Cover 3 College Football Podcast

Episode: Big Game Breakdown: Keys To The Game For Top Week 2 Showdowns, More!

Date: September 3, 2025
Hosts: Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, Danny Cannell, Bud Elliott

Overview

This week’s Cover 3 dives deep into keys for the top college football showdowns in Week 2, drawing on Week 1 reactions, early AP Top 25 returns, and the evolving college football landscape (notably NIL and the transfer portal). The team focuses discussion on marquee matchups—Oklahoma-Michigan, Kansas-Missouri, Baylor-SMU, and notable wildcards—while also taking side routes into big-picture themes like Alabama’s NIL reality, shifting power conferences, and coaching hot seats.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alabama, NIL, and Post-Saban Realities

[01:26 - 08:14]

• AJ McCarron’s Comments on Alabama’s NIL Budget:
  • AJ McCarron recently stated he knows for a fact that Alabama's NIL budget isn't close to the rumored $40 million number. This sparks a discussion about how Alabama is dealing with the new financial arms race in college football.
  • Danny Kanell: “There’s no more Saban discount, where players would go there for less... The days of going 12–0...those are done, not only for Bama but for everybody. Bama...is going to have a really hard time getting used to.” [03:26]
• Constant Moving Target:
  • The backlash among fans and boosters is familiar—crying poor after losses, as seen last when Saban “passed the hat” after losing recruiting battles.
  • Tom Fornelli: “Crying poor after losses is the lamest thing in college football right now.” [06:27]
• Broader Implications:
  • Alabama is in transition with Kalen DeBoer at the helm; it will be a new experience for fans now without a dynasty guarantee.
  • Lighthearted aside: Might Alabama fans let basketball coach Nate Oats walk to refocus resources on football? [08:14]

2. AP Top 25 Poll Reaction

[09:12 – 17:39]

• Ohio State Ascends, LSU Case for #1:
  • Texas displaced at #1 by Ohio State, but Danny argues LSU deserves to top the poll given a big road win over Clemson, rather than home wins by Ohio State.
  • Danny Kanell: “I wish voters would be more willing to forget preseason expectations...If you’re supposed to just forget everything you saw and just go with what you saw on the field, I thought LSU should have been number one.” [10:31]
• Accusations of Preseason Bias:
  • Tom and Danny debate relative impressiveness of wins and the general voter reluctance to move teams too much early.
  • Tom Fornelli: “If you look closer, a lot of people are starting fresh...Notre Dame was left off three ballots entirely. Alabama fell all the way to 21...Clemson was on everybody’s ballot—for some reason and no lower than 17th.” [13:37]
• Snubs and Bias:
  • Utah’s clinical late-night performance overlooked; USF similarly underappreciated for dominating Boise State.
  • Tom Fornelli: “That tells me you actually aren’t watching college football and yet you are voting in one of the polls that we use to argue about it.” [16:09]

3. Big Game Breakdowns

Oklahoma vs. Michigan

[20:29 – 21:57]

• Oklahoma Offensive Line Worries:
  • Struggled in the run game against Illinois State, a bad sign facing Michigan’s front.
  • Key QB Matchup: Michigan’s Bryce Underwood vs. Oklahoma’s defense—how will the freshman handle his first big road test?
  • Tom Fornelli: “If it’s the John Matier show and they can’t run the ball, that is not going to be a good thing for Oklahoma’s offense.” [21:19]

Illinois vs. Duke

[22:55 – 24:41]

• Duke’s Defensive Questions:
  • Strong secondary, but front seven struggled; Illinois is likely to lean heavier on the run.
• Tom Fornelli: “Illinois’s offense was...stop and start...defensively, I think they look really good. For Duke, linebackers and the front seven...did not look especially great. So it’ll be interesting to see how they hold up.” [23:38]

Kansas vs. Missouri

[24:41 – 30:50]

• Old Rivalry, New Faces:
  • Intense animosity, but now Missouri’s shifted from a 2-QB to 1-QB approach with Bo Pribula after Sam Horn’s injury. Both QBs in this matchup are run-first options but have questions as passers.
• Key Battles: Missouri D-line vs. Kansas O-line, especially on third and long; Jalen Daniels’ ability to hit big plays vs. coverage.
  • Chip Patterson: “Missouri’s...defensive line...might be a group that can win this game by stopping the run, forcing [Kansas] into third and long, making [them] more one-dimensional.” [29:10]
  • Danny Kanell: “Jalen Daniels...loves the big shot. Make him throw the ball more underneath.” [30:26]

Baylor vs. SMU

[30:50 – 36:03]

• Baylor’s Defensive Woes:
  • After the Auburn loss, can Dave Aranda’s vaunted defense correct course against an explosive SMU offense led by Kevin Jennings?
  • Tom Fornelli: “Baylor played quarters coverage on 53.6% of its snaps...gave Jackson Arnold a lot of running lanes...I would expect a more balanced approach against SMU.” [31:50]
• High Stakes for Coaches:
  • “If Baylor loses and falls to 0-2, is Dave Aranda back on the hot seat?” Everyone agrees: absolutely, yes. [35:33]

Other Games & Hot Takes

[37:58 – 56:54]

• USF at Florida:
  • USF boomer-bust on offense vs. more talented Florida lineup.
    • Tom Fornelli: “They were very boomer bust. I don’t think they can rely on that against Florida.” [41:51]
  • Danny Kanell on USF D: “That defense was flying around...Florida better be ready for a physical game.” [41:51]
• Arizona State at Mississippi State:
  • Surprising run-game strengths, but major questions about ASU’s defense and Starkville’s tough environment.
• Vandy at Virginia Tech:
  • Brent Pry is under serious pressure at Virginia Tech; poor offensive start and a horrendous one-score record could prove decisive if they drop to 0-2.
    • Chip Patterson: “Brent Pry’s record in one-score games is horrendous...That’s not good. I mean, that’s Scott Frosty in.” [54:16]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• AJ McCarron NIL Claim on Alabama:
  Danny Kanell: “No, no, he said, I know for a fact...there’s no more Saban discount...” [03:23]
• On Alabama Crying Poor:
  Tom Fornelli: “Crying poor after losses is the lamest thing in college football right now.” [06:27]
• AP Poll Frustrations:
  Danny Kanell: “I think your rankings should be incredibly volatile...I thought LSU looked better.” [11:32]
• Utah Disrespected by Voters:
  Tom Fornelli: “That tells me you actually aren’t watching college football and yet you are voting in one of the polls that we use to argue about it.” [16:09]
• On Baylor's Hot Seat:
  Chip Patterson: “If Baylor loses and they fall to 0-2, it’s probably...another shootout...The sentiment will come back to...look what’s happened in our first two games with that defense.” [36:03]
• About Starkville:
  Danny Kanell: “Have you guys been to a game in Starkville? Your ears will be ringing, like, by the time the game is over. It is non stop and it is loud.” [48:09]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Alabama NIL & Saban Era: 01:26–08:14
• AP Top 25 Reaction: 09:12–17:39
• Oklahoma-Michigan Preview: 20:29–21:57
• Illinois-Duke: 22:55–24:41
• Kansas-Missouri: 24:41–30:50
• Baylor-SMU & Hot Seat: 30:50–36:03
• USF-Florida: 37:58–43:11
• ASU-Miss St., Vandy-VT, etc.: 43:11–54:45
• Quick Hits & Viewer Questions: 54:45–58:09

Tone & Style

The episode is spirited, irreverent, and loaded with the hosts’ characteristic banter (“the COVID 3 tailgate,” “Alabama’s crying poor”), balanced with inside-baseball college football knowledge and pointed strategic analysis. Debate is lively but respectful, and the hosts incorporate audience questions seamlessly.

Summary

This episode layers sharp analysis of skill positions and personnel matchups with recurring commentary on the direction of the sport—shifting finances, unpredictable poll volatility, and evolving standards at blueblood programs. Key games are broken down with attention to both tactical keys and larger narratives unfolding over the long game of the 2025 season.