The Ryen Russillo Podcast: "CFB's Latest Terrible Idea, Colts Pick Jones Over Richardson, and the Best Defense in the NFL"

Date: August 19, 2025
Host: Ryen Russillo
Guest: Booger McFarland (ESPN/Former NFL Player)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the controversy over a proposed massive expansion to the College Football Playoff, analyzes shifting dynamics in the NFL—especially for the Colts at quarterback—and serves up conversation about NFL defenses for 2025. Russillo and Booger McFarland bring a candid, critical eye to major decisions shaping college and pro football, with some storytelling and a trademark life advice segment.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. College Football Playoff Expansion Controversy

Starts at 00:00

• Russillo’s Rant: Ryen expresses strong disapproval of the Big Ten–driven proposal to expand the playoff to 24 or 28 teams (“one of the dumbest ideas I’ve ever heard”—[05:04]). The suggested model: 7 auto bids each for the Big Ten and SEC, 5 for Big 12/ACC each, 2 non–Power 4 auto bids, and just 2 at-large slots.
• He argues the continued expansion devalues the regular season and “breaks what’s special” about college football, comparing the proposed format to the NCAA basketball tournament and the dangers of creeping expansion.
• On Conference Power: Sees the sport as lacking unified vision, with major decisions motivated by conferences' self-interest. “If you’re the Big Ten, is there a way we get seven of our programs in there every single year?... Let's throw this one out there" ([10:10]).
• History Lesson: Notes it would be the fourth championship system since 1997, with every new iteration moving farther from the sport’s roots.
• Comparison to Collective Bargaining: “When you start letting expansion run wild... now 4 to 28 would have seemed crazy, but 4 to 12, to 16, to 28...”—[11:49].
• Partnership Analogy: Unlike pro leagues, college football lacks a true commissioner and partnership among stakeholders—for TV money, “they only care about the television part.” ([12:51])
• Memorable quote: “College football is attempting to devalue its product” ([13:45]).

2. Booger McFarland on Expansion & College Football State

Starts at 13:54

• Booger Aligns: Agrees that expansion has gone too far—was "cool with four," slightly less bothered by twelve, but “not even in favor of 16.”
  • “At some point there has to be a cutoff. You can't include seven teams in the Big Ten and seven in the SEC. Like, it just doesn't make sense" ([14:46]).
• Trust in Leadership: Booger asserts faith that SEC commissioner Greg Sankey will “always do what's right by college football” ([15:39]), trusting him not to allow gimmicky expansions.
• Too Much Greed: Booger likens current expansion to a societal and corporate obsession with inclusivity for its own sake, aiming to emulate March Madness.
• Russillo’s Counterpoint: Challenges whether any commissioner genuinely acts for the sport, not just their region—"this arms race between the Big Ten and SEC is leading to a lot of this stuff" ([15:55]).
• On Conference Realignment: Recognizes Big Ten has gotten stronger with new additions, impacting arguments about team depth.

Notable Exchange

• Russillo: “Do you think if the Big Ten had not won the last two national championships, they would be proposing this kind of stuff?” ([19:52])
• Booger: “You always start—if you want 20 million, you ask for 40, hoping at some point you settle down... Does the Big Ten honestly think they're going to get seven auto bids?...I don't know of seven teams in that league...that are deserving” ([20:13]).

3. 2025 College Football National Title Picture

Starts at 22:13

• Teams with Fewest Question Marks: Booger’s top two—Clemson & Penn State—“fewest question marks, veteran quarterback, answers on both sides.” ([22:25])
• Other big names have significant uncertainties, especially at quarterback (Ohio State, LSU, Notre Dame, Alabama, Georgia, Texas).
• Dark Horse Pick: South Carolina—if they repeat last year’s form, “they might get in the playoffs with 9–3” ([24:24]).
  • Cited brutally tough schedule; noted playoff gatekeeping may underrate three-loss teams with hard slates.

4. Breaking Down Key College QBs & Coaches

Starts at 27:56

• Quarterback Situation:
  • Arch Manning (Texas): “I'd be a little shocked if just Arch Manning all of a sudden was average. That would be surprising to me”—Russillo ([27:47])
  • Julian Sayin (Ohio St): “Everything coming out of Ohio State says this. This ball comes out quick, it's accurate, and it's quick"—Booger ([28:32])
  • Ty Simpson (Alabama): Booger thinks he may get a chance, but could be quickly replaced by a freshman if he falters.
  • Offensive play-caller fit and locker room dynamics matter most.
  • Saban anecdote: Locker room buy-in often trumps external factors; a head coach must listen to his players ([32:21]).

5. Booger’s Peyton Manning Story

Starts at 37:28

• Booger describes joining the Colts, being promoted into leadership, and—after Peyton nearly threw three picks in a playoff game—“I said, hey, hey, 18. Hey, just so you know, hey, let's not throw it to them today because they can't score on us.”—and Peyton “looked at me like I had four heads” ([38:00]).
• They won the game by kicking five field goals; years later Peyton admitted Booger was right.

6. NFL Quarterback Decisions: Colts

Starts at 40:03

• Indy’s QB Choice: The Colts choosing Daniel Jones over Anthony Richardson:
  • Booger: “If you're the coach and you gotta listen to what the locker room is saying... Shane Steichen has to win... he chose Daniel Jones. He said, which guy gives me the best chance to keep this view today?... He didn't choose the future he may not be part of” ([41:02]).
• Coach self-preservation trumps long-term planning, with a talented roster raising expectations.
• Russillo: “Anthony Richardson to this point has given us nothing... I don't even know that it’s that complicated of a decision” ([42:10]).
• Both discuss why choosing the “safe” option (Jones) also serves teammates seeking to capitalize on the team's talent.

Hypothetical QB Preference

• Booger asks: For the next three years, who do you pick: Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson, Shadur Sanders?
• Russillo: “I would take Shador...I’ve seen enough with Jones. But if I'm a coach and I'm going, am I going to be here in three years?... let's see what we have in Shador here” ([44:16]).

7. NFL Defensive Rankings & Rodgers to Pittsburgh

Starts at 50:42

• Booger’s Top Defenses (if healthy):
  • Denver Broncos (his top pick)
  • Rams (emerging front seven)
  • Detroit (physical, tough defense)
  • Baltimore (“can come at you in waves”)
  • Pittsburgh and Philadelphia both in the mix, but notes Philly’s pass rush has lost some key pieces.
  • “If they [Pittsburgh] can do that—12–5, and they’ll be a tough out come January” ([52:55]).
• Booger sees quiet offseason from Rodgers in Pittsburgh as a good sign—thinks they can be “top five defense in football.”

8. College Contenders to Avoid

Starts at 56:10

• Booger’s Questions:
  • Oregon: Too much turnover at QB, not physical enough to win Big Ten in 2025.
  • Miami: Skeptical about Carson Beck’s ability to galvanize the team a year after Cam Ward's departure.
  • Georgia: Offense may not be explosive enough; “I’m very interested to see... Is this a year where Georgia is not 11-1, 10-2?” ([56:46])
  • James Franklin (Penn State coach): Booger: “I don’t believe in coincidences. If you look at his record in big games…it’s not good…at some point, he’s got to get this talented team over the hump” ([57:29]).
• Russillo agrees, citing Franklin’s 1-9 record vs. Ohio State and 3-16 vs. top-10 teams ([59:56]).

9. NFL Preseason Philosophy

Starts at 62:03

• Booger asks why NFL uniquely tries to “bubble wrap” stars in preseason.
• Russillo: “Everybody's just copied each other out of fear... I do think the body needs some kind of contact to be ready for what kind of contact you're dealing with week one”—supports some live preseason reps to reduce injury risk ([64:00]).
• Booger: "Football is played with one thought. You have to have the ability—at any moment you can get your head knocked the hell off” ([64:55]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Russillo: "This is one of the dumbest ideas I’ve ever heard" (re: playoff expansion) — [05:04]
• Russillo: “College football is attempting to devalue its product” — [13:45]
• Booger: “At some point there has to be a cutoff. You can't include seven teams...it doesn't make sense” — [14:46]
• Booger: “Greg Sankey...is the smartest guy in college football. As long as he's the commissioner...I'm not concerned" — [15:39]
• Booger’s Manning story: "I said, hey, 18...let's not throw it to them today... He looked at me like I had four heads" — [38:00]
• Booger (Colts QB decision): "He chose the one he thinks gives him the best chance to keep his job" — [41:02]
• Booger on defense: "Defensively...if they stay healthy, I think [Pittsburgh] are a top five defense in football this year" — [51:45]
• Booger (Franklin’s challenge): “At some point he's got to get this talented team over the hump” — [57:29]

Segment Timestamps

• 00:00 — Russillo's CFB playoff expansion rant
• 13:54 — Booger McFarland joins, agrees and expands on playoff controversy
• 22:13 — National title contenders & teams with fewest question marks
• 27:56 — Booger on top college QBs, coaching dynamics
• 37:28 — Peyton Manning story
• 40:03 — Colts QB decision: Daniel Jones vs. Anthony Richardson
• 50:42 — NFL defensive discussion; Pittsburgh’s upside with Rodgers
• 56:10 — College contenders to question; James Franklin skepticism
• 62:03 — NFL preseason: Should stars play?
• 64:55+ — Life Advice & mailbag (skipped in this summary per instructions)

Tone and Style

The episode is candid and irreverent, with Russillo’s characteristic skepticism and Booger’s measured, football-savvy directness. Both are unafraid to call out institutional self-interest and complacency in college football, while adding insight from pro playing experience. The conversation blends analysis, storytelling, and grounded humor, especially in anecdotes about locker rooms, front-office logic, and player evaluation.

Useful For:

• Understanding the challenges and politics in college football’s postseason expansion debate
• NFL QB carousel logic from coaches' and locker room perspectives
• Scouting 2025 NFL defensive outlooks and college title races
• Entertaining, unfiltered sports podcasting with insider stories

Key Takeaway:
There’s little faith among the hosts or guests that college football leadership serves the game's long-term best interests, and playoff expansion continues to threaten what’s made the sport special. Meanwhile, real NFL coaching/roster dynamics remain governed by survival, not idealism—while the best defenses in football are poised to shape the coming season.