The Solid Verbal College Football

In this episode, we continue our 2026 Big 12 preview with the first full batch of team-by-team breakdowns. Texas Tech enters as the reigning conference champion and apparent favorite, but the strange offseason surrounding Brendan Sorsby and Will Hammond has made its path back to the College Football Playoff more complicated than it first appeared. We examine whether the Red Raiders can turn one dominant season into a repeatable model, and whether BYU has enough offensive growth and defensive muscle to finally close the gap.
From there, we move into the conference’s crowded and unpredictable middle. What will Kansas State look like with Collin Klein returning to lead the program? Can Dave Aranda and new defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman bring order to the chaos at Baylor before time runs out? We also consider whether Andy Kotelnicki can revive the Kansas offense, whether Brennan Marion’s Go-Go system is the answer for Colorado, and how quickly new regimes at West Virginia and Iowa State can start showing meaningful progress.
Plus, we discuss the booming transfer market for competent offensive linemen, the college football equivalent of a veteran left-handed relief pitcher, several dangerous schedule sandwiches, and much more.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
05:30 - Texas Tech Preview
20:26 - BYU Preview
27:41 - Kansas State Preview
36:50 - Baylor Preview
47:00 - Kansas Preview
52:41 - Colorado Preview
59:13 - West Virginia Preview
1:02:59 - Iowa State Preview
Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbal
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we begin our three-part Big 12 preview by taking a conference-wide look at the contenders, challengers and mystery teams shaping the 2026 season. Texas Tech enters as the defending champion and the clear center of attention, but does the conference’s best roster still have enough at quarterback and on defense to remain on top? We also examine why BYU feels like the safest alternative and whether Houston is ready to turn last year’s breakthrough into something even bigger.
From there, we sort all 16 teams into tiers and work through a crowded middle class that may be deeper than either of us expected. How much should Utah’s infrastructure matter after major changes on the sideline and along both lines of scrimmage? Can Arizona, TCU or Kansas State stay in the championship race? Are we falling too hard for Oklahoma State’s potential, and how much faith should we place in Kenny Dillingham as Arizona State faces the conference’s most difficult schedule?
We also identify the players we are most interested in watching, debate several new quarterback situations and make our early Big 12 Championship Game predictions. Plus, the Monster Energy sponsorship inspires a shady monetization strategy, Willie Fritz becomes the world’s most dependable roofing contractor, and one verbal stumble launches a questionable new Cincinnati business venture.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
3:01 - The Monster Energy Big 12?
6:25 - The Basics & Big Themes
17:05 - Surprise Observations
20:09 - Contender Tiers
Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbal
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this college football podcast episode, we finish our three-part preview of the ACC by turning our attention to the defending conference champions and several of the league’s most difficult teams to project. Can Duke keep finding ways to win after another major quarterback change? Does Clemson have a real plan for getting back into the College Football Playoff conversation? And can Louisville once again rebuild its offense around a new transfer quarterback without losing ground near the top of the conference?
We also dig into James Franklin’s full-scale reboot at Virginia Tech, Ty’s increasingly dangerous belief in NC State, and a pivotal season for Brent Key at Georgia Tech. With new quarterbacks, rebuilt offensive lines, coordinator changes and transfer portal additions everywhere, how much confidence should we place in recognizable coaches and favorable schedules? Plus, we examine why Cal could become one of the most entertaining teams in college football, whether Syracuse can recover with Steve Angeli back under center, and what Bill O’Brien can realistically build at Boston College.
Elsewhere, Dan experiments with performance-enhancing inhalers, Ty launches Bros for Brohm, the Calgorithm gains strength, and we issue another annual warning about hiring Ted Roof.
Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
4:01 - Duke Blue Devils Preview
14:26 - Clemson Tigers Preview
25:00 - NC State Wolfpack Preview
32:29 - Louisville Cardinals Preview
40:22 - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Preview
50:36 - Virginia Tech Hokies Preview
1:06:02 - Cal Golden Bears Preview
1:12:53 - Syracuse Orange Preview
1:18:03 - Boston College Eagles Preview
1:22:33 - Parting Shots
Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbal
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this college football podcast episode, we continue our 2026 ACC preview with conversations about eight conference teams and Notre Dame. Is this finally the year Miami turns its loaded roster into its first conference championship? How high is the ceiling for an Irish squad with College Football Playoff expectations, a Heisman candidate at quarterback, and more talent than ever?
We also examine whether SMU is ready to take another step under Rhett Lashlee, whether Virginia can build on last season’s breakthrough with defense and small ball, and whether Pitt can turn another fast start into something more sustainable. Florida State enters a defining seventh season under Mike Norvell, while North Carolina begins Year 2 of the Bill Belichick experiment with Bobby Petrino running the offense. Wake Forest remains dangerous, strange and difficult to play, while Stanford begins a patient rebuild under Tavita Pritchard.
Plus: The Davis Warren Commission, Mid-Atlantic Hawkeyes, quarterback passport stamps, an unexpected amount of Train trivia, HGTV renovation metaphors, and an important reminder to wash your produce.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
5:11 - Virginia Cavaliers Preview
17:30 - Miami Hurricanes Preview
29:13 - Notre Dame Fighting Irish Preview
41:14 - SMU Mustangs Preview
47:04 - Pitt Panthers Preview
53:29 - Florida State Seminoles Preview
1:03:32 - North Carolina Tar Heels Preview
1:08:08 - Wake Forest Demon Deacons Preview
1:14:03 - Stanford Cardinal Preview
Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbal
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this college football podcast episode, we begin our three-part 2026 ACC preview by zooming out and attempting to make sense of the conference as a whole. Miami enters the season as the clear favorite, with Darian Mensah taking over at quarterback and another roster built to reach the College Football Playoff. But can the Hurricanes finally win their first ACC championship?
From there, we sort the rest of the ACC into contender tiers and confront the question that defines the league this season: Who comes after Miami? We debate how much to trust Kevin Jennings and SMU, Jeff Brohm’s latest rebuild at Louisville, Clemson’s return to Chad Morris and the long list of possible challengers lurking in the conference’s crowded middle. We also examine the unusually unsettled quarterback landscape, widespread offensive line turnover, the arrival of James Franklin at Virginia Tech and the pressure facing Mike Norvell at Florida State.
Plus, we identify our ACC pet teams, search for surprise storylines and hold an entirely unnecessary conference nickname draft.
Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/solidverbal
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.