The field for the College Football Playoff is set and with a new expanded 12-team format, this looks to be the most exciting path to the title that we have ever seen.And as we are quickly reminded, no matter how big the playoff bracket gets, someone is always going to be left out, and that someone is always going to have something to say about it.But what about those other 36 bowls? The ones that have nothing to do with winning a national title? Are they nothing more than a big show of pomp, circumstance and giant Pop Tarts?David Hale joins David Dennis Jr. to tell us what we can expect to see this bowl season, and beyond, as college football, in its second century of tradition, is evolving faster than it ever has.You can honor Jim Valvano and support ESPN’s V Week with a donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tim Bontemps, ESPN NBA analyst, joins to dissect the NBA Cup's second year, which is ramping up excitement early in the season. He highlights the intense rivalry between the Mavericks and Thunder as they seek revenge after a playoff clash. The New York Knicks are evolving with a high-powered offense but need to shore up their defense. Stephen Curry's resilience is crucial for the Warriors, while the youthful Rockets are generating buzz. Tune in for insights on which teams might truly contend for the title!

14 weeks into the 2024 NFL season, and the playoff picture is starting to come into focus. The Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles are in. And both the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers are sure to punch their tickets to the postseason soon.In the NFC, the competition for the rest of the landscape is fierce, while in the AFC, all but one of the teams currently slated for the playoffs has more than a 90% chance of making it in.So today, Michele Steele and Ben Solak break down how the teams that are in got there, and what everyone else needs to do in order to have a shot.You can honor Jim Valvano and support ESPN’s V Week with a donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2024 Formula 1 season wraps up this weekend in Abu Dhabi and in many ways nothing is different, but at the same time, everything has changed.First off, you have Max Verstappen. The Dutch driver wrapped up his fourth straight title a couple weeks ago. But his team, Red Bull, has somehow fallen off the map.And now legendary names like McClaren and Ferrari – who haven’t won a team title in decades – have once again raced their way to the top of the standings.Now, just add a mix of reality TV magic and a little bit of Brad Pitt, and you have yourself the modern Formula 1 package.So today, Laurence Edmondson joins David Dennis Jr. to explain all the drama from the garage to the track and tells us why the resurgence of F1 is just getting started.You can honor Jim Valvano and support ESPN’s V Week with a donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In recent years MLB’s Hot Stove has been kind of lukewarm. Even with big ticket free agents on the market, the pursuit of free agents dragged well into the New Year each winter.But ESPN’s Jeff Passan tells today’s host, David Dennis Jr., that won’t be the case with Juan Soto this offseason.The transcendent lefty slugger has virtually every big market owner chasing after him with a blank checkbook, looking to change the fortunes of their team with one big transaction.And with Soto looking to find his new home by the end of next week’s winter meeting, and Scott Boras leading negotiations for him - and a bevy of other big name free agents - the dominos should start to fall soon.You can honor Jim Valvano and support ESPN’s V Week with a donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s been more than a decade since the Philadelphia 76ers began their so-called “process” to tank-the-team, earn high draft picks, and set themselves up for a bright future. This strategy has now become the norm across sports, and for the Sixers’ sake, it did yield them Joel Embiid, the team’s first MVP winner in 22 years. But it’s also been filled with crisis after crisis. Two number one picks that flopped and big time trades, first for Jimmy Butler and then James Harden, that ultimately went nowhere. This year, the offseason acquisition of Paul George plus the retention of breakout star Tyrese Maxey was supposed to give Embiid his best shot at a title. But with the big man missing 15 of 19 games and George and Maxey also missing time, Philadelphia finds itself near the bottom of the standings. From the outside, it looks to have brought about a complete breakdown in the locker room and major question marks about team president Daryl Morey’s best laid plans. Today, Ramona Shelburne takes inside the latest, and possibly biggest Sixers crisis yet. You can honor Jim Valvano and support ESPN’s V Week with a donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Pelton, an ESPN reporter known for his insightful analysis of the WNBA, dives into the exciting arrival of the Golden State Valkyries. He breaks down the intricacies of the upcoming expansion draft and how the new collective bargaining agreement will empower the team to attract talent. The conversation touches on potential superstar signings like Diana Taurasi and Elena Deladon, exploring the buzz around team dynamics and the strategic maneuvers needed for quick competitiveness in the league.

Ben Solak, an NFL analyst known for his sharp insights, dives into the thrilling Week 13 action. He unpacks the Eagles' defensive prowess against the Ravens, highlighting rookie corners and special teams challenges. Solak also discusses the explosive Steelers-Bengals matchup, where both QBs delivered standout performances. The MVP race heats up as Josh Allen shines, and there's optimism for young talents like Bryce Young and Drake Maye. Tune in for analysis on coaching legacies and the changing dynamics of rivalries in the league.

In this lively discussion, Kevin Clark, host of This is Football, shares his expertise on the NFL and college football landscape. He dives into Tua Tagovailoa's playoff hopes with the Dolphins amidst cold weather fears. The rivalry between Texas and Texas A&M sizzles, as do potential playoff shifts for Boise State. Clark also debates Saquon Barkley's MVP odds against Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. Plus, he examines the defensive woes of the Ravens and job security concerns for Eagles coach Nick Sirianni. A feast of football insights for the holiday!

The San Jose State Spartans were preparing for another hopeful – but largely uneventful – women’s volleyball season in 2024.But then a publication outed a player on that team as transgender and from there the protests and backlash grew seemingly by the day.Player lawsuits, coach accusations and boycott threats, and that was just from inside their own locker room.Soon teams all over the San Jose schedule decided to forfeit their matches, but also never gave an official reason why. So today, ahead of the Mountain West Conference Tournament, Katie Barnes joins us to quiet the noise and turn up the conversation on a team from San Jose that just wants to play the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices