Wes & Walker- Wes Bryant

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1:00Sports Radio 92 7 WFNZ. Now I don't have to lie to you. I mean it when I say Western Walker. That's right, he's on his own show. West Bryant joins us usually, been hopping on with us at two when he's out and about in the college football world. He'll be on the sidelines in Dallas this weekend bringing you coverage for SMU, Boston, college, 12 o'clock kick on the CW. So go check out your boy West Bryant, host of your favorite radio show, Westen Walker, right here on 92 7 FM. West, how are you doing my man? I was saying that I am on the way to most barbecue in Dallas. I have picked it myself. I said we don't need any advice this time, but I got bad advice the last time. So yeah, man, I'm excited about what I'm about to take. OK, I'm excited to get a food review. The connection is a little walkie. Maybe we call back here in a second. Flatta wants you brought on. She bring him down and then maybe we can try to reach back out to him because I do think the connection is a little walkie there. We'll try to figure that out here on Westen Walker, West, calling in.

2:03He'll be working SMU Boston College. And the question that I do want to explore with him is whether he still believes in the Mustangs considering their 10 point victory over Missouri state. My question to you being on the sidelines at SMU this weekend. They have a 10 point win this weekend over Missouri state. It's not exactly a game where you have the most confidence in them heading forward. But this is also a squad that has Kevin Jennings played a lot of college football. People thought that they might be the second best team in the ACC. At least it was possible. How much belief do you have in the Mustangs right now? Yeah, I think tomorrow is going to be a good opportunity for them to start to show it. I mean, Boston College offensively, they ranked near the bottom of the league in several categories. So, them coming close with Virginia Tech, we're going to see how real that was. As far as Boston College, did they take something from that? And are they now a new football team? And are they going to come in with a renewed bigger, so to speak?

3:04But with SMU, yeah, man, it's disappointing. You don't want to see Kevin Jennings playing into the fourth quarter. That's what they had to do against a Missouri state. And we just talked about in the coaches meetings, the turnovers, the penalties, some of the things that have plagued them this year, the big plays that they've given up on defense. Defensively, they are ranked pretty high in a lot of categories, but they've given up a lot of explosive plays to get offenses. So, for Boston College, do they smell blood in the water and are they smelling themselves after their performance that they had against Virginia Tech? So, I think tomorrow is one of those games that you would look at on the schedule and be like, oh, you know, I don't think this will be a very good game. And then you could look up and it could be more competitive than you think. You cover the ACC. So, perhaps this was already on your mind heading into the season, but the more I look at SMU, the more I look at an advantage they might have because of the schedule, right? Like I like Virginia. That will be the game they have after Boston College, but even still, I wouldn't call Virginia a top three to five team in the ACC, Cal, Sarah Cues.

4:06Virginia Tech and Wake Forest noted aim. That stretch right there, I guess we'll figure out a lot about SMU. That's a tough three game stretch. Under the meantime, West, like I feel like they had an opportunity to knock off Louisville. They get beat by 10. They could have been what? A and O heading into that three game stretch. Feels like they really squandered something. And Missouri State didn't give us a whole lot of reason to buy back in. Do you feel like they'll run the table until they face Virginia Tech November 6th? Or do you think there's another upset in there? No, this, you know, this is a Virginia, I mean, this is a SMU team that, you know, it's kind of weak to weak with them because you just are not sure what you're going to get. And that was the whole premise with where I put them in my preseason post, where you want to think that this is the team capable of being a top three team. You want to think that this is a team capable of coming back to Charlotte, which they are. But then like I said, you watch some of these games. And as I just said, you're sitting there in the fourth quarter, playing against Missouri State Kevin Jennings is in there playing.

5:06And you're turning the ball over throwing pick sixes defense, given a big play. So it's like, how much can I really trust these guys? And that's been my biggest hang up with SMU is just how much can I trust what you guys are about? So I'm not sure with SMU. I'm not if I had the bit to what I say, I think they run the table until they get to that game. No, I don't. I think that SMU's a team that they take you on a rollercoaster ride, man. They really do. It feels like they've done that a couple of times over the last few years. And maybe this is just another season of that happening. Wes Bryant joining us, Wes and Walker sports radio, 92, 7 WFNZ. He's not in studio because it'll be on the sidelines for SMU Boston College this weekend on the CW kickoff is set for 12 o'clock. Want to bring you to the conversation we had of the campus, Kona. There you go. I knew it. All right. You know, I'm on point. I knew you would be. I just needed a pause for you. So North Carolina, they play Notre Dame. Wes, what is a successful weekend for North Carolina against the fighting Irish?

6:07I think that it's tricky because North Carolina's had so many games over the years that you thought, oh, this team's going to come in and run right over them. And then you look up in the fourth quarter and it's a dominant game. I think the key for Carolina is, are you within striking distance at halftime and going into the fourth quarter, do the fans still have a glimmer of hope that maybe you can pull off the upset? You know, Notre Dame's a really good team. Again, they did only beat Michigan State 27 to 10. And so I get it that they're rivals. But I think for North Carolina, you know, hopefully a boojote is back and they'll have their full allotment of weapons. It's just with Carolina that passing attack is what just really scares you because they're going to need to be balanced. And if there's anything that Notre Dame brings to the table, you know that defense is going to be top tier and especially in the secondary. This is about, you know, Notre Dame over the last few years, especially on the Marcus Freeman, you know, that defense, that's one of those groups that it's close to NFL football

7:11as you're going to get at the college level because we know they have a lot of guys that get drafted. It's going to be tough to get completions. It's going to be tough to get first down against this Notre Dame defense. And so with Billy Edwards and House Ferratik, he's looked. That's the thing that worries you the most is him having a tough time on this Notre Dame defense. They're going to get after you. This offensive line is going to be tested. I think they're going to have a tough time running the ball. It's going to come down to Billy Edwards. Can he soften up that defense and hit some throws that makes Notre Dame, you know, on their heels just a little bit? Can they do that? So I think that's what will be successful. Can you have a solid offensive output and can this game be competitive going into the fourth quarter? And it doesn't have to be a three point game on seven point game. Is it a ten point game? Is it a 14 point game going into the fourth quarter where you say, okay, we've been playing good enough today. If we score here, this is a one score game. Wes Bryant joining us on his own show, follow him on Twitter, by the way, at Wes Bryant underscore 72.

8:13If you do follow him on Twitter, you can see the three thoughts he has heading into the ACC weekend. I want to ask you about Virginia Tech Pittsburgh tonight. Going to be a fun one because you're right. When you say in your first point here, Wes, this is going to be James Franklin's first big game as Virginia Tech's head coach. There are two and a half point favorite. It's funny. You also write in that point, will we see the ghosts of Penn State's past, which I think is a good one considering the history surrounding James Franklin. Well, it's funny because I don't against Pittsburgh. It doesn't exactly scream Penn State Ohio State top 10 matchup. It doesn't exactly scream Penn State Michigan top 10 matchup. But I think you're right. If you can't beat Pittsburgh or you can't have a good showing against the Panthers, it doesn't done me their season is over by any stretch. But I'm with you, man. If you lay an egg against the Panthers, then I think it's even worse than some of the ghosts that surrounded you up in Penn State. Yeah, because the thing that's the narrative with James Franklin, right, is that he can't win the big game.

9:14Now, granted, Pittsburgh doesn't have a number in front of their name. This is a 4-0 team that a lot of people including myself fancy as a top four to five team in this league. You have Mason Heinzschule, who's the only quarterback in ACC history to have six plus touchdown passes in multiple games in a season. So this looks like a Pittsburgh team that should be ranked perhaps in the opinion of some, will they be ranked as the season goes forward? But right now just on the surface, this looks like a high-power pit team that's coming in with a lot to prove. They're both undefeated. Pittsburgh has looked strong this season. So for James Franklin and getting this game at home, et Virginia Tech, you are a Virginia Tech fan, San T yourself. Okay, yeah, this isn't necessarily a ranked matchup, but this is a big game with the undefeated ACC team with a lot of implications as far as going to Charlotte is concerned.

10:14So you would like for Virginia Tech to come out and take care of business because if he doesn't, it just plays into the narrative when you hire them. They're going to be a contingent of fans, they say, oh, this is why Penn State got rid of him because he can't win big games. So yeah, even though this might not necessarily have the numbers attached as far as rankings are concerned, but this is going to be a game to where Virginia Tech fans are sent to themselves undefeated ACC squad that has looked the part so far. Can you guys take care of them, especially at home? I mean, I think maybe you get a little bit of grace if it's at Pittsburgh, but you're at home, you know, the environment was going to get the 10 minutes of pregame. We're going to get the five extra minutes of them sing a Metallica when it's done and all that stuff. So this is the environment for you to come out showing proof. And if you can't take advantage of that and look the part yourself, then yeah, they're going to be some Virginia Tech fans that are going to say, man, is this guy truly the real deal because he couldn't win big games at his last spot? Have you ever thought about the difference between paying rent and owning a home?

11:18When you rent, your monthly payment helps cover the cost of living there, but it usually doesn't build anything for your future. Home ownership is different. Each payment you make on a home may help build equity, which is the value you own in the property over time. At that equity grows, it can become a financial asset that may support your long-term goals. Own in a home can also provide stability. You have a place that shores where you can build memories, establish roots, and truly make the space your own. And the good news is that many people are surprised to learn there are programs designed to help first-time home buyers get started, including grants and assistance programs that may help with downpayments or closing costs. Learning about your options is the first step toward making an informed decision about your future. Visit toolsforhomeownership.com Is that game bigger than NC State Louisville? Yes, I would say so just because of the fact that you like both of these teams, both

12:22of them are forno. Both have looked strong. At certain points this season, so yes, this weekend I would definitely say when you talk about teams that have an opportunity to come to Charlotte because you went in this game, you're 5 and 0. Yeah, so this definitely lands you into that group of teams that you're looking at as potential ACC Championship game participants. Okay, we were about to talk about some of the college football players in the local area that has surprised us the most this season. I want to bring you in on that conversation. You did have high hopes for Geo Lopez. Geo Lopez is absolutely ballin right now. I hear he's second in the ACC QB power rankings. That's correct, right? We've got him behind you. Okay. Yes, he is. Is there a player that sticks out to you when I ask you the most surprising player in the local area? It can be positive or negative who you will surprise? I would say, man, let me think here because it's a loaded one. It makes I would go I would it may feel like low hanging fruit, but I would say Nate

13:25Shepherd just in the fact of I know he came off an 1100 yard freshman season, but I don't know that we expected him to be leading the country in several rushing categories at this point in the year and people talking about him as the proverbial dark horse, high sun and candidate. So the pace in which he's on, we talked about it before he may not get there, but he's on a 2000 yard pace potentially. So I would say I didn't expect this type of season coming from Nate Shepherd right now. If we go outside the ACC one guy I thought about riding down here was Lenora sellers just because of how bad it looks. I understand it wasn't a great season, but offensive line got better and they looked pretty damn good against bad competition the first two weeks, but we saw what happened with South Carolina against bad competition last year. Where does Lenora sellers rank on the surprise meter for West Brie? Yeah, I got to say welcome there. Your negativity, man, it's coming strong this year because you take the surprise and you

14:25make a negative like surprise. You know, we will take that. You know, I'm saying across a couple of ugly interceptions. Surprise. Yeah, like that. I think of surprise. I think a good thing. I hate. Here's a PlayStation five. You didn't know I was going to buy you. Yeah, probably has a lot to do with our, I don't know, man. It just has to do with our outlooks on life. I apologize to people for being too pessimistic. I think as far as I think as far as surprise players goes with Lenora sellers, yeah, man. I'm not completely throwing off. I can't say that I thought that he was going to come out and be this highs and the contender this year because you know how I feel about him from a passing standpoint. I never thought he was going to come out and burn up the world in those regards, but just what God to be starting as long as he had. I know he's in a new system, but just to turn over the mistakes that he's making, it still feels like that this offense is very much a work in progress. And from everything that you heard from the off season, that would be a little bit of a surprise because I did expect South Carolina's offense to at least be a little bit better

15:25and a little bit more explosive than what they've been. And like we said, just for the fact that, I mean, his legs should be on a milk carton right now because you know, you would have thought you've seen a hundred yard plus game from him or some, some big runs as well. And we haven't even seen that. Okay, I promise I'll look at the positivity. Let's look at the story in the ACC this year. Miami looks amazing. They're beating up on teams. People expected that and they're following through with it. Clemson is negative, but I would look at the biggest positive story in the ACC. Is it clear in a way, wake forest and GL Lopez? Is there anybody that comes close to them or do we just got to go with your alma mater? Yeah, I think so, but just for the sake of the people. So they once and always, you know, talking about a team in center third. I think that when you look at the Duke Blue Devils and what they've been doing, you know, many D.S. he talked about it and he said how people had written them off. They thought that last year was as good as it was going to get. You know, myself included, I'm not going to say I thought that last year was as good as it would get there, but I didn't expect this team to come out and look as strong as they

16:27have, winning some of the games that they have, including on the road. So I think that, you know, Duke would certainly be in there, but of course, wake forest and what they've been able to do because you can't really argue with it. This was a team that people picked preseason to finish next the last. If you looked at a lot of preseason lists, it was Stanford, then Wake Forest. People just thought that oh, this team's going to come back down to Earth or this team. You know, I don't know as I tweeted out, you know, a month or so ago, I don't know a season where Wake is predicted to do good. Even when they do get the previsional, how many nine and four teams? I mean, really think about it. How many nine and four teams get predicted to finish near the bottom of their conference the next season? It doesn't happen. No, it doesn't happen. We both clocked it like that. It's just the wake forest by us, man. It is what it is. You used to it. That's what they do. And even when they do good, people still don't want to look at Wake as a serious contender. They think that that upset was just from happening. That's why I'm so glad that they played Miami the way that they did the week before because

17:29people would have said, oh, Louisville was looking over him. Oh, it was a trap game. They said, no, it wasn't a trap with the way that they played against Miami. It wasn't that. I just walked in Louisville, it was trapped and took over the trap. Where did two change? Where did JJ Jansen who likes quoting that, I believe, as well? Yeah, I'm going to be a bit. I think I think you can. Can I say something real quick, though? Yeah, you can, man. What's up? I am so excited right now about what I could be about the part taken because there's a bull out in front of this thing that is made of metal that is a smoker. And it is actively cooking and smoking right now. Remember I said I wanted to smell that when I came up to the place that I was going to eat it. So there's a bull metal board that is smoking. I would imagine a delectable meat right now. So this place looks like it's going to be a winner. The videos will be up. I will be giving a review on it because I think I'm about to be in for a real treat. I can smell the mosquito on your clothes right now, man.

18:30I'm waiting for it. I'm excited. I don't even care if I walk out smelling like it. I don't care. All right. I hope you do. I think that's the sign of a good barbecue joint. No doubt. I can't wait to see the pictures on your Twitter profile at West Bryant underscore 72. You can find them easily on Instagram as well. West Bryant, host of the Western Walker show Sports Radio 92 7 WFNZ. Check them out on the CW. I'll be on the sidelines for SMU Boston College tomorrow kickoff starts at 12 o'clock. West appreciate the time. Enjoy the food. You know, down about it, man. I appreciate you guys. Thanks.