The Solid Verbal College Football

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 the Big Ten. Plus, the "reimagined" conference championship weekend, whether a breakaway league is possible, and why this feels like college football's most charged moment since the BCS era. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 05:02 - The SEC Decision Tree 16:19 - Power dynamics: Who's really running these meetings? 27:26 - The Unpopularity of SEC & Big Ten Power 36:35 - Reporting challenges and ESPN's actual role vs. perception 42:08 - The future of playoff expansion and what's next 51:19 - Outro and preview season setup _____ 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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Texas State and Michigan State fandom. Let's process the beautiful agony of this sport before preview season begins. Consider this your exposure therapy in advance of 2025. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:49 - Upcoming previews & explaining Fan Therapy 7:25 - Notre Dame's loss to NIU 13:25 - Florida State and Oklahoma State bottoming out 14:17 - Arkansas trauma 18:28 - Georgia vs Georgia Tech 8-overtime game 21:53 - The Backyard Brawl (Pitt vs West Virginia) 27:08 - The Calgorithm and the Cal vs Miami game 30:30 - Miami football being trauma adjacent 39:50 - Penn State trauma moments 42:28 - Michigan State fan (and relationship) trauma 44:32 - Oregon's Rose Bowl loss to Ohio State 48:08 - Oklahoma's offensive trauma 52:31 - Arizona State gives up a 4th & 13 in the Peach Bowl 58:25 - Texas trauma via Jack Sawyer 1:01:12 - Texas A&M trauma 1:03:46 - Texas State losing to Sam Houston in a restarted rivalry 1:06:10 - BYU's wild loss to Kansas 1:06:36 - Minnesota vs North Carolina opening game trauma 1:07:47 - Rutgers' schedule and struggles 1:08:12 - Tulane's lost playoff opportunity 1:09:04 - Quick rundown of other team traumas (LSU, Washington, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Louisville) 1:12:14 - Purdue fan trauma from Notre Dame game 1:13:40 - Wrap up and preview of upcoming episodes _____ 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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 message boards at each other's throats. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 09:27 - Clemson fan claims eminent domain 16:12 - Baylor fan is ready for more conference realignment 22:54 - Oregon fan wants more recruiting accountability 30:59 - Vandy fan wonders if players are too smart 34:30 - Georgia fan is tired of New Jersey braniacs 34:13 - Florida State fans are ready to fire Mike Norvell 50:50 - Michigan-Ohio State tensions over Connor Stalions investigation 01:01:05 - Closing thoughts _____ 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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 fans 05:00 - DJ Lagway's health status and shoulder situation 08:00 - Breaking down Florida's 8-5 season and late momentum 10:14 - What clicked for the defense down the stretch? 12:25 - Ron Roberts' impact on the defense 13:51 - Player development vs. transfer portal 21:03 - Offensive line development 25:03 - Will Billy Napier open up the offense? 30:53 - DJ Lagway's off-field impact on recruiting and retention 34:32 - Scott Stricklin's desire for stability 38:49 - Florida's player personnel formula 42:46 - Schedule breakdown and realistic expectations 51:36 - Closing Thoughts _____ 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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6398844/2025/06/03/big-ten-cfp-automatic-bids/) Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 04:20 - Scott Dochterman from The Athletic explains the TV game draft 11:30 - Network strategies: Fox vs CBS vs NBC 18:00 - Surprising discoveries while reporting the story 23:51 - The "Big Noon Saturday" product 27:12 - Lessons learned from previous scheduling mistakes 31:42 - Buyer's remorse over bad matchups 36:15 - TV draft crushes 38:25 - The sophisticated preparation process 42:13 - Is there corporate espionage? 44:45 - Big Ten's push for automatic CFP bids 52:05 - Closing thoughts _____ 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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 24:00 - Nick Saban's Coaching Ceiling 31:00 - Teams as early 2000s Pop Punk Bands 36:00 - The Coaching Hot Seat 42:00 - Late Game Viewing Struggles 49:00 - Creative CFB Revenue Generators 1:01:00 - West Coast Travel Tips 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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:39 - Summary of the last week of Big Ten and SEC moves 36:34 - Our thoughts on the future of the CFP See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 podcast? Leave us a rating and review, and don't forget to subscribe or follow so you don't miss any of our podcast episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 – Texas Tech 24:09 – Wisconsin 36:41 – Carson Beck 46:42 – Auburn 55:32 – Dante Moore 1:03:17 – Florida State 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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 - NIL-Induced parity 43:05 - A Group of Five Playoff 50:20 - College Football Fans vs. Soccer Fans 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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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, Jadyn 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 Eddie Radosevich. (04:46) - Brent Venables’ Evolution and Coaching Changes Eddie discusses Venables’ growth as a head coach, the hiring of Ben Arbuckle, Jim Nagy’s GM role, and the defense coordinator shift, addressing fan concerns about his progress. (11:23) - Oklahoma’s New Offense: Mateer, Arbuckle, and Ott Eddie details the revamped offense with John Mateer, Ben Arbuckle’s system, Jadyn Ott’s addition, and young receivers like Zion Kearney, plus the offensive line’s potential improvement. (15:44) - 2024’s Offensive Woes Eddie breaks down the 2024 offensive failures, citing injuries, poor play-calling, Jackson Arnold’s struggles, and lack of quarterback coaching as shared culprits. (22:20) - Team Culture and SEC Transition Eddie highlights Oklahoma’s strong off-field culture, fan expectations, and the sobering lessons from their 2024 SEC debut, with a tough 2025 schedule looming. (30:17) - Standout Spring Performances Eddie shares notable spring developments, including Javonnie Gibson’s injury, Kendal Daniels’ versatility, and defensive prospects like David Stone. (38:01) - Late-Game Confidence Eddie expresses unease about Oklahoma’s late-game execution, citing past failures and uncertainties with new kickers Tate Sandell and Austin Welch. (42:36) - Oklahoma’s NIL and Collective Landscape Eddie evaluates OU’s NIL efforts, the One Oklahoma collective, and how they stack up against SEC giants like Texas and LSU. 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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 - Luck in 2024 College Football: Clemson, Auburn, Alabama, and More 25:29 - Clemson’s 2025 Outlook: Top-Five Hype or Bust? 30:40 - Predictive Metrics and the Chaos of Modern CFB 31:47 - Bill’s Book: Forward Progress and CFB’s Future 42:29 - Is CFB Too Far Gone for Unity? 50:28 - Bill’s Japan Trip: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kit Kats Key Topics Discussed Defining Luck in College FootballClemson’s Fortunate 2024Auburn and Alabama’s Bad BreaksUCF and Washington’s Turnaround PotentialInjury Luck and Lineup StabilityThe Future of College FootballForward ProgressJim Delany’s Role in Modern CFBBill’s Japanese Adventure 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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Staples' Way-Too-Early, Post-Spring Top 25 53:19 - PFF's 2026 Big Board 🔑 KEY TOPICS 🔑 Andy Staples’ Way-Too-Early Top 25Clemson’s Case for the Top SpotNotre Dame and Penn State QuestionsIowa’s Tough Road AheadWashington and Texas A&M as Sleepers2025 NFL Draft Takeaways2026 Mock Draft BuzzBill Belichick’s UNC Adventure 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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 our podcast episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the podcast on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 13:40 - Pete Nakos Interview 🔑 KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED 🔑 Nico Iamaleava’s Transfer SagaTransfer Portal DynamicsCoaches Regaining ControlNIL and Market ValuationAgent and Parent TensionsImpact on Mid-Tier ProgramsRecruiting in the Portal EraThe Future of College Football 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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Read episode transcript and learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/episodes/inside-the-transfer-portal-with-on3s-pete-nakos/ Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Philosophy & Process Quarterback Breakdown Offensive Trends Offensive Line & Position Development Skill Positions Defensive Prospects Draft Trends & Tiering 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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Read episode transcript and learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/episodes/2025-nfl-draft-preview-with-nate-tice/ Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 how the Big 12 fits into an increasingly chaotic college football landscape. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join us for an electrifying conversation with Jason Benetti, the uber talented Fox Sports college football broadcaster and voice of the Detroit Tigers. In this episode, Jason takes us behind the scenes of his career, from calling the quirky ESPN Ocho events to mastering the art of CFB play-by-play. We discuss how he builds chemistry with analysts, navigates the chaos of live broadcasts, and finds the perfect balance between preparation and in-the-moment storytelling. Take a peek behind the curtain as Jason takes us inside the world of college football broadcasting, two-minute "timeouts", covered bridges in Oregon, Sean McDonough impressions, and what broadcasting has in common with comedy. Key Topics Discussed Jason Benetti’s Broadcasting CareerMastering College Football Play-by-PlayChemistry with AnalystsNavigating Live Broadcast ChallengesPreparation vs. SpontaneityUnique Storytelling NuggetsThe Sean McDonough Impression: 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 episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts Spotify: https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify Amazon Music: https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music Overcast: https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast Pocket Casts: https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts Podcast Addict: https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict CastBox: https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox Our college football show is also available on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal Learn more about the show on our website: https://www.solidverbal.com/about Want to get in touch? Give us a holler on Twitter: @solidverbal, @tyhildenbrandt, @danrubenstein, on Instagram, or on Facebook. You can also find our college football podcast out on TikTok and Threads. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter: https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe. College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.