College Football

The biggest story coming into this offseason was the shocking departure of Tennessee Volunteers starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava.  Iamaleava played a huge part in the Vols making the College Football Playoff for the first time last season, but as soon as the Vols were eliminated, rumors started to surface that Iamaleava was unhappy and wanted more NIL money. On the …

James Franklin is set to begin his 12th season working as the head coach for the Penn State Nittany Lions, and many believe that the coach is about to operate with the best team that he has coached since joining the team back in 2014.  Keep in mind that current NFL stars such as Saquon Barkley and Micah Parsons have …

The Alabama football team didn’t have a great 2024 season as the Crimson Tide failed to make the 12-team College Football Playoff. During the four-team era, the expectation was always to make the CFP, so not making it after the expansion to 12 was especially upsetting for Alabama fans. The team is looking to turn it around this year, and …

Yes, I know today is actually 33 days until kickoff. Please bear with me this week as I work to catch back up. I had a medical emergency Friday night and have been out of commission for the past three days. In order for me to keep up with the Countdown, I will be taking an indefinite hiatus from the …

The Penn State football team made its first appearance in the College Football Playoff last season, and expectations for the program are even higher this year. The Nittany Lions are bringing back loads of talent, and most importantly, their quarterback is returning. Drew Allar is back for another season, and having an experienced QB is crucial. Expectations are sky-high for …

Texas A&M’s 2026 safety class already features four-stars Chance Collins and Tylan Wilson, while four-star Tamarion Watkins is expected to play linebacker with the Aggies once he makes his way to campus. On paper, Collins and Wilson are two of the most physical safety prospects in the cycle, and a perfect fit in coach Mike Elko and defensive coordinator Jay …

St. Xavier football finished 10-4 last season, but it’s possible to argue that the Bombers were better than their record showed.  Each of their losses finished as one possession games. They avenged their first loss of the season, 17-13 to Lakota West, with a 16-13 win over the Firebirds in the playoffs. They led the eventual state-runner-up Moeller Crusaders 17-14 …

The BYU football team started the 2024 season 9-0 before dropping two of its final three regular season games. It looked like the Cougars had a great chance to win the Big 12 and qualify for the College Football Playoff, but everything came crashing down at the end. Now, the 2025 season is right around the corner, and BYU doesn’t …

Tennessee football is back! And their balance sheet is matching their efforts. According to The Athletic’s latest Power 4 valuation rankings, the Tennessee Volunteers are worth an estimated $1.37 billion, making them the ninth most valuable program in college football. A staggering number, placing the Vols slightly behind the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. That valuation is backed by serious revenue …

Most pundits are entering 2025 with Michigan football ranked in their top 25, yet, not many have faith in the Wolverines. With an initial over-under set at 8.5, it’s been beyond tempting for many to take the under. But not Joel Klatt. The preeminent Fox Sports college football color commentator broke down the maize and blue and his expectations on …

Accoutrements of the University of Idaho’s recent football success decorated the Vandals’ media table at the Big Sky Conference football kickoff at Northern Quest Casino Monday. New coach Thomas Ford was flanked by living examples in senior defensive lineman Sam Brown and six-year offensive lineman and captain since 2023, Nate Azzopardi. Big dudes, who played significant roles in Idaho’s 10-4 …

Jul. 21—Here are a few notes and quotes from last week's Mountain West Media Days in Las Vegas: Jason Eck is one of the new guys on the block in the Mountain West. But does that mean he's a new face to the league's 11 other coaches? Not quite. In fact, New Mexico's first-year coach has connections with some of …

Michigan State football finished last season 14th in the Big Ten Conference, going 5-7 (3-6) overall. In 2025, they’re expected to perform just slightly better. Cleveland.com released their Big Ten Football Preseason Rankings for the 15th-straight year Monday morning. The Spartans are projected to finish 13th in the conference, tied with Rutgers.  Michigan State was voted to the top spot …

Three Eastern Washington players and three from Idaho were named to the Big Sky Football Preseason All-Conference Team, announced Sunday as part of the league’s kickoff weekend at Northern Quest Resort and Casino in Airway Heights. Montana State running back Adam Jones was named preseason offensive player of the year; UC Davis defensive back Rex Connors earned that honor on …

After a blazing hot recruiting stretch over the last few weeks, things have slowed down for the Oregon Ducks at this point in July, while we await a few major recruiting announcements early next month. The Ducks are in a great position to land a pair of blue-chip players, 4-star CB Davon Benjamin and 4-star DL Deuce Geralds, both of …