Always College Football with Greg McElroy

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

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman joins the show to preview the spring with Greg and talks expectations for the third year coach. Greg then gives his PERFECT Week 1 schedule for the upcoming college football season using his non-conference scheduling layout giving us Ohio State vs Texas, an Alabama/Michigan rematch and so much more. Plus, McElroy poses one big spring practice question for Penn State, Oregon and others. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida and many others have started spring practice this week and McElroy looks at ONE big question for each team they hope to answer before spring practice ends. Plus we might have fixed the college football regular season schedule to help determine who is actually the best & most dominant conference, but will the SEC & BIG Ten and other conferences actually accept and adapt to it? | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The SEC and BIG TEN are leading a charge for a 14 team playoff in 2026 - and we haven’t even had a 12 team playoff yet. McElroy discusses the issues with the 14 teams (and automatic qualifiers) and why so many people in the sport have a problem with it. Plus Miami and Cincinnati kick off spring practice with the same question regarding quarterback production, McElroy explains. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye headline a fantastic quarterback draft class, but who will take their place at USC, LSU and UNC respectively next year? McElroy breaks it down and takes a look at who else has big shoes to fill at places like Michigan, Florida State, Oregon, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and more. Plus spring practice has started for Auburn, Missouri and BYU and McElroy has one question he wants answered from each team. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

McElroy and Paul Finebaum get together to discuss the NCAA and what power they have over CFB, the college football 5 +7 playoff model and if Notre Dame really has any issues with it. Is 12 the right number and if there is more expansion, are conference championship games a thing of the past. Plus Eric Bieniemy is back in college, how big is the loss of McGee for Georgia and Sarkasian earns an extension at Texas. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The CFP is staying on ESPN for the next six years but why haven’t we finalized the 5 + 7 model - McElroy will explain. Plus one fair statement for each SEC team - why Alabama’s offense will be under a microscope, why Georgia’s defense will dominate again and how the pressure Texas, Missouri, Tennessee and Florida are under might make or break a fan base's trust. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this installment of Always College Football, Greg plays the czar of college football and with the help from Mark and Jack draft three NEW 12 team conferences for the sport. Every team is on the table, rivalries and location are a factor, who goes where and when? Plus what does it mean for the sport when Chip Kelly leaves UCLA for an OC spot as Ohio State and more changes in Tuscaloosa for Alabama. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the ACC between Florida State, Miami and Clemson, if so which of those three has the best chance to make the College Football Playoff in 2024? Plus will Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame take the next step and make the CFP? Who from the revamped BIG 12 is primed to take the conference and make the CFP, is it Oklahoma State, Kansas State or one of the new teams like Arizona or Utah? Also McElroy discusses what the ESPN, Fox & Warner collaboration mean for college football | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The SEC and BIG 10 announced a joint partnership to address issues within College Football and McElroy is here to help explain it all. Will either conference be aggressive in future expansion? Will Notre Dame be forced to join a conference sooner rather than later? What is the future of the 12 team College Football Playoff (and automatic qualifiers) and so much more. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

McElroy and Matt Barrie go through the biggest winners from a wild month in College Football. We know Michigan is the biggest winner with the Natty but the guys tell you why Ohio State, Penn State, USC were also big winners in the Big 10. Plus with Saban retired, Kirby Smart and Georgia are now the clear #1 program, while LSU, Texas and everyone else in the SEC took a big sigh of relief with a different outlook on the future. Also, Florida State and Miami took big transfers in January which makes them BIG winners. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA will make their way to the BIG 10 - who will be most prepared to make the CFP from that group? Plus Ohio State feels like a lock for the CFP - can Michigan (with a new HC get back), is Penn State ready to take the next step? Is there a surprise team in Wisconsin, Nebraska or Iowa? McElroy breaks it all down plus why is Texas still getting mad at “horns down”? | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jim Harbaugh is going back to the NFL this time with the Los Angeles Chargers. McElroy looks at Harbaugh’s legacy in college football, what's next for Michigan, who benefits the most from him moving on and what Michigan may have learned from Nick Saban retiring just two weeks ago. Plus Washington holds on to a QB, LSU finds an OC and Arizona has more changes. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

52 weeks from NOW the National Champion will be crowned in Atlanta. McElroy takes an early look at 8 SEC teams and what chances each of them have in making the first ever 12-team CFP. Is Georgia a lock? Will Texas and Oklahoma be able to jump into the SEC and make the CFP? Can Alabama and Kalen DeBoer make a statement in season 1? Is there a sleeper in Ole Miss, Missouri and Tennessee? Plus Ohio State is on a tear right now and more news from around the college football world | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 programs have new head coaches and we ask the 1 BIG question for each coach and program. Will the fans (and media) have patience for Kalen DeBoer at Alabama? Can Texas A&M win consistently under Elko? Can the new B1G coaches deliver immediately? Plus McElroy talks the ALL the players leaving Alabama in the transfer portal and what the May portal window might bring | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will Jim Harbaugh jump to the NFL and is J.J.McCarthy declaring for the NFL draft a sign? Ohio State is loading up in ‘24 and Jedd Fisch heads to Washington. Alabama’s offensive staff is coming together while Miami found their QB in Cam Ward. Plus Texas and Oregon pick up some huge commitments. McElroy is here to break it all down and tell you what it means for each program. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg McElroy gives his instant analysis and reaction to Kalen DeBoer being named the Alabama Head Coach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heisman trophy winner Bryce Young joins Greg McElroy to share a few stories about what it is like to play quarterback at Alabama under the legend. How was that 1st team meeting with Saban, how were those lake trips and what was Saban like after he won a National Championship? McElroy shares some stories and tells you who the Tide might be looking at as the next Head Coach. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the first time since 1997 Michigan is the National Champion and Greg McElroy is here to give his instant reaction. The defense was stout, flustring Michael Penix all night while the run game led by Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards was dominant. Plus what does this win mean for college football, Michigan and Jim Harbaugh's legacy - McElroy explains | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Mullen has called plays in National Title games and he gives his insight on what to expect from both Michigan and Washington's offenses and how they prepared for the game. Booger breaks down the advantages that Michigan might have on Washington and what the Huskies can do to flip the script. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michigan and Washington have made it to Houston. Greg McElroy is joined by Matt Barrie and “Stanford” Steve to cover everything from the differences between Harbaugh and DeBoer to gambling lines and trends to keep an eye on. Plus McElroy goes over the injury report and what he learned from the media day today. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Washington and Michigan are both looking for their 1st titles since the 90’s. Both bring in perfect 14-0 records but that’s where the similarities stop. McElroy breaks down Washington’s strong offense led by Michael Penix Jr vs Michigan’s dominant defense and other keys to the game. Plus we look at how the CFP Championship teams were built and McElroy shares a hilarious Jim Harbaugh story. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michigan wins their first first ever CFP game by stuffing Alabama in overtime and winning the biggest game for the Wolverines this century. Washington held off a furious Texas rally setting up a fresh National Championship of future B1G foes. McElroy gives his instant analysis on the huge wins for the Wolverines and Huskies | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Michigan run on Alabama or will the Crimson Tide hit the deep shots on Michigan and make it a shoot out? Will Texas and Washington be a high scoring game or will the defense’s step up? McElroy gives you the most in depth breakdowns of both College Football Playoff semifinals. Plus will Tennessee, LSU and Oregon get needed bowl wins. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh Pate joins Greg McElroy to discuss the impact of Florida State suing the ACC and what impact it will have on the conference and all of CFB moving forward. Plus McElroy and Pate dive into the Alabama/Michigan and Texas/Washington games. Also McElroy breaks down the Penn State/Ole Miss and Missouri/Ohio State games and talks coaching changes, portal moves and so much more. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian joins McElroy and talks about how proud he is of his team, what it means to play in the CFP, the crazy schedule he has to keep this time of year and if he will add a play at the last minute before the Sugar Bowl. Plus McElroy breaks down the Longhorns and all their strengths, what needs to change with the CFB schedule and some gambling tips for your holiday week. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brock Huard joins McElroy to break down everything ahead of the Washington Huskies CFP game against Texas. Can Penix and Odunze find success? Will the Huskies O-Line control the game, is the defense ready for the Longhorns? Brock Huard helps answer them all. Plus is Chip Kelly on to something and has Ole Miss taken the next step thanks to the transfer portal from contender to favorite? | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg is joined by Cole Cubelic to react to the entire 2024 SEC schedule release. McElroy and Cubelic discuss Florida and Georgia’s brutal schedules, when the “Welcome to the SEC” moments are for Texas and Oklahoma, a balanced slate for Alabama, a gettable schedule for Ole Miss and more. Plus, McElroy does an Alabama deep dive and reacts to the latest portal news out of Austin. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michigan, led by J.J. McCarthy and a vicious defense, are the #1 team in America heading into the CFP. McElroy takes a look back and tells you why they have been so dominant, what they do well and what to expect from Harbaugh's team against Alabama. Plus we rank our Top 10 bowl games we can’t wait to see and tell you why among others Georgia/FSU, Arizona/Oklahoma and even Kansas UNLV are all exciting. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices