In the midst of the Penn State Child Abuse Scandal and all the filth that has risen up in Happy Valley we do get a break here to talk some football. Nubyjas Wilborn, a digital reporter for Fox Sports South, joins us on the podcast to chop it up about some, you know actual football. That's right as we do every week we've got your Slate of Eight here to take a look at the week's biggest and most influential ball games. We go east, west, north and south with this weekends games as every BCS conference plus the MWC have got something to chat about.

Here's this week's slate:

Virginia Tech-Georgia Tech
TCU-Boise State
West Virginia-Cincinnati
Auburn-Georgia
Miami-Florida State
Oklahoma State-Texas Tech
Nebraska-Penn State
Oregon-Stanford

We hit the ACC with Virginia Tech trying to keep their win streak going against a Georgia Tech team that already has one top ten upset under their belt. Boise State hosting TCU and personally I think the Horned Frogs have got a chance. West Virginia going to Cincinnati will help paint the odd picture of the Big East. In Auburn and Georgia we get the 115th renewal of "The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry." For Miami heading up to Tallahassee we get to see if the Seminoles' successes of late are them improving or the competition they've played.

In Oklahoma State the "do nothing defense" gets another potent Big XII offense to give up 30+ points to as Brandon Weeden and the offense score a TD or so more. Nebraska and Penn State will be absolutely a study in the willpower of these boys going through the scandal as unwilling participants to the circus. Oregon heads to The Farm and we'll see how legit this Stanford defense really is when the potent Ducks' attack hits town.



To listen to the show click here or subscribe to one of the methods listed below.

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Today we hit the most pressing issue surrounding college football at the moment, and rightfully so, the Jerry Sandusky-Penn State child sex abuse scandal. If you haven't yet read the Grand Jury Presentment I recommend you do so as it will truly shed light on the incidents that occured and, most disturbingly, were allowed to continue to occur in Happy Valley. I'd also recommend checking out the The Daily Collegian, Penn State's school newspaper who has done an absolutely masterful job of playing the events on a timeline for easy digestion.

Joining me to discuss the issue is my Penn State "go to guy" Kevin McGuire. Kevin runs No 2 Minute Warning and he is very plugged in with the happenings at Penn State University. Not a huge write up folks; basically Kevin and I first outline the events, identify the key figures in the story, discuss where lies were told, the ball that dropped and how something to terribly tragic was allowed to transpire. We get into Timothy Curley the Athletic Director, Gary Schultz who oversaw Penn State's Police Department, Mike McQueary the GA who witnessed the abuse and of course we hit on where Joe Paterno fits into all of this.

The show will inform those of you not aware of the events and in the second half Kevin and I discuss the shortcomings that essentially amount to a pattern of enabling for, at least it seems, the sake of protecting the "Success with Honor" brand that Penn State has built.



To listen to the show click here or subscribe to one of the methods listed below.

If you want the podcast you must subscribe to the Feedburner, but if you want to subscribe to the blog please use the RSS Feed. This is for iTunes to be able to archive the shows. You can also search for "In The Bleachers"on iTunes and subscribe to the podcast that way.

Blackberry users like your fearless leader can paste this link into the "Add Podcast Channel" option when you download the Blackberry Podcast App.

Got a question? Email it in to InTheBleachers @ GMAIL (dot) COM

Yes, we're on the Google+ so find "+Michael Felder" on there and we'll get you in the ITB Circle!

Hit us up on Twitter @InTheBleachers!

This Friday could absolutely be the most Fetch one we've had since the Royal Wedding for oh, so many reasons. For Florida State the Fetch started yesterday evening as they took the boot to the Boston College Eagles by a final score of 38-7 and the "Fire Spaz" talk is really going full throttle. Before we get into the Fetch we've got a podcast for everyone and I highly recommend that every fan out there listen to this to gain some perspective. Brian Sakowski joins me on the program and the originator of this ITB empire sheds some light from "the other side" today.

Other side?

The officials side. Brian's a college football official and now was as good a time as any to finally sit down and talk about all those little officiating details that people don't know, don't care to know, wonder about or probably should know. We kick off by talking about who is actually on the field and what each position is actually responsible for when the plays start. Then we get into the part that folks really care about; holding, pass interference and the hits. A true must listen as it will help explain why some things aren't called, why somethings are called and really humanizes the officials as they are, we must remember, out there doing their job.



If the link didn't work for you click here to grab that podcast, also if you do have officiating questions feel free to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Now folks, on to the more fetch type stuff, starting with a little James Brown double set.



We've got hate week, we've got some celebrity situations and of course we've got the game of all games tonight. This weekend's going to be a good one and we're kicking it off here.

We've got our big game guy on the show to talk about the biggest game we've seen in quite some time on the college football landscape this week. Russ Mitchell from College Football News hops on the mic to wax all sorts of philosophical-like on the Crimson Tide hosting the Bayou Bengals. Over at CFN the gang is really going HAM on this game and getting Russ on the show is great because we bring a little of that to the podcast to truly expound on some of the feelings and thoughts surrounding the game.

Talk kicks off with the coaches where both head guys in this game get their props, one a great prep and process coach and the other as a "Columbo-esque" leader of his team. Then we hit the quarterbacks, the nature of the offenses as a whole and discuss which quarterback, or quarterbacks in LSU's case, are best prepared to achieve greatness on Saturday. Russ and I get into the defenses and discuss the differences of these two talented units.

This game should be a good one and Russ helps get folks prepared with this little podcast.


To listen to the show click here or subscribe to one of the methods listed below.

If you want the podcast you must subscribe to the Feedburner, but if you want to subscribe to the blog please use the RSS Feed. This is for iTunes to be able to archive the shows. You can also search for "In The Bleachers"on iTunes and subscribe to the podcast that way.

Blackberry users like your fearless leader can paste this link into the "Add Podcast Channel" option when you download the Blackberry Podcast App.

Got a question? Email it in to InTheBleachers @ GMAIL (dot) COM

Yes, we're on the Google+ so find "+Michael Felder" on there and we'll get you in the ITB Circle!

Hit us up on Twitter @InTheBleachers!

For you guys that haven't been following this week there is a bit more than LSU-Bama going on in the world of ITB. That's right it is hate week here in North Carolina as my beloved Tar Heels travel down I-40 to Raleighwood to take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack. Things haven't been so great for my guys lately as we've dropped four in a row to the guys in red.

This year though?

That changes. I'm sending good vibes to the guys in the Carolina Blue, starting with probably my favorite moment as a Tar Heel. Shots have been fired in this rivalry by new head coach Everett Withers, and that's a welcomed change from the playing it off by Butch Davis in prior years. I got a shot to talk with Mike Maniscalco and the former Wolfpack tight end Mark Thomas on The Insiders this morning at ESPN620 and ESPN Triangle.


As always thanks to Shannon Penn for getting me the audio and if the widget doesn't work for you grab the download by clicking here.

Also, last night I got a shot to stop by and do the Riddick and Reynolds podcast so be sure to go and check that out. I had fun talking more rivalry with Austin Johnson, Derek Medlin and the super tech savvy host James Curle.

This week we're bringing you the Slate of Eight because, contrary to popular belief, there are more football games to be played this weekend than just the LSU and Alabama tilt. Plenty of good teams suit up this week and while the game in Tuscaloosa is the main course there are ample appetizers from all over the nation. We've got fellow Crystal Ball Run writer Kevin McGuire, also from No Two Minute Warning, on the podcast this week to get into all of the action.

Here's this weekend's slate:

Florida State-Boston College
Texas Tech-Texas
Texas A&M-Oklahoma
South Florida-Rutgers
South Carolina-Arkansas
Oregon-Washington
Kansas State-Oklahoma State
LSU-Alabama

Florida State looks to stay on track following their early season three game skid. With Clemson going down there is a glimmer of hope for the Seminoles. Texas Tech looks to rebound against Texas in a game where the Red Raiders are trying to get their offense going after falling flat against Iowa State. Oklahoma looks to continue their climb back towards the top while we wonder what exactly is the deal with South Florida and if Rutgers can stay in the Big East hunt.

In Fayetteville we've got the most underrated game on the Slate this week as two Top 10 BCS teams square off in a game that still has legitimate SEC Championship and BCS Bid relevancy. We get another look at Oregon's defense against a Washington team that should have some opportunities for success. Kansas State, we knew they were not exactly "contenders" but now we see them come up against the focused Cowboys of Oklahoma State and we don't see the Wildcats beating the Pokes.

Oh and yeah we talk Bama and LSU. A lot. Get excited as we get into the special teams, which offense is better prepared to attack these great defenses, how ready AJ McCarron is and more.



To listen to the show click here or subscribe to one of the methods listed below.

If you want the podcast you must subscribe to the Feedburner, but if you want to subscribe to the blog please use the RSS Feed. This is for iTunes to be able to archive the shows. You can also search for "In The Bleachers"on iTunes and subscribe to the podcast that way.

Blackberry users like your fearless leader can paste this link into the "Add Podcast Channel" option when you download the Blackberry Podcast App.

Got a question? Email it in to InTheBleachers @ GMAIL (dot) COM

Yes, we're on the Google+ so find "+Michael Felder" on there and we'll get you in the ITB Circle!

Hit us up on Twitter @InTheBleachers!

This week we get some good time action with friend of the program Luke Zimmermann on the show talking about this week's eight games to watch. Of course you know Luke from his work over the years at Eleven Warriors the Ohio State blog and now of Everyday Should Be Saturday fame. A Buckeye at heart we've got the big man on showing his range as we get real heavy into the games from around the nation.

Before we get into the show we talk Eleven Warriors Tailgate, a big even in Columbus this weekend where 100% of the proceeds go to the Stephanie Spielman foundation for breast cancer. Great cause.

Oddly enough even with the big games going on this weekend somehow November 5th finds a way to sneak into the conversation as Luke and I also drop some BCS thoughts.

November Fifth will come folks, but first, your week nine slate:

West Virginia-Rutgers
Georgia-Florida
Michigan State-Nebraska
Clemson-Georgia Tech
Stanford-Southern Cal
Baylor-Oklahoma State
Oklahoma-Kansas State
Wisconsin-Ohio State

This Big East game lost a little luster as both teams fell last Friday night but given the oddities of the league they're still very much in the running. The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party doesn't have quite the national title implications of recent history but this is still a big deal and Florida is in desperate need of a win Saturday. Michigan State takes on the Huskers in a game that will likely decide the Legends side of things in the Big Ten. Clemson is funny, we're all waiting on them to fall and Georgia Tech in Atlanta has folks jumping all over it thinking "this is the week."

Out west Stanford gets to prove how legit their defense is against a USC team that has weapons on offense. Baylor and Oklahoma State should be another Big XII score-a-thon. Oklahoma must rebound against Kansas State and old man infused Wildcats. Then we get to Wisconsin taking on Ohio State, a game that oddly enough Luke the Ohio State guy needs me to put a positive spin on. I see areas of opportunities for the Buckeyes against Wisconsin it is just a matter of if they can capitalize.



To listen to the show click here or subscribe to one of the methods listed below.

If you want the podcast you must subscribe to the Feedburner, but if you want to subscribe to the blog please use the RSS Feed. This is for iTunes to be able to archive the shows. You can also search for "In The Bleachers"on iTunes and subscribe to the podcast that way.

Blackberry users like your fearless leader can paste this link into the "Add Podcast Channel" option when you download the Blackberry Podcast App.

Got a question? Email it in to InTheBleachers @ GMAIL (dot) COM

Yes, we're on the Google+ so find "+Michael Felder" on there and we'll get you in the ITB Circle!

Hit us up on Twitter @InTheBleachers!

Apparently something called "Operation Basketball" took place this week for the ACC's basketball media days and while I cannot school you on what happened there I was lucky enough to head down to the Ritz Carlton here in Charlotte to talk a little college football. The guys from ESPN 99.9 and ESPN Triangle had me up to talk to them about the happenings of the ACC and around the nation. Adam Gold kicks it off by talking about the Heels and Clemson and where each team stands. Joe Ovies chimes in on the Heels lack of true progression on the defensive side of things before we really get into talking Clemson and the ACC.

Talk then turns to the ACC's big match up as the Yellow Jackets try to rebound against the Hurricanes in South Florida. The Canes have the pieces to be successful it becomes a matter of "if" not "can" in this ball game. If the Canes get jump out to a big lead the way they did against the Tar Heels look for Miami to slowly start their crawl towards a successful season after losing winnable games to Maryland, Kansas State and Virginia Tech.

OH and yes we've got your "All Russell Wilson Everything" talk. So folks that definitely happens.



If the widget doesn't work for you then click this awesome link to download the podcast. Of course follow us on twitter and leave all your thoughts and disagreeable conversation.

As we do during the season we kickoff with the Thursday night action recap. Last night was as woeful as it has been for Thursday night games as Arizona mollywopped UCLA 48-12 in coach Tim Kish's debut following the Mike Stoops firing. It was bad, really bad. UCLA was awful, they looked like one of the worst FBS teams that we've got a chance to watch this year. Rick Neuheisel will likely be getting his walking papers soon.

In far more fetch news we've got a special bonus podcast this week with Rob Harley on the show. Yes, Rob Harley long time friend of the program and co-host of "Hoot 'n Holler" the old classic show of the ITB line up. You should have heard Rob on ESPN3 where he is a color analyst (that word gets me every time) and make sure you check Harley out as he coaches defensive backs for Ohio Dominican. It is always good to get my northern safety brother on the program for a little chatter and we chop it up about Ohio State, All Russell Wilson Everything, the Big Ten and of course the entire college football world.



If the widget isn't getting it done for you click here to get the podcast into your earholes. Man, it is great to have Rob back on and he and I are already making plans to get together and talk X's and O's sometime in the very near future. You all win!

Now, into the fetch folks some more Otis, in honor of all the teams whining about BCS rankings:


This week we're gonna talk a little Russell Wilson as Saturday night looks to be another All Russell Wilson Everything affair and we're going to get into UCLA because, for my money, there is no more baffling program on the college landscape.

Trevor Turner from ESPN Williamsport up in Pennsylvania had be back on his show The Locker Room this week to talk a little football. Since it is Pennsylvania we get into the Nittany Lions and how good this Penn State team actually is now that they are ranked in the initial BCS Standings. The answer may surprise some folks, but not most people.

We also get into the overall BCS picture as Trevor and I discuss how Wisconsin can find a way into a championship game and what factors must fall into place for the Badgers to get into that coveted Top Two. Oklahoma-Oklahoma State and LSU-Alabama are shaping up to be de facto national semi-final games and there ain't nothing wrong with that.



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Of course you know you can drop your thoughts on the twitter machine