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Oregon State Football 2025 Season Preview: From Chaos to Contention

Mark Haines on June 13, 2025

The 2024 season was a nightmare for the Oregon State football team.

After enduring conference realignment chaos, coaching departures, and quarterback carousel disasters that led to a disappointing 5-7 record, the Beavers enter 2025 with something they haven’t had in years: hope. The program has made aggressive moves during the offseason to address its most glaring weaknesses while building around a foundation of returning talent that finally has a chance to shine.

The Quarterback Solution That Changes Everything

Oregon State found its answer at the most important position on the field.

Former Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy committed to the Beavers in December, bringing proven production and leadership to a position that was an absolute disaster in 2024. The numbers tell the story of just how desperate Oregon State was for help at quarterback:

The Beavers’ quarterbacks collectively completed just 216 of 360 passes for 2,417 yards
They threw seven touchdowns against 11 interceptions
They averaged a pathetic 201.4 passing yards per game
Three different quarterbacks started games, with zero providing consistent results

Murphy’s 2024 season at Duke represents everything Oregon State was missing. He led the Blue Devils to a 9-3 season and threw a school-record 26 touchdown passes, completing 254 of 421 passes for 2,933 yards with 12 interceptions. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound redshirt sophomore has two years of eligibility remaining.

“Felt like a great opportunity, and I really felt welcomed and wanted there. I was made a priority, and that’s all I could ask for. I’m excited to be a Beaver and get out there with the guys!” Murphy told ESPN about his decision to transfer to Oregon State.

Murphy alone threw nearly four times as many touchdown passes as Oregon State’s entire quarterback room combined last season.

The Supporting Cast Is Already In Place

Murphy won’t be throwing to scrubs.

Senior Trent Walker led all Oregon State receivers with 901 yards. He scored two touchdowns in 2024, providing Murphy with a proven target who served as a reliable safety valve during the quarterback chaos. Darrius Clemons, a Michigan transfer who battled through injuries, returns healthy after catching 29 passes for 292 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The depth at receiver has improved significantly:

Redshirt sophomore Taz Reddicks is expected to play a larger role after recording 17 catches in 11 games
Zachary Card played in all 12 games and can return kicks
David Wells Jr. provides additional depth as a redshirt sophomore

The tight end position received a massive boost with Riley Williams, a transfer from Miami who returns home to Oregon (Central Catholic HS in Portland). Williams brings experience from a high-level program and gives Murphy another reliable target.

But the real game-changer might be what’s already proven in the backfield.

Anthony Hankerson: The Foundation Everything Builds Upon

The ground game isn’t a question mark for Oregon State.

Anthony Hankerson returns after a breakout 2024 season, during which he nearly reached 1,000 rushing yards and scored 15 touchdowns. The senior running back provides the Beavers with a proven ground threat that should help balance the offense and take pressure off Murphy as he adjusts to his new system.

Oregon State averaged 189.2 rushing yards per game in 2024, actually outpacing their opponents’ 185.8 yards per game. This wasn’t the problem—it was everything else that fell apart around the running game.

Defense Gets a Complete Makeover

Last season’s defensive performance was embarrassing.

The Beavers managed just seven sacks all season, ranking dead last in FBS, while allowing nearly 30 points per game. The pass rush was so bad it became a national punchline. But the coaching staff has made substantial changes to address these glaring issues.

The defensive line transformation through the transfer portal includes:

Walker Harris from Southern Utah (expected starter at defensive end)
Kai Wallin from Nebraska (expected starter at defensive end)
Tevita Pome’e from Oregon (interior line anchor)
Tahjae Mullix from Western Carolina (additional depth)

The secondary returns some stability with sophomore Exodus Ayers, who was thrust into action as a freshman, and Kobe Singleton is expected to start if healthy. Captain Skylar Thomas anchors the safety position after leading the team with 81 tackles in 2024.

This defense has nowhere to go but up.

Schedule Reality Check

The 2025 schedule will test every improvement Oregon State has made.

Seven home games provide some comfort, but six autonomy, five opponents create serious challenges. The slate includes demanding matchups against California, Houston, and Wake Forest at home, while road trips to Texas Tech and Oregon will provide early tests of the team’s progress.

The November dynamics are particularly interesting:

November 1: First meeting with Washington State (the only other Pac-12 survivor)
November 29: Season finale at Washington State in Pullman

These two games essentially represent the entire Pac-12 Conference, as both programs function as quasi-independent entities while maintaining their conference affiliation.

Coaching Stability Finally Arrives

Head coach Trent Bray enters his second season providing much-needed continuity.

Offensive coordinator Ryan Gunderson also returns for his second year, which should help the offense develop more consistency and familiarity with the system as Murphy settles into his role at quarterback. The coaching staff has been strengthened with five new additions, including Mark Criner as defensive quality control and Mikey Jacobsen as offensive quality control.

After years of upheaval, Oregon State finally has the coaching stability necessary to implement sustainable systems.

Transfer Portal Reinforcements Address Every Weakness

Beyond Murphy, Oregon State made strategic moves to fix its most obvious problems.

The offensive line, which struggled with protection and consistency in 2024, received reinforcements:

Keyon Cox from UCF
JT Hand from Arizona
Josiah Timoteo from Nevada

Defensively, the Beavers added multiple front-seven players, including linebacker Raesjon Davis from USC, in addition to the defensive line transfers. These additions offer both immediate impact potential and crucial depth for a program that has experienced significant roster turnover.

Every major weakness from 2024 has been addressed through the transfer portal.

Bowl Eligibility: The Realistic Goal That Matters

Six wins from a challenging 12-game schedule represent success for this program.

Oregon State’s ability to reach bowl eligibility will depend on three critical factors:

How quickly Murphy adapts to the offensive system
Whether the retooled defensive line can generate consistent pressure
How well the team navigates the demanding travel schedule that comes with their quasi-independent status

The schedule structure creates both opportunities and obstacles. Early-season games against California and Fresno State provide opportunities to build momentum, but the October stretch, featuring Appalachian State, Wake Forest, and Washington State, will likely determine bowl prospects.

A strong start could position the Beavers for their first bowl appearance since 2022.

The Bigger Picture: Program Survival and Growth

This season represents more than wins and losses for Oregon State.

After weathering conference realignment chaos, coaching changes, and massive roster turnover, the Beavers have assembled a team capable of taking meaningful steps forward. The success of 2025 will be measured in the development of sustainable systems and culture under Bray’s leadership.

Murphy’s presence at quarterback provides immediate upgrade potential, while the combination of returning players and strategic transfer additions offers hope for both short-term improvement and long-term stability.

For a program that has faced unprecedented challenges, 2025 offers an opportunity to demonstrate resilience and chart a path toward relevance in the rapidly changing landscape of college football.

The foundation has been laid, the pieces are in place, and the expectations are realistic but meaningful.

Now comes the execution that will determine whether Oregon State can transform from a program in survival mode into one capable of competing for bowl games and respect in the new era of college football.

The Next Billion Dollar Game

College football isn’t just a sport anymore—it’s a high-stakes market where information asymmetry separates winners from losers. While the average fan sees only what happens between the sidelines, real insiders trade on the hidden dynamics reshaping programs from the inside out.

Our team has embedded with the power brokers who run this game. From the coaching carousel to NIL deals to transfer portal strategies, we’ve mapped the entire ecosystem with the kind of obsessive detail that would make a hedge fund analyst blush.

Why subscribe? Because in markets this inefficient, information creates alpha. Our subscribers knew which coaches were dead men walking months before the mainstream media caught on. They understood which programs were quietly transforming their recruiting apparatuses while competitors slept.

The smart money is already positioning for 2025. Are you?

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Washington State Football 2025: The Ultimate Rebuild

Mark Haines on June 12, 2025

New Washington State Football Coach Jimmy Rogers has inherited one hell of a mess.

The new Washington State head coach took over a program that lost 46 players to the transfer portal, watched its former coach flee to Wake Forest, and now sits as one of just two teams in what used to be the mighty Pac-12. If you’re looking for a case study in how quickly college football can flip your world upside down, look no further than Pullman, Washington.

But here’s the thing about rock bottom—it’s also the perfect foundation to build something special.

The South Dakota State Invasion

Rogers didn’t just take the Washington State job.

He brought an entire army with him from South Dakota State, where he compiled a ridiculous 27-3 record over two seasons and won back-to-back FCS national championships. Of the 20 transfers joining the Cougars for 2025, 15 are following Rogers from South Dakota State (the Jackrabbits).

This isn’t your typical coaching hire where a few assistants tag along. This is a full-scale program transplantation:

Defensive backs: Tucker Large, Colby Humphrey, Matt Durrance, Trey Ridley, Caleb Francl, and Cale Reeder
Running backs: Maxwell Woods, Kirby Vorhees, and Angel Johnson
Tight ends: Beau Baker (plus Michigan State transfer Ademola Faleye)
Defensive line: Max Baloun, Buddha Peleti, Darrion Dalton, and Malaki Ta’ase
Linebackers: Anthony Palano and Carsten Reynolds
Special teams: Kicker Jack Stevens and punter Dylan Mauro

Rogers is essentially betting his entire reputation on one simple premise: that his championship-winning system and the players who executed it can translate from FCS to FBS competition.

The Portal Bloodbath

Want to understand the full extent of this dramatic rebuild?

Washington State lost their starting quarterback (John Mateer to Oklahoma), their top running back (Wayshawn Parker to Utah), their best linebacker (Buddah Al-Uqdah to rival Washington), and multiple offensive linemen who followed former coach Jake Dickert to Wake Forest.

The numbers tell the story:

46 players entered the transfer portal
26 scholarship players departed
11 starters found new homes
7 players followed Dickert to Wake Forest

This wasn’t just roster turnover—this was roster demolition.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Ten players who initially entered the portal because of coaching uncertainty withdrew their names and decided to stay. These returners include projected starting quarterback Zevi Eckhaus, receivers Josh Meredith and Tre Shackleford, and cornerback Jamorri Colson.

The Quarterback Situation

Zevi Eckhaus might be the most important player in college football you’ve never heard of.

After spending 2024 as John Mateer’s backup, Eckhaus got his moment in the Holiday Bowl and absolutely delivered. He completed 31 of 43 passes for 363 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in his first FBS start. More importantly, he briefly entered the transfer portal before deciding to stay and bet on himself under the new coaching staff.

This decision could define Washington State’s 2025 season.

Eckhaus brings a different skill set than the departed Mateer—less of a dual-threat, more of a traditional pocket passer. But in Rogers’ system, which emphasizes ball control and efficient passing rather than the Air Raid’s vertical attack, Eckhaus might be a perfect fit.

The Scheme Transformation

Here’s what makes this rebuild even more fascinating.

Rogers isn’t just changing the players—he’s completely overhauling the offensive and defensive philosophies that have defined Washington State football for over a decade. The Air Raid system that made the Cougars famous is being replaced by a more balanced, physical approach that emphasizes:

Two tight end sets instead of four and five receiver packages
Power running game instead of spread concepts
Ball control instead of high-tempo passing
Defensive pressure instead of coverage-heavy schemes

The new coaching staff has brought in three tight ends through recruiting and transfers, plus converted linebacker Hudson Cederland to the position. This signals a fundamental shift toward formations and concepts that would be unrecognizable to Mike Leach or his successors.

The Recruiting Reality Check

Let’s be brutally honest about Washington State’s 2025 recruiting class.

Ranked 71st nationally by ESPN, this represents a historic low for a program that had never previously finished below 76th in recruiting rankings. The class lacks the blue-chip talent that defined previous WSU recruiting cycles, instead featuring a mixture of:

18 high school prospects (many flipped from South Dakota State)
Multiple JUCO transfers, including top-rated receiver Devin Ellison
Graduate transfers filling immediate needs
Three-star prospects rather than four-star game-changers

But here’s the counterargument: Rogers isn’t trying to win a recruiting ranking. He’s trying to build a cohesive team that can execute his system immediately. Sometimes the best recruiting class isn’t the one with the highest ratings—it’s the one with the right players for your specific approach.

The Schedule Gauntlet

Washington State’s 2025 schedule reads like a geography lesson and a difficulty test rolled into one.

The Cougars will face six teams they’ve never played before, make three trips east of the Mississippi River before Halloween, and somehow play Oregon State twice in the same month. Here’s how the season breaks down:

Winnable home games:

Idaho (August 30) – FCS opponent, regional rivalry
San Diego State – Mountain West program in transition
Toledo – Solid MAC team, but beatable
Louisiana Tech – Conference USA opponent
Oregon State (November 29) – Pac-12 rematch

Challenging road tests:

North Texas – Improved AAC program
Colorado State – Mountain West contender
Ole Miss – SEC powerhouse (guaranteed loss)
Virginia – ACC program on the rise
James Madison – Sun Belt success story
Oregon State (November 1) – First of two meetings

Most analysts project a 5-7 finish, with strong home performance offsetting road struggles. But in a rebuilding year with this much roster turnover, even that might be optimistic.

The Unique Pac-12 Situation

Here’s something that makes Washington State’s rebuild completely unprecedented.

The Cougars are one of just two remaining members of the Pac-12, alongside Oregon State. This creates challenges that no other program faces:

Scheduling difficulties requiring creative non-conference arrangements
Recruiting hurdles without a stable conference identity
Financial constraints from reduced media rights revenue
National relevance questions in a two-team conference

The Oregon State double-header perfectly illustrates this bizarre reality. The schools will meet November 1 in Corvallis and November 29 in Pullman—the first time they’ve played twice in the same season since 1945. It’s a scheduling necessity born from conference chaos.

The Make-or-Break Factors

Rogers’ success in 2025 will depend on three critical variables.

First: Can the South Dakota State transfers handle the jump from FCS to FBS competition? These players dominated at the subdivision level, but facing Power 4 and Group of 5 opponents every week presents a massive step up in speed and athleticism.

Second: Will the new offensive system mesh with returning skill position players? Receivers like Meredith and Shackleford thrived in the Air Raid, but adapting to a more balanced approach with tight end-heavy formations could create growing pains.

Third: How quickly can Rogers establish his culture and leadership in a program that’s experienced massive upheaval? Championship coaches succeed because their players buy into their vision. With so many new faces and systems, building that trust becomes paramount.

The Bottom Line

Washington State’s 2025 season isn’t really about wins and losses.

It’s about Jimmy Rogers proving that his championship formula can scale from FCS to FBS competition. It’s about whether a program can completely reinvent itself in one offseason and remain competitive. It’s about survival in the weird, wild world of modern college football.

The Cougars enter this season with the lowest expectations in program history. No bowl projections. No conference championship hopes. No playoff dreams.

But sometimes that’s exactly where magic happens.

Rogers has built championship programs before. He’s developed players, installed winning systems, and created cultures that produce results. The question isn’t whether he can coach—it’s whether he can do it fast enough to keep Washington State relevant while rebuilding from scratch.

One thing is certain: college football has never seen a rebuild quite like this one.

The 2025 Washington State Cougars will either validate Rogers’ vision and provide a blueprint for program transformation, or they’ll serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of wholesale roster replacement. Either way, they’ll be absolutely fascinating to watch.

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Coaches on Fire? Readers Respond to the Hot Seat Rankings

Mark Haines on October 25, 2024

Welcome back to the Coaches Hot Seat, where we dissect the volatile world of college football coaching and track those whose seats are getting too toasty for comfort. Today, we’re tackling our readers’ fiery feedback and passionate perspectives. Because let’s face it, college football fandom is a crucible of emotions, and sometimes those emotions boil over. So hang on – we’re about to explore the highs and lows, the agreements and disagreements, and the raw, unfiltered takes from the passionate community that makes college football what it is.

A Fan’s Take: Will Hall’s Legacy and the Future of Southern Miss Football

“Will Hall is a good man who did many great off the field teams for the program. But, on the field, it just didn’t work out. His “last season” (2023) was 3-9, replicating his first season, and now this 1-6 start that finally led to the plug being pulled. Southern Miss not many years ago under Jeff Bower and Larry Fedora, consistently had winning records and made bowl games. Jay Hopson had winning teams every year, until resigning after the first game of 2021 after losing to South Alabama.

In the landscape of NIL and up and rising programs like South Alabama that have cut into their recruiting pool, it is going to take a home run hire to bring USM back to relevance in my opinion.”

You bring up some great points about the challenges facing Southern Miss football. It’s a brutal landscape, with the rise of NIL and programs like South Alabama making it harder to recruit top talent.

Will Hall indeed had some success off the field, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors. Ultimately, wins and losses matter most in college football, and unfortunately, those weren’t consistently enough during his tenure.

As you mentioned, Southern Miss has a proud football tradition with a history of success under coaches like Jeff Bower and Larry Fedora. The fans in Hattiesburg are hungry to get back to that level, and it will take a dynamic leader and a strong recruiting effort to make that happen.

We’re excited to see who Southern Miss hires as its next head coach. It’ll be interesting to follow their search and see what direction they decide to take. Hopefully, they can find someone to bring the Golden Eagles back to prominence in the Sun Belt!

“Do Some Research!”: Fans Demand Huff’s Hot Seat Status

How do you not list Charles Huff in your Coaches Hot Seat Rankings? 20 coaches with a hotter seat is complete BS!! He almost got fired last year and still sucks!!! He blew a 23-3 in the 4th quarter and almost blew another lead against Georgia State. We know you don’t care about the smaller schools. The fact that nobody has Huff on the hot seat at this point in the season is ridiculous!! Do some research, probably don’t even know the Sun Belt exists. At least pretend to care about smaller schools like Marshall.

Look, I get it. It’s infuriating. You’ve got a coach who, in your eyes, just isn’t cutting it. The team’s underperforming, and to add insult to injury, nobody seems to notice or care. It’s like Marshall football exists in its own little bubble, right?

Believe me, I understand that frustration.

But here’s the thing: you’re not alone. We see those smaller schools grinding it out, battling every week. Look at our Hot Seat rankings – we’ve got coaches from smaller programs all over the list. Did we miss Marshall this time? Absolutely. And that’s on us. We’re not perfect.

But here’s where you come in. This isn’t just my list. It’s a conversation. Our community, our members – you guys – you have a voice. You provide the insights and the on-the-ground perspective that we need. And guess what? Starting next week, you’re going to have even more say. We’re putting the power in your hands with community voting.

So speak up. Let your voice be heard. This is how we build a truly comprehensive and insightful Hot Seat ranking – together.

Fan Reaction to Riley’s Reign

This is year 3, and “coach” Lincoln Riley can collect $12,000,000 per year for the rest of the decade.

The stadium was 1/3 full on Saturday. Will Jennifer Cohen be handing tickets out at the border before the ND game to fill seats? Lincoln better be #1 on the hot seat list. He was there last year.

“Better be?” “1/3 full?” Okay, let’s dive into this.

First, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room: Lincoln Riley is making money. A reported $10 million a year (not 12) is a lot of cheddar, and with that comes a certain expectation. USC expects to win, and they expect to win big.

He’s also got a reported $87 million buyout. Do you want to know why he’s not #1? There are 87 million reasons why.

Wisconsin and Penn State were sellouts. So are Nebraska and Notre Dame.

I’ve been critical of certain aspects of Riley’s program at USC, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

So, let’s hold off on the “better be’s” and the panic buttons. It’s more likely that he decides to leave on his own rather than USC buying him out.

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Coaches Hot Seat is Targeting Winners for Week 9

Mark Haines on October 24, 2024

Think you know college football? Think again. Coaches Hot Seat spends a little time listening to the Targeting Winners Podcast every Friday afternoon during the season. We take our picks and look for the storylines, the upsets, the wins, and the losses to bring you the inside scoop on where the seats are getting hot. We’re not just talking about picking winners but about understanding the why behind the wins. The hidden narratives, the coaching mismatches, the moments that define a season.

The CFB Dudes at Targeting Winners live and breathe this stuff. They break down film, analyze matchups, and find the edges that the casual fan misses. We compare our picks with the Targeting Winner’s intel, and boom!

So buckle up, because we’re about to take you on a wild ride through three games we’ve got our eye on this week. Fans looking for an edge? You’ve come to the right place.

Notre Dame vs. Navy: The Midshipmen’s Mutiny

Notre Dame limps in, battered and bruised. Five starters down, maybe more. They’re like a prizefighter with a glass jaw, and Navy, they come in with a battering ram. 6-0, averaging 45 points a game. Blake Horvath, their quarterback? He’s not just running the triple option, he’s weaponizing it. Think Barry Sanders with a playbook designed to make defensive coordinators cry.

The line moved? Of course, it did. Smart money knows: Notre Dame’s defense hasn’t seen this kind of chaos. They’re trained for chess matches, not bar fights.

The Play: Navy +12.5. Take it, and don’t look back. This isn’t about talent; it’s about heart. Navy’s got it in spades.

Penn State vs. Wisconsin: The Calm Before the Storm

Penn State is undefeated, but they just survived a brawl with USC. Now they’re staring down Ohio State, the biggest game of their season. It’s a classic trap game. Wisconsin smells blood.

But here’s the thing: Penn State’s defense is a force. Drew Allar, their quarterback? He’s growing up fast. Wisconsin’s offense? Let’s say they haven’t exactly been lighting up the scoreboard.

Camp Randall’s a tough place to play, sure. But Penn State’s been there, done that. They’ve got the experience, the defense, and the quarterback play to weather the storm.

The Play: Penn State -6.5. They’ll win this one ugly, but a win’s a win. And take the Under 47.5. This game’s going to be a slugfest.

Boise State vs. UNLV: The Rebels’ Redemption

Boise State has Ashton Jeanty, a one-man wrecking crew. But here’s their problem: their quarterback, Maddux Madsen, is like a Ferrari with a lawnmower engine. He has lots of flash but not enough horsepower.

UNLV? They’ve got a secret weapon: the “Go-Go Offense.” Hajj-Malik Williams, their quarterback, is slinging the ball like he’s got something to prove. And their offensive line? They’re opening holes you could drive a truck through.

Boise’s defense? They lead the nation in sacks but can’t stop a nosebleed on third-and-short. UNLV’s going to exploit that weakness.

The Play: UNLV +140 on the moneyline. They’re at home, they’re playing with confidence, and they’re about to pull off the upset. Boise State? They’re about to learn a hard lesson: talent only gets you so far.

There you have it. Three games, three takes. This is all about the story. And these stories, they’re just getting started. Post your comments here.

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Navigating the Chaos: Week 2 of College Football’s Wild Ride

Mark Haines on September 9, 2024

There’s a reason we all tune in, why we obsess over every play, every decision made from the sidelines. College football isn’t just a game; it’s a microcosm of American culture. It’s where the values of grit, glory, and, occasionally, utter chaos are laid bare on the gridiron. And Week 2 of this season? It did not disappoint.

The Preston Report: Fan Sentiment from the Front Lines

We are introducing college football’s latest pulse check: The Preston Report. Named after Preston, our resident USC Trojan has made it his mission to gauge the emotional climate of rival fanbases in his workplace each week. Officially, it’s known as the USC Career Trojan Report, but around here, we call it The Preston Report. And let’s say it’s become an indispensable tool for measuring the temperature of college football fandom across the country.

Why? Because Preston’s observations aren’t just idle chatter—they’re a raw, unfiltered look at how each program’s faithful handle the season’s highs and lows. You get a boots-on-the-ground perspective that cuts through the noise of sports punditry and dives straight into the fans’ psyche.

Take, for instance, his read on Michigan: “The Michigan coworkers feel like their season is over and keep reminding everyone they won a National Championship last year.” It’s a stark picture of a fanbase clinging to the glory of past triumphs while staring down the barrel of a disappointing season. You can almost feel the mix of frustration and defiance in the air.

Then there’s the situation at Oklahoma. Preston’s OU colleague, once confident, now voices concerns about the new offensive coordinator—but with “very little eye contact.” It’s a small detail that speaks volumes. The lack of eye contact isn’t just discomfort; it’s a tell-tale sign of a fan grappling with uncertainty and perhaps a creeping sense of dread. The Sooners might be in for a rocky ride if this sentiment spreads.

And then we come to Miami. Preston says his Miami coworkers are as upbeat as he is, buoyed by the belief that “this will be a special year in College Football.” It’s a statement of hope, maybe even destiny. And in college football, where the line between optimism and delusion is razor-thin, that belief could be the fuel that powers the Hurricanes back into the conversation.

The Preston Report cuts through the static to bring us closer to the heartbeat of the game—the fans. It reminds us that college football isn’t just played on the field; it’s played in break rooms, on text threads, and in the small moments where faith is tested or affirmed.

The Florida Fiasco: Culture Wars and Tailgate Tensions

When trying to change a culture, you don’t just battle opposing teams—you battle history, expectations, and sometimes even your own fans. Florida’s head coach, Billy Napier, spent the offseason preaching transformation, promising a revamped Gators team with a winning mentality. Yet, the cracks are already showing.

Nick Saban’s recent comment—“the culture needs to change at Florida”—is a jab that lands hard, not because it’s controversial but because it rings true to many in the Gator Nation. And it’s not just about what’s happening on the field. Bizarre skirmishes have marked Florida’s start to the season: from debates over the right color shirts to wear in Week 1 to battles over parking logistics by Week 2.

One fan summed it perfectly on Twitter: “UF is a joke right now,” wrote @Ryanmcc_9, capturing the sentiment that Gainesville is a hotbed of confusion rather than cohesion. Even as some demand clarity, @alexregannnn wonders aloud, “What is happening at UF? Like legit behind the scenes at a high level?” That’s the question everyone wants answered as the Gators stumble through their season, searching for an identity that seems just out of reach.

Arkansas: Outgaining the Opponent and Still Losing—A Masterclass in Frustration

There are losses, and then there are Arkansas losses—gut-wrenching, inexplicable, and yet, almost predictable in their agony. Outgaining Oklahoma State by over 250 yards and still losing? That’s not just a defeat; it’s an art form. Arkansas is now 3-10 in one-score games over the past two seasons. That statistic is more than a number; it’s a legacy of close calls that always seem to go wrong.

As @JesseReSimonton points out, “The Razorbacks never stopped fighting, but Sam Pittman’s tenure with the Hogs may be cooked after this collapse.” It’s a telling sign of where things are headed. The numbers tell one story; the fans tell another. And right now, both point to a program that’s lost its way.

Baylor and the “Almost There” Offense

The defense is doing its job at Baylor, grinding and proving its mettle. But only one side of the ball can carry you so far in football. “This defense belongs; the offense needs to catch up,” lamented a Baylor fan, and the sentiment echoes around Waco. Coach Aranda has the defensive unit firing on all cylinders, but without the offense to back it up, it’s like having a shiny, powerful car stuck in first gear.

Cal and the Sweet Taste of Victory

If you’ve been around Berkeley for any time, you know that being a Cal fan often means being prepared for heartbreak. For years, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory has been a staple of Golden Bear football. But this time, the narrative flipped. Cal came out on top in a hard-fought game against Auburn, winning 21-14. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. And for a fanbase that has seen it all, this victory was something special.

“That’s the loudest group of 5000 I’ve ever heard … that was special,” Cal head coach Justin Wilcox said after the game, speaking to the passion and presence of the traveling Bears fans. The Twitterverse was buzzing with a mixture of disbelief and celebration. “Cal just got absolutely hosed,” one fan wrote, expecting another late-game collapse. But this time, Cal didn’t just hold on—they pushed back, proving that maybe, just maybe, this team has a different fate in store this season. Congratulations to the Golden Bears, who didn’t just survive but thrived.

Colorado and the Deion Sanders Show

And then there’s Colorado, where the spectacle is as much about the sidelines as the gameplay. Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders has brought more than just his star-studded sons to Boulder; he’s brought a circus, a spectacle, and perhaps a much-needed jolt to a once-proud program. But is it all smoke and mirrors? As @MattV12345678 bluntly puts it, “Coach Prime is nothing more than a private football coach for Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders, and Shilo Sanders masquerading as a head football coach… Change my mind.”

That’s the thing about narratives—they’re easily built but even more easily dismantled. Colorado’s story under Sanders is just beginning to unfold. Whether it becomes a tale of triumph or a cautionary tale of overhyped theatrics is a chapter still unwritten.

From the Twitterverse

Here’s a snapshot of what fans are saying across the country:

Indiana: “The fact they would play a team like that for the cheap win says everything.”
Florida:
@UFLORIDAJOE: “Nick Saban just said ‘the culture needs to change at Florida.’ Billy Napier told us all offseason the culture has been changed and he has the best team he’s had since being at Florida. Yikes. This is bad bad.”
@DKThompson: “I don’t know of an athletic department that is worse at PR and fan relations than UF right now.”
Arkansas:
@bmoorecfb: “Out gaining your opponent 648 yards to 385 yards and losing the game is wild.”
@Eddie_Rado: “Arkansas outgained Oklahoma State 648-385! Incredible.”
Cal:
@Adam_Bradford14: “I also hereby propose that as long as Hugh Freeze is at Auburn they play Cal every year. The matchup shall be known as Hippies vs. Hookers.”
@CalRivals: “That’s the loudest group of 5000 I’ve ever heard … that was special.”

The Only Certainty is Uncertainty

If there’s anything to take away from Week 2, the landscape of college football is as unpredictable as ever. Coaches, players, and fans alike are left to navigate a season that promises more twists, heartbreaks, and moments that will leave us all questioning, “What just happened?” Welcome to the show. It’s only getting started.

Week 3 Coaches Hot Seat Rankings Out Tomorrow Morning

Stay tuned – tomorrow is the day – Week 3 Hot Seat Rankings – make sure to stop by.

BACK TO THE BLOG ARCHIVE

Blog Article

The Quarterback Solution That Changes Everything

The Supporting Cast Is Already In Place

Anthony Hankerson: The Foundation Everything Builds Upon

Defense Gets a Complete Makeover

Schedule Reality Check

Coaching Stability Finally Arrives

Transfer Portal Reinforcements Address Every Weakness

Bowl Eligibility: The Realistic Goal That Matters

The Bigger Picture: Program Survival and Growth

The Next Billion Dollar Game

Blog Article

The South Dakota State Invasion

The Portal Bloodbath

The Quarterback Situation

The Scheme Transformation

The Recruiting Reality Check

The Schedule Gauntlet

The Unique Pac-12 Situation

The Make-or-Break Factors

The Bottom Line

The Next Billion Dollar Game

Blog Article

A Fan’s Take: Will Hall’s Legacy and the Future of Southern Miss Football

“Do Some Research!”: Fans Demand Huff’s Hot Seat Status

Fan Reaction to Riley’s Reign

Blog Article

Notre Dame vs. Navy: The Midshipmen’s Mutiny

Penn State vs. Wisconsin: The Calm Before the Storm

Boise State vs. UNLV: The Rebels’ Redemption

Blog Article

A Monument to American Ingenuity

The Dormitory Stadium: A Depression-Era Masterstroke

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Blog Article

Week 5 Coaches Hot Seat rankings will be posted on Tuesday morning – stay tuned!

The Auburn Abyss: Hugh Freeze’s Nightmare Continues

Mack Brown’s Mea Culpa: A Coach on the Brink

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Blog Article

Preview of Six Marquee Matchups & Full Viewer Guide

Early Games

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Blog Article

The Preston Report: Fan Sentiment from the Front Lines

The Florida Fiasco: Culture Wars and Tailgate Tensions

Arkansas: Outgaining the Opponent and Still Losing—A Masterclass in Frustration

Baylor and the “Almost There” Offense

Cal and the Sweet Taste of Victory

Colorado and the Deion Sanders Show

From the Twitterverse

The Only Certainty is Uncertainty

Week 3 Coaches Hot Seat Rankings Out Tomorrow Morning

Blog Article

Blog Article

B1G Ten Network Access Issues