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The 2023 college football season is the last before sweeping changes in conference alignment and postseason structure. The four-team playoff will give way to 12 teams in 2024, at which time Oklahoma and Texas will be in the SEC and USC and UCLA will be in the Big Ten.

What do those changes mean for college football, on the whole?

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Gentry Estes debate whether these changes are good, bad or otherwise for the sport.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

The <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/sec/2023/04/16/jimbo-fisher-to-nick-saban-5-sec-football-coaches-facing-most-pressure/70097802007/" aria-label="Link 2023 college football season">2023 college football season</a> is the last before sweeping changes in conference alignment and postseason structure. The four-team playoff will give way to 12 teams in 2024, at which time Oklahoma and Texas will be in the SEC and USC and UCLA will be in the Big Ten.
What do those changes mean for college football, on the whole?
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Gentry_Estes" aria-label="Link Gentry Estes">Gentry Estes</a> debate whether these changes are good, bad or otherwise for the sport.
Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered

Why 2023 is end of college football as we know it and how we feel about that

All is quiet on the Alabama front. It’s been a sleepy offseason in Tuscaloosa, ahead of what’s a bellwether season for Kalen DeBoer’s tenure.

Alabama’s got one of the SEC’s few quarterback competitions between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack, but perhaps the biggest story came in April, when Alabama announced a two-year contract extension for DeBoer. His deal now runs through the 2032 season.

Good deal, bad deal, or otherwise?

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams dive into DeBoer's extension, what it means, and why anyone talking hot seat with DeBoer is not living in reality. We also hear directly from DeBoer, after Toppmeyer sat down with the Alabama coach for an interview earlier this offseason to discuss his interest (or lack thereof) in the Michigan job and his unflinching commitment to the Tide.

Alabama is doubling down on DeBoer, and he's doubling down on Alabama. But, about that Rose Bowl loss ...

Later in the episode, a closer look at how the Big Ten is stealing a page from the SEC's playbook as it pushes for a 24-team playoff.

All is quiet on the Alabama front. It&rsquo;s been a sleepy offseason in Tuscaloosa, ahead of what&rsquo;s a bellwether season for Kalen DeBoer&rsquo;s tenure.
Alabama&rsquo;s got <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2026/04/10/alabama-football-quarterback-competition-austin-mack-keelon-russell/89537329007/" aria-label="Link one of the SEC&rsquo;s few quarterback competitions">one of the SEC&rsquo;s few quarterback competitions</a> between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack, but perhaps the biggest story came in April, when Alabama announced a two-year contract extension for DeBoer. His deal now runs through the 2032 season.
Good deal, bad deal, or otherwise?
On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams dive into DeBoer's extension, what it means, and why anyone talking hot seat with DeBoer is not living in reality. We also hear directly from DeBoer, after <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/05/05/kalen-deboer-says-on-michigan-job-alabama-football-expectations-2026-season/89855100007/" aria-label="Link Toppmeyer sat down with the Alabama coach">Toppmeyer sat down with the Alabama coach</a> for an interview earlier this offseason to discuss his interest (or lack thereof) in the Michigan job and his unflinching commitment to the Tide.
Alabama is doubling down on DeBoer, and he's doubling down on Alabama. But, about that Rose Bowl loss ...
Later in the episode, a closer look at how the Big Ten is stealing a page from the SEC's playbook as it pushes for a 24-team playoff.

All is quiet on the Alabama front. It’s been a sleepy offseason in Tuscaloosa, ahead of what’s a bellwether season for Kalen DeBoer’s tenure. Alabama’s got one of the SEC’s few quarterback competitions between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack, but perhaps the biggest story came in April, when Alabama announced a two-year contract extension for DeBoer. His deal now runs through the 2032 season. Good deal, bad deal, or otherwise? On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams dive into DeBoer's extension, what it means, and why anyone talking hot seat with DeBoer is not living in reality. We also hear directly from DeBoer, after Toppmeyer sat down with the Alabama coach for an interview earlier this offseason to discuss his interest (or lack thereof) in the Michigan job and his unflinching commitment to the Tide. Alabama is doubling down on DeBoer, and he's doubling down on Alabama. But, about that Rose Bowl loss ... Later in the episode, a closer look at how the Big Ten is stealing a page from the SEC's playbook as it pushes for a 24-team playoff.

Real talk about Kalen DeBoer's contract extension and his situation at Alabama

There goes that man, back in the headlines. 

Lane Kiffin typically basks in the spotlight and attention he generates, but is he ready for the level of scrutiny and pressure that'll center on him during his first season at LSU?

Already, Kiffin is stirring the pot with his recent comments in a Vanity Fair profile that rekindled Mississippi fans' ire for him, after he left the Rebels on the doorstep of the playoff.

Kiffin spent more than a decade rebuilding his personal and professional image after he got fired at Southern Cal. Then, he burned it all down for the LSU job. Worth it?

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams discuss Kiffin's comments to Vanity Fair and debate how he'll handle a level of expectation he's not faced in more than a decade. 

Also in this episode, Toppmeyer reveals some details of his recent trip to Baton Rouge, where he interviewed Kiffin and LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry. Adams weighs in on Kiffin's comment comparing the blowback he's dealing with now, compared to what he experienced after leaving Tennessee.

Toppmeyer explains why Kiffin's first season will be particularly important, and the hosts predict whether LSU will make the playoff.

Later, Toppmeyer and Adams react to the AFCA coming out in favor of a 24-team playoff, as coaches lean into participation ribbons. Can anyone stop a 24-team playoff now?

There goes that man, back in the headlines.&nbsp;
Lane Kiffin typically basks in the spotlight and attention he generates, but is he ready for the level of scrutiny and pressure that'll center on him during his first season at LSU?
Already, Kiffin is stirring the pot with <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/05/13/lane-kiffin-vanity-fair-ole-miss-racist-lsu-football/90052516007/">his recent comments</a> in a Vanity Fair profile that rekindled Mississippi fans' ire for him, after he left the Rebels on the doorstep of the playoff.
Kiffin spent more than a decade rebuilding his personal and professional image after he got fired at Southern Cal. Then, he burned it all down for the LSU job. Worth it?
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/staff/2647548001/john-adams/">John Adams</a> discuss Kiffin's comments to Vanity Fair and debate how he'll handle a level of expectation he's not faced in more than a decade.&nbsp;
Also in this episode, Toppmeyer reveals some details of his recent trip to Baton Rouge, where he interviewed Kiffin and LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry. Adams weighs in on <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2026/05/12/lane-kiffin-ole-miss-football-hates-him-why-left-tennessee-vols-lsu-tigers/90042596007/">Kiffin's comment</a> comparing the blowback he's dealing with now, compared to what he experienced after leaving Tennessee.
Toppmeyer explains why Kiffin's first season will be particularly important, and the hosts predict whether LSU will make the playoff.
Later, Toppmeyer and Adams react to the AFCA coming out <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/05/08/college-football-playoff-cfp-afca-coaches-favor-24-teams/89976671007/">in favor of a 24-team playoff</a>, as coaches lean into participation ribbons. Can anyone stop a 24-team playoff now?

Is Lane Kiffin ready for what's coming at LSU? Plus, coaches want participation ribbons!

Don’t go to Auburn for a taste of fruit punch. 

“We don’t even have red Gatorade," Auburn center Cole Best told USA TODAY Sports.

That's the Iron Bowl rivalry for you.

No red Gatorade (or red ink pens), as Auburn emphasizes its rivalry with Alabama.

Whatever it takes to reverse Auburn's fortunes. The last five seasons were pretty miserable on the Plains. Auburn hasn't beaten either Alabama or Georgia, its top rivals, since Gus Malzahn was its coach.

On today's episode, host Blake Toppmeyer of USA TODAY is joined by the Montgomery Advertiser's Adam Cole as they examine the start of Alex Golesh's tenure and whether this new hire can spark an Auburn upswing. Toppmeyer shares some details of his offseason visit to Auburn, and Cole explains why quarterback Byrum Brown's ability couldn't be judged properly from Auburn's spring game.

They finish by weighing in on whether they're buying, selling or holding stock in Auburn under Golesh.

Don&rsquo;t go to Auburn for a taste of fruit punch.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t even have red Gatorade," Auburn center Cole Best told USA TODAY Sports.
That's the Iron Bowl rivalry for you.
<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2026/05/04/auburn-football-no-red-gatorade-alex-golesh-rivalry-alabama-iron-bowl/89698818007/" aria-label="Link No red Gatorade">No red Gatorade</a> (or red ink pens), as Auburn emphasizes its rivalry with Alabama.
Whatever it takes to reverse Auburn's fortunes. The last five seasons were pretty miserable on the Plains. Auburn hasn't beaten either Alabama or Georgia, its top rivals, since Gus Malzahn was its coach.
On today's episode, host <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> of USA TODAY is joined by the Montgomery Advertiser's <a href="https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/staff/7703312002/adam-cole/" aria-label="Link Adam Cole">Adam Cole</a> as they examine the start of Alex Golesh's tenure and whether this new hire can spark an Auburn upswing. Toppmeyer shares some details of <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/04/20/auburn-football-coach-alex-golesh-russia-fe-iron-bowl-au-tigers-byrum-brown/89663602007/" aria-label="Link his offseason visit to Auburn">his offseason visit to Auburn</a>, and Cole explains why quarterback Byrum Brown's ability couldn't be judged properly from <a href="https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/auburn/2026/04/18/auburn-football-a-day-spring-game-live-updates-score-stats-analysis/89551466007/" aria-label="Link Auburn's spring game">Auburn's spring game</a>.
They finish by weighing in on whether they're buying, selling or holding stock in Auburn under Golesh.

Don’t go to Auburn for a taste of fruit punch.  “We don’t even have red Gatorade," Auburn center Cole Best told USA TODAY Sports. That's the Iron Bowl rivalry for you. No red Gatorade (or red ink pens), as Auburn emphasizes its rivalry with Alabama. Whatever it takes to reverse Auburn's fortunes. The last five seasons were pretty miserable on the Plains. Auburn hasn't beaten either Alabama or Georgia, its top rivals, since Gus Malzahn was its coach. On today's episode, host Blake Toppmeyer of USA TODAY is joined by the Montgomery Advertiser's Adam Cole as they examine the start of Alex Golesh's tenure and whether this new hire can spark an Auburn upswing. Toppmeyer shares some details of his offseason visit to Auburn, and Cole explains why quarterback Byrum Brown's ability couldn't be judged properly from Auburn's spring game. They finish by weighing in on whether they're buying, selling or holding stock in Auburn under Golesh.

Why 2023 is end of college football as we know it and how we feel about that

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