Zone Podcasts

104-5 The Zone | Cumulus Media Nashville

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  1. 1d ago

    Dennis Dodd Breaks Down the 14-Team Playoff Expansion, SEC Dominance, and Mid-Season Surprises

    Dennis Dodd joins the show to discuss the recently approved 14-team college football playoff model that will take effect in 2027, which was heavily driven by the SEC and Big Ten's push for expanded access. Dodd highlights several surprising mid-season storylines, noting that two of the week's most significant games are taking place in Bloomington, where undefeated Indiana hosts Ohio State, and in Provo, where BYU is calling its matchup against Notre Dame the biggest home game in school history. The conversation also covers the incredible performance of Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, whom Dodd describes as an adult playing with children while on a trajectory to shatter Big Ten receiving records. The segment also explores the season's unexpected disappointments, including Missouri's failure to meet its high preseason playoff expectations and the unfortunate absence of Amad Hardy, who has not played since being shot in the leg in May. Analyzing the conference landscapes, Dodd points to the continued dominance of the SEC, emphasizing that Georgia and Alabama currently look like the clear top two teams in the conference despite deep overall rosters across the league. The discussion wraps up by highlighting the intense competitiveness within the SEC, referencing Tennessee's recent dramatic victory over Texas and previewing their highly anticipated, high-stakes matchup against Alabama. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. 1d ago

    College Football Playoff Expansion and Weekend Rivalry Previews With Tony Barnhart

    Coach and Tony talks about the  handshake agreement to expand the College Football Playoff to a 24-team field starting in the 2027 season. The newly proposed tournament structure will feature 19 at-large teams, four conference champions, and one Group of Six representative, a move driven primarily by coaches lobbying for greater playoff access rather than financial gain. Off the field, the panel noted James Madison University's impending conference move from the Sun Belt to the American Athletic Conference. The hosts also observed a growing philosophical shift across the sport, with more college coaches actively emphasizing the strategic necessity of establishing the run game to win. Turning to the weekend schedule, the hosts previewed several marquee matchups, highlighted by the Deep South's oldest continuous rivalry between Auburn and Georgia, which dates back to an 1892 meeting in Atlanta. Another historic clash features No. 7 Alabama visiting No. 14 Tennessee, marking the first time since 1970 that Tennessee will be wearing orange while Alabama takes the field in crimson. Additional game breakdowns included Indiana hosting Ohio State in what was billed as the biggest home game in Indiana football history, Notre Dame traveling to play BYU, and Texas attempting to rebound from a loss against Oklahoma as they face Florida. The segment wrapped up with praise for Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz, who is successfully managing his team despite relying heavily on second-string offensive players. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. 1d ago

    AP Poll Anomalies, SEC Uniform Traditions, and Coaching Critiques in College Football

    Coach Dennis And Tony  opens the segment by sharing notable statistics, highlighting that traditional basketball powerhouses UCLA, Kentucky, and Indiana are simultaneously ranked in the AP top 25 for the first time since October 23, 1950. The discussion then turned to Nebraska's ongoing struggles, specifically their 31-game losing streak against ranked opponents. The panel also evaluated the College Football Playoff landscape, noting that a mid-season poll would place three Big 12 teams in the bracket compared to only two from the Big Ten. Highlighting under-the-radar storylines, the group pointed out that six Big 12 programs currently hold winning streaks of at least four games, and praised Missouri's standout performances from Jamal Roberts and Austin Simmons. The hosts also commended Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey for his strong completion percentage and early-season impact. Transitioning to "hidden gems," the panel celebrated the return of a classic visual for the Tennessee-Alabama rivalry, noting that for the first time since a 1970 Southeastern Conference uniform rule, both teams will wear their traditional dark jerseys at the same time. The panel also lauded Houston head coach Willie Fritz for quietly amassing 220 career victories across multiple collegiate divisions, and acknowledged Bob Chesney for becoming the first Bruins coach in UCLA's 107-year football history to start his career 5-0 in Westwood. The broadcast concluded with sharp criticism of Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko for publicly alienating his fan base and the influential local media outlet TexAgs.com. The panel stressed that a coach must "read the room" before speaking out, especially given the significant sway that passionate fan bases and media platforms hold over coaching tenures. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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4.7
out of 5
7 Ratings

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Full Shows And Interviews From Nashville's #1 Sports Station

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