Cover 3 College Football

Latest Episodes:

College Football Mailbag: Is a Football-only conference on the horizon? The future of the B1G! Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

Cover 3's Tom Fornelli and Danny Kanell open up the Big Ol' Bag of Mail to answer your questions! Can Penn State & Washington overcome their conference rivals? (9:00) Could we potentially see a football-only conference in the near future? (12:43) Is Devin Leary an upgrade over Will Levis at Kentucky? (28:55) Who will lose their job first, Hugh Freeze or Bobby Petrino? (45:42)

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

Vote for Cover 3 is a finalist for the Sports Podcast Awards! Vote here: https://tinyurl.com/yyucbau2

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/

March Madness CFB Style: Playing the 2023 NCAA Tournament bracket with football teams (03/13) Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew picks the NCAA Tournament bracket with a football spin. Before breaking out the bracket, a discussion on whether we will see teams opt out of bowl games after missing the expanded College Football Playoff in a manner that's similar to North Carolina's decision to opt out of the NIT after missing the NCAA Tournament (5:00). Then, it's on to the 2023 NCAA Tournament bracket if it was played on the football field, with Alabama trying to replicate its hoops success in the South Region (29:00), Tennessee making a charge in the East (32:00), Iowa's dark horse status in the Midwest (35:15) and unusual matchups from schools well outside the FBS ranks in the West Region (38:10). Stick around to find out who winds up in the Final Four, which concludes with a matchup between two of the biggest brands in the sport in the title game (39:15).

Join the Cover 3 Bracket Challenge at CBSSports.com/Cover3

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, vis ...

Ewers vs. Arch, Georgia vs. an XFL team, CFB Saturdays vs. Relationships (03/09) Mar 09, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talks Texas' QBs, Georgia, Purdue, Pitt and more. First, discussing Steve Sarkisian's analysis of the quarterback battle between Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning (2:10) as well as Josh Gattis landing at Maryland as offensive coordinator (11:20). Then it's on the Big Ol' Bag of Mail and Live Audience Questions touching on whether Georgia can sustain its run in an Alabama-like fashion (16:50), Graham Harrell's impact on Purdue (21:06), whether Georgia would be favored against an XFL team (25:45), programs and jobs that get more respect from coaches than fans (29:05), the ACC media rights deal (34:10), Pat Narduzzi's tenure at Pitt (36:16), prioritizing a 12-hour college football Saturday against personal relationships (42:30) and the ceiling for Baylor in 2023 (47:40).

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

Former UAB coach Bill Clark talks roster construction, program building, the Blazers' return to football and more (03/08) Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 talks UAB's return to football, roster building and more with Bill Clark. First, Bill explains how a program that was shut down and had just 12 players was built into a group that was competing for conference championships (4:00) and the difficult balance of recruiting transfers and high schoolers to fill out a roster (13:20). Then, remembering Greg Bryant (18:15), his current consulting work (22:40) and whether he's interested in a return to coaching (30:10). Finally, reacting to significant buzz from the recruiting trail around five-star QB Dylan Raiola (37:40).

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 https://www.c ...

NFL Draft Combine Takeaways: Anthony Richardson wows, CJ Stroud makes QB1 case, more! Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talks NFL Draft, conference realignment, SEC schedules and more. First, what to make of reports that the Big 12 has been in contact with Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah regarding possible westward expansion (4:40) and Nick Saban's response to Alabama's proposed draw for three permanent rivals in a nine-game SEC schedule format (20:10). Then it's on to the NFL Draft Combine, where quarterbacks dominated the headlines (29:17) but college stars from all over the field stood out for both good and disappointing reasons (47:58).

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, @BudElliott3

For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-footbal ...

Mailbag: New QB starters under pressure, NFL Draft expectations, conference realignment, more! (03/02) Mar 02, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talks Bryce Young, Penn State, Clemson, Big Ten expansion and more. First, the latest on the proposed rule changes in college football regarding the clock including the potential to see the changes in place in 2023 (1:30). Then, whether Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton could be a riser in the 2024 NFL Draft (8:53) as well as a look at the 2023 class of quarterbacks with thoughts on Bryce Young and CJ Stroud (15:18). The quarterback talk continues with a mailbag question on the many new starters for teams that are contending for conference titles, identifying the players with the most pressure as they step into that QB1 role (22:18). Plus, the top 3 Big Ten quarterbacks heading into 2023 (29:37), where West Virginia fits in the new Big 12 (45:33) and whether Big Ten presidents would be motivated to add Oregon and Washington if the Pac-12 continues to drag out its media rights negotiations (53:15).

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

Turnaround Teams for 2023: What's the ceiling for Texas A&M, Miami, Auburn, Oklahoma and more? (03/01) Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talks Jalen Carter, Tennessee and teams looking to bounce back. First, discussing the breaking news of the morning with arrest warrants out for former Georgia star defensive tackle Jalen Carter in connection with the tragic car accident that led to the death of a Bulldogs staffer and a teammate (1:12). Then, what NCAA penalties for former Tennessee assistants might mean for Jeremy Pruitt and the program as a whole (20:39). After that it's on to the big topic of the day, trying to evaluate teams looking to bounce back from disappointing 2022 campaigns. The discussion spotlights Colorado (33:30), Texas A&M (38:24), Miami (41:50), Michigan State (45:52), Georgia Tech (48:00), Oklahoma (55:42), Nebraska (1:01:10), Auburn (1:07:23), Texas (1:11:22), Wisconsin (1:14:00) 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

Assistant Coaching Carousel Recap: Rating hires at Alabama, Texas A&M, Miami, Clemson, Wisconsin and more Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talks best assistant coaching hires from the 2022-23 cycle. First, with the athletic directors from Clemson and Florida State both voicing their displeasure with the current financial arrangement in the ACC, a look at the league's future in both the short-term and long-term (1:00). Then, getting into the assistant coaching hires with a spotlight on some of the most impactful, starting with offensive coordinator hires at Kentucky (21:38), Texas A&M (24:48), Wisconsin (27:40) and Clemson (31:18). Plus, teams that got better with in the 2022-23 assistant coaching carousel cycle (40:15) and some more specific questions for the SEC (48:52), Miami (52:32) and Ole Miss (57:02).

20:02

37:20

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 a running clock after 1st Down, other rule change proposals could impact CFB (02/23) Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew talks rule changes, position battles, NCAA Football video game and more. The show begins with a deep dive into the four major rule proposals being considered by the NCAA, including a running clock after first downs but also a running clock after incompletions (1:30). The conversation turns to why college football's power brokers are interested in these changes (4:00) and how college football looks if some, or all of these rules are put in place (14:00). Then, our rule change ideas (27:10) and why the targeting rule is not being considered for revision (30:27). Finally, addressing questions from the Big Ol' Bag of Mail and the live audience on our favorite QB-OC combos (37:00), position battles to know (44:23) and the return of the NCAA Football video game (57:33).

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

Creating the Big Ten schedule rotation when USC and UCLA join the conference (02/22) Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

The Cover 3 crew selects annual rivalries for the new Big Ten when it expands in 2024. First, in the wake of the USFL college draft this week, a look at some of the players who could be on the field for the league this spring as well as how it impacts their NFL Draft status and NFL future (1:00). Then it's on to the extremely difficult process of slotting three permanent rivals for all 16 Big Ten teams when USC and UCLA join the conference (14:00). Debates include what existing rivalries have to get cut, how TV ratings should factor in the mix against competitive balance and whether the new West Coast members are going to get any travel considerations for their permanent rivalries. Plus, winners and losers from the expansion process 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