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Welcome to The Podcast to be Named Later, where we explore the world a conversation at a time.  Sit back and enjoy.  Here are your hosts, Chris and Kelly.

Kelly: 
Hey everyone, welcome to another episode of the podcast to be named later. I'm Kelly with my co-host, Chris. How you doing this week, Chris? 
Chris: 
I'm doing really well, Sir, how about? 
Kelly: 
Yourself not too bad. Just had Christmas a few days ago. Hope Santa was good to you. 
Chris: 
Yeah, Santa was great man. We we had a really nice Christmas. 
Kelly: 
Dude yeah, so did we had a few. One part of the family over had a nice dinner. Went a little non traditional and had a some Mexican food burritos and tacos and a bunch of other stuff but it was really good. And got a couple of nice gifts from you and Angie. So thanks for that. The nice treats. And made decks of cards for everybody in the family with, uh, pictures of everybody. So that was a very thoughtful gift. Really appreciate it. 
Chris: 
Yeah, Angie deserves the props for that man. So we we together decided we wanted to. Do, you know, it's really nice man, that the sisters were all able to make it out to. To Jeff's place in Tennessee and. And I know the the brothers and myself tend to get together for our fantasy football annually. But you know none of the sisters are in the league, and so while they have made it to Vegas on occasion, you know various people have showed up. Yeah, it was just it was cool man to see to see all you guys together and you know got a couple of nice pictures out of it. And Angie and I talked about, you know, trying to do something nice with the pictures. And after a little bit of conversation, she shot me a text and she's, you know, she knows we all like to play games and cards or or kind of. Something that's part of our lives and she said, hey, what about deck cards? I can get the picture on there and I said oh that's perfect, yeah they'll they'll they'll like that so yeah man, I seem like I got a couple text messages. Seemed like everyone liked it, but I definitely got to give the props to to Annes for that man. That was she came up with that and. I saw them before they went out. It looks like they turned out. Pretty nice so. Yeah, I hope everyone likes. 
Kelly: 
Them well before we get into all the good stuff on the podcast. Let's let's talk a little bit about the bad news part of things. You know, there's always the Ying and Yang. A little bit of bad news. Good news. Looks like I've really dug myself a hole for. Our dinner, uh, where we standing on? 
Chris: 
Yeah man, yeah, I mean, I think it's all good news Gilly. I don't. I don't know where the bad is in here. So with two weeks to go, you're 13 games back. 
Kelly: 
I got 32 games to make it. 
Chris: 
Up, yeah so yeah, if opportunity presents itself for me to go to the moon sometime in the next two weeks then. Unless they got Wi-Fi up there you'll you'll probably be able to to make up some ground there. Other than that, I think you're in in Heartsville buddy. 
Kelly: 
I don't know man, the way things are going pretty. Elon Musk. Maybe he's going to do that mission to Mars sooner than we all think, and maybe he's looking for a. 
Chris: 
Pilot, yeah, so I like my chances from here up 13 with two weeks to go I I think I'm going to be able to to hold on to this lead. 
Kelly: 
Probably Speaking of holding on to lead to the tough one for you buddy, you did not hold on to the leading. Fantasy football in our family competition. The number one and #2 teams both lost this past weekend in the first round of the playoffs. Tough one for. 
Chris: 
You Chris, yeah, I mean it is what it is, man, I've I've been pretty fortunate in in our fantasy league and I'm actually I'm happy. So last year. Scott really got Jobbed and had a had the best team in the league and we really, really dominant roster and and then he got hit with the. You know anyone who plays fantasy football knows this time of year is. I mean, there's no other way to do it. I mean you have to have your playoffs at the end of the year. You you can't have your. Your championship week two, right? So, but you know, we correspond with the NFL. And So what happens is this time of year, I mean one of these guys have been getting pounded on all year, so injuries there's there's not a player in the league who's not a little a little banged up. And So what we what what you end up with is these weird scenarios where. Teams have kind of put themselves in the position that they're in. You know, you know, they they got the one seed locked up or they got the vision locked up, but there's nowhere for them to go. So some of the key players who might be a little banged up. Start, you know, start resting and you know the information is vague. A lot of times you know the coaches don't. Don't always give you all the Intel. Well, last year Scott had a team that I mean you know the. On the site they put a little a guy who's injured in red right? They give him a little red letter next to his name. A cue or a D or an O or whatever and and Scott's whole roster. Man was all red and I was actually fortunate enough to play Scott in the first round last year and I want to say eight or nine of his players were hurt. And you know, he. It was unfortunate for him, I was able to beat him and move on to the championship game. And this year I think, you know, it's a little regression to the mean and and you know, Scott Scott was able to be on the fortunate side of things and and have a healthy roster and knocked off Uncle Jeff and moved on to the championship game. So I am happy for him and I'm happy for Mike. You know we'll see how they go. Those guys do. And unfortunately, I gotta play. Who's been the best team in the league all year just just to try and finish with the Bron. 
Kelly: 
Hey and I am in the championship for the best of the worst so I made a good little run from last place. 
Chris: 
Yeah dude, you. You've I've been impressed. Actually you were dead in the water, say like Week 8 or 9 ish and then you just started scratching and clawing. And and kind of like the Packers man, you're just, you know you look like you had no chance and then next thing you know it's like well man, he does have a chance. And yeah, I'm I'm, I'm happy for you dude. You are playing my old man so you know I'm kind of torn. 
Kelly: 
Yeah, well, hopefully he sets his roster. 
Chris: 
I did. I did give him a little pointer, so I say keep an eye, you know, Mccaffrey's one of his guys. Keep eye on him, you know. I think he's supposed to play, but just keep your eyes filled. Have a backup plan in place. 
Kelly: 
You know, Speaking of our fantasy football site in the way that Yahoo shows different statuses. I guess the graphic artists and everybody else there needs to come up with a new status for players. We get a new status for Derek Carr in or in Las Vegas sent home. What is that? 
Chris: 
Yeah, that one, I think, shocked everybody. I think it came out of nowhere. 
Kelly: 
Like I understand, being benched, yeah, but sent home and said stay away. 
Chris: 
Yeah, I mean you know if he had gotten in some legal trouble or something. You know, if he'd had done something to embarrass the team, you know outside of football, maybe you know. You see that that. In the case from time to time, but that just to I, I understand the the the logic, you know that they says like, oh, we don't want them to be a distraction for the team. And it's like man, it feels like that's unavoidable. This is a distraction for the team. You guys, I may be having a. A you know, a guy who's familiar with the roster. I mean with with the playbook and and, you know at least have him be the the backup in case something happens to sit him in. The game, you know. Yeah, bizarre bizarre story Kelly. I I don't think anyone saw. 
Kelly: 
It coming, the Raiders. I don't know man. They no matter who who runs that team they just always seem to March to a different drummer. 
Chris: 
Yeah, basically since Al died it's it's kind of been a mess for that franchise and you see that quite a bit. You know, I'm I'm not necessarily, you know, blaming ownership, but it sure seems like it coincided, you know? 
Kelly: 
There's some teams that just I don't know, man, they always. If it weren't for bad luck, they'd have none and you at some point you wonder, are they making it themselves with the choices they? Like do you think? Do you think Josh McDaniel survives to next season? 
Chris: 
Yes, I think he'll get a second tour. You know the way they structured cars deal, they they almost. In a way, they kind of plan for this, you know I. I think if if car had lit the world on fire you know he he would have. You know they've been able to come back and lead the team again next year, but they gave themselves an easy out. I want to say he counts like 5.6 million against the CAP. They're going to cut him and I I don't. I'm I'm not as dialed into all the the contracts and the intricacies of of everything you know possible, it's possible. He could be traded, maybe someone else likes his contract. You know, I don't know, but I do know that they have an easy out to cut him. I think it's. Like the day before or the day after the Super Bowl. Something like that, and if they do that which I all, I don't see any way they don't, then it's it's a small cap hit and Carl will be free and there'll be opportunities. Out there, man, there's teams that could use the quarterback. And who knows, maybe he'll be the next in line for that indie job that never seems to work out for anyone. 
Kelly: 
Well, yeah, and speaking about jobs that didn't work out or guys that didn't make it to next year. Uh, what a sad set of affairs in Denver. 
Chris: 
Well, they're the you know. Jacksonville Jaguars of last year, this year, you know every year there's a team that. Just whatever the wheels fall off, you know and and it's just a a mess from go last year. Jacksonville might have been one of the worst of all times. You know that might have been one of the worst seasons in the history of football that I can remember. As far as all the all the problems that they had and how bad of a football team that they were and top to bottom, I'm happy for Lawrence. He's really come into his own. He looks like the quarterback. That everyone you know was pretty certain he was going to be in the NFL. And now with a little better leadership and two tutelage, he looks he looks legitimate. But someone had to fill that void left by the train. Back and Denver stepped right up and and filled it this year and and that I don't know how else you could describe him, man, just a train wreck from go. I think this season can't end soon enough for that franchise. I don't. 
Kelly: 
Think the challenge is this is the effects of that are of this train wreck are going to be long lasting because they gave up two first runs. Two second realms and I think one other draft pick, plus uh, significant amount of their salary for the next four more years for Russell Wilson. 
Chris: 
Yeah, so I don't know how do you recover from that. They're going to be in purgatory for, you know. Like you said, four or five it could be longer. It could be 7 years, you know, to to undo this colossal mistake. Wilson's not going to get better man I I don't think so. I don't know what you can. 
Kelly: 
Do man what do you think it is? What happened to him? I mean, he is, his play has just fallen off a Cliff. 
Chris: 
Well, it's been like that for a little bit I I think a good friend of mine and I we talked football and and I you know he he has good takes and you know. Early in the season when we kind of saw this happening, say, you know, we week three-week, four week, five. You know we had a long discussion about Wilson and. You know what we kind of came up with is, you know, Wilson was never. A great pocket passer. He did all of his damage outside of the pocket and when he mixed in his run game with the passing game and and you know they were a power football, a a power running football team by nature anyway, so he's never had to be. So I think all the way back to his days at Wisconsin. You know, Wisconsin Wilson was great and everything, but you know that that's not that wasn't their identity. You know the pocket passing was is not Wisconsin. The Badgers MO right? And so if you mix in some good quarterback play off of that you can be really successful. And now. Basically his his running has stopped entirely and you know he's a AC minus pocket passer. 
