Always College Football with Greg McElroy

Texas went into the BIG house and dominated a good, but not great, Michigan team. Tennessee put the country on notice that they might have the best defense in the SEC and Notre Dame got exposed as a fraud in the CFP race by getting bullied and losing at home to Northern Illinois. Nebraska put on a defensive show at home against Colorado and more takeaways from week 2 | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Week 2 is here and McElroy gives you the most in depth breakdowns you will find anywhere. Texas visits Michigan for the first regular season meeting ever between the two programs - will it be the Longhorns or Wolverines who make a statement. Can Nebraska beat Colorado and start 2-0 for the 1st time since 2016? Is Nico and Tennessee ready for primetime against a tough NC State defense? McElroy answers all those questions plus gives you some sleeper games to watch and potential GIANT killers. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

McElroy is joined by Brady Quinn to discuss what went wrong with Florida State (and why preseason rankings can cause this) and what the new ceiling is for Notre Dame in 2024. Plus, McElroy and Quinn discuss what a win would mean for Michigan over Texas and if Colorado can go into Nebraska and beat the Huskers. We also hit the mailbag and talk UNC QBs, preseason rankings and what can be done to get better matchups throughout the season | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

USC looked different in their win over LSU who has now dropped 5 straight season openers. Miami is more than just a CFP contender and Clemson is not out of it..yet. Notre Dame needs to get the passing game going, Freshman were balling this weekend and is the BIG 10 deeper than we thought? McElroy goes over his Top 10 takeaways plus gives huge props to Travis Hunter who might be the best player in the country. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Georgia dominated Clemson showing why they are the #1 team, leaving Clemson fans to wonder - what’s next? Miami and Cam Ward looked comfortable in an impressive victory at Florida while the Gators begin what will be a LONG season. Notre Dame silenced their doubters (and the Texas A&M crowd) in a huge road win. Oregon and Michigan won - but not nearly as impressive as some would have thought. A lot of SEC QB’s - including Arch Manning - looked great in game 1. Alabama, Ole Miss and Tennessee looked like well oiled machines plus much more. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Week 1 is here and McElroy gives you the most in depth breakdowns you will find anywhere. Georgia starts their quest to get back to the top with a tough test against Clemson, Miami enters the swamp with a bullseye on their back. Can the Notre Dame O-Line hold up in College Station and will the rebuilt defenses of LSU and USC showout in Vegas? McElroy answers all those questions plus gives you some sleeper games to watch and potential GIANT killers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to know what people will be saying after the games? Well, McElroy and Booger McFarland go over the Sunday and Monday narratives today! With a loss will it be Florida or Miami fans that turn on their coach, do LSU fans appreciate Brian Kelly even if he starts 0-1 and what if USC takes the L, can Lincoln Riley convince Trojan faithful he can right the ship quickly? No one will be surprised if Georgia wins BUT, if it’s Clemson then how does that change the focus of the year for both programs, plus a Notre Dame win would go a long way convincing people they are a real CFP contender. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you consider yourself a smart college football fan? Do you break down rosters, depth charts and love a great debate amongst friends (and people on the internet), then we have a list for you. McElroy gives his top 10 things you should NEVER do. NEVER use conference record vs. other leagues as a way to support your conference’s superiority, NEVER cite star rankings on why a player should be good, NEVER claim that if team X was in another conference they would dominate it and much more. Plus what Georgia Tech’s win over FSU means and numbers you need to know heading into week 1. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ryan Day joins the show after naming Will Howard QB1 and tells us what he and Chip Kelly can do for the Buckeyes offense, why the defense will be dominant and a fantastic high school story about Caleb Downs that Ohio State fans won’t want to miss. Plus who are the players you don’t know about but absolutely need to before kickoff 2024 - McElroy gives you 14 that could help shape the season. Oh and COLLEGE FOOTBALL is back on Saturday as we preview Florida State vs Georgia Tech in Ireland | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You’ve heard the rest now hear the best (at least the most accurate, go ahead check the receipts). Greg McElroy gives his conference championship game predictions for the BIG 10, SEC, ACC and BIG 12. Plus he breaks down the 12 teams that will make the College Football playoff and explains why it's possible the SEC will get 5 teams in while the BIG 12 and ACC may be 1 bid leagues. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kirby Smart mentioned “depth” in his press conference 10 times, is their reason to be concerned about the Dawgs heading into 2024? Notre Dame and Texas A&M have not named all their starters yet before their big matchup in week 1, how different will LSU’s offense look like without Daniels (and Denbrock), will Oklahoma’s offense be able to keep up with their elite defense and if Will Howard is not “extraordinary” is that OK for Ohio State. McElroy answers all those questions plus more as we breakdown the end of camp | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg McElroy is joined by Joe Fortenbaugh and Tyler Fulghum from ESPNBet to go through the “good money” bets heading into 2024. The guys tell you why you should stay away from Colorado, why the UNDER for Texas and Houston looks good and why you should look at the OVER for Iowa, Iowa State and Rutgers (yeah we went on a deep dive). Plus the guys tell you who is a good bet to make the CFP (hint its Miami and Notre Dame). | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Colin Cowherd joins Greg McElroy to discuss the expectations for Lincoln Riley at USC, what success looks like for the new BIG 10 teams and why they will have an easier time than Texas and Oklahoma will in the SEC. Plus what to make of Michigan (both on and off the field), is Notre Dame really that good, should everyone know and respect Ole Miss and McElroy tells Colin why he LOVES Miami in 2024. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Georgia looks to break the “curse” of preseason #1 team, the Big 10 starts off with 2 of the top 3 teams, Ole Miss has its highest preseason ranking since 1970 and the rest of the SEC sets a record with 9 ranked teams. McElroy takes a look and tells you who is undervalued, overvalued and who from the Top 10 might not be there by season's end. Plus we hit some “camp buzz” from around the country highlighting some good news at Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, USC, Miami and more. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The college football season is just a few short weeks away and McElroy dives into some of the biggest ‘what ifs’ before kickoff. What if Michigan beats Ohio State again, or Nebraska misses a bowl game, or Penn State loses to West Virginia in week 1. What if Clemson beats Georgia or Alabama loses 3 games or Nico Iamaleava is a Heisman finalist. Plus injuries hit Notre Dame, Tennessee and Nebraska and we look at the impact it will have and potential replacements. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 wins has always been the sign of a very good season and it is assumed that 10 wins should earn a berth in the 12 team CFP - not so fast my friend. McElroy goes through the SEC, BIG 10, BIG 12 and ACC to tell you that not all 10-2’s are created equal. In depth breakdowns on why the BIG 12 will be a 1 bid conference, why Missouri better win at least 11 and why Notre Dame is NOT a lock at 10-2. Plus do Ohio State, Texas, Michigan, Georgia, Clemson and Alabama have anything to worry about with “only” 10 wins. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg McElroy breaks down the ‘tiers’ in the BIG 12 as four new teams enter the conference. Is there a legit National Championship contender in the conference? Will the new teams Utah, Colorado and Arizona step in and challenge right away or will Oklahoma State or Kansas State take the reins as the dominant team? Is there a sleeper in UCF or Kansas (yes that Kansas) that can make the CFP? Plus we hit the mailbag and McElroy answers if Ryan Day is in danger of being considered overrated, if FSU and Clemson will be in the ACC until 2036 and how exciting will college football be in November! | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg McElroy breaks down the ‘tiers’ in the SEC as they look to return to the top of the mountain in 2024. Who can win a Natty? Well we know the traditional powers of Alabama, Georgia and Texas are all capable, but everyone needs to understand that Ole Miss CAN win the National Championship this year. Missouri, Tennessee and LSU all look to make the 12 team CFP and might if a few key pieces come together. Plus Auburn, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and, yes Florida, can all play spoiler and might make things interesting in November. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ACC has a lot of questions heading into the 2024 season - and we are only talking ON the field. McElroy breaks down the tier’s of ACC teams and tells you why Clemson, Florida State and Miami are all at the top but not national title contenders (yet). Plus can NC State and Louisville crash the party and earn a CFP bid? Is the new guy SMU a threat or will it be Virginia Tech, and all their returning production, be the feel good story of the ACC in ‘24? | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg McElroy goes through the BIG 10 and breaks down who falls into championship contention, CFP contention, dark horses, sleepers and more. Find out why McElroy has Penn State as a tier 1 team and Michigan as tier 2. Is Iowa a CFP contender and will Washington, USC and Nebraska surprise a few teams and make a move? Is conference supremacy on the line for the BIG 10 this year? Plus, Nick Saban field and the ACC claiming the toughest non conference schedule in CFB. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick Saban stole the show at SEC Media Days and McElroy gives you a few behind the scenes stories as the GOAT starts his full time broadcasting career. Plus, we listen back to the coaches' sound and determine if that was the truth or just “coach speak” - Is Georgia playing with a chip on their shoulder, has Ole Miss figured out the culture with so many transfers? Sark said this the most talented roster at Texas since he took over while Venables said the Sooners will find out if the roster is ready. Will experience help Florida and South Carolina - Napier and Beamer seem to think so. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SEC Media days kicks off and Greg McElroy tells you what he wants to hear during a busy week in Dallas. Georgia will be picked to win the SEC but how will teams 2 through 7 shake out, will Greg Sankey announce a 9-game conference schedule in 2026 and will the debate continue on who is the best rivalry in the SEC? Plus will Lane Kiffin deliver a few one-liners and will someone step up and make this week memorable? | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg McElroy gives his preseason Top 10 and explains why Ohio State is #1, why people are overreacting to Nick Saban’s retirement and why Texas will meet the expectations. Plus, is Notre Dame’s offensive line the one thing that might hold them back and will Ole Miss and Missouri be able to repeat the success of ‘23? Who’s overrated/underrated and will any of these teams miss the playoffs? Let the debate begin. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg McElroy begins his two-episode breakdown of his top 25 preseason poll with ranking numbers 25 through 11. The most notable surprises on the list include the defending National Champion, Michigan Wolverines outside of the Top 10, USC not being ranked at all, and is Oklahoma State better than Oklahoma? Is LSU a middle of the pack team now and is Miami ready to take the next step? And should Clemson really be considered an elite team entering the season? | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First year head coaches will always have high expectations from fans. So McElroy went through and to tell you what would be an Incredible, solid or disappointing season for the guys at Alabama, Michigan, Washington, Syracuse, Arizona, Duke, and UCLA. Speaking of new coaches Mississippi State’s HC Jeff Lebby joins Greg to talk about his offense, being a 1st time head coach and how recruiting is picking up in Starkville. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian talks with Greg McElroy about expectations for the Longhorn’s in year 1 in the SEC, a dynamic quarterback room with Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning and how the staff has worked to make Texas “tough” again. Coach Sarkisian also talks about the most improved position group he has seen and how he got his roster ready for SEC play. Plus, no signing day in June which surprises McElroy, Venables and Oklahoma agree to an extension, and Memphis lands a stud QB commit. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer talks with Greg McElroy about why he decided it was good to replace Nick Saban, the first time he knew Alabama was different and the early impact Gene Stallings had. Coach DeBoer also talks about the most improved position group he has seen and how his first coaching job got him ready for Alabama. Plus, Texas recruiting keeps rolling, Les Miles sues LSU and Ohio State picks up Grambling State in 2025. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will Kalen DeBoer be Alabama’s most successful first year head coach EVER?! Will Marcus Freeman lead the Irish to a Natty and keep the “year 3” streak going at Notre Dame? Are people looking past Virginia Tech, Louisville and Kentucky? Does USC need a strong September to avoid a forgettable year 1 in the BIG 10? McElroy goes over those plus many more and tells you if he loves it, likes it, or gives it the ‘ol Lee Corso “not so fast my friend”. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alabama visiting Wisconsin, Georgia and Clemson facing off in Atlanta, Michigan hosting Texas are just a few of the TOP non-conference games of the 2024 season. McElroy goes through and ranks the best games and tells you why they may be more important for some teams. Plus SEC announced kickoff times for ‘24 season and McElroy tells you why this needs to be a NEW thing for all of College Football | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Norvell joins the show and tells McElroy how the team has turned the page on last season, why the Noles culture is in great position, the strength of the O-Line, why DJ Uiagalelei is the perfect QB for Florida State this year and much more. Plus, we know the marquee games that will dominate each week of the season but what about some under the radar games that will shape the playoff - McElroy goes in depth on the games Notre Dame, West Virginia, Kansas State, Memphis, Tennessee, NC State, Ole Miss and more have to win if they want to keep their names alive for the CFP | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal joins Greg McElroy on the latest addition of Always College Football to talk about the improved Hurricanes roster, recruiting and picking the “right” transfers and what it will take for the “U” to get back to the top. Plus, McElroy will tell you why Nebraska, Auburn Wisconsin and TCU are in a bounce back year and Notre Dame vs Boise State in 2025 is a great move for the Irish.| Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new set of rankings came out and gave some pretty high marks to Oregon, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas, are they too high?. Where is the love for the ACC, Ole Miss, Michigan and ANY G5 team? McElroy goes through and tells you what these rankings got right and what it got wrong. Plus, will anyone else besides Colorado be the media darling to start the year, is Syracuse a sleeper in the ACC and are all jobs in the SEC and BIG 10 better than EVERYWHERE else? | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The “Wheel' delivers some doozies like why Dave Arenda better start winning at Baylor and why Ohio State and Notre Dame have the lowest ceiling and the highest floor. SMU and Memphis are two teams to keep an eye on and can Oklahoma State really make the same jump as TCU & Washington did? Plus, a hat tip to PAC -12 after dark, Washington State’s GameDay hosting abilities and an unforgettable Rose Bowl. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg is joined by Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy to discuss the state of the Oklahoma State program heading into the 2024 season. Gundy breaks down what to expect from his team this season while also discussing how the Big 12 is evolving. Plus, Greg takes a look at some surprisingly long conference championship droughts, including Oklahoma State, and discusses which droughts are most likely to snap in 2024. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg breaks down nine teams that haven’t been talked about enough so far this offseason. If Nico Iamaleava breaks out, what’s preventing Tennessee from making the CFP? Are we sleeping on the possibility of an 11-win season for Missouri? Will this be the year Clemson gets back to dominant form? Is Wisconsin a sleeper team in year two under Luke Fickell? Plus, we dive into the mailbag to answer YOUR questions. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

McElroy compares Vegas win totals for teams in the SEC, Big 10, ACC and BIG 12. Will it be Ole Miss, Alabama, Kansas State or Utah to make it over 9.5 wins? Can new BIG 10 member Washington make it past 7.5 wins or will Iowa hold strong and make it to 8 wins (again). Is 8 (and a half) enough for Louisville and NC State? Plus GameDay goes to Texas A&M, is it the end of walk-ons and much more. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule joins McElroy on Always College Football to discuss Dylan Raiola and the Husker quarterback competition, the state of the program after 1 year, why starting 5 of their 6 games at home can help this team and much more. Plus McElroy looks into post spring Top 25 polls and why they are helpful but unnecessary and we hit the mailbag regarding Brian Kelly, unlimited coaches and much more. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg takes a look back at the 2022 coaching carousel and discusses the percent chance the year three coaches can win a National Championship at their current spot, including Kalen DeBoer at Alabama. Mario Cristobal may be closer than you think, and Dan Lanning could bring the first National Championship to Eugene. And is Kalen DeBoer a near lock to win a Natty at Alabama? McElroy breaks it all down while also answering questions from the mailbag. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg is joined by ESPN’s Matt Barrie to discuss the biggest storylines in CFB coming out of spring ball. First of all, do spring games still matter? Could we see the format change? Plus, Greg and Matt discuss Deion Sanders’ recent actions on social media and if Ohio State is the best team in CFB. Later, Greg looks at five potential outcomes this season and discusses the likelihood of them happening using The Probability Scale. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How overblown is the spring portal window?! Is it as important as some make it out to be - probably not, McElroy will explain. Plus we compare Vegas win totals for teams in the SEC, Big 10, ACC and BIG 12. Does 7.5 wins for Oklahoma, Auburn, Nebraska and USC sound right? Is it old school Clemson or portal happy Miami that will get over 9.5 wins? McElroy will break it down | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

McElroy goes through the top programs that had the most players drafted and tells you who has the biggest shoes to fill. Is it rinse and reload in the SEC for Georgia, Alabama, LSU (and Texas)? Can Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State find answers on the line? Are Oregon, Washington and USC ready to reload for the Big 10? We break it down plus update BIG transfers for Miami, Kansas State and Georgia. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

McElroy discusses Reggie Bush getting his Heisman back and where he ranks among dynamic Heisman winners since 2000. Plus Deion Sanders and Colorado prepare for another adventurous spring, Oklahoma State looks to make a move to the CFP, Oregon takes the field with Dillon Gabriel as the new leader, and quarterback battles at Nebraska, Maryland and Rutgers plus more spring storylines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Quarterbacks were the talk of spring games this weekend. Arch Manning gave Texas fans a peek into the future. CJ Carr, Steve Angeli and Kenny Minchey all looked good for Notre Dame. DJ Uiagalelei and Florida State were on display. There is a QB battle in Michigan, Jackson Arnold looked great for Oklahoma while USC begins life without Caleb Williams. McElroy gives his biggest takeaways from the weekend and updates the transfer portal for Alabama, Auburn and LSU. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everyone needs a defensive tackle (just look at the last 5 national champions) but what are the other positions of need for championship contenders. McElroy looks at what Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Penn State, USC and others might go after in the transfer portal. Plus is there a Notre Dame QB to watch this weekend? Can Texas WR’s step up? Is the new offense at Oklahoma and Iowa ready to hum? What will Florida State look like and so many more questions ahead of a busy spring football weekend.| Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

McElroy goes over the BIG takeaways from spring games this past weekend including Milroe (and Simpson) looking good for Alabama, a dominant Ohio State defense, Cam Ward for Miami and Graham Mertz for Florida both looking good. The return of Cam Rising, the depth at Virginia Tech and Georgia, and Lane Kiffin completely changing the game with the “Grove Bowl Games”. Plus the transfer portal opens and we hit the mailbag | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh Heupel joins the show to talk about defensive improvements, Nico Iamaleava, expectations from the offensive and defensive lines and much more. Plus what to watch for in the spring games this weekend at Alabama, Georgia, Cincinnati, Ohio State, LSU, Miami, Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Utah and more. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg McElroy and Kevin Clark combine for a special crossover podcast with ‘Always College Football’ and ‘This is Football’. In this episode we focus on the Miami Hurricanes, the future of the transfer portal (and how much it impacts G5 schools), why NIL is very good for the sport and the possibility of an 80-team Super League. Plus McElroy breaks down the spring games from Auburn, Clemson, NC State and SMU. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heading into the spring games the top defenses are Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, Michigan, Oklahoma State with a close eye on USC and LSU. McElroy breaks down why each is so good and the potential they have in 2024. Plus UCF head Coach Gus Malzahn stops by to talk about UCF year 2 in the BIG 12, why KJ Jefferson is so good and how he would LOVE to schedule at least one of Florida State, Miami or Florida every year. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Todd Blackledge and Greg McElroy get together and go over everything from conference expansion to SEC vs BIG 10 “rivalry” to NIL and the new College Football Playoff. Is Penn State now the 4th best team in the BIG 10? What is Notre Dame’s future and how can the ACC and BIG 12 keep up with the Power 2? Blackledge and McElroy cover it all. Plus we hit the mailbag and answer questions about Riley Leonard, Deion Sanders and Colorado's expectations, and who could be the surprise team in 2024. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Texas, Florida State, USC, Colorado, Texas A&M, Iowa, Oklahoma and many more kick off spring practice and McElroy gives ONE big question he is hoping gets answered for each team this spring. Plus CFP expansion is secured. Was it the right move for the SEC and BIG TEN? Trev Alberts moves from Nebraska to Texas A&M, what impact will that have plus is Friday Night College Football going to be a thing? | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices