Podcast Summary: The Triple Option

Episode: Michigan's Future, Diego Pavia Pouts, Kyle Whittingham Retires, & CFP Round 1 Picks
Date: December 17, 2025
Hosts: Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, Rob Stone

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off a new era of college football as Mark Ingram II, Urban Meyer, and Rob Stone break down a seismic week in the sport—including Michigan’s coaching chaos, Diego Pavia’s controversial Heisman fallout, Kyle Whittingham's momentous retirement at Utah, and an in-depth look at the first-round matchups in the newly expanded College Football Playoff. The trio leverage extensive inside knowledge, player insight, and offbeat humor to deliver a comprehensive, real-time analysis.

Key Topics and Discussions

1. Michigan’s Tumultuous Future

Timestamps: 00:56–14:03

The Sharon Moore Firing and Fallout

• Rob Stone: Opens with reflections on the “saddest stories I’ve ever encountered in all of athletics” (02:32) with the abrupt firing of Michigan head coach Sharon Moore due to scandal.
• Mark Ingram II: Emphasizes the human impact, voicing empathy for Moore’s family and Michigan’s larger community:

  "You just start having sympathy and empathy for these families being impacted... it's heartbreaking." (03:09)

• Urban Meyer: Highlights ongoing turmoil in Ann Arbor, detailing a string of scandals (sign-stealing, COVID violations, personnel indictments):

  “There’s been a lot of stuff go on... But interestingly, my inside source says the players are all in. No one's bailing, even with a big bowl game ahead.” (05:12–05:55)

Leadership Vacuum and Uncertainty

• Stone details the instability at the top: interim university president, athletic director under investigation, and no head coach (06:05).
• The current acting head coach, Biff Poggi, is praised for stability amidst chaos.

Who Should Lead Michigan?

• Urban Meyer: Dismisses rumors about big-name coaches (e.g., Marcus Freeman, Kalen DeBoer), explaining how agents use openings for contract leverage:

  “When you hear that stuff, that's an agent out there throwing his name out there... you’re going to hear the word ‘extension and a raise.’” (09:33)

• Contenders discussed: Jedd Fisch, Clark Lea, Kenny Dillingham, with a humorous aside that even Urban’s own name is circulating ("That’s my agent doing that to get me a raise on Big Noon." – 10:21).
• Stone and Ingram suggest sticking with Poggi as a stabilizing, “Michigan man” choice:

  “Why not have a Michigan man lead them? ... Someone who’s been there, knows what Michigan is about.” (12:49)

Memorable Moment:

• Joking About Outlandish Candidates:

  "Dave Portnoy, the new head coach of the Wolverines. And Charles Woodson... can you imagine Portnoy running down the ramp...?" (13:28–13:53)

2. Army-Navy Recap & Deuce Deuce Dog of the Week

Timestamps: 18:33–22:39

Dog of the Week

• Ingram chooses Navy QB Blake Horvath as the Deuce Deuce Dog of the Week for his gritty performance in the iconic rivalry.

Inside Access to Army-Navy

• Urban Meyer: Shares the experience from inside the Army locker room and describes the pregame march, flyovers, and the emotional intensity of the event:

  "Best part is the march on... the entire student body of the elite of elite march on the field. I tear up every time I see it." (21:06)

• Stone and Ingram reflect on the game’s passion and relevance, expressing hope for its continued singularity amid playoff expansion.

3. Diego Pavia’s Heisman Meltdown

Timestamps: 25:10–30:54

Heisman Race Fallout

• Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman; Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia finishes second.

• Rob Stone and Mark Ingram II discuss Pavia’s bitter, very public reaction ("F all the voters," club signage) and perfunctory apology:

  "That's not the way that you present yourself or your university or your family in that manner." (27:19)

• Mendoza is universally praised for humble, gracious attitude. Mark Ingram highlights Mendoza’s character:

  “It was good to see someone of high character win that award... not only is the Heisman about elite athletic ability, also about being an elite human being.” (26:39)

Memorable Story:

• Stone relates a holiday party anecdote showing Mendoza’s positive image even to casual fans:

  “She goes, Rob, I went on the computer and I googled, does Fernando Mendoza have a girlfriend? Because I want to set him up with my daughter.” (29:19)

• Urban Meyer:

  “When you cut him open and you listen to him speak—his intellect, toughness, and competitive spirit... that's good for our sport, that's good for Indiana, and obviously the Mendoza family.” (30:19)

4. Kyle Whittingham Retires: The Utah Crossroads

Timestamps: 33:15–36:30

• Whittingham’s legendary 21-year run ends.

• Urban Meyer:

  “He’s arguably the best coach I ever been around... there could not be a smoother transition [to new coach Morgan Scalley]... Utah took Kyle Whittingham—where’s the statue going up?” (34:42–36:08)

• Co-hosts muse about Whittingham’s “man’s man” persona and legacy, predicting his reputation will be immortalized with a statue.

5. Playoff Round 1 Picks — In-Depth Analysis

Timestamps: 37:24–48:42

James Madison at Oregon

• Oregon favored by 21.5 points.
• Urban Meyer: Lauds James Madison’s season but argues playoff access for non-power teams must be predicated on a more robust schedule:

  “I would mandate that a James Madison or a non-power four... you have to play three [top 50 opponents] or you can’t be considered.” (38:08)

• Predicts a “tough go for the boys in James.” Expects Oregon to win big.

Tulane at Ole Miss

• Rematch, but this time with tumult (“no Lane Kiffin, now it’s Pete Golding,” 43:09).
• Stone likes Ole Miss to cover, predicts an “excitable edge” and a sense of unification under their interim coach.

Miami at Texas A&M

• A&M favored by 3.5.
• Ingram highlights the defensive matchup and speed on both teams, gives A&M a slight edge at home in a close contest (1–3–point margin), contingent on QB play:

  “If this [is] Carson Beck B, they lose.” (46:23)

• Meyer labels it “the most important game that this quarterback, Carson Beck, has ever played.” (48:14)

Upcoming Live Show

• Rob Stone and Mark Ingram promote a live show at Oklahoma before Alabama-Oklahoma, with Bob Stoops scheduled to appear:

  “We take the stage at 4:30 Central... at Campus Corner. Bring your energy, bring your booze.” (49:01–49:14)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Rob Stone on Michigan’s situation:

  “They are in an incredible state of flux and indecision right now because...they have so many question marks with the hierarchy.” (07:31)

• Mark Ingram on player loyalty at Michigan:

  “Players love playing for him...these kids are staying together, they’re focused, they want to be at Michigan.” (12:49)

• Urban Meyer on Diego Pavia’s outburst:

  “Honestly, he just showed us how he felt.” (27:16)

• Mark Ingram on Fernando Mendoza:

  “It was good to see someone of high character win that award or hoist that trophy.” (26:39)

• Urban Meyer on Whittingham and Utah:

  “Statue—what he’s done for that, not only Utah, for the state of Utah... recognition is all deserved.” (36:08)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Michigan's coaching turmoil & next steps: 00:56–14:03
• Army-Navy recap & Deuce Deuce Dog of the Week: 18:33–22:39
• Heisman fallout: Diego Pavia & Mendoza: 25:10–30:54
• Whittingham retires: 33:15–36:30
• CFP Round 1 picks: 37:24–48:42

Episode Tone & Style

• Candid, conversational, and smartly irreverent.
• The hosts mix sincere analysis with light sarcasm, personal stories, and inside jokes.
• Real player/coach perspectives ground speculation with genuine empathy and leadership insights, creating a lively but deeply rooted discussion every college football fan can appreciate.

Summary Takeaway

The shifting sands in college football are on full display—from Michigan’s under-fire legacy, to the rise and fall of star players, to legendary coaches stepping aside and new faces stepping up on the biggest playoff stages. The Triple Option crew delivers a lively, informed, and sometimes poignant journey through a sport entering a bold new era.