Bunch Formation: A College Football Podcast

Chris Vannini and David Ubben dig into a crazy Week 1. Is Arch overrated? Is Alabama done? Is Clemson finished? Is USF going to the Playoff? They break down what happened, what it all means and wonder if we’re all overreacting. David's column on Clemson being fineChris’ column from Auburn’s win at BaylorDavid’s story on South Carolina0:00 Intro5:23 Ohio State beats Texas, is Arch overhyped?14:06 LSU beats Clemson, is Clemson never getting “back”?23:52 Florida State rolls over Alabama, are the Tide done?33:59 Auburn runs over Baylor, has Hugh Freeze learned?38:35 Tennessee handles Syracuse, is Joey Aguilar better than Nico?43:04 USF blows out Boise, are the Broncos going to fall off without Jeanty?46:01: Miami beats Notre Dame, can the Canes win it all?50:43 South Carolina blows past Virginia Tech, can the Gamecocks freaks win them games?55:57 Other games of note: Utah, Kansas State, Iowa State, Tulane, Rice, Fresno State, Austin Peay, Iowa, Oklahoma and Kent State1:03:18 Helmet stickers for Cal and Georgia Tech1:06:31 TCU-North Carolina preview1:10:05 Lee Corso’s farewell was wonderful, should someone else do mascot picks?1:14:56 David recaps traveling to six games in five days, while Chris had EV trouble1:29:41 Remember Some Guys****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

Chris Vannini and David Ubben break down the best Week 1 in modern football history, giving picks and the matchups they're watching. They also talk Lee Corso's career and Dave Portnoy's "ban" at Ohio State and remember some guys. The Athletic's story on Lee Corso memoriesStory on what players are doing with NIL0:00 Intro5:40 Did Ohio State "ban" Dave Portnoy?9:10 Celebrating Lee Corso16:20 Maryland AD says Big Ten will go to 20 teams17:30 Ohio State vs. Texas26:00 Travel plans: Chris at Baylor and David's six-game trip this weekend30:36 Clemson vs. LSU38:35 Miami (Fla.) vs. Notre Dame43:48 Florida State vs. Alabama50:23 South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech55:59 Tennessee vs. Syracuse1:01:09 Colorado vs. Georgia Tech1:04:21 Baylor vs. Auburn1:08:43 USF vs. Boise State1:14:30 Nebraska vs. Cincinnati 1:20:08 Other games of note1:23:57 Remember Some Guys****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

We've got actual football! Chris Vannini and David Ubben get into the five games we saw in Week 0, wonder about Avery Johnson's ceiling (and family), discuss the problem with Ireland games, break down SEC and College Football Playoff news, then Remember Some Guys. 0:00 Intro6:05 Week 0 reactions7:10 David doesn't like Ireland10:21 Iowa State beats Kansas State20:47 Avery Johnson's dad and brother in a fight with each other23:19 Hawaii beats Stanford29:30 Kansas beats Fresno State32:13 UNLV beats Idaho State36:29 Western Kentucky beats Sam Houston41:19 Helmet Stickers43:53 "Faking injury" penalties 46:25 SEC goes to 9 conference games in 202654:28 College Football Playoff adds new SOS and SOR metrics58:45 Pat Fitzgerald settles lawsuit with Northwestern1:01:30 Listeners explain their face-scan ticket experience 1:03:13 Remember Some GuysDavid's story on transfers and Alton McCaskill****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

Chris Vannini and David Ubben make their championship picks for every FBS conference, plus the College Football Playoff and the Heisman Trophy. Then they preview and pick the Week 0 slate of games, talk to Irish football reporter Conall Diggin about the state of the sport across the pond and Remember Some Guys. Also, news on Auburn's fake national titles, Oklahoma's press conference for fans and Florida's face-scan tickets. 0:00 Intro4:03 Auburn retroactively claims seven more national championships9:55 Oklahoma is selling fan tickets to the postgame press conference14:20 Florida is offering face-scan tickets instead of mobile tickets16:48 Conference championship, national title and Heisman picks52:17 Week 0 preview and picks1:04:32 Pro Football Ireland reporter Conall Diggin joins the show from Ireland1:25:52 Remember Some GuysDavid's column on Auburn's extra titlesThe Preseason Athletic 136Conall Diggin's Twitter account****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

College football is back this week, so Chris Vannini and David Ubben go back into their pasts. Let's talk about why we love college football, what makes it special, and why we've decided to make this beautifully stupid sport our jobs and our lives. 0:00 Intro, why we started this podcast4:42 Why we love college football10:19 When we first became CFB fans16:45 Where we went to college and why33:08 Our professional career paths1:00:05 Remember Some Guys****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

Chris Vannini and David Ubben are finally back together, and they've got a LOT to talk about. Michigan's NCAA penalties are in for the sign stealing. Were they enough? Oklahoma QB John Mateer has a questionable Venmo history. Do you believe him? Netflix released an SEC documentary. Was it any good? Oh, and Chris enjoyed a European vacation while David went through moving hell. Story on Michigan's NCAA penaltiesStory on John Mateer's Venmo gambling "jokes"0:00 Intro, the guys are back5:44 Michigan avoids an NCAA hammer28:37 Oklahoma QB John Mateer's weird gambling notes 36:15 The SEC Netflix series was a letdown48:16 Mailbag: Niall from Scotland picks a team, plus a G5 award56:59 David's moving rant and Chris' vacation1:10:00 Remember Some Guys***********************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

