Cover 3 College Football

Latest Episodes:

Cover 3 Summer School: Is USC on the cusp of a College Football Playoff? May 22, 2023

Show notes

Cover 3's Bud Elliott is joined by USCFootball's Ryan Abraham to talk all things USC! Can Caleb Williams repeat his Heisman performance and lead the Trojans to higher heights in 2023?

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

Read Ryan's work at USCFootball.com

Follow Ryan on Twitter @insidetroy

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 https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/

To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/

Mailbag! What is the legacy of the 4-team College Football Playoff? (05/18) May 18, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew answers listener questions on the ACC, the playoff and more. Topics include coaches who have had the biggest impact on the sport in the last decade (3:00), what was learned from the ACC Spring Meetings as the league explores ways to close the revenue gap (8:30) and what the lasting legacy will be from the four-team College Football Playoff era (20:00). Plus, the best type of bowl game matchup in the lower-tier games (29:42), the top offensive play-callers in the sport (42:17) and much, much more!

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

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 https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/

To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit

2023 CBS Sports Coach Rankings: Biggest Risers, Surprises and underrated/overrated picks (05/17) May 17, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew discusses the new CBS Sports college football coach rankings. First, breaking down the commitment of five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola to Georgia, including what the Bulldogs are getting and the interesting twists and turns in his recruitment (1:20). Then it's on to the CBS Sports Coach Rankings, discussing the top 10 (17:05), the coaches who are on the rise in the rankings (23:51) and the ones who saw the biggest year-over-year drops (30:15). Plus, spots where our ballots didn't line up with the consensus rankings, focusing on Miami's Mario Cristobal (36:10), Oregon's Dan Lanning (46:50), Oklahoma's Brent Venables (50:45) and more.

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

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 https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/

To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit

Coaches Under Pressure in 2023: Jimbo Fisher, Dana Holgorsen, Neal Brown, more! (05/15) May 15, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talk coaches facing pressure to win in 2023. First, with the ACC spring meetings taking place this week, a look at the revenue challenges facing the conference and what options are ahead for schools looking to close the revenue gap (2:00). Then it's on to discussing coaches who will enter the season under pressure to deliver successful seasons, starting with Neal Brown at West Virginia (19:00), Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M (23:02) and Dana Holgorsen at Houston (30:46). The conversation then moves to coaches who aren't facing as much hot seat-style pressure as needing a good season to build momentum, focusing on second-year coaches Billy Napier (41:03), Brent Venables and Mario Cristobal (43:20) as well as the unique pressure on Ryan Day at Ohio State (47:50) and Deion Sanders at Colorado (53:35).

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

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

Build one new stadium, fire one coach, send one team to FCS and more: The College Football Dictator Episode (05/11) May 11, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 assumes complete power to make changes in college football. First, reacting to Casey Thompson reuniting with Tom Herman at FAU (1:41), whether AP Top 25 voters should have requirements to participate in the poll (5:23) and expectations for the Wake Forest offense in the post-Sam Hartman era (11:50). Then it's on to the College Football Dictator exercise, as each host is tasked with changing one team's conference, firing one coach (and picking the replacement), building one new stadium, awarding one school a massive NIL war chest and relegating one school to FCS. Notable rulings include conference moves for Florida State (19:21) and Oregon (32:26), new coaches at Iowa (22:06) and Texas A&M (40:30) and massive NIL war chest for a couple of schools in the Sun Belt.

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

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 https://www.cbs ...

Reviewing Year 1 results from Lincoln Riley, Brian Kelly, Billy Napier and more (05/10) May 10, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talks first impressions from new hires in the SEC and Pac-12. First, thoughts on Iowa and Iowa State football players among the athletes involved in an ongoing gambling investigation (1:46) and the latest transfer portal news with a new addition at Alabama (8:55). Then it's back to reviewing the 2021-22 coaching cycle, with a declaration of whether we feel "better," "worse," or "the same" after Year 1 results. Today's show focuses on the Pac-12 and SEC, with a spotlight on Lincoln Riley at USC (16:48), Kalen DeBoer at Washington (21:00), Jake Dickert at Washington State (28:09), Dan Lanning at Oregon (34:36), Billy Napier at Florida (44:30) and Brian Kelly at LSU (51:30). Finally, spotlighting some of the Group of Five hires that have stood out after Year 1, including Troy, Georgia Southern, Fresno State and more (56:48).

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

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

Reviewing the 2021-22 coaching hires after Year 1, Part 1: ACC, Big 12, Notre Dame (05/08) May 08, 2023

Show notes

Whether Year 1 inspired confidence in the hires at Miami, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and more. First, what Auburn is getting with the addition of former Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne (1:15) and whether Iowa's portal work is adjusting expectations for the offense in 2023 (6:20). Then it's on to reviewing the hires of last year's cycle, using the Year 1 results as context. This episode focuses on the ACC and the Big 12, with updated thoughts on Mike Elko at Duke (16:45), Mario Cristobal at Miami (20:50), Tony Elliott at Virginia (26:12), Brent Pry at Virginia Tech (30:44) and Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame (34:28). Plus, updated expectations for Brent Venables' tenure at Oklahoma (40:11), Sonny Dykes at TCU (44:24) and Joey McGuire at Texas Tech (50:49).

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

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 https://www.cbssports.com/college-foot ...

Mailbag! What's one moment in college football you would change? (05/04) May 04, 2023

Show notes

First, what to make of the Big 12 exploring enhancements to its football and basketball product (1:12), a debate of whether Jimbo Fisher or Mel Tucker might receive their buyout first (10:51) and the latest transfer portal headlines (16:42). Then, picking one moment in college football history to change (23:54), whether Josh Allen would have transferred if he played in the portal era (31:50), why 5-star prospects might consider not signing a national letter of intent (38:50), Liberty's 2023 schedule (46:25), Florida State's preseason hype (52:13) and more!

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

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 https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/

To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit

Next Man Up! Who are college football's next stars after the 2023 NFL Draft? May 03, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew discuss players that will be stepping into bigger roles for the 2023 season! First, the crew discusses the pros and cons of the new College Football Playoff schedule slated to begin in the 2024 postseason (1:08) Next, we take a look at the high profile quarterbacks that will be replaced. (24:30) Then, the high draft picks that will have younger players step in for them at their respective schools. (38:34)

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

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 https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/

To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/

Transfer portal exodus at Michigan State, 2023 NFL Draft recap, 2024 Mock Draft instant reaction! (05/01) May 01, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talks transfers, draft takeaways and the early 2024 Mock Drafts. First, the transfer portal closed over the weekend, and the late portal additions included three starters from Michigan State. What to make of the departures and what's next for the former Spartans as well as the top uncommitted players in the portal (1:20). Then it's on to discussing the weekend takeaways from the NFL Draft, including Deion Sanders' criticism (14:55), the wide receiver class (28:07) and Stetson Bennett's 4th Round selection (33:25). Finally, turning the page to 2024 with thoughts on Ryan Wilson's first mock draft of the cycle (44:57).

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

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 https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/

To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit