Boomo Bugg Show 080326

[0:00] Now, get ready to roll Shoals, Decatur, Athens and all of Northwest Alabama and Southern Tennessee. It's time for the Valley's exclusive FM Sports Voice. The Boomo Bugg Show. Your exclusive inside track to the Tide, Tigers, Tennessee and the rest of the SEC. Now, your host, Harold Bugg on 93.9. The Sports. Good afternoon and welcome here to the Boomo Bugg Show. I'm Harold Bugg alongside Brett Beaird. Thank you so much for giving us a free ride around the Tennessee Valley. Brett Beaird, welcome in to Wheelin' Deelin' Day.

How will it affect the Atlanta Braves? Good afternoon, welcome in and how are you? Happy Monday to you and the listeners. The Braves do pick up another reliever, Brent Sutter, from the Angels. But everybody keeps asking, when, Alex Anthopoulos, are you going to get a top-ranked starting pitcher before 5 o'clock and only the good Lord knows if that's going to happen. Summer camp's open for the SEC this week and we'll talk plenty of Auburn, Alabama and Tennessee. But Adam is here right now with his rankings for week one, must-must-watch SEC game.

Adam is Adam Spencer. He is the executive editor. Busy there with the podcast as well as Saturday Down South, Saturday Tradition and Sports Betting Dime. Adam, welcome in. How are you? Hey, guys. I'm doing great. How are you? Hey, buddy. Man, it's hard to believe this is the week the curtain comes up. We've been joking about this, Adam. Everybody says this is the opening week. When does the curtain ever come down in the college football programs across the country? Yeah, I mean, that's a good point.

I mean, just since we started Saturday Down South back in 2010, I mean, it's just pretty constant SEC football, SEC football, SEC football. I mean, you know, we've seen expansion into basketball. I mean, baseball's always been there. But there are 52 weeks a year where we talk SEC football. So, yeah, the offseason is just theoretical at this point. You bring up a good point. We have a lot in common. So do we. Our joke is, Adam, we talk about it 365 days a year, unless it's a leap year, and then we add one.

But coming in as it may, it's the official coming up at the curtain in the respective camps across the country, and of course, here in the SEC. If someone asks you your top two or three intriguing storylines coming in in the conference, where would you start? Well, I mean, you start in Baton Rouge with Lane Kiffin. I mean, the offseason drama there, or not even offseason, but just the drama towards the end of last season, you know, that's carried on through the offseason here. And, you know, he's got a lot of pressure.

I mean, I don't think it's like national championship or bust or anything like that at LSU. But, you know, you've got to get to 10 wins, and when you get to 10 wins, that's a playoff first. So I do think it's kind of playoff or bust here for LSU. So you've got to start there, and then on the flip side, you know, you've got to see what Pete Golding manages to do there with. Because, you know, Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy could have left for LSU as well, but they didn't.

And, you know, so that's a good start there to have on your team. And, you know, and then some other things is like, is this Texas' year? I mean, this has to be Texas' year because they are kind of, I think, in a playoff or title or bust scenario here because, you know, they've invested a lot of money in that team. The Sarkeesian's had some near misses lately, so they have Arch Manning for at least this year. So the time is now in Austin. So those are what I'm looking ahead to.

And let me get this out of the way because I'm like everybody else. I just want to talk football. But late Friday night, the Big Ten and the SEC actually, after a week of compromise and a lot of work, approved or gave their blessing for the Protect Sports Act, the build with Ted Cruz, Maria Cantwell. Again, it seems to be gaining some momentum. It may actually get to the Senate floor later this week for vote. But John Thune, the Senate Majority Leader, is supposed to be doing something about that.

Today, the bill has a lot of issues, but it does have some good things. Adam, your thoughts. We're not going to go through the bill, but as far as the momentum for this, do you actually anticipate the Senate passing this and in the next couple of weeks before they adjourn for the August recess? Your thoughts on the SEC and Big Ten actually now in favor of the Protect College Sports Act? Yeah, you know, I don't really pay too much attention to that. My guess is that they probably won't get it to a vote before the summer session ends.

You know, that's just a cynic in me. So, yeah, I don't know that they'll actually get it over the finish line for a vote, but I don't know that it really matters. I mean, you know, it's going to be, like I would bet that even if it does pass, there's going to be some additional challenges and hurdles before you can actually start enforcing it. And, you know, if you have a bill and, you know, you pass it and it can't be enforced, then, you know, that's an issue all to itself.

[5:26] So there's still some hurdles there facing it, even if it does go to a vote and even if it does pass. But, you know, I'm just kind of in a wait-and-see mode with all of that because, you know, I don't really have too much faith in the government on either side here to actually get stuff done. So we'll see. Adam's been trying to huddle with us. It's hard to believe, but three weeks from Saturday, college football kicks off. Four weeks from Saturday, the first, as they say, big weekend.

Start where you want to, Adam, as far as maybe that week zero, if you want to call it that, or if you want to skip over that and go to the next week, your most intriguing top games coming up on the football calendar. Yeah, I mean, you know, week zero, there's not a ton on the slate. We will have the game in Ireland that'll be at least somewhat interesting. So, you know, I'll pay attention because any college football is good college football when it's been months and months since we've seen a real game and we've had an off-season of chatter, legal stuff and all that boring nonsense.

So week zero, I'll be tuned in. But, yeah, the real weekend is week one. I mean, Ole Miss, Louisville. You got, you know, you got Auburn, Baylor, and then you got, of course, the big one, Clemson, LSU. So, I mean, that's a wall-to-wall great day. I mean, I think Alabama ECU opens the day on ABC that week one, and then it goes to, you know, Baylor, Auburn, and then the nightcap is obviously the battle for Death Valley. So, I mean, that's the real start of football for me, and I can't wait to see.

I mean, the real start of football for me is that Thursday night game when Mizzou actually kicks off the NFC slate, but it's against Arkansas Pine Bluff. So, you know, we don't have to go into too many X's and O's discussions there. Let's go back to that Bama game because you look at that thing, and to the casual fan, they're going to say, okay, who's on top for week two? I think a lot of fans did that last year when they opened up with Florida State.

We saw what happened there. East Carolina is not a brand, but they're one of those, I call them Chihuahua teams. They can bite you. Brent brought up a good point the other day. The quarterback, where was he, 27 years old? Yeah, he's 27 years old. Yeah, he's casting Social Security checks and playing football at the same time. Your thoughts about this matchup from the standpoint of how dangerous is it, especially after last year with FSU, that Alabama might just go ahead and say, well, that's just East Carolina.

Let's go and get ready for game two, three, and four. I mean, if they don't come out strong and, you know, with their hair on fire a little bit there, then that probably, you know, I'll probably be looking into some futures bets on what week Kalen DeBoer gets fired. There you go. After last year's week one embarrassment, like, they, you can't, you can't overlook ECU. You can't, you can't overlook Arkansas Pine Bluff if you're, if you're an Alabama guy. You just got to come out and play because you got to prove that this year is going to be different.

You've got to see them establish the run early. You've got to see the offensive line look at least competent. The defense we know is going to play that, that, you know, social security collecting ECU quarterback is going to have a hard time finding any space to throw against that, that elite Alabama secondary. So I'm confident that the Alabama defense is going to show up, but you have to make a statement, opening week statement offensively, especially with the run game in the offensive line, because then they go to Kentucky.

So, you know, the SEC season starts in a hurry for Alabama. So you got to come out and gain some confidence. And, you know, I'll be looking at that running game as the key to what this team is going to look like moving forward. Adam, you've got Florida FAU, Florida Atlantic at four, Auburn and Baylor at number three is four, is the top games for week one. I agree with you about those two. I think a lot of people want to see, again, as you mentioned, the DNA of both of these new coaches with their teams, Florida at FAU.

Are they going to come out and be tough, be physical? That John Summerall has been preaching the entire summer. Auburn at Baylor, of course, you've got the $6 million NIL deal for some of the players. But, again, once this ground game, is Auburn going to be physical? I think those two games are going to give us an opportunity to see the debut of new coaches and, again, their brand of football they want to impress the fans with. Yeah, and they're both, you know, they're both gearing up for that week three matchup where Florida heads to Auburn.

So, I mean, they're going to have their measuring stick in the SEC come against each other in their SEC openers, which is going to be very entertaining. And Florida, you know, Florida especially, I'm targeting with that game. The reason it's number four over some of those other mid-major games is that, you know, we saw last year that USF came in to the Swamp and won. So, you know, you've got to not even entertain the thought of FAU pulling off an upset. And this FAU team is not as good as USF was last year.

[10:34] Let's, you know, make that clear. But you can't have this still be a game in the third quarter. This has to be out of hand. You have to make a statement. You have to play physical like John Summerall promised. And, you know, so that's kind of why that got a little boost over some of the other group of five games. Adam Spencer, again, busy there at Saturday Down South. Adam, it's interesting to see two running backs that could determine their respective team's fortune this season. E.J. Kroll at Alabama.

How healthy is he and can he live up to all the almost impossible billing coming out of high school? It's like Superman status there. And your man in Missouri, Ahmad Hart, he's already earned his stripes. The question is, can he come back from a gunshot wound? What are you hearing for the prized Missouri running back? Yeah, I mean, I think that they're going to play cautious with him. I mean, even when he does come back before, you know, week one or week two, my guess would be that he doesn't see the field in week one.

Jamal Roberts should be able to hold that down. But, I mean, that's the thing. Jamal Roberts is a guy who has started a lot of fields. So, that's a luxury to have. And I expect them to utilize that luxury early in the season here for the first couple of weeks. Even when Ahmad Hardy comes back, like, I think we'll see him be the second fiddle to Roberts until, you know, gets his legs under him and can show that he's 100% recovered from that scary gunshot wound. So, yeah, I think that, and then, you know, the Alabama guy, it comes down to, you know, Crowell, if he's going to be like he was in high school, he's going to need more help than any of the running backs got from the offensive line last year.

I mean, Jim Miller, you know, he would have been a middle of the pack SEC running back, but he kept getting hurt because he kept, you know, getting hit behind the line of scrimmage and, you know, having to bounce it outside, which is where he kind of got into trouble with some of those hits to his head area and stuff like that. So, yeah, I mean, I think that Crowell has all the talent in the world, but, you know, much like Hugh and Russell, if they're just running around for their lives back there, then it's going to look impressive when they turn nothing into a two-yard gain, but two-yard gains don't move the chains, so.

Adam, always enjoy beginning the week with you with the summer camps. I know Saturday Down South is going to have the absolute latest. You do a good job with the newsletters. Adam, where can we get online and get yours and the team's good stuff? Yeah, SaturdayDownSouth.com. Sign up for our newsletter, too. We've got a new edition coming out tomorrow, and, yeah, we'll start our preseason previews here with our crystal ball predicting all the games sometime this week, so lots coming. As I say in Hollywood, it's back.

Adam, thanks for your time today, and have a great week, okay? Yeah, thanks a lot, guys. Always enjoy it. Thank you, Ben. Adam Spencer, Saturday Down South. All that stuff that you're seeing flying through the air, driving down the road. Football's in the high school practice fields here in the Tennessee Valley. Coach Ben Floyd checking in from Kerakee High next on the Boomo Bugg Show. Stay with us. Make the most of every lawn with Kubota commercial landscaping equipment. From the productivity-boosting Z700 mower to the reliable SVL track loader, it's a lineup built to get the job done right.

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Online health questions required. Everybody, Bill King, Bill King Show. Listen to me. 9 until noon. 93-9. The score Monday through Friday as we talk college football like nobody else does. Because he listens in Florence. Our show's, Charlie, our show's on down there. Bill King Show. Monday through Friday. 9 until noon. Every league, every big topic is covered. 93-9. The score. Evan, Kenti, and Michelle are unsportsmanlike. It's disgusting. It's annoying. If a billionaire tells you, hey, I just bought another yacht, are you like, wow, amazing, way to go.

You're like, cool, rub it in. I don't have air conditioning. I don't think this is fun for other fans around Major League Baseball. The Dodgers can get anybody they want, and the worst part about this is a lockout is all but signed, sealed, delivered. Coachmanlike. Weekday mornings starting at 6 Eastern on ESPN Radio and on ESPN2. The score. Now, back with Boomo Bugg on 93-9, The Score. Welcome back in. It is an absolute pleasure for us to head on out to Cherokee and say hello to the man, BB.

We know there's a lot of hard work going on even as we speak out there with Coach Ben Floyd at Cherokee High. Coach, welcome in. How are you? Doing good. Glad to be on the show. Hey, Coach. Man, we appreciate you taking time out. In a blink, it's here. Coach, talk to us about how things have gone so far. I would imagine, like a lot of coaches and a lot of players, you love each other, but you're tired of hitting on each other. You're ready to hit somebody else with a different color uniform, are you not?

Oh, that's right. That's right. It's been going good. Summer was great. We had great participation this summer. Kids came in ready to work. Saw a lot of improvement as far as just overall strength and just body changes. I mean, I've had a lot of young kids. You know, we've had a young group, and as they've gotten older in these past two years, just their body has changed so much. And, you know, them putting in the work in the weight room has really paid off for them.

And when they see those changes, you know, it makes them even hungrier or want to be in there. So, it's going great. You know, we started practice last week because we didn't do a spring. So, we're kind of a little bit ahead of the game as far as, you know, with pads and stuff. So, today we'll start full pads at three. So, the kids are excited because we got a little thud in last week and got a little taste of just hitting the people. But, yeah, these kids are ready to go.

I mean, we're installing just a little new stuff. I'm not changing a whole lot, but just has new coaching changes. You know, guys retiring, just new guys taking over different roles. So, that's a little different, and kids are responding well to that. And we're just ready for school to start so I can kind of recruit some of these other kids that I haven't seen them this summer, you know. So, kids aren't starting back until the 12th. So, what's really kind of crazy hurts us as coaches because, you know, those kids that, you know, you don't have during the summer or, you know, you really want to try to, you know, pick at and try to get them to come out and play for you, you're kind of behind on them because they start so late.

But, I mean, it's going good. These kids are ready, and they're showing up, putting in the work, you know. And we're a little bit older now. So, you know, hopefully that 1-9 record from last year will change this year with our guys just being just older, you know. I mean, we had a lot of seventh graders playing last year and starting it several times. And that's just hard for a coach to put a kid that young in a situation. But, you know, we have to do what we've got to do.

And, you know, it's unfortunate that we have to play those guys. But, you know, those guys are a bunch of them going to be in eighth grade. They're going to play. They're going to contribute. And, you know, they're fired up, ready to go because they've seen the changes in their body. They've gotten stronger. And they're not as intimidated now because they've got a little taste of it last year, and they're just hungry for it. So, I'm excited. I'm really excited. Here's the deal, Coach. Old rain always bad.

Just ask Brad now. We're still putting rings around the trees. So, it ain't the worst thing in the world. We've got a lot of rings, too. But, you know, speaking of older, do people realize the tradition? I love high school football because it is community. It's the one thing that, in all the mess that's going on out there, on a Friday night, in case Thursday night, whatever, it's the one thing that brings communities together. I don't have to tell you this. When you go to the barbershop or church, they remind you if you're doing a good job or a bad job.

But, Kareem, if I'm wrong, 104, is this like the 104th year for Cherokee football? Yeah. Yeah. That's incredible. It's a long time. It's a long time. It for sure is. And, you know, like you said, I mean, this community comes together for Friday night. I mean, no matter, you know, what the record is, it's something they can do. They come to the games. They show up. They support these kids. It's really something special, you know. I mean, for a small community like Cherokee is, you know, you've had businesses, you know, go out of business and leave.

[21:27] And we've got hopefully some new businesses like the Navy plant coming in. Yeah. You know, hopefully that's going to help the area. But, you know, football is the continent for it. And, you know, it really brings the community out. And, you know, they look forward to it. So we're excited for that. We're excited to pack those things, you know, because you're going to have – they're going to show up. Yep. Yep. Let me ask you about reclassification. For some schools, it was dramatic. For others, not as much.

You're in 1A, and I believe you retain a lot of the guys you played last year. Edison, Belgrain, Heckelberg, Meek, Phillips, Waterloo. I think you lose shows Christian and Vina. Talk about reclassification and how much that's going to impact you. Well, I mean, it's not going to impact me a whole, whole lot. I mean, because we've already had those guys on the schedule. Yeah. The only one that we get new that we haven't played in several years is Red Bay. Like Belgrain, we've had them on the schedule even when they wouldn't play in the regions.

You know, they thought they were going to get in there earlier and find out that they wouldn't go into. But we still kept on the schedule. We still played them. So, they're not a new face for us. Losing shows Christian, I mean, wouldn't really, you know, a lot of these areas and stuff, they lose these private schools. And, you know, they're like, oh, thank goodness the private schools are gone. But, like, for shows Christian, for us, I mean, that was – I mean, we've had our troubles of beating them, you know.

I think it's like we haven't beat them in six years. But it's always been a good game. Like, it's always came down to like a one-score game. And it's just – we competed. And those kids over there at shows, they're a small private school. I mean, they have trouble getting kids to come out and still in attendance. So, like, they needed to play us like that, you know. So, with them switching over to that private school thing, I really feel sorry for them. And I hope they continue the program because it's going to be just tough for them.

It's going to be really tough for them. But, yeah, I mean, other than that, I mean, our reasons don't really change much. I kept Vino on the schedule. I got Tharttown first game. And I know they – both Tharttown and Vino, you know, dropped out of their reach and play stuff. But for us, we need to play people we can compete against that are closer to us. So, I played Woodville last year. That's an hour and 45-minute bus ride. I mean, that's just a long way. And then, like, I guess it was 2023 and 2024, I played Brennan Mountain, which is even further.

So, I mean, it's just hard to find, you know, teams that you can compete against at a 1A level that's not already in your regions. You're already having to play anyway. We did add Bill Brilliant to the schedule. And I think they're like an hour and ten around there, like Lynn and stuff around there. So, and we're excited about that because we have – we, as far as Cherokee, I'm looking back in the history of stuff, I don't think we've ever played Brennan. We may have played them a long time ago.

I haven't found them. So, it's going to be exciting. Just a new face to play against, you know, another 1A school that we can compete with. And, you know, just excited. Excited to see a good schedule that, you know, we're not scared of Red Bay, you know. And I know they've got a good tradition. And, you know, Addison's always got a big powerhouse. They've been a good tradition school. Hackelberg, too. Yeah. But it's just good competition. So, I mean, it didn't really change a whole lot.

But the ones that have changed, it's just good to have a little refresh – freshness to the area, you know. You play the same teams for eight years. You're like, okay, when are we going to get something new? Coach Ben, Florida at Cherokee High. Coach, speaking of new, you mentioned earlier about the big government contract business that's on the drawing board to come in. We've seen how schools in various pockets over in this neck of the woods in Huntsville have grown. You go to Priceville, and then especially Bob Jones.

