Cover 3 College Football

The Cover 3 crew is back to break down the latest news around the college football world. The boys grade last year's new hires, Which programs made the right moves? (00:00:00) - Intro  (00:01:00) - Coaching Carousel Updates  (00:12:10) - Grading Year-One Coaches  Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.  Visit the betting arena on CBSSports.com for all the latest in sportsbook reviews and sportsbook promos for betting on college football. Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3 Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3 For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conversation tackles the Big Ten's 24-team playoff proposal, including format, TV rights and seeding quirks. They debate Sacramento State's jump to FBS and the financial and TV implications. The crew predicts which programs and coaches might snag a first-time national title and highlights rising contenders and dark horses around college football.

They cast a reality-show season starring college football coaches and debate which personalities would dominate strategy and drama. The hosts break down the Pac-12 schedule flex week and its implications for Group of Five teams. They revisit Lincoln Riley’s split with Oklahoma and argue who really came out ahead. Rapid-fire mailbag topics include canceled nonconference games and evolving coaching staffs.

The crew dissects the coaching carousel and flags the coordinator hires likely to reshape programs across the Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big 12. They debate high-profile defensive and offensive moves, internal promotions versus outside hires, and how staffing shifts could alter team identity. There is also a heated discussion about North Dakota State's push for bowl and playoff access.

Discussion of North Dakota State moving to the Mountain West and ripple effects across FCS programs. Debate over major storylines like Indiana’s surprising title run and Lane Kiffin’s coaching drama. Recap of Arch Manning’s turbulent rookie season and Bill Belichick’s brief North Carolina spotlight. Coverage of Group of Five playoff shakeups and Texas Tech’s NIL-fueled surge.

They debate whether the transfer portal has reshaped high-school recruiting and why elite QBs still stand out. A fantasy-style all-star roster spotlights returning offensive and defensive talent. Mailbag questions spark a rundown of fanbases with unrealistic expectations and which programs might be overhyped. They also speculate about a hypothetical billionaire donation to a mid-major and close with a quick Super Bowl preview.

A lively breakdown of College Football Playoff calendar changes and why New Year’s Eve lost its spot. A legal spotlight on a player eligibility lawsuit and how judges are reshaping roster rules. Deep dive into Florida State’s massive athletics debt and the pressure it creates. A nostalgic look at how National Signing Day and recruiting culture have transformed.

The Cover 3 crew is back to break down the latest news around the college football world. The boys discuss the recent reports that the College Sports Commission is looking into unreported NIL deals. Is it actually possible to police NIL deals? The boys also discuss some new hires and a quick recruiting update. 0:00 - Intro 2:00 - Gus Malzahn announces his retirement  9:30 - College Sports Commission looking into unreported NIL deals 26:00 - Arthur Smith officially hired by Ohio State 30:38 - National Signing Day this week Date of the National Championship game next year 46:25 - Targeting penalty under review heading into 2026 season 52:00 - John Sumrall tells the team to earn the Gator logo Cover 3 is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.  Visit the betting arena on CBSSports.com for all the latest in sportsbook reviews and sportsbook promos for betting on college football. Watch Cover 3 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cover3 Follow our hosts on Twitter: @Chip_Patterson, @TomFornelli, @DannyKanell, @BudElliott3 For more college football coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

They dig into Senior Bowl takeaways and which quarterbacks and defenders stood out. They debate whether any program can recreate Indiana's rise and what made that run unique. They brainstorm which NFL returnees would most reshape college teams. They argue the pros and cons of reseeding the College Football Playoff and rank the revamped Pac-12 against other leagues.

They dissect the Big Ten and ACC 2026 schedule releases and highlight the toughest cross-conference matchups. They cover Darian Mensah's litigation settlement and its roster ripple effects. They debate Miami's 2026 offense and defensive replacements. They react to Bill Belichick missing the Hall of Fame and pick the top Big Ten and ACC games to watch.