The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 3 - College Football is here

Episode Date: August 29, 2024

Jack Butt from the Big Ten Network joins the show to talk about Michigan and the start of the college football season    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

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I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard,

but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all?

You're listening to Learn the Hardweight with your favorite therapist and host Care Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit are armored. It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the IHard radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Thanks for listening to The HARD podcast.

Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to 3 Eastern, 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Hurt at Fox SportsRadio.com or stream us. live every day on the IHeart Radio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. A little Snoop Dog there for you. Back here on the herd, Jason McIntyre in for Colin Cowherd. Let's welcome in our next guest.

He played at Michigan and was drafted in the NFL, played there. Jake Butt, Big Ten Network. Jake, how you doing, man? Hey, good, doing well. Doing well. Excited to join you here today. Yeah, yeah. Thanks for coming on.

I know it's a big, big weekend. I mean, listen, last weekend was week zero, and the games were not particularly great, although FSU going down was funny. This weekend, you get a little more action. I don't know, can we start with Georgia Clemson? And mostly, Jake, because of this Dabo Sweeney resistance to hitting the portal.

And I think it's going to come and bite him big, and I wonder, maybe too hot of a take, but by the end of the season, if there are another, you know, 7-8 wins, is Dabo on the hot seat as he refuses to adjust? Yeah, I've wondered. the same thing. And, you know, we do these things to ourselves. He has done this to himself. It's not just the transfer portal. It's the resistance to embrace NIL. Like, he's made some strange

comments there. Like, this is a law of the universe. Adapt or die. Like, the only constant is change. And he's been one of the only, I don't think any head coach in college football loves the way this has changed and it is welcoming all the work that comes with the extra portal and NIL. But he's been, the most vocally resistant. And I just think that's a bad plan. And I do believe it's going to show up this weekend. I believe Georgia is about a two-touchdown favorite coming off a season where they have a really bad taste in their mouth.

I think Georgia feels they would have won the national title, had they not lost to Alabama and the SEC championship. That team's absolutely loaded. I'm less confident in Club Nick Clemson's quarterback that he's going to be able to show up in a big way. This one, if you're Clemson, you'd like to keep it close. I just don't see how they win. Yeah, regarding Georgia, Jake, have we seen enough of Carson Beck to say he's the new number of one quarterback who's going to go in the draft in 25?

Because he really only has 14 starts. And it looked like they almost didn't trust him in that SEC title game, if you remember it. A lot of weird offensive decisions, almost Ravens-ish, like against the Chiefs in the AFC title game. But where are you on Carson Beck? I like him. I like him. But I definitely have not seen enough to lock him in as the first pick of next year's draft. I think there's a deep quarterback class.

I mean, Quinn Ewer, Shador, Sanders, Jackson, Dart, you know, Dylan Gabriel. And you also, you have to evaluate these things. Like, if you look at Bo Nick's stats last year, you're like, man, just in a bubble, those are great stats. And yet we question Bo Nicks because of what he had around him. You know, the quick game, the system, all the receivers. The same is going to be true any time you play quarterback in Georgia. Like, yes, our eyeballs are going to be on Carson Beck because Georgia is going to dominate their schedule. make the playoffs and make a run at the national championship.

But to your point, what's he doing the biggest games? How does he look operating against the best opponents? Can he throw into tight windows? Can he anticipate throws? Can he throw guys open? I think he's capable of it. The question is, if you're a number one pick, you have to do it consistently. Yeah, we'll see.

I did bet him to win the highspin, which is a little risky. A lot of people like Gabriel, but we'll see. Let's go to Penn State, West Virginia. Big game on Fox on Saturday. from Morgantown. Penn State favor by eight. A lot of people think Penn State is a playoff team, but you know, Morgantown can be rough to

get an early season win in. Any thoughts there, Jake? Yeah, I mean, what a big game, too, for James Franklin and, you know, to go on the road, you're right. They are picked by many to be a playoff team. And even when you go back, like, if it was a fourth team

playoff, had it been a 12-team playoff, Penn State is one of those teams that would have made the playoff consistently. And yet, The issue with Penn State hasn't been winning the games they're expected to win. It's been James Franklin winning the big games, the tough games. You've mentioned their favorite. This is still a really tough game against a tough West Virginia team in front of their home crowd. And I still, you know, I like Drew Aller, but there's something more I'd like to see from them.

The big question is, have they been able to upgrade at the receiver position this year? I don't know. I really don't know. And this game, it's not just about winning, but if we're projecting them to go to the playoffs, it's also about how they look. Let's go to another team that has playoff aspirations. Notre Dame, they are in College Station for what's shaping up is a tough one.

Notre Dame coming in ranked 7th. I like the kid Riley Leonard that transferred from Duke. It sounds like he's in line for a big year. But Texas A&M is favored here by three. Anything from you on this one, Jake? Yeah, really interesting. thing too, because I went through this at Michigan where we had talent, we had resources, we recruited well, but in 2014, we were five and seven. In comes Jim Harbaugh, we're immediately

a 10-win team. Like night and day, when you get the right coach in place, the team's going to be elevated. Well, that's what Texas A&M has with Mike Elko, right? I mean, he was winning games at Duke. What can he do at A&M with effectively unlimited resources? That in mind, this is the college football landscape. You got a new coach. You got a new quarterback. There's a lot of mystery, things that remain to be seen, whereas Notre Dame I see as a much more stable program. And for Marcus Freeman, you look at that schedule, very, very manageable. A lot of people are picking them to be a playoff team. Remember, they have no conference title game to guarantee them a spot. There's not a lot of room for error. This is a winnable but challenging game for Notre Dame.

Man, they got to go out there and play their best ball and they'd love to have 11 guys on the field in the critical situations on the defensive side of the ball. Oh, that's harsh. But actually, you just thought of something good for me. Elko coached Riley Leonard at Duke. I'm just curious, from your perspective, like, does that give a big advantage to Riley Leonard, the quarterback at Notre Dame going against his former coach? Or does it give the coach an edge over the quarterback knowing his tendencies,

strengths, and weaknesses? You know, it's good for the coach to know the quarterback. but he doesn't know Riley Leonard in that system. He doesn't know Riley Leonard throwing to these receivers and behind this offensive line and getting the ball out. He doesn't know Riley Leonard how he manages a game with Notre Dame's defense, which I think is going to be outstanding. So sure, there's some familiar, I don't necessarily buy as much into that.

I think at the end of the day, it's more about what these guys do within their system. And I just feel with everything going on with Marcus Freeman, What a big year. He needs to have these guys ready. I believe he will have these guys ready. I'm with you. I really like Riley Leonard as a quarterback. Yeah, I'm trying to miss or understand why A&M's favorite here.

I know they're at home. I think I like the Irish getting points. But yeah, we'll see. Anything on your Michigan Wolverines, you know, the Harbaugh era is complete. They are big favorites, three touchdowns against Fresno. Games in Ann Arbor. Listen, obviously they're going to win. But I'm just curious.

How do you see Michigan shaking out? Because it's weird. Everybody instantly thinks, oh, no harball. They're falling off a cliff. But there's a world where this is still like a nine or ten win team, right? Yeah. Oh, I think you look at their schedule. Nine wins should be the floor.

And 10, 11 wins, 12 wins is possible. And really, it all depends on this week is big. You're right. Michigan will likely win this game. But you, me, we, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State. Everyone should be watching this game because this is a binary fork in the road. It's an if-than statement. If Michigan, let's say it's Alex Orgy, if Alex Orgy comes out and starts and plays quality football, doesn't even have to be a Heisman-type performance,

but if he plays quality football and Michigan's still able to run the ball for 150, 160 yards, the whole nation, once again, is going to be on notice because their defense is one of, if not the best in college football. But if the quarterback comes out and struggles and looks shaky and make some questionable decisions, all of a sudden we're reevaluating how we view Michigan down the stretch. So yes, this is a game Michigan will win. But there's still plenty reasons to tune in because Michigan is a team that can certainly make the playoff and make a run, depending how the quarterback looks here week one.

We can wrap up, Jake, with this USC LSU tilt on Sunday. This should be a spicy game from Vegas. LSU is favored. A lot of newness here with Caleb Williams gone and Jane Daniels gone. obviously, listen, everybody likes Lincoln Riley, but I'm sorry, Brian Kelly is a fantastic coach. How do you handicap this one? Well, the over-under is in the 60s, too, right?

Yes. And if you looked at last year, both these teams were like a mirror of each other. Tons of offense, absolutely atrocious defense. Couldn't stop anything. Well, you wouldn't be surprised if the score was 50 to 45, until you realize both of these programs went out and made big-time splash hires at the defensive coordinator position. USC got Danton Lynn from across town, UCLA.

They had a great defense last year. LSU goes and gets the coach from Missouri, and we saw how tough they played last year. So both these defenses are going to be significantly improved. You combine that with the fact you have two new quarterbacks. Though I like them both, so I believe in them both, I do think the defense is going to be a storyline in this game, just to see how both programs have elevated on that side of the ball.

And really, just in summary, too, what a fun time in college football. You know, this is the 13th versus the 23rd team. In the 14th playoffs, you know, come late November, there's really six or seven teams we're talking about that really have a shot at it, right? Your season's over if you lose two games. Well, in an expanded 12-team playoff,

there might be 25 or 30 teams that have a realistic shot into November at making the playoffs. So think about the stakes in this game to get a ranked win under your belt early for whoever the winner is. What an amazing opportunity for both programs. Yeah, and a quick note, I just looked at the quarterbacks in this game, and it's funny, they're replacing guys who are off to the NFL.

But Miller Moss is 22, turns 23 in March, and the kid Nussmeyer at LSU, he's 22, turns 23 in February. They're both redshirt juniors, Jake. I mean, this is what's a little crazy about college football. It's so tough for these kids out of high school. How are you going to be a threat and crack a roster when you're going up against a 22-year-old? Who's been around the block? Yeah, well, you know, Tom Brady, I think Tom Brady was on, maybe he might have been on the hurt, where he's talking about the need for young quarterbacks to develop.

And, you know, maybe that's a good thing. I am, I am, you know, some are hitting the panic button. People have been hitting the panic button with the transfer portal, an NIL, and, you know, expanded playoff conference realignment. Now you can make the case here with veteran, you know, Cam Rising out there, Utah, just these guys that are 22, 25 years old, I think it's good. It's a good product.

I don't want to see sloppy football. I want to see two teams at their best. So we as viewers get to benefit that by watching, yes, new quarterbacks, but veteran quarterback. All right, last one. Ryan Day, Ohio State. That's the one team I bet to win the Natty this year. Is it Natty or bust?

I still remember that Notre Dame game last year, where they nearly blew it and people were like, oh, Ryan Day's got to be on the hot seat. He called an end around in the red zone. in winning time. It almost feels like he's in a no-win situation at Ohio State. It's win the title, or we've got to get this guy out of here. Yeah, no, I'm not there.

It's harder than ever to win the title, but what I will say is he better beat his rival. He better beat Michigan. Oh, they're fine. They got a tough matchup going on the road to Oregon. That's a big one. Both Ryan Day and Dan Lannig have struggled against their rivals. So those are the big ones.

But, you know, pressure, I mean, you guys here, it's a bit cliche, but pressure. is a privilege. That roster is one of the best we've seen in recent college football history. With that comes expectations. With expectations mean, how do you respond if things don't go well? How do you respond to the first adversity? It won't hit this weekend. It won't hit until later in the season. But that's some of the pressure Ryan Day has to handle here. You go out and get Chip Kelly. The whole, I think they collectively have spent like 20, 25, 30 million between their staff and NIL. This is not a resource issue. This is not a talent issue. This is not a coaching issue.

What's the missing piece? We're going to find out this year. And I do like your bet. I do think a lot of people are fair and saying Ohio State can make a deep run at it. But again, like it has to all come together. All right, Jake Butt, former Michigan tight end now at the Big Ten Network. Great stuff. Jake, Enjoy the season, man. All right, Jake Butt, the great former tight end at Michigan. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeard Radio app. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games, and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way,

platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me,

or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right what you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs?

Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the look back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it, including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but yeah, yeah, literally. But just so y'all know.

I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. So, we're not. We're Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many. incredible guests. I'm talking. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person

because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Keer Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free Our Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of taun tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Let's go to Ryan Music with the News.

No, no, no, no, turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Oh, Jay Mac, it's great to have college football fully underway now. Week Zero was fun. Gave us a little appetizer to get us ready. But hearing Utah college football there with Jake Butt, it's great to have college football here. All right, we, however, are going to turn our attention to the NFL, which will be getting underway a week from today. So we've been dissecting this anonymous agent survey from the athletic. This was interesting.

category of best off season. Let's quiz you a little. Who do you think was voted best off season, 31 NFL agents. I probably got to go Falcons because they got Kirk Cousins. It was not the Falcons. The Falcons were on the list, but they were not actually at the top.

They only received one vote. Wow. My backup choice would be the Bears. They got Caleb Williams. Bears tied for second. What? There are two teams tied. Sorry, sorry, bears tied for third.

Apologies. Chargers, because they got a hardball? Chargers tied with the bears for third. What the heck? I'll give you one more guess if you want. I feel like I was reading this article and I saw it. It's not the Raiders, is it? It is not the Raiders, no.

I give up. So, first place, most votes. Washington Commanders. What? That's right. Yeah, Washington Commanders. Second place, Houston Texans. Wait, Washington got Jaden Daniels and who else?

So, well, here are the two quotes from current NFL agents. The front office and coaching needed seismic changes. They were wise and free agency and drafted a quarterback at two. I don't see immediate success, but adding the required building blocks has begun. Here's the other quote from a different NFL agent. Dan Quinn is the perfect hire as a head coach for the needed cultural change. I love the pairing with their new GM Adam Peters. They have so much work to do beyond just football.

So sort of the overhaul of the organization as a whole and pushing everything into a new direction seems to be the overall theme. Not just the roster moves. But for the listeners of the herd who know, Colin very high on the Washington commander, sort of his surprise, sneaky team to make the playoffs in the NFC this year.

this would somewhat line up with that. All right. Next story, staying in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns have raised some eyebrows, restructuring Deshawn Watson's contract, giving them the most cap space in the NFL. Now, sort of the minutia here is, in the NFL, you can roll over a lot of your cap space.

So the belief is that, you know, their GM, Andrew Barry, who's known as being a really sharp, savvy sort of cap guy, is creating this cap space now to roll over into next. year to have the most cap space next year and perhaps make sure that they're always in a position to make a big trade they were reportedly ready to acquire and pay big money to brandon iuk iukyuk didn't want to go to cleveland at least according to reports so the idea is that they're

at least keeping themselves in play to always be roster and cap flexible for a big fish if they are ready to force their way out this all makes sense from a roster management perspective but it also circles back to the fact that Deshaun Watson's contract is always going to be a problem when he's not performing, which he has not yet in Cleveland. Yeah, it's weird. They lose Chubb to injury, Watson to injury. They bring in Joe Flacco. The offensive line was decimated and they still made the playoffs.

Yeah. That's pretty impressive. People sleeping a little bit on this Brown's team. Dinsow. Word a great quarterback, Miles. But are they sleeping on what people probably would say is a good job? team in a good roster and just hesitant to believe it until we see the

team perform with Deshawn Watson as the quarterback? Yeah, I don't think they can reach like a Super Bowl with some backup in there. I don't know what to make a Watson. I feel, I shouldn't say this. I feel a little bad for how bad he's played, but you know, you

could argue he brought this on himself with the whole massage stuff. I think most would say that, yeah. I mean, it's been a rough three years for the dude as a football player and as a person, I'm sure. And maybe he just now. it's finally behind him and he moves on. You know, we root for comeback stories and, you know, he's got to do better this year. Oh, yeah.

Unacceptable. Yeah, it's been, he has not performed. And we'll wrap up with this. Shohei Otani has taken over the city of L.A. Led the way for the Dodgers and a win over the Orioles going two for three, a home run, two stolen bases. But the big story actually came before the game. That's right.

It was Otani Bobblehead Night, a special edition gold bobblehead, featuring him and his dog who actually threw out, in quotations, threw out the first pitch last night. But the local stations here in L.A. reporting some fans lining up as early as 7 a.m. yesterday. Because they did only provide, you know, it's the whole like, if you have a ticket, you get into the game and the capacity of the stadium is nearly 50,000, and they only provide like 30,000 bobbleheads or whatever it is. So people were so dedicated to making sure they got their Otani Bumblehead.

They're lining up at 7 a.m. So do you think people took a day off work for that crap? I think a lot of people must have had to, or they have jobs that work on the weekend, so they get a Wednesday off. You probably could have paid somebody to sit in line. Hey, I'll give you $100 stand in line for me for nine hours, right? I mean, seven, the games. Actually, it's closer to 12 hours.

I don't think you'd get in the stadium that. Man, they love Otani. They sure do. He went yard last night. He did. He did. First inning, I think. Who was early in the game?

Yes. So, yeah, there you go. All right, Ryan with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lie News. All right, folks. Adam Chernoff, gambling stud at right angle sports.

That's coming up next. We'll talk week one in the NFL. But first, during home emergencies, every second counts. That's why you need SimplySafe home security with SimplySafe 24-7 monitoring agents. Act within five seconds of receiving your alarm. Visit Simplysafcollan.com to save 20% today. There's no place like SimplySafe. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio,

FS1 and the IHeart Radio app. Pauly Fusco here with Tony Fusco. Yo, as everybody knows, we're the host of the award-winning Pauly and Tony Fusco show. Yeah. But instead of us telling you how great, are. Here's how Dan Patrick described us when he came on our show. Quick, knowledgeable, and funny, opinionated. Whoa, whoa, whoa.

What are you doing? You're interrupting our promo. Yeah. He wasn't talking about you. You took those clips totally out of context. Oh yeah, well, after this promo, I'm going to take you out and beat you. Let me put this into context. Shut up!

Yeah, anyway, just listen to the Folly and Tony Fusco show on IHard Radio, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Yeah. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all,

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying.

Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that

don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people.

I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill,

waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes.

I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple, podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Keer Games.

And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough because people scoreboard watch.

Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth? Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust.

I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast. Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes.

Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of Tontons and Wampas on the Ice Planet Hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to Stuff to Blow Your Mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. What is up, folks? I know you've been waiting for this for hours. Adam Chernoff, right angle sports, gambling analyst. I've known him for a while.

I mean, listen, he went on YouTube yesterday and fired off so many good takes. This guy. Adam, how are you, man? I am. All right. Let's dive right into week one in the NFL. I got to say, lines that jump out at me. First of all, did your group have any involvement in moving the 49ers?

from six and a half point favorites down to three and a half. Trent Williams, we don't know if he's going to be ready. Brandon, Iyuk. Talk about that game. It wasn't us. That was all based on the holdout news. We don't know what we're getting from Williams. We don't know what we're getting from Ayuk.

There's also other injuries that the 49ers suffered on the defensive line as well to a couple of starters. If they're without Williams, that's a massive blow to that offensive line because we saw Brock Purdy running for his life against the Raiders' backups. And now they're going to get the Jets defensive front. front. Iuke's very unclear what we're going to get. You take him away. That's a massive loss outside, too. So this is a 49ers team that does not deserve the price that they're listed at if they're without those guys. There's speculation neither will play. That's why the line's moving.

Are you seeing anything on the game from Brazil? Eagles favored by three over the Packers. Something strikes me as Kellynne Moore, Sequin Barkley. We're going to see like a new Eagles team. I don't know what to make of the Packers defense. So I kind of like the Eagles here. It's all that sentiment being shared too because not only are we going to see a new Eagles offense that's going to be a lot more efficient to what they had last year, there's questions about what we're getting from the Packers defense. Jeff Hathley's in as the defensive coordinator.

Jason, this is going to be a massive shift for the Packers defense. They've been very passive, very off coverage-based for the last couple of seasons. Now they're going to be one of the more aggressive man-coverage teams in the NFL trying to bring a bunch of pressure. There's a lot of uncertainty about what that is going to, to look like and matched up against this Eagles offense, there's a lot of optimism from betters that the Eagles are going to be able to

score. And so that's why we're seeing the Eagles take money. That's why we're seeing this total be pushed up as well. A big injury for the Eagles on defense suffered with Bradbury. So there's a lot of expectations for points being scored at Brazil on Friday. Yeah, so he's out six to eight. Not great.

I don't like anything about the Steelers this season, but Mike Tomlin getting three on the road of the opener against the Falcons. T.J. Watt chasing Kirk Cousins, talk me out of the Steelers here? I can talk you out of the Steelers pretty easily after seeing two glimpses of them in preseason. I mean, that offense looked atrocious.

You had a big run from Patterson, but we still haven't seen Russ comfortable on the offense. They resorted to running the triple option in week two against the bills because they can get anything going. I think there's way more questions with the Steelers and how long it's going to take for this offense to resemble anything semi-decent on the field. Then there are questions about the Falcons.

I think we're getting an Atlanta team that's going to be airing it out from week one onward, and I'm much more optimistic about the Falcons offense. Better that I know, who's a professional that I respect a ton, took a pretty big stance on the Falcons at minus two and a half. Way more inclined to side with him than I am with Tomlin at home getting three. Oh, interesting. All right, Arizona visits Buffalo. I was in Vegas signing up for the contest yesterday, and I took a flyer on the Cardinals getting six

on the road. I heard you on your YouTube stream really hyped this Arizona scoring offense. Buffalo's defense, no Milano. What do you say, Arizona? I don't know if I'm ready to side with Arizona yet because Buffalo's going to be able to do whatever they want on offense even if Curtis Samuel is not out there.

This Cardinals defense is going to be the worst in the NFL. So they're not stopping anybody and going into play Buffalo and how much they want to control the game, run the football, ball control offense. They're not going to have an answer to stop it. The question when it comes to Can Arizona cover is, are they going to be able to move the ball through the air enough against this bill secondary, which is far worse than what they've had on the field the last couple of seasons?

And so I'm not ready to side with Arizona. I'd much rather have Buffalo in this game, but there's no question the Cardinals are going to be one of the highest scoring offenses in football this year, not by choice, but because they're going to force to be by how bad their defense is. You never like to kick a team when they're down at them, but the New England Patriots just a brutal week. The coach sounds like a bumbling buffoon. Injuries on defense. Judon's gone. Offensive line is a mass unit.

If you look at their left tackle, it's like, what are they doing? Listen, you never like to lay the lumber early. Bengals, we don't even know if Chase is going to be there. Nine and a half point favorites. Is it Bengals are passed for you? I know you're an underdog better, but. It has to be, but I think it's a pass here. Honestly, because of the chase situation, we have to see how that plays out.

This to me feels like that play that's so obvious that it kind of in a way is quite square and basic because of how big the number is. Also, the chiefs are on deck for Cincinnati. So if you're thinking about laying the big number with the Bengals at home in the opener without Chase going through camp and practice and everything in the off season and hoping it's right, are they going to take the foot off the gas later in the game? That's typically something we see happen early in the season when games are in control. But like you mentioned, I would love to fade New England here with how they backtracked on the QB situation.

Judon's gone. Barmore is not going to be in the D line. The O line is a wreck. I just think how this was handled by coaching staff and what they did with the QBs. To me, signals to the locker room. It's not a win now situation for New England. That's not the priority. And I think it's going to be ugly for New England.

But I would much rather prefer to be on under 41 points for the total than I would laying the big number with Cincinnati. Smart. I could dig that. Let me ask you about this Bo-Nicks-Shon-Paeton marriage in Denver. They're going to be going up against Mike McDonald, who is really, really good. If you remember last year, CJ Stroud in the opener, went to Baltimore and looked totally confused with that McDonald defense. Now, Seattle doesn't have the horses that Baltimore did,

but that number looks to be ticking up. I'm seeing five and a half. It's kind of a big number to lay with Gino Smith, but I think I like Seattle here. I like them too, and I disagree. It's too big a number to lay with Gino. I think it's not big enough of a number when you consider it's a rookie quarterback going on the road into Lumen to take on Mike McDonald's defense and Seattle. It's a terrible spot for Denver who wants to run the football to begin with.

This is not a pass offense, and the Seattle defensive line against the run is going to be fantastic. I think Mike McDonald is going to be a top five coach in the NFL. His defensive scheme is revered by everybody. and this is just a nightmare starting matchup for the Broncos. And so to me, Gino and his deep ball with this trio wide receivers is going to be just fine. He's going to have a monster season. I don't think this number is big enough. I think it keeps going up.

I'd be happy to lay the points with Seattle. Wow. Okay. Rams Lions, it's in the weeds here, but the Rams offensive line has been a mass unit. Stafford's had a hamstring. I know a lot of people seem to like the Rams based off last year, but this Detroit team, I think they're Super Bowl-bound. I know that's crazy. Adam, why is this only three and a half?

Last year in the playoffs at close three, tight game where the Rams outgained the Lions by nearly two yards per play. It was just unlucky plays in the red zone that cost the Rams that game. So that line is kind of anchored to this market, which is why it's not being pushed out more. What I would disagree with in that, though, is that the Rams offensive line is going to struggle. They rebuilt the interior, shuffled some pieces around,

some additions. They've got a thousand pounds of man at left guard center and right guard. So they're going to have no issue protecting Stafford. They're going to have no issues running the football either. I'm looking at this game with a really high total. It's at 51. I don't know if that total is high enough because last year we got to 47. And again, there was issues in the red zone. Now you have a more comfortable Stafford in the pocket with a great ground game. And like you mentioned, the Lions, they're going to be contenders. That's a loaded offense that they have. and those corners they added, it's going to take time for them to be implemented. So to me, I think we get an absolute shootout on Sunday Night Football. All right, let's end with an ugly one.

The Minnesota Vikings visit the New York Giants. And this is a Vikings team. I don't know. Hockinson won't be there. You got Sam Darnold starting, but I just can't get over how ugly and bad the giants are. And remember last year, week one, they got smashed. I think it was 40 to zero against the Cowboys. I like the Vikings here.

Are you in agreement? I'm not in agreement with the side. I don't have an opinion, but I will say on the total, that number's too low. I think Sam Darnold's really being undervalued as the starter. Last year, Kevin O'Connell got a trio of quarterbacks past Kirk Cousins to play to a near-average level on offense. And now it's a full season of prep with Justin Jefferson obviously healthy. He wasn't last year at the end. I think the Vikings offense is going to be okay.

I think it might be an average unit for the season. And I think on the other side, there's been so much negative. and criticism of Daniel Jones because of what he did week two in the preseason. But I'll tell you what, nobody's going into Houston and looking much better than Daniel Jones did in his preseason game against Houston. I think with dayball taking over play calling, the pressure he has on him to hold his job, the Giants are going to figure out how to do enough on offense early in the season. This is a total in the low 40s, around 41. To me, that number needs to be a lot higher.

So I think this is going to be a higher scoring game than expected. All right, Adam Chernoff, right angle sports. Find him online. Follow him. He knows his stuff. Adam, thanks a lot. Good luck this season, buddy. All right, Adam Chernoff, right angle sports.

Listen, if that didn't get, if I didn't just wet your beak for week one, you're not a football fan. All right, everybody, it was fun, three hours in the books. Be safe out there and happy gambling. Talk to you soon. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite, unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends, me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at a podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me.

I'm Sam Jay And I'm Alex English Each episode We pick a year unpack what went down And try to make sense Of how we survived it With our friends

Fellow comedians And favorite authors Like Mark Lamont Hill On the 80s 84 was a wild year I don't think There's a more important year for black people

Listen to look back at it On the IHeart Radio app Apple Podcasts Or wherever you get your podcasts A win is a win A win A win I don't care what you're saying Yep

That's me, Clivert Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Cliford Show. This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Cliford Show on the IHeard Radio app, Apple Podcast,

or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network On TikTok. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all,

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games.

This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

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