The Audible with Stew, Bruce & Ralph: A show about college football

<p>On today’s episode of The Audible, Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo break down how the Pat McAfee era is changing college football media. The guys debate the evolution of the College GameDay experience, analyzing how a new style of broadcasting has brought massive ratings surges alongside a polarizing, brand-new edge to the sport&#39;s weekly coverage.</p><br><p>Plus, the crew previews a crucial Week 9 ACC showdown as Florida State and Clemson meet in a true pressure-cooker matchup. Stewart, Bruce, and Ralph dissect which program needs this win more to stabilize their trajectory, how their contrasting roster management philosophies are handling the heat, and which coaching staff is facing the most critical choices heading into the home stretch.</p><br><p>Finally, the guys crack open the Mailbag to answer your burning questions. They look at historical hot-seat turnarounds to see if coaches can truly extricate themselves from peril and leave on their own terms, reevaluate the purpose and value of the AP Top 25 ranking system in a brand-new playoff world, and discuss whether brand bias gives blue-blood schools an artificial safety net.</p><br><p>Timestamps:</p><p>0:00 - Welcome to The Audible!</p><p>1:14 - The McAfee Era: Higher Ratings vs Increased Edge</p><p>19:03 - FSU vs Clemson: Weighing The Pressure On Both ACC Programs</p><p>30:12 - Can Coaches Survive The Hot Seat?</p><p>34:11 - What Does The AP Top 25 Look Like In The World Of A 24-Team Playoff?</p><p>37:57 - Is Brand Bias Real In College Football?</p><br><p>#TheAudible #CollegeFootball #PatMcAfee #CollegeGameDay #FSUFootball #ClemsonFootball #ACC #APTop25 #CFBPlayoff #CoachingHotSeat #BlueBloods #ArchManning #SportsPodcasts #CFBWeek9 #FootballNews</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Oregon has fired offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer following a devastating loss to Illinois, leaving the Ducks searching for answers at a critical crossroad in their season. On this episode of The Audible, Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman break down Dan Lanning&#39;s biggest staff mistake, what went wrong in Eugene, and whether the Ducks can salvage their season as former head coach Chip Kelly rolls into town with No. 20 Northwestern. </p><br><p>The crew also discusses the most disappointing programs in college football right now, the teams that are quietly staying on track, and delivers their official Week 9 Top 25 predictions against the spread!</p><br><p>Timestamps:</p><p>0:00 - Welcome to The Audible!</p><p>1:22 - A Lost Season For Oregon, Ducks Fire OC Following Loss To Illinois</p><p>11:23 - Other Disappointing Teams So Far This Season</p><p>21:06 - No 17 Florida vs No 3 Georgia</p><p>22:06 - No 22 Arizona at No 13 Texas Tech</p><p>23:42 - No 2 Ohio State at USC</p><p>26:34 - No 6 Utah at Cincinnati</p><p>31:13 - The Audible Picks Week 9 Upsets</p><br><p>Follow the Crew on X:</p><p>🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel</p><p>🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB</p><p>🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH</p><p>🔹 The Audible: @audibleshow</p><br><p>Subscribe to the show, leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and drop your Week 9 upset predictions in the comments below! </p><br><p>#OregonFootball #DanLanning #CollegeFootball #TheAudible #GoDucks #Northwestern #OhioState #USC #GeorgiaFootball #CFBWeek9 #CollegeFootballPlayoff</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Welcome back to another episode of The Audible! Today, we dive deep into the absolute chaos surrounding postseason expansion as the looming &quot;Road to 24&quot; gains massive traction behind closed doors. With the exclusive ESPN media rights negotiating window closing on October 9 and a final drop-dead deadline of December 1 to lock in changes for the 2027 season, a 24-team field is quickly looking like a foregone conclusion. We break down the massive layout pushing this change forward under Jim Phillips and Tony Petitti, why eliminating conference championship weekend is on the table, and why these multi-million dollar executive power grabs make Stew &quot;sick to his stomach.&quot;</p><br><p>We also look at a prominent program in crisis as the wheels completely fall off for Michigan in Ann Arbor. Despite their quarterback and offensive coordinator costing a combined $6 million per year, a broken offensive scheme is actively costing them their season following a brutal loss to Minnesota. We analyze the structural disaster under Kyle Whittingham and Jason Beck, discussing why it is far easier for Michigan to bench Bryce Underwood than it is to move on from their coordinator, and why the current offense suddenly shares characteristics with the worst of the &quot;Rich Rod&quot; era.</p><br><p>Finally, we dive into a packed edition of the fan mailbag. We tackle an engaging question from Tyler in Philly asking if rising stars like Bob Chesney or Will Stein will follow the Curt Cignetti blueprint and stay at resource-rich schools, including a breakdown of the massive multi-million dollar buyout numbers on Chesney&#39;s contract if USC comes calling. Plus, we debate whether the path to a 12-team playoff at 9-3 is strictly an SEC luxury, look at how poll voters would rank ACC clusters like Pitt or Duke if Miami wasn&#39;t separating itself at the top, and take a nostalgic trip down memory lane to discuss how our very first in-person college football experiences led to our present professions.</p><br><p>Timestamps:</p><p>0:00 - Intro</p><p>1:03 - CFP Expansion Talk Heats Up…Is It Closer Than We Think</p><p>17:29 - A Program In Crisis: An Inside Look At Michigan&#39;s Spiraling Season</p><p>36:12 - Will CFB Coaches Jump To Bigger Name Programs Or Stay At Current Schools?</p><p>38:40 - Is There A 9-3 School Outside The SEC That Could Make The CFP?</p><p>42:10 - How Would AP Voters View ACC Teams If Miami Were Not In The ACC?</p><p>44:48 - What Was Your First CFB Experience?</p><br><p>Follow the Crew on X:</p><p>🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel</p><p>🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB</p><p>🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH</p><p>🔹 The Audible: @audible.show</p><br><p>#CollegeFootball #CFBPlayoff #MichiganFootball #GoBlue #SECFootball #BigTenFootball #APTop25 #Bracketology #MiamiHurricanes #UCLAFootball #KentuckyFootball #TheAudible</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Welcome to a packed prediction edition of The Audible! Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo deliver their official game breakdowns, betting lines, and against-the-spread predictions for an absolute blockbuster slate of Week 6 college football action.</p><br><p>The crew kicks off the show diving straight into a heated debate surrounding the controversy in the latest AP Top 25 rankings. Stew details why sticky preseason expectations are keeping teams like USC and Texas Tech overranked, while Bruce questions Utah&#39;s true standing on the ballot. Ralph takes you completely inside his official voter process to explain the absolute nightmare of trying to slot the middle tier from numbers 8 through 12. Ultimately, the guys break down why the current rankings are structured the way they are and who got left out entirely.</p><br><p>From there, the focus shifts to Lincoln for an in-depth look at undefeated Nebraska ahead of their massive Big Ten clash. Can Matt Rhule and the 5-0 Cornhuskers finally pick up a signature win over a ranked opponent, or will his grueling 20-game losing streak against ranked teams continue? This 5-0 start is Nebraska&#39;s best opening to a season since 2016, driven by a dominant defense and an offense that has outscored opponents by a massive 218-90 margin. Ralph breaks down why Nebraska fans aren&#39;t treating this as a do-or-die crisis for Rhule, contrasting it against the overwhelming, program-crushing pressure teams like Penn State endured in similar spots last season.</p><br><p>To wrap up the show, the guys drop their definitive straight-up and against-the-spread picks for the biggest matchups on the board:</p><br><p>🏈 <strong>No. 7 Indiana at Nebraska (-7.5)</strong></p><p>Will the high-flying Hoosiers stay perfect in Lincoln, or can the Huskers&#39; defense choke out Curt Cignetti&#39;s offense? The crew is completely split on whether the Huskers can cover the 7.5-point spread on their home turf.</p><br><p>🏈 <strong>No. 2 Georgia at No. 6 Alabama (-1.5)</strong></p><p>For the ninth time since 2017, college football&#39;s premier heavyweight rivalry meets as a pair of Top 10 teams. Does Kalen DeBoer pick up his first signature SEC win in Tuscaloosa, or does Georgia defend its playoff standing on the road?</p><br><p>🏈 <strong>No. 1 Texas (-8.5) at Oklahoma</strong></p><p>The Red River Rivalry takes center stage in the SEC. The top-ranked Longhorns are laying more than a touchdown against a dangerous Sooners squad in a hostile environment—find out who the guys expect to win the Golden Hat.</p><br><p>🏈 <strong>No. 21 UCLA at No. 13 Oregon (-11.5)</strong></p><p>A massive Big Ten coastal clash under the lights. Can the Bruins keep it close and cover the large double-digit spread on the road, or will the Ducks roll comfortably inside Autzen Stadium?</p><br><p>🔥 <strong>Upset Picks of the Week</strong></p><p>The crew uncovers the best betting value on the board and reveals their locks for the most likely outright underdogs to win in Week 6, featuring crucial spreads on Washington State, Houston, Purdue, and Florida State.</p><br><p>Follow the Crew on X:</p><p>🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel</p><p>🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB</p><p>🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH</p><p>🔹 The Audible: @audible.show</p><br><p>#CollegeFootball #Week6Picks #NebraskaFootball #IndianaFootball #AlabamaVsGeorgia #TexasLonghorns #OklahomaSooners #OregonDucks #APTop25 #TheAudible #CFBPlayoff #AgainstTheSpread #CollegeFootballPredictions </p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Welcome back to another episode of The Audible! Today, we dive deep into the mounting pressure in Los Angeles as Lincoln Riley’s seat continues to warm up at USC. After a rough stretch for the Trojans, a compelling fan mailbag question from London asks the tough question: Will USC pull the trigger and move on from Riley, and who would Jennifer Cohen target as a replacement? From a prominent coach across town to big-name targets in the SEC, we break down what a potential coaching search could look like for the Trojans.</p><br><p>We also tackle the massive Nick Saban backlash rocking college football media this week. The legendary coach is facing serious hypocrisy charges after claiming that coach and player compensation belong in &quot;different markets,&quot; arguing player salaries must be capped while coaching contracts remain unchecked. We discuss the double standard of these comments and how the Protect College Sports Act—which just moved forward with a last-second 20-school realignment limit—could reshape the sport once it hits the House after the midterms.</p><br><p>Finally, we hand out first-month grades for first-year head coaches across the country, highlighting who is succeeding (like Florida) and who is completely failing to get off the ground (like Cal). Plus, we rank the top 20 most impactful freshmen of the 2026 season so far, debate how Arkansas or Rutgers would fare against a full G6 schedule, and break down why losing or retaining your offensive coordinator can completely make or break a program&#39;s playoff hopes.</p><br><p>Timestamps:</p><p>0:00 - Intro</p><p>1:03 - Senate Passes Protect College Sports Act, Still Needs House Approval</p><p>3:39 - Nick Saban Says Coach and Player Compensation Are ‘Different Markets’</p><p>13:39 - Which Freshman Have Made The Greatest Impact Through First Month?</p><p>21:53 - First-Year Coaches: Who Is Succeeding? Who Is Failing?</p><p>31:41 - Mailbag! How Would Arkansas Or Rutgers Fair With A G6 Schedule?</p><p>37:30 - Mailbag! Who Could Replace Lincoln Riley At USC If Trojans Move On?</p><p>47:18 - Mailbag! How Important Is Retaining Your Offensive Coordinator?</p><br><p><strong>Follow the Crew on X:</strong></p><p>🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel</p><p>🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB</p><p>🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH</p><p>🔹The Audible: @audible.show </p><br><p>#CollegeFootball #USCFootball #NickSaban #LincolnRiley #Trojans #FloridaGators #ArkansasRazorbacks #RutgersFootball #CalFootball #NIL #CollegeFootball2026 #TheAudible</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>On today’s episode of The Audible, Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo break down a chaotic week in college football, starting with the massive news out of Columbia. Shane Beamer has suspended star defensive end Dylan Stewart indefinitely following his actions in South Carolina&#39;s loss to Alabama. The guys discuss the major fallout of this decision, what it means for Stewart&#39;s rising NFL Draft stock, and whether the temperature is officially rising on Beamer’s hot seat. Plus, we analyze the shifting landscape of coaching changes and take a hard look at how teams are faring in non-conference play against Power 4 competition.</p><br><p>Then, it’s time to head to the betting window for our official Week 5 Picks. The crew looks to break a three-way tie in the standings as they lock in their predictions against the spread for the weekend&#39;s biggest marquee matchups. Can No. 16 Mississippi State stay within the number against No. 7 Alabama? Will Iowa&#39;s defense muck things up enough to cover +13.5 at No. 5 Ohio State? The guys also break down No. 8 Florida at No. 25 Missouri, No. 4 Miami&#39;s tough road trip to Clemson, and wrap things up by tossing out their favorite Upset Picks of the Week.</p><br><p>Timestamps:</p><p>0:00 - Intro</p><p>1:16 - South Carolina Suspends Star DE Dylan Stewart</p><p>9:21 - Are More Coaches On The Hot Seat This Season?</p><p>18:27 - Non-Conference Records vs Power 4 Teams</p><p>35:57 - Week 5 Picks | No 7 Alabama (-5.5) at No 16 Mississippi State</p><p>40:30 - Week 5 Picks | No 5 Ohio State (-13.5) at No 14 Iowa</p><p>43:37 - Week 5 Picks | No 8 Florida (-4.5) at No 25 Missouri</p><p>46:00 - Week 5 Picks | No 4 Miami (-17.5) at Clemson</p><p>50:16 - The Audible Picks Week 5 Upsets</p><br><p><strong>Follow the Crew on X:</strong></p><p>🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel</p><p>🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB</p><p>🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH</p><p>🔹The Audible: @audible.show </p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Kamario Taylor: The Uncomfortable Conversation about Mississippi State’s Star Quarterback takes center stage on this episode of The Audible. Following an absurd start to the season, an anonymous Big Ten coach has dropped a massive bombshell quote, claiming Taylor’s freakish arm talent and accuracy make him the best college football QB in years—before dropping the ultimate kicker: “He’s gonna look awesome in a Miami Hurricanes uniform next year.” Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo dive deep into the modern NIL and transfer portal reality. Can Mississippi State pay up to retain their local star for a potential CFP run, or will the relentless pull of the portal lure him away to a program like Miami?</p><br><p>The guys also track the massive Week 3 fallout across the country, starting with heated fan protests at Arkansas and Maryland. The crew debates whether the Razorbacks’ athletic department would actually be a better fit in the Big 12, where their basketball-first identity aligns with schools like Kansas and Arizona. Plus, Ralph takes us on the road to Kalamazoo for Boise State vs. Western Michigan, a high-stakes matchup with massive Group of 6 (G6) College Football Playoff implications. We also address the growing national backlash against ESPN’s College GameDay for choosing its fourth straight SEC venue instead of heading west to Los Angeles for Oregon vs. USC.</p><br><p>Finally, the crew cracks open the Audible Mailbag to answer your burning college football questions. Are major programs falling into a &quot;sunk cost fallacy&quot; by refusing to bench highly paid, highly ranked quarterbacks like Bryce Underwood, John Mateer, and Marcel Reed? Bruce shares exclusive insider details on the true structure of Michigan&#39;s massive NIL deal with Underwood. We also break down whether undefeated, unranked teams like UCLA, Nebraska, Washington, and Northwestern are getting robbed by AP voters, and analyze why coaches like Lincoln Riley, Deion Sanders, and Dan Lanning treat local media radically differently than national outlets.</p><br><p>Timestamps:</p><br><p>0:00 - Intro</p><p>1:24 - Fan Frustrations: Maryland and Arkansas Fans Protesting After Week 3</p><p>7:51 - The Curious Case of Kamario Taylor…Will the Miss State QB transfer?</p><p>16:31 - Boise State vs Western Michigan: Potential G6 CFP Implications In Kalamazoo</p><p>23:19 - Should ESPN’s College GameDay Be In Los Angeles For Oregon At USC?</p><p>32:11 - Mailbag! Are Coaches Falling Into A Sunk Cost Fallacy With QBs?</p><p>38:08 - Mailbag! Should UCLA, Northwestern, Nebraska, or Washington Be Ranked?</p><p>42:14 - Mailbag! Do Programs Treat Local Media Different From National Outlets?</p><br><p><strong>Follow the Crew on X:</strong></p><p>🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel</p><p>🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB</p><p>🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH</p><p>🔹The Audible: @audible.show</p><br><p>#CollegeFootball #KamarioTaylor #TransferPortal #MississippiState #HailState #MiamiHurricanes #GoCanes #NIL #CollegeGameDay #OregonFootball #USCFootball #ArkansasRazorbacks #WoooPig #MarylandTerrapins #BoiseState #TheAudible</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>The college football landscape is shifting rapidly, and today on The Audible, Bruce Feldman and Ralph Russo are breaking down the biggest crossroads in the sport. We lead off with the fallout from North Carolina’s devastating blown lead against Clemson and unpack the latest surrounding the brewing UNC investigation. With top assistants no longer around, the crew debates if the hole Bill Belichick dug himself into from year one is simply too deep to survive, and whether the Tar Heels are looking for a way out of his three-year contract before next season.&nbsp;</p><br><p>From program turmoil to early-season shockers, we reveal our biggest surprises across the Power 4 and Group of 6, starring breakout players like Kamario Taylor, Jamal Rule, and Jesse Legree.</p><br><p>Finally, it’s time to look ahead with our official, high-stakes Week 4 predictions against the spread! The crew locks in their locks and picks for a loaded slate, featuring No. 1 Texas at No. 14 Tennessee, No. 4 Ole Miss visiting No. 21 Florida, and a brutal Big Ten clash between No. 17 Iowa and No. 18 Michigan. We wrap things up by dissecting the highly anticipated matchup between No. 20 Oregon and No. 12 USC, before handing out our official Upset Picks of the Week!</p><br><p>Timestamps:</p><p>0:00 - Intro</p><p>1:37 - UNC Crossroads: Tar Heels Lose At Clemson, Program Investigation Still Pending</p><p>15:00 - What Are Your Early Season Surprises</p><p>27:37 - No 1 Texas (-4.5) at No 14 Tennessee</p><p>30:50 - No 4 Ole Miss at No 21 Florida (-3)</p><p>38:03 - No 17 Iowa at No 18 Michigan (-5.5)</p><p>41:38 - No 23 Texas A&amp;M at No 10 LSU (-9.5)</p><p>46:17 - No 20 Oregon (-3) at No 12 USC</p><p>53:54 - The Audible Picks Week 4 Upsets</p><br><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow the Crew on X:</strong></p><p>🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel</p><p>🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB</p><p>🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH</p><p>🔹The Audible: @audible.show</p><br><p><br></p><p>#CollegeFootball #TheAudible #BillBelichick #UNCvsClemson #APPoll #Week4Picks #TexasFootball #Vols Football #OleMiss #GoGators #IowaHawkeyes #GoBlue #USCFootball #OregonDuck Football #CFBBetting #UpsetAlert</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Week 3 of the College Football season is in the books! Today on The Audible, Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo are breaking down all the wild post-game action from Week 3, leading off with the absolute circus in Oxford as No. 8 Ole Miss spoils Lane Kiffin’s highly anticipated return, taking down No. 7 LSU in a thrilling 32-24 shootout behind a magical performance from Trinidad Chambliss.</p><br><p>Did the Rebels get the ultimate revenge on their former coach? We dive deep into Pete Golding’s gutsy two-point conversion call, Will Echols' dominant defensive night, and the incredible post-game fallout.</p><br><p>But that’s just the beginning. We shift over to the ACC to recap Clemson's massive comeback over UNC following a wild 2.5-hour rain delay, evaluating true freshman Tait Reynolds' first start and Bill Belichick’s biggest blown lead in a decade. That is followed by the explosive Top-25 battle between SMU and Louisville where Keyjuan Brown's second-half explosion secured a 41-31 track meet for the Cardinals.</p><br><p>Plus, we recap the jaw-dropping walk-off finish between NC State and Vandy, Kentucky's massive upset of No. 9 Texas A&amp;M at Kyle Field, and Texas Tech holding off Houston by a matter of inches.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Wrapping things up, the crew highlights the players who impressed them the most this weekend, hands out their latest team shoutouts, and takes your questions live!</p><br><p>📌 TODAY'S WEEK 3 TOPICS:</p><p>• Ole Miss Spoil's Lane Kiffin's Return: LSU vs Ole Miss Recap</p><p>• ACC Comeback: Clemson Survives Post-Delay Battle vs UNC</p><p>• Top 25 Track Meet: No. 23 Louisville Outlasts No. 16 SMU</p><p>• Improbable Finish: Vandy Stuns NC State on Walk-Off Fumble</p><p>• Kyle Field Shocker: Kentucky Upsets No. 9 Texas A&amp;M</p><p>• Big 12 Hold 'Em: No. 13 Texas Tech Edges No. 22 Houston</p><p>• Weekly Awards: Players That Impressed &amp; Weekend Shoutouts!</p><br><p>👇 Drop your thoughts in the live chat: Who is the biggest winner of Week 3?</p><br><p>Support the show by subscribing and hitting the notification bell so you never miss a live stream!</p><br><p>#CollegeFootball #TheAudible #LaneKiffin #LSUvsOleMiss #TrinidadChambliss #ClemsonFootball #UNCvsClemson #SMUvsLouisville #VandyFootball #NCState #KentuckyFootball #TexasAM #TexasTech #HoustonCougars #SEC #ACC #Big12 #CFBRecap</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>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.</p><br><p>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.</p><br><p>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.</p><br><p>Timestamps:</p><p>0:00 - Intro</p><p>1:09 - LSU backs down, does not sign former NFL players</p><p>16:01 - MAC, Western Michigan to appeal replay error</p><p>33:44 - Mailbag!</p><p>59:44 - Breaking News with LSU</p><br><p><strong>Follow the Crew on X:</strong></p><p>🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel</p><p>🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB</p><p>🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH</p><p>🔹The Audible: @audible.show</p><br><p>#CollegeFootball #LaneKiffin #LSUTigers #SECFootball #GregSankey #MichiganFootball #WMUFootball #ClockGate #FSUFootball #CFBPlayoff</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>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 <em>should</em> have happened, and why there isn’t actually a "secret second clock" hidden in the replay booth.</p><br><p>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!</p><br><p><br></p><p>Timestamps:</p><p>0:00 - Intro</p><p>1:28 - Explaining Michigan vs Western Michigan clock controversy</p><p>12:45 - Bryce Underwood’s job security</p><p>15:07 - Ole Miss outlasts Louisville&nbsp;</p><p>20:23 - Notre Dame dominates Wisconsin</p><p>30:08 - Ohio State at Texas</p><p>34:33 - Oklahoma at Michigan</p><p>37:32 - Iowa State at Iowa</p><p>39:18 - Alabama at Kentucky</p><p>42:50 - Week 2 Upsets</p><br><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow the Crew on X:</strong></p><p>🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel</p><p>🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB</p><p>🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH</p><p>🔹The Audible: @audible.show</p><br><p>#CollegeFootball #MichiganFootball #TheAudible #BigTen #Week2Picks #NotreDameFootball #OleMiss</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>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?&nbsp;</p><br><p>Welcome back to The Audible! In this episode, Stew, Bruce, and Ralph&nbsp;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.</p><br><p><br></p><p>🏈 TIMESTAMPS</p><br><p>0:00 - Intro</p><p>1:17 - Miami</p><p>5:00 - Challengers/Clemson</p><p>9:43 - Louisville</p><p>12:32 - SMU</p><p>14:48 - Miami vs the Field</p><p>17:25 - Dark Horses/Virginia</p><p>21:36 - NC State</p><p>24:26 - Virginia Tech</p><p>26:58 - Cal</p><p>29:42 - Stanford</p><p>31:51 - Hot Seat coaches</p><p>32:00 - Florida State</p><p>38:16 - Syracuse</p><p>40:48 - Boston College</p><p>43:24 - North Carolina</p><p>48:46 - End of the Belichick era?</p><p>50:56 - Wildcards/Georgia Tech</p><p>53:16 - Duke</p><p>55:00 - Wake Forest</p><p>56:32 - Pitt</p><p>59:14 - Mailbag</p><br><p><br></p><p>#ACCPreview #TheAudible #BillBelichick #DaboSwinney #MarioCristobal</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>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!&nbsp;</p><br><p>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/</p><br><p>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.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Who do you think is the biggest freak in the country? Let us know in the comments!</p><br><p>#CollegeFootball #FreaksList #NyckHarbor #JeremiahSmith #OhioStateFootball #GamecocksFootball #CFB2026</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>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?</p><br><p>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.</p><br><p>Later, the crew reacts to the historic news of Ohio State and Notre Dame adding sponsorship patches to their iconic jerseys.</p><br><p>The mailbag is packed this week. Ralph Russo answers your questions</p><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>Most Dominant Seasons Ever:</strong> 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?</li><li><strong>Blue Blood Urgency:</strong> Which historic program needs a successful campaign the most to avoid sliding into complete irrelevance in this new era of player compensation?</li><li><strong>Coordinators Under Pressure:</strong> 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.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Timestamps</p><p>0:52 - Bret Bielema’s comments</p><p>4:49 - Stew on his convo with Tony Petitti</p><p>13:26 - Bruce’s takeaways from day 1 of media day</p><p>15:09 - Matt Campbell &amp; Penn State</p><p>16:18 - USC &amp; Lincoln Riley</p><p>23:15 - Stew is concerned about Michigan</p><p>24:50 - Dante Moore &amp; Oregon discussion</p><p>25:49 - Stew on Oregon</p><p>27:45 - Jersey Patches</p><p>31:23 - Audible Mailbag</p><p>31:56 - Question 1: Blue Blood schools</p><p>35:57 - Question 2: Most impressive individual seasons</p><p>39:33 - Question 3: Coordinators under pressure</p><p>44:02 - Gift card for Mailbag winner</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>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.</p><br><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

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.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>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?</p><br><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>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.&nbsp;</p><br><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>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.</p><br><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>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.</p><br><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>