Countdown to Kickoff Presented by BetMGM

Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Don't listening to Fox Sports Radio? Are you going to college? Fans?
Welcome to the biggest tailgate party in the nation, Fox
Sports Radio's Countdown to Kickoff, presented by fat MG, the

(00:21):
gig of sports book. We're setting you up with the
information you need to watch your team win. Let's go.
We're here to break it all down. This is Fox
Sports Radio's Countdown to Kickoff, presented by bet mg app.
We're live from your tail game. Here's Brian No, former

(00:42):
Pent State All American, Rich Mornberger and picks Wise lead
betting analyst Jared Smith. Oh, what's going on everybody? Good
morning here as we wind down the end of the
regular season. Rich hard Burger Jared Smith with us here? Rich,
where you on the San Diego State call last night?

(01:02):
Nice lint for the as Yeah, well, I was just
back from New Mexico. Uh, Albuquerque is gorgeous this time
of year. They called this the St Barts of the
Southwest for a good reason. Uh so, yeah, I I
flew back to San Diego last night on the team
charter and I'm here with you, find gentlemen. Only a

(01:23):
couple of hours later. No worse for wear, though, and
it was a big win and and you're you're seeing
this across college football. There are certain teams who are
hitting stride at the right time. The Aztecs are one
of them, but there are many. You know, offenses take
a long time to jael, especially with young players. And
that's the beauty of college football is you don't get

(01:44):
the same quarterback for ten years. You gotta break a
new one in usually every three years. If you're a
great program, sometimes every two years. So it's uh, it's
been fun to watch. It's been a fun college football season.
For that reason. There was no like tailor heine key
drinking on that team plane, was there from you? Oh no, no, no, listen,

(02:05):
that is strictly forbidden across all NFL planes. Now you
heard the league memo. It came down they said, they
said definitively and and importantly they said there will be
no tolerance for that. Well, never tolerance for that. But
obviously these are student athletes we're talking about. Yeah, no,

(02:28):
you don't have that problem. When we go hang out, right, guys,
we can we can crack open an adult that. Oh yeah,
oh yeah, we're gonna have a little meet up pretty soon. Here.
We counted so far. Yeah, we're all gonna be there,
block seat. That's gonna be uh. The first weekend of December,
looking forward to that big game between l s U

(02:48):
and some team in Georgia that day, I think, oh, yeah,
that's right. Uh, kind of an important one. I think.
I think they are called Georgia, aren't they Peach state teach.
That's right. We got a couple of big matchups today.
The Pack twelve is in the UH is on center
stage here because the only ranked versus ranked games involved

(03:11):
involved Pack twelve teams, So UH, USC U c l
A the highlight of it because USC is now the
Pac twelve's only chance to make it into the College
football playoff, and Richie talked about this team's peaking at
the right time. That would not describe U c l A.
As they lost to Arizona last week, but they try

(03:33):
to get back and give it to USC. U c
l A one last year scored sixty two points high total.
In this game, it's seventy six and a half. It's
actually ticking up. And U c l A. They are
a home underdog at plus two and a half here
at bet MGM. Yeah, concentrating on the Trojan side of
this one. First, USC, I mean, look, there's still a

(03:57):
legitimate playoff contender, but really haven't had to prove it yet. Look,
the Trojans have played one of the easiest schedules of
all Power five teams that even have a sniff at
the postseason this year by far um and and you
know fifteen of US is only top top twenty five victories.

(04:18):
UH is now over a number twenty three ranked Oregon State.
So the remaining UH, the remainder of this schedule, I
should say, uh, they they have, they have some tests
ahead of them. They play number sixteen U c l
A obviously number eighteen Notre Dame to close out the season,
and if they make it to a Pack twelve championship game,

(04:41):
they'll likely face Utah or Oregon. So this is where
it picks up for the Trojans. Like, you know, the
same way you were talking about U c l A
kind of running into it a little bit, we could
be saying that about u USC. Also, if they don't
take care of business here, if they aren't as sharp
of a team as we've all thought they would be
come down the stretch of the season. I have a

(05:03):
feeling We're gonna see some chaos over the next two weeks.
I just have it's been that kind of year in
college football. It's been that kind of year in the
NFL too, and just the numbers that I'm seeing across
both sports. The NFL is a little easier to comprehend
because there's fewer games, fewer teams, but the parody across
the league and just the flukiness, the randomness, it's it's

(05:27):
been paramount and we saw it last week with Oregon
and Washington and I I think we're gonna see one
of these top ten teams lose this week, whether it
be USC or whether it be those oh, those pesky
horn Frogs, which we'll get to I'm sure at some
point today. But I I just there there's just some

(05:48):
interesting matchups today because you're right on paper, Brian, there
isn't this like Marquee game everyone's gravitating towards. But there's
a lot of little, you know, tricky spots for some
of these teams that have very high aspirations for the playoffs.
And let's be honest, with that organ loss last week
and with Tennessee kind of being this you know, outsider

(06:11):
because they're not going to play in their conference title game,
but they're still expected to be in. There is this
opening in that fourth spot, and we don't know who
it's going to be. It's it's frankly gonna be really
fascinating over the next two It's like there, I can
make a case for four or five teams that might
have a chance, and I think maybe it's realistically two

(06:33):
or three, but we should find out a lot more
if some of those contenders are actually pretenders today. Well
it's funny because I think USC and u n C
have a lot in common here. If you look at
USC and North Carolina, it's kind of like that Spider
Man meme where they're both pointing at each other. Yeah,

(06:55):
first one lost conference champion. Well, you look at USC
and look, they've beaten, as Rich said, one team they've
they've beaten one team that's currently ranked right now, and
they lost to the other team. They lost to Utah.
And if you look at North Carolina, they don't have
a Utah like win. But if you just look at

(07:16):
the dynamics of both teams, a lot of offense, not
a whole lot of defense. And USC is the brand name.
North Carolina in football not so much. And so USC
has ranked seventh while U n C has ranked thirteen.
So it's gonna be interesting how these teams jockey for
position as we come down the stretch here. But I
look at USC, if we hone in on them, it

(07:37):
just feels like, I don't know if you guys feel
like this. It's not if they're gonna falter, it's win.
It's a Pac twelve team. It might happen today against
u c l A, could happen in the PAC twelveth
Championship game, but I have a hard time seeing them
win out against u c l A, Notre Dame, win
the PAC twelveth Championship game and be a viable option

(08:00):
as a college football playoff team. It just seems like
the Pac twelve gets in the way of itself. And
this really could be the game where you see it,
because this is one of those games where the toss
up happens because of the battle and the trenches. And
we usually spotlight one game a weekend that that really
comes to the offensive line versus the defensive line or

(08:22):
the pass rush in this case, and this is one
that game. The Trojans against the Bruins upfront. I mean,
if you look at USC, they're inarguably the best offensive
line unit in the country. They've got three of their
five starters who ranked top five at their positions. UM,
their sensational and they've kept clean pockets for Cam Williams

(08:43):
the entire season. But if you look at the u
c l A pass rush, I mean, they've got some
monsters up front that uh, the the lot to uh
and the Murphy brothers, I mean, they're impressive. Uh So
they've got three of the country's best tan and ed rushers.
I would argue, UM on their on their front, on

(09:05):
their front seven. And that's what USC's got to deal
with today. You know. So I see this being a
really close game because of that matchup US. He wants
to throw the football around the yard. We know that,
we've seen that. It's Lincoln Riley. That's what he's here
to do. U c l A can stem that tied
to speak, if they do what they've done all season long,
which is get after the passer. I'm so excited for

(09:26):
this and it's it's really it's the late actually, no
Utah Organs the late late game. But you know, these
pack twelve games will differ for me to watch these
pack twelve games out here in Vegas than when it
was when I was on the East Coast and I
was basically half asleep at halftime. But this, you see,
I mean, defense wins championships, right, like like that's the
age old adage, and I think in college football maybe

(09:47):
doesn't have as much starts to it because the offenses
are just so prominent and it's such an offensive you know,
the games just so from which built around the offenses.
But defense does win championships, right And which one of
these teams is gonna bow their necks and get a
stop when when it matters most? And honest, I don't
know either one is capable of it, But I think U. C.

(10:09):
L a Is a little more capable of it, and
that's because their trench matchup is more favorable. And the
other thing I really think matters in this game. We
don't talk about running backs mattering a lot to the
points Bread. Travis Dye might matter a little bit to
the points Bread, and his usage rate is just absurd.
It's over thirty on standard downs. Caleb Williams the only

(10:29):
guy that has a higher usage rate obviously for USC.
Now there's tons of horses in the stable for the Trojans,
they've got a million four star, five star kids that
the Stanford transferring Austin Jones did a nice job once
I went down last week. Granted it was against Colorado,
but on the other side, that's where the real mismatch
in this game is u c l A's offensive line

(10:50):
and how they're physical at the line of scrimmage against
USC's defense. And this U c l A offensive line
with Charmon Ah just, I mean, he's very underrated. I
think they really get after you. And another interesting part
about this game is just the insanely high total that
has come down a little bit, but they are expecting

(11:10):
points galore. And I mean this total at one point
was in the eighties, not even in the seventies, in
the eighties and then gets back down into the mid seventies.
So U c l A plays a very unique style.
They're like a bend but don't break kind of defense.
So we'll see again who gets the stop at the
key time and can the Trojans overcome the loss of
who I think their emotional leader is big of a

(11:31):
you know, importance of Kayleb Williams is Travis Day has
been around the block, fifth year senior. I mean, he's
really one of the more intangible leaders of any program
in the country. So a lot of interesting things in
this game. But eventually someone has to get a stop,
and I think the team that gets their lab the
first stop might might actually be the one that wins it. Well,
that's what's crazy, is this. Uh the total is fluctuated

(11:54):
now at seventies six and a half and I just
started thinking about it to hit the over. That's basically
eleven touchdowns touchdowns today that that's a lot. But as
you're talking about, Jared, I've seen so many of these
games and you have to where it's just to shoot out.
Both teams are in the forties. One team has the ball,
needs a touchdown at the end, or needs to score

(12:15):
at the end, and the other team that hasn't played
any defense all day comes up with something that yeah, right,
like what was that two and comes down to the
end like that. Yeah, you could see the same thing
here today, but it should be a lot of fireworks.
And I do love the bad blood from d TR.

(12:36):
Dorian Thompson Robinson said, obviously we hate those guys across town,
is what he said. He doesn't like that USC players
curse that them flipped him off in a recent matchup.
So dtr is out for blood today. I love when
that happens, and it matters, you know, in in college football,
the buying is extremely high, especially with the player like

(12:59):
dt Are who's been on that campus for a decade
plus at this point. I mean, that guy has earned
his doctor it twice. Uh, it's it's I mean it's
true though, like he he has uh due to you know,
the COVID year and and his experience obviously as a
starting quarterback has bought in and been frothed up on

(13:19):
all of these rivalries that are important to his football program.
So I believe him when he says everything he says.
It's it's Uh. It truly is a rivalry for him,
and that makes it real for his teammates, and that
obviously will make it real for USC when they take
the field against him. Yeah, and this USC defense is
a little undermanned. Their defensive coordinator Alex Cranch's, he's guys

(13:42):
were cut out for him in this game. A couple
of linebackers kind of nicked up Gentry and Lee and
and you know U c l A just they just
get after you up front, top five and adjusted line
yards and against charbonn A is a very very underrated
running back. And DTR has this chip on his shoulder,
Like what when you watch these two teams play, And
we've watched a lot of Pack twelve this year because

(14:03):
these two teams have been pretty prominent. Caleb Williams plays
that flashy style, like a Mahomes kind of style, whereas
DTR is a little more gritty with this chip on
his shoulder, right, And I think in this kind of rivalry,
I would rather have the guy that's got the chip
than the guy that wants to win the hisman and
the guy that wants to be flashy and Lincoln Riley

(14:24):
that's calling all these you know, you know fast, you know,
different kind of places, and it just it feels like
the kind of game where I'd rather have the blue
collar team, which I think is U c l A.
That's such a good comparison, by the way, it's it
feels like Mahomes against Jael and Hurts. Yeah, you know it,
you know, just kind of a guy who you're not
sure if he has the best arm. You're not sure

(14:44):
if he's the greatest athlete, but he just gets the
job done. That's DTR tough. But I wish you shut
his mouth because it just lost the Arizona back that
I thought was a little bit. Hey, buddy, maybe you
want to relax a little bit. You just lost Arizona.
There is no He's like Russell Westbrook in a way
right now. Yeah, he definitely. I feel like DTR would

(15:08):
shoot better. But road chill you've got that is not
a guy that's gonna like tone it down at all.
Dr Yeah, Hey, be sure to check out the new
looking features in the bet mgm app. It's fast and
easy access to the sports you love, whether it's live betting,
the Daily Lions boost, or the cash out feature. And
new users can use the code countdown for a special offer.

(15:30):
That's code countdown in the bet mgm app. Are on
we are often running today. We've got rich orin Burger,
Penn State, All American, Jared Smith leap betting analysts from
pickflies dot com. I'm Brian No coming up next. Which
top team are you most skeptical of? It might be
this one. What I heard something kind of like heavier

(15:52):
music in the background, and it just stopped. Now we're
back on it. Very good, very nice sounds. What do
we got some don't tell me this? Iowa sam Our
technical producer. The show stops when any anything metal ish
is being played. It's the it's the band that saying, uh,
dig I cannot what is it? The only mud vein

(16:16):
song I like? I think is dig I like maybe
one other? Brian at at a heavy metal company. Well
then you don't know me whatsoever a little bit, because
that is what I am known for. Over here? Are
we get to the top tea that you might be
skeptical of the most and maybe it shouldn't be. That's

(16:37):
on the way. It's Fox Sports Radio's Countdown to Kickoff
presented by bet MGM. Welcome to the biggest tailgate party
in the nation. You're locked into Fox Sports Radio's Countdown
to Kickoff touchdown and it's presented by bat MGM, the
King of sports books. Once again. Here's Brian no schorn

(17:00):
Berger and Jared Smith. Welcome back. It's Fox Sports Radio's
Countdown to Kickoff, presented by bet MGM. New users download
the bet mgm app today and use code countdown for
a special offer that's code countdown in the bet MGM app.
All right, let's do this big twelve matchup of the deck. Okay,

(17:24):
that would be number four t c U against Baylor,
and TCU is just a two and a half point
road favorite. And uh, I think about it this way, guys,
if you look at the top five teams, the team
you're most skeptical love, I think a lot of people
would say TCU, And yet here they are still undefeated.

(17:48):
Tennan o a lot of doubt last week as an
underdog on the road against Texas, well the advanced metrics
favorite Texas, and TCU said, well that's cool. We just
find ways to win game. And they're still undefeated right now.
And uh, I think they're getting more people to buy in.
There are still there are more believers. You don't have

(18:09):
that brand name recognition. I'll put it this way. If
USC had the exact same resume as TCU, there would
be far less skeptics right now. But TCU just doesn't
have that big brand name, and you get a lot
of people that are like, I don't know if I
should quite buy them just yet. Yeah, yeah, they're there's
still that weird feeling in the pity or stomach, like, well,

(18:31):
this is the week where TCU proves us right, right,
but they're tending Oh you know, so we've been seeing
that for a while, and certainly last week against Texas,
we're like, oh, well, this is this is the end
of the end of the road. We we surely can
see that. And they did a great job stopping Bijon

(18:52):
Robinson and held Texas. You know too, Well, let's just
say this, they minimize the damage on the ground against Texas.
You know, so you look at this Baylor Bears run game,
who legitimately found a star in their running back Richard Rees. Uh.
He was a former three star recruit, but now he's

(19:13):
one of the best in the nation doing it at
that FBS level. It really is. It is a phenomenal
run game, and so they have another tall task in
front of them this week. I understand why the point
spread is so thin in favor for TCU, and I
I understand also how people still aren't necessarily buying what

(19:34):
the Horned Frogs are selling. But that may be the
case all the way through the end of the season,
and that maybe what's fueling this team. A lot of
teams love to be the underdog even when they're favored,
because people think this is when they're gonna stumble, and
that's what gets them through an entire year. Yes, Sunny,
that shouldn't have any issues getting his team motivated again.
I mean it, we're kenan O guys. We're on the

(19:57):
road against a team that just got absolutely blasted by
Kansas State. Showed nothing in that game, and they're un ranked,
They've got four losses and we're barely a field goal favorite.
I mean, the market just does not leave his hard proxy.
But market didn't believe in him last week. And I'll
tell you what, Queen hears Man. That's a different story

(20:19):
for a different day. But he's got a stupid mullet.
It's the stupid mullet you gotta shap I I tweeted
last week and kind of jokingly because everyone has the
right to wear whatever hair style they want, but when
you play that bad, I don't think you should get
to wear that mullet. Um. But this TCU defense was
what surprised me last week. And if you were going

(20:41):
to tell me, we imagine we had like one guimps
into the future on this show, and I would have
told you. Okay, guys, here we go. We're gonna bet
on Texas and TCU midway through the third quarter is
going to have a grand total of three points. Would
you felt better or worse out the Texas back Probably

(21:03):
it would have been. It would have been in Texas
all day at all day. So, like, how do we
grade what TCU did last week? Because the handicap on
the offensive side of the ball worked out exactly like
we expected. Their offense did not have an answer for
Texas defense. But I don't think anyone could have predicted
tc US defensive prowess in that game, shutting down the

(21:26):
running game of Bijean Robinson, making him look like Mayonnaise Robinson.
I mean, it just was catch up Robinson. I mean
it was just look like the Dijon mustard that we're
used to see him. And then on the other side,
I just I don't know what we're going to get
from this TCU defense again. I if they play that
well again, this game's done over. Put him in the

(21:48):
next you know, advance up to the next week. But
I just don't know if they have the ability to
get up again like they did last week. One thing
that might prevent it. Last week was a night game
in Austin. This week eleven am kick in Waco. Little
bit of a different vibe. Motivationally speaking for that at
TCU has struggled in the early window on defense. Thirty

(22:10):
one at West Virginia, thirty one at Kansas, thirty four
at SMU. This is the opposing offenses against the horn
Frogs defenses. So that's the wrinkle here. Night game in Austin,
everyone's fired up. Now you're on the road and sleepy
Waco at eleven am. Will be the motivation? I mean,
obviously the motivation will be there, but will the you know,
just that energy that it takes, that effort to play

(22:33):
defense like the horn Frogs did last week. Will they
bring that to the table again in this game. We'll see. Well.
And that's the thing is Baylor is gonna want to
run the rock, Like you mentioned rich Richard Reese, the freshman.
He's been a good running back for them this year.
So you want to run the ball. You want to
take some pressure off of your quarterback Blake Shapin, who
had two interceptions last week and is just a guy

(22:55):
at this point. And so the question is what both
of you guys saying can Baylor run the ball effectively?
And we'll find out today. But it is it's just
so striking where you look at this matchup. Baylor is
six and four, they got blasted thirty one to three
last week against Kansas State, and they're a small underdog

(23:15):
against an undefeated team. It's begging you to take the
harn Frogs, just like last week. Begging yet, Yeah, they
are begging you. But like you said, that noon a
kickoff time on Big Fox, completely different vibe, There's no
doubt about that. But TCU has been up for every
test so far this year. We'll see if they're up
for this one as well. Four and o when trailing

(23:36):
in the second half, so they just find ways to
win and the big play is their calling cards. We'll
see if they have anything more in store for a
Baylor today. All Right, we're gonna get to a game
that could be a grinder on the slate, but it's
never a grinder when we hear from Isaac Chloid, right,
it's got a sports update for us. What's going on?

(23:56):
I lower that's right, it's only an app by the way,
speaking of grinder, shout out to Rich Ornberger one five
landing at LIMB Lindbergh Field and four and a half
hours later on the air with US fact travel throughout
the day, we're gonna be tracking the Buffalo Bill's efforts
to travel to Detroit for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

(24:18):
Were happy to report that the Buffalo Airport has just
reopened its runways after they were closed for three hours
due to snow. Bills are scheduled to take off to
fly to Detroit at three thirty Eastern and the NBA
on Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers to be at
Detroit Pistons. One. Lebron James did not play because of
a groin injury. Anthony Davis did. He at thirty eight

(24:38):
points in sixteen rebounds. Utah got a career high thirty
eight from Lori Market and they held out Phoenix one
thirty four to one thirty three despite Devin Booker scoring
forty nine. Philadelphia defeated Milwaukee one ten to one oh two.
And then the big story though, was what happened after
the game because Jana Sante to Coumbo with the Bucks
went four for eleven from the free throw a line,

(25:00):
so After the game, he went back out onto the
court in Philadelphia to work on his free throw shooting.
He was then confronted by Philadelphia's at Mantras Harold. Harold
took the ball away from him, yelling, according to The Athletic,
and I quote, this ain't bleeping Milwaukee, get that bleep
out of here unquote. So anteda Koopo then went back

(25:24):
and got another ball. By this time, an arena worker
had put a twelve foot ladder next to the basket.
Anteda Coumpo asked the worker twice to move the ladder.
The workers said no. Anteda Kompo then shoved the ladder
away and the ladder fell to the ground. Antede Coompo
said afterwards, quote, I think people did not respect the
fact that sometimes players want to get some extra work in.

(25:46):
I think it's unprofessional to kick somebody off the court
or put the ladder in front of somebody while he's
trying to do his job. Harold tweeted, and I quote,
I asked the man, can he get off the court
so I can work out they had to change the
court over. He ignored me. So, hey, that's what you
get unquote, just out of their quiet Friday night in

(26:07):
the NBA fellas. I mean, I just think of Kevin
Garnett when he used to like swat the ball during
the game, you know, said there was a dead ball
in the opposing team, try to get a jump shot out,
jump shot up, and he had swatted away. I love that.
But after the game even KG didn't do that. Actually,
this is a true story. He actually swatted my microphone

(26:30):
away from me once, true story. Wow, joking around or
what's the backdrop for that? I still don't know if
he was joking around. I didn't you didn't stick around
to find out. And MGM spokesman, Now, can't we get
the A that'd be great you get him on the
show a little reunion tour. I already read out the door.

(26:54):
I'm scared. Does does Harold like sleep at the court?
Like you know what I mean? Like, you know, you
got Janice out there trying to shoot hoops, fix some things,
and then all of a sudden, you know, I just picture, like,
you know, Harold with his sleeping cap on out of
the third row, just like wait, what why why do
I hear basketball about? I kind of like the pettiness.

(27:17):
I kind of like it but Mantres Harold was really
good at one stage. Not this stage anymore. This is Janice.
You're gonna go up to Janice and be like, you
can't get shots up after the game? Are you serious?
Right now? I'm surprised Jannice didn't throw Montrez out of
the way like the ladder. You know, I watch the video.

(27:38):
I didn't hear about this until Isaac said it. I
I mean, I kind of on the honest side here,
Like it's their court, right, like they can work out
after the game. I guess in Milwaukee it's different than Philly,
But I don't know, like let him get a few
shots up? Yeah, what do they do? Like what were
they doing to the court that they had that it
had to get done five minutes after the game? Couldn't
want to picture after the game. I picture like the guys.

(28:01):
Guy's got like a bottle of wind X and he's
got to make sure he gets a few free throws.
Like if you one thing, if it was like six
hours after the game, like the movie Miracle when they
shut the lights off again and I gotta I gotta chick,
I gotta change the nets and then catch a train.
There you're gonna have to push me off this ladder.
If you want a guy from Pensi Hawk and just

(28:22):
wants to get home, probably it's uh Fox Sports Radio's
Countdown to Kickoff presented by bet MGM. Let's dive into
this Big ten matchup of the day. Yeah, that would
be Illinois at number three Michigan Michigan undefeated, because we
all know Tennanto Michigan a healthy favorite today, favored by

(28:45):
seventeen and a half and the total ZOI forty one
and a half. So that a whole lot of faith
in Illinois Chase Brown. He's had a sensational season. He
leads FBS running backs with undred already two yards, but
he suffered an ankle injury last week against Purdue. His
status is still in doubt. And you look at Michigan's

(29:07):
defense very stingy, very stingy, especially against the rush. So
if Chase Brown either can't go or is significantly limited,
prying out a whole points for the alan I today
against Michigan. Yeah, this just came down from Pete Famil ESPN.
Chase Brown is quote unquote good to go for Saturday's
game against Michigan. So, like you mentioned, he did injure

(29:29):
that right leg against Purdue last week and was limited
in practice on Tuesday, but then became more involved on Wednesday,
and then apparently was full go on Thursday and Friday.
So expected to blame. Brown's Illinois's best player by far
and opposed a great challenge for Michigan run defense that
ranks first in the country. We're so busy talking about

(29:50):
UH corehum and this offense for Michigan that we neglect
the fact that the Walverenes are yielding just seventy two
and part of another yard on the ground per game
against opponents UH only two point six yards per carry
two opponents UH gain on the ground against this Wolverines defense.
So it's strength on strength today. You know, you have

(30:12):
this this Chase Brown guy, and you have an unbelievable
defense filled with guys. So let's let's see what happens
on the field here today. I another big, grinded out
matchup in conference, like we were just talking about usc
U c L a earlier. Oh yeah, right, yeah, absolutely,
this one's This one's a barn burner, as they say, yeah,

(30:35):
we're gonna a shootout relative shootout in the Big Ten, right,
we'll get to the other shoot out in a few minutes.
I will Missota, but I think this one's basically gonna
be like the air Raid compared to that game. But
oh my god, we're taking several stuffs down each time
USC U, C l A and I Wolverines, I Iowa,

(31:00):
Minnesota is. I don't want to who were with the
cart before? I'll put the cart before the horse there
with this one. Um so quick gambling analysis, numbers analysis
before we get into any matchup stuff. When you have
a total this low and a spread this high, the
correlated bet is dog under favorite over, because in order

(31:21):
for the favorite to cover a seventeen eighteen points spread,
they're gonna have to score at least twenty one, right,
So you you kind of correlate those bets. Does that
mean it's guaranteed Illinois under Michigan over. No, but the
correlated bet would be dog under favorite over. So just
put that in the back of your mind before you
bet this game. If you want to bet the both
both side and the total. Michigan's actually been pretty good

(31:43):
in this spot. Double did your favorite eleven and six
against the spread up late? And you look at the
Illinois team. Just man, it was like the peak and
now the valley, after getting to the point where you
think that they're the best team in that Big ten West,
and now they're biting barely to stay relevant in what
is a very irrelevant division. J J. McCarthy's ability to

(32:03):
throw the football is going to be paramount here. These
teams are second and third in e p A per
play on defense. There is not going to be a
lot of space to throw in. This game will be
played in the phone booth. The weather in Michigan, of course,
like the weather across the entire country, especially in the
northeast Midwest, is chili, bitter and difficult to throw. But
can JJ figure out a way to get something going

(32:23):
through the air? I mean, over the last two weeks,
guys against Rutgers and Nebraska sub fifty completion percent That
is not going to get it done. And if they
want to beat Ohio State next week, you better get
that and push percentage up into the fifties sixties, and
you'd love it to touch seventy. But you know, let's
not get too ahead of ourselves. Blake Corum, besides quarterbacks

(32:44):
number one and wins above replacement this year arguably the
best non quarterback in the nation in terms of what
he means to his team and how they win football games.
And I'm fascinated to see because you know, I think
the run and games are gonna be stopped on both sides,
and I think it's gonna be which quarterback Tommy DeVito
or or J. J. McCarthy can make enough plays up

(33:07):
top to keep their team in this game or a
Michigan spot cover this number. So not a game I'm betting, probably,
but it has one of those correlated elements to it
where if you like the dog, the under might be
in play. And again, if Michigan covers, there's probably gonna
be more than forty four points. I just love how
Rich does decimal points, like Michigan very stingy per game

(33:32):
against the rush, give up seventy two point seven yards
per game, and Rich said seventy two and part of
another yard. I like that mentality right there, right, yeah, listen,
don't I don't waste my time with you know your
to the tenth decimal point? You know, it's it's I
mean what I want to say is it's Look, it's

(33:54):
is it s right? Yeah? If it's not a yard,
it's just part of an other yard. I don't get
a point seven or point too. That's a joke, right yeah, Hey,
we gotta get this another yard here. Guys. By the way,
how about this Michigan. They've gone over the total in
just two of nine games so far this season between

(34:17):
these two teams. This year heavy under team right there.
So yeah, there, don't look ahead for Michigan too because
Ohio State coming up next. You know, it's good point.
It's one of those games. Look, yeah, I'm not gonna
call the trap game because I I think they're better
coach than that. But if there's ever been a spot
where you might just get caught sleep in, this might

(34:37):
be that one. Because this week I saw that Maryland
line sink beneath curiously now sitting in saying Maryland gonna
win that game. But wouldn't be surprised if both Michigan
and Ohiouse they played a little a little bit more
conservatively today. It's funny because I think as fans, we

(34:59):
we typically hone in on the marquee matchups. But this
is a good game where Jim Harbaugh is gonna earn
his paycheck, and you might not think it because it's
you know, it's counterintuitive where you're like, Okay, he's gonna
earn his paycheck against Illinois, But yeah, that's exactly right,
because it is. It's the perfect scenario for a letdown.
Illinois has just dropped two straight games against Michigan State

(35:21):
and Purdue. Their best player in Chase Brown, isn't one percent.
You've got Ohio State next week. It's the perfect scenario
to let your guard down a little bit. So that's
where Jim Harbaugh earns his paycheck. Man, it's games like
this against Illinois that it could wreck your season. You
gotta be up for it, all right. We've got rich
Win Burger, Penn State, All American, shaved clavical, We've got

(35:44):
Jared Smith lead betting analysts from pitch wise dot com.
I'm Brian. Now. Are there a couple of top ten
upsets on the horizon today? We shall dive into that.
Around the corner, it's Fox Sports Radio's Countdown to kick Off,
presented by bet MGM smells like ball Folly Fusco here

(36:04):
with Tony Fusco. Of course, you know us as the
host of the number one rated Polly and Tony Fusco
Show the world right now. We all know you sick
and tired of these stupid sports shows with a host
say stupid things like Tom Brady's the Goat or Lebron
James is good at basketball, which he is clearly not. See.
We give you smart takes, and we also bring on

(36:25):
so called famous guests from across the sports world and
show them why we know much more than they do
the show. Listen to the Folly and Tony Fusco Show
on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcast or wherever
you get your podcasts. Kickoffs are coming, Sue, and we're

(36:46):
leading you up to that. This is Fox Sports Radio's
Countdown to Kickoff, presented by Bett mg the Kig of
sports books once again. Here's Brian no Rich Hornberger Jared's
are oh just about two hours in ten minutes until

(37:09):
kick off. It is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to kick Off,
presented by Bett MGM. Let's do this checked us out
r late letter. Yes, our parlay platter is brought to
you by bet MGM. Earn a fifty dollar bonus by
signing into bet MGM and clicking on refer a friend
to invite a friend and just a few simple steps,

(37:31):
both you and your friend will receive a fifty dollar
bonus bet. MGM, the King of sports books, the King
of Parlay's. Okay, Mr Jared Smith from picks wise dot com,
you have been in the lab cooking up a parlay
du jour. What do you have for us today? Man?
We were so close last week to get home. We
had Washington nailed, we had the San Diego State game,

(37:52):
the rich Art Murder late night special, and we just
couldn't get silly old Arkansas across the finish line against
l s U in a three point game. So here
we go. Um, I'm gonna do it, guys. I'm gonna
do it because I'm a stubborn man with stubborn ideals
when it comes to these markets. And I think Baylor

(38:12):
is winning this game today against DCU. So Baylor goes
into parlay David rand as the air ad specialist, and
I hope, I pray that he's got what it takes
to keep this offensive check, just like Texas did last week.
And I think Baylor does just enough offensively to sneak
by the horn Frogs in an instant classic. How about
Western Kentucky? This line is curiously short at Auburn open seven.

(38:36):
Now it's sitting into the five five and a half range,
and I think this is the Austin Reid coming out party. Listen, Auburn,
I know their sec by name only. You watched that
game last week against Texas and M. They were lucky
to get by a bad Texas A and MP team
that really is kind of lifeless and Austin read take
a take a take a look today when you watch
this game. This kid can This kid could cost the

(38:57):
Rock if he does it at Auburn. I think Western
Kentucky wins this game, and then late night I'll take
the Bruins. And I think it's the toughness and I
think it's the offensive line against USC's defensive line. The
Trojans have been fortunate this year. The one game where
they really got bullied in the trenches was that Utak
game and they lost out right. And I think USC
is really gonna miss the leadership, the toughness of Travis Die.

(39:18):
So here you go, bailor money line, Western Kentucky money line.
You see l a money line not as juicy as
usual today, A little lighter on the fair. Eleven to
one fifty pace five fifty. Still not a bad beat
eleven and one, but I just Baylor's the one. I'm worried.
Come on, sick them. We're hungry for more. This is

(39:38):
a beautiful one. Man. Yeah, you can put ten bucks
and walk away with the c note not bad. A
couple of clapticals, right, yeah, yeah, that'll yeah, that'll get that.
You can shave off a couple of clapicles with that
kind of action. I think it, man, Yeah, you know,
it's It's funny. The more we talk about this U
c L a USC game, the more tested on, I'm

(40:01):
becoming that I don't know what SIDA like. It's funny
because I think of I hone in on the TCU
game because it's I think it's the ultimate team that
betting was intended for. Because you can be like TCU
is gonna lose until you have to go to the

(40:22):
betting window to place the bet, and then you're like,
I don't know if I did the right thing anymore,
you know what I mean? That's been the case up
until now. It could change today, we'll find out, but
I think that's been the way it's played out for
TCU most of this year. Betting your own money changes
the equation of what you think is going to happen.
So all right, coming up next, we're getting down to

(40:46):
the end of the season. Who will be left standing
when it's playoff time? We will dive in. Fox Sports
Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation.
Catch all of our shows at Fox sports Radio dot
com and then the I Heart Radio app search f
s R to listen live. Oh what's going on everybody?
Hope you're enjoying your Saturday morning. Get y'all set for

(41:09):
Week twelves in college football over here? And the question
right now fellas as the season winds down, who will
be the four teams in the college football playoff? And
you don't have many teams that are even viable options
at this point. Probably about nine teams have legitimate chance

(41:29):
to squeak into the college football playoff. And we're gonna
get some answers today. U USC is the last hope
for the Pac twelve, and the cannibalization might continue with
the Pac twelve just eating itself. You saw a couple
of teams go down last week in U c. L
A And Oregon that had chances to maybe sneak in there. Now,

(41:52):
it's just down to USC. That's the last hope for
the Pac twelve and we'll see if if anybody else
can make noise. North Carolina is the biggest long shot,
you'd have to say at this stage, number thirteen in
the country, but they're one lost team. Could be a
conference champion if they take down Clemson. But as this
starts to come into focus here, any major curveballs that

(42:15):
you see, any chaos that you are envisioning when it
comes to the playoff field, any chaos, um, really, you know,
you you gotta in my mind get outside of even
the top five before you start talking about chaos, because
you could have a team like USC legitimately enter the

(42:35):
conversation if they remain perfect on the season. They've got
their toughest stretch coming down the end, these final three
games for them of their year, and in that stretch
they're going to play two of the most important games,
obviously tonight against u c. L A on the road,
but then also, um, whoever is the winner between Utah

(42:57):
and Oregon, they're most likely going to fade ease in
their conference championship games. So if if they even want
to sniff at cracking the top four. They've got the
toughest stretch of their schedule right here in front of them,
Penn States at eleven. Guys, look out, just kidding, just kidding.

(43:18):
J K had to fire up the old troops there
for a second. Can we just could we just stop
for a moment and uh give a shout out to
the one voter in the AP top twenty five who
voted Ohio State number one this week. Just give him
a little round of applause for not not conforming. Right, Um,
I don't know how you don't vote George and number one.

(43:39):
But that's why the AP pull very very meaningless, especially
at this time of year. Um LSU is intriguing, right,
like they can play their way in. That's to me
is intriguing. And I don't know how the committee handles that,
like if if imagine so, I think it's fair to
say George is in no matter what unless they lose,

(43:59):
you know, before the SEC championship game. But that's not
gonna happen, right, I think the winner of Ohio State
Michigan obviously losing. I think Tennessee unless they lose to
South Carolina or I forget who they play last Vander
But I think it's they're gonna be like point favorites
in both those games, so they're in. Right. But let's
say L s you beat Georgia, right, do you put

(44:21):
three SEC teams in? Is it Georgia one, winner of
Ohio State or not Georgia one, but you know, winner
of Ohio State Michigan one. Then maybe Tennessee to Georgia three,
L s U four, Like I'm trying to think of
that scenario. If L s U wins, how do how
does the committee handle that? That will be fascinating to

(44:42):
me because then you can make a case for three
SEC teams being in the field even though one of
them has two losses. How do you keep L s
U out if they beat Georgian SC title game and
Alabama earlier this year? Like, So that is to me,
that's the wrinkle with that third SEC team. I think
it's fair to say Tennessee's in if they went out, right,

(45:02):
how can you not put Tennessee it? I don't know
that it's as easy to say that, because here's the thing.
If one's got to go, if we're talking about three
potential SEC teams and you can't shoehorn, all of them
in there, one's got to go. It's a fascinating argument
between Tennessee and LSU because Tennessee smoked l S you

(45:25):
l S and Baton Rouge, you know, in Death Valley.
So I just think of it this way heading into
today's games. It's a lot different than picture after the
SEC championship game and l s U has won that game.
I think that's a much different feeling at that stage,
and you're looking at Tennessee a lot differently, like, oh,

(45:45):
that team that didn't even make it to the conference
championship game. Meanwhile, l S you took down Georgia. How
do you leave them out? I think if it's one
of the two, I think even though Tennessee would have
the head to head win, I think l S you
would go over time. That's a can of worms right there.
It is. It certainly is. And then I guess we're
just leaving out the obvious, which is that you open
up a spot almost immediately if TCU drops one to

(46:09):
Baylor on a tight spread. Uh today, So yeah, I
mean I I it's it's volatile, and this is the
this is the argument for expanding the postseason because we
just mentioned a bunch of teams that I do think
that there's legitimate national interest, especially with such a competitive
quarterback prospect class coming out of college football and a

(46:29):
lot of those quarterbacks playing on really good, highly ranked
teams this year. You know, people, people are aware of
these teams. People want to see these teams in a
postseason bracket. And so, yeah, maybe not all twelve. Maybe
there isn't a huge amount of interest in the top
twelve teams, right, not every single one, but certainly as
you call that heard and you get closer and closer,

(46:51):
you know, semifinal round into quarterfinal or quarterfinal into semis
into finals, like you're you're going to you're going to
have wide bread national interest in what you're doing. So yeah,
I I think, uh, I think this system it stinks
right now, the way the way it is, the way
it's legislated, with only four teams in, but it's the

(47:11):
best that we have, and I do think we're gonna
see some sort of shake up at the top because
the four teams that are in right now I don't
necessarily see as being the four teams that play in
the postseason. At first, I rolled my eyes at the Hey,
if L s U wins the SEC title game, I'm like,
that's not gonna happen, but walk down that road it

(47:31):
could happen. Why not? I mean, what have we seen
this year that makes you think it can't happen. Yeah, absolutely,
maybe be the top ten of the big most surprising
upsets of the year. I sort of feel like you
you started saying that sentence, like expecting some pushback from me,
as Jared, we're like, why I already have lines out
for that game, by the way, I think, hold on,

(47:52):
I saw it the other day, but they already have
lines out for that game. I had a brief moment
where that was my initial reaction because this happens every year.
I think it was a reaction to these people that
think about the worst case scenario, like what is the
committee gonna do if this team beats that team and
that team beats this team? And I'm like, most of
that stuff is never going to happen. So it was
probably that, But then I started thinking, like, yeah, L

(48:14):
s U. They're capable of beating Georgia. I doubt it happens,
but it's not imp it happens to let's say trying
to come up with these alternate realities. Let's say it does.
It's not about who you think should go. Who do
you think would go? Would it be LSU or Tennessee
if it came down to those teams? Yeah, I I
sort of feel like I feel like, well, I actually, Jared,

(48:38):
You'll definitely remember this. Remind me the year that Penn
State got left out in the cold. They have beaten
Ohio State in the regular season, but they didn't play
in the conference championship game in the Big Ten. And
that's the reason why Ohio State went and they didn't.
Is that how it shook out. This is years ago,
maybe seven years ago. So the year that Penn State

(48:58):
beatle Han State on the blow field goal from Haley.
They went to the Rose Bowl that year. Yeah, I
forgot there wasn't I don't think there was a College
Footall playoff back then. Maybe I think it was right
before the college It could have been the year before,
but I remember maybe it could have been twenty sixteen.
Either way, I guess if I'm remembering it incorrectly, I apologize.

(49:22):
But my point being, I feel like I feel like
the championship game win is going to be much more
important for your resume as opposed to what happens in
the regular season to the committee. And therefore, I think
there's a stronger case for LSU, even though you suffered
a brutal loss to Tennessee during the regular season. Well,

(49:44):
I think the president and again the president doesn't matter
as much because haven't they swapped out these committee members
over the last few years. That's not the same committee,
So it's it's hard to rely on precedent, but the
precedent does say that the conference championship game matters more.
And what I can think of, there was a year
that TCU it was either TC where Baylor was held

(50:06):
out and I forget you're right there there's some like
weird like you know, dramatics and kind of things that
went on behind the scenes. But they have valued the
conference championship games a little bit more. So I think
that's why l s U to me, would be in
I think, I'll be honest, whoever wins the SEC championship game,
it is almost impossible in this day and age to

(50:29):
keep that team out. I mean, it's just it's such
a tough conference championship to win, so and again, is
it gonna happen. Probably not, but I think, yeah, go ahead,
no no, no, no, I'm trying to like talk my
way into another random scenario. But I'm probably just gonna
talk myself into a paperback. So please see me. Well,
I'll just I think this. The arguments are going to

(50:49):
be fascinating when it comes down to it, because the
loser of Michigan Ohio State, it really depends on by
how much is this a close competitive game of If
I buy that though, does the loser are they down
by they lose by seventeen? But what if it's like
a seven point game, like you know, and and that's
I don't know. I think I think the Big Ten

(51:09):
has to win. The Big Ten has been so bad
this year that Big Ten team has to win. I
don't think so, by the way I looked it up.
So this is what happened. Um Penn State was number
five ranked in the country and and they beat Ohio
State in the regular season, however, and they were the

(51:30):
Big Ten champs. However, they were a two lost Big
Tens and so Ohio State got the nod because the
only loss on their schedule was on the road at
Penn State off of a blocked field goal, and so
for that reason they were in the Brackett got blown out,
absolutely got their doors blown off by Clemson in the
opening round of the postseason. And then you saw that

(51:53):
I'm pretty sure that was the mixed Sorely Darnald year
in the Road Bowl, and it was magical what happened
in that rose. So there were a lot of people
who are like, well, Penn State should have been in
Ohio State shouldn't have and and but that so this
brings more chaos actually to the conversation. We were just
the opposite of what we think will happen this year,
which the conference title game matters more. This is why

(52:15):
I mean, And when we get to twelve, it'll just
be thirteen. The thirteenth team will have a have a gripe,
right right, right, But but that's easier to like deal with,
right when you're thinking, like, well, you know they should
be in, it's like okay, yeah, but they'll probably get
knocked out if we're arguing about the thirteenth team seed
at some point, By the way, I just I'll put

(52:35):
a bow on it, this whole college football playoff conversation
with something that doesn't matter whatsoever. But I had Yeah,
why you're such a gifted host, right, this is where
I shine. But I had a flashback to that Rose
Bowl that you mentioned, Rich, where I had a bet.
I think it must have been on Penn State and

(52:55):
they were punting late and the snap went over the
guy's head. That was less c But that was the
un that was your know that that was after Rich,
I think you were there. That was It was the
Rose Bowl and I had to sweat out like a
final score something weird. I'm pretty sure it was. I
remember that game. That was the Mark Sanchez Rose Ball.
Oh my gosh. Yeah, no, dude, yes, yes, you're absolutely right,

(53:18):
snapping over and they still couldn't score. It was they
still couldn't have cover. I had to sat final score.
It was like an easy win and then all of
a sudden goes heywire because the punt goes over the
guy's head and they couldn't allow any more points. I
don't remember the scenario, but they couldn't allow a touchdown.
Nightmares in the Rose Bowl in my lifetime. Nightmares, absolute nightmare, dude,

(53:42):
march Mark Sanchez got him. I'm drafted six overall that yes,
my Jets I was. I was saying to myself, I
can't believe they drafted this guy because after he just
killed me in the Rose Bowl, I'm like, now I
got a root for this guy. It was a little
bit like Darnald Darland went three overall. Yeah, that's right, draft.

(54:02):
You want to hear what's even worse than that? And
then I go to the Patriots where Mark Sanchez continued,
So was what was that? The that was the can't
wait game? Right? Yes, exactly correct. I was that buddy.
I was there for it all, Mark Sanchez. I mean,
he dominated. Man, You've been tormented by us A quarterbacks.

(54:23):
Thank goodness. Though I really like him, like he's a
really good day. I'm happy for all his success. But
Mark Sanches man, by the way, I was. I was
playing pool at a bar in the Venice area, and uh,
I kept I was like, is that Mark Sanchez? I
swear it was, And I was like, no, it's actually

(54:44):
not Mark Sanchez. But again there's another bow something that
doesn't matter whatsoever. That's fine. Every time you make a
wayre at bet MGM, you earn bet MGM reward. It's
points that can be redeemed for things like free bets
and risk free tokens. They can also be converted to

(55:05):
MGM rewards points that can that can be used towards
dining shows and hotel rooms at over twenty MGM resorts.
All right, we are in the thick of it. Coming
up next, this matchup today is basically the exact opposite
of what the rivalry has been. We'll dive into that

(55:26):
with rich Orn Burger, Penn State, All American, Jared Smith's
from picks wise dot com. I'm Brian, now keep it
locked right here. It's Fox Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff
presented by bet MGM. Oh it is Fox Sports Radios
Countdown to Kickoff presented by Bet MGM. Just a little
over an hour and a half away until kickoff here. Look, guys,

(55:48):
we're all fired up for the matchups today. It's gonna
be a fantastic day. But look, we have to mention
the Virginia shooting tragedy this week because you're gonna see
this throughout the games to especially in the A c C.
There was a senseless shooting as they all are, earlier
this league week that claimed the lives of three Virginia
football players. Virginia's game against Coastal Carolina has been canceled,

(56:14):
but all throughout the a c C you will see
helmet decals. There will be a moment of silence beyond
the a c C as well during the country today
there will be some teams that are paying tribute to
these players, with the Washington Commanders will actually wear a
helmet decal during their NFL game on Sunday. So, I

(56:37):
just it's some of these times where words just don't
seem appropriate. It's completely tragic. It is heartbreaking. I feel
for the families, for their loved ones, for their teammates,
and uh, it was something that should never have happened,
but it did. Mike Hollins, who was a football player
who tried to help his its teammates, he got shot.

(57:00):
He intends to continue his football career. His father said, Um,
so that is a good portion of it in an
otherwise completely awful, despicable situation here. But I mean, it
can't all just be fun in games and games we're
playing these games. It's like you gotta pause for a
second and remember those players who died and everybody who's

(57:21):
affected by that. Yeah. Yeah, Devin Chandler, Lavelle Davis Jr.
And DeShawn Perry. Um, look, they're the There's there's no
sense to make of it. It is senseless and it's tragic,
and your heartbreaks for the family members that lost a
brother or a son, or a grandson or a cousin. Uh.

(57:46):
Your heart also breaks for those teammates of all those
players who very quickly become brothers, you know I And
that's exactly how strong that bond is. You know, I
have teammates that I played with over the course my
high school career in football, my collegiate career Penn State,
and the three teams I played with in the NFL,

(58:06):
who I trust as much as I do family members.
You know, if anything happened to my kids, Um, I
know that they would be there for me, because those
are the sort of bonds that football builds. And there's
no doubt that Devon and Lavelle and Deshaun all three
have built those types of bonds with teammates in that
locker room who you know are broken because they lost

(58:30):
somebody important to them. And Uh, like you said, so
there's there's life intersects with football all the time. Hard
hardships intersect with football all the time. And you just
you never hope that an unthinkable tragedy like this is
going to affect the great time that we have enjoying
football or playing football, and then something like this happens.

(58:53):
It just it just proves you that, look, this thing
that we're all gifted with, this this life that we have,
it's fleeting and sometimes it's you know, it's random what
can potentially happen to you, and it's awful at times,
and you just have to enjoy every single moment because
you don't know how much longer you have. And I
I again, like ore Are, my heart absolutely breaks for

(59:15):
these players families and for their teammates because that's not uh,
that's that's not going to heal anytime soon. No. And
it's been a rough few weeks. You know, we had
Idaho University Idaho for students were killed. It's been a
very trying season for a lot of programs. San Jose
State just went through it with that terrible accident, the

(59:37):
scooter accident that took the life of a player, and
it I don't have any words for it other than
I think Tony Elliott, the head coach of Virginia's is
prepared for this he's probably one of the better, you know,
leaders of men out there in the college football world
right now. Matt for Tuna, one of my pals, Works
of the Athletic Road, a really poignant piece about his

(01:00:00):
time at Clemson when he used to give everyone's shirts
that read heart, the acronym humility, effort, attitude, respect, toughness,
and that's kind of been his calling card for this
Virginia program since taking over. And you know, there's gonna
need to be a lot of that heart that comes
through with these kids over the next few weeks. Is
they try to, you know, pick the pieces back up

(01:00:21):
and move on with their lives. It's it's it's tragic
and senseless. Brian, that's absolutely the right word to use. Yeah, Yeah,
And uh, we don't know if Virginia is gonna play
their rivalry game next week against Virginia Tech. I hope
that they do. Again, we all grieve in different ways.
I certainly wouldn't call them out if they decided not

(01:00:42):
to play that game either, But just in terms of
feeling some sense of normalcy, you know, probably getting your
mind off of what has taken place, I think it
could be a good thing. And you can honor your
teammates with that game next week if they decide to play.
The healing process, right, you know that that's part of
this is the healing process, the growth. Everyone suffers through

(01:01:05):
tragedy at some point in their life. But you know,
how you respond from that, the obstacles you overcome, that's
what defines you as a human being. Oh. I remember
growing up in New York, and again, you know, this
is uh, this is different, but I think the grief
uh was similar, you know, because people were feeling it
um at a personal level. Uh, certainly in New York

(01:01:26):
because they lost family members, but across the country as well.
But when nine eleven occurred, I remember, you know, our
coaches canceling practices. You know. I was playing high school
football at the time, uh, sophomore year, and it was
bizarre because my whole life revolved around sports, and I
was young, you know, I'm you know, sixteen or whatever

(01:01:48):
you are when you're a sophomore in high school. So
I don't think I could truly wrap my head around
the gravity of this situation. But nothing felt normal until
I got back on the football field with my teammates. Again,
Like I just didn't feel right it didn't feel right,
and I think the world felt that way, and I
think it was important when the return of sports occurred

(01:02:10):
for the healing process naturally, you know, the the George
w First pitch, You know, you you kind of remember
some of those moments as their intermingled with the healing
process because sports have a weird way of bringing a
community back together after tragedy. So yeah, like you said, Brian,
everybody grieves in their own way. I think sports can

(01:02:33):
be an important healer in some circumstances. I don't know
if that's going to be the case for the Virginia
football team, and and whatever decision they make is the
right one because it's their decision, but I I agree
with you. I I do hope in some ways that
they find a way to play that game, because I
think it could be important in terms of taking a

(01:02:54):
step forward and trying to honor the best they can
those players they lost in that senseless tragedy. Absolutely great
way to mirror life to the struggle, the adversity, overcoming it,
reaching towards a common goal. Those are all things that
are growth vehicles in our life and our goals in

(01:03:14):
our life and what we strive to be and sports
is a mirror image of that team, the team aspect
of it coming together. So yeah, I would I think
they'll play. I mean, I don't know, but I think
that would be the decision that I would make. I
would want to get back out there and and you know,
continue the journey. Yeah, yeah, we'll see if that's the

(01:03:36):
decision that they do make. Virginia's basketball team did play
last night very well and and and they paid homage
to the players Devin lavell uh De Shan. They had
you know, a patch win for them on their their jerseys,
their their warm up jerseys. UM. So yeah, just thoughts

(01:03:57):
and prayers everybody affected. That's the best thing you can day.
And it seems completely insufficient. It doesn't feel like enough.
But that's the crazy thing is there's nothing that's enough
to right the wrongs. Um. But you just you hope
everybody can heal as soon as possible. With that, we
want to kick it over to Isaac Lowan Krawn. He's

(01:04:18):
got the latest here. I low what is going on,
buddy Fellas. The Buffalo Airport is still open for the
time being. It was closed for three hours earlier today
due to snow. Bills are scheduled to take off to
fly to Detroit at three thirty Eastern for tomorrow's game
against the Cleveland Browns. There, of course, is the matter
about how the Bills are going to get through all

(01:04:38):
the snow to the airport that we will be following
throughout the day. In the NBA on Friday night, the
Los Angeles Lakers if either the Detroit Pistons one one.
Lebron James did not play because of a groin Andrey
Anthony Davis had thirty eight points, sixteen rebounds and four blocks.
The Lakers four and ten, the Pistons oh and nine
on the road Utah's Lori Market and had a career

(01:05:00):
thirty eight as Utah held off Phoenix one to one
thirty three despite forty nine by the Son's Devin Booker.
Golden State top the Knicks one o one. The Warriors
now seven to nine overall, seven and one at home.
The Boston Celtics hit twenty three pointers in a one
seventeen to one oh nine win at New Orleans. They're
on a nine game winning streak thirteen and three overall.

(01:05:23):
Luca don Chech his fiftieth career triple double in the
Datallas Mavericks twenty eight point victory over Denver, but Denver
was missing three starters, including Nikolai. Now got a surprise
for the Triumvirate. It's time for a college football flashback
just for you guys. You're ready. Here we go over

(01:05:47):
his head just to snap this. It did not sound
excited about that he had. Might have been sweating that
out like on that one. Man can't buy memories like that. Man,

(01:06:11):
The best sweats are the ones that work out, you
know what I mean? Like I had the sweat avoiding
the final touchdown and it works. Would not have been
friends that day, Brian. I had a big penny on
the mini line. Sorry, you needed that final charity? That
what it was needed? The final TD there all right?
O man? It is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff

(01:06:34):
presented by bet MGM. Let's dive into this. Follow the money,
good money. All were following the Money with Jamis McGhee,
team lead of Sports Trading at bet MGM, and Shamus
I thought of you today. I'm looking at all these
games and I'm seeing a lot of FCS versus FBS.

(01:06:55):
You know, this is where you shine picking some of
these games. How do you feel about this slate here?
I'm seeing a number of games, at least four where
an FCS team is facing an FBS. It's a thanks
for having me back, guys. It's a weird it's a
weird slay. Nothing really catches my eye too much from
these games. I have my attention elsewhere in the SEC.

(01:07:17):
At uh, Western Kentucky at Auburn. I think uster Western
Kentucky wins. That came out right weird to hear that,
But shas say Platter earlier had that game. I've had
that game circled on my calendar for months now. I'm
not joking. I've been waiting for that game. It's funny

(01:07:39):
because the ratings that you know, I do this little
ratings concoction every week, and I was looking at the
ratings this week, and several prominent rating systems have Western
Kentucky favorite in that game. UM, fascinating stuff. All right,
Let's let's get to the task at hand, because there's
some playoff teams that are you know, vying for that

(01:07:59):
spot today, TCU being the most prominent one. I would
be willing to bet if I was a betting man.
Spoiler alert. I am that everyone is vetting the horn
Frocks today and you guys desperately need Baylor. You would
be correct. It's easily one of the biggest handles that
we have today. And uh yeah, the public is all

(01:08:19):
over TCU today. Baylor's definitely be one of our biggest needs. Yeah,
you know, I'm thinking about what's happening with the NFL,
Like Buffalo, they're relocating a football game to Detroit, and
I mean, it's just wild some of the weather we're seeing.
Just a question on how you handicapped games when there's

(01:08:40):
weather involved. This this a case by case basis or
are there you know, metrics that you guys use to
handicap when there's a snow game versus a rain game,
or how this team plays in the rain versus the
snow is or is it just completely like, look, we
we don't know until we're getting closer, inching close to
the game anyways, and we'll justice spread accordingly well first

(01:09:04):
and foremost, it's definitely a case, case by case basis.
And when it comes to weather games, we we're our
weather men over here. We typically like to listen to
what our sharp batters that are are telling us is
going because there's funniest snow games you can watch that
just will get that the too will get that down
like a ton and then it'll just fly over. I'd

(01:09:24):
think that the biggest it might be the biggest one
with football is if it's a really windy day. That's
like the biggest proponent for me. He's Shamus McKee from
bet MGM joining us here on countdown to kick off
this U s C U c l A matchup. Shamus.
The total has fluctuated quite a bit. It's at seventy
six and a half right now at bet MGM. What

(01:09:45):
do you make of how much it's fluctuated throughout the week. Well, so,
as I tell you guys, every week we like to
move our lives based off sharp action, primarily first and foremost,
but every now and then we will move on there.
If there's a giant market move, we're gonna have to go.
And this is one where we haven't even even't even
need to wait for the sharp action. As soon as
this total started going up, we started moving along with

(01:10:06):
the market and it's been all over money coming in.
Uh and probably rightfully so. I mean, these are two
high powered offenses and defenses aren't the best, I'd say,
but so yeah, that's why you're seeing a seventy six
and a half at bet MGM right now. MHM. Game
we haven't talked about yet, but we're gonna get to
in a moment, and I think it's a good precursor Bedlam.

(01:10:28):
And I was surprised to see Oklahoma the early sharp
side pushed that through a key number of seven. I
would assume we get a little buy back on the
Cowboys today. I mean, this rivalry has kind of lived
up to the namesake, and we've seen a bunch of
close games, including one last year that stayed within this number.
What are you seeing with Oklahoma State Oklahoma today, one

(01:10:49):
of the big rivalries of the day. You know, a
lot of Oklahoma State money coming in on this game.
It's they're a big public dog today, it would seem. Uh.
I wasn't sure what the handle would be like on
this game because obviously everyone's gonna bet the over, as
as is yearly Tridian with these two teams. But uh,

(01:11:09):
it is supposed to be such a bigger anticipated game
coming into the season, but now still getting plenty of action.
If people really like Oklahoma State a lot of a
lot of faders of Oklahoma. We got a couple of
tight lines in the PAC twelve. We've already talked about
this U C. L a USC game where the Trojans
are favored by two and a half. But I look
at this Utah Oregon game. What is the spread? Utah

(01:11:32):
favored by two? I bet GM right now? Do Do
I got that? Right? Yep? Yeah? It's it's I mean,
what what what do you feel is going to the
outcome there? Because it feels like Utah is the better team.
Oregon struggled recently. What what's your take? I've been a
Utah fan all year. I love cam Rising, I love

(01:11:53):
that program a lot um a lot more. I do
not like bo Nix. I don't trust bow nicks um.
But I mean when it comes to what we're seeing
on this game from from this side of the counter,
it's it's a really even split game. A lot of
money coming in on both both sides on this one.
I just love that. As a drop, you just shamous

(01:12:16):
saying I do not like bo Nis. I think the
show I know that, and you mentioned it. You have
Western Kentucky highlighted in bold. What else stands out to
you today. You have a very sharp eye looking at
these games. Who's a team based on the point spreader
the total that you're like, I don't know, man, it

(01:12:36):
looks like it could work out with this squad today.
I mean some weeks the slate didn't appeal to me
a ton if I'm being honest, this week, But I
mean I could just be like every other recreational sports
better here and just take TC's call in a day,
just make a bunch of money. That's what everybody. That's
who everybody wants to bet today. So the Texas is

(01:12:58):
another one that intrigued me because I actually was surprised
that we saw a lot of movement in their favor
off the seven after what was oh my goodness, was
that uh just an egg a bagel almost last week
against TCU. Are you seeing the Longhorns get love in
the market today at Kansas, We've actually taken a good,

(01:13:21):
good deal of Jayhawk money. I bet MGM moved this
off the nine and a half. We're sitting at a
flat nine right now as it stands. But yeah, it's
not the biggest handle yet, I'd say, um, I I'd
imagine by kickoff We're still probably gonna need Kansas. But
h I'm just wondering if a lot of people are
just turned off from textas like they've just had enough
of this Texas team after last week shams. You're simply

(01:13:45):
the best. We appreciate it every single week, and I
I don't know, I mean, I don't know if I
know a single person who has hit more FCS games
over the course of the season. Nailed New Mexico State
last week in the first I told you guys the
old seed Lamar strategy. We'll catch you later, save us,

(01:14:10):
enjoy the games today, but appreciate thank you. There. He
is Shamus McGee, team lead of sports Trading at bet MGM.
I do not like bo Nicks with such you might
not have to watch him today, That's what we're hearing.
That's the thing, man, is is he gonna go? And
if he goes? But who knows? We saw it with

(01:14:30):
Cameron Rode in a couple of weeks ago, right just
randomly didn't play. Maybe it's the opposite today. We don't
think Bo is gonna play, and then all of a
sudden he shows up does a Willis read It runs
in from from the tunnel right before the game. And
that's the problem. Is like the equivalent of making your
first two baskets and then that's it. In football for

(01:14:50):
a quarterback, is not very tough to bet that game
that good? Yeah, alright, we're often running it. We've got
Jared Smith from pick s wise dot com. We have
Rich arn Burger, the Penn State All American he is.
I don't know if calling you a chef is appropriate,
but you do love to cook over there, Rich, tell

(01:15:12):
you what I made. Um, I'll tell you on the
other side. I made mashed potatoes with a can of
Pringles recently. Whoa, yeah, yeah, I need more details. I'll
send you the video. It was. It was something straight
up pringle. Oh was sour cream and shudder yeah the

(01:15:32):
sour cream and on y'all here, you got the keys
to my heart, Bud alright, come it up, Bedlam and
how next week could impact today. It is Fox Sports
Radios Countdown to Kickoff, presented by Bed MGM. Hell after me,
I'm a man, I'm for it. Kickoffs are coming, Sue,

(01:15:56):
and we're leading you up to that. This is Fox
Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff, presented by Bett MGM. The
kick of sports books once again, Here's Brian no, Rich
Hornberger and Jared spitch Oh just about an hour and

(01:16:17):
ten minutes until kickoff. It is Fox Sports Radio's Countdown
to Kickoff, presented by bet MGM. Earn a fifty dollar
bonus by signing into bet MGM and clicking on refer
a friend to invite a friend, and just a few
simple steps, both you and your friend will receive a
fifty dollar bonus. Bet MGM, the King of sports books,
the King of parlays. Let's do this. I think were

(01:16:42):
any situation that may arrive the situation room, Yes, the
situation room. You think about the rivalry games next week,
couldn't impact some of the games today. One game I
have highlighted Illinois against Michigan. We talked about a little
bit early Elier. This could be a look at spot

(01:17:02):
for the Wolverines. Right Illinois has lost too straight. Chase
Brown is dinged up. We don't know if he's gonna
go or how effective he's gonna be today, and you
got Ohio State next week. Wolverines gotta be focused in
the moment here today. But this is something that the
situation Room was created for. Anything else on your list there, cheering, Well,

(01:17:25):
how about Alabama looking at I'm just kidding off again,
they got the iron Ball next week, Just just kidding, guys,
I'm choking. I'll take the other side of that bribery.
Excuse me. So I've got this Ohio State Maryland game
pegged closer to twenty in my numbers. And again, I
do think it was intriguing that we moved through that.
I mean, I don't want to call it a key number,

(01:17:46):
but a secondary key number of twenty eight. We're now
sitting in the twenty seven range there. And again, if
you're Ohio, see and you're up twenty in the fourth quarter,
you're throttling down because there's nothing else that matters and
that particular spot other than making sure you are healthy, rested,
recharged for next week. So I think that's the only

(01:18:07):
look ahead spot that I think has significant value this week,
because both of those teams still have everything to play
for in the college football playoffs, and they're both facing
teams that are relative bottom feeders, at least according to
the points bread this week. Yeah, what's interesting though, And
and not to push back too hard on what you're saying,

(01:18:28):
Jared is the fact that occasionally in those games you
may have a booster to walk up to the head
coach and say, like, I got a lot of money
on you guys covering that spread like Colorado. Yeah, that's
that's what did it feel like? There are a couple
of additional gratuitous passes thrown during that game. I wonder why, um,

(01:18:48):
which brings us to mind which is sitational Situationally, Penn
State has blown out bad competition throughout the course of
the season. This line is at nineteen and a half
in terms of how many points Penn States favored by
against Rutgers today on the road. I feel like they
take care of business. This has been the calling card.
You know they played They play up when playing down competition.

(01:19:14):
If you understand what I'm saying, I got Penn stuff
Penn State by a million covering the spread. Do they
also play down to up competitions? Yeah, a little bit.
I'll throw one more. Unfortunately, Ole Miss today at Arkansas.
You got the Egg Bowl next week the early and

(01:19:35):
it's an early one too because it's a Thursday game,
so it's a short week. And of course Ole Miss
they're not in the playoff. You know, competition, But you
know that's a big game next week, and that line
is curiously short in Hog Valley today. It's tough with
Ole Miss because they've played a couple of big boys
in a row. Yeah, and so sometimes it's it's sort

(01:19:56):
of like the later rounds of a fight. Yeah, and
they're a little a little witherd o they were in
that game against Bama. Yeah, alright, comeing up next the
top fifteen team that might be the hardest to predict today.
Who's in the top fifteen that you're scratching your head like,
how does it? How does it shake out? Today? We'll investigate.

(01:20:16):
Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in
the nation. Catch all of our shows at Fox sports
Radio dot com and within the I Heart Radio app
search f s R to listen live. Oh what's going
on everybody? I hope you're enjoying your Saturday morning. We've
got a full slate at college ball here week twelve,

(01:20:36):
and the sexiest matchups are in the pack twelve. And
to me, I don't know if you guys feel the
same way. The toughest team to predict to forecast today,
I think it's the number twelve Oregon Ducks. If you
look at the top fifteen teams, does bow Knicks play,
How does he look? Got dinged up at the end
of that Washington game last week, got an ankle slash

(01:20:59):
foot issue going on, So we don't even know if
he's gonna be out there. And if he is out there,
his wheels are a big part of his game. So
how much has he affected if he is able to
give it a go today against number ten Utah, Oregon
a home underdog. Based on the uncertainty at the quarterback position.
Oregon is a two point underdog as we speak. Yeah,

(01:21:22):
you know what's interesting is bo Nicks. Everything hinges on
him with this Oregon Ducks team, not just his health
but also just him. You know, if he isn't able
to go, I I assume they turned to retro freshman
Ty Thompson, who is a former five star recruit. Um

(01:21:43):
Nix has had an incredible season in a vacuum, right,
you know when we just think about where he was
with Auburn and where he's he's been with Oregon, now,
it's it's tremendous, right, But I mean, do you trust
him even if he's ready to go? Do you trust him?
It's It's one of those questions that I think the

(01:22:04):
same way we're looking at a tennan oh TCU horn
Frogs team and saying, hey, yeah, but on the road
against Baylor, and they've got a pretty good rushing offense too.
They survived the test against Texas. Will they do it again?
It's the way I feel about Oregon every single week
with their quarterback, and I just don't know if the
answer is yes, I can so can you guys trust

(01:22:26):
bow Knicks? No? No, especially when he's not right now? Yeah? Yeah,
I don't like Nicks. So last year, these two meetings
between these two teams were just absolute slobber knockers. One
sided slabber knockers. Utah knockout punch I don't know if

(01:22:50):
you guys ever played the game Mike Tyson's Punch Out.
I love it. I still know the code to face
favorite game growing up. You know, when bald Bull comes out,
you gotta make sure you know with the right jab,
and then the next time you're face him, you gotta
go with the left jab. Well, both games last year
against Bald Bull, Utah just bulldozed this Oregon team thirty

(01:23:12):
eight seven the average two yards rushing in both games. Now,
what does that mean about bot Nick's Absolutely nothing, And
I think that part of the handicap. You have to
put it in a vacuum because we just don't know
if he's gonna play. On the other side, though, Utah's
offense against Oregon's defense, we saw it last week and
I hope it's a trend that continues because I've got

(01:23:34):
a win total for Utah over eight and a half
and I'd love to get there today without having to
sweat out a game against color sweat out a game
against Colorado. Just hopefully that they don't, you know, completely
screw the pooch. But Tavion Thomas re emerged last week
buck eight against Stanford. That's a career high on the
ground and that is how you go into Austen and

(01:23:55):
win a football game. You pound the rock and you
established that toughness that. Let's be honest, Utah hasn't shown
it a lot this year. They've been a little softer
on the edges and in the middle than we've seen
previous Kyle Wittingham coach teams. They're not as good stopping
the run. We've seen Morgan Scalley commit a fifth guy

(01:24:15):
to the box, which has left them susceptible in the
passing game, and that's why they are not having the
kind of defensive year we expect a Utah ute team
to have. That being said, Oregon's weakness on defense is
in the passing defense category, and we'll see if Utah
has the weapons. I like Dalton Kinkaid a lot, but

(01:24:38):
when you're tight end, as you're leading receiver, it shows
that there's a little bit of a deficiency on the
outside throwing the ball down the field. Cameron Rising does
it with his legs, he does it with his brain.
But I'd like to see some of the receivers, and
I'd like to see Utah's offensive coordinator, Andy Ludwig, let
Cameron eat because this Utah toa and we saw it

(01:24:59):
last week against Watch and they can be had in
the secondary. I do love the bald Bowl reference. And
you mentioned the two beat downs last year that Oregon
suffered against Utah. They went uppercut. You never go uppercut
with bald Bowl and the charge like over yeah. And
the thing with bow Knicks is it's my oddest comparison,

(01:25:21):
but I think it applies. It's like dating a girl
and she's treating you great, but she cheated on her
previous three boyfriend and you're likeship. But I don't know
if things are okay, Like it's going great with bow
Knicks this year for the Darks. Overall, he's played great,
but you're still wondering, like, does he revert back to

(01:25:44):
ourburn bow Knicks? Is he still that guy at at
any stage going forward? And him being nicked up today,
That's the thing, man, I don't know how well he's
gonna play. And you think about the ripple effect. You
look at Oregon's defense. They've struggled against ranked opponents to year.
They're giving up an average of thirty four points. So
imagine if bo Nix is out there, he's a little limited,

(01:26:05):
the offense isn't as good. There's a trickle down effect
toward that struggling defense, especially what you saw last week.
You're not gonna see Cam Rising put it up like
Michael Pennix Jr. It's a different formula, but that ducks
defense little leaky, little leaking, especially if the offense isn't
doing what it normally does, it could be leakier. That

(01:26:26):
is such a good comparison by the way, and I
think it's one apt to how we all feel about
bo Nix, and you perfectly encapsulated it. I'll give you
the quarterback camp in the NFL, it's Kirk Cousins this season, right,
because Cousins has been great for the Vikings and close games.
For anybody that has been paying attention to the Vikings,

(01:26:46):
He's really shined in some clutch moments. If you watched
him against the Buffalo Bills last week, you're like, wow,
you know, even though there were some gaffs at the
end of the game, Cousins outdueled Josh Allen. You know,
you just you're you're not expecting some of the sentences
that are leaving your mouth about Kirk Cousins this season
in terms of the NFL season, And the same could

(01:27:08):
be said about bow Knicks this year in college football.
He is the Kirk Cousins of college football. You just
sort of feel like he's gonna fade in prime time.
You feel like any minute now he's gonna revert back
to old bow Knicks. But at every juncture he has
proven us wrong. So is it time to trust him?
Is he gonna be worse off now that he has

(01:27:31):
an ankle injury is going to thrive in the face
of adversity. All these questions will be answered later on tonight.
I can't wait for this. Funny. I really wish one
fumble in the red zone for Utah away from us
looking at this uge team very differently. That's in that

(01:27:52):
game in Florida. I mean, and that game was Week one,
and you talk about one drive of your season back
in early September. Now has such a trickle down effect
to Utah being on the outside. I mean, let's be honest.
If Utah wins that game at Florida, this is a

(01:28:13):
Utah team that is probably in the top seven today nationally,
and they are one win away this week and then
one they're gonna be Colorado. And then one went away
in the Pactrol Championship game against likely USC from going
to college football playoffs. So it's just funny how perception
and reality don't always match up. Because this year, Utah
to me was a playoff contender more than USC and

(01:28:36):
just one stinking dry, one fumble in the red zone,
one mistake in early September is gonna cost them a chance.
I think if things play out today, as the points
Bret indicates from going to the college reball playoff. It
is crazy, and hey, one of the teams that Oregon
beat this year is u c l A. And U
c l A took it on the chin against Oregon.

(01:28:58):
U c l A took it on the in last
week against Arizona, and now they're a two lost team
on the outside of the playoff chase. Looking in U
c l A as we shift over hosts USC this
evening on Big Fox at eight p m. Eastern Time,
and you've got U c l A small underdog. I
look at USC guys, and they're a team that look,

(01:29:21):
we all know about their strengths offensively, but defensively they
are just a complete disaster. They are freaking parable. And
I look at this as U c l A offense.
U c l a's offense gonna have a field day.
I think both offenses are gonna have a field day.
I expect U c l a's offense to do more.
What do you guys think, boy, do more? Yeah? Potentially? Yeah. Actually,

(01:29:46):
you know what, it's so funny. I I had it's
almost like that meme of of the woman who takes
a sip of wine and she was like, oh, gross,
And then well maybe and then that I'm not sure,
But then again, I'm really right there with you. I
think that the problem for USC is U c l
A's pass rush. What does uc USC want to do?

(01:30:07):
They want to pump the ball downfield and the only
thing that can potentially get in their way is the
great edge defenders that that the Bruins provide up front.
Lot to the Murphy brothers, they get a lot of
pressure on quarterbacks. Uh, all three of them are among
the ten best pass rushers in the Power five right now.

(01:30:28):
Um So, so yeah, to your point, it's strength on
strength though U c l A. R USC's offensive line
against that Bruins pass rush is a formidable challenge. USC
as the best group pass blocking in college football and
maybe the top group in all of college football right now.
Caleb Williams has been kept very clean in the pocket. Um.

(01:30:51):
But yeah, you know, I think I think the Bruins
will have an easier time offensively taking advantage than you
of USC's defense the other way around. So this could
be a score fest. I don't know if it touches
the number, but this could be one of those games
where it is every offensive possession is a potential touchdown.
Rich nailed it. The offensive line numbers in this game

(01:31:14):
are staggering. Both teams top five in adjusted line yards created,
top five in opportunity rate, which is basically just the
offensive line creating three yards of space and the running
backs creating three yards of space from the line of scrimmage,
and top ten in stuff rate power success Right Like
all of these nerd numbers that we use to grade

(01:31:35):
the offensive lineman, USC and U c l A are
in the top ten. The only spot where USC struggles
a little bit is passing down sack rate, And I
think that's because Caleb Williams is just such a magician
in the pocket. He holds onto it and extends plays
so long eventually you're gonna go down. So to me,

(01:31:57):
that's the one part of this game that I think
maybe U. C l A can figure out a way
to bend, but don't break. And we use this cliche
all the time, Ben but don't break, Well, how about
some data to back it up? Well? U c l
A outside of the top ninety in passing success rate aloud,
meaning every passing play against the suicil A defense for

(01:32:18):
the most part, has been great and successful, you know,
relative to the rest of the country, but top fifteen
in explosive past defenses. So while down to down they're
giving up a lot of successful passing plays. We're not
seeing those explosive forty fifty sixty yard bombs down the field.
U c l A does a pretty good job keeping
things in front of them. I'll throw one more wrinkle

(01:32:39):
into this for you guys, and then you can digest
how you want. What we saw last week at the
Rose Bowl between u c l A and Arizona. The
turf at the Rose Bowl was a bit slippy. We
saw a lot of chunks of it coming out, guys
slipping around, and that you see a Arizona game which
had a total peg that seventy seven. Stay aid well

(01:33:00):
under final if it's in the I don't know if
they talked to the ground screw this weekend they got
that figured out. But if there is another turf trouble
brewing at the Rose Bolt today, I would not want
to have an over ticket in my back pocket. Interesting,
interesting nugget right there. I will say this where what
matters most is the trenches past rush. That's what That's

(01:33:22):
what matters most. But a little cherry on top the
hatred factor. Like Dorrian Thompson Robinson he hates USC and
he is a great, great tone setter. And you think
about Caleb Williams and you think about all these transfers
that have gone to USC. Did they hate U c
l A the same way the Bruins hate them? They don't.

(01:33:44):
And I like that as a little cherry on the
top makes me like the Bruins a little bit more today,
on top of all the other stuff that matters the most.
That's such a good point, by the way, Brian, and
it's something that a lot of people don't understand, you know,
for the fans, certainly for coaches who have been around
the program for a while, you start to understand the
hatred right because fans, for obvious reasons, U c l

(01:34:08):
A U S bitter rivals for years and years and years.
And then from the coaches standpoint, I mean, you are
literally your your job is staked on recruiting against that program.
So there's just a natural rivalry that occurs all throughout
the college football season, not just in season, but also
the off season as well when you're trying to lower

(01:34:29):
players to your program as opposed to the the school
across town. But but yeah, when you're a mercenary, when
you're sort of parachuted into the operation and you're saying, okay,
what's our objective here, it's like, well, we hate those guys.
It's like, okay, great, why do we hate him? It
was like, well, you know, okay, let me catch you up.
It's not it's not ingrained in you yet. It takes

(01:34:50):
a while for rivalty arrivalry to build inside of you.
And d TR, like I said earlier in the show,
he's been on campus since FDR was in office, so
it's like he gets it. You know, he understands what
what hating the Trojans means. And that definitely tilts the
field a little bit in this matchup, Absolutely it does. Hey,

(01:35:13):
be sure to check out the new looking features in
the bet mgm app. It's fast and easy access to
the sports you love, whether it's live betting, the Daily
Lions boost, or the cash out feature, and new users
can use the code countdown for a special offer. That's
Code countdown in the bet MGM app. Alright, we've got
rich join Burger Shaved Clavical, former Penn State All American

(01:35:35):
put springles on mashed potatoes. Delicious, by the way, Cheffing.
You gotta see this video, Brian, It's it's something. I
definitely gotta check that out. Jared Smith from picks wise
dot com. What's the most what's the oddest food concoction
that you've either come up with or have taken part in? There?

(01:35:56):
So I do this thing where I like to put
chips on my sandwiches. I don't know few guys I
can get down that any particular brand, like a texture
crunchy chips with tuna or turkey. It's just I love
the texture. Nice original like Ruffles, where yeah, you can
go nuts with the flavor of the chips, whatever tickles
your fancy. I like it very nice. I'm Brian though.

(01:36:18):
I've burned a lot of steaks in my life, so
I have that going for me there, all right? Coming
up next some quick hits including does hook Them Get
Hooked Again? It is Fox Sports Radio's Countdown to Kickoff
presented by bet MGM. Welcome to the biggest tailgate party
in the nation. You're locked into Fox Sports Radio's Countdown

(01:36:41):
to Kickoff Touchdown and it's presented by bat MGM, The
King of sports books once again. Here's Brian no, Rich
Hornberger and Jared Smith. Ah. Yes, it's just about thirty
five minutes until kick off. Welcome back to Fox Sports
Radio's cow Down to Kickoff, presented by bet MGMs. Download

(01:37:03):
the bet MGM app today. Use code countdown for a
special offer. That's code countdown in the bet MGM app. Okay,
we got some quick hits for you guys. Many games,
a couple of notes on each of them. How about
Texas and Kansas both are six and four football teams.
Kansas a nine and a half point home underdog over here.

(01:37:27):
Kansas is four oh and one against the spread at
home this season. They've covered each of their last five
meetings against Texas, So I hey, man, Texas might win.
I don't think they went and get the cover here today.
What do you guys think about this? When trending towards
Jalen Daniels being able to play their their quarterback, Kansas

(01:37:49):
over there got hurt a while ago, and Lance Leopold,
the head coach, he says very close, very very close
to returning. And that's good because the backup Jason Bean
he got depth last week. Yeah you know here here's
the problem for Texas. They're kind of in that box
of don't let a bad loss beat you twice, and

(01:38:09):
so you gotta shake off what happened to you last
week against TCU and look forward to this one. And
young players, it's sometimes that's a difficult situation. So we'll
see how they respond after a tough week against the
horn Frocks. Yeah. I got this number of Texas minus
five point six, so just based off of that, maybe

(01:38:30):
some value on Kansas. But I'll be honest, Kansas has
been a fade to down the stretch despite their big
win over Oklahoma State. No play for me here, but
I I agree Texas I think should witness game and
should win handily. But funny things happened in Lawrence this year. Hey,
speaking Oklahoma State, let's get the bedlam over here. Now,

(01:38:51):
going out with the bang more like going out with
the whisper. You know, we got the five and five
Oklahoma Sooners hosting this game. Oklahoma was only five and five,
and yet the Sooners are favored by seven and a half.
If you look at Oklahoma one in five against the
spread and their last six games. So this is a
bad team that's fading and they're favored by seven and

(01:39:14):
a half. They're begging you to take Oklahoma State, which
makes me a little bit weary. But in a rivalry game,
I'll take the points all day in this one. Yeah. Yeah,
it's uh, this one's a tough one to call because
it's just rivalry weeks. I mean, can you really trust anything.
It sort of feels like the the U S E

(01:39:36):
U C L A game we've been talking about all
day long, like I'm back in forth on which side
to take, depending on the hour, depending on the minute.
I feel the same way about this one. I I
I mean, yeah, I don't have a play on this one.
To your point about that the last game we just
discussed Kansas Texas. But um, but yeah, good luck taking

(01:39:57):
the points more like boredom am I right, don't forget
to tip your waitresses. Yeah, I mean we did see
the early sharp money. Oh you go through the seven.
How about this? Oklahoma got the second worst cover margin
in the country. They're a minus eighty one if you
tally up all the A T S game you know,
all the A T S numbers that they've had this year. Man,

(01:40:19):
Oklahoma State's defense Jim knowles, we hardly knew you. Right,
goes to Ohio State and this Oklahoma State defense just
getting dash left and right. And how about Eric Gray?
We told you Blake corehum number one non quarterback wins
above replacement. You might not think about it, but Eric
Gray number two on that list. He's got over a
thousand yards this year. He is having a heck of

(01:40:40):
a season for the Sooners. And again the running game
against Oklahoma State's defense likely prominent today Sooners or passed.
And by the way, yeah, I'm just gonna point it
out because it may Bedlam may go away when Oklahoma
goes to bed But still here you think about both

(01:41:00):
those teams, Texas Oklahoma going to the SEC. Not the
greatest of seasons this year for either of them, right,
like it gonna go yeah where it happens. Yeah, great
luck against those heavy hitters in the SEC. One more here,
how about the number one ranked Georgia Bulldogs taken on Kentucky.

(01:41:21):
Georgia healthy favorite over three touchdowns, And it makes sense.
Kentucky lost to Vanderbilt last week, they lost the fan
and now they're hosting the number one team in all
the land. Yeah, Georgia is undoubtedly the team to beat
in college football this season. Um. I mean, they've got

(01:41:41):
what a forty seven percent chance to repeat as national
champions on some some books, you know, I think, actually,
where was I reading this? Um oh it was it
was Pro Football Focuses Power Rankings. They have them almost
a fifty percent chance to epte as national champions. And

(01:42:02):
you know the book. Those are all that analytical nerds
who compile all of the you know, algorithms and metrics
and they come up with this stuff. It's a hard
team to bet against this year, especially against a Kentucky team.
Uh yeah, the Bulldogs. I mean they're on They're on
a rampage this season. Yeah. I've got this basically at
twenty two and a hook. So the numbers, right, I

(01:42:24):
wouldn't be touching anything Georgia related right now, because let's
be honest, if you're thinking about anything but the SEC
championship game, they got Georgia Tech next. I mean, it's
just you got two cupcakes before you have to play
your biggest game of the year. And I know George
is probably in any ways, but weird spot like, motivationally speaking,
how up is Georgia gonna be? For these games. I
know Georgia Texas arrival game, but I just it's weird

(01:42:48):
with these big favorites in rivalry games when they got
so much to play for. Very tough to handicap the
motivation there. I hear you on that. It's a great point.
The only thing where I would see it a bit
differently is George had such a close call against Missouri,
so for it to happen a second time, I think
it's it's harder to see that. Um, but hey, look, man,

(01:43:09):
over three touchdowns to cover it. It's not the easiest
thing to do in college football. That is such a
good point. There was a two week stretch a month
ago where the Bulldogs beat Kent State in Missouri, but
it was only by combined twenty one points despite being
favored by combined seventies six points. So yeah, this this

(01:43:30):
could be one of those situations and the season a
lot to look forward to. How up for these games,
these matchups will be be down the stretch. That's a
great point. Awesome all right, coming up next, best of
the bad, very much looking forward to that. But right
now it's pretty much the best of the best right
with Isaac Low and he's got the latest for us.
I Loo. What's up man? You guys remember a movie

(01:43:52):
with Steve Martin and John Candy called Planes, Trains and
Automo Deals Classical We we we potentially could of the
sequel today in Buffalo. Right now. It's it's actually decent
because the Buffalo Airport has reopened its runways after it
was closed for three hours earlier today because of snow.
The Bills are scheduled to take off to fly to

(01:44:13):
Detroit at three thirty Eastern for their game tomorrow against
the Cleveland Browns. According to The Athletic, Get This Fella's,
Buffalo Bill's chief operating officer, Ron Rakuia is personally picking
up players to help the team assemble for its flight
as we speak, he told the Athletic. Quote every aspect

(01:44:33):
of the organization is a part of this effort, unquote.
NFL media reports that the Washington Commanders are placing running
back j D mckissic on season ending injured reserve due
to a neck injury. On the eve of Soccer's World Cup,
FIFA president and aspiring James Bond Villain Gianni Infantino held

(01:44:55):
a bizarre rambling news conference today where, among other of things.
He accused European and Western media of hypocrisy for its
criticism of cut Oars human rights record. I think, for
what we Europeans have been doing in the last three
thousand years around the world, we should be apologizing for
next three thousand years before starting to give more or lessons.

(01:45:20):
Two people in Fontino also weighed in on Qatar's recent
banning of beer in World Cup stadiums. I think, personally,
if for three hours a day you cannot drink a beer,
you will survive blasphemy. Blasphemy for yourself. In a related

(01:45:50):
story in Fontino has just been automatically disqualified from ever
being the commissioner of the SEC. Didn't they just allow
beer at like every college stadium across the country where
these kids are mostly undertwit? I mean, it's just, I mean,
how right after those comments, he threw a shoe and

(01:46:11):
took someone out by the way, are the Are the
Bills just gonna stay in Detroit because they play in
Detroit on Thanksgiving Day? Why would they go back to Buffalo?
This was actually uh, this is actually um been confirmed.
They are going back to Buffalo between Why, I mean,

(01:46:33):
that's that's not exactly a Chamber of Commerce advertisement for Detroit.
I mean, you can get gorge on the Detroit Style
for three days. There's the problem. I was gonna say,
it's it's probably the right decision. It is expun down
to kickoff presented by bed MGM. Let's dive into this

(01:46:59):
one now. It's the best of the bad. Okay, we're
looking at a bad matchup that catches our eyes. Of this,
we're circling Iowa at Minnesota. The total you gotta squint
for this one at bet m GM thirty two and

(01:47:20):
a half. Wow, hey man, the understill might hit. It
really might. Honestly, you know you gotta take a long,
hard look at this before you bet the over. Iowa,
my goodness, gracious. And also I'll give props where props

(01:47:42):
are due. If you are interested in betting the under,
you're probably smart because I was got one of the
top defenses in all the lamp as Iowa. Sam has
informed of some many times on the text chat that
we have Iowa. Yeah, I feel like we should. Let
I was sand drive in here, right, yeah, well, you know,

(01:48:03):
I was just I saw what was coming in the rundown.
I was like a little offended by this like, you know,
Minnesota and I know it's gonna be a defensive slug,
but they are both in contention for the Big Ten West,
if that's worth anything. You know, their fate a weights
in that game, but they are in contention for the division,
so it's not like it will be a factor. Sort

(01:48:25):
of feel like it's you're you're sending Hawks to slaughter
instead of Hawks to slaughter and epics. They are playing
for Floyd of Rosedale, the Bronze Pig. So that the
trophies by the way, Yeah, come on, let's enjoy this game.
Come on. Yeah, it is, except when we get the
Jeweled Sugar lay between Notre Dame and USC. That's another

(01:48:47):
one of my favorites. So total stirty six are lower
since so five the unders three, one and one five
All five games played over the last two seasons three three,
now four of them have involved Iowa um and it's
the lowest total in FBS history according to my database,
which again goes back to about early two Thousand's lowest
total in f b S history I will last two decades. Hey,

(01:49:10):
glass half full, it does speak to their solid defense.
Glass half empty does speak to their abysmal offense that
they'd be involved in in totals that low so often.
But Minnesota's quarterback Tanner Origan, he might not go. He
got dinged up last week. You're down to a freshman
if he doesn't go against dias defense. So if you're

(01:49:31):
thinking about under thirty two and a half, that might
be a reason why this isn't bad at all. Though.
You guys see this Minnesota's running back Mo Ibraheim. He
now has an n I L deal with Gushers. It's
a huge fan of Gushers and the Mo pack. The
Gusher's box features the touchdown splash flavor. He was eating

(01:49:52):
Gusher's after a touchdown a couple of weeks ago. So
now he has an n I L deal. Rich, what
would have been your n I L deal back in
the Penn State days? Get great question? And one would
have chicken. It would have been it would have been
chicken wing related, all right, that's what I mean? Yeah,
my my, oh yeah, pokey sticks maybe yeah, maybe breadsticks. Yeah,

(01:50:15):
what a ridiculous endorsement. You go all flat, Rich? Are
you leg over over flat guy? You know what's so
funny is I know this is such a divisive topic.
You're going with drum eas or flappers, and I'm I'm
right down the middle, man. I love them both equally.
It's like picking between children. I have two boys. I

(01:50:38):
don't have a favorite. Uh, you can't bother me with
a great time, gentlemen, equal opportunity, wing eater? What what
if what if, like you're on the wing couch right now,
what if it's a nine to three ratio? What if
you have nine legs, three flats or nine more than flats? Right?

(01:50:59):
Which one? Says the man? I wish I had more
of the other? Wow? Yeah, I've never really thought of
it that way. I guess um as indiscriminate and eater
as I've been my whole life since the question has
never occurred, which one do I want more? I guess
my answer is, unfortunately, it's an it's whatever you serve me.

(01:51:20):
I'm happy with rich, You're you're You're a you're a
mother's dream. When it comes to coming over for a poet, dude,
just a Penn State all American, you're an all American,
but they all American. Boy, I'm telling you right now,
both of your mom everyone's mom loves me because whatever
you served me. I sit down and I just chop away,
and then at the end of the meal it was

(01:51:41):
the best meal I've ever totally agreed, that's exactly, and
I've got the body to prove it. All right, We've
got rich Ardburger, Penn State all America, and America is
all American. As we just found out, it is right
down the middle. Wings are sorry, legs and flats chicken wings.

(01:52:05):
Conversation Jared Smith Office, I'll run on that platform that
yet the flats platform, and then of the dual peace
signs like Richard Nixon, you just have a leg and
a flat like flapper. Jared Smith is from pis wise
dot com gambling guru. I'm Brian Now coming up next,

(01:52:27):
We've thrown a lot at you, a lot of numbers,
a lot of facts there I say, some analytics. You know.
We gotta put all that into making three picks. We'll
each have three of them for you. Next. Also, Jared
will have a play of the day, very much looking
forward to that. We also want to remind you every Thursday,

(01:52:48):
be sure to check out our Countdown to Kickoff, presented
by bet MGM. Original podcast features yours truly, Brian no
Jared Smith and Bill Krakenburger. We give our takes on
all the key lines. Get you all set for a
weekend in betting. It's every Thursday to search Fox Sports
Radio wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, the moment of

(01:53:10):
truth is next. It is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff,
presented by bet MGM. We are hungry, We are hungry
for more. Kickoffs are coming, Sue, and we're leading you
up to that. This is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to
Kickoff presented by Bett MGM. The kick of sports books

(01:53:32):
once again. Here's Brian no, Rich Hornberger and Jared spit All. Oh,
just about twelve minutes until kickoff. Here it is Fox
Sports Radio's Countdown to Kickoff, presented by Bet MGM. Big
thank you to the crew as always, Isaac Lowan Crown

(01:53:54):
on the updates, tremendous job. Iowa Sam technical producer Very
Offen did by our best of the Bad segment featuring
his Iowa Hawkeyes in a low total today and also
our producer Ryan Burr Shinger. Fun fact about Burch His
dad appeared in the Obi Wan Kenobi series as Amperial officer.
How about that dad was an imperial officer there on

(01:54:17):
that show. Nicely done. Top of the hour. Up on
game d J Hushman, Zada, Plaxico Buris. The football conversation continues.
Make sure you check them out. Do an awesome job. Okay,
it is the moment of truth. Let's do it rapid fire.
Hey be sure to follow bet MGM across all socials

(01:54:39):
at that MGM shared. We start with you three picks.
What do you have for us? Go one and two
last week nine fourteen for the year. That's fifty seven
and a half percent. I'll take that all season, but
we need to improve on that down the stretch. We're
gonna catch Mr no here Baylor plus two and a
half sick of baby David Ranto, the air aid specialist.
How Texas Tech the seventeen points e here this year,

(01:55:00):
we've seen TC and struggle in this early window. I
think the offense struggles again here Liberty minus one, we're
fanning the flames baby ninus nine excuse me, bounce back
game to me for Liberty After losing outright to yukon
last weekend. Virginia Tech really struggles offensively. They'll struggle it
again today against the top thirty liberty defense at Western
Kentucky plus five and a half feed Mr Reid Austin

(01:55:22):
Reid coming out party against the SEC. He's a top
five passler in the country. This year, Auburn's offense will
not be able to keep up against the Tombs. I
love it. I love it, Okay. Overall record twelve and
twenty one on this season, absolutely dreadful one and two
last week. Not great. Looking to go on a heater
starting right now. I'm tired of doubting the horn Frogs.

(01:55:44):
This line is basically begging me to take TCU. So
I will I say Texas Christian covers the two and
a half on the road in Waco against those Baylor Bears.
If you're taking the over in the U S e
U T L A game today, you're basically betting that
either team punts the total of seventies six and a half.
And that's come down something. I stay it's still too high.

(01:56:07):
I'm going under there. And Penn State. They put up
lots of points against lesser opponents. Ruckers is on a
three game slide. The Lions are coming off a thirty
point shutout win over Maryland. I've got Penn stay covering
the nineteen a half in Piscataway, so TCU minus two
and a half the over in the USC U c
l A game total set at seventy six and a

(01:56:28):
half and Penn stay covered in the nineteen and a half. Okay,
So I am neck and neck with Chert also one
and two last week, also nineteen and fourteen on the season,
great finish, So it is. It is a heated contest down.
I think I'm going all underdogs today. Wow. I like

(01:56:51):
U c l A plus two and a half. I
think there's a better football team. I also think they
hate USC more, all those transfers from USC. This Caleb
Williams hate U c l A. No, it's like a
shoulder shrug. Dtr hates the Trojans. I like that. It's
a little cherry on top factor in today's game. Give
me U c l A. I'm going bedlam over here.

(01:57:12):
You've got Oklahoma. They're five and five, they stink, they're
fading down the stretch, and they're favored by seven in
the hook today against Oklahoma State. I don't get it.
I'm not gonna overthink this one. It's a rivalry game.
Give me Oklahoma State less seven and a half and
I'll look for my final pick. Looking at you Jayhawks,
Texas disappointing loss last week against TCU. You've got nine

(01:57:36):
and a half right now with Kansas who might be
getting jay Len Daniels their quarterback back on the field today,
I'm going k you give me that nine and a half,
I'll fade Texas again. There you go. All right, we
have time for this as well. Let's dive in. This
is the best play on the day. Wow, I've feel

(01:58:00):
like I can check your feed up, I can grab
a lemonade. We've got like two whole minutes left for
your play of the day here, Jared, what do you
have for us? I mean, listen, I'm coachable, guys. I
am nothing if not coachable. You make the adjustments and
you move on. And now we've got all this time.
I'll be honest, I didn't I don't have a lot
prepared for this play of the day. You guys are

(01:58:21):
gonna have the vamp at the end. But I will
give you one of my plays on steroids, Western Kentucky
money Line. It's the Shamus Special. He's if listen, if
Shamus comes on the show and says he's got a
game circle. We need to not only put a circle,
but a star, square, a roombus, a diamond, all of
those fun shapes and colors. So I'll take Western Kentucky

(01:58:43):
on the money line. I got plus one eighty over
at bed MGM to sprinkle the shiny unit on that
bad boy. Obviously we're on Western Kentucky plus five and
a half. Well take the points too, but the points
won't matter. Austin read, get her on, baby. I like it. Okay,
you're all over Western Kentucky. You lit up like a
Christmas tree. When Shamus was on Western Kentucky as well,

(01:59:04):
that was great. I love it any time of Oddsmaker
comes on the show and says, this is the game
I've got circled, And I've already got the game circled,
start and checked. I feel like I did my job effected.
I'm putting some sort of hexagonal shape around it. The
more sides the better, by the way, food for thought,
here's a trend here, Kentucky. There one in nine to

(01:59:27):
the over this season a lot of under. So ask yourself,
how many points are they gonna score against Georgia today?
You know? So maybe you take a peek at the
under forty nine and a half today in Georgia. Can
like it, you know, like we're heads at love betting unders.
You're always ahead at the start of the game. I know.
I love being a Every game starts zero zero fantastic. Yeah. Well, hey, everybody,

(01:59:49):
enjoy a full day of college football. Here. Should be
a good one. Week twelve. We'll catch you next week.
Have a good one.

All Episodes

Episode Transcript

Fox Sports Radio News

Host

Jonas Knox

Popular Podcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Dateline NBC

24/7 News: The Latest

.css-15opob5{left:0;position:absolute;top:0.8rem;} All Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Countdown to Kickoff Presented by BetMGM