Always College Football with Greg McElroy

Lincoln Riley joins the show to talk about USC getting back on top, what he learned in his first season in the BIG 10, the recruiting surge that the Trojans have been on and the changes that come with the evolution of college football. Plus, conference expansion has already cost us more rivalries than football fans care to admit. McElroy talks about how the Notre Dame USC rivalry can continue but how we have to accept that college football will continue to change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 22 May 2025

Kalen DeBoer joins the show to talk about Alabama getting back on top, what he learned in his first season in Tuscaloosa, the quarterback competition, recruiting and what Ryan Grubb will bring to the staff in 2025. Plus, we look at win totals for all P4 teams with second year head coaches - Can Alabama, Texas A&M and Michigan make a jump, can Indiana, Syracuse, Duke and others prove Vegas wrong? McElroy breaks down the schedules and tells you where the WINS, LOSES and toss-up games are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2025

Mario Cristobal joins the show to talk about Miami being on the up and up, how his first recruiting class are now the clubhouse leaders, Carson Beck’s impact, the youth at wide receiver, why playing Notre Dame early will motivate his team (and the fans) and much more. Plus, week 1 in 2025 is good with Texas vs Ohio State, Notre Dame vs Miami, LSU vs Clemson but McElroy lays out how it could be better and why the SEC going to a 9 game conference schedule is the best thing for college football fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 15 May 2025

Coming off a 9 win season where they defeated FOUR ranked teams, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer joins Greg McElroy on the show. The two discuss LaNorris Sellers impact, culture within the Gamecocks locker room, when coach Beamer knew they were going to be good last year and raised expectations in . Plus, we give a hat tip to Cam Rising after his retirement and McElroy gives his reasons for wanting to join the College Sports Commission and the impact he thinks they will have. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2025

Coming off a CFP appearance and a program record 11 win season, Curt Cignetti joins Greg McElroy on the show.  The two discuss how Indiana’s commitment to football brought him in, why he looks for production over potential in the transfer portal, changes to the CFP selection process and expectations for the Hoosiers in 2025. Plus, is Nebraska getting disrespected over Sherrone Moore’s suspension and what impact will the Notre Dame Clemson scheduled series have on the ACC and the CFP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 May 2025

Who are the best running backs heading into the 2025 college football season? Can Jeremiyah Love and a deep running back room get Notre Dame back to the CFP, does Penn State have the best tandem in the country and what impact will the transfers have at Oklahoma, Missouri and Oregon? How many running backs from the SEC made the list and can anyone challenge the BIG 10 as the best conference for running backs in 2025? McElroy goes over all of it plus gives you some honorable mention RBs who could work their way into the top 10 after the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2025

Spring is over and the portal is closed and so we decided now was the best time to give you McElroy’s Top 10 QBs entering the 2025 season. Are Arch Manning and Nico Iamaleava in the top 10? How much does Carson Beck have to prove at Miami this year? Where will Cade Klubnik and Drew Aller rank and who has the immediate impact transfer (hint: Oklahoma). McElroy goes over all of it plus gives you some honorable mention QBs who could work their way into the top 10 after the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2025

Greg McElroy takes a look at the Madden Iamaleava-Arkansas situation and if recouping NIL via buyouts could become a regular occurrence moving forward. Greg then gets into spring game recaps for Texas A&M and South Carolina, discussing season outlooks for both SEC squads. Finally, Greg gives his take on Joey Aguilar to Tennessee, what’s going on with the CFP meetings and the changes that could happen because of them, how Oklahoma has raked in the portal and if Oklahoma State is poised for a bounceback season. | Always College Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2025

Greg starts today’s show celebrating the career of the legendary Lee Corso before getting into some portal news and spring game recaps. Do we buy what Nico’s camp said about why he transferred away from Tennessee? And what will it look like now that he’s QB1 for UCLA? Plus, Steve Angeli is in the portal, David Stone returns to Oklahoma and more. Finally, Greg talks about Bryce Underwood’s spring game performance and why the CFB world is so consumed with starting true freshmen QBs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025

