Podcasts about Clemson

Alex and Richard conduct the second annual Coach Firing/Retirement/Departure Confidence Draft, assigning point values to 27 FBS coaches based on how likely they are to leave their jobs after the 2026 season, either because they got fired or retired. (Poachings are not included.) Last year, Alex scored a narrow victory thanks to his bold and successful pick of Kyle Whittingham to be out at Utah after the season. Can Richard fight back?The board runs in order of tenure, from Kirk Ferentz's 28th year at Iowa to Bill Belichick's second at North Carolina, and produces wide gaps on Joe Moorhead, Mike Norvell, Luke Fickell, and the exact meaning of a Lincoln Riley departure. In this episode, we cover these coaches in order:• 5:23: Kirk Ferentz at Iowa• 6:21: Troy Calhoun at Air Force• 7:54: Dabo Swinney at Clemson• 9:39: Dave Doeren at NC State• 11:01: Pat Narduzzi at Pitt• 12:15: Mike Locksley at Maryland• 14:27: Mike Norvell at Florida State• 15:32: Ricky Rahne at Old Dominion• 16:11: Shane Beamer at South Carolina• 18:12: Steve Sarkisian at Texas• 20:34: Sonny Cumbie at Louisiana Tech• 21:50: Joe Moorhead at Akron• 23:49: Timmy Chang at Hawaii• 24:39: Tony Elliott at Virginia• 27:01: Lincoln Riley at USC• 29:04: Sonny Dykes at TCU• 30:35: Brent Venables at Oklahoma• 31:53: Deion Sanders at Colorado• 33:43: Luke Fickell at Wisconsin• 34:40: Jamey Chadwell at Liberty• 35:35: Matt Rhule at Nebraska• 37:05: Bill O'Brien at Boston College• 38:41: Kalen DeBoer at Alabama• 40:14: Scotty Walden at UTEP• 40:50: Derek Mason at Middle Tennessee• 40:53: Dell McGee at Georgia State• 42:00: Bill Belichick at North CarolinaNote: We unintentionally omitted Baylor's Dave Aranda from this draft. We will come back to him in the Big 12 preview later this summer.Producer: Anthony Vito This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Could the SEC actually break away from the NCAA? On this episode of Last Call, Mick Gillispie and former Alabama national championship quarterback Jake Coker react to Greg Sankey's eye-opening comments from SEC Media Days and discuss why college football's lack of leadership, inconsistent NIL rules and massive financial disparities could eventually lead to a new super-league. The guys examine how a potential SEC and Big Ten breakaway could reshape college football, whether programs like Clemson and Florida State could eventually join the SEC, and why the current system cannot regulate Alabama, Texas, Ohio State and Michigan the same way it regulates smaller athletic departments. Jake also revisits the legendary feud between Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher, revealing how personally Fisher took Saban's comments about Texas A&M recruiting. With NIL spending now becoming the standard across college football, does Jimbo's furious response look even worse in hindsight? The conversation then turns to the culture Nick Saban built at Alabama. Jake shares inside stories about the player-led leadership of Jarran Reed, Jonathan Allen, A'Shawn Robinson, Ryan Anderson and other Crimson Tide stars—including how Scott Cochran reportedly broke a second-place trophy to reinforce Alabama's championship-or-bust mentality. Can that type of culture still exist in the transfer portal and NIL era? Plus, Alabama was picked to finish a stunning seventh in the SEC preseason poll. Are Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide being overlooked? Jake breaks down Ryan Grubb's quarterback development, Alabama's loaded QB room, Kane Wommack's defense, concerns about the offensive line and running game, and why the Tide could once again use preseason disrespect as motivation. And, of course, Jake and Mick debate what truly qualifies someone as a “redneck,” complete with stories about Jimbo Fisher, hunting, giant bucks and turkey heads.

Join us for Relaunch Week! Welcome to our first conference preview of the 2026 season, where Alex and Richard discuss the ACC's 17 teams. This episode has a rose (a good thing), a bud (a point of intrigue), and a thorn (a worry) for every team in the league. Each school is covered, and then we pick some preseason awards:- 4:28: Virginia- 10:51: Duke- 16:13: SMU- 21:49: Miami- 29:28: Pitt- 34:43: Georgia Tech- 43:28: NC State- 49:05: Cal- 52:53: Clemson- 58:48: Louisville- 1:02:47: Wake Forest- 1:08:23: Stanford- 1:11:38: Florida State- 1:17:33: North Carolina- 1:23:52: Virginia Tech- 1:28:34: Boston College- 1:32:08: SyracuseProducer: Anthony Vito. Thanks to Homefield and Nokian Tyres. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Former Clemson Captain and current Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Barrett Carter returns to Clemson with arms wide open for another episode of Two Right Turns. He joins host Alex Bina to reflect on his transition to the NFL, the lessons he learned during his rookie season, and the leadership responsibilities that come with his position. Barrett shares what lessons he took from his time at Clemson, the importance of preparation and recovery, and what it's like competing alongside fellow NFL Tigers in Cincinnati. Plus, he looks ahead to his second year in th NFL, reveals his all-time Clemson front seven, and explains why Creed has become the unofficial soundtrack of his Clemson experience. Watch the Full Episode on www.ClemsonPlus.com

In this college football podcast episode, we finish our three-part preview of the ACC by turning our attention to the defending conference champions and several of the league’s most difficult teams to project. Can Duke keep finding ways to win after another major quarterback change? Does Clemson have a real plan for getting back into the College Football Playoff conversation? And can Louisville once again rebuild its offense around a new transfer quarterback without losing ground near the top of the conference? We also dig into James Franklin’s full-scale reboot at Virginia Tech, Ty’s increasingly dangerous belief in NC State, and a pivotal season for Brent Key at Georgia Tech. With new quarterbacks, rebuilt offensive lines, coordinator changes and transfer portal additions everywhere, how much confidence should we place in recognizable coaches and favorable schedules? Plus, we examine why Cal could become one of the most entertaining teams in college football, whether Syracuse can recover with Steve Angeli back under center, and what Bill O’Brien can realistically build at Boston College. Elsewhere, Dan experiments with performance-enhancing inhalers, Ty launches Bros for Brohm, the Calgorithm gains strength, and we issue another annual warning about hiring Ted Roof. Timecodes:0:00 - Intro4:01 - Duke Blue Devils Preview14:26 - Clemson Tigers Preview25:00 - NC State Wolfpack Preview32:29 - Louisville Cardinals Preview40:22 - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Preview50:36 - Virginia Tech Hokies Preview1:06:02 - Cal Golden Bears Preview1:12:53 - Syracuse Orange Preview1:18:03 - Boston College Eagles Preview1:22:33 - Parting ShotsSupport the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are live from ACC Kickoff in Charlotte, getting you ready for the 2026 ACC Football season! Day 2 was jam-packed with interviews. We sat down with Sammy Brown and Will Heldt from Clemson, Clev Lubin and Lincoln Kienholz from Louisville, Justice Haynes from Georgia Tech and new Syracuse AD Bryan Blair. Presented by Ingles Markets. Sponsored by Rhoback, use code GM2026 for 20% off. Produced by Richmond Weaver

"McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning" airs 7am-10am weekdays on WJOX-94.5!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday's 7am hour of Mac & Cube kicked off with a look back at the second day of ACC Media Days and the wild things Dabo Swinney & James Franklin had to say; then, since we know who won the offseason, which teams have lost the offseason; and finally, David Hale, from ESPN, tells us what everyone has learned about the ACC during Media Days, if Clemson has what it takes to be back, and what we should be thinking of Louisville. "McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning" airs 7am-10am weekdays on WJOX-94.5!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hollywood joins Joe Rose and the crew to break down the biggest headlines from around the sports world, including why the LeBron James decision feels like a return to the NBA drama of 2010. The guys discuss Dabo Swinney becoming more open to the transfer portal and the changing landscape of college football, while also looking ahead to the ACC season. Hollywood breaks down Miami's biggest challengers in the conference, including Clemson, SMU, and Louisville, discusses the possibility of the College Football Playoff expanding to 24 teams, and explains why the Bill Belichick-UNC storyline has lost much of its buzz heading into the season.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney joins from ACC Media Days to discuss the Tigers' outlook heading into the new season and what it will take to compete for another ACC championship. Swinney shares his thoughts on Clemson's recruiting philosophy and use of the transfer portal, weighs in on the possibility of the College Football Playoff expanding, and discusses what a larger playoff field could mean. He also emphasizes that Clemson's primary focus remains winning the ACC before worrying about anything beyond the conference.

Nick Wilson and Jonathan Peterlin explore branding LeBron James' upcoming career moves as "The Indecision" and interact with listeners regarding social media gags. They then transition into Friday's edition of Quick Hits, highlighting Dabo Swinney's recent comments on Clemson's performance and his traditionalist approach to the transfer portal. Finally, they debate an ESPN report about Patrick Mahomes' hypothetical trade value and how his longevity compares to other elite quarterbacks. 01:00 - LeBron's Indecision Era 02:34 - Twitter And Audience Interaction 03:46 - Dabo Swinney Quick Hits 08:57 - Mahomes Trade Value Debate

The first hour of "Afternoon Drive on The Fan" for Friday, July 17, 2026.

This hour featured conversation about Clemson's fork in the road, the most hated former Vols, and more...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 2nd hour of today's show, Dukes and Bell analyze Dabo Swinney's defiant comments regarding his legacy at Clemson and the team's recent struggles. They review the leaderboard at the Open Championship and express frustration over the Atlanta Hawks' disappointing performance in the NBA Summer League. 02:11 - Lawn and Stadium Turf 07:24 - Dabo Swinney Legacy 12:24 - Brent Pry Program Standards 17:28 - Open Championship Updates 21:14 - NFL News Roundup 30:46 - Hawks Summer League Recap 36:24 - Hawks Win Total Projections 39:11 - LeBron James Career Moves

In the second hour, Mac & Fitty debate about what the expectations should be for the Clemson Tigers & Dabo's uncertain future with the program, they complete the fan survey that Joe Person put together for the Panthers fan base, before a Fun With Audio segment, featuring the best jokes from the ESPY's See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The guys are joined by ACC Network's Tom Luginbill, who gives his outlook for the ACC this season, he tells you why he's hesitant to buy into NC State, what he makes of Clemson's chances to return to former glory, if UNC will take a step in Year 2 under Bill Belichick, & more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the final hour, the guys are joined by Chapel Fowler from The State, who talks about Clemson's 2026 football outlook, Mac & Fitty go over the local schedules for every college football team, to see how they compare or contrast, they preview the weekend in sports, they read funny texts, & more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Brown joins the show! Will the Pirates play tonight? The smoke in the air in Cleveland is casting doubt over whether tonight's game will be played. Do the Pirates need another starter? Greg says every team could use another arm and the Pirates would be one of those teams open to it. He says the Keller mystery is still one that needs to be solved. The Pitt upset of Clemson is making its rounds on Twitter. Dorin discusses the game and the speech he gave before it. What would have happened if the NCAA had a playoff format in the latter part of the 2000s. Brownie compared Esmerlyn Valdez to Aramis Ramirez. The guys would absolutely take Ramirez's career for Valdez. Fan Cash Contest, Ron in the car says that Mitch Keller will have a rebound second half of the season and be the Pirates' best pitcher. Crowley is trying to quit nicotine and is chewing gum, which Dorin can hear. The current air quality in Cleveland is not looking good. Will we see the Pirates play the Guardians tonight or does Canada have other ideas? Breaking News: The Pidgeon Lady from Home Alone 2 passes away.

The Pitt upset of Clemson is making its rounds on Twitter. Dorin discusses the game and the speech he gave before it. What would have happened if the NCAA had a playoff format in the latter part of the 2000s. Brownie compared Esmerlyn Valdez to Aramis Ramirez. The guys would absolutely take Ramirez's career for Valdez.

This hour featured conversation about Clemson's fork in the road, the most hated former Vols, and more...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour featured conversation about Clemson's fork in the road, the most hated former Vols, and more...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eric Mac Lain, ACC Network College Football Analyst & former Clemson OL, joined John Michaels at 2026 ACC Kickoff in Charlotte and talked can Clemson bounce back, Georgia Tech 2026 outlook, James Franklin & moreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Finbaum's scorching comments on Dabo Sweeny & Clemson - July 17th, 10:25amAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Get Up resumes with another instant classic for Argentina and Lionel Messi! Two goals after the 85th minute knocked England out. Football is officially NOT coming home, again, for the 60th year! Meanwhile - does John Harbaugh need instant success to be considered a successful hire? Then - after falling out of the limelight for the past couple of seasons, Dabo and Clemson are back in the mix! They enter the season ranked 4th in the preseason AP poll. Let's define success for the Tigers. An ACC title? CFP birth? Multiple CFP wins? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning" airs 7am-10am weekdays on WJOX-94.5!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday's 7am hour of Mac & Cube began with a look back at the first day of ACC Media Days and how we feel about Miami, FSU, and NC State; then, Roddy Jones, from ESPN, tells us why the ACC is somewhat wide open, what questions there are for NC State & Clemson, and who should be viewed as 2nd in the conference; later, Cole says why he's in for "I Play Rocky"; and finally, Damian gets educated on the insane popularity of Michael Jackson back in the day. "McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning" airs 7am-10am weekdays on WJOX-94.5!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 3rd hour of today's show, Mike Griffith joins the program from ACC Media Days to discuss the rising confidence of Brent Key at Georgia Tech and the concerns surrounding Dabo Swinney's lack of transfer portal usage at Clemson. They also criticize Major League Baseball for releasing the 2027 schedule too early and share a frustrating story regarding customer service at a local tire shop. 01:50 - MLB Schedule Announcement Frustration 03:53 - ACC Media Days Preview 07:14 - Dabo Swinney Clemson Outlook 12:45 - Brent Key Culture Building 15:37 - UNC Coaching Legacy Discussion 22:32 - MLB Marketing Failures 26:35 - Mike Bell Service Rant 33:50 - Savannah Bananas ESPYs Routine 37:51 - Blue Angels Flight Video 41:15 - International Soccer Viewership Trends

Phil Steele's College Football Preview is one of the most respected preseason magazines in the sport, and his annual position rankings provide one of the best ways to compare the nation's elite teams. In today's episode, we break down Ohio State's roster position by position and compare the Buckeyes to the other national championship contenders, including Georgia, Texas, Penn State, Clemson, Oregon, and Notre Dame. Where does Ohio State have the edge? Where are the biggest question marks? And when you step back and look at the entire roster, does anyone actually have more talent than the Buckeyes? We'll examine Phil Steele's rankings while adding our own analysis to determine whether Ryan Day has assembled the best roster in college football entering the 2026 season. Topics include:

Dabo Swinney, Clemson Tigers Head Coach, joined The Locker Room live at 2026 ACC Media Days and talked about the ups and downs of last season, what area they need to most improve in to make 2026 better, does he have a "relationship" with The Locker Room and moreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Miami Hurricanes stand on the brink of a national title run, boasting elite pass rushers, a dynamic offense with Darian Mensah under center, and explosive playmakers like Malachi Toney. Can Miami's rebuilt offensive line and deep running back rotation–led by Mark Fletcher, Jr.–keep the momentum alive against ACC rivals and powerhouse opponents like Notre Dame? Brian Smith breaks down the Hurricanes' roster strengths, strategic shifts, and recruiting dominance, spotlighting key contributors—including Justin Scott and Cooper Barkate—while raising critical questions about defensive chemistry and game-day decision-making. Across the ACC, programs like SMU and Louisville offer hope with talented players like quarterback Kevin Jennings and running back Isaac Brown, while Florida State's turmoil and questionable coaching moves cast doubt on their postseason chances. Get the inside scoop on each ACC contender's trajectory, from Clemson's quarterback battle to Georgia Tech's surprise NIL surge. Will Miami finally capitalize on their loaded roster, or is another challenger poised to rise? Support us by supporting our sponsors! Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode covers Michigan State's chaotic athletic administration saga—President Guskiewicz's reversal on leaving for Clemson, former AD J-Bat's exit to Kentucky, and John Palumbo stepping in as interim AD—alongside a deep dive into the $736 million fundraising jump and lagging football recruiting rankings (16th of 18 in the Big Ten). The back half shifts to football previews, with spirited debate over quarterback Aidan Chiles/Alessio's readiness, matchup predictions against Oregon and Notre Dame, and a nod to Michigan's ongoing Sherrone Moore/sign-stealing scandal fallout.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/this-is-sparta-msu--5664600/support.

ACC Network's Taylor Tannebaum joins the show ahead of ACC Kick-Off, as she goes over the storylines she's most intrigued by this season, she talks about the chances that Miami build off of last season, what she makes of Bill Belichick's second season at UNC, can Clemson get back to the top of the conference, & more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parker Kelley previews the ACC for 2026 with media days happening this week in Charlotte. Who can challenge Miami in the ACC? Plus, who are conference contenders and sleepers? Parker also address the current state of Clemson under Dabo Swinney.SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL!!!

In this college football podcast episode, we begin our three-part 2026 ACC preview by zooming out and attempting to make sense of the conference as a whole. Miami enters the season as the clear favorite, with Darian Mensah taking over at quarterback and another roster built to reach the College Football Playoff. But can the Hurricanes finally win their first ACC championship? From there, we sort the rest of the ACC into contender tiers and confront the question that defines the league this season: Who comes after Miami? We debate how much to trust Kevin Jennings and SMU, Jeff Brohm’s latest rebuild at Louisville, Clemson’s return to Chad Morris and the long list of possible challengers lurking in the conference’s crowded middle. We also examine the unusually unsettled quarterback landscape, widespread offensive line turnover, the arrival of James Franklin at Virginia Tech and the pressure facing Mike Norvell at Florida State. Plus, we identify our ACC pet teams, search for surprise storylines and hold an entirely unnecessary conference nickname draft.Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the FPI correct with their strength of schedule metric? McElroy explains what we should use the FPI for then goes through the P4 and gives you the toughest schedules in each conference. Texas, Oklahoma & Texas A&M have a gauntlet to get through to make the CFP, while Ohio State and USC have the toughest road schedules in the BIG 10. In the BIG 12 Colorado and Oklahoma State will be grinding out the season and can Clemson and Florida State bounce back with the toughest schedules in the ACC?  Plus, McElroy answers mailbag questions about Notre Dame, Tennessee, the BIG 12 coaches poll and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning" airs 7am-10am weekdays on WJOX-94.5!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 8am hour of Tuesday's Mac & Cube saw Eric Mac Lain, from the ACC Network, tell us if there are other ACC contenders besides the obvious ones, what it'll take for FSU & Clemson to bounce back, and where he thinks Virginia Tech will finish; then, Cole & Greg look at ESPN's FPI thoughts on Auburn; later, Warde Manuel sets the record straight and the guys weigh in on his reaction; and finally, the boys ask if Auburn is more talented this year or last year. "McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning" airs 7am-10am weekdays on WJOX-94.5!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Miami set for ACC Media Days, Joe Rose and the guys discuss why the Hurricanes are expected to be one of the top teams in the country this season. They break down the roster after key losses along the offensive line, explain how Miami has successfully reloaded through recruiting and the transfer portal, and contrast the Hurricanes' aggressive approach with Clemson's slower adaptation to the portal era. The conversation also highlights Miami's talented receiving corps—led by Malachi Toney—which the guys believe could be among the best in college football, as excitement continues to build with just 51 days until the season kicks off.

Joe Rose and the guys discuss Clemson's decision to fully embrace the transfer portal and what it means for the ACC heading into the season. With Miami set to face Clemson this year, the crew takes a closer look at the Hurricanes' favorable schedule and why many expect Miami to be the team to beat in the conference after reaching last season's national championship game. They also examine the Hurricanes' recent reliance on transfer quarterbacks, debating whether Miami should continue bringing in veteran signal-callers or focus on developing a quarterback from within the program

Hour 1 opens with reaction to Jordan Walker winning the Home Run Derby and the growing trend of major sporting events moving to streaming platforms like Netflix. Joe Rose and the guys then revisit the reported Bam Adebayo-Tyler Herro altercation, discussing the lingering tension from Miami building around Bam while Herro and Jimmy Butler were frequently involved in trade rumors, along with Draymond Green's recent exchange with Udonis Haslem. The conversation shifts to the LeBron James sweepstakes, with Joe joking that "The Decision" has turned into "The Indecision" as he and Dave Hyde debate whether Miami or Cleveland is the better fit and what the Heat's backup plan could be if they miss out. The hour also features Dolphins discussion centered around Miami's brutal schedule, the league's top quarterbacks, Tyreek Hill's legacy and whether the blockbuster trade was worth it, before wrapping up with Hurricanes talk as the guys discuss Clemson embracing the transfer portal, Miami's favorable ACC schedule, and whether the Canes should continue relying on transfer quarterbacks or develop one from within.

Coach Brad Herbster joins Airey Bros Radio to discuss building one of the premier NCAA Division I distance running programs in the country at Appalachian State University.In Episode 468, we dive into Coach Herbster's coaching journey from standout student-athlete at South Carolina to becoming one of the nation's most respected collegiate distance coaches. We discuss the culture behind Appalachian State's rise to the top of the Sun Belt Conference, developing championship-caliber athletes, recruiting in today's NCAA landscape, and why Boone, North Carolina has become one of the best training environments for distance runners in America.Coach Herbster also shares lessons learned from coaching at Texas, Pittsburgh, Clemson, Charlotte and Appalachian State while discussing athlete development, the Transfer Portal, roster limits, championship expectations, and building programs capable of competing on the national stage.We also discuss:• NCAA Division I Cross Country recruiting• Building championship culture• Athlete development & coaching philosophy• Recruiting domestic talent• The Transfer Portal & roster management• Developing elite distance runners• Summer training strategies• The importance of Boone's altitude and trail system• Appalachian State academics & student life• Advice for future collegiate runners and coachesAppalachian State Men's Cross Country has quickly become one of the premier distance programs in the Sun Belt Conference under Coach Herbster's leadership.Recent accomplishments include:

If you love college football analysis, conference previews, rankings, predictions, and live discussions, make sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss a show from Play The Fight Song CFB.LIVE ACC Football Preview | 2026 ACC Season Predictions, Rankings & Championship Picks | Play The Fight Song CFBThe ACC is set for another exciting college football season, and we're breaking it all down LIVE! Join Play The Fight Song CFB as we discuss the biggest storylines, predict the conference standings, and make our picks for the ACC Championship and College Football Playoff.We'll cover:

The guys are joined by college football show host Josh Pate, as Josh previews the upcoming season, he tells you why he's not done believing in Clemson, why there's pressure on Shane Beamer at South Carolina, the outlook for the ACC in 2026, & more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the FPI correct with their strength of schedule metric? McElroy explains what we should use the FPI for then goes through the P4 and gives you the toughest schedules in each conference. Texas, Oklahoma & Texas A&M have a gauntlet to get through to make the CFP, while Ohio State and USC have the toughest road schedules in the BIG 10. In the BIG 12 Colorado and Oklahoma State will be grinding out the season and can Clemson and Florida State bounce back with the toughest schedules in the ACC?  Plus, McElroy answers mailbag questions about Notre Dame, Tennessee, the BIG 12 coaches poll and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The previous post covered my grades on how the strength of today’s four largest college athletic conferences compare with their previous versions twenty years ago in 2006. Here's a brief recap. In my estimation, only the SEC (which expanded from 12 to 16 teams over that 20 year period) has shown an upgrade in competition levels since 2006.  I awarded the SEC a “B” grade. The Big 12 (which lost four of its prominent members to the SEC) received a C+ for their nimble addition of several relevant regional sports schools. A “D” grade was handed down to the Atlantic Coast Conference.  Their nonsensical addition of West Coast newcomers Cal (Berkeley) and Stanford in 2024 crashed the ACC's overall score. Speaking of lousy grades, I awarded a D- to the Big Ten Conference as its recently-annexed properties have resulted in a BIG thud.  From the east (Maryland and Rutgers) to the west (Nebraska, Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington), the Big Ten’s new coast-to-coast configuration has failed to improve this conference for either sports fans or student/athletes. How have the five mid-major conferences fared with recent expansion issues? These other conferences (nicknamed the “Group of Five”) can be quite entertaining but rarely win national championships.  They must compete against the “Big Four” major conferences featuring the wealthiest college sports programs. American Athletic Conference (AAC) The AAC has only been around since the year 2013.  There were 10 initial AAC members and now 14 in 2026. Only Memphis, South Florida, and Temple remain from 2013.  The ACC raided Conference USA to obtain several of its new members. Army and Navy – What's not to like about these two additions?  They bring the focus of the entire college football world to their annual game played in early December.  Grades – A Charlotte – The 49ers have been perpetual cellar dwellers in most sports.  Charlotte, North Carolina sports fans are more likely to follow UNC, Duke, and Clemson.  Yawn.  Grade – D- East Carolina – The Pirates have made the NCAA baseball playoffs ten times since 2013 and have occasionally contended for the AAC title in football.  A hearty fan base makes ECU a fun place to watch sports.  Grade – B Florida Atlantic – A member of the AAC since 2023, this school is best known for its men's basketball team and having a great beach nearby.  Sadly, most local sports fans don’t give a hoot about the FAU Owls yet.  Grade – C- North Texas – The Mean Green had a brilliant 12-2 football season in 2025 in the school's third year as part of the AAC.  The other sports are lagging behind.  Grade – C Rice – Another third year AAC member, the Houston-based Owls have been an athletics flop in their new conference.  Grade – D Tulane – Green Wave football program has rejuvenated Tulane athletics down in the Crescent City.  Unfortunately, the remainder of the school’s sports teams rarely lead the AAC.  Grade – C Tulsa – Golden Hurricane football and men's basketball programs have been on the decline in the past decade.  That's a shame, because Tulsa fans desperately want to get behind the city’s lone major college athletics team.  Grade – C- UAB – Try as I might, I'm having trouble remembering any recent sports successes for the Blazers.  Grade – D- UTSA – Like Tulsa, the Roadrunners have the entire San Antonio market ready for their athletics programs to take off.  Other than some recent success in football, UTSA sports still appear to be taking a siesta.  Grade – C- AAC overall grade for expansion: C- Conference USA (C-USA) I am not going to provide individual grades to Conference USA member schools.  It is not their fault that C-USA management has done such a lousy job of keeping this conference together and relevant in major college sports. The conference has seen a 100% turnover in the past 20 years. Schools being added have generally been former FCS top teams such as Delaware, Sam Houston, and Jacksonville (AL) State. Things have declined so badly in Conference USA (“How badly have they declined?”) that longtime member Louisiana Tech recently agreed to pay a reported $8 million to buy its way out of C-USA.  The Bulldogs’ jubilant athletic department and fans are rejoining the Sun Belt Conference this fall.  Louisiana Tech will save more than $1 million annually in travel costs formerly required to travel to schools within the far-flung Conference USA. Longtime C-USA holdovers Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State deserve a better fate.  Save your money and call the Sun Belt in a couple of years! C-USA overall grade for expansion –  F- Mid-American Conference (MAC) In contrast to Conference USA, the MAC has remained remarkably stable for the past 20 years. Eleven of the dozen MAC members in 2006 remain a part of the conference today.  Northern Illinois (which had been part of the MAC for 30 years) is leaving this fall to become part of the Mountain West Conference. In a couple of curious moves, the Mid-American Conference has added two new members recently. UMass – The 2025 addition of the University of Massachusetts (which is at least in regional proximity to longtime MAC member Buffalo) was rather questionable.  Athletic success at Umass has been nearly invisible over the past decade.  After just one year in the MAC, the Minutemen have been a net negative in sports for the Mid-American Conference.  Grade: D- Sacramento State – Seriously?  Yes, the Mid-American Conference will add this longtime FCS member from California to its football schedules this fall.  Sacramento (the #20 TV market) is 2,500 miles from the middle of Ohio. The Hornets will be a football-only member of the Mid-American Conference.  For the usually stable MAC, this is a rather bizarre expansion move.  Grade: F MAC overall grade for expansion:  D- Mountain West Conference (Mountain West) The Mountain West has survived a few departure tremors in recent years.  Of the nine Mountain West members 20 years ago, only Air Force, New Mexico, UNLV, and Wyoming remain.  Let’s review the teams which have come aboard since 2006. Hawaii – The Rainbow Warriors (2012) have posted winning football records in just four of their 14 seasons in the Mountain West.  The other athletic squads are nearly invisible in the post-season tournaments.  Hawaii remains a dream road trip destination for visiting teams and their fans, though.  Grade: C- Nevada – At least the men’s basketball team has appeared in the NCAA March Madness event five times over the past nine seasons.  Otherwise, fans of the Nevada Wolfpack (which joined the Mountain West in 2012) haven’t had much to howl about lately.  Grade: C- North Dakota State – This former FCS division powerhouse football program is stepping-up to play against the big boys beginning this fall.  The move is for football only. The Bison are a terrific geographic fit for the Mountain West Conference, too.  This makes sense.  Grade: A Northern Illinois – The Huskies will join the Mountain West this fall after 30 years in the Mid-American Conference.  Northern Illinois’ sports resume has weakened in recent years.  Other than bringing the #3 TV market (Chicago) to the Mountain West, this move makes little sense.  Grade: D San Jose State – The Spartans (members since 2013) have appeared in four bowl games over the past decade.  On the other hand, the men’s basketball team has won just 33% of its conference games over the past 13 years.  Grade: C- UTEP – This longtime Conference USA member joins the Mountain West this fall.  UTEP’s football team has been downright awful in recent years.  Despite a sports slump, UTEP bring strong fan support from the El Paso area.  They should be a fine geographic fit for the Mountain West.  Grade: C Mountain West overall grade for expansion:  C Sun Belt Conference (Sun Belt) The Sun Belt has been nicknamed the “Junior SEC”.  This conference has grown from 10 members in 2006 to 14 today. Only Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette, South Alabama, Troy, and UL-Monroe remain from 2006. Appalachian State – The Mountaineers (members since 2014) have been a top football contender in the Sun Belt.  Their enthusiastic fans make road trips to Boone, North Carolina a fun stop.  Grade: B Coastal Carolina – Speaking of fun stops, how about a visit to Myrtle Beach to play Coastal Carolina?  The 2017 Sun Belt addition of the Chanticleers has been a terrific addition for the conference.  Coastal’s football team has played in six straight bowl games.  The baseball team won the men’s College World Series in 2016.  Grade: A Georgia Southern – Would it surprise you to learn that the Golden Eagles from Statesboro, Georgia have played in seven bowl games over the past eight seasons?  The other sports programs at Georgia Southern need to step it up.  Grade: B Georgia State – The 2013 addition of the Panthers from Atlanta has not added a lot of sports notoriety.  However, the men’s basketball program has earned four invitations to March Madness in the past 11 seasons.  Grade: C Louisiana Tech – The Bulldogs paid dearly ($8 million) to escape Conference USA beginning this fall.  Louisiana Tech brings several highly competitive sports teams. They are a perfect geographic addition to the Sun Belt Conference Western division.  Grade: A Marshall – This begins Marshall’s fourth year in the Sun Belt Conference.  The Thundering Herd has been a top football competitor and competes well in other major sports.  Grade: B Old Dominion – ODU came into the Sun Belt in 2022.  The Monarchs from Norfolk, VA posted a nifty 10-3 football record in 2025.  Old Dominion has been relatively quiet in its other sports, though.  Grade: C Southern Miss – The Golden Eagles (Sun Belt members since 2022) have been a dominant team in recent NCAA college baseball post-season tournaments.  Last season’s 2025 football team improved from a miserable 1-11 record in 2024 to a hopeful 7-6 mark.  Grade: B Sun Belt overall grade for expansion:  B+ Bonus Conference!  The newly revived Pac-12 Conference “states” its case in 2026 The most prominent names of the long-time Pac-12 Conference bolted for better TV money into the Big Ten and ACC in 2024.  That left holdovers Oregon State and Washington State “homeless”.  The Beavers and Cougars have bagged a few top teams from the Mountain West Conference to help them rebuild the Pac-12 starting this fall. Boise State is the biggest name coming to the new Pac-12.  The Broncos have fielded a nationally ranked football program several times in the past few decades. Other Mountain West migrants include Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Washington State. Texas State (formerly of the Sun Belt Conference) will also join the Pac-12 this fall. In case you didn’t notice, each of the eight new Pac-12 schools has the last name of “State”! Summary Only the Sun Belt Conference has earned a positive score (B+) from SwampSwami among the “Group of Five” mid-major conferences. The Sun Belt is the only major college athletic conference opting to maintain two divisions (East and West) to minimize travel expenses for its member schools and lessen the travel impact on their student/athletes.  Bravo! The post Grading the Mid-Major Conference expansions – Part 2 appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com.

The Big 12 shocks college football with a controversial $20 million Monster Energy sponsorship, putting its brand image—and future—on the line. Is this bold partnership a financial lifeline or a risky move that will haunt the conference? Brian Smith questions whether trading tradition for short-term cash is the right play as Monster logos hit uniforms, fields, and courts. Recruiting heats up with powerhouse programs like Ohio State, Tennessee, and Clemson battling for elite prospects David Gabriel Georges, Karlos May, and Seth Tillman. The episode spotlights the rising stars from St. Francis Academy and across the nation in a national seven-on-seven tournament held at IMG Academy. Don't miss insider recruiting updates, team strategy debates, and fan reactions to the Monster Energy era. Support us by supporting our sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that's why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The guys are joined by Cole Bryson, host on The Fan Upstate in South Carolina, with the college football season right around the corner, he talks about the vibes around both Clemson & South Carolina, he tells you what the keys are for the Tigers to returning to national prominence, how Beamer can find consistency in Columbia, & more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ross & Emory break down the top prospects across the ACC ahead of the 2026 College Football season and the 2027 NFL Draft including: QB Darian Mensah, Miami: 3:30 QB CJ Bailey, NC State: 6:50 QB Kevin Jennings SMU: 10:00 RB Mark Fletcher, Miami: 11:20 RB Justice Haynes, Georgia Tech: 14:15 RB Malachi Hosley, Georgia Tech: 14:55 RB Issac Brown, Louisville: 16:15 DT Ahmad Moten & EDGE Damon Wilson, Miami: 18:00 WR Duce Robinson, Florida State: 22:30 WR Bryant Wesco, Clemson: 23:00 CB Ricky Fletcher, Cal: 24:05 Download the DraftKings Sports Book App and use code ROSS! Connect with the Pod: Website - https://www.rosstucker.com Become A Patron - https://www.patreon.com/RTMedia Podcast Twitter - https://twitter.com/RossTuckerPod Podcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rosstuckerpod/ Ross Twitter - https://twitter.com/RossTuckerNFL Youtube: Youtube.com/RossTuckerNFL TikTok: tiktok.com/@rosstuckernfl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ross & Emory break down the top prospects across the ACC ahead of the 2026 College Football season and the 2027 NFL Draft including: QB Darian Mensah, Miami: 3:30 QB CJ Bailey, NC State: 6:50 QB Kevin Jennings SMU: 10:00 RB Mark Fletcher, Miami: 11:20 RB Justice Haynes, Georgia Tech: 14:15 RB Malachi Hosley, Georgia Tech: 14:55 RB Issac Brown, Louisville: 16:15 DT Ahmad Moten & EDGE Damon Wilson, Miami: 18:00 WR Duce Robinson, Florida State: 22:30 WR Bryant Wesco, Clemson: 23:00 CB Ricky Fletcher, Cal: 24:05 Download the DraftKings Sports Book App and use code ROSS! Connect with the Pod: Website - https://www.rosstucker.com Become A Patron - https://www.patreon.com/RTMedia Podcast Twitter - https://twitter.com/RossTuckerPod Podcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rosstuckerpod/ Ross Twitter - https://twitter.com/RossTuckerNFL Youtube: Youtube.com/RossTuckerNFL TikTok: tiktok.com/@rosstuckernfl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry Shyatt is a longtime college basketball coach who spent the final three years of his career with the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. He spent time as a head coach at both Clemson and Wyoming, making the 2015 NCAA Tournament with the Cowboys.Shyatt was an assistant at Utah, Cleveland State, New Mexico, Providence College, Clemson, and Florida. Shyatt has worked with legendary coaches throughout his career including Rick Barnes, Billy Donovan, and Rick Carlisle.Shyatt played two years of college basketball for the College of Wooster before deciding after his sophomore season that he wanted to go into coaching. He became a student assistant coach at Wooster under Al Van Wie. With the student assistant coaching experience on his resume, he landed a graduate assistant position at nearby Akron for the 1973-74 season, his final stop before his first full-time job at Utah.On this episode Mike & Larry discuss the significance of trust, humility, and work ethic in nurturing young athletes. He reflects on the evolving landscape of college basketball, particularly in light of the recent changes driven by NIL agreements and the transfer portal, which have redefined the recruiting dynamic. Join us as we explore the enduring principles of coaching that transcend the complexities of contemporary basketball.Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.Make sure you're subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and while you're there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you're hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.Have pen and paper ready as you listen to this episode with Larry Shyatt, longtime college basketball coach.Website - https://coachinguplus.com/programs/shyatt2025Email – shyattlarry@gmail.comVisit our Sponsors!Give With HoopsGive With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game.D3 Direct Recruiting PlaybookHoop Heads Listeners currently get 25% off!Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing.The Coaching PortfolioYour first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners.Wealth4CoachesEmpowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court.If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/supportTwitter/X Podcast - @hoopheadspodMike - @hdstarthoopsJason - @jsunkleInstagram@hoopheadspodFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