WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Four Man Front: You Love to See It

Episode Date: November 23, 2025

It’s week 13. Jeremiyah Love is really good, Oklahoma is showing signs of life, and controversy envelopes the latest FMF poll. Lewis and Paden discuss, Marc takes a victory lap, and Patrick says a banned phrase.

Oklahoma wins in Tuscaloosa against all odds. The dogs shred the longhorns in Athens. Texas A&M rallies to beat South Carolina. And Jeremiah Love is really good. It is the 11th hour of this college football season. But we're not going anywhere. I'm Lewis Thune. And this is the four-man front.

The show about college football and nothing else. Welcome back to the show. You're listening to Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM. However you're listening, we appreciate you. There's nothing we love more than talking about college football. I'm joined as always by my esteemed co-host to my left, Mark Ayers, a man who got just about everything right about last week's slate of games. was certainly, as the young people say, cooking, Lewis. This is absolutely true. We're going to get into just how right you are. Across the table, Patrick Hamilton. How we doing today? Doing great, Patrick.

To my right, Peyton Hughes. I think this top ten race is finally starting to clear up. I don't know about that. I feel like this past week made it as muddled as ever. Especially with what went down in Tuscaloosa, gentlemen, let's hop right into it. The Oklahoma Sooners, my beloved team, I did not believe. We did not believe, and yet, despite being outgained by 194 yards, the Oklahoma Sooners riding on their defensive prowess, came into Tuscaloosa and beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 2321, moving themselves into the top 10 and as of now into the college football playoff picture. How did this happen?

I said it last week. if they're going to win it's going to be on defense they're going to have to stop tie simpson they're going to have to follow the florida state model of putting lots of pressure on him in order to slow down this alabama offense which so far has done just enough in every game they've played to keep them afloat i told you if oklahoma's going to beat bama it's going to be a defensive struggle and that it was Bama was killed by its turnovers. Oklahoma's defense was spectacular, unbelievably good. They scored 17 points on defense off of three turnovers with a blocked field goal to boot. An absolute showing by that Brent Venable's defense, this is the type of stuff that gave him a name, and this is the brand and that image that he portrays.

Venables defense. Bama just simply did not look very good. They kind of got exposed. I think I was overvaluing them. There was no point in this game watching it that I was like, yeah, Oklahoma's going to win. Even with two minutes left, I'm like, okay, this is Alabama's game until it isn't. I mean, a look at the gross statistics in this game could tell you just how one-sided it appeared watching on the TV. If you did not see the scoreboard, if you did not watch this

football game, and you merely saw the stats afterward, you would assume that this was Alabama's game through and through. By 23 first downs to Oklahoma's 12. Five of 13 on third downs, Oklahoma's 3 of 13. Oklahoma punted six times. Alabama sacked John Matier twice. Oklahoma committed five penalties, and Alabama ran time of possession by nine minutes, not to mention passing for 326 yards. I was completely wrong last week. And Oklahoma's defense is not going to be able to stop Ty Simpson and company. This is going to be a blowout win. But this defense again proved to be one of the in this country, 17 of your 23 points coming off of defense. That's ridiculous. Holding a very good Alabama rushing to 80 yards. They got so much pressure to Ty Simpson,

and he wasn't able to do anything with it. I said Alabama's not going to be scoring more than 20, 20, 24 points. If Oklahoma can put up 25, 28 points, they have a real shot to win this game. I then called Oklahoma to lose because I just didn't think that they could score. 24, 27, 28 points. Mateer is prone to throw interceptions. He puts the ball in scary situations. Oklahoma got three turnovers and Matir did not turn the ball over at all.

They played mistake-free football in this game and it paid off. This Oklahoma defense was better than I imagined. I didn't think that they could get 17 points for this offense. The offense only had to score six points. I didn't think they could score 20. I was right. They only had to score six.

11 points from Tate Sandell. It helps when you have the best kicker college football. Three for three, long of 52, man is reliable. If ever, there were a campaign for a kicker to win the Heisman. Tate Sandell would have my full support. The defense was nothing spectacular in this game. It came down to Alabama beating themselves. Ty Simpson with a stupid fumble, Ryan Williams with a stupid fumble in Alabama territory on a punt return. Alabama's offensive line has been awful. I believe with the Oklahoma game now, that's 20 sacks conceded by their offensive line. I would take Ty Simpson of for just about any quarterback in college football

right now, but that offensive line, that's one I don't envy. Ty Simpson in the passing game, like I predicted last week, was absolutely surgical. 28 to 14, so that's 67% slinging the ball for 326 yards and a touchdown. The Oklahoma secondary gets torched every game. When they match up against a good quarterback, they lose. I think if this game were played again, it would legitimately be an Alabama blowout? Well, I will push back slightly against the defense overall, not being spectacular. It was spectacular when it needed to be. That's true. Oklahoma held Alabama to 57 yards over its last four drives. That was the difference. They got those two sacks when they needed them. They got the interception. They got the tip on the

field goal. Oklahoma was clutch in the clutch moments, and that was the difference. Some other action we saw this week, the other big game, another one, Mark. Mark was 100% correct about Georgia, Texas, in Athens. It looked like a close game through three quarters. And Georgia turned it on in the fourth, winning 35 to 10. A spectacular performance from Georgia, Mark. How are they able to do it? This Georgia team is big, physical, strong, and deep.

I mean, you talk about depth. Eight people catching passes, six people, gaining carries. And then this Georgia defense has not looked great at any point in this year. and then they come in against a Sarkesian offense against an Arch Manning who had turned his season around, and they whip up the longhorns. I said last week. They're going to need to trust Arch Manning to consistently make good decisions over long, extended drives. I do not see that happening.

That combined with Georgia's ability to adapt to their opponents and to shut them down in the second half specifically, that's why I'm picking Georgia in this game. I was right about that. Arch can't maintain extended drives that finish with touchdowns. Texas had two drives over eight plays long in the entire game. Their very first drive, which ended in a field goal, 13 plays 59 yards, six minutes. And their second to last drive, 13 plays 64 yards, 2 minutes, 17 seconds. Well, they also forced Arch Manning to really play his short game.

5.8 yards per pass, this Texas rushing offense was nothing. 23 total rushing yards on 17 carries. Georgia's had a really solid rushing defense all year long. That defensive front is strong. Their secondary, however, is weak. But they were forcing Texas to rely on screenplays on short passes right beyond the defensive line. Arch couldn't get the ball deep, and when he did it was either short or his receivers were

just dropping the ball. This has been a critique week after week we have had on this show. You cannot have a quarterback throw 40 passes and then have, less than 30 yards rushing and expect to take on the number five team in the country, or better yet, take on any team in the country. Something's not working. It's not clicking on your team. We have seen moments where it does, but this is still a 7 and 3 Texas Longhorn team.

Gutsy call from Kirby Smart there in the fourth quarter up 2110 to put up an onside kick and recover it. Shock Texas. I said last week, If Arch Manning stops playing smart and starts playing with, guts. Texas can win this game. Archmanning did not do that. That does come down at a certain point to play calling. I've long accused Sark of being too cute by half with his play calls. He trusts screen passes too much.

He relies way too much on misdirection and motion. And once you get a defense that's as disciplined as Georgia is, even if the talent's not quite there to the same degree it has been, once you get a disciplined defense, that's just going to stop working. That's why Georgia is Sark's kryptonite. But Manning, the looks they gave Manning, he looked scared. That's why I ended up losing 17 yards on rushes and sacks. It was a masterclass in play calling from Kirby Smart and Mike Bobo. Georgia deserves all the credit. Some other scores, we ought to say something about before the week rolls on. Texas A&M down 30 to 3, half time at home against South Carolina, and Shane Beamer collapses in the second half. And Texas A&M comes.

back 28 points to win 31.30. Entering Saturday, teams were 0 and 286 in Southeastern Conference play since 2004 when trailing by 27 points or more. Texas A&M this week made that 1 and 286. An absolute raucous occasion there at Kyle Field. Not sure how Mike Elko was able to pull it off, but Marcel Reed, a gem of a second half. Notre Dame 37, Pittsburgh 15, knocking, The Panthers, out of the rankings, Jeremiah Love, one of the plays of the year in college football. Let's cut to this one, courtesy of ESPN. Love. Jeremiah Love with a spin.

Here he goes. Jeremiah Love. A 56-yard touchdown run with a spin move. Nasty spin move. Michigan escapes from Northwestern. Bad news. Jordan Marshall was hurt. We turned the ball over five times.

Bryce Underwood throws two interceptions. Coming up in seven days, you have Ohio State. Justice Haynes, due to return for Ohio State? Question is, can Bryce Underwood and Bryce Underwood alone hold down the fort this week against Maryland? Miami obliterates NC State, keeping themselves in the playoff picture. Texas Tech destroys Central Florida. And Jacob Rodriguez gets his first rushing touchdown. Yes, he is a linebacker.

Yes, he is in the Heisman conversation. And so, yes, you best believe Joey McGuire is going to put him in to run for touchdowns. Georgia Tech eaks out a win in Boston, 36, 34. They're still in the driver's seat of the ACC. Ole Miss beats Florida 34-24 in a hard-fought game. Lastly, as Patrick predicted last week, TCU brings no fury and all furry. Losing to BYU, 44 to 13, we will close the book there on week 12. It's time to get to week 13, boys.

the deep breath before rivalry week in college football, but we've got some games, nonetheless. So let's start it off by going back to the Oklahoma Sooners. They will host the Missouri Tigers. Game is in Norman. Now, Amad Hardy last week for Missouri broke 250 yards rushing against Mississippi State. Early speculation is that Bo Probula will be returning for this game against Oklahoma. Things could potentially get interesting. Gentlemen, keys to the game, who's winning?

At home for Oklahoma, they just came off a much-needed win, and they're going into another much-needed win. Oklahoma's winning this. Where is Missouri's strength? It's in its rushing offense. Where is Oklahoma's strength? It's rushing defense. Look for that matchup on the offensive line this weekend.

That front seven for Oklahoma, watch for them to be roving around, scouting out those Missouri tigers. I'm going to say, I really do think that Oklahoma has this one being at home just off of a big win from Alabama, and I think their rushing defense is going to be the key here. Give me the Sooners. I think I agree with you there, but I'm going to give an if on my actual pick here. That if is just whether Bo Probula's back in the game. If Bo Probula's back in the game, I am going to take Missouri here. I think that Alabama has a much worse rushing offense than Missouri does. Missouri has probably the best rushing offense in the country. So when that is also balanced by a

strong passing offense with Bo Probula at the helm, Missouri is an elite offense who can play just about any defense in the country. If Bo Pribula's not there, this is a one-sided offense. Oklahoma's going to be able to just mall it constantly the entire game. Amad Hardy has less than 100 rushing yards and Oklahoma eaks out a really close hard-fought win. Gentlemen, last week in Tuscaloosa taught me to start believing. It taught me that. I didn't actually learn that because I don't believe. Give me Missouri in this game. Even if Bo Pribula isn't back, the Missouri passing offense, subpar though it is, is significantly better than OU's secondary. Kevin Coleman Jr., is an absolute baller.

It reminds me of Luther Burden there for Missouri. It's no coincidence he's wearing number three. Even if Oklahoma can stop Ahmaud Hardy, I think Kevin Coleman is going to wreak havoc in the passing game. And then Missouri's defense, anchored by Josiah Trotter, as I say again and again, can get it done. Oklahoma scores one touchdown in this game.

They could kick probably five field goals. I would not be surprised if the final score was 24, 22 in favor of Missouri. but I should not, I cannot, and I will not believe in Oklahoma until the season is over and they're 10 and 2. In a battle for who will be the third Big 10 team in the college football playoff, the USC Trojans had a couple hours north to Oregon to take on the Ducks. It's Lincoln Riley. It's Dan Lannning. The Trojans, 8 and 2. The Ducks, 9 and 1.

Neither team has looked especially hot in the previous weeks, and both most recently have escaped by the skin of their teeth against Iowa. Oregon has already lost at home once this year. Will they lose a second time, Patrick Hamilton? Yeah, so USC came out, battled the elements against an Iowa team, who looked like they were going to win for most of this game. I mean, they blew a huge lead. I was like, okay, Iowa, because I think I called Iowa to win.

I was like, great, let's do it. Iowa scored three touchdowns. That should be enough to win. what I'm saying. I mean, oh my gosh, we had Mark Grinowski through a touchdown. He caught a touchdown and he ran for a touchdown too. I know this dude is credible. And then all the sudden, as Iowa does, they end up losing. King Miller for USC came off the bench, killing it. You have Mayava. I think that he's having a better season than Dante Morris. Oregon, I think they've gotten a little too comfortable. USC can play from behind. So I'm going to

have to go with USC here. It hurts me to say, but I had to go USC. I like how you framed this Oregon team as They've grown complacent in their season. Sure, Oregon only has one loss. Sure, it's to Indiana, who is a great team, an elite team. Top three in the country, for sure. But they haven't shown me any greatness. Hold on a second here. Payton, the resident Oklahoma State fan.

You're telling me Oregon hasn't shown you any greatness this year. This Oklahoma State team looks really solid against an Oregon team that didn't look like I had too much going for it last week. And I would not be surprised if Oklahoma State pulls out in the end in year. Eugene. You have Oklahoma State, my team, losing 69 to 3. Oregon Ducks really prove their dominance. 69 to 3. Shout out to the Oklahoma State Cowboys. No, my team has shown me horrific football. I'm going back on my intentional grounding. I had called USC to be 8 and 4, Lincoln Riley to be on the hot seat, if not to lose his job, but that win over Iowa. I respect Iowa's defense. When they went up

210, I wasn't surprised. I thought, okay, now they could score one more touch. down win this game. They couldn't because USC just decided to lock in. I haven't seen anything like that out of Oregon. I haven't seen the energy. I haven't seen sheer will to get to a win. Where is the energy? Where is the dominance? Where is the sense that, yes, we are a great team in college football and we deserve to win. What you absolutely love to see. Pause, no more love to see from any of you. If I hear any of you say love to see, I will end you all. You all, you all do say like to see you a lot. It's true. Peyton, when you get a sideline warning with over a minute to go because your team in

torrential downpour is celebrating a hard-fought comeback win. This is good. I was what to say. I love to see it. I saw. I saw you. You love to see it. We have resentment towards Lincoln Riley. You have to respect him. He has energized this USC team. That is what you love to You just said it, Patrick! We need a love-to-see button. I don't know what type of college football y'all have been watching, but I think you're mistaken Lincoln Riley for Dan Lannning. Talk about complacency.

Dan Lannning doesn't do complacency. You talk about energizing. Lincoln Riley doesn't do energizing. I think you've got this game completely backwards. This is Oregon's game throughout. Give me Dan Lannning in this game. Give me three scores. I'm going with you there, Lewis.

I think, really, I do. I think that if Dante Moore is going to have a Heisman moment, it's going to be this game. This is a classic quarterback duel between two dynamic offenses, but I think Oregon is better. They're at home. Otson Stadium, one of the loudest stadiums in the country. It's a great atmosphere. This game is fireworks. But, Lewis, I completely agree with you.

If there's one man that is going to lead a team to victory, It's Dan Lannning. The Dan Campbell of college football, if you will. He's energetic. He gets his team pumped up. Lincoln Riley just doesn't have that aura that Dan Lending has. Dan Lending has aura. He has motion.

You mentioned how loud the stadium is. You know volume creates penalties. And penalties kill Lincoln Riley. A Lincoln Riley offense in motion tends to stay in motion. But if it is put to rest, it does not get going again. If it's first and 15, if it's second and 17, if it's third and eight, when this offense moves backward, it stalls. This is Lanning's game.

Two quick picks. We have to make Pittsburgh visits Georgia Tech, Georgia Tech, and control of the ACC also has a chance at an at-large bid. Pittsburgh just got knocked out of the top 25, but has looked good this year. Give me Georgia Tech. If there's one game this week that's on high-key, mega-alarm upset alert, it is this game. This is absolutely 100% a game that Pitt can win. I don't think they will. I'm picking Georgia Tech, but watch this game. It's going to be good.

Yeah, you have to trust Haynes King. He always does just enough. Give me Georgia Tech. I watched Mason Hinesh. She'll go and win in Doke Campbell Stadium. I think he can win at tech. I'm going to have to go with Pitt here. The Georgia Tech team built around Haynes King is just too weak, and there's only so much Haynes King can do for you. BYU, visit Cincinnati. Obviously, BYU in control of their destiny in the Big 12 will make the Big 12 championship game if they went out, and also have a chance at an at-large bid. They're visiting Cincinnati. Coach Satterfield had the Bearcats bumping, and then Brendan Soresby and the passing offense has taken a nosedive of recent. Can Cincinnati recover against BYU?

No, I don't think so. I think BYU is too good. That's the correct answer, Mark. Yes, BYU is too good. Give me BYU. I'm still high on Bachmire. Give me BYU. BYU. BYU took the committee's rankings personally from last week. When the committee dropped BYU five spots in the rankings, BYU said, okay, we haven't been in dominant. enough for you? You said, oh, we lost to Texas Tech by too many points. Okay, we're going to go to TCU, who's a good team this season, a good team, 44 to 13, Bear Bock Meyer, who looked not that great against Tech, came out and showed who he is, put up 44 points, give me BYU by at least two scores. They have something to prove if they want to get into the playoff,

and they're going to fight like hell for it. I won't stop believing in BYU. I won't stop believing in Navy either. Knocked USF out of the AAC championship race, kept their spot atop the AAC. They've got a chance as the group of five bid to the college football playoff. And if they get a rematch with North Texas, you better watch out, Mean Green, because the midshipman behind Blake Horvath, they're nasty. That's where we'll leave off this first half. The second half will begin in earnest here in six minutes. We will get into the FMF poll. You're listening to Radio Free Dale 101.7 FM. This is the four-man front. Stick with us. We'll see you in six. You're listening to Radio Free Hillsdale, 101.7 FM, and this is the second half of the four-man front.

I'm Louis Thune, and I am in the company of three guys responsible for the greatest pull ever constructed in the history of college football. To my left, Mark Ayers. Virginia Tech is about to have the most dominant team in the country for the next 18 years. We'll mark my words. I wanted them to go after Shane Beamer. The Frank Beamer era was amazing. They're at Tech. The place

was electric. I hope James Franklin can bring Blacksburg back. Can he do it? Patrick Hamilton. Virginia Tech's brand will mean something again. That's what I like to hear. When you look at Virginia Tech's schedule next year, they're maybe playing one top 10 team.

James Franklin is like what 4 and 20-something against top 10 teams. He still puts them into position to go 10 and 2, 11 and 1 next year. He still has his same pipelines. Great recruiter. Virginia Tech will consistently be 8, 9 plus win seasons for the next decade, at least. This is true. Virginia Tech recruits itself and Franklin recruits just as well. It's not going to be a problem of talent there at Virginia Tech. It's going to be a problem of execution. We've seen this season that when coaching gets out of the way of these players, they can win. This team started the year out atrocious and have actually fought their way to a pretty average season here in the ACCC without a coach. But that's of secondary

concern this segment because we're getting into the FMF poll. Paden, it hasn't changed. The reports are in in the third week of the FMF poll. It is still the number one poll in the history of college football. The college football playoff committee needs to take some notes because I absolutely love this ranking. Rightly so. Let's hop into it. Number one, as always, the invincible Ohio State Buckeyes. Invincible until rivalry week. We'll see how they fare against the Michigan Wolverines. Moving back up to number two are the Indiana Hoosiers after dropping to number three last week, mostly because Texas A&M was down 30 to 3 to South Carolina at half time. A&M is once again back at number three and number four are the Georgia Bulldogs. Strong performance against Texas. That one loss

to Alabama doesn't look too great considering what happened to Alabama this week. But now that the Georgia defense has established itself, this team is scary. At number five, them boys in Lubbock, Joey McGuire's 10 and one Texas Tech team, one of the most dominant forces in all of college football this year, Peyton. Exactly. I know I was just talking to you earlier this week about it, Lewis. I think Texas Tech is in contention for maybe the most dominant Big 12 run we have seen this century. Texas Tech is winning every game by 22 points. The one game they lost was to a good Arizona State team without their quarterback. There are some contenders in there.

Obviously, you had the Oklahoma State Cowboys in 2011. You had the Texas Longhorns in 2005, my opinion, the best team in Big 12 history. You had the Oklahoma Sooners in 2000. Bob Stoop's second year won the national championship. But this Texas Tech team, what they've done to this Big 12th, absent that loss to Arizona State, obviously down Barron Morton, has been impressive, even more impressive, Peyton. I know you've talked about it a lot, is Jacob Rodriguez,

this mustached linebacker for the Red Raiders, the number one defensive player in all of college football, bar none a season rivaling that of the great Manteau, a legitimate contender for the Heisman trophy. Jacob Rodriguez has now passed Manti Teo. I don't even think it's a debate, I'd say they're probably on equal footing, but for the sake of a defensive player winning the Heisman Trophy, I will support your movement to get Jacob Rodriguez to New York.

97 tackles, seven forced fumbles, six pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, four interceptions. Jacob Rodriguez alone has 13 turnovers, a rushing touchdown and a defensive touchdown. So if Jacob Rodriguez were on his own team, he would be the 18th best turnover defense in the country? Correct. He is the most dominant defensive force in the country, and it should not be contested. I don't know why he's not number one in every single Heisman ranking. We haven't seen a defensive force this dominant, and I don't even know how long.

And now we're looking at quarterbacks and we're trying to say, but no one's looked that good. Okay, then turn to defense. This is a fantastic player. Give him some credit. At number six, the Ole Miss Rebels at 10 and 1, another close game against the Florida Gators this week. Lane Kiffin was tired of one score game so he scored in garbage time to make it two. Always in the driver's seat

and always one bad turn away from crashing and burning. Live fast. It's the Lane Kiffin way. Number seven, the Oregon Ducks. At number eight, boy do I love to say it. The Oklahoma Sooners. I'm glad we can have this one.

I'm not convinced it'll be this way at the end of the season. Theoretically, Oklahoma would be hosting a college football playoff game in the first round. In that game, they would be hosting the number nine if it were to be conducted by the FMF poll. BYU Cougars 9 and 1. Number 10 are the Notre Dame fighting Irish. Okay, wait, hold on a second, guys.

How did Notre Dame destroying Pitt get jumped by BYU destroying TCU? If I recall, Pitt was a ranked team last week and Notre Dame was playing in Pittsburgh, whereas TCU was unranked and BYU was playing in Provo. What happened in the past week that I didn't see? I have been very low on pits, and coming into this year, TCU has looked a lot better. I mean, Notre Dame went to Acrecher Stadium, which normal people will know as Heinz Field, that is the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Panthers, and they went and ran that game from beginning to end.

The criteria that we look at in this poll are dominant strength and consistency. Notre Dame's a two-lossed team. They've faced two ranked teams, and they lost both matches. counter that with BYU. BYU has run through the Big 12, set aside Texas Tech, who we've already established as one of the best teams in Big 12 history this deck this century. BYU is 9 and 1. They're not a two-loss team. They've beaten Utah, who we also value very highly. They have earned their position above Notre Dame. I think dominance and consistency operate far more independently from schedule than you're currently estimating because

we have a strength of schedule category. I don't think there's many teams that have been more dominant than Notre Dame this year. Certainly not BYU since their blown win against Texas A&M that bumped to them

to O&2, Notre Dame has played like the best team in the country. And Jeremiah Love has made his case to be the Heisman Trophy winner. What you have to re-look at, though, is your statement that, since they're blown win,

you're having to just erase the two, losses to start the season. You're having to erase the fact that they started the season 0 and 2. You don't have to do that with BYU. You can just say, oh, yeah, look, they're 9 and 1. They have one loss. They've won everything else. They have a better strength of schedule. Like, you don't have to make anything up. You don't have to erase wins or erase losses for BYU. I'm not erasing those. I'm saying that Notre Dame has clearly been the more dominant team. And especially that's the case in the past eight games. I had them very close in my ranking.

but what I did want to give to BYU is the fact that they have a dominant win over Utah. I would hesitate to call BYU's win against Utah dominant. I obviously to a lesser extent, but very analogous to the Oklahoma-Alabama game. As much as I've rooted for BYU, obviously they had to come back against Colorado, against Arizona, and then against Iowa State. I don't see the same degree of dominance for them as I see for Notre Dame, or consistency, for that matter. And that may be so.

I still think they deserve their spot above Notre Dame as of right now because I do think they have been consistent enough and dominant enough combined with their one less loss than Notre Dame. Fair enough. At 11, the first team out is the Alabama Crimson Tide that lost to Oklahoma, a shot to the Tide's playoff hopes. DeBowers' first loss in Bryant-Denny Stadium. They're an absolutely must-win territory now,

and I'm circling that Auburn game on the schedule if I'm a Tide fan, because you know crazy stuff happens in the Iron Bowl. At number 12, the Utah Utes steady on it since their losses to Texas Tech and BYU. If they can get some help from the other conferences and teams in the lead-up, they will have a legitimate case to enter into the college football playoff. At number 13, the Miami Hurricanes. Now, they are not currently in contention for the ACC championship game.

They will need some help. So they would still miss out on the college football playoff in our reckoning. but that head-to-head win over Notre Dame is keeping them up there. The Cains look all right. Team A has a head-to-head win over Team B. They have the same record, eight and two. Team A has three top-25 wins and five FPI top-35 wins. Team B has two top-25 wins and two FPI top-35 wins.

Who are you going to pick? Generally, I would pick the team with the head-to-head win. My concern for this Miami team and the reason I have Notre Dame convincingly above them is that Notre Dame hasn't looked bad yet this season. Miami looked legitimately bad in the SMU game and pretty bad in the Louisville game. One of the biggest concerns for me in ranking a team, have they looked bad? If they've consistently looked good, average, even serviceable, it's okay. But when you have that intense fluctuation, like my Oklahoma Sooners, I'm going to devalue them.

That's true. My only point is right now, Notre Dame is, being propped up largely on eye test. And I think if it comes down to it, that head to head against Miami, especially if Miami wins out and beats Pittsburgh, that's going to come in clutch for the Cains. And I think if they're ranked next to each other, Miami should be above. Number 14, the Georgia Tech yellow jackets currently in the lead in the ACC. So if the college football playoff were to start today, they would be in it. At number 15, the USC Trojans, Lincoln Riley's boys, as much as I hate to admit it, look good. Number 16 in our biggest difference from the college football playoff

poll, the Vanderbilt Commodores. Boys just haven't looked good enough this year. No, I'm not convinced by Vanderbilt. I simply am not. Their best win is against Missouri, which was the game that Bo Pabula got injured in. They've lost to Alabama. They've lost to Texas. They had a mediocre win against Auburn. They had a decent win against LSU, but I mean, who believes in LSU really? And that Texas game, they looked bad in that Texas game up until the fourth quarter. That was not as close a game as it seemed. And the South Carolina game is the game where Lenora Sellers got injured. I mean, they've had incredible luck this year with opposing teams QBs getting injured.

They legitimately could lose these next two games. That's right, even against Kentucky, I just don't have faith in Vandy. Well, that's not to say that Vanderbilt's not a good team. Keep in mind, we still have them at number 16. That's still top 20 in the country. We're just giving a little bit of a reality check. on what may be a little bit too much bias towards Vanderbilt. That's right. That's right.

And that's why I think they're justly at number 16, because right with them at 17 and 18 are Michigan and Virginia. These are three teams that have lost two games apiece, but their wins just haven't been that convincing. They've seemed very one-dimensional, and they haven't been able to put up a fight against those prime opponents that we see in the top 15. At number 19, the Texas Longhorns at 7 and 3, one of the most bipolar teams in college football, thus is the way of Steve Sarkishan.

At number 20, the Houston Cougars, in a year they were expected to lose and lose a lot. Willie Fritz has built these Cougars into the second best Cougars in the Big 12th, Biden. Yeah, I just want to point out, I am not the one who had the Cougars the highest rated. I think they're a good team. I don't know if they're number 20, though. I think there's a pretty big difference between the top three big 12 teams and the rest of the big 12 as much as I hate to say it. I think Houston's good and they'd probably go above 500 and most other conferences. I just, I don't trust them yet. I'm not sure I trust them a whole lot

either, but what Willie Fritz has shown me with this team is that despite the fact that they're young, they're able to come through in the clutch. They have those close wins and those are games that they've played close throughout. They're a team like BYU, in my opinion, that just knows how to win. And for that reason, I'm trusting them. At number 21, North Texas and number 22, James Madison are two representatives from the group of five. They will be duking it out for the automatic bid to the college football playoff. James Madison in the Sunbelt, North Texas in the American Conference.

Better watch out for Navy, though. I said it in closing. Number 23, Missouri, number 24, Tennessee, and rounding out the top 25, surprisingly, is the Tulane Green Wave. We agree with the CFP pull on that, even though Coach John Somerall said his team does not deserve to be ranked, we're going to give Tulane love. They've earned it. Also receiving votes this week, but not enough to break the top 25. The Illinois Fighting Aligni at number 26. The Navy midshipman at number 27, number 28, the Arizona State Sun Devils, number 29, the Louisville Cardinals, and number 30, the Pittsburgh Panthers. Ladies and gentlemen, the FMF poll, week three.

All right, gentlemen, there's four topics on the coaching carousel right now. I need to get your opinions. Lane Kiffin is rumored to be the next head coach of the Florida Gators. Ole Miss football has delivered him in ultimatum. He has refused to answer. a question straight about whether he's going to Gainesville. One thing's for sure, Florida can pay him a lot more than Ole Miss. James Franklin has finalized the deal to be the next coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies. We said a little bit about it opening this second half of the show. Can he bring Blacksburg back to relevance in college football? Shane Beamer, the coach of South Carolina, has not yet been fired despite leading a three-win game Cox team, but as promised his fans that come this time next year,

the South Carolina Gamecocks will be in playoff contention. The only question is, will he be there for it? Finally, Alex Golesh, the coach of the South Florida Bulls, had to abruptly cancel a media interview there in South Florida. The speculation is he is in talks with another school to become the next head coach. Will he stay at South Florida, or is he too high value a target? Gentlemen, we're only going to talk about one. What do you want to talk about? The Lane Kiffin one is the most interesting because on one end he says he's staying, but then also to everybody around him says that he's leaving. Every man has a price. Loyalty in Lane Kiffin's career has not been a recurring theme. And Gainesville, no doubt, is offering him a bag and a half. But he's built something

here at Ole Miss Payton. There is real culture there. This team is 10 and 1. Their one egg bowl win against Mississippi State away from the college football playoff. Why? would he leave? I honestly don't know why. I think he should say 100%. Like you said, he has built something here. As much as I like to rag on Ole Miss, I think that they're not very consistent. I think they're probably overrated. You have to respect that they are a 10-win team in a power-for conference. They are 10-1 this season. And I think they've had at least 10 wins in the last three seasons as well. So he's a 10-win team for four seasons straight. We need coaches who are staying with their teams and not leaving for a team in the same conference just to state away. I would lose so

much respect for Lane Kiffin. They love the guy in Oxford. Mark Ayers, our resident deep Southerner. They love Lane Kiffin there, and he's taking this Ole Miss program, as crazy it is to say, to heights they've never been to before. Remnants of the Eli Manning era, they're at Ole Miss now. Is he leaving? Is he staying? I think he's going to stay. He's built his entire brand at Old Miss about loyalty. Come to the sip, stay in the sip, play in the sip. That's his whole, that's his stick. I don't think you can just up and leave and try to recreate that sort of vibe and dynamic

at a place like, let's say, Florida. It's not going to work twice. You're not going to convince people, guys, I'm invested in you. I'm a coach who cares about you and I'm not leaving. I really do think he's going to stay in Ole Miss. I think he knows that he's right on the cusp of having something really

special. I can say, it would honestly surprise me if Lane Kiffin went to Gainesville with as much of a meamer and a troll and a social media addict that he is. I think the most likely scenario is that he pulls a Lincoln Riley to an even greater degree than Lincoln Riley. I think there's a chance, Lane Kiffin, let's everyone think he's going to Florida and then goes to LSU. Gentlemen, let's can it there. To the intentional grounding, we go, you know the rules. There is something that needs to be said before this next week of

college football kicks off. Fair or foul, you're getting the ball. out of your hand? Gentlemen, what's on your mind? I really can't believe this is a hot take, but apparently it is. If Miami and Notre Dame both finish the season, 10 and 2, there is no world, no world in which you put Notre Dame in the playoffs at the expense of Miami. If you have to choose, you go with Miami every time they deserve it. They have the head-to-head win.

It's foolish and it's dishonest to the sport of football. ball to say anything otherwise. I'll go next then, Mark. Steve Sarkesian is going to be on the hot seat. I know he's coming off a great season last year, but there's been a little video going around on social media of Steve Sarkesian from three years ago, 2022 saying, mark my words, in the next three or four years, Texas will be always competing in the playoff for national championships.

They will be SEC champions. And what happened this year? Sure, they had a good season last year. Didn't win the SEC. didn't win the championship, now you're a three-lossed team through 10 games. He's going to lose another one at A&M. He's a four-loss coach after promising that by now they would be champions, he hasn't lived up to it.

And he hasn't even looked that great this year. He's at least on the hot seat. I don't think there's a candidate out there as good as Sarkesian. But it would not surprise me now that the Texas fans have sipped from the cup, now that they know what it tastes like, that they start getting angry. Steve Sarkesian for not taking them back there this year. And if he doesn't perform next year, yeah. That seat should not be as hot as it is, but I agree with it.

I don't hate your pick, but I think that Texas is going to beat Texas A&M at the end of the season. I don't hate this. This is my hot take. I am really worried about what I saw in South Carolina, and we see that Texas, they get out early and against Vanderbilt, they're able to maintain their lead, and I think that we're going to see a Texas A&M loss, and I think that is what's going to save Sarkisians, but from being fired this year.

Here's what I will say to close out this episode. I was a young college football fan, but I remember when Tim Tebow made Florida fans a promise. I remember it because he fulfilled that promise, and he beat Oklahoma in the national championship. Shane Beamer promised South Carolina fans they would be in national championship contention, college football playoff contention next year,

and I'm inclined to believe him. I will never stop believing in Lenora Sellers. He is the best quarterback in the SEC. He has an atrocious offensive line. Shane Beamer has not helped him out at all. But what you just saw against that Texas A&M Aggies team is the ceiling of what South Carolina can be. If South Carolina decides to stick with Shane Beamer

and they don't fire him after this season, they are going all in for one more year to know for sure that he's not the guy. And if South Carolina goes all in on recruiting, on NIL, on targeting transfers, on building an offense around Lenora Sellers, and keeping this defense that has shown itself capable when the offense can keep it off the field for 35 minutes of the game. South Carolina will be a legitimately scary team. That's where we will end this week 13 episode of the four-man front. The college football season is closing down.

The postseason will begin shortly. Next week is rivalry week. And we will cover as much of it as humanly possible. That is our commitment to you here on the four-man front. It's college football and nothing else. For Mark Ayers, Payton Hughes, and Patrick Hamilton, I'm Lewis Thune, and this has been the four-man front. You're listening to Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM. Happy football, folks. You know,