EPISODE · Dec 31, 2025 · 51 MIN
2025 in Review, Bowl Season Power Shifts & CFP Quarterfinal Breakdown
from SportsIQ with Larry Smith · host Rise Above Productions & Revision Sound
As the calendar flips from 2025 to 2026, Sports IQ with Larry Smith looks back at a year that reshaped the sports landscape — and looks ahead to a college football postseason filled with intrigue, momentum shifts, and big questions.Larry Smith, Tony Cordaro, and Josh Ewing open the show reflecting on what 2025 taught us across sports: the Big Ten’s growing bowl dominance, historic championship runs in the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college athletics, and the athletes we hope to see fully healthy in 2026 — from Nikola Jokić and Patrick Mahomes to Lindsey Vonn’s remarkable Olympic return.The show then dives deep into College Football Playoff quarterfinals, starting with a detailed Orange Bowl preview as USA Today Oregon Ducks beat writer Zach Neel joins the program. Neel breaks down Oregon’s preparation, Dante Moore’s focus, the Ducks’ elite offensive line, tight end mismatches, and what will determine success against a physical Texas Tech team in Miami.Later, Evie Van Pelt of RebelWalk.com joins live from New Orleans to preview the Sugar Bowl showdown between Ole Miss and Georgia. Van Pelt provides insight into Ole Miss’ resilience after coaching turmoil, the importance of defensive adjustments, roster leadership, and what it will take to slow Georgia after failing to force a single punt in their first meeting.The conversation then widens to a big-picture debate: Has the balance of power in college football shifted? Larry and Tony examine preseason rankings, ESPN’s SEC influence, Big Ten media partnerships, NIL and portal effects, and why recent results suggest the gap between conferences is closing — if not flipping.The episode closes with a powerful Moment of Awe, honoring Jason “J-Mac” McElwain — the autistic high school team manager whose unforgettable senior-night performance became a viral symbol of perseverance, and whose story continues today as a motivational speaker.A new year begins — and Sports IQ is ready for what’s next.⏱️ Topics CoveredReflecting on the biggest sports lessons of 2025Big Ten bowl dominance and shifting conference narrativesCFP Quarterfinal Preview: Oregon vs. Texas Tech (Orange Bowl)Interview: Zach Neel (USA Today – Oregon Ducks)CFP Quarterfinal Preview: Ole Miss vs. Georgia (Sugar Bowl)Interview: Evie Van Pelt (RebelWalk.com)NIL, transfer portal, and coaching chaos in college footballMedia bias, preseason rankings, and conference perceptionMoment of Awe: Jason “J-Mac” McElwain’s inspiring legacy
What this episode covers
As the calendar flips from 2025 to 2026, Sports IQ with Larry Smith looks back at a year that reshaped the sports landscape — and looks ahead to a college football postseason filled with intrigue, momentum shifts, and big questions.Larry Smith, Tony Cordaro, and Josh Ewing open the show reflecting on what 2025 taught us across sports: the Big Ten’s growing bowl dominance, historic championship runs in the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college athletics, and the athletes we hope to see fully healthy in 2026 — from Nikola Jokić and Patrick Mahomes to Lindsey Vonn’s remarkable Olympic return.The show then dives deep into College Football Playoff quarterfinals, starting with a detailed Orange Bowl preview as USA Today Oregon Ducks beat writer Zach Neel joins the program. Neel breaks down Oregon’s preparation, Dante Moore’s focus, the Ducks’ elite offensive line, tight end mismatches, and what will determine success against a physical Texas Tech team in Miami.Later, Evie Van Pelt of RebelWalk.com joins live from New Orleans to preview the Sugar Bowl showdown between Ole Miss and Georgia. Van Pelt provides insight into Ole Miss’ resilience after coaching turmoil, the importance of defensive adjustments, roster leadership, and what it will take to slow Georgia after failing to force a single punt in their first meeting.The conversation then widens to a big-picture debate: Has the balance of power in college football shifted? Larry and Tony examine preseason rankings, ESPN’s SEC influence, Big Ten media partnerships, NIL and portal effects, and why recent results suggest the gap between conferences is closing — if not flipping.The episode closes with a powerful Moment of Awe, honoring Jason “J-Mac” McElwain — the autistic high school team manager whose unforgettable senior-night performance became a viral symbol of perseverance, and whose story continues today as a motivational speaker.A new year begins — and Sports IQ is ready for what’s next.⏱️ Topics CoveredReflecting on the biggest sports lessons of 2025Big Ten bowl dominance and shifting conference narrativesCFP Quarterfinal Preview: Oregon vs. Texas Tech (Orange Bowl)Interview: Zach Neel (USA Today – Oregon Ducks)CFP Quarterfinal Preview: Ole Miss vs. Georgia (Sugar Bowl)Interview: Evie Van Pelt (RebelWalk.com)NIL, transfer portal, and coaching chaos in college footballMedia bias, preseason rankings, and conference perceptionMoment of Awe: Jason “J-Mac” McElwain’s inspiring legacy
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2025 in Review, Bowl Season Power Shifts & CFP Quarterfinal Breakdown
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