Split Zone Duo: College Football Podcast

Steven Godfrey and Richard Johnson take you on a magical and not-at-all predictable journey through the sport's most predictable conference. Visit the lovely cul-de-sac of .500 clubs! Determine which HOMEGROWN HERO has the most impossible set of expectations (Spoiler: Richard thinks it ISN'T Miami)! And let's debate which narrative is dumber: Clemson DONE or Florida State BACK? Also Alex isn't here so there's not much Pitt discussion. You're welcome. Production: Anthony VitoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Alex Kirshner and Steven Godfrey have some Mountain West conversations, touching on every team in the league heading into 2023. Has Boise State averted the worst? Are the Broncos in a two-team race with Fresno State? Will Air Force butt in? Let’s check in with Craig Bohl, Brady Hoke, and Troy Calhoun. What is the deal with Blake Anderson’s Utah State? And let’s see which of the conference’s most moribund teams (Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada) can show a sign of progress first. Production: Anthony Vito.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Steven Godfrey and Alex Kirshner preview the Pac-12's 2023 season by touching every team in the conference. Which quarterbacks in this league could join Caleb Williams in the highest tier of CFB passers? What could get in Utah’s way? Which Bay Area school ends the year feeling most hopeful? Which Arizona school? And, yes or no: Do you believe in the 2023 Colorado Buffaloes? Production: Anthony Vito.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Football wasn't much at Kentucky until Bear Bryant came along. That, it would soon become clear, was exactly how Adolph Rupp liked it. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 5 of Dead Letters, a Split Zone Duo series about bad things happening to great college football programs. Writing: Alex KirshnerProduction: Anthony VitoInterviewee: Derrick White, University of Kentucky This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard and Alex go through some college football news of the week, starting with some thoughts on a couple of tragic CFB losses this week in Ryan Mallett and Terry Price. Then the show covers why recent NCAA enforcement actions do not have any cultural juice, the overcomplicating of what will soon become a legal fight between San Diego State and the Mountain West, the Florida Gators' rebuild under Billy Napier starting to bear visible fruit, and why the recent news about the EA Sports college football game seems like it's being misinterpreted. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Welcome to our first live show, recorded June 15 in D.C. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. After talking a little bit about D.C.’s merits as a college football town, Godfrey, Richard, and Alex preview the 2023 season in an interactive fashion. Tickets to our next live show, in Minneapolis on September 1, are on sale now at splitzoneduolive.com. Production: Anthony Vito and Tony Fowler.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard shares insights from his extensive dive into the quirkiest clauses in the contracts for 2023's new head coaches. Some of them could be a big deal and seem to be getting more common in the industry. Then, he and Alex run through a big June mailbag that touches on a bunch of topics, including the significance of Notre Dame's new AD hire, DJ Uiagalelei at Oregon State, what's going on at Georgia State, the Pat Narduzzi-Deion Sanders beef, the Big Ten not protecting any Penn State rivalry games, Cal's place in the Bay Area, and what surprised Richard about a visit to Lincoln. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

American higher education is about to have a big numbers problem on its hands, and it could affect college football in significant ways (albeit probably not for the Ohio States and Alabamas of the world). Alex interviews Dr. Nathan Grawe, an expert on the "enrollment cliff" that's rapidly approaching for U.S. colleges. Before that, Alex, Richard, and Godfrey talk about CFB news of the week and what a big outside investment might look like if CFB had its own version of the current PGA Tour story. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

This week marks the launch of season 2 of "Dead Letters," an SZD Patreon series (patreon.com/szd) about the rises and falls of great college football programs and what happened next. This episode traces the ascent of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the many, many things that came together to unwind the most dominant team of much of the 20th century. We've changed the format of these shows a little bit for 2023, but we hope you enjoy this sample of the series before diving into the new season. Patreon subscribers: Thank you for making this work possible, and listen now to the first episode of Dead Letters Season 2: Florida A&M. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Jake Gaither built a college football powerhouse at FAMU in the 1940s, '50s, and '60s. The Rattlers towered over their HBCU competition and struck fear in everyone they played. Then the world changed. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 1 of Dead Letters, a Split Zone Duo series about what happens when great programs hit the rocks. Writing: Alex KirshnerProduction: Anthony VitoInterviewee: Dr. Derrick White, author of "Blood, Sweat, and Tears: Jake Gaither, Florida A&M, and the History of Black College Football"Audio courtesy: HBCUGameday.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Godfrey, Richard, and Alex talk about college football news of the week: USC and Michigan both let guys resign who shouldn't have had their jobs in the first place. Georgia makes a pivot toward an even scarier future by leveling up its QB recruiting to the tippy top of the sport. USF may actually, at long last, build a stadium. And the Big Ten has trouble in paradise over its very lucrative TV deal: What's fair, and where should the B1G just pipe down and cash the checks? Production: Anthony Vito. Subscribe to our Patreon for bonus episodes at patreon.com/szd. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Steven Godfrey and Alex Kirshner start this episode with reminders about some SZD events and a hearty endorsement of your participation in the EDSBS Charity Bowl. Then (16:03) we talk about some college football stories this week: Peacock streaming is pushing deeper into the NFL and, very shortly, into CFB. Also, (30:28), half of the ACC is fighting with the other half and could lose despite theoretically having more clout. For now, can everyone save face? For the long term, the ACC has an issue that even the Pac-12 might not. Production: Anthony Vito.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard and Alex start this week's show by talking about the very different gambling stories in Alabama and Iowa, and to what extent college sports could be acting differently. Then we take lots of listener questions, including ones about the Big 12 commissioner, the 2023 FSU hype train, surprisingly good NIL operations, how much it costs to keep a team together, who could be this year's G5 New Year's Six rep, the importance of hashmark width, why reporters sit on unflattering stories about coaches, what counts as realignment currency in 2023, if the SEC might ever go west, and why you should not stop being an Auburn fan. Production: Anthony Vito. Live show tickets: splitzoneduolive.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

After Godfrey unloads some college-centric draft notes, Alex wants to talk about Notre Dame's upcoming TV negotiation with NBC and how the Big Ten's new entanglement with the Peacock is a relevant dynamic to keep an eye on. Then, let's do the year-two vibes check on every head coach hired before the 2022 season. Who's doing great? Who's just holding tight? And who has already entered the "better win some games or it could get ugly fast" zone? Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

After a quick chat about clock rules changes that are now official, Alex, Richard, and Steven talk about Deion Sanders' roster purge at Colorado. It's intentional, but not all of it, and we have questions about what will happen in Boulder once the Buffs start losing. Then let's talk about the NFL Draft, which seems extra high in supply of really fun college football players. Does the league care about our narrative-laden stars? We will soon find out. This show, produced by Anthony Vito, also features an announcement about our first live show and an urge to please subscribe to our new social channels. Please check them out at the links below. It helps us!https://www.youtube.com/@splitzoneduohttps://instagram.com/splitzoneduo https://www.tiktok.com/@szdpodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

The big stories on this week's episode, though not necessarily in order: Nebraska has already changed (46:48) some significant things under Matt Rhule. Richard lets us know about them. Alex explains why the loss of the only NCAA football team in Canada (34:36) says something troubling about the state of the sport in the U.S. Godfrey thinks Kliff Kingsbury is living the ideal coach life (27:40) by returning to USC instead of going to Saban School. The Big Ten has a new commissioner, Jimbo Fisher has jokes, and the WAC-ASUN football thingy has an official name. Production: Anthony Vito. Subscribe to the Split Zone Duo Patreon at patreon.com/szd. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Steven Godfrey, Alex Kirshner, and Richard Johnson debate Hugh Freeze's idea of staging inter-squad spring games between in-state schools. Is it condescending, a great idea, or both? The Pac-12's efforts to secure a media-rights agreement roll on, and they've reached "mess" territory, we agree. But how much does that change the medium-term outlook for the conference? Do we give conference offices too much credit without giving them enough blame? And why would Big Ten presidents and the Big Ten commissioner want such different things? Production: Anthony Vito. Get bonus episodes and more at splitzoneduo.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

After a quick check-in on the state of April recruiting, Alex, Richard, and Godfrey tackle six stories from around college football. 1. Why Frank Solich coming home is good business for Matt Rhule and Nebraska. 2. Trent Dilfer's explanation of his move to UAB is, you know, maybe a little off. 3. Kansas hires Bill Snyder's son. 4. Ken Niumatalolo goes West, and it says something interesting about Chip Kelly. 5. Mike Gundy has an idea. 6. An explosive stadium battle spills into public view between Northwestern and residents of Evanston. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard and Alex talk about San Diego State's increasing momentum as a Pac-12 expansion candidate and go over what it means, or doesn't mean, that Michigan is making unusual recruiting inroads in Ohio. Then, a catch-up on the latest set of existential-ish crises facing the NCAA, featuring the magazine reporter who's covered a lot of them and the writer who's now made the big time of congressional subcommittee footnotes. (It's us, haha!) Subscribe to our Patreon for bonus episodes and more at splitzoneduo.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Godfrey, Richard, and Alex tackle a few topics this week that deal with how college football is playing with other sports: The NFL plans to encroach further on Black Friday, but has CFB already encroached on college basketball to an extent that can't be unwound? Did Jim Boeheim's exit from Syracuse finally give us a new gold standard in "pushing out" a head coach after FSU/Bobby Bowden? Alex wants to know if SEC athletic departments just don't worry about communications in basketball because they don't think people are paying attention. Godfrey wants to pay more attention to UCLA under Chip Kelly, and Richard wants teams to be more chill about coach firings. Everyone wants the Pac-12 to wrap up a media-rights agreement, except for maybe the Big 12's media consultants. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard Johnson, Steven Godfrey, and Alex Kirshner go through some news of the week in college football. The Pac-12 closes in, probably, on a TV deal. UNC adds fuel to the fire of an ACC fight. Is it possible that Texas might pull off the Ewers-Manning thing without drama, or not? Why did a state auditor try to get Iowa's AD fired in exchange for using public money in the latest settlement related to Hawkeye athletics? And what do we make of Nick Saban getting publicly angry about the SEC's impending schedule decision? Production: Anthony Vito. Subscribe to our Patreon for more at splitzoneduo.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Godfrey and Alex have six short stories to tell you this week about college football-related stories that have caught their eye over the last week or two. 1) The significance of Rice hiring a big-time high school coach, 2) The college-to-NFL coaching trend that isn't, 3) The limits of football consumption, 4) Is the MAC being crowded out on weeknights? 5) Mike London is now the cradle of offensive innovation, and 6) Some conference squabbling in the Pac-12 and ACC. Production: Anthony Vito. Subscribe to our Patreon for bonus episodes at splitzoneduo.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard, Alex, and Godfrey start this week's show by egging on (most) of the ideas about changing the rules to make games a bit quicker. Then it's time to close out the 2022 conference review season with the Pac-12 and the Mountain West, in detail. Subscribe for bonus episodes on these very topics at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

This episode contains the 2022 conference review episodes, with roses, buds, thorns, and all, for the Big 12 and Conference USA. It also features Godfrey, Richard, and Alex being gobsmacked at one of the most outrageous claims in recruiting history: that Tommy Tuberville had anything to do with Patrick Mahomes getting to Texas Tech. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard, Alex, and Godfrey start this week's show with some discussion of Alabama's wholesale coordinator changeover, Texas and Oklahoma being stuck in a Big 12 that doesn't want them, and the end of the Jaden Rashada recruitment saga. Then it's conference review time with the Big Ten and MAC's 2022 seasons put under a microscope. Subscribe for bonus episodes at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard and Alex talk through some notable nuggets from recent conference schedule drops for 2023, before going back in time and reviewing the 2022 seasons in both the Atlantic Coast and American Athletic Conferences. Subscribe to our Patreon for more at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard, Godfrey, and Alex talk through Ed Reed becoming, then un-becoming, the head coach at Bethune-Cookman, and how the entire situation fits with a Deion Sanders-led mini-trend of big-name, inexperienced coaches taking jobs at historically Black universities. Then it's time for the SEC season review, with roses, buds, and thorns for the season abounding. Subscribe to our Patreon for bonus episodes at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Yes, we reserve the first 7:19 for Richard to talk about the Jags (but also about the beauty of football fandom). Then, to humble him, Alex and Godfrey make Richard discuss the NIL collective mess currently unfolding in public view around Florida's recruitment of a five-star quarterback. Next, a talk about the quick, disruptive, and check-cashing Big Ten commissioner tenure of Kevin Warren. Then, conference review season begins with one of our favorite leagues: the Sun Belt. Production: Anthony Vito. Subscribe to our Patreon at splitzoneduo.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard and Alex try their best to sum up what Georgia did to TCU on Monday night. The Dawgs had a great plan, and they also had an otherworldly ability to find a chip on their shoulder. But Alex doesn't even think Georgia fans are the happiest fans of the weekend, because South Dakota State fans also exist. Plus some housekeeping to end our third season as a podcast. Subscribe to our Patreon for much more this offseason at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard, Godfrey, and Alex talk about the coming matchup between TCU and Georgia: Do the Frogs have enough skill weapons to cause gameplan problems for the Dawgs? Can the underdogs thump enough? Is there an exhaust port somewhere for TCU to exploit? Plus, some takeaways from every other team to appear in a New Year's Six bowl, some vested interests, and a Godfrey-led chat about Playoff TV ratings. Subscribe to our Patreon at splitzoneduo.com for special episodes this week on TCU and Jim Harbaugh. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Please enjoy this Split Zone Duo Patreon special from our miniseries "Dead Letters." Initially released in July 2022, the three-episode series is a scripted-ish look at college football programs that had enormous success or potential and then ran into problems of either their environment or their own making. The first episode is about the Tulane Green Wave, who were once a contemporary of (and a threat to) LSU in Louisiana college football. Then one university president set about changing that. Here is the story of what happened before and after, along with an interview with Tulane historian Lenny Vangilder. If you enjoy this episode, you might enjoy more of what we do at splitzoneduo.com. Links to episodes 2 and 3 on Nebraska and Arkansas follow. Production: Anthony Vito.Nebraska: https://www.patreon.com/posts/szd-presents-2-70074913Arkansas: https://www.patreon.com/posts/szd-presents-3-71339968See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Alex, Godfrey, and Richard preview the Playoff semifinals with some scheme and narrative flavor, then move onto the rest of the New Year's six and all the other bowls in the coming week. Find an expanded Playoff Schemecast on Patreon later this week at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard, Godfrey, and Alex run through the 24 coaching changes in FBS so far and sort out what they say about the hiring schools' strategies. Plus some thoughts on National Signing Day, tying up loose ends at Navy, and the week of bowls ahead. Production: Anthony Vito.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard, Godfrey, and Alex talk about the towering, complicated, far-reaching legacy Mike Leach left in college football. After that, a run through this week's bowl games and the non-FBS playoffs, with a tasting menu and vested interests included. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Welcome to Split Zone Duo's 2022 awards presentation. Let's call them The Zonies? Alex, Richard, and Godfrey pick the best P5 teams, G5 teams, plays, games, and coaches of 2022. Plus some thoughts on Army-Navy and a tasting menu packed with non-FBS playoff games. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Godfrey, Richard, and Alex react to conference championship games, led by the Big 12 and Pac-12. Then let's take a first glance at Georgia-Ohio State and Michigan-TCU while marveling at a Troy-UTSA matchup and pondering if Kansas State might ruin Alabama's day in the Sugar Bowl. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Godfrey, Richard, and Alex dive into the rehabilitation of Hugh Freeze's public image, and how Freeze's camp, Liberty, Auburn, and helpful media helped land him the big chair at Auburn. Then, let's talk about every conference championship game. Does an injured Utah have the firepower for USC? Are you aware of what UNT QB Austin Aune is doing? How much more can Toledo fans (or Ohio fans, for that matter) take? Is K-State going to run it well against TCU? Can LSU's freshman tackles hold up against UGA? What is there to be excited about in the MWC? How would we handicap UCF vs. Tulane? What is the deal with UNC's offense? Could Purdue possibly do it again? (We're not banking on it.) Subscribe to our Patreon at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard Johnson and Alex Kirshner take you through the longest 30 minutes of your week: A debriefing on college football's Rivalry Week, including news and notes on the biggest games (Michigan-Ohio State, hello), the weirdest ones (NMSU-Liberty, what's up), and the ones that set up conference championship games. Subscribe to the SZD Patreon at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Godfrey, Richard, and Alex give you a detailed preview of the best week on the college football calendar. Let's go game-by-game through dozens of games, starting with Michigan-Ohio State and moving on through. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard Johnson and Alex Kirshner lead you on a 30-ish-minute debriefing from college football Week 12, which featured one big upset, a bunch of almost-big-upsets, and plenty of moving and shaking in conference races. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard, Godfrey, and Alex start this week's show by addressing the devastating shooting at the University of Virginia for about eight minutes. The group then gets into college football's business of the week, including personnel moves at West Virginia and Charlotte. Then: The big thing we're watching over the last few weeks of the season in every FBS conference, plus a tasting menu for Week 12. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Alex Kirshner and Richard Johnson debrief you on a packed college football weekend, from the Washington-Oregon and TCU-Texas blockbusters to UConn beating Liberty and Jim Mora Jr. somehow being a coach of the year candidate. Production: Anthony VitoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

The Brian Kelly-Marcus Freeman coaching musical chairs game in late 2021 was one of the biggest carousel stories ever. After some shakiness for LSU and some worse-than-shakiness for Notre Dame, both are looking great. How much can we take away from what we've seen from the two of them in the new jobs to date? Plus: Alabama is clearly not Alabama. Let's argue about why. Tulane hosts UCF in what could be one of the games of the year. The Week 11 Tasting Menu is a big one, too. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard Johnson and Alex Kirshner take you on a 40-ish-minute debrief of one of the best weekends of the college football season so far. Georgia stuffed Tennessee into a locker. LSU re-arrived ahead of schedule. Notre Dame annihilated Clemson. And there was plenty more to enjoy in Week 10. Subscribe to our Patreon for more at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard, Alex, and Godfrey bounce around on a number of topics (a Utah TV dustup, Michigan/Michigan State, and the Big 12's TV deal) before talking about the Tennessee-Georgia Game of the Year and then launching into an expanded tasting menu, with thoughts on about two dozen of this weekend's games. Subscribe to our Patreon at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Godfrey subs in to spell Alex and we go from Ohio State to Toledo running through the Week 9 games (that's longer than you'd think): Tennessee's defense, Wake Forest's turnover implosions, the Michigan / MSU tunnel fight and Okie State's total disappearance. Production: Anthony VitoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Godfrey, Richard, and Alex aim for a levelheaded discussion about what's wrong with Texas A&M on the field, and whether there's any way to fix it off the field after signing over the university to Jimbo Fisher. Miami is also having a brutal year, and something Mario Cristobal said this week brings up an interesting point about what's possible when you're coaching Miami. Oregon, on the other hand, is having a great time. Kirk Ferentz's media relations are wild. The Week 9 Tasting Menu is here. Subscribe to our Patreon at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

A 30ish-minute debriefing on the college football weekend with Alex Kirshner and Richard Johnson. Clemson and TCU continue to get away with it. LSU has the juice. Oregon's offense does what it wants. It's time to make peace with Texas. Ohio State is America's scariest team. Nick Saban owns Mike Leach. Miami should not be this bad. Alex shares coach firing reports with Richard live on the podcast. Cincinnati backs into one. South Alabama decides it wants to be a hurry-up air raid team. Buffalo punks Toledo. And more! Subscribe to our Patreon at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Godfrey, Richard, and Alex pick out some teams doing really well, then some teams doing poorly, and talk about them through a short-term, medium-term, and long-term lens. What do their next five weeks look like? What about the next five months? And what about the next two years? Who's in danger of buying high, who has it good, and who is arriving at a weird tension point? (Teams: TCU, Syracuse, Ole Miss, Tennessee, UCLA, Arkansas State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Boston College, and Indiana.) Plus a tasting menu for the weekend and vested interests. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Richard Johnson and Alex Kirshner take you on a 30-ish-minute debrief of one of the best college football Saturdays in memory. Subscribe for bonus episodes and more on Patreon. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe