Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Exploring the latest headlines and in depth conversations. It's the
Richmond Weavers Show on one oh four nine Fox Sports
Substay presented by Ingles Low Prices, Love the Savings, Now
for riches, take on sports. Here's Richmond Weaver.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Ready to roll this Monday right here on The Richmond
Weaver Show, presented about Ingles Markets. This is the exclusive
podcast hour which you can find through any podcasting platform
of your preference. And we also prefer though that you
download the iHeartRadio app, which you can do that through
the App Store or when Google Play. It's easypasy, it's
(00:41):
new and improved, you've got preset buttons there so easy.
I promise you won't be disappointed with it because you
can also listen to live radio as well as you know,
each weekday right here on one of four nine Fox
Sports Upstate, we do go live from three to four,
but this is our exclusive podcast hour. The beautiful thing
is mister Falco back in studio there that you have
(01:05):
that one stop shop where it doesn't matter you can
listen whenever and wherever you want to. And that's why
we love the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Oh absolutely so easy. Get a little preset button right there.
You can set us as a preset and you can
listen every day.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
There you go, just easy peasy. And as I mentioned,
mister Trey Falco, producer extraordinary behind the board and behind
the mic, is back in studio because we are actually
live here in Atlanta at the SEC Football Media Days
and getting ready for the true talking season to begin,
(01:39):
mister Foulco, because oh, here we go, and I'm telling
you we've got some content to talk about, not only
in this podcast exclusive hour, but also once we go
live at three pm as we do each weekday on
one oh four nine Fox Sports Upstate. And it's hot
in Atlanta, I can promise you that, but not only
(01:59):
from the temperature standpoint, but also from the talking standpoint,
because this is really I would say, the signaling of
college football is oh so close, and college football is here,
and that's what I know so many college football fans
are excited about. And I get it. I know Big
twelve Media Day was last week. I get that. But
(02:20):
in all reality, and you know, mister Falco, I'm not
the guy that's trying to say one conference is better
than the other. But we just know from a national perspective,
the SEC gets more attention. That's just the reality, that's exactly.
So this is almost the culmination of, like, okay, all
of the talk that we had after the College Football
(02:43):
National Championship with Ohio State finally get into national championship,
and now all through that offseason to now as we
get oh so close to training camp or fall camp,
however you want to describe that at the beginning of
August for all of these teams, and we're looking at
it's July fourteenth, We've got two weeks. I mean, this
is ill. This is how close we are, exactly, So,
(03:04):
I mean, it is amazing that we're at this point
again getting ready and had a great opportunity to be
able to spend some time with South Carolina's contingency that
we're here, and great job by Steve Fink, the director
of communications for football and his assistant Michael Debates, who
also helps out with the basketball side, being able to
(03:27):
have a congregation of local media that covers South Carolina.
So it was great that we had an opportunity earlier
this morning, it was just us and that was it.
So a small, intimate type of setting, and we all
got to ask questions to Shane Biemer, to d Q Smith,
(03:47):
the returning safety for the game Cocks, and Nick Barrett,
the big defensive tackle, and of course the guy that
everybody's putting their eggs in one basket as far so
to speak. That that's Leonora Sellers, the quarterback for South
Carolina and obviously the bravado that he has in his position.
(04:09):
And so it was a great opportunity to be able
to talk to them and get a sense of just
how they're feeling heading into this season. And we've talked
about it. The expectations and how much pressure is on them,
you know, targets on their back, so to speak. You know,
all of those things that is going to be the
talking points, the narratives, you know, heading into this college
(04:31):
football season. But also just to be honestly to get
to know them a little bit better. I mean, there
is that side of you know, and I'm telling you
it's funny with Leonoris and d Q and Nick. You
talk about competitive. It's one thing we know they're competitive
out on the field. There's no question they're competitive in
the weight room. You know, all of those things. I mean,
(04:52):
these guys are playing at elite level college football. So
we know they're competitive, but I mean even to the
degree of their competitive about who's the best dressed, you know,
right as the most style, you know, all of that,
So there is that whole other side of it as well.
