The Audible with Stew, Bruce & Ralph: A show about college football

The first College Football Playoff rankings sparked immediate controversy, so who better to bring on to discuss it than Ari Wasserman from On3?  Is the committee leaning too heavily on both vibes and advanced metrics, over actual results? And if the rankings are out of whack, will they correct themselves by the end of the season?They also look at the best available coaching jobs, debate Auburn's ceiling, discuss why Florida has been a graveyard for coaches, and dive into Ari's biggest pet peeve.Plus, mailbag tackles Ralph’s playoff prediction formula, whether Florida State's win over Alabama actually hurt Mike Norvell's expectations, and why Kurt Cignetti didn't get a power conference job until his 60s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first College Football Playoff rankings are out, and Ralph has a gripe: every head-to-head matchup mattered except Notre Dame-Miami. Ralph and Stew debate whether the Hurricanes got disrespected at #18 while the Irish sit at #10, and break down why the committee might be valuing progression over early-season results.There are blueprints for getting two Big 12 teams in the playoff, with BYU and Texas Tech both ranked in the top eight. They discuss Oregon's surprisingly low ranking at #9 despite being undefeated, Texas's position as the first team out, and whether the SEC could realistically get six or even seven teams into the playoff.Bruce joins to talk about who might replace Hugh Freeze, from James Franklin and Jimbo Fisher to rising stars like John Sumrall and Kenny Dillingham. Plus, the crew makes their picks for the week's biggest games: BYU at Texas Tech, Texas A&M at Missouri, Oregon at Iowa, and LSU at Alabama. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The playoff picture is becoming clearer. The seas have parted in the Big 12 to prepare for a huge BYU-Texas Tech matchup. Can the ACC get two teams in the playoff? Is Texas still alive, and does Arch deserve some grace? Hugh Freeze might be out at Auburn by the time you're hearing this. The guys debate whether Julian Sayin is really this good, or if any decent QB would look great throwing to these receivers. And the Big 10 has a great November unfolding, with Iowa, Oregon, and USC all playing each other. Plus, NC State, New Mexico, and Kennesaw State mentioned on shoutouts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Clay and Josh Snead, the masterminds behind the SEC Shorts YouTube channel, join Stew and Ralph to discuss the evolution of their viral college football comedy videos over 11 seasons. They reveal the behind-the-scenes process of filming all day Sunday and editing until 4 a.m. to hit Monday morning deadlines, and explain why they'll never expand beyond SEC content despite the money. Plus, they share stories about their most popular character — Josh's “Vanderbilt Pimp” costume that landed him on College GameDay.The guys also react to breaking LSU news: Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced at a press conference that LSU’s Board of Supervisors, not AD Scott Woodward, will hire LSU's next football coach. Stew and Ralph discuss how state politics and college football intersect in Baton Rouge unlike anywhere else in the country, and what this power struggle means for the coaching search.Plus, mailbag questions on Georgia Tech's trajectory, whether coaches will bail on playoff teams for better jobs, and a debate about whether a freshman All-American team could compete for a national title. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brian Kelly is out at LSU after just four seasons, with the Tigers set to pay out up to $54 million. Bruce breaks down the Sunday drama that led to Kelly's firing after the blowout loss to Texas A&M, including the power struggle with AD Scott Woodward over staff changes. Ralph explains how the awkward mix of "Kelly's guys" and "Woodward's guys" created underlying dysfunction, and why the cultural fit was doomed from the start. Plus, the crew debates Kelly's next move: what are the odds he’s coaching again next year? So many schools are looking for a new coach to turn it around, but there are no "sure thing" hires available. Lane Kiffin, Jon Sumrall, Willie Fritz, and Bob Chesney all have their pros and cons. Plus, the guys discuss the impossible expectations at these blue blood programs and make their picks for Vandy at Texas, Cincinnati at Utah, Oklahoma at Tennessee, and USC at Nebraska. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Texas A&M took down LSU 49-25 at Tiger Stadium, and the guys debate whether Kelly's job is safe heading into a bye week before Alabama. They break down how Mike Elko has turned around Texas A&M in year one, with Marcel Reed emerging as a dynamic dual-threat QB and strength coach Tommy Moffitt getting revenge against his former employer.The crew discusses whether A&M is now the class of the SEC, debates if five SEC teams could make the playoff, and analyzes Steve Sarkisian's explosive postgame rant about Diana Russini’s NFL job report. Plus, BYU stays undefeated with a comeback win at Iowa State behind true freshman Jake Retzlaff, the Big 12 race gets even crazier, and Colorado gets embarrassed 53-7 by Utah as Deion's season spirals. Ralph defends Vanderbilt as a legitimate top-10 team after their defensive performance against Missouri, and the guys discuss Bill Belichick's overtime loss to Virginia and whether UNC will win another ACC game this season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ralph challenges Bruce and Stew on the way the media talks about coaching hires, arguing that the constant chase for the "hot name" creates unrealistic expectations. Using Jeff Brohm and Jedd Fisch as examples, Ralph makes the case that we go all-in on coaches after one big win — which leads to disappointment when ADs inevitably can't land everyone's top choice.In mailbag, can Florida, Florida State, and Miami all succeed simultaneously in the NIL era? The guys break down how the Sunshine State has changed since the '90s when all three won national titles. Plus, a deep dive into quarterback spending vs. offensive line investment. Is Diego Pavia proof you don't need to break the bank at QB?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Billy Napier is out at Florida after a 3-4 start, and Bruce and Stew break down who’s next in Gainesville. Is Lane Kiffin tempted to leave his Ole Miss setup for the Gators’ national championship history and elite recruiting base? They debate whether the Florida job is still a blue blood destination in the NIL era, or if programs like Ole Miss have closed the gap.Jedd Fisch emerges as an intriguing candidate with deep Spurrier connections and Florida ties, while Jeff Brohm's elite play-calling and upset wins over top-5 teams make him a target — but would he leave his Louisville alma mater? Bruce and Stew also discuss Eli Drinkwitz and whether James Franklin could make the jump from one fired situation to another. Plus, the guys analyze contrasting statements from Florida State AD Michael Alford and Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh about their embattled coaches, and make their picks against the spread for the week’s biggest games, including Texas A&M at LSU, Ole Miss at Oklahoma, and BYU at Iowa State. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Miami's undefeated season ends with Carson Beck’s four interceptions at Louisville, but the guys debate whether the ’Canes can still make the playoff at 10-2. Texas Tech loses to Arizona State, throwing the Big 12 race wide open — and raising questions about their quarterback situation.Georgia survives Ole Miss in a defensive slugfest, LSU falls at Vanderbilt (yes, Vandy is legitimately good), and the crew discusses which SEC team they trust most in a conference where nobody looks dominant.Brian Kelly and Mike Norvell’s hot seats are heating up after disappointing losses, Notre Dame's explosive offense is rolling with Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price forming an elite backfield duo, and Stew shares his in-person experience watching UNC football and getting the classic "It is what it is" from Bill Belichick in the postgame presser. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greg Byrne, the seasoned Athletic Director at the University of Alabama, shares insights into the financial dynamics of college athletics. He discusses the complexities of buyouts and the shifting landscape of guaranteed coach contracts. Byrne emphasizes the need for regulation in the NIL space, advocating for the SCORE Act to maintain order. The conversation also explores the impact of NIL on player development, discusses the balance of spending between coaches and players, and tackles the media's role in the narrative around rising stars like Arch Manning.