Zone Podcasts

With the 2026 college football season rapidly approaching, Doug and college football insider Tony Barnhart dive deep into the off-field politics and on-field storylines dominating the sport.

First, a break down of the Cruz-Cantwell bill addressing the NIL Clearinghouse. They discuss the revelation that $355 million in NIL deals were approved while $90 million were rejected during the first year of the clearinghouse. They also analyze the bill's 19-9 committee vote, its upcoming path to the full Senate, and why the SEC and Big Ten are pushing back to protect their ability to pool television resources.

Then, SEC Media Days kicks off Monday, July 20th, making its first-ever appearance in Tampa, Florida. The guys preview what to expect from the event's 16 participating schools.

Finally, the new era of the SEC brings six new head coaches to the podium, including Will Stein at Kentucky, Alex Golesh at Auburn, and Ryan Silverfield at Arkansas. Tony also highlights the pressure facing Kalen DeBoer and expectations for Arch Manning's upcoming season.

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Doug Mathews welcomes in  27-year CBS Sports veteran Dennis Dodd  to discuss why media days represent the true start of the football season. Then, an inside look at how reporter access has evolved in the modern era. He notes that despite an influx of different media outlets being allowed into the room, building in-person relationships remains crucial for securing stories.

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Join us for a jam-packed weekend edition of High School Sports Saturday! With the 2026 fall sports season right around the corner, we are breaking down everything you need to know about Middle Tennessee athletics.

In This Episode:

• Coach James Counce (Rockvale Rockets Football): Entering his second year at the helm, Coach Counce discusses closing the competitive gap in a brutal Region 3-6A. We dive into the importance of building team toughness, what to expect from his southpaw quarterback, and how the Rockets are preparing for their opening scrimmages against Beech and Franklin.

• Garth Bouldin (High School Power Hour): Garth drops by to announce the highly anticipated return of the High School Power Hour! The Friday night staple is back for its second season starting August 14th. We talk about the challenges of mid-state scheduling, battling weather delays, and expanding the show's footprint to highlight even more local sports programs.

• Tom Kreeger (The Dandy Dozen): It is the 20th anniversary of the Dandy Dozen! Tom breaks down the 2026 list featuring standout Middle Tennessee recruits, including top-tier SEC and Big Ten commits. We also take a fun, honest look back at the biggest "misses" in the Dandy Dozen's two-decade history.

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Tate Matthews welcomes Tom Kreager (TK) of The Tennessean to the show to discuss the highly anticipated release of the 2026 Dandy Dozen. Marking the 20th anniversary of the prestigious list, which first began in 2007, TK breaks down the elite twelve mid-state high school athletes who made the cut. The duo previews the alphabetical roster, featuring heavy hitters like Antioch's 4-star Colorado quarterback commit Andre Adams, Upperman's Ole Miss commit Colton Johnson, and an explosive trio of receivers from Brentwood Academy. TK also provides behind-the-scenes details of the players' recent indoor photoshoot held at Franklin Road Academy (FRA).

Later in the segment, Tate and TK review a special anniversary piece: "The 10 Biggest Misses of the Dandy Dozen.". They reflect on historical evaluation misses, discussing players who were completely left off the list—like Goodpasture's Keenan Reynolds, who later finished fifth in the Heisman voting—and players who were ranked far too low, such as Donta Hightower, Graham Barton, Marcel Reed, and Alontae Taylor

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The Best of The Buck Reising Show - Where Does Cam Need to Rank, Titans New Duo Recognized & Dane Brugler

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Tate is joined by Garth Bolden to officially preview the highly anticipated second season of the High School Power Hour! Broadcasting on 104.5 The Zone, the premier mid-state high school sports show is back and bigger than ever. Garth breaks down the show's expanded coverage footprint for the upcoming season, previewing key football storylines, coaching changes, and detailing the program's transition into year-round high school sports broadcasting.

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Tate is joined by Rockvale Rockets Head Football Coach, James Counce, as he enters his second year at the helm. Coach Counce breaks down his strategy for closing the gap in one of the state's most brutal regions. He shares insights from their early spring practices, the ongoing mission to boost the team's overall "football IQ," and their recent 7-on-7 work against BGA and Nashville Christian. With a veteran roster of 33 seniors and a dynamic southpaw quarterback, the Rockets are gearing up to be a highly physical force this fall. Coach Counce also reflects on the coaching philosophy passed down from his Hall of Fame father, James Counce Sr., and his time playing under Francis "Boots" Donnelly at MTSU

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3HL - 7-17-26 - Hour 3 - more favorite Titans and discussing the expectations for the WRs in 2026.

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3HL - 7-17-26 - Hour 2 - More calls on our listeners' favorite Titans, we preview what to expect to learn at SEC media Days and learn about Playmakers Nashville.

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3HL - 7-17-26 - Hour 1 -  recapping the Split Happens bowling event, asking listeners who is their all-time favorite Titan, and another crazy NFL gambling story

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