BIG TEN TEAM PREVIEWS 2025: Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Northwestern & Purdue | College Football Podcast - The Solid Verbal College Football

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to the solid verbal hull. For me, I'm a man,
I'm forty.

Speaker 2 (00:08):
I've heard so many players say, well, I want to
be happy.

Speaker 1 (00:10):
You want to be happy for day Edith State? Is that? Whoo?
Whoam and Dan and Tie Dan Urbnstein, welcome back, Welcome
back for Ballerhood, go back and listen to the Big Ten.
Part one, which was our last episode, was dropped on Sunday.
Today's episode is I guess Team previews Part one, Big

(00:32):
ten Preview Part uh, whichever makes more sense to you.
On today's episode, we're doing some team previews. We're talking
Penn State, Ohio State, your Oregon Ducks, Yes, your Michigan Wolverines,
the indianas well. You've married into Michigan war. True, we've
got Indiana, We've got Illinois, Maryland, Northwestern and Purdue on

(00:55):
today's episode. So we split the conference right down the middle.
Nine and nine. Going to have the other nine on
our next episode. My friend, welcome back to the show.
Thank you.

Speaker 2 (01:04):
I live not terribly far from Northwestern. One of my
younger brothers went to Purdue. This is a very Rubinstein
centric episode, and I thank you for that, Tye.

Speaker 1 (01:14):
It's a very personal episode to me as well talking
about Penn State. But yep, definitely more points of intersect
here with the Ruben verse. Is that what we call it?
Of course we do. Yes, hit follow, hit subscribe if
you're new here, want to get more episodes like this,
get more preview content. This is a big show for us.
This show always does really, really well, so I'm excited
to be here with you talking through all these teams. Basically,

(01:36):
what we've got represented in our crop today is the
upper crust of the Big Ten. And having done this
show for so long, we have amassed quite a following
in the Big ten universe, so this is typically one
that people are interested in. We've got to make sure
we're on our game. We've got some sounds loaded up
here on the board. We will talk through these in
somewhat painstaking detail, at least give you the flavor of

(01:59):
what to expect this year in the Big ten season.
And before I go any further, it's verballers dot Com. Yes, Ty, Yes,
you may be tired of hearing me. Actually, why don't
you talk about verballers dot Com? Give the people the
pitch because I always do it, and I always worry
you're afraid of me, are sick of me? Giving the pitch?

Speaker 2 (02:18):
Here's my pitch, okay, verballers dot com real easy, few seconds.
It directly supports the show. It helps us keep the
lights on. We require, we need your help to keep
things going, and so that is extremely important to us.
And we require the ability to interact with everybody who
supports the show on Discord because it makes us feel

(02:40):
very cool, even though we're not.

Speaker 1 (02:42):
We're not, definitely not.

Speaker 2 (02:44):
And so it strokes our egos very nicely. But also
it happens to be the coolest group of college football
fans online and huddling up football term in a very
cool place on Discord. So that's the sales pitch for
verballers dot com. Five dollars a month, ten dollars a
month tier and help support an independently owned college football

(03:05):
megapro operation.

Speaker 1 (03:07):
Yeah, operation something. You can also sign up for free
if you just want to get the flavor for it.
That's true, you know it taste. You can sign up
for free if you want to. But for Ballers dot
com v E R B A L L e r
s dot com that's it.

Speaker 2 (03:20):
Get that little the mini ice cream spoon that you
get at your ice cream parlor just for that.

Speaker 1 (03:24):
Taste, just to taste the taste. Absolutely. All right, that's it,
that's the pitch. Yeah, now it's time to talk about
the back agen. Like I said, go back and listen
to part one where we broke these teams up into tiers.
It's not a perfect representation of my upper tier and
my middle tier, and like we're kind of mixing and

(03:46):
matching here a little bit, but I think it's a
pretty good sample size. Sure, where do you think it
makes the most sense to start defending champ not of
the conference, defending national champion? How about that? Why don't
we talk about the Ohio State Buckeyes? Dan, Yes, Ohio
State Buckeys. Yeah, fourteen to two last year won the
national championship. The over under this year is ten and

(04:10):
one half wins. There are a few notable changes that
we should bring up. New offensive coordinator and Brian Hartline
because Chip Charles chip Kelly, excuse me, you're good decide
he wanted to go to the NFL. And then, of course,
because of the mini fallout whatever you want to call
it with Jim Knowles, he leaves the parts for Penn State,

(04:31):
which we'll get to here. I'm sure momentarily in steps
Matt Patricia. Those are the two new coordinators. Dan, if
we start right there, what is your reaction to those
two names?

Speaker 2 (04:41):
Underwhelmed but open to success. Brian Hartline had this chance
a couple of years ago. It was still I believe
Ryan Day calling plays, but Brian Hartline was more responsible
for the offense in general rather than just the receiver room,
and Ohio State's offense fell off a bit. That was
the McCord year, and by fell off, they were merely good,

(05:03):
not excellent. But the bar at Ohio State obviously is excellent,
and the receiver room is still great at Ohio State,
obviously headlined by Jeremiah Smith, the best receiver in the game.
And on defense, Matt Patricia, with no relevant college experience recently,
if at all, steps in after it not going well

(05:23):
in the NFL, both serving as I think an offensive
and defensive coordinator at various points of his career and
head coach, but steps in to help bring I guess
a little bit of Belichick pixie dust to this defense
after Jim Knowles brought just magnificent platinum pixie dust to
this defense after he was I think given full control

(05:45):
midway through it. Maybe after the Oregon game last year,
the defense became unstoppable with high level NFL talent at
all three spots. And he's gone. And I think it's
fair to assume that a new offense with a new line,
a new quarterback will get there, and a new defense
with a new line and new major pieces on all
three levels, it would be fair to expect a step

(06:07):
back on both sides of the ball. But to what
extent The answer is probably not dramatically so on either side.

Speaker 1 (06:15):
But these hires.

Speaker 2 (06:17):
Don't get me all hot and bothered. I'm not sure
it matters because ultimately it's a Jimmy's and Joe's sport,
But the way Jim Knowles and Chip Kelly teamed up
last year, it just it feels like an obvious step
down to go Heartline and Patricia.

Speaker 1 (06:35):
I think that's the biggest question I have with Ohio
State this year, and Las Vegas may not necessarily share
that concern. Ohio State is still a five to one favorite,
as they said in our last episode, to win the
national championship, and you look at the Jimmi's and Joe's
it's really hard to find a gaping hole on the
roster because they've been so damn good on the recruiting trail.

(06:57):
The offensive line, I think it's a great example of that.
You had two first rounds, they're gone this year. Barely
feels like it leaves a dent in the offense now
as you look at what is coming back and what
is in front of them. So I mean, clearly they
have done extremely well in amassing talent and building up
this war chest of guys that can just come in
and be killers almost immediately. But the coordinator thing is

(07:18):
fascinating to me, you know, because I think you're right
to say that the way that they went out aggressively
so and bringing in ship, bringing in Jim Knowles, that
was a big talking point going into last season, and
the Patricia Higher I just I don't really get. I
think I'm more curious about the defensive side of the
ball that I am the offense, because we assume base

(07:40):
level competence with this offense. Just give it all that
they've got coming back, they're going to be incredible again.
But on the defensive side of the ball, they lose
a ton, Like the interior defensive line is one area
in particular, where I think you would like a little
bit more depth. Obviously, they've got like Caleb Downs, some
other guys in the defensive backfield that are veteran sunny
styles at linebacker, still plenty of experience Davison Igbinosen. Yeah,

(08:03):
even though they're not technically returning a ton of starters,
there's still plenty of experience back there, and they'll be okay.
Whether you believe in these coordinators or not, there is
just so much there that there is a safety net.
I don't think any of this stuff is going to
fall off. But the Patricia thing left me rather relatively
uninspired as well. Yeah, still, the absolute worst case scenario

(08:25):
for this team is what three losses?

Speaker 2 (08:28):
Absolute worst means what Michigan, Penn State, and Texas.

Speaker 1 (08:33):
Those are the only three I could find. Unless there's
going to be a hidden land mine out there somewhere,
a situational play that gets Ohio State after a big
game or an injury or But like, there's so well
insulated from a lot of that stuff, especially in the
injury side. I mean it kills everybody, of course, but
when you have this much talent, you can plug and play.
Guys the way they can and the way a few

(08:53):
other teams can. You really do limit the downside of
one guy going down and derailing the whole season. So
I just I've squinted to try and find more than
three just to establish a range here. Those are the
only three that makes sense to me, and I think
anything more than that is just really a hot take
for the sake of being a hot take.

Speaker 2 (09:14):
Yeah, I mean, the case for Ohio State as a
legit national title contender all season long and into the
playoff after winning a Big Ten championship or playing for
the Big Ten championship is I think it's pretty clear
it's Julian saying, or whoever Lincoln Keenholtz I guess would
be the other one competing for the job in earnest,
But I think a lot of people believe it's going
to be Julian saying. Red shirt freshman comes in comfortable

(09:36):
in rhythm forms, a relatively easy connection with experienced receivers,
and experienced albeit not crazy experienced in terms of years
started offensive line, adding a top flight left tackle from
Rice that it all works out. That running back is fine.
It's what James Peoples and CJ. Donaldson are going to

(09:56):
be the duo this year. People's internal CJ. Donaldson a
transfer that there's just nothing too a rhythmic about this
transition to Brian Hartline, especially like Julian saying can meet
the moment, and you know he said time in the
system and time to sort of form a rapport and
get in some live action last year in garbage time,
like the transition won't be crazy. They are transitioning away

(10:20):
from an experienced offensive line, a what fifth year quarterback
and Will Howard fourth fifth year established winning quarterback and
Will Howard an established duel of running backs and one
of the best offensive minds of the modern era calling
place in Chip Kelly. So you can see it not
working just because it's too much change, and maybe Julian

(10:41):
Sane is really good, but you know, fails to meet
the moment a couple of times, and there's just a
downturn on offense and there's still probably really good defense.
I think is where the concern is realistic, because basically
they need to score like thirteen points in the back
half of last season to win Games's fully dictated everything

(11:02):
and the offense being good was a nice cherry, but
the defense was so lights out in dictating what offenses
couldn't couldn't do and keeping them behind the sticks, and
putting so much pressure on teams with that experienced defensive line,
with the experienced linebackers, the experience secondary. Jim Knowles just
had so much he could do, He had so much
in his bag that he could work with. It's just

(11:24):
different this year. There's rotational guys stepping in along the
defensive line, a couple of transfers. Sunny Styles is going
to be a very good leader. He transitioned from safety
to linebacker last year. And the secondary they've recruited, well,
there's some experience there. Obviously, Caleb Downs is the most versatile,
dangerous defensive player in the country. So that's a great
starting point. But if we're going to talk about it
on previous conference previews, there's a lot of variables at play,

(11:48):
right you want to minimize the variables short of recruiting
like Ohio State has for the last five years. So
you can go through the schedule if you'd like. But
I think the way it doesn't work out is both
sides of the ball are merely good and they go
ten and two. That's a pretty good number.

Speaker 1 (12:07):
For not working. Oh my god, he would take that
a thousand times out of a thousand. Yeah. I think
I wanted to post this to you because I was
kind of grappling with this as well. And it's kind
of a rhetorical question because I know the answer, or
at least I know how I would answer it. But
how do you define the challenge this year for Ohio State?
You know, is it a season that again will be

(12:28):
dictated by how well they do in the playoff, or
is it again this albatross hanging around Ryan Day's neck
about needing to beat Michigan. It's a better Michigan team now,
and the game Michigan this year is in ann Arbor.
So the situation was there for them last year, of
all years, to finally get the monkey off the back
and take out Michigan. They couldn't get it done. Now

(12:50):
this year, Michigan has we'll talk about Michigan here in
a bit. Michigan has clearly ramped up, has gotten better
across the board, and the game being in ann Arbor
makes it inevitably a little bit harder. So if you're
an Ohio State fan, if you're looking at this, maybe
just as as a third party, is success this season
truly just getting back to and winning the national championship,

(13:12):
or is now beating Michigan.

Speaker 2 (13:14):
It's beating Michigan and winning a probably one or two
playoff games. I think if you were to give Ryan
Day truth serum, he would say, we are using twenty
twenty five to see exactly what we have to get
valuable experience and make a true run in twenty twenty six.

Speaker 1 (13:33):
When you have a red.

Speaker 2 (13:33):
Shirt freshman quarterback, first year coordinators working in a new
full time with experience offensive line, I think you can
tell what a coach and a program believes with how
active they are in the portal, how much they're spending
in the portal, and Ohio State spent a little bit.
I think the left tackle from Rice is a big
deal that they went after to sort of fill that
hole and shore things up on the outside of the

(13:54):
offensive line. But they didn't strike me. And Max Claire
is another good name, sure, But I think you're looking
at twenty twenty six with Jeremiah Smith's final season, with
Julian Saying having a full year starting or whoever under
their belt, working in a lot of the youth this
year to get them valuable experience. Look, Ohio State, the
goal is always to win the national championship, but in

(14:16):
terms of how this roster is constructed and how many
variables and how like, I don't think behind the scenes
they're saying it's championship or bust. Given the changes. That's all.
So they have to make the playoff. They have to
make the playoff.

Speaker 1 (14:29):
You could have said that last year with all they
spent on their rows. Of course, last year was the
championship or bust. Of course, last year they pushed everything
in the middle. It was a big talking point before
the season. It's part of why Michigan beating Ohio State
was such a big deal. It was a huge upset
in its own right, but just knowing the stakes for
Ohio State, I think flared that conversation up bit it

(14:49):
even louder. They had to get it done in the playoffs,
and to their credit, they learned a lot from that
experience against Michigan, and they were able to circle the wagons,
find kind of the version of themselves that I think
we were all afraid of going into the year, and
they just rip through everybody in the playoffs. So I
give them credit for that it'll be interesting to see

(15:10):
if they're able to build on that momentum at all
as we enter this new season. As you said, with
so many new variables, they will not have much of
an opportunity to get the new guys broken in before
the schedule heats up. Because Dan, the biggest game of
Week one is Ohio State hosting Texas. Yes, first game
of the year, right out of the shoot. Texas versus

(15:32):
Ohio State. That's kind of the for my money, and
I know Notre Dame plays Miami, and I'll be interested
in that. Ohio State Texas is the marquee matchup in
the shoe. We'll see how these guys look as you
look through the rest of this thing. Though. You've got
those three big games I think spaced out at different
points throughout the course of the season. You got the
home opener against Texas, your home against Penn State the

(15:55):
first week of November, and then on the road against
Michigan obviously to close out the regular season. That everyone
knows about those games, the ones that I think I
am at least intrigued by, or some of the other
ones that are mixed in. Ohio State should be better
than all these teams, but at Washington, at Illinois, at Wisconsin.

(16:17):
Who knows, maybe, in some upside down universe, a let
down look ahead game against Minnesota. They play Minnesota a
week after they're on the road against Washington, a week
before they're back on the road against Illinois. I'm not
necessarily expecting any of these to be losses, but with
so much new, it's always a consideration when you're recording

(16:40):
a show like this in mid to late July and
you're just looking for those points of intrigue, especially with
so much that's different.

Speaker 2 (16:48):
Yeah, I have no idea who even like this year's
version of last year's game against Nebraska would be right that. Yeah,
clearly outclassed inferior opponent who keeps it weird and close
slate My easiest Like you point at the schedule, my
guess is Rutgers.

Speaker 1 (17:06):
Oh my god.

Speaker 2 (17:07):
If Rutgers is you're so many, You're so much Ruckers
go four and eight. I'm just saying Situationally, Rutgers has
a buye before that game, and Ohio State has Michigan
the following week. That's all I'm saying. Oh my god,
I think the situation sure, Rutgers, but fairpoint.

Speaker 1 (17:22):
Are they not losing the Rutgers two years ago at halftime?
I understand what you're saying. I'm just okay, that's not
there at all.

Speaker 2 (17:28):
Oh you're you're squinting and the the infinitesimally small crease
between your eyelids is very small.

Speaker 1 (17:37):
But no, you're not wrong. And here's the other thing.

Speaker 2 (17:42):
Like I can say Ohio State's pointing to twenty twenty
six when they have more experience, when there's more lockdown
in terms of what they they know, what they do
and don't have. Nobody has this roster, depending on how
you feel about Clemson. Nobody has a version of what
Ohio State had last year this year, not Alabama, not Georgia,
not Oregon, not Texas, depending on how you feel about Clemson.

(18:06):
But Clemson was not in the top twelve following the
season last year, right, correct, So depending how you feel
about Clemson, So you can say, I can say Ohio
State's pointing in twenty twenty six, but like nobody has that.
So Ohio State might win a national championship with a
clearly inferior team to what they had last year.

Speaker 1 (18:26):
Totally on the table. Yeah, I mean it's again I'm
splitting hairs by asking what is the goal of this team?
Would you have a roster like this? The goal is
always to win the title, but sure it is more
nuanced as I'm sure Ohio State fans would attest, especially
given the Michigan undercurrent and how there is this burning
desire to finally and that losing streak at four. I've

(18:48):
got Ohio State at eleven and one. I don't think
there's any chance they're beating Texas in week one with
all they've gotten to. Of course, it shouldn't come as
any great surprise if they do win that game, but
I just don't see it. I like Julian saying a
lot of people have said glowing things about Julian saying,
I don't see him beating Texas in week one, But

(19:10):
I think they go on a run after that. I
think they knock off Penn State when Penn State comes
to town, and I do think they get the monkey
off their back and knock off Michigan on the road
to close out the year. If you go back and
listen to the preview, the part one preview episode, I've
got Penn State then getting revenge on Ohio State in
the Big Ten title game, which is how they would

(19:30):
get to I guess eleven and two. But they would
still be a playoff team in that circumstance. Really every
circumstance I can find here, they're still a playoff team.
I just don't see them not making it. In less truly,
everything bottoms out and this takes like a Florida State turn,
which it's not going to do.

Speaker 2 (19:47):
I admire your confidence that they're not beating Texas with
a new starting quarterback, new offensive line, basically new receiving
corps at home in the show.

Speaker 1 (19:57):
I know, I like Texas in that game, and people
can yell at me in the comments that they want to,
but that's just my opinion. I'm not, by the way,
Notio State Ohio State in that game does.

Speaker 2 (20:06):
I mean, especially the Ohio State defense will have the
advantage of, like there's no tape on what this Ohio
State defense will be, whereas Texas you kind of have
an understanding of what you know Texas is going to
try to do on both sides of all, especially because
the game planned last year in their final game against
Ohio State.

Speaker 1 (20:22):
That's right, Yeah, that's right. So we'll see Ohio State
again is loaded to the gills. I would be inclined
to go over that ten and a half number. This
is still going to be a very very good team
and clearly one that we're going to be talking about
not just for the conference but for the playoffs as well. Yep,
I have them winning the conference. I have Penn State
winning the conference. Okay, Penn State thirteen to three a

(20:45):
year ago. And if we want to start things off
with the coordinator speak, the big higher was Jim Knowles.
The huge higher was Jim Hole. Jim Knowles. Excuse me,
so three mil three point one million dollars. Tom Allen
decides he wants to go to Clemson. Penn State then

(21:06):
is one of the teams that aggressively was pursuing Jim Knowles,
and there were a handful of them. But there were
some rumors, maybe it'll go to Oklahoma. There was some talk,
maybe you go to another dame. There was obviously some
talk about maybe Ohio State can find a way to
keep him, and then Penn State.

Speaker 2 (21:21):
The sirens song of the Keystone State?

Speaker 1 (21:24):
Is that what pa is? It is the Keystone State.
Penn State sort of warmed its way in there and
was able to pry Jim Knowles back to his home
state right here, a good old pa there it is.
So that's a big deal. I mean, he is the
highest paid coordinator for good reason. Ever, I can't say
that the defense is going to be better. Don't know that.

(21:46):
There are losses on the defensive side of the ball,
but they're probably not going to be that much worse.
I mean, what an embarrassment of riches you've got at
Penn State If you lose a guy like Abdul Carter
and you still feel like you're pretty loaded. Yeah, I
think this is the year Fine Lee the prophecy comes
true and our guy denied, Dennis Sutton DDS becomes a

(22:06):
household name. I think Zane Durant in the middle of
the line is a real problem. Not the biggest defensive tackle,
but he's a problem. They will find ways to use him.
Zariah Fisher plays opposite Dds. He's another good one, a
lot of experience. He's a senior. I'm hoping we see
Max Granville. He's my dude. He's the red shirt freshman

(22:27):
who I think could be the next big pass rusher
for Penn State. But there They've got enough along that
line where there will be plenty of guys that they
can rotate in and maintain I think the level of
excellence that they're used to, and it might even go
to the next level. Now with Jim Knowles coaching up
this defense, he has proven to be very, very good
at knowing his personnel, at being hyper focused on their attributes,

(22:49):
finding ways to put them in the best position to succeed,
and moreover, making in game adjustments to make the defense
better and not just be totally caught flat foot. I
mean every coordinator is in that boat at some point
or another, but Jim Knowles has been particularly good at
avoiding that. So from a Penn State standpoint, you got
to be thrilled. And by the way he's game planned

(23:09):
against the Big ten past couple of game planned against
the Big ten, and I think more importantly, and this
is something else I know we've talked about in the past.
He's a coordinator who knows how to use this arsenal. Yeah,
he knows how to use guys of this caliber, and
he knows how to get the most out of them,
which I think is the most exciting. Not to say
Tom Allen didn't, I mean, obviously top ten defense top

(23:31):
ten defense to Abdul Carter was the number three overall pick.
But I like Jim Knowles a little bit more. I'm
okay with this higher. You combine that with now what's
going to be year two under Andy Cotle Nicky, and
I think it becomes even clearer why Penn State is
such a title contender this year, or at least a
perceived title contender. Andy Cotle Nicky now having another year

(23:57):
with this team, a veteran offense, is I think going
to be really exciting. Now. The big question is the
receiver room, the pass catchers who are going to be
the past catchers. They haven't had pass catchers other than
Tyler Warren, let's say, for the last two years.

Speaker 2 (24:13):
Yeah, receivers specifically lining up as a smaller than Tyler
Warren human it's been since Parker Washington.

Speaker 1 (24:21):
Really not reliably so, you know, and they've had some
guys that have popped here kind of on occasion, and
you know, I like the Maury Evans who has since
gone elsewhere. I wasn't down on all of the personnel,
but they just they were never never able to get
enough out of that receiver room to really make it
a threat. So this year, obviously in the portal, they
went out and they tried to make it more an

(24:42):
emphasis three guys in particular, Kyroen Hudson who comes over
from USC, DeVante Ross more of a speedzeer, comes up
from Troy, and then Trevor Payne, who was more of
a later signing, comes down from Syracuse. Led Syracuse with
receiving yardage last season and had a pretty good year.
All those guys portaled in. They've also got Liam cliff
Clifford still in the roster, Tyzier Denmark still on the roster.

(25:05):
These are guys that you know, they were pretty excited
about that.

Speaker 2 (25:08):
Andy kotel Nikki looked at and said, not good enough.

Speaker 1 (25:12):
Not good enough, isn't good enough, It isn't good enough.
I mean they are role players. Certainly a guy like
Liam Clifford is a role player. Tyson or Denmark I
still think is a guy that they think they can
get something out of. But it just he's still young
and it hasn't materialized yet. So the question is going
to be can they get enough out of this receiver room.
Can they figure out a way to replace the lost
production of Tyler Warren who is now playing for the

(25:35):
Indianapolis Colts. You cannot build the plane out of him
like you could a year ago, so you got to
come up with something else. And I don't know if
that means we're going to see more of an emphasis
on the running attack because of Nick Singleton and k
Tron Allen sticking around and aligned with four starters back
in front of them. I don't know if they're going
to try and turn the keys over more to a
guy like Drew Aller, provided he can build rapport with

(25:57):
some of those new weapons out wide, or maybe a
tight end and like a I don't know, Luke Reynolds,
we'll see. That to me is kind of the big
open question about this offense. I have a lot of
faith in cotal Nikki coming up with some innovative way
to involve his personnel in the best way possible. It
seems like he's very good at that, and we know
from his time at Kansas that he's actually pretty good

(26:20):
at building a good rushing attack. Last season, we started
to see throughout the course of the year more and
more of those home run plays, those chunk plays that
we saw in Nick Singleton's freshman year that went dormant
in his sophomore year. Under Mike Ersich, they started to
come back last year and that made the offense all
the better. So I'm curious to see if they're able
to kind of continue on that trajectory, find more ways

(26:42):
to put a guy like a Singleton or even k
Tron Allen in positions for those chunk plays, and frankly,
what they're going to do to make up for some
of that loss production. That's the big I think equation
that I am watching on offense right. Okay, but it's
all fair.

Speaker 2 (26:58):
I mean, this was a team that is a drive
away from competing for the national championship last year, and
you feel like they've upgraded a defensive coordinator and likely
upgraded at wide receiver, though it's not apparent that there
is like a receiver of the caliber of other teams
they are compared against.

Speaker 1 (27:15):
It. They just somebody needs to step up. They got
to step up. Somebody's got to step up, somebody's got
to make big plays when it counts. Thankfully, we can
get into the schedule momentarily. Thankfully. I think it's a
schedule that's going to give them some time before they
get to that organ game at the end of September.
It's going to give them some time to maybe figure
out against the you know fi us of the world,

(27:37):
who who the playmakers could be should be as part
of this offense. But bigger picture, I must have read
five or six different previews, all of them have either
Penn State or Texas as their national champion. And so
this is like the crescendo moment for Franklin man, like,

(27:58):
if not now, when is it going to happen? Is
it ever going to happen? I saw a couple other
rankings looking at position groups nationally of like the seven
position groups that we normally judge quarterback, running back, receiver, lines,
all three levels of the defense. Penn State's like top

(28:18):
five nationally in five of those seven, the only two
being wide receiver and I guess linebacker, which we tend
not to worry about too much on the Penn State side,
that there's always guys stepping in. Yeah, it's not just
the high level talent, but also the experience this year sure,
both with the players and with the staff that it
seems like it's a perfect storm of sorts for Penn

(28:38):
State to be in that conversation and there's a lot
of steam on this team. It creeps me out a
little bit that everybody's so high on them, but I
get it. You go through these you go through these
these two deeps, and you go through the roster, and
you go through what some of you know, the pundits
out there have had to say, and everybody sees I
think actively. There were some people who were trying not
to see it, but it kind of hits you clear

(29:01):
as day that this is a team that is going
to be in that conversation is going to be their
all year. Yeah.

Speaker 2 (29:06):
I mean, look, as the engineer of the Underthink Express,
Penn State should be excellent. They need to pose a
threat to defenses, stretching the field. They need to find
somebody to not fully replace what Tyler Warren was, but
approach Tyler Warren, be some sort of facsimile of Tyler Warren.

(29:28):
Maybe that's one guy, that's two guys. You mentioned what
Luke Reynolds and was a Khalil Dinkins, Clil Dickens.

Speaker 1 (29:33):
It's more of a blocker. But like Andrew Olesh was
their big recruit at the tight end position in freshman
from my neck of the woods here in lehah Valley. Yeah,
so you know how they incorporate all those guys at
the tight end position will be pretty interesting to watch.

Speaker 2 (29:47):
Yeah, I mean look to oversimplify it, it's how do
they look different on the exact same drive that didn't
work out against Notre Dame. Now, where are the threats
on offense? Nobody has any questions about the running game,
this offensive line, Drew Aller's arm talent, nobody's any questions
about their recruiting and development on defense, and that Jim
Knowles is going me be a good defensive coordinator, but

(30:10):
at a certain point, hopefully for Penn State's sake. It's
during the season and not during the playoff. They're gonna
be down three, they're gonna be down five, and then
you need to drive the field. And is this year's
Excelsior our nickname for having a set of plays in
crunch time that you can depend on. Is this year's

(30:31):
Excelsior better than previous year's excel seors? And there's no excuse.
There's just Drew Aller's experience.

Speaker 1 (30:41):
He's good.

Speaker 2 (30:42):
The running backs are there, so people are gonna have
to focus on play action. The offensive line is there,
the defense should keep teams under twenty points every week.

Speaker 1 (30:50):
That's it. It's put up or shut up. It's putting
shut up, it really is.

Speaker 2 (30:54):
The schedule is great for the most part. I mean,
they're on the road against what Iowa and Ohio State,
but they get Oregon at home and they have sort
of a tune up time to get you know, the
wheels grease before then four or five weeks that's late September.
That'll be a white out. That'll be a night game,
a night whiteout, which is pretty great for Penn State people.

(31:17):
I mean, they have Indiana in a tricky spot. I
think is that the week after Ohio State.

Speaker 1 (31:20):
Yeah, it's sandwich game between Ohio State and Michigan State.

Speaker 2 (31:24):
Yeah, and that's Michigan State on the road for the
land Grant. Like, I don't know, man, it's this year.

Speaker 1 (31:31):
It's this year.

Speaker 2 (31:32):
Is James Franklin again. James Franklin is James Franklin once again,
a really good coach who does every single thing really
really well in building a team, in coaching a team,
but comes up just short of a team who out
recruits him in Ohio State and out muscles him in

(31:52):
Jim Harbaugh's Michigan who they don't have.

Speaker 1 (31:54):
This here the two other things that I wanted to
point out, and then we can move on here on
Drew Aller, who we've mentioned just in passing as part
of this preview. Drew was very good last season, and
Drew definitely took a step forward under the new offense.
It just so happened he played his worst game on
the biggest stage, and I'm curious to see now how

(32:17):
he continues developing because to your point, the arm talent's undeniable. Clearly,
he showed that he's coachable and that he can't improve.
We saw that last year, but there were still some
of those moments throughout the course of the year. It
wasn't just in the playoff where he gets a little
bit Yippi, where I think he wore his heart on
his sleeve a little too much. I think he is
still growing into this, and so I do think even

(32:38):
though there was some steam on him maybe going pro
last year, given the supporting cast that he has this
year and given what this team could do, I think
it was the right call for him to come back.
There's definitely plenty in his game yet that could still
be polished up before he decides to go to the
next level. So I'm glad to see that he is back.
And let me just take a knee for a second,

(32:58):
please do and admire how ridiculous it is that they
got both Nick Singleton and k Tron Allen to come back.
These are two guys, both of whom, by the way,
could challenge for the Penn State all time leading rushing record.
And they're in the same backfield, which is a bonker
stat that my friend Brett, our friend Brett Sianka from
Pick six People's pointed out in his publication. Just crazy

(33:22):
that that's even possible. But this is the kind of
offense that we're looking at this year for Penn State,
and it's there. It's James Franklin's Phil Collins moment. He's
been waiting for this moment for all his life. Yes,
she's cheated on me with five different guys, but I
think this time it's going to be different. This time
is going to be different. I've got him at eleven
and one. I think they beat your Oregon Ducks. I

(33:44):
think they lose on the road to Ohio State. I
think they get revenge on Ohio State in the Big
Ten title.

Speaker 2 (33:49):
Okay, I think that's a reasonable way to approach this.
I mean, Aler wasn't great in the Oregon game either.
He made some incredible throws, but there was a backbreaking pick,
missed a couple of big throws, big moment throws. So
I think it's good for him to come back the
year it.

Speaker 1 (34:06):
Should be the year. Yep, all right, we agree. Let's
go to your America's Yeah, of course, of course. Oregon's
Ducks thirteen to one last season, nine to zero conference.
They also have an over under of ten and a
half this season, as do both Penn State and Ohio State.

(34:27):
Oregon notably won the Big Ten in their first season,
lost to Ohio State the playoff game, which well we
can get into that in a little bit here. Didn't
start out super well, no, Oregon, it really didn't. It
got a little bit better, but I'm much better the
starting point for Oregon and this team is undeniably solid.

(34:48):
Undeniably solid. It's one of the best front sevens in
college football. They're really really good A one the defensive line.
I think that's going to dictate a lot. I look
at this schedule, they're like seventeen that aren't gonna be
able to handle any of that. They're just there. They're
gonna be outmatched. Then you mix in an offensive line
that's got some new faces but a lot of experience

(35:10):
that comes from elsewhere. Isaiah world Is the big left
tackle from Nevadi is a really good example. I think
the line looks really solid. I think on some level
Oregon kind of has some of the same questions as
Penn State receiver room. Receiver room, maybe not to the
same depths as Penn State, given where they've been. But
Evan Stewart goes down presumably for the year. Is it

(35:31):
a Pateeller tendon? Is that that's the rumor.

Speaker 2 (35:34):
I don't know exactly the length of time, but I
think that is not the worst assumption that it's going
to be a long time.

Speaker 1 (35:39):
So, you know, I like to Corey Moore, but I
think there is a bigger question about the receiver room
and if guys like Malik Benson from Florida State in Alabama,
if he can step up and be more of a presence.
There is a question. I think in the secondary, you
got some new faces back there. My guy Dylan Thieneman
is one of them who I think is a superstar,

(36:00):
but they got to pull that together pretty quickly in
the back. And of course there's a question of Dante Moore,
like I don't think you're going to get Dylan Gabriel
production in year one under Dante Moore. But I also
think the ceiling longer term under Dante Moore is probably higher.
I think he's a better quarterback or can be a
better quarterback than Dylan Gabriel. So you factor all those

(36:22):
things together, it's no secret that Oregon is going to
be one of the teams that clearly is in the
conversation for the conference for the playoff. Notably, they do
not play Ohio State or Michigan on this schedule, which
is great. They do get Penn State, Iowa, and Washington
on the road, So there is ammo on this thing.
Where are you at with the Oregon relative to the
Oregon we saw in twenty twenty four.

Speaker 2 (36:45):
So Oregon twenty twenty four, they you look at how
they spent, You look at who they brought in along
the defensive line, in the secondary, obviously Dylan Gabriel, obviously
Evan Stewart. They felt last year was that year and
they still I haven't lost a regular season Big Ten game,
but they lost to a Big Ten team in the playoff,
and it looked like they were poised to go further

(37:09):
in the playoff based on what they did during the
regular season and in the Big Ten championship game, and
they didn't. So they are banking right now on talent.
They are banking on Jimmy's and Joe's. They are banking
on red shirt freshmen. They are banking on obviously, transfers
coming in along the offensive line. Bear Alexanders added to
the defensive line as sort of a flyer after it
didn't really work out at USC or Georgia. But he'll

(37:29):
have an opportunity to improve draft stock and finish his
career in a better way.

Speaker 1 (37:33):
Obviously. I think it connects with Dan Lanning from his
time at Georgia. They are banking on unproven talent. A receiver.

Speaker 2 (37:40):
They have the archetypes of receivers you would like. Right,
there's a tall guy, there's a fast guy, there's a
short guy. There's a blue chip five stars. There's like
that blue.

Speaker 1 (37:49):
Geam the old nes ice hockey game where you could
just pick the body types. Right, You've got all of them.

Speaker 2 (37:54):
Yes, there's a five star from three years ago who
hasn't really worked out yet. There's four stars all over
the place, but in terms of proven guys, there's not
a ton and that's a big question when you have
a quarterback who is unproven as well. Dante mor Is
in his third year as a college football player, so
that's at least nice. He had a year to learn
the system.

Speaker 1 (38:13):
That's nice.

Speaker 2 (38:14):
I think you're right about it. Seems like he has
the talent to be an extremely high end national quarterback.

Speaker 1 (38:21):
Got to show it.

Speaker 2 (38:22):
He's got to show it behind a new offensive line.
It's a center and I think possibly a left guard
who they have who could be starting, but it could
be just the center in Pancho la Laulu.

Speaker 1 (38:33):
If I got that right, better you than me.

Speaker 2 (38:36):
I'm definitely botching that one. Running back room is in
good shape. Mkai Hughes comes in from Tulane. He should
be very, very good. He looks like a Greek god.

Speaker 1 (38:44):
At the moment.

Speaker 2 (38:45):
They've recruited defensive line crazy crazy, well, not especially worried
about it, and they have one of probably the best
three edge rushers in the country and Mateo uyan Delala
coming back. They're pretty good at linebacker. They're going to
be working in some younger, inexperienced guys second day, you
like Dylan Thieneman. They've got a bunch of corners that
are green but seem to have a high ceiling. And

(39:06):
we'll see at the other safety spot. So there are
a lot of questions for this Oregon team. They've recruited crazy,
crazy well. They are deep with potential, but they're trying
to win national championship, and I think that's going to
be sort of a bridge too far this season. I
think there are times where they're going to look excellent,
where they might look like the best team in the country,
where they go to state college and beat them by

(39:29):
thirteen points and then lose something stupid. All of that
is on the table. I'm not banking on it, but
I think the potential is there to look like absolute
world leaders one week and then crater back down to
Earth another week. And so I don't have them in
the Big Ten championship game. I don't have them losing
more than two. I think it's very hard to find
two losses or more than two losses, and even two

(39:51):
losses might be tricky because what you're counting on is
a team with a They're being a gulf of talent
between Oregon and another team and that other team being
able to overcome it. And so it's really just Penn
State that roster for roster can hang with Oregon on
this schedule, But what happens with too many variables is

(40:13):
you just have that seventeen to fourteen loss. Dan Lanning
has been pretty good in close games. Sometimes those Washington
games weren't great.

Speaker 1 (40:21):
I'll just say, let's not talk about the Washington games.
Bonnicks got hurt in one of them. Let's be clear.

Speaker 2 (40:25):
Sure, but Org is it a good place. Org is
it a really really really good place. And if something
happens to a quarterback here there, Oregon has time to
figure things out. And by the time they get to November,
these aren't gonna be new players anymore.

Speaker 1 (40:43):
Right.

Speaker 2 (40:44):
A lot of these guys have played rotation minutes at
defensive line. They have a coaching consistency with will Stein
on offense and Toash the POI calling the defense and
Chris Hampton back there. Like, there's a lot to really
really like about this Oregon team. They just can't craft
the bed against the team like Ohio State if they
end up in that position again.

Speaker 1 (41:04):
No, that's it. I mean the schedule I think is advantageous,
and I think it's pretty good to the earlier point.
I mean, I'm looking at this thing and there are
teams that just will not be able to match up
with what they've got on defense. They're front seven, and yeah,
there's some new names and new faces I think in

(41:25):
the back seven, but taking in totality, the front seven
is going to be ferocious. And there are teams on
here like Rutgers. You think Rutgers is going to be
able to do anything against that. I don't even Iowa.
I like Iowa. I like Iowa a lot. We'll talk
about them on the next episode. I think there's a
lot to like about Iowa. But you know, even some
of the higher end, like mid tier teams are really

(41:47):
going to have their hands full trying to move the
ball in these guys because they're so good upfront. So
if that is your starting point, even if you have
other new names elsewhere, even if it's on the other
side of the ball on offense, just having that bed
rock of a defensive line that's going to dictate the
point of attack when you've you know, knock out the
ball when you're playing defense. That is such a huge

(42:08):
card that you can play that's going to come I
think more often than not into back in your favor.

Speaker 2 (42:15):
And look and the important thing too, is when you
look at where this roster is, look at where the
coaches and people behind the program decided they needed to
spend money in the portal. It wasn't at receiver.

Speaker 1 (42:26):
No, it wasn't. That's a good point.

Speaker 2 (42:29):
It wasn't if they have a backup tight end coming
in from Louisville. Like they needed help in the secondary,
especially at safety. They felt like they could use at
least depth along the defensive line. They didn't go after
it at linebacker. They feel pretty good about this roster.
It seems that this is an eleven win roster. And
once you get there, and once you get to the playoff,

(42:51):
you know, if it comes together and you're eleven to one,
anything can happen.

Speaker 1 (42:55):
We'll put together playoff predictions a little bit later on
in the preview game for for us here, once we
get through all of the conferences and preview all of
the teams, and at that point we'll give you predictions.
I suspect that Oregon's going to be one of those
playoff teams. But don't want to put words in your mouth.
We'll get there when we get there, should again be
a very very good team, just might be a bit

(43:16):
of a step back. And I think if so, that's
not necessarily a black guy. That's sort of just reality.
Let's move on and let's talk about your This is
not my your Michigan Wolverines. Now, yeah, Michigan was eight
and five a year ago. They've got eight and a
half over under this season. They also are one of

(43:36):
the teams that you and I tend to disagree the
most on. This is true. You've got Michigan fourth in
the conference. I think I've got them all the way
down at seventh. But the margin, the margin between four
and seven, with the way that we talked it through
on part one, was very very thin. This is not
to say Michigan's going to be a bad team. This
is just to say that, you know, the way things

(43:57):
work out. I favored some of those other teams fishing higher.

Speaker 2 (44:01):
Beat Ohio State and Alabama to finish your season, and
ty Shania twainsia with that. Don't impress him much. I
didn't say it didn't impress me. It actually impressed me
a lot.

Speaker 1 (44:10):
I still have in the place. I still can't figure
out how the hell they beat Ohio State. So I
got to give them a lot of credit for that
timely interception at a very good part of the field,
I guess, But man, that that upset to me. We
did the episode this offseason talking through like an upset bracket.
Didn't that one win? I think that one w course,

(44:31):
it was preposterous that they would win that game, but
they did, and kudos to them for figuring out a
way to do it on the road. Clearly, last season
was not a typical Michigan season, and it was just
so easy to dunk on the offense. They had zero
passing attack. It made the running game very predictable and telegraphed.

Speaker 2 (44:48):
No, they had a one player passing attack. He played
tight end, and the hope was that he was healthy
and he could always get open. He could always make catches.
But beyond that, you're right, But what I like about.

Speaker 1 (44:59):
This team and what I think we saw in full
display clearly in that Ohio State game. To quote the
wise profit doctor Iam Malcolm, non know if you've got
the sound Dan do you have the sound I think
I do. Do you want me to play it? First? Play?
Right now? I'm simply saying that life finds a way.
Sharon Moore found away, Dan found a way to get

(45:20):
to seven wins, true, found a way to beat usc
in the regular season, to beat Alabama in the bowl obviously,
to beat Ohio State in the biggest game of the year.
Building off of that, now Michigan's got some real I
think win that it's back. This is a team that
undeniably is better now than they were a year ago.
There are a lot of new faces on both sides
of the ball, yeah, which we got to talk through.

(45:42):
But this is a team that again is going to
be loaded by a defense, or let's say led by
a defense that's loaded in the front seven. It seems
to be that way, Yeah, And ultimately we're gonna have
to determine the ceiling based on how long it takes
the offense to get sorted out. That's the general vibe
I think of this Michigan team. Agree, let's start with quarterback.

(46:03):
Though last season the musical chairs at quarterback were very,
very difficult to watch. I would imagine if you're a
Michigan fan because it just was not happening with any
of them. You had one guy who got hurt, you know,
the guy couldn't throw. It just seemed like it was
never going to come together and it was frustrating to watch.

(46:24):
This year. Now they went out, they get Bryce Underwood.
Bryce Underwood's top overall recruit. He's an in state kid.
For a moment, looked like he was going elsewhere. They
flipped him back to Michigan, and now he is all
the rage. The comparison that we heard when we had
Brandan Hoffman on this show was Vince Young, okay, which

(46:44):
is a pretty high bartic clear. That's a pretty high
bart of clear.

Speaker 2 (46:48):
I think it was more physically what he could be
because he's so physically.

Speaker 1 (46:53):
Even still yeah, even still. If the biggest source of
optimism I think this year for Michigan has to be
Bryce Underwood. He's basically gotten all the first team reps.
You've seen the pictures of him out there. He's a
full on man. And if Vince Young is a comparison,
even if it's just on the physical side of things,
You'll take that give it worth. Coming from Alex Orgie

(47:15):
and Davis Warren, You'll take a Vince Young prototype. Sure,
why do you feel so good about this team? Because
I've got him at eight and four, which I don't
think is bad given the schedule and given the circumstances.
But you've got Michigan as your fourth best team in
the Big Ten.

Speaker 2 (47:31):
Why it's just sort of process of elimination. I think
the defense is going to be very good, especially upfront,
like you talked about, with not a ton of experience
along the defensive line. But they've recruited there, well, they've
portaled in there. Well, there's experience at linebacker, not a
ton of experience in the secondary.

Speaker 1 (47:48):
I think it's j R.

Speaker 2 (47:49):
Hill had sort of up and down year at corner.
Rod Moore comes back, he was hurt last year, and
I don't know there's continuity on defense enough to the
point where I feel better about Michigan's defense than either
side of the ball of teams like I mean, for you, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana,
stuff like that. So I'm just comparing against who else

(48:10):
could fit into that spot. Offensively, new look offensive line.
You'll bring in some portal guys at running back and receiver.
I don't think they're going to be humongous difference makers
at receiver, but I think it'll be an upgrade. I'm
not counting on a ton from Bryce Underwood now if
he starts the season at quarterback. I think it's unfair

(48:30):
to do that to true freshmen. We see this year
in and year out, like even the good ones, even
the really good ones, Trevor Lawrence, whoever, whoever you want
to say, Sam Howell at North Carolina. Sam Howell had
growing pains and he had an I think a roster
around him that was better, a rushing attack that was
probably better, and going to give him more time and

(48:52):
room to maneuver?

Speaker 1 (48:55):
Michigan?

Speaker 2 (48:56):
What is this offense going to look like under a
new coordinator in Chip Lindsay? Right, So you have like
the preferred smash ball hardball of Sharon Moore coupled with
a dual threat in Bryce Underwood who is has no
experience and you don't have the depth that say experience

(49:17):
a tight end or along the offensive line, how are
you going to marry a more green, questionable offensive line
with a preferred style of play. It can either go
really really well that you're sticking with your vision through
thick and thin, or you're stubborn and you're not putting
your players in the best position to win given their
skill set. That's the challenge that Chip Lindsay has right now.

(49:40):
So we're talking about new questions for the offensive line,
new questions for quarterback, new questions for skill talent, and
yet and yet they still feel pretty good all things considered,
because of this defense, that they can win a bunch
of games ugly, that they can complete third and sevens
to tight ends, which they couldn't always do last year.
That if those offensive linemen, and I think there's a

(50:03):
couple portal additions they've recruited offensive line, which of course
they have really well, that they can start to dictate.
I don't know if it'll happen at Oklahoma that's on
the road. I don't think it's going to happen there.
But I think come October one, if the offensive line
comes together, which I think it should be able to
do with some sort of mix of experienced, youth and portal,

(50:27):
then things open up for Michigan. You get a little
more experience at quarterback, whether or not it's mikey Kean,
who didn't play in the spring some sort of undisclosed
upper body injury we've all had undisclosed upper body injuries.

Speaker 1 (50:38):
Ty.

Speaker 2 (50:40):
I just think it's unfair to put it on Bryce
Underwood be like, Yep, we're paying you all this money
and we need you to play like a third year
starting quarterback. So I don't have them competing with the
best of the conference, but I still feel like they're
in a gray area between the best of the conference
and teams that are just not fielding a side of
the ball that are immediately obvious to me.

Speaker 1 (51:01):
That are as good as what Michigan's defense could be.
I mean, on the point of the offensive line, I
think it's a really good one. And the quarterback play
obviously gets a lot of the attention from last year
because it just was no passing game, But statistically the
running games sort of took a step back too, and
that was a function of the offensive line. The offensive

(51:24):
line didn't just collapse out of nowhere. This was basically
an entirely new unit last year because the previous guys
went like six guys went to the NFL from the
offensive line. So the running running game takes a step back,
the passing offense non existent. That I think has set
the stage now for where we find ourselves in twenty
twenty five, which is new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsay, who's

(51:46):
going to try to blend some of the power stuff
with the spread stuff. New quarterback in Bryce Underwood. Draw
whatever comparison you want the risk to me though, In
addition to all of those new names, this is a
schedule that if the offense can't get going quickly enough,
granted the defense is still in place. I don't think
a three and four start is totally off the table,

(52:08):
walk me through it. I mean road games at Oklahoma,
at Nebraska, and at USC are all losable. I think
Washington is also a losable game, though that one is
at home they lost last year. Yeah, lost that one
last year. That takes you through like the first seven
games of the season. If you go beyond that, you've

(52:30):
got a Michigan State game, which is a rivalry. They
should be better than Michigan State, and Michigan State played
them tight last year. The very next week again is
that Michigan State game after Washington, so who knows, and
then I think they probably lose later in the year
to Ohio State. I think this is the year Ohio
State gets one up on them. So that's where I
come down on this team. I don't know exactly how
it ends up stacking up. I'm not expecting the three

(52:52):
and four start. I'm just saying, given what they've got here,
I could probably make a case for it. I still
think it's an eight and four team. I think it's
an eight and fourteen that's way better on offense. I
don't yet think they're a real contender for the conference,
but you could absolutely convince me that they're, you know, fourth,
fifth best team in the conference. I would have no
trouble believing that.

Speaker 2 (53:11):
I do kind of hate the idea of a true
freshman starting as much as you know, like you're you're
paying for Bryce under went to play football, though, right,
if you're a Michigan booster, if you're the Michigan pro
like I don't love that, I'd much rather him start
sometime in October and give this to mikey Keen immediately.
Well give him mental reps.

Speaker 1 (53:30):
Listen, No, he's he's the guy they're rolling with and
the guy they're excited about. And if you've got a
talent like that, we're also not there in practice seeing
what this guy should do. And based on those reports,
everybody is pretty convinced that Bryce Underwood is the truth.
So we'll see what he can do. But he's going
to have his work cut out for him because I
don't think it's an easy start to the schedule. No,

(53:53):
not at all. No.

Speaker 2 (53:55):
I like Michigan this year. I do like Michigan. I
don't love them. I'm exceedingly curious to see what their
plan is against Oklahoma. And was that week two Week
two on the road pens Who's starting? It depends you
know what kind of leash does Bryce Underwood have? How
open is that playbook?

Speaker 1 (54:13):
You know? How?

Speaker 2 (54:14):
And sort of trusted? Is he to take shots downfield?

Speaker 1 (54:17):
Yeah?

Speaker 2 (54:18):
Like, who are you counting on to take shots downfield too?
Donovan McCully left the Indiana program after a month last year.
Good tall guy? Who are those guys?

Speaker 1 (54:28):
Tall guy? He's a tall guy. He's like six'.

Speaker 2 (54:30):
Five, yeah you can fact check me on, that by the,
way after this show has gotten some heights.

Speaker 1 (54:34):
WRONG i think he's six' four is the number that
comes to. My close. Tall enough, moving on YOU and
i flip Flopped on Indiana. AND illinois I think I
had illinois a little. Bit higher You had indiana a little.
Bit higher let's Start, with, illinois Though because illinois is

(54:55):
another one of those, teams where if you've been paying
any attention to some of the way too early top
twenty five poles had been floating around for the last,
Six months illinois is one of. Those teams my first
memory of that this offseason was seeing a POLL that
I think ari Put Out ari wassman from on three
where He had, illinois thirteenth and THEN afterwards i saw

(55:16):
a bunch of other People putting illinois in the. Top
fifteen kind of sat up in my chair a. Little
bit not to Say that illinois isn't a, good Team
but illinois is not a Team that i'm used to seeing. That.
High right they did win ten games, last year ten,
and three first time since two thousand and One Under.
Ron turner it was a. Good year they went five

(55:36):
to one and one. Score games they came from behind
in the fourth quarter of all of, those wins so
they were battle tested at least down. The stretch the
caveat is that Our Friend bill CONNOLLY from espn his
second order wins stat Said that illinois was about two
games worse than, Its record so the implication there if
you don't. Speak metrics The way DAN and i tend

(55:58):
to the implication is that there was some fools Gold
with illinois, last season which you know if you. WATCHED
them i think. That's fair but this, Year now illinois
basically brings back the whole team and they've got a
couple of starters that come OVER from i Think it's
wisconsin's defense. As well ye peeled a couple of those.
Guys off there was a heavy emphasis this offseason and

(56:19):
keeping the guys on the roster that, they had which
they did successfully and is what sets up this. Whole
thing this is probably the best Team that beilama has
had in his team at his Time. At illinois it's
probably not, Even close so there's a lot to. Like
there they're over, under though is just seven and. A
half so there's an obvious point of conflict how people

(56:41):
Are viewing illinois bigger picture in the national conversation versus
how our friends in the desert Are viewing illinois putting
a seven and a half number on. These guys which
side of that number do you come?

Speaker 2 (56:53):
DOWN on i STILL think i would take THE over
i think they're an eight and four. Type Program the edule,
is tricky but. Not crazy They have duke early on
in the. Season too they, very.

Speaker 1 (57:06):
Quiet important Game in, week two. Can't, wait yeah it should.

Speaker 2 (57:09):
Be great the Case for illinois is the amount of
experience that they, bring back the season Nature Of luke
altmeyer that he was just he took such an impressive leap.
Last year the connection he had with, those receivers there's
no reason he can't forge that same connection with this.
Year's receivers as Good, As zakari Franklin And pat, bryant

(57:30):
were somebody had to throw them. The Ball So luke
altmeyer did a. Great job he was great in. Big
moments he led drives at the end, of game winning
drives at the end. Of games they won. Close games
you'd much rather win close games than lose. Close games
there's a big, take THAT like, i say winning is,
a skill winning is a Skill that illinois possessed. Last
year they won close games late and they did, it

(57:52):
consistently and. THAT'S great i don't say that to like
pat them on. The head there are a number of
coaches who came nowhere Near What brett bielahma and his
staff were able to do at the end of close games. Last,
year defensively they return a ton, of talent even though
they're rebuilding sort of what they are. Up front that,
you know against the pass they. Were good they weren't

(58:13):
a good third. Down team they weren't a good third.
Down team the pass rush. Was, nonexistent, Yeah right but
you look at this year's team and, you're right like
the entire back seven is back.

Speaker 1 (58:23):
And new guys.

Speaker 2 (58:24):
Up front so if the pass rush couldn't get, much
worse it'll get better if these guys are a little.
Bit better and that this is another year of experienced
guys Playing against big, ten opponents, Right, that like there's
not a lot of teams in the country who can
boast the type of Seniority that illinois brings to. The
table the Case, against ILLINOIS which, i outlined do we

(58:48):
have to?

Speaker 1 (58:49):
A flawfinder i'm going to introduce. My, flawfinder okay what's.
The kiss.

Speaker 2 (58:55):
They had to beat a number of very average to
not so good teams in those close games. Last year
they needed every minute of games against take, your pick Right,
against purdue one of the worst teams we've seen in the.
Modern era and so that is troubling to me that
there were this many close games against teams, like that

(59:16):
and that, they needed, you know every second of. The Game,
against nebraska who struggled tremendously, last year they won a
lot of those games because of that specific firepower, out
Wide Specifically. Pat bryant and, he's gone and so year,
over year do you keep finding somebody with that type?
Of ceiling hopefully schedule's just tougher, this, Year ty the

(59:36):
schedule is just tougher than where it was. Last SEASON
and i think a lot of the teams on this
schedule are built in a way that can take advantage
of perhaps another lackluster, rush defense perhaps, you know not
being able to stretch, the field perhaps not being as
deep at. Running back of the they get healthier, running back.
They lose, josh, McCrae like it's a lot To ask

(59:58):
illinois to get nine or ten wins again without adding
obvious playmakers that are gravitational on either side of the
ball or are just. PROBLEMS consistently I think illinois is
like what do, we call like the hall Of the
Hall of good is Not the hall? Of, fame right
there's a Lot of hall of good to. THIS team

(01:00:20):
I just i don't know to win ten games two
years in. A row I think i want to use
the word stacked MORE than i feel inclined to do.
Right NOW and i love using the. Word stacked ty
you know that.

Speaker 1 (01:00:31):
Of, course look the engine for the offense is, the
line which is going to bring back five guys as
Well As, luke altmeyer who had a good year. Last
year definitely took, a leap and he's. A gamer i
still don't fully understand, his hair but that's a. Separate
conversation it'll be interesting to see how they use him
this year because to, Your Point Pat Bryant's kari franklin gone.

(01:00:53):
Out wide they're not going to be able to snap
their fingers and just replace sixteen. Hundred yards so the
conventional wisdom is they're going to lean more on the.
Ground game you. Did meet you didn't mention losing McCrae.
To Georgia But caden fagan, Still There aiden, waltha, There Yeah,
khalil valentine they're in the backfield. As well The best

(01:01:16):
bilama teams have played this style, of football which is
really dependent on the ground, Of pound so even if
there is something of, A shift i'm not too worried
about them being able to adapt and. Play it they
just got to. Stay healthy to be honest, with you
there are some real durability concerns about the guys that
got in, the backfield and if we start seeing guys,

(01:01:36):
go down if that eats into how they want to
play this year because of, limitations elsewhere THAT'S where i
think it could. Get interesting this is me splitting. Hairs
though I've got illinois a nine or ten win team,
this YEAR and i did not expect to be that
high ON the lioni. THIS year i do Think The
ohio state, game's loss that one's. At home BUT as

(01:01:57):
i look up and down, THE schedule i see a
bunch of teams on HERE that i think they. Can
HANDLE and, i think truly in this day and age
in the, portal era like having guys that have been
on the roster that are familiar with the system having.
Some stability we say it all, the time stability, is
Currency and illinois is probably a really good test. Of that.
This season great because they're gonna have a lot of
guys back and guys who were part of those those

(01:02:21):
games last season where they were in those tight spots
against maybe teams that they shouldn't. Have been that builds
character to win those games to come out on the
other side. Of it we've talked about countless others here
through previous season that we're not. As fortunate so winning is.
A skill these guys were part of it, last season
and now a lot of them. ARE back I. Like

(01:02:42):
illinois I've. Got illinois WHAT did i? SAY fourth I
think i've got them fourth in the conference, this. YEAR
right i like what they've got. Coming back i'm curious
to see what the. CEILING is i don't know if
we fully know what it. Is yet.

Speaker 2 (01:02:55):
They just have more losable games on. This schedule that's.
The difference. To me duke is, On there indiana's, ON
there usc is, On there washington is, On there wisconsin's on.

Speaker 1 (01:03:06):
The road IT'S just i. DON'T know i think you need.

Speaker 2 (01:03:11):
Some of those breaks to win those, close games and
to esport two years in a row is, a LOT
and i think They're going can you imagine a universe
in Which an illinois fan is bummed out that somebody
said a worst case scenario or they're not super high,
On them they're only gonna win.

Speaker 1 (01:03:25):
Eight games oh, MY god, I, mean dan for the
vast majority of the time YOU and i have been doing,
this show the drive for six was something that we Attributed.
To illinois that was. The joke, so now given the
fact that, they're Here now i'm talking about them fourth
in a ginormous conference with. Eighteen teams they won ten
games a, YEAR ago i am really inclined to go

(01:03:48):
over seven and. A half i don't see five losses on.
The schedule even if there is something of a, STEP
back i feel. PRETTY good i LIKE what i.

Speaker 2 (01:03:55):
See the, Indiana game MUST. See, tv, ah well let's
Go to.

Speaker 1 (01:03:59):
India, then okay that game Is in, week four by,
the way and it Is, In. Bloomington indiana hoosiers eleven.
And two, last year like the bell of, the ball
everybody was Talking. About indiana whether you Are a big,
ten fan A curious, indiana fan a curious college, football
fan or a PISSED off, Sec fan indiana had a

(01:04:22):
little something. For, everybody okay they again went to, the
portal the difference this time being that they were actually
Getting power conference starters to come in and play for,
this team as opposed to a year ago where it
was a lot of small school guys trying to get
him to, come up see if we can get the
most out. Of Him To kurt, SIGNETTI'S credit i think he.

(01:04:43):
Did that he absolutely. Did that that's the only way
he can win eleven games to get into. The playoff
there is enough starting experience on, THIS lineup i, think
again to make. ANOTHER run i don't think, they will
but there is enough here to at least give it.
A go I Love. FERNANDO mendoza I love fernanda men on,
THE record. I do i love. THE guy i think.

(01:05:06):
He's incredible he's a, Big kid he's a legit. PRO
prospect i like pairing him Up With, roman hemby who
they bring Over from maryland to play. RUNNING back i
think they did a good job improving the. Offensive line
they've got their top two pass, catchers back a little
thinner at, wide receiver but they STILL have i think
a fair amount of. Upside there the offense looks loaded to,

(01:05:28):
me AGAIN and i think there's a good chance that
We see indiana and a bunch of weird shootouts. THIS
season i don't think the defense is going to be,
as good even though they've got stars at all. THREE
levels i think the defense in all likelihood takes a
little bit of a, step back but sure the offense
is in, a really really. Good spot the guys they,
BROUGHT in, i think just relative to where they were

(01:05:50):
at a, year ago that you should have fewer questions
about their ability to contend on. This Level and i'm
pretty EXCITED about i don't know what it means to
lose a Guy Like latino sinceri off the staff turning
things over TO, new OC but i like where. THEY'RE
at i like the town that's.

Speaker 2 (01:06:06):
On hand to, be clear last year Starting QUARTERBACK curtis
rk and this year starting Quarterback For nana mendoza already.
Made products so he is not going to be tasked
with the Replacement Fourteen oh sunsei is not going to be. Tasked,
with okay welcome. To school here's where your, Dorm is
here's what time, practice starts here's how you. Lift, weights
right none of that, is applicable which is great in terms,

(01:06:29):
of continuity and they should be in a really. GOOD
place i didn't mean to, interrupt you, But, Continue.

Speaker 1 (01:06:33):
No no, YOU didn't I mean i think all. That's.
True now the defense last year WAS actually i think
more of the story even though it didn't get all.
The headlines this is a defense that jumped up sixty
three spots in the. Sp plus they finished as a
top ten defense. This year they have three legit stars
at all. Three levels They've Got mikhail kamara on, The
Line aidan fisher. At Linebacker D'Angelo ponds is kind of

(01:06:55):
like their. Shutdown corner they do need to replace pretty much, everybody,
Else though and THAT'S where i come down on the
Defense saying i'm not sure the defense. Is better it
probably is. Marginally worse but if your starting point from
last season was a top, ten defense if they were
able to make that big, A stride i'm probably. Splitting
hairshow it'll still be a pretty. Good unit they're gonna

(01:07:16):
be solt.

Speaker 2 (01:07:17):
On defense they Portaled In key Guys. On defense we'll
see what that. Works out you're right about the. Starting
point they were among the best teams against the run.
Last year they were among the best teams against the pass,
last year which meant they were amongst the best defenses
in the country in year one. Last year so the
proof of concept. Is there defense obviously you're dependent, on talent,
you know you dependent on space eaters you're depending on

(01:07:37):
guys tackling in. A scrum you're dependent on, you know,
Great coverage you're depending on safeties, reading things linebackers going
sideline a sideline, Of course but again that's the. Starting
point the starting point is confidence in what you were
able to do in year one and getting buy in
because guys Saw what indiana was able to accomplish with
no time, and, so yes the schedule, Is harder yes

(01:07:59):
the schedule wasn't in credible. Last year all of that.
Is correct but if that's the starting point for, the
defense that there's, buy in, there's portal there's development from,
this staff and there's, you know Attitude From kurt signetti
on down that like we're going to. Eat people that's
what we're going. To see that's the other side of.
This man he brought.

Speaker 1 (01:08:19):
A swagger my hunch Is That kurt signetti may not
be the nicest guy to. Hang around it seems okay,
to me, but Yeah But kurt signette definitely has a
pretty hard edge to him and he came. IN there
i think he established himself right away on the. Basketball
court when He say purdue sucks something like that, Wasn't,
wrong no it. Wasn't wrong he wasn't Wrong lest, So,

(01:08:43):
anyway yeah he came in like a. Ball offire he
coached his ass off last season and he got this
team into the Playoffs Against. Notre, dame yeah it. Was incredible,
first year the, first year excuse Me. For, kurtzig now
the schedule's harder. This year of course you Mentioned the.
Illinois game that's a big One in, week four but it's.

(01:09:03):
At home they also are on the Road, at iowa
on the road At Your, oregon ducks on the road
At My Penn State. Nitney lyons so it's a different
conversation than a year Ago, for indiana where everybody was
dunking on. The schedule the schedule. Is harder not the
hardest schedule in, the world but. IT'S harder i still

(01:09:23):
think this is a nine, WIN team i. REALLY do
i Think that week four Game against illinois is quietly. A,
monster yeah that more people should be talking about. Even
now should be a ton. Of fun but this is
a nine.

Speaker 2 (01:09:36):
Win team it seems like a nine. Win team it
seems like absolutely a nine win TEAM that i think
culturally has already taken a.

Speaker 1 (01:09:45):
Huge LEAP and i don't.

Speaker 2 (01:09:48):
Know there is something about this being year two, where
yeah maybe it's not where it was, last year but
nobody knew anything about what this team was going to
be externally going into, the year and now are going
To get they're going To give indiana, better, shots Right
the indiana is going to hold it more attention in.
The conference, but like how many of these teams beyond

(01:10:09):
who did, You say Oregon And? Penn, state right how
many of these teams are truly built so that you're
confident that they're Better. Than indiana that's not something we
could ever, Say, CONFIDENT no i Mean if indiana is. Merely,
good yeah it's kind of Just that illinois game which
they play, at home being the difference between nine and

(01:10:33):
ten wins in.

Speaker 1 (01:10:35):
All, likelihood yeah in, All, likelihood yeah it's. Pretty good
they're in a. GOOD spot, i mean talk about the
modern experiment with using the portal to great a vail
to reboot. A program, very quickly we'll Talk about purdue
here in. A minute PERDUE is i don't think going
to be able to Do what indiana did. Last year

(01:10:56):
but whenever you'd take in fifty four, transfer first, that's
true you're basically a shell of your. Former self it's
an entirely, new team an entirely new cast. Of characters
is there.

Speaker 2 (01:11:09):
One thing you specifically worry About with indiana that, YOU'RE
like i want to see this be addressed beyond obviously
there are, losses there anything that you saw Out of
indiana last year where, you're, like yeah they're, really good
but this was.

Speaker 1 (01:11:21):
AN issue i still at times question the explosivity in the,
passing game which.

Speaker 2 (01:11:31):
They, were fine EXACTLY what i was going, To say
there was just sloppiness.

Speaker 1 (01:11:34):
At times. The, drops yeah they were fine statistically over the, long, haul.
Yeah Totally but i'm thinking back to like some of
the bigger games that We saw indiana, play in Notably
That notre dame game in, the playoff and it was
JUST like i was never that confident that they were
going to be able to go downfield through, the, air

(01:11:55):
right even though they had a good quarterback and they have,
good receivers but it just didn't feel like a big
enough threat to me that they were gonna be able
to win. That Game so i'd point to that and
also just all the new faces, on defense.

Speaker 2 (01:12:09):
And it was it was both a torn acl and
like a semi like a broken thumb or Something for,
curtis WORK if i, remember correctly because that's what he
missed Time with he Missed the, washington game which they
only won by, FOURTEEN points i Think With. Tavin jackson,
but yeah you're. Not wrong if they're able to stretch
the field. WHILE working i Think It's roman hemby coming
in at running Back. FROM maryland i like.

Speaker 1 (01:12:28):
THAT move I like i like some of these guys that.
THEY got i think they did a really really good
job again tapping into the portal to get high level
talent that can come in and play. Right Away For
nanda mendoz Is Like fernando mendoza is. A stud he's
an absolute stud and he's going to show it this
year on a. Better team everybody's going to. See it
if you didn't know, it before you're going to know. It.

Speaker 2 (01:12:49):
Now, YEAH no. I think I Think kurt signetty is.
A businessman i think he just he gets people in
that corporate mindset of just take care of business every.
Single play he's the computer from.

Speaker 1 (01:13:03):
The bear he, just emotionless but he's looking at data
and he knows what he needs to.

Speaker 2 (01:13:07):
DO next i don't KNOW if i fully understand. THAT
reference i haven't watched the.

Speaker 1 (01:13:11):
Current season you should watch a. CURRENT season i was.
So good does it have a plot? This time we just?
FINISHED it i?

Speaker 2 (01:13:15):
Liked, It okay well here the only baron. Question Here
It's fernando Mendoza cal bear coming Over. THAT bloomington.

Speaker 1 (01:13:22):
I am that's a pros pro There, In. Chicago, illinois
yeah we got three teams. Left here We, got maryland We,
got northwestern and We. Got, purdue okay. LET'S roll i
can roll through all three if you want. ME to
i can give you MORE respectful i want to Start with,
maryland though, And hey maryland was four and eight. Last

(01:13:43):
year they won one. Gaming conference who was? It against,
oh gosh don't quiz usc usc, that's right and we.
PREDICTED it I think i predicted it on, the show Did?
You okay good. For you i'm PRETTY sure i did
it with the? Points spread? Not, outright okay. That's something
the over unders four and a half this season Of.
The terrapins marylyn's not going to be good. This, year

(01:14:04):
okay they're not gonna. Be good THE case i, am,
making though, right now to the verballer hood is? Who,
cares okay who, cares continue? Who cares if they're not?
Any good that is not the point of. The season
what is the point the point of? This season, vibes well.
KIND of i don't know what the vibes are like

(01:14:25):
with respect to the. Coaching, situation okay but this is
a very. YOUNG team i looked at the. Projected lineup
you can go out there and look at it. For
yourself there's like six seniors on this projected. STARTING. LINEUP
o i say whatever you Want about maryland, this YEAR
but i think playing a very very young team always makes. You.

(01:14:46):
Entertaining always it's not, Always, Pretty no but that brings
me to, My Guy malik, washington CONTINUE who i incorrectly
REFERRED to i Believe As malik williams of one of our.
Previous episodes that's HOW much i. LIKE him i got his.
Name out you were all, Tingled, up yeah for, a
star true freshman from about a half hour just up.

(01:15:07):
The road he was the number five quarterback in, this
cycle in the era of the. Transfer portal you better
damn we'll believe he's going to get reps, right away,
you know if we're going to talk about It With.
Bryce underwood this is again THE story i Think With
malik washingtown and they also lost last year's. Start quarter
he Also Lost Billy edwards Junior. To wisconsin who will
talk about, next EPISODE but i think he's going to

(01:15:27):
get reps. Right away he looks very dangerous to me as,
a runner doesn't default to, the run but can. Do
it the scouting reports basically say that he likes to
stay in the pocket and get the job done as.
A passer, so well, you know we'll see what he.
Can do We've Got nolan ray at running back who's
young and also. A Burner, dorian fleming the tight End From,
georgia state looks promising. To Me jaliel farouk transferred Up.

(01:15:50):
From oklahoma he might be one of the veterans on.
This team he could be the wide. Receiver, one yeah
BUT ultimately i think the youth of this team is
what makes them pretty. Damn, Entertaining Also pep hamilton. Is
Back pep hamilton. Is back yep back as now the
offensive Coordinator from Maryland for he's going to step in
as a quarterback coach. As well it's been over a

(01:16:12):
decade since he was calling the Offense, for STANFORD and
i think seven years since he was a passing game
coordinator Up, at michigan so it's been a minute since
he was doing stuff like this at the. College Level
But pep hamilton's a name that, people know obviously given,
his time but Back. At stanford this is also the
best schedule In The. Big ten There's No, ohio state
There's No, penn state There's. No oregon they do have

(01:16:33):
the fly cross country and play a team LIKE a
ucla in the middle of, the season but They got
wisconsin on Here And. Rutgers Illinois obviously illinois is a,
tough Game but michigan stayed on the road In The. Big,
TWO like i just look at THIS and, i say
you're probably not going to do much better than this If.
You're MARYLAND so i like the fact that they've got
a roster here, that's young that they can work into,

(01:16:54):
this thing a SCHEDULE that i think is relatively manageable and,
bigger picture even if they're lowsy. THIS season i said
this on the last. Episode two the game is not
about getting to. Eight wins the game is not about
getting the. Six wins the game this year is about
finding young guys that pop because next year's schedule. Is,
murder well who's going to be coaching. NEXT year i

(01:17:15):
don't know his coaching, next year but, and truly if
there's a, coaching change maybe half these. Guys leave but
if you assume that it's going to be in state,
next season the schedule gets really. Really difficult so they
got to find some dudes they can build around now
to make this. Thing better otherwise it's going to be
a problem.

Speaker 2 (01:17:31):
Next, year well there's also a new Ad, at, maryland
yep so that changes. Some calculus this was it just
was a team that trench wise was not there. Last
year pop wise was inconsistent, on Offense And mike loxley
talked about this extensively that he basically lost the, locker
ROOM and i think he just was mentioning It at

(01:17:54):
big ten media days that culturally they were. A mess
and so now, You're, saying okay, they're young, they're green
schedule's great all, Things, considered yeah but is this a
team built to do the little things necessary to, win,
six seven? Eight games and it doesn't seem to be.
The case they're absolutely shelled in the portal and, so

(01:18:16):
yes they are relying. On youth like, you mentioned so
they could be entertaining. AT times i don't believe there's
much in the non conference portion of, the schedule RIGHT
It's fau towson. And, somebody yeah they can get to.
Six wins they, you know they're winnable games on here
if they figure out how to best use these guys

(01:18:37):
and they're, just again are able, to do are built to,
be boring are built to just get off the field on.

Speaker 1 (01:18:41):
Third DOWNS can i introduce a spoiler at? This? Point?
Please do they're not getting the. Six wins six wins
is not happening with.

Speaker 2 (01:18:49):
This team there is something About The big ten when
you look at this conference and look it might Also.
Include maryland let's, be clear it's always on the table
for six offenses to be. Catastrophically embarrassing if THEY Beat
fau Towson.

Speaker 1 (01:19:08):
In, northern illinois who's the third non. Conference opponent who's by,
the way not Everybody Beats? Northern? Illinois tie where's? My
button not talking? About? This CONTINUE if i pull those three,
teams out if we assume that they're three and zero in,
those games they have to pick off Three, of wisconsin
which is on.

Speaker 2 (01:19:25):
The road catastrophically embarrassing offense at times Last.

Speaker 1 (01:19:28):
Year WASHINGTON which i think is going to be really
good that games are As it's nebraska back in, BACK,
weeks yep travel cross COUNTRY. TO ucla i guess they COULD.
Beat ucla bad offense, last year BUT now i add a,
NEW quarterback yep at Home against indiana really good on
the Road, against rutgers they might be able To. Beat,

(01:19:48):
rutgers okay so let's say generously. That's five Okay, AT
illinois i don't think that's. A win Home. AGAINST michigan
i don't think that's. A win michigan stayed on. The,
road maybe so maybe five and seven if we want
to be really generous. With THINGS but i can't go
any higher. THAN that i just don't. Know it, that's
fine but again that's not the point. For me that's

(01:20:09):
NOT how i am Judging this. Maryland Team, michigan state by,
the Way Has penn State and iowa's defenses in consecutive
weeks before Finishing. Against, maryland, YEAH okay i mean that's
just something to. Monitor continue i've got them at like
five and, Seven tops That's where. I'm at i'm around five.
And seven should we move On. To northwestern let's shout

(01:20:30):
out to, our Boys The West, lot pirates who we
had the pleasure of meeting. Last year we'll.

Speaker 2 (01:20:35):
See him again. This year i'll see him again this
year hopefully For the. Oregon, game, yeah yeah when we
went to See that Duke versus? Northwestern game are they
playing the organ games in the? Portable stadium right in
the Portable stadium SEPTEMBER for I Think Big noon saturday
is going to.

Speaker 1 (01:20:47):
Be there. That's, amazing yeah the win total is three and.
A half i like to look at teams with a
three and a half win total and see if there's
upside because they're the fun ones to. Bet. On yeah
the schedule Is murder oh, my god it's. Real tough
who did this? To them why did they do This? To?
Northwestern why Oregon At, penn State at NEBRASKA at usc

(01:21:12):
Home against Michigan. At illinois they also open Up against
tulane on.

Speaker 2 (01:21:16):
The road So That's jake rhet's laugh and too late, Apparently,
reportedly yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:21:21):
Why did they? Do this why did they? Do this
it's a, shame TOO because i don't hate. THIS roster
i really don't hate. THE roster i just think they're
going to be overmatched by. That schedule it's. A, lot.

Speaker 2 (01:21:32):
Look So It's preston stone coming in and they're hoping
to Get Like peyton ramsey Out Of. Preston stone, at worst. He's,
competent okay. He's competent we think he broke, his leg
wasn't the same coming back last year STARTING.

Speaker 1 (01:21:47):
For smu.

Speaker 2 (01:21:47):
Got benched but he should. Be competent he's at real. College,
quarterback yes IT'S just i say. This again northwestern is
where these transfers go.

Speaker 1 (01:21:56):
To, die yeah. IT'S tough i was trying to think
when was the last time a transfer quarterback Hit? AT northwestern.
I can't, I Mean payton ramsey, was okay he. Was,
okay yes he was Always a big ten. Championship game
he was. Okay enough but there just is not a
track record for them turning these guys. Into ANYTHING and
I Like preston stone a lot coming into, last Season

(01:22:16):
so i'm very curious to see how it. Translates here
BUT like i, LIKE him i think the line will.
BE okay i think this is a team that's going
to run the Ball With Cam Porter, joe HYMAN like
i think they're gonna run THE clock i think they're gonna.
Play defense that's what they did. Last year they were
one hundred and twenty first nationally in their pace. Of
play it is a slow brand. Of football it forces
everyone to be more efficient if they want. To. Win

(01:22:39):
right the lost eight games, last year so there were
plenty of teams that were able to make. You WORK
but i think that taken in tandem with a, defensive
line that should be. PRETTY good i think it's a
solid defense that is able to hold hold most teams
down and at least keep the offense in. The game
the problem is just that all but three of the
teams that are on this schedule are like significantly better

(01:23:04):
THAN where I think. Northwestern's at those Three, Are, WESTERN,
illinois ULM and I, think Perdue but i'm not sure.

Speaker 2 (01:23:10):
About, that look they have the hope of if, they're
decent if they, are okay if they are, not terrible
if you take your pick of descriptor they could sneak
up on people because. Of situation their schedule is not
the worst in terms of timing when they get certain

(01:23:30):
teams and get certain winnable games that if somebody Is
overlooking northwestern after They, play oregon after They Play, ohio
state after They play iowa whatever or before like, look
ahead leta it's not a full, sandwichie, schedule which by,
the way here's a little. Sneak preview purdue's entire schedule
is sandwichee and trappy for everybody. They, PLAY yes i

(01:23:51):
have no idea produ's gonna, be good but they have
the opportunity to be a. Poisonous sandwich northwestern has a
couple of, those spots and so that's at least Something.
For northwestern if they are boringly decent and just keep
generating first downs on third and two and keep getting
off the field because it's windy next to, the, lake

(01:24:11):
right that they have. THE opportunity i think that type
of team generally has a seven, win ceiling and that's
being extremely generous for. This SCHEDULE so i, HAVE them
i have them hitting the over.

Speaker 1 (01:24:24):
Over three and. A half, I mean I guess i
still think it's more likely they go two and ten
than four. And eight, But YEAH like i looked at
this a bunch of times NOW because i like betting
over on teams with low, wind, totals Right and i've
done well at it over. THE years i just can't do.

Speaker 2 (01:24:44):
IT here, i mean keep, in mind Even when northwestern's,
pretty good like we know they're, pretty good they're only
getting most teams. Okayest shot well that's true. As well
that's true. As well there's just something built Into the
northwestern brand that teams don't necessarily probably at, their detriment
don't necessarily get. Up for let me throw out.

Speaker 1 (01:25:06):
A random matchup here and then we'll move On to
purdue and close this. Thing, out yes there is a
home Game on october Fourth. AGAINST ulm i DON'T think
ulm is going to be all that great, this SEASON
but uilm is going to raison run the ever loving
crap out of, the FOOTBALL and I think northwestern is
going to do a lot of. The same we might

(01:25:27):
see them open up a, little BIT but i this
is going to be the brand for both of these schools.
This year, first off this game is going to be
over in like. Two, hours yes it's gonna be the
quickest game. All year i'm going to set a reminder
to go in and check how long it takes to
finish this GAME because i think there is just going
to be a lot of ground, and, Pound right i'm

(01:25:49):
curious to, see though with that being a Week before
northwestern's on the road against a Team Like. Penn STATE
if ulm gives them, a game it would not surprise
me TO see uls make that one very very close
given their.

Speaker 2 (01:26:01):
Style play, please remember by, the Way that northwestern is
not playing in a. College stadium they are playing in
a kind of high school waste management open stadium on,
the lake twelve Feet From. Lake michigan and they're Playing
In wrigley FIELD against I think Michigan. And, minnesota yeah
it's just, weird, environments man. WIND iciness i, don't know

(01:26:27):
a little.

Speaker 1 (01:26:29):
Over there going over three and, a HALF but. I
guess so let's close this thing Out With purdue dan bombshell,
Kids Ready, Barry, Otum welcome Welcome To, West. Loafayette louisiana
comes OVER, from unlv takes Over For. Ryan walters they
went one and Eleven last, not them, this, team, no

(01:26:51):
definitely not, these players not this, coaching staff. This, program yeah, this,
program yes one and eleven. Last season they're over under
is two and a half wins This Year. Barry, otam
notably he is the only new coach In The big ten. This,
year like what's. The strategy you, might ask when you
go one, and eleven how about bringing in sixty nine,

(01:27:12):
new players fifty four via, the portal fifteen via high.
School recruiting that was the most in all of. College
football it's not Even. Really perdue it's Like A kurt
signetti situation from a, year ago where it's pretty Much
just Purdue or indiana in, name, only right you call them.
THE personaries i, like, that actually thank you. Very much

(01:27:35):
i'm going to give you three reasons to be Entertained
by perdue. This, year, Okay okay, first reason he's got
a couple of monster teams on, the schedule and it's
not Good for purdue to play, this team, Mind YOU.

Speaker 2 (01:27:45):
But i thought you were, gonna say first, of all
you got a monster drum first, And, foremost well the
mot the big bass drum is, is easily very the
most entertaining drum in, college FOOTBALL Clearly Usc, Notre, Dame,
Illinois Michigan, Ohio, State, washington indiana all on. This schedule
purdue's probably going to lose all, of them but four
of them are. At home so if you are a season,
ticket holder if you're one of the Collection of, purdue

(01:28:08):
fans that email us on the regular to let us
know what's going on with in. That program you will
have your pick of the litter with respect to some,
better teams at least on. This schedule so the home,
schedule's okay just from a, fan standpoint just go in
there knowing what the. Expectations, are SECONDLY and i guess
more specific to, The offense devin maccab be back at,
running back who's legitimately, very GOOD and i.

Speaker 1 (01:28:28):
Think he's going to need to be with. THIS offense
i think it's going to be a Lot on. Devin
maccaby he got an entirely new line. OF transfers i
think he can take solace in Running Behind Giordano voccaro
dan he is their starting center who transfers down From
The manitoba bisons where he was two Time. ALL canada
i like. It continue so you got That big canadian guy.

(01:28:51):
Up front actually he's Not, from canada but Played in
canada two Time, off canada and then third and finally
they're going to the air raid apparently again again they
tried That With. GRAHAM harrell. I, believe yeah back to the.
AIR raid i have no idea how it's. Gonna work
they're only proven entity on, this offense is or running?
Back whatever wasn't? My decision?

Speaker 2 (01:29:13):
All, Right Okay ryan brown Almost, Beat Illinois ryan brown Almost.

Speaker 1 (01:29:17):
Beat Illinoy ryan brown Transferred To north carolina and then
Back to purdue who. Came, Back yep so it looks
like he's gonna be. The guy reasons to. BE entertained
i think it's more of a curiosity at this point,
because again as, we Said With, north carolina how the
hell do? You? Handicap, oh yeah when you've got over,
FIFTY transfers i have, NO igree i have. No IDEA

(01:29:40):
so i would almost be inclined to go over two
and a half on the win TOTAL because i DON'T
know i like that Anything.

Speaker 2 (01:29:46):
About, purdue, okay well We Know barry odom's a. Good,
coach yeah. We Know, josh henson the new offensive coordinator
came OVER from sc has a background. OFFENSIVE line i
think he's coaching tight ends and the offense. This Year
barry odin brings over His Mac, Matt, Sheer.

Speaker 1 (01:30:01):
Yes, Michael sheer mike share experience defense to.

Speaker 2 (01:30:05):
Run the DEFENSE from unlv, And Look barry odams one
of the best defensive college defensive coordinators alive we agree,
ON that.

Speaker 1 (01:30:12):
I, hope yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:30:13):
Of course so that's a good starting Point. For purdue
THEY have SC after Usc Plays. Clay hilton that's not
an actual like, trap spot but it's something They Have
notre dame as a SANDWICH between I Think notre dame's
sec portion Of the irish SCHEDULE between A and M
And arkansas purdue, does. Right correct i'm not said these

(01:30:34):
are No like i'm just going through. The list Purdue
has illinois the WEEK after sc.

Speaker 1 (01:30:42):
The Week Before. Ohio state no idea what.

Speaker 2 (01:30:46):
That means They have minnesota the Week after minnesota Travels To.
Ohio state They have northwestern on. The road the Week
after northwestern travels To.

Speaker 1 (01:30:59):
Penns state.

Speaker 2 (01:31:02):
Purdue has rutgers the Week. After oregon the Week, Before
illinois Purdue. Has michigan the Week after Michigan Plays, Michigan
state Purdue Has. Ohio state again this doesn't, mean much
But After ohio State Plays, Penn state Purdue. Has Washington
between WISCONSIN and ucla, road Games and Purdue. Has indiana

(01:31:26):
that's a. Mutual buy i'm, just saying if you're into
like erotic, Sandwich potential purdue is.

Speaker 1 (01:31:36):
Your program there's a lot there erotic. Sandwich potento there
Was a seinfeld episode, about that. Wasn't there pastrami the
most erotic of the. Cured, meats Yes so purdue Is
the pastromi Of the big ten. THIS year i. Like
it let's. Go over i'm. With you, i'm ready let's.
Go over we're both going over two and a Half
in purdue. This year what the? Hell done? All? Right

(01:32:01):
uh three and nine? Perdue half the three and nine perdue.
Gets done you just have to be a snake in
the toilet. For somebody by, the way did you check?
The email some guy sent us an actual snake that
he found in a. Friend's toilet it, Scarred me it really.
SCARRED me i didn't write back to. Him yet i'm
still working up the courage to.

Speaker 2 (01:32:18):
DO so i don't think it was like, a venomous
jumping type cobra, esque snake.

Speaker 1 (01:32:23):
But it was big and black and it had stripes,
on it and it, was like that was a. Serious
snake it. Can slither you don't want anything slithering near
you in. That moment the first person account of that
story that he, Sent, Us yeah i'm glad he made,
it out but that scarred me, for, Life sir. THANK
you i don't know what. YOU do i don't know

(01:32:43):
how you move forward with a life after. That happened
you're just gonna sit there exposed. Every time, All right oh?
My god? All Right ten, Part One Our team. Part
one michael is, his name who sent? That in, thank,
You sir thank you for scarring us, for life you.

(01:33:05):
Evil human thank you for listening to. The SHOW though
i appreciate it was a good one long, episode today
longer than we've done in a good, long time but
we had a lot. To discuss we will be back
for part two Of Our, Team previews part three of
Our overall Big ten previews series on our, next episode
which Drops. On thursday we've got a lot of fun yet.

(01:33:25):
To come we still got to do the sec still
got To Do. Notre dame we still have, special, guests
predictions things. Like that we're turning the corner very Shortly,
into august and that's when it really starts to hit.
The fans so we want to get these out of.
The way make sure that you're prepped and ready to
go for the. Season ahead hit follow hit subscribes that
you don't miss any of the episodes And, as dad what's? Your? Name? Dan?

(01:33:49):
Dan Daane as dan pointed, Out earlier i'm losing my.
Voice here Verbalers dot com is where you go if
you are interested in for the supporting what. We, do
agree why don't we leave? It, there dan good? Job
today hey, you Too. Gold star we. Did well yes
for that guy With, there dan, For, Myself tie thanks

(01:34:10):
for bearing with. US here i hope you got something out.
Of it we'll talk you all in the. Next episode,
as always, stay, solid peace

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