But those are the things that you benefit from from
(05:12):
having an intimate setting like that, and that's why again
I commend Steve Fink there and also Michael Debates for
being able to pull that together to allow the local
media a gaggle is what they called it, you know,
to be able to yeah, to have that opportunity. But
there's also an opportunity that Greg Sanky, commissioner for the SEC,
(05:36):
got up and obviously spoke to the media because all
these coaches and the players, they have their opportunity of
speaking to the media and giving you know, kind of
their state of the union type of address and then
answering questions there within the field of media members that
are there. And again, obviously, as you would expect, this
(05:58):
is anybody in every everybody that's following college football is
here because it's the SEC, and you know, you've got
the SEC network, You've got Paul Finbaum, you've got all
all the players, you've got Yeah, uh, Marty Smith and
Ryan McGee. You know, Marty and McGee's here, you know,
interviewing and doing their fun things, you know, lighting thing,
(06:20):
I mean, you know, having some levity. I guess you know,
it's not all serious, and that's what I do enjoy
about their content. But what struck me though, is interesting,
especially right now with all of the talk about changes
going on in college athletics in college football, and what
are we going to do with college football playoffs? Should
we expand from twelve to sixteen or should be fourteen?
(06:42):
And how are we determining how many teams get in
from each respective conferences in terms of are their automatic
qualifiers are there? You know, does the SEC automatically you
know they get four teams in or you know the
Big Ten they get four or you know, how should
it be relegated? And the one of the big differences
(07:04):
that I think is still a sticking point and from
what I've been able to gather, and I think it's
time the SEC realizes this. It's the conference schedule makeup
And let me explain what I'm talking about. Okay, so
right now, the SEC only plays eight conference game schedule,
right and other schools in other conferences are playing more.
(07:30):
When you look at like the Big Ten, the Big twelve,
you know they're playing nine game conference schedules. And I
think at this point, not only should we start looking
at the SEC and the ACC, you need to step
up to nine conference game schedules. Yeah, because again, how
(07:52):
many times are we talking about parody and things have
to be fair, right and all of that, and Trey,
I'm at the point now, well, you can't continue to preach,
you know, this parody and that the SEC. Then actually,
because it's such a hard conference that you deserve more
teams in the college football playoff. When you're only playing
(08:14):
eight games in your conference schedule, you need to be
playing nine games in your conference schedule. And that's part
of it. And that's the other side, is that how
much more can we continue this whole narrative that we
only play eight games because our schedule is so hard.
Plus the conference is far and above better than any
(08:37):
other conference, and I know they love touting that they
are the toughest conference in college football, and at times,
you know, I don't know if they're necessarily wrong, because
I mean, you've got Alabama, You've got Georgia, you've got
LSU and now you do, and now you're adding you know,
a Texas and look at what Lane Kiffn's doing in
Old Miss and South Carolina is are utilizing. That's where
(08:59):
there's this other game. It's not to go out and
play another Power for conference game, you know, I mean
another Power five school out of conference. They're using it
to go play you know, in Alabama State or Ammercer
or somebody of that nature. And I'm like, what are
we doing? The fans they want more, you know. So
(09:19):
it's the whole narrative of it's too hard. I just
think that argument falls flat when you consider the SEC.
What do we hear about them with their resources, top
tier facilities, right, massive budgets, the best recruiting classes come on,
and you can't play nine game conference schedule. I just
don't get it well.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
And at the end of the day, like the way
I look at it, it feels it's hypocrisy. You want
to sit here and say that the SEC means more,
but you can't be bothered to play the same amount
of games as other people. I mean, if you want
it to mean more, you should play more games, I think.
But if you want to talk about the SEC means more.
Why does it mean more? Oh, because it's tough to
(10:00):
play in the SEC. Okay, then be tough and play
nine games. You can't say that it's tough to play
in the SEC and then not play a full schedule
like everybody else. It doesn't make sense.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
It doesn't make sense. And we know the college football
playoffs and they expanded to twelve teams. Strength of schedule
is definitely a huge factor in selection and the seeding
of it. I mean, that's part of it. So why
would you not want to continue to increase your strength
of schedule? And you have the ability, you don't have
to go find another power for team, right, You've got
(10:33):
them all right there. Because it's the best. If it's
supposed to be the best, why wouldn't you just go
and play an additional game amongst the best of the best,
exactly if that's what you keep promising people. And I
just don't understand it. And that's why, you know, look
at last year Alabama nine to three, eight game SEC schedule,
(10:53):
but it included lost to Vanderbilt, but a win over
an FCS team. Now a nine game schedule, i'd have
replaced that FCS game, which I'm talking about with a
tougher SEC opponent apparently, so would that not give the
committee a clearer picture of saying, Okay, we can evaluate
(11:13):
Alabama much easier because they we don't have to try
to evaluate them against an FCS school because you can't
because we know how much better they're going to be.
But when you can evaluate that they're playing against another
conference opponent, then it only makes sense. And I think
also a nine game schedule it forces more of the
(11:34):
head to head matchups, reducing some of the ambiguity that
we have in rankings, and also ensuring that the SCC's
best teams that they are battle tested for the playoff,
because that's part of it as well. You don't you
need some of those games, and again I get it,
you might lose, but guess what, you also have the
(11:54):
opportunity of teams are going to win those games and
it will make them better. So when they do face
an Ohio State or an Oregon or you know, a
team like a Clemson something in the College Football Playoff,
they're more prepared.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
And I also wonder, I mean you talk about, yes,
you play more of those games, maybe you lose, but
I don't I don't know. Maybe it's just maybe maybe
it's just the way I'm wired. But I look at
it and I'm like, but what does what does it
mean if you go and win one of those h fbs,
Like excuse me, yeah, what is what does that even mean?
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Like?
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Everybody knows you're gonna win, right, so it doesn't matter anyways.
It's basically a free, free win, So I feel like
it shouldn't count to begin with. But what happens if
you go in there and for some reason something happens
and you lose. I would much rather if I'm in
Alabama or let's say a South Carolina, I would much
rather lose to Alabama than I would anybody. I would
(12:54):
much rather lose to Alabama and play a meaningful game
and lose it close within a couple of points a
field goal or safety or whatever, like within two to
three points. Then I would ever want to win against
an FCS school by a blowout because it just means nothing.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
You want to mean more.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
Yes, those are the games you need to play.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
And also just think about it from this perspective where
you're talking about, we know sports can be unpredictable and
the like ridihood of saying, like the Citadel beating Alabama
is an astronomical right, But several years ago the Citadel
was tied with Alabama going into halftime. I mean, oh yeah,
(13:34):
And the Citadel has beaten South Carolina at South Carolina,
So there's something that could happen. So my point is
that even though it's a such a small chance of
it happening, but the repercussions, the consequences of losing to
a team like that for your school, you kiss your
(13:54):
season goodbye, no doubt, and your conference takes a hit
all of that. So if I'm Alabama, I'm okay if
I lose to Vanderbilt. Now you don't want that, I
totally understand that, but at least it's a conference opponent.
And then you can even say, yep, that's playing in
(14:14):
the SEC. Because it's so tough, we can lose to Vanderbilt.
But if you say, oh, that's just college football, we
lose to the Citadel, You've got no legs to.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Stand on, right exactly?
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Oh my goodness, come on, Greg Sankee and Greg Sankee
talked about just that aspect, and his point is that
Greg Sankey is basically saying that they will continue evaluating
it's eight game conference football schedule and taking into the
account the College Football Playoffs future format, right, but he
(14:50):
also continues to state that, you know, while some leagues
play one or more conference games than the SEC, that
the SEC does have have a power for non conference requirement,
but it's only one. So my point is that, hey, okay,
that still you're replacing this opportunity with FCS teams. He
(15:12):
also goes on to say, quote, no team in another
league would trade its schedule for the slate played in
the SEC. End quote. And that goes back to that
whole narrative that they try to keep painting that the
SEC is just so hard we can't, you know, go
(15:33):
through the gauntlet of another game on our schedule to
make it nine games. And again I go back to
the point where tell that to the NFL.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
Thank you, here's a novel concept. Maybe it's just hard
to win. Do we think about that, like, I know,
there's this holder or just it's just so hard to
win in the SEC. I think you could say that
about any conference. If you're in that car, it's it's
just hard to win football.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
It is hard to win. And that's why I just
don't buy into the fact that you can look at
an ACC conference. You can look at a Big twelve
conference and say that they're so far inferior to the
SEC or the Big Ten, and then you know the
SEC saying that, oh if we go to nine games
(16:23):
and that's potentially gonna, you know, hurt our opportunity in
the postseason. Well, all you have to do is look
at history. You know, I love history trade we talk
about it quite a bit. Yes, yes, I will talk
some history. I will pull up some stats within history
to try to paint a picture, to try to tell
(16:43):
a narrative and try to understand history. And because we
do know that history often times repeats itself. So my
point is that SEC, you don't have to look far
to understand what type of impact no game conference schedule
can have on a conference. You do realize the Big
(17:05):
Ten they play nine conference games on their schedule, right
and guess what the past two national champions are from
the Big Ten, Ohio State and then previously Jim Harrow
and the Michigan Wolf Rings. I think that pretty much
paints a picture right there that you can do it.
You can have a nine game conference schedule and still
(17:26):
compete at the end of the year for a national
championship and actually win it, because we've seen it done
not once but twice, right exactly, And that's something that
the SEC really needs to start understanding. Listening to some
of the narratives out there, and also listen to not
(17:47):
any the narratives, because again, I don't want conferences to
just be making decisions off of you know, pundits and
their opinions to obviously you're taking some that into consideration,
but also I would have to say, you do need
to listen to what maybe the fans might be saying,
because those are your true customers. And I get it
(18:09):
that you know you might be looking at it, well,
it's the media entities that are customers. We want to
make sure that they see value in our conference and
obviously being able to pay us the top dollar what
we're hoping to acquire. And that's where why wouldn't you
(18:30):
look at it from a perspective that if you have
nine conference games, that's better matchups, that's electric rivalries that
you could form. You know now that you have the
addition of Texas and Oklahoma and you know those type
of schools, So why wouldn't you try to give that
product to the fan because guess what if the fan
(18:53):
is really engaged and really talking about it and wanting
to watch more of that, then that's obviously just going
to have a domino effect that these media entities are
going to understand that and want to provide that content
for the fans so they can get the eyeballs on
their particular product. Because we know there's no other appointment
(19:15):
TV outside of sports. Sports still drives all of the
appointment TV, and especially college football Saturday. Why would you
not want to have marquee matchups because I promise you
as much as you know, the fans will go to
these games and we'll still watch, you know, with a
interesting eye. Right, It's not the same when South Carolina
(19:37):
is playing Old Dominion. If it's South Carolina and LSU playing,
it's just different. And why would you not want to
give more of your fan base that opportunity to cheer
for their team and those type.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
Of games and to your point, better matchups, extra games.
It's going to drive eyeballs. But the big thing is
you look at these TV, these network whatever you want
to call them. When they're looking at these you can't
tell me they're not evaluating on some level. Well, yeah,
but that's South Carolina game. Like, I don't know if
(20:11):
I want to pay as much for that, and so
I feel like that's working the deal a little bit.
But if you can come at it and you're like, look,
every week you're gonna have this big matchup instead of
doing it'll be South Carolina and Alabama instead, and like
ooh okay, and then you can then you have leveraging
and go, hey, bigger matchups, we need a bigger paycheck.
You're gonna have to pay more to air these games,
and people want to watch them, You're gonna want to
(20:33):
carry them.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
And doesn't the SEC have that type of leverage. I
think it does that they can go back to these
media entities and say, hey, here go. Yeah. I know
you're you know, paying a three billion dollar contract through
twenty thirty four, but guess what we're going to increase
our inventory because we're adding an additional game for each school, right,
so guess what we need to come back to the
(20:58):
negotiating table because we don't feel that this dollar value
truly reflects what you're going to get in return with
the additional game. From a conference standpoint, and that's why
I think it could be even a more massive TV
deal for the SEC. But that's just me trying to
(21:19):
get the message out to Greg Sanky. So, Greg, if
you're listening through the iHeartRadio app to this podcast exclusive
hour hour, we do appreciate it. Obviously, he might be
tied up a little bit today, Trady, So yeah, yeah,
you can. That's right. Well, Hey, maybe he's you know,
going to uh, you know, walcome the treadmill a little
bit later or tomorrow morning. He can listen to it
(21:42):
there and maybe we can convince him to truly look
at the opportunity of being able to go to nine
game conference schedule. All right, I do want to make
sure that we highlight UH some things with South Carolina
and UH head coach Shane Beemer, Leonora Sellers, d Q
(22:03):
Smith and also Nick Barrett that we're here at SEC
Media Day, and I think they did a fantastic job.
