In this episode, we're joined by John Kurtz of the Open For Business podcast and newsletter to talk about the state of the Big 12 conferenced heading into the 2026 college football season. We discuss whether Oregon's playoff shutout of Texas Tech will leave a lasting mark on the Big 12's reputation, the importance of BYU's upcoming game against Notre Dame in Week 7, the scoop on what happened at Kansas State last season, and a hypothetical future state with North Dakota State in the conference. 

Sign up for John's newsletter (https://www.ofbnews.com/) and check out his show (https://www.youtube.com/@JohnKurtzShow).

In this episode, we're joined by John Kurtz of the Open For Business podcast and newsletter to talk about the state of the Big 12 conferenced heading into the 2026 college football season. We discuss whether Oregon's playoff shutout of Texas Tech will leave a lasting mark on the Big 12's reputation, the importance of BYU's upcoming game against Notre Dame in Week 7, the scoop on what happened at Kansas State last season, and a hypothetical future state with North Dakota State in the conference.&nbsp;
Sign up for John's newsletter (<a href="https://www.ofbnews.com/)">https://www.ofbnews.com/)</a> and check out his show (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@JohnKurtzShow">https://www.youtube.com/@JohnKurtzShow</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

The State of the Big 12: From CFP Credibility to Kansas State's Reboot (with John Kurtz)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/67f7805b-9643-4d65-b213-b3f30144150b/transcript

Kalen DeBoer's Future?

The Value of Playing Time?

Altering CFB History?

Canceling Marquee Matchups?

Two Bid Big 12?

Optimal Tailgating?

The Verballerhood's questions were so good that we had to split our Mega March Q&A episode into two parts. In Part 1, we look at Kalen DeBoer's future with Alabama, the value of playing time as a recruiting tool for non-blue bloods, and the college football moments over the last 25 years that we'd most like to change. Plus, we discuss whether TV networks can force teams to stop canceling marquee matchups, how the Big 12 can become a two-bid league in the CFP era, the conditions for optimal tailgating, and much more.

Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
2:10 - Kalen DeBoer's Future at Alabama
14:17 - The Value of Playing Time
23:47 - Altering CFB History
35:04 - Canceling Marquee Matchups
44:54 - A Two-Bid Big 12
56:54 - Optimal Tailgating

The Verballerhood's questions were so good that we had to split our Mega March Q&amp;A episode into two parts. In Part 1, we look at Kalen DeBoer's future with Alabama, the value of playing time as a recruiting tool for non-blue bloods, and the college football moments over the last 25 years that we'd most like to change. Plus, we discuss whether TV networks can force teams to stop canceling marquee matchups, how the Big 12 can become a two-bid league in the CFP era, the conditions for optimal tailgating, and much more.
Timecodes: 0:00 - Intro 2:10 - Kalen DeBoer's Future at Alabama 14:17 - The Value of Playing Time 23:47 - Altering CFB History 35:04 - Canceling Marquee Matchups 44:54 - A Two-Bid Big 12 56:54 - Optimal Tailgating

Mega March Q&A: Part 1 - Kalen DeBoer's Future, Two-Bid Big 12 & Optimal Tailgating

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5f9bd1ab-860a-4548-a61c-b40801561685/transcript

Key Themes for CFB in 2026

Conference Structure

Scheduling

College Football Playoff

The TV Product

The On-Field Product

The Transfer Portal

It's time for the annual college football checkup. In this episode, we put college football on the exam table and rate every major element of the sport from one to five. From conference structure and scheduling to the College Football Playoff, the TV product, on-field play, NIL, and the transfer portal, nothing escapes our stethoscope.

Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
3:42 - Key Themes for CFB in 2026
13:28 - Conference Structure
24:50 - Scheduling
33:42 - College Football Playoff
45:18 - The TV Product
53:02 - The On-Field Product
1:02:24 - NIL
1:11:43 - The Transfer Portal 

It's time for the annual college football checkup. In this episode, we put college football on the exam table and rate every major element of the sport from one to five. From conference structure and scheduling to the College Football Playoff, the TV product, on-field play, NIL, and the transfer portal, nothing escapes our stethoscope.
Timecodes: 0:00 - Intro 3:42 - Key Themes for CFB in 2026 13:28 - Conference Structure 24:50 - Scheduling 33:42 - College Football Playoff 45:18 - The TV Product 53:02 - The On-Field Product 1:02:24 - NIL 1:11:43 - The Transfer Portal&nbsp;

College Football's Annual Checkup: Grading The Sport From Head To Toe

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ad9720c2-02c1-42d7-bc56-b40301521c6b/transcript

Intro

Gary Patterson at USC

Will Muschamp at Texas

Drew Mehringer & Chris Hampton at Oregon

Ron Roberts at Arkansas

Jason Beck at Michigan

Bobby Hauck at Illinois

Arthur Smith at Ohio State

Chad Morris at Clemson

Taylor Mouser at Penn State

The 2026 college football offseason has brought a fascinating wave of coordinator changes at some of the sport's most prominent programs. In this college football podcast episode, we take a look at some of the most intriguing new coordinator hires and evaluate what each new coach has to fix. From defensive overhauls at USC and Texas to offensive shifts at Ohio State and Penn State, we dig into what each new coordinator is walking into and what kind of renovation is required.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
5:14 - Gary Patterson at USC
13:30 - Will Muschamp at Texas
20:58 - Drew Mehringer & Chris Hampton at Oregon
29:02 - Ron Roberts at Arkansas
36:53 - Jason Beck at Michigan
44:48 - Bobby Hauck at Illinois
50:10 - Arthur Smith at Ohio State
57:59 - Chad Morris at Clemson
1:05:41 - Taylor Mouser at Penn State

The 2026 college football offseason has brought a fascinating wave of coordinator changes at some of the sport's most prominent programs. In this college football podcast episode, we take a look at some of the most intriguing new coordinator hires and evaluate what each new coach has to fix. From defensive overhauls at USC and Texas to offensive shifts at Ohio State and Penn State, we dig into what each new coordinator is walking into and what kind of renovation is required.
Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 5:14 - Gary Patterson at USC 13:30 - Will Muschamp at Texas 20:58 - Drew Mehringer &amp; Chris Hampton at Oregon 29:02 - Ron Roberts at Arkansas 36:53 - Jason Beck at Michigan 44:48 - Bobby Hauck at Illinois 50:10 - Arthur Smith at Ohio State 57:59 - Chad Morris at Clemson 1:05:41 - Taylor Mouser at Penn State

Home Improvement: The Most Intriguing Coordinator Hires For 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/492132fc-8808-43f5-a531-b401015b295d/transcript

The State of the Big 12: From CFP Credibility to Kansas State's Reboot (with John Kurtz)

In 1 playlist(s)

The Solid Verbal College Football

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips