December 19, 2025 • 19 mins
Bucky Brooks and Rhett Lewis preview Round 1 of the College Football Playoff. Later, they ponder if there's any chance Fernando Mendoza plays another year in college, before predicting what NFL teams will make of Drew Allar after his season ending injury.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
And now Move the Sticks with Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks.
All right, friends, welcome back to another episode of Move
the Sticks. Here going for you talking about the college
Football Playoff re at Lewis Bucky Brooks ready to rocket
roll as we get set for the first round of
the College Football Playoff home games for the teams that
(00:24):
are the higher seeds. And we'll start with Friday nights
match up between Oklahoma and Alabama. This one coming from Norman, Oklahoma.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Here a battle.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Look Oklahoma in Alabama, no strangers now these last two years.
Oklahoma probably feels pretty good about this. So does Bama.
Bama's the issue here for me, and we talked a
little bit about this with Bruce Feldman. The issue of attrition,
especially on the offensive side of the ball in the
run game. Kit Ty Simpson, you know, really put this
(00:56):
team on his shoulders and make it go on the road.
That to me is one of the biggest questions. How
do you see this one from a first clients here?
Speaker 3 (01:04):
But look, man, I think is everything that you talked about.
If they're gonna have to put it on Todd Simpson
showed us to do it, then he's gonna need his
wide receivers to step up, So Bernard and Williams are
gonna have to play at a high level. Now, if
you ask me ahead of the season, I'd be like, Hey,
that's okay, because Ryan Williams is going to dominate. He's
one of the best wide receivers in college football. And
then whatever. But I'll say this last part of the year,
(01:26):
he was beginning to look more like himself, beginning to
look like he could have flashes of dominance. And if
he can just kind of re emerge, he doesn't even
have to be wide receiver one. If he can be
one B to what Bernard is doing as one A.
They have enough. And the one thing we do know
about that offensive system going all the way back to
when they were in Washington, Man, they can find the
(01:48):
big plays if you give them opportunities. But a lot
of it's going to be on the protection. If they
protect Ty Simpson well enough, can they find some matchups
down the field that allow them to get those dis
closer plays the points?
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Yeah, I mean, and look, I mean Oklahoma was opportunistic
the last time these two teams met, which was a
twenty three twenty one Oklahoma win. Eli Bowen had the
eighty seven yard pick six, they blocked a field goal attempt,
and they got points off short fields after a long returns.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
I mean, like, hey, that's how you win.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
That's how you win football games against against you know,
really high caliber competition. You got to take advantage of
opportunities in Alabama made too many mistakes.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
Yeah, but can you count on dead all over again? No?
Speaker 2 (02:28):
You can't.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Can you count I mean, can you count on the
horseshoes and the lucky rabbits feet to point you out
of that? I think if you're Alabama you may take
even more confidence from that, saying, Gods, if we don't
turn the ball over, we're going to have an opportunity
because Oklahoma's offense can't put up enough points. And as
Bruce talked about, twenty one b in the magic number.
(02:49):
If I am Alabama, and it's gonna be hard to
have this conversation with Ryan Grubb to be like, hey, man,
if we don't turn it over, if we just kind
of nickel and dime and find a way to take
three here and seven day and three here, we can
manufacture enough points to win the game. But if Bama
takes that approach. They one should be able to go
on the road to be Oklahoma and North.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
Yeah, and look, I mean that's Oklahoma has been offense deficient.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Let's just put it that way. They're ninety fifth in.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
College football in terms of yards per play, eighty ninth
in points per drive. Look, not a not a terrific
way to enter the CFP. But look, they've been getting
it done, as we said, you know, relying on other
factors and other ways to manufacture points. That's going to
be tough to rely on that Again, they're gonna need
more from John Materier and company. I think that's that's
(03:37):
pretty clear. Let's move to the Saturday slate here, Buck,
and I think, look, the maybe the game of the
weekend is Texas A and M and Miami.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Right, what does this one look like to you at first?
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Blush? Well, one, NFL scouts are gonna be all over
the place taking at these guys. When you just look
at the number of names in the trenches, you have
to love it. When I think about Miami, going back
and looking at how the battle was won, the most
experienced quarterbacks led the longest playoff runs. And so if
(04:08):
you think about Carson Beck being a guy who has
played a ton of football, He's played a ton of
high leverage games. He understands the moment this might be
his showcase. But regards of what we talk about in
terms of draft positioning, those things that experience could matter.
