December 4, 2025 • 41 mins
Segment 1: Indiana Sports Corp’s Dan Gliot
Segment 2: IndyCar driver and avid Ohio State fan, Graham Rahal
Segment 3: Mike DiRocco of ESPN Jaguars
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
We know you're busy, bills to pay, mouths to feed,
and the man.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Needs another favor.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
So just in case you missed what happened, I'm a
Fan today, we got your back, and even if you
did hear it live.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
You probably need to hear it again.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Here you go, all in one place and in just
one hour, the best of the best from today on
ninety three to five and one oh seven five the Fan.
This is instant replay this morning I'm a Fan Morning Show.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
We'll get you all warm and fuzzy for a great
weekend of sports coming up. On Saturday, You've got, of course,
Louisville and Indiana basketball over at the field House, and
then later on the night Big Ten Conference Championship football
game between Ohio State and the Indiana the number one
and two ranked teams in America. Right now, I'm here
to tell us more about how that all came together.
The senior director of Marketing and Communications for the Indiana
(00:51):
Sports Court, Dan Gliat, joining us here on the pay
Less Liquors Hotline. Good morning, Dan, it sounds like you
guys are gonna be busy all week long.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Good morning, Thanks for having me on. It is a
busy week in a long line of busy weeks we
have had here at the sports scene in Indianapolis. But
we're excited for it.
Speaker 5 (01:10):
Dan, Appreciate you, boy, but I'm choked up just thinking
about it. Appreciate you joining us. Okay, let's let's get
fans set for Saturday. Obviously we've got two o'clock over
Game Bridge, as Jeff said, and then I forget the
exact kick time. I want to say eight o'clock over
at Lucas Oil in between games. Anything from a fan
fest standpoint, I think a convention center usually has some
(01:31):
activation stuff, So downtown wise, what could fans be looking for.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
Yeah, we're super excited to host a big can Big
ten fan Fest presented by Doctor Pepper once again inside
the Indiana Convention Center. It's going to be so much
fun there. If you've been downtown for the Big ten
fan fests, you've seen this, but it's brand new this year.
Once again, we're gonna have tons of activations inside there.
If you want to run the forty yard dash, if
you want to play some video games, do you want
(01:58):
to do some diving catches, if you want to kick
some field goals. This is the place to be to
get excited. You know, if you're going to that IU
Louisville game, come right over after that. If you're just
getting ready for the big game. If you've got a
ticket in there. If you do have a ticket to
the Big Ten Football Championship game, you have free access
into fanfests. You actually got to send a separate ticket
(02:19):
for that. But if you don't have a ticket into
the game, tickets started just sixteen dollars, ten dollars for
kids into an under his free so really affordable, spans
friendly atmosphere. It's going to be so much fun inside
the Convention Center.
Speaker 5 (02:34):
Dan, I don't remember last time a sporting event, I've
been asked more about tickets to the actual game here
in our city than Saturday night. So I am curious.
You know, do you know, like how tickets get divided up?
You know how many I guess did Indiana get? How
many Ohio State get? How does that work for the
Big Ten Championship?
Speaker 4 (02:53):
You know, it's a little bit different every single year,
and the Big Ten is the ones that handle those.
I know, like the teams get a certain amount each
here and how those are divided up. I'm not exactly sure,
But like I said, this might be the hottest tiket
in town.
Speaker 6 (03:06):
Right now for this game.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
I mean, it's one versus two, it's IU. Ohio State
hasn't been here in a couple of years. They finally
got over that hump against Michigan in one of the
big games on Saturday. So we're just really excited to
have just such a huge crowd. We're excited for this
town to literally be painted red. I know that's a
metaphors sometimes, but I expect so much red downtown on Saturday,
(03:29):
between the IU and Louisville basketball game and then Ohio
State IU for the football game.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
We're doing anything with the streets. We're going to rename
all the streets like Signetti Way or Mendoza Boulevard or
anything like that this weekend.
Speaker 4 (03:42):
I jove downtown today and I saw a couple of
the signs are up right now. The streets signs are up.
I'm looking over at Lukashot Stadium and the signage is
going up right now on the north side of the stadium.
So all that street signage, all that stuff that we're
used to seeing the airport. I just want to shout
out our friends at the airport for everyone that's going
to be flying in for this game, and hopefully everyone
(04:05):
can do it safely with the weather. But they've had
signage up for the last couple of weeks right now
and things like that, so the city is going to
be decked out ready for this game.
Speaker 7 (04:15):
So Dan as someone who is so envious of what's
going to happen this week, and I have to travel
for the Coles game, and if you can petition the
league to have the Cold slip their road game in
Jacksonville to a home game so I could be here
Saturday for all the festivities. By all means, you know,
do that for me. But in all seriousness, when you're
looking at like logistically what you all have to do
and plan for, how much planning, pre planning goes into
(04:38):
this and how much I don't know if it's post
playing is the right word, but how much does it
shift when you know you're going to get an influx
of IU fans?
Speaker 4 (04:46):
I mean, the Big Ten has been such great partners,
and we love to say here in Indianapolis that we
are been the only ones that ever host this game.
The Big Ten Football Championship Game has only ever been
hosted in Lucas Oil Stadium, and I think it's because
we worked so hard on that pre planning process. I mean,
we've been talking with the Big ten four months about
all the different iterations and how we want to make
this game better. We don't just rest on our laurels.
(05:08):
Even though we've posted this game for a long time
for fifteen years now, were really try to make it
better for the student athletes, for the coaches, for the
fans every single year. So that planning happens months in advance,
and we've been looking at the standings just like every
other fan, and we've been looking at a possible IU
games here and we've been thinking about how to make
this better, how to make this for fans coming in.
(05:28):
We've also been thinking about Ohio State fans. Is the
first time that they've possibly been here for five years,
so they haven't been here for a while, So how
do we make this experience for them better? And then
we'll talk about that after the game, as well as
how do we do it next year in the year
after to continue to make this the best experience. We
put ourselves out there as the best host city in
the country. This is one of those marquee weekends every
single year. You can market it down that Indianapolis is
(05:50):
hosting it and we want to put on the best
experience possible for everyone involved.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Well, you guys always put on a great experience of
so much great stuff that's been here in the last
several years, dating all the way back to the Super
Bowl and All Star Games, and Championship Games, National Championship,
you name it, Final Fours, it's what we do here.
Of all those things, I still think one of the
most fun things we've done. My wife and I went
to the Olympic Trials two years ago when you put
(06:16):
a pool at Lucas Oil Stadium. I know we've got
more stuff like that coming up. What are some of
the other big events on the horizon that we need
to keep on our radar.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
Yeah, in a couple of weeks, you know, I know
some of the Boilermaker fans probably aren't loving all the iutahk,
But in two weeks we were hosting the Indie Classic
presented by Bush's Chili Beans over at Gambridge Field House.
That's a college basketball doubleheader. That's Purdue versus Auburn and
then Butler versus Northwestern that's in a couple of saturdays
over at Gambridge, and then we are constantly working on
(06:45):
the men's Final Four coming here in the spring. We're
also hosting a Big Ten Women's basketball Championship that'll be
in March. But we're really focused on a lot of
basketball events coming up here. And there's no better state
than city to host college back basketball in Indiana and Indianapolis.
Who are really looking forward to that. But all all right,
once we get through this big weekend, are going to
(07:06):
be focused on college basketball and we're really excited about it.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Sounds good. Thanks for joining us this morning, Dan, We
appreciate that. Good luck this weekend, and let's see what happens. Man,
It's gonna be a lot of fun one and two
at the Big Ten Tournament or Big Ten Football Championship.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I can't wait.
Speaker 4 (07:22):
Hey, I appreciate the time. Guys. Love what you guys do.
Speaker 8 (07:24):
Give it up.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
It's the best of the best from today's broadcast lineup.
Instant replay continues in a moment on Nutty three five
and one oh seven five the Fan. This is instant
replay today on Quarian Company.
Speaker 9 (07:49):
Indiana and Ohio State Big Ten Championship.
Speaker 6 (07:51):
Game coming up.
Speaker 9 (07:53):
Look at so Oil Stadium on Saturday night and Graham
ray Hall has I think eighteen indy five hundred starts.
I think he was like eighteen when he won his
first race down in Saint Pete. And certainly when it
comes to IndyCar racing and mid Ohio and Buckeye lifestyle
and all of that, there are two things about IndyCar
(08:16):
that that have made me nauseous. One is when I
did a two seater on a road course, I was
very nauseous. And the other is anytime Graham ray Hall
starts talking about Ohio State, but he knows the Buckeyes
better than anybody, and I figured he would be the
perfect person to preview it. And he joins us now
on the Java House, Peel and poor guest line Grammy
fired up for the game.
Speaker 6 (08:35):
I am, brother, I am.
Speaker 8 (08:37):
You know.
Speaker 6 (08:37):
I don't rub it into my I was rubbing it
in more to you when Clemson was was actually a
good football program. But that's changed.
Speaker 9 (08:45):
Brother, Listen, how about the beginning. And I'm trying to
go where we were on Opening Saturday and you and
I are talking. I was in Nashville and Clemson's playing
LSU and I'm saying, yeah, you know, this is they Clemson.
There's a lot of expectation for him, and then they
go out and and it was just flat. And the
next day you come up to me and you go, well,
your defense is terrible and your quarterback I don't believe
(09:07):
in And I said, okay, well, other.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Than that was wrong, I know it was.
Speaker 9 (09:12):
It was a good scouting report, right, And then you know,
then we also, I think both of us were kind
of incredulous over arch Manning, and I think we expected
more out of what he would be able to do
for Texas in that opening game, and maybe we didn't
give enough credit to Ohio State's defense because we thought, okay,
arch Manning's too young, is a moment's too big for him,
(09:32):
and that Ohio State defense is obviously elite. Do you
see that as the biggest challenge for Indiana Saturday?
Speaker 6 (09:41):
Yeah, I think so. I mean, well, at first off,
I think it is super cool to see Indiana in
the position, and it's it's, in fact, to me, the
most fascinating storyline that I've ever witnessed. I mean, I
I the rise of the program from the CE or
two you know, to to being one of the top
(10:05):
teams in the nation in two years or even less.
Really is an unbelievable thing, right, I mean, it is
absolutely incredible what Signetty has done. And but I do
think that you know, Ohio State on the whole this year,
and we'll see what this weekend brings, but Ohio State
(10:26):
on the whole this year has been absolutely dominant in
every facet of the game. And if I could see
one weakness in Indiana, it's just that, you know, that
Penn State game was a concern, like you know, the
Penn State deals. You know, I really thought they were
going to blow Penn State out. Penn State has obviously
(10:46):
been going through some tough times, going through some coaching changes,
so on and so forth.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
And they really didn't do that.
