AP Top 25 College Football Podcast artwork

AP Top 25 College Football Podcast

297 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 178 ratings

With 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.

Football Sports college football ralph russo associated press college basketball
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

The Playoff Takes Shape. Or Maybe Not

October 29, 2018 21:00 - 48 minutes

College football's first playoff rankings of the season come out, on the eve of a weekend that could turn the whole playoff picture upside down. AP college football writer Ralph Russo talks to Dennis Dodd of CBS about who's in and who's out, and how long the whole playoff edifice lasts in its current form. Then Gary Danielson, also of CBS, does a deep dive into the big game of the weekend: Alabama-LSU.

The Playoff Takes Shape. Or Maybe Not

October 29, 2018 14:00 - 48 minutes

College football's first playoff rankings of the season come out, on the eve of a weekend that could turn the whole playoff picture upside down. AP college football writer Ralph Russo talks to Dennis Dodd of CBS about who's in and who's out, and how long the whole playoff edifice lasts in its current form. Then Gary Danielson, also of CBS, does a deep dive into the big game of the weekend: Alabama-LSU.

Hot-seat season begins

October 23, 2018 04:00 - 31 minutes - 14.3 MB

As the college football season approaches November, it's time to start assessing which teams could be making a coaching change. Conventional wisdom suggests it could be a slow silly season after so much turnover the last two years. Dan Wolken of USA Today joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss who is on the hot seat. It looks like much of the action could be in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and be determined by who can afford to fire their coach. Plus, what's up with Urban Meyer and Ohio State an...

Hot-seat season begins

October 23, 2018 04:00 - 31 minutes

As the college football season approaches November, it's time to start assessing which teams could be making a coaching change. Conventional wisdom suggests it could be a slow silly season after so much turnover the last two years. Dan Wolken of USA Today joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss who is on the hot seat. It looks like much of the action could be in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and be determined by who can afford to fire their coach. Plus, what's up with Urban Meyer and Ohio State an...

Hot-seat season begins

October 22, 2018 21:00 - 31 minutes

As the college football season approaches November, it's time to start assessing which teams could be making a coaching change. Conventional wisdom suggests it could be a slow silly season after so much turnover the last two years. Dan Wolken of USA Today joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss who is on the hot seat. It looks like much of the action could be in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and be determined by who can afford to fire their coach. Plus, what's up with Urban Meyer and Ohio State an...

Hot-seat season begins

October 22, 2018 21:00 - 31 minutes

As the college football season approaches November, it's time to start assessing which teams could be making a coaching change. Conventional wisdom suggests it could be a slow silly season after so much turnover the last two years. Dan Wolken of USA Today joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss who is on the hot seat. It looks like much of the action could be in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and be determined by who can afford to fire their coach. Plus, what's up with Urban Meyer and Ohio State an...

Hot-seat season begins

October 22, 2018 14:00 - 31 minutes

As the college football season approaches November, it's time to start assessing which teams could be making a coaching change. Conventional wisdom suggests it could be a slow silly season after so much turnover the last two years. Dan Wolken of USA Today joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss who is on the hot seat. It looks like much of the action could be in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and be determined by who can afford to fire their coach. Plus, what's up with Urban Meyer and Ohio State an...

What makes a great offensive line?

October 16, 2018 04:00 - 43 minutes

Former Notre Dame offensive lineman Aaron Taylor, now an analyst with CBS Sports, joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk about what teams are getting the best play out of their O-lines this season. What are the attributes of a good offensive line and why are the best ones greater than the sum of their parts? Taylor also talks about Notre Dame and whether the Irish can challenge for a playoff spot, LSU's progress -- and whether anybody is capable of taking down Alabama.

What makes a great offensive line?

October 16, 2018 04:00 - 43 minutes - 20.1 MB

Former Notre Dame offensive lineman Aaron Taylor, now an analyst with CBS Sports, joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk about what teams are getting the best play out of their O-lines this season. What are the attributes of a good offensive line and why are the best ones greater than the sum of their parts? Taylor also talks about Notre Dame and whether the Irish can challenge for a playoff spot, LSU's progress -- and whether anybody is capable of taking down Alabama.

What makes a great offensive line?

October 15, 2018 21:00 - 43 minutes

Former Notre Dame offensive lineman Aaron Taylor, now an analyst with CBS Sports, joins AP's Ralph Russo to talk about what teams are getting the best play out of their O-lines this season. What are the attributes of a good offensive line and why are the best ones greater than the sum of their parts? Taylor also talks about Notre Dame and whether the Irish can challenge for a playoff spot, LSU's progress -- and whether anybody is capable of taking down Alabama.

What makes a great offensive line?

October 15, 2018 21:00 - 43 minutes

Former Notre Dame offensive lineman Aaron Taylor, now an analyst with CBS Sports, joins AP's Ralph Russo to talk about what teams are getting the best play out of their O-lines this season. What are the attributes of a good offensive line and why are the best ones greater than the sum of their parts? Taylor also talks about Notre Dame and whether the Irish can challenge for a playoff spot, LSU's progress -- and whether anybody is capable of taking down Alabama.

What makes a great offensive line?

October 15, 2018 14:00 - 43 minutes

Former Notre Dame offensive lineman Aaron Taylor, now an analyst with CBS Sports, joins AP's Ralph Russo to talk about what teams are getting the best play out of their O-lines this season. What are the attributes of a good offensive line and why are the best ones greater than the sum of their parts? Taylor also talks about Notre Dame and whether the Irish can challenge for a playoff spot, LSU's progress -- and whether anybody is capable of taking down Alabama.

The Short, Thrilling and Twisted Life of the USFL

October 09, 2018 04:00 - 38 minutes

It lasted only a few seasons, but the USFL had a wild ride as a spring pro football alternative to the NFL, before it was torpedoed by a flamboyant owner who went on to bigger things. AP college football writer Ralph Russo spends this week with Jeff Pearlman, whose new book, Football for a Buck, outlines the short but wild life of a maverick pro football league.

The Short, Thrilling and Twisted Life of the USFL

October 09, 2018 04:00 - 38 minutes - 17.6 MB

It lasted only a few seasons, but the USFL had a wild ride as a spring pro football alternative to the NFL, before it was torpedoed by a flamboyant owner who went on to bigger things. AP college football writer Ralph Russo spends this week with Jeff Pearlman, whose new book, Football for a Buck, outlines the short but wild life of a maverick pro football league.

The Short, Thrilling and Twisted Life of the USFL

October 08, 2018 21:00 - 38 minutes

It lasted only a few seasons, but the USFL had a wild ride as a spring pro football alternative to the NFL, before it was torpedoed by a flamboyant owner who went on to bigger things. AP college football writer Ralph Russo spends this week with Jeff Pearlman, whose new book, Football for a Buck, outlines the short but wild life of a maverick pro football league.

The Short, Thrilling and Twisted Life of the USFL

October 08, 2018 21:00 - 38 minutes

It lasted only a few seasons, but the USFL had a wild ride as a spring pro football alternative to the NFL, before it was torpedoed by a flamboyant owner who went on to bigger things. AP college football writer Ralph Russo spends this week with Jeff Pearlman, whose new book, Football for a Buck, outlines the short but wild life of a maverick pro football league.

The Short, Thrilling and Twisted Life of the USFL

October 08, 2018 14:00 - 38 minutes

It lasted only a few seasons, but the USFL had a wild ride as a spring pro football alternative to the NFL, before it was torpedoed by a flamboyant owner who went on to bigger things. AP college football writer Ralph Russo spends this week with Jeff Pearlman, whose new book, Football for a Buck, outlines the short but wild life of a maverick pro football league.

The Red River Shootout is back!

October 02, 2018 04:00 - 42 minutes - 19.4 MB

For the first time in six years the Red River Shootout between Texas and Oklahoma is more than just a referendum on the Longhorns coach. Both teams are ranked and the winner emerges as the Big 12 favorite. USA Today national college football writer George Schroeder will be in Dallas on Saturday and he join AP’s Ralph Russo to preview that game, Notre Dame at Virginia Tech and LSU-Florida. Plus, is the new redshirt rule a problem that needs fixing? And how LSU and Oregon can make October inter...

The Red River Shootout is back!

October 02, 2018 04:00 - 42 minutes

For the first time in six years the Red River Shootout between Texas and Oklahoma is more than just a referendum on the Longhorns coach. Both teams are ranked and the winner emerges as the Big 12 favorite. USA Today national college football writer George Schroeder will be in Dallas on Saturday and he join AP’s Ralph Russo to preview that game, Notre Dame at Virginia Tech and LSU-Florida. Plus, is the new redshirt rule a problem that needs fixing? And how LSU and Oregon can make October inter...

The Red River Shootout is back!

October 01, 2018 21:00 - 42 minutes

For the first time in six years the Red River Shootout between Texas and Oklahoma is more than just a referendum on the Longhorns coach. Both teams are ranked and the winner emerges as the Big 12 favorite. USA Today national college football writer George Schroeder will be in Dallas on Saturday and he join AP's Ralph Russo to preview that game, Notre Dame at Virginia Tech and LSU-Florida. Plus, is the new redshirt rule a problem that needs fixing? And how LSU and Oregon can make October inter...

The Red River Shootout is back!

October 01, 2018 21:00 - 42 minutes

For the first time in six years the Red River Shootout between Texas and Oklahoma is more than just a referendum on the Longhorns coach. Both teams are ranked and the winner emerges as the Big 12 favorite. USA Today national college football writer George Schroeder will be in Dallas on Saturday and he join AP's Ralph Russo to preview that game, Notre Dame at Virginia Tech and LSU-Florida. Plus, is the new redshirt rule a problem that needs fixing? And how LSU and Oregon can make October inter...

The Red River Shootout is back!

October 01, 2018 14:00 - 42 minutes

For the first time in six years the Red River Shootout between Texas and Oklahoma is more than just a referendum on the Longhorns coach. Both teams are ranked and the winner emerges as the Big 12 favorite. USA Today national college football writer George Schroeder will be in Dallas on Saturday and he join AP's Ralph Russo to preview that game, Notre Dame at Virginia Tech and LSU-Florida. Plus, is the new redshirt rule a problem that needs fixing? And how LSU and Oregon can make October inter...

Is the AP poll bad for college football?

September 25, 2018 04:00 - 47 minutes - 21.9 MB

Joel Klatt from Fox Sports is not a fan of the AP college football poll, though he was once a voter. Klatt joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk discuss why he think the poll is bad for college football. Ralph has a retort, of course. The two delve into confirmation bias and the competence of the voters. And they preview the weekend’s huge games between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 9 Penn State and No. 7 Stanford at No. 8 Notre Dame.

Special Cross-Promotion Edition: Travel Like a Sportswriter

September 25, 2018 04:00 - 30 minutes - 14 MB

Ever wanted to know how college football writers stay sane on the road during the long season? AP college football writer Ralph Russo visits with Scott Mayerowitz, host of the AP travel podcast Get Outta Here, with some college football-specific travel tips..

Is the AP poll bad for college football?

September 25, 2018 04:00 - 47 minutes

Joel Klatt from Fox Sports is not a fan of the AP college football poll, though he was once a voter. Klatt joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk discuss why he think the poll is bad for college football. Ralph has a retort, of course. The two delve into confirmation bias and the competence of the voters. And they preview the weekend’s huge games between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 9 Penn State and No. 7 Stanford at No. 8 Notre Dame.

Special Cross-Promotion Edition: Travel Like a Sportswriter

September 25, 2018 04:00 - 30 minutes

Ever wanted to know how college football writers stay sane on the road during the long season? AP college football writer Ralph Russo visits with Scott Mayerowitz, host of the AP travel podcast Get Outta Here, with some college football-specific travel tips..

Is the AP poll bad for college football?

September 24, 2018 21:00 - 47 minutes

Joel Klatt from Fox Sports is not a fan of the AP college football poll, though he was once a voter. Klatt joins AP's Ralph Russo to talk discuss why he think the poll is bad for college football. Ralph has a retort, of course. The two delve into confirmation bias and the competence of the voters. And they preview the weekend's huge games between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 9 Penn State and No. 7 Stanford at No. 8 Notre Dame.

Special Cross-Promotion Edition: Travel Like a Sportswriter

September 24, 2018 21:00 - 30 minutes

Ever wanted to know how college football writers stay sane on the road during the long season? AP college football writer Ralph Russo visits with Scott Mayerowitz, host of the AP travel podcast Get Outta Here, with some college football-specific travel tips..

Special Cross-Promotion Edition: Travel Like a Sportswriter

September 24, 2018 21:00 - 30 minutes

Ever wanted to know how college football writers stay sane on the road during the long season? AP college football writer Ralph Russo visits with Scott Mayerowitz, host of the AP travel podcast Get Outta Here, with some college football-specific travel tips..

Is the AP poll bad for college football?

September 24, 2018 21:00 - 47 minutes

Joel Klatt from Fox Sports is not a fan of the AP college football poll, though he was once a voter. Klatt joins AP's Ralph Russo to talk discuss why he think the poll is bad for college football. Ralph has a retort, of course. The two delve into confirmation bias and the competence of the voters. And they preview the weekend's huge games between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 9 Penn State and No. 7 Stanford at No. 8 Notre Dame.

Special Cross-Promotion Edition: Travel Like a Sportswriter

September 24, 2018 14:00 - 30 minutes

Ever wanted to know how college football writers stay sane on the road during the long season? AP college football writer Ralph Russo visits with Scott Mayerowitz, host of the AP travel podcast Get Outta Here, with some college football-specific travel tips..

Is the AP poll bad for college football?

September 24, 2018 14:00 - 47 minutes

Joel Klatt from Fox Sports is not a fan of the AP college football poll, though he was once a voter. Klatt joins AP's Ralph Russo to talk discuss why he think the poll is bad for college football. Ralph has a retort, of course. The two delve into confirmation bias and the competence of the voters. And they preview the weekend's huge games between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 9 Penn State and No. 7 Stanford at No. 8 Notre Dame.

West Coast, Best Coast Edition

September 18, 2018 04:00 - 44 minutes

The game of the weekend in college football is in the Pac-12, where No. 7 Stanford visits No. 20 Oregon. We’ll preview Cardinal vs. Ducks with Chantel Jennings, national college football writer with The Athletic, and talk about the Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert. The unheralded hometown recruit has a chance to surge into the Heisman Trophy conversation. Plus, what’s wrong at USC and who could emerge as the favorite in a muddled Pac-12 South? And which fans of a team with a new coach should ...

West Coast, Best Coast Edition

September 18, 2018 04:00 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MB

The game of the weekend in college football is in the Pac-12, where No. 7 Stanford visits No. 20 Oregon. We’ll preview Cardinal vs. Ducks with Chantel Jennings, national college football writer with The Athletic, and talk about the Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert. The unheralded hometown recruit has a chance to surge into the Heisman Trophy conversation. Plus, what’s wrong at USC and who could emerge as the favorite in a muddled Pac-12 South? And which fans of a team with a new coach should ...

West Coast, Best Coast Edition

September 17, 2018 21:00 - 44 minutes

The game of the weekend in college football is in the Pac-12, where No. 7 Stanford visits No. 20 Oregon. We'll preview Cardinal vs. Ducks with Chantel Jennings, national college football writer with The Athletic, and talk about the Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert. The unheralded hometown recruit has a chance to surge into the Heisman Trophy conversation. Plus, what's wrong at USC and who could emerge as the favorite in a muddled Pac-12 South? And which fans of a team with a new coach should ...

West Coast, Best Coast Edition

September 17, 2018 21:00 - 44 minutes

The game of the weekend in college football is in the Pac-12, where No. 7 Stanford visits No. 20 Oregon. We'll preview Cardinal vs. Ducks with Chantel Jennings, national college football writer with The Athletic, and talk about the Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert. The unheralded hometown recruit has a chance to surge into the Heisman Trophy conversation. Plus, what's wrong at USC and who could emerge as the favorite in a muddled Pac-12 South? And which fans of a team with a new coach should ...

West Coast, Best Coast Edition

September 17, 2018 14:00 - 44 minutes

The game of the weekend in college football is in the Pac-12, where No. 7 Stanford visits No. 20 Oregon. We'll preview Cardinal vs. Ducks with Chantel Jennings, national college football writer with The Athletic, and talk about the Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert. The unheralded hometown recruit has a chance to surge into the Heisman Trophy conversation. Plus, what's wrong at USC and who could emerge as the favorite in a muddled Pac-12 South? And which fans of a team with a new coach should ...

Previewing Week 3 with Stanford Steve

September 11, 2018 04:00 - 45 minutes

Steve Coughlin, better known as Stanford Steve on ESPN’s SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt, joins AP’s Ralph Russo to preview week three of the college football season. We’ll get his picks on Ohio State-TCU, LUS-Auburn and USC-Texas. Plus, Coughlin talks about his interesting road to ESPN, from star high school football player with NFL dreams to Stanford to wondering what happens after football when he was just a senior in college.

Previewing Week 3 with Stanford Steve

September 10, 2018 21:00 - 45 minutes - 21.1 MB

Steve Coughlin, better known as Stanford Steve on ESPN's SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt, joins AP's Ralph Russo to preview week three of the college football season. We'll get his picks on Ohio State-TCU, LUS-Auburn and USC-Texas. Plus, Coughlin talks about his interesting road to ESPN, from star high school football player with NFL dreams to Stanford to wondering what happens after football when he was just a senior in college.

Previewing Week 3 with Stanford Steve

September 10, 2018 21:00 - 45 minutes

Steve Coughlin, better known as Stanford Steve on ESPN's SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt, joins AP's Ralph Russo to preview week three of the college football season. We'll get his picks on Ohio State-TCU, LUS-Auburn and USC-Texas. Plus, Coughlin talks about his interesting road to ESPN, from star high school football player with NFL dreams to Stanford to wondering what happens after football when he was just a senior in college.

Previewing Week 3 with Stanford Steve

September 10, 2018 21:00 - 45 minutes

Steve Coughlin, better known as Stanford Steve on ESPN's SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt, joins AP's Ralph Russo to preview week three of the college football season. We'll get his picks on Ohio State-TCU, LUS-Auburn and USC-Texas. Plus, Coughlin talks about his interesting road to ESPN, from star high school football player with NFL dreams to Stanford to wondering what happens after football when he was just a senior in college.

Previewing Week 3 with Stanford Steve

September 10, 2018 14:00 - 45 minutes

Steve Coughlin, better known as Stanford Steve on ESPN's SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt, joins AP's Ralph Russo to preview week three of the college football season. We'll get his picks on Ohio State-TCU, LUS-Auburn and USC-Texas. Plus, Coughlin talks about his interesting road to ESPN, from star high school football player with NFL dreams to Stanford to wondering what happens after football when he was just a senior in college.

Week 2 Preview. Plus, Where doTexas and Florida State go from here?

September 04, 2018 04:00 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MB

The first big test for Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M comes from a familiar rival: No. 2 Clemson comes to College Station to give the Aggies a sense of how far away they are from being and elite team. Expectations are modest, says Max Olson of The Athletic. Olson join AP’s Ralph Russo to preview A&M-Clemson and the rest of week 2. Plus, where do Texas and Florida State go after opening losses and why Alabama needs Jalen Hurts more than he needs the Tide.

Week 2 Preview. Plus, Where doTexas and Florida State go from here?

September 04, 2018 04:00 - 44 minutes

The first big test for Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M comes from a familiar rival: No. 2 Clemson comes to College Station to give the Aggies a sense of how far away they are from being and elite team. Expectations are modest, says Max Olson of The Athletic. Olson join AP’s Ralph Russo to preview A&M-Clemson and the rest of week 2. Plus, where do Texas and Florida State go after opening losses and why Alabama needs Jalen Hurts more than he needs the Tide.

Week 2 Preview. Plus, Where doTexas and Florida State go from here?

September 03, 2018 21:00 - 44 minutes

The first big test for Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M comes from a familiar rival: No. 2 Clemson comes to College Station to give the Aggies a sense of how far away they are from being and elite team. Expectations are modest, says Max Olson of The Athletic. Olson join AP's Ralph Russo to preview A&M-Clemson and the rest of week 2. Plus, where do Texas and Florida State go after opening losses and why Alabama needs Jalen Hurts more than he needs the Tide.

Week 2 Preview. Plus, Where doTexas and Florida State go from here?

September 03, 2018 21:00 - 44 minutes

The first big test for Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M comes from a familiar rival: No. 2 Clemson comes to College Station to give the Aggies a sense of how far away they are from being and elite team. Expectations are modest, says Max Olson of The Athletic. Olson join AP's Ralph Russo to preview A&M-Clemson and the rest of week 2. Plus, where do Texas and Florida State go after opening losses and why Alabama needs Jalen Hurts more than he needs the Tide.

Week 2 Preview. Plus, Where doTexas and Florida State go from here?

September 03, 2018 14:00 - 44 minutes

The first big test for Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M comes from a familiar rival: No. 2 Clemson comes to College Station to give the Aggies a sense of how far away they are from being and elite team. Expectations are modest, says Max Olson of The Athletic. Olson join AP's Ralph Russo to preview A&M-Clemson and the rest of week 2. Plus, where do Texas and Florida State go after opening losses and why Alabama needs Jalen Hurts more than he needs the Tide.

Twitter Mentions

@covers 1 Episode
@ralphdrussoap 1 Episode