I, I mean, why, why couldn't Al- or why can't Alabama fans express themselves?

Because I'm 41 years old.

I've seen 41 years of Alabama getting all the calls, and they finally got one against them, and here they are complaining for a week that they lost to a better team.

It was at home.

Uh- It shouldn't come down to a penalty when you're at home.

I don't care who you're playing.

If you're better than them, go beat them.

They don't care."

You came on and

the rest is history.

Right.

And I believe Alabama had beaten Tennessee something like 18 times in a row, Paul.

And Alabama was number one.

They had Bryce Young.

They had the greatest coach of all time.

Obviously, you've I need to follow that up because you've just picked Tennessee to beat Alabama.

When you and Shane reconvene for your podcast, what do you suspect might be the center of conversation around Oklahoma football?

I, I would love to see what the [laughs] buyout is, because it's, uh, it, I mean, it's getting close to, to talk about that time.

I mean, uh, a- and again, can, can they turn this around? Perhaps, but I don't really have confidence in Brent Venables to hire an offensive coordinator after the last couple.

Uh, and again, uh, you can, you can hit a grand slam and fix everything, but, you know, do, do we have confidence that Venables is gonna get that done? I don't.

Uh, I, I think he's an elite defensive mind.

I think he's the best defensive coordinator in the country.

But I think if they get routed once again, uh, by Texas and, and the season continues to go down this, this, uh, you know, down the drain, so to speak, uh, uh, I think it's fair to wonder if, if he should return as a head coach.

Yeah

Given what we saw, and it was uncharacteristic, and I realize the injuries from Ole Miss, is that a group that you expect to rebound and be in the college football playoff, at least in the conversation, by season's end?

I don't know.

It's tough to see that.

right now with the way their defense is playing now one of the coaches the old cliche you know the bias coming at the right time maybe this is the perfect time for them to get some things corrected on the defensive side of the football because talking to a lot of people that cover that team all off season there was optimism that this was going to be the best defense that Pete Golding fielded in Oxford and it I mean it's been the complete opposite now they have played one of the the more daunting schedules the first month of the season.

So maybe some of the statistics are skewed, but there's no sense of this team has any kind of level of toughness or physicality.

They're making business decisions out there against Florida.

I mean, that's a credit to John Summerall and company who's, they've basically punked two SEC teams in a row.

Can he pull the shocker of shockers this week against the Gators?

And before we start talking about the X's and O's around the conference and the big games coming up this weekend, just your thoughts on what Nick Saban said, whether it was tongue-in-cheek or not, about Kamario Taylor.

Yeah, I mean, I just thought it was Nick Saban being a complete hypocrite.

And, you know, on one hand, I get it.

Other people are saying this.

He's not the first to say it.

That's all good and well.

But he is the greatest coach in college football history.

Given what we saw, and it was uncharacteristic, and I realize the injuries from Ole Miss, is that a group that you expect to rebound and be in the college football playoff, at least in the conversation, by season's end?

They may get a tougher test

in Texas, but who knows.

So, you know, I'm not looking for moral victories because we've got to steal one now after we've lost to Michigan.

But I will say I think I am panicked a little bit, but it has been just a calamity of issues.

Field position has been a nightmare.

I don't think John Mateer is as bad as some people are making him out to be.

Yes, he's made some critical mistakes, but we can't run the football.

Where would you rank? How would you describe the atmosphere and how it ranks to other SEC teams there at Sanford Stadium?

Like, why are we so overconfident? Do you get that? Does that enter your mind at all, Mike?

Yeah, no, I mean, I'm kidding around, obviously, but I do like Oklahoma to win the game, but I'm right there with you.

Again, the odds makers aren't stupid, right? So, considering that they haven't pegged as a close game, it most likely will be.

And I still think as bad as Michigan looked on offense, I've got a lot of respect for what they've got on the defensive side of the football.

I think it's going to be tough sledding for Oklahoma when they have the football, but I just think if John McKeer doesn't turn the ball over, and I have confidence in him to not do that, I don't see a true path to Michigan engineering much of an offense against this team.

I know they've got a pretty good offensive line.

They've got a young running back I really like.

What would you have to see from Oklahoma, though, tomorrow – And I don't know where you stand on this now, I guess, but to make you think, you know what, two weeks later in Athens, they've really got themselves a chance.

That did not exude confidence to me.

No, and I don't know if you caught this, Paul, but leading up to the mighty Texas State, I didn't know that was a program until last week, but Sark said, hey, this Texas State, they're going to be in the playoff hunt come November.

You watch, and Texas just completely dismantled them.

I was wildly impressed.

Arch Manning was the Arch Manning we saw at the end of last year, not the beginning, so he carried that over.

Cam Coleman, of course, looks like one of the best, if not the best receiver in the conference, and then Will Muschamp's defense looked fantastic.

Fantastic.

games we've talked about Auburn but of all the you know 50 60 70 80 point wins give us the highs and the lows just quickly on on who you're who you came away impressed with and who you already mentioned one who you were underwhelmed with and we're going to cut that out on the replay but other than that what did you see

We'll see what it looks like on the field.

Yeah, I don't know that there was any of the announcements that were made.

I don't know that any of them, aside from maybe the Vanderbilt, was a big surprise to many people.

Even though on our show, it was about three weeks ago, we were asked to predict all the quarterback battles.

We got them all right, except for Keelan Russell.

who I thought it would be Austin Mack to start for Alabama.

So I did anticipate Blaise Berlowitz was going to start, but like you, I don't think that is going to mean he's going to start the entire year.

But anyway, should be another exciting Josh Heupel offense if the quarterback can get the football out on time and not turn it over.

Go into that a little bit.

Yeah, and I'm sure you guys have discussed this, but I think for me, the number one key in all of that for Carolina specifically is how this offensive system helps an offensive line.

Where Tennessee is, yeah, they've had Darnell Wright.

He was a high-end NFL draft pick, but he's about the only one that I can think of that was a high-end NFL caliber offensive lineman.

Yet at Tennessee, they're running it pretty well.

Same thing could be said for Ole Miss.

I'm not saying they've had bad offensive linemen, but you don't need the Georgia-Alabama offensive linemen of old to be very, very successful in this scheme.

And do you think Tennessee does have a favorable early schedule at least?

[laughs]

So a little, little bit stronger, but, uh, you know, the thing that I think really hurt him, which Shane was kind of alluding to there, was just, I mean, at times he was essentially the r- number one running back, too, and I just don't think you could survive in this conference unless you're Cam Newton-esque in the, the quarterback and the running back, number one, essentially, for an offense, and that's kinda what they were asking him to do last year.

I, I don't know if it was more the offensive line or not having enough confidence in the running backs, but based on everything I'm hearing in fall camp, we potentially go at least three deep at running back.

And I think, uh, you know, a point we've tried to make quite a bit this off season is what we're hearing with these tight ends, I know everybody gets excited about them as pass catchers, but I think it really utilizes the full extent of an offense having these guys be as, a huge part of the run game and their ability to help block there.

So I, I think Oklahoma, we could be a lot better running the football this fall.

Mike, why do you th- is, am I accurate in that? And why, why were you not one of these old school SEC-ers that was like, "Oh, it's, we're the good old boys, and here you guys come trying to invade our party."

Well, that's 'cause I was that until, uh, [laughs] Oklahoma got into the SEC, and I, I made the trip to Norman.

I wanted to see it for myself, and I was just blown away by Heisman Park and the, the stadium.

But of the other new coaches, who are we sitting here a year from now saying, man, it was impressive what they did year one at their new school?

I think it's got to be John Summerall.

And you could even – Include Kiffin and Golding in this.

And I think they'll do really well, obviously, at Ole Miss and LSU.

But I think John Sumrall, I mean, all the guy does is win.

And I've been hearing his name for seems like 10 years of a guy to keep your eye on, rising up the coaching ranks.

I have searched high and low.

Is that more on how the team plays, or you think his coaching acumen, his X's and O's strategy, like where do you put the fault with Sark?

How does the first year of Alex Golis as a head coach go for the Tigers on the Plains? What's the discussion point at the end of the season on year one for him, you think?

Well, I don't know if it's right, Cole.

I mean – Obviously, you're much closer to that program than I am.

But I just want to see Auburn be fun again, particularly on offense, because it's just been dreadful with the offense and quarterbacks in recent seasons.

So we haven't had a winning season, right, in what, five years? So start right there.

And I don't think the bar should ever be six, seven wins at Auburn.

But I'm okay with that year one, as long as it's an exciting brand of football.

Is that more on how the team plays, or you think his coaching acumen, his X's and O's strategy, like where do you put the fault with Sark?

Biggest reason why you think the Sooners are making it to Atlanta.

I think, uh, Brent Venables main, right there, number one.

I think he's the best defensive mind in college football, so obviously the SEC surpassed Kirby in that regard.

I'm not saying he's a better head coach than Kirby.

I, I think that'd be crazy, but better defensive coordinator.

I think Oklahoma's gonna have the best defense in this conference.

John Mateer, year two.

Where are you at on Texas going into this year?

But

Paul, one team I really wanted to ask you about, because I've not heard literally anything about them.

This media days used to be run by Alabama.

I don't hear anything about them.

And I think that's because they got their coach by four loss to Boer.

I think they're going eight and four again, and I don't think that Alabama's got the finances to move on from him.

cares who their quarterback

is? Josh Heupel, all he does is produce quarterbacks year after year.

So what's the holdup on Texas? What else do you sort of pause on when you think about them not only making the playoffs, but maybe making a deep run into the playoffs and possibly competing for a national title?

Well, I think at this point, Arch Manning is a little bit more hype than he is production.

Now, he was outstanding the last couple games.

If he can duplicate that for a full season, I think for sure they may win the national championship.

But the offensive line, which they've got nice pieces, particularly left tackle, but you know better than anybody, Cole, if you have one huge issue on the offensive line, and I'm not guaranteeing they do, but if they have just one cog or two, that is not up to snuff in the SEC, the whole operation is not going to work.

Cam Coleman is a phenom.

We know that.

Are you in a similar spot with where Georgia is being viewed by the college football masses heading into 2026?

What happens to a 9-3 SEC team in terms of making the CFP?

I think that's a really complicated question, and it really depends on who it is.

If it's Texas, who plays an Ohio State, and maybe that's one of the three losses, I think they get in.

If it's Tennessee, I'm pretty high on Tennessee this year, but part of it is their schedule.

Again, I don't think there's an easy schedule in the conference, but their toughest games, in my opinion, Texas, Alabama, LSU, those are all at home.

Their toughest road games are at A&M and at South Carolina.

If Tennessee goes 9-3...

Wow, really? Why? Good quarterback.

How high on LSU are you?

Not very high.

I don't really get all the hype.

I mean, I get it because it's going to be fun and it's Lane Kiffin, this, that, and the other.

But for as much as you can overhaul a roster via the portal, I don't know that you can pour over culture.

And he did a fantastic job at Ole Miss.

I do think he's a really good coach, even though I've called him Lane Whitten for years because he always whiffs on a game or two he shouldn't.

I'm not asking you about what you think of Vanderbilt this year, but I am asking you what team in the SEC could be like the Vanderbilts from the last couple years, kind of that surprise team that maybe people aren't paying that close attention to, and we're going to get midway through the season, and we're going to go, wow, this team has a legitimate shot here to make some serious noise.

How high on LSU are you?

Not very high.

I don't really get all the hype.

I mean, I get it because it's going to be fun and it's Lane Kiffin, this, that, and the other.

But for as much as you can overhaul a roster via the portal, I don't know that you can pour over culture.

And he did a fantastic job at Ole Miss.

I do think he's a really good coach, even though I've called him Lane Whitten for years because he always whiffs on a game or two he shouldn't.

I'm not asking you about what you think of Vanderbilt this year, but I am asking you what team in the SEC could be like the Vanderbilts from the last couple years, kind of that surprise team that maybe people aren't paying that close attention to, and we're going to get midway through the season, and we're going to go, wow, this team has a legitimate shot here to make some serious noise.

But, uh, I mean, what do you think about the cowboy out there in, in Lubbock taking shots at the, at the big man in Birmingham?

[laughs] Well, I don't think that's a good way to, uh, get Greg Sankey to come over to your side, but I will admit, I, I think there is a, a li- a sliver of, of valid statements there by Cody Campbell, because it, you know, go back to what I said about the coaches.

None of them want to, uh, you know, cede to enforcement, and I think that's the same deal with the Southeastern Conference, the Big Ten.

Nobody wants to give up power, and I think that's the only way to fix these things.

W- I, I really do think we need a, a, a, some kind of commissioner or a- advisory role to make these decisions, because everybody, at the end of the day, is in the best interest of themselves, Greg Sankey included.

And I know Commissioner Sankey d- he does what he, I think, is best for the sport, but he works for the Southeastern Conference, a- and that has to be the priority for him.

Uh, I, I think you started last season liking him, didn't you?

I s- I certainly did, and then, uh, four more of those bumps, as you call it, uh, occurred on the field, uh, eight in the first two years, which is just something I never thought I'd see Alabama lose eight games in a two-year span, yet here we are.

Who are you putting on the Bratton sizzle burner? I mean, who are you looking at this year to throw the patented Bratton barbs at? Who's in trouble is what I'm trying to ask in a nice way.

Well, we've essentially fired all the guys we put on that seat last year.

So the list is short, Paul.

But I think most people look at Jeff Levy at Mississippi State.

I think most people look at Shane Beamer at South Carolina.

But I think that's too boring.

I'm going to give you one.

I think you started last season liking him, didn't you?

[laughs]

... "What? No way they could get Jim Knowles, right?" One of the best defensive minds in all of college football, and it just kinda, it happened quickly, and it, it's, you know, I d- I didn't even see much rumor or speculation.

I think it w- may have been Pete Thamel was just like, "Hey, he's the guy," and they've, they've already got him.

So I think that was a masterful job of not getting that out by Josh Heupel, and I would argue, you know, aside from the first-year coaches, 'cause I think those are a little bit obvious, like particularly LSU, Florida, and Kentucky come to mind, but aside from the first-year coaches, I think no SEC program did a better job of upgrading than Tennessee.

When you bring in a Jim Knowles, when you bring in the strength coach from the national champions, I mean, I, I think these are the moves that are going to do wonders for Tennessee, not only this year, but really in the years to come.

So, uh, again, aside from LSU a- and Florida and Kentucky, which essentially burned the program [laughs] down and, and built it back up, I don't think there's an SEC program that improved more than Tennessee.

And I, I think we're, not that, you know, they're gonna be dominant on defense immediately, but, you know, just be respectable, and with the offense that we know that Josh Heupel can put on the field, this is why I think there's a, there's an outstanding shot that Tennessee is fighting for a playoff bid late November.

But I, I like Golisch now, so I'm, I'm obviously a fan there, but continue, sorry.

Over the course of the last month or two, what is it that you've seen from Oklahoma football – that has given you the most reason for optimism?

I would say one thing that has really stood out to me from, in particular, I believe it was called the media days, that they host themselves, not the, of course, the SEC media days, but the Oklahoma media days, and just how many of the offensive transfers cited John Mateer as a big reason why they wanted to come to Norman and I am still very high on John Mateer.

And now maybe just how they assume that I'm trolling often when really I just I often have different opinions of others.

But I still like John Mateer overall as a better quarterback than Arch Manning.

I just think he was put into a very difficult position last season.

He was not supported with a run game.

And he didn't really have much help with the receiver and certainly tight end position until Titania emerged late in the season.

Yeah, that's kind of what I

Guys, who has gotten your attention?

Well, the first one was Rocky Beers, just because what a cool name that is.

And we are a big fan of the beers on that SEC podcast.

But all jokes aside, I mean, Hayden Hanson, I think, again, tight end was... arguably the biggest in Rocky Bears, of course, tight end as well.

But Hayden Hanson, getting both those guys, I think tight end was arguably the weakest position on the team.

So you're getting in a guy out of Florida that he could be one of the top tight ends in the conference next year.

I really like that addition.

I love

So you guys are actual cousins, is that right?

Yes, sir.

So I'm kind of stuck with him, and I guess he's stuck with me.

So, yeah, we are cousins.

And then, you know, I thought it was a genius idea.

You know, people that tune in, we refer to them as cousins.

So we're just one family, you know.

All right, so how bad is it in your estimation that the country outside of the SEC is poking fun at the SEC for now a third straight year to fail to produce a championship finalist?