False Start - College Football Podcast
A college football podcast for everyone... and everyone else. John Buhler and Cody Williams break down the biggest and littlest college football stories every week to bring the joy of this dumb, beautiful sport to every fan and could-be fan.
Episode 189: College Football July 4th BBQ, Red, White and Blue Team Rankings, When Alabama and LSU's Seasons Will Die, The American Vibe Check
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It's the Fourth of July and Cody Williams is flying solo like a cup without John Buhler but still celebrating. Who is coming to the college football backyard BBQ for July 4th? What will be the day that Alabama, LSU and Notre Dame's seasons will die as Cody Williams isn't a total believer in them? Plus, we take a look at The American to get a quick preseason vibe check on the AAC and we rank the six (maybe?) teams with red, white and blue color...
Episode 188: Big 12 bad gets best of preseason polls, Favorite freshmen QBs, Celebrating Sad Boy Summer with some help from The National
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The Big 12 doesn't mind seeing itself in a picture, so long as it looks far away.
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) asked themselves why the Big 12 is not doing a preseason poll.
The Arizona State of it all might explain that, but nothing soothes the heart of Sad Boy Summer quite like a healthy dose of The National.
The guys celebrated the Fourth of July a...
Episode 187: LaNorris Sellers proves he is better than Thomas Castellanos, Steve Spurrier does not trust Arch Manning, What CFP contenders will benefit from their soft strength of schedules?
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Don't fall into the trap.
While LaNorris Sellers is too good for that, Thomas Castellanos took the bait when it came the low-hanging Alabama fruit.
Throwing dirt on Alabama's grave is not always the best of ideas...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) looked at Sellers and Castellanos' comments when it came to Alabama.
They also made sense of another Steve Spurrier gem of a...
Episode 186: Wisconsin sues Miami over NIL tampering, Heisman Trophy sleepers in the ACC and Big 12
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Where's the money, Lebowski?
Wisconsin does not like the fact that Miami wanted and landed Xavier Lucas in the transfer portal.
John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com), back with a new laptop, some new AC and a newfound sense of life, had some things to say about the wonderful world of NIL.
The guys then touched on Heisman Trophy sleepers in the ACC and Big 12, as well as who some of the worst...
Episode 185: Bret Bielema wants 9 games for everyone, Heisman Trophy sleepers in the SEC and the G5
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Nine games?
Yes, Bret Bielema wants everyone in the Power Four to play nine conference games annually.
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) flew solo like a cup with Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) still in laptop limbo.
Buhler touched on Bielema's convenient comments at Illini Night at Wrigley Field, as well as who a few potential sleepers for the Heisman Trophy are in the SEC and the Group of Five of all...
Episode 184: Is Texas overvalued?, Alabama QB update, UCF stadium update, Wisconsin makes phone calls
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Expectations vs. results...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) flew solo like a cup with Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) dealing with a whole mess of technological issues.
Buhler touched on Texas' overstated value, Alabama's quarterback situation, UCF's new football stadium name and Wisconsin's phone records.
You are never early if you are always on time, and this is False Start!
Episode 183: Lee Corso's final College GameDay location revealed, Future CFB power rankings dissected, Who could be this year's Arizona State?
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Not so fast, my friend...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) looked at where Lee Corso's final College GameDay show will be airing from and discussed if it was the right call for ESPN.
After that they looked at ESPN's Adam Rittenberg's Future CFB Power Rankings through the lens of Fore! For Four.
They then looked at ESPN's FPI through some Goldilocks before diving head first into...
Episode 182: Ryan Day puts his foot in his mouth, Are we too high on South Carolina?, The best 10 ADS in CFB
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The wrong messenger spoke.
While some members of the Big Ten may want four AQ spots in the upcoming playoff model, Ryan Day was not the right person to advocate for that.
Ohio State is the best program in the country and just won a national title.
On the latest episode of False Start, Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) returns to re-ignite the fire in John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) on this episode dedicated to The League.
<...Episode 181: NFL rookie QB power rankings!, Should Hugh Freeze enter this season on the hot seat?
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Familiar faces in different places.
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) unexpectedly flew solo like a cup a day earlier than he thought for Western Carolina internet reasons, per source a.k.a. Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com).
Buhler spent the bulk of this show power ranking all 13 rookie quarterbacks who were taken in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Where did Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart and Shedeur Sanders all fall? Find out now!
...
Episode 180: Marcus Freeman vs. Lincoln Riley for Notre Dame-USC livelihood, Coaches want the 5+11 model?!
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What side are you on?
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) flew solo like a cup once more with Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) traveling up and down the East Coast.
The big topic of the day was Marcus Freeman's take on the Notre Dame vs. USC rivalry being maintained, while Lincoln Riley does not seem to mind that it looks to be going away.
From there, Buhler looked at what a 5+11 model...
Episode 179: Greg Sankey wears the black hat, Kirby Smart is big mad, Is Dan Lanning slipping?, What about the Matt Rhule pop year?
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Somebody has to be the villain of college football.
For the time being, it is SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.
By being willing to wear the black hat, it may keep us distracted from what is really going on.
John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) did his best to keep this wild and crazy episode of False Start on the tracks with Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) out and about doing alleged bachelor party things a few miles away from...
Episode 178: Is South Carolina the most disrespected team in the country? Is Alabama the most overrated?, What can we glean from the SP+ rankings?, No reseeding in the CFP!
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Can I get a little respect around here?
That is what college football programs like Clemson and South Carolina might be feeling now after seeing where ESPN's Bill Connelly had them ranked in his latest SP+ rankings.
While they may hail from The Palmetto State, leave it up to two guys from neighboring states who root for rival college football teams of theirs in Georgia's John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and North Carolina's Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) to sort...
Episode 177: Ohio State and Penn State are loaded, Notre Dame-USC about to end?, Maryland hires a new AD
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It's all about the dudes, bruh.
Ohio State and Penn State are among the most loaded teams entering college football next year, and that is especially true outside of quarterback.
John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) rattled off their 10 most favorite college football stars who do not play quarterback for this season.
Whether you prefer Jeremiah Smith to Kaytron Allen, it's all good in the end.
What isn't good is the...
Episode 176: Too much love for Alabama?, Arch Manning NFL Draft fix, Assessing Top 25 teams and win totals after spring practice
Reach out to Cody and Buhler to tell them what's up!
With spring practice in the books and summer in session, we have some things to sort out in the wonderful world of college football.
On the latest episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) looked at the top 25 teams in college football at this point of the offseason, as well as a few others' win totals of note.
From there, the guys wondered if teams like Alabama were getting too much love...
Episode 175: To what degree should we trust the Miami Hurricanes?, Mel Kiper Jr. doesn't do his homework, Bret Bielema got the bag, baby!
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When it's all about The U, it's not about you!
On the latest episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) sifted through a very Miami Hurricanes-centric episode.
From Carson Beck's health, to Mario Cristobal's thoughts on what Mel Kiper Jr. did or did not say about Cam Ward, it is all there!
Outside of that, Bret Bielema got paid the big bucks by Illinois, baby!
To wrap up...
Episode 174: Post-spring practice College Football Playoff projections, Bill Belichick's North Carolina program is getting wacky
Reach out to Cody and Buhler to tell them what's up!
It seems as though a 16-team College Football Playoff is inevitable.
John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) touched on the growing notion that the 4-4-2-2-1+3 model will be dominating our lives in two college football seasons.
From there, the guys picked their post-spring practice 16-team playoff field, before diving into the wackiness associated with Bill Belichick at North Carolina, Shemar Stewart in Cincinnati, and the living legend that was Pat McAfee while...
Episode 173: Jim Knowles explains why he left Ohio State for Penn State, Sherrone Moore gets to handpick his two-game suspension, What is UCF doing paying Scott Frost that much money?
Reach out to Cody and Buhler to tell them what's up!
You can only blame yourself for the decisions you make.
Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles went into great detail on record to ESPN's Heather Dinich on why he left Columbus for Penn State.
John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) were dumbfounded by the candid nature of that story.
Sherrone Moore getting to handpick what two games he will be suspended for is just par for the course for the wacky, weird...
Episode 172: Quinn Ewers too good for a clipboard?, Steve Angeli to Syracuse, Brock Bowers not too cool for school
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Who doesn't love a high-profile backup quarterback?
That has to be the only reason why former Texas star Quinn Ewers ended up nosediving to the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round, right?
That is the information his agent was given...
Anywho, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) had to fly solo like a cup on account of Los Alamos thunderstorms wreaking havoc on Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) and his domicile.
Buhler touched on Steve Angeli to...
Episode 171: Bill Belichick's CBS interview, Buhler reacts to the 2025 NFL Draft, What CFB personalities have been involved in a prank phone call?
Reach out to Cody and Buhler to tell them what's up!
We're not living, and we most certainly aren't thriving either.
Running on absolute fumes, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) returned to the program to help Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) break down the madness of Bill Belichick's CBS interview, whatever Jax Ulbrich decided to do over a phone and whatever else came to their minds in connection to the 2025 NFL Draft.
To finish the show off, it was always gonna be May for good measure.
Naturally, the guys...
Episode 170: Explaining Shedeur Sanders & Quinn Ewers Fall, No Arch Manning in 2026 Draft, Ohio State Urgency
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Shedeur Sanders and Quinn Ewers fell, so Cody Williams unpacked why that happened, what it means, and what's next for the former Colorado and Texas QBs with the Browns and Dolphins. He then dives into his favorite picks, or the most interesting from the 2025 draft, before turning his attention to the 2026 draft. Arch Manning ain't coming, but a lot of great prospects are. Prank calling draft prospects is dumb as hell and something needs to be done, but now it's time to look at the transfer...
Three Yards and a Cloud of Punt: 2025 NFL Draft: Shedeur Sanders falls out of first round, Who are the biggest steals from Thursday night?
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This is how we do it!
It has been a minute since John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) came to you semi-live with Three Yards and a Cloud of Punt in the wee hours of a morning, but what better time to do that again than after the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft?
The guys reacted to what all 32 teams did on Thursday in the only way they know how: Run, Run, Pass, Punt...
Episode 169: Where does Shedeur Sanders fall in False Start's 2025 NFL mock draft?, Who could be the steal of the first round?, Nico Iamaleava finds a new team to play for
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It is never a bad time to have another slice of pumpkin pie if you are Mel Kiper Jr.
With the 2025 NFL Draft happening later this week, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) had one slice of pumpkin pie after another as a part of False Start's 2025 NFL mock draft.
Together, they answered where Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders might land in the first round, as well as who might be the steal of the draft...
Episode 168: Nico Iamaleava transfer portal woes, Jaydn Ott to Oklahoma, Breaking down big QB races in the Power Four
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Who wants them some Nico Iamaleava?
While it is looking like the UCLA Bruins will end up with the former Tennessee Volunteers starting quarterback, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) still cannot believe it has come to this.
Although they were very high on former Cal running back Jaydn Ott going to Oklahoma, they are trying to see the silver lining in Iamaleava leaving Rocky Top.
After that, the guys looked at some...
Episode 167: Nico Iamaleava bails on Tennessee, Arch Manning is no longer a distraction, Kenni Burns' Kent State disaster ends
Reach out to Cody and Buhler to tell them what's up!
Nico Iamaleava will leave you.
The news of last year's starting quarterback at Tennessee hitting the transfer portal over some NIL concerns sent shockwaves throughout the sport.
It was enough to the point where Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) had to take some of his attention off the links at Augusta National to cover this wild college football story.
John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) was chomping at the bit to talk about this, slightly sunburnt forehead from the...
Episode 166: False Start does The Masters!, Best traditions in college football, When could College GameDay be coming to your city this fall?
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We're mostly pimento cheese at this point.
After eating his body weight in peach ice cream sandwiches, Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) celebrated The Masters being back in our lives with the help of Georgia native John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com), who thinks Bubba Watson's Masters meal is not that gross.
Together, the boys tackled the most important heart-of-the-offseason subjects such as the best traditions unlike any other in college football, as well as when and where ESPN's College GameDay...
Episode 165: Lincoln Kienholz to QB1? Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders one-two?, Zachariah Branch is feeling Gunner Stockton!
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We may have learned some things from spring practice...
While most people projected that Bryce Underwood would emerge as the favorite to win the Michigan starting quarterback job, we see what you are doing in Columbus, Lincoln Kienholz!
Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) made his triumphant return to the program on a Monday, helping John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) get his head around what Zachariah Branch had to say about Gunner Stockton.
After that, the guys looked at...
Episode 164: Stanford hires Frank Reich, Drew Pyne is portal-ing again, Sacramento State wants to level up
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Somebody check Andrew Luck's brain.
While John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) were doing FanSided employee summit work things, Stanford hired a new head coach...
Yes, Frank Reich is going to lead the Cardinal for next season on an interim basis.
At least Stanford is now ... interesting?
Although Buhler and Cody did meet in Phoenix, Antonio got the best of Cody and Buhler had to fly solo like a cup once...
Episode 163: Deion Sanders joins the $10M club, Mike Gundy wants Bedlam Series next spring, Who could replace Troy Taylor at Stanford?
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It is Prime Time for Deion Sanders' bank account.
Coach Prime became the latest college football head coach to make over $10 million in annual salary on the heels of his five-year, $54 million extension to stay at Colorado.
While Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) was playing more golf than Scottie Scheffler in Hawaii, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) looked at what this means for the Colorado program, and what other head coaches could see their salaries grow like Sanders' has.
<...
Episode 162: Stanford fires Troy Taylor, Paul Finebaum is out on Billy Napier, Who will win the Magnificent Seven quarterback battles?
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He gone ... immediately!
Stanford has fired former head coach Troy Taylor in the wake of a brewing scandal.
John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) reacted to it, while Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) was living his best life in Hawaii.
From there, Buhler looked at Paul Finebaum's comments of doubt surrounding Billy Napier's staying power at Florida, as well as who could win the seven quarterback battles of note this spring scattered across the Power Four.
Luck...
Episode 161: Much ado about Shedeur Sanders' NFL Draft vibes, Georgia is still driving, Cavinder..., Aaron Rodgers is more important than Michigan, man
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Pearls and swine, bereft of me...
As False Start carries on, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) will be all by himself for about a week after this.
That is because Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) will be more Hawaii than Peter Bretter sobbing on the Kapua Suite while trying to Forget Sarah Marshall.
In the meantime, the guys had to touch on all the delicious gossip surrounding Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders' NFL Draft status.
Some...
Episode 160: What college basketball coaches would make good college football coaches?, Fran Brown claps back at Deion Sanders, Ryan Day and Ohio State's quest to repeat
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Our five guys are better than your 11 guys!
Yes, Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) was back in business with some delicious New Mexican internet, and John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) was along for the ride.
With March Madness in full swing, the guys answered the hard-hitting question of what college basketball head coaches would make for good college football head coaches?
We all know that Gus Malzahn would give the opposition 40 minutes of hell with an all-out, full-court...
Episode 159: 2025 College Football March Madness Bracket!, Based strictly on college football who wins the NCAA Tournament?, Carson Beck is no longer trying, Cavinder...
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A tournament, a tournament, a tournament of lies! Also, one with questionable internet.
For various New Mexico reasons, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) had to fly solo like a cup on a delayed March Madness episode of False Start.
Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) may have his beloved North Carolina Tar Heels in the tournament, as well as his absolutely tremendous birds known as the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks, but he will have to wait and find out what Buhler did to...
Episode 158: 10 teams who could make College Football Playoff for first time in 2025-26, Steve Sarkisian explains why he hasn't left Texas for the NFL yet, Kenny Dillingham wants Arizona State to be the new Clemson
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Into the flood again...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and the Man in the Moving Box, Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) tried to figure out what teams could make the College Football Playoff for the first time in their history this season.
While teams like Florida, Illinois, Iowa State, Miami and South Carolina were easy choices, rounding out the top 10 was easier said than done.
From there, the guys listened to what...
Episode 157: Eddie George to Bowling Green, Dan Lanning extended, Josh Heupel defends spring games
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We cannot wait for some Eddie George MACtion, baby!
The Tennessee Titans legend and former head coach at Tennessee State is taking over the Bowling Green Falcons as head coach in the wake of Scot Loeffler leaving for the NFL to be the Philadelphia Eagles' new quarterbacks coach.
George is a bit of a renaissance man, but one who has succeed in everything he has done before.
This is fantastic news for Bowling Green, the MAC and the rest of...
Episode 156: Spring practice preview: The vibes are high out of Clemson, but not so much out of Oklahoma...
Reach out to Cody and Buhler to tell them what's up!
Spring football is right around the corner...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) examined what college football programs excited them the most heading into spring practice.
While the guys like the vibes that are coming out of Clemson, the same cannot be said for how they feel about Oklahoma.
As far as how to feel about Alabama, they are fascinated by the Crimson Tide.
Not...
Episode 155: Post-combine NFL mock draft reactions!, UNC on Hard Knocks?, Quit crying your eyes out, Matt Rhule...
Reach out to Cody and Buhler to tell them what's up!
Here comes the promise of summer, and by that, we mean an NFL mock draft!
Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) unveiled his post-NFL combine mock draft for FanSided.com on Monday, and John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) reacted to it.
It was a fun exercise, especially given the fact Cody made two big trades to shake up the draft order.
From there, the guys settled the great Chris Del Conte vs. Matt Rhule non-conference scheduling debate once and...
Episode 154: Way-too-early top 25 heading into spring practice, Where does returning production matter?, Is Shedeur Sanders about to fall?
Reach out to Cody and Buhler to tell them what's up!
We will always find a way to entertain ourselves.
With it being the heart of the offseason, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) put forth a way-too-early top 25 for next season ahead of spring practice.
Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) picked it to pieces to perfection!
From there, the guys talked about the importance of returning production and why that helps teams like Arizona State, Clemson and Illinois greatly for next season.
After that, they looked at...
Episode 153: Carson Beck, where are your cars?, Blue-bloods canceling spring games, Nebraska not ready for the limelight
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But what does yours say, Carson Beck?
In the aftermath of Carson Beck and Hanna Cavinder having all three of their combined cars stolen in South Florida late last week, it undoubtedly had a major impact on this latest episode of False Start.
While John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) are not exactly The Keepers of the Continuum Transfunctioner, this show is a hole in one at Captain Stu's!
The guys also touched...
Episode 152: More College Football Playoff expansion?!, No recruiting trail for Deion Sanders, What Power Four coaches could bolt in 2026?
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More isn't always better, but it is still more!
With the Big Ten and SEC trying to strong arm the rest of college football to even more College Football Playoff expansion, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) took a deep dive into what that all could entail.
From sifting through all the jargonese, to creating a newfangled 16-team playoff bracket, the boys got it done!
After that, they touched in Deion Sanders' unorthodox...
Episode 151: Ohio State QB battle?!, Top 10 national title contenders for 2025-26, Pressure mounts for Lincoln Riley...
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It will be a battle for the ages, alright.
With so many changes happening at Ohio State this offseason, Ryan Day says there will be a quarterback brewing between Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz and freshman Tavien St. Clair.
While John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) believe there is some merit to this, they both agree we may have a two-man race after the spring game.
The guys then shared their way-too-early national championship...
