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CFB Preview With Tom Fornelli, Best Of Kentucky Sports Radio Callers, NFL Cut Day + Mt Rushmore Of Things We’ll Eventually Do

Wednesday, August 30, 202315 takes

NFL Cut Day is here and it looked like Jonathan Taylor was on the move until he wasn’t. Ryder Cup picks are in and Hank doesn’t understand that Justin Thomas is a killer(-). Hot Seat/Cool Throne including a belly fat gun and more(-). Tom Fornelli joins the show in studio to talk about the upcoming CFB season, who he likes out of each conference, Heisman dark horses and Week 1 locks(-). We guest hosted Kentucky Sports Radio Tuesday and we have the best callers on including a 10 minute conversation about cock fighting(-). Mt Rushmore of things we’ll eventually do and we finish with guys on chicks(-)

Tom Fornelli on CFB Preview, KSR Callers, and the Mount Rushmore of Eventually

NFL Cut Day brings the annual tradition of roster shuffling and practice squad stashing, but the spotlight was firmly on the Indianapolis Colts. Big Cat and PFT monitored the Jonathan Taylor trade saga in real-time, dreaming of a world where the star running back lands in South Beach to create a truly terrifying Dolphins offense.

Void
Aug 30, 2023
#22952
Big CatBig Cat

I will bet on the Dolphins every week if they trade for Jonathan Taylor

I will say this right now, if Jonathan Taylor goes to the Dolphins, it will be very hard for me not to bet on the Dolphins every week. Because in a [Dolphins offense], they would probably be leading the league.

The trade never happened; Taylor remained with the Colts, so this scenario was never tested.

The Ryder Cup picks also ignited a fierce debate in the studio. Hank is officially on the record as a Justin Thomas hater, questioning why a guy who struggled all season is heading to Rome. Big Cat, however, isn't looking at current form; he’s looking at the resume of a guy who simply doesn't lose when the red, white, and blue are on the line.

Loss
Aug 30, 2023
#8483
Big CatBig Cat

Justin Thomas is a killer in international play and belongs on the Ryder Cup team

Justin Thomas is a killer in international play. That's a fact. ... Justin Thomas 16 and 5 [in international play]. ... How do you say no to that? Hank? That's a resume pick. ... He's a fucking killer when he plays an international play.

Thomas made the team but struggled at Marco Simone, going 1-2-1 as the US lost the Ryder Cup.

College Football Preview with Tom Fornelli

our good friend Tom Fornelli joined the show in person to break down the upcoming college football season. The vibes are high, even if Tom thinks the ending of the season is already written in stone. Between Georgia’s talent and a schedule that looks more like a vacation than a gauntlet, he isn't seeing many roadblocks for the Bulldogs.

Loss
Aug 30, 2023
#8479
Tom FornelliTom Fornelli

Georgia's schedule is so easy they are a lock for the CFP and a likely three-peat

Georgia's obviously won the last two national titles. They're probably gonna win a third. ... when I look at Georgia's schedule, there is absolutely no way in hell they are not making the playoffs.

Georgia lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship and was left out of the 4-team College Football Playoff.

Moving across the conferences, Tom is calling for a power shift in the SEC West. He’s officially cooling on the Alabama dynasty and buying high on Brian Kelly’s LSU squad. But his boldest take for the early season involves the most polarizing team in the sport: the Texas Longhorns. Tom thinks they aren't just back; they're actually underrated.

Win
Aug 30, 2023
#8476
Tom FornelliTom Fornelli

Texas is the most underrated team in the country and will beat Alabama in Week 2

I was asked for the most underrated team in the country and I chose Texas. ... I really do think this year's Longhorns team is going to be very good. ... I think Texas, if there is an elite team in that conference [Big 12] this year, it is Texas. ... Texas is gonna win that game [against Alabama].

Texas defeated Alabama 34-24 in Week 2 of the 2023 season and won the Big 12.

The Big 10 discussion centered on whether Penn State can finally break through the Ohio State and Michigan wall. Tom believes Drew Allar is the missing piece for the Nittany Lions, but he’s also keeping a close eye on the Big 10 West. While the world mocks the Iowa offense, Tom is predicting a scoring explosion (by Iowa standards) and a division title for the Hawkeyes.

Push
Aug 30, 2023
#8481
Tom FornelliTom Fornelli

Iowa will score 31 points per game and win the Big 10 West

I'm on record. They're gonna score 31 points per game and I think they're gonna win the west. I think they are the best team. They're the one I have the fewest questions about.

Iowa won the Big 10 West but averaged only 15.4 points per game, the second-worst in the FBS.

Before letting him go, Tom gave the people what they really wanted: gambling locks. If you’re looking for a Week 1 heater, Tom has his eyes on the plains of Wyoming, where he thinks the market is drastically undervalueing Texas Tech.

Loss
Aug 30, 2023
#8469
Tom FornelliTom Fornelli

Texas Tech -14 against Wyoming is a Game of the Year lock

Texas Tech minus 14 against Wyoming... I went full I mean go as many as you're comfortable going, but it's Game of the Year Territory for me. I have Texas Tech minus 14. I also have Texas Tech alternate lines at minus 20. So that's, I'm feeling pretty good about this one.

Texas Tech lost to Wyoming 35-33 in 2OT, failing to cover -14 and losing the game outright.

Best of KSR Callers

Big Cat and PFT guest hosted Kentucky Sports Radio this week, and the callers did not disappoint. We got treated to a 10-minute masterclass in the world of cockfighting, courtesy of a caller named DJ who treated it like he was breaking down the NFL Draft. From "cut cocks" to the specific breeds used in the hills, it was some of the most educational and absurd radio of the year. We also met Ron from Milton, a man who doesn't like the "stepdad" energy of the PMT crew but was willing to offer them a beer anyway.

Hot Seat/Cool Throne

Hot Seat/Cool Throne featured a deep dive into the "World Champion" debate sparked by track star Noah Lyles. Big Cat thinks the debate is essentially an "Acho"—someone trying to say something deep that actually falls flat when you realize the NBA features every elite player on the planet.

Void
Big CatBig Cat

The 'World Champion' debate is dumb because all the world's best players are in the NBA

This is the dumbest debate ever, especially when you consider all the best players in the world playing the NBA. ... This is one of those cases where a guy's trying to say something deep and then he says it... and when it comes out of his mouth, he's like, yeah, take that guys.

Subjective debate regarding the prestige and terminology of professional sports championships.

On the Cool Throne, PFT is tracking the movements of Blake Bortles, who is reportedly living out his lifelong dream of working construction on his own house. Meanwhile, the White Sox reached a new level of "circus season" with reports of a stadium shooting involving a weapon concealed in folds of belly fat. It's a train wreck you can't look away from.

Mount Rushmore of Things We’ll Eventually Do

The Mount Rushmore season is reaching its boiling point as Hank and Max face the very real possibility of a 24-hour stay in a very small room. The topic was things we plan on doing "eventually," which led to a lot of self-reflection about getting jacked, buying houses, and Jake Marsh’s strange relationship with imaginary homework.

Loss
Aug 30, 2023·Mt. Rushmore
#8487
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

I am willing a Tom Brady return to the Patriots into existence

If I'm gonna put it on my Florio hat real quick here... I will Tom Brady back to the Patriots. ... Tom Brady has been linked to conversations coming back to New England Patriots this year per us.

Tom Brady did not return to the Patriots in 2023.

Hank’s saltiness reached an all-time high during the draft, as he remains convinced that Big Cat and PFT are rigging the standings to ensure he ends up in the box. Whether it’s biased voting or just Hank’s inability to pick a winning topping, the drama is set for a massive finale on Friday.

We'll see everyone in the box, eventually.

nflcollege-footballryder-cupmount-rushmorekentucky-sports-radio

More Takes

Win
Aug 30, 2023
#8485
HankHank

Selecting Justin Thomas for the Ryder Cup is a risky pick given his current form

He's not playing good golf right now. ... I just feel bad for, you know, Keegan and the guys. ... It's a risky pick in my opinion. ... Imagine if he performs badly. The final day is 12 singles matches. If he performs badly, everyone would be like, why would you pick a person who didn't even make the FedEx Cup playoffs?

Thomas's poor form continued into the Ryder Cup, where he had a losing record and the US lost.
Loss
Aug 30, 2023
#8477
Tom FornelliTom Fornelli

LSU is better than Alabama and will win the SEC West

I really, I, I'm not gonna say that the Alabama dynasty is dead, but I feel like it's dying. ... I look at LSU... I just look at that division and I think LSU is better than Alabama this year and they're more likely to win the west.

Alabama defeated LSU 42-28 and won the SEC West title in 2023.
Push
Aug 30, 2023
#22953
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Arizona Cardinals are in full tank mode for Caleb Williams

That team is clearly trying to get the first pick. They want Caleb Williams more than anything... That team is in tank mode. I just watched the Bears do it last year. So I know the move.

The Cardinals finished 4-13, a poor record, but they did not secure the #1 pick (which went to the Bears via Carolina) and did not draft Caleb Williams.
Loss
Aug 30, 2023
#22954
Tom FornelliTom Fornelli

Penn State has its best chance to win the Big 10 in a long time thanks to Drew Allar

I do think this is [Penn State's] best chance to win the Big 10 in a long time. ... Drew Allar is... the first guy really [since McSorley] who has that kind of attitude, but he's also really fucking good. So I think that could give them a step up.

Penn State finished 10-3 but again lost to both Michigan and Ohio State, failing to make the Big 10 Championship or the Playoff.
Open
Aug 30, 2023
#22955
Tom FornelliTom Fornelli

The Sun Belt will be the best G5 conference within the next 10 years

I think the Sun Belt's gonna be the best G5 conference within the next 10 years because... there's just a buy-in from all the schools about wanting their football programs to be good. ... I think long-term Sun Belt's gonna be the best G5 leader.

This is a 10-year outlook. While the Sun Belt is currently strong, its status as the definitive 'best' G5 conference is still pending.
Loss
Aug 30, 2023
#8471
Tom FornelliTom Fornelli

Caleb Williams will win back-to-back Heisman trophies

Caleb Williams is the real fucking deal. ... It's why I think he's the best player in college. It's why I think he'll be the first pick in the draft and it's why I think he's gonna be the first guy to win the Heisman at consecutive years since Archie Griffin.

Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy; Caleb Williams did not finish in the top three.
Win
Aug 30, 2023
#22956
Tom FornelliTom Fornelli

Mississippi State will be the worst team in the SEC this season

I'm gonna go Mississippi State because... their coach died. And it's not something you can really game plan for. ... Zach Arnett... is completely overhauling the offense. ... I think Mississippi State has a chance to have a pretty bad year. But I would say it's either them or Vandy.

Mississippi State finished 1-7 in the SEC, which was tied for last in the conference with Vanderbilt and Arkansas.

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