The Audible with Stew, Bruce & Ralph: A show about college football

Welcome back to another episode of The Audible! Today, we dive deep into the mounting pressure in Los Angeles as Lincoln Riley’s seat continues to warm up at USC. After a rough stretch for the Trojans, a compelling fan mailbag question from London asks the tough question: Will USC pull the trigger and move on from Riley, and who would Jennifer Cohen target as a replacement? From a prominent coach across town to big-name targets in the SEC, we break down what a potential coaching search could look like for the Trojans.

We also tackle the massive Nick Saban backlash rocking college football media this week. The legendary coach is facing serious hypocrisy charges after claiming that coach and player compensation belong in "different markets," arguing player salaries must be capped while coaching contracts remain unchecked. We discuss the double standard of these comments and how the Protect College Sports Act—which just moved forward with a last-second 20-school realignment limit—could reshape the sport once it hits the House after the midterms.

Finally, we hand out first-month grades for first-year head coaches across the country, highlighting who is succeeding (like Florida) and who is completely failing to get off the ground (like Cal). Plus, we rank the top 20 most impactful freshmen of the 2026 season so far, debate how Arkansas or Rutgers would fare against a full G6 schedule, and break down why losing or retaining your offensive coordinator can completely make or break a program's playoff hopes.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:03 - Senate Passes Protect College Sports Act, Still Needs House Approval

3:39 - Nick Saban Says Coach and Player Compensation Are ‘Different Markets’

13:39 - Which Freshman Have Made The Greatest Impact Through First Month?

21:53 - First-Year Coaches: Who Is Succeeding? Who Is Failing?

31:41 - Mailbag! How Would Arkansas Or Rutgers Fair With A G6 Schedule?

37:30 - Mailbag! Who Could Replace Lincoln Riley At USC If Trojans Move On?

47:18 - Mailbag! How Important Is Retaining Your Offensive Coordinator?

Follow the Crew on X:

🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel

🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB

🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

🔹The Audible: @audible.show

#CollegeFootball #USCFootball #NickSaban #LincolnRiley #Trojans #FloridaGators #ArkansasRazorbacks #RutgersFootball #CalFootball #NIL #CollegeFootball2026 #TheAudible

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On today’s episode of The Audible, Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo break down a chaotic week in college football, starting with the massive news out of Columbia. Shane Beamer has suspended star defensive end Dylan Stewart indefinitely following his actions in South Carolina's loss to Alabama. The guys discuss the major fallout of this decision, what it means for Stewart's rising NFL Draft stock, and whether the temperature is officially rising on Beamer’s hot seat. Plus, we analyze the shifting landscape of coaching changes and take a hard look at how teams are faring in non-conference play against Power 4 competition.

Then, it’s time to head to the betting window for our official Week 5 Picks. The crew looks to break a three-way tie in the standings as they lock in their predictions against the spread for the weekend's biggest marquee matchups. Can No. 16 Mississippi State stay within the number against No. 7 Alabama? Will Iowa's defense muck things up enough to cover +13.5 at No. 5 Ohio State? The guys also break down No. 8 Florida at No. 25 Missouri, No. 4 Miami's tough road trip to Clemson, and wrap things up by tossing out their favorite Upset Picks of the Week.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:16 - South Carolina Suspends Star DE Dylan Stewart

9:21 - Are More Coaches On The Hot Seat This Season?

18:27 - Non-Conference Records vs Power 4 Teams

35:57 - Week 5 Picks | No 7 Alabama (-5.5) at No 16 Mississippi State

40:30 - Week 5 Picks | No 5 Ohio State (-13.5) at No 14 Iowa

43:37 - Week 5 Picks | No 8 Florida (-4.5) at No 25 Missouri

46:00 - Week 5 Picks | No 4 Miami (-17.5) at Clemson

50:16 - The Audible Picks Week 5 Upsets

Follow the Crew on X:

🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel

🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB

🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

🔹The Audible: @audible.show

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Welcome to The Audible! Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo deliver their full postgame breakdown after a historic, record-breaking weekend of college football. Week 4 set the all-time record for the most ranked-versus-ranked games on any single day in AP poll history, and the guys are diving into the aftermath of all six blockbuster Top 25 matchups.

We break down No. 20 Oregon's chaotic, emotional road victory over No. 12 USC at the Coliseum after backup quarterback Dylan Raiola stepped into the fire. Plus, we dissect No. 1 Texas grinding out a tight, penalty-filled victory at Neyland Stadium to survive No. 14 Tennessee behind Colin Simmons’ historic 5-sack defensive showcase.

The crew also reacts to the rest of a slate that completely reshapes the College Football Playoff picture, including No. 21 Florida absolutely dismantling No. 4 Ole Miss, No. 17 Iowa's breathtaking 91-yard walk-off touchdown drive to stun Michigan at the Big House, and No. 10 LSU securing massive revenge against No. 23 Texas A&M in Death Valley. Finally, we look at Boise State's dominant road win over Western Michigan and track where the Group of 6 Playoff race stands heading into October.

