Inside The Pylon: A Midwest College Football Podcast

Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, touching on Illinois. After a breakout 2024 led to a strong, but maybe short of expectations 2025, where will the team head in 2026?They will be led by a new QB with three-year starter Luke Altmyer off for the NFL. In comes ECU transfer Katin Houser, he of 2023 Michigan State lore. A big body with a strong arm and a more physical run style, will Illinois alter its offensive look in 2026 to accommodate the new signal caller?He will need help from his OL, which was not good enough in 2025 but replaces four of five starters. Who are names to know along this unit?On defense, new DC Bobby Hauck imports a 3-3-5 defense that will put more on an Illinois secondary that was injury-riddled in 2025 but returns a plethora of talent, despite several losses. Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

Ryan and Clinton return from hiatus to begin a journey through the midwest as spring ball begins to kick off. The guys open with the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers, with three items to observe for in the spring.On the edge, Mikhail Kamara departs after a successful two year run in Bloomington following a transfer from JMU. To help ease his loss, along with several others, the Hoosiers hit the portal hard. Who are the names to know this spring.Out wide, Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper are off to the NFL, but 2025 breakout star Charlie Becker returns for new QB Josh Hoover. Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh enters, and who else should we be keeping our eyes on?In the backfield, Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black also depart. In what has been a running-back-by-committee in two years for Curt Cignetti in Bloomington, will we see more of the same in 2026 or will a bell cow emerge?Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

In part four of our four part February series, Ryan and Clinton talk coaching carousel. In the Big Ten, four new head coaching jobs start in 2026: Pat Fitzgerald returns to the Big Ten at Michigan State; Matt Campbell takes the next step in his career moving to Penn State; Bob Chesney jumps from James Madison to UCLA; and Kyle Whittingham stepped down at Utah and took Michigan's vacant posting. What are aspects of these hires we like that could indicate coming success? What are some potential trepidations with these hires that give us cause for pause. Additionally, the guys talk a couple OC/DC new hires to watch for. Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

In part three of our four part February series, Ryan and Clinton talk transfer portal. In the Big Ten, who are key names to know for each team, and who is a player who might be flying under the radar ready for a big breakout?Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

In part two of our four-part February series, Ryan and Clinton reminisce and eulogize the Southeastern Football Conference, which has now gone three consecutive seasons without playing in a national championship game. What has led to this shift in the power dynamics of college football, and will the shift in power toward the Midwest continue moving forward?Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

You have questions, we have answers (mostly). In part one of four of the guy's February pre-recorded series, the guys tackle user questions. From early playoff predictions, to past dream jobs, the guys tackle a wide range of topics.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

The Indiana Hoosiers are champions of the college football world for the first time in program history, To commemorate the occasion, friend of the show Sammy Jacobs of Hoosier Huddle re-joins the show to talk about Indiana's unprecedented season. How did this come together? When did he know that this year's team had a chance to be special? How does one react to being a national champion? And what comes next for Curt Cignetti and this program?Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

The CFB season is at an end and Ryan and Clinton return to recap Indiana's magical run to national champions with a 27-21 win against Miami. Where does this rank in terms of "best CFP stories of all time," and what staying power do the Hoosiers have?Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

The CFB season is at an end and Ryan and Clinton return for their last preview of the 2025 season for the National Championship game between Miami and Indiana. The Hoosiers are looking to win their first national title in program history, and finalize the first 16-0 season in the history of the sport. To do so they will have to take down the Hurricanes in Miami. The guys break down key matchups and give their last prediction of the season. Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Ryan and Clinton reconvene to recap Indiana's 56-22 win in the CFP semifinal against Oregon. How did we get here? What is next for the Ducks? And is an Indiana national title inevitible?Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

We have reached the college football semifinal, and we are graced with a rematch of one of the premier games of the regular season with Indiana taking on Oregon with a spot in the National Title Game on the line. Will the Ducks avenge their midseason defeat at the hands of the Hoosiers, or will Curt Cignetti's squad continue their undefeated run? Ryan and Clinton break down the matchup and pick the winner.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

The CFP quarterfinals have come and gone and with a lone exception the first-round bye was once again unkind to teams, with the purported top-4 seeds falling to a combined 1-7 in the two-year history of the 12-team playoff. However, a midwest school was able to buck that trend, set up an anticipated semifinal rematch, and ensures the Big Ten will be playing for a national title for the third consecutive season.In the first game, Ohio State was befuddled by a violent Miami front seven. The Hurricanes, with few exceptions, kept Ohio State's offense bottled up with seven tackles for loss, including five sacks. Heisman finalist Julian Sayin threw for 287 yards, but had two interceptions -- including a crucial pick-six in a decisive second quarter that gave Miami a 14-0 lead. Has Clinton recovered? And where does he think things went wrong for Ohio State?In the early New Years Day game, Oregon's defense out-dueled Texas Tech's elite unit with a 23-0 win. Dan Lanning seemingly had little concern for the Red Raiders's offense with multiple fourth-down conversion attempts near midfield. Like Miami, the Ducks had seven TFLs, including four sacks, and picked off Texas Tech Behren Morton twice.In the catharsis matchup of the day, Indiana did to Alabama what so many Saban-era 'Bama teams did to others, with a smothering 38-3 win that was never in doubt. The Hoosiers stifled the Tide running game, and battled QB Ty Simpson out of the game. The win sets up a rematch with Oregon in this Friday's Peach Bowl.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

