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This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Ben Portnoy, a college sports reporter for Fox Sports. Portnoy tells why he isn't surprised by Louisville football's loss to Wake Forest, given the track record of UofL coach Jeff Brohm after big wins. But Brohm's history is also why he's not ready to count the Cardinals out of the ACC race. Their remaining conference schedule is one of the reasons why Portnoy still picks the Cards as the team to eventually challenge Miami in the ACC championship game. Portnoy also gives an update on what's next for the Protect College Sports Act as it has passed the U.S. Senate and now moves on to the House of Representatives. Hear about all of that and more on this week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features attorney Michael Elkins, founder of MLE Law Firm, to discuss the Protect College Sports Act, including its flaws and the potential impact if it's passed into law. Elkins believes the PCSA is essentially an attempt to bail the NCAA out of a mess the organization itself created. He details how it's a one-sided piece of legislation that, if passed, will "wind the clock back" on athletes and restrict their ability to earn in a free marketplace. College athletes will be the most impacted by the bill, yet, as Elkins explains, they have had far too little input into the shaping the legislation that could potentially remake the future of college sports. Elkins also believes if the bill is defeated — and he thinks it will die in the U.S. House of Representatives — that moving forward, schools will become much more likely to enforce their contracts with athletes. Hear about all of that and more on this week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Louisville football linebacker Stanquan Clark to discuss the Cardinals' showdown with No. 16 SMU on Saturday. Clark was on the sideline when the Mustangs beat the Cards 2024, then he was sidelined with an injury when they lost last season in Dallas. He explains how facing SMU's up-tempo offense forced UofL's defense to completely overhaul the way they communicated. The Cards will put that to the test against SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings, who Clark said reminds him of playing against Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss in Week 1. Clark, a Miami native who was recruited by former UofL coach Scott Satterfield, also tells why he's remained loyal to Louisville and stayed for four years. Hear about that and more on this week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Michael Casagrande, columnist and senior reporter for AL.com, to discuss Kentucky football's upcoming game against Alabama. Bama historically has dominated the series against UK, losing only twice since they began meeting in 1917. But Casagrande said there's an interest — almost an anxiousness — in this game for Crimson Tide fans because of new Wildcats coach Will Stein's reputation as an offensive mind. Casagrande explains how the insecurities that have developed in the post-Nick Saban era have some Bama fans believing the sky could fall on them in Lexington. In addition, Casagrande compared talented Tide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams to the "Russdiculous" moments of former Louisville basketball star Russ Smith. Hear about that and more on this week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Nicole Auerbach, the lead college sports insider for NBC Sports and a co-host of the SiriusXM show College Sports Today. Auerbach listed Louisville at No. 16 on her Associated Press Top 25 ballot, which was the highest among all voters. Her belief in the Cardinals is rooted partly in the talent UofL coach Jeff Brohm has assembled, starting with running back Isaac Brown, and partly in Brohm's track record of winning big games, like their opener against No. 10 Ole Miss in Nashville. Auerbach also explains why she believes Kentucky coach Will Stein might just be the right coach at the right moment in time to elevate the Wildcats' program. Hear about that and more on this week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features CBS Sports reporter Chip Patterson, who is the host of the Cover 3 podcast on college football, to discuss the upcoming season for Louisville and Kentucky. Patterson believes the Cardinals' Isaac Brown is one of the best running backs in the nation — when he's healthy. Brown's talent is such that he can make UofL's offense proficient without needing quarterback Lincoln Kienholz to be great, Patterson says. But hear why he feels more comfortable pitching Brown as an All-America candidate instead of a Heisman Trophy hopeful. Patterson also explains why he's reserving judgment on UK coach Will Stein until he has a full year at the helm to recruit. Hear about that and more on this week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Kentucky safety Ty Bryant, who is coming off a season in which he was named to the All-SEC second team and led the Wildcats in tackles. Former coach Mark Stoops made defense the Wildcats' calling card during his 13-year tenure, but Bryant details what will be different with UK coach Will Stein now in charge. For starters, Bryant believes the sack total may increase based on the way new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman aggressively pursues the quarterback. Bryant also explains why playing against Stein's offensive system in practice, and the many looks they give, is preparing the Cats for anything they may face. Bryant also tells why he's all for the SEC's move to a nine-game conference schedule. Hear about that and more on this week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Courier Journal Kentucky beat writer Ryan Black to break down how fall camp is progressing for the Wildcats. Play-calling may take on a new dynamic this fall, given UK coach Will Stein's background as offensive coordinator in previous stops at Oregon and UTSA. OC Joe Sloan will be the primary play-caller for the Cats, but Black says the question isn't if Stein will overrule Sloan on the headset — it's how often it will happen. Black also explains how UK basketball coach Mark Pope might not be done adding to his roster for next season, thanks to players attempting to be grandfathered into the NCAA's new 5-for-5 eligibility rule. Hear about that and more on this week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Louisville football offensive lineman Lance Robinson and edge rusher Clev Lubin. Lubin saw the teams that made the College Football Playoff last season and believes the Cardinals were as good as any of them. Their wins against the two playoff teams they faced — at Miami and over James Madison — provided all the proof he needed. Lubin says UofL just has to avoid the letdowns of last season, and it can set that tone in the season opener against Mississippi. Lubin also explains why he expects North Carolina transfer Tyler Thompson to be a defensive standout for the Cards this season. Robinson, meanwhile, discusses why he considers himself the "Swiss Army Knife" of the Louisville offensive line. Hear about that and more on this week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features a pair of ACC starting quarterbacks in Louisville's Lincoln Kienholzand Syracuse's Steve Angeli. Kienholz wants to get the word out now, there's nothing sneaky about his athleticism. He's not a stereotypical pocket passer and explains how he's trying to make sure there's a balance between pulling the ball down to run and holding onto the ball to throw at the last moment. Lamar Jackson's program rushing totals are safe, but UofL coach Jeff Brohm said Kienholz was the most mobile quarterback he's ever had as a head coach including his stops at Western Kentucky and Purdue. Angeli discusses his road back from injury and gives insight into his former teammate at Notre Dame, who is now the projected starting quarterback at Kentucky, Kenny Minchey. Hear about that and more on this week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show. A new episode of this podcast, hosted by Courier Journal sports columnist C.L. Brown, posts each Wednesday. You can listen to The C.L. Brown Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcast, Audible, CastBox and iHeartRadio, among others.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Michael Strickland, the ACC's senior vice president for football, who joined to discuss the upcoming season. Strickland explains how the new nine-game schedule was the impetus for changing the league's old tiebreaker rules to determine who makes the ACC championship game. (It could be dubiously termed the "Duke rule" after a five-way tie for second place last season ended with a five-loss Blue Devils squad making the title game and then winning it.) Strickland also delves into how the ACC will rely on metrics to break future ties in the standings in order to identify the "most deserving team," and how College Football Playoff expansion talks could potentially impact the ACC title game — or phase it out altogether. Hear about that and more on this week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Alexis Cubit, The Courier Journal's Louisville football beat writer, discussing ACC football as the league begins its annual Kickoff event on Wednesday. If the adage "defense wins championships" still applies in this day and age in football, then Cubit believes the Cardinals are in a good spot to contend with Miami for the ACC crown. She points to head coach Jeff Brohm promoting linebackers coach Mark Ivey to co-defensive coordinator as a major reason why that unit should stand out. Cubit also explains why Lincoln Kienholz may have more competition at quarterback than the other transfers Brohm brought in over his past three seasons. Hear about that and more on this week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Louisville basketball guard Adrian Wooley. As the Cardinals' lone returning player from last year's rotation, Wooley says he's ready to take on more responsibility this season. First up is getting the 12 newcomers — nine transfers, three freshmen — acclimated to coach Pat Kelsey and his many acronyms. He says that starts with no "BCD," which stands for "blame, complain or defend." Wooley, who transferred from Kennesaw State in 2025, says he didn't play to his standard last season. He is looking forward to being back in the starting lineup after averaging 11.4 points across his final seven starts of 2025-26, five points higher than his season average. Hear about that and more on this week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Louisville football coach Jeff Brohm. Brohm is a member of the fraternity of former UofL quarterbacks. So is new Kentucky coach Will Stein. But Brohm says no one should expect to see a lot of brotherly love between the two. The rivalry with UK is so strong that Brohm says there has to be some separation from Stein. The two are already competing over recruits in the state, and Brohm says the Cardinals spend a lot of time in the offseason getting ready for their "extra bowl game" disguised as the regular season finale against the Wildcats. UK is one of 11 schools in Power Four conferences that the Cards will face, thanks in part to the ACC moving to nine league games, and Brohm explains that he's always embraced playing a tough schedule.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Gary Washburn, NBA columnist for The Boston Globe. Did this year's NBA Finals redefine the futures of two former Kentucky Wildcats? Washburn makes the case that Karl-Anthony Towns has altered his career narrative for the better by helping the New York Knicks win their first NBA title since 1973 — and that it happened because he no longer was being asked to carry the team. Conversely, San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox’s disappointing Finals performance, specifically in Games 4 and 5, may hint that he no longer has a secure role with the team going forward, Washburn says. Washburn also previews Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr.'s presumed selection in the top 10 of the 2026 NBA Draft, while pointing out he still could end up just about anywhere because so many teams are potentially trading picks. Hear about that and more on this week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show.