AP Top 25 College Football Podcast
297 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 178 ratingsWith the help of players, coaches, TV analysts, school administrators and NCAA officials, AP College Football Writer Ralph Russo tackles on-and off-field issues affecting the sport throughout the year. The show gives everyone from the casual fan to the obsessed alum, an insider look into the AP Poll and all that is trending on campuses around the country. Be ready for the big game, signing day or spring practice with this weekly chat about college football.
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Episodes
Fox Gets in the (Pre)Game
September 10, 2019 04:00 - 48 minutes - 22.1 MBFox has decided to take on ESPN’s iconic pregame game show “College GameDay” with an hour show leading into its Big Noon game of the week. John Walters, who writes the Bubble Screen column for the Athletic, joins AP’s Ralph Russo to discuss how Fox’s new crew is doing. Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer shows signs of being great on television, but you can tell he’s still trying to get comfortable leaving coach-speak behind. Plus, John talks about some of his favorite analysts, what he’d lik...
Can Tennessee and Florida State recover?
September 03, 2019 04:00 - 48 minutes - 22.3 MBThe first week of the season was highlighted -- or lowlighted, if you’re a fan of Florida State or Tennessee -- by a couple of embarrassing losses by blue blood programs. Or at least programs that used to be blue bloods. Dan Wolken from USA Today joins AP’s Ralph Russo to discuss where Jeremy Pruitt and Tennessee and Florida State and Willie Taggart go from here. Chip Kelly’s second year at UCLA also got off to a bad start. We look ahead to LSU-Texas and Texas A&M-Clemson, plus, does it reall...
How to Win a Heisman?
August 27, 2019 04:00 - 45 minutes - 20.6 MBThe season is about to start, but the race for the Heisman Trophy has already begun. Heisman historian Chris Huston, who edits Heisman.com, joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk about how Heismans are won. The process has evolved throughout the years from the days of running backs and upperclassmen dominating to now when quarterbacks and underclassmen are all the rage. Heisman campaigns are not quite as important for simple name recognition, but winning a Heisman takes a good story and schools need ...
The AP Preseason Top 25 is Out!
August 19, 2019 04:00 - 50 minutes - 23.1 MBVoting in the AP Top 25 is a mix of art, science and hunch, and it’s especially tricky when it comes to the preseason poll.On the latest AP Top 25 College Football Podcast, ESPN’s Rece Davis joins AP’s Ralph Russo to discuss filling out a ballot when nobody has played yet.Davis explains how he tries not to make his preseason vote a straight prediction for the season and how that can lead to some rankings that look a little different from the consensus. Rece like Texas A&M more than the consen...
Pac-12 Preview
August 13, 2019 04:00 - 1 hourOregon is trying to make the jump to playoff contender in the Pac-12 North, while Washington is breaking in a high-profile transfer quarterback and a bunch of new players on defense. Meanwhile, in the South, what will be the fate of coach Clay Helton at USC? Jon Wilner of the Pac-12 Hotline joins AP’s Ralph Russo to preview the conference season. While all the drama surrounds USC, Utah has become the one sure bet in the Pac-12 South. The Utes might have a team good enough to win the Pac-12 fo...
Pac-12 Preview
August 13, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 27.8 MBOregon is trying to make the jump to playoff contender in the Pac-12 North, while Washington is breaking in a high-profile transfer quarterback and a bunch of new players on defense. Meanwhile, in the South, what will be the fate of coach Clay Helton at USC? Jon Wilner of the Pac-12 Hotline joins AP’s Ralph Russo to preview the conference season. While all the drama surrounds USC, Utah has become the one sure bet in the Pac-12 South. The Utes might have a team good enough to win the Pac-12 fo...
Group of Five and Notre Dame Preview
August 10, 2019 04:00 - 1 hourUCF has been the dominant team outside the Power Five conferences for two seasons. Can the Knights keep it up without McKenzie Milton? Chris Vannini from The Athletic joins AP’s Ralph Russo to preview all the Group of Five conferences. UCF is trying to make it three straight American Athletic Conference titles. Boise State out of the Mountain West is looking for a second New Year’s Six appearance. Can Appalachian State break through and challenge for a New Year’s Six bid out of the Sun Belt? ...
Group of Five and Notre Dame Preview
August 10, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 31.4 MBUCF has been the dominant team outside the Power Five conferences for two seasons. Can the Knights keep it up without McKenzie Milton? Chris Vannini from The Athletic joins AP’s Ralph Russo to preview all the Group of Five conferences. UCF is trying to make it three straight American Athletic Conference titles. Boise State out of the Mountain West is looking for a second New Year’s Six appearance. Can Appalachian State break through and challenge for a New Year’s Six bid out of the Sun Belt? ...
Big 12 Preview
August 07, 2019 04:00 - 53 minutesOklahoma is trying to make it five straight Big 12 titles. Can the Sooners continue their reign with another transfer quarterback? Max Olson from The Athletic joins AP’s Ralph Russo to preview the Big 12 and the contenders to unseat Oklahoma. It starts with Texas, but Iowa State could be primed for another step forward under Matt Campbell _ which will lead to even more speculation about Campbell being lured away by another school or the NFL. Veteran coaches Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State and TC...
Big 12 Preview
August 07, 2019 04:00 - 53 minutes - 24.7 MBOklahoma is trying to make it five straight Big 12 titles. Can the Sooners continue their reign with another transfer quarterback? Max Olson from The Athletic joins AP’s Ralph Russo to preview the Big 12 and the contenders to unseat Oklahoma. It starts with Texas, but Iowa State could be primed for another step forward under Matt Campbell _ which will lead to even more speculation about Campbell being lured away by another school or the NFL. Veteran coaches Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State and TC...
Big Ten Preview
July 29, 2019 21:00 - 1 hourThe Big Ten might be the most intriguing conference in the country this season. The four superpowers in the East Division all enter with different levels of uncertainty, either with new quarterbacks or new offensive coordinators. In the West Division, a case could be made for any of six teams to reach the championship game in Indianapolis. Nebraska is considered the favorite coming off a 4-8 season. Dave Revsine of Big Ten Network joins AP's Ralph Russo to preview the conference. Is this fina...
SEC Preview
July 23, 2019 04:00 - 58 minutes - 27 MBGeorgia and Alabama appear to be heading toward another high-stakes matchup in the Southeastern Conference. Can any of the other SEC teams stand in the way of the league’s two superpowers meeting again? Barrett Sallee of CBS Sports and SiriusXM joins AP’s Ralph Russo to preview the SEC from top to bottom. Why Tennessee is trending up while Kentucky is likely going in the other direction. Why Texas A&M might be Alabama’s biggest challenger in the SEC West, not LSU.
SEC Preview
July 23, 2019 04:00 - 58 minutesGeorgia and Alabama appear to be heading toward another high-stakes matchup in the Southeastern Conference. Can any of the other SEC teams stand in the way of the league’s two superpowers meeting again? Barrett Sallee of CBS Sports and SiriusXM joins AP’s Ralph Russo to preview the SEC from top to bottom. Why Tennessee is trending up while Kentucky is likely going in the other direction. Why Texas A&M might be Alabama’s biggest challenger in the SEC West, not LSU.
ACC Preview
July 17, 2019 04:00 - 52 minutesThe college football season is less than two months away and it’s time to start previewing the Power Five conferences. We start with the Atlantic Coast Conference. David Hale of ESPN joins the AP's Ralph Russo to talk about the unpredictable ACC Coastal, where Miami might be the default favorite. What new coaches in the conference face the toughest tasks, but who is most likely to have long-term success? How will Florida State bounce back? And David has a creative way to tell you just how goo...
ACC Preview
July 17, 2019 04:00 - 52 minutes - 24.1 MBThe college football season is less than two months away and it’s time to start previewing the Power Five conferences. We start with the Atlantic Coast Conference. David Hale of ESPN joins the AP's Ralph Russo to talk about the unpredictable ACC Coastal, where Miami might be the default favorite. What new coaches in the conference face the toughest tasks, but who is most likely to have long-term success? How will Florida State bounce back? And David has a creative way to tell you just how goo...
In the trenches with Aaron Taylor
July 09, 2019 04:00 - 48 minutesFormer Notre Dame offensive linemen and current CBS analyst Aaron Taylor joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk about his favorite subject: blocking. Taylor breaks down how Florida State might be able to fix its problems up front, how Oklahoma will replace four players who were selected in April’s draft and why Georgia could be the favorite for this year’s Joe Moore Award, which goes to the best offensive line in the country. Who are some of the best offensive line coaches in the country? Plus, Taylo...
In the trenches with Aaron Taylor
July 09, 2019 04:00 - 48 minutes - 22 MBFormer Notre Dame offensive linemen and current CBS analyst Aaron Taylor joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk about his favorite subject: blocking. Taylor breaks down how Florida State might be able to fix its problems up front, how Oklahoma will replace four players who were selected in April’s draft and why Georgia could be the favorite for this year’s Joe Moore Award, which goes to the best offensive line in the country. Who are some of the best offensive line coaches in the country? Plus, Taylo...
In the trenches with Aaron Taylor
July 08, 2019 21:00 - 48 minutesFormer Notre Dame offensive linemen and current CBS analyst Aaron Taylor joins AP's Ralph Russo to talk about his favorite subject: blocking. Taylor breaks down how Florida State might be able to fix its problems up front, how Oklahoma will replace four players who were selected in April's draft and why Georgia could be the favorite for this year's Joe Moore Award, which goes to the best offensive line in the country. Who are some of the best offensive line coaches in the country? Plus, Taylo...
In the trenches with Aaron Taylor
July 08, 2019 21:00 - 48 minutesFormer Notre Dame offensive linemen and current CBS analyst Aaron Taylor joins AP's Ralph Russo to talk about his favorite subject: blocking. Taylor breaks down how Florida State might be able to fix its problems up front, how Oklahoma will replace four players who were selected in April's draft and why Georgia could be the favorite for this year's Joe Moore Award, which goes to the best offensive line in the country. Who are some of the best offensive line coaches in the country? Plus, Taylo...
In the trenches with Aaron Taylor
July 08, 2019 14:00 - 48 minutesFormer Notre Dame offensive linemen and current CBS analyst Aaron Taylor joins AP's Ralph Russo to talk about his favorite subject: blocking. Taylor breaks down how Florida State might be able to fix its problems up front, how Oklahoma will replace four players who were selected in April's draft and why Georgia could be the favorite for this year's Joe Moore Award, which goes to the best offensive line in the country. Who are some of the best offensive line coaches in the country? Plus, Taylo...
Nature vs. Nurture, College Football Edition
July 03, 2019 04:00 - 37 minutes - 17.3 MBAre great college football players born or made? AP college football writer Ralph Russo and Barton Simmons, recruiting director at 247 Sports, dive into the debate over how much football programs mold their players into NFL-ready stars, and how much talent rises, regardless of coaching.
Nature vs. Nurture, College Football Edition
July 03, 2019 04:00 - 37 minutesAre great college football players born or made? AP college football writer Ralph Russo and Barton Simmons, recruiting director at 247 Sports, dive into the debate over how much football programs mold their players into NFL-ready stars, and how much talent rises, regardless of coaching.
Nature vs. Nurture, College Football Edition
July 02, 2019 21:00 - 37 minutesAre great college football players born or made? AP college football writer Ralph Russo and Barton Simmons, recruiting director at 247 Sports, dive into the debate over how much football programs mold their players into NFL-ready stars, and how much talent rises, regardless of coaching.
Nature vs. Nurture, College Football Edition
July 02, 2019 21:00 - 37 minutesAre great college football players born or made? AP college football writer Ralph Russo and Barton Simmons, recruiting director at 247 Sports, dive into the debate over how much football programs mold their players into NFL-ready stars, and how much talent rises, regardless of coaching.
Nature vs. Nurture, College Football Edition
July 02, 2019 14:00 - 37 minutesAre great college football players born or made? AP college football writer Ralph Russo and Barton Simmons, recruiting director at 247 Sports, dive into the debate over how much football programs mold their players into NFL-ready stars, and how much talent rises, regardless of coaching.
Taggart’s Task: Rebuilding Florida State
July 01, 2019 04:00 - 23 minutes - 10.9 MBFlorida State coach Willie Taggart sits down for an interview with AP’s Ralph Russo. Taggart talks about rebuilding a broken program at Florida State the way he did at previous stops. And why he believes the Seminoles are on track for a turnaround.
Taggart’s Task: Rebuilding Florida State
July 01, 2019 04:00 - 23 minutesFlorida State coach Willie Taggart sits down for an interview with AP’s Ralph Russo. Taggart talks about rebuilding a broken program at Florida State the way he did at previous stops. And why he believes the Seminoles are on track for a turnaround.
Taggart’s Task: Rebuilding Florida State
June 30, 2019 21:00 - 23 minutesFlorida State coach Willie Taggart sits down for an interview with AP's Ralph Russo. Taggart talks about rebuilding a broken program at Florida State the way he did at previous stops. And why he believes the Seminoles are on track for a turnaround.
Taggart’s Task: Rebuilding Florida State
June 30, 2019 21:00 - 23 minutesFlorida State coach Willie Taggart sits down for an interview with AP's Ralph Russo. Taggart talks about rebuilding a broken program at Florida State the way he did at previous stops. And why he believes the Seminoles are on track for a turnaround.
Taggart’s Task: Rebuilding Florida State
June 30, 2019 14:00 - 23 minutesFlorida State coach Willie Taggart sits down for an interview with AP's Ralph Russo. Taggart talks about rebuilding a broken program at Florida State the way he did at previous stops. And why he believes the Seminoles are on track for a turnaround.
UCONN MAKES A MOVE
June 25, 2019 04:00 - 44 minutesUConn is heading back to the Big East, leaving the American Athletic Conference in a move made to prioritize basketball over football. The Huskies are likely heading for football independence. Neill Ostrout, longtime UConn beat writer from the Journal Inquirer of Manchester, joins AP’s Ralph Russo to discuss how UConn got to where it is and the ramifications of the move. Huskies football has been run into a ditch, but more damaging to the school is it seems the conference and its failures in...
UCONN MAKES A MOVE
June 25, 2019 04:00 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MBUConn is heading back to the Big East, leaving the American Athletic Conference in a move made to prioritize basketball over football. The Huskies are likely heading for football independence. Neill Ostrout, longtime UConn beat writer from the Journal Inquirer of Manchester, joins AP’s Ralph Russo to discuss how UConn got to where it is and the ramifications of the move. Huskies football has been run into a ditch, but more damaging to the school is it seems the conference and its failures in...
UCONN MAKES A MOVE
June 24, 2019 21:00 - 44 minutesUConn is heading back to the Big East, leaving the American Athletic Conference in a move made to prioritize basketball over football. The Huskies are likely heading for football independence. Neill Ostrout, longtime UConn beat writer from the Journal Inquirer of Manchester, joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss how UConn got to where it is and the ramifications of the move. Huskies football has been run into a ditch, but more damaging to the school is it seems the conference and its failures in...
UCONN MAKES A MOVE
June 24, 2019 21:00 - 44 minutesUConn is heading back to the Big East, leaving the American Athletic Conference in a move made to prioritize basketball over football. The Huskies are likely heading for football independence. Neill Ostrout, longtime UConn beat writer from the Journal Inquirer of Manchester, joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss how UConn got to where it is and the ramifications of the move. Huskies football has been run into a ditch, but more damaging to the school is it seems the conference and its failures in...
UCONN MAKES A MOVE
June 24, 2019 14:00 - 44 minutesUConn is heading back to the Big East, leaving the American Athletic Conference in a move made to prioritize basketball over football. The Huskies are likely heading for football independence. Neill Ostrout, longtime UConn beat writer from the Journal Inquirer of Manchester, joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss how UConn got to where it is and the ramifications of the move. Huskies football has been run into a ditch, but more damaging to the school is it seems the conference and its failures in...
Your Team Ain't Played Nobody!
June 18, 2019 04:00 - 1 hourAlmost every college football conversation eventually devolves into someone exclaiming: “Y’all ain’t played nobody,” or something similar. Steven Godfrey, the national college football writer from SB Nation and host of “Podcast Ain’t Played Nobody” joins AP’s Ralph Russo to discuss why too much energy is spent on strength of schedule discussions _ and why it’s probably not ever going to change. Plus, what would happen if Alabama and Clemson had played 10 times last year, and why it doesn’t ma...
Your Team Ain't Played Nobody!
June 18, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 28 MBAlmost every college football conversation eventually devolves into someone exclaiming: “Y’all ain’t played nobody,” or something similar. Steven Godfrey, the national college football writer from SB Nation and host of “Podcast Ain’t Played Nobody” joins AP’s Ralph Russo to discuss why too much energy is spent on strength of schedule discussions _ and why it’s probably not ever going to change. Plus, what would happen if Alabama and Clemson had played 10 times last year, and why it doesn’t ma...
Your Team Ain't Played Nobody!
June 17, 2019 21:00 - 1 hourAlmost every college football conversation eventually devolves into someone exclaiming: "Y'all ain't played nobody," or something similar. Steven Godfrey, the national college football writer from SB Nation and host of "Podcast Ain't Played Nobody" joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss why too much energy is spent on strength of schedule discussions _ and why it's probably not ever going to change. Plus, what would happen if Alabama and Clemson had played 10 times last year, and why it doesn't ma...
Your Team Ain't Played Nobody!
June 17, 2019 21:00 - 1 hourAlmost every college football conversation eventually devolves into someone exclaiming: "Y'all ain't played nobody," or something similar. Steven Godfrey, the national college football writer from SB Nation and host of "Podcast Ain't Played Nobody" joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss why too much energy is spent on strength of schedule discussions _ and why it's probably not ever going to change. Plus, what would happen if Alabama and Clemson had played 10 times last year, and why it doesn't ma...
Your Team Ain't Played Nobody!
June 17, 2019 14:00 - 1 hourAlmost every college football conversation eventually devolves into someone exclaiming: "Y'all ain't played nobody," or something similar. Steven Godfrey, the national college football writer from SB Nation and host of "Podcast Ain't Played Nobody" joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss why too much energy is spent on strength of schedule discussions _ and why it's probably not ever going to change. Plus, what would happen if Alabama and Clemson had played 10 times last year, and why it doesn't ma...
Who should be in the Hall of Fame?
June 04, 2019 04:00 - 52 minutesThe latest College Football Hall of Fame ballot of 76 major-college candidates is out and it’s impossible to whittle down the list for the class of 2020. It includes Heisman Trophy winners Eric Crouch and Carson Palmer, Miami stars Jerome Brown and Ray Lewis and dozens of other former stars who would be hall of fame worthy. AP Top 25 voter Matt Brown of The Athletic joins AP’s Ralph Russo take on the task and putting together next year’s class of hall of famers. They also discuss why Eric Dic...
Who should be in the Hall of Fame?
June 04, 2019 04:00 - 52 minutes - 23.9 MBThe latest College Football Hall of Fame ballot of 76 major-college candidates is out and it’s impossible to whittle down the list for the class of 2020. It includes Heisman Trophy winners Eric Crouch and Carson Palmer, Miami stars Jerome Brown and Ray Lewis and dozens of other former stars who would be hall of fame worthy. AP Top 25 voter Matt Brown of The Athletic joins AP’s Ralph Russo take on the task and putting together next year’s class of hall of famers. They also discuss why Eric Dic...
Who should be in the Hall of Fame?
June 03, 2019 21:00 - 52 minutesThe latest College Football Hall of Fame ballot of 76 major-college candidates is out and it's impossible to whittle down the list for the class of 2020. It includes Heisman Trophy winners Eric Crouch and Carson Palmer, Miami stars Jerome Brown and Ray Lewis and dozens of other former stars who would be hall of fame worthy. AP Top 25 voter Matt Brown of The Athletic joins AP's Ralph Russo take on the task and putting together next year's class of hall of famers. They also discuss why Eric Dic...
Who should be in the Hall of Fame?
June 03, 2019 21:00 - 52 minutesThe latest College Football Hall of Fame ballot of 76 major-college candidates is out and it's impossible to whittle down the list for the class of 2020. It includes Heisman Trophy winners Eric Crouch and Carson Palmer, Miami stars Jerome Brown and Ray Lewis and dozens of other former stars who would be hall of fame worthy. AP Top 25 voter Matt Brown of The Athletic joins AP's Ralph Russo take on the task and putting together next year's class of hall of famers. They also discuss why Eric Dic...
Who should be in the Hall of Fame?
June 03, 2019 14:00 - 52 minutesThe latest College Football Hall of Fame ballot of 76 major-college candidates is out and it's impossible to whittle down the list for the class of 2020. It includes Heisman Trophy winners Eric Crouch and Carson Palmer, Miami stars Jerome Brown and Ray Lewis and dozens of other former stars who would be hall of fame worthy. AP Top 25 voter Matt Brown of The Athletic joins AP's Ralph Russo take on the task and putting together next year's class of hall of famers. They also discuss why Eric Dic...
Briles is Back. Why?
May 29, 2019 04:00 - 45 minutes - 20.7 MBFormer Baylor coach Art Briles, fired amid a scandal at the school three years ago, has landed a job at a mid-sized East Texas High School. The news surprised many who assumed the results of an investigation into the improper handling of sexual assault allegations at Baylor would tarnish Briles beyond repair.Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News joins AP’s Ralph Russo to try to explain why the Mount Vernon Independent School District hired Briles and if leadership there can ride out the cr...
Briles is Back. Why?
May 29, 2019 04:00 - 45 minutesFormer Baylor coach Art Briles, fired amid a scandal at the school three years ago, has landed a job at a mid-sized East Texas High School. The news surprised many who assumed the results of an investigation into the improper handling of sexual assault allegations at Baylor would tarnish Briles beyond repair. Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News joins AP’s Ralph Russo to try to explain why the Mount Vernon Independent School District hired Briles and if leadership there can ride out the c...
Briles is Back. Why?
May 28, 2019 21:00 - 45 minutesFormer Baylor coach Art Briles, fired amid a scandal at the school three years ago, has landed a job at a mid-sized East Texas High School. The news surprised many who assumed the results of an investigation into the improper handling of sexual assault allegations at Baylor would tarnish Briles beyond repair. Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News joins AP's Ralph Russo to try to explain why the Mount Vernon Independent School District hired Briles and if leadership there can ride out the c...
Briles is Back. Why?
May 28, 2019 21:00 - 45 minutesFormer Baylor coach Art Briles, fired amid a scandal at the school three years ago, has landed a job at a mid-sized East Texas High School. The news surprised many who assumed the results of an investigation into the improper handling of sexual assault allegations at Baylor would tarnish Briles beyond repair. Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News joins AP's Ralph Russo to try to explain why the Mount Vernon Independent School District hired Briles and if leadership there can ride out the c...
Briles is Back. Why?
May 28, 2019 14:00 - 45 minutesFormer Baylor coach Art Briles, fired amid a scandal at the school three years ago, has landed a job at a mid-sized East Texas High School. The news surprised many who assumed the results of an investigation into the improper handling of sexual assault allegations at Baylor would tarnish Briles beyond repair. Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News joins AP's Ralph Russo to try to explain why the Mount Vernon Independent School District hired Briles and if leadership there can ride out the c...