AP Top 25 College Football Podcast The Associated Press

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