Speaker 8 (10:52):
Right.
Speaker 6 (10:53):
The the the performance wasn't really awe inspiring like with
like you may have thought. But at the end of
the day, you know, I think Ohio Stated is going
to present them all the challenges in the world. But
I do also think they're going to score points. I
don't think that this is going to be you know,
like what we've seen year to date, right, I mean,
(11:13):
where basically nobody can score on Ohio State. I mean,
and that's not me saying as an arrogant fan, that's
the reality, right, So we'll.
Speaker 9 (11:22):
See now, is that to say that you're admitting to
being an arrogant fan?
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Not a chance.
Speaker 6 (11:28):
Hey, I'll tell you this right now. I'm not I'm
vident this weekend. I'm not over confident this weekend.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
You know, I don't.
Speaker 6 (11:37):
I think Indiana's got a shot, just be clear. And
but I also don't think this is a home game.
Like most things you watch, There's gonna be a lot
of buck guys yours truly included. They're going to be
there screaming loud and proud.
Speaker 9 (11:49):
I know that, you know to me, Graham, and you're right.
I mean, the Indiana story is truly and listen, you
know I'm here upfront talking about it every week for
the last two years, and it still is surreal, right
of like, can this really? And the reality is this?
And I realize it's not like you're watching every other
(12:10):
team every other Saturday. But Graham, would you agree with this?
I think we can emphatically say these are the two
best teams in college football right now in terms of
no doubt totality, Right, I mean on both sides of
the football for both of them.
Speaker 6 (12:23):
Right, dude, I'm calling right now Jeordia is half They're
They're not They are not that great. I'm telling you
right now. Alabama is overrated as hell. How Alabama is
high of a seed as they are is only for
one reason because their name and their brand. You know,
(12:45):
to me, the Texas Tech thing TBD. Right, I'm not
one hundred percent sold on that. Oregon. I actually don't
think Oregon is that good. Now, this is me going
on my rant. I want a lot of football, but
I'm not going to claim to be an expert. But
I don't think that there is any teams as complete
as Ohio State and Indiana this particular year. And you know,
(13:10):
to me, this weekend's matchup is just is a killer opportunity.
The biggest thing for me is I hope these teams
don't get slighted by taking a loss.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
You know, you would hate to see it.
Speaker 6 (13:20):
And I'm not saying they're not gonna make play Clearly
they're in the playoffs. My point though, is you'd hate
to see one of them drop, you know, too far,
because they don't deserve it, right, They certainly shouldn't drop
more than maybe to number three.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
You know, I mean when you.
Speaker 6 (13:33):
Look at it, and that's saying that's that's basin on
Georgia actually winning. So you know, overall we'll see I suppose.
Speaker 9 (13:41):
Graham in racing, Graham Rayhul's my guest, Java House Peel
and poor guest line. In racing, we use a term
called turn up the wick. So like in the Indy
five hundred, it's the last twenty five laps of the race. Now,
let's turn up the wick. Let's get everything we have
out of the car, and let's go. It's the final stint.
Do you believe that, offensively speaking, that Ohio state is
(14:01):
there's still another level on the notch for the Buckeyes
to turn up the wick. Has Ryan Day, to use
a racing term, been sandbagging a little bit on what
that offense can do.
Speaker 6 (14:10):
Yes, So to answer the question, I have to be
careful what I say because I got a lot of
buddies there I hear more so, I asked a buddy
this very question earlier this year. I said, I explain
it to me. We're not putting up a ton of points.
We're not doing this. He said, Look, flat out. The
objective is simple. We want to play one last game
(14:31):
by the end of the year than everybody else. We
want to the play clock. We'll move the ball, on
the ball and count. That's number one. But he said,
you remember the Penn State game. I said, yep, he goes.
You remember the third quarter, I said, I do, He goes,
we put up twenty one points in five minutes.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
I said, yep, he goes.
Speaker 6 (14:49):
That was fourth year. We knew that we didn't play
the first halfway wanted to. We knew we had to
come out in the second and pull a gap in
a very short period of time. And that's a ically
what we did. And you know, to me, that's pretty damn.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Pool to hear.
Speaker 6 (15:05):
I mean, that's what makes me as a Buckeye fan,
more confident than last year and the other year. I feel,
and again this isn't just say honestly that Ohio State
is going to go and win this weekend, but I
feel there is a control within this team that they
never had before. Like they are truly in control of
what is going on. They're in control of the play clock,
(15:27):
They're in control of the time of possession. I mean, dude,
look what they did in the mission, I mean only
they beat them, but they didn't. They weren't trying to
run up the score clearly, but they had forty minutes
time of possession. They just held the ball.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
That was their objective. Hold the ball, keep the ball.
Speaker 6 (15:41):
And you know, that's the thing that's going to be
interesting as compared to Indiana, who in my eyes, Indiana
is a faster paced team. They're gun slingers. Mendoza is
going to try to push the ball down the field
at all times. They're fat, a little bit of a
faster pace of play typically, and they're willing clearly to
run up scores. Ohio State this year is in the
opposite mentality. Keep the score count, you know, keep the
(16:04):
play count low. And they don't really care if they
win by twenty or if they win by forty. It's
not really an objective. And I think that's been pretty
cool to see this year.
Speaker 9 (16:13):
Where is Ohio State from what you've seen, Graham, where
is Ohio State susceptible?
Speaker 6 (16:20):
I think actually they're cornerbacks. They have you know, a
couple of of of of a good experience guys, but
they have a lot of youth. You're starting to see
Jermaine Matthews play a lot more. I think he's a sophomore,
but you're also seeing a lot of true freshmen out there.
Devin Sanchez, you know some of these guys. So I think,
to me, that's what's you know, made a little bit
(16:41):
more interesting is the matchups on on the sides. Ohio
States strength is going to be their D line again,
the center of their D of course, their safeties and
linebackers arguably the best linebackers in the country, arguably the
best safety in the country. And Caleb Downs, he's a
smart player. I think that old we'll limit a little
(17:01):
bit of the rushing attack that Indiana has. But on
the corners, I do think that, you know, Ohio State
can be susceptible to the crossing routes and some of
the deeper plays that it'll be interesting to see how that,
you know, plays out this weekend with Mendoza obviously, you know,
it's obviously a pretty pretty damn good thrower. So uh,
I don't know, man, I mean, that's that's my quick
(17:21):
take on this thing.
Speaker 9 (17:22):
If this were any other team but Ohio State, let's
just say that if and I'll put it to you
this way if Ohio State was allowed, if they said,
you know what, Ohio State, you're the defending national champion,
so we're going to let you sit out the Big
Ten game and pick the opponent for Indiana. And so
they just pick an opponent, okay, and let's it's not Michigan, Oregon, whoever.
If it were anybody but Ohio State, would you be
(17:43):
rooting for Indiana Saturday?
Speaker 6 (17:45):
Hell yeah, man, of course I would.
Speaker 9 (17:48):
Absolutely, I would because it's mean of a second home
or because of the Centre Elementary.
Speaker 6 (17:54):
Oh no, it's been home for an extended period of time,
you know, I mean as it's you know, I've been
here since twenty ten. I mean for me, you know,
living in this you know, in this city and stuff.
You know, it's a.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
It's a cool store.
Speaker 6 (18:08):
And you know, at the same time too, man, I
ever take the success for granted. As a fan, I mean,
Ohio State fans are are truly the most selfish or
the most spoiled people in the country, because you know,
we we we lose one or two games and it's
the end of the world, right. So you look at
programs like Alabama on some of these others that I
used to but for me, I think it's just a
damn cool story. It's great to see, you know, Indiana
(18:29):
having the success they're having, and when you have fans
that have remained that loyal and the diehards and so
on and so forth, you know, it's cool to see
them get get rewarded with, you know, with some great performances.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
For sure.
Speaker 9 (18:42):
Now, I'm not gonna lie to you. As a Clemson fan,
I never thought the situation would come where I'm looking
to see how much hotel rooms are in El Paso,
you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
I mean, it's it's just the way it goes.
Speaker 6 (18:51):
Well, I'll tell you this, I try. I was like,
I was excited about going to the Championship game this week,
and I thought I took it for granted. I was like, ah,
you know, I used to buy a suite every year
in advance and blah blah blah blah the company pay
for is good fun. And last couple of years I
was like, so I'm done.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
I'm done.
Speaker 6 (19:07):
I'm done freaking buying a stupid thing, having to watch
Michigan play.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
I'm not doing anymore.
Speaker 6 (19:12):
So I stopped, right, So I like this year, I'm like, oh,
this would be great. You know, We'll get to the
end of the year and then I'll make a decision. Well,
Indiana gets in and this is the most outrageously priced event.
I didn't end up doing a lead or anything. I
got very fortunate. A buddy of mine is going to
give me a couple of tickets. But I'm like, dude,
what or I invited you? I said, hey, bro, I'm
(19:34):
gonna buy a suite. You want to go? And You're
like yeah, And then I go to look up a suite. Yeah,
one got sent to me for an outrageously embarrassingly high
priced Like ah, yet, Nope, nope, nope, I'm good.
Speaker 9 (19:45):
And and here's the all thing, Graham, and I appreciate
the offer, right, and I'm glad you're gonna be going.
But but the other thing too, is you've also got
it in terms of the company money. You got to
replace windows over at the company, don't you. Didn't you
have something that happened over there recently?
Speaker 2 (19:58):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (19:59):
Yeah, yeah, man, we got shot with some I don't know,
we got we had a couple of pellet some high
powered pelagon. Oh, if somebody was on campus and working
at bodies at the chop house that we've got up here,
and they said it did sound like a bullet, but
we believe it's a pelagon. I shattered two of our windows.
Just got the bill for it fifteen thousand dollars. So
(20:22):
if those kids are listening, thank you. Two juveniles. They
went from us either to Lebanon, shot out some windows
in Lebanon, or went from Lebanon to us. Either way,
it doesn't really matter. It's a shame because they're juveniles.
The town is Zionsviil. The police department did a wonderful
job finding him, but we get no details. I told him, Hey,
bring them on over here. We'll teach them a lesson.
(20:44):
They can start sweeping the parking lot. We'll put them
to work. They can pay through there, you know, pay
for the windows the hard way.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
But it is what it is.
Speaker 6 (20:51):
I mean, it's disappointing, uh for sure. But hopefully it
doesn't become a pattern. I know that.
Speaker 8 (20:57):
Well.
Speaker 9 (20:57):
Lastly, Graham, and I know you're in town. I mean
you live here obviously, but you said you got indiecar meetings.
What what are going on? What's going on with the
meetings today? Is this basically everybody just sitting around figuring
out who's driving where this year because you got a
new teammate, right.
Speaker 6 (21:09):
Nuh, yeah, it's it's this is a series you know
meetings that we do every year and uh, you know,
meet with I don't know who from Penske, but but
you know, obviously Novak and all the boys will be
there and so uh yeah, I mean I think it's
a time to give.
Speaker 10 (21:26):
Some opinions, you know, not only on on you know,
the fundamentals of the series, but race control, future events
things like that, and so i'd imagine a lot of
the drivers.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
Will be there. But yeah, man, I'm off to that
right now.
Speaker 9 (21:41):
Now you've got mix Schumacher as a teammate. Now, Michael
Schumacher's son. This is new. This came about about two
weeks ago. I wanted to ask you about that real
quick before we let you go, just you know, your
excitement level or how much you know about him.
Speaker 6 (21:54):
Yeah, I mean I'm pretty pumped Abob Mick. He's a
great kid, I mean a super for great kid, you know,
very very humble, you could tell from a great family.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
And uh I was.
Speaker 6 (22:07):
Actually sporting you know, engineer zoom and stuff.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
I think you just connected to my car.
Speaker 11 (22:14):
But anyway, engineering zoom and stuff with Nick, and I'm
pretty pretty pumped up about him.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Man.
Speaker 11 (22:19):
I think he's going to be a great asset, and
only to us, but to the sport. I think people
are really gonna take well to him. He's super nice guy.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
His mom, you know, mom was.
Speaker 11 (22:29):
An absolute doll to all the people, to all of
our people, all of our staff when they came in. Now,
I think that's it's uh that speaks volume to him,
to his family.
Speaker 6 (22:37):
Telling somebody today like you think.
Speaker 11 (22:39):
About the prime of Michael Schumacher and what you know,
what Nick grew up in, you know, a worldwide scale
when you talked about same at that time, you talked
about Tiger Woods, you talked about Michael Jordan, you talk
about Michael Schumacher.
Speaker 4 (22:54):
Right, and yet you know, here it.
Speaker 11 (22:55):
Comes in this kid who's you know, so humble down
to hear. It's just a great guy and his mom's
the same. It's sweet man, and I'm looking forward to
it for sure.
Speaker 9 (23:05):
Okay, lastly, Graham, is this the first of two meetings
for Ohio State and Indiana this year?
Speaker 11 (23:13):
I don't believe.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
They don't.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
I don't know.
Speaker 11 (23:18):
I say that I think both have a good chance
as long as the laser you know works and they
just went out, they get to the final, right.
Speaker 12 (23:26):
But but I you know, to me, it's a long
playoff this year, and I think it's going to be
interesting to see.
Speaker 11 (23:37):
Well, let's put it this way. They both have got
to get yes, I think. And if they both get buyed,
then I think they're looking pretty good.
Speaker 9 (23:43):
Yeah, I think they will. I do think they will,
and they both deserve it for sure, Graham ray Hall,
IndyCar season will be here before we know it. It
starts out, I believe in Saint Pete if I'm not mistaken.
But that's still like four months down the road. Football
to be played between now and then. Graham certainly enjoy
the game on Saturday night. I appreciate the time. I'm
not gonna say, go bucks. I'm not gonna go that
far for you. I want to see Indiana win this game.
(24:05):
But we shall see what happens. But I appreciate the time.
As always.
Speaker 11 (24:09):
That sounds good.
Speaker 4 (24:10):
We'll loop back next week and still all.
Speaker 9 (24:12):
Right, sounds good. Graham ray Hall joining us, Java House
Peel and poor guest line.
Speaker 1 (24:16):
It's the best of the best. For today's broadcast lineup.
Instant replay continues.
Speaker 13 (24:21):
In a moment on ninety three five and one oh
seven five the Fan. This is instant replay earlier this
afternoon on the Ride with jmv.
Speaker 14 (24:41):
From ESPN and ESPN dot Com. Longtime No Talk Droco
from Newvall joins us now talking AFC South AFC and
in particular Colts and Jack's coming up on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
Mike, how are you? I'm doing well? How are you well?
Speaker 14 (24:56):
We're get a little schizophrenia going on, little Jackel and Hyde.
They started seven to one and now here in the
last month not so good, so I would call them
more than just kind of growing pains. Right, I'm far
from being Kurt Cameron in this scenario. There are some
issues that are well below the surface and some that
are bubbling up right now around here.
Speaker 8 (25:18):
Yeah, they were the story of the league.
Speaker 14 (25:21):
Yeah, the hot start, and they may be at the
end of it if they're not careful.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (25:28):
They're the opposite of the Jags in a way, because
the Jags had the tougher part of their schedule early
and have already played the Niners and the Seahawks and stuff,
and now Unfortunately for the Colts, they're getting them at
the end, which I think.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
If you could choose, you'd rather have the tougher part at.
Speaker 8 (25:44):
The end and the earlier part, or the easier part
at the or the tougher part at the beginning and
the easier part of the end.
Speaker 14 (25:49):
Yeah, So Jacksonville playing better in what capacity from what
you have seen here recently.
Speaker 8 (25:58):
Defensively, they have obviously the best rush defense in the NFL.
You know, they've sort of simplified things a little bit
defensively during the bye week and that has allowed them.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
To play a little bit better.
Speaker 8 (26:12):
But to me, the biggest, the biggest reason this team
is winning is if they've won for their last five games,
that includes two overtime games on the road. But during
that five game stretch, they've had ten starters miss at
least one game, and most of them have missed multiple
So the fact that they're able to overcome that and
(26:33):
they're able to get some really good play from their
depth guys is really honestly the reason why they've been
able to kind of pull back into this AFC South race.
And you know, that's credit to Liam Cohen and the
rest of the coaching staff. Offensively, you know, they lose
Travis Hunter, they had Brian Thomas Junior down for two games,
(26:53):
and they bring in Jacobe Myers, and then a guy
like Parker Washington steps up, Ken Patrick steps up, and
they've just got guys making key plays here and there. Offensively,
the offensive line has been battered by injuries, but they
keep bringing guys in and they're.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
Able to step in and play pretty well.
Speaker 8 (27:11):
So you know, it's it's a real, like I said,
testament to Liam Cohen and the depth of this roster
that they put together with James Gladstone that they're able
to kind of be in the position they're in right now.
Speaker 14 (27:23):
Liam Cohen, has he been everything that many people thought
he was going to be an your number one as
head coach there?
Speaker 2 (27:29):
Yeah, absolutely, he hasn't really been able to do.
Speaker 8 (27:33):
It's it's fine the Trevor Lawrence switch, but that doesn't
make him unique. No one's really been able to find that,
to be honest with you, to get him to play
consistent football at a high level.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
He's gotten some high.
Speaker 8 (27:47):
Level moments out of Trevor Lawrence, absolutely, but it just
hasn't been the consistent level that everybody kind.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
Of thought it would be right away.
Speaker 8 (27:55):
And maybe that was unfair expectation on Liam Cohen when
they saw what Baker Mayfield did in his one season
with Liam Cohen. But you know, Baker had been sort
of playing at a pretty decent level the last several
years anyway before that, So.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
That's probably the only negative.
Speaker 8 (28:12):
But I've seen some improvement in Trevor Lawrence over the
last you know, three or four games, and I know
he had a four turnover game, but Liam Cohen saying
to Trevor Lawrence has been hey, man, let it rip.
Just just keep firing it in there, keep chucking it,
because I think Liam Cohen understands, Yeah, there's probably going
to be some head scratchers in that area there where
(28:33):
you're going to have three or four throws a game
where you're just not sure what he was looking at.
Speaker 2 (28:37):
Or why he made the throw. But you're also going
to get three or.
Speaker 8 (28:40):
Four throws that are really really high level, and he's
going to make a couple of high level decisions and
follow through with a good throw. And you know he
understands Liam Cohen does it. To get the good, you're
going to have to put.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
Up with the bad.
Speaker 14 (28:53):
Yeah, Mike Doroco of ESPN and ESPN dot COM's in Jacksonville.
He's on the endymore on a motive group pile line
of course. Ten am I get you started with the
Colts pregame huddle coming up on Sunday morning here on
ninety three to five, one oh seven five. The fan
with the Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars common thread with
the futility of the Colts since twenty fourteen in Jacksonville
(29:14):
has been a lot of domination of whomever we're talking about.
It's been a laundry list of names along the defensive
line for the Jacksonville Jaguars getting to the Colts the
quarterback and causing mistakes. And that would I think be
unfortunately a bad omen for this Colts team right now
that's struggling on the offensive line and also struggling with
(29:36):
a lack of mobility with an injury compromise quarterback at
this time.
Speaker 2 (29:41):
Would you agree? Yeah?
Speaker 8 (29:43):
Absolutely, I mean that's something that you're the Jags. You
you know, Daniel Jones is a hell of an athlete.
I think we've seen that throughout his career and he
can make a lot of plays with his legs.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
But if he's.
Speaker 8 (29:55):
Limited, that obviously, you know, is a huge advantage. Now
the flip side of that is is I don't think
Trayvon Walker's playing again. He's going to miss I think
his third straight game with a knee injury. Defensive tackle
Eric Armstead, who was second on the team in sacks
and has really kind of gotten a good push, given
them pretty much the only pass rush up the middle.
He didn't play last week with a hand injury. Tried
(30:19):
to go with a club and it didn't work. So
I'm not sure whether he's gonna play this week either.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
So there's a lot of.
Speaker 8 (30:24):
Young guys that are going to have to step in,
and they did a solid job the last couple of weeks,
but you know, it's not the same as having those
front line rushers there. So it's a lot of it's
going to fall on Josh heinz Allen, and he's been
phenomenal the last two weeks. I mean, he was sitting
on fifty five career sacks, tied with Tony Brackens for
(30:44):
the franchise record, finally gets the record against the Chargers
in Week eleven, and then the last two weeks he's
been absolutely on fire since getting that record sixteen quarterback
pressures the most in the league, three sacks. He's just
been and as good as he was back in two
thousand and what was it twenty three when he had
(31:05):
seventeen and a half sacks. So a lot of it
is going to have to fall to him if those
other guys can't play.
Speaker 14 (31:11):
Yeah, when you look at this, you mentioned the schedule
a little bit earlier too, I mean, some quality wins
with the Jaguars, but most recently, you know, kind of
like the Colts. Would you agree that they took advantage
of a slight schedule? Was there a little bit of
fools gold into that seven and one start or did
you see a lot of legitimacy on both sides of
the football, certainly when they were healthy and looked better
(31:33):
at that point in time.
Speaker 2 (31:34):
For the Colts.
Speaker 8 (31:35):
Yeah, I mean, look, they beat Denver, which right now
looks like one of the two best teams in the
AFC one at Tennessee, something much better than the Jags.
Did you know, beat Vegas? Destroyed Vegas. The Jags had
to hold on and win that game. Both teams beat
(31:55):
the Chargers, which is a little bit of a surprise.
I thought the Chargers were going to be better than that.
But look, Jonathan Taylor is an MVP candidate, no question
about it. And until you know, getting banged up recently,
you could make the argument for Daniel Jones.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
But you know, look, you play a schedule that's in
front of you.
Speaker 8 (32:13):
And believe me, I've covered this Tiz long enough to
know the Jags that just because you're supposed to win
a game doesn't mean you're going to win a game.
And you know what the Colts did to take control
of the division early. Look, they were the biggest surprise
in the league. And I still think they're a really,
really good team. Like you said, the injuries have mounted
a little bit now probably what no Sauce Gardner this week.
(32:36):
So you know, this is a game that I think
if Jonathan Taylor can go off, then I think the
Colts win. But it's really interesting. I was looking up
his numbers. I was like, hey, what what is just curiously,
what has you know Taylor done in Jacksonville against the Jags?
And he's played four games, didn't play in twenty four
(32:57):
and I was stunned he had never rush them more
than seventy seven yards in any of the four games
that he's played in Jacksonville and lost all four.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
So that was very, very surprising to me.
Speaker 8 (33:09):
So I think the key is if the Jags can
kind of limit him, then they've got a chance to
win this game.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
But if they.
Speaker 8 (33:16):
Can't, then it's going to be a long day here
in the EverBank Stadium.
Speaker 14 (33:20):
Well, listen, he saw Houston just got to Daniel Jones
because they had a couple of guys in particular that
were capable individually and Anderson you know, certainly at hunter
of getting to Daniel Jones. But they also blitzed a
great deal. You saw Steve Spagnulo in the fourth quarter
when Kansas City was down eleven at home to the Colts,
they started blitzing, and you see obviously the lack of
(33:43):
mobility with Daniel Jones. So is they going to be
bringing everybody in Jacksonville defensively and see how the Colts
offensive line and the Colts offense handle the blitz once
again on Sunday? Is that the expectations scheme wise.
Speaker 8 (33:57):
They'd rather not have to blitz, but you know, they're
getting healthier in the second day. They should have Eric
Murray back Jordan Lewis's back, so that's a good.
Speaker 2 (34:05):
Deal for the Jags. But you know, obviously, if.
Speaker 8 (34:08):
They can make the Colts one dimensional, especially into that
you know, fourth quarter, and turn it into a Daniel
Jones has got to stand back there and try and
beat the Jags, then I yeah, they're going to get
as much heat on them as they can. But I
think early in the game they would prefer not to
blitz if possible. But a lot of that also depends on,
like what I mentioned before, are they getting there with
(34:30):
Forrest Dennis Gardak giving them anything, as Devin Lloyd when
they ask him to rush, is he giving them anything?
What are the young guys bj Green and Danny Strigau
give them. You know, if they're not able to get
any pressure with the help of those guys, then I
would expect them to blitz more. But man, I think
if you could ask the Jags to drop the perfect
game plan, it would be limit Jonathan Taylor, make the
(34:53):
Colts one dimensional and take a ten point lead into
that fourth quarter and then turn the doll and clues
and then see what they can do there. Because again
Daniel Jones has had a hell of a year, But
if he's limited mobility wise, that's not a good place
to be in.
Speaker 14 (35:10):
No, it's not. And one of the things they haven't
done is, and I think you have to look even
more might to do it is to go downfield. And
you know, Alex Pearce has been fantastic at doing that.
And I think the way that things are with Daniel
Jones and his injury and certainly the lack of protection
of any kind and certainly anything of length that and
(35:33):
I know you can't get down the field quick enough,
but I think you do have to start trying to
take more legitimate shots down the field, and certainly what
this team has, and I think in general terms, Shansdeken
looks to me like he's tried to handle Daniel Jones
in the fashion in which we saw a healthy Daniel
Jones in September, not what he has right now in
(35:54):
a compromised injury quarterback in Daniel Jones.
Speaker 8 (35:58):
Yeah, and here's the thing. The Jags are susceptible the
stuff down the field. Andrew wing Guard is a really
good safety in run support, and he's a good safety
in terms of being where he's supposed to be, But
he's not a man cover guy. He's not a guy
you really want running down the field with a wide receiver.
He's not the guy that you want on any of
(36:22):
the tight ends in the NFL because he's just not
able to keep up. So they've given up some plays
down the field, especially the tight ends, and that's an
area to watch as well. But look, if there's a
weakness to the Jags defense, it's definitely in the back
end of the secondary at safety. But Murray's coming back
and he may not be all worlds, but the one
(36:44):
thing they brought him here for, and the one thing
they've loved about him before he got hurt, was the
communication and the ability to make sure that everybody is
where they're supposed to be. And he's made some plays
in the back end of that secondary as well. That's
a big get back for the Jags this week. But
you know, Pierce is what he's having like twenty one
(37:06):
yards of catch, which is phenomenal.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
So they can get a couple of shots on.
Speaker 8 (37:10):
The Jags down the field, then you know that changes
things for sure.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
If they can protect.
Speaker 14 (37:14):
Yeah, that makes funny. He's gone to somewhat of a
question mark. Ask too, how much you want to pay
him and how much you want to bring him back,
and now he's absolutely essential personnel to certainly bring back
for the longer term and the Colts offensive grand scheme
of things. Mike Darroko of ESPN is on the Andy
More Automotive Group hotline. Before I let you go, I
also have to ask you about a team that is
(37:34):
also working within the AFC South, and that is the
Houston Texan.
Speaker 2 (37:38):
CJ.
Speaker 14 (37:39):
Stroud was back. Wasn't Stroud esque, but clearly they leaned
defensively a great deal and that here recently is getting
it done for Demico Ryans and that team.
Speaker 8 (37:51):
Yeah, look, play to your strength and that's exactly what
the Houston Texans have on defense.
Speaker 2 (37:57):
That's it's their strength.
Speaker 8 (37:58):
And that's a team nobody wants to play right now, nobody.
And you definitely don't want to see that team in
the postseason. If you make the postseason, you don't want
to have to go to Houston. You don't want to
see those two edge rushers coming right at you. You
know this. I honestly, if you ask me and made
(38:20):
me sit here and say who I think really is
going to win the AFC South right now, I might
pick the Texans just because of that defense. I mean,
it sounds ridiculous, but man, they're getting hot at the
right time.
Speaker 2 (38:33):
And when you can play defense in this.
Speaker 8 (38:34):
League like that and take it away and rush the passer, man,
you're a dangerous, dangerous team. And you know that's the
Colt's opponent in Week eighteen, right, I can see that
that game right there, being a winner gets in loser
goes home type of thing, which you know, great for
the NFL. Not good if you're you know, either one
of those teams. But yeah, that team scares It would
(38:56):
scare the hell out of me in the postseason if
I have to go play that team.
Speaker 14 (39:01):
We always say Hindsight's twenty twenty in hindsight trade deadline deal.
And I have to say this all the time. I
was for the one non mentality of Sauce Gardner. But
now he has a calf injury, gonna be a DNP
in practice today, won't play on Sunday. We'll see the
timetable for his return. As it said, he is week
(39:23):
to week. But when you look back on that for
two number ones at Ady Mitchell, was that a good
deal or does it still all come down to exactly
what this team is able to.
Speaker 7 (39:34):
Do this year.
Speaker 8 (39:36):
No, I like the deal I did, because, look, if
you're gonna win in this league, you got to be
able to deal with the quarterbacks in this league.
Speaker 2 (39:46):
And I get it.
Speaker 8 (39:46):
I mean, I get Joe Burrow. They're probably not going
to make the postseason. But I mean, you're gonna have
to deal with Bonnicks. You're gonna have to deal with
Drake May, You're gonna have to deal with Josh Allen,
maybe Lamar whoever comes out of the AFC South mostly
or assume me the AFC North most likely Mare Well,
you've got to be able to cover guys. He takes
away half of the field, and he takes away the
best receiver.
Speaker 2 (40:05):
I liked the deal a lot.
Speaker 8 (40:07):
I thought that actually was probably the best trade acquisition
in the entire league, even you know, even better than
what you know, what the Cowboys did. So I thought
it was a great deal. I still think it's a
great deal. And when he gets healthy, he's every bit,
you know, one of the two or three best corners
in the league.
Speaker 14 (40:25):
If you had to pick one of three teams, the Jags,
the Colts, or the Texans to win this division right now,
who would you pick?
Speaker 8 (40:34):
H Man, I said just a few minutes ago, I
probably picked the Texans, but that's that's probably.
Speaker 2 (40:44):
I think it's either gonna be the Texans or the Colts.
I really do.
Speaker 8 (40:47):
I'm still not one hundred percent all in on the
Jags here. I think they've still got some issues that
they've got to deal with. But I guess right now,
if you made me choose, I'd probably take the Texans,
which doesn't really sound smart, but I just, I just
I think that defense is is so elite and they've
got they've got it roll and then and as you
guys know, momentum is are funny things. You get momentum
(41:09):
at the end of the season and it can carry
you a long way.
Speaker 14 (41:12):
It's Mike Garako of ESPN and ESPN dot Com. He'll
be there coming up on Sunday again, one o'clock to start.
We'll get you started at ten am here on the
Colts pregame huddle ninety three five and one oh seven
five Fan Mike is on the Anymore Automatic Group podline.
Pleasure to have you back. I'm sure we'll do it
again here at the end of the season. But thanks
for the knowledge and enjoy the game on Sunday, Enjoy
(41:32):
the rest of the week.
Speaker 2 (41:34):
Thanks man, I appreciate you guys having me.
Speaker 1 (41:36):
Thanks again for listening to Instant Replay, because second helpings
are always best when the main course is still fresh.
Instant Replay on ninety three five and one oh seven
five The Fan
We know you're busy, bills to pay, mouths to feed,
and the man.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Needs another favor.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
So just in case you missed what happened, I'm a
Fan today, we got your back, and even if you
did hear it live.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
You probably need to hear it again.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Here you go, all in one place and in just
one hour, the best of the best from today on
ninety three to five and one oh seven five the Fan.
This is instant replay this morning I'm a Fan Morning Show.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
We'll get you all warm and fuzzy for a great
weekend of sports coming up. On Saturday, You've got, of course,
Louisville and Indiana basketball over at the field House, and
then later on the night Big Ten Conference Championship football
game between Ohio State and the Indiana the number one
and two ranked teams in America. Right now, I'm here
to tell us more about how that all came together.
The senior director of Marketing and Communications for the Indiana
(00:51):
Sports Court, Dan Gliat, joining us here on the pay
Less Liquors Hotline. Good morning, Dan, it sounds like you
guys are gonna be busy all week long.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Good morning, Thanks for having me on. It is a
busy week in a long line of busy weeks we
have had here at the sports scene in Indianapolis. But
we're excited for it.
Speaker 5 (01:10):
Dan, Appreciate you, boy, but I'm choked up just thinking
about it. Appreciate you joining us. Okay, let's let's get
fans set for Saturday. Obviously we've got two o'clock over
Game Bridge, as Jeff said, and then I forget the
exact kick time. I want to say eight o'clock over
at Lucas Oil in between games. Anything from a fan
fest standpoint, I think a convention center usually has some
(01:31):
activation stuff, So downtown wise, what could fans be looking for.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
Yeah, we're super excited to host a big can Big
ten fan Fest presented by Doctor Pepper once again inside
the Indiana Convention Center. It's going to be so much
fun there. If you've been downtown for the Big ten
fan fests, you've seen this, but it's brand new this year.
Once again, we're gonna have tons of activations inside there.
If you want to run the forty yard dash, if
you want to play some video games, do you want
(01:58):
to do some diving catches, if you want to kick
some field goals. This is the place to be to
get excited. You know, if you're going to that IU
Louisville game, come right over after that. If you're just
getting ready for the big game. If you've got a
ticket in there. If you do have a ticket to
the Big Ten Football Championship game, you have free access
into fanfests. You actually got to send a separate ticket
(02:19):
for that. But if you don't have a ticket into
the game, tickets started just sixteen dollars, ten dollars for
kids into an under his free so really affordable, spans
friendly atmosphere. It's going to be so much fun inside
the Convention Center.
Speaker 5 (02:34):
Dan, I don't remember last time a sporting event, I've
been asked more about tickets to the actual game here
in our city than Saturday night. So I am curious.
You know, do you know, like how tickets get divided up?
You know how many I guess did Indiana get? How
many Ohio State get? How does that work for the
Big Ten Championship?
Speaker 4 (02:53):
You know, it's a little bit different every single year,
and the Big Ten is the ones that handle those.
I know, like the teams get a certain amount each
here and how those are divided up. I'm not exactly sure,
But like I said, this might be the hottest tiket
in town.
Speaker 6 (03:06):
Right now for this game.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
I mean, it's one versus two, it's IU. Ohio State
hasn't been here in a couple of years. They finally
got over that hump against Michigan in one of the
big games on Saturday. So we're just really excited to
have just such a huge crowd. We're excited for this
town to literally be painted red. I know that's a
metaphors sometimes, but I expect so much red downtown on Saturday,
(03:29):
between the IU and Louisville basketball game and then Ohio
State IU for the football game.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
We're doing anything with the streets. We're going to rename
all the streets like Signetti Way or Mendoza Boulevard or
anything like that this weekend.
Speaker 4 (03:42):
I jove downtown today and I saw a couple of
the signs are up right now. The streets signs are up.
I'm looking over at Lukashot Stadium and the signage is
going up right now on the north side of the stadium.
So all that street signage, all that stuff that we're
used to seeing the airport. I just want to shout
out our friends at the airport for everyone that's going
to be flying in for this game, and hopefully everyone
(04:05):
can do it safely with the weather. But they've had
signage up for the last couple of weeks right now
and things like that, so the city is going to
be decked out ready for this game.
Speaker 7 (04:15):
So Dan as someone who is so envious of what's
going to happen this week, and I have to travel
for the Coles game, and if you can petition the
league to have the Cold slip their road game in
Jacksonville to a home game so I could be here
Saturday for all the festivities. By all means, you know,
do that for me. But in all seriousness, when you're
looking at like logistically what you all have to do
and plan for, how much planning, pre planning goes into
(04:38):
this and how much I don't know if it's post
playing is the right word, but how much does it
shift when you know you're going to get an influx
of IU fans?
Speaker 4 (04:46):
I mean, the Big Ten has been such great partners,
and we love to say here in Indianapolis that we
are been the only ones that ever host this game.
The Big Ten Football Championship Game has only ever been
hosted in Lucas Oil Stadium, and I think it's because
we worked so hard on that pre planning process. I mean,
we've been talking with the Big ten four months about
all the different iterations and how we want to make
this game better. We don't just rest on our laurels.
(05:08):
Even though we've posted this game for a long time
for fifteen years now, were really try to make it
better for the student athletes, for the coaches, for the
fans every single year. So that planning happens months in advance,
and we've been looking at the standings just like every
other fan, and we've been looking at a possible IU
games here and we've been thinking about how to make
this better, how to make this for fans coming in.
(05:28):
We've also been thinking about Ohio State fans. Is the
first time that they've possibly been here for five years,
so they haven't been here for a while, So how
do we make this experience for them better? And then
we'll talk about that after the game, as well as
how do we do it next year in the year
after to continue to make this the best experience. We
put ourselves out there as the best host city in
the country. This is one of those marquee weekends every
single year. You can market it down that Indianapolis is
(05:50):
hosting it and we want to put on the best
experience possible for everyone involved.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Well, you guys always put on a great experience of
so much great stuff that's been here in the last
several years, dating all the way back to the Super
Bowl and All Star Games, and Championship Games, National Championship,
you name it, Final Fours, it's what we do here.
Of all those things, I still think one of the
most fun things we've done. My wife and I went
to the Olympic Trials two years ago when you put
(06:16):
a pool at Lucas Oil Stadium. I know we've got
more stuff like that coming up. What are some of
the other big events on the horizon that we need
to keep on our radar.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
Yeah, in a couple of weeks, you know, I know
some of the Boilermaker fans probably aren't loving all the iutahk,
But in two weeks we were hosting the Indie Classic
presented by Bush's Chili Beans over at Gambridge Field House.
That's a college basketball doubleheader. That's Purdue versus Auburn and
then Butler versus Northwestern that's in a couple of saturdays
over at Gambridge, and then we are constantly working on
(06:45):
the men's Final Four coming here in the spring. We're
also hosting a Big Ten Women's basketball Championship that'll be
in March. But we're really focused on a lot of
basketball events coming up here. And there's no better state
than city to host college back basketball in Indiana and Indianapolis.
Who are really looking forward to that. But all all right,
once we get through this big weekend, are going to
(07:06):
be focused on college basketball and we're really excited about it.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Sounds good. Thanks for joining us this morning, Dan, We
appreciate that. Good luck this weekend, and let's see what happens. Man,
It's gonna be a lot of fun one and two
at the Big Ten Tournament or Big Ten Football Championship.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I can't wait.
Speaker 4 (07:22):
Hey, I appreciate the time. Guys. Love what you guys do.
Speaker 8 (07:24):
Give it up.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
It's the best of the best from today's broadcast lineup.
Instant replay continues in a moment on Nutty three five
and one oh seven five the Fan. This is instant
replay today on Quarian Company.
Speaker 9 (07:49):
Indiana and Ohio State Big Ten Championship.
Speaker 6 (07:51):
Game coming up.
Speaker 9 (07:53):
Look at so Oil Stadium on Saturday night and Graham
ray Hall has I think eighteen indy five hundred starts.
I think he was like eighteen when he won his
first race down in Saint Pete. And certainly when it
comes to IndyCar racing and mid Ohio and Buckeye lifestyle
and all of that, there are two things about IndyCar
(08:16):
that that have made me nauseous. One is when I
did a two seater on a road course, I was
very nauseous. And the other is anytime Graham ray Hall
starts talking about Ohio State, but he knows the Buckeyes
better than anybody, and I figured he would be the
perfect person to preview it. And he joins us now
on the Java House, Peel and poor guest line Grammy
fired up for the game.
Speaker 6 (08:35):
I am, brother, I am.
Speaker 8 (08:37):
You know.
Speaker 6 (08:37):
I don't rub it into my I was rubbing it
in more to you when Clemson was was actually a
good football program. But that's changed.
Speaker 9 (08:45):
Brother, Listen, how about the beginning. And I'm trying to
go where we were on Opening Saturday and you and
I are talking. I was in Nashville and Clemson's playing
LSU and I'm saying, yeah, you know, this is they Clemson.
There's a lot of expectation for him, and then they
go out and and it was just flat. And the
next day you come up to me and you go, well,
your defense is terrible and your quarterback I don't believe
(09:07):
in And I said, okay, well, other.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Than that was wrong, I know it was.
Speaker 9 (09:12):
It was a good scouting report, right, And then you know,
then we also, I think both of us were kind
of incredulous over arch Manning, and I think we expected
more out of what he would be able to do
for Texas in that opening game, and maybe we didn't
give enough credit to Ohio State's defense because we thought, okay,
arch Manning's too young, is a moment's too big for him,
(09:32):
and that Ohio State defense is obviously elite. Do you
see that as the biggest challenge for Indiana Saturday?
Speaker 6 (09:41):
Yeah, I think so. I mean, well, at first off,
I think it is super cool to see Indiana in
the position, and it's it's, in fact, to me, the
most fascinating storyline that I've ever witnessed. I mean, I
I the rise of the program from the CE or
two you know, to to being one of the top
(10:05):
teams in the nation in two years or even less.
Really is an unbelievable thing, right, I mean, it is
absolutely incredible what Signetty has done. And but I do
think that you know, Ohio State on the whole this year,
and we'll see what this weekend brings, but Ohio State
(10:26):
on the whole this year has been absolutely dominant in
every facet of the game. And if I could see
one weakness in Indiana, it's just that, you know, that
Penn State game was a concern, like you know, the
Penn State deals. You know, I really thought they were
going to blow Penn State out. Penn State has obviously
(10:46):
been going through some tough times, going through some coaching changes,
so on and so forth.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
And they really didn't do that.
Speaker 8 (10:52):
Right.
Speaker 6 (10:53):
The the the performance wasn't really awe inspiring like with
like you may have thought. But at the end of
the day, you know, I think Ohio Stated is going
to present them all the challenges in the world. But
I do also think they're going to score points. I
don't think that this is going to be you know,
like what we've seen year to date, right, I mean,
(11:13):
where basically nobody can score on Ohio State. I mean,
and that's not me saying as an arrogant fan, that's
the reality, right, So we'll.
Speaker 9 (11:22):
See now, is that to say that you're admitting to
being an arrogant fan?
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Not a chance.
Speaker 6 (11:28):
Hey, I'll tell you this right now. I'm not I'm
vident this weekend. I'm not over confident this weekend.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
You know, I don't.
Speaker 6 (11:37):
I think Indiana's got a shot, just be clear. And
but I also don't think this is a home game.
Like most things you watch, There's gonna be a lot
of buck guys yours truly included. They're going to be
there screaming loud and proud.
Speaker 9 (11:49):
I know that, you know to me, Graham, and you're right.
I mean, the Indiana story is truly and listen, you
know I'm here upfront talking about it every week for
the last two years, and it still is surreal, right
of like, can this really? And the reality is this?
And I realize it's not like you're watching every other
(12:10):
team every other Saturday. But Graham, would you agree with this?
I think we can emphatically say these are the two
best teams in college football right now in terms of
no doubt totality, Right, I mean on both sides of
the football for both of them.
Speaker 6 (12:23):
Right, dude, I'm calling right now Jeordia is half They're
They're not They are not that great. I'm telling you
right now. Alabama is overrated as hell. How Alabama is
high of a seed as they are is only for
one reason because their name and their brand. You know,
(12:45):
to me, the Texas Tech thing TBD. Right, I'm not
one hundred percent sold on that. Oregon. I actually don't
think Oregon is that good. Now, this is me going
on my rant. I want a lot of football, but
I'm not going to claim to be an expert. But
I don't think that there is any teams as complete
as Ohio State and Indiana this particular year. And you know,
(13:10):
to me, this weekend's matchup is just is a killer opportunity.
The biggest thing for me is I hope these teams
don't get slighted by taking a loss.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
You know, you would hate to see it.
Speaker 6 (13:20):
And I'm not saying they're not gonna make play Clearly
they're in the playoffs. My point though, is you'd hate
to see one of them drop, you know, too far,
because they don't deserve it, right, They certainly shouldn't drop
more than maybe to number three.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
You know, I mean when you.
Speaker 6 (13:33):
Look at it, and that's saying that's that's basin on
Georgia actually winning. So you know, overall we'll see I suppose.
Speaker 9 (13:41):
Graham in racing, Graham Rayhul's my guest, Java House Peel
and poor guest line. In racing, we use a term
called turn up the wick. So like in the Indy
five hundred, it's the last twenty five laps of the race. Now,
let's turn up the wick. Let's get everything we have
out of the car, and let's go. It's the final stint.
Do you believe that, offensively speaking, that Ohio state is
(14:01):
there's still another level on the notch for the Buckeyes
to turn up the wick. Has Ryan Day, to use
a racing term, been sandbagging a little bit on what
that offense can do.
Speaker 6 (14:10):
Yes, So to answer the question, I have to be
careful what I say because I got a lot of
buddies there I hear more so, I asked a buddy
this very question earlier this year. I said, I explain
it to me. We're not putting up a ton of points.
We're not doing this. He said, Look, flat out. The
objective is simple. We want to play one last game
(14:31):
by the end of the year than everybody else. We
want to the play clock. We'll move the ball, on
the ball and count. That's number one. But he said,
you remember the Penn State game. I said, yep, he goes.
You remember the third quarter, I said, I do, He goes,
we put up twenty one points in five minutes.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
I said, yep, he goes.
Speaker 6 (14:49):
That was fourth year. We knew that we didn't play
the first halfway wanted to. We knew we had to
come out in the second and pull a gap in
a very short period of time. And that's a ically
what we did. And you know, to me, that's pretty damn.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Pool to hear.
Speaker 6 (15:05):
I mean, that's what makes me as a Buckeye fan,
more confident than last year and the other year. I feel,
and again this isn't just say honestly that Ohio State
is going to go and win this weekend, but I
feel there is a control within this team that they
never had before. Like they are truly in control of
what is going on. They're in control of the play clock,
(15:27):
They're in control of the time of possession. I mean, dude,
look what they did in the mission, I mean only
they beat them, but they didn't. They weren't trying to
run up the score clearly, but they had forty minutes
time of possession. They just held the ball.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
That was their objective. Hold the ball, keep the ball.
Speaker 6 (15:41):
And you know, that's the thing that's going to be
interesting as compared to Indiana, who in my eyes, Indiana
is a faster paced team. They're gun slingers. Mendoza is
going to try to push the ball down the field
at all times. They're fat, a little bit of a
faster pace of play typically, and they're willing clearly to
run up scores. Ohio State this year is in the
opposite mentality. Keep the score count, you know, keep the
(16:04):
play count low. And they don't really care if they
win by twenty or if they win by forty. It's
not really an objective. And I think that's been pretty
cool to see this year.
Speaker 9 (16:13):
Where is Ohio State from what you've seen, Graham, where
is Ohio State susceptible?
Speaker 6 (16:20):
I think actually they're cornerbacks. They have you know, a
couple of of of of a good experience guys, but
they have a lot of youth. You're starting to see
Jermaine Matthews play a lot more. I think he's a sophomore,
but you're also seeing a lot of true freshmen out there.
Devin Sanchez, you know some of these guys. So I think,
to me, that's what's you know, made a little bit
(16:41):
more interesting is the matchups on on the sides. Ohio
States strength is going to be their D line again,
the center of their D of course, their safeties and
linebackers arguably the best linebackers in the country, arguably the
best safety in the country. And Caleb Downs, he's a
smart player. I think that old we'll limit a little
(17:01):
bit of the rushing attack that Indiana has. But on
the corners, I do think that, you know, Ohio State
can be susceptible to the crossing routes and some of
the deeper plays that it'll be interesting to see how that,
you know, plays out this weekend with Mendoza obviously, you know,
it's obviously a pretty pretty damn good thrower. So uh,
I don't know, man, I mean, that's that's my quick
(17:21):
take on this thing.
Speaker 9 (17:22):
If this were any other team but Ohio State, let's
just say that if and I'll put it to you
this way if Ohio State was allowed, if they said,
you know what, Ohio State, you're the defending national champion,
so we're going to let you sit out the Big
Ten game and pick the opponent for Indiana. And so
they just pick an opponent, okay, and let's it's not Michigan, Oregon, whoever.
If it were anybody but Ohio State, would you be
(17:43):
rooting for Indiana Saturday?
Speaker 6 (17:45):
Hell yeah, man, of course I would.
Speaker 9 (17:48):
Absolutely, I would because it's mean of a second home
or because of the Centre Elementary.
Speaker 6 (17:54):
Oh no, it's been home for an extended period of time,
you know, I mean as it's you know, I've been
here since twenty ten. I mean for me, you know,
living in this you know, in this city and stuff.
You know, it's a.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
It's a cool store.
Speaker 6 (18:08):
And you know, at the same time too, man, I
ever take the success for granted. As a fan, I mean,
Ohio State fans are are truly the most selfish or
the most spoiled people in the country, because you know,
we we we lose one or two games and it's
the end of the world, right. So you look at
programs like Alabama on some of these others that I
used to but for me, I think it's just a
damn cool story. It's great to see, you know, Indiana
(18:29):
having the success they're having, and when you have fans
that have remained that loyal and the diehards and so
on and so forth, you know, it's cool to see
them get get rewarded with, you know, with some great performances.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
For sure.
Speaker 9 (18:42):
Now, I'm not gonna lie to you. As a Clemson fan,
I never thought the situation would come where I'm looking
to see how much hotel rooms are in El Paso,
you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
I mean, it's it's just the way it goes.
Speaker 6 (18:51):
Well, I'll tell you this, I try. I was like,
I was excited about going to the Championship game this week,
and I thought I took it for granted. I was like, ah,
you know, I used to buy a suite every year
in advance and blah blah blah blah the company pay
for is good fun. And last couple of years I
was like, so I'm done.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
I'm done.
Speaker 6 (19:07):
I'm done freaking buying a stupid thing, having to watch
Michigan play.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
I'm not doing anymore.
Speaker 6 (19:12):
So I stopped, right, So I like this year, I'm like, oh,
this would be great. You know, We'll get to the
end of the year and then I'll make a decision. Well,
Indiana gets in and this is the most outrageously priced event.
I didn't end up doing a lead or anything. I
got very fortunate. A buddy of mine is going to
give me a couple of tickets. But I'm like, dude,
what or I invited you? I said, hey, bro, I'm
(19:34):
gonna buy a suite. You want to go? And You're
like yeah, And then I go to look up a suite. Yeah,
one got sent to me for an outrageously embarrassingly high
priced Like ah, yet, Nope, nope, nope, I'm good.
Speaker 9 (19:45):
And and here's the all thing, Graham, and I appreciate
the offer, right, and I'm glad you're gonna be going.
But but the other thing too, is you've also got
it in terms of the company money. You got to
replace windows over at the company, don't you. Didn't you
have something that happened over there recently?
Speaker 2 (19:58):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (19:59):
Yeah, yeah, man, we got shot with some I don't know,
we got we had a couple of pellet some high
powered pelagon. Oh, if somebody was on campus and working
at bodies at the chop house that we've got up here,
and they said it did sound like a bullet, but
we believe it's a pelagon. I shattered two of our windows.
Just got the bill for it fifteen thousand dollars. So
(20:22):
if those kids are listening, thank you. Two juveniles. They
went from us either to Lebanon, shot out some windows
in Lebanon, or went from Lebanon to us. Either way,
it doesn't really matter. It's a shame because they're juveniles.
The town is Zionsviil. The police department did a wonderful
job finding him, but we get no details. I told him, Hey,
bring them on over here. We'll teach them a lesson.
(20:44):
They can start sweeping the parking lot. We'll put them
to work. They can pay through there, you know, pay
for the windows the hard way.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
But it is what it is.
Speaker 6 (20:51):
I mean, it's disappointing, uh for sure. But hopefully it
doesn't become a pattern. I know that.
Speaker 8 (20:57):
Well.
Speaker 9 (20:57):
Lastly, Graham, and I know you're in town. I mean
you live here obviously, but you said you got indiecar meetings.
What what are going on? What's going on with the
meetings today? Is this basically everybody just sitting around figuring
out who's driving where this year because you got a
new teammate, right.
Speaker 6 (21:09):
Nuh, yeah, it's it's this is a series you know
meetings that we do every year and uh, you know,
meet with I don't know who from Penske, but but
you know, obviously Novak and all the boys will be
there and so uh yeah, I mean I think it's
a time to give.
Speaker 10 (21:26):
Some opinions, you know, not only on on you know,
the fundamentals of the series, but race control, future events
things like that, and so i'd imagine a lot of
the drivers.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
Will be there. But yeah, man, I'm off to that
right now.
Speaker 9 (21:41):
Now you've got mix Schumacher as a teammate. Now, Michael
Schumacher's son. This is new. This came about about two
weeks ago. I wanted to ask you about that real
quick before we let you go, just you know, your
excitement level or how much you know about him.
Speaker 6 (21:54):
Yeah, I mean I'm pretty pumped Abob Mick. He's a
great kid, I mean a super for great kid, you know,
very very humble, you could tell from a great family.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
And uh I was.
Speaker 6 (22:07):
Actually sporting you know, engineer zoom and stuff.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
I think you just connected to my car.
Speaker 11 (22:14):
But anyway, engineering zoom and stuff with Nick, and I'm
pretty pretty pumped up about him.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Man.
Speaker 11 (22:19):
I think he's going to be a great asset, and
only to us, but to the sport. I think people
are really gonna take well to him. He's super nice guy.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
His mom, you know, mom was.
Speaker 11 (22:29):
An absolute doll to all the people, to all of
our people, all of our staff when they came in. Now,
I think that's it's uh that speaks volume to him,
to his family.
Speaker 6 (22:37):
Telling somebody today like you think.
Speaker 11 (22:39):
About the prime of Michael Schumacher and what you know,
what Nick grew up in, you know, a worldwide scale
when you talked about same at that time, you talked
about Tiger Woods, you talked about Michael Jordan, you talk
about Michael Schumacher.
Speaker 4 (22:54):
Right, and yet you know, here it.
Speaker 11 (22:55):
Comes in this kid who's you know, so humble down
to hear. It's just a great guy and his mom's
the same. It's sweet man, and I'm looking forward to
it for sure.
Speaker 9 (23:05):
Okay, lastly, Graham, is this the first of two meetings
for Ohio State and Indiana this year?
Speaker 11 (23:13):
I don't believe.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
They don't.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
I don't know.
Speaker 11 (23:18):
I say that I think both have a good chance
as long as the laser you know works and they
just went out, they get to the final, right.
Speaker 12 (23:26):
But but I you know, to me, it's a long
playoff this year, and I think it's going to be
interesting to see.
Speaker 11 (23:37):
Well, let's put it this way. They both have got
to get yes, I think. And if they both get buyed,
then I think they're looking pretty good.
Speaker 9 (23:43):
Yeah, I think they will. I do think they will,
and they both deserve it for sure, Graham ray Hall,
IndyCar season will be here before we know it. It
starts out, I believe in Saint Pete if I'm not mistaken.
But that's still like four months down the road. Football
to be played between now and then. Graham certainly enjoy
the game on Saturday night. I appreciate the time. I'm
not gonna say, go bucks. I'm not gonna go that
far for you. I want to see Indiana win this game.
(24:05):
But we shall see what happens. But I appreciate the time.
As always.
Speaker 11 (24:09):
That sounds good.
Speaker 4 (24:10):
We'll loop back next week and still all.
Speaker 9 (24:12):
Right, sounds good. Graham ray Hall joining us, Java House
Peel and poor guest line.
Speaker 1 (24:16):
It's the best of the best. For today's broadcast lineup.
Instant replay continues.
Speaker 13 (24:21):
In a moment on ninety three five and one oh
seven five the Fan. This is instant replay earlier this
afternoon on the Ride with jmv.
Speaker 14 (24:41):
From ESPN and ESPN dot Com. Longtime No Talk Droco
from Newvall joins us now talking AFC South AFC and
in particular Colts and Jack's coming up on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
Mike, how are you? I'm doing well? How are you well?
Speaker 14 (24:56):
We're get a little schizophrenia going on, little Jackel and Hyde.
They started seven to one and now here in the
last month not so good, so I would call them
more than just kind of growing pains. Right, I'm far
from being Kurt Cameron in this scenario. There are some
issues that are well below the surface and some that
are bubbling up right now around here.
Speaker 8 (25:18):
Yeah, they were the story of the league.
Speaker 14 (25:21):
Yeah, the hot start, and they may be at the
end of it if they're not careful.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (25:28):
They're the opposite of the Jags in a way, because
the Jags had the tougher part of their schedule early
and have already played the Niners and the Seahawks and stuff,
and now Unfortunately for the Colts, they're getting them at
the end, which I think.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
If you could choose, you'd rather have the tougher part at.
Speaker 8 (25:44):
The end and the earlier part, or the easier part
at the or the tougher part at the beginning and
the easier part of the end.
Speaker 14 (25:49):
Yeah, So Jacksonville playing better in what capacity from what
you have seen here recently.
Speaker 8 (25:58):
Defensively, they have obviously the best rush defense in the NFL.
You know, they've sort of simplified things a little bit
defensively during the bye week and that has allowed them.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
To play a little bit better.
Speaker 8 (26:12):
But to me, the biggest, the biggest reason this team
is winning is if they've won for their last five games,
that includes two overtime games on the road. But during
that five game stretch, they've had ten starters miss at
least one game, and most of them have missed multiple
So the fact that they're able to overcome that and
(26:33):
they're able to get some really good play from their
depth guys is really honestly the reason why they've been
able to kind of pull back into this AFC South race.
And you know, that's credit to Liam Cohen and the
rest of the coaching staff. Offensively, you know, they lose
Travis Hunter, they had Brian Thomas Junior down for two games,
(26:53):
and they bring in Jacobe Myers, and then a guy
like Parker Washington steps up, Ken Patrick steps up, and
they've just got guys making key plays here and there. Offensively,
the offensive line has been battered by injuries, but they
keep bringing guys in and they're.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
Able to step in and play pretty well.
Speaker 8 (27:11):
So you know, it's it's a real, like I said,
testament to Liam Cohen and the depth of this roster
that they put together with James Gladstone that they're able
to kind of be in the position they're in right now.
Speaker 14 (27:23):
Liam Cohen, has he been everything that many people thought
he was going to be an your number one as
head coach there?
Speaker 2 (27:29):
Yeah, absolutely, he hasn't really been able to do.
Speaker 8 (27:33):
It's it's fine the Trevor Lawrence switch, but that doesn't
make him unique. No one's really been able to find that,
to be honest with you, to get him to play
consistent football at a high level.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
He's gotten some high.
Speaker 8 (27:47):
Level moments out of Trevor Lawrence, absolutely, but it just
hasn't been the consistent level that everybody kind.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
Of thought it would be right away.
Speaker 8 (27:55):
And maybe that was unfair expectation on Liam Cohen when
they saw what Baker Mayfield did in his one season
with Liam Cohen. But you know, Baker had been sort
of playing at a pretty decent level the last several
years anyway before that, So.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
That's probably the only negative.
Speaker 8 (28:12):
But I've seen some improvement in Trevor Lawrence over the
last you know, three or four games, and I know
he had a four turnover game, but Liam Cohen saying
to Trevor Lawrence has been hey, man, let it rip.
Just just keep firing it in there, keep chucking it,
because I think Liam Cohen understands, Yeah, there's probably going
to be some head scratchers in that area there where
(28:33):
you're going to have three or four throws a game
where you're just not sure what he was looking at.
Speaker 2 (28:37):
Or why he made the throw. But you're also going
to get three or.
Speaker 8 (28:40):
Four throws that are really really high level, and he's
going to make a couple of high level decisions and
follow through with a good throw. And you know he
understands Liam Cohen does it. To get the good, you're
going to have to put.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
Up with the bad.
Speaker 14 (28:53):
Yeah, Mike Doroco of ESPN and ESPN dot COM's in Jacksonville.
He's on the endymore on a motive group pile line
of course. Ten am I get you started with the
Colts pregame huddle coming up on Sunday morning here on
ninety three to five, one oh seven five. The fan
with the Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars common thread with
the futility of the Colts since twenty fourteen in Jacksonville
(29:14):
has been a lot of domination of whomever we're talking about.
It's been a laundry list of names along the defensive
line for the Jacksonville Jaguars getting to the Colts the
quarterback and causing mistakes. And that would I think be
unfortunately a bad omen for this Colts team right now
that's struggling on the offensive line and also struggling with
(29:36):
a lack of mobility with an injury compromise quarterback at
this time.
Speaker 2 (29:41):
Would you agree? Yeah?
Speaker 8 (29:43):
Absolutely, I mean that's something that you're the Jags. You
you know, Daniel Jones is a hell of an athlete.
I think we've seen that throughout his career and he
can make a lot of plays with his legs.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
But if he's.
Speaker 8 (29:55):
Limited, that obviously, you know, is a huge advantage. Now
the flip side of that is is I don't think
Trayvon Walker's playing again. He's going to miss I think
his third straight game with a knee injury. Defensive tackle
Eric Armstead, who was second on the team in sacks
and has really kind of gotten a good push, given
them pretty much the only pass rush up the middle.
He didn't play last week with a hand injury. Tried
(30:19):
to go with a club and it didn't work. So
I'm not sure whether he's gonna play this week either.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
So there's a lot of.
Speaker 8 (30:24):
Young guys that are going to have to step in,
and they did a solid job the last couple of weeks,
but you know, it's not the same as having those
front line rushers there. So it's a lot of it's
going to fall on Josh heinz Allen, and he's been
phenomenal the last two weeks. I mean, he was sitting
on fifty five career sacks, tied with Tony Brackens for
(30:44):
the franchise record, finally gets the record against the Chargers
in Week eleven, and then the last two weeks he's
been absolutely on fire since getting that record sixteen quarterback
pressures the most in the league, three sacks. He's just
been and as good as he was back in two
thousand and what was it twenty three when he had
(31:05):
seventeen and a half sacks. So a lot of it
is going to have to fall to him if those
other guys can't play.
Speaker 14 (31:11):
Yeah, when you look at this, you mentioned the schedule
a little bit earlier too, I mean, some quality wins
with the Jaguars, but most recently, you know, kind of
like the Colts. Would you agree that they took advantage
of a slight schedule? Was there a little bit of
fools gold into that seven and one start or did
you see a lot of legitimacy on both sides of
the football, certainly when they were healthy and looked better
(31:33):
at that point in time.
Speaker 2 (31:34):
For the Colts.
Speaker 8 (31:35):
Yeah, I mean, look, they beat Denver, which right now
looks like one of the two best teams in the
AFC one at Tennessee, something much better than the Jags.
Did you know, beat Vegas? Destroyed Vegas. The Jags had
to hold on and win that game. Both teams beat
(31:55):
the Chargers, which is a little bit of a surprise.
I thought the Chargers were going to be better than that.
But look, Jonathan Taylor is an MVP candidate, no question
about it. And until you know, getting banged up recently,
you could make the argument for Daniel Jones.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
But you know, look, you play a schedule that's in
front of you.
Speaker 8 (32:13):
And believe me, I've covered this Tiz long enough to
know the Jags that just because you're supposed to win
a game doesn't mean you're going to win a game.
And you know what the Colts did to take control
of the division early. Look, they were the biggest surprise
in the league. And I still think they're a really,
really good team. Like you said, the injuries have mounted
a little bit now probably what no Sauce Gardner this week.
(32:36):
So you know, this is a game that I think
if Jonathan Taylor can go off, then I think the
Colts win. But it's really interesting. I was looking up
his numbers. I was like, hey, what what is just curiously,
what has you know Taylor done in Jacksonville against the Jags?
And he's played four games, didn't play in twenty four
(32:57):
and I was stunned he had never rush them more
than seventy seven yards in any of the four games
that he's played in Jacksonville and lost all four.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
So that was very, very surprising to me.
Speaker 8 (33:09):
So I think the key is if the Jags can
kind of limit him, then they've got a chance to
win this game.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
But if they.
Speaker 8 (33:16):
Can't, then it's going to be a long day here
in the EverBank Stadium.
Speaker 14 (33:20):
Well, listen, he saw Houston just got to Daniel Jones
because they had a couple of guys in particular that
were capable individually and Anderson you know, certainly at hunter
of getting to Daniel Jones. But they also blitzed a
great deal. You saw Steve Spagnulo in the fourth quarter
when Kansas City was down eleven at home to the Colts,
they started blitzing, and you see obviously the lack of
(33:43):
mobility with Daniel Jones. So is they going to be
bringing everybody in Jacksonville defensively and see how the Colts
offensive line and the Colts offense handle the blitz once
again on Sunday? Is that the expectations scheme wise.
Speaker 8 (33:57):
They'd rather not have to blitz, but you know, they're
getting healthier in the second day. They should have Eric
Murray back Jordan Lewis's back, so that's a good.
Speaker 2 (34:05):
Deal for the Jags. But you know, obviously, if.
Speaker 8 (34:08):
They can make the Colts one dimensional, especially into that
you know, fourth quarter, and turn it into a Daniel
Jones has got to stand back there and try and
beat the Jags, then I yeah, they're going to get
as much heat on them as they can. But I
think early in the game they would prefer not to
blitz if possible. But a lot of that also depends on,
like what I mentioned before, are they getting there with
(34:30):
Forrest Dennis Gardak giving them anything, as Devin Lloyd when
they ask him to rush, is he giving them anything?
What are the young guys bj Green and Danny Strigau
give them. You know, if they're not able to get
any pressure with the help of those guys, then I
would expect them to blitz more. But man, I think
if you could ask the Jags to drop the perfect
game plan, it would be limit Jonathan Taylor, make the
(34:53):
Colts one dimensional and take a ten point lead into
that fourth quarter and then turn the doll and clues
and then see what they can do there. Because again
Daniel Jones has had a hell of a year, But
if he's limited mobility wise, that's not a good place
to be in.
Speaker 14 (35:10):
No, it's not. And one of the things they haven't
done is, and I think you have to look even
more might to do it is to go downfield. And
you know, Alex Pearce has been fantastic at doing that.
And I think the way that things are with Daniel
Jones and his injury and certainly the lack of protection
of any kind and certainly anything of length that and
(35:33):
I know you can't get down the field quick enough,
but I think you do have to start trying to
take more legitimate shots down the field, and certainly what
this team has, and I think in general terms, Shansdeken
looks to me like he's tried to handle Daniel Jones
in the fashion in which we saw a healthy Daniel
Jones in September, not what he has right now in
(35:54):
a compromised injury quarterback in Daniel Jones.
Speaker 8 (35:58):
Yeah, and here's the thing. The Jags are susceptible the
stuff down the field. Andrew wing Guard is a really
good safety in run support, and he's a good safety
in terms of being where he's supposed to be, But
he's not a man cover guy. He's not a guy
you really want running down the field with a wide receiver.
He's not the guy that you want on any of
(36:22):
the tight ends in the NFL because he's just not
able to keep up. So they've given up some plays
down the field, especially the tight ends, and that's an
area to watch as well. But look, if there's a
weakness to the Jags defense, it's definitely in the back
end of the secondary at safety. But Murray's coming back
and he may not be all worlds, but the one
(36:44):
thing they brought him here for, and the one thing
they've loved about him before he got hurt, was the
communication and the ability to make sure that everybody is
where they're supposed to be. And he's made some plays
in the back end of that secondary as well. That's
a big get back for the Jags this week. But
you know, Pierce is what he's having like twenty one
(37:06):
yards of catch, which is phenomenal.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
So they can get a couple of shots on.
Speaker 8 (37:10):
The Jags down the field, then you know that changes
things for sure.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
If they can protect.
Speaker 14 (37:14):
Yeah, that makes funny. He's gone to somewhat of a
question mark. Ask too, how much you want to pay
him and how much you want to bring him back,
and now he's absolutely essential personnel to certainly bring back
for the longer term and the Colts offensive grand scheme
of things. Mike Darroko of ESPN is on the Andy
More Automotive Group hotline. Before I let you go, I
also have to ask you about a team that is
(37:34):
also working within the AFC South, and that is the
Houston Texan.
Speaker 2 (37:38):
CJ.
Speaker 14 (37:39):
Stroud was back. Wasn't Stroud esque, but clearly they leaned
defensively a great deal and that here recently is getting
it done for Demico Ryans and that team.
Speaker 8 (37:51):
Yeah, look, play to your strength and that's exactly what
the Houston Texans have on defense.
Speaker 2 (37:57):
That's it's their strength.
Speaker 8 (37:58):
And that's a team nobody wants to play right now, nobody.
And you definitely don't want to see that team in
the postseason. If you make the postseason, you don't want
to have to go to Houston. You don't want to
see those two edge rushers coming right at you. You
know this. I honestly, if you ask me and made
(38:20):
me sit here and say who I think really is
going to win the AFC South right now, I might
pick the Texans just because of that defense. I mean,
it sounds ridiculous, but man, they're getting hot at the
right time.
Speaker 2 (38:33):
And when you can play defense in this.
Speaker 8 (38:34):
League like that and take it away and rush the passer, man,
you're a dangerous, dangerous team. And you know that's the
Colt's opponent in Week eighteen, right, I can see that
that game right there, being a winner gets in loser
goes home type of thing, which you know, great for
the NFL. Not good if you're you know, either one
of those teams. But yeah, that team scares It would
(38:56):
scare the hell out of me in the postseason if
I have to go play that team.
Speaker 14 (39:01):
We always say Hindsight's twenty twenty in hindsight trade deadline deal.
And I have to say this all the time. I
was for the one non mentality of Sauce Gardner. But
now he has a calf injury, gonna be a DNP
in practice today, won't play on Sunday. We'll see the
timetable for his return. As it said, he is week
(39:23):
to week. But when you look back on that for
two number ones at Ady Mitchell, was that a good
deal or does it still all come down to exactly
what this team is able to.
Speaker 7 (39:34):
Do this year.
Speaker 8 (39:36):
No, I like the deal I did, because, look, if
you're gonna win in this league, you got to be
able to deal with the quarterbacks in this league.
Speaker 2 (39:46):
And I get it.
Speaker 8 (39:46):
I mean, I get Joe Burrow. They're probably not going
to make the postseason. But I mean, you're gonna have
to deal with Bonnicks. You're gonna have to deal with
Drake May, You're gonna have to deal with Josh Allen,
maybe Lamar whoever comes out of the AFC South mostly
or assume me the AFC North most likely Mare Well,
you've got to be able to cover guys. He takes
away half of the field, and he takes away the
best receiver.
Speaker 2 (40:05):
I liked the deal a lot.
Speaker 8 (40:07):
I thought that actually was probably the best trade acquisition
in the entire league, even you know, even better than
what you know, what the Cowboys did. So I thought
it was a great deal. I still think it's a
great deal. And when he gets healthy, he's every bit,
you know, one of the two or three best corners
in the league.
Speaker 14 (40:25):
If you had to pick one of three teams, the Jags,
the Colts, or the Texans to win this division right now,
who would you pick?
Speaker 8 (40:34):
H Man, I said just a few minutes ago, I
probably picked the Texans, but that's that's probably.
Speaker 2 (40:44):
I think it's either gonna be the Texans or the Colts.
I really do.
Speaker 8 (40:47):
I'm still not one hundred percent all in on the
Jags here. I think they've still got some issues that
they've got to deal with. But I guess right now,
if you made me choose, I'd probably take the Texans,
which doesn't really sound smart, but I just, I just
I think that defense is is so elite and they've
got they've got it roll and then and as you
guys know, momentum is are funny things. You get momentum
(41:09):
at the end of the season and it can carry
you a long way.
Speaker 14 (41:12):
It's Mike Garako of ESPN and ESPN dot Com. He'll
be there coming up on Sunday again, one o'clock to start.
We'll get you started at ten am here on the
Colts pregame huddle ninety three five and one oh seven
five Fan Mike is on the Anymore Automatic Group podline.
Pleasure to have you back. I'm sure we'll do it
again here at the end of the season. But thanks
for the knowledge and enjoy the game on Sunday, Enjoy
(41:32):
the rest of the week.
Speaker 2 (41:34):
Thanks man, I appreciate you guys having me.
Speaker 1 (41:36):
Thanks again for listening to Instant Replay, because second helpings
are always best when the main course is still fresh.
Instant Replay on ninety three five and one oh seven
five The Fan
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