And so it's definitely to that point where trying to
understand what's South Carolina's expectations. We've already talked about it obviously,
but there's also some van I say, perspectives I should
(22:24):
say that are they viewing that they're under pressure, because
I had some conversations and I'm not certain that they
necessarily view it as a pressure, but they view it
as an opportunity, and I think that could be a
difference that we're starting to see with South Carolina. And
(22:45):
we're going to continue that an hour two of the
Richmond Weavers Show, presented by Ingles Markets. We'll catch you then,
Exploring the latest headlines and in depth conversations. It's the
Richmond Weavers Show on one oh four nine Fox Sports
Substay presented by Ingles Low Prices, Love the Savings, Now
for riches, take on sports. Here's Richmond Weaver.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Ready to roll this Monday right here on The Richmond
Weaver Show, presented about Ingles Markets. This is the exclusive
podcast hour which you can find through any podcasting platform
of your preference. And we also prefer though that you
download the iHeartRadio app, which you can do that through
the App Store or when Google Play. It's easypasy, it's
(00:41):
new and improved, you've got preset buttons there so easy.
I promise you won't be disappointed with it because you
can also listen to live radio as well as you know,
each weekday right here on one of four nine Fox
Sports Upstate, we do go live from three to four,
but this is our exclusive podcast hour. The beautiful thing
is mister Falco back in studio there that you have
(01:05):
that one stop shop where it doesn't matter you can
listen whenever and wherever you want to. And that's why
we love the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Oh absolutely so easy. Get a little preset button right there.
You can set us as a preset and you can
listen every day.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
There you go, just easy peasy. And as I mentioned,
mister Trey Falco, producer extraordinary behind the board and behind
the mic, is back in studio because we are actually
live here in Atlanta at the SEC Football Media Days
and getting ready for the true talking season to begin,
(01:39):
mister Foulco, because oh, here we go, and I'm telling
you we've got some content to talk about, not only
in this podcast exclusive hour, but also once we go
live at three pm as we do each weekday on
one oh four nine Fox Sports Upstate. And it's hot
in Atlanta, I can promise you that, but not only
(01:59):
from the temperature standpoint, but also from the talking standpoint,
because this is really I would say, the signaling of
college football is oh so close, and college football is here,
and that's what I know so many college football fans
are excited about. And I get it. I know Big
twelve Media Day was last week. I get that. But
(02:20):
in all reality, and you know, mister Falco, I'm not
the guy that's trying to say one conference is better
than the other. But we just know from a national perspective,
the SEC gets more attention. That's just the reality, that's exactly.
So this is almost the culmination of, like, okay, all
of the talk that we had after the College Football
(02:43):
National Championship with Ohio State finally get into national championship,
and now all through that offseason to now as we
get oh so close to training camp or fall camp,
however you want to describe that at the beginning of
August for all of these teams, and we're looking at
it's July fourteenth, We've got two weeks. I mean, this
is ill. This is how close we are, exactly, So,
(03:04):
I mean, it is amazing that we're at this point
again getting ready and had a great opportunity to be
able to spend some time with South Carolina's contingency that
we're here, and great job by Steve Fink, the director
of communications for football and his assistant Michael Debates, who
also helps out with the basketball side, being able to
(03:27):
have a congregation of local media that covers South Carolina.
So it was great that we had an opportunity earlier
this morning, it was just us and that was it.
So a small, intimate type of setting, and we all
got to ask questions to Shane Biemer, to d Q Smith,
(03:47):
the returning safety for the game Cocks, and Nick Barrett,
the big defensive tackle, and of course the guy that
everybody's putting their eggs in one basket as far so
to speak. That that's Leonora Sellers, the quarterback for South
Carolina and obviously the bravado that he has in his position.
(04:09):
And so it was a great opportunity to be able
to talk to them and get a sense of just
how they're feeling heading into this season. And we've talked
about it. The expectations and how much pressure is on them,
you know, targets on their back, so to speak. You know,
all of those things that is going to be the
talking points, the narratives, you know, heading into this college
(04:31):
football season. But also just to be honestly to get
to know them a little bit better. I mean, there
is that side of you know, and I'm telling you
it's funny with Leonoris and d Q and Nick. You
talk about competitive. It's one thing we know they're competitive
out on the field. There's no question they're competitive in
the weight room. You know, all of those things. I mean,
(04:52):
these guys are playing at elite level college football. So
we know they're competitive, but I mean even to the
degree of their competitive about who's the best dressed, you know,
right as the most style, you know, all of that,
So there is that whole other side of it as well.
