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Does ESPN have too much control of college football?   ESPN is moving toward a deal to have sole ownership of the expanded College Football Playoff through the 2031 season. Is that good for college football? Bryan Curtis, sports media writer for The Ringer, joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk about the impact of college football’s splintered media rights been deals, with Fox being all in on the Big Ten and ESPN being the exclusive home of the SEC and ACC. The leaders of the CFP hoped to have an NFL-style media deal for its postseason with multiple networks involved. Instead, ESPN will remain in control at a time when many fans believe the network controls the sport from behind the scenes.

Are coaches really fleeing to the NFL?   When Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley decided to quit his job and take a new one as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, it inspired more than a few takes that the move was a red flag for the state of college football and that an exodus of quality coaches was something to fear. Max Olson of The Athletic joins AP’s Ralph Russo to discuss the potential brain drain and why coaches jumping from college to the NFL might not be worth worrying about. Also, trying to identify the next Jayden Daniels or Bo Penix among this year’s transfer quarterbacks.

Wrapping up the January coaching carousel ! Michigan has new head coach in Sherrone Moore, replacing Jim Harbaugh, but the story of the 2023 national champions is far from over. ESPN's Adam Rittenberg joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss the lingering debate over how to view Michigan's accomplishments with the cloud of the sign-stealing scandal forever hanging over the Wolverines. Plus, we wrap up the January coaching  carousel and talk short-term expectations for new coaches at Alabama, Washington and Arizona.

2023 review: What is sustainable?   The 2023 season ended with a Northern team winning a national championship for the first time since 2014. Doug Lesmerises from Kings of the North and THE Podcast returns to the show to gloat about his prediction that a non-Southern team would win it all and to review whether Michigan’s championship formula is repeatable, with potential to change the power dynamic across college football? Plus, Ohio State is ALL in.     Ralph’s preseason predictions: https://apnews.com/article/cfp-georgia-alabama-ohio-state-clemson-oklahoma-0797256de3f10dfbb65c5f790bd2a213   https://apnews.com/article/heisman-caleb-williams-usc-marvin-harrison-biletnikoff-3c8cd680364f54a920d4fe601a0cf726  

After Saban retires, dominos fall.    The retirement of Alabama coach Nick Saban triggered another round of coaching carousel moves and, oh boy, has it spun fast. Bruce Feldman from The Athletic and Fox Sports joins AP’s Ralph D. Russo to discuss the swiftness, fallout and somewhat randomness of how Kalen DeBoer ended up at Alabama, Jedd Fisch at Washington and Brent Brennan at Arizona. Plus, at least as of this recording, we’re still waiting on Jim Harbaugh’s next move.

Nick Saban retires    Alabama coach Nick Saban announced his retirement, leaving behind what is the greatest career in the history of the sport. In 17 seasons with the Crimson Tide, Saban won six national championships and was just a few plays away from several others. Matt Fortuna, from the Inside Zone with Matt Fortuna, joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk about the process, Saban’s remarkable legacy and who might succeed him at Alabama.

CFP championship preview     No. 1 Michigan runs the ball more than most teams. No. 2 Washington throws the ball as much as just about any team in the country. The College Football Playoff championship game will be an intriguing matchup of styles. Parker Fleming, a college football data analyst whose projections can be found on X/Twitter @statsowar, joins AP’s Ralph Russo to breakdown the numbers behind the players and the Xs and Os of Huskies-Wolverines. It’s a strength vs. strength matchup with Michael Penix Jr. and Washington’s amazing array of receivers facing a Michigan pass defense that has been one of the best in the country this season. Neither side has faced a test like this.

Harbaugh’s last dance? FSU’s opt outs     When Florida State was first snubbed from the College Football Playoff where was talk about how the Seminoles could still be in the only undefeated team in the country, and if that happened, could they claim a national title after beating Georgia in the Orange Bowl. Now, it looks like FSU will be going into the Orange Bowl with its B team after a slew of opt outs. Bill Bender from The Sporting New joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk about FSU’s off bowl season, and oh, how things have changed since the days of the split national titles. And is this Jim Harbaugh’s last dance at Michigan? The NFL could come calling again. There is a contract extension sitting out there that Michigan would like him to sign. There is the ominous cloud if NCAA issues. And Michigan, frankly, seems to have a pretty good replacement lined up. It all makes the Rose Bowl against Alabama even more fascinating.

College Football Playoff Preview   Can Michigan bully its way to a national title? Can Alabama’s offensive line let Jalen Milroe shine? Can Texas’ defensive line outmuscle Washington? Can Michael Penix and Rome Odunze exploit the Longhorns’ secondary? Cole Cubelic of ESPN, the SEC Network and the Mac and Cube Show on WJOX in Alabama joins AP’s Ralph Russo to preview the College Football Playoff. Michigan faces Alabama in the Rose Bowl and Washington meets Texas on the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.

Bowl preview   Bowl season is here, and the value of a bowl game has never been more unclear. Not just to the players and coaches, but to AP poll voters. Matt Brown from The Athletic joins AP’s Ralph Russo to discuss how he might go about factoring in the results of bowl games into his final Top 25 after the national champion is crowned. Also, can there really be a split national champion if Florida State is the only unbeaten team at the end of the year? Plus, Matt and Ralph roll through the entire bowl schedule and highlight games to watch. Even though you really should watch them all.    AP All-America team: https://apnews.com/article/ap-allamerica-team-45e5dac6434336de5712779fbc0e7e6f

CFP scenarios aplenty! Heading into conference championship weekend, we have never had more playoff contenders and possible permutations and intriguing potential scenarios. Andy Staple from On3 joins AP’s Ralph Russo to sort through them all. Alabama is the biggest wild card. Chaos is largely dependent on the Crimson Tide upsetting Georgia. There is some mystery to Florid State as it soldiers on without Jordan Travis. Who ya got: Oregon or Texas?   Ralph’s story on the path to the CFP for each contender: https://apnews.com/article/cfp-contenders-79a4415e173773014b449552e4f8aace

An Ohio State-Michigan like never before   There has never been a game quite like this Michigan-Ohio State, dripping with storylines and intrigue. Ari Wasserman from The Athletic and the Until Saturday podcast joins AP’s Ralph Russo to talk about one topic that has many layers: Ohio State vs. Michigan. The sign-stealing scandal. What exactly will be Michigan’s punishment? Can Michigan really be punished? What’s at stake for Ohio State? What’s at stake for Ryan Day? What’s a more interesting result: Michigan winning or Ohio State winning?