3 Guys Before The Game - BYU Game Preview (Episode 663)

A massive challenge awaits the Mountaineer football team Friday night in Provo. West Virginia enters as a three-touchdown underdog against No. 23 BYU. The Cougars return home riding momentum after last week’s road win at Colorado.
 
Meanwhile, WVU’s quarterback situation remains unsettled. Coach Rich Rodriguez says the starter will be decided by this week’s practice sessions, adding another layer of intrigue heading into the matchup.
 
In this episode, the “Guys” break down the key numbers, spotlight the most important matchups, and set the stage for Friday night’s showdown.
 
Listener questions and comments round out the show. 

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:12):
And on we go. Welcome in everyone. It's time for
three Guys before the game. This is our preview episode
West Virginia and the Cougars of BYU in provo for
the very first time in Big twelve Conference Loop Action.

(00:33):
And this is three Guys before the game with the
boys heavily heavily caffeinated Hoppy Kerchieval and Don near over
caffeinated Brad Howe. We'll tell you why in just a
second caffeine addition of three guys brought to us by Gomart.

(00:53):
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(01:17):
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group providing value beyond numbers. Conley CPA spreads on stats

(01:42):
coming up. All right, So here's the reason why we're
heavily caffeinated. Today. We come to you, ladies and gentlemen
of the congregation with a heavy dose of cafe. And
because it's International Coffee Day, it's Internet National Coffee Day.
Two days ago was National Coffee Day. We don't even

(02:05):
we don't even acknowledge.

Speaker 2 (02:06):
Now this is Wednesday, in case you're listening to this
podcast a day later. So this Wednesday, National.

Speaker 1 (02:10):
Coffee Monday was national We didn't even we didn't even
give it an eyebrow ray. Why because we're global. So
we're so we're International Coffee Day celebrators. And so we
went over to our bastion of coffee this morning early
to serve there it is. We went to Mountaineer Roasting.
They had our own caraffe or jug of coffee that's

(02:34):
the game day grind, and we just had a bunch
of cups there and we just like people walked in
and go, hey, you want to try this? And we
served coffee to some folks and uh.

Speaker 3 (02:42):
Hung out with Rusty Rusty Mountaineer roasting.

Speaker 1 (02:44):
Rusty Isaac's Mountaineer Roasting. But we also had another another
guy who's in there every almost every day getting his coffee.
He just stands in line like everybody else there. He
is ladies and gentlemen. Charles Wesley Godwin. He was in
and he was just having a coffee. People just having
a coff He was going up there to go into
a studio and start recording some songs later in the day.

(03:05):
I liked when he was talking to us about them.
They just made some I like when they go like, well,
I got these demos done, I'm gonna track this. I'm
gonna put the lead like the vocals. Put the vocals.
I like like when they talk about all that music.

Speaker 4 (03:16):
So he had a couple of good stories, didn't he.

Speaker 1 (03:18):
He did because I'd asked him before he went on
tour on the Outlaws tour with Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan.
I said, dude, you gotta give me something on give
me something on Dylan, like after you do this thing.
So today was the first day I remembered to ask him.
I said, Okay, give me the Dylan story, and uh,

(03:39):
Dylan's story is man, Dylan doesn't deal.

Speaker 4 (03:43):
Dylan does he wants he want he is? You think
I'm a loof and distance.

Speaker 1 (03:48):
Yeah. He has a closed stage, which means no one,
it doesn't matter who. The only people are a sound
people and the other musicians. These only people who get.

Speaker 3 (03:56):
To said he sounds great, though, sounds fine, Yeah, sounds great.

Speaker 1 (03:59):
Loves Willie Nelson. He loves Willy Nelson.

Speaker 4 (04:02):
So, uh isn't that something? Think about that for a second.

Speaker 3 (04:05):
What a fun run.

Speaker 2 (04:06):
He's on so Stadium tour with Luke Combs. Then he
does the Outlaw Tour here with Dylan and Willie Nelson,
which is just wild. We talked about last show. Just
announced stage Coach. He's going to be on there on
his day with Lady Wilson Riley Green, so pretty cool.

Speaker 1 (04:18):
And his next show October fifteen, Red Rocks. Yeah he's
he's headlining Red Rocks.

Speaker 4 (04:22):
Oh that's that's supposed to be never been there, supposed
to be a fantastic venue in.

Speaker 3 (04:28):
Front of the show going. Remember that was an auction item.

Speaker 1 (04:31):
Yeah, so there's the three guys listener or snowell. Oh
you weren't there, were you? No? I wasn't you were, Yeah,
Doug riding the bike, but he's going to be there.
When Charles was there most recently, I think it was
the last time he was at Red Rocks, absolute massive
snow store. While he was out there, it was it
looked like it was like a postcard.

Speaker 2 (04:51):
I didn't realize it was so big. He said, ninety
five hundred seats in their seats. You can get ninety
five people in there.

Speaker 1 (04:56):
Yeah, okay, cool, all right, let's jump in, uh West
Virginia and by you, you know, we guys always talk
about the situation.

Speaker 4 (05:08):
Yeah, that's my first observation.

Speaker 1 (05:10):
Yeah, all right, let's get in Hoppy's obvious observations. Hoppy,
obviously you have something to.

Speaker 4 (05:15):
Say situationally, Tony, you were about to say bad spot
for West Virginia coming off a terrible loss at home
going on a long road trip. Provo's your second longest
road trip in.

Speaker 3 (05:25):
This league, which is also crazy to say that.

Speaker 1 (05:28):
Yeah, I don't you mean that you be based on
this season's schedule. No, I mean, well, you can go
to Arizona twice. You got the Arizona Arizona state.

Speaker 4 (05:38):
I understand that the farthest west is is Phoenix, right
next farthest west is Provo and then Tucson.

Speaker 1 (05:47):
First I've heard of that did not do hoarding.

Speaker 4 (05:49):
I did my own research, did not go on my
research anyway. It's a long way to go, all right,
So you got a long road trip going to be
a tough environment. You know, sixty thousand fans there byu
IS favored by nineteen and a half eighteen and a
half depending on you tom of day. And they're brad
they are favored right now. They're favored in every game

(06:11):
byu IS except Texas Tech going forward.

Speaker 3 (06:13):
Yeah, good start for the Kugs.

Speaker 4 (06:14):
Good start for the Coogs. They were before the season began,
they were projected eight and a half no other up
to nine and a half wins for this season. West Virginia,
you know Injuri has been well documented. Still unsettled at quarterback.
Jalen Henderson is questionable. Nico Markill Tony, what is the
story you talked to the coach this week? It didn't
come up at his news conference for some reason. What

(06:36):
is the story on Nico Markhill? He's listed us out
for this week, But what insight do you and brand
have about Nico?

Speaker 1 (06:41):
Well? I would say this first off, a couple things,
several different insights. One, this is kind of a mind
blower to me after I thought about it. So the
Tuesday press conference happens, and the whole thing with a
twenty twenty five minutes, however long those last, and I
didn't realize until afterward that there was not one single
question about Nico markiall, And I thought to myself, you

(07:07):
talk about what a difference three weeks makes you go
from coming off the bench in storybook fashion to beating
Pitt and one of the old time great dramatic victories
in that stadium's history, coming back from ten down overtime,
the whole thing, and three weeks later, basically there's not
one single question, which begs a bunch of different questions. Okay,

(07:31):
so the one question would be, well, why not he
had just been the starting quarterback? Like why isn't anyone asking?

Speaker 4 (07:41):
Now?

Speaker 2 (07:41):
Some of that may be he addressed on the Coaches Show.
So get into what was said on the Coaches Show,
because that I mean, he gave an update there, he did,
but you.

Speaker 1 (07:50):
Would still think there would have been a question anyway.
So on the Coaches Show, to paraphrase, Rich said that
Nico is not in town that he had gone to
both Colorado and Arizona. So again for those that don't
follow it, real close native of Colorado or lived in Colorado,
main houses in Colorado, finished his high school career in Arizona,

(08:12):
so he has the Arizona connection. And Rich heard was
informed that he has a foot injury which will keep
him out for several weeks. Severals, you know, several could
be three, several could be more than that, right, and

(08:34):
so to this point that's the deal, and it just
kind of quietly has gone quiet.

Speaker 4 (08:41):
Here's the follow up question. Sure, The following question is
how confident are you that Nico Marku will real return
to be a part of this team and play for
the Mountaineers this season. What is your level of conference?
And Rich I think would be pretty candid about that.
Somebody in the next press conference, or are you on
the coach the show needs to ask that.

Speaker 1 (09:01):
Well, do math. Let's just do some simple math.

Speaker 3 (09:04):
Yeah, you're already at the halfway play.

Speaker 1 (09:05):
Friday night, your season's half over fifty percent, already six
games will be done. Then you have an off week
seven weeks and then you'll play again. So several weeks
now you're getting like, if you just add three, three,
four weeks, guess what nine to ten? You're done? Season's
over seasons?

Speaker 4 (09:24):
So red, what are the odds Nico Markyoll returns to quarterback.

Speaker 2 (09:26):
This Well, we'll have to see, but I think they
like as Tony Sam. They decrease every week here as
you get later into the season.

Speaker 1 (09:31):
And do math hoppy. As I said on a couple
of episodes ago, I mean, the math number in this
world that we're in right now is four, right, right right,
And four is the number you've played in four games.
You haven't played in two, and you have two to
still play. You don't have three and have one to play.
You've played four games. You step back out on that
field and you've lost this season of eligibility, done, not

(09:55):
getting it back. You don't play again. And if you
have a medical issue, you could file at season's end
for a medical red shirt and then you would be
granted an additional year, plus the other year that he
had you could still have too. You play again, you'll
have next year and you're done.

Speaker 4 (10:12):
So do you send? And I'm getting away from my
obvious observations, which I still have a few. I'm prepared so.

Speaker 1 (10:18):
Do These are obvious questions?

Speaker 4 (10:20):
Yeah, so brand, do you send Khalil Wilkins Wilkins? Do
you send Khalil Wilkins out before sixty thousand people Friday
night to start the game?

Speaker 2 (10:29):
Well, that might be your best option. We talked about
this last show, and it would have seen that Jalen Henderson,
who got the start last game, would be the logical choice.

Speaker 3 (10:36):
He's been in games before.

Speaker 2 (10:37):
But if he's dinged, as it sounds like he is
some sort of injury in there, then it might be
Wilkins and get looks. Given the performance Wilkins put forth
last week in a game when not much was happening elsewhere,
maybe maybe it's his time throw them in there.

Speaker 3 (10:50):
See what you got? See what you got?

Speaker 4 (10:52):
Okay, obvious observations.

Speaker 1 (10:54):
Let me also say this, Yeah, you asked me your
initial question of like or I asked my why isn't
there more of a what's going on? Because I think
over the last couple of years, the four games is
now accepted. People do the math. I mean every season
now we're seeing guys not play after four games. Well,

(11:19):
it's like a it's like an algebra question. If if
four plus x equals red shirt, then X is normally zero.

Speaker 4 (11:28):
Yeah, I understand that. I just think it's weird that
he's sort of disappeared.

Speaker 2 (11:36):
The other thing is two guys is I know he'd
take him the majority of the snaps, but it's not
as if you've seen not seen other quarterbacks play, So
this was a different He's your starting quarterback, which I
know gets so much more attention in a normal situation.
This is a group that was subbing guys in constantly anyway,
So I think a little easier to say, Okay, it's hurt,
it's been four games, all.

Speaker 3 (11:56):
Right, move on, who's next? Now go to the next
part of that all right.

Speaker 4 (11:58):
Rest of the obvious observation is that if there's one
and bread, you'll probably be able to build a some
case West Virginia. If there's any upside to playing Friday night,
it's that it gives you one extra day for the
week off to get ready to go to UCF where
you have a chance a better chance to win. Wow, Okay,

(12:21):
why are you looking at him like that?

Speaker 3 (12:23):
Well that was I mean, he was going deep for
that one.

Speaker 4 (12:26):
That was good.

Speaker 2 (12:26):
Now, granted, it's a six day flight to get back
from where you're going, so I think you'll lose the
extra day because you're.

Speaker 3 (12:33):
On a plane there. For it's like an international flight.
I think something like that.

Speaker 4 (12:37):
You leave at midnight and you get back.

Speaker 1 (12:39):
How do you know how many hours you're gaining? Do
you know how many hours you're gaming? You're gaining nine
and a half hours by playing on Friday instead of Saturday.
Here's why team's supposed to get back at six. Okay,
So hypothetically, if you played Saturday, yes, six more six
Saturday morning. So if you played a noon game at
home on a Saturday, you'd be done at three thirty.
You're only netting for nine and a half.

Speaker 4 (13:01):
I'm just trying to find something. Okay, I'm trying.

Speaker 3 (13:04):
Can I make an obvious observation? Yeah?

Speaker 1 (13:06):
Wait a second, that's his thing he does, but.

Speaker 2 (13:08):
It's we're in the segment, so I thought I could
jump in and help. Okay, this is bizarre, guys.

Speaker 3 (13:12):
This is a conference game. I mean, I don't like.

Speaker 2 (13:16):
Can I not normalize this for just a second of
what college foot balls become. It's a conference game that
is kicking at ten thirty Eastern. One of the teams
is based in a time zone that is watching its
team kickoff at tenth. This sitting in Phoenix for the
bowl game. This is int a one off where you
stay plate to watch team. This is a conference game.
This is weird stuff, guys, but.

Speaker 1 (13:36):
You know what it is? Wild, but you know what
it is? What is it? It's seven thirty in the
West Coast. I get so all the West Coasters sit down,
they go, heck, we got a Friday night football game.

Speaker 3 (13:47):
There's my point.

Speaker 2 (13:48):
If we're going to understand, if we're going to have
these multiple time zones, can we not take that? Is
there not a time during the day that both the
East Coast and the West coast viewers can watch? Why
are we choosing of the two and it's not two
West Coast teams playing. Can't we get to a point?
Is there not enough TV slots where you can accommodate
both of the fan base or earlier in the day

(14:10):
it's in the eastern times. Michigan State had this, they
had to kick off like at eleven or eleven thirty.
That that's that's the bizarre part to me. If we're
going to have these these nationwide teams in the tournament
all the times, it's okay, fine, So be it. I
get the principle, the business principle of covering all these
windows where Big twelve play is available from early in

(14:31):
the morning until until early in the morning the next day.
Totally get it. But when the team is participating, one
of the teams participating, can we not have a mediation
there and have have a multiple discussion? May not get
the one times on where both teams can enjoy my question.

Speaker 1 (14:49):
So my question to you, then, what you're saying is
if and that changes Friday night makes a difference. But like,
so on a Friday, what time do you think be
what what would be an adequate time?

Speaker 2 (14:58):
Yeah, play it on a Saturday, first of all, so
it's not on a Friday night because I know you
got a game.

Speaker 1 (15:03):
You can't play that game. You got to do it Friday.
When would you do it?

Speaker 2 (15:05):
Great, I'd have two East Coast teams play on a Friday.
I'd have two West Coast teams play on a Friday
late in this window. Put a West Coast team in
against b What if you've got to give them a
Friday slot. Have two in the same time day then
played at ten thirty if you want, and then both
fan bases are in the same position. To eliminate one
team's fan base from a good part of the game,

(15:26):
I think just doesn't make a lot of sense from
a growing of the college football brand. You're making it
harder than.

Speaker 3 (15:32):
What it has to do.

Speaker 2 (15:33):
And listen, I don't want to I don't want to
be in charge of scheduling for any league.

Speaker 3 (15:35):
That would be a nightmare of a job.

Speaker 2 (15:37):
But just can we get together the amount of time
we spend talking time zones on.

Speaker 3 (15:42):
This program, be it that. Can the Big twelve put
the right time zone?

Speaker 1 (15:45):
Now?

Speaker 3 (15:45):
Can we get two teams? We talk a lot of times.

Speaker 1 (15:47):
All the time. Yeah, we spend a lot of time
talking all time. I mean to.

Speaker 3 (15:49):
Hijack your saying no, it's go ahead.

Speaker 4 (15:52):
And now it's kind of an awkward fit of my
next obvious observation saying that I like BYU in the
league because and I understand that this is screwed up
to lay Friday night at ten thirty, But BYU is
a national brand. That's a national brand. Okay. They have
alumni in.

Speaker 1 (16:09):
Every state, all fifty of them. So does Jandel's attorneys
at law. They've got clients in all fifty states. So
that's she's got clients in Utah.

Speaker 4 (16:17):
There are three hundred BYU graduates in West Virginia, three
hundred according to the BYU website. They have a national championship.

Speaker 1 (16:25):
Eighty four Robbie Bosco of course holiday.

Speaker 4 (16:28):
They have a Heisman Trophy winner, yeah, Ty Detmer. They
had the legendary coach Levelle Edwards, who the stadium is
named for and was a dear friend of Don Neils.
Sure so, I just like the fact that there's this
national brand. Again, the logistics are horrible, but I like
the fact it's a national, national brand.

Speaker 3 (16:48):
You know what, I lost it. I don't know give
them what they're spent on their basketball roster.

Speaker 1 (16:52):
I don't know that I like them in the league.
They I like the fact that Here's why I like
them in the league. They care. They I'm all about
you bring in people that are like passionate and care.
These buddies care. They're into it, which I like.

Speaker 4 (17:06):
And they are and they are iconic. They're different. They
are not like everybody else. Okay, of course they're owned
by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.
Fifty Six members of the current football team have served
an LDS Mission. Members of the team have served in

(17:26):
twenty two different countries. They speak more than ten languages,
have served on six of the seven continents around the globe.
BYU currently the several members of the team that are
currently serving on mission. According to Forbes and Brand, and
now we're talking about this, it's the most financially healthy
college in the country. And because that is, tuition is

(17:48):
manageable about thirty three hundred dollars a semester if you're
a member the LDS. That right, thirty three hundred if
you're a member of Member of the Latter Day Saints.
And of course we have this connection. Gordon went to
by Michael Benson is a graduate of BYU. So they
are different and they're apart, and they're a national brand.

Speaker 1 (18:10):
And it's noteworthy. It's in historic, historic story. You know
why it's historic. This will be the largest crowd ever,
largest crowd ever that a West Virginia football team will
be playing in front of that's not intoxicated. It can't
be largest crowd ever of non intoxicated people.

Speaker 4 (18:29):
Now alcohol at the stadium, new alcohol on campus.

Speaker 1 (18:32):
Yeah, fane, no no, no, So you guys, you guys
right now, the way that you are just overly caffeinated.
They throw your ass out right now, wouldn't let you in.

Speaker 4 (18:41):
One final thought, and I just want to scratch a
surface on what Brad's going to get into and.

Speaker 1 (18:46):
To get in your territory now, just nothing new for you.
Were starting to get upset by this.

Speaker 4 (18:50):
Just slightly. It'll be fine. They have not had the
toughest schedule so far. Okay, Portland State, Stanford, East Carolina.
They did played Colorado.

Speaker 1 (19:00):
And he had to go to East Carolina. They had
to refuel mid air. Okay to get the Greenville.

Speaker 4 (19:06):
North Carolina got behind against Colorado, came back won the game.
Great story of the true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeyer correct, yeah,
correct back Meyer.

Speaker 1 (19:16):
And he's named Bear his brother's tiger, the receiver receiver.

Speaker 4 (19:19):
Yeah, And where's number forty seven?

Speaker 1 (19:23):
Which I love love it? I love stupid, you know,
I love stupid stuff in sports. Yeah, like three two
final football game scores and like forty seven is your love?

Speaker 4 (19:32):
Why is forty seven? Because when he was five years old,
his father gave him the number forty seven. He's warn
it ever since. He wants to play like a full back.
And he's six two two twenty work with it. So
there are those are my obvious observations. I'll defer to
Brad with more specifics because I think Brad maybe, just maybe,
even though West Virginia is a nineteen point dog in
this and an a team that's a nineteen point deficit

(19:55):
almost never wins. Okay, you think about Northern Illinois, notre
name last year, Vanderbilt and Alabama, but week to week
it doesn't happen.

Speaker 1 (20:04):
Ye hard one to pull off. I'm interested in Brad's
insights into the game.

Speaker 4 (20:10):
So that's what I got.

Speaker 1 (20:11):
As a former resident Brad of the state of Utah.

Speaker 2 (20:16):
I did feel like we were residents there for all
dual citizenship.

Speaker 4 (20:19):
You guys were there and we were there apartment, you
know what it was exactly.

Speaker 1 (20:24):
It was like it was like super long. I loved
every day. It's like I was on vacation. It was like,
this is.

Speaker 3 (20:29):
Awesome, wonderful, taking our walks every day.

Speaker 1 (20:33):
This is like, this is the greatest place ever. I
loved it. Three guys before the game, I don't think
you can boat. You can't boat, but you know, there
is a salt salt lake. There is a salt lake.
If you go into Salt Lake. You'll see every one
of the pontoons in Salt Lake is from Lou Wendell.

Speaker 4 (20:51):
I think we have to confron they hold up with
all that salt well.

Speaker 1 (20:54):
Lou puts a special salve underneath the bottom puts a
special salve underneath the bottom of though. If you need
anything done when it comes to marine sales or service,
then visit Lou Wendel Marine Sales. They have stood the
test of time, celebrating their fortieth anniversary. If you're getting
your boat out and need service as this season comes
to an end by all means, but still the weather's
still super good. May are the official dealer of avalon

(21:19):
Pontoon boats made one percent in the United States of America,
plus those G three John boats. Speaking of boats, Chris
Lawrence of Metro News put out a picture in the
story this week that's something. Did you see that picture?

Speaker 3 (21:30):
A deer jump there?

Speaker 1 (21:31):
Dear John buck. It wasn't just a It was a
buck jumped into a boat. And Chris had a picture
might have been a Lou Wendel boat. But if you
need anything in the boating world, visit Lou Wendole Marine
Sales dot com. Saint Albans, West Virginia can just visit
the website. Three guys also brought to us by Gomart.
Get that Gomart rewards card. It got giddy the other day,

(21:52):
filled up with fuel. I was down to fumes, down
to fumes, which makes me even giddier knowing that I'm
just racking up those points on filling up there. And
then it prints out that receipt of all the stuff
that I can get about in arm's length full of stuff.
And if you go on Saturdays to go Maart, triple
the rewards points, not once, not twice, but three times

(22:14):
the rewards points at Gomart's on Saturdays. Just go to
a Gomart, get three times the points.

Speaker 2 (22:21):
It's really really I'm working my way backwards to Saturday
to be ready. It was Tuesday this week. I was
on fumes. I barely got in there. You need a
go Mart calculator, like I had the door open as
I was pulling up with the pumps like a hop
out of it, and make sure this is supposed to plaset
goes downhill a little bit, which was good.

Speaker 1 (22:36):
You laugh about it. I did it once light.

Speaker 3 (22:39):
This is the least surprising thing that'll be said.

Speaker 1 (22:41):
On today's show, the light the light at don Neeln
Drive on seven oh five. Yes, truck runs out, truck
runs out. I'm praying light goes green. Take my leg
take my seriously went neutral, put it in neutral.

Speaker 2 (22:57):
Like Fred Flinstone's you reach outside the car and that
you're late. You're not a scooter.

Speaker 1 (23:02):
Yes, got the push because there's a little bit of
a hill there. People don't know that. Got a little
bit of a hill there. Then there's that next light
app at right and so it's like prayer that no
one else is coming and like, man, you'll got it
in there because.

Speaker 2 (23:19):
The power steering wasn't working. Great you had no gas
correct well, just PSA for folks coming in. Will be
a month a lot of construction out there on one nineteen.
Get off the interstate, you come buy go mart as
your head of the stadium. There can slow you down
if you a little use some fuels sitting in the
traffic there. So anyway, my point is I'm getting closer
to Saturdays when I can get triple points. Are right
now on single points, working on efforting.

Speaker 1 (23:43):
Let's do this now, let's go time for spreads on
stats numbers. I'll just go right to the numbers hit
it jump into the analytics worship of the shoe spreads
on stats were autos by the comly CPA group. They
provide value beyond numbers full service public accounting and that's

(24:04):
only scratching what they do. Besides full service public accounting,
they're your business consultant, helping you make the best decisions
possible for your business. It walks side by side with
you to try to figure out the best way to
do things when it comes to your business. Also, you
can outsource your accounting fact as we do. That's what

(24:25):
three guys does. We outsource our accounting to the folks
at Conny and they just say, okay, here's the deal. Heough.

Speaker 4 (24:30):
We say, here's a bunch of receipts.

Speaker 1 (24:31):
Brad and I oftentime go, how come Hoppy makes that
much more right?

Speaker 4 (24:35):
Yeah?

Speaker 1 (24:36):
I mean all right, let's jump in. You got anything
positive over there?

Speaker 2 (24:43):
Well, in a normal situation, yeah, I think there'd be
a couple of things you come at. You're right, hop
of course. On the on the situational spot, it's a
tough one in one of the most difficult places to
play on the short week with a team that's battered.
So just on its surface, that doesn't look great. So
we'll dive into some of these numbers. But the numbers,
as you would imagine for a team that started like
they have and a team that started like West the

(25:04):
number there's giant gaps here in the numbers, but a
couple things that you would look at if you're trying
to say, well, okay, here's why you play the game.
Go out and take your shots at it. To your point,
hop on the schedule for BYU, PFF has them as
the one hundred and eighteenth most difficult schedule so far
out of one thirty six, they have the thirty sixth
toughest moving forward, so it starts to talk to the

(25:25):
strength of the Big twelve in terms of balance. West
Virginia to this point is played the thirtieth most difficult schedule,
so strength the schedule is a huge gap. And so
if all things were being equal, you would point at
that and say, okay, you're on the road. I get it,
but take your swings when it gets to that. I'm
interested in this one, guys, just to see if West
Virginia can get itself up off the mat. Before you
start to get into matchup situations. This is two games

(25:48):
where you just really haven't been competitive for a lot
of the game. In Utah it was it was all
the games. So can this team get itself back together?
Can the defense step forth and get a BYU offense
that's right the ball pretty effectively with a true freshman
quarterback that hasn't turned it over. And I'll get to
that in a minute. Is the second point. If you're
looking for an area where maybe you can exploit or

(26:09):
catch a break, maybe it's in that do for a
turnover here at some point or maybe two. But that's
the first and foremost. When we can jump in here,
it's to me who's going to fight the rest of
the season for this West Virginia team. Who's going to
step forth in a role that maybe you haven't seen yet.
Is that Khalil Wilkins. Is it Di or Hubbard who
we talked about, Malik Agbo who we mentioned on this

(26:30):
show on Sunday that played pretty well on Saturday. Rich
address that yesterdays press conference haslam on the offensive line.
So there's a handful of guys on the offensive side
that you haven't called their names. A bunch tony, but
that stepped forth and showed you a little bit at
least in that second half. Correct, who steps up this weekend?
Does the defense? Is it able to rally itself and
give you a decent effort before we get to any numbers.

(26:51):
I think that's the first point of discussion.

Speaker 1 (26:53):
There was a breathtaking stat that Zach Ally, the coordinator,
used during his press conference on Tuesday, and that was
to kind of give you the idea of where we
are with analytics nowadays. They have they do the research,
they have some service. So West Virginia in the country
third fastest, third fastest on defense to get to the

(27:15):
ball carrier below one ten and bringing that ball carrier
to the ground. That's there's the key. You know, PFF
had nineteen missed tackles, Brad twenty four. I think Zach
said over thirty.

Speaker 3 (27:29):
Yeah, the grade probably one four twenty four.

Speaker 1 (27:31):
Yeah, he said, oh he had over thirty.

Speaker 4 (27:34):
But Jinder Bread, to your point, while we're looking for
rays of sunshine, is that you're talking about getting up
off the mat. That if you get a decent start
and it's late second quarter and it's closed, you go okay,
then you forget about the other stuff.

Speaker 3 (27:51):
Sure, right, It's just like plat play the game.

Speaker 2 (27:53):
Yeah yeah, And that's what you're looking for, and that's
what Rich will be looking for moving forward, is who's
willing to put your face back in the fan and
fight a little But here, when you've had two rough,
rough weeks, some numbers on BYU and we'll go through
this again. I don't know if there's much point in
just grinding the numbers to a halt here until you
see West Virginia's ability to bounce back a little bit.
But they're off to a great start. As you said,
hoppy better EPA per play defensively than Utah had. Slightly

(28:19):
better was Utah on the offensive EPA. We know how
much West Virginia struggled. This is the team overall and
BYU eleventh nationally and adjusted EPA expected points added per play,
a bunch of numbers to like, if you're them, they're
going to try and run it more than they throw it.
Run at fifty six percent of the time. So we
saw that rush defense for West Virginia be good early.
Can it find itself again against an offensive line that

(28:41):
has been good but maybe not at the level that
Utah's was. So can they bounce back there. You guys
mentioned freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, so that's normally one thing
you would draw your attention to immediately as a true
freshman quarterback. Again, he's at home, I get it, so
that should make him a little more comfortable. He's been
off to a great start, hasn't turned it over yet
this season through four games, nearly seventy percent completion percentages

(29:03):
do and they're doing a good job of asking him
to do what he can do as a freshman, managing
it very very well. A number against Colorado guys, he
had one hundred and eighty pass yards. One hundred and
twenty three of those came after the catch, So they're
doing a great job not throwing it a lot downfield,
keeping it in the middle of the field, getting it
to receivers and letting them do the work. In fact,

(29:24):
listen to these numbers across the middle of the field
behind the line of scrimmage strowing screens thirteen of sixteen
go to zero to ten yards in the middle of
the field, twelve of seventeen ninety six yards in one
of his touchdowns, ten to twenty yards middle of the
field eleven of sixteen two hundred and sixteen yards, So
attacking the middle with him not throwing it deep very often,

(29:45):
getting it underneath, and letting your playmakers go to work.
He's been really effective off play action slash RPO sixty
five percent completion percentage. Four of his six touchdown passes
have come in that format. Here's where I say, when
you go turnovers and four games, okay, you're due, right,
that's the positive spin from a West Virginia defense that
has been pretty good at creating turnovers this season. If

(30:07):
you go to the PFF stats that we talk about
a lot big time throws versus turnover worthy plays. So remember,
big time throws are great. Throws may not have turned
in or may not have been a touchdown, but greated
is a big time throw. Turnover worthy the same thing
may not have turned into a turnover but probably should
have been. So six touchdown passes, zero interceptions on the season,
raw counting stats, just two big time throws, two turnover

(30:31):
worthy plays.

Speaker 3 (30:32):
When you look a little deeper.

Speaker 2 (30:33):
At the next level, so maybe do for a pick here,
and you're probably gonna need a couple of those turnovers
to help yourself. While you look, you're looking like you're
gonna ask something there.

Speaker 1 (30:41):
No, I want to say this about the crowd. Talk
to someone this week. It's been there for football and
to your point about how important it is to just
get your feet underneath you. At the start of the game,
they said, what it's like is unique. He said, it's
like a like you walk walked into a twilight zone,

(31:02):
like a white twilight zone. Like everything is just like
that's what it is, and you're in there for the
first time. It can be offsetting to you. And so
I think that is absolutely massive. You know, West Virginia
leant to score three points in the first half and
it's two league games so far, and this is not
one of those occasions where you want to get down

(31:24):
seven or ten because that that that what those what
are those mountains hoppy?

Speaker 4 (31:30):
I'll look that up against Whytch a shot by shot.
It's that.

Speaker 1 (31:34):
What I'm saying is big Rock comes down and the
bowlders rolling will run it over. You're going to run
right over your head if you get behind early. Yeah.

Speaker 2 (31:42):
Defensively for the Cougars, they're off to a really good
start fourth nationally and EPA per play twelfth nationally and
success rate for this defense. So that's an area to
keep an eye on. And we know West Virginia has
struggled mightily on the offensive end. Here's a couple numbers
that may jump at you.

Speaker 3 (31:59):
Wemember.

Speaker 2 (32:00):
We went with that available yard stat for Utah last week.
It was eighty six percent, the most I could find
going back a number of years.

Speaker 3 (32:07):
Remember that.

Speaker 2 (32:08):
Well, this won't make you feel any better, but I
think it's something to keep an eye on. Flip it
around to West Virginia's offense against BYU's defense. BYU is
number one in the country nationally in available yards allowed
to its opponents. They're allowing opposing offenses to just pick
up twenty one percent of the available yards to it.

(32:29):
That's double trouble when you look at West Virginia's offense
is managing only to gain thirty nine percent of its
available yards, which is one eleventh nationally. So again, you
didn't need that number to know that. But that's a
match to keep an eye on in this game. I'll
give you another one. We talk a lot about field position.
BYU is number four in the country. This is net

(32:54):
field position offense defense number four nationally at plus eleven yards.
So we talk about that ten yard difference, you win
ninety plus percent of the time. They're averaging that through
four games. West Virginia Flip them around there on the
other end of the spectrum, one twenty seven out of
one thirty six a minus five point six yards in
field position. So ho for an offense that's struggling to

(33:17):
move it and move it in long drives without a
ton of explosives, you're getting a team that feasts off
that defensively. So that's something that's got to change obviously
in this game if you're going to have a chance
to hang into it.

Speaker 1 (33:30):
You know what's not coming true? What you know how
Phil Steele always says the turnover margin bounces back and
forth in one year to the next. We're on a
two year low, aren't we here on turnover margin. We're
on the wrong side two second year in a row.

Speaker 3 (33:43):
You've been better this year than.

Speaker 1 (33:45):
You have been. Yeah, but you've been still not good,
but still not good. You need more. You're to struggling offense. Man,
then you're unable to convert.

Speaker 4 (33:55):
Or convert their downs. Put you in up in long
third and long you get emotion penalty. You have a
lot of difficulty putting together long drives, right, I mean
how many how many ten play drives.

Speaker 1 (34:13):
Have you had? Well, you can look it up ease
as you scored.

Speaker 4 (34:15):
I mean it's not enough. So you know, Brad, you're
you're great with the numbers. It's just it's just hard
to find an avenue here. It really is not trying
to be just overly pessimistic. I'm trying to be realistic.
It is hard to find an avenue.

Speaker 2 (34:30):
Yeah, we Western has really struggled on third down, guys,
one of the worst in the country, one twenty eight
out of one thirty six. But what's interesting if you
look down at all their offensive numbers, one of their
better numbers, it's not great, but it's one of their
better numbers is early down success. They haven't been awful,
but yet they're really struggling to convert that on third down.
Because again, if this offense is put in a in

(34:51):
a third and long where it has to go to
the air, that's really where it's been a struggle. This
offense is as we have seen, guys, it's not running
it at a great level that it wants to most
of the so it's really struggling when it passes just
a twenty nine grade, so scale of zero to one hundred,
a twenty nine grade win under pressure, a three percent
big time throw percentage rate, and a five percent turnover

(35:13):
worthy percentage when you go to the air. So just
struggling all the way around right here, and you're going
to have to find something in this game, and hopefully
that starts with the defense and some turnovers.

Speaker 4 (35:22):
Tony. Also, this BYU team, as always every year, it's
a mature team.

Speaker 1 (35:29):
Men.

Speaker 4 (35:30):
Their average age is twenty two, and they have one
player who's twenty eight. Excuse me, they have one player
who's twenty eight.

Speaker 1 (35:39):
Well, that's an old fellow right there, twenty eight years old.

Speaker 4 (35:41):
And they have one of their starters I think had
already is married and already gone on mission and come back.
And there's something to that that maturity level.

Speaker 1 (35:48):
Right. Oh, yeah, there's difference. I mean, there's no question. Yeah.

Speaker 4 (35:52):
I mean they can play or some other places too.
They get guys from Utah State, but they have a
lot of guys too that have played a lot of
football at by mm HM.

Speaker 1 (36:01):
Absolutely same in basketball.

Speaker 2 (36:04):
One last number for you, I'll leave you with this.
If there's another glimmer of hope about this BYU offense
is they're averaging seven yards per third down as well.
So can you get a freshman quarterback in that position
and go ahead and get some pressure? Find that pressure
that existed against Pitt in particular. Colorado had a little
bit of success last week doing that. In the game

(36:24):
they kept really close to BYU. Put them in third
and long for a quarterback that hasn't turned it over yet,
can you turn up the pressure and get a break
or two either if it's not a turnover, can you
get off the field there on third down a little
bit and get the ball back?

Speaker 4 (36:36):
Now, two years ago BYU came in here in West
Virginia beat him like they stole something.

Speaker 1 (36:40):
Because they had no quarterback. They had to start first
ever start for Jake Rehetzloff, who's now the quarterback at Tulane.
He was supposed to be the starting quarterback for him
this year, had a situation and that's what opened up
the door for Bear Brockmeyer to become their starting quarterback.
He had been at Stanford and they made the move
over there. So other than yeah, but Rehetzlov is not ready.

(37:00):
On that night game here and West Virginia just dominated.

Speaker 2 (37:04):
And so that's one things we're saying, right, that's why
we talk about situations so much. You got to be
yu team in here that could do some things, but
it had a quarterback starting for the first time. West
Virginia's defense was all over them and it just didn't work.

Speaker 4 (37:14):
So wait a minute. Now you're talking about a team
that's going to our style environment and with a young
quarterback starting for the first time.

Speaker 2 (37:20):
Ris Wilkins. Yeah, so that's that's the challenge that you
have to overcome this week.

Speaker 1 (37:24):
Exactly right, very very similar, very similar, very similar.

Speaker 2 (37:27):
The other thing is, guys, and this could have gone
under your obvious observations from just an X and O
standpoint on the field. Can you get some explosives here?
Can can Hubbard break one off? And we saw some
explosive last week. It was when the game was decided
and it was later and I get there were some
second string defensive guys in there, but you saw the
long run from Bowie, you saw Wilkins take off on
a couple Hubbard had the twenty nine yeard run. For

(37:49):
an offense that is struggling to put together sustained drives,
it's just critical. Can you get cam Vaughn loose somehow
on the back end and hit it. I know I've
said this every game so far, but this offense is
going to have to find some explosives because it's struggling
to drive all the way down the field.

Speaker 1 (38:04):
Yeah, and I wonder if that is what it's going
to take a seminal moment where they have one or
two big plays on the same drive and all of
a sudden, you know, they just get a different feel
and sense about them. Hey, we can do this. I
think right now, there's just more doubt than there is
sure confidence that you can make plays consistently. Well.

Speaker 2 (38:22):
If you can hit a couple big plays, then the
tempo maybe becomes an advantage. And I thought Rich's answer
earlier this week on tempo, He's asked the question, do
you consider slowing it down? Because, as we know, and
as he knows, if you're not producing first downs, man,
that's tough on your defense to keep throwing them out there.
And I thought his answer was very good. It wasn't
just a dismissive no, this is what we do. We're
going to run tempo. He did talk about yeah, that's

(38:43):
what they do, and their most success over the years
is come when they're able to do some form of tempo.
But he also said he doesn't feel there at a
position talent wise, and just strength us to line up
milk clock and try and just bang into you and
let the defense get itself set and see what you're running.
He's still feels the advantages to try and go fast
and hope you can pop some plays for.

Speaker 1 (39:04):
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On Sunday, we talked about the great biscuit question whether
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eat two Tutors biscuits. He said, if needed, he could,
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Speaker 4 (40:41):
Tony, I would not be surprised if before the game,
I don't know this. I just wouldn't be surprised if
there was not an acknowledgment or a moment for Russell Nelson,
who was the longtime president of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter day Saints, A very popular figure in
LDS who passed away last weekend after there. It was

(41:02):
just after their win over Colorado, and he was there
are millions of people in the church in that church,
and he was ahead of that church for many, many,
many years and very well respected and beloved by a
lot of a lot of LDS folk.

Speaker 1 (41:16):
Yeah, they'll probably be the case, right because they were
on the road last week. So this is the first
home game since since that happened. Weather should be really nice.

Speaker 2 (41:24):
Hey, there'll be some some Mountaineer fans going down to
the number, but there'll be some mountain air fans going.
What was that restaurant that's really good there in Salt Lake?

Speaker 1 (41:31):
Mateos?

Speaker 2 (41:32):
Yeah, Mateos, that was a good one. That'd be your
top recommendation for any fans out that.

Speaker 1 (41:36):
You want, really, if you want really good Italian how
far Clarksburg to Morgantown. Okay, you can see big business
remember when we made I mean, you got big Silicon Valley.
Silicon Valley businesses have moved into Utah, and you can
see him on that stretch from Utah from who I mean,
it's a who's who, It's a who's who of all

(41:58):
the big boy companies. What is it, mateos m a
t e O right next to a Salt Lake City
Marriotte University Center in our center, city center Center, whatever
it might be.

Speaker 3 (42:09):
Yeah, that would be a not far from the Jazz's Arena.

Speaker 1 (42:12):
Just down the street. We went to a couple of games,
or we went to a game.

Speaker 4 (42:16):
You were there, you were there for a long time.

Speaker 1 (42:18):
Saw Oscar, saw Oscar players. Saw Oscar player's third game
in two days.

Speaker 2 (42:22):
He had He had a two a days that day
he played for the G League team, then came back
and played for the big team.

Speaker 1 (42:27):
Yes, that's amazing.

Speaker 4 (42:29):
Well, that would be. It would be. It would be
hard because of how far you have to go and
how expensive it would be, but save up your money.
That would be a good road trip at something.

Speaker 1 (42:41):
A lot of mountain Your fans are doing it. I
mean I had talked to folks this week. I had
richest show and they said, we're going because it's a
new destination. Yeah, it's beautiful and you got yourself a
direct flight right out of there out of Pittsburgh International
does do with city, Yeah, right to Salt Lake City. Absolutely,
Delta flies out there, Pittsburgh to Salt Lake Real yeah,

(43:01):
still having a little I have to leave two days early,
but still having a little question in my mind about
the Utai s I D. When I questioned him on
how long it took to get here, some dispute on
the air travel, he got a little cantankerous on there
on that four hours. I said, it didn't take four hours,
he said, I was on the plane, fired back at you, huh.

Speaker 3 (43:21):
Well put your watch on this one. You'll see. Oh.

Speaker 1 (43:22):
I know they got it down for three thirty going out,
which is endo the wind, which means when we'll make
it home faster than three three.

Speaker 2 (43:28):
I think it was three sub three on the way back,
or three five or six when we.

Speaker 1 (43:32):
Came to Big deal. Ain't no big deal.

Speaker 3 (43:36):
I look, it was a big dealer playing at ten thirty eastern.

Speaker 1 (43:38):
I look forward to seeing that guy. Well, we won't
see that. We won't see him again, will we that
that Uti s I D. Because I want to go
up to him and say I might text him so, hey,
hey buddy, we just flew just flew back from Salt
Lake or on provo.

Speaker 2 (43:51):
On maybe that you don't, I mean, he's right, you
weren't on their flight. Maybe taxied for a while, and
he's counting that time.

Speaker 4 (43:56):
You don't know where they got they got an extra
you know, twenty thousand pounds on the plane.

Speaker 1 (44:01):
Maybe it takes men. That's no, that is that is true.
How about the tractor trailer that carries the mountaineer gear.
What you ever think about that?

Speaker 3 (44:07):
It's a nice looking truck.

Speaker 1 (44:09):
Well, yeah, when did they leave the.

Speaker 2 (44:11):
Central van in storage? I know that look nice.

Speaker 4 (44:13):
Yeah, that's why they That's why they had those other uniforms.
So they get with the regular uniform called the gear.

Speaker 2 (44:21):
Not much different. I mean, that's about when you left
when you went to Rutgers or Syracuse.

Speaker 1 (44:27):
You're talking about times change member. They used to rent.
They used to rent like a big box truck.

Speaker 4 (44:32):
Yeah, oh yeah, that's that's how.

Speaker 1 (44:33):
They would carry the gear.

Speaker 3 (44:34):
Branding's come a long way.

Speaker 1 (44:35):
Yeah. Now you got these tractor trailers that have these
murals and movies on the side.

Speaker 3 (44:40):
Oh yeah, great design.

Speaker 1 (44:41):
It's a big business. Tiving out for text shoals textual
Healing Rectors on the schedule autos by episode eight hundred
thread dot com. You can hit us up whenever. I'm
not sure you might lose that game to three zero
four four zero four, four zero eight three three or
four four oh four forty eight. All of our stuff

(45:03):
is available there, the coffee, the popcorn.

Speaker 2 (45:08):
Maybe get you some coffee here on International Coffee Day
Off episode eight hundred dot com.

Speaker 4 (45:12):
We've had our share.

Speaker 1 (45:14):
Yeah, we did our we made our commitment way too much.
Ill as well.

Speaker 2 (45:20):
I'll be fine for the ten thirty Friday kickoff, starting
with the coffee I had today.

Speaker 4 (45:24):
I think also, what we're gonna do? Are you just
see through? Are you're gonna nap?

Speaker 3 (45:29):
You just go write that great question?

Speaker 2 (45:31):
I mean, I'm gonna you know how much I'm gonna
get in before k I'm gonna do it, do an
entire radio show. Probably go over to the high school
game here, that's right across the street. Gonna walk over,
check that out, come home, and still have an hour
and a half before the game starts.

Speaker 4 (45:43):
I hope you can stay away. It's twelve thirty. It's
going to be like two o'clock.

Speaker 1 (45:52):
Right, Yeah, it'll be it'll be late. That's one where
I put my I take my phone, I put it down.
I don't want to know what time it is. I
never look again until the game's.

Speaker 4 (46:02):
Over, just like I don't body clock issues.

Speaker 1 (46:04):
I don't want to know.

Speaker 2 (46:06):
Here's we've kind of done the reverse of Utah banged
on Utah a week for coming out seven days early. Now,
I spent the whole podcast complaining about a ten thirty
eastern kick off.

Speaker 3 (46:15):
I've done the exact thing we were losing our mind about. Yeah, well,
policies Utah.

Speaker 1 (46:19):
Sorry. If you're not going to the game on Saturday
night here in Morgantown, I strongly encourage you to watch
the West Virginia men's soccer team in action, top ten
game in the world, both teams Top ten, West Virginia
and Gardner Webb. Is that right? Does that? Does that
make sense? It's Gardener Web I'll double check, man, I

(46:40):
hope it's Gardener Webs. That sound right.

Speaker 4 (46:41):
I'm not sure that is, but let me double chick.

Speaker 1 (46:43):
Why is it not garden a webbit? No, Georgia State,
Georgia State, Georgia State, Georgia Southern. It's not Gardner Webb.
Take that for the record. You know, if we ever
went back and edited the podcast, I'd remove that. Yeah,
what the heck, it's it's uh, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Georgia.

Speaker 3 (47:00):
The attraction's West Virginia is what's your point is.

Speaker 4 (47:02):
Georgia Southern both teams in the top ten on Georgia
three Southern, well he took three.

Speaker 1 (47:07):
Yeah, glad, I didn't come at you with like emery.
But anyway, Georgia Southern seven o'clock, Hopy on Saturday night
at Dick de Lesque Soccer Stadium, a matchup, yes, seven
o'clock between two top ten teams on that beautiful new
field that they have over there, and Coach Stratford would
strongly appreciate your support there in that game because it

(47:32):
is a big one.

Speaker 2 (47:33):
West Virginia and Georgia Southern should play it like an
eleven thirty Eastern time to get that West Coast audience in.

Speaker 1 (47:40):
Georgia Southern just beat Marshall. So this is a big
game in league, in loop play, big game.

Speaker 4 (47:45):
West Virginia three one and one at home, three zero
to one away.

Speaker 1 (47:50):
Yeah, so check it out. I'll received this package and
we didn't see it until we got done taping on Sunday.
Dear Tony Brad Hoppy the hanky kerchieval. Thanks, thank you
guys for your efforts and entertaining mount in your fans.
I don't take it for granted. Wonderful show. I'm the
crazy guy who did a short interview series with Jay Jacobs. Anyway,
a couple of years ago, Tony saved me and my

(48:13):
girlfriend from spending a horrible week in dreaded Naples, Italy. Instead,
we road trip through Tuscany to Amalfi. We owe you
a mountaineer connection. We took a trip to Iceland and yes,
narrow roads. Dear lord, help, I'm sorry, not Iceland, Ireland.

(48:33):
Ireland doesn't right, really, I mean it's not going to
win any handwriting words, but anyway.

Speaker 3 (48:39):
It's hard to handwrite anymore.

Speaker 1 (48:40):
Yeah, lost art. But we were with friends hiking on
the rim of the Cliffs of more overlooking the Atlantic
one thousand feet below, when lo and behold someone noticed
my girlfriend Katie's West Virginia sweatshirt and exclaimed, go ears.
We found out these people shouting, shouting were former WVU
students during the Final four era. Amazing, they're in the

(49:00):
cliff of Moores. Hoppy, they got mountaineer fangel and okay,
so here we go? Is it?

Speaker 3 (49:04):
Anthony straw By chances No.

Speaker 1 (49:07):
Enjoy the hoppy you see, Enjoy the Coal Cookies. My
mother has been making candy for twenty two years in
Beckley as the company Sweeties sw E E T e Z.
She sells a lot of goodies and tamarack. If you're
passing through, if you want any cookies, fudge, Christmas trays cakes,

(49:28):
give us a shout thanks to everyone. Signed by slicked
back Dave in Beckley Coal Cookies. There you go in
frame Cole Cookies kind of absolutely look exactly like coal.
One of you guys going to open a hit it? Yeah,
here open well, hit that all right? Text line, Thank

(49:50):
you very much, thank you. Oh by the way, yes,
thank you.

Speaker 3 (49:52):
Sweeties is the name of the company Sweeties.

Speaker 1 (49:55):
Pumpkin Spice cookies as well. You know it's pumpkin spicy.

Speaker 4 (50:00):
Oh my gosh, just pumpkin spice. Things out of control, Texter.

Speaker 1 (50:06):
On your last episode, Hoppy mentioned the fans must be patient.
While that is true for this season, it cannot be
true after this season. With the next round of re
alignment and or super conferences looming. Patients cannot be in
the Mountaineer vocabulary. With all due respect, fellas, it's been
a long time since our beloved WVU football program has
been nationally relevant on a consistent basis, and it will

(50:28):
be a short time until realignment after the season, patients
can no longer be in our DNA period respectfully, the
Greenbrier ghost, I want to say something to you before
you say something. Sure, I disagree with you on year zero.

Speaker 4 (50:42):
Okay, go ahead.

Speaker 1 (50:43):
I am buying year zero. Cheer one quicker to fix
not buying zero.

Speaker 4 (50:50):
Not buying zero, okay, I'm I'm on zero for a
couple of reasons. One is that and I'll see obviously, Tony,
you don't so bread can settle. This is that since
it's now a year round sport in terms of recruiting
and training and preparation. And I think I think those
are reasonable observations, not excuses. Rich got a late start

(51:16):
mid December. That's actually pretty late when you think about it,
because you got to accumulate the staff. One of those
transfer periods was already over, okay, basically over high school
recruiting was already done, so he really got a late start.

(51:37):
Second of all, and this this is I think a
fastening part of the story, Brad, that that it that
we don't have all the numbers on because they're not
releasing the numbers. Is that several teams, as we know,
front loaded, like Texas Tech frontloaded right before July one
when the rev share kicked in, so they frontloaded. West

(51:57):
Virginia did not. They started July one with the assuming
they would have twenty one million dollars to spend on
the on their sports programs. They don't say how much,
but football got you know, more than half of that,
so I don't know, you know, thirteen fourteen for whatever
the number is, did not spend at all. They held back.

(52:19):
This has been known too, did not spend at all
how much I don't know, three four, five, six million
dollars they didn't spend. So going into the next season,
you're going to have whatever the Lion's share of twenty
one point five or twenty two million dollars is for
football as well as what you held back. So I

(52:41):
think going forward you're going to be in better shape
financially for the next season, much more than you were
this season. Also, when and this is going to I
gotta figure out a way to say this and not
sound terribly derogatory, is that a lot of the a
lot of the work to acquire transfers had already been

(53:03):
done in college football by the time Rich got rolling. MH.
So now he's I guarantee you, like every responsible program,
that they're not only preparing for the next game, but
they're looking around to look at players. So that's why
it's year zero. He hasn't had a full year. He

(53:24):
needs a full year. I do agree that you don't
have a lot of time. That two to three years
is the new five to six years. So to my mind,
he has two or three years to make this program
competitive again.

Speaker 3 (53:42):
Right, there's a compelling argument there.

Speaker 1 (53:44):
Well done by the jos.

Speaker 3 (53:45):
That's that's a compelling case here for a year zero.

Speaker 4 (53:48):
Thank you.

Speaker 2 (53:49):
I'm starting again. I know a lot of a lot
of teams go through that. I get it, But I
mean I do understand the other side too, where you
do have money are paying guys. So people say there
is nobody has a year zero anymore. You got to
go right away. But that was a compelling argument there.
I think I could buy that, thank you.

Speaker 1 (54:04):
The thing that will make this not year zero is
when they go to market this year. They're going to market.
They got they have large resources. They have large resources
right up to the top of the Big twelve conference.

Speaker 3 (54:18):
I think, guys, the top five.

Speaker 1 (54:20):
Of the Big twelve conference, they're going to market.

Speaker 4 (54:22):
So they have more resources. So what so you buy
better players. So it's going to better players quick. So
it's going to be a different year than this year.

Speaker 1 (54:29):
You're going to buy better players quicker, which I'm saying
will will expedite your improvement significantly.

Speaker 4 (54:35):
Well, then that that's the argument for this being year zero.

Speaker 3 (54:38):
Yeah, here's the I'm not looking at three years. Well
he didn't say that either.

Speaker 1 (54:42):
He said two to three.

Speaker 4 (54:43):
I said, I said two to three.

Speaker 3 (54:44):
Four, you went the three. He did say two.

Speaker 1 (54:47):
Yeah, he said two to three. I'm not looking at three.

Speaker 3 (54:49):
Well he said two to three.

Speaker 2 (54:51):
Here here's the other thing, guys, I think that maybe
as in the ballpark of as valuable as the dollars
so great that you've got more money, that that matters.
As we've you also have to your point, evaluation, right,
you have evaluation a longer time to evaluate what you need.
You've got to cut down on the misses in the portal.
You've got to go get guys that can play and

(55:13):
that you know can play. And I think that extra,
that full whatever that becomes at that point at least
another additional nine months of evaluation I think will be
a big benefit to this program heading into next year.

Speaker 1 (55:23):
It's a combination the extra evaluation period and the extra dollars,
so they'll have a better idea of who's good enough
and they'll have more money to go spend to get them.
That's the equation that'll expedite it.

Speaker 4 (55:36):
And you know, based on this year's experience that look,
you got guys presumable, You got guys you thought could
help you, and you now know with a year of evaluation,
like we got this guy thinking he could help, and
now we know how he matched up against Big twelve competition,
and we need we need to.

Speaker 1 (55:54):
Do better correct, which is what Chuck and Fairmont saying
listening to your last show. I've got to disagree. This
feels more like roadwork on I seventy nine rather than
building a house. I think the mediocre, mediocrity of the
last several years has made people impatient. Despite this being
Rich's first year in his second tenure. My only worry
is if we go three, nine, four, eight, do we

(56:15):
have another sixty or seventy leave and are looking at
another year zero next year. I hope this isn't the
start of a really bad cycle. I don't think that's
going to be the case, but there will be a
large number of players again transitioning, whether that's leaving or
coming in. You're going to get that number again. But
that's okay if you're getting to right players.

Speaker 4 (56:38):
And also there is don't don't lose sight of the
fact of high school recruiting. I know that seems antiquated now,
but you still do recruit high school players. That's what
he wants and you can get and you know, and
I think if you see what's going on nationwide, you
see guys. You see school are paying more for skill

(57:02):
guys or the key left tackle or the corner or something.
But you can still I think through high school, or
maybe trade through high school. Brad build some of the core,
can't you.

Speaker 2 (57:14):
Well, yes, but not right away. I mean that's the
thing with the high school kids. And this program's always
been about development. It still has to find a way
to have some development pieces. But getting a freshman in
and asking them to play immediately, that's going to be hard.
So there does have to be Patience may not be
the right word, but it's going to take some time
to backfill with some high school kids and get them

(57:37):
ready to play. You're still going to have to try
and get for the next year or two heavy portal
guys that can play right away. I heard a basketball
coach talking today say he told his guys, this is basketball,
but he told his guys, treat this like a bar.
What got to be twenty one and we're not interested.
Got to be twenty one and we're not interested. Now
football is different because of the roster size, but the

(57:59):
development piece still I think needs to be important to
Westford any moving forward. I think Rich agrees with that.
He sees that as well.

Speaker 1 (58:05):
Yes he does, he wants he His emphasis is going
to be on high school with using the portal as
salt rather than the entree.

Speaker 2 (58:13):
And that's where that and to me, the offensive line
is the biggest example of that that there has got
to be some guys in the line that can grow
up over the next couple of years. It can't be
having to go buy twelve offensive linemen every year and
try and find five.

Speaker 1 (58:26):
Whereas you probably gonna have to spend five hundred I've
told you this on Sunday. You're gonna have to go
out and spend majority You're gonna have to spend five
hundred on offensive linemen five hundred thousand dollars offensive.

Speaker 2 (58:37):
But the hope is you've got two or three guys
that can return that you're comfortable a starter five at
five hundred.

Speaker 1 (58:42):
Correct, And another thing along that line. I've asked Rich
twice in the last week or so, can you get
the right players here that do Absolutely? He doesn't even hesitate. Absolutely,
I can get the right guys here to win. And
it's not an issue. So he's not going like no,
He's going like, they're there. I can get these guys.

Speaker 4 (59:00):
Well.

Speaker 2 (59:00):
Again, it's yeah, that's not hypothetical for him, right, he
in particular he has done that.

Speaker 4 (59:06):
Yeah. Yeah, and he's and look, Rich is not out
there in terms of coaching. What is Rich now? Ho
old is he?

Speaker 1 (59:13):
Sixty three?

Speaker 4 (59:13):
Sixty three? You know, we've seen coaches who are of
that generation who really have had trouble adjusting to the changes.
But I think I don't want to speak for Rush.
I think the Rich is like, hey, here's a way
to go get players. I think that's how he's looking
at it, embracing that and not and not.

Speaker 1 (59:33):
Pushing back against. Yeah, he's got no problem he just
wants guys. I think Mike gundhy Mike Gundy's demise. Mike
Gundy's demise was because he wanted to play old school,
and Rich is like, Eh, what's the rule? How do
I get it? Go get guys. Texter Chester from Winchester,
probably not his name, Brad yeah, probably not. Wants to

(59:53):
know if it's too late to schedule a home football
game against Oklahoma State. I think it might be the
help for this year. It is j d from the
Southern coal Fields. The throwbacks were nice, but can we
get the names on the jerseys next time? They could
even do them in Hoppy's new favorite color, bright sky blue.

Speaker 3 (01:00:12):
Don't start, Don't start.

Speaker 1 (01:00:13):
Texter Hello. Just wanted to give a quick shout out
and congratulations to former Mountaineer and three Guys guests Dale
Blaney on winning at Sharon Speedway Saturday, becoming the oldest
person to win a World of Outlaws race. Areas Hoppy,
there you go see old Dale. That's Dale in the middle.
Now that he got they fired up there in his
next picture, he's all jacked up and finally won himself

(01:00:36):
a World's championship at the World of Outlaws.

Speaker 3 (01:00:39):
So Dale.

Speaker 1 (01:00:40):
That's an amazing story. So for those that may be
on the younger side, Dale's a Mountaineer Basketball Hall of Famer,
one of the all time great Mountaineer basketball players, and
family involved in racing obviously brother Dave nephew. The blaming
family is becoming, you know, racing royalty. And I did
not know he was still running up there, Sharon Motor Speedway.

(01:01:03):
They just trade and pain. He wins the World's championship.
Good for him, graduations deal. He only stops by for
a hoop game or two. That's a season.

Speaker 4 (01:01:12):
Ye, he's a good player.

Speaker 1 (01:01:14):
Oh no, I hate playing good play. He was in
the I mean he was an NBA guy. The story,
Well know, hey, three guys midweek text here. Like you,
guys often say, it's never as good as you think
or as bad. After playing Utah, they were definitely better.
But we still have guys who are working on building
the hard edged culture we need and rich we'll get

(01:01:36):
this fixed. One thing I've realized after listening to the
post Utah pod is that, unlike our team, our fans
are very soft. We have a lot more Karens than
we do Kerlavit's all due respect to Karen Kerchievell after
Doctor Ed's text, Our fans are soft. We had a
great time in the blue lots sharing some Putnam County

(01:01:57):
moonshine with Utah fans, and we will continue to support
this team and the staff appreciate all you guys do.
Here is to eight hundred more podcasts, signed by the
Joker from Poka. Oh.

Speaker 4 (01:02:11):
You know, I just want to reemphasize because I wrote
a column about this for tomorrow too, for the next day,
for Thursday, that.

Speaker 1 (01:02:20):
Try to quantify the day. It's it's a little difficult that.

Speaker 4 (01:02:25):
This is not about I'm trying to have a realistic,
fact based observation of where things are and not make
excuses or be jingoistic, but look at it realistically. So
that's where I'm whether you agree, where.

Speaker 1 (01:02:42):
You're making your mistake, because this is all about emotion
and irrational tell you.

Speaker 4 (01:02:46):
So whether you agree or disagree, that's fine. I just
want to clarify what my intent is with the kinds
of things I've said and the kinds of things I'm
writing this week.

Speaker 1 (01:02:54):
Absolutely before we go, I'm not done yet.

Speaker 2 (01:02:57):
Okay, Well, let me get this in here, because as
everybody knows, this is a live program. In this breaking news,
so live program, breaking news, I'd like to go right
to the breaking. According to on three on three, Nico
Markiel redshirting this season.

Speaker 1 (01:03:12):
Well they just came out with that.

Speaker 4 (01:03:13):
Huh really, who's they quoting?

Speaker 3 (01:03:17):
Verified source?

Speaker 1 (01:03:19):
Who they attribute that to? A source with on three sports.
They're just going straight with it. So can we claim
as first reported?

Speaker 3 (01:03:27):
No, because we did not first report it, but we were.

Speaker 4 (01:03:29):
Talking about it right quick before we have reaction.

Speaker 1 (01:03:32):
We did we go with heavy indication? Did we go
with well, wait a second, do the math. I did it.
I did it the day after. I did it the
day after the Monday after the injury. He went to
Rich on Sunday. I just like the simple thing is like,
you're just played four games, bang bang bang bang.

Speaker 2 (01:03:50):
Now, not to steal your thunder, but about seven hundred
thousand people, absolutely right.

Speaker 4 (01:03:55):
Okay, absolutely so play that out. So answer this fill
in the blank.

Speaker 1 (01:04:02):
Suddenly it's become a game show. Yes, go ahead with
Ellen Ludden.

Speaker 4 (01:04:06):
Boy, you just dated yourself for the Allen Ludden reference.
The chances that Nico Markhill will be on the w
W football team next season are zero zero.

Speaker 1 (01:04:17):
Well, yeah, he just went in the transfer portal.

Speaker 4 (01:04:19):
I thought he said just was.

Speaker 2 (01:04:20):
A shirt transfer portal, but it's said if Markiel doesn't
return to WVU in twenty twenty six, an option could
be the transfer portal.

Speaker 1 (01:04:28):
Yeah, okay, I'll change by zero. All right? Two point
two probably.

Speaker 3 (01:04:34):
Would surprise me. For probably would surprise me.

Speaker 4 (01:04:38):
So we've probably we even all likelihood have seen the
last of Nico Markule in a Mountain neer uniform.

Speaker 1 (01:04:43):
I think that's a fair statement.

Speaker 3 (01:04:45):
Uh, thank goodness. We do this show live, so we
could get that in no break that was.

Speaker 1 (01:04:49):
Really well done.

Speaker 4 (01:04:49):
On your pay up notifire sports size. They got to
get that on out like now, yeah, I'll do it.

Speaker 2 (01:04:55):
I'm sorry, No, I'm looking because that'll they'll be on
that well that okay, hey send that?

Speaker 4 (01:05:03):
Where is it?

Speaker 1 (01:05:04):
Three guys before the game?

Speaker 4 (01:05:05):
No way, wait, let.

Speaker 1 (01:05:07):
Me do something. Okay, I've shut his mic off. Now,
three guys before the game is brought to us by
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(01:05:28):
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(01:05:51):
a question, Brian. You two fold answer. Is he unbelievable
or is he unbelievable? Which is the two?

Speaker 4 (01:05:56):
What's the website again?

Speaker 1 (01:05:58):
Good god?

Speaker 3 (01:05:59):
On three?

Speaker 1 (01:06:00):
A reminder next Tuesday during the off week. Are there
any more tickets to this or not?

Speaker 2 (01:06:10):
Of limited number? Conflicting reports, but I think there's a
few floating, Okay.

Speaker 1 (01:06:15):
The three of us will be a part of a
United Way fundwaight fundraiser at the Touchdown Terrace at Mylon
Pushcar Stadium for the United Way of Montingalia and Preston Counties.
We're going to have a big time. It's moving mountains
with the mountaineers and we'll be joined by a great
selection of coaches Mountaineer Men's Coach Ross Hodge women's coach

(01:06:36):
Mark Kellogg. We've got Steve Sabans, the baseball coach, and
our buddy Jan Greeney Mountaineer volleyball coach. Live and silent auctions.
Just a whole bunch of stuff. It's gonna be fun,
great night. Might have some music and a few other things.

Speaker 3 (01:06:52):
Maybe some student athletes attending. They're gonna be around or
just coach.

Speaker 1 (01:06:54):
Yes, student athletes there as well. We're not bringing the
pig we bought. The pig is going to be donated
to a food bank. We bought a pig at the
Preston County Livestock auction and thanks very much to everyone
involved there. But we're going to donate the pig to

(01:07:16):
a food bank. Way takes care of that, because it's
not the last thing. Let me tell you, we're lucky
we get in the studio. Last thing we need to
do about organizing the processed pig. When you think about it,
we're not going to we're not getting involved where the
pig's going. We're just gonna let people take care of that.

Speaker 4 (01:07:31):
Well, I know what you were saying, like the pig
is not going to be there, like we were going
to show up with the pig. Well, I think that,
I think.

Speaker 1 (01:07:38):
To me, we own the dog on thing. We want
to take it out for a ride. We can.

Speaker 4 (01:07:42):
I think that. I think, with all due respect the pigs,
the future has been determined.

Speaker 3 (01:07:47):
Well, we appreciate take making the ultimate sacrifice to go
to help those in the community.

Speaker 1 (01:07:54):
It's like the pig at breakfast. You get that bake
and he's fully committed. Right, we shouldn't be laughing, No,
but we're helping. You can laugh and.

Speaker 4 (01:08:04):
Help appreciate the sacrifice.

Speaker 1 (01:08:07):
All right, we'll be back release. We'll release our next
episode Sunday afternoon after West Virginia and BYU and then
next week.

Speaker 4 (01:08:16):
That's when you get back.

Speaker 3 (01:08:17):
If you're back.

Speaker 1 (01:08:18):
Yeah, I gotta do five refuelings. I hope I don't
find that Utah sid It'd be seventy two hours land
in Beijing to get fuel.

Speaker 2 (01:08:26):
We'll be in here waiting. You just show up when
you get off the plane just comes straight here.

Speaker 1 (01:08:29):
All right, special thanks to our producers. This must be
a big show. We had two producers in there today,
great Braden and Jake. We're both in there. Three guys
brought to us by Gomart. Get that rewards card. Save
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(01:08:50):
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(01:09:13):
for being with us.

Speaker 4 (01:09:14):
What's that website again.

Speaker 1 (01:09:16):
Wv It's episode eight hundred dot com Episode eight hundred
dot com. That's the website. Thank you all very much.
Don't forget to tip the weight staff will see passssssssssssssssssssss