Ryan and Clinton officially wrap up TWENTY fall previews, covering all your midwest college football needs, talking USC. To help break the Trojans down, Ryan Abraham from USCFootball.com joins the show.

Lincoln Riley arrived in Southern California to much fanfare, and immediately backed that up with an exceptional first season and a near-playoff berth with Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. Since that 2023 season, his squad is 15-11 overall, including a 4-5 mark in their first season of Big Ten play in 2024. What is the tenor of the fanbase around its head coach heading into 2025? Has a monster 2026 recruiting class bought him some goodwill? Or is his seat starting to get warm?

Riley has made his name with offense, particularly with QB development. Last season he pivoted from Miller Moss to Jayden Maiava after nine games. He moved the ball well but did not offer much better protection of it -- throwing six interceptions in his four starts. Will Maiava have a longer leash than Moss had in 2024? Out wide, the Trojans are bolstered by WRs Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane, but must replace six of their next seven leading receivers in WR transfers Duce Robinson, Zach Branch and Kyron Hudson; RB transfer Quentin Joyner; and the graduations of WR Kyle Ford and RB Woody Marks ... who are a few skill position players we can expect to hear from stepping up in 2025?

On the defensive side of the ball, USC's defense improved from 119th in total defense and 121st in scoring defense in 2023, to 77th and 56th, respectively, in 2024 (an improvement of nearly 60 fewer yards and 10 fewer points per game allowed). Can we expect another improvement in 2025 under second-year DC D'Anton Lynn?

Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

#BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CollegeFootballNationalTitle #NationalChampionship #BigTenConference

Ryan and Clinton hit the home stretch of preview season, talking Wisconsin. To help break them down, Rajeev Chhabra from The Bucky Report podcast and Locked on Badgers joins the show.

It's been two years of struggles under Luke Fickell for Wisconsin, and an unrelenting schedule in 2025 does not exactly help. Is this a make-or-break year for Fickell's tenure, or will the difficulty of the schedule -- which features six preseason AP Top-25 teams -- afford some grace.

After two years of flirting with Phil Longo's air raid, Fickell turns to Jeff Grimes to return Wisconsin to more of a run-oriented attack. Will there be any ill affects with the scheme change? Regardless of scheme, Wisconsin has been snakebitten under Fickell with QB health -- losing Tyler Van Dkye in game three last season, after losing Tanner Moredecai for a month in the middle of what, to that point, was a strong season. Can Maryland transfer Billy Edwards help steady the ship?

Wisconsin was poor against the run a season ago, and went heavy on defensive line acquisitions in the portal to remedy this. How will the line rotation shake up, and can we expect any of the newcomers -- or players already on the roster -- to ascend to impact players in 2025?

Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

#BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CollegeFootballNationalTitle #NationalChampionship #BigTenConference

Ryan and Clinton hit the home stretch of preview season, talking Rutgers. To help break them down, Richie O'Leary from the Rutgers On3 joins the show.

Last year's Scarlet Knights were billed as a team to watch, with a veteran defense, an all-conference running back, a QB with Big Ten starting experience and a favorable schedule, many postulated they could reach 9 wins (us included). Injuries on defense ended up limiting that ceiling and Greg Schiano's squad once again ended at 7-6. Now in his sixth season of his second Rutgers stint, he has yet to elevate the program beyond a 7-win mark -- which he did five times in six seasons from 2006-11. Where is the fanbase at with their longtime coach heading into a season with a difficult schedule and plenty of talent to replace?

QB Athan Kaliakmanis and WR Ian Strong return, but they must replace the program's No. 2 all-time leading rusher in Kyle Monangai. What can we expect this Rutgers offense to look like in 2025?

On the defensive side of the ball, after an injury riddled 2025 season in which they finished 70th nationally in scoring defense and 95th in total defense, they project to have upwards of seven starters coming via the portal. What aspects of this defense inspire the most confidence for 2025, and what areas remain the biggest question marks?

Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

#BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CollegeFootballNationalTitle #NationalChampionship #BigTenConference

Ryan and Clinton hit the home stretch of preview season, starting the final full week of previews with Michigan State. To help break them down, Carter Landis from the Spartans on SI joins the show.

The first year of Jonathan Smith had an up and down feel to it, with three consecutive wins to open the season followed by losing six of the next seven to ultimately miss bowl eligibility. Following similarly bowl-less 2022 (5-7) and 2023 (4-8) campaigns, how are fans viewing year 1 -- necessary learning curve, or more of the same?

The Spartans fortunes for 2025 hinge on the arm and legs of talented QB Aidan Chiles, who finished 2024 with nearly as many INTs thrown (11) as TD passes (13); however, only three of those picks came after September. What kind of growth has he made in the offseason and what can we expect from this Spartans attack in 2025? What can we expect from an offensive line that allowed 36 sacks a season ago, and struggled making lanes for a rushing game that finished 110th nationally in yards per game?

The Spartans defense a year ago finished 77th in scoring defense but 34th in total D. Where can we expect improvement in 2025, and what unit still has questions to answer?

Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

#BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CollegeFootballNationalTitle #NationalChampionship #BigTenConference

Ryan and Clinton return to the Big Ten to hit the home stretch of fall previews, tonight talking the Iowa Hawkeyes. To help break them down, Tyler Tachman from the Des Moines Register joins the show.

The Hawkeyes took a notable step forward on offense last season under first year OC Tim Lester, on the back of now-departed RB Kaleb Johnson but still a motley crew cast of characters at the QB position. They import Mark Gronowski, who had high-level success with FCS program South Dakota State. What does he bring to the offense in 2025? What can we expect from the skill position group?

On defense, the Hawkeyes took a hit with LBs moving to the NFL. Who is next up at this position group. Even with the losses, has Phil Parker's crew earned the benefit of the doubt?

Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

#BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CollegeFootballNationalTitle #NationalChampionship #BigTenConference

It's officially college football month and Ryan and Clinton start to wind down fall previews, tonight tacking the Mid-American Conference as a whole. To help break them down, Alex Scheer from the MAC Sports Connection Podcast joins the show.

Six MAC programs break in new coaches in 2025 (Kent State, Central Michigan, Bowling Green, UMass, Ohio and Ball State). Which of these six programs is best set up for success for this season?

The top tier of the conference seems well outlined, with 2024 championship game participants Ohio and Miami primed to contend once again, with Toledo and Buffalo also in the mix. Who are we looking as favorites in the league? Who among that next tier of teams could ascend and shake up the race for the title game?

The league as a whole has been hit hard by the portal, with seemingly no program spared. However there are still plenty of impact players who will become household names in 2025. Who are five impact players fans should be aware of on offense/defense in 2025.

Finally, the expanded playoff gave fans of G5 programs hope to one day see their school crashing the playoff. Is 2025 the year a MAC program earns the G5 playoff bid? In the same thought process, are there any MAC vs P4 upset opportunities we should be keeping our eyes on?

Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

#BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CollegeFootballNationalTitle #NationalChampionship #BigTenConference

Ryan and Clinton end the July portion of preseason programming talking defending national champions Ohio State. To help break them down, Tony Gerdeman from Buckeye Huddle joins the show.

The Buckeyes won the ultimate prize in 2024. But with success at the college level comes inevitable change gone are both coordinators -- OC Chip Kelly to the NFL, and DC Jim Knowles to conference rival Penn State. Ryan Day tapped former Lions HC and Patriots DC Matt Patricia to lead his defense -- what can we expect from the scheme and how has he been adapting to the college game? On the offensive side of the ball, Brian Hartline finally gets his promotion to playcaller; will Day trust him to work through any growing pains?

With the personnel, gone is most of what was one of the best defenses in the country in 2024. But the Buckeyes do return talented experience at linebacker, and have one of the best players in the country in safety Caleb Downs. They've also done well stacking talent through recruiting. Who can we expect to ascend on the defense in 2025?

Offensively, whether its Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz at QB, he'll throw to the best receiver in college football in Jeremiah Smith, and will have a plethora of other weapons out wide. But how will a re-tooled offensive line and running backs room help support the passing attack?

Join us on our Youtube channel live Sunday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, with Sunday time varying based on Clinton and Ryan's schedules. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

#BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CollegeFootballNationalTitle #NationalChampionship #BigTenConference

Clinton returns to the show for some west-coast Midwest action, as the guys talk UCLA. To help break them down, Mike Regalado from Bruin Report on the 247 Sports Network joins the show.

The big offseason storyline was the return of Nico Iamaleava to Southern California during the spring portal window. What are fair expectations for him, given the hype surrounding the player but also given he spent the spring with Tennessee? How can he help bolster year two of the DeShaun Foster era, which nearly saw a surprise bowl game in year one?

The defense has been good the last two seasons, but must replace several key players at all levels of the defense. Who are some breakout candidates for second year DC Ikaika Malloe?

Join us on our Youtube channel live Sunday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, with Sunday time varying based on Clinton and Ryan's schedules. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

#BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CollegeFootballNationalTitle #NationalChampionship #BigTenConference

Ryan flies solo while Clinton is on vacation, and continues wading through the Midwest for summer/fall previews, tonight tackling Notre Dame. To help break them down, Jack Soble from Blue and Gold Illustrated joins the show.

ND made a national title game for the second time in 12 years in 2024, but did so with one of the toughest runs in school history. Was this path more sustainable than the 2012 run?

On offense the QB battle gets the headlines, but whoever ends up throwing the ball will be doing so to a much-improved receiver room, and will be supported by one of the best RB rooms in the nation. The OL will once again be a strength, but must cope with the preseason injury to RG Charles Jagusah.

On defense, new coordinator Chris Ash has large shoes to fill in the departed Broyles Award winner Al Golden. What can we expect from this unit in 2025?

Join us on our Youtube channel live Sunday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, with Sunday time varying based on Clinton and Ryan's schedules. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

#BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CollegeFootballNationalTitle #NationalChampionship #BigTenConference

Ryan flies solo while Clinton is on vacation, and continues wading through the Midwest for summer/fall previews, tonight tackling the Washington Huskies. To help break them down, Roman Tomashoff from Locked on Huskies and USA Today joins the show.

Jedd Fisch did well reconstructing this program in 2024 following the max exodus of coaches and players from 2023's run to the national title game. However discipline and self-inflicted wounds bit this team several times last season and cost them en route to a 6-7 overall record -- their nearly 6 penalties and 52 penalty yards conceded per game were among the worst in the Big Ten. How can Washington fix that problem in 2025?

Offensively, QB Demond Williams ascended from packaged player to full-on starter by the end of the season -- what is his ceiling in 2025? He is assisted by the return of star players at RB (Jonah Coleman) and WR (Denzel Boston), but the team will need to replace first- and third-leading receivers Giles Jackson and Jeremiah Hunter in 2025.

Washington's defense was good in 2024, but DC Steve Belichick leaves to join his father at North Carolina. Ryan Walters enters after a disastrous run as Purdue head coach, but he is only a few years removed from guiding an excellent Illinois defense. What scheme changes can we expect, and who are some rising names to know on that side of the ball?

Join us on our Youtube channel live Sunday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, with Sunday time varying based on Clinton and Ryan's schedules. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

#BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CollegeFootballNationalTitle #NationalChampionship #BigTenConference