Bowl Season Stories

Stewart Mandel discusses his thoughts on this year’s College Football Playoff and discuss some of the hot-button topics in college football including early signing day, NIL, transfer portal, conference realignment, the calendar schedule of the college football season and the implications of all these changes to the new 12-team playoff format next year.

Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti discusses his experience as the newest FBS Conference Commissioner, his background in sports media, his vision for the Big Ten after expansion, his first Bowl Season in the commissioner’s chair and his views on transfer portal and bowl opt-outs. Air Force Academy Fullback, Emmanuel Michel, talks playing in his final game in the 2023 Armed Forces Bowl where he won the MVP of the game, his favorite bowl week memories, his life as a student-athlete at a military academy, the culture of Air Force Football, what bowl game success means for Air Force, and what he’s learned from experience as a student athlete in preparation for entering the Air Force.

VP of Sports for Shriners Hospitals Bob Roller discusses the East-West Shrine Bowl joining Bowl Season, the greater work of Shriners Hospitals, the experience players get during the week of the Shrine Bowl, his favorite Shrine Bowl memories, and the iconic helmet sticker swap tradition. Former Florida and Mississippi State Head Football Coach and Current ESPN College Football Analyst Dan Mullen discusses his journey to the broadcast booth, his gameday preparation process, his bowl experiences as a coach, the changing landscape of college football, what it was like coaching Tim Tebow and Dak Prescott, and what he would change if he were in charge of college football.

American Athletic Conference Commissioner, Mike Aresco, talks about the importance of Bowl Games, his favorite AAC Bowl Memories, Cincinnati’s run to the College Football Playoff and the new expanded 12 team CFP Playoff. Jacksonville State Head Coach, Rich Rodriguez, discusses their big win in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, the rewards of playing in bowl games and his favorite bowl week moments.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey talks about the importance of football to his conference, the reward of Bowl Season, his favorite Bowl Game memories, adding Texas and Oklahoma, and his outlooks for the SEC next year. SMU Head Coach Rhett Lashlee who discusses his transition from college quarterback to coach, winning the AAC Championship in the Mustang’s last year in the conference, his excitement for the Fenway Bowl in Boston, moving to the ACC and what he’s learned from his mentor Coach Gus Malzahn.

Merton Hanks and A.J. Edds talk playing under head coaches Hayden Fry and Kirk Ferentz at Iowa. Merton shared stories about his recruitment process, the importance of bowl games, working at the Pac-12 Conference and the origin of the chicken dance while with the San Francisco 49ers. A.J. discusses his draft day experience, working at the Big Ten Conference and his favorite bowl game memories!

Conference USA Commissioner, Judy MacLeod, discusses the importance of bowl games to her conference, the importance of diverse leadership, NIL, her time as the Athletic Director at Tulsa and conference realignment. Buffalo Bills Linebacker Dorian Williams discusses why he stayed at Tulane, the iconic safety in the 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic, his rookie year with the Bills and advice for his younger self. 

Former Patriots tight end and future hall of famer Rob Gronkowski discusses his college career at Arizona, playing in the Las Vegas Bowl and hosting the LA Bowl! Gronk also takes us through his WWE career, being on Celebrity Family Feud, how he developed his confidence, building the Gronk Nation Foundation playground and MORE!

Chris Carlin discusses his best moments in the booth, Rutgers’ tough road to being Bowl Bound, conference realignment, his experience working with Mike Francesa and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, and how he crafted his on-air style. Matt Cassel discusses his recruitment process, the USC quarterback room with Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, his bowl memories and his experience in the MLB and NFL Draft.

Shannon Spake discusses her transition from production to on-air talent, her favorite sideline memories in college football and the NFL, her love of NASCAR, her cameo in Cars 3 and what it’s like being an amazing endurance athlete! Greg Schiano talks about Rutgers reaching Bowl Eligibility, the difference in each of his two stints with the Scarlet Knights, the excitement of Bowl Games, conference realignment and the pillars of his program.