Rub Some Robitussin on Your Foot

This is The Drive with Josh Graham Podcast. We are killing it online. Tune into The Drive weekday afternoons, 3 to 7 on Wash J Yachts.

So glad to have you on this Wednesday drive. It's WSJS, Newstalk Sports for the Triad. where we're gonna be in Greensboro tonight for the Hornets regular season dress rehearsal. The Hornets facing the Memphis Grizzlies. There's nothing quite like watching basketball in the Coliseum.

So we're looking forward to that. But before we dig into the hoops, Let's hit on another game we're looking forward to. This weekend in the ACC, Louisville is going to visit Miami. That's a prime time game Friday night. We'll see a rematch of last year's ACC Championship between Clemson, LS.

We're Clemson and SMU. But neither of those games are the game of the week in the league though. No, that is number 12 Georgia Tech. going to Duke Wallace Wade Stadium Saturday at noon. It's the game of the week because These are two of the three teams with perfect 3-0 conference records right now.

Miami has only played one conference game somehow. SMU is perfect too. But only three teams in the league are 3-0. In league play. Duke?

George Attack. and the Virginia Cavaliers. If we're to assume that Miami is going to make it the Charlotte, considering they are one of the two, maybe three best teams in all of college football. One of these three teams likely to face them. in the ACC title game.

Since Virginia is hosting Washington State over the weekend, The winner of this game in Durham is going to be alone. Atop the league standings next week, 4-0 in league play. Is it going to be the Jackets? Or is it going to be the blue devils? It's also a matchup between perhaps The two most underrated quarterbacks in all of college football.

Darian Minsa Duke. While not underpaid, Not being talked about enough for how prolific he's been. He's the leader. in the conference in passing yards. He's the leader.

in passing touchdowns. Haines King Might be. The most impactful player in college football. this season. He might be the most valuable player.

in college football. He is fifth in the conference in rushing yards. Not among quarterbacks. Fifth in the conference in rushing That quarterback has nine touchdown runs, and that doesn't even account for what he does through the air. If George attacks Beats Duke this weekend, Haynes King should be in the Heisman discussion.

The fact that he's not being brought up in that regard reminds us around here a lot of what happened with Wake Forrest four years ago. The Deeks were top 10 in the country. Sam Hartman was the most valuable player you could argue in the sport. Nobody was bringing him up. in the national Heisman discussions.

But Haines King? If he wins this weekend, Georgia Tech, probably a top 10 team. And Who is the runaway Heisman favorite right now? Right now the best odds Carson Beck, Fernando Mendoza. And Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.

That's the list. And if that's the list. Haines King belongs in that discussion. Dave Clausen probably has memories of Sam Hartman not getting a lot of love. Coach Clausson's going to join us at 5:30.

Look forward to catching up with him. We'll bring up this subject. We'll bring up this matchup. The Blue Devils. They have control of their destiny, or the most control over it.

With expanded schedules or expanded. League standings, 18 teams in the conference. Your schedule isn't i They're not round robins. They can't be.

So who you face is very important. The schedule, the conference schedule you receive has never been more important than it is in 2025. The blue devils. They face both Georgia Tech and Virginia, and those games are both at Wallace Wade Stadium. Georgia Tech doesn't play Virginia, though.

So, they don't nearly have that level of control. And again, these games are in Durham, and it's worth noting. Duke's favored against the Jackets right now. It's a spotlight game. ESPN, Noon Kick, Game of the Week in the ACC, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

and the Duke blue dolls. On X at Josh Graham Show and at WSJS Radio. It's where we're streaming video in addition to YouTube and Twitch. Will Dalton, he's the executive producer of this show. Taking your calls at 336-777-1600.

WD, how many Eric Collins sounds Can you summon? to get us ready for hornets, grizzlies. In the First Horizon Coliseum, the building previously known as the Greensboro Coliseum. Tonight. And it's deluxe.

That's it? That's all you got?

Now we're talking one week. Till the regular season starts. No, it's not. We can't wait. Charlotte?

In its preseason finale, even if it's just preseason. It's a big deal. That the Hornets are playing in Greensboro. And the main event. Is Charlotte's guards.

Obviously, the two biggest stars on the floor tonight Gonna be on the team. Wearing teal. They're going to be in the back court. It is. Lamello Ball, it is Brandon Miller.

If you are a basketball fan and you're going tonight, if you are. A father bringing your kid to the game, they want to see LaMello, they want to see Brandon Miller. Both players are coming off injuries, a lot of question marks surrounding those guys. Very important seasons. Lamello's future looks a little, it's murky.

It's a little, we don't quite know what it's going to be. Brandon, can he take that step from being a really good player to potentially being an all-star? That's a question that. is being considered in his year three. Get in there!

Is the regular season dress rehearsal? We do not know. Heading into the season, Who is the third guard in Charlotte's lineup going to be? They're starting five. We have a good idea for who the rest of the starters are.

Obviously, LaMelo and Brandon Miller, and obviously Miles Bridges. Musa Diabate looks like he's going to be the starting center with Mason Plumley and rookie Ryan Kaulkbrenner coming off the bench. He's an older rookie, 23 years old, out of Creighton, a second-round pick, who's been the story of camp. Seven of seven from the field in the preseason game against Dallas on Saturday. But In terms of who that last guard is?

Ah! Oh no. Dowdle doesn't play for. The Charlotte Hornets. Uh Three preseason games, they've had three different starters at that spot.

Con Kniple. Trey Mann Colin Saxton. It's not going to be Trey Mann because he has an established role. He's the backup point guard. He comes in when Lamello Ball comes out.

You need that type of guy. You need maybe a change of pace point guard, and he is really good in that role.

So is it going to be Con Knipple or is it going to be Colin Saxton? Sexton is a more proven veteran player. Con Knipple is your top five pick, fourth overall that you're excited about, who was good in summer league, been good in preseason so far. Should it Sexton's probably the better player between the two. Con Kniple is probably going to be the starter.

on opening night.

So we'll see what that lineup looks like tonight for Charles Lee. Looking at the whole group of guards, like so far we've mentioned five names Knipple, Sexton Lamello, Miller, Trayman, Rico. Not on this roster. Rico Dowdle. Will There are still five or six guys beyond those five we haven't mentioned.

Young guys like Liam McNeely and KJ Simpson. Veterans like Spencer Dinwiddie, Josh Green. How about your boy, Pat Conniton? And Tomo. Look at him!

Pat Conniton will. Yeah, he has to be. Returning to Greensboro. Yeah, for the first time since that night. Ten years ago, he was on Notre Dame when they beat North Carolina in the championship game, making it rain for Mike Bray's Irish.

Uh Hornets guards the main event. In Greensboro. Later tonight. Looking forward to being there. If you're in attendance at the Coliseum, feel free to drop by and say hello.

Woo! Of sound you have there. Pretty good batch. This is the drive with Josh Graham. Wolfpack is back, causing mass destruction.

Guess who see it the bad? W D got so offended. At me suggesting In the year of our Lord, 2025. Going into 2026. LeBron James wasn't a top 10 player in the NBA anymore.

In his early 40s?

So I'm putting together, as we speak right now, a top 10 list. Top 10 guys in the league, 10 players better than LeBron that we'll get to momentarily. Because right now Super fan of the show. David Clemens. Who Last year, I think?

was on Wheel of Fortune. And he made it to the final round. Big winner. and wheel of fortune He has more news to share with us. Dave What is the news that you can bring to us?

How much can you tell us right now? What's up, JG? Thank you for having me, as always. And yeah, I just wanted to share with you and your audience on August 6th. Seventh eye hit headed.

Yeah. Los Angeles and Me and my brother paid a visit. to a T V show called The price is right. Let's go. Let's go.

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

Okay, so. Let me tell you this. Let me tell you something, JG. I wear my lucky shoes that day, and these shoes bring me great. Look.

Okay, so that's it. You could tell us that. You were luck. You were wearing lucky shoes. and that you went to a taping of the price is right.

Is that as far as you can go? Yeah, you know, when you when the T V when when the sh when the show comes on 11 a.m. tomorrow, you can fire it up. 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Actually, I would love if your audience and people were watching at like 1056. 1057 because The show starts right at eleven. Yeah, pregame a little bit. Yeah, well, and and when the show starts right at 11, they call Four contestants Down, and these is like this is like the A-team, right? And I don't want this.

These are your contestants with big personalities and they get a big Introduction and like some of them do like All Hogan entrances and WWW. wrestling entrances. Uh, I wouldn't want your audience to miss anything like that.

So if if You know, right when it starts. It's at 11 o'clock. They might miss it. Yeah. So maybe I get selected at the beginning.

beginning and I wouldn't want them then This is the same thing. This is great advice for a guy like Will Dalton, who, when you tell him 11 a.m., it's 11:03, 11.05.

So 10:55, maybe turn on the TV. Throw on WFMY. And if you don't have a TV or you don't have cable, you could go to CBS's website and you could find these things as well and watch Dave.

Okay, anything else eventful?

So it's pretty darn eventful that. You go to a taping of the prices, right? We'll see what happens tomorrow at 11 a.m. for people watching. You've already been on another game show on Wheel of Fortune.

Uh is there anything else that tops that when you're out in LA? Is there anything else that you did? Yeah, yeah. We filmed that on a Thursday, and and I gotta give a shout out to Drew. Gary.

uh who was just inc absolutely Incredible. Down to earth. I get to hang out with him 30 minutes after. The show behind the scenes, behind the stage. My little brother's with me.

He's just a home run of a guy. And Then the next day, JG, that was filmed on a Thursday. Friday morning, we're going to the gym, my brother's gym, or I guess it's. Arnold Schwarzenegger's gym. We can go work out that front.

Friday morning and as we're walking in, my little brother who lives there in Venice Beach tells me, yeah. Arnold works out here pretty much every morning, and I kid you not. We w we go in at nine o'clock at nine oh five. Mr. Schwarzenegger.

is making an appearance in the The gym right there, and I get to meet him and shake his hand. I mean, I don't get to talk to him, but it's one of the things that I'm talking about. What was he wearing? I don't get to talk about it. What was Arnold wearing?

I'll send you a picture. He's in all black and his bodyguards are in all black. That's outstanding. It's how intimidating is he up close? Oh yeah he was a It was a little intimidating.

It's one of the biggest. Stars I've ever met, they just don't walk up and shake. his hand, you know. He's got body. Yeah.

all around them. And before he walks in the The the gym doors. the two bodyguards come in and And they kind of scan the The gem and my little brother's like Yeah. to walk in and then 10 seconds later. Here comes Mr.

Schwartzenaker. into the gym. And it was just pretty cool. I love that.

So, are you on a machine when this happens? Are you trying. Was Arnold impressed? What We're on a bench brass. I think I'm throwing around like 185.

You know, I didn't like as we're walking to the gym, my brother's telling me, you know, Arnold worked out here. I'm thinking, yeah, right, whatever. And then within ten minutes, you know, he makes his appearance.

So in review.

So in review.

David Clemens. Giving uh Clemens and Winston-Salem Love on Wheel of Fortune. Is Going is added taping of the price is right. That show is tomorrow. Dave's encouraging people to watch at 10:55 so that you're ready for when the episode starts at 11.

Got it? You met Arnold. uh what's what's the next game show that you're you're you have your sights on you've already got wheel of fortune you now got the prices right is jeopardy next what what are we looking at family feud Actually, I was supposed to be able to do it. to be cast in Jeopardy last Uh at the beginning of this year, I'm there. Pass the test, but When I do something, JG, like...

I really want to do it. I don't want to be a champion on Jeopardy. I want to be a multiple-day champion. And to do that, I got to brush up on some more knowledge. And so, you know, this opportunity came about and.

And you know, I got a 3-2 fastball coming down the middle, and I just want to... Turn on that baby and hit it out to left center. I love it.

Well, hey, do me a favor. If you end up on the show tomorrow, You willing to recap it with us post-game interview style on the show tomorrow at this time? Will you come back on with us tomorrow? Absolutely would love to, and hopefully, at that point in time, maybe I can get. Give you some behind the scenes and some more details, whatever you guys would be looking for.

All right, it's a date. Tomorrow at this time, we'll bring you back on. We'll even do it with video to encourage people to watch on YouTube, Twitch, and X. And I can't wait. I can't wait to watch the prices right tomorrow.

Thanks so much, Dave. Thank you. Y'all have a great day. The man is incredible. He really is.

He's on Wheel of Fortune. and gets to the very end. Because of course he does. I got a feeling. He's calling us here to tell us to watch prices right.

This isn't his words. These are my words. I don't know anything here. I don't think Drew Carey's hanging out for a half hour with people who don't end up on the show. No?

Just a guess. Yeah, just to like, yeah, let me hang out with this random person that was sitting out in the crowd, right?

So, Davin Clemens, tomorrow, I am now. I can't wait for this. I can't wait to watch on WFMY tomorrow. Can't wait to see how Dave does.

So that way we can recap it and then do a post-game press conference. A post-Price is Right press conference with David Clemens. See how that goes. And he met Arnold. And he met Arnold.

Get to the chopper. All right, Will, I got my 10. All right, let's have it. Let's go 10 through one. These are 10 players in the NBA this year that are better than 41-year-old LeBron James.

We'll count them down. Starting Well, let's start with number 10. We'll go 10 through 1. Number 10. Steph Curry.

Number nine. Kawhi Leonard. Mm. Number eight. Joelle Embed.

Shock. Number seven Victor Wimbinyama. Number six. Number five. Luka Doncich.

Number four, Jason Tatum. Number three, Number two. SG Ag Number one. Nikola Jokic. You can't play the injury card when LeBron has hurt himself.

I'm saying we're assuming good health. We're assuming good health. And if they're out there on the court, whether it's Tatum, Embiid or Kawhi. You're taking those three players over LeBron James at 41. I'm not taking him beat over him.

Embiid might be like the most unstoppable player when he's healthy.

So is LeBron. No. A force of nature here. Not at 41. And also, I think Luca and Jason Tatum should be swapped, but that's a different thing.

I wasn't.

Okay, that was. I was hoping you wouldn't put that together in order. I wasn't exactly ranking those players in order. Just get him beat out of here and put LeBron in his place.

Well, no, that doesn't mean LeBron's 11. Who is? Again, I wasn't kidding when I said that they're probably... Jalen Bronson, probably, yeah. I'd probably take Jalen Brunson.

I'd probably take Cade Cunningham. I'd probably take Kevin Durant. Cade Cunningham over LeBron. Kevin Durant? It's close.

Yeah. I probably I probably wasn't kidding about Jalen Brown or a Darius Garland or. Um Darius Garland is not better than LeBron.

Okay, fine. I can listen to that debate. Donovan Mitchell is. No, he's not.

Well, he was first team all NBA last year. Good for him. He still doesn't have the impact on a game that LeBron James does. Jay David Smith, what has Victor done? Victor might be the MVP this year.

There was a report that he's 7-7 now. What did he grow? Yeah. Didn't know. Boban said that he was looking up.

At Victor Wimbinyama. This is it. Ready? All right, hold on. All right, do it, do it.

All right, listen up. It's the drive with Josh Graham. Weekly positivity 15 minutes from now. There's a video Going viral. W D Just send it your way.

Want you to dig this up. That is hilarious. and brings up a really fun question. But before we get to that, Both LCS series in Major League Baseball. Championship series.

Series Final four of the sport, semifinals of the sport. Two zip sero uh two zip series leads. And the team that's up to zip won both Of the games on the road Which means We're pretty close. to calling this a rap. both these series.

If Either of these two teams When At home. In games three or four. It would require something historic for the other side to rally. for the other side to come back.

So Let this be The first look anywhere. At what would be a chef's kiss, moi purr. Perfect. World Series matchup. Between the Seattle Mariners and the LA Dodgers.

This would be perfect. Perfect. A perfect West Coast World Series. Number one, It would be The ultimate David vs. Goliath series.

You have the reigning champs. with an ungodly payroll. Facing a team that just won its first division title in 24 years. They aren't just looking for their first World Series. They're one of five teams that have never won the World Series before.

Seattle's never been to the Fall Classic. Forget when the thing they've never even been there before. This is where we put Will Dalton to the test. Seattle, one of five teams that have never won the World Series. How many of the other four Do you think you can get?

Hmm. Played this game with my dad last night where he asked me. How many I could name, And I got four of the five. I was halfway to the fifth, and then he... Said If you're thinking about this team, it's correct.

So got four of the five. I'll give myself credit for four or five. Not perfect. Milwaukee. Give yourself a bell.

That's correct. I gotta find my bell. New work. Minnesota. The Twins won with Kirby Puckett.

Hmm. Shout out to Kirby. Uh let's see here. I don't want to guess Oakland. Just because I feel like there was a time I don't know.

They were one of the best teams in baseball in the 70s. Yeah, that's what do you know? That's what I was going to guess. That was the 70s. Reggie Jackson, a bunch of other really good teams.

Yankee Great, Reggie Jackson. Catfish Hunter. Uh Kansas City won it. Ten years ago. When they went.

Okay, that's what I thought. I thought they went. Beat the Mets. Yeah. Um Let's go with The Marlins They beat your Yankees in 2003, one in 97.

Um I think they won the World Series in walk-off fashion in 97 as well. That's terrific for them. Oh man, this is tough. I'll just give you the answers. Angels?

No, that's not a good idea. They won in 2002. That can't be reasbed six. The answers are Milwaukee, Tampa Bang. Colorado.

San Diego. And the Seattle Mariners. Those are the five franchises that have never won a World Series before. Seattle, L Ang. it would pit the two best players in the sport against each other.

It's Shohei Otani. against Cal Raleigh. And that's fun. Kashohe Otani Is this Global superstar. For LA Cal Raleigh is this budding star, the best player in the American League.

That It's been the year of Cal Raleigh. Kyle Raleigh in the home run derby. Kyle Raleigh. You know, 60 home runs. Cal Raleigh with all the history.

Cal Raleigh. In the World Series, Kyle Raleigh winning it all, that'd be great for the North Carolina native. From Cullowee, North Carolina. ACC legend with the Florida State. It also could be a matchup of the two best starting pitching staffs.

in Major League Baseball. And It's not just Seattle that would have an opportunity to make some history. The Dodgers could make some history too. It has been 25 years since a team has gone back to back, since a team has been a repeat. Champion.

In baseball, your Yankees won three in a row, 98, 99, 2000. 25 years since we've seen a repeat champion, the Dodgers can do that. Other than the Dodger fans out there though. Other than them, nobody's going to be rooting for LA. Right?

Other than Dodger fans, is anybody going to watch a Dodger Seattle World Series and root against Seattle? I'd like to see a repeat. Over Seattle winning for the first time ever? Maybe. I haven't decided yet.

Why? What would you have against Seattle? I don't know. Sincerely. I don't know who I'm going to pull for in this spot.

You'd you'd have to be sick in the head. To not root. Unless you're a Dodger fan, okay? Unless you're a Dodger fan. We got one on the line.

Okay, let's go to Joey and Thomasville. You do realize this, Joey, that if it's LA and Seattle, if you're not a Dodger fan, everybody's rooting for the Mariners, right? They've never won. before. They'd never even been.

to the series before. I absolutely positively 100% agree with you, but it's us against the law, baby. And going back to last week, you know, you know, like I said, people take. A lot of pleasure out of you getting wrong. They don't credit you when you get right, which is often.

That's true. But the HHL told you that we were going to get past 50. I heard. I heard. You were right.

You were right. I I love the way I mean, I know people talk about the spending of money and all that, and we do. We got a big market. We spend the money. But, you know, teams such as Atlanta and other big market teams.

They could spend more than they do. And they don't. I didn't mention a thing. I don't think that's the reason people dislike the Dodgers. I just think it's the fact that the Dodgers have won its on.

I mean, the Mets have. Spent more money than pretty much anybody else as well. If the Mets were in the World Series, there'd be a lot of people rooting for the Mets just because they haven't won since 1986. Yeah, I I guess I mean, I think that this organization I think they nailed it. They do it right.

And we got everything set up. It's a it's a murderer's road from bat one to bat nine. And then our starting pitching has been absolutely phenomenal. The only way that I think you can get to the Dodgers. is for one of our starters to have a bad outing And you get to the bullpen.

You do that. then you definitely got a chance. But let me say this too. Yeah. Is in the Air Force.

He just literally moved to Tacoma, Washington. I mean he's been there for like three days. He told me yesterday, he said, I'm telling you, Pop. If the Mariners and the Dodgers play in the World Sea, I don't care how much that ticket is. I'm going.

And I say amen, amen, and amen.

So, hey, we got a long ways to go. This this series I'm not Um I'm not taking it for granted. Milwaukee is a great team. They have the best record. We got to finish it out.

It's not over. Joey. And then beyond that, you got to get past the World Series. Bill Bill writes in. I think we figured it out.

I can't believe I didn't think of this. Bill Bill. The reason WD doesn't want Seattle is because Judge is the MVP in his mind. That's it. You're clearly holding the r that.

There's no other reason why you would not like Seattle because you don't like the assertion that. Aaron Judge isn't the best player in the American League. I'm just screwing around. I have to pull for the Mariners on principle.

Okay. As of last year's World Series?

Well, that's part of it. But. I have to because one, I love a good underdog story. I like that. Yeah.

And also, he's not going to win AL MVP and he should win something.

So let him win the World Series. We'll see you later. Thanks, Joey. It's good to hear your voice.

So on principle, I have to let him at least have the World Series because he ain't winning the MVP. It's not happening. He deserves it. You should listen. Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast.

Search the Drive with Josh Graham, iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your pods. The best now are what we do available on demand. If you leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, we will read that review out on the air. That's what we'll do. Peace.

Because that's how much we care. And that's how you can help us. The YouTube channel, it's how you can watch the show in addition to listening to it. Did you end up finding that clip? I sent it to you, right?

Yeah. Oh, here we go.

So this is the Celtics. Yeah. held a media basketball game, but not Media versus media. No, before the season gets started, it is the coaches of the Celtics. playing the media roll tape.

One of the coaches pulling up from the logo. Splash. At the buzzer, and let's check the scoreboard. Celtics coaches 57, media four. I don't know who that blonde girl was, but that shot was right in her eyes.

It was a great contest. Great closeout. Right in her eyes. Great contest on her part. That just leads to the obvious question.

If we as a media Got together. College basketball in the state. It wanted to challenge a coaching staff. Which coaching staff would you like to challenge? Um I'm challenging the I'd stay away from Duke because Shire and Chris Carawell.

Might mean business. That's tough. Honestly, like, I would challenge you and see. Just Hubert? Yeah, honestly, and Sean May.

Marcus Page. I want none of that. Marcus Ginyard, if you want to bring in. He'd be worse than Duke. But.

I challenge Steve Forbes. I can beat him up and down the court. For me, it would just be fun to play those guys because I'm a Tar Heel fan. I want to win. And it would be awesome.

I don't want to lose 57 to 4. Marcus Ginyard in his new position.

Well, he's not working with the basketball program.

Well, bring him in anyway. Right. I think we'd have the best shot against Wake staff. Probably right. Because I think Will Wade, he could be.

He might not play fair. Hmm. Yeah, I feel like he might be a little bit of a dirty player. I think Wake Forrest might be the one to look at. Jay Davis agrees.

Jay Davis, we could challenge him.

Now, here's the thing: if I get beat 57 to 4 by the Celtics. coaches, the people that we cover. That's that's your domain. That's fine They should be required. To have the players of the media team.

Do a press conference afterwards while the coaches interview, and then they do a write-up. Of the 57 to 4 and make them publish it on their various outlets. I like this. That'd be great. Have Jason or have.

Whoever the Celtics coach is, who is it? Missoula. Have Missoula write a column about how bad the Celtics media is at basketball. Jay Davis. Nobody wants Sean May download.

No, I'm just imagining getting posted up by Sean May. It's a fun possibility. It is, but I can just shoot. No, that wouldn't go well. I'm saying it's a fun possibility to have the coaches conduct an interview.

Steve Forbes asking us questions. After A game that doesn't go so well for us. Oh, he would hammer you with just. He would hammer you with some questions. It's a fun thought.

And you know what else is a fun thought? To lift morale across the Piedmont and give away football and basketball tickets. We have weekly positivity on deck next. You're on the drive with Josh Grail, WSJS. Yeah.

Dave Claussen's a guest today. With that in mind, We have Tickets to see Wake Forest face SMU on October the 26th, not this weekend, but the weekend following in Winston. And since Will Dalton and I are going to the Hornets preseason game at the Coliseum in Greensboro tonight, we're We're thinking hoops and thought we'd give away a pair of tickets to see NC State take. Tennessee. To Kelly Harper.

Showdown. At the Coliseum. That is on November the 4th. That's a Tuesday in Greensboro. If you'd like to go, to either of these games.

336777. 1-600 is the phone number. All you have to do is give us a call and tell us something good because it is time. For weekly, Positivity. Oh, yeah I can teach you notes on a page.

I can't teach you. The other stuff. Winning the poll. miraculously. For Will Dalton's movie next week.

The Disney movie, starring Richard Dreyfus, 1995's Mr. Holland's Opus. will be a good one. Will Dalton to watch.

Next week. Oh, weekly positivity is brought to you by our friends at Biscuit King. Let's start by going to the phones actually. Jim is in Greensboro. Hi, Jim.

He doing? Let me think about that. I'm doing... Good. you What's going on with you?

Doing all right then. What do you uh tell me something good with you like what's something positive that that has happened to you today or this week.

Something that's positive that's happening to me. Yeah. Um I don't know, man, I don't know. Are you are you the optimistic positive type? Saying the Yankees got beat.

They're out of it. That was part of it. That is true, you know. I think that's a great answer. I mean, the Yankees being out of it, that is good.

Good. That's certainly. Who's your team? Do you have a team, Jim? Yeah, Kansas City, the Royals.

Oh my gosh.

So... Who's your favorite royal? Are you... How far back did it go? Oh yeah.

George Brett. George Brett, did you have... Did you have pine tar on your bat when you played? Just to pay homage? George Bratt?

I love that.

So we hate the Yankees. That's good. No, we don't. I love that.

I think that's already good enough with me. What do you got coming up this weekend? Anything good? Anything good this weekend, just from yard work. Oh, wow.

See, I'm baseball. I love that.

So, what do you think of these LCS? You watching the LCS at this point? Yeah, I'm like you, I guess we're gonna be s watching some uh West Coast. Mariners and Dodgers, looks like. We're going to root against the Dodgers in that context, right?

Right, right, right, exactly. They're about like the Yankees. Yeah, who do you think should win AL MVP? Should it be Cal Raleigh or should it be Aaron Judge?

Well I like Riley. Yeah, you and me both, Jim. No, it's not. This is as analytic as it can. Judge is good, though, too.

You don't need to say that. That's fine, Jim. All right. Tyl Riley is the guy. How about you enjoy some tickets on our dime, Jim?

You have some fun with that. We appreciate you listening.

Alright man, thank you. Uh, will get your information. I really badly. Since it was weekly positivity and our voices are a little bit lower than usual, I really badly. You know what?

Just kill the music real quickly. What I wanted to do was Jim! Yeah, I was thinking it to my best gymnast impression. Jim! I was thinking it.

They're about to ride inside. But that's not what we do in weekly positivity. Tell me something good with you, by the way. W.D. I'm excited to see Lamello Ball for the first time tonight.

In person. I've never seen the flesh. Hopefully, he hits one of those one-footed three-pointers that nerds hate so much. Oh, just learned that our seats are right next to Connor O'Neill. Tonight.

So if you're there in Greensboro, you can say hi to me. Can say hi to W D Yeah. I tell you something else good, so. My uh apartment lease. It runs out.

At the end of next month? And I just got some information on that this week. And I was worried you know, as typically happens in these things, that my rent was gonna go up. Quite a bit, maybe? I was hoping it wouldn't, and I found out.

My rent is only gonna go up by $50.

So that's Good, so get to get to stay put. I don't have to worry about moving anyway. Kyle the Amazon driver. Kyle. calling.

Hi, Kyle. Hello. Josh. And friends, how are you? I am, um, I don't I don't want to speak for Will, but I'm doing.

Good. A little a little congested, but good. A little congested. You need to go down to the street corner and talk to one of them old ladies and get you some robotus and rubbed on you, man. Put it on the bottom of your feet.

It works wonders. But hey, I got a few things I want to say. I'm going to rattle them off very, very quickly. Please do. Online back here at the Amazon Driver Compound.

Number one. The NASCAR 25 video game came out, and oh, is it amazing, Josh? We've waited a long time for a good NASCAR game, and we've got it. The number one rated driver on said video game is one. William Barnes.

Sponsored by Liberty University. Speaking of the mountain. Just got back from the game last night. It was midweek on the mountain, Liberty University versus New Mexico State University. Liberty wins.

By three. Thanks to a field goal at the end of the game going Wide left. Love that. And then On top of that, to cap off the week, because Lord knows I hadn't been to work in like two days, so we're not going to mess that up. to end it.

Tonight. I will be in the building at Greensboro. Let's go! Watching the Grizzlies. Versus the hornets.

My son has got to be the biggest. John Morant friend, this side of the Mississippi River.

So we're going to figure that out. Right. I don't know if Ja's going to be playing tonight, but I'll be there and Will Dalton will be there. We'd love to meet your son. He's got the brand new Lamello Ball shoes too.

It's all good. We're covered on all bases around here, dog.

Well, feel free to come say hello. We'll have to get a picture or something. We will. We'll holler at you tonight, dog. Holler at my guys, Nick Pierce, and Alan York, over with Liberty as well.

Okay. There goes Kyle, the Amazon driver. You know what's good with me? Good. Had some folks come over to my house.

and put some chemicals. on my carpet. in Daniel's room. Daniel's nursery. Got that cleaned up nice.

Noise. Looks so clean. Doesn't smell great in there right now, but it looks so clean.

So fresh, so clean. Very happy for him on that. And that's been... Weekly. Positivity.

Dave Clausen. Wake Forest. Coaching legend. Last time We had you on. I gave you that title.

And people, I went to a wake game the next night and they said, Absolutely right. Thank you for giving him that title. And it must feel weird for you to hear that sentence because You're not that old, Dave. No, I'm not. But let me just first interrupt the show and hijack it for a minute.

Please. I just saw David Byrne live in concert in New York City. And The Encore song was Psycho Killer, and I think that's the first time he's played it live in like 20 years.

Somebody told me that. I don't know if it's true or not.

So I just saw David Byrne in concert. It was an incredible show. And the last song he played was Psycho Killer.

So Um Your entry to the interview was very appropriate.

So you nailed it, Josh. Good job. I give all the credit to Will Dalton. He's the one that deserves it for that. You are doing work with the ACC network now, but I was reminded over the weekend.

of your farewell press conference a little bit. Last December, you made a point, before you even knew who your successor would be at Wake Forest, to extend a courtesy saying, be patient with him the way you were patient with me, give him time. But here we are, Jake Dickert's 4-2. Frankly, it should be top. 5-1 with a top 20 win.

As Wake Forest turns the corner to the second half of the year, what has impressed you the most watching what Jake has done so far?

Well, first of all, Josh, I do think it is a different era now because of the transfer portal. That people probably aren't going to be as patient with coaches that they once were. And you know, because of NIL and the portal, Jake was able to bring in 62 players. And I think when you bring in that many more new players, it takes time to gel. And I think they're starting the gel.

You know, they are starting to get a feel for what he wants and what his expectations are, and the different schemes, and the way they call plays. And I said it on my show the other day in the ACC network. I think they're probably the most improved team in the league from game one. to game sex. And in the second half of the season, the schedule is going to get tougher.

Um but they're certainly capable of getting to a bowl and I think capable of. you know, of getting a seventh or an eighth wind if they can pull an upset or two here. You remind me of something that Dave Canalis talks a lot about with the Panthers. Finding us. finding what that identity is.

And he says sometimes it happens a lot later than you want it to be.

Sometimes it hits early on. What does that look like behind the scenes between weighing what you see in games and what works versus what you see in practice, evaluating personnel? How do you find an identity behind the scenes?

Now I always thought. By the end of September, if you haven't found your identity, you're probably in trouble. And I think it's just the nature of college football: you don't have preseason games. And so you start a season out. and you go through spring football.

And you think, okay, this is where we're good, and this is where we're deficient.

So, how do we? take advantage of our best players and um kind of maximize their impact on the game while minimizing The areas that you're weakest.

So, if you're really good in the secondary, but not good up front, you may blitz a little bit more and play more man coverage or. If you have a really good O-line and you're not as good at receiver. You know, maybe you run the ball a little more. And again, that's basically coaching: assessing your personnel. maximizing your strengths, limiting your weaknesses.

And that was one of the reasons I always preferred to play our four non-conference games in September. that after going through spring football and fall camp. If we were a little bit off of what we thought our strengths were. We had September to figure that out. And then hopefully we knew what our identity was as we head into the conference schedule.

And I think that's even more so. with the transfer portal and how quickly rosters change over is You know, a lot of times you don't even have your whole roster in the spring. And if you think you're really good in fall camp at receiver, You might not be that good at receiver. You might just not be very good in the secondary. And when you play other teams, you start figuring that out the hard way.

Dave Claussen's with us here. I would love to get your observations. About two teams playing each other this weekend in what appears to be the game of the week in the ACC on ESPN at noon. It's Georgia Tech, 12th in the country, visiting Duke. I think there are a lot of assumptions being made about Miami as one of the best teams in the country.

So, if we're to assume that. Charlotte is in their sights in front of them. Likely their opponent's going to be one of the league's three 3-0 teams between Georgia Tech, Duke and Virginia. How much separation do you see between those two and what intrigues you about Georgia Tech, Duke?

Well, first of all, right now there's five undefeated teams in the league. Um Because of how big the conference is. There's only three games between those teams. Nuts. You know, Miami's going to play SMU.

Duke and Georgia tech are going to play, and Duke and Virginia are going to play.

So, Duke is the only team that has more than one game against the undefeated teams. And You know, because nobody really controls their own destiny because of that, in a lot of ways, this week could be an elimination game. that the the whoever doesn't win this game Um Now needs help.

So, again, I should reword that. All the undefeated teams control their destiny. The second you lose one game. Because of how many undefeated teams there are, you don't. And uh So this is going to be a great game against two of the, I think, the best teams.

in the league and I think Virginia is going to factor in there. Um Obviously, SMU is undefeated as well. But SMU has a really, really tough schedule down the stretch.

Now, they have yet to lose an ACC game. And if that continues, obviously they'll be in Charlotte as well. But George attacked is a really good team. that their quarterback has elevated them into a great team. Again, I think if you had any other quarterback in the country.

At Georgia Tech right now, they're still a good team. They're probably a. Eight and four, nine and three team. Haynes King elevates that whole football team. His ability to run the ball.

Uh his toughness The clutch player he is, his ability to bring him back from behind, his ability to lead a two-minute drill. To me right now, he's the MVP of the league. and I would put Carson back right behind him. And Georgia Tech is good everywhere. with a special difference maker quarterback.

His impact actually is reminiscent, I think, Of the impact that Sam Hartman had on your group in 2021 in terms of how little attention it's getting. You were right to point out that year: hey, if this guy had another. Logo on the helmet. We're talking about this guy being a Heisman contender. It's crazy.

Top five in the ACC, regardless of position in rushing. Haynes King, nine touchdowns, and then that, you don't even mention the passing that he's done too. If he wins this game and Georgia Tech's a top 10 team in the country, a la, your team was top 10 in the country a couple of times. We need to start talking about Haynes King in that context, right? Yeah, Josh, but I just think, again, you're in the media business, right?

And you understand this as well as anybody. That The barrier to entry to get in that conversation, if you're not at a blue blood, is really hard. Right. It really, in some ways, Haines King doesn't have to be as good. As the Alabama quarterback, or the Miami quarterback, or the Notre Dame.

running back. He's got to be so much better. because you don't start a season with eyes on Georgia Tech. And they've risen to this level because of how well they and he have played. Um, but it's just a tough barrier, you know, if you're at a Wake Forest, at a Georgia Tech, out of Syracuse.

You could have the most impactful player in the country. But it's just tough because when you put on Uh, you know, ESPN for the primetime games, you know, you're always going to have. The Georgias, the Alabamas, the Texas, the Penn States, the Ohio states. the Miamis, the Florida States, the Clemsons. Just because of the brand equity that those programs have built up over.

over the past 10, 20, 50, 100 years. It's just the way it is. Dave Clausen with us here. One reason we knew that you would be very good at TV, being in press conferences with you over the years. You are allergic to being dishonest.

Like you. You just ooze honest almost to a fault sometimes. That sometimes got me in a little bit of trouble, Josh, but thank you. Which is why, as soon as I saw the Penn State news happen over the weekend, I'm just fascinated in what you make of this because. This is the first time I can remember.

where the most coveted job opening in the country. You know, just let go of a coach who's now the most coveted candidate. in the country. James Franklin fits in pretty much any job out there and is going to be the hottest name. And Penn State, the place that fired him, is going to be the most coveted job.

You could make an argument.

So, starting on the Penn State end of it. Like, what kind of resume? What kind of criteria fits for that type of job?

Well, I I think that job You know, it becomes like an Ohio State or a Notre Dame or a Texas. or an Alabama or a Georgia that If you take that job, the expectation is to not go to the national championship or to go to the playoffs, but is to win it. Right, because you just fired a coach that a year ago went 13 and three. Finished with the highest ranking Penn State has had in decades And three weeks ago was 3-0 and had the number 3 team in the country. Um And again, it's, you know, I'm friends with James.

I visited Penn State. this August and spent time with this program. Um But that's just the way college football is now. You know, and I think now that You know, players are being paid, and you can build up a roster with the transfer portal. Um That You know, the five-year plan or four-year plan of building a program no longer exists.

And I really think Penn State. And again, I don't. Know everything that goes on in their program. Maybe there's another reason they did this that we're not privy to. But I think they said, like, okay, two years ago, Michigan went all in, kept all their good players and won a national championship.

And last year, Ohio State. did the same thing. and won a national championship. And I think the preseason Talk and rhetoric was: okay, now Penn State did that, right? They brought in Jim Knowles from Ohio State, they kept their offensive coordinator.

They kept their quarterback, they kept their two tailbacks, they kept all their defensive players. It was their turn. This was their year. And when you spend that type of money and create that expectation. Um You know, people expect results and they expect them now.

And um So, in some ways, you know, that's just where we are. But Again, I think James can be very proud about what he accomplished at Penn State, you know, where the program was when he took it over. Getting through the scandals and convincing a lot of great players that Penn State was a great place to get an education and play football. Um You know, I think history will be very kind to James Franklin and the job he did at Penn State. But That is college football.

And that's where You know, when people talk about the process in building. They don't want to hear about that anymore. You know, you maybe get. at best three years, in some places only two years now to build a program. You understand how small the coaching industry can be.

So you tell me Just How respected James Franklin is, and if I'm right to think because of his resume. that right now He's going to be the number one name on pretty much any of the top schools considering coaches, right? Yeah, you would think that. The only thing I'd say, Josh, is I don't think. If he wants to coach.

If he wants to coach. I don't think the public or fans understand. What an emotional investment you make into your football program. when you're at a place for that long. I mean You know, for 11 years, Wake Forest football.

was my life. I mean, it was. 24-7, that's what I thought about. And I took vacations and I did stuff with my family, but I was almost always distracted. Because my mind was always on Wake Forest football, and how can we make this better?

And whether you're dealing with player issues, or recruiting issues, or staff issues. And You know, I think in a lot of ways, and again, I'm not that close with James, that you know it might be good for him to take a little time off and just get a little bit of an emotional reset You know, and this is where people, I think, again, don't get it. Wow, he's going to get paid $49 million. We should all be so lucky. Uh when you coach Very few of us got into this to the money.

And again, we don't turn it down. No. I guarantee you, James Franklin isn't happy he's not coaching the Penn State football team. And he would give up a lot of that money to still be with his players and his staff. in all those people that he brought to Penn State.

to build that program. And so, when something like that happens, it kicks your butt pretty good. And he'll have to make the decision of whether he wants to jump back into it or whether he needs a little bit of a break. Um You know, I think sometimes a little bit of a reset can be really healthy physically. mentally, emotionally.

Um, because when you do that job, there's no escape, it is such a narrow life. And we love it and we choose to do it and we're well compensated for it. But it takes a lot out of you when it when it doesn't go well. He's also another guy who'd be really good at doing what we're doing right now. I'm sure you can give him some pointers if he were to.

Well, I don't know about that. I'm still a rookie at this business. And, you know, it's. It's a different pace, but again, Josh, you know this. you know in this business you have to work hard too yeah Right.

I mean, it's, I have a one-hour show I do with Taylor Tandembaum on Mondays. And you know, the amount of prep that to get ready for that show is eight, ten, twelve hours for a one hour show. I'll show you. This is a the sheet of paper that we got here, and we got three more right here.

So you you now understand. And the art of this business is showing up and acting like you just showed up and making everything a conversation. But the only reason that happened successfully. is because of all the prep work you do. And as a football coach, I love the prep as much as I love the games.

And so I enjoy the prep for this job as well. Let's close with North Carolina. Among the noteworthy comments from Bill Belichick this week was an acknowledgement that he and Mike Lombardi, when they took the job, fell a little bit behind on the transfer portal front. Mike, he said that this roster. Was worse off than it was than when we got into the spring portal and said it was improved from that point.

Nobody could have possibly imagined it looked like this a month and a half in, but what's most surprised you about the on-field product you've seen?

Well, yes, the um you know, kind of the lack of skill. I mean You know, with Mac Brown, North Carolina always, and even Larry Fedora, they always had really good skilled players. And You know, North Carolina made a very, very large investment. Um But You know, if I jumped to the NFL, there would be an adjustment for me. If I jumped to high school, there would be an adjustment for me.

I mean, anybody who has ever worked with Bill Belichick or talked football with them always says he is one of the smartest football coaches, if not the smartest they've ever met. He's smart. He'll figure it out if he wants to do that. Um And You know, when you haven't been in college football, a lot of times the kids you get in the portal are kids that you recruited. And they didn't pick you out of high school.

But there's a pre-existing relationship, and you know the landscape, and you've evaluated all these kids. And you know he and his One son was in college for a year, but Lombardi, those guys all came from the NFL. And so they didn't bring a lot of existing relationships. in college football And every year that goes by, you know, that'll get better. It's just a matter of how patient are people going to be, because as we've seen with James Franklin.

This is not. This is not a patient business. You know, but I'm sure it'll get better. Um And it's just a matter of how quickly and how good. Dave Claussen, keep up the great work.

Thank you for doing this, and we'll catch up sometime a few weeks from now. Yeah, I'm a lot more patient with these things now, Josh, that I don't have a game this weekend.

So I. I apologize in the past if I was a little bit more stressed and anxious. It was the nature of what my job was.