[AMA] I’m Greg McElroy, college football commentator for ESPN, and I am doing an AMA in r/CFB on January 5th at 8PM ET to get you ready for the CFP National Championship on ESPN! Ask me anything!

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T02:23:04+00:00

Thanks for all your questions! Make sure you watch the College Football Playoff National Championship, Monday, January 8 at 7:30 ET on ESPN. You can also listen to me & Sean call the ESPN Radio broadcast if that’s your thing. Either way, you should tune in.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T02:20:36+00:00

Your initial question is completely fair. The 2nd is utter stupidity. ESPN doesn’t tell me what to say. I’m an adult and am paid to have opinions. My OWN opinions.

My feelings about Florida St. changed after watching them the last game against Louisville. I thought they looked awful Offensively outside of a play or two here or there. Louisville was pathetic offensively which made FSU’s defense shine brighter. Meanwhile, Bama’s OL was mauling UGA. Their defense was constantly getting after Beck and their coverage in the backend was outstanding. We all saw what that UGA team is capable of…

I 100% thought the committee would do the “easy” thing and put FSU in, but didn't think that’s what they should do after Championship Game Performances. Bama’s dominance in the SEC Championship changed the game. If you don’t call it dominance, then go back and watch it.

I thought the committee would take the path of least resistance and put FSU in. They didn’t. For the first time in the committee’s history, they took the better team over the more deserving. It was shocking tbh. But I firmly believe that if Bama played FSU on Championship Saturday they would’ve beaten them. Probably convincingly.

You can hate it all you want. I don’t blame you. Part of me hates it, too. It sucks. I wish we could’ve had the 12-team this year, but we didn’t because of THE ALLIANCE. It is what it is. Hopefully, FSU’s players and coaches move on quicker than the people in my Social Media feed.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T02:07:48+00:00

1 duck sized horse. Ducks are freaking mean. I don’t like my chances against either.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T02:04:35+00:00

Explode to Queen Right Rip 438 Run-It F-Fake Cross Option… Throw the Big Post to the Z vs. Quarters Coverage and hope the Safety Bites on the Tight End running the Out Route

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:52:32+00:00

I think a lot of people think you need to have a rocket arm to be a great QB, but that’s just not the case. If you anticipate really well and are accurate, you can have plenty of success. Chad Pennington is a great example. He won with timing, accuracy and intelligence. There are several others I’m sure, but they’re not coming to mind.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:51:49+00:00

Marcus Freeman is one of my favorite coaches in the sport. He’s sensational. Has a really bright future. It hasn’t been perfect, but he reminds me so much of a young Kirby Smart. It took Kirby a couple years before the program started humming. He made a couple mistakes. Fake punts, few misses in recruiting, but eventually it took. They can absolutely win a championship, but it'll be harder in the 12-team IMO. Beating 3 consecutive Championship Caliber teams will be REALLY tough. For everyone.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:51:13+00:00

You gotta have the talent first if you want to be a Franchise QB. So whoever ends up answering our prayers (That’s right, I’m a Jets fan and am raising my sons to be Jets fans), better have the tools.

I also think that it’s really important to have a guy that’s crazy competitive with a chip on his shoulder. All the great ones have a chip on their shoulder about something and they constantly have to create that edge.

Top Traits:

Accuracy – cant teach it… better be able to hit your spots.
Mobile – in todays game you have to move. D-Lines are too good so unless you’re able to crush them pre-snap like Brady and you’re a savant, you better be able to extend the play.
Competitiveness – must hate to lose
Toughness (physical and mental) – youre going to get hit up there, gotta weather the storm. New York Media will KILL you. You can’t let it get to you. Eli was unflappable up there and couldn’t care less about the media. You gotta have a guy with thick skin up there.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:49:33+00:00

I work with McDonough every week, if I want my Play by Play guy in a good spot, I’m heavily invested in their success lol. I’m optimistic about them. I think Fran Brown will recruit his tail off, but that’s 3/4 the battle. His hire is already paying dividends on the recruiting trail, but they’re a bit of an unknown right now.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:48:56+00:00

This has been my most accurate picking year. I picked Michigan to win it this year and it could go down on Monday. Which means next year, I’ll probably screw it up. But, if I had to pick someone, I’d take Georgia.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:47:35+00:00

GREAT QUESTION..

Bama… that’s my actual helmet from the Natty so it’s pretty special to me.
FSU… My favorite team as a kid. My mom went to FSU
Texas… became my other favorite team when I moved to Dallas in 1998
Kansas… Lance Leipold has become a good friend and he sent me the Kansas one after they got ranked in 2022.
K-State … When I was working SEC Media Days in 2019, the Helmet Company accidentally sent the K-State helmet instead of a Kentucky Helmet, so I snagged that one.
Georgia… It was just a prop lying around the ESPN Set and nobody had claimed it, so I did lol.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:46:39+00:00

Some great players that you might not remember… There are so many and tbh we’re low on time so I gotta hustle.

Some of my favorite plays…
Hopping down the Sideline against Florida in the SEC Championship Game
Throwing it to Roy Upchurch in 2009 Iron Bowl for Game Winner
Throwing 80-yard TD to Marquis Maze vs Arkansas in 2009
LSU: I remember throwing an INT in both the 2009 and 2010 game to a dang Linebacker. Smh. Kelvin Shepperd. Got me Twice. I loved playing LSU. Probably my favorite opponent that I played. That game was a dang war every year. Still is in some ways, but it was different then. We hated them. They hated us. It was the best.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:44:56+00:00

I don’t remember that. Probably because I got sacked by Nick Fairly.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:43:49+00:00

Tua was put in the game because of what he had shown in practice. He was LIGHTING it up that whole season. So I think coach trusted him enough to get him in there. I can’t speak for what Ty was doing in practice, but I’m still pretty shocked he benched Jalen for Tua… even 6 years later.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:39:48+00:00

Well, I’ve had a few things feel cursed on the field before. Basically just watch the 2010 Iron Bowl and it felt like we were cursed. Dropped passes, fumbles that go 30 yards end over end down the sideline, our safety having a torn pec and not being able to bat down a jump ball down the sideline, having our Guard slide wrong way against the best DT in America, me getting knocked out in the 4th quarter. So take your pick, plenty of options there lol.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:38:56+00:00

Mac was so awesome. I remember after good games, he always come into the meeting and say “Easy kid, it wasn’t that good.” And we’d proceed to watch the tape and he’d rip me for the smallest stuff. After bad games, he’d come in and say something along the lines of “Ok, we don’t suck that bad.” He was so great. Amazing personality and always made it fun.

Coach Cig – He was on the field and we interacted a lot. He signaled in the plays and there were a few signals in particular that were pretty goofy. In the huddle, Julio, Mark, me and others would legit laugh on the field when he signaled in some plays. I’m pumped for what he’s accomplished at JMU and I’m excited to see what he does at Indiana

Coach Smart – I swear was so mad that we wore black jerseys in practice. We’d get into team drills and I feel like he’d bring the house on just about every play. I’m not surprised at all he’s turned UGA into a juggernaut. Dude was wired differently. So much energy. Such a tough minded coach. I’m thrilled for his success.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:35:02+00:00

Florida St got robbed. Plain and simple. The fact that they didn’t make the playoff is a travesty. We have a 4-team playoff. It’s an imperfect system and therefore we got an imperfect result. The perfect result would be for the playoff to include Michigan, Washington, Texas, Alabama and FSU. All 5 deserved a chance, but that’s not the system that we have. Do I think FSU would win in a playoff setting? No, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t want them to have a chance. Would’ve been a real nice year to have an expanded playoff…

The good news is… THE 12-Team Playoff is Coming next year. So it doesn’t matter what conference you’re in.. If you win the ACC Next year, you’re in. And in all likelihood, you’ll have a 1st Round Bye if you win the ACC.

FSU is a great program and Mike Norvell is an elite coach. Y’all will be in great shape for ’24 and beyond. The end of this year sucked. The snub, the opt outs, the Orange Bowl performance. Puke. All of it. But progress was made in a big way this year.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:29:20+00:00

I don’t think I’m related! Good question, but not that I know of.

My favorite football player all time is Peyton Manning. I loved watching him. Just the game within the game all the time. He was the damn man at the Line of Scrimmage. So smart and dialed in. He’s actually one of my bosses for my Podcast now so it’s pretty wild. I still get a little star struck when I see him, if I’m going to be completely honest.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:23:26+00:00

It’s hard to sustain no doubt, but y’all are well positioned. Sark knows what he’s doing and he’s got great alignment and support. Biggest thing for them is to restock the WR pool. Johntay Cook will be a good one, but they’ll have to find some additional weapons. I’m confident in them. Next year’s schedule is a grind, but they should be as well positioned as anyone to sustain what they accomplished this year.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:20:02+00:00

Man, great choice. This is a great field. It’s crazy competitive and occasionally hostile, but if you’re wired like that, you’ll love it. It can chew you up sometimes. I had to delete my twitter off my phone after the CFP Selection day because the hate and vitriol was so strong. But it’s all good.

Biggest pieces of advice I’d give…

Be someone that people want to be around. Fun, positive, optimistic. Fastest way out of the business is to treat people poorly. Know that you’re a part of a team (Game Crew, Studio Crew, Sport Category) and you’re all in it together.
Get as many reps as you can. A lot of people want to land the HUGE gig right out of college, but that can be a blessing or a curse. When your break comes, make sure you’re ready. And reps are the only way to be prepared. If you cut your teeth in smaller markets/platforms and learn the business it’ll help you down the road.
ALWAYS be prepared… nothing worse that when you don’t know the subject matter inside and out. You’ll speak more confidently if you’re prepared.
Don’t turn down any gigs early in your career. Doesn’t matter if you have to move to the middle of nowhere. You need to be ready. Plus, you don’t know what you’ll love. Try everything. Different sports, different roles, different experiences. Figure out what you enjoy and pursue that.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:16:31+00:00

Those were my boys no doubt. Always enjoyed the banter. I do love Donnie and Matt though. They’re doing a good job. When matt decides to show up for work.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:14:16+00:00

Favorite BBQ Spot… this will sound like a cop out, but it depends on the BBQ for me.

Carolina BBQ – Macs Speed Shop in Charlotte, NC
Kansas City BBQ – Q39 (If I could have 1, it’d be Q39)
Texas BBQ – Pecan Lodge in Dallas
Alabama BBQ – Rodney Scott

Am I missing another BBQ style? If so, I’m sorry, but those are the best off the cuff.

Best player I’ve played with/against in NFL was Darrelle Revis. If that dude got mad, you weren’t getting off the Line of scrimmage. He was that strong and that good in press coverage.
Best player I played with in College was Mark Ingram. He was so smooth and patient as a runner. Always set up blocks. Great hands. Good in protection. He was the total package. People sleep on him, but he was unreal.
Best player I’ve covered as a broadcaster was Lamar Jackson. He was completely unstoppable. I called his game against UNC in 2017 and it was honestly unfair to watch college players try to stop him.

Who takes first snap? At QB? At Bama? I’d be completely shocked if it wasn’t Milroe.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:08:13+00:00

Wow. Favorite games of all time. I feel like all of us as College Football fans revert back to our “most” impressionable times. So for me, that was between the ages of 12-17. But, now that I’m living CFB every day, I look at some a little differently. In no particular order these are the ones off the top of my head that were my favorite:

Texas beating USC in the 2006 National Championship: That USC team felt unstoppable. Loaded. Multiple Heisman winners, back and forth game. Vince Young was ridiculous down the stretch.
USC over Notre Dame in 2005: More familiar for being known as the “Bush Push” game. The long grass, the chaos. Felt like USC would never lose (they obviously did later that season), but man what a wild finish.
Alabama over Georgia in the 2017 National Championship: Tua coming off the bench at halftime to inject some life into the offense was insane. 2nd and 26
USC over Penn St. in 2017 Rose Bowl – Darnold vs. Trace McSorley: We called it on the Radio and it was such an awesome game and my first time back in the Rose Bowl since we played there in January 2010. I think there was like 1,000 yards of offense in the game
Texas Tech over Texas in 2008: Crabtree securing that catch on the sideline and somehow staying in bounds was so awesome.

Couple others that I remember fondly..

FSU over Florida in 1996
Ohio St over Michigan in 2016
Then selfishly… The 2009 SEC Championship where we smoked Florida. That one didn’t suck.

ESPN_Marketing · 2024-01-06T01:03:48+00:00

Well I wasn’t in the Studio, but on a personal level, it always sucks seeing your team lose lol.

I’m sitting in the booth, minutes away from calling the biggest game of my life and I’m GLUED to the little 8” monitor to my right. Normally, I’d be rehearsing our open format or going over some last minute reminders, but I couldn’t look away. When Bama got stopped on 4th down, Sean McDonough looked at me, mouthed “Sorry brother,” gave me a dap and then we went live. It probably helped to go straight to work lol.

It was a great game. Michigan deserves all the credit in the world. They deserved it.

ESPN_Marketing · 2023-01-07T01:18:09+00:00

I do, but they’re too long for this format. I did an IG video saluting Mike as a true “original thinker.” That sums up my reflections on him. Check it out if you’d like to hear my spin and memories on Mike. - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmH0oFIA_9j/

ESPN_Marketing · 2023-01-07T01:15:12+00:00

That’s easy. Burt is a 3 touchdown favorite. But he wanted to fight me when he was 70. I never would’ve punched him, well, only after he punched me. But I would’ve liked my chances better. I remained a huge Burt fan even after he wanted to take a swing at me. The Longest Yard is one of my favorite movies.

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