December 10, 2025 • 48 mins
We weigh the portal era, opt-outs, and playoff politics against the need for a fairer path to a title. We lay out where Texas must reload, why bowl practices matter, and how expansion should reward ceiling over floor.
• portal and NIL shaping roster churn
• best wins over worst losses as playoff metric
• G5 access versus competitive credibility
• bowl practices as development and evaluation
• Texas roster needs at RB, WR, OL, safety, specialists
• culture and fit beating pure star power
• a Rose Bowl memory and why moments endure
• FCS pride, cold-weather road trips, and local HS powers
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_09 (00:40):
Well, the Texas Longhorns will have to replace
him at Kicker, Mason Crosby.
He's exhausted his eligibility,and the list of Longhorns
entering the transfer portal isgrowing by the hour, it seems,
but hey, this is nothing new.
You, the college football fans,should be conditioned to this.
(01:00):
This is the NIL and Portal era.
It's not a slight to a programfor kids, prospects, um, to
leave the program.
This is just where we are.
You know, this is what uh theportal is for.
Uh, young men, young men andwomen's sports trying to seek
other opportunities.
Better suited for them.
(01:22):
It's not a negative sign foreither the young person or the
program.
We're gonna talk about that inepisode 499, and we're going to
finally, finally let go of thedrama and debate that was the
college football playoff, theone that Texas with three losses
(01:43):
will not be a part of.
And for the right reasons, but Iwill say, Texas is one of the
top eight to ten teams in thecountry, regardless of record.
Hey, Stevie is eager, and so amI.
We got a lot to talk about, alot of change.
(02:03):
This is the month of change withthe college football program to
pass run to Stevie Lee, episode499.
Let's rock.
SPEAKER_04 (02:34):
You're gonna hear.
Number one, Miami's in overNotre Dame.
Miami beat Notre Dame.
Head-to-head games have tomatter.
If they don't matter, why thehell are we playing them?
Number two, if Alabama gets in,even though they lost their
commerce championship game, BYUhas to get in, even though they
lost their commerce championshipgame.
Here's why Texas should be in.
Because if everything iscomparable, don't tell me about
the worst losses.
(02:55):
Tell me about your best wins.
Don't brag about how a team hasa higher floor than another
team.
No.
How high is your ceiling?
The college football playoffs isabout who can win the most
games, not who's gonna lose theworst.
Hell no.
SPEAKER_09 (03:09):
Hey, Manny Ocho had a point, Stevie.
We're gonna put this to bedshortly, but are you glad this
whole debate is over with?
SPEAKER_05 (03:19):
Yeah, um, it still needs to evolve a little bit.
Full disclosure for Ocho, he'she has a dog in the fight, so
that's why he was uh he waspretty passionate about Texas.
Um man, going before theweekend, I knew that it was
gonna be tough uphill battle forus to get in.
So it wasn't a surprise for me,but there is there's debate um
(03:42):
on what what should happen andwhat should have happened.
Uh, and people are griping alittle bit, rightfully so.
And um, I mean, we have acollege football playoffs, and I
and and no offense to little thelittle um universities out
there, but we have James Madisonin.
(04:02):
Like we gotta think about this.
Like, like if it's the collegefootball playoffs, are we
letting people in that actuallycould go and compete for it, or
are we letting people in um toshow love to different uh
divisions and uh and andconferences?
So where are we?
So that that has to be answered.
SPEAKER_09 (04:24):
Fair take.
Fair take.
SPEAKER_05 (04:26):
Because I don't think anybody is choosing James
Madison to win the championship.
SPEAKER_09 (04:31):
Nobody's choosing Tulane.
SPEAKER_05 (04:33):
No one's too choosing Tulane.
Yes, they have a chance, butcome on, come on.
The the some of the three teamsthat y'all left out have better
chances than those schools.
You know what I mean?
SPEAKER_09 (04:44):
Yeah, I agree, and yeah, I and it's hard, and we're
gonna get heavier into thecriticism, but in a way in which
we're putting it to rest as youshould.
Don't be bitter, don't hate onit.
It's just how it's set up, andwe have no control over it.
It's like politics.
We have our views, we canexpress them, but in the end,
(05:07):
it's not gonna change foranother year, for another
season.
Hey, in case you're not aware,I'm Sean Clint, the host of
Stories Inside the Man Cape,co-host of this great series,
The Pass Rush with Stevie Lee,the guy to the right, proud
native of Shreeport, Louisiana,and proud former Longhorn who
played for the great Mac Brown.
(05:28):
Hey, be sure to follow us on allof our social media platforms,
they're all listed right there,and you can subscribe for free
to our YouTube page.
And you are we m have much lovefor you and appreciation for you
of just following along,commenting, and watching all of
these episodes.
Uh, we may be without theplaymaker, Mike Adams.
You know, we're all busy, andhonestly, December, although
(05:51):
short, for those working types,as we all are, we're trying to
cram a lot into a few weeksbecause a lot of people will be
unplugged here shortly.
So we're trying to be productiveduring our work time, Stevie.
Uh, we have to give love to ourfamily, the hardgrove family who
(06:12):
make this possible.
And they just had theirChristmas party in Houston, but
that's because they love thegreat state of Texas and the
state of Louisiana, and you arethe man who says it the best
about this great company.
SPEAKER_05 (06:25):
Hardgrove Roofing knows on your roof, and they
know how to party too.
SPEAKER_09 (06:30):
No question.
Celebrate life and celebratethis beautiful season that is
Christmas.
I will say change is inevitable.
Um, and we're gonna get a littlebit more into this um, this
little subject matter, if youwill, on what we would change,
because there's a lot tocriticize, but you know, it it
(06:51):
has gotten better since itstarted, and it actually
improved from when it expandedto 12 teams last year when they
put the four highest ratedconference champions as the top
four.
This year it's just the top fourin the CFP.
But the top five highest, thefive highest rated conference
(07:14):
champions get in to the CFP.
That I will say I think you onlyallow G5 programs in if they're
in the top 12.
That's how I feel.
That's how I feel.
SPEAKER_05 (07:33):
Gotcha.
SPEAKER_09 (07:34):
Do they deserve a spot at the table?
Yes, if they're in the top 12.
SPEAKER_05 (07:41):
Yeah.
I like it.
I like it, Sean.
I like that.
SPEAKER_09 (07:46):
Or, as I said on Sunday on a TikTok video when I
was leaving the beautiful cityof Nackydoches to come back home
to Austin, I said, or expand to16, but we're still gonna have
the bitching and debating ofwho's 17, 18, 19, but still have
(08:08):
that rule for the G5, oreliminate and have a bracket for
the G5 alone to compete for anational championship, the G5
national championship.
Have an 18 playoff for them.
SPEAKER_05 (08:26):
So then we have two national champions in NCAA.
Actually, I guess we have morethan that.
SPEAKER_09 (08:32):
Yeah, you go power four, power five, g5, fcs at the
division one level.
So it can go anyways, or you canjust go with the FCS model
invite 2014s and um eightplaying or four playing games
and go that route.
That's just but but you're stillgoing to have bitching and
(08:54):
moaning.
Well, who's a 25, 26, 27, 2018?
You know, it's that's just howit is.
Yeah, so with MA absent, I thinkwe gotta bring in the Longhorns.
They're going.
I I I know they paid a lot ofmoney, all these bowl games for
their sponsorship.
The cheese it citrus bowl.
(09:15):
Um, Stevie, this is obviouslyyou played in a four of these
bowl games, mainly great games.
Um, this is in Orlando, Florida.
Um, it's also a time now withwhere we are.
You've got kids opting out forthe NFL, they're gonna wrap up
their career, they're not gonnasuit up for the bowl game.
(09:36):
You have kids entering the NIL,or excuse me, the transfer
portal, I think, which opensJanuary 2nd.
Um, and we're gonna kind of gothrough that.
But these bowl games, I thinkSark said it best, summarizing
what it is.
It it's it's gives the youngerkids an opportunity to compete
(09:57):
before they enter spring camp,which, as you know, is when the
team's really molded.
SPEAKER_00 (10:04):
I'm sure it'll take a little bit of time to get to
the to the final number of whomay and who may not play, but
that's okay.
We've got a really youngfootball team.
We've got a lot of good youngplayers that are that are
chomping at the bit for theiropportunity to play.
We're gonna get a lot ofextended practice time.
Essentially, this is gonna turninto uh uh another spring ball
for us where a lot of youngplayers are gonna get an
(10:25):
opportunity to show how muchthey've grown and developed over
the season, um, and with theopportunity to potentially play
in this game where this gamedoesn't count against their
eligibility.
SPEAKER_09 (10:35):
Okay, so that that sums up that part where it's not
gonna count against anybody'seligibility eligibility.
It's the last game of the year.
Um, first off, address what hesaid about that, then we'll get
into the matchup.
Um you you look at the the themovement, the movement on the
(10:57):
roster.
I mean, I know you guysexperience a little bit, but now
this is a regular annualoccurrence.
You it's good the you're gonnasee a lot of people playing more
minutes than you probably sawthem during the season.
I mean, what what is yourthoughts on this?
Because even though you and Iare pretty much the same
(11:19):
generation era, um, I'm stilltrying to wrap my head around
the amount of roster changesduring before a bowl game or
CFP.
