Podcasts about redbirds

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Best podcasts about redbirds

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Latest podcast episodes about redbirds

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast
Redbirds Basketball Show 02-16-26

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2026 89:36


Redbirds Basketball Show 02-16-26See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

B-Schaeff Daily
Ep. 874: Is Andrew McCutchen the answer to the Cardinals search for RH outfield help?

B-Schaeff Daily

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2026 14:19


Brenden Schaeffer discusses the concept of the Cardinals reaching out to longtime rival player Andrew McCutchen to fill the need for some right-handed hitting outfield help.With the Pirates shunning Cutch and the longtime star believing he's got gas left in the tank, there's a case to be made that he fits what St. Louis needs on its roster--and that his 2025 stats show how he could contribute this summer for the Redbirds.

Sports Open Line
Hour 1: Bernie Miklasz and Foul Territory's Scott Braun!

Sports Open Line

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2026 35:44


In the first hour of tonight's Sports Open Line, Matt Pauley describes the latest happenings from Jupiter at Cardinals Spring Training! He is joined by Bernie Miklasz, to talk through possible right handed outfield options left out there for the Redbirds, and much more! We also welcome on Scott Braun, the host of the "Foul Territory" podcast.

Sports Open Line
Full Show: Cardinals Spring Training underway, right handed hitting options, MLB storylines

Sports Open Line

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2026 74:27


In the first hour of tonight's Sports Open Line, Matt Pauley describes the latest happenings from Jupiter at Cardinals Spring Training! He is joined by Bernie Miklasz, to talk through possible right handed outfield options left out there for the Redbirds, and much more! We also welcome on Scott Braun, the host of the "Foul Territory" podcast. In the second hour of the show, Matt Pauley has a conversation in Jupiter with Joe Roderick, of STL Sports Central. Then, we wrap up the show by hearing from Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol, as he updates us on the team at Spring Training!

Sports Open Line
Hour 2: Matt Pauley from Cardinals Spring Training!

Sports Open Line

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2026 40:09


In the second hour of the show, Matt Pauley talks with Dan Szymborski, senior writer for FanGraphs, regarding his expectations for the Redbirds in 2026, and the framework they are putting in place for the future. Then, we open up the phone lines to you to talk about the new and improved Roger Dean Stadium!

Sports Open Line
Full Show: Matt Pauley from Spring Training feat. Mike Ferrin, Amy Marxkors, Dan Szymborski

Sports Open Line

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2026 74:22


Matt Pauley is live from Cardinals Spring Training in Jupiter, Florida! In the first hour, Matt begins by discussing the changes at the Cardinals Spring Training facility. Then, we are joined by Mike Ferrin of MLB Network Radio, to talk everything Major League Baseball. And despite the NHL being in the midst of the Olympic break, we are joined by Amy Marxkors, to talk some Blues hockey! In the second hour of the show, Matt chats with Dan Szymborski, senior writer for FanGraphs, regarding his expectations for the Redbirds in 2026, and the framework they are putting in place for the future. Then, we open up the phone lines to you to talk about the new and improved Roger Dean Stadium!

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast
The Redbirds Basketball Show 02-02-26

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2026 89:43


The Redbirds Basketball Show 02-02-26See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Arizona's Morning News
Dan Bickley, host of Bickley & Marotta mornings on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM

Arizona's Morning News

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2026 6:55


The Cardinals have found their head coach in Mike LaFleur, who most recently was offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. Dan Bickley, host of "Bickley and Marotta" mornings on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM joins the show to break down the move and talk about what else we can expect from the Red Birds this offseason. 

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast
Redbirds Basketball Coaches Show 01-26-26

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2026 89:11


Redbirds Basketball Coaches Show 01-26-26See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Storytellers by ESPE
ER Doctor to Baseball Historian: Eric Vickrey on the 1946 Spokane Crash & Runnin' Redbirds Legacy

Storytellers by ESPE

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2026 51:21


In this episode of the With Priscilla podcast, Eric Vickrey shares his unique journey from a full-time career in emergency medicine to becoming a passionate baseball historian and author. He discusses his books, particularly 'Season of Shattered Dreams,' which explores the tragic 1946 Spokane Indians bus crash and its impact on baseball. Vickrey highlights the importance of relationships in baseball, exemplified by Tommy Lasorda's management style, and delves into the role of scouts in shaping the sport's history. He also shares insights into his research process and future projects, including a focus on the Negro Leagues.   IMPORTANT LINKS Eric's website and where to purchase signed books: https://ericvickrey.com/   Books: Before They Wore Dodger Blue https://www.amazon.com/Before-They-Wore-Dodger-Blue-ebook/dp/B0G2FMCJJD?ref_=ast_author_mpb   Runnin' Redbirds: The World Champion 1982 St. Louis Cardinals https://www.amazon.com/Runnin-Redbirds-World-Champion-Cardinals-ebook/dp/B0CNNNT4S6/ref=books_amazonstores_desktop_mfs_aufs_ap_sc_dsk_0?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=2XSUi&content-id=amzn1.sym.6d92b4c0-97d6-4063-b66e-20890dfbd616&pf_rd_p=6d92b4c0-97d6-4063-b66e-20890dfbd616&pf_rd_r=139-5612463-8318910&pd_rd_wg=3dijH&pd_rd_r=6459c453-0506-4f74-bad8-5f3c576ca2c6   Season of Shattered Dreams: Postwar Baseball, the Spokane Indians, and a Tragic Bus Crash that Changed Everything https://www.amazon.com/Season-Shattered-Dreams-Baseball-Everything/dp/1538190729?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1 With Priscilla Podcast Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/with-priscilla/id1482339036 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NyltOJB30PjK2yThBEySw YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@withpriscillapodcast Podbean: https://withpriscilla.podbean.com/ iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-with-priscilla-80160380

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast
The Redbirds Basketball Show 01-19-26

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2026 90:25


The Redbirds Basketball Show 01-19-26See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big Sky Breakdown
Nuanez Brothers on FCS national championship victory

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2026 65:01


Skyline Sports' Nuanez Brothers dissect Montana State's thrilling national championship game. The duo analyzes key plays, coaching decisions, and player performances. They discuss the game's emotional impact on the state and the team's future.

Big Sky Breakdown
Tootell & Nuanez on Montana State's national title and what it means for the state of Montana

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2026 57:54


Skyline Sports' Tootell & Nuanez discuss Montana State's historic national game. They analyze the game's dramatic twists and turns, debating key plays and coaching decisions. The conversation also explores the game's broader impact on Montana's football landscape.

The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper
01/13/26 Hour 1: Mike Tomlin is OUT with the Steelers, Cardinals trade Nolan Arenado, Etched in Stone

The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2026 54:57


Breaking news: The Steelers and Mike Tomlin have parted ways after 19 years. Where will he go next and who will be the Steelers 4th Head Coach in franchise history? How about Curt Cignetti? Another Cardinals star is on the move. St. Louis traded Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks for right handed pitcher Jack Martinez. Jeremiah Cox covers the Redbirds and joins us to discuss the move. Plus, Etched in Stone is on fire! Get tonight's bet from Evan.

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast
The Redbirds Basketball Show 01-12-26

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2026 89:52


The Redbirds Basketball Show 01-12-26See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big Sky Breakdown
AKEM'S ANALYSIS: FCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP (MONTANA STATE WINS THRILLER OVER ILLINOIS STATE)

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2026 41:50


In this week's Akem's Analysis, I recap all of the ups and downs of the 2026 FCS National Championship game, which may go down in history as one of the best ever. Like and comment your thoughts down below! SUBSCRIBE BEFORE YOU LEAVE!!! SPORTS BET MONTANA LINK: https://sportsbetmontana.com/en

Tootell & Nuanez
Nuanez Now January 6, 2026 - Hour 1 - Justin Lamson, Brent Vigen, Brock Spack, Tommy Rittenhouse, Tye Niekamp

Tootell & Nuanez

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2026 53:24


Colter Nuanez is back in the studio following one of the most unforgettable games in college football history.The Cats are national champions after an absolutely unbelievable FCS National Championship—sealed by a go-ahead extra point in overtime. It was the first overtime game ever in FCS National Championship history, and it delivered drama until the very last kick.Hear from Cats quarterback Justin Lamson and head coach Brent Vigen as they relive a championship finish for the ages—breaking down the pressure, the decisions, and the moment that brought a title home.You'll also get the other side of the story, with perspective from the Redbirds. Players Tommy Rittenhouse and Tye Niekamp, along with head coach Brock Spack, reflect on the heartbreak, the fight, and a game that came down to inches.Colter dives deep into the moments that defined it all—the calls, the chaos, and the emotion—unpacking one of the wildest championship games college football has ever seen.

Mully & Haugh Show on 670 The Score
Redbirds had a chance (Hour 1)

Mully & Haugh Show on 670 The Score

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2026 65:21


Mike Mulligan and David Haugh opened their show by discussing Illinois State's heartbreaking overtime loss in the FCS national championship game Monday and by previewing the Bears-Packers showdown in the wild-card round. Later, they conducted the Pick 6, where they debated the top sports stories of the day.

Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast
Lawrenceville's New Downtown Hotel Rising Ahead of Schedule | Lawrenceville Resident Kicks Off New Year by Winning $1 Million in the Georgia Lottery | The Latest: US Strikes Venezuela, Captures Maduro and His Wife

Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2026 12:04


Top Stories for January 6th Publish Date: January 6th From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Tuesday, January 6th and Happy Birthday to Malcolm Young I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia. Lawrenceville's new downtown hotel rising ahead of schedule Lawrenceville resident kicks off new year by winning $1 million in the Georgia Lottery The Latest: US strikes Venezuela, captures Maduro and his wife All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe! Break 1: Kia Mall of Georgia - Sugar Hill Ice Skating Rink STORY 1: Lawrenceville's new downtown hotel rising ahead of schedule Lawrenceville’s dream of a downtown hotel has been a slow burn—years of planning, delays, and setbacks. But now? It’s finally happening, and faster than anyone expected. The Lawrence Hilton Tapestry, a boutique hotel nestled between the Lawrenceville Lawn and Arts Center, is set to open mid-2026. Or maybe even earlier. “We’re ahead of schedule and under budget,” said City Manager Chuck Warbington. Brickwork is already going up, and the weather’s been a surprising ally—minimal rain, no freezing temps. The hotel will feature 120 rooms, meeting spaces, a chef-driven restaurant (Bellfire), and a bar (Old Nick’s). Plus, 200 new parking spots in the city-owned deck below. This project’s been a decade in the making, delayed by COVID and financing hurdles. But now, Lawrenceville’s vision of a walkable, thriving downtown is finally within reach. STORY 2: Lawrenceville resident kicks off new year by winning $1 million in the Georgia Lottery Three Georgians are starting 2026 a whole lot richer—millionaires, in fact. Among them? A lucky winner from Lawrenceville, along with two others from College Park and Grovetown. Their $1 million prizes came from the Georgia Lottery’s second-chance Georgia Millionaire drawing, announced right as the clock struck midnight on New Year’s. Talk about a way to ring in the new year. The Georgia Millionaire scratcher offers $10,000 instant prizes and a shot at the big one through second-chance entries. STORY 3: The Latest: US strikes Venezuela, captures Maduro and his wife The United States launched a military operation early Saturday, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, in a move that’s already shaking the world. By morning, he was aboard a U.S. warship, blindfolded and bound for New York to face drug trafficking charges. President Trump, speaking on Fox News, called the operation “genius” and confirmed the U.S. would oversee Venezuela’s next steps. “We’ll be involved very much,” he said. The fallout was immediate. Venezuela’s U.N. ambassador condemned the strike as a “colonial war,” while China and Russia slammed the U.S. for violating international law. Meanwhile, in South Florida, Venezuelan exiles celebrated, waving flags and chanting “Liberty!” Maduro’s capture marks a dramatic escalation in U.S.-Venezuela tensions. Trump dismissed criticism over bypassing Congress, calling his opponents “weak” and insisting the operation was necessary. “The tyrant is gone,” said Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. We’ll be right back Break 2: Ingles Markets STORY 4: ART BEAT: Beat those January blues with exciting Gwinnett arts events Feeling the post-holiday slump? The decorations are packed away, the parties are over, and—ugh—football season’s almost done. So now what? Here’s an idea: throw on that big coat, brave the chill, and dive into Gwinnett’s arts scene. Plays, concerts, art classes—there’s plenty to shake off the winter blahs. On Jan. 11, the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra and Youth Orchestra team up for a concert at Discovery Theatre in Lawrenceville. Mozart, Strauss, and even Anderson’s quirky “The Typewriter” are on the program. Tickets? Head to www.tix.com. Prefer visual art? The Hudgens Center in Duluth has three exhibits running through January, including “Sketching with Buck,” a stunning collection of hand-drawn architectural sketches from around the world. Or maybe you’re itching to create? The Suwanee Arts Center offers classes like “Watercolor Landscapes” (Jan. 7 and 14) and “Drawing Basics” starting Jan. 17. Winter doesn’t stand a chance. STORY 5: Meet the first babies born in 2026 at hospitals in Gwinnett New Year’s Eve is exciting enough—countdowns, confetti, champagne. But imagine if Jan. 1 was also your birthday. That’s exactly the case for a few lucky babies born in Gwinnett hospitals as the calendar flipped to 2026. At 12:44 a.m., Julian Alessandro Sanchez made his debut at Northside Hospital Gwinnett in Lawrenceville, becoming their first baby of the year. Over at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Braselton, Brittany and Ryan Hopper of Hoschton welcomed twin boys—Koen Anthony at 4:58 a.m. and Kaden Michael at 5:14 a.m. The Hopper family even received a gift basket from the hospital’s Auxiliary and Safe Kids program. We’ll be right back. Break 3: EAGLE THEATRE Gentleman’s Guide STORY 6: Gwinnett police offering free women's basic self-defense course The Gwinnett County Police Department is hosting a self-defense program for women 16 and up, and honestly, it’s something every woman should consider. The Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) course isn’t just about learning moves—it’s about building confidence, awareness, and practical skills to stay safe. Over four sessions (Jan. 20, 22, 27, and 29, from 6–9 p.m.), participants will dive into risk awareness, avoidance strategies, and hands-on defense techniques. It wraps up with a live simulation—because practice makes perfect, right? Held at the Gwinnett Police Training Center in Lawrenceville, spots fill fast. Don’t wait. Call 678.442.6520 or visit GwinnettCounty.com/RAD to register. STORY 7: Norcross Grad Mason Kaplan Earns NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete Award Norcross alum Mason Kaplan just added another impressive accolade to his already stacked resume. On Saturday, the Illinois State linebacker snagged the NCAA FCS Football Elite Scholar-Athlete Award—one of the most prestigious academic honors in college football. Here’s the deal: this award isn’t just about being good on the field. It’s for the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the finals site of an NCAA championship. And Kaplan? He’s rocking a 4.0 in grad school, studying the psychology of sport and physical activity. Oh, and he’s also president of ISU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. What’s wild? Kaplan started his college career as a quarterback, playing two seasons at Valparaiso and one at Illinois State before an injury sidelined him in 2024. This year, though, he’s made a seamless (and dominant) transition to linebacker, helping lead the Redbirds to Monday’s FCS National Championship in Nashville. We’ll have closing comments after this Break 4: GCPL Passport Signoff – Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by the BG Podcast Network Show Sponsors: www.ingles-markets.com www.kiamallofga.com Ice Rink – Downtown Sugar Hill NewsPodcast, CurrentEvents, TopHeadlines, BreakingNews, PodcastDiscussion, PodcastNews, InDepthAnalysis, NewsAnalysis, PodcastTrending, WorldNews, LocalNews, GlobalNews, PodcastInsights, NewsBrief, PodcastUpdate, NewsRoundup, WeeklyNews, DailyNews, PodcastInterviews, HotTopics, PodcastOpinions, InvestigativeJournalism, BehindTheHeadlines, PodcastMedia, NewsStories, PodcastReports, JournalismMatters, PodcastPerspectives, NewsCommentary, PodcastListeners, NewsPodcastCommunity, NewsSource, PodcastCuration, WorldAffairs, PodcastUpdates, AudioNews, PodcastJournalism, EmergingStories, NewsFlash, PodcastConversations See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nobody's Listening Anyway
Jacks & Yotes football brands, epic FCS final, early Summit hoops & more

Nobody's Listening Anyway

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2026 87:21


HEY! We encourage you to listen to this show as part of the "Happy Hour with John Gaskins" daily podcast, which you can find at SiouxFallsLive.com, and most podcast platforms like the one you find here! So, if you enjoy the topics Matt & John cover, you'll get those topics, plus relevant local guests, every Monday through Thursday on Happy Hour... so we highly recommend you check that out!How strong are the brands of both Jackrabbits and Coyotes football heading into the 2026 season?It was not a topic on the docket of hosts John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer for the first "Nobody's Listening Anyway" podcast of the new year, but that is the beauty of the show — a natural barstool conversation, "Happy Hour with John Gaskins" style, that leads down unplanned roads. The "brands" of South Dakota's two Div. I football programs were dissected after John and Matt discussed the early transfer portal headlines for SDSU and USD. Nothing much new has popped since the December news that two Jackrabbits who would potentially be big money Power Four transfers (Chase Mason and Quentin Christensen) announced they were staying in Brookings, while two Coyotes decided to leave Vermillion to seek greener pastures (L.J. Phillips and Larenzo Fenner).The bigger picture is what second year head coaches Dan Jackson and Travis Johansen — who both tackled massive portal losses before their first seasons started — are doing to establish and maintain strong brands that will allow stability and success no matter how brutal portal combat gets year after year.And what about the rest of the FCS? Did Montana State and Illinois State breaking the nine-season streak of either North Dakota State or SDSU playing for (and winning) the national title mean there is more parity, or should we expect the usual suspects back in 2026?And how about Monday night's game? It felt like Redbirds lost it more than the Bobcats won, and John and Matt don't hold back on ISU's collapse. Next, a dive into the early Summit League men's and women's basketball seasons. Speaking of brands and identities, what do nonconference slates and early league battles suggest for things to come in a couple of months once the tournament comes back to Sioux Falls?Will the SDSU women go unbeaten in league play for a fourth consecutive season since Dawn Plitzuweit left USD? How much stronger of challengers will the Coyotes be? On the men's side, is there any clear favorite? And what do we make of USD's M*A*S*H unit and how that affects the program moving beyond this season?The show ends back on the gridiron, where both hosts say "I told you so" on the Minnesota Vikings turning down Aaron Rodgers in the offseason. Considering the shaky ability and availability of J.J. McCarthy in his first season, should Kevin O'Connell reach out to Rodgers or another veteran again... or ride it out with the kid and give him time he may need to pop?The answer to both could be yes. Hear why.Finally, John and Matt try to make sense of Alabama's 38-3 humiliation from Indiana in the Rose Bowl and what legs Kalen DeBoer has to stand on heading into his third year. A history lesson from his early years as head coach at the University of Sioux Falls could lend a hint.

Big Sky Breakdown
FCS Championship game - Illinois State press conference following 35-34 OT loss to Montana State

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2026 18:47


Following a 35-34 overtime loss to No. 2 Montana State in the FCS national title game, Illinois State head coach Brock Spack, senior quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse and junior linebacker Tye Niekamp addressed the media. 

Big Sky Breakdown
FCS Championship game - Montana State following 35-34 OT win over Illinois State

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2026 12:12


Montana State won its first national championship in 41 years by outlasting Illinois State 35-34 in overtime in Nashville, Tennessee on January 5. Justin Lamson hit Taco Dowler on a 4th down for a touchdown and Myles Sansted banged home the game-winning kick to lift the Bobcats to their 14th straight win. MSU head coach Brent Vigen, Lamson and Dowler addressed the media after the historic victory. 

Friday Night Drive
Ex-St. Francis star QB, Geneva native Tommy Rittenhouse set to lead Illinois State into FCS title game

Friday Night Drive

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2026 3:43 Transcription Available


St. Francis grad Tommy Rittenhouse came back from throwing five picks to throw two touchdown passes in the final three minutes and lead Illinois State in a colossal upset of No. 1 North Dakota State. Two wins later, Rittenhouse is set to lead the Redbirds into the FCS title game.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Friday Night Drive
Ex-St. Francis star QB, Geneva native Tommy Rittenhouse set to lead Illinois State into FCS title game

Friday Night Drive

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2026 3:42 Transcription Available


St. Francis grad Tommy Rittenhouse came back from throwing five picks to throw two touchdown passes in the final three minutes and lead Illinois State in a colossal upset of No. 1 North Dakota State. Two wins later, Rittenhouse is set to lead the Redbirds into the FCS title game.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

SwampSwami.com - Sports Commentary and more!
New Year = New teams and new Champions!

SwampSwami.com - Sports Commentary and more!

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2026 10:49


Well, that didn’t take long! Three of the top four seeds in this year’s College Football Playoffs bit the dust in the quarterfinals this week. Only top-ranked Indiana (now 14-0) remains alive heading into next week’s semifinal round. We are into Year #2 of the 12-team College Football Playoffs.  Last year, all four top seeded teams lost after a bye week.  The 2024 top seed Oregon lost to eventual champion and #8 seed Ohio State.  Second seeded Georgia, #3 Boise State, and #4 Arizona State lost in the quarterfinal round, too. This year, add three more top teams to the “one and done” party. Say good-bye to #2 seed Ohio State, #3 Georgia, and #4 Texas Tech.  Those three teams all had to wait nearly a month before ESPN (oops, I mean the College Football Playoff Committee) allowed them to play their first game in this drawn-out post-season event. The top-seed Indiana Hoosiers finally figured out the secret formula on how to survive the long wait to play football again.  They blasted #9 seed Alabama 38-3 on New Year’s Day to become the only favorite remaining in this year’s College Football Playoffs. Here are a few thoughts about this week’s four College Football Playoff games Game 1 – Cotton Bowl – #10 seed Miami (FL) 24, #2 Ohio State 14 The Miami Hurricanes displayed a powerful gale force defense in blowing away 10-point favorite Ohio State Buckeyes in Wednesday night’s New Year’s Eve playoff game. The Canes jumped to a 14-0 halftime advantage and never looked back. Miami’s bruising running attack featuring senior Mark Fletcher, Jr. out-rushed the defending national champion Ohio State 153 yards to just 45.  The ability to keep the football out of the Buckeyes’ hands late in the game hindered the chances of Ohio State making a comeback. Miami will play in next Thursday’s semifinal game at the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix. Game 2 – Orange Bowl – #5 Oregon 23, #4 Texas Tech 0 Texas Tech definitely has a first-class defensive unit!  This game’s final score should have been much, much worse for the Red Raiders if their exceptional defense had allowed a few more touchdowns in this very lopsided affair. The Oregon Ducks’ offense misfired on several opportunities but still had plenty of points to beat the worst offense (by far) we have seen in recent college football memory. Need an example? Texas Tech’s senior quarterback Behren Morton passed for just 137 yards, lost 32 yards on six carries, was intercepted twice, fumbled once, and sacked four times.  Ouch. Oregon (now 13-1) moves on to play next Friday night against top seeded Indiana in a rematch of a game won by the Hoosiers 30-20 at Eugene, Oregon in October. Game 3 – Rose Bowl – #1 Indiana 38, #9 Alabama 3 The 14-0 Hoosiers dominated this game and put on a clinic in dispatching ESPN’s favorite team, Alabama.  The pre-game banter from ESPN’s GameDay crew came across as nauseatingly in favor of the mighty Crimson Tide taking down the overrated pretenders from Indiana. As former College GameDay crew member (and Indiana football coach) Lee Corso might say, “Not so fast!” Indiana’s Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza efficiently completed 14 of 16 passes for 192 yards including three touchdowns. The balanced Hoosier running game tacked on another 215 yards and two more scores. Alabama ended its season at 11-4. Coach Kalen DeBoer and his team will face more scrutiny in the coming weeks after being chosen ahead of 10-2 Notre Dame for a playoff spot. Indiana advances into the semifinal round next Friday night in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. Game 4 – Sugar Bowl – #6 Ole Miss 39, #3 Georgia 34 Ole Miss fans are thrilled about this post-Lane Kiffin team as it moved to 2-0 without its former coach in the post-season. Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss continued to impress on New Year’s Day.  He led Ole Miss with a heroic fourth quarter rally to subdue the Georgia Bulldogs 39-34 in the biggest thriller of this season’s College Football Playoffs.  Chambliss passed for 362 yards and two touchdowns as the Rebels battled back and forth with an equally tough Georgia squad. Ole Miss is now 13-1 and will face Miami in the Fiesta Bowl next Thursday night. How did SwampSwami’s predictions about these four games fare? Not too bad!  My final story of 2025 gave my prediction for these four College Football Playoff quarterfinal games. I was 2-2 in correctly picking Indiana and Ole Miss to advance. Ohio State and Texas Tech let me down, but both deserved to go home after disappointing outings. A new champion in both the major college FBS and small college FCS will be crowned in January! Ohio State’s loss on Wednesday night insured a new champion for the large school FBS group. Likewise, North Dakota State’s loss to Illinois State in the small college FCS Playoffs insures a new champ on the lower division. The Redbirds (12-4) will face Montana State (13-2) in the FCS championship game on Monday night on ESPN at 6:30PM CST. Who is the happiest college football coach this week not participating in the College Football Playoffs? That would be former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin. He signed a new contract to coach at LSU beginning next season.  The Ole Miss Athletics Director told Kiffin to hit the road to Baton Rouge and wouldn’t allow him to coach this year’s team in the College Football Playoffs. Lane Kiffin is definitely rooting for his former players to keep on winning. He still loves his players from this season’s Ole Miss team.  Kiffin’s new contract at LSU calls for him to be paid the same bonus money he would have earned had he been coaching this year’s Ole Miss team in the College Football Playoffs. LSU wrote a check for $150,000 to Coach Lane Kiffin after his former team at Ole Miss qualified as a participant in the College Football Playoffs. The coach then pocketed another $250,000 after Ole Miss’ first round 41-10 win over Tulane. Coach Kiffin just added another $500,000 – to be paid by LSU – after Thursday’s thrilling victory by Ole Miss over Georgia. Should Ole Miss win next week’s semifinal game against Miami, Lane Kiffin will pad his bank account with another $750,000.  A national title by the Rebels in two weeks would cost LSU another $1 million. As of today, the tab for LSU is now up to $900,000.  Two more wins by the Ole Miss Rebels would bring the total being paid by the Tigers to new coach Lane Kiffin to an obscene $2 ½ million! Let’s go ahead and try to pick the two CFP semifinal winners! Semifinal 1 – Fiesta Bowl – Thursday, January 8 – 6:30PM CST on ESPN #6 seed Ole Miss vs. #10 Miami (FL) Miami has been slaying giants during the first two rounds.  Their opening game defensive struggle at Texas A&M featured 106,000 screaming fans making life miserable for the Hurricanes’ offense.  However, Miami’s defense and running game prevailed in a 10-3 squeaker. Those same two elements (defense and a pounding running attack) carried Miami to a 24-14 victory in the quarterfinals against defending champion Ohio State on Wednesday night. Ole Miss has scored 80 points in its first two playoff games.  Miami has allowed just 17 points in its two playoff games. Something’s gotta give. If Ole Miss can put 27 or more points on the board on Thursday night, it should be enough for victory.  Get your checkbook ready again, LSU athletics department! Prediction: Ole Miss 30, Miami 24 Semifinal 2 – Peach Bowl – Friday, January 9 – 6:30PM CST on ESPN #1 seed Indiana vs. #5 Oregon This rematch will be conducted in a domed stadium in Atlanta.  Did you know that neither team has played a game in a domed indoor facility all season? Oregon’s defense surrendered 34 points to James Madison in Round 1 and then shut-out Texas Tech in the quarterfinals.  Go figure. Texas Tech played its worst offensive game in decades, though.  I don’t think Oregon is going to shut down a very balanced Indiana attack – especially on artificial turf. Oregon must find a way to score early and often and put Indiana into an early hole.  The Hoosiers’ balanced run/pass offense operates like a Mack truck to wear down opponents and has rarely been required to come from behind. I like Indiana’s unheralded but highly effective defense to take the spotlight next Friday night. Prediction: Indiana 34, Oregon 21 The post New Year = New teams and new Champions! appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com.

Big Sky Breakdown
Illinois State DC Travis Niekamp & strength coach Matt Nicholson on matchup with Montana State

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2026 23:10


Illinois State defensive coordinator Travis Niekamp and strength and conditioning coach Matt Nicholson, each formerly coaches at the University of Montana, analyze playing Montana State in the FCS title game.

Big Sky Breakdown
AKEM'S ANALYSIS: FCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW (#2 MONTANA STATE VS ILLINOIS STATE)

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2026 43:06


In this week's Akem's Analysis, I preview the upcoming FCS National Championship game. Montana State and Illinois State will face off for the FCS crown on Monday, January 5th, in Nashville, Tennessee. Stay tuned for the whole episode. Like and comment your thoughts down below! SUBSCRIBE BEFORE YOU LEAVE!!! SPORTS BET MONTANA LINK: https://sportsbetmontana.com/en0:00 - Intro2:21 - Montana State/Illinois State Preview29:42 - 5 Biggest Matchups in The FCS Championship41:42 - Final Thoughts43:03 - End

Big Sky Breakdown
Ty Gregorak on the state of college football and Montana State heading to the national championship

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2026 49:42


Analyst Ty Gregorak joins Colter Nuanez to talk about NIL, the transfer portal, the lack of regulation + thoughts on Montana State's pursuit of a national championship for the first time since 1984.

Big Sky Breakdown
Skyline Sports Montana State beat writer Tom Stuber on MSU's semifinal win & trip to Nashville

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2025 27:57


Tom Stuber, a veteran sportswriter who covers Montana State for Skyline Sports, helps break down MSU's semifinal win over rival Montana in the FCS Playoffs and previews the Bobcats' national title game tilt against Illinois State.

Big Sky Breakdown
"Montana State Minute" - Sophomore captain RB Adam Jones helps preview the FCS national title game

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2025 8:15


Montana State sophomore captain running back joined Colter Nuanez on Nuanez Now to preview the FCS national title game between MSU and Illinois State.

Big Sky Breakdown
Skyline Sports photographer Blake Hempstead has covered 8 of Montana State's home games this season

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2025 35:27


Skyline Sports senior photographer Blake Hempstead gives his impressions of Montana State as the crew makes their way to the national championship game for the fifth time since 2019.

FCS Podcast
Illinois State Play-By-Play Voice John Fitzgerald Talks Redbirds' Road To Nashville

FCS Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2025 21:07 Transcription Available


On this episode, Sam is joined by John Fitzgerald, the play-by-play voice for Illinois State. They discuss:-Illinois State's playoff journey to Nashville-When did things click for Illinois State-The win at NDSU-Expected crowd in Nashville-Key players for Illinois State-Brock Spack-Illinois State adapting to the new age of college athletics-The matchup against Montana State-And moreThe podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.

The FCS Check Down w/ Nathan McCreary and Brandon Joseph
FCS Playoffs: Inside the Illinois State RedBirds with Head Coach Brock Spack

The FCS Check Down w/ Nathan McCreary and Brandon Joseph

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2025 90:16


The FCS CheckDown Podcast is the go-to show for fans of Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) college football. Hosted by veteran sports broadcasters Nathan McCreary and Brandon Joseph, along with former Western Kentucky player and football aficionado Coach Ron Jackson, the podcast dives deep into everything happening across the FCS landscape.Each episode features in-depth discussions, game analysis, and exclusive interviews with standout players and coaches from around the nation. The hosts bring a mix of professional insight, on-field experience, and authentic passion for the game that connects with both hardcore fans and newcomers alike.From live broadcasts and weekly previews to interactive fan segments, FCS CheckDown keeps listeners plugged into the heart of college football's most competitive division. Whether it's breaking down the latest upsets or highlighting under-the-radar programs, the FCS CheckDown Podcast celebrates the teams, players, and traditions that make FCS football special.Nathan McCreary @mccrearyradioBrandon Joseph @BJosephRadioRon Jackson @GOS_Coach_Ron#FCS #fcsfootball #NCAAFCS #collegefootball

Big Sky Breakdown
FCS National Championship - Montana State captains DT Paul Brott & C JT Reed on Illinois State

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2025 18:41


Montana State senior defensive tackle Paul Brott (left) and senior center JT Reed addressed the media a week ahead of MSU's FCS national title game against Illinois State. The Bobcats have advanced to three of the last five title games, losing to North Dakota State in its previous two trips. Illinois State beat NDSU in the second round of this year's playoffs.

Big Sky Breakdown
Skyline Sports analyst JP Flynn on Montana State's playoff win over Montana, title game matchup

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2025 41:32


Former Montana State All-American JP Flynn joins Colter Nuanez for a breakdown of MSU's 48-23 win over Montana to advance to the FCS title game for the third time in five years. The Bobcats will play No. 17 Illinois State on Monday January 5 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Big Sky Breakdown
FCS National Championship - Montana State head coach Brent Vigen on matchup with Illinois State

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2025 41:42


Montana State fifth-year head coach Brent Vigen has led MSU to the FCS national title game in consecutive seasons and in three of the last five years overall. The Bobcats take on No. 17 Illinois State, the first team in FCS playoff history to win four straight road games. The contest takes place in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday January 5.

Big Sky Breakdown
FCS National title game - Illinois State head coach Brock Spack on Montana State matchup

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2025 37:10


Illinois State head coach Brock Spack broke down his team's four consecutive road wins in the FCS Playoffs to reach the national title game for the first time since 2014 and the second time under Spack's leadership.

Big Sky Breakdown
Akem's Analysis: FCS Semifinals Reaction (Montana/Montana State, Illinois State/Villanova)

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2025 42:14


In this week's Akem's Analysis, I give my thoughts about the FCS Semifinals. A lot happened, and there is a lot to discuss. So stay tuned in for the whole episode.SPORTS BET MONTANA LINK: https://sportsbetmontana.com/en 

SwampSwami.com - Sports Commentary and more!
Holiday College Football Review + Playoff Predictions!

