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 288: Clemson's Cooked, How Good is Ole Miss, Players To Get Excited For, Brian Hartline Over-Promises USF
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How good is Ole Miss? Will Clemson ever be good again under Dabo Swinney? Cody Williams flies solo like a cup (giving John Buhler a break) to answer these questions, as well as diving into Curt Cignetti and Indiana’s issues with recruiting, players from each P4 league he’s excited to see in the 2026 college football season, Brian Hartline writing checks he might not be able to cash at USF, and the Heisman House being up for sale.
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Episode 287: False Start goes fast with Ricky Bobby to celebrate the Fourth of July
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If you ain't first, you're last!
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) channeled their inner Shake N Bake to celebrate the Fourth of July with a bang, Ricky Bobby style!
The guys talked about coaches, quarterbacks, running backs, and the cinematic masterpiece itself.
If you don't chew Big Red, go get some, because this is False Start!
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Episode 286: Arch Manning crowned prematurely, John Mateer is ripped, Cody returns from Norway
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Take us on!
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) was reunited with Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) for the first time in a fortnight.
Returning from the land of the ice and snow from a midnight sun fun run, the hot springs were flowing out of Cody's mouth for sure!
He and Buhler discussed Arch Manning be crowned prematurely, John Mateer being more shredded than Frosted Mini Wheats, as well as Cody's escapades from...
Episode 285: Dusty May Michigan exit brings Warde Manuel into focus, Paul Finebaum doesn’t care for Texas Tech at all
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For every transaction, there is an equal and opposite transaction.
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) once again flew solo like a cup, as Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) continues to try to presumably pull Mjolnir out of the earth itself.
Buhler discussed the potential ripple effects that could manifest from Dusty May leaving Michigan for the Dallas Mavericks.
This puts Michigan AD Warde Manuel into focus, as well as paints Duke AD Nina...
Episode 284: Lane Kiffin national title guarantee at LSU, more Brendan Sorsby drama, early Big Ten offseason thoughts, remembering some dudes
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Everyone is a champion.
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) once again flew solo like a cup with Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) working on his moontan under the Norwegian midnight sun.
Buhler addressed Lane Kiffin's latest controversial statement, Cincinnati trying to play dumb with Brendan Sorsby, and Bill Connelly's thoughts on the Big Ten for ESPN.com.
After that Buhler, spent the second half of the show with some Father's Day-centric topics.
<...Episode 283: Brendan Sorsby turns pro, Monshun Sales' pitch, New CFP bracket, Colton Nussmeier eligibility concerns
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Everything ends...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) flew solo like a cup with Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) out there living his best life in Norway.
Buhler started the show off hot with several Brendan Sorsby-related segments.
Now that he is off to the league by way of the NFL Supplemental Draft, how does that impact college football's top 25 rankings and its playoff picture?
From there, Buhler discussed Colton Nussmeier's high...
Episode 282: J Batt to Bail on Michigan State, Colin Simmons Pokes the Oklahoma Bear, Lincoln Riley Loves Himself Some AI
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Who doesn't love moving?
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) flew solo like a cup with Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) about to embark on a transatlantic voyage to Norway!
Buhler touched on the jet-setting life Kentucky-bound J Batt must be on, as well as where Colin Simmons' head is at regarding the Red River Rivalry.
From there, Buhler discussed Lincoln Riley's latest foray into the wonderful world of AI, the six head coaches...
Episode 281: False Start's Brainrot Show: What CFB programs are nonsensical? What is Pete Bevacqua even talking about, bruh?
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This prompt was not written by ChatGPT...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) put their two brains together to see if they could overcome some major CFB brainrot on June 7.
The 6/7 episode was not as cringe as they thought.
After making sense of all the nonsense this sport gave them, they made sure that every Starter in their mind is at-best a Sigma, no worse than an Alpha...
Episode 280: Ferris Bueller is False Start's hero!, CFB hot seat thoughts, Manny Diaz moving on up?
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Who said we weren't going to have any fun today?
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) celebrated the alleged anniversary of the day Ferris Bueller, Cameron Frye, and Sloane Peterson cut class in suburban Chicago.
This show may have come together quickly, but it most definitely was some 41 years in the making.
The guys looked at who could be on the hot seat, as well as if Manny...
Episode 279: SEC Spring Meetings fallout!, Brendan Sorsby is gone, Mike Leach to CFB HoF?
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When in Destin...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) sorted through all the sense, and all the nonsense, that came out of the SEC Spring Meetings along the Gulf of Mexico.
They shared their thoughts on other college football people's thoughts like there was no tomorrow.
While there is no tomorrow for Brendan Sorsby in the college game, there appears to be a brighter tomorrow in the College...
Episode 278: False Start goes back to school with Billy Madison, Lane Kiffin stirs the pot again, What CFB teams were better in 1974?
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There's something important I was supposed to do today...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) watched some pickles race down the outside glass of a diner on this Billy Madison-themed show!
With the help of this 1995 cinematic masterpiece, the guys looked at some quarterbacks who are too hot for a penguin, if Lane Kiffin prefers shampoo or conditioner, or if these randomly-selected college football teams are better now than they...
Episode 277: Remembering Dudes, Songs, and Other Things on Memorial Day, What P4 Teams Do We Need to Give More Love to?
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Do you remember?
On this episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com), celebrated Memorial Day together by remembering a whole bunch of stuff pertaining to college football.
They obviously remembered some dudes, as well few songs centered around memories for JLN, as well as trying to remember the Power Four teams they rarely talk about.
This episode was unique, mostly because it is False Start!
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Episode 276: The Return of Coach O to LSU!, Jamie Pollard crashes out over Big Ten/SEC, Alex Golesh remains the greatest Josh Heupel disciple
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Hold that tiger!
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided.com) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) celebrated the triumphant return of Coach O to LSU!
Having Ed Orgeron back in our lives was such a pleasant surprise.
To be quite frank, so was Iowa State AD Jamie Pollard losing his mind over the Big Ten and the SEC not exactly being cooperative parties in the CSC...
All the while, Josh Heupel remains...
Episode 275: False Start walks off with Zoolander, CFB almost hot seats, Teams who could make CFP for first time in 2026-27
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There is more to life than having a really, really, ridiculously good-sounding podcast!
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com), put on their best makeup and strutted down the runway as the two best college football male models the podcasting space has ever seen on this Zoolander-themed show.
From trying to figure out who in the college football world be right at home in this 2001 cinematic masterpiece, to using its many...
Episode 274: Lane Kiffin vs. everyone, Notre Dame-USC talks, CFB HCs getting ejected
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We didn't start the fire!
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) broke down all the heat Lane Kiffin has been under recently, as well as the Notre Dame-USC rivalry kind of, sort of, almost being back on some day soon-ish...
The guys then finished up the show by trying to figure out what college football head coaches would be the best at getting ejected from a game like the late...
Episode 273: 24-team CFP shenanigans!, Penn State optimism, Tennessee concerns
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More is always greater!
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) took a look at what a 24-team College Football Playoff could have looked like with last year's field.
The results were hilarious!
From there, they looked at Nick Saban's well-thought-out plan for an NIL salary cap, if Penn State will be better than expected under Matt Campbell, and if we have seen the best out of Tennessee under...
Episode 272: Dan Radakovich "retires", Mark Cuban "bought" Fernandomania, Cody is acting VERY presidential
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Hail to The Starters!
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) helps usher in a very presidential birth year for one Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com).
Together, they shared the big wholesale changes they would make if they were in charge of college football as commissioners, directors, supreme overlords, and whatnot.
They later touched on Dan Radakovich "retiring" at Miami and Mark Cuban "buying" Fernandomania for Indiana, all before ending the show with some Graphic...
Episode 271: Kirby Smart tries to explain the impossible, New CFP projections, P4 agents of chaos!
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Some things have no reasonable explanation for them...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) discussed what all Kirby Smart had to say about the Big Ten's current run of dominance over the SEC.
From there, the guys shared their latest way-too-early College Football Playoff brackets, based on Texas Tech potentially taking a hit because of the Brendan Sorsby situation.
After that, they revealed their Power Four agents of...
Episode 270: Best NFL Draft picks!, Kalen DeBoer contract extension thoughts, Lane Kiffin mad about the portal
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Windows are only open for so long...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) revealed their 10 favorite picks from the 2026 NFL Draft.
Yes, there was some overlap...
After that, they played the world's smallest violin over Lane Kiffin wanting a spring transfer portal window, all before discussing the financial ramifications of Kalen DeBoer's Alabama contract extension, good, bad, and ugly.
Don't sweat the small stuff when you...
Episode 269: 2026 NFL Draft Fallout!, Who made the best and worst picks?, Buhler went to Germany and saw Tame Impala
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Clearly, the less we know the better...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) recapped an absolutely glorious 2026 NFL Draft.
They shared their favorite and least favorite drafts of the 32 teams comprising the National Football League, all before Cody lived vicariously through Buhler's trip to the motherland.
Enjoy a double helping of Local Scouting Report all about Germany, and then a nice slice of pumpkin pie of Tame Impala...
Three Yards and a Cloud of Punt: 2026 NFL Draft: Fernando first, Caleb come on Downs, Call a doctor for Kadyn Proctor...
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One day down, two more to go...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) returned just in time to help Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) recap the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft in the only way they know how.
With Three Yards and a Cloud of Punt, the guys reacted to some of their favorite picks from Thursday night, some of their least favorite, as well as some they need some more time to digest.
<...Episode 268: Indiana-Alabama Beef, Zachariah Branch Arrested, Garrett Nussmeier's Medicals, Jeremiyah Love's Draft Stock
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Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines has been beefing with Alabama fans over some Ty Simpson comments, and Cody Williams is breaking it down solo like a cup. He also looks at Georgia WR Zachariah Branch getting arrested after G-Day before the draft, the balance of NIL for college football and the NFL, Jermiyah Love’s draft stock and value as a Top 5 pick, Garrett Nussmeier’s new medical update (an indictment on Brian Kelly), and NFL Draft prospects I’d bet on.
Suppor...
Episode 267: Miami Keeps Coordinators, Alabama QB Battle, Best Transfer Classes, Kirby Mimicking Cig
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The Miami Hurricanes retained both Shannon Dawson and Corey Heatherman on extensions, so Cody Williams breaks down the new deal with Buhler in Germany. We then look at Keelon Russell showing out for Alabama and outshining Austin Mack in the spring, the best transfer portal classes, what Kirby Smart and Georgia may have learned from Indiana and Curt Cignetti, the future of Luke Fickell with a Wisconsin AD change, and Ryan Day feeling himself with recruiting.
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Episode 266: NFL Mock Draft Breakdown, Draft Comps, Ty Simpson vs. Fernando Mendoza
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Cody has a new 2026 NFL Mock Draft with the Cowboys and Chiefs making trades, so he and John Buhler are breaking that down. We also dive into ESPN’s new list of NFL Draft comps and our likes and dislikes there, the love of Dan Orlovsky for Alabama QB Ty Simpson, whether Fernando Mendoza is making the right choice to not attend the draft, and then regale tales of what TV shows we’re watching and times being had in Indianapolis and Atlanta.
Sup...
Episode 265: Sonny Dykes & Curt Cignetti get Heated over Josh Hoover, Cody Campbell vs. Brett Yormark in the Big 12
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One man's trash is another man's treasure!
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) flew solo like a cup with Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) covering the Final Four over in Indianapolis.
Buhler touched on how Sonny Dykes did not have the nicest things to say about Josh Hoover now that he is at Indiana.
Meanwhile, Curt Cignetti seems to be defending his new transfer quarterback from TCU to the death.
Something has...
Episode 264: Ryan Day learns from the dinosaurs, Gus Malzahn to CFP Selection Committee, CFB HCs on spring break
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Adapt or die or something...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) learned about what all Ryan Day learned while watching a dinosaur documentary on Netflix.
He somehow applied it to football, and the guys were shocked!
From there, they discussed what exactly Gus Malzahn will bring to the table as the newest member of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee.
Naturally, it goes without saying...
<...Episode 263: Jeremiah Smith tampering allegations, Curt Cignetti is the new Portal King, Matt Rhule cost Cornhuskers dearly
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Be seen or heard or whatever...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) were reunited after a week or so apart.
The guys looked at the college football world through a very transactional lens, as well as through the lenses of some really cool liars of note.
Curt Cignetti has been noisy this offseason. So has Jeremiah Smith.
All the while, Will Wade is calling Baton Rouge...
Episode 262: Jon Sumrall hates spring break, Kalen DeBoer is doing A-Day again, Kirby Smart loves no spring transfer portal
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It is all happening!
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) flew solo like a cup with Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) making moves.
Buhler did not disappoint on this episode by touching on Jon Sumrall's harsh comments after spring break at Florida, Kalen DeBoer's decision to bring A-Day back to Tuscaloosa, and Kirby Smart's appreciation for not having a transfer portal.
After that, Buhler discussed the best CFB and CBB head-coaching pairs in the...
Episode 261: What Win Totals Mean for Alabama, Ohio State, USC, Georgia & More, Indiana Trolls Notre Dame
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College football win totals are out, but what do the numbers for Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Ohio State, USC, Indiana and more say about these teams entering the 2026 season? Cody Williams is flying solo and breaking that down. Plus, he looks at NIL and transfer portal effects on March Madness versus the CFP, Jedd Fisch keeping receipts on coaches who are tampering, Kyle Whittingham drama from his departure at Utah and move to Michigan, an ESPN analyst who has Ty Simpson as QB1 in the 2026 NFL...
Episode 260: Matt Leinart won't let you have his USC number, CFB HCs we think could be good CBB HCs
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Do not let them have it!
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) tried to keep this thing on the tracks in the lead-up to March Madness.
No, Matt Leinart will not let you have his USC jersey number!
No, the guys do not think Kirby Smart would be a good college basketball coach.
That being said, P.J. Fleck already looks good in a sweater vest...
Episode 259: College Football March Madness Bracket!, Guys Remembering Tournaments...
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It takes a total team effort to cut down the nets!
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) unleashed their one-of-a-kind College Football March Madness Bracket!
With their powers combined, the guys picked who is going to win March Madness this year, based solely on what they know about college football.
After that, the guys remembered some tournaments, talked some TV shows, and then got out of there with...
Episode 258: Spring Practice QB Battles!, Spring Transfer Portal Favorites!, Buhler and Cody Celebrate 311 Day, Bruh?!
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What is the color of your energy?
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) celebrated 311 Day together, forever.
While it was a most splendid time, they did take about an hour or so discussing college football topics on this most underrated holiday.
From spring quarterback battles, to notable transfers coming in, the guys did not disappoint.
If you ever wanted to know what color is a random...
Episode 257: Best P4 QBs Debate, Trinidad Chambliss’ Case, Arvell Reese’s Draft Stock, Jon Sumrall NEEDS Patience
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So how good is your favorite team's starting quarterback really?
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) flew solo like a cup with Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) frolicking somewhere in Colorado with the NC State podcast.
Buhler started the show off with a bang reacting to Bill Connelly's Power Four quarterback rankings for ESPN.
He then addressed the NCAA's beef with Trinidad Chambliss trying to playin for Ole Miss again, as well as Arvell...
Episode 256: Spring Practice Storylines, Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart to Retire, RIP Lou Holtz
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Spring is almost in the air!
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) went a full T-I-N, TEN?! on some of the best spring practice storylines to be had in college football.
They also touched on long-time Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart retiring at the end of the academic year.
The guys also paid their respects to the late, great Lou Holtz. RIP
And so it begins...
Episode 255: NFL Combine Fallout!, Best and Worst Head Coaches in the Big 12, Future P4 HCs in 2030?!
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See your future, be your future...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) touched on the NFL Combine in all its glory.
They discussed who shined in their glorified pajamas, as well as what dudes would look sweet with a Gennings Dunker mullet in the CFB world.
After that, the guys ranked the best and worst head coaches in the Big 12, all before seeing what The Atheltic's Ralph Russo...
Episode 254: Pre-NFL Combine Mock Draft!, Best and Worst ACC Coaches, Gunner Rivers Goes to College
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Now we start...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) took a good, hard look at the 2026 NFL Draft through the lens of Cody's latest mock for FanSided.com.
Buhler was not flying solo like a cup in this one, but rather flying blind in trying to understand who Cody had going where. It was a splendid time!
From there, the guys dissected the best and worst head coaches...
Episode 253: No more school for Joey Aguilar, Best and worst head coaches in the Big Ten, Way-too-early CFP field projections
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People who go to college for seven years are called doctors!
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) discussed the end of the Joey Aguilar era of college football.
While Trinidad Chambliss got a sixth year, season No. 8 was not in the cards for the former Tennessee, UCLA, and Appalachian State quarterback.
Buhler and Cody also touched on the best and worst coaches in the Big Ten during this...
Episode 252: IMG Academy in hot water!, Best and worst SEC head coaches, Who would make a great CFB commissioner?
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We are here and we are thriving!
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) and Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) were reunited and it felt so good.
It had been about two weeks now since they had seen each others' faces over Zoom, so you better believe False Start was more off the rails than usual.
The guys touched on the IMG Academy's rough financial ties to something nefarious, who could be a great CFB...
Episode 251: Trinidad Chambliss & Joey Aguilar's Eligibility, Should Alabama Cancel on Ohio State, All-American Lookahead
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Cody Williams is back and flying solo like a cup and talking about Trinidad Chambliss being named eligible for Ole Miss, Joey Aguilar trying to do the same for Tennessee, and what it means for both programs this season. We also look at Alabama potentially cancelling their series with Ohio State and what that would look like for Kalen DeBoer, look at Mark Schlabach's too-early All-American Team picks from Arch Manning to Malachi Toney, break down the Big Ten's proposed 24-team playoff, unpack the MAC adding...
Episode 250: Way-too-early Heisman Trophy ballots, 10 big offseason questions, North Dakota State to the Mountain West!
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One more for the road...
On today's episode of False Start, John Buhler (Lead Writer, FanSided) flew solo like a cup once again with Cody Williams (Content Director, FanSided.com) down for the count.
Buhler carried on anyway by sharing his way-too-early Heisman Trophy ballots, shared 10 burning CFB offseason questions he had to get off his chest, and so much more.
Also, North Dakota State is flying so high like a G6 by joining ... the G6!
False Start...
