The Ryen Russillo Show

Episode: CFB Playoff Complaints, Debates & Predictions w/ Danny Kanell, Plus the Chiefs’ Necessary Reset w/ Mike Sando
Date: December 8, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers around controversy and debate in college football following the release of the playoff bracket—specifically, why Notre Dame was left out and Miami included, SEC and Group of Five dynamics, and the consistently thorny issue of playoff selection criteria. Russillo is joined by Danny Kanell to break down college football's latest playoff drama, then pivots to NFL talk with Mike Sando, focusing on the Kansas City Chiefs’ struggles and the state of AFC/NFC contenders. The show closes with Life Advice, as always, providing a lighter counterpoint.

CFB Playoff Controversy: Committee Rationale, Notre Dame’s Outrage, and Broader Implications

Timestamps: 03:00 – 17:00, 17:50 – 66:15

The Committee's Process and Criticism

• The playoff committee’s decision to exclude Notre Dame in favor of Miami led to widespread outrage, particularly among Notre Dame fans. Russillo opens with reflections on transparency in the process, how it can both help and harm, and why everyone is perpetually dissatisfied, no matter the system.
• Russillo (04:25):
  “If you only got one ranking on a Sunday, you would lose your mind… we want to see the work, but when we see work that we don't like, then we're just going to be mad about that and say the whole thing is stupid.”
• The weekly rankings are both a TV product and a lightning rod for criticism, fueling fan frustration, conspiracies, and accusations of favoritism, especially regarding blue blood programs.
• “Too much transparency” can make teams feel secure for weeks—until a late shift yanks that away, as happened to Notre Dame.

Notre Dame, Miami, and Tiebreaker Chaos

• Notre Dame fans are incensed, feeling the committee unjustly dropped them behind Miami, despite a season-long edge in the rankings and without playing a game.
• The complexity of conference tiebreakers, expansion, and unbalanced scheduling in the ACC muddied the waters even more.
• Notable Quote, Russillo (08:48):
  “Think of all these scenarios that had to go against Notre Dame for this to happen: lose the head-to-head, lose the head-to-head to a team of the same record, lose the head-to-head to a team right next to you in the rankings…”
• The Group of Five’s expanded playoff inclusion contributes to the shakeup, sometimes at the expense of more “deserving” Power programs—an outcome the new format only partly anticipated.

Head-to-Head, Eye Test, and Changing Minds

• Kanell and Russillo agree that, while Miami’s inclusion can be justified by head-to-head and resume, the committee’s shifting justifications and the optics around Alabama’s inclusion are more questionable.
• Kanell (18:24): “I understand Notre Dame’s frustration… but I also felt like the best possible outcome for the committee, I thought they were handed on a silver platter… Instead they took this way, which I totally understand Notre Dame's frustration.”
• Russillo points out the persistent dissonance between what committee spokespeople say and what actually happens, especially regarding “tiers,” “pods,” and when head-to-head is used versus ignored.

Playoff System Flaws and Future Adjustments

• The deep flaws of the current playoff criteria are acknowledged by all. The committee’s “flexible” (read: inconsistent) criteria allow them to cherry pick arguments for the teams they want.
• Kanell (28:24): “It’s quite possibly the worst job in America that you don’t get paid for… They can pick the teams and then the criteria is written in such a way that they can cherry-pick the things they value the most to justify the final 12 teams.”
• Looking forward, it’s expected the system will change again, particularly around Group of Five protocols and Notre Dame’s pathway into the field.
• Russillo notes: fans will complain no matter how the system is set up, referencing past disdain for both the BCS and the committee.

Deep Dive: Bracket Impact, Group of Five, and Power Conference Outlook

Timestamps: 33:30 – 54:28

Group of Five Over-Representation or Opportunity?

• Debate about whether Group of Five schools deserve two playoff spots in some years.
• Kanell (34:43): “Group of Five thing is interesting … There will be some team from the group of five that could compete. I think they earn it, they deserve it. But I think everyone now is starting to realize this just does not work and it’s going to get worse when we see these games unfold on the field.”
• Arguments about scheduling prerequisites and ranking thresholds for these teams.

Power Conferences’ Strength, SEC vs Big Ten

• The SEC is seen as having depth but fewer clear championship contenders right now; Georgia is the only team Kanell sees as a true national title threat.
• Kanell (51:58): “I really only think Georgia’s the only team that I can picture winning a national championship out of these teams.”
• Big Ten’s resource influx (via NIL and conference additions) and the changing competitive landscape are discussed.
• Transfer portal and NIL are flattening depth in the SEC, creating parity.

“Best Wins” Debates and Resume Handicapping

• Russillo and Kanell spar over the logic of resume versus “eye test,” especially in relation to Alabama’s tough schedule versus Notre Dame’s friendlier win streak.

Historic Context: Playoff Arguments and the 1993 Example

Timestamps: 61:22 – 66:15

• Danny Kanell recounts the 1993 FSU-Notre Dame-AP poll controversy as an analogy, advocating for resume over brand or head-to-head as a tiebreaker when the body of work isn’t comparable.
• Kanell (62:07): “If resumes are similar, then head to head has to matter the most. If not, totality of the resume wins.”

NFL Segment: AFC/NFC Playoff Picture & the Chiefs’ Necessary Reset

Guest: Mike Sando, The Athletic
Timestamps: 66:19 – 106:17

Chiefs’ Demise and What Comes Next

• Kansas City’s loss highlights a broken offense suffering from drops, schematic staleness, and a need for major retooling.
• Sando (67:42):
  “This group needs somewhat of an overhaul … There's going to have to be a reckoning. And I do think there's some schematic reckoning on offense too... missing the playoffs would be the best thing for them because it forces reflection.”

AFC Overview: Houston’s Defensive Emergence

• Houston (Texans) lauded for a dominant four-man rush and true top-tier defense by recent statistical measures (EPA, 3rd down D). Sando suggests their ceiling is perhaps higher than Jacksonville's due to the defense and a future “next gear” for Stroud.
  • “Numbers say … this Texas thing in a smaller sample of the last five years … actually a different level than even what we’re seeing from Denver.” (72:22)
• AFC teams all have flaws; no team is dominant. Playoff picture remains wide open.

Jaguars, Bills, Patriots, and AFC Uncertainty

• Jaguars—statistical improvements on defense, questions remain about Trevor Lawrence’s plateau.
• Buffalo gets discussed as a lurking contender: Josh Allen seen as an MVP dark horse, Bills still dangerous despite regression on defense (87:00).
• Sando points out: “I think you take the field over any one of these teams, and that includes Buffalo.”

NFC Check-In: Packers, Rams, Seahawks

• Packers: flashy but not consistently trusted on defense—Sando and Russillo agree they’re more fun than title favorite.
• Rams (with Stafford back): Sando calls this possibly McVay’s best NFL team even post-Aaron Donald, highlighting defensive depth and schematic balance.
• The in-house stadium entertainment at games is “the best part of the broadcast” (144:31).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Russillo on CFB anger cycles (04:25): “We hate it and love it at the same time … but when we see work we don’t like, we’re just going to be mad about that and say the whole thing is stupid.”

• Kanell on committee jobs (28:24): “Possibly the worst job in America that you don’t get paid for … you have to explain away 12, 13 people in a room.”

• Sando on Chiefs: “Missing the playoffs would be the best thing for them because it really does give you more time and forces you to reflect.” (68:35)

• Russillo on playoff weirdness (13:10): “This is what we’re thinking right now, that the final rankings are a reset. They exhale. They use that term: full body of work.”

• Kanell’s FSU v. Notre Dame analogy (62:07): “If resumes are similar, then head to head has to matter the most.”

Life Advice & Odd Sports Takes

(Timestamps: 106:21 – End)

• Hilarious stories and interpersonal dilemmas, e.g., buying a new car, handling strange sports takes from friends, what to do when your ex’s friend wants to date you, and navigating awkward airplane etiquette.
• Greatest running gag: “Bad roommate sports takes” and how to navigate those discussions—sometimes, just agree for your own happiness.
• Russillo’s tongue-in-cheek brainstorm for NBA relegation/expansion (139:09).

Key Segment Timestamps

• 03:00 – Deep dive into CFB Playoff transparency, Notre Dame’s disappointment
• 17:52 – Danny Kanell joins to break down the selection controversy
• 28:24 – Cherry-picking playoff committee criteria
• 34:43 – Group of Five debate and bracket impact
• 52:06 – SEC, Big Ten, and Power Conference breakdown
• 61:22 – Historic perspective & 1993 FSU/ND debate
• 66:19 – Mike Sando on Chiefs’ woes and AFC/NFC tiers
• 72:22 – Texans’ defense by the numbers
• 83:54 – Steelers, Packers, Rams, and NFC contenders
• 106:21 – Life Advice (romance, cars, friend drama, and weird sports takes)
• 139:09 – Russillo’s NBA “pro-rel” brainstorm

Overall Tone & Style

• Classic Russillo: analytical yet conversational, with sarcasm and a respectful, well-reasoned tone even during heated sports debates.
• Kanell offers level-headed takes and an insider’s edge; Sando brings data-driven, even-handed analysis to NFL discussion.
• Banter remains fun, occasionally self-deprecating, and always sharp: the hosts and guests freely disagree but rarely lose sight of the big picture.
• Life Advice keeps the latter half breezier and laugh-out-loud funny.

For Listeners New & Old

Whether you missed the episode, want to revisit the CFB playoff debate, or just catch the best NFL analysis of the week, this episode offers both passionate argument and statistical deep-dives, plus trademark Russillo humor and wisdom. If you follow college football or the NFL (and enjoy lively Life Advice), it’s must-listen content.