Should Georgia’s Kirby Smart worry about Florida with Jon Sumrall

Should Georgia’s Kirby Smart worry about Florida with Jon Sumrall

Author: The Athletic July 23, 2026 Duration: 57:21

In this episode, Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo dive deep into the latest college football headlines, rank the nation's quarterbacks, and answer your burning questions in the mailbag.


First, we react to Florida head coach Jon Sumrall embracing the grueling 9-game SEC schedule and his thoughts on the rivalry with Georgia. Then, things get spicy in Lexington as Kentucky offensive coordinator Will Stein drops a bold, Curt Cignetti-style claim about why the Wildcats will win.


Next, we break down The Athletic’s 2026 college football quarterback tiers, ranking every projected starter from 1 to 138. The guys reveal their picks for:


  • Which tier-2 (or lower) QBs will jump into Tier 1 (LaNorris Sellers, Marcel Reed, Jaden Craig)
  • Which big-name signal-callers they are highly skeptical of (Josh Hoover, Julian Sayin, Noah Fifita)
  • Their favorite under-the-radar tier 4-7 sleepers to ride with this season (Tyler Hughes, Alberto Mendoza, Lincoln Kienholz)


Finally, we open up the mailbag to tackle your questions:


  • Is Indiana's Curt Cignetti destined to regress like Chip Kelly now that the rest of college football has copied his transfer portal blueprint?
  • How would the summer hype surrounding Miami be different if Notre Dame had made the College Football Playoff over them last winter?

•Why has the recruitment of elite Junior College (JUCO) players dropped off so drastically over the last 15 years compared to the 1990s?


0:00 - Intro

0:48 - Will Jon Sumrall help reignite the Florida-Georgia rivalry?

11:15 - Has Kentucky found their Curt Cignetti in Will Stein?

16:43 - Start of the QB tier discussion

17:50 - Which QB not in tier 1 will finish the season in tier 1?

22:50 - Which QB are you skeptical of?

31:03 - Pick a QB ranked in tiers 4-7 to ride with this season.

40:19 - Mailbag questions




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For anyone who lives and breathes college football, the weekly conversation happening on The Audible with Stew, Bruce & Ralph is essential. This isn't just a recap of last Saturday's scores; it's where the sport's narrative gets unpacked by three of its most connected and seasoned voices. Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo bring a combined depth of experience that cuts through the noise, offering clarity on everything from coaching changes and playoff implications to the evolving landscape of conferences and recruiting. Their access is a key part of the podcast, featuring candid interviews with coaches, players, and insiders you won't hear elsewhere. Whether it's the frenzy of National Signing Day, the weekly drama of the regular season, or the road to the National Championship, they provide a consistent, intelligent, and often entertaining analysis that follows the sport's endless calendar. Presented by The Athletic, this show delivers the kind of substantive discussion and forward-looking insight that true fans rely on, making it a staple for those who want to go deeper than the headlines.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Audible with Stew, Bruce & Ralph: A show about college football
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