Real Football Games(?), Update from Miami, and Wisconsin Loses Its AD

Summary of Real Football Games(?), Update from Miami, and Wisconsin Loses Its AD

by The Athletic

42m•April 14, 2026
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Overview of Real Football Games(?), Update from Miami, and Wisconsin Loses Its AD

The Athletic’s Audible (hosts Stuart Mandel, Bruce Feldman, Ralph Russo) covers spring-sports small talk before shifting into spring football: whether spring games still belong on TV, reports from Alabama, Florida and Miami spring periods, a major NCAA eligibility rule proposal (the so‑called “five for five”), and Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh’s departure to the Big Ten — and what that means for coach Luke Fickell and the Badgers.

Key topics discussed

  • Spring games: nostalgia vs. usefulness; why fewer are televised now and whether that’s good or bad for coverage and evaluation.
  • Alabama spring game: Keelan Russell impressed; QB battle with Austin Mack still unresolved; concerns about Alabama’s ability to run the ball and replace experienced offensive linemen.
  • Florida QB competition: Aaron Filo (Georgia Tech transfer) vs. Trammell Jones — an actual, meaningful battle with questions about leadership, system fit, and identity under a new staff.
  • Bruce Feldman’s Miami report: heavy roster turnover from the national‑title team; Miami remains physically imposing up front (notable OL recruit Jackson Cantwell), some playmaking at QB/WR but losing key glue leaders.
  • NCAA eligibility rule discussion: a likely Division I proposal to limit eligibility to five years total (clock starts at high‑school graduation or age 19), remove most waiver exceptions, and curb older/pro‑to‑college returnees.
  • Wisconsin AD move: Chris McIntosh leaving for a Big Ten deputy role; implications for Luke Fickell, program optics, and the search/hiring timeline.

Main takeaways & implications

  • Spring games: the panel is split. Ralph favours wider TV coverage for context and narrative-building; Stuart and others think national broadcasts created “empty calories” and inconsistent signals about player readiness. With the portal era, on-site coverage remains valuable for roster clarity, but many spring events are de‑emphasized.
  • Alabama
    • Keelan Russell flashed in the spring game and offers RPO/off‑script skills; Austin Mack remains in the mix but was banged up.
    • Bigger concern: Alabama’s run game and offensive line turnover — DeBoer/Grubb offenses have sometimes shown limits running the ball, and that could cap Alabama’s ceiling if not fixed.
    • Defensively, size in the secondary looks good; linebackers were thin but incoming transfers (e.g., Caleb Woodson mentioned for other teams) and DL additions like Devin Tompkins are positives.
  • Florida: realistic QB competition. Coaches must decide between a transfer who knows the system (Filo) and an in‑house higher‑ceiling player (Jones). Trust and leadership will be deciding factors; having a top RB (Jaden Ball) should shape the offense.
  • Miami: physical identity remains (trenches emphasized by coach Cristobal). Significant turnover in personnel and leadership; talent remains but replacing intangibles (glue players) will be important.
  • NCAA eligibility (five‑for‑five):
    • Proposal aims to simplify and standardize eligibility, eliminate waiver inconsistency, and reduce edge cases of older former pros returning to DI college sports.
    • It’s primarily a Division I discussion; Division II/III could differ.
    • Speed of movement has increased recently; legal challenges are likely but NCAA historically has had wins in many eligibility cases.
    • Net effect: more predictable, uniform eligibility but some tough tradeoffs for athletes who lost seasons to injury or extraordinary circumstances.
  • Wisconsin AD / coaching outlook:
    • Chris McIntosh leaving increases scrutiny on Luke Fickell. A new AD could be more or less patient — outcomes and AD temperament will determine Fickell’s future.
    • Wisconsin’s schedule opens with tough opponents (Notre Dame, Penn State), and an early slide could accelerate pressure. There’s also institutional transition (chancellor change) that complicates the optics/timing.

Notable quotes / soundbites

  • On the NCAA idea: “five years to play five years” — central phrase used to describe the proposed eligibility change.
  • On the Big Ten role hire: comparing “deputy commissioner for strategy” to an “assistant to the regional manager” — light jab at fuzzy administrative titles.
  • On spring games: “empty calories” — characterization for some televised spring-game coverage.

What to watch next (action items)

  • Upcoming spring games and campus visits: Ohio State, Michigan, Indiana, UCLA — look for final QB clarity and depth chart signals.
  • Alabama: track Keelan Russell vs. Austin Mack in offseason practices and whether OL continuity/recruiting improves the run game.
  • Florida: monitor fall depth chart battles and which QB earns coaching trust; watch how Sumrall sets team identity (run‑heavy vs. pro style).
  • Miami: follow development of OL starters (replacement timeline) and whether new leaders emerge to replace departed “glue” players.
  • NCAA: watch Division I cabinet meetings and formal proposal publishing; expect legal pushback, and follow whether Division II/III adopt parallel rules.
  • Wisconsin: follow the AD search and whether a new AD keeps or replaces Luke Fickell — early season results will matter more given the administrative change.

Episode logistics / how to engage

  • Hosts: Stuart Mandel, Bruce Feldman, Ralph Russo (The Athletic).
  • Sponsors/ads: Trader Joe’s (episode intro), BetterHelp, Bombas, Pura, Walden University, CarGurus, Charles Schwab, Men's Warehouse, GNC.
  • Mailbag: send questions to theaudiblepod@gmail.com for upcoming Bruce/Ralph mailbag episodes (chance to win a Trader Joe’s gift card).