The Triple Option - Hunter for Heisman, Michigan runs over USC, Tennessee Title? Plus Kalen DeBoer on Alabama v Georgia

Episode Date: September 25, 2024

Conference play is upon us with some truly historic performances setting the tone. Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, and Rob Stone break down USC’s introduction to the Big Ten and if Michigan can sustain their winning ways without throwing the ball. Travis Hunter puts on another unworldly performance, is the Colorado superstar on his way to winning a Heisman Trophy? (10:28) New Alabama Head Coach Kalen DeBoer joins the guys ahead of the Tide's matchup against #2 Georgia. He takes us back to the whirlwind week that had him coaching Washington in the National Championship on Monday and stepping off a plane in Tuscaloosa on Friday, as well as his success as an athlete outside of football. (36:30) Then, the guys take a look at what the 12-team College Football Playoff would look like if the season ended today and what teams are true contenders; is that Rocky Top playing in the background? They then hit the “Pick Six” and break down the top games of Week 5 including Louisville-Notre Dame, Illinois-Penn State, and of course, Georgia-Alabama. (1:00:10) New episodes of The Triple Option drop every Wednesday throughout the season. Make sure you’re subscribed on YouTube and following on all podcast platforms. Also make sure you’re locked in on social @3XOptionShow on all platforms for highlight moments, bonus content, and to engage with the guys and the TO community. (https://tripleoptionshow.com) The Triple Option is presented by Wendy’s. Try Wendy's New Saucy Nuggs Today https://wendys.com/nuggs A big thank you to the rest of our sponsors: BetMGM Use bonus code OPTION or go to https://betmgm.com/OPTION and get up to a $1500 First Bet Offer on your first wager with BetMGM! First Bet Offer for new customers only. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA),1-800-981-0023 (PR). ZipRecruiter 4 out of 5 employees who post in ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate within the first day. Try for FREE at https://ziprecruiter.com/OPTION Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sco Buffs. Give it to me. Sco Buffs. Sco Buffs. This is not like a little whimper baby buff, just like Nestle next to mom. This is a big, bold out. Sco Buffs.

Ralphie. Sco Buffs. Light it. The music lets you know we're back. It's another edition of The Triple Option presented by The Wendy's. The Wendy's new saucy nugs today. The Wendy's.

Another huge guest this week on The Triple Option, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer joins us ahead of that huge showdown against some team named, who are they playing again this week, Mark? Who is it? Well, we ain't mentioning them because- Oh, we don't even talk about it. No, we ain't even going to talk about it. We just going to focus on us. It's like TDUN this week, Mark? Who is it? Well, we ain't mentioning them because- Oh, we don't even talk about it. No, we ain't even gonna talk about it. We just gonna focus on us.

Like TDUN up there, right? We don't even talk about them. Before we get underway, I want to remind you to subscribe to our YouTube channel. We understand that we've been getting some pretty good fan engagement, some questions and some comments over there on the YouTube channel.

Keep throwing them in there. We're gonna start responding to them. By the way, YouTube channel is how my parents down there in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, watch the show. I'm very proud that my parents know how to operate YouTube and are able to find our show on that. You can also follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts, as well as across social media at 3XOptionShow. Remember to rate us as well. I'm not really sure how to do that. Coach, do you know how to rate anything over well i'm not really sure how to do that coach do you know how to rate anything over there five stars i'm like your parents man i just figured out this

youtube uh gig right with that long ago so don't make fun of the old parents now no i'm not i'm proud of them i honestly don't know how to rate our show so mark or somebody who's younger can show me how to do that they know how to to rate them. Rate them things. Five stars. They know. They've been giving us great ratings. We love our subscribers. We love our listeners. We need the five star reviews. We need the activity in the comments. You know what I mean? We want to talk to y'all. We want to break bread with y'all, man. We want to show y'all some love for showing us love. Break some bread.

Let's spread the love. Break some bread. Let's spread the love. You know that? All right. This week, we're going to dive into Georgia at Alabama with Coach Kalen DeBoer. Make the Heisman case for Colorado's Travis Hunter. We're going to ask just how long can Michigan survive being one dimensional. But we're going to start in Coach's happy place, Columbus, Ohio, which is where we were last Saturday for Big Noon Kickoff. So it's like Ann Arbor to Columbus. It's like a total parallel setting for you, right, Coach? Yeah, the friendly confines, man.

And it was great to be back home. And you put seven years of your life into something. And I'm very biased, but I'm also a Ohio boy. So it was great to be back home and not get booed for a change. But also, deuce, deuce, Mark Ingram went back. He's the leading rusher in New Orleans Saints history. It's one of the coolest videos I've ever seen. He got to break down the stadium and do that whatever, the who that chant.

And I was in a Hall of Famer, Drew Brees. So really, really great stuff. And there's nothing like going back home. Hey, Coach, going back home is the best. I mean, we're at the Ohio State. We got the Irby, Irby, Irby. We got the chants going on. We got the love going on.

And I was able to go back to New Orleans, like you said. I was able to break down a stadium, the who that chant with Drew Brees, the best quarterback. One of the best quarterbacks I ever played with. First ballot Hall of Famer. You know, when he left the NFL, he broke the record for everything. You know, Tom Brady had to play three more years to break his records. But no, but it was just a great man to be back.

The New Orleans culture is one of a kind. The love that I get from the stadium, from the fans, one of a kind. Seeing all my old teammates. They got a good team, man, don't they? Man, they got a really good team, man be back. The New Orleans culture is one of a kind. The love that I get from the stadium, from the fans, one of a kind. Seeing all my old teammates. We got a good team, man. Man, they got a really good team, man. They got a really good team. They're built for it, man. They play tough defense. They run the football. Alvin Kamara's having a tremendous year. Just small

opportunities, coach. You know how delicate this game is, man. Small, few opportunities, man. A few plays here and there makes the play, makes the game go one way or another, but the time back home always love who that baby so yeah so when so i'm curious when you two guys go home there's always something you want or someplace you want to see or eat or go to so mark like where do you what do you got to do when you go back to new orleans if you have the time so shout out to my people at rebirth in in New Orleans. I landed late. My flight was delayed always, right? Flight was delayed. They kept the kitchen open for me. Went and ordered my food. Got me the gumbo. You know what I mean? Got the cornbread.

That might be road trip, boys. Right? Come on, too late. Then we went around the city. The city was buzzing. A few couple little bars, a couple little stops. You know what I mean? The city was buzzing. People were out. I was with Uncle Bub, and he was with me.

He was like, we was out. It was like 1, 2 in the morning. He was like, people are out. It's broad day right now. The streets are flooded. Welcome to New Orleans. Yeah, Uncle was in New Orleans with me, man. We was out 1, 2 a.m. Uncle Bob, one of our favorites.

People was out flooding the streets, man. So New Orleans is one of a kind, man. It's always great to be back in the city, man. And then when Coach gets back home, assuming the season is right, swinging the sticks, baby. Both of you swung the sticks the other day, didn't you? Yeah, we went out to Muirfield, and I lived there for 10 years, and I had to take Mark out there.

We ran around, played about nine holes, and we stayed at Muirfield and I lived there for 10 years and I had to take Mark out there. We ran around, played about nine holes and we stayed at Muirfield. And for a viewer, that's one of the all-time great places. And then we headed over to the 7-0 room, the Pine House, Urban Meyer's Pine House in Dublin. Yes, sir. It was great. Yeah, we're doing all kinds of plugs.

We were. We had a great weekend. We do this recap like that. I have nothing to plug but the triple option presented by wendy's uh you know what i do i hear something we do this for a living coach right um we mark we can plug milkshake sharing oh my goodness you know see you know me and you wait we split the milkshake didn't we yes yeah we split the milkshake see that's the thing man instead of just getting one flavor we get two flavors and we just get a sampler a little taste of both you know what i

mean we shared legendary snickers we shared the reese's so we got two for the one you know what i mean and there might have been some dessert on top of that sweet potato cake birthday cake it was all type of birthday eating good we eating good man we living no complaints too blessed amen the big noon life the big new life the triple option life is good make sure y'all give us five star review you know i mean leave them comments you know i mean tell your people to subscribe too we just need all the love all right we ready to talk football boys yeah yeah let's go let's go let's go any Any given Saturday conference play kind of finally here across the nation. Real quick before we get into that, how does that alter the mindset from the coaching locker

room and into the player locker room? Coach, start with you. Tell me again now. What was the question? Coach is too busy thinking about the back nine at Muirfield. Conference play, firing back up and how that changes the dynamics. Yeah, there's obviously it impacts you. Coach DeBoer is going to find out.

He steps in that SEC monster here in a minute. But USC got a taste of it, you know, and I was a little shocked because the Wolverine team we saw a couple weeks ago got handled by Texas. I was concerned about them. They looked much better. I mean, other than the quarterback play, which they got to figure that out. But this running back, Mullings, he ran for 160 yards. And, you know, so when you step into conference play to answer your question,

everything gets more serious. At the end of the day, I know you're playing for the crystal ball or the gold trophy, but you're really playing for a ring of a conference championship, especially the big two, the SEC and the big 10. So I was really pleasantly surprised by the Wolverines. I thought they started looking like that old physical outfit, like they were on defense. They're very good offense. They're not, but they're getting better. You just wonder they got to get that pass game fixed. Yeah, and it was USC's first ever game inside the Big Ten. And we were talking to Matt Leinart and the Trojans,

you know, with that big opening win over LSU and kind of getting this great momentum and moving up the standings. Matt had that feeling in his gut all week. He's like, I know we're favored. I know we're better. I know Michigan is down. He's like, I know we're favored. I know we're better. I know Michigan is down. He's like, I just, this is one of those weeks. And for days and days, he kept saying that. He knew coach. You know, Mark, and I want to get his opinion. So when I was at Ohio State, we played

in the Rose Bowl in my last year. And when you play a team in a bowl game, you have a month to study them. And so inside out, upside down, Chris Peterson's coach, Washington's a hell of a team. The year before we played USC in the Cotton Bowl, same thing. You got to watch them all. And after you watch a team for a couple weeks, you start to see that just the trenches aren't the same. It's not. And that's going to have to change.

And it showed up. When you let the Wolverines run for 290 yards on you without a throw game. Knowing you're going to run it. Lining up, knowing you're going to run it and can't stop it. So we're going to find out about Oregon here in a couple weeks. Washington, I'm anxious to see, and I think they're going to have to address these issues. Can the Pac-12 teams that came over the Big Ten, certainly they can hang in there and

skill. Can they hang in there up front? They're 0 for 1 right now. Yep. It's a style of play, Coach. Like you said, you see the trenches. There's no getting ready for that. It just hits you in the mouth. It's fast. It's strong. It's physical. That's a style of play that they play with in the Big Ten SEC. They have to see if the Pac-12 can adapt to that. I mean, USC did a great job all game long. They were doing their thing. Actually, not all game long. They came back in the second half, really, because Michigan was up, what, 14-3 at the half?

And they came back. But they kind of stopped. They kind of stopped Michigan. In the first five drives, they had only, they had nine yards, no first downs in the first five drives of the second half. Nine yards, no first downs in the first five drives of the second half.

But when it came down to it, at the end of the game, to win the game, all you have to do is stop the run. Stop the run! Like, you know, you cannot stop the run. Stop the run. They didn't. You cannot stop the run. Kahlil Mullins, 63-yard game. They gained 89 yards on 10 plays.

And Kahlil Mullins had eight carries for 84 yards in the game-winning touchdown on fourth and one. A converted linebacker now, Stoner. Yeah, I love that story. Converted linebacker. And now he's toting the rock at Michigan. Game-winning touchdown on fourth and one. Puts the team on his back. Go Blue wins.

Yeah, it was a career-high 159. If you go back to his high school senior year, 371 yards rushing, right? You're not getting recruited to any school because you ran for 371 yards. He's got 429 yards in the first four games of the season. And that was 17 carries, as we mentioned, a career high 159 in the win over USC. And like some more running numbers, right? Just to kind of put this into perspective, and it's going to lead to another question. All right, so Michigan, they threw it for 32 yards.

The last two teams to throw for less than 40 yards and beat an AP top 25 team, you probably got a guess. Yeah, you got a good guess of like what type of teams they are. And they're both military. Army in 23 versus Air Force and Navy in 22 versus Central Florida. And that is your Saucy Nug of the Week.

Try some at your nearest Wendy's. I'm going to give you bonus Saucy Nug of the Week. Try some at your nearest Wendy's. I'm going to give you bonus Saucy Nug of the Week, all right? Alex Orji, QB1 for the first time this season for Michigan. 7 of 12, 32 yards. That's the fewest in a Michigan victory since the year after Harbaugh was a starter in 1987. So all that does is beg this question. Can Michigan coach be this one one dimensional and contend for a big 10 title and contend for a playoff spot because right now they're in the mix for both of those

that's a firm no that they can't there's zero chance with that kind of balance that they can do it i i go back i think they got to play both quarterbacks. I said that when we were there. Alex Orji is good enough to play. He's got to play. I think he's a tremendous player. But to answer your question, no, there's no chance. Because USC, you're going to get zero coverage every snap, and you will see the numbers disappear. I like how rugged the Wolverines were on offense and defense, and that's kind of a trademark, who they are, but there is zero chance, Mark, that unless you balance that thing up, at some point, nine up, it's going to be nine up,

and you'll stop the run. But, Coach, here's the balance question. Davis Warren, who was the starter, 444 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per pass play, two touchdowns, but the number that jumps out. Interceptions. Six interceptions. Interceptions.

And that's why he's on the bench. Yep. I don't know, do you risk it? Alex Orji didn't turn the ball over. Correct. Orji managed the game. He did what you're supposed to do, win the game. Yeah, it gives you a chance to win the game.

If you have three interceptions, you don't have a shot. So they do need to learn how to throw the ball because like we said, coach, the first five drives of the second half, USC stacked the box, forced Orji to throw the ball. They had nine yards, zero first downs. That's going to continue when you play Penn State, when you play Ohio State, that's going to continue. So you have to find a way to generate some throwing, some passing game. You have to find a way to generate that. You know what? We did talk about this on Big New. Then I'm just sitting here thinking, I've been in that situation a couple times.

And maybe the answer is you go to an option offense. I mean, they're not. They're a Q run offense, but you can't do that. The equating numbers issue is real. I don't know their offense coaching staff if they have the ability to do that. But if that quarterback is throwing picks, you're right, they lose that game. So I'm just wondering and thinking out loud here, do you go to an option offense? And I've done that before.

That's the great equalizer. How quickly can you install that? It depends on their coaching staff. If, you know, I had Dan Mullen, who was an option background. I have an option background. So it was like walking. I mean, we always had option in the offense. There was no issue.

But if Orji's going to be your quarterback, you have to find ways. He has to be able to hit easy passes, like, within the offense. If you're doing all this running, like, sneak the tight end up the seam, sneak the tight end, wide high, back door, back to the flat. You have to generate some form of passing attack for this team because the defense is playing tough. Now you have the identity of the offensive line running the football. You just have to find a way to generate some plays in the passing game

if they want to be a contender for the Big Ten title because we know what Ohio State is looking like. We know how Penn State is going to be. You know, Oregon is looking good. They got over the hump for USC. I thought that was one that they would lose. They got that win. So now they got it rolling.

They just got to find a way. Find a way to generate some passing offense. Coach, am I missing something here? Because, you know, simple Rob Stone over here says, you have the two letters qb next to your name that immediately means to me you know how to throw the football right it's not like you're signing up you know he's a good wide receiver but he's slow as hell uh that linebacker is fantastic he doesn't know how to tackle like these are like to me super obvious things how do

you have a quarterback that can't throw the football to that extent? This is crazy. I mean, that's hard. This is not piling on Michigan, not piling on Orgy. No, no, not at all. It seems super obvious. You're talking about a team that just showed you they took USC and when they had to go run the ball, they ran the ball.

Yes, they did. To me, that's more important than throwing the ball. They just proved they're tough. That proves that they pounded people. They got that rugged mentality. But reality is the game, you're going to have to be balanced up a little bit.

So to answer your question, I have no idea. I really don't. I have no... Because that's a good-looking athlete. He was offered a scholarship. We're talking about Alachorgy at the Wolverines. And he's a freak now. Remember. He was offered a scholarship. We're talking about Alex Orji at the Wolverines. And he's a freak now. Remember, he's on Feldman's Freak.

Remember when he bounced up when he got tackled on his athleticism? He's a tough cat. Coach, ironically, I just saw his brother at the Saints game. His brother plays for the Saints. I see Orji on the sideline. I'm like, that's not a normal ass name. Is that Alex Orgy's brother? They were like, yes.

I'm like, dude is ripped. He's just a vascular cat. One of them vanduul cats you talking about. The whole family apparently is vascular. It's a vascular family. Like you said, Stoner, you can't get the quarterback tag and don't know how to throw the ball.

So the kid can throw the ball. They just got to get them some confidence and be able to get them some plays to generate passes. And find out by now they ought to know what he does well and then go backwards. Once you do well and design your whole game plan. Yeah. Find something. So we talk about can they sustain

this? Well, they're going to find out Saturday. They host Minnesota. That's the big noon game on Fox. And then it's at Washington, a bye at a really improved Illinois team. That game suddenly looks interesting. Michigan State, a rivalry game, and then Oregon. And listen, if you're all these programs, you're saying, all right, let's get a couple more bodies over here, right? Like we're going to beat us with the arms. Beat us with the arms. And then guess what? You know, when Davis Warren comes in,

they're probably going to throw the ball. So now let's change things. It's going to be interesting to watch. And who knows? Maybe Sharon and company, they got a way to figure it out. They're going to have to figure it out fast. That's the way with the two quarterback system to me, you lose the element of surprise.

Okay, Orji's in. Oh, it's heavy run. Oh, Davis is warning us. Oh, it's drop back, play action pass. So like when you use the two quarterback system, it kind of handicaps you a little bit. It does. Puts one hand behind your back a little bit.

Yep. But again, congratulations, Michigan. You got a win, right? You're unbeaten in Big Ten play. You got a tough schedule coming your way, but you got by a major test. Light it. Take back your free time with PC Express Online Grocery Delivery and Pickup. Score in-store promos, PC Optimum points, and more free time.

And still get groceries. Shop now at pcexpress.ca. Whether in the game or in life, the right coverage can make all the difference. Shop now at pceCanada.ca. Securian Canada, insurance designed for life. Mama, look at me. I'm going really fast. I just got my license. Can I borrow the car, please, Mom? Kids go from zero to 18 in no time you'll be relieved they have 24 7 roadside assistance with intact insurance mom can you go to nana's house tomorrow i want to go to jack's place today i'll just take the car don't wait up okay kids go from 0 to 18 in no time don't they at intact insurance we insure your car so you can enjoy the ride visit intact.ca or talk to your broker conditions apply let's go to uh what we think is another major story in college football right now.

Sko Buffs. Sko Buffs. Give it to me. Sko Buffs. Sko Buffs. This is not like a little whimper baby buff, just like Nestle next to mom. This is a big, bold out Sko buff ralphie sco buffs let's go so colorado i was watching this one on the plane home uh with matt and it literally to me felt like back-to-back hail marys remember they had the first one that like bounced off the guy's chest yes he dropped i think there's like right there's like two two seconds left they're at home down seven to Baylor. And then Shador Sanders flushed to his left, by the way, flushed to his left. He's a righty QB. The dude is so calm and nonchalant and just kind of throws it up. And tough. Physical cat, physical cat. He got smacked on that play, Rob. He did. He did. He got smacked all game, Mark. All game. All season. It's not just all game.

It's all season. Let's talk about the Hail Mary. So the Hail Mary. Brady wants me to do one big one. I don't think we are. So the Hail Mary, you get three people downfield. One beyond, one jumper, and one in front of it. And then they had Travis Hunter, who is such a baller, came across.

But he got flushed to his left. And if you break down the film, he is a millimeter away from getting tackled before that ball gets out of his hand. The middle jumper guy got tangled up and fell down. The far right guy was nowhere near to be seen, so it's really not a well-executed play other than Shador to throw that ball where he threw the ball. And you watch the tape, man.

He runs. He gets pressured watch the tape, man. He runs. He gets pressured almost every play, Mark. He gets hit almost every play. And he still just gets up and gets up and gets up. I'm just, can that continue? No, it can't. We saw last year it just got wore out. And so that's first the Hail Mary. But Coach, the Hail Mary.

It was not a great execution by the team. It was a great execution by two people. Yep, Shadur and LeJonte Wester. I mean, it was raining out there, coach. Rain was coming down sideways. For you to dive, get under that ball, secure the catch for the dub? Now, did you see the safety? I don't know if you saw it.

The safety was nine yards deep in the end zone. Coach Aranda is going to – I mean, I don't know if you saw it. The safety was nine yards deep in the end zone. Coach Aranda is going to – I mean, I don't know. I'm not a math major, but you should be right at the goal line there. Right. If he's there, he knocks the ball down. Maybe that was a quarterback playing there. They put the wrong letters in front of him. Wait a second.

You're no quarterback, Steve. You don't know what you're doing. If I'm the head coach at Baylor, my head is completely off my shoulders right now. It is. They gave the game away. There's no way you're supposed to lose that game. Mark, he was nine yards deep to safety. If you're Baylor, there's no way you're supposed to lose that game. But it just shows

the resilience and the never quit attitude that Prime instills in these players because there's two seconds left in a rainy Hail Mary situation. It's easy to give up. You're talking about what Prime and his coaches instill in his players, in his staff. Great little soundbite about this from Prime after the win. We don't only want to coach them.

We want to grow them and mature them and love them and chastise them at the same time. We don't just want to pick them up and push them in the swing set. You know, we want to make sure we sit down and tell them what they need to know at that persistent time. We love these young men in a multitude of ways. And some of these young men have never heard those words from a man. So it's vital that they not only hear it, but we show it. And, you know, he knows the way I feel about him and the rest of these young men on the team. And we're developing

a tremendous relationship that goes much farther than just football. Yes, sir. Creating young men. That's what Coach Urban got into it for. You don't create just a football player. You create a great young man who is going to be a blessing and an asset to society when he leaves your program. And that's what Coach Prime is doing. That's what he's saying right there. He's telling some young brothers never heard a man tell him he love him. That's crazy, right? I heard that from my father. I heard that from my grandfather. But to be able to do that for a young man, that moves worlds, man. He's a young world changer. He's a world changer, man. is, that moves worlds, man. He's a young world changer.

He's a world changer, man. Yeah. I went out there and watched him coach. And I think a lot of people misunderstand that word love, especially if you're in a leadership position, like a coach or a parent and love is hard, man. It's not soft. He jumps into those guys, man. When he sees him not hustling off the field, not wearing her helmet, not doing this, not doing that. I love the sound bite where he said, you behave tonight. You know, love is not soft. And that's, you know, young people, especially your children and, you know, the players I've been around, they really, as they go through their life, majority of them really appreciate the fact that, you know,

there's accountability for every decision you make. From 17 to 21, that's going to make the difference the next 40 years of your life. Yes, sir. The decisions you make. So I know it goes about it differently. I know there's a lot of critics about it. I'm a fan of prime. I've been a friend of his for a long, long time and I get it.

It's bizarre now at times you're like, what did he just say? But another one is I think a man's measured by his children. Yep. His kids are awesome. Solid. They're awesome. All of them. Respect.

I think the messaging sometimes gets lost in all the NIL and all the transfers and shaking the watches and the this and that and the glitz and who's on the sidelines and who's showing up and who's on the coaching staff this week and things like that. I will be honest with you, Mark. I wish some of that would go away because that takes away from the message.

Put the watches away and go hug your teammates. Let's fix the offense line and all that. But if you dig deep, which I have, there's a lot of substance there. Right. There may be no more substantial player in college football. None. In Travis Hunter, right?

None. He has five straight games of at least 100 yards receiving. This season, 472, five touchdowns, 12.8 per catch. I'm not even sure that's his best position because I think he came into college football, right, as a defensive back. Stone. It's this wide receiver skill. because I think he came in to college football, right, as a defensive back, you know. Stone. And it's this wide receiver skill.

He can be a QB, a WR, a CB, an assistant coach, an equipment manager. Whatever he's going to do, he's going to be a lead. Hey, you put FB by his name. Football. Football. Football by his name. FBP, football player by his name.

Because not only does he have 472 yards and five touchdowns receiving, he also has an interception. And last week, the most crucial play of the game. Forced a fumble to win the game. They're about to run in the end zone and score a touchdown. Dude, he just mistled. He mistled in there to break it up.

Right on the ball. Ball out. Ball out. Back of the end zone. Touchback. Game winning play. Difference maker all over the field. There's three things. Ball out. Back of the end zone. Touchback. Game-winning play. Difference maker. All over the field. There's three things I want to hit with these guys that I'm very passionate about. I'm going to actually do this at big noon. Number one is I keep hearing that there's others that have done it.

No, there has not. Not at this level. There has not. There's been. You know, Chris Gamble at Ohio State really was a hell of a player. Our own Charles Woodson. He won the Heisman. But he didn't do what this guy's doing.

You have Miles Jack at UCLA, another great player, but they're bits and pieces. This guy's playing 152 snaps or 130 snaps in the game. And I'm going to add this. He's an all-American type player at each position. Charles was a guy that they would put in as a hood ornament. You'd have to know where he is because he's that good. But he's not playing every snap.

So number one is. 145 snaps last week. 145. 82 on offense coach. 63 on D. That ranks as the second most of his collegiate career, just to your point. Stoner.

He has 169 more snaps than the next player in the country. 532 snaps on a year. Come on now. It's remarkable. I'm going to point out too, Mark, I know he is a dog. You know, I remember Prime said he puts a D on his knee. He's a dog because he's playing receiver, Rob. And the plays to the left, he's going after, it's a street fight,

15 yards down the field with a corner, which is what every coach wants out of his players. So, yeah, so number one is that we'll get to number two in a second, but number one is this is a historical performance by this player. And I know there's been others close, not like this. Number two, how do you prepare? You know, I tried to do that. Joe Hayden, you guys know Joe.

He was a phenomenal player for us. Actually, he was a quarterback in high school, then came in the H-back, then we put him at corner. And I thought, man, we got to play this guy. But our coaching staff couldn't get it done. And, you know, just because the corners coach wanted him, the receiver coach wanted him. And you do.

You need to prep this guy. So you have to give credit to the Colorado coaching staff. Not necessarily Dion on this, but Coach Brian, but the offense, defense coordinator, and the receiver coach, and they have to work together. They have separate tip sheets. And it's not as simple as say, go play receiver. You don't do that.

Or go play corner. They have to get them ready. And we failed. We tried to do it, Joe Hayden. We weren't able to do it. Coach, I think the key to that is they had someone who has done it before prime has done it so if you don't have somebody who done it you don't know how it needs to be done and coach prime already says you're not doing anything sunday monday or tuesday you're taking 100 how many snaps did he take stoner 140 something. What'd you say? 130, 120, 145, 145. Hey, that's comical. 145 snaps.

Travis, go sit down, go hit the ice tub, go to the treatment room. You're not, I'm not going to see you until Wednesday. How about this one, Mark? How many snaps did he play last season? Coach, you guys both get a quick guess. How many snaps did he play last season over a thousand if i remember yep 1102 1102 snaps at a high level because he had a high level also also 32 on special teams right last season so an average of 114.7 per game um so i gotta call in mark i gotta call into the one of the staff members at cu and i'm gonna i really want to know how they practice him and still keep him fresh. Coach said he—

I know. How do you keep him? How do you get him ready? Dion says, I don't see you till Wednesday. Sunday off. Monday off. Tuesday off. Travis wants to practice.

I remember Coach saying this in an interview. Travis wants to be out there. He wants to practice. Coach Prime like, no, dude. I won't see you until Wednesday. And that's what that's- He must be real intelligent too, real high IQ. Well, walk through reps. You know what I mean? Being able to pay attention, being able to focus, even when you're not taking a physical rep, taking a mental rep. I think that must say a lot about what Travis is now as a player, you know? And the final one, the first one is generational,

historical. Number two was how do you prep them in practice and how do you do that? And then finally, number three is, is this sustainable? Yeah. You know, I really, that training staff, but it's all on this player, you know, just to hydrate. I mean, they're getting ready to go down into 110 heat index of humidity in Orlando, Florida, which will be there. It'll be there. So those are the three things that just mesmerize me about this whole

situation. The sustainability though, coach is like the kid's been doing it forever. Like when has he not done it? This is all he knows. So all he knows is to go out and play football the whole game and don't come out. That's all he knows. I know.

I know we're in late September. Can I broach the H word? Heisman. Absolutely. Absolutely. I mean, he's our September Heisman winner, isn't he? I mean, I know there's some good candidates out there, Nico, Nico Ai and company,

but somebody make a better case. Somebody make a case that Travis Hunter has not won the Heisman of September. That's nothing compared to the Heisman of December. I understand that. But right now, I guess the big question is, you know, Colorado's got to get to a certain probably a win total. Yes.

They're at 3-1 right now, 1-0 in the Big 12, heading into Saturday's game at Central Florida live on Fox. Big noon kickoff will be there. Central Florida's unbeaten at 3-0. I mean, they got to get to a bowl game, don't they? Like kind of at a minimum. They got to at least. But if he keeps making plays and doing things

and putting up these numbers and shutting down the other team's best receiver and then doing what he does as a receiver with the player's best defender on him. It goes to the best player in college football, Stoner. And that's him. It goes to the best player in college football, Stoner. And that's him. It goes to the best player in college football. It doesn't go to the best quarterback in college football.

It goes to the best player in college football. And right now, I think any football person would be hard impressed to say that Travis Hunter is not the best player in football right now. You know he made the game-winning tackle. He made the game-winning tackle. Yes, he forced the game-winning tackle. He made the game-winning tackle. Yes, he forced the game-winning football. Talk about leaving an impact. I don't need to catch the ball and catch the touchdown.

No, I'm going to force the fumble to win the game. Mark, go back there. Go over your left shoulder. Get that trophy. Go get it right now. Wheel your little butt back there. Get that trophy. Bring it up here.

Bring it up here. And I would like to everybody welcome you to the triple option club in downtown somewhere, Florida slash Manhattan beach. And we would like to give you Travis Hunter, the September Heisman trophy Hunter. Congratulations, Mr. Hunter. Well deserved. Coming up next on The Triple Option, Alabama head coach, Kalen DeBoer. We're all damn tight. You've always wanted to be part of something bigger than yourself. You live for experience and lead by example. You want the most out of life and realize what you're looking for is already in you. This is for you. The Canadian Armed Forces.

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Coach DeBoer, we appreciate you, man. It's an honor to have you on the show, bringing another member of the Crimson Tide family onto the Triple Option. We got the one, the only, Kalen DeBoer, the head coach at the University of Alabama. Roll Tide, baby. We appreciate you coming on the show with us.

Roll Tide. And I didn't know that we were supposed to wear no sleeves, right? Good show, Coach. You know what week it is. You know what week it is. So is it Roll Tide, Coach, or is it Roll Damn Tide? I get confused once in a while. It can be both, right, Mark?

I mean. Hey, Roll MF Tide. It could be all of that. It's a family show here, so let's stick with Roll Damn Tide. We got you. Coach, in your days back at Sioux Falls as a player and a coach, I'm curious, what were your coaching aspirations at that point in your career? I just, I mean, at that time, you know, I loved, I wanted to coach high school football.

And I did for two years right out of college. I loved it. Two amazing years. Had some great coaches, a head coach, some assistants. I was the head sophomore coach right out of college. And that was a blast, running my own show there. And got a chance, though, two years later to come back to Sioux Falls, the University of Sioux Falls, and be the offensive coordinator right away. And that was under my head coach. That was with Chuck Murrell, who was the defensive coordinator, who's actually

on my staff. We were former teammates. So it was just too good of an opportunity. But I was just about coaching high school ball and enjoying that and, you know, being around a bunch of maybe some, you know, other sports along the way, basketball or something. When you were doing that, was Alabama anywhere,

anywhere in your stratosphere, anywhere in the back of your head, like, man, maybe someday I could be in Tuscaloosa? No, no, I can guarantee. And not even I don't think, I can guarantee it wasn't. We love that though. We love it. So, Coach, you take Washington to the national title. And I was actually thinking about you last year when this was all going on.

And I remember when I was at Bowling Green, then Utah, I'm not sure many of the viewers really understand how, when you get pursued, cause the ADs, maybe it changed, but the ADs never call you cause you're really not supposed to. And I didn't have an agent. So it was those head hunters, they would call, engage your interests. So, you know, I don't want to get too involved or too personal with it, but you're, you're, you have an incredible season. You're at a great place. Can you kind of let us know how, like, did, did a headhunter reach out to gauge your interest or what, what happened when you had that great season in Washington? Yeah, no, it's actually really simple. We had our season. We flew back on Tuesday after the Monday game. Wednesday, Coach Saban

announces his retirement. Late, late, late Wednesday night, my agent let me know that Greg Byrne wanted to meet. It was literally the next day. They were on a plane up and so it was that fast and so um no gauging of interest other than hey would you be interested in meeting and that was that wednesday night thursday interviewed and then friday uh got offered the job and accepted it and friday night i was here you know meeting with the team so it was fast you got off that plane remember that image. We had a little bit of a heads up that there was a lot of people on the ground excited to greet us. I don't think I thought it was going to be that crazy. Crazy. It was so many people out there.

It was awesome. It was great. My kids especially, you know, just them being a part of it. It was kind of a cool moment. I think something that they'll always remember. But, you know, whisked away quickly to the facility, literally walked into the facility into a team room, didn't even see the rest of the building.

I couldn't tell you which way was which. I was on the team, and here we go. You know, I remember when I left Utah and went to Florida, the players kind of understood we had a really good meeting. When I left Bowling Green to go to Utah, it wasn't so good. You know how, I mean, my gosh, Washington, you get through, you reached almost the pinnacle of the game. How did your players respond? Yeah, that, that, that's the hardest thing in all of this.

I think there's two pieces. One, we are coming off of a national championship run there and, you know, just not having to have a chance to celebrate that, that really never existed. And I feel bad for the players when it comes to that. And the fan base, too, you know, and just that was a unique situation. It was such a memorable season. And then the timing is something, you know, you just can't control.

But, you know, it was important to me to get in front of the players. And just, again, as I mentioned, how quickly everything happened. Late Friday morning, you know, being offered a job and accepting it, knowing how word travels. Word was pretty much out that I accepted the job before I pretty much maybe was even offered it. But for sure before I accepted. So, you know, we called a quick team meeting and, you know, not even all the guys were able to be there, you know, because some of them, you know, maybe are, you know, not even there because it was a weekend and, you know, classes finished up. And so that just how it all kind of ended there was really hard. And I, you know,

there's players that are done, you know, with their years that I've had a great chance to reach out to and make sure that that relationship is still intact, especially the guys that moved on at the NFL. But I am looking forward to the time when, you know, some of these guys that are either there or moved on to other programs, getting the chance to connect when their careers are done and really, you know, talking through the good, some good, some good times. Now, coach, you mentioned like how fast everything happened. And you had players in a transfer portal.

You're taking a new job. You're moving your family. There's all these variables going on with taking a new position on, like the head coach at University of Alabama. But one of the things I appreciated was you connected with me not too long after you took that job. I know it was less than a week. It had to have been a certain amount of days that you had connected with me.

And I appreciated that because that's something that doesn't happen at every place and something that's not the culture of every place. So I seen a lot of the former players around the team, a lot of former players around the facility. Why is it important to you to have the former players still involved with the program? Well, you've, you're the, you're one of many greats that made this place what it is and

made this job special, made playing here at Alabama special. And I guess we're all alumni from somewhere and we always want that. And I want to be able to go back to the University of Sioux Falls and enjoy the relationships and the people there and know that that's always home. And so I always think about it that way when, you know, I got came here. I want the alumni to always know that this should always be home, no matter if it's a different head coach or, you know, it's 10 years, 20 years, 30 years. This is always home. You made this place what it is. Well, you've treated me like family, and I know some of the guys that have been back that I play with,

everyone makes it feel like home. So we appreciate you, Coach. Yeah, I appreciate hearing that. Well, I'll do respect to the previous teams you played. I still remember the days when I first got to the SEC, especially as an offensive coach, man. You're sitting there watching Sunday film, and you're like, how in the hell are we going to block that guy?

You know, the defensive fronts in this league are unbelievable. And you got one this week, man. This is welcome to the SEC, Coach. Yeah, for sure. Yeah, we're working through those answers right now, trying to come up with the best ones we can. But it's certainly, certainly you know facing Georgia here you know the clashing of the two teams in the conference championship and then for us our

first game in the SEC it's quite a bang to start the season off here so I'm looking forward to the challenge embracing it you know just know that over the years and whenever you have big games, and it's all relative, right? This wasn't an SEC game, but it's always relative. You've got to be who you are and what your identity is in a different way. Even though we're still evolving that, having been a new staff and it still being early in the season, we've got to continue to identify that, stick to what we're good at right now and continue to evolve continue to grow in all aspects of our program you guys had a bye week leading into this

game against georgia how did you approach this bye week and maybe how would it be different if it was another type of opponent that wasn't at a georgia? Yeah, I think it's probably for us more about the timing of the year. And, you know, we're only three games in, but we're also seven weeks into football and fall camp, four weeks, three games. And so that piece right now for our guys, to me, it was important to have a couple of days. And we did Monday and Tuesday where we just didn't have football um you know we lifted and did some things on Sunday and and Wednesday uh and so I know a lot of people do it different ways uh that's what we felt was important uh I wanted to get some of our guys

healthy uh and so practicing later in the week where more of those guys could come back uh you know not immediately after the Wisconsin game, give them a couple days mentally, but also physically to where we could get some of that Georgia work in on Thursday and Friday. I thought that was important. We'd practice again on Sunday. So we're in a good spot right now. Every day, every rep matters.

And so trying to get some of those guys back and get, stealing as many reps as we could was important. Give us the quick scouting report of what georgia is right now yeah um from you know offensively i think just with carson beck uh just a uh i i think anytime you tell a guy he's a manager like that's not what they want to hear as a quarterback right he's beyond that but he does a great job just managing everything like running the show it goes through him uh and so i mean that in a very respectful way uh but you know i think you know when it comes to the running backs you see explosiveness i think in the passing game you know they're they're still working and getting in sync with different elements from quarterback to receiver.

And, you know, with the bye week, I'm sure that they were really focused on that. But, you know, up front, it's physical. It's what you'd expect. And there's just no turnovers, right? No turnovers on the season through three games, which is, to me, just super impressive. No interceptions. And defensively, they're going to just make life really hard for you and make you earn every yard. Have answers and solutions to the things that I think you do best. And then having adjustments throughout the course of the

game is what I'm expecting to see. And so you've got to counter all those things that they're doing to you. And then special teams, that's the hidden piece in all of this. So, you know, the field goal kicker, six for six. And a punting game where, you know, we feel like it's a strength of ours that we can flip the field with James Burnham. You know, they're doing the same thing in their in their punting game and haven't had a yard of return yardage in two years, you know, with their what they do. So every yard is important. And even there, it's really hard to find those yards.

No, coach. One thing I admire so much is how you weathered the storm of the transfer portal right like 32 players left out of the portal you end up retaining 25 stars on the roster that's the most in the country then you bring 12 players in from the portal what is it like taking over a program in the era of the new NIL transfer portal what's it like taking over a program during that time? Yeah. You know, I really think we'll always have to have portal guys come in just because that's the area we live in. But I would like to think of this as a high school recruiting program and then the portal fills in the gaps. And as you mentioned, with so many guys going on to other places, we had to find the

right guys that filled in some of those key losses, guys who were contributors a year ago that we knew were going to be major impact players for us this year. And I think we were, for the most part, we were able to do that. You know, you lose a center, you bring in a center, you lose some receivers, you bring in a receiver, you know, and just some tight ends, brought in a center you lose some receivers you bring in a receiver you know and just some tight ends brought on a tight end and safety same thing you know just across the board trying to plug and play and um i thought i think we did a good job of not just bringing in a player but some some guys who fit our what we want to be culture wise fit what we want to be on the field schematically had great skill sets had some experience under their belts playing at a high level. You know the rule, you don't follow the man,

you follow the man after the man. That's what I did. It's Florida. But I felt Steve Spurrier every day. I just talked to him last week, and he loved when I said the shadow of the visor is what I called it. I just, because their contingency that will all, and they should, that love that previous coach. And it drove me nuts a little bit. This is the way we used to called it. I just, because they're a contingency that will all, and they should, that love that previous coach.

And it drove me nuts a little bit. This is the way we used to do it. Have you gotten that yet? Or I guess it's still too early. I just know that you just, you embrace that, you know, and it's a privilege to be here. And Coach Saban deserves all that, you know, and I'm sure Coach Saban would have said the same thing about the other greats

that came before him. Again, it's made what this program is because of the work that he's put in. I think the way I look at it, though, is that someone like Coach Saban who pours everything into this program and makes it what it is, there's an element of he don't want it to just, you know, lose all its luster of what it's become. And, you know, that's where it falls on me to continue to carry that on, you know, show that the work that he's put in and you just think about teams. But I think there's things you do structurally infrastructure of the program whether it's academically uh you know the trainings the

training room and facilities with the weight room and he's did such a good job of taking advantage of improving those areas which i think people understand you You know, Alabama has a lot of great things that our players have access to and the resources are at a high level. But he took advantage of continuing to grow. And that's what I'm looking to do is continue to grow, even though you might think, man, how can you do it better? You know, and Coach, that's my responsibility is to obviously have a great product on the field that allows us to continue to grow the program and continue to evolve it like it's been done at a high level for the last, you know, not just 17 years, but for decades. Coach, we know you got Georgia coming up this week, and I know you haven't experienced the Iron Bowl yet, but, you know, Auburn is like the hated rivalry that like.

Like, no matter what happens, like got to whoop Auburn, right? But now it's like you got Georgia coming in this week. And I remember when I got to school, I had to learn the Iron Bowl, the Alabama rivalry, but I kind of grew to hate Florida. I was going against Coach Meyer and those Gators 08, 09. That's who you had to beat to like contend for a championship. So now is Georgia taking that place as like the new rival because of just the stature and the status of what this game means, the magnitude of this game every year? Yeah, I think there's there's rivalries for different reasons. Right.

And I think you nailed it. You know, you got your in-state rivalry, and then you have the rivalries because you know that you're playing for something at a high level. You know that this game, you know, last year and past years has meant national championship, conference championship. It's meant a lot in those areas. And so it's a rivalry, if you want to call it that way, for those reasons because there's something at stake. I would imagine when you took the job over, Jalen Milrow was a priority for you just to watch the tape,

figure out what this young man is and what his future can be. So how have you handled Milrow since you got into Tuscaloosa as far as what the developmental path was that you wanted him to do? And what have you seen from him this season? Yeah you know I told him this too. I was excited to meet him when we were playing and getting ready to play the Shutter Bowl and he was obviously on the field in the Rose Bowl. I remember walking by a TV just going the locker room, and I was with a couple other coaches and seeing him make one play. And just in just passing and seeing it on the TV, one of our coaches goes, man, we face him. That's going to be a problem.

I told Jalen that, you know, that's kind of the vision of the visual that I had from afar, really not having dissected and watching him play. But walking into the team room, you know, it's kind of a blur, as I told you, how fast everything happened. But I specifically remember seeing him, you know, front and front, not center because he's off to the right a little bit. But how can you miss? I mean, he's got the smile from ear to ear usually. And I think that was maybe a little different at the time because there were some stressful moments that those guys were all going through with the transition and meeting their new head coach.

But I do remember just, you know, even a short interaction with him and in a meeting with the leadership group where you could get a sense very quickly of what he was all about and how important it was to him to stay, to see things through along with many of the others who did the same. They had some unfinished business to do. It was important to get the train rolling as quick as you could. And he, you know, he's done nothing, but just help lead the charge

in every way, both as a player, as a leader, and as a person who represents our program every single day. Hey, Coach, we know Milrow's an amazing athlete, but I mean, we got an amazing athlete right here. I mean, at SoFa's, two-sport athlete, set the record for receptions,

touchdowns, yards. Don't forget Coach Meyer now. 520, 10 home runs as a senior. Do them boys know that their coach is really like that? A really deal Holyfield athlete? Do they know that? Again, now I'm going to go the other way.

With all due respect to, you know, smaller college football, a guy like Jalen Milrow and the guys here, the speed they're operating on was a little different speed than what I was operating on. I knew my place and I knew my time, and I take a lot of pride in that.

I had a lot of fun, but it's a little different level. I don't care where you at, coach. You got to run the route, get open. You got to catch the football. You got to score the touchdown. I don't care where you at. You got to, you got to, you got, you batting 520. That's legendary. In 10 home runs, you still got to hit the touchdown. I don't care where you at. You got to – you batting 520, that's legendary. And 10 home runs, you still got to hit the ball out the park.

So I'm going to give you your credit, Coach. I appreciate that, Mark. Coach, we know you got a lot of baseball. Our coach, Coach Meyer, has got baseball in his DNA as well. And it's funny, when Urban gets around baseball guys, I see Coach kind of start geeking out a little bit. Mark, have you seen that too? Like he gets – he's like, oh, man, A-Rod's over there. There's Jeter. He wants to talk baseball, right? He doesn't want to talk football. Those guys want to talk football to

Urban. Urban wants to talk baseball to those guys. Are you still kind of a baseball junkie, a baseball nerd down deep? I am. I am. When it comes to the bat and ball sports, I have a daughter who is softball and there might be some times when you question what my favorite sport, and I'm saying this jokingly, but I love softball. I love baseball. There's something about just, you know, I've got to enjoy the hitting techniques and the drill work and just diving into that.

And that's probably the coach coming out in me. But I get to still do that just because I do have a daughter. You hit 520 with 10 bombs. I got drafted in 1982. I didn't do that. Holy cow, man. Major League Baseball missed on a guy. Man, look at that. Drafted in 1982?

Coach, who drafted you? Atlanta Braves. Atlanta Braves? Yeah. That's awesome. And then you know who cut me? Some guy by the name of Hank Aaron. I got a letter saying you're cut. Really? You still have that letter?

Oh, my dad, you know, bless his soul, but my dad being a, you know, say, by the way, you might want to save his autograph. But he saved it. He was a player personnel director back then for the Braves. Wow. Wow. Thanks for your time, Coach, man. Hey, Coach, last thing back then for the Braves. Wow. Wow. Thanks for your time, Coach, man. Hey, Coach, last thing.

I know it's a tough week, man. Coach, we do one thing. You want to tell them, Rob, tell them what we do? Yeah, Coach, we like to offer our guests the opportunity to throw a question back at any one of us. You're welcome to fire a fastball at me if you want or your Heisman winner down there. But my guess is it might be the other guy, Coach Meyer, that you might have a question for.

So this is your opportunity to throw a question at us. I want to make sure I don't say this. I want to make sure I'm accurate, I guess. Coach, you won it in 2006 and 2008, right? Right. I always remember that because those were the same two years that we won our national championships. We won 2006, 2008, and then 2009. I always remember that because those were the same two years that we won our national championships. We won 2006, 2008, and then 2009.

But I remember specifically, Coach probably don't remember the small college guy, right? Taking the pictures with the AFCA trophies. Oh, yeah. I do remember that. Yeah, of course. That was you, huh? That was great. That was me. Those were good years. Those were good years. I do remember that. Yeah, of course. That was you, huh? That was great. That was me. Those were good years.

Those were good years. I do remember that. So I always, when I think about you, Coach, and think about those years, and I always remember the years you won the national championship because the two of them were correlated at the exact same time we were doing our thing. Wow. Yep.

Legendary. Love that. Love that. Coach, we know how busy you are this week yeah thank you so much for joining us

big enjoyment next time you'll take us through all the things that are behind you in that beautiful office of yours

we'll save that for another episode of the triple option alright we're happy to do that go get some dogs coach

we got coach Stallings back there you know you can see him back there that trophy that's I see the Eddie Robinson.

Yeah. That's over your right shoulder. Some gang balls. There's two of the most special ones that I think I've ever received just because of who they are and what they represent. And, you know, both of those this last year. And Coach Stallings won. Given that, before I even had a chance to come here,

but going to accept it this spring was really a great honor. So pretty special. Ladies and gentlemen, Kalen DeBoer. Go get them dogs, Coach. Let's go. I appreciate it. Thank you guys. Roll Tide.

Roll Tide. Roll damn Tide. Roll damn Tide. Roll damn Tide. I don't give a piss about nothing but the Tide, baby. Here we go. Let's go. Coach damn Tide, people. I don't give a piss about nothing but the Tide, baby. Let's go. Coach, have a great Saturday.

Thanks for joining us this week. Appreciate it. Thank you. All right, welcome back to The Triple Option, presented by The Wendy's. How about an early season playoff look? We're about a third of the way through the season right now. We're going to take a look at the AP rankings. This week, one through four stayed unchanged. Tennessee, they have moved now, guys, for the fourth straight week in the right

direction. They now sit at number five. This, the second straight week that the SEC has six of the top seven teams in the poll. Coach, your former program, Utah, big win over the weekend on the road in Big 12 play. They're up two spots sitting at number 10. So that is the highest of the five ranked teams from inside the Big 12. So right now, the team's getting the four buys are your conference winners from the Power Four, Texas, Ohio State, Miami, Utah. We're all pretty good with that. We know some of that could be fluid. Obviously, Georgia and Alabama is going to have a say in the SEC at some point, right? Oregon's going to have a say in the Big Ten.

Penn State might as well. Then where it gets really interesting are the first round games. And again, these are going to be on campus this year. So as of now, we've got number 12, Boise State at number five, Georgia. Number 11, Michigan at number six, Alabama. Blue Bloods. I love it. Number 10, Missouri at number seven, Tennessee. And number nine, Penn State at number eight, Ole Miss. So those four first round games, guess what? They're all on SEC campuses. Mark, I think you remember this last week on Big Noon Kickoff. The way I tossed it to coach about Tennessee was like, all right, here's the new

bandwagon man for Tennessee is coach Urban Meyer. Because every week you talk about Tennessee and rightfully so, and people are noticing coach. Tennessee started in the top 25 in the preseason at number 15. After week one, they went up to 14. Then they jumped to seven, then to six. And this week, they are in the top five for the first time since 2022. And you, my friend, are a big believer in the Vols. Yeah, I got inside information there. And I ask every week.

I have an NFL guy that scouts around and helps me with some stuff. And when he made the comment, it looks like Tennessee of old. That's the respect I had for the old Tennessee outfit. And I know Nico, I, the quarterback, we all love him. I think he's certainly a Heisman candidate. I think he's a top 10 pick after that. He's got to do a couple of things a little better. They went into Norman, Oklahoma.

And when you go into Norman, Oklahoma, and he had a good day, but you're in, you're in at Oklahoma and you find a way to go win that game. So as I said, on big noon, I'm going to say it again this week, he is not the only show in Knoxville. They are balanced on offense. They have a good run game. Uh, they're good in the trenches and they're very good on defense. Uh, obviously we're going to find out they're jumping into, uh, the, you know, the rest of the SEC coming up here. But there is no doubt. I have them number four, potentially number three team in the country right now.

So you have them winning the SEC? I didn't say that. Okay. I didn't say that. I said right now, I've got Georgia still up there. So I think they'll be in the SEC championship game. Nico Iamalava. Nico Iamalava. an SEC championship game. Nico Iamala. Nico Iamala.

Iamala. Also an elite volleyball player growing up. I didn't know that about him. Dude is 6'6". Yeah, he's tall. 215 from Long Beach, man. And I want to roll this clip real quick because I thought this was cool. One of the stories, at least from the media perspective, about Tennessee and that trip coach, as you mentioned, going to Norman, was Josh Heupel going back to Oklahoma. Led them to a

national title, was an offensive coordinator there. And you could tell it meant a lot to him and the players were aware of it. Here's coach after the win in the locker room. This thing, coming back to Norman was never about me. It was not. But I appreciate you all having a little extra for me. I love that, having a little extra for me. And what that clip didn't show just a couple seconds later, our guy, Nico, presented him with the game ball. And boy, I got goosebumps right now listening to that. That's what football is all about. That's what this game is all about. Because he ain't make it about going back to Oklahoma. He made it about his team going in there and handling business they need to handle. But the players, if you know your coach, if you

want to run through a wall for your coach, you know how much that means. And that's what that showed right there. And man, when you see that going on in the locker room, coach talked about why they are a true contender, not a pretender. But when you see that type of stuff going on in the locker room, that's different. That makes the team dangerous. I agree. can we talk about the ohio state please like of all the big time programs that really we haven't delved into much on the triple option presented by wendy's it's been ohio state because um it's been i mean they've played three out of conference opponents they've rolled through them and it's been kind of like a preseason warm-up. But they have done, Mark, what's been asked of them, and they've done it at an elite level.

All you can do is play who is on your schedule. And they have been dominating who is on their schedule. And it's because they have a team that's built to go the distance. They went and they retained a lot of their roster from going to the NFL draft, about 10 players. They went and got positions of need out of the portal. And all their positions of need were arguably one of the best at their position in the country last year. Stole a couple Alabama guys.

Yep. Caleb Downs, you know, got him one of the best safeties in the league. I mean, one of the best safeties in college football. And then they took one of our future quarterbacks, Julian Sand. He's the real deal. Then you go and get the center, Seth McLaughlin.

You go and get Will Howard. You go and add these positions of need, which add that to a culture of guys. How can I forget Quinshawn Judkins? I mean, come on. The dude was huge last weekend. Yeah, like $1.60, two tutties. Like, the boy is the real deal.

But this team right here is built to go the distance. They have the defense. They have the defense. They have the offense. You talk about Jeremiah Smith. You talk about Emeka Igbuka. You talk about Travion Henderson. You talk about Quinshawn Judkins. You talk about their offensive line who is dominant.

Then you go and add Will Howard from Kansas State. That team is built for it. And he's just been doing a great job. They're loaded. He's been doing a great job. It's all about him not making job. It's all about him not making mistakes. It's all about him distributing this ball to these playmakers,

being able to make the clutch plays when they need him to make them, using his arm or using his legs. And with him processing, making the right decisions, and these playmakers all around him, this tough defense, the coaching, this team is built to go on the title run.

And if they don't, it'll be their own fault because they got here. You know one thing, the important word or the important phrase for me watching the Buckeyes, and I've been there a little bit when you have a softer schedule, is Tuesday practice. That's the most important thing in Columbus, Ohio, from August until when they go to Eugene, Oregon. They have Iowa coming in, but Michigan State's not near the team they were. It's Tuesday's practice.

That's iron sharpens iron, steel sharpens steel. That is, I would be practicing good on good as much as I possibly could, Mark. Because you're not going to get better facing, when you have to block people that aren't as good as you as I possibly could, Mark. Because you're not going to get better facing – when you have to block people that aren't as good as you, you don't get better. There's only one way to get better, and I will say it again, Tuesday's practice. Tuesday's practice, I'm sure it is.

I hope it's just been really, really physical. The most important day of the week for the first five weeks for the Buckeyes is Tuesday practice. They got good on good for sure. If they're getting those quality reps against each other, they have to. Coach, that one phrase that's been thrown about Ohio State all season long, natty or bust,

natty or bust, natty or bust. We talked about it on Big Noon last Saturday. You ain't buying that. You are not buying that phrase. He can't. He's part of them. He can't. But it is. It is.

Yeah, but it's rivalry bust. That's part of the process to the man. It's a bizarre place, man. In Ohio, Jerry DiNardo fights me every year on this. He says, you really believe that if you win that one game and lose several others, everything's good? I know it is. Absolutely.

And if you win a national championship, but you lose that game, I think that's a problem. What that contract said? Yeah, it said win every game you play, beat your rival, graduate, you know, graduate the majority of players. Yeah, but win every game you – it actually said that, Mark. Beat your – Beat your rival and win every game you play.

It didn't name the rival. It just said beat your rival. Beat your rival play. Didn't name the rival. It just said beat your rival. Beat your rival. But coach, it is Natty or Buss. And getting the gold pair of pants for all those players on Ohio State who apparently nobody on Ohio State's roster has gold pants.

You get the gold pants for beating your rival up north. Which is Michigan, yep. Which is Wolverines. For all the listeners, you get a pair of gold pants if you beat the Wolverines. And apparently, nobody on Ohio State's roster has a pair of gold pants. That's crazy.

So, getting a gold pair of pants is of the utmost importance. But that is on the way to the natty. It is natty or bust. You don't assemble this roster with intentions of going 13 and one, beating it and getting booted out of the semifinals or the quarterfinals. There's your, there's your t-shirt right there in Columbus. Do it for the pants. Do it for the pants. All right.

Time now for pick six brought to you by bet. MGM place your money line prop parlay and and same game parlay bets at BetMGM. Download the app today. Please gamble responsibly. Each week we get six games against the spread. Mark's got his deuce-deuce dog of the week. One of his picks

will be the underdog that he thinks will cover. We remind everybody watching on YouTube, listening on all those great podcast options that these lines are current as of Tuesday. They can obviously change again. All right, here we go. Bet MGM, pick six. I'm going to start, guys. We're going to start in the tight Big 12. Two of the favorites fell for the first time last week in league play. Now number 20, Oklahoma State at now number 23, Kansas State. Wildcats favored by four

and a half. Cowboys coach hosted the old Utah team. Didn't have starting QB cam rising. It didn't matter for the Utes. They control things. It was 22-19. It really wasn't that close. And the ground game, which should be a strength for Oklahoma State, right? This is what we thought they would be. Again, problematic. Last year's Doak Walker winner, Ollie Gordon, 42 yards. Remember, this is a guy who had 1,700 yards rushing last season. He's only averaging 64.5 a game this season. Things were so bad that they even benched their starting quarterback, Alan Bowman, with way.

They did bring him back. He did lead to a couple late touchdown drives. And they've already said, he's going to start in Manhattan against the Wildcats, who also lost. And they lost bad guys. They lost in a tough place. BYU, 38 to 9.

But the Wildcats did themselves no favors. Three straight turnovers. Coach, can you remember a game where your team coughed up three straight possessions? No, they would have to cart me off the field. Exactly. Exactly. That's what happened to K-State. That's uncharacteristic of them, including two picks from their very talented quarterback, Avery Johnson. I look at this and I just feel like the Cowboys are in a worse spot than Kansas State is. I think home field does them right. K-State wins and they cover and they get their Big 12 title game hopes back on track. All right, number 15,

Louisville at number 16, Notre Dame, the Irish home favored by six. The Cards, one of four unbeatens left in the ACC. And coach, this is the second straight season. This one is a ranked matchup. Yeah, I went and watched them because I saw I had them as a pick. And they're averaging 47 points per game. Jeff Braum is the coach there. He's 13 and 4. I have experience with Jeff Braum. A lot of respect.

He's a rugged guy. Former great player. But he's also a great coach. Here's the best thing they got going. This is coaching and also, obviously, great players. Zero turnovers. They've not turned the ball over. They got the number one, number three defense in the conference.

So I, you know, Notre Dame, they had everybody was all over them, including me when they went to A&M and they won the way they did, the energy they showed. And then the unthinkable happened. Mark, we had our guy on there, the coach of the NIU, but they lost to Northern Illinois. They slapped Purdue. So I just don't know what it is.

I'm going to actually take, I went back and forth on this. I just, I think it's going to be a close game. I think it's going to be within six points. So I'm going to take Louisville in the six. Wow. Good man, coach. I went back and forth on that, man. Mark and Urban, you guys kind of have de facto home games this week

for Big Noon Kickoff. For the first time, Big Noon Kickoff, off to the Sunshine State. We're going to be in Florida. These are fingers crossed because we know the weather system. It's car service. Oh, you're doing a backseat. Sorry. Sorry.

I'm a rental car guy. It is Colorado at Central Florida. UCF favored by 14. Remember, we talked about the Buffs and that Hail Mary. Talk to me, Mark. They got the win over Baylor. Saturday, they take on unbeaten UCF, Mark. I mean, what a showdown.

We get to go see it, too, in the flesh. You know what I mean? But listen, this isn't going to be a tough. This isn't going to be an easy game for Colorado by any means. They got to travel to UCF. They're 3-0. This is a big game for them. Big news coming to town.

The fans will be rowdy. Their offense, let me tell you, they run the football, Coach. Oh, do they ever. They run the football. They're averaging 45 points per game. 375 rush yards per game. K.J. Jefferson, the transfer quarterback from Arkansas, 563 yards passing, throwing for 63%, five touchdowns.

R.J. Harvey, who leads their rushing attack, 448 yards, eight scores, two other backs over 140 yards. So this Colorado defense will have to show up. They're going to have to show up. They're going to have to play big. But they've been playing their best defense all year. It's a much improved unit. Shadur Sanders, Travis Hunter, all these weapons on offense. This offensive line is going to have to find a way to protect Shadur. He can't keep just getting hit and smacked all the time, but he's tough. He's going to keep getting up. He's going to keep throwing the ball. 14 points

is way too much for me. This game means way too much to both programs. It's going to keep getting up. He's going to keep throwing the ball. 14 points is way too much for me. This game means way too much to both programs. It's going to go down and be a close game. I got Colorado covering the spread. I got Colorado winning outright. Do you? Let's go. I got Colorado winning outright.

One thing to watch. One thing to watch. We live in Florida, Mark. Watch that weather. I've also coached in Colorado. And it's the heat, but it's also the humidity. Because altitude, you have no humidity. So I'm anxious to watch it.

It's going to be a rugged game. Coach, you talk about humidity. There's that huge system, a potential hurricane that's working its way through the Gulf of Mexico right now. And not to get like, you know, I'm a sportscaster, but I play a weatherman on the triple option. You know, you get those bands of rain

and the humidity that gets pushed out from the Gulf inland into central Florida. Yeah, it could be steamy. It could be wet. That field could be wet from the rains that they get through the Thursday, Friday, Saturday, right?

That's a game changer. That's heavy in UCF favor. A hundred percent. Only one team in America rushes the ball more per game than UCF's 55 carries a game. I'll give you one guess, Coach. Ann Arbor?

No, Army. Well, they might now. Michigan's numbers might start skewing a little bit higher. You should have told me the weather report before I did my peak sheet. What are you supposed to do? Mark, we take all of this stuff in. We digest this in. This is what that MGM does. That's why you're my co-host and you're supposed to assist me, we take all of this stuff in. We digest this in. This is what that MGM does.

That's why you're my co-host and you're supposed to assist me. I think it's going to be out of there, Mark. It's going to be out of there. Yeah, I think so too. I hope so. I hope so. I'm looking at the hurricane right now.

But 14 points is way too much for me. I agree. I agree. Wet or dry, 14 seems big. Night game. Welcome to the road for number three, Ohio State. They're at Michigan State. Last week, we saw Columbus concede their first touchdown of the season, did the Buckeyes, but

then they just had all of those big plays for touchdowns and the easy win over Marshall. Buckeyes outscoring the opposition guys, won by 137 points through the first three games. They're in East Lansing. Sparty is headed in the right direction. I think we all agree with that, but maybe they're not at Buckeye level yet. Not many programs are. But what I do like about Michigan State is they are battle-tested. Your dad's team, Mark, has already had two powerful four opponents on the road, and they split those games. So they're doing something right, right? But it's been 25 years since Ohio State last lost in East Lansing, and they've won those games by an average of 20.6 points, all right? But the spread is 24 and a half. So 24 and a half,

and you're winning by 20.6. That tells me you're not going to do it. Plus, the Buckeyes, one and two against the spread this season. So the Buckeyes win, but they do not cover again. How about that one? Hey, we saw them struggle with Marshall a little bit in the first half, so. You're using the term struggle loosely, but you're right. They've done their damage in the second half, right? If Marshall didn't get the, they got stopped on fourth and one, and they had the buff punt called back.

That's 14 to 10 to 14 points right there. Fair. Fair. That's buts and what's and ifs and could have beens. The top 20 showdown in the Big Ten. Give it up for the fighting Brett Bielema down there in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois checking in now at number 19 in this week's poll. Had that huge win over Nebraska Friday night,

up five spots to number 19. And they take on number nine, Penn State. The Nittany Lions coach favored by 17 and a half. This is the first meeting as ranked sides since 2008. How do you see this one? How about the scheduler? They stick Illinois out in Lincoln, Nebraska, and then they come back and play the whiteout.

So it's a whiteout, and I've been in a bunch of whiteouts, and I've always said that's about a five to seven point differential because it is, I think, it's the best atmosphere in college football. It's going to be nuts. five to seven point differential because it is, I think it's the best atmosphere in college football. It's going to be nuts. Illinois, Coach Bielema, I just, I think he's one of the best out there. I really do. And in his own little world, you know, he didn't do well at Arkansas, but he did great at Wisconsin.

I think he's going to do great. He's proven he's going to do great. You know, what's the definition of great at Illinois? It is a really good bowl game. And I think he's going to do great. What's the definition of great at Illinois? It is a really good bowl game, and I think he's going to do great there. So it's a 17.5 point spread. They're number one in the country in turnover ratio. Keep that in mind. If they take care of the football, they'll cover the spread. I don't think they'll beat Penn State. Drew Aller is still growing as a quarterback. Obviously, had a really tough year last year against the big boys. So I'm going to pick Illinois to cover this spread in the whiteout,

but I do think Penn State will win. All right. We talked with head coach Kalen DeBoer earlier about Georgia Bama. Now it's time for Mark to chime in. Alabama, number four in the nation. They have been favored in 90 consecutive home games, all the way back to 2007. But, Mark, they are a home dog Saturday.

Georgia favored by a point and a half. Who's letting the dogs out over there? That's my dog, the deuce-deuce dog of the week. It's the fighting ties. It's the fighting ties. Let's go, baby. No, but listen, it's going to be a real matchup. Listen, Georgia's defense has not allowed a touchdown

since December 2nd, 2023. Versus my Crimson Tide. They have not allowed a touchdown all year. They have no turnovers. They're not turning the ball over. They've had one turnover on downs at the end of the first half versus like Tennessee Tech or something. So Carson Beck're not turning the ball over. They've had one turnover on downs at the end of the first half versus like Tennessee Tech or something. So Carson Beck is not turning the ball over.

They're not fumbling the football. The defensive line, it gets pressure. They don't let you run the football. So the trenches will be of the utmost importance for the Crimson Tide this week. Winning the line of scrimmage on the defensive line, winning the line of scrimmage on the offensive line, Winning the line of scrimmage on the offensive line. Being able to run this football.

Protect Jalen Milrow on the passing attack. We have the weapons. Jam Miller. Justin Haynes at the RB. Ryan Williams at the wide receiver. We know 17-year-old freshman phenom Jalen Millie Milrow balling and profiling. This is going to be his Heisman moment. This is going to be his Heisman moment.

This game right here. So I got a close, close matchup. What did you say? It's like one point? So they got to win outright. It's a half point? One and a half. One and a half.

So we got to get that. That half always gets you. I've learned. One and a half? Man, I don't need the points because I'm taking us to win outright in T-Town. They've lost two games. Georgia has lost two games in the last three seasons. And guess who

it was to? Say it. Guess who it was to, Coach? Say it. Roll, what's it say? Roll damn tight. RDT. Roll damn tight. So you think I'm going to get on here and I'm going to say that we're going to lose? You think I'm going to get on here and say we're going to lose? No chance.

All right. All right. All right. My dog of the week. My Christian Tide. Let's go, baby. Roll damn right. All right, all right. My dog of the week, my crystal tie. Let's go, baby. Roll damn tight. I don't give a piss about nothing but the tide. We going to T-Town, and it's going down. Yes, sir.

I never tire of that rant. I never tire of that rant. So great, brother. Hey, next week, one of our favorite lines at Big Noon Kickoff, scheduled to appear, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. So we'll get his thoughts on Alabama, Georgia, all things college football and the SEC. Again, we remind you, please subscribe.

Share your thoughts and questions in the comments section on our YouTube channel. Follow us on Apple. Hold on. Joy and Bob Stone in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. I expect some comments on the YouTube channel. I want to see how good you guys really are with that YouTube channel.

If you know how to leave a comment, you can follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts, as well as across social media at 3XOptionShow. We get new episodes every Wednesday. We hope to have SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey on the show next week. And again, huge props to all of our listeners, all of our watchers. Thank you guys for making us number one podcast out there. And our sponsors couldn't do it without

you guys. Wendy's, love you. Tell them again. MGM, love you. Number one. Zip Recruiter, love you. Tell them again, coach. Number one, baby. Number one. Number one, you pound that chest and you let them know and you go out and recruit man you go out and recruit some dudes you let those cats you let those big veined up cats know you are number one you got to come play for our program number one not the two We'll see you next time.