But those are the things that you benefit from from
(05:12):
having an intimate setting like that, and that's why again
I commend Steve Fink there and also Michael Debates for
being able to pull that together to allow the local
media a gaggle is what they called it, you know,
to be able to yeah, to have that opportunity. But
there's also an opportunity that Greg Sanky, commissioner for the SEC,
(05:36):
got up and obviously spoke to the media because all
these coaches and the players, they have their opportunity of
speaking to the media and giving you know, kind of
their state of the union type of address and then
answering questions there within the field of media members that
are there. And again, obviously, as you would expect, this
(05:58):
is anybody in every everybody that's following college football is
here because it's the SEC, and you know, you've got
the SEC network, You've got Paul Finbaum, you've got all
all the players, you've got Yeah, uh, Marty Smith and
Ryan McGee. You know, Marty and McGee's here, you know,
interviewing and doing their fun things, you know, lighting thing,
(06:20):
I mean, you know, having some levity. I guess you know,
it's not all serious, and that's what I do enjoy
about their content. But what struck me though, is interesting,
especially right now with all of the talk about changes
going on in college athletics in college football, and what
are we going to do with college football playoffs? Should
we expand from twelve to sixteen or should be fourteen?
(06:42):
And how are we determining how many teams get in
from each respective conferences in terms of are their automatic
qualifiers are there? You know, does the SEC automatically you
know they get four teams in or you know the
Big Ten they get four or you know, how should
it be relegated? And the one of the big differences
(07:04):
that I think is still a sticking point and from
what I've been able to gather, and I think it's
time the SEC realizes this. It's the conference schedule makeup
And let me explain what I'm talking about. Okay, so
right now, the SEC only plays eight conference game schedule,
right and other schools in other conferences are playing more.
(07:30):
When you look at like the Big Ten, the Big twelve,
you know they're playing nine game conference schedules. And I
think at this point, not only should we start looking
at the SEC and the ACC, you need to step
up to nine conference game schedules. Yeah, because again, how
(07:52):
many times are we talking about parody and things have
to be fair, right and all of that, and Trey,
I'm at the point now, well, you can't continue to preach,
you know, this parody and that the SEC. Then actually,
because it's such a hard conference that you deserve more
teams in the college football playoff. When you're only playing
(08:14):
eight games in your conference schedule, you need to be
playing nine games in your conference schedule. And that's part
of it. And that's the other side, is that how
much more can we continue this whole narrative that we
only play eight games because our schedule is so hard.
Plus the conference is far and above better than any
(08:37):
other conference, and I know they love touting that they
are the toughest conference in college football, and at times,
you know, I don't know if they're necessarily wrong, because
I mean, you've got Alabama, You've got Georgia, you've got
LSU and now you do, and now you're adding you know,
a Texas and look at what Lane Kiffn's doing in
Old Miss and South Carolina is are utilizing. That's where
(08:59):
there's this other game. It's not to go out and
play another Power for conference game, you know, I mean
another Power five school out of conference. They're using it
to go play you know, in Alabama State or Ammercer
or somebody of that nature. And I'm like, what are
we doing? The fans they want more, you know. So
(09:19):
it's the whole narrative of it's too hard. I just
think that argument falls flat when you consider the SEC.
What do we hear about them with their resources, top
tier facilities, right, massive budgets, the best recruiting classes come on,
and you can't play nine game conference schedule. I just
don't get it well.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
And at the end of the day, like the way
I look at it, it feels it's hypocrisy. You want
to sit here and say that the SEC means more,
but you can't be bothered to play the same amount
of games as other people. I mean, if you want
it to mean more, you should play more games, I think.
But if you want to talk about the SEC means more.
Why does it mean more? Oh, because it's tough to
(10:00):
play in the SEC. Okay, then be tough and play
nine games. You can't say that it's tough to play
in the SEC and then not play a full schedule
like everybody else. It doesn't make sense.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
It doesn't make sense. And we know the college football
playoffs and they expanded to twelve teams. Strength of schedule
is definitely a huge factor in selection and the seeding
of it. I mean, that's part of it. So why
would you not want to continue to increase your strength
of schedule? And you have the ability, you don't have
to go find another power for team, right, You've got
(10:33):
them all right there. Because it's the best. If it's
supposed to be the best, why wouldn't you just go
and play an additional game amongst the best of the best,
exactly if that's what you keep promising people. And I
just don't understand it. And that's why, you know, look
at last year Alabama nine to three, eight game SEC schedule,
(10:53):
but it included lost to Vanderbilt, but a win over
an FCS team. Now a nine game schedule, i'd have
replaced that FCS game, which I'm talking about with a
tougher SEC opponent apparently, so would that not give the
committee a clearer picture of saying, Okay, we can evaluate
(11:13):
Alabama much easier because they we don't have to try
to evaluate them against an FCS school because you can't
because we know how much better they're going to be.
But when you can evaluate that they're playing against another
conference opponent, then it only makes sense. And I think
also a nine game schedule it forces more of the
(11:34):
head to head matchups, reducing some of the ambiguity that
we have in rankings, and also ensuring that the SCC's
best teams that they are battle tested for the playoff,
because that's part of it as well. You don't you
need some of those games, and again I get it,
you might lose, but guess what, you also have the
(11:54):
opportunity of teams are going to win those games and
it will make them better. So when they do face
an Ohio State or an Oregon or you know, a
team like a Clemson something in the College Football Playoff,
they're more prepared.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
And I also wonder, I mean you talk about, yes,
you play more of those games, maybe you lose, but
I don't I don't know. Maybe it's just maybe maybe
it's just the way I'm wired. But I look at
it and I'm like, but what does what does it
mean if you go and win one of those h fbs,
Like excuse me, yeah, what is what does that even mean?
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Like?
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Everybody knows you're gonna win, right, so it doesn't matter anyways.
It's basically a free, free win, So I feel like
it shouldn't count to begin with. But what happens if
you go in there and for some reason something happens
and you lose. I would much rather if I'm in
Alabama or let's say a South Carolina, I would much
rather lose to Alabama than I would anybody. I would
(12:54):
much rather lose to Alabama and play a meaningful game
and lose it close within a couple of points a
field goal or safety or whatever, like within two to
three points. Then I would ever want to win against
an FCS school by a blowout because it just means nothing.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
You want to mean more.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
Yes, those are the games you need to play.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
And also just think about it from this perspective where
you're talking about, we know sports can be unpredictable and
the like ridihood of saying, like the Citadel beating Alabama
is an astronomical right, But several years ago the Citadel
was tied with Alabama going into halftime. I mean, oh yeah,
(13:34):
And the Citadel has beaten South Carolina at South Carolina,
So there's something that could happen. So my point is
that even though it's a such a small chance of
it happening, but the repercussions, the consequences of losing to
a team like that for your school, you kiss your
(13:54):
season goodbye, no doubt, and your conference takes a hit
all of that. So if I'm Alabama, I'm okay if
I lose to Vanderbilt. Now you don't want that, I
totally understand that, but at least it's a conference opponent.
And then you can even say, yep, that's playing in
(14:14):
the SEC. Because it's so tough, we can lose to Vanderbilt.
But if you say, oh, that's just college football, we
lose to the Citadel, You've got no legs to.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Stand on, right exactly?
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Oh my goodness, come on, Greg Sankee and Greg Sankee
talked about just that aspect, and his point is that
Greg Sankey is basically saying that they will continue evaluating
it's eight game conference football schedule and taking into the
account the College Football Playoffs future format, right, but he
(14:50):
also continues to state that, you know, while some leagues
play one or more conference games than the SEC, that
the SEC does have have a power for non conference requirement,
but it's only one. So my point is that, hey, okay,
that still you're replacing this opportunity with FCS teams. He
(15:12):
also goes on to say, quote, no team in another
league would trade its schedule for the slate played in
the SEC. End quote. And that goes back to that
whole narrative that they try to keep painting that the
SEC is just so hard we can't, you know, go
(15:33):
through the gauntlet of another game on our schedule to
make it nine games. And again I go back to
the point where tell that to the NFL.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
Thank you, here's a novel concept. Maybe it's just hard
to win. Do we think about that, like, I know,
there's this holder or just it's just so hard to
win in the SEC. I think you could say that
about any conference. If you're in that car, it's it's
just hard to win football.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
It is hard to win. And that's why I just
don't buy into the fact that you can look at
an ACC conference. You can look at a Big twelve
conference and say that they're so far inferior to the
SEC or the Big Ten, and then you know the
SEC saying that, oh if we go to nine games
(16:23):
and that's potentially gonna, you know, hurt our opportunity in
the postseason. Well, all you have to do is look
at history. You know, I love history trade we talk
about it quite a bit. Yes, yes, I will talk
some history. I will pull up some stats within history
to try to paint a picture, to try to tell
(16:43):
a narrative and try to understand history. And because we
do know that history often times repeats itself. So my
point is that SEC, you don't have to look far
to understand what type of impact no game conference schedule
can have on a conference. You do realize the Big
(17:05):
Ten they play nine conference games on their schedule, right
and guess what the past two national champions are from
the Big Ten, Ohio State and then previously Jim Harrow
and the Michigan Wolf Rings. I think that pretty much
paints a picture right there that you can do it.
You can have a nine game conference schedule and still
(17:26):
compete at the end of the year for a national
championship and actually win it, because we've seen it done
not once but twice, right exactly, And that's something that
the SEC really needs to start understanding. Listening to some
of the narratives out there, and also listen to not
(17:47):
any the narratives, because again, I don't want conferences to
just be making decisions off of you know, pundits and
their opinions to obviously you're taking some that into consideration,
but also I would have to say, you do need
to listen to what maybe the fans might be saying,
because those are your true customers. And I get it
(18:09):
that you know you might be looking at it, well,
it's the media entities that are customers. We want to
make sure that they see value in our conference and
obviously being able to pay us the top dollar what
we're hoping to acquire. And that's where why wouldn't you
(18:30):
look at it from a perspective that if you have
nine conference games, that's better matchups, that's electric rivalries that
you could form. You know now that you have the
addition of Texas and Oklahoma and you know those type
of schools, So why wouldn't you try to give that
product to the fan because guess what if the fan
(18:53):
is really engaged and really talking about it and wanting
to watch more of that, then that's obviously just going
to have a domino effect that these media entities are
going to understand that and want to provide that content
for the fans so they can get the eyeballs on
their particular product. Because we know there's no other appointment
(19:15):
TV outside of sports. Sports still drives all of the
appointment TV, and especially college football Saturday. Why would you
not want to have marquee matchups because I promise you
as much as you know, the fans will go to
these games and we'll still watch, you know, with a
interesting eye. Right, It's not the same when South Carolina
(19:37):
is playing Old Dominion. If it's South Carolina and LSU playing,
it's just different. And why would you not want to
give more of your fan base that opportunity to cheer
for their team and those type.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
Of games and to your point, better matchups, extra games.
It's going to drive eyeballs. But the big thing is
you look at these TV, these network whatever you want
to call them. When they're looking at these you can't
tell me they're not evaluating on some level. Well, yeah,
but that's South Carolina game. Like, I don't know if
(20:11):
I want to pay as much for that, and so
I feel like that's working the deal a little bit.
But if you can come at it and you're like, look,
every week you're gonna have this big matchup instead of
doing it'll be South Carolina and Alabama instead, and like
ooh okay, and then you can then you have leveraging
and go, hey, bigger matchups, we need a bigger paycheck.
You're gonna have to pay more to air these games,
and people want to watch them, You're gonna want to
(20:33):
carry them.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
And doesn't the SEC have that type of leverage. I
think it does that they can go back to these
media entities and say, hey, here go. Yeah. I know
you're you know, paying a three billion dollar contract through
twenty thirty four, but guess what we're going to increase
our inventory because we're adding an additional game for each school, right,
so guess what we need to come back to the
(20:58):
negotiating table because we don't feel that this dollar value
truly reflects what you're going to get in return with
the additional game. From a conference standpoint, and that's why
I think it could be even a more massive TV
deal for the SEC. But that's just me trying to
(21:19):
get the message out to Greg Sanky. So, Greg, if
you're listening through the iHeartRadio app to this podcast exclusive
hour hour, we do appreciate it. Obviously, he might be
tied up a little bit today, Trady, So yeah, yeah,
you can. That's right. Well, Hey, maybe he's you know,
going to uh, you know, walcome the treadmill a little
bit later or tomorrow morning. He can listen to it
(21:42):
there and maybe we can convince him to truly look
at the opportunity of being able to go to nine
game conference schedule. All right, I do want to make
sure that we highlight UH some things with South Carolina
and UH head coach Shane Beemer, Leonora Sellers, d Q
(22:03):
Smith and also Nick Barrett that we're here at SEC
Media Day, and I think they did a fantastic job.
And so it's definitely to that point where trying to
understand what's South Carolina's expectations. We've already talked about it obviously,
but there's also some van I say, perspectives I should
(22:24):
say that are they viewing that they're under pressure, because
I had some conversations and I'm not certain that they
necessarily view it as a pressure, but they view it
as an opportunity, and I think that could be a
difference that we're starting to see with South Carolina. And
(22:45):
we're going to continue that an hour two of the
Richmond Weavers Show, presented by Ingles Markets. We'll catch you then,
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