Big Hitters Only

PFT Commenter, co-host of Pardon My Take and Macrodosing, joins Big Hitters Only host Ross Martin to talk JMU football and UNC ahead of the matchup in Chapel Hill this weekend. The podcast also goes into PFT’s rise in sports media, what he knows about UNC, being the guest picker on College GameDay, and Jersey Jerry.

(00:18) - Introduction

(01:08) - Previewing James Madison

(03:25) - JMU in the Sun Belt

(05:12) - Going to School at JMU

(07:23) - PFT's College GameDay Experience

(11:15) - PFT's Thoughts on UNC

(15:27) - Podcasting Rise of PFT

(20:07) - The Future of PFT Podcasting

(21:47) - Jersey Jerry Talk!

(22:44) - UNC vs JMU Final Thoughts

(23:43) - Subscribe to Big Hitters Only!

What is going on at quarterback at UNC? Inside Carolina’s Adam Smith joins the podcast to discuss who the Tar Heels roll with on Saturday vs. JMU and who is the best option moving forward… Jacoby Criswell or Conner Harrell.

(00:18) - Introduction

(02:14) - Expectations vs James Madison

(06:03) - Assessing Jacolby Criswell

(16:02) - Catching Up with Adam Smith

(23:35) - UNC Football Opinions: Preseason vs Now

(28:10) - Subscribe to Big Hitters Only!

Marathon training insight, advice, and conversation with veteran endurance runners Griffin Kennedy and Patrick O’Shea. With the goal of the Oct. 27 Marine Corps Marathon on the horizon, Ross is joined by Kennedy and O’Shea to breakdown training regiments, speed workouts, running schedule, in-race strategy, along with tips on hydration, fueling, and tapering.

Joe Jauch joins Big Hitters Only to talk his role as analyst for the Tar Heels Sports Network, what he likes about this UNC football team, the strengths and questions on offense, and what the defense is doing well and needs to work on. Jauch details the nuances of the analyst role, working with Jones Angell, and the passion he brings to the role. The show wraps with some pickleball talk.

(00:18) - Introduction

(00:49) - Joe Jauch Backstory

(03:55) - Analyst Role with Tar Heel Sports Network

(17:33) - Thoughts on UNC Football

(30:30) - Pickleball

(38:17) - Subscribe to Big Hitters Only!

Mike Hardison and Ross Martin provide takeaways from UNC’s 38-20 win over Charlotte including the play of QB Conner Harrell, running backs Omarion Hampton and Davion Gause, and Carolina’s defense. What does UNC’s performance mean moving forward and what do the Tar Heel need to fix? Hardison and Martin then recap the day of college football and talk NC State’s loss to Tennesee and the gap between the best teams in college football and everyone else.

Show kicks off with local sports radio host Josh Graham on the national narrative surrounding ACC football. Former UNC All-American cornerback Dre Bly joins the show to catch up and talk Charlotte football and his return to Kenan Stadium this weekend.

(00:18) - Introduction

(07:21) - Josh Graham

(37:41) - Dre Bly

Longform interview with Eastern Michigan AD Scott Wetherbee recorded in late July on topics ranging from fundraising, leadership, running an athletic department, the NCAA, EMU alum Maxx Crosby, and Wetherbee’s path into collegiate sports administration. The show kicks off with 15 minutes with Fayetteville Observer and USA Today college reporter Rodd Baxley who helps Ross recap Monday’s press conferences with Mack Brown, Chip Lindsay, and Geoff Collins.

(00:18) - UNC Press Conferences Takeaways with Rodd Baxley

(16:00) - Interview with Eastern Michigan AD Scott Wetherbee

Mike Hardison and Connor Sparrow join Ross Martin for an instant reaction show breaking down UNC’s 19-17 win over Minnesota on Thursday night. The Tar Heels were led by Omarion Hampton’s 129 yards, Jahvaree Ritzie’s three sacks and kicker Noah Burnette’s four field goals. The crew gets into what stood out vs. Minnesota, some early concerns, and what is next for this Carolina team.

(00:18) - Introduction

(00:51) - Game 1 Initial Thoughts

(07:03) - Offensive Concerns

(14:06) - Defensive Thoughts

(23:35) - Week 2 Improvements

(26:44) - Big Hitters Only Schedule

Former UNC QB and new Tar Heel Sports Network color analyst Bryn Renner joins Big Hitters Only to breakdown Carolina’s offensive game plan, the quarterback situation, and the mind games of both teams ahead of Thursdays showdown with Minnesota. Renner reminisces about his college career, staying at North Carolina through a coaching change and the teams under Butch Davis in Chapel Hill.

(00:18) - Introduction

(01:41) - 2024 Season Thoughts

(04:05) - QB Situation

(09:29) - Max Johnson vs. Conner Harrell

(11:53) - Offensive Identity

(19:57) - Defensive Expectations

(25:03) - Big Hitters Only Schedule Outline

(27:22) - Bryn Renner Career Stories

UNC beat writer Adam Smith of Inside Carolina joins Big Hitters Only with Ross Martin to talk Tar Heel football, expectations for the defense under Geoff Collins, early concerns, and what the heck is really going on at quarterback. The duo also dive into the 2024-25 UNC basketball team and discuss lineup possibilities, what the Tar Heels could do at the 4 and 5 positions, and the potential firepower of a small lineup in Chapel Hill.

(00:18) - Introduction