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Countdown to Coverage: College Football’s Best Podcast

BSM Staff
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Countdown to Coverage: College Football’s Best Podcast

College football season is nearly here.

Forget last Saturday. It’s called Week 0 for a reason. Do you really want to believe the first game of the 2022 season was 3-9 Northwestern and 3-9 Nebraska playing halfway around the world?

Here at Barrett Sports Media, we are celebrating college football from a media angle. All week long, our editors and resident college football superfans, Arky Shea, Demetri Ravanos and Garrett Searight, will be looking at the best the media has to offer in terms of college football coverage.

The entire schedule is as follows:

MONDAY: Best Local Show

TUESDAY: Best National Radio Show

WEDNESDAY: Best College Football Podcast

THURSDAY: Best TV Show

FRIDAY: Best TV Play-by-Play Booth

College football fans demand content, and they aren’t going to wait for ESPN to devote 2 minutes to their favorite team or conference on SportsCenter to get it. We want something insightful, long-form, and on demand.

Podcasts are thriving in sports media and no sport has a wider variety of options than college football. From insiders to analysts to people that just know how to connect the dots from Spider-Man to Ryan Day, the medium is full of entertaining people talking about college football.

These are our choices for the best college football podcast.

THE SHUTDOWN FULLCAST by Demetri Ravanos

College football is our most gloriously dumb sport! I want a show that embraces and appreciates that. Enter The Shutdown Fullcast, the only show I have ever heard explain Georgia football using the Fourth Book of Maccabees. Holly Anderson, Spencer Hall, Jason Kirk, and Ryan Nanni know their stuff and know there is value in chaos. I genuinely look forward to Wednesdays. This is the one podcast I consume the second it hits my feed.

There is a level of creativity to The Fullcast that you won’t find on most shows. Could Andy Staples preview the ACC Coastal while sustaining a Jeff Goldbloom impersonation for nearly an hour? Did The Solid Verbal develop the theory that Mack Brown forces his opponents to shake his hand longer after a loss because it is how he feeds on their youth? SB Nation used to have the most fun college football coverage online. That ended the day it let The Shutdown Fullcast get away.

THE SOLID VERBAL by Arky Shea

It won’t take you long to become a member of the “Verballer-hood” once you give The Solid Verbal a chance. Unlike a lot of shows, you only need one episode to hook you. The combination of co-hosts Ty Hildenbrandt and Dan Rubenstein grab the ordinary fan with legitimate analysis of the college football world pretty quickly. They, quite astutely, span the country with their thoughts and give you more than enough “football” content to keep you satiated. But, it’s the parts outside the fray that make this show worth your download.

These two spend just as much effort into breaking down the bizarre tapestry that has long set college football apart from everything in this universe. The two subtly take you into a rabbit hole of silliness that you never truly realize you’re chest-deep in until it’s too late. Just take the story of the University of South Carolina looking for a new name for their live mascot as a great, very recent example. While naming suitable suggestions to replace the bird’s current name, Rubenstein suggested, earnestly, that the university embrace pageantry.

“I just think we need to incorporate a level of royalty to American college football live mascots,” Rubenstein would say. “We need to fully lean into what Texas A&M has done with Reveille. They’ve elevated her to a position of ceremonial authority.”

THE ANDY STAPLES SHOW by Garrett Searight

As a big college football fan, both figuratively and literally, The Andy Staples Show is my podcast. Staples is as clued in as any reporter in the sport, and I don’t know that I can remember a time I heard him say or report something that made me think “that ain’t true”.

Meanwhile, the cuisine of college football is an often slept on portion of the equation that makes it America’s finest sport. I don’t see anybody else focusing on their food during their podcasts. You know what I need to survive? Sustenance. Only one college football podcast is doing that, my friends. And its The Andy Staples Show.

FOX Grabs 4.4 Million Viewers for Nebraska/Northwestern Game

BSM Staff
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Week 0 officially kicked off the college football season and even though the number of options were slimmer than a typical college football Saturday, one matchup delivered big numbers for FOX.

FOX Sports released that the Nebraska/Northwestern game that kicked the season off grabbed 4.419 million viewers. It was the most-watched sports event on the day.

The ratings delivered even more positive news with a 35% increase from last year’s Week 0 telecast on FOX, which was between Illinois and Nebraska and pulled in 3.27 million viewers. FOX Sports also noted that they recorded a streaming average minute audience of 76,510 which is also up from last year’s game by 24%.

Jon Gruden Doesn’t Believe Everything on ESPN is True

BSM Staff
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Jon Gruden was speaking at the Little Rock Touchdown Club, a gathering of Arkansas fans and boosters that regularly books media personalities for its weekly events. It was at the most recent one that Gruden spoke about his distrust for what he see on ESPN.

In a clip from the event, organized by former Arkansas linebacker and current host on 103.7 the Buzz, David Bazzel, Gruden commented on the end of his coaching tenure. He admitted that he’s “ashamed” from the e-mails that were released. He believe he is a good person but noted that there is a misconception about him, partly enhanced by the media’s coverage of him including his former employer.

“There’s a lot of misunderstanding out there,” Gruden stated. “What you read, what you hear, what you watch on TV. Hell, I worked at ESPN for nine years. I worked hard at that job. I don’t even want to watch the channel anymore because I don’t believe everything is true. I know a lot of it is just trying to get people to watch but I think we got to get back to reality.”

Pat McAfee Dropping Mobile Game Wednesday

BSM Staff
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Pat McAfee is a busy guy. His 2022 has been filled with plenty of career-defining moments including wrestling at Wrestlemania and being asked to host an alternate college football broadcast for Omaha Productions on ESPN2.

One thing some fans may not have seen coming is McAfee as a video game mogul. He announced on his show Tuesday that his show will be dropping a mobile game on Wednesday across multiple platforms.

“I’m very proud of it. Very excited about it and I think it’s gonna be – people are gonna love it!” he said.

He didn’t offer many details. Those will have to wait for release day.

The Pat McAfee Show is sponsored by FanDuel, and that company will be part of the game. The former Colts punter made it clear that this is not necessarily a sports gambling game. Producer Boston Connor added that he believes the game will only be available in states where it is legal to play FanDuel fantasy games.

He also said that while he and his staff came up with the idea, the game was built by a different company and they got lucky to be matched with the right people.

“We’ve been playing said video game in-office for the last couple of months I’d say at this point to kind of beta test through it all,” McAfee said, revealing that the game has been updated multiple times based on their testing.

The game is targeted to fans of the show. The crew did not want to make being an experienced gamer a barrier to entry for anyone interested in supporting their efforts. McAfee says the result is something that he is very proud of and believes will make an impact in the market.

“I’m the worst in the office at this game by far,” he admitted. “I think there is a benefit to being a gamer and playing games on your phone, but I can still play and enjoy. So that’s why I think it is a home run. I enjoy playing it and I’m not great at it.”

Rece Davis Defends Lee Corso, Expects Him to ‘Deliver’ This Weekend

BSM Staff
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A lot of concern flowed in for Lee Corso on social media during the College GameDay Week 0 broadcast. When the network would go to him for commentary, he appeared to struggle a couple of times on the air. GameDay host Rece Davis said that those expressing concern will see Corso “deliver” this weekend.

Appearing on the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz podcast, Davis answered a question about Corso’s struggles.

“I would encourage people who were perhaps, to use your word ‘unkind’ or ‘cruel’, to reserve a little judgment,” said Davis. “He’s doing great”.

Davis also made mention that this weekend will be differently, partly because instead of being beamed in remotely like was the case in Week 0, the show will be on location this week.

“This weekend in Columbus (OH) I think you’ll see a much more comfortable environment and you’ll see him be able to deliver as he still does, which is remarkable,” Davis said. “His mind is razor sharp at the age of 87 and I should be so fortunate if I am blessed to make it that far in my life”.

SportsMap Radio Network To Launch College Football Weekly

BSM Staff
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The SportsMap Radio Network is set to premiere College Football Weekly this weekend.

The new show will start on Saturday, September 3rd and will be hosted by Brian Schaible.

College Football Weekly will join three returning programs on the network. The Boss & The Gloss, featuring Owner & CEO, David Gow and Co-Host Carla Dawson, returns for their 5th NFL Season, with a debut on Friday, September 9th from 8-10pm ET. The show will feature additional contributions from radio personality Vanessa Richardson. 

Countdown To Kickoff with Greg Frank & Marcus Grant launches on September 4th with their preview show for the upcoming NFL Season and air on Sundays at 10am ET. 

Also returning, The Big E Sports Show with Elissa Walker Campbell will air Saturday afternoons from 1-3pm ET. 

“I am overjoyed to be starting my 10th NFL season with SportsMap Radio. It’s been an amazing ride,” said Elissa Walker Campbell. 

“This is an exciting time for our network,” said Gow Media COO and SportsMap Radio Program Director, Craig Larson. 

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring back Elissa! She is, without question, one of the best interviewers in sports talk radio. Countdown to Kickoff and The Boss & The Gloss are both tremendous programs that punctuate our NFL coverage. And lastly, we have collaborated with Brian for many years and adding a passion project like College Football Weekly greatly enhances our weekend lineup,” said Larson. 

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to take on this challenge,” said Schaible. “Craig Larson and David Gow have been two of my biggest supporters throughout my sports talk journey. This show allows me the opportunity to conduct more in-depth interviews and connect with the audience in ways I haven’t before.”

ESPN Re-Signs Steve Young, Booger McFarland, Jeff Saturday, and Alex Smith

BSM Staff
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ESPN Re-Signs Steve Young, Booger McFarland, Jeff Saturday, and Alex Smith

ESPN has announced contract extensions for four NFL analysts prior to the start of the 2022 NFL season. Steve Young, Booger McFarland, Jeff Saturday, and Alex Smith all have new contracts with the worldwide leader.

Steve Young will continue on Monday Night Countdown and also will appear on Pardon The Interruption every Thursday during the NFL season.

McFarland will also continue to work on Monday Night Countdown in addition to working with Chris Berman for NFL Primetime on ESPN+, and serving as a studio host during ABC’s college football coverage.

Smith will appear on select editions of Monday Night Countdown while also contribution to Sunday NFL Conuntdown.

Saturday will work on NFL Rewind, the weekly highlight show that begins ESPN’s afternoon programming leading into Monday Night Football. He will also continue to appear on Get Up! and SportsCenter, among other ESPN properties.

ESPN has shored up it’s NFL analysts and hosts. The network announced earlier this month it had agreed to extensions for its entire cast of Sunday NFL Countdown.

Ken Carman: Would National Media Treat Every Team The Way They’ve Treated The Browns After Deshaun Watson Trade?

BSM Staff
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Ken Carman: Would National Media Treat Every Team The Way They’ve Treated The Browns After Deshaun Watson Trade?

92.3 The Fan morning host Ken Carman said during his after-show podcast Tuesday he doesn’t believe the national media reaction would have been the same if a team other than the Cleveland Browns had traded for Deshaun Watson, who has since been suspended for 11 games by the NFL after the league found him guilty of serial sexual assault.

“I’ve spent my entire adult life with my team being made fun of for how bad they are,” Carman said. “I can’t tell you unequivocally that I’m not convinced that (the media) would have the same treatment to Indianapolis that we’ve gotten here in Cleveland. Because Indianapolis doesn’t have the history that we do here in my adult life. And I could think ‘Well, maybe they would’. I can’t guarantee that. When they’re ripping Jim Irsay and they’re ripping the Colts, the person in the media isn’t ripping Bob Jefferson who lives in Carmel, Indiana. But to Bob, it feels like they’re ripping me because I’m a Colts fan. To Mike in Parma, it feels like you’re ripping me because I’m a Browns fan.”

Carman and co-host Anthony Lima have defended Browns fans from criticism since the team traded for and gave Watson the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history.

Carman’s comments came moments after noting he had been critical of Pittsburgh fans and radio hosts for their support of Ben Roethlisberger after the former Steelers quarterback was accused of sexual assault.

“I brought this up with you with Ben Roethlisberger,” Carman told co-host Anthony Lima. “We made a lot of jokes at ‘Poni’s (93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh host Andrew Fillipponi) expense. Did we really feel bad for those people or were we just trying to bust ‘Poni’s balls? I don’t want to answer that. It’s changed a lot of that perspective. We all come to terms with things that are uncomfortable in different ways and in due time. Rooting for Jim Brown, knowing what we know now, doesn’t make sense. I want to be in touch while not trying to be in touch. I don’t wanna try to hard to be ‘with it’.”

Michael Lombardi: Chris Berman’s Impact at ESPN Is Part Of Football History

BSM Staff
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Some broadcasters make such an impact on the sport they cover that they end up being just as iconic as any player or coach on the field. That is the case with Chris Berman and the NFL according to Michael Lombardi.

The former NFL scout appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday and was asked about his former boss Bill Belichick’s interaction with the ESPN legend during a press conference earlier this week.

A video shows Belichick applauding as Berman entered the room during his opening remarks. He also insisted Berman ask the first question.

“Boomer goes way back with Bill,” Lombardi explained. “I think when he was the head coach in 91, Boomer was always around.”

The gesture wasn’t just about familiarity and/or friendship. Michael Lombardi said it is clear that Bill Belichick respects Chris Berman and the impact he made on football during his tenure at ESPN.

“Bill has a great sense of history for the game, and Boomer’s impact at that station was clearly a part of the history of the game. Let’s face it.”

ESPN hired Chris Berman in 1979. He was one of the original SportsCenter anchors. He was the face of the network’s NFL coverage for 31 years as host of Sunday NFL Countdown. He also hosted Monday NFL Countdown for ten years and anchored ABC’s coverage of Monday Night Football and multiple Super Bowls.

Cass Bowen To Debut ‘Uncommon Sense With Cass’ on KWTO

BNM Staff
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Cass Bowen To Debut ‘Uncommon Sense With Cass’ on KWTO

Zimmer Midwest Communications news/talk station KWTO in Springfield, Missouri is adding Cass Bowen for a Saturday show called Uncommon Sense With Cass.

The show, which will debut Saturday, September 3rd, will begin at 10:00 AM and will cover “politics, culture, and social issues” through a “Christian conservative lens”.

Bowen is the producer for Wake Up Springfield hosted by Tim Jones. She joined KWTO in 2020 and also works with various state and local political campaigns.

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