Cover 3 College Football Podcast – January 12, 2026
Episode: Dylan Raiola to Oregon, Sam Leavitt to LSU + CFP Semifinal Breakdown | Transfer Portal News
Hosts: Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, Danny Kanell
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the seismic quarterback moves in the college football transfer portal, focusing on Dylan Raiola’s surprising commitment to Oregon and Sam Leavitt’s transfer to join Lane Kiffin at LSU. The hosts break down the implications these moves have for both programs and for the evolving quarterback landscape nationwide. They discuss other transfer dominoes, rumors, and the looming closure of the portal window. The back half of the episode reviews the results and impact of the College Football Playoff semifinals, along with the narratives and reputations forged (or shaken) in the postseason—especially Mario Cristobal’s at Miami and the “broken brain” perception left by Indiana’s rapid ascent under Kurt Signetti.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Dylan Raiola Transfers to Oregon (01:47 – 11:44)
- Announcement: Former Nebraska and five-star QB Dylan Raiola commits to Oregon.
- Reaction: Immediate debate about whether Raiola is set to back up Dante Moore or contend for the starting job.
- Chip Patterson: “Are you committing to be the backup to Dante Moore or do we read through these tea leaves and do we see that Dante...?” (02:01)
- Danny Kanell: “Both (interesting for Oregon and Raiola)... They’ve had an incredible run of transfer quarterbacks that have given them a chance to have a national championship.” (03:23)
- Fit with Oregon: Concerns about Raiola’s mechanics and history of frequent transfers are weighed against Oregon’s track record of revitalizing QBs (Bo Nix, Dylan Gabriel, Dante Moore).
- Tom Fornelli: “My problem with Dylan Raiola has always been I feel like he’s trying to play 7 on 7 instead of 11 on 11...Maybe now, behind what should be a better offensive line...he’ll settle in and actually play quarterback.” (05:07)
- Chip: “Great decision, Dylan. God, what a good decision...if I am Dylan Raiola and I look at the spot...set them up to go and be drafted into the NFL, then yes...this is a great spot for me.” (06:11)
- Oregon’s QB Philosophy: Oregon’s ‘plug-and-play’ offense, with schematic tweaks from new OCs, keeps expectations high regardless of coordinator turnover.
- “Dan Lanning has shown us...He is not a defensive coordinator, head coach...There is an Oregon offense...” (06:54)
- Development Needed: Main points for Raiola’s success include improved mechanics and making the “play that’s there” instead of forcing big plays.
- Tom: “Just make the play that’s there. Don’t try to make the cool play.” (09:43)
- Danny: “His mechanics are not great...he’s not a great mechanical thrower.” (08:11)
- Portal Dynamics: Question if Raiola was Oregon’s first choice, or a function of an imperfect transfer class this year.
2. Sam Leavitt to LSU and Quarterback Dominoes (13:02 – 19:53)
- News Drop: Sam Leavitt (Arizona State standout) commits to Lane Kiffin at LSU after flirtations with Tennessee and Miami.
- Chip: “Sam Levitt, former Arizona State quarterback they expected to commit to LSU...he was sitting courtside with Lane.” (13:02)
- Tom: “I think it’s a good fit...Sam Levitt does a lot of the things Lane Kiffin likes in a quarterback.” (14:18)
- Fit at LSU: Similar trajectory to previous successful Arizona State transfer (referencing Heisman winner), but needs to work on accuracy and less reliance on single targets.
- Danny: “Not the most accurate quarterback...a little bit more accurate decision making. A little bit too reliant on Jordan Tyson this year.” (15:14)
- Portal Chess: Discussion of the high-stakes portal game as quarterbacks and programs jockey for leverage and NIL deals.
- Tom: “There’s been reports this weekend of, like, certain SEC teams are throwing money at Ty Simpson to convince him to come back to college and enter the transfer portal instead of going to the NFL draft.” (17:35)
- Chip: “If you can make 6 million bucks playing in college football one more year...I think you’re better served to go to college one more year from a financial standpoint.” (21:22)
- Portal Closing Window: Emphasis on the importance of final days of portal entry for high-profile QBs, including rumors and “negotiation tactics” like public return announcements.
3. Transfer Portal Musings and Impacts (19:49 – 43:40)
- Miami’s QB Situation: Could be in line for Ty Simpson or another late entry. The fluidity of portal commitments is stressed.
- Tom: “Until, you know, the portal is closed and everybody has a quarterback. Don’t feel like your quarterback...is going to be there.” (19:57)
- CJ Bailey Stays at NC State: Debate about the reality/strategy of announcing a return as a portal tactic.
- Chip: “There’s four days left until that portal closes. Oh, boy. Nervy four days over there in West Raleigh.” (22:18)
- Tom: “Just saying you’re going to be back is a hell of a negotiation tactic...” (23:25)
- Eligibility & Appeals (Trinidad Chambliss): Discussion on the complexities of appeal processes, legal involvement in eligibility, and the broader impact of lawyers and agents in CFB.
- Tom: “The NCAA does not have the strongest track record of winning cases in court.” (26:58)
- Danny: “Go for back pay. Get rules passed that limit the amount an agent can make off of a player’s content. Get that down to 5%...” (31:53)
- Eligibility Reform Proposals: Talk of age limits or a ‘5 years to play 5’ rule to simplify eligibility.
4. Big Portal Winners and Roster Reloads (Cam Coleman/Texas, etc.) (36:04 – 42:00)
- Texas Transfer Haul: The Longhorns’ massive portal class and preseason #1 hype for 2026 with Arch Manning and key playmakers like Cam Coleman.
- Danny: “Texas making a big splash in the transfer portal is going to set up for another year of, like, alright. Sark, Arch, Texas...Let’s see if they’ll be able to walk through it this time.” (41:22)
- Concerns linger over offensive line issues not being fixed via the portal.
- Tom: “They should score a ton of points in theory, but we’ll see.” (38:48)
- Other Transfer Watch: Quick hits on potential landing spots for key QBs like Bo Pribula and Will Gruckenmeyer.
College Football Playoff Semifinal Breakdown (44:34 – 57:47)
1. Mario Cristobal's Image Makeover at Miami
- Redemption Narrative: The hosts agree Cristobal has silenced critics with Miami’s turnaround and Playoff run.
- Danny: “I think he silences every single critic that’s out there, win or lose. Now I think he’s answered any credit. I mean, he’s a great recruiter. He’s got a great staff...” (45:31)
- Tom: “One of the impressive things about the run...my criticisms about Miami’s coaching in this run have not had anything to do with Mario Christobal. They’ve been Janet Dawson’s play calling at times, but other than that...very, very master like performance...” (46:00)
- Chip: “...I have certainly changed the way that I rate, rank and view Mario Cristobal in a big way because of the way he’s gotten this team to play coming down the stretch.” (48:32)
- Caution: One tragic “Mario moment” in a title game could still turn media/fan sentiment (“...it just kind of cements everything that everybody forgets about the wins. It suddenly becomes, oh, same old Mario.” – Tom, 46:00)
2. Indiana’s “Mind-Blowing” Playoff Run and the Broken-Logic Era
- Impact on College Football: Indiana’s rise under Kurt Signetti has “broken people’s brains”—accelerating expectations for quick turnarounds at downtrodden programs and spawning wild cheating theories.
- Chip: “Kurt Signetti has broken everyone’s brains...has every program that’s ever wanted to win anything, like, well, why can’t you do what Signetti’s done?” (51:04)
- Dominance Metrics: Stat talk—Indiana’s point differential in the playoff era outpaces dynasties like 2019 LSU (discussion of SRS, NFL talent, etc.)
- “The SRS rating for Indiana is 25.35. 2019 LSU is 25.8.” – Tom (56:57)
- Greatest Team Debate: Can Indiana be considered the best CFP-era champ if they win? Hosts weigh resumes, strength of schedule, and “greatest of all time” status.
- Tom: “Winning three playoff games...if they blow out Miami...I think they’ve got a pretty damn solid argument.” (54:59)
- Chip: “Indiana deserves its own place at the table for what the team was able to accomplish against its opponents in the context of the given season.” (57:47)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Make the play that’s there. Don’t try to make the cool play.” — Tom Fornelli on Dylan Raiola's improvement plan (09:43)
- “Dylan Raiola has transferred a lot in his entire life... He has not stuck around anywhere long enough to learn an offense.” — Tom Fornelli (05:11)
- “Dominoes are falling, baby, here on this Monday morning...” — Chip Patterson (09:17)
- “Everybody I've talked to about Sam Levitt that's played with him said he's a dog. Like, you know that he's, he's alpha. Guys love playing for him.” — Danny Kanell (15:14)
- “Just saying you're going to be back is a hell of a negotiation tactic... Oh, what's that? My running back just left?” — Tom Fornelli on portal gamesmanship (23:25)
- “If you can make 6 million bucks playing in college football one more year, unless you're a top 20 pick, I think you're better served to go to college one more year from a financial standpoint.” — Chip Patterson (21:22)
- “Kurt Signetti has broken everyone’s brains...” — Chip Patterson on Indiana’s meteoric rise (51:04)
- “I think 2019 LSU is the greatest team of all time in the College Football Playoff era.” — Tom Fornelli, on G.O.A.T. debate (53:56)
- “I'm just happy the Bears had to play the Packers and not the Hoosiers. I'd have been nervous against the Hoosiers.” — Tom Fornelli (58:04, joking)
Important Timestamps
- Dylan Raiola to Oregon: 01:47 – 11:44
- Sam Leavitt to LSU: 13:02 – 19:53
- Portal and QB Dominoes (Miami, NC State, Ty Simpson, etc.): 19:49 – 24:16
- Eligibility, Agents, and Lawyers in CFB Discussion: 26:06 – 33:08
- Texas/Portal Class, Offensive Line Issues: 36:04 – 41:04
- Other QB Names/Fits (Pribula, Gruckenmeyer): 42:26 – 43:31
- CFP Semifinal Review & Cristobal’s Reputation: 44:34 – 49:59
- Indiana “Broken Logic” Era and Playoff Dominance: 51:02 – 57:47
- Greatest Playoff Champion Debate and SRS: 54:59 – 57:47
Tone & Style
- The hosts blend rapid-fire analysis with humor and friendly ribbing. They frequently cite insiders and real-time portal buzz, and aren’t shy about poking fun at college football's shifting landscape ("broken brains," agents, and NIL chaos).
- The episode maintains an energetic, conversational pace, with expert insights and a clear love for the game.
For Fans Who Missed the Episode:
Expect a thorough, no-nonsense discussion of the biggest transfer stories, pointed perspective on coaching reputations, and a reminder that in 2026, anything—literally anything—can happen in college football.