AP Top 25 College Football Podcast

Washington coach Jedd Fisch interviewJedd Fisch is taking over a Washington program that played for a national championship last season, but only returns a total of 28 players, almost none of them starters. In an interview with AP's Ralph Russo, Fisch talks about the difference in the two rebuilds, preparing for the Big Ten and why coaching at Washington is a lot like coaching in the NFL.

Spring portal reviewThe spring portal window has closed and while there are still transfers happening, most of the big moves have been made. Max Olson from The Athletic joins AP's Ralph Russo to talk about what teams cleaned up in the portal, including Miami and Oklahoma. Defensive linemen were a particularly hot commodity in April. And, of course, you can't talk portal without checking in on Colorado and coach Prime.

Marcus Freeman on Year 3 leading Notre DameNotre Dame coach Marcus Freeman enters his third season leading the Fighting Irish with maybe his best team. Plus, a new offensive coordinator in Mike Denbrock and another new quarterback via the transfer portal in former Duke star Riley Leonard. How are they meshing as Leonard recovers from an injury?

Playoff dark horsesAn expanded College Football Playoff means a bigger reward for surprising teams that go from unranked in the preseason to vying for a spot in the top 10. Shehan Jeyarajah of CBS Sports joins AP's Ralph Russo to run through so teams that could exceed expectations in 2024 and earn a place in the first 12-team playoff. The Atlantic Coast Conference seems especially loaded with wild cards from Miami to newcomer SMU.

Mock NFL draftWhat will happen after the Chicago Bears take USC quarterback Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in next week's NFL draft? AP's national NFL Writer Rob Maaddi joins Ralph Russo to go through his mock draft, which includes a bunch of wheeling and dealing, four more quarterbacks being selected after Williams and a total of 10 offensive line going in the first round. Maaddi explains why Heisman winner Jayden Daniels might be the right fit for the Commanders at No. 2 and how the Patriots ...

Where is this all going in college football?A proposed Super League model for college football, which is A) DOA and B) not really a super league, has been floating around for a few months. While that idea isn't viable, where college football is heading is very much a question that needs answers. Andy Staples from On3 joins AP's Ralph Russo to consider not just whether a Super League is on the horizon. That answer is almost certainly yes, but what are the various ways it could come together? I...

Ohio State coach Ryan Day and QB competitionsAfter ending the season on a two-game losing streak, including a third straight to Michigan, Ohio State won the offseason. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss flipping the vibes, returning stars, managing a loaded QB room and finding one more play to win the most important game of the season. Also, Bud Elliott from the 247 Sports and the Cover-3 Podcast joins the show to talk about spring QB competitions and USC's recruiting h...

BC coach Bill O'Brien and CFP optimismBill O'Brien has had a crazy offseason, leaving the Patriots when Bill Belichik was forced out, going to Ohio State to become offensive coordinator and then landing in February at Boston College as the head coach. At a time when we here a lot about how coaches are fleeing the chaotic world of college football, why did O'Brien come back? Plus, Steven Godfrey of the Split Zone Duo podcast is excited and optimistic about the 12-team College Football Playoff....

Adjusting projections; Interview with Troy coach Gerad ParkerESPN's preseason SP+ projections have 13 of the top 15 teams in the country in either the Big Ten or the Southeastern Conference. Bill Connelly, the brains behind SP+, joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss the projections and what they portend in the first year of super conferences and a 12-team playoff. Plus, how the Big Ten and SEC are starving the rest of college football. Also, Troy coach Gerad Parker joins the show to discuss his m...

Who are the best coaches in college football?Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel of The Athletic join AP's Ralph Russo to discuss their rankings of the Top 25 coaches in college football right now. The retirement of Nick Saban, Jim Harbaugh moving on to the NFL and a few down years by Dabo Swinney have opened up more than a few spots in the near the top of the rankings, opening the door for coaches such as Lance Leipold of Kansas and Kalen DeBoer, Saban's replacement who just led Washington to t...