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College Sports Now
College Sports Now
Author: The Varsity Podcast Network
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A podcast for college sports fans by college sports fans. Stephen Hartzell hosts along with the rotating cast of Roddy Jones, Wayne Cook, and Michael Felder as they provide analysis of all the latest news and developments in the world of college athletics. Follow College Sports Now on Twitter @CSNowTweets!
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Megan is back and better than ever and we've got GAMES to discuss. Another crazy Thursday with two top-20 games going to overtime in Norman and College Park, plus everything else that happened throughout Wednesday and Thursday. Then on Sunday there's (barring weather) a top-5 SEC clash in Columbia between South Carolina and still-undefeated Vanderbilt. Alaina Morris of Vandy 24/7 jumps on to talk Commodores.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Props to the mighty Miami U RedHawks who are 20-0 on the season and we got Matt Norlander dropping bars on today's show about just how big of a deal that actually is. The list of recent mid-majors to get to that mark are few and far between, and Norlander talks about why we all need to be locked in on what's going down in the MAC. What about the other two undefeated teams in D1? Let's bring in Evan Miyakawa to brag about his website and break down what the analytics say about the teams at the top of his rankings. How many teams does Evan have as national championship contenders - and why that answer might surprise you. Hartzell and Norlander wrap the show with some brief weekend lookahead to the top games on deck, plus why is Norlander wearing a Dispatch show that's almost 15 years old?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
That's right, folks...this is our last college football show for awhile. Hartzell needs a break (besides, he's got hoops shows dropping twice a week on this here feed), but don't worry because Roddy and Wayne bring the gas. Natty takes and reaction from what we all saw on Monday night, plus a whole lot more. Including - but limited to - Indiana's historic build, the thin margins that decided the game, whether or not Carson Beck is to blame, and some pretty good stories from behind-the-scenes at ESPN all weekend with Roddy. After a solid 40 minutes of Indiana/Miami talk, the conversation shifts towards the future of college football - and not just what 2026-27 will bring. Are these player contracts going to continue to swell, or is market correction coming? What about the Darian Mensah situation at Duke? And do the guys all agree that the B1G is the best football league in the country now that it's been three in a row? A spirited show to bookend the football season, because it's not goodbye forever, it's just so long for now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Indiana 27 Miami 21 ... and just like that ... football season is over, folks. We got Michael Felder with us to break down his takes on the National Championship game and there are many. Should Indiana have scored more than they did? What about Carson Beck's late pick? How do we feel about how Cristobal's game management and decision-making? Tripp is back from his stomach bug and has some opinions, and for the most part these are FSU-free opinions. Is Indiana built to last? Where does Cignetti rank today in the pantheon of active college football coaches? And yes, some Don Fischer audio for you die-hards who need to hear from the legendary voice of IU. There's a lot to get to, we pack it all into a 70-minute show. Enjoy because football podcasts are about disappear from this feed for a few months!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Special MLK Day edition of CSN recapping the basketball weekend as only we can. Matt Norlander lets it out on his Bears dropping an OT thriller on Sunday night (it's not your fault) and then the hoops talk picks up. What a weekend in the SEC with Florida winning at Vanderbilt and Kentucky storming back - again - to beat Tennessee on Rocky Top. Did the 'Cats save their season with a pair of come--from-behind wins last week? And is Florida now the team to beat in the league? Any how about Norlander not even acknowledging Hartzell's text on Saturday afternoon. Rude. From the mighty SEC to the Big 12, B1G, ACC, and much more...the guys touch on everything you probably missed from the weekend because you were locked in on NFL playoffs and God knows what else. Lock in with the fellas because college football season is over, folks. Indiana is about to B2A in South Florida tonight, time to get your mind right on the college hoops and we got you covered here on CSNSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We adjust on the fly! Megan felt under the weather so Rob had to largely fly solo to talk about a hectic, busy Thursday with a ton of top-25 games. But he's not entirely alone! USA Today's Mitchell Northam jumps on to talk some national big-picture things, then South Carolina beat writer Lulu Kesin of the Greenville News joins the show to go in-depth on South Carolina's victory over Texas and the Gamecocks in general.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
There's a lot of these floating around out there, but this is the last one you're going to need. Michael Felder and Stephen Hartzell empty the clip on Monday's natty, complete with a heavy dose of 'what it will take' for the underdog Miami to shock the world. Felder Five is loaded, as per usual, with some key points of emphasis ahead of the big game; can Mark Fletcher keep doing what he's been doing through the first three games on the ground? What about all of those single-digit studs along the Miami defense, and are they going to be able to disrupt the Heisman Trophy winner? Which if Indiana's pass-catchers are going to emerge as the ultimate weapon against a Miami secondary that can be got? Loads to get into, and the fellas do it for the final time ahead of toe meets leather down in South Florida.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Not sure what Wayne ate for breakfast today, but he came out of the gates on an absolute heater. We're talking Fernando Mendoza in the CFP type of heater. Just straight flames. In addition to the semifinal reaction and the obvious lookahead to Monday night's national championship, there are rants about the death of the SEC, capitalism, the over-value of players in the portal, and - you guessed it - what Bob Chesney is doing to re-build the roster in Westwood. Thankfully Phil Steele joins the show to talk some sense into this program with some balanced perspective and opinions on what's coming up next week at Hard Rock. Who does Phil like to win the game, and how does he feel about the over/under? You're going to want to stick around for those picks. Would Miami or Bloomington be a better place to be if you're an Indiana fan next Monday night? Hartzell has a take which, surprisingly, Wayne disagrees with vehemently. And if all that's not enough, there are two special guests who join the show with some natty predictions. An all-timer from our boy Wayne, a real tour-de-force performance for the former QB.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Our man Roddy Jones had boots on the ground for both BOTH CFP Semifinals last week so we had to bring him in and let the man cook on what he saw in Glendale & Atlanta. Tripp Hurd is back from a nasty stomach bug that had him sidelined for almost a full week, so the Doc is back and giving takes on what he expects to see with our Indiana vs Miami matchup for the whole enchilada. Hartzell has opinions (obviously) but the fellas look back before they look forward; How did Miami get it done against Ole Miss, and why is the Carson Beck narrative so complicated? What happens if the Canes catch one or two of the four (!) dropped INTs that Trinidad Chambliss offered? And should we be worried about Bane and Mesidor's reliance on oxygen and taking breaks late in that Fiesta Bowl win? As far as Indiana is concerned, it's obvious from the Oregon game that the Hoosiers are an absolute wagon, so what will it take for the U to slow them down in the Natty? Can they? Will they? The guys have a consensus on the game even though the paths to get there are all different. Just a few more college football shows left in the tank, kids. Turn us up and get your mind right for Monday night!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
There's just one college football game left on the calendar and Hartzell is very confident how that one is going to play out next week. Time to turn the page and start talking some college hoops with our guy Matt Norlander from CBS Sports and the Eye on College Basketball podcast. We're two or three weeks into the conference campaign and Norlander is of the belief this is one of the best college basketball seasons we've had in recent memory? Of course we need to know what that is. The depth at the top of the sport, for one, but also the brands of these programs who are at the top of the rankings. Five undefeateds remain, including a couple of surprises (here's looking at you, Nebraska & Vanderbilt), but there's plenty of blue bloods lurking with just one or two losses. Throw in the number of talented freshmen who are balling every night (except for Darryn Peterson whose legs hurt, allegedly), and you've got one of the deeper NBA Draft classes as well. Who's the best conference in America? Who are some of the most disappointing teams - and leagues - at this point in the season? And how many games has Hartzell *actually* watched this year? Lots to get to, first college basketball show of the season, we're so back folks!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In a week filled with upsets, some pleasant surprises have emerged out of the pack - and Rob isn't afraid to admit he was wrong on teams like Ole Miss and Ohio State. He and Megan also recap another busy Thursday around the country, put Iowa State's loss on Wednesday into (recent) historical perspective and then preview a hectic weekend (that's a theme here the rest of the way). They wrap the show with one last all-time program draft, and they make it a mega-draft with 20 UConn players (10 per team).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
You read that correctly, a special edition of Felder Friday because we have a CFP Semifinal tonight and we gotta give the people what they need before toe meets leather. Michael Felder and Stephen Hartzell are joined by CBS Sports' Chip Patterson to help break down both of these semis coming up, plus who does Chip think is going to move on to the main event down in South Florida on January 19th? We get some insight from Chip, including his highest rated 'LOCK' of the semifinal round, for those of us who keep tabs on that sort of activity. Felder is back with another 'That's my Dog' after his Alabama pick crashed and burned last time out. We got three college football games left, people. Let's get ready to run through the finish line as we get ready for some CFP action on a weeknight!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Playoff talk continues as we head West to check in with our resident quarterback and silver fox Wayne Cook. How did Wayne feel about the Rose Bowl beat down (he had boots on the ground in Pasadena), plus who can give Indiana a game and what will it take for Oregon to hang around against a team that's already beaten them once this season (hint: perfection from the Ducks). Phil Steele joins the program to talk about how he sees the semifinals playing out, plus a look ahead to how the 2026 magazine is shaping up and how he would feel if his daughter brought Fernando Mendoza home (no, really). Don't sleep on the magic carpet ride that has been Ole Miss the last two weeks, can they do it again as underdogs against the U? The guys are ... skeptical. Hartzell slips in some Gavin Newsom jokes to rile up his base because we are so back, baby. Midweek edition of CSN coming at you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Longtime listeners of the show will recall that there was some disagreement between Hartzell and the rest of the CSN crew on a certain Rose Bowl prediction that came true in a big way on January 1st. There was also a take from a few weeks ago by one Roddy Jones about Miami's ability to go on a run in the Playoff, if you'll recall. So today's show - while it is a full CFP Quarterfinal recap - is also a bit of a victory lap for our two hosts who are celebrating W's of a different kind. Hartzell and Roddy run through the four games that were, and look ahead to the two semifinals that are coming up later this week. No Tripp today because he's at home dealing with a stomach bug - but no worries we got Rodstradamus handing out some winners at the end of the show!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Women's basketball rang in calendar year 2026 by playing approximately 2,026 close/intriguing games on Thursday alone. Rob Joyce and Megan Gauer try to make sense of it all, from Kentucky's late winner in Baton Rouge to Georgia Tech's upset of Notre Dame and everything in between. Plus a preview of all the weekend's action (hint: lots of good Big Ten games) and then we end with our penultimate all-time program draft with Tennessee.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Last show of the year! We got the whole gang - Roddy, Wayne, Felder, and Hartzell - together to break down these CFP quarterfinal games (which start on Wednesday night, by the way). After about 15 minutes of coach talk dedicated to the latest Michigan Man (TM) and what to expect in Ann Arbor, the guys jump into the quartet of CFP games that await us. Does Roddy still think Miami is the most dangerous team in the playoff? Which quarterback in Miami/OSU are we more concerned about staying upright and why should Buckeyes fans be worried about the Cotton Bowl? Can Oregon's defense get it together against Texas Tech in the Orange? Or did they just look that bad on defense because they didn't respect JMU last week? Hartzell has a hot take on the Rose Bowl that everyone else vehemently disagrees with. Felder is riding with Alabama again after calling the upset last week against Oklahoma. And finally, does anyone have faith that Ole Miss can shock the Dawgs in New Orleans? There's a consensus on this game that probably won't surprise you. Is 5'8" almost 5'10" ... and does it really matter? Last CSN of 2025 coming in hot, let's make it count!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A look back at the first four CFP games (Bama erasing a 17-0 deficit in Norman, Miami's defense getting after A&M, Oregon and Ole Miss taking care of business) and also a peek at what's coming ahead in the next round.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On the final Gauer Hour of 2025, Rob and Megan recap a fairly quiet week across the sport, but find reasons for optimism in Durham. Then they'll preview the final weekend before the sport shuts down for Christmas week - it feels like we'll learn a lot about Stanford, Oregon, and some Big 12 teams with gaudy records facing the top of the league. Then we close by handing out some Christmas gifts, and draft our all-time Stanford teams.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
One week to go until Christmas, but CFP starts in less than 48 hours so let's round up the rest of the CSN gang and get some analysis. Wayne Cook joins the show from So Cal, Felder checks in from his home office, and Hartzell & Tripp are riding along for the good vibes. Phil Steele makes his weekly appearance to break down the four playoff games (plus a little FCS playoff action as well), and as usual Phil might be the only one on the show seeing things clearly. Felder is triggered by some comments Pete Golding had on Wednesday at the podium about some of his players living in the same country club that he lives in. Hartzell heard the same audio but translated it very differently, and you already know how Wayne feels about the modern student-athlete. Once the show gets back on track there is actual football talk. Felder picks a massive upset - which is something he's been doing with aplomb all season on this show. Can he stay hot in the CFP? Tripp gives his highest rated play of the weekend. And Hartzell doubles down on his Dukes. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and let's get ready to enjoy these games!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We are nine days out from Christmas ... but we're breaking down ball today, kids. Hartzell got his hot yoga flow in early, Lock Dizzy is in the house, and there's a real expert - Roddy Jones - with us to break down these first round games. There's four CFP games this weekend, we hit on all of them - with some visual aids for you YouTubers thanks to Roddy breaking down film. Can Oklahoma do the thing again against Alabama on Friday night (the thing is get outgained and outplayed but force turnovers and short fields and win ugly). Who handles business in the coin-flip game between Miami and Texas A&M? Roddy calls for an upset in College Station but agrees it could go either way. And finally, do either of the G5 participants have a chance on the road Saturday? Experts will tell you no, but Hartzell is no expert. He lays out his path for a JMU upset in Eugene - knowing full well just how unlikely it is - but makes a reasonable case for the anatomy of what an upset would look like. Tulane has no chance in hell of doing anything against Ole Miss and the 45-10 regular season meeting back in September should be reason enough. Should Hartzell be drug tested for his takes? What about Lock Dizzle who can't help himself with the bad FSU takes? We're back with part two on Thursday with Wayne & Felder ... enjoy!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.






this was a dope show
This is a great pod to get primed on Fridays for college football Saturdays. Felder Fridays have some great insight. Hartzell and Felder have a great rapport and provide some good insight and things to watch for in some key games.