Inside The Pylon: A Midwest College Football Podcast

Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, talking Washington.

The story of the trenches for Washington in 2026 will be told by an experienced OL, and a young, but talented, DL. The Huskies return for OL starters from last year's team, and bring in 5-star freshman Kodi Greene to compete for the fifth spot. On the DL, added pieces in the portal and will look to several former 4-star recruits to step up onto more prominent roles this season to help carry over a defense that finished 11th nationally last season defending the run, but often struggled getting pressure on the QB.

On the offensive side of the ball, RB Jonah Coleman is off to the next level after an injury-plagued and somewhat disappointing 2025. Is backup, Adam Mohammad, transferred to Cal. The Huskies brought in two portal additions -- including former Oregon Duck Jayden Limar -- but both are out for spring recovering from surgeries. Will their absence allow a returning player, or perhaps an incoming freshman, ascend to a prominent role in the offense?

At WR, Freshman All-American Dezmen Roebuck returns but leading receiver Denzel Boston is off to the NFL. The room also suffers from portal attrition. Two portal receivers enter, as do a trio of incoming blue-chip freshmen. Can this room perform at a similar level to 2025 and help out star QB Demond Williams?

Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. 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

Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, talking Notre Dame.

In 2025, Notre Dame had one of the best runnings games in college football -- ranking 3rd nationally averaging 5.7 yards per carry -- on the strength of a generational backfield in Jeremyiah Love and Jadarian Price. They achieved this (2,046 combined rushing yards, 29 combined rushing TDs) despite below-expectations play from the offensive line. With both backs off the the NFL, can Notre Dame come close to replicating last season's rushing offense with an improved offensive line, and a still-capable stable of running backs on the roster?

QB CJ Carr may be the best returning starting quarterback the Irish have had since Brady Quinn in 2006, and he is among the best returning QBs in the nation. However, he will need to get established with a new cast of WRs, as Notre Dame's 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th leading yards-producing receivers in 2025 are no longer on the roster. The room is as deep and talented as it has been in Marcus Freeman's tenure as head coach. However, can one (or two) of those players step up to be a true game-breaker for Carr out wide?

On defense, the Irish secondary should be among the best in the nation. They were fine getting after the QB last year -- finishing 26th nationally in sack rate, and finished 12th nationally in rush defense. That defensive line gets a bit of a makeover this season via the portal and high school recruiting. Can returning players Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young take a step forward in 2026, and can the imports on the interior successfully replace the players lost to graduation?

Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. 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

Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, talking USC.

For whatever faults he may have as a head coach, developing QBs and prolific offenses is not one of them for Lincoln Riley. He returns a strong, experience signal caller in 2026 with Jayden Maiava returning after throwing for 3700 yards and 24 TDs a season ago. However, four of USC's top five pass-catchers in terms of yards from last season have either transferred or gone pro. Now-sophomore Tanook Hines is a key returning piece to the WR room. NC State transfer Terrell Anderson also figures to be a key piece. But the rest of the room is bereft of experience, albeit talented. Will a freshman pass catcher step up to help carry the load?

What the WR room make lack in experience, the OL and RB rooms more than make up for. USC returns five OL with significant starting experience, and their top two rushers from 2025. Riley's offense ran the ball more often and more effectively in 2025 than the previous two seasons -- with a lack of experience out wide, will USC lead more heavily on this talented and experienced run game in 2026?

On defense, former long-time TCU head coach Gary Patterson joins the staff as their defensive coordinator == replacing the departed-for-Penn-State D'Anton Lynn. The defense progressively improved in Lynn's two seasons, but was still middle-of-the-pack at best in 2025. However, the Trojans have stepped up their recruiting and portal game and despite some questions at LB and in the secondary, should have plenty of talented depth in 2026 across the board. Can they turn that talent into production? Can Gary Patterson snap Lincoln Riley out of his defensive trance? Or will it be same song, different chorus for the Trojans's defense in 2026?

Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. 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

Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, talking UCLA.

The Bruins were a train wreck under DeShaun Foster last season, with a brief reprieve upon his firing and the promotion of Tim Skipper to interim head coach. That lasted three games before a five-game losing streak (with only one game being within three scores) saw them finish 3-9. In comes Bob Chesney from James Madison. He brings with him, among others, start RB Wayne Knight -- who rushed for nearly 1400 yards for the playoff Dukes. His import looks to bolster a UCLA rush attack that finished last season 85th in yards per game.

In 2025 the entire offense ran through QB Nico Iamaleava. To help him, Chesney and staff brought in six transfer portal WRs. Who are the names to know here and will one (or more) of them step up?

On defense, the Bruins's DL managed only 10 sacks last season. Sahmir West -- another JMU import -- was the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and was a freshman All-America last season, posting seven sacks and 14 TFLs last season. At 6-4, 270 pounds, he has the length and mass needed to carry that success forward into the Big Ten. Four other key transfers join West on the DL, as the Bruins look to better affect the QB in 2026.

Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. 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

Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, talking Rutgers.

Athan Kaliakmanis took a big step forward in year two of Kirk Ciarrocca's offense last season, just in time to jump for the NFL. Replacing him will either be 2025 backup AJ Surace, or Boston College transfer Dylan Lonergan. Surace attempted only two passes against P4 competition last season, while Lonergan had an up and down season at BC. Can Ciarrocca squeeze enough out of the QB position to replicate last season's 27th-best passive attack?

To help, they will need someone at WR to step up. Star WR KJ Duff returns, but running mates Ian Strong (Cal) and DT Sheffield (NFL) are gone. a group of young players appears poised to take the next step, but can one of them make a move to be a legitimate No. 2 option to take heat off Duff?

On defense, Rutgers was catastrophically bad in 2025. To address this, head coach Greg Schiano went hard at the portal and brought in what could be upwards of seven transfers who will start game one. Edge rushers Malachi Davis (Toledo) and J'Dan Burnett (Tulsa) join the fray, and four new transfers come in at CB. Will that be enough to give the Scarlet Knights's defense a boost in 2026?

Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. 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

Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, talking Purdue.

Year 1 for Barry Odom felt like a step in the right direction for Purdue despite going 2-10. On offense, he relied on part-time 2024 starter (and spring 2025 portal addition) Ryan Browne at QB with mixed results. A strong start to the season (250+ yards in four of Purdue's first five games) ended with him not hitting that mark again once in the final seven contests, and included five games at fewer than 140 pass yards. Can a portal haul at OL and WR help turn the Boilers' fortunes on offense in 2026?

That offense will continue out without -- for what seems like the first time in 15 years -- RB Devin Mockobee, who is off to the NFL Draft. Three RBs come in from the portal in Jerrick Gibson (Texas), Fame Ijejboi (Minnesota) and Travis Terrell Jr (Jackson St).

On defense, Purdue snagged only four INTs last season and was PFF's worst-graded pass defense. With a slew of talented QBs on the 2026 schedule, Purdue attempted to bolster the back end with eight portal additions. Will that make a difference or will it be another long season for the Boilermakers's back end?

Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. 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

Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, talking Penn State.

Last season was an abject failure for the Nittany Lions. With it came a coaching change and an exciting new era with Matt Campbell. It also brings plenty of roster turnover, with 46 players heading out via the transfer portal and 39 coming in. We've seen roster flips and early success with several programs the last few seasons, but was the portal a net positive or net negative for Penn State?

One of the key portal additions for Penn State was Iowa State QB Rocco Becht. After a strong 2024 season, he took a step back in 2025 after two of his top receivers left for the NFL. Much of that receiver room he struggled with follows him to Happy Valley. Can Becht rediscover his 2024 form?

On defense, D'Anton Lynn returns to his alma mater to leave a defense that was fine in 2025 under Jim Knowles. They had their moments but underachieved relative to expectations. With a new scheme and a lot of new faces, what will this unit look like in 2025?

Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. 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

Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, talking Oregon.

Oregon has been a steady beacon in two seasons in the Big Ten, going 26-3 in two seasons, with two of those three defeats coming in the CFP. Now, Dan Lanning must wade through coordinator turnover with DC Tosh Lupoi and OC Will Stein both getting head coaching jobs. Lanning stayed in-house with replacements, promoting his co-OC (Drew Mehringer) and co-DC (Chris Hampton) to lead coordinators. Mehringer has one season of OC experience with Rutgers in 2016, while Hampton was DC at Tulane in 2021 and 2022. Can these two, with limited play calling experience continue the run of strong coordinators in Eugene?

The Ducks are loaded with talent, but one question could be the linebacker spot. Bryce Boettcher is off to the NFL after leading the Ducks with 136 tackles last season. Fourth-leading (and leading sack-getter) tackler Teitum Tuioti returns, as does fifth-leading tackler Jerry Mixon. Can either take a step forward to be the leader of this defense that Boettcher was in 2025?

On offense, Dante Moore gets the headlines but he is helped out by an excellent WR room. Evan Stewart missed 2025 with a torn patellar tendon but looks to return to form and should be healthy enough to participate in spring. Dakorien Moore had a strong freshman season and could be primed for a big 2026. Jeremiah McClellan led the team with 557 yards in 2025 and likewise could be primed for another big step forward this season. To further bolster the room, they import Iverson Hooks from UAB (72 catches, 927 yards, 7 TD in 2025).

Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. 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

Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, talking Ohio State.

The Buckeyes OL bolsters 34 returning starts, and plenty of intriguing names come back in that room. How much position shifting will occur and what might the starting five look like in 2026?

Perhaps the biggest change with Ohio State comes with the departure of one-year playcaller but long-time assistant Brian Hartline, who finally spread his wings and flew away from Columbus to a head coaching job with USF. The WR room gets a bit of a makeover, with Carnell Tate off to the NFL and Bryson Rogers, Mylan Graham and Quincey Porter hitting the portal. But Jeremiah Smith is back to dominate college football. Brandon Innis returns, and in come talented freshman Chris Henry Jr. and Jerquaden Gilford, in addition to transfers Kyle Parker (LSU) and Devin McCuin (UTSA). Can new WR coach Cortez Hankton keep the tradition of WRU moving forward?

On defense, the Buckeye once again will lose a plethora of talented production. LBs Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese depart, as does S Caleb Downs. Jaylen McClain returns as safety but the Buckeyes also hit the portal to bring in Earl Little Jr (Florida State) and Terry Moore (Duke). How will the Ohio State back end shape up in 2026?

Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. 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

Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, talking Northwestern.

One of the most intriguing hires of the offseason was OC Chip Kelly, back in the Big Ten after a year in the NFL. He teams up with transfer QB Aidan Chiles, himself an import from Michigan State. With a good amount of skill talent to work with at RB and WR, will the marriage yield Will Howard-esque results for Northwestern in 2026, or will it look more like 2023 then-true freshman Dante Moore?

Northwestern had a strong OL in 2025 particularly in pass protection, where they allowed 17 sacks in 13 games. Three (and maybe four?) of last year's starting OL is out the door. Starting LG Ezomo Oratokhai returns, while starting C Jackson Carsello is waiting on a ruling for a sixth-year waiver. The Wildcats brought in one of the portal's best OTs in Oklahoma State's Grant Seagren, but also return several part-time contributors from 2025 looking to slide into the starting lineup. Can this group help ease Chiles's transition?

On defense, five of the team's top-10 tacklers from 2025 have graduated -- which does not include star DE Anto Saka's transfer to Texas A&M. However, the Wildcats return a key player at each level, bolstered on the back end by the Big Ten's leading solo tackler Robert Fitzgerald. Can this unit that was good in 2025, but only forced 19 turnovers, take a big step forward in 2026?

Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. 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