Ringer Tailgate — April 1, 2026

Episode: CFB Headlines and a Final Four Preview With Clark Kellogg

Episode Overview

This episode of Ringer Tailgate features the core crew—Tate Frazier, Van Lathan, and Joel Anderson—joined by legendary basketball analyst Clark Kellogg. The focus is a lively preview of the 2026 NCAA Men's Final Four, fresh college football headlines (including the ever-increasing price tags for top programs), and plenty of characteristically hilarious banter and classic "tussle talk." Other topics range from the saga of "raise the roof," to the culture of expectations in blue blood programs, hip-hop arguments, the shifting landscape of NIL/transfer rules, and more.

Tone: Rollicking, irreverent, candid, sharply analytical.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Opening Banter & "Raise the Roof" Saga

• Timestamps: 00:58 — 08:00

• The crew jokes about Joel Anderson's claim to inventing "raise the roof," poking fun at show rivalries and the running bit between Ringer podcasts.

• “They dis you. In your face at your legacy.” — Van Lathan (05:15)

• Joel reflects on internet beefs, defending his honor, and the recently hot online debates:

  "I am that person. And so, of course, it’s sort of hilarious for them to discuss it and think about it in that way." — Joel (05:20)

• Debates between responding to internet disses and letting things roll.

• Storytelling about the bygone era of campus wrestling (“tussling”)—Joel shares a “last tussle” story and self-aware banter on reputation.

2. Music, Culture, and the Jay Z Debate

• Timestamps: 10:00 — 24:50
• The team dives into Joel’s controversial Jay Z takes, the role of social critique in Jay Z’s music, and a future potential debate with hip-hop producer 9th Wonder.
• Extended references to Black Album, culture wars between regional rap fans, and how college musical tastes align with school identities.
• "You want to hear Jay Z talk about it?" — Van Lathan (20:40), referencing desire to see Jay Z address broader critiques.
• Nostalgic reminiscing about first albums (with Mase and CB4 references blending humor and genuine fandom).

3. “Tussle Talk” and Team Dynamics

• Timestamps: 15:34 — 18:29 / 63:26 — 66:41
• Memorable Moment: Joel recounts his “final wrestling match” in college, which degenerated from bravado into a realization about maturing out of “tussling” at 19.
• The show sets up “tussle” culture as a humorous throughline, later extended with Clark Kellogg’s own reflections on commonality of locker room tussles.

4. Clark Kellogg Joins — Final Four Deep Dive

• Timestamps: 40:07 — 71:17

Clark’s Opening Thoughts

• "I'm terrific, guys. Great to be with you. This tournament never disappoints...just a matter of what flavor do you like." — Clark Kellogg (40:21)
• Celebrates unpredictability and shared excitement heading into the finale.

Duke’s Upset and Final Four Field

• Timestamps: 40:47 — 42:01
• Honest assessment of Duke’s collapse ("you give up a 19-point lead...you gotta help that team come back") and why the Final Four still feels right.
• Discussion of teams present: UConn, Illinois, Michigan, Arizona.

Coaching Carousel Speculation

• Timestamps: 42:13 — 43:41
• Joel asks whether successful coaches (Tommy Lloyd, Dustin May) would leave for North Carolina. Clark says the grass isn’t always greener:

  "I'd be hard pressed to think that North Carolina would be better than either one of those spots...I would rather bloom where planted." — Clark Kellogg (42:40)

Michigan–Arizona Preview

• Timestamps: 44:25 — 46:36

• Both teams are “physically imposing...very well coached,” with deep, dominant frontcourts. Clark is especially interested in the matchup because Charles Barkley called it “the Arizona Invitational,” and Clark, as a Big Ten guy, would love to see Michigan change the narrative.

  "Both teams don't have any real weaknesses...hope they give us the kind of game that would be memorable." — Clark Kellogg (44:25)

UConn’s Dan Hurley, Coach Behavior, and Double Standards

• Timestamps: 46:36 — 51:34
• Van asks about the viral “headbutt” moment with Hurley and the different social/media reactions for white vs. Black coaches.
• Clark, while not having seen the full clip, is nuanced:

  “His style isn’t for everyone...I love his authenticity...but I think coaches should have a certain level of comportment...there is a level of self control that you can exercise for the greater good.” — Clark (50:14)

• The team agrees: if coaches ask players for composure, they should also model it.

NBA Draft Preview & Top Prospects

• Timestamps: 51:34 — 54:06
• Strong draft class, but no consensus #1 pick.
• Clark’s top debate: “It’d be between Wilson and DeBonsa for me...good big is better than good little.”
• On Cam Boozer: “Really strong complementary piece at the pro level, not necessarily a franchise piece.”

State of the College Game: NIL, Transfer Rule Turbulence

• Timestamps: 54:27 — 62:40

• College basketball viewership & product are thriving: “Between that 94 by 50 foot box is as good as it’s ever been...as crazy as it is off the court, it’s enhanced what’s between the lines.” — Clark (55:04)

• But he raises concerns: Multiple transfers risk undermining the educational payoff:

  “If you leave the exchange piece of education off the table...you do yourself a disservice. That’s the concern I have.” — Clark (56:34)

• The group debates the fairness of coaches “pushing” players out and why player movement is both a positive and negative.

Locker Room Tussling: Is It Normal?

• Timestamps: 63:26 — 66:08
• Joel asks Clark to weigh in on whether wrestling and fighting among players is common:

  "It's a little more commonplace than you would think." — Clark (64:21) "Usually it's resolved pretty quick within a team environment." — Clark (64:32)

  • Joel is vindicated, but Clark distinguishes friendly roughhousing from actual fights.

All-Time College Final Four Starting Five

• Timestamps: 66:08 — 70:27

• Van asks Clark for his “unbeatable” all-college-era team (’90s-present):

  • Names floated: Christian Laettner, Larry Johnson (over Laitner), Ray Allen, Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan, Anthony Davis. Clark says he’ll take up the challenge of building the “ultimate seven-man rotation” for next time.

• Notable moment: Clark participates in the tradition of "raise the roof" as the interview concludes (70:58).

5. College Football Headlines Roundup

• Timestamps: 72:05 — 107:40

Lane Kiffin’s $40 Million Roster at LSU

• The team reacts to ever-escalating roster budgets:

  "There's just no way, when that gets out, to tamp down expectations...no way for Lane Kiffin to underachieve next year." — Joel (74:29-75:03)

• Van and Joel spar over the relationship between resources, expectations, fan base patience, and the likelihood of coaches being fired even when these budgets produce only modest returns.

Fan Expectations & Coaching Job Security

• Sharp, ongoing debate: Is it fair to expect 10-2 playoff seasons in Year 1 at a blue blood, or is the culture of immediate results fueling dysfunction?
• “If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen!” — Van (80:48)
• Joel takes a more nuanced view, suggesting most jobs are “bound to end badly” and that the pressure can be counterproductive.

Transfer Portal Crackdowns & New NCAA Rules

• New rule: Coaches whose programs circumvent the portal window face 6-game suspensions (102:19).
• Joel and Van are skeptical that punishments will be enforced equally, especially for Black head coaches.
  “If they enforce that rule, it is going to be you and you’re going to be the one to take the punishment for that.” — Joel (102:31)

6. Rapid-Fire Segments & Episode Wind-Down

• Timestamps: 94:19 — End

Most Watched College Football Games

• Fun stat break: Alabama led with 13 top-100 watched games; TCU had two, North Carolina one (TCU vs. UNC, #50 overall).

2026 North Carolina Football Preview

• Tate predicts a 3-win season (“East Tennessee State, TCU, maybe Syracuse”), with a bleak outlook for UNC’s coach.

Colorado/Deion Watch

• The show notes waning attention to the Buffaloes and muses about the “state of Colorado football.”

Bowling vs. Topgolf & Random Hobbies

• In signature style, the episode closes with tangents on bowling as a family hobby, Topgolf parties, and Tiger Woods nostalgia (Tiger’s impact and cultural resonance, plus brief mention of his infamous "Cablinasian" Oprah appearance).

Closing Shout-Outs & Pop Culture Tribute

• Extended mutual appreciation for Clark Kellogg, producer Allison, and brief tributes to figures like Marcus Lattimore, Wright Thompson, Jason Weaver, Maya, Mase, and others.

Notable Quotes & Moments

(All timestamps in MM:SS format):

• On pressure at LSU (74:29):
  “There’s just no way, when that gets out, to tamp down expectations...no way for Lane Kiffin to underachieve next year.” — Joel

• On Jay Z’s music (20:40):
  “You want to hear Jay Z talk about it?” — Van

• On coaching in high-pressure jobs (80:48):
  “If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen!” — Van

• Clark on college hoops culture (55:04):
  “The game between the lines… is as good as it’s ever been...and the tournament has shown that.”

• Clark on player movement (56:34):
  “If you leave education off the table, then I think you do yourself a disservice.”

• On physicality in locker rooms (64:21):
  “It’s a little more commonplace than you would think.” — Clark

• Legendary 'Raise the roof' moment (70:58):
  [Clark and crew raise the roof on air]

Summary Table of Key Segments

| Segment | Topic | Key Guest/Topics | Timestamp | |-----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------| | Opening Banter | Raise the Roof, internet beefs, “tussle” culture | Crew | 00:58–08:00 | | Jay Z Debate | Hip-hop discourse, 9th Wonder mention | Crew | 10:00–24:50 | | Tussle Stories | Campus wrestling, team bonding, locker room fights | Crew | 15:34–18:29 | | Clark Kellogg | Final Four, coaching carousel, Michigan-Arizona, Hurley, NIL/transfer | Clark Kellogg, Crew | 40:07–71:17 | | Final Four Preview | Team matchups, all-time college team, locker room culture | Clark, Crew | 44:25+ | | CFB Headlines | Lane Kiffin/LSU, fan expectations, NCAA crackdown, TV viewership | Crew | 72:05–107:40 | | Odd Hobbies | Bowling, Topgolf, Tiger Woods, celebrity well-being | Crew | 109:10+ |

If You Missed the Episode, Know This:

• The Final Four is stacked, stories abound; the Michigan–Arizona clash is the “real title game,” but all four programs have legit claims.
• Transfer/NIL chaos off the court equals higher quality and more parity on the court—yet concerns linger about educational impact.
• In the coaching carousel, expectations and spend have reached unsustainable heights—get ready for more turnover unless athletic departments get real about history vs. hope.
• Culture, camaraderie (and "tussling") are alive and well in college sports—on and off the court.

To close:
If you want a show that’s as much about the in-between as the on-field, and where the guests not only break down X’s and O’s but join in on an impromptu “raise the roof,” this is it. Clark Kellogg summed up the mood:

"It’s just a matter of what flavor do you like—but [the tournament] gives everybody something to enjoy.” (40:21)

Next week:
The team teases possible guests like Bill Bellamy, more CFB chaos, and continued Final Four fallout—plus inevitable banter about TCU and LSU’s next existential crisis.