Cover 3 College Football

Latest Episodes:

Bill Connelly on returning production, ceilings and floors and 2023 SP+ rankings (02/16) Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew is joined by ESPN's Bill Connelly to talk the early 2023 college football ratings. First, reaction to the news that Notre Dame has decided to promote from within to fill its vacant OC role (1:18) and the assistant coaching hire that stands out the most from this recent cycle (9:24). Then it's on to discussing SP+, the college football ratings system designed and maintained by ESPN's Bill Connelly. The crew talks how transfers factor into the ratings (11:42), go deep on Alabama's lack of returning production (22:25), teams that are big risers/fallers in the SP+ ratings (32:40), the best-case record and worst-case record for for preseason top 25 teams (45:00) and then some quick team-by-team thoughts on the ratings and projections for Colorado (50:22), Iowa (53:38), Georgia (55:35), Kansas (59:35) and Oregon (59:15).

For more from Bill:

2023 SP+ Ratings: https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/35651872/2023-college-football-rankings-every-team

2023 Returning Production Rankings: https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/35577489/college-football-teams-returning-production-2023-season

Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.

Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signup

Get 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store:

https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collection

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3

Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli,

Georgia's coaching change, Notre Dame's OC search, latest Miami assistant hire, more! (02/15) Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talks Georgia, Notre Dame, Miami, Oregon, Washington and more. First, the impact of Georgia losing Todd Monken to the Baltimore Ravens and expectations for the Bulldogs' offense with Mike Bobo back in the familiar position of OC in Athens (1:20). Then, the reported fallout in Notre Dame's efforts to hire Utah's Andy Ludwig as OC (12:00), Mario Cristobal tapping Houston's Shannon Dawson to run Miami's offense (18:32) and the Pac-12 looking to lock down its next media rights deal (23:50). After that it's on to the Big Ol' Bag of Mail, with questions on Oregon's future in the Pac-12 (38:27), an NIT tournament for football (45:00) and expectations for the Group of Five's representation in the expanded College Football Playoff (53:50).

Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.

Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signup

Get 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store:

https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collection

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3

Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3

For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit

How to schedule a 16-team SEC when Texas and Oklahoma join in 2024 (02/13) Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew debates rivalries and makes the perfect schedule for the future SEC. First, reacting to the news portion of Texas and Oklahoma reaching an agreement with the Big 12 to leave early and join the SEC in 2024 (1:00). Then, what to make of Notre Dame targeting Utah OC Andy Ludwig to join Marcus Freeman's staff and how the offensive coaching changes might impact Sam Hartman and the outlook for 2023 (6:00). Then it's on to creating the new SEC schedule, debating 8-game vs. 9-game formats and eventually creating a full rotation of protected rivalries for the 16-team league with Texas and Oklahoma included (19:36). After the work is done, a review to determine what programs will see easier schedules and what programs are going to find tougher schedules when the league expands next offseason (53:00).

Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.

Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signup

Get 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store:

https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collection

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3

Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3

For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit

Cover 3 Super Bowl Spectacular: Debating Alabama-Oklahoma for Jalen Hurts, college stars in the game, LOCKS for Chiefs-Eagles, more (02/09) Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew previews and picks the Super Bowl from a college perspective. Topics include the schools most represented in the game (5:00), which position groups on both the Kansas City and Philadelphia rosters are the most loaded with college stars (9:55) and players in the game who have either exceeded or fallen short of the NFL expectation based on their college career (18:35). Then, the definitive college argument for this Super Bowl: is Jalen Hurts a former Alabama QB or a former Oklahoma QB? (27:50). Finally, our best bets for the game, including picks to win and favorite props in an extra special Super Bowl LOCKS segment (47:55).

Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.

Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signup

Get 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store:

https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collection

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3

Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3

For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit

Pac-12 Expansion, Iowa's offense, can Alabama challenge Georgia in 2023? (02/08) Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talks conference realignment, Miami, UCLA, TCU and more. First, what the Pac-12 can gain from potentially adding SMU and San Diego State (1:00), Miami's hire of Lance Guidry as defensive coordinator (12:36) and whether Iowa will average 25.0 points per game to satisfy OC Brian Ferentz's contract objectives (16:47). Then it's on to listener questions from Big Ol' Bag of Mail and the live YouTube audience, including USC vs. Oregon on the recruiting trail (22:08), who of the programs on the move in conference realignment -- Texas, Oklahoma, USC, UCLA, Cincinnati, UCF, Houston and BYU -- will win a conference title in their new league first (25:14), the timetable for Kenny Dillingham to rebuild at Arizona State (34:05), whether Alabama can challenge Georgia in 2023 (38:45), expectations for Zach Arnett at Mississippi State (44:04), how far TCU will fall after the playoff run (54:00) and more.

Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.

Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signup

Get 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store:

https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collection

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3

Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3

For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit

Coordinator shuffle at Alabama, Notre Dame and Miami, plus the hold-up for Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC (02/06) Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talks Tommy Rees, Kevin Steele, Nick Saban, conference realignment and more. The conversation starts with Alabama identifying its new defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator, bringing Kevin Steele back for another stint in Tuscaloosa as DC (1:30) and then tapping Tommy Rees from Notre Dame to come run the offense (15:44). Then, candidates for Marcus Freeman's hire to replace Rees as OC (23:44) and what's next at Miami, where Mario Cristobal now has two coordinator hires to make after both losing Steele and firing Josh Gattis (29:00). Finally, with news that talks between the Big 12, SEC, Texas and Oklahoma have stalled regarding an early exit, a recap of the many conference realignment developments from the last 18 months that have sparked these negotiations (41:06). Topics include who benefits from Texas and Oklahoma spending the last two years of their Big 12 deal in the conference (50:10) and a prediction of when the SEC will debut its 16-team conference with the Longhorns and Sooners in the fold (56:58).

Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.

Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signup

Get 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store:

https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collection

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3

Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell,

Mailbag! What changes would bring parity to CFB, LSU's 2023 QB battle, more! (02/02) Feb 02, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talks Jaden Rashada, Penn State, LSU and more. First, a quick look back at National. Signing Day with a nostalgic desire to return to the era of just having one signing day and thoughts on Jaden Rashada's fit at Arizona State (1:15). Then, how the Big 12 schedule release increases excitement for the league's new members (9:12) and a contract extension for Mack Brown that runs through the 2027 season (12:10). After that it's on to the Big Ol Bag of Mail, with questions about the fan bases that hate Cover 3 (15:15), how to create parity in college football (25:59), Penn State's chances to win the Big Ten in 2023 (33:45), LSU's quarterback battle between Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier (39:25) and whether Phil Jurkovec is an upgrade from Kedon Slovis at Pitt (44:10).

Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.

Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signup

Get 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store:

https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collection

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3

Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3

For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit

National Signing Day Recap: Jaden Rashada to Arizona State, South Carolina makes a splash, Alabama finishes No. 1, more! (02/01) Feb 02, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew recaps the biggest recruiting headlines from National Signing Day. 247Sports' Andrew Ivins joins Bud Elliott live from the 247Sports' office in Nashville at the conclusion of Wednesday's National Signing Day, which marked the end of the 2023 recruiting cycle. Topics include Duce Robinson's decision not to sign (1:45), QB Jaden Rashada committing to Arizona State (3:15), South Carolina picking up a big win with the commitment of No. 1 ATH Nyck Harbor (5:28) and a quick rundown of the top finishers in the team rankings with Alabama securing No. 1 (8:00), Georgia checking in at No. 2 (9:39) and rivals Texas and Oklahoma also finishing in the top five (10:45). Finally, with the recruiting cycle done, a rundown of some of the most intriguing prospects in the class (13:19).

Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.

Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signup

Get 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store:

https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collection

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3

Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3

For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit

Nick Saban's NIL comments, Miami's OC search, National Signing Day Preview (01/30) Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talks recruiting rankings, Nick Saban, Miami, Jim Harbaugh and more. First, unpacking the reported comments from Nick Saban to a group of high school coaches regarding the Crimson Tide not engaging with NIL demands from players (1:00) and then spinning the news of Josh Gattis' firing at Miami forward with a look at who Mario Cristobal might get as the Hurricanes' new offensive coordinator (12:48). Then, a look at Alabama's coordinator searches (21:26) and whether Jim Harbaugh is actually done flirting with the NFL (25:28). Finally, with National Signing Day coming up on Wednesday, a look at the biggest names to watch (38:15), how Deion Sanders' Colorado class is shaping up (43:00), comparing Alabama and Georgia's classes in the race for No. 1 (45:40) and the team that could make a jump in the rankings with key commitments on the final day of the cycle (52:10).

Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.

Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signup

Get 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store:

https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collection

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3

Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3

For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit

Coaching Carousel Recap: Fickell's vision for Wisconsin, Deion Sanders' path to success, Hugh Freeze as a best fit, more! (01/26) Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talks highlights the most notable coaching changes from the offseason. After the show gets rolling with some live listener interaction regarding Tennessee (1:31) and Brian Kelly getting accidentally overpaid by LSU (9:08), the Coaching Carousel Recap begins with a spotlight on Luke Fickell's hire at Wisconsin (15:00) and why Kenny Dillingham is a perfect hire for Arizona State (19:00). Then, identifying coaches that can win immediately brings up the timetable for Deion Sanders winning big at Colorado (24:30) and Jeff Brohm inheriting a pretty good situation at Louisville (29:35). Plus, Jamey Chadwell's competitive advantages at Liberty (34:02), Tom Herman's chances to match Lane Kiffin's success at FAU (36:10), reasonable expectations for Matt Rhule at Nebraska (40:30), Hugh Freeze as a perfect fit for Auburn (45:22) and the uncertainty of the Trent Dilfer era at UAB (49:17).

Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.

Nominate the Cover 3 Podcast in the “Sports” category of the The People’s Choice Podcast Awards! http://podcastawards.com/app/signup

Get 20% off Cover 3 merch in the CBS Sports Store:

https://store.cbssports.com/collections/cover-3?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=cover-3-collection

Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3

Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3

For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit