The Triple Option — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Alabama Storms Back, Kalen DeBoer Joins, Should G5 Make the Playoff, and CFP Picks
Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, Rob Stone
Special Guest: Alabama Head Coach Kalen DeBoer

Episode Overview

This Christmas edition of The Triple Option dives deep into the aftermath of the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff’s opening round, with a particular focus on Alabama’s remarkable comeback at Oklahoma. The hosts debate the inclusion of Group of Five (G5) schools in the playoffs, reflect on playoff rules and competitive balance, and break down playoff quarterfinal matchups—especially Alabama vs. Indiana. The crew is joined by Alabama’s head coach, Kalen DeBoer, who provides insight into the Tide’s resilience and looks ahead to the Rose Bowl clash. The episode balances inside access, candid debate, and big-game storytelling, offering both expert analysis and authentic locker room perspective.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. College Football Playoff First Round Recap

• Alabama’s Road Win at Oklahoma (03:35):
  Urban Meyer credits Alabama’s “best version” as nearly unbeatable, echoing the sentiment for Oregon and Georgia as top-tier teams.
  • “Alabama’s best version, they’re going to be hard to beat.” — Urban Meyer [03:47]
• Miami’s Win at Texas A&M (03:50):
  Both teams’ defenses shined, but Miami’s offense “was not good.”
• Heavy Defeats for G5 Schools:
  Ole Miss routed Tulane 41-10; Oregon outscored James Madison 51-34. The panel’s consensus: the G5 teams did not belong, at least this year.

2. The Group of Five Playoff Debate (04:26–16:57)

• Fairness and Access (04:58):
  Rob Stone shares Tulane coach John Summerall’s call for at least one G5 rep in the future, yet admits their play did not help the case this year.
• Urban’s Position (06:01):
  Urban Meyer is unsparing: “It’s not the best 12 teams in America. Not even close.” Says inclusion of Tulane and JMU was “kind of embarrassing.”
  • “What did you expect was going to happen?” — Urban [07:41]
• Mark Ingram’s Take:
  Points to “our CFP forefathers” for rules that let this happen because the ACC failed to provide a stronger champion.
  • “ACC was booty cheek.” — Mark [08:53]
• No Group Hugs (10:30–12:52):
  Rob suggests college football should be for all; Urban replies: “Your job is to crown a national champion and get the best 12 teams in America. That’s it… It’s survival of the fittest.”
  • “You want to say, Everybody get a chance? … Let’s all do a group hug and we’ll sing afterwards.” — Urban [10:54]
• Scheduling Solutions:
  Urban argues G5 teams should be required to schedule three perennial top-50 opponents to be eligible.
• The Scheduling Problem (15:01):
  Rob points out football schedules are set too far in advance; Urban agrees but insists “If you want to play with the big cats, you schedule them.”
• Future Adjustments:
  The hosts expect further playoff format tweaks to ensure quality.

3. Alabama’s Resilience & Locker Room Culture

• Kalen DeBoer Interview (21:44–39:59):

  • On the Oklahoma Comeback:
    DeBoer highlights team belief, the defense’s ability to force turnovers, and the emotional shift after a key pick-six.
    • “We overcame a 17-point deficit as fast as we did. There was just an energy in there.” — Kalen DeBoer [28:20]
  • Sustaining Peak Performance:
    Urban asks how to “get that best version all the time.” DeBoer stresses team buy-in, health, and continual adjustments.
  • Preparation for Indiana:
    He praises Indiana’s discipline and low mistake rate: “They do all the things that championship-level teams do.”
  • Handling Adversity (33:18):
    DeBoer reflects, “You got punched right in the face as hard as they could. And they came back… You can’t put a price on what just happened to your team, man.” — Urban Meyer
  • Managing Momentum & Schedule:
    DeBoer shares how the team is staying sharp, healthy, and focused with the Rose Bowl ten days away.

• Fun & Candid Moments:

  • Kalen DeBoer and Mark Ingram share playful banter about Ingram’s supposed doubts:
    • “You go harder for Bama than anybody in the nation. … They crown me king gump.” — Mark Ingram [25:17]
  • DeBoer didn’t know about the sideline 50 Cent “impromptu concert” until later but liked the energy it gave the team [38:08].
  • Reflections on road atmospheres and staff camaraderie.

4. Quarterfinal Matchups & Predictions (41:31–56:00)

• Mark’s “Deuce Deuce Dog of the Week” (41:49):

  • Miami RB Mark Fletcher Jr. gets the award after a grown-man 172-yard performance.
    • “Boy toting that rock, I don’t know where that sound comes from.” — Mark barking [42:40]

• Ohio State vs Miami (44:10):

  • Urban expects Ohio State to cover against a Miami offense that “looked a mess.”
  • Miami’s only hope is stellar defense keeping it low-scoring.
  • Big spotlight on OSU QB Carson Beck’s NFL draft prospects; he must show the “A version” to raise his stock.
  • Discussion of star wideouts: Jeremiah Smith (OSU) and Malachi Toney (Miami) could be difference-makers.

• Alabama vs Indiana (49:54):

  • Mark touts Indiana’s complete team and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, but picks Alabama’s “best version” to prevail.
  • “If we can get consistent performance playing to our potential, I like our path. I like Alabama to win.” — Mark Ingram [53:20]
  • Urban: “That was one of the best wins I’ve seen this year.” [53:13]

• Atmosphere in Norman:
  Memorable scenes from the Oklahoma game, including the tense press box and live fan shows with plenty of “Roll Tide” pride.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Urban Meyer (on G5 Teams in Playoff):
  “It’s not fair to the players, not fair to the coach, not fair to the two teams that were left out. It was kind of embarrassing for college football to have that happen.” [06:17]
• Mark Ingram (on Playoff Rules):
  “They wrote this rule thinking that that scenario would never happen.” [08:28]
• Rob Stone (on Access and Tradition):
  “Isn’t it part of our responsibility to grow the sport… to give everyone opportunity to step on this sacred ground of the college football playoffs?” [11:23–11:48]
• Kalen DeBoer (on Team Resilience):
  “This one… just 17-0 and coming back, now that’s one we’ve done together and that’s one we have to remember how we did it. … We thrived, we excelled.” [35:11]
• Mark Ingram (on Alabama Variance):
  “When Alabama’s playing at their potential, they’re one of the best teams in the country… Our bottom is blown out. I have no idea—you get two different teams.” [53:13, 53:20]
• Lighthearted Banter:
  “You want a group hug? … We understand that you don’t have one player recruited on your team that can compete. But you know what? Let’s all do a group hug and we’ll sing afterwards.” — Urban Meyer [10:54]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• G5 Debate Beginnings: 04:26
• Urban’s Fix for G5 Access: 06:01
• “Group Hug” Banter: 10:54
• Scheduling Problem: 15:01
• Kalen DeBoer Interview Starts: 21:44
• DeBoer on Oklahoma Comeback: 22:45, 26:49
• DeBoer on Indiana Scouting: 29:24
• Adversity as Value — Urban & DeBoer: 33:18
• Mark’s Dog of the Week: 41:49
• CFP Picks—Ohio State/Miami: 44:10
• CFP Picks—Alabama/Indiana: 49:54
• Norman Road Trip Stories: 56:11

Summary Flow

The episode walks listeners from post-playoff reaction and controversy (G5 in the CFP), into a high-energy and insightful chat with Kalen DeBoer about Alabama’s culture and readiness, and on to a high-level breakdown of looming quarterfinals. The hosts’ chemistry and credibility ensure lively, informed discussion with a mix of big laughs and coaching truths.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show

The Triple Option’s December 23, 2025 episode is a must-listen for college football fans interested in the growing pains of an expanded playoff, the realities facing smaller programs, and the behind-the-scenes pulse of an Alabama team aiming for another title. Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram, and Rob Stone combine authoritative analysis, nostalgia, and candor—alongside Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer—to deliver both context and color ahead of the CFP quarterfinals.