Full Transcript for Ohio State Fallout: Dissecting the Oregon Loss, Ryan Day's Future & CFP Chaos

staffing choice Ryan Day has made the past two seasons has been objectively wrong. We need an entirely new offensive coaching staff. And I don't think that there is a single coach on either side of the ball that feels like they should have a safe their job security should be safe going into 2027. And our special teams has not improved in ounce, despite Parker Parker Flem firing Parker Fleming, and now going to be on our third special teams coach in as many years next year. And then finally, and this one is the one that concerns me the most, is the leadership and motivation. Something is broken in this locker room. Listen, there's no shame in losing to this Oregon or USC team with a backup quarterback, but it's how we lost these games. There's no fight, no grit, no resolve in the any of these position groups. And it stems from lack of leadership from the top down. Jalen McClain talked a couple weeks ago about the lack of effort he saw after the USC game. And that's the first time I've ever heard lack of effort come out of anyone's mouth when talking about an Ohio State team. No one spoke up these past two weeks talking about how they they have to hold each other accountable and how, the leaders have to step up. I never heard any of that kind of conversation that we heard from the 2024 team. Saturday was the most embarrassing loss I've ever witnessed in my twenty-one years as an Ohio State fan. And I'm not exaggerating, it was. And it wasn't because Oregon was just the better team, like our leader Carson Hensman said. He said that after the game, that Oregon was just a better team than us. They're not, with or without Julian Saiyan. Sure. Again, there's no shame in losing to Oregon without Julian Saiyan. They are not a better roster than us by that degree. And then if you look at what happened after the game, there are videos of players lounging around, laughing with Oregon players, dapping them up while Carmen Ohio is going on. Legend Bay was one of them. He's good as gone, by the way. Legend Bay will not be on this team next year. I can say that with absolute certainty. But while we have people, pussyfooting around, talking with the enemy, the team that just kicked our ass in our own home, we don't have a single player or coach going and grabbing them and dragging him to the south end of the stadium saying no. We sing Carmen, Ohio, win or loss. No one did that. And there's just it's it's disgusting, honestly, the performance I saw on Saturday. And it's more than just Julian Saiyan being out, and this being the season from hell, from all of the different injuries that have happened and everything that's popped up. It was, like I said, the most embarrassing performance I've ever seen. And it starts with Ryan Day. So that's that's how I want to start it off. Rob: Well, I c I'm not gonna defend the guy. his I feel after listening to you, I feel a bit like I felt and I think everybody felt on Saturday. That second half, late second half drive by Oregon. You felt like Ohio State season was resting on the brink. Ohio State had to hold them to a field goal. Okay. and they didn't. They gave up the touchdown, and everybody, everybody knew the game was over. Everybody knew it was over. I watched three more plays of the game, and I turned it off. And I watched Tulsa King. Sean: Mm-hmm. Okay, because the next three plays were that was a three and out, right? When and then the snap went over Luke Fehey's head. Yeah. Rob: A touchdown. I saw the touchdown. I saw the touchdown. I saw the touchdown and I wasn't gonna do it. And that that was it. so I do think you came into this season thinking those things about Ryan Day for a while. For for a reason. Those superpowers still exist. Okay. Those superpowers, they still do exist. You go look at Kirby Smart's choice of quarterbacks, it hasn't, they haven't all panned out. No one's due. It's a hit or miss game. R but It starts with him. They had a roster. Sean: Mm-hmm. Rob: They they look, I'm gonna I'm gonna give Ohio State a little bit of a pass. I said this to you before we had a podcast. I said I thought Arvell Reese was a second coming of Lawrence Taylor. after yesterday, I believe it even more fervently. Sonny Stiles is a second. Sean: Mm. He might be defensive player of the year, let alone rookie of the year in the NFL. Rob: Let alone rookie of the year, right? And Sonny Styles might come in second. Sean: Mm-hmm. Rob: He is the second coming of Mike Singletary, except he's faster and bigger. So those two are probably going to finish in the top five in tackling in the NFL. So it was obvious they lost a lot. It caught up to him. Every roster decision they made was the wrong one. Every one. Sean: Mm-hmm. That's too. If you look at our portal class, outside of Christian Allegro, we we have not we did not bring in a single transfer that's worth a damn. Rob: Url Little's had a decent season. Earl Little's had a decent season. He's he Sean: He's fine. But if that's your second best player from the transfer portal, then something is gravely wrong. Rob: I I actually think that's pretty good. They they brought in, they decided they needed to get older and they spent and so it's everything. You know, it's Pantoni as GM. Dude, you had a horrible offseason. You know? And and but it's Sean: Mm-hmm. Rob: also can they identify talent? I am genuinely Kari Wilder's pass rush statistics are crazy. Why is he not playing? And if he is not able to play, because Larry Johnson can then can't develop them. Then then then you've got an answer there. we lost the defensive coordinator because he didn't part of because of the tension between that defensive coordinator and Larry Johnson. Okay? And that guy's gonna have a team in the playoffs. Sean: And guess guess whose defense is leading the team in sac leading the country in sacks this year? Jim Knowles' defense. Rob: Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I I don't want him back. I don't. I think Patricia's probably a better defensive

coordinator. But we lost a lot on defense. And and here's a key player no one talks about. look at the secondary this year. Iggy, in normal years, Ig Benosen would probably be defensive rookie of the year. But he's just just gonna he's gonna finish third or fourth behind two. Guys from Ohio State that are gonna go one-two, and maybe the guy from Texas Sean: Mm-hmm. Rob: Tech will finish in the top three. Those are your four Ohio State's gonna have three of the four defensive rookie of the top rookies of the year. And and they those two guys, Sean: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Rob: Styles and Reese, might finish, might win defensive player of the year as rookies. They're that good. So they lost a lot. None of their roster decisions Sean: You're right that we did lose that much. Rob: were good. I can look at some of the guys they let go, or let transfer. The only ones, two players I come to mind that I think would be helpful is the safety at UCLA, Malik Hartford, and Jelani Thurman, the tight end at North Carolina. Sean: Integra. Rob: What? Otegra. Yeah. At at but Sean: Teg Tegra. But Rob: again, that's coaching, and this offensive line hasn't been great. they they played. It's and and so it's not just Tyler Bowen's problem. Sean: It's been bad. It's no, it's been bad. It's been objectively bad. And that's what we need an entirely new offensive coaching staff. Yeah, it's everyone's. So I will say Rob: We need well, we I gr Arthur Smith's gone. Arthur Smith is gone. We I think we know that. That he is gone. I think the offensive line coach is gonna be gone. But now is not the time to make wholesale changes and Ryan Day's not gonna do it. He's gonna wait till after the season. He's gonna see if we can if if the team can circle the wagons. I mean, and yes, stupid phrase. They should have circled the wagon. You had two weeks to put in an offense, Arthur. You're a smart guy. You had two weeks to put in an offense to play to this quarterback's strength and Sean: No yeah, don't don't give him that much credit, Dad. Rob: Well he is a smart guy. He isn't a no, there's no two I'm not saying he's a great football coach. He's a smart guy. They had two weeks. Instead, what they did is they put in the same fucking Sean: See Rob: offense they were gonna run with Julian Saiyan and they do the same fucking stupid things, throw the ball with a freshman quarterback with a minute twenty five to go in the qu in on the clock. Just run the co run the quarter out. Run it out. They Sean: See, here's where I'm at though. It's I mean, you're right. Our I mean, part of this is on us for expecting anything more than like a nine and three season with how much we lost. And expecting that we could compete for a national championship this year, it it's on us a little bit. And before I get to my next point, I will say we are not paying eighty million dollars to get rid of Ryan Day, nor should we. That's two years worth of roster salaries. This isn't this is probably the least talented team we've

had since 2012, but if you want to see a really Rob: You don't make decisions good wise decisions are rare You know this. Wise decisions are rarely made in the heat of the moment. Ryan Day wasn't born on third and win a national championship in twenty four, have a team like Lehi did last year in twenty five. That's just not blind luck. I he I see your three points. Sean: But my point is obviously this is the least talented team we've had since twenty twelve. But if you Rob: Yes. Sean: want to see a really untalented team, fire Ryan Day and see what we feel next year by having a shallow eighty million dollars. That being said though, Rob: Right, right, right. Sean: this is I think this year is closer to the reality of college football. Talent is leveling out across the board. And it's gonna it's not just the one year thing. This is college football now. And the difference between the number one ranked team and the 25th ranked team is not that big. And Ohio State's gonna have fewer and fewer games every year where they are just the vastly superior team talent-wise. And the reason that makes me nervous, Ryan Day is 0-8 when trailing after three quarters. He is one and five as an underdog, the only win coming against Oregon and the Rose Bowl a couple years ago. And he has seven blown fourth quarter leads against ranked teams. So it's That that's what makes me concerned. Again, we're not moving on from him this year, but Rob: That all Sean, all that should concern you. This year, no matter how it finishes, he's back next year. The I don't think he can fire the whole staff. I have this in my notes. I'm looking at it. You know, who has gotten better? This is the indictment of the entire coaching staff. Who is a better player today than they were a year ago? And the only one Sean: A single person. Rob: Jeremiah. Jeremiah. Is the only one who's better. He's the only one who's better. The running backs, you we Ryan Day says things about Sean: Yeah, 'cause he pushes himself. He's self led. He doesn't need a coach to make him do better. Rob: the running backs, they need to run harder. And Bo Jackson, as much as I love him, I think people blow on him and he goes down. They didn't, and we knew this. We tried to convince ourselves. The running game will be fine. Guest of the show, Ken Thorz comes on, talks about Isaiah West. I talk about Jackson, we you talk about Bo. There isn't a Carlos Hyde, a Zeke, a Dobby, a Trevion, or Quinshawn in that group. These guys make Sean: There's not even a boom heron. Rob: fair that's fair. That's fair. I actually think I don't I don't know if I'd agree, but fine. You want to bring out Boom Heron? That's fine. Boom Heron ran angry, ran for what do you have, two, three 1,000 yard seasons? that's a fair comp. I just I look at the roster from even you know the kids that have been there three years, and I just who's better? Who has gotten better? No one on the offensive line is better. No one. No one. Sean: Mm mm. No. Rob: I can't

I'm not gonna judge Luke Fahy. I am not. The kids been but we let our best pass catching tight end go. A certifiable freak. For what? Right. And Tegra Tushmola goes down to Lexington. Sean: Yeah, and still we have we're still running like Mason Williams out there. Mason I am it is beyond me how Mason Williams is touching the field. He had a two-game stretch. It's fourteen to three, beginning of the second quarter. We have the ball. Rerun a pitch play to the left side of the field. It should be a chunk play. It should be a you he Bo should be able to walk for a first down, but Mason Williams blocks the wrong person. And then it's a three yard gain instead of at least a ten yard gain. Next play, we throw a swing pass to Bo's same side of the field. It's one defender and one blocker between Bo and the first down marker. And Mason Williams whiffs, doesn't even get a hand on him, tackled for a loss, now we're in third and ten. And it's been like I said it last week. Mason Williams hasn't finished a block all year. Why are we continuing to run? Like what? It just that's the shit that gets me so fired up. We're boxing ourselves into Rob: It's it that's I I I don't know where I don't so we're not there. Sean: this thirteen personnel for no reason. Rob: I don't know if it's coaching. I don't know why we do it. Arthur Smith, I've had my issues with him all freaking year. you you, my friend, convinced me the play calling was much better than it than I thought it was against USC. You did that. you despite first and goal from that long, and we Go to the shotgun and hand it off the bow for a three yard long. Sean: Let me ask you a question, Dad. when was like how many times in I don't know, the past, you know, since Ryan Day has been the coach, I guess, has since he's been a foot associate with this program, how many times has Ohio State beaten another team that's equally as talented as them because they outcoached the other team on both sides of the football? I can think of twice. Rob: I don't know. I I yeah, that's another I d I don't know. I don't you'd have to ha Sean: I can think of it's two thousand eighteen against Michigan and two thousand twenty against Clemson are the only times when our coaches won us a game, won us a matchup game where the other team is just as talented as we are. Rob: I th I thought the coaches were badly, badly, badly outcoached. I have my Boston crew that I communicate with were just apoplectic at, you know, third and whatever, and Patricia blitzes the house, and Dan Lanning is like the f frickin' smartest guy in the world, throws a screen pass for forty one yards. You know? So I think we're venting our spleen here. I don't have a whole lot more to say. I've given up and if you have it on authority then legend Sean: My my main point is I feel like Ryan Day's Rob: legend bay is gone or done, fine. they don't Sean: you got it. He posted a story where the lyrics were like sorry to say goodbye or something like that. And the way he

Rob: Yeah. Sean: was acting after the game. And I don't blame him because he hasn't even touched the ball. he's out of there. But my problem, moving forward is Ryan Day, his the the best things he's been able to do is put together a talented roster and have that roster play their tails off, even despite his, his I guess his failures elsewhere. Despite some conservative play calling, despite some questionable coaching hires, that's what he does. He assembles an elite team, and that team plays their tails off for all four quarters, as much as he wants to sabotage that. And now we're in a position where we can't expect him to field an elite team. We have to go, there's gonna be three or four games every single season now, not including the playoff, where we are facing a team that's got close to as much talented as much. Rob: Yep, but let's worry about tomorrow. I know. I know. Yep, that's fine, Sean. Let's worry about tomorrow tomorrow. Okay? They got a game on Saturday. They gotta win it. I'm not gonna watch it. some people are gonna be Sean: Do they have to win it? What what changes if we lose? The only game I care about is Michigan. That's it's a one game season as far as I'm concerned. Rob: The they they they you the re the referee they have to win it. They have to win it. They have to win it. They're a better they have a better roster. They have to win it. They have to show up and play hard. they have everything still in front of them. They need crazy, crazy wild things to happen, but they're not eliminated. And I want to see that. That's why I'm saying they have to win it. Otherwise, just fuck a punch the clock. Punch the clock. Don't even don't even show any passion. Don't Sean: No, that is true. I mean to be fair, we the only thing we need Rob: do Carmen, Ohio. Don't do it. Don't do it. You know what? And if Legend Bay was doing that shit, you bring him in, sit him down and say, What's where's your head at, son? and then if his head's like, Well, I I know, I know. Then Sean: And that's my problem is I'm not seeing that stuff. But Rob: you need to get then you get him out of there. You get him out of the locker room. I think they brought in some guys. Sean: Let me ask you another question though. Rob: I do think they brought in some guys that are not I don't know who they are, but they didn't bring in a bunch of they didn't bring in a bunch of studs. Caleb Downs, they Sean: I also I wonder if this is a product of just modern college football. I feel like it's very difficult to win and motivate guys the old-fashioned way. People aren't coming to Ohio State anymore because they grew up an Ohio State fan and they want nothing more than to compete to get on the field and Rob: No, that's true. But the brotherhood's supposed to mean something. The brotherhood's supposed to mean something. And Sean: And that's the thing. It doesn't it doesn't mean more than four million dollars in some of these guys' pockets. it's i I think it's you can all talk about the brotherhood Rob: I don't know. I don't know. Now you're sounding like Sean: as much as you want leading up to the season, but then when you get punched in the face, that that that paycheck isn't what's gonna get you back up. And that's I I I wonder if that's it's gonna be hard to maintain this culture in Rob: I I I I I understand I I am more concerned about this coaching staff's cu as it's current co currently const constituted, their ability to identify talent and deploy it. Because we talked about this last week. It is clear. You get the ball to Philip Bell, he makes plays, he'll catch it. He may have the best frickin' hands on the team. Just that catch in the first half. Yeah. Sean: One handed he had a one-handed catch, yeah. Rob: And where's Henry? Where's Chris Henry? Sean: let me let me ask you a question though. So if if That's that that Rob: Go ahead. Sean: get that'll get me started on that. He has earned every opportunity to be a wide receiver too, and Rob: But those are clearer the three and make do you have you have a here's your pecking order wide receiver. It's those three in McQuinn. That's it. That's it. Brandon Ennis is done. I'm s I well Brock Boyd's done. It's too Sean: Yeah. And a healthy Brock Boyd if we could get him back. Yeah. Rob: late in the year for him to get run. Those you need to ride those four horses and you need to get the th the three, Bell, Henry, and Jeremiah on the field more. And if you can't figure that out, if you can't figure that out, then Ryan Day's dumb and Arthur Smith's really stupid. That those three players are way, way better than any 12 or 13 personnel you're gonna trot out there. Okay? And if you don't want to get Sean: Yeah, that's Rob: Legend Bay on the field as a fifth receiving option, fine, don't put him on the field. Okay? But you knew recruiting this kid, he was slightly immature. It was obvious. That's what I wonder about Ryan. I'm really concerned about his ability to identify and deploy talent to maximum effect. That concerns me. Sean: I I meant was meaning to ask you, so obviously, again, if there's any Ohio State fans that are holding out hope that we will fire Ryan Day, he could lose to Michigan by fifty. That's not happening. It's out of the question. But what I don't think is out of the question is Ryan Day deciding I've had it with this job, the pressure and the work that goes into it and how thankless of a job this is. Rob: Yeah. I wanna watch my kid play at Northwestern. Sean: So if that if that ends up happening, A, are you bummed? Are you relieved that he's gone and we don't have to pay anything? And B, who would be your top replacements? Who who who are you going after? Rob: I'll be very bummed. I like Ryan Day. I think he's a good person, a good dude. He maybe too good. I don't think he's Jesus. I don't think he was walking on water Saturday like you. But I do think, you know, his dad committed suicide. So what did he do? He put his money where his mouth is. And he

