Nov 4, 2026 · 1h 4m
Iowa State weighs early flaws against Big 12 stakes
Williams & Blum: Crossover Season is Officially Here
The episode connects Iowa State’s immediate basketball and football questions to the Big 12’s broader fight for playoff access, revenue, and influence.
- 1Iowa State’s basketball opener exposed defensive and shooting problems before a crucial nonconference schedule.
- 2Baylor tests Iowa State’s football depth, aggression, and confidence after an emotional recent victory.
- 3Big 12 playoff access increasingly depends on conference governance, résumé strength, and how its teams perform nationally.
Don't miss
The hosts recount how McKay-Sat went from an overlooked junior-college commitment to playing every snap at guard against Oklahoma State.
The brief
Chris Williams and Brent Blum open with Iowa State basketball’s disappointing opener, where defensive lapses, poor shooting, and new roles overshadowed the season’s longer runway.
The hosts frame Southern, Niagara, San Diego State, and the Las Vegas event as early tests of whether Iowa State can build the résumé that has mattered under T.J. Otzelberger.
Football turns to Baylor, injuries, donor support, and emerging players, with the hosts weighing whether Iowa State’s recent emotional win can translate into sharper execution.
Their stock report highlights Tyler Roll, Jalen Rayner, Mr. Flora, and McKay-Sat, whose path from overlooked junior-college recruit to every-snap guard captures college football’s unpredictability.
The conversation widens into a dispute over College Football Playoff rankings, Big 12 revenue and governance, and whether teams such as Houston can force their way into the field.
Weekly email
State of the Pod, every Monday
The week's most-discussed names and stories from podcasts, with the moments behind them. Free, five minutes, unsubscribe in one click.