Published by Blue Wire, Chris Vannini, David Ubben
Football
Sports
Your new favorite college football show. The Athletic senior reporters Chris Vannini and David Ubben take you inside the biggest stories in the game in a fun and engaging show. With exclusive insight, interviews and banter, you'll learn to appreciate the most important and the dumbest parts of America's true favorite sport.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are back for a packed news episode. The guys discuss the Senate bill getting real, the Big Ten calling out the SEC, the arrival of jersey patches, some Minnesota rowing and more. David also nearly took out Shane Beamer with a golf shot. Get your Bunch Formation Helmet Sticker here NOTE: After we recorded, the court and NCAA clarified that transfer and pro participation rules are not affected by this ruling, likely limiting the vast majority of players hoping to come back. If you signed a pro contract, you can't come back. If you didn't enter the portal earlier this year, you can't pick a new school. But the NCAA is appealing and this all remains fluid. 0:00 Intro, stickers and David's golf incident with Shane Beamer 6:20 Big Ten and SEC support the Senate bill, a big step. But what's in it? 13:49 Some graduated players are getting an extra year 18:37 Curt Cignetti calls out the SEC. Was he right? 25:33 Kyle Whittingham won't hate Ohio State. Does it matter? 29:25 Tony Petitti makes another pitch for a 24-team playoff 38:04 Jersey patches at Ohio State and Notre Dame 46:50 UNC places GM Michael Lombardi on leave 50:25 Minnesota is adding Norway fan rowing 56:52 Mailbag: Could Wisconsin be good? 1:00:54 Remember Some Guys: Michigan, North Carolina, Texas **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are joined by best-selling author Chuck Klosterman to talk about why they love college football, if today's problems can be solved, and why Chuck's new book predicts the decline of football's popularity within a century. Then they remember some guys. You can order Chuck's newest book, "Football," here And pre-order his next book, "Rock*," here **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are back to talk about an eventful SEC media days. Will the SEC break away from the SEC? Can the league catch up to the Big Ten? Which coaches ruffled the most feathers? 0:00 Intro 6:35 Steve Sarkisian says Texas needed to clear cap space 13:37 Pete Golding leans into it 20:05 What the SEC breakaway talk really means 24:55 Eli Drinkwitz doesn't like Big Ten schedules 33:44 Lane Kiffin quit social media 38:29 Ryan Silverfield tries to overcome negativity 41:23 SEC preseason media poll reactions 45:20 Big Ten media days preview 50:54 The Senate bill might be dead 53:15 Mailbag Q on regular season vs CFP 57:57 Remember Some Guys: Kentucky, Texas, Florida **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are joined by Lucy Rhoden to draft the best stadiums in college football. The group shares their favorite memories at stadiums, what makes them unique and the close calls that missed the cut. Follow Lucy here 0:00 Intro 4:58 What makes a good college football stadium 9:44 Stadium draft 1:04:15 Remember Some Guys: Middle Tennessee, Auburn, Iowa **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are back to share what they learned about every team from ACC Media Days. Plus a preview of what they want to see at SEC Media Days. David's story on the ACC's new tiebreakers David's story on a defiant Dabo Swinney Chris' story on why Rhett Lashlee stayed at SMU 0:00 Intro 6:16 Should Miami be a heavy ACC favorite? 13:41 The new ACC tiebreaker and schedule is weird 18:39 Dabo Swinney is defiant about Clemson again 24:17 Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi calls out Miami 29:44 Bill Belichick enters Year 2 at UNC 33:40 Boston College 35:37 Cal 38:39 Duke 42:35 Florida State 44:46 Georgia Tech 47:09 Louisville 48:37 NC State 50:17 SMU 56:23 Stanford 1:00:17 Syracuse 1:01:37 Virginia 1:03:14 Virginia Tech 1:04:59 Wake Forest 1:09:34 What we expect from SEC Media Days 1:13:58 Remember Some Guys: NC State, Boston College/Pitt, Tennessee **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
