
414 episodes

AP Top 25 College Football Podcast The Associated Press
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- Sports
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4.6 • 226 Ratings
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With the help of players, coaches, TV analysts, school administrators and NCAA officials, AP College Football Writer Ralph Russo tackles on-and off-field issues affecting the sport throughout the year. The show gives everyone from the casual fan to the obsessed alum, an insider look into the AP Poll and all that is trending on campuses around the country. Be ready for the big game, signing day or spring practice with this weekly chat about college football.
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Ohio State’s toughness dilemma
Ohio State’s toughness dilemma
Ohio State coach Ryan Day went off after the Buckeyes beat Notre Dame last week, targeting Lou Holtz, but, really, he was going after the notion that his team lacks toughness. That is not a new thing for Day and Ohio State. Doug Lesmerises of THE Podcast joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk about the Buckeyes’ toughness dilemma.
Also, is the top tier of college football growing this season? How many teams are capable of winning a playoff game? Plus, Doug thinks the SEC is mid.
Ralph’s AP Top 25 column: https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-25-georgia-ohio-state-a731f8008e63205b18bd05e771c82bc9
THE Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-ohio-state-football-news/id1636577652 -
Previewing a monster weekend, by the numbers
Previewing a monster weekend, by the numbers
Week 4 of the college football promises to be the best one yet. There are six games matching ranked teams, plus several other fascinating matchups. To preview the biggest games, college football stats analyst Parker Fleming joins AP’s Ralph Russo. What can we expect out of No. 13 Alabama against No. 15 Ole Miss now that Nick Saban has committed to Jalen Milroe at quarterback? Is the bill about to come due for No. 19 Colorado as Coach Prime’s team heads to No. 10 Oregon? How will Sam Hartman and No. 9 Notre Dame’s improved passing game matchup against an Ohio State defense that is showing signs of truly understanding coordinator Jim Knowles’ defense?
Email the show: APTop25mailbag@gmail.com -
College football dynasties
College football dynasties
Clemson and Alabama have both already lost, which prompts the question: How do college football dynasties rise and fall? Paul Myerberg of USA Today joins AP’s Ralph Russo for a college football history lesson, searching for comparable runs to Clemson’s under Dabo Swinney and putting Alabama’s dynasty under Saban into historical context.
Email the show: APTop25mailbag@gmail.com -
Clemson’s fall; CU’s ceiling
Clemson’s fall; CU’s ceiling
Two stunning upsets defined Week 1 of the college football. Colorado beating TCU and Clemson falling to Duke. David Ubben of The Athletic joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk about what’s happened to Dabo Swinney’s program at Clemson and how the rest of the season might play out for Deion Sanders and Colorado. Plus, a Texas-Alabama preview.
Email the show: APTop25mailbag@gmail.com -
Coaching carousel preview
Coaching carousel preview
With the season on the verge of full-blown kickoff, it’s time to check in on which coaches need to have success to keep their jobs. Adam Rittenberg from ESPN joins Ralph Russo from AP to talk about the coaching carousel, which these days starts spinning earlier than ever. The clearest hots spots are in West Virginia and Indiana. In recent years, there have been mid-season coaching changes that nobody saw coming. Adam and Ralph dig around to find the not-so-obvious spots that could get volatile. Plus, Chris Huston, host of the Official Heisman Trophy Podcast, joins the show to talk about Caleb Williams’ chances of a repeat and what makes a Heisman contender.
Adam’s story on Jim Harbaugh: https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38241303/michigan-college-football-force-again-distractions
Ralph’s coach watch: https://apnews.com/article/hot-seat-coaches-neal-brown-tom-allen-hafley-babers-drinkwitz-26411561308210a526fba184372b2e93
Email the show: APTop25mailbag@gmail.com -
G5 and Notre Dame previews
G5 and Notre Dame previews
Who will emerge as the top teams in the new-look American Athletic Conference? Is it time for SMU and Memphis to takeover? Boise State might have a difference-maker at quarterback in the Mountain West and the Sun Belt could be the most balanced of the Group of Five conferences. Chris Vannini of The Athletic joins Ralph Russo to preview the non-Power Five conferences. Then Pete Sampson of The Athletic and The Independent podcast previews Marcus Freeman’s second season as Notre Dame’s coach. What’s the ceiling for Sam Hartman and the Fighting Irish?
Email the show: APTop25mailbag@gmail.com
Customer Reviews
Great podcast
This is the best college football podcast available. It’s insightful and entertaining, without being sophomoric. I feel like I learn something every time I listen.
Unbiased without the screaming
This is one of the best CFB podcasts out there. I listen to it often. Non-biased and always informative and entertaining.
Great CFB pod
If shock value and hot takes are your thing, do not listen. If you enjoy college football and knowledgeable guests, download and enjoy.