College Volleyball’s Big Night, Colts QB Chaos, and the High Cost of Franchise Quarterbacks

It’s a packed December 18th edition of Sports IQ with Larry Smith, with major storylines unfolding across college sports and the NFL as the season races toward the holidays.Larry opens with headlines from around the sports world, including the Chicago Bears expanding their stadium search beyond Illinois, ownership changes with the Pittsburgh Penguins, college coaching turmoil, and a look at how close we really are to Christmas shopping panic mode.The spotlight then shifts to NCAA Women’s Volleyball, as Pittsburgh Post-Gazette beat writer Abby Schnable joins the show to preview the Final Four in Kansas City. Abby breaks down Pitt’s remarkable fifth straight Final Four appearance, the culture built under Dan Fisher, and why this year’s tournament—without traditional blue-blood powers—represents a major moment for the sport’s growth.Later, Colts insider and Lucas Oil Stadium PA announcer JJ Stankevitz stops by to unpack one of the NFL’s most fascinating quarterback situations. From Philip Rivers’ unexpected return, to Daniel Jones’ rise and injury, to Anthony Richardson’s uncertain future, JJ explains how Indianapolis has navigated chaos both on and off the field following the death of longtime owner Jim Irsay.Larry and Tony then zoom out to the league-wide trend: the growing danger of massive quarterback contracts. With teams like Miami, Denver, and New England facing cap reality, the discussion centers on whether paying $50+ million for a quarterback is becoming more liability than luxury.The episode closes with a Moment of Awe, as Florida’s 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux makes history with his first collegiate basket—literally towering over college basketball history.A thoughtful, wide-ranging episode that captures the strategy, emotion, and economics shaping sports right now.