The spring transfer portal is open and players are jumping in every day. McElroy goes through the early contenders and gives you the needs that each team has. Will Alabama take a Tight End, will Texas, LSU, Georgia and Ohio State go after the same defensive lineman? Can Miami and Michigan bolster their wide receiver rooms and will Tennessee find help at quarterback? So many needs, so many questions and McElroy is here to try to give you some answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2025

Tennessee drew a line in the sand and separated themselves from Nico Iamaleava. McElroy addresses everything from Nico’s camp, the impact it has on college football, what other coaches are saying about it around the country, what Tennessee will do next and options for Nico Iamaleava moving forward. Plus updates on the QB competitions at Alabama and Notre Dame and does Ohio State need to hit the portal to sure up their defensive line? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

Steve Spurrier joins Greg McElroy to discuss how he handled QB Competitions at Duke, Florida and South Carolina, what he looked for when recruiting quarterbacks and when he knew it was time to make a change at the position. The HBC was also known as one of the best personalities in the sport so we decided to look at a few current coaches that aren’t afraid to step out of the coach speak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2025

We all know Jeremiah Smith is the best wide receiver, but is he the best “football player” in college? McElroy goes through and lists the Top 10 wide receivers heading into the 2025 season and outside of Smith you will see other familiar names like Ryan Williams, Elijah Sarratt and Jordyn Tyson but watch out for transfers to Auburn, Nebraska and Missouri. Keep an eye on LSU, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Clemson headlining some potential breakout WR players. Plus, updates from Ohio State’s QB competition, Clemson’s quest for a 1000 yard receiver and the future of CFB beyond 2025.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

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Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2025

Arch Manning’s pressure at Texas, Julian Sayin’s poor scrimmage, Ty Simpson’s potential upside at Alabama and the battle at Notre Dame between Steve Angeli and CJ Carr are just some of the intrigue coming out of spring camps. McElroy hits the mailbag to answer questions about all those quarterbacks plus talks about Stanford hiring of Frank Reich, the benefit of having NFL experience at the college level and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

Who are the 10 BEST coaches in College Football heading into the 2025 season? On this episode McElroy goes through and ranks 10 thru 1 based on longevity (which some coaches don’t have), program trajectory and year over year improvement and much more. It’s not just about where you coach but what you do with the resources made available to you, the list will surely be debated but truthfully probably the most accurate one out there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2025

Who are the 25 BEST coaches in College Football heading into the 2025 season? On this episode McElroy goes through and ranks 25 thru 11 based on longevity (which some coaches don’t have), program trajectory and year over year improvement and much more. It’s not just about where you coach but what you do with the resources made available to you, the list will surely be debated but truthfully probably the most accurate one out there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

The ACC is maybe the most intriguing of any of the P4 conferences heading into spring practice. Will Clemson get back to a championship level, can Carson Beck take Miami to the CFP, can Louisville, Georgia Tech or NC State take the next steps and become contenders? Will SMU sneak up on anyone and how BIG will the Florida State bounce back be? McElroy gives you ONE big question for each ACC team as they enter spring practice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 March 2025

Can the BIG 10 win THREE straight National Championships?! Maybe, but if they do, there will need to be some questions answered this spring, like does Penn State have a WR that will step up, is Dante Moore ready to take over at Oregon, and are there too many changes at Ohio State? Is Nebraska ready to breakthrough, can Michigan just reload on defense and who are the surprise teams from the BIG 10 that we should keep an eye on. McElroy goes through them all and gives you one big spring question for each. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

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Transcribed - Published: 13 March 2025

Spring practice is kicking off in College Football and McElroy gives you one big question for each team in the SEC. Will someone separate themselves in the Alabama QB competition, who will step up around DJ Lagway at Florida and LaNorris Sellers at South Carolina? Can LSU, Tennessee and Ole Miss replace all the talent they lost around the line of scrimmage and just how good can Arch Manning be? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2025