Follow the Crew on X:

🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel

🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB

🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

🔹The Audible: @audible.show

#CollegeFootball #OregonVsUSC #TexasVsTennessee #CFBWeek4 #TheAudible #APTop25 #CollegeFootballPlayoff #SECfootball #BigTenFootball #USCTrojans #OregonDucks #TexasLonghorns #VolsFootball #GeorgiaFootball #LSUfootball #CFBLive

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Kamario Taylor: The Uncomfortable Conversation about Mississippi State’s Star Quarterback takes center stage on this episode of The Audible. Following an absurd start to the season, an anonymous Big Ten coach has dropped a massive bombshell quote, claiming Taylor’s freakish arm talent and accuracy make him the best college football QB in years—before dropping the ultimate kicker: “He’s gonna look awesome in a Miami Hurricanes uniform next year.” Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo dive deep into the modern NIL and transfer portal reality. Can Mississippi State pay up to retain their local star for a potential CFP run, or will the relentless pull of the portal lure him away to a program like Miami?

The guys also track the massive Week 3 fallout across the country, starting with heated fan protests at Arkansas and Maryland. The crew debates whether the Razorbacks’ athletic department would actually be a better fit in the Big 12, where their basketball-first identity aligns with schools like Kansas and Arizona. Plus, Ralph takes us on the road to Kalamazoo for Boise State vs. Western Michigan, a high-stakes matchup with massive Group of 6 (G6) College Football Playoff implications. We also address the growing national backlash against ESPN’s College GameDay for choosing its fourth straight SEC venue instead of heading west to Los Angeles for Oregon vs. USC.

Finally, the crew cracks open the Audible Mailbag to answer your burning college football questions. Are major programs falling into a "sunk cost fallacy" by refusing to bench highly paid, highly ranked quarterbacks like Bryce Underwood, John Mateer, and Marcel Reed? Bruce shares exclusive insider details on the true structure of Michigan's massive NIL deal with Underwood. We also break down whether undefeated, unranked teams like UCLA, Nebraska, Washington, and Northwestern are getting robbed by AP voters, and analyze why coaches like Lincoln Riley, Deion Sanders, and Dan Lanning treat local media radically differently than national outlets.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:24 - Fan Frustrations: Maryland and Arkansas Fans Protesting After Week 3

7:51 - The Curious Case of Kamario Taylor…Will the Miss State QB transfer?

16:31 - Boise State vs Western Michigan: Potential G6 CFP Implications In Kalamazoo

23:19 - Should ESPN’s College GameDay Be In Los Angeles For Oregon At USC?

32:11 - Mailbag! Are Coaches Falling Into A Sunk Cost Fallacy With QBs?

38:08 - Mailbag! Should UCLA, Northwestern, Nebraska, or Washington Be Ranked?

42:14 - Mailbag! Do Programs Treat Local Media Different From National Outlets?

Follow the Crew on X:

🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel

🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB

🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

🔹The Audible: @audible.show

#CollegeFootball #KamarioTaylor #TransferPortal #MississippiState #HailState #MiamiHurricanes #GoCanes #NIL #CollegeGameDay #OregonFootball #USCFootball #ArkansasRazorbacks #WoooPig #MarylandTerrapins #BoiseState #TheAudible

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The college football landscape is shifting rapidly, and today on The Audible, Bruce Feldman and Ralph Russo are breaking down the biggest crossroads in the sport. We lead off with the fallout from North Carolina’s devastating blown lead against Clemson and unpack the latest surrounding the brewing UNC investigation. With top assistants no longer around, the crew debates if the hole Bill Belichick dug himself into from year one is simply too deep to survive, and whether the Tar Heels are looking for a way out of his three-year contract before next season. 

From program turmoil to early-season shockers, we reveal our biggest surprises across the Power 4 and Group of 6, starring breakout players like Kamario Taylor, Jamal Rule, and Jesse Legree.

Finally, it’s time to look ahead with our official, high-stakes Week 4 predictions against the spread! The crew locks in their locks and picks for a loaded slate, featuring No. 1 Texas at No. 14 Tennessee, No. 4 Ole Miss visiting No. 21 Florida, and a brutal Big Ten clash between No. 17 Iowa and No. 18 Michigan. We wrap things up by dissecting the highly anticipated matchup between No. 20 Oregon and No. 12 USC, before handing out our official Upset Picks of the Week!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:37 - UNC Crossroads: Tar Heels Lose At Clemson, Program Investigation Still Pending

15:00 - What Are Your Early Season Surprises

27:37 - No 1 Texas (-4.5) at No 14 Tennessee

30:50 - No 4 Ole Miss at No 21 Florida (-3)

38:03 - No 17 Iowa at No 18 Michigan (-5.5)

41:38 - No 23 Texas A&M at No 10 LSU (-9.5)

46:17 - No 20 Oregon (-3) at No 12 USC

53:54 - The Audible Picks Week 4 Upsets

Follow the Crew on X:

🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel

🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB

🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

🔹The Audible: @audible.show

#CollegeFootball #TheAudible #BillBelichick #UNCvsClemson #APPoll #Week4Picks #TexasFootball #Vols Football #OleMiss #GoGators #IowaHawkeyes #GoBlue #USCFootball #OregonDuck Football #CFBBetting #UpsetAlert

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Week 3 of the College Football season is in the books! Today on The Audible, Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo are breaking down all the wild post-game action from Week 3, leading off with the absolute circus in Oxford as No. 8 Ole Miss spoils Lane Kiffin’s highly anticipated return, taking down No. 7 LSU in a thrilling 32-24 shootout behind a magical performance from Trinidad Chambliss.

Did the Rebels get the ultimate revenge on their former coach? We dive deep into Pete Golding’s gutsy two-point conversion call, Will Echols' dominant defensive night, and the incredible post-game fallout.

But that’s just the beginning. We shift over to the ACC to recap Clemson's massive comeback over UNC following a wild 2.5-hour rain delay, evaluating true freshman Tait Reynolds' first start and Bill Belichick’s biggest blown lead in a decade. That is followed by the explosive Top-25 battle between SMU and Louisville where Keyjuan Brown's second-half explosion secured a 41-31 track meet for the Cardinals.

Plus, we recap the jaw-dropping walk-off finish between NC State and Vandy, Kentucky's massive upset of No. 9 Texas A&M at Kyle Field, and Texas Tech holding off Houston by a matter of inches. 

Wrapping things up, the crew highlights the players who impressed them the most this weekend, hands out their latest team shoutouts, and takes your questions live!

📌 TODAY'S WEEK 3 TOPICS:

• Ole Miss Spoil's Lane Kiffin's Return: LSU vs Ole Miss Recap

• ACC Comeback: Clemson Survives Post-Delay Battle vs UNC

• Top 25 Track Meet: No. 23 Louisville Outlasts No. 16 SMU

• Improbable Finish: Vandy Stuns NC State on Walk-Off Fumble

• Kyle Field Shocker: Kentucky Upsets No. 9 Texas A&M

• Big 12 Hold 'Em: No. 13 Texas Tech Edges No. 22 Houston

• Weekly Awards: Players That Impressed & Weekend Shoutouts!

👇 Drop your thoughts in the live chat: Who is the biggest winner of Week 3?

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#CollegeFootball #TheAudible #LaneKiffin #LSUvsOleMiss #TrinidadChambliss #ClemsonFootball #UNCvsClemson #SMUvsLouisville #VandyFootball #NCState #KentuckyFootball #TexasAM #TexasTech #HoustonCougars #SEC #ACC #Big12 #CFBRecap

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This week on The Audible, Stew, Bruce, and Ralph break down The Athletic’s landmark investigative piece detailing the massive $50M vs. $8M roster spending gap across college football. Stew pulls back the curtain on how this massive report was executed, while Bruce and Ralph debate the realities of finding transparency in a murky financial system and what it actually costs to build a competitive roster in the modern era.

Plus, the guys dive deep into the ultimate SEC drama as Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford this Saturday. Is this the most villainous return in college football history? The crew previews the hostile LSU vs. Ole Miss matchup, before pivoting to a massive ACC showdown as North Carolina visits Clemson in a battle of two programs stuck at a historic crossroads. The guys debate where Dabo Swinney's program has gone wrong, and how his staffing choices and portal aversion have torpedoed the Tigers' elite development.

To wrap up the show, the guys discuss the Protect College Sports Act hitting the Senate floor, hand out their early two-week "prediction mulligans" on teams like Georgia, Oklahoma, and Oregon, and answer your mailbag questions! Is P.J. Fleck officially on the hot seat at Minnesota? And how has social media completely changed the way modern college football reporters vet their information? Dive in to find out!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:24 - The Athletic Report: The Real Cost Of A CFB Roster Revealed

20:53 - Is Lane Kiffin’s Return To Ole Miss The Most Villainous Return in CFB History?

27:21 - The Protect College Sports Act Hits Senate Floor

29:52 - At A Crossroads: What Should Clemson & UNC Do With Legendary Coaches?

43:42 - Mailbag! What Is Your Preseason Mulligan?

47:18 - Mailbag! Should P.J. Fleck Be On The Hotseat?

54:08 - Mailbag! Does Social Media Make Reporting More Difficult?

Follow the Crew on X:

🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel

🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB

🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

🔹The Audible: @audible.show

#CollegeFootball #TheAudible #LaneKiffin #OleMiss #LSU #LSUvsOleMiss #Clemson #DaboSwinney #NIL #CollegeFootballPlayoff #OklahomaFootball #OregonFootball #PJFleck #SportsJournalism 

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The Oregon Ducks face heavy scrutiny following a shocking 39-31 loss against Oklahoma State, prompting national media comparisons to recent underachieving Penn State teams. Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman dive deep into whether Dan Lanning's squad is heading for a total free fall or if star quarterback Dante Moore has what it takes to right the ship. The guys also address the brewing controversy surrounding ESPN's College GameDay after the network granted Senator Ted Cruz extensive airtime to lobby for his Protect College Sports Act.

Turning their attention to the upcoming slate, the crew breaks down their official predictions for Week 3. They debate the tight margins of LSU at Ole Miss, analyze a tricky matchup as SMU visits Louisville, and preview Houston heading into a hostile environment at Texas Tech. Finally, the guys lock in their selections for Florida at Auburn before closing out the show with their signature long-shot underdog and upset picks of the week.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:22 - Is Oregon this year’s Penn State?

11:54 - Ted Cruz on College GameDay

24:47 - Week 3 Picks | LSU (-3) at Ole Miss

27:08 - Week 3 Picks | SMU at Louisville (-2)

30:02 - Week 3 Picks | Houston at Texas Tech (-8)

31:53 - Week 3 Picks | Florida (-2) at Auburn

33:25 - The Audible Picks Week 3 Upsets

Follow the Crew on X:

🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel

🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB

🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

🔹The Audible: @audible.show

#OregonDucks #DanLanning #CollegeFootball #TheAudible #CFBChaos #Week3Picks #TedCruz #LSUvsOleMiss #TexasTech #WreckEm #AuburnFootball #FloridaGators #CollegeGameDay #APTop25

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The Audible reacts to a massive, chaotic Week 2 of the college football season! Join Stewart Mandel, Bruce Feldman, and Ralph Russo as they break down all the fallout, major statements, and shocking results from the biggest weekend of the month.

The guys go deep into the historic marquee showdown between Texas and Ohio State, dissecting Arch Manning's epic 4th-quarter comeback to knock off the No. 1 Buckeyes. Then, they evaluate the state of the Wolverines after Michigan flexed its defensive muscles to shut down Oklahoma.

We also separate early-season overreaction from true reality after No. 6 Oregon’s stunning upset loss to Oklahoma State, and look at the rest of the Big 12 after No. 13 Texas Tech narrowly fended off a massive upset scare in a 35-24 road win over Oregon State.

Follow the Crew on X:

🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel

🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB

🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

🔹The Audible: @audible.show

#TexasFootball #OhioState #MichiganFootball #OklahomaSooners #CollegeFootball #CFB #ArchManning #BryceUnderwood #DrewMestemaker #CFBChaos #TexasTech #WreckEm #AlabamaFootball #RollTide #TheAudible #AudibleShow

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The high-stakes legal standoff between Lane Kiffin and the SEC has come to a sudden halt. Facing intense pushback and the threat of severe league discipline from SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, the LSU Tigers have officially finalized their 105-man roster. By completing the roster with undergraduate talent, LSU balked and ended its quest to add former NFL players to the active squad, putting an end to a wild experiment in conference self-governance. We break down the explosive legal showdown, the "Lack of Institutional Control" warnings, and what this capitulation means for Kiffin’s program moving forward.

Beyond the drama in Baton Rouge, we dive straight into the wild "Clock Gate" controversy out of Michigan. The MAC has officially filed an appeal following Western Michigan’s bizarre loss, claiming a massive replay protocol error handed the Wolverines an illegal extra second. We look at the fallout of this timing failure, including why Jeff Sagarin is officially tracking this as a WMU victory, and how the College Football Playoff committee should factor the "human element" of this officiating disaster into their rankings.

Finally, we open up the mailbag to tackle your best questions from across the country. We address the rampant Week 1 overreactions and look at historical precedents to prove why national championship contenders always take time to develop. Plus, we look at the absolute misery currently surrounding Florida State football as they sit tied with UConn for ACC wins over the last two seasons, and examine how a potential 24-team CFP expansion will completely rewrite the future of scheduling for upper-tier G6 schools.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:09 - LSU backs down, does not sign former NFL players

16:01 - MAC, Western Michigan to appeal replay error

33:44 - Mailbag!

59:44 - Breaking News with LSU

Follow the Crew on X:

🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel

🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB

🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

🔹The Audible: @audible.show

#CollegeFootball #LaneKiffin #LSUTigers #SECFootball #GregSankey #MichiganFootball #WMUFootball #ClockGate #FSUFootball #CFBPlayoff

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