The quarterfinals are here and a trio of Big Ten teams will took to extend their seasons and keep national title hopes alive.In the Cotton Bowl -- for just the fifth time in history, and the first time since 2011, Ohio State faces off against Miami. The 'Canes boast strong offensive and defensive line play -- which gave the Buckeyes trouble in the Big Ten title game. However, Miami's offense struggled in the wind against Texas A&M in the first round. Can Ohio State keep its national title defense hopes alive?In the Orange bowl, Oregon takes on Texas Tech's vaunted defense, which is led by All-Americans David Bailey and Jacob Rodriguez. The Red Raiders also boast a strong rush offense, 26th nationally with 191 yards on the ground per game. Can Dante Moore and the Ducks' offense continue their recent ascent?And in the Granddaddy of Them All, newblood Indiana takes on blueblood Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Can the Hoosiers avoid the No. 1 see curse the befuddled Oregon a year ago against a Crimson Tide team that came out of its shell in the last 2.5 quarters against Oklahoma, but still cannot run the ball?Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Round one of the playoff is finished and the semifinal field is set. Many things were learned this weekend, mostly not for the better.In the lone midwest action of the weekend, Oregon predicably thrashed James Madison in a game that was 34-6 at halftime. Dakorien Moore returned for the Ducks but he was unneeded, with Dante Moore hitting explosive pass plays to Trey Benson, Jamari Johnson and Dierre Hill. Did we actually learn anything from this game? And how will the Ducks match up with Texas Tech.Elsewhere in the playoff Ole Miss crushed Tulane for the second time this season. Alabama Oklahoma'd Oklahoma. And Miami defeated Texas A&M in a mid-off.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Ryan and Clinton return for a first-round playoff pick 'em. With a light midwest flavor, the guys briefly talk all four first-round games.The big question of the weekend: will chalk prevail or will we get chaos? In the later games Friday, we get Tulane (+17.5 vs Ole Miss) and James Madison (+21 vs Oregon) as three-score underdogs in games both appear to be heavily outmatched, but stranger things have occurred. Will either team cover, let alone win outright?Friday night, we get a rematch of 9-seed Alabama vs 8-seed Oklahoma, but this time in Norman. The Sooners came away victorious only a month ago, despite being out-gained by nearly 200 yards, thanks to a 3-0 turnover advantage. Can a Crimson Tide team that is 1-2 its last 3 FBS games and has not exceeded 30 points against an FBS foe since mid-October right the ship against an Oklahoma defense that is among the best in the nation, but also boasts a offense that has struggled mightily since QB John Mateer's hand injury?In the first game Saturday, Miami takes on Texas A&M for a brunch affair at Kyle Field. Both teams have shown elite flashes, but also have bottomed out abysmally at separate points this season. Which version of each team shows up, and will the crowd noise in College Station play a factor?Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Dale Bliss from Autzen Zoo returns to the show to help the guys break down Oregon's encore season in the Big Ten and look ahead to its first-round playoff matchup vs James Madison.After winning the league with a perfect 13-0 season in year one of their Big Ten journey, the Ducks had a masterful follow-up campaign at 11-1. However, that loss to Indiana ended the Ducks' chances at defending their Big Ten title. Did the regular season meet expectations? And how far do the Ducks need to go in the postseason for this season to be considered a success?Few, if any, are giving James Madison a chance of upsetting the Ducks at Autzen in round one of the CFP this weekend. For the Ducks to advance, what will the keys to victory be?Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Just when we thought the couching carousel was done spinning, Wednesday afternoon brought another bombshell with news dropping of Michigan's dismissal of head coach Sherrone Moore (and his subsequent arrest). Ryan divulges on some of the rumblings around Ann Arbor, and the guys talk where Michigan goes from here.Later in the show, the guys revisit their preseason playoff brackets and laugh at how incorrect their fields were, and Ryan talks through his preseason Big Ten record predictions vs actual results. The guys also reveal their bracket picks.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

In what would have seemed fictitious two years ago when Indiana hired Curt Cignetti away from James Madison, the Indiana Hoosiers are champions of the Big Ten, 13-0, and the No. 1 team in college football. The guys talked about the Hoosiers stymying previously-unbeaten Ohio State en route to their first outright Big Ten title since World War II.The playoff field is set. The guys talk about the bracket, the paths for Oregon, Indiana and Ohio State, and the spineless Committee protection of Alabama. that found Notre Dame on the outside looking in. Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Championship week is here and we have been blessed with a matchup between Nos. 1 and 2 in the country for the Big Ten Title Game. Ohio State and Indiana face off for conference supremacy. The guys discussed the matchup and keys to look out for. Who has the advantage, and do both teams have a first-round bye locked up anyway?The guys also discuss the penultimate CFP rankings and their implications, and pick the other conference title games. Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

The guys take a break from breaking down the games to talk some off the field stuff. With the regular season finished, the coaching carousel is spinning and it has already affected the midwest.The headliner was Michigan State parting ways with Jonathan Smith and quickly tapping former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald as it's next head coach. How will Fitzgerald fit with the Spartans?Elsewhere, UCLA is looking to tap into past JMU magic by hiring Dukes' head coach Bob Chesney. While not in the midwest for his next job, Oregon OC was hired by Kentucky to be its next head coach.The big one still on the board is Penn State. Where are the Lions at and who are names to know?The guys finish the show by breaking down what to watch for in the penultimate college football playoff rankings Tuesday night, and what could transpire this weekend to affect the field? Ryan also pontificates on the debate surrounding the tail end of the field.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Rivalry week has come and gone, and with it another college football regular season. Conference title matchups are set, the playoff field is taking shape, and we know who gets a bowl and who is in offseason mode.For the first time since 2019, Ohio State was victorious against Michigan with a suffocating 27-9 victory, reminiscent of how Michigan has won this game in the past. Is it the Buckeyes vs the field for the national title?Indiana took care of business against Purdue to set up a 12-0 Big Ten Title Game. Oregon dispatched Washington to punch its playoff ticket. Meanwhile, Notre Dame crushed Stanford to cement its bubble status.Iowa defeated Nebraska for the 10th time in 11 seasons. USC and Minnesota once again won rivalry games against UCLA and Wisconsin, respectively. Penn St got bowl eligible with a shootout win against Rutgers. Michigan St ended an eight-game losing streak (then fired its coach), while Illinois won a snow bowl against Northwestern.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Rivalry week is here and the stakes could not be higher. Several games feature implications for either bowl games, or potential playoff berths. In Ann Arbor, Ohio State looks to end a four-game skid against Michigan that extends to pre-COVID times, and clinic a berth in the Big Ten title game for the first time since 2020. With both teams banged up on offense, what will keys to this game be?Out west in Seattle, Jedd Fisch and Washington have already surpassed last season's win total, but could throw a wrench in Oregon's postseason hopes. The Ducks look to clinch a first-round playoff home game with a win.Indiana and Purdue battle for the Old Oaken Bucket, a suddenly hot Wisconsin battles Minnesota looking to reclaim Paul Bunyan's Axe, and USC and UCLA battle for the Victory Bell. Iowa takes on Nebraska, looking to hand the Huskers a third loss in four games to end the regular season, and win the Heros Game for the 10th time in 11 tries.Elsewhere, Penn State and Rutgers battle for bowl eligibility. Michigan State and Maryland battle in Detroit, carrying a combined 15-game losing streak into the contest. Northwestern and Illinois face off. And Notre Dame battles Stanford in a game that will end Sunday morning.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Rivalry week is upon us and we are kicking off the week previewing the Cascade Clash between Washington and Oregon. To help us break down the game, Roman Tomashoff from Locked on Huskies, and Dale Bliss, from Autzen Zoo join the show.Oregon scored its marquee win of the season a week ago, dispatching USC. The Ducks dominated the lines of scrimmage in that game. But this week they get a much stiffer test against a Washington defense that 18th nationally in yards per game allowed on the ground, and 29th in yards per carry surrendered. How can the Ducks counter this stout Washington defense? And how can the Huskies make life difficult for Will Stein and Dante Moore.On the other side of the ball, Washington has been dealing with key injuries on the offensive line, and to RB Jonah Coleman and WR Denzel Boston. Can we expect the Huskies at full strength? How will they utilize dynamic QB Demond Williams, Jr. to counter the aggressive Oregon defense?Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

In a week 13 that was devoid of marquee matchups, outside of Eugene, chalk took hold with most of the top teams which sets up a massive rivalry week to close the season.In the game of the weekend, Oregon kept USC at arms length most of the game and gave itself an emphatic resume boost with a 42-27 victory. Lincoln Riley once again failed to lead his team on the road against a ranked team. Meanwhile, Dan Lanning's squad is a win away from returning to the CFP.Both Michigan and Ohio State won against overmatched foes, setting up a showdown with massive playoff implications. However both sides emerged with questions sure to make their own fanbases uneasy heading into next week.Northwestern got bowl eligible with a barn-burner win against Minnesota. Penn State kept bowl hope alive by dispatching Nebraska. Washington easily handled UCLA, while Notre Dame obliterated Syracuse.Iowa was able to fend off Michigan State. And Wisconsin might actually be on track for a good-ish season? Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

There are two weeks left in the regular season and seemingly everyone has something to play for, to varying degrees. The playoff race is tightening up, with seemingly more 1- and 2-loss teams coming down the pipe than playoff chairs to seat them. That heightens the stakes in our game of the week.USC (8-2) travels to Eugene to take on Oregon (9-1) and would could effectively serve as a playoff elimination game for the loser. Can the Ducks' top-rated pass defense stifle Jayden Maiava and the USC pass attack? Or will Lincoln Riley (finally) achieve a signature road win for his program?The stakes elsewhere aren't as high but several teams still have benchmarks on the line. Northwestern takes on Minnesota looking to secure a bowl berth. Maryland (vs Michigan) and Penn State (vs Nebraska) both need wins to ensure bowl eligibility remains on the table.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Another wild week in the Big Ten has set forth a clear contender class with now two weeks to go in the regular season. While Indiana and Ohio State both control their own destiny for a Big Ten Title Game (and CFP) berth, three other teams scored victories to ensure they to have a shot to qualify for the CFP as an at-large berth.The Hoosiers and Buckeyes cruised to wins against Wisconsin and UCLA, respectively. USC stayed alive with a come-from-behind 26-21 win against Iowa after falling behind 14 points early. Likewise, Michigan improved to 8-2 with a 22-21 come-from-behind win against Northwestern with a FG at the buzzer. In Eugene, Oregon thrashed Minnesota to improved to 9-1 and set up a ranked showdown (and possible CFP elimination game?) with USC next week.Also in CFP news, Notre Dame destroyed Pitt to improve to 8-2 and further bolster its playoff resume.Illinois improved to 7-3 by running all over Maryland in a 24-6 win. Washington thrashed Purdue, 49-13, despite playing without four offensive starters. And Penn State won its first P4 game of the season with a 28-10 win against Michigan St.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Week 12 of the CFB season is upon us and we have a special Monday preview episode for you, as the guys are hitting the road this weekend to check out Autzen Stadium for the Oregon vs. Minnesota contest. The Ducks -- fresh off a thrilling win against No. 20 Iowa -- return home to take on a 6-3 Gophers squad coming off a bye. Can Dante Moore and Oregon stay on track and set up a likely top-15 showdown in week 13 against USC? Or will Drake Lindsey and the Gophers play spoiler?Elsewhere, College Gameday heads to Pittsburg for a contest between Pitt and Notre Dame which, despite Pat Narduzzi's objections, is a big game with significant playoff implications.In the Big Ten, USC hosts Iowa -- while Michigan travels to Chicago to take on Northwester -- with the former teams looking to keep its playoff hopes alive. Indiana (-30.5 vs Wisconsin) and Ohio State (-31.5 vs UCLA) are heavy home favorites as they both look to continue marching to Indianapolis undefeated. Maryland takes on Illinois, while Penn State and Michigan State battle to remain bowl-hopeful, and Washington looks to get back on track vs. Purdue.The guys also break out the MAC Minute.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Week 11 featured games with high stakes, and the matchups sure did not disappoint, highlighted by two top-1o teams getting taken down to the wire.In Happy Valley, Fernando Mendoza led a last-minute game-winning drive to power No. 2 Indiana past Penn State, 27-24. The win moved the Hoosiers to 10-0 and, barring a massive letdown against either Wisconsin or Purdue, ensures they will be heading to the Big Ten Title game in their home state. However, does this game raise questions about their ceiling.In Iowa City, Dante Moore led a game-winning drive of his own in an 18-16 win for Oregon against hosts Iowa. Oregon's go-ahead field goal came minutes after Iowa's Mark Gronowski piloted a masterful 12-play, 93 yard TD drive that took 6:45 off the clock and gave the Hawkeyes a short-lived 16-15 lead. The loss all but ends Iowa's playoff hopes, and gives Oregon a ranked win for its resume.Elsewhere in the Midwest, Wisconsin won its first Big Ten game in 13 months but ending Washington's playoff hopes with a 13-10 win. Ohio State handled Purdue and Rutgers ran over Maryland. Notre Dame dispatched Navy in a snowy South Bend, while on Friday night in LA, USC took down Northwestern.Nebraska and UCLA played late Saturday during recording.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Week 11 is upon us and we are firmly into the nitty gritty of the CFB season. The first CFP poll is out and playoff contenders and dark horses are now fully into focus.This will be played out in Iowa City on Saturday, with No. 20 Iowa playing host to No.9 Oregon. Can the Hawkeyes put a dent in Oregon's playoff resume while bolstering their own?Elsewhere, contenders Ohio State (-29.5 @ Purdue), Indiana (-14.5 @ Penn State), USC (-14.5 vs Northwestern), Washington (-11.5 @ Wisconsin) and Notre Dame (-25.5 vs Navy) are all multi-score favorites while they look to avoid upsets that could hamper their own playoff aspirations.In a drive for bowl eligibility, Maryland travels to Rutgers, with each team needing two wins to hit six for the season. Out west, Nebraska looks to get back on track without QB Dylan Raiola vs UCLA.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

The first CFP committee rankings are out and the Midwest reigns, with Ohio State and Indiana the top two in the country. What did the guys think of the first set of rankings.The guys also debate who the best player in the country is. Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Halloween weekend featured some truly terrifying performances, ranging from teams annihilating the competition, to awful clock management, to just truly slept-walking performances.In Lincoln, USC's offense came alive in the second half, in a 21-17 win and Nebraska sputtered with Dylan Raiola injured in the second half.In what looked in the preseason to be the marquee matchup of the weekend, Ohio State played around with Penn State for a half before pulling away in a 38-14 win. The Buckeyes passing attack was humming, with both Jeremiah Smith and Carnell take surpassing 100 yards.Illinois easily handled Rutgers, while Indiana demolish Maryland. Minnesota came back to stun Michigan State in overtime. Notre Dame and Michigan both ached their ways to victory in less-than stellar performances.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

November is here and the homestretch of the regular season is officially upon us. We have developed a general idea of who the playoff/Big Ten contenders are, but who actually advances to the meaningful postseason competition will begin coming into focus starting this week.In prime time, USC and Nebraska squad off in a true-to-form "winner advances, loser is out" game. Fresh off a thorough smacking at the hands of Notre Dame, can Lincoln Riley right the ship on the road two time zones away from LA to keep the Trojans' playoff hopes alive? On the other sideline, Nebraska has been living dangerously -- 3-2 their last five games with a pair of one score wins. Can Matt Rhule, fresh off his contract extension, keep the Huskers alive in the playoff race?Elsewhere, one of the most anticipated games of the regular season has been reduced to an afterthought with a meek Penn State squad heading to Columbus to take on No. 1 Ohio State. Is there any magic for the Nittany Lions, or will the Buckeyes continue their unabated march to Indianapolis?Minnesota hosts Michigan State in a contest between a squad coming off its second 35+ point loss in four games, and another that's lost five straight after a 3-0 start. Can the Gophers get to bowl-eligibility with a sixth win, or will the Spartans stop a skid and keep their own bowl hopes alive?Much of the rest of the midwest slate features wide spreads. Illinois (-13.5) hosts a Rutgers squad in desperate need of a victory to push toward bowl eligibility. Indiana (-21.5) travels to College Park to take on a Maryland team that has been spunky but has lost its last three games each by four points or less. Michigan (-21.5) hosts a Purdue team seeking its first Big Ten win in 24 months, while Notre Dame (-28.5) travels to Boston College looking to continue to rack up style points for a playoff resume.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

It's the last week of October, which means we are seven glorious days away from getting midweek MACtion back in our lives. In the time being, there are many happenings in the college football world to discuss.Reports have emerged that there is growing support for an expansion to 24 teams for the next playoff format. Ryan and Clinton discuss, and wonder, "what's the point of even having a regular season, then?"Clinton unveils his Rollin' POTW, and the guy discuss some "dudes" from the first half of the season. Ryan also dances on Brian Kelly's grave.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Week nine lacked a marque matchup in the Big Ten, but we learned plenty and a secondary contender tier has established itself.In Seattle, Washington bottled up Luke Altmyer and Illinois's offense en route to a 42-25 victory. Demond Williams, Jr. was once again excellent, as was star WR Denzel Boston, while the Washington defense stepped up well in the second half. Now at 6-2, the Huskies have a trio of winnable games prior to a season-ending showdown with Oregon. Is it time to talk about playoff sleeper Washington?In Iowa City, the Hawkeyes jumped all over Minnesota early and coasted to a monster 41-3 victory. The Hawkeyes held Drake Lindsey and Minnesota to 133 total yards, and they scored TDs on offense, defense and special teams. Their 5-2 is a step behind Washington, but with shots against Oregon, Nebraska and USC looming, do we also need to consider Iowa's darkhorse status?Speaking of Nebraska, the Huskers survived a scare from Northwestern with a 28-21 victory. Emmett Johnson was excellent, and the Huskers defense forced two interceptions to support a sub-par game from Dylan Raiola.Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Rutgers defeated Purdue in one of the most painful ways possible, and were bolstered by a near-historic day from WR KJ Duff. Indiana knocked the UCLA train off its tracks. Oregon actually allowed Wisconsin to score, and Michigan handled Michigan State in East Lansing. Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Week nine in the Big Ten may lack a marque big-game matchup, but it does offer an opportunity to see if teams can separate themselves into a secondary contender tier. Six of the seven teams tied for third in the league at 3-1 are in action, with varying degrees of difficulty to those matchups.Perhaps, however, the most intriguing matchup of the weekend features two of the three 2-2 teams in league play. Illinois heads west to take on Washington in a contest between 5-2 teams, with the winner keeping its chances for a playoff at-large playoff berth alive. Will Washington's drastic home/road splits continue to come into play? Or can Luke Altmyer and the Illini snag a signature win for their season?In America's heartland, Minnesota is fresh off an upset of Nebraska and has a chance to secure bowl eligibility at an Iowa team who continues to struggle throwing the back, but has been adept at most everything else. Can the Gophers score a second consecutive upset and insert themselves into a potential playoff discussion?In the noon windown, UCLA puts its three-game win streak on the line on the road against the Indiana juggernaut. Rutgers heads to West Lafayette still without a defense, though Purdue may be without its QB. And Northwestern also looks to achieve bowl eligibility against a Nebraska team fresh off a loss.In the evening slot, Wisconsin heads to Eugene, looking to avoid being shut out for the third consecutive game. And Michigan and Michigan State renew rivalry unpleasantries. Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

More than half of the college football season has passed us by, and storylines are abound both on the field and off of it. Conference title races are taking shape, but so is the coaching silly season, with numerous sitting head coaches already given their pink slip this season. Who else might be working their way onto the hot seat? Who might be working their way off of it? And who might find themselves in the crosshairs of a currently open head coaching position? The guys also talk the Heisman race, and discuss the AP Top 25 poll.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Week eight is in the books, and more dominos continue to fall across the CFB landscape. Conference races are starting to take shape and contenders are firmly starting to establish their placehold. And on the other side of the standings, seats continue to get hotter. In South Bend, in what could be the last annual rendition of the Notre Dame/USC rivalry, the Irish brow beat USC on the ground en route to a 34-24 victory. The win keeps playoff hope for the Irish alive. For USC, while hope remains, they once again show that they have not outgrown poor performances on the road against teams decidedly more physical than them. On Friday night in Minneapolis, Minnesota delivered a blow to Nebraska's playoff hopes with a 24-6 victory. The Huskers could not protect QB Dylan Raiola, nor could they shut down Gophers RB Darius Taylor. Now at 5-2, could Minnesota begin to make some noise in the Big Ten playoff hunt?Back to Saturday, big favorites Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State handled business, which Michigan rebounded from last week's loss. UCLA continued its roll, Northwestern took a step toward bowl eligibility, and Iowa furthered Penn State's suffering.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Week eight of the CFB season is upon us and not only are conference races beginning to heat up, but the playoff contenders are beginning to come into focus during a weekend when we will learn more about who is for real and who will be on the outside looking in.Notre Dame has defeated USC six consecutive games in South Bend, including in a 48-20 shellacking of then a 6-0 and top-5 Trojans team in 2023. In a game featuring two of the most prolific offenses in college football, can either defense manufacture enough stops to gain an advantage? The game serves a playoff eliminator with a loss for ND, but what about for the Trojans?Elsewhere, Washington, Oregon and Maryland all cross multiple time zones for road conference games. Ohio State and Indiana could both potentially further hasten the demise of their opponent's head coach. Nebraska looks to maintain its contender status in a rivalry game. And Penn State finds itself as a road underdog at Kinnick.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Ryan and Clinton reconvene to build off of Sunday's conversation, discussing the Penn State head coaching opening. Who are the early names to know? Is AD Pat Kraft's alleged swinging for the fences going to yield an unexpected name? Can the Lions lure another Big Ten coach away?Later in the show, the guys discuss what could be the last annual rendition of the storied Notre Dame/USC rivalry. What are keys to the game? What's on the line for each team?Clinton also reveals his Rollin' Player of the Week. Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

Another monster week and another slate of games that more than lived up to the hype. Halfway through the college football season, and we are beginning to see teams separate themselves into different tiers.Despite the massive slate of games, the major story of the weekend was once again Penn State -- both for what happened during the day Saturday and what has come since. The Nittany Lions lost as 20+ point favorites for the second consecutive weekend, this time to Northwestern, to fall to 3-3 on the season. They are still winless in Big Ten play. And this latest failure was the straw the broke the camel's back, as the school announced Sunday morning that they have fired head coach James Franklin. Lost in the game was also starting QB Drew Allar -- who sustained a lower leg injury late in the game, and whom Franklin announced post-game would miss the rest of the season. How did we get here and where to the Lions go next?On the field, after a season of beating bad teams and getting beat badly by good ones, Indiana took pot shots throughout the offseason yet gave it back 10-fold with a massive statement win, 30-20, at Oregon. The Hoosiers dominated both lines of scrimmage, and their defense kept Dante Moore in check almost the entire game. They are for real, but can the Hoosiers challenge Ohio State -- who handily dispatched Illinois, 34-16 -- for the Big Ten title? Also out west, USC made its own statement with a throttling of Michigan. Was this a flash in the pan, or can the Trojans parlay this style into next weekend in South Bend, against an improving Notre Dame team that handled NC State, 36-7?Elsewhere in the league, Nebraska engineered another come-from-behind victory, this time against Maryland. UCLA might be a wagon. and Luke Fickell and Jonathan Smith appear to be in a competition to see whose seat can get the hottest.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

The weeks keep passing and the stakes keep rising. After a sleepy weekend saw one contender have its playoff hopes crushed, week 7 offers a juicy slate with plenty on the line.In Eugene, Oregon takes on an Indiana squad dying to prove it can do more than just beat up on overmatched teams. The Ducks' signature win lost some shine a week ago, can they add another to their resume, or will the Hoosiers earn their most notable win of the Curt Cignetti era?In LA, Michigan and USC are both alive for a Big Ten title but need a win this weekend to keep it that way, and to keep playoff hopes alive. Will the Trojans' defense find a remedy for the potent Michigan rushing attack? Or will the Wolverines continue their march to Thanksgiving weekend unabated?In Champaign, Illinois hosts Ohio State needing to wash away the odor of their most recent top-10 beatdown. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes look like the best team in the nation. Will the title defense continue without a loss, or will Illinois announce its arrival on the national stage?Elsewhere, Rutgers (Washington), UCLA (MSU), and Nebraska (Maryland) all engage in long road trips. Penn State looks to put back together the pieces of its season against Northwestern. Notre Dame looks to avoid a trap hosting NC State, Iowa faces what is left of Wisconsin, and Purdue and Minnesota appear primed for a shootout.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

It's week 7 and we are nearly at the halfway point (gag) of the college football season. With much shifting and jockeying already occurring in the college football landscape, this feels like a great opportunity to dust off and update our preseason power rankings amongst Big Ten teams.Through six weeks of the season, many questions have been answered, yet some still remain. Yet a clear contender tier has emerged in this conference, while some programs have already signaled that they will not be meeting preseason expectations. Where does your favorite team fall in our updated ranks?Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

What is it that they say about the quiet ones? A weekend that was lacking for marquee matchups featured chaos and unpredictability throughout the country. And the Midwest was not spared.After a week of takes on "James Franklin wins what he should but cannot win the big game" ,,, the Penn State head coach decided to pull a "hold my beer." Penn State was shocked by previously winless and hapless UCLA in a 42-37 defeat. Less than two weeks after firing their head coach and DC, and four days after firing their OC, the Bruins moved the ball up and down the field on a lethargic Lions defense, and the Penn State offense took too long to get in the game. At 3-2, and starting down needing to win out to keep it's all-in season alive, is this the beginning of the end for James Franklin in State College?Our game of the week lived up to the hype for three quarters, but Nebraska was able to clamp down in the fourth and pull away from Michigan State in a 38-27 victory. After an opening drive TD and a blocked punt TD made it 14-0, the Huskers' offense was stuck in first gear until late in the third quarter. But their defense held Michigan State to 242 yards of total offense. Did this game cement their status as a contender in the Big Ten?A week after getting stifled by Ohio State, Washington was mired in another sloggy road trip, trailing Maryland 20-0 late in the third quarter. But three fourth-quarter TD drives later, the Huskies escaped College Park with a 24-20 win. What is the team capable of now that it has proven it can win on the road? And after a September to remember, can Maryland buck past October/November stumbles and find two more wins to reach bowl eligiblity?In West Lafayette, Purdue and Illinois traded touchdowns but the Illini pulled ahead late in a 43-27 win. Further north on Lake Michigan, Northwestern exploded on offense and shut down UL-Monroe's potent rush attack in a 42-7 win. At Big Noon, Wisconsin started strong early, sputtered otherwise, and Luke Fickell appeared to wave the white flag late in a 24-10 Michigan victory.Notre Dame took another step forward on defense, intercepting Maddux Madsen 3 times in a 28-7 win. And Ohio State cruising against Minnesota, 42-3, and further establishes itself as the team to beat nationally.In the MAC, Ball State stunned defending champ Ohio, while Akron shocked Central Michigan. Miami's defense continued its excellence in a win against NIU, while Western Michigan outlasted UMass, and Buffalo survived an upset-minded Eastern Michigan in OT.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

A week after a monster slate of games, week 6 features a set of games that -- on the surface -- leave a lot to be desired. Many massive spreads and no ranked Midwest matchups are present to wet the whistle. But what do they say about the quiet ones?In Lincoln, Nebraska looks to get back on track after a crushing defeat against Michigan, with Michigan State coming to town. Can the Huskers take revenge on the Mitten state, or will Jonathan Smith's Spartans come up with the upset?At Big Noon in Ann Arbor, can Luke Fickell's Badgers find signs of life or will Michigan grate them into the turn? Purdue hosts Illinois in a game that might not feature many stops. Also in Indiana, Notre Dame hosts 2024 playoff team (and 2025 playoff hopeful) Boise State in a game you should also take the over.Penn State and Washington look to bounce back with long road trips, to UCLA and Maryland respectively. Northwestern has the lone nonconference game of the weekend with UL-Monroe. And Ohio State fans get the night game against Minnesota.The guys also debut their "MAC Minute" segment.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

We are a third of the way into the season, which offers a perfect time to revisit our preseason tiers of the Big Ten, and assess certain teams standings within those tiers.Unlike our previous rendition of this game, we are not talking solely "contenders" for a national title. Clinton has compiled a list of 10 teams from our varying preseason tiers of the Big Ten -- from national title contender to bowl game contender. The guys discuss whether the given team is a contender within that tier (IE: will make a bowl game), or a pretender.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

A mammoth week five is in the books and the whole weekend live up to the hype, from the undercards to the headliners. Many things were learned and narratives are beginning to take shape.In the nightcap, Oregon finished a thrilled 2OT affair with a walk-off interception of Drew Allar. After 13 combined points in the first three quarters, the two squads scored 41 in the 4th and OT, including a rally from a 17-3 deficit by Penn State. However, same as it ever was, the Lions fell short against a top-10 foe. The season's goals are still in front of the Lions, but where does this team go after falling short again in a top matchup? On the other side, has Oregon cemented its status as the team-to-beat in the Big Ten?In the early slate, Illinois and USC traded barbs, including a pair of lead changes in the final two minutes, in a thrilling 34-32 Illini win. Illinois rebounded well from last week's utter destruction at the hands of Indiana, and kept their title hopes alive. Meanwhile, USC showed that it still has not grown past last season's fourth quarter collapses.Elsewhere, Ohio State neutralized Washington's powerful offense and firmly looks to be the best team in the country. Indiana survived a scare at Kinnick against Iowa -- which will ensure a top-10 matchup in Eugene against Oregon in two weeks. Notre Dame might have found a defense, Minnesota might have found a cornerstone QB against Rutgers, and UCLA might have blown its best chance to avoid 0-12 against Northwestern.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

The best weekend of the season, to date, is here. There are a large number of high-quality games across the nation, and Midwest teams will certainly be partaking in the fun, in what could be a massive statement weekend for a number of teams.In State College, has a golden opportunity to show its offseason investment in talent retention and acquisition was worthwhile, hosting No. 6 Oregon in its annual White Out game. James Franklin's record against Top-10 foes has been much discussed. Can he, and QB Drew Allar, come of age and establish themselves as the team-to-beat in the Big Ten, or will Oregon formally launch its Big Ten title defense with a statement road win?Out west, Oregon's former Pac-12 rival Washington hosts Ohio State with their own opportunity to make a statement. Will the Huskies extend a home winning streak that is now in its fourth straight season?In a ranked matchup -- though one that is perhaps lacking the same juice, Illinois needs to scoop itself off the mat a week after betting demoralized by Indiana, with the high-flying USC offense coming to town. Will the Trojans improve to 5-0 for (unbelievably) the third time in four seasons under Lincoln Riley, or can the Illini rebound and remain in Big Ten title contention?On the other end of the Indiana destruction from a week ago, the Hoosiers look to avoid a letdown at Kinnick Stadium against Iowa. Athan Kaliakmanis looks to exact further revenge on former team Minnesota (a year after piloting Rutgers to an upset of the Gophers), while UCLA and Northwestern face off in a game between perhaps the two worst teams in the Big Ten.Down south, Notre Dame and Arkansas appear primed to score a million points in a game between two of the best passing offenses in the country, and two of the worst defenses in the country.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp

It's the week we have all been waiting for: week 5 of the college football season features a number of Certified Bangers, headlined by a Big Ten Title rematch, White Out matchup Saturday night at Happy Valley between Penn State and Oregon. To break down the game, Ryan and Clinton welcome Matt Flip (Roar Lions Roar podcast) and Dale Bliss (Autzen Zoo) back to the show.In the 2025 season neither team has faced a remotely notable test, and how early season performances carry over to a sharp uptick in competition will be the storyline of the night. Which team is inspiring more confidence at this point in the season.Oregon has mowed through its first four games, and the last time the Ducks faced a worthy challenger they were blown off the field in the Rose Bowl. With new weapons on offense, how with Dante Moore and Co. response against Penn State's stifling defense? Will they continue a by-committee approach to their WR/RB rotations, or will they begin to focus on a player or two as a key target?On the Penn State sideline, the "Big Game James" moniker will live on in national circles until proven otherwise. Is there more pressure on the Lions to get a W in this game? Much like Oregon, the last time Penn State faced a team capable of punching back they took a loss, with Drew Allar throwing what amounted to a game-cliniching interception in the dying minutes of the Orange Bowl. Can he take is game to the next level and help elevate this Penn State offenseJoin us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp#BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CollegeFootballNationalTitle #NationalChampionship #BigTenConference

Week four is (nearly) in the books and we had our first truly jaw-dropping result of the Big Ten season in the nightcap.Indiana -- setting out to prove last year was no fluke -- murdered Illinois and then threw them through the wood chipper, en route to a 63-10 (as of episode recording) advantage. Fernando Mendoza tossed 5 TD passes, and the IU defense had Illinois QB Luke Altmyer running for his life most of the evening. Does this result say more about IU in their pursuit for a repeat playoff berth, or more about Illinois?Elsewhere in Big Ten play, Michigan scored a passive conference-opening win against Nebraska by rushing for nearly 300 yards while stiffling Nebraska's rushing attack and sacking Dylan Raiola seven times. Is Michigan for real or was this an exposure of Nebraska?On Friday night, Iowa showed some offensive pop but Athan Kaliakmanis was excellent in a loss. Notre Dame could have scored 90 against Purdue but also still cannot cover receivers. Washington followed a similar "all O no D" plan. Oregon played with its food. And Luke Fickell might be cooked.Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp#BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CollegeFootballNationalTitle #NationalChampionship #BigTenConference

It's week four and conference play is now in full force. Ryan and Clinton begin the show discussing the ranked showdown in Bloomington between Indiana and Illinois. What will the keys be to this massive matchup, and which program needs the big win more?Elsewhere in Big Ten play, Nebraska and Michigan both look to validate conference contender status with a massive matchup in Lincoln. Which young QB will steal the show, and is the winner a legit threat to challenge for a Big Ten title game appearance?In a sneaky good Friday matchup, Iowa heads east to take on a Rutgers team that is 3-0 and (despite a lower level of competition) has been throwing the ball well so far. Will Athan Kaliakmanis and co. continue their early season heater or will the Phil Parker defense be too much to handle?In games that are somehow conference matchups, Maryland looks to extend Wisconsin's early-season misery and move to 4-0, while Michigan State heads west to take on USC in a game that will likely still be in the first quarter when it becomes Sunday in East Lansing.In nonconference play, Oregon (Oregon State), Washington (Washington State) and Purdue (Notre Dame) all take on traditional rivals. Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.LINKS:Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaIBattle Bets league: https://www.battlebets.app/itp#BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CollegeFootballNationalTitle #NationalChampionship #BigTenConference