BRADY QUINN: Welcome to Chicago, "Big Noon Kickoff". It's the Shamrock Series. We have Wisconsin versus Notre Dame. ND fans, let me hear you. I can't hear you.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
That's more like it. Kick off that victory march.
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>> A lot of excitement in the air.
[MUSIC]
ROB STONE: The Shamrock Series has descended upon Chicago. Notre Dame-Wisconsin, set to meet for the first time in 57 years.
It is the 12th-ranked Fighting Irish and No. 18 Wisconsin, live from Soldier Field.
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Brian Kelly in the house, the only Notre Dame head coach with six 10-win seasons including four straight. And he's on the cusp of making Irish history today.
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Yes, sir, every day is game day with Wendy's breakfast, the official breakfast of the NCAA. Choose wisely, choose Wendy's.
We are just outside historic Soldier Field as we welcome you to week four of college football. Good morning, Chicago.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
REGGIE BUSH: They're ready. They're ready.
ROB STONE: A sweet day in Chicago, a top 20 showdown.
MATT LEINART: A long time since we've been around Notre Dame fans in a long time. It's bringing back memories Notre Dame showed out this morning.
BRADY QUINN: They showed out this morning.
REGGIE BUSH: Here's the reality. They showed up for this man right here.
BRADY QUINN: Chicago. Come on. Notre Dame is -- they showed up. Let's go, Irish. Let's go!
REGGIE BUSH: I want to hear that band one more time, man. The band is amazing.
ROB STONE: Hold on. Ian. Ian, give me that thing. Put it on.
BRADY QUINN: I don't think it's going to fit. It's called a Shocko? Shako. I'm going to pass on that.
ROB STONE: Reggie, you want a fit of that?
BRADY QUINN: Thank you, man.
ROB STONE: I'm Rob Stone. These are my four horsemen -- Bob Stoops, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart and Brady Quinn. Home game for "the" Brady Quinn.
BRADY QUINN: I'm so happy to be here. I love Chicago. We've had a great time. Maybe a little bit too good of a time at some points. But we have a great matchup today. It's going to be a phenomenal game between these two teams.
REGGIE BUSH: I saw Rob eat a steak last night literally the size of my hamstrings. I couldn't believe it. Where did all that steak go, Rob?
ROB STONE: It's gone.
BOB STOOPS: This is college football at its best. This is fantastic.
ROB STONE: Absolutely beautiful. Norman last week, Chicago this week. We're back in Madison, Wisconsin next Saturday as well.
Last weekend, a real tough one at the top for several major national title contenders as they survive some legit scares.
No. 1 Alabama needed a stop late on this two-point conversion in The Swamp to escape Florida with the two-point win.
Oklahoma resumed its historic rivalry with Nebraska, a throwback to some of those famous showdowns. How about that interception? OU holds off the Huskers by 7.
And Clemson's offense struggled but its defense was massive late. This goal line stand to beat Georgia Tech.
And Ohio State's problems continued. On the other side of the ball their defense looking vulnerable in a closer-than-expected victory over homeless Tulsa.
All of those high-profile escapees still among the favorites to win the national title, according to Fox Bet. Alabama at plus-200. Georgia not far behind. $100 bet on Bama to win it all would net you $200.
Sooners, Tigers, Buckeyes round out the top five.
It was a week three wake-up call for the blue bloods. Why has this level of concern entered the conversation and entered it so early in the campaign?
BRADY QUINN: We talked about it when the season started. When you look at Clemson and Ohio State and Alabama, new starting quarterbacks. There's going to be some growing pains. I think in the case of Alabama's Bryce Young that hasn't been the case. They're undefeated. Even for Spencer Rattler, he's still a young player, in his second year as a starting quarterback. There might be some growing pains.
But I think something else has impacted the parity in college football, the transfer portal. It's allowed players, four-star, five-star players who aren't playing on some of those blue blood teams, to go elsewhere and provide some more parity. You're seeing tougher matchups and tougher time.
But the reality is all these teams have overcome and have been resilient. And the games in November are the ones you remember. Meaning you want to be playing your best football later on the season. So far they've survived. They've advanced that's all that matters.
MATT LEINART: That's all that matters. We've all been part of championship-level teams. Every single week you'll take someone's best shot. It just so happens we've had these big early games, big nonconference. Clemson, Georgia, two national title contenders, score off week one. We've seen that and a lot of young quarterbacks playing for these top football teams.
I'm not as concerned. I'm actually excited. I love the parity in college football. The last two years we've seen LSU steamroll everybody, Alabama steamroll everybody. There was no doubt -- we knew they would win.
This year, and Oregon is not on the list, Oregon could be a national contender. I think it's great for college football, more parity and teams at the dance. It's exciting. Early but exciting.
BOB STOOPS: I tell you the fan base that ought to be the most worried is Ohio State's. They've already lost at home to Oregon. Their defense continues to struggle. And the Big Ten Conference this year is really loaded. So I think they're going to be -- this may be the year they're not going to win it.
REGGIE BUSH: I agree with you, Coach. I think in the Big Ten this year this could be the year we see a new champ. You think about the teams in the Big Ten playing good football right now, Michigan's playing good football right now. Michigan State's playing good football right now. Penn State. Iowa might have the best defense in college football.
But the one common denominator about all these teams is they don't beat themselves. They're playing mistake-free football. Think about Sean Clifford. Last year turned the football over a lot. This year not really turning it over and that's why they're playing so well.
ROB STONE: What were we talking about in the car ride over here? Every week somebody's going to hit a speed bump, right? You fight through it or let it drag you down. All those national title contenders were able to fight through it last week.
Let's welcome in our insider, Bruce Feldman, for Championship Insider sponsored by Allstate. Breaking news this morning. LSU may be without one of the best players in the country today.
BRUCE FELDMAN: That's right, Rob. Last year Mississippi State's air raid shredded LSU. The Tigers were without All-American cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., that day. It looks like they'll be without him today when they play in Starkville. Sources tell me Stingley, a guy who a lot of people project as a top-10 pick in NFL's draft, injured his foot at practice on Wednesday and he's not expected to play today.
On top of that, he's been a pretty tough week for LSU on the injury front, on the defensive side of the ball. Andre Anthony, one of the best defensive ends in the SEC and really a leader on the team, he is ruled out for the season with a knee injury he suffered last week in the win against Central Michigan.
ROB STONE: And LSU trying to avenge last year's season-opening loss against the Bulldogs. Bruce, we thank you as always.
The Outkick Bus Tour, featuring Clay Travis, visits the biggest game in the South each week. And we'll check in with Clay in Nashville for today's game between No. 2 Georgia and Vanderbilt.
In Austin, Steve Sarkisian looks to win his Big 12 opener. 2-1 Longhorns set to host unbeaten Texas Tech.
BOB STOOPS: First Big 12 competition against Texas Tech. I think Casey Thompson, his quarterback, will have a big day.
ROB STONE: Multiple passing touchdowns in all three Irish games this year, Matty, for the Coan-dog, Jack Coan.
MATT LEINART: He said everything right this week. But there's no doubt going against the former team, he's got the chip on his shoulder. He wants that W today.
ROB STONE: The Windy City has become the Wendy's city. Wendy's serving up a better breakfast at the Notre Dame-Wisconsin game. Choose wisely, choose Wendy's breakfast.
Still to come, Tom Rinaldi sits down with head coach Brian Kelly as he prepares to break Knute Rockne's all-time wins record.
BRIAN KELLY: I started going, that's a lot of wins. We've been here a while.
>> And we've got both sides of today's huge matchup covered from all angles. College football Hall of Famer Rocket Ismail and Wisconsin coaching legend Barry Alvarez and some trash talk between Heisman winners Ron Dayne and Tim Brown. It's an action-packed party on "Big Noon Kickoff" and everyone's invited.
[COMMERCIAL]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
ROB STONE: Rain overnight in Chicago. Clear now. Temperatures closing in on 60 degrees. The Wisconsin buses making their way to Soldier Field.
LSU and Mississippi State, Mike Leach always wonder what's going through his head at every moment of the day. One of the great characters in college football.
Welcome Chicago. Welcome to Soldier Field. Wisconsin and Notre Dame, bringing it this morning.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Is that Cletus? Did I see Cletus in the house? There he is. He looks smaller in person.
In 1964, Oklahoma debuted what would become one of the most beloved icons in college football -- a horse-drawn wagon that harkens back to the state's pioneer history. Let's take a look at the Sooner Schooner in this dose of tradition sponsored by great friends at Dos Equis.
>> Look at the Sooner Schooner, the two identical Shetland ponies from Norman, Oklahoma.
>> The Sooner Schooner was modelled after the Conistogas wagons we used in the 1890 native-American land runs. It is the official school mascot of the University of Oklahoma. We had the schooner pulled by two ponies -- Boomer on the left and Sooner on the right. We made it one of the best traditions in college football.
There really is no OU football without the Oklahoma Rough Max. Every day we drive them into the tunnel. We see 86,000 screaming fans. In a matter of seconds we make the run across the field and it's exhilarating.
>> I don't know if there are very many traditions that get better than this. The Sooner Schooner.
>> There is no mascot that seems to rile up the crowd as much as the Sooner Schooner does.
>> Who can say they have two live mascots that you're able to drive on the field for every game. Not only that, we have shotguns as well.
>> Once we score.
>> Touchdown Oklahoma!
>> It's that signature boom that you know about OU football. There's nothing that wakes you up just like hearing a loud double barrel shotgun shoot.
>> The schooner just our pride and passion in general as a club is really everything to the city of Norman and the state of Oklahoma.
>> We love being part of the community. They love taking pictures with us. It's a beautiful thing.
>> It's so rewarding to see people share the same passion and rowdiness that we do. It really makes game day special.
ROB STONE: We learned this last week in Norman. You have never taken a ride on the Sooner Schooner. If only you had connections at Oklahoma.
BOB STOOPS: I might take a ride on the new 2021 version. If you look at the old version, it was tippable. Now this 2021, it's been upgraded to the 2021 NASCAR specs -- wider wheelbase, lower to the ground. This new version is untippable. I'll go for a ride in this one.
ROB STONE: It also looks like it's going a little bit slower around the turns as well. I think they learned the lesson the hard way, Coach.
BOB STOOPS: Absolutely, you gotta take your time, wide turns.
ROB STONE: Oklahoma, they know about Sooner Schooners. They also know about Heisman Trophy winners as well. Here are the Heisman favorites according to Fox Bet. You'll notice a trend here -- quarterbacks. The top two betting favorites Matt Corral, Ole Miss; Bryce Young, Alabama. They face off. Huge game next weekend. $100 bet on Corral wins you $200.
Time now for the season debut of Club Heisman. Two guys who know it well, Reggie -- it's early hours at the club.
MATT LEINART: Listen, it ain't never too early for the club, man.
REGGIE BUSH: Hey, we're up here with Notre Dame fans.
MATT LEINART: We've got to check some IDs out here. We've got a lot of young fans out here.
REGGIE BUSH: Let's get straight to it, man. This is Club Heisman. Welcome to Club Heisman, everybody. Let's get to it.
We got some guys that have been playing some great football so far. I know it's a little early. But that's what we do. We talk about things a little early. First guy I want to start with, Bryce Young at Alabama. Been playing great football -- ten touchdowns, zero interceptions. The most important stat on there is zero interceptions.
But this is what I like about Bryce Young is that when he's under pressure, that's when he's at his best. Seven touchdowns under pressure. When he's in the pocket, he delivers the football even when somebody's in his face. Who have you got next?
MATT LEINART: I tell you what. He doesn't play like a young freshman. He is a stud. Also went to my high school. Love Mater Dei High School.
I'll go with Matt Corral from Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin wants to give this guy the Heisman Trophy, 14 touchdowns, zero interceptions. How about seven touchdowns a week ago which set an SEC record. He's got swag and he's got confidence. He'll be Mr. Club Heisman this year.
REGGIE BUSH: And they have a big game next week against Alabama.
MATT LEINART: Reg, what about, what about some running backs on that list?
REGGIE BUSH: A guy that I like playing great football right now, Kenneth Walker at Michigan State. Michigan State is undefeated right now, 3-0 for the first time in a long time. The fighting Mel Tuckers are off to a great start largely because of this young man running down the field, No. 9 Kenneth Walker, who was also my player of the week couple weeks ago. Who do you have next?
MATT LEINART: How about Jake Haener, Fresno State quarterback, he's been a stud. Leads the nation in total yards and touchdowns. Not a lot to do in Fresno and the Central Valley. We probably have to send him a car service to come to Club Heisman, down the 5 Freeway. And I love this guy. Almost beat Oregon week two. Beat UCLA on the road a couple weeks ago. Big performance last night.
REGGIE BUSH: You know, come on, man. Oh, now you're going to act brand new. All right, Rob, back to you, man.
ROB STONE: No, they don't forgive you, Reg. Let's up the handsome factor here on the floor. Scott Foley, star of "The Big Leap" on Fox. You've been shooting this in Chicago. What's it like to have this city as a backdrop?
SCOTT FOLEY: This place, Chicago, best place to be right now. No place I'd rather be. We have had a great time shooting the show. Been here three months. Halfway shooting it. Great show. I hope people check it out.
ROB STONE: Why do people love the show so much?
SCOTT FOLEY: It's interesting, we were wowed the way critics and audiences took to the show. Everybody seems to dig it. It's an underdog story. Everybody loves an underdog story. Football fans love an underdog story. That's what we're selling.
ROB STONE: Are you a good dancer?
SCOTT FOLEY: I'm not a great dancer. But the great thing about the show, you don't have to watch me dance. Other people will take care of that for you.
ROB STONE: On the show you're an executive producer. You've taken in this whole "Big Noon Kickoff" scene. Give me some executive producing.
SCOTT FOLEY: Some executive producer notes?
First thing, you're all very handsome. But I'd like to see a female or two up here, just a little arm candy, something to make us all look better.
ROB STONE: Arm candy.
SCOTT FOLEY: Something to make us all look better.
ROB STONE: Brady's wife is here. And my wife is here. We'll bring them in. They gotta be here all the time.
SCOTT FOLEY: Absolutely.
ROB STONE: Who do you like today?
SCOTT FOLEY: I've got to tell you, if the offensive line can keep the turnovers down, I like Notre Dame.
ROB STONE: It's all about the turnovers. You hanging out with Coach Stoops.
SCOTT FOLEY: If not they've got a sack problem. If not, you've got to take the Badgers.
ROB STONE: The "Big Leap".
SCOTT FOLEY: "Big Leap," Monday's, 9, 8 Central on Fox, right after "9/11."
ROB STONE: Thanks for joining us, enjoy the trip back to Connecticut. Beautiful state. Good seeing you.
Plenty more still to come on "Big Noon Kickoff" from Chicago. Solid start for the Big Ten. Six ranked programs, sixth unbeaten. The commissioner, Kevin Warren, Wisconsin legend Barry Alvarez join us next to talk conference and playoff expansion.
Graham Mertz, QB1 for the Badgers, looking for his first victory versus a ranked opponent. No. 12 Notre Dame, No. 18 Wisconsin.
Dos Equis and their tricked out El Camino parked here in Chicago at Soldier Field. If you're watching at home, don't forget to get a Dos.
[COMMERCIAL]
ROB STONE: Fox "Big Noon Kickoff" from Chicago, sponsored by Discover, the official card of the Big Ten Conference. Ed Orgeron and LSU taking on Mississippi State.
BRADY QUINN: Looking for revenge. Remember, they lost last year, the SEC opener, to Mississippi State.
ROB STONE: And here in the Windy City, Jack Coan on the field in those new colors. Still takes a little while getting used to him not wearing the red and white of Wisconsin.
Speaking of Wisconsin. Speaking of Notre Dame. Great turnout, folks, today. Way to show up, Chicago!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
All right. Let's take the scene inside Soldier Field right now. Jenny Taft joins us right now. A lot of people have referred to this as the Coat-en Bowl. But make no mistake, Jack Coan still harbors a lot of love for his teammates in Madison.
JENNY TAFT: You're right about that. I spoke to both quarterbacks this week, almost trying to see if either guy would have anything negative to say about each other. But that is simply not the case. There is so much respect between these two.
They even exchanged text messages earlier this week, and that's saying something that they would catch up after the game and wishing each other good luck.
Now, I want to start with what Wisconsin's Graham Mertz had to say about Jack Coan. He said he's great. Great guy, great player. But this isn't the Graham-against-Jack game. This isn't one-on-one basketball. And when we sat down with Jack Coan as well at Notre Dame just a couple of days ago, he said nothing but good things about his time at Wisconsin.
He said we've been through blood, sweat, tears together. They are my brothers for life. But make no mistake, I want to win this game.
And for either of these QBs to have success today, you know what, they're going to need some help. And that is where their tight ends come into the mix. For Wisconsin it's Jake Ferguson. He's currently riding a 36-game streak with at least one catch.
And for Notre Dame it's all about Michael Mayer. He's viewed as one of the top tight ends in the country. We expect Notre Dame to take some shots today and for their offense to be effective. Expect Mayer to have a big day. Rob.
ROB STONE: You know if it's Wisconsin-Notre Dame it's going to be the big boys and tight ends as well. We'll be back on the field with a couple of special guests joining us -- the commissioner of the Big Ten, Kevin Warren.
Wisconsin, you know this guy in the vest over here? We have another legend. Big Ten special advisor -- you've got the colors -- it's lost already. We'll have fun in a minute.
Let's talk big picture, Kevin. I want to start with you. The College Expansion Football Playoff Committee said they're not going to vote next week on the proposed expansion to 12 teams. What's the Big Ten's reaction to that?
KEVIN WARREN: I'm for expansion, but I'm for it at the right time for the right reasons to gather all the information. This is a major decision. And it's important that we go through this process in a methodical manner, take all the information in. But the most important thing is that we have to keep the student-athletes at the center of our decision. So we're working through it. We had productive meetings last week. We have meetings this Tuesday. I'm looking forward to talking expansion.
BOB STOOPS: Barry, this is college football at its very best. Talk about putting this matchup together as the athletic director.
BARRY ALVAREZ: It started several years ago. Actually I was still coaching back then. I saw where Notre Dame was not going to play or potentially not play Michigan or Purdue. And so Jack Swarbrick and I started talking about the game.
It's very difficult, over the years, to find open dates that match. But it took a while. But we finally put it together. And we rescheduled last year's game for '25.
So it doesn't get any better than this.
BOB STOOPS: Where will that game be played in '25?
BARRY ALVAREZ: Lambeau.
BOB STOOPS: Okay.
How about my favorite player for Wisconsin, your grandson, Jake Ferguson, how much fun is that watching him?
BARRY ALVAREZ: He's my favorite player, too, (laughter). This is nine straight years I've had a grandson on the team. His brother, Joe, played first. I love watching him play. He loves to play. It's been a blast.
BOB STOOPS: He's going to have a big day today.
BRADY QUINN: Want to ask you about this. In other years you said Ohio State was far and away the team to win the Big Ten. Looks like a lot of candidates this year. Talk about the strength of the Big Ten Conference.
KEVIN WARREN: We're so blessed. We have six teams in the top 20, three in the top 10. It's going to be a battle this year. You've seen these teams play. They're talented. We have the best coaches in all the college football. The brands, the energy. And so I'm excited. Not only what's going on in football but even all of our Olympic sports. We're off to a fast start in the Big Ten. It's been a great blessing.
BRADY QUINN: No doubt about it. But let's talk about what really matters, Coach. I think I know what team you're rooting for, even though you spent time in South Bend. Kevin, we have a photo of you. I don't know if people realize this, you did go to Notre Dame. That's where you got your law degree. As the Big Ten commissioner, who are you rooting for?
BARRY ALVAREZ: Wisconsin. (Laughter).
BRADY QUINN: Oh, no. Come on!
ROB STONE: He knows where that paycheck is coming from.
BRADY QUINN: Oh, my God. I did not see that coming. Man.
ROB STONE: I did. I saw it a mile away.
BOB STOOPS: Hey, that paycheck matters.
BRADY QUINN: That's true.
BOB STOOPS: But Barry, we're going to look at a picture here, a photo of the '82 coaching staff at Iowa.
BRADY QUINN: Wow.
BARRY ALVAREZ: Good looking guys there, Bobby, I tell you.
BOB STOOPS: I was a grad assistant and my primary job was to drive you and Dan McCarney around on your recruiting trips.
BARRY ALVAREZ: You were a heck of a driver. If you didn't make it as a coach, you would have made a career in driving.
ROB STONE: What kind of GA was he, Coach? And what kind of a driver was he.
BARRY ALVAREZ: He was a great driver. He got us there. Sooner or later he got us there.
BRADY QUINN: All gas, no brakes. I've been in a car with him before.
BOB STOOPS: Believe me, we had a lot of fun. That's for sure.
ROB STONE: I want to remind you. We're back in Madison next weekend. What time do you need us over at your place?
BARRY ALVAREZ: Early, come early, stay late.
ROB STONE: 4:00? 4:00, happy hour. We'll start Friday.
BARRY ALVAREZ: Whenever you get there.
ROB STONE: You know what, Coach? We'll be there.
Barry, Kevin, thank you guys so much. Congratulations on a great start to the Big Ten. Appreciate you so much.
"Big Noon Kickoff" rolls on from Chicago. Coming up plenty of teams we expected to be sitting at 3-0 but who is the most surprising squad to be resting in the ranks of the unbeaten? Yes, two Michigan schools are about to get some Big Noon love.
Matt Wells, got the earbuds in. He's got the sunglasses, taking in the scene. Texas Tech trying to go to 4-0. They're at Texas at noon Eastern.
The multitalented Tyler Buchner. How many snaps will he get for the Irish? No. 12 Notre Dame, No. 18 Wisconsin coming up. Wendy's breakfast is taking over Chicago and turning it into the Windy City.
[COMMERCIAL]
ROB STONE: Last week in the win over Auburn, Sean Clifford, 304 total yards, two passing touchdowns, Matty.
MATT LEINART: He's starting to play some good football, guys. Look at the swag, with the sunglasses, the backward hat. But honestly he has Penn State believing in winning a Big Ten championship. He's been phenomenal this year. And he's not turning the football over.
ROB STONE: Texas at the host Texas Tech. Second straight start at quarterback for Casey Thompson.
BRADY QUINN: He takes care of the football, a dual threat. He can hurt you with his legs. He's taking on undefeated Texas Tech, a team that's got something to prove.
ROB STONE: Let's take a look at Spartan Stadium or as Mel Tucker now refers to it as "The Woodshed." East Lansing, Michigan, No. 20, Michigan State -- one more time, No. 20, Michigan State, unbeaten. They take on Nebraska tonight. 7:00 Eastern on FS1.
Wendy's is delivering fans the show they want to watch. You voted and we gotcha. This week's Wendy's Twitter topic" who is the most overrated, unbeaten team? It's been an interesting start to the season. 19 ranked teams have already lost. 35 teams have been ranked already.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Wisconsin-Notre Dame, ranked. They're ranked this week. Notre Dame unbeaten. In fact, there are 33 remaining unbeatens in FBS including six teams in the Top 25.
Wisconsin fell in week one at home to Penn State. Notre Dame has not lost yet. But, Coach, it's been a razor-thin margin of error for the Irish this year.
BOB STOOPS: Yeah, I may have picked the wrong time to say Notre Dame is the most overrated.
BRADY QUINN: Come on, Coach, hey, I'll take an overrated/undefeated team, okay any day of the week. Okay. Go ahead, yeah.
BOB STOOPS: Three-point win over Florida State. And we know what Florida State has been doing here lately. Three-point win over Toledo. I'll give them a 14-point win over Purdue. That's okay. But the other two scare me. I worry about Notre Dame.
BRADY QUINN: Hold, on hold on. ND fans, Coach thinks you're overrated. What do you have to say about it. [Boos]
I figured that was coming.
ROB STONE: Coach, you had home-field advantage last week. Let Brady enjoy it this week.
MATT LEINART: Let Brady get his shot.
ROB STONE: We'll get to Southern Cal one of these days.
REGGIE BUSH: We lived there, I'm good.
ROB STONE: Wait a second. We're talking about overrated. How about an underrated unbeaten. Let's go to "The Woodshed" in East Lansing, what Mel Tucker has created --
BRADY QUINN: It's amazing. Transfer portal. 20 players new to the team. And 20 freshmen to impact this team. But the way they turned the program around which was at a low point a few years ago. Surpassed win total from last year. They beat Northwestern and Miami in their house. Some tough opponents. They've got arguably the best running back in the country, Kenneth Walker, leads the country in rushing yards. And Peyton Thorne, their quarterback, hasn't thrown an interception yet this season.
How about the defense; they've hung their hat on for years under Mark Dantonio. And now you have Mel Tucker bringing his system in. They were giving up close to 40 points per game last year. This year so far, only 17 points per game. Look out for Sparty. Mel Tucker doing special things in East Lansing.
REGGIE BUSH: And their crosstown rivals, Michigan, who I like right now, I'm very encouraged by what I've seen from the Michigan football team. The way they're running the football now. Leading the country. Have the number one rush offense in college football right now. Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum are top duo in college football.
My main point, running the football sets the tone. When we were at USC, me and LenDale, we prided ourselves and every time we had to start a game running the football we wanted to set the tone for the rest of the game. So that's why I like this Michigan team right now because of the way they're running the football.
MATT LEINART: They have an identity running the football and then they take the shots over the top.
For me it's Ole Miss, we're on the Lane Train bandwagon, but this year this team feels different. We know offensively, we just talked about Matt Corral, Club Heisman, how great he has been all season long. Playmakers everywhere. We know they'll score a lot of points on everybody.
For me, it's the defense. They're giving up 17 fewer points per game this year, 175 yards per game fewer this year. That to me is the difference of two or three wins.
Keep an eye on Ole Miss. They gotta big game next week against Alabama. Lane Train, if they win that game they might be the favorite in the SEC West.
BRADY QUINN: Let's not forget what happened last year between those two teams. Nick Saban was incredibly frustrated with his defensive performance. I don't think his defense is as good this year as it was last year. Look out for Ole Miss.
ROB STONE: Lane Kiffin, already doing mental warfare against Coach Saban -- cherry picking those recruits in there. Love Lane Kiffin and what he's done. That's going to be a fun one next week.
The Southern part of the states delivering some curious betting scenarios this Saturday. Clay Travis will join us next with where he's putting his money or at least where he's going to tell us he's going to put his money. James Franklin, not in Southern California, Matt, getting ready in Happy Valley to take on Villanova.
BOB STOOPS: Big win last week against Auburn. Their offense is starting to heat up.
ROB STONE: They're in Chicago getting ready. Discover, the official credit card of the Big Ten, proud partner of Fox "Big Noon Kickoff." With us today at Soldier Field, Jenny and Brady, spinning that Discover 360 camera a little earlier today as they get ready for this huge top 20 showdown from Sweet Home Chicago.
[COMMERCIAL]
ROB STONE: Last Saturday in September has us here in Chicago. Next week, we're going to stay in the Midwest. Team "Big Noon Kickoff" back in Madison for the Badgers and No. 19 Michigan.
Fox "Big Noon Kickoff" is sponsored by Wendy's, official breakfast of NCAA football.
Reggie, what week are you going to bring some of these sandwiches up on the set for us, man?
REGGIE BUSH: All you've good is just ask. Just ask me.
ROB STONE: Graham Mertz, only one pass thrown for 30 yards downfield this season, Reg.
REGGIE BUSH: He's going to need a big game today. He only has one touchdown in his last six games. So if Wisconsin gets down early, it's going to be on his shoulders to try to get him back up to the game.
ROB STONE: We go from inside to outside. Notre Dame getting set for their 13th game here at Soldier Field. This will be the fourth for the Badgers at the stadium. Both these programs, they like to find ways to get their teams inside NFL stadiums. Again, most of the recruits are coming to Madison and coming to South Bend with their eyes on the NFL down the road. Notre Dame and Wisconsin, they've produced nine Heisman winners, 13 national titles and 1,662 all-time wins.
The Outkick Tour Bus, it's in Nashville this week. That's where we find Clay Travis. And the Notre Dame-Wisconsin game, one of only two ranked games this week. And though the Irish are higher ranked, they're the underdog in this one. Is Clay hanging out with the Commodore over there. Where are you? There you are.
CLAY TRAVIS: We've got everybody here. We're in Nashville. But I love Brady Quinn's Notre Dame Fighting Irish as the underdog here. I think they're getting a lot of disrespect. You guys will have a fabulous scene there in Chicago. I love Notre Dame to cover. And I like the under in this game, guys. I don't think either offense is really going to be able to take off and as a result double wins here. Notre Dame to cover, maybe to win outright. And also the under to hit. I think the Fighting Irish will be happy on this one.
ROB STONE: Off camera Brady is applauding your selection. Let's go to Arlington, Texas, Aggies and Hogs, Texas A&M, they've won the last nine in the series, Clay.
CLAY TRAVIS: It's an interesting question, right? What we're trying to find out right now is who is the third best team in the SEC. Georgia is playing right over my shoulder a little bit later today. They and Alabama clearly 1-2.
Is it Florida? Arkansas? A&M? Maybe Ole Miss. This game will start to tell us.
I love the Razorbacks. They can run the football. We've got a backup quarterback situation for A&M down in Dallas. I think the Razorbacks cover and I like the under in this one.
And Rob, you know I'm the greatest gambler in all time. I'm trying to make everybody rich. There's four winners I've already given you. Ask Leinart, I never lose a bet.
MATT LEINART: That's true.
ROB STONE: I got it covered, guys. Florida pushed No. 1 Bama to the brink last week. Today, they host a fellow 2-1 side in Tennessee. Who do you like in that one?
CLAY TRAVIS: Tennessee is not even a rival against Florida anymore. Nobody even considers-used to be the biggest game in the '90s. Everybody was excited to see what would happen. I think the Gators who played fantastically well in the second half almost found a way to put the game in OT. I think they're flat early against Tennessee. This line creeping up against three touchdowns.
I like Tennessee to cover. I think they can score some points with Hendon Hooker, who should be their starting quarterback. And the Vols, they're not going to win, but I think they keep it inside of three touchdowns. That's five winners I just gave you. Play them on the parlay. Get your bets in at Fox Bet. Let's go, guys.
ROB STONE: He's so humble, isn't he? I'm the best, I'm the greatest. Clay, thanks, see you a bit later on the pick on the Georgia-Vanderbilt game in Nashville.
We talked earlier of the last week struggles by some of the big brands in college football. One program not struggling, Georgia. They have allowed a total, a total, of 23 points in three games. Can we make a case that they are the top team in the land?
BRADY QUINN: They're playing the best football. When you look at all three phases, defensively we've known they've been styled for a while. Defense has only given up one defensive touchdown this season.
The difference is JT Daniels who came back last week from an oblique injury. He's still playing good football; undefeated as starter at Georgia. He relies on the defense. Can take shots down in the passing game. George Pickens eventually will be coming back adding to this talented group of receivers on the outside.
I think right now you can make the case that Georgia's playing the best football of anyone in the country.
REGGIE BUSH: I agree with you, Brady. I think you can make the case that Georgia is the best team in the SEC right now.
But I still like Alabama, Bryce Young, as long as he's throwing that football. Like I say, he does not play like a young guy. He plays like a veteran. He plays like he's been there four years.
One of the things I love about him most, when he's under pressure, he's still poised in the pocket. If somebody's coming to hit him in the face, he's still delivering the football in a strike. I like Alabama.
MATT LEINART: I trust Alabama's offense more with Bryce Young and JT Daniels dealt with an injury early on. Last two games, UAB and South Carolina offense looked. They struggled against -- didn't score an offensive touchdown against Clemson. They haven't got the game going with Zamir White.
For me, at this point in the season, the defense is, no doubt, the best in the country. But the offense, 44th scoring offense in the country, I need to see more from them as the season goes, Coach.
BOB STOOPS: What I can't figure out is why everybody is sleeping on Oregon. They've got the best win in the best fashion going into the Horseshoe, beating Ohio State. How are they not in the top five? I don't get it. And right now they only have one more ranked team to play the rest of the year. So they may go undefeated.
BRADY QUINN: That may be the first time we see someone representing the Pac-12 in a while in a College Football Playoff. We saw them up close and personal. They're big stout, can run the football, play defense, and Oregon is the team to keep an eye on.
ROB STONE: Only number one ranked team on their schedule. That's a trip to UCLA. Looks like smooth sailing for them until the Pac-12 Championship game.
Some news out of the Irish. Defensive lineman Kurt Hinish, according to Bruce Feldman, will not play today.
Couple of other talents are forced to step up in Hinish's absence. Coming up next, college football legend, one of the most electrifying players in Notre Dame storied history, The Rocket, Raghib Ismail, set to join us live on set.
BOB STOOPS: Wide receiver down in the three-point stance. (Laughter).
ROB STONE: Wisconsin so strong defensively this season, No. 1 against the rush. They've allowed 66 yards rushing. Total. Period, this season. One hour down, one more hour to go, Chicago. Top 20 showdown, the Irish and the Packers, from historic Soldier Field.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports