Cover 3 College Football Podcast

Episode: Indiana vs. Miami Big Game Breakdown, Transfer Portal Buzz, NFL Draft Decisions, More!

Date: January 14, 2026
Hosts: Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, Danny Kanell, Bud Elliott

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This episode offers an in-depth breakdown of the upcoming College Football Playoff National Championship (Indiana vs. Miami), analyzes the latest transfer portal buzz (notably elite offensive lineman movement), debates NFL draft decisions, and discusses looming changes in NCAA redshirt rules. The hosts also tackle broader issues around roster construction, player movement, and the future of the College Football Playoff.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Transfer Portal Buzz: Jordan Seaton Enters the Market

Timestamps: 02:33–09:39

• Jordan Seaton, Colorado’s prized offensive tackle, enters the portal—sparking speculation about a massive bidding war.
  • Bud Elliott: “He was asking for two and a half as a starting point. That’s not that dissimilar of a percentage of your roster spend compared to what NFL teams spend on their franchise tackles.” (05:18)
  • The group compares college NIL spending to NFL positional value, noting top-tier college OTs are a “certainty.”
• Texas is named as a potential landing spot, with reference to their willingness to invest in key positions (“If you’re Texas, what’s another two and a half million?”).
• Inside Portal Dramas: The story emerges about Colorado’s video team allegedly filming Seaton’s transfer video under false pretenses, thinking he was staying—a moment described as “cold blooded.”
• Colorado Concerns: The Buffaloes, after a rough season, appear to be “in a world of hurt,” losing momentum in both the portal and recruiting.

2. Portal Data & Changing Rosters

Timestamps: 09:39–13:13

• Widespread roster churn, with attention to teams bringing in massive numbers of transfers (e.g., West Virginia and Oklahoma State, the latter with 49 new transfers).
• Discussion around over-signing and enrollment shifts, juxtaposed with historical recruiting practices and the portal’s unprecedented impact.

3. Key Transfer Headline: Coy Parich to Oregon

Timestamps: 13:13–14:58

• Coy Parich, standout Minnesota safety, heads to Oregon—boosting their DB group.
• Tom Fornelli notes Parich’s “missed tackle rate ranked 50th [of 51],” attributing struggles to scheme fit at Minnesota, not talent deficiency.
  • “I think maybe Oregon will use him in a better spot.” (14:40)

4. NFL Draft Decisions: Ty Simpson

Timestamps: 14:58–22:33

• Alabama QB Ty Simpson is discussed vis-à-vis his decision to declare for the draft rather than stay for another college season.
• The group dives into NIL offers (notably Miami and Ole Miss), weighing the guaranteed NFL money against college paydays.
  • Tom Fornelli: “Do you know what [Jackson Dart’s] signing bonus was? 8 million. Do you know what his guaranteed money was? 17. Miami or Ole Miss didn’t offer that.” (16:29)
  • Simpson’s legacy, loyalty, and “coach’s son” identity are highlighted—called “a dinosaur thing” in today’s era.
  • Risks of staying versus turning pro are dissected, with attention to injuries and the drastic drop in draft slot earnings.
  • Comparison to Quinn Ewers’ financial decisions and the modern athlete’s trade-offs.

5. Miami & Indiana: Program Windows, Roster Spending, and QB Dynamics

Timestamps: 22:33–26:36

• Miami’s approach to QB recruiting: Is it smarter to spend big in the portal for proven players rather than develop high school QBs?
• Roster and portal updates: Miami’s “machine in the trenches” and ability to “play bully ball,” contrasted with Indiana’s preparedness for the playoff stage.
• The hosts consider whether Miami or Indiana is more likely to sustain success and what their current team-building strategies signal for future seasons.

6. Big Game Breakdown: Indiana vs. Miami – Schematics, Matchups, and X-Factors

Timestamps: 29:12–49:20

Indiana Defense vs. Miami Offense

• Miami’s tight offensive line splits and potential to “wall off” Indiana’s quick, movement-heavy front is a central chess match.
  • Bud Elliott: “If they’re able to make Indiana a little bit uncomfortable ... Miami being huge on the OL really might play well here.” (32:00)
  • Miami’s style contrasted to “rugby,” relying on slow, grinding run games to win “ahead of the chains.”
• Indiana is adept at defending Miami’s preferred run concepts, but Miami’s approach may still generate small-but-steady gains.

Indiana Offense vs. Miami Defense

• Injuries to Miami’s secondary are a major concern, particularly in the first half (starters out from targeting and injuries). Indiana’s experienced trio of QB Mendoza and WRs Becker and Surat could exploit mismatches.
  • Tom Fornelli: “Miami will have some success stopping the run. But that's their weakness right now, especially in the first half.” (34:39)
• Miami’s pass rush, while elite, faces an Indiana offense that is statistically superior at generating pressure—despite less individual talent.
  • Danny Kanell: “Miami’s number one as far as pressure rate allowed ... but Indiana… has been more effective at getting after the quarterback.” (37:03)

QB Pressure, Blitzing, and Turnovers

• Both teams’ offensive success hinges on protecting their QBs and limiting exposure to pressure—Miami’s Beck is “not a great guy throwing the ball with pressure around him.”
• Indiana relies heavily on blitzes, and the outcome of those plays when Miami counters (especially getting Malachi Tony in space) will be key.
  • “If Beck’s not able to diagnose things quickly ... we’ve seen what happens when Carson gets pressured. It’s often not very pretty.” (39:24, Fornelli)

Coaching, Tendency Breakers, and the “Cheating” Narrative

• Hosts debate Indiana’s scouting prowess (and the tech-fueled “cheating” rumors), ultimately seeing it as superior self-scouting and prep rather than actual malfeasance.
  • Bud Elliott: “I bet you they’re just, like in any business, trying to find hidden edges ... can I use AI to map your game film?” (41:51)
• Miami’s simple, player-driven defensive approach versus Indiana’s data-driven, detail-oriented style.

7. Coaching Edge & Program Trajectories

Timestamps: 47:44–49:20

• Unanimous: Indiana (Signetti) has the “coaching edge,” reinforcing that Indiana’s performance is “one of the most impressive coaching jobs in the history of the sport.”
• Despite Miami’s continued resilience and Mario Cristobal’s growth as a staff manager (especially after their midseason course-correction), Indiana’s consistent overperformance stands out.

8. Redshirt Rule Change Debate

Timestamps: 52:10–57:31

• Coaches at the AFCA convention push to move redshirt eligibility from 4 games to 9, as a potential precursor to “5-for-5” (five years eligibility).
  • Tom Fornelli: “This idea just doesn’t make any sense to me. I think 5 and 5 is the easiest solution ... it’s the perfect solution to all these issues. But for some reason, we’re going to push for nine.” (54:03)
• Concerns: Timeline disruptions for one high school recruiting class, potential legal challenges, and the ripple effect on roster management.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jordan Seaton’s portal value:
  “God just doesn’t make many guys that size who move that well who also have achieved that level of coordination ... It’s market scarcity and proof of concept.” (Bud Elliott, 05:01)

• On Ty Simpson’s draft decision:
  “It kind of feels like a dinosaur thing ... I wonder how many more guys are going to say that in the future.” (Danny Kanell, 18:06)

• On Indiana’s “cheating” allegations:
  “Can I use AI to like map your game film to pick up tendencies ... they’re just like in any business, trying to find hidden edges.” (Bud Elliott, 41:51)

• On program building philosophy:
  “Miami’s kind of just foot-to-foot and surge—if they can stay ahead of the chains, that’s the wall they need against Indiana” (Bud Elliott, 33:50)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Jordan Seaton Portal Analysis: 02:33–09:39
• Transfer Numbers/Portal Trends: 09:39–13:13
• Coy Parich to Oregon Discussion: 13:13–14:58
• Ty Simpson & NFL Decisions: 14:58–22:33
• Miami Program Strategy: 22:33–26:36
• Big Game (“BGB”) Breakdown: 29:12–49:20
  • Miami OL vs. Indiana DL: 30:46–34:39
  • Injury Impact & Secondary: 34:39–37:03
  • Pressure/Blitz/Short Pass Game: 37:03–41:51
  • “Cheating” Discourse: 44:48–46:08
  • Coaching Edge: 47:44–49:20
• Redshirt Rule Debate: 52:10–57:31

Tone & Delivery

• Knowledgeable, friendly, and banter-filled.
• Witty asides and inside jokes ("cold blooded", "dinosaur thing", "nut to busts", “AI game film mapping”).
• Respectful, with clear passion about college football’s evolution.

For New Listeners

This episode expertly balances insider roster talk, tactical game analysis, recruiting/development philosophy, and genuine college football culture. The breakdown of Monday’s Indiana-Miami championship provides both a data-driven and “big picture” approach valuable for both fans of the teams and the sport at large.

Recommended for listeners seeking both technical football breakdown and discussion on the shifting landscape of college athletics.

Next Episode Preview

• Thursday: Best bets for the national championship game and a deep dive on the future of the College Football Playoff as conference commissioners meet during the title game.