On today’s episode of The Audible, Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo break down how the Pat McAfee era is changing college football media. The guys debate the evolution of the College GameDay experience, analyzing how a new style of broadcasting has brought massive ratings surges alongside a polarizing, brand-new edge to the sport's weekly coverage.
Plus, the crew previews a crucial Week 9 ACC showdown as Florida State and Clemson meet in a true pressure-cooker matchup. Stewart, Bruce, and Ralph dissect which program needs this win more to stabilize their trajectory, how their contrasting roster management philosophies are handling the heat, and which coaching staff is facing the most critical choices heading into the home stretch.
Finally, the guys crack open the Mailbag to answer your burning questions. They look at historical hot-seat turnarounds to see if coaches can truly extricate themselves from peril and leave on their own terms, reevaluate the purpose and value of the AP Top 25 ranking system in a brand-new playoff world, and discuss whether brand bias gives blue-blood schools an artificial safety net.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Welcome to The Audible!
1:14 - The McAfee Era: Higher Ratings vs Increased Edge
19:03 - FSU vs Clemson: Weighing The Pressure On Both ACC Programs
30:12 - Can Coaches Survive The Hot Seat?
34:11 - What Does The AP Top 25 Look Like In The World Of A 24-Team Playoff?
37:57 - Is Brand Bias Real In College Football?
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","author_name":"The Athletic"}