The Audible with Stew, Bruce & Ralph: A show about college football

The Athletic
The Athletic
  • 4.4 (1.2K)
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Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel and Ralph Russo discuss the latest in college football, interview the biggest names in the sport and give insight into the most relevant topics dominating the discussion. From National Signing Day to the National Championship, Bruce, Stew and Ralph have you covered year-round. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 59m ago

    Should Georgia’s Kirby Smart worry about Florida with Jon Sumrall

    In this episode, Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo dive deep into the latest college football headlines, rank the nation's quarterbacks, and answer your burning questions in the mailbag. First, we react to Florida head coach Jon Sumrall embracing the grueling 9-game SEC schedule and his thoughts on the rivalry with Georgia. Then, things get spicy in Lexington as Kentucky offensive coordinator Will Stein drops a bold, Curt Cignetti-style claim about why the Wildcats will win. Next, we break down The Athletic’s 2026 college football quarterback tiers, ranking every projected starter from 1 to 138. The guys reveal their picks for: Which tier-2 (or lower) QBs will jump into Tier 1 (LaNorris Sellers, Marcel Reed, Jaden Craig)Which big-name signal-callers they are highly skeptical of (Josh Hoover, Julian Sayin, Noah Fifita)Their favorite under-the-radar tier 4-7 sleepers to ride with this season (Tyler Hughes, Alberto Mendoza, Lincoln Kienholz) Finally, we open up the mailbag to tackle your questions: Is Indiana's Curt Cignetti destined to regress like Chip Kelly now that the rest of college football has copied his transfer portal blueprint?How would the summer hype surrounding Miami be different if Notre Dame had made the College Football Playoff over them last winter?•Why has the recruitment of elite Junior College (JUCO) players dropped off so drastically over the last 15 years compared to the 1990s? 0:00 - Intro 0:48 - Will Jon Sumrall help reignite the Florida-Georgia rivalry? 11:15 - Has Kentucky found their Curt Cignetti in Will Stein? 16:43 - Start of the QB tier discussion 17:50 - Which QB not in tier 1 will finish the season in tier 1? 22:50 - Which QB are you skeptical of? 31:03 - Pick a QB ranked in tiers 4-7 to ride with this season. 40:19 - Mailbag questions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. 2d ago

    Will The SEC Actually Leave The NCAA?

    Would the SEC do the unthinkable and leave college football? Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo discuss SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey’s press conference. The Southeastern Conference head spoke today at the annual media day. The Audible team reacts to his latest comments. Plus, it’s the end of an era for the Michigan Wolverines. Athletic Director Warde Manuel will be stepping down at the end of the calendar year. His tenure is marked by controversy and championships. The guys ask Michigan fans if it was all worth it. Drop a comment below and let us know if you think it was or wasn’t. Is Indiana the new wide receiver U? Curt Cignetti landed a 5-star recruit. Monshun Sales has committed to the Hoosiers. Does the Big Ten recruiting trail now run through Bloomington, Indiana?  Finally, the guys discuss the ACC Media Days. Ralph was onsite for the availability and reacts to several interesting storylines. First, Dabo Swinney was fired up about his legacy and the state of the Clemson Tigers football program. Plus, what happened between Pitt HC Pat Narduzzi and Miami? And, are there ACC schools we should view differently? 📺 Watch us on YouTube: @AudibleShow 🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode! #CollegeFootball #Michigan #SEC  0:00 - Intro 0:57 - Warde Manuel to leave Michigan 11:05 - Would the SEC actually break away from College Football? 17:00 - What should we make of Mizzou’s Eliah Drinkwitz’s comments? 22:47 - Is Indiana the new wide receiver U? 30:35 - Why did Dabo Swinney fired up at ACC Media Day? 38:10 - What happened between Pitt HC Pat Narduzzi and Miami? 43:15 - Are there ACC schools we should view differently? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Jul 16

    Was Brian Kelly's Notre Dame exit mischaracterized?

    Brian Kelly is back in the college football conversation, and Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman break down his recent revealing interview. Kelly addressed his Notre Dame exit, his relationship with Notre Dame fans, and whether his coaching future could eventually lead him back to the ACC or another major college football job. The Michigan investigation remains one of the biggest stories in college athletics, and Bruce shares the latest reporting after new details emerged surrounding the Wolverines football program. Stewart and Bruce discuss what the leaks suggest about the athletic department, why the report may not be released publicly, and what it could mean for Manuel’s future in Ann Arbor. Then, it’s time for an ACC preview coming out of ACC Media Days. Is Miami the clear favorite to win the conference after adding major transfer portal pieces and continuing to recruit at an elite level under Mario Cristobal? The guys discuss why the Hurricanes may be the strongest Power Four conference favorite entering the season and whether the ACC needs Miami to become a true national contender. Bruce also makes the case for NC State as a possible ACC sleeper, while Stewart questions whether the program can finally break through against the league’s best teams. Plus, the mailbag covers whether NIL would have changed previous eras of college football, what happened to Dabo Swinney and Clemson, why Cody Campbell has become such a polarizing figure at Texas Tech, and how the modern college football GM role is evolving in the age of NIL, revenue sharing and the transfer portal. Like and Subscribe for the best conversations about College Football and send your mailbag questions to theaudiblepod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Jul 14

    Is Arch Manning the real deal — or are we overhyping the name?

    It's time for the biggest storylines entering the 2026 season. Can Curt Cignetti keep Indiana among the College Football Playoff contenders? How will the SEC's new nine-game conference schedule impact the playoff race? Will Lane Kiffin deliver immediately at LSU? Is Arch Manning ready to lead Texas into national championship contention? Stewart Mandel, Bruce Feldman and Ralph Russo debate the programs, coaches and quarterbacks that will define the 2026 college football season. The Michigan investigation appears to be reaching its conclusion, and The Audible crew breaks down what could be one of the biggest administrative stories in recent college football history. With reports that Michigan commissioned an extensive outside investigation into the culture of its athletic department, the crew discusses what it could mean for athletic director Ward Manuel, the fallout surrounding Sherrone Moore, and why this report could reshape the future of one of college football's premier programs. Next, the conversation turns toward the field as The Audible begins its official preview of the 2026 college football season. Bruce shares his biggest takeaways from Big 12 Media Days, including a healthier Deion Sanders, Colorado's revamped roster, Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway's development, and what to expect from one of the most intriguing conferences in the country this fall. The crew also gets into a spirited Arch Manning debate as Texas enters the season with massive expectations. Bruce and Ralph are buying the leap, pointing to Arch's late-season growth, improved playmaking and a loaded Longhorns roster that should have Texas thinking national championship. Stewart pushes back, questioning whether the Manning name is still inflating the hype and arguing that Arch can be a very good quarterback without needing to be treated like the next superstar before he has fully proven it. Finally, Stewart, Bruce and Ralph examine the coaches facing the most pressure this year. From Bill Belichick's uncertain future at North Carolina to Mike Norvell's mounting expectations at Florida State, Luke Fickell at Wisconsin and several other hot-seat candidates, the guys discuss which programs are approaching pivotal moments and which coaches could be coaching for their jobs this fall. Whether you're following Michigan football, Texas, LSU, Colorado, Indiana, the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC or the College Football Playoff race, this episode delivers in-depth reporting, insider analysis and informed discussion to get you ready for the 2026 college football season. Will Arch Manning live up to the hype in 2026? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Plus don't forget to send in your mailbag questions to theaudiblepod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Jul 9

    Can Deion Sanders build Colorado into a sustainable program?

    Welcome to The Audible presented by Trader Joe’s!  In this action-packed episode, Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo break down the biggest storylines in the college football world. We kick things off with a wild recap of Big 12 Media Day, highlighting Deion Sanders’ incredibly unusual and tense media session that has everyone talking. From there, we dive straight into the unfolding Brendan Sorsby saga. We break down David Ubben’s latest article and analyze the explosive accusations made by Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield, who claims Texas Tech illegally recruited and tampered with Sorsby during the 2025 season. What does this mean for the future of roster retention and the wild west of the transfer portal? Plus, Bruce sits down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with Mike Golic Jr. They discuss Golic Jr.’s massive upcoming move back to ESPN, what his new role will look like, and his expert insights on the rapidly evolving state of the Big 12 conference.  Finally, we crack open the mailbag to answer your burning questions about 90s postseason nostalgia, potential World Cup-style electronic tracking technology in footballs, and whether middle-tier programs like the Minnesota Gophers should aggressively "swing for the fences" in the modern NIL era or play it safe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Jul 7

    How competitive is the Big 12 five years after losing Texas and Oklahoma?

    In this packed episode, Bruce and Ralph sit down with The Athletic’s David Ubben to unpack his mind-blowing feature story on Ron Weaver (aka Ron McKelvey). In 1995, a 30-year-old former community college coach stole a social security number, completely recreated his identity, and lined up as a defensive back for the Texas Longhorns—nearly getting away with it all until a sudden unraveling 12 hours before the Sugar Bowl. We dive into the psychology, the close calls, and how a grown man managed to hide in plain sight from coaching legends and future NFL draft picks. But that’s not all. We are also tackling the massive officiating philosophical divide triggered by the recent Folarin Balogun incident: is it better to preserve the integrity of the game by fixing an official's error, or do we destroy sports by ignoring consistent protocol? Stew, Bruce and Ralph discuss how this topic relates to today’s college football environment. Finally, we hit the gridiron to check the pulse of the Big 12. Five years after the seismic departures of Texas and Oklahoma, we evaluate the financial and competitive health of the conference. Can Texas Tech pull off a historic back-to-back championship run, or is another dark horse ready to claim the crown? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Jul 2

    Realignment Day! Examining the new-look Pac12 and Mountain West conferences

    It’s conference realignment day on The Audible. Stewart Mandel and Ralph Russo are back to break down a massive day of shifts and hiring across the college football landscape! First up, it’s officially Conference Realignment Day! The guys dive into the brand-new look of the Mountain West and welcome the Pac-12 back to the table. What do these changes mean for the future of the sport? Then, a major administrative shift in Madison: Wisconsin has officially hired Shawn Eichorst as their next Athletic Director. Stewart and Ralph discuss what this homecoming hire means for the future of the Badgers' football program and head coach Luke Fickell. Plus, special guest Lucy Rohden joins the show! The college football content creator talks about her rise on The Dan Le Batard Show, her deep-rooted love for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and what is next as she ventures out on her own as a solo creator. We wrap up the show by opening up the listener mailbag to answer your burning college football questions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Jun 30

    Why Brendan Sorsby's Comeback Fell Apart

    Texas Tech's wild offseason isn't over, the College Football Playoff could be expanding again, and the NCAA's latest eligibility overhaul is already facing legal challenges. Ralph Russo and Stew Mandel revisit the biggest Brendan Sorsby developments, debate whether ties should return to college football, discuss The Athletic's 1990s series, and break down why the College Sports Commission's NIL enforcement may already be changing. Stew returns from Europe just in time to weigh in on the Brendan Sorsby saga, questioning whether the former Texas Tech quarterback received the right legal advice after his NCAA suspension ultimately shut the door on both the NFL Supplemental Draft and the CFL. Ralph and Stew also examine the NCAA's newly approved age-based eligibility model, why traditional redshirts are disappearing, and why another lawsuit is already challenging the system. The conversation shifts to The Athletic's College Football in the 1990s series, with a nostalgic look at the era's broadcasts, legendary teams, split national championships, and the evolution of the sport. Ralph and Stew also engage in one of the show's most entertaining debates yet: should ties return to college football? Ralph argues they create meaningful competitive outcomes, while Stew believes they'd create complete Playoff chaos. Finally, Ralph and Stew dive into the latest College Football Playoff expansion discussions, including scheduling challenges surrounding a potential 16-team field, Army-Navy weekend, championship timing, and the growing logistical battle between college football and the NFL calendar. They close by examining the latest changes to NIL Go, the College Sports Commission, revenue-sharing limits, and why both the SEC and Big Ten are already pushing to reshape college athletics' new financial model. If you love College Football Playoff news, NCAA governance, transfer portal coverage, conference realignment, recruiting, NIL, and the biggest offseason storylines shaping the 2026 season, be sure to subscribe, like the video, and leave your thoughts in the comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel and Ralph Russo discuss the latest in college football, interview the biggest names in the sport and give insight into the most relevant topics dominating the discussion. From National Signing Day to the National Championship, Bruce, Stew and Ralph have you covered year-round. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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