The Audible with Stew, Bruce & Ralph: A show about college football
Published by The Athletic
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Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel and Ralph Russo discuss the latest in college football, interview the biggest names in the sport and give insight into the most relevant topics dominating the discussion. From National Signing Day to the National Championship, Bruce, Stew and Ralph have you covered year-round. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 questions Most 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. Timestamps 0:52 - Bret Bielema’s comments 4:49 - Stew on his convo with Tony Petitti 13:26 - Bruce’s takeaways from day 1 of media day 15:09 - Matt Campbell & Penn State 16:18 - USC & Lincoln Riley 23:15 - Stew is concerned about Michigan 24:50 - Dante Moore & Oregon discussion 25:49 - Stew on Oregon 27:45 - Jersey Patches 31:23 - Audible Mailbag 31:56 - Question 1: Blue Blood schools 35:57 - Question 2: Most impressive individual seasons 39:33 - Question 3: Coordinators under pressure 44:02 - Gift card for Mailbag winner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 complaint 6:13 - Another distraction for UNC 7:28 - 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 Ten 25:36 - Pressure on Lincoln Riley and USC 31:46 - The Big Ten RBs 34:35 - Stanford players and a CBA? 40:25 - The All-Geezer team Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 - Intro 0:48 - 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 discussion 17:50 - 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 - Intro 0:57 - Warde Manuel to leave Michigan 11:05 - 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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It’s conference realignment day on The Audible. Stewart Mandel and Ralph Russo are back to break down a massive day of shifts and hiring across the college football landscape! First up, it’s officially Conference Realignment Day! The guys dive into the brand-new look of the Mountain West and welcome the Pac-12 back to the table. What do these changes mean for the future of the sport? Then, a major administrative shift in Madison: Wisconsin has officially hired Shawn Eichorst as their next Athletic Director. Stewart and Ralph discuss what this homecoming hire means for the future of the Badgers' football program and head coach Luke Fickell. Plus, special guest Lucy Rohden joins the show! The college football content creator talks about her rise on The Dan Le Batard Show , her deep-rooted love for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and what is next as she ventures out on her own as a solo creator. We wrap up the show by opening up the listener mailbag to answer your burning college football questions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Texas Tech's wild offseason isn't over, the College Football Playoff could be expanding again, and the NCAA's latest eligibility overhaul is already facing legal challenges. Ralph Russo and Stew Mandel revisit the biggest Brendan Sorsby developments, debate whether ties should return to college football, discuss The Athletic's 1990s series, and break down why the College Sports Commission's NIL enforcement may already be changing. Stew returns from Europe just in time to weigh in on the Brendan Sorsby saga, questioning whether the former Texas Tech quarterback received the right legal advice after his NCAA suspension ultimately shut the door on both the NFL Supplemental Draft and the CFL. Ralph and Stew also examine the NCAA's newly approved age-based eligibility model, why traditional redshirts are disappearing, and why another lawsuit is already challenging the system. The conversation shifts to The Athletic's College Football in the 1990s series, with a nostalgic look at the era's broadcasts, legendary teams, split national championships, and the evolution of the sport. Ralph and Stew also engage in one of the show's most entertaining debates yet: should ties return to college football? Ralph argues they create meaningful competitive outcomes, while Stew believes they'd create complete Playoff chaos. Finally, Ralph and Stew dive into the latest College Football Playoff expansion discussions, including scheduling challenges surrounding a potential 16-team field, Army-Navy weekend, championship timing, and the growing logistical battle between college football and the NFL calendar. They close by examining the latest changes to NIL Go, the College Sports Commission, revenue-sharing limits, and why both the SEC and Big Ten are already pushing to reshape college athletics' new financial model. If you love College Football Playoff news, NCAA governance, transfer portal coverage, conference realignment, recruiting, NIL, and the biggest offseason storylines shaping the 2026 season, be sure to subscribe, like the video, and leave your thoughts in the comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dusty May just won an NCAA title at Michigan and has been in the Final Four in two of the last four seasons. He was on a trajectory to be one of the all-time coaches at the college level. And then, deep into June and on the eve the NBA Draft, he left Michigan to become the new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. Is this a sign of things to come in not only college basketball, but also college football? Ralph Russo and Justin Williams discuss that—plus Brendan Sorsby and the mailbag—on this episode of The Audible. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Protect College Sports Act has achieved a feat that eluded the SCORE Act for its entire existence—make it out of committee. It still has powerful opponents—namely the Big Ten and SEC—but it's time to take treat this legislation as though it could help shape what's to come in college football. That's exactly what Ralph Russo and Bruce Feldman do on this episode of The Audible. Then, the guys turn their focus to the G6, making four win total over/under picks apiece. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When is Oklahoma State the key to the college football season? Allow Ralph Russo and Bruce Feldman to explain on this episode of The Audible. The guys find inspiration in a question from an emailer, indulging in a game in which, yes, Drew Mestemaker's and Eric Morris's move from North Texas to Oklahoma State is the most important thing. After that, the guys dig further into the mailbag to look both backward and forward across the college football landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Audible is back with a loaded episode. Bruce Feldman and Ralph Russo break down the Big 12's escalating legal battle with Texas Tech, discuss what comes next for Brendan Sorsby, and examine the ripple effects across college football. Then, Stewart Mandel joins the show as the crew makes their favorite SEC over/under picks, debates conference contenders, and discusses whether Arch Manning and Texas are ready to take the next step. The episode opens with the latest fallout from the Brendan Sorsby case as the Big 12 pushes back against Texas Tech's plans surrounding the star quarterback. Bruce and Ralph discuss the conference's legal response, the possibility of sanctions, how the College Football Playoff could view the situation, and whether Sorsby's future could ultimately lie in the NFL rather than college football. The Audible crew continues their conference win-totals draft with a deep dive into the SEC. Stew, Bruce and Ralph identify the teams they believe are poised to exceed expectations and those facing difficult paths ahead. Can Arch Manning lead Texas to an SEC Championship? Is Georgia's favorable schedule the biggest advantage in the conference? The panel debates the outlook for the SEC's top contenders while breaking down the impact of quarterback play, coaching changes, roster turnover, and schedule strength on the race to reach the College Football Playoff. Plus, the guys explain the logic behind their strongest SEC projections, discuss why South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Alabama could outperform expectations, and examine whether programs like Vanderbilt, Arkansas, and Mississippi State can surprise this season. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of The Audible. Which team is your pick to win the SEC? Let us know in the comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The fallout from the Brendan Sorsby ruling continues to send shockwaves across college football. On this episode of The Audible, Stewart Mandel, Bruce Feldman, and Ralph Russo discuss the growing backlash to the Texas Tech quarterback's injunction, why Big 12 administrators are furious, and what it could mean for the future of NCAA eligibility, conference governance, and the College Football Playoff. Is this simply a Texas Tech issue, or a defining moment for college sports? The crew dives into reporting from Big 12 athletic directors and administrators following the ruling, including questions about Texas Tech's relationship with the conference, potential responses from the Big 12, and whether Commissioner Brett Yormark faces the biggest challenge of his tenure. Then it's time for Big 12 win totals. With Texas Tech viewed by many as the conference favorite, how much does the uncertainty surrounding Brendan Sorsby impact the Red Raiders' outlook? The guys debate whether Texas Tech can still win the Big 12, whether the controversy becomes a distraction, and if the program's loaded roster is enough to overcome the noise surrounding the quarterback situation. Stew, Bruce and Ralph also make their favorite over/under picks across the conference. Which teams are being overlooked, which programs are primed to surprise, and who has the clearest path to Arlington and the Big 12 Championship Game? Plus, listener mailbag questions spark discussions about the most valuable assets in college football, whether Ohio State's program model is the gold standard in the sport, and which historic rivalries deserve to be revived. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of The Audible. Do you think Texas Tech should play Brendan Sorsby if he remains eligible, and which team will ultimately win the Big 12 championship this season? Let us know in the comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In a monumental moment for college football, a Lubbock County judge ruled that Brendan Sorsby is eligible to play at Texas Tech this season, despite betting on his own team. People around the league are outraged that the games brightest red line may no longer exist, and some schools have suggested they’ll refuse to play Texas Tech. Could the Big 12 step in to levy a harsher penalty? And does this mean that all rules in college football are negotiable? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ralph, Bruce, and Stew draft Big Ten win totals. Before that, they explore if there’s any reason to worry about Bryce Underwood at Michigan. Eric Weddle's blunt comments echo what some are quietly saying. Then, they make their picks. They also provide a 60-second explainer on the Cantwell-Cruz college sports bill that’s moving through the Senate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ralph, Bruce, and Stew turn the ACC win totals into a competition by drafting their favorite overs and unders. Plus: an(other) update on Brendan Sorsby, Mike Leach's Hall of Fame case, and Bruce's Elite 11 quarterback takeaways. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ralph joins from Destin, Florida to help break down the biggest storylines from the SEC spring meetings. Playoff expansion, a rumored SEC breakaway, and a new bipartisan Senate bill that could reshape college sports governance. Later, the Brendan Sorsby gambling eligibility case, and a mailbag exploring whether bowl games and the very concept of a "successful season" have been permanently redefined. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ralph, Stew, and Bruce draft their top five quarterbacks for a season-long competition. Rotisserie scoring, three categories: total yards, total TDs minus interceptions, and wins. Who went first overall? Who went undrafted? Where did Chambliss, Manning, and Maiava go? Plus, Sark takes shots at Texas Tech, and Coach O returns to Baton Rouge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Observed July 30, 2026.
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