The College Football Playoff Quarterfinals begin tomorrow. For the lone game on New Year's Eve the country will turn its attention to the Cotton Bowl as #10 Miami takes on #2 Ohio State. The meeting is a rematch of a historic national championship game. Times have changed a bit since that meeting, as many of the players in this game had not been born for the previous matchup. Andy Staples, Ross Dellenger and Steven Godfrey discuss this clash of talent. Could the talent on Miami's roster be enough to keep up with Ohio State, or will the Buckeyes' defense be too much for the Hurricanes to handle? Then, the guys look at the final quarterfinal matchup that they have yet to discuss. #6 Ole Miss takes on #3 Georgia. This is a rematch as well, but this previous matchup was only a couple of months ago. Although the prior matchup was recent, much has changed with one of the programs as Ole Miss now has Pete Golding leading them rather than Lane Kiffin. Andy, Ross and Godfrey discuss what kind of impact that will have on the game and if there is any way that Ole Miss can pull the upset.

Then, the crew discusses a bit of college football news as a familiar face returns to the college ranks. Chip Kelly has been hired by Northwestern to be their offensive coordinator. Kelly is coming off of a 2024 national title run with Ohio State followed by a short run with the Las Vegas Raiders in which he was fired mid-season. He was the offensive coordinator on both of those staffs. The guys look at why this is a good hire for Northwestern and what else they need to focus on to be successful.

Later, Godfrey asked and the Pop-Tarts Bowl delivered. After Godfrey made it very clear, a few episodes ago, that he wanted one of the care packages the Pop-Tarts Bowl was sending out, a package has arrived. Godfrey unboxes the multiple packages live and it's something you do not want to miss. Check out the show on YouTube or on the Yahoo Sports Network if you want to see what Godfrey got.

Get ready for the CFP Quarterfinals with College Football Enquirer.

0:00:00 - Can Miami upset Ohio State?

13:30 - Can Ole Miss and Pete Golding handle Georgia?

29:20 - Northwestern hires Chip Kelly as OC

41:51 - Pop-Tarts Bowl care package unboxing

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Michigan has found their man! The Wolverines have named a new head coach. Former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham will now be the head coach at Michigan. Whittingham stepped down from Utah at the end of this season, but made it very clear he was not done with coaching. Andy Staples and Steven Godfrey react to this hire and discuss if they think Whittingham is the right man for the job. Can he succeed immediately at Michigan, and what does immediate success look like? 

Then, the guys turn their sights to the upcoming College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchups. First, they preview the Rose Bowl. Top-seeded Indiana takes on ninth-seeded Alabama. Andy and Godfrey discuss if Alabama can win this game and what they have to do to upset the Hoosiers. They also look at how dominant Indiana has been this year and discuss what Indiana may focus on for this game.

Later, Andy and Godfrey look across the country and preview the Orange Bowl. Fifth-seed Oregon takes on fourth-seed Texas Tech. The crew discusses if Texas Tech can handle Oregon's offense and what the Red Raiders can do to win this game. On the flip side, they look at how Oregon's defense can impact this game and what the Ducks' offense may do differently in the Orange Bowl. Can Oregon make a run in the Playoff like Ohio State did last year?

Get ready for the quarterfinals with College Football Enquirer.

0:00:00 - Michigan hires Kyle Whittingham

28:39 - Rose Bowl preview

44:19 - Orange Bowl preview

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Another piece of college football tradition has been lost due to the changing of the times. On Monday, it was announced that the Notre Dame and USC rivalry will be cancelled as both sides could not reach an agreement to extend the series. Andy Staples, Ross Dellenger and Steven Godfrey discuss what caused yet another casualty in college football. Is this another move that we can blame on TV networks? Will we ever see this game return? While the schools are now looking for opponents to replace that game, Notre Dame also announced that it is finalizing a two-year deal to face BYU starting in 2026. The crew discusses the matchup that could have had huge CFP implications this season.

Then, the guys discuss what non-CFP bowl games they are most interested in. They dive into the bowl that has had a meteoric rise in popularity, the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The crew looks at what makes this bowl so intriguing and they discuss the matchup on the field that will see #22 Georgia Tech take on #12 BYU. Plus, Godfrey gets upset that Ross was the only one of the group who got reached out to for a Pop-Tarts care package. They also take a look at what other bowl matchups they are most interested in watching.

Later, the guys update everyone on the continued Michigan search. Andy, Ross and Godfrey discuss interim head coach Biff Poggi's strong comments the other day that included phrases like "a malfunctioning organization" and "before I go smoke myself to death with cigars, I want to fix this program." They chat about if Poggi has a legitimate shot at the role and who are some other candidates that could fit well in. Lastly, the guys briefly talk about Bobby Petrino going to be Bill Belichick's offensive coordinator at North Carolina.

0:00:00 - USC vs. Notre Dame rivalry game ended

10:48 - USC announces series vs. BYU

17:10 - Who is to blame for USC/Notre Dame?

27:26 - Pop-Tarts bowl phenomenon & matchup

38:11 - Other intriguing non-CFP bowl games

41:57 - Michigan coaching search continues

55:43 - Bobby Petrino to UNC as OC

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The first round of the College Football Playoff is in the books. Oregon, Ole Miss, Alabama and Miami move on to the quarterfinal matchups on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. While some of the matchups in the first round this season were more competitive than last year, the lop-sided victories over the Group of Five schools, Tulane and James Madison, have sparked debate on whether there should be G5 schools in the CFP. Andy Staples and Steven Godfrey have a heated debate on this topic. Ross Dellenger also joins in as the three discuss what changes should be made for future College Football Playoffs. 

Then, they dive deeper into the matchup that saw Alabama come away victorious. The guys discuss all of the talk, leading up to the game, about Kalen DeBoer and if he would be leaving for Michigan or potentially even fired if he lost this game. They also talk about how Alabama handled their early deficit, in contrast to how they played in the SEC title game, and if the Crimson Tide can make a run.

Later, the guys discuss the Michigan coaching search and where it is at. DeBoer appears to be out, especially since he is still in the CFP, and now Michigan's rumored other target is off of the table. Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham has signed an extension to stay with the Sun Devils, eliminating him from the Michigan opening. Biff Poggi is the interim head coach. Is there a chance he could become the permanent choice? Some other ideas are tossed out about a coach with the last name Harbaugh and a coach who just stepped down in Utah. 

Come get caught up on all things CFP and beyond with College Football Enquirer.

0:00:00 - Recap of the CFP First Round

8:38 - Changes the CFP should make

32:38 - Alabama comes back to beat Oklahoma

46:29 - Update on Michigan's coaching search

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The time has finally arrived. Twelve regular season games, and the conference championship games, have all led up to this point. After all of the questions, debate, anger and anxiety; the first round of the College Football Playoff begins Friday! The excitement gets started with ninth-seeded Alabama visiting eighth-seeded Oklahoma. A rematch from the regular season in which the Sooners came out on top. Andy Staples, Ross Dellenger and Steven Godfrey discuss the matchup and what they think both teams need to do to come out victorious. Then, they take a look at another big-time matchup that will see tenth-seeded Miami visit seventh-seeded Texas A&M. They discuss the quick turnaround A&M has made under Mike Elko and how Miami can come away victorious. Also, Godfrey discusses the Group of Five teams deserving a spot in the Playoff and Ross looks at the fourteen coaches who will be coaching in the Playoff despite having accepted a different coaching job for next season. 

Then, Ross talks about a story he wrote last year that is coming back to light. The current CFP agreement states that in the 2026 season, the Power 4 conference champions will be guaranteed a spot in the field. It also states that a Top-12 ranked Notre Dame would automatically get a bid. This overlooked and forgotten caveat has become the topic of much debate. The crew discusses its impact and what may come of this agreement if the Playoff is expanded to 16 teams. They also dive into the NFL's impact on the CFP and why some of the premiere college games this weekend are not in the premiere time slots.

Later, it's time for I've Got A Feeling. You get double the picks today as the guys not only pick games for this weekend, but they also pick who they think will be crowned National Champion. Alabama, Miami and Montana State are the favorites for the weekend. Meanwhile, two Big Ten teams and one SEC team are chosen to win it all!

Get ready for the College Football Playoff with College Football Enquirer.

0:00:00 - Alabama vs. Oklahoma CFP preview

17:14 - Miami vs. Texas A&M CFP preview

24:21 - CFP Coaches who are leaving their team

30:40 - Automatic bids changing for future CFPs

47:53 - How the NFL impacts the CFP

54:17 - I've Got A Feeling

59:53 - I've Got A Feeling National Champ edition

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The transfer portal does not open until January 2nd, but you would not have known that by looking at the news coming from the college football world on Monday. Athletes continue to announce their intentions to enter the transfer portal, and some top quarterbacks will be on the move in a couple of weeks. Florida's DJ Lagway, Nebraska's Dylan Raiola and Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby all announced they will be playing for a different school next season. Andy Staples, Ross Dellenger and Steven Godfrey discuss who the top available quarterback is and where some of these guys might land. They also discuss NIL's impact on all of this. A common thought is that players are transferring for more money, but are some quarterbacks transferring because they are being forced out of their current NIL contracts?

