The Triple Option: LIVE From Norman, OK

Podcast: The Triple Option
Hosts: Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, Rob Stone
Special Guest: Bob Stoops (Oklahoma legend, Hall of Fame Coach)
Date: December 20, 2025
Theme: Navigating the New Era of College Football – Playoffs, Rivalries, and Leadership, LIVE from the Oklahoma Campus

Episode Overview

Broadcasting before the much-anticipated Oklahoma vs. Alabama playoff game, the panel dives deep into the new landscape of college football — from expanded playoffs and coaching strategies to the emotional highs and lows for players and fans. With a live campus audience, legendary coach Bob Stoops joining the discussion, and plenty of lively banter, this edition captures the evolving nature of the sport and the stakes of a new postseason era.

Setting the Stage (00:22 – 03:12)

- Campus Energy and Live Atmosphere:

• Rob Stone, Mark Ingram, and Urban Meyer fire up the Norman crowd, exchanging playful jabs and college football chants (“Roll Tide!”, “Boomer!”).
• Rob: “We are on campus for a college football game. First time it’s ever happened here in Norman.” (02:52)
• The panel notes the unique energy for a playoff game hosted on campus, showcasing one of the new features brought by the expanded playoff system.

- The Stakes:

• No. 8 Oklahoma (10-2) vs. No. 9 Alabama (10-3) – Two blue bloods with everything on the line.
• The winner advances to face No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The New Playoff Era & On-Campus Games (03:12 – 04:51)

• Urban on Playoffs:
  • “I'm hoping they expand the playoff, get rid of the committee and it’s all play-in...there’s nothing like these games on campus.” (03:12)
• The southern advantage is discussed; with no snowy conditions, “the snow teams got byes this year” (03:46).

2. Alabama's Rollercoaster Season: Highs, Lows, and Leadership (04:51 – 09:36)

• Mark Ingram’s Assessment:

  • “It’s a new day. We’re forgetting about everything. It’s 0-0 right now. We’re coming to play when the time matters the most.” (04:53)
  • Admits Oklahoma “been fathering us the last few times we played...but it’s a new day and age, and I’m coming with new energy.” (06:52)

• Urban Meyer on Bama:

  • “Paper doesn’t play.” (07:32)
  • If “Team A” Alabama shows up, they can win; if “Team B”, they might get “beaten maybe bad.”

• On Team Identity & Run Game:

  • Mark: “Sometimes we struggle to run the football…you have to manufacture positive plays on first and second down...stay away from third and long versus this Oklahoma defense.” (09:03)

3. Coaching Insights: Bob Stoops Joins the Show (10:06 – 16:14)

• Campus Playoff Vibe:

  • Stoops: “There’s been a great vibe around town. Everybody’s excited…everyone wanted to count us out. ‘Oh, we went to the SEC. We’ll never be heard from again.’ Really? We’ll see.” (11:47)

• Brent Venables’ Defensive Schemes:

  • Urban & Stoops praise Venables’ unpredictability:
    • “You can’t prepare for those three defenses in a week…he’s got packages you’ve never seen.” (12:24 – Urban/Brent)
    • “That’s part of the secret sauce.” (12:50 – Stoops)

• Stoops on Coaching Pressure:

  • “Oklahoma’s not one of those places...Brent’s solid in who he is...I don’t feel ever it was at that point. Nationally maybe, but not here.” (13:41)

4. The Expanded Playoff & Power vs. Group of Five (14:18 – 16:10)

• Stoops Advocates Two Separate Tournaments:
  • “I think they should have their own [playoff]…they are good teams but not going to beat Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon.” (14:44)
• Perspective on Playoff Cut-Off:
  • “I don’t have much of a pity party for when you’re 13, 14, 15 and you’re out of it. That’s your fault.” (15:59 – Stoops)
• Unified Texas Antipathy:
  • The crowd and panel unite against Texas: “We can all agree on somewhere: Texas…” (16:19)

5. Preparation: Regular Season vs. Playoffs (18:06 – 21:12)

• Urban on Preparation:
  • “Every great player, every great coach has a routine...keep them in that routine. Our players told us it was one of the best things we did.” (18:06)
• Stoops on Simulating Game Speeds:
  • “Sometimes you have to simulate a game, whether it’s scrimmage or maybe not to the ground but go through the mechanics.” (19:36)
• Mark Ingram’s Player Perspective:
  • “We would ramp up intensity, live periods…you go through your process.” (21:12)

6. Offense: Best of the College Football Playoff Teams (23:21 – 25:23)

• Mark’s Picks:

  • “I have to go Texas Tech, the Red Raiders…they can give it to you however you want it…then Ole Miss, and then a hybrid of Indiana and A&M.” (23:28)

• Urban’s Top Three:

  • “Oregon, but their OC is now at Kentucky; Ohio State, their OC is at South Florida; Ole Miss, head coach now at LSU. All are going through transition.” (24:19)

• Stoops on Oklahoma’s Style:

  • “What’s wrong with winning by field position? Get two first downs on offense and punt…we got the best kicker in America. There are different ways to win…win is a win.” (25:23)

7. Quarterfinal Preview: Who Stands Out, Who Wins? (27:29 – 36:57)

• Texas Tech Praise:

  • “They look like an SEC team.” (27:37 – Urban)

• Combo Picks:

  • Urban likes Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and WR Eliza Surratt (California), but says Bama’s getting through tonight.
  • “Role Tide by a million, man. No analysis.” (33:03 – Mark Ingram)

• Title Favorites:

  • Stoops: “I don’t know how you ever pick against Ohio State...but Indiana’s for real.” (30:26)
  • Brent: “Georgia’s playing lights out right now...so I’d say Georgia and Ohio State.” (31:05)
  • Mark: “I’m actually high on Texas Tech...but I think Georgia has the biggest upper hand.” (31:22)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

● “I don’t give a piss about none but the Tide, baby.”
 — Mark Ingram (05:35)

● “Paper doesn’t play.”
 — Urban Meyer (07:32)

● “If Team A shows up, Alabama wins. If Team B shows up, they get beaten maybe bad.”
 — Urban Meyer (08:09)

● “Sometimes you have to simulate a game...get after it. I thought it helped us. We were ready to play [in 2000].”
 — Bob Stoops (19:36)

● “What's wrong with winning 20–17?...A win is a win, that’s how we’re doing it.”
 — Bob Stoops (25:23–26:31)

● “Alabama by a million. I don’t even give a damn, man. Roll Tide by a million.”
 — Mark Ingram (33:03)

● “I just gotta say—everyone’s been showing love, a lot of hospitality. I appreciate y’all. We all go head to head, but I appreciate y’all as humans.”
 — Mark Ingram (36:38)

Notable Segment Timestamps

• Campus & Playoff Atmosphere: 00:22 – 03:12
• Alabama’s Season Recap & Leadership Discussion: 04:51 – 09:36
• Bob Stoops Joins, Discusses Venables & Playoff Pressures: 10:06 – 14:18
• Debate: Group of Five Playoff vs. CFP: 14:18 – 16:14
• Coaching Preparation Insights: 18:06 – 21:12
• Offensive Powerhouse Rankings: 23:21 – 25:23
• Quarterfinal Picks, Title Favorites: 27:29 – 36:57

Episode Tone & Style

The episode is unscripted, boisterous, and full of collegiate rivalry energy—complete with playful mockery, chants, audience participation, and trash talk. Through it all, the hosts deliver sharp analysis, deep coaching insight, and genuine respect for the traditions and future of the game.

If You Only Remember Three Things...

1. Expanded playoffs are redefining college football, bringing high-stakes atmospheres to campus.
2. Alabama and Oklahoma both face identity crises—with coaching, running games, and defense at the heart of the debate.
3. Old rivalries, new challenges: No matter the bracket, the heart of college football remains in passionate coaches, loyal fans, and the joy (and occasional unity) of rooting against Texas.

For more, follow @3XOptionShow and catch new episodes every Wednesday!