Cover 3 College Football Podcast — Week 14 INSTANT REACTION

Episode: Week 14 INSTANT REACTION: Ohio State Defeats Michigan | Alabama-Auburn | Texas Upsets A&M
Date: November 30, 2025
Hosts: Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, Bud Elliott

Overview:

This episode delivers instant reactions to a loaded rivalry weekend and pivotal Week 14 matchups across college football. The crew gives deep, rapid-fire analysis of Ohio State’s statement win over Michigan, a chaotic Iron Bowl, Texas’ resume-changing upset of Texas A&M, Lane Kiffin coaching drama, playoff implications, and much more. Spirited and blunt, the conversation is equal parts breakdown, debate, and banter—pure Cover 3, all substance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Iron Bowl: Alabama Survives Auburn

• Was Bama lucky or grinding?

  • Chip Patterson sets the scene with how wild the Iron Bowl finish was and ponders if Alabama played down or Auburn elevated.
  • Tom Fornelli (06:32): “When Auburn was tied 20 to 20 with Alabama, I was crapping my pants … I was very much surprised by Auburn being able to work their way back.”
  • Auburn’s explosive pass plays and turnover issues kept it close. Alabama’s run game was a bright spot, but QB Ty Simpson looked “shaky for a month now” (09:45).
  • Bud Elliott (08:04): “It felt like Bama got up 17 nothing and figured they would just cruise ... Auburn hits two 65 yard pass plays ... and all of a sudden, it’s a game.”
  • Offensive line injury concerns, blitz pickup issues, and Ty Simpson taking heavy hits raise flags for Alabama facing Georgia next week.

• Playoff & SEC Champ Discussion

  • SEC champion’s Playoff seeding dissected (13:01).
  • “If Bama wins sec, they're getting a bye, right?” — Bud Elliott (12:53)
  • General agreement that winner of Bama-Georgia is a lock for a top-four seed.

2. Lane Kiffin’s Unending Drama

• Ongoing speculation about Kiffin’s impending move to LSU and indecision dragging out.
• Tom Fornelli (15:46): “For somebody who is supposedly matured a lot, this is still very childish behavior… if you’re going to leave Ole Miss and take the LSU job, just freaking do it, man. Rip the damn band aid off. Be an adult.”
• Banter over whether he should be allowed to coach the playoff if he leaves (19:47).
• Impact on Ole Miss program and whether the staff would follow Kiffin.

3. Michigan Falls to Ohio State: ‘Statement Win’

• Ohio State dominates in Ann Arbor, locking up a 12-0 regular season and Big Ten Championship spot.
• Bud Elliott (27:27): “Michigan popped a couple nice explosive runs… and then the Buckeyes just basically allowed zero. It’s just a continuation of that defense.”
• Tom Fornelli (29:18): “The biggest separation in this game was that Michigan has a quarterback who might be great one day and Ohio State has one that already is.”
• Ohio State’s athleticism and defense overwhelmed Michigan; Buckeyes are considered a clear field-goal better than the field.
• Big Ten Championship preview (Indiana vs. Ohio State) — Indiana’s story and expected raucous atmosphere highlighted.

4. Oregon’s Tenacity

• Ducks cap an 11-1 season, survive shorthanded at Washington.
• Emphasis on defense taking away Huskies' passing game and timely big plays from WR Malik Benson (39:21).
• Bud Elliott (42:45): “Not being in the conference title game might not be the worst thing … you get the extra week to recover, get guys healthy, and you do get the home playoff game.”
• Oregon’s case as a real contender if fully healthy and getting stars back.

5. Playoff Picture, Seeding & Bubble Teams

• Oklahoma, Texas, BYU, and Texas Tech’s playoff resumes dissected in detail.
• Texas' big win over Texas A&M gives them a shot at moving into the top 12, but the path to a bye remains narrow.
• Chip Patterson (92:48): “I think the high, low range on this [where Texas lands in the AP] will be massive.”
• Texas A&M’s loss likely bumps them out of bye position; committee reluctance to punish severely analyzed.

6. Big 12, ACC, G5 Musings & Chaos

• Oklahoma and others have resumes strong enough for home playoff games, but play styles (“boring chaos") are panned for aesthetics.
• Vanderbilt’s ups and downs; Tennessee’s “real job pressure” under Josh Heupel explained (53:00).
• ACC Title Game farce—Duke vs. Virginia—panned for weak resumes and odd tie-breakers.
• Bud Elliott (65:05): “We should not have a conference champion for the ACC. This year. Or ever.”

7. Notable Quotes & Banter Highlights

• On Lane Kiffin:

  "For somebody who is supposedly matured a lot, this is still very childish behavior ... Rip the damn band aid off. Be an adult."
  — Tom Fornelli (15:46)

• Alabama’s Iron Bowl Performance:

  “Ty Simpson did not look great. ... He's been kind of shaky for a month now."
  — Tom Fornelli (09:45)

• Ohio State’s Defense:

  "Michigan popped a couple nice explosive runs. ... Then the Buckeyes just basically allowed zero."
  — Bud Elliott (27:27)

• On the Lane Kiffin Playoff Coaching Debate:

  “If you're going to leave Ole Miss and take the LSU job, just freaking do it, man. Stop yanking everybody around. Just get it done.”
  — Tom Fornelli (15:46)

• Texas Playoff Resume:

  “I think that in addition to the Texas College Football Playoff discussion ... I think the high, low range on this will be massive.”
  — Chip Patterson (92:48)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [06:32] Iron Bowl assessment: Bama/Auburn deep dive
• [13:01] Playoff seeding for SEC champion
• [15:46] Lane Kiffin drama reaction/plea
• [27:27] Ohio State/Michigan key stats and turning points
• [29:18] QB play as true separator in OSU/Michigan
• [42:45] Oregon, G5, and playoff seed impact
• [53:00] Tennessee’s “job pressure”/fanbase expectations
• [65:05] ACC Championship structure roasted
• [92:48] Texas’ jump in rankings and playoff context

Memorable/Lighthearted Moments

• Banter about Lane Kiffin’s tarmac fate and coaching the playoff (21:06+)
• Power rating debate: Is Oklahoma really that much better than Vanderbilt? (47:27+)
• Misc. Heisman watch jokes—Arch Manning, Fernando Mendoza, Emmett Johnson, etc. (83:03+)
• Repeated cracks at the convoluted ACC championship and “imminent” Kiffin announcements.

Conclusion

This episode is an essential, energetic rundown of rivalry weekend and its shocking playoff and coaching ramifications. The hosts cut through surface narratives for tactical, data-driven analysis while never letting the show lose its signature Cover 3 swagger. If you missed the games, this is your best way to get fully caught up—and entertained—in under two hours.

Listen to full episodes and subscribe at Cover 3 YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms!