November 12, 2025 • 36 mins
Joe Maddon is not a fan of a college coach with no MLB experience getting the nod in the big leagues. Its Lit features Ben Rortvedt leaving the Dodgers, a former All-Star outfielder who could be on the Dodgers' radar and more. David Kohler tells us how you can own a piece (or pieces) of sports history.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
No, all right, We continue on Fred Rogan Rodney Pete on
AM five to seventy LA Sports. As we continue Rodney
in hour one, and if you miss it, you can
check the podcast. Kevin will put it up the minute
we get off the air. Just get the free iHeartRadio app.
Stream the show wherever you go, live twenty four hours
a day, AM five to seventy LA Sports. You can
(00:25):
take us wherever you go. Just put us in your pocket,
keep us close to your heart because we're always up
there and we're always always talking. Now, we talked about
the Dodger outfield situation in our one. Here's another thing,
and the question becomes, what are the Dodgers doing? Are
they gonna make moves because they want to or are
(00:46):
they gonna make moves because they need to? And there's
a distinct difference. Do they want to do something? They
can do whatever they want, but what do they need?
And what is more important? My feeling is need is
more important than one. Let's start with that. So when
i'mber one, we kicked around Cody Bellinger coming back, who
would be more affordable than a Kyle Tucker, And we
(01:08):
also talked about Ryan Woard the twenty seven year old
outfielder Brandon Gohme says, that's it. He can't do anything
else in Triple A. I mean, he's done in the miners.
He's done what he can do. It's time for him
to move up, move out, but he can't go back there.
So he's a possibility too if they don't make a
move in the outfield. But now let's talk about the
pitching staff and the bullpen, and I guess it depends
(01:32):
on the year as to what you need more. Coming
into last season, well, you had to solidify that starting staff.
You had to make sure because you remembered what happened
the year before when everybody got hurt and the bullpen
was great. So they did and it worked. Now this
year you're going, well, we need a closer because of
(01:56):
what happened. Our bullpen fell apart. Why because everybody got hurt.
Deal just reverse it. So now it's do you want
to fix the bullpen or do you need to fix
the bullpen? Really those are the questions. And if you
need to fix the bullpen, how are you going to
fix it? Yeah, So there were reports that sware As
(02:18):
out of San Diego could be available. Yeah, he's a
free agent, big time, big time. Yeah, I can't remember.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
What do you want?
Speaker 1 (02:25):
Forty million over four years or sixty million over four years,
something like that? All right, And they can do that
because they acquired Mason Miller from the A's and they've
now got a closer. It throws one hundred and two
miles an hour. That guy's a complete fix. Thut he
can throw, he can throw. The problem is the thread.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
The thing is with anything in sports, it's so fluid,
and it's year by year like you just you just
ran it down. You know, one year it's the bullpen's
got the issue, and the next year it's the starting
pitching he's got the issue, and then you do things accordingly.
But I think the way they set it up for
(03:02):
their starting pitching with the Dodgers, it wasn't a one
year fix for starting pitching. This is a multi year fix.
They are if I'm looking at this right, and I
haven't gone through the numbers, but they've got a number
of guys still locked up, but they are set for
at least the next three years when it comes to
starting pitching. Would that be safe to say? One?
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Right? Bullpen issue?
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Look, they relied on the bullpen to get them through
and win the World Series, which they won against the
Yankees that year because starting pitching was flawed, which is
why they did in the offseason what they did and
solidified that. So now as you go through this year
and you look up and go, starting pitching was our
(03:50):
strength and bullpen was the problem. Do you do an
overhaul of the bullpen? That's the thing that you've got
to really look yourselves in a mirror and go, do
we need to do an overhaul or was this year
for Tanner Scott just an aberration and he will get
back to form. Was this year for the entire bullpen aberration?
(04:11):
Or will they get back to form? And do you
need to do a complete overhaul of the bullpen and
bring in two to three more guys, Because remember, there
are certain guys that were injured that didn't even play
a factor, that were key components of your bullpen the
year before. Grattarol Michael Kolpek, who was off and uninjured
(04:36):
this past year never could get it going. So there
are a number of guys that are still down there
in that bullpen. And then not to mention the efforts
that we got from the Jack Dryers and Roboleski's and
those guys who will play a complete role in the
bullpen going forward. So is it are you looking at
(04:58):
this as We've got the guys already, so we don't
really need to address the bullpen because first of all,
guys were hurt. Secondly, you know, guys in an off year.
But we got enough guys out there that we trust
and believe in that we don't need to go crazy
in the bullpen or on the pitching staff. Let's just
(05:19):
focus on that outfielder. Okay, that's fair question. Only one
question with that, by the way, just one. Do you
need a closer? That's the only question. Do you think
Tanner Scott'll be able to come back? It's simple yes
or no. And by the way, you don't know. No,
you don't know, You don't know for sure, but I
think yes that yeah, you feel confident with that. And
(05:41):
if he's not, though, Fred, if he's not, then I
think there are enough guys that can step into that
role that can be efficient for you. You're going to
give Tanner Scott all the rope, all the leniency that
you need to see if he gets it back. If
he doesn't, I believe Michael Kopek is still in under contract, right,
(06:04):
alex Vesti is coming back. You you've got uh, you know, Roboleski.
You've got a number of guys that could potentially Gratol's
coming back. You got a potential number of guys that
could step into that role if Tanner Scott doesn't get
back to the reason why they they signed him in
(06:25):
the first place. So I don't think you need to
go out and say, Okay, we need to go spend
you know, eighteen million a year on a closer.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
I don't think they need to do that.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
I'm not sure when Evan Phillips is coming back, but.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
He's another one, Yes, exactly, He's coming back at some point.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
No, it comes down to how effective will they be? Really,
that's the only question. Do you know you want somebody?
You won't know that until you get into the season.
You won't know that, that's right. You don't know that
in March, you don't know that in February when they
start spring training. You won't know until you get into
the season. Will they be effective? Now you've seen what
(07:07):
Evan Phillips can do and key roles, and he was
very effective for them and played major role for the
Dodgers and their success, got injured, missed the season. He's
coming back. You know, we we we love the Bozuka.
He was on our show. You know you love the Bozuka.
You know, will he get back to form? You won't
(07:28):
know until he starts pitching again and again, Yes and again,
Tanner Scott, I gotta believe that them winning, despite the
fact that he was not a vital role coming out
of that pen is motivated him to a level where
(07:50):
he is going to come back with a vengeance. Whether that,
you know, turns into success or not. But I just
I gotta feel like that the mentality of him is, Okay,
they paid me this money, they won despite me not
being that contributed factor that they thought I was gonna be.
I gotta come back and be dominant. I think it's
(08:11):
lit a fire under him, and so we'll see how
that goes. But you won't know until you get into
the season. And do you go risk spending money out
there before you actually know. Let me throw this guy
into the mix. What about Blake trying to boom another
one another one?
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Is he done? Do you think he's done.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
Or do you think that it was just a he
had an off year in an off stretch. You know,
I think he you know, he's still what is Blake
trying to He's got to be what mid thirties or thirties.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Something like that. I don't know.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
I don't know if he's done, but I won't know.
I won't know until we get into the season next year. Right,
But I think you've got enough arms out there to
say we can we can weather that storm and figure
out who's who are guys going to be coming out
of the pen? You got enough arms that you've seen
(09:12):
in the past that can be effective with Evan Phillips,
Blake tryning, you know the history of Tanner, Scott, Michael Kopek,
what he did in the year previous to this past
one in coming out and being a guy that nobody
really thought about. And then let's not forget what we're
gonna do with Will Climb, right, Will Clein's another one.
(09:35):
And then on top of that, Fred, are we done
with Bobby Miller? We're gonna find this Are we gonna
find a spot for him?
Speaker 2 (09:42):
I don't know. I don't know.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Rever Ryan's coming back, by the way, River Ryan's coming back.
I mean You've got enough on your roster that I
don't think you got to really go, oh my god,
we got to have a closer.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
So Edwin Diaz is out for you.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
I wouldn't because I think he's going to command too much.
He's going to command way too much to get him
somebody that is on the verge, somebody that is right
there that just was missing.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
That closer.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
I think is going to offer him a boatload of money,
and I don't think the Dodgers need to do that.
I think he's still got some I think he's still
got a couple more years left of being dominant like
he was with the Mets. And if I'm the Mets,
I don't let him go. I'm the Mets. I'm keeping
(10:34):
him around, and because you better have somebody better coming
through that door than him. Right that gate open and
they played that music, it was, you know, more often
than not, it was lights out, and he was doing
his thing when he was healthy. And he's still throwing,
you know, one hundred, two hundred and three with a
(10:56):
dominant cutter. So I just I don't know, if I'm
the Mets, he's such a he's such a dominant pitcher
when he is on that, I don't know if I
can let him go walk out the door unless it's
crazy numbers that somebody comes in and says, I'm Cincinnati
or Cleveland or you know, one of these teams to say,
(11:18):
this is the only thing that we're missing Seattle, who
was right there, goes, We just need a bona fide closer.
Let me go get Let's go get Edwin Diaz.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Can I tell us one more name in real quick? Yeah,
Devin Williams. Devin Williams. Oh see, here's my another one,
another one. But here's my concern. Before last year, I
would have said go get him one hundred percent, go
get him because he's really very good. I thought one
(11:48):
of the top closers in the game. Very Okay, he
goes to the Yankees and has a worst year than
Tanner Scott. Yeah, I mean he looked awful so much
so they did and even let him close. They didn't
even let him close, that's how bad he was. Now
he's available. So if you're the Dodgers and you think, well,
(12:10):
I can fix anything, that's not a problem for us.
We'll figur it out. If you believe that, and you
can take a flyer, because I don't know who's gonna
pay that guy after what he went through last year.
I mean, he's got a proof he can pitch again,
and he probably will. He just had a terrible, terrible,
terrible year. If you're the Dodgers, you can take a
(12:31):
flyer on that guy and get him for cheap. Yes,
why not, That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
If you can get him for cheap, and it's like
a you know, a resurrection project that he is willing
to say, Look, I gotta get fixed.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
I had a bad year.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
I'm willing to take a lot less to kind of
get back into that upper echelon of money closers. And
I get a chance to go for the Dodgers. I'm
gonna take a haircut to go do that. Because after
this year, I signed a one year deal. I pitched
for the Dodgers. All of a sudden, they're gonna back
(13:10):
the truck up for me. He gets the tail Hernandez
one year deal. Yeah, yes, yes, prove yourself again. Prove yourself,
and then we'll go from there and allow the best
team in baseball. As many have said, not just us,
but the players have said, I came here to get fixed.
(13:32):
I came here so they could fix what little mechanical
or whatever emotional thing that I needed to get fixed.
That's why I came to the Dodgers. Come here for
that and go lights out, And now you write your
own ticket. If i'm him, I'm thinking Dodgers. Where do
I sign? I don't know.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
You can offer me some Randy's Donuts and I'll sign.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
I'll sign with you guys to get me back on track,
because I know I'm gonna win.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Right right.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
I know being position to do something great. I do
know that, yes, see, So I would take a flyer
on him one year. You know what, you know, we're
good for it. Come on in here and then let's
see what happens. I would do. I would take a
one year flyer on him. I would not sign Edwin Diaz,
(14:21):
which means sell sign Edwin Diaz tomorrow, but I will
do it right now. I think he's different than Edwin Diaz.
Edwin Diaz has obviously done it for years and would
require I think more at this point in his career,
Edwin Diaz is going to want a three year deal
at least, right at least at least, so whereas I
think Devin Williams can he You can get him for
(14:43):
a one year deal as a like you mentioned a
tale a tail deal. Go prove yourself again and we'll
we'll see We'll see you in twenty twenty seven. Okay,
what is the most surprising team in town to date
(15:05):
this year? Let's start in the fall. What is the
most surprising team in town? We will talk about it next.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Oh yes, let's keep it moving on a hump day.
Rodney Pete, fred Rogan, come on, Freddy, let's go, baby.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Come on.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
You know what I'm thinking, and you're probably reveling this.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
This is right in your wheelhouse.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
I'm making USC football is the most surprising team in
town this fall?
Speaker 2 (15:37):
Yeah I am am.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
I wrong.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
Surprising team in town? In town?
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Oh yeah, yeah, I mean I could see that, I
could see that. I don't I don't know if I
would say surprising. I really wouldn't because I expected them
to be pretty good. I expected them to have you know,
and they have the most probably the most challenging schedule
(16:08):
that they've had since they've been in the Big Ten
this year, and they've been in every single game and
very well, you know, the Notre Dame got away from late.
But I think they have a or have had an
opportunity to win every single game and could be very
(16:29):
well be undefeated at this point. You know, the Illinois
game was a nip and tuck. It had had to
lead with less than two minutes to go and let
that one get away from him. Notre Dame, you know,
had him on the ropes for a minute and Notre
Dame kind of ran away with it.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
But I think that they are.
Speaker 3 (16:48):
They got some big ones coming up, though, Fred, starting
with this weekend.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
So we will see, we will see.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Well. Ryan Carchi, who covers USC in the Big ten
for the time, joins us. Ryan, how are you?
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Ryan?
Speaker 1 (17:06):
You're there? Can you got?
Speaker 4 (17:12):
Sorry about that?
Speaker 1 (17:13):
No problem? I just asked Rodney, I said, is us
see the most surprising team in town this fall? He said,
They're good, but not surprising. Are they surprising you? Uh?
Speaker 4 (17:24):
I would say that's a that's a good answer. I
would say, just the nature of U c l A
season has been pretty surprising, just uh, you know, depending
on the week. But but no, I wouldn't call this surprising.
What doesn't surprise me, especially is that this is a
team that we can't be totally certain about anything. Uh,
(17:48):
you know, obviously the offense, as soon as you're ready
to say it's the best offense in college football, you know,
there are a couple of games where things look inconsistent.
The quarterback doesn't look as good. As soon as we
think the defense looks great. You know, has a great
game against Michigan, it suddenly really struggles to stop anything
on the ground. So it's it's been inconsistent, and that
(18:11):
is not surprising to me. That's kind of been the
case since Lecnriley took over.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Yeah, I would agree exactly with that, you know, and
they had they gone back to South Bend and beaten them,
you know, very well, they could easily be undefeated at
this point. We can say ifs alid day long, but
very well could be had the ball or had the
lead with less than two minutes against Illinois back there
after not playing so great for three quarters, but had
(18:36):
the lead and Illinois goes down and goes for the
win and wins it. So yeah, not quite surprising, but
we're gonna find out. We're going to find out in
the next few weeks because as much as we thought
the middle of the road and that gauntlet that everybody
talked about them going through with Michigan, Illinois and Notre
Dame back to back to back.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
These next few weeks because Iowa Iowa.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
There's no slouch Iowa obviously, you know, they played Oregon
down to the wire. They they had Indiana on the
ropes as well. They are a very good, well coached
football team. And I'm like thankful that we play them
at home because that's a tough place to play up
there in Iowa. But this is a critical, big time
(19:22):
game where I think that people don't realize how good
Iowa is. What about you, Ryan, how do you feel
about this game this weekend?
Speaker 4 (19:29):
Well, in just first off, complicating matters is the fact
that it's supposed to be raining during the game, which
kind of plays into Iowa's hands just given their style
of play. But you know, Iowa is a strange team
in that you know, their passing offense is one of
the worst in college football, and yet their offense still
(19:52):
manages to score at a decent clip. And I think
you can kind of point to just their their way
of controlling the ball and playing great special teams and
timely defense, and you know, all the boring stuff that
you you know, doesn't really get a ton of attention.
I always always been good at that sort of thing,
(20:14):
and that's where USC maybe has struggled in a lot
of ways, and certainly Lincoln Riley has struggled in terms
of coaching against or in situations like that. But that said,
you know, if USC is able to play the game
it wants and you know, just gets it's a passing
attack off the ground early, and you know, it is
(20:35):
able to have a sharp jade mayava throughout the game,
and then the wrong game kind of takes it from there.
You know this they could win by three touchdowns. I
wouldn't rule that out. But that said, you know, if
this becomes an ugly game, it's I think it's anyone's game,
just like last week. I you know, I think in
an a normal situation, Oregon probably beats Iowa nine times
(20:57):
out of ten and not ten times out of ten.
But you know, just the circumstances of that game where
as such that I was always going to be ready
to take advantage in those situations. So that makes this
game kind of interesting. And I do think it is
going to be a close one, and you know, partially
because every USC game is a close one.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
So right in this game where we're gonna have two
guys with the same number lining up next to each.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Other, Oh, here you go.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
I think Lincoln realizes he's probably used up that for
the season. Now, you could you could question whether it
was right to use that against Northwestern, but you know,
it's it's been done.
Speaker 3 (21:38):
What's your take on it, right, because you know, obviously
the Big Ten has weighed in and and uh said,
the officials got it right. But the letter of the law,
what what do you understand it to be? From what
us he did?
Speaker 4 (21:51):
You know, I personally thought at the time that it
was it was legal. I I was in that. You know,
I think you can bend yourself into knots with the
semantics of it to a point where I think, if
you know, if lawyers are involved, like maybe this isn't
actually illegal. Now that said, I like, obviously he was
(22:15):
trying to bend the rules and deceive deceived Northwestern. I think,
like was it Bush League? Like, oh, yeah, for sure,
But coaches do that stuff all the time. I mean,
I I honestly I respect it to a degree. So
if the rules aren't written as such to accommodate that
(22:38):
or to lead to a penalty, then it's all yours
to take advantage. And you know what, it worked and
Lincoln Riley doesn't have to pay any consequences.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
Well when you want to. When you talk about Lincoln Riley, though,
there are whispers now that he could be up for
some major job openings, what do you think about that?
I mean, given his body of work at USC, do
you think his name would be kicked around for big
job openings? And do you think he would go? And
(23:09):
if he went, do you think USC would say thank
you very much and here's the door.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
Well, first off, I don't think he's going anywhere now.
He has said in the past at Oklahoma that you know,
he wasn't planning on going anywhere and then immediately left
to come to USC. But that said, this really just
strikes me as more of an agent led situation. I mean,
(23:40):
the chatter really started with like one random comment on
a podcast, you know, by someone who knows the college
football landscape. But that said, like, it's always important, especially
this time of year, to remember like who has the
leverage here and like who's benefiting from this information being
(24:03):
out there? And I do think Like you know, I
wouldn't doubt that Lincoln Riley, if they continue to win,
is gonna ask for more money at USC and potentially
another extension. Now I have no idea how USC will
handle that if it were to come to it, but
I don't think he's going anywhere. So but if you know,
(24:25):
if Florida or someone were to sweep in or swooping
with a gigantic offer, you know, I don't know that
USC is going to bend over backwards to you know,
make him the highest fake coach in college football. But
you know, they again, there's a lot of in the
next three games. I think a lot can change, So
(24:46):
we'll see, like where the reputation of Lincoln Riley stands,
you know, if they're the number seven team in the
College Football playoff.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Rankings, Yeah, I mean that, that to me is the
big test.
Speaker 3 (24:58):
And like I mentioned that, you know, the middle is season,
that Michigan, Illinois Notre Dame stretch was very important, but
this stretches feels more important right now because people are
are slowly thinking that USC could be in the mix,
but they got to win this weekend. I think this
weekend is more important than the Oregon game only because
(25:23):
the narrative has been can USC handle physical football in
the Big Ten, And they've shown that they can with
victories over obviously over over Michigan, Michigan State, and doing
some of the things that people didn't think they could.
But this game this weekend against Iowa, to me, is
(25:45):
the biggest game of the season, including.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
The Oregon game.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
The Oregon can go anyway, you know, Oregon, we know
all can get on a roll and roll up forty
points on you in a hurry, especially up there. But
this game against Iowa is so important. I think for
USC to make any kind of statement, what do you think?
Speaker 4 (26:05):
I think the important distinction here is like with Iowa,
I expect them to win this game. I don't like.
I think it is a bad sign if they lose
this game. And you know, certainly the season and the
narrative could turn quickly if that were to happen. Now
in Oregon, like that's a game I before the season,
(26:26):
I would have never expected them to win that game.
Now I think Oregon is a bit flawed. I wouldn't
rule it out. But it's been a long time since
USC has won at Austin, and it's supposed to be
raining there too, so so you know, I think both
are huge games. But I do think like in terms
(26:49):
of you know, you have to get to win this weekend,
I mean you have to get to win in from
here on out to make it into the playoffs, but
just in terms of showing progress as a program, like
we need to see them win this game just for
the overall season to look like a step forward. If
(27:09):
that make sense.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
It does make sense. All right, Ryan Kartsy, thank you
so much for joining us. Really appreciate the insight today.
Speaker 4 (27:18):
Of course, anytime all.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
Right covers usc in the Big ten for the LA Times,
is it a big game? Is tonight a big game?
Well we'll try to figure that out.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
Come on, h.
Speaker 3 (27:44):
Ice, Ice Baby, Rodney, Pete, Fred Rogan on a hump day,
Come on, Freddy, let's go all right, Well we come
back after the top of the hour.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
We're gonna play a piece of audio I've just stumbled across.
David Vasse is a national hero. That's all I can say.
David Besse is a national hero, national hero, national gone
from not just a Dodger hero and LA Sports hero,
but a national hero, national hero. And we will have
(28:14):
that for you when we come back after the top
of the hour. All right, so does this game mean anything?
Does this game mean anything? Lakers in Oka, Se Lakers
off to a surprising start. Okac is ten and one,
my bad eleven and one. Okay, SE's eleven and one,
and Lakers are off to a pretty good start. So
(28:34):
you look at this and you go, okay, this is
a showdown between two of the top teams in the West.
Is it a showdown at all? Or is it another
game in November? As the Lakers just continue to move
forward until Lebron gets back and everybody's healthy.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
What day it is it? Right? What day is it?
It's the.
Speaker 3 (29:02):
November twelve, the twelfth of November. No, this game doesn't matter. No,
it's not a big game. And then you mentioned Lebron's out.
You know Lakers, Yes, they've got off to a good start.
But this is not one of those critical games that
you look up and go, oh, this is a must win,
(29:23):
or this is going to define a season, or this
is a critical moment in the season.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
We're in November.
Speaker 3 (29:29):
I don't think they're I don't think there are many
must wins or critical games prior to Christmas fread so, No,
this is not.
Speaker 1 (29:41):
I agree, agree, I agree hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:47):
The more you do this, the more you realize what
matters to what doesn't. Now, if you're buying a ticket
to a game at any arena, you want your team
to win, and that is critical. You're not going to
a game where they're not going to win, right, You're not.
You're not gonna show up at a game where you think, well,
it doesn't really mean much. Hopefully they win. So, yeah,
you're paying to see him win. But in the big picture, no,
(30:10):
not really. It's not a litmus test of anything. It's
not a showdown. It's not a litmus test. You don't
you do, if possible, not want to lose, because that
can bite you later.
Speaker 2 (30:22):
In the season.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
That's fair to say you don't want to lose, but y'all,
you certainly don't want to get blown out either, And
you don't want to get blown out. You can't get
blown out, I mean losing. You know, ever want to lose,
But lou if you do, if you happen to lose,
you you don't want it to be ugly or you
get blown out, because then then there is some takeaway
from it. Yeah, but you know, really, if you could,
(30:45):
if you really cut to the chase, how much takeaway
even if you get blown out tonight, how much takeaway
is there? Again, it's only takeaway because people will talk
about it, right until you play your net Yeah, and
until you play them again.
Speaker 2 (31:03):
Correct.
Speaker 1 (31:04):
If you're gonna get blown out, do it tonight. If
you're gonna get tagged, do it tonight. I can't see
that happening. And it will be interesting, you know Sga
and Luca, So that'll be fun. It'll be fun to watch.
Just do the Lakers have enough? That's all because I'll
tell you this too. Oka see can run the table
(31:25):
that they're eleven and one, they can be twenty one
and one at the end of the day. Too many
wins during the regular season doesn't assure you of anything nothing.
Sometimes you're so exhausted when you get to the playoffs
you can't do anything.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
Right.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
I can guarantee you right now. And I missed on
my UCLI prediction where I said they'd only win two
games all year. Yeah, yeah, I miss on that one.
But I can guarantee you this.
Speaker 3 (31:51):
You didn't predict the firing, and you didn't predict all
the motivations that they had after that. So it's hard
to predict what's going on. But yeah, you know.
Speaker 1 (32:00):
This, Okay, see we'll lose more than one game this year.
I'll say, you know what, that's a stretch fit. I
feel very confident in saying that. So if that's the case,
you're playing in November, it'll be fun to watch. But
I don't think it's an indication of anything. You're right, Rodney,
and you know what, you know when you what did
(32:21):
you say? It starts really after Christmas? Okay, you know,
I'm gonna say it starts Fevemas Day.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
Really Christmas Day. It's kind of where it really starts.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Those said on Christmas Day are the ones that first
of all, people start to pay attention to and then
it's just like the real start of the season to me.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
Yeah, except nobody watched those games because the NFL's on.
So because the NFL took care of that, you know what,
I think the season really starts February.
Speaker 3 (32:50):
February, So that's when you think after the super Bowl
or before the super Bowl, or that weekend or I'm
just saying our weekend when we hit February, No, before
all weekend Okay, well we hit February. Now the games matter.
So you're saying before that, so before even before super
Bowl because you know, all since the purposes, super Bowl
(33:14):
is going to drowned out anything NBA as we lead
into the playoffs in January, So really does it matter?
Speaker 1 (33:23):
Well, I'm saying, records start to matter. Then you've got
to be within striking distance then okay, okay, you know
you can't be twenty two games back.
Speaker 2 (33:34):
That's going to be bad.
Speaker 1 (33:36):
But you know if you're a game or two back,
you're three out, that's fine because now it starts to matter.
Now you've got to turn it up. Now you got
to head into the latter part of the season and
the playoffs. So I don't know if there were any
litmus tests before.
Speaker 3 (33:51):
Then, No, no, And the only one, as you mentioned,
is if you where you're slipping, and you're sliding and
you're starting to dip again, you get it turned around
in February, because if you don't, then it's the beginning
of the end. You start thinking about lottery picks.
Speaker 1 (34:14):
Yeah, that's exactly right. Yeah, you're closing in on the
trade deadline. Then you have to get it together and
you have to figure it out, so it'll be fun tonight.
But is it a litmus test?
Speaker 2 (34:25):
No?
Speaker 1 (34:26):
Is it a gigantic game, No, it really isn't.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
Well, who's bigger for Lakers are for Okay see.
Speaker 1 (34:35):
Probably bigger, Probably bigger for Okac. See if they can
keep winning like that, Lakers just need to continue to
get better. Lakers need to execute. Lakers need to keep
doing what they're doing. If something if it goes sideways
or something comes off the rail, off the rails tonight,
you fix it because you're playing well, the system works,
(34:56):
everybody's bought in, you're engaged. So I mean if the
Lakers beat them, yeah, they can celebrate. I think it's
more for oka Se. Let's see if they can just
keep winning, how long before they lose another game? Until
I could be the night. Honestly could be the night.
Speaker 3 (35:15):
I think it's bigger for the Lakers to show that
they are. You know, people looked at them for this
start that they have. Oh, the Lakers are gonna be
pretty good. They don't even have Lebron and they still winning.
And can they continue this because once they get Lebron back,
they're going to be that much better.
Speaker 2 (35:32):
So this is how we're going to measure ourselves.
Speaker 3 (35:35):
If the Lakers get a win against Okac, I think
this is huge for the Lakers. But if they get
blown out, it's like going back to Lakers can't play
with the big boys right yet?
Speaker 1 (35:50):
And I just don't. Yeah, I just don't think you
can make that determination yet. That's all. We just look
at it a little differently. I just don't think you
can even make that determination. They need to play with
the big boys one, they need to play with the
big boys tonight. I think they just have to keep
doing what they've been doing. Okay, David Vassi is an
(36:17):
international phenom. He is, he's a force of nature to
be reckoned with. So let's talk about that next. And
also a little some sour grapes. Some sense in sour grapes, Rodney,
and I'm surprised it's coming from this guy.
Speaker 2 (36:34):
Oh,
No, all right, We continue on Fred Rogan Rodney Pete on
AM five to seventy LA Sports. As we continue Rodney
in hour one, and if you miss it, you can
check the podcast. Kevin will put it up the minute
we get off the air. Just get the free iHeartRadio app.
Stream the show wherever you go, live twenty four hours
a day, AM five to seventy LA Sports. You can
(00:25):
take us wherever you go. Just put us in your pocket,
keep us close to your heart because we're always up
there and we're always always talking. Now, we talked about
the Dodger outfield situation in our one. Here's another thing,
and the question becomes, what are the Dodgers doing? Are
they gonna make moves because they want to or are
(00:46):
they gonna make moves because they need to? And there's
a distinct difference. Do they want to do something? They
can do whatever they want, but what do they need?
And what is more important? My feeling is need is
more important than one. Let's start with that. So when
i'mber one, we kicked around Cody Bellinger coming back, who
would be more affordable than a Kyle Tucker, And we
(01:08):
also talked about Ryan Woard the twenty seven year old
outfielder Brandon Gohme says, that's it. He can't do anything
else in Triple A. I mean, he's done in the miners.
He's done what he can do. It's time for him
to move up, move out, but he can't go back there.
So he's a possibility too if they don't make a
move in the outfield. But now let's talk about the
pitching staff and the bullpen, and I guess it depends
(01:32):
on the year as to what you need more. Coming
into last season, well, you had to solidify that starting staff.
You had to make sure because you remembered what happened
the year before when everybody got hurt and the bullpen
was great. So they did and it worked. Now this
year you're going, well, we need a closer because of
(01:56):
what happened. Our bullpen fell apart. Why because everybody got hurt.
Deal just reverse it. So now it's do you want
to fix the bullpen or do you need to fix
the bullpen? Really those are the questions. And if you
need to fix the bullpen, how are you going to
fix it? Yeah, So there were reports that sware As
(02:18):
out of San Diego could be available. Yeah, he's a
free agent, big time, big time. Yeah, I can't remember.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
What do you want?
Speaker 1 (02:25):
Forty million over four years or sixty million over four years,
something like that? All right, And they can do that
because they acquired Mason Miller from the A's and they've
now got a closer. It throws one hundred and two
miles an hour. That guy's a complete fix. Thut he
can throw, he can throw. The problem is the thread.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
The thing is with anything in sports, it's so fluid,
and it's year by year like you just you just
ran it down. You know, one year it's the bullpen's
got the issue, and the next year it's the starting
pitching he's got the issue, and then you do things accordingly.
But I think the way they set it up for
(03:02):
their starting pitching with the Dodgers, it wasn't a one
year fix for starting pitching. This is a multi year fix.
They are if I'm looking at this right, and I
haven't gone through the numbers, but they've got a number
of guys still locked up, but they are set for
at least the next three years when it comes to
starting pitching. Would that be safe to say? One?
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Right? Bullpen issue?
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Look, they relied on the bullpen to get them through
and win the World Series, which they won against the
Yankees that year because starting pitching was flawed, which is
why they did in the offseason what they did and
solidified that. So now as you go through this year
and you look up and go, starting pitching was our
(03:50):
strength and bullpen was the problem. Do you do an
overhaul of the bullpen? That's the thing that you've got
to really look yourselves in a mirror and go, do
we need to do an overhaul or was this year
for Tanner Scott just an aberration and he will get
back to form. Was this year for the entire bullpen aberration?
(04:11):
Or will they get back to form? And do you
need to do a complete overhaul of the bullpen and
bring in two to three more guys, Because remember, there
are certain guys that were injured that didn't even play
a factor, that were key components of your bullpen the
year before. Grattarol Michael Kolpek, who was off and uninjured
(04:36):
this past year never could get it going. So there
are a number of guys that are still down there
in that bullpen. And then not to mention the efforts
that we got from the Jack Dryers and Roboleski's and
those guys who will play a complete role in the
bullpen going forward. So is it are you looking at
(04:58):
this as We've got the guys already, so we don't
really need to address the bullpen because first of all,
guys were hurt. Secondly, you know, guys in an off year.
But we got enough guys out there that we trust
and believe in that we don't need to go crazy
in the bullpen or on the pitching staff. Let's just
(05:19):
focus on that outfielder. Okay, that's fair question. Only one
question with that, by the way, just one. Do you
need a closer? That's the only question. Do you think
Tanner Scott'll be able to come back? It's simple yes
or no. And by the way, you don't know. No,
you don't know, You don't know for sure, but I
think yes that yeah, you feel confident with that. And
(05:41):
if he's not, though, Fred, if he's not, then I
think there are enough guys that can step into that
role that can be efficient for you. You're going to
give Tanner Scott all the rope, all the leniency that
you need to see if he gets it back. If
he doesn't, I believe Michael Kopek is still in under contract, right,
(06:04):
alex Vesti is coming back. You you've got uh, you know, Roboleski.
You've got a number of guys that could potentially Gratol's
coming back. You got a potential number of guys that
could step into that role if Tanner Scott doesn't get
back to the reason why they they signed him in
(06:25):
the first place. So I don't think you need to
go out and say, Okay, we need to go spend
you know, eighteen million a year on a closer.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
I don't think they need to do that.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
I'm not sure when Evan Phillips is coming back, but.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
He's another one, Yes, exactly, He's coming back at some point.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
No, it comes down to how effective will they be? Really,
that's the only question. Do you know you want somebody?
You won't know that until you get into the season.
You won't know that, that's right. You don't know that
in March, you don't know that in February when they
start spring training. You won't know until you get into
the season. Will they be effective? Now you've seen what
(07:07):
Evan Phillips can do and key roles, and he was
very effective for them and played major role for the
Dodgers and their success, got injured, missed the season. He's
coming back. You know, we we we love the Bozuka.
He was on our show. You know you love the Bozuka.
You know, will he get back to form? You won't
(07:28):
know until he starts pitching again and again, Yes and again,
Tanner Scott, I gotta believe that them winning, despite the
fact that he was not a vital role coming out
of that pen is motivated him to a level where
(07:50):
he is going to come back with a vengeance. Whether that,
you know, turns into success or not. But I just
I gotta feel like that the mentality of him is, Okay,
they paid me this money, they won despite me not
being that contributed factor that they thought I was gonna be.
I gotta come back and be dominant. I think it's
(08:11):
lit a fire under him, and so we'll see how
that goes. But you won't know until you get into
the season. And do you go risk spending money out
there before you actually know. Let me throw this guy
into the mix. What about Blake trying to boom another
one another one?
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Is he done? Do you think he's done.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
Or do you think that it was just a he
had an off year in an off stretch. You know,
I think he you know, he's still what is Blake
trying to He's got to be what mid thirties or thirties.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Something like that. I don't know.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
I don't know if he's done, but I won't know.
I won't know until we get into the season next year. Right,
But I think you've got enough arms out there to
say we can we can weather that storm and figure
out who's who are guys going to be coming out
of the pen? You got enough arms that you've seen
(09:12):
in the past that can be effective with Evan Phillips,
Blake tryning, you know the history of Tanner, Scott, Michael Kopek,
what he did in the year previous to this past
one in coming out and being a guy that nobody
really thought about. And then let's not forget what we're
gonna do with Will Climb, right, Will Clein's another one.
(09:35):
And then on top of that, Fred, are we done
with Bobby Miller? We're gonna find this Are we gonna
find a spot for him?
Speaker 2 (09:42):
I don't know. I don't know.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Rever Ryan's coming back, by the way, River Ryan's coming back.
I mean You've got enough on your roster that I
don't think you got to really go, oh my god,
we got to have a closer.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
So Edwin Diaz is out for you.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
I wouldn't because I think he's going to command too much.
He's going to command way too much to get him
somebody that is on the verge, somebody that is right
there that just was missing.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
That closer.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
I think is going to offer him a boatload of money,
and I don't think the Dodgers need to do that.
I think he's still got some I think he's still
got a couple more years left of being dominant like
he was with the Mets. And if I'm the Mets,
I don't let him go. I'm the Mets. I'm keeping
(10:34):
him around, and because you better have somebody better coming
through that door than him. Right that gate open and
they played that music, it was, you know, more often
than not, it was lights out, and he was doing
his thing when he was healthy. And he's still throwing,
you know, one hundred, two hundred and three with a
(10:56):
dominant cutter. So I just I don't know, if I'm
the Mets, he's such a he's such a dominant pitcher
when he is on that, I don't know if I
can let him go walk out the door unless it's
crazy numbers that somebody comes in and says, I'm Cincinnati
or Cleveland or you know, one of these teams to say,
(11:18):
this is the only thing that we're missing Seattle, who
was right there, goes, We just need a bona fide closer.
Let me go get Let's go get Edwin Diaz.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Can I tell us one more name in real quick? Yeah,
Devin Williams. Devin Williams. Oh see, here's my another one,
another one. But here's my concern. Before last year, I
would have said go get him one hundred percent, go
get him because he's really very good. I thought one
(11:48):
of the top closers in the game. Very Okay, he
goes to the Yankees and has a worst year than
Tanner Scott. Yeah, I mean he looked awful so much
so they did and even let him close. They didn't
even let him close, that's how bad he was. Now
he's available. So if you're the Dodgers and you think, well,
(12:10):
I can fix anything, that's not a problem for us.
We'll figur it out. If you believe that, and you
can take a flyer, because I don't know who's gonna
pay that guy after what he went through last year.
I mean, he's got a proof he can pitch again,
and he probably will. He just had a terrible, terrible,
terrible year. If you're the Dodgers, you can take a
(12:31):
flyer on that guy and get him for cheap. Yes,
why not, That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
If you can get him for cheap, and it's like
a you know, a resurrection project that he is willing
to say, Look, I gotta get fixed.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
I had a bad year.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
I'm willing to take a lot less to kind of
get back into that upper echelon of money closers. And
I get a chance to go for the Dodgers. I'm
gonna take a haircut to go do that. Because after
this year, I signed a one year deal. I pitched
for the Dodgers. All of a sudden, they're gonna back
(13:10):
the truck up for me. He gets the tail Hernandez
one year deal. Yeah, yes, yes, prove yourself again. Prove yourself,
and then we'll go from there and allow the best
team in baseball. As many have said, not just us,
but the players have said, I came here to get fixed.
(13:32):
I came here so they could fix what little mechanical
or whatever emotional thing that I needed to get fixed.
That's why I came to the Dodgers. Come here for
that and go lights out, And now you write your
own ticket. If i'm him, I'm thinking Dodgers. Where do
I sign? I don't know.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
You can offer me some Randy's Donuts and I'll sign.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
I'll sign with you guys to get me back on track,
because I know I'm gonna win.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Right right.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
I know being position to do something great. I do
know that, yes, see, So I would take a flyer
on him one year. You know what, you know, we're
good for it. Come on in here and then let's
see what happens. I would do. I would take a
one year flyer on him. I would not sign Edwin Diaz,
(14:21):
which means sell sign Edwin Diaz tomorrow, but I will
do it right now. I think he's different than Edwin Diaz.
Edwin Diaz has obviously done it for years and would
require I think more at this point in his career,
Edwin Diaz is going to want a three year deal
at least, right at least at least, so whereas I
think Devin Williams can he You can get him for
(14:43):
a one year deal as a like you mentioned a
tale a tail deal. Go prove yourself again and we'll
we'll see We'll see you in twenty twenty seven. Okay,
what is the most surprising team in town to date
(15:05):
this year? Let's start in the fall. What is the
most surprising team in town? We will talk about it next.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Oh yes, let's keep it moving on a hump day.
Rodney Pete, fred Rogan, come on, Freddy, let's go, baby.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Come on.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
You know what I'm thinking, and you're probably reveling this.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
This is right in your wheelhouse.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
I'm making USC football is the most surprising team in
town this fall?
Speaker 2 (15:37):
Yeah I am am.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
I wrong.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
Surprising team in town? In town?
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Oh yeah, yeah, I mean I could see that, I
could see that. I don't I don't know if I
would say surprising. I really wouldn't because I expected them
to be pretty good. I expected them to have you know,
and they have the most probably the most challenging schedule
(16:08):
that they've had since they've been in the Big Ten
this year, and they've been in every single game and
very well, you know, the Notre Dame got away from late.
But I think they have a or have had an
opportunity to win every single game and could be very
(16:29):
well be undefeated at this point. You know, the Illinois
game was a nip and tuck. It had had to
lead with less than two minutes to go and let
that one get away from him. Notre Dame, you know,
had him on the ropes for a minute and Notre
Dame kind of ran away with it.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
But I think that they are.
Speaker 3 (16:48):
They got some big ones coming up, though, Fred, starting
with this weekend.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
So we will see, we will see.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Well. Ryan Carchi, who covers USC in the Big ten
for the time, joins us. Ryan, how are you?
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Ryan?
Speaker 1 (17:06):
You're there? Can you got?
Speaker 4 (17:12):
Sorry about that?
Speaker 1 (17:13):
No problem? I just asked Rodney, I said, is us
see the most surprising team in town this fall? He said,
They're good, but not surprising. Are they surprising you? Uh?
Speaker 4 (17:24):
I would say that's a that's a good answer. I
would say, just the nature of U c l A
season has been pretty surprising, just uh, you know, depending
on the week. But but no, I wouldn't call this surprising.
What doesn't surprise me, especially is that this is a
team that we can't be totally certain about anything. Uh,
(17:48):
you know, obviously the offense, as soon as you're ready
to say it's the best offense in college football, you know,
there are a couple of games where things look inconsistent.
The quarterback doesn't look as good. As soon as we
think the defense looks great. You know, has a great
game against Michigan, it suddenly really struggles to stop anything
on the ground. So it's it's been inconsistent, and that
(18:11):
is not surprising to me. That's kind of been the
case since Lecnriley took over.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Yeah, I would agree exactly with that, you know, and
they had they gone back to South Bend and beaten them,
you know, very well, they could easily be undefeated at
this point. We can say ifs alid day long, but
very well could be had the ball or had the
lead with less than two minutes against Illinois back there
after not playing so great for three quarters, but had
(18:36):
the lead and Illinois goes down and goes for the
win and wins it. So yeah, not quite surprising, but
we're gonna find out. We're going to find out in
the next few weeks because as much as we thought
the middle of the road and that gauntlet that everybody
talked about them going through with Michigan, Illinois and Notre
Dame back to back to back.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
These next few weeks because Iowa Iowa.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
There's no slouch Iowa obviously, you know, they played Oregon
down to the wire. They they had Indiana on the
ropes as well. They are a very good, well coached
football team. And I'm like thankful that we play them
at home because that's a tough place to play up
there in Iowa. But this is a critical, big time
(19:22):
game where I think that people don't realize how good
Iowa is. What about you, Ryan, how do you feel
about this game this weekend?
Speaker 4 (19:29):
Well, in just first off, complicating matters is the fact
that it's supposed to be raining during the game, which
kind of plays into Iowa's hands just given their style
of play. But you know, Iowa is a strange team
in that you know, their passing offense is one of
the worst in college football, and yet their offense still
(19:52):
manages to score at a decent clip. And I think
you can kind of point to just their their way
of controlling the ball and playing great special teams and
timely defense, and you know, all the boring stuff that
you you know, doesn't really get a ton of attention.
I always always been good at that sort of thing,
(20:14):
and that's where USC maybe has struggled in a lot
of ways, and certainly Lincoln Riley has struggled in terms
of coaching against or in situations like that. But that said,
you know, if USC is able to play the game
it wants and you know, just gets it's a passing
attack off the ground early, and you know, it is
(20:35):
able to have a sharp jade mayava throughout the game,
and then the wrong game kind of takes it from there.
You know this they could win by three touchdowns. I
wouldn't rule that out. But that said, you know, if
this becomes an ugly game, it's I think it's anyone's game,
just like last week. I you know, I think in
an a normal situation, Oregon probably beats Iowa nine times
(20:57):
out of ten and not ten times out of ten.
But you know, just the circumstances of that game where
as such that I was always going to be ready
to take advantage in those situations. So that makes this
game kind of interesting. And I do think it is
going to be a close one, and you know, partially
because every USC game is a close one.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
So right in this game where we're gonna have two
guys with the same number lining up next to each.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Other, Oh, here you go.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
I think Lincoln realizes he's probably used up that for
the season. Now, you could you could question whether it
was right to use that against Northwestern, but you know,
it's it's been done.
Speaker 3 (21:38):
What's your take on it, right, because you know, obviously
the Big Ten has weighed in and and uh said,
the officials got it right. But the letter of the law,
what what do you understand it to be? From what
us he did?
Speaker 4 (21:51):
You know, I personally thought at the time that it
was it was legal. I I was in that. You know,
I think you can bend yourself into knots with the
semantics of it to a point where I think, if
you know, if lawyers are involved, like maybe this isn't
actually illegal. Now that said, I like, obviously he was
(22:15):
trying to bend the rules and deceive deceived Northwestern. I think,
like was it Bush League? Like, oh, yeah, for sure,
But coaches do that stuff all the time. I mean,
I I honestly I respect it to a degree. So
if the rules aren't written as such to accommodate that
(22:38):
or to lead to a penalty, then it's all yours
to take advantage. And you know what, it worked and
Lincoln Riley doesn't have to pay any consequences.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
Well when you want to. When you talk about Lincoln Riley, though,
there are whispers now that he could be up for
some major job openings, what do you think about that?
I mean, given his body of work at USC, do
you think his name would be kicked around for big
job openings? And do you think he would go? And
(23:09):
if he went, do you think USC would say thank
you very much and here's the door.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
Well, first off, I don't think he's going anywhere now.
He has said in the past at Oklahoma that you know,
he wasn't planning on going anywhere and then immediately left
to come to USC. But that said, this really just
strikes me as more of an agent led situation. I mean,
(23:40):
the chatter really started with like one random comment on
a podcast, you know, by someone who knows the college
football landscape. But that said, like, it's always important, especially
this time of year, to remember like who has the
leverage here and like who's benefiting from this information being
(24:03):
out there? And I do think Like you know, I
wouldn't doubt that Lincoln Riley, if they continue to win,
is gonna ask for more money at USC and potentially
another extension. Now I have no idea how USC will
handle that if it were to come to it, but
I don't think he's going anywhere. So but if you know,
(24:25):
if Florida or someone were to sweep in or swooping
with a gigantic offer, you know, I don't know that
USC is going to bend over backwards to you know,
make him the highest fake coach in college football. But
you know, they again, there's a lot of in the
next three games. I think a lot can change, So
(24:46):
we'll see, like where the reputation of Lincoln Riley stands,
you know, if they're the number seven team in the
College Football playoff.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Rankings, Yeah, I mean that, that to me is the
big test.
Speaker 3 (24:58):
And like I mentioned that, you know, the middle is season,
that Michigan, Illinois Notre Dame stretch was very important, but
this stretches feels more important right now because people are
are slowly thinking that USC could be in the mix,
but they got to win this weekend. I think this
weekend is more important than the Oregon game only because
(25:23):
the narrative has been can USC handle physical football in
the Big Ten, And they've shown that they can with
victories over obviously over over Michigan, Michigan State, and doing
some of the things that people didn't think they could.
But this game this weekend against Iowa, to me, is
(25:45):
the biggest game of the season, including.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
The Oregon game.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
The Oregon can go anyway, you know, Oregon, we know
all can get on a roll and roll up forty
points on you in a hurry, especially up there. But
this game against Iowa is so important. I think for
USC to make any kind of statement, what do you think?
Speaker 4 (26:05):
I think the important distinction here is like with Iowa,
I expect them to win this game. I don't like.
I think it is a bad sign if they lose
this game. And you know, certainly the season and the
narrative could turn quickly if that were to happen. Now
in Oregon, like that's a game I before the season,
(26:26):
I would have never expected them to win that game.
Now I think Oregon is a bit flawed. I wouldn't
rule it out. But it's been a long time since
USC has won at Austin, and it's supposed to be
raining there too, so so you know, I think both
are huge games. But I do think like in terms
(26:49):
of you know, you have to get to win this weekend,
I mean you have to get to win in from
here on out to make it into the playoffs, but
just in terms of showing progress as a program, like
we need to see them win this game just for
the overall season to look like a step forward. If
(27:09):
that make sense.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
It does make sense. All right, Ryan Kartsy, thank you
so much for joining us. Really appreciate the insight today.
Speaker 4 (27:18):
Of course, anytime all.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
Right covers usc in the Big ten for the LA Times,
is it a big game? Is tonight a big game?
Well we'll try to figure that out.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
Come on, h.
Speaker 3 (27:44):
Ice, Ice Baby, Rodney, Pete, Fred Rogan on a hump day,
Come on, Freddy, let's go all right, Well we come
back after the top of the hour.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
We're gonna play a piece of audio I've just stumbled across.
David Vasse is a national hero. That's all I can say.
David Besse is a national hero, national hero, national gone
from not just a Dodger hero and LA Sports hero,
but a national hero, national hero. And we will have
(28:14):
that for you when we come back after the top
of the hour. All right, so does this game mean anything?
Does this game mean anything? Lakers in Oka, Se Lakers
off to a surprising start. Okac is ten and one,
my bad eleven and one. Okay, SE's eleven and one,
and Lakers are off to a pretty good start. So
(28:34):
you look at this and you go, okay, this is
a showdown between two of the top teams in the West.
Is it a showdown at all? Or is it another
game in November? As the Lakers just continue to move
forward until Lebron gets back and everybody's healthy.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
What day it is it? Right? What day is it?
It's the.
Speaker 3 (29:02):
November twelve, the twelfth of November. No, this game doesn't matter. No,
it's not a big game. And then you mentioned Lebron's out.
You know Lakers, Yes, they've got off to a good start.
But this is not one of those critical games that
you look up and go, oh, this is a must win,
(29:23):
or this is going to define a season, or this
is a critical moment in the season.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
We're in November.
Speaker 3 (29:29):
I don't think they're I don't think there are many
must wins or critical games prior to Christmas fread so, No,
this is not.
Speaker 1 (29:41):
I agree, agree, I agree hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:47):
The more you do this, the more you realize what
matters to what doesn't. Now, if you're buying a ticket
to a game at any arena, you want your team
to win, and that is critical. You're not going to
a game where they're not going to win, right, You're not.
You're not gonna show up at a game where you think, well,
it doesn't really mean much. Hopefully they win. So, yeah,
you're paying to see him win. But in the big picture, no,
(30:10):
not really. It's not a litmus test of anything. It's
not a showdown. It's not a litmus test. You don't
you do, if possible, not want to lose, because that
can bite you later.
Speaker 2 (30:22):
In the season.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
That's fair to say you don't want to lose, but y'all,
you certainly don't want to get blown out either, And
you don't want to get blown out. You can't get
blown out, I mean losing. You know, ever want to lose,
But lou if you do, if you happen to lose,
you you don't want it to be ugly or you
get blown out, because then then there is some takeaway
from it. Yeah, but you know, really, if you could,
(30:45):
if you really cut to the chase, how much takeaway
even if you get blown out tonight, how much takeaway
is there? Again, it's only takeaway because people will talk
about it, right until you play your net Yeah, and
until you play them again.
Speaker 2 (31:03):
Correct.
Speaker 1 (31:04):
If you're gonna get blown out, do it tonight. If
you're gonna get tagged, do it tonight. I can't see
that happening. And it will be interesting, you know Sga
and Luca, So that'll be fun. It'll be fun to watch.
Just do the Lakers have enough? That's all because I'll
tell you this too. Oka see can run the table
(31:25):
that they're eleven and one, they can be twenty one
and one at the end of the day. Too many
wins during the regular season doesn't assure you of anything nothing.
Sometimes you're so exhausted when you get to the playoffs
you can't do anything.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
Right.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
I can guarantee you right now. And I missed on
my UCLI prediction where I said they'd only win two
games all year. Yeah, yeah, I miss on that one.
But I can guarantee you this.
Speaker 3 (31:51):
You didn't predict the firing, and you didn't predict all
the motivations that they had after that. So it's hard
to predict what's going on. But yeah, you know.
Speaker 1 (32:00):
This, Okay, see we'll lose more than one game this year.
I'll say, you know what, that's a stretch fit. I
feel very confident in saying that. So if that's the case,
you're playing in November, it'll be fun to watch. But
I don't think it's an indication of anything. You're right, Rodney,
and you know what, you know when you what did
(32:21):
you say? It starts really after Christmas? Okay, you know,
I'm gonna say it starts Fevemas Day.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
Really Christmas Day. It's kind of where it really starts.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Those said on Christmas Day are the ones that first
of all, people start to pay attention to and then
it's just like the real start of the season to me.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
Yeah, except nobody watched those games because the NFL's on.
So because the NFL took care of that, you know what,
I think the season really starts February.
Speaker 3 (32:50):
February, So that's when you think after the super Bowl
or before the super Bowl, or that weekend or I'm
just saying our weekend when we hit February, No, before
all weekend Okay, well we hit February. Now the games matter.
So you're saying before that, so before even before super
Bowl because you know, all since the purposes, super Bowl
(33:14):
is going to drowned out anything NBA as we lead
into the playoffs in January, So really does it matter?
Speaker 1 (33:23):
Well, I'm saying, records start to matter. Then you've got
to be within striking distance then okay, okay, you know
you can't be twenty two games back.
Speaker 2 (33:34):
That's going to be bad.
Speaker 1 (33:36):
But you know if you're a game or two back,
you're three out, that's fine because now it starts to matter.
Now you've got to turn it up. Now you got
to head into the latter part of the season and
the playoffs. So I don't know if there were any
litmus tests before.
Speaker 3 (33:51):
Then, No, no, And the only one, as you mentioned,
is if you where you're slipping, and you're sliding and
you're starting to dip again, you get it turned around
in February, because if you don't, then it's the beginning
of the end. You start thinking about lottery picks.
Speaker 1 (34:14):
Yeah, that's exactly right. Yeah, you're closing in on the
trade deadline. Then you have to get it together and
you have to figure it out, so it'll be fun tonight.
But is it a litmus test?
Speaker 2 (34:25):
No?
Speaker 1 (34:26):
Is it a gigantic game, No, it really isn't.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
Well, who's bigger for Lakers are for Okay see.
Speaker 1 (34:35):
Probably bigger, Probably bigger for Okac. See if they can
keep winning like that, Lakers just need to continue to
get better. Lakers need to execute. Lakers need to keep
doing what they're doing. If something if it goes sideways
or something comes off the rail, off the rails tonight,
you fix it because you're playing well, the system works,
(34:56):
everybody's bought in, you're engaged. So I mean if the
Lakers beat them, yeah, they can celebrate. I think it's
more for oka Se. Let's see if they can just
keep winning, how long before they lose another game? Until
I could be the night. Honestly could be the night.
Speaker 3 (35:15):
I think it's bigger for the Lakers to show that
they are. You know, people looked at them for this
start that they have. Oh, the Lakers are gonna be
pretty good. They don't even have Lebron and they still winning.
And can they continue this because once they get Lebron back,
they're going to be that much better.
Speaker 2 (35:32):
So this is how we're going to measure ourselves.
Speaker 3 (35:35):
If the Lakers get a win against Okac, I think
this is huge for the Lakers. But if they get
blown out, it's like going back to Lakers can't play
with the big boys right yet?
Speaker 1 (35:50):
And I just don't. Yeah, I just don't think you
can make that determination yet. That's all. We just look
at it a little differently. I just don't think you
can even make that determination. They need to play with
the big boys one, they need to play with the
big boys tonight. I think they just have to keep
doing what they've been doing. Okay, David Vassi is an
(36:17):
international phenom. He is, he's a force of nature to
be reckoned with. So let's talk about that next. And
also a little some sour grapes. Some sense in sour grapes, Rodney,
and I'm surprised it's coming from this guy.
Speaker 2 (36:34):
Oh,
Roggin And Rodney News
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