Josh Pate's College Football Show – Episode Summary
Episode Title: Big CFB Changes Coming + Portal Latest & Cole Cubelic Joins
Date: January 16, 2026
Host: Josh Pate
Featured Guest: Cole Cubelic
Overview
This episode is packed with timely analysis ahead of the national championship game, detailed discussions about looming structural shifts in college football, a dive into the latest transfer portal moves, and a candid guest segment with Cole Cubelic addressing Auburn fan anxiety and modern locker room dynamics. Josh’s signature sharp, conversational style delivers essential context for ongoing debates and provides valuable behind-the-scenes perspectives.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Looming Major Changes in College Football
- NCAA Convention Takeaways ([03:30]–[19:00])
- Josh discusses reporting by Ross Dellinger (Yahoo Sports) from the NCAA Convention.
- Industry leaders acknowledge the current college football governance and enforcement landscape is unsustainable.
- Trev Alberts’ quote highlighted:
“Lots of people in this league are saying, what’s plan B? … The longer we wait, the deeper the hole gets.”
- Josh likens the current state to “a swimming pool in a pickup truck going down a gravel road”—chaotic, unsustainable, and messy.
- Emphasizes that fan interest is the “water” that everything depends on, and is at risk of being taken for granted by leadership.
“The most important thing is the water. Because without the water, none of the rest of the stuff matters. … Fan interest is the most important aspect in this entire equation. … Treated as a constant when in reality it’s a variable.”
—Josh Pate [11:00]
- Real possibility of radical changes:
- A breakaway from the NCAA or creation of a new subdivision.
- Increased likelihood of conferences self-governing (e.g., Big Ten and SEC setting their own rules).
- Revenue-sharing models and player retention incentives are discussed as almost certain developments.
2. Transfer Portal Update ([21:20]–[28:30])
-
Notable Player Moves:
- Damon Wilson (Top 5 in portal, EDGE, ex-Missouri) visiting Texas Tech and Miami—key acquisition target.
- LSU continues to restock at quarterback, adding Hassan Longstreet after Sam Levitt.
- Georgia Tech lands Justice Haynes (No. 22 in ON3’s portal rankings), fitting their run-heavy offense.
-
Indiana's Portal Class:
- Indiana currently boasts the No. 2 (was No. 1) transfer class, with plug-and-play impact names:
- Josh Hoover (QB)
- Nick Marsh (WR)
- AJ Harris (DB, ex-Penn State)
- Shas Preston (WR, ex-Tulane)
- Extended portal recruiting window due to national title game entry.
- Indiana currently boasts the No. 2 (was No. 1) transfer class, with plug-and-play impact names:
-
Ohio State’s Portal Strategy:
- Picks from Alabama but more about depth and sustained competitiveness than wholesale roster retooling.
3. Mario Cristobal’s Legacy at Miami ([30:00]–[36:00])
- Listener question about Mario’s legacy if Miami wins the title.
- A win would vault Cristobal into a rare echelon among active coaches.
- Miami’s trajectory from 5–7 season (“getting dog-walked by Middle Tennessee State”) to potential champion highlights the program’s overhaul.
- Josh credits Cristobal for:
- Embracing and guiding a complete rebuild (“torch the barn, kill the rats”).
- Quiet, persistent growth in in-game management—criticisms about situational awareness have faded.
- Sustaining a daily intensity in the building that’s rare and “not for everybody”—indicative of high-achieving organizations.
“You don’t achieve at a high level with average people. So you’ve got to fill your building with high achievers. … That’s how it feels at Miami. That’s the legacy.”
—Josh Pate [35:15]
Featured Segment: Cole Cubelic Joins
1. Auburn Portal Anxiety—Fan Reaction & Coach Perspective ([37:07]–[44:48])
- Cole addresses fan panic over losing star players Cam Coleman and Deuce Knight.
- Rejects the idea that losing any individual player will cripple a program:
“No program has crumbled when an individual player or even, let’s just say, group of players have left.”
—Cole Cubelic [40:15] - Points to history—eg., losing Cam Newton hurt, but Auburn was back in national title contention within years.
- Critiques the portal-era focus on “recruiting stars” over actual productivity and team compatibility.
- Portal also allows programs to add new talent, possibly with better chemistry and fit.
- Rejects the idea that losing any individual player will cripple a program:
2. Modern Locker Room & Social Media Dynamics ([44:48]–[51:04])
- The guest and host discuss the rise of public social media “support” for departing teammates—often contrasted by private resentment.
- Many players perform for likes and positive comments, even when they don’t actually support a teammate’s decision:
“It’s the fear of not being liked and the desire to be liked … that’s it.”
—Cole Cubelic [47:57] - Coaches handle transfer/quitting situations differently: some exclude departing players from team facilities (Beamer), others are more pragmatic (Kiffin).
- The transfer landscape has made managing team culture vastly more complex.
- Many players perform for likes and positive comments, even when they don’t actually support a teammate’s decision:
3. National Championship Preview: Miami vs. Indiana ([51:04]–[60:11])
- Josh’s pick: Sticks with Miami—sees a path if Miami can play perfect, high-flying football for four quarters.
- Cole’s pick: Indiana—cites their efficiency, technical execution, and team-first approach as the deciding factors.
- Miami brings unmatched physicality (“Deontay Wilder right hand”), but Indiana’s mistake-free play and system trumps individual star power.
- Emphasis on “superhero” theory: Indiana doesn’t need a single hero (like Mendoza) to carry them—success is distributed via structure.
“They (Indiana) don’t make him [QB Mendoza] be a superhero. He can be. He shows up at times, but they don’t take the field and say, tighten up that cape, buddy, because if you ain’t ready, we ain’t winning.”
—Cole Cubelic [59:37]
4. Season Reflections: Surprises & Disappointments ([60:11]–[63:39])
- Both Josh and Cole candidly share where their preseason predictions went awry:
- “Whiffed on” teams: Clemson, LSU.
- Overachievers: Ole Miss, Texas Tech.
- Ole Miss cited as a program less reliant on individual superstars now, contributing to over-performance.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | [11:00] | Josh Pate | “Fan interest is the most important aspect in this entire equation. Now. They’re taken for granted. The interest is treated as a constant, when in reality it’s a variable.” | | [19:00] | Josh Pate | “You can’t continue to erode interest in everything other than the games and not have the collateral damage eventually include viewership of the games on the field.” | | [40:15] | Cole Cubelic | “No program has crumbled when an individual player or even, let’s just say, group of players have left.” | | [47:57] | Cole Cubelic | “It’s the fear of not being liked and the desire to be liked … that's it.” | | [59:37] | Cole Cubelic | “They don’t make [Mendoza] be a superhero. He can be. He shows up at times, but they don’t take the field and say, tighten up that cape, buddy, because if you ain’t ready, we ain’t winning.” |
Timestamps for Important Segments
- NCAA Convention / Big Changes – [03:30]–[19:00]
- Transfer Portal Rundown – [21:20]–[28:30]
- Mario Cristobal's Legacy – [30:00]–[36:00]
- Cole Cubelic guest segment starts – [37:07]
- Auburn portal anxiety – [37:07]–[44:48]
- Modern locker rooms & social media – [44:48]–[51:04]
- National Championship Preview – [51:04]–[60:11]
- Season surprises & disappointments – [60:11]–[63:39]
Tone & Style
Josh’s commentary mixes humor, analogy (“swimming pool in a pickup,” “water debates”), and pointed criticism of decision-makers, using conversational clarity and the perspective of a fan but blending in industry insight. Cole Cubelic brings direct, no-nonsense coach/player perspective, often referencing personal experience to explain locker room psychology and team dynamics.
Summary Takeaway
This episode is a must-listen for fans seeking both a big-picture view of imminent shifts in college football's power structure and a grounded, insider’s look at the real, human effects of the transfer era. The preview of Miami vs. Indiana is smart, nuanced, and leaves listeners with a deeper appreciation for team dynamics beyond just star power. Josh and Cole’s honest reflection on their own predictive misses further reinforces the show’s ethos: “no hot takes, just the information you need to know.”