week six of the college football season is here. I'm Mark Bergen joined by WRL sports anchor and reporter chris lee chris N. C. State's looking to regroup in week six. They got a tough task going up against another four and one team in the florida state Seminoles, you were at the Clemson game last weekend. So Wolfpack trying to regroup in week six. They host the Seminoles. Just let's start what was it like being at that atmosphere because it looked absolutely raucous on tv. It was it was probably the best atmosphere I've ever been a part of. And it made me realize that I've only really been to the four A. C. C. Schools here in north Carolina and then you know other places E. C. U. Appalachian State never really done a lot of college football out of the state. And so it showed me how big it really is and how bigger it can go right you always hear about how big the crowds are at Penn State, how big the crowds are other places. And so um and and seeing an entire town literally shut down for that game versus the next day going to a Carolina panthers game to cover that. And you know maybe four blocks away from Bank of America Stadium. There's people who don't even care about the game we're just going on right now like that. Just seeing the difference and that was just it was just huge for me. So um yeah it was great to see that atmosphere. Uh It was cool to see what N. C. State did. It did feel like the game was a little bit too big for them at times. But the main takeaway I had from them from that game really was the fact that their offense still needs a lot of work. But then on defense their defense before that game in the four games prior only allowed five red zone trips. And then in that game alone allowed four right so you're almost doubling up on that. So against florida State you know they've already said that florida state. They feel like in their words has the best offense in the A. C. C. They're gonna have to keep Jordan Travis. Uh And and the rest of the florida State offense out of the red zone. But we can't just put it on a defense that offense has to step up and and devin leary has got to have a receiver he can count on to get down the field beside ST thomas. And so that is the I think going to be the main thing for N. C. State this weekend is really trying to get some receiver and their running game to really step up into you know start scoring more points against legit opponents. See you're in my mind now because during the Clemson game I'm like where the heck is sumo? And that's the running back Demi sumo cargo bay only had eight touches in that game. They barely ran them. That that was what we were thinking in the press box where sumo cargo bay but they didn't really start running until like the third or fourth quarter. It was weird. Now I know that he left the previous week's game against you against UConn with an injury. So perhaps that's part of it. But the team's leading Russia who in previous weeks like in the texas tech game. I know Devin leary gets a lot of the praise and rightfully so. But it was sumo who was moving? Who is the real playmaker in that night game at home in Raleigh forensic state. So I'm like, where is he against Clemson again, only eight touches. This is just my opinion. I think injuries certainly contribute to some of that. And so I'd like to see the Wolf pack get him involved in the offense and if he's not able to go they've got to find someone else who can tote the rock like him because he's been, in my opinion, the Wolfpack's best offensive player through five games this season. I agree with that. And one of the things Dave Doeren said after the game was that uh I guess because of the way that the game was kind of being dictated at the line of scrimmage. Um they, I felt like Clemson forced them away from the run that they had to uh throw the ball. That also is indicative of the fact that your offense isn't good enough to to push other people around and to force you know the defense to take what you're gonna give them. So um you know that's something that I guess NC State needs to needs to figure out but yes I would think a steady diet of should work but then also you know is it gonna be devin carter is it gonna be uh you know sane like who's gonna step up for N. C. State? Besides there thomas to start catching those balls and and becoming a downfield threat for them chris what I wanted to ask you in. What I noticed is Clemson's got a defensive line that reminds me of the 2018 team when they won the national championship 2019 draft. They had three first round picks along the defensive line. That's what I noticed not to say that this season is on par with the team that won the national championship but Clemson is stout upfront and specifically on the defensive line. Was there anything that stuck out to you that you might not notice on tv that you noticed physically being there last week at the game between Clemson and NC State. Not sure if this is on tv or not. But um back when I was in in in in the triad I covered this guy by the name of K. J. Henry who was a basketball player and a football player and now he you know ends up being a football star and he was a four star defensive end now he's at Clemson in his senior year and you know when I covered him in high school he was you know legit six ft five at the time but probably only 100 and £70. He's legit 2 50 or something right now whatever he is but he's still fast on that edge and he was blowing up that offensive line like that's where I felt like N. C. State really missed the mecha MSC I'm sorry sorry they missed, I came in quanto excuse me being on that offensive line. Um And that was something that was but they do miss the Mecha MSC too as far as the wide receiver. Um But no they really missed that and so it was it was interesting to see just how fast uh KJ Henry was playing and not that I wasn't used to it but I was used to it at 6 578 185 £190 when he gets up to 2 50 he still has that speed and he's you know tossing guys around and then he also was the vocal leader on that team which he was you know he was a leader before, he's more of a quiet guy but he's like legit, you hear him, he's up front now that was something that stood out to me and um and it showed me somebody it was cool to see somebody kind of grow up from a young you know high school football star to now a legit man who has a chance to make the NFL, yeah if I'm not mistaken he's pretty high up on mel Kiper's big board because they mentioned that during the game and a lot of the players who could have gone pro said no we're going to come back for another year at Clemson. It's interesting to see too because Clemson typically has a stout defense Brent venables now the head coach over at Oklahoma now. So they look pretty stout defensively if Clemson goes on to the college football playoff really it's the offense and that was really the thing that hamstrung this team a year ago and Clemson looked a lot better against N. C. State but N. C. State's gonna try to get right again against the florida state team led by mike Norval this upcoming week. So we'll see both teams at four and one. And the A. C. C. Should be a heck of a match up on saturday. I want to go and move on to your top game of the week. Non A. C. C. And you picked number eight Tennessee at number 25 L. S. You make the case for why you had an eye on this game specifically. Well you know one thing you'll learn about me Mark and everybody out there. If you if you've had paid any attention to anything I've ever done at W. R. E. O. I have a slant towards north Carolina. I love the state of north Carolina. So when I look at this game and I see how well Tennessee is doing. I want to see somebody by the name of hindin Hook from Greensboro north Carolina whose dad Alan Hook is legit the best quarterback that ever played at north Carolina A and T. Ever in their history. Uh He's he's he comes from a quarterback family. His little brother was a quarterback in high school as well. And I want to see uh hindin Hook, you know just kind of lighted up on the road. This is gonna be a tough atmosphere. They're gonna be on the road in baton rouge at Tiger Stadium and showing that you know what Tennessee can do, maybe they can jump into the top five and and that's what I'm really looking for. L. S. U. Typically has usually has a pretty good team. They're looking really good this year being at four and one and two. And on the sec. So I'm looking forward to seeing what Hidden Hook does and see if he could raise the level of play for his team like he's done so far this season and some amazing games and the fact that he's from north Carolina doesn't hurt as well. Triple H. Hendon Hooker Heisman the triple H. Chris because if the balls go five and would be the first time they've gone five and oh since the 2016 season, josh Dobbs, who's in the league, was the quarterback back then. And then they've got the third saturday in october against the Alabama Crimson Tide. So the narrative is already set. If the balls do go on the road beat the L. S. U. Tigers gonna be a tough task. L. S. U. Four and one got tripped up in the first week by florida state. But they've regrouped nicely in the first year with head coach brian kelly coming over from Notre dame. I'm gonna pick a different sec matchup though. I'm going to texas A and M. In Alabama and I expect Alabama to take care of business as a double digit favorite but sign me up for the beef between Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban signed me up and all offseason long, they're going back and forth about the role N. I. L. Plays and signing recruit, there's some bad blood there. And remember last season, Jimbo was the first Nick Saban assistant to beat him as well. So texas A and M paid a boatload of money to bring in Jimbo the win games like this and has been up and down this season because they lose last week to Mississippi State, they won two ranked games the two weeks before. So I don't know what to expect, but Jimbo Fisher knocking off Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide a year ago and the bad blood in the off season, I got my popcorn ready chris, no, that's definitely gonna be one to watch, especially with the beef between the two coaches. But shout outs to north Carolina once again, you know that Nick Saban is gonna pop in at Appalachian State tape. And what did Appalachian State show you if you just control the line of scrimmage and if you control the pace of the game, there's not a lot that texas A and M. And they're highly played paid players can really do about it. So you know, they're a good team, no doubt and and they're gonna be up for the Alabama game and I expect him to play so much better than what he did against Appalachian state. However, if you control the pace of the game, which Alabama can do with their big guys up front and and and their running game and, and you know, we'll see what happens on defense and all that. Um you know, I think Nick Saban doesn't have much to worry about in this game, but I've been wrong before, I could be wrong, who knows? So, but I just think, I think Nick Saban and Alabama gonna have that one in the bag, Not sure if bryce Young is going to go yet with the shoulder injury that he sustained the week before against Arkansas and I'll say this, the Alabama backup and his name slips me right now chris, but I think he would be a starter at the vast majority of power five teams. Even as Alabama's backup, I liked what I saw from Obama's backup. So if bryce Young is not able to go, it looks like Alabama's got a guy waiting in the wings who's very, very capable and he bust up a long touchdown along with Jamir Gibbs who will talk about here in just a second when we discuss the Heisman race that help control that game and it looked like a blowout against Arkansas, that final score was not indicative of how close that game was, but Alabama's got some guys where you get them in open space, they can take, they can take one to the house on any given play. So uh, Jameer gives the running back had to 70 plus yard touchdown runs and I'll go ahead and transition there. I think that right now and it's a safe pick because we know Alabama is going to perform. You know, you can call it the college football playoff, some people call it the Alabama invitational, but I think he's going to be there at the end of the season. And if bryce Young's shoulder injury does keep him out for say this week or is lingering problem. This is an Alabama team where you have receivers that have gone in the league in the first round for the last several seasons, It has been a historic run. So it's no surprise to me that the receiver group has fallen off a little bit because the Alabama receivers have been historically great. And even better than some NFL teams, I would argue the last few seasons. So that's why I like gives at the running back position, still a dark horse. I know they traditionally give it two quarterbacks last running back to win the Heisman Derrick, Henry, Alabama 2015 gives is my pick right now, It's way too early. But that's the case I would make for him to win the Heisman. Um, well, I, I think I would go with again, my north Carolina slant. I love the state of north Carolina. Right? So, um, and this wasn't something that was really on my radar until you know, I'm gonna shout out josh graham. He's the host of a radio show in the triad, a sports radio show in the triad. He does afternoons there and he was just like, do me a favor, go back and look at Lamar Jackson's Heisman year. Um, you know, stats and look at drake maze, uh, stats this year so far. And so I was like, okay, I'll do that. And I went and did that. I was like, holy crap, you're, you're right. And in that year, you would never say that Louisville was the best team right? And you mentioned it earlier a lot of times, this goes to somebody who's playing on the best team, But you know, Lamar Jackson was just so great and so incredible. A lot of it was because of his running ability. But if you also look at nobody was doing throwing the ball and what he was responsible for, he looked amazing. So let's look at these stats really quick and I pulled him up. Um, Okay, um, he had 4,928 yards of total offense right in his Heisman year, let's go over to the drake May tab right now. He has 1594 yards of total offense. You don't think through his five games seven games ago, he could potentially get that amount. I mean, he, he possibly could, right? And then, uh, if you look, I'm trying to find the rest of the stats for him uh, for uh Lamar Jackson, I think I'm missing it, but it looks like he had um, 51 total touchdowns right now, Drake Maye has 19 passing touchdowns, one interception through again, five games with seven games left. Um, not saying he's gonna exactly hit those marks, but he can get very close. And right now he's looking amazing for University of north Carolina and and showing what he could do with his arm again, 1919 touchdowns to one interception, uh, 90.6 QB are, and you know, if north Carolina was a ranked team of North Carolina was in the sec, if North Carolina was in the big 10, people nationally would be talking a little bit more about drake May than what they are right now. But I think that's the fun part of it right? Because north Carolina is having a quote unquote down year. Um they have a real shot at going against Miami and and boosting those numbers this weekend. Uh for drake May and so uh that's somebody that I think, you know, maybe folks aren't talking about them right now. But as the season kind of goes along, as we get towards the end of the season, his name is gonna be brought up and if it's not this year, if he keeps doing this, it might be next year. But uh, Drake May is looking like one of the best quarterbacks right now in the nation. It was kind of a question mark going into the season because sam Howell, who went off to the NFL as a three year starter. So Mario's did, I don't know what they were going to get quarterback hasn't been the issue. It's been the defense. And so you see the high point totals, he put up the florida A and M game to open the season, five touchdowns. It reminded me of that game Lamar Jackson had. I think it was against charlotte, his Heisman year where he had like eight touchdowns. But I look at what could potentially hamstring him. When you go to say a few weeks later, the app state game where they put up 63 points. But the defense lost 40 points in the fourth quarter. The case against drake Maye has really nothing to do with drake May. It has to do your defense has to hold its end of the bargain as well. So he's played excellent football this season and at least for what he's a redshirt freshman. The tar heels look like they have their quarterback for years to come and again going into the season taking over for Sam Howell. Someone who's on an NFL roster. That was a real question mark going into the season. He's played outstanding football. Well Mark I will say this though you're right redshirt freshman but if he is continuing to play this good though through this year through next year he can leave after next year and and take that NFL money. So uh and I don't think that you can go that long without putting up those type of numbers without you know the NFL coming coming to knock on your door to say hey your your potential first round pick. And if the panthers are still in their slump and then looking for a quarterback in two years it could be a match made in heaven. They already missed out on Sam Howell don't miss out on drake man hey and they've got the N. C. State who we previously mentioned the first round pick. So that would be hilarious because it's like oh it's the N. C. State tackle actually gonna gonna block for his U. N. C. Quarterback. You get some bad blood between the two A. C. C. Schools the two rivals. I I am kidding I am kidding. Yeah it'll be good. I mean it'll be kind of cool. It probably will bring them closer together actually. Especially after what uh what Drake Maye said about N. C. State students recently. Yes. Yes I'm just listen there are certain things we will move on. Lee Corso was sick last week I wanted to see him pick N. C. State into upset Clemson on the Gameday broadcast. He was under the weather so we missed him last week. College game day is gonna be in Lawrence Kansas for the very first time for football. I'm very excited to see this broadcast. But let's go into the mind of lee Corso TCU Kansas five and oh who do you think lee Corso is gonna pick on the college Gameday broadcast on saturday's pregame show. Well as I said to you before we started recording it's hard for me to think about this because when I see the league picks it's never live. It's usually after the fact because I'm either working at the time or you know just doing whatever and so you know right now I host a radio show from 10 to noon so I never see it live but from what I've seen from lee Corso what I think he would do. Especially in this case Kansas is a really good story right now, you can't help but to to cheer for and go for Kansas uh since it is a traditionally a basketball school and you're not ever gonna think about uh them being a football powerhouse and here they are sitting here at five and o looking really good at as as a legit team number 19 in the country, who would have ever thought that Kansas would have been considered for that. So I think lee Corso is going to appease the home crowd and uh and go with the Kansas, Jayhawks. I hate to agree with you because it doesn't make for a great fodder, a great conversation but I will agree. I think he's going to become infatuated with the Jayhawk Bird Kansas when they played Duke earlier this year. It was the first time Kansas was favored against a Power five team since 2009. It has been a long time. This has been like the worst power five team in football up until this season. And I wanna give a shout out to their quarterback, Jalen Daniels California kid, he's playing extremely well this season and has the Jayhawks off to a five and o start chris, I should hate Kansas because I'm a Missouri grad myself in Kansas and Missouri are huge rivals back border wars but I got to give credit where credit is due and I think Corso is just gonna be, look at the Jayhawk Bird become infatuated with it. And I'm very excited because I love when game day goes to places for the very first time. We saw it earlier this season at app state. And how much the fans get into it in places that don't traditionally host game day should be a great atmosphere on saturday. And I think Corso picks the Jayhawks during the pregame show, Kansas coming up in the world, Kentucky is coming up in the world of football. Duke is having a good year. What is happening right now? All these basketball schools are taking over football. Well, it's funny when I moved here in february chris, everyone's like, oh, you're moving to north Carolina basketball state and I'll tell you what, and pretty good on the gridiron. Absolutely, absolutely chris lee Wrl sports anchor and reporter, also the host of the Culture State podcast as well. Anything else you wanna plug before we sign off here? Sure if anybody wants to listen saturday mornings, 10 to noon on 99 92. Fan and Riley where you can listen live on WRL. Sports fan dot com. Uh Culture state saturday, myself and Dennis cox, we just kind of get you ready for the day of college football. Also look ahead to NFL talk about the panthers and we have a special guest, sometimes we show up uh special locations. We've been on franklin street recently. We've done a live show at east Carolina recently and we have plans for a few more live shows on location. So, uh, during the football season, we'll be there at 10 to noon, uh, right before you watch all the college football that you can watch for the, for the, for the day. So make sure you give us a listen. Chris I appreciate your time. I'm hanging onto my Chrisley stock as well. I wish you all the best. Check out his coverage Wrl Sports. I'll sign off for the both of us for Chrisley. Mark Bergen, thank you so much for watching and enjoy the week six college football action.