Cover 3 College Football Podcast
“Big Game Breakdown Championship Week Edition, Coaching Carousel Latest, More!”
Episode Date: December 3, 2025
Hosts: Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, Danny Kanell (Bud Elliott on assignment)
Episode Overview
The Cover 3 crew dives deep into Championship Week, offering in-depth breakdowns of the biggest conference title games, detailed thoughts on Ohio State–Indiana, SEC title history between Georgia and Alabama, and the biggest narratives around coaching carousel moves and signing day results. With their signature humor, the hosts balance tactical football talk with locker-room banter and reflections on key storylines from a wild 2025 season.
Key Discussions & Insights
1. Listener Appreciation & Community Vibe
- The episode opens with hosts and listeners celebrating the show's dedicated "sicko" community.
- Notable Moment: Recognition of fans’ “Spotify Wrapped” stats, with some clocking in over 10,000 minutes (03:17, Chip Patterson):
"Be proud of that sicko status and being a part of the Cover 3 tailgate because we really, really do appreciate you."
2. National Signing Day Reactions (05:32)
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Bud Elliott's Absence: Bud is away covering National Signing Day, tracking commitments and flips.
- 148 of the top 150 prospects were committed as of Tuesday night.
- CBS will provide a “Best of Bud’s Signing Day Recap” for listeners soon.
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USC's Recruiting Surge:
- Lincoln Riley and his staff are highlighted for landing a potential No. 1 class.
- Chip: "USC has not had a number one class in the Lincoln Riley era. And so this is a big day for the Trojans, the Big Ten Trojans, of course..." (05:51)
- Lincoln Riley’s NFL rumors dismissed—hosts believe the investment at USC signals Riley isn’t leaving.
3. Big Game Breakdown: Ohio State vs Indiana – Big Ten Championship (07:07)
What’s Changed for Indiana?
- Upgrades in the Trenches:
- Tom: Indiana’s offensive line overhauled via portal, now "stronger along the lines of scrimmage... They were beating Oregon [physically]" (08:09).
- QB Play:
- Fernando Mendoza is heralded as an NFL talent, elevating Indiana's offense beyond what Curtis Rourke offered last year.
- Danny: "They went out and got, you know, a couple offensive linemen. They went out and got a couple of defensive linemen. They've added playmakers to this roster." (10:29)
- Mendoza is also mobile—critical improvement after last year’s injured, less mobile QB.
Ohio State’s Evolution & Peerless Defense
- Roster Turnover, Zero Drop Off:
- Despite losing 14-15 NFL draft picks, Ohio State remains loaded and undefeated.
- Tom: "You might have the greatest college football defense we've ever seen... first team ever to go through a whole season without allowing 17 points. Like, that's incredible." (14:50)
- Julian Sayin’s Emergence:
- Tom & Danny praise QB Julian Sayin’s growth under Ryan Day’s mentorship, becoming more dynamic as the season progressed.
Game Deciding Factors & X-Factors
- Trench Warfare: Both teams have improved along the OL/DL; this will be decisive.
- QB Pressure:
- Tom: "The one thing we don’t know about Sayin yet is he hasn’t been pressured a whole hell of a lot this year..." (19:15)
- Contested Catches:
- Chip: "It just came down to, you know, who could go up there and grab those jump balls." (20:02)
- Early Momentum:
- Tom: Questions Indiana’s resilience if they fall behind early: "If it just kind of creeps in. It's like, oh, man, we're done. We got no chance here." (21:37)
Notable Quotes
- Tom Fornelli (14:50):
"You might have the greatest college football defense we've ever seen... first team ever to go through a whole season without allowing 17 points."
- Danny Kanell (10:29):
"They went out and got, you know, a couple offensive linemen. They went out and got a couple of defensive linemen. They've added playmakers to this roster."
- Chip Patterson (20:02):
"It just came down to... who could go up there and grab those jump balls. You know, you had an NFL quarterback. We've got two NFL quarterbacks, you've got defenses that are loaded with future pros."
4. SEC Championship: Georgia vs Alabama (28:03)
Historical Context & Vibes
- Georgia is 0-4 vs Alabama in previous SEC title games in Atlanta.
- "The Bulldogs are two and a half point underdogs and have never beaten Alabama in the SEC Championship game." (28:35)
Alabama’s Woes & Concerns
- Recent Performance:
- Tom: "Ty Simpson... has looked more rattled in the pocket... I worry when you ask a quarterback to pretty much be your offense for an entire season... you start pressing." (29:58)
- Key injuries further hobble their offense.
Georgia’s Approach
- Gunner Stockton's Subdued Start:
- Danny: "I thought Gunner Stockton was going to put up big numbers. He did not." (32:09)
- Georgia played the Georgia Tech game conservatively.
- Defense Trending Up:
- Both agree Georgia’s defense is improving at the right time.
- Adjustment Edge:
- Tom: "I do, if I'm Alabama, I am certainly probably prepping something different than what I showed in that game because it was clear Georgia figured out how to take it away... I will say... do kind of give Georgia an adjustment edge." (35:40)
Game Flow and Rematch Tactics
- Both teams have “figured out” key counters from their first matchup—can Alabama find new answers?
- Fast start critical for Alabama, as their second-half struggles against Georgia are well-documented.
Notable Quotes
- Chip Patterson (28:35):
"The Bulldogs are two and a half point underdogs and have never beaten Alabama in the SEC Championship game."
- Tom Fornelli (29:58):
"Ty Simpson... has looked more rattled in the pocket... you start pressing and you start maybe trying to do too much."
5. Big 12 & ACC Title Games, Rematches, and Watch Points
Texas Tech vs BYU (38:42)
- Physical Edge for Texas Tech:
- Tom: "We know that they [BYU] can't. BYU had three turnovers in that game and it was largely because Texas Tech was beating the hell out of them and forced those turnovers..." (41:08)
- Recipe for BYU Upset:
- Must avoid turnovers and string together long drives.
- Danny: "I think that's the recipe for a BYU upset is a low scoring game where it's, you know, 13 to 10, 17, 14..." (42:27)
Duke vs Virginia (ACC Title Game Rematch)
- Defensive Decline:
- Tom details Duke’s defensive collapse, points per drive allowed spiking from 2.45 in September to 33.04 (!!) in November. (46:47)
- Turnover “Luck”:
- Tom: "Duke's not unlucky. They're just not good enough to take advantage of the turnovers." (49:41)
- Both expect a shootout; whoever gets more defensive stops may pull the upset.
6. Coaching Carousel & Stock Market Segment (52:04)
Lane Kiffin / Ole Miss / LSU Coaching Saga
- Charlie Weis Jr. Returns:
- Danny “buying” Ole Miss future success since Weis Jr. allowed to return.
- Lane Kiffin-to-LSU Backstory:
- Tom points out Kiffin’s financial incentive to let Weis Jr. go: playoff bonuses tied to Ole Miss results even after Kiffin departs (54:26).
- Lane Kiffin Anecdotes:
- Hosts share ridiculous stories of Kiffin’s behavior at a hot yoga studio, adding levity and “sicko” show flavor.
Florida Hires John Sumrall
- Danny and Tom both highly bullish; Danny adds Cade Bell as potential OC would be a home run.
- Chip: “John Summerall won the press conference. Yeah, he came out on fire. And all those Gator fans... were all like, I'm in. We're winning the national champions.” (58:36)
Oregon’s Coaching Departures & Playoff Outlook
- Danny selling Oregon as playoff threat: “I’m like nervous... that double minded... I have to believe it has some impact on the game plan and your ability to do your job correctly.” (61:48)
- Lanning’s prior experience juggling playoff prep and staff turnover seen as a possible advantage.
7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Danny Kanell’s “Stock A or B” setup to dunk on Notre Dame’s 1993 title argument (66:43)
- Danny:
“Who would you buy as national champion... Stock A or Stock B?”
- After Chip and Tom pick “A,” Danny reveals it was the ‘93 FSU-ND debate, mocking Notre Dame fans demanding head-to-head over resumes.
- Danny:
-
Playful ribbing among hosts throughout the segment:
- “Nice guy, Lane Kiffin. Wonderful human being.” (54:26, Tom),
- and inside jokes like "Chip learn ball" after Chip gets his Oregon coaching timeline wrong (65:22, Tom).
8. Coaching Carousel Quick Hits
- Kansas State:
- Chris Klieman “steps down” (more likely soft-fired); Colin Klein takes over (69:28).
- South Florida:
- Brian Hartline heads south, potential offensive spark (71:20).
- Ohio State OC Position:
- Uncertainty over Hartline’s departure, speculation about potential replacements.
- Penn State’s Recruiting Collapse:
- Historically bad class, possibly one of the worst modern recruiting drops. (72:07)
9. Other Championship Weekend Narratives
- Several G5/other conference titles previewed:
- Potential coaching distractions for Tulane, North Texas.
- JMU-Troy, Miami OH-Western Michigan: “Give me the team that’s been there before and that’s out for revenge.” (75:15, Tom)
- Bronco-focused—Boise State/UNLV, Kennesaw State/Jacksonville State, and traditional MACtion get talking points as fun “sicko” program options.
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Listener Appreciation: 03:17
- Signing Day Recap & USC Recruiting: 05:32
- Ohio State vs Indiana Preview: 07:07–25:29
- Georgia vs Alabama (SEC Title Game): 28:03–38:42
- Texas Tech vs BYU: 38:42–46:28
- Duke vs Virginia (ACC): 46:28–50:28
- Coaching Carousel & “Stock Market” Segment: 52:04–69:13
- Championship Weekend G5 Rundown: 73:07–75:15
Conclusion
This episode is a quintessential Cover 3 experience—lively, insightful, and rich with both tactical football analysis and sharp, comedic banter. Whether you follow playoff-bound blue bloods or the MAC’s finest—or just love the drama of “coaching carousel” season—this episode primes you with the narratives and X-factors you’ll need to enjoy Championship Week at any depth.
Memorable closing line:
Danny (68:44): "You needed. You needed right the wrong way. Clear cut."
Chip (69:02): "So good. Oh, yeah, that's good."
Fans, sickos, and college football obsessives: enjoy the ride into the postseason!