Forklift Systems Football Saturday

104.5 The Zone
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Football
  • Updated Weekly

Not many analysts in the midsouth have as much football expertise as Doug Mathews brings to the microphone every Saturday morning. It’s Forklift System’s Football Saturday on 104-5 The Zone. Mathews, best known for his 10 seasons as Running Backs Coach and Defensive Coordinator for the University of Tennessee, tells it like it is and lets you take show where you want to go every weekend. Forklift Systems Football Saturday covers all the big games across the nation, including all the action within the Southeastern Conference. It’s the perfect preview before you catch your favorite team play Saturday afternoon. Featuring long-time college football writer Tony Barnhart and NFL analyst Charles Davis.

  1. 5d ago

    The 1962 Ghost: Charles Davis on Iowa’s Miracle Finish and Big Ten Shakeups

    Charles Davis and Coach break down a wild opening weekend of Big Ten conference play where home-field advantage was put to the ultimate test. The guys dive into the biggest shakeups across the country, including Wisconsin’s dramatic comeback against Penn State after trailing by double digits, and Minnesota taking down Washington. Charles also highlights UCLA's dominant 50-point starts under Bob Chesney and Oregon's convincing road win over USC. The spotlight then shifts to Iowa following their stunning last-second touchdown to beat Michigan—setting them up for a feat they haven't accomplished since 1962: beating both Michigan and Ohio State in the exact same season. With College GameDay returning to Iowa City for the first time in 20 years, Charles analyzes what Iowa must do defensively to pressure the quarterback and upset a powerhouse Buckeyes program that boasts an 88% win rate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. 5d ago

    Breaking Down the Drop Kick Controversy & Weekend Previe with Tony Barnhart

    Coach and Tony sets the stage for the crucial conference matchups that will define the remainder of the 2026 season. Following a wild Friday night that saw Pitt edge out Virginia Tech 35-33 and Northwestern dominate Penn State 34-13, the team previews a massive Saturday slate. Rules expert Tom Ritter joins the broadcast to clarify two major officiating controversies from the past week. The discussion covers the dead-ball foul and non-reviewable drop kick in the Tennessee game, as well as the Big Ten protocol breakdown that led to the Michigan clock mishap. Tony Barnhart also drops in to preview the biggest games on the schedule, while Dennis Dodd prepares to join the final segment to share his hidden gems and stats of the week. Segment & Topic Breakdown Friday Night Recaps: A look back at Pitt's dramatic final-kick victory over Virginia Tech and Northwestern's major 34-13 home win over Penn State. Rules & Officiating: Tom Ritter provides an inside look at the illegal onside drop kick attempt from the 35-yard line, explaining why replay officials could not intervene because the ball went above the uprights. Clock Management Errors: An analysis of the embedded clock protocol failure during the Michigan versus Western Michigan game. SEC Previews: Breaking down Alabama's trip to Starkville to face an emerging Mississippi State defense. Top 25 Matchups: Previewing Vanderbilt's challenging road test against the second-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Athens. Weekend Slate: Additional previews for Florida at Missouri, Notre Dame at North Carolina, Auburn at Tennessee, and Kentucky at South Carolina. College Football Landscape: A discussion on modern stadium trends, focusing on the shift toward reduced seating capacities and increased luxury boxes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. 5d ago

    Northwestern’s New Era, Big Ten Showdowns, and Big 12 Eligibility Dramas With Dennis Dodd

    Northwestern's impressive 34–13 victory over Penn State highlighted the program's resurgence, driven by head coach David Braun and a dominant rushing performance of over 400 yards. The conversation showcases Northwestern's new $875 million, 35,000-seat Ryan Field—designed by Kansas City-based HNTB—which features an intimate, European soccer-inspired standing section for 2,000 students. The discussion also explores how major metropolitan universities like Northwestern, SMU, Vanderbilt, and Miami leverage substantial local business wealth and prominent donors—such as billionaire Pat Ryan—to thrive in the modern Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape. Turning to upcoming matchups, the preview focuses on the high-stakes clash between Iowa and Ohio State, examining Iowa's signature defensive "rock fight" strategy aimed at containing explosive playmakers like receiver Jeremiah Smith. The segment touches on Iowa's offensive evolution under Kirk Ferentz following the departure of former offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz and the integration of transfer quarterback Hank Brown. Finally, the segment closes with news from the Big 12, where Texas Tech quarterback Thomas Castellanos was recently ruled ineligible after an appellate court overturned a ruling regarding fifth-year eligibility exceptions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. 5d ago

    Inside the Rulebook: SEC Rules Expert Tom Ritter Unpacks College Football's Wildest Officiating Calls

    Former SEC official and rules expert Tom Ritter joins the show to break down three complex officiating scenarios. First, Ritter explains why Tennessee’s drop-kick onside kick against Texas was illegal, noting that the kicker illegal relocated laterally after the play was blown ready and failed to kick directly from the 35-yard line. Second, he addresses clock management protocols in the Michigan game, clarifying that replay officials must rely on the broadcast's embedded stadium clock rather than external camera setups like Hawk-Eye. Finally, Ritter clarifies why Virginia Tech's missed field goal above the upright wasn't subject to replay review, noting that college rules dictate kicks over the height of the uprights are non-reviewable and strictly defer to the judgment of officials stationed below See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. 5d ago

    Forklift Systems Football Saturday 10-3-26

    In this episode, Coach explores the intricacies of college football officiating, recent game controversies, and the evolving landscape of college sports policies. Featuring expert insights from Tom Ritter and Tony Barnhart, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the rules and behind-the-scenes decisions that shape the game. In this episode, we explore the latest in college football, including team performances, coaching decisions, and the impact of NIL. Our experts analyze key matchups, emerging teams, and the evolving landscape of college sports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Sep 19

    Forklift Systems Football Saturday 9-19-26

    Coach dives into the complexities of college football, exploring recent games, coaching dynamics, conference realignments, and the impact of NIL contracts. Guest expert John Talty shares insights from his new book on Lane Kiffin and the chaos of college football. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Sep 19

    College Football Chaos: Charles Davis and "Coach" Break Down Top 25 Upsets and the Impending LSU–Ole Miss Showdown

    Coach and football analyst Charles Davis take a deep dive into an unpredictable weekend of college football that saw several perennial powerhouses stumble. The conversation centers on shocking setbacks for programs like Oregon and Ohio State, as well as a sluggish outing from Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer that allowed Michigan to claim a bounce-back signature victory. Amid the Big Ten shuffle, Davis highlights a rising Southern Cal squad adapting to Gary Patterson’s defense alongside key young offensive talent, while also praising standout Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor for turning heads in the SEC. The segment wraps with a high-stakes preview of the nation's spotlight matchup: LSU traveling to Oxford to take on Ole Miss. Analyzing the elite quarterback clash between Chambliss and Leavitt, Davis notes that Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding faces the critical task of keeping his players emotionally grounded amid intense crowd energy, historic rivalries, and the lingering sting of Lane Kiffin’s departure. Ultimately, both hosts agree that navigating the circus atmosphere will prove decisive as two SEC titans battle for national playoff positioning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Sep 19

    Tony Barnhart and Coach Breakdown SEC Matchups, Arch Manning's Rise, and College Football Playoff Expansion

    Coach welcomed college football analyst Tony Barnhart to break down the latest action and upcoming key matchups across the SEC and ACC. The discussion opened with reflections on last week’s pivotal games, highlighted by Texas’s massive comeback and Arch Manning finding his comfort zone after a rough first half. The two previewed a slate packed with intrigue, including Arkansas facing Georgia with an early kickoff, Vanderbilt hosting NC State behind new starter Jared Curtis, and Kentucky testing Texas A&M. They also zeroed in on high-stakes contests such as Florida renewing its historic rivalry against Auburn and ACC battles like SMU at Louisville and North Carolina visiting Clemson. Beyond individual games, the conversation pivoted to the broader landscape reshaping the sport, touchpoints on player compensation, and postseason implications. Barnhart and Doug examined the ongoing debate over College Football Playoff committee selection, debating whether strength of schedule could lead to a three-loss SEC team earning a bid over two-loss programs from other leagues. They also addressed the realities of modern transfer contracts, pointing to Darian Mensah's lucrative move to Miami, while exploring the inevitable future of a 24-team playoff field and what expanding the postseason would mean for traditional conference championship games. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Not many analysts in the midsouth have as much football expertise as Doug Mathews brings to the microphone every Saturday morning. It’s Forklift System’s Football Saturday on 104-5 The Zone. Mathews, best known for his 10 seasons as Running Backs Coach and Defensive Coordinator for the University of Tennessee, tells it like it is and lets you take show where you want to go every weekend. Forklift Systems Football Saturday covers all the big games across the nation, including all the action within the Southeastern Conference. It’s the perfect preview before you catch your favorite team play Saturday afternoon. Featuring long-time college football writer Tony Barnhart and NFL analyst Charles Davis.

Information

  • Creator
    104.5 The Zone
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 104.5 The Zone

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