College Football Enquirer

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Colorado to Big 12, Jim Harbaugh’s expected suspension & moving the Ohio State/Michigan game Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger & SI’s Pat Forde react to the breaking development that the University of Colorado is expected to join the Big 12 in 2024.

In a very busy week with many headlines, the Colorado Buffaloes stole the show. After leaving the Big 12 in 2010, it is basically a done deal that Colorado will return to the conference after their patience with the Pac-12 wore thin. The guys speculate which other schools could join Colorado in the move & if it is even a good move in the first place.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is looking at the very real possibility of being suspended for the first four games of the 2023 college football season. Not all hope is lost for Michigan fans as the games should be easy in his absence, but some are shocked that the NCAA actually levied a punishment. The suspension stems from recruiting infractions that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which Harbaugh tried to lie about, thereby making the punishment worse.

Ryan Day spoke at Big Ten media days and caused quite a stir about the chance that the Ohio State/Michigan game could be moved. Due to the elimination of the Big Ten West & Big Ten East divisions, Michigan & Ohio State’s traditional end-of-season game could be moved up to prevent playing each other in back-to-back weeks.

In Iowa news, Kirk Ferentz coined a new slogan for the Iowa football program by noting his admiration for punters. Additionally, two Iowa offensive linemen competed against each other in a hay bale throwing contest.

Lastly, Dan has a new favorite coach of the week & the Columbus Zoo made a questionable mistake.

1:00 - Colorado is moving to the Big 12

10:48 Who else could be joining Colorado in the Big 12?

24:11 Jim Harbaugh is expected to receive a 4 game suspension this season

34:46 Ryan Day stated that the Ohio State - Michigan game may get moved

42:52 Kirk Ferentz unveiled his appreciation for punters

54:00 Dan’s favorite coach of the week

56:16 The Columbus Zoo was confused about a gorilla birth

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Big Ten media days preview, Pac-12 media day recap, Lane Kiffin is maturing & California’s outlaw otter Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger & SI’s Pat Forde give their thoughts on Lane Kiffin’s media day highlights along with previewing the upcoming Big Ten media days & looking back at the Pac-12's outing from last week.

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin had plenty of opportunities to surprise and shock, like he has done in the past, but at the 2023 SEC media days he took the high road when asked to rank the aggressiveness of SEC boosters. With the good comes the bad though, as Lane Kiffin called college athletics a disaster surrounding the transfer portal and NIL. Kiffin described it as free agency and that the biggest buyer gets the best prizes, while noting that Ole Miss has been successful in transfer portal recruiting.

Looking ahead to Big Ten media days, Ryan Day is believed to be one of the most interesting figures in college football coming into this season. He has had plenty of success, but losing to Michigan two years in a row has earned some distrust from the Buckeye faithful. The rest of the Big Ten will be very exciting, featuring newcomers Matt Rhule and Luke Fickell joining Nebraska and Wisconsin, respectively. The show wonders how Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker will be received after a very down year for the Spartans.

The Pac-12 media day was underwhelming with Deion Sanders not being in attendance due to a surgery. Ross recaps a few of George Kliavkoff’s sentiments and the show acknowledges that once the Pac-12 can end the media deal drama, reporters can finally focus on football again.

The Mid-American Conference may be trying to restore some of its top rivalries to weekend billings after seeing lower attendance on weekdays. The weekday MACtion is a great college tradition, but the conference is looking to reinvigorate the fans with more Saturday games between noted rivals.

Lastly, an otter in California is taking over Santa Cruz by intimidating and stealing boards from surfers.

1:00 Lane Kiffin believes college sports are a disaster

15:28 Big Ten media days are around the corner

35:53 Fallout from Pac-12 media days

45:03 The MAC held their media days

53:57 There is an outlaw otter in California

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College football all-name team, Nick Saban’s Italian holiday & can Georgia three-peat? Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger & SI’s Pat Forde discuss all the major headlines coming from the third session of SEC media days.

To kick things off, Dan revels in the fact that Nick Saban begrudgingly took a vacation with his wife to Italy to commemorate their wedding anniversary. Nick Saban also provided a review of the country in a way that only the curmudgeonly Alabama coach could.

On the football side for the Crimson Tide, the podcast contemplates how they will be able to keep up with Georgia given their unproven quarterback room. The rise and dominance of Georgia has also pushed the topic of a possible third championship in three years. Coaches and reporters across the country have noted that the 2020s have been Georgia’s decade and that pace doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

In additional Georgia news, their adamant defense against an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article has forced article revisions and the firing of reporter Alan Judd.

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman continues to delight during media days, as he provided a memorable response when asked about a niche Minnesota beer.

New Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett has impressed at the podium with a strong air of comfortability with the media. The Bulldogs continue to have tough schedules but Arnett is confident in the direction of the program.

Out west, the biggest news out of the Pac-12 is that there is no news. The television/media rights deal announcement has been delayed another month.

Law firms in Chicago are getting busy with a preponderance of lawsuits popping up surrounding the Northwestern hazing scandal. Players, administrators & Pat Fitzgerald are lawyering up to make their points known.

Lastly, the podcast reviews the 2023 college football all-name team & Jim Mora might have the answer to a very important question.

1:00 Nick Saban’s Italian holiday

8:30 Alabama letting the cake bake with the QB position

12:36 Can Georgia three-peat?

19:06 The AJC fired Alan Judd and issued corrections to their latest Georgia story

22:47 Sam Pittman continues to be a great part of SEC media days

26:51 The pod was impressed with Zach Arnett at the podium

31:45 The Pac-12 media deal was pushed back to August

37:52 Northwestern has announced two new reviews into the hazing allegations

42:20 This will be the petty year for the Big 12 vs Texas and Oklahoma

45:19 College football’s 2023 all-name team

50:21 Other notable events from SEC media days

53:30 A search warrant was issued in Nevada surrounding the Tupac Shakur murder

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Check out all the episodes of the College Football Enquirer and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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Tennessee finally receives a ruling for infractions, the Big 12 vs Texas and Oklahoma & who is calling plays for Texas A&M? Jul 18, 2023

Show notes

Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger & SI’s Pat Forde get together to recap a hectic weekend of college football media days.

Kicking things off, the University of Tennessee has finally received a ruling for their many infractions under the reign of Jeremy Pruitt. The 200+ infractions warranted a fine and many no-show clauses for Pruitt and the Tennessee staffers. With help from Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, the Volunteers were able to retain their bowl eligibility.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey spoke about the future of NIL and state involvement at SEC media days on Monday. Sankey is attempting to find a solution to reduce state involvement with NIL laws and regulations. The guys agree with Sankey’s sentiments and defend the NCAA against loopholes and government overreach into the sport.

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher had an interesting day at the podium. Fisher sidestepped a question when asked who would be calling the plays for the Aggies, himself or Bobby Petrino. Fisher withheld as to not give away the game plan for Saturdays.

The Northwestern fallout continues as more athletes are suing the program after hazing reports came out that resulted in head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s dismissal. LSU’s Brian Kelly weighed in on the situation and didn’t hold back about how a team should be run to avoid situations like this.

Big 12 deputy commissioner Tim Weiser spoke recently about the impending departure of Texas and Oklahoma. Dan, Pat & Ross react to Weiser’s statements about Texas not wanting to lose to Kansas State anymore & Oklahoma leaving just because Texas did.

New Kansas Jayhawk Hunter Dickinson described Kansas residents as being much nicer than Michigan residents, which prompts the guys into a debate on whether or not ‘midwest nice’ is a real thing.

Lastly, Dan and the newly minted Yahoo employee Ross confront Pat about a faux pas that occurred during the podcast taping.

1:00 Ross has made his employment decision

2:40 Tennessee gets a decision on their infractions case

14:30 Tennessee attorney general jumped in to defend the school

20:13 Greg Sankey speaks at SEC media days

34:20 Who will call the plays for Texas A&M?

37:50 Northwestern fallout continues

42:25 Tim Weiser from the Big 12 took some shots at Texas and Oklahoma

51:58 Hunter Dickinson praised the kindness of the people of Kansas

59:30 Pat was caught responding to a tweet mid-pod

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Check out all the episodes of the College Football Enquirer and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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Pat Fitzgerald out at Northwestern, Georgia pushes back against press & new details on Alabama baseball betting scandal Jul 12, 2023

Show notes

Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger & SI’s Pat Forde react to the news of Northwestern University firing longtime coach Pat Fitzgerald amid team hazing allegations.

After a tumultuous week, the axe finally fell on Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald. A two-week suspension has now turned into a full dismissal after the bungling of the initial report surrounding football team hazing allegations. Many in the football world are shocked, but the guys stick with their sentiment that schools should release their full investigative reports upon completion to prevent a scenario like this from happening in the first place.

Former West Virginia head basketball coach Bob Huggins is still adamant about not resigning from his position. The former coach and school have exchanged letters furthering the ‘Costanza’ narrative that Huggins is putting forward. The guys are getting tired of his act and are now seeing these actions as greedy and embarrassing.

The University of Georgia has pushed back against an Atlanta Journal Constitution article that noted Georgia’s stance on sexual assault/harassment. Kirby Smart and other officials from the athletic department defended their school and policy, calling for a recall of the article. The crew believes that this tactic was used to deflect from the surge of speeding and reckless driving charges that Georgia football players are getting caught up in.

New & baffling details have emerged from the college baseball betting scandal surrounding an Alabama/LSU game this past April. Security footage and a borderline spoken admission to a teller have revealed a new level of incompetence while trying to pull off a scam of this proportion.

Lastly, one of America’s great newspaper writers is being celebrated this year. Mike Royko’s blind beer test is getting a 50th anniversary at The Billy Goat in Chicago to commemorate the writer & to see how far American beer has come.

1:00 Pat Fitzgerald fired by Northwestern

25:12 The pod has finalized their Nashville meetup plans

28:55 Bob Huggins stands by the idea that he didn’t resign

39:47 Georgia pushed back against AJC article

49:52 Rand Paul is upset with antitrust laws

52:02 Details on the Alabama - LSU baseball betting scandal

1:01:36 Mike Royko’s beer test comes back

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Check out all the episodes of the College Football Enquirer and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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Hazing at Northwestern, Bob Huggins upset with West Virginia & Iowa likes to party Jul 10, 2023

Show notes

Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger & SI’s Pat Forde discuss the latest developments surrounding the Northwestern University hazing scandal.

Recent reports have come to light where players involved with the Northwestern football program have been uncomfortable with team rituals. An internal investigation took place, but the full report was withheld leading to the campus paper to pick up the full story and report on it. The pod highlights how this mismanaged report could cost Pat Fitzgerald his job. The longtime Northwestern coach could very well be out the door after the story and hazing allegations have picked up steam over the weekend.

Former West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins wants to remain with the team after stating his resignation announcement wasn’t real. Huggins, who left the Mountaineers after a DUI, has hired an attorney to plead his case that he never formally resigned. Huggins noted that the press releases and announcements about his departure were misleading. The pod isn’t impressed with these actions from Huggins and finds the whole situation very tacky.

Highly touted recruit Elijah Rushing has committed to the University of Arizona. Head coach Jedd Fisch appears to be trying to take back recruiting in Arizona to compete with Arizona State and the rest of the Pac-12.

Iowa fans were upset with Dan because the Hawkeyes have a beer where profits go to their NIL collective. After last week’s Iowa Great Lakes revelation, the state of Iowa seems to be doing more partying than caucusing.

Lastly in news of the weird a convenience store interaction gets messy over wait times.

1:58 Northwestern football in the spotlight for hazing allegations

40:28 Bob Huggins is upset with WVU

52:51 Elijah Rushing commits to Arizona

58:00 Iowa fans are upset with Dan

1:02:08 Assault by Big Gulp

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Check out all the episodes of the College Football Enquirer and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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San Diego State stays in Mountain West, Trent Dilfer speaks out on poaching players & is Coach Prime at Colorado a lose-lose? Jul 05, 2023

Show notes

Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger and SI’s Pat Forde react to San Diego State deciding to return to the Mountain West conference for another year after flirting with the Pac-12.

First, they kick off the pod with top defensive line recruit Justin Scott committing to Ohio State over Notre Dame and Michigan. As Fighting Irish fans grow frustrated with their squad always coming close, but never signing ‘the guy’, the hosts ponder how much juice Marcus Freeman has with recruiting at an elite level. Freeman has consistently recruited very well, but needs to take the next step to truly compete for the 5-star players.

After a drama-filled offseason, San Diego State has decided to stay with the Mountain West for another year. Ross breaks down the soap opera while Dan & Pat determine why the Aztecs decided to stay instead of move up to a Power Five conference.

In college athletics legal news, the California revenue-sharing bill has been pushed back a full year after being passed once. If passed twice, colleges would have to distribute money received from athletics back to the athletes.

A recent report noted that an anonymous Pac-12 coach believes that the Deion Sanders Colorado hire will end up being a lose-lose situation. The coach believes that if Coach Prime wins enough games, he will leave the program quickly, and if he loses too many games, the dismissal will be a ‘circus’. The guys decide what would dictate a good season for the Colorado Buffaloes and what would prompt this statement from a fellow coach in the first place.

New UAB head coach Trent Dilfer went on a radio program & talked about tampering with his student athletes. Dilfer notably dared other coaches to try and poach his players so he could expose them.

Lastly in news of the weird, this Friday is National Dive Bar Day, a woman survived three days in a swamp & we may see more chicken sandwich innovation soon.

1:00 Introduction

4:02 Justin Scott chooses Ohio State over Notre Dame

22:57 San Diego State stays with the Mountain West

34:01 The California revenue sharing bill has been delayed a year

36:50 An anonymous Pac-12 coach thinks Coach Prime at Colorado is a lose-lose

44:08 Trent Dilfer dares other coaches to try and poach his players

48:45 National dive bar day is approaching

55:20 Restaurant Brands International is looking to strengthen their position in the chicken wars

58:13 A woman was found by a rescue team after being stuck in mud

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Check out all the episodes of the College Football Enquirer and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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Kirby Smart can’t control Georgia, the passing of Ryan Mallett & conference realignment winners and losers Jun 29, 2023

Show notes

Dan Wetzel and SI’s Pat Forde & Ross Dellenger debate which schools & conferences are the biggest winners & losers ahead of the 2023 realignment taking place on July 1st.

The show starts off on a high note with the announcement of a possible meetup in Nashville as all the hosts will be in town for SEC media days this July in Tennessee.

The conversation turns to the upcoming conference realignment on July 1st where teams will join the Big 12, American Athletic Conference & Conference USA . The guys conduct a snake draft, picking programs as either winners or losers from the landscape shift as college athletics turns its eye towards football season

A new article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution highlights more indiscretions that have surfaced from the University of Georgia football program. The administration in Athens, GA. has puzzled the podcast with their continued lack of action and discipline.

This upcoming July 1st also marks the two-year anniversary of Name, Image & Likeness becoming legalized by the NCAA. With that comes a new memo reinforcing that schools follow the rules set out by the NCAA, a move which garners astonishing support from one of our hosts.

Former Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Ryan Mallett passed away this week after drowning in a tragic accident in Florida. The guys provide condolences and share memories of Mallett’s career and life after football.

Ames, Iowa is back in the news after deciding to make a special Ames Lager to help fund their NIL collective — providing cheers all around & the hopes that one day Dan, Ross & Pat can try a can.

In news of the weird, a brilliant scam took place at a casino and an interesting restaurant is joining the chicken wars.

1:00 - The pod will be having a meetup during SEC media days on July 17th

5:44 - Which schools won and lost their conference realignments?

22:34 The Georgia Bulldogs make waves again after shaky recruiting story

30:25 July 1st marks the two year anniversary of NIL

43:04 Former Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett passed away

49:38 Ames Lager announced

56:32 A man posed as a Las Vegas hotel owner

59:44 Panda Express is joining the chicken wars

Stay up to date with the latest college football news and coverage from Yahoo Sports on Twitter @YahooSportsCFB.

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Check out all the episodes of the College Football Enquirer and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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Will Wade LSU saga comes to a conclusion, next season’s CFP predictions & Michigan is recruiting in Ohio again Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

Dan Wetzel and SI’s Pat Forde & Ross Dellenger kick off the podcast discussing the news of the IARP finishing their investigation of former LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade.

The IARP continues to struggle with being able to logically handle cases where punishments may be needed. After much deliberation, they have decided to suspend Wade, currently McNeese State’s head basketball coach, 10 games with a two-year no-show clause. The guys remain baffled at the organization’s information-gathering tactics, and Dan & Pat recount their experience of reporting on the original story while dealing with the bumbling IARP.

As the season approaches, the crew takes their first crack at predicting the 2023-2024 College Football Playoff members. The SEC finds itself with good representation once again & the Pac-12 has some strong teams that may end up breaking into the top four.

In recruiting news, 4-star cornerback Bryce West has committed to Ohio State. West, an Ohio native, chose OSU over rival Michigan in his final decision, which shows that while they lost this round, the Wolverines may be gaining recruiting power in the Buckeye State.

In alcohol news, Pat was caught drinking a Busch Light, LSU has dominated the Rocco’s Jell-O shot competition & the podcast debates which school could contend with LSU next year.

Lastly, Coach Prime revealed the third sport he could have gone pro in & a Wisconsin high school fishing tournament has crowned this year’s champions.

1:00 Will Wade’s LSU saga comes to a conclusion

31:20 2023 CFP predictions

42:08 Bryce West commits to Ohio State over Michigan

46:01 Pat’s Busch Light Peach review

50:46 Who could contend with LSU in the Rocco’s Jell-O shot competition?

55:53 What would Deion Sanders’ 3rd professional sport be?

58:38 A high school fishing championship in Wisconsin goes to an interesting pair of winners

1:02:28 Pat weighs in on the Stephen F Austin bowling scandal

Stay up to date with the latest college football news and coverage from Yahoo Sports on Twitter @YahooSportsCFB.

Follow Dan @DanWetzel

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Check out all the episodes of the College Football Enquirer and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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Nick Saban unhappy about 2022 playoff, Boise State can’t find a new conference & the Stephen F. Austin bowling scandal Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

Dan Wetzel & SI’s Ross Dellenger react to Nick Saban wanting to use sportsbook odds as leverage to make the College Football Playoff, and later, the breaking news coming out from Stephen F. Austin’s bowling team.

Ross joins the program from his cruise to discuss why San Diego State is being pursued so much more than Boise State. The guys try and determine what factors outside of winning football games could contribute to Boise State generating such little buzz during realignment season.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban spoke with Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt this week and mentioned that he thought Alabama was snubbed from the College Football Playoff last year due to being favored against three out of the four members that made it. The plot thickens as Dan & Ross wonder if Nick Saban could be planting some seeds in the media for the upcoming season in a stacked SEC.

Billy Napier and the Florida Gators are starting to pick up some momentum this summer with a big recruiting weekend. The Gators were able to land nine new players ranked within the top 200 to help mend their roster. Arizona State added some talent as well by getting a big quarterback commitment from Michael “Butter” Tollefson.

Lastly, in news of the weird, a Stephen F. Austin assistant coach on the bowling team resigned after his relationship with an athlete on the bowling team was found out. He then decided to share his side of the story with the media, to Ross and Dan’s delight.

1:00 Ross checks in from his cruise

4:17 Why is San Diego State attracting more attention than Boise State?

22:37 Nick Saban took issue with Alabama not making the playoff due to sports book lines

30:47 Florida and Billy Napier have received 9 top 200 commits in the last week

36:44 Arizona State picks up top recruit Michael “Butter” Tollefson

38:09 An update on the Ecuadorian woman who woke up at her funeral

40:06 The Stephen F Austin bowling coach scandal

Stay up to date with the latest college football news and coverage from Yahoo Sports on Twitter @YahooSportsCFB.

Follow Dan @DanWetzel

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Check out all the episodes of the College Football Enquirer and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts