The Solid Verbal College Football

In this episode, we welcome back our friend Richard Johnson from CBS Sports and Split Zone Duo for a conversation about the college football topics we talk about too much, and the ones we probably do not talk about enough. As preview season creeps closer, we zoom out on the sport’s offseason discourse and ask which arguments are useful, which ones are exhausted, and where the weird, fun, meaningful parts of college football might be hiding. We dig into College Football Playoff format fatigue, the role of TV money and conference power, the constant hope that Congress can somehow “fix” college sports, the growing presence of gambling in broadcasts, and whether the Arch Manning conversation has swung too far in the other direction. Plus, we get into teams and coaches who deserve more attention, including Florida, UCLA, Michigan, and the broader world outside the SEC and Big Ten. We also wander into West Coast scheduling thoughts, the need for more strange bowl game energy, Sacramento sports sadness, college football media golf rankings, and the inevitability of major news breaking whenever Richard goes to Europe. And, right in the middle of our recording, news broke of Brendan Sorsby's reinstatement. (We react as best we can!) Timecodes:0:00 - Intro4:29 - Richard Johnson joins the show7:30 - CFP format12:31 - TV network influence19:22 - The government and CFB22:18 - Arch Manning28:48 - Brendan Sorsby news33:05 - Gambling as part of studio shows40:25 - ACC Thursdays44:10 - West Coast scheduling45:53 - Jon Sumrall50:22 - Big Ten & SEC vs. the World56:54 - Kyle Whittingham1:03:35 - Rapid FireSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we step slightly outside our usual college football lane for a 2026 World Cup preview with ESPN’s Bill Connelly. With the tournament kicking off next week in North America, we put the tournament in terms that college football fans can understand and discuss the potential chaos of an expanded field, the "Indiana" of world soccer, and the constant tension between off-field disasters and on-field brilliance. We dig into the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT), their upside, their flaws, their best college football comp, and what casual American fans should actually watch for when the games begin. Bill also walks us through the broader field, from favorites like France, Spain and England to possible sleepers like Norway, Turkey, and Mexico. Plus, we get into expectations for Canada, the randomness of the new knockout format, why this tournament could produce some truly strange outcomes, and much more. Timestamps:0:00 - Intro3:19 - World Cup Basics7:55 - USMNT's CFB Comp?11:33 - USMNT Built for Speed?17:12 - USMNT's Most Interesting Players20:31 - USMNT's Intent23:23 - USMNT In Possession25:23 - Effects of More Time Between Games26:58 - What Pochettino Brings to USMNT30:18 - Tactical Levers at the World Cup33:44 - Crazy Loaded Position Groups37:24 - England Roster & Defensive Mindset40:48 - Realistic Picks for Winners & Sleepers48:29 - Interesting Managers & Playstyles52:14 - Expectations for Canada54:15 - Rapid Fire Predictions & CompsSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this June Q&A episode, we open up the Verballer mailbag and start looking ahead to preview season with some early college football summer loves. Which teams are we already talking ourselves into before the magazines arrive? Which programs are interesting, dangerous, confusing or just fun enough to pique our interest as the 2026 season gets closer? We also dig into first-time College Football Playoff possibilities, the rising risk of major transfer portal investments, and whether Curt Cignetti’s championship run at Indiana was more impressive than anything Nick Saban or Kirby Smart ever did in a single season. Plus, we talk through what fans of rebuilding teams should actually look for in Year 1, why playoff expansion arguments still feel slippery, and which players or teams are perfect for showing off at a June cookout. And, naturally, the episode eventually drifts into Brendan Fraser playing Dwight Eisenhower in a D-Day weather drama, bad old predictions, Drake Lindsey discourse, Arkansas despair, and Dan’s ongoing effort to make Ty regret his phrasing. Timestamps:0:00 - Intro3:00 - Summer Loves?16:08 - First-time CFP Candidates?18:36 - Vetting Transfers?30:00 - Cignetti vs Saban/Smart?38:46 - Cookout Players/Teams?41:50 - Fox's CFP Motivation?47:55 - Hope for Arkansas?55:37 - Rapid Fire QuestionsSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we take a break from the usual offseason doom loop and focus on the things that still make college football worth getting excited about. With the 2026 season now inside the 100-day window, we lean into the joy, weirdness and ritual of the sport, from team entrances and tailgate footballs to bowl games as holiday escape hatches, overseas openers in Dublin and Rio, and the simple feeling of leaning forward on the couch right before kickoff. We also get into the more specific quirks that make college football feel like college football: pylon cams, visor coaches, turnover props, weird eye black, old-school announcers, preview magazines, 68-degree noon kickoffs, coaches losing their minds on the sideline, late-night windows and the constant possibility that a huge favorite might get dragged into a game it has no business losing. Plus, we look ahead to some of the real football reasons to be excited for 2026, including a loaded crop of star players, a monster Week 10 schedule, the evolving Group of Five playoff race and the SEC’s move to a nine-game conference schedule. Consider this a little kickoff yearning for the summer months, a reminder that, for all the sport’s problems, there’s still nothing quite like it.Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we introduce a new game called “Bed or Built,” where we take some of college football’s most repeated narratives and decide whether it’s time to put them to bed or if they’re still built to last. With the 2026 season creeping closer, we sort through the stories that have followed programs, coaches and fan bases for years, and ask which ones still make sense in the current version of the sport. We dig into Mario Cristobal and Miami, Matt Rhule’s turnaround reputation, Lane Kiffin’s chaos factor, Ryan Day’s “born on third base” label, Texas A&M’s hard ceiling, Oregon’s late-season hurdle, Clemson’s attempts to adapt, James Franklin’s big-game baggage and the difficulty of following Nick Saban at Alabama. Along the way, we get into the transfer portal, coaching hires, College Football Playoff expectations, roster-building, fan perception and how quickly old narratives can become outdated. Timecodes:0:00 - Intro5:46 - Mario Cristobal & Miami will trip up13:45 - Matt Rhule is a turnaround genius20:38 - Lane Kiffin is misunderstood26:25 - Ryan Dan was born on third base32:35 - Texas A&M has a hard ceiling38:56 - Oregon will fall flat late45:33 - Clemson can't adapt54:08 - Big Game James Franklin56:09 - Being the guy after Nick SabanSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we react to Tony Petitti’s public push for a 24-team College Football Playoff and try to sort through what it actually means for the sport. Is expansion really about access, regular-season stakes, and rewarding more teams, or is it mostly about television inventory, conference leverage, and the ongoing ESPN vs. Fox tug-of-war? We also talk through why the SEC’s preference for 16 teams suddenly puts some fans in the strange position of... rooting for Greg Sankey. Then it’s time for an ACC vibe check, as we take a look at the conference before full preview season kicks into gear. Miami looks like the league’s clearest headliner, but after that, things get messy fast. We work through the conference’s biggest connective tissues, including offensive line questions, thin receiver rooms, quarterback uncertainty, Cal’s wide range of outcomes, Louisville’s favorable path, Georgia Tech’s possible regression, and whether Virginia Tech or NC State could turn into a surprise playoff-adjacent story. Also included: Slices 'N Steps in NYC, illegal-streaming hypotheticals, Chili’s corn nostalgia, and the beginning of what may become a fully realized ACC-as-abandoned-mall taxonomy. Subscribe to the newsletter for free: https://www.solidverbal.com/newsletter Timecodes:0:00 - Intro & Slices 'N Steps in NYC6:38 - Tony Petitti's 24-Team CFP Plan31:07 - The Vibrant ACC Mall38:00 - The Cal Factor45:20 - The Case for Syracuse52:07 - The Case Against Georgia Tech59:48 - Miami's Heisman Elimination Game1:07:49 - Virginia Tech's CFP Chances1:12:41 - The Surprise Orange Julius1:17:05 - Mapping Out The ACC MallSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re midway through May, which means it’s time to start talking ourselves into, and out of, what the 2026 college football season could become. In this episode, we turn the month itself into a game with a Big Ten “Mayyyyybe” vibe check, asking which scenarios feel realistic, which ones feel like offseason nonsense, and which ones might look strangely prescient by November. Could Ohio State’s schedule create a real College Football Playoff problem? Is Maryland quietly positioned to take a step forward? Can Wisconsin stabilize things for Luke Fickell, Iowa mess around with a playoff run, or UCLA become one of the more interesting teams in the conference under Bob Chesney? We also dig into Oregon’s internal coordinator hires, Michigan’s tricky first year under Kyle Whittingham, and USC’s unlucky, unforgiving schedule. Along the way, there are schedule sandwiches, quarterback questions, offensive line concerns, coaching crush rankings, a surprising amount of hernia talk, and more. Timestamps:0:00 - Intro5:01 - Ohio State misses the CFP14:22 - Maryland wins a game after September20:42 - Wisconsin saves Luke Fickell's job27:23 - Oregon regrets new coordinators34:19 - Iowa makes the CFP39:27 - UCLA wins 8 games47:22 - Michigan becomes a mess55:52 - USC's unlucky scheduleSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re taking an early look at the 2026 college football schedule and doing a public service for the Verballerhood: figuring out which Saturdays deserve to be protected on the family calendar. From Week 0 appetizers to monster November slates, we rank the season week by week, identify the biggest projected matchups, and decide when it is safe to go outside and when it is absolutely not. Along the way, we dig into the weeks that look especially dangerous for teams stuck between emotional rivalry games, cross-country trips, short weeks, and potential letdown spots. Ohio State, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State, Oregon, USC, LSU, Ole Miss, BYU, Texas Tech and others all pop up as we sort through the best weekends, the sneaky ones, and the obvious trap-ortunities. Plus, we discuss shared calendars, zhoug sauce, Trappy Valley, the revered Ball-Sac Game, how much of November should be blocked off, and several increasingly questionable strategies for preserving couch time during the best stretch of the season. Timestamps0:00 - Intro7:36 - Week 09:33 - Week 112:11 - Week 217:49 - Week 323:20 - Week 425:17 - Week 530:28 - Week 637:38 - Week 740:04 - Week 844:40 - Week 947:09 - Week 1053:09 - Week 1157:47 - Week 121:03:51 - Week 13Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re back for Part 2 of our May Q&A, which means the offseason conversation gets both bigger and weirder. We start off with College Football Playoff expansion anxiety, including the possibility of a 24-team field, the future of conference championship games, and the growing gap between the people running the sport and the fans who love it. We discuss the new marriage between Michigan State and Pat Fitzgerald, which leads us into a broader conversation about safe hires, risky hires, Transfer Portal recruiting, and what it actually means to rebuild in the modern Big Ten. We also touch on Texas, Arch Manning, Steve Sarkisian, Florida State, Mike Norvell, and the kinds of expectations that can turn a normal season into a referendum. We also spend some time on the quarterback and offensive coordinator pairings we’re most curious to watch, with stops at places like Georgia Tech, UCLA, Florida, Kentucky, and a few others. Which combinations are actually exciting? Which ones feel volatile? Which ones have the widest range of possible outcomes? And because it’s an offseason Q&A, we find room for the important stuff: wearing your team’s gear when things are bleak, whether video podcasts have raised the appearance bar, and Dan’s surprisingly spicy take on wearing sneakers with suits. Timestamps:0:00 - Intro3:09 - Mass CFB Exodus?25:04 - Why Pat Fitzgerald?38:39 - New QB-Coach Pairings?f47:50 - Loser Sports Apparel?53:00 - Texas Expectations?59:46 - Norvell's Future?1:06:03 - Old School Showbiz?Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 1 of our big May Q&A, we dig into some of the biggest questions hanging over college football right now, starting with Brendan Sorsby’s uncertain status at Texas Tech and what it could mean for the Big 12 race. We also get into the new single-window transfer portal calendar, the changing value of internal player development, and how roster construction is evolving in a sport where continuity, money, scouting, and plain old luck all seem to matter at once. From there, we zoom out to the SEC’s national championship drought, Texas’s non-conference schedule, the future structure of college football, and what a more stable version of the sport might look like by 2035. And naturally, we also find time for foot massagers, suspicious domain names, street-naming philosophies, and a little competitive geography talk. Timestamps:0:00 - Intro2:16 - Brendan Sorsby & Portal Buyers' Remorse22:16 - Homegrown Talent36:18 - Non-con Schedule Smoke44:12 - SEC vs The Field51:24 - CFB in 20351:07:45 - Street Naming StrategiesSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bill Connelly from ESPN.com stops by to walk us through the post-spring college football landscape, fresh off turning in 7,000 words on the MAC and kicking off his annual conference preview series. We get into how the portal era has transformed his prep work, why the SEC has become a "horizontal" conference of strong middles, and which conferences are hardest to make sense of right now. Bill evaluates the Big 12 after the Brendan Sorsby news, talks up a few mid-major teams to watch, and explains why he still doesn't fully trust Texas the way the rest of the country does. We also dig into the Bob Chesney's roster build at UCLA, Oklahoma State's full offensive transfusion, Lane Kiffin's quarterback insurance policy, and what to make of the pairing of Bryce Underwood and Kyle Whittingham in Ann Arbor. Bill also shares his Alabama skepticism, his read on Indiana's encore, and why he's increasingly intrigued by Texas A&M. And, to close things out, a little World Cup talk in advance of this summer's tournament. Timestamps:0:00 - Intro4:05 - Bill Connelly joins the showSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just as we hit record, news broke that Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby, one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the transfer portal this cycle, is checking into a treatment program for a gambling addiction, and is under NCAA investigation dating back to his time at Indiana. In this episode, we lead off with what it means for Texas Tech, and why this story is bigger than just one player in an era where sports betting has never been more accessible. Then, we're joined by fantasy football extraordinaire, Jason Moore of The Fantasy Footballers, for a crossover segment years in the making. Jason gives his advice for how our favorite college stars translate to fantasy football, talks through a uniquely thin fantasy class, and picks out his favorite landing spots among the biggest rookie names. Plus, he helps Ty through his issue of drafting too many rookies. When in doubt, just bet against the bad teams. Timecodes:0:00 - Intro4:19 - Brendan Sorsby seeks treatment for gambling problem10:47 - Jason Moore of The Fantasy Footballers joins the showSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we're joined by Cole Cubelic (SEC Network, McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, The Cube Show) for an SEC vibe check. It's not a preview, just the temperature of the conference in late April. Cole pulls no punches on the reality facing SEC fan bases: Nick Saban's standards aren't coming back, sub-goals like winning the conference have been devalued, and we've collectively forgotten what a genuinely successful season looks like. Plus, we dive in the strange Kalen DeBoer hot seat chatter, Shane Beamer's underrated portal wizardry at South Carolina, why the Alex Golesh hire at Auburn matters more than who left in the portal, Texas's need for hard-hat glue guys to pair with its sports cars, and whether Lane Kiffin's LSU rebuild can actually cohere in year one.We also discuss the loss of program continuity in the transfer portal era, the new nine-game SEC schedule as a gauntlet-within-a-gauntlet, and a big wave of defensive coordinator turnover that could make September interesting.Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time for one of our favorite traditions: Our annual NFL Draft preview with Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports. Nate walks us through why the 2026 class should be defined by the word "useful" rather than "generational," how color-coded chips on his big board separate the truly elite from scheme-dependent prospects, and why the lack of consensus near the top could produce a first round full of surprises and trades. We talked through the most accurate comps and comparisons for Fernando Mendoza, the incredible Ohio State defensive factory, the Ty Simpson versus Garrett Nussmeier conversation, Jeremiyah Love's place among recently drafted running backs, Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq and Dillon Thieneman, a loaded class of offensive linemen and much more.Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time for an offseason thought experiment! In this episode, we run through eight "Ty-potheticals" — plausible scenarios for the 2026 season — and debate how they would go over within the Clemson, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Baylor, South Carolina, Colorado, Nebraska, and Michigan State fan bases. Chapters:0:00 - Intro4:25 - Clemson15:55 - Virginia Tech24:57 - Alabama36:22 - Baylor46:20 - South Carolina53:48 - Colorado1:00:59 - Nebraska1:11:12 - Michigan StateSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring football is ongoing, and the quarterback battles are starting to tell us what 2026 might look like. In this episode, we work through a few of the most unsettled QB rooms in the country, from a four-way competition out West to a pair of SEC jobs where the depth chart has been rewritten since December. We also dig into the teams we can't stop thinking about heading into the summer, including Notre Dame, Oregon, Miami, TCU, and Oklahoma State's intriguing first-year project. Timestamps:0:00 - Intro8:13 - Florida State's QB Race16:49 - Arizona State's QB Race22:44 - Florida's QB Race 27:18 - Alabama's QB Race 30:45 - Notre Dame's RB, WR, OL 37:55 - Oregon's Coordinators 41:43 - Miami's Line 49:02 - Rapid FireSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the golf world turns its gaze to The Masters, we take a look at the truly elite in college football. In this episode, we debate the top quarterbacks and coaches in the sport. Which programs deserve "elite loser" status? Which 2026 schedules feature the most ridiculous gauntlets? And why does Dan still cringe about the time CNBC put him on the spot about Augusta National? Timestamps:0:00 - Intro7:04 - Elite Losers33:33 - Schedule Gauntlets57:56 - Elite QBs1:06:49 - Elite CoachesSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coach Jerry Mack led the Kennesaw State Owls from a 2-10 season in 2024 to a Conference USA championship in his first year in 2025, flipping the roster and the entire offensive scheme in the process. In this episode, he talks about what drew him to Kennesaw State, how he approaches roster construction in the transfer portal era, what he brought back from his time coaching in the NFL, what it takes to maintain stability through college football's most unstable era ever, and much more.Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we're taking a rare break from college football and dropping a long, off-topic episode to the feed. It's been nine years after the original Secret Garbage Bracket debuted, and we're bringing it back with an expanded 18-item field, two play-in games, and a fresh batch of submissions from the Verballerhood. The premise is the same as it was in 2017: take things that everyone seems to like, things that carry a high approval rating and rarely get questioned, and make the case that they're actually, secretly, kind of garbage. This year's bracket covers a wide range of things from modern life, from everyday conveniences and travel staples to entire cultural institutions and lifestyle choices. There are heated debates, a few philosophical tangents, and at least one matchup that spiraled into something neither of us expected. Fill out your own picks at https://garbage.solidverbal.com! Timestamps:0:00 - Intro to the 2026 Secret Garbage Bracket8:58 - Skinny Cans vs. Luxury Watches14:33 - Haircut Industrial Complex vs. Podcasts on YouTube22:11 - Cars30:02 - Grocery Stores vs. Food Delivery Services42:20 - Streaming Services vs. Carry-on Luggage54:30 - ChatGPT vs. Greeting Cards1:04:14 - The Future vs. Dog Parks1:16:28 - Beach Vacations vs. Wireless Charging1:25:20 - Miami Metro Area vs. Thought Leadership1:34:40 - Short-form Content1:38:05 - Elite Eight Matchups1:43:33 - The Final Four1:48:19 - The Championship1:56:43 - Also Receiving VotesSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time for our annual college football business update, and we couldn't think of anyone better than our friend Matt Brown from Extra Points (ExtraPointsMB.com) to walk us through everything happening behind the scenes. From the revenue arms race to jersey patches to the SCORE Act, Matt breaks down the big-picture forces shaping every athletic department in the country. We talk about whether spending more money is actually worth it, what Congress can realistically do about college sports reform, which revenue streams matter more than fans think, and why the stadium experience still has a long way to go. Plus, a seedy video game pitch, a rining endorsement for Milwaukee, and Dan discovers Summerfest 2026.Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the one thing your college football team just can't figure out? In this episode, we work through listener submissions on the recurring issues that haunt fan bases year after year. From Arkansas's defensive drought to Mizzou's glass ceiling under Eli Drinkwitz, from Florida's institutional lag, to Oregon's quest to close out the biggest games. Plus, what gnaws at Texas, Michigan, Georgia, and USC fans despite all the talent those programs have stockpiled. We also riff on Iowa, Wisconsin, Alabama, and whether some coaches are simply hardwired to win one specific way. Timecodes:0:00 - Intro8:18 - Arkansas16:43 - Georgia Tech22:42 - Missouri30:02 - Florida40:08 - Oregon48:07 - Texas53:46 - Michigan58:45 - Georgia1:03:12 - USC1:07:44 - Wisconsin1:09:33 - Rapid Fire (Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Iowa, Alabama)Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March Madness has a way of bringing old feelings back to the surface, and for college football fans, there's plenty of unresolved heartbreak left over from the 2025 season. In this college football episode, we introduce the Wiggum Scale, a Ralph Wiggum-inspired framework for rating the most devastating losses and collapses of the year. From Penn State's season-breaking double overtime loss to Oregon at a packed Beaver Stadium, to a South Carolina team that watched a 30-3 halftime lead against Texas A&M completely evaporate, to a botched extra point hold that may have cost Notre Dame a playoff berth, we make peace with more than a dozen moments that some fans may never want to feel again. Timecodes:0:00 - Intro7:43 - Omar Cooper Jr.'s catch13:14 - Oregon derails Penn State's season18:55 - West Virginia wins the Backyard Brawl23:28 - Tyler Buchner's botched hold30:54 - South Carolina gives away a 27-point lead37:57 - Ole Miss falls just short against Miami46:09 - Utah breaks Chris Klieman51:27 - The 4th quarter of UNLV vs Air Force53:40 - Georgia comes back on Tennessee59:56 - Cal upsets SMU1:04:13 - Rapid Fire: New Mexico beats SDSU, Montana State's wild FCS title, the Iron Bowl & the CFP National ChampionshipSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we each picked eight transfers — four on offense, four on defense, one quarterback max — that we find most interesting heading into the 2026 season. Why these guys? It comes down to situation, scheme fit, prior production, and in some cases, just a gut feeling that something's about to click at the next stop. We get into the players following their coaches to new destinations, the quarterback pickups nobody saw coming, the edge rushers changing conferences, and the linebackers ready to take over defenses. The big themes keep coming up: how much does coaching familiarity actually matter, can G5 numbers translate to a Power 4 schedule, and what happens when a proven producer lands in a more stable situation? Timecodes:0:00 - Intro5:33 - Caleb Hawkins (Oklahoma State)11:48 - Adam Mohammed (Cal)19:06 - Ian Strong (Cal)22:05 - Omarion Miller (Arizona State)26:45 - Cutter Boley (Arizona State)31:19 - Aaron Philo (Florida)36:39 - JJ Buchanan (Michigan)43:29 - Ben Brahmer (Penn State)46:52 - Damon Wilson (Miami)50:29 - Chaz Coleman (Tennessee)53:44 - Devan Thompkins (Alabama)56:39 - Austin Romaine (Texas Tech)59:44 - Sammy Omosigho (UCLA)1:03:53 - Cade Uluave (BYU)1:05:49 - Jontez Williams (USC)1:08:32 - DJ McKinney (Notre Dame)1:10:26 - Kenny Minchey, DJ Lagway, Anthony Colandrea, Darian Mensah & Colton JosephSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, win totals dropped for every Power 4 team. We did the responsible thing and polled the Verballerhood for it's initial response. In this episode, and hundreds of votes later, we broke down the totals that the community found most interesting and picked the side of the bet that we'd back now... in mid-March. Timecodes:0:00 - Intro4:02 - Let's Play Over/Under6:47 - Alabama15:22 - Ohio State23:30 - Texas Tech29:32 - Clemson35:02 - Florida State36:36 - Ole Miss44:11 - Penn State51:30 - BYU57:56 - LSUSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second part of our Mega March Q&A is here, and we're going deep on the questions that (apparently) matter most to the Verballerhood ahead of the 2026 season. Which teams could make a surprising playoff run? Where will college football's inertia be broken next season? Has the rapid pace of change in the sport diminished our love for it? When will the NCAA stop begging for help from Congress? Plus, the greatest "big back" of all time, college football figure skating pairings, football power plays and more. Timecodes:0:00 - Intro2:53 - Surprise Playoff Draft15:03 - Breaking CFB Inertia25:05 - Still Love CFB?31:39 - Players As Employees?38:33 - Favorite Big Back?43:41 - CFB Docs?49:03 - CFB Figure Skating Pairings51:33 - Power Plays?52:55 - G5 Contenders?55:04 - QB Development?Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Verballerhood's questions were so good that we had to split our Mega March Q&A episode into two parts. In Part 1, we look at Kalen DeBoer's future with Alabama, the value of playing time as a recruiting tool for non-blue bloods, and the college football moments over the last 25 years that we'd most like to change. Plus, we discuss whether TV networks can force teams to stop canceling marquee matchups, how the Big 12 can become a two-bid league in the CFP era, the conditions for optimal tailgating, and much more. Timecodes:0:00 - Intro2:10 - Kalen DeBoer's Future at Alabama14:17 - The Value of Playing Time23:47 - Altering CFB History35:04 - Canceling Marquee Matchups44:54 - A Two-Bid Big 1256:54 - Optimal TailgatingSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time for the annual college football checkup. In this episode, we put college football on the exam table and rate every major element of the sport from one to five. From conference structure and scheduling to the College Football Playoff, the TV product, on-field play, NIL, and the transfer portal, nothing escapes our stethoscope. Timecodes:0:00 - Intro3:42 - Key Themes for CFB in 202613:28 - Conference Structure24:50 - Scheduling33:42 - College Football Playoff45:18 - The TV Product53:02 - The On-Field Product1:02:24 - NIL1:11:43 - The Transfer Portal Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2026 college football offseason has brought a fascinating wave of coordinator changes at some of the sport's most prominent programs. In this college football podcast episode, we take a look at some of the most intriguing new coordinator hires and evaluate what each new coach has to fix. From defensive overhauls at USC and Texas to offensive shifts at Ohio State and Penn State, we dig into what each new coordinator is walking into and what kind of renovation is required. Timestamps:0:00 - Intro5:14 - Gary Patterson at USC13:30 - Will Muschamp at Texas20:58 - Drew Mehringer & Chris Hampton at Oregon29:02 - Ron Roberts at Arkansas36:53 - Jason Beck at Michigan44:48 - Bobby Hauck at Illinois50:10 - Arthur Smith at Ohio State57:59 - Chad Morris at Clemson1:05:41 - Taylor Mouser at Penn StateSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With inspiration from a popular post on the /r/CFB subreddit, we take a look at the 14 worst (statistical) teams in the Power 4 and conduct a hypothetical coach draft, reshuffling the coaching deck and putting big names in new places based on fit, prestige, track record, and everything in between. Timecodes:0:00 - Intro3:05 - Explaining the Coach Draft7:47 - Oklahoma State14:34 - Syracuse20:54 - Purdue27:21 - Virgina Tech33:00 - UCLA38:12 - West Virginia43:01 - Boston College47:21 - Wisconsin50:01 - Stanford52:34 - Rutgers56:23 - Colorado58:14 - North Carolina1:00:43 - Florida1:04:29 - Michigan StateSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Klosterman has written about music, pop culture, and the nature of reality... but football is a different level of obsession. In today's episode, Chuck details his new book, Football, and digs into what makes the sport so culturally singular, why college football's pageantry and regionalism feel increasingly fragile, and why the blue bloods still need to matter for any of this to work. In our wide-ranging conversation, we also touch on the television presentation of college football, the impact of NIL and the transfer portal on fandom, the insanity of Indiana winning a national championship, and the cautionary tale of horse racing. Pick up Chuck's book, Football, right here: https://www.amazon.com/Football-Chuck-Klosterman/dp/0593490649 0:00 - Intro4:10 - Chuck Klosterman InterviewSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Dan returns from his travels as we dive into Sacramento State's curious move to the MAC and the newest SEC scheduling controvery. Plus, we take a look at some of the most prominent new coaches from 2025 and decide whether they're more likely to be a problem for opponents or for their current schools. Timestamps:0:00 - Intro4:34 - Sacramento State joins the MAC13:47 - SEC Scheduling Controversy28:44 - Scott Frost & UCF38:34 - Bill Belichick & North Carolina46:50 - Jake Dickert & Wake Forest51:28 - Rich Rodriguez & West Virginia58:44 - Barry Odom & Purdue1:05:27 - Frank Reich & Stanford1:10:28 - Other Coach GradesSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we're joined by John Kurtz of the Open For Business podcast and newsletter to talk about the state of the Big 12 conferenced heading into the 2026 college football season. We discuss whether Oregon's playoff shutout of Texas Tech will leave a lasting mark on the Big 12's reputation, the importance of BYU's upcoming game against Notre Dame in Week 7, the scoop on what happened at Kansas State last season, and a hypothetical future state with North Dakota State in the conference.  Sign up for John's newsletter (https://www.ofbnews.com/) and check out his show (https://www.youtube.com/@JohnKurtzShow).Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, we break down North Dakota State's historic move to FBS and the Mountain West, including the financial details, the NCAA's probationary period challenge, and why the Fargodome is a must-visit destination. We also unpack former Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos' new book, Crab Creek Chronicles, and what it reveals about the Scott Frost hire, Chip Kelly almost landing in Lincoln, and a secret meeting about Nebraska potentially returning to the Big 12 Most importantly, we play "Trend or Not a Trend" with six teams heading into 2026. Is Miami's high-level winning sustainable? Can Oklahoma's defense carry a middling offense deep into the SEC? Is Arizona's defensive leap here to stay? Where does Virginia go from here at quarterback? Is Texas A&M a playoff contender with that gauntlet schedule? Can USC get back to double-digit wins under Lincoln Riley? Timecodes:0:00 - Intro4:13 - North Dakota State goes FBS17:33 - The Bill Moos Nebraska Book29:16 - Six Teams on Trend Watch30:48 - Miami's high-level winning36:20 - Oklahoma as a 2026 SEC contender42:12 - Arizona's reborn defense47:11 - Virginia as a 2026 ACC contender52:05 - Texas A&M as a 2026 CFP team58:03 - USC as a 10-win teamSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, we take a look at the 2025 storylines we secretly loved. Whether scrappy teams held things together with gum and chicken wire, coaches who turned programs around overnight, or the moments that didn't make national headlines, we talk through the things that got our hearts pumping. Think Wisconsin winning games with their punter as the leading passer, Houston quietly going 10-3, Arch Manning actually getting better when pundits left him for dead, and much more. In this episode, we share our own picks before opening it up to the Verballerhood, whose submissions cover everything from Kenny Dillingham staying at Arizona State to the absurdity of Lane Kiffin's move to LSU, Arkansas fans learning to love heartbreak, Indiana fans debating whether to protect their hearts or go all in on Curt Cignetti, and much more. Plus, a brief Super Bowl debrief, a Timothée Chalamet conversation, and the debut of Dan's bucket of wrenches. Timestamps:0:00 - Intro / Super Bowl recap6:27 - What we're doing today8:51 - Dan's "winning despite" teams (Duke, Mizzou, Minnesota, Wake Forest)10:58 - Steve Angeli and Syracuse's collapse without him13:34 - Wisconsin as a bucket of wrenches17:08 - Northwestern's what-could-have-been season19:21 - Jason Eck and New Mexico's nine-win season22:16 - Penn State's leaked Pat Kraft audio25:08 - Ty's Quick Hits: Mason Heinschel, Houston's quiet 10-3 season, Arch Manning actually got better29:29 - Dan's Quick Hits: Arizona's nasty defense, SMU's post-playoff rebuild, Double transfers31:51 - Kenny Dillingham staying at Arizona State35:15 - Arkansas tried37:20 - Indiana, Curt Cignetti, and protecting your heart44:19 - Fernando Mendoza's F-bomb and industry plant theory45:34 - Cal, the Wilcox era, and the Mendoza that got away46:56 - Lane Kiffin-LSU drama49:23 - Georgia ripping rivals' hearts out50:17 - North Texas's record-setting season51:38 - Player shoutouts: Jeremiyah Love, Ahmad Hardy, Jacob Rodriguez, Jayden Maiava53:40 - Quick fan hits: Ohio State, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma, Oregon, Purdue57:34 - Ball State tried to be the worst57:47 - Florida State's first month58:26 - Rutgers' top-50 offense / Arizona retaining Seth Doege and Noah Fifita59:54 - ESPN cinematography and best broadcast productionSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, you've asked us to do a Super Bowl preview. We finally did it, but with the only spin that makes sense for a college football podcast: looking at Super Bowl LX entirely through the stories, moments, and legacies these players built in college. When the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots kick off Sunday night, it won't just be two NFL teams battling for a championship. It will be Sam Darnold's redemption story that started at USC, Jaxon Smith-Njigba's effortless brilliance that lifted Ohio State, Kenneth Walker dragging Michigan State to glory, and Drake Maye carrying on North Carolina's royal lineage. Join us as we break down both rosters, revisit the moments that made these players who they are, and enjoy Super Bowl 60 as one big college reunion.Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The year ended with an absolute whirlwind for Michigan and Utah football. First, the Wolverines fired Sherrone Moore for an inappropriate relationship with a staffer. Within the next 48 hours, he was arrested and arraigned at a local courthouse, marking an unexpected twist as the story took a dark turn. Just two weeks later, the longtime coach of Utah, Kyle Whittingham, was introduced as Michigan's next head coach after succession plans led to an uneasy exit from Salt Lake City. In this episode, we talk with Dan Wetzel from ESPN and Sean O'Connell from ESPN 700 to go inside the ropes and understand what happened during a wild two weeks in December, what it was like to track the Moore news, how Whittingham ended up in Ann Arbor, and more. Timecodes:0:00 - Intro6:03 - Dan Wetzel on Sherrone Moore & Michigan Football41:01 - Sean O'Connell on Kyle Whittinham & Utah FootballSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After covering seven major items in Part 1, we're back with 10 more things that defined the 2025 college football season. In this episode, we run the gamut, from Miami's return to national prominence after two decades away to Notre Dame's reaction to being left out. We also talk through Texas Tech's spending spree, the magic of Diego Pavia, the roller coaster of UCLA football and much more. What defined the 2025 college football season for you? Let us know what we missed! Timestamps:0:00 - Intro4:49 - Miami is back!12:45 - Notre Dame controversy21:06 - Shirtlessness25:26 - Dan Lanning is nuts29:36 - Texas Tech's spending spree35:08 - Everything Diego Pavia40:38 - Drew Mestemaker43:07 - The UCLA Roller Coaster47:51 - John Mateer51:57 - Tiebreakers56:57 - Others Receiving VotesSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2025 college football season is in the books, and it was... a lot. Join us as we attempt to catalog the moments, storylines, and characters that made this year impossible to forget, starting with seven of the most defining elements of the season. In this episode: Why the Lane Kiffin-to-LSU saga touched every corner of college football culture. Indiana's national championship and the refreshing "plainness" of how they won it. The Penn State coaching search trilogy (expectations to collapse to Crumbl cookies). Bill Belichick's first year at North Carolina... both the 4-win disappointment and, well, everything else. Alabama's bizarre tumble into (and out of) the playoff. Two Group of Five teams crashing the party. And Lee Corso's farewell to College GameDay. Comment below with what we need to cover in Part 2! Timestamps:0:00 - Intro3:02 - The Most 2025 College Football Things6:54 - Lane Kiffin17:19 - Indiana26:34 - Penn State, Clemson & Texas36:20 - Bill Belichick43:52 - Alabama55:04 - Tulane & James Madison1:03:03 - Lee CorsoSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the national championship in the rearview mirror, we turn our focus to 2026 with our first official podcast of the preseason. In this episode, we unveil our way-too-early top 12s and take a closer look and which teams have the most continuity and best schedules, and which crushed the transfer portal. Who's too high, who's too low? Let us know! Plus, a quick roundup of the latest news, from portal signings to early NFL Draft declarations and the brewing legal fight between Duke University and Darian Mensah.Timecodes: 0:00 - Intro4:44 - News Update21:17 - Way-Too-Early Top 12sSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indiana did it. Not only did the Hoosiers win their first ever CFP National Championship, they also became the first college football team in history to finish with a mark of 16-0. In this episode, we react to Indiana's 27-21 victory and break down how the Hoosiers won on the margins to knock of a Miami Hurricanes team playing for a title in its home stadium. Plus, a conversation about what the result means for both teams moving forward as well as a quick attempt at putting Curt Cignetti's rise in historical context. Support us this offseason at https://www.patreon.com/solidverbal!Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the most improbable CFP National Championship game of our lifetime. Can Indiana become one of the greatest sports stories of our lifetime, or will Mario Cristobal win it all at home? In this episode, we dive deep into the 2026 CFP National Championship between the #1 Indiana Hoosiers and the #10 Miami Hurricanes. From the record-breaking ticket prices and weird factoids to seven big picture questions and the most important keys that will decide the game, this is your officially national championship primer episode. Timecodes:0:00 - Intro11:03 - 7 Big Questions38:02 - The Case for the Miami Hurricanes54:43 - The Case for the Indiana Hoosiers1:05:05 - Our official predictionsSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2026 transfer portal had a few more dominoes fall. In this episode, we break down the massive news of Dylan Raiola transferring to Oregon and what it means for a room that, at time of recording, could still bring back Dante Moore. We also dive into Sam Leavitt’s move to LSU, a possible $6.5 million tug-of-war for Ty Simpson, and other transfers around the sport. Plus, we answer Verballer questions on the right time to start hating on Indiana, the best G5 coaching hires, teams that exceeded our expectations, and more. Timecodes:00:00 – Intro04:13 – Dylan Raiola to Oregon19:02 – Sam Leavitt to LSU23:31 – Ty Simpson... back to college?30:56 – Q&A: Matt Campbell vs. James Franklin38:38 – Q&A: Time to Hate Indiana?44:02 – Q&A: Curt Cignetti's "Magic"51:57 – Q&A: 2025 Hits & Misses57:28 – Q&A: Underreported Hires1:01:06 – Q&A: Local Sports Cultures1:11:58 – Q&A: The Texas A&M RealitySupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The college football transfer portal is a year-round engine of anxiety. ESPN’s Max Olson joins the show to unpack a wild portal season, from $6 million quarterback price tags to the legal mess surrounding Demond Williams at Washington. Why are some schools like Indiana and Texas Tech winning the arms race while others remain quiet? We go deep on the mechanics, the money, and the "fire hose" of news currently reshaping the sport.Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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? Timecodes:0:00 - Intro5:04 - Miami vs. Ole Miss Preview & Predictions31:50 - Oregon vs. Indiana Preview & PredictionsSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 - Intro9:07 - Miami upsets Ohio State27:09 - Oregon shuts out Texas Tech45:34 - Indiana clobbers Alabama1:10:40 - Ole Miss gets revenge on Georgia1:29:41 - Closing ThoughtsSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Plus, we start off by recapping the news that former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham was tabbed by Michigan as its next head football coach. Timestamps:0:00 - Intro5:26 - 3 CFP Quarterfinal Questions25:28 - Miami vs Ohio State CFP Preview40:46 - Oregon vs Texas Tech CFPPreview57:28 - Alabama vs Indiana CFPPreview1:16:26 - Ole Miss vs Georgia CFP PreviewSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 to the Future of College Football, can be instructive as college football forges ahead into uncertain territory.Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 - Intro2:56 - Alabama defeats Oklahoma19:37 - Miami beats Texas A&M34:10 - Oregon & Ole Miss roll48:20 - The Great G5 Playoff DebateSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.