Kelly: 
Gee, seems to me I recall someone on this podcast making this point as well. Who could have that been? 
Chris: 
Chris, I don't know do we have a a guest speaker? I don't recall. 
Kelly: 
It must have been because I said as Wilson got older. One of the things you would see with quarterbacks like him and you, it's a challenge you faced with any quarterback where a big part of their success is based off of being abusive. Pocket passing accuracy does not improve. It is very rarely does that improve, but when you take away that running threat and teams can target more on your passing because you're not good at it. And to be clear, goods relative this you see what happens, and I think that what we're seeing with Wilson is an example of that. In every game. Where his athletic ability again, I'm sure you could outrun me even today, but his running abilities, that's not a running threat anymore. 
Chris: 
Exactly, and he hasn't been for a long time. He you know a lot of it was injuries. You know he was banged up and but you know, it's been four years since Wilson was was using his legs and you know he's been bad, all all four. 
Kelly: 
So, OK, you know there's there's some challenges in the NFL. We just talked about a couple of them, Raiders, Broncos, but there's some excitement here. We got some really good teams. You know, young quarterbacks up and coming quarterbacks. You're going to see a one of those games that I know you're looking forward to has them high. This week 
Chris: 
Oh, the bills and Bengals is just gigantic. Kelly and I. I can't remember being this excited for a regular season football game. It's been a long, long time since I have been this excited for a regular season football game, so you know the bills played at Kansas City earlier in the year and I was really excited. For that I mean both of these. They're they're the two Super Bowl favorites and. You know that was exciting, but there was still, you know, 2/3 of the of the year to go, and so whoever won or lost that game, it wasn't going to have any finality to it, right? You know you a lot of lot of games still to be played out after that. This one is truly going to have a lasting effect. On the AFC playoff. Richer and these are two everyone you know. Bills have been the favorite all year. They've never stopped being the favor. They've had some some bumps in the road here and there, but at no point did people rule them out as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. And then the Bengals. And, you know, dude, I was thinking about this, Kelly. You remember earlier in the year we were talking about the Bengals and their offensive line. Clothes and all the money they spend it just didn't work and we had talked about the offensive line being kind of a unique position in sports where it just takes time, it doesn't. Matter as much about the talent on the line as it is the familiarity of the players. They have to be a unit and that takes time and and you know they don't practice anymore. They don't hit each other and practice anymore that everything is shortened and so that offensive line hadn't had an opportunity to really gel together, and they can only do it on the field, you know. And and there's just not enough practices. Leading up to the season and and even, you know, during the season to to get all that you have to do it in the game. And as more games were played, you could see that offensive line coming together a little more, a little more, and then in at the same time that that was happening. While the offensive line was improving. And kind of gelling together the Bengals kind of smartly. Kind of altered some of their play calling and in their style they move to a lot more quick short passes and they they still take some shots. I mean don't get me wrong, I mean they'll throw down the field from time to time, absolutely. But the the majority of their offense was, you know, three-step drops. Quick release. They're not even really three-step drops anymore. I mean they they come out of the shotgun or or that pistol, but they they got the ball out of girl's hands quick and now? I don't think there's a hotter team in football than the Bengals man. I mean, they they've I think it's six in a row. They've won, they're on fire, and they can run the ball. They got P Ryan and Mixon. They they could always throw the ball. All their receivers are healthy. You know I don't know man. I mean these are two behemoths. You know that are going to play each other and playoff implement implications are, I mean, just huge man? I mean, you talk about the Bengals win. The bills then. Will become the three seed and will likely have to go play in Cincinnati. In the divisional round, and then if they can do that, then they have to go and play at Arrowhead again against the Chiefs in the AFC championship game and that is likely there. In addition to having to play week one, you know against somebody against the Jaguars or The Jets or or or somebody. Right, so that's their path play somebody which they should. They should win in Buffalo, but then go to Cincinnati and beat a really really good football team that just beat you a couple of weeks ago. And then if you get past that hurdle now go to Kansas City and play a really good football team on. The road again or. The Bills win the game. The Bills are the one seed. And the bills get the first week off, then they, uh? Get to host a home game against the weakest of the remaining AFC teams and Cincinnati will have to go to Kansas City and play the Chiefs in Kansas City and the winner of that game has to go to Buffalo, which nobody wants to go to Buffalo this year. Man, with all they've been through and the snowpocalypse and everything else so. Yeah, I mean just a huge difference man, Buffalo winning this game and their path to the Super Bowl is significantly easier than if the Bengals win that. Then all of a sudden now the Chiefs are sitting in the catbird seat. 
Kelly: 
I think that you know I can't add a lot to your analysis. I am hoping that the game lives up to the hype. It should. I love it when we do get to this time of year and you know, we're getting meaningful football games still from teams. And really, if I think about the AFC. Really, there's a you know. All three of the teams that you've just been talking about are really playing an exciting football, that being Kansas City, Cincinnati, Ambo, and it's really some excellent teams and you know, all young quarterbacks and a little bit of the changing of the guard. 
Chris: 
Well and and heading into this year I thought that we were in basically the greatest period of quarterback play that I could remember in my lifetime when when we had Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Matt Ryan. All still playing at a high level kind of the old guard and then all the Justin Herberts and Patrick Mahomes and and Josh Allens and all the up and coming quarterbacks you know next level down Trevor Lawrence. Jalen hurts, you know, Kyler Murray on and on and on right? And then. As the seasons played out this year, and some of the old guard doesn't look like they have their whole careers, and some of the young guys have fallen off and it's like, oh man, you know now quarterback position feels a little thin again. So if you have one. Of them which all three of these guys are MVP candidates? I mean, they're probably 1. Add Hertz into the mix and they're probably 1234, right? So for for MVP this year borough Mahomes. Josh Allen and Jalen Hertz. One of those four is gonna win the MVP, and so if you have one now, now you're a a significant advantage over everybody else. You know, not not very many good quarterbacks in the league like I thought there would be coming into the season. 
Kelly: 
No, there's not, and the old guard. I I don't know. I pretty much all of them have. Really not done anything near what we thought. Whether it's injuries, I mean looking Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan. I know I said here in the summer and thought he'd really do well for Indy I thought he had still had something in the tank and he certainly didn't. I can't say that. For what you would expect out of Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers, I don't. I don't know that we're getting that out of either one of those gentlemen. It's going to be interesting to see what happens with a lot of these older quarterbacks. At the end of the year and into next year, has the Fountain of Youth worn out from all, or is this a year one year aberration? 
Chris: 
Yeah, I mean you think man, it's it's. It's hard to. Go find that magic again, you know it, it's pretty rare in sports that you see a significant downturn in in your abilities and play and then all of a sudden you can go find you know lightning in a bottle. Again, you know what I mean? Like look at Tiger Woods, you know as soon as it started to turn down, it just kept going. And you know, I'd say, for most athletes, as soon as you see that first sign or or you know a couple of signs that hey, man, ****, there's some. Line here, and it very rarely bounces back, so I'd say it it doesn't look good for the old guard. 
Kelly: 
That's why I'm a little surprised to hear about all these different teams talking about where Tom Brady might go next year. Look, the guy has clearly had the most magical and and skilled career of a quarterback. Been so long, I mean whatever it is, 78 Super Bowl wins and you know add a few more there that he lost. 
Chris: 
But even for him, the I mean the train does reach the the station at some point. Yeah, I mean I, you know, and I've watched enough bucks football to to say like you know he never had the the strongest arm in the league to begin with. You know a lot of what he's done was was kind of like Drew Brees. You know it was with timing and. You're seeing just work just to grind. You know what I mean? Practicing with his receivers, putting the ball in the spot anticipation. You know Peyton Manning was was a lot that way as well. You know it was just like hey man, if we just practice this I don't. Have to have the arm strength you know other guys can do that. You know, Stafford? I mean, Brett Farve was probably the greatest of all time of, just like jamming it in there. And you know Josh Allen's a little bit like that. You know it's just like you know he's just got a rocket man. Patrick Mahomes is like that too. You know, it's just like they they can throw the ball so far and. It's so hard and Brady's not that kind of guy. For for who Brady is though, man and watching the games I just don't see a real fall off from him. Like you know, his arm talent is the same as this kind of always been, you know, breeze, really. Off Manning really fell off, you know, at the at the last couple of years of their career you could see from how they were throwing the football. They do not throw the football like they used to and from Brady I would say I don't. I don't see that same fall off man, I mean the the the throws that he could always make. He still makes those same throws. So I don't know. I mean, you know, maybe maybe he stays where he's at. You know, I I don't know what what can be fixed though. I mean they have the same team that they you know. Yeah, I don't know, so I don't know. 
Kelly: 
Couple of last things on the NFL going to give. A shout out. Guy who retired a badger. What a career. JJ Watt. 
Chris: 
Yeah, he just got a I guess decided that's it and you know, with two games to go decided I'm done. I mean, you would just want to talk about like if you know if you're going to draw up a a way to be a professional athlete. I I don't know that you could draw it out much better. I mean a dude who who gave back to his communities everywhere he went gave back to his alma mater Mater. You know, just just all the way through and through class guy. You know it's funny as as much as the Arizona Cardinals are a mess. Larry Fitzgerald, Kurt Warner JJ Watt all finished their careers with them and you know those guys are probably, you know, in the in the top ten all time of quality humans, you know. 
Kelly: 
Yeah, I just I'm a big fan of the JJ Watt story. Turn off the field you know. I mean a badger, but he didn't start out at Wisconsin. He was actually at a different school, gave up a scholarship when that team fired its coach was actually out of college delivering pizzas. Went and walked on at Wisconsin. You know, no scholarship walked on. Earned a scholarship and then became, you know, had a probably the most dynamic, intense period of defensive player in the NFL I've ever known about. But off the field and it's you know, we all know about the big things in Houston and other places, but. I I just. He runs a foundation where he's given sports equipment to schools all the time. You know stuff. That what if in this family just seems like a down to Earth family? You know, they're they're from Wisconsin, mom and dad must be quite the Christmas or growing up with three brothers in the NFL. This seems like a good story. 
Chris: 
You know, yeah? I mean I got nothing this negative I I think you'd be hard for us to find anyone who has. Negative things to say about the Watt family and and JJ especially. And and like I said, man, if you're going to draw it up, I mean a dude who appreciated what he had had to earn it. You know what I mean? Nothing was given to him and he earned it. And then some, I believe. 21 Defensive Player of the Year 3 * 3 times. So I mean dude from a dude who was a walk on. You know what I mean? Like just awesome story man and I'm happy for him. Great career just yeah. 
Kelly: 
That's that's what that's to me, you know. Hey man, sports is. What it is, uh? We could talk about, you know, all the money. And all that but. Walk on, walk on at most college programs, you're not guaranteed a thing man. Usually you're usually there to be a body to fill up space. You know, and more power to him. He made it happen so. Speaking of college, it's finally time. Yeah, we get to the playoff games tomorrow. We're we're recording this on Friday the 30th. What, uh, what? Are you liking? What do you think? 
Chris: 
Well, I so I kind of dove into those. Actually today you got me messed up. Is that tomorrow? It is tomorrow, holy cow. So for whatever reason I thought they were on Sunday. I I I've, you know, in this between Christmas and New Year's you kind of lose track of time so. But I did, but I did dive in today and and just kind of go over all four of the teams still remaining because it's it seemed to me as the season was winding down, you know, and I'm following the college games. It just. Seemed to me, especially with Ohio State and and to some. To some to do with Michigan as well. Now TCU is who they are right? So they were in tough games in the Big 12 week after week after week. They did it in miraculous fashion Fashion Week after week after week, right? And, you know, I joked with you before we got started that they're the Minnesota Vikings of the NCAA. You know? They just they're they're not having fun. Unless it comes down to a, you know the last 10 seconds of the game and. So TCU is who they are right. Everyone knows all about them. But I remember as as I'm following, you know, the last month of the season that thinking like man there was several times when I felt like Ohio State was in a little bit of trouble. And you know they they were struggling with the team that they probably should shouldn't be struggling with. And so I went back through their schedule and looked. And I and I I tracked the games. I went through the plays and and watched the the scoring and when it took place and and how it took place and yeah man. I mean they were in some legitimate fights with teams that they probably should have rolled and then they get roll. By Michigan, you know at the horseshoe. And it's kind of like man, I wonder if Ohio State is just not that good of a football team. You know, not not. They're a good football team. I'm not saying they're not, but I'm saying as good as we thought they were, you know, national championship caliber and or they just kind of, you know, one of the other really good football teams like you know, Clemson, Alabama. You know Tennessee Oregon. CLA, you know what I mean? There are. I don't know how what level they're at. We'll find out when they play Georgia, we'll we'll know for sure how good they are. And then Michigan kind of was the same thing Kelly, where it was like man felt like they were in some close games. But then one thing when I when I went through the schedules and looked and followed, you know the plays from like let's say the last five weeks of the season. One thing just showed itself repeatedly over and over. Whatever happened in the first half? However close the game was, Michigan came out at half and just boat raced people. Man, it was just touchdown, touchdown, touchdown and they pretty much did that game in and game out. For you know the whole final month of the season. 
Kelly: 
Yeah, somebody better go check the paint and all the locker rooms where Michigan played for whatever went on at halftime. Whatever the speech was that Harbaugh gave, it must have taken some paint off the walls because I didn't do his in depth of analysis as you. But I did read a few articles. And their second-half scoring in multiple games is just amazing. 
Chris: 
Yeah, and it it showed, you know. Like I said I I didn't look at every single game of the season, just like the last, you know, month to month and 1/2. And it was just every single game. It was nobody scoring on them and they're scoring, you know four or five touchdowns in the second-half, you know regularly. I mean, every game, even the Ohio State game, which was actually a pretty close. Game and then. This is named Edwards. I think the running back with the busted hand in that game for Michigan you know he broke off that long like 7074 yard touchdown or whatever it was. And then you know, a defense stepped up and made a play. And and you know they ended up kind of rolling Ohio State in the end. But early on it was close. And that's just around. Oh man, but which is interesting that Michigan and TCU match up? Because that's TCU's jam, too. You know, they like to be down. You know 1317 heading into the, you know, midway through the third quarter and then they like to turn it on. So I something's gotta give man. You know, I I was kind of joking with you before he started recording that, so I'll tell you what man. The bet is Michigan, TCU under first half, but no matter what you do, take the over in the second-half because both of these teams like the score in the second-half. 
Kelly: 
Yeah, I'm going to be really intrigued by that game. I didn't watch TCU as closely as you did throughout the year, but you kind of turned me on to them and I, you know, really like their quarterback. He just seems like I don't know that game where you could barely get off the field after he scored it really just captivated me that the guy is all in for his team. 
Chris: 
Yeah, and he's just the ultimate competitor and and just a great story in himself, man. I mean, you know he could have left that school. He didn't. He stayed there on and on. I mean just a really, really cool story. I mean I, I'm pulling for TCU in this one. I'm I'm torn, you know? Other than Ohio State, you know all all the other three teams. I I I could get behind, but TCU is the one. I just think that they would be the coolest story. Now I I don't know. Well, I do believe TCU can stay with Michigan early on for sure. Their defense is feisty and and they're pretty solid man. Defensively, they fly around to the ball, so speed is not going to be a problem for them. I just wonder when when those hogs are wearing on you. You know quarter after quarter after quarter. And I think that's why Michigan has pulled away from teams late is, you know, you just keep pounding them, pounding them, pounding them, and eventually that that defensive front just gets tired constantly being on their heels, constantly getting hit by a truck over and over. And so we'll see if they have the stamina. To stay with Michigan for for all four quarters, that's that's going to be interesting. 
Kelly: 
Part of what I Like for all these games is, I guess you know the the story and I guess the arc of the story and where it goes. And I think there's a lot of interesting things. Georgia, right? Can they have perfection? I mean, they've clearly been the class ahead of the class, so I would like to see that. Can they close the deal and finish what they started? Jim Harbaugh, I think he's a. He seems like a decent guy. Uh, I like his story. You know, going back to his alma mater, I think that's really hard for anybody. We've seen it, you know, some guys really flounder there going back there. And yeah, he's paid well and all that, but it's just a good story. TCU again another exciting story. I don't maybe I'm biased, uh, I don't know what the Ohio State story is. I'm not an Ohio State fan I I'm I'm indifferent to them I guess. I don't know who I would put instead, but I don't think I actually don't think they should be in the playoff. They just had just lost to Michigan and something's wrong. But I know it's not the first time, and it's not the last time it's happened, but I just don't feel that. They should be there. 
Chris: 
Yeah, I mean they got in, you know they they got their spot and and they'll get a chance to play and I'm sure they'll be excited with their second chance and everything. But I do believe. You know if Harbaugh can go win a national championship, that if you remember did that. There was a lot of talk about canning him. 
Kelly: 
Well, it's just read a long article about this. I'm a big fan of the writers for a sports outfit called the Athletic. They went and hired a lot of the sports writers from all around the country. And they just had a really nice long article about Harbaugh and how he's adapted a little bit and loosened up a little bit. And things like that. And it was only a couple of years ago. There was a serious talk of, you know, giving him the boot. 
Chris: 
Yeah, and you know it just goes to show you and you look at it. Kelly the. The the There's so much value you know. In today's age, everything is is, you know, instant gratification. You know instant satisfaction like results now or or get out and you know you look at the Pittsburgh Steelers. I mean, they hire a new head coach about every 30 years. You know the the teams that stick with. Their guys and you know, keep a regime in place. Now you're gonna lose coordinators from time to time. And obviously the players are gonna come and go. But as much stability as you can provide. It is, it's just better you know you, you just just weather the storms and and and and and if you just ride it out normally that provides the most long term sustained, sustained success and Michigan's a kind of a testament to that. And you know, when he took that job, I always thought Jim Harbaugh was an excellent coach. Phenomenal coach in my mind. Now personality wise you know he's a little rough around the edges and. You know a little, a little feisty with the media and and things like that and and kind of a throwback mentality, him and his brother both, you know, believe in that the 1970s version of football a little more than than today's age. But as far as coaching players to to be the best they could be, I always thought he was really good at it. And when he took that Michigan job I, I believe like, OK, this is. This is exactly what they needed. They will win the national championship under him, and this is for sure their best chance that they've had since he's been there. I mean, they they have a legitimate shot, man. Of you know they're favored over TCU. They'll be a dog to Georgia. If Georgia beats Ohio State, which I think they will. But they absolutely can beat them, and we'll see. We'll see if he can finish it off and. And you know, we'll see what happens in the offseason whether he stays or goes but. I think he I think he'll stay I I don't know why you would. You know you can go down potentially as as one of the greats. You know all time you stay at Michigan and and continue to be in these types of games and and continue to beat Ohio State. And I I don't know why you wouldn't. 
Kelly: 
Man, yeah, I mean I don't know what motivates the guy, but it seems like a good gig. If you know one of the things you said about weather and the storms. Think about this a lot. Every year as we get to this time of year and coaches lose their jobs. I think one of the challenges with any sports is I mean. So let's just say that everything was evenly distributed and we'll just take the NFL, right? So there's 16 teams in each conference. Right, so if if you let's say that if you gave each team a shot, however, it worked out that they rose up and won a Super Bowl, I mean or even got to it, you would still take and and it was all equal. You know it would be once every 16 years. No coach is ever going to get that long to even get there, so I think one of the challenges here is. Knowing, and I don't know the right answer is. What is a realistic expectation? And well, how do you know when to end it? I think often the teams pull, you know, fire coach is too early. I don't know. It's the deck is obviously stacked against success for any coach. Because again of that, just that simple numbers game. You know what I mean? 
Chris: 
Yeah 100%, I know you mean and then the sustained success is challenging too. So you let's say you do go win a Super Bowl. Well, now your cornerback want wants, you know, cornerback #1 numbers and your offensive line all wants to get paid and you know everyone wants your defensive coordinator because you know he just that defense clearly just won the Super Bowl. And so you know. So he's going to be a head coach somewhere, and you know. So when you are successful, it's challenging to sustain it. You know, because you're gonna get kind of picked apart. And in addition to next year, you're getting everyone's best game and everyone's you know, plotting against you, everyone's making offseason acquisitions to beat the Chiefs. You know what I mean and it's like, well, you're you're a victim of your own success. And yeah, I 100% believe. I would I would love to own a professional football team someday that would be amazing. I don't know that it's in the cards for me financially, but if I did. Now if I had Nathaniel Hackett, I I would I would fire Nathaniel Hackett. If you display just failures on multiple levels at at your job, then I'm going to. I'm going to go a different direction, but if the team is playing for you, if they're competitive. If we're making improvements, you know we're not winning all the games we want to win. We're not having the postseason success that we want on and on. I'm going to stick with the guy. You know, until it's obvious that hey man, this just isn't the dude and and guys just don't do that man. Their idea of obviously not the guy is like you did. We didn't win a Super Bowl in three years. Like you're not the guy and it's like, dude, you know how hard it is to win a Super Bowl man like. You just I just, I just think the way that the the Packers, the Steelers, the Patriots. You know their their model for long term franchise success is is the way I would go if I owned a team. Just put a good guy in charge. You know. Like I said, weather the storms you can have some good seasons and some bad seasons. You're not going to not going to win them all, but let's just keep as much stability in the organization as we can. So we'll take out some of the variables. And then you know we'll have some moving players obviously, and and some coaches will switch out here and there, but let's keep as much the same as we can and just build off it. Let's just improve on what we did last year, and if you do that year after year, I think you're in a better position. 
Kelly: 
You know, and I know we've talked about this a few times before but and sure I'd like as a fan to have a few more Super Bowls and things like that, but. Ultimately, what I really want is I want my team to be entertaining and competitive, and I've been spoiled as a Packer fan. I mean, you know really now for 30 years. I mean I laugh about it, but I the 70s and 80s are still there that I also remember. And I, you know, to go into a season and know that you have absolutely 0 hope. That is, that is just as a fan. I mean all things relative for the part of your life that you invest in sports. It's just not enjoyable. 
Chris: 
Yeah, as Packer fans we have been spoiled. I mean back-to-back all time. Great quarterbacks helped quite a bit. 
Kelly: 
So so I heard you say you thought Georgia was going to win one of the games. What's your call on the other one? 
Chris: 
I mean, if I you know if I'm thinking with my head, I mean Michigan's the the better football team of the two. But I I just wonder if TCU just might be one of those magical teams you know. You see it from time to time you see a team. You know the 1980. Let's say a hockey team. You know what I mean the. Sports offers us, you know, the the Rams, the greatest show on turf when you know they came on the scene. Well then the Patriots who beat them. You know the following year and and every once in a while you see a team just kind of go on a magical run and I just you know if there's a team that's on a magical run, it's TCU. I mean, you know Michigan's good was going to be good. Everyone knew they were good Georgia's defending national champion. Ohio State is Ohio State. Like these teams are. They're it's not a surprise that they're there. DC's the surprise, you know, I think they were picked 7th in the Big 12. And now they're in a semifinal game to to win a national championship. And so my heart is with TCU. I'm pulling for TCU. I make no bones about it I'm I'm not hiding it in any way but you know to play the game 10 times Michigan wins. Seven of them probably. So we'll we'll see. But yeah, I I think. I think George is superior to Ohio State, Michigan and TCU. I don't know, you know, they're just playing different conferences. They play different styles I I don't know it's going to boil down to Ken, TCU physically. Hold up for four quarters. I think offensively they both can can score against the other team. I think. I think TCU has shown you know they can score on anybody. They can score fast. They have a pretty dynamic offense and Michigan, I would say is the same, but I do believe Michigan's defense will hold up for all four quarters against TCU. Those those kind of you know, toe the line the whole way. I think it's possible TCU may get worn down. But we're first. 
Kelly: 
Yeah, so I I I know I the way I look at it. I don't think the Ohio State Georgia game is going to be close. I mean, well, I expect Georgia. I don't know what the odds are right now or the line, but I expect Georgia to win by at least 10 points. 
Chris: 
Georgia's minus 6. 
Kelly: 
I I just think that they are. Significantly better than Ohio State, and I think I think they're on a mission just to prove man like, and I think. TCU in Michigan. Think that games are going to come down to, uh, plays in the last quarter. I think Michigan will probably pull it out, but I I think it's going to be closer. Maybe it's my heart a little bit too, just because I always root for the underdog a little bit and I just like that quarterback for TCU like his story. 
Chris: 
Yeah, me too Kelly so. 
Kelly: 
It really it just really caught me when I in that game. Like I said earlier man, when he was like a warrior man just. Titan to the last. 
Chris: 
Yeah, and they ended up losing that game, but the heart that he showed. In it was. 
Kelly: 
That's what I'm saying man, yeah. 
Chris: 
And and obviously. Teams you know they they know who they are and and I'm sure they're very grateful to be there and and they're, you know there's a lot of value in being the dog. You know, they're they're considered the weakest of the four teams, even though you know they were ranked three and and Ohio State was four. Most people consider TCU like, oh, how cute. And I don't think TCU sees themselves that way. And so you know, you know there's there's a lot of motivation that comes from, uh, you know, I've I've played sports and and you know, when, when? When it's you against the world, you know that rallies A-Team together man, and and I think it's easy to kind of pitch that story like no one believes in you. No one thinks we can do it. You know, even though we've proved it, you know, game in and game out all year. They still don't believe in us and I I think that gives them a little bump. I just don't know if it'll be enough or not. We'll find out. 
Kelly: 
So ultimately, I'm going to say, uh, the championship's going to end up being. Georgia against Michigan. 
Chris: 
Yeah, I mean I I can't. I can't fault you for that. I'm I'm I'm going to say. Ultimately I hope it's Georgia against TCU. So we'll That's fair, I'm not. I'm not opposed to Michigan either, though I mean, I like I said, I think Jim Harbaugh is a phenomenal coach and you know, I think it'd be a great story for him to go back to his alma mater and and and bring back a national championship, which has been a long time for Michigan. 
Kelly: 
I'd like to see that again. I like this again. As I said, I like those stories and hey look, I'm a badger fan. So obviously you know Michigan's arrival but. Those stories I think it's it's hard enough to be a coach and, uh, but to go back to your, you know your your alma mater where you you know you formed yourself and who you were, a young man and I think one of the interesting things I was thinking about. This made me think about Harbaugh is. I was just reading some headlines the other day about Wisconsin right with their coaching change and it said, you know, so they're going to have 4 quarterbacks on the roster starting next season. And I'm thinking, you know. Three of those quarterbacks will probably never hear of, or they'll probably at least two of them will probably never get into the onto the field in a competitive game. So what is that like? You know, to have one at your own alma mater to be good enough to get on the field to be the starting quarterback. And then what's that like to go back there as an adult? I'm not saying you're not an adult when you're in college, but you know, I haven't had a career in trying regain that. It's just there's got to be an extra level of pressure. 
Chris: 
Yeah, I think I think for sure I, we'll see. I mean George is the glass man. I mean, you know, for the for them, someone's going to have to beat him, you know? 
Speaker 
I have 
Kelly: 
Because again, they're it's. You know, it's winter here. So King of the mountain they're I mean they're on the top of the mountain, didn't they? They legitimately put themselves there, they've done everything to stay there, and so that's not to say they can't be. Brought down but you know they are at the top. You know, taking all comers and so far they've. You know, not letting anybody else knock him off, so we'll see. 
Chris: 
Well, long term for Georgia Kelly, you know this is they came out with the you know you put whatever stock you want into this. I mean, you know I don't know how much value there is, but their recruiting class this past season was superior to that of Alabama. They won the national championship last year, not Alabama, you know they've. Been knocking on the door of dethroning the the big boy of of college football for 8-9 years and over the last couple they've been the better team. And so you know dude, they win another national championship and all of a sudden you know you're a high school kid playing football thinking about. Going to the SEC. See how many of those kids are gonna decide you know what George is. The better place for me rather. Than Alabama. 
Kelly: 
Well that's it. I mean. And you know, Alabama's you know they they. It's also critical. That's what I'm talking about though where it's not even distributed evenly, right? So for all those years that Alabama was the top dog. In a SEC, how many other teams even had a shot, you know? So if Georgia now comes to the top it it's gonna happen. Somebody will, whether they're a flash in the pan, and they do it for one or two years or no, they get a good 578 year run. We'll see that's going to be interesting, and that's one of the things here again, you know, Wisconsin. They're trying to change their narrative and say, hey, we want to become one of the top dogs, not just win this Western Conference and all that. So they're they're taking a big swing. I can't fault them for that. And Georgia, you know, could be a changing. 
Chris: 
Yeah, yeah, if it hasn't already. I mean you know winning another national championship definitely will will cement their place as the the big boys you know you got. To come get us. 
Kelly: 
Well, Chris's been quite a year 2022. We kicked this off. We've done a lot of these, really enjoyed them and looking forward to continue them in 2020. 
Chris: 
Yeah, me too. Hopefully we'll get a chance to talk after these games are played prior to the national championship game. 
Kelly: 
Oh, we definitely. 
Chris: 
Will and you know at that point, we'll be heading to the NFL playoffs and everything will be set. You know where those games are going to be played? You know who the matchups are, you know. Let's let's cut the fat and and get rid of the guys who who didn't make the playoffs. And and let's just roll forward with the elite. Teams and and and kind of you know, hopefully we can talk, dive into who we like to to win the Super Bowl so. 
Kelly: 
Well, I hope your New Year's is good and happy New Year to you and everybody else out there in. 
Chris: 
California yeah, same to you Kelly. 
Kelly: 
All right, thanks everyone for being our listeners on the podcast and being named later and Happy New Year to you as well.