With the Chiefs coming to town, Big Al and CJ debate which team needs this one more — and whether Denver’s elite defense can slow down Patrick Mahomes. They break down Sean Payton’s offense, Bo Nix’s growing pains, and what the Broncos must do to stay atop the AFC West. Then it’s all Buffs talk: should Coach Prime keep Juju Lewis on the field or protect his redshirt? The guys go head-to-head over CU’s future at quarterback, the state of the offense, and how this season unraveled. They also pay tribute to Denver hoops legend Michael Ray Richardson and reflect on the meaning of Veterans Day.
Big Al and CJ kick things off with the weather and a huge Broncos-Chiefs matchup at Mile High. They debate which team needs the win more and whether Denver’s defense gives them a real shot against Patrick Mahomes. The conversation turns to Bo Nix and Sean Payton’s offense — is it too complicated, or just underperforming? Then they tackle the Colorado Buffaloes’ loss at West Virginia and the rise of freshman QB Juju Lewis, with Al arguing to protect his redshirt while CJ insists it’s time to hand him the keys. They also discuss Travis Hunter’s injury, Amarion Miller’s breakout, and how CU’s future is shaping up under Coach Prime. The show closes with a heartfelt tribute to Michael Ray Richardson and a salute to all veterans.
00:00:00:00 - 00:00:16:21
CJ
It's a bye week for the buffs and a big week for the Broncos. With the Kansas City Chiefs coming to town.
00:00:16:24 - 00:00:18:24
CJ
Big fella. Yes. How you doin, man?
00:00:18:25 - 00:00:36:13
Big Al
Man I'm, I'm okay. Just, enjoying this part of the season. This unseasonable, weather. We have here in Colorado, man, is just unbelievable. We are in the 70s. A little chilly in the morning, but, in the middle of the day. Not bad. A fantastic way to, to go right in the fall.
00:00:36:16 - 00:00:53:23
CJ
I love the weather, man. You're right. This time of year. One of the best kept secrets. People around the country think that we are digging out of snow in November. And in Denver, nothing could be further from the truth. But we're going to keep that our little secret, man. Because we don't want too many folks invading us here in the in the Mile High.
00:00:53:25 - 00:01:13:21
CJ
Look, man, speaking of a mile high, the Kansas City Chiefs, about to pay a visit to this team. This eight and two Broncos team, the Kansas City Chiefs, now at five and four. Sounds a little strange for me to ask you this question, but I have to ask it because I wonder, to whom is this game more important?
00:01:13:21 - 00:01:15:03
CJ
The Chiefs or the Broncos?
00:01:15:04 - 00:01:37:19
Big Al
Absolutely. The Chiefs. I mean, there's not even a question about it. When you look at the Kansas City Chiefs and who they are and who they've been in this league, they need to get back into it. And the only way to get back into a divisional race is to beat the people who are above you in the standings, and right now it's the it's the, Los Angeles Chargers and of course, the Denver Broncos sitting at the top.
00:01:37:19 - 00:01:55:05
Big Al
So I think this is a big game. Our defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has had success against the Kansas City Chiefs, even when he was the head coach here at the Denver Broncos. I think he understands Andy Reid and what he wants to do. But I think it's now time for, Sean Payton and this offense to go to work.
00:01:55:06 - 00:02:12:11
Big Al
I mean, if they don't go to work this week, it could be it could be a track meet, and you just don't want to get into a track meet with, with a team like the Kansas City Chiefs because of the quarterback that they have. And if you get behind on this team, they have, I think, the greatest defensive lineman in the game.
00:02:12:11 - 00:02:32:16
Big Al
Not an Aaron Donald's out with Chris Jones. And, and you take that guy, he's going to find the weakest link on that offensive line, and he's going to absolutely exploit it in the most critical time. So don't get into a track meet with this team, run the football effectively, stay ahead of the chains and you have a chance to, to get a win.
00:02:32:16 - 00:02:36:11
Big Al
And right now the Broncos are home dog about three and a half already.
00:02:36:13 - 00:03:00:10
CJ
Let me ask you this, and I guess I'll ask the question because you write mathematically, it's clear at five and four. This is a you know, I know you don't like when I use the phrase must win, but this could be a must win game for the Kansas City Chiefs. I don't know if you can make up that ground if you go down, what, four games against the Denver Broncos with just six, six games left.
00:03:00:10 - 00:03:20:24
CJ
So if mathematically you're right, this game is far more important to the Chiefs than it is the Broncos. But let me ask the question, because you just made a point that might surprise a lot of people. The Kansas City Chiefs are favored in this game on the road against the Broncos. Who right now do you think is the better team?
00:03:20:26 - 00:03:23:24
Big Al
I think that.
00:03:23:27 - 00:03:45:21
Big Al
I think the Denver Broncos are the better team. I mean, they could be undefeated. They could have more losses, but you are who you. You are who your record says that you are. And right now the Denver Broncos are eight and two. And I don't believe that you just, get to eight and two without being, a credible organization in this league like this.
00:03:45:24 - 00:04:03:11
Big Al
This is not one of the leagues that, you can just just flop it out there and think that things are going to work out. This is one of those leagues where you just have to play well enough to get a one point victory over your opponent, and they have done that eight times this year, which is outstanding.
00:04:03:13 - 00:04:27:22
Big Al
The Kansas City Chiefs have arguably one of the top three quarterbacks has ever played in the game. I don't I don't know how you want to rank them. Who's one, who's two, who's three. But I think that he is one of the top three quarterbacks that have ever played the game. And so, it's clear that, they've had some tough comp, some tough games and, and they've lost some.
00:04:27:22 - 00:04:48:07
Big Al
And you know, that that loss early on in the season opener to the, to the Los Angeles Chargers, was an eye opener for me because first of all, I thought that the Kansas City Chiefs were going to wipe the floor with them. But it also said that, you know, what the, the, Los Angeles Chargers are real team like.
00:04:48:07 - 00:05:05:03
Big Al
We still have four real contests, with those two teams. And I think it's going to decide who wins the AFC West. And right now the Denver Broncos are eight and two. They're a better team. But certainly there's no question who has the best quarterback.
00:05:05:05 - 00:05:21:07
CJ
I would put it this way. The Broncos have the best unit. They have the best unit of the not just the two teams. Let's take the top three teams in the AFC West. The Broncos have the best unit and that's their defense. They have the most dominant unit of the three teams.
00:05:21:08 - 00:05:22:27
Big Al
Even without Patrick certain.
00:05:22:29 - 00:05:50:10
CJ
Even without Patrick certain. And when you get him back after he comes off, I, this defense gets even better. That said, I believe the third place team right now in this division is the best team. And it's interesting. I was looking at, ESPN's power rankings today, the Denver Broncos, despite having an eight and two record, I think our 10th, ninth or 10th in the power rankings.
00:05:50:12 - 00:06:16:09
CJ
The league, you can see it right there, the Denver Broncos nine ninth right there on the power rankings. They have the Kansas City Chiefs fourth. Now again, it's a must win for Kansas City. But if you're just talking about the eyeball test this is a team that I think in the Denver Broncos. That's that's teetering a little bit.
00:06:16:11 - 00:06:32:02
CJ
If there's any falloff on this defense, it could spell disaster for this Denver Broncos team because the offense just don't have it. And I'm not sure I don't see where that changed dramatically. Over the balance of the season.
00:06:32:04 - 00:07:06:11
Big Al
Yeah. I just think that when you play, when you play a first play schedule and when you play in the Super Bowl, okay, you get everybody's top of the division. Teams. And when you are in the Super Bowl, you play the toughest schedule. I mean, that's why you don't get teams that have a lot of back to back to back kind of moments for championships because, hey, next year, you know, you, you, you may have to play everybody's division leader.
00:07:06:13 - 00:07:29:09
Big Al
And if that's the case then all of those games are tougher. And the Broncos don't have to play the division leaders because they didn't win the division. So, I always look at that and, you know, you always you always just want to have a chance to get into the playoffs. Anything else you know is, is just gravy.
00:07:29:09 - 00:07:57:07
Big Al
Right. But the only thing that you want to do is have a chance to get into the playoffs. And I know some people say, hey, you know, you want to get home field advantage. That's always nice. But the thing that matters the most is just having a chance to have, an opportunity to move forward. And that is something that is the most underrated part about playing in this league is every time that you're in the playoffs, you just never know what could happen.
00:07:57:08 - 00:08:21:19
Big Al
You just never know where the upsets could happen. The quarterbacks get knocked out. There's a blocked punt. There's, kick return. There's there's, interception for a touchdown. There's a fumble recovery for a touchdown. You just don't know how it's going to happen. And crazier things, has happened in the playoffs and in the past. And I think there's going to be a litany of, of the same kind of storylines going forward.
00:08:21:19 - 00:08:41:17
Big Al
So just getting to the playoffs is when you really find out where your power rankings are or, and this part of the season, okay, you can say, you know, you like this team better than the other, but really the only thing that counts is who makes it to the playoffs. And I think the Broncos make it. I think the Kansas City Chiefs make it.
00:08:41:17 - 00:08:43:29
Big Al
And I do believe that that the Chargers were making.
00:08:44:02 - 00:08:45:07
CJ
Three teams out of division.
00:08:45:07 - 00:08:50:15
Big Al
Three teams out of the division. And you know what? They may see each other in the first round.
00:08:50:17 - 00:09:31:09
CJ
I don't think what we've seen from the Denver Broncos over the first ten games, which is where we're beyond the halfway point. I don't think that it's sustainable. In other words, I don't know that the balance of the game starting this upcoming weekend at home against the Kansas City Chiefs, you can expect to have the same or even close to the same amount of success unless something something close to drastic happens with this offensive unit, you're not winning ten, seven football games.
00:09:31:11 - 00:09:50:24
CJ
And with with the against the teams that are atop the division, Kansas City and of of course, the Chargers. I don't know that you can count on winning ten, seven games against anyone left on the the schedule at this point, with the potential exception of the the Raiders. So I don't and I don't know where it comes from.
00:09:50:24 - 00:10:23:14
CJ
Right. We've seen this offense play better over the course of the season. Not consistent. That being said, I think they they do make the playoffs. Because they got out such a big lead, in the standings. But I don't know, you know what. And unless Sean, Payton and Bo Nix figure it out, I think this will be similar to some degree to last year where you get in, it's a bit, you know, ceremonial, and there's no real expectation that that you can make a run.
00:10:23:16 - 00:10:48:19
Big Al
I kind of like the way that you, said that ceremonial. Because I think that's exactly what happened last year. A ceremonial entry. Almost a welcome to the Denver Broncos to make it to the playoffs because, I think that the NFL, or the powers that be in the AFC would have preferred to see the Denver Broncos.
00:10:48:19 - 00:11:02:19
Big Al
I forget who the the other team was, but I know it was, it was a team that nobody wanted to see. So Kansas City Chiefs played their backups and the Broncos won, got in and got totally embarrassed against the Buffalo Bills.
00:11:02:19 - 00:11:03:22
CJ
That's right.
00:11:03:25 - 00:11:33:17
Big Al
This year though, this is different. I think that they have I think that they have an identity. And I think there is a rift between the head coach and the personnel that he has. Not. There's a rift because everything about the Denver Broncos say that they should be running the football and let their defense win. You know, they should be a better special teams unit and a team that runs the football and let their defense wins.
00:11:33:19 - 00:12:03:20
Big Al
But the way that it goes with Sean Payton is the the right arm of of Bo Nix. And since it's the right arm of Bo Nix, then it doesn't really necessarily fare well. For, you know, those tough games that are upcoming. So if, if we think that we're going to go out and throw the ball 40 plus times against the Kansas City Chiefs and match, you know, Patrick Patrick Mahomes, ability to pass the ball with Bo Nix is we'll get our asses kicked.
00:12:03:20 - 00:12:28:14
Big Al
Yeah. There's no I don't think it's going to be close. But if we control the game with the run, throw a lot of screens. That's what we do. We lead the NFL in the most screens scored. Then you can get down the field and and hopefully, you know, get points on the board. Yeah. The only thing that you want to see out of Bo Nix this week is that every drive ends with the kick.
00:12:28:16 - 00:12:37:20
CJ
Well, yeah. Listen, I agree with that. And I, you know, I, I'm a, I'm a, I'm a believer in the, the kiss theory. You know what the kiss theory.
00:12:37:20 - 00:12:38:25
Big Al
Keep it simple stupid.
00:12:38:25 - 00:12:59:05
CJ
Keep it simple. Stupid. And I think what happened, Bo Nix, we've seen some regression in Bo Nix. Yes. And I would submit to you that it's not because of Bo Nix. You hear this? You hear people, pundits, guys like yourself, you know, the guys who played at the level and know it. All right? You know it all. I call you like the know it all guy.
00:12:59:07 - 00:13:21:11
CJ
You know it all guys will say things like, oh, wow. You know, he it was a pretty simplified playbook this year. But next year you know he's going to he being Sean Penn going to throw the throw the whole playbook at I. And Bo Nix is going to have to do x, y and Z. And I've always said that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard.
00:13:21:13 - 00:13:47:23
CJ
If whatever you're doing to have success, you may incrementally or what the adjustment is in the next season is okay, what are your counters to that? What are your adjustments to that? Once, the opposition have a book on you defensively, but to just pile more stuff on it just confuses the quarterback. And what I see in Bo Nix is a guy who looks like he's uncomfortable, he's confused.
00:13:48:00 - 00:14:21:18
CJ
His feet aren't very good, his throwing motion isn't very good. And it's not because he forgot how to play quarterback. It's because his brain isn't as clear this year as it was last year about what they're trying to do. And that was, that was, hot Mike on Bo, doing one of the plays. And it just, I think it exemplified the point to a tee where the play was coming in late and Bo yelled to Sean Payton, get your f in play in.
00:14:21:20 - 00:14:43:11
CJ
He didn't say, get the play in. He said, get your F in, play in. And I took a lot out of that. That's what I took out of that is they're not on the same page. And I and I and I do I feel for Bo because I do think Payton is one of those kinds of coaches that, they're just they have toys.
00:14:43:11 - 00:15:03:07
CJ
They have tricks. They have a big bag of stuff that they want to just, you know, just spew out and oftentimes it will all the time it's incumbent upon the quarterback to make all that stuff work. And oftentimes it's just more confusing than it is effective. And I think that's what we're seeing now.
00:15:03:09 - 00:15:27:24
Big Al
Well, I think that offensively, you know, you just have to you just have to know how your team is built. Like I've said this like, I don't know. I think I've started saying this last year when they open up the season against the Seattle Seahawks and Bo Nix threw the ball, somewhere around 47 times to open his NFL career.
00:15:27:24 - 00:15:49:28
Big Al
And I'm like, on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. You throw the ball 47 times. What are you thinking? Like what a dumb ass situation to put your quarterback in. But I think now this year, he can handle all of those, things that they threw at him last year. But, you know, you just never want to hear that kind of language.
00:15:50:01 - 00:16:11:18
Big Al
From Bo Nix talking to his offensive coordinator. Because it kind of tells you that there's struggle. And, you know, the quiet secret here is that Sean Payton has struggled to get plays in for two years now, for a year for a foot, for two and a half years. I mean, with Russell Wilson, he struggled with Bo Nix.
00:16:11:18 - 00:16:35:12
Big Al
He struggles. And I think it's because he's thinking about a play or you know, he's also the head coach, that offensive coordinator. And I think it's just something that you just, you don't you just don't really see the kind of, dysfunction unless somebody tells you about it or you see a timeout, right? You see timeout with the Denver Broncos early in the season.
00:16:35:12 - 00:17:01:26
Big Al
He said late in the season, it's because I think the head coach has a lot on his mind. He has a plethora of plays that he wants to call. But once again, when you have a big bag of offensive plays, you want to call them. But I think that the teams that learn who they are and how they win, those teams inevitably have the best chance to win in the postseason.
00:17:01:28 - 00:17:20:13
Big Al
Like, we know that Patrick Mahomes is going to throw the ball 40 or 50 times in this game, okay. They they believe in his right arm being the reason that they win or lose. The Denver Broncos can't be a team that goes out and throw the ball 40 and 50 times a game with Bo Nix. He's not that kind of quarterback.
00:17:20:20 - 00:17:30:02
Big Al
I think he's a good quarterback, but to say that he can throw it 40 or 50 times in a in a game consistently, that's just he I don't see that. Yeah I don't see that.
00:17:30:03 - 00:17:31:20
CJ
No I I'm with you there.
00:17:31:20 - 00:17:56:11
Big Al
So so let's pull it back a little bit and run the football a little more because you have a dynamic defense. Yeah. Let's, let's get razor. Let's get laser focus on our special teams unit. Okay. Let's make sure that those special team units give us an advantage. Let's let's get see if we can get six points out of that special team unit because of the returns.
00:17:56:13 - 00:18:07:29
Big Al
Because of the field position. Let's let's get the field position. Game one by the special teams. And let's let our defense win the game. Yeah, that's the bottom line.
00:18:07:29 - 00:18:14:29
CJ
Let Marvin Mims do his thing and allow the initials to cook J. K and RJ run the football.
00:18:14:29 - 00:18:16:04
Big Al
That's right.
00:18:16:06 - 00:18:38:09
CJ
Shorten the game. Try as best you can keeping that Kansas City Chiefs offense off of the field. Because to your point, Patrick Mahomes is he's just in a word, brilliant man. And I don't the more he's on the sideline the better it is for the Denver Broncos. Hey man let's keep it moving right here. Our buffs went out, east to west Virginia.
00:18:38:12 - 00:18:50:06
CJ
2922 loss to West Virginia. They lost the game, but I think they won the bigger battle. Do you still think.
00:18:50:08 - 00:18:58:18
CJ
That this kid juju, Lewis should be shut down and redshirted this year?
00:18:58:21 - 00:19:21:27
Big Al
Yeah. We have we have, we have we have two more to, three more football games. More. Talk to me. Two more football game, three weeks. We have a bye this week, which means that that's an extra, week of practice for him. Which is all fantastic. You don't. You won't get a bowl game now, because the best you can finish is five and seven, so you won't have a bowl game.
00:19:21:27 - 00:19:45:27
Big Al
So what you should do is use this time this week. You know, this is the second. Bye. You know, if you really want to play them C.J. The time to insert him would have been week three when they were making decisions about what they were going to do. But, I don't believe that you burn this guy's redshirt year, by playing him in that last football game, but definitely play him in this next game coming up.
00:19:45:29 - 00:20:16:01
Big Al
I think it's the last home game is senior day. There are a lot of there are a lot of people who put a lot of time in at the University of Colorado that will be walking with their mothers and fathers, on the field for the last time. And I'm telling you, if you've ever been part of a senior day, whether it's in high school, college, it's the most emotional time before a game that you'll ever have because you know that this is it.
00:20:16:01 - 00:20:38:12
Big Al
I'll never play this game on this field ever again. And I remember it when my mom walk with me. And I just thought, man, this was, this was cool. Like, it was cool. But at the same time, man, a lot of emotion and a lot of missed plays. A lot of should have woulda, coulda. And this kid, he's just starting.
00:20:38:14 - 00:21:04:06
Big Al
But for that group of seniors, this is, this is this is it, man. And I'm, you know, I'm sorry that this, this season had to go the way that it went. We've had coordinator change on the offensive side. And I do believe that, this year was lost because of the coordination. And I don't know if Pat Shurmur will ever call plays in college football again or the NFL.
00:21:04:06 - 00:21:05:22
CJ
You think he has said in high school.
00:21:05:24 - 00:21:07:04
Big Al
He may have a shot in high school?
00:21:07:21 - 00:21:17:23
Big Al
But in all reality, there's there's no reason that another power Five school would give him an opportunity to call offensive plays.
00:21:17:24 - 00:21:37:09
CJ
Well, look, look, I hear you on the emotion of Senior Day with in my opinion, if I'm coaching that team, have zero impact on what I'm going to do with Juju Lewis. The kid was outstanding in my mind. Yes. And his in.
00:21:37:12 - 00:21:46:24
Big Al
Especially by the way, both tackles starting tackles were out the game last week against West Virginia. And early on he took some shots. Early on he took some I.
00:21:46:24 - 00:22:10:08
CJ
Think he had he was sacked six times, if I'm not mistaken. He did take some shots and you could see it get better. And you saw him get better. Yeah. Here's here's the deal. The I don't think you can put the toothpaste back in the tube with this kid. As I mentioned before the game, what was at stake was not whether or not you won the game.
00:22:10:08 - 00:22:39:01
CJ
Now you lose the game. To your point, you're out of bowl contention. But the win is you have recaptured the imagination of everybody. I think the game on the 22nd against Arizona State will likely be sold out for no other reason than the fan base is there. Re-energized. I know I am because of what I see as our future.
00:22:39:03 - 00:22:53:14
CJ
You play him in that game and then you play him against Kansas State because what you're telling the world and what you're telling him no, there is no confusion about the future of this program. It belongs to number ten.
00:22:53:14 - 00:22:54:02
Big Al
Yes it does.
00:22:54:02 - 00:23:16:27
CJ
And we are going nope. And we are going to ride this horse for the next three years, and he will be your starting quarterback. And you're also telling every recruit out there that there is, you know, our interest is getting this kid ready to be the best quarterback in the big 12 conference next year. Listen, there is no value in red.
00:23:16:29 - 00:23:43:28
CJ
I don't I'm not I'm not coaching in 2025 to to figure out what might happen in 2029. This is about 2026 seven and eight with Juju Lewis as our guy. Period. Point blank. Don't care about Senior Day. Don't care about you know, burning a red shirt. The kid don't want a red shirt that play the kid. Play the kid.
00:23:43:29 - 00:23:54:28
Big Al
I mean, you say some of the dumbest shit some time and you just went on your long rant about why he should play, and I'm going to tell you why he shouldn't play. Okay.
00:23:55:00 - 00:23:59:28
CJ
Well, before you go mad and I think take take back how you said I didn't say anything dumb.
00:23:59:28 - 00:24:03:03
Big Al
That was the dumbest thing I heard. You know, when you got a kid.
00:24:03:05 - 00:24:04:16
CJ
Who.
00:24:04:18 - 00:24:33:27
Big Al
Will forfeit in your scenario, he will play this year two games, one that he's fine to play in. And then the last football game you would ask this kid to redshirt. I mean, you would ask this kid to play rather than trading one year, one game for 12 games. Okay, you trade one game for 12 games. That's the dumbest shit I've ever heard, right?
00:24:33:29 - 00:24:55:20
Big Al
Like, if this parents allow this to happen, then you know what? It's on them. It's on him, it's on them, it's on him. It's on them. It's on the University of Colorado. If they do this, okay, it shows that we are not a very smart football organization. Okay? So, you know, go out there and play well this week.
00:24:55:20 - 00:25:02:14
Big Al
I want you to have a great game. And you know what. Turn it over to the seniors for that last football game this season is done.
00:25:02:21 - 00:25:06:15
CJ
So so to hell with the future of your program. To him, he.
00:25:06:15 - 00:25:16:11
Big Al
Is he is the future of your program. You're not going to you're not going to trade one game for 12. Guaranteed. No, no. And I know you're talking about sometime later.
00:25:16:11 - 00:25:18:16
CJ
Down the line. That doesn't make any sense.
00:25:18:16 - 00:25:20:16
Big Al
I hey, look, man, I'm telling you right now.
00:25:20:16 - 00:25:21:28
CJ
Trading one game.
00:25:21:28 - 00:25:24:18
Big Al
I wouldn't do that. I wouldn't do that shit for nobody. Hold on.
00:25:24:24 - 00:25:35:10
CJ
You're talking about trading one game in 2025 for 12 games. 12 theoretical games in 2029. That's what I'm.
00:25:35:10 - 00:25:58:29
Big Al
Saying. Keep your options available to you. Like I said, this group of seniors right now, you know, like Travis Hunter, Travis Hunter didn't actually need his, senior year to get, drafted and be the number two overall pick in the draft. That's right. He didn't need it. Sometimes you do need it. Bo Nix, we just talked about needed it, I think.
00:25:58:29 - 00:25:59:21
CJ
Okay. He had six.
00:25:59:21 - 00:26:18:24
Big Al
Years. Exactly. He needed it. Yeah. Okay. So so, you know, I think, the quarterback that is, screwing it up up there in Cleveland, you know, Dillon Gabriel. Yeah. That guy needed it, you know what I'm saying? Like, we may have a guy like that on our staff right now, and Juju Lewis, who may need it.
00:26:18:24 - 00:26:35:17
Big Al
And if he needs it, and he's still here, he'll have it. But don't bring it over. One football game, that means nothing. And you're not going to go to a bowl game or anything. I'm telling you right now, man, if it happens, tell me right now. I think it's the dumbest shit in the world. And, don't don't don't do it.
00:26:35:20 - 00:26:49:17
Big Al
I just think you're wrong, juju. Don't do it, coach Prime. Don't do it. I don't believe he'll let that happen. There's a lot here at stake with this young man. And if you let this happen, if you let this happen. I'm telling you right now, I think it's going to be the dumbest shit all year that I've seen.
00:26:49:17 - 00:27:05:03
CJ
And you just listen. You're just wrong, big fella. And it wouldn't be the first time. It wouldn't be the first time today that you were wrong. And you would just have to live with that fact. In fact, the kid himself weighed in on this very subject. How much weight do you give? Do you put on?
00:27:05:03 - 00:27:06:24
Big Al
He doesn't know what he doesn't know.
00:27:06:27 - 00:27:07:22
CJ
How about the family?
00:27:07:22 - 00:27:09:29
Big Al
He doesn't know what he doesn't know. But if.
00:27:09:29 - 00:27:11:00
CJ
The dad says.
00:27:11:00 - 00:27:17:22
Big Al
He doesn't know what he doesn't know. The family don't know what? They don't know Nostradamus again.
00:27:17:24 - 00:27:19:18
CJ
Know everything. No one knows.
00:27:19:18 - 00:27:20:02
Big Al
Everything.
00:27:20:07 - 00:27:41:02
CJ
Okay, let's hear what juju had to say about it himself. Oh, yeah. I want to play football. What? I've been up the send down all season. I'm ready to play. Besides, the guys are ready to work. We don't know. I'm on the. Now, the interesting thing about it is you said you would have been okay with burning the red shirt in eight, nine.
00:27:41:02 - 00:27:48:06
Big Al
Games to play. Yes. Burn. Because because you would have had that real game experience and you would have got a chance.
00:27:48:09 - 00:27:50:01
CJ
Oh yes. Last week wasn't real game.
00:27:50:07 - 00:27:57:26
Big Al
Yes it was. It was the 22nd experience. That was the first game that he started, right? That's right okay. So that's the first game that he started.
00:27:57:26 - 00:27:58:27
CJ
But that's real game experience.
00:27:58:27 - 00:28:20:03
Big Al
You know C.J. And the more you think about it at the end of that game what two weeks ago when he was inserted into the game, you didn't have to do it. I mean he gave us 17 points offensively when they did insert him. But I would have let him play these last three games. See, I'm saying not because you played them in the fourth quarter of a blowout game.
00:28:20:05 - 00:28:27:26
Big Al
You played them in the fourth quarter, a blowout game rather than let that game continue on and just start him for three straight games.
00:28:27:26 - 00:28:40:12
CJ
You know, I think you completely undervalue, completely ignore and undervalue the importance of projection or perception. It was a terrible season. Oh, man. Oh, it.
00:28:40:12 - 00:28:44:28
Big Al
Was a man, oh man, oh man, no man. Look, man, we changed our offensive coordinator. I don't.
00:28:44:28 - 00:28:45:25
CJ
No one gives a damn.
00:28:45:25 - 00:28:51:25
Big Al
About that. No, no. You know why you take offense? You know why you take the offensive coordinator. Do you know why you take the nine points?
00:28:51:25 - 00:28:52:18
CJ
Wasn't very good, right?
00:28:52:18 - 00:28:53:24
Big Al
Because you suck offense.
00:28:53:24 - 00:29:14:03
CJ
That's right. So no fan cares about you're not. No one's going to buy a season ticket for next year because you changed offensive coordinators. What energizes the fan base is the fact that they oh got it. Got it. As terrible as the season was, and it's disappointing as it was for all of us. Our future shines bright. And that's what hinging on this.
00:29:14:03 - 00:29:41:11
CJ
That's right, that's right. And the more he plays the more excited the fan base gets. I am not trading today. What we need today for what might or might not happen in 2029. It makes absolutely no sense. My projection is that the key is that good, where a fifth year isn't necessarily necessary. Do you have any great quarterbacks or potentially good quarterbacks you can recruit in the interim?
00:29:41:13 - 00:29:43:06
CJ
I mean, come on, man.
00:29:43:08 - 00:30:05:27
Big Al
We I don't know. No one says it this this shit almost sound like when you were doing radio and and the only thing you really wanted to do is talk about fighting and hockey, whether or not there should be fighting. And you know what? And it was it was a good conversation then. And I'm fighting for hockey, you know, it was a good conversation then because you know shit about hockey.
00:30:06:00 - 00:30:08:25
Big Al
Okay. So the only thing that you say. Hold on. Only thing.
00:30:08:25 - 00:30:09:05
CJ
You from.
00:30:09:05 - 00:30:11:28
Big Al
Hockey Town, you might be you might be the greatest.
00:30:11:28 - 00:30:13:25
CJ
But you know was in the history of hockey.
00:30:14:00 - 00:30:18:09
Big Al
This way. Hey, listen, I know exactly who they are, but that doesn't mean that you know hockey.
00:30:18:11 - 00:30:21:03
CJ
It's you. Oh, because I'm black. I don't know hockey.
00:30:21:05 - 00:30:46:10
Big Al
Yes. Okay. But I'll tell you. I'll say this. I'll say this, I'll say this. This argument should be put to bed and we should not. We should not be talking about this in a constructive way because it's dumb. It's dumb, and you can't you can't do this. You can't do this to the young man. Burn a guy for, one game.
00:30:46:17 - 00:30:51:14
Big Al
No, I can't do it. I couldn't, I wouldn't hey, if I'm if I'm his dad, I'm telling you right now, I wouldn't do it.
00:30:51:17 - 00:30:53:23
CJ
You're framing it wrong, and you are.
00:30:53:23 - 00:30:54:05
Big Al
Just.
00:30:54:05 - 00:31:05:11
CJ
Wrong, man, I hate you. But you know what? You. One thing I can tell you about the big fella. He's. He's very sensitive, very sentimental. He cries all the time. I do.
00:31:05:12 - 00:31:06:11
Big Al
Not.
00:31:06:13 - 00:31:26:25
CJ
He cries all the time. And so what's going to happen? He's just looking forward to Senior Day. And so everyone who's a senior, he want to be in the stadium. And when their moms and dad weep, he want to weep along with them. And he wants them to go out there and play their last game and, you know, kneel down and and thank God and all the fans for the way I'm done with that as well.
00:31:26:26 - 00:31:33:27
CJ
Has nothing to do with what you're trying to build with respect to your future on this thing, with this football program.
00:31:33:27 - 00:31:36:08
Big Al
So it's, it's it's.
00:31:36:10 - 00:31:39:04
CJ
That's why you wear those glasses. Because you. But to cry. Right? No, no.
00:31:39:04 - 00:31:40:26
Big Al
I'm, I wear glasses cause.
00:31:41:00 - 00:31:41:07
CJ
Cry.
00:31:41:07 - 00:31:51:18
Big Al
Baby, I'm gonna tell you right now, dude, if I see a man, if I see this kid playing that last game, I may lose my shit. I'm not. I'm not playing.
00:31:51:18 - 00:31:52:20
CJ
What is wrong with you, man?
00:31:52:23 - 00:31:54:14
Big Al
I may lose my shirt if I see that kid.
00:31:54:17 - 00:31:56:29
CJ
What does that even mean? What do you mean, I don't know?
00:31:56:29 - 00:31:57:28
Big Al
I mean, you know.
00:31:58:05 - 00:31:58:15
CJ
This is.
00:31:58:15 - 00:32:04:28
Big Al
Ridiculous. It's to think that that you were burn a whole year.
00:32:04:29 - 00:32:05:23
CJ
Here we go on.
00:32:05:23 - 00:32:12:22
Big Al
One game guy at least. I mean, I played him for years at the University of Colorado. Okay?
00:32:12:27 - 00:32:14:16
CJ
And you wanted to red shirt?
00:32:14:19 - 00:32:16:20
Big Al
I wanted to red shirt my senior year.
00:32:16:23 - 00:32:20:16
CJ
How dumb with that have been? You think so? You think that was smart?
00:32:20:19 - 00:32:22:24
Big Al
Nah, I just wanted more time at the university. Yeah.
00:32:22:24 - 00:32:23:26
CJ
You think that was smart?
00:32:24:00 - 00:32:37:13
Big Al
I think that that's what I felt. I wanted to have one more year, and, you know, it's okay. I mean, we end up winning the buck. I win the buck. This award, we went to the same issue. We are.
00:32:37:13 - 00:32:40:11
CJ
You defensive player of the year in the big country. Two years in a row?
00:32:40:11 - 00:32:40:20
Big Al
Yep.
00:32:40:21 - 00:32:43:28
CJ
And, left to your own dumb devices. With respect.
00:32:43:28 - 00:32:48:27
Big Al
I would have just. I just would have been ready for that senior year and just, you know, it would have been. It would have been awesome.
00:32:48:27 - 00:33:09:06
CJ
Thank God that there were adults in the room that said no. Yeah. For it. You are the best defensive player in a big eight conference. We are not going to redshirt you. You're going to play and you're going to lead us to a national championship. Thank God there are adults in the room who weren't weepy and emotional and crying because you are getting nostalgic about your time, and I didn't want to leave.
00:33:09:07 - 00:33:09:20
CJ
I know you.
00:33:09:20 - 00:33:11:00
Big Al
Didn't want to leave, but.
00:33:11:02 - 00:33:13:15
CJ
A time. There comes a time. Yeah.
00:33:13:17 - 00:33:35:07
Big Al
Listen, listen, let's give this kid the option just in case it takes four. He has. The kid is supposed to be a senior in high school this year. He he, he move classes to to jump into the University of Colorado. This should be his senior year in high school. What did you reclassify to? To come out early.
00:33:35:07 - 00:33:38:12
CJ
What did you think of his play in the game Saturday?
00:33:38:12 - 00:33:44:02
Big Al
I thought he was solid. No turnovers. Almost a three, almost 300 yards.
00:33:44:05 - 00:33:44:20
CJ
99.
00:33:44:24 - 00:33:46:05
Big Al
Yeah, yeah.
00:33:46:07 - 00:33:46:22
CJ
Good game Nate.
00:33:46:23 - 00:33:58:08
Big Al
But Omarion. Omarion the dish. This is this is why this is good for the University of Colorado. Because I thought that kid was leaving. I thought that kid was leaving at the end of this season.
00:33:58:08 - 00:34:01:11
CJ
Well, you're making my point, You keep talking, you make.
00:34:01:11 - 00:34:22:21
Big Al
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, I mean, I thought he was leaving because he is an NFL guy, okay? He's an NFL guy. And, I think our receiving corps is a lot better than the production we got on. That's right. This year, a lot better. I think our offensive line is a lot better, and our running backs have been basically hurt all year.
00:34:22:26 - 00:34:46:17
Big Al
But with with with a Marion, you know, for a fact that's an NFL kid. And if if he doesn't play with juju for those for the for this time period you know who's that against Arizona. And the fourth quarter was you know he shined. And then last week against West Virginia where he shined. And then this week I think we're going to have more of the same.
00:34:46:19 - 00:35:01:20
Big Al
Then then he's hopeful and he knows that that kid is going to go to him. I don't think that, you know, I don't think he was used properly or thrown, targeted. And I think that, I don't know if it's just been a focus here. No.
00:35:01:23 - 00:35:03:18
CJ
It was the combination of.
00:35:03:20 - 00:35:05:26
Big Al
I think you better throw it to him. Or is he going to leave?
00:35:05:27 - 00:35:37:01
CJ
Well, it was the combination of not effective coordination and quarterbacks. Quite frankly, that didn't necessarily, I think, have the ability to understand what you had in that weapon right there. Now, the thing that was so impressive about juju is not just what we saw once he had the ball in his hands, you could tell he was processing the game because he was decisive in most cases, with his throws when they blitzed and they didn't have a single high.
00:35:37:01 - 00:35:56:03
CJ
So there was no over the top help. He was definitive. The big hits, the big passes he had downfield, it was exactly what he's supposed to do because his pre-snap read said they're bringing pressure and I have press man coverage against the best receiver on the field. I'm just throwing it to him, right? Right. The kid was so impressive in so many ways.
00:35:56:03 - 00:36:03:00
CJ
That's right. And by the way, what Amarion Miller discovered re-energizing him.
00:36:03:00 - 00:36:07:09
Big Al
Yeah I didn't got yeah he he's got one. He's got he's got a quarterback. He's got a quarterback.
00:36:07:12 - 00:36:26:12
CJ
Watch the play. Here it is right here again. He knew that there was no way to top it out. So I'm just gonna throw I'm gonna throw it to my guy. Look there's no safety in the middle of the field or on the deep have. And he's just the guy is ahead of the game. You don't. You take this and you go with it right now.
00:36:26:12 - 00:36:40:21
CJ
And by the way, it's not just the Marion Miller, your teammate. You look at the kid sincere, Brown. You look at the receivers on this team. But even beyond that, Colorado got a commitment from a five star receiver. It's for him two.
00:36:40:24 - 00:36:41:06
Big Al
Right.
00:36:41:06 - 00:37:00:04
CJ
Now the the the world can project and see what you know in a in an interesting way what they saw in Schrader as the quarterback for Colorado. Yes. What you don't do is you don't break that continuity. You don't break that momentum by sitting him in the final game of the season. You should get this thing right. It should.
00:37:00:04 - 00:37:01:01
CJ
The season.
00:37:01:02 - 00:37:01:08
Big Al
Yes.
00:37:01:08 - 00:37:03:10
CJ
You new recruit your butt off and you retool for me.
00:37:03:10 - 00:37:16:27
Big Al
Okay, man, we're going to agree to disagree. Because what you're seeing here is a guy who's capable of playing well. And he did play well. And I want to see as many possible years of this guy playing quarterback for the university.
00:37:16:27 - 00:37:18:19
CJ
This is about you. This is oh.
00:37:18:19 - 00:37:38:12
Big Al
I get it. This is about me. It's about him as well. I mean, it's about it's it's it's about an opportunity. That that that may happen four years from now. And so I want that I want that option open. So we'll be we can be done with it, but just don't don't don't do nothing stupid. If you want anything.
00:37:38:12 - 00:37:55:23
CJ
Stupid coming up, we we won't tackle it right now because I know you got some good stuff on this, and I certainly want to do a little bit more digging and research on it, but I'm getting to the point. I'll just preview it right now, I'm getting to the point where I'm thinking this gambling issue in sports, is beginning to be too much.
00:37:55:23 - 00:38:20:24
CJ
And I think this prop betting stuff is the dumbest stuff I've seen. I think it should be made illegal because I think there is, an unnecessary sort of stress and scrutiny on players because dumb people are making dumb bets about whether or not I'm a, I'm a throw a curve or a slider or whether or not you know, I'm going to score five points or ten points and a quarter.
00:38:20:27 - 00:38:42:14
CJ
And if I don't and and there are those, I don't want to get too much into it. But I just think our greed is having an adverse impact on the game. And players are in the pinch because they're the ones that are being you know, they're the they're the horse is in the horse race. And I just think it's ridiculous.
00:38:42:14 - 00:38:50:25
CJ
I know, you know, you got a thought on this big fella. We'll we'll get to it on another day. But before we get out of here, a couple of things, man. Travis Hunter out for the season.
00:38:50:25 - 00:39:14:23
Big Al
Yes. He won't get a chance to return here and play against the Denver Broncos in this stadium. I was looking forward to it. But once again, you know, I think there's going to be a question, to Travis Hunter. And the question is, son, what are you are you a cornerback or you're a wide receiver and now because of this injury, he will have to pick one.
00:39:14:29 - 00:39:34:02
Big Al
And I think it's going to be the wide receiver. And that's that's the way it's going to go, at least for the 2026 season. There's no there's no cornerback play. There's no. Or if there is cornerback play, there's no wide receiver play. You have to you have to. Now go ahead and pick one side of the ball.
00:39:34:05 - 00:39:52:18
Big Al
I if if I'm Jacksonville I'm giving I'm giving Trevor Lawrence as much firepower as I possibly could give. That's exactly what Travis Hunter would be playing if I was, in the front office for the Jacksonville Jaguars. But this whole conversation about playing two ways in the NFL, it's over.
00:39:52:21 - 00:39:54:07
CJ
I wouldn't go that far.
00:39:54:08 - 00:40:13:17
Big Al
It's done. Trust me. At least for next. You know, you got to get the kid. You got to get the kid to the second contract. Okay. One more injury. And I don't know if he gets to the second contract the way that he likes, would like to get to it. You got to get to the second contract because that a guarantee you somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 million.
00:40:13:17 - 00:40:20:05
CJ
This kid is, surefire bet to get to that second, he's just an outstanding, amazing player. Football is.
00:40:20:11 - 00:40:21:11
Big Al
Sparingly this year.
00:40:21:17 - 00:40:35:24
CJ
Football is a violent sport. Players are going to going to get hurt. Let's not overreact to what happens to players all the time. Like you said, he played sparingly. His injury was not an outcome of overplay. It was maybe.
00:40:35:24 - 00:40:36:05
Big Al
It was.
00:40:36:05 - 00:40:36:19
CJ
Just what.
00:40:36:19 - 00:40:57:07
Big Al
Happened. Maybe it was maybe from all the plays he played last year at the University of Colorado, this is a repetitive use injury kind of sport. The more you use, the ligaments, the more you use the tendons, the more you use the muscles and, the, the more opportunities for them, to be injured. So it's a repetitive use business.
00:40:57:09 - 00:41:04:13
Big Al
And repetitive uses ended up it ends up being injuries.
00:41:04:15 - 00:41:28:27
CJ
Oh my goodness, man. Hey, before we get out of here, big fella, we have to pay homage to, Denver, right? Passed away today. One of the all time great basketball players that come out of the state when all time great basketball players in this league. Michael Richardson, at age 70, passed away today. Manuel high School graduate.
00:41:29:00 - 00:41:49:23
CJ
I remember first seeing this guy had to be 1984, 85 or so, against my Detroit Pistons. He was with the New York Knicks. And the guy was just an amazing player and hadn't heard a lot from them about him because he went to the University of Montana. So he wasn't a guy who was highly featured coming out, but A65, six six guard.
00:41:49:29 - 00:42:14:27
CJ
A lot like magic lock you down defensively, I think he was a four time NBA All-Star, three time defensive all defensive team, a complete flat out baller. I had the honor of of meeting and and interviewing him with Thierry Smith. When I was working with the legend, right around 2000. But, we talk a lot about Chauncey Billups and some of the greats that that were born and raised here.
00:42:15:03 - 00:42:41:22
CJ
That guy is on that Mount Rushmore of great basketball players to play in this state. And and I just want to, pay homage to, a good guy had a chance to kind of get to know him a little bit. Sugar was his nickname, was a flat out beast. And a good man did most of his work overseas after he was banned from the NBA in 1986 for drug use, went overseas and had a phenomenal career, turned his life around and, just did some amazing things.
00:42:41:22 - 00:43:01:17
CJ
So I just want to want to give a shout out to, to Michael Ray Richardson, who Isaiah Thomas said was the toughest person he had to play against over the course of his career. Larry Bird, mentioned, I think said, I mean, the praise that's coming from NBA legends about who this guy was as a player, is second to none.
00:43:01:17 - 00:43:04:06
CJ
And so I just wanted to give a shout out to Michael Ray.
00:43:04:08 - 00:43:26:24
Big Al
Yeah, man. Unbelievable talent. And when you look at, his home state, I mean, everybody around here, knows who Michael was. I mean, and, So say Michael Ray, because that's what everybody calls. That's right. And I had a chance to meet him as well. And, my condolences to his family and and to his immediate circle.
00:43:26:26 - 00:43:44:27
Big Al
I think when you have a great athlete, that passes away, it feels like you have that, almost like a family member. Because you know him, you've seen him, and he's been part of your life. So I'll just say, rest in peace. And, you know, my condolences to the family.
00:43:45:04 - 00:44:03:23
CJ
Indeed. And, before we get out of here, we'd be remiss on this Veteran's Day not to wish everyone out there, a happy Veteran's Day. And we certainly appreciate the service that you into to, all of us in protecting our freedoms. I know when we were in school, your brother Andre Andre served. He was serving over in Iraq.
00:44:03:27 - 00:44:04:24
Big Al
Yes. You.
00:44:04:24 - 00:44:22:22
CJ
Know, theater and, you know, my I have two brothers who served as well as my dad. And so, just wanted to give a shout out to those, who currently serve and those who serve to, once again preserve our freedoms here in the United States, man. And, on on that note, Big Al, you'll see us.
00:44:22:24 - 00:44:29:10
CJ
Well, we'll be up in Boulder on November 22nd. Yes, yes. When juju, I know you don't want him to play that game.
00:44:29:10 - 00:44:30:18
Big Al
Oh no no no no no no.
00:44:30:18 - 00:44:31:26
CJ
Oh he can play that game.
00:44:31:28 - 00:44:33:00
Big Al
I mean this is the next.
00:44:33:06 - 00:44:34:11
CJ
Game he can't play.
00:44:34:14 - 00:44:35:15
Big Al
He can't play in the last game.
00:44:35:15 - 00:44:42:21
CJ
All right. We'll be up at the Boulder. Marriott is the home of the Big Al and C.J. So my man DJ fedora going to get it.
00:44:42:21 - 00:44:44:11
Big Al
Oh my goodness. That dude is off the table.
00:44:44:12 - 00:44:45:21
CJ
Hey man the music is our.
00:44:45:23 - 00:44:52:10
Big Al
Lord's best man. And you want a good party man. Come and come and hang out with us before the game. Now, we don't know what time the game starts. Yeah, that's.
00:44:52:10 - 00:44:56:12
CJ
Right, we don't have a time. Yeah, but when we do, it's a day party before the game. I'm just telling.
00:44:56:20 - 00:44:58:16
Big Al
You, it's a good deal. The good Marriott.
00:44:58:16 - 00:45:00:09
CJ
Pregame. We're giving away all kinds of stuff. Yeah.
00:45:00:09 - 00:45:11:29
Big Al
We give away rooms. We give away gift certificates. I mean it's a, it's a it's a great way to, hang out on a Saturday and, and get entertained before going to the game and.
00:45:11:29 - 00:45:16:21
CJ
Then who knows afterwards depending on what time of games. Yeah, yeah, we came back in. The party continued up.
00:45:16:22 - 00:45:24:09
Big Al
Oh my goodness. We watched the World Series right there at the Marriott after the game. I mean it was it was fantastic man. Yeah. We love the Baltimore area.
00:45:24:10 - 00:45:45:27
CJ
They treat us right. They treat you right. Come on down and hang out with us. We'll have the time once we know what time kickoff is against, Arizona State on November 22nd. That does it for the Big Al and CJ's. So peace to everybody.