WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.040 --> 00:00:02.399 Our good friend Max Chadwick is on the line here. 2 00:00:02.399 --> 00:00:04.320 We'll get him in just a second. Want to remind 3 00:00:04.360 --> 00:00:07.120 you he does a great job at Pro Football Focus 4 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:09.599 covering all things college football, and he's done a hell 5 00:00:09.640 --> 00:00:12.160 of a job this week breaking down, in particular the 6 00:00:12.199 --> 00:00:14.599 Big Ten. We're going to so kind of focus in 7 00:00:14.640 --> 00:00:16.640 on that with him. You can find him on Twitter 8 00:00:16.679 --> 00:00:20.519 at Max Chadwick CFB. Max. Welcome back, my friend. How 9 00:00:20.600 --> 00:00:24.120 you been I've been great on again. Good man. Hey, 10 00:00:24.160 --> 00:00:26.079 I know you took a little trip last week. We 11 00:00:26.079 --> 00:00:28.079 missed you. Have you finally had a chance to done 12 00:00:28.120 --> 00:00:31.160 box and play EA College Football twenty five? Come on, 13 00:00:31.239 --> 00:00:31.760 let's hear it. 14 00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:35.520 I actually no joke. I actually flew in yesterday and 15 00:00:35.560 --> 00:00:37.439 the first thing I got back was start my career 16 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:41.640 as a coach. I'm the offensive coordinator currently Tennesa Stage owls. 17 00:00:41.640 --> 00:00:45.640 Our owls are now st right now. Owl that's the 18 00:00:45.960 --> 00:00:49.119 losses I threw niners a Middle Tennessee. But we bounced 19 00:00:49.159 --> 00:00:52.439 back from that though. But yeah, I'm we're kind of 20 00:00:52.439 --> 00:00:54.359 building up right now, the owls right now, so let's 21 00:00:54.359 --> 00:00:54.920 see how that goes. 22 00:00:54.960 --> 00:00:57.039 I respect it, though he started from the bottom, that's right, 23 00:00:57.640 --> 00:00:59.759 My son went straight to Clemson. I'm like, dude, come on, 24 00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:01.560 come on, yeah. 25 00:01:01.560 --> 00:01:03.039 Right, you got to earn that job. 26 00:01:03.159 --> 00:01:06.000 You got to earn that job. Absolutely, I'm with you there, Max, 27 00:01:06.120 --> 00:01:08.400 You've done a great job over the course of the 28 00:01:08.439 --> 00:01:10.359 week here breaking down the Big Ten. I want to 29 00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:12.040 focus in on that for a few minutes with you 30 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:13.879 here if you don't mind, and just kind of go 31 00:01:13.959 --> 00:01:16.920 team by team here Michigan and you can follow Max 32 00:01:17.079 --> 00:01:19.680 again on Twitter, Max Chadwick CFP. He's got a great 33 00:01:19.719 --> 00:01:23.400 thread going with a lot of YouTube videos linked to that. Michigan. 34 00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:25.439 With their defense, we know they might have the best 35 00:01:25.480 --> 00:01:28.000 defense in the country. No more Jim Harball at Sharon 36 00:01:28.120 --> 00:01:31.560 Moore's time now new quarterback. What's your overall assessment of 37 00:01:31.640 --> 00:01:34.120 this team after that historic run they made last year? 38 00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:37.319 Yeah, you know you talk about that defense. The defense 39 00:01:37.359 --> 00:01:39.920 is still a national Chaffs of caliber defense, right, I 40 00:01:39.959 --> 00:01:42.799 mean they have maybe you get a argument that they 41 00:01:42.840 --> 00:01:45.680 might have the two best defensive players in college football, 42 00:01:45.719 --> 00:01:49.480 and Mason Grant the defensive tackle and Will Johnson the cornerback. 43 00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:51.400 I mean, those two guys, you can argue your top 44 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:54.680 five players in college football, and not only them. You 45 00:01:54.760 --> 00:01:57.280 bring back a guy in Kenneth Grant, who's one of 46 00:01:57.319 --> 00:02:00.400 the best tackles in the country alongside Mason Graham. Desion 47 00:02:00.439 --> 00:02:02.480 Stewart one of the best as defenders in the country 48 00:02:02.920 --> 00:02:05.560 as well. In that defensive line, Jayshawn Barham, the transfer 49 00:02:05.599 --> 00:02:07.680 from Maryland, I think, is one of the best linebackers 50 00:02:07.719 --> 00:02:10.960 in college football. And then Rod Moore, who tours atl 51 00:02:11.159 --> 00:02:13.039 a few months ago so hopefully gets back soon. But 52 00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:14.800 he's one of the best stasties in the country when 53 00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:17.000 he's healthy as well. So Michigan's defense is still on 54 00:02:17.080 --> 00:02:20.280 National Champions of Caliber defense. The problem is offensively, your 55 00:02:20.280 --> 00:02:22.840 place basically everything right. Jajon McCarthy has gone. Your first 56 00:02:22.919 --> 00:02:25.280 round quarterback, one of the greatest running backs in program 57 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:28.560 history has gone in Blake Corum. You lose your top 58 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:31.599 six offensive lineman, so all five starters and your top 59 00:02:31.639 --> 00:02:34.280 backup are all gone as well, and you lose your 60 00:02:34.280 --> 00:02:36.800 top two wide receivers. Now, they do have the best 61 00:02:36.879 --> 00:02:39.400 height end in college football in Colston Loveland and a 62 00:02:39.479 --> 00:02:42.360 really good running back in Donovan Edwards and a terrific 63 00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:45.520 offensive coach in Sharon Moore, but there's a lot of 64 00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:48.840 questions offensively, especially a quarterback as to what Michigan's going 65 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:51.439 to do next year. So again, still a defense is 66 00:02:51.479 --> 00:02:53.960 capable of winning a national title, but as a matter 67 00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:56.000 of whether or not the offense can come close to 68 00:02:56.039 --> 00:02:58.759 that for Michigan to even make the playoff next year 69 00:02:58.759 --> 00:02:59.599 in a twelve team. 70 00:03:00.080 --> 00:03:02.400 Them Max, Let's talk about what could be the best 71 00:03:02.400 --> 00:03:05.560 team in the country by many measures, in that's Ohio State. 72 00:03:05.639 --> 00:03:08.919 But then the compounding pressure on Ryan Day. What an 73 00:03:08.919 --> 00:03:13.159 interesting juxtaposition. Now as Jim Harball moves away from the conference, 74 00:03:13.240 --> 00:03:15.639 Day is still there. What's the overall outlook you have 75 00:03:15.719 --> 00:03:17.240 on this Ohio State team. 76 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:20.400 Yeah, I'm gonna spoiler right now. I'm taking Ohio State 77 00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:22.639 to win the national title next year. I think they 78 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:25.280 have the best team in college football. I think the 79 00:03:25.319 --> 00:03:27.800 only question I have is whether or not Will Howard, 80 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:29.879 who I really like. He's a really good quarterback, but 81 00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:31.919 whether or not he's the quarterback capable of winning a 82 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:34.319 national title. Now, we have seen this before. We have seen, 83 00:03:34.360 --> 00:03:37.280 you know, Jake Koker lead Alabama to the national not 84 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:40.719 even leads use the quarterback for Alabama during during their 85 00:03:40.759 --> 00:03:44.199 national championship season. So we've seen guys that aren't you know, 86 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:47.199 stars win a national title before. But when you talk 87 00:03:47.199 --> 00:03:49.560 about a team like Georgia, for example, that has an 88 00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:51.759 elite roster like Ohio State but also as the best 89 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:54.840 quarterback in the country in Carson Beck, isn't a difference, right, 90 00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:58.439 But I think Ohio State defensively is loaded on all 91 00:03:58.479 --> 00:04:02.319 three levels. Offense is really good with a running game 92 00:04:02.400 --> 00:04:03.919 that can be maybe the best in the country is 93 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:06.599 quench On Judkins and trey Von Henderson. A really good 94 00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:10.120 offensive line, still really good receiving corps with a mechanic BUCA. 95 00:04:10.439 --> 00:04:12.680 Jeremiah Smith a true freshman who was the number one 96 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:15.319 overall crew coming out of high school, and all signs 97 00:04:15.360 --> 00:04:17.639 indicate he's going to be an immediate impact player as 98 00:04:17.639 --> 00:04:21.199 a true freshman. So I am buying Ohio State. But 99 00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:24.120 if there is one question mark for me, it's whether 100 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:27.079 or not Will Howard is a guy capable of winning 101 00:04:27.079 --> 00:04:28.879 a national championship as a starting quarterback. 102 00:04:29.079 --> 00:04:31.079 Move on to Oregon, a team that's getting a lot 103 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:33.040 of attention right now for a lot of reasons. They 104 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:35.519 move into the conference and Dan Lanning one of the 105 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:38.000 coaches I respect the most in the game. Right now, 106 00:04:38.199 --> 00:04:40.680 you got Dylan Gabriel now and that is a huge 107 00:04:40.720 --> 00:04:43.319 addition because I loved his tape over the past couple 108 00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:45.720 of years. Could be the best offense in the country 109 00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:49.600 right here, and they're possibly a national title contender. What's 110 00:04:49.600 --> 00:04:52.000 the ceiling on this team and what's the overall vibe 111 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:54.680 you have on this Oregon team moving into this conference? 112 00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:58.560 The ceiling is a national championship. Honestly, I think they're 113 00:04:58.600 --> 00:05:00.920 one of the three best teams in college football, alongside 114 00:05:00.920 --> 00:05:03.399 Georgia and Ohio State. Right And I just mentioned before, 115 00:05:03.439 --> 00:05:05.199 like Dylan Gabriel, I think he's gonna be my Huism 116 00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:07.480 pick this year. I think that offense is gonna be humming, 117 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:09.959 and Dylan Gabriel is one of the best quarterbacks in America. 118 00:05:10.079 --> 00:05:12.759 Is gonna be putting up huge numbers, kind of in 119 00:05:12.839 --> 00:05:15.160 that bow Knicks role and both Knicks. Let's face it, 120 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:17.680 if he won that Pac twelve playal game in Washington, 121 00:05:17.879 --> 00:05:20.759 he would have won the Heisman Trophy. Right, So, I 122 00:05:20.839 --> 00:05:23.240 think Dylan Gabriel certainly as a chance to win the 123 00:05:23.319 --> 00:05:26.519 Heisman next year. And Oregon's offense is absolutely elite. They 124 00:05:26.560 --> 00:05:29.800 have maybe not only maybe, I think the best receiving 125 00:05:29.800 --> 00:05:32.480 core in college football, one of the five best offensive 126 00:05:32.519 --> 00:05:35.319 lines in college football and a really good run game 127 00:05:35.480 --> 00:05:38.680 as well, with Jordan James Lea leading it. So in 128 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:41.920 the defense is also still really good. Right. They brought 129 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:45.160 in Jabar Mohammad from Washington. He's a really good player. 130 00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:47.040 I like the defensive line. I think it's a top 131 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:48.399 ten d line in the country. I think it's the 132 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:51.000 top ten secondary in the country. And Dan Lanning is 133 00:05:51.040 --> 00:05:54.120 a defensive minded head coach. Right, So the offensive lead 134 00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:57.160 the defense is really good. I really think this Oregon 135 00:05:57.199 --> 00:06:00.800 team is yeah, a national title contender next year. And 136 00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:02.680 mentioned before I will high I stay with Will Howard 137 00:06:02.680 --> 00:06:04.480 did the quarterback of winning a capable of winning a 138 00:06:04.560 --> 00:06:07.399 national title? I think Oregon definitely does with Dylan Gabrie, 139 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:09.000 who I think is one of the three best quarterbacks 140 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:10.360 we have in college football right now. 141 00:06:10.399 --> 00:06:12.920 Max Chadwick PFF dot Com is our guest talking a 142 00:06:12.920 --> 00:06:16.480 little big ten football right now. And look, here's a 143 00:06:16.600 --> 00:06:18.959 coach that I covered for a couple of years down here, 144 00:06:18.959 --> 00:06:22.160 Matt Rule. Now goes back to the college game in Nebraska. 145 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:25.879 You've talked about Dylan Roylo, the freshman quarterback, true freshman, 146 00:06:25.959 --> 00:06:28.680 and the pressure he's under and the defense being what 147 00:06:28.720 --> 00:06:31.480 it has been since rule got there, A very strong unit. 148 00:06:31.959 --> 00:06:34.360 What's the outlook there? Do you think they're trending in 149 00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:36.120 the right direction? You think they're going to get that 150 00:06:36.199 --> 00:06:38.639 first winning season? And what's it been eight years now? 151 00:06:39.639 --> 00:06:42.319 Yeah, it's been eight years. It's been a rough eight 152 00:06:42.399 --> 00:06:44.240 years for Nebraska. It used to be, you know, one 153 00:06:44.279 --> 00:06:46.480 of the big programs we had in college football. It 154 00:06:46.480 --> 00:06:48.319 has been a really, really rough stress ever since they 155 00:06:48.399 --> 00:06:50.319 really fired Bo Pollini. It has been rough for them. 156 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:53.360 But yeah, I think listen, I think they are certainly 157 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:55.519 in the running. In last year, they had a really 158 00:06:55.560 --> 00:06:57.319 good defense, like, in fact, one of the ten best 159 00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:00.000 defenses in the Power five last year, and they brought 160 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:02.560 back basically everything from that defense. They just still have 161 00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:04.360 a really good unit on that side of the ball, 162 00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:07.240 and I think, yeah, some improvement should be expected. And 163 00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:09.680 that's why. You know, again you said they haven't had 164 00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:11.959 a winning season in eight years. Well, their win total 165 00:07:12.040 --> 00:07:13.759 right now is at seven and a half. So clearly 166 00:07:13.800 --> 00:07:16.120 the sports books are second has to change this year. 167 00:07:16.839 --> 00:07:18.879 And I think the big reason for that is Dylan Roola. 168 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:21.079 You know, he's a five star quarterback coming in the 169 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:25.000 number three quarterback in the country, the highest rated quarterback 170 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:28.279 Nebraska's ever brought it into that program, their first five 171 00:07:28.279 --> 00:07:31.000 star recruit they've ever brought in in like nineteen years. 172 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:34.120 As well. He's got a lot of pressure on his shoulders, 173 00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:36.560 but he is a cap He's a really capable quarterback. 174 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:38.199 And now he looks really good in that spring games. 175 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:40.360 That developed guy as well. He's like six three two 176 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:44.160 twenty already as an NFL body. You look poised in 177 00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:47.120 that spring game. And let's face it, last year, Nebraska 178 00:07:47.199 --> 00:07:49.079 was five and seven, so one win away from making 179 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:50.959 a bowl game, and they had one of the worst 180 00:07:50.959 --> 00:07:53.439 passing games in the country. If Dylan Raiola is any 181 00:07:53.480 --> 00:07:57.120 improvement on that passing game, they could absolutely win seven 182 00:07:57.120 --> 00:07:58.879 eight games next year. So I think Nebraska is kind 183 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:00.879 of a little bit of a sleeper in a Big ten. 184 00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:03.639 But it's tough because it's a nineteen year old kid 185 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:05.480 who went to a senior problem what two months ago. 186 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:07.959 There's a lot of pressure on a kid heading into 187 00:08:07.959 --> 00:08:09.000 his first year of college. 188 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:11.079 Yeah, I can tell you rule coaches those guys hard. 189 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:12.519 We saw it down here. So this is a big 190 00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:15.199 year for him as well to give the people down 191 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:17.639 there in beautiful Nebraska some hope that hey, for the 192 00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:20.920 first time in almost a decade, we can be winners again. 193 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:22.959 That's a hard thing to go through, but rule in 194 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:25.519 the college game has proven. Give him three years, he 195 00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:27.120 can do it. We'll see if can get it done 196 00:08:27.160 --> 00:08:29.720 here earlier than that. Max Chadwick is our guest from 197 00:08:29.720 --> 00:08:32.200 PFF dot com. Let's pivot to the NFL for a minute. 198 00:08:32.440 --> 00:08:36.240 All indications are at Minnesota that Sam Darnold. I mean, look, 199 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:38.679 take it with a grain of salt. It's training campus 200 00:08:38.759 --> 00:08:40.360 day two, but boy, he's got the hot hand. It 201 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:42.919 looks like I don't think you read too much into that, 202 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:44.919 but it's clear they want him to have the majority 203 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:48.039 of the reps right now. Does that eventually change? Do 204 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:49.919 you think during camp? But do you think Sam will 205 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:52.039 get the starting job for at least a month or 206 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:53.440 two and then we'll see how it goes. 207 00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:56.639 I think it's always been the plan. I would be 208 00:08:56.679 --> 00:08:58.600 pretty surprised at this point of vision McCarthy is the 209 00:08:58.600 --> 00:09:00.919 starting quarterback Week one. I think Sam Donald will be 210 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:03.399 the guy. And obviously, listen, Donald's had a rough career 211 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:05.679 so far. We'll see how he does, though, I will 212 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:08.879 say he's in a great environment right, I hate and 213 00:09:09.039 --> 00:09:12.039 JJ are both in great environments. They got a really 214 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:15.080 great offensive minded head coach and Kevin O'Connell I'm really 215 00:09:15.159 --> 00:09:18.279 high on. They have a good run game as well, 216 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:21.559 and with Aaron Jones now and they're obviously the best 217 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:24.320 receiver in the world, and Justin Jefferson, a really good 218 00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:27.840 young number two receiver in Jordan Addison, really one of 219 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:29.720 the best tight ends in the league in TJ. Howkinson, 220 00:09:29.799 --> 00:09:31.840 and a really good offensive line I think too, with 221 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:34.720 guys like Christian darriso just got a big contract and 222 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:38.240 Brian O'Neil as your two bookends that tackle. So it's 223 00:09:38.279 --> 00:09:40.600 a great situation for any quarterback to walk into. So 224 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:42.720 I think Donald will be the guy for a little bit, 225 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:44.840 and they just want stability at quarterback, and I think 226 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:46.720 it's always smart, you know, not to have your rookie 227 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:49.879 quarterback start Week one for you unless you absolutely need 228 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:51.960 him to, and I don't think they absolutely need him 229 00:09:51.960 --> 00:09:53.679 to right now. Now. Of course, Donald is not the 230 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:56.200 long term answer, and I'd be pretty surprised if JJ 231 00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:59.159 isn't the starter at some point in the season, but 232 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:01.320 I do think that plan is for them to open 233 00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:03.879 the season at least with Sam Garnold as a starting quarterback. 234 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:07.600 Max, it's training camp season, so obviously everything that we 235 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:10.440 see take it with a grain of salt. Nothing, nothing 236 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:14.320 means anything right now. But Russell Wilson wakes up this 237 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:17.039 morning something wrong with his calf. It's feeling kind of funny. 238 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:19.840 Justin Fields gets to take the you know, the first 239 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:23.039 team snaps. How does this bode well for that quarterback 240 00:10:23.039 --> 00:10:26.120 competition right now going on in Pittsburgh? Does that kind 241 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:28.639 of give I guess Justin Fields a bit of a 242 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:30.600 leg up? Does it look better for Justin Fields? Or 243 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:31.960 are we just kind of reading too much into this 244 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:34.159 and it's gonna be Russ's team come week one? 245 00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:37.519 Yeah, it's really interesting, right and he's all I think 246 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:39.120 you probably saw the video, the same one as I did, 247 00:10:39.159 --> 00:10:42.240 where feels through a beautiful deep ball in practice. 248 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:47.879 Steelers twitters made the verdict is in Max he's the guy. 249 00:10:48.039 --> 00:10:51.759 Yeah, yeah, trust me. I've tried to convince myself the 250 00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:53.840 same thing. I I don't think as much as I 251 00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:55.639 like Justin Fields, and I think I hope that he 252 00:10:55.720 --> 00:10:57.960 is a long term answer. I don't think Russ is. 253 00:10:58.279 --> 00:10:59.759 I do think Russ will be the guy and I 254 00:10:59.759 --> 00:11:02.600 think Tomlin has as repeatedly said that before that Russ 255 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:06.399 is a starter. I would be pretty surprised if Rustin 256 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:08.759 Fields opens the season as the starter. Again, it's a 257 00:11:08.759 --> 00:11:11.840 fluid situation though, right it's okay, Okay, Russe Wilson's a starter, 258 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:14.039 He's gonna start it for all seventeen weeks of the season. No, 259 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:17.279 that's not the case. I think Justin Fields will certainly 260 00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:19.840 be right on his heels. Right if Russell Wilson does 261 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:22.240 not look good, if he looks kind of similar to 262 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:24.480 what he looked like in Denver, then yeah, Fields could 263 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:27.799 absolutely get a shot to start. But again, like the 264 00:11:27.799 --> 00:11:30.639 Sam Darnold situation, I think Russ will be the starter 265 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:33.360 to open the year. But like the Minnesota situation, I 266 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:35.919 think the Pittsburgh was also very fluid. It could change 267 00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:36.519 throughout the year. 268 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:38.240 And then one more question. 269 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:39.919 I guess it's a question. 270 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:43.120 You've been seeing all the I'm sure the videos and 271 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:45.360 stuff going on in training camp. Have you seen the 272 00:11:45.399 --> 00:11:48.360 motor on Peyton Wilson. Have you seen the one where 273 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:50.159 he breaks in and people are like, man, I had 274 00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:51.679 to do a double check. I thought this was TJ. 275 00:11:51.799 --> 00:11:54.200 Watt for a second that guy gets after it. 276 00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:57.440 I love it as I just see that video. I 277 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:59.480 love it, man, And I know the biggest reason why 278 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:01.240 he fell in the draft was due to medicals. I 279 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:03.799 think the report actually was that he doesn't even have 280 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:06.240 an ACL in one of his needs, which is like, 281 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:08.679 I don't know how that's possibly right, but it's a 282 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:11.639 little little el is a little concerning. But listen, if 283 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:14.080 he was fully healthy, and that's really the biggest week 284 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:16.759 to sign counting report was that it was health. If 285 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:18.759 he was fully healthy, you could make an argument this 286 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:20.360 guy was a first round pick in the NFL draft. 287 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:23.240 He was the best linebacker in college football last year, 288 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:26.320 and he's an elite athlete as well, so I think 289 00:12:26.320 --> 00:12:27.879 he would have been at least a top fifty pick 290 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:30.840 in the NFL draft if he was healthy. So if 291 00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:34.159 he ends up staying healthy throughout his career, the Steers 292 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:36.399 got an absolute steal at the end of the third 293 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:38.679 round in Peyton Wilson, who I thought, even with the 294 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:41.639 health concerns, was still the best linebacker in last year's 295 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:43.039 draft and I would have taken him as the first 296 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:45.759 linebacker in the draft. So I'm very high on him. 297 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:48.279 The Stewers need to help at linebacker. You certainly got it, 298 00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:50.600 and they got him at Patrick Queen raised a really 299 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:54.360 good player. They got it in Peyton Wilson. Two freak athletes. Again, 300 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:56.240 Peyton with the health is the biggest question mark for 301 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:58.559 Peyton Wilson. We still don't know how healthy he can be. 302 00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:00.759 But if he says health though, I think it could 303 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:02.240 be absolute steal for Pittsburgh. 304 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:05.000 Great stuff as always from Max Chadwick. Hey, just back 305 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:07.759 to college football for a minute. A couple of SEC teams. 306 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:10.120 I've seen you chronicle here over the last few days 307 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:12.960 or so. You're high on Ole Miss and look, I 308 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:15.159 see the reasons. Yeah, you feel a lot like the 309 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:18.159 twenty twenty three Fourida State team. Rivals this a little 310 00:13:18.159 --> 00:13:20.559 bit in terms of the fact that portal was very 311 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:22.279 good to them. They went out and took care of business. 312 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:24.120 They've got their quarterback and a lot of other players 313 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:26.519 coming back. What about this Ole Miss team. 314 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:30.000 I'm all in, man, I'm all in on the Rebels 315 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:32.399 next year. I think there I said before, I think 316 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:35.399 there's a clear top three of college football Georgia, Ohio State, 317 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:39.919 and Oregon. I would put All Miss fourth in that ranking. Honestly, 318 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:42.480 I think They have maybe the second best offense in 319 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:45.279 the country, an elite quarterback in Jackson dark who is 320 00:13:45.559 --> 00:13:48.039 a top heising center in my opinion, with how how 321 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:50.279 much numbers is gonna put up a really good running game. 322 00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:52.159 Even though quichjhn Jucks has gone the still bring back 323 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:53.840 with Lusie Bentley, and they did really good in the 324 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:56.360 portal of getting it into a few running backs. Honestly, 325 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:58.799 we're really talented players in the portal. I think the 326 00:13:58.840 --> 00:14:01.480 second best receiving corps in college football is there as well. 327 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:04.440 The one question I have offensively is the offensive line, 328 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:06.519 but everywhere else is the Leaite and also link Kiffin 329 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:08.799 is one of the best play callers in the sport. 330 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:11.720 Right defensively has always been the problem for Ole Miss, 331 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:14.600 but they killed the portal on that side of the ball. 332 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:16.480 They brought in Prisby Montiellen, who could be a first 333 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:18.639 round pick at edge defender from Florida. They brought in 334 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:20.320 Walter Noland, who could be a first round pick at 335 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:22.759 the tackle from Texas A and M. They brought they 336 00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:26.279 brought in other guys in linebacker, at corner, at safety 337 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:28.960 who are really talented players too. I like Pete Golding 338 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:31.360 at defensive coordinator. He's got a lot to work with now, 339 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:34.080 and I think if that defense improves, is gonna be 340 00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:36.039 one of the best offenses in the country. I think 341 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:38.600 this is the biggest threat to Georgia and the SEC, 342 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:41.080 and I think the Ole miss in my opinion at least, 343 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:43.000 is the second best team in that conference next year. 344 00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:45.360 Game Cox, let's take a quick peek at them as 345 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:48.279 we host all of their games here on Fox Sports Upstate. 346 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:51.440 We're an affiliate for the game Cock Athletic Network. And 347 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:53.080 you wrote about them too, and you had a video 348 00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:55.679 about them, just featuring a couple of their key players, 349 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:59.799 Leonora Sellers and of course Rocket Sanders, the transfer running back. 350 00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:02.159 What does this season look like do you think for 351 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:05.039 South Carolina? I know they're in a competitive conference here, 352 00:15:05.080 --> 00:15:07.559 a lot of new additions. What does this season look 353 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:10.399 like do you think ultimately for this team? 354 00:15:10.440 --> 00:15:12.440 Sure, yeah, obviously got a new quarterback, you know, losing 355 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:15.120 Spencer rather to the NFL. Leonora Sellers is a really 356 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:18.200 intriguing guy. But he's a runner. He's got really intriguing 357 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:20.720 physical tools. He's got to see more as a passer 358 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:23.320 as of right now. I like the run game. He 359 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:26.200 mentioned before Rocket Sanders, he was really banged up last 360 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:29.320 year at Arkansas, did not look like himself at all 361 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:32.279 even when he was on the field. The year before, though, 362 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:34.679 he was one of the best running backs in college football. 363 00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:36.600 So I'm really looking a huge bounce back year for 364 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:39.279 him this year. I like the Oscar Adaway to the 365 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:40.840 other running back and got in the transfer wort. I 366 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:42.320 think he's'n be a good player for them as well. 367 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:44.799 So that run game with Sellers, who could really run 368 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:48.159 at quarterback, with Rocket Sanders, with Adaway, that's really good. 369 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:51.679 The issue I have, though, is the offensive line last 370 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:54.879 year was horrible, yes, and it kind of remains the 371 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:58.600 same this year. I'm a little nervous about that with 372 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:02.480 a new quarterback and Lenora Sellers, and even the run game. Yeah, 373 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:04.360 you can have great run running backs and a great 374 00:16:04.440 --> 00:16:07.240 quarterback running the ball, but if you can't block, it's 375 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:09.200 gonna be tough for them to really make a lot 376 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:12.240 of things happen on the ground, right, So I like 377 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:14.159 some of the things I have Defensively, I think t J. 378 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:17.559 Sanders and Tonka Hemingway are really really good dtackles they have, 379 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:21.759 but I it's tough for me to really project South 380 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:24.759 Carolina as a bowl team as of right now, They're 381 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:26.559 gonna be really really close to it, and maybe they 382 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:28.600 do get to the six win mark, but I don't know. 383 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:30.360 With a new quarterback that we don't know much as 384 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:32.440 a passer, and that offensive line still looks like a 385 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:36.039 major weakness. I have some issues with South Carolina and 386 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:38.200 maybe not enough for me to say, oh yeah, they'll 387 00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:39.200 make a bowl game next year. 388 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:41.480 On your next visit, will break down the ACC and 389 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:45.039 of course Clemson of local interest here because we know 390 00:16:45.080 --> 00:16:46.840 you have your hands full not only at PFF but 391 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:49.919 with your new role on EA Sports College Football as 392 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:53.399 the Tennesaw State. Hey, promote what's coming up? Man? What 393 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:55.039 can we look forward to over the next couple of 394 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:55.679 weeks here from you? 395 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:58.120 Well, what's coming up as a conference U with a 396 00:16:58.200 --> 00:17:01.200 championship first for Kennesaw State. That would be tonight. So 397 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:03.720 I'll make sure I fill you guys in with what 398 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:07.440 happens with that tonight. But we're dropping all our videos. 399 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:09.400 We're actually in the middle of recording our Big twelve 400 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:12.200 previews right now. Tomorrow morning we'll be recording our ACC 401 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:15.680