Until Saturday: A show about college football

Andy is joined by co-host of The Solid Verbal, Dan Rubenstein, to fix college football! With blueprints, hardhats and tacos in hand, the duo examines shortcomings in the sport that need reworking but, before then, the two dive into discourse about Tennessee's reported interest in Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott for its vacant head coach position. (2:15). Should there be a cap on the number of 5-star recruits a school can sign (6:30)? You punt, you lose a point (20:30). Consequences from end zone fumbles are too harsh (28:00). Let's make conference schedule reform a thing (34:15). Plus, Andy and Dan deliberate college football commissioner candidates (38:30), and the sport needs a central authority figure (46:00).Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_StaplesFollow Dan Rubenstein on Twitter: @DanRubensteinCheck out The Solid Verbal podcast: https://www.solidverbal.comJoin The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/andystaples Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pac-12 commissioner candidate, Andy Staples, welcomes venerable Bay Area News Group reporter, Jon Wilner, to discuss the Pac-12 conference's intention to part ways with commissioner Larry Scott (:15). Why are the member schools' presidents splitting with Scott, and did the 56-year-old steward of the division live up to expectations? Who's on the (not so) short list of candidates (14:00), and what criticism of Scott's tenure seems unfair to Andy (16:30)?Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_StaplesFollow Jon on Twitter: @wilnerhotline Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Tennessee Volunteers scrivener extraordinaire, David Ubben, joins Andy in dissecting Tennessee's decision to part ways with head coach Jeremy Pruitt and athletic director, Phillip Fulmer. What lead to the Volunteers terminating Pruitt's employment? Is this cacophony of chaos par for the course? How will this impact recruiting? Does Kevin Steele's presence pose a possible roadblock for hiring a long(er)-term coach (13:15)? Plus, the guys propose solutions for the Vols' head coach vacancy (17:00).Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_StaplesFollow David on Twitter: @davidubbenJoin The Athletic for just $3.99 per month! Visit: theathletic.com/andystaples Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Nicole Auerbach & Chris Vannini discuss Tennessee's decision to fire head football coach Jeremy Pruitt with cause. An internal investigation by the school revealed recruiting violations occurred under Pruitt's watch. Who is on the shortlist to get the job? Billy Napier, Hugh Freeze, Luke Fickell & Bill O'Brien are all names that have been mentioned. Plus, Buckeyes WR Chris Olave announced he is returning to Ohio State next season. If Ryan Day can find a QB it looks like another run to the title game could be in the cards. Last call!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a long-awaited edition of "Dear Andy", Andy and Ari contemplate what it will take for Notre Dame to compete for, and win, a national ti+tle (1:30). What roster formula offers the Fighting Irish their best chance at a natty? Will recruiting a supreme talent at QB make all the difference? Can the Pac-12 return to relevancy (13:30)? If so, what efforts are required to help the conference regain attention and success? The final question the guys tackle is ranking which non-conference games they are most excited for next season (28:00). Lastly, Random Ranking: top-5 fast food breakfast dishes (34:00).Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_StaplesFollow Ari on Twitter: @AriWasserman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy and Ari react to three-time College Football National Champion, Urban Meyer, leaving the college football ranks to join the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars as the organizations newest head coach. Is Jacksonville's situation ideal for Urban Meyer (1:30)? Was this the perfect scenario for the 56-year-old nascent NFL coach to make the jump to the pros? In what facet of his coaching approach, will Meyer have to recalibrate in order to coach professionals (9:00)? What could be the perception of Meyer by NFL/Jaguars fans (16:30)? Will culture building have the same impact in the majors as it does in the minors, and which former staffer of Meyer's cabinet could join him at the next level (21:00)? Lastly, is there lingering concern about Meyer's health (30:30)?Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_StaplesFollow Ari on Twitter: @AriWassermanJoin The Athletic for just $3.99 per month! Visit: theathletic.com/andystaples Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Nicole Auerbach is joined by Stadium's Michael Felder. Steve Sarkisian called one of the cleanest games you'll see in college football in the National Championship. Will he have success at Texas? Ohio State just didn't have the firepower to score with the Crimson Tide. Nick Saban wins his 7th National Championship, this time with an unstoppable offense. Saban has proven he can do it in many different ways. Plus, last call! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy and Ari unpack everything from Alabama's, 52-24, 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship win over Ohio State. Though not at full strength, OSU's defense played uncharacteristically poor (2:15). The duo analyze a few questionable play calls by Ryan Day (6:00). Is Mac Jones a better Alabama quarterback than Tua Tagoviloa (8:45), and why was DeVonta Smith so effective? The Crimson Tide boast the nation's best recruiting class in 2021; is this type of success sustainable and can Nick Saban keep being, well, Nick Saban (13:00)? Despite the Buckeyes trailing Alabama, marginally, in recruited 5-star prospects, the national champion's ability to curate and cultivate talent continues to transcend comprehension (18:15). Who is the only team that can oppose the Alabama machine, according to Andy (22:30)? Is it still alright to cross swords over the 4th spot in the CFP (34:00)? Before closing, the guys rank their top-5 programs based off this season (38:00)?Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_StaplesFollow Ari on Twitter: @AriWassermanJoin The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/andystaples Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy and Ari look ahead to the final clash of the 2020 season on Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship game between Ohio State and Alabama. The duo canvass the recruiting prowess of both programs (2:30), and highlight the difference-makers in the national title bout. How does this year's Crimson Tide squad compare to previous years (10:00)? What about in recruiting and defense? Could this contest develop into a no holds barred, running-focused game (16:45)? Andy and Ari examine both program's position groups and compare the talent on each side (20:45), plus the guys place both squads' defenses under a microscope (24:00). Last but not least, prediction time (35:00)!Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_StaplesFollow Ari on Twitter: @AriWasserman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy welcomes The Athletic's NFL draft savant Dane Brugler to the program to assess the talent taking the field at the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship game. Justin Fields is set to take center stage yet again following his outstanding performance against Clemson, but will he walk across the stage on the first night of the draft in Cleveland (:30)? Which Alabama defender has impressed Dane the most this year, has the best chance to be drafted highest (5:00)? Dane analyzes the skillset of one of college football's most dynamic talents, DeVonta Smith (6:45). How does Dane view Mac Jones (9:45)? Does his stock stand to rise depending on his performance Monday night? How does the QB draft class project after this season, and where could Kyle Trask land in the draft (12:30)? Plus, Dane notes the players he'll be keeping his eyes on in the National Championship game (21:30).Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_StaplesFollow Dane Brugler on Twitter: @dpbrugler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.