SEC Football GAMEDAY Week One ft. Chris Doering of "SEC Network"

[Music] ladies and gentlemen boys and girls week one of the college football season is officially here we have got a jam-pack slate of games welcome to the SEC unfiltered game day show for week one as we get you ready for kickoff and all the action taking place guys before we get going make sure you like subscribe turn notifications check us out via podcast wherever you get those you can also find us across all social media platforms as well as our website SEC unfiltered.com and again want to give a quick shout out to our friends over at prize picks who are sponsoring the SEC unfiltered Tour all week long as we are live from Gainesville Florida just down the road from the swamp thanks to our friends at prize pck speaking of the Florida Gators in fitting fashion Our Guest for today talking all things SEC football he's a dear friend of mine someone I'm grateful to call the friend does a great job as well talking SEC football for the SEC network and other Ventures as well that he has different podcasts and such Chris doring a Florida Gator is great and again one of the best in the business when it comes to talking SEC Chris what's going on man appreciate you thanks man I appreciate the intro and uh man I I I would love to say welcome to Gainesville my hometown the place that I live now but uh actually out of town so I hope my fellow Gators treat you well while you're in town there bro I can tell you this Chris Florida fans have rolled out the red C carpet and I'm not just telling you that it has been incredible the hospitality that we felt from the Florida faithful and so can't wait to experience that obviously at the swamp during game day it's going to be electric but Chris let's talk about some of the games in the SEC maybe outside of those big four right Florida Miami Texas seim Notre Dame LSU USC and of course Georgia and Clemson I is there anything for you that you're excited to see a certain team a certain matchup I mean I I don't think we're going to get any like cra upsets or anything right we've got a lot of FCS matchups but is there just you know after a full offseason it felt like it was such a long offseason and talking and and projecting and analyzing is there a certain team that's not playing in a big game that you're most excited to finally see them take the field man there there's a couple that come to mind one um I'm not just kissing ass here but uh Lenor sers I want to see what Lenor sers and that offense looks like how dow Loggins maybe adjust to uh his running ability a little bit more what they'll look like behind an offensive line that was beat up last year and gained some much needed experience I've heard tons about the defense and the Improvement on that side of the ball how physical those guys have been during camp and the the depth that they've had so South Carolina's won uh I think kuy's another one uh fifth straight year with a different offensive coordinator than they finished the previous season with bush hamen comes in Bush was at Florida a long time back but uh has worked his way up to the coaching ranks now inherits Brock Vandergriff the former Georgia quarterback I I also hear that they're going to maybe utilize the the Ruckers transfer there as well as a a guy can give you a little running ability too but that that Kentucky defense is going to be Stout and then the team I'm most kind of uh bullish on this this offseason is Tennessee I I I've talked a lot about what I expect from the balls I think they're a 10- win team this year I believe in niiko malava I think the receivers will be better the defense has some questions in the second but when you have pass rushers like James Pierce Jr and Josephs who's going to be a nice kind of a surprise this year for a lot of people I think that that's U the team that that maybe I'm most excited to see as they roll things out tomorrow Chris when you look at the rest of the Slate of games is there a non SEC matchup that Sparks your interest I mean I it's not it's not as loaded a week one slate as maybe some years past I know Penn State West Virginia is kind of one that comes to mind that a lot of hype and anticipation ESPN's on the road at that one um any non SEC games though that maybe could shape the landscape of college football in any way that you you've got your eye on specifically Yeah you mentioned the Penn State West Virginia game that would probably be it and and more so because of my time playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers and and that's kind of right between those two universities I had a chance to go down and and and watch a West Virginia game when I was playing out there and uh that that home field Advantage they have is is awesome I've always wanted to make my way up to uh to state college which I haven't had the chance to do yet either so that's the one that just because of the proximity and uh some of the history with that in the past too is one that I'm I'm kind of keeping my eye on as well but I got my plate full man it's it's crazy now with Oklahoma and and Texas in this league we're gonna have Windows going on tomorrow where we got five games going at the same time it's a almost impossible task to keep your eye on everything happening and be able to talk about knowledge at the end of the night well God bless you Chris if there's anybody that can do it I know you guys can handle it but to your point it is a lot to keep up with for sure your Sundays will be busy catching up with games I know um you mentioned Chris I'm I'm gonna ask you again you mentioned some individual players um you know again I I think in these some of these FCS matchups some of these lower level games you kind of have to try to read between the lines and you're looking more I think at Personnel right especially with transfer portal just seeing guys in those jerseys how they fit in their systems uh you mentioned a couple individual players are there any more individual players coaches any of those kind of storylines that you know maybe you're flying under the radar in your mind that you're just excited to you know excited to see how these guys how these guys look in their first action I just think in general the thing that I've been talking about a lot and I know it's it's the most talked about position in sports is the quarterback spot I mean there is just a plethora of real experience and talent even guys that are just taking over for the first time we know they're names I mean I I don't know if you can remember a season where you've had this kind of group of of firsttime starters that are are are making their debut that you know more about whether Blake shaen at at Mississippi State at Jeff Levy's offense well we saw him at at Baylor last year throw for almost 2200 yards 13 touchdowns and only three interceptions it's a fun offense that we got to see when he was at Old Miss there with Lane kein trying to build that program that's something that uh I think is is kind of Awesome uh Diego Pavia uh the guy that that took down Auburn last year in in on the planes there in Jordan hair coming over with his offensive coordinator from New Mexico state it it just seems like everywhere you look there's a quarterback that you you either know a lot about or there's a lot of anticipation to see and so I think that's kind of the thing across the board in this conference that I'm looking forward to Chris doring of SEC network Chris let's make some picks for week one we got five games here of course four of them you guys are very well aware you know what they're going to be and we added in a a bonus game for fun uh let's start Chris with this game I feel like a game that you could almost argue it's maybe flying under the radar a little bit maybe because of the spread and this isn't if this was six or seven years ago we're talking about the Clemson Tigers in a different light but Georgia obviously opens up the 2024 season at Mercedes Benz you get left out of the playoff a season ago we all know what happened in the Orange Bowl against Florida State but you got to think it's a Georgia team with the chip on the shoulder you know they they want to prove they're still the no pun intended Top Dog in college football and it starts by setting the tone against a Clemson team that I'm not sure if you saw Chris but 247 release their most talented rosters in college football they've got Clemson in the top five at Fifth and George is at second so maybe these two rosters a little bit closer than we're giving credit for maybe this game could also be how do you see this playing out do you think Georgia runs away with it and covers that two touchdown spread or do you think we're in for a dog fight I I got to see it on offense before I believe it I I I do think the Clemson defense is very talented at all three levels I think it's going to be you know a challenge for Carson Beck and and the rest of the offense particularly because we don't necessarily know who's going to be available at the running back position haven't heard any update on on Trevor etan yet at this point the receivers you lost last year with Brock Bowers and lad makoni being two of the focal points of of Carson Beck's passing uh I think that's an interesting storyline but look no further than the team total for Clemson 16 and a half points there's not a whole lot of expectation that Kate kumnick and Company are going to be able to move the ball against that Georgia defense and it doesn't really matter who the names are on on that side of the ball we know that they're going to be uh studs you know that they're going to have multiple um waves of of guys particularly in the front that are going to be able to rush the passer I just you hear about the pieces that are surrounding Kate kumnick particular at the receiver spot I I just I I I've heard this story before i' have to see it before I believe it and I'm going with You Chris I'm going with the Georgia Bulldogs as well Georgia since 2021 they've had 10 games they've had more than a week to get ready they've won all 10 and seven of them Chris they've won by 22 points or more so Kirby Smart and Company you give them extra time to get going it's typically a big big Georgia win I think that's the case again in Atlanta uh let's go Vanderbilt Virginia Tech again this one Chris kind of off the- wall a little bit of a bonus game here uh commodor in Nashville going for a big upset you mentioned go Pavia that era beginning what they're going to look like on offense will be interesting it's probably a long shot but you see any way Vandy gets the upset or do you like Virginia Tech who's actually kind of a dark horse to win the ACC this year yeah Virginia Tech returns a lot of Talent on the offensive side so obviously they're they're a pretty heavy favorite in this game but I think one of the unique things that you have to look at Clark Lee taking back over the defensive play calling I I like it I I've never understood coaches that have made their way up the coaching ladder by being coordinators on one side of the ball or the other and then putting the fate of their career in the hands of somebody else you know obviously you're heading into year four for Clark Lee they're looking for some improvement we thought we had it two years ago that 2022 season ended with a November that included victories over Florida and Kentucky you thought it was something they could build on and then they they took a big step backwards last season so yeah I'm interested to see what Clark Lee's impact can be perhaps you know that's the the ch all of the day the the Virginia Tech offense with that experience versus you know Clark Le and his defense but again I'm going to have to see it I do think Virginia excuse me mat you think Vanderbilt that that team total uh over two and a half wins looks kind of appealing to me I I I think they can pull off three or more victories but um I I do have to see what they're working with on offense before I I buy into them being able to beat Virginia Tech yeah Chris I'm going Virginia Tech as well I to your point it's what is Vandy going to be um I do like the team total like you mentioned of the over on that but I don't think this is going to be one of those wins uh let's go to Chris what you could argue is the Premier game of the weekend Texas A&M and Notre Dame this game in College Station at Kyle Field college game day is going to be there it's a night game under the lights there at Kyle Mike elco's debut who comes out on top in this one yeah you mentioned Mike Elco and and his previous relationship with Riley Leonard I think it's fascinating to think about these two guys coach quarterback just a year ago and how well they know one another Mike Elco you know being a little bit of a little rope a dop there by saying that Riley Leonard has the advantage after going up against his defense every day in practice I do think maybe he has some idea of the Tendencies or or kind of you know what some of the the looks may present but at the end of the day it's the coaching staff it's Mike Elco that knows the strengths and more importantly the weaknesses of Riley Leonard I think they're going to do a great job of putting the fence around him he's a guy that's dangerous with the ball in his hands when he breaks contained and and I think you you bring pressure and and and force him to beat you throwing the ball so I I like I like the the Texas A&M defense the matchup with that front seven against an offensive line that lost Joe Al last year you lose your left tackle in preseason this year combin the offensive line only has six Collective snaps that is not good when you're going into to College Station to play against that front with the uh the two Shamar Brothers there it's going to be a uh it's going to be nasty and it's going to be hot it's going to be humid it's going to be loud I I don't see it being competitive Chris I don't know maybe call me secc Homer I don't think it's a close one see I feel crazy Chris because I feel like I'm the only SEC guy that I'm actually going with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish here I I I just I need to see it from A&M I know it's a different I know it's a new era I get that I just think when you're changing a culture the way that Mike Elco is how much can you change it in an off season it's game one of year one I like Notre Dame's defense a ton I I think it's a very winnable game for aanm obviously but I'm going against the grain I'm gonna go with Notre Dame here I do think the cat and mouse between Elco and Riley Leonard is fascinating but I'm gonna give the nod to the Fighting Irish I I'm just giving you know what it is Chris I'm giving A&M the opportunity to prove it I that's all I'm doing I it's not that I don't think they're capable I just want to see it that's literally it that's all I'll tell you the thing Chris that that that hate the most is that Marcus Freeman is such a likable guy such a likable coach I mean I it's it's it's great I usually like to be able to hate Notre in fact I thought Brian Kelly was the biggest jerk out there until he came to the SEC and I got a chance to know him so it's uh it's not a lot of fun looking at the uh the Notre Dame coaching staff and the head coach favorably Chris let's go to this game in Las Vegas on Sunday night speaking of Brian Kelly by the way LSU and USC boy it's a big one for both sides both head coaches need it both teams need it LSU has not won a season opener since 2019 got a pair of new quarterbacks on both sides what does it mean Chris who you got in this one isn't it crazy how eerily similar every storyline is between these two teams whether we're talking about both coaches heading into their third year whether we're talking about both quarterbacks being recruited by former coaches at 2021 sitting behind Heisman Trophy winners waiting for their turn now getting a chance to take over after starting in the bow game last year both defenses absolutely sucking last year it's it's crazy to think about storyline parallels between these two teams in this game but I I think to me the difference Chris is Blake Baker Brian Kelly saw a need and he went out and got the best possible Guy Eli drinkwitz was gutted when we were in Mobile for the Senior Bowl when I talked to a losing Blake Baker he was the complete architect of that that defense they improvement from where they were after Steve wils was let go I think what what I'm interested to see Chris is how much pressure that uh that Blake Baker decides to bring he he brought a lot of it at Missouri I think you you heat Moss up in this game see what he can do uh with with the pressure in his first regular season start and and I'm interested to see how he utilizes Harold Perkins Jr I I I really believe the coach's most important job is to put your players in positions to be successful to use the skill set that they have to the the the the most biggest Advantage for them and the team I don't think they did that with Harold Perkins last year I think you'll see him coming off the edge I think you'll see him in a little bit of coverage but I think you'll also see him I love him in that spy position as well when they have a mobile quarterback on the other side I think he's just so instinctive in being able to to to to know when to Fire and and and and doing a great job of keeping eyes on the opposing quarterback you know Chris to your point talking to folks in Baton Rouge they and it's fall Camp so take it with a grain of salt but they have mentioned at fall Camp Blake baker has been sending the Heat they expect more of that in the season opener throughout the season as well I I do agree with you I I do think there's going to be points scored in this game again how far can you come in just an offseason I think for both defenses both have new defensive coordinators I think there's Personnel issues probably on both sides though what is LSU's interior defensive line like LSU's offensive line should be able to in my opinion bully USC up front I think it could be a really big day on the ground for a Caleb Jackson for LSU they're going to throw it but I think the Run game there's going to be more balance in that offense to your point though Chris I'm also going with LSU and I think ironically LSU wins 3835 but it's a defensive stop late that wins the game for the Tigers and that it's ironic right because I think what Blake Baker if his been his biggest benefit Chris is just that LSU can get the stop they couldn't get last year just a handful they don't they don't have to get a bunch of them but at the end of an LSU USC game when Miller Moss is trying to drive down the field and you get that pick to seal it that's the kind of sto they just couldn't get last year I think they finally get it in this game and it sort of set to tone for maybe just a you know a different vibe what they're not going to be great but if they can get those kind of stops I think LSU could could be a college ball playoff contend you we talk about these quarterbacks too and and how long they've been around the maturity understanding you know what the the schemes are but there's going to be some nerves these guys are are first time like taking over the job legitimately there is for the first time it's about minimizing mistakes or as you said that defense when you get that key stop in the clutch moment where you can make the the quarterback hesitate a minute or or make a throw that he thinks is there that's not there that that is the key to playing defense in today's college football landscape you're not gonna you're not going to pitch a a a a a 103 shut out the way that Georgia did against Clemson a couple years back Chris last but certainly not least the game that we will be attending just down the street from where I'm currently sitting at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium AKA The Swamp Florida Miami you love college football for games like this Chris because both fan bases it's just game one of 12 but it feels like a must-win for both sides you played for the Florida Gator you didn't square off against Miami so let me ask you that first Chris y'all didn't play Miami when you were there what's your feeling what's the hatred level for you for Miami because again you saw Florida state every year you saw Tennessee you saw Georgia but you didn't see Miami but from what I can tell there's no love loss between these two I'm glad you mentioned that Chris because I've Le I've read a lot of Publications this week that have made kind of a references to you know Florida and Miami they don't they don't really have a rivalry Florida looking forward to getting to the SEC play they're looking forward to finish him with Florida state that is complete BS and I can tell you as a lifelong Gainesville resident a guy that was a Gator fan from the time he could walk the son of two Florida graduates that grew up in Miami there is disdain there is hatred there is bitterness between these two fan bases I would go to all the home games but we also go every other year down to the Orange Bowl to watch Florida play on the road against the Hurricanes those were some heavyweight matches with some big- time players in it I'm glad you mentioned it because I I lament the fact that I left Florida without ever getting a chance to play against Miami you know I would almost say and it's is is almost uh it's almost heresy saying this but if I had to to to to cheer for Florida State or my Miami I would probably cheer for Florida State before the hurricanes and and it seems like for whatever reason I don't know if I've ever seen a fanbase outside of Texas that wants to declare themselves back more than Miami does they've been chirping a lot this week and for a team that was what seven and five last year or seven whatever it was they they lost three of their last four ball games like where is all this confidence coming from I I just I'm not buying that they're this much improved team that they're trying to sell us they are you mentioned Chris the smack talk I drive into Gainesville and you see the drain the swamp that apparently some Miami fans have taken to the uh taken to the paint job somewhere in downtown so they're feeling good they're feeling confident rolling in talking that talk I didn't I didn't know they let all the uh the south Florida prisons open all the bus coming out from down there man you know the old days when I used to play against the Raiders when I was with the Broncos you go to Oakland and it was like every every piece of of of trash was out and about you know there at the the stadium that's that's what it's like amongst Miami fans man there's a lot of you know you can't spell scum without um that's so Chris on the field for this one you mentioned you know Miami there's a lot of hype people have got them in their college football playoff Florida it's a different story because all we wanted to talk about this offseason was schedule schedule schedule Florida's compiled a pretty nice roster result well best roster since Napier's been there when you look at the matchup on the field the game within the game where's your eyes going when these two teams meet up yeah in all seriousness you know I do have to look at it through an analy size and I recognize you know that there is some Talent there Mario cristall is a fantastic recruiter say what you want about his in-game coaching he's able to construct a roster and and they have improved there the couple things that come to my mind and and you mentioned Florida's Improvement I've been out there during the Spring I covered their spring game for the SEC network I've been at two practices including one of the the preseason camp scrimmages I have really remarked it at the upgrade in Talent the upgrade in length and size uh the experience factor in the secondary through the transfer portal what they've been able to do to add some receivers to help Graham Merz out so couple things come to mind here in this matchup first and foremost this this team is Graham merch's team DJ lagway is the future everybody wants to know what how does DJ lagway fit in they have a package they do not dj lagway is the backup for Grant Merz Graham Merz coming back for his sixth season of college football eligibility is a blessing to the Gators and every Gator fan needs to celebrate that this is what's right about college football a guy got new opportunity from Wisconsin to Florida in a better fitting offense that has loved his time here in Florida so much that he came back for another season I I I think this team is going to go as far as as they can carry him and on the other side like I don't necessarily buy into all the cam Ward hype like he he played it Incarnate Word he played it at Washington State he's never played in an environment like he's going to play in in the swamp on Saturday you can say whatever you want about going to Alton Stadium it ain't nothing on the swamp and especially this year's version of the swamp this game's the most anticipated home opener that I can remember in my lifetime so the swamp is going to be ready so th those are two things that come to mind but I think matchup wise I'm most concerned about Florida's offensive line I think they feel good about the first six that they have I think they're trying to find some depth but one of the things I noticed in the scrimmage was the defense more times than not getting the better of the offense at least in the practices I was there because of what the defensive line was able to do Miami is outstanding up front so Florida's got to find a way to protect Graham Merz and more importantly be able to run the football nice to have Montreal Johnson back supposedly 100% no limitations on him it is a deep position for Florida but they didn't run the ball very well last year and anybody that knows anything about Billy Napier's offenses dating back to Louisiana knows that it's predicated on being able to run the football first and foremost Chris that being said let's lock in a pick when the Gators and hurricanes do battle Florida is a two and a half Point yeah Underdog in this game seems like a little bit of a trap line doesn't it it seems like a bit of a trap a little bit of a sucker line is what we call that I'm gonna let you you know what I'll go first Chris I'll set the stage for you I got into Gainesville again the hospitality has been incredible that's not why my pick is what it is though I genuinely believe listen we're all talking about Kyle Field and Texas A&M and their home crowd why not why why are we not talking about the swamp in the same way right I think people have forgotten how great of an environment this is to your point Miami's got all this hype I think they have a very talented roster don't get me wrong but you mentioned cam Ward he's been very very turnover prone especially at the big beginning of season's last couple years he has never walked into the mad house that he's going to walk into at the swamp I think this is going to be desperate crowd a frenzy crowd it's a half to have Billy Napier needs it so badly you have to set the tone for this season set the tone in year three I don't think Graham merch is being talked about enough I think Trey Wilson and Elijah badger on that Miami secondary all we've heard all offseason is Charlie check down and he takes the dump off I think you're going to see them hit some explosives in the passing game take the top off the defense it'll loosen it up for Montreal Johnson and I think Florida's defense is going to be better this year I like the way they upgraded at linebacker and safety specifically in the portal give me the Gators 24 to 21 we walk in the house and this is the first thing we see this lid is familiar to you Chris doring this is the same very similar to what you wore obviously in Gainesville I think this helmet comes out Victorious and Florida gets the dub yeah I'm with you on that for all the reasons that you mentioned and you talked about the home field advantage the swamp isn't being talked about like the swamp because they haven't protected the swamp you have to win your home games losing at home to Arkansas last year unacceptable losing to to Florida State when you had them on the ropes for the majority of the game is unacceptable the fans have to do their part they'll be ready to go but the team has to do their part as well and I honestly believe that this team has been pointing to this game lying in the cut everybody telling them they're a four and a half win team everybody talking about all the other the teams around them but I I think that they're relishing being the underdog and I think they're ing all the trash talk that's coming out of South Florida as well I I think Florida wins this game I think they force a lot of mistakes from from cam Ward as you kind of mentioned it reminds me a lot of last year when Joe Milton made his first true Road start as the starter at Tennessee you remember what disarray it was for him I think it's gonna be a similar situation for cam Ward and I honestly don't think it's close I think Florida wins double digits Chris doring of SEC network again he'll be on the network all weekend long keeping you up to date with all the SEC football action Chris thank you so much for taking the time enjoy the football my friend and we'll definitely do this again soon throughout this season sounds good man always good to be on with You Chris and congratulations on the uh expanded coverage of the SEC in general man you're doing a great job thank you so much Chris I appreciate it guys thank you all so much for tuning in that's it for the SEC unfiltered football game day show week one enjoy all of the games today we'll be covering everything recapping everything I should say on Sunday morning going around the SEC talking about it again for Chris doring I'm Chris Phillips thank you all so much appreciate you you all tuning in enjoy the football and we'll catch you on the other side [Music]