The Oregon Ducks face heavy scrutiny following a shocking 39-31 loss against Oklahoma State, prompting national media comparisons to recent underachieving Penn State teams. Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman dive deep into whether Dan Lanning's squad is heading for a total free fall or if star quarterback Dante Moore has what it takes to right the ship. The guys also address the brewing controversy surrounding ESPN's College GameDay after the network granted Senator Ted Cruz extensive airtime to lobby for his Protect College Sports Act.

Turning their attention to the upcoming slate, the crew breaks down their official predictions for Week 3. They debate the tight margins of LSU at Ole Miss, analyze a tricky matchup as SMU visits Louisville, and preview Houston heading into a hostile environment at Texas Tech. Finally, the guys lock in their selections for Florida at Auburn before closing out the show with their signature long-shot underdog and upset picks of the week.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:22 - Is Oregon this year’s Penn State?

11:54 - Ted Cruz on College GameDay

24:47 - Week 3 Picks | LSU (-3) at Ole Miss

27:08 - Week 3 Picks | SMU at Louisville (-2)

30:02 - Week 3 Picks | Houston at Texas Tech (-8)

31:53 - Week 3 Picks | Florida (-2) at Auburn

33:25 - The Audible Picks Week 3 Upsets

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🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

🔹The Audible: @audible.show

#OregonDucks #DanLanning #CollegeFootball #TheAudible #CFBChaos #Week3Picks #TedCruz #LSUvsOleMiss #TexasTech #WreckEm #AuburnFootball #FloridaGators #CollegeGameDay #APTop25

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The Audible reacts to a massive, chaotic Week 2 of the college football season! Join Stewart Mandel, Bruce Feldman, and Ralph Russo as they break down all the fallout, major statements, and shocking results from the biggest weekend of the month.

The guys go deep into the historic marquee showdown between Texas and Ohio State, dissecting Arch Manning's epic 4th-quarter comeback to knock off the No. 1 Buckeyes. Then, they evaluate the state of the Wolverines after Michigan flexed its defensive muscles to shut down Oklahoma.

We also separate early-season overreaction from true reality after No. 6 Oregon’s stunning upset loss to Oklahoma State, and look at the rest of the Big 12 after No. 13 Texas Tech narrowly fended off a massive upset scare in a 35-24 road win over Oregon State.

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#TexasFootball #OhioState #MichiganFootball #OklahomaSooners #CollegeFootball #CFB #ArchManning #BryceUnderwood #DrewMestemaker #CFBChaos #TexasTech #WreckEm #AlabamaFootball #RollTide #TheAudible #AudibleShow

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The high-stakes legal standoff between Lane Kiffin and the SEC has come to a sudden halt. Facing intense pushback and the threat of severe league discipline from SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, the LSU Tigers have officially finalized their 105-man roster. By completing the roster with undergraduate talent, LSU balked and ended its quest to add former NFL players to the active squad, putting an end to a wild experiment in conference self-governance. We break down the explosive legal showdown, the "Lack of Institutional Control" warnings, and what this capitulation means for Kiffin’s program moving forward.

Beyond the drama in Baton Rouge, we dive straight into the wild "Clock Gate" controversy out of Michigan. The MAC has officially filed an appeal following Western Michigan’s bizarre loss, claiming a massive replay protocol error handed the Wolverines an illegal extra second. We look at the fallout of this timing failure, including why Jeff Sagarin is officially tracking this as a WMU victory, and how the College Football Playoff committee should factor the "human element" of this officiating disaster into their rankings.

Finally, we open up the mailbag to tackle your best questions from across the country. We address the rampant Week 1 overreactions and look at historical precedents to prove why national championship contenders always take time to develop. Plus, we look at the absolute misery currently surrounding Florida State football as they sit tied with UConn for ACC wins over the last two seasons, and examine how a potential 24-team CFP expansion will completely rewrite the future of scheduling for upper-tier G6 schools.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:09 - LSU backs down, does not sign former NFL players

16:01 - MAC, Western Michigan to appeal replay error

33:44 - Mailbag!

59:44 - Breaking News with LSU

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#CollegeFootball #LaneKiffin #LSUTigers #SECFootball #GregSankey #MichiganFootball #WMUFootball #ClockGate #FSUFootball #CFBPlayoff

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The Big Ten replay center is under fire after a wild, second-chance Hail Mary finish in the Michigan vs. Western Michigan game. In this episode of The Audible, presented by Trader Joe’s, Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph D. Russo break down exactly what happened with the game clock, what should have happened, and why there isn’t actually a "secret second clock" hidden in the replay booth.

Plus, the guys recap an action-packed Week 1—including Ole Miss outlasting Louisville in a Nashville thriller and Notre Dame dominating Wisconsin to open the 2026 season. Finally, we look ahead to massive Week 2 matchups, making picks for No. 1 Ohio State at No. 5 Texas, No. 10 Oklahoma at No. 16 Michigan, and our favorite underdogs of the week!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:28 - Explaining Michigan vs Western Michigan clock controversy

12:45 - Bryce Underwood’s job security

15:07 - Ole Miss outlasts Louisville 

20:23 - Notre Dame dominates Wisconsin

30:08 - Ohio State at Texas

34:33 - Oklahoma at Michigan

37:32 - Iowa State at Iowa

39:18 - Alabama at Kentucky

42:50 - Week 2 Upsets

Follow the Crew on X:

🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel

🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB

🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

🔹The Audible: @audible.show

#CollegeFootball #MichiganFootball #TheAudible #BigTen #Week2Picks #NotreDameFootball #OleMiss

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Week 1 of the college football season delivered absolute chaos! Today on The Audible, Stew, Bruce, and Ralph break down the wildest opening weekend storylines, massive scares, and officiating drama.

⏱️ Michigan’s Clock Controversy Explained: Michigan survived a massive scare against Western Michigan, but the real story is the chaotic ending. We go behind the scenes of the Big Ten's replay protocol, the Hawk-Eye camera discrepancy, and exactly what the broadcast crew missed. Plus, the guys discuss why Michigan needs to throw in the towel on Bryce Underwood.

🦆 Oregon Dodges Disaster: Oregon survives a fierce battle against Boise State. We break down how Maddux Madsen and the Broncos pushed the Ducks to the absolute brink.

🐅 LSU Dominates Clemson: LSU made Clemson look like an FCS school. Is LSU a legitimate National Championship contender, or is Dabo Swinney officially entering his final season after getting outpaced by the modern transfer portal?

Follow the Crew on X:

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#CollegeFootball #CFBRecap #MichiganControversy #OregonScare #LSUvsClemson #TheAudible

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What do college football coaches actually think behind closed doors? In this episode of The Audible, Bruce Feldman and Ralph Russo break down Bruce's anonymous coach survey. The guys dive straight into the takes, revealing which hyped contenders coaches are calling the biggest frauds before flipping to their ultimate national title favorites.

Moving beyond the survey, the crew examines the mounting pressure on coaching hot seats across the country. They debate whether Lincoln Riley faces a Brian Kelly-style crisis at USC and evaluate the market appeal of major coaching retreads like Brian Kelly and Jimbo Fisher looking to get back on the sidelines.

Finally, the guys close out the show with a packed listener mailbag. They tackle predictions for the Border War, share their all-time favorite college football books, and run a fascinating thought experiment on what this season would look like under the old four-team playoff format.

Timestamps

0:00 -  Intro

1:23 - Coaches Confidential Survey

1:55 - CFB coaches pick the biggest frauds

12:30 - CFB coaches pick the ’26 nat’l champs

15:39 - CFB coaches pick the biggest sleeper

18:38 - Coaching Carousel

18:56 - Jimbo Fisher & Brian Kelly

30:27 - Dave Clawson

32:20 - Coaches to watch on the Hot Spot

46:29 - Mailbag Time!

59:10- Mailbag Winner

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🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

🔹The Audible: @audible.show

#TheAudible #CollegeFootball #CFB #CoachesPoll #LincolnRiley #USC #CFP

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The legal war between LSU and the SEC is escalating right before kickoff, forcing Commissioner Greg Sankey and the league into a high-stakes standoff over controversial roster rules. In this episode of The Audible, presented by Trader Joe’s, we break down the massive legal risks the Tigers face if they choose to suit up players under a temporary state court injunction. Our panel analyzes whether this legal loophole provides actual protection or if LSU is cruising toward unprecedented conference penalties, fines, and forfeits.

Plus, the college football season is officially here, and the guys dive into a massive slate of Week 1 game picks, point spreads, and predictions. We break down the betting angles for Boise State at Oregon (-24.5), a highly-anticipated Clemson at No. 11 LSU (-10.5) showdown in Death Valley, and a historic Sunday matchup between Wisconsin and No. 4 Notre Dame (-20.5) at Lambeau Field. The crew also locks in their best bets for Louisville vs. Ole Miss (-7) in Nashville before revealing their favorite Week 1 upset picks—including a bold 30.5-point underdog shocker—and debating the most interesting under-the-radar storylines of the weekend, from Oklahoma State at Tulsa to SMU at Florida State.

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:23 - Lane Kiffin, LSU vs SEC

10:53 - Boise vs. Oregon

13:57 - Clemson vs. LSU

17:38 - Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame

23:52 - Louisville vs. Ole Miss

28:13 - Potential upset picks

Follow the Crew on X:

🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel

🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB

🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

#CollegeFootball #LSU #SEC #Week1Predictions #TheAudible #CollegeFootballPicks #TraderJoes #Clemson #NotreDame #OleMiss #Oregon #CFBNews

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Week 0 of the College Football season did not disappoint! Stew, Ralph, and Bruce break down a wild opening slate, starting across the pond in Ireland where Bill Belichick and UNC pulled off a stunning 15-10 victory over TCU. Is TCU already in disaster mode?

Plus, the guys head to Charlottesville where Virginia completely dominated NC State, easily covering the spread. Is UVA a legitimate College Football Playoff sleeper, or is NC State just doing typical NC State things? Finally, we look at USC’s season opener against San Jose State. The Trojans got the win but failed to cover—what did we learn about Lincoln Riley's squad? Plus, don’t miss shoutouts! 

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Timestamps

0:00 - Intro

3:15 - UNC stuns TCU

14:03 - UVA hammers NC State

20:39 - Can NC State bounce Back?

23:55 - USC beats San Jose State

29:46 - Memphis downs UNLV

34:28 - Shoutouts 

Follow the Crew on X:

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🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB

🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

#CollegeFootball #Week0 #CFBRecap #UNCvsTCU #USCTrojans #NCState #TheAudible

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The 2026 college football season is officially here! Today we break down the massive emergency eligibility guardrails passed by the Big Ten and SEC, Arch Manning's surprising drop in the Top 100 rankings, and hand out our official Week 0 picks. 

Welcome back to The Audible with Stew & Ralph! With the final Week 0 games kicking off this week, football is finally back. Stew and Ralph pull back the curtain on their ultimate game-day viewing habits, detailing the micro player details and macro team schemes they focus on when tape is rolling.

The guys dive into the biggest news of the week: the Big Ten and SEC passing historic roster guardrails to prevent players on professional sports contracts from returning to the college ranks. Plus, we react to The Athletic's Top 100 list seeing Texas quarterback Arch Manning slide to No. 32, predict which Top 25 powerhouse will end up completely unranked, and drop our official Week 0 game picks.

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Timestamps

0:00 - Intro

1:45 - SEC and Big Ten take a stand

11:55 - Top 100 College Football players talk

18:00 - Week 0 preview

23:45 - North Carolina vs. TCU

26:52 - San Jose State at USC

31:45 - NC State at Virginia

35:31 - Memphis at UNLV

39:08 - Mailbag

Follow the Crew on X:

🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel

🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB

🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

#TheAudible #CollegeFootball #ArchManning #BigTen #SEC #Week0 #TexasLonghorns #CFBPicks #CFB2026

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Who wins the 2026 College Football Playoff? Could we see a repeat champion with the Indiana Hoosiers? Will Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns capture the title? Stew and Ralph give their picks for the 2026 CFP.

Welcome back to The Audible presented by The Athletic! In today's episode, Stew and Ralph go head-to-head with their preseason playoff projections. Ralph is backing the Texas Longhorns to take down the Oregon Ducks for the national title. Meanwhile, Stew drops a bombshell prediction, picking the Indiana Hoosiers to defeat Notre Dame and secure back-to-back national championships!

Plus, we break down a historic college football transfer market anomaly. Former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright has been waived by the Cleveland Browns and is headed to LSU to rejoin his former coach Lane Kiffin. This would make him the first player to ever go from the pros back to the college ranks. What does this mean for the future of player eligibility?

Timestamps 

0:00 - Intro

1:47 - Dea’Quan Wright expected to return to NCAA from NFL

10:05 - How did we get to this point?

23:22 - Ralph’s CFP bracket

38:20 - Stewart’s CFP bracket

49:09 - Bruce’s CFP bracket

50:35 - Heisman predictions

#CollegeFootball #TheAudible #CFBPlayoff #LSUFootball #IndianaHoosiers #TexasLonghorns #Bracketology #CollegeFootballPlayoff

Ralph's Bracket:

First Round

12 Navy at 5 Miami

11 TCU at 6 Notre Dame

10 Louisville vs 7 Florida

9 Washington vs 8 Texas Tech

Bye

1 Texas

2 Ohio State

3 Oregon

4 LSU

Quarterfinals

Texas vs Texas Tech

LSU vs Miami

Notre Dame vs Oregon

Ohio State vs Florida 

Semifinal

Miami vs Texas

Oregon vs Ohio State

Final

Texas-Oregon

Champion

Texas

Stew’s Bracket:

First Round

8 Oklahoma vs 9 Georgia 

5 Texas vs 12 Boise State

7 Ohio State vs 10 LSU

6 BYU vs 11 USC

Bye

1 Indiana

2 Notre Dame

3 Oregon 

4 Miami

Quarterfinals

Indiana vs Georgia

Miami vs Texas

Notre Dame vs Ohio State

Oregon vs BYU

Semifinal

Indiana vs Miami

Notre Dame vs Oregon

Final

Indiana vs Notre Dame

Champion

Indiana

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Can Dan Lanning finally take the Oregon Ducks all the way to the top? Will Jeremiah Smith follow up a historic season by leading the Ohio State superteam back to a championship? And can Curt Cignetti replicate the unfathomable standard he set at Indiana?

Welcome back to The Audible! In this episode, Stew and Ralph break down everything you need to know about the powerhouse Big Ten ahead of the upcoming season. The guys dive deep into a complete 18-team preview, separating the true College Football Playoff heavyweights from the programs facing massive pressure.

📺 Watch us on YouTube: @AudibleShow

🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

2:05 - Ohio State

3:49 - Oregon

6:25 - Indiana

8:30 - Does their non-conference schedule catch up with them?

10:58 - Challengers

11:09 - USC

13:59 - Michigan

17:30 - Penn State

20:35 - Washington

23:30 - Iowa

26:08 - Nebraska/Interesting coaching situations

29:23 - Wisconsin

32:27 - Maryland

34:38 - Northwestern

38:32 - Rutgers

41:40 - UCLA

43:02 - Michigan State

45:00 - Wildcards/Minnesota

46:45 - Purdue

48:06 - Illinois

50:00 - Mailbag

#BigTenPreview #TheAudible #CollegeFootball #OhioStateFootball #OregonDucks #IndianaFootball #JeremiahSmith #DanLanning #CurtCignetti

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The road to the 2026 College Football Playoff starts right here. Today, Stewart Mandel and Ralph Russo are breaking down every angle of the newly released 2026 AP Preseason Top 25 Poll. Big Ten heavyweights Ohio State and Oregon headline the poll at No. 1 and No. 2. But does this mean the Buckeyes or Ducks can actually make the National Championship game? We deep dive into whether Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame Fighting Irish truly belong at No. 4, or if they are sitting in a preseason trap.

Then, we flip the script to the Group of 6 (G6) preview. Stew and Ralph focus on the newly rebuilt Pac-12 conference and look at how Boise State is leading the pack after receiving the most votes outside the Top 25. We rank our top 3 CFP contenders from the G6 and close things out with a coaching special: which coaches could be on the move after the 2026 season wraps up?

🎧 Listen to the full episode on the Audible App or your favorite audio platform.

👉 Subscribe to our channel for weekly college football game previews, recruiting updates, and bracketology breakdowns.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

0:53 - AP Top 25 Preseason Poll

14:20 - Jayden Daniels

21:21 - Notre Dame

29:49 - G6 conversation

43:08 - Drafting G6 contenders for playoff

53:21 - Coaches Convo

#APTop25 #NotreDame #GroupOf6 #CFBPlayoff #BoiseState

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Can Mario Cristobal finally deliver a championship season in Miami? Is Dabo Swinney ready to evolve and get Clemson out of their recent slump? And can Bill Belichick salvage his high-stakes experiment at North Carolina after a disastrous 4-8 year? 

Welcome back to The Audible! In this episode, Stew, Bruce, and Ralph break down everything you need to know about the ACC ahead of the 2026 season. The guess dive deep into the ultimate 17-team ACC preview, sorting the true College Football Playoff contenders from the teams sitting firmly on the coaching hot seat.

🏈 TIMESTAMPS

0:00 - Intro

1:17 - Miami

5:00 - Challengers/Clemson

9:43 - Louisville

12:32 - SMU

14:48 - Miami vs the Field

17:25 - Dark Horses/Virginia

21:36 - NC State

24:26 - Virginia Tech

26:58 - Cal

29:42 - Stanford

31:51 - Hot Seat coaches

32:00 - Florida State

38:16 - Syracuse

40:48 - Boston College

43:24 - North Carolina

48:46 - End of the Belichick era?

50:56 - Wildcards/Georgia Tech

53:16 - Duke

55:00 - Wake Forest

56:32 - Pitt

59:14 - Mailbag

#ACCPreview #TheAudible #BillBelichick #DaboSwinney #MarioCristobal

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South Carolina's Nyck Harbor has officially reclaimed the No. 1 spot on Bruce Feldman's 2026 College Football Freaks List, beating out Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith! 

Check out the full breakdown on The Athletic: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7501158/2026/08/10/college-football-freaks-list-south-carolina-nyck-harbor-2026/

In this exclusive bonus clip, we dive into the craziest athletes in college football. While Jeremiah Smith is putting up historic numbers and turning heads, Nyck Harbor's rare combination of size and Olympic track speed keeps him at the absolute top of the football world. 

Who do you think is the biggest freak in the country? Let us know in the comments!

#CollegeFootball #FreaksList #NyckHarbor #JeremiahSmith #OhioStateFootball #GamecocksFootball #CFB2026

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The Big 12 is potentially the most wide-open and chaotic conference in college football, and we are breaking down every single contender, dark horse, and spoiler. Stew, Bruce, and Ralph look at Colorado's overhauled roster to see if Deion Sanders has the lines of scrimmage fixed enough to spark a massive rebound season after last year's frustrating 3-9 collapse. Then, they head to Lubbock to debate if Joey McGuire is finally ready to push Texas Tech to the very top of college football. Plus, the guys dissect Kenny Dillingham's developmental blueprint at Arizona State and see if the Sun Devils can shock the oddsmakers.

But the chaos doesn’t stop there. We run through over/under win totals and major storylines for all 16 teams navigating massive coaching changes across the country. Can the Utah Utes maintain their standard in a new era, or will Avery Johnson and Kansas State steal the crown? We check in on Lance Leipold’s Kansas squad, and discuss how Iowa State retools after a major offseason shift. Finally, we analyze the schematic changes for programs like Brent Brennan's Arizona Wildcats, Scott Frost's second year at UCF, and Scott Satterfield's high-stakes pivotal year with the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Timestamps

0:00 - Intro

1:45 - Texas Tech

5:42 - BYU

10:37 - Utah

13:05 - Kansas State

15:52 - Houston

19:58 - Texas Tech versus the field

23:11 - Arizona

25:14 - TCU

27:34 - Arizona State

29:26 - Kenny Dillingham’s future?

33:17 - Colorado

36:08 - Will Deion will be the coach in 2027?

38:04 - Baylor

40:27 - Kansas

43:41 - Cincinnati

45:54 - Wildcards

46:03 - Oklahoma State

49:22 - West Virginia

50:50 - Iowa State

52:28 - UCF

55:09 - Mailbag

🎧 Subscribe to The Audible Podcast for weekly college football deep dives!

#CollegeFootball #Big12 #ColoradoFootball #TexasTech #ArizonaState #UtahFootball #KStateFB #GoPokes #KUFootball #UCFKnights #BearDown #Cyclones

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The SEC is officially wide open, and we are breaking down every single team in the conference to find out who has what it takes to make a run at the National Championship!

From Lane Kiffin taking over a $45 million roster at LSU to Arch Manning's explosive new weapons at Texas, year one of Jon Sumrall at Florida, and Kalen DeBoer's fascinating quarterback battle at Alabama—we cover it all. We dive into the big-name transfer portal additions, the major coaching staff overhauls, playoff contenders like Oklahoma and Ole Miss, and the teams just fighting for competence.

Timestamps:

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

2:10 - Texas

5:21 - Georgia

9:51 - LSU

12:48 - Florida

16:41 - Auburn

19:12 - Kentucky

23:08 - Arkansas

26:52 - Alabama

32:09 - Tennessee

35:40 - South Carolina

39:50 - Oklahoma

43:54 - Ole Miss

47:38 - Texas A&M

50:43 - Mizzou

52:58 - Vanderbilt

56:26 - Mississippi State

58:52 - Mailbag

🎧 Subscribe to The Audible Podcast for weekly college football deep dives!

#SEC #CollegeFootball #SECPreview #LSUFootball #TexasFootball #AlabamaFootball #GeorgiaBulldogs #CFB2026

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On today's program, Bruce, Stew, and Ralph dive deep into a massive week for college football, spanning from historic rivalry renewals to major legal decisions shaping the future of the sport.

First, Bruce shares his inner-circle experiences from the FOX Sports Football retreat, including a fascinating breakfast breakdown with Chris Petersen and Gerry DiNardo about 1970s play-signaling restrictions. Plus, we dive into two crucial new rule changes explained by Mike Pereira and a quick recap of golfing with Tom Rinaldi.

Next, a classic rivalry is renewed! USC and Notre Dame have officially agreed to a four-game series beginning in 2030. The guys debate the formatting, exploring why USC fans are split, why Stew loves the early-season timing, and Ralph’s concerns about burning a historic matchup in Week 1.

We also break down the historic alignment between the Big Ten and the SEC, who have finally green-lit the college sports bill to head to the Senate floor. We examine if this seven-year journey will clear the House, what a potential 19-school conference realignment looks like, and if this bill could actually lead to kicking underperforming schools out of top conferences.

The crew also reacts to a judge granting an injunction that gives Class of 2022 athletes a fifth year of NCAA eligibility. Bruce explains why this may not be as exciting for teams as it looks on paper, while Stew and Ralph look at which favorite teams could suddenly get key stars back on the roster. 

Finally, we track the latest developments out of Chapel Hill, where North Carolina’s Michael Lombardi has retained an attorney and is ready to clear his name.

Catch Us Everywhere

Watch on YouTube: Search "@AudibleShow" to see the full video episodes!Subscribe: Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star rating wherever you get your podcasts.

Timestamps

0:00 - Intro

0:47 - Bruce reveiews the start of the FOX offsites

6:00 - USC vs Notre Dame discussion

15:13 - Ralph discusses latest on potential Senate involvement

22:43 - Ralph explains the latest eligibility ruling in Colorado

34:15 - Latest on UNC GM Mike Lombardi

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Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel are live in Chicago for Big Ten Media Days! On today's program, the guys break down their biggest takeaways from the podium and ask a massive question: Are Oregon, Ohio State, and Indiana the undisputed new "Big Three" and the class of the conference?

Plus, Stew shares details from his exclusive sit-down interview with the Big Ten Commissioner, and the guys look ahead to crucial Thursday storylines for Lincoln Riley and Penn State.

Later, the crew reacts to the historic news of Ohio State and Notre Dame adding sponsorship patches to their iconic jerseys.

The mailbag is packed this week. Ralph Russo answers your questions

Most Dominant Seasons Ever: The guys tackle a heavy question from Jason in Columbia, SC, ranking four legendary individual seasons since 2000: Tim Tebow (2007), Cam Newton (2010), Joe Burrow (2019), and Travis Hunter (2024). Is Hunter's dual-award season actually crazier than Shohei Ohtani?Blue Blood Urgency: Which historic program needs a successful campaign the most to avoid sliding into complete irrelevance in this new era of player compensation?Coordinators Under Pressure: Bryan from Atlanta asks which coordinators across the country are facing the absolute most heat, whether they are stepping into championship expectations or trying to fix struggling units.

Timestamps

0:52 - Bret Bielema’s comments

4:49 - Stew on his convo with Tony Petitti

13:26 - Bruce’s takeaways from day 1 of media day

15:09 - Matt Campbell & Penn State

16:18 - USC & Lincoln Riley

23:15 - Stew is concerned about Michigan

24:50 - Dante Moore & Oregon discussion

25:49 - Stew on Oregon

27:45 - Jersey Patches

31:23 - Audible Mailbag

31:56 - Question 1: Blue Blood schools

35:57 - Question 2: Most impressive individual seasons

39:33 - Question 3: Coordinators under pressure

44:02 - Gift card for Mailbag winner

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In today’s episode, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman and Ralph Russo break down a chaotic week in college football, starting with breaking news out of Chapel Hill, a massive Big Ten Media Day preview, and the sport’s latest labor shifts. 

First, the guys dive into North Carolina placing general manager Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave. What does this mean for the Tar Heels' 2026 season, the program's structural future, and the long-term relationship between UNC and Bill Belichick? Bruce and Ralph evaluate Lombardi’s brief tenure as a CFB general manager and project what expectations look like for UNC moving forward. 

Next, with Big Ten Media Days kicking off and USC head coach Lincoln Riley taking the stage tomorrow, the guys preview the biggest storylines, teams, and coaches they are chasing down. Plus, they break down the 2026 Preseason Big Ten Poll, discussing why predicting an order of finish is harder than the SEC this year and why Bruce is underwhelmed by the conference's running back rooms. 

Finally, they tackle the latest massive labor news as Stanford football players move toward creating a collective bargaining unit. Does this bring college football closer to a CBA? To wrap up, Bruce and Ralph highlight college football’s 2026 "All-Geezer Team," spotlighting the 7th- and 8th-year players still dotting rosters, including names like Avery Johnson and Bear Alexander.

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TIMESTAMPS:

1:10 UNC places GM Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave due to HR complaint

6:13 - Another distraction for UNC

7:28 - What happens going forward?

16:36 - What is high on Bruce’s list for Big Ten media day?

20:36 - Oregon Ducks title contention?

23:31 - Last time Ohio State won the Big Ten

25:36 - Pressure on Lincoln Riley and USC

31:46 - The Big Ten RBs

34:35 - Stanford players and a CBA?

40:25 - The All-Geezer team

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In this episode, Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo dive deep into the latest college football headlines, rank the nation's quarterbacks, and answer your burning questions in the mailbag.

First, we react to Florida head coach Jon Sumrall embracing the grueling 9-game SEC schedule and his thoughts on the rivalry with Georgia. Then, things get spicy in Lexington as Kentucky offensive coordinator Will Stein drops a bold, Curt Cignetti-style claim about why the Wildcats will win.

Next, we break down The Athletic’s 2026 college football quarterback tiers, ranking every projected starter from 1 to 138. The guys reveal their picks for:

Which tier-2 (or lower) QBs will jump into Tier 1 (LaNorris Sellers, Marcel Reed, Jaden Craig)Which big-name signal-callers they are highly skeptical of (Josh Hoover, Julian Sayin, Noah Fifita)Their favorite under-the-radar tier 4-7 sleepers to ride with this season (Tyler Hughes, Alberto Mendoza, Lincoln Kienholz)

Finally, we open up the mailbag to tackle your questions:

Is Indiana's Curt Cignetti destined to regress like Chip Kelly now that the rest of college football has copied his transfer portal blueprint?How would the summer hype surrounding Miami be different if Notre Dame had made the College Football Playoff over them last winter?

•Why has the recruitment of elite Junior College (JUCO) players dropped off so drastically over the last 15 years compared to the 1990s?

0:00 - Intro

0:48 - Will Jon Sumrall help reignite the Florida-Georgia rivalry?

11:15 - Has Kentucky found their Curt Cignetti in Will Stein?

16:43 - Start of the QB tier discussion

17:50 - Which QB not in tier 1 will finish the season in tier 1?

22:50 - Which QB are you skeptical of?

31:03 - Pick a QB ranked in tiers 4-7 to ride with this season.

40:19 - Mailbag questions

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Would the SEC do the unthinkable and leave college football? Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo discuss SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey’s press conference. The Southeastern Conference head spoke today at the annual media day. The Audible team reacts to his latest comments.

Plus, it’s the end of an era for the Michigan Wolverines. Athletic Director Warde Manuel will be stepping down at the end of the calendar year. His tenure is marked by controversy and championships. The guys ask Michigan fans if it was all worth it. Drop a comment below and let us know if you think it was or wasn’t.

Is Indiana the new wide receiver U? Curt Cignetti landed a 5-star recruit. Monshun Sales has committed to the Hoosiers. Does the Big Ten recruiting trail now run through Bloomington, Indiana? 

Finally, the guys discuss the ACC Media Days. Ralph was onsite for the availability and reacts to several interesting storylines. First, Dabo Swinney was fired up about his legacy and the state of the Clemson Tigers football program. Plus, what happened between Pitt HC Pat Narduzzi and Miami? And, are there ACC schools we should view differently?

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#CollegeFootball #Michigan #SEC 

0:00 - Intro

0:57 - Warde Manuel to leave Michigan

11:05 - Would the SEC actually break away from College Football?

17:00 - What should we make of Mizzou’s Eliah Drinkwitz’s comments?

22:47 - Is Indiana the new wide receiver U?

30:35 - Why did Dabo Swinney fired up at ACC Media Day?

38:10 - What happened between Pitt HC Pat Narduzzi and Miami?

43:15 - Are there ACC schools we should view differently?

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Brian Kelly is back in the college football conversation, and Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman break down his recent revealing interview. Kelly addressed his Notre Dame exit, his relationship with Notre Dame fans, and whether his coaching future could eventually lead him back to the ACC or another major college football job.

The Michigan investigation remains one of the biggest stories in college athletics, and Bruce shares the latest reporting after new details emerged surrounding the Wolverines football program. Stewart and Bruce discuss what the leaks suggest about the athletic department, why the report may not be released publicly, and what it could mean for Manuel’s future in Ann Arbor.

Then, it’s time for an ACC preview coming out of ACC Media Days. Is Miami the clear favorite to win the conference after adding major transfer portal pieces and continuing to recruit at an elite level under Mario Cristobal? The guys discuss why the Hurricanes may be the strongest Power Four conference favorite entering the season and whether the ACC needs Miami to become a true national contender.

Bruce also makes the case for NC State as a possible ACC sleeper, while Stewart questions whether the program can finally break through against the league’s best teams.

Plus, the mailbag covers whether NIL would have changed previous eras of college football, what happened to Dabo Swinney and Clemson, why Cody Campbell has become such a polarizing figure at Texas Tech, and how the modern college football GM role is evolving in the age of NIL, revenue sharing and the transfer portal.

Like and Subscribe for the best conversations about College Football and send your mailbag questions to [email protected]

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It's time for the biggest storylines entering the 2026 season. Can Curt Cignetti keep Indiana among the College Football Playoff contenders? How will the SEC's new nine-game conference schedule impact the playoff race? Will Lane Kiffin deliver immediately at LSU? Is Arch Manning ready to lead Texas into national championship contention? Stewart Mandel, Bruce Feldman and Ralph Russo debate the programs, coaches and quarterbacks that will define the 2026 college football season.

The Michigan investigation appears to be reaching its conclusion, and The Audible crew breaks down what could be one of the biggest administrative stories in recent college football history. With reports that Michigan commissioned an extensive outside investigation into the culture of its athletic department, the crew discusses what it could mean for athletic director Ward Manuel, the fallout surrounding Sherrone Moore, and why this report could reshape the future of one of college football's premier programs.

Next, the conversation turns toward the field as The Audible begins its official preview of the 2026 college football season. Bruce shares his biggest takeaways from Big 12 Media Days, including a healthier Deion Sanders, Colorado's revamped roster, Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway's development, and what to expect from one of the most intriguing conferences in the country this fall.

The crew also gets into a spirited Arch Manning debate as Texas enters the season with massive expectations. Bruce and Ralph are buying the leap, pointing to Arch's late-season growth, improved playmaking and a loaded Longhorns roster that should have Texas thinking national championship. Stewart pushes back, questioning whether the Manning name is still inflating the hype and arguing that Arch can be a very good quarterback without needing to be treated like the next superstar before he has fully proven it.

Finally, Stewart, Bruce and Ralph examine the coaches facing the most pressure this year. From Bill Belichick's uncertain future at North Carolina to Mike Norvell's mounting expectations at Florida State, Luke Fickell at Wisconsin and several other hot-seat candidates, the guys discuss which programs are approaching pivotal moments and which coaches could be coaching for their jobs this fall.

Whether you're following Michigan football, Texas, LSU, Colorado, Indiana, the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC or the College Football Playoff race, this episode delivers in-depth reporting, insider analysis and informed discussion to get you ready for the 2026 college football season.

Will Arch Manning live up to the hype in 2026? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

Plus don't forget to send in your mailbag questions to [email protected]

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Welcome to The Audible presented by Trader Joe’s! 

In this action-packed episode, Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo break down the biggest storylines in the college football world. We kick things off with a wild recap of Big 12 Media Day, highlighting Deion Sanders’ incredibly unusual and tense media session that has everyone talking.

From there, we dive straight into the unfolding Brendan Sorsby saga. We break down David Ubben’s latest article and analyze the explosive accusations made by Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield, who claims Texas Tech illegally recruited and tampered with Sorsby during the 2025 season. What does this mean for the future of roster retention and the wild west of the transfer portal?

Plus, Bruce sits down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with Mike Golic Jr. They discuss Golic Jr.’s massive upcoming move back to ESPN, what his new role will look like, and his expert insights on the rapidly evolving state of the Big 12 conference. 

Finally, we crack open the mailbag to answer your burning questions about 90s postseason nostalgia, potential World Cup-style electronic tracking technology in footballs, and whether middle-tier programs like the Minnesota Gophers should aggressively "swing for the fences" in the modern NIL era or play it safe.

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In this packed episode, Bruce and Ralph sit down with The Athletic’s David Ubben to unpack his mind-blowing feature story on Ron Weaver (aka Ron McKelvey). In 1995, a 30-year-old former community college coach stole a social security number, completely recreated his identity, and lined up as a defensive back for the Texas Longhorns—nearly getting away with it all until a sudden unraveling 12 hours before the Sugar Bowl. We dive into the psychology, the close calls, and how a grown man managed to hide in plain sight from coaching legends and future NFL draft picks.

But that’s not all. We are also tackling the massive officiating philosophical divide triggered by the recent Folarin Balogun incident: is it better to preserve the integrity of the game by fixing an official's error, or do we destroy sports by ignoring consistent protocol? Stew, Bruce and Ralph discuss how this topic relates to today’s college football environment.

Finally, we hit the gridiron to check the pulse of the Big 12. Five years after the seismic departures of Texas and Oklahoma, we evaluate the financial and competitive health of the conference. Can Texas Tech pull off a historic back-to-back championship run, or is another dark horse ready to claim the crown?

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It’s conference realignment day on The Audible. Stewart Mandel and Ralph Russo are back to break down a massive day of shifts and hiring across the college football landscape!

First up, it’s officially Conference Realignment Day! The guys dive into the brand-new look of the Mountain West and welcome the Pac-12 back to the table. What do these changes mean for the future of the sport?

Then, a major administrative shift in Madison: Wisconsin has officially hired Shawn Eichorst as their next Athletic Director. Stewart and Ralph discuss what this homecoming hire means for the future of the Badgers' football program and head coach Luke Fickell.

Plus, special guest Lucy Rohden joins the show! The college football content creator talks about her rise on The Dan Le Batard Show, her deep-rooted love for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and what is next as she ventures out on her own as a solo creator.

We wrap up the show by opening up the listener mailbag to answer your burning college football questions!

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Texas Tech's wild offseason isn't over, the College Football Playoff could be expanding again, and the NCAA's latest eligibility overhaul is already facing legal challenges. Ralph Russo and Stew Mandel revisit the biggest Brendan Sorsby developments, debate whether ties should return to college football, discuss The Athletic's 1990s series, and break down why the College Sports Commission's NIL enforcement may already be changing.

Stew returns from Europe just in time to weigh in on the Brendan Sorsby saga, questioning whether the former Texas Tech quarterback received the right legal advice after his NCAA suspension ultimately shut the door on both the NFL Supplemental Draft and the CFL. Ralph and Stew also examine the NCAA's newly approved age-based eligibility model, why traditional redshirts are disappearing, and why another lawsuit is already challenging the system.

The conversation shifts to The Athletic's College Football in the 1990s series, with a nostalgic look at the era's broadcasts, legendary teams, split national championships, and the evolution of the sport. Ralph and Stew also engage in one of the show's most entertaining debates yet: should ties return to college football? Ralph argues they create meaningful competitive outcomes, while Stew believes they'd create complete Playoff chaos.

Finally, Ralph and Stew dive into the latest College Football Playoff expansion discussions, including scheduling challenges surrounding a potential 16-team field, Army-Navy weekend, championship timing, and the growing logistical battle between college football and the NFL calendar. They close by examining the latest changes to NIL Go, the College Sports Commission, revenue-sharing limits, and why both the SEC and Big Ten are already pushing to reshape college athletics' new financial model.

If you love College Football Playoff news, NCAA governance, transfer portal coverage, conference realignment, recruiting, NIL, and the biggest offseason storylines shaping the 2026 season, be sure to subscribe, like the video, and leave your thoughts in the comments.

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Dusty May just won an NCAA title at Michigan and has been in the Final Four in two of the last four seasons. He was on a trajectory to be one of the all-time coaches at the college level. And then, deep into June and on the eve the NBA Draft, he left Michigan to become the new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. Is this a sign of things to come in not only college basketball, but also college football? Ralph Russo and Justin Williams discuss that—plus Brendan Sorsby and the mailbag—on this episode of The Audible.

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The Protect College Sports Act has achieved a feat that eluded the SCORE Act for its entire existence—make it out of committee. It still has powerful opponents—namely the Big Ten and SEC—but it's time to take treat this legislation as though it could help shape what's to come in college football. That's exactly what Ralph Russo and Bruce Feldman do on this episode of The Audible. Then, the guys turn their focus to the G6, making four win total over/under picks apiece.

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When is Oklahoma State the key to the college football season? Allow Ralph Russo and Bruce Feldman to explain on this episode of The Audible. The guys find inspiration in a question from an emailer, indulging in a game in which, yes, Drew Mestemaker's and Eric Morris's move from North Texas to Oklahoma State is the most important thing. After that, the guys dig further into the mailbag to look both backward and forward across the college football landscape.

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The Audible is back with a loaded episode. Bruce Feldman and Ralph Russo break down the Big 12's escalating legal battle with Texas Tech, discuss what comes next for Brendan Sorsby, and examine the ripple effects across college football. Then, Stewart Mandel joins the show as the crew makes their favorite SEC over/under picks, debates conference contenders, and discusses whether Arch Manning and Texas are ready to take the next step.

The episode opens with the latest fallout from the Brendan Sorsby case as the Big 12 pushes back against Texas Tech's plans surrounding the star quarterback. Bruce and Ralph discuss the conference's legal response, the possibility of sanctions, how the College Football Playoff could view the situation, and whether Sorsby's future could ultimately lie in the NFL rather than college football.

The Audible crew continues their conference win-totals draft with a deep dive into the SEC. Stew, Bruce and Ralph identify the teams they believe are poised to exceed expectations and those facing difficult paths ahead.

Can Arch Manning lead Texas to an SEC Championship? Is Georgia's favorable schedule the biggest advantage in the conference? The panel debates the outlook for the SEC's top contenders while breaking down the impact of quarterback play, coaching changes, roster turnover, and schedule strength on the race to reach the College Football Playoff.

Plus, the guys explain the logic behind their strongest SEC projections, discuss why South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Alabama could outperform expectations, and examine whether programs like Vanderbilt, Arkansas, and Mississippi State can surprise this season.

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Which team is your pick to win the SEC?

Let us know in the comments.

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The fallout from the Brendan Sorsby ruling continues to send shockwaves across college football. On this episode of The Audible, Stewart Mandel, Bruce Feldman, and Ralph Russo discuss the growing backlash to the Texas Tech quarterback's injunction, why Big 12 administrators are furious, and what it could mean for the future of NCAA eligibility, conference governance, and the College Football Playoff. Is this simply a Texas Tech issue, or a defining moment for college sports?

The crew dives into reporting from Big 12 athletic directors and administrators following the ruling, including questions about Texas Tech's relationship with the conference, potential responses from the Big 12, and whether Commissioner Brett Yormark faces the biggest challenge of his tenure.

Then it's time for Big 12 win totals. With Texas Tech viewed by many as the conference favorite, how much does the uncertainty surrounding Brendan Sorsby impact the Red Raiders' outlook? The guys debate whether Texas Tech can still win the Big 12, whether the controversy becomes a distraction, and if the program's loaded roster is enough to overcome the noise surrounding the quarterback situation.

Stew, Bruce and Ralph also make their favorite over/under picks across the conference. Which teams are being overlooked, which programs are primed to surprise, and who has the clearest path to Arlington and the Big 12 Championship Game?

Plus, listener mailbag questions spark discussions about the most valuable assets in college football, whether Ohio State's program model is the gold standard in the sport, and which historic rivalries deserve to be revived.

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Do you think Texas Tech should play Brendan Sorsby if he remains eligible, and which team will ultimately win the Big 12 championship this season?

Let us know in the comments.

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In a monumental moment for college football, a Lubbock County judge ruled that Brendan Sorsby is eligible to play at Texas Tech this season, despite betting on his own team. People around the league are outraged that the games brightest red line may no longer exist, and some schools have suggested they’ll refuse to play Texas Tech. Could the Big 12 step in to levy a harsher penalty? And does this mean that all rules in college football are negotiable? 

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Ralph, Bruce, and Stew draft Big Ten win totals. Before that, they explore if there’s any reason to worry about Bryce Underwood at Michigan. Eric Weddle's blunt comments echo what some are quietly saying. Then, they make their picks. They also provide a 60-second explainer on the Cantwell-Cruz college sports bill that’s moving through the Senate.

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Ralph, Bruce, and Stew turn the ACC win totals into a competition by drafting their favorite overs and unders. Plus: an(other) update on Brendan Sorsby, Mike Leach's Hall of Fame case, and Bruce's Elite 11 quarterback takeaways.

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Ralph joins from Destin, Florida to help break down the biggest storylines from the SEC spring meetings. Playoff expansion, a rumored SEC breakaway, and a new bipartisan Senate bill that could reshape college sports governance. Later, the Brendan Sorsby gambling eligibility case, and a mailbag exploring whether bowl games and the very concept of a "successful season" have been permanently redefined.

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Ralph, Stew, and Bruce draft their top five quarterbacks for a season-long competition. Rotisserie scoring, three categories: total yards, total TDs minus interceptions, and wins. Who went first overall? Who went undrafted? Where did Chambliss, Manning, and Maiava go? Plus, Sark takes shots at Texas Tech, and Coach O returns to Baton Rouge.

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Tony Petitti made an impassioned public case for the 24-team playoff, and Ralph thinks he’s operating from a position of strength. Is this inevitable? With the Big Ten and SEC threatening to leave the NCAA, Iowa State AD Jamie Pollard says, figuratively “Hey man, go for it.” Plus, mailbag on the best position groups in college football history, whether recruiters still matter in the age of NIL, and why administrators can seem to work against their own fans.

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Ralph Russo returns from his trip to Italy to find college football in full chaos. The 24-team playoff has gone from a whisper to a roar. The ACC and Big 12 on board, while ESPN and the SEC pump the brakes. What's actually driving this? And does the math work? Then, Brendan Sorsby files a suit that Bruce and Stew find unconvincing. Plus, the guys pick their favorite Week One games and under-the-radar matchups.

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Lane Kiffin made comments in his “Vanity Fair” piece about Ole Miss recruiting and race that are making waves, and now Steve Sarkisian is also taking the opportunity to take a shot at the Rebels. What both coaches said reveals some interesting insights into the SEC's increasingly public grudge matches. Then: the 24-team playoff has real momentum now, and Bruce and Stew aren't happy about it. In mailbag, could we do a creative "NIT-style" bowl alternative?

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Ahmad Hardy, Missouri's star running back, was shot over the weekend. Bruce has the latest there. Then, a Vanity Fair profile on Lane Kiffin delivers some gems, like Kiffin implying that Ole Miss fans should be grateful for all he did for them (before abandoning the team during the playoffs). Then Bruce puts Stew on the spot with a ranking exercise: of eight of the most likely active coaches who haven't won a title (Lanning, Freeman, Cristobal, Sarkisan, Kiffin, Campbell, DeBoer, and Riley) who will actually get there?

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Jon Sumrall is building something real in Gainesville, with a loaded receiver corps and a legitimate QB battle. Matt Campbell's Iowa State imports are quietly reshaping Penn State. Avery Johnson gets a fresh start under Collin Klein at K-State. Jaden Craig arrives from Harvard to replace Josh Hoover at TCU. And Memphis may have the most compelling quarterback competition in the country. Plus, Dabo vents about Notre Dame's money machine. Is he just relitigating the past?

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Stew's new piece on Curt Cignetti reveals how 15 seasons (14 losing) as an assistant shaped his chip-on-the-shoulder identity. Then, some recruiting departments are using AI to provide a boost to their productivity. The Athletic’s Antonio Morales joins the show to explain the promise and skepticism. Plus, American commissioner Tim Pernetti floats an intriguing Group of Six playoff. 

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The dust on the Brendan Sorsby gambling scandal isn't going to settle any time soon, even if Texas Tech realistically needs to start planning for a 2026 season without it's greatest get in the transfer portal. On this episode of The Audible, senior writer Justin Williams joins Bruce Feldman and Ralph Russo to bring us up-to-the-minute on where things stand with Sorsby. Then, Bruce and Ralph consider how Sorsby and Texas Tech might turn the page. After that, the guys discuss the latest on the 5-in-5 proposal and open up the mailbag.

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Texas Tech's quarterback situation just went from promising to potentially devastating. Brendan Sorsby's gambling admission, which includes alleged bets on Indiana games while he was there, could end his college career entirely. Then: what the NFL Draft reveals about college football. Clemson had nine players picked, but struggled to get over .500. Miami had six players taken in the first 98 selections. Indiana set a program record for players taken. And Diego Pavia's Heisman run couldn't buy him a draft slot. Plus, Kalen DeBoer gets a big new seven-year deal.

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CFP commissioners are meeting in Dallas, and Ralph gives a 50/50 chance that college football has a 24-team playoff by 2028. Stew isn’t happy. What’s really at stake here? We have presumed or official QB1s at Florida State, Stanford, and Georgia Tech. It’s not all pretty. Plus, mailbag questions on UNC vs. Colorado, and whether players still go to class.

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Stew visited Indiana's spring practice and came away impressed. Cignetti's defense is loaded, and Josh Hoover is the only real question mark on a team that should easily make the playoff. Bruce drops the latest NFL draft intel: this QB class falls off a cliff after Mendoza, the DT class is historically bad (blame the portal), and Jeremiyah Love is a can't-miss. Then, Ralph reports that CFP commissioners are quietly looking to trim the maligned Tuesday night rankings show, but ESPN's contract makes a clean exit complicated.

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Bruce and Ralph pick between buzzy teams against sneaky-good alternatives for 2026. Michigan's stability under Whittingham, or Matt Campbell's Iowa State imports at Penn State? Oklahoma's defensive upside or Kiffin–less Ole Miss? Houston's momentum or TCU's depth in the Big 12? UCLA's Chesney era or Washington's returning talent? Plus, mailbag on “wins above bubble,” which past coaches would look different in a 12-team playoff, and whether UNC's Michael Malone hire echoes the Belichick experiment.

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Do spring games belong on TV, or are they just empty calories? Bruce reports from Miami, where Darian Mensah is flashing and the Hurricanes are rebuilding their trenches after losing most of last year's title game roster. Alabama's quarterback competition between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack heats up, but can DeBoer's offense finally run the ball? The NCAA is fast-tracking a five-for-five eligibility rule that could eliminate this whole waiver mess. And Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh's departure to the Big Ten office puts more pressure on Luke Fickell's make-or-break season in Madison.

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The Big Ten swept national championships in football, men's basketball, and women's basketball this year. Coaching hires and the transfer portal matter more than raw spending, but is that a trend or a coincidence? TCU extends Sunny Dykes after back-to-back nine-win seasons, and Virginia locks in Tony Elliott after one breakout year. Plus, mailbag tackles Brian Kelly's disappearing act, Nebraska's looming NIL arbitration case, coaching records against ranked teams, and some bonus music documentary talk.

Parker Fleming's conference depth according to SP+: https://x.com/statsowar/status/2037976630132678760?s=20

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