Gridiron & The Gospel

Jeremiah Smith is forcing a bigger question: is Ohio State’s star receiver already the best player in college football? George Schroeder and Todd Unzicker break down why the Buckeyes’ phenom is separating himself from everyone else, why Miami suddenly looks like a real national threat, and why Clemson’s collapse may say more about the Tigers’ talent gap than one bad Saturday.

They also dig into the week’s biggest shockers and statement wins—Missouri flattening Florida, USC finding just enough defense to survive Washington, and Alabama looking like Alabama again just in time for Georgia.

You’ll also hear the guys unpack a bizarre college football moment you have to hear to believe, plus the latest on Tennessee’s quarterback change, Michigan’s offensive problems, Baylor’s quietly sneaky season, and the continuing search for the teams that are actually for real in a year full of weekly overreactions.

Then it’s straight into a loaded Week 6 slate: Texas vs. Oklahoma in the Red River showdown, Oregon vs. UCLA, USC at Penn State, Indiana at Nebraska, LSU at Kentucky, and the heavyweight clash between Georgia and Alabama. Who’s ready for the playoffs, who’s fooling us, and who is about to get exposed?

Connect with us online at gridironandthegospel.com
Follow us on social media at @gridiron_gospel on Twitter and Instagram

College football’s first quarter has already shaken up the playoff picture. Texas survived a tough road test at Tennessee, Oregon made a statement against USC, Florida trounced Ole Miss, and Iowa delivered a last-second finish in the Big House. With no clear dominant team, the national title race feels more wide open than in the past.

George Schroeder and Jonathan Howe break down the biggest stories from Week 4, including Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor’s breakout, Oklahoma’s offensive struggles, LSU’s response against Texas A&M, and what the results could mean for the weeks ahead.

Then they make their Week 5 picks and close with a reflection on Mark 1 and the compassion of Jesus—and the reminder that no one is too far away for God.

Connect with us online at gridironandthegospel.com
Follow us on social media at @gridiron_gospel on Twitter and Instagram

One play in Nashville, one lightning delay in Tuscaloosa, and one toxic reunion in Oxford changed the entire feel of Week 3. George Schroeder and Todd Unzicker break down the moments that felt bigger than September football, including NC State’s stunning collapse against Vanderbilt, LSU vs. Ole Miss turning into a full-blown Lane Kiffin referendum, and the growing questions around programs like Texas A&M, Clemson, Florida State, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

They dig into the games that defined the weekend and the quarterbacks who are forcing everyone to pay attention—Trinidad Chambliss continuing to look unstoppable, Marcel Reed under the microscope, and a fresh wave of young signal-callers trying to prove they belong. You’ll hear why Kentucky’s win at Texas A&M may say more about the Aggies than the Wildcats, why Georgia could be about to expose Oklahoma, and why the most intriguing early-season teams might be the ones nobody expected.

George and Todd also look ahead to a loaded Week 4 slate with Texas at Tennessee, Ole Miss at Florida, Iowa at Michigan, Texas A&M at LSU, Oregon at USC, and Missouri at Mississippi State. Along the way, they wrestle with what these games mean for the playoff race, the pressure on coaches, and which teams are quietly building something real.

And amid all the football turmoil, Todd shares a heartfelt reminder from Titus 2 about the power of grace, why the gospel is the only true foundation for lasting change, and why the Christian life always starts by going back to Jesus.

Connect with us online at gridironandthegospel.com
Follow us on social media at @gridiron_gospel on Twitter and Instagram

Texas, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Virginia step into the spotlight after one of the wildest early-season weekends in recent college football memory. George Schroeder and Todd Unzicker break down the results that reshaped the rankings, challenged preseason assumptions, and made one thing clear: September chaos is here.

Texas’ stunning comeback against Ohio State leads the conversation. George and Todd discuss whether Arch Manning just had his true breakout moment and why Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns may be even better than the headlines suggest.

They also break down:

• Texas vs. Ohio State and Arch Manning’s fourth-quarter heroics
• Why Oregon suddenly looks vulnerable
• Michigan’s gritty win over Oklahoma
• Oklahoma’s offensive concerns
• Mississippi State’s road win at Minnesota
• Missouri’s Border War victory
• Why the Big 12 may be deeper than expected
• The changing balance between the SEC and Big Ten

The episode also previews a loaded Week 3 slate, including LSU at Ole Miss, Houston at Texas Tech, North Carolina at Clemson, Florida State at Alabama, SMU at Louisville, and West Virginia vs. Virginia in the Duke’s Mayo Classic.

Connect with us online at gridironandthegospel.com
Follow us on social media at @gridiron_gospel on Twitter and Instagram

The craziest Week 1 endings, the real LSU-Clemson takeaway, and the games that will shape the early season are all on the table here. If you want sharp college football reaction with faith, humor, and zero shortage of hot takes, this is your episode.

George Schroeder, Todd Unzicker, and Jonathan Howe kick off by dissecting the Michigan-Western Michigan finish that had everyone arguing about clocks, replay, and whether the game should have ended at all. From there, they turn to LSU's demolition of Clemson and ask the question a lot of fans are now whispering: has the Dabo Swinney era entered a new phase?

You’ll hear:

• Why the Michigan ending felt less like football and more like a rules controversy waiting to happen
• What LSU's offense did that made their night look like a throwback to 2019
• Why Clemson's problems may be bigger than one bad loss
• How Boise State keeps finding a way to push Oregon to the edge
• Which early-season matchups could rewrite the national conversation this week

The conversation doesn't stop at rankings and scoreboards. The hosts also weigh what Week 1 revealed about the ACC, Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12, including the quiet rise of teams like Louisville, BYU, and Texas Tech. 

Then they bring it home with a short, sincere faith reflection from Matthew 26 on Mary breaking the alabaster jar, reminding listeners that whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.

Finally, they look ahead to a loaded Week 2 slate, including Oklahoma at Michigan and the heavyweight showdown between Ohio State and Texas.

Connect with us online at gridironandthegospel.com
Follow us on social media at @gridiron_gospel on Twitter and Instagram

College football is back, and Week 1 is already setting up the kind of chaos that separates contenders from pretenders. George Schroeder and Todd Unzicker kick off the season by reacting to the wild Week Zero overreactions, from Bill Belichick’s debut at North Carolina to Virginia’s bully-ball win over NC State, Florida State’s uneasy opener, and USC’s defense under new scrutiny.

Then the conversation turns to the games and quarterbacks that could define the entire season. You’ll hear why Oregon looks like a legitimate national title threat, why Clemson-LSU is a true Death Valley showdown, and why the new-look quarterback landscape could reshape the playoff race. George and Todd break down the biggest debut arms to watch, including Darien Mensa at Miami, Josh Hoover at Indiana, Sam Levitt at LSU, Keelan Russell at Alabama, Faison Brandon at Tennessee, Austin Simmons at Missouri, Aaron Philo at Florida, and more.

Connect with us online at gridironandthegospel.com
Follow us on social media at @gridiron_gospel on Twitter and Instagram

College football is back, and the biggest Week Zero story might not even be on the field.

A wild eligibility loophole, a possible NFL-to-college return, and a patchwork of court rulings could rewrite what "student-athlete" means this season. George Schroeder and Todd Unzicker preview Week 0 and break down the DaQuann Wright saga—why it matters far beyond one player, and how NIL, the transfer portal, and changing NCAA rules are creating chaos no one can fully control.

Connect with us online at gridironandthegospel.com
Follow us on social media at @gridiron_gospel on Twitter and Instagram

The 2025 preseason coaches poll is out, and it instantly raises the biggest question in college football: is the SEC still the deepest league, or has the Big Ten already passed it by? George Schroeder and Todd Unzicker break down the rankings, the playoff implications, and the teams that could rise or fall before September even arrives.

Ohio State and Oregon sit at No. 1 and No. 2, Georgia remains a constant at the top, and Texas is drawing massive expectations again. But this conversation goes deeper than the usual preseason chatter. George and Todd weigh whether Arch Manning hype was unfair last year, why Indiana’s staying power is suddenly real, and how Clemson can land at No. 23 after a 7-6 season. They also dig into Tennessee, Missouri, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Alabama, and why some of these rankings already feel fragile.

The guys cover:

• why the new SEC nine-game schedule could reshape the College Football Playoff race
• how the transfer portal and NIL may be erasing the SEC’s old edge
• which top-10 teams look the most vulnerable right now
• why SMU, Virginia Tech, BYU, and Texas Tech are lurking as dangerous sleepers
• what LSU’s massive Lane Kiffin gamble could mean in year one

George and Todd also preview some of the season’s most revealing early tests, including Oregon at Oklahoma State, LSU at Ole Miss, and the brutal schedules facing Texas, Indiana, and Georgia. If you care about who is really built to survive the chaos of a 12-team playoff era, this episode makes the case before the games even kick off.

They also share a surprisingly fun story from Akron, where fans can literally win the chance to call the opening drive with head coach Joe Moorhead, a promotion that has already moved tickets and stirred up rival fan bases. It is one of those off-the-wall college football moments that perfectly captures why the sport is so great.

Then the episode shifts into a powerful faith segment from Luke 5, where George unpacks Jesus calling Peter from fishing for fish to fishing for people. Todd adds a compelling reflection on awe, evangelism, and total surrender, making this a meaningful listen whether you came for football, faith, or both.

George Schroeder is a pastor and co-host of Gridiron and the Gospel, known for connecting college football conversation with clear, practical Christian teaching.

Todd Unzicker is George’s co-host, bringing thoughtful football analysis and faith-driven insight throughout the episode.

Connect with us online at gridironandthegospel.com
Follow us on social media at @gridiron_gospel on Twitter and Instagram

Join George Schroeder and Todd Unzicker as they dive into the upcoming 2026 college football season, discussing key matchups, team dynamics, and the evolving landscape of college sports. This episode sets the stage for an exciting season filled with rivalries, coaching changes, and playoff implications.

00:00 - Introduction and Season Outlook
01:58 - The Offseason and Key Developments
04:04 - Gambling Issues and NCAA Challenges
07:01 - Soccer and World Cup Highlights
08:54 - Conference Realignments and Coaching Moves
11:58 - Media Days and Early Season Expectations
14:14 - Anticipated Matchups and Key Games
17:03 - LSU vs Clemson and Season Opener
18:51 - Big Ten and SEC Showdowns
22:03 - Ole Miss vs Mississippi State and Lane Kiffin
24:00 - October Key Games and Playoff Implications
27:13 - USC, Ohio State, and Big Matchups
29:00 - Florida State and Coaching Hot Seats
31:52 - Season Predictions and Final Thoughts

Connect with us online at gridironandthegospel.com
Follow us on social media at @gridiron_gospel on Twitter and Instagram

Former ESPN analyst David Pollack joins the show to talk faith and football with George and Todd. 

Connect with us online at gridironandthegospel.com
Follow us on social media at @gridiron_gospel on Twitter and Instagram