AP Top 25 College Football Podcast

Marcus Freeman on Year 3 leading Notre Dame Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman enters his third season leading the Fighting Irish with maybe his best team. Plus, a new offensive coordinator in Mike Denbrock and another new quarterback via the transfer portal in former Duke star Riley Leonard. How are they meshing as Leonard recovers from an injury?

Playoff dark horses An expanded College Football Playoff means a bigger reward for surprising teams that go from unranked in the preseason to vying for a spot in the top 10. Shehan Jeyarajah of CBS Sports joins AP's Ralph Russo to run through so teams that could exceed expectations in 2024 and earn a place in the first 12-team playoff. The Atlantic Coast Conference seems especially loaded with wild cards from Miami to newcomer SMU.

Mock NFL draft What will happen after the Chicago Bears take USC quarterback Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in next week's NFL draft? AP's national NFL Writer Rob Maaddi joins Ralph Russo to go through his mock draft, which includes a bunch of wheeling and dealing, four more quarterbacks being selected after Williams and a total of 10 offensive line going in the first round. Maaddi explains why Heisman winner Jayden Daniels might be the right fit for the Commanders at No. 2 and how the Patriots can take a circuitous route to acquire additional picks and still get their quarterback of the future. Rob Maaddi's mock draft: https://apnews.com/article/nfl-mock-draft-caleb-williams-bears-2f9c3602d80084eb9c0c7fc0b7fc9530

Where is this all going in college football? A proposed Super League model for college football, which is A) DOA and B) not really a super league, has been floating around for a few months. While that idea isn't viable, where college football is heading is very much a question that needs answers. Andy Staples from On3 joins AP's Ralph Russo to consider not just whether a Super League is on the horizon. That answer is almost certainly yes, but what are the various ways it could come together? Is it just a SEC/Big Ten arms race? Or could those conferences also be vulnerable to being broken up?

Ohio State coach Ryan Day and QB competitions After ending the season on a two-game losing streak, including a third straight to Michigan, Ohio State won the offseason. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss flipping the vibes, returning stars, managing a loaded QB room and finding one more play to win the most important game of the season. Also, Bud Elliott from the 247 Sports and the Cover-3 Podcast joins the show to talk about spring QB competitions and USC's recruiting heater.

BC coach Bill O'Brien and CFP optimism Bill O'Brien has had a crazy offseason, leaving the Patriots when Bill Belichik was forced out, going to Ohio State to become offensive coordinator and then landing in February at Boston College as the head coach. At a time when we here a lot about how coaches are fleeing the chaotic world of college football, why did O'Brien come back? Plus, Steven Godfrey of the Split Zone Duo podcast is excited and optimistic about the 12-team College Football Playoff. He spells out why.

Adjusting projections; Interview with Troy coach Gerad Parker ESPN's preseason SP+ projections have 13 of the top 15 teams in the country in either the Big Ten or the Southeastern Conference. Bill Connelly, the brains behind SP+, joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss the projections and what they portend in the first year of super conferences and a 12-team playoff. Plus, how the Big Ten and SEC are starving the rest of college football. Also, Troy coach Gerad Parker joins the show to discuss his move from offensive coordinator at Notre Dame to the two-time defending Sun Belt champions. Ralph's story on CFP revenue sharing deal: https://apnews.com/article/college-football-playoff-cfp-2d6f873ce07bb8b51660354f5bcff5f1

Who are the best coaches in college football? Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel of The Athletic join AP's Ralph Russo to discuss their rankings of the Top 25 coaches in college football right now. The retirement of Nick Saban, Jim Harbaugh moving on to the NFL and a few down years by Dabo Swinney have opened up more than a few spots in the near the top of the rankings, opening the door for coaches such as Lance Leipold of Kansas and Kalen DeBoer, Saban's replacement who just led Washington to the national championship game. And how will expectations on coaches change in college football's new world order? Ralph's Top 10 coaches: No. 1 Kirby Smart, Georgia No. 2 Dabo Swinney, Clemson No. 3 Brian Kelly, LSU No. 5. Kyle Whittingham, Utah No. 6 Kalen DeBoer, Alabama No. 7 James Franklin, Penn State No. 8 Lance Leipold, Kansas No. 9 Mike Norvell, Florida State No. 10 Lincoln Riley, USC

Post-combined draft talk and CFP shenanigans The NFL Draft combine in the the rearview mirror and the is about a month and half left before the actual draft. Eric Edholm from NFL.com joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss what was learned at the combine and what to make of USC QB Caleb Williams choosing not to be evaluated by every teams' medical staff. Plus, this offensive line class is loaded. Then in Three-and-Out, Russo explains why the Big Ten and SEC's CFP power play is unnecessary and not in the best interest of college football.

Why the CFP is expanding already The first 12-team College Football Playoff hasn't even been played yet and the conference commissioners who run the CFP are talking about adding more teams. How did we get here so soon? Nicole Auerbach from The Athletic joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss how the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference are throwing their weight around and how the playoff that was revealed in 2021.

Does ESPN have too much control of college football? ESPN is moving toward a deal to have sole ownership of the expanded College Football Playoff through the 2031 season. Is that good for college football? Bryan Curtis, sports media writer for The Ringer, joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk about the impact of college football’s splintered media rights been deals, with Fox being all in on the Big Ten and ESPN being the exclusive home of the SEC and ACC. The leaders of the CFP hoped to have an NFL-style media deal for its postseason with multiple networks involved. Instead, ESPN will remain in control at a time when many fans believe the network controls the sport from behind the scenes.

Are coaches really fleeing to the NFL? When Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley decided to quit his job and take a new one as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, it inspired more than a few takes that the move was a red flag for the state of college football and that an exodus of quality coaches was something to fear. Max Olson of The Athletic joins AP’s Ralph Russo to discuss the potential brain drain and why coaches jumping from college to the NFL might not be worth worrying about. Also, trying to identify the next Jayden Daniels or Bo Penix among this year’s transfer quarterbacks.

Wrapping up the January coaching carousel ! Michigan has new head coach in Sherrone Moore, replacing Jim Harbaugh, but the story of the 2023 national champions is far from over. ESPN's Adam Rittenberg joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss the lingering debate over how to view Michigan's accomplishments with the cloud of the sign-stealing scandal forever hanging over the Wolverines. Plus, we wrap up the January coaching carousel and talk short-term expectations for new coaches at Alabama, Washington and Arizona.

2023 review: What is sustainable? The 2023 season ended with a Northern team winning a national championship for the first time since 2014. Doug Lesmerises from Kings of the North and THE Podcast returns to the show to gloat about his prediction that a non-Southern team would win it all and to review whether Michigan’s championship formula is repeatable, with potential to change the power dynamic across college football? Plus, Ohio State is ALL in. Ralph’s preseason predictions: https://apnews.com/article/cfp-georgia-alabama-ohio-state-clemson-oklahoma-0797256de3f10dfbb65c5f790bd2a213 https://apnews.com/article/heisman-caleb-williams-usc-marvin-harrison-biletnikoff-3c8cd680364f54a920d4fe601a0cf726

After Saban retires, dominos fall. The retirement of Alabama coach Nick Saban triggered another round of coaching carousel moves and, oh boy, has it spun fast. Bruce Feldman from The Athletic and Fox Sports joins AP’s Ralph D. Russo to discuss the swiftness, fallout and somewhat randomness of how Kalen DeBoer ended up at Alabama, Jedd Fisch at Washington and Brent Brennan at Arizona. Plus, at least as of this recording, we’re still waiting on Jim Harbaugh’s next move.

Nick Saban retires Alabama coach Nick Saban announced his retirement, leaving behind what is the greatest career in the history of the sport. In 17 seasons with the Crimson Tide, Saban won six national championships and was just a few plays away from several others. Matt Fortuna, from the Inside Zone with Matt Fortuna, joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk about the process, Saban’s remarkable legacy and who might succeed him at Alabama.

CFP championship preview No. 1 Michigan runs the ball more than most teams. No. 2 Washington throws the ball as much as just about any team in the country. The College Football Playoff championship game will be an intriguing matchup of styles. Parker Fleming, a college football data analyst whose projections can be found on X/Twitter @statsowar, joins AP’s Ralph Russo to breakdown the numbers behind the players and the Xs and Os of Huskies-Wolverines. It’s a strength vs. strength matchup with Michael Penix Jr. and Washington’s amazing array of receivers facing a Michigan pass defense that has been one of the best in the country this season. Neither side has faced a test like this.

Harbaugh’s last dance? FSU’s opt outs When Florida State was first snubbed from the College Football Playoff where was talk about how the Seminoles could still be in the only undefeated team in the country, and if that happened, could they claim a national title after beating Georgia in the Orange Bowl. Now, it looks like FSU will be going into the Orange Bowl with its B team after a slew of opt outs. Bill Bender from The Sporting New joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk about FSU’s off bowl season, and oh, how things have changed since the days of the split national titles. And is this Jim Harbaugh’s last dance at Michigan? The NFL could come calling again. There is a contract extension sitting out there that Michigan would like him to sign. There is the ominous cloud if NCAA issues. And Michigan, frankly, seems to have a pretty good replacement lined up. It all makes the Rose Bowl against Alabama even more fascinating.

College Football Playoff Preview Can Michigan bully its way to a national title? Can Alabama’s offensive line let Jalen Milroe shine? Can Texas’ defensive line outmuscle Washington? Can Michael Penix and Rome Odunze exploit the Longhorns’ secondary? Cole Cubelic of ESPN, the SEC Network and the Mac and Cube Show on WJOX in Alabama joins AP’s Ralph Russo to preview the College Football Playoff. Michigan faces Alabama in the Rose Bowl and Washington meets Texas on the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.

Bowl preview Bowl season is here, and the value of a bowl game has never been more unclear. Not just to the players and coaches, but to AP poll voters. Matt Brown from The Athletic joins AP’s Ralph Russo to discuss how he might go about factoring in the results of bowl games into his final Top 25 after the national champion is crowned. Also, can there really be a split national champion if Florida State is the only unbeaten team at the end of the year? Plus, Matt and Ralph roll through the entire bowl schedule and highlight games to watch. Even though you really should watch them all. AP All-America team: https://apnews.com/article/ap-allamerica-team-45e5dac6434336de5712779fbc0e7e6f