Stanford Steve, from College Gameday & SportsCenter w/SVP, tells McElroy & Cubelic what teams he's high on for 2024 and who could disappoint this season
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Welcome back. Matt Croy, Cuban Mortgage. I said four, five, eight, 34 here Wednesday or Friday, August 16th. Just a week away from the season getting underway. We have a lot to look forward to. We'll be previewing week zero all next week. So it is on us. Thought I was going to have to go to Dublin. Don't have to anymore. So pretty fired up about just chilling. There was a chance you were about to be on that guy. Not just chance. Oh, it was almost like it was a sign. Oh, man. Oh, yeah.

Don't have to no more. Yes. Chilling. You'll be able to listen to the dulcet pipes of Joe Tess and Jesse Palmer on that one. Now, here we go. But I know another guy is going to be there. He's Stanford Steve. He joins us every week throughout the season. Thanks to our friends at Atlas Senior Living 34.

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Nothing, man. How are you doing? You getting fired up? Pretty fired up, yeah. I mean, my excitement's tempered. Yeah. A week from today, I'll be jacked. But until then, there's still some work to be done. I feel a little unprepared for the season to be here. I weighed 229 this morning. I'm down four pounds. I have about 10 to go. I need to be under 220 before the season starts. I don't know how that's going to happen, but...

According to Dana White, all you got to do is just not eat. It's amazing how these things work. And I guess there's shots that can help you with that, too. So I'm debating those, you know, just dialing it up, whatever. Yeah, you're talking to the wrong guy if you're looking for clues on that stuff, Greg, just to be honest. So, you know, I got nothing for you there. Just trying to create an edge. That's all it is. Just trying to create an edge. I was going through some trends.

You always help us out with some handicapping. There's some stuff that's just fascinating to me. Like, for instance, the best coach against the spread since 2019 is Chris Kleiman. He's 40-21-2 against the spread since 2019. It's not surprising, though.

However, as the world now has changed beneath our feet, I think Kansas State was one of those teams that had a real advantage in the trenches against some of the teams they faced. That's not going to exist anymore. What you get with Utah, what you're going to get with Arizona, what you've had with Oklahoma State for the last, I don't know, 10 games, is teams morphing more in that direction. So when you look at the Big 12 and you try to size it up, is there a direction you think the league goes?

Wow, that's a great way to put it. You know, on our game day call the other day, I was just saying, I believe the Big 12 is going to be the fans' favorite league because you're going to have way closer point spreads. When you look at the SEC, I think you could tier teams. You know, obviously, Georgia's up there, but like we have everybody, the teams that were ranked and

And then, you know, the teams that aren't ranked in the Big Ten, I think it's even more so. I think you have your big name brands. Just look at the poll. I think they nailed it. Like, those tier-ranked teams in the Big Ten, I think there's a big drop-off to the next group of teams. But in the Big 12...

You mentioned new teams coming in. It just seems so volatile. Like, you know, you have teams that have pride themselves on offense. You mentioned Kansas State, right? You know, what they've done with climbing coming from North Dakota State and what they've built themselves on. But then, like, I look at a team like Utah, and I'm reading about Utah, and Utah has been as fundamentally sound, you know, really want to pride themselves on the lines of scrimmage. See what they did in the portal, and then you see what you get Cam Rising back.

they love what they have on the perimeter. Is Utah going to sling it all over the field now? Like, that's the sense I get, that they're going to throw the ball a lot more than they ever have. They don't really have a true running back, which they always had. You know, Coach Witt said that's going to be by committee. So that's like a fascinating thing to me. So the Big 12, to me, looks really, really wide open, you know,

With the new teams, I just feel like, you know, I saw West Virginia is going to play Arizona. That's a conference game. That's nuts to me. Like, I get everybody hates changing it, but, like, to see that in

and know that that's a conference game is going to be pretty eye-opening. So I find it, you know, the biggest, you mentioned, you know, having a little anxiety right now before. I'm just trying to put all these names I'm reading about to jersey numbers. And that's, I mean, I know you call them games, but the way guys love changing numbers

The idea of wearing zero now, I'm not a fan of. But just that, like trying to throw the video game on and just seeing it too, I've tried to do just to be familiar so it won't be a shock that first time we see it.

Yeah, and to add insult to injury, I mean, first of all, what could go wrong when West Virginia goes to Tucson? I mean, it's just culturally both programs so aligned. It's going to be lovely. Stanford, by the way, on a brutal 4-15 against the spread skid at home, which is surprising given just how difficult a home field environment you guys have there on the farm. Looking at some other stuff here.

And look, there's a few win totals that I've found myself gravitating towards. I haven't necessarily made any plays yet, but a few that I'm really keeping my eye on. We'll start with Michigan. Open at nine and a half, down to eight and a half. Kind of hovered at nine there for some. I don't know how on earth you can play the over, but some people continue to, and I just don't know why. So how are you assessing Michigan heading into this year?

Michigan, I feel like, is a big wild card. You know, when you look at what they've – everybody talks about what they lost, right? But what do they – I haven't heard anything about the guys that they've brought in. They obviously had a recruiting class where guys are going to come in.

And I'm sure we can get to that. But the impact freshman, I think, is a whole other conversation for teams that we see in that first-day people. But Michigan, the question is quarterback. You know, J.J. wasn't going to wow you with stats in, you know, five touchdown games and 300-yard games. And now you bring in a competition where it sounds like three guys are still in the mix. And you see Alex Orji as the biggest name.

with being on Bruce's, you know, freaks list. But they're going to have to throw the football. Like, as much as, you know, we talk about, say, a Steve Sarkeesian, you know, we have another year of tape on them, right? People are going to have tape on Michigan. And when I look at them, they're going to need to be better on offense.

And, you know, they lost their best two wide receivers, still got to start a tight end. But that's not going to fear teams when he's your number one option. So Michigan, I look at the other. I do think Texas has their absolute hands full going to Michigan there week two. Just the contrast of styles. You talk to people at Texas about how they love Michigan.

what they brought in on the defensive side, knowing they don't have to bring extra guys to bring pressure to the passer, but they relied on those two guys in the middle so much and they helped them. And I just think about them being on the road last year, like the ability to go on the road and know you're going to stop the run that

That's a huge factor for teams. And I don't know if Texas is going to be able to do that. Michigan came back position. So I look at Michigan. That's a huge win total. That's a monster game. If they were able to win that, you've got to really think they might go over. But I don't see it. I think Texas is going to struggle in that game but pull it out. So I'm with you on Michigan in the under. I do not have them making the playoff this year. Yeah, I don't either. I just don't feel real confident. I think they might –

It wouldn't surprise me if they lost four games. I mean, I think it's possible. I think it's unlikely, but it's possible. Is there a win total that you just can't avoid right now? Like, to me, it's Rutgers. And I know that's just sicko mode. I don't care. No. Like, Rutgers is the biggest beneficiary to the abandoning of divisions in the Big Ten. Mm-hmm. And...

I look at it right now. They are favored in six games and a handful of those games in which their dogs are at home, like Washington at home. They're, they're a slight dog in that game at Maryland, slight dog at Nebraska, slight dog. Like I know that they're not going to run away from anybody because of the way they play. Yeah. But if they're sitting there at six wins, uh,

How can you possibly... The total is sitting there at six. How can you possibly not feel great about the over? Against the quarterback position. Again, a new face in a new place. Kallik Maness has shown flashes. But I go back to Rutgers. Seattle's always going to play to his strengths. I watched that Ohio State game last year. They...

They bled the clock. They wanted to stay in the game. You know, they were fighting, you know, for their lives. They had a great, like, 10-play drive going, and they throw a pick six right before the half, which is a complete dagger, where you lost all momentum. You had your stadium packed. So their margin for error is not large, and it's not big at all. But when you look at what you factor in, what they don't have to play –

I think they do a good job of, you know, I think of teams like they go to USC. And, like, say USC goes to Michigan too. USC has always done a good job of dictating tempo and how the game is going to be played. It didn't work out because the defense was so bad. But, like, who dictates in Rutgers-USC?

You know, Lincoln does a great job with getting the ball to his guys, but Rutgers, for some reason, always makes you, you know, slow it down. And then you think about the pace of play this year, and every coach I talk to is worried about their depth. Their depth up front on the defensive line always seems to come up. Are teams going to adjust their play style because...

because of plays and number of plays in a game, knowing that the season is going to be a lot longer for the good teams. That's something I got to see these first couple of weeks. You know, you look at trends over and under. Everybody has an association with their team.

and whether they're an over and an under team, right? Yeah. And I think that's going to change this year because I honestly believe coaches have thought long and hard about assessing what they have on their roster, knowing what other teams have, and everybody kind of being on the same page is not knowing what you have from a depth perspective. So that's a little – week zero is very, very interesting to watch what those trends come out to. When you think about – and we visit with Stanford Steve, we'll put a bow on it this way –

Is there anything here in the preseason that you just ran to the window for that you were like, all right, whoa, whoa, I love that. Hadn't thought of that. Let's go. Is there anything? Before the injuries, I was on Texas under. I just, the idea of going week to week in the SEC is something, you know, I think I saw

Somebody ran a thing about the biggest stadiums Texas and Oklahoma played in the Big 12. It's not even close to what they're running into in the SEC. I think the biggest stadium in the Big 12, not Texas, Oklahoma, or Red River, obviously, because they play there. I think it was either Manhattan, Kansas, or Iowa State.

And like, you just think like Oklahoma coming off the Tennessee game and going to Auburn, like that place is going to be juiced to the gills for them to come in knowing they got some fresh meat coming in there. Now, Oklahoma has a defense that they're going to rely on. And that's what you want when you go into those places. But you saw Oklahoma not be able to do it, you know, last year. Hadn't got the Texas win. A couple weeks later, went to Kansas and just couldn't do it. Didn't

Didn't have anything to rely on. The lack of identity on the offense, I think, caught up to him. But Texas is a team where I just feel like you're going to get – you're walking in everybody's team. You're going to get everybody's best shot. And 10-and-a-half, 10-and-2, you still probably can make the playoff if you do win double-digit games. I just feel like it's tougher than –

tougher than said deal with Texas. So I just think it's asking a lot coming into that conference and winning 11 games to go over. I like under on Texas. Love it. Very good stuff, Steve. Awesome. Always enjoy visiting with you, buddy. Look forward to having you back again this fall and hope you have a great start to the college football season next week in Dublin. I think we're on a show today together, by the way. Are you doing that live or is that in the can?

Uh, no, I'm, I'm, I'm prepping right after I get off the, off with you, buddy. You have three questions. What is there for prep? It's literally, it's like, I got to know what the three questions are. All right. Do you want me to give them to you right now? All right. And I got to know if I'm going to be, you're going to take all the good stuff. So I got to have something good if I follow you. Oh yeah. You're dead. Like all the good stuff's already been spoken for.

Here's three questions. You go first and it's two minutes. It's nice to know that you're getting paid for this work today. Steve, what stands out to you most about the first preseason poll? That's the question you have? Are you kidding me? That's what you wanted to answer? You don't have that question? Oh, I do, but I have 37 other questions that I have to answer too. Unreal. That's why your pay scale is a lot higher than mine. Yeah, whatever. I'm not on game day.

Is it bad that I'd rather be in College Station week one than going to Dublin? Is it bad? Well, you're going to College Station week one. I know, but I'm more fired up for that. Yeah, but this is week zero. People are mad at me. Well, I mean, it's a long way to go before the season. We might have had that game assigned to us before somehow finding some mysterious exit.

Oh, okay. We were almost there with you, but I get what you're saying. It's all fun. It's super fun to do that game and whatnot. It's going to be awesome to watch, but it's a long way to go. Yeah, it is. I'm sure you won't be jet lagged, nor will you be hungover at all. No way. No way. You're a pro. You're a real pro. I don't have to get up early for the show. That's what's great. Well, that's what you think.

You guys, I've heard Coach Saban's going to want to have an extra production meeting at 6A local. So get ready. Make sure you bring your notes. Will do. All right. Stanford Steve. Talk to you in a bit, buddy. Look forward to it. You got it. Thanks, bud. All right. Stanford Steve joining us here on McElroy QB look in the morning. Come back.

I'll tell you one or two more trends before we get to Kirk Bowles. Gives us an update what's going on at Texas camp here in 10 minutes. It's next on McElroy and Kubrick in the morning on Jock 74.5. 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 app or wherever you get your podcasts. It's time for Bob's Dare to Compare. You get stylish.

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