It's time for one of our favorite traditions: Our annual NFL Draft preview with Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports. Nate walks us through why the 2026 class should be defined by the word "useful" rather than "generational," how color-coded chips on his big board separate the truly elite from scheme-dependent prospects, and why the lack of consensus near the top could produce a first round full of surprises and trades.

We talked through the most accurate comps and comparisons for Fernando Mendoza, the incredible Ohio State defensive factory, the Ty Simpson versus Garrett Nussmeier conversation, Jeremiyah Love's place among recently drafted running backs, Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq and Dillon Thieneman, a loaded class of offensive linemen and much more.

It's time for one of our favorite traditions: Our annual NFL Draft preview with Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports. Nate walks us through why the 2026 class should be defined by the word "useful" rather than "generational," how color-coded chips on his big board separate the truly elite from scheme-dependent prospects, and why the lack of consensus near the top could produce a first round full of surprises and trades.
We talked through the most accurate comps and comparisons for Fernando Mendoza, the incredible Ohio State defensive factory, the Ty Simpson versus Garrett Nussmeier conversation, Jeremiyah Love's place among recently drafted running backs, Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq and Dillon Thieneman, a loaded class of offensive linemen and much more.

College football in all its glory. Ditch the mainstream and break the huddle with The Solid Verbal. Since 2008, Ty Hildenbrandt and Dan Rubenstein have been shaking up the college football podcasting scene with their fun and unique blend of commentary. Whether you're a diehard or a casual observer, the show taps into your fandom with spirited debates, fresh perspectives, and segments you won't hear anywhere else. Recognized as trailblazers in the podcasting world, The Solid Verbal isn't just another college football show—it's America's College Football Podcast. Become a Verballer today and join thousands of others who don't just love college football, they live it!

Follow The Solid Verbal College Football podcast on your favorite app today and download everything you need to know this offseason.

College football in all its glory. Ditch the mainstream and break the huddle with The Solid Verbal. Since 2008, Ty Hildenbrandt and Dan Rubenstein have been shaking up the college football podcasting scene with their fun and unique blend of commentary. Whether you're a diehard or a casual observer, the show taps into your fandom with spirited debates, fresh perspectives, and segments you won't hear anywhere else. Recognized as trailblazers in the podcasting world, The Solid Verbal isn't just another college football show—it's America's College Football Podcast. Become a Verballer today and join thousands of others who don't just love college football, they live it!Follow The Solid Verbal College Football podcast on your favorite app today and download everything you need to know this offseason.

The Solid Verbal College Football

2026 NFL Draft Preview with Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7d97581d-9d97-42cc-b241-b432014f313f/transcript

Sorsby denied NFL Supplemental Draft

Chris Fallica joins the show

In this episode, we welcome Chris Fallica of Fox Sports, Big Noon Kickoff and Bear Bets to talk through college football from the perspective of a researcher, bettor, traveler and longtime media fixture. We get into how he studies the sport this time of year, what numbers actually matter, how the transfer portal has changed preseason projections, and why college football remains so difficult to evaluate in an era of super conferences, roster churn and wildly uneven schedules.

We also dig into the art of finding weird stats, the value of schedule spots, the eternal appeal of the letdown lookahead sandwich, and whether elevation deserves a bigger place in how we talk about home-field advantage. Plus, Chris shares a few early thoughts on teams he trusts and teams he is more skeptical of heading into 2026, with Indiana, Miami, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Florida State and Arkansas all coming up along the way.

Before the interview, we also react to the latest twist in the Brendan Sorsby saga after the NFL declined to hold a supplemental draft.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
4:13 - Brendan Sorsby denied NFL Supplemental Draft
8:29 - Chris Fallica joins

In this episode, we welcome Chris Fallica of Fox Sports, Big Noon Kickoff and Bear Bets to talk through college football from the perspective of a researcher, bettor, traveler and longtime media fixture. We get into how he studies the sport this time of year, what numbers actually matter, how the transfer portal has changed preseason projections, and why college football remains so difficult to evaluate in an era of super conferences, roster churn and wildly uneven schedules.
We also dig into the art of finding weird stats, the value of schedule spots, the eternal appeal of the letdown lookahead sandwich, and whether elevation deserves a bigger place in how we talk about home-field advantage. Plus, Chris shares a few early thoughts on teams he trusts and teams he is more skeptical of heading into 2026, with Indiana, Miami, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Florida State and Arkansas all coming up along the way.
Before the interview, we also react to the latest twist in the Brendan Sorsby saga after the NFL declined to hold a supplemental draft.
Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 4:13 - Brendan Sorsby denied NFL Supplemental Draft 8:29 - Chris Fallica joins

Chris Fallica on Weird Stats, the Transfer Portal & Letdown Lookahead Sandwiches

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/271b6ac3-1f6f-4bad-a79b-b4730159167b/transcript

Brendan Sorsby to enter NFL Supplemental Draft

Message Board Geniuses

In this college football podcast episode, we react to the latest and likely final twist in the Brendan Sorsby saga, as the now-former Texas Tech quarterback backs off his NCAA lawsuit and turns his attention toward the NFL Supplemental Draft. After weeks of legal maneuvering, Big 12 pushback, public statements and fan frustration, we try to make sense of how the situation became untenable, what it means for Texas Tech, and where the Red Raiders go from here with Will Hammond now back in the spotlight.

Then, with preview season still a few weeks away, we open the window into the weirdest corners of college football fandom with help from the Message Board Geniuses (@BoardGeniuses) social feed. We dig through offseason fan brain at Texas Tech, Florida State, LSU, Washington, Oregon and beyond, touching on conference realignment fantasies, private investigator hypotheticals, Lane Kiffin’s housing situation, recruiting angst, national title expectations and one Auburn thread that probably should not have made it onto a college football podcast.

Plus: a new logo is on the way, Ty’s voice is still recovering, Dan pitches an “immersive college football experience,” and things end with an unfortunate discussion of fermented Japanese green plums.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
2:05 - Brendan Sorsby to enter NFL Supplemental Draft
27:22 - Message Board Gems

In this college football podcast episode, we react to the latest and likely final twist in the Brendan Sorsby saga, as the now-former Texas Tech quarterback backs off his NCAA lawsuit and turns his attention toward the NFL Supplemental Draft. After weeks of legal maneuvering, Big 12 pushback, public statements and fan frustration, we try to make sense of how the situation became untenable, what it means for Texas Tech, and where the Red Raiders go from here with Will Hammond now back in the spotlight.
Then, with preview season still a few weeks away, we open the window into the weirdest corners of college football fandom with help from the Message Board Geniuses (@BoardGeniuses) social feed. We dig through offseason fan brain at Texas Tech, Florida State, LSU, Washington, Oregon and beyond, touching on conference realignment fantasies, private investigator hypotheticals, Lane Kiffin&rsquo;s housing situation, recruiting angst, national title expectations and one Auburn thread that probably should not have made it onto a college football podcast.
Plus: a new logo is on the way, Ty&rsquo;s voice is still recovering, Dan pitches an &ldquo;immersive college football experience,&rdquo; and things end with an unfortunate discussion of fermented Japanese green plums.
Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 2:05 - Brendan Sorsby to enter NFL Supplemental Draft 27:22 - Message Board Gems

Brendan Sorsby's Exit + Message Board Madness

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/303e3022-44f8-4d58-a506-b46b017b2b4f/transcript

Teeter Teams

Florida

Arizona State

Kentucky

Minnesota

Virginia Tech

Wisconsin

In this episode, we examine the most interesting college football teams hovering around the bowl eligibility line in 2026. With win totals sitting at 5.5 or 6.5, these are the teams that could just as easily surge to 8-4 as stumble into 5-7, and we try to figure out which direction they’re headed before preview season officially begins.

We start with Florida and the Jon Sumrall reboot, then dig into Arizona State’s questions, Kentucky’s brutal SEC schedule, Minnesota’s surprisingly low win total, and Virginia Tech’s fascinating reset under James Franklin. Plus, we debate whether TCU has enough runway and whether Wisconsin is finally ready to clear the bar under Luke Fickell.

Also: Dan searches for a new lease, Ty searches for a Seattle soccer ticket, third-quarter sing-along traditions, the dangers of too many stadium sound effects, and how fuzzy June math led us directly to the today's concept.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
7:25 - Explaining Teeter Teams
9:32 - Florida Gators
16:47 - Arizona State Sun Devils
23:29 - Kentucky Wildcats
30:10 - Minnesota Golden Gophers
37:52 - Virginia Tech Hokies
44:18 - TCU Horned Frogs
49:59 - Wisconsin Badgers

In this episode, we examine the most interesting college football teams hovering around the bowl eligibility line in 2026. With win totals sitting at 5.5 or 6.5, these are the teams that could just as easily surge to 8-4 as stumble into 5-7, and we try to figure out which direction they&rsquo;re headed before preview season officially begins.
We start with Florida and the Jon Sumrall reboot, then dig into Arizona State&rsquo;s questions, Kentucky&rsquo;s brutal SEC schedule, Minnesota&rsquo;s surprisingly low win total, and Virginia Tech&rsquo;s fascinating reset under James Franklin. Plus, we debate whether TCU has enough runway and whether Wisconsin is finally ready to clear the bar under Luke Fickell.
Also: Dan searches for a new lease, Ty searches for a Seattle soccer ticket, third-quarter sing-along traditions, the dangers of too many stadium sound effects, and how fuzzy June math led us directly to the today's concept.
Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 7:25 - Explaining Teeter Teams 9:32 - Florida Gators 16:47 - Arizona State Sun Devils 23:29 - Kentucky Wildcats 30:10 - Minnesota Golden Gophers 37:52 - Virginia Tech Hokies 44:18 - TCU Horned Frogs 49:59 - Wisconsin Badgers

Teeter Teams: Florida, Arizona State, Wisconsin & Teams Living On The Edge

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a3a822d4-527c-4970-9047-b46a014a81cc/transcript

2026 NFL Draft Preview with Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports

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