The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - GBF: College Football Preview

Episode Date: August 16, 2024

Lucy joins the show to help the guys preview the college football season. We play a new game of Lucy or Goosey and try to figure out which schools have been mean to Lucy. The Bear returns to give us his Top 16 Decent People in the media list. Billy has a new Story of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're listening to Giraffe King's Network. Stuck out to your Smirnoff nose, there's no eye in football. It's a we thing. An experience best enjoyed together. Whether you are at home or away, we rally together, we cry together, and we always rally cry together. Because in fandom, there's definitely no lie. As the world's number one vodka and the official vodka partner of the NFL, Smirnoff brings an award-winning taste to every game day celebration.

Grab a bottle of Smirnoff at your local retailer and head to smirnoff.com to find recipes of delicious cocktails perfect for game day. Please drink responsibly. Smirnoff, number 21 vodka distilled from grain, 40% alcohol volume. The Smirnoff Company, New York, New York. Please do not share with anyone under legal drinking age. As you rise to a new day, rise to something more. Good financial game.

Introducing the new BMO Eclipse Rise Visa Card, the credit card that rewards your good financial habits and helps you rise from bill payer to reward slayer. Rise to it with the BMO Eclipse Rise Visa Card and get rewarded for paying your credit card bill in full and on time each month. Terms and conditions apply. Click the banner or visit bmo.com slash rise to learn more. Bumble knows it's hard to start conversations.

Hey, no, too basic. Hi there. Still no. What about hello, handsome? Ugh, who knew you could give yourself the ick? That's why Bumble is changing how you start conversations. You can now make the first move or not. With opening moves, you simply choose a question to be automatically sent to your matches.

Then sit back and let your matches start the chat. Download Bumble and try it for yourself. With Uber Reserve, you can book your Uber ride in advance. 90 days in advance. Perfect for all you forward thinkers and planning gurus. Reserve your Uber ride up to 90 days in advance. Uber Reserve. See Uber app for details. God bless football. Billy Gill. God bless football. Mike Yang. God bless football.

Lucy. God bless college football. Everybody. Oh yes. Lucy is so excited. We are just a week away from the start of the college football, everybody. Oh, yes, Lucy is so excited. We are just a week away from the start of the college football season. Look at her. She's joining us.

I can't wait. Chris Felica, the bear is going to join us coming up because we have some unfinished business. We have our top 15, 16 or 17 decent sports media members. Yes, go ahead Billy. Well, so the way this was explained to me beforehand was we want to do a college football preview. So we're going to have on Lucy, we're going to have the bear. And the way you just set that up is bears not previewing college football. He's just listing people that are nice in the media. That last week. Yeah, listen, go to last week's episode. Bear was on, he previewed the upcoming college football season.

We didn't have enough time to get to our top 15, 16, or 17 decent sports media members. So we're going to do it today. I mean. OK. What better time than right before college football season to randomly rank how nice people are? No, I think this is the last.

Lucy, would you agree this is the last week I could do something like that because next week the game starts. So I figured I'd do it now, you know? Oh, I feel like you have from February to the end of July to do that. Yeah. Okay. Agreed.

I feel like I could do it whenever I want, to be honest with you. Well, I feel like you would do it whenever you want. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Lucy, I feel like you would do it whenever you want. Yeah. Ha ha ha. Lucy, I'd be interested because last week we did ask the Bear. It's essentially a brand new sport, college football. It's going to be unlike any season we've ever seen

because it's the first season with the new rules and expanded playoff. What are your feelings headed into it? Because Bear had some concerns, as do I, about when you get to like Michigan, Ohio State, how much meaning will that game actually have? Will teams be sitting their starters? So I do, I am worried about stuff like that.

I am not so much worried. Like obviously I'm excited college football is back. That's my top emotion for the entire month of August. I think more than anything, I'm just like uncomfortable where I'm like, I don't really know what I'm getting into. Like we've been looking at some scheduling down the season. I'm like, Oregon, Ohio State, what an awesome game. And then my brain's like, remember Lucy, that's a conference game.

That's a conference game. Miami Cal conference game. Like my brain still can't really wrap my head around this whole like ever-changing landscape. Honestly, like I'm just so excited that college will go back. I don't care. really wrap my head around this whole like ever changing landscape. Honestly, like I'm just so excited that college will back. I don't care, put anybody in anyone's conference like I'm watching it doesn't matter.

It's gonna be a weird adjustment. I don't necessarily know if it's for the best. But like truly at this point, it's been eight months without it. I don't care at all. Just give me my college football. Do you know where you're going already for the season? Like, do you have your entire season already kind of planned out? Yeah, so I I planned it out.

The problem is, they keep saying no. So we're going to try to make it work. But yes, I like list out a couple of games each week that I think would work. But the schools keep saying, we don't want you here, Lucy. And that's super rude of them. That is kind of rude, yeah. They don't say it exactly like that, but I can tell that's what they mean.

Tell me a school who has said that. I want to, just give me one. But don't cause yourself any, yeah, don't do any damage to yourself professionally, but tell us which schools we have to hate. Yeah, let me do the damage. It's a team I already am not a fan of. That's all I'll say.

And you could probably guess. I heard it's a rhyme with Shrimp Shrimp Shride? No, it actually was not them. Alabama, please say yes, please say yes. What'd you have it rhyming with again? Shrimp Shrimp Shride? We love the Shrimp Shrimp Shride. Those are real words. Roch Shride. We love the shrimp from tried. It was a real words. Oh right

Mikey yeah, yeah Shrimp shrimp try ribs and drive Lucy the top 25 a people came out and I was looking at the top 12 and I was like that'd be a pretty cool Playoff, but I'm looking at him like probably a bunch of these teams aren't gonna make it Who's like the team that you're like? Nope, they're not gonna make it, they're out. That's a good question. I would say, well, it's very weird because you say, okay, the top 12 aren't gonna make it. And then my brain's like, well, Lucy, only four teams make it. That's not true anymore.

There are 12 teams that make it. I don't think Michigan is going to make it. I don't think Michigan is a bad team by any means. I think they are a great team, but they are taking, they have lost more than almost any team in the country, not including their head coach. So they're a team I'm questionable about. Florida State's the same way.

Like, I don't know if there's been a team that's lost as much as Florida State and Michigan have. The whole thing is super odd, and like, I'm just, I don't know how this is gonna go. All I can say right now is I guarantee you they're gonna put Notre Dame in no matter what happens. Mm-hmm. Or is it Schmoder Dame?

Mm-hmm. When they put Notre Dame in, is there a possibility of you covering that or have you been told go away Lucy? No, Notre Dame has, we've never talked to them before, but I assume they're really nice. They're Catholic. You assume, but. Did you see they're gonna have their own hard knocks?

Yeah, I did. Did you see that Jessica's gonna be in it? I don't know if I'm allowed to say that. What? No. What? Breaking news. I really hope I'm allowed to say that. I hope Jess is in it.

Oh wait, no, she already shared it. Michael is in it, I mean. No, she is going to be in it. Really? Wow. He's the head coach Yeah. No, she is going to be in it. Really? Wow. She's the head coach now. Lucy, when you think about it, Notre Dame, with their own television contract

and staying independent, never joining a conference, they were really ahead of the times, right? It makes me so angry because as a kid, I was taught to hate Notre Dame. Like, I remember my dad sitting me down and being like, they think they're too good for the Big Ten. You cannot approve of that. And now they had the whole thing right the entire time. They get to be in a conference when they want to be and they don't have to

outside of that. And because of that, if they schedule two to three good games a year, where they're automatically a top 10 team every year, they have an automatic bid to the playoff. Right. I think most people would say your dad didn't do that to you, but I actually believe that conversation happened. That it happened just like that with you. Yes. Absolutely did. It was like, I'm like seven years old, like, all right, got it.

He took you down to that woodshed that you're in right now. And he explains. TV's off. Hold the words. I want to do some Lucy or Goosey with you if you don't mind. Always. Yeah, I have a couple here. So I'll get started here with Miami being ranked 19th in the preseason.

Lucy or Goosey? Goosey because preseason polls don't matter. All right. Preseason polls are never right. We we thought TCU was gonna be, I didn't think TCU was gonna be great last year. Don't, I'm smarter than everybody else. But like last year we had TCU was the top 25 team. It doesn't really matter.

There's always a top 10 team that falls out. Miami is talented. They have a pretty easy schedule. I just, I don't trust Mario Cristobal at all. Like not even a little bit. Not, you're, you know what? The same game management issues are still going to last. So whatever, put them at 19, they'll fall out.

When they lose to Georgia Tech or something. You don't think they'll make the playoff? No. Okay, good. Wow. Florida Gators head coach, Billy Napier will last the season, Lucy or Goosey? I'm gonna go Lucy, very not confidently. I don't know if you guys have taken a look

at Florida's schedule, it's disgusting. Yeah, brutal. They have seven teams in the top 25 on their schedule. Like they, if they win seven games, they should probably be a playoff team with the schedule they have. I don't think Florida is very good. Like, I think they have a lot of talent.

I just remember watching them last year being like, I don't know if I've ever seen such like an undisciplined team. But with how hard that schedule is and with how high his buyout is, I think they might wait till the end of the season. All right. Georgia Clemson is the game Lucy is most looking forward to opening week, Lucy or Goosey? Goosey. There's so much going on week one. There's so much going on.

Notre Dame, Texas A&M. Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Penn State, West Virginia, like they're LSU, USC. There's so much happening that it's like, eh. The week one's always the best though because college football gets like Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. A Monday night game. The Monday night game is so great.

Last year was Clemson Duke. It delivered. It was perfect. So I'm really excited. I think it's Florida State this year. Yeah. LSU, USC sounds like a good game to go to. No. We didn't get denied from them. LSU and USC have both said yes to us previously in the past. Oh, okay. We're fans for life.

Billy's going to find this school out if it kills him. Was it UM? Or forget I'm playing this game in five minutes. Oh, no, UM! As in University of Miami? Mike Bryant can't get you access. No, no, no. Miami didn't say no.

We aren't going to ask Miami. Florida. We are going to ask Miami. Florida loves us. Florida loves us. I'm a huge gator. They sent me a bunch of stuff. Yeah, didn't they send you a care package?

They sent me the craziest care package of my life. By the way, if you want to send us a care package, hashtag send us stuff. And Lucy, I don't know if you're going to be joining us during the regular season as frequently, you're welcome to, I would love to have you on every week if you'd like and kind of tell us the ins and outs of college football.

And also, while you're around, maybe people can send us stuff. Right, yes. Please send us stuff. And I think I'm supposed to be around. Good. Okay. I have you joining us every week, just so you know. I mean, I haven't talked to anyone,

but I'm just planning on it. OK, I'll put it in the calendar. Ryan Day will last the season at Ohio State, Lucy or Goosey. He'll last the season. I'm Lucy on that. Ohio State is probably the second most talented team in the country behind Georgia. Like they put together a transfer portal class that I don't think the college football gods could have imagined. It's so good. Ohio State should make it through the season undefeated.

They should beat Michigan. But if they don't beat Michigan, he's done at the end of the year. All right. Oregon is the best team in the Big Ten. That sounds weird. Lucy or Goosey? I think I'm Lucy on this one.

Same. I think they're really good. Oregon-Ohio State October 12 is pretty much going to be the battle for the Big Ten. I know people are throwing Penn State in the conversation, but I don't necessarily think that Penn State is up to their caliber. I have said this forever. I'm sure we could go back and find it.

Dan Lanning is the next class of coach. He is the next Nick Saban, Kirby Smart sort of like era around him. So I think that this Oregon team is so good. They did, they picked up Dylan Gabriel in the portal from Oklahoma. They have Dante Moore as a backup to him. Like their Oregon team is so good. They picked up Dylan Gabriel in the portal from Oklahoma. They have Dante Moore as a backup to him. Their quarterback room is so good. They have so much talent. And they have done NIL so well that Oregon

is a really tough team to beat. My only concern with Oregon is you are now in a completely different conference that plays a completely different style of football than the Pac-12. But I think they are so talented that they'll be good. Four or more teams will make the playoff out of the SEC, Lucy or Goosey? I'm going to go Goosey.

I think that this year we'll see what. So you have five automatic bids, including a group of five school, which leaves seven spots left. I think three of them will go to the Big Ten, and the other, maybe three will go sec. And then you'll have one leftover. I really don't foresee anybody in these bait, the big 12 ACC and definitely not group of five entering the playoff.

Uh, this playoff is pretty much molded for the big 10 and the sec and Notre Dame Alabama gets in Lucy or goosey. Alabama will get into the SEC and Notre Dame. Alabama gets in, Lucy or Goosey. Alabama will get into the playoff. Absolutely. Alabama is going to have a drop off from 12 wins to 10 wins. All right, you're good. Yeah, 10 wins we'll get them in every year.

That used to matter. That used to matter. How will you survive in Tuscaloosa? And the best part is when they get 10 wins and not 12, their fans are gonna be like, we gotta burn this thing to the ground. Everything's over. Yep, no doubt.

October 12th, you mentioned Oregon, Ohio State. Yeah, what's happening? I'm gonna cover that one or? We asked. Oregon or Ohio State? You don't have an answer yet? We're waiting on an answer. So they have not said no.

I love Eugene. You know, they filmed Animal House there. Love it. Yeah. Oh, wow. I take Georgia over the field to win the national championship. Lucy or Goosie? Absolutely Lucy.

It's right now, like the things, the way things are panning out, it feels like it's going to be Georgia, Ohio State. They seem to be the two best teams. However, Georgia has a road game at Texas. That is going to be such an insanely big game. I believe Georgia also plays, I don't think they play Alabama this year. Georgia is so much more talented than everyone else. So much more talented than everyone else.

And they were last year. There was just one game that you lose to Nick Saban. You slept up and now you're out. That's not the case this year. If Georgia slips up, they will survive and they will win the national championship. We should take the under with every Iowa game this year. Lucy or Goosey?

Lucy. Yes. Iowa held their little like scrimmage thing and Iowa's quarterbacks combined for 45 yards. Stop laughing so hard. Seven for 21 from Cade McNamara. It's a big day. He did the good stuff for the regular season. It's one of his best. So yeah, I was really excited for college football and I like convinced

myself that Iowa is going to make the playoff. That's all gone. Right. But I, well, you know how this works. The guy, well, they always start like four and everyone starts telling us their coach, yeah, he's the guy. He should be the best.

He'd be the best NFL coach of any college. Cause then they lose like three out of the next four and they fall into the top 25 and no one talks about Kirk Everett's anymore. And then we end up ranked 23. Yeah. Iowa should start the season 23 and in the season 23. If it was a 23 team playoff, they'd be in every year. Every year.

We're looking forward to this, at least in my mind every week. But you and Billy will figure that out. Thank you, Lucy. You are so excited. Look at you. You're glowing. I got my book. Oh my God, a book.

She has a book. What is that? It's my Phil Steel. Oh my God, the Phil Steel. Billy has it too. I love the Phil Steel. I take notes. I annotate it. I want to turn Billy into Phil Steel.

Bill Steel. Bill Steel. Ooh, wait, which cover did you get? Ugh, I got the ACC one. Which one do you have? Depends on where you buy it. What do you have? I always got it.

Billy's confused because he doesn't know who's in what conference anymore. Oh my God, I was on it. I think I got Big Ten. Oh, that's nice. Yeah, I got ACC. It was kind of a bummer. Where'd you buy yours, Billy?

Online. Oh, okay. All right, Lucy, we appreciate it. We will talk to you hopefully next week. What an exciting time. College football right around the corner. Thank you. Thanks. In the NFL, there is no margin for error.

One mistake can change the outcome of a game. Science proves quality sleep can help boost reaction time, recovery time, and overall athletic performance. As the official Sleep Wellness Partner of the NFL, Sleep Number's mission is to provide players with data and insights to optimize their sleep for the ultimate competitive edge. Sleep is essential for recovery and we all have unique needs. That's why Sleep Number Smart Beds are perfect for couples with individualized settings for each side. Since 2018, Sleep Number and the NFL have teamed up to bring quality sleep to elite

athletes. 8 out of 10 NFL players, including 80% of Kansas City Chiefs players trust Sleep Number for their best rest. And now, during Sleep Number's biggest sale of the year, save 50% on the Sleep Number Limited Edition Smart Bed. Plus, special financing for a limited time. Only at a Sleep Number store or sleepnumber.com. Sleep Number, official sleep and wellness partner of the NFL. See store for details. the as to why we're having you back this week. That's not, that's so rude.

That's not, that's not the truth. No, in fairness, in fairness to you, Billy, you were not here last week and you're like, hey, we had bear on last week, but you didn't know that we teased the top 16 list. I mean. I was, I was more confused by Stu got announcing to me that you just refer to Don Schula as the cheater.

All right, explain it to him because Billy wasn't here last week and I don't care if you come you can come on every single week and tell the same story and call Don Schula a cheater. But explain to Billy why you think he's a cheater. Because he always he had the rule the competition committee in his pocket. He, he didn't like a rule. It got changed. And most notably before the, uh, 1982 AFC championship game, when Miami was going to get 47 inches of rain, he didn't put a tarp on the field that to keep the

field and playing conditions. Cause he knew Freeman McNeil and the Jets were going to run all over him and then go to the Superbowl and instead he'd be like, let me make this feel the muck because that will help my team by my slow plotting team that I have. And it sent an 11-year-old Chris Felica to his room very unhappy for days. How old are you now, Bear? Do the math yourself. Yeah, I'm 52. Let it go, man. Just no, no, no, no, no.

Well, you guys have had plenty of winning since then, right? You're never going to. Hang on to that hate. Wait, Billy said we had plenty of wins since then. No, we haven't. We've had plenty of things to celebrate since, as the Jets fans have. The Jets have had plenty of things to celebrate since then. No, we haven't. You've had plenty of things to celebrate since, as the Jets fans have. The Jets have had plenty of things to celebrate since then. Name five, Billy. Name five.

With Mark Sanchez, yeah. Yeah, the Sanchez. That was big. Eighty five. Eighty five. How about that? Eighty six it was, right? When the Jets started 10 and one. Yeah. And went to Miami on Monday night. And the loser Joe Wal, kicked a field goal when they were down like 45-0 to avoid getting shut out

on Monday night. Yeah, it was embarrassing, yes. What have we celebrated? We celebrate signing guys who don't work out, like Brett Floor, Baron Rogers. Exactly, but let's trade for Hassan Reddick, who wants a new contract, and we know he wants a new contract.

He's a malcontent wherever he's been in and hasn't even played a game and now he wants to be now he wants out. Do you get bitter bear when you see people who fail that the Jets go on and succeed in other teams like I I can see a world I could see a world of Sam Darnold take some Vikings to the playoffs this year. I bet Bryce Huff to lead the NFL and Saxis here at 101 because that is perfect Jets. Perfect Jets is a guy who was on the Jets. You trade for the guy on the team that he's going that you bring in Hassan Reddick and then he goes okay we'll take Bryce Huff and bring him in here. You know Bryce Huff is going to have a great year

with Fangio and now Hassan Reddick is even going to play for the Jets. Even though I think he ultimately will, but like Bryce Huff leading the league in sacks this year, I would make that bet in a heartbeat. I would take a flyer bear on Sam Darnold winning MVP. Oh, that's insane. MVP. That's crazy. Sam Darnall over passing yards for the year. Absolutely throw to Jefferson and Addison without a doubt. You guys are bumming me out. Sorry. Can't we do something about good people?

Like, yeah, I'm excited for the Jets. Can't we do something else? I'm excited. You guys are bumming me out. All right, Before we get before listen, Bear is excited about the Jets. It's the most excited he's been since last year.

Last year when I sent the text in August, I'm far too excited about the season. We know how this is going to end and then I had to send that around to the same exact group for four plays into the season and we will get to the good people in sports

media, which is why the which is why the hair is on with us because we teased it. I had a top five. The way this started was I asked Bear to come on last week. He said, of course, I said, you're one of the good guys at sports media. You're in my top five and then I realized I couldn't really get to five and Bear said, let's do this on the air. I have a top ten And then I said, you know what? I've thought about it.

I too have a top 10. Then he texted me this past week saying, my 10 has become 16. And now I've had to come up with 16 names. And that is hard, very difficult task to come up with 16 decent sports media members. What does that say about our industry? That it sucks.

Because I think when I came on, I think I said either I either had n Or 12 room or maybe like an elite eight and then I was like, oh, I forgot this person Oh, I yeah, I should probably put that person on too. And oh, yeah is I'm like, you know what? Let's just go like NCAA tournament sweet 16 Okay Was there anyone is there anyone on your list that you had to put on the list just because you felt like you see him All the time you had to put on the list just because you felt like you see them all the time? You don't really like them, but you had to put them on the list.

No, no, no. I did not do that. It's funny because I could have put Kirk on there who I'm great friends with, but I didn't put him on there just because I'm great friends with, but I didn't put him on there just because I'm great friends and I know Kirk is not for everybody and I know he can show a little angst every now and then, but Kirk is a great guy and he's a lifelong friend, but no, I did not put him in my 16, almost because I'm such a tough grader

and there were so many options that were just like, really, this person's like, forget it's salt of the earth. Listen if it makes you feel better, Leviton's not on mine so okay. Before we move on from Kirk for a second can I ask you, I read not too long ago an announcement that his dog is getting a show now and as someone who is kind of trying to make his way through this whole media game, the idea that a dog is being given a show grinds my gears not gonna have it is him. Yeah nepotism really Wow Petitism it's true. It's so it's weird like like I knew he was so passionate about

About his dogs, but like I didn't realize like last year like it got to the level that it did but but but good for him so I'm sure him and his sons and his done they'll be all right it's kind of like internet sensation it's all right it's kind of like you it's kind of like the old argument like how can someone pay someone that much money like hey you're worth what someone's going to pay you there you go uh all right we'll get to this list Billy was saying right before you came on that this is a masterclass by Jim Harbaugh in distraction. The Michigan stuff over there, Colin Kaepernick

is going to be my coordinator. Do you agree? Didn't the offer come a couple of months ago too, Len? He just hasn't commented on it or like hasn't made a decision. Like I thought someone said that, so he offered Kaepernick the position. Yeah. A little bit ago and he's still waiting.

Yeah, but that was under the radar, but now he has ratcheted it up because he's got back to somebody already in over. He's not exactly in the dark in what's going on in Michigan. He knows something's coming. How about that? How about that? How about that? Michigan saying Jim Harbaugh is going

to be our honorary captain in the season opener after the notice of allegations came out and like Sharon Moore is mentioned in there. Jim Harbaugh is coming back for our national title and to be our honorary captain. Like maybe just, I don't know. And then I think they kind of realized, yeah, this probably isn't the best look

and we don't want to be dealing with this. So you got your chip, you did whatever you did. And I think he's gonna go, I think you'll be just fine in LA. Maybe not this year, but that's what the Chargers needed just to kick in the end. Billy, you'll love this. Bayer gave us a bronze, silver, and gold medal

pick, season-long picks last week. One of them, Mikey, was the Chargers, right? Chargers under. And right after he says it, Justin Herbert is reported to be out for the preseason in minus a dime in the regular season. And Bear is texting me like, and I'm like, why? It helps your bet. It was a great bet.

Like it's that that's why the Chargers and the Jets are like in the same family. Yeah, we have these things. Right. The Chargers, their family is slightly better. That's all I'm saying. Like that, you know, they left their house, their family abandoned them. I wish the Jets would leave that house for crying. Oh, come back. Where's Chase? I want Chase Stadium 142 J.

That's where our seats were. Thank you. Yeah. Oh, it was beautiful. Yeah. I like the idea of the Jets playing at an actual demolish Shea Stadium, like whoever wants to come. This is what you get. They deserve it. All right, there.

So we'll go. You go and then I go. We'll go one one one one one one. OK, OK, I'll go. I did it alphabetically. OK, alphabetically, I just listen. This is in no particular order. I just came up with 16 decent members of the sports media

That's it. Okay. I did it alphabetically said it wanted I didn't want to rank 1 to 16. I just saw you here's an order Oh, I have 17. I got to get rid of one good Okay, all right, you can have a tie for 16th. Okay, go ahead little work Adam Amin is but is my first Adam Amin is just a great dude. He's so down to earth. He's got, I remember like Adam, like he was seeking me out for like travel advice and it was like, you're amazing. Like you could do this, like plan people's trips. I hit all your spots and you see him at the, at the football meetings. he just kind of like sneaks up behind you and just goes out of the way to like give you a hug or whatever I'm around like just a super super super human

being Adam and okay so I love you we have to just like say the name be very quick on the description of them otherwise we will be here for four hours again okay so here we go for me first on the description of him. Otherwise, we will be here for four hours. OK, so here we go. For me, first on the list, no particular order, Tony Reali, around the horn. Tony Reali, one of the nicest people I have ever met, not just in the sports media, in my entire life. OK, so I start with Tony Reali.

Jules Breach, who I met for the first time in LA last month covering Euros and Copa. What a sweetheart. Okay, I'm gonna go Scott Van Pelt. I have become, I want to say, friendly-ish with Scott Van Pelt. He wrote a chapter of my book. We talk a lot of golf. We bonded over talking about our dogs. I'm gonna go with Scott Van Pelt, who has always been a big supporter of mine

and a big supporter of the Dan Leventhaler Show with Stu Gottz, SVP for me. Yes, Billy. I love SVP. Check out the pod that he did with Jon Stewart where they talk about the dogs as well. It's awesome. Yeah.

Hold on, Billy's got a question. Can we do a thing, and this isn't an SVP specific. This is just so if one of you says this person's nice and then the other one's like, well, that person's actually a real piece of crap, feel free to interrupt the other one and say that this person is actually a bad person. Now I feel bad because SVP isn't on my list. Right now. I got you thinking. Right. Well, Stu has 17, so you can make 17 if you want.

Yeah, go ahead. I mean, I well, I can make 17 if you want. Yeah, go ahead. Well, I actually took it down to 16. I took Pablo off. So I mean. Oh. No. I love Pablo. I'm joking, I'm joking, I'm joking.

All right, so go ahead. Who's next for you? Mike Breen. Oh, he's on my list too. Good, perfect. He's right in the exact spot. Mike Breen is the reason I am in this industry. Mike Breen worked at a courtside game,

Nick's Heat, 1992 Miami arena did stats for WFAN, him and Clyde said to him, Hey, any chance of an internship at FAN during the summer and between years from Long Island, yada, yada. Absolutely called me when we get back from the road trip. He did hook me up with the people at FAN, people from FAN, moved up to ESPN. And that's how I got in the door at ESPN. So Mike Breen, always I am indebted to him. He is a decent human being, fundamentally

decent human being. He's genuine and he's caring. He's on my list as well. I will tell you a quick story. We once had Mike Breen on the podcast. I'm a genuine, ongoing human being. He's genuine and he's caring. He's on my list as well. I will tell you a quick story. We once had Mike Breen on the podcast. I made up an excuse that I had to go do something. I think it was an emergency.

What I was really doing, while Mike Breen was on hold talking to Mikey A over here for 15 minutes is I was interviewing Jake Paul. I love you, Mike. All right, next bear. Lee Corso. Lee is Lee. You talk about it. It's so funny because even last year when I was gone, like he would still call me regularly, check in,

call me in the off season, miss you so much or show misses you so much, miss having you around. I hope you and Molly are doing great. Like always asked about my wife, Lee is 89, and God bless him, and maybe he had many more birthdays. All right, we knew that was a lot to be on your list. Let's go, my next one is Jay Billis.

Jay Billis has turned into a really good friend, love him, always available to us, has been super supportive of both me and Dan, the entire show. Jay Billis has turned into a really good friend. Love him, always available to us, has been super supportive of both me and Dan the entire show. Jay Billis is next for me. Your turn, Bear. Excellent choice. I'm going to go a little bit down to back our road.

Hubert Davis. Ooh, Hubert Davis. Former broadcaster, now coach North Carolina. I got a few people on here, but you may not ever meet a more salt of the earth human being than Hubert Davis. Where he feels about faith, family, great sense of humor,

just a salt of the earth human being. All right. Billy, do you know who Hubert Davis is? Yeah. Okay. Elaborate a little bit. You got to convince him. Well, no, we got to keep it moving.

You're right, you're right. You still have like 12 to go each. Apologies. Next up for me, Israel Gutierrez, one of the nicest people I have ever met in this entire industry or anywhere for that matter, Israel Gutierrez next on my list there. Iron Eagle. Iron is awesome.

Jeez, I left them all, Jesus. So we're one for one, we're one and one now with each leaving someone off. I left SVP off, you left Iron off. Yeah, I love Iron. Yeah, but it was mean to me. Hello Bear, I gotta follow Billy's face whenever he makes this face.

What's the problem with Iron Eagle? We had him on once, he wasn't that nice to me to be perfectly honest with you. Well, they wanted to see that. That's in the rules of the parameter. You were saying like, if we disagree, you can call someone out. I am with the FN when I intern there. I've known him since he's got a great sense of humor.

I am an iron Eagle fan. All right, next up for me is Christopher Mad Dog Russo. Christopher Mad Dog Russo. I mean, listen, I loved him before I ever met him, before I spent any time with him. And now that I have done both, met him and spent quality time with him, I love him even more.

And I am co-hosting your show next summer. I'm looking forward to that. No, boy. Christopher Mad Dog Russo. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, I'm jealous. I have not seen him in a couple of years, unfortunately, but the last time I did see him, he actually remembered my name when I was... because obviously he and Francesca were used to that when I was there, but yeah, awesome dude. And the other

day I actually pulled up the Pac-Man Jones rant on YouTube because I needed a laugh. Oh wow. I think Billy having met Christopher Mandel Russo at Radio Row for a couple of years now, I think Billy would acknowledge Chris Russo as a nice man. No? Yeah. Yeah. He likes him. He likes him. People see the on air, all that stuff. But great dude. That's a good one right there. all that stuff but all the great dude that's a good one right there. All right, who's up for you? Lofonso Ellis who I it's like if you're doing it if you're if Hubert Davis is like salt of the earth, Lofonso is like one B. Right.

Right right beneath that. All right. He's the most polite announcer that I ever worked with in the way he treated the people around him researching people that helped him out. All right. Next up for me just 10 to go, Mike Golick Jr. Mike Golick Jr. has turned into,

not only is he on this list, but he has turned in to just a great friend. He is always there for me and I love him dearly. So Mike Golick Jr. for me, you're up there. Kaylee Hartung, never see her without a smile on her face. Okay, perfect, I like that, that was very quick. Up next for me, Dominique Foxworth, one of my favorite people on the planet. Dominique Foxworth comes in, in my top 16 or 17 decent sports media members. Dominique Foxworth is the smartest, coolest guy anytime he walks into any room.

And he is also one of the sweetest guys I have ever met. So Dominic Foxworth for me. I unfortunately have not met him yet, but I may get to meet him one day, I will. We'll have to get that done. Yes. Stu Holden is someone who I met at Fox last year when I first got there and working on the World Cup

and the soccer coverage, what a, just a great dude, just, he just kind of took me, I don't wanna say under his wing, but like immediately was like, okay, yeah, this guy, we kind of hit it off right away. So I am a big Stu Holden fan, just a good dude, loves his kids, takes his kids to a ton of

soccer events as well. Good family man and just a decent human being went out to like get it with them a bunch in Australia. Just love every minute I spent with him. All right. Next up for me is, I don't think anyone will object to this because he's the nicest man in sports media. That is Tim Kerchin. Tim Kerchin is the nicest man. You left him off. You left him. How do you leave off Tim Kerchin? I didn't leave him off. Oh, there's my 17th right there. What is the matter with your second? And out of here, Scott Bear.

Yeah, sorry, SVP. Yeah, I feel like out of here. So alphabetically, the Golic is didn't make Bears list. I noticed the goal is all dark. Kirk Absalah. Yeah, you left. It's OK. All right, go ahead with no paper. Oh, I should have put I left off Mel.

God damn it. Yeah, yeah. Great. It's good. This is good. This is good. Like we were like, we were like, met up with each other each time. Like we were- Well, what's good is I think there are 20

decent sports media members. Yeah. Surprising. Yes. I am not choosing anyone on this show, by the way, just so you know. You know how I feel about you, all of you. Okay, Billy, Mikey, yeah, you got it?

Good. Eh. Whatever. Next up for me, Greg Cody. Greg Cody, there are very few people in my life. What? What? Why can't I? I'm not choosing anyone on the show and you're I met God bless football. What are you talking about? I met God bless football. Greg Cody, I am telling you, there are very few people in my life. You're one

of them that when I see them, I smile. Greg Cody has that impact on me. He just makes me smile. He makes me happy. Greg Cody's not on God Bless. Oh, gosh. That was good. Perfect timing.

All right, Greg Cody for me. Go ahead. Zubin Mahenti. He's the sweetheart of a guy like AJZ always will like, he would be like renowned for sending just long, well thought out heartfelt emails, either like not necessarily feedback, but what a great job or here's an idea. I ran into him outside the stop and shop here in Connecticut a couple of months ago for the first time I'd seen him since I left and just we sat outside and talked for half hour. Yeah. All right

I love a good job. Yeah He could shed a good tear of joy Yes The great way to put it. It's perfect Billy Next up for me is and I think everyone on our show would agree with this Stan Van Gundy Stan Van Gundy. Stan Van Gundy, they don't get nicer than Stan Van Gundy. Genuine, sincere, awesome, great, supports me and Dan, supports everyone on our show.

Stan Van Gundy, one of the great people in sports media. Another one great people in sports media, and again, this is someone who I have never heard anyone say a bad word about. So I'm sure Billy's going to say something bad right now about the after. Oh, onions. Billy say something bad. All right. Next up for me. This guy has turned into, to a really close friend, not just in sports media.

There are sports media friends and your actual friends. This man has turned into an actual friend. I don't view him as a sports media member anymore. I just view him as my friend and he's a great guy. Anyone who's gotten to know him, I think would agree. And for me, it's Adam Schefter. Adam Schefter is on my list. Yeah, I like Adam a lot.

And our time on the draft and stuff was great. I wish I did get to reach that level of friendship like you have with him. You gotta meet his mom. She's a trip. Yeah. Really. She's number one on my list. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Shepty's great. Actually, ironically, next on my list. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Chef, he's great. Actually, ironically, next on my list, a colleague of Chef, he's Laura Rutledge. Laura. Wow. Laura's great.

Like Laura and I will exchange a couple of recipe suggestions. Laura's awesome. All right, next up for me, by far the nicest SportsCenter anchor of all time, Randy Scott. Randy Scott is thoughtful, he is caring. He was there for me when my mom passed away, called me, we talked, Randy Scott has turned into a good friend and therefore he is on my list.

I always enjoyed my interactions with him as well. Yes, that's great. Jenny Taft on my list again, someone who no one at Fox will ever say a bad word about. I mentioned how Kaylee always has a smile on her face. Jenny is someone who always has a smile on her face as well. I remember at the recent football seminar, we had both been away for like five weeks and all we wanted to do was get home. And that was a day like the airline systems crashed and we're like, are we gonna get the hell out of here

today? Unfortunately we did, but yeah, Jenny's awesome. All right, next up for me here is Stephen A. Smith. I know you see the rough exterior. I know he's always screaming. He's always yelling, but when you get Stephen A. in a private moment and you just talk to him, that man is calm, cool,

thoughtful, genuine, real. He is a good man. Stephen A Smith, and I need him to do something for my book, so that's why he's on the list. You just saw my tagline, so I was going to say, did he write a chapter in your book too? No, he did it. You did that. I mean, you're the best. Thank you. Oh no. You're not number one, though, on my list there. Did LeBretard write the foreword yet? Are we going to actually get a copy of this thing that I can actually read? Yeah, I got to chop it down a little. It's longer than the book, the foreword. I mean, it's enough. I mean, Jesus Christ, write your own book for Pride Outlander.

All right. Who's next for you, man? We got to speed it up. They get mad at me. I get that. I just speed it up. They're getting mad at me. I can go Ten minutes over I mean it's over This is like This is like Olympic soccer stoppage time. We can add is as much stoppage time 16 minutes, Argentina What was that? That was insane? Minutes is ridiculous Over they went back in the locker room. They postponed it. Let's go.

This is why no one trusts soccer. It's weird, man. Yeah. Dick, Dick, he, he, he, he is a gem of a man. Just awesome. This the things he is done for me personally and professionally and the way he treated how we went, how he was a goal for ESPN. And Dick E.V. is a legend outside of anything that he does on the air for cancer, for the Jimmy V. V. Foundation. Dick E.V. is a legend.

One of the greats. Next up for me is Mina Kimes. I don't think anyone has a bad word to say about Mina Kimes. Her football knowledge is second to none. But as a person, I think really probably second to none. Mina Kimes is just an amazing human being and I am happy to call her a friend and so happy that she's been a part of what me and Dan do for a long long time. So Mina Kimes for me. I love her on the air. I love what she brings to all those shows and I'm happy to hear

that she's just as great of a person off the air as she is on the air with what she does because I'm a massive fan. Yes. Actually someone who has worked with Mina in the past in his still at ESPN, Field Yates. He might look like he's 17, but field field is again another guy always smile field used to be the guy I always used to run into like at the gym like early in the morning before we got going and we would just shoot we just shoot it all hit it off tremendously and it's funny even even since I've left I've I've kept

in touch with him and texted him and it's like nothing nothing's changed so yeah field is fields. Awesome. All right. So I am doing this on a fly here. I realized I have left Diana Rossini off. So my list, she has naming rights to the list. This is the Diana Rossini top 15 decent people in sports media. Good, good, good, good. Like that over there.

Way, way, way to way, way to correct yourself there. All right. Two to go here. I have at number two, I have Chris Felica, the bear. Oh, wow. Yes. I'm honored. Well, I appreciate that. Yes.

You probably wonder why you're not number one, but. No, no, no. No particular order. I'm wondering how the hell I'm number two. I just tried to be a normal dude, man. Listen, you could be 16. You don't know. I mean.

Yeah. I appreciate making your list. You don't know. I appreciate making your list. I don't understand this list because I've counted that you've already done 16. But you said this is number two. You also said Mina kind of second to none, but she would be three. I don't know. Listen, we're just fine. I was just 17 people in media. We second to none. No particular order.

Yeah. And nobody had nobody that nobody that you work with on the show was on the list except People in media. second to none. No particular order. Yeah. Nobody. Nobody that nobody that you work with on the show was on the list except for great Cody. Yeah. Yes. But he's only there on Tuesdays and he's not on god bless football. I mean,

Billy would be on the list. Billy. Billy knows I love him. I mean, come on. No, that's okay. I don't know. Alright. Billy's on the list. Okay. That's fine. Alright. It's the Billy Gill top 15 sports. Do you have anyone else on your list? I have one and I think Bear has one, no?

No, I'm done. Oh, you're done. I'm 16, yeah. Oh, wow. You hit Yates. I ain't doing this list without saying Mike Golick. Mike Golick is a fundamentally decent human being that me, Mikey A, and Billy Gill have all fallen in love with.

I mean, Mike Golick is the nicest guy in sports media, and as I say that, I realize I left off Greeny. Oh, sh**. The year was 2017, and I was a youngish man thinking I was invincible, and nothing could stop me. I lost the bet, and I said a youngish man thinking I was invincible and nothing could stop me. I lost the bet and I said, you know what? I'm gonna bite into this onion because that is the punishment for losing this bet. And boy did I learn I was not invincible. A lot's changed over the years. One thing that hasn't, the great taste of Miller Lite. Another thing that hasn't changed is that it's less filling.

So what is the best thing about the original light beer? Miller Lite has sparked this debate since 1975 and we still haven't settled it. My personal favorite? The great taste. It goes with almost anything and now during the summer if you're outside grilling it's the perfect accompaniment to a nice warm burger hot dog. You don't have to choose what's best. Miller Lite has great taste and is less filling. Tastes like Miller Time. To get Miller Lite delivered right to your door, visit MillerLite.com slash GBF. Or you can find it pretty much anywhere that sells beer. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

96 calories per 12 ounces. Fewer cales and carbs than premium regular beer. And we're back. And we're presented by Smirnoff. We do game days. Please drink responsibly. The Smirnoff Company, New York, New York. And we're back. You like that, Sigots? Yeah, I do. Well, yes,irnoff Company, New York, New York. And we're back.

You like that, Stugats? Yeah, I do. Well, yes, I love our sponsors, of course. How you weave in a sponsor to a natural conversation. I was very impressed with you, Billy. So natural. Stugats, I have a story of the week, if you would like one.

Of course. But we don't have to get to that now because there's lots of things going on here. Lots of NFL news. But again, this was kind of like our college preview slash. Let's just talk good about people in the media, which is kind of a weird turn. Right. Let's talk good. Well, really what happened was the bear and I exchanged text.

I said, you're one of the great guys in sports media. Oh, we got in my top 10. Yeah. But you know what? I didn't think I'd come up with 16 or 17 nice people in sports media. I're in my top ten. Yeah, but you know what? I didn't think I'd come up with sixteen or seventeen nice people in sports media. I was surprised

and happy that I did. So, save those for July and June next year. Yeah, for real. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Lucy tried to warn you don't do this now and sure enough, you did it. I did it anyway. I know. So, yeah. Anyway, you were saying. Well,

so you want to hear my story of the week? Yeah, I would love it. Yes to you. Anyway, you were saying. Well, so you want to hear my story of the week? Yeah, I would love it. Yes. Listen, there's stuff to talk about. There's JJ McCarthy stuff to talk about but a god bless football. Nothing drops the story of the week. Nothing. Well, no, there's lots going on

around the Patriots in New England. I don't know if you saw they traded Matthew Judon who was in the final year of a four year, $56 million deal to Atlanta. And in case there was any question, they are very clearly rebuilding in New England. So things haven't been good there lately and it doesn't seem like they're gonna be getting

that much better this season in the near future. But that takes us to the location of this week's story of the week. Wow, exciting. That's right. So in New England, head coach, Gerard Mayo, was speaking to the week. Wow. Exciting. That's right. So in New England, head coach, Gerard Mayo, speaking to the media, he was not happy with the idea of some fights happening in the preseason. I don't know if you saw this to guts.

No. Okay. So fights happened in the preseason. Last week we were talking about five fights happening in amongst one team in the preseason. So Gerard Mayo has come up with a very simple rule that he told his players. He said, you know what, quote, you don't fight in a real game,

if you fight in a real game, you get fined and you get kicked out. So, here is the message that Coach Mayo has given his players. If you get into a fight out there, if you're a starter, you're gonna play the entire preseason game. If you're not a starter, you won't play at all.

Wow, I love that. I mean, I can't name any of his players, but I love that. You could say that when Tom Brady is not on your team. Right. You can't say that then. But like when Jacoby Brissette is your starter. Yeah, sure. Jacoby Brissette starts a fight. He'll play the whole game because it doesn't matter. It's an incredible rule because no one wants to play

the entire game of your starter and everyone who's not wants to get in. Well, that's why he made that the rule. The perfect punishment. It's a perfect, hey starters, you're gonna play in games that you don't wanna play in. And hey guys, you aren't on the team yet. You can't play in the games that are most important to you.

It's great, yeah. Watch out Don Shula, you've been looking out for the wrong New England coach to surpass you as the greatest coach ever. Well, Shula's a cheater. Cheater, yeah. Yeah. I mean, guy, let it go, you're 11 years old.

What's going on? It's insane. 52 now, he's still holding onto a grudge from 41 years ago. I'm holding the mantle for the bear. Cheater. I'm with Bear on that as well. Billy, have we ever seen a hold in like we're seeing right now with Brandon Iook?

This is crazy, man. He's holding in. He's showing up to practice. He's standing on the sidelines, but he's showing up to practice. It's crazy. It's so weird. Football's such a weird sport.

Well, the salary cap makes it. Listen, that's why you have parity in the NFL, because of the salary cap. But the Niners had to know there's no way they were going to be able to sign all these guys. They still have to sign Brock Purdy next year. And by the way, the most important player on that team still on side and he ain't showing up to practice. He's not standing on the sidelines. He will stand in his house until someone gives him a deal. And that's Trent Williams, who might be the best player in the NFL. I mean, I saw and we didn't have time for it this week and I didn't want to do it because I didn't

want to do a list show even though we just spent like 30 minutes on a list of nice people. And it's early. It was a list of the top 50 free agents in 2025. Oh, wow. Can we do like five a week? Wow. Oh. Oh. Can we do like five a week leading up? Oh man. Can we do that? Can you figure it out?

I mean, the problem though is like Ayuka is on that list and if he gets traded and he signs a new deal, he's no longer on the list. So you got to get this list out now, you know? Yeah, 100%. Yeah. We say this, I feel terrible for JJ McCarthy, who's gonna miss, who looked good

in his first preseason game and- Two touchdowns, we almost had a quarterback controversy in Minnesota. I know, and now he's gonna miss the entire season. But I am with Bear on this and I know Mikey A is thinking it. Sam Dornal is gonna come back to haunt us. He's gonna be the guy that comes back to haunt us. Yes. I'm very nervous about this.

Sam Dornal is going to be a starting quarterback for a team next year after he plays well this year. A starting quarterback on a team that has Justin Jefferson. Yeah. Well, not the Vikings, because they're going to go to J.J. McCarthy. But Sam Darnold is going to get a starting contract next year. What he's saying is he's the starter now by default,

and he's going to play well enough to get a starting contract next season with another team. Yeah, because of Justin Jefferson. Yes. That's all I'm saying. I think the Jets will be looking for a quarterback next year. Little reunited. Oh, would you take them back?

Little reunited me. I think Sam Darnold is going to have such a big year that the guy that will end up trading is J.J. McCarthy. How about that? That's insane. That is a crazy statement. Why? I don't think you believe that either. Wait, so if D darl has the big year

You're gonna go to the you're gonna go to the unproven talent as opposed to the number 10 the number 10 Yes, yes, you have to sign the other guy you're gonna do you have to sign the other guy Yeah, you imagine darl has a year goes back to the jet You know they just let Kirk cousins walk right well not yet limb because he was injured, but they let him go Yeah, I know I don soon, sorry. Yeah. Sorry. Big Kirk Cousins fans out there. Geez. You had him in Hall of Fame last year, Billy.

Yeah, first ballot. I stepped back on that one. First ballot. God bless football. It's back! The year was 2017 and I was a youngish man thinking I was invincible and nothing could stop me. I lost a bet and I said, you know what? I'm going to bite into this onion because that is the punishment for losing this bet.

And boy did I learn I was not invincible. Lots changed over the years. One thing that hasn't, the great taste of Miller Lite. Another thing that hasn't changed is that it's less filling. So what is the best thing about the original Lite beer? Miller Lite has sparked this debate since 1975 and we still haven't settled it. My personal favorite, the great taste. It goes with almost anything. And now during the summer if you're outside grilling, it's the perfect accompaniment to a nice warm burger hot dog. You don't have to choose what's best. MillerLite has great taste and is less filling. Tastes like MillerTime. To get MillerLite delivered

right to your door, visit MillerLite.com slash GBF. Or you can find it pretty much anywhere that sells beer. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories per 12 ounces. Fewer calz and carbs than premium regular beer.