(Apologies for the wonky audio at times) Chris Vannini and David Ubben wrap up their time together in Vegas with a look back at the Big 12, look ahead to ACC Media Days, discuss the state of replay in sports and then answer your mailbag questions on realignment, CFP expansion and more. David's wild story on Ron Weaver **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are reunited in person to talk about an eventful Big 12 media days. Why does Deion Sanders dislike Ubben? How did Scott Satterfield explain potential tampering around Brendan Sorsby? What is this Monster Energy Big 12 Football sponsorship? The guys explain what it's like at Big 12 media days and what really happened. Deion Sanders' comments to David David's story on Texas Tech Chris' story on Cincinnati and Brendan Sorsby **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are joined by Ralph Russo to talk about college football in the 1990s. Was it better? Or was it the last time college football was what it used to be? Is there anything from the 90s we should bring back? New realignment moves Ralph's story on ties David's story on giant shoulder pads Chris' story on weird jerseys Matt Baker's story on watching games in the 1990s 0:00 Intro and fireworks 5:03 Realignment quiz 12:26 Remember 1990s college football 16:42 Ralph's case to bring back ties 25:21 Why split national championships used to be a thing 32:01 Ubben on why giant shoulder pads went away 37:21 Chris on some crazy 1990s jersey 44:38 Other 90s things 55:27 Remember Some Guys: Colombia, Colorado, Florida State **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are back to draft the top 10 coaches in college football. They also talk about the latest Brendan Sorsby news, some important NCAA eligibility changes and adopting World Cup cheers for college football. David's story on the disappearance of giant shoulder pads Chris' story with Japan fans New NCAA 5-year eligibility story New NCAA rule on bowl transition 0:00 Intro 4:41 NFL denies Brendan Sorsby 10:30 NCAA creates 5-year eligibility 15:13 NCAA removes FCS transition bowl ban 16:20 Chaz Coleman leaves Tennessee 17:40 QB draft reviews 23:26 Top 10 coach draft 1:06:43 World Cup cheers for college football 1:16:35 Remember Some Guys: Spain, Virginia Tech, Cal **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are back to draft each of their top five quarterbacks in college football. They also explain the state of the college sports bill in the senate, and they share more World Cup experiences and thoughts. 0:00 Intro 8:41 Will the Big Ten and SEC sink the Senate bill? 26:21 David and Chris draft their top five QBs 1:05:49 Chris' World Cup foreign media experience 1:19:58 Remember Some Guys **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben react to Brendan Sorsby's announcement that he will leave Texas Tech and enter the NFL supplemental draft, after a Big 12 lawsuit on Monday sought to let the league sanction Texas Tech if he played. How did this happen? Was it all worth it for Texas Tech? What's next for Sorsby and Texas Tech? The guys share what they've heard from sources. Then they talk about the World Cup, Chris' experience at a game and how comparable it is to college football. Story on Brendan Sorsby's departure **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are back to discuss more Brendan Sorsby fallout. Teams are threatening not to play Texas Tech, and Cody Campbell is threatening lawsuits. What could the Big 12 or anyone else do? The guys share what they're hearing from sources and talk about what could happen next. Then they remember some guys who are relevant to the conversation. Story on the Big 12 AD meeting Story on Cody Campbell's legal threats **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben jump on for an emergency pod after a Texas judge on Monday ruled that Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby must be allowed to play, despite several NCAA gambling violations, including betting on his own team at Indiana. Why did the judge make this ruling? What comes next, and will the fury from the rest of college sports make Texas Tech a pariah? The guys discuss it all. **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben take you through all the new changes to EA Sports College Football 27 and what they think about what's coming. The guys got a sneak peak earlier this week. Then they talk with game production director Christian McLeod about building the game and why certain changes were made (or not). 