The Pittstop 08/25/2023

Come join Namath as he previews Week 0 of college football and discusses other sports news trending.

Episode Transcript

(00:10):
You're listening to news Radio one onone nine Big Wax. This is the
pit Stop and I'm your host,name of Pitts. We have made it
to another Saturday. In college footballofficially starts now. Today is the day
high school football kicked up the pasttwo days that started Thursday, and now
college football is officially here. Soa lot of our show this morning is
gonna be a lot about the collegefootball games. We're gonna have the full

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breakdown of all the college football gamesthat are taking place today across America.
There's seven games specifically in college footballfootball, including the local team in the
Jacksonville State Gamecock. I'm a proudalumni of the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, and
so we're gonna break that full gamedown. We're gonna talk quickly about all
the high school football games that tookplace to pass two nights and just quickly
recap the games that took place aswe look forward ahead to next week,

(00:55):
and then depending on time, we'llget into some other stories as well.
But as always, we start thepit Stop on news Radio one on one
nine Big Wax with a congratulations anda condolence, and I'm actually gonna go
for all my mixed martial arts fansout there. We have a new benomweight
champion of the world and he isgoing to be a star, just like
Connor McGregor. And his name isSean Sugar O'Malley. And here is the

(01:18):
final calls or excuse me, here'shim being announced as a new benomweight champion
after his TKO finished over former champional Jamaine Sterling in the UFC two ninety
two main event last week. Stoodshut, he shut off shut. I

(01:46):
tried Sean O'Malley won by TKO inthe very second round of the fight,
and he put on a performance.He's gonna be one of the most famous
guys and all of the world.He fights in the UFC It's Ultimate Fighting
Championship Mixed Martial Arts. I'm abig mixed martial arts fan. I know
we don't have as many mixed martialarts fans that are probably listening, but
Sugar Shan O'Malley is the real deal. And here is the call. When
Sean O'Malley tkod the former champion alJamaine Sterling, And with our congratulations to

(02:24):
Sean Sugar O'Malley, there also comesa condolence to al Jamaine Sterling, the
funk Master who had a great reignas the champion of the Benomwait history.
Someone would say that he might bethe Benwait history best ever. He may
be the goat of that division.He took down the likes of Henry Sajudo,
he took down the likes of TJ. Dillashaw, He beat Peter Jahan,
he had an incredible resume, tookdown Corey Senhagen, but ultimately he

(02:46):
fell victim to Sugar Shan O'Malley.As Sugar Shan O'Malley is a new benamweight
champion of the UFC Ultimate Fighting Championship. But like I said, our condults
is al Jamaine Sterling. But that'snot what we're gonna focus on today.
We're gonna focus on the college footlast season that starts today officially Week zero.
High school football officially started Thursday night. We saw a lot of games
that were pushed back due to theheat and the hot temperatures, so they

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started with a little bit of adelay. But Thursday night where they had
to saw a good classic is Saxon, Ohatchee. Great game out at the
Creek Bank and so Saxon, Ohatchieplayed kick things off this past Thursday.
Of course last night, just somenoticeable games around the areas. Alexandria,
Cherokee County, Chicky County. Comingoff an appearance in the four A State
Championship, Alexandria of course happened toreplace Antonio Ross and a lot of other

(03:30):
players as well. Welbourne went alot mostby stadium to Anniston, which is
always a tough place to play.Welbourne Jets Smith Grayson Johnson are both gone
now those days have passed. NoahScrews is the new quarterback for the Welbourne
Panthers and for Anniston, Gavin DAWstransferred in from Sacks to start at quarterback.
He had Jaden j Money, Lewis, Maliki Taylor, a lot of
talent for the Anniston Bulldogs. Weavertook the trip to Donahoe, Ken Cooper

(03:53):
starting his first appearance as a WeaverBearcat and their first well, I say
first extant. I guess you couldsay with Ken for not saying that there
will be a second, of course, but it's just seemed to have been
a pattern of where they haven't reallybeen able to keep a coach recently at
Weaver, and they kicked the yearoff at Donahoe coach Satcher's second season at
Donnaho, of course, and thatwas a good game as well. Hanley

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and Valley always an SEC type game, like almost similar to the Iron Bowl.
You can never let that score tellyou a lot about either one of
these teams because we all needs knowthat Hanley's gonna be good no matter the
score this game. They always playValley clothes and really no different. Jacksonville
went to Boas. Jim Muggles obviouslywas the star of course, as Jacksonville
rated Boas and Jacksonville's course going tomake a deep run to try to win

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a four A state championship. TuSclose to Christian Jacksonville Christian little eight man
football. A lot of people don'tknow a lot about eight man football,
but Jacksonville Christian Academy happened to playas the church and they have been really
good under Tommy Miller. Lincoln atTaladigga, good you know, local county
matchup that took place this past weekand great game from both teams as they

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look forward to the year and TalaDigga looks like still gonna struggle. Lincoln's
definitely got some things that they feelgood about as they're looking to make some
noise in a tough region. Childersburgat Mumford. You know, this is
an interesting one right here that Isaw this and I saw the score,
and you know, you just lookat the athleticism from Childersburg of course,
but then Mumford has seemed to bethat team that always gets that fourth seed
in that tough four eight region four, and so, you know, an

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interesting, interesting one as well.Oxford went down to mcadori looking for revenge
from last season. They put ona good performance as well. Mason Mims
is going to be a star thisyear for the Yellow Jackets of Oxford,
and it was a battle of YellowJackets as well. White Planes and Rambert
played as well. White Planes firstyear under their new head coach, Blake
Jennings, Rambert looking to continue tobuild on the h I guess you could
say success. They hadn't a jamboreelast week at o'hatchee, so that one

(05:40):
was an important game for both aswell. How about gage Nie Smith and
the Southside Gas and Panthers went upto Gunnersville. How about Gunnersville the Wildcats,
two really good teams this year,and I think this game was as
good of a non region game asyou could have had to open up the
year. Spring Garden went to SanRock. Great win for the Spring Garden
Panthers to kick off the season.I knew sand Rock didn't look that good
last week and a jamboree, andso these two teams to play this week.

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It was interesting, And you know, I found it even interesting.
San Rock played two gembree games atOhatchee last week, so both of these
teams got to kind of see eachother before the season even started. Horse
she'd been at Wildly, and ofcourse Victory Christian at Woodley, so Woodland.
There's a lot to look forward tothis season in high school football,
and I really expect some trends toremain the same. I expect to see
Cherokee County back in the four statechampionship game. I expect to see Hanley,

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Anniston, and Jacksonville at the topof that for a tough region in
the South. In Region four,you know, I expect to see Saxon,
Welburne, Randolph County competing for playoffspots like they consistently do. I
expect to see BB Colmer right backthere in the two A state championship game
again if they can stay levelhead andcomposed. I expect Kuza Christian to make
another deep run and get into thestate championship game this well as well.
But I expect Spring Garden to dowhat they do best, and that's be

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a winning machine. I don't thinkthat's gonna drop off now that Jason Howard
is gone. A big game comingup this next week against Kuza Christian,
a rematch of last year's playoff gamethat they lost. They actually, if
you remember, they beat Cusa Christianin the regular season last year, then
they fell to them into the playoffs. And so that's gonna be a great
game this upcoming week, and thatgame will be at Spring Garden. So
looking forward to seeing how that onegoes. It'll be right back where it

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was in the playoffs. Will theresult be the same as the playoffs or
will it be different? That isto be determined. But college football kicks
off today and it starts with Navyand Notre Dame and overseas game. We're
getting started in Dublin, Ireland.That's right, that's where this game is
gonna start AT's in Dublin, Ireland, with Notre Dame traveling all across the
world to meet on this Saturday afternoon. Notre Dame is going to of course

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welcome the board transfer quarterback and SamHartman, who's one of the best quarterbacks
in college football in my opinion,and he joins the story. He comes
off a story career at Wake Forest. He had a story career at wake
Forest. He passed for nearly thirteenthousand yards at this point in his career,
and he's gonna lead an Irish offensethat will look to bounce back after
what was a shaky twenty twenty twoseason. And this will be their first

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year, I mean, excuse me, that was their first year under new
head coach Marcus Freeman. So they'relooking to bounce back and respond in his
second in season. Now, thisis a neutral filled game that's hours away
from South ben Indiana, and canthe Irish hold up against a Navy team
that also has some new faces innew places the midst Shipman fired longtime head
coach and promoted defensive coordinator Brian Newberryand also hired Grant Chestnut from Kennesaw State

(08:18):
to revitalize this Navy triple option thatthis team runs. And when I look
at Navy, and I specifically inbreaking down this Navy team, I look
at Tedro's Gleaton, and I lookat all the Navy's quarterback options. Obviously,
they've got a quarterback rotation that figuresto be the moving target for the
first few weeks. But as ofnow, as we've seen or we're expecting,

(08:39):
is that Gleaton's gonna be the starter, all right, and he is
the sophomore, and he's projected tostep in place of Tay Tay Lavatier who
graduated last year and missed the endof the season last year with the knee
injury, and Xavier Arline, whofinished the year as a starter but was
very limited in his passing. Soyou know, they're obviously got those guys

(09:00):
there that can be rotation players andXavier and Tay, But whoever's under center
right now, it's Gleaden. They'regonna have to take over what's become a
more unique offense under new offensive coordinatorGrant Chessnutt, who was still going to
run the triple option, but withsome more modern principles to it, like
the use of more tight insets.They expect to include more tight insets,

(09:20):
so the Midshipman do returned four offensivelinemen. So the hope is that with
some more creativity in terms of playcalling, the overall offense will improve for
Notre Dame. And like I said, all eyes are on Sam Hartman,
who obviously transfers in from Wake Forest. Sam Hartman had a story career we
talked about just a few seconds ago, thirteen thousand yards rushing, and you
know, I think Hartman's one ofthe most conveted players that has come out

(09:43):
of the transfer portal, and hegives instant credibility to a Notre Dame offense
that has really struggled and really struggledlast season amidst the quarterback injuries and their
ineffective play. The team was fiftyseventh in terms of EPA play last season,
behind what was a top fifteen rushrate. Now, Hartman has a
strong arm, and he passed fornearly thirteen thousand yards in nearly five seasons

(10:03):
with the Diamond Deacons. He willbe transitioning from what was a past friendly
offense to one that will have himunder center a lot more, and so
will new offensive coordinator Jared Parker reallylet him cook in this offense. And
while I look at this game specifically, Navy and Notre Dame in Dublin,
Ireland, two teams that had totravel overseas longer for Navy, I mean

(10:24):
for Notre Dame, you would thinkso I think personally, when I lean
this way and which way I'm gonnago in my pick for this game,
I'm still going Sam Hartman, eventhough he's under center with you know,
Notre Dame. I think the tripleoption, I don't think it's gonna be
a problem for Sam Hartman. AndI think Notre Dame is gonna start their
season off with a great win tostart the year against what's a really good
Navy team is continue to make Bowlgame appearances year after year and so things.

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Of course, we're gonna kick offwith Navy and Notre Dame in Dublin,
Ireland today. That game kicks offin just a little bit. How
about the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, gogame Cox, fear the beak. I'm
Jacksonville State grad. They're gonna openthe year up with UTEP at home.
Not only are they in the FBSDivision now, but they're starting it up
at home and Jacksonville State. JacksonvilleState, excuse me, is gonna make

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its FBS debuting Week zero by goingstraight into conference play by hosting UTEP.
And what is the closest projected matchupof the opening week slate? Now,
Zion Webb. We all know hewas granted a waiver for an extra year
of eligibility this summer, which giveshim an opportunity to lead Jacksonville State to
Conference USA. But how will thegamecox deal with the jump in competition to

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face UTAP. Now, JASU wasvery successful in the FCS division, but
they struggled against Division one teams.Now you may go, well, they
beat Florida State, Yes, theydid, and they defeated FIU, But
look at the Tulsus. Look atthose type of games where they didn't really
have as much success and really gotleft and lost as the game progressed.
Now every week, they're playing thosegames every single week, and they're playing

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a lot of midweek games, sothey don't have that constant comfortability of knowing
how I'm playing at Saturday on Saturdayat eleven o'clock. Hey, I'm playing
on Saturday at four thirty PM.So that's gonna be the question. Now
when I look at UTEP specifically,I look at Gavin Hardison. He's a
returning quarterback for the minors and hewill hope to be more efficient down to
down. Now, this team wasnot very good. They were one hundred

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hundred and seventh in EPA pass lastseason. They have four returning starters on
the offensive line for what should bea stout offensive line that was twenty sixth
and tackles for loss allowed in lineyards. But UTEP was a twenty second
and explosive pass rate, but theycould not score for him in close.
They were actually ranked in the bottomten nationally in terms of red zone touchdown
percentage and so as you can tell, UTEP's problem has been scoring within the

(12:39):
goal line, scoring within the redzone. When they get twenty five in
twenty en, they can't seem toput the ball in the end zone.
So that's gonna be what you haveto look for for UTEP. Can they
finish drives if you get down thefield? Can they finish drives? And
I think that comes down to JacksonvilleState limiting the explosive plays, make them
work down the field and make thempunch the ball in, especially when you're
getting that, you need really goodreds on defense. Now, I look

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at Dion Haikins or Hankins, excuseme, who is a part of this
dynamic duo in the backfield. He'sthe key running back for the Miners,
who's returning after averaging five yards percarry on one hundred and forty rushes last
season for Jacksonville State. Let's behonest, it's clear it's Zion Webb.
He's the exact type of weapon thatyou need when you make a move like
this to the FBS. He's thetype of weapon that head coach Rich Rodriguez

(13:24):
needs in his offense, and hisability to play in twenty twenty three for
a seventh season is going to changethe upside of this team. He is
like Stetson Bennett type tenure at JacksonvilleState. And you know, I believe
that he's not the most proficient passer, and he showed that he only completed
fifty five percent of his passes lastyear for one seven hundred thirty seven yards
and only ten touchdowns with nine inreceptions, which is not good at all.

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That's really bad. But his threatswith his legs. Everybody knows that
he rushed for thirteen yards. Ifhe can get some open space, he's
gonna take off. And then Ilook at on where Lewis. He's the
five foot eight running back who rushedfor over seven yards per carry last season.
He had eight hundred and twenty yardsand eight rushing touchdowns. And I
believe in Ron Wiggins as well,a local talent from Jacksonville High School.
I believe he's going to be abig playmaker for the game Cocks this year

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in that running back room as well, as long as he gets reps.
Now, the question is with richRodriguez returning to the FBS level, he
brings with him a potent offense thatdid cause havoc last year in the FBS,
but can they do that in ConferenceUSA. You know Web is a
weapon as a rusher, but nota passer. He will be flanked by
Lewis in Louisiana transfer Malik Jackson thatcan give a middling utap defense fits.

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So there's weapons there for Web touse in terms of the passing game in
the rushing game, but the Minerswere solid on the down to down defense
last year, ranking top ranking inthe top fifty nationally and success rate,
but again it did get gashed withbig plays at the wrong time, which
created outside of the top one hundred. So it comes down to who can
limit the explosive plays. I believeJESS makes more explosive plays. If they

(15:01):
can make UTEP have to drive thelength of the field, then I think
they're set up for success for sure. So I believe that the veteran Jacksonville
State offense can push the tempo,they can dominate the ground game, and
I believe that the while the Minersand UTEP do have a quarterback in the
stout offensive line, I just struggleto see these two teams as equal.
The team was Boomer bus in theexplosive pass game last season. They were

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constantly behind the sticks. The Gamecockshave a veteran defensive lineman by Chris Hardy,
Jay rock Swain, veteran secondary thatlimited FCS foes. It's only two
hundred and sixteen yards per game lastseason. So yes, Jacksonville State is
moving up to the FBS to sitthe division. But UTEP may not be
equipped to take off this defense thisweek. And so those are my things

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that I look at this game,and I believe there are questions for Jacksonville
State moving up to the FBS Division, but I believe that this game is
one at home. I will bethere and I can't wait to watch the
Jacksonville State Gamecocks. So come outto snow Burgess or Burgess Snowfield tonight four
thirty pm this afternoon. We're gonnabe there. I'll be there and the
pit stops making an appearance to watchthe Jacksonville State Gamecocks open the year against

(16:10):
the UTEP Miners. We continue totalk college football. University of Massachusetts UMass
is playing New Mexico State and NewMexico State closed last year on a tear.
They won five of six games tofinish the season, including a bowl
game win over Bowling Green. Now, with Diego Paveo returning get quarterback,
New Mexico State is going to lookto make noise in Conference USA after moving

(16:32):
from the independent ranks. So theywere already in the f BS Division as
an independent, but they officially moveinto Conference USA. And you know,
I think this team's can open itseason against UMass in a big way.
They're going to play them at home. This is a team that the Aggie's
beat twenty three to thirteen last season. Now, UMass, they come in
this game with a new quarterback informer Clemson recruit who's going to be the

(16:52):
catalyst for a strong season. Andhis name is Tayson, And so I
think Tayson, while he hasn't livedup to his hype as a Climpson quarterback
recruit or even at Georgia Tech,the upside is definitely undeniable for him,
and he has a ton of physicalgifts. He's six foot four. The
hope is that dropping down to anotherlower level, not being in the ACC

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is going to help him unlock someof those traits that people have felt like
he has. And I think it'sworth noting that while the team wasn't very
good, you mash returns four ofits five offensive linemen, and anytime you
return four of your five offensive lineman, you've got to have a good feeling
about what you can do. Butagain, I look at New Mexico State,
I look at Diego behavior. He'scoming on. He came on strong

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at the end of last season.He grayed out above average quarterback in terms
of EPA and play. He ledthis New Mexico State offense that was seventy
first in terms of EPA play.He totaled over fourteen hundred yards passing.
He had over five hundred yards rushing. He combined for nineteen touchdowns only six
interceptions, and during the final sixgames of the season, which again five

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of them were wins, he arebetter, completing sixty two percent of his
passes. He had thirteen touchdowns andonly two interceptions in those last six games.
So I look at this, Ilook at Diego Pavia, who finished
the season on a tear, andI imagine that that'll continue in the opener.
With three starters back on the offensiveline, his top two receivers is
running back Jimney Jones, and soagain, while he wasn't stellar down to

(18:18):
down, he was good at theend of the year. And you know,
I'm not rushing back to New MexicoState as the favorite, but I
do see some value in getting behindthem and so, yes, last season's
game ended twenty three to thirteen,but both offenses should have the upper hand
in this matchup. I think it'san offensive showdown and personally, I expect
you mass to look far stronger onoffense under center, and as mentioned above,

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they have four returning offensive linemen.They have weapons in the passing game,
including former Miami wide receiver Mark PopeAnthony Simpson from Arizona, so they've
got some transfers and New Mexico Statesdefense did do a great job of getting
into the backfield last year, butthe teams twenty seven sacks was forty fifth
in the country, and this teamreturns forty three percent of its production from
that side of the ball. Ibelieve a ton of turnovers could lead to

(19:08):
some growing pains early against the UMassoffense. That should take a meaningful step.
If I had to pick a winnerin this game, I'm gonna lean
to Mexico State and that's who I'mgonna roll with. Ohio in San Diego
State, last season's MAC Championship runnerup, Ohio is traveling to San Diego
State to face the ax Techs inWeek zero. Ohio is going to welcome

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back star quarterback Curtis Rourke, whotours ACL at the end of last season.
As the team opens up the roadagainst or opens up the road against
Mountain West Continery San Diego State nowthe Aztecs, they have, of course
hope with a full offense converted safetyJalen Maiden can grow into his role as
the starting quarterback. And again,when I look at this game and I
look at Ohio, specifically, Ilook at quarterback Curtis Rourke. Rourke was

(19:52):
the catalyst for the Bobcats Mac titlegame run last year. Despite missing the
last full game of the regular season, the CHAMPI Hip Game, and the
ball game, he is set tobe fully healthy for this year's season opener.
Rourke passed for over three thousand,two hundred and fifty six yards last
year. He had a glistening twentyfive touchdowns only four interception rate, which
is a really good rate, andhe anchored a Bob Cutt offense that checked

(20:14):
into the top twenty in the nationin terms of key stats like the EPA
and play And then he also hasgot Bengora back at running back who rushed
for over a thousand yards last year. He returns behind an offensive line that
has four starters back. And thenof course they've got Sam Wiggles. Wiggles
who is their favorite target at widereceiver seventy five catches, eight hundred and
seventy seven yards and eleven touchdowns lastyear. But San Diego State I talked

(20:38):
about a minute ago. Jalen Maiden. Maiden finished the center, finished the
season under center last year for theAztecs. He's a converted safety from Mississippi
State who gave the team a boostas a dual threat quarterback, but he
lacked polished to hold onto the balla little bit last year as the season
progressed. But he's now had afull offseason to get more in tune with
the position. He's got a newoffensive coordinator and Ryan Linley. There's a

(21:02):
rightful excitement for this Ohio offense,but I'm not sure that I can agree
personally that the Bobcats are better ona neutral field, and that's kind of
where the lines are right now.I'm not a better, but that's where
the lines are. And so Ohio'sdefense personally was one of the worst in
the MAC last season. They wereoutside the top one hundred in success rate.
They were particularly poor against the pass, meaning that Maiden may need to

(21:23):
get off to a strong start throughthe air and in San Dieo State.
San Diego State's defense, they didlose several key contributors up front, but
they replaced some of that talent witha few transfers. One noticeable one from
Oklahoma State. Further though, theteam should remain loaded in the secondary,
a unit that was top thirty inthe EPA PASS last season. Four cornerbacks

(21:44):
that started five plus games last season. They're back, and the team did
land Texas transfer JD. Coffee Ohio'soffense. If I'm making a prediction,
they definitely got the more proven sellingBut I believe the hosts are being a
bit underrated with their defensive prowess anddynamic quarterback play against a really poor Ohio
defense, And so this game couldbe high scoring, maybe more high scoring

(22:06):
than expected. But I'm gonna optto take to the home team and I'm
gonna go Saneo State within a fieldgoal. So I'm gonna go with the
Aztecs on this one, all right. Hawaii and Vanderbilt. Last year,
Vanderbilt took the long trip to Honoluluto face the new look Hawaii Rainbow Warriors,
and they won sixty three to tendespite being single digit favorites. Now

(22:26):
this year, fast forward a yearand we have the same opening match up
with the Commodore is now laying morethan two touchdowns at home after a strong
season relative two years passed while Hawaiibottomed out under first year head coach Timmy
yank Chang. Now, how willVandy respond to the change in expectation in
the market. I'll tell you whatI mean about that in a minute.

(22:47):
For Hawaii, it's Braydon Shagar.He returned under center for the Rainbow Warriors.
He finished last season covering seven oreight games, typically playing from behind.
He struggled a little bit as theteam graded out at one hundred and
twelve. He's gonna need to beone point against the Vanderbilt defense that still
does have SEC level athletes along thedefensive line, and they will be going
up against the Hawaii offensive line thatreturns only two of six starters from last

(23:10):
season. I look at Tylan Hines. He's a little bit small five seven
running back, but he is ablur in the open field and he is
set up to be the anchor ofthis offense. He averaged nearly eight yards
per carry last year, and I'mexpecting a lot of dump offs for the
running back who could potentially break oneor two in this game. For Vanderbilt,
it's Aj Swann. He got plentyof run as a freshman, and
that experience against SEC level defenses shouldpay off in a matchup like this.

(23:33):
While his numbers don't show high levelplay given the circumstances that Vandy quarterbacks should
be thrilled because he did post aten touchdown two interception rate and compared to
previous year's pass it's exceptional. Now, he did struggle against Alabama and Georgia,
but I mean, who isn't goingto struggle against alapam and Georgia.
Now when he played teams like NorthernIllinois, he carved him up, completing

(23:55):
sixty four percent of his passes.So this is a rare spot for Vanderbilt.
And while there's no doubt a massiveadvantage for Vanderbilt, I'm not rushing
to take them to cover as much. When looking at last season blowout,
Hawaii was ushering in a new offenseunder chain. The team was just simply
not ready for Week one and itshowed when they lost sixty three to ten.
So Waii actually closed the season strong, posting a string of covers and

(24:18):
oppressive performances to close the year.And so you know, Vendy's defense still
leaves a ton to be desired.Outside the top ten point Hawaii performance last
year, they allowed thirty one pointsto Elon and twenty eight points in Nolan,
Illinois. So if Hawaii's able topush it into the twenties, I
feel good about, you know,them having a chance. But I feel
like Swan's gonna put together a strongenough performance with his returning wide receivers Will

(24:41):
Shepherd and Jade McGowan. And Istill think Vanderbilt wins with ease and sends
this game over very quickly. SoI like Vanderbilt by a wide margin for
sure or so, but that's whatwe got for the first half. We
do got to take a break fornews and whether you're listening to news Radio
one oh one nine Big Wax Sometown, welcome back into the pit stop on

(25:07):
news Radio one h one nine BigWax. I'm your host, name of
Pitts, And I got a goodfeeling because college football and high school football
are officially back, and I gottea. I think this is one of
the best times of the year.You get college football going, you get
high school football going, and thenyou've got MLB getting close towards the playoffs,
of course, and then basketball seasonsright around the corner. So I

(25:29):
don't think you can convince me ofa better time of the year than right
now. But before the break,we were talking college football and we were
going to pick back up at thenext game that's taken place. We've got
two games left to look at inthe college football world, and let's pick
up with the team that's coming intothe season with the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback
Caleb Williams, and that's the USCTrojans. They're gonna face San Jose State,

(25:49):
and USC is looking to finally breakthrough into the college football playoffs,
and they've got ranning Heisman Trophy winnerCaleb Williams under center, and they're starting
the season at home against San JoseState. The Trojans obviously are a massive
favorite in Week zero in hopes ofgetting off to a fast start to this
season. The question is can theycash in as a team that you know

(26:12):
has a big lead and gets torest some of the starters as well,
because you don't want to have toplay a team like this close at the
beginning of the season, and sometimeswe see that. But USC has got
a great team as well. ButSan Jose State is of course not a
poll over necessarily. They've played someteams close in the past that maybe they
weren't necessarily supposed to play that close. And I look at San Jose State,

(26:36):
everybody knows their quarterback is back inCordario. He returns at quarterback and
he is a threat with both hisarms and legs. He passed for over
three thousand yards last year, wherethirty one total touchdowns, he had nine
rushing touchdowns, and he only hadsix interceptions. So he's a good guy
and he's gonna face a USC defensethat was quite frankly outside the top one

(26:57):
hundred in EPA. Play has beenvery privy into getting into shootouts. And
so if Cordario can overcome the lossof his number one target last year,
which was Elijah Cooks and possibly hissecond best receiver last year, and Justin
Lockhart to injury, this team couldhave a chance to give USC all they

(27:17):
want. But there's a big buttthere, and there's a big if there
because you've got Caleb Williams. Itstarts and ends with Williams. He's the
reigning, defending undisputed Heisman Trophy winner. He's gonna look to start his defense
of the award. To start hisdefense of the award against the San Jose
State defense that is replacing its toptwo pass rushers. All Right, and
Williams compiled for more than five thousandtotal yards and fifty touchdowns. And now

(27:40):
I'm gonna be honest with you,I think he puts up big numbers against
San Jose State. You've got JackSullivan, he transferred in from Purdue.
He recorded five and a half sackslast year, and he's gonna headline a
new look to USC's defensive front thatwill look to improve after struggling last season.
The Trojans were one hundred and twentiethin yards for play allowed in one
hundred and eleven and third down conversionsand so their percentage was not good.

(28:03):
They have to improve in twenty twentythree if they want to win the Pac
twelfth title. Now it is worthmonitoring the state of the Spartans wide receiver
room as the team needs to replacea one thousand yard receiver in Cooks and
Lockhart who has been in and outof practice as we just talked about.
So can San Jose State replace them? Because if Lockhart can't go all right,
they're not going to have the weaponsto attack to what's been a suspect

(28:25):
defensive USC. Now USC should havelittle issue moving the ball at will against
the San Jose State defense, thenonly returns fifty two percent of its production
from last season. The Trojans aregoing to need to replace first round pick
Jordan Addison at wide receiver, butwith Mario Williams, Todd Washington, and
Arizona transfer Dorian Singer stepping in,I don't expect much of a drop off

(28:47):
in terms of losing Jordan Addison Pursley. Now, I am concerned about San
Jose State ability to hold up inthis game. You know, USC,
I think makes easy work of thisnew look Spartans defense. And meanwhile,
I think that San Jose State maystruggle to stay within the massive numbers.
But again, with Corderio's abilities tomake plays with his legs and garbage time

(29:07):
and the return of all five offensivelineman, I would think there's a lot
of plenty chances for anyone to kindof stay within the under is where they
have this at right now. Andagain, I'm not a gambler, I'm
not getting into that, but Iwould just believe that this game is going
to be not as big of amargin as a lot of people are expecting.
So when the final game that's takenplace today is Louisiana Tech and FIU.

(29:30):
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs took a stepback and sunny Cumbe's first season as
the head coach for the program,the Bulldogs went two and six in Conference
USA last year. They went threeand nine overall last year, and we'll
call it a rebuilding phase for theBulldogs. A winning season from Louisiana Tech
would be something for Louisiana Tech footballfans to truly get excited about. They're
gonna take on FIU the Florida InternationalGolden Panthers in a Conference USA matchup in

(29:55):
Week zero. FIU also finished twoand six and conference play four and eight
in Mike McIntyre's first year at theHelm, So, like Louisiana Tech,
Florida International has a long way togo before being comparative again. The Golden
Panthers got hit with the other sideof the transferportal. They lost much of
their talent and they probably won't recoverquickly enough. Now. Conference games are

(30:15):
massive early on, and this gameshould be an exciting one. Grayson Johnson
is going to look to get thisFlorida International team off to a hot start.
He had a nearly two thousand yardspassing. He threw for eleven touchdowns
eleven interceptions, And you know,that was the junior's first season as a
starter, and so he did getmore experience, but you'd have to imagine

(30:37):
he's going to continue to throw theminterceptions at a high rate. I just
don't know that I see that changing. He really struggled with that last year,
and so I don't know what he'sgonna do with that there. And
you know, I do think FIUis gonna have to replace some guys that
were important. They lost Tyres Chambers, they lost he transferred to Maryland.
They lost Fairweather, who transferred toAuburn. He's a tight end. Chris

(31:00):
Mitchell and Dean Patterson are the tworeceivers that could make plays for James.
But let's just be honest, FIUlost talent. There's no denying that.
The offensive line also lost Lyndale Hudsonto Florida, Shamar Habdi Lee and Julius
Pierce to Middle Tennessee. Now,they added Travis Burke from the portal,
but he wasn't compensating for all ofthose losses in my opinion, and he

(31:21):
won't compensate for all of those losses. This defense, they allowed thirty seven
points per game. Last year theygave up more than four hundred fifty yards.
And now FIU does have a capablepass rush and the run defense is
not terrible. But again, statistically, the pass rush has always seemed to
be a little bit the bread andbutter, I guess you could say for

(31:42):
the program. And so I thinkthis is an interesting matchup. I think
this could be the closest one ofthe day personally, if I had to
pick a winner on this one,I'll be honest with you, guys,
I'm leaning Louisiana Tech. And sothat's who I'm going with is Louisiana TACH.
So this one's not gonna gain asmuch attention. If you have any
late nine ers or some people thatyou are interested in staying up a little

(32:04):
bit, you could catch this gamefor sure. But you're not gonna watch
this game unless you just want towatch college football, I think personally.
Of course, in the state ofAlabama, in our area specifically, all
eyes are on the Jacksonville State UTEPgame the Miners and game Cocks at Burgess
Snowfield at four thirty pm. Thisafternoon, and so make sure you're there,
come find me. The pitstop willbe there as well. And I'm
excited to see if the Jacksonville Stategame Cocks can open Conference USA in the

(32:29):
FBS with a win, and notonly a win, but a Conference USA
win. It's always good to getconference wins. It's always good to go
ahead and get that right there outin front, go ahead and give you
a little bit of a step forwardon another team in the division, in
the conference. As you look totry to make a run at a New
Year's six Bowl, you never knowyou could be that at large bid.
Jacksonville State could have a Cincinnati typeyer you beat, you go underfeeder or

(32:50):
something. Beat somebody like South Carolinain an upset that's an SEC program,
or go eleven and one and loseto someone like South Carolina. But you
got wins over Coastal Carolina, You'vegot wins over Liberty, You've got wins
over Eastern Michigan. You know,you win those games. Sam Houston State,
which is another really good FCS teamthat's coming up to the FBS Division.
So the upsides there. We'll seewhat Rich Rodriguez team does this first

(33:13):
year there. But that's all thecollege football we've got this week, so
we're gonna shift a little bit andjust talk things that are training. I
don't know if you've seen the LittleLeague World Series has been taking place on
TV here recently. It's been thebig topic of debate. Everybody's been watching
Cuba making their first appearance, andso we do have an updated bracket for
you guys on where things stand inthe Little League World Series as of right

(33:36):
now. As of right now,we've reached the we're getting deep into the
where we're getting close to the championshipgames. And so right now we've got
the Northwest and the West that aregoing to play. They actually played the
other day. Pardon me, Iexcuse me. Southwest has already clinched a
spot today. They're playing today atthree thirty. And then also Asia Pacific

(33:58):
has clinched to spot on the internationalside, and so you know it was
going to be the Southwest that comesout on top today and faces Asia Pacific.
That's gonna be the question mark.You've course got Caribbean in Mexico.
They're right there in the run alongwith Northwest and West as well. But
you know, again always pulling forAmerica, pulling for the USA, especially
when it comes to the international sideas well. Aaron Rodgers will make his

(34:21):
Jets debut today. A lot ofpeople were wondering about him playing in a
preseason game, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who hasn't played in the preseason since
twenty eighteen, will make his NewYork Jets debut today against the New York
Giants in their preseason finale. Hadthe decision wasn't much of a surprise to
them. Aaron Rodgers transferring or nottransferring, being traded from the Green Bay
Packers to the New York Jets.He's gonna use this final preseason game as

(34:45):
a dress rehearsal, meaning most ofthe starters will probably play, and so
we'll see what happens. But keepingall on Aaron Rodgers, hopefully everything will
go good. He'll stay healthy,and this New York team has the potential
to be a really good team.The defense has been there for sure the
past couple of years. It's justbeen the offense that has really struggled.
And so we talked about Jose Altuvea couple of weeks ago. He had

(35:05):
got his two hundredth career home run. Well now has got his two thousandth
career hit. Last Saturday against theSeattle Mariners, he hit his two thousandth
hit and he became the tenth Venezuelianborn player to reach two thousand Major League
kits. He's the seventh active playerto reach the milestone, and so congratulations
to Jose Altuve for hitting his twothousandth career hit. The Georgia Bulldogs they

(35:29):
don't play today, but they playednext week. They officially named Carson Beck
as their starting quarterback. Georgia islooking to win their third straight national title,
and we now know which quarterback willget the first shot at doing that.
This was expected. Coach Kirby Smartannounced last week that Carson Beck will
be the starting quarterback when Georgia opensits season up and he said that he

(35:49):
had simply done the best job intheir preseason work. Now, the decision
to go with Beck again was notmuch of a surprise. The junior had
to fend off, though, whatwas a red shirt freshman and Brock Vandergriff
and redshirt sophomore excuse me, andthen fend off redshirt freshman Gunner Stockton.
But you know the favorite all offseason was Beck. He never seemed to
be in danger of losing the job. Beck spent last season backing up Stets

(36:13):
and Bennett. He saw limited actionssince joining the team. He threw for
four hundred and eighty six yards andsix touchdowns with two interceptions. And so
how confident is Georgia and Beck's abilityto do the job well? They made
no real effort at bringing in experiencecompetition for him during the off season,
So I would say they feel prettygood about Beckett quarterback. But I still
think there needs to be some questionsanswered. How about this right here,

(36:37):
there was a massive fight in themiddle of a preseason football game. Forty
nine Ers fans got in a massivefight and it was a massive brawl that
went viral. And I just don'tunderstand. I've never understood people that go
to games and getting fights with people, like just you paid for your ticket,
enjoy the game and leave everybody elsealone. Like you paid for your

(36:59):
ticket, They paid for their ticket, Let them enjoy the game in peace.
I can't stand people that heckle atpeople all the time, like just
let me enjoy my game. Ican't stand people that come at me.
I've heard people in the past,whether it's a Braves game or Bengals game,
it's it's like, dude, look, I'm not one of them.
Dudes. I just want to watchthe game in peace. Okay, I
just want to watch the game inpeace. So I got a pretty cool

(37:21):
story here, right here. TheBoston Red Sox were playing the other day
when broadcaster Kevin Millar correctly predicted thatAdam Duvall was about to hit a home
run against the Astros. Listen tothis. This is that last six weeks
where he gets going and gets homeor hot. But I'm gonna call you
right now, early in the game, I know with two hous right he
was doing this. We're doing itright now. Duvall's going deep. It
makes you want to go get it, bat Obie. I'm telling you what

(37:44):
weighing in a high fly ball deeplyfield. Are you kidding me? Are
you kidding me? Oh my,Kevin Millar, stick around, Yeah,
I had him devolve. Former Bravesplayer has been very successful so far with
the Boston Red Sox this year.So we'll see if that trend continues.
So some people thought he might wouldget trade at the trade deadline. He

(38:04):
did not they held onto him andhe's been a really good player for him
as well. Hey, did youhear about Jimmy Graham. Yeah, I
don't know if you did, butJimmy Graham is, let's just say,
in a little bit of a situationright now. And so things are still
kind of unknown right now with JimmyGraham in terms of what's going to happen.
But we've seen the Saints finally startto speak out on Jimmy Graham.

(38:24):
But he did return to practice practiceafter a medical episode and his arrest in
California, if you don't know,he was arrested of course in California.
We don't know all the details onthat, but he was attained by police
in the Los Angeles area after sufferingwhat they call was a medical episode.
So I hope Jimmy Graham's okay,and you know, we'll see what happens

(38:46):
there as well. Jonathan Taylor,everybody has heard what's happening there with the
Annapolis Colts. They have now officiallygranted him the ability to seek a trade.
So all pro running back Jonathan Taylorhas officially been granted permission buy the
Colts to seek a trade. Nowthe Colts will be seeking significant trade compensation
for Taylor. The team is lookingfor a first round draft pick. And

(39:08):
here's where I get baffled. TheColts said he wasn't worth the money because
running backs aren't worth the money anymore. But then now that he wants to
be traded, he's worth the firstround pick. Now how does that make
sense? He's not worth the money, but he's worth the first round pick.
I don't know either way. Theparties are looking to settle on what's
been a three week standoff that beganwith Taylor when he reported a training camp

(39:30):
back on July twenty five. It'shis final year of his rookie contract.
He has long been seeking the longterm contract extension the Colts. Meanwhile,
they've shown no willingness whatsoever to doa deal, and that's continue to raise
concerns on Johnson Taylor's part that stayingin Annapolis might result in him receiving the
franchise tag before he even hits theopen market. So he's complained. He's

(39:52):
been very outspoken about his complaints,and now he is going to probably not
probably will be on his way outand expect to see him somewhere else all
right, I've got my full predictionsfor the nc Double A football season this
year, and so I'm gonna goahead and give those to you guys right
now. When the ACC the NCUBAfootball season, I guess it, well,
actually officially kicked off yesterday, butyou know, Saturday officially kicks off

(40:15):
today, and I just want totalk about the ACC real quick. I
think Clemson has the better record,but I do think they lose the Florida
State in the ACC Championship game thisyear, So my pick to win the
ACC is gonna be Florida State.I think Drake May is one of the
best quarterbacks in the country. Ithink North Carolina is gonna be good,
but that gene Chiswick defense. There'sjust too many unknowns for me still and
us I'm going with Clemson better record, but Florida State wins the ACC championship

(40:39):
game. In the Big Ten,it's Michigan Ohio State. They both finished
the season eleven one, but Ithink personally Michigan takes the conference. I
think the Wolverines are gonna win theBig Ten, Big twelve. I'm gonna
go ahead and say it. I'mgonna go out and say it. Every
year we hop it up and itnever happens. But Texas is back.
Baby Texas lose one. They loseone game, it's in Tuscaloosa to the

(41:00):
Albama Crimson Tide. They go undefeatedin Big Twelve play. Texas wins the
Big Twelve and maybe it gives himthat playoffs. Will see, that's gonna
be tough with that one loss,and then I expect an Albama and Georgia
team to be there with one loss, and you've got USC there, You've
got Florida State maybe who We'll seehow they do against ls. You can
only have one loss, two lossesClemsons, I don't know. I think

(41:22):
I'm the Texas is back. Theywin the conference and I think they only
lose to Alabama. But the questionis will they be at that six five
spot where they get in at numberfour pack twelve. USC wins the conference.
I think they finally do it.I think they make the College Football
Playoffs. I don't think with CalebWilliams they have a step back in a
game this year. I think theydo what they need to do to win.
Now I'm a little biased here,but I think Alabama everybody's worried about

(41:44):
the quarterback. I think Jalen Milrowwill be named the starter. I think
he will handle the role fine.I think he'll manage the game. I
think the running backs will do theirjob this year. Offensive line will be
good, defensive line will be good. Secondary is gonna be good. Alabama
I think, like I just said, they're going to continue their dominance that
they've had under Nick Saban. Ithink they bounce back this year, even

(42:05):
though there's question marks about the quarterback. I think they go undefeated. I
think they faced Georgia, who's alsoundefeated. I think Album actually wins the
SEC championship game this year, andthen I think these two teams will both
make the playoffs. I just reallydo personally. I thought it was interesting
they asked Greg Sanky, you know, did he need to reconsider you know,
the college or SEC, you know, the kind of the way they
do things now that the college footballplayoffs was going to be realigned. But

(42:30):
again Greg Sanky said, once againa familiar song, that these continue to
say when it comes to the collegefootball playoffs, when it comes to the
realignment, and that he predicts thatthere will be more changes that are coming
and that they're all gonna have tobe prepared to deal with that change period.
Now. Sank you is one ofthe ten commissioners who oversees the college
ball playoffs format. Sanky continues tobe adamant that because of realignment, the

(42:53):
new format must be re examined andmore extensively thought out. And so I
just think it's interesting to see whatGreg sank He's gonna do in terms of
the SEC's direction and his leadership inthe SEC. Obviously, we already see
that the divisions are basically dissolved andso but yeah, the biggest news that

(43:15):
we haven't even touched on yet inCoulturtball this week was coach Jim Harbaugh.
We talked about Michigan but he's nowbeen a fit, and we talked about
the four games suspension. Awhile turnsout it was a self impost three game
suspension and Michigan will now see Michiganhead coach John Harbaugh sit out for three
games. The announcement came yesterday fallingor not yesterday, but it came a
few days ago following alleged recruiting violationswithin the football program. The suspension will

(43:38):
begin well the season opener when theWolverines host East Carolina, and it will
continue through UNLV and Bowling Green matchups. Earlier this month, the negotiator was
a resolution between the NC DOUBLEA andHardball was shot down by the committee on
in fractions, and so three gamessuspension not much of tough competition there.
In terms of his three games suspension, I don't think they're going to struggle

(44:00):
with any of those teams at all. But that's where things stand for John
Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines, andso we'll continue to see that self imposed
things evolved, I guess you couldsay would be the word to use it.
And so all right, guys,we've got about five minutes left in
the show this week, and soa lot has been taking place. And

(44:22):
one of the biggest news also thisweek was in the MLB Wander Franco,
star player for the Tampa Bay Rays. The saga of Tampa Bay Rays shortstot
Wander Franco took another turn when theMajor League Baseball decided to place the player
on administrative leaf. This is asmultiple investigations continue into allegations of relationships with

(44:44):
underage girls in the Dominican Republic.And MLB statements said that administrative leaf isn't
disciplinary, but the league will offerfurther comment at the appropriate time. So
things are not looking good for FrancoWander Franco as he's facing allegations in his
hometown of the Dominican Republic home country, Tennessee Titans. Condolence goes out to

(45:05):
Caleb Farley for the Tennessee Titans,whose father was killed in a home explosion.
It was Monday night. There wasan explosion at the North Carolina home
of Tennessee Titans cornerback Caleb Farley.The explosion sadly led to the death of
his sixty one year old father andled also to another person being injured.
An investigation into the cause of theexplosion has been put underway, and sources

(45:28):
say that the probe is focusing onthe natural gas lines in the home,
although authorities have ruled the incident accidentaland no other homes in the area were
affected. But our condolences still goout to Caleb Farley of the Tennessee Titans.
Just sad, sad news and youjust you hate to hear anything like
that. It is truly a sadthing. But how about the Las Vegas

(45:52):
Raiders and Josh Jacobs. There's beena standstill, and the Indianapolis Colts recently
gave Jonathan Taylor a permission to seeka trade, but the Raiders are not
quite yet really ready to do thesame with Josh Jacobs. The Colts of
of course sold Taylor to do whatyou want, but the Raiders have said,
hey, then we're not budget onthis. You know, they used

(46:13):
the franchise tag on Jacobs and thetwo sides were unable to come to an
agreement on long term contract. Youknow, Josh Jacobs has been away from
the team. He recently cast somedoubts on whether he even planned to return
to the team, though indications arethat he will. And but I gotta
say, he rushed for an NFLleading sixteen hundred yards last season. He
had fifty three catches for one fourhundred yards, He had twelve touchdowns,

(46:35):
and he was the focal point ofthe Raiders offense and he should be again
this season. So I don't knowwhy they won't just pay him the money.
I mean, I think that thereturn there is going to be great.
I think he's a great running back, and I think, you know,
he deserves more credit than they've gavehim. And so we'll see what
happens there. Two, a takavaloawent viral. He told Ryan Clark to

(46:57):
well, he didn't go directly atRyan Clark, but he essentially told Ryan
Clark to leave his name out ofhis mouth, to have told people that
he wished they would just mind theirown business and not worry about talking about
other people. So show, Heyotany, one of the greatest players in baseball,
hit his forty fourth home run,but he left the game with the
arc fee arm fatigue, and thenwas announced that he won't pitch again this

(47:20):
year. He's got to torn ucland so that closed his year as a
pitcher. And so you know,just Shohiotany is a once in a lifetime
talent. He's a once in alifetime talent. All right, to close
the show, we've got about twominutes left. We're gonna talk fantasy football
and fantasy football drafts are kicking up. I'm a fantasy football player, a
fantasy football user. I'm gonna talkabout my deep sleepers and my breakout candidates.

(47:43):
All right, So, for alot of fantasy football owner's, the
difference between winning and losing really comesdown to the sleepers and the breakout players
that you oversaw in the draft.But there's twelve people that I want to
consider as your fantasy draft nears by. First one, Sam how quarterback for
the Commanders. Now he has hada nice preseason with little competition from Jacoby

(48:05):
Brissette and a few offensive weapons toplay with. All Right, Ryan Tannehill
for the Titans. He could bea sneaky starter as a QB two in
deeper leagues. Okay, Tay j. Spears for the Titans. If Derrick
Henry goes down, which we sawhappen last year, this guy has serious
potential to shine. Jerome Ford forthe Browns. This guy will be an

(48:25):
awesome compliment in my opinion to NickChobb Ty Chandler from the Vikings. He
could explode if Alexander Madison turns outto not be up to the starting job
that they think he will be.I had another one, Tank Dell.
He should be the key target thein Houston. So Tank Dell's a guy
to keep an eye on in Houston. Jaden Reid for the Packers. Again,

(48:46):
a strong camp could make his marketingor receiving corpse and so keep an
out on Jaden Reid, McCole Hardman. He easily has number three wide receiver
potential for the New York Jets,especially with Aaron Rodgers. Puka Nuka the
third number three receiver splot for theRams is up for grabs and he couldn't

(49:07):
have it, So again, we'rejust talking guys that could be flex options.
Michael Wilson for the Cardinals. Hehas the size advantage and a group
of wide receivers that features markis Brownand a bunch of other guys that you
probably don't know. So those aresome sleepers, could be potential outbreak guys
to keep an eye on. Soall right, we're gonna close the show

(49:27):
with a good news story for youguys. And this says nothing to do
with sports at all, but it'sa good news story. And everybody sees
what's going on in Maui. Howabout some Arizona students send encouragement letters to
them. They send them letters,and kindergarten class put in the effort to
brainstorm uplifting messages and they created cardsof hope for the children in Maui.

(49:49):
Great story, that's all we gotthis week for the pit Stop Thank you
for listening to news Radio one ohone nine Big Wax