Ari Temkin, SiriusXM Big 12 Radio

Football season is here. The new Odyssey app lets you stay connected to your NFL team. Your station, your shows. Follow your favorite stations and come back again and again. Get real-time updates on everything you care about. Miss your show?

Jump back to their awesome rewind feature. The Odyssey app is NFL football. Live and on demand. Wherever you are, whenever you want. And did we mention it's all free?

Download the Odyssey app today. Throughout the 60s and 70s, cops hunted down key figures of the Dixie Mafia, including its enigmatic ringleader, Kirksey Nix. I'm in a rush to making money.

I'm not in a rush to hurting people. Fifteen years into Kirksey's life sentence, the Dixie Mafia was practically folklore, but that would soon change. I'm Jed Lipinski. This is Gone South, a documentary podcast from C13 Originals, a Cadence 13 studio. Season 2, the Dixie Mafia.

Available now on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Ari, how you been? Great, Zach. How are you, buddy?

Well, I'm doing fantastic. First off, you were at LSU Alabama last weekend. Describe to me that chaos on the field after the game. Yeah, it was pretty wild. I definitely wouldn't have thought that I'd be one to be crashing fields anymore. But I mean, at that point, it was basically like you had to.

You don't have a choice. And quite to be quite frank with you, we'd actually parked the other side of the stadium. So it just made the most sense. Instead of walking all the way around, just walk across.

So really, it was just that was the whole purpose of it was to get to the car straight, you know, fastest, fastest way to a spot in a straight line. So, but I mean, it was incredible. A buddy of mine here in Dallas is a huge LSU fan and was able to get free tickets.

So, yeah, no, for sure. You want to drive and free tickets to LSU Alabama? Absolutely.

I'm in. It was a blast. I mean, the game was incredible. And it was my first time at Tiger Stadium. And for it to be, you know, Alabama on a night game, it lived up to the expectations that I had for it in terms of what I'd heard, especially for night games at Tiger Stadium. And they're having to do, you know, gumbo as you're walking into the game.

It was incredible. Now, everyone gets crazy when Alabama loses and it just becomes just just ridiculous analysis. Oh, the program's dying. Oh, the dynasty's dead. They lost by one point. They also had a three point loss to Tennessee. They haven't been playing well this year.

But what do you think the immediate future is going to be for this Alabama program as they're not going to be in the college football playoff this year? Yeah, it is kind of amazing, right? Like decades upon decades of absolute dominance in like, you know, within a few weeks, like, oh, it's over. Like, that was quick.

That's bizarre. I mean, yeah, they're there by their own standard. Not very good this year. But in like the, you know, the college football world at large, they're still a really good team. But I mean, to me, you look at all of the first round draft picks at wide receiver that they've had.

I mean, they have just gone through unbelievable playmaker after unbelievable playmaker. And it's why you look around the league right now and the majority of the best wide receivers in the NFL played Alabama over the last four or five years. So, I mean, they just don't have the type of playmakers that are used to having. And, you know, I'm just not sure about Bill O'Brien in terms of his offensive play calling and coaching. I think last year they kind of overcame some of that because the talent that they had a wide receiver. But I would say like to isolate two of the biggest reasons why Alabama is not like, you know, on par with the rest of its dynasty this year. I would say it's probably lack of playmakers and mixed with maybe some questionable decisions at the offensive coordinator position. By the way, I think Bill O'Brien is going to get head coach and job this offseason.

Where do you think he's going to land? I've been saying Georgia Tech or Arizona State. Yeah, Georgia Tech.

That would be my guess for sure. Talking to Ari Temkin right now. Hey, on the whole coaching search, do you have a name maybe for Auburn or Nebraska that you're thinking could be a possibility right now?

Man, that's a great question. You know, it's funny because you hear kind of people talk around the league, you know, around college football. And, you know, major advantageous position to kind of be, you know, where Nebraska is in terms of just having such a long period of time in order to get a good idea and a good gauge of the market and what it looks like. I'll say this about Auburn. You know, because of what else you was able to do last year in terms of, you know, they went after multiple coaching candidates and kind of struck out.

