The Solid Verbal College Football

On Friday night, Indiana destroyed Oregon by a 56-22 score, leaving no doubt why the Hoosiers were the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. It was a dominant effort by Curt Cignetti, Fernando Mendoza, and a Hoosier defense that forced three first half turnovers. So dominant, in fact, that we're struggling to put it in historical context. In this episode, we walk back through the game, peek a bit ahead to the national championship game and, of course, give Dan a chance to sound off on a disappointing ending to Oregon's season.

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What a game. In a true nailbiter in the Fiesta Bowl, the Miami Hurricanes outlasted the Ole Miss Rebels by a 31-27 score to advance to the CFP National Championship Game, which will be played in their home stadium. In this episode, we react in the immediate aftermath of the game and talk through Miami's strategy to play slow, Ole Miss's ability to counter the Canes ferocious pass rush, Carson Beck's big game, and another heroic effort from Trinidad Chambliss, with this one coming up just a few points short.

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And then there were four. In this episode, we take a closer look at this week's two CFP semifinal games as Miami and Ole Miss square off in the Fiesta Bowl and Oregon and Indiana play a rematch in the Peach Bowl. What must Miami do to slow down Trinidad Chambliss, and is there any way for Ole Miss to slow down a ferocious Miami pass rush? What must Oregon change to get revenge on Indiana? And does Indiana need to change anything with its game plan to down the Ducks for the second time this season?

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The CFP Quarterfinals are officially in the books! In this episode, we react to Miami's upset of Ohio State, Indiana's obliteration of Alabama, Oregon's shutout of Texas Tech and a wild finish as Ole Miss got revenge on Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Relive the madness as we go through and react to each game.

Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
9:07 - Miami upsets Ohio State
27:09 - Oregon shuts out Texas Tech
45:34 - Indiana clobbers Alabama
1:10:40 - Ole Miss gets revenge on Georgia
1:29:41 - Closing Thoughts

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The CFP Quarterfinals are upon us! In this episode, Dan returns from vacation and Ty bounces back from a Christmas illness to discuss the next four games of the College Football Playoff. We've got four bangers in store for us as Miami plays Ohio State in Cotton Bowl, Oregon battles Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl, Alabama takes on Indiana in the Rose Bowl and Ole Miss plays a rematch with Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. We talk through our biggest questions, keys to victory, and random observations that will make or break the next round of the CFP...

With Dan on vacation and the regular season officially in the books, Ty invited ESPN's Bill Connelly back to the pod to help us put the 2025 campaign in perspective. In this episode, we discuss the biggest risers, most head-scratching fallers, and how Indiana and Texas Tech are the best stories of the year. Plus, a conversation about how the Group of Five should fit into the CFP discussion, what to watch for in non-playoff bowls, what it felt like for Bill to be part of the Mountain West's tiebreaker, and how Bill's new book, Forward Progress: The Definitive Guide...

The first round of the College Football Playoff is officially in the books. In this episode, we recap the highlights, lowlights and big storylines from an eventful slate of games, as Alabama erased a 17-0 deficit to beat Oklahoma, Miami outlasted Texas A&M (and the wind) for a 10-3 victory, and Oregon and Ole Miss dominated G5 opponents in their home stadiums. Plus, some thoughts on the Group of Five's place in the College Football Playoff.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
2:56 - Alabama defeats Oklahoma
19:37 - Miami beats Texas A&M
34:10 - Oregon & Ole...

With the Early Signing Period in the rearview mirror, we touch base with our good friend Brandon Huffman of 247sports.com to recap the biggest storylines in the wake of college football's first milestone of the current recruiting cycle. In this episode, we talk through the challenging aspects of the college football calendar, the role of agents in the process, and the death of the National Letter of Intent (NLI). We also take a look at how recruiting philosophies have changed in the era of NIL and revenue sharing, whether the transfer portal has created more parity, Brandon's favorite pl...

The College Football Playoff is here. In this episode, we pop the hood on the four first round matchups and break down our biggest questions. Is Oklahoma more lucky than good? Can Alabama's offense get out of its rut? How will Miami's offensive line hold up against Texas A&M's front four and a loud Kyle Field? Are the Aggies trustworthy? To what degree will Ole Miss feel the absence of Lane Kiffin? Can Oregon run against James Madison? And do both Tulane and JMU belong in the College Football Playoff?

Plus, breaking news with both DJ...

In this college football podcast episode, Ty catches up with Matt Fortuna of The Inside Zone newsletter and The Independent podcast to go through the finer details of Penn State's tumultuous coaching search, his reactions to the sad situation unfolding in Ann Arbor, and his thoughts on Notre Dame's media blitz after being left out of the College Football Playoff.

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In this episode, we react to the breaking news of Sherrone Moore's dismissal from Michigan. What does it mean for the Wolverines, who are the initial candidates, and how might it impact the rest of the coaching carousel? Then, we take a step back and evaluate the coaching carousel moves with our good friend Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports, The Athletic and The Audible podcast. We chat with Bruce around the drama surrounding Lane Kiffin's move to LSU, his biggest surprises during an active cycle, Lincoln Riley rumors, and much more. Plus, a discussion about Notre Dame's beef with...

Now that the CFP field is set, we have a pile of news to discuss. In this episode, we talk through Matt Campbell's move to Penn State, including our early impressions from his introductory presser and why we both think it's a terrific fit. Plus, we take a spin around the coaching carousel and talk about other moves around the sport at the head coach, coordinator, and position coach levels. Then we kick around some of our early leans and points of intrigue in the four first-round CFP matchups and take a look at a handful of interesting non-playoff...

The College Football Playoff field is officially set! In this special episode, we react to this year's playoff field, pick out the easiest pathways to the national championship, and debate the CFP Committee's logic for not penalizing Alabama and moving Miami ahead of Notre Dame

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What a finish! After 14 weeks of an incredible season, college football may have saved the best for last. In this episode, we walk back through the biggest storylines for all nine conference championship games in Week 15, starting with Indiana defying expectations and closing out a thin win over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship. Not to be outdone, Georgia layed the smack down on Alabama, winning the SEC for the second straight year and potentially throwing the CFP bubble into a state of disarray. Does the Tide still deserve a playoff bid? Speaking of chaos, the unranked Duke...

Championship Week is here, and we're asking the important questions about all nine games on Friday and Saturday. Can BYU avenge an earlier loss to Texas Tech and rally behind their newly re-upped coach? Will Georgia snap a three-game losing streak against Alabama and earn a first round CFP bye? What's the formula for a five-loss Duke to worm its way into the playoff? How big is the gap between Ohio State and Indiana? With a playoff spot on the line, should we favor North Texas or Tulane? And James Madison is gonna try to score like 70 points, right?<...

The Coaching Carousel is spinning like never before, and we're back to talk it through. In this episode, we discuss Lane Kiffin's move to LSU, the fallout of leaving behind a playoff team in Ole Miss, and the funny ways in which the news was discussed on the national stage. Plus, a look at all the recent hires, which seem to make sense, which done, and a look at what happens next at Penn State. And finally, we debate the upcoming CFP rankings, the case for and against Miami, and how it affects teams like Notre Dame, BYU, Vandy...

The 2025 college football regular season is officially in the books after a Rivalry Week that gave us a little bit of everything. In this episode, we unpack the results, from Texas's big upset of Texas A&M on Friday night to the thrilling finish of the Iron Bowl. Listen in as we break down Georgia's rock fight with Georgia Tech, Ohio State's triumph over Michigan, Miami's destruction of Pitt, Oklahoma's close call against LSU, and more. Plus, a quick look ahead at what next week's championship matchups look like, our Week 14 Dude Alerts and a momentous Reverbs segment.

In Part 2 of our College Football Rivalry Week extravaganza, we dive into The Game between Ohio State and Michigan and talk through what it'll take for the Buckeyes to break their four-game losing streak, and spitball the ways that Michigan could win their fifth straight in college football's biggest rivalry. We also unpack the implications of the Iron Bowl and debate a De Facto National Championship situation for Auburn and whether Deuce Knight can be an X-factor. Plus, Miami's huge road test at Pitt, a smaller-than-expected point spread with Oregon traveling to Washington, and an intra-Tennessee battle between Vandy...

We're gearing up for Rivalry Week with a special two-part preview. In Part 1, we do a deep dive of the three biggest games of Friday, including the Egg Bowl between Ole Miss and Mississippi State, the Lonestar Showdown between Texas and Texas A&M, and "Clean, Old Fashioned Hate" between Georgia and Georgia Tech. Plus, we react to the news that Mike Norvell is being retained by Florida State, Justin Wilcox got fired by Cal, and the Verballerhood made subtle tweaks to its latest Top 12.

Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
2:36 - Coaching Carousel News (Mike Norvell retained...

College Football Week 13 is officially in the books, and though it wasn't an insane week of upsets, it sets the stage for one of the most exciting Rivalry Weeks we've had in quite some time. In this episode, we rehash Oregon's statement win over USC, Oklahoma's follow-up after beating Alabama in Week 12, Pitt's upset of Georgia Tech, Utah's shootout and more. Plus, Notre Dame's utter destruction of Syracuse, Penn State's impressive showing against Nebraska, and the potential for an all-time apathy bowl between Florida and Florida State in Week 14.

Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
4:35 - Oregon takes...

Be careful before you sit! Week 13 may be short on marquee matchups, but with the college football season winding down and so much still in flux, there's more than enough potential for a contender to get bit. In this episode, we preview an eventful slate of games, as Oklahoma looks to seal its playoff bid, USC aims to knock off Oregon, BYU hopes to make the Big 12 title game, and Louisville, SMU, Pitt and Georgia Tech are primed to be the ultimate agents of ACC chaos. Plus, we talk through James Franklin's move to Virginia Tech, Lane Kiffin's tour...

MAILBAG TIME! It's been far too long since we answered questions from the Verballerhood, so we reached out to our community on Verballers.com and picked out some of our favorites. Would you take Ohio State or The Field in a hypothetical CFP bet? Which Group of Six team has the best chance of pulling a massive first round upset in the playoff? Which conference is actually the best? Which team's coaching opening is the biggest domino? Does being a "blue blood" program matter anymore? Could Utah still make the CFP and win a game? Plus, a look at...

Let's relive a wild Week 12 of college football. In this episode, we take a look back at the biggest storylines. Oklahoma knocked off Alabama in Tuscaloosa, giving the Sooners a signature SEC win and putting them in prime position to qualify for the College Football Playoff. Meanwhile, Georgia and Notre Dame padded their CFP cases with dominant wins, while both Texas A&M and Georgia Tech needed second half heroics to survive against conference foes. Plus, Virginia make quick work of Duke and helped clarify the ACC title chase, while the race for the coveted G6 playoff spot got...

Week 12 is already here... try to keep up! On this episode, we react to the second batch of College Football Playoff rankings and an official "projected bracket" that includes Miami, leaves out Oklahoma and BYU, and teases the possibility of the first-ever Solid Verbowl. Then, we work our way through a loaded Week 12 slate, starting with lingering thoughts on Notre Dame vs. Pitt and Texas vs. Georgia and diving deep on Alabama's home test against Oklahoma, Iowa's trip to USC and an important ACC showdown between Virginia and Duke. Plus, 11 other rapid fire previews, your Week 12 Window of Opportunity...

Welp, we ran long... but we had a lot to unpack!

In this episode, a quick look back at some of the storylines from Week 11 (and beyond) that deserve a little more attention, including Nebraska's "professional" win over UCLA, Bear Bachmeier's measurables, Delaware's quiet season, the weirdness of Kentucky and Duke football, and something we're calling the Pitt Measuring Stick. Then, we pose six big questions for each other, taking a look at our favorite team outside the top four, the best landing spot for James Franklin, how to fix bad refs, the most and least trustworthy...

College Football Week 11 was a story of survival, domination, and conference shakeups. In this college football podcast episode, we unpack a crazy week with Indiana and Oregon on the brink of losing in tough road spots, with Texas Tech dominating another Big 12 opponent, and with both Virginia and Louisville losing at home and throwing the ACC into further chaos. Plus, we take a look at impressive showings by Georgia and Texas A&M, Alabama's lumpy win over LSU, Vandy's overtime shootout with Auburn, and the sudden rise of Zombie Kentucky. And finally, we play your voice messages, hand out...

Eat your broccoli and get ready for a loaded Week 11 slate, featuring top five teams on the road, sandwich games, interim coaches and plenty of potential chaos. On today's college football podcast episode, we deep dive the games we didn't discuss on Tuesday and break down a defanged Indiana vs Penn State matchup, a classic letdown-lookahead spot for Georgia, a road test for Texas A&M, and potential for the "After Brian Factor" to have an impact on LSU vs Alabama. Plus, a muted but fascinating Florida State vs Clemson showdown, a monster G6 meet-up between Tulane and Memphis...

Our weird Sunday tradition of firing coaches midseason continued as Hugh Freeze was relieved of command by Auburn, adding another school to the growing list of Power Four job openings. In this episode, we discuss where the Freeze regime went astray and who might be next for the Tigers.

Plus, we talk through major breaking injury news, as Dylan Raiola is done for the year after suffering a broken fibula against USC. In addition, it looks like Florida's Dallas Wilson, Louisville's Isaac Brown and Michigan's Justice Haynes are also set to miss significant time, if not the...

What a chaotic week in college football — and not just on the field. Between the YouTube TV–Disney dispute and a string of bizarre finishes, fans everywhere were forced to get creative to follow along. From Miami’s playoff hopes going up in smoke against SMU to Georgia Tech's road loss against NC State and Duke's shootout win over Clemson we had drama, penalties, and questionable officiating in equal measure. Plus, Georgia barely escaped Florida, Texas nearly coughed one up to Vandy, and Oklahoma won in Knoxville over Tennessee.

Elsewhere, Texas Tech exploded in the second half agains...

We're on the verge of November and college football is absolutely humming. Week 10 brings us a slate loaded with meaty point spreads, flawed contenders, and opportunities for chaos.

We dive into every major matchup, starting with the uncertainty surrounding Arch Manning's status for Texas-Vanderbilt. We debate whether Kansas State is back on track in time for a showdown with Texas Tech, if Oklahoma's offense can score 30 points, whether USC can finally win as a road favorite, and if Cincinnati is good enough to break down Utah's defense.

Plus, we discuss Miami's trip to SMU, wonder...

Dan is back from his travels and there is much to discuss! On this college football podcast episode, we react to the news of Brian Kelly's dismissal at LSU, what led to his unceremonious removal and what might happen next for the Tigers.

Plus, we circle back to some of the biggest stories from Week 9 and wonder which teams are in their fully evolved state as we enter the final month of the college football season. And finally, we reveal the results of the latest Verballer Top 12 poll, talk through wild conference tiebreaker scenarios, and translate it...

Dan's at a fall wedding, so Ty flies solo to walk you through the most important storylines from Week 9. And what a Saturday it was—dubbed "Seatbelt Saturday" for good reason, with turbulence starting at 10:05 AM courtesy of Steve Sarkisian's reported NFL interest! Could it be real? Who knows, but the coaching carousel never stops spinning, apparently.

But the biggest story of Week 9? Texas AM absolutely throttling LSU in what might be one of the most impressive performances we've seen all season, as Brian Kelly's seat is suddenly scalding hot. Also in SEC action: Ole Miss's strong de...

College Football Week 9 comes with a warning label: Turbulence could be ahead for multiple teams facing brutal back-to-back road trips.

In this episode, we dive deep into the Mizzou-Vandy showdown in Nashville, with the world buying into the 'Dores hype. We also tackle Alabama's trip to South Carolina, Illinois-Washington's fascinating Big Ten clash, the Kansas State-Kansas rivalry game, and whether Michigan State can finally show up against their in-state rival. Plus, we break down a huge matchup between USF and Memphis, a possible shootout between Baylor and Cincinnati, and the battle for Floyd of Rosedale between Minnesota...

The coaching carousel is spinning a little faster after the news that Florida pulled the plug on the Billy Napier era. In this college football podcast episode, we take a look at some of the early candidates for the job and glance around college football for which openings might pop up next.

We also harness our inner Gen Z and debate which college football relationships we're hard- and soft-launching after eight weeks of the regular season. Plus, we reveal the latest Verballer Top 12 poll and react to the ordering in the new AP Top 25. Which current team...

We're still trying to process what just happened in Week 8 of college football. Over half the AP Top 25 was in serious peril, with nine ranked teams falling and four others barely escaping disaster. This wasn't just chaos – it was relentless, unforgiving madness from Tuesday through Saturday night.

We dive deep into the most significant results of the weekend, starting with Louisville's stunning upset of Miami on Friday night. Then there's Arizona State's win over Texas Tech, Vandy's home triumph over LSU, and a pair of impressive victories by Alabama and Georgia. Plus, Notre Dame ran over USC, Ge...

Can you believe it's already Week 8? We forge ahead with our big preview of Week 8 games with the appropriate audio treatment for an enormous Holy War between Utah and BYU in Provo. Plus, we unpack significance of Georgia Tech vs Duke as an ACC title tiebreaker, the road danger for Oklahoma and LSU -- two SEC teams that cannot run the ball -- traveling to South Carolina and Vandy, the underrated aspects of Texas Tech's quick rise, and the debate over whether Auburn can finally get a big win. And finally, some rapid fire picks, under the radar games...

So, yeah, there's a lot going on. In this college football podcast episode, we react to the news that Penn State fired James Franklin after a 3-3 start—a move that seemed unthinkable just a few weeks ago. We dive into what went wrong, why Pat Kraft pulled the trigger now, and who's next for the Nittany Lions.

Beyond the Franklin fallout, we reveal the latest Verballer Top 12 poll results and dissect the AP Poll's biggest movers. Then we turn our attention to Week 8's marquee matchups: Ole Miss at Georgia in a massive SEC showdown, Tennessee tr...

What an absolute rollercoaster of a Week 7. In this college football podcast, we do our best to make sense of it all.

Indiana just went into Autzen Stadium and beat Oregon 30-20, holding the Ducks to 267 yards and looking like the more physical team in the trenches. We break down how Curt Cignetti's Hoosiers pulled off a statement win that has us reconsidering everything we thought we knew about both programs. Meanwhile, Penn State's season completely unraveled with a stunning 22-21 loss to Northwestern at home—their second consecutive loss as 20+ point favorites. We discuss James Franklin's fu...

College Football Week 7 is upon us, and we're diving deep into what might be the steeliest slate of the season. This isn't about flashy plays or explosive offenses—this week belongs to the teams willing to do the dirty work in the trenches.

After walking back through some extra thoughts on Alabama-Mizzou, Ohio State-Illinois and Indiana-Oregon, we get down to business. In this episode, we break down every major matchup and the debates get heated as we disagree on nearly every pick, including whether Oklahoma can shock Texas, if Auburn can pull the upset in Jordan-Hare, and wh...

We're fired up for another week of bangers in Week 7! In this episode, we dive deep into three massive games: Ohio State's travels to Illinois, Alabama faces a rested Mizzou team, and Indiana takes on Oregon in a top-10 showdown with College GameDay in town.

But before the picks, we walk back through our leftover thoughts from an eventful Week 6, reveal the latest Verballer Top 12, react to the latest AP Poll, make a case for Michigan as a sneaky Big Ten contender, talk through some way-too-early tiebreaker scenarios in the ACC and Big 12, and more!

...

We thought Week 6 would be quiet. We were wrong. Dead wrong.

Three top 15 teams fell to unranked opponents in what might be the most chaotic Saturday of the season. We dive deep into Penn State's shocking 42-37 loss to UCLA—a team that fired its coach just days earlier. The loss raises serious questions about James Franklin's future despite his $50+ million buyout. Can this relationship be salvaged? We also break down Florida's inspired 29-21 upset of Texas in The Swamp, where the Gators' defense sacked Arch Manning six times and exposed flaws in the Longhorns' offensive line. Pl...

Welcome to Week 6, the start of Cocktober. We dive into a slate that's loaded with opportunities for offenses to establish themselves (or for underdogs to sneak in and steal one). We circle back and discuss the two biggest games of the weekend: Vandy traveling to Alabama and Miami making their first road trip to face Florida State in Tallahassee. Both have baggage, both feature ranked teams, and both could shake up the playoff picture.

From there, we explore the sneaky-important matchups that nobody's talking about enough: Iowa State's trip to Cincinnati, Kansas State trying to bounce back...

We're back from an incredible trip to State College, and we've got a lot of college football to unpack, starting with the news that Sam Pittman has been fired at Arkansas. With Bobby Petrino taking over as interim head coach, we discuss the likely candidates to permanently replace Pittman, including Rhett Lashlee, GJ Kinne, John Sumrall, Deion Sanders, and others.

From there, we dive deep into conference power rankings for all four major conferences. We go team-by-team through the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12, making some calls that'll probably upset you. We disagree on Georgia's placement...

Join us for a very different reaction episode from an undisclosed audio bunker a few blocks south of College Avenue in State College, PA. In this college football podcast episode, we relive our experience at the Oregon-Penn State Whiteout game, the moments that won it for the Ducks and the ways that the Nittany Lions came back from the dead from a 14-point deficit to send the game into overtime. Plus, we give our snap judgement on other results around the country and listen to an all star batch of Reverbs.

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Week 5 is absolutely loaded with monster games, and we're headed to Happy Valley for the Penn State-Oregon whiteout! In this college football podcast episode, we take another deep dive into the three biggest matchups of the weekend: Oregon at Penn State in what promises to be an electric atmosphere, Alabama traveling to Georgia in a crucial SEC showdown, and LSU heading to Oxford to face Ole Miss in another must-watch conference battle.

Beyond those headliners, we wonder if Ohio State might be in danger at Washington, whether USC can prove they're for real on the road at...

We're gearing up for a monster slate of games in Week 5 and our trip to the massive Penn State-Oregon contest this weekend. But first, we start with the news, including a tough season-ending injury for Syracuse QB Steve Angeli, a fine for the Orange for faking injuries, and the SEC's official ruling on Oklahoma's controversial trick-play touchdown. We also touch on the SEC's newly announced annual opponents for the next four years and share the heartbreaking news of former App State coach Shawn Clark's unexpected passing.

Then, we dive into the latest AP and Verballer Top 12 polls...

It turns out that College Football Week 4 delivered some interesting tests! In this episode, we break down what it all means, from the rise of Texas Tech's impressive defensive showing against Utah to Indiana's demolition of Illinois and Oklahoma's win over Auburn. Plus, a closer look at why TCU should be on your radar, how Michigan can get the most out of its offense, what we learned about Miami in their win over Florida, and what Clemson's 1-3 start means for Dabo Sweeney. We also talk through a crazy interesting day in the Big 12, Memphis's run at the CFP...

We're calling it "Sock'em in the Mouth Saturday" – and for good reason. Week 4 has all the makings of a weekend where untested favorites get their first real taste of adversity. In this college football podcast episode, we dive deep into how teams might respond facing their first legitimate punch in the mouth.

We circle back on games discussed earlier in the week (Texas Tech vs TCU, Auburn vs Oklahoma, Illinois vs Indiana) and pose the most important questions about other marquee matchups in Week 4. Can a struggling Florida team find any answers on the road against a re...

The Coaching Carousel is spinning earlier than usual this year! In this episode, we react to the news that Brent Pry and Deshaun Foster were relieved of command at Virginia Tech and UCLA. We also take a look at why the AP Poll is infererior to our very own Verballer Top 12. Plus, a spirited game of "Con" Air in which we figure out which issues are worth being concerned about at Texas, LSU, Notre Dame and other places, And finally, three early predictions for Week 4, as Texas Tech visits Utah, Jackson Arnold and Auburn travel to Oklahoma and Illinois...

Week 3 delivered the kind of college football chaos we live for, and we're here to break it all down. We witnessed Texas A&M pull off a stunning road upset at Notre Dame in a 41-40 thriller that came down to the final seconds, with Marcel Reed and the Aggies finding a way to steal one in South Bend. Meanwhile, Georgia and Tennessee went to overtime in what might have been the game of the week, with Gunner Stockton making an absolutely ridiculous fourth-down throw to tie it at the end of regulation.

The madness didn't stop...

College Football Week 3 is loaded with chances to erase early disappointments. In this college football podcast episode, we debate which teams have the most to prove in Week 3 before taking another look at the biggest games of the week. Join us as we dive into the marquee matchups including Georgia-Tennessee in Knoxville, Florida-LSU in Tiger Stadium and Texas A&M at Notre Dame. We also take a spin around the rest of a loaded slate of games, featuring Clemson's trip to Georgia Tech, the latest installment of the Backyard Brawl, USF's quest for a third straight upset, and a...

We're just a few weeks into the college football season and the picture is just starting to come into focus. In this college football podcast episode, we react to the latest AP Poll and our own Verballer Top 12 rankings, questioning whether voters are being bold enough with early-season movement. Should teams like USF be ranked higher after their impressive wins? And are teams like Penn State and Georgia too high?

We also bring back our beloved "Dunzo or Not Dunzo" segment to evaluate teams -- Arizona State, Kansas State, Virginia Tech and others -- that might already...

In this college football podcast episode, we dive deep into a wild Week 2 that left fan bases across the country questioning everything they thought they knew about their teams. Oklahoma's Jon Mateer looked like a folk hero in Norman, leading the Sooners to a convincing 24-13 victory over Michigan that showcased his incredible elusiveness and game management skills. Meanwhile, we break down what this win means for Brent Venables' program as they prepare for a murderous SEC schedule ahead.

But the upset of the day belonged to USF, who stunned Florida 18-16 in The Swamp with a...

Week 2 has big 2011 energy with lots of emotion, some heartbreak, and plenty of unfinished business. This weekend is loaded with tension and storylines, with Michigan's trip to Oklahoma, another installment of the Cy-Hawk game, a quiet monster between Illinois and Duke, a stinky line between Arizona State and Mississippi State, and a revenge spot for Ole Miss at Kentucky.

In this college football podcast episode, we dive into the biggest matchups of the week, discuss a handful of under-the-radar games, suggest your most ideal quad box setup and much more. Plus, a plea to Virginia Tech, a...

We're back to break down the remaining drama from college football's opening weekend, as Miami delivered when the stakes were highest, knocking off Notre Dame 27-24 in a game that felt like a must-win for Mario Cristobal. In this college football podcast episode, we dive deep into how the Hurricanes won the line of scrimmage and why Notre Dame's offensive game plan was so confusing. Also, a recap of South Carolina's slugfest with Virginia Tech, the return of "Beamer Ball" as a winning strategy for Shane Beamer, the frustration of watching Kyron Drones, and new steam on the "LaNorris...

We're back after months away from a full slate of college football games, and Week 1 delivered exactly the kind of chaos we needed. In this college football podcast episode, we dive deep into the biggest storylines, starting with Ohio State's defensive masterclass against Texas in a 14-7 slugfest that left more questions than answers about Arch Manning's readiness for the spotlight. Meanwhile, Florida State pulled off the upset of the day, dismantling Alabama 31-17 behind Tommy Castellanos and a Gus Malzahn offense that looked nothing like last year's disaster.

We also break down LSU's statement road win...

We've been waiting all offseason for this moment, and Week 1 in finally here! In this college football podcast episode, we take a look at the biggest games that Stakeout Saturday has to offer, from the big Texas-Ohio State and LSU-Clemson games, to Notre Dame's trip to Miami, Alabama's opener at Florida State, the Beamer Bowl between Virginia Tech and South Carolina, Bill Belichick's debut with North Carolina against TCU and more.

Plus, we discuss which teams have the most to prove in Week 1, from with Nebraska's offense to Miami's defense, Florida State's latest transfer haul, and and...

IT'S. GAME. WEEK! Join us as we power rank the most interesting matchups on Thursday and Friday of an extended holiday weekend of Week 1 games and take an advanced preview of two of the biggest contests as Texas heads to Ohio State and Clemson hosts LSU in the Death Valley Invitational.

After reviewing some extra takeaways from Week 0 – including why we shouldn't overreact to early season rust – we break down the news that Bryce Underwood has officially been named Michigan's starting quarterback. How should this affect our read on the Wolverines in 2025?

Then, we rank the...

College football is officially underway! We break down Iowa State's 24-21 victory over Kansas State in Dublin, including the sloppy conditions, key fourth-down decisions, and what the Clones' win means for the Big 12 race.

Plus, we're joined by Jenny Dell, the lead college football reporter for CBS Sports, who gives us incredible behind-the-scenes insights from the sidelines. From her 20-second storytelling challenges to Brad Nessler's shocking pre-game eating habits, Jenny discusses the difference between covering the SEC and Big Ten, sneaky injury tent investigations, what it's like to catch players and coaches in their most vulnerable moments...

College football is back! The season officially starts this weekend with Week 0, and we're here to break down all five games, including the big Farmageddon matchup between Iowa State and Kansas State in Ireland.

But first, we talk through some of the biggest quarterback battles across the country, with news of CJ Carr winning the job at Notre Dame, Julian Sayin taking the reins at Ohio State, Ty Simpson getting the nod at Alabama, and Bear Bachmeier becoming the first true freshman to start at BYU.

Then, a quick chat about the College Football Playoff...

It’s that time again—the season is on the doorstep, and we brought in ESPN’s Bill Connelly to help us make sense of the chaos ahead. From his new SP+ rankings with a dozen teams clumped near the top to the Arch Manning hype train and a logjam of unproven quarterbacks, we dive headfirst into why 2025 might be the most unpredictable season in years.

We cover the teams with the widest range of outcomes (hello, Tennessee), the portal-fueled rebuilds at Purdue and West Virginia, and which traditional powers might quietly be underrated. Bill also opens up abo...

It's receipts time! We put our college football credibility on the line with our official 12-team playoff brackets, complete with seeding, matchups, and championship predictions. The time has come to go all-in on our bold calls that will either age like fine wine or haunt us all season long.

We break down our top-4 seeds (spoiler: we disagree wildly on Clemson), debate the SEC vs. Big 12 representation, and explain why Notre Dame might be the key to everything. Plus, we reveal our Heisman winners, Coach of the Year picks, and other awards predictions.

The Verballerhood...

It's the feeling every college football (and sports) fan knows too well: Doubting your own takes. In this episode, we're joined by Brett Ciancia from Pick Six Previews to talk through the opinions we're second-guessing the most after several weeks of conference previews. From Ty's thoughts on Miami and USC to Dan's comments on Missouri, we lean on the most accurate college football predictor over the past decade to set us straight. Brett even has some doubts of his own in the SEC.

We also dig into Brett's "Game Grader" formula and how it spots teams that...

