The Kevin Sheehan Show - WFT's Offseason QB Attempts

Episode Date: September 3, 2021

Kevin opened with Mike Silver's column that detailed Washington's efforts in the offseason to upgrade at quarterback. Lots of info on the Matt Stafford trade attempt and more. Kevin had Maryland's all-time punt returner Steve Suter on the show to preview the Terps' season and the opener tomorrow against West Virginia. Four weekend "Smell Test" picks to end the show.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You don't want it. You don't need it. But you're going to get it anyway. The Kevin Cheon Show is Kevin. College football underway. Last night, gave out Minnesota Plus 14, pushed. Felt kind of lucky about that there at the end as PJ Fleck decided not to use his timeouts as Ohio State had the ball.

I felt like as explosive as Ohio State was in that game. They could have easily scored for an outright cover there at the end. And at the same time, they missed a targeting call on Ohio State late when Minnesota was driving, and Minnesota could have cut the lead to seven. So it probably ended where it deserved to end at 14, 4531 push. I think Minnesota looks to be very improved. Good God is Ohio State explosive, man. The difference between Ohio State and the rest of the Big Ten is almost similar to what Clemson's done in the ACC to a certain degree.

Alabama to a certain extent right in the SEC, there's like separation now where, you know, you go back 10 years, there wasn't any. Ohio State's much better than anybody else in the Big Ten. I thought Minnesota was impressive last night. And I hope Abraham, they're running back that I talked about on the podcast yesterday, the kid from Baltimore. I don't know what the injury is. I think they were talking Achilles. That would be devastating. He is so much fun to watch.

30 carries last night, 163 yards before he got hurt. Minnesota was up at halftime, 1410. They were up 21-17. But Ohio State scored just in bunches and explosively. They had 21 points in the second half on six plays. They were pretty explosive last night, and they're going to be all year long. The debut of C.J. Stroud was sort of up and down, but ended up. Look, in that offense, just get the ball to your playmakers.

Alave and Wilson. And then they've got all these running backs, including the freshman Trayvion Henderson, who took a screen pass and took it 70 yards for a touchdown. Ohio State wins 4531 in the game last night. So the smell test off to a zero and one start. More picks coming up later in the show. Anyway, some Washington football team talk to start here.

But before I get to that, I just want to remind everybody if you don't mind, subscribe to the show. It really helps us. It doesn't cost you a thing. Rate us and review us where you can also. That really helps, especially on Apple, Spotify, and Google Play. So I've got three quick Washington football team items. Number one is this. Peyton Barber was claimed off the practice squad by the Raiders. So no Peyton Barber for short yardage this year for Washington. Number two, there was a lot of discussion yesterday about Curtis Samuel. They are targeting next week for his return to full-time practice. I've got a you heard it here first here on Friday, September 3rd. Curtis Samuel will be inactive for game one.

Maybe both games that week, game one against the Chargers and game two against the Giants. I just think these soft tissue injuries, Ron Rivera talked about how long they take, especially for speedsters and guys that really can run. I just think there's not going to be, a situation next week where even if he practices, they're going to be comfortable playing him after one week of practice. I think they're going to ease him into this. I don't think they're going to risk any sort of setback. I just think when we get to 1145 a.m. Sunday, September 12th, that the inactive list is going to come out and Curtis Samuel's going to be on it. That's my

prediction. All right. I wanted to get to something that was written yesterday by Mike Silver, long-time NFL writer, columnist, and now a contributor to Washington Football.com. It was a story titled, Why Fits a Deep Dive into Ron Rivera's offseason strategy, meaning the strategy to acquire the quarterback for not just now, but potentially in the future. Now, there's this cute little opening segment where Ryan Fitzpatrick got signed to the one-year $10 million deal, and he reached out to Washington to coordinate travel arrangements to get him up here to sign. the deal and I guess to be introduced to the media and he was talking about you know boarding groups and flight options and they're like no no no this is this is dan sniders operation we coming down to

pick you up in our jet and fitzpatrick said in his 17 years that was the first time that that had ever happened and he said quote I finally made it closed quote all right let me get to the crux of the story that Mike silver wrote that I wanted to read and then comment on he writes In truth, Coach Ron Rivera and the organization's other power brokers were tempted to bring in a quarterback with more marquee value. They made an inquiry about Stafford, following up with an offer to Detroit. At one point, Rivera believed Washington had an excellent shot at Landing Stafford before the Lions and Rams hastily hammered out their trade deal, remember two firsts, a third, and Jared Gough. Then heading into the draft, Rivera thought hard about trading up to acquire a contract. quarterback in the draft. Ultimately, he balked at the price instead staying put and selecting

Jamin Davis. Faith in Fitzpatrick's abilities was one reason Rivera, Martin Mayhew, and Marty Herney ultimately felt comfortable staying away from bright, shiny objects. There was also a foundational philosophy at play. Intent on building the team from front to back, a process validated by the strong line play that fueled Washington's second half surge. Certainly, I would say parenthetically, Washington's second half defensive line play. Rivera resisted the quick fix. Quote from Rivera, we didn't have the pieces in place to say, all we've got to do is get a quarterback and we can win now. I felt that if we could continue to put the rest of the pieces in place, why not do that? We like the guys that we have and we like where we are. So why not add on

a couple of pieces. Then as we went through it, we felt, wow, we're shoring up the defense and free agency in the draft. Wow, we got a slot receiver and a speed receiver in free agency and drafted another speed receiver. Now let's see if we can get everybody trained, get a veteran quarterback, and see what happens. There was a point late January when Rivera believes Stafford might be that veteran quarterback, Mike Silver writes. Washington had made an opening offer that included first and third round selections in the 2021 draft. And there was a palpable sense in the building that they could close a deal with the Lions. Then came the Rams deal, which blew away Washington's deal, so Washington was out.

At various times, Silver wrote, Rivera contemplated making a run at Wilson. That would be Russell Wilson, Deshawn Watson before his legal issues, and Aaron Rogers. In each case, they concluded that the price was prohibitive. said Rivera, quote, who wouldn't check in with those teams and do their due diligence to see what the cost would be to get a guy of that caliber, closed quote. Similarly, while assessing the prospective cost of moving into the draft's top 10, the notion of including a core player in the deal was a non-starter to Rivera. Quote, that would have defeated the whole purpose.

We're trying to build a team not give up building blocks. Some people wanted way too much draft capital for the number. next two years. We weren't through building. If we mortgaged our future on a player, and maybe he isn't the right guy, and maybe we can't afford to keep our core, it could have really set us back, closed quote. Silver writes, instead Washington felt comfortable moving forward with Fitzpatrick, who they prioritized ahead of fellow free agents Andy Dalton and Tyrod Taylor, and reasonably inexpensive trade targets, Teddy Bridgewater, Marcus Marriota, and Sam Darnold. By the way, Silver also wrote that Fitzpatrick drew interest from numerous teams, including one that had him

penciled in, excuse me, to be the starter in 2021. He picked Washington. So a couple of things here. Number one is I understand the not trading into the top 10 and that would have defeated the whole purpose. We're trying to build a team, not give up building blocks. That is much higher risk, right? you know, giving up lots of draft capital and maybe a core player to move from 19 into the top 10 to draft, say, Justin Fields. I understand that. I do. And if they aren't sure about the player, mortgaging some of your future on a player that you don't know enough about isn't necessarily the right move and could set a team back. You know, going for quarterbacks in a big way in the draft can set teams back. That's for sure. I am encouraged that they went after Stafford, that they went after Wilson, Watson, and Rogers even, you know, and even contemplated some other free agents like Dalton and Taylor and Bridgewater and Marriota and Sam Darnold. I think what it says is what I've believed since the Stafford stuff came out, and that is they know they need a quarterback now and in the future, but definitely now.

But hopefully they can find somebody now who's also going to be around for the future. That may not be Fitzpatrick, but it would have been Stafford. What I would love to know is if Detroit came back to Washington, or if any of these teams were asking for costs that were so prohibitive, or asking for compensation, excuse me, that was so prohibitive. What would have been too prohibitive for Stafford or for Rogers or for Watson or Wilson? Look, Wilson, Watson, Watson, and Rogers ultimately, let's be honest, they weren't available. All right. Seattle wasn't dealing Wilson. Houston at the time wasn't dealing Watson.

And Rogers wasn't going to be dealt by the Packers. So, you know, personally there isn't anything other than, you know, the ridiculous. But three first rounders, a second rounder, and a core player for Aaron Rogers or Russell Wilson or Deshawn Watson before his legal issues, of course. More than a first and a third in 2021 for Matt Stafford, definitely. I would have included a core player. Not Chase Young in that deal, but anybody else. Anybody else. See, I think the building block by block is really nice when it's really hard to get that quarterback, you know, where you really can't get that quarterback. But if that quarterback is getable, and that quarterback is more than a one-year or a two-year

solution, but potentially a three-to-five plus solution, and it's an elite quarterback, not a drafted quarterback, not moving up and moving up in the draft, there isn't really a price that's too high for Aaron Rogers, or Deshawn Watson before his legal issues, or Russell Wilson. And for that matter, I've got Matt Stafford as a top 10 quarterback in the right situation. So I would have gone higher than a first and a third. I would have thrown in a player. Maybe not Chase Young for Matt Stafford, but anybody else. Terry McLaurin, yes.

Montez Sweat, yes. My preference would have been a first, a third, and say Matt Ionitis. obviously I don't want to give up Terry McLaurin or Montez-Swett or anybody else but I would have given up more and would have offered more than the first and the third but it sounds like there really wasn't necessarily that opportunity. Lastly, there were a couple of other lines from Mike Silvers. Actually, before I get to the other lines from Mike Silver's story on Washington Football.com, let me just sum it up.

I would have given up more for Matt Stafford, not Chase Young, probably not Terry McCorn. Let me reconsider my statement on that. But I would have given up a lot for Matt Stafford. And I would have given up almost anything for the Rogers or the Watson before the legal issues or Russell Wilson. See, I think it's really, it's fine to talk about block by block, front to back, foundational, when the time is right. But the opportunities that could have existed in this offseason were nearly unprecedented, to have a chance at a Watson before all the issues, maybe even a Rogers, a Matt Stafford, you just don't get those opportunities very often. And the bottom line is you can talk about foundational philosophy all you want, but in this day and age, you can

build front to back until you're blue in the face, but you could end up being what Denver's been for the last several years. Really, really good on defense, good, you know, in skill position, spots, but without a quarterback and out of the postseason and with not even really good records. So when you have a chance at the home run proven elite franchise quarterback, I think you go for it. Lastly, I wanted to mention two other lines in Silver's story. He wrote, Faith in Fitzpatrick's abilities was one reason Rivera, Martin Mayhew, and Marty

Herney ultimately felt comfortable staying away from the bright, shiny objects. And then he wrote a little bit later on, Washington felt comfortable moving forward with Fitzpatrick, who they prioritized ahead of fellow free agents, Andy Dalton, Tyrod Taylor, Teddy Bridgewater, Marcus Marriota, Sam Darnold. The latter three would have been inexpensive trade targets. So we do have the list of now all of the quarterbacks, right? Stafford, Wilson, Watson, Rogers, Fitzpatrick, Dalton, Taylor, Bridgewater, Marriota, Darnold. What does that say about Taylor Heineke and Kyle Allen as prospective future NFL starters? Well, it certainly says that they didn't view either one of those two guys as starters this year,

maybe Allen because of the injury. But I also think it speaks to more than just this year with some of the guys that they were at least interested in. So I think there's something to learn from that. But the other part is this. They like Fitzpatrick. They have faith in Fitzpatrick. I said this a couple of weeks ago when Ron Rivera made that comment about game manager. I don't think that really, I mean, I don't want to take that literally. But I think it speaks to this comfort of going through another season with having a mature, savvy veteran who's also a leader at quarterback. It allows them to operate, you know, at a professional level,

evaluate everybody around them. but in Fitzpatrick's case, they can keep him upright for 17 games. He's physically so much more capable, and he's a different style player. But I think there's comfort in Fitzpatrick, I think much more so than many of you think. Anyway, yesterday's you heard it here first with Tommy. I predicted that Fitzpatrick would start all 17 regular season games. I think that's what they're expecting from him. I do.

Up next, Maryland football gets underway tomorrow against West Virginia. We'll have a preview with Steve Suter right after these words from these sponsors. Ford Suter, who back tennis to take it at about the 23-yard lines. Steve Suter gets to the outside, uses his blockers well. That was the 2004 Gator Bowl. Steve Suter returned to punt 76 yards for a touchdown. Steve is not only the greatest punt returner in the hit. history of Maryland football. He's one of the greatest, if not the greatest, punt returner in the

history of the ACC, one of the greats all time in college football. And this was a stretch of the early Ralph Regian years where Maryland was destroying West Virginia. And on that day, they crushed the Mountaineers. 41 to 7 in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day 2004. Maryland and West Virginia set tomorrow, 3.30, Capital One Field in College Park. First time since 2015, the two teams will meet. And Steve is a part of the broadcast team. He will be the lead analyst in the booth with the legend Johnny Holliday. Steve, thanks so much for making time for us today.

You know, I was thinking about those teams, the early Ralph Region years. They were so much fun to watch. You guys just absolutely destroyed West Virginia there for, four or five game stretch, including that Gator Bowl. It was a rivalry back then. It was fun, wasn't it, to beat the crap out of them year and year out for a few years? That was some good times for us, for sure, and some great memories for me, specifically as an individual and some of my career highlights really were against those guys.

So it makes it all that much better to reminisce. And every time I got a chance to put a highlight on the team, tape against those guys. It felt good. You know, there was that stretch. I don't know about you. You played for Ralph Region. I'm just an alum and a fan. But I still to this day don't think Ralph gets nearly the credit that he deserves as a great football coach, not just college football coach.

He was a great offensive coordinator under Bobby Ross in San Diego. That Charger team went to the Super Bowl. And sometimes I think we just, we forget what a great coach he was. was, what was it like to play on those teams that were, you know, the first three teams here under Ralph 2001, 2001, 2002, 2003. I mean, they won 35 games in three years. Absolutely. We had talent, and he was able to come in and put a system in place that could utilize the talent. A lot of teams can't mesh coaching and players.

It's something that just doesn't happen all the time. and he was also very good at hiring great coaches around him. So he bring in the system, but he bring in some great coaches as well. Blackney on defense, the defensive coordinator was one of the best we've ever had. It was a shame he retired as early as he did for us. We would have had even better defense, I think, moving forward. But it's when you say that we had so many good guys that went to the league. I actually went and talked to the team last week, and it was more of a conversation.

conversation I was trying to implore, stay in school, and take networking and making connection serious. And I wanted to use some statistics, right? 98% of you aren't going to go to the NFL and take it from my experience. But then I was looking at my roster that I played with. I said, these numbers don't work for us because I got 15, 20 guys that have played in the league that I played with on our team, so the numbers aren't going to scare them that much. We had so many good guys. I rallied off names on an interview I was on last week, and I think I went like 15 guys that played in the NFL that I played with, and that's just a testament to us having good talent, and then the coaches maximizing it. Wow, that is, there were so many good players on that

team, and Ralph figured out a way to coach him up, that's for sure. And I, you know, I always refer to this, 10 years, seven bowl games, five bowl wins. And nobody, respects Ralph that staff and that era more than Mike Loxley, who was a part of that era, on Ralph's staff. So let's start there. Let's talk about this upcoming Maryland 2021 team. And I'll start with Loxley. Three and nine, the first year, last year is a little bit strange with the COVID, two and three. Two big wins, though, over Minnesota and Penn State. Is this a big year for Loxley? What does Maryland need to produce this year? I think it's got to be a bowl game. I think, and I think it can be. I think the expectations would be for them to go to a bowl.

Those are the expectations I'm putting on them. I've been out of practice. I've watched the team. They have talent, especially on the perimeter on offense and defense. And the thing is going to be, can the offensive line and defensive line complement the perimeter talent? The secondary is fantastic. You got maybe the top duo, safeties in the conference, and Nick Cross and Jordan

Mosley and Deonté Banks and Jacorian Bennett and Tar Heap still was a freshman All-American last year. They're very good, but you've got to compliment them with a defensive line that can stop the run so the teams have to throw on you and then you have to be able to apply a little pressure to where these guys can pick off passes

and bad passes down because the quarterback's timing is a little messed up. So if the D-line can do that, they're going to be good on defense or be better on defense. and then the offense can make plays on the outside. Dante Deemis, I think he's a third-round pick. He's a great receiver. He's got the body. He's got the ball skills.

He's going to be making plays. Rakim Jared is a guy that you want to get the ball in his hands immediately and as many times as you can. Jason Jones, he's been balanced some injuries, but he was a stud when he came out as a freshman. He's still a good player. Gerald Jones has been there for a long time. So can we compliment those guys on the outside offense the same way on defense?

We need to be able to run the ball a little bit. He lost Jake Funk, and he was a stud. And he made the Rams team. Yeah. Yeah, very happy for that kid. We could talk probably 30 minutes about him alone, but running back by committee, can they pick up the production that he took with him? And if they can, they're going to be going to offense again.

So I've been saying, as I've been analyzing, in the season. If we beat West Virginia this week, I think we go to a bowl game. So that's my expectation. Yeah, beat West Virginia tomorrow. And I guess, you know, if you look at the schedule, they've got a better chance to get to six wins and bowl eligibility on the season. Maryland's over under for the year, just as an aside, is pretty high for them in recent years. It's five and a half. So there are some expectations that Maryland could potentially be a bowl team this year. You gave a nice high-level. summary, both the offense and the defense. I want to focus on quarterback here to start.

Leah Tunga Vailoits, who was younger brother, played really well last year. Times was great in that Penn State game. But from what I've been reading, this Reese Udinski, who's a 6-4-225-pound pro-prospect some are saying, has pushed him a little bit. Does Leah have plenty of breathing room right now as the starter? I think he has a little bit of room. I would say it Reese is close, but the kid just came off ACL six months ago. I just, I just can't see

him being the type of player that he was this early. I mean, it's unheard of six months ago fully recovered from an ACL and he's out of practice. I've been out there. I've watched him. He's running. They're not restricting him, but

I just have a hard time thinking he's going to be healthy enough to compete with Tongue Vylo to take his spot. But people are excited about him, aren't they, Steve? Who? Tung of Illoo? No, Reese. Yeah, no, they are.

And I've been out there watching, and I see what they see. It's just a health issue for me. I just don't see him being fully capable to just play at the level that he wants to play at, or they need him to play at to take Tongue Vylo a spot. I think Tung of Ilo is going to have to just show some signs of not. making progressions and not progressing, and then they'd have to make that decision. You know, the first game we saw him play when he was awesome against Penn State last year, to me, I saw a lot of Russell Wilson in his game. I'm not, you know, putting him at Russell Wilson's level.

But there was this incredible ability to play off script. And I thought he had, you know, the kind of vision you need as a quarterback in the pocket and outside of it to escape, consistently. I would imagine that that's going to be a big part of his game with the offensive line in front of him this year. Yeah, and I'll tell you what I represses me the most whenever I watch and play is just timing on three-step drops and five-step drops. He gets the ball out on time when he knows where he's going with it, and he throws a good ball, and he's accurate. So you mentioned his ability to scramble, and that was ever in the Minnesota game to do. I think he had a 40-yard scramble touchdown.

He's athletic, but every time I'm out of practice, I keep saying it in my head when I'm watching, like, man, the guy's got good timing. He's got good timing. So to your point, if the line can hold up and he can take his drop, three steps and five step and even seven step drop and read the coverage, dissect where the play's going to go, he's going to throw the ball in time. And that's, that's key. It's not like a statistic or an attribute that people talk about, but it's, it's just an innate ability that he has and the receivers like it, and it's going to work for him. So those are the main attributes that's the that he excels at. So since entering the Big Ten, the one thing I think all of us have realized is that

Maryland just hasn't been big enough or strong enough up front on either side of the line of scrimmage. They've been able to recruit incredible skill position talent, which holds true again. You've already gone through the receivers. I mean, Maryland's got a five-star in Jarrett. You know, in Deemis and J-Shon Jones coming back, they've got playmakers. And even with Fleet Davis in the backfield, they've got guys that in space, if they touch it, are really dangerous. But where they've gotten their ass kicked, let's be honest, since entering the Big Ten, has been up front. They haven't been able to recruit or retain big, strong, athletic linemen.

I mean, I'm watching the Ohio State Minnesota game last night. both of those offensive lines are just massive. And obviously in the case of Ohio State, super athletic as well. So is this going to be the weakness of this 2021 team as it's been recently? Sure. If you're going to put your finger on a weakness, I would do the same. It happens to be the interior line. And last year, especially on defense, they couldn't stop the run.

They did it 230 yards a game. You just can't win games like that. make teams have to try to throw the ball on your, or try to be balanced. And if they can't do that, then they're going to struggle again on defense specifically. Offensively, yes, they still need to get better and size, but they've been able to manufacture points at spurts or in spurts. So, yes, I don't know what it is about recruiting linemen and how hard it is to get them in this area maybe, but they do need to, I mean, Loxi's not an idiot.

He knows this too. They try to focus on getting these better alignment and big boys just hasn't panned out yet. So we'll see how to progress. What do you think that's about? A lot of us really enjoy high school sports in this area. I follow the basketball scene a lot. You probably follow the football scene. But what is it about this area where we are consistently in the D.C., you know,

in the DMV producing tons of skill position talent. And we, you know, I know that they had, you know, Johnny Jordan and Jordan transferred to Virginia Tech. But what is it about this area that it doesn't, at least for Maryland, produce big, you know, Iowa-sized offensive linemen? Yeah, I'm not sure. You know what?

I think it's more of a, I think it's harder to recruit. linemen from evaluating their bodies. They're so, in high school, they're just big, and most of them don't lift weights because they're just six, five, and 300 pounds, and you're just dominating kids. So it's hard to look forward. How is this guy's body going to grow? Is it going to grow? Is he going to put muscle on?

Can his body you put muscle on? It's just so many pounds. it's hard to forecast it are these guys going to be good I mean I played with Lyman that came in and were highly recruited people

and they just didn't pan out I don't know what it is some people get the cause and they realize they don't like football and I saw other linemen that I don't want to you know maybe this is harsh but look sloppy and could block their ass off so

it's hard it's a hard position to recruit you know sticking on offense for a moment. I think for those that are listening that care about Maryland football, Steve said it earlier, and it's true. They are loaded at wide receiver. I mean, they've got NFL talent at wide receiver. In the backfield, you know, Teon Fleet Davis is sort of in the mold of what they've had recently. But to me, the guy that was so intriguing last year, and I don't know if he's going to play tomorrow or not, was the big boy Penny Boone. who was 250 pounds and seemed to have good balance, good vision. How much of a role in the back field do you think he'll have? I think he's going to play, and I think he's going to play a good amount. He shined and can't this past couple weeks.

He benefited from Fleet Davis got nicked up, like, the first practice. So Penny Boom was running with the ones for maybe a week, and he looked good. like him too. He's big like you said, but ironically, I'd like him on the edge. I think he's better on the edge. I want swing passes. I want screens to him because that's where a DB doesn't want to mess with this kid, right? So if you get him on the edge, then he's going to break way more tackles and guys aren't even going to want to hit him. So I hope that's what they're seeing and I hope that's how that utilize it. But I'm on the same page. I like Penny Boone. And I'll mention the other two freshmen, Roman Hempby and Colby McDonald.

I like McDonald. He looked good in practice, too. It is running back committee. They got Isaac Jacobs there. I don't know how much the freshman might play with Kobe and Roman Hendy, but I want Penny Boone to have 10 touches a game too. You touched on it a little bit. Tell me where the athletes and the strength is defensively. If it's not the defensive line, just reiterate a few of those names that you mentioned early on. Nick Cross at safety, he's probably an NFL guy, and he's probably the best player on the

defense. He's number three. He's a local kid, went to Dematha. He's legit. Jordan Mosley, his counterpart at Strong Safety, he's a beast till. He's going to be in the box, making plays, and a lot of tackles. Now, the new guy on the scene is linebacker Ruben Hippo Light. He's my guy.

I got high expectations for him. He's young. He's a sophomore. He played last year, but right, that's only five games. He's going to be starting a middle linebacker. He's, if the D-Lines doing their job and keeping guys off in him, he's going to make a bunch of tackles, and he could become the next great middle linebacker that the university's had.

Those would be the ones to stick out to me. Deonté Banks, the corner, he's probably been the steadiest player, camp. He's had the best camp. He's been the only corner that's, they haven't wavered at all. There's been a lot of mixing of the corners throughout camp, not for reasons of not performing, but they got a lot of guys that they're rotating through to see who's going to be that second quarter opposite of Deonté Banks, but he's never moved. So the secondary is good, led by those guys, and then keep your eye on number 11, Ruben Hippolyte in the middle. Special teams-wise, I know Petrino's back is the kicker. Do they have a punt returner? Do they

have the next Steve Souter or not? We need something there because there hasn't been a flashy return or returner in a little bit. I looked at the staff last year. They had 27 punts punted to them and they only returned two, which is just ridiculous. That's a lot of fair catches and a lot of... What about Jones is a punt returner? He just looks like a guy from a couple of years ago, obviously, he was out last year. Is he capable of doing it?

He can do it. I think they trust him back there from a catching the ball standpoint, but I think it's going to be Rock Kim Jared at punt anyway. And then ironically, I think they're putting Deemis at kick return. At least that's what I'm hearing, which seems a little odd to me. But I hope they know what they're doing. If he's that good, long, and fast, then maybe it'll work out. So it's either going to be him or Isaiah Jacob, I think.

This game tomorrow, you know, in so many ways, I'm sitting here as I really start to think about this team in the last couple of years. To be honest with you, they're almost suited better for the Big 12, aren't they? With the way the Big 12 plays, it really is like their style. You know, they want to spread you out and they want to get the ball under the hands of their playmakers and they've got outstanding talent and speed, you know, on the outside, as you mentioned. So maybe this is the kind of matchup that might end up being better. for Maryland than some in the Big Ten.

But you said it earlier. You think this is a significant game, this opener. Maryland's a three-point dog tomorrow at home, by the way. You think this could be the difference between ultimately at the end of the year, six wins and bowl game and five and no bowl game, right? I do. If you get this game, you can look at the schedule, and then you can say we have a great shot of being four and O

going into the Friday night Iowa game. So you come out to season four and O, you just need to snag two more wins, and I think they could do it. So this one is important. And the matchup is going to be a strength-on-strength one. I think our offense is the strength of our team and their defense is a strength of their team. They led the nation in past defense, and they were very good overall defense. So they led – and they led the Big 12 in defense. Now, Big 12 isn't really known for defense.

So you can take that for what it's worth, but it's going to be our offense versus their defense. And can we score points on them? If we can, then I like our chances. Maryland has Illinois. They have Howard in Week 2. Then they play Illinois. Brett Bielma's team, I think, is going to be much improved. I think he's an outstanding coach.

They beat Nebraska last week in the opener. And in looking at Maryland's schedule this year, they still are in the Big Ten East, which is brutal. You know, they have to play in Columbus. They have to play Penn State at home. At Michigan State, I think Michigan State's not going to be as bad as they were last year. They should be improved. Michigan at home. And then they've got their crossover games are Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota this year.

I think we saw last night Minnesota is going to be a much better team than they were last year. And probably, I'm not going to say they're going to be as good as they were two years ago. But they've got some talent on that team. Anyway, the Big Ten loaded. this year per usual. Tomorrow, though, not a Big Ten matchup. A matchup against an old rival, first time since 2015. That game was in Morgantown. Steve was a big part of this rivalry when he played for Ralph's teams back in the early 2000s. And we know this, right, that West Virginia fans, they travel as well as anybody does.

Yes, they do. And there's nothing better than send them home unhappy. Yeah, exactly. Congrats on the new gig. I'll be listening. Thanks so much. All right, thanks, yeah. Tomorrow 3.30, Maryland kicks it off against West Virginia out in college park. Tickets are still available. The game can be heard on radio with Johnny and Steve on the call. Team 980 here locally. It's on ESPN.

Maryland's a three-point underdog. As far as this Maryland team this year, I think Steve pretty much laid it out. They have some talent on this team, certainly at the skill position players offensively. And in the secondary defensively, Maryland's big issue since entering the Big Ten is just being big enough and strong enough in the trenches. You know, in the Big Ten, that's what you have to be if you're ever going to contend for anything, especially in the Big Ten East, which is, you know, the second best college football division next to the SEC West with Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State, Michigan State, even though they've been down here recently. Indiana now ranked. Maryland's crossover opponents this year are, you know, an 18th ranked Iowa team. And then we saw Minnesota last night, they really pushed Ohio State and then Illinois with Brett Bielma.

You know, to really contend for more than just, you know, 500 seasons or a game above 500 and making bowls, they're going to have to recruit bigger, stronger up front. And that's where this league typically is decided in the trenches. Ohio State has both. A lot of these teams, Penn State's got both. They've got the skill position talent, and they've got the big boys in the trenches. Maryland's got to upgrade in the trenches.

Specific to this year, Maryland's got to be a more disciplined team under Mike Loxley. They led the league last year in penalties, a penalty and a half more than Rutgers, who was second in the league. They literally had nearly 17-year, yards difference in penalty yardage between them and the second worst in the league. Maryland's got to be a more disciplined team.

These penalties ended drives. They could have gotten them off the field in a couple of spots and instead extended drives on the other side. Locksley talked about this at a press conference recently. He said that in the scrimmages penalties were an issue. and he's got to have a team that's more disciplined. I think that's a big part of what we'll see. We're going to see explosive talent at wide receiver and offensively in space.

We're going to see some games where they put up some big points and some big yardage totals. But if they're going to be a six or a seven win team and a bowl team this year, they've got to be more disciplined across the. board. And that is something that, you know, you look at the head coach for. I know that he is trying to hold those players accountable. And he said at one point recently, he said, quote, that's something we've preached about and something we'll continue to hold our guys accountable for. I can deal

with some of the penalties that come with the game, but it's the self-inflicted ones, the false starts, the lineups in the neutral zone. I've been working hard on staying on top of our guys about not beating ourselves and taking care of business from that standpoint. I think that's a big, big thing for Maryland. I really do. I think that the turnovers and penalties are something they've got to reduce significantly, or it could be a long year. But they do have talent.

They've recruited at a high level, and they play a schedule that starts with West Virginia tomorrow. then they get Howard next week. They get Illinois on the road on a Friday night. Then Kent State is on Maryland's schedule out of the Mac. Kent State, by the way, opens up with Texas A&M tomorrow. They also play Iowa early in the season, so they're going to be well prepared for Maryland

when they come to College Park on September 25th. And then Maryland has another Friday night game, this one at home, against ranked Iowa. Iowa team, and then they go to Columbus the following week. So it is, it's brutal when you're in the Big Ten, especially the Big Ten East, but they've recruited well. They've certainly got the skill position talent. They've certainly got the team speed. Hopefully they've got the quarterbacking. And I think the discipline, the reduction of penalties and turnovers will be huge for them this year. Okay. What am I expecting? I think Steve's right. I think that this came, believe it or

not tomorrow is huge because there are games on their schedule where they'll be favored, you know, and the West Virginia game could be the difference between five wins and no bowl, six wins, and a bowl. So tomorrow's big. Will it be in the smell test? Stay tuned. That's next right after these words from a few of our sponsors. Kevin looks where the John Q public is putting their cash and does the opposite. It's time for the smell test. All right, let's finish up the show with the smell test. It's sponsored by MyBooky. Go to MyBooky.orgie. Use my promo code Kevin, D.C., and they will match your first ever deposit, dollar for dollar. That's extra money credited to your account instantly just for using my promo code, Kevin, D.C., and making your first deposit. If you're doing this seriously, you should have more than one place to wager. Why not MyBooky? They're going to give you free money. They also have five, five, five, $100,000 in contest prizes on their site. It's a fair site, fair point spreads, fair money lines, fair totals, fair pricing.

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We talked about that at the beginning of the show. that's a push, so we're zero, zero, and one to start this season. Steve tweeted me the other day and he said, Sheehan, maybe the contrarian play now is to go with the obvious. It seems like everybody now is an anti-public better. That's true. It seems like it. But still, if you talk to people who take bets for a living,

most betters still think they can outwit Vegas. And they can't. And that's the crux of the smell test. To sort of understand what you don't know. that is when it comes to these games, God, football more than any. You don't know as much as you think you know, and if you admit that, and you try to identify that the games and the teams that sports books need each weekend, where they don't have split action, and they're just collecting the VIG, if you are on their side, you will

win more than you lose. Year 16 of the Smell Test, 11 winning seasons for losing seasons. All right, let's start with tonight. Michigan State plus three at Northwestern. That's your first pick tonight. Michigan State is an anti-public play. They're coming off a bad year with Mel Tucker in his first year, Northwestern coming off that season in which they were in the Big Ten title game against Ohio State. Pat Fitzgerald is tough to bet against when he's got so much time to prepare, but Michigan State's the right side tonight. They're the sharp side too. They have a ton of transfers. They've turned that roster over. Northwesterns lost a lot of players from the team that got to the championship game in the Big Ten last year. Michigan State tonight plus the three. Tomorrow, Cincinnati is laying 23. They're a 23 point favorite against Miami of Ohio. I like Miami of Ohio plus the 23. It's an anti-public play. There's sharp money on Miami of Ohio as well. They've got a bunch of players returning, including Blaine Gabbert's brother, Brett Gabbert, who's the quarterback at Miami of Ohio. Cincinnati, big expectations, right?

They're ranked eighth in the country. Some people think they could be a playoff team. They've got big games looming against Indiana and Notre Dame in a few weeks and back-to-back weeks. I think this is a close competitive game. I like Miami of Ohio plus the 23. San Jose State, that is, played last week. They destroyed Southern Utah 4514 in a game in that sort of. of pre-week-one set up last week. Nick Starkle is their quarterback. He transferred from

A&M in Arkansas a few years ago, had a big year for San Jose State last year. He threw for 394 and four touchdowns in their win last week. USC was off. USC's laying 14. The public's all over the Trojans. Keaton Slovis, their quarterback, a lot is expected out of him. I think San Jose State's capable of really scoring in this game and keeping this close. I think the line should be and it's only 14 and it's held there at 14. I'll take San Jose State plus the 14. Keep an eye on this game though. If late sharp money comes in in a big way on SC, if that number stays at 14 and all a sudden it jumps to 15 and a half or 16 back off it. But I think if it holds at 14, I really like San Jose State. I know that is counterintuitive for most of you, but those of you who have been paying a

attention to the smell test to understand that if that line jumps big at the end, it is sharp money coming in on SC. I'm a little bit concerned about that with this game, but if it holds there at 14, 13 and a half, 13, 14 and a half, San Jose states the play. They're official here on a Friday plus the 14. Last game is another game which features a team that played last week versus a team that hasn't played a game yet. beat Nebraska last week in Brett Beelma's first game is the head coach of the Illionine. Beat him 30 to 22. I think he's a great coach and I think he's going to turn it around at Illinois. I do. They're only laying five against UTSA, University of Texas, San Antonio.

Line opened at six. It's down to five. A lot of public action, ton on the team they watched last week in Illinois. I'll take UTSA plus the five tomorrow night. I know some of you were saying Shan, didn't you bet UTSA a bunch last year and the year before? I think I did have them a lot. And I don't think it always worked out well. But this game fits the criteria. The lines come down, sharp money on Illinois, recent impressions on Illinois. The line is short.

UTSA can definitely score. I like them plus the five. Recapping, all right. We had Minnesota last night plus 14 push. I like Michigan State tonight plus three at Northwestern. Miami of Ohio plus 23 against Cincinnati tomorrow. San Jose State plus 14 in the Coliseum against SC and UTSA plus 5 against Illinois. So four additional picks on top of the pick last night.

As always, for entertainment purposes only be careful. Not a high volume week here in week one. That'll happen next week because already there are some NFL games that are one-sided from public standpoint, a public betting standpoint. All right, that's it for the day. I will be off on Monday back on Tuesday making NFL predictions for the year all week. Tommy will be with me, and I think Cooley will join me next week as well. Have a great weekend.