College Football Madness (Hour 2)

Alrighty, we're on the road today, Radio Row, USAA Army Navy Radio Row, and we are here all the way up until 6 p.m. Eastern, 3 p.m. Pacific Time.

It is the Zach Gelb show, fun hour number one. We did have Robert Griffin III stop by. At some point this hour, we'll be joined by our old coworker in Brian Jones. And trust me, when he's here, you'll know it because he is a very loud individual.

And then E.J. Emanuel will join us coming up later on in the hour. And Ron Rivera, the former head football coach, see him popping up a few times on the NFL Network, is going to join us as well. So a whole lot to do today. We get you set for Army Navy coming up tomorrow.

It should be a fun one. Bryson Daly, you know, we had Jeff Monken on earlier in the week and I thought Bryson Daly was someone that should have got more Heisman Trophy consideration. It would have been nice to see him be a Heisman Trophy finalist. But I think a big reason why he didn't get there is for people that don't know, when you get a Heisman Trophy vote, you only get three votes. So it is basically a blank online sheet and it says first place, second place, third place. You need to put in the name and then the school where the athlete that you're selecting is participating in. So it's clear two names that have to be on everyone's list this year are Ash and Gente and Travis Hunter, right?

They have to be, I would say, one or two. And then it was who's your third place vote? So when you look at the quarterbacks, Bryson Daly had a really good season, a really special season. But with that being said, it felt like the conversation for that third place vote was either Cam Ward, was Chador Sanders or even Dylan Gabriel. We know that Cam Ward and Dylan Gabriel were two out of the four Heisman Trophy finalists with the other two being Travis Hunter and also Ash and Gente. So I would say this, if I could talk to the Heisman Trophy Trust, I would say, let's do five votes. You got a first, a second, a third, a fourth and a fifth place vote. And then I think then you could have it be a little bit more open up for guys like a Bryson Daly or Cam Scataboo that comes out of Arizona State and a few other guys as well, just because of the fact when you only pigeonhole yourselves into three votes, it kind of doesn't let you give some shine to some other people.

And also, hey, when it's a third place finish, sometimes then guys vote some lesser known people rather than the guys that are actually deserving there in this spot. And oh, you know, let me tell you something. Things about to get a little bit crazy here, because I'll tell you, in the history of our network, I would say the loudest host ever in the history of the network is Brian Jones.

Maybe Scotty Ferrell would also be in that mix. You know, shake it up. I'm here with Brian Jones.

Wake your ass up. And then I would also say I got to be in that mix because I'm one loud, bloviating individual as well. But now joining us here, USAA Army Navy Radio Row. You see him all the time on CBS throughout the football season, the college football season. He does a great job on the pre and post show. And that is our guy, Brian Jones, who, by the way, has maybe the best beard on television right now. That's that's I would go sit down with you at Westville and I would I would get I would get you some bacon because I know you like that bacon at Westville.

And we would have a grand old time. How you been? I am great. You can't complain. I've been fantastic. This outfit, dude.

What's up? Where I get one? You go to Shina state Shina.

So Geo is sponsored by Shina state. OK. They are a ball hammock underwear. So if you know, you need to be a little bit more comfortable down there, you could get some better underwear.

And then also they make these or you can go commando. You could. Is that what you do on CBS? So last time I saw you. Yes, sir. I called my attorney afterwards because you assaulted me. Do you remember assaulting me in person? I assaulted you. How many years ago was this?

This was last year at Radio Row for the Super Bowl. What did I do? Well, I saw you walking past me and I said, there's Brian Jones in a joking way.

And I'm going to move away when I do this. I said, horns down, horns down. And you came across as if I was like a running back. And you go, don't you ever do that? And you just did it again. Yeah. Horns down. And you just punched me. Oh, well, now you could sue me back.

Don't ever do the inverted hook them. Why do you guys, you have a death wish. Why do you guys get so sensitive? Because you're desecrating our sign.

What do you mean? Why the hell we get sensitive? That's our sign. That's our symbol. And you're desecrating. Well, I'm just glad now you guys are in the sec because they let people now do horns now.

Well I had, I wasn't one that, uh, was advocating for them to outlaw it. If you want to stop people from doing it, kick their ass on the field or on the court. That's the only way you stop it. But yeah, people do it. There's a time honored history to poo poo the Longhorns. And so now they're doing it in the sec with the refs last week as well.

They were in on it also. Yeah. That sec championship game, it was over at halftime because you guys should have been up by a whole lot more than 21 nothing.

Yeah. And at least, and once you went into halftime and I think it was six three and you knew that Carson Beck got hurt. I sat there and I said, I've been watching Carson Beck all season. You never want to see somebody get hurt, but their offense is going to get a jolt of energy because Beck has just been so erratic this year.

It was, and I go back and watch the game tape each and every week and it was excruciating to watch because they played so well, especially defensively. Yeah, I'm freezing. These are my hands. Yeah, I was freaking cold. Where do you live now? Texas Austin. It was 70 degrees yesterday. But you're in New York all the time. This isn't cold.

I go in the hotel to the car, to the studio, hotel, motel to the car, to the hotel, especially this time of year when it's freezing cold. So I'm watching that tape and deep moisturizer by the way, in those hands. You telling me this is ashy season. I know I need some moisturizer.

Minus 20 out here to my body. I got some moisturizer. Just be quiet over there. Flag you. I saw, I saw over Meyer.

I wanted to walk up to him and be like, are you going to try to plant me to get some revenge? What, what, how ridiculous is that by the way? Stupid. And they need to stop. And I'm glad SARC stopped. Some of our players went during the Texas A&M game.

What's wrong with flag planting? That's ridiculous. You win the game. Take that. That's enough. You have bragging rights for 365 days or whatever you play them again.

That's more than enough. Don't try to disrespect them, especially in their own, on their own field. Just take your dub, celebrate with your teammates and get out of Dodge.

That's all you need to do. Why can't those Ohio State players, those losers that lost the game, just get off the field. You lost, go home. You're not going to desecrate my damn field, okay? What's the big deal? That's the big deal.

It's a fun celebration. Well you go try to plant one. See what happened to you. Yeah, you'll probably assault me again. Exactly.

You're going to get assaulted. Correct. This Texas team, and last year I thought Texas would win the Big 12. This year I thought they would be good. But I look at them this year, their best win is what?

A&M? Are they a serious contender to go win it all? Yes, when they play well. Yes, they're a serious contender. Unless they face Georgia. So you think they could be any team but Georgia? Yeah, and they've proven they can't. And as you just said, they should have been up 21-0. They come back in the second half. They can't stop the run. And for the life of me, I don't know why you don't put 11 in the box and force Gunner Stockton to throw the ball. I'd be damned if you're going to run on me.

You're going to have to prove to us that you can pass, Mr. Backup Quarterback. And they couldn't stop him. They couldn't stop ETN, who once again had two touchdowns, almost 100 yards. So yes, they're a legitimate football team. They play great. They just can't do it against Georgia for some reason. And you're not going to have as many opportunities when you play a comparable opponent, such as Georgia.

You've got to execute on the limited opportunities you have. Guys were open, and they just missed them. And I say, hey, the quarterback, you missed them.

Guys were open. Had touchdowns. There were touchdowns to be had, and yet they didn't execute. How much of a chance do you have Clemson in this one? I give them a good chance.

They got a running game with Moffat. This defense, watch this number three, TJ Parker. I think he's got 11, 12 sacks.

This guy is bad. And he showed up last week versus SMU made a ton of plays. They've got a good defense.

They'll be ready to go. And Klubnick's going home. He's going back to Austin. So you know he's going to want to show out. How about the quarterback situation? Because Quinn Ewers, I feel like is one of the most disrespected quarterbacks the last two years, and all the guy does is win.

But there is still a part of this. Well, even in the SEC Championship game, I'm sitting there, I go, I know the last time they played Georgia, they put Archin for like two drives, and they went back to Austin. I was sitting there and I go, maybe we'll see Archin in the second half. Well, you saw him a couple times. I know there was a fourth down play.

I believe they snapped it through his hands to blue and they got the first down. Far be it for me to tell Coach Sarkeesian how to run his team. He's forgotten more football now than I've ever known.

But I know this. It's a mixed bag with Ewers at times. He's on and then he's off. Once again, there were shots to be had that last P.I.

on Georgia when you went and kicked the tying field goal. It should have been a touchdown to number five Wingo. He was open. Lead the guy. Get the ball there. Three years now you've been watching this mixed bag where some days get starting quarterback is on.

Other days he's off. And you just can't have that. Not three years into this. Do you think Quinn's definitely going to the pros after this? I have no idea what his future holds. None whatsoever.

And I'm not going to speculate. Okay, now how about Arch? Because for me, I look at this the last two years and I've just been sitting there and I've been watching and I go, wait till Arch Manning.

Wait till we see the full Arch Manning show. It feels like it's the last two years have been very successful. You know, it's kind of like pigs in the blanket at a wedding. Like they could be the best part of the night, but you're always wondering what's coming next.

And that's what I'm really excited to see. You have pigs in the blanket at the weddings you go to? What type of weddings you going to, man? It's a Jewish wedding. They have pigs? Pigs in the blanket.

You ain't supposed to be port. What kind of Jewish wedding are they going to have port? I'm not kosher. You think this body's kosher?

Come on. No, that ain't no kosher. Take that flag off. We can't have our flag wrapped around a non-kosher body. Hook them. See, now I can do whatever I want.

But when I look at Texas and Arch Manning, I think it's just going to be so fun. And really, back to the pigs in the blanket too, I don't care if you're Democrat. I don't care if you're Republican. I got family members.

They just fight over politics. You put a pig in a blanket in front of everyone, everyone's happy. No way. Really? Yeah, everyone's happy. I love being a pig in a blanket.

Rooter to the tutor, even eat the oink. All right, how about Boise State? We're on KTIK. You know they're still in the national show in Boise.

Ashton Gente, I heard you the other night. You think he should win the Heisman Trophy? Yeah, I would have him in the one hole right now. What he did was just magnificent. Everyone stacked the box. They knew they needed to stop him.

And they couldn't. So yeah, when everyone's loading up to stop you, and we were just discussing what Texas should have done, forcing Gunnar Stockton to pass the ball, everyone's loading up to stop this kid and they can't. So yeah, I think he's the reason Boise is sitting there in the playoffs currently, the reason they're one another Mountain West championship.

So yeah, I think he should be in that one hole. But I'm not at liberty to divulge who I've voted for since I'm a Heisman voter. Same here, but I would agree with your analysis that you said last night on CBS Sports and what you said about Gente. What'd I say? You said he should win the award. Oh, I can't remember what I said.

You got to be careful there. Factor fiction. One of Arizona State or Boise State will make it to the semifinal.

Oh, that's fiction. Neither. Because I'm hoping Arizona State plays my lawnmower, so that means they beat Clemson and then they'll beat Arizona State. But Cam Scattaboo, he's had a Heisman-worthy season as well. That's John Riggins, 2.0, being here in Washington. He is a heck of a running back and the transfer and everything Dittingham has done there, man. That's overcoming the sanctions, the probation, and he's got 60 new faces on that roster this season.

What do they want, six straight ballgames? That's kind of the sport now. Yeah, well, it is, but it's still not easy to do.

No, if it was easy, everyone would see immediate success. Of course, he's done it over two seasons, only winning three games a year ago, but they've got a hell of a football team playing with a lot of confidence. And then Penn State SMU, you trust whoever survives there. I think it's going to be Penn State to beat Boise. I'm going to take Penn State, but don't be surprised that SMU wins. They are a damn good football team.

You turn on that tape, it's speed all over the place and they ball out. Speed on defense, offense, this Jennings kid for him to win. Preston Stone came in with all this hype. He's going to be the guy and Jennings takes over and that team doesn't skip a beat.

They've played ferocious defense. So I'm taking Penn State, but I'm not shocked if SMU wins. And then wrapping up with Brian Jones here on behalf of USAA Army Navy Radio Row, Belichick to UNC. Where do you lie on this? Well, it's where the NIL lie?

Where does that lie? Because everyone's wondering, I can't see Belichick going into someone's home. You don't have to see him.

No. As long as that money bag shows up. And Coach Prime has an in-house visit. Thank you.

It's a new game. And here's the deal. His selling point, you want to get to that NFL?

Much like Deon. You want to get there? Well, go to one of the best who's ever coached at that level and he's going to teach you how to get there. Now his personality may not scream, hey, I'm a college football coach, but that football acumen definitely does.

And you're going to have some kids that want to learn from a man such as him. Alrighty. Bring some, bring some gloves next time. I left the gloves in my hotel room, dude. So how long are we going to have a state to obvious conversation? How long are you outside for?

For about two hours. We just had a rehearsal. Oh, you.

I came straight from rehearsal. Well, why didn't you say so? I thought you were just. You didn't ask me.

I just did and you got annoyed at me for asking you. Kick your ass on no radio show. There he is.

Brian Jones. Do it. Do it again.

I dare you. What? You know what?

Do it. Oh, there you go. You know what happens with the horns up? They go down. They go down. Give me that shake. Yeah.

Myself and Mike. We'll be hiding for years. Radio segment. I'm going to get whacked. Brian Jones going to turn into be an Italian. He's going to whack me tonight. You got to get rid of me. Not the way that you thought of it. I mean like I'm in the hotel room. Then you're going to like baseball bat whack me.

No, no, no, no, no, no. What do you mean the way I thought of it? I know how you, I saw your eyes the way that they went. I was looking at something else. I wasn't even paying attention to you.

Something much prettier walking by. I had forgotten you were even here. Good to see you. You still here? Yeah, I'm still here. I'm saying goodbye to you. Oh, bye.

I got to do a live read so you can leave if you want. Good to see you. There he is. Brian Jones. Who did the flag? What's the name?

No, no. Soon the lady who, original lady who sold it Susan B. Anthony. Wasn't it Susan B. Anthony? Betsy Ross. Betsy Ross. Who was Susan B. Anthony? What'd she do? I don't know. I get my white women mixed up.

That's been one of the history. Good to see you. We'll take a time out Zach Hill's show here on the infinity sports network back after these short messages. Football season is in full swing and you can take full advantage by winning some cash with sleeper picks. Sleeper picks is a fantasy game, but you can win real money. Just pick more or less at least two of your favorite player stats and if you're right, you could win. You can pick up to eight players.

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Call 1-800-426-2537 for help. Sponsored by sleeper a blitz product. You're listening to the Zach Gelb show. Zach's taking on the most polarizing issues in sports. Which side of the line of scrimmage will he end up on? Offside defense number 69. It's onsides offsides with Zach Gelb. All right, it's time onside offside Zach Gelb show infinity sports network here at USAA Army Navy radio row.

EJ Manuel going to join us coming up in 15 minutes from now, but first we go to Stu. All right Zach, so the Rams as we talked about the start of the show, they defeated the Niners 12 to 6 in a sloppy game last night to effectively end San Fran season. Not only are last year's NFC champs now 6 and 8 and will almost certainly need to win out. We also had linebacker Devondre Campbell refusing to play midway through the game. He's gone, he's gone. Onsides offsides, this era of the 49ers has peaked and they will fail to win a Super Bowl.

It's a good question because it's getting ugly now. Brandon Aiyuk out for the season, McCaffrey out for the season. You know, I have a lot of sympathy for what Trent Williams is going through, but I take a look at this 49ers group. When you have this bad of a season, I think they could get back next year. But are you going to get back back like they could be a playoff team next year, but you're going to be able to be a Super Bowl contender and inevitably you're going to have to pay Brock Purdy and depending on what the numbers are in that contract, that could really make a lot of guys that you had there for years lose their job.

Like I look at a Deebo Samuel, he's slowing down. You probably got to trade him at the end of the season like someone's got to go. So I think they could retool and they could get back to the postseason. But in terms of winning the Super Bowl, I think that ship has sailed because there was such a mental hurdle to overcome anyway. When you're up by 10 twice, I know it's in Mahomes, I know it's the Chiefs, but you're up by 10 twice up against Kansas City and you don't win one. And now we're seeing this group bottom out.

You could restore the ship a little bit, but is it ever going to sail as smoothly as it did in the past and even then it needs to sail better? I'm going to say no. So this era, the 49ers has peaked and they will fail to win a Super Bowl. Yeah, I'm going to say onside on that, but I don't think they're going to win a Super Bowl.

So there could be a quarterback change in New Orleans on Sunday as Jake Hayner is expected to start against the commanders if Derek Carr can't go as he is trying to overcome a concussion as well as a fracture to his non-throwing hand. It would be the fourth game missed for Carr this season, who has two years left on his contract after this season. So onsides offsides, the Saints should move on from Carr after this season, even if they're not in a position to draft a quarterback. I'm going to say offside to that because in the draft, it's not even a foregone conclusion that they're going to be able to get a quarterback. You know, I know they haven't won a lot of games, but I think they've already won enough games where it looks like the Giants and the Raiders are going to be those two teams that end up getting the quarterbacks.

And I've said this for a while. If it is not Chador Sanders, if it's not Cam Ward, I'm not interested in picking you in the top 10 of this draft. So you know me, I'm not a big fan of Carr. I don't think Carr should be a starting quarterback in this league.

But when you look at it, he's still fine enough where he could put up good stats. But I don't feel confident if that is the guy perceived to be my franchise quarterback. But even if you do bring someone in, they're going to be ready to start away. Like I don't think it's a bad thing to have that veteran voice there, even though we've seen Carr with the Raiders and that was a messy situation, but walk away from the team afterwards. But when you ask me, the Saints should move on from Carr after the season, even if they're not in a position to draft a quarterback. I'm going to go offside just because of what the contract is.

All right. The Dolphins have released wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. earlier today. What was described as a neutral parting of ways with four weeks ago in the season. Now, after signing a one year deal with Miami this offseason, the now 32 year old had just nine catches for fifty five yards and zero touchdowns.

And of course, limited action. Onside's offsides OBJ has played his last meaningful snap in the NFL. Yeah, onsides. The last time we saw OBJ really be productive, I would say it was the Rams, right? He caught that touchdown in the Super Bowl and then unfortunately blew out his leg. You know, he had a few moments with the Ravens a year ago. But you look at the way that he was hyped up and the way that he played early on in his career. I thought we were seeing one of the greatest wide receivers of all time with the run that he had the first three, four years in the league. But then all the injuries started to pile up. It did not work out in Cleveland. Unfortunately, he could have been on his way to win the Super Bowl MVP with the Rams and then his knee gets hurt after catching that touchdown pass and ever since then, it's just like it's the old broken down car.

Like you loved it, you drove for all those years, but you know, you got to get a new car. I don't see why another team would bring an OBJ if they're trying to seriously win football games. The juice just isn't worth the squeeze anymore. So Odell Beckham just played his last meaningful snap in the NFL. It felt that way like two years ago.

So now it really feels that way onside. So NCAA President Charlie Baker revealed this week that the NCAA basketball tournaments could be expanding to 72 or even 76 teams in the coming years. He said, quote, I am bullish on the conversations we've had going from 72 or 76. And I think the committees are willing to consider that, but I don't think that it's going to be anything beyond that.

End of quote. Onside to offside going to 72 or 76 teams would be a bad thing for the sport of college basketball. Do we really need to expand them that much more? The way the NC, I know they expanded a few years ago by like four teams, but the way that the NC tournament has gone as of late, it's fine.

I hate to keep on, I know they're going to say, oh, well it's more access and we have so many programs. If you can't, I'd say the same thing about a 12 team format in college, in the college football playoff with how long the regular season is for college basketball, with how long the regular season is for college football. If you can't clearly make it known and obvious that you deserve to be in the college football playoff or the NCAA tournament after your season comes to a close, you don't deserve to be there. And I know we could make arguments, this resume versus that resume, but you either have to win your conference and get the bid in automatically, right for college basketball, or you got to be one of those at large bids.

If you can't make that clear and obvious after an entire regular season, I'm not going to sit here and say that you got screwed. So going to 72 or 76 teams, I don't need to see it. Now, I could also argue in college basketball, a lot of people don't pay attention to March anyway.

So it's just kind of March Madness now has become their season. So do you maybe want to showcase more teams? You could make that point, but I'm not going to do so. I think it'd be unnecessary because the system right now is perfect. And we've seen 16 beat ones.

We see 15s beat twos. It's really good the way the tournament's working right now. So John Rossi, and I've seen him say this before, do whatever you can in your power to make sure that the NCAA tournament does not get expanded.

We do not need expansion in the NCAA tournament to go into 72 or 76 teams would be a bad thing for the sport of college basketball on sides. All right, last one here, despite some speculation online that Texas quarterback, Quinn Ewers could return for his senior season and that Arch Manning could then transfer. Anwar Richardson of Yahoo Sports said that this is not the case and Ewers is fully expected to head to the NFL. Of course, that would pave the way for a full season as Manning as a Longhorn starter. So on the golf side, seeing Arch Manning play a full season is the thing that you're most excited for in college football next season. It's a great question.

I don't know. Belichick might surpass that. No, no, because Belichick's not on the he's not playing on the field. Bryce Underwood at Michigan should be fun. Seeing how Deion Sanders coaches without door and Travis Hunter could be of interest as well. Yeah, I don't think with the Manning name, I don't think there's anything that could top on the field seeing seeing Arch Manning next year. So I would say, yeah, Arch Manning playing a full season is a thing that I'm most excited about for next college football season that would be on sides. Now I'll give you an early Heisman pick for next year because I've been thinking about this as well. I try to be a year in advance of these things, and I usually make fun of it when people end up giving predictions right after something happens. Whenever we have the NCAA tournament ended and John Fanta gives you his top twenty five after for the next season.

I do find that funny. But if I had to say right now, your guys do. Jeremiah Love at Notre Dame had a really good season last year. He has the confidence.

He has the brand. Notre Dame. They have a shoe in to make the college football playoff as long as they only lose one or two games a year. I could see Jeremiah Love next year ended up being a guy that's a finalist in New York City for the Heisman Trophy. That would be my first thought.

That would excite me a lot. And he's going to have to carry the load next year with Riley Leonard leaving, graduating. They're probably going to go to the freshman CJ Carr. So we'll see what happens. Another car in my life. Oh, jeez. Hopefully this car drives a little bit better for you.

I hope so. I just hope so, because still you have a lot of miserable football teams. You have a lot of bad sports teams. I know the Lakers used to be great, but they're not anymore.

The Raiders, just a disaster. You know, Yankees now are a pathetic joke. There's just a lot a lot of teams that man you root for. And they're just terrible. I have that ability.

I work with producers that just root for these horrible teams. All right. We'll take a time out when we come on back. E.J. Manuel is going to join us.

Should Notre Dame join a conference? We'll get into that next from USA Army Navy Radio Row update time. Let's send it back to New York City. Here is El Capitan Marco Bolletti. You're listening to the Zach Gelb show.

All right. Welcome back, kid. This is USA Army Navy Radio Row. It's a Zach Gelb show coast to coast on the Infinity Sports Network.

And now joining us is a great job in the network. And that is former Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel. E.J., how you been? I'm doing good, Zach.

How are you? I love this. I said, Mr. America, I think you've gotten Uncle Sam. You have any other nicknames with the suit?

I think that's it. Star Spangled Banner or something like that. I'll tell you, I don't think I have to pay for a drink tonight. Let's get this guy tonight. Let me start you off a quarterback play in college, because it's been clear, I think, all throughout the year in terms of the NFL draft that Chador Sanders and Cam Ward are the two best quarterbacks when it comes to guys that are draft eligible next year. If you were the Giants or the Raiders, and let's say you had the number one overall pick, whoever that may be, who do you go with? Who do you think is the better quarterback?

That's tough. So as far as who's the better quarterback and again, I still look at this from the lens of their college players. So I try to pay attention to what skill sets would carry over the quickest in the NFL. And when we had the same type of conversation around that draft class last year, I thought it was Jayden Daniels. I think Cam Ward and Chador both have Jayden Daniel-esque kind of play, maybe not the athleticism, the ability to run.

But when I watch Chador, a lot of the ways that he processes information, his accuracy, his timing, anticipation, he has that. And Cam Ward does too. I mean, there's a reason why Miami won, what, 10 games on the season. And it's unfortunate that they got cut short losing the Syracuse. And that's also a really good football team in ACC. Fran Brown. Yeah, with Fran Brown.

But I'd say it's 1A, 1B. And I said that same thing about Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels last year. And so I think they both possess a lot of talents and they're both going to be NFL quarterbacks and really good. You know, it's a funny process because I remember when I was talking to Jayden at the Heisman, Pat McAfee and Herb Street, they were both saying, this guy's getting slept on way too much.

I'm like, hold on, he's about to win the Heisman. But for the draft, people were saying, oh, top five right away. And that was just in December. And then you see in April, he's a second overall pick.

And there's narratives that happen, right? They're generational guys. And right. Caleb Williams was a generational guy. And as we got closer to the draft, I go, I can't say that Jayden is better than Caleb and should go one. But I started to fall in love with Jayden the most.

And it's funny when that guy is the guy, we all get stubborn and we don't like to change, even though we've seen some other things. So I don't base who goes in draft order as he's better than this player. I think that really is about what team picks and who they want. You know, so if a team that took Caleb Williams number one in Chicago, they just wanted Caleb. I don't think that necessarily means that, you know, Jayden is not as good as Caleb or vice versa because it's all about a draft order. Like you might have a player who may go ninth, but he might have been the best player on that team's draft board and they just happen to pick ninth. So they had that pick at one.

They might have taken him that one. That's how I see it. But look, I mean, you're kind of nitpicking when we get into who's better, who's this, who's that?

I think it's more about who has the best situation around them. And I certainly felt like Jayden Daniels played so much in college football that he got all the reps that were needed to work out some of the kinks of understanding blitzes and knowing where to go with a certain blitz. And again, his natural ability to take off and run. I knew it was going to be something that helped him in the rookie year because, you know, you're not going to know everything. You're not going to know every pressure. You're not going to know every defensive coverage that's being thrown at you.

So when you have that in your back pocket, that helps your confidence go even higher to know you can get yourself out of trouble. I've been saying this since May that I thought that Chador was going to find the way to the Raiders. I feel like Coach Prime is going to force that.

And then I'm going to say Cam Ward goes to the Giants. That's what I'm saying right now. I also saw Shadera saying he wants to take the New York subway. So, hey, I mean, as someone that lives in New York, you have enough money. You can avoid the New York subway. I got money and I still take the subway. So I'm on the subway. I kind of like it's part of going to New York. It's like when you go to New York, you have a slice of pizza to me. Like, I don't mind the subway.

Sure. That's the biggest thing. Post pandemic, the subway. That's where all the crazy. I've been lucky. I haven't had any crazy. I haven't had any crazy occurrences.

Now, one of that one of those times happening, it probably spoil it for me. But literally, my wife and I were there maybe three weeks ago for our neighbor, Devon Godchild. He had a birthday party and we went to the city after I finished my network stuff and we took the subway like twice. Yeah. Just to say we did it. So I got you as a pretty big dude.

Me and my wife did it, but that's the right. That's a cool part of being now a former player. Like I blend in, I think, you know what I'm saying? But I do, though, because some people might recognize me like, but they don't bother me in a way, you know what I'm saying?

So they keep walking and especially playing for the bills. You know, I'll see people in New York City, but it's all love at this point. You know what? Next time you come to the city, I'll show you the craziest thing. The Uber Uber's going to be on you. Oh, yeah.

There goes my salary for the year. E.J. Manuel here with us. Heisman Trophy.

Yeah. We got Travis Hunter, Ashton, Gente. I know Cam Ward and Dylan Gabriel also finalists. I think those guys are one of them is going to finish in third. You think it's going to be Gente one and Travis, too, or vice versa? You know what?

I think Travis has a locked up. When you look at the ability to play at a high level on offense and defense and we have Jimbo Fish and I'm talking about Jacob Hester is our co-host on off campus for a serious selfless plug. I used to work with Jacob. All right, cool. We did a Heisman together with Joe.

Jimbo Fisher joins us on Tuesday as our former coach. And he made a good point about the ability to retain all that information. You think about a game plan on offense. You got what, 60, 70 plays that you'll probably run. And I'm talking about actual plays.

Maybe there's some that repeat, but at least like 100 plus going to a game plan. Same on defense. So that part, besides the athletic ability to make interceptions and make big catches and put touchdowns, how about his mental acumen to be able to understand game plans on offense and on defense? That, to me, is why, one, he's going to probably go first in the draft, talking about these other quarterbacks, but then the other part, why he should win the Heisman Trophy. So I want to ask you about Mike Norvell. So I've been a big fan of Mike Norvell since he was at Memphis. I went to Temple, so a little American Athletic Conference roots right there. When he first got to Florida State, you know how it is.

He's a savior. And after a few years, everyone's like, why the heck is he the coach? Then he had the season that he had last year.

Everyone's all on board. And this year was just an unmitigated disaster. Can he win back over the Florida State fans? Can you think he could have a year like he did last year? Not the one that happened this year.

Absolutely. But the other key part about that is, like you said, that he got to win. And Coach Norvell understands that. He understands what the expectation is at Florida State and is to win games and also win championships. You know, that year where 2023, Florida State won the ACC undefeated 13 and 0 got left out of the playoff.

We won't go down that hole. But that's the expectation of the fan base. Now, you may not win every single game, but it's also about how you lose. And so it hurt my soul to see us only win. I'm talking about Florida State to win two games. And I believe what one ACC game, if I'm not mistaken, one game, one win in ACC play.

And I just didn't see it coming. And honestly, when I said it out loud, I still don't believe it's act like FSU goes to win 10. But that can't happen ever again. And I don't think it's good for college football either.

Of course, you got to earn what you get. But college football needs the Miamis, the FSU's, the Clemsons in the ACC specifically to be good. And yeah, really unfortunate here. And let's be real. D.J. Wong-Golay was always overrated. I think we were trying to figure out was it Dabo? Was it D.J.?

I think it was a mixture of both why it didn't work out. But to see how far he fell this year, even if he thought he was overrated, no one could have seen that. You know what?

So as far as the overrated, underrated stuff, again, I don't get into that. Look, I played a position, so I know how hard it can be. But yeah, I mean, there were some moments where I was like, can't miss those throws or moments where it's like, ah, hand the ball off. You know what I mean? Like, it was just some decisions that D.J.

ultimately made. And I'll be curious to see what happens with him because he technically has another year at FSU. And I saw they had just signed or committed, got a commitment from Thomas Castellanos from Boston College.

Gus Malzahn now there as offensive coordinator, probably fits the style of T.C. a little bit more than D.J. you. Yeah.

But it got Tony White and pot roast part that that really is unfortunate. D.J. was like the nicest guy. Yeah.

You know what I mean? Like, you talk to him like this on the radio or just hang out with him and it's and it's chill. Like, he's super personable, really nice kid. And you want success for him. But unfortunately, at Florida State specifically this year didn't happen. When you look at Belichick going to UNC, I just had RG3 on and he was saying the ceiling for Belichick is to win a national championship. But I'm like, nah, come on. I agree.

What? It's to win an ACC championship. Let's start because like, hey, no disrespect to Clemson. No disrespect to SMU. There are two ACC teams in the playoff this year. I don't see how they're going to win a national championship this year.

So we'll see about that. But as far as Coach Belichick, I don't say the expectation should be national championship. Look, he doesn't have Tom Brady. I mean, like Coach Belichick is an excellent coach. He's a six time Super Bowl winning coach.

But he also had Hall of Famers on those football teams and guys who he developed. And that's the key term that I got from his press conference yesterday. Talk about development.

And he didn't even set expectations of, you know, hey, I'm going to bring this. I'm going to win ACC. Hey, we're going to go to the drum board. We're going to build this roster. We're going to build this football team. That's an honest, realistic day by day.

All right. But see, again, when you play the game, you know, that's exactly the truth. Like, I can't come in and expect all of a sudden to turn around the team that just went six and six and taking the national championship.

Now you go into the portal or you recruit some high school kids, maybe that can turn around. It happened to Florida Coach Norvell. So it's possible. But to say that should be the expectation. And I get what RG three is saying, the ceiling for every team.

But for me, I'm excited. Coach Belichick in the ACC one, I think it brings validity to the conference because most people, why don't you go SEC? Why didn't go big 10? ACC football is good to guys. They got good players as well.

OK, everybody relax. ACC is good. But the other part I think is great for the young men that are going to get recruited there because you are genuinely going to get prepared for the NFL. Now, whether you make it or not, that's up to you as far as talent.

But ultimately, as far as the preparation, Coach Belichick can get you right. The transfer portal, since we keep on talking about it, I'm pro NIL, I'm pro transfer portal. Be nice that there was like some more rules in America. Yes, I am. Of course.

Anything for more people to get by. Just make sure you give me a cut and I'll be OK with it. But when I look at the transfer portal, I kind of equate it to me playing blackjack, OK, where there's times where I could be Florida State and I'm hot and I look like I'm walking out of the casino with the big bag of cash. But then, you know, you're going to lose that money quick. And if you build your entire program off the transfer portal, you're going to be walking out of the casino with no money. Fair enough.

I think with the transfer portal, it's great for players to have that opportunity to see what else is out there. But for coaches to try to build the roster, look, every situation is different because everybody laughed at Deion Sanders when he got the head coaching job at Colorado. But a lot of his kids, the Louis luggage and all that, you know, obviously imagery, but what a lot of his players from Jackson State to Colorado, they're going to a bowl game and they almost made it to a CFP.

So who's laughing now? The Suns will probably be a top five pick. Travis Hunter's probably the number one overall pick. So I think there's ways to do it. But you're right. It is somewhat of a crapshoot or a blackjack game, but in football anyways, like in recruiting, in draft ways, like nobody truly knows who's going to be a for sure success. It's football. That's why it's a game. And so I think that's the exciting part about the transfer portal. Give the guys the opportunity.

And ultimately it's up to them to make the most of it. I'm also a crappy blackjack player because I get bored. So like if you're playing for an hour, you're only up by a hundred. It's like, I just put all this time for a hundred.

Let me just throw all the hundreds on the table. This is, this is why you don't want to ride the subway. Cause you're wasting money running the blackjack table, man. Come on, bro. You can be using that money on Ubers and taxis, man.

I don't know. The Ubers in New York are crazy. I love the city bikes in New York city, as long as it's over 65 degrees, you know, now they got the city bikes where it's like electric. And so I was there maybe two times ago when I was in doing Seaport ESPN get up. And I had a, like the evening before I got on one of the bikes, I was expecting it to be like the normal blue city bike.

It was different. That thing took off, man. I was like, Oh, this is awesome. You got to be careful, man, though. I was trust me.

Those cars, they don't care that you're on the lanes or I probably hit like the West side highway. I used to have a place in the city on 42nd and 11th when I was in the league. So I know it pretty well.

I love New York. Gotcha. Does Notre Dame need to join a conference full time? Yeah, man, they do. They do. I understand the business part of why they don't, but I would love if they joined the ACC again, it would add more validity similar to what I said about coach Belichick, but also it levels the playing ground because technically if you think about it, Notre Dame gets their own spot in the playoff.

It's either they get it or they don't. It's almost similar to a G five team. They lost one more game. They wouldn't have gotten a spot and that would have gave another powerful team an opportunity. So I hope that they at some point join either the ACC or a conference to play that conference championship like everybody else has to. Last thing I'll ask you, how does Clemson and how does SMU win their first round matchups?

Got you. So for Clemson, handle the situation. Uh, I think defensively you have to get pressure on Quinures. Quinures is 48% completing the ball under pressure, but funny enough, he's 64% versus the blitz.

The difference is pressure is four guys rushing and then blitz is obviously bringing linebackers and exterior guys. For SMU, handle the moment. I think what you have 35, 36,000 or 36,000 fans in their stadium in Dallas. Well, now you're about to go 100,000, 106,000. It's going to be cold.

So that's why I say handle the handle the environment. But SMU is going to shock a lot of people. Rhett Lashley, their head coach, one of the best play callers in all of college football. PCJ Emanuel, of course, does a great job, ACC Network. You listen to him on Sirius XM, just that you hear this show as well. And then he's here today on behalf of USA Army Navy Radio Room.

EJ, great to see you. Appreciate it. And this portion of the show is brought to you by Sleeper. Just download the Sleeper app today and use code SCORE when signing up.

Must be present in certain states. Visit Sleeper.com for details. Sponsored by Sleeper, a blitz product.

So we ended that conversation with EJ Manual Live from USA Army Navy Radio Row. And it was talking about those two schools from the ACC in Clemson and SMU that are in the college football playoff. And if you look at the road for Clemson and also SMU to win the game, it's just at halftime, be in it, like with a touchdown or less, because all the pressure between Clemson and Texas is on Texas. All the pressure between SMU and Penn State is on Penn State.

And I look at Penn State, there's a conversation about them that they can't win the big game. And James Franklin wins a lot of games, but not the big games. Like we're patting them on the head, James Franklin, for only losing by eight points to Oregon in a Big Ten championship game. You know, the praise that I've seen of James Franklin after keeping it within eight points in a Big Ten championship game, and it felt like that game was for most of it was by 14 points. And they scored the touchdown at the end. And obviously, right, with the whole two-point conversion situation, how that did play on out. It's amazing some of the overpraising that has been done to Penn State when they still lost a Big Ten championship game. So I would say for SMU and Clemson, you just got to be within a touchdown at halftime.

And then all the pressure goes to Sarc and all the pressure goes to James Franklin. And I look at SMU, I could see the stage being too big for them. For Penn State, 108,000 screaming fans going nuts. And also you have SMU going into the cold of Happy Valley. I'm not saying Texas, I haven't thought on who's going to win that game yet in terms of making the final prediction. But Texas, even though they are an incredibly well-rounded team, their best win this year is A&M. And Dabo Swinney, say what you want, how much we have clowned him really the last few years.

Dabo Swinney is a multiple time national championship winning coach. I don't think the stage, Clemson may not be good enough to beat Texas. They got smacked by Georgia earlier this year. And Texas played one really close game up against Georgia.

And the second one, they got into it in the second half, which was the first time. But I don't think the stage for Clemson and Dabo is going to be the reason why they lose. So I still look at that, the road after that, whoever gets through. And I do think it's going to be Texas right now. And I would say it's going to be Penn State. And don't hold me to that prediction. But I'm still looking at Arizona State and Boise State. And I'm not saying both are going to get to the semifinal.

But I do think one of those teams are going to get to the semifinal. We'll take a break. Zach Guilb show right here live on Radio Row, USA Army, Navy, Radio Row me. Come on back. Ron Rivera is going to join us.