Podcast Summary: The Triple Option

Episode: College Football Playoff Rankings, Freeze Out at Auburn, BYU's Kalani Sitake Joins, & Week 11 Picks

Date: November 5, 2025
Hosts: Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, Rob Stone
Special Guest: Kalani Sitake (BYU Head Coach)

Episode Overview

This episode offers an instant reaction to the first College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings under the expanded 12-team format, deep dives into the relative strengths of each conference, and discusses notable CFP contenders. The crew also analyzes SEC coaching upheaval—especially at Auburn—before welcoming BYU head coach Kalani Sitake in a candid interview ahead of the undefeated Cougars’ marquee road matchup. The crew closes with signature segments including uniform rankings, Deuce Deuce Dog of the Week, and Week 11 picks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking Down the First CFP Rankings

• The 12-Team Format:
  • 12 teams now make the playoff. Five highest-ranked conference champs earn automatic bids, next seven highest-ranked teams fill out the field. Top four seeds (regardless of conference or champion status) get first-round byes. First-round games are on campus of the higher seed ([01:28]).
• Initial Top Three — Unbeaten Teams:
  • Ohio State (#1), Indiana (#2), Texas A&M (#3), mirroring the AP poll.
  • Urban Meyer: “Ohio State has better players at the end of the day, and that's not a disrespect to IU at all.” ([03:10])
  • Indiana credited for “the best win,” A&M “came out of nowhere but playing really good ball” ([03:10-04:00]).
• Big 12’s Upswing:
  • BYU (#7) and Texas Tech (#8) create a “top-8 showdown in Lubbock.” Utah at #13 means all three Big 12 teams in the top 13 ([05:18-06:00]).
  • Mark Ingram: “It's the respect for the Big 12 here.”
• ACC and SEC Landscape:
  • ACC likely “one and done”—Virginia is highest at #14 despite five teams in the top 25 ([06:24-06:40]).
  • SEC dominates with six in the top 12, nine in the top 25 ([07:08-07:40]).
  • Urban Meyer: “SEC has now surpassed the Big Ten again… the Wolverines, Penn State and USC are nonfactors right now.”
• Expanded Playoff Parity:
  • “25 possible teams have hope and a dream ... which is winning a national championship.” —Mark Ingram ([09:41])
  • Urban Meyer on expanded playoff: “I was worried it'd be diluted. It's not diluted… The vision of the 12-team playoff: I say go to 16 and keep rolling. This is incredible for our sport.” ([08:44-09:25])

2. SEC Coaching Carousel & The “Auburn Problem”

• Hugh Freeze’s Dismissal at Auburn:
  • Freeze fired after 2+ seasons (15-19), 1-12 vs ranked teams, and a hefty $16 million buyout ([13:24]).
  • “Auburn will have paid its last three football coaches $52 million in buyouts.” —Rob Stone ([16:44])
  • Mark Ingram: “You have to be aligned. From the president to the AD…to the players…It seems like they’re not in cohesion right now. And, honestly, we love it… Bama loves it.” ([14:13-14:58])
• More Than an Auburn Problem:
  • “Ten coaches fired before November; most since ’78.” ([13:17])
• Historical Context:
  • Auburn’s best coaches (Tuberville, Chizik, Malzahn) had strong stints, but recent short leashes—Burn rate on buyouts is unsustainable ([15:54]).

3. NIL, Pressure on QBs, & Player Mentality

• Carson Beck at Miami:
  • Accumulated $10 million in NIL deals but has thrown 21 interceptions in last 21 games, six in two critical losses ([24:08-27:44]).
  • Mark Ingram: “I've been around Hall of Fame quarterbacks…they never pointed the finger…they take ownership, take accountability, and that's how you get the respect of your teammates.” ([25:03])
• NIL Money vs NFL Reality:
  • Mark Ingram: “I played 12 years, I never had a $10 million year!”
  • Urban Meyer: “Think about what he just said. He's the leading rusher in Saints history!” ([28:21-28:41])

4. Kalani Sitake on BYU Culture, Mission Mentality, Recruiting, and Lubbock

BYU’s Unique Culture

• Mission Program:
  • “Normally we’re around 60% [return missionaries]. You join a team of young men willing to serve. The goal is to be part of something bigger than yourself…especially in a time with NIL and Rev Share.” —Kalani Sitake ([37:40])
  • Urban Meyer: “When they come back…they're really grown men. That is a mature [team].” ([36:52])
• BYU’s Recruiting:
  • Mark Ingram: “Everyone’s chasing five stars…am I wrong that there's no five stars on your roster?”
  • Kalani: “I'm looking for five star character…five star work ethic. That’s the stuff I think matters.” ([39:23])
  • “I'm attracted to young men that want to be mama’s boys…because I think if they do that then they'll definitely listen to me.” ([39:32])

Leadership & Fit

• “I got to play for a legend named Lavell Edwards… coached by Urban [Meyer] and Kyle Whittingham… all I had to do was pay attention and listen and apply it.” ([34:41])
• “The confidence you get is all from internal, not external. The praise and the criticism both mean the same.” ([42:45])

Fullback Mentality at QB

• “All a fullback is, is an O-lineman in the backfield…when Bear [Bachmeier] has that mentality at QB… not afraid to do whatever it takes to help the team.” ([45:02])
• Referring to his only career touchdown as a player:
  • “I played 50 football games here… I scored one touchdown. It’s the most glorious touchdown you’ll ever see… If you needed one yard, two yards, give it to me. If you needed three or more, give it to the guy behind me.” ([46:53])

Embracing Environments Like Lubbock (‘Tortilla Town’)

• On tradition of fans throwing tortillas:
  • “I want to see everything... Tortillas fly in the air. Give me some food so I can put it in there. Let me get after it… I'm just looking forward to the fans and the overall environment.” ([48:00-49:17])
• Requests for “more than tortillas”:
  • “Don’t throw me some—you know, throw me some chicken and some steak while you’re at it.” ([49:21])

5. Signature Segments & Picks

Deuce Deuce Dog of the Week: Arch Manning

• 25/33, 328 yds, 3 TD vs #9 team
• Mark Ingram: “You can’t be soft and be the Dog of the Week… Who cares what they say, man. Tell ‘em to hate the player. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.” ([21:48-22:31])

College Football Uniforms — Host Rankings

• Mark’s Top Three:
  • Penn State all-white “Whiteout”
  • Notre Dame green/gold combos (“green mean money”)
  • Oregon (“trendsetters…they got flavors at Oregon”) ([51:21-52:46])
• Urban’s Top Three:
  • Ohio State all-black alternates (“It’s called recruiting—the players love the all-black”)
  • Florida Gators blue/orange
  • Texas all-whites ([53:02])

Week 11 Preview & Picks ([57:59])

• Game of the Week: BYU at Texas Tech
  • Both teams strong on both sides; Tech 10.5-point favorite, Rob picks Texas Tech by 7 (BYU covers)
• Oregon-Iowa:
  • Ducks favored by 6.5. Urban expects close game, picks Iowa to cover.
• LSU at Alabama:
  • Bama favored by 9.5. Mark picks Alabama to win & cover: “You haven’t seen the best version of Alabama yet.” ([62:23-64:32])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Urban Meyer on Expanded Playoff:

  “I say go to 16 and keep rolling. Man, this is incredible what it's done for our sport.” [09:25]

• Mark Ingram on Auburn Dysfunction:

  “You have to be aligned...It has to be a vertical, in-sync rhythm. It just seems like they're not in cohesion right now. And honestly, we love it. Bama loves it.” [14:13-14:58]

• Kalani Sitake on BYU Player Ethic:

  “I'm looking for five-star character, five-star work ethic....That's the stuff that I think matters.” [39:23]

• Sitake on Fullback Mentality:

  “All a fullback is, is an O-lineman in the backfield…when Bear has that mentality at QB…not afraid to do whatever it takes to help the team.” [45:02]

• Kalani on Lubbock’s Tradition:

  “Tortillas fly in the air. Give me some food so I can put it in there. Let me get after it.” [49:05]

• Mark Ingram on NIL Money:

  “I played 12 years, I never had a $10 million year!” [28:21]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Intro & Rankings Reaction | 00:52–12:36 | | SEC Coaching Fires, Auburn Deep-Dive | 12:44–17:19 | | NIL Talk & Quarterback Pressure | 23:46–28:50 | | Kalani Sitake Interview | 33:32–50:38 | | Uniform Rankings | 50:40–56:58 | | Key Game Previews/Picks | 57:59–64:32 |

Episode Takeaways

• The new 12-team CFP is delivering parity and hope across the sport.
• SEC remains the deepest conference, but the Big 12 is ascendant and could earn two playoff spots.
• Auburn’s issues highlight deeper program-wide dysfunction, with coaching churn and financial consequences.
• NIL has drastically changed locker room dynamics and accountability—especially for QBs with big deals.
• Kalani Sitake offers a “culture as competitive advantage” message: character, mission experience, and humility are central to BYU’s rise.
• Week 11 slate is packed, with BYU-Texas Tech a possible prelude to a Big 12 title game rematch.

To join the conversation, leave questions and comments for the crew or follow @3XOptionShow on all platforms!