Sep 9, 2026 · 1h 32m
College football’s new power map meets an NFL development problem
Lane/LSU Back Down & a Texas-Ohio State Preview with Bruce Feldman, Plus the NFL's Continued Lack of QB Development
The episode connects college football’s financial and competitive upheaval with the NFL’s inability to reliably develop quarterbacks beyond its starters.
- 1Texas–Ohio State tests whether elite talent and quarterback play can withstand the sport’s shifting competitive landscape.
- 2NIL, transfer-portal spending, and booster resources are widening the gap between college football programs.
- 3The NFL’s backup-quarterback pipeline remains fragile, leaving teams exposed when starters miss time.
Don't miss
The Jeremiah Smith discussion turns a debate over the highest-paid college player into an unusual comparison with DK Metcalf.
The brief
Bruce Feldman joins Ryen Russillo to assess Alabama’s offensive concerns, the Big Ten race, and the changing college landscape after Nick Saban’s departure.
Oregon, Indiana, and Ohio State emerge as contrasting contenders, with Texas–Ohio State framed as a test of schedules, quarterbacks, and matchup pressure.
Lane Kiffin, Dabo Swinney, Miami, and Bryce Underwood lead into a larger argument: NIL budgets, transfer spending, and booster resources are remaking roster building.
The sharpest college-football moment comes when Jeremiah Smith’s value prompts an unusual comparison to DK Metcalf and a debate over player evaluation.
Russillo then turns to the NFL’s thin backup-quarterback pipeline before Life Advice covers deception, wedding boundaries, and reconnecting with an ex.
Books & mentions
Some links are affiliate links — PodLume may earn a commission if you buy.