What Coaches *Really* Think: Title Favorites & Biggest Frauds + Mailbag

What Coaches *Really* Think: Title Favorites & Biggest Frauds + Mailbag

Author: The Athletic September 3, 2026 Duration: 1:00:47

What do college football coaches actually think behind closed doors? In this episode of The Audible, Bruce Feldman and Ralph Russo break down Bruce's anonymous coach survey. The guys dive straight into the takes, revealing which hyped contenders coaches are calling the biggest frauds before flipping to their ultimate national title favorites.


Moving beyond the survey, the crew examines the mounting pressure on coaching hot seats across the country. They debate whether Lincoln Riley faces a Brian Kelly-style crisis at USC and evaluate the market appeal of major coaching retreads like Brian Kelly and Jimbo Fisher looking to get back on the sidelines.


Finally, the guys close out the show with a packed listener mailbag. They tackle predictions for the Border War, share their all-time favorite college football books, and run a fascinating thought experiment on what this season would look like under the old four-team playoff format.


Timestamps

0:00 -  Intro

1:23 - Coaches Confidential Survey

1:55 - CFB coaches pick the biggest frauds

12:30 - CFB coaches pick the ’26 nat’l champs

15:39 - CFB coaches pick the biggest sleeper

18:38 - Coaching Carousel

18:56 - Jimbo Fisher & Brian Kelly

30:27 - Dave Clawson

32:20 - Coaches to watch on the Hot Spot

46:29 - Mailbag Time!

59:10- Mailbag Winner


Follow the Crew on X:

🔹 Stewart Mandel: @slmandel

🔹 Bruce Feldman: @BruceFeldmanCFB

🔹 Ralph Russo: @ralphDrussoATH

🔹The Audible: @audible.show



#TheAudible #CollegeFootball #CFB #CoachesPoll #LincolnRiley #USC #CFP


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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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