Ian Fitzsimmons, ESPN Radio host & CFB sideline reporter and former WJOX host, tells McElroy & Cubelic what the two biggest storylines have been at Big Ten Media Days, why Ole Miss is a surprising team, and why a team like Rutgers can surprise
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McElroy and Kubelik in the morning starts now. All right, welcome back in. McElroy and Kubelik in the morning. Just wild to think about those numbers around Ryan Day that we mentioned earlier. Again, 56-8 at Ohio State. 1-3 versus Michigan. 55-5 versus teams not named Michigan. Four of those losses coming in bowl games. Three of those came in the college football playoff. 40-0 against Big Ten teams not named Michigan.

But that points per game differential is one that is a little bit staggering. The Alabama heat and humidity can also be staggering. Don't let it affect your home and family. Keep them comfortable with an affordable train cooling system. Train is our official partner here at JOX. They've been recognized as America's most trusted brand 10 consecutive years. Find a comfort specialist near you at train.com. On the flip side of that, Greg, you think about James Franklin. He suffers from a little bit of the same problem. Obviously not as big of a rival as Ohio State and Michigan, but...

80-18 versus teams not named Michigan and Ohio State. 4-16 versus Michigan and Ohio State during his time in Happy Valley. 3-17 all-time versus the AP Top 10. That was one that really got going last year. I don't know how it makes me feel any different about James Franklin. I've always felt like he's a very good coach, but not an elite coach. And there's going to be those letdown moments with him, but the numbers start to back it up.

Here's the thing. He went out and hired two good coordinators. I think he's missed a few times on his OC hire. And that, I think, is a huge issue. With all due respect to Yurcich and a couple other guys, I do think the OC has been a problem for them. But I am optimistic that Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas is doing a really nice job there.

Okay, let's go to Ian Fitzsimmons, who is live at Big Ten Media Days and woke up with the giant inflatable duck outside of his hotel window. I had never seen that before. Do we have confirmation that they ordered this thing just for Big Ten Media Days? Cole, Greg, good to be with you guys. I'm assuming so, yeah, because I woke up and I hadn't looked at Twitter. I hadn't even turned the TV on yet. I just opened up the blinds and I'm like, is this?

Is that a damn Oregon inflatable duck on that river pinned against that bridge? I mean, that damn thing was like two stories high. I swear to God. And it couldn't go under the bridge. I guess they had to come over and deflate it. But, yeah, I don't know. Look, I don't know who did it. I'm assuming that's some Phil Knight Nike money. You know, they have the biggest marketing tool known to mankind out there with, you know, bottomless pockets. Yeah.

So they could pay for that damn inflatable two-story inflatable duck with the money in their glove compartment. But, yeah, it was interesting to wake up, boys, and go, huh, first day of Big Ten media day. These cats aren't even here until Thursday, and they're announcing their presence with a two-story duck on a river. Yeah, people worried about Texas coming in and imposing their will at SEC. Right, right.

Hold my beer. Looking at just how it feels. We've already heard from some folks that have talked with people in California, like, man, I can't believe we've got to go all the way to the Midwest to do media days. SC is upset about it. UCLA is upset about it. And it's like, dude, what did you expect? Get ready. I mean, you're about to have some unique trips. So culturally, the...

I guess I would say that the league just feels strange. Excited about some of the matchups that we get, but I do think it drops off quickly after the top four or five. And I do feel like culturally it's very odd. So what's the feel like as you've been there for a couple days now?

I talked to five to six head coaches about that very thing yesterday, Greg, and they all kind of said that's more of the Olympic sports that really have more concern with travel. Shiano told me that he's going to use some experience that he had with Belichick and the Patriots, and Bielema said this also to me. Brett Bielema, head coach of Illinois, where if they're going all the way out west, and I think –

Illinois only has to make that trip once, and Rutgers only has to make that trip once. But just to use their plan as an example, when they have to go east coast to west coast, they're going to go out on Thursday, not Friday, just to get acclimated, play on Saturday, and may not even fly back on Saturday night after the game. B-Limit told me they'll probably just wait, sleep at the hotel, and fly back on Sunday so they're not getting back at 6 o'clock in the morning. But they only have to do it once a week, so it's more for –

you know, the non-money generating sports, you know, like, you know, men's soccer or women's soccer or whatever, where they're going to have more travel issues than anything else. When it comes to football, you know, and look, a lot of the coaches I talked to yesterday, East Coast guys, you know, a lot of the West Coast guys, UCLA and Deshaun Foster come in today, Lincoln Riley's here today,

It may be different for them, but going east to west, I mean, they all seem to have a common plan. Go out a day early, fly back a day late. You mentioned only having to do it certain amounts of times. There's another little bit of a schedule quirk with the Big Ten this year. While six schools are going to play two times on Fridays, there's another six that will not play on Fridays. You can probably guess which category Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State are in there.

The beneficial one? Yeah. They're not going to get any Friday games. Tony Petitti kind of defended that yesterday, and I was wondering was there any conversation just around how and why that actually took place. And that was kind of a murmur, Cole, to be honest. But it was one of those like, hey, man, schedule's out. We've got to play. There's nothing you can do about it.

which I like that attitude personally. But, yeah, I mean, sometimes the haves get it and the have-nots don't. And those teams that have to play on a Friday, you know, you've got to deal with it. So that's the bottom line. But I'll also say this, Cole, going on a different note. The big theme from yesterday, I have a feeling it's going to be very similar today.

it is literally national championship game or it has been a failure of a season for Ohio State. And the players know it. You know, talking to EZE, you know, who could be one of the best wide receivers in college football got banged up last year, but he could have gone to the league, you know, even after coming off an injury. He's back. Jack Sawyer's back. I mean, they got a mission, man. And Ryan Day told me, he goes, look, we know what it is. You know, you lose one game at Ohio State. Oh.

The expectation is to win every game. They know it's natty or nothing. Today, I think with Lincoln Riley and USC coming in, there's not national championship expectations, but there better be some serious improvement, meaning a minimum of double-digit wins. You're doing it with a quarterback who's only started one game in Miller Moss. So,

You know, going back to that schedule part, yeah. I mean, the Habs got in the upper part of the league. Did they get a benefit? Absolutely. But you still got, I mean, look, there's nothing to do about it now. You got to go play the schedule. And you look at the talent Ohio State has and a prove-it season for USC. Those have been easily the top two stories so far coming into day two. What do you think, looking at Michigan, Michigan,

I can't recall a time in which a group, I felt better about a team last year and then compared to where they're at this year and some of the unknowns where I kind of dropped off. Some of? I mean, I honestly, I mean, I've been hot on them, Ian, for years. Like, I've loved Michigan. I know. I mean, three years ago, I'm like, they're going to win the Big Ten. People said I was nuts. And we said it during the season. I remember Cole and I taking a lot of heat. Like, there's no way Michigan beats them. It's going to be a laugher. And sure enough.

And now it's like I don't feel good about him at all. I think everything that they did well outside of play great defense in the front seven, I think could go back to kind of the starting line. So how should we be evaluating them? And based on some of the conversations that you've had with people around that league, how do they feel about Michigan?

They've got to replace a ton, man. They had, what, 15 guys drafted, Greg. I'm with you on this one. And then you have another eight that are in NFL camps. You've got more than your 22 starters that are in NFL camps off last year's national championship team.

And they were, by far, bar none, the most talented team in college football last year. They had the most draftable guys. Which, by the way, Jim Nagy at SEC Media Days, and then I called two NFL GMs that I trust immensely that always hit up before the NFL draft. All three, independent of one another, said the most talented team in college football this year. I'll let you guys take a guess. Who do you think it is? The most draftable grades on one team in college football. Take a guess. I wouldn't have gotten it. Matter of fact, I didn't.

Draftable grades in college football. So it's got to be veterans. Florida State. Notre Dame.

Ole Miss. It's not super surprising. I guess if you're talking about draftable guys. I never would have gotten that, Cole. In a million years, I never would have gotten that. But when you really think about it. Your quarterback is. You might have one or two running backs that are. Your tight end is. You picked up an offensive lineman that is. You got a couple D linemen that are. All your receivers, I guess, are.

It's not super surprising, but I feel like there'd be a Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State that might have a few more. I was thinking the older kids that Florida State got out of the border. When you start to think about it, okay, yeah, it makes a little sense. Michigan?

Eight guys right now. Eight. They went from 21 draftable grades last year, 15 did get drafted, 23 are in camps, to eight. Now, look, Mason Graham, nose tackle, 55 can play for me any day of the week, man. Will Johnson at quarter. I mean, I was your defensive MVP of the national championship game. Yeah, they have some talent, absolutely. But I don't know about quarterback. I mean, we know Donovan Edwards is back, but you've got to have more than one.

So we'll know a lot about Michigan week two when Texas comes to town. And right now, I don't know what the spread is on that game, but up to, I'd say, probably seven, eight, I'd lay it on Texas because Texas is deep and Michigan is a complete unknown. All right, so here's an interesting thought because you were at SEC Media Days also. And most people who...

who carry some common sense around college football, so maybe outside of Texas or Oklahoma fans, like diehard fans. So I think even some of the fans realize there will be complications with the grind, so to speak. It's not that Texas isn't ready to handle the trenches. It's just that they haven't had to do it against this many other teams that are also that in the trenches, so to speak. Same with Oklahoma. Is that a real part of the discussion around Oregon, USC, UCLA heading into the Big Ten?

Two of those three, absolutely, Cole. You're spot on, man. That would be SC and UCLA. Again, going back to SC, replacing a Heisman winner ain't easy, right? And Caleb Williams. But Miller Moss, their quarterback, has got talent. We had him late in the year last year.

And Cliff Kingsbury, now the OC for the Washington Commanders. You always ask about a backup quarterback. Sorry, Greg. But you always got to, you know, just in case, right? I know that hurts, right? Just in case a guy goes down. What do you got over here? And, man, it was this dude can spin it.

and Kate Cliff was just, he wouldn't shut up about the young man. So they've got talented quarterback, but to your point, Cole, ain't a lot of depth there, man. UCLA ain't a lot of depth there. And you lose Lynn going across the street from UCLA to USC to try and finally fix a Lincoln Riley defense as his defensive coordinator. Oregon, though?

Dude, they're naughty. I mean, they are filthy, and they are deep. And you get Dylan Gabriel coming in at quarterback in that system. I love the Ducks, dude. I know the D-line was a little more last year across the Pac-12, but still, it's doing it every week. There's no Cal on the schedule, translation. Titan. Titan.

You do get Idaho, I think, week one, right? Goodness, you do get Idaho. I think it's Idaho, Boise, and then two Oregon State. If you're only a 3-0 going into your first bye, you've got problems. But still, if we're talking about just withstanding being beat up,

Boise and Oregon State, weeks two and three. That will add to that. You've got Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue, Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Wisconsin, back to back to back to back to back. I'm just referencing the physicality portion of that. I know that they are one of the most physical teams where they've been playing.

But just it's going to be a little bit different. I totally understand. But I think you've got, what, eight, nine guys back from that defensive front led by Jordan Burch, another guy who can play for me any time, you know? I mean...

That dude coming off the edge wearing one is a beast, buddy. You're going to the depth. And, look, that's something that we're going to have to – we're going to find out. You know, I'll ask Landy about it. You know, he gets here, as a matter of fact, this afternoon. So, you know, we'll – and he's not scheduled to talk until tomorrow, but we'll try and sneak a peek with him.

But, man, that's one of the questions that I will definitely ask. I mean, do you have the depth? Because he's been in the SEC as a GA at PAMA, as a DC at Georgia, right? He knows what it takes to go through a monster grind. So that's one question that I will definitely be asking Coach Lanning. But on the surface, the Ducks are one of the teams right now with that big-ass inflatable one floating around in this river outside my hotel that I would say right now pencil them into the college football playoff. They will be in. Are you penciling in Penn State?

Hell no. Wow. Give me a big game that James Franklin has won. Rutgers. By the way, that's a sleeper little team right there now. Don't you laugh. Here you are laughing. Schedule. Sleepy schedule. Schedule will put you to sleep, but they'll win. Rutgers. Rutgers. I don't know what they're winning. Rutgers wins seven. They'll win seven this year. I was going to say, man, if it's seven and a half, take the over because they're

That is an older team, right? Yeah, they can pound it too. They added a quarterback that's got some game. Dude, he's a beast at running back. Their quarterback last year, they won seven last year, and their quarterback completed 47% of his passes. You know how hard it is to complete 47% of your passes in college football? You should do that.

You should do that against like... You should complete 47% of your deep balls. I'm not talking like screens and stuff. Those are extended handoffs. The average in college football now is like 67%. Back in our day, it was like if you're over 60, that's incredible. Yeah, it's changed a lot, but 47 right now is really bad. Yeah, but they got the... What's his nickname? The Greek rifle from Minnesota. Yeah, I can't pronounce his last name.

That guy right there. Good job with the pronunciation. That's one of those where if you're not sure, just say it with authority and people will believe you got it right. It's easier than you think. Kaliak Manis. It's like Kaliak Manis. I did his first game.

He's got some game. He can throw it. I just think he's a little streaky, but we'll see. Honestly, Penn State, though, if Penn State doesn't get to the playoff, that would be a remarkable failure. I mean, I'm not trying to like... You look at their roster, dude. There's no reason why they shouldn't be a top 12 team. They also have a very favorable schedule.

By Penn State standards, usually it's, hey, Big Ten East, you got to run through a gauntlet. Everybody understands. Nobody has benefited more from the shift in the college football landscape to Penn State. While the Big Ten's gotten deeper, their schedule that they have to play has not. Same can be said for Ole Miss. They were stuck in the SEC West. Now, no more divisions. Things can ease up for them a little bit. So if Penn State doesn't make it, that's a legitimate failure.

Well, I think they can make the playoff, right? But I don't know about getting to a surviving and advancing. You look at last season. I mean, as a 10-win team, they would have been in the college football playoff if it was a 12-team playoff. But moving on in the playoff, I don't know. So my reaction is, when I hear Penn State, it's always the same thing. Give me a big win that they've had in the last four or five years.

You know, I mean, and he damn sure ain't having multiple of those in the same season. And they've had to coming out of that, as you mentioned, out of the East. Well, now we've gone divisionless. And, you know, look, again, they have to prove it to me, man. I mean...

Quarterback plays obviously better. You've got Singleton back and running back, but again, they have to prove that they can go and win a big game, especially on the road, man. Ohio State is at home. Washington is down this year. They've got to go to USC.

So that Ohio State game in early November, I can't remember if it's week one or week two, but I know it's early November. That'll be a wide-out game. November the 2nd. There you go. Thank you, Cole. So that's one where we'll know a lot more about Penn State because week one in the guinea, by the way, at West Virginia. No, it's fair. They should win that game, but.

Be careful. It's probably a little better. Be careful. Yep, thank you. I'm right there with you. See, we went from talking about Penn State and how they should be, right? We're talking about be careful at West Virginia. No, but West Virginia, I think, is a sneaky, sleeper, Big 12 title contender. No one wants to talk about them.

You know, people are still hung up on, you know, Neil Brown, is he a good fit and all this stuff. First of all, they won a bunch of games last year. Secondly, they can win at the line of scrimmage. Thirdly, they have a returning quarterback that got better as the season went along and played half the season with a broken ankle. So, like, I mean, West Virginia is sneaky, sneaky. Don't tell anybody. That's the sleeper.

You know what? I used to laugh at you every now and then, but after your Kansas State pick a few years ago to go to the Big 12 championship game, no more. What about Louisville last year? I had Louisville in the ACC title game last year. Ask Cole about his Big 10 West title pick of Illinois last year. I think it went 3-9.

Cole, this is like vinegar on my palate complimenting GMAC right now. I've been good with the predictions the last couple of years. I've gotten better, for sure. Definitely a lot better. Patch yourself. There you go. Get your own horn. Appreciate you. That's it. Ian, great stuff, man. Really appreciate the time. Always good catching up with you, seeing you in Dallas. We'll do it again soon. St. Elmo's overrated in Indianapolis as a steakhouse, by the way. The shrimp cocktail, phenomenal. Good to hear it is next door.

Shrimp cocktail is really good. It's got good spice, and they pour a good drink. I don't really care about the steak. The steak's average. Give me the cocktail on two levels. There you go. I got you. Thank you. Appreciate it.

All right, so as Ian stated, here's the thing. We're talking about Penn State getting to the playoff, though. Yeah. And there is a piece of what James Franklin has done as the head coach for the Nittany Lions that would lead you to believe that that is not just possible but probable. So I'll tell you why that is on the other side, even with some of the concerns. First, tell our listeners about B-Dry. Well, B-Dry has been serving Alabama for 60 years.

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Catch up with all things McElroy and Kubrick in the morning by subscribing to the podcast. Mythically, he's grown. He's almost like a little bit bigger than a player, right? Like the myth of Bo Jackson. Like, rate, and download the show from the Jock Tap or wherever you get your podcasts. Passion, drive, and patience. The formula for winning championships is also what keeps your ride or die alive. eBay Motors has everything you need to maintain your vehicle and level it up to peak performance. So

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