Vols face a must-win showdown against the Florida Gators—can Tennessee finally end a two-decade losing streak in Gainesville? Brian Smith previews the high-stakes SEC clash, questions the resilience of both teams, and breaks down key matchups, including Tennessee’s favored status and Florida’s coaching turmoil. Insights on offensive struggles, potential turnovers, and the fanbase’s boiling frustration set the stage for a pivotal college football weekend.

Plus, get rapid-fire predictions on marquee games like Oklahoma vs. Missouri, USC vs. Oregon, and Miami vs. Virginia Tech, along with under-the-radar picks that could shake up the playoff chase. Recruiting updates spotlight commitments, including two flips for Florida State. 

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Texas Tech’s NIL-backed roster defies the odds, sparking a College Football Playoff run that has the Red Raiders on the brink of a historic Big 12 championship. Can Joey McGuire’s culture-first approach, powered by billionaire booster support, be the secret to sustainable success in a new college football era?

Brian Smith and Chris Level break down the off-season moves that transformed Texas Tech, spotlighting key additions like Lee Hunter and David Bailey and the alignment between boosters, coaches, and recruiting. The conversation uncovers why team chemistry thrives at Tech when NIL deals have upended other programs, examines defensive dominance anchored by the front seven, and explores the emotional stakes for Lubbock if the Red Raiders make the College Football Playoff. Is this the blueprint for long-term Big 12 contention?

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Is your favorite college football program in the top group? Tier 1 football programs are few and far between, with Ohio State leading the charge, the defending national champions. The qualifications for teams joining the Buckeyes include elite recruiting, a proven elite head coach, and a financial resources to compete at the very top of college football from a facilities and player acquisition standpoint. I break down the few that fit each of these categories.

We will also dive into the latest coaching carousel rumors, including head coaches giving non-answers when asked to comment on possibly going to another job.

As always, the latest recruiting news, with commitments, decommitments, and more.

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James Franklin shakes up ACC recruiting by landing at Virginia Tech, putting Penn State on edge. With Franklin’s move sparking heated debate, Zach Seyko and recruiting insider Brian Smith dissect whether Penn State’s decision to fire Franklin was a massive misstep—especially as recruits, current staff and players may follow him to Blacksburg. Could Penn State lose rising stars like Tony Rojas and Amare Campbell? Will Ethan Grunkemeyer bolt for a starting quarterback role under Franklin?

The conversation covers Penn State’s true stature among college football’s elite and evaluates realistic coaching replacements, factoring in facility upgrades and recruiting territory battles. Insights into Franklin’s history as a relentless recruiter and why Virginia Tech is poised for a dramatic turnaround set the stage for an uncertain Big Ten vs. ACC rivalry. Who emerges stronger from this seismic coaching shift, and is Penn State still a top-tier job?

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Nation’s top tight ends create a recruiting frenzy as Kaiden Prothro (Georgia) headlines the class with jaw-dropping athleticism and clutch playmaking. Can rising stars like Mark Bowman (USC), Ian Primer (Notre Dame), Matt Ludwig (Michigan), and Kendre’ Harrison (Oregon) challenge Prothro for #1? Discover which traits set these future standouts apart, from pure receiving skills to power football upside.

Brian Smith dishes sharp analysis on 2026 tight end recruits, recent commitments including Xavier Stinson (Iowa) and Gavin Mueller (Miami), and the shifting landscape of 2027 prospects. 

The episode also tackles college football playoff rankings and why fans need to stop the complaints—Is Georgia truly the second-best team behind Ohio State? Get expert takes on positional value, team strategies, and what sets this recruiting cycle apart as the most competitive yet.

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The Ohio State Buckeyes shake up college football recruiting with a whirlwind of November flips, elevating their 2026 class and securing elite talent at key positions. Can Ryan Day sustain this recruiting momentum and outmaneuver rivals like Clemson, Tennessee, and Penn State for game-changing prospects? 

Jay Stephens and Brian Smith spotlight the arrival of dynamic playmakers like Legend Bay and Dre Quinn, plus the high-stakes recruiting battle with West Virginia for offensive tackle Kevin Brown.

Key insights include the Buckeyes’ evolving offensive firepower, defensive upgrades, and the impact of Larry Johnson and Brian Hartline's continued presence in Columbus. The conversation explores strategic shifts in recruiting across Southern powerhouses, the NIL era’s influence, and whether Ohio State’s aggressive late-cycle surge can cement a top-three national class. Is Columbus becoming the premier destination for elite prospects?

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Can Fran Brown and Syracuse football close the gap with powerhouse programs through smarter transfer portal moves? The coaching staff faces major challenges—losing key players like Maraad Watson to NIL deals, coping with Steve Angelli’s injury at quarterback, and patching up thin offensive and defensive lines with limited resources. Will a strategic investment in one high-impact lineman pay off and finally solidify the trenches?

Brian Smith and Jackson Holzer debate Syracuse’s portal successes, pitfalls, and the future of Angelli under center. They spotlight new faces such as Johntay Cook and Chris Peal, plus breakout freshmen Byron Washington and Demetres Samuel. 

Finally, Smith and Holzer give the blunt takes on the Syracuse at Notre Dame game, which will not go well for the Quse.

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Notre Dame surged into College Football Playoff contention—thanks to strategic transfer portal moves mixed with a balanced offense and defense. Can Marcus Freeman’s squad sustain their momentum with key injuries stacking up?

Brian Smith spotlights impact additions like Malachi Fields, whose physical presence boosts the red zone attack, and Devonte Smith, the defensive glue whose return transformed Notre Dame's secondary from a bottom-20 pass defense to top-15. 

The episode breaks down offensive line setbacks, red zone struggles, and crucial upcoming tests for the Fighting Irish against Syracuse and Stanford. Recruiting buzz, standout quarterback C.J. Carr, and concerns about depth at tight end and defensive tackle raise intriguing questions about Notre Dame’s championship ceiling. Will the kicking game and roster depth trip up their playoff ambitions, or are the Irish capable of making a long College Football Playoff run?

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Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin dominates the Transfer Portal by matching what’s needed – on and off the field – so the Rebels gain the most from their players. Brian Smith breaks down how and why Ole Miss inserts Transfer Portal players into their culture to help win games better than any college football program.

Oregon’s coaching and culture is also examined with the Transfer Portal, as are Texas Tech and Miami. Each of those programs use similar tactics as Ole Miss. Then there’s Florida State, which committed a fatal sin that helped ruin its 2024 season. The locker room matters, and the Noles lost theirs!

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Miami’s Mario Cristobal planned to add not only recruit bulk to the roster, but plenty of length. The Hurricanes accomplished that with Jackson Cantwell, arguably the nation’s #1 recruit, but also at the skill positions.

I define how and why The U will be a formidable foe for any team – regardless of the positional matchup – for years to come, based on how it went big with recruiting.

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