Then, the guys chat about a judge granting Jeremy Pruitt a preliminary injunction against the NCAA. This blocks the six-year show-cause order against Pruitt and moves him one step closer to returning to the sidelines. Jesse Minter also has a show-cause from his time at Michigan, and Pruitt's ruling makes the crew wonder if his show-cause order could get overturned should Michigan look to hire him as their next head coach. In the latest news from the Michigan coaching search, Kalen DeBoer has now said multiple times that he is not leaving Alabama. Although part of the crew is not convinced, the guys discuss who else the Wolverines may look to.

Later, Godfrey finally makes his case to save the bowls. The bowl season is a time that used to be cherished by many, but the creation of the College Football Playoff, among other issues, has caused a decline in anticipation and excitement for bowl games. Steven Godfrey turns the bowl season on its head and makes his pitch for how the bowls could be revitalized.

Stay caught up on all things college football with College Football Enquirer.

(2:03) - Top QBs entering the transfer portal

(11:36) - How NIL could be forcing people to transfer

(25:24) - Jeremy Pruitt wins big court ruling

(33:45) - Michigan's coaching search

(42:56) - Steven Godfrey saves the bowls

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The Indiana Hoosiers have their first Heisman trophy winner. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the 91st Heisman trophy on Saturday night. He beat out fellow finalists Diego Pavia, Jeremiyah Love and Julian Sayin by a wide margin. Andy Staples, Ross Dellenger and Steven Godfrey discuss Mendoza's win and share their thoughts on the quarterback's stellar season. Plus, Andy and Ross share who they voted for. The guys also discuss how the conversation around Mendoza immediately turned to if he will succeed in the NFL. They dive into the NFL's quarterback obsession and where they go wrong when evaluating college quarterbacks. The Heisman ceremony was not the only big event that happened on Saturday. The 126th edition of the Army-Navy game saw Navy take the win for the second straight year. The Midshipmen defeated the Black Knights 17-16 on a late game touchdown pass from Blake Horvath to Eli Heidenreich. Ross was in attendance and shares his experience at the game after the guys share their thoughts on the game.

Then, the crew discusses the Big 12's latest news. Last week, Ross shared Utah's news about their private equity deal and the guys said this would open the floodgates. Well, that may be proving to be correct as the Big 12 announced they are close to a private capital deal. Ross shares the story he broke and the crew discusses what the impact of this potential deal could be. Godfrey cautions the risk level of this move.

Later, we stay in the Big 12 for some more news. Utah announced that head coach Kyle Whittingham is stepping down. Utah's appearance in the upcoming Las Vegas bowl will be his last game as the leader of the Utes. Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has long been Whittingham's heir apparent and will be Utah's new head coach. The guys discuss the timing of this move, if this move will work for Utah and Scalley and if this means that we may see Whittingham coaching elsewhere in the future.

Get caught up on all things college football with College Football Enquirer.

(0:46) - Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman

(23:05) - Ross' Army-Navy game experience/ game recap

(30:38) - Big 12's move towards private capital

(47:02) - Kyle Whittingham Steps down

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Michigan fired head coach Sherrone Moore on Wednesday. He was fired with cause for having an "inappropriate relationship with a staff member." The story broke with this news, but continued to evolve and a few hours later it was reported that Moore had been detained by police. Details will continue to come out as more is learned about this situation. Until then, Andy Staples, Ross Dellenger and Steven Godfrey will just look at the football impact of Moore's firing with the big question: Who will be Michigan's next head coach? Signing Day has passed, so Michigan does not need to rush the process of finding their guy. The Transfer Portal opens January 2nd, and it would make sense to want to have a coach in place by that date. Kalen DeBoer is a name that is being rumored, but it is not known if he has any interest. Kenny Dillingham is another name the crew suggests as a good fit. Andy, Ross and Godfrey discuss who may be a good fit for the Wolverines going forward.

Then, we get some more news from Ross in Vegas. It appears there is momentum to move the playoff to a 16-team model. Most of the conferences are on board, but the Big Ten is still not fully sold. The guys talk about the potential of moving to a 16-team playoff and what that format would look like. The other big piece of news is there seems to be a groundswell of support to get rid of the weekly College Football Playoff Rankings Show. How would ESPN handle the elimination of this show? Andy, Ross and Godfrey discuss how realistic this idea is.

Later, it is a big weekend in college football. The biggest individual award in the sport will be given out on Saturday. Indiana's quarterback, Fernando Mendoza,  is the betting favorite to win the Heisman, but the guys think that Vanderbilt's quarterback, Diego Pavia, might make a push to win the award. Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love are the other two finalists for the prestigious award. Will Indiana or Vanderbilt have its first Heisman trophy winner? Plus, the guys make their I've Got A Feeling picks. They discuss the Army/Navy game, an FCS playoff game, and one of the first bowl games of the season. 

Get ready for award and bowl season with College Football Enquirer.

(1:09) - Michigan fires Sherrone Moore

(9:18) - Who should be Michigan's next head coach?

(27:32) - Expanding to a 16-team playoff

(30:14) - Ending the CFP weekly rankings show

(37:34) - What would a 16-team playoff look like?

(49:48) - Heisman preview

(52:38) - I've Got A Feeling including an Army/Navy game preview

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We are a couple of days removed from Sunday's College Football Playoff selection, but the drama continues to unfold. Notre Dame is at the center of the conversation as they continue to discuss being left out of the CFP. Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua was on the Dan Patrick show on Monday and said the ACC's handling of the Playoff situation has done "permanent damage to the relationship." Andy Staples, Ross Dellenger and Steven Godfrey discuss this shaky relationship between Notre Dame and the ACC. They also debate whether the time is coming for Notre Dame to separate itself from the ACC and make a new scheduling deal with either the Big Ten or the SEC. Plus, they chat about the rule that will go into effect next season which gives Notre Dame an automatic CFP berth if they are ranked in the Top 12. Could that rule could potentially be voided? 

Then, the guys look to the coaching carousel, which has drastically slowed down. Penn State has finally named their new head coach. Matt Campbell, Iowa State's head coach for the last decade, will now lead the Nittany Lions. Andy, Ross and Godfrey discuss this hire, why they like it, and what Campbell needs to do to succeed in Happy Valley. 

Later, Ross discusses the groundbreaking news he broke while recording the pod. Utah has struck a private equity deal. The deal with Otro Capital could make over $500 million. Could this deal open the floodgates? The guys discuss this move and share their hesitations and expectations. 

Catch up on the latest in the college football world with College Football Enquirer.

(1:23) - Notre Dame vs. the ACC

(7:20) - Notre Dame's CFP guarantee in 2026

(10:22) - Should Notre Dame separate from their ACC deal?

(27:26) - Penn State hires Matt Campbell

(43:51) - Utah strikes private equity deal

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The time has come! The College Football Playoff bracket is set and it came with plenty of drama surrounding the reveal. After a championship Saturday consisting of a now 8-5 Duke team becoming ACC champions and #9 Alabama being dominated by #3 Georgia, the question was raised of who would get the final at-large spots in the Playoff? Would Miami finally be ranked ahead of Notre Dame? Could both teams get in and Alabama fall out? Would the ACC have no representative at all? We now have our answers. Notre Dame was left out in the cold after the committee kept Alabama in at #9 and jumped Miami to #10. Andy Staples, Ross Dellenger and Steven Godfrey share their thoughts on the committee's final bracket. They also dive further into Notre Dame being left out. Why did the committee change their mind in the final ranking? Should they have been in the field? Who has the best path in the bracket? The guys discuss.

Then, they dive further into the question of if it is already time to expand the playoff to 16 teams. Andy and Godfrey also look at if conference championship games should be eliminated and more importantly, if the weekly College Football Playoff rankings show should be changed. How should ESPN change the show that seems to only provide controversy, questions and inconsistencies?

Later, Ross Dellenger rejoins the show and shares his conversation with Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua. He shares Bevacqua's thoughts on Notre Dame not making the CFP and what went on behind the scenes within the Notre Dame building when the team found out. Bevacqua also calls for the elimination of the weekly CFP ranking shows. Andy, Ross and Godfrey discuss Ross and Bevacqua's conversation and they also debate if it is time for Notre Dame to join a conference.

Come get all the College Football Playoff insights on College Football Enquirer.

(1:09) - College Football Playoff bracket revealed

(4:16) - Thoughts on the bracket

(16:05) - Should Notre Dame have been in the CFP?

(26:28) - Should the Playoff expand to 16 teams?

(44:52) - Does the weekly CFP rankings show need to be eliminated?

(48:11) - Ross' conversation with Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua

(55:44 ) - Does Notre Dame need to join a conference?

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