College Footballs' Final Four, Bets for NFL Week 18, Head Coaching Gossip, and a Happy New Year!

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Happy New year, everyone. Happy 2025. Not sure how many days you're allowed to say Happy New Year. If you're like a big curb your enthusiasm fan or Larry David, I think you get like a few days. Maybe till the 5th maybe. Is that the last day? Are you one of those people that go to like week two, week three? Do you say for a month? Depends. What if you haven't seen anyone? What if you haven't seen the person in a month or two? Do you say it in the early, you know, February? Do you say at the end of January? All valid questions, but Happy New Year nonetheless. We have a really fun pod, the first one of the year. Really funny pod. We're just kind of railing to each other. Lots of funny jokes and jabs between me and the guys. We kick off with the College Football Playoff recap from the from the quarterfinals, Texas escaping Arizona State. That was a hell of a game. Scatter. Boo a beast, man. We also talk about Ohio State coming out looking hungry with all their weapons, just laying out Oregon, Oregon looking really fat. We talked about it before all these games happened and you know, what scenarios could possibly break down and we were right on the money for all these games. So happy to see that. Happy to hear from that. And then we kind of talk briefly about the games moving forward, but really recap all the games. Especially Jason's Notre Dame especially, right? He's pretty excited, pretty happy. He's in a really good mood. So kicking off the year right after we do all that, this is the last NFL lines for the regular season. So weird spreads all week. Who's playing, who's not, who's sitting. Now I'm not a big fan of Saquon Barkley sitting out this week. Kind of wanted to go after the rushing record. I talked a little bit about that. And then Jason finds out that me and Aaron were talking about Ben Johnson off the air about other possible landing scenarios for him, which Jason's reaction was priceless. It was really good. We also talked about other opportunities for coaches. Jason puts me on the spot for who's getting fired at the end of the season. Black Monday is coming up, so we'll have a fun plot on that one. But to our count, about 10 coaches may or should be getting fired. Could be a record setting Monday, but that's if I was a gm. It's a good thing I'm not right. A lot of people will be fired and then it wouldn't be a pod without us talking more Chicago Bears. I did not imagine Myself talking about this much Bears football ever in my life. But here we are. My algorithms all messed up on ig, on X. Good thing I'm not subscribed to anything on. On Reddit or any other boards. But we do talk about some other scenarios. Like what if Jason doesn't get his dream? You know, his late Santa wish of Ben Johnson becoming the head coach of the Chicago Bears. Lots of political drama happening behind the scenes. Does Flores sweep in and get it? Is there any other outside opportunities? Jason brought some really good stuff. So you don't want to go anywhere. The first pod of 2025. It's exciting. Don't go anywhere. And Happy New Year. We're recording Thursday night, January 2nd and 9:00 after 40 minutes of technical difficulties. Gotta love it. Starting the year off right, right, Chase? [00:03:32] Speaker B: It's okay. Notre Dame 1. So the year off right? [00:03:36] Speaker A: Yeah, man. So we did really well in our picks last week. We broke down the games. Not gonna brag, but everything I said came true. It was a hell of a week. I'm gonna stop there. I'm gonna retire. I'm not going to call anything else out. That's it. Tough game coming up. [00:03:53] Speaker B: Can we get a fact check? Check the tape on that? [00:03:56] Speaker A: We could fact check. All right. I did say Notre Dame would be blowing out Georgia. I did say my lot, but it was a great game. 23:10. Jason. Feeling good. [00:04:11] Speaker B: Feeling great, man. We've only done every episode of this podcast to commiserate in my misfortune of all of my terrible sports teams. Look at you all season. So. [00:04:22] Speaker A: Well, Wait, are you wearing the gear, too? [00:04:24] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, man. [00:04:26] Speaker C: Let's see the shirt, the hat. [00:04:27] Speaker B: I had the shirt right there. [00:04:29] Speaker A: The Irish you got rocking. [00:04:31] Speaker B: That's it. I had a different Notre Dame shirt on yesterday when I thought the game was going to be played yesterday. But, you know, this has been a good luck hat for a long time. So, you know, took it out for the. The big playoff game. [00:04:41] Speaker A: I like it. [00:04:44] Speaker B: But we start off the year right, you know, 2025 for me. Notre Dame wins a huge playoff game. The SEC looks terrible doing it. You know, big things are on the horizon. Maybe for the Bears, maybe for the White Sox and Blackhawks. We could have a turnaround. 2025 could be my year for sports. [00:05:01] Speaker A: I wouldn't go that far. I think we should just cap it off with Nordic Days. [00:05:05] Speaker C: Young. It's young, but it started off well. [00:05:07] Speaker A: It started off well. This is a big win, man. This is 13th win of the season. Most in Program history in Notre Dame history. And it also snapped an eight game losing streak on the New Year's Eve bonus bowl games. So that was really great. Nor Day, man had some pretty big stops. There was lots of criticism after the game about smarts, play calling or maybe going a little bit more aggressive. It did start really slow. I was in another engagement and I was talking to some people that were keeping tasks of the games really slow. It was 3, 0. We had a couple field goals. Riley Leonard had a really big run that kind of set him up for that field goal. And then the defense for some incredible fumbles. One of them was in Georgia territory with like about a minute or two left in the first half. And then they went up 13 3. And then that kickoff return for touchdown to start off of the second half took them up 23. And then you could just feel the air coming out of the sails. Is that the right phrase? The air coming out of the sails of, of Georgia. After that they did make it somewhat competitive. You know, I thought, man, what, what, what's the quarterback's name again in Georgia? Stockton. Solid game. I thought, I thought he did okay from what I saw, but a little bit too much. And dude, Notre Dame had some pretty big transfers on both sides. Big stops, Big D. It was impressive, man. I think before, right when the season ended, I did mention how Notre Dame was possibly one of my favorite teams, you know, top four. And look at it now. The top four seatings in the college playoffs are all out. So maybe the playoff is working. [00:07:03] Speaker B: Yeah, a lot of other pundits are twisting themselves into a pretzel to talk about after the first week. Always too many blowouts and move through the first round buys and this and that and you know, it's a bunch of mediocre games here and there. But now, hey, every team that got the first round by the SEC champion, Big 12 champion, the Big 10 champion, all with these impressive resumes who got the extra rest, okay, they come out flat. Rome said that about Georgia, I believe about coming out flat. So what's the advantage of the first round buy because every. All the narrative last week was that we were going to change the playoff because you know, Boise State didn't deserve the first round by. And you know, Texas are the best four teams by. But now the narratives changed out there. But going back to the game itself, you mentioned the defense for Notre Dame, but special teams wise, I mean that was, that was Notre Dame's offense really because the kick return touchdown to start the second half, what they were doing from, you know, making the field goals. There were some clutch field goals. There was a few penalties and misfortunes in trying to block some punts, but they were being aggressive going after Georgia to make the plays. And probably the turning point of the game was Georgia's fumble. That was a strip sack fumble really with like 37 seconds left in the half. I question at that moment, just watching the game, like what was Kirby Smart doing even trying on his own 20, throwing a pass at this point where they haven't done offensively, man, you take that down 6, 3 going into the half, but they really put Notre Dame in a position to score a touchdown. And it was like they got a touchdown, which they did. Really just changed the momentum of the game where it was like super close. And now Notre Dame's going to half the. The ultimate high of adrenaline. And it carried it over, you know, into the second half to start too. But defense and specials team showed out. I mean, if you were to tell me at the start of that game when you're looking kind of at if you're playing like box score guy here, that hey, for the Irish Jeremiah Love is going to get six carries, only for 19 yards, I would have said that's a Notre Dame loss. You know, Riley Leonard threw for 90 yards. You know, that would have been a Notre Dame loss. But they felt in possession of the game the entire time. And Riley Leonard using his legs, which was the secret to Notre Dame being successful post Northern Illinois loss, you know, that was the difference. Offensively where we needed a big third down conversion, he was able to, you know, make it happen. On the flip side for the Georgia offense, what Notre Dame's defense was able to do, you know, Trevor Etienne only 38 yards, Nate Frazier only 37 yards, Gunner Stockton, they were going to make him throw the ball. They did. And when you're talking about the second half and Georgia was getting to the game when they scored their touchdown in the third quarter, hey, we thought something was going to happen, but that was the most they got. And Notre Dame's defense held tight the rest of the game. [00:09:59] Speaker A: Yeah, you're talking about like a 17 point swing, man, it was three, three tied up. The guys I was talking to were complaining that nothing was happening. Took a gamble, set him up Notre dame to go 13 3. And then that kickoff return, 23, lights out, man. Pretty wild, Aaron. [00:10:17] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean this game was wrapped up in 25 seconds of actual gameplay. You had a field goal, a strip sack. Next play, touchdown by Lind Riley, halftime kickoff return. 17 points by Notre Dame in 25 seconds of gameplay. It's a big too much for Georgia to overcome. You know, we came into this game liking Notre Dame, all three of us. Given the fact that Beck was out for Georgia, a quarterback that had never started a game, now on the biggest stage against a top defense. And like Jason said, Notre Dame said, look, if we're going to go down, we're going to go down to this guy. We're going to stop the run game. They did. I don't think Georgia had a carry over four yards. Maybe they got one over four yards, but everything seemed to be negative yardage or two yards, one yard. You know, they put the pressure on Al golden, put up a great defensive game plan. The D, Andrew rushing. They're running stunts with their D linemen. Big talk coming in. You know, Jason mentioned their best defensive lineman being out. Didn't need them tonight. Linebackers and the other guys stepped up. Secondary played really well, and they just got after Georgia. I mean, Kirby Smart, you can question what he did, what he didn't do. I would have just ran the ball or taken a knee and gone to the half. Down six three. It looks a lot better than 13 three. But, you know, he was trying to get a spark from the team. I mean, Gunner, Stockton, I kind of get it. He threw a couple nice balls, they dropped a few. And at the end of the day, you know, Notre Dame's defense, special teams and Riley Leonard's legs, like Jason said, that's what Notre Dame wins. That's the recipe going forward. And it was better than Georgia's best. [00:12:02] Speaker A: Shot even in the second half when. When. Damn. What. What's the quarterback's name again? Stockton. I don't know. Why, it's just he's a new Murray for me, I guess. He has some really nice throws in the second half. They were moving the ball and they were what they were like pretty close, like 10, 15 yards out. There was 14 and short or fourth and short. And Notre Dame came with a big stop and like that was it. That kind of held on 23, 10. Got one more field goal out of it. [00:12:30] Speaker C: Well, there was also a big play. I think Jason probably saw it too, on their second drive where they completed a pass down the sidelines. The guy got tackled, I believe, right at the 10 or 11. But you had that penalty. Oh, no, you had the penalty where the player ran into the official. He stepped into the official zone there on the sideline, pushed him back 15 yards. [00:12:49] Speaker A: What was that about? I. I I didn't under, you know. [00:12:54] Speaker B: They didn't have the old get back coach. Man. You remember Aaron, we were, we were playing back in the day, man. You had the coach being know players getting too aggressive. [00:13:01] Speaker A: The get back. I love that. [00:13:03] Speaker B: Yeah, that was the get back. [00:13:04] Speaker C: He might have been there but he wasn't, he wasn't on that side. It was a little too quick for the get back coach to get out there. [00:13:09] Speaker A: I don't recall that ever happening. [00:13:11] Speaker C: It ended up costing Georgia a possible touchdown there. Maybe they got a field goal but that really hurt the momentum wise because it would have been I believe first and goal or right outside the 10 and who knows, they might have been able to punch in and go up 70. They got the field goal. Notre Dame responded the next drive back to tie it. And from there just Notre Dame pretty much in control. [00:13:34] Speaker A: Any other final thoughts on on this game. [00:13:40] Speaker B: On the game overall. Georgia wasn't the Georgia team of the past couple years. And I that is what everybody saw and gave Notre Dame this opening where ESPN captured it, what ESPN or what Notre Dame has done in the transfer portal. And those were a lot of the players that were coming true and making big plays, whether it was Riley Leonard or you know, a couple of the other guys like in the kicking game, Mitch Jeter, the kick returner, Jaden Harrison, all transfers that they're getting and Notre Dame is recruiting well, but finding those gaps in their, in the team, in the transfer portal to get there and in this moment is paid dividends. So when you have a Georgia team that just isn't as deep, isn't as, isn't as talented as the dominant team for a three year period, there was an opportunity here. And while I've had fun and we'll continue to have fun poking at the SEC and I'm sure others will too, the SEC wasn't as good this year. There was a narrative trying to make it good, but they're, they're or they're good teams, but it wasn't great. They weren't head and shoulders above everything. But yes, I think the Big Ten is four and one against the SEC in bowl games right now alone. So when you're stacking up conference and conference, whether your players are playing or not right now, you didn't do anything during the regular season. You quote unquote beat up on each other with this tough strength of schedule. But you got a Tennessee team blown out in the first round of the playoffs. You have Georgia here losing Texas. While they did win Arizona State was you know, we'll talk about that a little later. Arizona State played with them with every bit where no one was going to give Arizona State a shot. And so while the SEC has good teams, you are not the superior great conference where you're just dismiss everybody and now that proves yourself in the playoff where you have, hey, you got the Midwest representing here. You got two Big Ten teams, independent Notre Dame, and the only SEC team is Texas, who was in the Big 12 a year ago. [00:15:50] Speaker A: Yeah, I wasn't sure when you're going to jump into the SEC stuff, but you just kind of took it there. You guys are so up on the SEC all year long talking smack on like Texas and how great the SEC was, but it's kind of funny to. So you guys turned around. So it's nice. [00:16:06] Speaker C: Well, it's not. We'll get into Texas. I mean, I, I don't think Texas is great by any means necessary. But to elaborate on Jason's point, Georgia's not the same dominant team they were before now coming in. If they had Carson back in this game, would the outcome have been different? I don't know. Would it have been a different, more competitive game to where I think we would have got similar game that we saw from Arizona State, Texas or Texas? Georgia in the SEC final? I believe so. Not having him hurts Georgia's chances for sure. I mean, you throw in a quarterback that had never been in a game unless he was up 21 points and then rescued Georgia against Texas in the SEC final, I don't know, maybe that says something about Texas and Jason's point about the SEC not being very good. If you can lose to a quarterback that's never played a meaningful game, we'll find out how that plays out going forward. But yeah, the SEC isn't going to be as dominant as they were. There's not going to be dominant programs anymore of nil. Transfer portal teams are going to pony up whether it's every year or once every three, four, five years where, you know, 20, 25 million to buy a roster and go for it. [00:17:16] Speaker A: I don't know. [00:17:16] Speaker C: That's. That's where it's going to be. [00:17:17] Speaker A: I think it's too early to make that call right now. [00:17:21] Speaker C: I'm already making the call. The dominant programs of being completely dominating where we're going to have repeat national champions. Those days are over. [00:17:29] Speaker A: If you're looking at all the teams that are going far, they all have established programs and they're still recruiting really well and they're using the NIL to fill those holes nor the Dames example number one they can be, but you. [00:17:42] Speaker B: Have to have an infrastructure. And the days of Alabama and Georgia being three to four deep where those guys aren't going anywhere right now if I'm not starting, I'm leaving. And you know, you aren't going to like that as a, as a Georgia Bama, you know, Tennessee fan. But hey, you're not going to be deep in every position, get all the good players. Now your second string guy at Georgia is going to go play at another school who is, you know, a four star prospect there. And it's not a coincidence. And you don't, you know, you don't want to talk about the, the underworld of college football but as soon as everybody got to pay their players, all of a sudden the SEC just hasn't been as good. So when you're not, you know, getting those side local dealership deals in the south that no one wants to talk about. [00:18:24] Speaker A: Shane Killis joke with, with Alabama Jones. [00:18:28] Speaker B: I mean it's, it's true. I mean, I mean you won't, you, it's always a thing in college football where the schools that always got in trouble, your USC's and Miamis were schools in big cities because big cities they're gonna, you know, you'll have some expose and something out there, you know, Reggie Bush and buying a house and you'll hear this stuff in the media. But no one's gonna say something in small town Tuscaloosa about what they're doing at Alabama. And now, hey, the money's everywhere. And if you got a big booster or you're willing to play the game right and you know how to bring in the right transfers, you're going to be a competitive program every year. And to Aaron's point, there is going to be no dominance year after year. You're going to have really good SEC teams. I'm not saying the SEC is going to be bad. It's just, hey, your conference isn't the juggernaut schedule you think it is. Everyone's going to be super competitive and doing preseason rankings and telling me I got all these top teams based on how many five star guys you have. It's not going to be the right ranking system come seasons end when these teams actually have to play each other and there's results. [00:19:28] Speaker A: Yeah, I, I, I, I want to get back to the games but like real quick though. Never in the history has there ever been a system that kind of broke everything up where it never returns back to someone. And figuring out the programs or like, or like, like the system in place and, and finding a way to gain it a competitive advantage. I'm pretty sure someone will figure that out and will see a team. It's just we're kind of going through this transition phase and I'm pretty confident we'll see another dominant program again. It's just. We'll see who it is. It's too early. Next game, Ohio State, Oregon. I don't know where to start at this game because it was, it was a beating. 41, 21. Was that the final score? Yes, I got that it started off wild because most of the televisions or like the telecast were still playing the Texas Arizona State game, which we'll talk about next. So I missed the opening touchdown drive by Jeremiah Smith who had two touchdown patches. But right when we got to the game, Ohio State got the ball back. Three plays, one minute 50 yard drive. It was quick and they had a receiving touchdown to Igbuka who sliding fast. Man. Ohio State's wide receivers are really, really, really good. Really great weapons. And it was off to the races. The defense swarmed the Ducks all game, man. And this was the game that I said that the Ducks would probably come out flat. I was kind of treating it like, like too long of a bye week and they just didn't look none the part. They kind of fought a little bit. I think I sent out a tweet and I was kind of trying to do like a reverse jinx saying how like they looked complete, defeated, demolished. They came back, got a touchdown, started the second half really well, got another score, but you know, 35, 15 at that point it wasn't much after that I wrote Gunner Stockton's name on the Ohio State, Oregon State, Oregon notes. So that's why I couldn't get it right. That's on that game. [00:21:33] Speaker B: Well, how States quarterback Will Howard. So I think that was probably the story early in the first half, but overall really well. [00:21:40] Speaker A: He did really well. [00:21:41] Speaker B: But having Jeremiah Smith I think was probably if you didn't know who he was going into that game, really the was. Yeah, I mean for people who didn't, that was the star making portion of the first half. And yeah, you Rome, you called it. Oregon came out flat. I didn't think they would have. It was going to be a tough game, but they played the entire season, you know, in such a fashion that hey, this Oregon team was going to be different when it came down to the big games because they had been tested by Ohio State early in the early in the year, there was some close games, they won some blowouts. Like, this was everything that Phil Knight and Dan Lanning kind of put together. From an investment standpoint, it's going to be different. And man, did they come out flat. And the deficit was just way too big. I mean, you're talking being down 34, nothing. It was pretty much a wrap at that point. And you needed to be perfect in the back end, and it was going to be a tall task. And Ohio State's just got too much talent top to bottom. It's wild looking back at that Michigan, Ohio State game, like, wow, how that, how that game was even that close to a certain point. [00:22:47] Speaker A: By the way, Michigan, big win. Did you guys watch Alabama game? [00:22:53] Speaker B: Yeah. Big B by Michigan. Hey, Big Ten overall. [00:22:57] Speaker A: Alabama started the of the year 2024 losing to Michigan. And. And the previous format of the playoff, on January 1st, they add 2024 losing to Michigan in the bowl game. It was great. Can't write it any better than that. But back to this game. [00:23:14] Speaker B: I forgot Michigan was one of Rome's 10 favorite college football teams. [00:23:18] Speaker C: But yeah, Rome's like the transfer portal. If you pay him enough nil, he'll support you the next week on the show. That's all there is to it, man. [00:23:29] Speaker A: This guy. This guy. Yeah. In the first half, and I think it was like, I wrote down a stat, so Ohio State had like a nice run. Henderson Bulldoze. They were 310 with 347 left. The yardage differential was 347 to 66. The average 14 and a half versus 3.7. It was. It wasn't even close. And like, we were like in cruise control in the fourth quarter, basically. But I thought, I didn't expect it to be that much like, like that much of a difference. Like, we knew one of these teams would be due for one of these things. It happens. I just didn't think Oregon would come out that flat. And I really don't know how. How to answer that. [00:24:18] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean, I. Everyone's saying Oregon came out flat. I mean, sure, it's played a role in it. They just ran into an Ohio State team. [00:24:26] Speaker A: They were ready. [00:24:27] Speaker C: That's pissed off. All, all, all Ohio State heard after they lost to Michigan is how they're a bunch of crybabies. [00:24:37] Speaker A: Well, they are. [00:24:37] Speaker C: They can't take getting bullied. [00:24:39] Speaker A: They can't. [00:24:40] Speaker C: Ryan Day is going to quit and wants to leave town and we should fire him. [00:24:45] Speaker A: He looked like it. [00:24:46] Speaker C: And yet during that week off and getting ready to prep for this game. All the leadership of that team came together and said, let's finish this. Let's go get a Natty. And they're dialed in. They're focused, and they're just destroying teams. I, you know, we could talk smack on the SEC in Tennessee. They make, they showed out. They showed how better than Oregon did. And Oregon's been perfect all year. I came in, I took Ohio State in this game because I just said it's, it's tough to go 16 and oh, and be perfect like Oregon has. [00:25:22] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:25:22] Speaker C: And now you're playing against who I said was the best team. I picked preseason Ohio State to win the Natty. [00:25:27] Speaker A: Did you? [00:25:28] Speaker C: Yeah. That's who I had. So I am, I'm not shocked. Jeremiah Smith's a beast. The run game's good. We, Jason said, look, we don't know what happened in the Michigan game. What happened in the Michigan game is they had a stupid game plan. [00:25:42] Speaker A: Rivals. [00:25:43] Speaker C: They didn't. They didn't, they didn't trust Will Howard. I think Ryan Day and Chip Kelly got together and said, look, the only way we're going to win a title is we got to trust this guy. And he's delivered these first two games. Will Howard's balled out. He's playing the best of any quarterback right now in the playoff, which is crazy because we would have thought, given what we saw from Michigan maybe and in other big games, maybe that he would struggle. But, I mean, if Ohio State continues to do what they're doing now, there's not even anybody that's going to give them a game. So we'll see if they can keep it going. [00:26:13] Speaker A: I hate saying it, but the way Ohio State beat the crap out of Oregon, I'm like, oh, man, this is, this is the team to beat. [00:26:22] Speaker B: Yeah, I, I, I don't disagree. The playoff has given Ohio State an opportunity to play for the title and potentially, like, hey, we're going to improve throughout the year and not bemoan a loss during, you know, the beginning of the season to Oregon or the late loss to Michigan and still put this team in a position to win the national championship. Because when you look at the playoff format in previous years, that loss to Michigan ends the season. It's over with. And even if you look at the, if we were to do top four playoffs, Notre Dame wouldn't have been in the top four. Oregon and Georgia, number one and two rank, would have been in the Final Four. And they're not even getting into the Final Four right now. So when you look at the committee and how we do things, it doesn't always yield what is going to be the best team. You know, when they actually go on there and go onto the field. And Ohio State is really proving that. And yeah, I agree with you, Rome. I don't know how this team isn't favored, you know, to win the national championship at this point because they've. They look like the best team right now after these last two playoff weeks. [00:27:26] Speaker A: They got a tough matchup next. We. We could talk briefly about Wolf. Let's rewind really quickly. Just. [00:27:33] Speaker C: We. [00:27:33] Speaker A: We won't go into death, but Nora Dame plays Penn State next. How you feel. How you feeling about that matchup? [00:27:41] Speaker B: I feel great about the matchup. I was more concerned about the Georgia matchup. Obviously a little easier with gunner Stockton as the backup starting. But, you know, Penn State's looked good in the playoff. You can't hold it against James Franklin if not winning the big game, even though he didn't win Ohio State this year, didn't win the Big Ten championship getting against Oregon, but they have won the games they needed to win. But if you're questioning whether they've really been tested, not maybe so much versus Boise State, they shut down Genty. I mean, if we're getting to that game right now. [00:28:14] Speaker A: But we'll talk about that next. Yeah, we'll talk about next. [00:28:17] Speaker B: I feel good about, you know, Notre Dame's chances against Penn State. [00:28:21] Speaker A: Ah, all right. I don't feel good about Texas playing Ohio State. That's why I mentioned it because, no, I like Texas. [00:28:27] Speaker C: Nobody feels good about playing Ohio State right now. [00:28:29] Speaker A: We'll talk about that game next. [00:28:30] Speaker C: Nobody should. [00:28:31] Speaker A: But you know what? Are we done with Ohio State? Oregon? [00:28:36] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean Ohio State. Just one last thing. I mean, say what you want about Ryan Day, and I was listening to some other shows. [00:28:43] Speaker A: I like his. [00:28:44] Speaker C: Go to Ryan Day in Ohio State. They have a Michigan problem. [00:28:48] Speaker A: It's your kind of go to too, Aaron. [00:28:50] Speaker C: Whatever it is with Michigan, they have a problem. [00:28:53] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:28:53] Speaker C: And no matter what, he's lost four straight. But guess what? Michigan's not in this playoff. And now it's. And now. And now it's behind them and every other team, whether it's Big Ten or non conference opponents. Ryan Day's only lost, what, like three games in his career? Four games in his career against non Big Ten teams that aren't like Michigan. [00:29:15] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:29:16] Speaker C: He just seems more relaxed. Like, you look at him, he's. He's smiling. I never seen Raheem Day smile. And right now like he's just grin to grin. [00:29:24] Speaker A: I think the loss to Michigan. Yeah. You know, Boost is going to be upset. Probably was the best thing that happened to them. Maybe kind of woke them up. [00:29:30] Speaker C: Well, not only that, it gave them that extra week off to not even have to prepare for Oregon. [00:29:35] Speaker A: Yeah, right. [00:29:36] Speaker C: We already knew they were going to get a home game because they were going to get in the top eight seed. So it just kind of gave them a chance to look in the mirror and regroup as a team and have those three weeks off to get ready for Tennessee and say, look guys, it's so crazy. We got, we got to suck it up. And they have, I mean defensively they just been dominant too. There's not a weakness right now on this team and that's scary. [00:29:58] Speaker A: The weapons, man, they are crazy good. Ohio State is crazy good. I don't think I ever actually paid that, that much attention to them till that game. Let's go back to Texas, Arizona State. Texas came out swinging. I think I text you guys lfg. Let's freaking go back to my pods. Edited. [00:30:23] Speaker C: You had that on copy paste. After the Michigan got off to a 160 start. [00:30:27] Speaker A: I was really excited about the Michigan. I love the Michigan game. I'll. I woke up really for that. Yeah. Texas came out swinging in the first punt return for the touchdown for 75 yards. Yours had a passive touchdown to more for 23. Texas defense was really solid in this game. They had some pretty big stops, multiple stops, especially in the first half on a couple fourth and shorts the quarterback pressure spying Levitt. Pretty phenomenal. They even kept the Scatter Boo at bay for much of the first and second. And then what? They were up 17, three and a half. It was really nice safety though. At the end of that it kind of felt like the momentum switched a little bit. They had a big stop, then they got the safety, turned it up to 175 and then Arizona State responded. Man, Scatterbu had a throwing touchdown. That 42 yarder. What didn't go completely the distance of the 40 yards. The receiver came back and caught it, but went in for the score. And then Arizona State came out with a big stop. Scatter. We had a big reception. It was like a play. I was on the left side of the field for like another 30, 40 yards. Two defensive penalties that kind of set him up for a goal line. They got another touchdown. Two point conversion. Now we have a tight game. And through the last six minutes of the fourth quarter overtime it was. Dude, the Texas thing It reminded me of their game against Georgia, obviously and in the conference championship where the play calling all of a sudden changed. Got a little more reserved late in the fourth quarter going into the overtime and they barely made it out on a couple fourth and longs and got lucky and came out on top. They did win the game, I did say by a touchdown. I didn't expect it to go to overtime though. They should have won that game a lot earlier. They didn't score. They didn't do much in the third up until six minutes left and it scared the out of me. I'm not sure if I text you guys that I was nervous, but I think I did like a few crying emojis. I thought they lost it for sure. Couple missed field goals. What's his name? Aaron? [00:32:31] Speaker C: What? Brett. Auburn. [00:32:33] Speaker A: Auburn. What a name to go to Texas and your last name's Auburn. [00:32:37] Speaker C: Well, I mean it fits in to join the SEC with a last name like that. [00:32:41] Speaker A: Dude, Jank, that field goal that could have won it with two seconds left, overtime could have kicked another field goal right off the lower left goal post. I think it was like only 35 yards out too. He just shanked that thing. Wasn't a good hold. Luckily they got a stop and then hell of a touchdown and interception to close out the game. Thoughts on that guys at. [00:33:06] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean a lot happened in that game early. Texas came out jumped. [00:33:10] Speaker A: They look good. [00:33:11] Speaker C: Two plays and what, three plays got a touchdown, the 54 yard pass and the 21 yard pass for a touchdown. Then you get the punt return for a touchdown. [00:33:23] Speaker A: Everybody very much of the Notre Dame game, you know, like, like that second half. [00:33:27] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean special team scores are big. I mean for Texas we talked about it while Jason had a little bit of technical difficulties. But Texas has just been so inconsistent on offense. I mean their defense is legit. It's a top five top ten defense. It's. It's going to give Ohio State fits. It's going to be the best defense that Ohio State's played I think this year and they played against some good ones in Penn State and Michigan. So I think Texas has that going forward for them that can help them out. But Texas, like Quinn, yours, if he doesn't have a run game, he just does not look good. Like their run game sets up so much of their play action to where their offense runs smooth. In Arizona State, to their credit, their defense was their weakness. Outside of their kicking game in the special teams, their field goal kicker and their defense for Arizona State balled out I don't think people are giving them enough credit. I mean, Texas only scored 17 points minus that punt return in regulation for them to only score 17 points against Arizona State, who I thought they would have at least handled 28, 31 points offensively without overtime. Give a lot of credit, man. Arizona State, we said would come in, cover that game. 12 and a half. It actually got bet up as high as 14. Didn't look good early, but Scatterbo, he. He kept playing his heart out. Levitt played well for them and Arizona State battled, but Texas came through in the end. [00:34:52] Speaker A: Yeah. What's up with the play calling though, man? Like, like, why the same issues against Georgia, against Arizona State, Scatterbutto, mvp, bald out. He kind of called that he's the best running back in college football and he took every bit of the part. Kind of remind me of, I don't know, man, who came out of Stanford. Toby McCaffrey Gerhardt. Just. He's a bull. I. They had a nickname for him and I couldn't catch it. I didn't write it down. It was like White Rhino or something. Hell of a nickname. But you gotta imagine he's gonna be doing a lot on Sundays very soon. [00:35:31] Speaker B: He definitely was trending all over X. I had tons of people that I know texting me that this should be who the Bears should draft. I'm just like, you need to calm down here. [00:35:41] Speaker A: But most definitely. [00:35:43] Speaker B: But yeah, I mean, he was the star in the second half. You mentioned them controlling him in the first half, but they kept feeding him the ball. He got 30 carries in the game. He threw the ball. He was, you know, he had a big, you know, he had eight catches and, you know, a huge play there. So, like, he was every bit the offense to really send them into, into the overtime. And then, you know, up to the wire where it was at going back to Texas, what Aaron mentioned it. It never felt all year that yours just had total command of this job. We're bringing in Arch Manning after he got hurt and don't know, you know, who to play. We played both of them and I think in that first Georgia game, they were playing each of them. And, you know, you got old saying if you don't got one, if you got two quarterbacks, you don't have one. And so I don't think there's a lot of people that believed, you know, he's the actual solution to their problems. And to Aaron's point, he's exactly right. You can't get the running game going, you know, Their lead back only had. He got 18 carries but only 45 yards. So that Arizona State defense to what Aaron's talking about, you know, kept them at bay and really didn't allow the offense to move down the field and allow yours easy play action. Their different looks and you know, by then Texas, I think should have blown them out in the first half and it should have been over. But to Arizona State's credit, you know, they kept it close and they thought things right. They fought and kept themselves in the game and man, like it was one of those things, you know, how hard they fought because at the end of the overtime, like everyone looked gassed like Arizona State, like they left everything on the field and you know, the Big 12 was a. I mean, I would hate to go back. Listen to our podcast talking about the Big 12 the entire year for who we thought was going to be know coming out of that conference and everyone. [00:37:30] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:37:31] Speaker B: Where it was. I think I'm pretty sure Aaron had Arizona State as a team to watch. If we go back to some of that stuff. So I think there was a. There was something to the. [00:37:37] Speaker C: I'm pretty sure I jumped. I jumped on about midway. I said, keep an eye on Arizona State. [00:37:42] Speaker A: Okay. [00:37:42] Speaker C: All right. [00:37:42] Speaker A: Clyde did talk about them. I can't remember when though. [00:37:45] Speaker B: Yeah, so there was something to him and. But yeah, you know, you had the BYU's and Colorado's and, and everyone within that conference and then them being able to persevere, you know, not a lot of people taking them seriously. And hey, you take, you know, a team that was 7 and 1 in the SEC, a lot of people thought this was the best team in the country through a lot of the years and you take them to the limit. Like you got to give Arizona State their credit because at the beginning of the year, hey, who's going to think this is going to be the one of the final eight teams? You know, I don't even. This was a team, I think it was at the bottom of the Pac 12 last season. [00:38:16] Speaker C: They were picked to finish last in the Big 12 preseason. The preseason poll came out and the media had them last. And no, Jason just said back to back two straight years, back to back three and nine and then they make the College Football Playoff. Quite impressive, man. Quite impressive for sure. [00:38:34] Speaker A: I was listening to the post game from the coach. I don't know why. I've got really into post game speeches this year. I feel like I get like a good, I don't know, barometer of how the coaches are and when they lost a game. Lot of the players were starting to storm off the field. He ran after them, told him to turn back around to shake the Texas players hands and just like if, if he's doing like little things like that, like, no wonder why this team was competitive. Great team. They were undefeated or I think they only had one loss with their starting quarterback. Levitt was really great. The Longhorns, man, they really stormed the out of him all game. So they definitely belong to the playoff. That was probably the most exciting game so far in the east playoffs. Great game. Classic. Can't wait to watch that on ESPN 10 years from now. And just remembering watching that and you know, hoping that I didn't talk too much too early and like jinxing my team with you guys. But it was a great game. [00:39:28] Speaker C: You gotta remember too, Arizona State was up without their best wide receiver. That Tyson guy, he was out. [00:39:33] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:39:34] Speaker C: And he didn't play in the Big 12 title game. I believe that's why I took Iowa State over them. That was a big mistake. But yes, Scabo and Tyson I think were responsible for like 65% of that team's total offensive yardage come out. [00:39:49] Speaker A: Wow. [00:39:50] Speaker C: So just those two guys. So that was a big loss. Obviously, you know, they didn't have the receivers and the skill set players yet there to really threaten Texas in the passing game. Scoo is going to, you know, whether or not the Bears select him or whoever selects them, they're going to get a good guy. But you know, he's, he's probably his third round selection, second round if somebody wants to take a chance on him. [00:40:14] Speaker A: Real quick, I forgot to mention this, but I, I had this highlight as a stat Ohio State, man. I think like 11 of their 12 main guys that they play, they're all fourth or fifth year guys that have been on with the program. Everything else has been filled in by nil. [00:40:29] Speaker C: 20 million nil credit. That's what they say. That's what they say, man. [00:40:35] Speaker A: True, true. But still got, you know, guys that want to be there because they want to be a Buckeye. So we'll, we'll see if that stays true. Right. In this whole thing, you guys might have some. You guys definitely have a valid point in your argument for no more dominant teams. But are we done with this game? Should we go back to the Penn State game? [00:40:54] Speaker B: Sure. [00:40:56] Speaker A: So this was on New Year's Eve. I was busy getting ready for a party, which it was chill. It was nice chilling in my house. This New Year's Eve not working. It was fun but man, Genti couldn't get anything rolling. They kind of made fun of him pre game, post game. I know X and IG were going crazy how, oh this is your guy's Heisman. Guy couldn't perform against legitimate defense. Aaron, you mentioned Penn State's D really good and they put on a clinic. Man. We did talk about how this the best Penn State team that they've put out in years and that's all I got. What's your guys takeaways from it? [00:41:46] Speaker B: Yeah, unfortunately I wasn't, I wasn't surprised. I was riding Boise State all year, but it was, it was going to get to a point where they were to go against some of these Power 5 teams that you know, had more talent across the board. And while there's some really great players on Boise State, you know, they were playing some tight games against the UNLVS and San Jose States of the world here late in the season and for all the grief you want to give Penn State on them not be able to do it in the big game. Rome, you said it a ton this year. Like this Penn State team looks different. And there were some runs like that run from Nick Singleton. I mean that thing looked like it was in like double time speed for how fast he broke through the hole and got through that. I think it was like a 58 yard run. So you know, there was just, there was a different level of athletes. I don't think this does anything for Genti. I think he's going to be a productive back in the NFL. But when you go against, yeah, hey, there's a legit defensive line that's got some, you know, NFL caliber front sevens in Penn State. You know, it's going to be a different type of game. At the same time though, like, while Penn State did cover, Boise State was lingering for a little while. So you know, there was a point there where it's like, man, like you know, I, I picked Penn State to cover. It was a pretty big, a pretty big spread still. But Boise State was lingering around there and if a couple things go a different way, all of a sudden this game's a one score game here in the third or fourth quarter. So Penn State pulled away and really clamped down in Boise State in the fourth quarter, but wasn't really surprised by where the result was at. And I think that it fed into the narrative where, hey, this is probably the last time you're gonna see a non acc, sec, sec, Big Ten. I don't know, you're not, you're not gonna get the Mountain west getting a first buy around here anymore. Likely unless they do something really spectacular. You know, they're gonna make, you know, Boise State winning. The Mountain west is going to be playing in the first round. I don't think they're not going to get that first round buy anymore. [00:43:49] Speaker A: Yeah, they mentioned how they kept Genti. Genty then he was going to trip me up. But they kept him at bay. He still got over 100 yards. He just didn't go past 125. Was it Barry Sanders record is still intact. So Penn State, just like Ohio State, destroyed their round one matchup, destroyed round two. These two teams look really primed. I don't know, it's almost as if playing around one kind of gives them a competitive advantage because they're just like sharper. I guess everybody's played in the first round because everyone that had a bite. [00:44:24] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean, I mean, Jason's the one that's kind of touched on this a lot. How were those teams with the first round by. Look, would the rest do them well or. They look rusty and they all looked rusty. Yeah, you know, they all came out the gate slow. You know, two, you know, people talking smack on Genti. Like you said Rome, he still got over 100 yards. The only second running back all season to get over 100 against his Penn State defense. [00:44:48] Speaker A: Not a good game. [00:44:49] Speaker C: Yeah, Penn State's mission coming out was to stop him from running. They still gave up over 300 yards in the passing game. 400 yards total to what Jason said this was a 10 point game. That the touchdown got called back on Boise State for illegal hands to the face. Yeah, we would have had a 24, 21 game. What was about 12, 13 minutes ago in the fourth quarter, that guy called back. I believe they intercepted the pass later. And then Penn State just kept it rolling on the ground. You know, you touched on it earlier. Rome, Penn State, Notre Dame. Jason feeling really good about this matchup. To me, these are two very similar teams. Like if they were to swap jerseys, you wouldn't know either team from different. Their quarterbacks can overrun. They play great defense and they got running backs that can run the ball. So that playoff game, which is a week from today, Penn State a little more rest than Notre Dame. That's gonna be at the Orange Bowl, I believe, Jason. [00:45:46] Speaker B: Yep. [00:45:47] Speaker C: So it's. And Notre Dame's favored by one and a half. That's the early line that came out my power rankings. I would have had Penn State favored by one and a Half, but I think it's going to be a good game. We'll start breaking it down next week and we'll see how it goes. But yeah, I mean, if you're. Jason's a Noradine fan, I think you got to feel good about Nordeim in that matchup. It's going to be a good one. [00:46:07] Speaker A: It's a good team. Good team. [00:46:09] Speaker C: Very, very similar teams, very similar styles. James Franklin, we talk about not being able to win the big games, but, dude, big gears. We talk about Ryan Day having a Michigan problem. Well, James Franklin has a Michigan, Ohio State problem and he hasn't had to play them yet. So we'll see how that goes. [00:46:27] Speaker A: You did mention Boise still got yardage. And I, I wrote down a note, but I didn't have any more stats on it. So I looked it up. They still controlled the time. Possession by more than 10 minutes. Double the passing yardage, 300 to 170 rushing. Penn State did double up what Boise State did, but if you look. [00:46:46] Speaker C: That's right, four turnovers for Boise. Four turnovers for Boise State and two missed field goals. [00:46:52] Speaker A: Two miss. Yeah, like, you know, this game should have been a lot closer. So, you know, it could have been. It could have been a lot closer. [00:46:59] Speaker B: Yeah. Aaron talked about in the last pod where Boise State has had some success in these Fiesta Bowls when they beat Oklahoma and in those games, Boise State didn't make these mistakes. And the turnovers, missing field goals, those are the type of things with Boise State pulled off, those upsets went their way. As big. As a fan of Genty as I was through the entire year empowering this team, I will say his 104 yards DE did seem a little suspicious at the end of the game when they were down and we're like third and long and the coach is running a draw to Genty when we're down by 20 by 14. [00:47:37] Speaker C: He did break it for 26 yards, though. [00:47:39] Speaker B: He did, but he did. I was like, I was like, you know, and I was texting my friends and stuff throughout the game and everyone's complaining because they obviously had Boise to cover. And they're like, what's this coach doing? Running a draw third and long. [00:47:52] Speaker C: And he got the first down in that play. I think he was trying to help Genti prop bets too, because they did everything in their power to get him over 100 yards. Like, everything. [00:48:00] Speaker A: I watched the game, but I had to rewatch highlights and I, I did not cash that, Jason. So thank you for pointing that out. Like now, thinking about like. Oh, yeah, I do remember. Yeah, watching that. [00:48:10] Speaker B: It was suspicious. It was like three minutes left. I think it was like third and 10 on their side of the field. And they ran a draw. [00:48:17] Speaker A: Jesus Christ. [00:48:18] Speaker B: I just. [00:48:19] Speaker A: But that's bad. [00:48:20] Speaker B: I mean, they got him over the hundred yards. Yeah, it was. [00:48:23] Speaker A: But million without telling your millionaire. [00:48:27] Speaker B: I mean, they were mailing in there, trying to get. They're trying to feed their guy, but I mean, definitely, we're making betters unhappy. Who had Boise to cover that. [00:48:38] Speaker A: Fun playoff round, though? Thoroughly enjoyed it a lot better than the first round. And now we got Texas on Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame. I actually have no complaints with the top four teams right now. No complaints. Everyone belongs. [00:48:53] Speaker B: Nah, this will be. This would be a really good Final Four. [00:48:57] Speaker A: This is really good. [00:48:58] Speaker B: I saw a funny tweet on X where you're talking Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas, Penn State. It's gonna look great on a vintage t shirt 20 years from now that you find in a thrift store or something like that. [00:49:10] Speaker A: You're right. Might have to buy a T shirt now. [00:49:13] Speaker B: I don't know. It's. It's great. It's. It's historic brands, you know, of college football. It's probably what the networks want when you're getting matchups. And it's. It's unique matchups. Oh, you know, Notre Dame, Penn State. Hey, as Aaron said, these are two very similar teams that probably produces a really great game. Ohio State, Texas. Man, those are some great fan bases. That game's going to be wild. And so this. This could be very interesting. And I've been hyping college football up all year. I know. I talked to my wife probably, particularly where she just finds college football. It's always blowouts and stuff whenever we turn on games. And I'm like, this season, if you weren't a huge college football fan, the playoff and the different things involved in the season has really taken some of college football to the next level. [00:49:59] Speaker A: Yeah. One thing I like about all these teams, though, no one has, like, really won, you know, recently any championships. What Ohio State's been like, what, 20 years? Texas has been at least 20 years. Penn State. Don't remember. Notre Dame. [00:50:14] Speaker C: Notre Dame, what, 88? [00:50:17] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:50:18] Speaker A: Jesus. [00:50:19] Speaker C: Texas 2004. [00:50:20] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:50:21] Speaker C: Penn State, what, maybe 91 with Joe Paterno. When was the last one? I mean, we were young, really. [00:50:29] Speaker A: I don't remember that one. [00:50:31] Speaker C: Your daughter's type age, so I don't really remember. [00:50:33] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:50:34] Speaker C: And Ohio State. [00:50:39] Speaker A: 2006. [00:50:41] Speaker C: Texas. [00:50:42] Speaker B: No, Ohio State. [00:50:44] Speaker A: Yeah. That sounds about Ohio State. [00:50:45] Speaker C: Well, 2016, because they won the 2014 when they beat Oregon in the first four team college football playoff. [00:50:53] Speaker A: Oh, who's on that team? [00:50:56] Speaker C: That was Cardell Jones. [00:50:59] Speaker A: Jesus. [00:50:59] Speaker C: And then I think they came back and won another one with zeke. And maybe 2016, 2017, like urban miners, like second the last year. [00:51:10] Speaker B: No, 2014 is their last national. [00:51:12] Speaker C: Okay. So, yeah. [00:51:15] Speaker A: Yeah, I'm excited. [00:51:17] Speaker C: Yeah. I mean, these, these games, I think. I think Ohio State, Texas is going to be the most watched college football game maybe ever. Ratings wise, for sure. Great game in the Cotton bowl in Texas. Yeah, it's. It's. It's a huge matchup. Huge brand in Texas. Wow. Pen State. Notre Dame Classic. Blue bloods. Old school college football. You know Al Golden's Alma Marner. [00:51:43] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:51:43] Speaker C: Penn State. [00:51:44] Speaker B: Penn. Penn State. Last one, 1986. [00:51:47] Speaker C: 86. The year we were born. [00:51:49] Speaker A: Wow. [00:51:49] Speaker C: Oh, Jason was born, what, 85. But yeah, he's 85. [00:51:53] Speaker A: The coyer is 86. [00:51:55] Speaker C: Absolutely. Yeah, we're gonna be on that one. Rome all day. [00:51:59] Speaker B: You gotta be born on a fiver for a zero, man. What are you doing here? You know, it's so much cool. [00:52:03] Speaker A: My ex was born in 85. Not too fond of that. 85. [00:52:06] Speaker B: Year 5 is the year Back to the Future came out. And then he went in back in time to 1955. [00:52:12] Speaker A: You know what? I watched that movie again. Not a fan. [00:52:16] Speaker B: Wow. [00:52:18] Speaker A: It's not that good. One is. Okay. Two, three. I throw it away. No. Trilogy. Worst trilogy ever. [00:52:27] Speaker B: Get out of here, man. Worst take ever. [00:52:29] Speaker A: What is that now? It's up there as bad. Overrated. Trilogies for sure. [00:52:34] Speaker B: Get out of here, man. [00:52:35] Speaker A: Now. Yeah, I can't wait to do a top worst trilogy than that. Like, that's why you don't do sequels. Just end it with one. [00:52:42] Speaker B: No, the second one you go. Actually, the Hangover Future. Okay, I can agree with you. The Hangover. But now back to the future, too. He goes into the future. You have the classic futuristic Nikes that you know Nike's trying to make. [00:52:56] Speaker A: Actually, that was kind of cool. [00:52:58] Speaker B: 2015. [00:52:59] Speaker A: Just. That dialogue sucks, dude. It's terrible. [00:53:03] Speaker B: Get out of here, man. That's a terrible take. [00:53:05] Speaker A: Why they do it? This movie pod is gonna be fire, man. We're gonna be yelling at each other. All right, that'll do it. Then we'll go more into depth for the semi finals. Is that what you call it? Semi. Finals. [00:53:18] Speaker B: Semifinals. [00:53:19] Speaker A: Yeah, the semifinals. Semifinals. Semifinals. Semifinals. New York. Cool. Guys, we can do lines, but we'll have to do them really quick. [00:53:34] Speaker C: Yeah, we can do them quick. This week's a weird week anyway, so. [00:53:37] Speaker A: Quick break time for some Thursday night lines. Is the last one of the year, first one of the new year. A lot of things going down, lots of rumors already for the off season. But Aaron, if you want to, or Jason, if either of you guys want to put your 10 cents on impact on the playoffs and all that stuff, go ahead. Where's my phone? All right. Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens. Ravens favored by 18. This is on Saturday. We have two games on Saturday, unfortunately. Did not know my Steelers were playing that day either. Over under 40. One and a half. I think this one's pretty easy. It's just. Do they cover the 18? [00:54:27] Speaker B: You said 18. I'm seeing 19 and a half right now. Aaron, I don't know what you're seeing. [00:54:33] Speaker C: I printed out circus contest lines earlier. They had it at 18. Let me see. Yeah, so we'll go with 18, I guess. [00:54:43] Speaker B: 18. Well, I got feedback earlier that in recent episodes I have copped out to Rome and too much stay away game stuff. So I'm taking a hard stance on every single game this week. So I'm gonna listen to the feedback that I got that people, people want some takes on who's gonna win and not just stay away. So it's a huge spread. But it's Lamar Jackson versus fourth string quarterback Bailey Zappy for the Cleveland Browns. Give me the Bravens minus the Patriots. [00:55:12] Speaker A: How did he end up there? [00:55:14] Speaker B: Yeah, nobody left. [00:55:16] Speaker C: Yeah, it's up to 20 now. On my side, it's up to 20. [00:55:22] Speaker B: Well, ESPN bets got -19 and a half and that's what I'm reading. So Give me the 19 and a half and I'll still take the Ravens. [00:55:30] Speaker C: I'm gonna agree. I mean the Ravens obviously if they win, they clinch the division and home field Browns. Bailey Zappy, as Jason just mentioned, you know, a name from the past since we were talking about back to the future. Here he comes. Bailey Zappy. Agree. Baltimore wins. They should win big. I wouldn't be surprised if like the Browns backdoor this game. Jason's seen that the last week at the Holiday bowl, so it could happen here. But I'll take, I, I'll take the. The Ravens minus 19, 19 and a half, 20, whatever it is. [00:56:03] Speaker A: Dude, that's a lot of points, man. Jesus. [00:56:06] Speaker B: I'm old enough to remember. I was in New England for the Bears Patriots game on Monday Night Football a few years ago and my cousin Brad and all the Patriots fans were clamoring for Mac Jones to be benched for Bailey Zappi. And now he's fourth string week 18 starter for the Cleveland Browns. [00:56:22] Speaker A: I do remember that. I think this can be part of like a parlay play for me. 18 points is a lot. Dude, I don't know. Even with Zappy, the Baltimore is on fire. God, you guys might just talk me into it. Cincinnati Bengals, 2 1/2 point favorites against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That's Saturday night four day and a half Pittsburgh. I believe if they win and a few other scenarios play out, they can get up to the third seed. But if they lose, they're automatically down to six. Is that correct? [00:57:01] Speaker C: If they, if they win and Baltimore loses, they get the three. [00:57:05] Speaker A: That's not happening. [00:57:05] Speaker C: If they win and Baltimore wins, they get the five. If they do lose out and the Chargers happen to win, then they would go 2 6. [00:57:15] Speaker A: Jesus Christ. Go ahead. [00:57:21] Speaker B: Well, I hate to say it for your Steelers Rome, but they're pre game slide right now. The Bengals offense looks like the best thing in football. Give me the Bengals minus two. Putting your Steelers down to that fifth or sixth seed whichever one plays out Rome. [00:57:39] Speaker C: I'm going to jump back on the Tomlin bandwagon. This team has looked bad, but Tomlin on Christmas day said we're going to get it right. We're going to get the ship going in the right direction. They know a win here and they get to play Houston. A loss here and they're going to Baltimore. There's not more motivation than that. The Bengals have looked great, but I think the Bengals blew their mojo on that game against the Broncos. Talk about teams are going to come out flat. I think since he comes out a little bit flat, I like the Steelers to win and cover two and a half here. [00:58:12] Speaker A: Wow. Wait, why'd you say the Bengals lost their mojo? [00:58:18] Speaker C: I think they're going to lose their mojo. I think they, I think they used everything they had in the tank to beat Denver. [00:58:22] Speaker A: Maybe. I, I, you know, I don't know. Do I root for the guy that I like as a quarterback and their wide receiver or do I root for my team? It's a tough one. I'm going for Steelers, but I'm not gonna like it. Buffalo Bills Sunday kicking off Sunday slate two and a half point favorites against the Pats. Why so close? 3 1/2 over under. [00:58:52] Speaker B: Josh Allen playing? [00:58:54] Speaker C: No. Well, he's gonna, he's gonna start and then exit to keep his, his whatever 100+ game starting active streak going. [00:59:02] Speaker A: I respect that actually. [00:59:03] Speaker C: So he'll start probably a series or two and then your boy Trubisky will be in there. [00:59:11] Speaker A: I got Bills. [00:59:12] Speaker B: Aaron, what do you got, man? I don't know. You threw me. You said Trubisky started gonna be in this game. [00:59:17] Speaker A: I just got a little embarrassed. [00:59:19] Speaker B: I got PTSD right now, man. [00:59:22] Speaker C: There's so many of these games because so many teams don't have a lot to play for Rome. That's why these spreads are so weird. [00:59:29] Speaker A: They gotta change. These week eight Patriots right now have. [00:59:32] Speaker C: The number one pick in the draft, right? [00:59:33] Speaker A: They do. If they. If they lose this game. [00:59:35] Speaker C: If they lose. God, that means Travis Hunter. Oh, my. [00:59:44] Speaker A: Against that weak Bills defense. [00:59:48] Speaker C: I mean, does Mayo want to screw the Patriots over before he goes out the door? [00:59:53] Speaker A: I don't think he's a good enough coach to do that. [00:59:56] Speaker B: He's no Lovey Smith, I'll tell you that. [00:59:57] Speaker A: So you guys believe me now? They're going to fire him? Is that what we're hearing? [01:00:02] Speaker B: I don't think I said anything. [01:00:04] Speaker C: I don't know if they're going to fire him, but I believe they should move off them. I think I told you this, Rome, when we spoke on Monday that they should hire Ben Johnson. [01:00:12] Speaker A: We did talk about this. [01:00:14] Speaker C: Yeah, sorry, Jason. We talked about it off air. So Jason wouldn't, you know, I didn't want to get chewed out. [01:00:22] Speaker A: We were talking about bad Johnson on your back. I'm so sorry. [01:00:25] Speaker B: Wow, he feels so great. I'm betrayed. Listen, I am so stressing about Ben Johnson right now. [01:00:32] Speaker C: That's why we didn't want to bring it up. That's why we didn't bring it up. [01:00:34] Speaker B: I saw an article that said that if McCarthy, Mike McCarthy doesn't get re up by the Cowboys that he's interested in the Bears head coaching job. [01:00:42] Speaker A: I kind of like that. Higher, actually. [01:00:44] Speaker B: No. I will file for Bears fan free agency at that moment. All right. I will be. I will be putting my application out. [01:00:52] Speaker A: It's an upgrade on. It could be an upgrade on Levy Smith. [01:00:56] Speaker C: It is an upgrade on Levy Smith. [01:01:00] Speaker A: You'll be back to 10 wins. [01:01:02] Speaker B: No, no. [01:01:03] Speaker A: Even in that staunch division, who in. [01:01:05] Speaker C: The Bears organization, they are interested or McCarthy's interested in it? [01:01:09] Speaker B: A rumor was McCarthy's interested, but it's. [01:01:12] Speaker C: Pretty much no Pete Carroll's interest. [01:01:13] Speaker B: Hey, Carol's interested in everyone. I. I don't care. Ben Johnson's the only name I want to hear announced. [01:01:20] Speaker A: All right? [01:01:21] Speaker C: And that's why. That's why when I was talking to Rome, I said If I was the Patriots, I would do the deal. That way the Bears could use as a cop out and say we wanted them, but he didn't want us. Even though I'm not sure the Bears really want them that they just might use as a cop out. [01:01:35] Speaker A: Yeah, dude, I can go. [01:01:37] Speaker B: I don't want to read too much. [01:01:38] Speaker A: On Ben Johnson stuff. Yeah. Because I got a lot to talk about. But we can do like an hour. Pod. [01:01:42] Speaker C: I'm gonna take, man. I mean, Patriot. I'll take Patriots plus two. [01:01:46] Speaker A: I totally forgot, dude. We were talking about bench. [01:01:48] Speaker C: I'm taking Patriots plus two. [01:01:50] Speaker A: Pass plus two. All right, Jason. [01:01:52] Speaker C: I wouldn't bet these games, most of these games, but I would take Pat's butts, too. If you ask me, this is a stay away. [01:01:59] Speaker B: Well, I told you, I'm not going to stay away. I. I will. I will ride one more time with Mitchell Trubisky and I'll take the Bills minus two. [01:02:08] Speaker A: Let's go. By the way, he did a terrible job in Pittsburgh, so I don't like him either. Totally got. I totally understood that one. [01:02:17] Speaker B: The worst thing about Trubisky is the last quarterback to take us to the playoffs and pretty much almost win a game. [01:02:22] Speaker A: Steelers just picking up all of the Bears trash. Dude, it's disgusting. That's how quarterback dire. [01:02:30] Speaker C: It's like it's 10 cents on the dollar, bro. That's 10 cents. [01:02:34] Speaker A: I do like Fields, though. I do like Fields. I hope they could develop him another year and we'll see what happens. He'll be a good little. Maybe a five year. I don't know. [01:02:43] Speaker C: We'll. [01:02:43] Speaker A: We'll see what happens. [01:02:43] Speaker B: So. [01:02:44] Speaker A: I don't know. All right. Saints at Tampa Bay. Bucks. Bucks. Thirteen and a half point favorites. Bucks gotta win. Saints are trash. Oh, 13 and a half points is a lot. I got this in a parlay along with that. Baltimore Ravens. [01:03:02] Speaker B: At money line. [01:03:05] Speaker A: Huh? [01:03:06] Speaker C: Yeah. [01:03:08] Speaker A: Yeah. I'll do a three team parlay, maybe four, and I'll do 14, because this, the payback's not gonna be a lot with these. [01:03:15] Speaker C: Nice. This is like a thousand dollar parlay to win 50 bucks. [01:03:21] Speaker B: I was like, the Ravens are minus 2500, the Buccaneers are minus 900. Whatever. [01:03:27] Speaker A: You're right, Aaron. [01:03:28] Speaker B: The Broncos minus 650. [01:03:30] Speaker C: Yeah. This is those classic ones where you see those guys that have millions, they'll bet like 2 million to win, like 40, 000 if you got the money to blow. And you know the likelihood of them losing. Yeah, I mean, they all have to win. [01:03:45] Speaker A: I wish I had 2 million a blow. [01:03:47] Speaker C: I mean the Bucks are going to be a big play because that's, I mean a lot of people. There's 18 contestants left in Circle Survivor and 14 of them can choose the Bucks this week. My guess is that would be a popular pick in that contest. [01:03:58] Speaker A: All right. Is that who you're going with at? [01:04:02] Speaker C: Yeah. Bucks have to win to clinch the division. Saints have looked God awful. [01:04:08] Speaker A: I mean points. [01:04:10] Speaker C: If I had to take a side on points, I would take bucks 13 and a half. They're gonna win this game. This is the lock of the week money line to win. [01:04:16] Speaker A: This is the second most prolific offense in the NFL. Was it second or third? [01:04:20] Speaker C: It's up there. I would take the Bucks 13 and a half if I had to pick a side here. [01:04:25] Speaker A: You talking me into it, Aaron? [01:04:27] Speaker B: Yep. I'm going to agree with Aaron as well. As shaky as the Bucs looked in that middle half of the season, they are a team early in the season that could beat anyone. Remember, they've beaten the top two seeds in the NFC with Detroit and Philadelphia early in the year. They need this game. You know, the offense seems to be clicking back with playing the Panthers obviously helps a little bit. The Saints are just as bad if not worse than the Panthers. I'll take the same. Minus what 13 and a half with the Buccaneers. [01:04:56] Speaker A: Beautiful. Jackson Jaguars. Jacksonville Jaguars against the Colts fair by five points. 43 1/2 over under. [01:05:07] Speaker B: On principle alone for how bad the Colts were last week, I'm taking the Jags plus five because that was a terrible performance by the Colts last week. I'm pretty sure they're beat up all over the place. You know, the Jags, I, I, Peterson maybe have a job if you're gonna have your Ben Johnson conversation. I'm actually more concerned about potentially Ben Johnson going to the Jaguars. [01:05:27] Speaker C: If they were talk about that too. [01:05:29] Speaker B: I would, I mean that's, that's the one where you could tell me like hey, Ben Johnson research, you know, gets the most out of Trevor Lawrence like he did with Jared Goff. And, and Lawrence is not that good. I mean he hasn't been that good. But everyone said that about Jared Goff and he's turned into him to it. Benjamin turned into an MVP contender. The Jags are an organization that doesn't know what they're doing half the time and they might give the unlimited power stuff to Ben Johnson or a GM of his choice. But going back to this game, you know, I think Mac Jones still in for the Jags is Flacco playing for the Colts. [01:06:02] Speaker C: Aaron, I think Richardson's practicing and trying to give it a go. Let me. I saw something on him. Let me see. [01:06:12] Speaker A: By the way, Steichen, hot seat. I'm doubling down on that one. [01:06:19] Speaker C: There is a rumor he is on a bit of a see. [01:06:27] Speaker B: Regardless whether it's Flacco or Richardson, I think it's going to be a close game, but I'd still take the Jags of the plus five. [01:06:33] Speaker A: Wow. Okay. [01:06:36] Speaker C: I'm gonna go the opposite. I'm gonna go the Colts. Let's see Richardson here remain sideline. So it looks like he's not gonna go. It's gonna be Joe, but maybe could be Joe Flacco's career last game. Who knows if he gets picked up again. Rome, you said it best. Steichen being mentioned. Ursi is not very happy. Pat McAfee's kind of stirred up the pot there saying about how this team's kind of lazy, they don't practice hard. I think the Colts need to come out of a win. I mean what we saw last week against the Giants was just disgusting. Giving up 45 points to them, that's like giving up 50 points to Rome's Michigan team. Like, you just. You can't allow that. They couldn't score that if I lined up on the. On the defensive side of the ball. So I'm gonna take the colds here. Minus five Jacksonville one last week and yeah, give me Colts five. [01:07:29] Speaker A: If I was doing a parlay, this is where I would beef that up with the. With the Colts one here. Money line. But I'm leaning on the five. But I think that's too much. I think they went by three. I think it's gonna be a closer game than people think. Commanders at the Cowboys Commander's Fair by five points and Dallas 43 and a half over under. Do the commanders have to win. [01:07:59] Speaker C: Proceeding? Yes. [01:08:02] Speaker B: Do they need a proceeding? [01:08:04] Speaker C: Yeah. If they. If they lose and packers win, they go to the seventh spot. [01:08:11] Speaker A: Oh, they're gonna go all out. I got the commanders rookie of the year. He's in ball out. [01:08:20] Speaker B: Yeah. I'll agree with Rome. I think the concerning thing. I think a lot of people are on the commanders because this went the open minus three and a half with circa aired and now it's up to minus six right now. [01:08:34] Speaker A: Wow. [01:08:35] Speaker C: See Goodness. Yeah. I see Washington at 6 right now. [01:08:45] Speaker B: Yeah. So I mean with them having so much to play for, Cowboys have been super competitive and maybe they get. They get up for a game to give The Commanders a knock down in the seating, but I think the Commanders come out to play. They've had some special magic all year. I'll take the Commanders minus six. [01:09:04] Speaker C: Yeah, I'm gonna go with the Commanders too. I think I, I. We talked about Dallas playing hard for Mike McCarthy and stuff, and I think they still will. But we talked about it last week. No CD Lamb. That's Cooper Rush's escape guy. Washington needs this win. Jaden Daniels locks down rookie of the year. Commanders knocked, locked down the six seed. I like Washington here. Minus five, minus six. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets up to seven by game time. [01:09:33] Speaker A: Giants at the Eagles. Lots of stuff happening here. Only fair by three points. 37 and a half, that's really low. But I think Philly's sitting out. Most are starting, maybe having even like half their O line out as well. I think they should be starting Saquon, man, he's like that close to the record. Why not? He's, he's like, by all the other averages and stats, he's doing just as good or if not better than Dickerson did when he set the record. We've been really close with Henry before and Adrian Peterson, where they should have broke the record, say why not against the Giants, but he's out. I think Giants win this one. [01:10:24] Speaker B: I'm gonna go the other way. I'm gonna take the Eagles minus three. I think your boy Kenny Pickett. Is Pickett starting, right? They're gonna bench first, too. [01:10:30] Speaker C: Yeah, I think he's out. [01:10:32] Speaker A: Is he out? Is he still injured? [01:10:34] Speaker C: Yeah, he's still banged up a bit. I believe they're going with the guy out of Stanford. [01:10:38] Speaker A: We definitely did our research on this week. [01:10:40] Speaker B: Yeah, we definitely did. Yeah. [01:10:44] Speaker A: It's week 18, guys. Whoever's listening on the pod gives a break. [01:10:48] Speaker B: I said Pickets clear. [01:10:49] Speaker C: Let me see here. [01:10:51] Speaker A: My child's divorce. [01:10:53] Speaker C: Let's see. Pick it. [01:10:55] Speaker B: College football was just so much more interesting this week, you know? [01:10:58] Speaker C: Did not participate in practice today. Second straight day, neither him or Hertz has practice, leaving Tanner McGee and Ian book and ex Irish Notre Dame as the only healthy quarterbacks. [01:11:11] Speaker A: Ian, he was how. What, man? He was just okay, if that. [01:11:20] Speaker B: Well. Oh. Regardless, I think overall we'll see some bad quarterback play on both sides of the ball. I'll take the Eagles. Giants got up for last week's game, but I don't think they could do it two weeks in a row. [01:11:32] Speaker C: You said three points. I'm gonna take Giants plus three. I mean, Philly's not got anybody playing. Who knows that's just offensively. Who knows who they're going to keep out defensively. Would love nothing more to get another win. Malik, neighbors, Tracy, Drew Locke. I'll take the three points. Maybe the Eagles win but by three points or less. Give me the Giants plus three. [01:11:56] Speaker A: I want to do like some crazy take like Drew Locke locking in the win in Dable's last game in New York possibly. [01:12:06] Speaker C: And then rumor is that he's interested in the Bears job too. So let's just throw everybody out there right now. [01:12:13] Speaker A: You know, he did a great job. [01:12:14] Speaker C: He says, look at what I did with Josh Allen. I could do with Caleb. [01:12:17] Speaker A: Exactly. [01:12:18] Speaker B: I'm interested in the Bears job. Do I put that on LinkedIn or. [01:12:21] Speaker A: You should actually. They'll take a look at anybody. We know that for a fact. Carolina Panthers. [01:12:29] Speaker C: It's better. It's better if you're about to get fired from your job. [01:12:32] Speaker A: Exactly. [01:12:32] Speaker C: Put that on there too. So yeah, I want it to happen. Not that I want it to happen. It just might help you get a better chance at it. [01:12:39] Speaker A: Not at all. [01:12:39] Speaker B: I'm not. But I mean, I mean I. I have experience as a varsity wide receivers coach you at 20 years ago and oh, you know, fantasy football champion, you know, not recently but I know somewhere. [01:12:55] Speaker A: I'm gonna come out of retirement for fantasy football. Try to win my fifth championship next year. Mark it. Mark it down. Carolina Panthers at the Falcons. Seven and a half point favorites. Falcons have to win for a lot of things that happen. 47 and a half over under. Panthers have been looking nice. Three of their wins of the season have come back. Come in the later half of the of the year. Pennix, he's got. [01:13:29] Speaker B: Rome. You keep saying the Panthers look nice. They're one in five in their last six. All right, so they look nice I think two months ago at this point. So I think we've escaped whether the Panthers are looking Knights. The Falcons got to win this. I'm taking the Falcons. [01:13:47] Speaker C: Agree, man. I think the Falcons that heartbreak loss Sunday night against Washington. They're at home. Pinnocks. They'll be juiced. I like the Falcons to win. I like the Falcons to cover here. They have to hope a lot. They have to hope the Saints play the best game of the season and upset Tampa. I don't see that gonna happen. But give me the Falcons minus eight. [01:14:10] Speaker A: It's minus eight for you. [01:14:12] Speaker C: Yeah, that's what I see here. [01:14:14] Speaker B: Seven and a half. [01:14:16] Speaker A: Are you taking the Falcons with the points too? [01:14:18] Speaker C: Yeah. [01:14:20] Speaker A: Jason. [01:14:21] Speaker B: Yes. [01:14:25] Speaker A: All right, next game. Chicago Bears against the packers. Pack favored by 10. [01:14:32] Speaker B: Against my better judgment, I feel that the Bears may come out to play this weekend. Even though the packers have something to play for. I'm gonna take the bears plus 10. Jesus. [01:14:50] Speaker C: I guess my better judgment, I'm gonna agree 10 points is a lot here in a game that was decided by one on a blocked field goal. Bears a little more embarrassed. That was a Thursday game. I think they come out of a little more pride. I think they play hard. Packers won a tough fight game. I'll take the bears plus 10. [01:15:11] Speaker A: What does this last mean for the Packers? [01:15:15] Speaker C: Even if they win and Washington wins, they're locked in at the 7. [01:15:20] Speaker A: So doesn't matter then. [01:15:23] Speaker C: If Washington loses and they win, then they get the six. I mean they, I mean it looks like they're going to Philadelphia. So depending on, you know, at halftime, if Washington's up big, they might just pull love and all their guys and say screw it, we're going to Philly no matter what. So that, that bodes well for Chicago. Who's gonna play their guys. They're going to want to finish the year strong. [01:15:47] Speaker A: Yeah, I guess Bears are due for a win. You guys are talking me into it. I'll take the Bears to the points. Texans at the Titans. Titans fared by two points over under 36 and a half. I haven't done any over unders on this for this week yet. It's a bad week to do anything. [01:16:11] Speaker B: Yeah, really weird spread with a bunch of people benched I'm assuming in this game because the Texans got nothing to play for as well. I believe Aaron, they're locked in at Titans have been competitive within games. I'll take the Titans in this game. [01:16:34] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean Jason said Texans have nothing to play for. I'm taking the Titans as well. Titans, they played these guys pretty tough and actually they beat the Texans in Houston earlier in the year in which I called like the lock of the week. I remember it because they were favored by like seven points and they jumped out to him seven zero lead and then we're down three scores. Give me the Titans here though. I like them to win. Houston's gotta, gotta rest up, get ready for the playoffs. [01:17:04] Speaker A: It's got the tie ins. I don't like these games. Man. This is, this is baloney. San Francisco 49ers against the Cardinals. Cards favored by four and a half Sunday afternoon game 42 and a half over under Rock. Pretty is out. [01:17:22] Speaker C: I believe that's correct. [01:17:26] Speaker A: Who's her Backup again. [01:17:29] Speaker C: Dobbs is gonna get the start. [01:17:35] Speaker A: Tell him now. Dude, go ahead. [01:17:37] Speaker B: It's a game. No one's playing for anything really, at this point. [01:17:41] Speaker A: Pride. Does that exist? [01:17:43] Speaker B: Yes. [01:17:45] Speaker A: San Francisco has still had four Pro bowl players selected. Tops in the league up there. [01:17:51] Speaker B: I'll take the Cardinals. Was it minus four and a half? [01:17:54] Speaker C: Yeah. I mean, you mentioned that. Brock Brody's not playing. Kittle's banged up, Debo's banged up. You know, Bose has already hurt. Fred Warner's playing on one foot with, like, a broken bone in his ankle. Not much for anything for the 49ers to play for. Maybe Josh Dobbs wants to beat his old team in Arizona, but I'm gonna take the Cardinals, too. They're the younger team, the healthier team here. Gannon's gonna have these guys wanting to go out on a winner note. Even though I did see Connor got placed on the ir. He won't play. But give me the Cardinals minus four and a half. [01:18:35] Speaker A: I think San Francisco will play something. We'll do something. I'll take them in the opposite direction. Casey. Chiefs. Denver Broncos. Broncos fair by ten and a half. Chiefs obviously have nothing to play for. They're locked in, the number one seed. Are they sitting? Are they sitting everybody out or what's the deal? I haven't really kept up on who's out, who's in. [01:19:05] Speaker C: Yeah, their guys are out. [01:19:06] Speaker B: Huge spread. Would have been smart to take it early. Look like they've opened at the. The Broncos minus eight. Now with all these people sitting, it's at minus ten and a half. The Chiefs were locked into a lot of close games with their best players. And Broncos have to win this game and clinch the, you know, clinch the playoff spot. They have the upper hand. All they got to do is win. I think they're not going to mess around coming into this game. The wild card betting this today would be, you know, they know the results of the Bengals game early from the Saturday result. So if the Bengals were to lose, then you're just talking. It's a Dolphins Broncos decision. But with those games going on simultaneously, the Broncos have to win. And I think they'll put it on the Chiefs early with backups in, and they'll cover the ten and a half. [01:19:57] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean, Carson Wentz is going to get the start for the Chiefs, but no, Kelsey, the Chiefs offensive line is not great to begin with. My guess is Hopkins and a few of those other guys won't play the defense. Main guys won't play grieve. Jason Here Denver's not going to come out mess around. Sean Payton's gonna have a good game plan. I like the Broncos to win like 34, 17 here. They'll cover the 10 1/2 Chargers 4. [01:20:25] Speaker A: Point favorites against the Raiders. 41 1/2 over. Under who you guys got? [01:20:33] Speaker B: Well, Aaron talked about it earlier. This could be a seating game between Steelers and Chargers depending on how the Steelers fare on that particular game. So on the Saturday. So again, a lot to look at. I still really like the Chargers. I think Jim Harbaugh gets his team up in games regardless of the stakes. So whether they're fighting for that positioning or not, I'll still save the Chargers -4. [01:21:05] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean if the Steelers, if the Steelers win on Saturday, take the Raiders plus four. If the Steelers lose on Saturday, I like the Chargers -4. I mean Herbert will play, McConkey will play. If the Steelers lose and they'll go and get that win and they'll cover. If not, you're looking at like Easton Stick or whoever their backup quarterbacks are and none of the main players playing for the Chargers. So if you gave me a pick right now, just off what it is, give me the Raiders plus four. [01:21:42] Speaker A: All right. Interesting. Some valid points there. Miami Dolphins minus one against the Jets. Is this Roger's last game? Definitely gonna be his in Devonte's last game as a Jet in my life. 38 and a half over under. [01:22:07] Speaker B: The Dolphins will be playing for the playoffs. Still a tight spread there. A minus one. I'll take the team who's got stakes on the line. I'll take Dolphins. [01:22:16] Speaker C: Agree. I'll take Dolphins as well. Rogers does get past the number. TD 500 though. [01:22:25] Speaker A: You guys got dolphins with the. Got it. [01:22:29] Speaker B: Minus ones. [01:22:30] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:22:30] Speaker B: Pick them. [01:22:31] Speaker A: I'm taking the Jets. Seahawks at the Rams. Seahawks 6 1/2 point favorites over under 38 and a half. Which way you're leaning. [01:22:51] Speaker B: Rams are setting all their starters. I assume too Aaron, they, they are just locked in where they're at. [01:22:56] Speaker C: They're not locked in where they're at, but they don't care. [01:22:58] Speaker B: I still think it's a lot of points to give to the Rams. I'll take the Rams plus six and a half. [01:23:07] Speaker A: This is switched a lot too because the Rams opened as favorites and now they're not at home. [01:23:13] Speaker C: Yeah, well, the Rams aren't going to play Stafford, not going to play Cooper Puka, Garoppolo's flag. Maybe. Maybe Stetson Bennett. What One of those two over Garoppolo. I haven't heard. I haven't heard Garoppolo's name mentioned. [01:23:31] Speaker A: Dude, this guy was on fire. And then all of a sudden a couple injuries. He's out. [01:23:35] Speaker B: Garoppolo second on a depth shot start. [01:23:38] Speaker A: Yeah, they don't play them early in the year either though. [01:23:40] Speaker C: Who. Who is starting for the Rams at quarterback? Have they mentioned it? [01:23:44] Speaker A: I. I thought damn it. [01:23:46] Speaker B: No, they announced Garoppolo. [01:23:48] Speaker C: So Garoppolo is starting. [01:23:50] Speaker A: I'm taking Jimmy G, baby. [01:23:56] Speaker C: Jimmy G's own Seattle throughout his career as his day with the Niners. I think Seattle gets some payback. Give me Seattle six and a half. [01:24:02] Speaker A: You got Jason. [01:24:03] Speaker C: He took the Rams. [01:24:04] Speaker B: The Rams plus nice. [01:24:10] Speaker A: Vikings game of the week. Really the only good game this week. Everything else is kind of trash. [01:24:19] Speaker B: Yep. I think it was entire Sunday of terrible football. I think we'll probably have a good Saturday game. We mentioned with that Bengal Steelers game. Go through a terrible slate of morning and afternoon games off of this finale. Really to end the season 14 and 2 Vikings 142 Lions the number one seed in the NFC in the first round. Buying the line. I mean this is some stakes going into it because the second the team that loses down to the fifth seed team that wins gets the first round by this is the week. I think the injuries finally catch up to the Lions. [01:24:57] Speaker A: Give me the Vikings +3 copy paste repeat huh? For the last six weeks. Jason, what you've been talking about the injuries catching up. [01:25:11] Speaker C: Yeah, you hit the Lions last week. But no, the injuries are going to catch up. I. I'm going. I'm. I'm going with Jason on this one. I like the Vikings to win. I think the defense is for Detroit is really lacking going to be the difference here. And Vikings win and golf and the Lions return the favor to go to play the Rams at Sofi to open up the playoffs. [01:25:37] Speaker A: Don't know who to go for. [01:25:40] Speaker B: I'm ready for. You're giving me crap for save at the Lions. Even though I picked the Lions to beat the 49ers like a week ago. [01:25:50] Speaker A: I'm. I'm rooting for the Lions. I. I just like the team. But Vikings look really, really good. So I'm going for the lines no matter what. Is that the last game? Is that it? [01:26:04] Speaker C: That's it. [01:26:04] Speaker B: That's it. [01:26:06] Speaker C: Game 272 on the NFL calendar. [01:26:09] Speaker A: 272. I'm about to record that Sunday night game and watch it afterwards. [01:26:16] Speaker C: Just don't check your phone. [01:26:17] Speaker A: Yeah, that's gonna be pretty hard. [01:26:21] Speaker C: Yeah. [01:26:21] Speaker B: Well after that Game is one of the great Mondays in sports, man. It'll be Black Monday. And so we can go through, go back to Rome's coaches fired power rankings and see what couple of the coaches will no longer be in charge of their teams in the 2025 season. [01:26:40] Speaker C: We should get a list right now from Rome. Who's going to get fired. Who's getting fired? Rome right now. Because when we come on, a lot of these guys are going to be out within the next 24, 40 hours after Sunday's games. [01:26:56] Speaker A: I think we, we should record our next pause Sunday night after the Sunday night game. [01:27:02] Speaker B: Coaches could be fired by next Sunday night. [01:27:05] Speaker A: But okay, right after the Sunday night game. [01:27:08] Speaker C: I don't know. I think there's more coming up for Monday. That way you can talk about coaches getting fired or maybe players even cut. [01:27:15] Speaker A: I think half of them, like maybe like one or two get fired Monday. I think it's gonna be more on the next few days after that rapid fire Rome. [01:27:21] Speaker B: I'm gonna go from worst record right now to like the top, you know, 10 or so. And then you just tell me whether the coach gets it fired. All right? [01:27:29] Speaker A: All right. [01:27:30] Speaker B: New York Giants 3 and 13. Day ball get fired. [01:27:34] Speaker A: I didn't believe it, but now I do. Gone. [01:27:37] Speaker C: I agree. [01:27:38] Speaker B: New England. New England Patriots, 3 and 13. Mayo gets fired. [01:27:42] Speaker A: Crafts are idiots, but I hope they cut them. Gone. [01:27:48] Speaker C: Agree. [01:27:50] Speaker B: Tennessee Titans head coach in first year three and 13. Does he see year two? [01:27:55] Speaker A: Definitely sees year two, but he hasn't shown enough to be a real coach though. [01:27:59] Speaker C: I'll agree. [01:28:01] Speaker B: All right. Cleveland Browns 3 and 13. Stefanski rumored he wants out regardless. [01:28:10] Speaker A: I think he'll get his way out. It won't be a fire. Be a mutual breakup eventually. Not on Monday. [01:28:16] Speaker C: Agree. [01:28:17] Speaker A: It'll be like a week or two after. [01:28:20] Speaker B: Carolina Panthers 4 and 12. Rome says they've been hot the last couple weeks with their 1 in 6 record. [01:28:27] Speaker A: They look good. They look a lot better. They show promise. They stick around. [01:28:30] Speaker B: All right. [01:28:31] Speaker C: I agree. [01:28:31] Speaker B: Bears coach has already been fired. Jacksonville Jaguars 4 and 12. Doug Peterson. [01:28:39] Speaker A: Dude, this has been like dead man walking for 10 weeks now. He's gone. [01:28:43] Speaker C: I agree. [01:28:45] Speaker B: Las Vegas Raiders 4 and 12. Antonio Pierce. [01:28:50] Speaker A: I don't know anymore. I think they keep them, actually. I really do. [01:28:56] Speaker C: I disagree. Pierce is out. [01:28:59] Speaker B: All right, then you got jets already fired. Saints. [01:29:04] Speaker A: They need to double fire the interim coach too, because he was terrible. [01:29:09] Speaker B: That leaves you all the five wins and worse. I'll end it at this 6 and 10. Currently San Francisco 49ers he's staying. [01:29:21] Speaker C: They already. They already came out and said he was. [01:29:23] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:29:24] Speaker B: All right. [01:29:24] Speaker C: What about Rome's other hot take early in the year? Zach Taylor. If he loses, is he out? [01:29:38] Speaker A: I hope he gets fired. I don't know. I don't. I. I think. I think it's an outside chance. Joe Bro's been pretty vocal. [01:29:47] Speaker C: Okay, here's another 1. Mike McCarthy out or contract renewed. [01:29:53] Speaker A: I think he stays. They're not gonna get anybody better than that unless someone comes and sweep him up, you know, with the better offer. Is that the Bears? Is that somebody else? [01:30:07] Speaker C: And then you mentioned Steichen. Indianapolis in or out? [01:30:12] Speaker A: I think he's gone. [01:30:16] Speaker B: Last one. Miami Dolphins, Mike McDaniel. [01:30:21] Speaker A: I think time's up on Tim McDaniel, but I think he stays, though. [01:30:26] Speaker B: We gotta count on this. Rome's got like 10 coaches. [01:30:31] Speaker A: If I was to go. He fired everybody. [01:30:34] Speaker C: Yeah, I think. I think a name. [01:30:39] Speaker A: Time is coming up soon, though. [01:30:41] Speaker C: He's gonna get another year. I think you need to keep an eye on who we've all been keeping an eye on, depending how they do in the playoffs. The Sirianni in Philadelphia, for sure, that's another one. They get beaten round one. He's out. He's out. [01:30:52] Speaker A: I think. [01:30:53] Speaker C: I think they get to the super. [01:30:54] Speaker A: Bowl, it has to be at least NFC championship. [01:30:57] Speaker C: Yeah, I think you're right. I think you're right. [01:30:59] Speaker A: At least that end of like losing by a nail biter. Otherwise, he's out for sure. Wow, that's a lot of coaches getting fired. Anybody else I'm looking over right now? Jesus. [01:31:20] Speaker B: I. I don't think so. [01:31:22] Speaker A: Yeah, McCarthy gets another year. [01:31:24] Speaker B: It'd be dumb, but, I mean, and I don't think it's worth talking about, but the Buffalo Bills, if they get bounced early, that. [01:31:31] Speaker C: I was going to say, not only the Bills, but does Tomlin do a mutual parting of ways if they lose and lose again? That'd be five straight losses in the year. [01:31:42] Speaker A: So there's been lots of grumblings on Tomlin for about five years now. [01:31:47] Speaker C: Yes. [01:31:47] Speaker A: Yeah. People are like, you know, Jason, teams can get tired of winning consistently. All right, we want the chip. All right? We're not. We're not happy with the playoff berth. We want championships. It's not good enough. [01:31:59] Speaker C: This. This is what I want to ask Jason. If Tomlin does go, did the Bear scoop him up? [01:32:05] Speaker A: He doesn't want him. He doesn't want to culture do you want. [01:32:08] Speaker C: He wants there? [01:32:10] Speaker A: He wants a flashy offensive quarter. That's never Been a head coach before. [01:32:18] Speaker B: Rome's right. Damn it. He's right. [01:32:24] Speaker A: We don't want a culture guy. [01:32:25] Speaker B: I love. I love Tomlin, man, but, you know. [01:32:27] Speaker A: All right, all right. I hope I do a highlight clip of my. [01:32:30] Speaker C: Let me. Let me ask if Jason. The Bears do not get Ben Johnson, who's number two. Since you want an offensive guy. [01:32:40] Speaker A: I'll tell you who it is. You're not gonna like it. [01:32:43] Speaker B: You're gonna say Cliff Kingsbury. [01:32:46] Speaker A: Dude, that would be the worst mistake. You don't want Kingsbury. He's not a coach. He's not a head coach. [01:32:50] Speaker B: At least I agree. [01:32:54] Speaker A: Good offensive coordinator, though. He's just stay there. [01:32:58] Speaker B: I'm gonna be honest with you, Aaron. Yeah, it's. It's the Forest. It's not who I want. I think that's why it's all in. In Ben Johnson. I, I'm struggling coming up with who the offensive person to. That's gonna be the right offensive person to develop Caleb Williams. There are way too many ties to Flores and what he and what Rome is talking about where I can see the argument that they're going to make for Flores. I don't agree with it. [01:33:28] Speaker C: But who do you. Who do you want it to be? If it's not Ben Johnson. [01:33:33] Speaker A: It'S not much left. Dude, it's like this year's draft. We need another year or two to develop some more head coaches. [01:33:41] Speaker C: Well, let's, let's put it this way. Let's put it this way. You don't get Ben Johnson, Zach Taylor gets canned, Stefanski walks. These guys are in that. They're in that category. [01:33:51] Speaker A: Did any of those jump Stefanski be great? [01:33:54] Speaker B: Honestly, Stefanski I think could be there because I think that might be the. [01:33:57] Speaker A: Best hire out of all them. [01:33:59] Speaker B: Yeah, he did a lot with Little in Cleveland and. Yeah, and he's a good coach. [01:34:07] Speaker A: You get both of what you asked for. Yeah. At least part of what you asked for. [01:34:12] Speaker B: Yeah, I, I mean, I think he was. I don't know how much he had the decision of wanting desean Watson and that was the owner forcing desean Watson onto him. [01:34:23] Speaker A: Well, deshaun Watson was a top five quarterback pre. [01:34:27] Speaker C: All the pre massages. Yeah. [01:34:29] Speaker A: They dug too deep. They did too much work. [01:34:32] Speaker B: I can make an argument. I can make an argue for Stefanski. I think that's a. That's a really good name. Zach Taylor. It fits the mold and what I'm looking for. But does he make Caleb Williams better? [01:34:46] Speaker A: You know what? It'll fit the mold of More Bears disappointment. That's what I'll fit. [01:34:51] Speaker B: Likely. Likely. Which will be the problem. I mean honestly, no matter who they choose. [01:34:56] Speaker A: Anybody. [01:35:01] Speaker B: They said that after they fired Nagy and anyone would be an upgrade and they narrowed it down to a bunch of guys that weren't there. It's a great question, Aaron. I have all my eggs in the Ben Johnson basket and I'm fully expecting to be disappointed. [01:35:18] Speaker A: Man, just change teams, dude. You have the whole second half of your life ahead of you. [01:35:24] Speaker C: Yeah. And then he changes and they do great and then you're just gonna be like, why they change. Right? [01:35:29] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:35:30] Speaker C: Sometimes patience is rewarded and loyalty. Sometimes. [01:35:34] Speaker A: Sometimes. [01:35:35] Speaker C: I think a name we didn't talk about. I don't think he's going to get a head coaching gig this time around. But a guy I like is Joe Brady. I don't think he's going to get a head coach job this time. But what he's done with Buffalo and Allen, another year like this next year he's gonna be a hot commodity. [01:35:51] Speaker A: Let him win a Super bowl first with the Bills. [01:35:55] Speaker B: Yeah. Brady was talked about early as the 1A 1B with Ben Johnson could be great. But to me, everything about Joe Brady is what Matt Nagy was get the Bears hiring him because what he did offensively for the Chiefs as the offensive coordinator but he had Patrick Mahomes and he had Andy recall in the plays and we've already seen a Buffalo offensive coordinator get a head coaching position that was been a train wreck so far. So I don't, I don't love that I. The offensive coordinator who really owns the offense is what I'm. What I'm looking for and I'm not sure Brady fits that mold just yet. [01:36:38] Speaker A: All right, well, I'll do it. We'll be back with the whole year and review. We'll go back to the tapes on the next episode to compare our preseason predictions with what happened, give ourselves grades and complete breakdown for round one of the playoffs. How's that sound? [01:37:02] Speaker B: Those tapes weren't burned. [01:37:04] Speaker A: No, I started reviewing them. I'm writing down notes. [01:37:08] Speaker C: Not like the old controversy 20 years ago tape. [01:37:11] Speaker A: You know what I have? They're out right now. They're right here. A stack of controversy recordings. None of them are being read. I don't know what I don't know. I'm gonna take it to some expert. [01:37:22] Speaker B: The only, the only controversy takes I had is probably Aaron and I breaking down the terrible Detroit Lions drafting wide receivers year in and year out during that time. [01:37:33] Speaker C: Yeah, what was ah Damn. What was the name of the guy they got from Michigan? [01:37:37] Speaker B: Charles Rogers. [01:37:38] Speaker C: There it is. [01:37:38] Speaker B: Charles Rogers. [01:37:41] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:37:42] Speaker C: Supposed to be Megatron Jr. No, I. [01:37:47] Speaker B: Think that was pre Megatron. I think Megatron was the last. He was the last wide receiver of like the four in a row they drafted in the first round or something or whatever. [01:37:54] Speaker C: Maybe. Yeah, because it was. Yeah, they were doing. Yeah, Rogers, I remember. [01:38:01] Speaker A: Are you talking about the controversy days? [01:38:03] Speaker C: Yeah. [01:38:03] Speaker B: Yes. [01:38:04] Speaker A: Oh, Jesus. I don't remember anything. I just remember that guy though, with the glasses, kind of weird in the studio. What's his name? [01:38:15] Speaker B: What? [01:38:15] Speaker A: The hot wife? [01:38:17] Speaker B: No idea. [01:38:18] Speaker C: I know you're talking about, but I don't remember the name. [01:38:20] Speaker A: All right. Anyways, I'm exhausted. I gotta get up early, do a 14 hour round trip to LA and back. [01:38:28] Speaker B: You be safe. We'll talk, I guess Sunday night or Monday, whenever. We're talking Black Monday here in Fire coaches. [01:38:36] Speaker A: If you guys want to wait for Monday, I guess. I think Sunday be kind of cool, but you know. [01:38:40] Speaker C: Well, Monday, Monday. Well, Monday we can do early. There's no Monday night game, so we could do 7, 7:38, whatever time works. [01:38:50] Speaker A: All right, sounds good, guys. I'll do it. Sources from the sofa. Hella first year in football. End of the year results coming up. We'll be.