And because so many people were so vocal about Miami
getting in, do they deserve it or not? I feel
(04:31):
like this is just what Mario Crystabaal wants, a little
edginess from his Miami Hurricanes taking on look a Texas
A and M team that also has a little edge
to it after losing to their rival, the Texas Longhorns.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Yeah, and I'm curious to see how the defenses really
kind of play into this thing in terms of have
it created in terms of you know, big plays created
impact plays, you know, and can you force especially with
A and M, like, can you force Miami to you know,
non advantageous situations in terms of down in distance, Can
(05:07):
you force Carson Beck to force one into coverage?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Right?
Speaker 1 (05:11):
Can you get a little pressure to take advantage of
some of the mistakes that we've seen in the losses
that Miami has had, And that to me, it will
be one of like if Carson beck stays clean. I
feel pretty good about Miami, especially with the way that
they can play on the other side of the ball.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Yeah, because on the other side of the ball, rubyen
Bain is terrific. Now. I think this is a big
game for him because from a draft standpoint, people are wondering,
can he be dominant enough to be a number one
pass rusher right next level? And now you're playing against
an athletic quarterback and Marceill Reid who can give you
problems inside and outside the pocket. So his power rushing play,
(05:49):
his ability to dominate on the edges is going to
show up for a and m You know, sometimes loss
is going right into it. I mean, i'all just think
about Ohio State last year. Is just to wake up
call that you need to be able to reset, refocus,
and kind of get back on track in terms of
the way that you want to play. I am so
fascinated by what Mike Elko will do to have his
(06:12):
team ready, not only like mentally, but from a schematic standpoint,
to really throw some stuff at this Miami Hurricanes team
that could give them problems.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
How do you think this?
Speaker 1 (06:23):
I feel like this matchup in particular is one to
watch in terms of the home field advantage, you know,
with two you know, kind of as close to evenly
matched teams as we'll see on Saturday, right with the
other two matchups that we'll get to. How does the
fact that this is at Kyle Field in College station
play into Texas A and M's hands with Miami.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
That's why I love this part of the playoff.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
I mean, it's it's everything because you think about that
defense being frothian, what they want to do to change
the picture pre snap, post snap, all of that, the
jumps that the pass rushers are going to get on
Carson back in terms of just being able to anticipate it,
particularly as you talked about those favorable long yarded situations,
gotta have it pass situations. I think it's a huge
(07:07):
advantage and it's one that I look for. I think
last year all the home did, all the home teams went,
I think all the yeah, yeah. I think it's a
huge advantage. And for Texas A and M it should
be a significant advantage because I think didn't play their
best the last time we saw them. They're a much
better team. They've been a dominant team all year. I
expect us to see more that version of the Aggies,
in the version that we saw the last time they
(07:28):
were on TV.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
Yeah, and look, I think I like Marcel Reid in
clutch time. I mean we saw that against Notre Dame
right at the very end to go and.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Get that dug.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
So I would give that edge Marcel Reid maybe a
little bit over Carson Beck at this point in those
types of situations with the game on the line.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
So I mean this, that one's gonna be worth the
price of admission ten times over.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Yeah with it. And I will say this, Remember the
Texas game, Marcel Reid has an injury. He had an injury.
He goes out for a couple of series with the knee,
and I actually thought he was done, but then he
comes back in plays. So Natty's had a little time
to recover from that. Do we see the superstar version
of Marceill Reed that we've seen for most of the year.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Yeah, yeah, Okay.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Next up we get the two non Power conference entries
into the College Football Playoff. It's number eleven, two Lane
at number six Old Miss. Now we've seen this matchup
before and it was it was a beatdown. Ole Miss
took care of business the way you would expect an
SEC team to do against a team from the American Conference.
(08:36):
And then we look at James Madison, James Madison going
across the country to battle the Oregon Ducks at Austin Stadium.
Let's first start with the matchup we've already seen. Does
Twu Lane make this a more compelling game this time
around in the CFP and Oxford?
Speaker 3 (08:53):
You know, I wish I could fast forward to know
if Lane kiv is going to take John Summer up
on his offer the coaches boxing with them, you know,
because then if that's the case, then yeah, it's gonna
be a different game. I think the playoff pressure makes
the game tighter than it was in the regular season
(09:14):
just because of the winner go home implications. I think
Old Miss plays a little tighter despite being the prohibitive
favorite and knowing that they have Wax two lame before
that matters. And also the disruption is schedule in terms
of the assistant coaches not coming, then they're coming and
trying to put together a game plan. In Pete Golden's debut,
I think it's a little bumpy for them early, but
(09:36):
at the end of the day, the superior talent wins out,
and that's why I'm gonna lean towards Old Miss being
able to kind of get it done again, but not
by the same margin that they won the first time.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Yeah, yeah, I think I think this will be a
tighter game. And you know, I think this one, though,
ultimately it's just so difficult.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
I mean, look, the.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
It's easy to picked the upset here because nobody's gonna
remember it if it doesn't happen.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
But uh but look, yeah, if you if you pick the.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Upset then and you come out on top grade, you're
you're no Stradamis. But I just I don't I don't
see a path for two lane against against this Ole
Miss team, even though they've had the coaching transition. But
I do think that's maybe part of what makes this
just a little bit tighter. Although two lanes, you know,
even though John Summer still there, like tu Lane has
been dealing with that as well, So I think there's
a lot of transition there.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
But ultimately I think this one is a little bit closer.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
James Madison and Oregon, Man, that's that's an interesting one.
Oregon without i mean, without the full attention of will
Stein and Toashlupoi, who have both taken uh the organ
Ducks offensive defensive coordinator respectively. You have both taken head
coaching jobs, will Stein going to Kentucky and Tosh going
(10:57):
to his alma Moderate Cal. How do you think that
affects Dan Lanning? You think he's the type of coach that,
you know, what, whatever gaps I gotta fill, they're going
to get filled.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
And I don't.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
There's no not to say that there was going to
be an excuse, but there's no there's no lack with
this Oregon teams in terms of coaching staff and in
terms of preparation. That's the kind of the way that
I feel like, I don't. I think Dan Lanning is
the type of coach that does not let something like
this affect them that way.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
How do you see that piece of it for Orgon?
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Okay, So look we're talking about the guy who Rado's
principal playing the bill before they did Wisconsin two years ago,
the white out thing in State, the way that he
stuck it to Oklahoma State. It doesn't matter if he's
coaching the team by him himself, that sreaking is going
to be raised play because the one we know about
(11:49):
Dan Lanning, he is going to be about his business
when it comes to this. This team is going to
be on edge. Look, man, of all the matchups that
I'm worried about, I was worried about jam you having
to go all the way across the country to take
on Oregon because this one we can talk about David
in your life. But I don't like the way this
looks from beginning to end. I think Oregon rolls, and
(12:11):
I think this is going to be a nice opportunity
for the world to be exposed to the tied end,
who I think is terrific in Kenyon Sadi. Yeah, I
think I think Oregon is going to put all of
this on display so they can get ready for the
next round. Like to me, not that this is a
preseason game, but they're going to have an eye towards
the next round. They want to play well so they
(12:32):
build some momentum going into the next round of turnament.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Yeah, I agree with you.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
Now, I mean like this is an interesting, you know,
discussion point for Dante more. Do you feel like his
performance in the CFP affects at all his decision making
when it comes to the draft.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
You know what I used to think that until I
read the article about how he talked about the reset
the red shirt really worked for him. I'm a slow
cooking the process because he was in such a rush
to play at UCLA and it didn't work out for him,
and now being able to take a step back, learn
(13:10):
from Dylan Gabriel started these games this year, continue to
get better. We all know about the money operation around Oregon.
I don't think it does that. I think if he
thinks long term, he's only twenty years over it, like
he's a like. I think if he takes long term
into it, I don't think the outcome of the CF
has anything to do with what his decision is going
(13:32):
to be when it comes to the draft.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
Yeah, and look, I mean they are dominant. I think
this game gets decided in the trenches. They are dominant
up front. Really, the only team that's that's you know,
even come close to bullying them would have been Indiana
in that game at Austin on the offensive and defensive
sides of the ball. But I just think with with
with Washington, with Bear Alexander Tatum to eot Matao Junglula, like,
(13:57):
I think that's where this game ultimately gets decided is
shutting shutting down that powerful James Madison run game, because
if you shut that down, I think you'll you'll force
a Lonza Barnett into some mistakes and you'll get some
pressure on it, even though he can get out and
run and make some place too with his legs, the
quarterback at JMU. But I certainly feel like they'll again
James Madison will has never been in an environment like
(14:19):
this at audtsin that will play a role here again
one of the one.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Of the Yeah.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
I mean a lot of facts going across the country. Yeah,
Coach Simming, maybe a little distracted taking a job at
U c l A having to do that and then
just knowing what you're walking into when you deal with
Oregon and look it rings. I just remember hearing Dan
Lanning talk about losing to Indiana and how they were
(14:46):
out coached and how there were so many lessons for
them to learn, like a reset. Yeah, I just cannot
I can't envision this team not being ready to play
like from regardless of who JM You is. I don't
even think they think think about it being jam you.
They're just the team that's on the field. But we're
going to play to our brand and our standard.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
Yeah, and Buck, I think this is maybe a good
point here because we're talking about some of these quarterbacks
that are potential you know, NFL guys here in this
year's draft, and while Dante Moore is one of those,
but could certainly come back, and there's a lot of
reasons to do so. Fernando Mendoza, you know, certainly is
QB one, even though he's got another year if he
wants to come back, if he really wants to, I'm
(15:27):
not saying he's going to He's QB one right now.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
I mean, look, look, I think there are a lot
one I have no idea when anybody's eligibility runs up.
Now nobody does. It goes.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
I think next year we'll have a better grasp.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
But you just keep playing and keep playing until, like
I guess, it's done. But yeah, Mendoza, look, I know
Mendoza has to be excited, you know. I know people
talk about the Heisman Trophy first or jinx or whatever,
but I think that team is so well coached, and
I mean it's been an infomercial like seeing Kurse Signetti
(16:00):
sixty minutes and all the other stuff. Yeah, I mean
those would be locked and loaded and ready to go
when he has an opportunity to take the ball.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
Yes, okay, So my next point is about Drew Aller.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Drew Aller.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Last year probably could have if he'd have come out,
probably would have been a first round pick.
Speaker 3 (16:21):
He would have made people, He would have many people
have to make hard decisions, hard decision and it would
have been a projection over production conversation that we would
have had on path to the draft, because when you
look at his traits, he checks off a lot of
the boxes that you look for in a franchise quarterback.
He elected to go back, he gets hurt, and now
(16:41):
we don't have the same conversation that we would have had.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
So now, how how will we and we'll finish here
on this. How will we evaluate him? How are scouts?
How are executives who view or are tantalized by frame,
by athleticism, by arm talent? Right, Yet never really saw
it all come together consistently. And now we got to
(17:05):
throw the season ending injury, which look, it was an ankle,
it was fixed. It shouldn't be a problem for him
moving forward, but it might limit the way we evaluate him.
Over the course of the next couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Where do we start with Aler?
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Well, one, I think he's a perfect project for a
team that already has a quarterback. Yeah, I think I'm
not saying that he would be on the Rams watch this,
but if you already have a quarterback in place and
it's not imminent, did I need my next guy. He's
a perfect developmental prospect. And normally you want to take
those guys Day two, second, third round, third round, preferably
(17:39):
if you could to be able to stash him, develop
it and see what you have down the line, because
it doesn't cost anything, like it's a pretty risk averse pick. Oh,
he's going to get a shot. And I think that's
the thing. And the more do we talk about this
quarterback class, Rhett, it is Mendoza and whatever. And when
you think about the draft class combined with the free
(18:03):
agent class, if you are in need of a quarterback
in twenty twenty six, good luck, Yeah yeah, I mean,
I mean good luck because the supply just isn't there
for the demand that we have. We talked about Okay,
if you talk about the Jets need one, the Raiders
need one. I mean, there's so many teams that need them.
(18:23):
They're just not enough. So you're gonna have to throw
some darts up there.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
That's what you gotta do.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
And hope that your scouts and hope that your evaluation
process on Earth's all the goods you need to feel
comfortable about that situation.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Look, we've seen it happen before.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
But you know what, I can't wait. I can't wait
till the calendar flips. And then on Paths to the Draft,
we talk about these quarterbacks and the ones that we
dismissed so mightily in the fall.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Oh yeah, then we're back. We're back on them. We're
back on, come on, we're back.
Speaker 3 (18:53):
You never know. The combine was great. Look at the tools.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Yes, Oh the path to the draft, folks is It's
a tricky journey, but one that is full of drama,
twists and turns, and always entertaining, just like this episode
of Move the Thanks. We appreciate you guys for being
a board here. I'll enjoy the College Football Playoff this weekend.
We look forward to being back with you next week
with for a bunch more reaction to CFB and a
(19:18):
big weekend of NFL football as we get down into
this final stretch of this regular season,
And now Move the Sticks with Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks.
All right, friends, welcome back to another episode of Move
the Sticks. Here going for you talking about the college
Football Playoff re at Lewis Bucky Brooks ready to rocket
roll as we get set for the first round of
the College Football Playoff home games for the teams that
(00:24):
are the higher seeds. And we'll start with Friday nights
match up between Oklahoma and Alabama. This one coming from Norman, Oklahoma.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Here a battle.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Look Oklahoma in Alabama, no strangers now these last two years.
Oklahoma probably feels pretty good about this. So does Bama.
Bama's the issue here for me, and we talked a
little bit about this with Bruce Feldman. The issue of attrition,
especially on the offensive side of the ball in the
run game. Kit Ty Simpson, you know, really put this
(00:56):
team on his shoulders and make it go on the road.
That to me is one of the biggest questions. How
do you see this one from a first clients here?
Speaker 3 (01:04):
But look, man, I think is everything that you talked about.
If they're gonna have to put it on Todd Simpson
showed us to do it, then he's gonna need his
wide receivers to step up, So Bernard and Williams are
gonna have to play at a high level. Now, if
you ask me ahead of the season, I'd be like, Hey,
that's okay, because Ryan Williams is going to dominate. He's
one of the best wide receivers in college football. And
then whatever. But I'll say this last part of the year,
(01:26):
he was beginning to look more like himself, beginning to
look like he could have flashes of dominance. And if
he can just kind of re emerge, he doesn't even
have to be wide receiver one. If he can be
one B to what Bernard is doing as one A.
They have enough. And the one thing we do know
about that offensive system going all the way back to
when they were in Washington, Man, they can find the
(01:48):
big plays if you give them opportunities. But a lot
of it's going to be on the protection. If they
protect Ty Simpson well enough, can they find some matchups
down the field that allow them to get those dis
closer plays the points?
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Yeah, I mean, and look, I mean Oklahoma was opportunistic
the last time these two teams met, which was a
twenty three twenty one Oklahoma win. Eli Bowen had the
eighty seven yard pick six, they blocked a field goal attempt,
and they got points off short fields after a long returns.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
I mean, like, hey, that's how you win.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
That's how you win football games against against you know,
really high caliber competition. You got to take advantage of
opportunities in Alabama made too many mistakes.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
Yeah, but can you count on dead all over again? No?
Speaker 2 (02:28):
You can't.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Can you count I mean, can you count on the
horseshoes and the lucky rabbits feet to point you out
of that? I think if you're Alabama you may take
even more confidence from that, saying, Gods, if we don't
turn the ball over, we're going to have an opportunity
because Oklahoma's offense can't put up enough points. And as
Bruce talked about, twenty one b in the magic number.
(02:49):
If I am Alabama, and it's gonna be hard to
have this conversation with Ryan Grubb to be like, hey, man,
if we don't turn it over, if we just kind
of nickel and dime and find a way to take
three here and seven day and three here, we can
manufacture enough points to win the game. But if Bama
takes that approach. They one should be able to go
on the road to be Oklahoma and North.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
Yeah, and look, I mean that's Oklahoma has been offense deficient.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Let's just put it that way. They're ninety fifth in.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
College football in terms of yards per play, eighty ninth
in points per drive. Look, not a not a terrific
way to enter the CFP. But look, they've been getting
it done, as we said, you know, relying on other
factors and other ways to manufacture points. That's going to
be tough to rely on that Again, they're gonna need
more from John Materier and company. I think that's that's
(03:37):
pretty clear. Let's move to the Saturday slate here, Buck,
and I think, look, the maybe the game of the
weekend is Texas A and M and Miami.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Right, what does this one look like to you at first?
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Blush? Well, one, NFL scouts are gonna be all over
the place taking at these guys. When you just look
at the number of names in the trenches, you have
to love it. When I think about Miami, going back
and looking at how the battle was won, the most
experienced quarterbacks led the longest playoff runs. And so if
(04:08):
you think about Carson Beck being a guy who has
played a ton of football, He's played a ton of
high leverage games. He understands the moment this might be
his showcase. But regards of what we talk about in
terms of draft positioning, those things that experience could matter.
And because so many people were so vocal about Miami
getting in, do they deserve it or not? I feel
(04:31):
like this is just what Mario Crystabaal wants, a little
edginess from his Miami Hurricanes taking on look a Texas
A and M team that also has a little edge
to it after losing to their rival, the Texas Longhorns.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Yeah, and I'm curious to see how the defenses really
kind of play into this thing in terms of have
it created in terms of you know, big plays created
impact plays, you know, and can you force especially with
A and M, like, can you force Miami to you know,
non advantageous situations in terms of down in distance, Can
(05:07):
you force Carson Beck to force one into coverage?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Right?
Speaker 1 (05:11):
Can you get a little pressure to take advantage of
some of the mistakes that we've seen in the losses
that Miami has had, And that to me, it will
be one of like if Carson beck stays clean. I
feel pretty good about Miami, especially with the way that
they can play on the other side of the ball.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Yeah, because on the other side of the ball, rubyen
Bain is terrific. Now. I think this is a big
game for him because from a draft standpoint, people are wondering,
can he be dominant enough to be a number one
pass rusher right next level? And now you're playing against
an athletic quarterback and Marceill Reid who can give you
problems inside and outside the pocket. So his power rushing play,
(05:49):
his ability to dominate on the edges is going to
show up for a and m You know, sometimes loss
is going right into it. I mean, i'all just think
about Ohio State last year. Is just to wake up
call that you need to be able to reset, refocus,
and kind of get back on track in terms of
the way that you want to play. I am so
fascinated by what Mike Elko will do to have his
(06:12):
team ready, not only like mentally, but from a schematic standpoint,
to really throw some stuff at this Miami Hurricanes team
that could give them problems.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
How do you think this?
Speaker 1 (06:23):
I feel like this matchup in particular is one to
watch in terms of the home field advantage, you know,
with two you know, kind of as close to evenly
matched teams as we'll see on Saturday, right with the
other two matchups that we'll get to. How does the
fact that this is at Kyle Field in College station
play into Texas A and M's hands with Miami.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
That's why I love this part of the playoff.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
I mean, it's it's everything because you think about that
defense being frothian, what they want to do to change
the picture pre snap, post snap, all of that, the
jumps that the pass rushers are going to get on
Carson back in terms of just being able to anticipate it,
particularly as you talked about those favorable long yarded situations,
gotta have it pass situations. I think it's a huge
(07:07):
advantage and it's one that I look for. I think
last year all the home did, all the home teams went,
I think all the yeah, yeah. I think it's a
huge advantage. And for Texas A and M it should
be a significant advantage because I think didn't play their
best the last time we saw them. They're a much
better team. They've been a dominant team all year. I
expect us to see more that version of the Aggies,
in the version that we saw the last time they
(07:28):
were on TV.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
Yeah, and look, I think I like Marcel Reid in
clutch time. I mean we saw that against Notre Dame
right at the very end to go and.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Get that dug.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
So I would give that edge Marcel Reid maybe a
little bit over Carson Beck at this point in those
types of situations with the game on the line.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
So I mean this, that one's gonna be worth the
price of admission ten times over.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Yeah with it. And I will say this, Remember the
Texas game, Marcel Reid has an injury. He had an injury.
He goes out for a couple of series with the knee,
and I actually thought he was done, but then he
comes back in plays. So Natty's had a little time
to recover from that. Do we see the superstar version
of Marceill Reed that we've seen for most of the year.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Yeah, yeah, Okay.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Next up we get the two non Power conference entries
into the College Football Playoff. It's number eleven, two Lane
at number six Old Miss. Now we've seen this matchup
before and it was it was a beatdown. Ole Miss
took care of business the way you would expect an
SEC team to do against a team from the American Conference.
(08:36):
And then we look at James Madison, James Madison going
across the country to battle the Oregon Ducks at Austin Stadium.
Let's first start with the matchup we've already seen. Does
Twu Lane make this a more compelling game this time
around in the CFP and Oxford?
Speaker 3 (08:53):
You know, I wish I could fast forward to know
if Lane kiv is going to take John Summer up
on his offer the coaches boxing with them, you know,
because then if that's the case, then yeah, it's gonna
be a different game. I think the playoff pressure makes
the game tighter than it was in the regular season
(09:14):
just because of the winner go home implications. I think
Old Miss plays a little tighter despite being the prohibitive
favorite and knowing that they have Wax two lame before
that matters. And also the disruption is schedule in terms
of the assistant coaches not coming, then they're coming and
trying to put together a game plan. In Pete Golden's debut,
I think it's a little bumpy for them early, but
(09:36):
at the end of the day, the superior talent wins out,
and that's why I'm gonna lean towards Old Miss being
able to kind of get it done again, but not
by the same margin that they won the first time.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Yeah, yeah, I think I think this will be a
tighter game. And you know, I think this one, though,
ultimately it's just so difficult.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
I mean, look, the.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
It's easy to picked the upset here because nobody's gonna
remember it if it doesn't happen.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
But uh but look, yeah, if you if you pick the.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Upset then and you come out on top grade, you're
you're no Stradamis. But I just I don't I don't
see a path for two lane against against this Ole
Miss team, even though they've had the coaching transition. But
I do think that's maybe part of what makes this
just a little bit tighter. Although two lanes, you know,
even though John Summer still there, like tu Lane has
been dealing with that as well, So I think there's
a lot of transition there.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
But ultimately I think this one is a little bit closer.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
James Madison and Oregon, Man, that's that's an interesting one.
Oregon without i mean, without the full attention of will
Stein and Toashlupoi, who have both taken uh the organ
Ducks offensive defensive coordinator respectively. You have both taken head
coaching jobs, will Stein going to Kentucky and Tosh going
(10:57):
to his alma Moderate Cal. How do you think that
affects Dan Lanning? You think he's the type of coach that,
you know, what, whatever gaps I gotta fill, they're going
to get filled.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
And I don't.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
There's no not to say that there was going to
be an excuse, but there's no there's no lack with
this Oregon teams in terms of coaching staff and in
terms of preparation. That's the kind of the way that
I feel like, I don't. I think Dan Lanning is
the type of coach that does not let something like
this affect them that way.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
How do you see that piece of it for Orgon?
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Okay, So look we're talking about the guy who Rado's
principal playing the bill before they did Wisconsin two years ago,
the white out thing in State, the way that he
stuck it to Oklahoma State. It doesn't matter if he's
coaching the team by him himself, that sreaking is going
to be raised play because the one we know about
(11:49):
Dan Lanning, he is going to be about his business
when it comes to this. This team is going to
be on edge. Look, man, of all the matchups that
I'm worried about, I was worried about jam you having
to go all the way across the country to take
on Oregon because this one we can talk about David
in your life. But I don't like the way this
looks from beginning to end. I think Oregon rolls, and
(12:11):
I think this is going to be a nice opportunity
for the world to be exposed to the tied end,
who I think is terrific in Kenyon Sadi. Yeah, I
think I think Oregon is going to put all of
this on display so they can get ready for the
next round. Like to me, not that this is a
preseason game, but they're going to have an eye towards
the next round. They want to play well so they
(12:32):
build some momentum going into the next round of turnament.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Yeah, I agree with you.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
Now, I mean like this is an interesting, you know,
discussion point for Dante more. Do you feel like his
performance in the CFP affects at all his decision making
when it comes to the draft.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
You know what I used to think that until I
read the article about how he talked about the reset
the red shirt really worked for him. I'm a slow
cooking the process because he was in such a rush
to play at UCLA and it didn't work out for him,
and now being able to take a step back, learn
(13:10):
from Dylan Gabriel started these games this year, continue to
get better. We all know about the money operation around Oregon.
I don't think it does that. I think if he
thinks long term, he's only twenty years over it, like
he's a like. I think if he takes long term
into it, I don't think the outcome of the CF
has anything to do with what his decision is going
(13:32):
to be when it comes to the draft.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
Yeah, and look, I mean they are dominant. I think
this game gets decided in the trenches. They are dominant
up front. Really, the only team that's that's you know,
even come close to bullying them would have been Indiana
in that game at Austin on the offensive and defensive
sides of the ball. But I just think with with
with Washington, with Bear Alexander Tatum to eot Matao Junglula, like,
(13:57):
I think that's where this game ultimately gets decided is
shutting shutting down that powerful James Madison run game, because
if you shut that down, I think you'll you'll force
a Lonza Barnett into some mistakes and you'll get some
pressure on it, even though he can get out and
run and make some place too with his legs, the
quarterback at JMU. But I certainly feel like they'll again
James Madison will has never been in an environment like
(14:19):
this at audtsin that will play a role here again
one of the one.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Of the Yeah.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
I mean a lot of facts going across the country. Yeah,
Coach Simming, maybe a little distracted taking a job at
U c l A having to do that and then
just knowing what you're walking into when you deal with
Oregon and look it rings. I just remember hearing Dan
Lanning talk about losing to Indiana and how they were
(14:46):
out coached and how there were so many lessons for
them to learn, like a reset. Yeah, I just cannot
I can't envision this team not being ready to play
like from regardless of who JM You is. I don't
even think they think think about it being jam you.
They're just the team that's on the field. But we're
going to play to our brand and our standard.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
Yeah, and Buck, I think this is maybe a good
point here because we're talking about some of these quarterbacks
that are potential you know, NFL guys here in this
year's draft, and while Dante Moore is one of those,
but could certainly come back, and there's a lot of
reasons to do so. Fernando Mendoza, you know, certainly is
QB one, even though he's got another year if he
wants to come back, if he really wants to, I'm
(15:27):
not saying he's going to He's QB one right now.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
I mean, look, look, I think there are a lot
one I have no idea when anybody's eligibility runs up.
Now nobody does. It goes.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
I think next year we'll have a better grasp.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
But you just keep playing and keep playing until, like
I guess, it's done. But yeah, Mendoza, look, I know
Mendoza has to be excited, you know. I know people
talk about the Heisman Trophy first or jinx or whatever,
but I think that team is so well coached, and
I mean it's been an infomercial like seeing Kurse Signetti
(16:00):
sixty minutes and all the other stuff. Yeah, I mean
those would be locked and loaded and ready to go
when he has an opportunity to take the ball.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
Yes, okay, So my next point is about Drew Aller.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Drew Aller.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Last year probably could have if he'd have come out,
probably would have been a first round pick.
Speaker 3 (16:21):
He would have made people, He would have many people
have to make hard decisions, hard decision and it would
have been a projection over production conversation that we would
have had on path to the draft, because when you
look at his traits, he checks off a lot of
the boxes that you look for in a franchise quarterback.
He elected to go back, he gets hurt, and now
(16:41):
we don't have the same conversation that we would have had.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
So now, how how will we and we'll finish here
on this. How will we evaluate him? How are scouts?
How are executives who view or are tantalized by frame,
by athleticism, by arm talent? Right, Yet never really saw
it all come together consistently. And now we got to
(17:05):
throw the season ending injury, which look, it was an ankle,
it was fixed. It shouldn't be a problem for him
moving forward, but it might limit the way we evaluate him.
Over the course of the next couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Where do we start with Aler?
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Well, one, I think he's a perfect project for a
team that already has a quarterback. Yeah, I think I'm
not saying that he would be on the Rams watch this,
but if you already have a quarterback in place and
it's not imminent, did I need my next guy. He's
a perfect developmental prospect. And normally you want to take
those guys Day two, second, third round, third round, preferably
(17:39):
if you could to be able to stash him, develop
it and see what you have down the line, because
it doesn't cost anything, like it's a pretty risk averse pick. Oh,
he's going to get a shot. And I think that's
the thing. And the more do we talk about this
quarterback class, Rhett, it is Mendoza and whatever. And when
you think about the draft class combined with the free
(18:03):
agent class, if you are in need of a quarterback
in twenty twenty six, good luck, Yeah yeah, I mean,
I mean good luck because the supply just isn't there
for the demand that we have. We talked about Okay,
if you talk about the Jets need one, the Raiders
need one. I mean, there's so many teams that need them.
(18:23):
They're just not enough. So you're gonna have to throw
some darts up there.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
That's what you gotta do.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
And hope that your scouts and hope that your evaluation
process on Earth's all the goods you need to feel
comfortable about that situation.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Look, we've seen it happen before.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
But you know what, I can't wait. I can't wait
till the calendar flips. And then on Paths to the Draft,
we talk about these quarterbacks and the ones that we
dismissed so mightily in the fall.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Oh yeah, then we're back. We're back on them. We're
back on, come on, we're back.
Speaker 3 (18:53):
You never know. The combine was great. Look at the tools.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Yes, Oh the path to the draft, folks is It's
a tricky journey, but one that is full of drama,
twists and turns, and always entertaining, just like this episode
of Move the Thanks. We appreciate you guys for being
a board here. I'll enjoy the College Football Playoff this weekend.
We look forward to being back with you next week
with for a bunch more reaction to CFB and a
(19:18):
big weekend of NFL football as we get down into
this final stretch of this regular season,
Hosts And Creators
Daniel Jeremiah
Bucky Brooks
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