Hour 2: ‘What’s More Likely,’ Chargers Reactions, plus Michigan State HC Tom Izzo

0:00Are all batteries the same? That's like asking if all soccer players are the same. Take Messi, the most decorated player ever. Is there any other player who has achieved that? No, just him. Now take Duracell. Is there any other battery with Power Boost ingredients inside? No, just Duracell. Remember, goats only trust goats because they're built different. And Messi only trusts Duracell.

0:31This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome, that's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required, compatibility and availability varies 18+.

0:56Rich Eisen:This is the Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody. Can't get enough of The Rich Eisen Show? You're in luck. You can find us everywhere. Watch us weekdays on Disney Plus from noon to 3 Eastern. Miss the show? We've got a podcast so you can listen anytime. But here's the best part. Our YouTube channel. Subscribe at youtube.com slash Rich Eisen Show and you'll never miss a moment. Now, on with the show. This is The Rich Eisen Show. We're talking about tens of millions of dollars in fraud. But it's shocking. It's shocking. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Brian Wynhorst is here. The NBA isn't concerned today with whether people who were playing in the legal poker games got defrauded.

1:41Earlier on the show. NFL Network insider Tom Pellicero. Coming up. Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo. Actor Michael Shannon. And now it's Rich Eisen.

1:57Rich Eisen:that's correct hey everybody it's our number two of the rich eisen show on the air the actor michael shannon who is in the shape of water and boardwalk empire movies tv knives out some really popular uh films and television shows he's in studio in hour number three we'll chat with him we just chatted with tom pellicero it's a what's more likely friday getting ready for the rest of week eight that began last night game one of the world series between the blue jays and dodgers tonight NBA and NHL seasons up and at them and lots talking about going on in the world of sports 844-204-HRICH number to the dial if you're watching us on Disney Plus the ESPN app everywhere we appreciate that certainly if you're listening to us on Sirius XM channel lady hello to you ESPN radio maybe you're listening to us terrestrial radio on ESPN radio presented by Progressive Insurance hello to all of you and hello to one of my favorites on the planet and it's Michigan Michigan State week so I obviously got to speak with him and and certainly whenever he starts a soliloquy on the state of sports starting with the phrase I know I'm going to get in trouble for this he always has me at hello and he says that Tom Izzo is back on the program

3:02how come you only call me when Michigan's favorite in these games how come you didn't call me those couple years is that is that accurate I don't know about that although that one year your wife and kids had to wear Michigan State pajamas which I don't know

3:19Rich Eisen:I just changed the dresses on you Tom that's what I did on that particular year great to see you man how are you good to see you good to see you too uh before we get into uh what I I know you know I want to talk about for sure uh we got to talk about Mooch getting his number retired your speech you know your video that you shot that to tell him that he had his number retired that we surprised him with on game day morning got us all choked up man i was beautiful at the northern michigan university where he got his number retired tom well it was great i did get a chance to fly up there i thought i was having a recruiting weekend and we had a situation where i was able to fly up and spend a little time with them and uh and all the players you know it was a 50th reunion of a team that went 0-10 to 13-1 and won a national championship.

4:11So Steve deserves a lot. I mean, he was unbelievable for that place, and he really put Northern on the map. How can you be at Northern Michigan and be in eighth place for the Heisman? You know, that's pretty cool.

4:24Rich Eisen:I got to tell you, when you said that in your video, I didn't know that. Me neither. I didn't know that. He finished eighth for the Heisman that year, Mooch? Yeah. Did he really? That's pretty good, huh? So now you'll give him a little more respect now than you can do. I don't know. If Michigan State wins this weekend, it's going to be a long four hours for me on Sunday. You know that, Tom. That is for darn sure. So what was it like for you to see him go in? What was that like for you, man? It was great. It brought back so many memories. We went over and visited the trailer park that him and I lived in for three years.

5:00It was back before either one of us made any money or had anything. And it was, we kind of convinced ourselves those were the good days. There was a lot of good times we had up there. And yet our friendship has lasted. And I appreciate, Rich, what you do for him. You're phenomenal on that show. And, you know, I do miss a little bit that we've gotten, you know, so lame that we can't have the Santa Mooch stuff anymore. We can't have the deer and all that.

5:29Rich Eisen:Look at that. We just might not have the elves, you know, that we used to have. Okay, no elves. i mean why should i watch if there's no elves i mean i'm not watching you and mariuchi that's for damn sure too much man tom iso here uh on the rich eisen show all right let's jump into it again i i'm not being facetious i'm being serious whenever you start your a soliloquy about the state of college basketball or sports with i know i'm going to get in trouble for this i get my popcorn ready because i know what you're about to say is something that i'm going to agree with 100 percent and um this this latest example was in reference to a young man named london johnson who is now part of louisville basketball after spending three years in the g league and and i'm wondering you know um that that was an unvarnished uh statement and i'm wondering how you're you're still feeling about it a few days later tom i feel i feel the same about it i mean some agree some disagree but i i think people should understand what i feel the same about is we had no idea i mean we don't even know the rules and that's i'm disappointed in that i've been on a lot of ncaa boards and i i just think that uh if we're getting to the point where there's no rules and no guidelines and no guardrails and anything we do i mean that could be fine and then i'm gonna to try to be the cameraman on your show that's maybe i'll come out to california and join you because it's getting harder and harder and i don't think it's fair to the kids that are here rich that that's what i think you know everybody thinks well the guy that's gone pro he goes pro he leaves early he makes a mistake doesn't make a mistake whatever it is he should be able to come back well that could be true but what about if your son was one that was next in line at the school he was at and all of a sudden he's out of luck now you're teaching kids um i think things that i really don't want to teach him so i said what i said but i was more upset that nobody knows i don't think anybody knows what rules are being made and how they're being made well again the my my point that i was making the other day uh tom is that the g league was created for kids who basically wanted to get paid and weren't ready for the NBA yet to make sure that the NBA wasn't wasting their talent or their talent wasn't being wasted as the 15th man on a bench and so let's get him some experience let him get him paid in a way that college wasn't going to allow and this young man availed himself of that and now he's allowed to come back to college because I guess the nil rules have changed to the point where that's fine i i don't get it and nobody's since you said what you said called you up from ncw from the ncaa to try to explain anything nothing zero no and you know the other reason it was created and why the nca semi went along with it is some kids just don't like school and didn't want to go to school right so they tried to make it right for everybody.

8:44But I, again, a lot of these things for me, I just think of how I would feel about my own son. And, you know, I know it's competitive, but there is a reason there was the amateur, there was the pro, there was, and if it's going to change and everybody's going pro, then let's be pros. You know, let's have a salary caps, let's have contracts that matter. and everybody will be pros. I mean, if that's what they want, I would struggle with that. But, you know, who am I? I would do whatever they want. And yet that's not been very clear. And that's disappointing.

9:22Rich Eisen:So have you heard from any of your colleagues to say, let's band together and ask the questions? Or has that happened at the time? Yeah, I have. I heard of a lot of colleagues. And, you know, but it's one of those things, Rich, you got to get to the end of your career. You know what I mean? Because I think people are afraid to say too much. It's going to hurt recruiting. I really don't care. All I want to do is help the game and help the players that are here on my team. You know, the other thing, if you're allowing that to happen, what happens to all these high school kids? Where do they go? How do they get their education?

9:56They're not going to get scholarships. There's a lot of programs now not even recruiting high school kids anymore. I think that's sad. You know, that's my opinion. and i know i'm gonna get killed for it maybe by some people but it's my opinion but i think it's uh i think it's a fair opinion and i've been on every board and i've watched it and uh i don't know what we're doing right now but uh i don't know who does because nobody has was presented these things before they happened in my humble opinion well again uh tom it was oh here on the

10:31Rich Eisen:Rich Eisen show I'm I'm just I am struggling with well let me just go back to what you just said uh Tom where you said that it could help it could hurt in recruiting for a younger coach to come out and take such a strident view against what I think is is uh beyond a head scratcher I mean wouldn't it be helpful for your recruiting to say basically I'm not going to take somebody who's doing this sort of thing that if I take you on my team I intend to play you I intend for you to be here I'm not going to have you lose your spot to somebody that comes from the G league. You know what I mean? Like, wouldn't that be helpful in a way or no?

11:08Yeah. I think I see your point. I just don't know if people look at it, you know, every player we recruit rich every player, Michigan recruits or Indiana or Alabama or USC or UCLA. I mean, I got managers that think they're pros, you know, every, every player that you have on your squad thinks they're a pro. Now, there's only like 1.2 percent that make it there so everybody thinks you should have every opportunity I think you do have opportunities I think I wish college was a farm club you know I think we would be a great one I wish we would we would work with the NBA and we'd all be together I think they do a little bit more of that college and pro football I'd like to see that happen more

11:53Rich Eisen:in basketball to be honest with you all right so um let me take a throw this one at you coach Tom Izzo here on the Rich Eisen Show. The NCAA approved a rule change on Wednesday, allowing kids, athletes, and athletic department staff members to bet on professional sports starting November 1st. What's your two cents on that one? God, you know, you're my friend, even though you're a Michigan guy, and you've really been a good friend, and you've been great, and you're really good to my best friend. i got a season ahead of me what the hell are you asking me questions i'm just gonna get bombarded all right so i'll answer it it's another thing you've got to worry about i imagine no yeah since they legalize gambling we have to worry about that i mean if i showed you texas on players that miss a free throw at the end of the game and we win by 10 instead of 11 i mean they're killing him so there's problems you saw the gambling issues on uh yeah on tv yesterday and i i mean i don't know anything about it but what i do know yes it's uh money that you have in your pocket brings a lot of opportunities some really good and some really bad and at 18 19 17 i'm not sure i know this rich i wouldn't have been able to handle it i promise you mariuchi wouldn't have been able to handle it and i'm betting rich eisen wouldn't have been able to tom you are not wrong man and and it is something no i'm serious it's something my wife and i do you know occasionally bring up to our kids that that this is some real life adult stuff that's going to be crossing their paths at an age that um they should feel free to reach out to us and not try and sweep under the rug where something can get worse i mean it's serious responsibility that's the sort of thing that we talk about with them and you're not wrong man you are not wrong and we talk about it too to them but there's so many people out there that are in these kids ears i call them dirtbags and distractions you know we have a lot of distractions right now and we have a A lot of people, I mean, who funnels to money?

14:17A lot of people funnel to money that maybe aren't in the kid's best interest. And so, you know, I got a lot of things and I feel, and yet I understand I'm only one person that thinks about things. But I will promise you this, and I will say this publicly. There's not a day that I want to do what's best for the profession. I want to do what's best for Michigan State. I want to do what's best for the kid. Mariucci and I, we got a chance to live our dreams, Rich. You know, he ended up at the NFL. I ended up at Michigan State and played for a national championship. We got to live our dreams. And my only mission now is to help kids live theirs.

14:56And yet, boy, there's a long way between when you're 22 and when you die at 80 or 90. And one of our jobs is to make sure those next 60, 70 years are better than the first 20. i'm just not sure the way we're doing it we're going to accomplish that you know we're going to see in a couple years what happens to the kids that have made a lot of money and now go to a what did what did you start out at rich how much money did you make with tom i i've geez i don't

15:27Rich Eisen:know if i have that piece of paper here in front of me because i found it because i was cleaning out my office um i i have a piece of paper from my first news director at my first job in redding california krcr television and abc affiliate where um he slid a piece of paper across me after i was on the job for two months three months it was stapled at the top um darn and i wish i had it right next to me and it was my raise and my raise from 640 an hour to 670 an hour that's how i started in the tv business it was a 30 cent raise it was a 30 cent an hour raise and and um first of all i thought he was firing me he pulled me into an office to say your probationary period's over as he slid this paper piece of paper across from me that's how i started that was my story i know i know for a fact you make a lot of money now because i know you do number one it's the only way your wife's probably still with you but number two number two and more important um just think if all of a sudden you went back to make in 40 50 000 a year which is going to happen to 90 of these kids i just worry where they're gonna be so i'm all for paying players i think there's got to be caps on it i'm not a big guy in the transfer rule and i don't think you know i'd like to bring magic johnson back for his last two years i love that yes feasible i love it i love it oh yes so wait a minute my producer uh mike hoskins has it there it is 650 to 690 that's it right there 40 cent raise i'm not kidding you look at that february 95 february 95 there it is um so so you're saying if i was making this my wife wouldn't be with me right now is that what you're saying to me right now tom yeah i got married a little later in my life because my mother used to come down here and i was making like 5 000 a year at 28 as a ga and uh she'd say when are you gonna find me a woman that'll marry me for five thousand dollars a year you know it just didn't happen oh my god you are the best you going to the game you're going to the game i am going to the game yeah and i'm gonna i'm gonna cheer for our spartans and i'm gonna think of you and if things go really well for us i might hear from you fight on getting a phone call if they don't crickets deal same thing same thing you and me okay same thing that's a deal great to see you Tom you're the best thanks a lot man take care of my boy Mooch always always take care of yourself that's Tom Izzo everybody the one and only head coach of Michigan State basketball I love that guy and I don't say that about any other Michigan State Spartan ever anywhere but that's the guy for sure He and Mooch, they're just, they're like that.

18:17Rich Eisen:Honest, there wasn't a dry eye in that studio when they played the Izzo video to tell him that he got, he's going to get his number retired. He's just the best. He's the best, Mooch is the best. And old school. He couldn't be more right. How the hell did they not reach out to him after he says what he said earlier this week? How is somebody at the NCAA not just calling him up and saying, this is our thought process? are they that freaking tone deaf i mean tom izzo who is as legendary as they come comes out and by the way i love that he says i'm going to get in trouble for this he's couldn't be more right to say what he's saying and and you know if there's anybody out there who's trying to recruit against michigan state because of it it's like hey he's telling the kids if you come here you're not going to lose your spot to somebody from the g league because i'm i i feel like i need somebody who can you know guard the the perimeter better than you after i gave you my commitment in your living room to your parents at any rate so he says what he says and like how can they make this rule and not explain it to the head coaches of the all the other programs and he says that and still nobody reaches out to him nobody in indianapolis where that is right ncaa yeah things to just did you hear what tom had to say about this decision can somebody have the class to call somebody like izzo up and say this is what we were saying this is why we did it unless wait for it it's indefensible

20:09Rich Eisen:because that's the only thing i'm sitting here in los angeles and thinking or it's just tone deaf which by the way is 100 the perfect description of the NCAA and the way they run the sport in the most kind way you can describe them is tone deaf that's the least nasty thing you can say being rightful exactly you're being kind beneficent 844-204-RICH is the number to dial it's a what's more likely Friday and a Harbaugh file that is classic. When he talks about Justin Herbert, he glows. That's next. This is the Rich Isaac Show.

21:18Just one part that makes O 'Reilly stand apart. The professional parts people. Oh, oh, oh, O 'Reilly. Auto Parts.

21:35A bandwagon fan. The biggest insult in sports. But this summer, during the FIFA World Cup, it's an invitation, America. Never watched soccer before? Perfect. Think a corner kick is a karate move? Sure, why not? Prefer sports where players can use their hands? Me too. Just here for the snacks? Now we're talking. So grab a bag of Lay's and jump on the bandwagon. We're undefeated.

22:00Rich Eisen:Lay's, the official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Rich Eisen here with some advice. If high interest credit card debt is grinding you down, it might be time to call an audible with a SoFi personal loan. It consolidates your debt into one low monthly payment with no fees required. And with as soon as the same day funding, you can make the right play fast. Call an audible on your debt today at SoFi.com slash debt play. Loans originated by SoFi Bank N.A. Member FDIC. Terms and conditions apply. NMLS 696891. Fast funds. Terms apply at SoFi.com slash debt play. The Rich Eisen Show podcast. Back here on The Rich Eisen Show.

22:42Rich Eisen:So ESPN Radio is presented by Progressive Insurance. Save when you bundle motorcycle, RV, and boat insurance. Visit Progressive.com. We started this program talking about the Minnesota Vikings. Now let's talk about the Los Angeles Chargers. What a big win that is for them. Five and three. Imagine the difference between five and three and four and four in that division right now. Okay? A game. Well, the Chiefs performing the way that they're performing and taking on Marcus Mariota on a Monday night against a commanders team that has been having trouble stopping people. And they're going to go to 5-3.

23:28Rich Eisen:You want to stay at that half game. You want that half game that you have in your back pocket on them to still be viable that week one win in brazil still be viable and then denver coming off of that rousing come from behind win taking on the cowboys this weekend that's a that's a tough game for both teams obviously the way that everyone's been playing of late gotta have it gotta have it certainly since you just lost to Indianapolis, which is at six and one. If you're looking at the larger picture. Okay. So that was a big W for them to go five and three. And they have found a tight end. Have they not?

24:19Rich Eisen:A Rondé Gadsden's kid has been killing it. If you picked him up in fantasy a couple of weeks ago, you have enjoyed life. And then Ladidi McConkey. I believe Mr. Garvey is coming in next week actually back on the program I'm going to look forward for Keegan Michael Key coming back but McConkie had 88 yards receiving and a score McConkie Kimani Vidal everybody who I drafted a year too early well over 100 yards rushing for him the offense doing what it's doing the offense getting Joe Altback could not be bigger for their quarterback when they showed the zoom of his foot and how massive the tape job and brace job was for him to be out there.

25:02Rich Eisen:Huge. Well, Joe Alt coming back and, you know, Vidal running for over 100 rushing yards for the second time in the last three games since Omari and Hampton went on the injured list. And then if you give Justin Herbert time, man, look out below. He's now gotten three passing touchdowns in consecutive games for the first time in four years. four years to make Jim Harbaugh the second person in NFL history to win 60 or more games as a quarterback and now as a head coach. He just won his 60th football game as a head coach in the NFL. And the only other person is in the Hall of Fame, Norm Van Brocklin.

25:47Rich Eisen:Jim won 66 games as a quarterback and now 60 games as head coach. His coaching record in the NFL is 60-28-1. it's a big game for the Chargers had to have it if you wanted to stay in the mix for the AFC West don't forget of the five wins three of them in division they won them all to start the season a home game technically against Kansas City a visit to Vegas and then a home game against Denver holding serve doing what they need to do their next game is at Tennessee so big W for them and just find somebody in your life who loves you as much as Jim Harbaugh loves Justin Herbert. This is part of Jim's Super Bowl.

26:38Rich Eisen:This is part of the reason why he does have 60 wins as a head coach is he breathes life and confidence into somebody as good as Justin Herbert. And you could laugh all you want. Well, Justin Herbert doesn't need this sort of conversation about him. but um take a look at the guy who was drafted just before him in the draft and his confidence level these days you ain't lying i mean kurt warner when we talked about two on wednesday he was saying his confidence is gone said his confidence is shot so you're just only a few games away from your confidence level being where it needs to be or being completely shot which is why Jim Harbaugh takes every opportunity to breathe confidence into his quarterback and last night's post-game press conference is the perfect example and also the latest edition of the Harbaugh Files.

27:35Sometimes people that are standing on third base think they hit a triple, but they didn't.

27:39Rich Eisen:The Harbaugh Files. It's just another thing about Justin Herbert that I don't know how he does it. it's nothing but respect. You know, be able to actually throw an interception and then come back to the next drive. That's the great ones can do that. The great, great ones. Just measure what they do after something goes bad, after there's an interception. That's the worst thing that can really happen to you as a quarterback. And then chart what they do with the next drive. you know that near interception that shakes a lot of guys not Justin Herbert not the great ones having played the position I know what that's like I mean it's like your brain I mean it's searing it is it is like sirens and whistles and bells going off like and to be able to like three two one let it go and then come back and uh have a have a scoring drive and um that's that's another one that's another one reserved for the for the best of the best the harbaugh files wow yeah i mean isaiah rogers picked off looked like there was a pick six and then after further review ball hit the ground a little bit moved around you could make the case that uh I know it was close, but comes back on the field.

29:16Rich Eisen:Second life, seven minute, 39 second drive later. Found that kid Gadsden in the end zone. And Gadsden, 77 yards receiving and a touchdown. There you go. That's helpful, to say the least. And they did this on defense without Derwin James, who is arguably a defensive player of the year candidate. We'll see how things move forward with him. The injuries just have to stop at some point. I'm sure there are other teams that are saying hold our beer on the injury front. But big win for the Chargers, essentially. 844-204-RICH-NUMBER-DOWN. If they're on hold, stay on hold. We'll take your calls. But for the moment, it's a What's More Likely Friday.

29:52Rich Eisen:I would like you to hit the animation. Please hit it. What? What's more likely? Never say never, but never. Christopher. Hey, everybody. What's up? Happy Friday. Good to see you, J. Feli. Hey, Chris. Go Dodgers, I guess. Guys, more likely to be the higher number on Sunday. The greatest deep ball throw in the NFL today. Drake May's longest completion or Quinshawn Judkins' longest rush? What's the first part of that? Drake May's longest completion or Quinshawn Judkins' longest rush? Greatest deep ball throw in the NFL. According to Kurt Warner. Come on. I don't know. I mean, this is a really good defense.

30:28Rich Eisen:Vrabel said it's the best defense they're going to face all year at Cleveland. I think he's right about that. Okay. I'll still go Drake May's longest completion right now. Yeah, I think they're, Vrabel, you know, he wasn't going to tell us the game plan, so I didn't ask him about it yesterday. But the Battle of the Tens here, wearing uniform number 10, they're going to make sure Judkins doesn't beat him and say Dylan Gabriel. Best of luck. Christian Judkins had a 46-yarder last week. I'll go Drake May's longest completion. I will do that. What else? I like where your head's at. No, I mean, Kurt Warner said he's the best deep thrower in the game, and his deep throws are like handoffs right now, so I'll go with that.

31:10Rich Eisen:It's been fun to watch. Guys, more likely team to keep their four-game winning streak alive. The Bears or Broncos? Oh, Broncos. First of all, they're home. Secondly, secondly, they're home. The Broncos are playing. It's not an anti-Dallas thing. This game is totally up in the air. but I'm going to take the home team over the road team and I'm going to take over the the the home team over the road team taking on a team that's getting back their MVP quarterback off a bye I mean just those circumstances alone are the answers for what's more likely so I will go that Denver at home taking on a uh Cowboys team that uh just played very well at home but the bears are on the road in baltimore getting lamar back off a bye what else you got falcons a dolphins on sunday the solozzo drop out of nowhere is pretty interesting big game for both teams more likely player who goes by one cool name to have more yards bajon total yards tua passing yards dude atlanta's got the number one passing defense in the national Football League, not the team you want to test, drive your new sensibility of not turning it over in bunches.

32:35Rich Eisen:And the Falcons' pass rush, yes, I said those three words. Yeah, pass rush. Exists, although Jalen Walker is questionable. Yeah, he was out last week, too. Right, so I'll just go. I'll go Bijan. I'll go Bijan. I like two. I want him to play well. Dude, you and me both, and Coop has him in the guillotine. He started him this week. Oh no. Is Coop on the chop watch? No. Your boo is, sir. Your BM? Yeah. That is... Baby mama? You just said that. You just said that. Those words were just said. What it is. It's just my baby mama. Guys, what are we more likely to have more of? Giants-Eagles on Sunday.

33:21Crazy, cool, insane dart scadaboo plays or dumbass tush-bush

33:26Rich Eisen:attempts um define i mean you know when you see it you know when you yeah rich it's like the other stuff okay it's like you know when you see it this one was things