Cover 3 College Football – Upon Further Review Week 3

Episode Date: September 15, 2025
Hosts: Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, Danny Kanell

Episode Overview

This episode of the Cover 3 Podcast offers an in-depth "upon further review" for Week 3 of the 2025 college football season. The hosts dig into key storylines left out of the instant reaction show, react to the new AP Top 25 poll, and break down major quarterback and coaching developments across college football. Main topics include controversy in AP poll ballots, struggles of Texas' Arch Manning, LSU's offensive issues, candid praise for Georgia Tech's Haynes King, and further analysis on Vanderbilt's and Georgia's paths. As always, the show moves briskly with banter, occasional jokes, and brutally honest assessments.

AP Poll Reaction & Voter Controversies (05:00–18:45)

Key Discussion Points

• Voter Ballot Chaos:

  • Brenda Green of KOIN-TV left South Carolina at #10, despite losing. Her method seems to heavily account for in-game injuries (Lenora Sellers was hurt) or possibly a lack of attention to results.
    • "I think she might have just screwed that one. Which brings up a point that we said last week. How can the AP not do a better job of saying, hey, are you sure?" – Danny (06:43)
  • Other voters, such as Dylan Sinn, show inconsistency, combining result-based rankings with power ratings, leading to confusion about why some teams are left out or still ranked.

• Notre Dame's Controversial Ranking:

  • Some voters (e.g. Brett McMurphy, Nicole Auerbach, Ralph Russo) still rank Notre Dame highly despite 0–2 record:
    • "Why does Notre Dame get preferential treatment? Because you thought they were going to be good before the season? Let them go out there and earn it back." – Danny (09:29)
    • "If you feel like you need to write a column or share a social media video... then there's a part of you in the back of your head that knows you're doing the wrong thing because you're immediately on the defensive." – Tom (12:01)
  • Hosts argue for letting teams earn their way back into the rankings on performance.

• Shout-Outs to Unorthodox Ballots:

  • Greg Madia puts Georgia Tech at 8, John Furlong places Texas at 17 – praised for moving teams more aggressively based on new information.
  • Voters still ranking Clemson draw ire:
    • "Come on folks, do better, do better." – Danny (14:22)

Notable Moment

• "Don't even get me started on the censorship of the 136." – Tom poking fun at CBS’s own ranking system debates (15:19)

Rankings Snippet (16:08–17:43)

• Ohio State, Penn State stay at #1 and #2; LSU at #3 despite lackluster play.
• Some voters, including Pat Welter and Reese Davis, still give LSU first-place votes, which the hosts view as unfounded.

Brilliantly Boring Wins of the Week (19:37–22:32)

Segment Sponsor: PNC Bank

Miami’s Win over USF

• Miami executed with discipline and consistency despite weather delays, dominating USF methodically.
  • "It was clinical...a team that weathered the storm literally and put the Bulls away." – Chip (21:04)
  • Carson Beck (Miami QB) singled out for continued mature play and leadership.
• Takeaway: Miami looks like a true, top-tier team, handling business against opponents they should beat.

Upon Further Review: Arch Manning’s Struggles at Texas

Key Segment: (23:58–31:59)

Deep Dive

• Arch Manning’s Performance vs. UTEP:

  • 11/25, 114 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. “Doesn’t even come close to telling you how bad it was.”
  • Hosts perceive mechanical flaws, lack of field vision, and shot confidence.
    • "He looks like somebody who is really, really struggling... There's almost like a Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons something going on." – Danny (25:22)
  • Sarkisian’s handling comes under question; would have been better to acknowledge an injury than deny all issues (“got one more week to get Arch Manning figured out”).

• Bigger Problem?

  • Explores depth chart behind Manning (Matthew Caldwell, Owens) and the challenge Sark faces.
  • Comparison to past Texas benchings, i.e., Quinn Ewers.
    • "Everyone's been benched at some point in their career. If you can't recover from that, then you're not meant to be a starting quarterback at Texas." – Danny (31:47)

Notable Quotes

• "The tape's ugly...he's missing these throws by yards and he's not under pressure on all of these." – Tom (26:32)
• "This is a greater problem that Sark has one week to figure out, and I don't know if you can solve it in one week." – Danny (26:03)

Hymn of the Week – Haynes King, Georgia Tech (32:35–35:36)

Sponsored by Jordan Peele's sports-horror film "Him"

Georgia Tech’s Emotional Leader

• Haynes King's stat line vs. Clemson: 20/28, 211 yards passing, plus 25 carries for 103 yards. Not the flashiest, but drives team success.
  • "I don't think there's a player in the country that elevates his team as much as Haynes King." – Brent Key via Danny (33:57)
• King’s intense preparation (slept at facility for four weeks) and impact likened to the "heart and soul" of the Yellow Jackets.
  • "Do you see he slept at the facility for four weeks through training camp?" – Danny (34:31)
• Hosts discuss GT’s realistic path to the ACC title and the playoff picture.

Upon Further Review: LSU and Brian Kelly’s Frustration (37:58–42:09)

LSU’s Offense Under Scrutiny

• Despite being ranked #3, LSU's offensive stats have been poor (points per drive, red zone, EPA, etc.—all 90th or worse nationally).
  • [Rattling off national ranks] – Tom (38:37)
• Brian Kelly bristled at media criticism:
  • "He got very angry when he went to the press conference...because they won and he was so pissed that you would dare criticize them." – Tom (37:58)
• Hosts argue that Kelly is defensive because he knows the team is underachieving.
  • "The reason why Brian Kelly is angry is because he knows his team is not the third best team in the country." – Chip (39:47)
• LSU needs major offensive improvement before facing stronger competition.

Notable Moment

• "If they don't win the national title, I will grow a beard." – Tom, in jest, referencing preseason predictions (39:44)

Under-the-Radar: Quarterbacks, Coaching, and Team Trends (43:24–57:41)

Quarterback Changes:

• Ole Miss – Trinidad Chambliss takes over for Austin Simmons (injured/struggled).
  • "You might want to start calling him Wally Pip. Austin Simmons...they might just keep rolling with the hot hand." – Danny (43:24)
  • Chambliss impresses with 300+ yards; background as D2 Ferris State transfer noted.
  • Joking about his perfect "SEC name" and potential future as Lane Kiffin's next transfer QB success.

Defense and Depth:

• Ole Miss and Arkansas both have “very bad” defenses, which may force shootouts.
• Georgia – Big road win at Tennessee with Gunner Stockton stepping up at QB.
  • "Gunner Stockton showed me way more than I thought he could...he showed he can make plays." – Danny (47:22)
  • Hosts argue the 'Dogs grew up and are once again a threat for the national title.

Coaching Choices and Clock Management

• Debates on kicker psychology and whether coaches should use late timeouts before game-winning attempts (Dabo Sweeney notably referenced).

Vanderbilt: Surprise SEC Contender? (55:51–58:42)

• Discussion of Vanderbilt's possible ceiling after a strong start and a win over South Carolina.
  • "I'm not saying I'm not predicting they win the sec, but when you look at their quarterback situation every week and their opponents, a lot of those games they're going to have the edge." – Tom (58:17)
• Parity is increasing, and Vandy has an experienced QB (AJ Swann), giving them a legitimate shot at 9–3 or, ambitiously, even the SEC title.
  • "I would say 9 and 3 is their ceiling but I could be wrong...I love this season because I do think you have to change the way you feel about the entirety of college football because I do think parody is here to stay." – Danny (57:41)

Quick Hitters & Closing Notes (59:10–61:23)

• Alabama’s pass rush came alive vs. Wisconsin: 54% pressure rate.
• Michigan's Bryce Underwood showed great arm talent but is holding the ball a bit too long.
  • "It looked extremely advanced for a college football quarterback making just his third career start." – Chip (60:53)
• Passer rating and QBR for top QBs like Drew Allar (Penn State) flagged as underwhelming.
• Big Ten matchup previews teased for next show.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Poll Methodology:
  "If you have to defend your ballot with a column, you probably know it's wrong." – Paraphrased, Tom (12:01)
• On Notre Dame's Ranking:
  "Let them go out there and earn it back...Why do they get preferential treatment?" – Danny (09:29)
• Arch Manning:
  "This is very much a quarterback which his confidence is completely shot and I feel like it's impacting his mechanics." – Danny (26:03)
• LSU Offense:
  [statistics segment] (38:37)
• Georgia Tech’s Haynes King:
  "He elevates his team as much as anyone...the dude lived at the facility for four weeks." – Brent Key via Danny (33:57)
• Vanderbilt's Ceiling:
  "When you look at their quarterback...a lot of games they're going to have the edge." – Tom (58:17)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 05:00 — AP Poll Reaction & Ballot Controversy
• 19:37 — Brilliantly Boring Wins: Miami
• 23:58 — Arch Manning’s Struggles at Texas
• 32:35 — Hymn of the Week: Haynes King
• 37:58 — Upon Further Review: LSU Offense/Brian Kelly
• 43:24 — QB Changes: Ole Miss & More
• 55:51 — Vanderbilt’s SEC Ceiling

This comprehensive review captures all the critical Week 3 storylines, standout player moments, and the hosts’ lively, sarcastic, and forthright perspectives. Whether you missed the episode or seek deeper insight, this summary provides the full scope—minus the ads and promos.