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 Now, get ready to roll Shoals, Decatur, Athens and all of Northwest Alabama and Southern Tennessee.

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 It's time for the Valley's Exclusive FM Sports Voice.

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 The Boomo Bugg Show.

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 Your exclusive inside track to the Tigers, Tennessee and the rest of the SEC.

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 Now, your host, Harold Bugg on 93.9 The Score.

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 Good afternoon and welcome in to the Boomo Bugg Show.

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 I'm Harold Bugg alongside Brett Beaird.

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 Thank you so much for giving us a free ride around the Tennessee Valley.

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 Brett Beaird, welcome in where the Big 12 says Texas Tech, not so fast, my friend.

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 And during the Crimson Tide rollback with their backs against the wall.

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 Good afternoon. Welcome in to The Short Show.

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 How are you?

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 Happy Monday to you and the listeners that you alluded to.

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 Alabama must beat Texas this afternoon to stay in the College World Series.

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 And you can hear that game beginning at 1245, of course, on 93.9 The Score.

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 Troy beats Ole Miss to advance in the College World Series.

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 The Cinderella story continues.

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 The Braves are scuffling after losing a series to the New York Mets.

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 And also pitcher Spencer Strider with another arm injury.

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 Adam is here right now, though, to talk about the SEC and the College World Series and to update his rankings for playoff teams.

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 Adam is Adam Spencer.

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 He's busy there at Saturday down south, also at Sports Betting Dime.

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 Adam, welcome in.

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 Happy Monday to you.

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 How are you?

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 I'm doing great, guys.

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 How are you?

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 Hey, man.

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 Yeah, we're doing all right.

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 When we get into the obvious about Alabama and a lot of other stuff, let's talk about Cinderella.

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 Everybody's talking about Troy being, you know, flash and dark.

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 No, they've beaten Ole Miss, eliminated one of the powerhouses, the former national champion in the SEC.

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 They've beaten Florida.

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 They've beaten Alabama this year.

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 How about those Trojans?

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 Yeah, I mean, this is what the College World Series is all about.

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 I mean, you know, you see these teams that make these runs, you know, usually it gets down to an SEC team or two at the end.

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 But, you know, there's some fun runs here.

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 And, you know, it's been a particularly crazy one because, you know, you had Cal Poly that was involved in the Super Regional.

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 You had Troy, West Virginia is kind of an underdog, too.

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 So, I mean, it's been a really fun year and that side of the bracket, you know, was looking like it could be chaos.

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 And it has been so far.

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 Troy now has a chance to, you know, keep its run going.

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 And that would be pretty awesome to see them make it all the way to the final.

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 And it's great to see because, like you mentioned, you know, they beat Alabama this year.

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 They beat Florida this year.

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 You know, they didn't necessarily win the series, but they challenged themselves in non-conference and in some of these midweek games.

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 And it's paying off in a big way right now.

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 No question about it.

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 Troy is a very good team.

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 Alabama batters look befuddled.

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 Saturday afternoon, Cord Riker, their freshman left Hander, just quite frankly embarrassed the Alabama,

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 holding them to three hits over seven innings.

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 Bama's got a chance to rebound.

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 Georgia took care of Texas Saturday night.

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 Adam, which team advances in the elimination round?

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 I mean, it's hard to bet against Georgia right now.

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 The way that they've, you know, they can win a lot of ways.

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 You know, they've had a couple of outstanding pitching performances so far this postseason.

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 And we all know what they can do with their bats.

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 So, I mean, they've been incredible to watch.

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 And, you know, they're proving that they don't need a friendly ballpark to launch some hits all over the yard.

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 So, you know, I think that they're definitely the team that's got to be considered the favorite, you know,

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 especially after what they did to Texas' ace.

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 So, you know, they're just finding ways to win.

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 And that's what you've got to do this time of year.

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 They've put themselves, you know, by winning those first games in the double elimination brackets,

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 you really do yourself a favor there.

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 And so they've put themselves in a good position, and we'll see if they can take advantage of it.

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 And you're exactly right.

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 If you can stay out of that loser's bracket, which Texas is now in, along with Alabama,

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 the two should come together now, basically in just under an hour from now.

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 Who do you like in the Bama-Texas showdown this afternoon?

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 You know, Texas, I think, is one of the most talented top-to-bottom teams.

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 So, even though they don't have their ace going on the mound,

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 I still think that it's going to be tough for Alabama to stay alive in this tournament.

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 I mean, we'll see.

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 They've kind of, you know, had a season that's had a couple of waves,

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 and they've, you know, ended the year on a strong note.

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 So, I mean, you can never count those guys out.

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 You know, I expect a really good game.

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 I just, if I was going to pick, I'd pick Texas right now.

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 But, yeah, Alabama, you can never count those guys out until there's three outs in the ninth.

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 Yeah, Zane Adams is pitching today for Alabama.

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 He faced Texas earlier this year and pitched very well against the Longhorns,

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 even though Alabama lost that series two out of three.

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 Adam, you do a great job, buddy, of counting down who you think will be in the college football playoff.

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 We talked about this last week with Georgia, Georgia's number six, Oregon's five, Notre Dame's four,

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 and Miami, who, again, turned it on late in the season.

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 They've got a lot of guys coming back.

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 Malachi Tony, for one, bark rate.

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 I'm kind of like you.

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 I wonder if Mensah may be a better quarterback than Carson Beck was, and particularly in the regular season.

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 Adam, talk about your countdown to number one, the 12 teams, and talk a little more about Miami.

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 Yeah, I mean, Miami's offense is going to be elite.

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 You know, they brought back Fletcher.

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 They brought back Tony.

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 ESPN already has Tony ranked as the number two receiver in the country behind only Jeremiah Smith.

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 So, I mean, that's a pretty good company to be in there.

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 So, you know, I think that that offense is loaded.

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 The question mark with Miami is the offensive line because they have to replace both of their tackles because Markel Bell was taken in a later round of the draft,

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 and Francis Malaga was a first-round pick by the Giants.

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 So, you know, when you have to replace your tackles, that's never ideal.

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 But Darian Minza is a little bit more mobile than Carson Beck was, so that'll at least help them, you know, bail out a little bit and make life easier on some of the offensive linemen,

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 the new offensive linemen, as they settle into a groove there.

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 And they have one of the top freshmen in the country, Jackson Cantwell, who's probably going to step in and play left tackle right away.

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 And I was hoping my Missouri Tigers would get him since he's out of Missouri.

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 But, you know, I guess that Miami NIL package was too good to pass up there, and I don't blame him.

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 So, you know, that's a good get for him, but he's a true freshman, and he's going to have a lot of pressure on him to replace a guy who was an NFL draft pick.

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 So we'll see if he can do it, but that offense is loaded, and the defense, they, you know, picked up a guy from Mizzou, Damon Wilson II,

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 who was the Tigers' best pass rusher last year.

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 So the state of Missouri is doing Miami some favors here this year, and I think it's going to lead.

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 As long as they can avoid these, you know, dumb losses that they've taken the past couple years, you know,

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 then they should be a top-four seed, no questions asked.

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 Adam, the question is, could he unseat the powerhouse in that league?

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 Duke!

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 How about that?

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 And Davo's already coming out.

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 Your thoughts about Davo and his approach?

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 He is still saying, basically, in effect, if you filter through everything, basically what a lot of folks are thinking,

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 college football is on a collision course for collapse.

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 We'll see how that plays out.

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 As long as we, the fans, support it, I don't think so.

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 The minute we take our money back, maybe so.

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 But your thoughts about outside of Miami, Duke's still there.

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 I mean, we laugh about it, but look who survived last year at the end of the day.

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 And what about Davo?

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 Is this the year that he plays the role of the Phoenix and comes out of the dust?

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 You know, it's going to be tough because even with their disappointing season last year,

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 they lost a lot of talent to the NFL, you know, particularly on defense.

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 So, you know, I think, and, you know, they have to replace their quarterback.

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 So, you know, I think that could end up being another kind of down year for the Clemson Tigers.

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 And, you know, we'll see what the fan base thinks of that, if that is what happens.

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 But, you know, I think we'll learn a lot about Clemson and LSU in that first game of the season.

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 You know, last year, LSU went in and picked up a win that set, you know, that set Clemson down the wrong path.

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 You know, LSU season didn't fare much better.

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 But, you know, I think that we'll see that from the team that loses that game in Baton Rouge in week one.

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 I think we'll see a lot of pressure being put on the coach who loses that game.

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 So, you know, I think it could be another long year in Clemson.

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 And, you know, we'll see how much pressure and how many crazy quotes Davo gives.

141
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 Adam, you made a good point in your prediction schedule.

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 It's very manageable for Miami.

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 Their toughest games are at Clemson, at Notre Dame.

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 And quite frankly, Notre Dame's in the same situation.

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 They've got basically a two-game schedule too.

146
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 But as you alluded to, every year, Mario Cristobal is going to lose a game he's not supposed to.

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 Yeah, exactly.

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 And so, you know, you look at, you know, the SMU game.

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 You look at some of these other games that they have on the schedule.

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 But, yeah, I mean, they could lose to – I mean, they could lose at Notre Dame and still be a top four seed.

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 And that's what I think is going to happen with, you know, having Notre Dame at four.

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 Because, you know, I think Notre Dame will lose a game too.

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 But they'll probably beat Miami at home.

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 And, you know, if they – what Miami gets to help them, you know, over the edge there is that they have the potential to play in a conference championship game.

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 And, you know, that theoretically would be a game against an inferior opponent.

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 And, you know, so that's an extra win.

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 That's a championship.

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 So, you know, I think that that'll be favorable for Miami even if they end up, you know, going 11-2 or something like that with, you know, a loss at Notre Dame and then a loss that they shouldn't have.

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 And, you know, this is a loaded team.

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 And I think even with some of Cristobal's questionable late-game decisions, they should be pretty near locked for 10 or 11 wins this regular season.

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 Adam Spencer, Saturday down south.

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 We alluded to it at the top of the show, Adam.

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 Everybody in Texas Tech in Lubbock says, ha-ha-ha, we've got money, we control the courts, we control the world.

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 Not so fast, my friend, says the Big 12 conference today.

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 Let me repeat, the Big 12 conference, what conference is Texas Tech in?

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 And they're saying, we don't care.

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 We're going to file a federal lawsuit against you and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to preserve its right to sanction the university over the eligibility of quarterback Brendan Sorsby.

168
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 It's interesting that this thing is getting nasty even in-house out in West Texas.

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 Yeah, I mean, I think that, you know, the Big 12 teams that aren't named Texas Tech are right.

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 They're just, you know, kind of calling out on this.

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 And, you know, we'll just see how many millions and millions of dollars.

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 I mean, the lawyers in Texas are just, you know, smiling all the way to the bank here.

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 They're saying, yeah, let's keep suing, let's keep suing, let's counter-sue, let's appeal.

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 You know, hopefully it's all decided by August.

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 But, you know, how these things go.

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 So, we could be in for a long offseason with a lot more legal drama that's hard to follow and seemingly simple decisions being anything but.

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 And, you know, everybody who doesn't get their way just filing a lawsuit.

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 So, we have a lot of that to look forward to probably, unfortunately, even if the Texas Tech decision on Brendan Sorsby seems to be pretty straightforward that he should not be allowed to play.

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00:12:25,240 --> 00:12:27,280
 Yeah, this is just a complete debacle.

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 I agree with you.

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 And good luck getting it through the courts.

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 In time.

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 By the beginning of football season.

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 Season.

185
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 Always enjoy beginning the week with you.

186
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 A lot of things going on.

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 College World Series.

188
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 Your countdown.

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 A lot of things previewing college football.

190
00:12:44,660 --> 00:12:47,780
 So, Adam, where can we get online to get your stuff and the teams?

191
00:12:48,540 --> 00:12:51,720
 Yeah, SaturdayDownSouth.com and Saturday Tradition.

192
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 Just went live with number two on my countdown, Texas.

193
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 So, check that out.

194
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 And, yeah, we'll have you covered through the College World Series, too, especially with all the SEC teams still alive.

195
00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:03,280
 Sounds great.

196
00:13:03,360 --> 00:13:04,940
 Adam, listen, man, thanks so much for your time, Dan.

197
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 Have a great week, okay?

198
00:13:06,660 --> 00:13:07,440
 Yeah, you too, guys.

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 Thanks a lot.

200
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 Thank you, bud.

201
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 Thank you.

202
00:13:09,560 --> 00:13:11,900
 Adam Spencer, Saturday Down South.

203
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 Coming up, time to talk Tigers with a man in Auburn, Brian Matthews.

204
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 On deck on the Boomo Bugg Show.

205
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 Stay with us.

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 The final out has been called.

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 The dugout cleared.

208
00:13:24,820 --> 00:13:27,060
 And now your team is starving.

209
00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:29,460
 There's only one place to go.

210
00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,100
 Lost Pizza, home of the Monster Pizza.

211
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 So loaded with cheese, so massive.

212
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213
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 Whether you're Little Leaguers, travel ball champs, or rec league legends.

214
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 After the game, bring the whole team to Lost Pizza.

215
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 We've got the table, we've got the pies, and we've got the monster waiting for you.

216
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 Stop by after the game and taste what everyone's talking about at 201 North Seminary Street, Florence.

217
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292
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 The Score.

306
00:17:59,320 --> 00:18:03,960
 Now, back with Boomo Bugg on 93.9 The Score.

307
00:18:04,200 --> 00:18:04,880
 Welcome back in.

308
00:18:04,920 --> 00:18:07,580
 It is a privilege for us to say hello to Brian Matthews.

309
00:18:07,620 --> 00:18:09,300
 He's got the Auburn Tigers cover there.

310
00:18:09,460 --> 00:18:11,560
 Senior Editor for AuburnSports.com.

311
00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:12,420
 Brian, welcome in.

312
00:18:12,480 --> 00:18:13,640
 Happy Monday to you.

313
00:18:13,700 --> 00:18:14,260
 How are you?

314
00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:16,280
 I am doing great, guys.

315
00:18:16,340 --> 00:18:16,680
 How are y'all?

316
00:18:16,700 --> 00:18:16,980
 Hey, Billy.

317
00:18:17,260 --> 00:18:18,320
 Man, we're doing all right, Brian.

318
00:18:18,380 --> 00:18:19,220
 Appreciate you asking.

319
00:18:19,340 --> 00:18:20,760
 Let's talk recruiting.

320
00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:22,460
 It's Christmas season.

321
00:18:22,460 --> 00:18:27,420
 If you are a recruiting fanatic, at least that has been the way it's been over the years.

322
00:18:27,420 --> 00:18:31,420
 I would assume even with NIL and all this other stuff, it's still a hot topic.

323
00:18:31,540 --> 00:18:35,360
 Brian, what's the latest when it comes to the Auburn Tigers on the recruiting trail?

324
00:18:35,880 --> 00:18:38,500
 Yeah, Auburn's coming off another big visit weekend.

325
00:18:38,500 --> 00:18:47,720
 They picked up commitment from a four-star, highly touted defensive lineman, Nate Kamba, from Charlotte, North Carolina.

326
00:18:47,900 --> 00:18:56,000
 I think he's going to be a nose guard, a zero-tech, one-tech type guy that can play up front and really anchor a defensive line.

327
00:18:56,680 --> 00:18:57,640
 It's another nice pickup.

328
00:18:58,300 --> 00:19:04,560
 I mean, just recruiting-wise, Auburn's really exceeding my expectations in year one on our goal-ish.

329
00:19:04,980 --> 00:19:06,420
 This is 18 commitments.

330
00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:07,680
 They're 10th nationally.

331
00:19:08,240 --> 00:19:13,620
 I just was not expecting this good of high school recruiting this soon under the staff.

332
00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:15,360
 They've just been doing a phenomenal job.

333
00:19:16,220 --> 00:19:19,900
 18, a question I think a lot of folks ask, especially in this modern era.

334
00:19:20,500 --> 00:19:21,620
 Isn't it ironic, Brian?

335
00:19:21,620 --> 00:19:26,560
 Your roster's expanded to 105, but yet you hear some classes and some coaches saying,

336
00:19:26,640 --> 00:19:29,260
 I'm going to keep it small for obvious reasons.

337
00:19:29,360 --> 00:19:30,500
 It's now a business decision.

338
00:19:30,660 --> 00:19:35,240
 As far as the number, what are you hearing as far as the number Auburn may be shooting for here?

339
00:19:35,560 --> 00:19:36,440
 Well, that's interesting.

340
00:19:36,820 --> 00:19:41,320
 I haven't got an update, but a few weeks ago when we looked into it, it was 18 to 20,

341
00:19:41,940 --> 00:19:44,420
 and it looks to me like they're going to exceed that for sure.

342
00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:50,000
 And by doing that, that just puts less pressure on them when it comes time for the transfer portal, right?

343
00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:54,900
 They can choose a little bit better and maybe not have to spend as much money.

344
00:19:55,860 --> 00:20:00,140
 It's hard to say which is more expensive, but I think on average, probably the portal is more expensive

345
00:20:00,140 --> 00:20:05,980
 than high school recruiting, especially if you're not signing a bunch of five stars and rivals with other players.

346
00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:09,160
 And Auburn's got some of those guys in this class, but they've got nice mix, too.

347
00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:13,480
 Yeah, Auburn had five in this weekend along with Campbell.

348
00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:17,840
 Carlos May, a four-star defensive lineman from Birmingham.

349
00:20:19,100 --> 00:20:22,840
 I thought a lot of people think that's between Georgia and Auburn.

350
00:20:23,480 --> 00:20:27,700
 Junior James, too, Opo from Thompson High School.

351
00:20:27,960 --> 00:20:34,180
 Boy, Mark Freeman just has one defensive back after another ready for them.

352
00:20:34,180 --> 00:20:36,140
 I was a little surprised.

353
00:20:36,300 --> 00:20:44,020
 Boris Chicken Garar, who decommitted from Alabama, and a lot of people thought he might be leaning toward Auburn,

354
00:20:44,720 --> 00:20:48,600
 commended to the Texas Longhorns and their NILs.

355
00:20:49,360 --> 00:20:51,360
 That's probably one reason he commended.

356
00:20:51,360 --> 00:20:52,340
 Do you think that's a factor?

357
00:20:52,460 --> 00:20:54,200
 Do you think that may be a factor in that decision?

358
00:20:54,860 --> 00:21:00,220
 I think that's the factor, and that doesn't mean it's not a factor for Auburn when they win some of these battles, too.

359
00:21:00,420 --> 00:21:02,180
 It's part of the process.

360
00:21:02,400 --> 00:21:07,020
 You've got to make your evaluations, decide how much a player is worth to you and how much you're ready to spend,

361
00:21:07,100 --> 00:21:09,960
 and other schools may put that evaluation differently.

362
00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:12,980
 Yeah, let Texas and the Colonel spend on chicken.

363
00:21:12,980 --> 00:21:19,380
 But your thoughts about that, Brown, as far as the influence of Texas, who can compete with oil money?

364
00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:20,340
 Let's be honest.

365
00:21:20,780 --> 00:21:26,260
 Unless a kid's heart's worth of school and money is it, it's pretty much a foregone conclusion.

366
00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:32,160
 But your thoughts of how that is impacting Alabama and Auburn, because over the years, there's been a lot of talent here,

367
00:21:32,220 --> 00:21:34,600
 and now you're seeing Texas, Oregon.

368
00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:37,680
 Back 10 years ago, that would have never been the case.

369
00:21:37,680 --> 00:21:43,200
 But your thoughts just about the modern mindset and how the state is resetting itself going forward.

370
00:21:44,060 --> 00:21:48,840
 Yeah, I mean, it's really flipped a lot of things, because I think the most important thing that

371
00:21:48,840 --> 00:21:52,200
 an athletic department could do now is fundraise.

372
00:21:52,700 --> 00:22:00,780
 Let's get to find many different ways to bring in money and then find ways to funnel that money to football players and basketball players.

373
00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:07,980
 You know, now we're doing that through revenue sharing, which is equal across the power schools,

374
00:22:07,980 --> 00:22:11,440
 and with NIL, which is not equal in any way.

375
00:22:11,760 --> 00:22:16,620
 And it's just a matter of finding the most unique and best ways to do that.

376
00:22:16,620 --> 00:22:26,260
 And I just think with courts and everything that's happening until they sit down and do some collective bargaining and iron out some real enforceable rules,

377
00:22:26,360 --> 00:22:28,800
 it's going to continue to get more expensive.

378
00:22:29,120 --> 00:22:31,560
 It can continue to be the Wild West in recruiting.

379
00:22:32,060 --> 00:22:35,320
 And I don't really think there's a whole lot of limits right now.

380
00:22:35,380 --> 00:22:43,780
 If there are, those limits can be overturned in court or with, you know, people complaining about things getting caught up, you know,

381
00:22:43,820 --> 00:22:46,620
 deals getting caught up and wanting to change the system.

382
00:22:46,620 --> 00:22:54,320
 So I just think it's headed in one direction right now, and there's no way to stop it until the powers that be sit down and start talking to each other.

383
00:22:54,700 --> 00:22:56,640
 Brian Matthews, auburnsports.com.

384
00:22:56,700 --> 00:23:00,340
 To that end, Brian, I'm just sitting here listening, and just look at the average fan.

385
00:23:00,820 --> 00:23:04,280
 Let's say the average fan is a diehard Auburn, Alabama, named the school.

386
00:23:04,400 --> 00:23:09,400
 They've got two kids trying to keep the water out of the boats, and your school does well.

387
00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:12,780
 You come into work one day, you get an email and it says,

388
00:23:13,480 --> 00:23:18,320
 Joe Pham, we need more money, and you donate the money, and the school wins,

389
00:23:18,380 --> 00:23:22,340
 and you go to the first round, you go to the second round, you go to the third round.

390
00:23:22,340 --> 00:23:28,380
 At what point does Joe Pham run out of money to support the school with all the up-front donations?

391
00:23:28,520 --> 00:23:33,660
 And then if you follow it, think how much money it would take to follow a school from the beginning of the season

392
00:23:33,660 --> 00:23:36,080
 all the way to a national championship game.

393
00:23:36,140 --> 00:23:37,500
 Yeah, I mean, everything.

394
00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:42,600
 You're paying more to get seats, to reserve seats, to get in line to get seats.

395
00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:44,500
 You're paying more for concessions.

396
00:23:45,460 --> 00:23:49,700
 You're paying more for travel because, you know, if your team's good, you're going on the road,

397
00:23:49,700 --> 00:23:54,960
 you're following them in the playoffs, now you're having to contribute to NIL

398
00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:57,320
 and other ways to raise money for these.

399
00:23:57,560 --> 00:24:00,820
 So, yeah, it's gotten increasingly insane.

400
00:24:01,040 --> 00:24:02,460
 It's pricing a lot of people out of the market.

401
00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:05,340
 It's also turning a lot of people off on college football,

402
00:24:05,500 --> 00:24:09,860
 and I think the leaders need to recognize that and take some steps to, you know,

403
00:24:09,920 --> 00:24:12,040
 limit this and slow it down and eventually stop it.

404
00:24:12,280 --> 00:24:15,300
 Let me kind of dovetail this into Monday musings.

405
00:24:15,480 --> 00:24:17,960
 I always enjoy reading that every Monday.

406
00:24:19,300 --> 00:24:25,100
 Texas Tech should shut up about Sorsby and the hypocrisy of it all

407
00:24:25,100 --> 00:24:28,200
 was the title of Brian Matthews' article.

408
00:24:29,460 --> 00:24:40,020
 Sorsby made nearly 3,000 bets involving nearly $100,000, including 40 wagers on Indiana football

409
00:24:40,020 --> 00:24:42,260
 while he was a player on that team.

410
00:24:42,580 --> 00:24:44,600
 Now, anybody will look at this.

411
00:24:44,660 --> 00:24:49,720
 It's kind of cut and dried or black and white, whatever analogy you want to use,

412
00:24:49,880 --> 00:24:53,480
 but Texas Tech has doubled down on all this stuff.

413
00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:59,900
 But you've got a very good article talking about the hypocrisy and a lot of other things.

414
00:25:00,820 --> 00:25:02,540
 Summarize your article this morning.

415
00:25:03,320 --> 00:25:11,240
 Well, I do think Texas Tech is acting very cynically and just not really reading the room at all.

416
00:25:11,740 --> 00:25:14,780
 It's just crazy some of the things they said.

417
00:25:14,920 --> 00:25:17,700
 You know, the coach said he didn't murder anybody, basically.

418
00:25:18,040 --> 00:25:18,960
 You know, it's not murder.

419
00:25:19,300 --> 00:25:20,060
 I mean, come on.

420
00:25:20,060 --> 00:25:23,600
 I mean, that's just a crazy quote to say about something like this.

421
00:25:23,780 --> 00:25:28,720
 And, you know, Cody Campbell, who's used his money and influence to, you know,

422
00:25:28,780 --> 00:25:34,480
 push this bill through Congress, which we'll see how much farther it can go,

423
00:25:34,580 --> 00:25:39,740
 but it certainly favors certain conferences and certain schools like his, you know,

424
00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:45,540
 basically just said it's an outcome of a broken system when he is part of that broken system, right?

425
00:25:45,540 --> 00:25:49,720
 You know, what he's doing at Texas Tech is part of the, I guess you could call a problem.

426
00:25:49,860 --> 00:25:51,320
 It depends on your point of view, I guess.

427
00:25:51,440 --> 00:25:56,500
 But just a complete lack of self-awareness from everybody involved at Texas Tech.

428
00:25:57,260 --> 00:26:02,760
 You know, I don't think anybody thinks that Ben and Sorsby being suspended two games is enough

429
00:26:02,760 --> 00:26:04,320
 and the right punishment.

430
00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:11,480
 However, I do think there's a little bit too much, you know, over the top from the other side, too.

431
00:26:11,480 --> 00:26:18,140
 But, you know, I don't think Sorsby, who is still a college-age player, needs to be completely thrown under the bus.

432
00:26:19,060 --> 00:26:24,360
 I use the example of Calvin Ridley, not because he's an Alabama player, but because he's a former Falcom player.

433
00:26:25,020 --> 00:26:28,600
 And, you know, he has a story of being suspended for a year for gambling

434
00:26:28,600 --> 00:26:34,440
 and then coming back and having a very successful, continuing a very successful career.

435
00:26:34,440 --> 00:26:40,440
 So, here's an example, in the NFL where they do collectively bargain and they do have rules that are enforceable

436
00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:46,060
 and that are agreed upon and penalties are agreed upon by both sides, that, you know, there can be punishment

437
00:26:46,060 --> 00:26:47,140
 and there can be redemption.

438
00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:49,900
 And I don't think we're getting either in Sorsby.

439
00:26:50,180 --> 00:26:54,240
 I don't think he's getting the proper punishment by just getting two games off.

440
00:26:54,300 --> 00:26:58,220
 I don't think he's having the opportunity for redemption by having a real punishment

441
00:26:58,220 --> 00:27:01,340
 and then coming back and being able to overcome that and getting, you know,

442
00:27:01,340 --> 00:27:03,360
 everything he needs to become a better person out of this.

443
00:27:03,600 --> 00:27:08,580
 So, I do think, in a way, the system is broken, although I don't want to hear that from Cody Campbell,

444
00:27:08,940 --> 00:27:10,040
 who's part of the reason it is.

445
00:27:11,020 --> 00:27:18,820
 But, and then, you know, when you talk about hypocrisy, you're talking about, you know, ESPN and Fox,

446
00:27:18,940 --> 00:27:25,180
 which are raking in billions of dollars from gambling sites, you know, from sites like DraftKings

447
00:27:25,180 --> 00:27:30,640
 and so that, you know, it's so easy to get on your phone and do all these things so quickly and easily.

448
00:27:31,340 --> 00:27:34,480
 You know, it's very addictive, I believe, in my opinion.

449
00:27:35,100 --> 00:27:38,900
 And here they are raking all this money and then they're the ones controlling college football

450
00:27:38,900 --> 00:27:40,620
 and paying all the money into college football.

451
00:27:40,760 --> 00:27:46,260
 So, it's just a really sick and disgusting system, in my opinion, and I don't like any of it.

452
00:27:46,300 --> 00:27:49,780
 And I just think it's all absolutely just out of whack.

453
00:27:49,820 --> 00:27:53,320
 And I don't think anything's going to change because it's just too much money involved.

454
00:27:53,320 --> 00:27:56,720
 And the people making the money just don't care about anything but making that money.

455
00:27:57,080 --> 00:28:00,060
 And that's a great point because you can't watch a baseball game.

456
00:28:00,160 --> 00:28:03,000
 They'll show at the bottom of the screen what they call a crawl down there.

457
00:28:03,240 --> 00:28:07,740
 The average, the percentages as far as relative to betting, what this guy's going to do.

458
00:28:07,820 --> 00:28:10,000
 And then every time you look at the screen, they've got the logo.

459
00:28:10,400 --> 00:28:12,300
 I'm not going to give free publicity here.

460
00:28:12,720 --> 00:28:15,940
 But their respective betting casinos, they've got it up in the screen.

461
00:28:16,820 --> 00:28:20,660
 All these network shows now, they depend on gambling when it comes to sports.

462
00:28:20,660 --> 00:28:24,460
 But I was listening to what you said there about the dude saying he didn't kill anybody.

463
00:28:24,840 --> 00:28:27,400
 That's like saying, well, he didn't go 100 miles in the school zone.

464
00:28:27,480 --> 00:28:29,200
 He only went 95 with the kids crossing.

465
00:28:29,340 --> 00:28:29,500
 Right.

466
00:28:29,740 --> 00:28:30,180
 Exactly.

467
00:28:30,460 --> 00:28:30,900
 Exactly.

468
00:28:31,120 --> 00:28:35,920
 So, there needs to be a little bit more common sense on both sides.

469
00:28:36,120 --> 00:28:36,340
 Yep.

470
00:28:36,340 --> 00:28:37,580
 That's basically what I'm saying there.

471
00:28:38,240 --> 00:28:48,980
 And really, the bad guys are the people at ESPN and the people on the sports books who really don't care about the people they're affecting.

472
00:28:48,980 --> 00:28:53,820
 I'm sure gambling works fine for, I don't know what the percentage of, maybe 90% of the public.

473
00:28:54,460 --> 00:28:58,620
 You know, but there is a percentage that it's highly addictive to and it can ruin lives.

474
00:28:58,840 --> 00:29:07,400
 And I don't think anybody at ESPN or Fox or the sports books really cares about these people.

475
00:29:07,760 --> 00:29:11,980
 Let's finish up with you with baseball.

476
00:29:12,600 --> 00:29:16,200
 Obviously, the College World Series is going on as we speak.

477
00:29:16,580 --> 00:29:20,760
 And I know a lot of people would like to be there, including the Auburn Tigers.

478
00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:24,180
 Freshmen made up a lot of this.

479
00:29:24,320 --> 00:29:26,080
 Tim, you had a good article about this.

480
00:29:26,220 --> 00:29:31,240
 Nine out of ten freshmen were quite instrumental in having a very good year.

481
00:29:31,420 --> 00:29:33,460
 And most of those guys are coming back.

482
00:29:33,900 --> 00:29:40,580
 And, Brian, that's what a lot of this stuff in football, basketball, and particularly now football and baseball,

483
00:29:40,940 --> 00:29:45,120
 is keeping these guys, putting money, investing back in the roster.

484
00:29:45,260 --> 00:29:46,760
 And Auburn's doing a good job of that.

485
00:29:47,580 --> 00:29:55,340
 Yeah, and, you know, Auburn does have, I guess it was two true freshmen that played really well for them this season.

486
00:29:56,540 --> 00:29:57,920
 Another redshirt freshman.

487
00:29:58,160 --> 00:30:02,840
 And then, you know, six or seven from last year's class that have contributed a whole lot.

488
00:30:03,560 --> 00:30:10,080
 So, going into offseason, their goal is to, you know, finalize deals with those guys and make sure they get them back

489
00:30:10,080 --> 00:30:11,660
 and not have other schools come and steal them.

490
00:30:13,140 --> 00:30:19,200
 And that's tougher than it sounds because a lot of schools are doing different things to try to get, you know,

491
00:30:19,220 --> 00:30:24,140
 in touch with these guys and try to, you know, maybe break them loose from Auburn.

492
00:30:24,200 --> 00:30:28,040
 But I do think most, if not all, those guys that Auburn wants to return are going to return.

493
00:30:28,580 --> 00:30:32,260
 I don't think it's all official yet, but they're working really hard behind that.

494
00:30:32,340 --> 00:30:39,360
 And then they signed another really good, I guess it's 2026 class that would arrive this summer and fall.

495
00:30:39,780 --> 00:30:42,460
 And they've got some really good players in that, some potential, you know,

496
00:30:42,540 --> 00:30:43,320
 high draft picks.

497
00:30:43,780 --> 00:30:48,560
 They also want to set aside some money to try to get as many of those guys in as they have the last two years,

498
00:30:48,620 --> 00:30:50,900
 which has been a big part of their success.

499
00:30:51,240 --> 00:30:56,060
 So, once you do those two things, that leaves a limited budget for the portal.

500
00:30:56,540 --> 00:30:57,660
 But I do think they're out there.

501
00:30:57,720 --> 00:31:01,240
 They've got three portal commitments so far, and they're working to, you know,

502
00:31:01,240 --> 00:31:03,060
 just fill in some holes there.

503
00:31:03,160 --> 00:31:11,020
 But I don't think you're going to see Auburn make some big splashes in the portal just because they're really putting an emphasis on retention

504
00:31:11,020 --> 00:31:16,240
 and keeping the team together and as many of this recruiting class together as possible.

505
00:31:16,720 --> 00:31:21,340
 That's one of the most overlooked aspects of this now is retention.

506
00:31:22,200 --> 00:31:25,720
 Some of this money now is being used to keep the players you've got.

507
00:31:26,340 --> 00:31:28,840
 And that's something you've got to take into account.

508
00:31:29,240 --> 00:31:34,660
 You've got Bama baseball coming up here very shortly, but always enjoy talking Auburn with you.

509
00:31:35,320 --> 00:31:37,740
 What else have you got on the agenda this week?

510
00:31:37,860 --> 00:31:41,020
 Some of the articles and where can we get online to look at them?

511
00:31:41,020 --> 00:31:46,700
 Yeah, I'll continue to follow the Auburn baseball portal closely and any other needs to come for the baseball team

512
00:31:46,700 --> 00:31:50,420
 as far as, you know, farming up some guys coming back.

513
00:31:50,620 --> 00:31:52,940
 And then, of course, tons of football recruiting.

514
00:31:53,520 --> 00:31:57,020
 That's the big thing that's happening right now across college athletics.

515
00:31:57,580 --> 00:32:01,640
 And Auburn's got another round of official visits coming this weekend.

516
00:32:01,780 --> 00:32:03,680
 I expect more commitments and more excitement there.

517
00:32:05,020 --> 00:32:06,560
 Brian, it's always good to hook up with you.

518
00:32:06,580 --> 00:32:10,500
 We're going to suggest that folks out at Texas Tech read your musings if that's okay with you.

519
00:32:10,500 --> 00:32:12,340
 And thanks so much and have a great week, okay?

520
00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:13,920
 Hey, I appreciate it, guys.

521
00:32:13,980 --> 00:32:14,440
 Thank you, bud.

522
00:32:14,780 --> 00:32:15,240
 There you have it.

523
00:32:15,260 --> 00:32:17,580
 Brian Matthews, senior at Auburn Sports.com.

524
00:32:17,660 --> 00:32:20,180
 BB, as we mentioned at the top of the show, it's a short show day.

525
00:32:20,520 --> 00:32:24,920
 The boys from Bama about to get rocking and rolling here shortly with the pregame.

526
00:32:25,020 --> 00:32:27,720
 Your thoughts for Bama taking on Texas?

527
00:32:27,860 --> 00:32:28,940
 Texas is a good team.

528
00:32:29,560 --> 00:32:34,380
 I think it's safe to say if Alabama has to face another pitcher like they did over the weekend from Oklahoma,

529
00:32:35,060 --> 00:32:37,640
 it's going to be a relatively short stay in Omaha, Brett Beaird.

530
00:32:37,640 --> 00:32:40,220
 I think this is going to be a much more competitive game.

531
00:32:40,500 --> 00:32:41,260
 I mentioned this earlier.

532
00:32:41,420 --> 00:32:45,420
 Zane Adams actually pitched for Alabama against Texas.

533
00:32:46,140 --> 00:32:47,140
 Went six innings.

534
00:32:47,240 --> 00:32:50,960
 I believe Harold gave up either zero or one run.

535
00:32:51,460 --> 00:32:56,700
 But, yeah, the Oklahoma pitcher just completely befuddled Alabama.

536
00:32:56,700 --> 00:33:00,520
 I didn't think they had a great game plan at the plate.

537
00:33:00,640 --> 00:33:03,480
 But I do think today's game is going to be much more competitive.

538
00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:09,460
 And, of course, on the other side of the coin, exactly the pitching was not all that great for Alabama either.

539
00:33:09,940 --> 00:33:11,280
 The sticks were not there.

540
00:33:11,340 --> 00:33:15,460
 So we're going to see, again, that's coming up pregame, coming up in just a short from now.

541
00:33:16,000 --> 00:33:18,820
 BB, overall, it's amazing.

542
00:33:19,000 --> 00:33:19,640
 How many folks?

543
00:33:19,700 --> 00:33:20,940
 Let's see a show of hands.

544
00:33:20,940 --> 00:33:22,060
 I'm counting now.

545
00:33:22,180 --> 00:33:23,060
 I don't see many.

546
00:33:23,620 --> 00:33:34,460
 When we ask the question, how many folks are saying that Troy would be here closer to the championship game than Alabama or Auburn, BB?

547
00:33:34,460 --> 00:33:38,080
 Well, Harold, I thought Troy would win at least one game.

548
00:33:38,200 --> 00:33:40,540
 They're 4-4 against the SEC.

549
00:33:41,460 --> 00:33:43,160
 They've got very good pitching.

550
00:33:44,500 --> 00:33:47,720
 Ole Miss looked like they were going to pull away in that game.

551
00:33:47,820 --> 00:33:52,940
 And the ball kind of thing turned the game around yesterday for Ole Miss' best pitcher.

552
00:33:53,660 --> 00:33:57,940
 But, listen, don't discard Troy.

553
00:33:58,120 --> 00:33:59,480
 They are a good team.

554
00:33:59,580 --> 00:34:01,920
 They play one of the toughest schedules in the country.

555
00:34:01,920 --> 00:34:04,800
 It wouldn't surprise me if they still win one more game.

556
00:34:05,720 --> 00:34:06,660
 We shall see.

557
00:34:07,060 --> 00:34:08,180
 Congratulations to the Trojans.

558
00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:10,900
 Actually, I look at the numbers, BB, with that win over Ole Miss.

559
00:34:10,980 --> 00:34:13,760
 They're now 5-4 this season against teams in the SEC.

560
00:34:14,520 --> 00:34:20,480
 Ain't got to worry about any more than getting out of that side of the bracket because they eliminated the only threat in the SEC there.

561
00:34:20,560 --> 00:34:21,260
 That was Ole Miss.

562
00:34:21,680 --> 00:34:24,400
 And now they'll wait to the other side of the bracket and see who they might be playing.

563
00:34:24,500 --> 00:34:27,480
 Hopefully they can escape, first of all, on that side before getting out of there.

564
00:34:27,740 --> 00:34:31,600
 BB, again, speaking of baseball, the Braves.

565
00:34:32,460 --> 00:34:33,500
 They go to New York.

566
00:34:33,600 --> 00:34:34,540
 It's a road game.

567
00:34:34,780 --> 00:34:36,360
 They've got the nice lead.

568
00:34:36,760 --> 00:34:40,960
 But your thoughts about the Braves losing their consecutive series.

569
00:34:41,060 --> 00:34:41,820
 And that's the point.

570
00:34:42,260 --> 00:34:45,120
 As we mentioned before, you're not going to win every baseball game.

571
00:34:45,220 --> 00:34:47,360
 You're going to lose at least 54.

572
00:34:48,280 --> 00:34:52,700
 But the key there is take two out of three to the, I call it the meatloaf special.

573
00:34:52,820 --> 00:34:54,000
 Two out of three ain't bad.

574
00:34:54,380 --> 00:34:59,880
 But this is the second time they've lost consecutive series, BB, this time to the not-so-loved New York Mets.

575
00:35:00,040 --> 00:35:02,020
 Well, they've been doing that the entire season.

576
00:35:02,020 --> 00:35:03,720
 But, again, they're not hitting the ball.

577
00:35:03,820 --> 00:35:06,360
 They really need to get Drake Baldwin back.

578
00:35:06,480 --> 00:35:09,780
 Since he went out, catchers have had three RBIs.

579
00:35:10,220 --> 00:35:11,440
 I mean, that's ridiculous.

580
00:35:11,660 --> 00:35:14,500
 Spencer Strider hurt again.

581
00:35:14,640 --> 00:35:15,300
 We'll see.

582
00:35:15,740 --> 00:35:19,440
 Again, seems to not be a tear or any ligament damage.

583
00:35:19,440 --> 00:35:21,360
 But he's going to have to have some rehab.

584
00:35:21,940 --> 00:35:26,600
 They need to get Harold Acuna back, I believe, in another week.

585
00:35:27,020 --> 00:35:28,720
 But they're scuffling a little bit.

586
00:35:28,860 --> 00:35:30,780
 But, again, they've got such a big lead.

587
00:35:31,320 --> 00:35:33,280
 But they've got to get it together again.

588
00:35:33,280 --> 00:35:39,240
 And if I think if they can get Baldwin and then Austin Riley playing and hitting, that would help a lot, too.

589
00:35:39,420 --> 00:35:41,320
 Quickly, it's always recruiting season.

590
00:35:41,420 --> 00:35:44,800
 A lot of folks thought Alabama might rack-ups and commits this weekend.

591
00:35:44,920 --> 00:35:47,180
 Instead, they see a decommit.

592
00:35:48,660 --> 00:35:52,460
 Kenneth Simon, the pride of Tennessee, earlier this season coming to Alabama.

593
00:35:52,700 --> 00:35:54,860
 And guess where he's flipped to over the weekend, BB?

594
00:35:55,040 --> 00:35:56,820
 Well, he flipped to Tennessee again.

595
00:35:56,940 --> 00:35:58,880
 I wasn't exactly shocked at that.

596
00:35:58,880 --> 00:36:03,560
 But, again, sometimes players, again, they've had a change of mind.

597
00:36:03,660 --> 00:36:07,520
 And I would also guess Tennessee kind of upped the NIL a little bit on that, too.

598
00:36:07,760 --> 00:36:13,160
 Our good friend Freddie Kirby on the show tomorrow to update the latest for Alabama recruiting.

599
00:36:13,640 --> 00:36:17,700
 One thing that's been consistent throughout the entire process, BB, is Trent Seaborn.

600
00:36:17,780 --> 00:36:20,400
 I know he doesn't have the ranking ratings by his start.

601
00:36:20,480 --> 00:36:24,540
 But this kid has been as loyal to Alabama as anybody out there.

602
00:36:25,100 --> 00:36:26,300
 No question, Harold.

603
00:36:26,300 --> 00:36:30,900
 Well, he was at camp, but he's been there about 14 times in the last year.

604
00:36:31,020 --> 00:36:33,520
 But he's a real leader in helping Alabama recruit.

605
00:36:34,100 --> 00:36:38,420
 And we'll keep a close eye on that and continue the story down on the plains when it comes to recruiting.

606
00:36:38,560 --> 00:36:41,100
 But first, as promised, it's Alabama.

607
00:36:41,340 --> 00:36:43,360
 It's Texas World Series time at Omaha.

608
00:36:44,180 --> 00:36:45,900
 The pregame, straight ahead.

609
00:36:46,000 --> 00:36:48,480
 Rip the knobs off the sucker and keep it right here on 93-90.

610
00:36:48,580 --> 00:36:50,400
 The score is going to take care of business for now for us.

611
00:36:50,460 --> 00:36:53,020
 On behalf of BB, Greg, James Blair, the entire crew here.

612
00:36:53,420 --> 00:36:55,300
 Harold Buck, thank you so much for your time today.

613
00:36:55,300 --> 00:36:59,700
 Let's do it again tomorrow at noon to 2 for the Big Bowl Buck Show back here on Sports Radio 93.9.

614
00:36:59,780 --> 00:37:00,100
 The score.