Shows
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastCFB Lunch Break: Off, Wisconsin?This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comIn this week’s CFB Lunch Break, Alex and Richard answer live questions from Split Zone Duo subscribers:* What to make of Luke Fickell’s mediocre first two years at Wisconsin and a challenging situation in Year 3* Ohio State/Texas scheduling fight* Florida’s upside this fall* What Penn State actually needs from Drew Allar* The cloudy landscape of G5 position player talent* What’s behind TNT’s weird College Fo...2025-06-0314 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastOffseason Vibe Checks 2025: The Mountain WestRichard Johnson and Alex Kirshner close out SZD’s Offseason Vibe Check series with the Mountain West. How has everything gone for this conference and its teams between the end of the regular season and now? Let’s discuss:* The state of the Mountain West’s squabbling with the Pac-12* New Mexico’s new head coach, Jason Eck, has been an FCS lifer* Utah State’s Bronco Mendenhall hire could be one of the best moves any team made all offseason* Fresno State gets Matt Entz, formerly of NDSU, and tries to find ta...2025-05-0840 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastHow Big a Deal is Bill Belichick's Mess?This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comBill Belichick’s relationship with Jordon Hudson is the stuff of sports gossip legend, but we are most interested in what it says about Belichick’s ability to run an ACC football team. Alex and Richard discuss in this subscriber episode:* How Jordon filled a vacuum in UNC football communications* Why Alex thinks UNC should look for a way out of this marriage* Why Richard thinks that could be a substantial overreaction* What Urba...2025-05-0610 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Rent Comes Due On 2022's Blockbuster Coaching CycleThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comSteven Godfrey, Richard Johnson, and Alex Kirshner check in on how things are going three-plus years after a blockbuster few days in the coach carousel. Over a few days in late 2021, USC, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, LSU, Oregon, and Miami played a high-stakes game of musical chairs. Nowadays, only a few of these teams probably feel content, and they aren’t the ones we expected. What can we learn, and what does all of this have to do with Southern Miss and Ma...2025-04-2829 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWhat We Think (And Don't) About Nico IamaleavaThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comAlex and Richard react to Nico Iamaleava’s split from Tennessee. We’re less interested in where he plays next (UNC? UCLA? Elsewhere?) and more interested in talking through his last few months as a Volunteer:* The job done by Tennessee’s football staff* The way Iamaleava is doing business* How the state of Tennessee helped bring about this moment* Freedom to move around and live with the consequences* The idea of Iam...2025-04-1612 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastUnpacking College Sports Business Turmoil with Matt BrownThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comMatt Brown, publisher of the Extra Points college sports business newsletter, joins Alex to discuss a handful of big business stories that are all coming to a head around the same time. In this show: * The status of the not-quite-finished House settlement * Do we believe in the NCAA’s attempt to make sure that future “NIL” deals are really about the use of a player’s name, image, or likeness? * How power conference schools might divide u...2025-04-1029 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastInterview: App State Coach Dowell Loggains on a Unique CFB JobAlex interviews Dowell Loggains, the recently hired Appalachian State head coach who was most recently at South Carolina after a long run as an NFL assistant and coordinator. After Alex and Richard talk a bit about App State’s last 20 years, Loggains joins (17:10) to discuss:* Why he moved from the NFL to college football at a time when coaches are getting a lot of attention for doing the opposite* Why he isn’t worried about spring games turning into roster poaching showcases for rival schools* The concept of “fit” at a distinct school like App...2025-04-0737 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastCFB Lunch Break: The Big East is a Window Into the FutureThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comThis episode is for paid subscribers, but everyone can hear a preview. If you’re not a paid subscriber, you can get a weeklong free trial.Alex Kirshner and Richard Johnson take a bunch of live questions from Split Zone Duo subscribers and discuss college football offseason news: * Maryland losing a basketball coach to the Big East is a sign of what’s coming in college sports’ new economy * Is the SEC the next flashpoint for in...2025-04-0219 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastOffseason Vibe Checks 2025: The Big TenRodger Sherman joins Alex and Richard for a checkup on all 18 teams in the beefy Big Ten, as our Offseason Vibe Check series rolls on:* Ohio State won the national championship. That’s pretty good! Both the team and coaching staff are about to look a lot different.* Penn State faces its "national championship or go away” season* Washington is very hard to figure out* Michigan might have had the best non-OSU run of any team in the country from Thanksgiving through Signing Day* Purdue welcomes Barry Odom to a di...2025-03-311h 09
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWhen The Supreme Court Imploded College FootballThe NCAA had complete control of college football TV. The association decided which games the public could watch, and where, and when, and how much money every school would earn as a result. Then came a new group called the College Football Association, an outside TV deal, and a lawsuit from two schools, Georgia and Oklahoma. What happened next, at the United States Supreme Court, created the fundamentals of how all of us watch college football today. Jay Willis is the editor-in-chief of Balls and Strikes, an independent outlet that covers the Supreme Court. (He’s also a...2025-03-241h 15
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastDid Oregon Just Make Itself Poach-Proof?This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comDan Lanning signed an extension with Oregon that makes it impossible for all but a few teams to hire him away, and most of them aren’t college. Steven Godfrey, Richard Johnson, and Alex Kirshner discuss what his contract says about the evolved pecking order in the coach carousel. After losing both Willie Taggart and Mario Cristobal to Florida schools, has Oregon now ascended to be poaching-proof from everyone except the NFL, Ohio State, and Georgia? We run down some hypotheticals ab...2025-03-1910 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastOffseason Vibe Checks 2025: CUSAAlex Kirshner, Richard Johnson, and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football senior writer Mike Craven discuss the state of the offseason in Conference USA, a league that was spicier than most of us expected in 2024:* Jacksonville State loses the braintrust behind a conference championship and will now be completely different* WKU’s run as the cradle of coordinators continues* FIU tries an ultra-Floridian approach* Sam Houston restarts with Phil Longo, who has school ties* Kennesaw State is just trying to be in less disarray* Liberty overhauls in the port...2025-03-1734 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastCFB Lunch Break: ACC Settlement, Eddie George, and MoreThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comAlex and Richard take subscribers’ college football questions in this live recording, conducted on the Substack app on Tuesday. We call it CFB Lunch Break, because we’re taking CFB questions at lunchtime:* How we feel about player wearing #0 and single-digits* The winner and loser from the ACC’s settlement with Clemson and FSU, which keeps the ACC together for at least a bit* What’s the real reason that spring games are on the decline...2025-03-1219 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastOffseason Vibe Checks 2025: The Big 12Alex Kirshner, Richard Johnson, and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football senior writer Mike Craven discuss how the offseason is going for every team in the Big 12 Conference: * Arizona State keeps a playoff core almost totally intact * Arizona is in the danger zone after Brent Brennan’s first year* Baylor is once again ready to contend for the league * Oklahoma State is in uncharted waters * WVU and UCF both do some fan service * Kansas swaps out coordinators and has a QB injury to monitor* Why Houston coac...2025-03-1058 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastOffseason Vibe Checks 2025: The Sun BeltSplit Zone Duo’s “Offseason Vibe Check” series rolls on with the Sun Belt. It's not a 2024 recap, and it's not a 2025 preview. It's a check-in with every team in every FBS conference about what's been happening since Thanksgiving. How was the postseason? How was the coach carousel? How was signing day? How was the transfer portal window? And is anything else going on around your program? In this week’s Sun Belt episode, Alex Kirshner and Richard Johnson discuss: * Louisiana’s sour ending after being the most low-key playoff contender until the final days of the season 2025-02-2539 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastAnatomy of a Coaching Carousel: 2001This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comThe coaching carousel before the 2001 season transformed college football. Some programs set themselves up for national championship (or even dynastic) runs. Some screwed themselves. Some set the stage for the next several decades of the top tiers of the SEC and Big Ten. In this episode, Alex Kirshner, Richard Johnson, and Steven Godfrey take a fine-toothed comb through the consequential coaching cycle at the end of 2000: * The hires that worked really well (Gary Patterson to TCU, Pete Carroll to...2025-02-1830 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastAn NIL Agent Explains How The Sausage Gets MadeThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comAlex Kirshner, Richard Johnson, and Split Zone Duo subscribers have some questions for an NIL agent about how the business of paying college football players actually works. Justin J. Giangrande is the CEO and founder of NETWORK, a sports marketing agency that handles both collective negotiations and sponsorship agreements for players like. We wanted to know: * How does someone even become an NIL agent? * How sophisticated are collectives and college football front offices in their handling of...2025-02-1220 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 1 Helmet Games and the Future of Non-Con (B1G Scared?)In one of Steven Godfrey’s favorite early-offseason traditions, the SZD crew glances ahead at the Week 1 schedule many months from now. Not just so there’s something to look forward to as the long offseason gets going, but because the story of Week 1 matchups is increasingly the story of how athletic directors are approaching scheduling. Let’s dive into: * Why 2025’s season-opening schedule will give you more to look forward to than the equivalent slate in 2024* The most obvious Anxiety Bowl in the history of Week 1 * Sonny Dykes’ latest season opener against a celebrit...2025-02-1143 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Gump Report: Angst and Opportunity in AlabamaThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.com2024 was a weird (read: bad) year for a lot of college football teams in the state Alabama. Justin Ferguson, publisher of the Auburn Observer and all-purpose ball-knower in the state, joins Alex and Richard to discuss:* How everyone’s feeling after the two Iron Bowl teams went a combined 7-9 in the SEC, tied for their worst joint record of the century* Why this will be an offseason of hope for Auburn, and why Hugh Freeze will ha...2025-02-0615 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastYour Guide to the 2025 CFB OffseasonAlex Kirshner, Richard Johnson, and Steven Godfrey discuss the stories they are most interested to watch unfold between now and September. In this show: * Podcast update: Godfrey is becoming host emeritus and will take a lighter load as he works on other things, but you’ll still hear him on SZD regularly. * Richard is tracking a series of potential changes to the postseason and end-of-season schedule, not just (more) playoff expansion but also all the SEC/Big Ten saber-rattling that will accompany it. Plus potential changes to the transfer portal schedule and a resolution of th...2025-01-2953 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastChampionship Hurry-Up: A Good DayRichard Johnson and Alex Kirshner put a bow on the national championship game, a 34-23 win for Ohio State over Notre Dame: * How the Buckeyes did it * Notre Dame’s attempt to stop them, including that late third down * Ryan Day’s unique legacy * And more odds and ends from the title gameThanks so much for listening this season, our fifth as a podcast. We’ll be back next week with Steven Godfrey to dig up our pre-2024 time capsule and turn our attention toward the offseason. Much more s...2025-01-2137 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastNational Championship Preview Show Feat. Shehan JeyarajahCBS Sports national college football reporter Shehan Jeyarajah joins Alex and Richard for a preview of Ohio State vs. Notre Dame. Shehan and Richard were at the two semifinals, and now everyone gathers to frame up the title game: * When Ohio State has the ball * When Notre Dame has the ball * Why a lot of our analysis of Notre Dame’s chances keeps coming back to “what if this was a completely different team?” * Assessing the first go-around for the 12-team playoff * Picks We’re excited to see many...2025-01-1752 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe 2024 Split Zone Duo CFB Awards SpecialRichard, Godfrey, and Alex name their winners in the 2024 Split Zone Duo college football awards, aka “The Zonies” aka “The Splitty Ds.” * Team of the Year (not the best team, but the one that we most enjoyed watching or became most interested in going forward) * Moment of the Year * Proof of Concept of the Year, for coaches showing good signs * Minority Coach of the Week of the Year * Portaling of the Year * Bad Situation of the Year, aka “the Bryan Harsin Award for Forestalling the Inevitable,” an honor with m...2025-01-151h 21
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastSemifinal Hurry-Up: 83 Yards Through the Heart of TexasThe College Football Playoff semifinals are in the books. Alex Kirshner and Richard Johnson share notes on Ohio State over Texas and Notre Dame over Penn State, plus pay tribute to North Dakota State’s win over Montana State in the FCS Championship. Producer: Anthony Vito. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe2025-01-1138 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastSo, What Is Up With Penn State?Daniel Gallen covers Penn State for 247Sports. He joins Alex to talk about the Nittany Lions’ long road to the doorstep of the national title game, including: * How the university responded to James Franklin’s request for more investment in the football program * The relationship between the coach and the fanbase * An athletic director swap in the middle of Franklin’s tenure* What’s been different about this year’s team * Whether Franklin is on his way to being a Penn State lifer * The impact of this year’s coo...2025-01-0739 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe 2024 Playoff Semifinal Preview ShowRichard and Alex preview the CFP semifinals: * Notre Dame-Penn State at the Orange Bowl* Ohio State-Texas at the Cotton BowlThe matchups we’re looking at. The keys to the game. The one post-Rose Bowl thing Alex wants to walk back. And much more! SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS AND GET COOL STUFF* Enter your pick for the Nokian Tyres Road Trip of the Week and be automatically entered in a monthly drawing to win tires at www.nokiantyres.com/szd* Use code SZD20 for 20% off your first order fr...2025-01-0641 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastYour Repeat Coach Hire Probably Won't WorkThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comScott Frost is back at UCF, and Rich Rodriguez is back at West Virginia. Hundreds of college football teams, at all levels, have hired head coaches back to their old jobs. There’s a whole Wikipedia list and everything, dating to the 1800s. But most of these situations are many decades old and didn't happen in FBS. What can we make, however, of 19 coaches who came around after World War II and got two head coaching opportunities at the same school? Th...2025-01-0626 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastCFP Quarterfinal Hurry-Up: Ohio State Is a War MachineAlex Kirshner and Richard Johnson share their thoughts on the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff, in reverse chronological order: * Notre Dame scores the first technical upset of the playoff vs. Georgia* Ohio State runs Oregon out of Pasadena * Texas escapes Arizona State by a whisker * Penn State handles a prickly Boise State SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS AND GET COOL STUFF* Enter your pick for the Nokian Tyres Road Trip of the Week and be automatically entered in a monthly drawing to win tires at www.nokiantyres.com...2025-01-0347 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Playoff Quarterfinal Preview 2024, Plus BowlsRichard Johnson and Alex Kirshner preview the College Football Playoff quarterfinal games in order: * Penn State vs. Boise State, where everyone is skeptical of an upset * Texas vs. Arizona State, where the Sun Devils have a path but it’s narrow against a dominant Texas defense * Ohio State vs. Oregon, which looks like CFB’s game of the year * Notre Dame vs. Georgia, where SZD picks a narrow upset Plus: Washington State hires a coach, and we’ve got notes on a big collection of December bowl games, from TCU op...2024-12-2956 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe SZD 2024 Holiday Subscriber MailbagThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comRichard, Godfrey, and Alex answer questions from SZD’s paid subscribers on a long range of football (and then non-football) topics. After discussing the first weekend of the playoff and the week’s CFB news, the Q&A covers: * Potential expectation-beating teams for 2025* Positional value in the transfer portal * The downstream effects of HBCU celebrity hires * New Sacramento State head coach Brennan Marion * New ETSU head coach Will Healy* New...2024-12-2330 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastPlayoff Hurry-Up: CFB Is a Blowout SportAlex and Richard discuss the first-round College Football Playoff games, which followed the playoff tradition of being very lopsided:* Ohio State crushes Tennessee in Knoxville, Ohio* Clemson is feisty but loses at Texas* Penn State obliterates SMU (something that was going to happen whether Kevin Jennings threw those pick sixes or did not)* Notre Dame is in a different weight class than Indiana, but just don’t forget: Alabama would have met the same fatePlus, NDSU gets a history-altering win over South Dakota State, Montana State also punches it...2024-12-2241 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Playoff First-Round Preview Show + Weekend Tasting MenuRichard Johnson, Steven Godfrey, and Alex Kirshner discuss the first-round College Football Playoff games and more on this week’s show: * Indiana at Notre Dame, where the Hoosiers have the chance to do the funniest possible thing * SMU at Penn State, where the sport’s chaotic December calendar is really coming into focus with a Penn State transfer* Clemson at Texas, where the Tigers will try to play Cinderella * Tennessee at Ohio State, where Richard and Alex disagree on how feasible a Vols upset of the Buckeyes really isThen...2024-12-181h 18
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastEmergency Episode: Belichick to UNCThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comRichard Johnson and Alex Kirshner discuss Bill Belichick’s hiring at North Carolina: * How the search evolved over a week and a half * A messy, messy process leads to an incredible risk … and incredible result * The case for success (including different ways of measuring it): Could Belichick change football in Chapel Hill forever even if he doesn’t win? * The case for failure: Yeah, there are tons of ways this could go badlyS...2024-12-1215 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe State of the Bowls, Feat. Bowl Season's Nick CarparelliNick Carparelli is the executive director of Bowl Season, the group that represents the interests of CFB’s many bowl games. Alex and Richard interview him about:* What if anything worries him right now about the state of bowls * Bowls’ efforts to thrive in a world of opt outs, and how bowls might fit into the next economic iteration of the sport* The payout landscape for different kinds of bowl games * Bowls in baseball stadiums. Bowls in the Bahamas. What’s next? * The differences between representing big bowls and small...2024-12-1037 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe CFB Playoff Bracket Reaction ShowThe College Football Playoff bracket is set. Richard, Alex, and Godfrey discuss: * The committee getting it right this time * First-round matchups and who got a favorable draw* Any quibbles with the seedings * The weakened state of championship games* The Richard Johnson Transfer Portal MinuteSUPPORT OUR PARTNERS AND GET COOL STUFF* Enter your pick for the Nokian Tyres Road Trip of the Week and be automatically entered in a monthly drawing to win tires at www.nokiantyres.com/szd* Use code SZD20 for 20...2024-12-0938 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Ryan Day Decision PointThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comThanks to the 12-team playoff, Ryan Day’s current situation at Ohio State is unlike any hot-seat drama in college football history. Godfrey, Richard, and Alex talk about the weird dynamics facing the Buckeyes right now, like:* How many playoff games does Day have to win? Is it one? Two? Four?* Does the $30 million-plus buyout matter to Ohio State?* If Day has lost the fanbase—and it sure looks like he has, for now—how much d...2024-12-0514 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 15 Tasting Menu: Champs Are HereAlex, Richard, and Steven preview Championship Weekend, in order: * WKU at Jacksonville State * Tulane at Army* UNLV at Boise for a playoff spot * Miami vs. Ohio * Iowa State vs. Arizona State * Georgia vs. Texas * Marshall at Louisiana * Penn State vs. Oregon* Clemson vs. SMU Plus, updates on the lower-level postseasons and the debut of THE RICHARD JOHNSON PORTAL MINUTE, a one-minute (or so) update on interesting names going into the transfer portal. SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS AND GET...2024-12-041h 11
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 14 Hurry-Up: You Had A Bad DayA detailed but brisk recap of Week 14 in college football, including: * Ohio State’s inexplicable collapse * Texas’ dominant return to College Station * A Palmetto Bowl that meant everything and nothing * UGA’s survival in a classic * Mario Cristobal’s latest epic blunder * Two Indiana schools punch their tickets * What to make of Playoff-bound Tennessee * The Mountain West reserves its spot * Postgame beefing all over the Big Ten * Lots of bowls clinched and missed * One of the worst FBS team...2024-12-0152 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 14 Feasting Menu: Rivalry WeekOur preview of Week 14, the final week of the regular season, including: * Hook ‘em or gig ‘em? * Can you imagine if Michigan-Ohio State did not go as planned? * Will Mark Stoops ever stop putting Louisville in a blender? * Why is North Carolina allowing this Mack Brown situation to fester? * Do hot-seated coaches get friskier on fourth down? * Could Tulane beat Boise to the line for the G5 playoff spot? * Is Kansas-Baylor the Shadow Big 12 Championship? * Which team is less excited for the Commonwealth Cup...2024-11-261h 21
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 13 Hurry-Up: OK, SoonersA packed but brisk recap of Week 13, including: * Indiana wasn’t up to it, but saw its Playoff chances go UP * Alabama melts down in Norman * Notre Dame sits on Army * The wonderful, messy race for the Mackey Award * The Big 12 descends into madness* A finish in Tempe unlike anything you’ve ever seen* And another one in Piscataway, actually* Boise State is teetering * A blowout in the Brawl of the Wild (Correction from this show: Louisiana hasn’t yet cl...2024-11-2443 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWhen Notre Dame-Army Ruled The WorldThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comNotre Dame and Army meet at Yankee Stadium in a game with national championship implications. Is the year 2024 or 1946? Why did a rivalry that produced one of college football’s Games of the Century stop being played on a frequent basis? In a modified edition of SZD’s “Dead Letters” series, let’s learn about a rivalry that briefly defined college football in a unique era.Hosted by Alex Kirshner, Richard Johnson, and Steven Godfrey. Produced by Anthony Vi2024-11-2114 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 13 Tasting Menu: Welcome to the ArenaSplit Zone Duo previews Week 13 of the college football season, including: * Can Indiana actually do this? We’re skeptical, but here’s how. * Army gets the ultimate prove-it matchup with Notre Dame* What’s up with Monday coach firings? * The Ole Miss vs. Florida SZD Alumni Bowl * Can Big 12 Tiebreaker Armageddon be avoided? * Nebraska: Please figure this out * The Pac-12’s Game of 2024 arrives * The Mountain West and SWAC get a little spicy * Could Auburn get messy with A&M? * Can...2024-11-201h 05
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 12 Hurry-Up: Cocked and LoadedRecapping Week 12 of the college football season, including: * South Carolina is a whole lot of fun * Georgia lives to fight another day* Oregon is the first team to wrap a Playoff spot * Colorado might join them * Or the Big 12 might miss out altogether * SMU continues to rock * Tulane and Army are on a collision course* Brian Kelly plays the Billy Napier role * Watch out for Baylor … in 2025* A worrying sign for Notre Dame? And much, much more. ...2024-11-1836 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Big Mess at Kennesaw StateThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comKennesaw State fired coach Brian Bohannon, who turned it from an FCS startup team into a playoff team and then into an FBS program. We discuss:* How Kennesaw trapped itself* The shambolic handling of the announcement* The history of FBS transition programs firing coaches* Why Bohannon’s firing was bound to get messy* What happens when a program jumps before it’s ready* Whether the firing was actually a bad...2024-11-1311 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 12 Tasting Menu: Offensive Line Depth Is HardSplit Zone Duo previews Week 12 of the college football season, including:* The problems facing the Georgia Bulldogs* Kansas takes a crack at another Big 12 contender* Texas and Arkansas take us back to the SWC, even though Texas really does not want to consider Arkansas a rival* Tulane’s emergence as a maybe-Playoff contender* Could Utah derail Colorado?* A darkhorse Colorado State rides in the Mountain West* A pair of enormous FCS games* Baylor and West Virginia in a medicated Anxiety Bowl* Wi...2024-11-131h 26
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 11 Hurry-Up: Divine InterventionA packed but breezy recap of Week 11 of the college football season, with hosts Richard Johnson and Alex Kirshner, includes: * How Alabama dominated in Death Valley * The fake tiger thing, explained * Why Ole Miss spent all that money * Oklahoma’s latest calamity * Indiana’s reality check in a W* Miami’s faceplant in Atlanta * Pitt’s continued fall from grace * BYU’s fortunate finish in Salt Lake * The Utah AD’s postgame crying * Colorado’s impressive run * A sea change i...2024-11-1040 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Dawn of the 12-Team Playoff RankingsThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comThe College Football Playoff selection committee ranked teams for the first time in the era of an expanded field. We discuss:* The possibility of a Big 12 doomsday scenario* Whether the Group of 5 might have an actual breakthrough this year* How the committee’s philosophy appears to have shifted (and not shifted) now that it’s gone from ranking for a four-team field to a 12-team field* The weirdest outcomes that remain on the tabl...2024-11-0610 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 11 Tasting Menu: Saturday Night in Death ValleyOur Week 11 college football preview arrives, including:* The keys to Alabama-LSU* Florida’s chances at a Texas upset* Colorado’s road to the Big 12 goes through Lubbock* Army and Boise continue marching* An injury-laden Clemson-Virginia Tech meeting* The Big 12 middle class sorting itself out* The Holy War gets a twistAnd a lot more!* 20% off sitewide at homefieldapparel.com through November 9* Enter your pick for the Nokian Tyres Road Trip of the Week and be automatically entered in a mont...2024-11-061h 08
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 10 Hurry-Up: Static StateAn information-packed rundown of Week 10 in college football, including: * Ohio State-Penn State goes how it always goes * Indiana is still Indiana (that’s a compliment now) * South Carolina shows up big against A&M * SMU has its biggest night in 40 years * Army stays on course, but Navy doesn’t * Memphis falls apart in a key spot* Virginia Tech can’t win close games * The Big 12 contenders converge on each other* Tahj Brooks, Ashton Jeanty, and more great running* Baylor might...2024-11-0347 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 10 Tasting Menu: Penn State's Latest Prove-It SpotA preview of the Week 10 college football season, including:* Penn State’s latest chance to level up in the sport, this one against Ohio State in Happy Valley in what should be one of 2024’s best games* Marquee QB matchups have been duds. Why?* Army’s latest offensive evolution, and why this season has been such a bleak one for Air Force* What kind of Florida-Georgia will this one be?* Indiana keeps chugging and may get its QB back* A&M and the potential for a two-QB system...2024-10-301h 01
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 9 Hurry-Up: The Gig'em EconomyRichard Johnson and Alex Kirshner recap Week 9 in college football, including:* Texas A&M beats LSU, and Mike Elko makes a point* Texas survives an odd game against Vanderbilt* Miami gets a breakthrough, and FSU flirts with history* BYU, Pitt, and Indiana all remain unbeaten* Kansas still can’t beat Kansas State* A classic MSU-UM game* UNLV misses an opportunity* The MAC and Sun Belt races are WIDE open* UTSA’s nightmare year* How to lose a game with a 6...2024-10-2735 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Eyes List: A Soft LaunchThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comWelcome back to another year of "The Eyes List,” where Split Zone Duo discusses coaching situations that we’ve got our eyes on. Richard, Godfrey, and Alex discuss the first two in-season head coach firings of 2024: ECU’s Mike Houston and Southern Miss’ Will Hall. Plus, Oklahoma fires Seth Littrell and puts the first blue-blood coordinator opening on the board.In this episode for paid subscribers, SZD discusses: * The specific challenges faced by ECU and Southern Miss * W...2024-10-2309 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 9 Tasting Menu: Throw Out The RecordsRichard, Alex, and Godfrey preview Week 9 of the college football season, with looks ahead at two dozen of the weekend’s games. Including:* Notre Dame-Navy* A&M-LSU* Mizzou-Alabama* Boise State-UNLV* Tulane-North Texas* Illinois-Oregon* Washington-Indiana* Syracuse-Pitt* Oklahoma-Ole Miss* FSU-Miami* Wazzu-San Diego StateAnd a lot more.SPLIT ZONE DUO GOES TO NASHVILLE WITH NOKIAN TYRES: On Friday, 10/25 and Saturday, 10/26, we’ll join our friends for two events: a 5 p.m. Friday meetup at Bearded Iris...2024-10-231h 25
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe 2024 Mountain West preview showIt’s a Mountain West preview from Richard Johnson, Steven Godfrey, and Alex Kirshner. To start, let’s talk about Utah State firing Blake Anderson right before the season (3:02) and Fresno State also needing a preseason coach replacement for Jeff Tedford (13:16). Is Boise State as overwhelming a favorite over Fresno and UNLV as media voters seem to think? (14:16) Can either Colorado State or Air Force break their typical mold? (29:35) What should we expect from new coaches at San Jose State, San Diego State, and Wyoming? (37:11) What is with Alex’s anti-Craig Bohl agenda at Wyoming? Will Ken Niumatalolo run the op...2024-08-011h 09
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWe asked Substack’s best finance expert to explain this private equity thingDoomberg runs the biggest financial newsletter on Substack, explaining money and markets to a quarter-million subscribers every week. Alex Kirshner, a skeptic of private equity money in college sports, asks Doomberg a bunch of questions about why institutional money is poised to come to college football, what it will mean, and who it will benefit. Production: Anthony Vito. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe2024-07-3044 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe 2024 SEC preview showThe 2024 SEC season preview from Alex Kirshner, Richard Johnson, and Steven Godfrey. How could the party be ruined for Georgia, Texas, and Alabama? Is Ole Miss or Mizzou better set up for a dream season? Which first-year starting QB at Tennessee, LSU, and Oklahoma is best set up for a breakout? Do Mark Stoops, Billy Napier, or Shane Beamer have any tricks up their sleeves? Can Auburn position itself for a 2025 breakout? What about A&M? Is what Arkansas is doing with Sam Pittman and Bobby Petrino a little bit too obvious? Plus, let’s find some near-term hope at...2024-07-231h 34
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe 2024 Big 12 preview showIt’s the 2024 Big 12 season preview from Richard Johnson, Alex Kirshner, and Steven Godfrey. Utah enters the league as the favorite, but the gap to Kansas State and Oklahoma State looks small (5:03). It’s been a long time since any of Iowa State, Arizona, Kansas, or West Virginia won a conference, but they all have riser (and some decline) potential (26:15). Baylor, TCU, and Texas Tech all seem to have an opening with Texas out of the league (47:20), but is anyone poised to seize the moment? None of last year’s new Big 12 schools (58:32) distinguished themselves. Will that change in Year 2...2024-07-171h 29
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe 2024 ACC preview showIt’s the 2024 ACC season preview from Richard Johnson, Alex Kirshner, and Steven Godfrey. Following a discussion of the start of TALKIN’ SEASON (0:43), the group starts the ACC rundown with FSU and Clemson (20:06) and then goes through the entire Atlantic (and now, uh, Pacific) Coast Conference. How big a step back is reasonable at FSU? Does Dabo Swinney have a revival in him? Who from the Miami/Virginia Tech/NC State/Louisville has the best chance of a surprise? Could someone show proper respect to the nice little rebuild being carried out at Georgia Tech? Will Pitt, Wake Forest, or U...2024-07-101h 42
Split Zone Duo: College Football Podcast9 CFB Players to Tell Your Friends About for 2024Richard Johnson, Alex Kirshner, and Steven Godfrey start to look ahead to the 2024 college football season. The episode opens with some consideration of New York Knicks fans (it just happened) and then moves (15:45) into a discussion of nine players we’re paying close attention to for 2024. Some are just really good, and some are pivotal to programs on the ropes. This episodes takes a trip through Arkansas, Arkansas State, Kentucky, Tennessee, Minnesota, Colorado, Clemson, Kansas State, and Boston College. Production: Anthony Vito.Bonus episodes: www.splitzoneduo.com This is a pu...2024-06-041h 09
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastUSC’s Cautionary NIL Tale + Spring Portal Window BreakdownUSC reporter Luca Evans of the Orange County Register joins Alex to talk about the many challenges facing the Trojans in the NIL and collective space (4:19). How does a rich school with a blue-blood football history run into difficulty in this new world? USC is the best window into that question. Then Richard and Alex talk about the unusual buildup to the April transfer portal window (33:32) and break down interesting position groups to watch over the coming weeks: Michigan’s QBs, Penn State’s WRs, and more at Miami (x2), UNC, USC, and Washington. To close, they discuss the diff...2024-04-161h 13
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 1 of 2024 is ... surprisingly bare. Why?Week 1 has always had tons of warmup games, but the schedule usually has a big handful of bangers. In 2024, that’s not the case. There are barely any games pitting Power 4 teams against each other and as a trickle-down, not many all-Group of 5 matchups of note either. Yes, there are a few blockbusters (LSU-USC, Georgia-Clemson), but look beyond that, and you’ll see the issue.Is this just a scheduling coincidence, or are recent changes in the college football ecosystem taking a toll on Labor Day Weekend over multiple years? Godfrey leads an investigation and discussion about what...2024-04-091h 08
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastHow we fix the rules in college footballRichard has ideas for how to make college football’s ON-FIELD rules a little bit better. Alex and Godfrey like some of them and don’t like others. Let’s discuss the optimal width for the hashmarks, whether it’s time to shift the rules around RPOs and linemen downfield, the NFL’s new take on the kickoff, and then some more chaotic ideas that we’ve been kicking around.Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@splitzoneduoExclusive content: https://www.splitzoneduo.comMerch: https://www.homefieldapparel.com/collections/split-zone-duoSOCIAL MEDIA2024-04-031h 07
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe SZD Super Bowl 58 preview showThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comSometimes, the haters call Split Zone Duo “an NFL podcast.” Today we prove them right by previewing the Super Bowl in our own way. Joining Alex and Richard is special guest Arif Hasan, publisher of Wide Left, a great newsletter that covers three of the biggest beats shaping our society: the NFL, current affairs, and the Minnesota Vikings. See Arif’s publication below, and follow him @ArifHasanNFL. Our conversation is wide-ranging and covers the following topics:* Th...2024-02-0806 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Eyes List: 2023 finale (?)This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comRichard and Godfrey spin through the highlights of a mostly wrapped-up coach hiring and firing cycle. Some highlights of the discussion: * What the Jon Sumrall hire says about how Tulane does business* Syracuse’s swing on Georgia assistant Fran Brown * Why new Houston coach Willie Fritz is the Ball Coach Blueprint * A noteworthy angle to Derek Mason taking the Middle Tennessee job* Deion Sanders’ evolving (or maybe just clarifying) approach at Colo...2023-12-1407 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 8 Hurry-Up: Who’s not serious?A fast, detailed sprint through all of the interesting things in college football’s Week 8, with Alex Kirshner and Richard Johnson. Penn State and USC weren’t ready for primetime. Marvin Harrison Jr. certainly was. Let’s dissect the ending of that Minnesota-Iowa game. And much more. Production: Anthony Vito.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe2023-10-2237 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 6 Hurry-Up: Kneel before PodThe college football season Week 6 recap, fast and detailed from Alex Kirshner and Richard Johnson. Oklahoma looks great, Texas still looks fine, and the rest of the Big 12 does not. Maryland might, eventually, win one of these games. The Mountain West looks poised to claim a New Year’s bowl slot. And Mario Cristobal does something for which there’s just no excuse, ever, for any reason. Production: Anthony Vito.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd...2023-10-0941 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 5 Hurry-Up: Make the tackleA detailed but rapid recap of Week 5 in college football from Alex Kirshner and Richard Johnson. Duke gets its heart broken, LSU gets its defense broken, UGA survives a scare, Pitt and Indiana reach new lows, and Coastal Carolina raises questions. Plus more! Production: Anthony Vito.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe2023-10-0144 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 1 Hurry-Up: Primed for the seasonRichard Johnson and Alex Kirshner take you on a details-packed sprint through Week 1 of the college football season. Colorado pulls off a stunner. (So does Texas State!) Florida falters. Washington beats down Boise’s door, Penn State’s new QB impresses, and Virginia State and Norfolk State combine for one of the most farcical endings you will ever see in your life. Plus a whole lot more. Production: Anthony Vito.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd...2023-09-0339 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastDEAD LETTERS: The SoCon storyThe Southern Conference birthed both the SEC and the ACC. Then the league died in everything but name. What happened, and what is still happening? Welcome to the finale of Season 2 of Dead Letters, a Split Zone Duo series about what happens when bad things happen to good college football teams (or conferences). Writing: Alex KirshnerProduction: Anthony VitoInterviewee: Matt Brown This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe2023-07-2144 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Mountain West 2023 preview showAlex Kirshner and Steven Godfrey have some Mountain West conversations, touching on every team in the league heading into 2023. Has Boise State averted the worst? Are the Broncos in a two-team race with Fresno State? Will Air Force butt in? Let’s check in with Craig Bohl, Brady Hoke, and Troy Calhoun. What is the deal with Blake Anderson’s Utah State? And let’s see which of the conference’s most moribund teams (Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada) can show a sign of progress first. Production: Anthony Vito.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...2023-07-1455 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Pac-12 2023 preview showSteven Godfrey and Alex Kirshner preview the Pac-12's 2023 season by touching every team in the conference. Which quarterbacks in this league could join Caleb Williams in the highest tier of CFB passers? What could get in Utah’s way? Which Bay Area school ends the year feeling most hopeful? Which Arizona school? And, yes or no: Do you believe in the 2023 Colorado Buffaloes? Production: Anthony Vito.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to disc...2023-07-1358 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastDEAD LETTERS: Kentucky, the Baron, and the BearFootball wasn't much at Kentucky until Bear Bryant came along. That, it would soon become clear, was exactly how Adolph Rupp liked it. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 5 of Dead Letters, a Split Zone Duo series about bad things happening to great college football programs. Writing: Alex KirshnerProduction: Anthony VitoInterviewee: Derrick White, University of Kentucky This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe2023-07-1236 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastDEAD LETTERS: The Florida A&M DynastyJake Gaither built a college football powerhouse at FAMU in the 1940s, '50s, and '60s. The Rattlers towered over their HBCU competition and struck fear in everyone they played. Then the world changed. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 1 of Dead Letters, a Split Zone Duo series about what happens when great programs hit the rocks. Writing: Alex KirshnerProduction: Anthony VitoInterviewee: Dr. Derrick White, author of "Blood, Sweat, and Tears: Jake Gaither, Florida A&M, and the History of Black College Football"Audio courtesy: HBCUGameday.com This is...2023-05-3052 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastHalf of the ACC has heatSteven Godfrey and Alex Kirshner start this episode with reminders about some SZD events and a hearty endorsement of your participation in the EDSBS Charity Bowl. Then (16:03) we talk about some college football stories this week: Peacock streaming is pushing deeper into the NFL and, very shortly, into CFB. Also, (30:28), half of the ACC is fighting with the other half and could lose despite theoretically having more clout. For now, can everyone save face? For the long term, the ACC has an issue that even the Pac-12 might not. Production: Anthony Vito.See Privacy Policy at https...2023-05-1758 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastHugh Freeze might be right?Steven Godfrey, Alex Kirshner, and Richard Johnson debate Hugh Freeze's idea of staging inter-squad spring games between in-state schools. Is it condescending, a great idea, or both? The Pac-12's efforts to secure a media-rights agreement roll on, and they've reached "mess" territory, we agree. But how much does that change the medium-term outlook for the conference? Do we give conference offices too much credit without giving them enough blame? And why would Big Ten presidents and the Big Ten commissioner want such different things? Production: Anthony Vito. Get bonus episodes and more at splitzoneduo.com. See Pri...2023-04-121h 09
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastSZD did not take public money to record this podcastRichard Johnson, Steven Godfrey, and Alex Kirshner go through some news of the week in college football. The Pac-12 closes in, probably, on a TV deal. UNC adds fuel to the fire of an ACC fight. Is it possible that Texas might pull off the Ewers-Manning thing without drama, or not? Why did a state auditor try to get Iowa's AD fired in exchange for using public money in the latest settlement related to Hawkeye athletics? And what do we make of Nick Saban getting publicly angry about the SEC's impending schedule decision? Production: Anthony Vito. Subscribe to our P...2023-03-081h 03
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Week 13 Hurry-Up beats all rivalsRichard Johnson and Alex Kirshner take you through the longest 30 minutes of your week: A debriefing on college football's Rivalry Week, including news and notes on the biggest games (Michigan-Ohio State, hello), the weirdest ones (NMSU-Liberty, what's up), and the ones that set up conference championship games. Subscribe to the SZD Patreon at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bo...2022-11-2738 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Week 12 Hurry-Up survives an upset bidRichard Johnson and Alex Kirshner lead you on a 30-ish-minute debriefing from college football Week 12, which featured one big upset, a bunch of almost-big-upsets, and plenty of moving and shaking in conference races. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe2022-11-2035 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Week 11 Hurry-Up fights through adversityAlex Kirshner and Richard Johnson debrief you on a packed college football weekend, from the Washington-Oregon and TCU-Texas blockbusters to UConn beating Liberty and Jim Mora Jr. somehow being a coach of the year candidate. Production: Anthony VitoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe2022-11-1346 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Week 10 Hurry-Up wins in the trenchesRichard Johnson and Alex Kirshner take you on a 40-ish-minute debrief of one of the best weekends of the college football season so far. Georgia stuffed Tennessee into a locker. LSU re-arrived ahead of schedule. Notre Dame annihilated Clemson. And there was plenty more to enjoy in Week 10. Subscribe to our Patreon for more at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...2022-11-0642 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Week 8 Hurry-Up keeps a low turnover marginA 30ish-minute debriefing on the college football weekend with Alex Kirshner and Richard Johnson. Clemson and TCU continue to get away with it. LSU has the juice. Oregon's offense does what it wants. It's time to make peace with Texas. Ohio State is America's scariest team. Nick Saban owns Mike Leach. Miami should not be this bad. Alex shares coach firing reports with Richard live on the podcast. Cincinnati backs into one. South Alabama decides it wants to be a hurry-up air raid team. Buffalo punks Toledo. And more! Subscribe to our Patreon at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. ...2022-10-2340 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Week 7 Hurry-Up covers the day of the yearRichard Johnson and Alex Kirshner take you on a 30-ish-minute debrief of one of the best college football Saturdays in memory. Subscribe for bonus episodes and more on Patreon. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe2022-10-1638 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Week 6 Hurry-Up would've just thrown a fadeRichard Johnson and Alex Kirshner take you on a 35-ish-minute journey through the college football weekend, with observations, minutiae, and numbers on dozens of games. Get bonus episodes and more on our Patreon at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe2022-10-0936 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Week 5 Hurry-Up plays up to its recruiting rankingAlex Kirshner and Richard Johnson shuttle you through a packed weekend in college football in a roughly 40-minute debrief. Subscribe to our Patreon for more episodes, including a potential Auburn coach firing show, at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe2022-10-0240 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Week 4 Hurry-Up moves at a deliberate paceRichard Johnson and Alex Kirshner debrief you on the week that was in college football. Adrian Martinez gave Oklahoma a world of hurt. Clemson looked like Clemson. Gene Chizik is still UNC's defensive coordinator. Miami has problems, but FSU might not? Mizzou-Auburn was a science experiment. Minnesota dropped a piano on Michigan State. JMU put the largest comeback of the year on App State. Iowa and Rutgers hit the over. Washington might just be good. Cal scored 49 points. Someone lost a game 98-0. Subscribe to our Patreon at splitzoneduo.com Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at http...2022-09-2551 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Week 3 Hurry-Up finishes before 3 a.m.Richard Johnson and Alex Kirshner take you on a roughly 40-minute sprint through another packed weekend in college football, with observations and analysis on dozens of games. Subscribe to our Patreon at splitzoneduo.com. Production: Anthony Vito. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe2022-09-1843 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Week 2 Hurry-Up wears a fashionable BeltRichard Johnson and Alex Kirshner take you on a 44-minute, detail-packed trip through a loaded Week 2 in college football. This show starts with some blockbusters in the Sun Belt and ripples out from there. Marshall is not a regular Group of 5 program. App State dominated A&M, but situationally. Georgia Southern just learned the forward pass, and Nebraska still couldn't stop it. Texas showed something. Kanas State obliterated Mizzou in every phase of the game. Iowa State did something that happens about once a year. Kansas and Illinois are competent. USC is going to score about a billion points...2022-09-1144 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastSZD presents Dead Letters, Episode 1: TulaneTulane University built one of the most powerful football programs in the American South. The Green Wave had a spot in the SEC and a history of winning a lot of big games, including against their rivals from Baton Rouge. Then something changed. Alex Kirshner and Steven Godfrey tell the story of Tulane's journey from the upper echelons of the sport to a program scrapping for respectability in the Group of 5. Alex interviews Lenny Vangilder, a Tulane historian, to go deeper into the Wave's story. Production: Anthony Vito. This is a public episode. If you'd like t...2022-07-191h 15
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 8: Alex is sorry, Pat NarduzziRichard and Alex take you on a 30ish-minute jaunt through the college football weekend. Alex is forced to issue a mea culpa to Pitt's not-currently-embattled head coach, but retracts a retraction of criticism of Texas Tech's. Justin Fuente does not seem to be in a good situation, Colorado State does something you must see to believe, Caleb Williams is the one that was promised, Iowa State does a public service, and Northern Illinois is bowl-eligible. Plus, meep meep. Subscribe to our Patreon at splitzoneduo.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice a...2021-10-2437 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastOrgeron saga, Mullen, and the new AACSteven Godfrey (@38Godfrey), Richard Johnson (@RJ_Writes), and Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) talk through three things in detail: How the LSU-Ed Orgeron relationship collapsed so quickly after such a high, why he wasn’t the only coach in Baton Rouge last Saturday who should soon be out, and what the latest realignment ripple means for both the AAC and the remainders of C-USA. Plus a tasting menu and vested interests. Subscribe to our Patreon at splitzoneduo.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. 2021-10-211h 36
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWeek 7: Bye-owaRichard Johnson and Alex Kirshner take you on a 30-ish-minute trip through the interesting goings-on from college football’s Week 7. Iowa’s loss to Purdue could’ve been worse. Caleb Williams and Oklahoma have it figured out. The Tennessee trash discourse is already exhausting. TCU is done as a defense, a label, and a crew. Florida’s and Texas’s defenses are in shambles. UConn won! Liberty did not! Wisconsin-Army was like a science project. Pitt needs to beat Clemson. Arizona is a bottomless pit of sadness. Rank UTSA, and hey, why not UTEP, and subscribe to our Patreon at splitzo...2021-10-1736 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastFine, let's talk about this absurd "alliance"Your co-hosts Richard Johnson, Steven Godfrey, and Alex Kirshner talk about the Big Ten/ACC/Pac-12 "alliance" plan. We're skeptical about it and think it's a lot heavier on brandspeak than actual solutions for anything, and we explain why. Then, let's talk about the Week 0 games, the future of "Week 0" as an entity, and Bryan Harsin and Nick Rolovich's recent failures. This show's Patreon page is at splitzoneduo.com, and we'd love to have you there. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. T...2021-08-251h 06
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe SEC realignment and 2021 Sun Belt preview showSteven Godfrey joins Alex Kirshner and Richard Johnson for a two-part show this week. We were going to preview the 2021 season in the SEC and Sun Belt, but … uh … some news came up, so we talked for 40 or so minutes about Oklahoma, Texas, and the forthcoming wave of SEC-driven realignment. Then we previewed the Sun Belt’s upcoming season, deciding to punt (Big Ten term) the SEC preview to an episode in the near future. Subscribe to our Patreon at splitzoneduo.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pri...2021-07-281h 15
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe 2021 Big Ten and MAC preview showAlex Kirshner, Richard Johnson, and Steven Godfrey talk through a series of questions about FBS’ two Midwestern conferences, then take a big list of questions. Preview season is upon us, which means football season is about to be upon us, too. If you’re interested in subscribing to our Patreon, you can do so at splitzoneduo.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episo...2021-07-141h 39
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastMichigan, and how we talk about football coachesSteven Godfrey, Richard Johnson, and Alex Kirshner discuss the story surrounding sexual abuse at Michigan and how Bo Schembechler factors into the conversation. (Content warning: The opening segment of the show includes discussion of sexual abuse and its handling by college administrators and sports fans. It ends at the 31:14 mark of the show.) Much of that segment is about how we, as a college sports industry, build up coaches and then have trouble walking away from their legacies. Then the group discusses the soon-to-expand College Football Playoff, Richard defends the notion of Alabama losing multiple games, and we answer...2021-06-161h 25
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Grapes of CFB's WrathAlex Kirshner, Richard Johnson, and Steven Godfrey discuss the 2020 census and how certain population shifts might affect college football in the long run, as has happened several times before. Plus a segment about Kansas' pick of Lance Leipold over Jeff Monken, why it happened, and what Buffalo should do next. Then answers to audience questions on TV deals, Maryland, Scot Loeffler, and what happens to Bama's booster culture whenever Nick Saban leaves. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public e...2021-05-051h 33
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastVanderbilt: the Fresno of the South?Banner Society reporter Steven Godfrey joins Richard Johnson and Alex Kirshner for in-depth check-ins on the Kansas AD and coach searches (they're different things), Vanderbilt's new administration under Clark Lea, Fresno State's chances at a big jump in 2021, and how the transfer market and conversations about "experience" will look different going forward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/s...2021-03-231h 10
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastThe Playoff preview, Notre Dame, and coach carouselSteven Godfrey, Richard Johnson, and Alex Kirshner preview the College Football Playoff semifinals and have an extended discussion about Notre Dame's place in the sport in 2020. Then, a dive into Auburn's hire of Bryan Harsin and the strong power move made by athletic director Allen Greene, trying (and failing) to figure out a good reason for Arizona's Jedd Fisch hire, and evaluating whether ULM should continue trying to play FBS football after hiring Terry Bowden. Finally: Answering some audience questions on defensive scheming, Pitt's future, the effect of coming transfer rules, and why expanded conference schedules aren't here to s...2020-12-291h 23
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastWhat is the opposite of Bedlam?It's about time for Oklahoma State to fire Mike Gundy, per Alex Kirshner. From here on out, teams have to play their way into this podcast. In this 30ish-minute sprint through the weekend, SZD covers Indiana, Ohio State, Northwestern, Cincinnati, Auburn, Rutgers, Georgia, Mississippi State, the FSU/Clemson cancelation debacle, "Bedlam," USC, Nevada, Kent State, and uh what is Virginia Tech doing? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers o...2020-11-2241 min
Split Zone Duo: College Football PodcastSZD - PilotHosts Richard Johnson and Alex Kirshner bounce around college football with Banner Society's Steven Godfrey. What's behind Jackson State's Deion Sanders move? Is Troy back? Is Miami? Plus audience questions, a trip through Massachusetts FBS football, and a tasting menu for Week 4. This is Split Zone Duo.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe2020-09-241h 18