Chris Vannini is back and joined by The Athletic's Sam Khan Jr., as David Ubben goes through moving hell. Chris and Sam talk about the AP preseason top 25 and the top 100 transfers for 2025. Then they remember some guys. AP Top 25Sam's list of the Top 100 transfers0:00 Hello to Sam!3:33 Overrated and underrated top 25 teams (Texas, SMU, Arizona State, Iowa State, UNC and more)30:33 The most interesting transfers of 2025 (LSU, Oklahoma, Tulane, WKU and more)39:27 Remember Some Guys****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

Chris Vannini and David Ubben are back with a lot to talk about. From preseason polls to Deion Sanders cancer fight to Memphis' stolen playbook, to ranting about the Big Ten's failed rollout and more. David's story on Deion Sanders' healthDavid's story on Memphis' stolen playbookChris' story on the Big 12 passing on MemphisStewart Mandel's column on the Big Ten0:00 Intro and Chris' schedule4:06 Why preseason polls should not go away12:29 Deion Sanders has cancerous tumor and bladder removed21:00 ACC media days gossip25:30 The American Conference has a mascot26:56 UTSA and the Memphis stolen playbook32:53 Big 12 says no thanks to Memphis36:39 CUSA media days takeaways39:37 Big Ten talks trash41:18 Chris and David rant on the Big Ten's CFP rollout 54:00 Remember Some Guys****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinks

Chris Vannini and David Ubben finally dig in for their full EA Sports College 26 game review, from gameplay to Dynasty to Road to Glory and more. Then, CFB26 production director Christian McLeod joins the show to talk about what went into the game, how they respond to glitches and what comes next after the game's release. Chris' game review in The Athletic0:00 Intro6:22 Gameplay16:58 Glitches21:53 Dynasty29:25 Road to Glory37:40 Presentation47:47 Overall grades50:55 EA Sports' Christian McLeod joins the show1:11:44 Final thoughts****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

Chris Vannini and David Ubben are back after a week away for a loaded episode. From SEC questions to Mountain West drama, to Barstool Sports joining Big Noon Kickoff and more. Joe Rexrode's story on Paul FinebaumSeth Emerson's story on SEC Media DaysChris' story on Mountain West-Pac-12 dramaDavid Gillaspie's Chicago Marathon Fundraiser0:00 Intro, David's meatball order and Paul Finebaum's kindness10:02 Eli Drinkwitz's weird CFP idea14:40 Will the SEC go to 9 conference games?19:11 The Arch Manning of it all23:53 Which SEC hot seat coach will have the biggest year?27:12 David says let Hugh Freeze play golf 32:50 Mountain West vs. Pac-12 drama42:35 Dave Portnoy to Big Noon Kickoff48:37 Thoughts on Shane Gillis and the ESPYs51:16 Mailbag on celebrating conference titles and ACC TV revenue1:00:18 Remember Some Guys****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree 

Chris Vannini and David Ubben are back after a fruitful experience at Big 12 Media Days, including a little drama around both of them and some upset coaches. The guys talk about Deion Sanders' health, Texas Tech's big spending, BYU's status and more about every Big 12 team. Also: Why good media access is valuable to everyone involved. Chris' game review for CFB26David's story on Deion Sanders' healthStory on coaches dishing about Texas TechChris' story about Scott Frost0:00 Intro3:09 Behind the scenes at Big 12 Media Days9:33 Deion Sanders doesn't like The Athletic18:51 Coaches dish on Texas Tech money27:00 Scott Frost and UCF (and Nebraska)32:27 BYU and Jake Retzlaff's status34:03 Watch out for Utah36:27 As many as nine different teams could win the Big 1238:20 Kenny Dillingham and the value of open accountability 43:11 The rest of the Big 1255:55 Previewing SEC Media Days58:00 Remember Some Guys****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree 

Chris Vannini and David Ubben are joined by longtime friend and former colleague Ari Wasserman of On3. The guys talk about Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith's guarantee that he won't lose to Michigan again. Good decision? Or has the rivalry lost something? Then they discuss Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti defending his auto-bid model to change the College Football Playoff. Does the regular season still matter? Is college sports losing itself? Manny Navarro's story on Jeremiah SmithAri's column on Ryan DayTony Petitti's interview with Joel KlattTimestamps0:00 Intro and David's shocking fireworks history6:15 Jeremiah Smith guarantees wins against Michigan30:53 Tony Pettiti defends his auto-bid CFP model55:00 Remember Some Guys****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

Chris Vannini and David Ubben are back, just like the college basketball video game. The guys talk about Chris' reporting around the game's return, plus Texas State to the Pac-12, and BYU might lose its quarterback. Then, Oregon's rising star assistant coach Ra'Shaad Samples joins the show to talk about Oregon's talent, his career and how recruiting has changed in the NIL era. Chris' story on EA Sports College BasketballWhy the Pac-12 added Texas StateThe latest on BYU QB Jake Retzlaff0:00 Intro1:43 David's rant on Blippi 9:14 Texas State to the Pac-1215:33 Jake Retzlaff's situation at BYU21:21 College Basketball video game is BACK33:20 Ra'Shaad Samples joins the show1:02:56 Remember Some Guys****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

Chris Vannini and David Ubben are joined by officiating coordinator Mike Defee, who reveals what it's really like to be a referee, what he wishes fans understood, and his reaction to the "Beef Ref" nickname. The guys also discuss news around the Pac-12, Sacramento State, Thomas Castellanos' trash talk and a lawsuit to watch. Chris' story in The Athletic on the state of officiating0:00 Intro and dogs3:45 Pac-12, Sac State, Castellanos, key lawsuit news18:30 Mike Defee joins the show23:55 Why refs have to set the tone with players27:12 The hardest plays to officiate30:13 Dealing with accusations of bias from fans34:25 A typical game week for an official40:39 Should officials talk to media after games, and why holding isn't always called45:07 What it feels like to get a call wrong46:23 Is there too much replay review?50:30 Will CFB move to coach challenges?52:19 The "Beef Ref" nickname and that national championship game fame 55:24 His max bench press and why he stopped57:02 The time Mark Richt got really mad at him1:01:08 Handling abuse from coaches and fans1:02:23 Why more people need to become officials1:04:55 Thoughts on the interview1:09:25 Remember Some Guys****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

Chris and Dave are back for a quick show about EA Sports College Football 26 and Dynasty Mode. They both played it in beta and share their experience and reaction to the EA Deep Dive. Chris and David's Athletic story on DynastyEA's Deep DiveTimestamps:0:00 Intro 1:55 Early impressions2:45 Real coaches, new gear and carousel9:40 Trophy Room12:10 Scheduling 14:55 Recruiting23:00 Leftover thoughts, negativity and who this game is for****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

Chris and Dave are back for Part 2, talking about their gameplay experience with College Football 26. They also go through the EA Sports deep dive blog and talk about new features in gameplay, what they like and what they still need to test more. Is EA getting it right? EA Sports Gameplay Deep DiveTimestamps0:00 Intro1:58 Early impressions4:15 Home field advantage6:18 Playbooks13:17 Quarterbacks15:20 Offensive line16:00 Screens17:05 Running the ball17:25 Defense fixes21:10 Stunts and twists22:36 Custom zones27:05 Interceptions31:00 Substitutions34:55 Wrap****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

In Part 1 of a two-episode day,  David is back from Asheville and another College Football Playoff meeting. The Big Ten and SEC are far apart on what they want. What happened and what's next? And how good was the pancake? Then Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia talks trash about everyone in the Big Ten and also Tennessee. Out of line or all in good fun? The guys also Remember Some Guys and discuss Elite 11 QB names. Stay tuned for Part 2 about EA Sports College Football 26. David's story from the CFP meetingDiego Pavia on Bussin with the BoysTimestamps:0:00 Intro, reviews and a pancake7:30 No portal changes yet or Sac State waiver11:10 What's up with the CFP?30:50 Diego Pavia calls out everyone44:15 Remember Some Guys49:18 Elite 11 Gen Z names****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

Chris and David share their most impactful transfers for the 2025 season, touching on Oklahoma, Oregon, Auburn, Louisville, Miami, Colorado and more. They also discuss what's on the docket for the CFP commissioners meeting this week, where David will be. Timestamps0:00 Intro, Love Island, David's law school dreams9:15 CFP meeting preview20:09 Top impact transfers56:55 Remember Some Guys1:02:30 One Last Thing****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

Chris and David are audio-only this week. They discuss the concerning health situation around Deion Sanders, the potential move to a single transfer portal window and then answer your questions. Is Kentucky doomed without Vince Marrow? Who will be the Pac-12's 8th football team? David's story on Deion SandersChris' story on the portal changeAntonio Morales' story on the role of GMsTimestamps:0:00 Intro3:36 Deion Sanders' health update8:00 Momentum growing for a single portal window23:36 Is Kentucky doomed?32:20 Who will get the G5 playoff spot?36:37 Who will be the Pac-12's 8th football team?43:13 Why don't the Dakotas join the Mountain West?47:23 Does the NCAA exist in 10 years?56:09 Remember some guys1:00:55 RIP Lillian Vannini, and call your grandparents****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW!  It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree

Chris and David explain what the House settlement really means for college football fans and their teams. Then Antonio Morales joins the guys to talk about which teams we want to play with in EA Sports College Football 26. Justin Williams' story on the House settlementTeams we want to play in CFB26Timestamps0:00 Intro6:14 What the House settlement means 36:25 Teams we want to play in CFB261:09:58 Remember Some Guys  ****************************Follow Bunch Formation:PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW! It helps a lot. Email: BunchFormationPod@gmail.comTwitterYouTubeInstagramTikTokLinkTree