SPEAKER_05 (11:32):
Yeah, it we and we didn't have it like that when
when I played.
Um I think uh a couple of guysshould have uh sat out the bowl
game, but didn't.
There's one guy that sat didn'tthat played the bowl game and
got really hurt and did not youknow work out for NFL scouts and
things like that.
(11:52):
So that it's really unfortunatewhen you do get hurt as a senior
going into um uh combines andand uh and pro days and things
like that.
Because honestly, if you're notin the college football
playoffs, it's kind of a umuseless uh game for you as a
senior.
Yeah, uh, but it actually worksfor you going into your spring.
(12:14):
So I do like what coach said, uhgetting the practices in, um
basically three weeks ofpractice extra practices going
into spring ball, showing whatyou can do, showing coaches what
you can do.
Um maybe somebody have abreakout um uh bowl practice,
and and the coaches feel moreconfident about them playing
(12:36):
next season to where they don'thave to go out and get somebody
in their position in the portal.
So it's uh it's also evaluationtime.
Yeah, uh the Citrus Bowl is nota bad bowl.
Uh yeah, it's a good bowl.
And uh we're playing Michigan,and so it's good competition in
that bowl.
So all the underclassmen thatare staying here and that's
(12:57):
that's that's bought into theTexas system, just go out and
have a great practice.
Um have great three what threeweeks of practices, um, and and
show up at the game and uh andbe professional.
And uh that may earn your spotfor next season, uh, and and
definitely get momentum goinginto the spring ball.
SPEAKER_09 (13:19):
But when you look at this roster movement uh heading
into the Citrus Bowl, which ison New Year's Eve, um, you know,
you I think we knew this wascoming.
Um Sark, the recruitment ofAnthony Hill, number zero, he
flipped him from AM to Texas,and he has had a tremendous
career.
He made an impact immediately.
(13:40):
Um, it's not a question to you,Stevie, of whether you agree or
disagree.
He's done.
He's not playing another gamefor as a longhorn, and that's
the bittersweet part of this,but I think he's done all he
can.
As far as NFL stock, right?
Or do you think he could elevateit at all?
SPEAKER_05 (14:05):
No, I think that um at this point he has enough game
film to where scouts can uh goand scout him and things like
that.
The the um the I agree with himnot playing, uh just because I
like I said, I lived it.
Um a teammate of mine got hurtand did not go on to play in the
(14:28):
NFL over a meaningless,meaningless, to him meaningless
holiday ball, you know right?
So um that person missed out onmaking potentially making
millions just because he playedin the holiday ball.
Um, and so I think that um Hillis making a business decision,
(14:49):
and we have to applaud him andsupport him in that.
And and I know people are stillout there like, man, I wish
these guys was playing a bowlgame and things like that.
It's a business decision, guys.
It really is.
And yes, I want to see him suitup in a burn orange again, but
he has to make the best decisionfor him and his family and for
(15:09):
generational wealth that he canuh accumulate.
So um I don't fault them for it,it just sucks the way it's set
up right now.
SPEAKER_09 (15:18):
So continuing the roster movement, depending on
when you're watching that, sofar, the guys who have entered
the portal for Texas, Trey Owensat quarterback, uh running back
CJ Baxter, kind of a surprise,but that injury really derailed
his, he just wasn't the same.
(15:40):
Melvin Hills, the defensivetackle, Will Stone early in the
year, the kicker, and thenConnor Stroh, the offensive
lineman.
I believe he started five gamesfor Texas.
I mean, there is no criticism ofany of these, any guys who are
wanting to transfer out.
But when you see this listgrowing and you look at what
(16:04):
Texas may be returning, is thereanything concerning for you?
Because this is really when ifyou're looking at their 4D at
their position, they just had anamazing signing class, early
signing class.
You know they're going tothere's that thumbs up, um
(16:26):
thumbs up for the CFP Aggies.
Um, it did it again.
Um when you look at you knowthey're gonna fill some spots in
the portal.
Sark and that coaching staff aregonna be have been and probably
are shopping as we speak.
What are we looking at?
(16:47):
With this, you see who'sentering the portal right now,
and probably there's gonna bemany more.
Where do you go?
Where do you what are youlooking for in this portal?
SPEAKER_05 (16:58):
Well, I'm looking for a badass running back.
I'm looking that for us uh acouple more offensive linemen.
Um I know this line um is new,and we had a kid that got hurt
in uh camp.
Yeah, um, what was his name?
I can't remember.
SPEAKER_09 (17:18):
Was it Will or is it Christian Clark?
SPEAKER_05 (17:21):
Uh yeah, I think so.
So um he'll be back, you know,depending on how bad the injury
was, but we still need some moredepth.
And um so we need a we need arunning back, a little more
depth on the O-line, and we needto go and find a number one
(17:42):
receiver, like we did uh what'sthe kid that came from Georgia?
Uh Golden?
SPEAKER_09 (17:49):
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.
You you gotta have a portal, adifference maker.
SPEAKER_05 (17:53):
Yeah, a difference maker at running back and
receiver.
Now, do we have any holes at uhuh and on the defensive side?
SPEAKER_09 (18:02):
Maybe so we may need a safety, perhaps.
SPEAKER_05 (18:07):
Safety, I was gonna say safety, um, and outside
linebacker to try to replaceheel or um, but you know,
everybody else is solid.
I know we we're we're uh we'relosing.
Um who are we losing?
Uh Taft, right?
Yep.
Yeah, so you know, some somebodythat can kind of pull out pull
(18:30):
that slack a little bit.
So uh I mean we may have thedepth on the depth chart
already, but you those are thethings that I would want to look
for.
Now we also need a kickerbecause um Shipley came in and
took over Brooke Bert Auburn.
Um and and and Shipley did verywell.
Now he's gone.
SPEAKER_09 (18:50):
So you need a we need a punter too.
SPEAKER_05 (18:52):
We need a punter, yeah, exactly.
So like I said, though we we mayhave that on the roster already,
but those are things that weneed to look at, though the guys
that are leaving.
SPEAKER_09 (19:03):
Yeah, you know, they it's it's it I think it will all
work itself out.
I think fans have got to bepatient, but be excited too,
because when you shop thisportal, it there it's a fine
line.
You could go get a lot oftalent, but you they've got to
be a fit in into the program.
You know, there's you know, I itmakes me wonder if uh Wisner is
(19:26):
gonna opt for the NFL.
SPEAKER_05 (19:29):
Yeah, we'll see.
SPEAKER_09 (19:31):
They had two running back signees, uh Jet Walker out
of Georgetown, and then DerekCooper, who's a phenomenal back.
I think he's rated five starrunning back.
Um, and then you know, I think alot of people are excited what
to see what um Justice Terry islike as a sophomore.
That is, he's at defensive line.
(19:55):
You know, there's there's talentout there, but to your point,
bring in a portal guy to help.
Mature and grow these young menat these these certain
positions.
Um, but there are holes, and andand you gotta have a balance of
dog and leadership mixed withthese young young pups.
SPEAKER_05 (20:16):
Yeah, I think that um Malik Mohammed is gonna be
pretty good next year.
Hopefully he But does he leave?
Hopefully he stays.
Hopefully he stays.
Uh I think that he does need tostay, though.
I I saw a lot from him, and hewas great and making big plays,
(20:36):
but um he can he can do betterthis season, next season.
So hopefully he stays.
SPEAKER_09 (20:44):
Well, to put a wrap, and I know it's it's you know,
Texas fans have got to realizelisten, the politicking done by
Sark and that entire staff andother programs did a phenomenal
job, delivered some valid pointsum to get in.
But I'm not asking you to agreewith me at all.
(21:06):
I just don't think three loss, athree-loss team belongs in the
CFP.
However, they kept Alabama inwith three losses, the third
loss being the conference secchampionship game against
Georgia.
If you look at Alabama's resume,sketch, what they did, very
similar to Texas.
(21:28):
You know, they got hammered byGeorgia, but they beat Georgia
early in the year.
Texas did not do that, but andbut they also had a bad loss to
Florida State.
So there's some comparableresumes there.
But when you look at this, Iknow that I just go to the 12
(21:49):
seed and the 11, the two G5s,because they were two of the
five highest ranked conferencechampions.
When you look at this bracket,who's your surprise?
Or do you just see those topfour moving on?
SPEAKER_05 (22:09):
I think Texas Tech is gonna get surprised by uh
Oregon.
SPEAKER_09 (22:12):
Really?
SPEAKER_05 (22:13):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_09 (22:14):
Okay, for sure.
SPEAKER_05 (22:16):
Texas Tech, I don't know.
I mean, they they're they'regood and they on a high, but
they're gonna they're gonna turninto Texas Tech after uh going
into this college footballplayoffs.
Um what I don't like is seeingNotre Dame and Texas being held
out of the college footballplayoffs and James Madison and
(22:38):
Tulane in.
They have no chance againstthese powerhouses.
None.
And I think that um Texas andand Notre Dame has a chance.
So put the the teams that have abest chance of getting to the
national national championshipgame and maybe winning it.
Um James Madison will have to gothrough you know Oregon, Texas
(23:03):
Tech, either you know, AlabamaOU or or uh Indiana.
