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

Skinny Cans vs Luxury Watches

Haircut Industrial Complex vs Podcasts on YouT

Cars

Grocery Stores vs Food Delivery Services

Streaming Services vs. Carry-on Luggage

ChatGPT vs. Greeting Cards

The Future vs. Dog Parks

Beach Vacations vs. Wireless Charging

Miami Metro Area vs. Thought Leadership

Short-form Content

Elight Eight Matchups

The Final Four

The Championship

Also Receiving Votes

Today, we're taking a rare break from college football and dropping a long, off-topic episode to the feed. It's been nine years after the original Secret Garbage Bracket debuted, and we're bringing it back with an expanded 18-item field, two play-in games, and a fresh batch of submissions from the Verballerhood. The premise is the same as it was in 2017: take things that everyone seems to like, things that carry a high approval rating and rarely get questioned, and make the case that they're actually, secretly, kind of garbage.

This year's bracket covers a wide range of things from modern life, from everyday conveniences and travel staples to entire cultural institutions and lifestyle choices. There are heated debates, a few philosophical tangents, and at least one matchup that spiraled into something neither of us expected.

Fill out your own picks at https://garbage.solidverbal.com!

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro to the 2026 Secret Garbage Bracket
8:58 - Skinny Cans vs. Luxury Watches
14:33 - Haircut Industrial Complex vs. Podcasts on YouTube
22:11 - Cars
30:02 - Grocery Stores vs. Food Delivery Services
42:20 - Streaming Services vs. Carry-on Luggage
54:30 - ChatGPT vs. Greeting Cards
1:04:14 - The Future vs. Dog Parks
1:16:28 - Beach Vacations vs. Wireless Charging
1:25:20 - Miami Metro Area vs. Thought Leadership
1:34:40 - Short-form Content
1:38:05 - Elite Eight Matchups
1:43:33 - The Final Four
1:48:19 - The Championship
1:56:43 - Also Receiving Votes

Today, we're taking a rare break from college football and dropping a long, off-topic episode to the feed. It's been nine years after <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-solid-verbal-college-football/secret-garbage-bracket-3-16-2017">the original Secret Garbage Bracket</a> debuted, and we're bringing it back with an expanded 18-item field, two play-in games, and a fresh batch of submissions from the Verballerhood. The premise is the same as it was in 2017: take things that everyone seems to like, things that carry a high approval rating and rarely get questioned, and make the case that they're actually, secretly, kind of garbage.
This year's bracket covers a wide range of things from modern life, from everyday conveniences and travel staples to entire cultural institutions and lifestyle choices. There are heated debates, a few philosophical tangents, and at least one matchup that spiraled into something neither of us expected.
Fill out your own picks at <a href="https://garbage.solidverbal.com">https://garbage.solidverbal.com</a>!
Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro to the 2026 Secret Garbage Bracket 8:58 - Skinny Cans vs. Luxury Watches 14:33 - Haircut Industrial Complex vs. Podcasts on YouTube 22:11 - Cars 30:02 - Grocery Stores vs. Food Delivery Services 42:20 - Streaming Services vs. Carry-on Luggage 54:30 - ChatGPT vs. Greeting Cards 1:04:14 - The Future vs. Dog Parks 1:16:28 - Beach Vacations vs. Wireless Charging 1:25:20 - Miami Metro Area vs. Thought Leadership 1:34:40 - Short-form Content 1:38:05 - Elite Eight Matchups 1:43:33 - The Final Four 1:48:19 - The Championship 1:56:43 - Also Receiving Votes

The Return of the Secret Garbage Bracket

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5be3dea6-84b9-4b96-b63c-b41e01575dbf/transcript

Matt Brown joins the show

It's time for our annual college football business update, and we couldn't think of anyone better than our friend Matt Brown from Extra Points (ExtraPointsMB.com) to walk us through everything happening behind the scenes. From the revenue arms race to jersey patches to the SCORE Act, Matt breaks down the big-picture forces shaping every athletic department in the country. We talk about whether spending more money is actually worth it, what Congress can realistically do about college sports reform, which revenue streams matter more than fans think, and why the stadium experience still has a long way to go. Plus, a seedy video game pitch, a rining endorsement for Milwaukee, and Dan discovers Summerfest 2026.

It's time for our annual college football business update, and we couldn't think of anyone better than our friend Matt Brown from Extra Points (<a href="https://extrapointsmb.com/">ExtraPointsMB.com</a>) to walk us through everything happening behind the scenes. From the revenue arms race to jersey patches to the SCORE Act, Matt breaks down the big-picture forces shaping every athletic department in the country. We talk about whether spending more money is actually worth it, what Congress can realistically do about college sports reform, which revenue streams matter more than fans think, and why the stadium experience still has a long way to go. Plus, a seedy video game pitch, a rining endorsement for Milwaukee, and Dan discovers Summerfest 2026.

The Annual College Football Business Update with Matt Brown

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/237244a3-3641-426a-898c-b41d00dfef3f/transcript

Intro

Arkansas

Georgia Tech

Missouri

Florida

Oregon

Texas

Michigan

Georgia

Wisconsin

Rapid Fire (Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Iowa, Alabam

What's the one thing your college football team just can't figure out? In this episode, we work through listener submissions on the recurring issues that haunt fan bases year after year. From Arkansas's defensive drought to Mizzou's glass ceiling under Eli Drinkwitz, from Florida's institutional lag, to Oregon's quest to close out the biggest games. Plus, what gnaws at Texas, Michigan, Georgia, and USC fans despite all the talent those programs have stockpiled. We also riff on Iowa, Wisconsin, Alabama, and whether some coaches are simply hardwired to win one specific way.

Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
8:18 - Arkansas
16:43 - Georgia Tech
22:42 - Missouri
30:02 - Florida
40:08 - Oregon
48:07 - Texas
53:46 - Michigan
58:45 - Georgia
1:03:12 - USC
1:07:44 - Wisconsin
1:09:33 - Rapid Fire (Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Iowa, Alabama)

What's the one thing your college football team just can't figure out? In this episode, we work through listener submissions on the recurring issues that haunt fan bases year after year. From Arkansas's defensive drought to Mizzou's glass ceiling under Eli Drinkwitz, from Florida's institutional lag, to Oregon's quest to close out the biggest games. Plus, what gnaws at Texas, Michigan, Georgia, and USC fans despite all the talent those programs have stockpiled. We also riff on Iowa, Wisconsin, Alabama, and whether some coaches are simply hardwired to win one specific way.
Timecodes: 0:00 - Intro 8:18 - Arkansas 16:43 - Georgia Tech 22:42 - Missouri 30:02 - Florida 40:08 - Oregon 48:07 - Texas 53:46 - Michigan 58:45 - Georgia 1:03:12 - USC 1:07:44 - Wisconsin 1:09:33 - Rapid Fire (Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Iowa, Alabama)

Missing Pieces: What Your College Football Team Can't Seem To Fix

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a9a3684b-7afc-46a9-9d0e-b418014d02f2/transcript

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

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