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In this edition of the Peristyle Podcast hosts Ryan Abraham, RJ Abeytia and Makena Arteaga are back in studio talking about USC getting the season started on Saturday with a 42-26 victory over San Jose State. Reactions to the win were mixed, with impressive performances by some high profile freshmen but also a disappointing finish by the reserves in the fourth quarter. The crew talks about what their takeaways were and what they think it could mean for the upcoming out of conference games as well as the remainder of the season.Following Tuesday's practice we heard from head coach Lincoln Riley, quarterback Jayden Maiava, offensive linemen Elijah Paige and Justin Tauanuu and running back Waymond Jordan. Ryan, RJ and Makena discuss what they had to say about the game and share their takeaways from the media availability.Riley and company don't have much time to dwell on the season opener with the dangerous Fresno State Bulldogs coming to the Coliseum on Friday night. We take a look ahead at what Fresno State and head coach Matt Entz brings to the table and what sort of challenges the Bulldogs can pose to the Men of Troy.Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team.
College football is officially BACK. Counselors Austin and Collin hand out the first badges of the year. Plus, ahead of the 2026 NFL season kicking off next week, they share 10 interesting dynasty storylines they're keeping a close eye on this season.(00:00) - Intro(02:26) - Jelani Thurman(08:31) - Micah Ford(11:55) - Jayden Maiava(17:43) - Beau Pribula(21:59) - Marvin Harrison Jr. Year 3(26:09) - Ashton Jeanty Year 2(29:29) - 2025 RBs Year 2(33:38) - Devon Achane's "New" Situation(36:36) - Bears Offense in Fantasy(40:42) - "Tier 2" WRs(47:12) - 2026 Rookie IDP Impact(50:42) - State of TEs in Dynasty(57:09) - Outro---Camp Dynasty is your 24/7 retreat for dynasty rookie scouting. Follow along with each class of “campers,” or dynasty rookie prospects, throughout the college football season, draft season, and dynasty draft season. Tune into weekly podcasts where camp counselors Austin Korff and Collin Bouressa provide camper analysis (including IDP), big boards, mock drafts, and much more!Camp Dynasty format: 1QB+ (6pt TD, -3pt INT) & full IDPFollow along and get in touch with us at:X: @Camp_DynastyTikTok: @Camp.DynastyYouTube: Camp DynastyThanks for listening!
USC Trojans face a make-or-break season as Lincoln Riley's high-priced era demands Playoff results. With fifth-year senior quarterback Jayden Maiava, a powerful offensive line, and a dynamic freshman class featuring Mark Bowman and Trent Mosley, the pieces are in place—but can USC conquer its history of late-season collapses and defensive lapses? Is this finally the year the Trojans outmuscle Big Ten powerhouses like Ohio State, Indiana, and Oregon? Brian Smith breaks down USC's strengths in the trenches and skill positions, while questioning their secondary depth and resilience under pressure. Key discussion points include Maiava's turnover tendencies, the impact of freshmen starters, and how a tougher schedule could either forge a contender or expose old weaknesses. Are the Trojans ready to shed their “soft” reputation and return to college football's elite? Tune in for sharp analysis as the playoff-or-bust stakes reach a fever pitch in Los Angeles. Support us by supporting our sponsors! Poncho Outdoors Go to https://ponchooutdoors.com/LOCKEDON and enter your email to get $10 off and free shipping on your first order. KALSHI For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get $10 when you trade $10. 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. Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won't last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. LARINECO Give Larine a try. Right now, Larine Co is offering our listeners up to 50% off at https://BUYLARINE.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE. Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that's why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. 5-Hour ENERGY Bring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https:/5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who's hitting a homer this MLB season. 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.
On this latest edition of Tunnel Vision USCFootball.com's Ryan Abraham, RJ Abeytia and Shotgun Spratling are back in studio talking about the Trojans opening the 2026 college football season with a 42-26 victory over San Jose State. USC got off to a fast start, taking a 28-0 lead into halftime and extending that to 35-3 after three quarters. But when Lincoln Riley gave the starters a rest, the reserves weren't able to finish strong, allowing the Spartans to outscore the Trojans 23-7 in the final frame.The crew gives their thoughts on everything they have seen in SC's week zero opener, from the efficient performance from Jayden Maiava, the breakout game by freshman receiver Trent Mosley, the success by the defensive front seven, issues in the secondary and solid play by the special teams. They also discuss the fans staying away from the noon kickoff in a heatwave, how this opener had an NFL preseason game feel and how that led to so many freshmen and newcomers playing significant roles on Saturday.This is the podcast version (audio only) of our Tunnel Vision episode.Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team.
College Football is back and welcome to Y-Option's week 1 show! I was in the booth for USC's opener against San Jose State. Yes, it was hot. So was Jayden Maiava as he played with elite command. The highly touted freshmen for the Trojans also met the moment. And one small detail stood out to me, worth flagging if you're a special teams fan early in today's show.I also dove into Oregon's game vs Boise State. I'm doubling down: the Ducks are one of the top two teams in the country as we approach week 1.Speaking of top two, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and Nico Iamaleava are two of the best quarterbacks in the nation, and both play on the West Coast this Saturday night. That's what makes Cal vs. UCLA a must-watch: two elite QBs and the debut for two new head coaches.After calling Eastern Illinois at Minnesota Thursday night, I'm flying to Seattle to meet Paul Burmeister. We also bring you a preview of the Apple Cup live from the UW team room.As always, each episode is fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat. Grateful for your support on many levels, enjoy week 1!Much love and stay steady,YogiY-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe
Ken and Anthony debut a new weekly graphic, built by producer John, tracking top quarterback prospects for the 2027 draft class, kicking off with Jayden Maiava, CJ Bailey and Harvard transfer Jaden Craig ahead of college football's final "Week 0." The crew nitpicks the graphic's layout while debating whether any of these prospects will ultimately turn out better than Shedeur Sanders, setting up a recurring segment to track their progress all season.
USC Trojans eye a breakthrough 10-win regular season—can Lincoln Riley and quarterback Jaydn Maieva finally deliver playoff contention? Brian Smith and Marc Kulkin break down USC's dynamic offense, spotlighting the high-powered one-two punch of Waymon Jordan and King Miller at running back, plus the rise of true freshman tight end Mark Bowman. They analyze the Trojans' revamped, physically imposing offensive line and evaluate new faces like Tanook Hines and Terrell Anderson in a reloaded wide receiver corps. On defense, edge rushers Kameryn Crawford and Luke Wafle, alongside linebacker Desman Stephens, must become difference-makers to solve USC's road woes and stand tall against Big Ten rivals. With tests looming against Oregon, Washington, Penn State, and Ohio State, can USC win key games at the Coliseum and shake its struggles away from home? Stay tuned for an expert preview of what could be the Trojans' most pivotal season yet. Support us by supporting our sponsors! Poncho Outdoors Go to https://ponchooutdoors.com/[LOCKEDON] and enter your email to get $10 off and free shipping on your first order. KALSHI For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get $10 when you trade $10. 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. Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won't last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. LARINECO Give Larine a try. Right now, Larine Co is offering our listeners up to 50% off at https://BUYLARINE.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE. Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that's why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. 5-Hour ENERGY Bring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https:/5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who's hitting a homer this MLB season. 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.
On this episode of the Peristyle Podcasts hosts Ryan Abraham and Coach Harvey Hyde are back together discussing the Trojans finally kicking off the 2026 college football season with Saturday's week zero opener against San Jose State. With USC coming in as a 38.5 point favorite against the Spartans, the result isn't as important as how the Men of Troy look on Saturday afternoon.Coach Hyde talks about what he expect to see from Jayden Maiava and the USC offense, what new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson will have up his sleeve and if Mike Ekeler can turn things around with the special teams units.Coach Harvey Hyde has been part of the Peristyle Podcast since 2008 and in the USC football world he is an expert on X's and O's, personnel, coaching philosophies and recruiting.Please follow Coach Hyde on X, Facebook and Instagram at @CoachHarveyHyde or go to his website HarveyHyde.com for all his his content, including Vegas & Southern California radio shows.Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team.
0:00 Intro2:00 Notre Dame16:40 CFP Picks and Heisman PicksThe Kast is here to discuss and react to the latest action in College Football!Our Sponsors USE CODE “KARTERKAST” AT SEATGEEK FOR $20 OFF YOUR FIRST PURCHASESeatGeek.comSocial MediaTwitter: @karterkast @karterb8 @connor_sparrow @wilkersonadylanTikTok: @karterkast Instagram: @karterkast Hosted by: Karter BaughanGuests: Connor Sparrow and Dylan Wilkerson #collegefootball #CFB #football #sports #sec 2026 SEC football preview, SEC football preview 2026, SEC football 2026, college football 2026, 2026 college football preview, SEC predictions 2026, SEC championship predictions, SEC winner 2026, SEC standings predictions, college football playoff predictions, CFP predictions 2026, Georgia football, Georgia Bulldogs, Kirby Smart, Gunnar Stockton, Georgia 2026 preview, Texas football, Texas Longhorns, Arch Manning, Steve Sarkisian, Texas 2026 preview, Texas national championship, Alabama football, Alabama Crimson Tide, Kalen DeBoer, Keelon Russell, Ryan Williams, Alabama 2026 preview, Alabama overrated, Kalen DeBoer hot seat, LSU football, LSU Tigers, Lane Kiffin, Sam Leavitt, LSU 2026 preview, LSU playoff predictions, Oklahoma football, Oklahoma Sooners, Brent Venables, John Mateer, Oklahoma 2026 preview, Oklahoma sleeper, Auburn football, Auburn Tigers, Alex Golesh, Byrum Brown, Auburn 2026 preview, Auburn sleeper, Tennessee football, Tennessee Volunteers, Josh Heupel, Jim Knowles, Tennessee 2026 preview, Ole Miss football, Ole Miss Rebels, Trinidad Chambliss, Pete Golding, Ole Miss 2026 preview, Texas A&M football, Texas A&M Aggies, Marcel Reed, Mike Elko, Texas A&M overrated, South Carolina football, LaNorris Sellers, Shane Beamer, Mississippi State football, Jeff Lebby, Mississippi State over 4.5 wins, Kentucky football, Will Stein, Kentucky under 4.5 wins, Missouri football, Florida football, Arkansas football, Vanderbilt football, SEC sleeper teams, SEC overrated teams, SEC best bets, SEC win totals, college football best bets, college football sleepers, college football overrated teams, SEC quarterbacks 2026, SEC power rankings, SEC team previews, Georgia vs Texas, SEC title game, Texas national champion prediction, Georgia SEC champion prediction, Lane Kiffin LSU, Arch Manning Heisman, college football podcast, KarterKast2026 Big Ten football, 2026 Big Ten football preview, Big Ten football predictions, Big Ten preview 2026, college football 2026, college football predictions, Big Ten championship predictions, Big Ten conference preview, Big Ten power rankings, Big Ten win totals, Big Ten best bets, Big Ten sleepers, Big Ten overrated teams, College Football Playoff predictions, CFP predictions 2026, Oregon football, Oregon Ducks football, Oregon Big Ten champions, Dante Moore, Dan Lanning, Ohio State football, Ohio State Buckeyes football, Ohio State 2026, Ohio State overrated, Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Day, Arthur Smith Ohio State, Indiana football, Indiana Hoosiers football, Indiana national champions, Curt