Two Matts, One Mission: UCLA’s Stunning Upset & Illinois vs. Ohio State Showdown

Larry Smith dives into a packed midweek edition of Sports IQ, where coincidence meets chaos — two guests named Matt Stevens join the show from opposite coasts to break down the wildest weekend in college football.

First, UCLA’s Matt Stevens relives the Bruins’ shocking 24.5-point underdog win over Penn State — a game that flipped their season overnight. He explains how interim coach Tim Skipper hit the reset button, why running the football was the key to everything, and how UCLA’s locker room found new life.

Then, Matt Stevens of IlliniGuys.com previews Illinois’s massive home test against #1 Ohio State, unpacking the rise of QB Luke Altmyer, the Big Ten’s sudden quarterback boom, and how Illinois’s defense plans to survive against the Buckeyes’ firepower.

Producer Tony jumps in to talk MLB playoffs — the Yankees clawing back, Toronto’s bullpen gamble, and Seattle’s long-awaited October surge — before Larry closes with a Moment of “Ah”: why the last undefeated NFL team never seems to win the Super Bowl.

Topics Discussed:

• UCLA’s miracle win and locker room culture shift

• Why Tim Skipper might be the Bruins’ next head coach

• Illinois’s confidence heading into Ohio State

• Luke Altmyer’s flawless season and Big Ten QB dominance

• Turnover “luck” vs. learned defense

• MLB playoff pitching strategy breakdown

• NFL “Moment of Ah”: The curse of the last unbeaten team

Guest Links:
🎙️ Matt Stevens – UCLA Football Radio
🎙️ Matt Stevens – IlliniGuys.com
📍 Kevin Noon – BuckeyeHuddle.com

Connect:
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