Cover 2 College Football pod

Alabama and Clemson have done what they were supposed to do as we told you back in April (and August and December) and won their way into the Playoff. How did they do it? Both teams switched QBs and both Tua and Trevor starred for their teams, but who is better? Why does Notre Dame's loss mean they need to join a league? Why are people tired of greatness in the championship game? We breakdown both national semifinal outcomes.

 

Direct download: C2_123018.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:52pm CDT

What would a win mean for Notre Dame and/or Oklahoma? How do narratives (take a shot) change should either pull the upset? Just how do we think those upsets could take place? Is the Irish defense better than we think? Will Bama get stops? Can Ian Book avoid Clemson's killer D-Line? Will Alabama gash the Sooners on the ground like Georgia? What else does last year's semis teach us about this year? Lastly, we make very boring picks and praise the TV layout for this year's playoff. 

Direct download: C2_122418.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 7:25am CDT

Is the early signing day now just THE national signing day? Did Alabama sign the best class ever or is the rest of the SEC catching up with Nick Saban? What the hell is happening in the Pac-12 as both USC and UCLA struggle while Oregon dominates. The state of Florida also saw winners (Florida) and major losers (Florida St, Miami). Is Nebraska setting itself up for a run in the Big Ten West? The guys cover all things Signing Day in this impromptu mini-pod!

Direct download: C2_122018.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 9:09am CDT

Justin Fields is exploring a transfer from Georgia. How much does his decision change the landscape in 2019 should he be eligible? There are conversations swirling around playoff expansion. Why are we getting conflicting reports and what should the power brokers be talking about? How big of a role has UCF played in this movement? Lastly, early signing period is this week. Who does it help and what storylines are we tracking.

Direct download: C2_121818.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:30am CDT

Kyler Murray won the Heisman! Braden releases his ballot and why he voted for who he did. Did Tua deserve to win and who the hell left him off their ballots? Georgia Tech and Kansas State have made two solid hires as well as Liberty! (Yes, Liberty) The coordinator carousel is spinning. And bowl games: Do the results matter or tell us anything about how good a team or league is? And do we have an issue with all these star players sitting out their team's bowl game?

Direct download: C2_121118.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:33am CDT

Urban Meyer will step down at the end of the season so what do we make of his legacy? Is Ryan Day the right answer for Ohio State? What do we make of the other Power 5 hires at Texas Tech, Louisville, Maryland and Colorado? Will Kliffy save Clay Helton at USC? And the newest hottest way to cover bowl season... with a Bowl Draft.

Direct download: C2_120518.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:45pm CDT

The Playoff is set as Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and Oklahoma got into the tournament. But why did OU and ND make it in over Georgia and Ohio State? What is the case you can make for the Dawgs, Buckeyes? Did we learn anything about the Committee and do we really have to talk about UCF? Also, how awesome was Saturday? And what was Kirby Smart thinking?

Direct download: Cover2_120218.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:46pm CDT

The guys break down every single championship game in college football this weekend. Do Alabama and Clemson even have to win to get into the Playoff? Does Northwestern have a better chance at pulling the upset than Pitt? Can Texas score with Oklahoma? And does the Pac-12 have a championship game problem? Lastly, does Notre Dame automatically belong in the Playoff? Should Georgia get consideration even if it loses? And what the hell is happening in Auburn?

Direct download: Cover2_112818.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:01pm CDT

Has the season come down to six teams after Michigan and Washington State were eliminated from contention on rivalry week? How should we view UCF after the injury? How should we view this loss for Jim Harbaugh? And the wins for Ohio St and Washington?

 

And the coaching rumors are swirling with coordinators moving, coaching getting hired and fired already, the guys break down the latest from the coaching merry-go-round as it just gets started moving.

Direct download: Cover2_112618.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 10:25am CDT

The guys talk rankings and if the Committee is breaking its own rules by moving UCF up? Is this a random off year for Rivalry Weekend in that not nearly as many games seem as interesting or important? What chance do Bama, Clemson, Notre Dame or Georgia have at being upset? The three games that matter, however, should be epic: The Apple Cup, Oklahoma-WVU and The Game. What about the division title games in the Group of 5? And the guys compare Thanksgiving side items to recruits.

Direct download: Cover2_112118.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:16pm CDT

Congrats to Pitt and Utah for clinching division titles and earning a trip to a conference championship game! One team was eliminated from the Playoff in the Big 12 while another (basically) clinched a spot in the title game after a big weekend in the Heartland. Notre Dame was incredibly impressive while Ohio State was not. What do we make of the Les Miles hiring and Clay Helton's chances of survival at USC?

Direct download: Cover2_111918.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:31am CDT

In a mild weekend of college football, focus on the Pac-12 South race as Utah, Arizona State and Arizona are still battling, the Notre Dame-Syracuse match in Yankee Stadium and two huge matchups in the Big 12 that dictate who owns the championship tie-breakers. And LOTS of Group of 5 championship action as well!

Direct download: Cover2_111418.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:42am CDT

A relatively boring weekend at the top of college football featured one elite game in the state of Oklahoma. Was going for the two the right call for the Pokes? And the underbelly of college football featured big wins for Northwestern, Pitt, Arizona St, Utah, Iowa St and Texas as all are still chasing conference titles (yes, you read that right).

 

Did Louisville do the right thing by firing Bobby-P and who are the best head coaching candidates in 2018?

Direct download: Cover2_111218.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 2:04pm CDT

Did LSU teach us anything about how to beat Alabama? Is Clemson closer to Alabama than we think? Who is else balanced enough to challenge Alabama? Additionally, how good was the WVU-Texas finish, can OU's defense win them a championship and is there something wrong at Ohio State? And, oh yeah, Michigan vs. Notre Dame could be the toughest committee decision of the playoff era.

Direct download: Cover2_110518.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:36am CDT

The guys react to the first college football playoff rankings of the year. What did they learn and what does it all mean!?! Then it's on to what could be the best weekend of college football this season!

 

The SEC title game matchup could be decided as LSU hosts Bama while Kentucky welcomes UGa in what is arguably the biggest game in school history. Meanwhile, Michigan tries to strengthen it's grasp on the Big Ten and Northwestern tries to ruin Notre Dame's season. Texas hosts West Virginia and Texas Tech hosts Oklahoma in two Big 12 showdowns. And Utah could all but clinch the South with a road win over Arizona State?

Direct download: Cover2_103118.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:42am CDT

The guys break down an upset-filled Week 9. Nine ranked teams fell and four were eliminated from the playoff but did the Top 4 change? Did Georgia do enough to prove it belongs in the top 4 and do we have clarity in the SEC now? Is Oklahoma the wildcard team that could knock off Alabama or Clemson? What the hell is going on out West in the Pac-12? And, of course, our stance on flatulence.

Direct download: Cover2_102918.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:27am CDT

Week 9 features a large collections of important games without many marquee matchups. Florida and Georgia is the biggest draw of the weekend but every other division has major implications as 11 ranked team will go on the road to face unranked opponents. Wazzu and Iowa try to keep things rolling against other ranked conference foe. And Clemson visits Florida State in what could be the Tigers toughest test left on their schedule.

Direct download: Cover2_102418.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:26am CDT

Ohio State and Michigan now appear to be on a collision course in the Big Ten after two very different outcomes in Week 8. But where does Iowa fit in? After LSU's win, the biggest story is a suspension coming against Alabama (who, by the way, won again). Clemson dominates an unbeaten foe while Virginia gets a big win in the ACC as well. How good is Washington State and who should be considered the team to beat in the Pac-12? And nothing really happened in the Big 12.

Direct download: Cover2_102218.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:57am CDT

A huge slate of games out west in the Pac-12 take center stage as Gameday heads to Pullman for the first time ever. USC-Utah, Oregon-Wazzu and Colorado-Washington highlight a great West Coast weekend. Michigan-Michigan State battle for far more than just instate bragging rights and two undefeated teams matchup in the ACC as NC State visits Clemson. Ohio State and Bama both travel on the road in conference play this week as LSU has to clear yet another hurdle against Mississippi State. Does Oklahoma flex some muscle and does a nightmare season continue for Auburn?

Direct download: Cover2_101718.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 9:32am CDT

Mitch and Braden give us their top four teams and play a "Who Wins" game that tries to figure out who else should be ranked in the top 10? Are their concerns about Ohio St, Notre Dame or Texas? Is LSU really this good? What is wrong with West Virginia? Are Georgia and Oklahoma still the best bets to make the Playoff? And much, much more in our Week 7 recap.

Direct download: Cover2_101518.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:43am CDT

A huge weekend of action features massive conference battles in the SEC, Big Ten and Pac-12. Is there a position on the field that LSU is better than Georgia? Washington travels South to Oregon in one of the most underrated rivalries in college football. And Michigan and Wisconsin battle for the U.P. Can West Virginia and Colorado stay unbeaten on the road? Should Texas or Penn St be on upset alert? And what will Tua do THIS weekend?

Direct download: Cover2_101018.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 7:50am CDT

The Irish, Horns and Gators got huge wins but how good are they? How far should Oklahoma or LSU fall? Meanwhile, out west, why is the Pac-12 so uninspiring? Who has been eliminated from the Playoffs to date? What do we make of West Virginia's defense? Auburn's offense? Ohio State's defense? How good are unbeatens like Colorado or NC State or UCF?

Direct download: Cover2_100818.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:23am CDT

A never-been-done before preview of October called October Fest this week on the pod. We break down the biggest games of the week - LSU-Florida, Notre Dame-Virginia Tech, Texas-Oklahoma - but also look ahead at the month of October and who could be heading into November with championship hopes? Also, commentary on yanking facemasks, prank-calling teleconferences and lack of institutional control.

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Category:sports -- posted at: 11:48am CDT

Has our top four changed after some drama with Ohio State and Clemson? How far should Penn State fall if at all? Is Notre Dame better than LSU or Oklahoma? Are the Sooners better with Kyler Murray than Baker Mayfield? What should Kelly Bryant do? How good is Kentucky? Meanwhile, Florida, Oregon and USC appear to have bounced back. Ryan Finley, Will Grier and Colorado continue to cruise.

Direct download: Cover2_100118.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:34am CDT

Kelly Bryant is leaving Clemson. What does it mean for Clemson, why did it happen and where should Bryant end up? There are prove it games across college football for Texas, Duke, Texas Tech, Kentucky, Syracuse and Cal. Dan Mullen's return to Starkville is must-see TV. And two marquee showdowns in South Bend and Happy Valley take center stage in Week 5.

Direct download: Cover2_092618.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:29am CDT

Braden and Mitch offer their top four teams and who has been officially eliminated from the Playoff. Who is sicker today: Virginia Tech or Oregon? Is the ACC in real trouble? The Big Ten bounced back in a big way. Is Texas back? (sorry) And we've got lots of clarity in the SEC East after a huge week four.

Direct download: Cover2_092418.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:17am CDT

Four massive games in the SEC East an I-35 showdown highlight Week 4. Kentucky, Mizzou, Vandy and Tennessee all host huge games while TCU travels south to Austin to battle Texas. An underrated rivalry in the Big Ten West could decide the division this weekend. Notre Dame will have its hands full with Wake Forest and Stanford's trip to Eugene will go a long way to deciding the Pac-12 North crown. Should either Bama or Clemson be worried this weekend?

Direct download: Cover2_092018.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:30am CDT

LSU has changed it's story more through three weeks than any other team in the nation. But how good are they? Washington's win was super underrated. And Ohio State saved the day in what turned into a nightmare weekend for the Big Ten. Is the Big 12 better at the top than we thought after Texas, Ok-State and OU win easily? And how does the Pac-12 race look after three weeks? Finally, Mitch recaps his trip to South Bend and his run-in with Notre Dame security.

Direct download: Cover2_091718.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:39am CDT

The SEC West takes a lot of focus this weekend as Alabama and LSU play big road games against Ole Miss and Auburn respectively. Could LSU pick off another top 10 team? Utah is underrated right now and could knock off the Pac-12 preseason champ. Is TCU capable of hanging with Ohio St? Will Texas and USC be great theater or an ugly football game? All of this and much more on this week's preview.

Direct download: Cover2_091218.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 1:54pm CDT

Mitch and Braden break down all of the action from Week 2. Who make the Playoff today? Is the Pac-12 better than we thought and is the Big Ten worse than we thought? Is the SEC East race already over? Is there reason for concern about Clemson or reason for hope for Texas A&M? And what to do about the worst rule in all of football?

Direct download: Cover2_090918.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:12am CDT

There are huge playoff implications on the line when both Clemson and Georgia go on the road this weekend. And can Stanford make a big statement against USC? The Cy Hawk Trophy is up for grabs in Iowa while Penn State and Pitt do battle in PA. Can Florida keep its streak alive against Kentucky and can Michigan State go out West and top Coach Herm? Hail State vs. Bill Snyder? And so much more in our Week 2 preview.

Direct download: Cover2_090518.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:33am CDT

Week 1 Recap: Has our top four changed? Tua vs. Hurts and Saban vs. the Media? Big wins for LSU, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame have changed the way we view certain leagues. Are we more concerned about Michigan, Miami or Florida State? And did both teams actually win in the Auburn-Washington tilt? Mitch's offers us reasons for optimism and reasons for concerns moving forward. Fantasy performers, waiver wire adds and more!

Direct download: Cover2_090418.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:24am CDT

College football is back and we have you set for five straight nights of college ball! Washington and Auburn will have the biggest impact on the playoff. Notre Dame and Michigan is loaded with intriguing individual matchups. LSU could completely change the offseason narrative with a win over Miami. Upset specials, picks against the spread and the rest of our favorite games from Week 1.

Direct download: Cover2_082918.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:19am CDT

Mitch and Braden make their final official 2018 college football playoff predictions and national title winner. They disagree on who will win it all this year. They guys also discuss some of the latest QB battles at USC, Florida St, Nebraska and elsewhere. Could Urban Meyer retire after this season? Week One is here!

Direct download: Cover2_082718.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:22am CDT

Conference preview week wraps up with the Big Ten. What do we make of the Urban Meyer news and how do the scandals impact how we evaluate the State of the Big Ten entering 2018? Which teams have we changed our opinions of since the magazine came out and which camp developments have shaped our opinion of the league? Is this the year Wisconsin finally proves it belongs on the elite tier or does the East still lord over the Big Ten? What do we make of Iowa, Nebraska and the middle of the West Division? Mitch also offers his over/under Vegas win total picks as well.

Direct download: Cover2_082008BigTen.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 8:53am CDT

Conference preview continues with the SEC. What is the State of the Union for the SEC coaching ranks, the East Division and the league as a whole? Which teams have we changed our opinions of since the magazine came out and which camp developments have shaped our opinion of the league? Where are the holes we can poke in Alabama? Can a star QB carry his underdog team to Atlanta? Will any coach get fired in 2018? Mitch also offers his over/under Vegas win total picks as well.

Direct download: Cover2_082008sec.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 8:59am CDT

Conference preview week continues with the most aesthetically pleasing league in America: The Pac-12. What is the State of the Union for a league that has had lots of coaching turnover and failed to make the Playoff? Which teams have we changed our opinions of since the magazine came out and which camp developments have shaped our opinion of the league? Is Washington still far ahead of the rest of the North and is USC coming back to the pack in the South? Is it Khalil Tate's world? Which division will be more fun to track? Mitch also offers his over/under Vegas win total picks as well.

Direct download: Cover2_082008Pac12.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 9:32am CDT

Conference preview week continues with the Big 12. What is the State of the Union for a league that has struggled to recruit elite NFL talent and has missed the Playoff a few times? Which teams have we changed our opinions of since the magazine came out and which camp developments have shaped our opinion of the league? Which young coach is situated to take the next step? Who will be under center this year? What do we make of Iowa St, Baylor and Kansas State? Mitch also offers his over/under Vegas win total picks as well.

Direct download: Cover2_082008big12.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 9:06am CDT

Conference preview week begins with the ACC. What is the State of the Union for the ACC? Which teams have we changed our opinions of since the magazine came out and which camp developments have shaped our opinion of the league? What is Florida State this fall? Are the QBs in this league underrated? And, I guess, we talk about Clemson too. Mitch also offers his over/under Vegas win total picks as well.

Direct download: Cover2_082008acc.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:02am CDT

There isn't a lot of news because coaches won't ever allow open practices! Why does this happen and could it help solve some of the issues we are seeing at places like Maryland. LSU and Clemson should play for the Death Valley moniker while Michigan and Wisconsin should play for the U.P. What else should be on the line? And a guy's road trip question of etiquette.

Direct download: Cover2_081608.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:19am CDT

QBs, QBs and more QBs. How do we handicap the playoff contenders battles at Bama, Clemson and Georgia? Did Nick Saban mishandle his QB room? Who are the most clutch fourth quarter gunslingers in college football? Which battles are most intriguing? And which late bloomers could change the Playoff landscape should they breakout in 2018?

Direct download: Cover2_08078.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:46pm CDT

Mitch and Braden run through their favorite anonymous coaching scouting reports from the 2018 preview magazine. It is their favorite part of putting the magazines together each year and this season offered up another set of juicy coaching morsels.

Direct download: Cover2_073118.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 4:44pm CDT

Coaches have been bringing up playoff expansion at media days so the guys tackle the essential issues surrounding playoff expansion... for the 113th time. Also, what is Urban Meyer thinking? And a nightmare road trip to the worst Power 5 games of 2018.

Direct download: Cover2_072518.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 1:19pm CDT

Mitch Light gets his chance to chime in on the biggest challenges facing college football and react to the all of the answers given to this question on our previous episode. Additionally, what do we make of Larry Fedora or Aaron Murray's comments? Are the players the most important part of media days and how defined are the tiers in the ACC, Big Ten and SEC?

Direct download: Cover2_072018.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:32am CDT

Braden went down to Atlanta for SEC Media Days but wanted to dive deeper into the future of college football instead of talking season. What is the biggest long-term challenge facing the game of college football over the next two decades? Braden spoke to former players, current coaches, lots of national media friends of the pod and even SEC commish Greg Sankey. Find out what they had to say.

Direct download: State_of_Football_071818.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:04pm CDT

It's road trip time! And the rules are simple: You can't see a team more than one time in 2018. So where are you going? Mitch and Braden offer up their favorite games, teams and destinations of 2018 in our second annual Dream Road Trip podcast.

Direct download: Cover2_071118.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:17am CDT

Mitch and Braden took questions from listeners and answered all. Topics ranged from Mark Richt and Jeff Brohm to enhancing the Playoff, starting quarterbacks, predictions gone horribly wrong, covering games, Syracuse, parenting and much more. Happy 4th, 'Merica!

Direct download: Cover2_070518.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:37pm CDT

Braden and Mitch produce a random, internal summer mailbag covering everything from the starting QBs in the Playoff to rules changes to radio broadcasters. It was much fun and very random. Power 5 revenue numbers are out and does it change the way we view the future of football? And Brian Kelly. What do we make of the Notre Dame head coach, how tough is his job really? All this plus some reactions to our coach's rankings as well.

Direct download: Cover2_062818.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 1:04pm CDT

Mitch and Braden invite Steven Lassan to join them to break down the Athlon Sports 2018 coach's rankings. All 130 head coaches are evaluated on past success, recruiting ability, upside, future projections and plenty of subjectivity. Where does your favorite coach rank nationally?

Direct download: Cover2_062018.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:40pm CDT

We talk exclusively about football games this week! Mitch and Braden cover the best games of week one, their favorite non-conference games and all the upsets that impact the Playoff. The guys also touch on the most important game in each division, their favorite home schedules of '18 and analyze who got lucky and who got screwed in crossover play.

Direct download: Cover2_061418.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:40pm CDT

Mitch and Braden decided to take a trip down a college football memory lane as we relive the BCS Era! Did the BCS system do it's job; did it work? When and how did it go wrong? Who are some of our favorite players, teams, coaches, games and moments? Was the 2007 season good for the game or bad for the game? And the only stat you need to know about the SEC's dominance.

Direct download: Cover2_060718.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 1:31pm CDT

Braden and Mitch call in the big guns to break down every division and conference championship pick in the 2018 Athlon Sports preseason magazine. Steve Lassan joins the pod to help explain how we picked every division in college football this fall, including every Group of 5 league as well.

Direct download: Cover2_053118.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 1:55pm CDT

How does legalized gambling impact the NCAA and college football? How can the NCAA possibly get involved and does this move increase the chances of corruption?

 

The five big questions about the Group of 5 conferences include the state of Florida, coaching at Boise, the Mountain West's decline, expansion and potential upsets in 2018.

Direct download: Cover2_052318.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:43am CDT

The former SEC commissioner Mike Slive has passed away but is the most influential person in modern college football history? Has the UCF-Alabama national title spat jumped the shark or do we still love it? And we ranked all 130 starting QBs in college football. Who is No. 1? Who is the most valuable? Who will have the biggest impact on the Playoff? Who are some breakout stars to watch?

Direct download: Cover2_051718.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:53am CDT

The 2018 magazine is on digital newstands now! You can literally go buy a mag right now at athlonsports.com/store.

With that comes our College Football Playoff picks. Which four teams make the Playoff in 2018? How hard was it to pick the top two (not very) and how hard was it to pick the last two (very)? And how many teams (and why) were considered?

Direct download: Cover2_050918.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:34am CDT

Shea Patterson is eligible at Michigan - how does that impact our rankings and how did he end up there? How do we feel about recruiting active players? We know how one coach feels.

Who is the best NFL quarterback to have played in the Big 12? The discussion is bizarrely lacking in answers. The SEC won the NFL Draft and the first round again but what does it mean, if anything?

And the ACC's five big questions center around new coaches, premiere programs, the Coastal Division's randomness and, of course, Clemson.

Direct download: Cover2_050418.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 10:26am CDT

With the NFL Draft this week, where are we rooting for the big name quarterbacks to land? And why is Josh Rosen playing the underdog card? Is Josh Allen interesting?

 

The SEC's 5 big questions focused on Florida's offense, a bunch of new coaches, teams that are over-hyped, a loaded roster of starting QBs and two teams switching to the pro-style offense.

Direct download: Cover2_042518.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:23am CDT

Springs games are great events to attend and are fun for kids but do fans actually care about what takes place during the game itself? Should we be more concerned with what happens or are we appropriately ignoring them?

 

This week's 5 Big Questions concern the Big Ten. Scott Frost's expectations at Nebraska, the new coordinators in the Big Ten East, QB battles across the board and the lack of star power in the bottom half of the league.

Direct download: Cover2_041618.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:06am CDT

Johnny Football is on his PR rehab tour and spoke about his college experience, college offense and more. Is there a tie between offensive scheme and how disciplined a program is?

 

We also ask a critically important interstate driving etiquette question.

 

Finally, the Pac-12 is the subject of our "5 Big Questions" this week, feat. The City of Light, the North Division race and much more.

Direct download: Cover2_040518.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:02am CDT

How terrifying and/or awesome is it that a social media uprising changed a coaching search mid-stream? Is it good for college football? And a deep look at how the sausage is made when it comes to sports journalists and their relationships with "sources."

The Cover 2 also begins a spring series creatively called "The 5 Big Questions." Where we ask the five biggest questions about a conference this spring. Today, we begin with the Big 12.

And how did Mitch's official visits to the Northeast go?

Direct download: Cover2_032718b.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 5:32pm CDT

In an NFL Draft edition of the podcast, the guys take a look at how the best prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft ranked as recruits coming out of high school. What does this tell us about recruiting rankings and why do some continue to ignore the obvious?

Which QB in the '18 class is the best and what does the Class of 2019 look like for the position? What are some of our favorite (and most bizarre) scouting report words and phrases?

And, apparently, both hosts divulge checkered college pasts as one ran from the police and the other was arrested on a felony charge.

Direct download: Cover2_031918.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:19am CDT

What are the major differences between the college football and basketball selection committees and how do they impact the tournaments? Do we buy brand bias and big school love in hoops? (How dumb was that selection show?)

And because it's March Madness, we give you our Final Four and upset picks in the tourney. Everyone needs bracket help, right?

Direct download: Cover2_031218.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:25am CDT

It's the middle of March and the we are having fun looking back at college quarterbacks turned NFL prospects. Who were the great college players who we thought would be great in the NFL but failed miserably? What about great college QBs like Lamar Jackson and the transition to other positions?

Also, what do we make of the NFL combine and what questions are asked of prospects?

Direct download: Cover2_030818.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:41am CDT

The guys start by looking at the rising stars of the coaching ranks. Come October and programs are looking for the future stars of college football coaching, these will be the names to know.

What do we make of Texas A&M using Jalen Ramsey's pictures to sell Aggie football? Much to do about nothing or offensive recruiting practice?

We also look at the Top 50 Players of 2018. Who would be the first pick in a draft of each of the Power 5 leagues? Who is the best player in each league?

Direct download: Cover2_030118.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:34am CDT

The guys take a look at some out of work head coaching candidates and who are the most likely to get work (and which ones would we hire).

Also, do we care about vacating wins at all? Would anyone give up the national title experience for winning it "the right way."

How can we spice up spring practice? Should college teams start scrimmaging each other? Would charity exhibition rivalry games work at the end of spring practice?

And lastly, impact quarterback transfers. Which teams in college football could be starting a transfer at QB?

Direct download: Cover2_022218.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:45am CDT

The guys dive into dropping attendance number across college football. What is the root of the issue and what can be done to slow the trend? Are we concerned? The POD also dives into the top new coordinators in college football - who made the best assistant hires and are they getting paid too much?

Lastly, we highlight some NFL Draft prospects that will be middle of the pack draft picks but that people need to know now because, you know, they were really good football players in college.

Direct download: Cover2_021518.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:26am CDT

The guys react to the first National Signing Day of the early signing period era. Who are the teams that benefited the most and who took it on the chin? Which classes stood out and what happened with Jacob Copeland's mother?

Which teams do we want to see play in the playoff? If we are tired of Clemson and Alabama and Ohio St and Oklahoma, then who would we be excited to see play for the national title? Which programs are "rooting" for?

And which events in the Winter Olympics are you watching?

Direct download: Cover2_020818.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:07pm CDT

The guys start to look ahead at spring storylines in college football. The coaching hot seat is top of mind. Why do people think Jim Harbaugh is on the hot seat? Who else should be concerned about their job at the Power 5 level?

The Big 12 has a very interesting QB situation this season as Will Grier is back. But then what else does the league have under center?

The guys also comment on the Michigan State situation, discuss home and homes versus neutral site games and argue about Network television.

Direct download: Cover2_013118.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:19pm CDT

College Football is a farm system for the NFL. Is it the best farm system of any sport despite the fact the athletes don't get paid? And what would happen if the NFL was allowed to draft players directly out of high school? How would that impact college football?

The guys also cover the winners and losers from the NFL Draft deadline as well as the new members of the College Football Playoff Committee. And a quick look at the recruiting Class of 2014 and how freakin' awesome it was.

Direct download: Cover2_012318.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:07pm CDT

Braden and Mitch break down all of the pros and cons of the new proposed transfer rule. Will it pass and what are the unintended consequences of a new rule like this? What would our perfect rule be?

Did Arizona get lucky by landing Kevin Sumlin and is the trend of Power 5-to-Power 5 coaches a successful one? Also, are coaches actually staying in one place longer than before?

Direct download: Cover2_011818.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 11:11am CDT

You say it's way too early and we say it's never too early to talk about preseason college football rankings. Steven Lassan joins Braden Gall and Mitch Light to talk 2018 rankings! The usual suspects reside at the top of the rankings with Clemson and Alabama looking like the best two teams in the nation. The Big Ten has five teams ranked in the top 15 and could see any of them make the Playoff. What does Oklahoma look like without Baker Mayfield? Can Georgia rebuild quickly on defense? Is this the year Miami breaks back into the national title conversation?

Direct download: Cover2_011118.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:24pm CDT

Nick Saban has done it again. And this time he did it with a back-up true freshman quarterback. Did Georgia screw up the play-calling in the second-half and what's next for the Dawgs? Did the Playoff get it right? The title game means nothing about the SEC and should the Group of 5 be careful what it wishes for?

Direct download: Cover2_010918.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 10:59am CDT

The guys preview the national title game and break down the All-SEC matchup in Atlanta. Does experience and the crowd play a factor? Is this finally the game that is too big for Jake Fromm? Can Alabama run the ball on the Dawgs? Is this 2011 all over again?

The guys also cover UCF's mythical national title, why bowl records mean absolutely nothing and playoff TV ratings.

Direct download: Cover2_010418.mp3
Category:sports -- posted at: 12:30pm CDT

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