TexAgs Live - SEC Mike + John Nabors + Billy Liucci : 07.21.26

A

Welcome back into Tex Ags live presented by David Gardner's jewelers Rollo Insurance Studio. This SEC Media Days coverage is brought to you by Aggie owned and operated Paragon Financial Advisors. Built on the values of the Aggie Network and proudly serving families and business owners nationwide. Learn more@paragon-adv.com Our guests, Michael Bratton, SCC Mike here on Texas Life. What's up, buddy?

B

Hey, doing well, David. Thanks for having me.

A

So let's talk about a little exchange we had yesterday. So I interviewed your boy cousin Shane. We're going to run that at some point today, tomorrow, but. And you, you walked by and you said, hey, you took it easy on Shane. Right. Because Shane kind of has some takes when it comes to A and M. You are on the opposite side. I understand where Shane's coming from. I think he was saying doomsday scenario for A and M. You know, they miss out on a bowl. I get that. Where are you on A and M overall? On why you think they'll be good and if they're not, this is why.

B

Yeah. Well, Shane, I guess for some reason is a Marcel Reed hater. He's got a lot of haters out there. And for some reason I don't understand it. Mike Elko, I think he's a little worried. The tail end of each season, they've kind of tailed off a little bit. He gives them a little too much grief for that. I don't. I think Mike Elko is the top five coach in this conference. After just two years, I don't think he can get much better than that. So if things go poorly, though, I would say maybe the offensive line doesn't come together. That was so critical. I think the offensive coordinator, higher, that is. I don't know if it's a concern, but I think it's fair to call to question mark.

A

Sure.

B

Even though the receivers have been outstanding under Coach Wiggins, that would be kind of the two biggest things. And just replacing some production on defense, particularly defensive line, to be a little thin at linebacker. But again, I'm picking apart one of the better teams in the conference.

A

I think outside of maybe a few teams in the country, we can have those same kind of talking points for several teams. Let's kind of go through it. I'm one who thinks Texas doesn't have a lot of questions, but I do think they have questions. Right. They have questions on the offensive line. You want to talk about Ole Miss, there's certainly questions there. You want to talk about lsu, there's Certainly questions there. So a lot of that second tier, that is almost first tier in the sec. That's why they're not first here because we just need to see more from a position or two.

B

No, absolutely. So yeah, I think A and M right now I would have them outside the playoff, probably like a 9 and 3 type record. But I'm assuming the SEC is only going to get four in this year.

A

Okay.

B

I, I hope I'm wrong. I hope there's five like there was last year. Heck, I'll take six, David. Because if there's five SEC teams in the playoff, Texas A and M's getting in. I got A&M fifth in the league.

A

Okay.

B

And a lot of that is Oklahoma I think is the second best team. They haven't been able to beat Texas. We're well aware of that. But if you beat Texas or you beat Oklahoma, I think you're in the College Football Playoff. But right now I would have Texas and Oklahoma favored in those games.

A

Okay, so right is Texas and ou, you're one and two and then Georgia's three.

B

I got Georgia one.

A

Okay.

B

Georgia Oklahoma two Texas.

A

Okay.

B

I, I've got a. Shoot me Tennessee four which that precedes Oklahoma and Tech. So I got three playoff teams A and M's finishing with.

A

So let me go to Tennessee for a second because I've talked to a couple guys based out of Tennessee that feel like hey, you guys are sleeping on what Hypo has here. He always has a new quarterback. He always like they're going to be fine. They're going to be able to run the ball. They're going to have tough defense, they're going to have one of the better offensive lines in the country. Slow down on the Tennessee. Not hate, but the Tennessee being an eight and four level team.

B

Yeah, that's so interesting to me, David. We forget just last year like just. We just live in a short term society. It seems like where we have no memory because I recall this time last year the quarterback walked off the team and they said they had to get this guy from Appalachian. I didn't even know who Joey Aguilar was. You know what I mean? Offensive line was a question. Receivers were a question. What do they do? They out there and put together the most productive passing attack in the Southeaster Conference. Now they bring back a thousand yard rusher. They bring back a lot of those linemen, they bring back key receivers. They have an abundance of talent around the quarterback. Now it's very inexperienced at quarterback but I believe it's going to be Faison Brandon the true freshman. And I think that's going to allow Josh Hypo to run the football and run the quarterback more than he's done since he's had Hinton Hooker. They haven't had a running quarterback really. Nico we thought it was going to be that, but not even he was really that. So I think Tennessee is going to be pretty prolific. I got them going 10 and 2 this year.

A

I forget what you asked me, but it was on your show last year at SEC media days. I think it was who I think is is going to have a, a real bad season or something to that effect. And I said South Carolina. I talked about Lenore Seller being a really good quarterback, but I didn't like the pizzas around him. Okay. This year I'm actually worried about South Carolina for an A and M perspective. A because you got to go back to South Carolina. B I feel like the Kendall Brows edition and some of the other changes that they've made, they've always had talent but I think it's going to be even better talent this year. Am I right or wrong on South Carolina this year?

B

Yeah, it really depends on who you ask here, David. I've been asking everybody about Carolina. They're either it's boom or bust, Beamer's gone or this could be. I haven't talked to anybody that says a playoff team, but maybe an 8, 9 win team and I think they have that capability.

A

He keeps his job with an eight win season, right?

B

Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. And I love the hire of Kendall Browse. I think he'll really unlock what Lenore Sellers does. Well, Lenore Sellers I don't think is obviously a prototypical NFL passer. Reading the defense, trying to play the pro style. That's kind of what they were trying to get him to do last year. He's got to be quick decisions. He's got to run the football a lot more. I know Kendall Brown's offense. That's what they're going to ask him to do. He fits it like a glove.

A

Yeah, I agree. I think all those reasons why I think they're a team that's going to be significantly better than people think. Missouri do you believe Ahmad Hardy might be ready to go at some point in September, October?

B

I don't know. Now they've come out and they've kind of.

A

They said he might.

B

Said he might. Right. So they. He was drink. Was optimistic. But I don't know, it was kind of interesting the way he phrased all that So I certainly hope he is. He's one of the best players in the country. But I'm totally out on Missouri. They can't develop a quarterback. Why is it going to be Austin Simmons?

A

Right.

B

This is the same stuff we heard from Ole Miss last year. I don't know if you recall. I think Ole Miss paid him about $3 million last he sat the bench. Of course, because they had Trinidad. But I don't think Austin Simmons is a bad guy or anything, but I just think he's overhyped. And I don't. I really don't like the offensive coordinator hired Chip Lindsay either. I don't think he's much of a quarterback coach. So we're hiring him to fix the passing attack. I'm not buying it. They don't return a single defensive starter. I think Missouri, not terrible, but maybe like a 7 and 5 type team.

A

Ole Miss, can they replicate what they did last year with, yes, Pete Golding, but a completely different staff around that offensive unit?

B

I think that's one of the biggest question marks this offseason in the sec. But if they do, David, I think it's going to look a lot different because from what I'm hearing in Oxford, I think they're going to have the word they're saying is dominant defensive front in the front seven. So they really like the defensive line. They've added a couple of transfers at linebacker. So this is more of a Pete Golding type program. Obviously still have Trinidad and Kiwan. Still have three of the interior offensive linemen. Deuce Alexander's back at receiver, but everyone else has gone at receiver. So I think this offense is going to look significantly different. Even though they brought back an offensive coordinator that has run the similar style, I don't think it's going to be quite as prolific. They're really going to need the defense to step up.

A

There aren't that many returning SEC quarterbacks, but if you were to pick one, who's going to take maybe a sidestep a little step backward, who would it be?

B

That's a great question because everybody wants to know who's taking the step forward, right? Who's taking a step back? It probably is Trinidad.

A

Okay.

B

And I really like him. I think you could certainly make the case that he's the best quarterback in the Southeastern Conference after what he did to Georgia last year. But in my power rankings of the quarterbacks, I know I try to project at the end of the season, so I put them two.

A

Who was one?

B

Arch.

A

Arch. Okay.

B

So I think Arch takes that step forward and Trinidad. So to answer your question, he takes a baby step back or two.

A

I want to ask you about Arch and Marcel here, and I forget who I. Maybe I asked this of Anwar, but I feel like when we talk about both of those quarterbacks, the last part of the season is what most people focus on. Arch, I thought was okay, was okay. Really good. Marcel okay. Really, really good. Really, really good. And then obviously not so good at the end. Should we be holding on to the end of the season as much as we are when we project forward to 20, 26? We're either of those quarterbacks.

B

We shouldn't. But I think that's just human nature. I think that's what we're going to do. And I think Arch was banged up a lot of last year. I think he was a little bit healthier at the end, unlocked a lot more running ability. And I'm not an Art Arts truther. I had him like seventh or eighth last year. Heading into the season, I thought it was way overblown, and clearly it was. He. He did not live up to the hype. And I'm not saying he's going to win the Heisman or anything like that. In fact, I've made the prediction. I don't even think he's a Heisman finalist because it seems like whenever there's a favorite to win it in the preseason, for whatever reason, the Heisman voters just. They look for reasons to vote for someone else.

A

Sure they do.

B

And how to knock him down. So if he has a rough game, say, against Ohio, Ohio State or A and M or Oklahoma, I think he'll lose the Heisman. And I don't think that's right, that that's the way they do it, but it seems like that's the way they always do it.

A

What happens if Texas doesn't make the playoffs?

B

Sark's got to be fired. I mean, point blank, I would not bring him back. And I. I think that's the biggest question mark for Texas. I think their frontline talent is as good as any, but I think their head coach is average at best. And every time he faces a really good coach, I think he gets outclassed.

A

So how important is it for A and M to go and take care of business this year? Because, I mean, you have Elko as a top five coach.

B

Yeah. I mean, what a conundrum that would be for A and M if they lose three to Texas and Coach Elko is doing a wonderful job. The recruiting is insane. I mean, I Think Coach Elko, if he stays, we just never know these coaches how long they're going to stay. If he stays at A and M for five more years, which I fully expect he will, I think he's going to win the national championship. But how much heat is he going to be, Hunter, if he loses three in a row to Texas? I certainly. I don't think that they'd run him off, but he'd be facing some tough, tough questions in the off season. Say they go 11 and one again, but the one loss is to Texas. That'd be brutal.

A

Who's a team that you trust but they haven't proven enough yet?

B

It probably Tennessee.

A

Tennessee. Okay. Yeah. Going back to the original question.

B

Yeah, I think that's fair because again, I. Am I guaranteeing they're going to go 10 and 2? No. Certainly there's a path. They go 8 and 4, 7 and 5. I've heard a lot of that. Bobby Burton over at Texas, he told me Tennessee is going 4 and 8. Well, that, that gives you an idea of what I think of Texas people's opinion. But I kid Bobby. But again, I mean, you could certainly make the case. And I understand why people say that they've got to go out there and earn it after last year losing a Vanderbilt. Hypo himself said it yesterday. There's no excuse to losing a Vanderbilt, particularly at home.

A

Well, what about Vanderbilt this year? It's a reload, reboot for them, too.

B

It is a. I think they're gonna drive that bus right off the cliff. You know what I mean? And I like Clark Lee. I'm rooting for him. I love the story. Heck, last offseason, David, I thought Vanderbilt could surprise a lot of people. And I said 8 and 4 and they did 10 and 2. I mean, I never saw that coming. I know Diego, you know, there's split opinion on that guy. He was phenomenal for them.

A

He was.

B

He won them games. You know, he just made. He just made so many great plays for them, but I just don't think he could duplicate that. Now, I have seen the true freshman, Jared Curtis. I think he's going to be a fabulous player. Probably not this year, though. Year two, year three, if he stays. You just can't count on that these days in college football. But I think they're. They'd be fortunate to make a bowl game.

A

Here we are 13 minutes in and I have not asked you about Alabama. Also a new quarterback for them, Caleb DeBoer. It feels like the stock is, is going down that's what the feeling is. But I always remind people he won a playoff game. Right. And you know, A and M is trying to get to that point and Coach Elko still feels like his. And I believe it, just like you, that he could win a national championship at A and M here in next few years. But where are you in Alabama this year?

B

I'm completely out on four loss. Deborah. That's what I'm calling them.

A

Four loss to.

B

Bore loses four games every year at Alabama. He's going to lose four more.

A

Caitlin. Eight and four.

B

Eight and four is what Bama is going to be this year. They return one starter on offense and the starter they bring back David. He did so poorly last year, he changed his name. I don't think he wants to be associated with his performance last year. So, no, I'm totally down on Alabama. They're going to lose probably to Georgia, Tennessee, LSU and A and M. Okay.

A

I like the way you predict that. How much do you follow? I think you mostly talk about teams, but how much are you following what the future of college football is going to be? Do you care about what Sankey said yesterday that, you know, we've considered doing our own thing? There seems to be. And I'm sorry, I'm making such a long question. The insiders who cover that seem to be a little bit more optimistic than I thought about this Protect College Sports act, which I just. I don't think it's possible that it gets fixed in the next 10 days.

B

Right. Well, I'm kind of like with my audience where it seems like they're so fatigued talking about Congress and bills and Senate and all this, that and the other. So I try to stay in my lane. Let me know when it passes. Yeah. And then I'll kind of break it down. But I just think it's foolish to waste so much time and money and effort trying to get the government to help us. I think ncaa, college football, sec, Big Ten, they need to make some concessions. They need to make some decisions and go with it. That's kind of where I stand with all that.

A

So four SEC teams make the playoffs and you think it'll be four, not five this year? How many from the big league due

B

to the nine games?

C

Sure.

A

Sec, you know, half your league is losing games.

B

Right.

A

So how many from the Big Ten?

B

I. I hope zero, you know, but I know they're guaranteed one. So. Yeah, I mean, that's like a three or four, four program conference in my opinion. So they'll probably get four as Well, I don't know that they deserve it, but yeah, they'll get their way. They'll get at least four.

A

Okay. And then one Big 12 team.

B

That's what I'm rooting for. That's what we need in the sec. We need a dominant big dominant in air quotes for them, for their league, dominant acc because we want those to be one bid leagues.

A

Yeah.

B

That's how we'll get five in the sec. But it's going to be a tough situation if there's say 3:10 and two teams in each of those leagues. They're going to be battling it out for probably three loss SEC teams. And I think the committee should take a three loss SEC over a two loss Big 12 or ACC. But I don't trust them enough to do it.

A

Mike, the upper tier of the SEC has not been as good as the upper tier of the Big Ten. And the proof is just what's happened in the playoffs. Do you think the upper tier of the SEC this year is up to, to par what we used to see?

B

No, I really don't. And I mean Kirby Smart says it himself. So I got Georgia winning the league. If they have critical injuries at critical spots, then I don't have faith in them even doing that. And that's just the way it is. The talent is dispersed so across the conference now. Yeah, I just, I don't know if it's possible to have a dominant team like that in the Southeastern Conference anymore.

A

Yeah, I agree with you there. My, my worry is four, five years. Why do you, what's, what's your opinion, SEC Mike's opinion of why the Big Ten has been so top heavy and the SEC's been spread so thin?

B

Well, I think certainly they have an advantage when it comes to alumni and money.

A

Yeah.

B

And I don't think we have those issues at A and M. I know we don't. I know we don't have those issues at Texas. You know, there's certain schools, LSU's throwing all this money, so there's money in the Southeastern Conference, but I don't know if it's quite to the level of the Big Ten. And I think they've been able to attract more of the athletes in the south have gone to Big Ten schools. They're doing well in the portal as well. But again, it's only a few select schools in the Big Ten, whereas the other teams, I think they just kind of exist to cash that Big Ten paycheck up there.

A

Do you know if there is a sec, Mike, equivalent In the Big Ten, do they got a guy?

B

If they do, I never heard of them. I never want to hear from them. You know what?

A

Yeah. Last thing for you, if you had to put your money down on A and m, you think 9 and 3 is the, the level of team they are as of today based on the questions you have?

B

Yeah, I think that's fair. 9 and 3 and again, that could get you in. But I think. I don't think it does.

A

I want so much more than that. Obviously, I do think 9 and 3 with that schedule with the question marks that you have Talking today on July 21 would be a really good season based on where A and M is.

B

I think so too. Again, can you. The one thing though, I've said a lot of nice things about Coachelko. Can he. Can they finish strong?

A

Yeah.

B

And the fact that this year again, I'm probably higher on Tennessee than most Tennessee, I think it's at Oklahoma and then Texas. If you can't finish strong and that's your stretch, three playoff teams, in my mind, that's going to derail the season. So you got to go out there and prove there's you can finish strong. Something they've yet to do.

A

Mike, I appreciate you, sir. Thank you.

B

Absolutely.

A

SEC Mike here on Tech SAGS Live. Check out his great work. All right. Right now we're going to hit a break. We'll come back. I think we're going to talk to a little Arkansas insider right now. When it comes to your money, if you want somebody who takes care of you, you got to go to Guaranteed bank and Trust. Someone who believes Mary and White. You got to go to Guarantee bank and Trust, somebody who knows how to build something in the Brazos valleys. It's going to be Guaranteed bank and Trust. That's exactly what they do there. Their market president, Brandon Sears is an incredible guy. A and M graduate, he planned roots here. This community does matter to him as it matters to all of you. And their passion shows up on how the team is doing their banking community. Banking means your loan doesn't get shipped off to a committee two states down the road. It means that the person approving your mortgage is in town. Guarantee bank and Trust is going to grow with it and invest right back in to the community. Stop by one of the three Bryan Connor Station locations or go to gnty.com that is gnty.com It's Guaranteed Banking Trust, the division of Glacier bank member FDIC equal housing lender. The Houston Astros. The Houston Astros play in the play on the Zone. Thanks to Kelly Bird Dozer, who doesn't love a 42 minute commercial break. It's Texas Live. We're presented by David Gardner's jewelers. We are in the Rollo Insurance studio and it is time for a little more SCC media day coverage brought to you by Paragon Financial Advisors. Our friend John Neighbors, the owner of Inside Arkansas, also locked on hogs. Mr. Neighbors, what up?

C

It's great to be back. How are you guys?

A

I got to get into it. I already see people on our YouTube page that are coming to watch from the Arkansas perspective. You told me something yesterday that they that Arkansas fans feel like A and M. That's going to be the big win for them this year. But I ask you why, John Neighbors, why is A and M the big win?

C

Because anytime Arkansas beats A and M, which as we know is so often over the past 15 years, it's been a great year for Arkansas and I've always brought it up where these when these two teams started playing in what was a season Southwest Classic, Arkansas's only won four times. And in those four seasons, Arkansas won eight games, 10 games, 11 games, nine games. And the other years that they didn't, it was always seven wins or less and that includes bowl victories. So it always feels like that game was always the difference maker. Mar having a good season or an average to below average season. But listen, going down to College Station, especially during that stretch for the Razorbacks, I just don't see it happening.

A

Well, look, I have maybe because I'm a. What's the word? I have low T when it comes to my expectations sometimes based on the opponent at that time. Right. You get the Arkansas Weekly. Oh man.

D

K.J.

A

jefferson. In years like I there's certain things that scare me. Right. But A and M has done so well in the series and it doesn't matter if A and M is good bad, they find ways in this series. Well, why this year in particular about A and M? Like what is it about A and M or is it more about Arkansas?

C

I think it's more about. I know this is a cop out answer, but it's kind of the whole situation in that moment on part of the schedule because Arkansas has Georgia, then Tulsa, which are warm, then they go to A and M, then they have Tennessee at home afterwards. So they have kind of a weird stretch there.

A

Yeah.

C

But going into College Station, which we know is going to be a hostile environment and knowing that, you know, Arkansas is always close but no cigar against the Aggies, I don't think it's going to be a blowout or anything like that, but there's just always just that factor about A and M where I know it's new coach. With Ryan Silver, it just feels like they kind of have the, the ownership of the mentality that Arkansas has as a program where it's like, oh, you can have a big league, but. But hey, it's A and M. You know, it's like, it's almost like a psychological thing. But I think A and M and just the talent that they have, obviously getting a quarterback back and, and being at home, hostile environment, I just think all those things is just a bad recipe for a pretty new team with a new coach and a new quarterback going down there.

A

All right, John, what about Ryan Silverfield? Why is he the right guy?

C

Well, we've been trying to discuss that for a while now and the one thing that I will give him credit for is I think he's done a lot of good things so far. I mean, as good as you can do in the season, but he. One thing that he has done really well at every stop he's been, which is one at Memphis, but not a lot of penalties, not a lot of turnovers. That's what every coach wants to have. But if you think about Arkansas last year that went 2 and 10, that probably should have been an 8 and 4 team, it was amazing. But they kept losing games by making major mistakes, turning the ball over, adding penalties, and that was the difference. And so I think I've always bring it up with everybody that I talk to about Arkansas, but since 2012, Arkansas 17 and 49 and one possession, games 17 and 49. What's the reason behind that? Well, it could be a lot of things, but a lot of times it's just the turnovers, just the penalty. So Silverfield focuses in on that. I don't know if he's going to get the talent, I don't know if he's going to have the systems, but they're at least going to be pretty sound when it comes to those fundamentals. And those are the differences that in those one possession games, you can come out on top. So to me, if he can just utilize that strength and get some talent to go along with it, I think they'll be all right.

A

Chris Marshall, talk to us. Does he have a, a role with Arkansas this year and how is he matured as a young man?

C

Well, I will say this because I know we talked about him being there in spring practice, seeing him, you can just Tell okay, this is a bonafide sec.

A

Oh yeah. I mean just body wise, everything you

C

can tell if you were just didn't know numbers or names and you looked at the wide receivers like oh yeah, that's the guy. But you know, at this point, because of his journey, because of some of the issues, I want to give him credit. There's been nothing but praise since he's arrived on campus, nothing but greatness going on. But he's a guy that you can. In the spring game, if you want to call it that or whatever they wanted to say he had, he had so many drops, he had three drops himself. And that was not what happened in spring practice. So it's like he has all the ability but is he going to be able to be consistent? That's going to be the key. They have some pretty decent wide receivers, but when you talk about a game breaking, oh, get the ball in his hands and see what happens. He's that type of player and I hope they just utilize him the right way because I think he can be a huge difference maker.

A

And how do we feel about quarterback and the ability to get him the ball?

D

Not great.

C

I'm just gonna be honest. And you know, there's development there. But you know, nowadays in the transfer portal era, especially to have a quarterback in the SEC starting for you that did not start the previous year anywhere, you know, you can get one thing started the old school but not to start at a group of five. School or nothing, nothing. You don't have that.

D

K.J.

C

jackson, I love his upside, but in the spring there was just a lot of struggles there and he was a guy that started one game last year, but I don't count that when year two and ten in garbage time. So I think he's going to be the starter. No one's been named. I think he's going to be the starter. That one's AJ Hill, who Ryan Silfield brought over from Memphis. I don't think he's it either. So there's upside, there's potential, but it's just a tough thing. When you're looking at the rest of the conference and you look at your quarterback situation, you're like, oh geez, how do you justify and say no, this is going to be okay. I just can't really point to anything and be like, no, no, no, this is why it's going to be fine. It's going to be a process. It's going to be a process.

A

Jaden Platt spent some time with A and M. Do you expect him to have a role?

C

I do.

A

I do.

C

And in fact, I was a little surprised that he came back. Not to say that he was good enough to go pro or that he was unhappy at Arkansas, but you know, when you have an overhaul there. We know Bobby Petrino, the former offense coordinator and the former office coordinator at A and M, like Jaden Platt. I thought maybe that was his guy. Yeah, thought that was his guy. But he decided to return and I think that he is. He's had a role, especially in the spring practices. Whether he's running with the Ones or the Twos, he's definitely been involved. But I feel like they're going to be using him more as. As a blocking tight end, which is kind of what he is. But I'll be curious to see if they're going to try to get him the ball at all or if they're just like, hey, this is the role you're going to play, but I still think he's going to be out there being on the field. Just what production will he have is going to be the biggest question.

A

I know Sam Pittman is not there, but it feels like he's there. When you talk about five guys on the offensive line, all with experience, although three of them transfers talk to me about the O line.

C

So luckily we're going to be able to have a chance to hear from Kaden Kittler, who is the starting center there. That was big. Getting him and Kobe Branham back was massive because, you know, offensive line continuity, you want that. But especially with a new coach with Ryan Silverfield, it's ironic he's. His background is offensive line, too, just like Sam Pittman's was. So to have guys that you at least know can play in this league is huge. I'm not saying they're all Americans or all SEC players, but they know how to play in this league. And then you bring in a Malachi Breland to transfer from Memphis is a big old boy. I mean, he's nasty and I think he's going to have a huge role in this as well. And then have some other guys like Bryant Williams, the transfer that a lot of schools like Tennessee was going after. I think they have a good core of offensive line, but as we all know, it's about staying healthy and it's also about the type of offense and being able to be physical up front. I think, again, they have the pieces, but just the inexperience. All those other spots in this league in the sec going up against guys like Georgia, going Up against teams like A and M with those huge fronts. I just don't know for sure if I'm gonna be like, oh yeah, this is going to be great. But they're not going to be terrible. They're going to be a serviceable offensive line overall.

A

I know you got to get going, but let me just ask you this. Arkansas, number one, toughest strength of schedule according to espn with a brand new head coach.

C

Yeah, yeah. Welcome to the sec. Ryan Silverfield, in your first year, we get to go with nine SEC games. Oh, and also your first SEC game, you get to play Georgia. How about that? And you get to do it when you're coming off of a road trip to Utah.

A

Right.

C

You know, and it's like, I don't know what happens and how this continues to happen, but there's no excuses. Everyone's got a tough schedule. But for Arkansas, I will give him credit, it starts really tough in the SEC and ends really tough because obviously in the first few games in the SEC you got Georgia, Texas A and M, Tennessee, you end with at Texas and lsu. But in that little four game stretch where you have Missouri, Vanderbilt, South Carolina as well as Auburn, that's, that's the key stretch. You may not start great, may not finish great, but if you can find a couple wins in there, if you can just get to a, a six and six season, that'd be incredible. I mean, that would be absolutely incredible. I know it's asking a lot, but schedule is the schedule. You can't, can't whine about it. You can't complain about it. You got to go out and do it. And so we'll see if Arkansas does, but we'll see.

A

Thank you, John. Appreciate you, brother.

C

Anytime, man.

A

John Neighbors here on Texax. Live moment for C country Chevrolet Highway 21 in Caldwell. Online caldwellcountrychevrolet.com your trading has got value and Caldwell Country Chevrolet wants to hook you up. They want to put equity to work for you there. They have a pre owned inventory that moves fast, which means they're always looking to add quality vehicles to their lot, bring in what you have and let their experienced sales team show you what it's worth. And I think all those years of combined experience there in Caldwell are going to mean that you're going to get really the value that you've been looking for for your vehicle and beyond. Remember, it's about a 15 minute drive the edge of Brian to the beginnings of Caldwell. Short conversation away. But you'll see the difference when you step on the lot and do business with the good people at Caldwell country Chevrolet Highway 21 in Caldwell online. Caldwell country chevrolet.com Listen to the zone on the Zone app.

C

Download the app.

A

Yeah. Thanks to Loyalty Plumbing, the pros at Loyalty Plumbing are ready to serve you. Aggie land.

D

Oh, that's good stuff.

A

Visit visit loyaltyplumbing llc.net welcome back in to the show that I call Tech SAGS Live. We are presenting by David Gardner's jewelers. We are in the Rollo Insurance studio and this SEC Media Days coverage is brought to you by Aggie owned and operated Paragon Financial Advisors. Built on the values of the Aggie Network and proudly serving families and business owners nationwide. You can learn more@paragon-adv.com so we're in a weird situation because Billy's supposed to join us. This purgatory. Yeah, I mean, like, guys, we're just gonna chit chat here. I don't know. I'll probably throw a break at some point. They're like nine minutes long now, so we'll. We'll probably do that. And then Billy will probably join us and realize that we're up against the clock. And then he can't come.

B

Really.

A

Supposed to do the segment, but he's been stopped by like nine people and now he's doing a thing with Chris Marler. He says he'll be back in a minute and a half. That was three minutes ago. Yeah, it's definitely been over a minute and a half. And he hasn't started his Chris Marler thing, so. So here we are. Anyway, we've got some stuff we can run here, but I think we're just going to chit chat for a minute. I found this funny when I was talking about Jared Curtis. I called him Jared Vanderbilt.

B

Jared Vanderbilt, okay.

A

Which, by the way, was about to work here. David, should I keep my headset on? So who are you trying to get? Hey. Oh, okay, people, work on it. Hey, state it. I'll just tell this story to myself. Not a big deal. I like when I tell. No, it's okay. You. You do what you got to do, buddy. No, I know, but I want to keep my headset on so that people can hear how I work. I called him Jared Van Vanderbilt. I also on the show today, I think, although people say they didn't hear it. I think I said we'll be back on SEC Live. I think I said that. Which is embarrassing. It's not SEC Live. That's not a different network. We got friends on SEC Live. Yeah, I Think that's the name of their show. I've watched it before. Anyway, I want to talk about some of the things we have heard today. And I found it very interesting that Arkansas and who. Some of their fans are still in the YouTube page. That Arkansas. Hey, you doing the show this week? All right.

B

Okay.

A

I'll text you. Hey, says tomorrow you did the work. I didn't.

B

Sorry.

A

He got ambushed before. It's like a shark tank. If you're not the first to jump on somebody, then. Yeah, I just yelled at him. Yeah, I might have ended the friendship there. Hey, you're on live radio. You're doing the show this week, bro. How? I talk to people too. I go up. I went over to hunting earlier and I didn't see. Say hi. Just hey, you want to go on now? Guys, I'm gonna be real honest with you. I think I should hit a break here, even though I know Billy will be here in a minute because he can't do a segment for three minutes. Yeah, no, yeah, I think that's the move. I just. I don't think it's going to work out in our favor. Plus our 15 minute break. So we'll come back with enough time for Billy. Yeah, we'll. We'll do that. In fact, let me do this. Let me talk about. Or I already spoke about him. I'll speak about them again. Our good friends who brought us here, Paragon Financial Advisors. Great teams don't chase quick wins. They build for long term success. The same philosophy applies to your financial life and your business. And at Aggie own and operate. At Paragon Financial Advisors, the focus isn't on chasing headlines or reacting to the market's every move. It's about building throughout a big time financial plan that helps you pursue your goals for years to come. That means helping families prepare for retirement, guiding business owners as they grow successful companies, and helping them prepare for the day that they're ready to sell or transition the business that they've worked so hard to build. If you're ready to take that long view, visit paragon-adv.com to learn more. Paragon Financial Advisors. Aggie Own Independent serving clients nationwide.

C

Give it to me. Give it to me.

A

The Louis Polina show. It's awesome. Sports, barbecue, ice cream and beer. Beer and more beer.

D

You know where.

A

Listen in weekdays. Love it at two in the zone. Turn it up. Come back into Texas Live.

B

Tish.

A

Mr. Tish, you want to explain what Mr. Tish is Billy Lucci, the dietitian.

D

He was judging everyone for what they eat.

A

See, you get the story wrong. Dan Matthews, as I'm on a break, picks up one of these packets of candy or cookies. He goes, hey, only 270 calories and 18 grams of sugar. That's pretty good. And you're gonna say that to me? I'm gonna say, no, bro, that isn't good. Why would you bring it? He brought it to me. Am I yelling?

D

We're in an open space. There's other people doing radio shows. Look, I. I'm okay with it because it allowed me to come up with the nickname Mr. Tish. I'll be Mr. Tish Dietitian.

A

I don't mind being Mr. Tish.

D

All right, so I want one of these to stick.

A

Where?

D

They start calling you that at the house, like the kids like it. They got to be one that they take a liking to. One day, I'll hit.

A

You know who would to probably do it for you on Elise and Isla. They have become your biggest fans. I love it. I love it. You know what? They've already told me this, so act surprise, okay? They're going to start calling you Uncle Billy.

D

No, I like. I do.

A

Because all because you posted a video from that concert in Chicago with Morgan Wallen and Ella. Ella Langley. And like, now they're like, dad, I've got to become friends with Billy. I want to go to one of those concerts.

D

Yeah, I wish. I wish that you would have told me this.

A

This.

D

This fall when L. Langley played it, you know, and I told him, house in the historic district.

A

I've told him. I go. I've missed so many cool concerts. Billy has invited me to two, and I think I. I just. If. If you don't text me, if you don't initiate, I'm like, I'm not gonna bother him, but I will this year. If you invite, I go.

D

I still got to bring you to Kill Tony, because I know that's what you would love.

A

Yeah.

D

As much as any concert besides Bad Bunny, which I will not be.

A

I've already gone to Bad Money. Morgan Wall is the next one on the list.

D

It's a great concert.

A

I bet it is. All right.

D

I don't understand people that don't like him. Like, I don't understand how you can't just drop. It's good music. It's just. It's just good to sing to.

A

Yep.

D

Okay.

A

All right. So here's my thing for you. You're shaking hands. You're talking to all the national media, the local guys. What are you hearing from People about A and M so far.

D

Kind of what I think what myself and our listeners would expect. Like, there's a lot of talk about Marcel. There's a ton of faith in Elko and what he's going to do at A and M. And then they're just kind of like. Everyone seems to think A and M is one of these, not fringe playoff teams, but like one of these teams that could very well land in the playoffs.

B

It just.

D

They're. They're. They're kind of right on that cut line, I think, in a lot of people's eyes, along with teams, I would say teams like Alabama, Ole Miss, and probably. Here's what I've noticed. Probably what, what they think, probably lsu, Bama, Ole Miss, A M. Because I'm getting the feeling while I'm sitting here, most people to me seem to think, oh, use like a playoff lock. Which surprises me not, because I could certainly see them getting back. And I've said before, I think it's A and M's toughest game because of when it falls on the schedule, that great defense and playing it on the road with a quarterback in Matier that I, I expect. Just like I expect Marcel. I. I think John Mateer makes a big leap as well because I think they both showed last year how capable they were at doing it. I would contend Marcel. Marcel showed it more.

A

Yeah.

D

People in Norman would say, well, hey, he had a hand injury mid season, and I don't want to discount that. I don't think some of the decision making later in the year he's got to work on, and it really costs them at times. But I do think in that middle of the season, certainly when you miss a few weeks of practice, like particularly that Texas game, it's going to take you some time to get back. But. But OU seems to be getting a little more benefit of the doubt than some of the other teams I just mentioned. They love Mater again, like they did last year when I was kind of a little skeptical. Still am, but I think he makes that jump. But they love Mater. They love that defense. And I, I look at their schedule, though, and I go, you, you better win two of three against Georgia, Texas and Michigan. And I think they will beat Michigan. But you got to beat Georgia or Texas.

A

Yep.

D

Because if they start one and two, I know individually, game by game, it's kind of like what we can do with A and M. And look at all 12 games go. I could see A and M winning that one, all 12 of them. You can do that With. But if they've got seven games, seven SEC games left. Any seven. And theirs are not just any seven because Ole Miss and A and M are in that seven for sure. And I think one other tough one as well, going seven and oh is going to be exceedingly difficult. So. And I know some, oh, nine and three. I keep cautioning you guys, maybe it's one nine and three SEC team gets in. It's not going to be like nine and three gets you in.

A

Well, SEC M says he. He thinks there's only going to be four SEC teams again to the playoffs because of that ninth game, because they're going to give a tie to a Big 12 team that's maybe 10 and 2. He got there last year from the SEC. Five.

D

Last year there were five. Yeah. I think it'll be five again.

A

You do?

D

Yeah. I don't. I do think when push comes to shove, if it's a Big 12 team, I'd be way more worried about a Big 10 team or them trying to shoehorn. Here's who could be a problem next year is like that second ACC team, if it's SMU. You know, if SMU went 10 and 2. 10 and 2.

A

Yeah.

D

Well, then they'd be 10 and 3. If they lost to my. Let's say SMU went like. Or somebody in the ACC maybe they navigated a pretty easy schedule and they went 11 and 1 and lost to say a Miami. Or say Miami went 11 and 1, lost to a 10 and 2 SMU.

A

Yeah.

D

They're probably shoehorning a second in, so I could see it. I'm. If you're asking me to predict today, I'll still say five.

A

Five will get in.

C

Yeah.

A

Brooks Austin, the film guy, was on with us, obviously, and I asked him, like, where. Where do you see, you know, holes for A and M? He's like, man, I think there's a pretty much an A minus at every position. Then he paused. He said, well, the offensive line, I. I gotta. I gotta see it. But he. He very high. He thinks the secondary might be the best in the country.

D

Hello. That's what I said. I said it on the podcast the other day. I got grilled on social media for it. I think I'm going to be right. I saw Mike Elko. We put it out last night. We had, you know, we were represented over there at Coaches Night in Houston. And Mike Elko said it's. He thinks it's the best secondary he's coached in seven years here. Yeah, I think so too. I Think it's going to be a really freaking good secondary. They've got several draft picks. I have no idea where they'll go. I don't think there's a first rounder in there. But they got several draft picks. They've got a ton of depth, they've got SEC experience. I love the group. Like you got a starter at Washington, a starter at Colorado, you've got a starter at Georgia that might not even start crack your starting five. But they're gonna, by the way, they're all gonna play a lot and they might. Any of those three could start. Jordan Shaw, you know, it's here. Bryce, I think at Nichols, any of them could start. Then you've got a five star like Brandon Arrington sitting there. That's gonna as the season goes on. But so I love the secondary. I think the O line, I agree. We've talked about that a lot. I'd give the O line, you know, going into the season like a, you know, usually give an incomplete. But they haven't played anything yet. So I would just put tbd.

A

Yeah.

D

And it's a very important tbd.

A

Maybe the most important tbd.

D

Yeah. But I mean I think it's a really good football team if, if this O line can. Can play. And Mike Elko, he talked about the depth. I'm looking at that list there and like I said yesterday, guys like Ivey and Bordon, they're Lamont Rogers, Tyler Thomas is.

B

Is.

D

Is far enough along. Like those four guys just off right now as I sit here, like I'm not even diving into the whole list. But to me, like those four, any of those four I could see cracking the starting lineup. I'm not saying four of them. Well, I'm not saying two of them will, but any of those four I could say see in there. Plus you've got the four portals and the one that people talk about the least to me seems to be Tron Ball, who I think if I'm guessing today, I think he's a starting left guard. He's been really impressive since getting here.

A

Do you have. And maybe you don't want to do this right now, but do you have a feeling how the offensive line could look?

D

Yeah, I've actually put it in a write up I did. I'm not quite done with it yet. Probably finished that today. Tonight. Put Zane to work. He cries a lot, you know.

A

Well, you've got his face.

D

Will get a lot longer when I tell him I've got like a 3,000 word. So much Editing I've got to edit. It takes an hour. And he's so insulting about it because he makes it like, you don't know the English language. I'm like, hey, Zayn, you know what? Zip.

A

Bleep.

D

You know what I call him? Zip. Zipsh.

C

You.

D

I could edit that in five minutes and you'd say it takes an hour. You just look at it and go, so I want to put a timer on him one time and.

A

And just, like, stand behind him as he's doing it.

D

Yeah. Like, I think he makes. He's pretty dramatic about editing.

A

Yeah. So.

D

And he complains to me about editing. Like, say if you wrote something, he'll complain to me.

A

You.

D

If I write something. Just what he does.

A

Well, so I guess your way of saying stay tuned.

D

Yeah.

A

For radio. Until that publishes next week or whenever it publishes.

D

Like, tomorrow.

A

It's gonna be tomorrow.

C

Okay.

D

Like, it's about done.

A

All right, so let me ask you this, and you don't have to give me a name. We got about a minute and a half in the segment. Would you be surprised if one of these young guys that we've seen develop through the ranks ends up being a starter?

D

Not at all. Not at all. And I think if that happens to me, it's probably at right guard. But that could also be Cohen. Echols. Cohen can play guard or center, so he could almost. There's a chance he could be that swing guy. And he doesn't start, but he could also start. So to me, that. That right guard spot is probably, you know, it's. To me, anyway, I think if I'm predicting, I'd say it's Echoes or one of those names I mentioned. Lamont Rogers is a true tackle, so. Not Lamont, but I. I could see him the way he finished spring or went through spring.

A

You see him playing a lot.

D

He and Tyree will be a really interesting battle at left tackle. And they're really happy with Tyree so far, too.

A

Billy. I appreciate you, sir.

D

I'm coming back.

A

Are you coming back? We're doing more. Let's go.

D

Do you have somebody on?

A

No, no, I. I enjoy talking to them.

D

Nick Panicking.

A

Who do we have coming on?

D

Nick Panic.

A

I got you. As requested, nick Roush at 10. Okay. Kentucky Insider. Wow.

D

I'm getting Roushed right off the air.

A

Well, we could rouse him.

D

Me?

A

No, you can stay.

D

Sounds like Roushed.

A

Well, you. You want SEC Media Days to be all the guests in the world. Every program. We only got 15 hours.

D

I don't care about me.

A

Not even 12.

B

No.

A

But I want you to join us for Kentucky Talk. I think you'd be great.

D

I'd rather not.

A

We got to hit a break.

D

I'm going to go do an interview and I'll come back through here in a little bit.

A

All right? You can finish out the show with us. Sound good?

D

Sounds good.

A

That is the great Billy Lucci here on Tech Sax live. All right, we'll do this. We'll hit a break. Well, come back, talk a little Kentucky football with nick Roush of KSR, next on the World Famous TexActs Live. Granger knows. When you're a procurement manager for an office park, you're not managing one building, you're managing all of them. And to stay ahead, you need to see through walls and around corners. Lights about to fail, filters ready to clog H Vac on its last leg. If you wait until something breaks, you're already behind. Count on Grainger for quality products, easy reordering and 24. 7 support. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.