Her Loyal Sons Podcast

Despite how crazy college football has been to open the 2021 season, Eddie and I have come out firing with above .500 records. Here's hoping we can keep the good times rolling over at the altar of GAMBLOR by taking on a slate that has some truly, truly sicko-quality games. But look, we don't hide our degeneracy here. My goal is to find a twelve-pack of games of some interest, and, by God, I'm going to deliver. Come for the picks. Stay to listen to Eddie break my brain and my spirit during the outro. #HAILGAMBLOR --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

Thankfully, the frustration within this episode comes from a win. While this season definitely seems to be of the caliber of "holy crap, is anyone even good?!" (which we go into detail in our Patreon Exclusive episode), there are some major concerns for Notre Dame going forward. We talk about whether Jack Coan or Tyler Bucnher should start against Purdue, if Marcus Freeman needs to burn part of his playbook to save his own head coaching aspirations, and question if Peacock actually wanted to broadcast another ND game ever again with the way they handled it. There's a lot of ground to cover and a lot of angst to get out. Buckle up. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

After last week, it's clear that the HLS Sim is back as the most accurate prediction method in sports. It warned us the game against Florida State would be too close, and down to the wire. Do not make the mistake of ignoring the Sim this week--even if we decided that we would restrict the stream and VoD to paying subscribers of our Twitch channel. But, hey, the podcast will always be free (unless you are getting to ad-free version in the Patreon which also includes additional bonus content and pods). Show us the money. Show us an Irish victory. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

Week 1 was full of surprises, sprung traps, and failed covers (looking at you, Notre Dame). Despite the insanity, both Eddie and I finished out at 5-6-1 to bring our records to 9-7-1 for the year. Reminder, Eddie and I are battling for a $200 donation to my Extra Life campaign, so every week matters. So kick back, relax, and open another 12-pack of picks with us. Like the Irish, it's time to bounce back. #HAILGAMBLOR --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

Let's be honest, the game could have and should have gone a lot better for the Irish. After having an incredible dominating opening, Notre Dame sputtered to an overtime victory, watching an 18-point lead completely disappear in the fourth. Marcus Freeman watched his Notre Dame honeymoon come to an end by inexplicably putting his defense in a three man front. Notre Dame's rushing offense struggled, but Jack Coan had a record-breaking debut. And *checks notes* Brain Kelly wants to execute his team?! Also, if you miss the national recaps, make sure to head over to the Patreon to toss in $1 for exclusive access to those bonus episodes. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

Of all bits and ideas that I've created here at Her Loyal Sons, the NCAA Sim has, by far been my favorite. Not only do we, for some reason, put ourselves at the mercy of a game released eight years ago, but Shane and I also put ourselves at the mercy of technology that somehow goes insanely awry during these episodes and streams. Loyal Listeners, I am pleased to report that we've hit peak HLS in all aspects to kick off our final sim season. We have technical difficulties, I failed to hit proper buttons on my soundboard, the game glitched out, ate the roster I curated and made a flip card for, and, to top it all off, the sim delivered an absolute nightmare scenario of a game. In short, it's perfect. For video, head here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

Week 0 was nothing less than a smashing success for Eddie and I. That being said, we know there is no rest for the degenerate. Week 1 is absolutely loaded with incredible games, plus Notre Dame's season opener. Enjoy a fresh 12-pack of picks as we look to continue the 4-1 momentum from last week. #HAILGAMBLOR --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

It figures that when I tease a guest, it falls through. However, I won't fault Jack Crosby of CBS Sports, who we scheduled to help us preview Florida State, as his first child decided to make her arrival. While we all give Jack our hearty congrats, the show must go on. Shane and I do a rare deep-dive into a Notre Dame opponent without video game assistance and discuss what Notre Dame will face in Tallahassee. We also discuss a major Irish injury plus--a head coach in waiting?! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

Eddie and I return to the altar of GAMBLOR for one final season (well, publicly via audio at least). The season 2021 is officially upon us and there will be actual football played this weekend. That means there are future champions to predict and spreads to pick. Sure, our highlight is Nebraska at Illinois, but that ain't going to stop us. And, no, we don't have a problem--we've got it figured out! #HAILGAMBLOR --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

Typically, I write a post explaining myself in the annual Counting Down the Irish roster ranking run by Douglas Farmer over at NBC's Inside the Irish. This year, knowing there was no way in hell that post was going to actually happen, I decided to save it as a podcast topic for Shane and I. Shane didn't see the rankings at all before this episode. The reactions are genuine as is the questioning of my sanity. Never fear, I have a defense and explanation for all of them. The top 25 ranking by the president of the Rocco Spindler fan club can be found below. Enjoy! Kyle Hamilton Kyren Williams Michael Mayer Jarrett Patterson Kevin Austin Blake Fisher Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa Braden Lenzy Kurt Hinish Jack Coan Isaiah Foskey Chris Tyree Cain Madden Clarence Lewis Jack Kiser Josh Lugg Drew White Rocco Spindler Jayson Ademiola Houston Griffith Lawerence Keys Cam Hart  Shayne Simon Lorenzo Styles Tyler Buchner --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spoti

Just because our run at HLS is ending doesn't mean Shane and I aren't ridiculously excited for this season. In fact, it only took two BK pressers and one media-viewed practice to whip us up into a homer frenzy. Slap on those blue & gold glasses and come sip on the Kool-Aid with us before the season gets rolling. Also, scheduling note for future podcasts: Picks Pod starts back up with an August 25th recording and the first Sim is September 2nd. Get. Hype! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

We are finally nearing the end of the offseason, meaning it is time for laser focus on the 2021 Notre Dame season. With that in mind, Shane and I give a quick preview on every game on the 2021 Irish slate, plus perhaps going off topic a bit on the Peacock home opener. Come for the massive preview, stay for the huge show news at the end of the episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

Finally, an episode that has waited nearly a month in the wings! I bust out my 2021 preview magazine collection and discuss the projections with Shane, which seem to include the national media guzzling the Cincinnati and North Carolina Koolaid. The outlook from the magazine crew is largely good, including a projection that might be wearing blue and gold glasses. We then turn to Vegas and SP+ for a bit of a downer. Those projections were...not as kind. Next week, we will turn to our own projections for the Irish plus some big news for the pod that you don't want to miss! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

Shane and I had plans of discussing the national previews of Notre Dame. Then Texas and Oklahoma decided they were off to the SEC. So, here we go again: it's conference realignment time. While we spend a fair amount of time making fun of Texas and laughing at the Big XII getting caught with their pants down, we examine what this means for college football's future, the planned playoff expansion, and if Notre Dame's independence still fits into all of this. We'll try that whole preview magazine thing next week. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

Name, Image, and Likeness is no longer a concept or a wishlist, but reality. Shane and I discuss what that reality entails, how Notre Dame and its players have approached it, how much we still don't know, and the potential pitfalls along the way. Towards the end, this leads me to a few hilarious sponsorship ideas that perfectly encapsulate what we love about college football. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

Yes, I put the incredible Zoom recording fail behind me. Moons and Shane graciously came back on to try to recreate our episode focusing on the Supreme Court decision on NCAA v Alston. Moons gives his legal expertise as to what the SCOTUS decision actually means in the grand scheme of thigs. Thankfully, he's also used his lawyering skills to show just how badly the NCAA bungled this entire case from beginning to end. We also talk about the Kavanaugh opinion, what that means to the big picture as well as the NCAA's spin to the 9-0 loss as a win for them. Finally, we conclude with irrefutable, legal proof that Michigan is full of tramps. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

Background: NCAA v Alston happened. I thought I'd bring still-technically-HLS-staff Moons, an actual lawyer, on the pod with Shane and I to discuss this intelligently. We had a great time. Awesome conversation. I learned some things. I also learned Zoom didn't record a damn thing. I learned this after we finished the episode. We will re-rack again and give the episode another shot. That being said, I know we can't completely re-capture the moment like we did the first time. So, since Shane and I record our audio locally, I did some creative editing for Moons' audio. I clipped the end of the show which was easily the highlight.  If you are interested in hearing the entire Mt. Everest of Tex tech fuck ups, I have that available on my Patreon. You can unlock it for $1/month as I attempt to make lemonade out of the lemons I threw at myself. Enjoy? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/herloyalsons/message

After getting to avoid it last week, Shane and I dive into the position group causing the most angst within the Notre Dame fan base: Wide Receiver. You name it, it's gone wrong: horrid injury luck, transfers, and lack of production. With talk of Notre Dame needing to have a more dynamic offense, this position group simply has to step up not just this year, but beyond. With that in mind, I come up with an offensive strategy that might just hide some of the warts of this position group, plus some others that are stepping in a unique spot in 2021 for Notre Dame. Oh, the shameless plug because we are all too happy to sell out to the Good Brand: Be sure to use LOYALSONS for 15% off your first order at HomefieldApparel.com and be sure to let them know HLS sent you. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

Jack Swarbrick has consistently put Notre Dame's football independence above all else. Even when faced with a daunting prospect of playoff expansion, a move that could have forced Notre Dame, yet again, into conference membership, he found an out. Sacrifices have to be made to protect the ND family. A playoff by may have been left at the scene of the crime, but Jack executed any thought that the Irish would need to flock to a conference to preserve title hopes. In doing so, Shane and I see all kinds of potential for opportunity, incredible matchups, and even potentially chaos not just on the field, but off as well once conference TV contracts come to an end. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message

Shane and I touched on Name, Image, and Likeness rights in last week's episode, but this week we take the full dive into it. We first examine the broad picture as it stands right now, including a look at how money currently changes hands thanks to a confession by one Johnny Football. With that picture, we throw out how we'd like Notre Dame to approach this fast incoming radical change to the college football landscape. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/herloyalsons/message