The ACC is ALL over the map this offseason. The Bill Belichick era got underway at North Carolina and we discuss the impact he will have on the Tar Heels, while Clemson and Florida State reach a revenue distribution settlement with the conference. Did this short term answer just make it easier for the conference to split up by 2030? McElroy explains. Plus, we give you a couple sleeper teams to keep an eye on as spring practice starts up and we hit the mailbag to find out who has the best defense in the SEC heading into 2025 and much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2025

Is Oklahoma really a sleeper in the SEC? How big will Florida State’s rebound be after a humbling 2024 season? Will Auburn FINALLY get a winning record under Hugh Freeze and is Texas A&M poised for a big jump? Are USC and Nebrsaka ready to be contenders in the BIG 10, and just how good will Coach Prime and Colorado be after losing so much talent? McElroy takes a look at the expectations for SEVEN of college footballs biggest question mark teams heading into 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025

Spring practice is right around the corner so McElroy decided to look at the 12 teams from last year's CFP and tell you who he thinks could return to the CFP in 2025. Will the new quarterbacks at Ohio State, Notre Dame and Texas be able to win 10+ games? Can SMU, Arizona State and Indiana repeat the Cinderella seasons from a year ago, can Tennessee and Oregon handle losing so much production and are Clemson and Penn State in the best position? McElroy breaks down strengths, concerns and the schedule for each of the 12 teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

The B10 and SEC are pushing toward a 14 team playoff with automatic qualifiers, is it a hostile takeover by the two biggest conferences or an overreaction to something that we have seen coming. McElroy and Finebaum break down what it means for the SEC and BIG 10, if Sankey and Petitti owe ANYTHING to all of college football and what it means for Notre Dame the ACC and BIG 12. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 February 2025

Is running back making a comeback? Last year some bell cow backs like Ashton Jeanty, Cam Skattebo and Dylan Sampson carried their teams to the CFP while Ohio State, Penn St, and Notre Dame relied more on a tandem backfield. McElroy asks if it is more important to win a national championship with a “bell cow” or a deep running back room. Plus Ohio State has a new defensive coordinator what impact will Matt Patricia have, will the Texas offense look different under Arch Manning and why can’t the FBS just adopt the FCS playoff model. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

There are 13 teams that missed the 2024 College Football Playoff that McElroy thinks will be playoff contenders in 2025. Is Alabama ready to make the jump into the CFP in 2025? Can LSU and Miami start the season out with wins to push towards the playoffs? Can South Carolina improve on last year or will it be Florida or Ole Miss who make the jump into the CFP. Who from the BIG 10 and BIG 12 can make a run - is it finally USC’s chance or will Michigan bounce back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2025

What was like playing quarterback for Nick Saban during his first two championships at LSU and Alabama? Greg McElroy and Matt Mauck get together to tell some incredible stories about Saban’s training camps, the staffs at LSU and Alabama and how much harder Coach worked immediately AFTER winning National Championships. Plus, McElroy takes a quick look at O/U win totals for Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, Penn State, Clemson and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 February 2025

We are in a new era of College Football with the Natty or Bust mentality. Ohio State showed it 2024 and Michigan in 2023. Who is all in in 2025? Clemson, Penn State, Texas come to mind. Gone are the days of stacked rosters and the question is who is ready to adapt and who is falling behind? Plus are spring games dead - well it is in Nebraska, how many schools will follow suit. Alabama hired a new OC, Notre Dame hired a new DC and Ohio State is now looking to replace BOTH coordinators. There is no off-season, it's ALWAYS COLLEGE FOOTBALL! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025

Greg McElroy talks with National Championship quarterback and Ohio State legend Cardale Jones about growing up in Ohio, what drew him to Ohio State and that magical title run in 2014. If today’s college football rules were in place would Cardale have transferred? How much could he have made in NIL and were teams tampering with him before the 2015 season? Cardale opens up to tell some fantastic stories and makes the assertive claim that if there was a 12 team playoff in 2015 - Ohio State would have won it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2025

How would you grade Kalen DeBoer at Alabama after a 9-4 season? What about Sherrone Moore at Michigan and Mike Elko at Texas A&M? McElroy looks back at 2024 and grades out all of the first year head coaches based on the transfer portal impacts, win loss record, big wins & more. Plus Penn State hires Jim Knowles from Ohio State, making him college football's highest-paid defensive coordinator. Are the Nittany Lions gearing up for a National Title run in 2025?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2025

The 12 team CFP was a HUGE success but McElroy found a few ways to make it a little bit better. The seeding and bye’s need to change but does that mean conference championships are going away? Should the best of the SEC and BIG 10 get TWO first round home playoff games and are the New Years 6 bowl games going anywhere? Tell us what you think needs to happen to make the 12 team CFP better below. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2025

Ohio State won the inaugural 12 team college football playoff with an offense that was humming in the first half as the Buckeyes raced out to 21-7 halftime. Ohio State held off a valiant Notre Dame comeback to win their first National Championship since 2014. McElroy breaks down the game talking about impact players, outstanding coaching and what the win means for Ryan Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2025

Atlanta is covered in Blue, Gold, Green, Scarlet and Grey as we get ready for the National Championship. McElroy and Stanford Steve break down why it’s Ohio State’s game to lose on Monday, how Notre Dame will go about trying to pull off the upset and what a National Title would mean for both schools. Plus the guys go through the best prop bets for the game, if Notre Dame will cover, how many receiving yards for the Ohio State WR’s and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 January 2025

Greg McElroy talks with former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel about the similarities between Ryan Day and Marcus Freeman, how special Jeremiah Smith is, what a National Championship for Ryan Day would mean and much more. Plus, McElroy and Matt Barrie go over the challenges ahead for Notre Dame, how Ohio State’s loss to Michigan may have made them better, what a National Championship would mean for both teams and how Notre Dame has given other programs hope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 January 2025

It’s the Ohio State vs Notre Dame preview that you have been waiting for. McElroy goes in-depth and asks the questions that will help determine the National Championship. Can Will Howard and Ohio State continue to make big plays, will the Notre Dame’s Wide Receivers step up, who are the sneaky impact players of the game, and most importantly, can Notre Dame eliminate the margins by winning the situations? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 15 January 2025

Greg McElroy and Brady Quinn sit down and discuss what Notre Dame HAS to do to beat Ohio State and win their first National Championship since 1988. Can Marcus Freeman get this team to keep fighting, will the re-shuffeled offensive line be able to hold back the wildly talented Ohio State defensive front and how will Notre Dame defend Ohio State? Plus, it’s a new era in college football, how well positioned is Notre Dame to keep this success up and is there another bet with AJ Hawk coming?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2025

The National Championship is set Notre Dame vs Ohio State! McElroy breaks down the epic semifinal games that saw the Irish fight back to beat Penn State 27-24 and Ohio State seal a win over Texas with a scoop and score. What were the keys and can the Irish shock the world and beat Ohio State for the National Championship? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 January 2025

The CFP Semifinals are upon us and McElroy asks the questions that will determine who will play for a National Title. Can Notre Dame run on Penn St or will they be forced to throw down field and who wins the turnover battle? Will Ohio St start (stay) hot or will Texas’ defensive line take over? McElroy breaks it down in his previews. Plus Booger McFarland joins the show to talk Penn St WR’s vs ND’s secondary, Ohio St’s defensive line vs Texas offensive line and much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 January 2025

Penn State closed out 2024 with a dominating win over Boise State - are the Nittany Lions ready for Notre Dame who dominated SEC Champion Georgia. Texas looked like it was going to roll Arizona State until Cam Skattebo took over and forced overtime, but the Longhorns held on and now face an Ohio State team that absolutely dominated #1 Oregon and looks like they are playing on a different level than everyone else. McElroy breaks down the quarterfinal games and what’s next in the semifinals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 January 2025

The quarterfinals of the CFP are here and McElroy gives you the BIGGEST questions that will help determine the outcomes. Will Ashton Jeanty be able to run on Penn State, can Cam Skattebo spark Arizona State in the upset over Texas? Who will create more big plays: Oregon or Ohio State in the much anticipated rematch. Can Notre Dame run on Georgia or will Gunner Stockton step in and save Georgia’s title dreams?   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 December 2024

McElroy and Josh Pate go over the first round of the CFP and talk about the negative reaction from media members, how to fix the “most deserving vs best team” debate, and why we NEED to stop using fictional Vegas lines for hypothetical games and much more. Plus, does Gunner Stockton make Georgia better, could Texas be overlooking Arizona State, is Boise State ready for the BIG stage against a really good Penn State squad and can Oregon beat Ohio State TWICE in a season? The guys go over it all plus give their picks for National Title winners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2024

Notre Dame hosted the first CFP game on campus and dominated an Indiana team that didn’t have a good game plan. Penn State’s defense crushed SMU’s dreams before the 1st quarter was over. Texas held off a good Clemson team by running the ball all over the Tigers and Ohio State flexed hard on Tennessee and looked like a team on a mission from the start. McElroy breaks down the 1st round games and has a few more general takeaways for all of us i.e. stop with the hypothetical matchups in the CFP (looking at you SEC fans). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 22 December 2024

The first round of the College Football playoff is here! Will Notre Dame be able to run the football against Indiana or will the Hoosiers continue their remarkable run? Can SMU hold up in the trenches or will Penn State hammer down in the 2nd half, who will perform better, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik or Texas’ Quinn Ewers and can Ohio State bounce back on offense against a strong Tennessee defense? McElroy breaks down all the games and asks the questions that will determine the outcomes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2024

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman joins McElroy to talk CFP prep, scouting Indiana, adversity this Fighting Irish team has faced, a December playoff game in South Bend and much more. Plus Louisville, Florida State and Auburn picked up big transfer QB’s and there are plenty more on the market, McElroy talks fits for each player and goes over the running back and wide receiver market. Bill Belichick’s move to North Carolina gained a lot of attention, McElroy talks about what it means for the Tar Heels and college football in general.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2024

Dan Lanning joins the show and talks with Greg McElroy about the Ducks impact transfer players this year, especially Dillion Gabriel, how they are handling the new calendar in the 12 team CFP while remaining balanced, the Tennessee vs Ohio State game and much more. Plus is Bill Belichick really going to go to North Carolina? McElroy goes over all the latest moves from a busy coaching carousel and tells you who fits and who doesn’t. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 December 2024

The first 12 team College Football playoff ranking is official. SMU stays in, pushing Alabama out, Oregon’s path is tougher than Penn State’s, Ohio State looks to get right vs Tennessee and there’s a battle of Indiana (which NO one saw coming). Boise State and Arizona State get a buy while the ACC Champion Clemson is a 12 seed. Year 1 is wild and McElroy tells you what the committee did right, the issues he has and what can be fixed to make the 12 team CFP better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2024

Championship weekend delivered! Arizona State dominates Iowa State, Ashton Jeanty does it again as Boise State wins another Mountain West championship. Oregon wins a shootout against Penn State, Georgia takes down Texas but what is the injury update of Carson Beck and will he be back for the CFP? Clemson blows a 17 point lead but beats SMU in a walk-off field goal, now the question is should it be SMU or Alabama with the last playoff spot. McElroy breaks it all down plus tells you who he thinks should get in and first round bye’s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 December 2024

Conference championship week is here and we have questions we want answered. Can Georgia become just the 2nd team in the last 115 years to beat Texas twice in a season, will Clemson knock off SMU and knock Alabama out of the CFP? Will Oregon keep rolling or will Penn State prove the doubters wrong, will it be Iowa State or Arizona State repping the BIG 12 in the CFP and is Boise State on upset alert? McElroy answers these and much more in previewing all 9 conference championship games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 5 December 2024

The penultimate rankings are out and the CFP committee put Alabama ahead of Miami, Ole Miss and South Carolina. Was that the right move? McElroy breaks down the resumes and flaws of all four teams. Plus is SMU in with a loss, how much will the seedings change after championship weekend and just who has the best chance to win it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2024