Cignetti, Josh Hoover, Michigan football, Michigan Wolverines football, Bryce Underwood, Kyle Whittingham Michigan, Jay Hill Michigan, Michigan Big Ten championship, USC football, USC Trojans football, Lincoln Riley, Jayden Maiava, USC sleeper team, Penn State football, Penn State Nittany Lions, Matt Campbell Penn State, Rocco Becht, Penn State win total, Nebraska football, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Nebraska over 6.5 wins, Wisconsin football, Wisconsin Badgers, Luke Fickell, Wisconsin sleeper, UCLA football, Iowa football, Illinois football, Washington football, Big Ten title game, Oregon vs Indiana, Oregon vs USC, Oregon vs Michigan, Ohio State schedule, Ohio State 8-4, Ohio State 9-3, Oregon national championship, Indiana repeat champions, Michigan playoff chances, USC playoff chances, Penn State playoff chances, Big Ten quarterback rankings, best Big Ten quarterbacks, Big Ten transfer portal, Big Ten returning
Chuck and Heath discuss Mississippi State adding fifth year players back to their roster after a recent court ruling. Ryan Abraham of USC Football assesses the Trojans, Chuck's number 14 team. Trevor McCue of Blue by Ninety analyzes the latest on Michigan practice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The national championship bubble is bigger than it used to be. How big is it? On Josh Pate’s College Football Show Ep 752 Josh Pate looks past teams like Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana along with Miami, UGA, Texas, Notre Dame, and a few others. How many additional teams could win it all? Josh also shares the latest whispers and intel from across the country. Tonight is the night we dive into preseason Big Ten QB rankings. Where do Julian Sayin, Dante Moore, Jayden Maiava, Bryce Underwood, etc rank? What are some of the biggest chaos scenarios that could unfold across the College Football landscape this season? Next, we take a look at head coaches without a national title win. Who could be next? Is it fair to criticize Dan Lanning, Steve Sarkisian, Marcus Freeman, or Mario Cristobal? What are the boldest predictions you can come up with for this season? Be sure to let us know what you think, SUBSCRIBE to the channel, and CLICK THE BELL for notifications as we bring you multiple live shows per week!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
0:00 Intro5:46 Ohio State19:59 Oregon27:31 Indiana37:08 Michigan51:28 Big Ten Sleepers, Overrated Teams & Best Bets52:14 USC58:06 UCLA1:00:48 Wisconsin1:03:24 OVERRATED 1:07:36 Nebraska1:16:34 Maryland1:20:35 Penn State Best Bet1:23:35 Big Ten Championship Predictions1:24:27 OutroThe Kast is here to discuss and react to the latest action in College Football!Our Sponsors USE CODE “KARTERKAST” AT SEATGEEK FOR $20 OFF YOUR FIRST PURCHASESeatGeek.comSocial MediaTwitter: @karterkast @karterb8 @connor_sparrow @wilkersonadylanTikTok: @karterkast Instagram: @karterkast Hosted by: Karter BaughanGuests: Connor Sparrow and Dylan Wilkerson #collegefootball #CFB #football #sports #bigten 2026 Big Ten football, 2026 Big Ten football preview, Big Ten football predictions, Big Ten preview 2026, college football 2026, college football predictions, Big Ten championship predictions, Big Ten conference preview, Big Ten power rankings, Big Ten win totals, Big Ten best bets, Big Ten sleepers, Big Ten overrated teams, College Football Playoff predictions, CFP predictions 2026, Oregon football, Oregon Ducks football, Oregon Big Ten champions, Dante Moore, Dan Lanning, Ohio State football, Ohio State Buckeyes football, Ohio State 2026, Ohio State overrated, Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Day, Arthur Smith Ohio State, Indiana football, Indiana Hoosiers football, Indiana national champions, Curt Cignetti, Josh Hoover, Michigan football, Michigan Wolverines football, Bryce Underwood, Kyle Whittingham Michigan, Jay Hill Michigan, Michigan Big Ten championship, USC football, USC Trojans football, Lincoln Riley, Jayden Maiava, USC sleeper team, Penn State football, Penn State Nittany Lions, Matt Campbell Penn State, Rocco Becht, Penn State win total, Nebraska football, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Nebraska over 6.5 wins, Wisconsin football, Wisconsin Badgers, Luke Fickell, Wisconsin sleeper, UCLA football, Iowa football, Illinois football, Washington football, Big Ten title game, Oregon vs Indiana, Oregon vs USC, Oregon vs Michigan, Ohio State schedule, Ohio State 8-4, Ohio State 9-3, Oregon national championship, Indiana repeat champions, Michigan playoff chances, USC playoff chances, Penn State playoff chances, Big Ten quarterback rankings, best Big Ten quarterbacks, Big Ten transfer portal, Big Ten returning production, Big Ten schedule analysis, Big Ten football podcast, college football podcast, KarterKast, KarterKast college football, 2026 college football preview, Big Ten predictions and picks, Big Ten betting picks, Big Ten conference winner, Big Ten playoff teams, can Ohio State win the Big Ten, can Indiana repeat, is USC underrated, is Penn State overrated
Following up on our Big Ten Top 4 breakdown, we lock into the individual talent that will dictate Saturdays in the B1G. We dissect the 5 players generating the biggest operational buzz: Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, USC signal-caller Jayden Maiava, Oregon defensive machine Devon Jackson, and Indiana's transfer quarterback Josh Hoover. Plus, we set the stage for our upcoming ACC Media Days preview.#bigten #football #sports
Following the conclusion of Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, we move past the podium pressers to establish our definitive preseason Top 4 teams in the Big Ten. We break down Ryan Day's national-title-or-bust mandate at Ohio State, Dan Lanning's physical powerhouse at Oregon, Curt Cignetti's continuous winning machine at Indiana, and Lincoln Riley's offense-heavy retool at USC behind fifth-year senior Jayden Maiava.
This the most talented year at quarterback in the history of the Big Ten. So in part 2 of our Media Day recap show Todd Blackledge and I took a deep dive into the most critical position in sports and shared what we learned after being around most of the signal callers in the B1G.Welcome to today's Y-Option podcast, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO so you never miss a beat. The West Coast has finally captured their footing in the Big Ten and their signal callers are primed to thrive this fall. We spent time in Chicago with Dante Moore, Jayden Maiava, Demond Williams and Nico Iamaleava, as well as Julian Sayin and others.It's a gifted crop of QBs which means that most games will come down to a final drive, which only makes watching and broadcasting these games that much more enjoyable.I'm off to watch USC practice and later this week, Todd and I kick off our training camp tour. Be sure to follow along on social media and if you haven't done it yet, please subscribe to our YouTube page.Much love and stay steady,YogiY-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe
Part 3 of 4 in the Summer Scouting Series, featuring QB Julian Sayin, QB Drew Mestemaker, QB Jayden Maiava, RB Kewan Lacy, RB Justice Haynes, WR Jeremiah Smith, WR K.J. Duff, & WR Omarion Miller TIMELINE || Julian Sayin -- 2:00 || Drew Mestemaker -- 15:45 || Jayden Maiava -- 27:00 || Kewan Lacy -- 35:45 || Justice Haynes -- 43:15 || Jeremiah Smith -- 56:00 || K.J. Duff -- 01:05:00 || Omarion MIller -- 01:14:00 || Rankings -- 1:26:15 || Endnotes -- 1:29:00 Get full access to C.J.'s Substack at cjfreel.substack.com/subscribe
In this edition of the Peristyle Podcast hosts Ryan Abraham and RJ Abeytia are back in studio talking about head coach Lincoln Riley, quarterback Jayden Maiava and defensive linemen Jide Abasiri and Alex VanSumeren representing USC at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Both of our hosts had planned on being at the Chicago Hilton, but after 9 hours of delays at LAX their flight was cancelled and they were denied the opportunity to attend the event in person (and partake in deep-dish pizza in the Windy City).The guys talk about what Riley had to say including the tremendous momentum the team has built up over the off-season and the future of the Notre Dame Game. The players talked about a variety of topics including the impact new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson has made during his time on campus.Both Ryan and RJ continue their countdown of the most important Trojans for the 2026 season, starting where they left off at No. 7 with the aforementioned Jide Abasiri. They also discuss the newly released fall camp schedule with a couple of opportunities for the media to observe full practices and tour the brand new Bloom Center.Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team.
We are at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, and I was able to sit down with the newest USC Trojans defensive lineman, Alex VanSumeren, for an exclusive interview. You can tell he is just a football guy, as he provides insight on why he chose USC, what it means for him to represent the program at Media Days, and more. Tune in and make sure to like and subscribe to the USC LAFB YouTube Channel! There will be exclusive interviews with Lincoln Riley and Jayden Maiava going up soon as well! Become a member today and help support the USC LAFB Team! Become a member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ3-rN0vKVT_XZVs-m6LXaw/join Join our USC LAFB Message Board for exclusive intel right here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@USCLAFB/community Check out our USC Trojans LAFB Merch: https://lafbnetwork.myshopify.com/ Listen to our USC Football Trojans Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/usc-lafb-a-usc-trojans-show/id1602005638 Join our USC Trojans Message Board: https://www.lafbnetwork.com/forums/forum/usc-trojans/ Go to www.LAFBNetwork.com for FREE full access to all of our podcasts and join the community! Twitter: @LAFBNetwork | @RyanDyrudLAFB | @LAFBJamz | @Tim_Prangley Lincoln Riley is the USC Trojans Football Head Coach for the 2026 College Football Season. The Trojans look to capitalize on an offseason full of momentum and improve their Big Ten play for 2026. Tune in for up-to-date USC Trojans news, opinion, and recruiting intel. Plus, film review, game previews and breakdowns, and our weekly LIVE LAFB Conquest Call-In Show every Wednesday evening! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
I sat down for an exclusive conversation with USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley. He spoke about his offseason, Gary Patterson, and why this team is built to have his best season yet. Tune in and make sure to like and subscribe to the USC LAFB YouTube Channel! Exclusive interview with Alex VanSumeren is up on the Channel, and our chat with Jayden Maiava will be up later tonight. Become a member today and help support the USC LAFB Team! Become a member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ3-rN0vKVT_XZVs-m6LXaw/join Join our USC LAFB Message Board for exclusive intel right here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@USCLAFB/community Check out our USC Trojans LAFB Merch: https://lafbnetwork.myshopify.com/ Listen to our USC Football Trojans Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/usc-lafb-a-usc-trojans-show/id1602005638 Join our USC Trojans Message Board: https://www.lafbnetwork.com/forums/forum/usc-trojans/ Go to www.LAFBNetwork.com for FREE full access to all of our podcasts and join the community! Twitter: @LAFBNetwork | @RyanDyrudLAFB | @LAFBJamz | @Tim_Prangley Lincoln Riley is the USC Trojans Football Head Coach for the 2026 College Football Season. The Trojans look to capitalize on an offseason full of momentum and improve their Big Ten play for 2026. Tune in for up-to-date USC Trojans news, opinion, and recruiting intel. Plus, film review, game previews and breakdowns, and our weekly LIVE LAFB Conquest Call-In Show every Wednesday evening! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Athletic just released its 2026 College Football Quarterback tiers. They polled three dozen college football coaches, GMs, scouts, and front office personnel in order to compile the list. Where does USC Trojans QB Jayden Maiava rank? I discuss their findings, plus where I believe the Trojan signal-caller should be touted before the start of the season. Tune in and make sure to like and subscribe to the USC LAFB YouTube Channel! Link to The Athletic ranking: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7442836/2026/07/21/college-football-quarterbacks-rankings-tiers/?unlocked_article_code=1.zVA.leaS.E0coTrNXq9eP&source=emp_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share Become a member today and help support the USC LAFB Team! Become a member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ3-rN0vKVT_XZVs-m6LXaw/join Join our USC LAFB Message Board for exclusive intel right here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@USCLAFB/community Check out our USC Trojans LAFB Merch: https://lafbnetwork.myshopify.com/ Listen to our USC Football Trojans Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/usc-lafb-a-usc-trojans-show/id1602005638 Join our USC Trojans Message Board: https://www.lafbnetwork.com/forums/forum/usc-trojans/ Go to www.LAFBNetwork.com for FREE full access to all of our podcasts and join the community! Twitter: @LAFBNetwork | @RyanDyrudLAFB | @LAFBJamz | @Tim_Prangley Lincoln Riley is the USC Trojans Football Head Coach for the 2026 College Football Season. The Trojans look to capitalize on an offseason full of momentum and improve their Big Ten play for 2026. Tune in for up-to-date USC Trojans news, opinion, and recruiting intel. Plus, film review, game previews and breakdowns, and our weekly LIVE LAFB Conquest Call-In Show every Wednesday evening! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this episode of The Knight Report podcast hosts Mike Broadbent and Richie O'Leary are is joined by Scott Schrader of WeAreSC to talk all things USC Trojans Football ahead of their matchup versus Rutgers later this Fall. 0:08 Intro and FanDuel World Cup Talk 1:57 State of USC in Year Five Under Lincoln Riley 2:54 USC Recruiting and the Role of NIL 4:09 Win Total and College Football Playoff Expectations 6:22 The End of the USC – Notre Dame Rivalry 8:29 USC's Big Ten Road Struggles 11:26 Transfer Portal Losses and Roster Turnover 13:34 What the Eagles Are Getting in Makai Lemon 15:02 USC's Biggest Transfer Portal Additions 19:05 Jayden Maiava's Heisman and NFL Potential 20:42 USC's Biggest Strength and Weakness 22:36 Gary Patterson's Defensive Overhaul 25:22 USC All-Big Ten and Breakout Player Predictions 28:09 Projecting the USC – Rutgers Betting Line 29:13 USC Quarterbacks in the NFL 37:12 New Brunswick Food and Travel Guide 41:20 Where to Follow Scott Schrader Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Who has More Pressure to Perform this Season? Jayden Maiava or Bryce Underwood?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
On this episode of the JT Sports Podcast, JT ranks the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten, highlighting players like Jayden Maiava, Dante Moore, Julian Sayin, and Bryce Underwood. He also explores whether Kyle Whittingham can find immediate success at Michigan, pointing to the Wolverines' physical style and talented roster as key advantages. JT evaluates Nebraska's progress under Matt Rhule and questions whether the Cornhuskers can realistically compete for the College Football Playoff or if steady improvement should be the goal. Additionally, he breaks down Ohio State's dominance in developing NFL wide receivers and discusses the controversy surrounding Julian “JuJu” Lewis' comments about Colorado's offense. The episode wraps up with thoughts on the Big 12's Monster Energy branding and the balance between conference revenue and identity.
In this edition of the Peristyle Podcast hosts Ryan Abraham, RJ Abeytia and India Otto are back in studio projecting which Trojan football players will step up and settle into leadership roles this coming season. The Trojans are in a win-now situation, with a playoffs or bust mindset in year five of the Lincoln Riley era, and will need a handful of players to take control of the locker room and lead their teammates out onto the battlefield every Saturday this fall. Jayden Maiava is back for his third season as a USC quarterback and his second full run as the starter. Maiava isn't a stand on the table type of player, delivering powerful speeches at critical moments, but he has grown as a leader and earned the respect of his teammates on both sides of the ball. The crew talks about what steps Maiava needs to take as a leader to help this team make the College Football Playoffs for the first time in program history. They also discuss some of the other players they expect to step up into leadership roles, from both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team.
-Here's the order from On3's Ari Wasserman: Dante Moore, Julian Sayin, Jayden Maiava, Demond Williams, Josh Hoover, Rocco Becht, BryceUnderwood, Malik Washington, Nico Iamaleava, and Drake Lindsey-The list ends there---meaning Illinois, Nebraska, Wisconsin and others are on the outside looking in with their QBs…could you fit Colandreaahead of any of those QBs listed?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Will and Jamal go in depth on the top 5 quarterbacks in conference for 2026 and debate who should be higher: UCLA's Nico Iamaeava or USC's Jayden Maiava?, Also breakdown former UCLA QB Dante Moore, Ohio State's Julian Sayin, and so much more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Live at the Manning Passing Academy, Mike and Steve spoke to CBS Sports analyst Cooper Petagna about the upcoming quarterback class. Petagna evaluated NC State's CJ Bailey, USC's Jayden Maiava, and Ole Miss's Trinidad Chambliss. He also expressed excitement to watch LSU's offense in Lane Kiffin's first year.
On this episode of the JT Sports Podcast, JT breaks down why the SEC may have a coaching identity problem and explains how the Big Ten's willingness to embrace stability, patience, and program identity has helped close the gap with college football's most dominant conference. JT also discusses why Texas shouldn't be judged by old narratives and why the Longhorns have a legitimate national championship roster, reacts to the growing wave of Curt Cignetti copycats trying to recreate Indiana's rapid turnaround blueprint, and explains why USC may be the biggest swing team in the Big Ten with Lincoln Riley, Jayden Maiava, and Gary Patterson. Plus, JT dives into Notre Dame's schedule dilemma as an independent, explains how résumé control impacts the Fighting Irish's playoff outlook, and reveals his full Big Ten Power Rankings heading into the season, featuring Ohio State, Indiana, USC, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, UCLA, Illinois, Minnesota, Maryland, Northwestern, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Purdue.
Ohio State enters 2026 as the preseason No. 1 team in college football, but repeating as national champion won't be easy. In this episode, we break down the five biggest threats on the Buckeyes' schedule: Texas, Oregon, Indiana, Michigan, and USC. We examine Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Josh Hoover, Bryce Underwood, Jayden Maiava, key position group rankings from Athlon Sports, and the matchups that could determine Ohio State's championship hopes. #OhioStateFootball #Buckeyes #RyanDay #ArchManning #DanteMoore #MichiganFootball #OregonFootball #IndianaFootball #USCFootball Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Join Kalshi and Get $10 Subscribe to the Podcast
Can USC finally challenge Ohio State in the Big Ten? In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, we preview Ohio State's 2026 matchup with USC and break down the players, matchups, and storylines that could determine the outcome. We discuss Jayden Maiava, Ja'Kobi Lane, Makai Lemon, Waymond Jordan, Elijah Paige, Lincoln Riley, and how USC has adapted to Big Ten football. We also compare the Trojans to Ryan Day's Buckeyes and examine whether USC has finally fixed the offensive line and defensive front issues that have held the program back since joining the Big Ten. Topics include:
On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, the Post-Gazette's Christopher Carter and Noah Hiles react to news this week that Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby will enter the NFL supplemental draft this summer. Should coach Mike McCarthy and GM Omar Khan consider Sorsby as another possible successor to Aaron Rodgers after 2026? Or should they stand by their current duo of young QBs in Drew Allar and Will Howard? And what other options would they have to pursue a franchise QB after this season, when names including Dante Moore, Arch Manning and Jayden Maiava are expected to be available in the 2027 NFL draft? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Bud Elliott sits down with 247 Sports' Shotgun Spratling to preview USC's 2026 season. Team Site: https://247sports.com/college/usc/ (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:00) - Vibe Heading Into 2026 (00:05:20) - Coaching Changes (00:09:40) - Jayden Maiava & Offense (00:13:30) - Offensive Player to Know (00:15:30) - Offensive Schemes (00:21:00) - Secondary (00:24:55) - Defensive Front (00:27:40) -Schedule Breakdown Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Visit the betting arena on CBSSports.com for all the latest in sportsbook reviews and sportsbook promos for betting on college football. Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3 Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3 For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/ ...
In this edition of the Peristyle Podcast hosts Ryan Abraham, RJ Abeytia and intern India Otto are back in studio taking a look at which Trojan football players have the most to prove in 2026. Head coach Lincoln Riley brings 15 starters back and has a new-look defense with Gary Patterson calling the shots on that side of the ball, but to make that elusive run at the College Football Players there are guys on the roster that will need to turn their potential into production.On the offensive side USC brings back a lot of proven production, from quarterback Jayden Maiava to the entire starting offensive line and a pair of talented tailbacks in Waymond Jordan and King Miller. The biggest question mark will be with the pass catchers and which wide receivers and tight ends can step up and become active targets for Maiava to get the ball too.The Trojans have the most to prove on the defensive side of the ball, especially in the front-seven where the pash rush and run stopping were underwhelming last season. Linebacker Desman Stephens looks the part, but can he step up and be an All-Conference type of performer for the Trojans? Defensive end Kameryn Crawford is another guy with talent to spare, but can he put up double-digit sack numbers this season?The crew also has updates on how the USC baseball team did in the regionals plus off-season updates for the men's and women's basketball teams.Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team.
Ohio State's 2026 schedule has a major common thread — experienced quarterbacks everywhere. From Arch Manning at Texas to Dante Moore at Oregon to Bryce Underwood at Michigan, the Buckeyes will face a wave of second-year starters entering the biggest developmental leap of their careers. In this episode of The Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down: Why Year 2 is often when quarterbacks explode Why Arch Manning could look completely different in 2026 Why Dante Moore may be Oregon's biggest CFP weapon Why USC's Jayden Maiava is flying under the radar Why Bryce Underwood becomes far more dangerous in Year 2 Why Ohio State's own Julian Sayin is part of this same story This isn't just a tough schedule. It may be the toughest collection of experienced quarterbacks Ohio State has faced in years. #OhioStateFootball #Buckeyes #ArchManning #JulianSayin #DanteMoore #BryceUnderwood #CollegeFootball Friday, May 29, 2026 Join Kalshi and Get $10 Subscribe to the Podcast
Tim Hall of 97.1 the Fan in Columbus looks at Ohio State and the Big ten's push for 24 teams in the CFP. Chuck and Heath discuss a report the Big Ten is looking at going to 10 conference games. Ryan Abraham of USCFootball.com updates the latest with the Trojans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this epsiode of the JT Sports Podcast, JT breaks down why the 2026 NFL Draft has people talking SEC bias, Big Ten depth, Ohio State's draft haul, and what Malik Nabers' comments say about Buckeye WR expectations. JT also reacts to Clemson's NFL Draft results under Dabo Swinney, the Nick Saban standard still hanging over College Football, and how modern CFB has changed with NIL, the transfer portal, and the expanded playoff. The episode dives into Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby situation, sports betting's impact on College Football, Notre Dame's scheduling battle with the SEC and Big Ten, and Marcus Freeman's rising threat in South Bend. JT closes by looking at Lincoln Riley's USC championship window, Jayden Maiava, Gary Patterson, and whether the Trojans are ready to survive life in the Big Ten.
Spring camps are over so we decided now was the best time to give you McElroy's Top 10 QBs entering the 2026 season. Where will Arch Manning rank? How much does Dante Moore have to prove at Oregon this year? Where will CJ Carr and Jayden Maiava rank and who are the immediate impact transfers? McElroy goes over all of it plus gives you some honorable mention QBs who could work their way into the top 10 after the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Spring camps are over so we decided now was the best time to give you McElroy's Top 10 QBs entering the 2026 season. Where will Arch Manning rank? How much does Dante Moore have to prove at Oregon this year? Where will CJ Carr and Jayden Maiava rank and who are the immediate impact transfers? McElroy goes over all of it plus gives you some honorable mention QBs who could work their way into the top 10 after the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chris Nee of Noles 247 looks at FSU naming Ashton Daniels starting QB. Chuck and Heath discuss Lincoln Riley's claim that the championship window is now open for USC. Senior Bowl Executive Director Drew Fabianich analyzes some of the college talent heading into the NFL Draft.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
-We mentioned the other day that there's (maybe outlandish) talk about Jayden Maiava being a Heisman Trophy candidate…whetheror not that's true or happens, Riley told On3 that the title window is now open for the Trojans under his leadership-USC hasn't had a 10-win season since 2017, but Riley says this roster this season is the best he's had in his tenure…Our Sponsors:* Check out Hims: https://hims.com/EARLYBREAKAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
College football news, USC football 2026 preview, Texas football NIL talk, Alabama injury news, and LSU spring practice buzz are all front and center as Joe DeLeone and Blake Ruffino break down the biggest stories in the sport. The show starts with a USC football 2026 preview, looking at what to expect from Jayden Maiava and Lincoln Riley after USC's official spring outlook called Maiava the returning centerpiece of the offense, while also discussing what Tanook Hines' recovery means after he missed spring practice following an offseason procedure. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
On this episode of the JT Sports Live, JT breaks down a bold prediction that the Big Ten's grip on college football could end in 2026 as programs like Texas and Miami position themselves to take control of the national title race. He also dives into why the “pay for players” narrative didn't suddenly begin with NIL, and why money alone doesn't explain recruiting dominance or championship success. JT examines Michigan's wildcard potential with Bryce Underwood, the development Oklahoma needs from John Mateer, and why Marcus Freeman's NFL bloodline recruiting strategy could give Notre Dame long-term roster stability. Plus, JT explains why USC quarterback Jayden Maiava might be the most overlooked elite passer in the country and a major factor in the Trojans' playoff hopes.
On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Christopher Carter to ponder GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy's trade options ahead of the NFL draft. Could either T.J. Watt or Alex HIghsmith be moved in a bid to keep Nick Herbig on the roster long term? Will the Patrick Queen rumors flare up against in the next couple of weeks after dominating the news cycle during free agency? Is Jalen Ramsey a wild card to watch? Does uncertainty around Keeanu Benton make him a trade option? And how will the tight end situation shake out with Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington? Our duo tackles those questions, then talks through options tot trade up or down in the 2026 order. And possibly adding picks for the 2027 NFL draft, when Arch Manning, Jayden Maiava and Dante Moore could be available as potential franchise QBs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Despite corporate differences and new jobs, Shotgun Spratling and Chris Trevino are reunited once again, returning to the microphones to talk about USC's recently completed spring camp and what they learned about the 2026 squad during the five-week period. While they may no longer work for the same company, the podcasting duo aren't skipping any of the classics, opening up with the Two-Minute Drill where Shotgun talks baseball and Chris talks about the changes taking place in his job. The boys of Helium then jump into prior comments and stocks talking about in depth...about depth...of the offensive line as well as discussing the coaching style and teaching of the Trojans' new defensive staff. They give their spring takeaways with highlights and concerns. Jayden Maiava's leadership and continued improvement is discussed as well as what to make of the freshman class that featured 31 incoming players for the spring. The Helium Boys then dive into the second half of the show to get Shotgun's reaction to some post-spring camp themed Take It Or Leave It topics. The hosts also discuss naming rights as the show ends with the Overtime period where Shotgun has to blind rank the best naming opportunities in the Bloom Center. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo ponder GM Omar Khan's trade options ahead of the NFL draft. Will he and coach Mike McCarthy use any of their 12 picks to add selections in 2027 draft, when QBs including Arch Manning, Dante More, Jayden Maiava and others are expected to be available? How can they balance their future with a competitive 2026 with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and/or presumably Aaron Rodgers behind center? And what other moves can they make to support a roster led by Joey Porter Jr., DK Metcalf, Jamel Dean, Michael Pittman Jr. and others? Our duo tackles those questions, then reacts to Chris's lates mock draft that includes picks of WR Omar Cooper Jr.; G Chase Bisontis; CB Keionte Scott; DT Domonique Orange; S Zakee Wheatley and TE Marlin Klein. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise ponders which outcome would be better for the Steelers at the end of the 2026 season. Another playoff loss? Or the first overall pick in the NFL draft? Is one more run with names like Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt and Aaron Rodgers worth chasing? Or would the long-term outlook for younger stars like DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Joey Porter Jr., Derrick Harmon and others be better is they could add a top choice to their ranks? Would GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy be closer to a Super Bowl victory with another spot in the postseason tournament? Or a chance at a franchise QB in the form of expect top 2027 picks Arch Manning, Dante Moore and Jayden Maiava? Paul tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Jagger May and Andrew Mott are already looking past 2026 and breaking down a quarterback class that could rival some of the best in recent memory. With at least four first-round-caliber passers and an S-tier that could produce the next franchise QB, the 2027 class deserves your attention right now. Dante Moore sits at number one with high-upside tools and the most to gain or lose in 2027. He now faces stiff competition from transfer portal newcomer Dylan Raiola at Oregon, making his season a must-watch storyline. Julian Sayin at Ohio State is drawing massive buzz as a potential QB1, while Arch Manning showed real improvement late in the season at Texas. Jayden Maiava at USC, DJ Lagway (now at Baylor), and LaNorris Sellers round out a tier of big-armed, high-ceiling prospects still learning the game. Josh Hoover transferring to Indiana may be the sleeper of the class, and John Mateer at Oklahoma brings electric athleticism if he can rein in the decision making. Brendan Sorsby heads to Texas Tech as a name to watch. The dynasty advice is simple: stockpile 2027 picks now before the market catches up. Check out the latest Rookie Big Boards and Dynasty Rankings to get ahead. Start Using the Film Room Today! FFPC: New Users: Use promo code NERDS for $25 off your first FFPC Orphan Team! 00:00 Start 01:07 1. Dante Moore 04:37 2. Julian Sayin 10:35 3. Arch Manning 15:32 4. Jayden Maiava 18:09 6. DJ Lagway 20:32 7. LaNorris Sellers 24:01 5. Josh Hoover 28:18 8. Dylan Raiola 32:45 9. John Mateer 35:40 10. Brendan Sorsby Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel & Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko ponder comments made by owner Art Rooney II, GM Omar Khan and new coach Mike McCarthy this week at the NFL owners meetings. Is the team putting up smokescreens about its remaining personnel decisions in free agency and the NFL draft? Particularly at the QB position as Aaron Rodgers remains unsigned? Should we take comments about Will Howard and Alabama prospect Ty Simpson at face value? Then later, the guys ponder trade options that could have implications for the draft both this year and next year. Could veterans including T.J. Watt and Pat Freiermuth be moved in some type of blockbuster with an eye toward grabbing a QB like Arch Manning, Dante Moore or Jayden Maiava in 2027? Or could Khan even be looking to move up in this year's draft? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to former Steelers linebacker James Harrison saying on his podcast that he's had conversations with Bengals QB Joe Burrow about changing teams and heading to Pittsburgh. Is Harrison serious? Is there any world where the Bengals would give up their franchise QB to their division rival? Or is Harrison just manifesting a dream scenario with the Steelers' future at QB up in the air between Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard and Mason Rudolph? And in this hypothetical situation, should the Steelers even want to pursue the injury-riddled Burrow with a loaded 2027 NFL draft QB class looming that includes names like Dante Moore, Arch Manning and Jayden Maiava? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Last week a clip of USC practicing in 2008 went viral and a few friends sent it to me. Watching it brought me right back. Every rep felt like your position was on the line. Every drill had juice. And what stood out most was that everyone welcomed it. It was competitive, it was fun, and players thrived in it.Today's Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth podcast, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat, focuses on this year's Trojans.And I'll admit this. Being around this freshman class at the Navy All-American Game, speaking to the team last month, and now watching spring ball, I finally sense that this roster has the type of competitive depth that can make it feel like that again. Daily.I've been around USC for a long time. As a camp counselor in 2002 and 2003 while playing at Pitt, on the coaching staff from 2005 to 2009, and now broadcasting their games for nearly two decades. I've seen a lot of cardinal and gold.One of the biggest takeaways from my time with Pete Carroll, and from learning alongside him since, is his definition of competition.Most people think of it as striving against one another. He always went back to the Latin root. To strive together.That's what the best teams do. They compete every day knowing their job is on the line, but their focus is on the present moment and getting better through it. That's not easy anywhere, and in Los Angeles, it might be the hardest place in college football to truly live that out.What helps is talent. Real talent. At every position.And this year's Trojans might have that.The freshman class has elevated every room. The portal additions have done the same. But the reason I'm leaning toward USC making a run at the CFP isn't just the talent. It's how the returners are responding to it. The offensive line, the quarterback room, the running backs, the defensive front, the linebackers. They're welcoming the competition. They're leaning into the idea of striving together, not against.After being at practice, I don't think talent alone is driving this. It's their disposition.This team feels blue collar.That might sound odd in Los Angeles, but if you've been around this program, you understand. There has always been a tension between internal reality and external expectations. The hype can get loud, and at times, it can get in the way.This group feels different.The young players aren't arriving expecting anything. They're arriving ready to work. And the veterans are responding to that, not resisting it. There's a shared understanding that competition is the path.Up front, the offensive line looks like one of the better units in the country with real experience and depth. At quarterback, Jayden Maiava has a calm confidence that comes with ownership of the role at USC. Along the defensive line, there are multiple players who can impact a game and look like future pros.And maybe most importantly, when you watch this team walk onto the field, there's no drop off. It looks like a complete roster. Head coach Lincoln Riley and GM Chad Bowden deserve a ton of credit for that. Now let's be real. It's March. Spring ball creates optimism everywhere. And USC's path is not an easy one. Hosting Oregon, Washington, and Ohio State. Traveling to Rutgers, Penn State, Wisconsin, and defending national champion Indiana. That's a B1G schedule.But this team feels like it knows exactly what it has. And more importantly, what it's building toward.So yeah, I'm leaning into the hype.Because I've seen what it looks like when it gets rolling here. And once it does, it's hard to stop.Thanks for all the support of Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth and our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe, share, and let me know what you're seeing as our spring tour continues and if you've missed the last two episodes, be sure to run it back to learn from Curt Cignetti and my takeaways from Nebraska.Much love and stay steady,YogiY-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe