Sep 29, 2026 · 1h 10m
College football’s new coaches face early verdicts
A Look Back at the Best Hires of the Offseason + 1 on 1 with P.J. Fleck | The BFW Show 9.28.26
The episode tests emerging coaching narratives against Week Four results while examining Minnesota’s culture and its next Big Ten challenge.
- 1Week Four sharpened debates over coaching hot seats, buyouts, suspensions, and the credibility of early-season judgments.
- 2The hosts weigh national contenders and playoff long shots through rankings, schedules, prove-it games, and uneven results.
- 3P.J. Fleck links Minnesota’s Washington upset to self-motivated players, adaptable program culture, and rapid preparation for Michigan.
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P.J. Fleck explains why he smeared his player’s blood on his face after Minnesota’s win at Washington.
The brief
Brandon Walker and Kayce Smith use Week Four to revisit suspensions, coaching buyouts, hot seats, and the risk of judging new hires before the season settles.
Their rankings and playoff discussion turn on a familiar tension: can teams be elite without a difficult schedule, and which early surprises deserve belief?
The hosts debate Ole Miss, Florida, John Sumrall, and several playoff long shots before drafting Week Five games that could clarify the field.
P.J. Fleck explains the viral blood celebration after Minnesota beat Washington, framing it as an expression of connection rather than a publicity stunt.
Fleck describes recruiting self-motivated players, managing a larger Big Ten, and shifting immediately from Washington to Michigan’s aggressive defense.