Coach is joined by Charles Davis and Tony Barnhart to wrap up the show with a look at the semifinal matchups and the changing landscape of college football. The trio dives into the two upcoming semifinals—Indiana vs. Oregon and Ole Miss vs. Miami—with Charles Davis highlighting that Indiana controlled their game against Alabama and Ole Miss could easily win it all despite nearly being left out of the playoff. The conversation then shifts to Tennessee, where Coach gives his honest take on Josh Heupel’s massive coaching staff overhaul. Heupel fired both coordinators and several assistants after a season marred by fundamental defensive failures, with Coach bluntly stating the Vols were a "terrible tackling team" in 2025. Tony and Charles both credit the transfer portal and NIL for leveling the playing field, citing Indiana’s rise and Texas Tech’s success as proof that "if you have the right head coach and funding," any program can compete for a national title.

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Coach is joined by Jimmy Hyams to react to the quarterfinals and discuss the offseason overhaul at Tennessee. Hyams expresses surprise at Alabama's lack of a running game, noting they ran only eight called run plays against Indiana, who became the only team in the last two years to win a playoff game coming off a first-round bye. The conversation shifts to Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, whom Hyams claims he would vote as the Heisman winner if he could re-cast his ballot, sharing the story of how Lane Kiffin's staff discovered him while watching film on a Division II opponent. Finally, they dive into the changes at Tennessee, where Josh Heupel has fired three assistant coaches and the defensive coordinator following a poor defensive showing against Illinois in the Music City Bowl.

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Coach is joined by Dennis Dodd to discuss the College Football Playoff semifinals and the overarching storylines of the season. Dodd emphasizes the historic nature of Indiana's run, stating that if the Hoosiers win the national championship, it would be the "greatest story in the history of college football," surpassing even TCU's run or BYU's 1984 title. The conversation highlights the dominance of the "Nick Saban coaching tree," with Dodd noting that all four head coaches remaining in the playoff (Lane Kiffin, Mario Cristobal, Dan Lanning, and Curt Cignetti) worked under Saban, proving his unparalleled impact on the modern game. They also debate the Heisman Trophy vote, with Dodd revealing he voted for Ashton Jeanty over Travis Hunter, arguing that a running back rushing for 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns is a rarer feat than a two-way player.

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Coach is joined by Mark Blaudschun to break down the quarterfinals and the shifting landscape of college football. Mark asserts that Miami’s victory over Ohio State was their best performance in 15 years, noting it was a "flawless" game where they committed zero penalties and zero turnovers while physically dominating the Buckeyes. The discussion turns to conference strength, where the pair agrees with Nick Saban’s assessment that the top of the Big Ten has become deeper than the SEC, with teams like Indiana joining the elite tier alongside Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State. They also praise Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz for becoming the Big Ten's all-time wins leader, highlighting the irony that his team’s offense only improved after he was forced to fire his son, Brian Ferentz. Finally, they touch on Texas quarterback Arch Manning living up to the hype without the media circus, and preview the semifinal matchup between Oregon and Indiana, calling the Hoosiers "one of the more amazing stories" in the sport.

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Coach is joined by Tony Barnhart to recap the College Football Playoff quarterfinals and preview the upcoming semifinal matchups. They discuss the remarkably clean play across the games, highlighting that teams making the fewest mistakes—like Miami, who had zero penalties and zero turnovers against Ohio State—came out on top. The pair breaks down Ole Miss's resilience against Georgia, Oregon's defensive dominance over Texas Tech, and Indiana's shocking 38-3 blowout of Alabama, noting that the Hoosiers ran 50 rushing plays while Alabama called fewer than 10. Finally, they look ahead to the semifinals, pointing out the unique connection that all four remaining head coaches share: they were all influenced by Nick Saban.

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Happy New Year Join host Doug Matthews on "Forklift Systems Football Saturday" as he dives into the thrilling world of college football playoffs. This episode features insightful discussions with esteemed guests Tony Barnhart, Charles Davis, Jimmy Hyams, and Dennis Dodd  They explore the standout performances of teams like Indiana, Miami, Oregon, and Ole Miss, and delve into the strategic brilliance of coaches such as Mario Cristobal and Carson Beck. The conversation also highlights the significant influence of Nick Saban on the coaching landscape and the impact of the transfer portal and NIL deals. Tune in for expert analysis, personal anecdotes, and exciting predictions for the upcoming games. Don't miss this comprehensive overview of the current college football scene!

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This episode of Forklift System Football Saturday dives into the exciting world of college football as the playoffs approach. Coach discuss key matchups, including Alabama vs. Indiana and Texas Tech vs. Oregon, while reflecting on the impact of the transfer portal and coaching changes. With a focus on bowl games and player opt-outs, the conversation highlights the evolving landscape of college football and what fans can expect in the coming weeks.

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Coach is joined by Mark Blaudschun  to  analyzes the high-stakes landscape of college football, highlighting Michigan’s strategic hiring of Kyle Whittingham and predicting that the historic Notre Dame vs. USC rivalry will eventually become a regular Big 10 fixture. They provide  a detailed preview of upcoming bowl games, emphasizing that Miami’s success against Ohio State rests on quarterback Carson Beck’s consistency, while also weighing undefeated Indiana’s mental hurdles against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Additionally, the hosts examine the clash between Texas Tech’s elite defense and Oregon’s speed in the Orange Bowl, alongside the Ole Miss vs. Georgia Sugar Bowl rematch, which they use to illustrate Georgia's mental toughness and Kirby Smart’s "deep end" coaching philosophy.

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Coach is joined by Dennis Dodd to break down a transformative era in football. The duo dives into the logistics behind the Kansas City Chiefs' 2031 move across the border and what the unprecedented "STAR bonds" deal means for the franchise's future.

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Coach is joined by Jimmy Hyams to discuss the current state of the Tennessee Volunteers as they prepare for the Music City Bowl against Illinois. They break down the impact of key opt-outs and transfer portal entries, including notable departures like Colton Hood, Joshua Josephs, and Chris Brazzell.

The conversation highlights the "silver lining" of bowl season: the opportunity for talented younger players and true freshmen to see significant snaps. They also provide a deep dive into the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, analyzing the legitimacy of Indiana, Georgia's championship form, and Texas Tech’s successful strategy of "buying a roster" through the portal and NIL.

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