0:00 Intro 2:43 PC, Joel Klatt, NDSU/Sac State, Heisman Ceremony 4:09 Dynasty Blueprint + spending on players, coaches and facilities 10:40 Coaching carousel: More details and options 16:57 Gameplay: Coverage revamped, strategies and QB sneak meter (and injury timeouts) 25:10 Road to Glory: New positions and more depth 29:40 Road to the CFP: Restart seasons, unlock some playbooks 32:12 Mascot Mashup 33:53 Teambuilder 36:35 Ultimate Team 39:40 Closing thoughts 46:06 Production designer Christian McLeod joins the show **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are back for a loaded episode after a crazy week in college sports. They take you behind the scenes of what happened at SEC and Big 12 meetings, what it means for the playoff, an SEC breakaway and more. Oh, and Joey McGuire challenged Texas to a game after Chris asked about it. 0:00 Intro 2:49 What it's like at conference meetings 6:26 SEC pumps brakes on a 24-team playoff, but coaches are still mad at the Big 12 18:10 Texas Tech challenges Texas 27:48 David says Texas Tech is a villain, Chris disagrees 33:04 Will the SEC break away and make their own rules? 42:42 Pete Golding responds to tampering allegations 47:40 Big 12 replay look-in, 10 games + Sorsby latest 53:21 Should you care about this new Senate bill on college sports? 1:01:22 Remember Some Guys **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are joined by Kennesaw State head coach Jerry Mack, who talks about his path from the bottom of the coaching ladder, to becoming a college head coach at 33 years old, to taking Kennesaw State from 2-10 to CUSA champions in one year and more. **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
It's the one-year anniversary of Bunch Formation! Chris Vannini and David Ubben reflect on the first year of the show, then have a deep conversation about the 24-team playoff, coming off the Big Ten's big push from spring meetings. Story on the Big Ten behind a 24-team CFP David's story on which teams would've made a 24-team CFP in the past Bill Connelly's ESPN story on the 24-team CFP problems Stewart Mandel's story on the 24-team CFP TV math 0:00 One year down! 6:43 The Big Ten pushes a 24-team playoff 7:41 80 teams would've made it in the past 12:40 Does Iowa-Minnesota need to matter more? 20:20 The damage to Rivalry Week 25:00 Would it actually save more coach jobs? 30:23 Would it actually create more big nonconference games? 34:08 Losing the soul of college football? 38:40 Why the Big Ten really wants this 41:45 The scenario that could get the SEC on board 42:19 Does the money math really work? 46:50 Does the playoff need to be the most important thing? 48:50 The punting rule change that is infuriating coaches 52:14 The SCORE Act is almost dead 54:02 SEC/Big Ten breakaway? 58:53 Lane Kiffin hires Ed Orgeron at LSU 1:00:54 Remember Some Guys: Cincinnati, Arkansas, Duke **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are back for a short episode on Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby, who has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in an attempt to play despite admitting to various gambling violations. Justin Williams' story on Sorsby's gambling details David's story on the North Carolina track race controversy **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are back to react to a strange week of news in college football. Then the guys discuss the 10 teams that had the best offseasons. Vanity Fair story on Lane Kiffin Steve Sarkisian comments on Ole Miss Bunch Formation Bowl VI 0:00 Intro 2:35: Lane Kiffin's comments about Ole Miss 17:42 CSC wins arbitration case vs. Nebraska 21:22 Ahmad Hardy shot, but being released from the hospital 22:49 CFB27 AI images are fake 25:16: The 10 Best Offseasons 51:45 David's rant about online food orders 58:55 Remember Some Guys: Marshall, Ole Miss, Florida State **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chris Vannini and David Ubben are back to answer your mailbag questions. The guys get into the coaching hot seat, the state of the G6, the situations at Maryland and Kentucky, plus a lot more. But first, some news around Nebraska, Boise State and what the coaches want from the playoff. Story: Nebraska vs. CSC Story: Someone spent $25,000 for old Boise blue turf 0:00 Intro 5:46 Nebraska vs. CSC could change NIL 11:05 The coaches association issues CFP recommendations 18:58 Boise State selling old blue turf field Mailbag 23:15 The hot seat situation entering 2026 34:59 A fun conference championship idea 36:43 What the G6 "playoff" idea actually is 40:58 The future of the G6 in an expanded CFP 42:41 How good will JuJu Lewis be at Colorado? 47:00 The many troubles at Maryland 52:36 How is Will Stein doing at Kentucky? 54:53 The next MAC TV deal 57:54 What happens if Lane Kiffin stays at Ole Miss? 1:01:18 Will HS recruits ever be valued again? 1:06:12 Remember Some Guys: Florida State, Nebraska, Georgia **************************** Follow Bunch Formation: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.com Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkTree Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
