The Triple Option: LIVE from Columbus – Penn State vs. Ohio State Preview

Podcast: The Triple Option
Hosts: Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, Rob Stone
Episode: LIVE from Columbus ahead of Penn State vs. Ohio State
Date: October 31, 2025

Episode Overview

Broadcast live from Urban Meyer’s Pint House in Dublin, Ohio, this episode of The Triple Option dives deep into the new era of college football. Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, and Rob Stone unpack the ever-changing landscape—focusing on Ohio State’s dominance, the aftermath of conference realignment and NIL, and previewing the much-anticipated Ohio State vs. Penn State matchup. They field live fan questions, break down locker room culture, and even welcome special guest Dave Portnoy (Barstool Sports) for a rivalry-laden start to the show.

1. College Football Rivalries and Guest Banter

[00:00–13:43]

Opening Energy & Costumes

• Live audience welcomes, with Rob Stone rallying the Columbus crowd and introducing co-hosts Mark Ingram II and Urban Meyer.
• Audience participation includes someone dressed up as Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh for Halloween, sparking friendly rivalry banter.

Barstool’s Dave Portnoy Appearance

• Dave Portnoy appears dressed as Jim Harbaugh, escalating the Michigan–Ohio State rivalry talk.
• Portnoy: “This is the easiest game we have on the schedule” (04:05)
• Urban teases about his collection of gold pants, referencing the tradition for OSU players who beat Michigan.
• Portnoy on the rivalry cycle:
  “It's a cyclical rivalry... Urban had his run. And right now, it’s our turn. I can't wait till November. That's the only game [against Ohio State] where I just go W. I pencil it in.” (04:54)
• They riff on the rivalry’s emotional stakes, both for coaches and fans.

Quick Pivot to Big Ten Rankings and LSU Drama

• Portnoy gives his Big Ten top 5: “Indiana and Ohio State 1-2, Oregon at three, then Michigan and Iowa. USC’s in the mix.” (08:53)
• The hosts discuss the news of LSU’s governor involving himself in the university’s athletic hiring:
  • Urban: “...what concerns me is, as a coach, if I’m not hip to hip with my AD... My concern at LSU—which is one of the top five jobs in America—[is that] a great coach is going to say, ‘I’m not sure. I’m not going to do that.’” (12:27)

2. Ohio State: Defense, Offense & Locker Room Culture

[13:43–24:59]

Defensive Transformation

• Rob highlights Ohio State’s defensive dominance: “They've pitched two shutouts, six times held the opposition to single digits, allowed only 41 points in total, trailed just twice all year.” (13:43)
• Urban praises DC Matt Patricia’s leadership and versatility:
  “The best defensive coaches are the ones that know what the offense is thinking. ...The players love him. He loves it here. This is like, he’s been reborn.” (14:10)

Quarterback Play and Offensive Adjustments

• Mark Ingram discusses the development of QB Julian Sayin:
  “They’re taking the training wheels off... He made great throws, great decisions, and you kind of just see them opening up the playbook.” (16:03)
• Ingram, on the impact of Alabama transfers: “We were devastated when we lost [Julian] Sayin and Caleb Downs… He has leadership qualities—everything you want in a quarterback.” (16:16)

Coaching Strategy

• Urban outlines game-planning processes and the importance of culture and recruiting post-championship:
  • “The job of the head coach is not to score points but to win games. ...Against Penn State, what’s that number? New quarterback... I’d say 30, but deep down, 21 points wins you the game.” (19:17)
• Ingram: “Why are they so good? They're coached extremely well…by having great recruiting, by building a foundation in the culture.” (19:29)

Managing Post-Championship Pressure

• Rob: “For a lot of programs, following in the footsteps of a national championship team can be intimidating. Here, it’s like last year is actually benefitting this team's culture.” (20:06)
• Urban on Ryan Day:
  “Coach Day is a person that has the weight of the world...somewhat off his back, because he got that natty. He’s legitimized. And I see a team that is just…he looks healthier. ...He trusts the infrastructure and culture.” (20:49, 21:09)
  "The best thing at Ohio State is the infrastructure—the best recruiting GM, the best strength and conditioning... Now he can focus on managing the team." (21:09)

3. Turning Points & Locker Room Dynamics

[22:14–26:44]

Leadership & Locker Room Impact

• Ingram on coaching transitions: “You gotta be yourself…You have to put your own personality and demeanor on this team.” (22:41)
• Ohio State’s 2024 turning point: their loss to Michigan spurred a player-driven turnaround and championship run.
  “After they lost that game, they haven’t looked back ever since. ...Their turning point was that Michigan Game. Ours at Bama was losing to you in the SEC Championship.” (22:41)
• Urban: “Your locker room gets exposed not when you win, but when you lose…Ohio State’s locker room and culture got exposed when they lost to the Wolverines—then they won 11 straight.” (23:45)
• Penn State’s response to adversity is critiqued: “I have a lot of respect for their talent…but do I have respect for the locker room? It is what it is. You can blame Franklin, but at some point, what goes on in the locker room matters.” (24:59)

4. Rivalry Rankings & College Football Culture

[28:04–31:23]

Top College Football Rivalries

• Spurred by a Google trend: “What is the oldest rivalry in college football?” (28:04)
• Ingram: “That Iron Bowl is nasty…then Ohio State–Michigan, that’s one-two.” (28:18)
• Urban’s order: 3. Texas–Texas A&M, 2. Iron Bowl (Alabama–Auburn), 1. Ohio State–Michigan (“the greatest rivalry in all the sport”). (28:58)
• Rob drops “El Clasico” (Real Madrid–Barcelona) and UNC–Duke basketball for comparison, but ultimately calls Ohio State–Michigan the best rivalry in sports. (30:27, 31:06)

5. Fan Q&A: Playoffs, Pressure, The Rivalry, and the Eye Test

[35:15–58:21]

On Playoff Expansion

• Q: Thoughts on a 24-team playoff?
• Urban: “Whatever we come up with, eliminate the committee…have it play in. NFL-style. No more committee decisions.” (36:07)
• Rob: “With NIL parity, I’m for expansion. Don’t want to see it shrink to 12.”
• Ingram: “It should be just like the NFL playoffs…you win your division, you’re in.” (37:40)

Handling Pressure as #1

• Q: How does a coach keep a team focused when everyone calls them number one?
• Urban: “Tuesday’s practice should be so hard that...they’re worried about getting in the training room, not social media.” (38:48)
• “The biggest enemy for Ohio State is Ohio State.” (39:53)

The Eye Test and Running Up the Score

• Q: Ohio State isn’t running up the score—does it hurt them in the rankings?
• Ingram: “If I’m Ryan Day, I’m taking my starters out because I don’t want to risk injury...my eye test: we won again.” (40:49)
• Urban: “If I was Signetti at Indiana, I’m trying to score 100. At Ohio State, I care less about the eye test. When in control, work on areas you’re not elite.” (42:13)

The Michigan Hurdle

• Q: What does it take to beat Michigan—especially after recent struggles?
• Urban: “You gotta play free, loose…I’d say last year was a perfect example. They just didn’t play their best.” (46:27)
• “It’s 0–0 when that game starts. I don’t care about records.” (47:41)
• Ingram: “You can feel the tension...Don’t be conservative, go win the game—not just ‘don’t screw up.’” (47:51)

Ohio State vs. Michigan—Staff & Culture

• The pressure of the rivalry for coaches; Rob: “That Michigan [game is] hanging over Day’s head every day. That’s his last hurdle.” (44:52)
• Ingram: “You get fired behind that [rivalry game] here.” (45:04)

6. Big Ten Power Ranking & Previewing Penn State vs. Ohio State

[49:15–58:21]

Big Ten & National Contenders

• Fan asks which looks the best: Indiana, Texas A&M, or Ohio State?
• Urban: “A&M worries me. They might be the best team in the country…But Ohio State’s earned #1. Indiana is extremely well coached, but I don’t see the same twitch [explosive talent] as Ohio State or A&M.” (49:15)

Game Preview: Penn State at Ohio State

• Buckeyes are 20.5-point favorites.
• Ingram: “Defense is just dogs. Julian Sayin’s a beast. I see Ohio State rolling easily, but 20.5 is heavy.” (53:23)
• Rob: “Penn State had title aspirations…with a new QB, they’ll try to slow the game down. But if Ohio State hits them early, they’ll fold. I like Buckeyes 24–6.” (56:48)
• Urban: “I see this as an ass-kicking. You land the points. 35–45 points difference…Penn State walks into a buzzsaw.” (57:11)

7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Portnoy (as Harbaugh), on the rivalry:
  “It's a cyclical rivalry...Urban had his run. And right now, it’s our turn. I can't wait till November. …That’s the only game at the beginning of the year—I just go W. I pencil it in.” (04:54)
• Urban Meyer on pressure:
  "The biggest enemy at Ohio State is Ohio State." (39:53)
  "You get fired behind that [rivalry game] here.” (45:04)
• Ingram, on losing to the rival:
  “Don’t be out here playing conservative and trying...not to mess up. No—go whoop their ass and win the game.” (47:52)
• Urban on culture:
  “Your locker room gets exposed when you lose.” (23:45)
  “The best thing at Ohio State is the infrastructure... Now [Day] can focus on managing the team.” (21:09)

8. Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00–02:56] — Show intro, crowd banter, and costume contest
• [03:26–12:56] — Dave Portnoy’s “Harbaugh” appearance, rivalry banter
• [13:43–17:04] — Ohio State’s defense, Matt Patricia, offensive development
• [17:04–24:59] — Coaching strategy, culture, Julian Sayin’s growth
• [28:04–31:23] — Rivalry rankings: Iron Bowl, Ohio State–Michigan, “El Clasico”
• [35:15–39:53] — Q&A: Playoff expansion, handling pressure as #1
• [40:49–42:13] — Q&A: The eye test and throttling back
• [44:42–48:10] — Q&A: Michigan rivalry pressure and what it takes to win
• [49:15–51:59] — Comparing Big Ten contenders and sleeper teams
• [53:23–58:21] — 2-Minute Drill: Penn State vs. Ohio State preview, betting talk

9. Closing Thoughts

This live episode delivers the in-person electricity of college football, with candid analysis from championship-winning insiders. Urban, Mark, and Rob blend macro takes on college football’s shifting landscape with insider insight on locker rooms, coaching, and rivalry pressure—making the episode an essential listen (or read!) for anyone invested in the sport, especially Ohio State fans ahead of a pivotal weekend.

Find The Triple Option on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and @3XOptionShow on all social channels for more every Wednesday.