Ride Home Rants
Ride Home Rants
College Football National Championship Preview: Insights, Predictions, and Playoff Debates
What if the outcome of one game could change the trajectory of two legendary college football programs? Join us for a thrilling National Championship Preview Show as we explore this possibility with an incredible panel of guests: Tony, Coach Amp, Matt, Mister, Jeremy, Bob, and Chris. Our discussion begins with an entertaining debate on the ranking of NFL quarterbacks Steve Young, Eli Manning, and Ben Roethlisberger, setting the stage for a deeper dive into the intense pressures faced by coaches Ryan Day and Marcus Freeman. We explore the potential career impacts of the championship game, offering insights that even the most ardent fans might not have considered.
Notre Dame's choice to remain independent from a conference is under the spotlight. Our guests provide a fascinating analysis of how this decision affects the team's financial prospects and recruiting capabilities. We also speculate on the future of college football conferences amidst this shifting landscape. The conversation then transitions to the implications of a 12-team college football playoff system, sparking a lively debate on whether this expansion enhances inclusivity or diminishes the regular season's significance. Listeners will gain a comprehensive view of how these changes could redefine college football as we know it.
As we anticipate the championship clash, our panelists offer predictions and analyses, with many favoring Ohio State due to their formidable offense. However, some hold out hope for a Notre Dame upset, drawing parallels to past unexpected victories. We wrap up with a heartfelt thank you to our diverse lineup of guests, each bringing unique perspectives and memorable stories from their experiences in sports. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer, this episo
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Welcome everybody to another episode of the Ride Home Rants podcast. This is, as always, your host, mike Bono. I have a great episode for us. We do this every year and I always look forward to this one and this is our national championship preview show. We are going to break down the big game here on Monday night. We are recording it on Saturday afternoon, so we have a little bit of time to see what our predictions are going to come to. So we have a little bit of time to see what our predictions are going to come to. I have a great panel of guests. I'm going to let them introduce themselves, but guys, just like always on the round tables, I need your name and the answer to these two questions when did you go to college and did you play sports in college? And out of these three quarterbacks, which are you ranking them? Or how are you ranking them from best to worst? And that is Steve Young, eli Manning and Big Ben Roethlisberger and Tony. We're going to start with you.
Speaker 2:Hello everybody. My name is Tony Bogan. I am from Shaker Heights. I went to Kent State University and Tri-C College Community College. I did not play sports in college. In order to rank my the way I rank my QBs, I would say Eli Manning first, then Ben Roethlisberger. I got to rank Eli Manning number one because he did beat the Patriots twice, Then Steve Young, only because I never saw Steve Young play.
Speaker 1:Alright, that's an interesting order to start out with Coach Champ. Let's go to you.
Speaker 3:Hi, my name is Amp Ghees. I'm from Farrell High School. I'm coach for Farrell High School. I play college football at Grand Lee State University and also Slippery Rock University. When I go to rank these quarterbacks, I have to go with Steve Young first you know what I mean. I think what he did for the game after coming behind Montana was great for the game. And I have to go with Big Ben second and I have to go with Eli third.
Speaker 1:I'm with that order. That's actually my order too as well. Steve Young, big Ben and then Eli I mean second Manning. I mean I know he won and beat the Patriots, like Tony said, twice, but yeah, I just don't see him as that good of a quarterback. But, matt, let's go to you.
Speaker 4:Matt Aldemore, head football coach at Leetonia High School. I played football at Malone College and I would rank. I would go Young Manning Roethlisberger.
Speaker 1:Okay, still not a bad order. But, mr, what about you?
Speaker 5:Mr Askew from Cincinnati, aka Nasty Natty Vampire Coach. I play football at Alabama A&M and Elizabeth City State the Mighty Vikings and I would have to go man. Come on man. Steve Gunn, ben and little brother Eli.
Speaker 1:Third, All right, what about you, jeremy?
Speaker 6:Hi, I'm Jeremy McElroy. I'm just assistant coach at Beaver Local Kind of jack all trades right now. But I went to Mount Union, played football there. But as far as my rankings for the guys, it would be Steve Young and then Big Ben, then Eli.
Speaker 1:Okay, bob, what about you?
Speaker 7:I worked for 1390 AM, youngstown. I went to Kent State University. I didn't play in college, but in high school I started at the left bench and right bench for baseball and my quarterbacks are Steve Young, roethlisberger and Eli.
Speaker 1:Okay, okay, and rounding us out here is Chris.
Speaker 8:I'm Christopher Marsco. I'm the defensive coordinator at Jackson-Milton North Jackson, ohio. God didn't bless me with much height I'm only 5'8", so unfortunately I didn't get to play in college. I did get to coach at Youngstown State for three years under Bo Pelini and if I had to rank my quarterbacks I'd say Steve, young, eli and then Ben.
Speaker 1:Okay, that is going to round out your guest here for this roundtable. As we talk about the college football national championship between Notre Dame and Ohio State and yes, for everyone in Columbus I did say that, right, ohio State is not the Ohio State University, is Ohio State University. I will take that to my grave, but we're going to get rolling here and I got a couple of great questions here for you guys. So, tony, let's start with you. Which coach is under more pressure in this game? Is it Ryan Day or Marcus Freeman?
Speaker 2:I would have to say Marcus Freeman. Honestly, marcus Freeman took the Notre Dame job even despite suffering a couple of bad non-conference losses. According to Notre Dame standards, he's helped the fighting Irish just push forward and got them to where they are, and he also played at Ohio State as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, he did play. There Be nothing sweeter than beating your old alma mater in a national championship. But, matt, let's go to you.
Speaker 4:I would say Ryan Day. Marcus Freeman has met expectations so far. Hasn't exceeded him yet at Notre Dame, but he has the opportunity very quickly. Ryan Day. As a coach, ryan Day's been in his sixth year, so he keeps losing friends by the year and supporters as the years go on, no matter how successful you are. So I think Ryan day has, uh, more pressure. But I think making it to the national championship, uh, in the first year of 12 teams, I think they're both pretty safe in their jobs right now.
Speaker 7:But ryan day has more pressure okay, uh, bob, let's go to you yeah I agree, uh, I think ryan day I mean he's been on on the hot seat since he lost to michigan. Um, you know, I've talked to the high state fans that they were hoping that they'd lose in the playoffs so they can fire him. So I think now that he's made it to the championship, I think he's pretty safe. But, uh, yeah, he unfortunately he's definitely on the hot seat just because of uh losing to michigan every year. Uh, that hasn't helped him out, but I think his job's safe, but I still think he's under the most pressure right now.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I agree with you on that one, bob. But the one thing I would say is I think if he loses the national championship just because of the standards that Ohio State has, I think he's gone. That was the main goal get to the championship and win it. I know, always the goal at the beginning of the season is to beat Michigan first and then get to the national championship, and they haven't done that in four years. So I mean, I just think that those Michigan losses are all the reason Ohio State fans need and the boosters there to just cut their losses there. But, chris, what do you think?
