The Phog: A Kansas basketball and football podcast

Michael Swain is joined by Jack Ritter and Steve Bartle on today's episode. First, Michael and Jack discuss Melvin Council Jr.'s return to KU. Then they pivot to the biggest keys for KU heading into the Utah game. After that, Steve joins the show and the two go in-depth on the Utes.

(0:00) - Introduction

(1:15) - Melvin Council’s return and how much he’ll play

(6:24) - Who pairs better with Council in the backcourt

(13:57) - What stood out during football media this week?

(18:45) - Early thoughts on the Utah matchup

(24:37) - Steve Bartle of KSL Sports joins the show

(28:57) - What has stood out about Utah so far?

(33:10) - Utah’s run game

(38:35) - Utah’s improved run defense

(42:20) - Utah’s secondary is a strength

(44:23) - Biggest matchup on Saturday night?

Michael Swain and Jack Ritter discuss KU's win over Middle Tennessee. They discuss the victory's historical significance. Then, they break down the offensive performance and what stood out. After that, they pivot to the defense and discuss its dominant performance.

(0:00) - Introduction

(1:42) - KU’s big day running the ball

(9:20) - Isaiah Marshall’s performance through the air

(14:40) - Kasen Carpenter injury and fallout

(19:20) - Defensive line dominates

(24:33) - Bam Crouch and the linebackers

(28:18) - Secondary’s performance

(32:12) - How the performance impacts KU’s outlook

Michael Swain and Jack Ritter get together to discuss the latest with Kansas basketball and Kansas football. They start by discussing Tre White's return. Then, they break down the roster and what a starting five could look like. From there, they transition to football and where things stand going into the Middle Tennessee game.

(0:00) Introduction

(1:55) Tre White returns to Kansas

(7:31) What could the starting five look like? 

(11:37) Latest with Melvin Council Jr.

(17:17) Overall thoughts on the roster

(21:04) Final thoughts on KU football’s game against ASU

(24:24) Latest injury report for KU

(28:15) KU adds two players to the roster, when could they be ready?

(33:00) What do you want to see vs. MTSU?

Michael Swain is joined by Jack Ritter and they break down KU's travel to London and KU's side heading into the game. Then, Chris Karpman of SunDevilSource.com joins the show to discuss Arizona State.

(0:00) Introduction

(1:55) Logistics of KU’s travel to London

(7:20) Thoughts on the offense heading into the game

(14:27) Thoughts on the defense heading into the game

(17:08) Biggest key to the game?

(19:33) Chris Karpman joins the show

Michael Swain and Jack Ritter discuss KU's loss to Missouri. They begin with some thoughts on Isaiah Marshall's game before moving to the rest of the offense. From there, they shift their focus to the defense and what stood out. Finally, they discuss the mood around the fanbase and rivalry games.

(0:00) Overall thoughts on the game

(3:25) Isaiah Marshall’s performance

(12:00) What happened to the rest of the offense?

(16:17) Defensive line performance

(21:25) The secondary performance

(27:38) Leipold’s aggressiveness early

(29:30) Mood around the fanbase

On today's episode, Michael Swain is joined by Gabe DeArmond of PowerMizzou.com to talk about the Border War between Kansas and Missouri. First, Michael breaks down some Kansas angles. Then DeArmond joins for a closer look at Missouri.

(0:00) Intro

(0:53) Lance Leipold’s game week comments

(6:24) KU players to watch

(11:42) Gabe DeArmond joins the show

(14:15) Expectations for Missouri this season

(18:20) Thoughts on the quarterbacks

(22:45) Latest on Cayden Green and the OL

(30:25) A look at Missouri’s DL

(34:55) Impact of Marshall’s athleticism

(39:55) Thoughts on the spread

(46:30) Wrap up

Michael Swain and Jack Ritter are live from David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium postgame. They discuss KU's season opener at length. They begin by analyzing Isaiah Marshall's first start before moving on to the rest of the offense. Then, they flip to the defensive side and discuss what they saw on that side of the ball.

(0:00) Introduction

(3:15) Isaiah Marshall’s debut

(10:05) Skill position players who stood out

(14:23) Offensive line thoughts

(19:04) Thoughts on the defensive line

(21:45) Bam Crouch and the linebackers

(24:50) What to make of the DBs

(30:10) Looking ahead on defense

Michael Swain and Jack Ritter discuss the latest with the football program heading into the season opener.

0:00 Intro

4:20 Isaiah Marshall named QB1

8:30 Thoughts on the two deep on offense

17:10 Thoughts on the two deep on defense

25:00 Keys to a successful opener? 

Michael Swain is joined by Henry Greenstein of the LJ World to discuss Kansas football training camp. They talk about the QB battle between Cole Ballard and Isaiah Marshall. They also hit on other key themes heading into the 2026 college football season.

0:00 Introduction

2:50 Thoughts QB battle

12:05 What was the biggest surprise during camp?

22:00 Biggest concern on defense?

24:20 Biggest non-QB concern on offense?

31:30 Biggest area of confidence on offense?

37:20 Thoughts on the specialists

43:15 Overall feeling heading into the season?

Michael Swain and Jack Ritter discuss all things Kansas football with training camp set to begin soon.

0:00 Introduction

2:45 Andy Kotelnicki's return and impact

7:05 The RB room is in a strong position

10:00 Thoughts on the OL as a whole

15:00 Where things stand with the QB competition

24:00 The most intriguing players on offense

31:35 Overall thoughts on the defense

34:10 What's the most improved position on D?

44:50 Concerns with CB and DT?

54:30 Q&A time