I remember going out there. It was the middle of a sage grass field. And it got so big – it grew into the biggest high school in the state of Alabama. And then it got so big, they split it off. Now James Clemens came off that. It's big. How is that going to impact, as far as you mentioned earlier, going up and down the halls, trying to get numbers? I know only time is going to tell. But you have to be excited about at least the potential of bringing in new recruits.

Oh, yeah, definitely. It's going to be a huge impact for Cherokee all around. I mean, not just for the school. You know, hopefully, you know, we're excited, and we hope we get a lot of new kids moving. You know, this plant's going to be bringing a bunch of people in, hopefully. And hopefully they choose Cherokee as a home base, you know, as far as – because it's just right there in Cherokee. The plant is, you know. You know, but there's always that thing, hey, you know, they may live in my shoulder, the Texas company, just because they're closer.

But hopefully it just brings more people to Cherokee. So, like, we lost our grocery store two years ago. Wow. So, the Piggly Wiggly in Cherokee closed down. Where do you go get groceries, Coach? I mean, as far as shopping. I live in Cherokee. I live more closer to the Mississippi line. I live on the water off the Rose Trail down there. So, I live on the area. So, the closest place for me to go is to Iyuka, Mississippi, just to go to Walmart and our grocery store.

[26:36] You know, we've got a family dollar, and we've got a dollar general that's got some, you know, produce stuff now in Cherokee. But just for the community, hopefully it brings in a lot of people that, you know, a grocery store will come back in just to help the whole community out. You know, and that's more – I'm excited for new kids and, you know, the potential to grow the program. But I'm also excited just for Cherokee itself, just to get something like that to helpfully grow in, you know.

Yeah. You know, I'm – like I said, I live in Cherokee now. You know, I'm from Tuscumbia. I went to Dessler. And, you know, my wife is from Cherokee. She went to school at Cherokee, and, you know, we moved back and built a house close to her parents. I got two little girls, and I want them to be a Cherokee, you know. Yeah. I got one – my little girl, my oldest little girl, she's going into kindergarten this year. And, you know, I just want the whole community to thrive.

And I think that plant is going to help – potentially help out the whole area. So – and even if it's going to help out, you know, the Shoals area, too. Yep. You're talking about a lot of jobs. Absolutely. That's right. So, I'm excited. For sure excited. Listen, let me ask you while we've got you on the phone. We have a pretty good audience here. We're in parts of three states and 13 counties. This time of the year, a lot of coaches, athletic departments, are looking for sponsors for the football season, or they're looking for in-kind gifts as far as helping the football program.

Is there anything specifically that you need with in-kind gifts? And as far as sponsors, can they contact you or the school and say, look, I just want to help Coach Floyd either with money for sponsorships or with in-kind gifts? How can we do that for you? Oh, yeah, absolutely. I mean, they can contact me. They can call the school. The secretary knows how to get a hold of me. I mean, we're on – I'm tight with the secretary. You got to treat them right. Yeah, they're right.

But, yeah, I mean, they can contact me. I mean, right now, just like waters, gatorade, laundry detergent, I mean, that's kind of like things you always need, you know. I mean, of course, I can ramble off a whole list of stuff that I would love to have with Cherokee. But, you know, the main thing is like we use a lot is just water, gatorade, laundry detergent for like, you know, the equipment and stuff. I mean, we won't turn down anything, that's for sure. But those three things are kind of the things that we use most of.

And, you know, one thing as a coach, you don't have – if people donate those stuff, you ain't got to worry about it, you know. But, yeah, contact me. The best way to contact me is just call the school and we'll get anybody set up. We sell the sponsorship signs. You know, we've got to – we've had to add sponsorships on our scoreboard because people have contacted us wanting to be on the scoreboard. So, we're having to make more brackets on our scoreboard. There you go. Good. It's a good thing.

Absolutely. It's a really good thing. So, I mean – but, yeah, yeah. If anybody wants to, we'll gladly take anything. And I hate asking – I'm not a good fundraiser guy because I hate asking people for money. Because it's just – the way times are nowadays, it's just – it's hard just to make a living as it is. Yeah. So, the best thing I tell people is, like, hey, if you can't donate money, that's fine. If you can donate water, Gatorade, and laundry detergent, we'll take it. We'll take anything you want to provide us.

Absolutely. Listen, we always enjoy the conversation. We wish you the best of luck. I know you want to improve on that one-in-nine record, but you're doing a lot of things. You're basically turning boys into young men, teaching them values. Football is a great learning experience, as you well know. Listen, have a great summer. I hope we can give you a call again later this summer and certainly during the course of the year. Oh, sounds good. I'll be on any time y'all want to have me. I love to talk.

And we love to listen. That's a good thing. I echo those sentiments, Coach. All the best. And stay as cool as you can out there, okay? I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you, Coach. Coach Ben Lloyd at Cherokee High School. Coming up, I don't think that the folks down at Auburn have to have the same needs, but what do they need? Brian Matthews on deck. Stay with us. Hey, Shoals. It's a good thing for a win on game day and for an ice cold Bud Light.

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Try ZipRecruiter for free at ZipRecruiter.com slash free. That's ZipRecruiter.com slash free. ZipRecruiter. Now, back with Boomo Bugg on 93.9 The Score. Welcome back in. Really appreciate your ride around the Tennessee Valley and time to head on down south and say hello to Brian Matthews, senior editor for AuburnSports.com. Brian, welcome in. As they say, good things come to those who wait, and it looks like the wait is over. It is camp week. How are you? I'm doing great, and I'm looking forward to camp week.

[36:41] We'll meet with the coaches tomorrow, and then, well, I would say the pads start popping, but they don't start popping until this weekend. The practice will begin on Wednesday. You know, it's true that a lot of Auburn fans hope that the season is going to be this high in the offseason. When's the last time the vibe has been this high in the offseason? I'm sure the answer is going to surprise me because, let's face it, when Hugh Freeze came in, at this point, the vibe was high.

Obviously, the reality didn't match it, but your thoughts just about where the vibe is realistically at this point coming into camp, not only for this team, but this fan base. Well, I would say in the preseason, there's no such thing as realistically, right? But it's pretty good right now, I would say. And, you know, I think there's a lot of excitement. I think the team, you know, came through spring and went to work out and summer workouts, and the entire offseason really gets shaped, you know, as far as the personnel changes, the health of the team.

I think there's excitement about, you know, the new coaching staff and what they're going to bring to the table. But it is preseason. It's going to be a tough schedule, despite what anybody ranks the schedule. And I think Auburn's got a lot of work in front of it. You know, moving on to that topic, that's the danger of putting expectations almost unrealistic, is it not? Because as long as life is good, here comes the verbal bouquets. But the moment that you have a bumping road and a classic illustration is take a game under Hughes, then last year with DeBoer, take a pick.

That's when fans will turn on you in a heartbeat. So, basically, if I'm a coach, I don't want to be number one. I don't even want to be number two at this point. Obviously, at the end of the season, I do. But sometimes the expectations, you know, that's the worst thing. A coach coming in hates that. They do, and I don't think Alex Goers has a lot of big expectations, to be honest, because of positions Auburn. Now, Auburn fans, of course, will have higher expectations. But I think as people look at the program, you know, nationally and such, I think people understand the situation he's in and the amount of turnover they have on the roster and, you know, what Auburn's been through the last five years.

So, I think there is that. But I also think there is a hope and somewhat of an expectation for people close to the program that, you know, they can turn around the season, you know, break this losing streak, get to seven wins, you know, have a positive step forward and feel really, really good about the future. Speaking of the future, let me ask you about the backup running back. Jeremiah Cobb should be, should starting, but what's the banking order? Two, three, four, Bryson Washington coming from Baylor.

Omar Mampson, Davenport, he transferred from UC, South Florida, of course. Yeah. Two, three, and four. Well, if I had to guess now, going into camp, I think it's Omar Mampson. I think he's done a great job. He played as a true freshman, had a really good spring, and I think he continues to sort of exceed expectations there. I would watch out for Bryson Washington, you know, as the season gets going. You know, if you listened to Alex Golesh a few weeks ago and talked about him, I think he wants Bryson to continue getting into better football shape.

So, I think that's something they're working towards, and maybe that's something he can build on as we get into fall camp and into the season. So, he's a guy I think that's going to help out, but maybe more later in the season than early on. But I think early on, you know, you were looking at Jeremiah Cobb, Omar Mampson, and, you know, she also mentioned a guy that Davenport, the SF transfer, plays his offense really, really well. I think he's going to play a lot. I think you'll see them rotate some dudes there and get a lot of experience in early, just so you're kind of taking over the reins other than Jeremiah Cobb.

Brian Matthews, check him out. Senior Editor there, sports.com. Brian, obviously, it's hard to sit here and answer the question. When you lose, the man considered to be not only the top person in the transfer portal, but certainly his position, Cam Coleman of Texas, from Auburn. The tradeoff is it gives and it takes. You bring in other guys from South Florida. How will the depth chart look at the wide receiver spot? Yeah, and I think it's going to look very much like a South Florida depth chart.

Yeah. Yeah. He's going to look at Bingleton right up there. Chas Nimrod is right up there among the top two or three. And, you know, and then look out for a guy like Deshaun Spencer, a true freshman from Sarah Land and Mobile. Just had a terrific spring. Just had a terrific summer. I think there's still a lot of excitement with him, certainly. And then, you know, Corey Pettigrew is another big, tall outside guy. Brian Williams is a freshman. I think that they also like a lot.

So, I think there's some options there. But I think Keyshawn Singleton and Chas Nimrod are the two guys to watch the closest he's going into fall camp. All right. Expert position man, right tackle, Stanton Ramil from Michigan State. A lot of people think if he's healthy, and I know he was cleared, played 17 games at Michigan State. You know, you're thinking he's the right tackle. But Buster, I tell you, Buster has a lot of certainly potential. And then right guard, which dovetails into this, Cole Skinner, Buster again, Jack Lehrer maybe.

[42:10] Right tackle, right guard, B-Map. Yeah, so I think Stanton Ramil is probably going to be your left tackle. He is healthy now. I think they're excited about his potential. But I think you also have to understand that, you know, he has missed a lot of time, centuries, over the last couple of years. So, there's something to watch. I don't think that's an absolute lock there. And I think Kyle Buster and then Wilson Zaire, the freshman, can work that out. If something was to happen to Stanton, I think what they'd probably do right away is flip Joe Simmons from right tackle, left tackle.

He played both in the spring. I think he can do both. So, I think he's sort of the guy they're counting on to be a starting tackle. I think they feel like he fits in best at right, but can certainly play left. So, I think that's the look to tackle. And then, you know, Stanton and Joe Simmons stay healthy, and they like what they seem to be with him today, the freshman. I think Kyle Buster can compete for a starting job at guard. So, that's one to watch there.

Derek Plies, I think, you know, left guard had a really good spring, so he's probably a starter, at least going into the first couple weeks of camp. We'll see how that goes. Cole Best, the USF transfer, certainly looks like a starter there at center. And I think that I think our position is wide, wide open, too. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out. It's SEC football in general, particularly a fiscal league like the SEC, its respective lives. We talk about that. But the other part of that puzzle, too, is we know Auburn, on paper and away, has got a promising core of linebackers coming back.

Where are you as far as edge rushers and secondary overall for Auburn coming in? Well, I mean, I think this is one of the best linebacker groups in the country. I think it's still underrated. I don't think a lot of people understand how good this group is or how good guys like Elijah Melendez and Bryce Diaz and DeMarcus Riddick is when he's healthy. So, that's one to be excited about. You know, the defensive and edge guys, I think that's kind of a work in progress in some way.

You know, Jared Smith is a guy, if he, you know, lives up to his potential and you don't want to put that word on a player that's still pretty young, but if he can, he could be, you know, really, really good and that could make a big difference for Auburn. Deshaun Womack is a kid that transferred over. We'll see how good he can be. Joe Phillips stepped up. You know, you feel like in the spring, see if he can take another step, you know, in the fall.

But I still think that's a little bit of a thin position, sort of waiting for guys to step up there and kind of a wait and see, you know, who kind of takes the reins there. And then that defensive tackle, and I feel a little bit better about that position. I think Dallas Walker come back and knows it's big. I think Cody Siegler, the transfer, has really done everything on and off the field, just exceeded every expectation. I think he's going to be a good player for Auburn, better than people expected.

You know, we've got some good young players like Malik Autry, Darian Smith there too, and brought another transfer too that can help out. So, I think interior defensive line is probably going to be okay, and we'll see how the edges in those defensive ends turn out. Let me ask you a stat that I think is going to improve dramatically under Alex Golich. Last year, Auburn was 125th nationally in red zone touchdown percentage, scoring 20 touchdowns and 41 opportunities. I don't need to tell somebody as smart as you.

That's pretty bad. In eight SEC games, they were only 10 of 28. Now, Alex Golich last year with South Florida, they were 14th nationally, scoring touchdowns on 72%. I think Auburn fans would like to see what Alex Golich did last year, emulated with Auburn this year. Yeah. And I think a couple of things. I think you can go back to, you know, some things Gus talked about, you know, years ago. To be successful in the red zone, you've got to be able to run the ball. Yeah. And you've got to have defenses that respect your running game, right?

Because, you know, if you're just going to drop back and throw it every down, down there and the teams know that, you're going to get demolished. So I think that's really, really important. And I think, you know, we've heard Alex Golich talk about the run game over and over. You know, we haven't seen it or right against the opponent yet, but obviously it's an emphasis for this offense and for him. And then I think the tight end position, that's a position that can really help in the red zone, whether it's run blocking or helping the run game or, you know, sneaking them out there and making some plays and get some touchdowns.

So I think those are two areas that Auburn can help itself in. You know, they don't have a Cam Coleman necessarily down there, but you had a Cam Coleman last year and look what it did for you. So you've got to have the other pieces that operate much, much more smoothly for an auto, auto work. Once you get that red zone, I also feel great about Alex McPherson. I think he's in the range after 60 yards or so. So he should be in true. Sorry, coming into camp, it's always a fun topic.

[47:13] What is the one position battle or battles that you're going to be keying on, especially early on in the camp? Yeah, I think there are a couple. I think the offensive line is the one that everybody's going to talk about. Everybody's going to be watching closely. Just because you've got, you know, 14 newcomers, only three returning guys and no returning starters there from Auburn. So that's a really, really interesting position. They could see a lot of change over as we move forward. And then, you know, I also think the cornerback position is one that, you know, you lost both starters from last year in the portal.

So it's pretty wide open. And, you know, we'll see who can step up. Andre Jordan, UCLA transfer, you know, did well. Blake Woodby, taking your guy. Sean Pleasant is returning as a backup, return guy also. And you've got like four or five guys underneath those guys that are all going to compete for one of those top two spots. So I think that's going to be a pretty wide open competition going in overall. But I think going in, Andre Jordan is probably one of the guys there that's probably the man to beat at least for one of those positions.

Let me ask you two things. Will Auburn get a verbal commitment from quarterback Sam Solley? August the 8th, I know he's from Gaston City, but put up some tremendous numbers. I know some other folks are involved in here, but I keep hearing some projections to Auburn. And secondly, how much access would the media get under Golich for the first couple of weeks of summer camp? I know coaches are different. Freeze actually allowed Auburn a pretty good bit of access. What's Golich going to do? Yeah, it looks very similar.

You know, we will talk to him and both his coordinators tomorrow. And then we get open practice viewing windows on Wednesday and Thursday. Now they'll be out there in, you know, shorts and shoulder pads or whatever. So it won't be, you know, incredible practice for us. But he is getting us out there early. And then I think there's another viewing window on Saturday when they will be. At least shoulder pads. So, you know, we're getting some early access, which is nice to see during camp. See some of these new players that are out there.

So I think that'll be really, really good for us. And for everybody out there that's, you know, members of our sites who can watch those videos. Absolutely. Solly, tell us. Oh, yeah, sorry. Yeah, that's okay. Go ahead. Yeah, a big, strong 6'3", 190-ish. Those are really nice default. Runs, you know, one of those really, I think, I would say sophisticated passing off. Offenses for high school. So, got a bunch of SEC offers. But I do think Auburn is the team to beat now as we get, you know, just a handful of days before his announcement.

Big week. Big coverage. AuburnSports.com. Young man, tell us about what you have got planned for Auburn subscribers, SEC subscribers, and anybody who wants to get on to check it out. Well, this is when we try to shine, right? This is fall camp. This is when the interest peaks. We will be there and cranking out as much video and stories and news and breaking news, everything, you know, that we can get out. We're going to do it as quickly as possible at AuburnSports.com to give you guys and gals all the information that you want and look forward to hearing, and sometimes not look forward to hearing.

But we're going to be there for it all, getting started tomorrow. So, stay tuned. AuburnSports.com. You can follow me on Twitter, slash, x, at bmatau. Everybody's unbeaten right now, and everybody loves them. So, Brian, listen, man, thanks so much. Have a great week, okay? Yeah, appreciate you guys. Thank you, buddy. Brian Matthews, senior editor, AuburnSports.com. BB, what about those braids? You're at the deadline. Harold, they got Sutter, Brent Sutter, a reliever from the Angels. I'm hearing they may get another one. Now, they picked up Lane Thomas, 30-year-old right-handed outfielder who's going to probably be platooned with Skrimsky, Bailey Fulter, another left-hander.

But everybody is asking, Alex, when are you going to get a frigging starting pitcher? Yeah. And Harold Bugg, he's got four hours to get it done. They're getting in a frigging hurry is what you're saying, right? Coming up in the next hour, we're going to be taking you all over the place. Big talk, Big Orange with the V-Man, Vince Rara. The Redfish Barger talking Alabama. Ben Thomas says high school football is back. We'll be back at this time out. Stay with us here on the Big Mo Bug Show.

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The energy that we're seeing is really remarkable, and I think people are seeing all of the just horrific things he says about Muslims, about black Alabamians, about others, the dog whistle politics he's used. We've known that kind of racial division politics for a long, long time in Alabama, and I think people are tired of it. Jones did not mention any specific occasions where Tuberville has offered horrific statements against blacks or Muslims. However, Tuberville has gone on the Senate floor to advocate for legislation that bans Sharia law from being implemented here in the U.S.

He's also encouraged Muslims who do not want to adhere to the U.S. Constitution to not live in the U.S. but return to their country of origin and its Islamic tenets. Tuberville has also referred to the teaching of Islam and Sharia law as a death cult. I'll be back with more Alabama stories. After this. Mark your calendar for November 6th. The Albert Patterson Gala returns to the Barber Motorsports Museum featuring United States Senator Tommy Tuberville. We've sold out two years running and tables are already filling for 2026.

If you believe in a thriving Alabama built on truth, courage, and accountability, this is your night. Don't miss your chance. We'll see you next time. Visit 1819news.com slash gala. That's 1819news.com slash gala to get your table today. In Bay Manette, a fire destroyed a family-owned restaurant along Highway 31. Everyone inside was able to escape the street's seafood restaurant. The fire started in the kitchen, the fire started in the kitchen, and the whole facility was deemed a total loss. I'm Andrea Tice. For more news affecting Alabamians, go to 1819news.com.

And while you're there, subscribe to the daily newsletter. High school football is back. And for the 23rd consecutive year, 93.9, the score is proud to be your home for Florence Falcons football. Head coach Kenny Morrison and his staff are excited about the 2026 season, and the Falcons are ready to fly high as they face a top-notch schedule. Join me, Kevin Johnson, along with Mike Everson, Jeff Jones, and John McDaniel as we bring you Florence Falcons football all season long right here on your home for Falcons football, 93.9, the score.

[57:23] Pull up a chair, Braves country, because your Atlanta Braves are ready to play ball on the Braves radio network. Michael Harris gets good wood on it, rising back to the chop house, taking flight, and out of here. Tomorrow night, the homestand continues at Truist Park as the Miami Marlins come to Atlanta for an NL East division series with your Braves. Braves radio is on the air at 6 p.m. Central on the Braves radio network. Valley Broadcasting Corporation, WITK-FM, Rogersville, Athens, Decatur, the Shores, Sports Radio 93.9, the score.

This is Daryl from Columbus, previously from the Paul Fireman Show. Blaine is in Georgia. Paul would always talk about Caelan DeBoer and his future. Does anybody like Caelan DeBoer? I think he's a likable individual. I think the issues go way beyond his personality. I really haven't heard anybody ask a question like that, maybe since grammar school. The Paul Feinbaum Show, weekdays at 3 Eastern on the ESPN app and on the SEC network. Having Kenti and Michelle are Unsportsmanlike. I actually want to go free swim with sharks.

And I don't think it's crazy, because I feel like if you're going to swim in the ocean, you're basically swimming with sharks anyway. So I want to do it in an official capacity, like go someplace that's known for a lot of sharks and go actually swim with the sharks. Sportsmanlike, weekday mornings starting at 6 Eastern on ESPN Radio and on ESPN2. 93.9, the score of weather. For today, mainly sunny skies, high around 85. Tonight, mainly clear skies, low near 65. Tomorrow, sunny skies, high around 90. Tomorrow night, partly cloudy skies, low near 70.

And for Wednesday, sunny skies, high around 90. Your weather from 93.9, the score. Now, get ready to roll, Shoals, Decatur, Athens, and all of northwest Alabama and southern Tennessee. It's time for the Valley's exclusive FM Sports Voice. The Boomo Bugg Show. Your exclusive inside track to the Tide, Tigers, Tennessee, and the rest of the SEC. Now, your host, Harold Bugged on 93.9, the score. Welcome back in. I watch the Boomo Bugg Show. We really appreciate giving us free ride around the Tennessee Valley and listening on the worldwide app.

There's Sports Radio 93.9, the score. We've got folks living in Timbuktu who want to get the latest of what's going on in our neck of the woods. Call them. Tell them about the app. It's brand new. It's free, and it's easy to listen to. Ben Thomas is also easy to listen to. He's got it all covered there at AL.com. BT, welcome in. How are you? Good, fellas. I'm glad to get that app and figure out what's going on up there. There you go. Well, when you do, call us because sometimes we're technologically challenged.

So, Ben, we'll put that on you. But one thing we do know, high school football is back. And before we get into some of the specifics, you've got to believe these coaches kind of like the weather that we've had. Normally, it's hot. It's dry. The sun's beating down. I don't know how it is on your end of the state, by the way, if you're brand new. Welcome in. Ben's on the other end of Mobile. But it's been gray. And by comparison, it's kind of been wet up in our neck of the woods.

That's good for farmers, ducks, and big old linemen who don't want to die of a peat stroke. Ben, your thoughts just about how camp's going over all the state. I've got a lineman in my car with me right now. I'm taking to practice guys. And he was relieved that we did have some rain Thursday and Friday that cut practice short. But it was hot early. It was hot early in the week. And honestly, I'm praying for all the football players and the band people and everybody out there practicing in temperatures.

I'm glad any day it could be cloudy and we get a little relief. But it hasn't been too bad yet. And hopefully, it'll remain like that for the next couple of weeks until we get to the actual games. Curtain's coming up. Let's talk a little bit about, in your opinion, some of the top storylines. It's been a year of change. Man, we try to cover high school sports as religiously as we can in this neck of the woods. And obviously, the R word seems to be a popular word across the board, reclassification.

It's been an interesting offseason. Coming into the season, where do you start breaking down some of the big storylines coming in? Well, I mean, I think the one that's going to continue on is the public and private separation. I mean, now we know that there's another private school league that will start playing next year. The Gold States Independent School Association, I think, is what they're calling it, we believe. That'll be mostly, it may be all, but definitely mostly AISA schools. But possibly some AHSAA schools who face travel issues or who are unhappy with the separation could join in that.

[1:02:25] And, you know, I think we still will have that storyline throughout the year. We want to see how it works out in all sports. Interesting take. Last week, we found out that all 16 of the large private schools will be in the playoffs. So that's an interesting, you know, it started out with eight. They're going to put eight in, eight of the 16. I had heard the private schools wanted 12. They end up with all 16. So that's interesting in that larger school division. I think still 16 in the smaller school division.

But, and this week, you know, Sports Writers Association preseason rankings will be out Wednesday morning. Really tough. I voted on, I did my vote yesterday, and it's hard to, kind of hard to, you know, you can, it's even pencil in Thompson 6A. But on down the line, it's tough as we have these new private school classifications as to how it will break down. Let me ask you about one of the storylines. You had a good article two weeks ago literally about the key questions as we look forward to another season.

And one of them is ending a 101-game losing streak for Columbia High School in Huntsville. Harold and I talked to Sammy Coates a couple weeks ago, and he is stoked. They have got 60 players or some odd out, which is a lot more than what they've had. They've got some issues. They're literally in Research Park, and there's really not a community around them. But he keeps trying to push through, and something they've got this year is a more manageable schedule. You mentioned this to us, and I thought it was a very good idea that the Alabama High School Athletic Association should work with Columbia to give them a more manageable schedule.

Now, they've got one. They begin with Douglas. I know they came close to winning two games last year, but B.T., I think this year Columbia may even win two or three games. Yeah, like you said, they were close a couple times last year. Huffman. Yeah. East Lawrence. Half-time. So they've had some transfers move in there. I think James Clemons, one of James Clemons running back, transferred in there because his dad was principal at Columbia. So, you know, I expect them to win a couple of games, maybe not even that, but it'll be – I mean, they haven't won since 2015.

That's 10 years ago. I mean, that's hard to believe. And, you know, you feel – I'm thinking they're going to get off the schneid, so to speak, this year and get a victory or two. Ben Thomas again, AL.com. We'll talk about some folks in your neck of the woods, but first, if you don't mind, talk to us about a couple of neighbors up here, all kinds of storylines. Anytime you come in a brand-new year, every school respectively has their issues. But I think it's going to be interesting as far as having statewide interests.

Given their success over the last few years, there's this school up here called Morris Hill Bible. You may not be familiar with it, Ben. And we'll try to give you more details as we get deeper into the interview. But for the first time in a long time, they don't have Daryl Higgins there because he's at the second part of an intriguing story at Russellville. Obviously, a proud tradition down there. They go back decades with that tradition. Now they plug in a guy who's had success at Morris Hill Bible.

But to me, those two schools are two of the more intriguing storylines coming in. I think so, yeah. I mean, it'll be fun to see what Daryl can do at a bigger school like Russellville. Obviously, he was able to compete with some bigger schools like that when he was at Morris Hill. And, of course, Morris Hill not only lost him, but, you know, at least two great running backs that led him to the state championship last year as well. So, in the sports writers' polls, because there's so few teams in those private schools, we're only doing a top five.

And I'm going to tell you guys, it was hard to come up with, all right, who should be in the top five? Wow. In the larger and the smaller HSA private school classifications. You expect Morris Hill to be there, but, you know, I'm not sure. And I kind of think they may fall off some. It'll be, like you said, it'll be intriguing to see if they can keep that tradition going with a new coach and largely a new team. Absolutely. Two legends, coaching legends, Paul Benefield of five.

We talk about him quite often. Danny Horne, Central Clay. By the way, I think those two teams are going to meet in week zero. Danny Horne's got 374 wins. Paul Benefield, 368. The two winningest coach in football history in the state. Is this their last year? It sure seems like we're headed that way. You know, I'm actually working on, I think you're talking about my column that I did a couple of weeks ago where I had five questions. I'm actually working on 10 questions for this Sunday, including some new questions about the season.

[1:07:25] I talked to both Danny and Paul several months ago, and neither one of them came right out and said, this is going to be it. But you really feel like it is. You know, I know Danny, particularly at Act Paul, too, are kind of fed up with some things happening in high school sports that maybe they don't like, that maybe weren't happening. You know, when they started 360 wins ago or so, and certainly, you know, if you look at the number, I mean, I don't know that we'll ever have any other coach catch them at their number of victories, no matter how they finish up.

I mean, you know, it was interesting. A couple of years ago, we had Jerry Curtis was the leader, and then Danny Horne and Paul Benefield were right there with him and eventually passed him. But there's not really anyone close to those guys now, so I think this could be it for those guys. I'm glad they're playing this year. I think that's thanks for a fun opening day story. And, boy, I would hate it if those guys weren't in high school football coaching because they've certainly, since I've been doing it, and I know you guys as well, they've been some of the classiest coaches and obviously most successful coaches I deal with.

You bring up a good point, Ben, because it's one thing to be successful. But to do it with class and to do it year in and year out, that is a dying breed, especially in this generation of things. There is a name that everybody across the state has on the tip of their tongues right now, and it's Hancock Whitney. I won't steal your thunder, but I don't care if you're in Cherokee or Cherokee County, whether you're in North Alabama, South Alabama, every team has a goal of going to Hancock Whitney.

I won't steal your thunder, but talk to us about how things are going to shape up there once they hand out the respective state trophies. Well, I thought when you said there's a name on everybody's tip of everybody's tongue, it's going to be Rush Pro. I knew that was Kevin. Yeah, well, that's a second follow-up question. Yeah, I mean, you know, it's going to be interesting. Obviously, it's now a five-day window for the high school championships in December. We've got four flag football championships and the two private school championships, and then the six public school championships.

It's going to be a Tuesday through Saturday event. I think the people that come to Mobile, the teams that are in that, will be really happy with what they see when they get in the stadium. The stadium's a smaller stadium, I think about 25,000, but really a first-class. If you've not been there, it's really a first-class place. I'm a little bit concerned with the traffic patterns and the parking. I'm sure they'll probably have that figured out by the time we get there, but it's going to be a great venue.

Having that 6A game now, I keep wanting to call it 7A, but now it's 6A. Having that the last night, that Saturday night, will be big. I think it'll be a fun week, and then my wife is, at least I think she is, happy that I won't be gone for five days. That's what she's telling you anyway, right? I'll be gone for the denny, but I'll be back at night. Let me ask you about some of the 10 must-watch football games, week zero, or what I call opening week.

Thursday is Parker at Vestavia Hills. These are two teams that, of course, in the Birmingham, Shelby County area, et cetera, Jefferson County, and they haven't played in 25 years. Thompson at Central Phoenix City. Once again, Mark Freeman beginning another tenure at Thompson. Central Phoenix City, pretty good, too. We talked about Fife and Clay Chalkwell on Friday. Sarah Land at Mary Montgomery, BT, my Lord, two of the best teams in the state. Battleground Tennessee at St. Michael and Phillip Rivers in his son. He's right here now, 6'4", about 225.

Bob Jones at Harchell, Seth Parker's debut, Dester at Russell, they've been playing for absolute decades. BT, a lot of fun games the first weekend. You know, the interesting thing about that is when I wrote that, you know, I've still got to write a story about the 10 games to watch for the season. And I started looking, I'm like, well, man, my goodness, there are 10 games to watch in the first weekend. That's why I ended up writing that column, so when I do my 10 games to watch for the season, I just won't include those opening week games.

But, yeah, some huge matchups. Randy Kennedy will be up in the Auburn area for two nights. He's going to watch that Thompson-Central Phoenix City game. That's a rematch of that great 35-34 semifinal game last year. And then the next night, Auburn hosts Hewitt Truspel. And it's a huge Saturday. We talked about Columbia. They're playing on Saturday. Could that be the end of that streak? That Battleground St. Michael game is going to be on ESPN2. That's right. So Phillip Rivers and Gunner Rivers and a bunch of prospects from Battleground.

[1:12:32] That include, by the way, country music singer Luke Bryan's son, Bo Bryan, is the quarterback for that team. And then also down here we have Blunt Viger, which will probably draw about the largest crowd of any high school football game we have in South Alabama. State championships notwithstanding. So it's a big weekend, a good weekend to start off with, with a lot of intriguing matchups. Ben Thomas, AL.com. Ben, last year it was easy to answer this question, I guess. E.J. Crowell was the rock star to keep an eye on on the high school gridirons.

We know where he is now. Obviously Trent Seymour is going to be there this year. Outside of Trent, what's a name or two that fans need to be keeping a close eye on, kind of the rock stars on the high school gridirons that's going to go on to the next level quickly next year? Yeah, I'm afraid y'all are stealing my thunder on a lot of my posts. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. We don't get it right often, but. I actually wrote something this morning that Trent Seaborn and Gunnar Rivers, one of those two will probably be the state's all-time leading passer when their career is over with.

They're within, I think, about 25 yards of each other. I think Gunnar has 10,200 yards and Trent has 10,175 or something like that. And they're all chasing Jack Hayes at Piedmont. So certainly those two guys, it could be the year of the quarterback, guys. There are a ton of quarterbacks across the state. Kingston pre-year, recently committed to Alabama from Benjamin Russell. Bobby Colbin, the Central Phoenix City quarterback, is right now committed to Georgia State, I believe. There's multiple good quarterbacks down here. So that'll be intriguing. If you're looking for a defensive guy, I think you've got to look at Jabarius Garrar from Viger.

He's the two-time five-eight lineman of the year. He's got about 1,004 sacks in two years. Now committed to Texas. So those are some guys that we'll see on this level that it won't be long before we see them making big impressions on the college level as well. Yeah, absolutely. And Sam Solley, who's a 20-28, I believe he's going to pick Auburn on this coming Saturday when he decides to commit. Great stuff. It's certainly exciting. We've been talking with a lot of the coaches as far as who they've got coming back, plans for the year.

Tell us, you mentioned the state rankings dropping. What else? If that wasn't enough, what else have you got working on this week? Yeah, so we got, like I said, that'll be out at 5 a.m. on AL.com and obviously on the Times Daily website up there. For you guys, they'll have it as well. I mentioned my 10 more key questions I think will be on Sunday. We're still doing volleyball previews every day of the week. Dennis Victory's heading that up. Surveys. We surveyed some of the players at media days.

We got that coming up. So we're in full preseason mode, and you can catch all that, obviously, at AL.com and just go to the high school page there. We got our eyeballs on you, Ben. Safe travels out there with your son. Thank you so much. Let's do it again soon, okay? All right. Thank you, guys. Have a good week. You too, bud. The B.T. The B.T. Express. Ben Thomas. Stay old.com. Coming up, time to go to K-Town in Knoxville and talk, you guessed it, Big Orange.

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[1:18:02] Terms and conditions apply. Pull up a chair, Braves country, because your Atlanta Braves are ready to play ball on the Braves radio network. Tomorrow night, the homestand continues at Trullis Park as the Miami Marlins come to Atlanta for an NL East Division Series with your Braves. Braves radio is on the air at 6 p.m. Central on the Braves radio network. Brought to you locally by The Law Firm of Johnson Pasture, Medley & Virtual J.C. Hammond Sons First Metro Bank Nationwide Insurance Agents Michael Doe and Bill Cochran Champy's Famous Fried Chicken Medford Jewelers Valley Credit Union Mugshots Grill & Bar Certified Alarm Southern Pride Pest Control Lost Pizza Cypress Creek Indoor Range and Alabama Health Guidance Atlanta Braves Baseball Tomorrow night versus the Miami Marlins on 93.9 The Score Did you know VA home loans are a key to home ownership for those who served?

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To learn more, visit va.gov forward slash home loans. Now, back with Boomo Bugg on 93.9 The Score. Welcome back in. It is an absolute pleasure for us to say hello to the V-Man. Vince Ferrara, 99.1, the sports animal in Knoxville, Tennessee on the Vol Radio Network. V-Man, welcome in. How are you? I'm good, guys. Believe it or not, I'm watching some hoops right now at City Center Thompsonville and Arena. The Lady Vols are having an open practice. So, again, a chance to check out this completely brand new Kim Caldwell squad here today.

It's just been good. Well, that answers my next question. I was going to see if you ever made it back from Tampa after months covering the SEC media days and getting some good cooking there from Mom. But you bring up the women's basketball team. We want to get to the obvious here in a second. Football. Have they recruited you yet, V-Man? Have they been able to fill up their roster? Or are you there because you're going to engage in the tryouts as well before all is said and done?

Well, they do. They were looking, and they do have some really good men that help them practice. That's something that has been utilized by this program. We've had some of it, you know, for a long time. So, no, I do not have the change of direction and ability that some of these guys do. Now, I could, like, you know, share my mom's cooking and feed them all. But that's not what they're looking for. They're looking to get in shape. So, yeah, I'll just hang out and watch for that.

V-Man, explain something to the rest of us. In this modern day when kids are making millions of dollars, and how intriguing is it that Tennessee made headlines recently? I don't know all the terms. It's not my business. If a kid gets $2 million out of the evening school, good for you. But you have that deal. And then I think people said, what? The NCAA suspends linebacker Arian Carter over a flight taken to the NFL draft facility for, I don't know what it was. I think I saw a few hundred dollars.

Explain to me, Vince, the story of how one kid can make this, another one kid takes this benefit, and yet he's going to be suspended. Yeah, don't hold your breath waiting for me to be able to complain to the NCAA. I mean, you guys know that and how frustrating they've been. You know what? The better story is where I was when I found out about this nonsense from the NCAA. I was actually food shopping with my mom. Imagine that. Of course. We were actually at this giant Asian food market because both my mom and I love seafood.

We were kind of going to town, and I looked at my phone, and I'm like, there's no way. So you know how things are today with fake stories and all that. Right. So I had to check a bunch of, like, mom was grabbing stuff, and I had to, like, confirm, like, from different sources that this was a real story. That's how ridiculous it is. And kind of to your point, Harold, is that he went through the process because he was in the NFL draft at the time.

He pulled out because of the injury concerns that the NFL had with him coming off of his turf toe. So what he did is he got back into the portal and then came back to Tennessee. He gave the money back because at the time it was okay, but things changed. So because he was forward about it, and it was, like, $400-something, because he was honest about it, I think that opened the door for the NCAA to say, you violated a rule as opposed to the free-for-all that is out there with everyone else.

[1:23:18] And so it incentivizes people to not only do what they want to do, but to not be honest about it. So it's ridiculous. Wow. The most intriguing position battle as Tennessee opens summer camp, always looking at the defensive line, offensive line, receivers, or more or less for the receivers, who's going to back up. Most intriguing position battle to the B-man. Well, for sure, I'll add the disclaimer just to make it interesting outside of quarterback because we're all going to be locked into that. And you guys have talked about it.

So outside of that, I'd say I'll give you two, BB. One of them is third wide receiver because I think they need that. They have two really good wide receivers that have been productive in. Braylon Staley, Mike Matthews both had breakout years in year two. And we've talked about how first-year wide receivers, they don't excel typically in Josh Heifel's offense. It's usually the second year. Well, that's what you saw from Staley and Matthews, but not many of them have an opportunity in a third year. That's what Staley and Matthews are.

How good can they be if they now have a third year in Heifel's system? So that's exciting, but they still need a third guy. Now there's a couple of second-year guys. And Travis Smith, Jr., who's from the Atlanta area, and then Rodarius Jackson, who's from Memphis. Those two guys have more experience than the five-star in TK Keys in recruiting. He was known as Tristan Keys, number one wide receiver in the class last year. So those are the three most likely candidates. Can Keys be the first first-year wide receiver to make an impact and earn his opportunity?

We'll see. But he's the most talented of that group, and that's interesting. The other one is the Leo pass rush spot. Now that's if Jim Knowles uses it like he has in the past. That's the Joshua Joseph's last year, James Pierce, Jr. years past. So will they find someone to fill that role on a down-and-down-out basis, or will that just be a situational pass rush position? So right now, Jordan Norman, the Tulane transfer, is the most likely candidate. That's also the position Chaz Coleman was supposed to be the frontrunner for.

Since they transfer that isn't medically qualified or he's medically disqualified. So, yeah, how Jim Knowles works that position, whether they use a normal strong-fed defensive end or if they keep it as a Leo, what do they do with that position is intriguing because they could use some linebackers, some inside linebackers that have athleticism. They can put them in that spot because that's their deepest position. So why not get your best guys on the field? If Knowles and William Inge linebackers coach, if they're like, we have four guys, we're three guys, we can't, we need to have on the field at all times, then you may find them in other positions like a Leo.

So that's another fascinating one. Me, man, Vince Verona with us. 99-1, the sports animal in Knoxville. You mentioned a wide receiver spot. You can be a good wide receiver, but look at Auburn last year. Count Coleman, arguably the best receiver then and now, except he didn't have the numbers because there's questions at the quarterback spot and the offensive line. Your thoughts overall about the Tennessee offensive line coming in, and if this coaching staff could listen to the V-man and Tennessee fans, who would they pencil in as the quarterback?

All right. Well, that's the easy one. I'll get to that in one second. The offensive line, I think, is in pretty good shape. You're looking at four or five starters back from the way they closed out last year, and the newcomer looks like it's Ori Williams, so I think had a really good spring. He's a transfer from LSU, played some left, played some right. Not a ton of starts, but had some on-the-field time in the SEC, so I think you will see him at right tackle.

That's where he spent a good part of the spring. David Sanders, a five-star move to left, and then they have a lot of experience on the inside, especially with Wendell Moore Jr. showing up in some of those preseason all-SEC lists, and Sam Pendleton is probably the one they need to make a big jump and improve at center, and then Jesse Perry at right guard. Guard's a better spot than tackle if Williams isn't able to play. And then depth, you know, not a ton proven. There's some talent, high recruiting guys, but not a ton of experience depth other than Sham Umarov who played some guard last year.

So I do think their first five is pretty good, and I'd say in the top quarter of the league as a group, and that's good for the quarterback. And then there's no doubt Faison Brandon is the people's choice. He's the man, huh? Yeah, yeah, the five-star because of his talent and the fact that, you know, he's most well-known in terms of recruiting the upside. It's just, you know, it's harder to imagine that that guy is going to be what fans envision him being right out of the gate.

[1:28:23] But if I had some advice to Josh Heupel, he's certainly not going to listen to me. I actually meant when I interviewed him in the media days, I meant Jimmy Himes told me, hey, tell Josh Heupel when he talked to him that I said he should play both quarterbacks and let the games decide it. And I forgot because I was so busy, and I agree with that. We've talked about it. I would love to see them settle it in games. But the fans, there's no doubt, they want Faison Brandon out of the gate.

Tennessee picks up another running back commitment last week. Asa Barnes, 5'11", 200. He's going to go with that other straggler, David Gabriel Georges, from Baylor. And the man, Caden Craft, is a four-star quarterback. And I saw today that Tennessee is getting a crystal ball for him. So, Barnes' kid was Tennessee's 19th commitment, and if they bring in Craft, he will be number 20. Yeah, there's no doubt. Asa Barnes is one that I think a lot of people felt like Tennessee was in a good position for. And they needed a second running back.

You can't just put everything on DGG. So, I think they're in a good spot there as a talented guy. He's got a better offer list than maybe what the star rating is that some people will look at. And then, you know, Ohio State, man. Tennessee's still, like, trying to take some of their guys. So, Ohio State's not very happy at Tennessee in recruiting right now. Right. That's exactly right. Well, I know you're very happy after spending two weeks in Tampa. Glad you got away, buddy. I know you really do a tremendous job during the season, but it is a long season, and it's great to decompress with mom and the cousins and everybody else.

Where can we get online to get all your great stuff? Yeah, I appreciate you guys and your friendship and patience with me throughout the year. So, yeah, you can follow me on all the socials. It's avvinsports, V-I-N-C-E, sports. And then, look for SportsSourceTV on YouTube. I'll be doing a bunch more in terms of the video stuff now that I'm back in town. Well, we have a lot in common, V-Man. Brent and I, we love seafood, too. We see food. We love it. I don't care what flavor it is.

So, we have a lot more in common, you think. Listen, man, thanks for your time. Have a great week, okay? All right, you do the same. Thank you, buddy. V-Man, 99.1, the sports animal. Let's check out the latest Tide Talk with a man who's been there and done it in the trenches, the Redfish. Next, stay with us. Hey, Scholes, I know you'd do anything for a win on game day and for an ice-cold Bud Light. Because whether you're tailgating in the parking lot or parked on the couch, sitting on your lucky stool at the bar, or standing in the fan section all game long.

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The Atlanta Falcons will have their first preseason contest on August 14th when the Falcons play host to the Denver Broncos. Atlanta Braves yesterday were winners over the Nationals 4-2, seven hits for the Braves in the victory. The Atlanta Braves with the win are now 67-45. The Braves have won five consecutive games and have an eight-game cushion in the NL East Division standings. The Sports Update brought to you by Progressive Bundle Auto and Home, Renters or Condo, and Save with Progressive. I'm Tony Dezzeri on 93.9 The Score.

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Now, back with Boomo Bugg on 93.9 The Score. Welcome back in. Really appreciate free ride around the Tennessee Valley. Obviously, BB, the Redfish. Talking about William, Redfish, Barger. Busy boy. Hopefully, we'll get to Redfish here in a second. But coming in, I know this is going to come as a shock. Obviously, we want to talk Alabama with the Redfish. He knows it inside and out. Been there and done that as a former player. But this is the shocking news. I went to the dentist this morning, BB.

Again? Again is the key word. And I think if we're keeping the score at home, I put all of his daughters through college. And I think I bought their first two Mercedes just on my dental bill over the years. But he's concerned, Brett Beaird, about Alabama football coming in. Right to the point of the question he asked is, is Alabama even going to make the playoffs this year? Well, I think there's a good chance. In fact, let's ask William, Redfish, Barger, who has joined us as of right now.

Yeah. And hopefully, the dentist, Doc, if you're listening, it's all in the Redfish. William, Redfish, Barger. Been there and done that. Former University of Alabama offensive lineman. Now you can check him out behind the microphone on BAMS Radio. William, welcome in. How are you? Doing good, guys. Hope you're all as well. Man, we're doing all right. It's finally here. Camp opening up. I would imagine as a fan, you're excited. As a former player, are you excited that you're not there and having to put up with all the nicks and the sweat and everything else?

Or is there something down deep that you kind of still missed as a former player this week? You know, I wouldn't say I missed it. But, you know, if I was afforded the schedule that these kids get to keep the day versus the schedule that we had, you know, that was our favorite day of the year, was the day when classes started. Because that's when two-a-days ended. That's when two-a-days ended. You know, it was two weeks straight. It was full pads every day. There was no such thing as you can't have two, you know, consecutive days of two-a-days.

[1:38:58] Or you can't have two full pads practices consecutively. I mean, it was rough. But, yeah, I mean, I might consider it, you know. A couple million. No, I will say, I mean, it might be halfway enjoyable if you just do it for free. Just do it for free with these rules. But, yeah, the money is a no-brainer. I mean, talk to us about that because the people who are brand new to this game, they realize the difference because can you imagine Bear Bryant? They wouldn't be writing a book called The Junction Boys.

But has that influenced? I understand that these kids now, when you were young, you would have traded that for this. I guarantee you the money and not have to sit there and knock heads with the big old guy. But, to me, the payoff on that is when they get in the game, are they as tough now because they haven't been, if you will, through boot camp? You know, I think that's certainly something that, you know, that's – let's just circle back to the late 80s, early 90s.

You can only reflect on what I went through. But, you know, certainly I think that's something that's created, you know, not only in spring practice, you know, but fall camp as well. And, you know, the heat and humidity plays an aspect into it and what they ask you to do, you know, factors into it. But, you know, I don't begrudge the kids for having, you know, better opportunities and more opportunities than we did. I mean, I think that's kind of like, you know, when you raise your kids, you want your kids to have better opportunities than you did.

And certainly, you know, we're seeing that unfold in real time as far as it goes to, you know, big-time college football players. Absolutely. What is the most intriguing position battle for you? I know they get started on Wednesday. I think the fans go on Sunday or early next week. Right tackle, Javin James, Nick Brooks, we've discussed that. Third corner, Carmela O'Neal, who's that 6'4", 210 corner freak, along with all the other freaks in the secondary. Your thoughts, what's the most intriguing competition and position for you? You know, I think, and this is just my own personal interest, just because it's been a minute since Alabama fans have really had to wonder who this guy was going to be.

But, you know, I think that second inside linebacker spot, there's still an open competition for that. You know, is it going to be, you know, QB Reese? Is it going to be, you know, Duke Johnson? Is it going to be Mets? You know, there's several guys, you know, and I think if you just read between the tea leaves, I think the staff, you know, obviously they want the best guy to win that. But, you know, I think they, you know, kind of have a preference for QB Reese.

And I think he's got a guy that has a bright future. So, you know, that's kind of one, you know, that really, you know, intrigues me. I think, you know, who's going to be the wide receiver that's the third go-to guy? You know, I feel like it's probably going to be, you know, C.D. Morgan. But, you know, you've got Derek Meadows. You know, you've got some other guys that I think are going to, you know, be a factor there. So there's plenty of, you know, position battles, you know, I think that's going to, you know, pan themselves out in the next couple of weeks.

And certainly the, you know, the one that everybody thinks about and talks about is that quarterback battle. But I think there's, you know, just some significant other ones out there that are still to be determined as well. In the huddle with the Redfish, William Redfish Barger. He doesn't take a genius. Certainly ask any Alabama fan and tell you the problem last year, offense, second was offense, third was offense. We know the problem. What, in your opinion, Redfish, have they done? And they're smarter, certainly richer than we are to figure these things out.

Why would an Alabama fan be optimistic that they've figured out the problem and here's a solution? What, in your opinion, causes a reason to believe this offense is going to be better than last year? Well, you know, and, you know, I think this is, if you make the assumption or if you have the hope that the starting quarterback is named Keelan Russell. You look at several different things here, but, you know, they addressed the coaching issue along with the offensive line. They addressed the personnel issue along the offensive line.

You know, I think there are some things that between Kalen DeBoer, Ryan Grubb, and Adrian Clem, the new offensive line coach, there's some schematic things that needed to be addressed. You know, there were certain times that there were holes there. The running back didn't see them. You know, there were some times where the running play took too long to develop. Yeah. But, you know, I think when you look at the things that have been addressed and then, you know, what could be the, you know, the unicorn that makes all this go, in my mind, it's having a quarterback that at least puts the semblance of fear and, you know, in an opposing defense that has the ability to run zone read packages.

[1:44:36] And I think Keelan Russell, you know, and not to say that Austin Mack can't do it, but he's a different type of guy. You know, and I don't think there would be a bigger, much bigger of a threat than if Ty Simpson was still trying to do it. They're both adequate at running the zone read attack. But Keelan Russell, with his quick twitchiness and shaking bakes that he's able to put on people in an open field, I think, would bring a different dynamic and make the rest of the running game kind of a bigger threat than it would be without that zone read aspect to the offense.

Yeah, the word there is twitch. I've always said that's one of the more underrated qualities of an athlete, whether it's basketball, football, et cetera. But, William, your thoughts, game one, to me, this is going to be an intriguing opening game. All games are opening season, but particularly this year when you've got that quarterback battle, what would you do if you were drawing up the depth chart at quarterback in an opening game? A lot of folks would like to see one play the first half, the other one play the second half if the game goes as scripted.

We know crazy things can happen, see FSU's game last year, but how would you handle that battle, especially in the first, maybe, if not once, the first two games of the season? Well, you know, if it spills over, you know, I think that you can't really chop up the play in time that way. If it is still a quarterback battle, I think you have to, you know, have QB1, whoever that is going into the game, you know, get the majority of the series in the first half.

But you'd want that other guy, I'd want to give him at least two series in the first half to see what he could do, you know, when the game is still on the line. And hopefully it's not still on the line. Then all of a sudden you give him a lot more reps in the second half, but, you know, you can go back. I think Coach Saban kind of handled it and drew it up in a pretty fair fashion against Penn State, you know, at the beginning of the 2011 season when they, you know, they played Penn State and it was between Phillip Sims and A.J. McCarron.

We've talked a lot about the offensive line and that's certainly an interest for all the fans. Defensive line. I think most people believe Devin Tompkins, the USC transfer, Terrence Green, all 6'5", 320 of him, Beanley Ken Jones, Desmond Yu, but you got Beeman, Edrick Hill, Faga, Simmons, Steve M. There's a lot of dudes there. Will Kane Womack rotate six to eight players again? Yeah, you know, I think that, you know, there's obvious people there, but I think the thing that even more so than the transfer portal guys at the defensive line, I think getting those guys that you mentioned, you know, Beeman and Simmons, the guys that missed spring practice back, you know, into the rotation is going to be, you know, real intriguing.

And, you know, because you had some young guys, you know, like Simmons and Faga that played well in times last year as young guys. And, you know, there's some other guys that are, you know, late summer arrivals, you know, that are true freshmen. I mean, are they, you know, are they SEC ready in the same sense that Simmons was last year? So, you know, but I do think at least if you want to look at the Kalen DeBoer era and maybe even into the last two years of the Saban era, at least on paper, you know, we've got to wait and see what kind of quality product they are.

But at least on paper, I think this is probably going to be the deepest, you know, D-line unit in several seasons. So hopefully, you know, they get a chance. You know, I'm not going to, you know, jinx myself and act like this is going to be the rotation like they had in 15 and 16 where the second team guys all went before the third round in the draft because they had first team guys starting, you know, first round guys starting in front of them. So, but I do think it's going to be probably the best quality defensive line product that Alabama's put on the field in several seasons.

Redfish, I don't know if you heard the first part of the interview. I hope my dentist is listening because this morning he was expressing he's an Alabama grad and he's all fired up about the season, of course, but he expressed this concern. The question was, are they even good enough to make the playoffs this year? What would you tell my dentist, Redfish? Well, you know, I would say this. I personally think, barring a rash of injuries, that that's certainly one of the goals of this team.

And I certainly think if, you know, things fall into place, the quarterback situation gets settled earlier rather than later. You know, if the offensive line is improved, oh, for sure this is a playoff caliber team. And, you know, you got to remember, we're in the age of college football now where, you know, you can have two, sometimes even three losses depending on who they are and still sneak your way into that thing. And, you know, nobody in their right mind, you know, had Miami playing for the national championship when the playoffs started last year.

[1:50:14] And you saw the run that they made, Ole Miss, you know, went deep into the playoffs. I think a lot of people by the end of the season probably thought Indiana would be there or at least have a chance. But, yeah, I think this team has the potential, if they can get the right pieces in place at certain positions, to be one of those guys. You know, they've got to survive a tough stretch during the month of October. Yeah. You know, with a lot of tough games, you know, the one that I've kind of gotten circled is when they come back home after going to Tennessee.

And, you know, they've got a fresh A&M team that's coming to town who's, you know, facing the powerhouse known as Citadel the week before. You might as well call that an off week. Yeah. I hear you. Among other things. Listen, I always enjoy the conversation. Can't think of a better way to get ready for summer camp beginning than talking to you to get us prepared for the season. William, have a great week. Let's do this again real soon, bud. I enjoyed it, guys. Talk to you all soon.

Thank you, buddy. Right back at you, Redfish. William, Redfish, Barger. BB, obviously, a lot of football to talk about the balance of the week. But this is the day, the Major League Baseball trade deadline, 5 o'clock somewhere, according to Jimmy Buffett. Will the Braves roster change much between now and then? That's the question. Three hours left before the deadline. The Braves have picked up three guys. Lane Thomas, Bailey Falter from Kansas City, and then also Mailer, I believe he's 31, from the Giants. He's another pitcher. Everybody's looking for that top-ranked starting pitcher.

I'd heard Jacob LeGrom a couple hours ago. Now he's going to stay where he is. It's going to be a very interesting three hours. The Braves are on the clock. I've learned the success of baseball. Just be the Dodgers and buy your team mega billions of dollars. It ain't that much of a secret to success. Just check out the L.A. Dodgers. Only a problem. Who's got that kind of money and willing to spend it? The Braves are off tonight. Back at it again tomorrow night against the Marlins right here on 93.9 The Score.

It's going to take care of biz. In the meantime, on behalf of BB, Greg James Blair, the entire crew here, Harold Buck, thank you so much for your time today. That's doing it again tomorrow, noon to two of the Bumbo Bug Show, back here on Sports Radio, 93.9 The Score. We'll be right back. We'll be right back.