gave, I think, two and a half million dollars of his own money to Ohio State. Sean: Yeah. No no one's here arguing how great of a man he is. He's a great man, but that doesn't win games. I'm asking you about the football coach aspect. Rob: So I I like him a lot for that reason. you've never heard Urban Meyer do that. You've never heard Urban Meyer do that. You you you're gonna have a hard time getting a couple of shekels out of Urban Meyer's wild. Sean: Okay, but but again, I'm not asking about Ryan Day the man, I'm Ryan asking about Ryan Day the coach. And you would wanna you would prefer him back Rob: I would be bummed as a man and as a coach if he left. Sean: no matter what? Rob: No, I think I think you were on to something. He could just shuck it all and say, I want to go watch my son play football in Chicago next year. I didn't get to see him enough in his high school career. I wanna I just I just goodbye, Ohio State. I could see that happening. So if your first question is, could that happen? Yes, absolutely. He could just shuck it all. Would I be bummed? Sean: No, my question was what like would you be upset or would you be be relieved? Rob: Absolutely, because I don't think there's a lot of better hires options out there. That's not a reason to do something. But you don't want to make your situation worse. You don't look at Penn State, look at Sean: Okay. I I'm I if he were to step away at the end of the season, we don't have to pay him any money and he's like, I need to do this for my mental health, I would be relieved for the program and for him because for all the reasons that I outlined about my concerns about him moving forward, again, not paying eighty million dollars to get rid of him. I don't want to. But if he decides to step away, I feel like that's the best the best way that this can end is that his his legacy Rob: You're you're you may I don't think Sean: gets to stay intact. And we get an opportunity to not we don't have to pay money to go get coach. And guess what? I think there are two great candidates out there. First would be Bob Chesney. Write him a blank check and make him say no. I that that's just the guy that wins that I want on my team. And if I can't get him, we said it this summer. I want JT Barrett. I don't care that his highest ranking position is only a quarterback coach. He's a guy who gets it. And he's the kind of leader that I think can put the energy back into this program and he knows what to expect out of his players. He's Spent the past five years with the best offensive minds in the NFL. And if we couldn't get Bob Chesme, give me JT Barrett. And if we could get one of those two guys and Ryan Day walks away, I'm content. Rob: I d I don't I and no f n I on no fucking plan no fucking planet do I want JT Barrett coaching my team next year. I'm sorry, Sean. It's not it's I I will not watch Ohio State next year. He d he's never been I love him. I volunteer I was the guy that posted, Yeah, I want him as my coach. I'd rather have Marcus Freeman. Okay? Go get him if you can't get Chesney. But it this is a silly conversation. We're reacting in the heat of the moment to a too Bad, awful defeats. Okay. it w you've had a season like this. Now it was before the year before Urban Meyer came aboard. It's w I know it's way different. Sean: This is different. This is different. 2011, those were some ugly games. I never saw that team quit. I I saw a 14-7 Rob: yeah. Sean: rock fight against Michigan State. That was one of the ugliest Ohio State football games I've ever watched. Even in the even in that game, we were fighting till the bitter end and I saw resolve in that team. I had never witnessed anything like I witnessed on Saturday. Rob: I I understand. This is totally different. This I don't think they quit. They just don't. The coaching staff and the players are not connected. That is obvious. The tactics, the strategy and the tactics are not good. Okay. they win their next three games. We're having a different story. Okay. they lose the next three. I don't think Ryan Day's getting fired, but I think there's a lot of heat on him. I think there I do think there's a lot of heat on him. 100%. And he enters Sean: There already is, yeah. Rob: he he enters this he he has asbestos underwear entering next season. Sean: Mm-hmm. Rob: I do not want Ryan Day gone. I'm on the record saying it a hundred percent. I also may change my mind in three weeks, but I don't want him gone. Okay. if if you gave me Chesney and JT Barrett's OC, then then I'm like, now we're talking. Now we're talking. Because that Sean: That's best case scenario. Because I do Rob: That Sean: like if especially if we lose to Michigan, the the hate and vitriol that's going to be spewed towards him is going to be so intense. I really do think there's a chance that he's he looks at his family and he's like, I can't do it. I can go down to Tallahassee. Rob: I do think there's a real chance he made shuck it. Sean: They would pay me any they would pay me a blank check and they would build a statue if I went ten and two every year in Tallahassee. That that he might think that. Rob: I I don't think he's he right, I do think he's too stubborn to quit. I do. And I don't think he should. But Sean: Maybe. Rob: li I that's why I wanna see the next three games. If you're Ohio State and you're Ryan Day, you need to win on Saturday. You do. Sean: Yeah. it's all about evaluation from here on out. I expect to see a lot more younger players play. it's you know, the spotlight's gonna be on the assistance too. But I know I've been pretty negative this episode. I I wanted to end on sort of a positive that like if you really wanna convince yourself that this was just the season from hell, Ryan Day adjusted, you know, when we had horrible defenses in two thousand twenty and two thousand twenty one, he made a conscious effort to go get a Defensive coordinator that was worth a damn. And we saw immediate improvement on the

defense. He realized that he messed up the quarterback situation with Kyle McCord in two thousand twenty-three. He went in the portal and he got a national championship winning quarterback. So we've seen Ryan Day pivot. And if you look at this roster for two thousand twenty seven, I can tell you that Julian's saying, is probably back. We need another running back in there, but if Bo Jackson and Isaiah West come back, those are two pieces to a potentially really good running back room if we get someone in there. To fill Jacoby Jackson's shoes. The wide receiver room should be fine. Like you said it, Brock Boyd, Chris Henry Jr., Philip Bell, and McEwen. If he comes back, that's a great core. Nuke the tight end room, forget that. Nate Roberts, if he comes back, is fine, but we need to be less tight end centric next year. Offensive line needs a complete overhaul. That's a priority in the portal. Defensive line has some talent coming in, but again, that needs the portal. And then the linebacker and defensive back room, I actually think are okay. We need to build some depth. Guys need to improve. We need better coaching. But, you know, if I'm looking at two thousand twenty seven, it's really the the offensive and the defensive line that need overhauled in the portal. Other than that, I feel like we're okay. Rob: Well they and and they recruited they recruited those really, really, really well. And you need I quoted La Charles Bentley and I think he's right. And I think if you look across college football, it the I mean, Georgia may have a dominant offensive line. but they've been up and down. But offensive line play has really suffered because coaches are not coaching The technique they're coaching to fit the system because they want to be an OC someday. Look at Flood, the former Rutgers head coach, who is an O line coach, who is a very good O line coach. He's co-O he's OC there. I think the play calling is all Sarkeesian. So I think it's just an effort to keep Flood as a line coach. I think they just we'll fine, we'll promote you and we'll pay you and we'll pretend you're the OC, but you're really not. That's what That's what all these line coaches want. If if Bowen is gone, they need to go find themselves Sean: It don't please do not say if. If he if he has a job next year, then I will actually not watch Ohio State football. If Tyler Bowen is still our offensive line. Rob: that's come on, st that's silly. That should you prep you've said a lot of preposterous things in Sean: That is not silly. Get Rob: that episode. That the w O I just Sean: What about our offensive line this year makes you think that he deserves a job anywhere in college football? Rob: I don't want the guy back, but just you stop. You just said you weren't gonna watch Ohio State if one coach is on the sidelines. That's preposterous. Sean: Okay, that's a l- that's obviously a lie and an over-exaggeration, but my god, he is like on the list of terrorists that are attacking this program. He is terrorist number one. God, that o Rob: He might be. I'm not there. They haven't improved in two years. He did recruit really well this year. If every one of those guys signs on the dotted line and comes back next year, or comes comes to Columbus in January or in the fall, they're gonna have a really good offensive. Sean: They need to get coached up though. we're not gonna have a bunch of freshmen starting. Rob: They do need to get coached up. So if they get rid of him, if they do get rid of him as offensive line coach, I want LaCarles Bentley there. And LaCarles Bentley hasn't been an offensive Sean: Mm-hmm. Rob: line coach before. So that's a bit of a stretch. But I guarantee you, LaCarles Bentley will coach those guys up. And he's an Ohio State alum. I love guys like that. It's why Lauren Idas worked. It's why Boy Jeannie. Sean: That's another thing I was meaning to say. I think we need more, I mean, former Buckeyes on the staff. Like, what's Michael Thomas doing? Does he want to coach wide receivers? Cause I think he'd be a great coach. What's Malcolm Jenkins doing? What's Sam Hubbard doing since he retired? What's what's Taylor Decker doing? Like I'm not saying it needs to be all buckeyes, but there are some great, great players who had great careers who I think could make great coaches, and I think we need more of that on our team because Rob: Yeah, but we don't need people cutting their teeth. Sean: It's not enough just to say you're at Ohio State, you're part of the brothers. Rob: I just don't want people coming here because, hey, you are Taylor, you're a good left tackle. Why don't you come back and coach the boys? But I don't think Ohio State I don't think Ohio State does enough of that. Sean: yeah, interview them. Don't just hire them on a whim. But I think you read you don't think Michael Thomas would make a good wide receiver coach? Rob: I don't know. I don't know. Coaching is different than playing. If if that was the case, then Tom Brady would be the greatest head coach of all time. Right? And he's and he's Sean: You know what? He probably could be if he really wanted to. Rob: I I don't know about that. I don't I don't need guys just coming back because of Ohio State. But if If Ryan Day doesn't do this, the way the basketball It well you can do what the basketball team does. Sean: I'm saying I think it would help if we have a couple guys, it would help our culture a lot. And I think th the culture is suffering right now. Rob: You can do what the basketball team does. They bring those guys back, they play, with them a lot before they get into the meat of the of practice, in the summer, they're all back. So in the summer camps, you bring back guys like Taylor Decker or Michael Thomas and and or even Carter, Chris Carter. You bring back and have work with some of these kids. That's that's something Ohio State can do. I mean so the bottom line is this, Sean. I don't want Ryan Day gone. I I reserve the right to change my

mind in three or four weeks. I don't know who they'd find that's better. I know we talked about Bob Chesney. I do think There's some coaches like Keenan Bailey. I don't know what he's done with the tight ends. I I know he made Max Clare worse. Sean: I don't know what he has on Ryan Day's family to be as integral into this offensive staff as he is. I it makes no sense. Rob: I don't I don't I don't yeah, I don't I don't think he should have a job. I think maybe you go and get the guy who went and left to coach Tulsa and then got fired, that was a coach in Indiana. I think maybe you bring him back as tight ends coach. I think if you do get rid of Arthur Smith, there's a guy coaching in Chicago, suburban Chicago, that you make beautiful music with in Chip Kelly. I wouldn't mind him back. I don't I'm not a big fan of second go rounds, but Chip Kelly and Ryan Day work well together. And Ryan Day can trust him in a way that he can't trust Arthur Smith. Sean: Maybe. Rob: So the Roth the coaching staff is gonna and if Larry Johnson, if it is him and he's not developing or he's too stubborn in his own ways and can't change, if that's the deal, you're and again, some of these decisions aren't gonna be made till the end of the year. January probably. And I'm not saying that because bowl games. Sean: Yeah, no, and a lot of it's gonna depend on how these position groups play in these final three games. And how the young guys look. Rob: It's also Sean, signing day, signing day, signing day. They're not gonna let anybody go that they think is a decent recruiter that has any kind of relationship with any kind of recruit they want before signing day. They're not doing it. So they made the bloodletting. Sean: But what good is bringing in a great class if we can't coach up and then they're we're gonna suck next year and gonna they're gonna transfer anyway? Rob: Don't hold on, Sean, listen to me. You're not listening. They will file if they is I don't know what day signing day is. Say it's December 5th. Say that's the day. Don't think it is. Say it's December 9th. December 10th? If they got those kids' signature on the bottom line, they can fire whoever they want. They're coming to Columbus. Right? They didn't fire the head coach, they just fired the position coach. Or the position coach encouraged him, Arthur, you should take that. offensive assistance job at it with the Titans. you should go back. that type of stuff. But Arthur Smith's not recruiting anyway. Chip Kelly didn't recruit. He doesn't want to do it. He just wants a coach ball, man. So they're gonna not gonna fire any coaches now. Sean: Is that what he calls it? Rob: What? Sean: Yeah. I say is that what he calls it? Coaching Rob: They're not gonna fire any coach. Sean: ball? Rob: That's what he said in the he that's what he says. I just want to coach ball. And there was a big Wall Street Art Journal article on him last week. So they're not gonna fire any coaches that Well, I d I was referring to Northwestern. I was referring to Northwestern. Sean: Yeah, I'm saying that's I wouldn't call what we've done on offense ball. But yeah, you're right. it's the changes are changes are not coming this week, obviously. I will say, like if Rob: No, no. They Sean: you wanna again, if you wanna try to be optimistic for next year, like the transfer portal does allow you to overhaul your roster in one season. And I think we will have a lot of money open up because we're gonna say goodbye to a lot of upperclassmen. Like I don't think Peyton Pierce is gonna be around here next year. If Kenyatta Jackson foregoes the NFL. Which he probably should, because he's gonna be a day three pick. It won't be to come back to Columbus. Same with guys like Philip Daniels or Brandon Ninnis. I think we'll have a lot of money open up. Rob: I does Ken Kenyatta doesn't have any he doesn't have any eligibility. Kenyatta doesn't have any eligibility. He's done. He's got five years. I think he's in his fifth year. Sean: Well you get fit you get five years now. You get five years of eligibility now. Rob: I think he's in his fifth year. Sean: Okay. Okay, fine. But still, that's the same it still s it still stands for a plenty of other upperclassmen on this team who have not played well this Rob: Yeah, he's a day three pick and he'll probably turn out to be John Sean: year who are gonna be pushed out. Rob: Watch watch watch him turn out to be Jonathan Cooper and make the make become all pro and make the Pro Bowl. Watch watch it happen to him. watch it. Sean: That'd be nauseating. Rob: it well, it could happen. But yeah, I do think the the the roster's gonna be different. I don't I don't need Ohio State, and I know Ryan Day's not listening to this, I don't need them to overhaul the roster. They have a fantastic recruiting class coming in. It's they recruited for need for a change and that, if they can hold it together, is gonna make them a much better team next year. Sean: as frustrating as this season's been from like a personnel's perspective, and like I said, like the least talented team we've had since two thousand twelve, probably, I still don't think that this is necessarily a a talent issue. That we were so devoid of talent that even with Julian saying we had no hope of competing for a national championship, the which is a good sign because I don't think it is like we need to overhaul the roster, but The problems and the cracks are deeper than that. And that's what Ryan Day has to figure out is who can he bring in to help fix this culture and get a team of, guys that are gonna bite your kneecaps off and could dominate the line of scrimmage again next year. Those are the answers or the questions that we need answers to that Ryan Day needs to figure out. And, we'll have a whole offseason to talk about it because we're not gonna solve anything today. I think this more than anything was just to air out some of the grievances from what has been the season Rob: Bitch shit.

Grievance. Sean: from hell. Rob: Bitch session. Grievance session. and I yeah, and I think I'd agree with largely with your points. I think Ryan Day's sufficiently roasted. I am I would rather make an evaluation of this team and this coaching staff, particularly the coaching staff, in December. When you have a little bit of time to reflect, Sean: Mm-hmm. Rob: and we're not doing it in the heat of after two really, really bad losses. And That's what I would say. And I think 'cause it sports is an emotional business at its heart. fan is short as we all know for fanatic. So we're both fanatical. I don't wanna make a decision when I'm fanatical. I wanna make a decision in the cold hard light of reality. Sean: Yeah. Cause that's also you can make the argument if Julian Sav never gets hurt, this is a team that dominated Texas for a a half of football. If Julian Sane doesn't get hurt, we still win that Indiana game and Indiana it's probably not even as close as it was with a foot out of bounds 'cause Indiana doesn't get a f the ball back to get in that position. And if Julian Sane is still healthy, we probably win these last two games because just because I think the the difference in our offense would be that great and we wouldn't be in these hard situations that We obviously can't get back up from when things get tough. So Rob: I I feel ya. That's true. And so Ryan, I d you and I are both, I think to some, saying we question Ryan ability, Ryan Day's ability to make those hard decisions, whether it's coaching changes or no, doubling down on Patricia and saying, here's the issue, guys. Here's the issue as I see it. because he he became a CEO coach in twenty-four. And that was a s he's made Sean: Yeah, and you almost wonder did he take too far of a step back? Because his the whole idea was I don't have to worry about offensive play calling so I can pay attention to the rest of the team. But what else has gotten better? Do you think? Rob: I think that happened. I think that happened. I think that I think that happened this sh with with the offense. I don't think he's had as much input. And I think he's a better play caller than Arthur Smith. I still have my issues with Brian Sean: That's what I'm like. Rob: Day's play caller, but Arthur Smith has just f fucking bothered me from the jump. And I was bullish. I was the most bullish on Arthur Smith as anybody, and it's just not working. And you know Bubba Sean: Yeah. Rob: says, how's that working Sean: And I think with Rob: out for you? And he's just very curious because he wasn't down on him as a Steelers coordinator, but he was just like, Yeah, it was just it wasn't perfect. And and he so anyway, I I I'm kinda Ohio State buckeyed out right now. I got nothing else. Sean: Yeah. No, that's fine. We can move on. My la my last point was just what you were talking about with Ryan Day. I feel like he took almost too far of a step back and all the other things that he was supposed to work on and be able to manage without worrying about the offense, I haven't seen the improvement in other areas that makes me say, Yeah, good thing that Ryan Day's not calling plays. So I do think that's Rob: Yeah, yeah. Sean: another thing to look out for next year. If we can't get like a JT Barrett, or maybe even if we do bring in JT Barrett as offensive coordinator, I still think there's a good chance Ryan Day takes back play call. because it it really has not been the same these past two years. But anyway, we have again off season. It's a one game season for as far as I'm concerned from here on out. And then we're gonna have long, long off season to talk about all these problems all over again. but no no final thoughts on Ohio State before we can get some final thoughts. Rob: No, I think we something I'm just I I was so angry on Saturday. that second quarter interception. I've never been more angry at Ryan Day or an offensive coordinator as I was then. I'm just sick of feeling this way. I'm sick of taking satisfaction at Schadenfreude. So hopefully they get things right bec but because I know everybody cares about how happy Rob is. But and then if you don't, you should. But the roster It's not a dog shit roster. It's not. They should be Sean: Mm-hmm. Rob: having these problems. Giving up thirty-eight unanswered points and then having your center say they were a better team. Carson, shut the fuck up. Shut up. That that from a guy that I thought Sean: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's Rob: you were one of the leaders of the team, shut up. Shut up. What you s what what Caleb Downs would have said there would Sean: Mm-hmm. Yeah, exactly. Rob: have been yeah, Oregon was the better team out there because we played like shit. That's what he would have said. Sean: Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Yeah. So like I mean, next year the Cope's not dead for us to go have a great team next year, but we got a lot of steps between here and now, figuring out this coaching staff and overhauling particularly the offensive and defensive line via the portal. So we got plenty of time to talk through that. but obviously, even though Ohio State's still not dead as far as the Big Ten championship goes, all they they have to win out. They would need UCLA to win out and They would need USC to beat Indiana this weekend, and they would need Oregon to lose one more game. If all that happens, they they do find themselves into the title game, playing for a chance to the playoff. but the most likely scenario is that Ohio State has their college football playoff chances dead. So I thought it'd be fun. I wanted to give you five teams that, again, I'm not necessarily rooting for them. I can never actually root for a team other than Ohio State, but five teams that I'm hoping success for that. I'm still gonna watch this college football playoff whether Ohio State's in it or not. And I'm hoping that one of these five teams will be the ones to host the trophy at the end of the year if it's not Ohio State. You wanna be interested

to hear what they are? Let's start off Rob: All right, let me hear. Yeah. Yeah, I'm very interested. Sean: with the first one, and I actually got a clip for a couple of these. Utah, who beat BYU this past weekend, and I'm gonna be rooting for their success, because I feel like everyone in like everyone from every walk of life is jumping on the opportunity to shit on the Big Twelve and say that they're not for real. They're a wagon. And I wanna show you kind of what the game clinching play was in that Utah BYU game Saturday morning or afternoon. Rob: Monster play. I saw that. I can't believe he caught it. I just Sean: Yeah. Wide open guy in the end zone. Just does not get it over that linebacker that's sitting at the goal line. He picks it off. Utah did get the ball back. Yeah. Big, big vertical. Rob: How athletic is that linebacker? How athletic was that linebacker? That yeah. Sean: what really impressed me in this game was both teams' ability to overcome adversity. Utah jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the blink of an eye, looked like it was going to be all utes all day. BYU then right right of the ship, took momentum back. Scored 20 straight points and then took the opening possession of the second half into Utah territory. And it looked like BYU was going to start running away with it. But then Bearbachmeyer got hit on a throw, ended up going right to the linebacker, and momentum swung right back from Utah from there. And they fought back. And it was a few plays after that interception. Dad, I don't know if you saw this play, but this is really where momentum turned for Utah, and they didn't look back. It was a fourth down conversion here. Utah's moved away from the two quarterback system they were really using in September a little bit, but it reared its head there. They had their backup quarterback throw it to Dampier, made an incredible pass. so I d I did you see that play live? Rob: I saw the play. I've seen it multiple times. lucky, lucky. I don't know if I would have done it, but you know, Utah Sean: Yeah. great catch by Dampier. Rob: may be the team of destiny, and I'm sick of talking about Schadenfreude, but it is another ding in towards Ann Arbor's direction because I think you know, I think Whittingham was a good coach, but I think the Rocky Mountains hid him from view from the rest of America and in Ann Arbor there ain't no mountains. And he's on Eastern time and he don't get it. And frankly, as big a problem as Ohio State has right now, Michigan's indeed. Sean: Yeah. That's part of the reason why Rob: Michigan's Sean: I'm gonna be rooting for Utah because I think it's hilarious if they could win a national championship and Michigan hires the coach that that left before that national championship. 'Cause yeah, they're they're in deep trouble too. Rob: Right. Utah knew something. They wanted that guy as coach for a reason. It wasn't because Whittingham's a dick. They wanted that guy as coach for a reason. Sean: Mm-hmm. But also Rob: So Sean: coming out of this game though, again, because I talked about at the top when I was talking about this game, how both teams were able to overcome adversity in this game, and that really impressed me. That's obviously something Ohio State doesn't have the ability to do this year, but I also think it's something that's lacking from a lot of big time teams across the country. And I think that's why we've seen so many blowouts in the SEC. Like just look at this weekend. It was it was a you know, supposedly the best weekend of college football all year. A lot of that because of those ranked SEC matchups, and most of them were blowouts. Most of the big SEC matchups throughout the entire year have been blowouts. And I wonder if that's lays into what I was talking about about how dip it might be difficult for Ohio State to establish their old culture. Rob: Maybe I think you're stretching to make a point there. I do 'cause the LSU U Alabama game, if you read the stat line, it read like the US C Ohio State stat line. LSU dominated that game statistically. They just broke down once they got on the other side of Alabama's field. And and that's classic Lane Kiffin. and I don't want to hear anybody say, Well, it's just his first year. I don't wanna I don't wanna hear that about LSU. He was supposed to be in the playoff this year. He's almost certainly not gonna be in. and that roster, okay, they're spending nearly as much as Ohio State, if not more. It's not it's not Sean: I know, I'm mad at us for both picking Alabama this past weekend because we nailed LSU before the season started. We knew that they were gonna, lose at least three games and this was gonna be the kind of product that Ells that Lane Kiffin puts on the field. Rob: But who we didn't we it was Death Valley. We didn't think that Alabama team, the way they were playing at the time, could go into Death Valley and Sean: Mm-hmm. Rob: and and they they played well, but they LSU just made critical mistakes at very important times in the game and lost by it's almost four touchdowns. That's shocking. The Tennessee Kentucky game wasn't as shocking because Tennessee's defense, when they bring it, when they show up I they didn't show up in Columbia a couple weeks ago. That's one of the best defenses in America. So that didn't surprise me that much. I mean, Kentucky Sean: Yeah. Rob: was playing with fire. The Missouri Texas game was close until Arch Manning played probably his best quarter of football ever. his probably his best half of football ever. and Texas may be rounding into form now. But they're Texas, so and They have Sark, the sober lane Kiffin, coaching their team. So I'm not a buyer on that. it's funny, Alabama and Oklahoma or not Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia have restated their cases to be in the top four. so Sean: Yeah. it should be those two, UCLA and Utah should be Rob: You taught. Sean: top four teams in the country. so yeah, Utah's the first team that I'm I'm hoping success for. With

maybe of re reaching a little bit on that, you know, NIL transfer portal heavy teams don't have the same resolve that we saw in that BYU Utah game. And I will say, BYU that's their second loss. I still don't think they're out of the CFP. They have wins over Notre Dame and Arizona. Rob: They shouldn't be. They shouldn't be. Sean: Last second losses to UCF and Utah. I still think they're in it. The second team. That I am hoping success for. And I would hope you're, I mean, I know you're on my boat here, would be South Carolina, who had this game clinching play. Yeah, so Lenora Sellers had left the game with an ankle injury earlier. And you can see him hobbling at the end of that run. South Carolina had a big defensive stop to get the ball back with just under two minutes left. But Texas AM still had all three timeouts and only a field goal needed to take the lead. So a first down was paramount. First play of that drive, Lenora Sellers. Guess what? He kept the ball on a read option. Huh. Crazy. And he takes it to the house. Rob: Who no say that again what did he do? What did he Sean: Quarterbacks are allowed to keep the ball on read options, apparently. But he closed the game out there. Who would have thunk it? Rob: Is his name Braxton Miller? Who's who like what? Yeah, I if I'm gonna say this for Rich O. If if the the only thing that can make I mean Ohio State's out, and I don't, you know, for all intents and purposes, if they were to make it, I'm not so sure. I want to see this team get shellacked in the playoffs. This state will be lit if South Carolina makes it. I know the Game Cox had either Sean: Yeah, and if people are wondering why why we have an affinity for South Carolina outside of you living in Charleston, it's they are the only Rob: I well because Clemson Sean: school that does not beat their chest talking about SEC, SEC. South Carolina is historically an incredibly average team who still sells out that stadium every Rob: Yeah. Sean: single weekend and cheers on their game cocks. And it's just a respectable fan base that it's rare to find anywhere in college football, let alone the SEC. Rob: Yep, I'd agree a hundred percent. Couldn't say it better. This state will be lit if they make the playoffs. Go ahead, keep rolling. Sean: Great. The the third team that I'm no, you're absolutely right. yeah, the third team I'm rooting success for would be UCLA. Cause ultimately I want a Big Ten team to win the national championship if it can't be Ohio State. I can't root for Indiana. Certainly not rooting for Oregon or USC. So it kinda leaves UCLA. There's nothing about them that I dislike. I don't know a single UCLA fan in the world, so there's no one to talk shit to me if they do end up winning. And They pulled out a nice win over Minnesota. And here is the this was pretty much the game clinching pla play here. They were up 24-20. Minnesota it was a back and forth game all day. Minnesota's offense Rob: Yeah, I saw it. I saw it. Sean: really showed

up and they kicked a field goal. UCLA gets the ball back. First play of the game. Drive. Rob: what's the best thing about that play? It's good to Sean: And after that pass what? Rob: have the excited Gus Johnson back. When he's just Sean: Yeah. Rob: not himself for whatever reason, that it's not fun. But those two class plays Sean: That was good Gus Johnson. Rob: reminded me so much of Indiana against Nebraska. They they were identical. These guys are running free. Single coverage. PJ, I don't know what you were what you were thinking. But they probably thought They're gonna run the ball. They can't possibly throw it. We'll single and they run the same play twice and get seventy five yard, two seventy five yard touchdowns. So good that's Sean: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Rob: that is a coach that recognizes the situation and seizes it. That's what I love about Chesney. That's what Ohio State has not done. Yep. Sean: Mm-hmm. That's what after Defenbach after Deffenbach completed that pass, he was eight of fifteen for almost forty yards per completion. they Rob: Yeah. Sean: were only throwing it play action deep shots. Other than that, it was run, run, run, run, run. If play action deep shots were working to perfection. and UCLA ended up pulling that. Rob: Yeah. And they they they're they're not worried about our quarterback's only at fifty percent. they weren't worried about that. Let's just keep throwing the ball along. We got Jim Plunkett back there. Who cares? He throws touchdowns and incompletions. That's what he does. Sean: Yeah. The the last two teams that are on my my list the teams I'm rooting s hoping success for, I don't have clips for, but one's gonna be Wake Forest, who at this point is just getting disrespected. I don't care that they play in the ACC. They have had their the best defensive performance anyone's had against a fully healthy Miami team all year long. And again, I have I have no beef with Wake Forest. I think it'd be really fun to see them go on a run. so why the hell not? They just beat Rob: They are the smallest division smallest small Sean: some poor school of the deaf tech team by seventy points. so Rob: Sean, by enrollment, they're the smallest Sean: but I'll be having a an eye on them this weekend. And then my last team would be either Boise State or New Mexico, whoever ends up being the group of six rep. I think, you know, again, I talked earlier about how talent is being leveled out across the the board. Rob: Can you hear me? Can you hear me? Sean: I talked earlier about how talent is being leveled out across the the board in college football and people still want to talk down on the group of six like they are lucky to even be considered for the playoff. But in reality, this year more than ever is a is a year where we could see Boise State or New Mexico upset a team, go on a run and be playing, in maybe the national semifinals. I could absolutely see it. I'm here for the chaos if Ohio State's not in it. So whether it's Boise State or New Mexico, I'm hoping for success for whoever group is whatever group is six team gets into the playoff this year. So those are my five Rob: those are a good five. I I was gonna add in, yeah, good call and wake. You know it is the smallest division one football school, period, in terms of enrollment. Sean: I didn't know that. Rob: it is very tiny. And frankly, think of the chaos that would ensue. Should they get another crack at Miami and were they to beat Miami? Does Miami even make the playoffs? Sean: That I'm sure they wanted but it's w it's a conversation worth having. Rob: So no think No, think about it. Who would they who would they have beaten? Sean: At that point, yeah, no one. Quite Rob: No one. Sean: literally no one. Rob: They so their shoes on the other foot. It'd Sean: It'll just depend who would they be up against. Rob: be it'd be Notre Dame. Notre Dame last year, they'd be two thousand twenty five Notre Dame. nothing would make me happier. Well, a lot of things would make me happier. But with respect to Miami, if they were to get a Wake were to get another shot at them and beat them, beat that would be fun. That would be fun. And and if Miami didn't make make the playoff because of that, I'd I'd enjoy that thoroughly. I'd enjoy that thoroughly. and I told you Miami was gonna struggle without Tony. I I just they I told you they were gonna Sean: Yeah, no, they absolutely did. Yeah. And CJ Carr too. I think he's he's probably my Heisman favorite at this point. And I think it as far as like the two thousand twenty seven NFL draft goes, you know, the you know, the loaded class, historically great class, I think it's CJ Carr and Drew Mestemaker are the only two like shoe in hand count first round picks. Rob: And Mensah Mensa. Mensa, I I think of I would look at tape on Mensa. I he's made some throws and plays this year that I was like, Okay, I get I get it. Yeah. Sean: Yeah, I wouldn't put him in the category of Mestamaker and CJ Carr as just sure sure fire top ten thing. Rob: All right. I'm I'm not willing to go there with Messen Maker yet because I the thing about a dude in the big a big offense like that is you're not running an NFL offense. he's got size, he's a very good athlete, he can read defenses. I would just run a lot of tape on him and see does it translate? Does it tra I'm Sean: Mm-hmm. Rob: not looking at his arm talent. I'm not I'm not looking at his sizes, measurables. I'm trying to figure out if that offense, if we can translate, can he pick it up in the NFL? Because that is the key. That is the key. Sean: Mm-hmm. Rob: everybody, Joe Milton's got arm talent. Okay. There's a reason he's he's starting for the woe-be gone Eagles. So, Sean: Mm. Rob: anyway, good five. Of all those five, I'd probably pick UCLA or Wake, but that's a really good five. It's Sean: Yeah. Hopefully one of those I think. Rob: It'd be fun to and and frankly if USC makes it, I won't go to any games, but it this town this state we may we may

secede again. We Sean: South Carolina, that is, not spoiled children. Rob: Yeah, yeah, we may we may secede again. So yeah. Sean: it would be that'd be a fun sight to see South Carolina in the playoffs, which e even at nine and three, if they beat Georgia in a couple weeks, I think is likely. so I'll be honest, Dad. I I need a little bit of a break from football. I need to try to enjoy the rest of my week without this constant cloud following me. So I think I'm going to forego a full on preview episode, but I have a few thoughts on just a a few of the big upcoming games this weekend. Rob: Well, can you let us know where the records are? I'm curious. Did I close the gap and tie this thing up or Sean: I did not I did not do the records for last week, so I guess when we will when we do our next preview episode next week I'll I'll update you. Rob: Boo But I did nail the upset special. So I'm very happy about that. And if I have to keep picking Michigan in my upset specials, if they're not gonna be favored in any of their three remaining games, so you know, woe was them. but maybe we should root for them to beat Oregon, I guess. Sean: I'm I'm I'm I'm not rooting for I hope everyone sucks. Rob: All right. Don't worry about it. Don't look up the records. do you want to go to post game spread or no, you were gonna do previously games. Sean: Well before yeah, just w a quick quick thoughts on on week eleven, 'cause there are some, consequential games still coming up. in the ACC actually, there's two big games. It's Duke Miami and Wake Forest SMU. Duke is disrespected too. They're only two losses are to Georgia Tech and UNC by a combined five points. These past two weeks they've beaten BC and NC State by a combined score of eighty-eight and five, and they finished now with Miami, Clemson, and Wake Forest. So They these are the four teams that are competing for the ACC championship. And so we'll know probably who will be in that game after this weekend. And then, if Duke actually beats Miami and Wake Forest continues to win, two ACC teams in the college football playoff is absolutely plausible. Rob: it's a revenge game for Duke. Sean: Yeah, going against their former quarterback as well. Rob: And they hate him. They hate him. they Sean: Yeah. Rob: they hate him. So, there it'll be an interesting game. Where's is it d Duke at Miami? That's gonna be a tall order. Sean: Yeah, yeah. And it's Wake Forest at SMU. So yeah, SMU even, they're not out of the ACC championship. They can beat Wake Forest. yeah, so Rob: They're not out of it. They're not out of it. Unfortunately. I I'm gonna be pulling for Wake, I'll pull for Duke, pull for the state of I'm all chips in on Carol the Carolinas, I guess, this weekend. Sean: Yeah. No, I like it. In the Big Twelve, there's two other big games, Utah versus Arizona, Texas Tech versus Oklahoma State. Both Arizona and Oklahoma State can get back into the Big Twelve title hunt with a win in these two games. And if they both win, if Arizona upsets Utah and if Oklahoma State upsets Texas Tech, the Big Twelve is going to be absolute chaos these final three weeks, which I'm always here for. Rob: Yep. Yep. I I it'll be very interesting. I part of me for sanity's sake wants to see Utah win, just keep winning and make it easy. and and I think it's better for the Big Twelve's chances to get multiple teams in because I do think they deserve it, but they're not gonna get that kind of respect because everybody Sean: Yeah. No. Rob: FCC and the Big Ten, there's a significant bias, even though I think you know, the Big Ten Big Ten's perilously close to only getting one, maybe two teams in. That That's Sean: They are. Rob: that's and and maybe only one, depending on how Indiana their last three games go. So that's Sean: Yeah, there's there's absolutely a path for only one Big Ten team, which is crazy to think about. And then the SEC, it's kind of a light weekend as far as good SEC matchups go. But there is Texas versus LSU and Missouri versus Georgia. I call those out because obviously South Carolina is kind of the favorite to make the playoff at nine and three, because they would have that win over Georgia in a couple weeks. But if there is any other potential three loss teams that can make the college football playoff, it would be LSU if they beat Texas this weekend and then they play Missouri next weekend, which is another ranked win. or or I'm sorry, they don't. It'll be Texas it will I'm gonna restart that. It would be LSU if they can upset Texas this weekend, or it would be Missouri who plays Georgia this weekend and then has Kentucky next weekend, who would be another ranked win. So if you hate the SEC and you can't stand the idea of a three loss team getting into the college football playoff, root for Texas and Georgia. To be LSU in Missouri this weekend. Rob: Or root for chaos and just see what happens. So yeah. good call outs on the games. I got nothing other than I my underdog special, upset special one. Again, doing pretty Sean: Yes. Rob: well with that. And one with one against the spread, one with an outright pick. Michigan State to win, I nailed it. Sean: Yeah, absolutely. I'm glad hopefully did you watch that game? 'Cause I feel like I watched it just by looking at the score. Rob: my god, no. my I could I turn as I told ya, I went to Tulsa King early on Saturday evening and stayed with it. Got through most of the third season. So a lot of plot holes in that but I do I do kinda like it. But but yeah, the plot holes are obvious and egregious, but I didn't Sean: Great. Well, okay. Unless you have any other thoughts on either this past weekend or this upcoming weekend of college football, any final vitriol to put towards Ryan Rob: No. Sean: Day, I think we can get into the the postgame spread. Rob: Let's go to the postgame spread. Sean: Yeah, start us off. Rob: Well, I wanted to burn my tailgate down to complete to ashes to incinerate it and not talk about anything, but I

can't do that. So I'm gonna leave us on a couple positive notes. And I'm gonna go music since I've been on a music jacket the last few weeks. First band, I don't know if you've ever heard of them. the band out of England called The Heavy Heavy. they're I I but anybody your generation, the description I'm saying right now is gonna probably turn you off. But they're generally light, happy, poppy, sixties sounding. I get take Crosby Stills and Nash, mix them with the Mamas and the Pappas, throw in a little Fleetwood Mac, and maybe occasionally the doors, because of some of the musical ramblings. They're but they're just a really feel good band. And if you need to get out of your dark funk, you put on a few songs from the heavy heavy Sean. I think you'll feel better. And then there since I p called out Charlie Crockett last week, I'm calling out another it's he's not quite country. It's Jesse Wells, and it's really in particular song. I hadn't heard it on the radio for a while. I think I was coming back from church Sunday or going to church or whatever I was doing. And Oats came on. And it's a song, it's against materialism, but mostly in consumerism, but mostly what it's about is wasting energy on the wrong things and hating on people. And sort of that very he does he's not a religious soul, but it's like, man, you know, gotta learn how to love your enemies, and it's just a it's just a great message, and one of the lines in it. is about he talks about I thought I was giving getting gathering oats for my horses. So that's where the name oats comes from when I was whipping my mules. You know, so I I thought I was feeding my angels and instead I was getting my demons worked up. That's what it's about. It's a great song. It's and it's short, it's sweet. It's a little bit more rocky, I mean meaning a rock kind of centric song than some of his other stuff. So it's Jesse Wells, Oates. I love that song. It's another song that it may not get you bouncing like the heavy heavy will, but it'll make you think. So I gotta give you, Sean, two songs for the price of one in my postgame spread, all geared around trying to lift you out of your funk. How about that? Sean: Hmm. Well thank you. I appreciate that. And I need that and I think I'm not alone from Buckeye Nation. for my postgame spread, I don't have much because I've been in a funk. I'm just gonna implore our audience, find a hell hobby that's not sports, because I'm lost right now. I'm I'm drowning in an ocean, keeping my head above water. Rob: Well, I know. I'm gonna implore my son. I'm gonna implore my son. Find a hobby that's not Ohio State football. Please. Sean: This is what I get for making Ohio State football my hobby. Maybe the podcast is the curse. Maybe because we finally start talking about Ohio State on a in a in a public manner, and we have our second season of the past twenty-two years where we fail to reach ten regular season wins. Maybe worth Rob: Well, to to the song correct, but I told your

mom all the frickin' you know that to the song Oats about just getting rid of all the detritus and focusing on the things that are important. Like I think I'm gonna throw my lucky boxers in the trash. They need to go, they're they're ripped up, torn up. all the frickin' Fingers in the ears, gesticulations, hiding in a closet, putting you in the shower, all that shit's done. they either win or they lose. I could put good vibes out into the world. That's better for the world. And if Ohio State can't jive off of that, then fuck You know? So that's and now wait till next year. We'll see what happens. but yeah. Sean: And you know what? At least Ryan Day cannot ruin another New Year's for us this year. Rob: Fair point. You're really down on Ryan Day. that's why they have to win Saturday. All right. All right, my friend. Sean: been a tough tough few days. But we press on and we will be a Buckeye fan even if we finish this year six and six. I'm gonna die. Live and breathe and die, Scarlet. Rob: Yes, my friend, my son. Sean: All right. Well any final thoughts before our viewers before we sign off for the week and try to pick up the pieces again next Rob: I I I gotta s I Sean: week. Rob: yes, this week more than any other people use your turn signals. They're just so and stop at stop signs. I'm riding in my neighborhood tonight. Just an easy spin to get the lactic acid out of my legs and multi people not using their turn signals and one w one woman in particular, I could see her so I would break and stop. She just blew right through the stop sign. And I it was my right to go, but she just blew the stop sign and I could see she was gonna do it so it didn't come to a calamity. And that happened in North Carolina this weekend where some dude went left to center, hammered 9 30 in the morning near where near Raleigh and ran over 20 cyclists, killed one of them. So use Sean: Yeah. Rob: your doggone turn signals are not optional and stop signs. I don't have to stop at them if there are no cars coming. State law in South Carolina, you do stop at the goddamn stop signs. Turn signals and stop signs. It will keep people alert. Sean: I have an advice I have advice for you. If you ever run into people, on the highway driving like an idiot, instead of flipping the bird, getting road rage going, put every putting everyone's life in danger, what I've been doing, I hit them with a thumbs down, stick my hand out the window, quick thumbs down. Rob: I that's good. I I noticed you I you I know you did Yep. I noticed that. That's a good Sean: 'Cause it's it f it it gives the same exact message. They're not gonna get as fired up about it because who's gonna, curse set a thumbs down, but it messes with them. And they know they've the you lets that lets them know that they've done wrong. I find it very effective. And it gives me it makes me laugh too, when they're all freaking out their car and I'm just holding the thumbs down. Rob: I I'm gonna use that more. I saw you doing that. Thumbs down, baby. Turn signals, stop signs, Sean: Effective. Rob: thumbs down. I like it. Sean: Great. Well, thank you everyone and anyone that's out there listening. This will be our only episode this week, but we will catch you here next week to hopefully start to pick up the pieces and and move on with our lives. But hope everyone has a great rest of their week, enjoys a good weekend of college football, uses their turn signals and and stays safe. Stay safe out there. All Rob: Go bucks. Sean: right. Yeah, go Bucks. Talk to you later, Dad.