January 16, 2025 • 37 mins
On this episode, the Chaps preview the 2024 season National Championhip game between THE Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. We talk....
- Is Ryan Day & Ohio State exonerated now that they have made it to a Championship game? Or do they still have to win it?
- Despite Chip Kelly’s excellent record with Oregon, he has never won a National Championship. Arguably that Ducks team was one of the best teams College Football has seen. Does Chip Kelly’s resume deserve a natty?
- What are the Keys to victory for the Irish?
- Offensive line injuries again for the Irish. Is the well deep enough to plug the gap made by the injury to Anthonie Knappe?
- Which coach (Jason Day or Marcus Freeman) most likely still to be in the same job in 3 years time & will they have won multiple Natty’s?
- The Chaps Predictions
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I'm not going to comment on that. I'll get fine
for the rest of my life if I get comment
on that.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
National championship that young Stirl.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Hey everyone, and welcome to the College Chaps podcast. Well
it might be a new year, but the old season
is winding down to its conclusion. So in this episode
we will talk about the National Championship a final between
the Ohio State Buckeyes and there was Notre Dame Fine Irish,
but first for the Chaps and I'm joined by Ollie
and Alex. How are you both?
Speaker 4 (00:47):
It's Thursday, we recording this week and it's less than
four days, so that I think is the week is
the give.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Give her take a think you're in the ballpark.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Times, not when you've got what I think is going
to be a really enthralling and intriguing National Championship game
day night.
Speaker 5 (01:13):
Those are the kind of words that people use about
games that end nine to seven.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
They're my side of games. That's that suggests as a
walk off field goal when that which is why I
prefer far preferred the Orange Bowl to the Cotton Ball.
Speaker 5 (01:27):
What are you You're not thinking touchdown? Touchdown, safety, walk off?
When I expected more of you.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
Yesterday safety walk off win like something.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
I won't remainder, the predictions of it, the last thing
that we're going to be talking about. We seem to
you seem to just jump to any end of the script.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
It was a great it was a great episode.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
It was a great episode. I'd be deleted at a
walk off field goal and it's just a close game. Alex,
how are you?
Speaker 5 (01:54):
I'm great. I'm eating my dinner, which you know, I'm
trying not to let go either the market fans much
as possible. But busy, it's a busy time of year
for us.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
We are.
Speaker 6 (02:08):
About a week away from.
Speaker 5 (02:09):
Probably our biggest game of the season, so you know,
working really hard to get better, to grow out, to
try and join one of not a dime and a
high state in winning a national championship this year.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Yes, yes, indeed. And if you are watching this on YouTube,
you have the the joy of watching Alex eating is
chicken and rice. But that's not what we're here to.
That's what our next episode might be about. But that's
one of us episodes about. We're here to talk about
national championship. I wanted to start with Ohio State because
(02:46):
in many ways they've been the story all season, whether
they like to or not, this team has been under
a huge amount of pressure and dress from the get go,
most if not all of their own doing. So my
first question to you guys is that are they now
exonerated in terms of what they've achieved this year? Ryan
(03:11):
Day off the hook as Ohio State off the hook
in terms of they've they've delivered or they've got to
where they wanted to be, or do they need to
win it for Ryan Day too. I'm not suggesting he
gets fired if he doesn't, but is the monkey off
his back if he doesn't win it.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
It's an interesting one because if you look back over
this season, it's it's that one game against Michigan and
his failure to win that game consistently, which really both
all the question marks about Ryan David. I don't think
anyone the ale of Ohio State because they lost to
(03:50):
Oregon in the regular season, because I think for most
people arguing where in the mixes as a preseason favorite
to win everything, and you know, let's not forget that
the only undefeated regular season team in college football, Oregon
were so that like that defeat to Oregon, I don't
think really have any bearing on what people think of
(04:13):
Ohio State and of Ryan Day. It was very much
the Michigan defeat, which brings it the brown too. Does
Ryan Day have a big game problem? Well, you know,
he's had to win three games to get to this
biggest of games, the biggest of all the games, and
if they're losing it, then obviously that comes back around
(04:35):
to does Ryan Day have a big game problem? The
same way we talk about James Franklin the are in
the year art. We're probably still going to talk about
James Franklin after the defeating the Orange Bowl, but that's
by the bad. So I think it feels very much
like there's a that there's been. I don't think there's
a Ryan Day on the hook question at Ohio State
(04:57):
at all. I think there is an national narrative about
Ryan Day that everyone, I think gets sucked into because
of the Missigan Michigan game. And maybe they didn't look
as convincing as they might have been in looks and
should have looked its national perception three of the season,
but hey, they looked, they looked awesome when it mattered
(05:18):
the most in these last three games. So yeah, I
think I kind of think that's where we're at, where
we should be at with Ryan Day. But Alex will
come into just before.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Alex Johnson, CANJB. Devil's advocate for a second, if Notre
Dame win the national championship, does that that that lost
to Oregon look quite as appeasing as you've just said
it is because you ain't got to know. Then you've
got an Ohio State team that's got three losses on
its on its record and Oregon won nothing this year, right, So.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
Well, I mean they wanted, they want the Big ten.
So I won't say they want nothing just just because you,
as a fan of the SEC is credited.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
No, no, not not to want to argue the point
we don't include conference championships a longer, right, It's all
about the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
So conference I think conference championship means as we've discussed
on this podcast, the conference championship means that what it
should mean, and it's it's a trophy in the cabinet
at the end of the day, and it should mean something.
But yeah, yeah, I think you know, bigger question is
(06:33):
can they win a big game if today, because then
he's what what what's Ohio State's president philis know today
and they've lost to the National Champions, they've lost the
Big Ten Champions, and they lost to the really Quest
Bowl champions defeats.
Speaker 5 (06:54):
I'm going to come in and give some some insight here.
I think he's kick the can down the road. By
the way they've played the last the last three games,
we'll the last two games.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
Whatever it is.
Speaker 5 (07:09):
I think that Ohio State, you know, I think he's
bought himself at least seven months. You know, they've got
the rematch against Texas to open up the twenty twenty
five schedule, that's at home. They have to win that game, right,
(07:29):
game one of the of next season. But I also
think that maybe he's bought himself eleven months or ten months,
whatever it is, until November twenty ninth, twenty five, when
they go into Michigan Stadium, they go into the Big
House and they face the Wolverines. Because I think if
he doesn't win this game, then he's still on a
(07:54):
semi warm seat. Right. If they lose this game, they
lose to Texas, and they lose the Michigan next year,
he's gone, right, I think, you know, they don't have
an awful schedule next year. They avoid Oregon next year,
They've got to play Penn State that they always do,
but that's at home as well. So like looking ahead,
(08:15):
I think he's brought himself enough time to kind of
get through twenty twenty five at least. But I think
if he wins it, then he's safe for a long time, right.
The winning a national championship at Ohio State will keep you,
we will keep the fans on your side for a
long time to come. So I do think it's important
for Ryan Day. I think, you know, he's somewhat rehabbed
(08:39):
his image now by getting them to this point. But
no one really remembers the team that lost the National
Championship game. You remember who won it, and I think
fans remember winning, they don't remember getting there anywhere near
as fondly. So yeah, I do think it's important that
they win this one.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Well that let me let me jump ahead a little
bit then, because I think I really late this question,
which is of the two coaches in the National Championship Game,
which one do you think is most lately still to
be in the same job in three years time, and
will they have won multiple national championships. Because I lay
(09:24):
that question.
