Until Saturday: A show about college football

ou can't throw a rock this time of year without hitting someone who's in the transfer portal, save for Max and Sam who are back, once again, to shell out the latest portal news and developments. Dillon Gabriel is headed to Eugene! How will he fare in the Big Ten? What do we make of plug-and-play QBs vs. developmental QBs? The running back market is deep. What are the guys' level of concern for Tex...

Ari and David kick off this latest Sunday Sound-Off podcast by giving Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, his flowers. The duo then discuss their voting process and ballots. Why did Ari give Jordan Travis a vote? Who might be the finalists in 2024? The pair discuss. Later, Deion Sanders hauled in several lineman from the portal. How much of a difference will they actually make? A liste...

In a whirlwind news week, Nicole and Chris break down the biggest headlines over the last seven days. What is the new proposed subdivision by Charlie Baker? How might it change the sport? Chris explains why the committee will change the way it ranks teams in the 12-team playoff era. Plus: AAC commissioner Mike Arresco retires; the committee's confusing criteria and gambling's impact on how we view...

On July 24th, you, the listeners, tweeted your pre-season hot takes to Ari and David. We revisit the coldest of those takes in today's episode, including predictions of an 8-win Texas and a 9-win Alabama. Later, Ari and David discuss Colorado landing 5-star OT Jordan Seaton. Another splashy commit to Deion Sanders, but his overarching recuriting direction still remains in question. Lastly, the guy...

The Stars Matter returns to chop it up over Mitch's most recent story. Which positions have produced the most NFL Draft picks? Why are WRs picked the least, and DEs the most? Will the Playoff committee's decision on Sunday to leave FSU out of the top-four teams affect ACC recruiting in the future? Plus, Auburn's recruiting upswing, SMU or TCU, and the team plays a game of 'would you rather' with c...

Over 1,100 players hopped in the transfer portal on Monday. Over 500 of those are in the FBS. With so much movement, we had to let Max, the Portal King, COOK. He and Sam place the major transfer QBs into tiers and discuss where a few might wind up. Mike Elko is trying to keep A&M on lockdown, but will 5-star Walter Nolen slip through? Who are the best available non-QBs right now? Plus, Max, wi...

Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama will compete for a national title! Ari, David and Chris react to the CFP field rooted in reality, and the ones they projected that included an undefeated ACC Champ Florida State. Did the committee mess up? Does this choice to omit FSU impact the integrity or the game? Dilute the regular season? The trio take an early look at the Rose and Sugar bowls before...

Conference champions were crowned, but the best has yet to come! Ari and David discuss the nightmare that the CFP committee faces. Who gets in: Texas, Alabama or FSU? The guys lay out the committee's possible options. We were reminded, once again, never to doubt Nick Saban, and kudos to Jalen Milroe and his rapid development. Texas cruises behind Quinn Ewers' and the defense's big day; Kalen DeBoe...

Ari and Stew Mandel react to Washington's Pac-12 Championship game win over Oregon, 34-31. Ari makes his mea culpa to Huskie nation as someone who hasn't been fully bought in this season. Stew, who has covered the conference assiduously in his career, puts Kalen DeBoer's accomplishment in perspective. Plus, can UW win a playoff game, and what playoff scenarios are left on the table after the Pac-1...

Championship Weekend is here! The season has whooshed by in a blur, but Ari, David and Kennington Smith III take their time previewing and picking the weekend's games. Can Georgia contain Jalen Milroe? Kenny shares what he learned about Alabama in its near-loss to Auburn. Can Oregon avenge their early-season loss to Washington? Iowa is the underdog no one wants to root for. Will Florida State make...

DO YOU BELIEVE (in Manny Navarro's ability to coach youth soccer...Mitch certainly doesn't)?! The quartet crack into Ari's column about Deion Sanders' lackluster recruiting at Colorado. How concerned should Buffs fans be? Later, Ari and Mitch do some verbal fencing over 5-star WR Jeremiah Smith's likely landing spot, and why Ohio State, in Ari's opinion, would be a better option for his skillset t...

In the penultimate edition of the 2023 CFP rankings, Nicole and Chris share their thoughts on FSU climbing back inside the top-4. They also delve into a scenario where Alabama is a one-loss SEC Champion that's being compared to a one-loss Big 12 Champion Texas. Also, the pair react to CFP committee chairman Boo Corrigan's explainations for FSU, and Oregon still being ranked ahead of Texas. Later,...

 Emerson & coaching carousel gradesThe last week has been rife with moves on the coaching front. Max and Sam break it all down for you and provide grades for the major moves. What does Mike Elko, Jeff Lebby, and Jonathan Smith bring to the table at Texas A&M, Miss St., and Michigan St., respectively? What was up with the Mark Stoops buzz? Later, The Athletic's Georgia scribe Seth Emerson j...

Fresh off the heels of Rivalry Week, Ari, David and Antonio Morales answer your voicemails on a new Sunday Sound-Off! The trio begin the show by discussing Mike Elko being coveted by Texas A&M, Jeff Lebby to Miss St., Jonathan Smith to Michigan St., and more head coaching news. A fan asks if Michigan's win on Saturday was the most important in the sport in our lifetimes. Did Group A take a hit...

Week 13 was one for the books! Ari and David react to an electric Rivalry Week that featured Michigan beating OSU for the third time in a row, last-second wins in the Iron Bowl and Apple Cup, and a slew of teams cementing themselves into their conference's title game. Plus, would a one-loss Texas get in over an undefeated FSU? -The Game break down (3:30) -Ryan Day coached scared (11:30) -Alabama's...

It's one of the most exciting, and food-filled, weekends of the year! Ari and David pick marquee rivalry week games, including Texas-Texas Tech, The Apple Cup, Territorial Cup, Civil War, Iron Bowl, The Game, and more! -Texas-TTech (3:30) -Civil War (13:00) -FSU-Florida (19:00) -Iron Bowl (22:15) -Egg Bowl (30:00) -Territorial Cup (36:30) -The Game (45:00) -UTSA-Tulane & LSU-Texas A&M (1:0...

Ari, who subbed in for Nicole, reacts to the latest CFP rankings with Chris! Why did Washington jump FSU to No. 4? What ripple effects could result from The Game? Speaking of which, former Michigan and Ohio State players Jake Butt and Joshua Perry join Nicole and Chris to preview Saturday's rivalry game. And on that note, Nicole and Chris discuss the other rivalry games the weekend has to offer. C...

In a JUMBO episode of Max and Sam, the guys welcome on former Oregon Ducks wide receiver Bralon Addison to preview Oregon and Oregon State's rivalry game, 'The Civil War'. Addison shares his perspective as a former player and alum on the atmosphere in Corvallis and Eugene, the direction of both programs, and how realignment impact both schools. Later, it's a Power Auer x Max & Sam crossover ev...

In arguably the most loaded Sound-Off to date, Ari and David, with the help of The Athletic's Austin Meek, answer your thoughtful and provocative questions. A Michigan win in 'The Game' shouldn't be diminished. How will we look at both OSU and Mich after next Saturday. This was a successful season for Colorado. Period. Where does Georgia rank among the all-time greats, and was David too harsh on O...

Week 12 was an appetizer for an electric week 13, and Ari and David are ready to dig in! Florida State lost QB Jordan Travis to a devestating injury. Can the Seminoles rally and push through the adversity and into the playoffs? Texas and Washington pull out tough road matchups. Georgia flexed (again), and we have to talk about Michigan's elephant in the room. Plus, Louisville's first ACC champ app...

STAND ON BUISNESS, the Big Ten certainly did. Ari and David react to Michigan and Jim Harbaugh accepting the conference's suspension following their dismissal. Next, Ari, David and Max react to week 12 games, including Texas-Iowa St. How does Quinn Ewers' potential return affect the Longhorns' QB room? Washington-Oregon St., Arizona's big moment, Louisville-Miami fishy line, Nebraska-Wisconsin's b...

MANNY COOKS IN THIS EPISODE! While Mitch is away, the Stars Matter children will play, and Manny hosts the podcast with Grace and Ari by his side. Does Deion Sanders or Mike Elko give Texas A&M the best chance to compete and recruit? The trio discuss. Plus, Florida's top-10 class may be wavering with a few key recruits decommiting. Subscribe to the Until Saturday newletter: https://theathletic...

The third installment of the CFP rankings were dropped Tuesday night with some changes this go-around. Nicole and Chris react to Georgia being the new #1 team in the nation as well as Washington, after a win over ranked-Utah, being left out of the top-5 AGAIN! The pair explain the Pac-12 ruling, Michigan's hearing on Friday, the 5+7 playoff format and more! Subscribe to the Until Saturday newlette...

After a flurry of coaching moves were made over the weekend and into Monday, you know we had to call in the big guns. Bruce Feldman joins Max and Sam in breaking down Jimbo-Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Mike Yurcich, and hot seats. Plus, Max and Sam untangle the messy Big 12 race. -Understanding the Big 12 race (4:45) -Who's playing the best ball in the conference? (17:00) -Bruce on Jimbo Fish...

Alex Kirshner of Split Zone Duo fame joins Ari and David in reacting to your voicemails! But first, the trio dissects the Jimbo Fisher firing. How good of a job is A&M? What does Fisher's firing reveal about "God contracts", and who are the top candidates? A caller is disgusted by Ari's 'Michigan isn't a true title contender' take. Are ESPN and FOX ducking Oregon State? Plus, the J.J. McCarthy...