The SEC Decision Tree

Power dynamics: Who's in charge?

The Unpopularity of SEC & Big Ten Power

Reporting challenges and ESPN's Role

The future of playoff expansion & what's next

Outro and preview season setup

In this college football podcast episode, Ralph Russo from The Athletic joins us to break down the complex College Football Playoff negotiations happening behind closed doors between the Big Ten, SEC and other conferences. Our conversation centers on how the number of SEC conference games is driving the debate, explores the Big Ten's push for automatic qualifiers, and examines why these meetings keep happening without real progress.

Ralph explains the power dynamics between Tony Petitti and Greg Sankey, why ESPN might not want playoff expansion, and how Brett Yormark is trying to wedge the SEC away from the Big Ten. Plus, the "reimagined" conference championship weekend, whether a breakaway league is possible, and why this feels like college football's most charged moment since the BCS era.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

05:02 - The SEC Decision Tree

16:19 - Power dynamics: Who's really running these meetings?

27:26 - The Unpopularity of SEC & Big Ten Power

36:35 - Reporting challenges and ESPN's actual role vs. perception

42:08 - The future of playoff expansion and what's next

51:19 - Outro and preview season setup

_____

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In this college football podcast episode, Ralph Russo from The Athletic joins us to break down the complex College Football Playoff negotiations happening behind closed doors between the Big Ten, SEC and other conferences. Our conversation centers on how the number of SEC conference games is driving the debate, explores the Big Ten's push for automatic qualifiers, and examines why these meetings keep happening without real progress.Ralph explains the power dynamics between Tony Petitti and Greg Sankey, why ESPN might not want playoff expansion, and how Brett Yormark is trying to wedge the SEC away from the Big Ten. Plus, the "reimagined" conference championship weekend, whether a breakaway league is possible, and why this feels like college football's most charged moment since the BCS era.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction05:02 - The SEC Decision Tree16:19 - Power dynamics: Who's really running these meetings?27:26 - The Unpopularity of SEC &amp; Big Ten Power36:35 - Reporting challenges and ESPN's actual role vs. perception42:08 - The future of playoff expansion and what's next51:19 - Outro and preview season setup_____A fan of our college football podcast?&nbsp;Leave us a rating and review, and don't forget to subscribe or follow so you don't miss any of our podcast episodes:Apple Podcasts:&nbsp;<a href="https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://play.solidverbal.com/apple-podcasts</a>Spotify:&nbsp;<a href="https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://play.solidverbal.com/spotify</a>Amazon Music:&nbsp;<a href="https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://play.solidverbal.com/amazon-music</a>Overcast:&nbsp;<a href="https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://play.solidverbal.com/overcast</a>Pocket Casts:&nbsp;<a href="https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://play.solidverbal.com/pocketcasts</a>Podcast Addict:&nbsp;<a href="https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://play.solidverbal.com/podcast-addict</a>CastBox:&nbsp;<a href="https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://play.solidverbal.com/castbox</a>Our college football show is also available on YouTube.&nbsp;Subscribe to the channel at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal?sub_confirmation=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@solidverbal</a>Learn more about the show on our website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.solidverbal.com/about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.solidverbal.com/about</a>Want to get in touch?&nbsp;Give us a holler on Twitter:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.twitter.com/solidverbal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@solidverbal</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.twitter.com/tyhildenbrandt" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@tyhildenbrandt</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.twitter.com/danrubenstein" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@danrubenstein</a>, on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/solidverbal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, or on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/solidverbal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. You can also find our college football podcast out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@solidverbal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.threads.net/@solidverbal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Threads</a>. Stay up to date with our free weekly college football newsletter:&nbsp;<a href="https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://quickslants.solidverbal.com/subscribe</a>.College football has been our passion since we started The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast back in 2008. We don't just love college football, we live it!See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

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

Inside the Big Ten-SEC Playoff Power Struggle with Ralph Russo of The Athletic

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f55e029b-ff86-4f01-ae14-b30d011a555d/transcript

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