New AP Poll just dropped! In this college football podcast episode, we react to the newly-released poll by discussing which teams are too high and which are too low. Plus, we talk through key injury news around the sport, including LSU's Garrett Nussmeier and others. And last but not least, we make our case for the College Football Red Zone channel, and why we think we should be hosts.

Finally, we close out our 136-team preview marathon by breaking down Notre Dame and UConn. How close is the quarterback derby between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey, and h...

We close out our three-part SEC preview by taking a closer look at Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Arkansas, South Carolina, Auburn, and Vanderbilt.

In this college football preview episode, we ask burning questions about eight SEC teams that could swing wildly in either direction this season. Is Florida poised for a big jump with a (finally) healthy DJ Lagway navigating one of the most brutal schedules in the country? Will the addition of quarterback John Mateer and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle lead Oklahoma back to prominence, or is their monster schedule too much to overcome...

We dive deep into the SEC's upper crust with our first of two comprehensive preview episodes, breaking down eight of the conference's most talented and high-expectation teams. From Texas's national championship aspirations and the beginning of the Arch Manning era to Alabama's loaded roster under Kalen DeBoer and a revamped offense for Georgia under Kirby Smart, we explore the teams most likely to compete for SEC titles and playoff spots.

In this college football podcast episode, we analyze Texas as the preseason No. 1 team and whether Arch Manning can navigate one of the toughest road schedules in...

Preview season rolls on as we dive into the SEC, figure out the contenders and pretenders, making some irresponsible predictions, and chew on the conference's biggest storylines going into the 2025 college football season.

In this SEC preview episode, we discuss the impact Arch Manning could have on the Texas Longhorns, provided the offensive line can get sorted in time. Plus, a conversation around whether this year's Alabama squad will feel more "DeBoerian" than in 2024, and how Georgia stacks up with Gunner Stockton at the helm.

We also debate the meaty middle of the conference and...

Stand back as Take-a-Toa, our volcano of molten college football takes, erupts for the first time in over a year! In this college football podcast episode, we're welcoming Josh Pate from Josh Pate's College Football Show for a scorching session of hot takes that will have you questioning everything you think you know about the 2025 season.

Josh delivers a stunning ACC prediction that involves "hateful three-stars" and a program most people are sleeping on, while Dan forecasts a looming coaching exodus that could reshape the sport. Meanwhile, Ty makes a bold LSU comparison that will make SEC...

We wrap up our Big Ten preview series with the third and final installment, breaking down the remaining nine teams that represent the conference's fascinating middle tier and intriguing sleepers. From Iowa's FCS quarterback gamble to Rutgers' weird look-ahead potential, we explore the teams that could shake up the Big Ten landscape.

In this college football podcast episode, we dive into Ty's affinity for new Iowa QB Mark Gronowski and why the Hawkeyes could surprise people. We analyze Nebraska's year-three Matt Rhule expectations with Dylan Raiola's development and a better offensive line, debate USC's ability to finally...

We dive into the Big Ten with the second part of our three-part conference preview series, breaking down nine teams with detailed previews of the conference's contenders and most compelling storylines. From the Penn State hype train to Purdue's "Pastrami of the Big Ten," we give you enough to be dangerous around the water cooler.

In this college football podcast episode, we examine Ohio State's championship odds with new coordinators Brian Hartline and Matt Patricia, debate whether Julian Sayin can handle the pressure in Week One against Texas, and wonder if the Buckeyes can overcome so many...

We tackle the Big Ten with the first of our three-part conference preview and break all 18 teams into tiers, discuss the biggest storylines and use protein metaphors to capture just how overwhelming this massive conference has become. From Ohio State's run at another national championship to Penn State's lofty expectations and the intriguing battle for fourth place, we unpack what makes this conference both excellent and exhausting.

In this college football podcast episode, we debate our contender tier with Penn State, Ohio State, Oregon and... Michigan (?), analyze the fascinating second tier among six quality teams, wonder which "...

We conclude our Big 12 preview series with our third and final installment, breaking eight more teams and their burning questions headed into 2025. These eight teams represent the conference's intriguing middle tier: Utah, TCU, Kansas, Cincinnati, BYU, Houston, Oklahoma State, and Colorado.

In this college football podcast episode, we break down Utah's offensive makeover with new coordinator Jason Beck and quarterback Devin Dampier, examining whether Kyle Whittingham can bounce back from his first losing season in over a decade. We dive into TCU's brutal schedule despite having one of the conference's best passing attacks with Josh Hoover, and...

We're back for the second part of our Big 12 preview episodes and taking a look at our top five and bottom three teams, highlighting the things we like and don't like about Arizona State, Kansas State, Iowa State, Baylor, Texas Tech, West Virginia, UCF, and Arizona.

How much will the loss of Cam Skattebo hurt Arizona State's chances of another conference title? Is Avery Johnson ready to take the next step at Kansas State? Can Iowa State avoid the random disappearing acts? How much hype is too much hype for Baylor and Texas Tech? Which reboot is...

We dive deep into the Big 12 with the first of our three-part conference preview and break out all 16 teams into contender tiers, discuss the biggest storylines shaping the season, and use goofy metaphors, quotes and sounds to capture the delightful uncertainty that defines the league. From Arizona State's quest to repeat as champions to the transfer portal revolution reshaping rosters across the league, we unpack what makes this conference so addictively unpredictable.

In this college football podcast episode, we discuss why the Big 12 in 2025 feels like the ultimate chaos conference where almost anything is possible. We have...

Welcome to the Wildcard Tier! In part three of our ACC preview, we tackle the unpredictable "meaty middle," featuring nine teams that could finish anywhere from 4-8 to 9-3.

In this college football podcast episode, we break down the Bill Belichick experiment at North Carolina and whether the greatest NFL coach of all time can translate his genius to college football. We dive into Florida State's must-win season for Mike Norvell with new coordinators Gus Malzahn and Tony White, examine NC State's coordinator overhaul and brutal schedule, and debate whether Duke has become the most reliable mid-tier...

Let's dive deep into the ACC's contenders and rebuilding projects in part two of our three-part conference preview. From Clemson's championship steam to Stanford's complete rebuild, we break down the teams at the top and bottom of the conference hierarchy.

In this college football podcast episode, we debate whether Clemson is the clear conference favorite and discuss whether Cade Klubnik can take the next step. We examine Miami's Carson Beck experiment and defensive coordinator change, make the case for Pitt as a sleeper contender, and discuss SMU's inevitable step back after their magical 2024 run. Plus, we dive...

We dive into the ACC with the first of our three-part conference preview and talk through our contender tiers, the biggest questions and storylines driving the narrative, and use ice cream and video games as a metaphor for the way the league sets up. From Clemson's title hopes to Miami's untapped Playoff hopes, we unpack what makes this conference so damn fascinating.

In this college football podcast episode, we discuss why the ACC in 2025 feels like a grand experiment. We debate Clemson as the clear conference favorite, analyze the battle for second place and discuss Ty's surprise...

Our 2025 college football conference previews roll on, this time with the Mountain West and Conference USA, with a quick glance at the Pac-2. Armed with our trusty “Lorenzo Lamas Flaw Finder”, we unpack the top teams, key players, and storylines for the remainder of the Group of Five conferences as the season looms.

Is Boise State the odds-on favorite to win the Mountain West and make the College Football Playoff again? Or can San Jose State, led by Ken Niumatalolo, or UNLV, with new coach Dan Mullen, challenge their throne? Did you know that Oregon State and Washi...

We kick off our college football conference preview series with a look at the Sun Belt, MAC, and AAC. Which G5 conferences and teams have the most heat heading into 2025?

In this college football podcast episode, we dive deep and break down James Madison's path to a potential playoff berth, Tulane's high floor, Louisiana potential step back, coaching continuity as a secret weapon in the MAC, and how Army and Navy have rewired the AAC. Plus, massive roster turnover at Marshall, how USF could catch everyone off-guard, why you should root for Arkansas State, how "money games"...

We kick off our 2025 college football preview season with everything you need to know before the action begins on August 23rd. From revenue sharing to playoff seeding changes, new coaching hires to massive quarterback transfers, we break down all the major storylines heading into the season.

In this college football podcast episode, we discuss the sport's new revenue sharing structure, playoff format adjustments, and rule changes (goodbye, Lanning loophole). We dive into the biggest coaching moves—from Bill Belichick at UNC to coordinator shuffles at Ohio State, Florida State, and beyond. Plus, we analyze the most impactful qu...

In this college football podcast episode, we're joined by VSiN's Tim Murray for a deep dive into the college football betting landscape ahead of the 2025 season. From Clemson's movement in the futures market to the wide-open nature of this year's championship race, Tim breaks down the key themes, betting strategies, and situational angles that matter most. We explore everything from sandwich spots and letdown games to the art of line shopping and why you should never bet teasers in college football. Tim also shares insights on which teams the pro bettors are targeting, discusses the impact of the transfer...

In this college football podcast episode, Ralph Russo from The Athletic joins us to break down the complex College Football Playoff negotiations happening behind closed doors between the Big Ten, SEC and other conferences. Our conversation centers on how the number of SEC conference games is driving the debate, explores the Big Ten's push for automatic qualifiers, and examines why these meetings keep happening without real progress.

Ralph explains the power dynamics between Tony Petitti and Greg Sankey, why ESPN might not want playoff expansion, and how Brett Yormark is trying to wedge the SEC away from...

Before we can move forward with our 2025 season previews, we need to heal. In this episode, we hold our annual fan therapy session, helping the Verballerhood work through the most traumatic moments from last season. From Notre Dame's shocking loss to NIU (on a first-time visitor's birthday, no less) to the eight-overtime Georgia-Georgia Tech nailbiter, we're confronting the pain head-on.

Our listeners shared their deepest college football wounds: Penn State's crushing Orange Bowl interception, Oregon's Rose Bowl shellacking, Oklahoma's punter being its best quarterback, Texas's clutch 4th-and-13 conversion, and so much more. Plus: relationship drama intersecting with...

In this college football podcast episode, we dive deep into the weird world of college football message boards, courtesy of our friends at Message Board Geniuses (@BoardGeniuses). From Clemson fans proposing eminent domain to control TV broadcasts, to Vanderbilt wondering if its players are too smart for football, to Florida State fans suggesting they'd recruit better without a head coach at all. Plus: Are Georgia's out-of-state intellectuals ruining the fan experience? What's the emergency coaching protocol when things go sideways in March? And we wrap up with the latest Connor Stallons developments that still have Michigan and Ohio State...

In this college football podcast episode, we dive deep into Florida Gators football with David Waters from Gators Breakdown. What are the vibes among Florida diehards around Billy Napier going into Year 4? Is DJ Lagway fully healthy and how has his emergence impacted the program? Did the Gators take the right approach when balancing the transfer portal with high school recruiting? What clicked for the Florida defense down the stretch? And realistically, what are expectations given a brutal schedule?

00:00 - Introduction

03:24 - David Waters from Gators Breakdown

04:00 - Spring vibe check for Florida...

In this college football podcast episode, we chat with The Athletic's Scott Dochterman about the little-known, high-stakes draft process by which Fox, CBS and NBC pick the Big Ten games that each will air this season. Learn about the insane preparation, strategy, negotiations, and decisions that shape our TV experience every fall. Plus, some insight into the Big Ten's playoff positioning strategy, why the conference is pushing for four automatic CFP bids, and more.

Check out Scott's reporting on the TV draft (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6389813/2025/05/29/big-ten-football-tv-schedule-draft-fox-nbc-cbs/) and the Big Ten's push for automatic bids (https...

It's time for the June Q&A. In this college football podcast episode, we explore an unholy dilemma posed by a college football wizard, debate whether the Big Ten's middle tier is really superior to the Big 12, and predict which coaches might be on the hot seat in 2025. Plus, we discuss a popular Nick Saban hypothetical, brainstorm creative revenue solutions for schools facing new player compensation costs, and rank college football programs as early 2000s pop punk bands.

Timecodes:

0:00 - Intro

03:00 - The CFB Memory Wizard

10:00 - Big 12 vs the World<...

Once again, there is drama as the SEC and Big Ten. In this college football podcast episode, we recap the drama surrounding the SEC, Big Ten and the shape of the College Football Playoff moving forward into 2026 and beyond. As SEC officials meet in Florida this week, a debate rages on: Does the league push through a CFP format that benefits the sport's two most powerful conferences, or does it endorse a model that simply expands upon the current setup? We summarize the events of the last week and offer some thoughts on what might happen next.

...

In this episode, we touch base with Ben Jones to make sense of the lofty expectations for Penn State football ahead of the 2025 season. Could this really be the top team in the country? Are fans being fair to Drew Allar? Who's to blame for the late of WR production? How will the addition of Jim Knowles impact the Nittany Lion defense? Did James Franklin get the monkey off his back by winning two CFP games? And will the construction at Beaver Stadium effect the home field environment in Happy Valley?

A fan of our college football...

In this college football podcast episode, we touch base with Manny Navarro of The Athletic to discuss the trajectory of the Miami Hurricanes after three years under Mario Cristobal. What are expectations in 2025? Can the defense be fixed? What's the overall vision for the program? How will the offense look with Carson Beck instead of Cam Ward? And how close is the "U" to fully recapturing its old swagger?

A fan of our college football podcast? Leave us a rating and review, and don't forget to subscribe or follow so you don't miss any of our podcast e...

After a two-year hiatus, we’re reviving one of our favorite concepts. In this episode, we pitch the future prospects of teams and players to our pool of sharks -- err, “Sarks” -- and make the case for why each is worth an emotional investment. Featuring special guest Sark: Andy Staples from On3, we pop the hood on North Carolina, Texas Tech, Wisconsin, Auburn and Florida State in addition to Carson Beck's situation at Miami and the beginning of the Dante Moore era at Oregon.

Timecodes:

0:00 - Sark Tank Intro

6:02 – North Carolina

14:04...

It's time for our monthly Q&A. In today's episode, we field questions from the Verballerhood about Nick Saban's role in saving college football from itself, the effect of NIL on "elite" teams, the prospect of a 9-game SEC schedule and a Group of Five playoff, how college football compares to international soccer, and the potential of birthing a good luck charm for your favorite team.

00:00 - Intro

02:20 - Exciting Things About the New Season

15:54 - Watching Auburn with a Newborn

21:34 - Nick Saban & the College Sports Commission

35:53...

In this college football podcast episode, we're joined by Eddie Radosevich from SoonerScoop.com to get a sense for the vibes at Oklahoma ahead of the 2025 college football season. Is this the offseason when Brent Venables harnessed his inner cutthroat? What's to blame for the Sooners' lousy offense last season and how big an impact will John Mateer, Jaydn Ott and Ben Arbuckle have? And, after one year, is Oklahoma still happy it joined the SEC?

(00:00) - Intro

Dan and Ty introduce the episode, setting the stage for a vibe check on Oklahoma football with...

In this college football podcast episode, Dan is joined by ESPN’s Bill Connelly to dive into the mysterious world of college football luck—turnovers, close games, and injuries—that shaped 2024 and could define 2025. From Clemson’s run to Auburn’s bad breaks, Bill talks through the numbers and what they mean for teams ranging from Alabama to UCF. Plus, a deep dive into Clemson’s top-five potential, the chaotic state of the sport, and Bill’s upcoming book, Forward Progress. Plus, Bill’s Japan travel tips, from Kit Kats to Kyoto.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(02:05) - Lu...

In this college football podcast episode, Michael Felder (Bleacher Report, Stadium, Substack, et al) joins the show to give his perspective of Bill Belichick's first few months as head coach at North Carolina. Felder, given his proximity to the UNC community as a former player and alum has thoughts on the hire itself, the current distractions involving the head coach's girlfriend Jordon Hudson, his CBS interview, and much more.

A fan of our college football podcast? Leave us a rating and review, and don't forget to subscribe or follow so you don't miss any of our podcast e...

Let's give knee-jerk reactions to Andy Staples' way-too-early, post-spring top 25. In this episode, we examine Andy's rankings and debate the case for Texas as the preseason No. 1 team, get a little to excited for Clemson, discuss the downside for Notre Dame and Penn State, try to make sense of Alabama and Georgia, and pick out some unranked sleepers. Who's too high, who's too low? Plus, some final thoughts on the 2025 NFL Draft a quick look at PFF's early big board for the season ahead.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro & Post NFL Draft Thoughts

11:10 - Andy...

Let's close out the week on a fun note with a game of college football trivia, henceforth known as JeoparDedeWestbrook. In this college football podcast episode, Dan realizes his eventual fate and plays an affable game show host asking Ty a series of increasingly esoteric questions about college football and, eventually, the lore of the podcast itself. Then, Ty flips the script and tests Dan's acumen at naming player alma maters. 

A fan of our college football podcast? Leave us a rating and review, and don't forget to subscribe or follow so you don't miss any of ou...

Let's dive into the wild world of college football’s transfer portal with Pete Nakos, On3’s transfer portal reporter extraordinaire. In this college football podcast episode, Pete pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes drama of the Nico Iamaleava saga, the constant bartering behind the scenes, and the evolving landscape of NIL and roster management. From coaches reclaiming power to the stress on players and parents, Pete shares insider insights on how the portal is reshaping the sport and much more.

TIMESTAMPS

(0:00) - Intro

(14:45) - Pete Nakos Interview

🔑 KEY TOPICS DISCUSSE...

It's time for our annual NFL Draft preview! In this college football podcast episode, we welcome back Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports for an in-depth look at this year's class. Can Cam Ward's "jazz player" style translate to the pros? Where do Shedeur Sanders and Riley Leonard fit in this QB class? What trends are emerging while evaluating college tape? Who are Nate's pet players, and who are the "Purple Chips" in this year's Draft. Plus, Ty looks for advice for the New York Giants and Dan debuts "The Shania Line."

🔑 KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED 🔑

Draft Philos...

In this episode, we tackle the breaking news of Nico Iamaleava transferring from Tennessee after an (alleged) failed NIL renegotiation. Now, Nico’s looking for a new home, and the Vols are suddenly in the market for a quarterback ahead of the 2025 season. We break down what went wrong, where he might land, and whether Tennessee could turn its sights toward a Big 12 starter.

Later, John Kurtz from The John Kurtz Show and the Open For Business newsletter joins the show to preview Kansas State’s 2024 season, the development of quarterback Avery Johnson, and share broader thoughts on h...