That's just not gonna happen,man.
Yeah, it's not so you know ifyou're if you're in the room and
you took the computers out ofit, we don't have the BCS
computer anymore, you know.
So look at look at be, I mean,be human, you know what I'm
(23:25):
saying?
So yes, hats off to JamesMadison, but it's just I'm
sorry, right?
SPEAKER_09 (23:32):
Yeah, no, I get it, brother.
I really do.
Yeah, I really do.
Um, Notre Dame.
I don't know what's up withthat.
They they they said as a team,no, we're not going to a bowl,
we're turning it down.
(23:53):
Um, and the jokes, thecriticism, I mean, I think this
is a a trend, but you can't helpbut dish out some humor.
Usually that sign says, youknow, um play like a champion.
Play like a champion.
Well, quit when things don't gomy way.
(24:14):
That's how it looked.
You know, and I know there's aton of criticism.
I know there's people saying,hey, you know what?
We're trying to that's basicallythey're protesting this college
football playoff.
Notre Dame started the year 0-2,lost to Miami.
Who knew that that loss to Miamiwould be the decisive factor and
(24:36):
would be the decision maker fortheir season into the CFP?
SPEAKER_05 (24:44):
Yeah, yeah, I don't know.
And then then they came back andlost to um AM at home.
So yeah, I mean, both theirlosses early in the season were
to college football teams.
Yep.
SPEAKER_09 (25:01):
CFP participants.
SPEAKER_05 (25:02):
CFP participants.
And did James Madison play any?
SPEAKER_09 (25:09):
I have not studied.
All I know is that old missdestroyed Tulane this year.
SPEAKER_05 (25:14):
Uh-huh.
SPEAKER_09 (25:16):
Ole Miss is in the CFP.
SPEAKER_05 (25:18):
Yeah, man.
I I hear you.
So yeah, I don't know.
SPEAKER_09 (25:28):
It's the system's gotta change.
I I would venture to say yougotta go to 14 or 16, and you
can only have these G5s in ifthey're in the top 12.
That's it.
Bottom line.
Or create, let the G5 succeedand create their own bracket
(25:52):
because they're never gonna.
I just don't see them winning anational championship in the CFP
era.
Um, so there's a growing list ofteams which said, hell no, we
don't want a game.
Notre Dame is not alone,brother.
Look at this list.
Who turned down a bowl game?
(26:19):
For various reasons, not all arethe same.
You know, Baylor, I understand.
So, okay, let me let me add somecontext to this.
Baylor turned it down,essentially, they have a losing
record.
These are teams that and Auburnturned it down because they've
got essentially a losing record.
(26:40):
I mean, that's we have too manybowls.
Too many bowls.
I mean, this is not a good signfor the future of bowl games.
Do you see this happening?
SPEAKER_05 (26:57):
No, I don't.
I don't like it.
Um, I would love to know uheveryone's reasoning for why
they turn down bowl gamesbecause one that there's money
for the program at a bowl game,and two, those practices are
invaluable, man.
Yes, though practicing up to thebowl game, like that, those are
(27:19):
very, very important to me.
When when um when Texas went onits downward spiral back in
those Charlie Strong days andearly on in the um in the uh
Herman days, trying to do tryingto get real practices after your
(27:42):
last game of the season, it'sjust can't happen.
And then so you're behind theeight ball going into next
season, I feel like.
You know, I feel the same way.
You don't go to a bowl, you missabout 15 practices.
Am I correct?
SPEAKER_09 (27:57):
Well, most of them, but there's well, there's a
couple of bowl games, which youknow, there's one in like a
week.
SPEAKER_05 (28:07):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_09 (28:09):
You know, it and it's uh if you go, I mean, I'm
trying to find this informationfor you.
So, like these teams, most ofthese have losing records.
So they're this is this is theirway, these bowl games, trying to
find enough bowl-eligible teamswith six wins.
(28:30):
I mean, look at this the famousIdaho Potato Bowl, Washington
State, Utah State, both six andsix.
It's just it's I don't know,man.
And then UTSA got in.
You know, they they reached fulleligibility.
But a lot of these teams, man,they just like here's here's
another one (28:53):
the Birmingham Bowl, Georgia Southern, six and
six, taking on five and sevenAppalachian State.
Come on, man.
All right, man.
Indiana knocked off the sleighthe giant, number one seed now.
They beat Ohio State.
Man, I love their quarterback,and he was asked, uh, why or how
(29:17):
does how has Indiana been ableto do this this last two years?
SPEAKER_02 (29:52):
We can do it, we can deep because we need to go to
the we're gonna stick together,the wicked funniest blue ever.
SPEAKER_09 (29:58):
Sounds just like their coach, Signetti.
SPEAKER_05 (30:01):
Somebody give that kid a job, man.
He's gonna be in front of thecamera one of these days.
SPEAKER_09 (30:07):
Indiana's that's a program built from nothing.
SPEAKER_05 (30:14):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_09 (30:16):
And Signetti has done an amazing job, and they
call themselves Misfits.
Knocking off Ohio State in theBig Ten championship game.
What chance uh what percentageof a chance are you giving these
Hoozers to winning the nationaltitle?
SPEAKER_05 (30:35):
Oh it's a high percentage.
They can do it.
Um they just look good.
They look good.
Um, let's see.
SPEAKER_09 (30:48):
Golly, I'm giving them a 40% chance.
SPEAKER_05 (30:51):
40%.
I was gonna say 50, so it's it'salmost losers or bust, almost.
SPEAKER_09 (30:58):
So uh well they'll play the winner, I believe.
I think they'll play the winnerof Oklahoma, Alabama.
SPEAKER_05 (31:06):
Yeah, yeah.
Golly, if I had to put money onit, I think I will put it on
them.
SPEAKER_09 (31:14):
But you know, I'd be curious to see how OU's defense
up against Indiana.
SPEAKER_05 (31:21):
Yeah, I hear you.
Actually, actually, I'm sorry,let me take that back because
I'm I don't think I will betagainst Kirby Smart right now.
SPEAKER_09 (31:34):
Georgia?
SPEAKER_05 (31:34):
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_09 (31:37):
They flipped the switch.
SPEAKER_05 (31:38):
They did, they did, they turned it on, they beat
Texas, they turned it on, and Isee them getting better.
SPEAKER_09 (31:46):
That's a Kirby Smart traditional type team.
SPEAKER_05 (31:49):
Yeah, they get better throughout the season.
What the product you see at thebeginning of the season is not
the product you see at the endof the season.
SPEAKER_09 (31:56):
Well, let me ask you this is Ethan Mendoza win the
Heisman.
SPEAKER_05 (32:05):
I'm a pleasure, I'm not sure.
SPEAKER_09 (32:08):
Are you are you pulling for your guy, Diego
Papia?
SPEAKER_05 (32:13):
Excuse me.
No, not Diego.
I just don't like him or hisfamily.
His his brother really turnedturned me the wrong way, rubbed
me the wrong way.
I don't know, man.
And uh the the arrogance of himis is a little bit off-putting
(32:33):
for me.
SPEAKER_09 (32:34):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_05 (32:34):
Um, but you know, we'll see.
SPEAKER_09 (32:37):
Um but he brought some swagger to Vandy, though.
He did what?
He brought swagger to Vandy.
SPEAKER_05 (32:46):
Yeah, but you know, Vandy's gonna be again, just
like Baylor became Baylor again.
SPEAKER_09 (32:52):
Well, they they just signed the number one
quarterback in the country.
They stole him from Georgia.
Or flipped no, I flipped himfrom Georgia.
Okay.
I like Clark Lee, the head coachof Vandy.
No pop no politic and nocampaigning really.
After the CFP was announced, hesaid, he said, well, we had our
(33:19):
chances against Alabama andTexas, and we didn't do it.
Yeah, I'll tell you who's notwhining, and I and I know you're
gonna hate me for saying this.
Man, I really love watching thefour seed, the Red Raiders,
Texas Tech.
They're scrappy, play with a lotof heart, and they have a
linebacker who might win theHeisman.
Um, so what is does Texas Techhave a chance?
(33:44):
Well, ask BYU head coach, uhKalani Sataki.
They lost to Tech twice, and itwasn't even close.
And Sitaki, after losing to Techat the Big 12 championship, all
he had to say was this tech teamis for real.
SPEAKER_03 (34:03):
Well, I think if you look at Well, I think if you
look well, I think if you lookat what Texas Tech's done, uh
they're the best team of thecountry for a reason.
They their only loss cut camewhen they didn't have their
starting quarterback, and so uhthat's that's difficult and on
the road.
And but you look at when they'rea full strength team, uh they're
(34:24):
dangerous.
And so um I'm not on the playoffcommittee, but I can tell you
one thing who's played the bestteam in the country twice.
We have.
And uh does that mean thatyou're not one of the best 12?
I have no idea.
I'm not in that committee.
I don't make the decisions, butum others will find out.
That's the great thing about theplayoffs.
Everybody else will find outwhat we had to go against.
SPEAKER_05 (34:44):
Are you buying that?
Uh I was up, I was with himuntil he said the best team in
the country twice.
SPEAKER_09 (34:51):
He did, he sure did.
SPEAKER_05 (34:52):
That's his opinion.
Yeah, that's his opinion, Iguess.
Uh, but no, I'm I I'm here forit, man.
I'm uh I do hate Texas Tech.
Uh, but uh if you are anobjective football fan, you can
see that they have somethingspecial in Lubbock right now.
SPEAKER_09 (35:11):
That it's not so much they have an abundance of
talent at every position, theyhave football players, yeah.
And they just have this itfactor.
I mean, they play for each otherand they play uh these guys at
tech are playing how coacheswant each of their players to
(35:34):
play.
Hard, physical, execution.
They don't make a lot ofmistakes.
They just don't need theirquarterback to go down and get
hurt because at one point bothof them are hurt, yeah.
Starter and the backup, but youknow, they've they've got it
running back from Austin, uh,another one from the Austin
(35:54):
area.
Uh coming up after Tosh Brooks.
Now he's in the NFL.
They got some dudes now, and youknow, and people were talking
about how much they spent onthis roster.
I don't care.
You can spend all you want.
If this you know it, you canbring all the talent in you in
the world, but if you don't mixas a team and that locker room
(36:16):
isn't straight, you're not doinganything.
SPEAKER_05 (36:18):
No question.
SPEAKER_09 (36:19):
That's it.
Yep, Stevie.
I got it.
Since we're in we're about toenter bowl season, I got I gotta
get a special story from you.
Man cave story time.
(36:39):
It's been a while for StevieLee.
Is there any bowl game youremember that there's a funny,
amusing story that you reallyhaven't told a lot about or
often?
SPEAKER_05 (36:51):
Oh man.
I uh I guess let's go back to mylast game playing against
Michigan is fitting becausewe're playing Michigan again
this year in the bowl.
Uh, but we played them in theRolls Bowl.
My last game to January 1, 2005.
Yep.
Um, I was on uh the field goalteam with Dusty Mangum kicked
(37:16):
that field goal through theuprights.
I was the left guard on fieldgoal, and I I blocked um my man
did not get any kind of push,and as I'm leaning on him, I
look up and see the goal theball go through the goalpost,
(37:37):
and I just took off running.
I don't remember anything afterthat.
I think I came to when I wasdirecting the band in front of
all that's right.
I don't remember anything else.
My wife was a cheerleader at thetime, so she was running all
over the field doing her thingwith cheerleaders.
(37:58):
Apparently, I grabbed the flag,the huge longhorn flag from the
cheerleader and was waving it inthe middle of the field, and
then I went to go direct theband.
I don't remember any of that.
You were riding highrenaline.
I was on adrenaline runningaround the stadium, um, having a
(38:20):
good time, yeah.
SPEAKER_09 (38:21):
As you should, yeah.
Hey, when you get thosepictures, please send to me, and
we'll put them up on socialmedia if you direct in the UT
band.
SPEAKER_05 (38:31):
I will, I will.
SPEAKER_09 (38:36):
Stevie Lee, we're gonna take a quick break on the
other side.
Hey, there's a couple of Texasfootball teams at the Division I
level who are two wins away fromplaying for a national
championship.
We'll see another side of thisbreak.
SPEAKER_08 (38:54):
Honest is a strong word, and we all need honesty
when it comes to plumbing andHVAC needs.
Somebody who will take care ofthe repairs efficiently and with
quality.
Honest plumbing in air is who Itrust, and they take pride in
that word.
Honest plumbing in air, where ahandshake still means something.
SPEAKER_05 (40:44):
Biased.
Love it.
Bias, a little biased.
Axem Jacks, baby.
Axem.
SPEAKER_09 (40:52):
Hey, we got a tall task.
Tall task Friday night.
Stephen F.
Austin travels to perennial FCSPower at Montana State, Bozeman,
Montana.
It's probably going to be 25,000people there.
25,000 seats standing.
It'll be on the ESPN Fridaynight.
SPEAKER_05 (41:13):
Oh wow.
SPEAKER_09 (41:16):
The other program, also purple, part of the AM
system, SFA UT system.
Carleton State is in this alsosurvive.
SPEAKER_05 (41:26):
Wow.
That's awesome.
SPEAKER_09 (41:28):
So man, it's beautiful.
Are you going to Bozeman?
Man, I thought about it, but I Iyou know me in cold weather.
I it's gonna be 34 degrees atgame time.
I have no interest in that.
SPEAKER_05 (41:42):
That's beautiful, man.
That's great, man.
Just layer up and get in bundledup at the stadium, man.
SPEAKER_09 (41:46):
Look like the Stay Puff Marshmallow, man.
SPEAKER_05 (41:49):
No question.
SPEAKER_09 (41:50):
Speaking of layers, Coach Carthell saw me at
midfield after the game, and hehad uh he got me that this
button-up shirt, it's a honeyshirt, Q, QE, QE, QU, something
of the the brand, and then hadit embroidered with the SFA logo
on it, and I wore it, and I had,to my defense, I had another
(42:11):
layer underneath it.
It's a short sleeve shirt,another long sleeve layer
underneath it.
And he looked at me and he goes,Man, we should have got you an
XL.
It's a medium.
We should have got you an XL.
SPEAKER_05 (42:30):
Oh my goodness.
SPEAKER_09 (42:34):
That's funny.
Oh man, so hey, good luck toCharlton and the Stephen F.
Austin Lumberjacks, man.
Let's make it to the Final Four.
And maybe Nacadochis, and andwe'll host another round of
semifinal if they beat MontanaState and if Montana loses at
home, which chances of thathappening, one percent.
(43:00):
Texas high school football,Stevie.
It's dwindling down even more.
But man, some amazing teams fromthe Austin area are one win away
from playing for a state title.
(43:35):
Lake Travis going up againstthis two state powers, Galena
Park North Shore out of Houston,Austin versus Houston, and then
Vandergriff and C.E.
King out of Houston.
I I, you know, I think HankCarter and that group and Lake
Travis have done a phenomenaljob this year.
(43:57):
Vandergriff, I think DrewSanders has done the best job
defending state champions in 6ADivision II.
To get them back to one wentaway from playing at Ford again,
man.
I thought they were in arebuilding year.
And then Lano representing thehill country, and then Shiner,
they win every year.
(44:19):
Good beer down there.
Good beer.
Good beer.
SPEAKER_06 (44:22):
A Ben, tell me something good.
SPEAKER_09 (44:30):
It's always something good to talk about.
You say you love the cold, yousay layer up.
Um go ahead, Stevie.
Regardless of uh all thenegativity and you being the
king of positivity, tell mesomething good, my brother.
SPEAKER_05 (44:46):
Something good is this is the last week of uh
school, and then uh everybody'sout for uh Christmas break.
I'm looking forward to it, man.
This let's I want to get my kidshome with me.
My oldest one is on her way homeon Friday from college, her
first semester of college.
She's on her way home and gonnabe here.
(45:08):
Uh, so I have everybody in myhouse again.
So I'm I'm looking forward tothat, man.
That's something good for me.
Is everyone's gonna be home forthe holiday?
My daughter is gonna be here fora month, and she goes back
mid-mid around mid-January to uhKansas City.
Whole month.
Wow, yeah, yeah.
So it's gonna be great to havemy family back with me.
SPEAKER_09 (45:27):
I love that for you and Summer and both your
daughters.
Man, that's beautiful.
And you get to see the familyagain here in about a week or
so, two weeks.
All of them, all of them.
I'll tell you something good,man.
Well, you know, just for you,Longhorn fans and Notre Dame
fans and others who, you know,you all have a case.
(45:48):
The beautiful thing is thingschange.
We probably won't be goingthrough this again.
The criticism of the CFP isjust, but they have and they
will continue to evolve andchange this until it's near
perfect.
It's never going to be perfect.
Texas fans remember this.
(46:09):
There were a lot of holes onthis offense.
A lot to improve upon four newoffensive linemen, a new tight
end, and receivers thrust intobeing the top receivers, getting
the majority of the snaps.
You had a lot of NFL talent exitthe program, which is a good
thing.
(46:30):
And you had CJ Baxter trying toheal.
And in game nine, you also hadthis new guy, quarterback you
probably heard of, MarchManning.
They evolved.
Just like the CFP is doing.
Texas evolved, and they wereundefeated against their three
(46:51):
rivals, OU, Arkansas, and TexasAM.
Nine and three.
And on the cusp of the CFP.
You get a New Year's Eve, NewYear's Day, weekend game.
Nine and three.
To me, that's something goodbecause it shows that there are
(47:15):
positive things happening.
A rebuilding year at nine wins.
Stevie Lee, I love you, bro.
And to you and your family, andto you watching this, we
appreciate you.
And I know I'm long-windedsometimes, and thank you for
bearing with me.
We'll probably have theplaymaker uh back on the next
reel, uh, next uh reel.
That's Instagram, next episode,and to the great city of
(47:37):
Shreeport, home of Heart GroveRoofing, and the home of the
Stevie Lee into Nacadosis,Texas, the uh home of my college
alma mater, Stephen F.
Austin, beat Montana State, bythe way, to my beautiful
hometown of Austin, Texas, andthe on the edge of the Texas
Hill Country doesn't get anybetter than that.
And to each of you, wherever youare, much love to you and to the
(47:59):
OG Man K boys.
That being Harbaugh Hart, BigMike, and the Coach Mo.
What do we tell him, Stevie Lee?
SPEAKER_05 (48:08):
We out.
I'm in my car in the kidding,kidding up.
I said, get out.
Well, the Texas Longhorns will have to replace
him at Kicker, Mason Crosby.
He's exhausted his eligibility,and the list of Longhorns
entering the transfer portal isgrowing by the hour, it seems,
but hey, this is nothing new.
You, the college football fans,should be conditioned to this.
(01:00):
This is the NIL and Portal era.
It's not a slight to a programfor kids, prospects, um, to
leave the program.
This is just where we are.
You know, this is what uh theportal is for.
Uh, young men, young men andwomen's sports trying to seek
other opportunities.
Better suited for them.
(01:22):
It's not a negative sign foreither the young person or the
program.
We're gonna talk about that inepisode 499, and we're going to
finally, finally let go of thedrama and debate that was the
college football playoff, theone that Texas with three losses
(01:43):
will not be a part of.
And for the right reasons, but Iwill say, Texas is one of the
top eight to ten teams in thecountry, regardless of record.
Hey, Stevie is eager, and so amI.
We got a lot to talk about, alot of change.
(02:03):
This is the month of change withthe college football program to
pass run to Stevie Lee, episode499.
Let's rock.
SPEAKER_04 (02:34):
You're gonna hear.
Number one, Miami's in overNotre Dame.
Miami beat Notre Dame.
Head-to-head games have tomatter.
If they don't matter, why thehell are we playing them?
Number two, if Alabama gets in,even though they lost their
commerce championship game, BYUhas to get in, even though they
lost their commerce championshipgame.
Here's why Texas should be in.
Because if everything iscomparable, don't tell me about
the worst losses.
(02:55):
Tell me about your best wins.
Don't brag about how a team hasa higher floor than another
team.
No.
How high is your ceiling?
The college football playoffs isabout who can win the most
games, not who's gonna lose theworst.
Hell no.
SPEAKER_09 (03:09):
Hey, Manny Ocho had a point, Stevie.
We're gonna put this to bedshortly, but are you glad this
whole debate is over with?
SPEAKER_05 (03:19):
Yeah, um, it still needs to evolve a little bit.
Full disclosure for Ocho, he'she has a dog in the fight, so
that's why he was uh he waspretty passionate about Texas.
Um man, going before theweekend, I knew that it was
gonna be tough uphill battle forus to get in.
So it wasn't a surprise for me,but there is there's debate um
(03:42):
on what what should happen andwhat should have happened.
Uh, and people are griping alittle bit, rightfully so.
And um, I mean, we have acollege football playoffs, and I
and and no offense to little thelittle um universities out
there, but we have James Madisonin.
(04:02):
Like we gotta think about this.
Like, like if it's the collegefootball playoffs, are we
letting people in that actuallycould go and compete for it, or
are we letting people in um toshow love to different uh
divisions and uh and andconferences?
So where are we?
So that that has to be answered.
SPEAKER_09 (04:24):
Fair take.
Fair take.
SPEAKER_05 (04:26):
Because I don't think anybody is choosing James
Madison to win the championship.
SPEAKER_09 (04:31):
Nobody's choosing Tulane.
SPEAKER_05 (04:33):
No one's too choosing Tulane.
Yes, they have a chance, butcome on, come on.
The the some of the three teamsthat y'all left out have better
chances than those schools.
You know what I mean?
SPEAKER_09 (04:44):
Yeah, I agree, and yeah, I and it's hard, and we're
gonna get heavier into thecriticism, but in a way in which
we're putting it to rest as youshould.
Don't be bitter, don't hate onit.
It's just how it's set up, andwe have no control over it.
It's like politics.
We have our views, we canexpress them, but in the end,
(05:07):
it's not gonna change foranother year, for another
season.
Hey, in case you're not aware,I'm Sean Clint, the host of
Stories Inside the Man Cape,co-host of this great series,
The Pass Rush with Stevie Lee,the guy to the right, proud
native of Shreeport, Louisiana,and proud former Longhorn who
played for the great Mac Brown.
(05:28):
Hey, be sure to follow us on allof our social media platforms,
they're all listed right there,and you can subscribe for free
to our YouTube page.
And you are we m have much lovefor you and appreciation for you
of just following along,commenting, and watching all of
these episodes.
Uh, we may be without theplaymaker, Mike Adams.
You know, we're all busy, andhonestly, December, although
(05:51):
short, for those working types,as we all are, we're trying to
cram a lot into a few weeksbecause a lot of people will be
unplugged here shortly.
So we're trying to be productiveduring our work time, Stevie.
Uh, we have to give love to ourfamily, the hardgrove family who
(06:12):
make this possible.
And they just had theirChristmas party in Houston, but
that's because they love thegreat state of Texas and the
state of Louisiana, and you arethe man who says it the best
about this great company.
SPEAKER_05 (06:25):
Hardgrove Roofing knows on your roof, and they
know how to party too.
SPEAKER_09 (06:30):
No question.
Celebrate life and celebratethis beautiful season that is
Christmas.
I will say change is inevitable.
Um, and we're gonna get a littlebit more into this um, this
little subject matter, if youwill, on what we would change,
because there's a lot tocriticize, but you know, it it
(06:51):
has gotten better since itstarted, and it actually
improved from when it expandedto 12 teams last year when they
put the four highest ratedconference champions as the top
four.
This year it's just the top fourin the CFP.
But the top five highest, thefive highest rated conference
(07:14):
champions get in to the CFP.
That I will say I think you onlyallow G5 programs in if they're
in the top 12.
That's how I feel.
That's how I feel.
SPEAKER_05 (07:33):
Gotcha.
SPEAKER_09 (07:34):
Do they deserve a spot at the table?
Yes, if they're in the top 12.
SPEAKER_05 (07:41):
Yeah.
I like it.
I like it, Sean.
I like that.
SPEAKER_09 (07:46):
Or, as I said on Sunday on a TikTok video when I
was leaving the beautiful cityof Nackydoches to come back home
to Austin, I said, or expand to16, but we're still gonna have
the bitching and debating ofwho's 17, 18, 19, but still have
(08:08):
that rule for the G5, oreliminate and have a bracket for
the G5 alone to compete for anational championship, the G5
national championship.
Have an 18 playoff for them.
SPEAKER_05 (08:26):
So then we have two national champions in NCAA.
Actually, I guess we have morethan that.
SPEAKER_09 (08:32):
Yeah, you go power four, power five, g5, fcs at the
division one level.
So it can go anyways, or you canjust go with the FCS model
invite 2014s and um eightplaying or four playing games
and go that route.
That's just but but you're stillgoing to have bitching and
(08:54):
moaning.
Well, who's a 25, 26, 27, 2018?
You know, it's that's just howit is.
Yeah, so with MA absent, I thinkwe gotta bring in the Longhorns.
They're going.
I I I know they paid a lot ofmoney, all these bowl games for
their sponsorship.
The cheese it citrus bowl.
(09:15):
Um, Stevie, this is obviouslyyou played in a four of these
bowl games, mainly great games.
Um, this is in Orlando, Florida.
Um, it's also a time now withwhere we are.
You've got kids opting out forthe NFL, they're gonna wrap up
their career, they're not gonnasuit up for the bowl game.
(09:36):
You have kids entering the NIL,or excuse me, the transfer
portal, I think, which opensJanuary 2nd.
Um, and we're gonna kind of gothrough that.
But these bowl games, I thinkSark said it best, summarizing
what it is.
It it's it's gives the youngerkids an opportunity to compete
(09:57):
before they enter spring camp,which, as you know, is when the
team's really molded.
SPEAKER_00 (10:04):
I'm sure it'll take a little bit of time to get to
the to the final number of whomay and who may not play, but
that's okay.
We've got a really youngfootball team.
We've got a lot of good youngplayers that are that are
chomping at the bit for theiropportunity to play.
We're gonna get a lot ofextended practice time.
Essentially, this is gonna turninto uh uh another spring ball
for us where a lot of youngplayers are gonna get an
(10:25):
opportunity to show how muchthey've grown and developed over
the season, um, and with theopportunity to potentially play
in this game where this gamedoesn't count against their
eligibility.
SPEAKER_09 (10:35):
Okay, so that that sums up that part where it's not
gonna count against anybody'seligibility eligibility.
It's the last game of the year.
Um, first off, address what hesaid about that, then we'll get
into the matchup.
Um you you look at the the themovement, the movement on the
(10:57):
roster.
I mean, I know you guysexperience a little bit, but now
this is a regular annualoccurrence.
You it's good the you're gonnasee a lot of people playing more
minutes than you probably sawthem during the season.
I mean, what what is yourthoughts on this?
Because even though you and Iare pretty much the same
(11:19):
generation era, um, I'm stilltrying to wrap my head around
the amount of roster changesduring before a bowl game or
CFP.
SPEAKER_05 (11:32):
Yeah, it we and we didn't have it like that when
when I played.
Um I think uh a couple of guysshould have uh sat out the bowl
game, but didn't.
There's one guy that sat didn'tthat played the bowl game and
got really hurt and did not youknow work out for NFL scouts and
things like that.
(11:52):
So that it's really unfortunatewhen you do get hurt as a senior
going into um uh combines andand uh and pro days and things
like that.
Because honestly, if you're notin the college football
playoffs, it's kind of a umuseless uh game for you as a
senior.
Yeah, uh, but it actually worksfor you going into your spring.
(12:14):
So I do like what coach said, uhgetting the practices in, um
basically three weeks ofpractice extra practices going
into spring ball, showing whatyou can do, showing coaches what
you can do.
Um maybe somebody have abreakout um uh bowl practice,
and and the coaches feel moreconfident about them playing
(12:36):
next season to where they don'thave to go out and get somebody
in their position in the portal.
So it's uh it's also evaluationtime.
Yeah, uh the Citrus Bowl is nota bad bowl.
Uh yeah, it's a good bowl.
And uh we're playing Michigan,and so it's good competition in
that bowl.
So all the underclassmen thatare staying here and that's
(12:57):
that's that's bought into theTexas system, just go out and
have a great practice.
Um have great three what threeweeks of practices, um, and and
show up at the game and uh andbe professional.
And uh that may earn your spotfor next season, uh, and and
definitely get momentum goinginto the spring ball.
SPEAKER_09 (13:19):
But when you look at this roster movement uh heading
into the Citrus Bowl, which ison New Year's Eve, um, you know,
you I think we knew this wascoming.
Um Sark, the recruitment ofAnthony Hill, number zero, he
flipped him from AM to Texas,and he has had a tremendous
career.
He made an impact immediately.
(13:40):
Um, it's not a question to you,Stevie, of whether you agree or
disagree.
He's done.
He's not playing another gamefor as a longhorn, and that's
the bittersweet part of this,but I think he's done all he
can.
As far as NFL stock, right?
Or do you think he could elevateit at all?
SPEAKER_05 (14:05):
No, I think that um at this point he has enough game
film to where scouts can uh goand scout him and things like
that.
The the um the I agree with himnot playing, uh just because I
like I said, I lived it.
Um a teammate of mine got hurtand did not go on to play in the
(14:28):
NFL over a meaningless,meaningless, to him meaningless
holiday ball, you know right?
So um that person missed out onmaking potentially making
millions just because he playedin the holiday ball.
Um, and so I think that um Hillis making a business decision,
(14:49):
and we have to applaud him andsupport him in that.
And and I know people are stillout there like, man, I wish
these guys was playing a bowlgame and things like that.
It's a business decision, guys.
It really is.
And yes, I want to see him suitup in a burn orange again, but
he has to make the best decisionfor him and his family and for
(15:09):
generational wealth that he canuh accumulate.
So um I don't fault them for it,it just sucks the way it's set
up right now.
SPEAKER_09 (15:18):
So continuing the roster movement, depending on
when you're watching that, sofar, the guys who have entered
the portal for Texas, Trey Owensat quarterback, uh running back
CJ Baxter, kind of a surprise,but that injury really derailed
his, he just wasn't the same.
(15:40):
Melvin Hills, the defensivetackle, Will Stone early in the
year, the kicker, and thenConnor Stroh, the offensive
lineman.
I believe he started five gamesfor Texas.
I mean, there is no criticism ofany of these, any guys who are
wanting to transfer out.
But when you see this listgrowing and you look at what
(16:04):
Texas may be returning, is thereanything concerning for you?
Because this is really when ifyou're looking at their 4D at
their position, they just had anamazing signing class, early
signing class.
You know they're going tothere's that thumbs up, um
(16:26):
thumbs up for the CFP Aggies.
Um, it did it again.
Um when you look at you knowthey're gonna fill some spots in
the portal.
Sark and that coaching staff aregonna be have been and probably
are shopping as we speak.
What are we looking at?
(16:47):
With this, you see who'sentering the portal right now,
and probably there's gonna bemany more.
Where do you go?
Where do you what are youlooking for in this portal?
SPEAKER_05 (16:58):
Well, I'm looking for a badass running back.
I'm looking that for us uh acouple more offensive linemen.
Um I know this line um is new,and we had a kid that got hurt
in uh camp.
Yeah, um, what was his name?
I can't remember.
SPEAKER_09 (17:18):
Was it Will or is it Christian Clark?
SPEAKER_05 (17:21):
Uh yeah, I think so.
So um he'll be back, you know,depending on how bad the injury
was, but we still need some moredepth.
And um so we need a we need arunning back, a little more
depth on the O-line, and we needto go and find a number one
(17:42):
receiver, like we did uh what'sthe kid that came from Georgia?
Uh Golden?
SPEAKER_09 (17:49):
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.
You you gotta have a portal, adifference maker.
SPEAKER_05 (17:53):
Yeah, a difference maker at running back and
receiver.
Now, do we have any holes at uhuh and on the defensive side?
SPEAKER_09 (18:02):
Maybe so we may need a safety, perhaps.
SPEAKER_05 (18:07):
Safety, I was gonna say safety, um, and outside
linebacker to try to replaceheel or um, but you know,
everybody else is solid.
I know we we're we're uh we'relosing.
Um who are we losing?
Uh Taft, right?
Yep.
Yeah, so you know, some somebodythat can kind of pull out pull
(18:30):
that slack a little bit.
So uh I mean we may have thedepth on the depth chart
already, but you those are thethings that I would want to look
for.
Now we also need a kickerbecause um Shipley came in and
took over Brooke Bert Auburn.
Um and and and Shipley did verywell.
Now he's gone.
SPEAKER_09 (18:50):
So you need a we need a punter too.
SPEAKER_05 (18:52):
We need a punter, yeah, exactly.
So like I said, though we we mayhave that on the roster already,
but those are things that weneed to look at, though the guys
that are leaving.
SPEAKER_09 (19:03):
Yeah, you know, they it's it's it I think it will all
work itself out.
I think fans have got to bepatient, but be excited too,
because when you shop thisportal, it there it's a fine
line.
You could go get a lot oftalent, but you they've got to
be a fit in into the program.
You know, there's you know, I itmakes me wonder if uh Wisner is
(19:26):
gonna opt for the NFL.
SPEAKER_05 (19:29):
Yeah, we'll see.
SPEAKER_09 (19:31):
They had two running back signees, uh Jet Walker out
of Georgetown, and then DerekCooper, who's a phenomenal back.
I think he's rated five starrunning back.
Um, and then you know, I think alot of people are excited what
to see what um Justice Terry islike as a sophomore.
That is, he's at defensive line.
(19:55):
You know, there's there's talentout there, but to your point,
bring in a portal guy to help.
Mature and grow these young menat these these certain
positions.
Um, but there are holes, and andand you gotta have a balance of
dog and leadership mixed withthese young young pups.
SPEAKER_05 (20:16):
Yeah, I think that um Malik Mohammed is gonna be
pretty good next year.
Hopefully he But does he leave?
Hopefully he stays.
Hopefully he stays.
Uh I think that he does need tostay, though.
I I saw a lot from him, and hewas great and making big plays,
(20:36):
but um he can he can do betterthis season, next season.
So hopefully he stays.
SPEAKER_09 (20:44):
Well, to put a wrap, and I know it's it's you know,
Texas fans have got to realizelisten, the politicking done by
Sark and that entire staff andother programs did a phenomenal
job, delivered some valid pointsum to get in.
But I'm not asking you to agreewith me at all.
(21:06):
I just don't think three loss, athree-loss team belongs in the
CFP.
However, they kept Alabama inwith three losses, the third
loss being the conference secchampionship game against
Georgia.
If you look at Alabama's resume,sketch, what they did, very
similar to Texas.
(21:28):
You know, they got hammered byGeorgia, but they beat Georgia
early in the year.
Texas did not do that, but andbut they also had a bad loss to
Florida State.
So there's some comparableresumes there.
But when you look at this, Iknow that I just go to the 12
(21:49):
seed and the 11, the two G5s,because they were two of the
five highest ranked conferencechampions.
When you look at this bracket,who's your surprise?
Or do you just see those topfour moving on?
SPEAKER_05 (22:09):
I think Texas Tech is gonna get surprised by uh
Oregon.
SPEAKER_09 (22:12):
Really?
SPEAKER_05 (22:13):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_09 (22:14):
Okay, for sure.
SPEAKER_05 (22:16):
Texas Tech, I don't know.
I mean, they they're they'regood and they on a high, but
they're gonna they're gonna turninto Texas Tech after uh going
into this college footballplayoffs.
Um what I don't like is seeingNotre Dame and Texas being held
out of the college footballplayoffs and James Madison and
(22:38):
Tulane in.
They have no chance againstthese powerhouses.
None.
And I think that um Texas andand Notre Dame has a chance.
So put the the teams that have abest chance of getting to the
national national championshipgame and maybe winning it.
Um James Madison will have to gothrough you know Oregon, Texas
(23:03):
Tech, either you know, AlabamaOU or or uh Indiana.
That's just not gonna happen,man.
Yeah, it's not so you know ifyou're if you're in the room and
you took the computers out ofit, we don't have the BCS
computer anymore, you know.
So look at look at be, I mean,be human, you know what I'm
(23:25):
saying?
So yes, hats off to JamesMadison, but it's just I'm
sorry, right?
SPEAKER_09 (23:32):
Yeah, no, I get it, brother.
I really do.
Yeah, I really do.
Um, Notre Dame.
I don't know what's up withthat.
They they they said as a team,no, we're not going to a bowl,
we're turning it down.
(23:53):
Um, and the jokes, thecriticism, I mean, I think this
is a a trend, but you can't helpbut dish out some humor.
Usually that sign says, youknow, um play like a champion.
Play like a champion.
Well, quit when things don't gomy way.
(24:14):
That's how it looked.
You know, and I know there's aton of criticism.
I know there's people saying,hey, you know what?
We're trying to that's basicallythey're protesting this college
football playoff.
Notre Dame started the year 0-2,lost to Miami.
Who knew that that loss to Miamiwould be the decisive factor and
(24:36):
would be the decision maker fortheir season into the CFP?
SPEAKER_05 (24:44):
Yeah, yeah, I don't know.
And then then they came back andlost to um AM at home.
So yeah, I mean, both theirlosses early in the season were
to college football teams.
Yep.
SPEAKER_09 (25:01):
CFP participants.
SPEAKER_05 (25:02):
CFP participants.
And did James Madison play any?
SPEAKER_09 (25:09):
I have not studied.
All I know is that old missdestroyed Tulane this year.
SPEAKER_05 (25:14):
Uh-huh.
SPEAKER_09 (25:16):
Ole Miss is in the CFP.
SPEAKER_05 (25:18):
Yeah, man.
I I hear you.
So yeah, I don't know.
SPEAKER_09 (25:28):
It's the system's gotta change.
I I would venture to say yougotta go to 14 or 16, and you
can only have these G5s in ifthey're in the top 12.
That's it.
Bottom line.
Or create, let the G5 succeedand create their own bracket
(25:52):
because they're never gonna.
I just don't see them winning anational championship in the CFP
era.
Um, so there's a growing list ofteams which said, hell no, we
don't want a game.
Notre Dame is not alone,brother.
Look at this list.
Who turned down a bowl game?
(26:19):
For various reasons, not all arethe same.
You know, Baylor, I understand.
So, okay, let me let me add somecontext to this.
Baylor turned it down,essentially, they have a losing
record.
These are teams that and Auburnturned it down because they've
got essentially a losing record.
(26:40):
I mean, that's we have too manybowls.
Too many bowls.
I mean, this is not a good signfor the future of bowl games.
Do you see this happening?
SPEAKER_05 (26:57):
No, I don't.
I don't like it.
Um, I would love to know uheveryone's reasoning for why
they turn down bowl gamesbecause one that there's money
for the program at a bowl game,and two, those practices are
invaluable, man.
Yes, though practicing up to thebowl game, like that, those are
(27:19):
very, very important to me.
When when um when Texas went onits downward spiral back in
those Charlie Strong days andearly on in the um in the uh
Herman days, trying to do tryingto get real practices after your
(27:42):
last game of the season, it'sjust can't happen.
And then so you're behind theeight ball going into next
season, I feel like.
You know, I feel the same way.
You don't go to a bowl, you missabout 15 practices.
Am I correct?
SPEAKER_09 (27:57):
Well, most of them, but there's well, there's a
couple of bowl games, which youknow, there's one in like a
week.
SPEAKER_05 (28:07):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_09 (28:09):
You know, it and it's uh if you go, I mean, I'm
trying to find this informationfor you.
So, like these teams, most ofthese have losing records.
So they're this is this is theirway, these bowl games, trying to
find enough bowl-eligible teamswith six wins.
(28:30):
I mean, look at this the famousIdaho Potato Bowl, Washington
State, Utah State, both six andsix.
It's just it's I don't know,man.
And then UTSA got in.
You know, they they reached fulleligibility.
But a lot of these teams, man,they just like here's here's
another one (28:53):
the Birmingham Bowl, Georgia Southern, six and
six, taking on five and sevenAppalachian State.
Come on, man.
All right, man.
Indiana knocked off the sleighthe giant, number one seed now.
They beat Ohio State.
Man, I love their quarterback,and he was asked, uh, why or how
(29:17):
does how has Indiana been ableto do this this last two years?
SPEAKER_02 (29:52):
We can do it, we can deep because we need to go to
the we're gonna stick together,the wicked funniest blue ever.
SPEAKER_09 (29:58):
Sounds just like their coach, Signetti.
SPEAKER_05 (30:01):
Somebody give that kid a job, man.
He's gonna be in front of thecamera one of these days.
SPEAKER_09 (30:07):
Indiana's that's a program built from nothing.
SPEAKER_05 (30:14):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_09 (30:16):
And Signetti has done an amazing job, and they
call themselves Misfits.
Knocking off Ohio State in theBig Ten championship game.
What chance uh what percentageof a chance are you giving these
Hoozers to winning the nationaltitle?
SPEAKER_05 (30:35):
Oh it's a high percentage.
They can do it.
Um they just look good.
They look good.
Um, let's see.
SPEAKER_09 (30:48):
Golly, I'm giving them a 40% chance.
SPEAKER_05 (30:51):
40%.
I was gonna say 50, so it's it'salmost losers or bust, almost.
SPEAKER_09 (30:58):
So uh well they'll play the winner, I believe.
I think they'll play the winnerof Oklahoma, Alabama.
SPEAKER_05 (31:06):
Yeah, yeah.
Golly, if I had to put money onit, I think I will put it on
them.
SPEAKER_09 (31:14):
But you know, I'd be curious to see how OU's defense
up against Indiana.
SPEAKER_05 (31:21):
Yeah, I hear you.
Actually, actually, I'm sorry,let me take that back because
I'm I don't think I will betagainst Kirby Smart right now.
SPEAKER_09 (31:34):
Georgia?
SPEAKER_05 (31:34):
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_09 (31:37):
They flipped the switch.
SPEAKER_05 (31:38):
They did, they did, they turned it on, they beat
Texas, they turned it on, and Isee them getting better.
SPEAKER_09 (31:46):
That's a Kirby Smart traditional type team.
SPEAKER_05 (31:49):
Yeah, they get better throughout the season.
What the product you see at thebeginning of the season is not
the product you see at the endof the season.
SPEAKER_09 (31:56):
Well, let me ask you this is Ethan Mendoza win the
Heisman.
SPEAKER_05 (32:05):
I'm a pleasure, I'm not sure.
SPEAKER_09 (32:08):
Are you are you pulling for your guy, Diego
Papia?
SPEAKER_05 (32:13):
Excuse me.
No, not Diego.
I just don't like him or hisfamily.
His his brother really turnedturned me the wrong way, rubbed
me the wrong way.
I don't know, man.
And uh the the arrogance of himis is a little bit off-putting
(32:33):
for me.
SPEAKER_09 (32:34):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_05 (32:34):
Um, but you know, we'll see.
SPEAKER_09 (32:37):
Um but he brought some swagger to Vandy, though.
He did what?
He brought swagger to Vandy.
SPEAKER_05 (32:46):
Yeah, but you know, Vandy's gonna be again, just
like Baylor became Baylor again.
SPEAKER_09 (32:52):
Well, they they just signed the number one
quarterback in the country.
They stole him from Georgia.
Or flipped no, I flipped himfrom Georgia.
Okay.
I like Clark Lee, the head coachof Vandy.
No pop no politic and nocampaigning really.
After the CFP was announced, hesaid, he said, well, we had our
(33:19):
chances against Alabama andTexas, and we didn't do it.
Yeah, I'll tell you who's notwhining, and I and I know you're
gonna hate me for saying this.
Man, I really love watching thefour seed, the Red Raiders,
Texas Tech.
They're scrappy, play with a lotof heart, and they have a
linebacker who might win theHeisman.
Um, so what is does Texas Techhave a chance?
(33:44):
Well, ask BYU head coach, uhKalani Sataki.
They lost to Tech twice, and itwasn't even close.
And Sitaki, after losing to Techat the Big 12 championship, all
he had to say was this tech teamis for real.
SPEAKER_03 (34:03):
Well, I think if you look at Well, I think if you
look well, I think if you lookat what Texas Tech's done, uh
they're the best team of thecountry for a reason.
They their only loss cut camewhen they didn't have their
starting quarterback, and so uhthat's that's difficult and on
the road.
And but you look at when they'rea full strength team, uh they're
(34:24):
dangerous.
And so um I'm not on the playoffcommittee, but I can tell you
one thing who's played the bestteam in the country twice.
We have.
And uh does that mean thatyou're not one of the best 12?
I have no idea.
I'm not in that committee.
I don't make the decisions, butum others will find out.
That's the great thing about theplayoffs.
Everybody else will find outwhat we had to go against.
SPEAKER_05 (34:44):
Are you buying that?
Uh I was up, I was with himuntil he said the best team in
the country twice.
SPEAKER_09 (34:51):
He did, he sure did.
SPEAKER_05 (34:52):
That's his opinion.
Yeah, that's his opinion, Iguess.
Uh, but no, I'm I I'm here forit, man.
I'm uh I do hate Texas Tech.
Uh, but uh if you are anobjective football fan, you can
see that they have somethingspecial in Lubbock right now.
SPEAKER_09 (35:11):
That it's not so much they have an abundance of
talent at every position, theyhave football players, yeah.
And they just have this itfactor.
I mean, they play for each otherand they play uh these guys at
tech are playing how coacheswant each of their players to
(35:34):
play.
Hard, physical, execution.
They don't make a lot ofmistakes.
They just don't need theirquarterback to go down and get
hurt because at one point bothof them are hurt, yeah.
Starter and the backup, but youknow, they've they've got it
running back from Austin, uh,another one from the Austin
(35:54):
area.
Uh coming up after Tosh Brooks.
Now he's in the NFL.
They got some dudes now, and youknow, and people were talking
about how much they spent onthis roster.
I don't care.
You can spend all you want.
If this you know it, you canbring all the talent in you in
the world, but if you don't mixas a team and that locker room
(36:16):
isn't straight, you're not doinganything.
SPEAKER_05 (36:18):
No question.
SPEAKER_09 (36:19):
That's it.
Yep, Stevie.
I got it.
Since we're in we're about toenter bowl season, I got I gotta
get a special story from you.
Man cave story time.
(36:39):
It's been a while for StevieLee.
Is there any bowl game youremember that there's a funny,
amusing story that you reallyhaven't told a lot about or
often?
SPEAKER_05 (36:51):
Oh man.
I uh I guess let's go back to mylast game playing against
Michigan is fitting becausewe're playing Michigan again
this year in the bowl.
Uh, but we played them in theRolls Bowl.
My last game to January 1, 2005.
Yep.
Um, I was on uh the field goalteam with Dusty Mangum kicked
(37:16):
that field goal through theuprights.
I was the left guard on fieldgoal, and I I blocked um my man
did not get any kind of push,and as I'm leaning on him, I
look up and see the goal theball go through the goalpost,
(37:37):
and I just took off running.
I don't remember anything afterthat.
I think I came to when I wasdirecting the band in front of
all that's right.
I don't remember anything else.
My wife was a cheerleader at thetime, so she was running all
over the field doing her thingwith cheerleaders.
(37:58):
Apparently, I grabbed the flag,the huge longhorn flag from the
cheerleader and was waving it inthe middle of the field, and
then I went to go direct theband.
I don't remember any of that.
You were riding highrenaline.
I was on adrenaline runningaround the stadium, um, having a
(38:20):
good time, yeah.
SPEAKER_09 (38:21):
As you should, yeah.
Hey, when you get thosepictures, please send to me, and
we'll put them up on socialmedia if you direct in the UT
band.
SPEAKER_05 (38:31):
I will, I will.
SPEAKER_09 (38:36):
Stevie Lee, we're gonna take a quick break on the
other side.
Hey, there's a couple of Texasfootball teams at the Division I
level who are two wins away fromplaying for a national
championship.
We'll see another side of thisbreak.
SPEAKER_08 (38:54):
Honest is a strong word, and we all need honesty
when it comes to plumbing andHVAC needs.
Somebody who will take care ofthe repairs efficiently and with
quality.
Honest plumbing in air is who Itrust, and they take pride in
that word.
Honest plumbing in air, where ahandshake still means something.
SPEAKER_05 (40:44):
Biased.
Love it.
Bias, a little biased.
Axem Jacks, baby.
Axem.
SPEAKER_09 (40:52):
Hey, we got a tall task.
Tall task Friday night.
Stephen F.
Austin travels to perennial FCSPower at Montana State, Bozeman,
Montana.
It's probably going to be 25,000people there.
25,000 seats standing.
It'll be on the ESPN Fridaynight.
SPEAKER_05 (41:13):
Oh wow.
SPEAKER_09 (41:16):
The other program, also purple, part of the AM
system, SFA UT system.
Carleton State is in this alsosurvive.
SPEAKER_05 (41:26):
Wow.
That's awesome.
SPEAKER_09 (41:28):
So man, it's beautiful.
Are you going to Bozeman?
Man, I thought about it, but I Iyou know me in cold weather.
I it's gonna be 34 degrees atgame time.
I have no interest in that.
SPEAKER_05 (41:42):
That's beautiful, man.
That's great, man.
Just layer up and get in bundledup at the stadium, man.
SPEAKER_09 (41:46):
Look like the Stay Puff Marshmallow, man.
SPEAKER_05 (41:49):
No question.
SPEAKER_09 (41:50):
Speaking of layers, Coach Carthell saw me at
midfield after the game, and hehad uh he got me that this
button-up shirt, it's a honeyshirt, Q, QE, QE, QU, something
of the the brand, and then hadit embroidered with the SFA logo
on it, and I wore it, and I had,to my defense, I had another
(42:11):
layer underneath it.
It's a short sleeve shirt,another long sleeve layer
underneath it.
And he looked at me and he goes,Man, we should have got you an
XL.
It's a medium.
We should have got you an XL.
SPEAKER_05 (42:30):
Oh my goodness.
SPEAKER_09 (42:34):
That's funny.
Oh man, so hey, good luck toCharlton and the Stephen F.
Austin Lumberjacks, man.
Let's make it to the Final Four.
And maybe Nacadochis, and andwe'll host another round of
semifinal if they beat MontanaState and if Montana loses at
home, which chances of thathappening, one percent.
(43:00):
Texas high school football,Stevie.
It's dwindling down even more.
But man, some amazing teams fromthe Austin area are one win away
from playing for a state title.
(43:35):
Lake Travis going up againstthis two state powers, Galena
Park North Shore out of Houston,Austin versus Houston, and then
Vandergriff and C.E.
King out of Houston.
I I, you know, I think HankCarter and that group and Lake
Travis have done a phenomenaljob this year.
(43:57):
Vandergriff, I think DrewSanders has done the best job
defending state champions in 6ADivision II.
To get them back to one wentaway from playing at Ford again,
man.
I thought they were in arebuilding year.
And then Lano representing thehill country, and then Shiner,
they win every year.
(44:19):
Good beer down there.
Good beer.
Good beer.
SPEAKER_06 (44:22):
A Ben, tell me something good.
SPEAKER_09 (44:30):
It's always something good to talk about.
You say you love the cold, yousay layer up.
Um go ahead, Stevie.
Regardless of uh all thenegativity and you being the
king of positivity, tell mesomething good, my brother.
SPEAKER_05 (44:46):
Something good is this is the last week of uh
school, and then uh everybody'sout for uh Christmas break.
I'm looking forward to it, man.
This let's I want to get my kidshome with me.
My oldest one is on her way homeon Friday from college, her
first semester of college.
She's on her way home and gonnabe here.
(45:08):
Uh, so I have everybody in myhouse again.
So I'm I'm looking forward tothat, man.
That's something good for me.
Is everyone's gonna be home forthe holiday?
My daughter is gonna be here fora month, and she goes back
mid-mid around mid-January to uhKansas City.
Whole month.
Wow, yeah, yeah.
So it's gonna be great to havemy family back with me.
SPEAKER_09 (45:27):
I love that for you and Summer and both your
daughters.
Man, that's beautiful.
And you get to see the familyagain here in about a week or
so, two weeks.
All of them, all of them.
I'll tell you something good,man.
Well, you know, just for you,Longhorn fans and Notre Dame
fans and others who, you know,you all have a case.
(45:48):
The beautiful thing is thingschange.
We probably won't be goingthrough this again.
The criticism of the CFP isjust, but they have and they
will continue to evolve andchange this until it's near
perfect.
It's never going to be perfect.
Texas fans remember this.
(46:09):
There were a lot of holes onthis offense.
A lot to improve upon four newoffensive linemen, a new tight
end, and receivers thrust intobeing the top receivers, getting
the majority of the snaps.
You had a lot of NFL talent exitthe program, which is a good
thing.
(46:30):
And you had CJ Baxter trying toheal.
And in game nine, you also hadthis new guy, quarterback you
probably heard of, MarchManning.
They evolved.
Just like the CFP is doing.
Texas evolved, and they wereundefeated against their three
(46:51):
rivals, OU, Arkansas, and TexasAM.
Nine and three.
And on the cusp of the CFP.
You get a New Year's Eve, NewYear's Day, weekend game.
Nine and three.
To me, that's something goodbecause it shows that there are
(47:15):
positive things happening.
A rebuilding year at nine wins.
Stevie Lee, I love you, bro.
And to you and your family, andto you watching this, we
appreciate you.
And I know I'm long-windedsometimes, and thank you for
bearing with me.
We'll probably have theplaymaker uh back on the next
reel, uh, next uh reel.
That's Instagram, next episode,and to the great city of
(47:37):
Shreeport, home of Heart GroveRoofing, and the home of the
Stevie Lee into Nacadosis,Texas, the uh home of my college
alma mater, Stephen F.
Austin, beat Montana State, bythe way, to my beautiful
hometown of Austin, Texas, andthe on the edge of the Texas
Hill Country doesn't get anybetter than that.
And to each of you, wherever youare, much love to you and to the
(47:59):
OG Man K boys.
That being Harbaugh Hart, BigMike, and the Coach Mo.
What do we tell him, Stevie Lee?
SPEAKER_05 (48:08):
We out.
I'm in my car in the kidding,kidding up.
I said, get out.
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