Bald Guys On The Bench
Bald Guys On The Bench
The Last Quiet Sunday: NFL Predictions and College Football Reactions
Recorded August 31st, 2025
The familiar crackle of anticipation fills the air as we savor the final Sunday without NFL football until February. College football has already delivered a tantalizing appetizer with Week 1 upsets and standout performances, whetting our appetite for the professional season ahead.
Alabama's shocking season-opening loss—their first since 2001—signals potential power shifts in the college landscape, while LSU's dominant performance under Brian Kelly puts them squarely in the contender conversation. Meanwhile, Michigan's freshman quarterback sensation, who turned 18 just weeks ago, showed remarkable poise in his debut, suggesting the defending champions remain formidable despite roster turnover.
The Ryder Cup takes center stage in our golf discussion, with Keegan Bradley making the selfless decision not to select himself for Team USA. His captain's picks, including former mortgage officer Ben Griffin and the red-hot Cam Young, reflect a blend of form and fighting spirit. Bradley's sacrifice embodies the true meaning of team competition and sets a powerful tone for the American squad heading to Bethpage Black.
NFL news dominates our conversation as teams finalize their 53-man rosters and make last-minute adjustments. The blockbuster trade sending Micah Parsons from Dallas to Green Bay reshapes the NFC North, potentially transforming the Packers into legitimate contenders. We dissect the personal elements of this trade between Parsons and Jerry Jones, examining the ripple effects across both conferences.
As Thursday night's NFL kickoff approaches, we provide our division-by-division predictions, debating which teams have the firepower and depth to withstand the war of attrition that defines a successful season. From the AFC East's Bills dominance to the wide-open NFC South, we analyze championship contenders, potential breakout teams, and candidates for regression.
Join us for this pre-season finale as we celebrate the return of America's most beloved sport and prepare for months of gridiron drama, fantasy football obsessions, and the unpredictable journey that makes the NFL the greatest reality show on television. The wait is almost over—football is back!
#baldguysonthebench #graboneandcrackone #rydercup #teamusa #collegefootball #nfl
Welcome to another episode of the Bald Guys on the Bench podcast, with your hosts Graham Cohen and Scott Wasco.
Scott:What's up everyone and welcome back to another episode of the Bald Guys on the Bench. You know the last Sunday we have without NFL football until what Graham February.
Graham:It's.
Scott:I mean we got college football being played right now. What a pick, big man pick. Miami, notre Dame playing right now. I mean I'm excited. We've had some amazing games week one of college football, but you know NFL kicks off Thursday night. We got a Friday night game in Brazil. We got a full schedule on Sunday, but you know we're sitting here August 1st 1030, sunday night watching this game. Graham, what's cracking. You know what time it is, bro.
Graham:Hey, I'm thirsty and it's ready for us to talk about college football, regular football and also a little G. So let's grab one and crack one brother. Let's get it started.
Scott:Let's do it. Man. How was your weekend? What'd you do? I know it's been a while since we've talked to everybody. We had fantasy drafts and you were in San Diego last week, in LA last week, and finally made your ass home and thank God, you're not at Burning man dying in the winds like the thing I just saw on Instagram. Glad you're not there, but, dude, like we always say, it's the most wonderful time of the year, anyhow, to hit us off. What was your weekend like, besides going to movies and hanging out with the roommates?
Graham:Well, last weekend was special, it was our special special ed, but you know, yeah, I'm. I still am trying to figure out what had happened during our draft alone, just how players were nominated, picked, paid for. It's just.
Scott:It's all a blur at this point, but hey no, I was talking about me giving your boy josh golf lessons late into the evening after thomas rekt concert, like I don't even know how that hell that happened yeah, it's like uh, 1 am our time.
Graham:And scott's like yeah, just send me the video, send me the videos. I'm like dude, it's like 4 am your time. What are you talking about? Like?
Scott:ah, bring it. It wasn't that late it wasn't that late.
Graham:It seemed late, I don't know but a much-needed vacation for me. Get out of this heat of the desert. Took a trip out to SoCal, like you were saying, met up with our other friends from another fantasy football league that we co-managed, met up in Carlsbad at a friend's house, did that. That was a lot of fun. Then made it back up to LA, hung out with some homies and then our other draft that we're in was that day and it was nice. It was good to see some old friends, it was good to relax at the beach, it was nice to be out of the heat. But I'm not going to lie. After about five days I was like, yeah, it's time, let's go back. I miss my bed.
Scott:And your pillow.
Graham:And my yes, sir. Oh my gosh. When it's right, it's right, but I'm just glad it's all over with. I'm glad that I saw the people that I got to see and, like I said, I'm just excited for our one last fantasy draft that we got to do, with our other friends coming up on Tuesday night. Other One last fantasy draft that we got to do, with our other friends coming up on Tuesday night. Other than that, it's ready to rock and roll for the NFL season. Brother, I cannot wait. What about you? How was your weekend?
Scott:It was good. I mean, like we said, we went to a concert last week, hung out, chatted with you, FaceTime, gave your boy Josh a FaceTime golf lesson late into the hours time golf lesson late into the hours. And you know my mom came into town Wednesday hoping to go to Kellen's first JV game and game got postponed Still don't know why. You know she left today. So it was a cool weekend hanging out with my mom. You know, weekend before school starts here in Virginia and you know, just getting ready for the NFL fantasy drafts.
Scott:And you know, Ryder Cup captain's picks this past Wednesday and it was exciting. You know, and here we go. You know, five minutes into the episode Everybody already knows the captain's picks. We're not even going to spend a lot of time on it. But all I got to say is you know, three, four weeks ago your boy guaranteed Cam Young making the team and he played his ass off coming down the stretch and I loved it. I loved every minute of it. My guy's from New York, I mean, his dad's a PGA member like myself. I mean, how exciting is that, dude?
Graham:Hey, you need a little of that local hometown love on the team. I mean, look, this is it, bro. I mean we got to get the dub Dude.
Scott:I don't even want to stress the dub yet. I mean, I just All right.
Graham:How about this? I know we talked about it the last time. Were you surprised not surprised that Keegan didn't pick himself?
Scott:I said it in the last episode. I had a feeling he wasn't going to pick himself. And I actually like it right now because think about this, we've all watched full swing, right? We all know Keegan. The Ryder Cup was his deal. That's what he wanted to do. He wanted to play on the Ryder Cup team. What he wanted to do, he wanted to play on the rider cup team. For him to be unselfish and not pick himself you don't think that sends a sign to the team. You know how hard that was for keegan not to pick himself and to think about the team. Are you kidding me right now?
Graham:I agree, I agree, I mean I. I mean, look, it's all gonna matter once the time comes to what it does. But I really think, yes, is that a mental boost for the team? Like, all right guys, I could have been out there, but I want you to go out there and destroy. I mean he picked the right guys, I'm happy with his picks, but I mean, look, hindsight's, 20-20. We're going to say one way or the other based on how it's going to go, but I think I mean my opinion, keegan's probably like hey, I'm already here, I already have the honor of being the captain. That's good enough. I mean, is there a difference between winning it as a player versus winning it as the captain? Who knows, I'm not in those shoes. No, there's a big difference.
Announcer:Right.
Graham:Oh, I'm sure there is. There's a big difference, I'm sure there is.
Scott:Big big, big, big, big, big difference dude. Big, big, big difference dude. For Keegan to do what he did and not picking himself was insane. If he wins the Ryder Cup, if he loses the Ryder Cup, in my opinion Keegan goes down as the man. I agree. Keegan goes down as the man. I agree Because, like I said, we saw and we know about his duffel bag from the Ryder Cup when they lost and he hasn't opened it up since then. We know that story. We've all watched full swing. For my guy to not take himself is the true meaning of the Ryder Cup. He was at the country club in Brookline, massachusetts, when Ben Crenshaw said on Saturday night I got a feeling. I got a feeling and the team wore the ugliest goddamn shirts in the history of the Ryder Cup on Sunday and, by God, they came back. Keegan was there, bro Keegan, he picked the people. He has the rookie. You know Ben Griffin. You know Sam Burns. How good was that Instagram call when he called Sam Burns?
Graham:Yeah, that was pretty funny.
Scott:Dude, I'm sitting there listening to it on the way home from work. Dude, I'm sitting there Listening to it on the way home from work and I'm like, wow, you know, sam Burns played his ass off at the end of the year. Cam Young played his ass off at the end of the year. Patrick Cantley Played his ass off at the end of the year.
Graham:What else can you ask for that's what you want.
Scott:Morikawa didn't play his ass off at the end of the year, but he's also the seventh-ranked player in the goddang world.
Graham:Yeah. Okay, I mean he played better than the last two events.
Scott:I mean Bryson qualified for the Ryder Cup in the top six in eight events, that's Eight Eight.
Graham:Think about that, you know. You know, when it comes to bryson, he was asked in an interview last week or a few days ago. I was watching online and they're like so have you talked to hegan? Yet he's like, yeah, we've chatted. You know, he left a little note in my locker, you know this week and stuff, and he's just like look, I'm here to compete, I'm here to do my best, but if there's anything, I'm just here to bring the spirit of USA and the chant going. I mean dude.
Scott:And I'll tell you right now Friday morning, ryder Cup session one if Bryson is not hitting the first tee shot for the United States, something's wrong. Yeah 100% my guy's hitting it. Is he the perfect person? You know? Session one is foursomes when it's alternate shot. Session two is four ball when it's, you know, better, ball between me and you.
Announcer:Yeah.
Scott:Bryson's not the best player for foursomes, but if my guy ain't the first person hitting the tee shot on the first hole at that page, something's wrong, bro. Think about this dude, think about this, or just think about this. The last time a US Ryder Cup on home soil was announced, ben Griffin was behind a desk as a mortgage officer. Now he's teeing it up at Bethpage. My guy gave up golf, went into the mortgage business. Now he's teeing it up at Bethpage wearing the red, white and blue, and my guy and his aviators and his fries is's gonna be cocky as shit.
Graham:I mean, let's I mean you could say the same for jj spawn. I mean he was on the way out. It seemed like dude, dude, I.
Scott:I mean, like I said, I love everything about the team except for Mark Howell, and because I've said that he's going to play awesome, I mean let's go.
Graham:Let's go. Ain't mad at that, let's go.
Scott:But anyhow, we're a month away to less than a month, I know Tomorrow's September 1st.
Graham:And I am so fired up right now about it. My God, the question is, how many beers am I having on the plane ride over on that direct flight from Vegas to JFK? Baby, let's go. You know I can't get too drunk. I mean, I'm leaving at 7 am, so it shouldn't be that bad. Yeah, you'll be fine, you'll be fine.
Graham:I'm excited, just walking the course on the practice day, getting a feel for where we want to sit. As you were saying that Friday morning, you better believe I'm going to be there early and I'm going to be there sitting right there in those grandstands behind the first tee box cheering them on, all of them.
Scott:And I can't wait. It's going to be an atmosphere, dude, it's going to be an atmosphere. I mean the matchups. It's crazy to me, and TP and I were talking about it the other night. You know, alternate shot has not in your mind, has not been the United States' best format, right?
Graham:No, it's not.
Scott:Well, the last time we won, friday morning first session alternate shot.
Announcer:Yeah.
Scott:Dude it's. I mean TP and I were back and forth. We went and looked it up. I was like wow, couldn't believe it. I was shocked that we picked alternate shot as session one. I mean we got to get out to a hot start. It has to happen. It has to happen Because we all know the European team is ridiculous, ridiculous. I just hope Tommy Fleetwood is still hung over from his tour championship win and him and his 70-year-old wife are back in the back doing their thing. Boom, boom, boom. Let's go back to my room and I can dust it off. Oh, sorry, did I go there? My bad, I mean my girl is like 85. Whatever, sorry, I went there, don't care. It's Ryder Cup season, bro, don't care.
Graham:I like you, tommy Fleetwood, but your wife's old as shit, you know. Oh, my god, I'm what I'm waiting for the most the rants. I want to know what people are going to be shouting out, shouting out to the guys. I mean, it's good. I'm waiting for brutalness. I'm waiting to hear the craziest things. It's gonna happen, it happen.
Scott:It's going to happen, but in a nice way.
Graham:You know what I'm trying to say. I want the rivalry. I don't want us to be assholes.
Scott:When you're over the ball, shut up.
Graham:Oh 100%.
Scott:Before you're over the ball, kick rocks and go hang out with your 90-year-old wife. When you're walking the fairway, bo't care bro. Don't care exactly I mean, but anyhow, dude, I think was it tuesday 53 man rosters are due yep and your boy's boy got cut from the chargers.
Scott:was it the correct decision? Yeah, it was, and from a personal standpoint I'm bummed. But you know, the only thing I can say is this Heard it the other day Out of all the players cut to make the 53-man roster, the Chargers had four people picked up. From the people they cut, the Rams had five. The Rams were the number one team that cut players that got picked up. Chargers were number two at four. I'm happy about the depth that my guys have built for the Chargers in two years with Ortiz and, you know, harbaugh, but it still sucks.
Graham:True, but if I would have told you that Trey Lance would have beaten out Heineke at the start of preseason or training camp, would you have said what I?
Scott:would have said let's see it, yeah, and he did, without a doubt, yeah.
Scott:Without a doubt he looked good. I mean just going to. I mean I said it to Audrey earlier. I hate to say it, but he did. He won the job and the thing that I like, lance, signed a one-year deal. He's going to be picked up as a free agent at the end of this year and guess what Comp picks? Thanks for playing First-round pick. It's going to happen. It's going to happen. You know it is what it is. We got some other news this week. Homeboy from the Bengals finally signed. Well, he didn't sign, he agreed to a raise.
Graham:An extension, yeah.
Scott:Yeah, not an extension, a raise. I think he's only under contract this year.
Announcer:Oh yeah, you're right, you're right, yeah, I mean whatever.
Scott:But then I mean dude. I mean think about this. Hold on, I'm trying to find this stat that I screenshotted the other day. Oh, boy. Here we go. I mean 75% of the Bengals' salary cap is four players. Four players One, two, three, four. And for those of you that are wondering who those four are Burrow, chase, higgins, hendrickson.
Graham:Four you know, listening to NFL radio, moving the chains people are, you know they're the number one show. Just listen to them. They've said in all the years they've been doing the show, which is like 20 years now. You know pat kerwin, former nfl exec. He was exec for, uh, the jets and he was saying he's like look, fans always have their opinion of how teams should be run, the players that they want and all these things. But they have to remember like it's a business, you know, if this guy makes this much, then you only have so much of the pie to go around.
Graham:Everyone else, teams that have 50 or more of their cap in three players put their teams in purgatory.
Graham:Like you can't sign all the other rest of your guys that you need to sign like and we're talking just like mid-level guys, which is why, in a perfect little transition, the cowboys could not have signed Parsons Like best case scenario is they would have let it play out for the rest of this year so they can try to sign them to the following year, just because of what the cap hit would be with all the other guys that got paid Like they couldn't pick up, like the Audrey, the plans you know and a lot of the other pieces.
Graham:Like they have 20 guys that need to get re-signed after this year and it's like how can you give them their money when you got 50% of your entire cap into three players? So it's just look everyone, the NFL it's a business and the teams that know how to work the cap and get the players and also what it really comes down to do. You think NFL GMs learned the lesson yet again through Jerry Jones, where it's just like hey, man, maybe instead of waiting to pay a player, maybe you should pay him now, because it seems high now but it's only going to get higher and because you waited to pay Dak and it cost him X amount of money and then that three-year deal went on and had to pay him X amount of money.
Scott:There's no flag on that.
Graham:The ZQ Elliott deal. That was ridiculous. The CD Lamb deal could have happened the year prior and it's look, if you know you're going to like, I don't understand this. Like, oh well, we'll just wait till the next year. Why wait to pay more money? Why put yourself in that position? It doesn't make any sense. I mean, look, pittsburgh was in the same situation. We waited to pay TJ. What happened? We had to give him $141 million a year contract, which now is not numero uno because, hey, by the jerry jones decided to do michael parsons hackers the crazy thing is the show came out on netflix.
Scott:america's team right, about the cowboys, yeah, and I'm literally I started it a couple days ago right, and the amazing thing to me was the drama with Emmitt Smith and the drama with Parsons. I'm watching back in 91, the Cowboys win the Super Bowl and Emmitt holds out yeah, right, and he doesn't play week one or week two. The Cowboys coming off a Super Bowl win, win, go, oh and two to start the season, and the players all pitch to fit. What happens? Jerry's like, hey, emmett, come on back right and it's the craziest thing he pays.
Graham:It's not like jerry doesn't pay, but jerry wants to pay who he wants to pay it was dude, it was my God.
Scott:Notre Dame's about to tie it, Wow. But the thing with Micah and Jerry, to me it felt personal.
Graham:Oh 100%.
Scott:With Micah on the sideline in preseason laying down, you know His back. He acted like to me. I mean I'm not saying Micah didn't deserve the money he got, but McLaurin did what he did, got paid. Hendrickson did what he did, got paid. People in the past have done what they've done and have gotten paid, but Micah it just felt like him and Jerry. That whole battle was personal. It was beyond football, it was beyond contracts, it was F you, old man, I'm not doing it. I mean when you look I mean I just sent it to you earlier tonight when you look at what Micah signed for when he got traded to the Packers, notre Dame just scored Spotted Viettile game. Great, the taxes in Wisconsin. There's no state tax in Texas.
Graham:Ooh, the $3 million, the $3.5 million.
Scott:Still, still.
Graham:No, I get it.
Scott:I mean?
Graham:during this whole saga I didn't realize, even though Jerry is technically the general manager of the team, you know, Jerry, doesn't they have a person that does the actual contracts or the person that actually talks to the agents?
Scott:Jerry doesn't talk with agents yeah, every team has that guy.
Graham:Yeah. So Jerry is, he's going off. Well, let me just talk to him, let's get a deal this way. And he's like no, bro, he's like I have an agent, there's a reason why I have this agent and I want you to talk to the agent. And he felt that you know, hey, why are you trying to?
Graham:I almost feel like Homeboy, felt like Jerry Jones was either trying to pull the wool over his eyes or what the deal was. But it's just like hey, we can chat all we want. What you think I think is or how do I say this Jerry can think, oh, because we're having this conversation, then everything's hunky-dory and what we talked about is what's going to be in the deal. And just sat on a dotted line and he's like yo, bro, yeah, we chatted, but I'm not the official avenue in which we should be discussing this contract. That's my agent, who just happens to be the best in the business. So it's just like why are you trying to come talk to me when I tell you point blank we can talk, but I'm not the person that signs on the dotted line. That's the agent.
Scott:Well, I mean he, he does, but it's just like the agent makes everything work out understand both sides 100 you know jerry's getting two first for micah and a three-time pro bowler, yeah, but those first round picks are gonna be what Are going to be what mid-20s you would think?
Graham:Yeah, I mean, if the Packers make the playoffs, at minimum they're 20.
Scott:I mean, I can just see it. I can see it now. Jerry and the Cowboys are going to package those to move up.
Announcer:They have to.
Scott:For what, archie? I mean I don't want to throw shade at Archie for what happened yesterday. It was week one of college football. I mean, come on, this is fourth start ever.
Graham:I mean whatever. Why would they get a quarterback when they're still under contract with Dak?
Scott:Dak's, not the future dude.
Graham:I'm aware of that, but do you know what his dead cap hit is next year?
Scott:What's he on? A contract for Two more years.
Graham:Yeah, his dead cap is like $75 million. They're not cutting him.
Scott:They're not cutting him. They're going to let Dak keep playing. They're going to draft a quarterback. Let's go. Dak ain't bad dude. Dak's not a bad quarterback.
Graham:I'm not saying, he's not he would have been helpful.
Scott:He's had the injury bug yeah. And Dak went from the best offensive line in football to True. I mean he went from having CD. Now he's got CD Ferguson and Pickens.
Graham:Ain't mad at that.
Scott:I mean, come on Miami, God dang it. Oh bomb, no chance. Oh pass interference. Throw that flag, you stupid son of a bitch. There's the flag, let's go. And yes, folks, I do have Miami plus three, if you're wondering.
Graham:You are unbelievable. Anyhow, If you're wondering uh, who are on believable?
Scott:Anyhow, let's enough with Micah. I mean dude Packers are legit bro.
Graham:Hey, they are now.
Scott:Not only are they division, but Jerry, why are you trading Micah in the goddamn conference?
Graham:Because he said point blank if I'm trading him, I need to get a defensive tackle in return, A quality defensive line starter.
Scott:Did you see him throw the jab at him too? Jerry Jones is petty. Oh my god. I was like stop, oh my god. I was like oh my god. Is he really saying that? You old?
Graham:everyone's gonna say everything. I mean, look, when a relationship goes bad, you're gonna poopoo a little bit after it's over. I mean, look, you could look at it from both sides with Micah, without Micah, they had a problem stuffing the run. So even if you sign the guy and you still can't stuff the run, that's not going to help you. So I mean, getting the guy that they got from Backers, who's good, to stop in the run, that actually kind of helps them. I mean, look, this is fresh.
Scott:How excited do you think Kurt Daniels, jackson Dart and Russell Wilson are I mean With him out of the division. You think they're happy?
Announcer:Yeah.
Scott:What do you think my boy Caleb Williams, painting his fingernails pink, feels like right now.
Graham:Hey, I think it's a good move for a lot of teams. I mean, look, this is just now bulletin board material for the Lions. I mean, think about it. You know they were favored before Parsons came along, but now they're like, hey man, look who's in our division now. I mean, that's all the motivation that you know the offensive line for Detroit needs. You know Dan Campbell's like hey man, you see what's here.
Announcer:You can step up, you're going to fight.
Scott:And how good is that O-line in Detroit? If they ain't first, you're last and they're probably first.
Graham:Well, the problem is they lost their Pro Bowl Center to retirement. I mean they still got. They still got Penny Sewell on the left tackle. So I mean that ain't. I mean they're solid, it's going to. I mean that ain't.
Scott:I mean they're solid, it's going to be. I mean the Packers.
Graham:Does that not make the NFC North almost more interesting than what the NFC East is going to put out there this year? I mean, that's the division to watch right now. I disagree Really.
Scott:I mean Chicago on the up, afc West. Look at the head coaches you got there. Look at what the Broncos have done. Chargers are up and coming. The Chiefs obviously are the Chiefs. You got Pete Carroll and Vegas.
Graham:Okay, who would you take out of the two worst teams? You're saying Chicago and then the Raiders. Who's the better team?
Scott:chicago, I think okay. So if their worst team is better than that division's worst team, wouldn't you say but I think the top three in the afc west are better than top three in the nfc north. Fair enough, and you know me, I hate to give credit where credit's due, but the Broncos are going to be solid.
Graham:I don't disagree. I don't disagree at all. I mean, if that defense keeps playing the way it does, they can keep running the ball. I mean Bo Nix.
Scott:I mean, it's Bo Nix, sophomore year. You know the story Sophomore slump by God. I hope he has it.
Graham:I don't know. It seems like the sophomore slump is not as much as I think now Did you see CJ Stroud last year?
Scott:I mean, yeah, he whipped my charter's ass in the playoffs. But was it because of Stroud or was it because of the defense, the defense.
Graham:Yeah, all right, I get that.
Scott:A hundred percent, you ain't wrong. Anyhow, dude saw something the other day. I had to screenshot it. Thought it was amazing. Okay, 49ers wide receiver Marquez Valdez-Scantling has one of the most insane streaks in the NFL For the last five years. Every quarterback he's played with has won the MVP and Super Bowl MVP 2020, rodgers 2021, rodgers 22,. Mahomes 23 22. Mahomes 23. Mahomes 24. Josh Allen 25. Purdy.
Graham:Dude, those are some good odds. Dude Purdy with the MVP has to be like plus 20,000.
Scott:Dude, I mean.
Graham:Can I look this up right now?
Scott:Miami, third and two. He's short, bro, he's short.
Graham:No, they keep pushing him, he's short. They gave it to him.
Scott:You won.
Graham:Miami. What are you talking about? I?
Scott:know, but I don't talk fan ball, dude, I talk football. How about Alabama losing yesterday, bro? They lose their season opener for the first time since 2001.
Graham:You know, all I'm going to say is this there's nothing. Well, I can't say that there's not a lot of things that make me more happy than hearing things like that. I'm just so tired of the same teams being dominant and it's just what's expected, and it's the same thing year after year after year after year. And, to be honest, it's one of the things that I'm kind of excited about with the NIL, because at least it gives the other teams the opportunity, because, look, players, what do they care about? They want to make the money, and if they're not going to make it to the NFL, the only way to make that money is in college. So if you give everyone the equal opportunity to show me that money, I mean it gives more teams an opportunity to get players and play.
Scott:Speaking of showing that money, nil Underwood, michigan's quarterback, reversing his commitment to LSU and going to Michigan, gave LSU all this free NIL? Lsu spent all the money on what Defense? All this free? Nio, lsu spent all the money on what Defense? How good did that defense look yesterday?
Graham:Lock, lockdown bro, pretty good. One thing I did notice did you notice? From your boy Underwood? He threw more yards than your entire quarterback room last year in one game.
Scott:That ain't hard.
Graham:I was like wait what? And for being a true freshman. The kid looked good.
Scott:He just turned 18, bro, that's insane. Like a week and a half ago, like a week and a half ago, a week and a half ago, a week and a half ago. I mean, the guy's a stud.
Graham:Can you imagine walking around Michigan campus being him?
Scott:The thing that irritated the shit out of me and I don't know if you saw it last night, but in the first quarter he hands it off to the running back. The thing that irritated the shit out of me and I don't know if you saw it last night in the first quarter he hands it off to the running back and he lays this amazing block as the running backs get into the end zone and I'm like you, son of a bitch, you do not need to be blocking a linebacker. And I'm like losing my mind. And it came out today. They're like yeah, I told him stop, no, doing that Of course not.
Scott:I'm like dude, are you kidding me? Week one of the season.
Graham:I mean, if this is a bowl game, all right, maybe we'll think about it.
Scott:But I'm like oh, my God.
Graham:Not even against Ohio State.
Scott:And then Ohio State, texas. Yesterday RG versus on the road making his fourth start against the first-time starter for Ohio State. I remember Friday night I sent you and BT no starter for his first start has ever beaten a number one team. Yeah, thanks for playing. Went ahead and jinxed that. Oh, miami kicked the field goal up three with a minute four left. Dude that game. Yesterday Ohio State won 14-7. I'm going to give credit where credit's due and I hate Ohio State. Their defense is legit.
Graham:Dude, you took the words right out of my mouth. Their defense is legit. You know why they got.
Scott:Patricia, yeah, yeah, I mean whatever their defense was legit.
Graham:Dude, when you start implementing pro concepts in the college game and they're run correctly, dude, Archie Manning was like where are they coming from, Dude? The final play of the game. It looked like they were rushing six or rushing five. Three dropped, Only two rushed, but the guy that rushed there was four offensive linemen blocking one guy. The guy that ran after manning at the end was basically untouched, like that's all scheme and schematics dude, but once again it's week one of the college football season, for sure.
Scott:It's week one. Who impressed? Week one in my mind LSU. Lsu was 0-5 in their last five season openers. Brian Kelly, as the LSU head coach, 0-3 in his first three games. They looked legit, whatever, whatever I'm just kidding they looked legit dude.
Graham:Whatever, I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding.
Scott:They looked legit, dude. I mean going on the road and it was funny Death Valley versus Death Valley and Tigers versus the Tigers. You know it was like a total. You know like. You know, it was like we're the real Death Valley. No, we're the real Death Valley, we're the real Tigers, we're the real Tigers. Shut up, you're both gay, oh my God. I mean whatever, Nobody cares, the Big Ten looks dominant. I mean, yeah, penn State plays school for the dumb, deaf and blind. But you know, next week we got michigan on the road at oklahoma. One of michigan's one of michigan's stud defenders got ejected for targeting, which hopefully is, you know, not going to be overturned. When I mean, that was the most bullshit play I've ever seen in my life, I mean it goes in for a view of fumble and it comes out as a targeting. Uh, I'm sorry what?
Scott:balls out that's a fumble. He's calling it incomplete.
Graham:You're stupid you can tell that I haven't been playing close enough attention to this game when, with 46 seconds left, I finally realized that I'm like why is Mammy so good? Because they have like fifth or sixth year starter. What's his name? Carson Beck, the dude from Georgia.
Scott:Yeah, the dude from Georgia.
Graham:I completely forgot about that.
Scott:Yeah. I'm like he looks familiar I mean we also got bill belichick's debut tomorrow night. Yeah, chapel hill against ttu. I mean, I'm just gonna say it right now throw all your money on tc really yeah, yeah, that's a strong statement throw it on tc considering, as I'm looking it up right now.
Scott:Come on and I was so bitter today because virginia tech was playing south carolina and in virginia you can't bet on virginia schools and I would have laid the wood on south carolina, on South Carolina, and it was a game at halftime, but then it wasn't.
Graham:I mean this isn't bad, plus three and a half at home Tar Heels.
Scott:Oh, lsu or TCU.
Announcer:Really.
Scott:Yeah, oh, second and 17,. My boy got sacked. Notre Dame's got no timeouts. Six, five, four, three, two, one Game's over. That game's over. Yeah, the clock is zero. Sorry about it. Fighting Catholics.
Graham:Well, even I mean, look dude, they were on the 15-yard line. Even if they let him go, I mean, come on.
Scott:Still don't care, let's go. Your boy just wanted that. Let's go.
Graham:Hey Jeff, hey Jeff, Go Mets.
Scott:Talk about the Mets who, just because you're not smart enough to like baseball, I mean. Anyhow, it's Sunday night. It's Sunday night, the last Sunday before the NFL starts. We're almost 45 minutes into this show. Let's jump down the divisions real quick.
Graham:Alright, cool Perfect.
Scott:You can start first.
Graham:Got my bets right here.
Scott:AFC East. Who's winning? Oh, dude, buffalo.
Graham:I mean it's not right here. Afc East who's winning? Oh, dude, buffalo. I mean it's not even close.
Scott:Buffalo AFC South. That's a tough one.
Graham:Ah jeez, I don't.
Scott:Texans Colts or Jags.
Graham:Look, we talked about this off-air. I personally think this is the toughest division to pick. You could go a lot of ways. The Texans are the favorite, although that no offensive line, I'll stick with them. But I mean I know where you're going, so let's have a little variety. I'll stick with the Texans.
Scott:All right, afc East, we got AFC South. Afc North.
Graham:Look, people can call me a homer and that's fine. That doesn't mean I'm going to pick my squad. I mean, look, what do they say? What was that?
Announcer:I don't know.
Graham:Okay, what's that saying? You can't be the champ until you beat the champ. So, by that logic, baltimore I hate to say it yeah.
Announcer:AFC West.
Graham:I mean, that's almost the same mantra, so I you got to pick the chiefs.
Scott:Yeah, especially with Kelsey getting engaged.
Graham:Dude, if there's ever a storybook ending for him, especially after what happened last year and and and what happened in the Superbowl. If you're telling me that he's not going to care, I mean, come on.
Scott:I mean, how awesome would it be for him to break his leg week four?
Graham:I mean, I don't want it to happen, I'm just saying but if that was how his career ended, that would be terrible. If you saw his face, he's just like eh, Terrible.
Scott:If you saw his face he's just like eh, what it when Derwin body slams him. Week one in Brazil, Friday night.
Graham:Oh, my God.
Scott:One play.
Graham:Have you seen the history of how?
Scott:Derwin, I mean whatever, all right, nfc, NFC East.
Graham:Eagles.
Scott:NFC South. This is a tough one. Do it Just do it. Falcons Wow, I didn't see that coming. That was out of right field.
Graham:I mean Tampa was two plays away. I mean, like I get it, the pieces Falcons got in the draft. I mean, look, hold on, can I change my mind again? Nope, you said Falcons got in the draft. I mean, look, hold on, can I change my mind again?
Scott:Nope, you said Falcons.
Graham:The real question is do we trust Pennix? You do and honestly I do. And now that I think about it, even if he gets hurt, they got Kirk Cousins.
Scott:Kirk Cousins is no slouch, no slouch and folks. Next Sunday after week one, I got to take a shot on air because I said Kirk Cousins was not going to be on the Falcons roster.
Graham:Let's go. He remembered.
Scott:Of course All right, so NFC North.
Graham:Go Pat go.
Scott:NFC West. This is hard.
Graham:It's the Rams, everybody says that. And the worst part?
Scott:is the niners actually have better odds, but it's only because of their schedule. Yeah, but here's the schedule what's the saying?
Graham:any given sunday, you could play the worst team, all the bad teams, dude. When you don't have healthy receivers, when you have your stud running back, that is on its ninth life, I mean, dude, they're being held up by papier-mâché and glue. They really are. If they stay healthy, they have an unbelievable chance to win the division. But this is the nfl who stays healthy nobody exactly so nobody go into it, assuming people are going to get hurt.
Graham:I kind of got to give my chance. My the edge to the rams in that case. So that's why I'm going that way. But then again, like we said, with injuries, is stafford making it all 18 weeks with that back? Who knows?
Scott:Who knows? All right. So NFC West, I'm going Niners. Nfc North, I'm still going to go Lions.
Graham:All right, I like that, I like that.
Scott:I'm still going. Lions, not a bad pick. Nfc South, I mean. Come on, I don't know how I've developed, as tp would call it, to make I have some kind of weird man crush on baker mayfield you do love him, by the way I guess I do, tp I don't know. Tampa nfc south nfc 100 eagles. I mean, let me ask you a question would South NFC 100% Eagles?
Graham:I mean, let me ask you a question Would you still take the Eagles even if Hurts get hurt? If Hurts get hurt, who's their backup? Well, I can tell you who it's not. It's not, I don't remember off the top of my head Now that you say that that's a good.
Scott:I forget who their backup is.
Graham:Who played all preseason Because you know it wasn't Hurts.
Scott:Well, what's? His nuts got traded.
Announcer:Yeah, that's what I'm saying, pickett.
Graham:Yeah, well, he was traded at the end of the season, or at the beginning of the season.
Announcer:Anywho.
Graham:Anyhow.
Scott:AFC's bills. I mean, come on, how do you? But I'm going to go out and say Patriots are second in the AFC East. Talk about long shots. Well, I bet they're over in wins, did you?
Announcer:Yeah.
Scott:No, you didn't. You were hating on Drake May AFC South. I'm just going to go out and say it, jaguars. I get it and say it, jaguars. I get it.
Announcer:I get it.
Scott:I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't get why I'm saying it.
Graham:I don't get it, you're hoping the new regime, the new blood, the new.
Scott:I don't know.
Graham:Dude, there's parts of me that think that Tennessee could be just as good as Jacksonville.
Scott:Dude, I'm going out and saying the parts of me that think that Tennessee could be just as good as Jacksonville. Dude, I'm going out and saying the Colts.
Graham:Yeah, look, the Colts have pieces. Yes, they just effed up. They took Richardson fourth overall.
Scott:I mean Danny Dimes. Could he be the guy like Baker? Could he be the guy like Baker?
Graham:Could he be the guy like Sam Darnold? Yeah, my only argument to that would be I say we were going with this. I get it, but even though the Giants and the GM of the Giants at that time is blanking on me right now but like, would any other team have taken him at eight? I think he was drafted at eight. Would they have taken Danny dimes in the first 15, especially coming from? Didn't he play for Duke, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, they had a more. I think they had them hyped more. I'm not saying he doesn't have an arm. My point is this compared to those other players. My point is this Compared to those other players, yeah, they were put in a bad position because they were really great in college.
Scott:They went to a really shitty team Bears.
Graham:Mitch Trubisky. Yeah, bears Also number two overall. Niners, trey, lance, four overall or three, three? Yeah, I mean think about this.
Scott:Sam Darnold Baker Mayfield.
Graham:Sometimes all it takes is a change in scenery, facts, and then also Look what.
Scott:Sam Darnold did last year.
Graham:Yes, Look what he got paid. So what you're saying is the right system for a player to come into and thrive in means something Duh. Well, that's my point. That's why it's so hard for these top players that go you know these quarterbacks to go one through five, to go to shitty teams like what do you expect is gonna happen? I mean, look peyton manning, his first year hello, I mean some of these other quarterbacks. It's almost impossible to go 1-2 and take, which is why what happened with Jaden Daniels For what he did from the two spot to take his team to the NFC Championship? Who Saw that coming?
Scott:I'm going to say this too, and Audrey will probably kick me square in the nuts we're going to see a sophomore slump from Jaden yeah, they got Debo. Yeah, they extended Scary Terry, but guess what? Their defense still can't stop the run. And teams in the NFC East Eagles, dees, pretty good, yeah, they're pretty good. They got this guy named Saquon, he's pretty good. Giants this guy named Saquon, he's pretty good. Giants, not really worried about them. Cowboys, not really worried about them. But the NFC in general, I don't know. I agree, I hope they kick ass and take names. I just, I mean dude, let's face it. Remember RG3? I've heard of him. How good was he his rookie season. Do you remember how small he was?
Announcer:Yeah.
Scott:Enter Jaden Daniels.
Graham:I mean, if you think about it, there's really only One rookie who was Drafted high and, you know, had a bunch of wins and took his team to the playoffs and, you know, made something of it. You know what I'm talking about who's that?
Scott:are you talking about big ben?
Graham:yes, sir okay.
Scott:What about eli? What about rivers? What about herbert? What about?
Graham:what about him? I'm just saying when push come to shove and he had to come in his first year, he wasn't supposed to be the starter, it was Maddox. Maddox got hurt and then Ben came in and was just like Hold my beer, I got you.
Scott:Because of a defense. Yeah, 100%, hey special circumstances Because of a defense.
Graham:Hey, we had some good offensive players too.
Scott:Yeah, they weren't bad.
Graham:Oh, I'm sorry he should be in the Hall of Fame Hines Ward, jerome Bennis, alan Fanico.
Scott:Jerome Bennis.
Graham:Yeah.
Scott:How about Bennis?
Graham:Bennis, Bennis, Bennis.
Scott:Oh my lord, anyhow.
Graham:You know what? I don't know what kind of earplugs you got in over there, but I said his name correctly.
Scott:No, you said Bennis, bennis, bennis, whatever. Anyhow, you remember the bet I sent. The bet I sent you the other night.
Graham:You sent me a lot of stuff About making the playoffs. Oh, yeah, yeah yeah.
Scott:Who was it Chiefs? Eagles, yeah, yeah, who was it Chiefs?
Announcer:Eagles, Ravens, Bills. Can I bet?
Scott:that yeah, those four teams to make the playoffs.
Graham:Is what Plus 200?
Scott:Plus 122.
Graham:Yeah, I get that, but do you want to have X amount of money held up for six months?
Scott:When it should be a guarantee.
Graham:Yeah, like, can you just pay me now?
Scott:It's not all about the odds, bro.
Graham:No, I get that. I'm just saying like, I mean, the real question is out of all those teams, if the starter goes down, can they still make the playoffs?
Scott:The Bills, who's their backup?
Graham:Trubisky.
Scott:Trubisky Maserati Mitch.
Graham:That's not a name. You said when he was in Pittsburgh.
Scott:Eagles Dude. On that note, let's just Lee Corso. Yesterday Final game day appearance, incredible dude oh for sure.
Graham:Deserves all the flowers, dude, dude, oh for sure, incredible. Deserves all the flowers.
Scott:Dude's 90 years old Dude. I mean incredible. I don't even know what to say. I mean the guy has been on college game days since I can remember. But the coolest thing that I love about sports is, like I always say, sports is the best reality show ever.
Announcer:Facts.
Scott:Every team that Corso either played or coached for won yesterday. Jesus, Is that any good yeah?
Announcer:it's pretty good Yesterday Jesus.
Scott:Is that?
Announcer:any good. Yeah, it's pretty good.
Scott:I mean Maryland, louisville, florida State, navy, Indiana, northern Illinois, all one. And quick shout out Coach Bobby Wilder. Tennessee Tech laid the wood yesterday 65 to nothing. Let's go, let's go to nothing, let's go, let's go. Michael Vick dude, his first head coaching game as the head coach of Norfolk State. I don't know if you saw the home game. I don't know how they were playing. Talzin, stephen A Smith was there. Cam Newton Iverson and ESPN did their show in the basketball arena with Stephen A Smith. I, cam Newton Iverson and ESPN did their show in the basketball arena with Stephen A Smith. I forget what it was called.
Graham:First take.
Scott:First take at Norfolk State 18,000 fans there. They got the wood laid to them, but you're telling me my boy, michael Vick, ain't selling tickets. They couldn't even spell 19,000 fans in that football stadium until that happened.
Graham:Oh, of course, not Of course not Dude, Cam Newton comes.
Scott:I mean insane, yeah, Insane.
Graham:ESPN locked him up too. Gave him some money.
Scott:Insane but dude Bama. Insane but dude bam. Rumor on the street is the boosters are trying to raise 70 mil to fire homeboy.
Graham:Yeah, hold on, you want to pay me 70 million dollars and I'll just go home and do whatever I want. Obviously he's still young. He'll I mean like he'll get a job to find something to do, but I'm just saying like look what he.
Scott:look. What he did at was he took Washington to the national championship game against Michigan. I mean it's hard to blast the guy when Saban announced his retirement and everybody jumped in the transfer portal. For sure Can't blast the guy.
Graham:Yeah, considering the fact that Washington had, how many players make it to the NFL from that year?
Scott:Yeah, pennix Odunze.
Announcer:Yeah. First round picks.
Graham:Yeah, their other wide receiver went early, offensive lineman went early.
Scott:It's tough to blast the guy, I agree. I agree. I mean we got NFL football, graham, on Thursday. We got fantasy football starting. We got Survivor Leagues. I know I know which I hate more than anything, but you and I got that dub last year.
Graham:That is true. Hey, can you make a commitment on air right now to our fantasy leagues, and that is, can you not give up in week four?
Scott:I'm not giving up in week four. Dude, I had this weird stupid man crush on CJ Stroud and my team started 1-5 or whatever, and I traded the farm away for him and you know, I don't know Whatever.
Graham:Hey, to your defense, you still almost made the playoffs.
Announcer:Yeah.
Graham:You fought.
Scott:Almost.
Graham:It was just more of it at week four. It's like, bro, there's so much to live for you, there's so much to do almost, almost.
Scott:But anyhow, graham, it's a. It's that time, bro, friday night. I've already accepted the loss we're going to take in Brazil against the Chiefs Some bullshit.
Graham:On YouTube, not YouTube.
Scott:TV. Well, you can watch it on either. Or Well, yeah, if you're a subscriber. We all know the NFL is going to. I mean, whatever it is what it is, it's week one.
Graham:It'll be close. I think it'll be close.
Scott:Oh, they're all close against the chiefs. Look at the last five years, yeah I know they're all close.
Graham:It's also tough to judge week one. You know what I mean. Like the starters are finally playing the whole game, like. That's why I mean look, compared to the previous Previous 15, 10 years, this week one schedule is unbelievable when it comes to these matchups it's good.
Graham:I mean unbelievable. I just, I mean you, just, I mean starting off Eagles, cowboys, chiefs, chargers, bucks, falcons Ain't mad at that. I mean, a lot of these are there are a lot of most of them are division games. Dude, our first three games, most of them are division games.
Scott:You know just Dude our first three games of the season are division games.
Graham:Dude Pittsburgh usually finishes. The last three games are all division.
Scott:We go Chiefs, Ravens, Broncos.
Graham:That will shape up your division real quick.
Scott:And the NFL finally did the right thing with Rice, yeah, and suspended him. You know, he wasn't going to have his court hearing until after week four. Why is that? Oh, because the Chiefs played Chargers, eagles, ravens, giants the first four weeks. Well, guess what Now?
Graham:he's out. Yeah, it's all right, they got Marquise Brown, he'll just run.
Scott:Yeah, okay, whatever he's out. Yeah, it's all right, they got Marquise Brown, he'll just run. Yeah, okay, whatever he's 120.
Graham:Hey, I get it, I get it. Hey, I'm still rooting for the Chargers. I got my jersey.
Scott:I'll wear it. Yeah, it's going to be a hell of a season. I'm excited for it. I think it's wide open, dude, I agree. I mean look AFC and NFC, I think it's wide open.
Graham:There's top heavy teams. I get it, but like we said before earlier, this league it's a war of attrition. Stay healthy, that's. I mean you could be great for 10 weeks and then lose your top guy and be like what happened was next thing you know, nick Foles is the backup quarterback winning the super bowl.
Scott:Yeah, I mean it's so hard having the Philly special and your plate.
Graham:Yeah, and I wouldn't be mad at that because that's something that will is in NFL history books. That will. We see that dude. That play comes up every year at some point multiple times. It's awesome, multiple times. Look, I'm surprised, did you start with it? It's that time. Are you going to sing the song?
Scott:I already sang it once, but I'll sing it again.
Graham:Yeah, I think it's time. Let's finish off with the song.
Scott:I mean in honor of Tay-Tay and Trav getting engaged. You know, I just got to throw it out there. What's that song I used to always sing with them Shake it Off.
Graham:Yes, sir.
Scott:All right, let's just jump right into it. It's the most wonderful.
Graham:Wonderful.
Scott:Shake it off. Shake it off. But you know what, kelsey, I hope everyone breaks your ass in half Friday night in Brazil. I mean, it's only going to be 95 degrees and you're a hairy ass. Take off your sweater, you, son of a bitch. We all know you outkicked your coverage getting engaged to Tay-Tay. I mean, you know what? Kermit the Frog Kermit the Frog, my boy got something for your ass that you ain't gonna be able to move on. Randy Reed, with your rib eating, son of a bitch, hey, you fat son of a bitch, you got something on your beard. Let's go chargers. It's football season. I hate everybody If you don't have a lightning bolt on your helmet. Graham, take us out of here. I love you. It's that time.
Graham:Oh, the long await is finally over. I can't wait to come back next week with some NFL action and news. Scott, it's always a pleasure doing the podcast with you and, as the best homie always says, Booba.
Scott:Good night friends. It's the most wonderful time for Kelsey to get hurt, or Mahomes or Andy Reid to choke on a rib.
Announcer:This episode of the Bald Guys on the Bench podcast is brought to you by our friends at Northstar Credit Union and Southern Auto, located in Southeast Virginia.
