The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell

The latest AP Top 25 Poll has officially been released following Week 2 of the college football season. And for each of the Top 25 ranked teams in the country, J.D. PicKell will answer a question about every single Progrum heading into Week 3.

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Welcome to The Sunday Sprint, a collection of J.D.'s takes following Saturday's college football action that have been taken from the On3 YouTube channel and tailored for The Hard Count's podcast audience. Today on the sprint, J.D. breaks down the winning and losing side of the Michigan vs Oklahoma game this weekend. Also diving into Florida's perspective following a disappointing upset loss to USF that once again puts Billy Napier in the hot seat.

J.D. also explains why Oregon's bludgeoning of Oklahoma State separates them from the rest of college football and pulls back the curtain on the individual QB performances from Texas' Arch Manning and Oklahoma's John Mateer before revealing his first Nothing But Ball Rankings following the Week 2 slate. Closing the show out with some early looks at Texas A&M vs Notre Dame, Georgia vs Tennessee, and Florida vs LSU in Week 3.  

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Today on The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell ... We pull back the curtain on the recent rumblings from Tuscaloosa surrounding the Alabama Crimson Tide following their disappointing Week 1 loss and the future of head coach Kalen DeBoer. Plus J.D. dives deep into the quarterback matchups in Saturday's biggest game. Pulling back the curtain on what Bryce Underwood needs to do versus Oklahoma vice versa with John Mateer matching up against Michigan's defense. For the home stretch of The Hard Count we react to the Dabo Swinney and Brian Kelly beef, give South Carolina a well deserved shoutout, and proclaim that all is fine for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish despite their 0-1 start before addressing one of YOUR off the field issues.

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Today on The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell ... Who needs a win more this Saturday, Oklahoma or Michigan? J.D. breaks down the stakes of Saturday's marquee matchup before diagnosing "what's real" from Week 1. Diving into LSU's defensive performance, FSU's upset win over Alabama, Tennessee's offensive attack through the air, and Auburn's new identity following their road win over Baylor. Finishing the show up with quarterback report cards following the first week of college football. Giving grades to Arch Manning, Carson Beck, Ty Simpson, and CJ Carr following their respective debuts. 

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Today on The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell ... We preview and predict Miochigan and Oklahoma's marquee Week 2 matchup along with the Cy-Hawk rivalry game between Iowa and Iowa State and Oregon vs Oregon State. J.D. also reveals his top 10 ranking following the first week of the college football season before breaking down Ohio State's big win over Texas, Miami's statement win against Notre Dame, and what's next for the Alabama Crimson Tide following a disappointing upset loss to Florida State. 

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Today on The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell ... J.D. gets ahead of some potential Week 1 overreactions, warning the college football public to beware of the aftermath IF LSU loses yet another season opener or if Arch Manning doesn't look like the Heisman Trophy winner in Week 1. We also dive into the keys that some people may be missing in Miami and Notre Dame's season opener before unpacking what to expect from the Tennessee Volunteers and the Oregon Ducks led by first year starting QB Dante Moore. Ending the show with one of YOUR off the field issues voicemails and a farewell to Lee Corso. 

The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell is presented by BetMGM! If you haven’t signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code "HARDCOUNT" and you will get up to a $1500 First Bet Offer on your first wager with BetMGM! See BetMGM.com for Terms. 21+ only. US promotional offers not available in New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US). Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only. Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel.

Game day starts at Starbucks! Join J.D. and Devin Hester at Starbucks in Miami on August 31st before the Miami v Notre Dame matchup to celebrate the return of the football and pumpkin season! 19401 NW 27th Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33056 

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Today on The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell ... J.D. breaks down two of the biggest storylines in two of Week 1's biggest games. How should Texas and Ohio State's defensive coordinators approach Saturday's matchup? And who's under more pressure, Ty Simpson or Thomas Castellanos in Alabama and Florida State's game? We also dive into what we want to see from Bryce Underwood and John Mateer in their respective debuts before Oklahoma and Michigan meet in Week 2. Closing the show with a breakdown of Rahsul Faison's impact on South Carolina and a prediction for the Gamecocks' matchup against Virginia Tech in Atlanta. 

The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell is presented by BetMGM! If you haven’t signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code "HARDCOUNT" and you will get up to a $1500 First Bet Offer on your first wager with BetMGM! See BetMGM.com for Terms. 21+ only. US promotional offers not available in New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US). Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only. Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel.

Game day starts at Starbucks! Join J.D. and Devin Hester at Starbucks in Miami on August 31st before the Miami v Notre Dame matchup to celebrate the return of the football and pumpkin season! 19401 NW 27th Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33056 

ABOUT WHATABURGER® Whataburger has been serving up made-to-order burgers and bold flavors since 1950. Born in Texas and now in 17 states with 1,100+ restaurants, we’re all about big bites, real hospitality, and community connection. From grocery aisles to our app, fans can enjoy their favorites anytime. Recognized by Fast Company, USA Today, and Newsweek, we’re proud to keep delivering the goodness 24/7. https://whataburger.com/home 

Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with Gametime! Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed. Download Gametime today and use code HARDCOUNT for $20 off your first purchase.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today on The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell ... J.D. officially dives into the loaded Week 1 slate on the first prediction Tuesday of the 2025 college football season. Breaking down every marquee matchup and picking who he thinks will win and cover the spread. Making his picks for Ohio State vs Texas, LSU vs Clemson, Alabama vs FSU, Notre Dame vs Miami, Auburn vs Baylor, Georgia Tech vs Colorado, Tennessee vs Syracuse, and Nebraska vs Cincinnati. A absolutely jam packed show to kick off what could be the greatest college football season we've ever seen!

The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell is presented by BetMGM! If you haven’t signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code "HARDCOUNT" and you will get up to a $1500 First Bet Offer on your first wager with BetMGM!

See BetMGM.com for Terms. 21+ only. US promotional offers not available in New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US). Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only. Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. 
 

Game day starts at Starbucks! Join J.D. and Devin Hester at Starbucks in Miami on August 31st before the Miami v Notre Dame matchup to celebrate the return of the football and pumpkin season! 19401 NW 27th Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33056 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today on The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell ... a peek at Week 1 and things that starting to feel more real as the season gets closer. With the season right around the corner, J.D. reveals his takes make him the most nervous like Michigan and South Carolina not making the CFP, Georgia not making the SEC Championship game, and the Florida Gators being a force this college football season. Then J.D. pulls back the curtain on what we will learn in Week 1 from the biggest matchups to open the season. Diving into the top storylines for Ohio State vs Texas, LSU vs Clemson, Notre Dame vs Miami, Alabama vs Florida State, and more. Ending the show with YOUR off the field issue voicemails.

The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell is presented by BetMGM! If you haven’t signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code "HARDCOUNT" and you will get up to a $1500 First Bet Offer on your first wager with BetMGM! 

See BetMGM.com for Terms. 21+ only. US promotional offers not available in New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US). Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only. Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel.

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Today on The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell ... What's Missing Wednesday! 

J.D. dives into some storylines that the college football public is missing with Week 1 right around the corner. What are people missing about quarterbacks like newly named Notre Dame starter CJ Carr, Arch Manning, Marcel Reed, and Jayden Maiava? What about Florida State as they look to bounce back this season and North Carolina with Bill Belichick heading into his Monday night debut with the Tar Heels? J.D. uncovers it all before ending the show with a reaction to Hugh Freeze's recent comments about all three of Auburn's QBs playing in Week 1 vs Baylor. 

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