Brady Quinn, Big Noon Kickoff Analyst

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A one-year upgrade requires financing, qualifying, device and upgrading in good condition after six months with half paid off. Brady, appreciate the time. How are you? I'm doing well, brother. Thanks for having me on, Zach.

Well, thanks so much for coming on. So, let me start you off with Notre Dame, Ohio State. All eyes this weekend are on Kyle McCourt to see what he's going to look like up against Notre Dame. What type of performance do you think the Ohio State quarterback will give us on Saturday? Well, I don't think it's so much about Kyle McCourt. I think it's more about the offensive line for Ohio State and, really, the running backs led by Trevion Henderson. You know, I think that group is going to do the best they can to try to take the pressure off of Kyle McCourt so he doesn't have to win it with his arm. I mean, remember, this is a Notre Dame defense that only gave up 21 points to Ohio State last year.

That was their lowest output and they've gotten deeper and they've gotten better. And so, I think it's a tall task to then ask a guy, Kyle McCourt, in his first year starting to go on the road to South Bend and try to be able to dice up a defense that's been really stingy so far this season. Maybe not so much tested, but potentially have to go throw for throw with a guy like Sam Hartman who's one of the most prolific quarterbacks we've seen out of the ACC and now doing the same thing at Notre Dame so far. So, I think it's going to be more about Ohio State and if they can run the football and if they can't and they have to rely on Kyle McCourt. That could be a tall order, even as talented as they are on the outside of wide receiver. Yeah, I know when we always talk about these games, and you know it better than anybody, we all talk about the quarterbacks.

I started off with Kyle McCourt. You, of course, talk about Sam Hartman, but the last two years with Ohio State, when they were exposed up against Michigan, they just got beat up in the trenches on both sides of the ball. And then the running backs for Michigan just took care of them. Like, when I look at Notre Dame, I can't wait to see what type of game Audric Estime has because the first few weeks of the season, he's looked like a stud and I want to see if Ohio State can slow him down. Yeah, they've really got a stable of backs, even behind Audric Estime. You know, when you're looking at Love, their freshman, you'll see him in a little number 12, he gets out there. And there's really five backs that you'll kind of rotate through and see. Audric Estime actually leads the country right now in total yards as a running back, but they've got a great group.

They obviously mixed them in, kind of played with their strengths. The offensive line probably never gets enough credit. If you look at Joel, he's arguably the best left tackle in the country. You know, there's a few other people that might be in the conversation for that, but he's amazing. Blake Fisher at the other side is amazing.

Zeke Corral on the other side at center is great. The two guards are inexperienced, but for the most part, they've really been able to pound and physically dominate teams thus far. I think this is going to be by far and away their greatest challenge really this entire season. I mean, this Ohio State defensive front is sound, they're solid.

They're probably best suited up front in the interior. There's no Chase Youngs on the edge. However, the tackles will be tested. I mean, this is the best defensive front Notre Dame's seen yet to date. So, it's going to be fascinating to see how Notre Dame goes about trying to run the football. I wouldn't be shocked if you don't see Sam Hartman keeping the football a little bit more to utilizing some of his legs as well. On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 no confidence, 10 most confidence you've ever had, how confident are you that Notre Dame will get the job done?

10. I mean, I saw this team week zero up close and personal in Dublin, Ireland. Granted, it wasn't so much about being there for them playing Navy. It was just seeing the team and seeing the size, the depth they have really in the trenches, looking at their skill positions. They're as long and as athletic and as skillful as I've seen in my lifetime. So, this is a group that's been, they've recruited well, they've developed well, they've kind of been primed now to try to have that breakthrough. And I think Sam Hartman's the guy that's now opening so many things up for them on the outside, a wide receiver, where they've had talent.

They just haven't been able to have someone who can really stretch the field vertically and then really give them that. And they've got a quarterback now that can do that. I mean, it's been a long time since the Notre Dame team has had this much talent on one roster.

I think it's going to surprise a lot of Ohio State people. You know, you mentioned how Ohio State's matched up versus Michigan. This group feels very similar to Michigan as far as how this team is built. They're still built through the running game, dominate you physically, but sound, solid defense. They can get pressure. They can get turnovers.

But now they've got the ability to make the big plays, too, with the quarterback. Very similar to how Michigan can do it. So we'll see where Ohio State's at because this is going to be the closest thing they'll face before they have to go up to Ann Arbor and have to play the Wolverines. So how far can Notre Dame take it this year? Because when you say 10 out of 10 confidence they're going to beat Ohio State, that's a pretty big claim. And I like Notre Dame this weekend, let me add. But this team at the end of the year, how do you think we're talking about the Fighting Irish? Yeah, I think they're going to be potentially a college football playoff contender.

The biggest question is, if they do win this one, the USC game is going to be the biggest USC game probably since I was there back in 2005. Now granted, you're not talking about a team that was on a 27-game win streak and won back-to-back national championships. But they've got the Rainey Heisler trophy winner, their offensive juggernaut. They've gotten better on defense, too, especially through the transfer portal.

We've got six guys, basically, who have been starters that they got through the portal this year. So USC is a much better team and much more poised to try to make a run at the college football playoff. And I think if you get through that game, based on how Clemson looks so far, even though that game is down in Clemson, South Carolina, the schedule, it's not easy. I mean, Duke now, they're on the road, that's a tough game. Louisville's on the road, that's a tough game. But I think they've got a shot of being that team that I think makes it in if they can go unscathed. If they drop one, obviously your faith's not in your hands anymore. You're hoping then that you're going up against potentially two lost conference champions.

That's the only way you can really assure yourself potentially a shot. But with their strength of schedule, I think it's going to play out pretty well. They'll be in the mix at the end of the year.

Brady Quinn here with us. So Clemson is vulnerable. Florida State's clearly a better football team. We know Clemson's been the standard in the ACC seven out of the last eight years winning the conference. Is Florida State going to take care of them and take care of them pretty good this weekend?

Yeah, I think so. I mean, it's crazy to think through that line before the season started. I want to say it was Clemson, not to give them seven or four, whatever it is. Now you've got Florida State, I believe they're going there too if I'm not mistaken.

They're given a point and a half or whatever it is now. I mean, the tough thing for Clemson is they just don't have the offensive firepower on the outside. Will Shipley's a fantastic back.

They also have a stable backs. But, you know, Dabo hasn't bought into the transfer portal and NIL is biggest of the other schools. And I think that's hurt them, at least in recruiting or potentially supplementing their roster to be able to find some of those dynamic playmakers. They're accustomed to having on the outside and you look at Florida State. I mean, they went and got Kellen Coleman from Michigan State.

He's had a huge impact. They've already got a big target. And Johnny Wilson, they got Shaheem Bell from South Carolina at tight end. Those guys are really tough to match up with and especially when you combine, you know, that with the rushing attack for Florida State and Jordan Travis' mobility. So, I just don't feel confident that Clemson's going to be able to go, you know, blow for blow Florida State if they start, you know, scoring some points and it becomes a track meet on the field. I think that's my big concern there for Clemson.

Brady Quinn here with us. Big noon kickoff, which is sensational. There'll be Oklahoma-Cincinnati this week. When we get to Ole Miss-Alabama, it's been quarterback roulette for the Crimson Tide through the first three weeks of the season. Now they're going back to Jalen Milro. They're going up against Ole Miss this weekend.

3.30 p.m. Eastern is kickoff there on CBS. What does the Alabama offense look like this week if you had to take a stab at it? A lot of running to football. You know, if you're looking at Ole Miss right now, they're getting about 350 yards a game so far. They haven't played the toughest opponents.

About half that's on the ground. So, I think you're going to see a lot of running to football. Jalen Milro will obviously be part of that.

And they'll sprinkle in and try to build some more concepts of the things she feels comfortable with. Look, everyone's going to make a big deal about what happened last week with USF. I think that was a game that Alabama felt it was very winnable for them. And if they were ever going to try to give a dress rehearsal to Tyler Buckner who transferred there or to Ty Simpson who lost out in the quarterback battle, that was the game to do it.

And so we're all going to make a big deal about, you know, hey, Milro isn't a part of it. They bench them all stuff. It wasn't that. I think they wanted to give these guys some live game reps. You don't have preseason in college football. This is a quarterback battle that dragged on to the start of the season. And that was the game that they selected to try to give those guys a shot.

Clearly that's not the answer. So, they go with Milro now. I have no reservations whatsoever about Bama. I think there's been an extreme overreaction of what we saw last week. And I think this is one where Alabama is going to take care of business. Their defense has been the most consistent piece for them. I don't link him to that success versus, you know, Nick Saban defense in the past. But Jackson Thorne had to carry this team last week running the football. I just don't know that they have the dynamic playmakers on the outside like we've been accustomed to seeing in years past. The Jonathan Mingos, the A.J. Browns, you know, etc.

So, I think that's where they may be lacking a little bit. And this is one where Alabama takes care of business. Talking to Brady Quinn right now. UCLA-Utah, if Cam Rising plays, I think they're going to make a decision on it tomorrow. It's a big plus for Utah.

Even though they're 3-0, they've done a heck of a job to start off this season for the back-to-back Pac-12 champs. But what can you realistically expect from Cam Rising coming off that ACL first game back going up against UCLA? It's a great question, Zach, because he's been, you know, practicing for the past couple of weeks now. Where he kept thinking, like, maybe it was last week he was going to get a chance to play and get out there. So, I'm not sure, you know, I know it's all based on the medical, you know, and the docs to clear him. But they probably want to wait until he's as close to 100% as possible. And I spoke with them before the season even started. And he led me to think that he was going to play this year and he was going to show out. Maybe this is that match that he had circled in his rehab process. But either way, the matchup comes down to UCLA's ability to run the football against that Utah rush defense.

That's always so good. Second right now on the Pac-12. You know, UCLA is throwing the crap out of the ball.

It's a little skewed because of their last game running for about 400 yards. But Utah wants to put this game on the true freshman quarterback, Dante Moore. You know, he's a five-star recruit, highly talented kid, is a good decision maker.

He's checked every box so far. But this is that big challenge. He's a two-time Pac-12 champ. Morgan Scallis, their defensive coordinator, knows how to get pressure. He knows how to frustrate young quarterbacks.

And that's really what it comes down to. If UCLA's throwers run the football, I think Utah can take care of business whether Cam Rising is there or not. Nate Johnson and Bryson Barnes have done a really good job backing up on there. Staying in the Pac-12, Oregon State-Washington State. This is going to be a fun one between D.G.

Ungolay and then also Ward. Going to be a lot of points in this one. I think people are sleeping on this Oregon State defense. But what do you think will ultimately determine the game between Oregon State and Washington State and Pullman? Isn't it fun talking about all these Pac-12 matchups? And the conference is going away. It's crazy. It's the best it's ever been with 18 of the top 25. And the conference is dead.

Yeah, and the swan song too. I hear people saying, hey, if Deon would have been at CU last year, maybe they would have worked out a TV rights deal. Who knows?

Maybe they would have. But Cam Ward, the quarterback for Washington State from McCarner Ward, he's been phenomenal. He's one of the best players in college football that you don't hear about.

Because they can yell as loud as they want from Pullman. And no one on the East Coast is able to see it. Hopefully people will watch this young man. He is an absolute star.

And look, he's facing his biggest challenge so far this season. Oregon State's the more complete team. And you're seeing D.G.

Ungolay kind of reborn under Jonathan Smith. Who, look, was a former quarterback there at Oregon State. Really good offensive mind. I just think Oregon State, it's going to be too much for him to ask. I think they'll be able to run the football. D.J.

useful is really comfortable within the system. And defensively it's just too tall of a task. So tight game. But I think Oregon State will take care of business versus Washington State. I think it's good also when you're trying to get the East Coast fan involved in Oregon State, Washington State. This is 7 p.m. Eastern kickoff on Fox. Last thing I'll ask you in terms of the games this week. And we know the biggest story in the sport right now is Coach Prime with Colorado. They have their biggest task yet going to Eugene.

Going up against the Ducks who are a sensational team with Dan Lanning and Bo Nix. Right now Oregon's a 21 point favorite. Earlier in the week I plussed the 21 points. I just think it's too many points. I expect Oregon to win the game. But I just have too much respect for Colorado to think that they're going to lose this game by 22 or more.

Yeah, we've seen it in the past three weeks. And Shadore Sanders is an absolute star at the quarterback position. And when you've got a guy who can distribute the football, be as accurate as he is. As poised as he is. And the ability to make plays like he did last week at 98 yard drive. Really to help take them into overtime.

I mean he's always going to give you a shot. And this is going to be Oregon's really biggest test so far this year. So it's going to be a track meet. I think both teams will be able to score some points. Eventually though, as long as Oregon doesn't shoot themselves in the foot. Like TCU did week one or Nebraska did week two.

They should be able to manhandle CU in the trenches. And that's where they'll be able to get pressure on Shadore Sanders. They'll be able to obviously run the football at will if they want. And I think that's the battle that CU is up against these next two weeks.

It's the talent of obviously what they're playing with that can match them. Because obviously Xavier Weaver and Jimmy Horn Jr. will be the star of the highlights. Michael Harrison will play more now with the injury to Travis Hunter.

The last rated liver. So Harrison will play more at the tight end spot for CU. And you saw that at the end of last week's game. But teams can match up evenly with their skill.

It's really about the trenches. And that's where the Oregon, the USCs are just that much better up front. Where it's hard to imagine that they're not going to be able to get pressure.

Not going to be able to do what they want. And ultimately, I'm with you, I think Colorado can keep it close. But it can be miraculous to see them be able to go to Eugene and get a win.

But I kind of find it hard to believe based on what they're up against right now. If Shadore leaves Colorado after this year to go to the pros. I don't think he'll surpass Caleb Williams. But could he move past Drake May in some of these mock drafts in your opinion?

You know, maybe. I mean, as far as the mock drafts go, sure. I'm sure someone's going to throw that out there. As far as what the teams think. Well, and Brady Quinn's mock draft.

Let's go. I mean, I would say I have him right up there with them. I mean, obviously, you want to see him play a little bit more this year, too. But look, he checks all the boxes. I mean, he's got the prototypical size. He's extremely accurate.

In particular, downfield, which is really what the games become at the next level is all the vertical passing games. So, you know, that combined with the athleticism, combined with the fact that he's a decision maker. He's right there after those guys. Caleb Williams is on an island on his own.

That guy's just a decent alien. He's that talented of a quarterback. He probably should win the highs in two years. I don't know if they're going to give it to him or not, but he's that damn good. Drake May is somewhere after that. He doesn't look quite as good this year as I think people thought about him last year and Chidor's kind of flew up on the scene. So, yeah, I think there's definitely a debate to be made between those two. And then, obviously, there's some others that I think we're going to throw in the mix when it's all said and done.

Yeah, I'll be curious to see how we're talking about Michael Penix Jr. at the end of this year. Because, personally, I have Washington Brady winning the Pac-12. I feel like we all know that they're a good team, but when it comes to winning the Pac-12, people are looking elsewhere this year, whether it's USC, Colorado, Oregon, and maybe even Utah for the third straight year. Well, yeah, I just feel like Utah gets no love. All they do is just keep going out there and physically beating you up and winning a football game, winning Pac-12 championships. It's like, everyone's like, well, who's going to beat USC?

I'm like, I don't know. There's a lot of teams. It's a gauntlet for anyone in the Pac-12, but it's probably why they wouldn't get a team in the playoff because no one can survive that.

I mean, you mentioned Washington. The two wide receivers out there right now, their defense, I mean, they're as good as anyone. Like, that team should be probably a top six team right now based on how they look, and Michael Penix has been phenomenal.

He's helped himself in his draft stock. So, look, I gush talking about the Pac-12 because you turn on the tape, all you're watching is great quarterback play at the college level, so it's a ton of fun. But it's going to be fascinating to see how the next few weeks play out.

I feel bad, but in the final year it might be the best year for the Pac-12, but they might even play themselves out of being a part of the playoff. All right, last thing I'll ask you, Brady Quinn, from a broadcasting standpoint, you know how special game day is. Now you're on big noon and you guys have done a great job.

You'll be at Cincinnati for Oklahoma, Cincinnati. To hear people now say that they think big noon, and I've heard some people say this, big noon is a better show than game day. When you hear those compliments and those comments, how does it make you feel and how do you kind of look at that?

Boy, it's a huge compliment. I mean, look, game day has been around forever. You know, it's the staple that a lot of people grew up turning on. And, you know, all we try to do is provide what we feel like is our best form or presentation of college football and try to have fun, educate people, entertain people, and really talk about the game that's been so good to us and the game that we love. And so if we're able to change people's habits out there or when they tune in on Saturdays, they're tuned in to big noon kickoff at 10 a.m. Eastern time, you know, awesome. That's our goal, obviously, is we want to try to be out there to reach as many people as possible with our way of communicating our love for the game of college football.

So come join us, 10 a.m. Eastern, every Saturday on Fox. You can obviously, you know, see the whole crew having some fun. I mean, last week was like a con.

I mean, we had Lil Wayne out there. It was nuts. I've never been a part of anything like that.

It was the world's biggest frat party. That's the way that I described it. That's one way of putting it.

I mean, I feel bad for the kids. I'm not sure they were all able to make it to the late kick at 8 p.m., I think, local time there. A lot of naps during the middle of the day. There's no doubt about it. You wake up at probably 7 and go, oh, got an hour to get ready for the game. Anyway, Brady Quinn, keep on kicking ass. Always appreciate when you join us. Thank you. Thanks for having us, Zach.

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