
Cover 3 College Football
The 'Cover 3 College Football' Podcast is the perfect call for any die-hard fan. Join hosts Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, Danny Kanell and Bud Elliott as they take you from National Signing Day to the national championship with in-depth analysis from some of the biggest names in the sport. Cover 3 offers insider insight on the hottest topics in college football, tells you who is creating a buzz and previews each weekend with against-the-spread locks. From coaching searches to quarterback battles and everything in between, Cover 3 has it locked down.
Latest episodes

Mar 8, 2023 • 50min
Former UAB coach Bill Clark talks roster construction, program building, the Blazers' return to football and more (03/08)
The Cover 3 talks UAB's return to football, roster building and more with Bill Clark. First, Bill explains how a program that was shut down and had just 12 players was built into a group that was competing for conference championships (4:00) and the difficult balance of recruiting transfers and high schoolers to fill out a roster (13:20). Then, remembering Greg Bryant (18:15), his current consulting work (22:40) and whether he's interested in a return to coaching (30:10). Finally, reacting to significant buzz from the recruiting trail around five-star QB Dylan Raiola (37:40). Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signupGet 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store: https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collectionWatch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 6, 2023 • 1h 11min
NFL Draft Combine Takeaways: Anthony Richardson wows, CJ Stroud makes QB1 case, more!
The Cover 3 crew talks NFL Draft, conference realignment, SEC schedules and more. First, what to make of reports that the Big 12 has been in contact with Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah regarding possible westward expansion (4:40) and Nick Saban's response to Alabama's proposed draw for three permanent rivals in a nine-game SEC schedule format (20:10). Then it's on to the NFL Draft Combine, where quarterbacks dominated the headlines (29:17) but college stars from all over the field stood out for both good and disappointing reasons (47:58).Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signupGet 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store: https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collectionWatch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 2, 2023 • 59min
Mailbag: New QB starters under pressure, NFL Draft expectations, conference realignment, more! (03/02)
The Cover 3 crew talks Bryce Young, Penn State, Clemson, Big Ten expansion and more. First, the latest on the proposed rule changes in college football regarding the clock including the potential to see the changes in place in 2023 (1:30). Then, whether Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton could be a riser in the 2024 NFL Draft (8:53) as well as a look at the 2023 class of quarterbacks with thoughts on Bryce Young and CJ Stroud (15:18). The quarterback talk continues with a mailbag question on the many new starters for teams that are contending for conference titles, identifying the players with the most pressure as they step into that QB1 role (22:18). Plus, the top 3 Big Ten quarterbacks heading into 2023 (29:37), where West Virginia fits in the new Big 12 (45:33) and whether Big Ten presidents would be motivated to add Oregon and Washington if the Pac-12 continues to drag out its media rights negotiations (53:15).Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signupGet 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store: https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collectionWatch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 1, 2023 • 1h 22min
Turnaround Teams for 2023: What's the ceiling for Texas A&M, Miami, Auburn, Oklahoma and more? (03/01)
The Cover 3 crew talks Jalen Carter, Tennessee and teams looking to bounce back. First, discussing the breaking news of the morning with arrest warrants out for former Georgia star defensive tackle Jalen Carter in connection with the tragic car accident that led to the death of a Bulldogs staffer and a teammate (1:12). Then, what NCAA penalties for former Tennessee assistants might mean for Jeremy Pruitt and the program as a whole (20:39). After that it's on to the big topic of the day, trying to evaluate teams looking to bounce back from disappointing 2022 campaigns. The discussion spotlights Colorado (33:30), Texas A&M (38:24), Miami (41:50), Michigan State (45:52), Georgia Tech (48:00), Oklahoma (55:42), Nebraska (1:01:10), Auburn (1:07:23), Texas (1:11:22), Wisconsin (1:14:00) and more.Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signupGet 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store: https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collectionWatch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 27, 2023 • 1h 11min
Assistant Coaching Carousel Recap: Rating hires at Alabama, Texas A&M, Miami, Clemson, Wisconsin and more
The Cover 3 crew talks best assistant coaching hires from the 2022-23 cycle. First, with the athletic directors from Clemson and Florida State both voicing their displeasure with the current financial arrangement in the ACC, a look at the league's future in both the short-term and long-term (1:00). Then, getting into the assistant coaching hires with a spotlight on some of the most impactful, starting with offensive coordinator hires at Kentucky (21:38), Texas A&M (24:48), Wisconsin (27:40) and Clemson (31:18). Plus, teams that got better with in the 2022-23 assistant coaching carousel cycle (40:15) and some more specific questions for the SEC (48:52), Miami (52:32) and Ole Miss (57:02).20:0237:20Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signupGet 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store: https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collectionWatch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 23, 2023 • 1h 7min
How a running clock after 1st Down, other rule change proposals could impact CFB (02/23)
The Cover 3 crew talks rule changes, position battles, NCAA Football video game and more. The show begins with a deep dive into the four major rule proposals being considered by the NCAA, including a running clock after first downs but also a running clock after incompletions (1:30). The conversation turns to why college football's power brokers are interested in these changes (4:00) and how college football looks if some, or all of these rules are put in place (14:00). Then, our rule change ideas (27:10) and why the targeting rule is not being considered for revision (30:27). Finally, addressing questions from the Big Ol' Bag of Mail and the live audience on our favorite QB-OC combos (37:00), position battles to know (44:23) and the return of the NCAA Football video game (57:33).Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signupGet 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store: https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collectionWatch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 22, 2023 • 1h 4min
Creating the Big Ten schedule rotation when USC and UCLA join the conference (02/22)
The Cover 3 crew selects annual rivalries for the new Big Ten when it expands in 2024. First, in the wake of the USFL college draft this week, a look at some of the players who could be on the field for the league this spring as well as how it impacts their NFL Draft status and NFL future (1:00). Then it's on to the extremely difficult process of slotting three permanent rivals for all 16 Big Ten teams when USC and UCLA join the conference (14:00). Debates include what existing rivalries have to get cut, how TV ratings should factor in the mix against competitive balance and whether the new West Coast members are going to get any travel considerations for their permanent rivalries. Plus, winners and losers from the expansion process and more!Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signupGet 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store: https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collectionWatch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 16, 2023 • 1h 5min
Bill Connelly on returning production, ceilings and floors and 2023 SP+ rankings (02/16)
The Cover 3 crew is joined by ESPN's Bill Connelly to talk the early 2023 college football ratings. First, reaction to the news that Notre Dame has decided to promote from within to fill its vacant OC role (1:18) and the assistant coaching hire that stands out the most from this recent cycle (9:24). Then it's on to discussing SP+, the college football ratings system designed and maintained by ESPN's Bill Connelly. The crew talks how transfers factor into the ratings (11:42), go deep on Alabama's lack of returning production (22:25), teams that are big risers/fallers in the SP+ ratings (32:40), the best-case record and worst-case record for for preseason top 25 teams (45:00) and then some quick team-by-team thoughts on the ratings and projections for Colorado (50:22), Iowa (53:38), Georgia (55:35), Kansas (59:35) and Oregon (59:15).For more from Bill: 2023 SP+ Ratings: https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/35651872/2023-college-football-rankings-every-team2023 Returning Production Rankings: https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/35577489/college-football-teams-returning-production-2023-seasonCover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signupGet 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store: https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collectionWatch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 15, 2023 • 1h 1min
Georgia's coaching change, Notre Dame's OC search, latest Miami assistant hire, more! (02/15)
The Cover 3 crew talks Georgia, Notre Dame, Miami, Oregon, Washington and more. First, the impact of Georgia losing Todd Monken to the Baltimore Ravens and expectations for the Bulldogs' offense with Mike Bobo back in the familiar position of OC in Athens (1:20). Then, the reported fallout in Notre Dame's efforts to hire Utah's Andy Ludwig as OC (12:00), Mario Cristobal tapping Houston's Shannon Dawson to run Miami's offense (18:32) and the Pac-12 looking to lock down its next media rights deal (23:50). After that it's on to the Big Ol' Bag of Mail, with questions on Oregon's future in the Pac-12 (38:27), an NIT tournament for football (45:00) and expectations for the Group of Five's representation in the expanded College Football Playoff (53:50).Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signupGet 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store: https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collectionWatch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 13, 2023 • 1h 1min
How to schedule a 16-team SEC when Texas and Oklahoma join in 2024 (02/13)
The Cover 3 crew debates rivalries and makes the perfect schedule for the future SEC. First, reacting to the news portion of Texas and Oklahoma reaching an agreement with the Big 12 to leave early and join the SEC in 2024 (1:00). Then, what to make of Notre Dame targeting Utah OC Andy Ludwig to join Marcus Freeman's staff and how the offensive coaching changes might impact Sam Hartman and the outlook for 2023 (6:00). Then it's on to creating the new SEC schedule, debating 8-game vs. 9-game formats and eventually creating a full rotation of protected rivalries for the 16-team league with Texas and Oklahoma included (19:36). After the work is done, a review to determine what programs will see easier schedules and what programs are going to find tougher schedules when the league expands next offseason (53:00).Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signupGet 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store: https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collectionWatch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices