WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.120 --> 00:00:05.040 Be mature adults, but they're really not. Who's the kid here? Who's 2 00:00:05.080 --> 00:00:14.439 the kid here? Are you kidding me? Now? Here's Nick Coffee. 3 00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:18.920 That's right, let's get it started. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, 4 00:00:19.120 --> 00:00:22.879 children of all ages, welcome in hump Day, Happy Wednesday. Everybody 5 00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:26.839 Coffee and company. That's us. We are fueled by Thornton's here on Sports 6 00:00:26.879 --> 00:00:29.800 Talk seven ninety. Appreciate you hanging out with us. My name is Nick 7 00:00:29.839 --> 00:00:32.439 Coffee, and I hope you knew that. If not, now you do, 8 00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:36.240 and we're gonna take you up till six o'clock. That's a three hour 9 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:40.640 time commitment. I understand there are some things maybe that you've got going on 10 00:00:40.679 --> 00:00:43.520 that could keep you from hanging out with us for a full three hours. 11 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:46.640 But if that's the case, you know, give us what you can right 12 00:00:47.759 --> 00:00:51.439 any any time you can, you can give us, and we can, 13 00:00:51.759 --> 00:00:55.719 you know we can. I was gonna say entertained. Technically, that's what 14 00:00:55.759 --> 00:00:58.399 this is. It's supposed to be entertainment, but you know, calling it 15 00:00:58.479 --> 00:01:00.200 that makes me and it makes me uncomfortable because I don't like to I don't 16 00:01:00.200 --> 00:01:03.400 like to feel like my job is to entertain When technically, I guess it 17 00:01:03.480 --> 00:01:07.480 is. But anyways, if you are out and about doing whatever it is 18 00:01:07.480 --> 00:01:10.000 you're doing, just know you can take us with you. Listen live on 19 00:01:10.040 --> 00:01:14.200 the iHeart Radio app. Listen live at seven ninety Louisville dot com. So 20 00:01:14.760 --> 00:01:19.359 we have the company man, mister John Alden on vacation. Austin Montgomery has 21 00:01:19.400 --> 00:01:22.879 been filling in so far this week, but he's out today. So we've 22 00:01:22.920 --> 00:01:26.439 gone deep into the bullpen to a veteran. He's a Radio Rick ryder Rick. 23 00:01:26.480 --> 00:01:29.840 How we doing today? Brother? We are doing great, Nick. 24 00:01:29.879 --> 00:01:32.920 So I guess I'm the fill in company, right, That's right? Okay, 25 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:34.439 So you're still part of the company, right, you know, coffee 26 00:01:34.439 --> 00:01:38.079 and company that includes you, my man, all right, and I'm here. 27 00:01:38.200 --> 00:01:41.280 We're happy to have you. Always a pleasure to work alongside with Radio 28 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:45.200 Rick. And I'll start with this, you know, I I we got 29 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:46.879 a lot of things we're going to get into today. We've got a guest 30 00:01:46.879 --> 00:01:48.840 that's going to join us coming up here at three thirty. That's going to 31 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:51.239 be Zach Barnett, a football scoop. But I do want to get right 32 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:59.120 into the basketball news that is out there because the acc SEC matchups. As 33 00:01:59.120 --> 00:02:02.799 far as the accs SEC Challenge an ESPN event, they were just announced, 34 00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:07.519 I guess to be fair, they haven't been announced officially, but John Rostein 35 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:12.960 and he's clearly as connected as is just about anybody when it comes to college 36 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:16.400 basketball, and he's broke news over the years and certainly is up there when 37 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:20.439 he's kind of a psychopath if you follow his Twitter, which I think that's 38 00:02:20.479 --> 00:02:23.400 actually the brand he's going for. He's kind of a nut job about college 39 00:02:23.439 --> 00:02:25.520 basketball, which hard for me to be critical because you know, I love 40 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:30.240 college hoops too, But nonetheless, John Rostein, I feel like every year 41 00:02:30.280 --> 00:02:32.319 he's the first one that gets these matchups out there, and it has to 42 00:02:32.360 --> 00:02:37.240 be a source that he has through ESPN, because again it's an ESPN event. 43 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:43.159 I remember when Louisville was in the ACC Big Ten Challenge prior to the 44 00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:46.280 realignment and the network change as far as the Big Ten no longer being affiliated 45 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:51.800 with ESPN, he would always break the matchups as well. So Louisville is 46 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:53.319 in it. They were not in it last year, of course, because 47 00:02:54.240 --> 00:03:00.400 there's usually one team left out and Louisville was that team last year. And 48 00:03:00.400 --> 00:03:02.599 I'll save my thoughts on last year for later, because nobody cares about last 49 00:03:02.639 --> 00:03:05.120 year. In fact, I'm sure a lot of you don't want to think 50 00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:07.520 about last year, and I get it, I'm with you. But Louisville 51 00:03:07.560 --> 00:03:10.479 is in the event this year and they are going to play Ole Miss. 52 00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:15.319 So they're gonna host Chris Beard, who I believe with what he returns, 53 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:19.240 what he's done in the portal, and the fact that he is Chris Beard. 54 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:22.199 I'm pretty sure they're gonna be a top twenty five team preseason by just 55 00:03:22.240 --> 00:03:25.960 about everybody out there that puts rankings together. Now, I guess what it'll 56 00:03:25.960 --> 00:03:30.240 come down to is are they actually in the preseason a peopole And I guess 57 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:31.759 when you play them, are they going to be ranked? But on December 58 00:03:31.800 --> 00:03:37.080 the third Tuesday, that's Tuesday Night, Louisville will host Ole Miss. And 59 00:03:37.800 --> 00:03:45.599 this schedule for Pat Kelsey in year one is challenging to say the least. 60 00:03:45.639 --> 00:03:47.080 I mean, I don't want to act as if this is this it's a 61 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:52.599 schedule that you know you should just be prepared for a bunch of losses because 62 00:03:52.800 --> 00:03:57.159 you never want to look at it that way. But right now, Louisville 63 00:03:57.159 --> 00:04:02.240 will play three SEC teams in then now, and that is ole Miss at 64 00:04:02.240 --> 00:04:04.719 home, Tennessee at home, which they announced last week. It's going to 65 00:04:04.759 --> 00:04:09.280 be a home and home and home series. You're gonna play in Knoxville next 66 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:12.000 season, and then of course you're gonna play at Kentucky. So two home 67 00:04:12.039 --> 00:04:15.879 games against ole Miss and Tennessee and then at Kentucky. I mean, I 68 00:04:15.879 --> 00:04:18.000 don't want to gas the SEC up here, but I'm gonna have to do 69 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:21.399 exactly that, to be honest with you. But those three teams give you 70 00:04:21.480 --> 00:04:26.920 a really just those three teams alone give you a really challenging non conference I 71 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:30.360 mean a component to you. You only play what twelve thirteen games in the 72 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:34.360 non conference ish, so three of them are going to be against three teams 73 00:04:34.360 --> 00:04:38.720 that will probably be ranked preseason in the top twenty five. In fact, 74 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:44.319 I'd be shocked if ole Miss, Tennessee, and Kentucky are not ranked when 75 00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:46.079 you play them. In fact, if there's one team that's not ranked when 76 00:04:46.079 --> 00:04:48.399 you play, then it might be Kentucky. And that's not a knock on 77 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:53.000 Kentucky. Is like, I think they're going to be terrible under Mark Pope 78 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:58.800 in year one, but they're not getting the same bump that they usually would 79 00:04:58.800 --> 00:05:01.720 get under Calipari. In fact, that has made that was made evident. 80 00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:05.399 I think with the matchup that Kentucky has, Kentucky's going to play Clemson. 81 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:09.920 And I know Clemson made a run to the Elite Eight last year and they 82 00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:12.959 had like their first good season ever. In fact, they were pretty mid 83 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:15.399 but they did get it done in the tournament, which, as you know 84 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:17.800 is a college basketball super fan, I'm sure a lot of you love the 85 00:05:17.800 --> 00:05:21.199 sport in a big way. It really only matters what you do in the 86 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:26.680 postseason in the tournament, and Clemson had a good run. But I'd be 87 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:30.639 a liar if I said I think that Clemson's run is sustainable. So I 88 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:34.439 don't know. Clemson in Kentucky just feels like a missed matchup, like Kentucky 89 00:05:34.519 --> 00:05:38.879 should be playing somebody a little more relevant in the ACC. Now, with 90 00:05:38.920 --> 00:05:43.360 that said, the ACC doesn't have a whole lot of momentum right now when 91 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:46.079 it comes to basketball. Now, anyways, back to the Louisville side of 92 00:05:46.079 --> 00:05:48.399 things, You'll play those three teams as I mentioned, which give you you 93 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:54.959 know, that's what twenty percent fifteen percent of your non conference schedule that's pretty 94 00:05:55.040 --> 00:05:58.920 challenging. And then you're going to play in the Battle for Atlantis. And 95 00:05:58.959 --> 00:06:02.120 we don't know the matchups just yet in the Battle for Atlantis. But here's 96 00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:09.759 the field outside of Louisville, Arizona, Davidson, Gonzaga, Indiana, Oklahoma, 97 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:15.519 Providence in West Virginia. I'll be one thousand percent honest with you, 98 00:06:16.279 --> 00:06:21.120 that field is not as loaded as it typically is. I just feel like 99 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:26.560 there's a there's just a little bit of firepower missing from the Battle for Atlantis 100 00:06:26.839 --> 00:06:30.800 as far as we usually see. However, there's still some like playing any 101 00:06:30.839 --> 00:06:35.160 of those teams. Arizona, Davidson, Gonzaga usually get three games in the 102 00:06:35.160 --> 00:06:39.959 Battle for Atlantis, I believe. So you know, let's just say you 103 00:06:40.040 --> 00:06:48.240 played Davidson, Arizona, and Providence. I mean, heck, all those 104 00:06:48.279 --> 00:06:51.439 teams could be in the tournament next year. I don't know, but it's 105 00:06:51.480 --> 00:06:58.800 you know, it's not like you're playing New Mexico State And who else did 106 00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:02.519 Louisville play last year the beginning of the season that you know was just I 107 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:04.480 mean teams. I don't want to say that, like, you know, 108 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:10.800 you should never play, but I mean Louisville schedule last season was very strategically 109 00:07:10.800 --> 00:07:14.639 designed to have a bunch of bums on the schedule so you could stack up 110 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:18.160 some wins for Kenny Payne. And sure enough, in the end you still 111 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:21.439 lost to some of those bumps. But like, I can't even think of 112 00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:27.079 the name of the team that beat Virginia in the tournament whenever Louisville or whenever 113 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:30.319 they were a one seed, and that's how irrelevant they are. Yeah, 114 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:33.839 you played UNBC to start the season. You played Coppin State, who finished 115 00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:39.639 three sixty one, which is near dead last. New Mexico State was two 116 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:43.560 ninety no offense to Scotty Dan Bellerman, but they are in the three hundreds. 117 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:48.439 In the kin Palm, you played Pepperdine, So you know, playing 118 00:07:48.600 --> 00:07:50.720 you know, no matter who you end up with, Let's just say you 119 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:55.800 ended up with the easiest. Like in the end, the teams you play 120 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:59.279 in the Battle for Atlantis and the Bahamas are the three worst teams there. 121 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:03.319 It's still a better challenge, a bigger challenge than playing, you know, 122 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:05.959 teams that a lot of us have never heard of. So I'm excited. 123 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:11.240 I hope that Pat Kelsey is a guy who will embrace this, and look 124 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:13.319 he's going to right out of the gate, I'm sure he's going to talk 125 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:16.160 about how excited he is that they've got a challenging schedule, you know, 126 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:20.199 with the with the with the challenge. You know that's there, meaning playing 127 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:24.720 some some legitimate teams early on to kind of cut your teeth as the head 128 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:28.120 coach at Louisville. It also gives you a chance to take advantage of that 129 00:08:28.199 --> 00:08:31.720 and make a statement and create some noise and some momentum right out of the 130 00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:39.159 gate. So I love non conference schedules that feature teams that give you a 131 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:46.039 chance to actually give some value to your resume. And for the most part, 132 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:50.159 I feel like Louisville rather it be Denny crumb Rick Patino, Chris Mack. 133 00:08:52.200 --> 00:08:56.159 Louisville has always played a fairly challenging schedule in the non conference and in 134 00:08:56.200 --> 00:09:01.440 a previous world when you played in the Big East and in the ACC in 135 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:03.679 the first what five six years of the league. As far as Louisville's, 136 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:09.519 Louis being a member, even if you didn't have a super challenging non conference 137 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:13.039 schedule, it would all end up working out because in your league you'd play 138 00:09:13.120 --> 00:09:16.080 night in and night out teams that gave you a chance to really add value 139 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:22.879 to your resume, but now that that's not really there. And I gotta 140 00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:26.600 be honest with you, when I look at these matchups in the ACC SEC 141 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:30.799 Challenge, I mean, I think it's going to be a blood bath. 142 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:35.600 I think the SEC is going to mop the floor with the ACC in this 143 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:39.840 challenge. I mean, I hope I'm wrong, because again, the ACC 144 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:43.919 being good is a good thing for Louisville, especially if they win games. 145 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:48.240 In fact, regardless if you win or lose, you know, losing to 146 00:09:48.320 --> 00:09:50.799 teams that are good really doesn't benefit you unless you're actually a good team yourself 147 00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:54.840 and you pile up some good wins along the way. But it's always best. 148 00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:58.559 It's always better for your league to be good, regardless if you're winning 149 00:09:58.600 --> 00:10:01.440 or losing. So I hope the ACC is better. I hope it takes 150 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:05.080 a big step forward. But I actually think this year we're going to see, 151 00:10:05.080 --> 00:10:11.159 once again the league continue to take a small step back. And I 152 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:15.600 know some people love to brag about NC State's tournament run as if that, 153 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:20.440 you know, means that the league was great. North Carolina ended up losing 154 00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:26.240 Tobama in the elite. I mean, last year, Miami was one of 155 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:28.639 the most disappointing teams in the country, didn't make the tournament. I mean, 156 00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:31.360 let's just be real with ourselves. Like Dukalu lost NC State, which 157 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:33.799 I guess if you take out one of your own, it's hard to you 158 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:37.600 know. I guess Duke can claim that it was the ACC that took him 159 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:41.480 out. But people who live in that world as if the ACC hasn't taken 160 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:46.960 substantial steps backwards in recent years, it's just either not paying attention or their 161 00:10:46.039 --> 00:10:48.440 lying to themselves now. I guess on the other side of that, you 162 00:10:48.440 --> 00:10:52.600 could start winning some games and really, you know, piling up wins, 163 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:56.519 and hey, I'll take it given that we're in year one of a new 164 00:10:56.559 --> 00:11:00.799 era here with Pat Kelsey and a brand new team. But it does make 165 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:05.200 me sad if the ACC is a conference in basketball doesn't end up becoming elite 166 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:09.080 once again, because it's not right now. I mean, the brands are 167 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:11.960 there, Well, here's what we used to say. It wasn't just the 168 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:18.440 brand, but coaches were a part of those brands that you know, really 169 00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:24.840 enhanced how you viewed those programs. Right, Like Carolina is still Carolina and 170 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:26.600 they've been good. Let's be real, They've not been elite, but they've 171 00:11:26.639 --> 00:11:31.600 been good. But Roy Williams being there also made them more relevant. I 172 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:35.320 mean, coach K is duke basketball. Duke basketball is coach k. So 173 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:39.799 we'll see what Shire does. But Beheim, I mean, he was not 174 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:45.080 good towards the end and now he's gone. Larra Innega, I think he's 175 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:48.200 viewed as a pretty good coach. But I mean at Miami he's had like 176 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:52.639 one really good year, seemingly in the last five or six. And again 177 00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:54.559 last year, I think Miami you could make the case they were the most 178 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:58.240 disappointing team in the country. And then, of course Louisville. I mean, 179 00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:00.919 let's be real. One of the reasons why the the ACC as a 180 00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:07.039 conference is not viewed like it previously was is because Louisville has gone from being 181 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:13.559 a consistent top team in that league and at times a consistent top team in 182 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:18.600 college basketball, to going through a three year stretch where they were the doormat 183 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:22.519 of the league. So you know, it's not I it's Louisville's a part 184 00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:26.279 of it as well. But you know, let's just start with these matchups 185 00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:33.759 Arkansas at Miami. I mean, Miami they may be good again this year, 186 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:37.039 but again they're coming off of a terrible season and they lost some really 187 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:41.960 good players. So Arkansas and Cal going to Miami like there'll be more Arkansas 188 00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:45.559 fans there than Miami fans. And I can say that as someone who has 189 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:48.799 gone to a Miami basketball game before when they were actually pretty good on their 190 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:56.759 campus. And like nobody cares about Miami basketball in Miami. If you're thinking, 191 00:12:56.879 --> 00:13:00.919 like big atmosphere for these games, right, a chance for ESPN to 192 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:03.200 kind of have, you know, because this is an ESPN event, But 193 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:07.399 I don't think you're going to see a wild atmosphere at Miami. In fact, 194 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:09.720 I remember when I went to Miami for the basketball game. It was 195 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:15.600 actually the same week that Louisville played Miami in football and Chris Mack opened up 196 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:18.840 the season. I think it was a Tuesday night game against Miami and they 197 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:24.000 won, and then that Saturday, Louisville played Miami in football and I was 198 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:24.799 leaving. I only got to stay for the basketball game, and I was 199 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:28.519 at the airport and I was heading out of town, and I had a 200 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:31.279 Louisville polo on and The bartender at the airport asked me, you know, 201 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:33.519 did you just get here? And I was like, no, I'm I'm 202 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:37.480 actually heading out. He was like, well, you didn't even stay for 203 00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:39.320 the game. He's just a layover. And I said, no, I 204 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:41.200 was here for the basketball game. Guy had no clue. Louisville and Miami 205 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:45.720 even played in basketball the night before. So, you know, I just 206 00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:50.200 feel like that's a missed opportunity for me ESPN because Arkansas has has relevancy now 207 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:52.279 because they've have Cal, and let's be real, they had relevancy before. 208 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:56.879 They've been good recently. Last year they had a dud year, no doubt, 209 00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:58.919 But prior to that, I don't know. I don't know if you'll 210 00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:03.000 find a program that had really more of a come up than Arkansas did during 211 00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:05.039 really the like you know, I guess that three year stretch with Eric Musselman. 212 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:09.919 All Right, Cal at Massoo that's a non start. I mean, 213 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:13.399 that's that's that's just a waste of a game. I mean, Cal's been 214 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:16.919 terrible for many years. Maszoo. Did they win an SEC game last year? 215 00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:20.679 I think they might have gone defeated in the league. Florida State at 216 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:24.000 LSU that could be a decent matchup. You know, Florida State under Leonard 217 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:28.879 Hamilton, they've taken steps backwards recently. LSU. This is I believe year 218 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:33.600 three for Matt Matt McMahon, and I think it is kind of turning into 219 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:35.600 like a make or break here, right Like, if they're not good enough 220 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:39.039 to sniff the tournament, he probably gets fired this year. Georgia Tack at 221 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:43.879 Oklahoma, I mean Georgia Tack they've been a bomb. Maybe Damon Stottamar breaks 222 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:46.440 through this year as as a coach that can you know, compete in the 223 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:52.279 ACC. And Oklahoma under Lon Krueger. I mean, I feel like during 224 00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:54.480 his stretch, they've had regular seasons where they will get hot, you feel 225 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:56.440 like they're going to be a team to watch in the tournament and they don't 226 00:14:56.480 --> 00:15:00.679 make the tournament. And then Kentucky at Clemson. I just get that one. 227 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:05.320 I mean, Kentucky is still the you know, the program in in 228 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:09.279 the SEC when it comes to basketball, and I know they haven't been lately. 229 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:11.440 Right Like, if you go and look at a lot of the I 230 00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:18.679 mean Tennessee, who else I mean Tennessee and who else am I think of 231 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:22.200 missing here? Oh? Arkansas again under Muss. Mostly you know, Arkansas 232 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:26.840 wasn't good last year, but like Tennessee, Arkansas, Auburn under Bruce Pearl. 233 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:28.399 I mean, there have been teams in the last five years or so 234 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:33.399 that probably have a better record in the ACE in the SEC than Kentucky. 235 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:37.799 But still Kentucky is the basketball school within that league and I don't see that 236 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:39.639 ever changing. So to give them a road game at Clemson, it's just 237 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:45.679 a head scratcher to me. Notre Dame will play at Georgia. Those are 238 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:50.440 again two teams coming off of seasons where they were in the bottom tier of 239 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:52.639 their league. Ole Miss atwell, we talked about that one, and you 240 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:56.639 know, I think Louisville will probably you know, it's tough to say at 241 00:15:56.639 --> 00:16:00.639 this point, but it'll probably be. It'll probably be. Ole Miss is 242 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:03.960 a slight favorite, unless Louisville is coming off of a really impressive trip to 243 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:07.360 the Bahamas. But that's actually one of the better matchups here. And again 244 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:11.799 I say that, you know, knowing that I'm biased because I'm a Louisville 245 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:14.919 fan and I know there's a good chance Louisville could could have some success this 246 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:17.639 year. But you know, I'm curious wonder what Old Miss thinks about this 247 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:19.559 Louisville matchup. Are they feeling underwhelmed that they didn't get a bigger challenge, 248 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:23.679 because let's be real, Louisville is coming off of a season where they won 249 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:30.559 eight games in just what two games in conference play? I believe? Or 250 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:32.679 was it two? No? I guess it was? Was it three? 251 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:36.480 Maybe four? I don't know, doesn't matter at this point, right Syracuse 252 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:41.399 at Tennessee that that doesn't look bad on paper, but it really turned. 253 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:45.000 It all comes down to Red Autry. Is is Red Autry ATC is going 254 00:16:45.080 --> 00:16:47.919 to be able to make them relevant? You know, he didn't have a 255 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:52.120 good first year there taking over vig in Behim and the best matchup, so 256 00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:55.200 I mean, the best matchup in the best two matchups in this from a 257 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:59.200 national perspective is Alabama at North Carolina and Auburn at Duke, Like those are 258 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:02.200 going to be really good game. Those are four teams that you know, 259 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:06.319 I don't think anybody be shocked if any of those four, maybe multiple of 260 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:11.720 those four end up in the end up in the final four. I mean, 261 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:15.480 who knows at this point, but wouldn't be a shock Bama's coming off 262 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:18.359 of Final four appearance. Duke in Carolina could get there any year and it's 263 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:22.119 not a shock. And Auburn, you know, they were really good last 264 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:27.240 year until they played Yale pitt in Mississippi State. You know, Jeff Caple 265 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:33.319 still surviving at Pittsburgh. Chris Jans at Mississippi State. You know he's coming 266 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:38.079 off of a tournament appearance, and I believe his second season. Texas at 267 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:42.240 NC State, like that'll get some attention because Texas is Texas is their first 268 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:47.160 year in the SEC. They always have talent. N C State, I 269 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:49.079 mean, they're fresh off of Final four, but other than that, I 270 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:53.720 mean they were bums last year. Vandy will play at Virginia Tech and then 271 00:17:53.799 --> 00:18:00.079 Virginia will play at Florida. So I mean, I'd be shocked if the 272 00:18:00.119 --> 00:18:03.720 SEC doesn't end up winning this challenge and it's not particularly close, but hey, 273 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:07.880 we'll find out, and I'd love to be pleasantly surprised because I would 274 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:11.119 prefer the ACC be much better in basketball than it's been at recent years. 275 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:15.279 And yes, I'm well aware, I've already checked the text line and I 276 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:18.440 can see that. You know, you guys are reminding me that one of 277 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:22.880 the reasons why the ACC has been bad in recent years is because Louisville has 278 00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:27.440 been really, really bad. Here, I am dogging the ACC as far 279 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:32.960 as not being good enough for me when it comes to basketball for my expectations, 280 00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:36.160 whereas the team that I care about and cheer for has been the worst 281 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:37.680 team in that league the last couple of years. Well aware, I know, 282 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:42.200 and I don't know how it breaks. Somebody's asked how like who got 283 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:44.960 left out? So you got to keep in mind, this is the first 284 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:48.680 year where both of these leagues have been have expansion. Right, You've got 285 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:56.359 SMU, Stanford, and who else Cal in the ACC, and then obviously 286 00:18:56.400 --> 00:19:00.440 Texas and Oklahoma joined the joined the SEC. So I don't know who officially 287 00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:03.319 got left out. Clearly Stanford and SMU are not in the event. So 288 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:07.880 I'm curious is the ACC, if they're asked, are they going to tell 289 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:15.279 us that because there's three new members, the last place team wasn't you know, 290 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:21.640 wasn't invited or War I'm sorry, was included because the new the new 291 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.839 team, you know, the new schools are going to have to wait before 292 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:26.960 they get involved, because again, I mean Cal is new they're getting to 293 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:33.680 play. Why isn't Stanford in in SMU And nobody cares at this point. 294 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:37.799 But I'm telling you guys, there's no scenario in my mind that Louisville missed 295 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:44.279 out on the ACC SEC Challenge because Kenny Payne did not want to play in 296 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:51.240 it. Because, yes, they can fall back on their policy where they 297 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:53.160 just leave out, you know, when there's an when there's an uneven number, 298 00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:57.119 meaning somebody's gonna get left out of the ACC, they can just fall 299 00:19:57.160 --> 00:20:00.720 back on it being the team that fin last. But they'd never followed that 300 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:07.279 consistently. Again, the best example is in two thousand and nineteen Virginia Tech 301 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:11.200 when Buzz Williams was there. They were fresh off of a Sweet sixteen appearance, 302 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:14.960 and they finished twelve and six in the ACC only to be left out 303 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:18.200 the following year like that. You know, so they don't follow that all 304 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:19.440 the time. But I'm glad louis was involved in it. I am because 305 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:23.200 it's good. It's good for it's good for notoriety. It's a bad look 306 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:26.599 for a school like Louisville to be left out like it was a year ago, 307 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:29.599 and it gives you a chance to pick up what could be a really 308 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:33.119 valuable win in the non conference portion of your schedule. So I'm excited about 309 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:37.839 Louisville basketball. I've made that pretty clear anytime we discuss it, and now 310 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:40.559 just can't wait for the season to actually get here. All right, So 311 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:42.000 tomorrow we are going to have Pat Kelsey on the show. So in fact, 312 00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:45.559 in about twenty four hours and nine minutes, he will be joining us 313 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:48.839 right here at three point thirty, So hopefully you guys will tune in for 314 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:52.799 that. Looking forward to to bringing him on the show. As I mentioned 315 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:55.960 yesterday, there's a lot of perks that come with the Louisville job. I'm 316 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:59.559 sure being able to be a guest on Coffee and Company fueled by Thornton's is 317 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:03.599 one of the perks that Pat Kelsey's going to experience in his early days here 318 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:04.680 at Louisville. I'm sure it's a big honor. I'm sure it's a big 319 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:07.960 accomplishment for him in his career. So congrats to you, Pat Kelsey for 320 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:11.359 joining us. And again, if you if you can't pick up on sarcasm, 321 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:15.319 this show probably isn't for you. All right, let's do this. 322 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:18.279 Let's get to a quick break, we'll come back on the other side and 323 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:21.440 welcome in a good a good friend of ours, friend of the program, 324 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:23.200 a guest. In fact, he's not just a guest. I feel like 325 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:26.440 he's kind of part of the show. When we talk college football, we 326 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:29.359 talk with Zach Barnett, a football scoop. So he's going to join us 327 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:32.640 on the other side. Looking forward to catching up with him on a variety 328 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:34.200 of things when it comes to college football. And if you guys want to 329 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:37.799 join us today, Zach is our only guest as of right now, so 330 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:40.680 we'll open up the phone lines a little bit later on five oh two five 331 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:42.519 seven one seventy nine hundred is the number, in case you didn't know how 332 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:45.039 you can get ahold of us when it comes to making a phone call. 333 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:49.480 The text line LNN Federal Credit Union text line five oh two sixty five three 334 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:52.559 zero seven ninety that's the number if you want to shoot us a text, 335 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:56.039 questions, compliants, compliments, insults, whatever you've got to send him our 336 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:59.119 way. All right, quick time out again, we're going to talk some 337 00:21:59.160 --> 00:22:07.400 football coming up on the other side right here on Sports Talk seven ninety. 338 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:22.599 Now back to coffee and company, fueled my Thornton's on Sports Talk seven nine 339 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:26.519 day. That's right, Coffee and Company. You're rolling along here on a 340 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:29.480 Wednesday afternoon. Appreciate you hanging out with us. We are a fueld about 341 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.960 Thornton's, so make sure you sign up. I mean, you don't have 342 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:34.000 to sign up because we are a field by Thornton's, but we are proudly 343 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:37.640 fueled by Thornton's. And I'm not in a name calling, but I think 344 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:41.920 you're a fool if you're not a member of the Refreshment Awards program because you 345 00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:45.079 save money every time you're at the gas pump. And you've heard me mention 346 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:48.599 many times all the perks that come with being a member. I mean last 347 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:52.640 year they gave away ten grand every week during the holiday season to a lucky 348 00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:55.680 member. So sign up if you haven't. All right, let's bring him 349 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:59.599 in. He is the one, the only, mister Zach Barnett a football 350 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:02.400 scoop. He is. He doesn't know it, or if he does know 351 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:04.200 it, he probably doesn't brag about it. But he's our official college football 352 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:07.240 correspondent here on Coffee and Company. Zach, longtime, no talk, brother, 353 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:11.440 How you doing doing well? And before we get going. Can we 354 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:17.240 set the record straight here, Let's do it. You're not just a fool 355 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:22.400 if you don't use the Thornton's Frequent fly I forget the name of Refreshing Awards. 356 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:26.319 Refreshing Awards, You're you're downright moron. If you don't sign up for 357 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:29.960 Thornton's Refreshing Rewards, I mean, come on, what are you doing? 358 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:33.039 Exactly exactly It's just a missed opportunity. I mean, I say it from 359 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:34.279 time to time. I don't. I don't. I don't like to be 360 00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:37.039 dramatic. We like to have fun on the show, but I don't how 361 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:38.920 you go at home to your family if you're not a member because you're you're 362 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:41.640 you're you're spending money you don't have to spend. You could be saving money 363 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:45.920 every time you're at the pump. So I appreciate you reiterating that for us. 364 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:48.839 Zach, you know what, just just getting for the dinner table in 365 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:52.759 front of your family and just light some money on fire. It's basically your 366 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:55.519 lifestyle if you're not a member. So I'm I'm with you. We're on 367 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:57.359 the same page we are. So I'll start with this, How's how's the 368 00:23:57.400 --> 00:24:00.440 off season been? Treating you, my man. A lot of changes coming. 369 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:03.519 In fact, there's already been changes in college sports in recent years, 370 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:07.680 but it's been a while since we chatted. Are you Are you geared up 371 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.920 for another season? I know we still have a few months before we get 372 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:11.720 there, but I know you're a Texas guy, and you guys are going 373 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:15.240 to make your debut in the SEC this year, and I don't know if 374 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:21.599 the timing could be better. Yeah, I joke. It seemed like ever 375 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:25.359 since twenty twenty, this sport is hee has tried as hard as it can 376 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:30.359 to tear itself apart every off season, and then the first Saturday in September 377 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:33.880 or this year, the last Saturday in August gets here and we all remember 378 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:37.599 why we put up with so much nonsense from the sport. And this year 379 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:41.640 seems to be testing that more than ever with everything that's going on, and 380 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:45.359 then the promise of the twelve team playoff, Like, I don't know what 381 00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:48.680 the vibes are going to be like this season, And in some ways, 382 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:52.720 I've never been more scared. In other ways, I've never never been more 383 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:56.039 excited. Well, when it comes to the fear, what is that? 384 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:59.079 Is? It? Just the uncertainty and it being really I mean, keep 385 00:24:59.119 --> 00:25:03.440 in mind in recent years it's been so different with the portal and nil now 386 00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:07.079 here. Soon schools are going to be tasked with having to pay. I 387 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:08.400 mean, I guess they don't have to. I mean, nobody's going to 388 00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:11.960 force them. But if you don't pay your student athletes as a school, 389 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:15.680 you're not really in the business of being competitive anymore. So is it just 390 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:19.799 I guess the uncertainty? And really things were always the same for decades, 391 00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:23.880 I mean really generations, and now in just a five to six year window, 392 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:30.400 I mean, everything's different. Yeah. And what I was referring to 393 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:37.119 in the previous answer was just when the actual games start, it's going to 394 00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:41.279 be different in that when all of us, and I'm speaking mainly to my 395 00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:47.240 experience, we came of age of college football was the ultimate reality show in 396 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:52.279 that any single week and you could a law a ross, a loss to 397 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:55.680 the wrong opponent at the wrong time or even in the wrong season, and 398 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:59.960 you're out of the national championship hunts, and you know, Ohio State Bowling 399 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:04.319 Green might seem extremely boring on the outset, it probably will be, but 400 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:08.079 just wait until it's a four point game in the fourth quarter, and then 401 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:11.640 it's going to be the most exciting game you've ever watched in your life, 402 00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:15.039 because, oh my gosh, we'll have the entire season is online. There's 403 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:18.279 no way they're going to play in the championship game for the lost bowling Green. 404 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:22.359 And that was largely true through the end of last season, and now 405 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:29.480 it's not anymore. And you know, everyone's pointing the Florida and sings that 406 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:33.079 they have, and I think one of the main subplots of this season is 407 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:36.400 going to be pitting you know, Florida or a team like it. You 408 00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:40.599 know, how many losses do they need to have until we can cross the 409 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:44.920 Gators out from the national championship hunt? And that has been fundamentally different than 410 00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:48.039 the bargain that we all took when we became college football fans. Whenever that 411 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:52.559 was no doubt about it. And I think if you're gonna you know, 412 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:56.519 from from my ends as a guy who covers and is a die hard fan 413 00:26:56.559 --> 00:27:00.480 of Louisville, the expanded playoff, I used to just think it a waste 414 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:03.759 of time, because, to be honest with you, this sport is really 415 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:07.279 broken down where you have a very small elite tier. I mean, not 416 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:10.920 many teams win a first I mean when the last time a team won a 417 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:12.880 first time national championship was It wasn't it Florida back in the day. I 418 00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:15.960 mean, that's been a long time. Yeah, So, I mean, 419 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:23.119 really, the vast majority of participants in FBS football are really just competing for 420 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:27.359 trying to be in that upper echelon of that second tier. And you know, 421 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:30.519 it's kind of sad to think about it. I remember, you know, 422 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:33.400 giving it some thought and really looking over like wow, I mean, 423 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:36.319 like really, there's only a handful of teams that really can say they are 424 00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:37.720 competing at the top and everybody else they may have a good year here and 425 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:42.160 there, but it doesn't really equate to being a national championship contender. So, 426 00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:48.160 you know, being able to have twelve teams like Louisville realistically could see 427 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:51.279 themselves in the playoff. It wouldn't be a crazy thing because twelve teams get 428 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:53.279 in now. Their league is not super I mean they I mean, heck, 429 00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:56.960 last year they won ten games playing in the championship and I'm not exactly 430 00:27:56.000 --> 00:28:00.880 sure if they were a really great team. So being able to have more 431 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:06.079 inclusion to where you know, and maybe this is just me as a basketball 432 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:08.119 fan, I think you're going to have teams that look at an appearance in 433 00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:11.759 the college football Playoff, knowing they had no chance of actually winning the whole 434 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:15.200 thing, they can kind of chalk that up as a final four in basketball, 435 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:18.440 and it gives you a chance to kind of feel like you are. 436 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.480 And I guess it's not just a feeling. I mean, if you are 437 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:25.079 in the playoff, you did get to the ultimate tournament that decides who wins 438 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:29.000 the national championship. So I actually think for fans of you know, that 439 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:32.400 that era, you know, that tier of college football, it gives you 440 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:36.000 a chance to dream big and not be completely delusional, right because if you're 441 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:38.400 talking about going to the national championship and winning it and you're not one of 442 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:41.200 those elite tier teams in the last you know, couple of decades, like 443 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:45.480 you, you need you probably would be needed to be checked out by, 444 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:48.720 you know, somebody mentally because you're you're crazy. Well now again, if 445 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:51.559 you're just talking about making it into the twelve team playoff, easier said than 446 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:53.319 done, but it could happen. But I think what you alluded to is 447 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:57.480 kind of The downside is that now you have teams that you know can slip 448 00:28:57.559 --> 00:29:00.759 up here and there, and you could say, well, that eliminates them, 449 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:03.799 but you know Tom will tell that they may not right. It may 450 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:06.799 not even be that big of a deal when it's all said and done. 451 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:10.400 So I hope, and I guess I choose to believe that fans will still 452 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:15.000 watch this even if they know that this game won't decide if one team's going 453 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:17.319 to either be in or be out of the playoff or at least their you 454 00:29:17.359 --> 00:29:19.400 know, their chances are over. But I think people will still tune in. 455 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:25.240 They'll still be excitement, Like I'm hoping that the expanded Playoff actually gives 456 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:27.920 you know, there'll be more noise out there from fans all over because you 457 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:30.440 know, there's now twelve teams when there used to be four and prior to 458 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:36.640 that it was just two teams. Yeah, I think I think a game 459 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:41.319 like Texas Michigan will matter less than it would have because we could have argued 460 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:47.160 that was an elimination game right then and there on September eleventh, and now 461 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:51.240 no one watching that game is going to be under any delusion that either team's 462 00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:56.160 season will be ruined by a loss. So the the bad part about it 463 00:29:56.200 --> 00:30:00.079 is that game is going to mean less. The upside is will probably because 464 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:04.839 it means less, we'll get more games like that moving forward. Whereas in 465 00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:10.960 the old system would have incentivized Texas to play you know, North Texas that 466 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:15.880 weekend instead of Michigan. Even though Texas still loaded up its non conference schedule, 467 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:21.359 it did so with an enormous risk, and that risk is now gone 468 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:25.880 for the most part. But the upside is a game like the Louisville wake 469 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:30.000 Forest late in the year, what could matter a lot because if the saving 470 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:36.000 grace of this system, the way I see it, is that the ACC 471 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:40.640 and Big twelve champions for the most part are guaranteed buys into the first round. 472 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:44.759 And you know a lot of people that my school now has to formally 473 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:48.240 associate with would argue it should be the twelve best teams. And if Florida 474 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:52.319 goes seven and five, but five of their losses are the teams of the 475 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:53.559 top ten, well, by god, they should be number eleven. They 476 00:30:53.559 --> 00:31:00.119 should be in this thing. They would beg to differ. But I I 477 00:31:00.400 --> 00:31:06.119 love that we're still acknowledging conference champions in putting that quirk into the system to 478 00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:08.680 where you have to be a conference champion to earn them by. So if 479 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:15.559 you're Louisville and you're eight and three going into your ACC finale, you win 480 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:17.640 that game, you think, you know, all we need to do is 481 00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:21.759 get into the a SEC championship game. We get a three seed, and 482 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:26.160 you know who the six to eleven matchup is this game, and maybe the 483 00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:29.440 eleven has a good shot of winning, and maybe they're tired, blah blah 484 00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:33.000 blah. Really, all all we're asking for is sports fans is permission to 485 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:37.079 dream big. And I think this system, for as long as we have 486 00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:40.079 it, this system keeps it alive, no doubt about it. Zach Barnetta 487 00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:42.359 football Scoop is our guest here on Sports Talk seven ninety. I've got a 488 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:45.680 dumb question. I believe I know the answer. But when it comes to 489 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:48.440 winning your conference and getting one of those buys, it's winning. Is it 490 00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:53.200 winning the conference championship game or winning the league regular season? It's a conference 491 00:31:53.240 --> 00:31:56.279 champions That's what I say. Now, Yeah, any one of these conferences 492 00:31:56.279 --> 00:32:02.680 could scrap their championship game and just crown regular season champion. That's not going 493 00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:07.319 to happen because now these conferences are so big, you could easily have two 494 00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:09.279 teams go eight and oh or nine to zero and never play each other until 495 00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:13.480 the champions took game. And also the main reason is they all like money. 496 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:15.279 Of course, no doubt about it. Now let me ask you this. 497 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:19.119 I I'm somebody that you know. I'm a Louisville fan. I have 498 00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:22.319 no problems saying that. But because louisll has been in so many conferences over 499 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:27.640 my lifetime as a fan, I don't really have that conference allegiance that a 500 00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:30.200 lot of fans have that have really been born into the sec of the Big 501 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:34.359 Ten and are never going anywhere. So I have no problem acknowledging that the 502 00:32:34.359 --> 00:32:37.640 ACC is a football conference. You know, it's not been It's not been 503 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:39.480 stellar, right, Clemson carried the league for a while. They've not been 504 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:44.240 what they once were. But I think prior to Jordan Travis's injury last year, 505 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:46.599 Florida State was viewed as one of the better teams in the ACC. 506 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:51.720 And maybe I don't know, four years or so, so, you know 507 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:54.279 they would win their they if they would have stayed healthy and the team and 508 00:32:54.400 --> 00:32:57.920 the playoff was at twelve last year and they got to buy I don't think 509 00:32:57.920 --> 00:33:00.880 you'd hear a lot of people belly aching as far as they don't deserve it. 510 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:02.599 But you know, two years, let's just go back to two years 511 00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:07.480 prior to that. I can see this happening. There's gonna be a Big 512 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:09.200 twelve champion. There's gonna be an AEC champion at some point, maybe not 513 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:13.960 this year because maybe Florida State's legit and they're really really good. But there's 514 00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:16.119 gonna be so many teams in fan bases, I should say, from the 515 00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:20.559 SEC and the Big ten that are gonna be hoping that get one of those 516 00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:23.640 at larges and they're gonna feel justified and they may be right and saying that 517 00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:28.799 they freaking know they're better than the three and four who get a bye from 518 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:30.880 the ACC and the Big twelve. Like that, that's gonna be That's gonna 519 00:33:30.920 --> 00:33:36.279 be a conversation, right, Yeah, it'll be a huge subplot to this 520 00:33:36.400 --> 00:33:42.640 season. It'll be really annoying when let's just say Tennessee. Let's say Tennessee 521 00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:47.480 beats Alabama but does nothing of substance other than that, I guess we're not 522 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:51.440 in the world. Well, let's say they have a week SEC schedules beyond 523 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:53.759 that, and they're gonna their entire season is be propped up by that one 524 00:33:53.799 --> 00:33:57.920 game where they played good, and outside of that, they're a whole bunch 525 00:33:57.960 --> 00:34:02.839 of math and they're gonna say they're better than the undefeated Florida State and this 526 00:34:02.880 --> 00:34:07.880 is an injustice blah blah blah, and we're all going to be annoyed by 527 00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:12.280 it. But that's the type of stuff that's made college football so intoxicating for 528 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:16.440 so long. Is it's a sport just built to make people scream at each 529 00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:22.039 other on the Internet. And I hope we keep that alive and not try 530 00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:28.079 to nflize this sport out of existence. People losing their mind, screaming at 531 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:31.079 each other on the Internet, acting out of character, kind of losing sight 532 00:34:31.159 --> 00:34:36.079 of who they are because they're so obsessed and crazy about this sport of college 533 00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:40.039 football. It sounds like a really toxic situation that you know, most people 534 00:34:40.119 --> 00:34:44.400 would want to fix. Not me. I love it, give me this. 535 00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:47.280 I mean, college football brings out something that I'm not sure any other 536 00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:51.000 sport brings out in people. And I really can't put into words as to 537 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:54.199 why, because Obviously, the NFL dominates viewership like no other sport always will, 538 00:34:54.559 --> 00:35:00.159 but college football is just different, man, And can I say it's 539 00:35:00.199 --> 00:35:07.239 something that earlier In regards to Texas joining the SEC, I'm immensely gratified because 540 00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:12.920 back in twenty twenty one, the narrative was, well, Oklahoma's coming to 541 00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:15.760 the SEC because they've outgrown the Big Twelve. They win it every single year. 542 00:35:16.119 --> 00:35:20.880 They're coming to compete. Texas is just coming to get paid. And 543 00:35:20.920 --> 00:35:23.800 now you don't hear anyone say that it's well, all of the hot take 544 00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:28.599 artists are, well, is Texas really going to be run this conference? 545 00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:31.400 So they're gonna be the big bad boy of this conference. And you know, 546 00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:34.960 I'm not going to sit here and predict Texas is gonna win the SEC 547 00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:39.400 in year one. By I find it gratifying that Texas is now instantly treated 548 00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:46.199 as a legit team before even joining the conference. And the other narrative out 549 00:35:46.239 --> 00:35:52.800 there is Texas is just going to destroy the SEC. They want everything given 550 00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:55.639 to them on a silver platter. They destroyed the Southwest Conference, they destroyed 551 00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:59.840 the Big Twelve. And then I say, yes, we are as sleeper 552 00:36:00.159 --> 00:36:07.000 ll sent here to destroy this conference with our toxicor the we're remand that the 553 00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:12.800 the SEC headquarters moved to Austin. The championship game is going to be in 554 00:36:12.880 --> 00:36:15.280 Dallas. We're going to make all in your lives miserable and we are going 555 00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:20.880 to ruin this conference. That's that's our that's the role we've been casting this 556 00:36:21.000 --> 00:36:22.800 reality show, and that's what we're going to play. O. Well, 557 00:36:22.880 --> 00:36:28.719 I was going to finish our conversation by giving you three hot takes that I 558 00:36:28.800 --> 00:36:30.719 have for the next season and having you kind of, you know, tell 559 00:36:30.760 --> 00:36:34.440 me if you think I'm an insane person or not. And one of those 560 00:36:34.719 --> 00:36:39.039 was that Texas wins the SEC in their first year in the league. Because 561 00:36:39.159 --> 00:36:43.199 yes, I mean clearly, the competition week in and week out is going 562 00:36:43.239 --> 00:36:45.559 to be different than what Texas is used to. But Texas is also coming 563 00:36:45.679 --> 00:36:50.440 off of a breakthrough season where they did make it all the way to the 564 00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:52.039 playoff. They bring back the core I mean, you know, I know 565 00:36:52.039 --> 00:36:55.519 you're you profiled earlier, there aren't that many teams that uh at football school. 566 00:36:55.519 --> 00:36:59.760 By the way, great piece by Zach who he mentioned the lack of 567 00:36:59.760 --> 00:37:02.599 team that bring back all their coordinators, a head coach and a quarterback that 568 00:37:02.679 --> 00:37:06.280 has started multiple seasons. Well, you guys have all that, and you're 569 00:37:06.280 --> 00:37:08.360 coming off a great season, so you know it's gonna be easier said than 570 00:37:08.360 --> 00:37:12.039 done. But I actually think that is not that crazy of a thing to 571 00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:16.280 throw out there. Yeah, I mean, I don't think Texas is going 572 00:37:16.280 --> 00:37:22.000 to win the SEC. I think especially I mean that Texas A and M 573 00:37:22.079 --> 00:37:28.719 game is going to be something unlike anything anyone alive has ever experienced the emotions 574 00:37:28.760 --> 00:37:35.039 of that game. So to put an official expectation on this team that they're 575 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:37.679 going to go in a college station and win maybe the ultimate g hot game 576 00:37:37.679 --> 00:37:43.880 in college football history, and then turn around and go to Atlanta and Georgia 577 00:37:44.159 --> 00:37:46.880 and basically a road game or if it's not Georgia, someone else that's really 578 00:37:46.920 --> 00:37:51.559 really good. That's a lot to expect of any team. And I don't 579 00:37:51.559 --> 00:37:55.199 expect Texas. Say expecting it's different than saying like it could happen. I 580 00:37:55.199 --> 00:37:59.199 mean it's not happening. Yeah, I mean, the of the handful of 581 00:37:59.239 --> 00:38:01.239 teams that realistic could say they could win that league, there's certainly one of 582 00:38:01.280 --> 00:38:04.320 them which I think, you know, makes it to where you know, 583 00:38:04.360 --> 00:38:07.480 I may have to check some some future odds here, because I don't think 584 00:38:07.519 --> 00:38:08.599 that's a crazy thing to throw out there at all. Right, I'm up 585 00:38:08.599 --> 00:38:12.719 against it. Not a whole lot of time left. So I'll say two 586 00:38:12.719 --> 00:38:15.480 other predictions I have, and I'll let you give some quick thoughts on one, 587 00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:19.599 that Kurt Signetti gets Indiana to a Bowl gaming year one, which isn't 588 00:38:19.599 --> 00:38:22.719 saying a whole lot, but we're talking about Indiana. And I think cam 589 00:38:22.800 --> 00:38:28.239 Ward really helps Mario Christobal in Miami actually becomes a real contender in the ACC 590 00:38:28.400 --> 00:38:30.199 again, a team that you know might find themselves as an at large team. 591 00:38:30.199 --> 00:38:32.519 That's a little bit more of a hot take, but just your thoughts 592 00:38:32.519 --> 00:38:37.119 on those two things. I agree, I can see Indiana Bowl game. 593 00:38:37.159 --> 00:38:40.840 I don't have their schedule in front of me. But on the whole yes, 594 00:38:42.960 --> 00:38:45.960 and I'm not. I just don't think Mario Christobal is a good head 595 00:38:45.960 --> 00:38:49.159 coach. He's a good recruiter, good old line coach. I don't think 596 00:38:49.199 --> 00:38:52.199 he's a good head coach. And I think as good as cam Ward is, 597 00:38:52.239 --> 00:38:55.800 I'm not taking Miami seriously, all right. I'lled one more question here, 598 00:38:55.880 --> 00:38:59.320 and I'm putting you on the spot of all of the teams that are 599 00:38:59.360 --> 00:39:02.079 making the move from previous leagues to either of the SEC, which is Texas 600 00:39:02.079 --> 00:39:05.960 Oklahoma, and then the schools that are making them move to the Big Ten 601 00:39:06.000 --> 00:39:08.400 that are that are leaving the PAC twelve. Who do you think, you 602 00:39:08.400 --> 00:39:12.119 know outside of UCLA, because you know they're in a different situation. Who 603 00:39:12.119 --> 00:39:15.480 do you think which program of those that has like real expectations do you feel 604 00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:19.000 like is going to have maybe in year one the you know, some real 605 00:39:19.039 --> 00:39:23.280 growing pains as they transition to a better league. I think Washington is a 606 00:39:23.320 --> 00:39:28.239 team that could really be important. I know that they are fresh off They're 607 00:39:28.280 --> 00:39:31.039 basically an expansion team, yeah compared to where we last saw them. New 608 00:39:31.079 --> 00:39:38.400 head coach, a veteran quarterback and Will Rogers from Mississippi State. But I 609 00:39:38.440 --> 00:39:40.960 know they play Michigan. They got to go on the road for that game. 610 00:39:42.440 --> 00:39:45.679 Maybe it's at home. Either way, they play Michigan. That's tough 611 00:39:46.159 --> 00:39:51.000 to be in Seattle, Washington playing in a Midwest and East Coast conference to 612 00:39:51.000 --> 00:39:55.079 begin with a lot of new parts, new head coach. I'm selling whatever 613 00:39:55.079 --> 00:40:00.239 stock I have in Washington fair enough. Zach has always appreciate you making time 614 00:40:00.400 --> 00:40:02.000 enjoy the rest of your summer and we will catch up soon, brother, 615 00:40:02.880 --> 00:40:06.559 so good. Thanks. All right, that's Zach Barnetta football scoop. Always 616 00:40:06.599 --> 00:40:09.039 enjoy the conversation and appreciate his time in a major way. I also appreciate 617 00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:14.159 him doing you know what most people do, which is just gas up Thornton's 618 00:40:14.199 --> 00:40:15.400 for being great. So thank you, Zach. All right, quick break, 619 00:40:15.440 --> 00:40:17.679 we'll come back on the other side for a very short segment to wrap 620 00:40:17.719 --> 00:40:21.559 up the three o'clock hour and keep this thing rolling along again. It's Coffee 621 00:40:21.559 --> 00:40:27.039 and Company Field Butt Thorton's on Sports Talk seven ninety. Trust me, we're 622 00:40:27.039 --> 00:40:30.760 going to get back into the basketball conversation in the four o'clock hour because not 623 00:40:30.800 --> 00:40:37.760 a surprise, but it sounds like Kenny Payne and John Caliperi made a request. 624 00:40:37.280 --> 00:40:40.280 I shouldn't say it sounds like it meaning like it's coming from a legitimate 625 00:40:40.880 --> 00:40:47.679 like a report. But there's noise about on behalf of Kenny that Arkansas was 626 00:40:47.760 --> 00:40:52.440 making sure they didn't end up playing Louisville in the acc SEC Challenge. Again, 627 00:40:52.519 --> 00:40:55.159 don't know if that's true, but trust me, I wouldn't be shocked 628 00:40:55.199 --> 00:41:00.440 if it was. So we'll get back into the basketball com station in the 629 00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:02.159 four o'clock hour, because there's a lot more to get into when it comes 630 00:41:02.199 --> 00:41:07.079 to this schedule and just the expectations that I still don't I mean, fans, 631 00:41:07.079 --> 00:41:12.039 I think are so intoxicated by this honeymoon phase where Pat Kelsey's come to 632 00:41:12.039 --> 00:41:15.960 town and really injected some enthusiasms, some life into the program and of the 633 00:41:15.960 --> 00:41:20.079 fan base, and I'm not even sure fans have really given a whole lot 634 00:41:20.079 --> 00:41:22.639 of thought to expectations. And I'm not saying that you should, because you 635 00:41:22.639 --> 00:41:25.280 know, I still look at this. I mean, they need to be 636 00:41:25.320 --> 00:41:27.960 good this year. I mean, if not, it's not going to be 637 00:41:28.000 --> 00:41:30.320 the end of the world. They're going to clearly be a lot better than 638 00:41:30.320 --> 00:41:32.840 they were in the last couple of years. But I still look at this 639 00:41:32.880 --> 00:41:37.280 as kind of like a I don't know, not a free season where they 640 00:41:37.320 --> 00:41:39.159 can win ten games and everybody's going to say, who cares, it's year 641 00:41:39.199 --> 00:41:45.559 one. But I mean when you're coming off of the recent seasons that Louisville 642 00:41:45.599 --> 00:41:51.079 has had, and I think we all deep down know it's a big unknown 643 00:41:51.119 --> 00:41:53.199 in regards to what to expect because it's all brand new. I mean, 644 00:41:53.320 --> 00:41:57.119 any little bit of success they have. Yes, I'm going to be well 645 00:41:57.159 --> 00:42:00.280 aware that it's Louisville, you should expect to be successful, but also like 646 00:42:00.960 --> 00:42:04.719 it's been a while since we've been successful, so I'm excited. But real 647 00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:07.000 quick, we don't have much time left here in the three o'clock hour. 648 00:42:07.039 --> 00:42:10.199 Again that's due to my poor clock management. But sticking with football, we 649 00:42:10.320 --> 00:42:14.159 just had a good conversation there with Zach Barnett, a football scoop and if 650 00:42:14.199 --> 00:42:16.199 you guys, if you missed it, make sure you check it out on 651 00:42:16.239 --> 00:42:21.079 the podcast. But Phil Steele, who is still doing his thing. For 652 00:42:21.079 --> 00:42:24.559 those who are unfamiliar with Phil Steele, he is the I mean he used 653 00:42:24.559 --> 00:42:28.280 to work for ESPN, I believe in some capacity. But he has the 654 00:42:28.320 --> 00:42:32.880 annual Phil Steele College Basket or from sorry, college football. I don't know 655 00:42:32.920 --> 00:42:36.000 if he calls it a yearbook, if he calls it a you know, 656 00:42:37.639 --> 00:42:39.760 I mean it's a known thing if you know college football. He puts together 657 00:42:40.239 --> 00:42:45.880 a huge I wouldn't call it a magazine. It's bigger than just a magazine 658 00:42:45.920 --> 00:42:49.360 that profiles every team in college football. Well, he has put out his 659 00:42:49.400 --> 00:42:53.960 preseason All American Teams and Ashton Julottie preseason first team All American not a real 660 00:42:54.000 --> 00:43:00.559 surprise there, and fourth team All American offense. On offense for Louisville according 661 00:43:00.559 --> 00:43:06.800 to Phil Steele, is Colin Lacey, a transfer from South Alabama who I 662 00:43:06.840 --> 00:43:12.239 believe only two players return to college football this year that had more receiving yards 663 00:43:12.280 --> 00:43:15.719 than Lacey did last year at South Alabama. So he didn't make a lot 664 00:43:15.760 --> 00:43:19.880 of noise during the spring, which doesn't mean anything, but that's a good 665 00:43:19.880 --> 00:43:22.800 weapon that I kind of forget about that they've added. But one thing I 666 00:43:22.880 --> 00:43:28.800 don't understand is Quincy Riley. He's preseason second team All ACC according to Phil 667 00:43:28.840 --> 00:43:30.880 Steele, at the cornerback spot, and I just I mean, last year 668 00:43:30.920 --> 00:43:35.199 it was criminal that he was honorable mention, and I kind of feel like 669 00:43:35.239 --> 00:43:37.360 Phil Steele, this is maybe a little bit of an example of him at 670 00:43:37.360 --> 00:43:40.320 times in recent years, just kind of like, I think he's just basing 671 00:43:40.360 --> 00:43:45.119 it off of where guys finished a year ago, because it was a crime 672 00:43:45.320 --> 00:43:49.360 that Quincy Riley wasn't a first team All ACC performer a year ago. And 673 00:43:49.800 --> 00:43:52.960 I think he's going to have a monster season once again. I think Ashton's 674 00:43:52.960 --> 00:43:54.920 going to have another special season, and he'll probably end up being a first 675 00:43:54.960 --> 00:44:00.880 round draft pick. But I wouldn't be shocked if Riley ends up not only 676 00:44:01.000 --> 00:44:05.400 having a good year because I think it's going to happen, but also putting 677 00:44:05.440 --> 00:44:08.440 himself in a good position to get drafted. You know, Louisville getting Jelatti 678 00:44:08.480 --> 00:44:12.639 and Riley back, I think is as big as any addition they made in 679 00:44:12.639 --> 00:44:15.360 the portal. And I say that knowing that they're viewed as one of the 680 00:44:15.360 --> 00:44:20.840 bigger winners in the portal in college football. So good vibes for Jeff Brahm 681 00:44:20.880 --> 00:44:22.039 in year two. All Right, we got to get to a quick break. 682 00:44:22.199 --> 00:44:24.039 Apologies for the short segment here.