Macrodosing: College Football Cheating Scandals (ft. Brandon Walker) — January 15, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, PFT Commenter, Arian Foster (briefly), Big T, Mackenzie, and special guest Brandon Walker dive deep into the world of college football cheating scandals. They explore historical examples, recent rumors (especially the wild speculation surrounding Indiana football’s meteoric rise), and brainstorm creative ways teams might bend or break the rules in the NIL and transfer portal era. With trademark Macrodosing humor and irreverence, they also entertain listeners with tangents on crypto rug pulls, pilot mental health, cat ownership, favorite football movies, and more.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Eric Adams’ Crypto Rug Pull (03:44, 22:25)

• Summary: Big T recounts NYC’s ex-mayor Eric Adams launching “NYC Token” to “combat antisemitism and anti-Americanism”—and allegedly rug-pulling the coin within hours. The panel jokes about the absurdity and how people still fall for such scams.
• Quote: “If you bought a single cent of Eric Adams’ exclusive NYC Token, you do not have any right to be upset about it getting rug pulled. That’s a 100% skill issue.” — PFT Commenter (23:20)
• The panel runs through public figures who could do a rug pull next, with Mincy and Chip & Joanna Gaines getting honorable (or dishonorable) mention.

2. The Phenomenon of Cheating and Scandal in Sports & Life (35:21–95:41)

• Indiana Football’s Sudden Dominance & Cheating Rumors

  • Indiana’s outlier year sparks accusations of hacking, sign stealing, and other subterfuge (36:06, 36:47).
  • Four first-drive interceptions and explosive starts provide circumstantial “evidence.”
  • Old Dominion’s surprise success against Indiana feeds the speculation—they didn’t use the shared technology system as others do (37:47, 111:55).
  • Indiana’s unorthodox roster--senior-laden, mistake-free, and quarterback-centric--is highlighted as the non-cheating explanation (41:13).

• Is Cheating Just Part of the Game Now?

  • Parallels drawn to Michigan's sign-stealing scandal and the NCAA's lack of teeth.
  • Panelists reflect on the ethical and practical dimensions: “If you were guaranteed a national title in the next five years, but your school became the dirtiest, most cheating organization in America—do you care?” Resounding yes. (45:04)

3. Historical Cheating: The Vault of Scandalous Tactics (75:41–95:41)

• Creative & Historical Methods:
  • The George Halas Timeout Dog — Using a dog trained to stop NFL games for “timeouts.” (75:41)
  • Stadium Engineering: The Buffalo Bills allegedly manipulated wind by opening/closing doors during games (86:55–88:31).
  • Scholarships for Nonexistent Teams: Herschel Walker’s sister gets a track scholarship from UGA before a women's program existed (88:31–88:50).
  • Sharing Secrets: 1963 Georgia-Alabama scandal where the Georgia AD gave Bear Bryant their playbook via crossed phone lines (90:05–93:41).
  • Spyware/Electronics: Allegations Colts used earpiece tech for Peyton Manning; modern parallels discussed (60:05–62:23).

4. How Would You Cheat? Dreaming Up Modern Scams (55:02–66:30, 99:16–111:19)

• With unlimited funds, no magic, and unlimited cunning, the team and listeners devise these schemes:
  • Brandon’s Madness:
    • Seductive honeypots to implant brain chips in opposing players—chips trigger backward runs or inaccurate passes via ultrasonic sound (55:46).
    • Biological warfare (an outbreak backfires!), advanced hacking, “cars, cars, cars” as NIL cover for old-school player bribery.
  • PFT’s Play:
    • Mass earpiece system—shadow coaching staffs relay real-time position group instructions. Possible pitfalls: “unmitigated chaos” if signals are wrong (61:49).
  • Big T’s Tactics:
    • Alumni-organized alt-coin pump-and-dump for NIL funding.
    • Bribing walk-ons and agents at opponent programs for playbooks and scripts.
    • Boardroom-level sign-stealing and taping communications in Connor Stallions fashion.
  • Voicemailers’ Ideas:
    • Recruiting transfer portal plants from every opponent for insider info.
    • Government leveraging military draft to recruit (satirically) for service academies.
    • Drones and “fake” production crews to visually/audio spy during games (99:16).
    • The honeypot: seducing non-player sideline signalers to get passwords and playbooks (105:24).
    • Tech-based radio interception of playcalls.

5. Why is Cheating So Hard to Catch Now?

• NIL Disguises Cheating: NIL is just the “face” on old bags-of-cash scams and makes car bribes seem legal (58:28). No effective NCAA oversight.
• Euphemistically, “the table is 30 feet off the ground because of how much is under it right now.” — Brandon Walker (59:26)

6. Other Notable Tangents & Segments

The NFL’s (and Pilots') “Infectious” Mistakes (08:22–16:11)

• A riff on how one person being late (or crashing a plane) seems to “infect” others. The “crash clusters” theory from Freakonomics, and pilot mental health policies—should every pilot have a therapist? Is the real risk secret, untreated pilot distress?

The OnlyFans Tax Debate (29:47–34:47)

• A Florida gubernatorial candidate proposes a 50% OF tax, gets into a feud with top OF creator Sophie Rain. The gang delves into why anyone pays for OnlyFans (vs. endless free porn), with perspectives on creator empowerment, the loneliness epidemic, and how parasocial relationships can get dark.

Favorite Football Movies (53:03–54:26)

• Brandon Walker’s rankings:
  1. Friday Night Lights
  2. Any Given Sunday
  3. Remember the Titans
  • “If that movie was made without the Disney-ification, I think it would be a top-5 movie of all time.” — Brandon Walker (54:13)
• Debate over Ed Harris vs. Will Patton in “Remember the Titans” escalates in classic “no, yes, no, yes” style.

Voicemail Lightning Round (98:18–111:19)

• Listeners pitch increasingly creative schemes, from recruiting for insider knowledge to running advanced spy networks. The consensus: the NFL and college football’s increasing player movement makes complex systems hard to execute; simple bribery and basic espionage still reign supreme.

Final Thoughts: Is Indiana the Greatest Story Ever? (114:17–116:20)

• If Indiana wins it all (16–0), does it top LSU 2019? Leicester City? The Miracle on Ice? “It’s the most improbable story in the history of sports.” — Big T (114:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Doesn’t that make sense? Michigan got to the top of the sport with their own cheating scandal... and nothing happened. So why wouldn't somebody crop up and say, well, all right, if you can get away with it, we’ll just do it.” — Brandon Walker (38:47)
• “If you were guaranteed a national title but your school had to become the dirtiest, most cheating organization in America, do you care?” // “Yes.” — PFT, Big T, Walker (45:21)
• “We put a NIL coat of paint on college football; the cheating... is worse than it’s ever, ever been. No one cares, because you have the legal face of ‘it’s okay’.” — Brandon Walker (60:05)
• “Unmitigated chaos: 11 voices in 11 ears. If one guy gets fooled, the whole thing falls apart.” — Brandon Walker (62:33)
• “Timeout dog. Sometimes the best answer is just having a rascal.” — PFT Commenter (76:13)
• “Recruit agents and walk-ons to leak scripts. There’s always a guy with access not making anything.” — Big T (67:08)

Timestamps for Essential Segments

• Eric Adams’ Crypto & Rug Pull Culture: 03:44 / 22:25
• Indiana’s Cheating Accusations & Analysis: 36:06 / 36:47 / 37:47 / 41:13 / 111:55
• How to Cheat—Wild Ideas & Voicemails: 55:02–66:30, 99:16–111:19
• Favorite Football Movies (Ed Harris/Will Patton debate): 53:03–54:26
• Classic Cheating Tales (Timeout Dog, Stadium Wind, Scholarship Scams): 75:41–95:41
• OnlyFans, Loneliness, and Political Grandstanding: 29:47–34:47
• Final Indiana vs. Greatest Teams Ever Debate: 114:17–116:20

Tone & Style

The episode is fast, loose, and full of the panel’s signature jokes, running gags, and irreverent banter. The tone is skeptical but fun, blending sports-nerd seriousness with recurring humor and wild hypotheticals. Brandon Walker shines as a blend of historian and rogue schemer, while PFT and Big T keep the “would you do it for a natty?” question alive throughout.

For those who missed it:

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves the intersection of college football, absurdity, and investigative riffing. Whether you want historical lore, failed rug-pulls, or creative espionage plots, the show delivers laughs and insights in equal measure.