Locked On LSU - Daily Podcast On LSU Tigers Football & Basketball

SEC SQUAD - SEC Football is LOADED | Who will BREAKOUT on LSU?

34 min
Apr 2, 2026about 2 months ago
Listen to Episode
Summary

The SEC Squad discusses breakout players and emerging talent across SEC football programs during spring ball, analyzing transfer portal additions and new coaching hires. The hosts evaluate which new SEC head coaches will win playoff games first and compare Texas and Oklahoma's championship trajectories as the conference's newest members.

Insights
  • Transfer portal investments reveal team priorities: Missouri invested heavily in secondary depth while trusting existing defensive ends, suggesting confidence in player development over replacement
  • New coaching hires with prior SEC experience (Pete Golding, John Somerall) have immediate advantages over Group of Five promotions in playoff-contention timelines
  • Quarterback development and offensive line stability are more predictive of playoff success than individual star power, particularly for programs in transition
  • Texas has upgraded significantly in year three of SEC membership with experienced QB support and portal acquisitions, while Oklahoma faces health and offensive line questions despite defensive strength
  • Promoting coordinators from within (Texas A&M) carries higher risk than external splash hires but can maintain system continuity if the promoted coaches have proven track records
Trends
Transfer portal strategy shifting from broad talent acquisition to targeted position group investment based on program-specific needsFCS-to-SEC transitions becoming more viable with proper development (Racen Delgotti at Alabama center position)New SEC head coaches with prior conference experience gaining competitive advantage in year-one performance expectationsOffensive line and run game efficiency emerging as critical differentiator between playoff-contending and mid-tier SEC teamsQuarterback competition transparency increasing with coaching staff public comments about starter decisions during spring ballRegional UFL team construction leveraging SEC player familiarity to drive attendance and fan engagementCoordinator promotions from within becoming viable alternative to external hires when internal candidates have proven SEC experienceTexas and Oklahoma establishing themselves as top-tier SEC programs within three years of conference entry through sustained portal investmentDefensive coordinator retention (DJ Durkin at Auburn) becoming as important as head coach hiring in program stabilitySpring ball performance of backup-turned-starter edge rushers (Dara Smith, Langdon Kitchen at Missouri) indicating potential for defensive line depth
Companies
Locked On Podcast Network
Podcast network hosting the SEC Squad show and affiliated team-specific shows covering college football
University of Florida Athletics
Discussed regarding new head coach John Somerall and quarterback competition between Aaron Filo and Tramiel Jones
University of Texas Athletics
Analyzed as SEC newcomer with playoff trajectory and quarterback Arch Manning's development with improved offensive s...
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Evaluated as SEC newcomer with defensive strength but offensive concerns and quarterback John Matier's health status
University of Alabama Athletics
Referenced for center recruit Racen Delgotti from Cal Poly and competitive advantage in recruiting and facilities
University of Missouri Athletics
Discussed portal strategy prioritizing secondary depth while retaining defensive ends Langdon Kitchen and Dara Smith
University of Ole Miss Athletics
Analyzed with new head coach Pete Golding and transfer acquisitions including Blake Purchase and Keaton Thomas
University of Auburn Athletics
Evaluated with new head coach Alex Golisch and quarterback Byron Brown transfer, defensive tackle Cody Sigler addition
University of Arkansas Athletics
Discussed quarterback competition with KJ Jackson and new offensive coordinator Kendall Briles from SMU
University of Tennessee Athletics
Analyzed for young quarterback competition under Josh Heupel and running back Sean Bishop importance to offense
University of Texas A&M Athletics
Evaluated for playoff contention with quarterback Marcel Reed development and new coordinators Holman Wiggins and Lyl...
University of Kentucky Athletics
Discussed football program investment under new head coach Will Stein with portal additions and basketball funding im...
University of Mississippi Athletics
Mentioned for transfer acquisitions including wide receiver Jackson Harris from Hawaii
University of Mississippi State Athletics
Referenced for Jack position transfer Amari Williams from Florida State
University of Arkansas Basketball
Discussed regarding John Calipari's funding impact on football program budget allocation
People
Chris Gordy
Host of Locked On SEC and moderator of SEC Squad panel discussion on breakout players and coaching hires
John Miller
Discussed Missouri's portal strategy prioritizing secondary depth and edge rusher retention decisions
Jimmy Stein
Highlighted Alabama center recruit Racen Delgotti from Cal Poly and Alabama's competitive advantages
Stephen Willis
Identified Ole Miss transfer acquisitions Blake Purchase and Keaton Thomas as breakout candidates
Pete Golding
New Ole Miss head coach with prior playoff experience, identified as likely first new SEC coach to win playoff game
Alex Golisch
New Auburn head coach with quarterback Byron Brown transfer and defensive coordinator DJ Durkin retention
John Somerall
New Florida head coach managing quarterback competition and offensive system adaptation with new players
Ryan Silverfield
Arkansas head coach managing quarterback competition with KJ Jackson and new offensive coordinator Kendall Briles
Will Stein
Kentucky head coach generating football program excitement with portal acquisitions and facility investment
Josh Heupel
Tennessee head coach managing young quarterback competition and run-heavy offensive system with Sean Bishop
Mike Elko
Texas A&M head coach with defensive expertise and promoted coordinators Holman Wiggins and Lyle Hemphill
Steve Sarkisian
Texas head coach confident in team composition, comparing current roster to Alabama championship teams he coached
Brett Venables
Oklahoma head coach managing quarterback John Matier's health and offensive line reconstruction
Arch Manning
Texas quarterback with improved offensive support and experience entering third year of college football
John Matier
Oklahoma quarterback with prior Big 12 experience and hand injury recovery affecting 2025 season outlook
Marcel Reed
Texas A&M quarterback needing development behind rebuilt offensive line for playoff contention
Kendall Briles
New Arkansas offensive coordinator bringing system change and terminology overhaul to program
Holman Wiggins
Promoted Texas A&M offensive coordinator with prior Alabama water cooler receiver coaching experience
Lyle Hemphill
Promoted Texas A&M defensive coordinator as rising star in defensive coaching ranks
DJ Durkin
Auburn defensive coordinator retained under new head coach Alex Golisch for program continuity
Quotes
"I just think that yeah sure I'll go with Texas too if you're gonna if you're gonna put a gun to my head proverbially but I do think that Oklahoma is closer than people think that's a program that is not going to take anything lying down that is for certain."
John MillerMid-episode discussion on Texas vs Oklahoma championship timeline
"Pete Golding he's won two games already as a head coach. I mean he's already he's tied for third all time in the SEC and playoff wins and he's never kicked the regular season game."
Stephen WillisDiscussion on new SEC head coaches winning playoff games first
"I just think that yeah sure I'll go with Texas too if you're gonna if you're gonna put a gun to my head proverbially but I do think that Oklahoma is closer than people think."
John MillerTexas vs Oklahoma championship contention analysis
"If you can do that I think they would be okay with a 7-5 or 6-6 season. And retaining DJ Durkin too I mean that's that was huge if they had a new DC maybe we wouldn't be as you know saying that about Auburn."
Jimmy SteinAuburn football program outlook with new coaching staff
"There's a fine line that you have to walk with him but you can't take away his legs."
John MillerDiscussion on Marcel Reed quarterback development at Texas A&M
Full Transcript
It's the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Saving Seekers, we hear you. Seeking energy savings, always keep your energy prices under the price cap. With Next Pledge, your energy prices are guaranteed to always stay below the price cap. Satisfy those savings cravings. Check out our full range of tailored energy solutions at eonnext.com forward slash save. Eonnext, we make energy savings work. Next Pledge is a 12 month fixed time trucker tariff with variable rates lower than off chance price cap for standard variable tariffs. Direct debit required. Teas and seas apply. Some new names we need to get to know as SEC Spring Ball churns on, it's time to get our squad together. You're talking ball with the SEC squad. From Alabama to Tennessee, from Georgia to Oklahoma, from Auburn to Texas, it's the local experts of the Locked On Podcast Network, bringing you scoops, breakdowns and the most comprehensive preview of the upcoming SEC weekend. It's the SEC squad and we have a seat for you. Perk feeling some thin skin are prohibited. Squad up, you're part of the SEC squad. And what's up everybody, welcome into the SEC squad. Please back grab your favorite beverage and join us as we get you ready to talk in another week of all things SEC. Join us this week on our squad show. We've got John Miller from Locked On Mizzou. We've got Jimmy Stein from Locked On. Bama, Stephen Willis from Locked On Ole Miss, and I'm Chris Gordy, host of Locked On SEC. And guys, we've talked a lot about spring ball and obviously we're into the thick of it now. Only a couple of weeks left. Mizzou, they're finished, but LSU and Ole Miss, they were the trailers there into their spring ball practices and all that. And like we know a lot of the big names. There's been a lot of newcomers with incoming freshmen, transfer pull guys and all this, but I thought it'd be fun to kick this around. Give me a name of a player on your team. We may not know now, meaning you may know it, but other folks may not be talking about this person, but we will know them later when the season comes around. Stephen, let's start with you. This event, Blake Purchase, transfer from Oregon is somebody that is going to get after the quarterback, they're going to find a way to scheme him open. He is definitely a name to watch for Ole Miss. And another name is Keaton Thomas, the linebacker transfer from Baylor. Both those guys are athletic enough to make an impact their first year. You said his name was Purchase? Blake Purchase. Did they give him an IEL deal? Yes, I'm certain they did. It would have been really funny if he was free, if he just came for a scholarship. Walk on, yeah, preferred. Jimmy, give me a name for Alabama. Yeah, this is a fun name. You know, I think offensive linemen are sort of anonymous, but this is sort of fun. Alabama need a new center last year's center headed to the NFL draft as a red shirt junior. So they signed in the FCS center from Cal Poly. His name is Racen Delgotti. Is that fun? Yeah, Racen. Racen Delgotti. He had to battle two or three guys, but he appears to have quickly won the center job, despite coming from Cal Poly and FCS football. He was an all conference player there. He's a red shirt junior coming into this fall. 6-3-3-0-5, a lot of concern about, you know, the transition. It's a big jump in competition from FCS to the SEC, but he's handled Alabama's defensive front fairly well. They haven't named him the starter at center, but it looks just completely obvious at this point. He'll be a brand new name for everyone and one that's fun to say, Racen Delgotti, the new Alabama center. Yeah, so it's almost like Bugatti racing Bugatti. Yeah, and it almost, you know, we know Delgado, Carlos Delgado. You never heard Delgotti. Delgotti, Racen Delgotti. John Miller. That is the plural in Italian. Yeah, if he gets a pancake block, he will have Delgotti it. I suppose I throw back there for you, sports center watchers from the south, from the 1990s. But I'll say from the Missouri perspective, you know, I think the Tigers went really hard into the secondary in the portal and not so much on the defensive line, a little bit on the offensive line, but they spent way more of their portal capital in the secondary. So what that tells me is the Tigers have real faith in Langdon Kitchen and Dara Smith. Now, Dara Smith, a guy Georgia fans are going to remember, he played well for Missouri last year as sort of your backup. Actually, both of these guys were backups at your sort of defensive end, you know, jack position, whatever you want to call it, both edge rushers, a little bit different depending on which side you're on in the Missouri offense. But the point is Zion Young, a guy who's expected to go at least in the second round, maybe first round was a guy who jumped big time in Sacks from his first year in Missouri to his second. Well, you could have predicted that based on his pressure rate. Both Dara Smith and Kitchen have good pressure rates. We'll see if Missouri is right on there, gamble to bring those guys back this coming fall. Yeah, it's it's it's so interesting just because that, you know, I've followed the transfer portal every day it was open. So a lot of the names I know just from kind of looking around the rosters and just tracking where guys were going. But obviously, we don't have a full slate of our squad shows here. So I'll just pick a couple of schools and throw some names out real quick for Auburn. Have heard nothing but good things about this defensive tackle Cody Sigler who transferred in this offseason from Arkansas State. I think even goal is to singled him out said he's going to be a big time player. So look for him on the D line for Auburn. LSU has a I mean, it's an entirely new wide receiver room. So you could really pick any one of those guys, but some are familiar with like Trey Wilson from Florida. But there's a guy that I've been told by multiple people watch out for Jackson Harris transfer wide receiver from Hawaii of all places. So going to be a little bit of a culture shock for him going from Hawaii to playing in Death Valley in front of 100,000 people. So but was close to a thousand year receiver last year. And then a name at Mississippi State, which you probably don't know a ton of Mississippi State players, but Amari Williams playing that Jack position transferred from Florida State. I've been told by a couple of people to watch out for him. Open it up guys. Is there any other players that we do know or don't know that you think are guys that are going to be big splashes this year around the SEC? Well, I do think Byron Brown is going to work out for Auburn. That's one of my big takes. I just think coming over there with your head coach, the the cohesion there, I think it's actually going to work out as much as I love to make fun of Auburn and he frees in the golf and all that. By the way, I got a little he frees in me the last a week or two. But this is far as the golf game goes and not doing my job. But no, seriously, I think that's I think that's my take. I like what Auburn has done this offseason. I'm really bullish on them in year one with what I think is going to be a big difference in coaching. You know, there's a lot of questions about whether Byron Brown, you know, and how he'll transition the SEC. Alabama's played him twice and I wouldn't say Alabama struggled with him in terms of he didn't go out there and put up big numbers. But he was a quality quarterback even against Alabama's defense. I don't think I don't think the transition of the SEC is going to be too tall for him. I'm expecting Byron Brown to be very productive at Auburn this fall. And it's not a transfer per se, but Kendall Braille is coming in and being the offensive coordinator for the Norse sellers. That that is going to be one of the bigger storylines in the SEC this year, in my opinion. That is really intriguing. Yeah. And we've heard nothing but, you know, positive so far. I know Shane Beamer spoke a few days ago and said, our offense is completely completely new. He's like, it's just it's it's all new terminology. It's all new scheme, all that. And so look, it wasn't great last year. So I mean, I would say let's change the whole thing up too. But the track record of Kendall Braille's is pretty darn good. So I would I would trust that. One other one. I mean, whoever wins a Florida quarterback job, I think is, you know, how good are they? What's the ceiling of Aaron Fila or Tramiel Jones, which whichever one wins that job? So it's interesting because they Buster Faulkner, you know, what kind of system does he run? John Somerville has asked about that this week and he's like, really, you're going to we're going to adapt to, you know, whoever our best players are. Well, I went ding ding ding, Jayden Ball. They're going to run a lot of 11 personnel, I think. And, you know, look, they're going to run the football. So we'll see what happens. But I don't know the Florida quarterback situation really intrigues me. Yeah, I'm sorry. I'm embarrassed on Florida, but yeah, go ahead, Jamie. No, just say there's a few unresolved quarterback situations around the league, but Florida is the one you seem to hear less about really than the others. I think other competitions, maybe you're a bit more noisy, but that is a fascinating one. But you have to figure with the offensive coordinator coming with his quarterback. That would be a decided advantage in Gainesville for Filo. Yeah. And the quarterback competition in Arkansas is timeless. And I literally mean that they're taking they've taken clocks off the wall. Well, yeah, KJ Jackson, it sounds like he's going to be the guy and I know I'm going to call him KJ Jefferson before the season's over. But but yeah, he seems like the guy. I mean, he was at Ryan Silverfield's press conference. As soon as I saw that, I went, oh, that's the guy. So that that of all the open quarterback battles, I think it's pretty pretty evident. But the Tennessee one, too, is very intriguing guys, because I mean, look, it's not like George McIntyre is this, you know, has a ton of experience under his belt and the phase on branded kid, you know, was a five star in this year's class. So it's that was fascinating. But look, I trust Josh Hypo. He's he's done it with all different quarterbacks. Yeah. Feels like whoever emerges at Tennessee is going to be a quality player because the level of competition is good. Right. So a good player should emerge from that. But we'll see because I could see that going in any direction. They also have the older kid, right? That that came in. But I think it's going to be George McIntyre myself. But but but we'll see that'll be a fun one to watch. I will. I will. I will. One thing to look at at Tennessee is if those young quarterbacks are going to have to be playing ball, you might want to look in the backfield to see who's carrying the rock because that's probably going to be the most important part of that off. It's the Sean Bishop. Yeah. Yeah, though, that is the sort of to people who don't necessarily watch maybe a ton of Tennessee football. Yeah, big part of the Josh Hypo offense is you do have to run it for as much as he does like to take those vertical shots. And I will just say I am intrigued by the idea of a young quarterback in the Josh Hypo offense having multiple years to maybe branch out from just the basic stuff that Hypo does, which does work and why you can just plug in a guy. But if they can actually get, hey, a second third year quarterback down there and I think that's pretty interesting. Yeah. Yeah. And it will. And by the way, to the point, I mean, Tennessee, as much as we always talk about the passing game, they've always been one of the leading rushing teams in the country. Same with Lane Kiffin when he was at Ole Miss, they were always ran the ball well and absolutely. I don't know if you guys saw the just a quick note here to and you see the UFL games this past weekend. I put on a game flipping through the channels. AJ McCarron was a head coach. His quarterback was Matt Corral and he was handing the ball off to Snoop Connor. I'm like, what in the world is this league? It's all SEC guys. Yeah. And I think there's some sort of a regionalist of teams like so the Ole Miss players kind of matriculated towards Birmingham and some Florida guys are in Orlando or something like that. The only way to put people in the seats, right, is to people that the local fans have heard of and know is just a way to get people in those seats. But yeah, AJ McCarron, former Alabama quarterbacks, first time coaching anywhere at any level head coach. Wow. We'll see how it works out. Well, if you really want me to tune in, bring back T-Bo and Manziel and I will watch that league. But now we're talking promotion. I love it. When we return guys, which of the new SEC head coaches will win a playoff game first? I think I know where Stephen is going to go more locked on SEC talking more ball next. Hey guys, first it is tax time, but for a lot of us, the old way of doing taxes is a lot trying to book an appointment. That's not the most convenient sitting in a waiting room with a stack of papers emailing back and forth and wondering if they even get your situation. But this year you get a major upgrade into a Turbo tax now has in person locations nationwide. 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We make energy savings work next pledges a 12 month fixed time truck tariff with variable rates lower than often price cap for standard variable tariffs direct debit required. T's and C's apply. Alright fellas figure it'd be fun to kick around some of the new coaches in the SEC and ask the question which of those coaches do you think wins a playoff game first and here is the pool of candidates. I'm taking Lane Kiffin out just because look he was out. He was already in the SEC at Ole Miss and he went to LSU. I think that was an easy one to jump to but of the guys who are new head coaches here in the SEC a peak holding at Ole Miss Alex Golisch at Auburn Ryan Silverfield Arkansas John Somerle in Florida and Will Stein at Kentucky. Whoever wants to jump in Stephen I know where you're going. I'll go over it. Pete Golding he's won two games already as a head coach. I mean he's already he's tied for third all time in the SEC and playoff wins and he's never kicked the regular season game. So he's got to be Pete Golding at this point right. Yeah I would certainly of that list I would mean Ole Miss is the team of the moment they certainly have the quarterback they have a good starting 22 and Pete Golding now has has playoff experience. I do think it is a different you know it's a different job taking a team 365 days as opposed to what what what Pete did at the end of last year which was really impressive considering all that was in his lap but it is a different deal being the full-time head coach for your being responsible for all of it for a year. I'm curious to see how that plays out but Pete Pete Golding would definitely be my my answer here because I just think of all of those teams that have a new coach Ole Miss is the one that's ready to win the soonest. Yeah along with Lane Kiffin Golding is the smart answer but you know what if I'm a betting man and I am I'm going to take I'm going to take the odds and give me give me goalish give me Auburn. I just think that yeah I know we like to make fun of Auburn in the 2020s here but what do I know about Auburn I know that every once in a while it all comes together and it comes together in a big way and I think if I'm here's the thing obviously hey Trinidad Chambliss Ole Miss they got a great shot to make a huge run this year what if they lose this season what if the Golding thing starts to go off the rails for whatever reason or they're disappointing for whatever reason I do think there's a decent chance here I don't know what the odds are for this but again hypothetically give me Auburn and Alex Gholish. Yeah I wish that that iron bowl was in Auburn this year because I'd be maybe feeling that but the fact I got to finish the season in Tuscaloosa just I don't like that but Jimmy it was wild the news this week with Alabama sweeping Auburn and baseball clean sweep in the iron bowl in the three major sports this year football basketball and baseball Auburn needs to win something against the Alabama Kidley Wabins. No Alabama Alabama took them in gymnastics as well and softball you know later in the year I would like Alabama's chances there I don't think Auburn's very good you know this year in Alabama looks like a real contender there so yes it's been a great school year for Alabama in terms of beating Auburn and making the postseason really and obviously making the college football playoff the making the basketball sweet 60 that's all been great I think Alabama fans would uh would like to see more championship worthy teams particularly when it comes to football and men's basketball but beating the heck out of Auburn in anything that that that is a balm on the wounds of not winning at all for sure. You know one thing that's interesting on that subject and I was talking with Corey Burton locked on Vandy today so if this is wrong it's because of him apparently Vanderbilt is an 11-1 this year against Tennessee. Wow that's unbelievable. It's kind of hurt. Yeah not only not leaving mark one more note on on Auburn I saw that there was a video of at practice yet earlier this week they were playing Dixieland Delight at practice and people were commenting oh little brother can't big get big brother out of their head and I said look I kind of like this because it's embracing it remember the storyline of Auburn camp last year at this time it was Hugh Fries telling his defensive coordinator go easy on our quarterback don't hit him hard and so I'm like I kind of like goal is is just fully embracing it going now man we're the hell with it we're diving headfirst into this thing. I certainly believe Auburn as a as a someone that has to pay a lot of attention to Auburn football they they they clearly upgraded to being the head coach in the head coach department I think goalish has a plan it's worked you know he was he did a great job at Tennessee under Hypal he elevated South Florida's program these players that he bought to Auburn I think in some situations or an upgrade they're gonna be better a quarterback this fall with Byron Brown I think it's a good solid hire it's just a vicious league it's really tough it's really tough to build a winning program in this league considering who you have to compete against every single week I think it's that more than anything else that eats everyone up. I will say this about Auburn there's going to be a competent offense put out on the field and in year one at Auburn that might be enough after what we've seen for the last five years down there on the point just a competent offense that can put up 30 points a game at times. If you can do that I think they would be okay with a 7-5 or 6-6 season. And retaining DJ Durkin too I mean that's that was huge if they had a new DC maybe we wouldn't be as you know saying that about Auburn. Real quick guys on the group of the let's take Golding out goalish out Silverfield Summerall Stein which one wins the playoff game first? Summerall's got the best chance to win I mean you know just just historically Florida and you're recruiting you know recruiting that state the resources that Florida has I would go Summerall there and let's be honest I don't think Florida was the only program really interested in hiring John Summerall this past off-season I mean he's he obviously several administrations think he's a thing right and he and let's see I think some of the doubts about Summerall at Florida just come from the fact that this sort of feels like the Napier hire that didn't work out you know the the group of five guy from Louisiana and Summerall had even less of a track record frankly but but I would take Summerall out of that group though I do really like all the hires and I think what Will Stein has done at Kentucky in a short period of time is generate excitement in a place it's not easy to do that with football. It's actually crazy to think about that we're just debating like literally debating and it's Florida, Arkansas and Kentucky of course it's going to be the Florida coach I mean that's the way the way it works but wouldn't it be funny if it was Will Stein if he was able to put it together and kind of Indiana this thing because that's the SEC equivalent comparison yeah that that's the SEC comparison so so maybe Kentucky just kind of feels it because the perfect storm that Will Stein was able to hit is that Pope Mark Pope just completely crap the bet and all of that money that they put into that roster all of a sudden they're funding football at the moment and I don't know how long it's gonna last but they're doing it. They added SEC talent too like Lance Hurd from Tennessee on the old line CJ Baxter the running back from Texas Nick Anderson the wide receiver from LSU so it'll be really interesting. I like it more than just in terms and I like the quarterbacks. Yeah I was just gonna say just in terms of the comparison to Arkansas basketball by the way of course Kentucky's the historically better program but of course where did John Calipari come from Kentucky as long as John Calipari is there obviously Kentucky is gonna be spending a ton of money on basketball so or excuse me Arkansas is gonna be spending a ton of money on basketball so that affects their football program too so for all the people are like oh Kentucky will never spend enough money because of their basketball program that's every bit as much of an issue with John Calipari as long as he's in Fayetteville Arkansas. Alright fellas one new return I'm gonna pose a question to you which of the SEC's newest members is closer to winning a national championship we'll kick that around with the squad coming your way next. 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All right SCC squad roll on here and guys the SCC's to most recent additions Texas and Oklahoma. Oklahoma last one on the last one a national championship in 2000. Texas last one in 2005 I know because the Longhorn Network used to replay it all the freaking time but Texas they made the playoff in 2324 last year Oklahoma made the playoff while Texas just missed out so I ask you squad in your opinion which team is closest to winning a national championship first Texas or Oklahoma. I go to Texas I mean I think there are more I think there are more of a complete team this fall now I do think weirdly their first two years Texas kind of was handed a schedule that was you know no one in the SCC has an easy schedule no one does but some are more manageable than others and I think Texas had a manageable schedule in years one and two in the SCC this year it's not the case I think they do have a tough slate and Oklahoma is the one that that's really had it tough. I just like Texas team I like the transfer portal pieces they've added Arch Manning has a lot more help this year last year completely inexperienced with no help this year he's experienced with a lot of help they have some questions on the offensive line but I like Texas this year as as a team I would put maybe top three in the country. Yeah I would agree with that now I do want to see what a second year John Matier looks like in the Oklahoma offense that's kind of the wild card in this discussion because that defense is always going to be salty but how does they look offensively they can get it together offensively they have a chance to go on a little bit of a run real quick on that Steven it's not even the off like he's familiar with the offense because it's been our buckle he ran at Washington State it's health right that hand injury he never got healthy if Matier is fully healthy I mean he looked pretty damn good earlier there right yeah yeah that that's the game changer and the arts that you're supposedly going to get this year is the arts that was at the end of last year not the beginning of last year and that's worth pointing out as well. John used to play in the Big 12 with these two teams pick one. You know that's the interesting thing to me is somebody who does have that Big 12 perspective you know Oklahoma has been by far the better program in the last 20 25 years or so yeah that 2005 national title by Vince Young aside I just think that I think that we're being maybe a little bit too dismissive of Oklahoma if I have to pick right now I think yeah sure I'll go with Texas too if you're gonna if you're gonna put a gun to my head proverbially but I do think that Oklahoma is closer than people think that's a program that is not going to take anything lying down that is for certain. What if we just flip the quarterbacks what if we put arch with this current Oklahoma team and Matier with this current Texas team does that change your thoughts? Not much not really I really don't think it does if anything if anything I'd be interested to hear what you guys think if we switch the coaches like what do you guys think of Van Boles versus Sarkeesian? It's really interesting that one's you know obviously considered one of the better defensive minds in the country the other one one of the better offensive minds to me it's a lot about the run game Oklahoma could not run the ball a year ago they really struggled to run the ball Texas goes out and gets two guys in the transfer portal in Hollywood Smothers from NC State, Relique Brown from Arizona State they jettisoned what was in the running back room I just like Texas's chances of running the ball better than Oklahoma last year I think Oklahoma finished around the one tens in rushing nationally you know Alabama was even worse crazy that those teams ended up matching up in the quarter finals of the playoff with with with Oklahoma around one ten in the nation running the ball Alabama around 120 in the nation running the ball and they both made it that far I think both Alabama and Oklahoma have got to run the ball a lot better this year because you're not going to get that fortunate again. We haven't had many duds in terms of the high-profile NIL guys yet but J not I mean we were all talking him up last offseason and what a dud that that turned out to be so that's just fascinating and the first thing you said John when you said switch the coaches made me think Will Muschamp would bust a gasket if Brett Venables was yelling at him all day so I don't know if that would work well. That's that's a fucking wonderful point sorry. Help me out it is. Well he used to have Saban yelling at him and he's he survived that. Yeah that's true. It's look Sarkis high on his team I mean I know he was high last year but he's made some comments on if you saw the Chris Low interview this week at on three he was saying there's shades of this team that remind him of that Bama team he was coaching with Jalen Waddle and all those wide receivers and he said in terms of the confidence in the bravado the guys that they were jarring with those DB's that Alben had stud DB's like Pat Sartain and guys like that he said he's kind of seeing shades of that in this Texas team so look he wouldn't put it out there if he didn't feel it so. Feed in the height machine but I don't think the height machine get cranked up any more than it will be this offseason for for Texas I fully expect to see them like I said top three top four and then he's like he's like top three top four in every poll along with Georgia Notre Dame Ohio State that group. Yeah if I read one more article that Texas is all in on 2026 I get it that they spent the money in its arch bandings last year in college I get your all in last year. So I gotta be all in every year. Yeah compared to everybody else in college football they're absolutely all in 100% one more note on the way out of here guys Texas A&M I saw Josh paid interviewed Mike Elko this week and you know I just like Elko a lot he said blue collar mentality guy and you know they were a playoff team last year that really they should have won that game against Miami your home team against Miami and College Station you should have found a way to win that game but what's your thoughts on A&M this year with as bad as last year ended for Marcel Reed. Offensive line I think they lost a lot of guys I mean they got a read I mean I think Marcel Reed's got to improve and he's got to do it behind I think a rebuilt offensive line group. I think that's the big question you know they can play defense I know they're they losing guys on defense to they'll be more replace easily to replace especially with Mike Elko coach I think Marcel Reed's improvement a lot of people are going to be looking at that but to me it's about what's happening up front they'll have good players outside and a good back it to me it'll be about what happens up front it is Marcel Reed taking a step forward in his development for A&M to make a second consecutive playoff appearance. Yeah and Colin Klein being not there anymore that that has me intrigued. Well it's not just that it's two new coordinators on both sides of the ball and staying in house they promoted Holman Wiggins as the OC and Lyle Hemphill as the DC and those are the most Texas names I've heard. Yeah Holman Wiggins and Lyle Hemphill but look in both every all reports you hear is people very high on both those guys they think that they're both rising stars but it's also very risky that you stayed in house because what's the normal move you go make the big splash higher get the big game out there. A&M stayed in house. Small world because you just Gordy you just made a reference a while ago to Sark talking about that water seeker crew reminding him of the water seeker group at Alabama Waddell, Ruggs, Judy Holman Wiggins was the water seeker coach during that period of time at Alabama. You know and Isaiah Horton one of them is better receivers last year's now is A&M. So yeah and just and a starting tackle from Alabama last year will conform be as transferred to A&M as well and I fully expect him to be a starter tackle at A&M this fall. Yeah obviously the Aggies hit big in the portal at receiver this past this past season if they can do it again. That's a big deal because to me I do think Marcel Reed is a little bit more of a game manager and I don't mean that as an insult necessarily. I think to read had a much better team to manage this past the season in 25 versus 24 offensively. So I do think a lot of it has to do with what is tech saying and put out there and of course hey if Reed can take a step forward and be more than what I think he is then well that's a massive deal to and and in terms of just promoting from within if I'm if I'm a A&M fan I'm going cool Mike Elko is kind of running this defense anyway the offensive side of the ball though I'm more with Gordy's skepticism for sure. You know one thing that is interesting is this is kind of the frugal era of Texas A&M after the Jimbo opulence and all of that. I'm curious you know they're promoting from within and not going after the splash hires and all that kind of going anti Texas A&M for people that's been in the SEC for you know longer than two years so that's going to be interesting to see the important thing is don't try to make Marcel Reed into Tom Brady but don't try to make him into Tommy Frazier there's there's a fine line that you have to walk with him but you can't take away his legs. I'll defend me. I'll defend him. He was pretty awesome for like 75% of the season and then like that first half against South Carolina he was bad second half he was awesome. They rallied that comeback. It was really the Texas game. He wasn't great and then the bowl game was his worst game of the season which was a playoff game. So I think that kind of leaves that lasting memory of where he was bad but go look back at the rest of the season. He was pretty awesome and a lot of those games so Jets we will leave it there. 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