Josh Pate's College Football Show (iHeartPodcasts)
Episode: Playoff & Bowl Fix REACTIONS + Early Top 25 & Winter Storm Update
Date: January 23, 2026
Episode Overview
Josh Pate dives deep into sweeping proposals for reforming the College Football Playoff and bowl season calendar, reacts to widespread feedback from fans and insiders, critiques preseason Top 25 rankings, breaks down key transfer portal moves, and closes with a detailed winter storm warning for the eastern United States. This episode blends in-depth, spirited college football analysis with trademark humor, audience engagement, and even a touch of weather forecasting.
1. Proposing and Reacting to a New College Football Calendar
Main Theme:
Josh recaps his recent, comprehensive proposal to overhaul the timing and structure of the College Football Playoff and bowl season, aiming for greater relevance, competitive balance, and alignment with portal and signing day periods.
Proposed Changes Recap [03:25–09:45]
- Move Week 1 up to what is now "Week Zero."
- Conference championship games are played on Thanksgiving weekend.
- Six selected bowl games become de facto playoff data points played right after Thanksgiving, with top teams not involved in conference championship games.
- These "enhanced" bowls would serve as a 13th game and significantly impact playoff selection.
- Selection Sunday is immediately after these bowl/data point games, at 9am, without directly contesting NFL time slots.
- First two rounds of the College Football Playoff are played on campus over the first two Saturdays in December.
- Semifinals (Round 3) at a neutral site, third Saturday of December.
- National Championship is always New Year's Day.
- Upon season's completion: signing day and transfer portal window, all before the spring semester.
"I think we figured out how to fix the College Football Playoff, how to save bowl season, how to move the national championship game to January 1, get the portal and signing day wrapped up by spring. ...Every piece of this has an actual payoff." —Josh Pate [06:00]
Community and Insider Feedback [09:45–18:00]
- The proposal was "shockingly well received," even by typical skeptics.
- Stakeholder feedback (ADs, coaches, media) agreed foundational issues exist: late championship game, diluted bowl relevance, scheduling chaos.
- Key challenge: Lack of a central leadership solving for the sport as a whole; everyone is acting in self-interest.
“Single biggest piece of feedback: no one's really leading right now. ...In a utopian world, everyone puts self-interest aside, but that doesn't happen.” —Josh [11:10]
- Divides in feedback:
- Idealists dismissed the plan for not being perfect.
- Realists recognized improvements over the current setup.
- Josh’s attitude: The perfect is the enemy of the good — his proposal is “better, not perfect.”
2. Addressing Criticisms and Pushback
Notable Critics and Their Points [18:00–28:20]
-
Danny Kanell argued the plan:
- Is "closer to Big Ten's 24-team playoff" (Josh disagrees).
- Kills Rivalry Weekend (Josh says it simply moves up one week; tradition not lost).
-
Networks reluctant to move Rivalry Week?
- Josh counters: "If the business case is right, they’ll do it. I’ve spoken to them" [26:40].
-
John Ziegler's feedback:
- Fears football becomes a summer sport (Josh: Not moving the start earlier, just all in Week 0).
- Concerned about key games on short notice Thanksgiving weekend (Josh: That’s already happening; change is more logistics than existential).
- Worried it kills the Rose Bowl (Josh: National title game can be the Rose Bowl).
- Army-Navy game conflict — "single greatest hurdle" to solve with new calendar (Josh: Wants to respect its legacy, open to creative solutions like midweek scheduling).
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Fan Logistics:
- Short notice for travel on Thanksgiving for "play-in" bowl games acknowledged as a pain point, but better than current format according to Josh.
Memorable Quote:
“Tough. Suck it up and deal with it. ...There is not an idealistic solution.” —Josh [24:14]
Conference Championship Games/Neutral Sites [28:20–30:30]
- Some suggest abolishing conference title games for more scheduling flexibility; Josh is open, but doubts league commissioners would go for it.
- On home playoff games vs. neutral sites: Josh would prefer all playoff games on campus except maybe the title game: "I despise neutral site venues..." [30:41]
Takeaway:
Nobody loves the current format. Detractors have not offered plausible, better alternatives.
3. Early 2026 Preseason Top 25 & Rankings Debate
Approach and Critique [35:05–46:00]
- Debating On3’s way-too-early Top 25; rankings are not projections, but “rankings like an AP voter.”
- Preseason criteria: Top 25 should not carryover from the previous season, due to massive roster/coach change.
- Criticisms of Texas and Notre Dame in Top 5: "Nobody's done anything to deserve anything preseason..." —Josh [39:25]
- Penn State famously seen as a "bad preseason bet" (ranked high but underperformed), but Josh argues most predictions were justified based on info at the time.
- Preseason "bias" only an issue when it persists after games are actually played: as long as results supersede preseason ideas, he’s fine with whatever.
- USC (#19) and Washington (#18) seem low; Auburn is Josh's potential wild-card team to surprise.
4. Transfer Portal & Recruiting Developments
Major Portal Moves [46:05–54:45]
- LSU: Has “picked up a premier edge rusher...9 sacks last year, 6’5, 245,” and is in contention for more top portal talent. Rumor: way too early Top 15 team.
- Miami: Lands Damon Wilson (former SEC 2nd team edge), backfilling for NFL-bound defensive stars.
- Jordan Seaton Watch: 5-star OL still undecided, battle between Miami, LSU, and Oregon.
- Duke Exodus: Darian Mensah and Cooper Barcade (top WR) set to land at Miami due to legal/eligibility issues.
- Clemson’s Portal Woes: Dabo Swinney finally uses portal, only to have ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Luke Forelli jump ship to Ole Miss after briefly committing: “he may never even pull his shirt off. He's not going to jump in after experiencing what they have with Luke Forelli.” —Josh [52:55]
- Ole Miss/Missouri intrigue around Caden Lee and legal eligibility for Trinidad Chambliss.
5. TV Ratings for the National Championship Game
Record-Breaking Viewing Numbers [56:20–60:30]
- Miami vs. Indiana national title:
- 30.1 million viewers (peak 33.2 million), highest since 2014, largest non-NFL telecast since 2016.
- Up 36% year-over-year.
- Indiana fans (and national interest) a big surprise as a viewership driver.
- Arguments about ratings: Fans shouldn’t be obsessed, but the huge number shows untapped potential if the sport is properly run.
“College football is not thriving because of great leadership...it’s thriving in spite of it.” —Josh [58:50]
- What matchup could top it?
- Josh's dream draw: Texas vs. USC would be “off the charts...would hit 35+ [million]” [59:50]
- New blood and nostalgia factor drive ratings (contrast with TCU’s “Cinderella” run that did not).
6. The Mood Tracker: Michigan
Assessing Michigan’s Fanbase Vibe [62:45–66:00]
- Post-Harbaugh, post-NCAA cloud, new head coach Kyle Whittingham in place:
- “The curtain has dropped” on drama—now fans feel ready to dream and build again.
- Confidence in a strong new era, especially with QB Bryce Underwood still on campus.
- “We're free to emotionally invest again without the fear of getting burned by some headline...” —Josh [63:20]
- Whittingham's unexpected final chapter at Michigan could be his most successful.
7. College Football Content in the "Offseason"
Show Format Outlined [61:00–62:45]
- No "offseason": Down to 2 shows/week, but programming continues, including the Pate State Speaker Series (coach & potential celeb interviews) and 24/7 coverage via social feeds.
8. Winter Weather Update
Detailed Forecast & Josh’s Weather Passion [66:00–69:45]
- Incoming winter storm (snow and major ice) from Oklahoma City to Richmond, possibly up the East Coast; special risk for Nashville.
- Euro weather model considered more accurate than American (GFS) for this system.
- Warning about rare “thundersleet/thunder ice” for those unfamiliar: “What you cannot say is you were not warned because this is your winter weather headquarters. For about three minutes tonight, this was your winter weather headquarters.”
- Sunday’s live show likely postponed due to storm impacts.
Notable Memorable Quotes
- On leadership in college football:
“In a utopian world, everyone puts self-interest aside, but that doesn't happen.” [11:10]
- On the TV ratings discussion:
“College football is not thriving because of great leadership...it’s thriving in spite of it.” [58:50]
- On the playoff scheduling proposal:
“If you want playoff expansion...why don't you achieve it in theory by baking as much of that into the regular season as possible? That's what I did.” [20:55]
- On critics wanting a perfect solution:
"Tough. Suck it up and deal with it...There is not an idealistic solution.” [24:14]
- On Michigan's new start:
“We're free to emotionally invest again without the fear of getting burned by some headline that randomly drops.” [63:20]
Key Timestamps
| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Playoff & Bowl Fix Proposal Recap | 03:25–09:45 | | Feedback & Discussion of Proposed Changes | 09:45–18:00 | | Addressing Criticisms (Danny Kanell, Ziegler, etc.) | 18:00–28:20 | | Neutral Sites vs. Home Playoff Games | 28:20–30:30 | | Top 25 & Preseason Rankings Critique | 35:05–46:00 | | Transfer Portal/Recruiting Intel | 46:05–54:45 | | TV Ratings & College Football Audience | 56:20–60:30 | | Spring Programming & Speaker Series | 61:00–62:45 | | Michigan Mood Tracker | 62:45–66:00 | | Winter Storm Update & Weather Talk | 66:00–69:45 |
Tone and Style
Josh Pate maintains an energetic, personable, and slightly sardonic tone, blending in-depth analysis, playful asides, and strong audience engagement. The show is passionate but no-nonsense, critical but constructive, always focused “on the information you need to know.”
Summary for New Listeners
This episode is a must-listen for anyone concerned with the chaotic state of college football’s postseason, seeking high-level transfer portal analysis, or just in need of a charismatic, honest take on college football’s direction. The wide-ranging, practical approach to reform and willingness to confront critics candidly, along with real-time insights on preseason rankings, make it a rich, engaging listen for insiders and casual fans alike. And if you’re anywhere near Nashville, don’t say you weren’t warned about the weather.