Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - BIG 10 SQUAD - Does Iowa have the most overrated QB in the Big Ten?

Episode Date: February 14, 2025

Are the Penn State Nittany Lions poised for a Big Ten takeover? With Drew Aller at the helm, the stakes are high for Penn State football. This episode tackles the buzz around overrated and underrated quarterbacks in the Big Ten, spotlighting players like Drew Aller and Luke Altmyer. Spencer McLaughlin, alongside guests like Craig Sheeman and Zach Seiko, dissects Penn State's championship potential and the impact of the transfer portal on team dynamics. The conversation also explores quarterback situations at Ohio State and USC, with insights from experts like Roman Tomashoff and Mark Culkin. Tune in for a deep dive into the Big Ten's quarterback landscape and discover if Penn State can clinch the title.

Overrated, underrated, at the quarterback position in the Big Ten, who are you putting where? We're finding out today on the Locked On Big Ten Squad. You're talking ball with the Big Ten Squad. From USC to Ohio State, from Michigan to Oregon, from Nebraska to Washington, it's the local experts of the Locked On Podcast Network bringing you scoops, breakdowns, and the most comprehensive preview of the upcoming Big Ten weekend. No hurt feelings and thin skin allowed. Squad up, you're part of the Big Ten squad. Happy Thursday everybody and welcome into the Big Ten squad. I'm Spencer McLaughlin, Craig Schieman of Locked On Big Ten is here as well. We have Ryan Herrings of Locked On Badgers, Roman Tomashov of Locked On Huskies, Zach Sako

of Locked On Nittany Lions who definitely is not rooting for the most overrated quarterback in the Big Ten. That's definitely not true. Mark Colkin locked on USC, Jay Stevens locked on Buckeyes, who doesn't have a quarterback that we can feel overrated about just yet, and Brian Smith of Locked On Seminoles and The Portal joining us here today. So Craig, you've got a good holistic view of the conference. Who's the most over at Drew Aller quarterback in the Big Ten, the most overrated quarterback. Don't worry, Seiko,

I'll stop poking fun at you. Never. We have other than USC, who else has a returning starter at quarterback? Well, let me, let me go backwards and look at this past year. I'll talk to my good friend Ryan Herring of course who Luke Fickle for you know going into year three hasn't got quarterback right. You know they come in and make this announcement that they were going to do air attack and Phil

Longo and all that and they got oh I forget the kid they got out of his first year I've already forgot his name already. Yeah we we have two, it's fine. But then the head coach, Brandon Aikoo, I thought was the most overrated quarterback coming out of Miami, and Brandon Locke wasn't very accurate as well. So if they don't get the quarterback right here a year or three, overrated or underrated,

I think Luke Fickles could be in trouble at Wisconsin. By the way, Craig, you said Brandon Locke wasn't very accurate as if there were other quarterback traits he had that were good. Well, it was his fault that those receivers couldn't catch. I watched. It was his fault.

Well. Listen, there's a reason I've waited till basketball season to come on the portal, and we're still talking about football. We should be talking. That's just 16th in the country in basketball. I thought we were talking point guards today. No, I'll tell you this.

Billy Edwards Jr., who was second in the big 10 in yards per game last year. It was Billy Edwards Jr. 15 touchdowns, nine picks again with a Maryland team that had no offensive line. Yeah, listen, it's a low bar for us considering what we were last year. We will be better. And I think you can make an argument that he is one of the more more underrated quarterbacks in the big 10 just based on the team he had around him last year outside of one receiver so it's looking better for us. Yeah it could I think you could have talked yourself into that that that narrative either

of the last two years Ryan but hey maybe this is finally the year uh speaking of which all right Roman we'll get back to you in a moment because Seiko, I know, is inching to jump in here because of my shots at Drew Aller. And I actually like Drew Aller. I don't know that I would describe him in all seriousness, Zach, as the most overrated quarterback in the Big Ten because he's the guy who we know. He's the only guy I look at and go,

I know exactly what this guy is. And I don't, he might be the best in the Big Ten by default, I guess. Maybe, I don't, he might be the best in the Big 10 by default, I guess, maybe? I don't know. Thoughts? It is, you have to go and do it with the frame of mind that he is going to be starting for his third consecutive season and I think that goes a long way. Has Drew Aller had bad games in the spotlight? Yes, but last season was a huge step forward. Mark should know this. Drew had one of his best games and was the reason that they won out in Southern California

with the way that he played. So I didn't was the reason you won. Oh yeah. Someone had to get him the football. Someone had to get Julian Fleming the football and those fourth down conversions, right? He threw for over 300 yards. Julian Fleming caught passes this year? Julian Fleming, yes, caught passes this past season. We're all surprised. I don't remember anything, but continue, Zach, with your tie raid. So, yes, it's an absolute rant. But yes, I believe that Drew Aller is the best quarterback

in the Big Ten because of the intangibles, because he is that true NFL pro style type of quarterback. Third year consecutive starting, second year with Andy Kotelnicki, the offensive coordinator that has got the best football out of him. Forget about Mike Yersich, Andy Kotelnicki was able to get that from him.

And then you just return complimentary pieces to the offense. Yes, they are losing Tyler Warren, and I get that was a bulk of the passing game, but you're getting two four-year costarting running backs back an offensive line that returns four out of five starters plus a whole lot of depth. So I'm not, I understand wide receivers in question, but they got Mark, Kyron Hudson from USC. That's not a bad wide receiver. And then they got a speedster in Devante Ross out of the transfer portal. So Drew Aller does have things does have things within this offense to help him out and help

him get better. Just because he played a bad game against a top five defense does not mean he's a bad quarterback. By the way, Seiko, I play an unhealthy amount of EA College football 25 and there's a great play in Texas offense called RPO alert from a twin back set. You know, you got two guys in the backfield and you flare one guy out and you can hand it off or throw it wide. And I tell you what, I think Penn State is going to run that play 900 times in 2025 and

call it call it the passing offense. But Roman, the the Drew Aller conversation is is he the best quarterback in the Big Ten? I mean, by default, yeah. First of all, one thing I gotta say, Ryan, speaking for the West Coast guys, for Spencer, Mark, and myself, saying 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions as a positive is absolutely sickening.

That is just straight up disgusting from some of the offenses offenses that Spencer market myself have Yeah, let's let let's go with that All right, P impact well by the way I always gotta make sure that that's in there. But the one guy I want to bring to the table, Spencer, instead of Jor-El, is another known commodity in terms of we've seen enough of what he brings to the table. I don't think any of it's any good is Fernando Mendoza. I've just not like I've watched him for the past couple of years. The great displeasure of watching that that came offense up here in 2023. And just every time I watch what they bring to the table,

it's just it's not enough. And I think Kurt Signecki could do a really good job turning that around. We know our guy, Jake O'Ghast, is in here to defend him. But I think that this is going to be a really, if it turns out fine with him, if it turns out fine, that it'll prove that Kurt Signecki is truly one of the five, 10 best coaches in the country. But I just don't like the arm talent. I don't think that he's got everything it takes with the velocity to throw it deep consistently,

the way that they like to push the ball down the field and that offense. So until further notice, I'm going to stick Fernando Mendoza is most overrated quarterback. I think I might be agreeing with you, Roman there. I really do. Jay Stevens locked on Buckeyes. Is Julian saying, let's say he starts, can he be better than Fernando Mendoza, but worse than Drew Aller, better than Drew Aller

in year one? What kind of expectations do you have for the five star? He'll be better than Mendoza. If he's a starter, he'll be better than Drew Aller. Ryan Day has always had a quarterback that is elite. Well, no. Kyle McCord in 2023, I wouldn't say was elite, but I still think- No, he got elite after he left Ohio State.

Yeah, but I still think in 2023, you're taking Kyle McCord over to Alvin that season. If you stack those seasons back to back- With Marvin Harrison Jr., sure. Are those my only two options? Well, this conversation, yes, absolutely. But I do think if Sands the guy, you you've got to think Sane's going to be one of the better quarterbacks in the Big Ten because Ryan Day always has one of the best quarterbacks in the

Big Ten. Even McCord was one of those guys that was in the top statistically in the Big Ten in his one year starting at Ohio State. OK, I've got I've got a great comparison here for for Julian Sanej. He's about to be Kirk Cousins from a couple of years ago. Hear me out. Just just hear me out. Okay, I've got a great comparison here for Julian Saenz. He's about to be Kirk Cousins from a couple of years ago. Hear me out. Just hear me out. How many times on a given week in the NFL did you watch Kirk Cousins with a physical

manifestation of the phrase, F it, Justin Jefferson is down there somewhere? Like that was just a routine ordeal. And you know what? Jeremiah Smith is down there somewhere. Like that was just a routine ordeal. And you know what? Jeremiah Smith is down there somewhere, man. Just chuck it down to him and see what happens. Am I selling him short? I mean, at the very least, he'll always have that, right? It's just throw it up.

See if Jeremiah wins. That means you're gonna lose all your prime time games, though, if he's like her cousins. Oh, Austin's got a window. It'll happen anyway. That means you're gonna lose all your prime time games though if he's like her cousins But there's too many other guys and say I'm too talented based off the things we've heard That he will not have to just rely on Jeremiah Smith to get the ball down the field Okay, Brian Smith You you've seen all of these quarterbacks in the Big Ten at some point in time or covered them on your show or many others. Make sure you unmute your mic before you start talking.

But who's the most overrated quarterback in the Big Ten? I'm going to go Aiden Childs because I've heard people talking about he's going to play in the NFL and he had like 13 TDs and 11 picks or something. I know Michigan State sucked, but like he wasn't even in the stratosphere for ready and he had to play. No, or close. So I know it's kind of sad to pick on the guy who was like a redshirt freshman or whatever, but like his talent's insane.

Can't read a defense any better than I can dunk a basketball. So it's, I think he's got a long way to go. Are you telling me that you don't have secret bunnies that we just don't expect, Brian? No, I'm 51. I used to be able to jump. I can't anymore. Do you have any videos of you jump? I would pay to see Brian jumping so high he could dunk a basketball. Mostly because I will never dunk a basketball in my entire life. Wait a minute. How tall is Brian? I'm 5'9 and a half, 5'10.

Oh, okay. Never mind. Yeah. Meanwhile, Ryan Herrings have locked on badgers over there like, basketball? Can we talk about basketball? Please talk about basketball, guys. Yeah, we're not going to do that. We're going to go underrated quarterbacks next. I bet I know who Roman is going with, just three guesses there. But everyone else is a complete and total mystery.

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$150 in bonus bets make every moment more with Fandl the official sports betting partner of the NBA All right rolling along here with the big 10 squad Let's go the other side of the quarterback debate in this conference. Most underrated quarterback in the conference, Roman is? It's Daman Williams. It has to be. Of course it is. You set me up for a soap opera. Oh, hold on.

Oh, how many groans am I getting from around here? Have you ever watched him? A lot of groans. For our audio audience out there, lots of groans that Brian Smith is not having it. Mark is about to tune out of the conversation. Ryan's taken aback. So go ahead, defend your guy there, Roman, and then everyone else will do something else. It's very clear that everyone who's tuned out outside of Brian, I'll do respect for everything you do.

It's very clear you guys haven't watched it. Where I've been so impressed with everything he's been able to do throughout, you know, a couple games starting, completes over 80% of his passes in both of his starts, one of them being at Oregon against the best defensive line in the country. And with a full season starting with his number one Ryder Sieber back in Denzel, Boston, getting somebody who can stretch the field in Omari Evans from Penn State with Decker to graph at tight end freshman All-American last last year and improved offensive line He looks like somebody who could be a legitimate playmaker

Nothing says robust passing game like a Penn State wide receiver, you know The best defensive line in the country, I mean I'm wearing a hat that says national champs Roman saying did make the playoff so I don't have much to say right now. I think the had said all of it. That's the only comeback? That's the only comeback you have as best as defensive line? I mean, there's a reason why Ohio State's D-line is gonna have four guys get drafted.

Is Washington's D-line gonna have four guys get drafted? That was more directed at Mark than you, Jay. That was absolutely right. I followed what Ohio State did to Oregon. I compared apples to apples. I think I'm gonna give the nod to Ohio State's defense of line over Oregon's. I know you're trying to build your guy up there, Roman,

but come back to reality. Puff, puff, pass. He got sacked 10 times in that game. It was a disaster. Puff, puff, pass. No. I'll take Roman's side here. I'll be the one to do it. It is it is okay to say that Daman Williams is underrated.

Seriously, I think you give him you give him winter workouts to give him another spring football season. The dude, I mean, he's got dual threat written all over him. You look at that game against I I get it, it's Louisville, so the defense isn't exactly doing defensive things, but he really didn't make a mistake in that game. And that is saying something for someone that didn't play a lot of college football to that point. So I would be on the lookout. I mean, I've seen, I saw him playing Beaver Stadium, you know, raw as a football player, but as a pure athlete, he's got it.

And then I think Roman makes a good point and then throw in Jonah Coleman as well. I mean, Damon Williams really could have a lot of, a lot of rushing yards, let alone passing yards and what he does in the aerial attack. Let me throw one out there for underrated. Luke Altmeyer at Illinois, his name has not popped up yet. Brian. Yep. Yep. Brian's with me. This guy just led Illinois to their first 10 win season

in like 20 years. And he did it with, I mean, a couple of solid weapons to be fair, Franklin and Bryant were solid wide outs. But I mean, I felt like that Illinois team really overachieved Brett Bielma did a heck of a job but I mean Altmeyer? Brian the floor is yours for for showing him love. Well I mean here are his stats and again he's got Illinois receivers and tight ends to throw to here okay 2717 yards 22 touchdowns only six picks he's in Illinois's offense.. I mean, what would he do with real receivers that have NFL potential? Like I doubt Illinois's got more than one guy would take Pat Brian and Zachary Franklin. Are we kidding me? They're good point, but they're not. They're not like Ohio State or Oregon or something. They're good, but

they're not like first second round picks. Well, I mean, of course Penn State would take them though. That's like, let's be real here. In state's last game, they received. Would they use them, though? That's the good point. It was like two guys that caught passes and touchdowns this year. I want them on my team, man. Come on. He's coming back and they've got a really good roster.

Illinois could be the flying ointment, the Big Ten, and he's the guy driving the bus. Yeah Craig you uh you you look at a lot of different teams in the Big 10 in a solid amount of depth I will say over and locked on Big 10. Uh underrated quarterback in the Big 10 who who are you going with? Well again I'll go back to you know last year because I can't tell you how many guys moving forward but uh Max Brosmer surprised the hell out of me at Minnesota. Good pick. Coming in from what, New Hampshire. I thought, what is PJ Fleck doing? He needs a big year. Heck, they got eight wins this year.

He's my vote for most underrated quarterback in the Big Ten, or at least a guy that certainly did better than I thought he was gonna do. Mark Kolkin locked on USC where you put Jaden Maiava in the rank of Big Ten quarterbacks right now. Just to, I was actually just going to touch on this point. The fact that we are hunting for a great quarterback in the big 10 conference this year, I don't think we have one. I think it's a conference of just average quarterbacks.

Uh, they have to prove themselves. Jaden's right in the thick of that. Um, I'm, I'm one of those ones where he has to prove it. I know he's got the physical skills. I just don't know if he has the mental intangibles to get it done. Again, strong arm. He looks like he's mobile. I just need better decision making.

And we're gonna find out if Lincoln Riley truly is a quarterback whisperer or if you have to be a unique talent to make Lincoln Riley truly is a quarterback whisperer or you have to be a unique talent to make Lincoln Riley look good. I mean, I think his track record is pretty good. Again, he's had a lead. Jalen Hurts got tossed out of the door by Alabama. Does not cost out. That's true.

I mean, they said, so we got this other guy who's better. That's back. Yeah. As Zach said, he went to the top five. He wants to go to the top with them. Look, Alabama. Uh, again, he's a, we're talking about, does Lincoln Riley need somebody who is a Heisman level quarterback to run his offense?

Somebody who can make the unnatural look natural. The Kyler Murray's, the Baker Mayfield, the Jalen hurts to a certain extent, even though he didn't win the Heisman. Caleb Williams, does he need that type of quarterback? Because when he doesn't have that type of quarterback, you know, the record kind of speaks for itself. We're going to see, he's going into year four now. It's his own guys. He can't, you know, he doesn't have Caleb Williams to lean on. These last two years have been interesting. I think the big 10 and the SEC both have so many interesting questions for no reason in particular. I'm going to work Oregon into this conversation. You know, I am neutral arbiter of all things college football, of course, but Dante Moore kind of represents what the quarterbacks are going

to be, not just in the Big Ten, but in the country, where you look at adding, you go, I see the potential, I know there's, Julian Sane or Daman Williams or heck, even Billy Edwards Jr. to an extent, go down the lineup of quarterbacks in the SEC. You don't have that many proven commodities anywhere in the country.

There really aren't that, in the SEC, you've got Garrett Nussmeyer and Lenora Sellers, who I know, because I watched them start for a full season that I can say, yeah, they can lead their team to 10 wins and something close to a playoff appearance, because I know they can do that. But if you feel that way about the big 10 going around, I don't think it's that different in many other places,

because this past quarterback draft, it wasn't great. It's not great for the NFL, but it was really good in college. And I think there are a lot of questions. And Jay, I mean, you've got one of those questions. Oregon, Ohio State are kind of in the same spot. Not only because Julian Sands unproven, there's no experience. Like there's nothing there. You got a freshman, a sophomore, an incoming, I forget the whole year thing now, but it's just odd. Only thing that's a constant at Ohio State, doesn't matter who the quarterback is, Ryan Day is gonna get the job done.

The one time he didn't, I think it was Kyle McCourt just didn't get up to speed as quickly as the other guys. And he's not nowhere close to being the same quarterback as the other guys at Ryan Day's coach at Ohio State. So you have a belief in Ryan Day that he'll get the job done. With Julian saying his talent while he is unproven, I think by mid-season you'll be looking at a guy who is probably one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten because of how well he's quickly, how quickly he is processing and getting up to speed with college football. Yeah. Yeah. It's just, it's, it's a lot of, it's a lot of, I don't know,

maybe possibly this that like we saw glimpses of Daman Williams and Jayden Myatt. And I mean, I can see it, but again, we come back to Brian Smith. It's kind of just drew Allard, everybody else, right? I'll take Luke Altmeyer. What do they do in Illinois that got the best out of Luke Altmeyer that Lane Kiffin and his wide receivers couldn't do a schedule? Like schedule plays part. I'm looking at you saying Luke Altmeyer is like, well, wait a

minute, Lane Kiffin is a better offensive mind. Lane Kiffin had better wide receivers. Yeah, for some reason, and that's an issue that USC needs to figure out. Yeah, I don't know what it is because Lane is such a quarterback guru. That's the one guy for whatever reason didn't get it, but he gets it in a totally archaic offense and does better. It's bizarre.

I don't know. Sometimes less, you know what? Oh, go ahead. Well, yeah, I mean, I don't think Illinois over overthought the room. I like I'm with you there, Mark. I think they were very simple, straightforward, kind of easy reads. Like I, I think there can be something to that that you can overwhelm a young kid sometimes or maybe just needed a new environment.

Maybe just needed a different coaching staff and it just all clicked a little bit better. We've still got one more segment to get to on the Big Ten squad today. Is the idea of Penn State being the expected Big Ten champion really that crazy? That's coming up next. All right, we're going to work Seko in here last so that he can get angry at what everyone else says about about his team. So Craig, you may begin. Penn State has got a bunch of returning talent returning quarterback as we were talking about

the previous segment. Is it crazy to look at them and say they should win the Big Ten? It's not crazy. And look, I'll give them a little bit of credit here this year for, you know, making it to the final four. They got their chance in the playoffs. I always said, and I think if you look back, if instead of the BCS system and then the four-team playoff system, if we had a 12-team playoff, there is no program in the country that would have benefited from a 12-team playoff more than Penn State over the last decade bar none. So they would have got in and this year they got in and they could show you what they could do. They make it to the final for a field goal away from making it all Big Ten finals. So no none of it's crazy. I still think

they have big questions that wide receiver. I love their obviously the running game. They got to replace Ty Warren at at tight end. They're always going gonna be good in the trenches offensive line and defensive line and that plays well in the Big Ten so no it's not crazy at all but until they do it then they'll do it so we'll hold our breath it was what year 12 for James Franklin so look I think they took a big step forward this year and I think they they could do it again next year. Herrings, would you ever put your own money down on the idea that Penn State will win the Big Ten?

Oh, no. Oh, why? Like, it's like, it's not crazy. And I see Zach rolling his eyes at me. It's not crazy, but like if a pole vaulter tries 12 times to clear a pole and every time he falls on his face, like you're not going to bet on him the 13th time. It's like bet on Ohio State because they have more talent. And we saw Aller in big games.

We've seen him in big moments. He doesn't have that extra dimension that wins the games in the biggest spots. He doesn't. And now you're losing an old generational combination of Mark Bavaro and Brent Jones and Jay Novacek. Like Ty Warren's gone. Like you're not gonna replace that with the receivers

that we saw. They lost massive pieces on defense. And we still know who the court is. Ryan, I gotta be honest. I have no idea who you just talked about and referred to. Does anybody know those tight ends? And it's like, okay, thank you. The old time is the old heads. Nice. Thank you. But the point is they lost the generational tight end. Sorry about that Spencer. I was pulling back. I just didn't know where you were going

to throw out these names. I'm like, what was hockey players? They were really good. You're losing a generational tight end. We don't believe in the receivers and we know who drew out or is so no, I don't. Can he not get better? No, I okay. Wow. I'm not not to the point where I'm going to pick them over Ohio State is

what I would say Roman. Would you ever do that? I mean, I had him in the Big Ten Championship this past season and I feel comfortable putting them at that pedestal right now because to win the Big Ten Championship. I didn't, I picked your team and they didn't make it. But to your team for being. He has the hat though. So yeah, he does have a hat. There are three hats on the show today and one of them carries a little bit more weight than the others. Spencer, I'm curious to get your thoughts on that as well, especially after Ryan's comments about, you know, the pole vaulter making it over and never making it with Oregon, but that's not a

road we need to go down right now. But I think that with the experience that is coming back in the running backs, in Jor-El, that that's important. The continuity is really important when we look around this conference with everything you talked about with quarterbacks and with the consistent as Craig said the Consistency in the trenches. That's all really important. So I'm comfortable putting Penn State in that spot for now Roman I just like to point out that I have had national championship hopes mostly You know year in and year out, not always though, for Oregon since about 2010. I had hopes of the Mariners making the playoffs since I was five, and they didn't do that for 21 years

and over and over and over again. So if you try something enough, eventually, eventually you'll break through the wall. But Mark, would that ever happen for Penn State winning the Big Ten again? Look, if they're not gonna do it this year, just fire James Franklin. I'm telling you, this year the Big Ten

is one of those years anybody, anybody can win it because you're only as good as your quarterback. And right now you've got the best quarterback only because he's the most experienced quarterback. He's been in the same system the longer longer than anybody else. If James Franklin can't figure it out in 2025 leave him at the tarmac. Oof oof. All right that's how they roll them be then be then be harsh words. Don't worry Seiko your time to wrap up today's show is almost here. Jay.

How many years do you need? Well, apparently, since we've got a 12-team playoff, Ohio State just showed us you don't even need to win the Big Ten. Sometimes it's better to not win the Big Ten. Isn't that right, Jay? Yeah, yeah. Unfortunately, there was a loss in there that still stings.

But at the end of the day, they went my heartbreak. When the national championship, I can't put Penn State. If I'm projected, what's going to happen in December in the national championship game, I can't say Penn State is going to win. They have talent to they have a quarterback that's I think good enough to win the game to lead them there. I just can't do it. I think there enough to win the game to lead them there. I just can't do it. I think there's another team, not even say there's gonna be Ohio State,

because there's a lot of stuff at Ohio State that's unproven guys that haven't played a lot of snaps on defense that are trying to figure out some things there. I just can't put them there because the James Franklin thing really bugs me. And as good as Drew Aller is in the quarterback, I don't know if I can trust him in that game when he's going up against the quarterback that's at his level or slightly above to get it done. Um,

Seiko's not going to like that, but I just can't put Penn State there right now. Yeah, Jay, I, I, I feel you, man. Nothing more annoying than a coach that gives you a quality win every year you play him and never beats your team. I mean that is just thorn in the side. That's the worst. That's the absolute worst. Brian Smith, would you ever look at Penn State's roster as good enough to win the Big Ten? Because I'm kind of, not entirely, but I understand where Mark is coming from here and that can take a lot for Mark and I to see an issue the same way, But this kind of feels like the year for Penn State to crown themselves. Big 10 champs. Correct me if I'm wrong.

They don't play the Buckeyes next fall. They do. They do. They play them in Columbus. OK, well, no, they're not going to win it. That's it. They can't go high in state there. I'm clipping that and saving it for later. Say because keeping receipts. All right, say you've it for later. I'm clipping my pocket. Seco's keeping receipts. All right, Seco, you've waited your turn. You've been incredibly patient.

You may now rip all of them to shreds. I was very nice, I'd just like to point out. Yes, you were. So I don't need to go after you. Look, I don't like, I think it's messed up thinking when you just assume that, oh, Drew Aller's going to stay the same quarterback. Oh, that Penn State's going to stay the same team, that they're not all that

selective players are not going to get better, that they're not going to improve. Penn State just made a they are serious. This is beyond just winning the Big Ten Championship. This is about a national championship. You don't go and poach the best defensive coordinator in college football away from the team that has been The thorn in your side if you didn't think you had a legitimate chance of making it that far you would promote within Or do whatever you can to save a little money

You went and got Jim Knowles and then you pair him with Andy Cotillnicki who is a top five offensive coordinator How you look at it. So that's the best coordinator do in the country. Everybody mentions about well what about drew aller and what about James Franklin. James Franklin has the best staff that he's ever put together in his entire tenure. He doesn't have limited resources while we can't spend that much. That's how you end up with Mike your such because you're pinching pennies. Whereas this time around the athletic director says, who is your top coordinator?

Go get him, go recruit him. So James Franklin might not be the best game day coach, but he is a damn good program manager and where he has brought Penn State from to where it is now, because I don't know that there are a lot of other head coaches that would get Penn State to at least 10 and two that would not have them trip up. Oh, they don't win the big game. They don't lose the bad one either. And I know that's only going to count for so much for so long because now Penn State this comes with the territory.

There are no excuses. I agree that this is Penn State's best opportunity to win a national championship. You bring back a fourth year quarterback third year consecutive starting in the same offense, two four year co-starter running backs, four out of your five starters on the offensive line. There were plenty of NFL caliber players that could have gone off to the draft and didn't and deny Dennis Sutton, Zayn Durant, Zach Key Wheatley, and then you get players like AJ Harris and Tony Rojas to emerge. And I could bore everybody and go up and down the roster of who, oh, they lost Tyler Warren. Guess what? They have a five- star tight end waiting in the wings named

Luke Reynolds and everybody is really high on his development at this point in time as a second year player. So it's all there. The spring transfer portal window is going to tell us a lot about these teams because Ohio State and Oregon, if they make a push for because we can't project that we're sitting here in February, we don't know what's going to happen after spring football. Free agency is gonna happen and things should totally change. But right now, presently in February, before any spring transfer portal window,

Penn State is the best overall team in the Big Ten. And my expectation, until things change with the portal, they win the Big Ten and are a national title contender, one of the, next to Texas. Save the receipts. A lot of words to say, you know what? I agree. He has to do it this year or he gets fired.

That's all you had to say. Well, he won't get fired. I don't think he'll get fired. I don't think he'll get fired. You can't fire a guy that wins as many games as he does. Like that's just- That's how you end up being Nebraska. That's a good point.

Oh, that's an unfortunately accurate point. All right, and on that unwarranted, Craig had one more side. Craig, go ahead. No, a good point. Oh, that's an unfortunately accurate point. Alright and on that unwarranted, Craig had one more side. Craig, go ahead. No, I was that was it. I thought great answer by by Zach Seiko and once upon a time, we used to say you couldn't fire a coach like Ryan Day because he won too many games. You stuck with him and look what happened. Spencer, you need to go Google J Novichek by the way. J Novichek. I like the name. I like the I like the name. I like the name. Early 90s Cowboys. He was with Super Nick. Early 90s Cowboys.

What's that? The last time the Cowboys were actually relevant? Yeah, that's a can't believe I don't know that guy because you know, I wasn't alive. All right. We'll wrap the Big Ten squad there for this week, but we'll be back next week as well. Craig Scheman locked on Big Ten. Ryan Herring's locked on Badgers. Roman Tomashoff locked on Husky.

Zach Seca locked on Netany Lions. Mark Colvin locked on the Big Ten. And then we have the Big Ten. We have the Big Ten. We have the Big Ten. We have the Big Ten. We have the Big Ten. We have the Big Ten. We have the Big Ten. We have the Big Ten. We have the Big Ten squad there for this week, but we'll be back next week as well. Craig Schieman locked on Big Ten, Ryan Herring's locked on Badgers, Roman Tomashoff locked on Huskies, Zach Seca locked on Netany Lions, Mark Kolkin locked on USC, Jay Stevens locked

on Buckeyes. Yeah, cool hat Jay, that's great. And Brian Smith of The Portal. I'm Spencer McLaughlin. We'll see you next time everybody and hope you have a wonderful rest of your day.