Speaker 5 (09:25):
I don't think it's Marcus Freeman. I think he's the
NFL bound in the next couple of years.
Speaker 6 (09:32):
The image, the way he speaks, how well he speaks, like,
that's just got some NFL own who's going to fall
in love with that guy and.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
Pay him whatever he wants to move up to the pros.
I think he's got that kind of package around him
of NFL future NFL head coach, which I think is
I don't think Ryan Day has that. I think he
is a colleague which guy he is. He's just got
(10:03):
college football written all over him. And I think he
could end up being at a higher state in three
years time quite easily. Still, even without winning a Natty like,
I think he could still be there in three years. Yeah,
that winning a national championship one program does that. You
could still have a healthy program. You know, colleges don't fire.
They won't fire now as we go towards the revenue
(10:25):
sharing model quite as easily, right, because you you fire
a coach, you don't have as much money to pay
players in the same way. So that's that's another big
thing that's coming forward. But I do think Marcus Freeman
will end up in the NFL in the next.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
Three years ahead. Yeah, I don't disagree with with anything
that Alex just said. I think from Marcus Freeman as well,
like you win, you win one championship with today and
like you that's where else are you taking that program?
(11:06):
Like you you're not likely to create a Nick Saban today.
I don't feel like I might be wrong in that
because he's the sort of guy that if you're going
to put your mortgage on creating a sustained winning culture,
it would probably be Marcus Freeman in this modern era
of college football. But I feel like to have that sustained,
(11:30):
consistent like winning an every year with no today would
be difficult. And he's still so young, he's still he's
going to have, you know, he's going to have whatever
he wants at his feet whenever he wants it. I
feel like he's got that. Like Alex said, you know
the guys that exudes culture, it exudes class, he exudes intelligence. Like,
(11:56):
in all honesty, the greatest I've seen the state I've
seen it written today, I thought, or yesterday, and I
was like, that's this is the biggest endorsement you can handle.
With Marcus Freeman. He's made Notre Dame nationally and internationally
likable like that is that might be the biggest gift
(12:16):
he's given to that program. And how long are you
going to ride that way?
Speaker 5 (12:23):
Yeah, there's a world where they went on Monday night
and he's not the head coach of the Notre Dame
fighting Irish on the first effect. I can absolutely see
that happening.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
I can Chico. The beers are interested dre and it
won't be on the NFL team. That's that's mitching about, right.
Speaker 5 (12:45):
And and you know coaching, it isn't that there's no
sentiment in coaching that there's no loyalty you The only loyalty.
Speaker 4 (12:55):
You have is to yourself.
Speaker 5 (12:57):
If you're Marcus Freeman, if that opportunity comes and it's
going to change your life to do it, and you
get that chance to go and it's the right fit,
I don't think Chicago is the right fit for him.
I think there are other potential jobs. You know, Dallas,
the Dallas Cowboys job coming up. If anyone gets asked
to go and coach the Cowboys. In the world of football,
(13:20):
you're probably saying yes, right, it's probably the biggest job
in sport, let alone in football. They're definitely up there
as the biggest brand, but one of the biggest brands
in sports. So, you know, I think there are there's
a world where Marcus Freeman is gone this year if
they win, because like Olie said, it's similar to Jim
(13:42):
Harbor and Michigan last year. You are you going to
create a dynasty with Notre Dame. I don't think there's
going to be a dynasty in the next ten, fifteen,
twenty years of college football. I think the playing field
is two level, with the transfer portal with NIL, with
multiple schools being able to compete. I think we've seen
(14:04):
that the last two years, the lack of SEC dominance
in the last two years of this National Championship Game.
You know that there's not been an SEC team in
the National Championship Game the last two years, and I
think that's you know, it shows because you can't stack
three talented players at every position anymore because they'll go
elsewhere and they'll get money and playing time elsewhere. So
(14:27):
I think there's a real lack of conditions around a dynasty,
and I don't think that you can build it. So
I think these guys that have success are looking elsewhere
and they're looking for the big payday that is the NFL.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Well, again, there's a couple of things there in that
we are we're going to go on and talk about
Chick Keley, right, So I think there's there's a warning
like or some history in there that straits that all
that glitters isn't gold, right, maybe a relative I don't know.
I imagine John Harbor will be tenured where he is,
(15:09):
but I think he might be the exception rather than
the rule. Not wanting to jump on the Notre Dame bandwagon.
But there's two things that strike me. One is I
think Marcus Freeman is trying to build a culture there which.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
Wasn't there before.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
By even getting to the National championship, he's done arguably
more than Brian Kelly did during his But but I
think winning a national championship, if they do, it will
be the same for Ryan Day. But I think to
a less extent, it puts Marcus Freeman into the history
books at Notre Dame, right, and obviously a highest state
(15:49):
it will be the same, but I just don't think
it will have the same impact. I think Marcus Freeman
then becomes legend, almost like Kirby Smart at Georgia becomes
that legendary head coach that got them back to a
national championship. So I'm not so sure. He all strikes
me as an incredibly intelligent man, and I'm not so
(16:11):
sure that he jumps for the gold at the NFL
the first time of asking, because I think, Alex, you
entirely correct, is about the right fit, and I would
suggest now that the Bears are the Cowboys is the
right fit. I want to talk about Chip Kelly just
before we move on, because I listened into his press
conference and he talked incredibly well and then started looking
(16:32):
back at kind of what Chips done in his career
because for me, I just remember that truly fantastic Oregon
team who sadly didn't win a national championship. Right, So,
just before we move on to the game itself, does
Chip Kelly's resumey deserve a national championship? And when he
(16:55):
hangs up he's clipboard? Will we look back on him
as a lesser coach because he hasn't won a national championship.
Speaker 5 (17:06):
Coaches don't win championships, teams do. I think the way
we look at coaches is wrong. When I include myself
in that as well, like I'm not infallible. You know,
Chip Kelly came in and changed the game right, and
he produced and helped to mastermind one of the most
(17:29):
exciting and fun offenses to watch that we've seen in
a long time, one of the most fun and exciting
teams to watch that we've seen in a long time.
But I look outside of that one team and I say,
where's the other success really in there? I don't think
he's a pinnacle guy. I don't think he's a top
(17:52):
ten kind of college football coach. Personally, that he's fun,
he did some fun, But what really separates him from
Mike Leach outside of Mike Leach being funnier in press
conferences right, and arguably Mike Leach having more success over
a period trying to play a similar style. So you know,
(18:17):
for me, I think if that Oregon team had won
a national championship, it would have been great. It would
have been a great story. I don't think it changes
too much about Chip Kelly. You know, great coaches have
success for an extended period of time. You compare Chip
Kelly and Ed order On right, I think they're kind
(18:40):
of on a similar similar level. Obviously, Ed Adron's LSU
team won that championship. Chip Kelly's team didn't. But I
don't rank either of them as like top top tier
college football coaches.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
Well, so let me let me praise this slightly differently, Ollie.
We saw the those who are voted into the College
Football Hall of Fame this week. Next Saban has gone
in the first time, asking they're still I think an
acceptable and understandable amount of noise about Mike Leech not
(19:21):
getting in because of his his one record. Would Kelly
get into the college Football Hall of Fame when he retires?
Speaker 4 (19:37):
M H, excuse me, I'm not sure where you hang.
Like an argument for Chip Kelly's including in the Hall
of Fame on by when you you enter into those
discussions and someone Obviously this year it was a slam
dunk for the Nick Saban, like there was no way
in hell that you could make any argument both. But
(20:00):
most of the time, when the college football Hall of Fame,
same as the Pro Football Hall of Fame, comes around,
there's a character or two with some contention, and it
brings up, you know, those passionate conversations about who should
be in and who shouldn't be in and obviously when
it came to the time, it would be who was
Chip Kelly up against? But I don't think there's like,
(20:25):
as Alex said that he changed the game in a
lot of respect, but like, where was the what's his
crowning glory? What's his sustained success for inclusion into the
College Football Hall of Fame? And I'll say this, I
was going to tag on to the end of what
Alex was saying, Like, quietly, Ohio State has been a
(20:46):
very different offense this year and the influence of Chip
Kelly is kind of kind of clearly been felt, especially
as the playoffs where they've steamroll the teams, but the
rest of the season has been pretty quiet. But they
got a legitimate top scorer on offense in the country
this year, which was the real knock on Ohio State
(21:06):
last year was like the offense was just mediocre for
an Ohio State Book Eyes offense, and Kyle mccaud took
a lot of the slack for that, and you saw
how well you did at Syracuse. So there is something
to be said about the influence that Chip Kelly has
had on this Ohio State Book Eyes team. For sure.
(21:27):
I think what we're going to discuss as we go
into the prediction of what's going to happen in this game,
is if ares a coordinator at Ohio State who should
be talked about in terms of reverence and the college
Football Hall of Fame, It's defensive coordinator Jim Nols, because
that has been for the past two or three seasons,
has been the hallmarkt book eye success is what they've
(21:49):
been able to do on the defensive stide of the
bass and Jim Knowles came in night and day from
those those Ohio State teams that we talked about is
like the defense with a liability at times. Roll has
completely changed that team around and around. And that's a
guy who I don't think gets enough credit for the
(22:09):
job that he's done with this Ohio State team. Just
as just as sin Aside asked me about jo Yeah.
Speaker 5 (22:19):
Going back, Sorry, won one last quick little point coming
back to our Ryan Day chat from earlier in the podcast.
I think that's one massive tick in his box. He's
brought in two experienced guys as coordinators and they've had
big successes in adjusting and changing what what I hest
they do. And if you're a good college football coach,
(22:41):
if you're a good recruiter. It takes balls to get
to solid minds one offensive, one defensive, and say go
run my my offense and my defense. I'll manage things.
I'll be the CEO. But on game day, you run
the offense, on the defense, you run the special teams.
(23:03):
And I think Ryan Day's done that really well. And
that's kind of the modern way of doing things in
college football.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
Right.
Speaker 5 (23:10):
The head coaches, the CEO, he recruits, he manages the program.
But if you can bring into really experienced guys, one
great on offense, one great on defense, you're in a
really good spot and you can build something really special.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
Well, not for this podcast, but it will be interesting
next year. How what we see from Dabo Swinny Right,
because Tom Allen strikes me as one of those states
of hires. But you go back to a point about
Chip Kelly in Oregon and college Football of Fame. I'm
not advocating, but he brought that team to national relevance,
(23:45):
and arguably Dan Lanning wouldn't have the program he's got
just now without Chip Kelly because they won a pack
ten championships? Was Pack ten pack twelve championships that they
weren't doing before. He took them to more national BCS
pool games, which they hadn't really done before. I think,
(24:06):
you know, he changed the face of that program. Now,
whether that's enough to get him in the College Hall
of Fame, I don't know. We've talked to they a
little about the game itself. I haven't looked at the
odds recently, but I'm still of the opinion Io State
remain the favorites. Olie, What do what did the Irish
have to do to win this game?
Speaker 4 (24:26):
What are they?
Speaker 3 (24:27):
What are the keys to an Irish victory?
Speaker 4 (24:32):
We talked about Oregon Ohio State already, but I think
when you look at that game, there is something about
that regular season game that Notre Dame kind of has
to hang the hat on in its turnovers. They've got
to the God's force turnovers. That's going to be the
key for the game, you know. Not today, they're going
(24:54):
to try and thrive on the ground. We're going to
try and thrive with Jeremiah Lowe, who's not one hundred perc.
They're going to try and thrive with Judarium Price and
he's Riley Leonard as he is showcase that he's capable
of on the ground with his legs. Ohio State is
an incredibly difficult team to get your ground game going on,
and even Oregon found that. They especially found that in
(25:16):
the and the Rose Bowl, but even in the regular season,
it was kind of what Dylan Gabriel could do with
his arm that gave Oregon that win over Ohio State
in the regular season. I don't think that Riley Leonard
can do that the same way that Dylan Gabriel can.
So I don't think Oregon. I don't think Dame can
(25:36):
go totally offensively. They're both great defenses. Ohio State has
gone offensive advantage, but I think Notre Dame is very, very,
very capable of making things extremely difficult. They're very good
at forcing turnovers. Special teams, as we've seen, you know,
in the last the last couple of games, like the
rest of the season has been been really good. They're
(25:58):
going to have to be on their a game in
every facet of the game at the end of the day.
But I do think that that ability to force turnovers
can give Ohio States some difficulties.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
Yeah, I agree with you. They have to force turnovers
because if Ohio State go up and down the field,
and score. If I Hire State scores twenty, they win
the Natty For me in this one, I just I
don't see how Notre Dame can score big points on
this Ohio State defense. I just don't, you know, if
(26:32):
I don't rate this Notre Dame offense as high as
the Texas offense that I Hire States shut down ten
days ago or whatever it was, maybe not quite a
week ago at this point, I just I don't think
they'res good. I think the Notre Dame defense is phenomenal,
and I think that they have the option if they
can get short field position, if they can get some turnovers,
(26:55):
if they can get extra possessions in there. Yes, there's
the potential that they break something big and they score,
or they just grind this Ohio State team down and
score late. You know, I think there's options there. I
do think that for me, I think our highest state
should be favorites in this game. I think they've got
(27:16):
the better offense, and I think they'll be able to
score on this Notre Dame defense. It's going to be
a bit boom or bust for Notre Dame, and you know,
maybe that's some of the beauty of this kind of game. Right,
it's one and done. There's no point playing to grow
for the future.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
You play for now.
Speaker 5 (27:36):
And yeah, they can take some risks, they can take
some chances and chase some turnovers and try and win
that way.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
It's a great point. That's a great point. Actually, you
mentioned a particular number there which I think it's absolutely pivotal, critical,
whatever word you want to use. Twenty there's only one
team in college football this season who's put up twenty
points on Ohio State, and that's Oregon and oregonly twice.
They were once, they lost once. If I say, good, twenty,
I think that's game over having is a great point.
(28:04):
I don't think. I don't think no trame gets you know,
gets beyond twenty points. Cheers, buddy. Well, you're welcome. You're
absolutely welcome. Since you got that, Mulley. It's just everything's
place for you. Man, I come immotual for you.
Speaker 3 (28:20):
So that's a brain Fred, they've been having. What's nice
about these two teams are these are two teams which
have grown throughout the season and have improved game on game,
and I think that it's always exciting. When we talked
about this last week, we were talking about kind of
tournament play, only just quickly before we go to predictions,
because I'm determined we're going to finish on time tonight.
(28:41):
Injuries to that Notre Dame offensive line again, right, so
they've they've already plugged the gap once because it's not there.
Their starting left tackle, I think, is who was injured.
They've got another injury. Do they have enough? I mean,
that's a lot to ask somebody to cut men who
effectively would have been third choice at the start of
(29:03):
the season. Do they have enough to be able to
cope with a national championship game?
Speaker 4 (29:08):
Do you know? Interestingly enough? Was it last week or
the week before? Which podcast it was? And we talked
about the National Championship and who was going to win it?
And I got Texas, Ohio State All managers wrong. I
thought Texts would have enough to win it. But we said,
and I said on that podcast, Battle of Attrition, and
so it comes to pass that no train comes into
(29:30):
this National Championship game. Really on the rough end of
the Battle of Attrition, I thought the loss of Anthony
napp Is is huge, Like that kid as a freshman
freshman All American tackle for US at College Football Network
as played this year, he's been incredible. And I think
(29:50):
you noticed against Penn State when tosh Baker came in
and played and played the second half. I left most
all the second half a little bit first, there was
a notable difference. I think tosh Baker got his height,
he learned some stuff, and you know, Carter was not
fully thirty against Dame, and he had his way with
(30:12):
the Notre Dame offensive line a lot more than they
would have liked. So it's going to be tough. There's
they don't we haven't actually designated a start. Tosh Baker
is there in bold bold type on the depth charge,
but with that ever ominous or next to his name,
(30:32):
So you know that's gonna whatever way Marcus Freeman paints it,
whatever way offensive line coach or offensive coordinator paints him.
That's there's obviously some concern there about the five that
they try out. Now when you've got a guy like
Pat kugan at at the center, who is if you've
(30:53):
not seen Pat Cogan's viral hype up videos where he
swears a lot more than Alexy he does on this podcast,
go and find them as soon as you listen to this,
because that guy's influence on the center of our No
toame offensive line is critical, the one of the starting guard.
There is a question mark over his finness he's going
to play, so that's huge. We'll see We'll see no
(31:18):
toa bad injuries all over the park all through this
run to the College Football Playoff National Championship. So if
there was a team you're going to hang your hat
on there being enough unity, enough cohesion, enough ability to
overcome the obstacles and the adversity, say, it's probably there.
But that is a good defensive line that they're going
up against on Monday night.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
Will that leads nicely to protection. So where we're going
to start, Alex, who who do you fancy? Are You're
going to have a start at a score?
Speaker 5 (31:54):
I thought last weekend or last week would be close.
It really wasn't. I think a higher States the best
team in college football right now. I have them winning
by ten.
Speaker 4 (32:06):
Ollie now told you get.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
Well, I was going to I've got a feeling that
it's going to be a clean sweep, so that I
go with the Irish in a massive upset, which does
actually put Jason days Jack out on a shaky peg.
I just don't know this feeling about the Irish or
something about them this year. I didn't feel it for
(32:32):
eighty of the season, but as soon as they got
into the playoffs, they just looked like a from my perspective,
a different team. So I hope it is a really
tight game. I hope it is a walk off field
goal that wins it for them. Maybe it's heart overhead,
but yeah, the Irish by by a few points, a
(32:56):
couple three, maybe a max building up to Chrishndo and all.
Speaker 4 (33:02):
These which I really said that said, you get this,
because I didn't think it'd be like this deciding on
what the college chaps think is going to happen in
the College Football Champion back. I honestly don't know. I
honestly don't know. I'm going to go with my heart
over my head because I said it in the last
few show. I think there's something very special happening and today,
(33:23):
and I want to believe in something special. I think
that's you know we've talked about on this podcast before,
like college football special. College football deserves to be covered
in glory one hundred percent at the time. The stories
deserve to be told. People get to deserve and enjoy
(33:44):
what this sport is. And for a story I think
there's great storylines whoever wins, but I feel like storyline
of not today and winning this national championship would be
just such a great storyline for college football in what.
Speaker 3 (33:58):
Has been the great season, incredible season. Right at the
start of the season, we're having this conversation, we said,
Ohio State are going to be champions. Okay, I mean
they were probably and you know there were sor they
were certainly in that cluster of teams that we would
have had there for but Notre Dame wouldn't have been there.
Speaker 4 (34:20):
Wrongly, this this show.
Speaker 3 (34:23):
So I think in this, in this year of an
incredible football season, and that we shouldn't get lost in
all the kind of who ha it would be. It
would be appropriate for a Nish and Irish win.
Speaker 4 (34:35):
So I'll tell you something as well. I don't want to.
I know we wanted to finish some time, but we haven't.
So we enjoyed our a bit loger anyway, in this
in this modern era of college football, Like we talked
about it before the season and Ohio stated they they
(34:57):
played the off season perfectly for the modern era college football.
Everything they did with nil, everything they did with the
transfer paut, everything they can do with recruiting because they
do recruits level like they retained, they kept guys who
should have gone to the NFL Draft because they could
afford to keep them there. They played the offseason perfectly.
(35:18):
For modern era college football, there would be something just
poetic about a team like Notre Dame and winning the
college football National Championship. Who doesn't traditionally, you know, do
some of those things as well, like because of the traditions,
because of the academic standards, because of everything that Notre
(35:39):
Dame is, like, they'd almost be a poetry for they're
stuck in the mud college football fans to go, hey, like,
we don't need all that. And I know Notre Dame,
you know, Riley Leonard was one of the most coveted
quarterbacks of transfer. Paul, You're not. You can't get away
from that, you know, that element of it, that bag
(36:00):
that's kind of I kind of taked my storyline, my
poetic storylines somewhat, But I still think there's something to it. Honestly,
I just think it's pretty cool.
Speaker 3 (36:11):
But in some way, somewhere it's a conversation another time right,
because the really interesting article by Dennis Stood and John
Talty and cbyesterday about the now perceived dominance of Big
ten going forward because of money, right, and that we
could fill a whole episode with that. So in many ways,
Notre Dame and teams of that ILK are fighting with
(36:32):
one hand tied behind their back, right, because your Stanford's
another good example of that. But I say that is
a conversation for our type. Let's hope that we have
Bobby Dazzler of our championship game on Monday, and when
we meet up again next week, we're raving about what
a fantastic game it was and it was fitting into
(36:55):
the an incredible football season. That's all for us on
this episode. If you're new listener, now's an opportune time
to point out the other two hundred and two episodes
that you can find in Apple Podcasts. If you're a
regular listener, thank you, We love you, and if you
like what you have, please rate, review, and subscribe. You
(37:16):
can also follow us on xcell, Instagram. Our social media
accounts are at the College Chats and the College Chats
podcast on YouTube, So please give us a follow up.
Thank you. It's not quite the end of our year,
but thank you for an incredible year of insight from
both Ollie and Alex. Thanks for listening, Stay safe and
well and catch you on next time.
I'm not going to comment on that. I'll get fine
for the rest of my life if I get comment
on that.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
National championship that young Stirl.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Hey everyone, and welcome to the College Chaps podcast. Well
it might be a new year, but the old season
is winding down to its conclusion. So in this episode
we will talk about the National Championship a final between
the Ohio State Buckeyes and there was Notre Dame Fine Irish,
but first for the Chaps and I'm joined by Ollie
and Alex. How are you both?
Speaker 4 (00:47):
It's Thursday, we recording this week and it's less than
four days, so that I think is the week is
the give.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Give her take a think you're in the ballpark.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Times, not when you've got what I think is going
to be a really enthralling and intriguing National Championship game
day night.
Speaker 5 (01:13):
Those are the kind of words that people use about
games that end nine to seven.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
They're my side of games. That's that suggests as a
walk off field goal when that which is why I
prefer far preferred the Orange Bowl to the Cotton Ball.
Speaker 5 (01:27):
What are you You're not thinking touchdown? Touchdown, safety, walk off?
When I expected more of you.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
Yesterday safety walk off win like something.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
I won't remainder, the predictions of it, the last thing
that we're going to be talking about. We seem to
you seem to just jump to any end of the script.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
It was a great it was a great episode.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
It was a great episode. I'd be deleted at a
walk off field goal and it's just a close game. Alex,
how are you?
Speaker 5 (01:54):
I'm great. I'm eating my dinner, which you know, I'm
trying not to let go either the market fans much
as possible. But busy, it's a busy time of year
for us.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
We are.
Speaker 6 (02:08):
About a week away from.
Speaker 5 (02:09):
Probably our biggest game of the season, so you know,
working really hard to get better, to grow out, to
try and join one of not a dime and a
high state in winning a national championship this year.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Yes, yes, indeed. And if you are watching this on YouTube,
you have the the joy of watching Alex eating is
chicken and rice. But that's not what we're here to.
That's what our next episode might be about. But that's
one of us episodes about. We're here to talk about
national championship. I wanted to start with Ohio State because
(02:46):
in many ways they've been the story all season, whether
they like to or not, this team has been under
a huge amount of pressure and dress from the get go,
most if not all of their own doing. So my
first question to you guys is that are they now
exonerated in terms of what they've achieved this year? Ryan
(03:11):
Day off the hook as Ohio State off the hook
in terms of they've they've delivered or they've got to
where they wanted to be, or do they need to
win it for Ryan Day too. I'm not suggesting he
gets fired if he doesn't, but is the monkey off
his back if he doesn't win it.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
It's an interesting one because if you look back over
this season, it's it's that one game against Michigan and
his failure to win that game consistently, which really both
all the question marks about Ryan David. I don't think
anyone the ale of Ohio State because they lost to
(03:50):
Oregon in the regular season, because I think for most
people arguing where in the mixes as a preseason favorite
to win everything, and you know, let's not forget that
the only undefeated regular season team in college football, Oregon
were so that like that defeat to Oregon, I don't
think really have any bearing on what people think of
(04:13):
Ohio State and of Ryan Day. It was very much
the Michigan defeat, which brings it the brown too. Does
Ryan Day have a big game problem? Well, you know,
he's had to win three games to get to this
biggest of games, the biggest of all the games, and
if they're losing it, then obviously that comes back around
(04:35):
to does Ryan Day have a big game problem? The
same way we talk about James Franklin the are in
the year art. We're probably still going to talk about
James Franklin after the defeating the Orange Bowl, but that's
by the bad. So I think it feels very much
like there's a that there's been. I don't think there's
a Ryan Day on the hook question at Ohio State
(04:57):
at all. I think there is an national narrative about
Ryan Day that everyone, I think gets sucked into because
of the Missigan Michigan game. And maybe they didn't look
as convincing as they might have been in looks and
should have looked its national perception three of the season,
but hey, they looked, they looked awesome when it mattered
(05:18):
the most in these last three games. So yeah, I
think I kind of think that's where we're at, where
we should be at with Ryan Day. But Alex will
come into just before.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Alex Johnson, CANJB. Devil's advocate for a second, if Notre
Dame win the national championship, does that that that lost
to Oregon look quite as appeasing as you've just said
it is because you ain't got to know. Then you've
got an Ohio State team that's got three losses on
its on its record and Oregon won nothing this year, right, So.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
Well, I mean they wanted, they want the Big ten.
So I won't say they want nothing just just because you,
as a fan of the SEC is credited.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
No, no, not not to want to argue the point
we don't include conference championships a longer, right, It's all
about the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
So conference I think conference championship means as we've discussed
on this podcast, the conference championship means that what it
should mean, and it's it's a trophy in the cabinet
at the end of the day, and it should mean something.
But yeah, yeah, I think you know, bigger question is
(06:33):
can they win a big game if today, because then
he's what what what's Ohio State's president philis know today
and they've lost to the National Champions, they've lost the
Big Ten Champions, and they lost to the really Quest
Bowl champions defeats.
Speaker 5 (06:54):
I'm going to come in and give some some insight here.
I think he's kick the can down the road. By
the way they've played the last the last three games,
we'll the last two games.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
Whatever it is.
Speaker 5 (07:09):
I think that Ohio State, you know, I think he's
bought himself at least seven months. You know, they've got
the rematch against Texas to open up the twenty twenty
five schedule, that's at home. They have to win that game, right,
(07:29):
game one of the of next season. But I also
think that maybe he's bought himself eleven months or ten months,
whatever it is, until November twenty ninth, twenty five, when
they go into Michigan Stadium, they go into the Big
House and they face the Wolverines. Because I think if
he doesn't win this game, then he's still on a
(07:54):
semi warm seat. Right. If they lose this game, they
lose to Texas, and they lose the Michigan next year,
he's gone, right, I think, you know, they don't have
an awful schedule next year. They avoid Oregon next year,
They've got to play Penn State that they always do,
but that's at home as well. So like looking ahead,
(08:15):
I think he's brought himself enough time to kind of
get through twenty twenty five at least. But I think
if he wins it, then he's safe for a long time, right.
The winning a national championship at Ohio State will keep you,
we will keep the fans on your side for a
long time to come. So I do think it's important
for Ryan Day. I think, you know, he's somewhat rehabbed
(08:39):
his image now by getting them to this point. But
no one really remembers the team that lost the National
Championship game. You remember who won it, and I think
fans remember winning, they don't remember getting there anywhere near
as fondly. So yeah, I do think it's important that
they win this one.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Well that let me let me jump ahead a little
bit then, because I think I really late this question,
which is of the two coaches in the National Championship Game,
which one do you think is most lately still to
be in the same job in three years time, and
will they have won multiple national championships. Because I lay
(09:24):
that question.
Speaker 5 (09:25):
I don't think it's Marcus Freeman. I think he's the
NFL bound in the next couple of years.
Speaker 6 (09:32):
The image, the way he speaks, how well he speaks, like,
that's just got some NFL own who's going to fall
in love with that guy and.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
Pay him whatever he wants to move up to the pros.
I think he's got that kind of package around him
of NFL future NFL head coach, which I think is
I don't think Ryan Day has that. I think he
is a colleague which guy he is. He's just got
(10:03):
college football written all over him. And I think he
could end up being at a higher state in three
years time quite easily. Still, even without winning a Natty like,
I think he could still be there in three years. Yeah,
that winning a national championship one program does that. You
could still have a healthy program. You know, colleges don't fire.
They won't fire now as we go towards the revenue
(10:25):
sharing model quite as easily, right, because you you fire
a coach, you don't have as much money to pay
players in the same way. So that's that's another big
thing that's coming forward. But I do think Marcus Freeman
will end up in the NFL in the next.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
Three years ahead. Yeah, I don't disagree with with anything
that Alex just said. I think from Marcus Freeman as well,
like you win, you win one championship with today and
like you that's where else are you taking that program?
(11:06):
Like you you're not likely to create a Nick Saban today.
I don't feel like I might be wrong in that
because he's the sort of guy that if you're going
to put your mortgage on creating a sustained winning culture,
it would probably be Marcus Freeman in this modern era
of college football. But I feel like to have that sustained,
(11:30):
consistent like winning an every year with no today would
be difficult. And he's still so young, he's still he's
going to have, you know, he's going to have whatever
he wants at his feet whenever he wants it. I
feel like he's got that. Like Alex said, you know
the guys that exudes culture, it exudes class, he exudes intelligence. Like,
(11:56):
in all honesty, the greatest I've seen the state I've
seen it written today, I thought, or yesterday, and I
was like, that's this is the biggest endorsement you can handle.
With Marcus Freeman. He's made Notre Dame nationally and internationally
likable like that is that might be the biggest gift
(12:16):
he's given to that program. And how long are you
going to ride that way?
Speaker 5 (12:23):
Yeah, there's a world where they went on Monday night
and he's not the head coach of the Notre Dame
fighting Irish on the first effect. I can absolutely see
that happening.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
I can Chico. The beers are interested dre and it
won't be on the NFL team. That's that's mitching about, right.
Speaker 5 (12:45):
And and you know coaching, it isn't that there's no
sentiment in coaching that there's no loyalty you The only loyalty.
Speaker 4 (12:55):
You have is to yourself.
Speaker 5 (12:57):
If you're Marcus Freeman, if that opportunity comes and it's
going to change your life to do it, and you
get that chance to go and it's the right fit,
I don't think Chicago is the right fit for him.
I think there are other potential jobs. You know, Dallas,
the Dallas Cowboys job coming up. If anyone gets asked
to go and coach the Cowboys. In the world of football,
(13:20):
you're probably saying yes, right, it's probably the biggest job
in sport, let alone in football. They're definitely up there
as the biggest brand, but one of the biggest brands
in sports. So, you know, I think there are there's
a world where Marcus Freeman is gone this year if
they win, because like Olie said, it's similar to Jim
(13:42):
Harbor and Michigan last year. You are you going to
create a dynasty with Notre Dame. I don't think there's
going to be a dynasty in the next ten, fifteen,
twenty years of college football. I think the playing field
is two level, with the transfer portal with NIL, with
multiple schools being able to compete. I think we've seen
(14:04):
that the last two years, the lack of SEC dominance
in the last two years of this National Championship Game.
You know that there's not been an SEC team in
the National Championship Game the last two years, and I
think that's you know, it shows because you can't stack
three talented players at every position anymore because they'll go
elsewhere and they'll get money and playing time elsewhere. So
(14:27):
I think there's a real lack of conditions around a dynasty,
and I don't think that you can build it. So
I think these guys that have success are looking elsewhere
and they're looking for the big payday that is the NFL.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Well, again, there's a couple of things there in that
we are we're going to go on and talk about
Chick Keley, right, So I think there's there's a warning
like or some history in there that straits that all
that glitters isn't gold, right, maybe a relative I don't know.
I imagine John Harbor will be tenured where he is,
(15:09):
but I think he might be the exception rather than
the rule. Not wanting to jump on the Notre Dame bandwagon.
But there's two things that strike me. One is I
think Marcus Freeman is trying to build a culture there which.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
Wasn't there before.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
By even getting to the National championship, he's done arguably
more than Brian Kelly did during his But but I
think winning a national championship, if they do, it will
be the same for Ryan Day. But I think to
a less extent, it puts Marcus Freeman into the history
books at Notre Dame, right, and obviously a highest state
(15:49):
it will be the same, but I just don't think
it will have the same impact. I think Marcus Freeman
then becomes legend, almost like Kirby Smart at Georgia becomes
that legendary head coach that got them back to a
national championship. So I'm not so sure. He all strikes
me as an incredibly intelligent man, and I'm not so
(16:11):
sure that he jumps for the gold at the NFL
the first time of asking, because I think, Alex, you
entirely correct, is about the right fit, and I would
suggest now that the Bears are the Cowboys is the
right fit. I want to talk about Chip Kelly just
before we move on, because I listened into his press
conference and he talked incredibly well and then started looking
(16:32):
back at kind of what Chips done in his career
because for me, I just remember that truly fantastic Oregon
team who sadly didn't win a national championship. Right, So,
just before we move on to the game itself, does
Chip Kelly's resumey deserve a national championship? And when he
(16:55):
hangs up he's clipboard? Will we look back on him
as a lesser coach because he hasn't won a national championship.
Speaker 5 (17:06):
Coaches don't win championships, teams do. I think the way
we look at coaches is wrong. When I include myself
in that as well, like I'm not infallible. You know,
Chip Kelly came in and changed the game right, and
he produced and helped to mastermind one of the most
(17:29):
exciting and fun offenses to watch that we've seen in
a long time, one of the most fun and exciting
teams to watch that we've seen in a long time.
But I look outside of that one team and I say,
where's the other success really in there? I don't think
he's a pinnacle guy. I don't think he's a top
(17:52):
ten kind of college football coach. Personally, that he's fun,
he did some fun, But what really separates him from
Mike Leach outside of Mike Leach being funnier in press
conferences right, and arguably Mike Leach having more success over
a period trying to play a similar style. So you know,
(18:17):
for me, I think if that Oregon team had won
a national championship, it would have been great. It would
have been a great story. I don't think it changes
too much about Chip Kelly. You know, great coaches have
success for an extended period of time. You compare Chip
Kelly and Ed order On right, I think they're kind
(18:40):
of on a similar similar level. Obviously, Ed Adron's LSU
team won that championship. Chip Kelly's team didn't. But I
don't rank either of them as like top top tier
college football coaches.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
Well, so let me let me praise this slightly differently, Ollie.
We saw the those who are voted into the College
Football Hall of Fame this week. Next Saban has gone
in the first time, asking they're still I think an
acceptable and understandable amount of noise about Mike Leech not
(19:21):
getting in because of his his one record. Would Kelly
get into the college Football Hall of Fame when he retires?
Speaker 4 (19:37):
M H, excuse me, I'm not sure where you hang.
Like an argument for Chip Kelly's including in the Hall
of Fame on by when you you enter into those
discussions and someone Obviously this year it was a slam
dunk for the Nick Saban, like there was no way
in hell that you could make any argument both. But
(20:00):
most of the time, when the college football Hall of Fame,
same as the Pro Football Hall of Fame, comes around,
there's a character or two with some contention, and it
brings up, you know, those passionate conversations about who should
be in and who shouldn't be in and obviously when
it came to the time, it would be who was
Chip Kelly up against? But I don't think there's like,
(20:25):
as Alex said that he changed the game in a
lot of respect, but like, where was the what's his
crowning glory? What's his sustained success for inclusion into the
College Football Hall of Fame? And I'll say this, I
was going to tag on to the end of what
Alex was saying, Like, quietly, Ohio State has been a
(20:46):
very different offense this year and the influence of Chip
Kelly is kind of kind of clearly been felt, especially
as the playoffs where they've steamroll the teams, but the
rest of the season has been pretty quiet. But they
got a legitimate top scorer on offense in the country
this year, which was the real knock on Ohio State
(21:06):
last year was like the offense was just mediocre for
an Ohio State Book Eyes offense, and Kyle mccaud took
a lot of the slack for that, and you saw
how well you did at Syracuse. So there is something
to be said about the influence that Chip Kelly has
had on this Ohio State Book Eyes team. For sure.
(21:27):
I think what we're going to discuss as we go
into the prediction of what's going to happen in this game,
is if ares a coordinator at Ohio State who should
be talked about in terms of reverence and the college
Football Hall of Fame, It's defensive coordinator Jim Nols, because
that has been for the past two or three seasons,
has been the hallmarkt book eye success is what they've
(21:49):
been able to do on the defensive stide of the
bass and Jim Knowles came in night and day from
those those Ohio State teams that we talked about is
like the defense with a liability at times. Roll has
completely changed that team around and around. And that's a
guy who I don't think gets enough credit for the
(22:09):
job that he's done with this Ohio State team. Just
as just as sin Aside asked me about jo Yeah.
Speaker 5 (22:19):
Going back, Sorry, won one last quick little point coming
back to our Ryan Day chat from earlier in the podcast.
I think that's one massive tick in his box. He's
brought in two experienced guys as coordinators and they've had
big successes in adjusting and changing what what I hest
they do. And if you're a good college football coach,
(22:41):
if you're a good recruiter. It takes balls to get
to solid minds one offensive, one defensive, and say go
run my my offense and my defense. I'll manage things.
I'll be the CEO. But on game day, you run
the offense, on the defense, you run the special teams.
(23:03):
And I think Ryan Day's done that really well. And
that's kind of the modern way of doing things in
college football.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
Right.
Speaker 5 (23:10):
The head coaches, the CEO, he recruits, he manages the program.
But if you can bring into really experienced guys, one
great on offense, one great on defense, you're in a
really good spot and you can build something really special.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
Well, not for this podcast, but it will be interesting
next year. How what we see from Dabo Swinny Right,
because Tom Allen strikes me as one of those states
of hires. But you go back to a point about
Chip Kelly in Oregon and college Football of Fame. I'm
not advocating, but he brought that team to national relevance,
(23:45):
and arguably Dan Lanning wouldn't have the program he's got
just now without Chip Kelly because they won a pack
ten championships? Was Pack ten pack twelve championships that they
weren't doing before. He took them to more national BCS
pool games, which they hadn't really done before. I think,
(24:06):
you know, he changed the face of that program. Now,
whether that's enough to get him in the College Hall
of Fame, I don't know. We've talked to they a
little about the game itself. I haven't looked at the
odds recently, but I'm still of the opinion Io State
remain the favorites. Olie, What do what did the Irish
have to do to win this game?
Speaker 4 (24:26):
What are they?
Speaker 3 (24:27):
What are the keys to an Irish victory?
Speaker 4 (24:32):
We talked about Oregon Ohio State already, but I think
when you look at that game, there is something about
that regular season game that Notre Dame kind of has
to hang the hat on in its turnovers. They've got
to the God's force turnovers. That's going to be the
key for the game, you know. Not today, they're going
(24:54):
to try and thrive on the ground. We're going to
try and thrive with Jeremiah Lowe, who's not one hundred perc.
They're going to try and thrive with Judarium Price and
he's Riley Leonard as he is showcase that he's capable
of on the ground with his legs. Ohio State is
an incredibly difficult team to get your ground game going on,
and even Oregon found that. They especially found that in
(25:16):
the and the Rose Bowl, but even in the regular season,
it was kind of what Dylan Gabriel could do with
his arm that gave Oregon that win over Ohio State
in the regular season. I don't think that Riley Leonard
can do that the same way that Dylan Gabriel can.
So I don't think Oregon. I don't think Dame can
(25:36):
go totally offensively. They're both great defenses. Ohio State has
gone offensive advantage, but I think Notre Dame is very, very,
very capable of making things extremely difficult. They're very good
at forcing turnovers. Special teams, as we've seen, you know,
in the last the last couple of games, like the
rest of the season has been been really good. They're
(25:58):
going to have to be on their a game in
every facet of the game at the end of the day.
But I do think that that ability to force turnovers
can give Ohio States some difficulties.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
Yeah, I agree with you. They have to force turnovers
because if Ohio State go up and down the field,
and score. If I Hire State scores twenty, they win
the Natty For me in this one, I just I
don't see how Notre Dame can score big points on
this Ohio State defense. I just don't, you know, if
(26:32):
I don't rate this Notre Dame offense as high as
the Texas offense that I Hire States shut down ten
days ago or whatever it was, maybe not quite a
week ago at this point, I just I don't think
they'res good. I think the Notre Dame defense is phenomenal,
and I think that they have the option if they
can get short field position, if they can get some turnovers,
(26:55):
if they can get extra possessions in there. Yes, there's
the potential that they break something big and they score,
or they just grind this Ohio State team down and
score late. You know, I think there's options there. I
do think that for me, I think our highest state
should be favorites in this game. I think they've got
(27:16):
the better offense, and I think they'll be able to
score on this Notre Dame defense. It's going to be
a bit boom or bust for Notre Dame, and you know,
maybe that's some of the beauty of this kind of game. Right,
it's one and done. There's no point playing to grow
for the future.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
You play for now.
Speaker 5 (27:36):
And yeah, they can take some risks, they can take
some chances and chase some turnovers and try and win
that way.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
It's a great point. That's a great point. Actually, you
mentioned a particular number there which I think it's absolutely pivotal, critical,
whatever word you want to use. Twenty there's only one
team in college football this season who's put up twenty
points on Ohio State, and that's Oregon and oregonly twice.
They were once, they lost once. If I say, good, twenty,
I think that's game over having is a great point.
(28:04):
I don't think. I don't think no trame gets you know,
gets beyond twenty points. Cheers, buddy. Well, you're welcome. You're
absolutely welcome. Since you got that, Mulley. It's just everything's
place for you. Man, I come immotual for you.
Speaker 3 (28:20):
So that's a brain Fred, they've been having. What's nice
about these two teams are these are two teams which
have grown throughout the season and have improved game on game,
and I think that it's always exciting. When we talked
about this last week, we were talking about kind of
tournament play, only just quickly before we go to predictions,
because I'm determined we're going to finish on time tonight.
(28:41):
Injuries to that Notre Dame offensive line again, right, so
they've they've already plugged the gap once because it's not there.
Their starting left tackle, I think, is who was injured.
They've got another injury. Do they have enough? I mean,
that's a lot to ask somebody to cut men who
effectively would have been third choice at the start of
(29:03):
the season. Do they have enough to be able to
cope with a national championship game?
Speaker 4 (29:08):
Do you know? Interestingly enough? Was it last week or
the week before? Which podcast it was? And we talked
about the National Championship and who was going to win it?
And I got Texas, Ohio State All managers wrong. I
thought Texts would have enough to win it. But we said,
and I said on that podcast, Battle of Attrition, and
so it comes to pass that no train comes into
(29:30):
this National Championship game. Really on the rough end of
the Battle of Attrition, I thought the loss of Anthony
napp Is is huge, Like that kid as a freshman
freshman All American tackle for US at College Football Network
as played this year, he's been incredible. And I think
(29:50):
you noticed against Penn State when tosh Baker came in
and played and played the second half. I left most
all the second half a little bit first, there was
a notable difference. I think tosh Baker got his height,
he learned some stuff, and you know, Carter was not
fully thirty against Dame, and he had his way with
(30:12):
the Notre Dame offensive line a lot more than they
would have liked. So it's going to be tough. There's
they don't we haven't actually designated a start. Tosh Baker
is there in bold bold type on the depth charge,
but with that ever ominous or next to his name,
(30:32):
So you know that's gonna whatever way Marcus Freeman paints it,
whatever way offensive line coach or offensive coordinator paints him.
That's there's obviously some concern there about the five that
they try out. Now when you've got a guy like
Pat kugan at at the center, who is if you've
(30:53):
not seen Pat Cogan's viral hype up videos where he
swears a lot more than Alexy he does on this podcast,
go and find them as soon as you listen to this,
because that guy's influence on the center of our No
toame offensive line is critical, the one of the starting guard.
There is a question mark over his finness he's going
to play, so that's huge. We'll see We'll see no
(31:18):
toa bad injuries all over the park all through this
run to the College Football Playoff National Championship. So if
there was a team you're going to hang your hat
on there being enough unity, enough cohesion, enough ability to
overcome the obstacles and the adversity, say, it's probably there.
But that is a good defensive line that they're going
up against on Monday night.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
Will that leads nicely to protection. So where we're going
to start, Alex, who who do you fancy? Are You're
going to have a start at a score?
Speaker 5 (31:54):
I thought last weekend or last week would be close.
It really wasn't. I think a higher States the best
team in college football right now. I have them winning
by ten.
Speaker 4 (32:06):
Ollie now told you get.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
Well, I was going to I've got a feeling that
it's going to be a clean sweep, so that I
go with the Irish in a massive upset, which does
actually put Jason days Jack out on a shaky peg.
I just don't know this feeling about the Irish or
something about them this year. I didn't feel it for
(32:32):
eighty of the season, but as soon as they got
into the playoffs, they just looked like a from my perspective,
a different team. So I hope it is a really
tight game. I hope it is a walk off field
goal that wins it for them. Maybe it's heart overhead,
but yeah, the Irish by by a few points, a
(32:56):
couple three, maybe a max building up to Chrishndo and all.
Speaker 4 (33:02):
These which I really said that said, you get this,
because I didn't think it'd be like this deciding on
what the college chaps think is going to happen in
the College Football Champion back. I honestly don't know. I
honestly don't know. I'm going to go with my heart
over my head because I said it in the last
few show. I think there's something very special happening and today,
(33:23):
and I want to believe in something special. I think
that's you know we've talked about on this podcast before,
like college football special. College football deserves to be covered
in glory one hundred percent at the time. The stories
deserve to be told. People get to deserve and enjoy
(33:44):
what this sport is. And for a story I think
there's great storylines whoever wins, but I feel like storyline
of not today and winning this national championship would be
just such a great storyline for college football in what.
Speaker 3 (33:58):
Has been the great season, incredible season. Right at the
start of the season, we're having this conversation, we said,
Ohio State are going to be champions. Okay, I mean
they were probably and you know there were sor they
were certainly in that cluster of teams that we would
have had there for but Notre Dame wouldn't have been there.
Speaker 4 (34:20):
Wrongly, this this show.
Speaker 3 (34:23):
So I think in this, in this year of an
incredible football season, and that we shouldn't get lost in
all the kind of who ha it would be. It
would be appropriate for a Nish and Irish win.
Speaker 4 (34:35):
So I'll tell you something as well. I don't want to.
I know we wanted to finish some time, but we haven't.
So we enjoyed our a bit loger anyway, in this
in this modern era of college football, Like we talked
about it before the season and Ohio stated they they
(34:57):
played the off season perfectly for the modern era college football.
Everything they did with nil, everything they did with the
transfer paut, everything they can do with recruiting because they
do recruits level like they retained, they kept guys who
should have gone to the NFL Draft because they could
afford to keep them there. They played the offseason perfectly.
(35:18):
For modern era college football, there would be something just
poetic about a team like Notre Dame and winning the
college football National Championship. Who doesn't traditionally, you know, do
some of those things as well, like because of the traditions,
because of the academic standards, because of everything that Notre
(35:39):
Dame is, like, they'd almost be a poetry for they're
stuck in the mud college football fans to go, hey, like,
we don't need all that. And I know Notre Dame,
you know, Riley Leonard was one of the most coveted
quarterbacks of transfer. Paul, You're not. You can't get away
from that, you know, that element of it, that bag
(36:00):
that's kind of I kind of taked my storyline, my
poetic storylines somewhat, But I still think there's something to it. Honestly,
I just think it's pretty cool.
Speaker 3 (36:11):
But in some way, somewhere it's a conversation another time right,
because the really interesting article by Dennis Stood and John
Talty and cbyesterday about the now perceived dominance of Big
ten going forward because of money, right, and that we
could fill a whole episode with that. So in many ways,
Notre Dame and teams of that ILK are fighting with
(36:32):
one hand tied behind their back, right, because your Stanford's
another good example of that. But I say that is
a conversation for our type. Let's hope that we have
Bobby Dazzler of our championship game on Monday, and when
we meet up again next week, we're raving about what
a fantastic game it was and it was fitting into
(36:55):
the an incredible football season. That's all for us on
this episode. If you're new listener, now's an opportune time
to point out the other two hundred and two episodes
that you can find in Apple Podcasts. If you're a
regular listener, thank you, We love you, and if you
like what you have, please rate, review, and subscribe. You
(37:16):
can also follow us on xcell, Instagram. Our social media
accounts are at the College Chats and the College Chats
podcast on YouTube, So please give us a follow up.
Thank you. It's not quite the end of our year,
but thank you for an incredible year of insight from
both Ollie and Alex. Thanks for listening, Stay safe and
well and catch you on next time.
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