Shows
The Walk-On RedshirtsWeek 4 Preview, The Beginning of Make or Break Weeks?Get ready for another thrilling slate of games with The Walk-On Redshirts Podcast! We’ve got everything you need to dive into Week 4.
News & Notes
Florida's Crisis Mode: Florida's board has called an emergency meeting—how much longer can Billy Napier hold on?
Ticket Price Surge: Tennessee plans to raise ticket prices by 10%. Is this the new norm in college football?
Quarterback Shakeup: Michigan benches Davis Warren for Alex Orji. What does this mean for the Wolverines?
Recap Rundown
Florida State’s Stumble: When will Florida State secure their first win of the season?
Georgi...
2024-09-181h 13The Walk-On RedshirtsWeek 2, Ewers vs Warren
Week one is in the books! Jake and William have thoughts on the first week and recap all of the biggest games and events. Georgia dominates Clemson, is it time for Dabo to use the transfer portal? USC wins a thriller over LSU and Brian Kelley informs everyone his quarterback was outplayed. Can USC make the College Football Playoffs? Notre Dame and Texas A&M play a defensive battle with the Fighting Irish coming out on top. What are the key takeaways in this game? Finally, is it time for Florida State to hit the panic button...
2024-09-041h 16
Closing the Gap (Year)NBA Finals Recap with Lauren Walkon: How Does This Affect the League and Just How Incredible Was this Jokic Playoff Run?My sister Lauren joins us again to discuss the 2023 NBA Finals where the Nuggets dispatched the Miami Heat in 5 games. We discuss how a matchup without ESPN posterboys like Lebron and Steph Curry or a marquee franchise like the Lakers or Celtics still delivered the goods. We then praise the Nuggets' role players and question how the Heat's supporting cast got as far as they did. We talk about how these playoffs impact Jimmy Butler's legacy and finally where this Nikola Jokic playoff run compares to the most dominant in NBA history.
2023-06-1443 min
RecomendiesOur Favorite Video Games with Matthew PetersHi everyone! Welcome to episode 17 of Recomendies. Today, we did something a little different. No Wikis were visited and no critic or audience receptions were researched. Instead, I and my brother Matt decided to list some of our top 5 video games of all time and go into why they are our favorites. This is a beefy one, but I think the conversation more than makes up for the length. We talk about everything from big budget superhero games to smaller projects that delve into the meaning of art and the relationship between creator and consumer. Who knows, maybe we'll...
2023-05-311h 47Closing the Gap (Year)NBA Conference Finals Preview with Brad Silverman and Vik Chakra(bortty)Basketball enthusiast (and Draymond Green-like on the basketball court) Brad Silverman joins us to talk Heat and Celtics. We discuss Tatum + Brown, Mazzulla vs Spo, and the impossibility that is Jimmy Butler. Then Vik Chakra calls in from Japan to help us breakdown Lakers vs Nuggets. We discuss Lebron, Jokic vs AD, the supporting casts, and if Jokic can shed the "lack of playoff success" narrative. We have picks. We have predictions. And we have a ton of love for Kevon Looney.
2023-05-171h 05Closing the Gap (Year)Is 'The Last of Us' HBO MAX's Next Legendary TV Series?Adam Peters join us once again to talk The Last of Us. After taking 2023 by storm, we discuss the potential for The Last of Us to join the ranks of The Wire, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, Succession, and the other HBO MAX masterpieces that have dominated award seasons the last 20+ years. We then discuss why The last of Us has succeeded where other video game adaptations have failed before giving our Mount Rushmore of The Last of Us Scenes and evaluating the show's spinoff potential.
2023-05-091h 29Closing the Gap (Year)The Absurdity of Joel EmbiidJoel Embiid is like a lot of NBA superstars before him - routinely competing for MVPs and championships. The difference is injuries almost ended his career before it started. No player has ever dealt with injuries to the extent of Embiid's and come out on the other side...better? We look at others who have tried and failed like Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, Yao Ming, Tracy Mcgrady, Derrick Rose, and Bill Walton. Have the tides shifted because of new diets and hyperbaric chambers or is Embiid simply an exception to the rule?
2023-04-1713 minClosing the Gap (Year)NBA Playoff Preview with Vik Chakra(bortty) + Play-in Tournament Hopefuls vs Hopeless + Pigs vs SheepVik Chakra and I discuss this tantalizing opening round of the NBA post-season with massive off-season implications on the line. Will Ben Simmons get off the bench as he watches his old team thrive? Will Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant stay healthy for a full series...or even the layup lines? Can the Kings dethrone the Warriors and continue lighting the beam? Will Jalen Brunson or Donavan Mitchell be the offseason acquisition that wills their new team to the second round? Meanwhile, there are 8 play-in teams: 7 of them are looking at ugly offseasons, while one of them might win...
2023-04-111h 13Closing the Gap (Year)Ted Lasso Season 3: The Beginning of the End with Jacob and Zach JenningsTed Lasso is questioning why he’s still coaching AFC Richmond. Nate is still the worst. Is football still life? Zach, Jacob, and I unpack the Ted Lasso season 3 opener, "Smells Like Mean Spirit" and discuss the future of Apple TV's golden child.
2023-03-2145 minClosing the Gap (Year)The Oscars: Opinions, Predictions, and Hot Takes with Grayson Buning, Christian Kassab, Adam Peters, and Anish TamhaneyWe may not be The Academy, but we do have Letterboxd.
Avatar 2: the Way of Water (2:35)
Triangle of Sadness (11:19)
Women Talking (14:46)
Tar (21:18)
Elvis (34:31)
The Fabelmans (46:44)
All Quiet on the Western Front (59:14)
Top Gun: Maverick (1:09:11)
The Banshees of Inisherin (1:20:49)
Everything Everywhere All at Once (1:36:10)
Our picks: (1:44:15)
2023-03-091h 53RecomendiesThe Nice Guys with Alex WalkonHi everyone! Welcome to the ninth episode of Recomendies, and boy oh boy, do we have a special one today. Join me and my good friend Alex Walkon as we discuss the 2016 Shane Black film, The Nice Guys. It's fitting Alex is on this episode, because as anyone who knows him can attest, he really is an incredibly nice guy. Fresh off of a viewing of the film, Alex and I talk all about how good the cast of this movie is, what makes it so funny, and just general celebrities that we admire. If you want to hear...
2023-02-281h 09Closing the Gap (Year)NBA Storylines with Rama Varanasi + the NFL Quarterback Carousel + The Oscars + the Greatness of Bill SimmonsWe are joined by the one and only Rama Varanasi to make predictions for which NFL teams will have a new quarterback under center next season (1:45). We then vent about the results of ESPN's latest MVP straw poll (28:09) and discuss the biggest NBA storylines with the playoffs looming (41:12). Rama and I then praise Bill Simmons (the Podfather) and how much we love this content (1:01:58) before diving into the Yale Men's Basketball Team and their push for the NCAA tournament (1:06:50). Finally, we discuss the upcoming Academy Awards and give our takes on the Best Picture Nominations (1:11:31).
2023-02-271h 30Closing the Gap (Year)Super Bowl Preview, Predictions, and Bets with Jacob Kadans, Jacob King, Alex Lee, Max Lessins, Jongbu Park, and Zack PiperEagles vs Chiefs: the best team vs the best quarterback. We dive into the injury report, two star-studded rosters, our blatant lack of knowledge when it comes to non-star NFL players, and, of course, our favorite bets for Sunday.
2023-02-111h 10Closing the Gap (Year)The Giants' Fascinating Offseason with Brian Heyman + NFL Conference Championship Game Predictions + Recovering from Significant Injury + Brian's Life as a Medical StudentThe Giants surprised everyone this year with a splendid trip to the divisional round of the playoffs thanks to career years from Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. Unfortunately, it's time to turn the page and figure out how they're going to pay Jones, Barkley, and a multitude of other deserving players in a salary cap league. Brian Heyman dons his general manager hat to explain where the Giants should allocate their money (3:13). Brian and I then make our picks for the two riveting conference championship games to determine who will be playing in the Super Bowl (36:37). Less than two...
2023-01-271h 15Closing the Gap (Year)UFC's 2023 Turbulence with Kasra Raffi + Drafting Who We'd Want Defending Us in a Fight + Being a Member of the Ford Family + Ted Lasso Season 3 PredictionsIn part two, Kasra stays with us to examine the UFC's rocky start to 2023: Dana White's incident with his wife, Conor McGregor's delayed return, and ... Jake Paul (0:55)? We then draft (12:49) who among our friends we'd want on our side if we ever found ourselves in a physical confrontation (we do not condone violence on this podcast!). Kasra tells us about his experience working for Ford Motor Company (23:35) before we relish in our excitement and predictions for the long-awaited season 3 of Ted Lasso (33:40).
2023-01-2450 minClosing the Gap (Year)Reacting to the Damar Hamlin Injury with Kasra Raffi + Returning to the Messi vs Ronaldo Debate + Michigan's Heartbreaking Defeat Against TCU + Kasra's Newfound View of ConcussionsAt long last, we are joined by Kasra Raffi, also known as KR7 by his fans. In part 1 of this 2-part episode, Kasra and I unpack the horrifying injury suffered by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin in addition to Hamlin's miraculous, inspiring road to recovery. We've heard Akram praise Ronaldo, but it's Kasra's turn to make his case for the soccer GOAT (or maybe question the point of the debate at all). I don't care it happened nearly two weeks ago, we need to discuss the combination of missed opportunities and heinous officiating that took place in Michigan's devastating...
2023-01-121h 00Closing the Gap (Year)Holiday Special with Christian Kassab, Adam Peters, and Lauren WalkonThis holiday season has flown by, but it's never too late to relish in such a great time of year. The NFL draft is in April, the NBA draft is in June, who cares when the MLB draft is? Today is the podcast's holiday draft. Christian, Adam, Lauren and I give our picks for best holiday movie (3:45), song (37:10), and tradition of the year (52:26). We then discuss our New Year's resolutions (59:05) before making our picks for sports moment of 2022 (1:04:46). Happy holidays!
2022-12-301h 16Closing the Gap (Year)World Cup Implications with Akram Albeer + Is Parity Good for the NBA? + NFL Playoff Picture + the Greatness of Breaking BadThe world cup is over but the GOAT debate is…not? Following Argentina's incredible victory over France in the World Cup Final, well-known Ronaldo supporter Akram Albeer calls on the mainstream soccer fan to pause before crowning Lionel Messi as the greatest of all time (2:39). We then discuss Akram's beloved Miami Heat (33:24) before questioning if the newfound balance of power in the NBA is actually good for the league. We then breakdown the NFL playoff picture (43:29) and how the BRAND NEW LIONS fit into the postseason mix before discussing Akram's gap year lifestyle (50:47) and what makes Breaking Bad one of...
2022-12-221h 00Closing the Gap (Year)Reacting to 'The Game' with Jacob and Zach Jennings + Who the Lions Draft in 2023? + Reviewing Zach's Preseason Fantasy Football Predictions + Jake and Zach's Lives and Contrasting Tastes in MusicFollowing a surprise appearance by Alex Lee, Jacob, Zach and I react to Michigan's iconic performance to beat Ohio State for the second year in a row (4:20). We then attempt to predict who the surging Detroit Lions (30:38) will take in the 2023 draft (thank you LA Rams for being terrible). Next, we review where Zach was right and where Zach was wrong (43:55) in his preseason fantasy football predictions (Baker Mayfield? Yikes). Jacob and Zach then dive into their jobs, Masters programs, and polar opposite interests in music (53:30). We talk about our favorite T.V. shows (1:10:14) before finally making our case...
2022-12-051h 25Closing the Gap (Year)Anish Tamhaney Takes Us Through the Horror Movie Gauntlet + His Best Movie Recommendations + An Unexpected Journey With Guitar + a Bursting LA Sports SceneFollowing a filthy guitar riff supplied by the one and only Anish Tamhaney, we relive one of the most horrifying films ever made (1:06) and our strategies to conquer horror movies. We then have Anish lead us through the horror movie gauntlet to determine the best scary movies of all time (7:13). Anish then takes us through his current top 5 movie recommendations (25:32) and the upcoming releases he's most excited about (32:32). Anish takes us back to his unlikely start in playing guitar and how he has become a magician on the ol' six-stringer (34:24). Finally, we talk about how Anish has adjusted to...
2022-11-211h 02Closing the Gap (Year)Detroit Lions Update with Jacob King + the Magic of Geno Smith + Fantasy Football Wisdom + The Pat Mcafee Show's GreatnessIn the midst of his Masters in biomedical engineering, Jacob King describes how he incorporates BeReal into teaching (5:00) before diving into the implications of the Lions surprise upset win over the Green Bay Packers (5:35). We then break down why this Geno Smith season in Seattle is more than just a feel-good story (18:22) before unveiling Jacob's wildly successful fantasy football strategy (31:24). Finally, we discuss our love for the Pat Mcafee show and how it has changed sports media (37:33).
2022-11-141h 02Closing the Gap (Year)Fantasy football Woes with Lauren Walkon + Saying Goodbye to Tennis Legends + the NFL's Handsomest QuarterbacksMy sister Lauren has struggled in fantasy football as of late, and we discuss her successes and blunders (2:42) in her career. The tennis world saw Serena Williams and Roger Federer step away from the game they have dominated for over two decades. Lauren and I discuss our thoughts on their illustrious careers (14:32) before taking a look at Lauren's goals for her gap year (26:21). We then hear Lauren's expert insight into the most attractive quarterbacks in the NFL (31:47). Finally, we take a look at Lauren's infamous history of falling asleep during beloved, award-winning movies (38:42).
2022-11-0444 minClosing the Gap (Year)Arsenal's Breakout Season with Grayson Buning + Adaptive Sports + the Loathsome Nate from Ted LassoThe 2022-2023 season in the Premier League is well underway and there is a new club atop the table: Arsenal. Hear Grayson Buning breakdown why his favorite club has regained its status as one of the premier teams in English soccer (0:19). Grayson also shares his gap year endeavors (19:25) including tutoring the dreaded MCAT and learning American Sign Language. Meanwhile, we discuss adaptive sports (30:02) and how they create equitable access to sport and fitness and bolster the landscape of sports at large. Lastly, we revel in our shared love of hit sports comedy-drama, Ted Lasso, (42:24) as well as our shared...
2022-10-261h 18Closing the Gap (Year)Why the Tua Injury Is Still a Big Deal + Is it Time to Change the Way We Evaluate Quarterbacks?Following another electric intro riff from Adam Peters, let's dive into why the mishandling of Tua Tagovailoa's head injury (1:07) is having massive implications around the NFL. What does the NFL really prioritize when it comes to player safety? Do we glorify playing through injuries, and, if so, is that a problem? Plus, I was churning out bad takes in Episode 3 and it's time to hold myself accountable (14:43), give Jalen Hurts the credit he deserves, and maybe reconsider how to evaluate quarterbacks.
2022-10-1923 minClosing the Gap (Year)Detroit Pistons' future with Adam Peters + his experience as a production assistant, musician, and exceptional impressionistDid you watch the Lions defense get destroyed...again? Are you fantasizing about the Cade Cunningham X Jaden Ivey duo for the Pistons? Maybe you're just trying to find the next Youtube musical sensation. We have Adam Peters talking sports, music, movie recommendations, and so much more on episode 4.
2022-10-061h 02Closing the Gap (Year)Early NFL storylines with Max Lessins and Jacob KadansWe recorded this episode after week 2, so let's see how our takes have aged as we round out week 3 of this immaculate NFL season. Spoiler: Max was right about Jalen Hurts (and I was wrong). Kadans breaks down the X's and O's and Max tells Patrick Mahomes how to properly eat a steak. Check out episode 3 for all this and plenty more.
2022-09-261h 14Closing the Gap (Year)New York Sports with Christian Kassab + Working for ESPN + Would Dan Campbell succeed on broadway?The Jets lost ... and the Giants won? The Nets are shambles ... and so are the Knicks? Hear from hall of fame roommate Christian Kassab on what it's like to work for ESPN, the aggravation that comes with New York baseball, and Lions head coach Dan Campbell's future as a broadway producer.
2022-09-1544 min
Closing the Gap (Year)CTE - it's not about concussions anymoreEveryone has heard talks of head injuries in the NFL, but CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) might be the NFL's greatest challenge. It has impacted some of the league's most high profile players like Demaryius Thomas and Aaron Hernandez. There is an alarming link between playing professional football and cognitive decline, and taking concussions out of the game might not be a sufficient solution.
2022-09-0626 min