It’s a jaw-dropping Monday on Sports IQ with Larry Smith — a weekend of stunning firings, coaching chaos, and one of the strangest Octobers college football has seen in years.

Larry opens the show recapping a packed NFL Sunday — from Patrick Mahomes’ record-setting night against Detroit to Daniel Jones’ comeback campaign in Indy — before diving headfirst into the shockwave that hit Happy Valley: Penn State fires James Franklin just six games into his 12th season.

Larry and producer Tony Cordaro unpack how a preseason No. 2 team unraveled, why boosters finally pulled the plug, and what it says about the “win-now” era of college sports. They debate Franklin’s legacy, the $49 million buyout, and who could replace him — with Indiana’s Curt Cignetti and Nebraska’s Matt Rhule already topping the rumor list.

Then, the conversation turns south, where Trent Dilfer is out at UAB and Alex Mortensen (son of the late ESPN legend Chris Mortensen) steps in to rebuild.

In the show’s second half, Larry welcomes Shelby Swanson of The Raleigh News & Observer to break down the drama swirling around Bill Belichick at UNC — from locker-room tension and recruiting misfires to off-field distractions and the $30 million guaranteed contract that makes any move complicated.

They close with lighter fare: Big Blue Madness in Lexington, Daniel Jones’ redemption, Baker Mayfield’s rebirth in Tampa, and Denny Hamlin’s 60th career NASCAR victory — this week’s Moment of Ah.

Topics Discussed:

• James Franklin’s firing & Penn State’s $49 M gamble

• Curt Cignetti’s rise at Indiana and the new Big Ten power order

• Bill Belichick’s turbulent UNC experiment

• UAB fires Trent Dilfer; Alex Mortensen era begins

• NFL weekend recap: Chiefs, Colts, Bucs, and more

• Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness and Mark Pope’s second act

• Denny Hamlin joins NASCAR’s all-time top-10

Guest:
🎙️ Shelby Swanson – UNC Beat Writer, Raleigh News & Observer

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It’s a packed Friday edition of Sports IQ with Larry Smith — four powerhouse interviews, coast-to-coast storylines, and a weekend slate loaded with playoff implications.

Larry kicks things off with Collin Gay of The Tuscaloosa News, breaking down Alabama’s resurgence under Kalen DeBoer. After an early loss to Florida State, the Tide have stormed back into the Top 10 — but an undefeated Missouri squad looms. Can Mizzou’s bruising run game and clock-control offense pull off the SEC’s biggest upset?

Then Callum McAndrew from the Columbia Daily Tribune joins to give the Missouri side of the story — how Eli Drinkwitz has turned the Tigers from “good” to “almost great,” and why Saturday might finally be their defining win.

Next, Eric Hansen of BlueandGold.com checks in from South Bend, where redshirt freshman QB CJ Carr is rewriting Notre Dame record books while the Irish defense finds its identity. With NC State in town and USC looming, Larry and Eric dissect how Notre Dame’s balance and leadership could carry them back to the playoff hunt.

Finally, Shawn Windsor of the Detroit Free Press jumps in from Seattle ahead of Game 5 between the Tigers and Mariners. With Tarik Skubal on the mound and a season on the line, Shawn explains how Detroit thrives when their backs are against the wall — plus, his incredible sports weekend itinerary that any fan would envy.

Larry wraps with a Moment of “Ah” — a heartfelt tribute to the late Sister Jean, the beloved Loyola Chicago chaplain who passed away at 106.

Topics Discussed:

• Alabama’s turnaround and Ty Simpson’s steady rise

• Missouri’s chance for a program-defining upset

• Notre Dame’s evolving identity behind CJ Carr

• NC State’s offensive threats and defensive struggles

• Tigers–Mariners Game 5 preview and Skubal’s redemption shot

• Tribute to Sister Jean and her legacy at Loyola Chicago

Guests:
🎙️ Collin Gay – The Tuscaloosa News
🎙️ Callum McAndrew – Columbia Daily Tribune
🎙️ Eric Hansen – BlueandGold.com
🎙️ Shawn Windsor – Detroit Free Press

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Larry Smith and producer Tony Cordaro bring another loaded edition of Sports IQ — a coast-to-coast look at the teams shaking up college football’s midseason picture.

First, Andrew Monaco, voice of the Texas A&M Aggies, joins Larry to break down the Aggies’ 5–1 start and the Mike Elko effect in College Station. From the Notre Dame win to SEC gauntlet talk, Andrew explains why this A&M team feels different — sharper, hungrier, and finally built to finish.

Then, producer Tony Cordaro shifts focus west with two powerhouse matchups:

• Zachary Neel (USA Today Oregon Beat Writer) previews #5 Oregon vs. #6 Indiana — where quarterbacks Dante Moore and Fernando Mendoza collide in what could be a playoff preview. Expect noise, defense, and coaching chess between Lanning and Cignetti.

• Shannon Griffith (Hoosier.com) gives the Indiana perspective, from Mendoza’s poise to the Hoosiers’ chance to stamp their name on the national scene.

Larry and Tony close by tackling the latest storylines:

• Bill Belichick’s UNC experiment already unraveling

• Big Ten’s quarterback boom — 4 of the top 5 passers in the country

• Alabama–Missouri and Ohio State–Illinois as major tests of identity

• A Moment of “Ah”: a $50 million donation to Stanford Athletics (cue Dr. Evil voice)

Topics Discussed:

• Why Texas A&M’s Mike Elko era feels sustainable

• The SEC’s next phase of identity and parity

• Oregon’s defensive evolution under Dan Lanning

• Indiana’s chance to prove they belong among Big Ten elites

• The most electric home-field advantages in college football

• Big 10 coaching chess: Cignetti vs. Lanning

• Stanford’s massive donor boost

Guest Links:
🎙️ Andrew Monaco – Voice of the Texas A&M Aggies
🎙️ Zachary Neel – USA Today Oregon Beat Writer
🎙️ Shannon Griffith – Lead Football Analyst, Hoosier.com

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Follow Larry Smith and Sports IQ for daily deep dives and interviews that cut through the scoreboard and get inside the storylines that shape college sports.

Larry Smith dives into a packed midweek edition of Sports IQ, where coincidence meets chaos — two guests named Matt Stevens join the show from opposite coasts to break down the wildest weekend in college football.

First, UCLA’s Matt Stevens relives the Bruins’ shocking 24.5-point underdog win over Penn State — a game that flipped their season overnight. He explains how interim coach Tim Skipper hit the reset button, why running the football was the key to everything, and how UCLA’s locker room found new life.

Then, Matt Stevens of IlliniGuys.com previews Illinois’s massive home test against #1 Ohio State, unpacking the rise of QB Luke Altmyer, the Big Ten’s sudden quarterback boom, and how Illinois’s defense plans to survive against the Buckeyes’ firepower.

Producer Tony jumps in to talk MLB playoffs — the Yankees clawing back, Toronto’s bullpen gamble, and Seattle’s long-awaited October surge — before Larry closes with a Moment of “Ah”: why the last undefeated NFL team never seems to win the Super Bowl.

Topics Discussed:

• UCLA’s miracle win and locker room culture shift

• Why Tim Skipper might be the Bruins’ next head coach

• Illinois’s confidence heading into Ohio State

• Luke Altmyer’s flawless season and Big Ten QB dominance

• Turnover “luck” vs. learned defense

• MLB playoff pitching strategy breakdown

• NFL “Moment of Ah”: The curse of the last unbeaten team

Guest Links:
🎙️ Matt Stevens – UCLA Football Radio
🎙️ Matt Stevens – IlliniGuys.com
📍 Kevin Noon – BuckeyeHuddle.com

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It’s a wild day across sports.

🏈 NFL Monday Night Thriller — Trevor Lawrence celebrates his 26th birthday by leading a stunning Jaguars comeback win over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, snapping an eight-game losing streak to Kansas City. Larry and Producer Tony break down how Jacksonville became an AFC contender under rookie coach Liam Coen — and why Kansas City suddenly looks mortal.

⚾ MLB Playoffs — Dodgers and Brewers both take commanding 2–0 leads in their series, while the Yankees and Tigers face elimination. Larry dissects the bullpen heroics, the bats coming alive, and what to watch as the AL and NL Division Series heat up.

🏀 WNBA Labor Battle — Commissioner Adam Silver says a new deal will get done as the WNBA prepares for a record-breaking media rights deal and expansion. Caitlin Clark calls it “the most important moment for the league in 25 years.”

🏒 NHL Opening Night — The puck drops with Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks visiting the defending champion Florida Panthers, and Connor McDavid inks a shocking below-market extension to stay in Edmonton.

🎾 USTA Coaching Initiative — Larry talks with Megan Rose, Managing Director of USTA Coaching, about a nationwide program to train and support new tennis coaches as the sport’s popularity surges.

🐢 Maryland’s Freshman Revolution — Edward Lee (Baltimore Sun) joins to talk about the Terrapins’ surprising 4–1 start, their freshman quarterback Malik Washington, and why Mike Locksley’s youth movement might make Maryland the Big Ten’s next sleeper power.

😲 Moment of Awe — Meet 58-year-old college freshman Tom Cillio, the oldest player to ever sign an NIL deal… with Aspercreme.

Chaos reigns across the sports world.

🏈 College Football Meltdown — Two preseason giants crash hard. Penn State loses to winless UCLA in one of the most shocking defeats in program history, while Texas gets embarrassed in Gainesville. Larry welcomes Tom Hannifan (Believe Network’s State of State podcast) to dissect James Franklin’s crumbling season, Penn State’s future, and whether the Nittany Lions picked the wrong QB.

🏈 NFL Week 5 — The last unbeaten teams fall. Bo Nix rallies the Broncos to stun Philly, the Patriots claw back into contention, and the Ravens’ season spirals as Lamar Jackson’s absence exposes Baltimore’s depth. Plus, rookie Cam Ward gets his first career win as the Titans shock Arizona.

⚾ MLB Division Series — The Blue Jays crush the Yankees, Seattle walks off Detroit, and October drama surges across both leagues.

🏀 WNBA Finals — The Las Vegas Aces surge to a 2–0 lead behind Jackie Young’s record night. Becky Hammon’s squad is halfway to a third title in four years.

🏒 NHL Season Preview — CBS Sports writer Austin Nivison joins Producer Tony to break down the Florida Panthers’ three-peat chase, Connor McDavid’s future in Edmonton, and the dark-horse teams that could shock the league.

📈 Moment of Awe — Western Carolina QB Taran Dickens completes 46 straight passes to set an NCAA record.

It’s the ultimate October sports weekend wrap — chaos, comebacks, and a record-setting performance you have to hear to believe.

Friday on SportsIQ with Larry Smith feels like the entire sports world is colliding at once.

🏀 WNBA Finals — Vegas vs. Phoenix in the league’s first ever best-of-seven championship. NBC/ESPN’s Meghan McKeown joins Larry to break down Asia Wilson’s historic run, Phoenix’s explosive offense, and why Indiana’s improbable push proves the future is bright. Plus: the players vs. leadership standoff that could reshape the league this winter.

⚾ MLB Playoff Madness — Three Wild Card series went the distance. The Yankees survive behind rookie Cam Slitter’s 12 Ks, the Tigers avenge Cleveland, and the Cubs stun the Padres in a nail-biter. Up next: heavyweight division rivalries that feel like October classics already.

🏈 NFL Week 4 Kickoff — Short-handed 49ers shock the Rams in overtime. Mac Jones throws for 342 in relief, the defense slams the door, and San Francisco somehow finds a way.

🏈 College Football Spotlight — Des Moines Register’s Eugene Rapay on No. 14 Iowa State’s 5-0 start and their huge road test at Cincinnati. Can Matt Campbell’s Cyclones survive crushing injuries and stay in the Big 12 title chase?

🔥 Plus: Lamar Jackson’s injury clouding Baltimore’s season, John Gruden’s lawsuit marches forward, the Saints lock in the Superdome through 2035, and a new wave of surprise teams shakes up the Top 25.

It’s October sports chaos — and SportsIQ is your front-row seat.

Thursday on SportsIQ with Larry Smith brings another packed lineup across baseball, football, and hoops.

⚾ MLB Playoffs — The Dodgers advance to their 13th straight NLDS after knocking out the Reds, while Yankees–Red Sox, Guardians–Tigers, and Padres–Cubs all head to decisive Game 3s. Mookie Betts heats up, Manny Machado delivers, and bullpens take center stage.

🏈 College Football — Peter Holland (Tallahassee Democrat) breaks down Florida State’s bounce-back season and previews Saturday’s primetime rivalry against undefeated Miami. Can Tommy Castellano and the Seminoles’ defense hold up under the lights?

🏀 WNBA Rift — Geno Auriemma weighs in on Napheesa Collier’s explosive comments about officiating and leadership. As “Unrivaled” grows and Serena Williams joins the movement, is the league at a crossroads?

🏀 NBA Preseason Begins — Sixers and Knicks tip off the first of 65 exhibitions, with the regular season now just weeks away.

🏈 College Football Playoff News — New Orleans lands the 2028 CFP title game, while debate swirls over expanding the field even further.

📅 Moment of Awe — Padres flamethrower Mason Miller hits 104.5 mph, the fastest postseason pitch ever recorded.

It’s a jam-packed Wednesday on SportsIQ with Larry Smith.

🏀 WNBA Playoffs — Las Vegas edges Indiana in overtime to punch its ticket to the Finals against Phoenix. Asia Wilson drops 35, Jackie Young adds 32, and the Fever fight valiantly despite more injuries. Plus, Nafisa Collier ignites a potential labor showdown with blistering comments about league leadership.

⚾ MLB Wild Card Round — Day 1 delivers drama. Dodgers slug five homers but reveal bullpen woes, Cubs get their first playoff win since 2015, Boston stuns New York in the Bronx, and Detroit’s Tariq Skubal ties a postseason strikeout record.

🏈 College Football — Joe Gaither (BamaCentral.com) breaks down Alabama’s huge road win at Georgia, Ty Simpson’s efficient QB play, and why Vanderbilt won’t sneak up on the Tide this year.

🏈 NFL Notes — Browns bench Joe Flacco for rookie Dylan Gabriel ahead of their London matchup, while UCLA spirals with another coordinator firing.

🏀 NBA & College Hoops — Steve Kerr delays Warriors contract talks, Seth Curry reunites with Steph, and JuJu Watkins announces she’ll sit out next season to recover from injury.

📅 Moment of Awe — Marion Local High School in Ohio extends its winning streak to 70 games, the longest in the nation.

It’s the final day of September and the sports world is buzzing. Larry Smith and the team bring you wall-to-wall coverage across baseball, football, and basketball.

⚾ MLB Postseason Begins — The Wild Card round is here. Yankees–Red Sox, Tigers–Guardians, Padres–Cubs, and Reds–Dodgers. Larry and Producer Tony break down the pitching matchups, upset potential, and which under-the-radar team could shock October.

🏀 WNBA Playoffs — Game 5 in Las Vegas: Fever vs. Aces. Yahoo Sports’ Lo Yarnall joins to dissect Kelsey Mitchell’s rise, Aaliyah Boston’s battle with A’ja Wilson, and whether injuries and officiating are reshaping the league. Plus, the Phoenix Mercury await in the Finals after knocking out top-seeded Minnesota.

🏈 College Football — Kevin Brockway (Gainesville Sun / USA Today Network) checks in on the Florida Gators. Can Billy Napier’s offense get DJ Lagway and the O-line back on track? Florida stares down No. 9 Texas and No. 6 Texas A&M in back-to-back weeks.

🏈 NFL Week 4 Wrap — The Dolphins beat the Jets but lose Tyreek Hill to a major knee injury, the Broncos dominate a Joe Burrow-less Bengals squad, and the Bills and Eagles remain unbeaten. Jacksonville surprises, Dallas and Green Bay baffle, and Patrick Mahomes rewrites record books.

📅 Moment of Awe — Remembering Roberto Clemente’s 3,000th (and final) career hit, achieved on this day in 1972.