Speaker 8:It's Ryan Day also, but I think it's for reasons of the standards of the university, not that Notre Dame doesn't have the rigid standard of winning national championships, but 1988 was a long time ago and I feel like it's passed so far and so many different generations are past it now that there might not be that ferocity or intensity to, you know, go out necessarily. Oh, we gotta have this one. And a couple people mentioned already Ryan Day. It's been a decade for the Buckeyes, having won in 10 years, and you know when the standards are what they are there, and you've had a taste of success with your last two coaches, especially each one in a national title. I just think it's more in the forefront of the minds of the Buckeye fans and I'd say it makes more pressure on Day.
Speaker 1:All right, Mister, what about?
Speaker 5:you Most definitely, I have to say, ryan Day. He's under the most pressure, with the expectation that everybody know you got what? A $20-$30 million roster, as they like to say from time to time, With all the money they put in there. You look at Marcus Freeman, you look at where Notre Dame has been at for decades. He's bringing them back to relevancy. Ryan Day is most definitely on a hot seat. You know you lose Michigan, you lose the Big Ten, and this right here, man, this is like icing on the cake. You know. So we'll see what happens. You know with them, you know whether they win or lose, just them going. You know. You know they're going to keep him another three, four years.
Speaker 1:I don't think so yeah, I don't think he lasts there much longer um than that. But, jeremy, what about you?
Speaker 6:yeah, I think it's ryan day. I think that if, uh, he doesn't win, I think eventually he's looking for a way out. I mean, I think the pressure is pretty. Uh, I'm sure that for him, being in Columbus, it's not a happy life when you're not beating Michigan.
Speaker 1:Not at all. I live close to Columbus and even here you know you hear the chatterings and people. You know we want Day gone. He needs to be gone. He can't beat Michigan. How do you? I don't care if he wins the national championship, he can't beat Michigan. What's the season like? It's just insane here near columbus, uh, but coach amp round us out here I feel his day for sure.
Speaker 3:You know what I mean. This is a must one game for him. Um, on monday, and and if he don't get it done on monday he'll I believe he'll be gone by before the week is over. Next week, um, yeah, but to Michigan, like he did, like you said, not getting the Big Ten title and the money that they got pumped into this roster this is a must-win for him on Monday for sure.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, I agree with all of you. You know it's definitely Ryan Day for sure, but, coach, I have to stay with you here. What team has more to gain by winning this game? Is it OSU or is it the Fighting Irish?
Speaker 3:It's the Fighting Irish, I feel, because that puts them back into that conversation as being an elite program getting a national title and with the young head, colton Freeman, and the former Buckeye, and if they could get that national title in this first year of the 12th team championship, that really puts them in that upper echelons of almost top five programs right now. If they can get that title and the recruiting is going to really kickstart and they'll start getting those more four or five star recruits and I think they have the most to gain on winning this game.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean definitely helps not having a conference. Do you think this forces them to pick a conference? I'm just going to throw a bonus question at you.
Speaker 3:No, I think with them the way they're going to, because they're going to get all the money for this game $20 million or something is what I rated for and Ohio State's going to have to share all the money with the conference for the Big Ten. So they're going to look at that and say we're definitely not joining a conference. You know what I mean? Because if we get there again, we're going to collect all this money. So I believe that they should be in a conference, but I don't think they will be.
Speaker 6:Gotcha, jeremy, what about you? Yeah, I think they should be in a conference, but that's not going to make them want to be in a conference. But that's not going to make them want to be in a conference, especially. The only disappointment or the bad part about not being a conference is that bye. But they've proven that they can win. You can win that first round and get through. That'd be the only thing reason they'd join a conference, in my opinion.
Speaker 1:So you're saying they have more to gain by winning the game.
Speaker 6:Oh yes, they got more to gain. Yes, high State's kind of already lately been one of those teams, since Urban's been there that's, on the national landscape, notre Dame. Every time they've had an opportunity, whether it's Alabama or playing High State or whoever. They're kind of disappointed.
Speaker 5:Gotcha, mister. What about you? Yeah, notre Dame most definitely had the most to gain, you know, with the win Monday night. So you know I look forward to that program. Just keep on going to new heights and new level. You know you look at again. You know you just look at the history of Notre Dame and then again just look at how they've been the last 10 years. Man, this is going to do nothing. But just like you know, bring in more. You know four or five star players. Maybe they might open the checkbook to get some of them players.
Speaker 1:Got a mixture of 20 mil hanging around, you might be able to get a little bit more NIL money going on, oh right, and my thing I don't think they ever need to join a conference.
Speaker 5:That's Notre Dame, these conferences there ain't going. They ever need to join a conference. You know that's Notre Dame. You know I mean these conferences. You know there ain't going to be more conferences pretty soon. All these conferences are going to be gone. All these, you know, everybody, you know I mean they go into a whole different landscape with college football. Then this conference is going to be gone.
Speaker 1:Okay, chris, what about you?
Speaker 8:I want to say Ohio State has more to gain because there's jobs, potentially legacies on the line. But it's definitely Notre Dame. I don't think there's any question. You know Ohio State has the expectation of being here winning this. They're simply meeting expectation if they win the game. You know Notre Dame wins, especially after the loss of Northern Illinois early in the year. You know a lot of people wrote them off. I feel like you know Notre Dame's cool again with Coach Freeman there. They were kind of the old, tired name that you know was laying dormant for a while. But Coach Freeman has a place to be and recruiting's on an uptick already. I know Coach Hamm mentioned recruits be coming in. So I definitely think Notre Dame I don't know I mean Ohio State's kind of firing on all cylinders already. I don't know where you go to take it to the next level. I feel like Notre Dame could really cement themselves in that upper echelon with Ohio State if they could get it done.
Speaker 1:Gotcha Bob, what about you?
Speaker 7:I think it's Notre Dame too. I think winning a championship is going to help with recruiting and I agree that $20 million is going to help out with the NIO money. I agree I don't think they need a conference until that money runs out. Until NBC doesn't want to pay that money anymore, I think they're going to stay with that contract. And I agree with Mr Two. I think pretty soon I think we're going to get rid of all these conferences. I think pretty soon we're going to have the haves and the have-nots of college football and the people that want to spend the money are going to be in the upper echelon just playing each other, and then the lower ones that actually want to kind of get the you know, the traditional college feel to it I think that's what's going to happen to college?
Speaker 1:football pretty soon. I think I got you matt. What about?
Speaker 4:you well, uh, school-wise I mean high state notre dame. They're both firmly blue blood programs, but, uh, I think marcus freeman and, by extension, notre dame have the most to gain. Um, I don't know, I wish, uh, mr falcone was still on here because he's got all the information, but I don't know if notre dame's ever fired a coach that has won a national title. Um, you know, that firmly entrenches job security. I forever speaking about Freeman, and so I think that's a good kind of comfort level to have. But, yeah, I would say Notre Dame for that reason.
Speaker 1:Okay, Tony, round us out.
Speaker 2:I'll have to say I was going to agree with the rest of the crowd. I say Notre Dame for sure. Notre Dame hasn't won a national championship since 1988. Being one of the youngest guys on this podcast, I was not alive when Notre Dame won a national championship.
Speaker 1:You always got to get those world digs in there, Tony. Every time you're on the damn show, we're always like oh, I'm the youngest guy here, Look at all these old heads.
Speaker 5:You need some real, real, real football, my friend. Real football, yeah for sure, absolutely being a Hurricanes fan being a.
Speaker 7:Hurricanes fan Miami was robbed that year.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, Notre Dame, they don't need to join a conference. They're pretty much part of the ACC in name only with football. So as long as NBC is willing to keep paying, Notre Dame is going to continue to keep being on TV. So Notre Dame has the most to gain.
Speaker 1:I get that with the conference thing. My whole, I guess, argument against that is basketball, for Notre Dame has already joined the ACC and every other sport at Notre Dame has already joined the ACC and every other sport at Notre Dame has joined the ACC except for football. They're the only one that still has an independent and that's, I guess, kind of what bothers me. Like the rest of your school's programs have joined the conference, why aren't you joining the conference? I understand the money in these playoff games they're getting towards Just going to them and not having to share with the ACC. That helps. But I think it's time they just bite the bullet and join the ACC like the rest of the programs at their university. Tony, speaking of the playoff, do you like the 12-team playoff and how it worked this year?
Speaker 2:Tony, speaking of the playoff, do you like the 12-team playoff and how it worked this year. I do not like the 12-team playoff, but I understand how it worked this year. Personally, I would have just had six-team playoff because it's effectively first round was effectively a wash anyway. There weren't really any competitive games. You knew who was going to win. I would have had it be six teams. Obviously you got your top two getting buys and let the irs play each other in the bowl games okay, I see where your where your argument is.
Speaker 1:For that I, I gotta say, at first I wasn't on board with the 12 team. I said it should be eight. That was that was my magic number was eight. An eight team playoff. You have five power conferences, five power conference champions get in. You let one of these lower division conferences they went undefeated, like in the MAC, the WAC, wherever they're at Conference USA you get them in there. They have an undefeated team. They slide in there too as well. Butfeated team they slide in there too as well. But I don't think six was enough. I think 12 was too many at first. But after watching it this year, I'm kind of digging the 12 teams. But Matt, what about you? How do you feel about the 12 team?
Speaker 4:I like it much better than previous four and then two before that. That's more football, more football we get to watch and enjoy. Hey, let even more in. Let's go 16, 32, whatever, because in the end of the day it's about money, it's about TV rights. It gives us more football to watch. Hey, keep playing ball.
Speaker 1:I'm afraid of the day where it's going to be like March Madness and it's just going to be 64 teams playing each other for a national championship. I probably wouldn't hate that. That's a whole hell of a lot more football to watch, and I'm always game for that. But, Bob, what do you think about the 12 teams? I?
Speaker 7:like the 12. I thought that was enough teams. The only thing I didn't like was the automatic buys for the conference winners. I thought that the team should have been ranked how they were ranked in the polls, and stuff like that I didn't believe in. Just because you won your conference, you're going to get an automatic buy. So I think I like to see them change that. I mean, actually they really didn't make sense. They gave buys to certain conferences but didn't give buys to other conferences. So the way that they did it didn't make sense because you should have gave. If you're going to give buys to all the conferences, then they should all. All the conferences should have buys or be ranked differently. But I like the 12. I just wish they would have ranked them the way it was in the polls and I think we would have got a couple, even the blowouts, early on still. But I think the better games would have been in the middle there again.
Speaker 1:Yeah, the buys didn't help anybody. Everybody who had a buy got crushed. I mean, I know there were blowouts early and people were you know the internet warriors were on there talking about oh well, these teams should have been in, it would have been a lot closer games. I still don't think it would have been. I still think there's always blowouts in the first rounds of these playoffs and it happens every year. There's just more teams, so there's more chances to see it, I think, and that's what everyone was all up in arms about.
Speaker 8:But, chris, what about you? I personally think it's too many. I think we've really watered down the regular season. You know, I feel like it's good to get this out here. I guess it's still kind of early in the middle of the podcast. Is it Michigan fan feel like it's good to get this out here? I guess it's still kind of early to middle of the podcast. Is it is a michigan fan?
Speaker 8:Um, you know, it kind of sucks, given ohio state their second loss. And I gotta be northeast ohio and listen to all this buckeye banter about how great they are and this and that. And you know two losses theoretically should knock you out. So what I think it's created is a uh pathway. You know, even you know a team like Michigan when they get back to it and Oklahoma who's been down, it's got the name recognition. You know they almost got a direct path. I mean you could afford two, three losses and you got a good chance of getting it. Now Alabama was in that situation this year. They lost the Vanderbilt team. Like it doesn't matter who you lose to. I feel like you don't want to avoid that big upset, but I just feel like it's really minimized the regular season.
Speaker 8:I feel like eight, like you said, makes sense. You could, you know, square it up real nice, but I like the idea of six too, like the NFL used to do it when the top two seeds got by. So I don't think it's going to change. I think there's too much money involved. I think teams like Arizona State helped the case that you know what we won our conference. And just because you don't know about us doesn't mean we don't play a good brand of ball. I think Coach Dillingham's doing great with that there. But I get why it is how it is and I don't necessarily hate the buys either, but I think, uh, I am fearful that, like bob said, we're heading to an ncaa tournament format and, uh, pretty soon. What are we doing in the regular season? You know I don't like taking the shine away from that, uh, cold october day when game day is on, and stuff like that. I like when those games are important. I don't want those to become meaningless.
Speaker 1:Gotcha, that's a lot of good points, but, mr, what about you? You?
Speaker 5:know what. But the 12 team, I really don't mind the 12 team, I just think probably, if you want to have a playoff season, just do it like everybody else, do it, do it like 1AA. You know, if you want to have a playoff season, you know, just do it like everybody else. Do it, do it like 1AA, d2, d3. I mean, it's just very simple. I mean you know you just do it how they do it, how they've been doing it forever.
Speaker 5:You know all this trying to control, you know who. You know you want to manipulate to get in certain rankings, to put them in a playoff. You know I don't like that. You know, because to me this is all manipulation with. You know putting and ranking certain teams in certain spots. You know to make sure that they get in Now, unless you know you're just going to be like. You know what everybody's in the top 25 is going to be in the playoff and you know just figure it out how you want to match the team up.
Speaker 5:Either do something like that man, either do it how everybody else. Do it One, double A, d2, d3. Or just say, all right, here, everybody that's in the top 25, you know you go into the playoff we'll put you, you know we'll rank you and we'll just go from there. You know, now you know you're already playing what? 14, 15, 14, 15, 16 games. Anyway, you know I already go back. You know, hey, you know 10 regular season games and start to play out If the regular season is getting watered down or not as important, play 10 straight games, you know. Have your conference game, conference championship game, you want to, and then start a playoff.
Speaker 1:I never really thought of that and I don't hate it. I don't hate that like that idea at all. Uh, jeremy, what about?
Speaker 6:you. Yeah, I like the 12 team playoff, but I'm like I like what Mr was saying about conference champions and stuff like that, but I think that the seating or the buys that were given to the conference champions need to be taken out. I think the best team should be in there, um, or whoever they rank as the best teams, whoever has earned it, as we so spoke on here. I think that earning from regular season that would add more value than just winning your conference, because some conferences aren't as strong as, say, the SEC or maybe the Big Ten or ACC or whatever. Some of them are weaker.
Speaker 1:Got you Coach Amp, Run us out.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I like watching the 12 teams you know what I mean the field but I didn't like the way they were seated. You know what I mean. I felt like they got the bad end of the stick, being the top seed and where they had to play. So I just kind of feel like Mr said earlier, you know what I mean One double A, does it Division II? Does it? Figure that situation out and kind of go with that format. You know what I mean. It's always going to come down to money with these things and what teams get in and get out. But if you go that way with the double A route or the Division II route and just let them kind of battle it out on the field, I think that'll be a better format for me anyway.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I've been digesting Mr's answer on these last two answers. The 25, the top 25, like at that point, if they're just having a group of people rank who they think are the best top 12 teams at the end of the season, why do we rank them during the season? Right, why have a top 25 at that point in time if it's just coming down to a committee that's saying, okay, ohio State's going to bring in a lot of viewers, that's money. Notre Dame's going to bring in a lot of viewers, that's money. Alabama obviously brings in a lot of them. Clemson, georgia, let's just have them. I don't like the factor that it is a committee picking the top 12 and how they're seated and all that. We have a top 25. We already have a ranking system. Why are we changing their ranking when it comes to the playoff? I get it Money talks, but it's not a terrible idea.
Speaker 5:At the end of the day, the money is going to be the money I mean. However you want to slice it, the money is going to be the money. I mean, wherever it's coming from, whoever, you know, whoever got their hand in the pot, the money is going to be there, you know. So all this, you know. You know I ain't going to get into no conspiracy theories right now, man, it's too early, you know, but I'll just leave it like that right now, you know.
Speaker 1:We'll have a whole show dedicated to Mr Conspiracy Theories here later on this season here. But, Coach Amp, what's your prediction for this game?
Speaker 3:I got the Buckeyes winning 31-17. I just kind of feel like, with the firepower that they got offensively and with Notre Dame banged up a little bit in some position, we're in a back position and just struggling to score a little bit. I just feel like Ohio State can put some points up and I just feel like they can win that game 31-17.
Speaker 1:Okay, Jeremy.
Speaker 6:I'm with him. I'm around 31, but 31-17. Okay, jeremy, I'm with him. I'm around 31, but 31-14. I don't know that. I think it'll be a game that, if Ohio State doesn't make mistakes and self-inflict wounds, I think today with, like you said, the firepower, it'll be too much. Okay, mister, what about you?
Speaker 5:You know what, man, I'll tell you what I might have to flip Anthony. I'm going to flip Anthony, I'm going to go 31-17, man. But you know what I'm saying right here, man With the mighty Irish, hey, man, the mighty Irish, and as they say, man touchdown Jesus man, you know, I think Notre Dame is going to jump out. I think Notre Dame got a good defense. You know Ohio State, you know you got too many guys. That's on the team, man, that's how we like to say. They're not hungry enough, they ain't hungry. You got guys on our name. Them guys are starving. It's different between being hungry and being starving. Brother, them guys are starving for a championship.
Speaker 1:Chris, I don't think I really need to ask, given the shirt you're wearing either, but what's your prediction for the game?
Speaker 8:I actually think it's going to be a pretty good game. I think Notre Dame's blueprint for how they can pull this off. A lot of people say what Michigan did. I think it's more reminiscent of kind of how the Steelers played, especially early this year. They make you play their game, they kind of muck it up. They run the ball well. They play gritty defense, a little lower scoring, keeping it close. So there's no real big deficit either way. I think the Buckeyes win 23-21, because I'm an honest man I don't want to see it, but I think Notre.
Speaker 8:Dame covers. I think it's going to be a better game than what people think, but yeah, I ain't going to say it again.
Speaker 1:Threw me for a loop wearing a Notre Dame shirt, on the show that you were picking the Buckeyes.
Speaker 8:I mean touchdown Jesus.
Speaker 1:Got plans Monday night for me hanging out Bob what about you?
Speaker 7:You know this is a tough one. I think it's going to be a great game. I think it's two very good. You know, of course, the best teams. I think they both earned it to get in playing the way to the schedule that they did. I like the buckeyes in a low scoring game. Uh, 20 to 13. I think they're gonna pull, I think it's gonna be close and I think they're gonna pull it out in the end. I think their receivers are gonna be too much to handle for notre dame in the end okay, okay, all righty, uh, matt, what about you?
Speaker 4:I'm picking the buckeyesyes to win. I don't know. I mean, I think the game's going to go in the first half similar to I think Notre Dame's going to have a similar blueprint that Michigan did try to control the ball, force Ohio State to make mistakes, be low-scoring and fair in the first half, and then it depends If Ohio State kind of wakes up and lets their talent take over, then I think it could be about 27-10 or it could be 13-10 Notre Dame, if they they don't rise the occasion and kind of just play to that level and make mistakes on their own. So I don't know, I couldn't. I've been waiting to answer the question and I gave you two, two ones and I wasn't sure myself.
Speaker 1:So that's it all right, ma'am tony, what do you get?
Speaker 2:I'll have to say I think it'll be ohio state 24 22. It's gonna come down to the last couple minutes of the game, just like technically it did with them in Texas. Ohio State made that big play where Jack Sawyer had the scoop and score from 84 yards out when Texas was on the one yard line. I can see it being a defensive contest. It'll be really close.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I definitely think it's going to be a close game. I got 24 20 Irish is what I think Michigan laid to be a close game. I got 24-20 Irish is what I think Michigan laid the blueprint on how to beat Ohio State. And Notre Dame plays a similar style of football and they want to run the ball, they want to control the clock, they want to control the game. They don't want it to be high scoring. I don't think they can win in a shootout. I think they play gritty defense, they keep it close and they ultimately 24-20. Notre Dame takes the game, yeah, but it's going to be a lot closer than I think anybody thinks this game is actually going to be. But, tony, what's your best team? Who has a better chance of being back next year? Is that OSU or Notre Dame?
Speaker 2:I'm going to have to say Ohio State. You know they got the best team money NIL money can buy They've got. I didn't think they'd make, I didn't think they'd be down here in the national championship game, to be honest with you, but they proved me and a lot of people wrong. They have. They have the chance to. They have a better chance than, say, notre Dame, though Notre Dame.
Speaker 1:I think could be strong next year. I got you, matt. What about you?
Speaker 4:Hold on, I'm having difficulties here. Hold on just for a second, you're good. Can you come back to me?
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely, let's go to you.
Speaker 7:I think Notre Dame I mean you look at the way Ohio State's built there they're going to lose a lot of their senior guys on defense. They're going to have to rebuild that defense up and it shows right now the way their offensive line, the guys. When the guys went out, they kind of struggled a little bit. So we'll see. And they have to find a quarterback too next year. I'm not sure who they're going to have at quarterback next year, so I think Notre have to find a quarterback too next year. I'm not sure who they're going to have a quarterback next year, so I think I think notre dame is going to be the one to come back. Uh, they're another team though. They got to find a quarterback so but I think they have a lot of guys around them, they have a running back and a good defense coming back. So I think notre dame is going to be the one I got you uh, chris.
Speaker 1:What about you uh?
Speaker 8:I think they'll both make the uh playoff again next year. But I think they answer real clear in my head is Notre Dame. They made it to the national title game without a quarterback. That could throw a percent. Imagine if they get somebody back there could spray it around a little bit, get some wide receivers. I just think that the ceiling for growth they've shown they could do it with even some of their limitations they have.
Speaker 8:And you know I hear about all these five-star fancy cars, ohio State's recruiting. Do they recruit linemen anymore? Last notable lineman I heard was Jack Sawyer, offense or defense, and they got the kids from Ed's but it's like everyone's. Oh, why can't we be Michigan? Why can't we do this? Unless they get a bunch of transfers or something? I think Notre Dame's trenches are elite nationally and the game still starts and ends there. You don't have the trenches you could get by doing some things, but I think the staying power of what Notre Dame's building and how they're built, if they get the right dude back there to throw the ball, I think they'll be back.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I get it and yeah, I have no idea about offensive linemen.
Speaker 8:I can't. It's been a while.
Speaker 1:As the father of a high school offensive lineman that speaks to me. Nobody's talking about the line, unless it's a couple. He had 10 holding penalties this year and that's the only time they get recognition is when they're screwing up. It's a thankless job and nobody gives them the credit they deserve they're. The heartbeat of any football team is the offensive and defensive line, and nobody says it Looks like we got Matt back. Are we good over there Matt now? Yes, sorry about that, you're good.
Speaker 4:Matt, yeah, would you want me to answer? I'm sorry.
Speaker 1:Who has the better chance of being back next year? Is it Notre Dame or OSU?
Speaker 4:Ohio State, I think, just with the amount of four and five stars that they've got and they're developing.
Speaker 1:Notre Dame has the easier path, but I think Iowa State has the easier pedigree.
Speaker 5:Okay, mister, what about you? You know what I'm gonna have to say. Uh, I'm gonna say Notre Dame, uh, I think, uh, you know, as everybody's mentioned, I mean we know Notre Dame, you know that's one thing they need is the quarterback. Um, I mean they got to. You know right now, you know that's one thing they need is the quarterback. I mean they got to it, you know right now. You know, with the average quarterback, you know above average quarterback or whatnot, but they had a big-time quarterback. You know you're talking about likes out. You know Ohio State, they do this. I mean, this is just what Ohio State do. You know they lose. You know, like I say, you know, lose the Michigan, lose the Big Ten. You know, and you know they wake up and then they disappear. So this is, you know they woke up this season and get to the championship Next year. They're going to disappear.
Speaker 1:Gotcha, jeremy, what about you?
Speaker 6:As far as he'll be back, I think that it depends on who the quarterback is. Who gets a better quarterback play? I'm not sure about either team. Really there's a question mark there. So whoever can get that guy, you know, just like you're saying, nfl starts and ends with the quarterback most important position. So whoever comes up with that and has better play will be the team that gets back into it.
Speaker 1:I got you Amp. Run us out of here.
Speaker 3:I think Ohio State. They got the money, they're going to dish it out, they're going to bring in the transfer portal guys and they'll be right back there. They got to replace a lot on defense, but Notre Dame is very well built with the lineup front to kind of get through every year now. But I'm going to go to Ohio State just off the money factor. Yeah.
Speaker 1:I've been thinking about this. I think I think Notre Dame gets back next year and I'm not saying that because I'm not a Buckeye fan in any way shape or form, they, they, they do what they do every year. They'll make the playoff. I'm sure somehow, some way they'll find a way into the playoff. But I think Notre Dame's just built different under Marcus Freeman and I think Notre Dame's just built different under Marcus Freeman, and I think they did it. I wouldn't even call him an above average quarterback. I mean, he's an average quarterback in my opinion. And now they're playing for a national championship. I think, yeah, they just have the pedigree to control games and running the ball and they want to be a hard-nosed team and I think they find a way back next year. And that kind of leads me into my next question here, coach. But there's been rumors that Marcus Freeman may interview with the Bears and other NFL teams. Do you think, regardless of what happens in this game, he should entertain the thought of the NFL?
Speaker 3:Me personally, I say no. I think what he's doing at Notre Dane and I think if he could win a national championship at Notre Dane he bought himself 12 years as a coach there. You know what I mean, Just off that one national championship game, Like you, take Ron Davis, for instance, he won a national championship game. He only brought us up maybe three years, but with Freeman, you know, I think he will have a job solidified being in Notre Dame if he can win this national championship. I don't think he should entertain that because the NFL right now and especially you're talking about a team like the Bears or something like that he'll be there two years and be out of a job, Be looking for a job where he can stay at Notre Dame and build something, have a long jeopardy career in college and make just as much money at college as he will in the NFL and with a lot of less stress. So I think he should kind of pass that up. You know what I mean Stay at Notre Dame, build there and have a great career.
Speaker 1:I got you, Jeremy. What about you?
Speaker 6:Repeat the question for me. Sorry, I was distracted by my dog. No, you're good.
Speaker 1:But there's been rumors that Marcus Freeman may interview with the Bears and other NFL teams. Regardless of how this game goes, you think he should entertain an NFL job?
Speaker 6:You know what I think with NIL and all those issues in college, I think the nfl has become more uh, you know, you know a place that may be more desirable. I don't have to worry about acquiring talent. That's taken care of by the front office. I can get my input, but I don't have to go chase guys. Um, recruiting is a year-round job 24 7, and nfl they draft them and you coach them up. So, uh, just all depends on what he wants. I think he's a college guy, though I don't think he's an NFL guy.
Speaker 1:I got you, Mister. What about you?
Speaker 5:I'll tell you what, jeremy man, I must agree with a lot of that man. That's some good points. You know, I think he should stay at Notre Dame. Don't entertain that NFL stuff, because you know, like you said, especially NFL stuff, because you know, like you said, especially Chicago Bears, they're terrible, that whole organization, man don't with the pits and they've been down for a long time and I wouldn't trust nobody in that organization right now. But heck, no.
Speaker 5:Plus, you know what I'm saying, you might be gone. You know what I'm saying 13 months you might get a season, but you don't know. You know, yeah, you might get a season, but you don't know. You know what I'm saying with that. So you know, I think he's at a good place, he's at a solid place and he just keep developing. I mean, you know, just become, you know, just become the next little host there, man. You know, stay there, ride out, get you a couple nationals, you know, take that. You know, bring that park Nationals, bring that part back to where they was 1988, was it, holy cow, so long, man? But I wouldn't even entertain it.
Speaker 1:I think they, they present the NFL like this, this shiny trophy that you should get like at the end of a successful college career, and they, just they, they, they dangle it in front of you like a carrot on a stick, like, oh, you'll make this X amount of money If you come in and you will give you this, we'll give you that, we'll do this, we'll do that. You don't have to recruit. But these coaches making equal if not some of them making more than what most NFL coaches are making, and they can build a legacy, like Lou Holtz did there at Notre Dame. And you're right, mr Bears stink. And I don't think that team with Caleb Williams as their quarterback, would adopt Marcus Freeman and strategy in how he wants to play football and they would just, they would just clash and it just went. Yeah, he'd be gone in a year, year and a half, I would give him there, and then he'd be looking for another job and probably wind up ending back up in college. Anyways, marsco, what are your thoughts?
Speaker 8:Yeah, an old cliche and I fell off, for I feel like, on the trajectory he's on, if that's something he really wants to do because who doesn't want to try their skills against the best I think he could take a Lou Holtz, even though he was spending a year with the Jets early on, or a Steve Spurrier path where you know what, do your work in college, get your national championships, like Mr said, and then you know what. When you feel like people are getting disenchanted with you, you feel like you want a new challenge. They're always going to watch it. It's not like he's going to become a worse coach. So I don't think the opportunity is going to lead necessarily. Plus it's the Bears. You don't want that. But I think the biggest reason he shouldn't entertain it and has become a more real for me now that I have two kids of my own he's got a big family becoming more real for me now that.
Speaker 8:I have two kids of my own. He's got a big family. You want to raise that family in South Bend in a nurturing college environment or somewhere where you can feel comfortable with what's going on. You want to be in the mess of downtown Chicago or in and out of the suburbs where you're under the microscope. People are saying things to your kids at school in the drive-thru line. That human component of it I think he's made perfectly for where he's at. I don't even think it's something that he's honestly entertaining. I obviously don't know that. But if I had to guess, I think it's all ESPN headlines. I don't even think it's something he's spending much time on.
Speaker 1:I'm with all of you on this one. So far, Bob. What about you?
Speaker 7:I would do it just for one reason to squeeze some money out of Notre Dame.
Speaker 7:maybe Get a little bit of an extra pay raise out of Notre Dame, make sure you get maybe a long contract for them and be safe there. I think that'd be the biggest thing, just to maybe, like I said, I'm sure he has an agent that's going to filter some things out there, just to get a little bit of squeeze, a little money out of Notre Dame. So that's the only reason I think he should do. That is just. I think he likes the college area and I think he's going to stay there. Just the only reason he should entertain is just to get a little bit extra money.
Speaker 1:I'm with you. You get that extra 20 mil for a national championship. It's going all to Notre Dame.
Speaker 2:And you can lose a lot of money out of Notre Dame.
Speaker 1:Matt, what about you?
Speaker 4:Yeah, I can't, really I'm not in a position to tell people what they should or shouldn't do. I just am really happy for Marcus Freeman. Just being from Ohio watching him play in high school and you know he's young enough, uh, that I think he deserves to do what he wants and his family wants. And you know, I know some of you guys in here have college coaching experience, like me. I mean that's the biggest drawback is putting in your time, not knowing where you're going to interview, where you're going to go, if you're going to have a job next year or not, and a lot of times when you have a big family, like Chris said, you know they have to weigh on your decision too.
Speaker 4:So you know what I'm pulling for Marcus Freeman. He's young, he can do whatever he wants and if that's what him and his family want to do, go do it, have fun, enjoy it. You're old, you know you're not 60 years old or 74, like Bill Belichick going back to college just to coach, you know. So you know I'm just really happy for him as a person and I think it's great that the rumors are out there there's only one of 32 jobs in the NFL whether it is and you know, just as long as he does right by his family, I'm pulling for him either way.
Speaker 1:Gotcha Tony round us out here.
Speaker 2:Sorry my mic was off. I say Marcus Freeman he should look into it. But you know, like christopher said, he's got a big family. He can build something in notre dame. I would honestly stay in notre dame because you you're building something there already. But you, if another program did come calling, like maybe a program in Columbus called Ohio State, maybe he looks into that possibly. But if I'm Marcus Freeman I don't think I'd really entertain an NFL rumor because it's like one of those. If it's like one of those high risk, high reward type of things, like if Marcus Freeman could end up either maybe two and 15 get fired after the first year, or he goes 13 and four, goes to a conference title game and they give him an extension. It's a mixed bag of what could happen.
Speaker 1:I got you and you kind of leaded me right there into my next question here, when we talked about Marcus Freeman. But we got to talk about Ryan Day. Tony, do you think he's underachieved in his coaching career at osu?
Speaker 2:I think he's had a solid career other than losing the michigan four years in a row. He's had a solid career. Otherwise, I mean, he did make it to the national championship twice. Whether or not he wins one will be to be determined on Monday, of course, but I think that, regardless whether or not Day, depending on how the game goes, if it's a close Ohio State loss, I say Day comes back next year. If they get blown out, they're going to part ways with him, but if Ohio State wins, they're gonna keep him around. Cause I think I posed this question last year on Facebook or the year before would you rather lose to your rival but win a national championship every year or beat your rival every year but maybe go 2-10 at best? Good, question.
Speaker 1:It's a thought provoking question. The, the athlete in me, always wants to beat my rival and that's a winning season for me. I played on some crappy high school teams, you know where we were barely making it five and five. But if we beat our rivals that year, we were happy with the way that season ended ending at 500. But I get the other side of it too. I've been on the coaching side, albeit in a different sport than most of y'all. I coach swimming and seeing your athletes succeed at the highest level and getting to their championships and winning that that works. That, yeah, that's a deep one, tony. It's too early right now for deep, thought provoking questions for me here. So, matt, what about you? What are your thoughts on Ryan Day? Is he underachieved?
Speaker 4:Yeah, he's had an interesting career trajectory. Also, you know, I remember when he took over for urban meyer, when he suspended, you know he was relatively unknown, you know, outside of the coaching circles and he had a huge shine and huge luster on him as the next big unknown thing, you know, and uh, you know, after six years he's not so new anymore. So, um, I don't, I don't know that you could take any other program but ohio state and say, wow, this team's underachieved. And if you look at his six years, but I I really don't think he's achieved what they've asked him to uh do at ohio state. And we'll find out monday if that's uh still holds true or if if he can meet their expectations. Gotcha.
Speaker 1:Bob, what about you?
Speaker 7:I think Monday will tell a big story about what I think his progress. But I think to the normal college fan, I think people probably think he's the greatest coach. I mean they'd love to have him somewhere at their program, especially in a team that's struggling to win and stuff like that. But I think as far as an Ohio State fan and what they expect, I think he's underachieved. As far as an Ohio State fan, I think everybody else probably looks at it and says, hey, he has a good record. He has what five or six losses throughout his career and stuff like that. But I think until for the Ohio State fans, I think he's underachieved, unfortunately. But I think Monday will be the big test. I agree, I think the way that his team plays Monday will be a tall test of what's going to happen to his career. I think Gotcha.
Speaker 1:Chris, what?
Speaker 8:about you. It's a tough one, you see. Like it's nature we compare people. So when you think of Ryan Day, I think of, okay, who brought him on board? Who kind of who led him into this? So Urban Meyer, right, great coach, won a national title there.
Speaker 8:They kind of seem as opposites to me. Let me explain. Kind of seem as opposites to me. Let me explain herb would lose thursday night in iowa random game at purdue big game coach.
Speaker 8:He kind of set the palette like trusted, like big game, big lights on. We're getting it done. Ryan day takes care of all the little stuff. So for that I feel like I don't know. You absolutely beat the teams you should beat, but for whatever reason, when the lights get brightest and he's trying to debunk that on Monday he's done a good job in the CFP so far he seems to get real tense, like once the game was tied at halftime with Michigan I was licking my chops because you know the knees are going to start wobbling coming out and then you start making goofy decisions. So I think the pressure honestly, uh, because I feel he does realize this is an important game. Still he hasn't won the title yet.
Speaker 8:Um, I, like bob said, I think monday is going to go a long way in determining that, especially for ohio state fans. But uh yeah. So it's hard to say that he's not underachieving, not beating Michigan, and I ain't mad about it. But I'm just going by all the Buckeye honks I know and all my buddies that you know went there and all that and I can speak to, like Tony's point, like, would you rather win a natty or beat your rival?
Speaker 8:Well, I got the natty last year and that was great. But like, as I sit here now and everyone's like aha, we got it, we won, we won and we're the title this year, we only got one shot out of Michigan, that is, michigan won. I'm cool, we beat this version of them, I'm good. So in that sense, which one's sweeter Got to probably say the natty, because it's on a bigger scale. I'd be lying to you if I said the Nectar wasn't sweet. I mean beating your rival in a bad year. It's like we're back-to-back national champs. It feels that way. It ain't getting me down, mondale, I don't care what happens, I'm smart, I'm good.
Speaker 1:I got you, mister. What about you? I got you, mister.
Speaker 5:What about you? I would have to say, you know he's got to win his national championship, you know. But I would have to say, man, you know the expectation at a high state that everyone has on a high state the fans and media and Columbus Ohio, the fans and media and Columbus Ohio. You know it's national championships, national championships, and beat Michigan every freaking year and that's something that has not neither one has happened in a long time. You know. You take even with Ryan with Urban Meyer, he won what one national championship with Ohio State. You know, sometimes people think he won three or four, but I mean he only won one. You know, uh, you know. So it's um. And then you know, you got Ryan been here, but you know what's this? Uh, six year.
Speaker 5:And when they made that switch to Michigan, oh boy, you know, the last four years it's been uh, some turmoil up here in Buckeye land. So think about, when you look at the opponents that they play year in and year out from a non-conference, from Big Ten. I mean, the Ohio State is geared to win 11 games every year. So I don't care what coach is there, I think they're going to win 11 games every year with their schedule. You know, now you just got to bring that championship, that Big Ten, and beat Michigan. But me, I want to be my rival every year, I mean every year. Everybody's going to remember hey, man, did you beat them?
Speaker 5:They're not gonna hey man, I'm not gonna hey how many? I mean, you know, hey, when you think, even right now, you think about how many times you know, somebody asks you know, hey, man, how many conference championships Do you have? How many national championships Do you have, hey man? Hey, does y'all beat such and such? You know your local high school or college, but we beat them. Ain't nobody asking what was your record? No, did you win that game?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm with that. I still have friends to this day that played at my rival high school and they got one up on us one year and they still talk about I'm 35 years old and they're still talking about. Hey, you remember that game back when we were 15, 16 years old and we kicked the shit out of you on your turf. It's that type of thing, do you remember? I'm coming up on my 20-year high school reunion and these guys are still talking junk. You know what I mean? It's something about that rivalry game, uh. But jeremy, what about you with this? Thoughts of this game?
Speaker 6:brian day. Um, you know if he wins and you know he'll be all right. But I think he has. He's been handed a pretty good deck of cards and he's done all right, but, uh, these last four years beating michigan, I think that's a big deal for him. I think winning this game here on Monday will help him. But the good thing is, we always got the opportunity to write our next chapter, hopefully for his sake.
Speaker 1:I hope he wins so he can get some heat off his back. I got you, Coach Amp, what?
Speaker 3:about you. I mean, you know, being a coach for Ohio State, you're really required to do a couple things, and one of them is beat Michigan and win national titles. Ryan Day hasn't done that. You know what I mean. He's lost in the last four years and he hasn't won a national title. Overall, I believe he's a really good coach. You know what I mean. The number shows that. But you've got to do those certain things to beat Michigan and win a national title. So Monday's going to tell the tale. If we can get that done. You know what I mean, it'll be a different talk about Rondae, but if he don't win this game on Monday, I'm going to say it again. I believe he's gone in a week because of the recruiting cycle, so we'll see what happens on Monday. Gotcha.
Speaker 1:So we'll see what happens on Monday, gotcha yeah.
Speaker 5:Think about when Cooper was there, man, at Ohio State. All them teams he had, come on, man, the best teams. I mean people want to talk about the team that Urban had, listen, man, the team that Cooper had, man, was the best Of the best bro, the best bro From top to bottom.
Speaker 1:Yeah, there's a lot. I mean, yeah, I didn't even realize Urban only won one national championship at Ohio State. I feel like just from his legacy there he won six or seven championships there. He won one, and that just kind of kind of hit me and you know it makes sense now, uh, but he also beat michigan, that's why he got to stay there and that that's kind of for lack of a better term that's ohio state's championship game if they can beat michigan, and yeah, that's I mean and he came after.
Speaker 5:He came after what? Who was it? Luke fickle pickle? Yeah, think about that. Luke fickle had that team for a year.
Speaker 1:So all those you know he came so it's, yeah, there's, there's a lot that goes into the, the coaching realm and you know, know, it's just these games that make you think that you know they're a better coach than they actually might be. But this is the biggest game for a lot of these players and coaches in their lives. Now, you know, our guests here on the show come from background, from former players to coaches, to former coaches, current coaches and media. So I want to go around here to kind of round out the show here, because we've gotten a little bit long here. But you know what is the biggest sporting event or game you guys have either coached in, were an athlete in, or for media? And Coach Amp let's start with you oh, wow.
Speaker 3:Considering I played in a Bayou Classic, but for me, I felt like it was my first year of head coach, which was 2019 state championship game. That was a game. We actually won that game 10-7 in overtime and we kicked the field goal to win the game. Um, if anyone knows anything about our program, we don't have a soccer program. We have a straight on toe kicker and and we kicked the field goal to win the game in overtime and in 50 mile-an-hour wins, blowing the ball back out of the goalpost. So for me, that was just something special there for me.
Speaker 1:I got you, Jeremy. What about you?
Speaker 6:Special games were biggest game, Probably being a part of national championship games. Those are pretty big, but you know any time that there's a big rivalry or anything that's coming up, uh, great competition really. You know that's. That's what. Why you want to be a part of athletics is because of the competition. So anything that there's a great competition is is always the the biggest game. That it's like a high honestly getting compete.
Speaker 1:I got you, Mister. What about you?
Speaker 5:Man, that's a good question, man, I would probably have to say probably man, watching my brothers play. Watching my brothers play and I would say, since we're a high stage on the board, watching BJ run up and down on on Ohio State a couple times, but Washington, michigan beat Ohio State.
Speaker 1:Chris, what about you?
Speaker 8:Mine's probably the FCS national title game in 2017. You know we ended up having two NFL players on that team, but the run we kind of went on with as many losses as we had. We were hoping we'd get in the tournament. Finally got in and then, you know, just went on a run of upsets, handled Samford at home, went to Jacksonville State, won they were a top three seed and then came back beat Wofford. Honorable mention would be the semifinal game. That year. We went to Eastern Washington and played Cooper Cup.
Speaker 8:Made him look like Jerry Rice, but he does that to a lot of people so maybe I shouldn't feel too bad about that. But playing on the red turf against Cooper Cup was pretty cool but probably the natty, especially now seeing what James Madison's done. I mean, they're a pretty prominent FBS program now and to know that was kind of their departing gift with the FCS and weren't a long round after that, that was a really big game I got you, Bob.
Speaker 1:what about you being in the media?
Speaker 7:For me, I've gotten to do a lot of state championship games on the radio so I've been fortunate. The Youngstown area we've been blessed the last couple of years with South range, ursuline, canfield, going to the state championships, even back to Gerard doing some of the Gerard games at the state championships. I've been blessed to do a lot of state championships back to the Moonies and Ursulines back in the eighties and nineties. I got to do some of those games when they were going. So I and ursulans back in the 80s and 90s I got to do some of those games, uh when they were going. So I think that um, experience doing that, being at the, especially now being at tom benson stadium, the revamp, how they had them fixed up, it's you know they have it uh really nice there and uh just it's a great pleasure to do those every year at being and doing the state championship games I gotcha matt, what about?
Speaker 4:you. Well, since j Jeremy's on here, I'll say playing-wise was when we beat his alma mater.
Speaker 4:We began the regular season, winning league championship back when Jeremy and I played against each other. But you know, I was fortunate to be a student coach and then graduate assistant with Coach Dressel and got to experience the playoff run in 1997 sorry, I am old here guys. Uh, I was able to be a student coach, graduate assistant on the 1997 national championship team and, uh, the national title game is probably the most memorable. But, like chris said, moving on towards that, and just there's, there's so many member. You know that's what football is about. It creates memories, whether you're coaching, covering in the media plan. There's just so many games that we could probably have a whole podcast about. Just talking about old war stories.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. I got a ton of them, for sure. But Tony, media realm again. What about you? You're on mute again, tony. Okay, media guy can't figure out the mute button.
Speaker 2:I would have to say that some of the most memorable ones, especially for football, would be this past year Indian Valley took on Perkins. You could like I saw a guy, grady Kinsey. Every time he got first down he got a pop similar like Stone Cold of the 90s. And whenever Indian Valley scored like Tuscarawas County showed up and showed out for that game. It was that one where Indian Valley won 36-35 over Perkins. And last year Massillon and Hoban, where Massillon won their first state championship in about 50 years. There was about 20,000, some odd people there, almost a sellout, and Massillon won that game seven to two. Those are the two most memorable ones on the football side. I've been blessed to cover state championships four years in a row.
Speaker 1:I got you. For me, being a former high school wide receiver, it was my senior year in the first playoff game that Brooke High School had made in over a decade. We absolutely got crushed in that game 45 to seven to Martinsville. However, the lone touchdown was thrown by me in a desperation fourth quarter. It's a minute left in the game. We have never ran this play all year. What the heck. Let's see how far Bono can chuck it and threw it 75 yards for a touchdown, and I always maintain that I have the best quarterback stats ever because that is the only pass I've ever thrown. I was completed and it was for a touchdown, so I'm just saying a completion percentage is on point Uh.
Speaker 1:Touchdown interception ratio is right there, um, but you know it's I. I always make that joke. My wife hates that joke so much she hates that I talk about that to this day. Still, that's the one lone pass they let me throw in four years being in private school and it was just to see what could happen. But my sport was a little bit different. The biggest one I was in was winning my regional 100 freestyle in swimming. That was the biggest win for me in swimming. Didn't make it on times for districts, but that win in regional still sticks with me. My dad has a little bar in the basement of his house and he still has that ribbon up hanging in his bar and that's just still pretty cool to me, uh, that he still has that. He won't give it up to me. I haven't lived there in a decade and I still can't get that ribbon to hang in my house. He's, that's it, that's, that's now his trophy that he gets. Um, yeah, that was. That was the biggest for me, being a former athlete turned comedian.
Speaker 1:But that is actually going to do it for this week's episode of the Ride Home Rants podcast. I want to thank all of my guests Tony Matt, coach Amp, mr Chris, bob, jeremy. I don't think I missed anybody. There's a lot of people on this one here. I hope I didn't miss anybody there. But thank y'all for joining, as always. If you enjoyed the show, be a friend, tell a friend. If you didn't tell them anyways, they might like it just because you didn't. That's going to do it for me and I will see y'all next week.