And that ends up with Brian Kelly, who, you know, I mean, all the guy does is win. I think Auburn is going to try to swing for something big here. So, you know, it could be a situation to which we're looking at all these available, you know, people and coaches. I wonder, you know, who is the major surprise potential for Auburn? Because they look, I mean, Wisconsin's a great job and Madison's an unbelievable kind of camp Randall. I mean, it's an incredible place and Auburn has its flaws and problems and it is, there are a lot of cooks in the kitchen in terms of decision makers, big money boosters. It could be a problem, but I still think because of the resources they have at their disposal, you know, it's one of the best jobs in college football and it's the best job available right now.

So, you know, it's fine. I heard it's by LSU, but every coach they've hired has won a national championship. So it's like, it's like crazy to think, like, yeah, Brian Kelly, yeah, who won a title at LSU? I mean, recent history suggests, look at every coach that LSU has hired, they've won a title.

It's pretty remarkable. So, you know, Auburn, I think, feels like it's in that category. Obviously, they've won titles, they've competed for the playoffs, the BCS, you know, championship there as well. So for Auburn, it could be somebody that's currently coaching a big time program. Here's what I said, and I think Wisconsin, by the way, it's Jim Leonard's job until I hear another name gets hired. You look at Nebraska, Gary Patterson I saw was brought up by Football Scoop the other day, which I think would be a really solid hire, and I didn't even think about him for that job. But for Auburn, it feels like it's going to be Lane Kiffin. And I know that he has a good job at Ole Miss, but it's not a job that you have to stay. I have a feeling that it's just going to be Lane at Auburn.

Maybe I'm wrong, though. Let me ask you this, Zach. Can you win a national championship at Ole Miss? No.

Well, you can win one at Auburn. That's why I think you'd take that jump. I would.

Yeah. How about Deion Sanders? You think Deion Sanders is coaching the Power Five next year? You know, this is such an interesting conversation because... I hope it happens, by the way. So, do you? Because I love what he's doing for HBCUs.

Fair. You think about the amount of attention that he's bringing to HBCUs. I thought this was a horrible hire. I thought, there's no way Deion is going to do this. Are you kidding me? Deion with that ego?

There's no way he's going to do that. He's blown me away. What he's done has been unbelievable, obviously in terms of recruiting, in terms of creating a profile.

And obviously the Travis Hunter last year. The more attention you bring, and he's very conscientious of that. And so, look, I do hope over time he eventually lands a Power Five job, and he will. If any of these programs are looking for a new coach, I would hire Deion Sanders tomorrow because of how impressed he's been. But I hope he stays for a little bit because I just love what he's doing, and I think it's just such a larger purpose for him than taking one of these jobs right now.

Yeah, it's a great point that you bring up. And let me be clear, if he were to leave, I want to see him in the SEC. Like, I want to see him up against the best of the best because I think he could be a home run in the Power Five. I want to see him at Florida State. Oh, that would be great. Do you think we ought to return Florida State to Power? I had an opportunity a few years ago.

Just ask him. Ari Temkin here with us. Before we get into the Big 12, I guess we can start the conversation here. Is Sonny Dykes the coach of the year, or will it be Josh Heiple? In college football, it's funny because we actually had this discussion this week. What about Lance Leipold?

Fair point. In the Big 12, it's funny you bring that up from a national perspective, and I think the two names you brought up are really great without a doubt. But yeah, we were on Big 12 radio this week talking about, is it Sonny Dykes and Lance Leipold? And then how do those guys compare to all of college football?

Look, I don't think you'd go wrong with either of those two in terms of Dykes and Leipold. I'm a Kansas alum. Kansas has been an FCS level program playing in a Power 5 conference for the last decade. That's where they were competing. So they were not competitive in any Big 12 game.

They were barely competitive in the FCS games they played. So for him to do, and he hasn't even been on campus for two years. This is his second season and he's been there for a year and a half.

So it is remarkable. And not only that, but they've had a lot of injury issues, especially along the offensive line. And three years ago, they had one of the worst offensive lines ever in college football. And a lot of these players have stuck around and are now experienced players that are really good, but they've lost a lot of those guys. And they shouldn't have the depth that they have. Like, Oklahoma lost their quarterback and lost to Texas 49-0 with their backup quarterback. How is Kansas better positioned with their backup quarterback situation than Oklahoma?

That doesn't make sense. That can't ever happen, and it's happening right now because of how Jason Bean has played and relief from Jalen Daniels. So, I mean, look, Dykes took a team that was picked preseason 7th in the Big 12, a team that finished 8th or 9th in the Big 12 last year at TCU.

Basically, the entire roster is 9-0 right now. So, it's hard for me to figure out who would be the coach of the year. And, you know, you mentioned Hypel, and considering the turnaround for Tennessee, too, those are three teams and three programs that have had considerable turnaround.

But, obviously, TCU and Tennessee playing for much higher stakes than Kansas. Ari Temkin, you know that Lance Leipold can be very patient because whenever he wants another job, he'll be able to get it. Last year, there were so many big jobs available.

There were some big jobs this year, but not to the level so far from what we've seen last year. Do you think Leipold is back at Kansas next year? I know you want him to be back, but do you think he will be?

Yeah, I do. And, look, I mean, I'd be happy for him if he left, even as a Kansas fan, as tough as it would be to lose. But, like, just for him to take the job? Like, I gave him a hug at Big 12 Media Days just because, like, he took the job.

That's great. Rock bottom has just continued to get deeper and deeper for this program. It just got worse and worse and worse.

It wasn't going to get better. So, for somebody to take it and, like, leverage that and do a better job, do it. Absolutely.

You should do that if you want to. And so, I fully support it. You know, he was asked about it, obviously, with Kansas off to the undefeated start and then Nebraska. Having that job opening there because he has a little bit of history of coaching Nebraska. And, look, he's from Wisconsin, was a quarterback at Wisconsin Whitewater and led that program to prominence, winning multiple championships at Wisconsin Whitewater.

So, you know, that was another one that was worrisome, but you mentioned Lettered, and I think that was, you know, what at least Wisconsin was hoping for. And I think they played to a higher level that would justify his return in the future. So, I mean, look, he mentioned earlier this season when asked about it that, you know, he just got there. He's got a wife and kids.

Like, you have to think about that, too, right? Like, he just moved, you know, cities from Buffalo, New York to Lawrence, Kansas. And, you know, again, less than two years, a year and a half. So, I wouldn't begrudge him if he left. He should eventually, and hopefully this program, you know, is on better footing without him.

But I'll say this, too. I hear more coaches talk about being in alignment with administrators now and the importance of that more than ever. And I know that, you know, the new athletic director, Travis Goff, who was hired just shortly before he hired Lance Leipold.

You know, they have very much the same vision. They've been playing in a high school level football stadium for, you know, forever. And so their plan is not to build the new stadium. So, hopefully Kansas is able to put some money and invest it into football. And obviously the results this year have justified it. Ari Temkin, why is Texas, I know that there's a Quinnen Johnson injury.

We'll see if he plays or not. But why is Texas a seven and a half point favorite against TCU? Yeah, I didn't really understand last week why Texas was favored against Kansas State with K-State coming off their huge win. And I just, you know, I went with it.

You got, when you see a line you're confused about, you got to go with it. So I took Texas minus seven this game because it makes no sense. Look, Texas plays a lot better at home.

They have an incredible offense. Now, Quinn Ewers, you know, he played really, really well the start of the year. And he's probably had two worst games last two games. He had a really bad game against Oklahoma State. He was better against K-State, but still probably his second worst game since, you know, since being a coming collegiate. The other part of this that's so funny is, so TCU slow starts and they finish strong and they come from behind and win games.

Texas is the opposite. They start strong and get blown out in the second half. Like last week, they're up 31-10 at halftime on Kansas State and won by a touchdown.

Because Kansas State outscored them 21-3 in the second half with Adrian Martinez. So, like there's so many parts of this where you're like, I don't know why I would think Texas would be favored by a touchdown. And Vegas basically thinks they're going to win outright 75% of the time. So, Vegas is pretty heavy on Texas to win.

Again, I think it's being at home. And look, you can't downplay the pressure on TCU. You know, when you're playing, and this is part of the, you know, future playoff dynamic that won't exactly exist. But when you're playing every week and you know that your playoff lives are on the line, there's a lot of pressure there. Especially for a team that didn't have expectations like this coming into the season. Who are your four teams?

Who do you think will be the four teams at the end of the year, Ari Temkin? Oh, man. That is, it's funny because we think we know and like college football in recent history suggests we don't. Last week. This year even more so. Yeah. Pretty much. And every year.

It's like, well, it's going to play out like this and then there's a crazy upset at some point that just kills everything. Let me ask you this. Since you're the Big 12 guy, does TCU, I think they do, do they need to be undefeated to get into the college football playoff this year? Yeah.

Yes. I would say it would have to, the SEC champion is getting in. There's this chance for a second SEC champion to get in or for a second SEC team to get in.

Most likely that will happen. So you could probably look at two SEC teams and then the winner of Ohio State, Michigan. So then where's the fourth spot coming from? I would say the Pac-12 or the undefeated TCU, or maybe if the Pac-12 champion has two losses and TCU isn't undefeated, if Michigan beats Ohio State by the slimmest of margins, maybe you have two teams for the Big 10 and two teams from the SEC. Yeah.

I mean, that's, I would say that's probably the betting favorite. Ohio State, Michigan, and you know what, Georgia and LSU or Georgia and Tennessee. Yeah. It'd probably be Georgia, Tennessee, I would think.

Georgia, Tennessee. Yeah. Right. So, when I look at the rest of the country, I see just not very impressive resumes. You know, it's like the old adage, ain't nobody played nobody. And that's really the case with the Pac-12 and the ACC and the Big 12. The Big 12 doesn't have any bottom feeders. The Pac-12 has a ton of bottom feeders and so does the ACC.

That's where I'd give it a leg up. But that's the problem is there's no greatness in the Big 12s. And so it looks like a bunch of average wins, but I'd argue it's harder to win week in and week out of the Big 12 this year, more so than any other conference. I would take a one loss Big 12 team over one loss Pac-12 champion, but I'm biased.

45 seconds or less. We got 45 seconds left, Ari Temkin. You're Dallas Cowboys at the end of the year.

How do you think we're talking about them? Super Bowl. Absolutely. Can't wait to watch the Eagles crash and burn.

No, I'm just kidding. I love the idea of the Odell Beckham move. If that happens, I think that's a huge move that they have not made in a long, long time. And they need a move like that to get the moment off after it's been, what, 25, 26, 27, 20, 30 years? So, you're thinking that's what it's going to be. Like, if they get Odell, they could be in the Super Bowl.

I mean, it's not like the magic pill. I mean, clearly he's a flawed player. There's a lot going on there, but yeah, they need more weapons. I think there was some addition by subtraction with Amari, but they're missing Amari. They're missing a player that can take some of the pressure off of CeeDee Lamb.

And is that Amari, Odell Beckham? I mean, perhaps. But this team needs something like this because it's been so conservative in terms of its personnel decisions over the last nearly three decades.

It's so stubborn and obnoxious. You'd hope that they'd make a move that would try to put them over the top. At the very least, try to make a move like this that puts you over the top. R.A. Temkin, great stuff. We appreciate the time as always. Thank you.

Take care, brother. Throughout the 60s and 70s, cops hunted down key figures of the Dixie Mafia, including its enigmatic ringleader, Kirksey Nix. I'm interested in making money.

I'm not interested in hurting people. Fifteen years into Kirksey's life sentence, the Dixie Mafia was practically folklore, but that would soon change. I'm Jed Lipinski. This is Gone South, a documentary podcast from C13 Originals, a Cadence 13 studio. Season two, the Dixie Mafia available now on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Football season is here. The new Odyssey app lets you stay connected to your NFL team, your station, your shows, follow your favorite stations and come back again and again. Get real time updates on everything you care about.

Miss your show? Jump back to their awesome rewind feature. The Odyssey app is NFL football. Live and on demand wherever you are, whenever you want. And did we mention it's all free?

Download the Odyssey app today. Throughout the 60s and 70s, cops hunted down key figures of the Dixie Mafia, including its enigmatic ringleader, Kirksey Nix. I'm interested in making money. I'm not interested in hurting people. Fifteen years into Kirksey's life sentence, the Dixie Mafia was practically folklore, but that would soon change. I'm Jed Lipinski. This is Gone South, a documentary podcast from C13 Originals, a Cadence 13 studio. Season two, the Dixie Mafia available now on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts.