WTKA Roundtable 8/28/2025: How to Put Out a Mustache Fire

Things Discussed:

• Craig Ross introduces the MGoBlog Rub Some Dirt On It player of the week.
• What's the offense look like with Bryce? Not a spread, some RPO, some downfield passing, most of that off play-action.
• Opponents are going to bring safeties down—Oklahoma runs a Venables defense that wants to attack, so you have to punish that.
• Remember 2021 Georgia when JJ came in? He had some simple reads, but things opened up because he could physically get certain types of throws further downfield, increased the spacing between receivers.
• RPOs? Chip Lindsey's job is to make what you do work, not rewrite the offensive script. There will be tag RPOs where the read is more of a "run-unless"—it's not going to be like Stanford's long mesh where the read is the point. It's a check on bad behavior so they can do their thing, which is run off-tackle.
• Sam: Program philosophy isn't to allow the defense to set what you're going to do.
• Brian wants to see Bredeson used on those Aaron Shea dumpoffs more often because you freak out when he's coming your way.
• Mikey Keene? He's got a shoulder injury. You don't get to choose when the injury is healed; he will probably be the QB2 when he's back.
• Brady Norton: Not like last year. If they were down to two RGs and they were Efobi and Hattar and Norton won it would concern us, but it was Efobi-Norton two weeks ago.
• Concern is left tackle; they were talking about replacing Link with a true freshman before Babalola got hurt. Evan Link will start, Blake Frazier will play; Blake has to prove he's durable because he's coming off a knee injury, and he has to be stronger in the run game because he's 290-something. If Link isn't clear of Frazier right now that's an issue.
• DT depth chart: People were surprised that Trey Pierce was ahead of Damon Payne, but we've been saying that all offseason. You want that: Trey has eligibility next year and showed some talent.
• Opening weened for CFB: What's up with Ohio State and their new coordinators? Probably going to be fine with Hartline because he will just say throw it to Jeremiah Smith and…yeah that works. Matt Patricia has two great players in the back-seven but they are going to be just okay at D-tackle (I like the end they picked up from UNC).
• Maybe Matt Patricia is here to bottom out the culture, because as soon as he left Detroit and Philadelphia those locker rooms become two of the best in the NFL.
• Quick New Mexico preview: They have a 246 pound defensive tackle and a backfooting QB who's going to punt it up to a former Iowa receiver that might be injured.