Tag: Matt Leinart

Matt Leinart says Michigan had the best environment he’s ever seen in CFB

And he’s been some places!

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Matt Leinart has seen some pretty incredible college football atmospheres in his life.

When he was the quarterback for USC, the Trojans were rocking. They were the toast of Hollywood, with no NFL teams in town at the time. All the celebrities in L.A. were flocking to the Coliseum. He saw Notre Dame in South Bend and he played in the Rose Bowl a few times — oh, and one of them was the national championship game against Texas, one of the most legendary games in college football history. And now, he’s on Fox ‘Big Noon Kickoff,’ which occasionally sends him around the country to some of the biggest and best venues in the sport.

But on Saturday, The Big House, often derided for being quiet and not at all daunting, took the absolute cake.

Leinart took to Twitter after The Game to praise the environment he just witnessed in Ann Arbor, noting he had never seen a college football atmosphere like what he just experienced, as the Wolverines took down the Buckeyes, 42-27.

On top of it all, the entire world saw it. The game pulled a reported 9.1 overnight rating, the best Fox has ever had for a college football game, and the best rating this year across all networks, meaning it was the most-watched game in 2021 to this point.

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Bush Push not worth remembering for Notre Dame fans

Why remember this painful memory?

The battle between Notre Dame and top-ranked USC on Oct. 15, 2005, objectively is remembered as an all-time great college football game. The Irish came agonizingly close to one of the best wins in program history but for Reggie Bush giving Matt Leinart enough of a nudge to score the winning touchdown with only a few seconds remaining.

If the Irish’s defense had been able to hold up just a little bit longer, we could have been talking gigantic shifts in the trajectory of the program and in college football. It is for this reason that, unlike our editor, I cannot bring myself to fondly recall this game.

Thinking about what could have been if one of my teams had just one or two more things go their way is one of the most painful things for me to do as a sports fan. On this night in South Bend, it looked like the Irish had done just enough to pull off the seemingly impossible. At least that’s how it appeared for a moment or two. Instead, Irish fans and Trojans haters were left with empty promises.

This game is one of the biggest what-ifs I’ve experienced for a team I have a rooting interest in. It’s up there with moments like Derrick Rose tearing his ACL, the Bears losing to the Packers in the 2013 season finale, and Alec Martinez scoring in overtime to eliminate the Blackhawks in 2014. I’ll even throw in the numerous near-misses the White Sox had at winning the division in the 2000s and early 2010s.

I’m not taking away anything that this game provided. I’m probably just coming across as a bitter sore loser, but this is a Notre Dame site, and I’m not going to apologize for it. I just so happen to be one of those fans that prefers to remember the good times my teams provide and forget the bad ones. If you’re one of those fans, I advise you to do the same.

Urban Meyer, Big Noon analysts high on Notre Dame’s chances for CFP berth

Fox’s Big Noon analysts (Urban Meyer, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn and Rob Stone) have Notre Dame in the College Football Playoffs.

It seems like plenty of analysts are jumping on Notre Dame’s bandwagon after their thrilling double-overtime win over Clemson, 47-40, this past Saturday evening. In a tweet posted this afternoon, each one of Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff analysts predicted the Irish will make the College Football Playoffs.

Three of them, former USC quarterback Matt Leinart, former Irish quarterback Brady Quinn, and host Rob Stone have Notre Dame as a two-seed. That’s where I have them as well in my projected CFP standings. Former Notre Dame assistant and hall of fame coach Urban Meyer along with former USC running back Reggie Bush have the Irish as a three-seed.

It really doesn’t matter if the Irish finish as one of the middle two seeds, they face off against each other anyways. In this scenario, they would face off against Ohio State, in what would amount to a revenge game of sorts for the Irish.

The Irish havent’ beaten Ohio State since 1936, the Buckeyes having beaten the Irish in each of their last 4 matchups since 1995. Their most recent matchup was in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl, where Ohio State defeated the Irish, 44-28.

The win over Clemson has Notre Dame squarely in the mix for a playoff berth, it would be their first since 2018, when they lost to Clemson. The Irish have certainly gotten the Tigers off their backs and will look to get the Buckeyes off their backs if they end up squaring off in a semifinal matchup.

Report: Entire FOX ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ team out due to COVID-19 protocols

FOX is calling in its NFL stars to replace ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ folks who are out due to COVID-19 protocols

The Pac-12 will start its season this weekend. The FOX Sports “Big Noon Kickoff” team won’t be there for the festivities.

The entire announce team — Urban Meyer, Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Brady Quinn, and host Rob Stone — are out of the program, which will air prior to the network’s noon start of the USC-Arizona State game, per The New York Post.

In a statement to The Post, Fox Sports said it was only holding out the crew “out of abundance of caution” and with guidance from the CDC and the Los Angeles Department of Public Health’s safety guidelines.

In their place, Fox Sports will have Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Emmanuel Acho, with host Charissa Thompson. Bradshaw, Long and Thompson work on Fox’s NFL Sunday studio coverage, while the up-and-coming Acho is on the daily FS1 program, “Speak for Yourself.” This Saturday’s “Big Noon Kickoff” will be condensed from two hours to one.

 

Watch: Reggie Bush says Sam Ehlinger needs a statue with the team on his back

After a demoralizing loss to TCU, did Sam Ehlinger’s performance against the Sooners put him back in the Heisman Trophy conversation?

It was supposed to be the year that Sam Ehlinger put himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation. Ehlinger had put up worthy numbers in previous seasons. However, since the Texas Longhorns team hasn’t been in contention for the College Football Playoffs, he hasn’t been invited to New York for the presentations.

In the opening game of the year, Ehlinger lit up the UTEP defense to the tune of 426 yards passing and five touchdowns. Most of which occurred in the first half before he gave way to Casey Thompson and Hudson Card. Once against Texas Tech, it was the Sam Ehlinger show especially late. After falling behind 56-41, the senior led the Longhorns to 22 unanswered points to win it for Texas.

Against the Texas Christian Horned Frogs, it seemed that his Heisman Campaign came off the tracks. Ehlinger didn’t have his best game as the Longhorns fell to TCU 33-31 in their conference home opener. Ehlinger did throw for four touchdowns but untimely turnovers ruined any opportunity to win that football game.  Did the performance against Oklahoma get him closer to getting the train back on the tracks?

“Sam Ehlinger and Spencer Rattler, we just saw both these guys play amazing in the Red River Showdown.” Reggie Bush continued, “they showed up and showed out. Sam Ehlinger literally put the team on his back.” Matt Leinart would chime in and ask if Sam Ehlinger could get some help. Bush stated that they needed to build a statue of Ehlinger with the entire team on his back.

While they made a solid point about the two quarterback trying to get back into club Heisman, team success will ultimately decided if either or both of these passers get an invite to the ceremony. The Longhorns need to start winning some football games to finally get Sam Ehlinger close to becoming the first Texas quarterback to win the Heisman. Both Vince Young and Colt McCoy were in consideration but did not win.

As long as Ehlinger continues to put up these numbers, he could be in consideration. Especially if he leads the team on a 6-0 run to the Big 12 Championship.

Texas Football: Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart are still upset

It has been 14 years since the Texas Longhorns and USC Trojans met in the BCS National Championship. Looks like Reggie Bush isn’t over it.

Over a decade has passed since the Texas Longhorns faced off against the USC Trojans in the BCS National Championship for the 2005-06 season. It was one of the greatest college football games of all time. As time was winding down late in the fourth quarter, the fate of the Longhorns came down to one play. On fourth down Vince Young made the call and the rest was history.

Every year it seems that game is a topic of discussion. Any time USC and Texas are mentioned the game is brought up. While showing fans getting excited about the Texas Christian and Texas game, fans made a sign featuring the final score of 41-38. It also stated an apology to Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart. They weren’t as thrilled to see it.

While they can claim the knee was down, only one opinion matters. The Texas Longhorns won that game. Sorry Reggie and Matt.

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Matt Leinart lists Sam Ehlinger ahead of Spencer Rattler in Heisman rankings

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger lands at No. 4 overall on Matt Leinart’s Heisman hopefuls list.

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger was widely considered a Heisman contender leading up to the 2020 college football season. Continue reading “Matt Leinart lists Sam Ehlinger ahead of Spencer Rattler in Heisman rankings”

Justin Fields appears in Matt Leinart’s top five Heisman hopefuls

FOX College Football’s Matt Leinart broke down his top five Heisman hopefuls for 2020 and Ohio State’s Justin Fields is included.

We’re still waiting for three of the five Power Five college football conferences to get going in 2020 including — Ohio State (pending a Pac-12 decision) — but there’s a little bit of game tape to look at. Plus, there’s a couple of big guns that have come back that should be a part of the Heisman conversation because of what they’ve done in the past.

Discussions on the most coveted individual trophy in all of American sports will ramp up as things heat up in October and November, but it’s never too early to debate. FOX College Football’s Matt Leinart is ready to take the bait, and provided his top five Hiesman hopefuls in a video shared to FOX College Football’s Twitter account.

As you would expect, Buckeye signal caller Justin Fields is among those top five at No. 2, just behind Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The three right behind those two favorites are D’eriq King of Miami, Texas QB Sam Ehlinger, and QB Spencer Rattler of Oklahoma.

Leinart includes Fields despite no games until late October because he’s that dynamic and shouldn’t be left off any Heisman list.

“I felt like I couldn’t leave him off this list because he’s so (expletive) good,” said Leinart. “We asked coach Day last week on Big Noon Kickoff just what can he do to get better, and really the only thing he said was become a better leader. We know he’s been a great leader off the field for — not only his conference — but for college football. But on the field, I think, anytime he’s (got) a year experience now at Ohio State, you know, the reps, all of that matter. So I think we’re just going to see a much more locked in and focused Fields which is really, really scary.”

Watch Leinart break down all five of his 2020 Heisman hopefuls by clicking on the video Twitter video below.

Ohio State and Fields kick off the season on October 24 against Nebraska. It’ll be the Big Noon Kickoff Game of the Week in the Noon window. Get your plans ready now.

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Matt Leinart wants to get back under center in the XFL

Former USC Trojans quarterback Matt Leinart indicated he wants to play in the XFL in 2021 by tagging Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson on Twitter.

Former USC Trojans quarterback Matt Leinart has not thrown a football in an NFL game since he was a 29-year-old backup quarterback for the Raiders in 2012, but that doesn’t mean the now 37-year-old broadcaster for FS1 isn’t still itching to get back on the field.

On Thursday afternoon, Leinart tweeted “I want to play in the @xfl2020” before tagging @TheRock, the Twitter handle for actor and former wrestler Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who recently helped purchase the now-defunct XFL for $15 million, just before it went to auction.

The XFL found success in their first season after returning from a 19-year hiatus, but the COVID-19 pandemic ended up cancelling their season after just five games – and a lack of financial savings forced owner Vince McMahon to fold the league.

While it looks on the surface like the 2020 version of the XFL went the same as it did in 2001, folding after one year, this version seemed to gain some traction, thanks to new rules, increased interaction with fans, and of course the attempt to get some big name former college and NFL players to suit up.

Leinart may be far removed from his actual playing days, and who knows how serious he is about suiting up if and when the XFL gets going again, but you can bet it would bring in a lot of viewers if he gave it another shot – and for a league that needs some fans, this could be a great recipe for success.

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Will USC’s disassociation with Reggie Bush be ending soon?

Reggie Bush hasn’t been recognized by USC for ten years. That NCAA punishment is coming to an end and the two reuniting may be coming soon.

Where were you on June 10, 2010?

I was celebrating a Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup victory from the night before and on a plane home from Philadelphia that afternoon.

It was that day however that USC was hit with significant penalties, forcing them to disassociate themselves from the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, before that award was ultimately taken away.

Wednesday will bring the 10-year anniversary of that ruling which means that disassociation could quickly be coming to an end.

Bush hasn’t been able to represent USC in the last decade.  Even when the Fox Sports pre-game show he stars on went to The Coliseum for the USC vs. Utah game last fall, Bush was cheered but not allowed to be publicly acknowledged in the stadium during the game.

Former USC AD Pat Haden said in 2015 that he wanted to welcome Bush back as soon as possible while former USC sports information director Tim Tessalone said the same a few months back.

Current USC AD Mike Bohn has not publicly spoken on if he will or won’t be welcoming Bush back like others in the USC community desire.

We all saw those USC teams and games – Reggie Bush is a legend, perhaps the best college football player many of us ever saw and should be welcomed back the athletic program he starred for.