SwampSwami.com - Sports Commentary and more!

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 11:40


The Christmas holiday season is now underway.  Yours truly will trek down I-20 to visit family in north Louisiana for several days later this week. This will be the final SwampSwami report for 2025, so let’s make it worth your time with some bold predictions for the upcoming playoff games! First, a review of last weekend’s first round of the College Football Playoffs #9 seed Alabama 34, #8 Oklahoma 24 The Oklahoma Sooners looked unbeatable early in the second quarter of last Friday night’s opening game of this year’s playoffs. Alas, it was the second half of that same second quarter which wrecked the Sooner Schooner and its national title hopes. OU raced to 17-0 lead early in the second quarter by scoring on three consecutive possessions.  Alabama finally put some points on the board with a 75-yard touchdown drive to make it 17-7. Then Oklahoma’s All-SEC punter Grayson Miller accidentally dropped the ball just prior to punting it.  Bama quickly recovered and would kick a field goal to trail 17-10. On the next possession, Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer completed a beautiful pass – right into the hands of Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown – for a 50-yard interception and score for the Crimson Tide. This game went to halftime tied at 17 apiece.  The Oklahoma football team and its home crowd of more than 80,000 looked shocked and deflated heading to the locker room after a self-inflicted second quarter collapse. Alabama tacked on ten more points in the third quarter to take a 27-17 lead.  The Tide went on to win 34-24 and will face #1 seed Indiana in a second round game on January 1. #10 seed Miami 10, #7 seed Texas A&M 3 Nobody could have predicted this putrid offensive performance by both teams in the first two quarters.  The scoreboard registered 0-0 at halftime on a dry, warm 75-degree Saturday afternoon in College Station, Texas. Miami finally got on the scoreboard with a third quarter field goal.  They were matched by Texas A&M early in the fourth quarter to make the score 3-3. That’s when Hurricanes’ running back Mark Fletcher, Jr. took over and literally carried his team on his back Saturday with 172 rushing yards.  His punishing fourth quarter runs carried the Canes downfield to take a 10-3 lead with two minutes to go. A final drive by the Aggies to the Miami 5-yard line ended when Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed was intercepted on a questionable pass into the end zone. Miami returns to the state of Texas next Wednesday night to play #2 seed Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve. #6 seed Ole Miss 41, #11 seed Tulane 10 Before you blinked, the Coach Lane Kiffin-less Rebels jumped to a 14-0 lead with only a few minutes gone in the first quarter.  You may remember that Ole Miss played Tulane earlier in the season and came away with a lopsided 45-10 victory. Tulane never had a chance (again) in stepping-up to play this high-scoring SEC foe.  The Green Wave finished the season with an 11-3 record. Ole Miss travels to New Orleans to face #3 seed Georgia next Thursday on New Year’s Day in the Sugar Bowl. #5 seed Oregon 51, #12 seed James Madison 34 The Ducks had their way with the JMU Dukes in Saturday’s final first round College Football Playoff game.  Oregon led 34-6 at halftime and coasted the rest of the way. James Madison finished its season with an outstanding 12-2 record. The Ducks of Oregon will migrate across the USA next week to play #4 seed Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day. Prediction time! Wednesday, December 31 – 6:30PM CST on ESPN – Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas #2 seed Ohio State (12-1) vs. #10 seed Miami (FL) (11-2) Ohio State is rusty after nearly a month off, but they have more than enough firepower to sink Miami’s battleship.  The Hurricanes’ very expensive NIL transfer quarterback Carson Beck needs to have his best game of the year to deliver a win for the Canes. I don’t think he will. Prediction – Ohio State 31, Miami 14 Thursday, January 1 – 11AM CST on ESPN – Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida #5 seed Oregon (12-1) vs. #4 seed Texas Tech (12-1) Oregon and Texas Tech can light-up the scoreboard, but the Red Raiders’ defense should become the big difference in this game.  Oregon’s second half against James Madison displayed a number of defensive lapses.  Texas Tech took good notes and should exploit the Ducks secondary in rolling to a surprisingly easy win. Prediction – Texas Tech 38, Oregon 24 Thursday, January 1 – 3PM CST on ESPN – Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California #9 seed Alabama (11-3) vs. #1 seed Indiana (13-0) The only unbeaten team in major college football takes center stage in the famous Rose Bowl against SEC power Alabama.  Indiana’s gritty 13-10 win over Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game validated their claim to the #1 spot. Alabama’s offense must duplicate its second half performance against Oklahoma’s defense in order to stay close in this game.  In the end, Indiana’s Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza has a more balanced offense than Alabama and should prevail. Prediction – Indiana 28, Alabama 17 Thursday, January 1 – 7PM CST on ESPN – Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana #6 seed Ole Miss (12-1) vs. #3 seed Georgia (12-1) Watch to see if the Ole Miss offense can exploit enough weaknesses in the Georgia defense to stay close in the first half of this game.  If not, Georgia’s ball-control offense has a tendency to wear down opponents late in the game.  Georgia has a proven big-time coach in two-time national champion Kirby Smart.  I cannot pick four favorites, so I like Ole Miss to jump to an early lead and stun Georgia in the Superdome next week. Prediction – Ole Miss 27, Georgia 21 Now, let’s review Saturday’s FCS Semifinals and make a Championship Prediction! #2 seed Montana State 48, #3 seed Montana 23 Montana State has been really close to winning a national title in recent years.  The Bobcats have finished second to North Dakota State three times in the past five seasons. This year, the Bison of NDSU lost – at home – to fast-improving Illinois State and left the door open for a new champion.  Montana State (now 13-2) punched its ticket to the title game on January 5 in Nashville with an emphatic fourth quarter performance to eliminate intrastate rival Montana. The Bobcats scored 21 points in the final quarter on Saturday afternoon to pull away from the Grizzlies.  Montana State will be attempting to win the school’s first FCS national title since 1984. Unseeded Illinois State 30, #12 seed Villanova 14 Illinois State won its fourth consecutive road playoff game by wearing down Villanova in Philadelphia on Saturday night. The “Roadbirds” improved to 12-4 in advancing to the FCS title game in Nashville in less than two weeks.  Illinois State traveled south, north, west, and east to defeat Southeastern Louisiana, defending champion North Dakota State, UC-Davis, and Villanova in succession in this year’s FCS playoffs. Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse, school-record holding wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz, and the Redbirds’ relentless 220-pound running back senior Victor Dawson controlled the football for nearly 40 minutes to just 20 for Villanova in Saturday night’s latest win. The Redbirds will try to grab the school’s first FCS football championship against 13-2 Montana State in the title game. *Prediction – FCS Championship Game – Monday, January 5 – 6:30PM CST on ESPN in Nashville, Tennessee #2 seed Montana State (13-2) vs. unseeded Illinois State (12-4) The two teams which have defeated all comers and will face-off in a fascinating title game being held this year at Vanderbilt University’s football stadium in Nashville. Montana State is capable of beating teams methodically or with big plays on offense.  The Bobcats’ opportunistic defense has been stellar all season.  This confident Illinois State team fears no one.  The Redbirds just became the first FCS football team to go 4-0 on the road to reach the finals. Illinois State’s defense can be suspect at times.  Montana State must not allow the Redbirds to control the ball like they have done throughout their incredible run in the FCS playoffs. This game should be a dandy!  I like the experience of Montana State to prevail in a very competitive title game. Prediction – Montana State 35, Illinois State 28 Heaux, Heaux, Heaux – it’s time for me to geaux! Merry Christmas to all! The post Holiday College Football Review + Playoff Predictions! appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com.

SwampSwami.com - Sports Commentary and more!
Santa Delivers Pre-Christmas Football Presents this Weekend

SwampSwami.com - Sports Commentary and more!

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2025 11:20


We all know that Santa Claus is a football fan.   How else can he stay so jolly while gearing-up for a one-night trip around the world in both freezing and blazing hot temperatures next week? This man definitely has the Dad bod of a jolly old soul who watches a lot of football games during the fall.  Too many cookies and hot chocolate can do that. “Ho, ho…oh, drat!  That scale must be wrong again.  Time to start my diet all over again come January, right?” This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Santa’s Workshop will hand us a glorious assortment of pre-Christmas football games to watch as the elves keep one eye on their flat screen TV’s while they work. The football games help alleviate the stress which Santa and his crew are feeling ahead of next Wednesday night’s big deliveries. “Roll Tide or Boomer, Sooner? They play Friday night! Will Ole Miss miss Kiffin as Tulane puts up a fight? Sunday’s Jaguars at Broncos – the best game of the day? Or Steelers visit Motown – which team comes to play?” It’s a holiday weekend football celebration!  College football on Friday night and all day on Saturday.  NFL games are plentiful, too, on both Saturday and Sunday. If your Christmas shopping isn’t done, you’ve still got Monday and Tuesday, right? Let’s preview this wonderful slate of football games coming this weekend (all times CST) Friday 12/19 10 AM – ESPN – It’s the early bird special! Myrtle Beach Bowl – Conference USA champ Kennesaw State (10-3) vs. Mid-American champion Western Michigan (9-4) Put your bowl of Cheerios down and get started watching some college football!  This bowl game is played on the campus of nearby Coastal Carolina.  A partly cloudy day with 64 warm degrees will greet fans watching these two mid-major conference champions. 1:30PM – ESPN – Gasparilla Bowl – Memphis (8-4) vs. N. Carolina State (7-5) This fairly even match-up makes for a great spot to take your Friday afternoon siesta.  The NC State Wolfpack knocked-off top ACC teams like Virginia and Wake Forest this year.  Memphis (which saw head coach Ryan Silverfield leave for Arkansas three weeks ago) will try to break a three game losing streak in Tampa on a warm 78-degree afternoon. 7PM – ABC and ESPN – College Football Playoff Game 1 – Alabama (10-3) at Oklahoma (10-2) What a terrific Friday nightcap! The Sooners beat Bama 23-21 in Tuscaloosa on November 15. This is the “Something to prove” game.  Alabama’s quarterback Ty Simpson faded off the Heisman radar late in the year with several inconsistent efforts.  The agent for Bama head coach Kalen DeBoer has been fielding and deflecting calls from the University of Michigan about their head coaching job vacancy. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s offense ranks #77 in scoring and must produce more points on Friday to take some pressure off the Sooners’ vaunted sixth-ranked scoring defense. Gusty winds of up to 30 miles per hour will come sweeping down the plains in Norman, Oklahoma this Friday night.  Kickoff temperatures will be in the upper 40’s to greet these two SEC competitors. Saturday – 12/20 – The greatest day of football of the year! There will be three College Football Playoff first round games, two FBS semifinal games, and two NFL games played on Saturday. Are you ready for some football? 11AM – ABC and ESPN – College Football Playoff Game 2 – Miami (FL) (10-2) at Texas A&M (11-1) This is the first ever playoff game for the Texas Aggies. Yell practice on Friday night in College Station, Texas might be be heard as far away as downtown Houston!  Miami comes in as a 4-point underdog.  The Hurricanes’ experienced quarterback Carson Beck has been involved in playoff games in three seasons at Georgia prior to coming to Miami this year. The Aggies are at home. They are quite hungry to win their first playoff game, too. The mighty 12th man (the A&M fans) will unleash a wall of sound at Miami for the entire game.  Sunshine and 75 degrees await these two teams in College Station Saturday. 2:30PM – TNT – College Football Playoff Game 3 – Tulane (11-2) at Ole Miss (11-1) Keep your remote control nearby – just in case this game gets ugly early.  The Rebels trounced Tulane 45-10 earlier this year, so oddsmakers established Ole Miss as a 17-point home favorite in this game.  Ole Miss is without offensive guru head coach Lane Kiffin (who left for LSU). Defensive coordinator Pete Golding was tapped as the team’s new top man in Oxford. Tulane’s best hope is to get off to a good start and maintain pressure on the home favorite down the stretch.  Sunshine and 60 degree weather will prevail Saturday afternoon in northern Mississippi. 3PM – ABC – FCS Semifinal Game 1 – Montana (13-1) at Montana State (12-2) This is a rematch from a very exciting regular season finale won by Montana State 31-28 on the University of Montana’s home field.  The still angry Grizzlies will lumber to Bozeman on Saturday seeking to even the score and advance into the national championship game in Nashville on January 5. The Montana Grizzlies’ high powered offense has generated more than 40 points in their 13 victories this season. Montana State, though, specializes in defense.   The Bobcats are #6 nationally and allow a little more than 17 points per game.  Ticket prices for this semifinal playoff game are through the roof with resellers grabbing $650 apiece this week.  Sunshine and Montana-like temperatures of 30 degrees at kickoff await these two longtime foes Saturday afternoon. 6:30PM – ESPN2 – FCS Semifinal Game 2 – Illinois State (11-4) at Villanova (12-2) These two overachievers are now just one game away from playing for a national championship.  Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse has been on fire over the past month for Illinois State.  The Redbirds went on the road to knock-off #1 overall seed North Dakota State two weeks ago and downed #8 seed UC-Davis in California last weekend.  They are loose and playing like a team of destiny. The Wildcats from Villanova are the #12 FCS seed.  They fell behind 14-0 in last week’s game at #4 seed Tarleton State.  Villanova’s defense stiffened, and the offense roared back to score a 26-21 victory to advance into the semifinal round game at home against Illinois State.  A clear, cold night is ahead for these two teams in Philadelphia with temperatures falling into the mid-30’s. 6:30PM – TNT – College Football Playoffs Game 4 – James Madison (12-1) at Oregon (11-1) It’s the Dukes against the Ducks! The upstart James Madison Dukes from the Sunbelt Conference will travel 2,800 miles west to take on the Oregon Ducks. JMU’s defense is ranked #10 nationally and allows a miserly 16 points per game. Oregon’s high flying offense is #9 in the FBS group and generates more than 38 points per game.  Quarterback Dante Moore produced 24 touchdown passes this season versus six interceptions. It is expected to be perfect weather – for ducks – on Saturday night with rain expected and chilly temperatures in low 40’s. NFL – The chase for the playoffs continues Saturday and Sunday Saturday – 4PM on FOX – Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) at Washington Commanders (4-10) The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles can clinch a playoff spot Saturday with a win.  Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will not play after re-injuring his non-throwing elbow last week. Saturday – 7:20PM on FOX – Green Bay Packers (9-5) at Chicago Bears (10-4) The Pack needs to win to have any chance to capture the NFC North title.  No one (except some die-hard Bears fans) expected Chicago to be 10-4 and leading this division.  A win by Chicago at home Saturday night (and a Detroit loss on Sunday) would lock-up a playoff spot for da’ Bears. Sunday – 12 Noon – FOX – Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) at Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1) If Philadelphia should lose at Washington Saturday, Dallas retains a 1% chance of making the playoffs.  They will have to defeat a Chargers team which is on the brink of clinching a return to the AFC playoffs for the second straight year. Sunday – 3:05PM – FOX – Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) at Denver Broncos (12-2) Both of these teams have surprised the so-called experts this fall.  Jacksonville leads Houston by one game and Indianapolis by two.  A win would solidify the Jaguars’ chances to make the playoffs.  Denver is trying to lock-up the AFC’s #1 seed along with home field advantage through the playoffs as the Broncos ride an 11-game winning streak. Sunday – 3:30PM – CBS – Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) at Detroit (8-6) Can the Steelers offense score enough points to compete against the pinball machine offense of the Detroit Lions?  A loss by the Lions on Sunday would put them at risk of missing the playoffs for the first time in three years. Sunday – 7:20PM – NBC – New England Patriots (11-3) at Baltimore Ravens (7-7) The Ravens are fighting to stay alive in the AFC North as they battle the Pittsburgh Steelers for the division title.  New England is a surprising 6-0 on the road this year.  The no-name Patriots are fighting to stay one-game ahead of Buffalo in the AFC East. The post Santa Delivers Pre-Christmas Football Presents this Weekend appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com.

KYW Newsradio's 1-On-1 with Matt Leon
BONUS: Villanova Football Readies for FCS National Semifinals

KYW Newsradio's 1-On-1 with Matt Leon

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2025 18:42


The Villanova University football teams is two wins away from a national championship. The 12-2 Wildcats have advanced to the national semifinals of the FCS playoffs where they will host Illinois State on Saturday night at 7:30pm at Villanova Stadium. The Wildcats have defeated Harvard (52-7), Lehigh (14-7) and Tarleton State (26-21) to this point, winning the last two games on the road. Villanova brings an 11-game overall winning streak and a 23-game home winning streak into Saturday night. Illinois State is 11-4 and the Redbirds have won all three of their playoff games on the road. The winner of this game will play the winner of Montana/Montana State for the national title on January 5th in Nashville, Tennessee. Matt Leon caught up with Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante to talk about his team's run. They look back at the win over Tarleton State, which saw the Wildcats rally from down 14-0, and look ahead to what to expect against Illinois State. “1-on-1 with Matt Leon” is a KYW Newsradio original podcast. You can follow the show on X @1on1pod and you can follow Matt @Mattleon1060.

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast
The Redbirds Basketball Show 12-15-25

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2025 89:27


The Redbirds Basketball Show 12-15-25See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big Sky Breakdown
AKEM'S ANALYSIS: FCS QUARTERFINALS REACTION (MONTANA STATE/SFA, UC DAVIS/ISU, TSU/NOVA)

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2025 56:56


In this week's Akem's Analysis, I recap every game from the Quarterfinal round of the FCS Playoffs. Two upsets took place, and one colossal game between Montana and Montana State has been set up. At the end of the video, I ask some questions about the upcoming semifinal matchups. Stay tuned for the entire episode. SPORTS BET MONTANA LINK: https://sportsbetmontana.com/en0:00 - Intro2:47 - Montana State/SFA Recap18:15 - Villanova/Tarleton State Recap34:28 - Illinois State/UC Davis Recap45:50 - Important Questions About Semifinals55:24 - Final Thoughts56:51 - End 

Arizona's Morning News
Tyler Drake, Arizona Sports - Cardinals Coffee Talk: @ Houston Texans

Arizona's Morning News

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2025 5:43


What hope is there left for the Cardinals season in 2025? Are we mostly looking forward to next year now? What should fans be scouting for on Sunday when the Red Birds travel to Houston to face the Texans? Arizona Sports Tyler Drake joined Arizona's Morning News for Cardinals Coffee Talk.  Cardinals Coffee Talk is brought to you by Better Buzz Coffee. 

Big Sky Breakdown
FCS Playoffs Illinois State head coach Brock Spack on quarterfinal matchup with UC Davis

Big Sky Breakdown

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2025 20:33


Illinois State 16th-year head coach Brock Spack on his team's 29-28 win over No. 1 North Dakota State and Saturday's quarterfinal matchup at NO. 8 UC Davis. 

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast
The FCS Playoffs Replay - ILLST vs NDSU - Presented by Toyota

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2025 200:26


History was made this weekend as the Redbirds pulled off one of the biggest upsets in FCS History! Enjoy the game again presented by Toyota!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

House of L podcast
Brock Spack Returns To House of L

House of L podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2025 14:41


If Illinois State is in the FCS playoffs, you know Brock Spack automatically gets a spot on the podcast. After winning their first round game, the Redbirds take on FCS Powerhouse: North Dakota State. Laurence talks with coach about the matchup. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/house-of-l-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Arizona's Morning News
Tyler Drake, Arizona Sports - Cardinals Coffee Talk: vs Rams

Arizona's Morning News

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2025 6:08


Things aren't going so well for the Red Birds. After being eliminated from post-season contention yet again how will the team stay motivated to finish the year strong? And, what can fans look ahead for in the Cardinals' game against the LA Rams? Arizona Sports Tyler Drake joins the show for Cardinals Coffee Talk.  Cardinals Coffee Talk is brought to you by Better Buzz Coffee.

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast
The Redbirds Basketball Show 12-02-25

In The Nest - The Illinois State Athletics Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2025 89:16


The Redbirds Basketball Show 12-02-25See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Around the NFL
Cowboys-Cardinals Week 9 MNF Recap, Howie Does it Again and Trade Deadline Eve Buzz

Around the NFL

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2025 48:18 Transcription Available


Jacoby Brissett will win games for the Arizona Cardinals -- evident from the Red Birds cutting through the Dallas Cowboys defense like butter en route to a 27-17 victory on Week 9's edition of Monday Night Football. Gregg Rosenthal and Nick Shook handle recap duties, and prepare you for what could happen on Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. Will the Dolphins sell house? Who can the Bills add on offense? Did Howie Roseman really do it again? All that and more on the latest episode of NFL Daily!NFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.