The Audible with Stew, Bruce & Ralph: A show about college football

On today's program, Bruce, Stew, and Ralph dive deep into a massive week for college football, spanning from historic rivalry renewals to major legal decisions shaping the future of the sport.First, Bruce shares his inner-circle experiences from the FOX Sports Football retreat, including a fascinating breakfast breakdown with Chris Petersen and Gerry DiNardo about 1970s play-signaling restrictions. Plus, we dive into two crucial new rule changes explained by Mike Pereira and a quick recap of golfing with Tom Rinaldi.Next, a classic rivalry is renewed! USC and Notre Dame have officially agreed to a four-game series beginning in 2030. The guys debate the formatting, exploring why USC fans are split, why Stew loves the early-season timing, and Ralph’s concerns about burning a historic matchup in Week 1.We also break down the historic alignment between the Big Ten and the SEC, who have finally green-lit the college sports bill to head to the Senate floor. We examine if this seven-year journey will clear the House, what a potential 19-school conference realignment looks like, and if this bill could actually lead to kicking underperforming schools out of top conferences.The crew also reacts to a judge granting an injunction that gives Class of 2022 athletes a fifth year of NCAA eligibility. Bruce explains why this may not be as exciting for teams as it looks on paper, while Stew and Ralph look at which favorite teams could suddenly get key stars back on the roster. Finally, we track the latest developments out of Chapel Hill, where North Carolina’s Michael Lombardi has retained an attorney and is ready to clear his name.Catch Us EverywhereWatch on YouTube: Search "@AudibleShow" to see the full video episodes!Subscribe: Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star rating wherever you get your podcasts.Timestamps0:00 - Intro0:47 - Bruce reveiews the start of the FOX offsites6:00 - USC vs Notre Dame discussion15:13 - Ralph discusses latest on potential Senate involvement22:43 - Ralph explains the latest eligibility ruling in Colorado34:15 - Latest on UNC GM Mike Lombardi

Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel are live in Chicago for Big Ten Media Days! On today's program, the guys break down their biggest takeaways from the podium and ask a massive question: Are Oregon, Ohio State, and Indiana the undisputed new "Big Three" and the class of the conference?Plus, Stew shares details from his exclusive sit-down interview with the Big Ten Commissioner, and the guys look ahead to crucial Thursday storylines for Lincoln Riley and Penn State.Later, the crew reacts to the historic news of Ohio State and Notre Dame adding sponsorship patches to their iconic jerseys.The mailbag is packed this week. Ralph Russo answers your questionsMost Dominant Seasons Ever: The guys tackle a heavy question from Jason in Columbia, SC, ranking four legendary individual seasons since 2000: Tim Tebow (2007), Cam Newton (2010), Joe Burrow (2019), and Travis Hunter (2024). Is Hunter's dual-award season actually crazier than Shohei Ohtani?Blue Blood Urgency: Which historic program needs a successful campaign the most to avoid sliding into complete irrelevance in this new era of player compensation?Coordinators Under Pressure: Bryan from Atlanta asks which coordinators across the country are facing the absolute most heat, whether they are stepping into championship expectations or trying to fix struggling units.Timestamps0:52 - Bret Bielema’s comments4:49 - Stew on his convo with Tony Petitti13:26 - Bruce’s takeaways from day 1 of media day15:09 - Matt Campbell & Penn State16:18 - USC & Lincoln Riley23:15 - Stew is concerned about Michigan24:50 - Dante Moore & Oregon discussion25:49 - Stew on Oregon27:45 - Jersey Patches31:23 - Audible Mailbag31:56 - Question 1: Blue Blood schools35:57 - Question 2: Most impressive individual seasons39:33 - Question 3: Coordinators under pressure44:02 - Gift card for Mailbag winner

In today’s episode, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman and Ralph Russo break down a chaotic week in college football, starting with breaking news out of Chapel Hill, a massive Big Ten Media Day preview, and the sport’s latest labor shifts. First, the guys dive into North Carolina placing general manager Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave. What does this mean for the Tar Heels' 2026 season, the program's structural future, and the long-term relationship between UNC and Bill Belichick? Bruce and Ralph evaluate Lombardi’s brief tenure as a CFB general manager and project what expectations look like for UNC moving forward. Next, with Big Ten Media Days kicking off and USC head coach Lincoln Riley taking the stage tomorrow, the guys preview the biggest storylines, teams, and coaches they are chasing down. Plus, they break down the 2026 Preseason Big Ten Poll, discussing why predicting an order of finish is harder than the SEC this year and why Bruce is underwhelmed by the conference's running back rooms. Finally, they tackle the latest massive labor news as Stanford football players move toward creating a collective bargaining unit. Does this bring college football closer to a CBA? To wrap up, Bruce and Ralph highlight college football’s 2026 "All-Geezer Team," spotlighting the 7th- and 8th-year players still dotting rosters, including names like Avery Johnson and Bear Alexander.📺 Watch us on YouTube: @AudibleShow🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode!TIMESTAMPS:1:10 UNC places GM Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave due to HR complaint6:13 - Another distraction for UNC7:28 - What happens going forward?16:36 - What is high on Bruce’s list for Big Ten media day?20:36 - Oregon Ducks title contention?23:31 - Last time Ohio State won the Big Ten25:36 - Pressure on Lincoln Riley and USC31:46 - The Big Ten RBs34:35 - Stanford players and a CBA?40:25 - The All-Geezer team

In this episode, Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo dive deep into the latest college football headlines, rank the nation's quarterbacks, and answer your burning questions in the mailbag.First, we react to Florida head coach Jon Sumrall embracing the grueling 9-game SEC schedule and his thoughts on the rivalry with Georgia. Then, things get spicy in Lexington as Kentucky offensive coordinator Will Stein drops a bold, Curt Cignetti-style claim about why the Wildcats will win.Next, we break down The Athletic’s 2026 college football quarterback tiers, ranking every projected starter from 1 to 138. The guys reveal their picks for:Which tier-2 (or lower) QBs will jump into Tier 1 (LaNorris Sellers, Marcel Reed, Jaden Craig)Which big-name signal-callers they are highly skeptical of (Josh Hoover, Julian Sayin, Noah Fifita)Their favorite under-the-radar tier 4-7 sleepers to ride with this season (Tyler Hughes, Alberto Mendoza, Lincoln Kienholz)Finally, we open up the mailbag to tackle your questions:Is Indiana's Curt Cignetti destined to regress like Chip Kelly now that the rest of college football has copied his transfer portal blueprint?How would the summer hype surrounding Miami be different if Notre Dame had made the College Football Playoff over them last winter? • Why has the recruitment of elite Junior College (JUCO) players dropped off so drastically over the last 15 years compared to the 1990s?0:00 - Intro0:48 - Will Jon Sumrall help reignite the Florida-Georgia rivalry?11:15 - Has Kentucky found their Curt Cignetti in Will Stein?16:43 - Start of the QB tier discussion17:50 - Which QB not in tier 1 will finish the season in tier 1?22:50 - Which QB are you skeptical of?31:03 - Pick a QB ranked in tiers 4-7 to ride with this season.40:19 - Mailbag questions

Would the SEC do the unthinkable and leave college football? Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo discuss SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey’s press conference. The Southeastern Conference head spoke today at the annual media day. The Audible team reacts to his latest comments.Plus, it’s the end of an era for the Michigan Wolverines. Athletic Director Warde Manuel will be stepping down at the end of the calendar year. His tenure is marked by controversy and championships. The guys ask Michigan fans if it was all worth it. Drop a comment below and let us know if you think it was or wasn’t.Is Indiana the new wide receiver U? Curt Cignetti landed a 5-star recruit. Monshun Sales has committed to the Hoosiers. Does the Big Ten recruiting trail now run through Bloomington, Indiana? Finally, the guys discuss the ACC Media Days. Ralph was onsite for the availability and reacts to several interesting storylines. First, Dabo Swinney was fired up about his legacy and the state of the Clemson Tigers football program. Plus, what happened between Pitt HC Pat Narduzzi and Miami? And, are there ACC schools we should view differently?📺 Watch us on YouTube: @AudibleShow🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode!#CollegeFootball #Michigan #SEC 0:00 - Intro0:57 - Warde Manuel to leave Michigan11:05 - Would the SEC actually break away from College Football?17:00 - What should we make of Mizzou’s Eliah Drinkwitz’s comments?22:47 - Is Indiana the new wide receiver U?30:35 - Why did Dabo Swinney fired up at ACC Media Day?38:10 - What happened between Pitt HC Pat Narduzzi and Miami?43:15 - Are there ACC schools we should view differently?

Brian Kelly is back in the college football conversation, and Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman break down his recent revealing interview. Kelly addressed his Notre Dame exit, his relationship with Notre Dame fans, and whether his coaching future could eventually lead him back to the ACC or another major college football job.The Michigan investigation remains one of the biggest stories in college athletics, and Bruce shares the latest reporting after new details emerged surrounding the Wolverines football program. Stewart and Bruce discuss what the leaks suggest about the athletic department, why the report may not be released publicly, and what it could mean for Manuel’s future in Ann Arbor.Then, it’s time for an ACC preview coming out of ACC Media Days. Is Miami the clear favorite to win the conference after adding major transfer portal pieces and continuing to recruit at an elite level under Mario Cristobal? The guys discuss why the Hurricanes may be the strongest Power Four conference favorite entering the season and whether the ACC needs Miami to become a true national contender.Bruce also makes the case for NC State as a possible ACC sleeper, while Stewart questions whether the program can finally break through against the league’s best teams. Plus, the mailbag covers whether NIL would have changed previous eras of college football, what happened to Dabo Swinney and Clemson, why Cody Campbell has become such a polarizing figure at Texas Tech, and how the modern college football GM role is evolving in the age of NIL, revenue sharing and the transfer portal.Like and Subscribe for the best conversations about College Football and send your mailbag questions to theaudiblepod@gmail.com

It's time for the biggest storylines entering the 2026 season. Can Curt Cignetti keep Indiana among the College Football Playoff contenders? How will the SEC's new nine-game conference schedule impact the playoff race? Will Lane Kiffin deliver immediately at LSU? Is Arch Manning ready to lead Texas into national championship contention? Stewart Mandel, Bruce Feldman and Ralph Russo debate the programs, coaches and quarterbacks that will define the 2026 college football season.The Michigan investigation appears to be reaching its conclusion, and The Audible crew breaks down what could be one of the biggest administrative stories in recent college football history. With reports that Michigan commissioned an extensive outside investigation into the culture of its athletic department, the crew discusses what it could mean for athletic director Ward Manuel, the fallout surrounding Sherrone Moore, and why this report could reshape the future of one of college football's premier programs.Next, the conversation turns toward the field as The Audible begins its official preview of the 2026 college football season. Bruce shares his biggest takeaways from Big 12 Media Days, including a healthier Deion Sanders, Colorado's revamped roster, Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway's development, and what to expect from one of the most intriguing conferences in the country this fall.The crew also gets into a spirited Arch Manning debate as Texas enters the season with massive expectations. Bruce and Ralph are buying the leap, pointing to Arch's late-season growth, improved playmaking and a loaded Longhorns roster that should have Texas thinking national championship. Stewart pushes back, questioning whether the Manning name is still inflating the hype and arguing that Arch can be a very good quarterback without needing to be treated like the next superstar before he has fully proven it.Finally, Stewart, Bruce and Ralph examine the coaches facing the most pressure this year. From Bill Belichick's uncertain future at North Carolina to Mike Norvell's mounting expectations at Florida State, Luke Fickell at Wisconsin and several other hot-seat candidates, the guys discuss which programs are approaching pivotal moments and which coaches could be coaching for their jobs this fall.Whether you're following Michigan football, Texas, LSU, Colorado, Indiana, the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC or the College Football Playoff race, this episode delivers in-depth reporting, insider analysis and informed discussion to get you ready for the 2026 college football season.Will Arch Manning live up to the hype in 2026? Drop your thoughts in the comments.Plus don't forget to send in your mailbag questions to theaudiblepod@gmail.com

Welcome to The Audible presented by Trader Joe’s! In this action-packed episode, Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo break down the biggest storylines in the college football world. We kick things off with a wild recap of Big 12 Media Day, highlighting Deion Sanders’ incredibly unusual and tense media session that has everyone talking.From there, we dive straight into the unfolding Brendan Sorsby saga. We break down David Ubben’s latest article and analyze the explosive accusations made by Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield, who claims Texas Tech illegally recruited and tampered with Sorsby during the 2025 season. What does this mean for the future of roster retention and the wild west of the transfer portal?Plus, Bruce sits down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with Mike Golic Jr. They discuss Golic Jr.’s massive upcoming move back to ESPN, what his new role will look like, and his expert insights on the rapidly evolving state of the Big 12 conference. Finally, we crack open the mailbag to answer your burning questions about 90s postseason nostalgia, potential World Cup-style electronic tracking technology in footballs, and whether middle-tier programs like the Minnesota Gophers should aggressively "swing for the fences" in the modern NIL era or play it safe.

In this packed episode, Bruce and Ralph sit down with The Athletic’s David Ubben to unpack his mind-blowing feature story on Ron Weaver (aka Ron McKelvey). In 1995, a 30-year-old former community college coach stole a social security number, completely recreated his identity, and lined up as a defensive back for the Texas Longhorns—nearly getting away with it all until a sudden unraveling 12 hours before the Sugar Bowl. We dive into the psychology, the close calls, and how a grown man managed to hide in plain sight from coaching legends and future NFL draft picks.But that’s not all. We are also tackling the massive officiating philosophical divide triggered by the recent Folarin Balogun incident: is it better to preserve the integrity of the game by fixing an official's error, or do we destroy sports by ignoring consistent protocol? Stew, Bruce and Ralph discuss how this topic relates to today’s college football environment.Finally, we hit the gridiron to check the pulse of the Big 12. Five years after the seismic departures of Texas and Oklahoma, we evaluate the financial and competitive health of the conference. Can Texas Tech pull off a historic back-to-back championship run, or is another dark horse ready to claim the crown?