May Q&A: Part 2 - Pat Fitzgerald, QB-Coach Pairings & the Great CFB Fan Exodus?

May Q&A: Part 2 - Pat Fitzgerald, QB-Coach Pairings & the Great CFB Fan Exodus?

Author: iHeartPodcasts May 7, 2026 Duration: 1:18:54

We’re back for Part 2 of our May Q&A, which means the offseason conversation gets both bigger and weirder. We start off with College Football Playoff expansion anxiety, including the possibility of a 24-team field, the future of conference championship games, and the growing gap between the people running the sport and the fans who love it.

We discuss the new marriage between Michigan State and Pat Fitzgerald, which leads us into a broader conversation about safe hires, risky hires, Transfer Portal recruiting, and what it actually means to rebuild in the modern Big Ten. We also touch on Texas, Arch Manning, Steve Sarkisian, Florida State, Mike Norvell, and the kinds of expectations that can turn a normal season into a referendum.

We also spend some time on the quarterback and offensive coordinator pairings we’re most curious to watch, with stops at places like Georgia Tech, UCLA, Florida, Kentucky, and a few others. Which combinations are actually exciting? Which ones feel volatile? Which ones have the widest range of possible outcomes?

And because it’s an offseason Q&A, we find room for the important stuff: wearing your team’s gear when things are bleak, whether video podcasts have raised the appearance bar, and Dan’s surprisingly spicy take on wearing sneakers with suits.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
3:09 - Mass CFB Exodus?
25:04 - Why Pat Fitzgerald?
38:39 - New QB-Coach Pairings?f
47:50 - Loser Sports Apparel?
53:00 - Texas Expectations?
59:46 - Norvell's Future?
1:06:03 - Old School Showbiz?

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For over fifteen years, The Solid Verbal College Football has offered a distinct and engaging alternative to standard sports talk. Hosts Ty Hildenbrandt and Dan Rubenstein built this podcast from the ground up, bringing a conversational and often humorous energy to their analysis that feels more like a passionate discussion between friends than a formal broadcast. They dive into the weekly chaos, triumphs, and endless debates that define the college football season, providing insights that go beyond the typical headlines. What you’ll hear is a genuine back-and-forth: spirited debates on rankings and rivalries, deep dives into strategic nuances, and a handful of recurring segments that have become beloved trademarks for their dedicated audience. This isn't about simply recapping scores; it's about capturing the culture and unpredictable narrative of the sport. Their long-running chemistry ensures every episode is both informative and entertaining, making the complexities of the game accessible whether you've followed it for decades or are just finding your way in. As part of the iHeartPodcasts network, The Solid Verbal remains a foundational voice in the space, consistently delivering that unique blend of commentary that first set it apart. It’s the kind of podcast that makes the vast landscape of college football feel a little more personal and a lot more fun.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Solid Verbal College Football
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