Live from SEC Media Days in Atlanta, The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell delivers an all-star episode featuring Paul Finebaum on the future of college football, his career, and the evolving SEC. ESPN’s Greg McElroy also joins the show to clarify his Nick Saban comments and Alabama's QB Battle. Then J.D. explains why LSU is built for a national title run, the overlooked ingredients behind Texas’ quiet dominance, and what Brent Venables must get right at Oklahoma before ending the show with a breakdown of who will be under more pressure between Gunner Stockton or Joey Aguilar in UGA and Tennessee's SEC opener. 

Today on The Hard Count, On3’s J.D. PicKell breaks down the biggest breakout candidates in college football for 2025, including DJ Lagway at Florida, Dylan Raiola at Nebraska, Oklahoma’s SEC-ready backfield, and more. He also dives into win total predictions for Nebraska and Oregon, analyzing their 2025 schedules and key matchups in the Big Ten. Plus, J.D. asks if Texas have a Georgia and a listener asks why his Miami Hurricanes catch so many strays from the college football public. To wrap it up, J.D. and producer Kaiden Smith give their full reaction to the release of EA Sports College Football 26, breaking down gameplay, features, and what it means for college football fans.

On this episode of The Hard Count with On3’s J.D. PicKell, we dive into the players and teams with the most potential across the college football landscape in 2025 — from breakout stars like LaNorris Sellers and Bryce Underwood to loaded rosters at LSU, Penn State, and Texas A&M. J.D. also previews the must-watch early season games that could shape the Playoff race, including Texas vs. Ohio State and Alabama vs. Georgia. Ending the show with a break down of Texas and Notre Dame recruiting, a game-by-game prediction of Florida State’s full 2025 schedule, and the must-haves Alabama needs under Kalen DeBoer to stay in the national title conversation.

Get ready for bold predictions, sharp insights, and playoff-shaking hypotheticals on today’s episode of The Hard Count. J.D. PicKell breaks down what he expects from the transfer QB wave is set to redefine the national landscape, checks the pulse on Florida’s rebuild under Billy Napier, and dives into the psychological edge behind The Game between Michigan and Ohio State. Plus, record predictions for Colorado and Clemson, and a rapid-fire look at the most chaotic, must-watch College Football Playoff matchups we could possibly get in 2025.

On this episode of The Hard Count, J.D. PicKell delivers a jam-packed show covering the biggest storylines shaping the 2025 college football season. Opening things up by going across the country and breaking down the expectations for all the top first year starting QBs at college football's top programs. 

From Georgia’s red-hot recruiting run to a full win-loss prediction for Ohio State, J.D. breaks down who’s rising and who’s ready for a title push. He reveals the safest College Football Playoff picks based on roster strength and schedule, takes the pulse of the progrum at USC, and explains why comparing Kalen DeBoer to Nick Saban misses the bigger picture at Alabama.

Welcome to The Hard Count Huddle, a conversation show about all things college football and beyond with the host of The Hard Count J.D. PicKell and producer Kaiden Smith. Today in the huddle, the boys discuss the unique time that is the summer ahead of college football season before talking about SEC Media Days. Revealing what The Hard Count Crew will be on the lookout for in Atlanta starting on July 14 before diving deep into the College Football Playoff picture. Taking an early look at which teams are locks to make the CFP and others that will have to fight to make the 12-team field.  

On this episode of The Hard Count, J.D. PicKell breaks down the biggest headlines and boldest predictions heading into the 2025 college football season. From Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos giving Alabama unexpected bulletin board material, to why programs like Florida, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Notre Dame, and Texas Tech could become chaos agents in the Playoff race — this show has it all. J.D. also predicts Texas' win-loss record leading into the Red River Rivalry, analyzes Nebraska’s viral recruiting stunt with a live bull, and reacts to EA Sports’ list of the toughest places to play in College Football 26.

On this episode of The Hard Count, On3’s J.D. PicKell unpacks some of the most intriguing storylines shaping the 2025 college football season. From Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos firing a shot at Alabama over scheduling disrespect, to high-impact transfer portal additions beyond the quarterback position, J.D. dives into what it all means for contenders like Ohio State, Oregon, Oklahoma, and Florida. He also breaks down the ripple effects facing Michigan and Miami heading into a pivotal year, and what to expect now that Tennessee has handed the reins to Joey Aguilar in a loaded SEC.

Today on The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell, a Punchline Culture Special! PicKell dives into many of the punchlines surrounding the top players, coaches, and teams in college football. Fully breaking them down and debunking some of the most talked-about topics in the sport heading into the 2025 season.

What's wrong with the negative narrative surrounding the Miami Hurricanes and Carson Beck? A program and a player that will look to silence doubters this season. What's fact and what's fiction about head coaches Lincoln Riley, Brent Venables, and Dan Lanning as USC, Oklahoma, and Oregon all enter the season with different levels of pressure to perform. Is the SEC Overrated? Two straight disappointing years in the CFP may tell you one thing, but PicKell looks at the conference where it just means more.

On this Voicemail Special episode of The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell, fans across the country sound off with bold takes and burning questions for the 2025 college football season. From Arch Manning’s national title expectations at Texas and Jeremiah Smith’s sophomore outlook at Ohio State, to Alabama and Georgia fan anxiety and Florida’s potential CFP spoiler role, nothing is off-limits. J.D. also breaks down a spicy Notre Dame QB debate between Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr, the growing John Mateer hype at Oklahoma, and a bold Auburn prediction that Jackson Arnold could be a dark horse Heisman contender. Also revealing his ACC Tiers before diving head first into questions from YOU the listener at 629-888-3931.