The Broncos stay hot with another dominant win — and the guys break down what Bo Nix, Marvin Mims, and RJ Harvey showed in Las Vegas. Shelby reacts to Cleveland’s close loss and explains why the Browns’ defense, not Shedeur Sanders, cost them the game. Chris dives into the rookie QB conversation and what Cleveland must fix this offseason. The crew also looks at the Chiefs’ stunning slide, Houston’s rise, Philip Rivers joining the Colts, and a wild College Football Playoff field that leaves Ryan's alma mater, Notre Dame, on the outside looking in.
On this week’s episode of We’re the Harrises, Ryan, Shelby, and Chris open with Denver’s strong road win over the Raiders, praising Bo Nix’s efficiency, RJ Harvey’s emergence, and Marvin Mims finally breaking a return for a touchdown. Shelby keeps the focus realistic, calling it a win Denver was supposed to get, while Chris highlights how the Broncos are playing their best football at the right time. The conversation shifts to Cleveland, where Shelby defends Shedeur Sanders’ impressive performance and puts the Browns’ loss squarely on the defense. Chris discusses Stefanski’s future, the roster issues, and what Cleveland must add to support their rookie quarterback. The Chiefs’ collapse becomes the next major topic as the guys debate whether Kansas City is officially done and credit the Texans for proving they belong in the AFC conversation. They also unpack the Colts’ decision to bring back Philip Rivers and how his experience fits their offense. The show closes with a deep dive into the College Football Playoff controversy, Notre Dame missing out, Alabama staying in despite multiple losses, and why the committee’s logic changes depending on the school involved. Ryan, Shelby, and Chris also give Indiana their due for a statement Big Ten Championship win as the postseason picture comes into focus.
00;00;00;06 - 00;00;25;05
Ryan Harris
Welcome to where the Harrises. We got current NFL star Shelby Harris with the Cleveland Browns. We also got Chris Harris, junior perennial Pro Bowler playoff king and Super Bowl champion and myself Super Bowl champion alongside Chris Harris Jr. Fellas, let's start on first down with the big Broncos win in Las Vegas. Bo Nix was fantastic. Marvin Mims returned a punt for a touchdown.
00;00;25;05 - 00;00;32;27
Ryan Harris
And oh you know I love this. You got RJ Harvey actually running the ball at a great clip. What did you like about the Broncos win.
00;00;32;29 - 00;00;54;00
Chris Harris Jr.
You know they came out and played good. You know on the road you want to come out and start fast and and kind of set the lights off pretty early. And I think they did that. It was a great crowd. There were a lot of Broncos fans there, and it definitely one like the Coliseum, right, was nothing but Raider fans flicking you off everywhere.
00;00;54;03 - 00;01;13;07
Chris Harris Jr.
All the different environment in Las Vegas. Right. And those guys went out there and play solid Bo with another good game. Marvin Mims, it was funny. I was just talking to him about, oh you game a couple weeks ago. And I'm like, Mims, you always break, but you never score. And then now he's like, he. He said that now he finally got in the end zone, man.
00;01;13;07 - 00;01;22;26
Chris Harris Jr.
So I'm happy to see it man. And they playing good at the right time and and it's, it's looking like a two headed monster for that first round. Bye.
00;01;22;26 - 00;01;42;25
Shelby Harris
Right now I'm not going to make it any more than what it is. The Broncos won a game they were supposed to win. That's exactly what that was. They beat a Raider team that is down bad right now. Fired offensive coordinator offense is really in shambles. The Broncos defense went and really took care of business like they were supposed to.
00;01;42;27 - 00;02;05;06
Shelby Harris
Now, if you think about the grand scheme of things, don't the the Broncos are still number one in the AFC. That's all that matters. They handled their business. And that's what sound and that's what look great. So I'm I'm big on this one to know. And that's what the Broncos did. And no matter who they play they got to go out there and get those wins.
00;02;05;06 - 00;02;22;11
Shelby Harris
And that's what they did I love the RJ. Harvey's getting more involved. You start to see Marvin Mims kind of break out. We're trying to see what they're going to do, maybe adding some more gadget plays on offense and get him more involved in the offense. You need that speed. You need a guy like that can break a 80 yard touchdown at any moment.
00;02;22;13 - 00;02;34;21
Shelby Harris
And so it's one of the up for me. The Broncos are doing a great job. You know just winning the games we're supposed to win. They're edging it out and they're playing right now. They're playing some good playoff football. So I have nothing but positive right now for the Denver Broncos.
00;02;34;23 - 00;02;53;18
Ryan Harris
You know what I loved about what I loved about the win. Number one always fun to beat the Raiders. Can't stand them don't like them I understand this fans of the Raiders. But that's number one. Number two. Second straight game. You had methodical drives to start the game. You got to get to this place where you know what you're going to do and you know how you're going to affect the defense and then finish with scores.
00;02;53;18 - 00;03;14;01
Ryan Harris
I thought Bo Nix was prolific, accurate and really kept things on schedule. Also a rare, you know, a low game regarding penalties. So that's a good thing too at this time of year. But then lastly you got that run game going RJ Harvey was 75 yards. Man he was a he was a stud. You Lou McLaughlin got in there as well running the football.
00;03;14;01 - 00;03;30;25
Ryan Harris
So now you have a complete offense. And then defensively they shut down the run against Aston Gentry. Where conversely the week before against the commanders they did not do that. So I'm with you Chris and Shelby. Everything is trending up for the Broncos. And it couldn't happen at a better time.
00;03;30;27 - 00;03;48;21
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. You know you got to be playing good around this time. And when you see when you want to go into the playoffs, you want to have a solid run game in which we lost. They lost with Dobbins, but Harvey starting to pick it up. McLaughlin has to carry load a little bit more. Bowen makes my at the run a little bit more and play defense.
00;03;48;21 - 00;04;08;03
Chris Harris Jr.
Right. You can't beat yourselves. You see what happened with the Chiefs? They they lose them because they can't catch the ball. And big in crucial times. You know, just don't know how to win those close games. And now the Broncos know how to do that. And, so that's what it takes to win in these clutch games, especially in December.
00;04;08;06 - 00;04;24;10
Shelby Harris
Isn't that it's crazy. We talked about the Chiefs don't know how to win right now. You know what I mean. Like but you know that's what people don't realize though about the NFL is year to year. It is year to year. You have to go out there and prove yourself every year. And that's what the Broncos are doing this year.
00;04;24;10 - 00;04;42;25
Shelby Harris
They went out there and they're saying, you know, we don't care what the past says. You know the Browns have struggled before and won four games and the Broncos struggled really. You know in the last I'd say ten you know since the Super Bowl. Now the Broncos are finally taking that step and establishing themselves as a legitimate playoff team.
00;04;43;01 - 00;04;57;13
Shelby Harris
You won't have to be worried about because what I'd be worried about is going to Denver in January. That's what ought to be worry about because I always tell people it's already unfair enough with the altitude throwing that little bit of, you know, that icy cold weather, you know it's going to be a struggle for any team.
00;04;57;13 - 00;04;59;06
Shelby Harris
Come to play them out hard.
00;04;59;09 - 00;05;15;11
Ryan Harris
Well let's move on to second down and let's start with the Browns and should Dooher Sanders. Shelby, you guys, we're so close and schedule Sanders I thought overall had a very good game. Would you guys make a should do a Sanders in the close loss to the Tennessee Titans.
00;05;15;14 - 00;05;34;16
Shelby Harris
I thought you played a hell of a game. You know I thought he did enough to win that game. I think that we lost on defense. And I don't know if we can bring up all we want to about the two point conversion, this two point conversion that we gave up too many points on defense. We gave up over 180 rushing yards on defense like so.
00;05;34;22 - 00;05;53;04
Shelby Harris
We can we can talk about you know, I hear people talking all that trash. What's the fantasy and why should do none of that matters if we if the defense goes out there and does their job, how we have been accustomed to week in and week out, we're not in that position right there. So we let the team down and that's what we do is to do it.
00;05;53;04 - 00;06;13;26
Shelby Harris
Nothing. Joseph ask you nothing to do with Quinton? No, not the defense that the team not that is our standard. And we dipped below that stated. But also we've had many times and we've seen it before where when Sean has been the wildcat guy on the goal line, there's nothing new. It's just that it didn't work. This time that we're hearing about it.
00;06;13;29 - 00;06;31;03
Shelby Harris
We all know what it is. We got to talk about something now. Today we had a great game. Who? How many guys are wrong about that one? You know, I mean, like, he had the highest passing yards of any rookie. You know, he, he he led the offense. You know, a worthy they should have won that game.
00;06;31;03 - 00;06;48;07
Shelby Harris
We should have won that game based off of, you know, what the offense did for us. The defense let us down. So you know I'm still very high on stuff. I always tell people this is one of my favorite coaches. He always will be. You know what I mean. Like and that's not a political answer. Nothing like as a man to man, I love spending dollars.
00;06;48;09 - 00;06;58;00
Shelby Harris
But you know, he he impressed a lot of people with that game. And I think now it's just the ceiling is, is is will keep going up from your own.
00;06;58;02 - 00;07;15;20
Chris Harris Jr.
Oh then you could say Stefanski I think he's at it. Especially after that two point play, when the kid is hot and he's bringing that back, you know, that was a fun game to watch. You know, I think everybody in the world was locked in on your game. And like you said, it was definitely on the defense.
00;07;15;22 - 00;07;41;08
Chris Harris Jr.
Playing against Cameron. Cam Ward, who was very struggling right now to throw the football. You know, they're going to run the football. Bam. Pops out. Tony Pollard has a breakout game. We didn't I just didn't cap the, you know, the, the running backs as good as y'all have in the past. Also, you know, them having that, they were able to find some Leaky Lucky plays and the, red zone.
00;07;41;08 - 00;07;58;13
Chris Harris Jr.
So, like you said, defense didn't play that well. Should have made the plays. They'll be able to come back. Receiver Judy finally made a play after all the, you know, stuff that we've been seeing on the sideline. He finally showed up. And, that's what it's going to take, though, if y'all going to be y'all should be the Titans.
00;07;58;15 - 00;08;15;22
Chris Harris Jr.
So I definitely, would be definitely upset if I was you. But you know, it definitely showed that he's worth to be in the number one quarterback. It's at least for the rest of the season. It's going to be hard going into next year with two first round picks, right? If I'm, you know, I might go.
00;08;15;22 - 00;08;34;13
Chris Harris Jr.
Get up. Go. I need to go get a O-line and a receiver. That's what I'm looking at. Somebody that can protect them, somebody that you know is going to be there, but he he needs another weapon outside. There's no number one receiver. I, I why when I play the Browns I'm not scared. I wouldn't be scared to line up against y'all today.
00;08;34;15 - 00;08;35;23
Chris Harris Jr.
Right.
00;08;35;25 - 00;08;36;25
Shelby Harris
Over that stock.
00;08;36;26 - 00;08;52;14
Chris Harris Jr.
I, I'm not I brought a Judy. I was never scared of guard Judy. I never thought Judy was going to take me up top ever. Right. So, you just you need some more weapons. You need somebody that strikes fear in the DBS, and that's going to open up everything in the offense.
00;08;52;16 - 00;09;06;09
Ryan Harris
And for me, the big thing is to do. Hassan is so happy for him. Right? Each of us had that moment in the NFL where you're like, oh, I can play, I can ball, and I feel like I should do. Or Sanders has that on tape now where he can say, okay. And he said himself, there's room to improve.
00;09;06;11 - 00;09;24;11
Ryan Harris
But he made that performance where now you're looking at taking steps 11 to 13, verses 1 to 2. And so I'm happy for sure. I'm happy for the for the Browns fans. You guys got a quarterback. Hello. Yeah. It's been a long time. So you got one now and you got a ton of options. If you're the front office for the Browns.
00;09;24;11 - 00;09;43;00
Ryan Harris
And in sticking in that though I'm going to double click on something that that you said. Chris, I don't think you can say Stefanski, we know you love him, Shelby, but hold on. You had you had Mike Tomlin losing his job last week. He's ahead of the AFC North now. But you got Stefanski at the bottom. He can't go.
00;09;43;00 - 00;09;57;25
Ryan Harris
So I think that's a bigger issue of how are we picking on Mike Tomlin when he's one of the best coaches in the AFC North, let alone football? But I think it's going to be it's going to be an interesting offseason for the Browns a ton of options. And you got a quarterback. That's all you need.
00;09;57;27 - 00;10;22;00
Shelby Harris
You know I'm a big believer that you can't just blame the head coach. But we are in a position and and in our organization in the sport where the head coach is going to get blamed, but there's so much that's gone wrong that has been player on the player's fault. And it just sucks, though, because obviously, no matter what, somebody is going to have to be held accountable for players actions, good or bad.
00;10;22;02 - 00;10;45;21
Shelby Harris
And I always say the line, you know, it sucks being in this business, sometimes being responsible for people losing their jobs. And I'm not saying that's what I expect to happen at all, but I've been a part of Vance Joseph being fired. Vic Fangio being fired. I was a rookie when Dennis Allen got fired after we lost to the Dolphins in in London.
00;10;45;23 - 00;11;07;18
Shelby Harris
So it's it's you always have to think of it like and I know fans don't necessarily understand it, but I'm never going to root for somebody to lose their job. I'm never going to root for some kid from somebody's family to be uprooted and have to go move somewhere else, you know? And like, it's so easy nowadays to lose, but we lose the focus and lose the fact, like, these are people.
00;11;07;21 - 00;11;25;07
Shelby Harris
This is human beings that, you know, we keep trying to even, you know, we can fall from place to like that. These are human beings that we just like shuffle like this is, you know, musical chairs. And I'm not I'm not lost on that. People's livelihoods are based off of this. And, you know, people's families, that's all they know.
00;11;25;07 - 00;11;48;03
Shelby Harris
So it's it's easy to just be like, oh, he deserves to be fired. He deserves a fight. We need to get a new person. This here and there. But there's people behind those jobs and there's families behind. And obviously, you know, a lot of times we get fired. I mean, the job wasn't done well enough, but let's not just forget about the idea that there are people that will lose jobs and families that will be affected.
00;11;48;05 - 00;12;21;25
Chris Harris Jr.
It's hard for you to say, Kevin Stefanski, just by the whole totality of what's been going on from the very beginning, having the five quarterbacks from Joe Flacco to Kenny Pickett all the way down, to or not getting the proper reps and on the first team until the end of the season. And, you know, with the offense, what's going on the the way the defense has been up and now with the amount of talent that y'all have on the field, you know, it's going to be very hard for the GM, Andrew Berry or Stefanski to make it all the way.
00;12;21;25 - 00;12;43;04
Chris Harris Jr.
Berry can make it is is because he's going to have Graham. And Graham has a possibility to be rookie of the year. Right. So that's the only thing that might save him on the defense would with having some, defense success draft picks from Berry. But the way they've y'all run the organization, the team especially on offense.
00;12;43;06 - 00;12;47;00
Chris Harris Jr.
You got to have you got to make a lot of changes in this offseason.
00;12;47;02 - 00;13;00;22
Ryan Harris
Well, speaking of changes in the offseason, let's move to third down. We got the Kansas City Chiefs almost completely out of the playoffs. Are going to need some help. Now. What do you guys make of the Chiefs loss to the Texans.
00;13;00;27 - 00;13;03;07
Shelby Harris
Man they look back.
00;13;03;10 - 00;13;05;18
Chris Harris Jr.
I was like man get them out of here.
00;13;05;20 - 00;13;34;10
Shelby Harris
And they look bad. It looks like it might be over for them. But until the Kansas City Chiefs are officially eliminated from the playoffs, I always have Hope and Patrick problems. He has always proven throughout the years to be the guy that gets them there no matter what. Now, granted, years before it's been a lot easier. Last year was really their first year of a little bit of turmoil along, you know, between offense and defense really not clicking like how they usually do this year.
00;13;34;10 - 00;14;05;28
Shelby Harris
They have fallen apart. The run game non-existent. That Mahomes magic that we're used to seeing has turned into interceptions like this. This is what is different this year with this Kansas City team. They aren't making the big plays that save them, that we are used to seeing. They're actually usually now we're seeing the big play be the mistake that the Kansas City Chiefs are making and not not the the successes that we were used to seeing this Kansas City defense, not the same defense that we used to see.
00;14;06;04 - 00;14;27;17
Shelby Harris
They and that's that defense is build Kansas City out the offense year after year making plays. This defense is actually a weak spot this year. So now this is a completely different team now. But promising kick kicks now which is where we got Buckner. But he's usually automatic. I don't think I've really ever seen him miss a kick where I play him.
00;14;27;19 - 00;14;38;10
Shelby Harris
So this is not the Chiefs year. But once again, I'm not counting Patrick Mahomes out until they are officially eliminated from the playoffs.
00;14;38;12 - 00;14;56;01
Chris Harris Jr.
I'm counting them out. I think they're done their offensive line is too injured. The backups can't hold up with the schedule that they're going to have to face. It doesn't get easy for the Chiefs at all when you look at their schedule. I think they have the Chargers next week. So I got Chargers next week.
00;14;56;03 - 00;15;18;26
Chris Harris Jr.
You know, the receivers are are not holding up, their end of the bargain. They're not being able to, you know, complete the catches, crucial drops, critical times Kelsey. Same thing every week making crucial drops. The non-existent run game between Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. Kareem Hunt is more of a power back now, right?
00;15;18;29 - 00;15;36;25
Chris Harris Jr.
He's not the, old Kareem Hunt that I had to face. You know, and that's that's a break away guy. And their defense, like Shelby said, is not up to par. They don't have the same secondary. You know, you lost Ward. He lost the other guy to the Titans. McDuffie is more suited for the slot.
00;15;36;27 - 00;15;56;00
Chris Harris Jr.
And he's not holding up on the outside as as he did in the slot with more pressure on him. And, so, I got the Chiefs being done. The the the guys in the trenches are making it very hard for Mahomes to be comfortable. He's rushed him. He's inaccurate right now. And then his guys can't catch the ball on a consistent basis.
00;15;56;00 - 00;16;01;20
Chris Harris Jr.
So, I'm, I'm a, I'm going to have to throw them in the toilet. Shelby I think they've done also.
00;16;01;23 - 00;16;18;21
Ryan Harris
To me, this is a big story about the Texans. I mean, they've been one of the top defenses all year. And then if you're the Chiefs, you have another defense now in the Broncos. In the Texans two teams you're going to be seeing and competing with for the playoffs for the foreseeable future with Patrick Mahomes. They're not afraid anymore.
00;16;18;24 - 00;16;37;19
Ryan Harris
And I mean, this is something that we saw happen to the Patriots, right? It's not to say that you can't get back to it, but once defenses and offenses aren't afraid of you, now you become. Now you become an average team. And let's be clear, SPACs and that defense, that whole blitz zero kind of everybody on the line that works when you got a big lead.
00;16;37;19 - 00;16;56;20
Ryan Harris
But you can't sustain a defense like that for four quarters. So I think you're starting to see that as well. But to me, great job by the Texans. You had to beat the Chiefs not only for your record and your playoffs and your pursuit of an AFC South title. But you had to do it to, to for the confidence of the team that they know they can beat anybody any time.
00;16;56;20 - 00;16;59;06
Ryan Harris
And now the Texans have that confidence.
00;16;59;08 - 00;17;19;18
Shelby Harris
Well Kansas City have struggled against attack defenses Houston runs the defense very similar to what we run in Cleveland. It's where the D linemen have pretty much no rules. Go get it. But then in order to have a defense like that work, you have to have corners. And Stingley is playing out of his mind.
00;17;19;21 - 00;17;21;18
Chris Harris Jr.
Don't think. Yeah, all of.
00;17;21;20 - 00;17;37;05
Shelby Harris
My all of them balls are ball either. That is what I'm saying. But we we talk about this all the time in the building in Cleveland rushing coverage. Because in order for me to get a sack, I need the guys behind me to cover it. Well, for them to get the picks they need us to be rushing to.
00;17;37;08 - 00;17;51;01
Shelby Harris
So we work together in order to make this thing work. And right now, Houston's doing a beautiful job of that. That is beautiful. Team defense from top to bottom. You love to see it.
00;17;51;03 - 00;18;02;07
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. I mean, when you look at their secondary, they got four dogs. You know, I might have to put them a little bit. They I might have to get an edge over Denver. Second to.
00;18;02;08 - 00;18;03;18
Ryan Harris
Come on.
00;18;03;21 - 00;18;30;13
Chris Harris Jr.
I mean, is it, may Stingley let last man. He's nice. The safety bullock is nice. What's up, number five? He's a playmaker. That I like their secondary. You know, the Broncos secondary is nice, but you can get a little leaky when it goes to Riley. You know they don't. They have a better number two I would say right now guy over there.
00;18;30;13 - 00;18;49;28
Chris Harris Jr.
So, pass rush can you can you got to go with the Broncos. I mean, damn, they're on a record setting pace. But that AFC South is getting shaky because do y'all let me ask the question. Do y'all see the Colts. Are they done or Philip Rivers. Can he resurrect you know they know
00;18;50;00 - 00;19;06;11
Ryan Harris
I, I don't see a way for the Colts to continue. I mean, I'm happy for Philip Rivers, but let's be clear. The Jaguars is the team are the team to beat. They're in the AFC South. I mean, that team that team is far more dangerous than people are giving them credit for. They're going to surprise a lot of people.
00;19;06;11 - 00;19;29;10
Ryan Harris
I think it's going to be a big game in a couple of weeks. The Broncos Jaguars really determine who those Jaguars are. But to me, the Colts can't get it done. You got an increasingly, competent and productive Texans team, as well as a shockingly productive Jaguars team. You gotta you gotta basically went out to me if you're the Colts to to keep that to to win that AFC South title.
00;19;29;12 - 00;19;47;09
Shelby Harris
I believe in the Colts only because they're already a run first team in the first place. And so you bring in a quarterback like Philip Rivers to not make any mistakes. Hand the ball off. Throw the slant. Get it to the check. Now you know that that's all you need to do. We don't want we don't need you throwing it 60 times a game.
00;19;47;16 - 00;20;08;10
Shelby Harris
And now you know how they sold them. Hey you're going to come throw the ball 15 or 20 times a day. And the ball off 3040 times a game. And we are going that's going to be our formula. When lose the draw we're going to hand it off and we're going to see what happens. Because you can't expect a guy like Philip Rivers who's been off for five years, to come back and to be ready to throw 40 times that game.
00;20;08;12 - 00;20;27;23
Shelby Harris
I suppose at 44 years old, that's not that's not plausible. That doesn't make any sense. And so my belief is they're going to, you know, immerse themselves in the run. That's why you go get a guy like Philip Rivers. Because even when he did play, the one thing I will give him credit for is he did not make a ton of mistakes.
00;20;27;23 - 00;20;29;16
Shelby Harris
That's why he was always there.
00;20;29;19 - 00;20;31;10
Chris Harris Jr.
A lot of.
00;20;31;13 - 00;20;32;04
Shelby Harris
You got one.
00;20;32;06 - 00;20;37;20
Chris Harris Jr.
I got a lot of them. I got a lot of rivers football. He made a lot of mistakes.
00;20;37;24 - 00;20;51;27
Shelby Harris
But. And that's the thing, though, he's not going to make as many mistakes in that offense as a lot of other guys. Well, he's not going to try to do too much. And so that's why you go get a guy like Philip Rivers because he has nothing to prove, you know. No problem going and handing that ball off.
00;20;51;27 - 00;21;11;08
Shelby Harris
And he's going on today. And so I believe the Colts will be okay. And now they will struggle though if they get down. And that's that's been that's been the story about the Colts. This whole time. Now if they get down they're going to struggle because they have the the rivers. But I believe truthfully that if they commit to the run and play action they'll be just fine.
00;21;11;09 - 00;21;13;27
Shelby Harris
The defense, though, is going to step up.
00;21;14;00 - 00;21;19;10
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah, they have my McCoy. Right. My McCoy. And this is like a throwback.
00;21;19;12 - 00;21;19;23
Shelby Harris
Now my.
00;21;19;23 - 00;21;21;03
Chris Harris Jr.
2015 spring.
00;21;21;07 - 00;21;22;28
Shelby Harris
Was in Tennessee.
00;21;23;01 - 00;21;47;20
Chris Harris Jr.
I just oh yeah yeah oh yeah yeah I sentences Tennessee. There was I mean they have stagnant same them. Oh see that was under Mike McCoy. So he knows the system Philip can come right in know the playbook know the verbiage. And be able to you know just you know, plug in. That's probably why they want him another guy like, you know, say if Russell Wilson got kind of went there, you got to teach him a lot of the verbiage.
00;21;47;20 - 00;22;06;24
Chris Harris Jr.
The whole system. Rivers knows everything. He's probably running the same system at his school. That he's been in there. Yeah, right. So he's a guy. He's going to come back game. He's going to put him in the right play, put him in the right run. So, like Shelby said, he's going to do is, hopefully he's not throwing a lot of picks.
00;22;06;27 - 00;22;12;08
Chris Harris Jr.
But, I mean, he's the best shot they have. Just being honest.
00;22;12;10 - 00;22;33;06
Ryan Harris
Well, boys, let's go to fourth down and we gotta talk about the college football playoffs. You know, Notre Dame may play not only in the CFP, but not playing a bowl game at all. What did you guys make of the final rankings? Miami jumping Notre Dame, Tulane and James Madison getting in and Alabama with three losses staying in.
00;22;33;06 - 00;22;35;13
Ryan Harris
What are you guys. What do you guys think about that?
00;22;35;15 - 00;22;57;24
Shelby Harris
It just shows me the conversation changes based on who the conversations about. Yeah I think that's what people don't understand about the College Football Playoff though is the conversation always changes when it comes to an Alabama or where, you know, where these teams should be at based off of what their name is. It's because we can't see a future without Alabama in the playoff.
00;22;57;26 - 00;23;21;24
Shelby Harris
But you know if if another team let's say let's say Ole Miss was playing and Alabama had two losses and and Ole Miss had two losses. If Alabama was able to not play and almost lost, they got jumped by Alabama to get into the playoff. We would we be hearing we wouldn't be hearing the end of they be like, oh, Alabama deserved this.
00;23;21;26 - 00;23;42;29
Shelby Harris
You know, just like before when Florida State got taken out of the playoff before they said, well, they weren't competitive because the player got hurt. They started the quarterback got hurt. The issue I have here is we always kind of make exceptions for Alabama. We make exceptions for these big schools. And the the argument always is they should be allowed in no matter what happened in the regular season.
00;23;43;03 - 00;24;03;18
Shelby Harris
We're always make an exception for these teams. Oh well, who else would play? Just just tell me, how would you want Alabama? This tells me you want Georgia, Alabama and like these bluebloods in there. Instead of trying to make it seem like it's these, this ranking system and always who who would it is like that's not what it is.
00;24;03;20 - 00;24;27;13
Shelby Harris
You want entertainment value in these playoffs. It's not. And also it makes no sense to me. Holly James Madison and Tulane. You Langdon over a Notre Dame and I'm not and I'm not privy to. No I'm not like a big Notre Dame fan, but I'm I'm pretty sure we have way better ball with Notre Dame playing Oregon instead of James Madison.
00;24;27;16 - 00;24;43;10
Shelby Harris
Now, nothing against James Madison because I always thought the former D1 law was of the form would be one of the plays. But this is not the time for for them to get in right now. It's I don't want to. Do you have to I don't think you need a two main and a James Madison's one or the other.
00;24;43;16 - 00;25;01;23
Shelby Harris
And Notre Dame got screwed there. And I know, I know you feel that type of way, Ryan, but I'm with you, though. I think Notre Dame got screwed and and we'll do everything possible to get Alabama into the playoff. And it's never about who got screwed for Alabama. It's always what we just need to Alabama in there. We don't care who we screw.
00;25;01;25 - 00;25;29;04
Ryan Harris
And you know to your point they didn't punish Alabama for losing the SEC championship game. They sure as hell punished BYU. And it was equally as noncompetitive. I mean, Alabama was not in that game against Georgia. It wasn't it wasn't close. The score was not indicative of the but up in Georgia put on them and then for for Notre Dame you're saying but you have two, competing logic narratives happening.
00;25;29;04 - 00;25;49;14
Ryan Harris
Okay, Alabama doesn't get penalized, but BYU does because under the Alabama rule, BYU is still in. And and then regarding Notre Dame not playing in the in the bowl game period. Look this is the lane Kiffin rule. Take the money not the risk. And you're asking players to do for Notre Dame is to play and risk their Nil money risk their future career.
00;25;49;14 - 00;26;08;12
Ryan Harris
By the way, Jalen Smith is a player that Notre Dame lost because, he had a yeah I mean who had a different career in the NFL because he got injured in a bowl game. You're asking kids to go risk money for the Pop Tart bowl. No offense in the Pop Tart bowl, but you got you got to understand the college football landscape right now.
00;26;08;17 - 00;26;36;19
Ryan Harris
You can't say, oh yeah, a coach can leave a team with an opportunity to win a national championship for more money. And it'd be mad that kids don't want to play in a game where they're going to have a very different roster and risk their money, by the way, right? If Notre Dame loses that, that whatever bowl game they would have played in with less rosters, specifically Boubacar Trey Orie, the best defensive end and all and three of their wide receivers, they lose that game, that there's something worse for Notre Dame's credibility.
00;26;36;19 - 00;26;48;14
Ryan Harris
Then everybody's going to say, oh, C Notre Dame shouldn't have been in the playoff not knowing it was a different team. So understand the landscape, understand the Lane Kiffin rule and get some consistent logic. If you the College Football Playoff committee.
00;26;48;16 - 00;27;01;22
Chris Harris Jr.
Right. I just thought it was weird how they put Miami in. But Duke won a championship right. And so I we say Miami is represent the SEC as the champion.
00;27;01;24 - 00;27;04;10
Ryan Harris
Well they just got the best. One of the top 12.
00;27;04;10 - 00;27;25;23
Chris Harris Jr.
Teams really makes no sense though that or they don't have a team representing. So then why does James Madison hat need to have a team represent? Well, what happened to, Notre Dame or Texas right there instead of Tulane and James Madison? That's what I would choose. You know, to put it, you know, a Texas versus Oregon matchup.
00;27;25;25 - 00;27;47;25
Chris Harris Jr.
Now that's different, right? Notre Dame versus Ole Miss. It looks different. So I don't understand the committee's logic in this. I know James Madison has been solid in the division that they're playing in, and Tulane has been balling. And, they have the American League. It's I got to go back and check the league that they're in, but it's not very competitive.
00;27;47;25 - 00;28;05;21
Chris Harris Jr.
Right. I think they they blast North Texas. It was a, you know, very competitive championship game at all either. So, that's the only mistake I see is the James Madison. I can't say that you're better than Notre Dame, James Madison, and I can't say Tulane is better than Texas. So those will be my two arguments.
00;28;05;21 - 00;28;26;16
Shelby Harris
For what's the difference between Tulane and James Madison and Florida State when the quarterback got hurt? If we talk about competitive disadvantage, what was the difference? So then if we go back, we keep using this precedent. They keep saying like keep setting. Then Florida State should have been in when they were undefeated, even if their quarterback got hurt.
00;28;26;19 - 00;28;45;18
Shelby Harris
You said like, that's why I keep saying every year the committee uses some type of, you know, they use a different reason or a rhyme or reason of why certain teams deserve to be in. But then, just like you said, Ryan, they completely contradict themselves when they add other teams. Because in that same instance, why did BYU get kicked out.
00;28;45;20 - 00;28;46;10
Ryan Harris
All the way.
00;28;46;10 - 00;28;49;07
Shelby Harris
Out? But not all the way? No, not at all.
00;28;49;14 - 00;28;54;01
Chris Harris Jr.
They would be third, maybe the perfect team to me to go in.
00;28;54;03 - 00;29;15;21
Shelby Harris
And that's what I guess that's what blows me, just doesn't make any sense. Why you you try to use the same like, oh, well, the conference championship will not harm you that much if you're Alabama. Yes. If you're Georgia. Now, if you are, if you're BYU, if you are maybe a Texas Tech, you know, I mean like who knows what happens.
00;29;15;22 - 00;29;26;07
Shelby Harris
And so it's showing you all you care about, all the blue blood. You care about the SEC, you care about the Big Ten. Everybody else is kind of you're up, you up, you up for yourself. And and that's all it is. Yeah.
00;29;26;10 - 00;29;45;13
Ryan Harris
Hey, can we get a little. Can we give a little love for Indiana, though? I mean, come on, Indiana winning the Big Ten. What a game for them. I mean, think about this. Indiana football's been so bad they never entertained the thought. The Big Ten that hosting that game in Indianapolis would be a home game for Indiana. That's how long it's been since they've been good.
00;29;45;13 - 00;29;53;28
Ryan Harris
And there they are in Indiana. And they beat who I think is going to win the national championship. And Ohio State. What do you guys like about Indiana's Big Ten title play?
00;29;53;28 - 00;30;13;11
Chris Harris Jr.
Tough defense. Quarterback is solid, made big throws at the right time. He he was cracking me up with his postgame interview man. All the energy I'm like does he always do it like this or or is he like acting right now? You know, but, it was it was a good, great game. Of course, I still think Smith is the best player out there.
00;30;13;11 - 00;30;32;26
Chris Harris Jr.
I don't think Ohio State played their best game, especially defensively. But you know, the NBA, they got to give them credit. They made the crucial plays at the right time. They got a big receiver out there that can make plays that Mendoza feels very comfortable to throw to. So they're their legit contender. And their quarterback is good.
00;30;32;26 - 00;30;39;05
Chris Harris Jr.
They're a well-coached team. They don't really beat themselves. So, it's going to be it's going to be a problem to knock that team off.
00;30;39;07 - 00;30;59;07
Shelby Harris
I love the Indiana team. I think my question is more, are we too high on this Ohio State team? I think that's where we need to have this conversation because after Ohio State, which you know when they played Texas Week one, it wasn't a high scoring affair at all. But we assume it is because you're playing two good teams.
00;30;59;10 - 00;31;24;17
Shelby Harris
Ohio State really hasn't beaten a top team that bad. Like they haven't really went in there and beaten somebody that's like how we're accustomed to in Indiana, really went in there and and dominated them the whole second half, that whole second half. The and they dominated this Ohio State team. And so what I'm thinking now is we might just be too hard on Ohio State and maybe Indiana.
00;31;24;17 - 00;31;32;16
Shelby Harris
All them dogs that we've really been looking for because Indiana has shown all year. They've just been beat them by that.
00;31;32;19 - 00;31;50;15
Shelby Harris
Yeah I mean everybody that Indiana they beat they're going to beat you. And Ohio State's been even in Michigan at first it was a it was a close game at first. And they probably broke it open a little bit. And Ohio State really hasn't been this dominant team that we're accustomed to. And so it could be the end of the year.
00;31;50;19 - 00;32;06;20
Ryan Harris
Well think about this. They are physical to Ohio State. And it's such proof. And we know this from playing. You can have a great plan. But if I hit you in the mouth and I make you think about your future, I'm winning this game. And that's what Indiana did. And guess what? You can do that. Regardless of the play call, you can do that.
00;32;06;22 - 00;32;21;16
Ryan Harris
You can go knock somebody in the mouth and let them know it's going to be a long, long day and it will affect them. Right? I think people forget about that too. And Indiana got that done. And then the other thing to me, Ohio State looks like the offense that doesn't want to go to it's big player until it's time.
00;32;21;22 - 00;32;39;18
Ryan Harris
You wanna get everybody else involved until Jeremiah Smith gets his money. Now you now you got to change that feed Jeremiah Smith until they bring over an extra defender and then run the ball right. The method is backwards right now. And if Ohio State can turn that around, I do think they're going to be more competitive. But you're right.
00;32;39;18 - 00;32;43;17
Ryan Harris
I mean we got to give Indiana the credit. They are a contender right now.
00;32;43;19 - 00;33;08;09
Chris Harris Jr.
Yeah. Mendoza's a solid man. I see him as you know coming in. He's it looks like a prolific offense, that, you know, he's going to be good to go under center shotgun play action in the league. I wouldn't be I wouldn't be afraid to take him. You know just looking at all the other quarterbacks around college football, he does look like one of the most polished guys out there that I've that I've been able to watch.
00;33;08;11 - 00;33;29;16
Chris Harris Jr.
So, you know, you got to take that nickel. Especially in these college football playoffs. Quarterback is what the best guy usually wins. You know. So you got to put them. They deserve another number one seed. They've had a great year. And then we got to take into consideration the coaching change. Right. Ohio State last offered the receiver coach to South Florida.
00;33;29;16 - 00;33;45;27
Chris Harris Jr.
Right. Hartline. You know, a lot of things could be going on, but the coaching changes. But Indiana, they've been pretty, been able to stay afloat, right? Have a lot of consistency over there. So you got to give them the upper hand in a lot of things. The situation right there for them is perfect right now.
00;33;46;04 - 00;33;50;21
Shelby Harris
And a bigger story that people are talking about Hartline is their best recruiter.
00;33;50;23 - 00;33;51;14
Chris Harris Jr.
Yes.
00;33;51;17 - 00;33;57;24
Shelby Harris
They recruited so him going to South Florida. We'll see how much down the road it affects Ohio State.
00;33;57;26 - 00;34;08;09
Ryan Harris
Well tune in for next week's episode of where the Harrises as we bring you the best football talk in the world. Remember to like, subscribe and share with your friends. See you next week.