. All of a sudden, people are like, oh, wait a minute now. That in the game that nobody else in the country can bring out. Yeah, and on that, on to your point and to that game at noon on Saturday in Louisville, I think one of the other big deciding factors for either team is who has fewer self-interested.

inflicted wounds because even though Miami is 6 and 0, they have flirted with disaster a couple of times, out too many penalties, too many turnovers, specifically in the Virginia Tech game, too many penalties in the Cal game. And Louisville, you know, certainly the Notre Dame loss was based on mistakes. Too many missed opportunities. Too many mistakes in that game. SMU probably was the better team that day, but still, you could point to mistakes as being something that has cost Louisville and nearly cost Miami.

So keeping those turnovers down is going to be massive for that game at noon. But we've got more games to talk about because it's a big weekend, including who's going to get their first ACC dub? Is it going to be the Calgaritham or is it going to be NC State? Is Duke going to beat Florida State for the first time ever? And can Tony Elliott, who knows Davo Sweeney, knows Clemson so well played at Clemson, coach to Clemson, can he go down there and give the time? Tigers, a fight. You guys want to keep it locked right here, so we're only getting started on this

brand new episode of Locked on ACC. Your sex life is important, but your schedule is busy. You don't have the time to go to a doctor's office to get treated for ED. Through Hymns, you can get a personalized ED treatment without stepping foot outside your door. HIMS is changing men's health care by providing you with access to affordable sexual health treatments from the comfort of your couch. HIMS provides access to a range of doctor-trusted ED treatment. treatments like chewable hard mints and Viagra and Sealis and their generics for up to 95% cheaper. The process is 100% online, so there's no need for uncomfortable doctor's visits. Just answer a series of questions on their site, and a medical provider will determine the right

treatment option. If prescribed your medication ships directly to you in discrete packaging for free, no insurance is needed, and one low price covers everything from treatments to ongoing care. With hundreds of thousands of trusted subscribers, HIMS can help you find the ED option that works for you. Start your free online visit today at HIMS.com slash locked on. That's HIMS.com slash locked on for your personalized ED treatment options. HIMS.com slash locked on. The products mentioned are chewable compounded products which are not approved or verified for safety or effectiveness by the FDA.

Prescriptions require an online consultation with a health care provider who will determine if appropriate restrictions apply. See website for details and important safety info. Subscription required. Price varies based on product and subscription plan. Thank you so much for making this episode of Lockdown ACC your first listen and your first watch today. Make sure you're also checking out Lockdown College Football. Kenton Gibbs hosts a show on that network. Spencer McLaughlin does a great job taking you through all the big games and all the big

storylines. Lockdown College Football is available free on YouTube and available free wherever you get your podcasts. So Kenton, Friday night tonight, you've got Florida State on the road at Duke. And I don't know. I think Florida State might grind this one out, Kenton, for as troublesome as they've been through their first six games with a shocking one and five start. I think they've got a little momentum with Brock Glenn. I know that like we always talk about there was a reason why he was behind DJ O'Yungalai, but he looked a lot better against Clemson than DJ had earlier this year.

I think that they are motivated. And I also think it's worth noting that, you know, they're one in five compared to Duke's five and one. Duke has had a much easier schedule to this point than Florida State has had. So it would not surprise me if the Seminoles go into Durham and continue that unbeaten streak against Duke football. Yeah, I've been to Durham many times in terms of Wallace Wade Stadium. and it's not the liveliest place.

I'll say that much. I saw them take on Clemson, first game of the year. I believe it was last year where they pulled off a massive upset. I went back after that, actually. And they were still undefeated at the time. I believe when Notre Dame came to town. I believe I was in town for that one.

As a matter of fact, I was definitely in time for the Notre Dame game. It still wasn't the environment that you would have thought it would have been for an undefeated team taking on an undefeated Notre Dame at that time. Like that was one of the bigger games in the country at that moment or maybe one of those teams that had one loss. But still, that was one of the big games of country than what there. So I look at this and I say, you know,

what do I think of this game? Florida State and Brocktoberfest are important. They're doing a lot of heavy lifting. But no 321 until you do right by them people. until you fulfill your end of this bet, your nose are going to struggle. And guess what? Malik Murphy and Company are going to run the ball down this team's throat. They're going to make it very uncomfortable, very ugly.

It's going to be a rock fight. But guess what? There's going to be a team standing there with just a couple more rocks in their hand. Like, get up, punk. And that team that's going to be Debo on this day will be the Duke Blue Devils. I know that they've had an easier path. to their record, but I still look at that Florida State team and I say to myself, where's the confidence?

Where's the pride? Where is the hate? We are good. I'm not going to give you credit for keeping it within, what was it, 16 at Cleveland. I'm not going to give you credit for that. I'm sorry, I can't do that. But I do believe that they are a better team on paper than Duke. The only problem is, who the hell haven't they been better than on paper except maybe

Clemson? Yeah. And even Clemson, on paper, they were supposed to be the better. team and low-in-hold, you get what you get. So fool me one time, shame on you. Fool me six times. I'm no longer a fool. I'm a willing participant. I'm not a willing participant in Florida State Kool-A drinking. Give me the Blue Devils. Yeah, despite the fact that I think Florida State can pull it off, I'm not confident enough to bet on them. So let me, let me ask you, because Duke are three and a half point favorites. Do you think

they cover that or can Florida State maybe keep it within a field goal? If we're talking about who covers, I got Florida State. But if I'm taking money line, taking money line, give me the Blue Devils to win it off a last second field goal at home. Yes, on the on the fan dual odds, if you want Duke money line, it's minus 152. So you'd have to bet $152 to $100 back. And against the spread, it's minus three and a half. So that's what we're looking at for that one. But elsewhere in the Atlantic Coast Conference, a game that,

that I'm super excited for, despite the fact that the odds say it's going to be a blowout, Kenton. 10th rank Clemson are 20 and a half point favorites now on Fan Duel, which is really important because that's, you know, that's just under the three touchdown mark. I've been bitten by those half points before when I'm betting against the spread. So Clemson minus 20 and a half against Virginia, but KG, Virginia has been playing really well this season. they nearly pulled it off against Louisville last week. I know Clemson is better than Louisville. So I think Clemson is probably going to win this game at home. I don't see them winning it by three touchdowns, though.

And, you know, it's going to be emotional for Tony Elliott, of course, who played at Clemson and coached at Clemson. It'll be his first time going back to his alma mater as head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers. I'm just saying I think Virginia keeps it within three touchdowns. I think Gionis Sanker is maybe going to have a turnover on the defensive side. Virginia's star safety. I think they keep it within two scores, not just three.

This team, Tony Elliott needs to get this team to get every single ounce of their beam to this game, not just to win this game or keep it close. But did you know that this team has six games left? Do you know how many of them are against ranked opponents now? No, I don't. Four of their next six. games. You're looking at number 10, Clemson. Then you've got the dirty foot club, also known as UNC, coming to town. Then you're on the road at Pitt, at Notre Dame. Then you've got

SMU coming to town. And of course, you end the season with Virginia, Virginia Tech. Yeah. Yeah. This team has to not let what happened against Louisville snowball. Because if you do, you're done. There is a fork in this team. It is all. all over because at this point in time during the season, I think they'll be favored in one more game. However, I think they can win at least two of these. I think they can win at least two and get to bowl eligibility. I don't want to see this team not be bow eligibility.

I really don't want that for Tony Elliott and Tony Kalanjia. I love that pair. I really, really like Tony Kalanjia a lot. Elliot, not so much, but I love me some Tony Kaladjian. And with that being said, if they can't keep it within 20, that's going to be a tough game. And also, will they keep within 20? I think so.

I think they're a better team that people give them credit for. Their eye test is much better than people would imagine. When you watch them play football, they're a much tougher and more physical team defensively than you could have ever imagined watching them last year. Yeah, just about every time I've watched UVA play this year, that's a pretty good football team. You know, I know that they probably would like to have,

have the Maryland game back. You know, they pulled off a big comeback against Wake Forest. Didn't play consistently well in that game. But Virginia's been pretty good this year. So I think they can at least, again, I don't think either of us expect them to win outright, but they can at least give Clemson a contest. All right.

So traveling out to Berkeley, somebody's O has got to go. Because Cal, 0 and 3 so far in ACC play, your NC State Wolfpack, Ofer so far, on their ACCC schedule. I will say about Cal, every conference game they've played in has been super close. They've all been within a touchdown. Two of them have been decided by less than a field goal. I know they're probably still having nightmares about the way that that Miami game ended a couple of weeks ago. They were really close this past weekend as well against Pitt.

were Cal. And what are the vibes now Kenton and NC State? Because obviously breaking in a young quarterback and C.J. Bailey, who has made some really good throws, but he's also made some true freshman mistakes this year. How do you see this one playing out in Cal? You know the interesting thing about this game? NC State's past catchers have been one of the highlights of the team. Justin Jolie, Concepcion, Noah Rogers, they've been the highlight of this team. They've done well by doing good on the field. They've shown up in many regards. And I don't think that they've had a single game yet where they have been just shut down,

put on Alcatraz, just like, hey, more power to you, but there's no hope here. This may be the best defensive backfield they play all year. This very well may be. With that in mind, it's then going to be incumbent upon your running game to get something done and kind of find some liability there. I don't think NC State can. And I think if you're trusting Bailey to drop back 40 to 45 times against this team, that's a recipe for disaster.

I think the algorithm says, hey, we've given enough to the ACC. We distributed wins equally to everybody from each based on ability to each based on need. Unfortunately, we need a win just as bad as you, NC State. But I will say it wouldn't shock me if NC State pulls this ups at off, because Cal has played Miami tougher than anybody. Nobody can argue that there is a better matchup or a team that played Miami closer and should have won more. But with that being said, Florida State's record is what now, Donnell?

One in five. Who's the one, Domum? Yeah, that would be the Calgary. You never know which cow you're going to get. And Lawrence Roth told us, we're going to have games that we drop that is just like how. And so, you know, you look at this game and you ask yourself, has Cal gotten the Mulligans off their system, out of their system?

And we're going to see that team that played against Miami on a regular? Or is Cal who they were against Florida State? A lot of questions will be answered on Saturday night. That's well said. Surprising, surprising turn of events on Thursday afternoon. We get this bombshell seemingly out of nowhere, but maybe it wasn't out of nowhere because I was reading an interesting quote from ACC Hoops Media Days. Virginia head coach Tony Bennett has retired.

The timing is weird, but you certainly cannot change the fact that Tony Bennett at national championship in 2019, and he has been excellent at UVA. We'll talk about this shocking news when we come back. You guys want to keep it locked right here. We're not done yet on this brand new episode of Locked on ACC. We're certainly not done with Fanduil. And by the way, the Calgary, they're favored by 10 points against NC State. Miami Hurricanes are favored on Saturday.

Now by five points against Louisville, you can check out all the numbers and all the action at Fandual, America's number one sports book. And NFL fans, you can start the season with a big return on Fandual. So when you get a hunch in the middle of games, you can check out the latest stats, view live play-by-play and so much more right there on. on the same page where you place your bets. It's awesome. You'll get started with $200 in bonus bets guaranteed when you place your first $5 bet. That's fanduel.com, America's number one sports book. So, Kenton, I was watching ACC PM on Thursday afternoon. And all of a sudden,

I see this breaking news alert. Tony Bennett has retired. I thought maybe they were talking about the singer, because he's a really old guy. Oh, the good life. Oh, he wasn't. No, Tony Bennett, the basketball coach. Virginia Cavalers head coach Tony Bennett, three-time national coach of the year, four-time ACCC coach of the year, national champion NCAA tournament winner in 2019. And the oddest part about it, Kenton, is this happens 20 days before Virginia's season starts. And what about 10 days after ACC Media Days?

And this was weird because I went to football media days, not basketball. So I'm reading this story on ESPN, says during an interview with ESPN at ACC Media Day last week, this was less than 10 days ago, he was asked why there was a perception that he could be the next Jay Wright and abruptly retire while still in his prime. So I guess there was some suspicions out there. said, I got to call Jay Wright and see what he says, right? I always have said when you're doing this, you're in this profession, whether you agree how it's going or not. You have to be true to yourself and really look at it and say, who am I? Can I operate how I want? Can it be successful enough? And you get to choose if you want to be part of it or not. And when you feel it's time like Jay did,

like Coach K, maybe Saban, it's their choice. You can sit here and complain and gripe or you have a decision to make. Either you try to do it in your way or you get to make that decision. So I think Jay Wright probably foresaw where this is going. It'll be better whenever there's regulations. Is that three to five years away? Who knows? But if it's not, those are decisions that every man has to make when it's his time.

So I guess the foreshattering was there, Kenton, but still 20 days before the season starts, a week after Media Day, this is odd. A third string shooting guard came up to Brun and said, I need $50K or I'm out. And he said, no, you say, I'm out. Well, it ain't the Virginia way, okay? You don't even know the packline defense yet. And you think that we're going to thank you $50,000.

No, but in all seriousness, this is a moment that, and by the way, if you're hearing any announcements about Tony Bennett, the singer at this point in time, he's been gone for a year. So he's dead. I need to check your pulse. I feel terrible because I'm actually a big fan of his music. Fly me to the moon. That was Tim.

But in all fairness, when you look at Tony Bennett, the basketball coach now, I'm not surprised by the announcement because we all had a sense and feeling around Tony Bennett. He was one of those guys. You know, he was one of those guys that's like, this was a possibility. my only issue is the timing. Like, I, it's, I hate to make such a personal decision about us, because it's not about us.

Those players, though, do you not think they feel a little bit left in the lurch? Like, I committed here based on you being the guy. If I'm a true freshman and I'm like, hey, I believe that I'm here to win a championship with Tony Bennett. And then less than six months after that, he's like, actually, I'm going to go fish somewhere. You know, I'm going to go purify myself in the water as a Lake Venatanka. You know, I'm going to go sail the world with my old lady.

You know, I'm going to go retire to Boca Raton or something like that. What? What? You know, it's really, again, he's decorated. He's won championships. By all accounts, amazing man. But this timing, anybody who says that there isn't something. being fishy or odd about this timing is a liar.

Point blank period. Because you've done all the preparation. You've done all the nasty, grueling stuff. You're about to get to the fun part. You're about to get to, we get to compete against other people. We get to see other people and defend at a high level against them and suck the air out of the game against them. That's what we're about to get to do.

And you retire in this exact moment? There's something in the water. And let me also say this. I don't know his reasoning. It could be nothing nefarious at all. Could be health issues. Could be a family member's health issue. I don't know.

So I'm not going to speculate as to what it could be. I will say, however, if it is not something of serious health issue, this is, you know, it's just one of those things that feels a little like there's a lot of people that are left in less than ideal spots behind. Yeah, yeah, no doubt. So this is strange. I can tell you that probably next week we'll catch up with our guy, Isaac Shade from locked on college basketball and locked on tar heels. We'll talk about the hoops season coming up because that is looming.

And it's Tony Bennett retirement. I mean, a bunch of, within the last four years, we've had national champion winning ACC coaches retire. It's like a trend. I don't know how many we have left. he saw a world where NC State won the ACC championship said, I'm done. I know. I know.

I'm having enough. Get me out of here. Get me out of here immediately. Well, I always have a great time talking ball, whether it's football or basketball with Kent and Gibbs. Make sure you check him out at Locked on Wolfpack. Make sure you check me out at Locked on Cains. And everyone have a great weekend of games.

And we'll talk to you again next time on another episode of Locked on ACC. We are part of the awesome. some lockdown podcast network, your team every day.