If you did not know, I love the NFL Draft Combine. I watch as much of it as I can, I really just enjoy the hell out of the entire several day process. I think it's a great opportunity for some of the game's best to put their skills on display and I think it's a great tool to use in evaluation of some of the little things in the process.

Certainly, there are folks who place far too much emphasis on the draft. While others, apparently deem the combine to be 100% meaningless. I think, much like with star rankings, the truth lies somewhere in the middle, for sure.

Enjoy this quick look at the combine. How to use it and where it helps out.



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Last night, I got the chance to hop on The Sports Syndicate, part of the National Talk-Radio Network. The hosts, Sully and Mook, were gracious and after a quick Grammy's blurb, we hit the ground running. 

Sidenote, I definitely thought that Estelle in the print, Kelly Rowland with the aggressive cutouts, Carrie Underwood's red carpet dress and were the best dressed. Taylor Swift's dress was great but at some point I'd like to see her stretch out of the comfort zone, her style team has that "look" mastered. Timberlake, Trey Songz and Adam Levine with tux winners.

We hit on the Alex Collins drama and talk about how mothers/family can play a big role in recruiting. Then we talk a little Ole Miss, where I give reasons why some of the recruits they landed were no-brainers. Toss in some Notre Dame recruiting, and then I catch my breath.

Then we go all ACC on everyone: Virginia Tech, Virginia, North Carolina and North Carolina State plus a side of Maryland. 

We wrap up talking a little Texas A&M, early enrollees being beneficial and then I give my answer to the "Top Class" and "Favorite Class That's Not Alabama" questions.



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Today's show sees one of our favorite guests, Allen Kenney, join us on the podcast. Y'all ought to know Kenney from his great Oklahoma site, Blatant Homerism, or from the Bloguin family's own Crystal Ball Run. He does some great work, including his most recent podcast with John Infante talking the NCAA and Miami situation.

Allen and I kick things off with Oklahoma. The team that won ten games is also the same team that got thrashed by former conference mates, the Texas A&M Aggies. We kick around some thoughts on Landry Jones; a guy most people do not realize is the third all-time leading passer in FBS history.

Then we get to the Big 12 and how that conference is going to hold it together. You know, Grant of Rights, ACC or Pac-12 alliance and all that jazz. Ground is a little shaky but who knows where the chips will fall when it is all said and done.

Finally, we get to the NCAA. Kenney recaps his discussion with John Infante and then we talk about how the players can get some cash in their pockets. Oddly enough, the podcast was taped prior to ESPN breaking the news that athletes are now allowed to pursue TV money in the landmark O'Bannon case.



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. You can also find us on Stitcher Radio now!!

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It's Friday and for your listening ears we've got a podcast with longtime friend of the program, the Subway Domer. Yes, we delve into the world of Manti Te'o, albeit not very deep. There are pressing issues and better things to talk about so we sort of power through that topic.

We settle down on the BCS Championship Game for a little while. I rehash some of my thoughts on where Notre Dame was remarkably disappointing in Sunlife. The Subway Domer chimes in with his thoughts on why the team did not perform too well and how he underestimated both the layover and Alabama going in.

Then we talk future of the program. First we look at the returning players. I talk about how much I hate Notre Dame for how difficult they make looking up real seniors vs 5th year seniors. Later talk turns to recruiting, which surprisingly, I actually know a fair amount about these days. Scary, right?

Wrap up on tweeting recruits and how you know, you shouldn't do it.


 

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. You can also find us on Stitcher Radio now!!

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

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Folks, my apologies for the long hiatus. Work coupled with not reading instructions got in the way. I'm back with some new found dedication and I'm already scheduling shows for this year. Looking forward to it, there are plenty of great things to look back on and ahead to.

We kick it off with the hottest of hot topics here as I fly solo. Talking about the Manti Te'o-Catfish fiasco. Quite honestly, I don't care, but the podcast goes into what I do care about in all of this mess.

I also get into Chip Kelly and why I'm very excited to see the guy get things going.

Then we wrap up with the new NCAA deregulation policy. Talk about the difference between "targeting kids in recruiting" and "offering kids in recruiting" as it relates to the new freedom. There is something real to discuss here and I'll get into why I don't expect it to be the free for all that many people do.
 

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. You can also find us on Stitcher Radio now!!

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

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After a weekend that saw me head up to Chapel Hill for homecoming we're back on track for the Slate of Eight folks. Talking all of your big games this weekend with the gumption that you expect out of the kid. We talk a little BCS Bowl picture, the difference between being explosive and efficient, plus why coaches can't hit people and a little more.

Rutgers-Cincinnati
Duke-Georgia Tech
Texas Tech-Oklahoma State
Ole Miss-LSU
Ohio State-Wisconsin
Oklahoma-West Virginia
USC-UCLA
Stanford-Oregon

The Big East is still up for grabs and it seems like we're definitely on the verge of an interesting finish. While the conference lost their Top Ten unbeaten team, the league is still definitely worth following folks. Duke makes another appearance on the Slate and it's because the Georgia Tech game is a battle for them to stay in contention for the ACC Coastal. Duke's going to struggle to stop the Jackets but keep an eye on Atlanta.

Texas Tech can capitalize on a bad Oklahoma State quarterbacking situation. Ole Miss is a team that has no bitch in them, but they just aren't good enough to beat LSU. Ohio State is going to test the soft edges of Wisconsin's defense. Oklahoma playing West Virginia. You remember West Virginia? Do you? Remember? Oklahoma tries to avoid being upset by a middling West Virginia team that people thought were amazing world champions for beating terrible Baylor.

Our fun talk is to end the show. The Pac-12 has UCLA, a team I love, battling USC for the right to the Pac-12 South Crown. UCLA's finally having fun playing football, thanks to Jim Mora and now he's going to try and beat up on Lane Kiffin's bunch. Up in the North, Oregon looks to outscore Stanford as they have the last two seasons.


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. You can also find us on Stitcher Radio now!!

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We've got another Slate of Eight and it's the first weekend of the greatest month of the year. Halloween was last night and now we're speed racing to the end of the season, starting with a big weekend. I'm flying it solo again, and to be honest I like it because I get a chance to ramble on about football and let the passion come through. There's a lot of topics discussed here, including one that's near and dear to my heart.

Here's the Slate:

Arizona-UCLA
Texas A&M-Mississippi State
Clemson-Duke
Texas-Texas Tech
Arizona State-Oregon State
Oklahoma State-Kansas State
Oregon-USC
Alabama-LSU

We kick it off out west where Arizona is taking on UCLA. Of course I pat myself on the back about the Bruins turn around and point out that they might be the Pac-12 South Champs if they can keep finding ways to win. More importantly, with Arizona playing, we get a chance to talk about concussions. Yes, I get pretty angry because I realized just how realistic and accessible that real time impact monitoring could be, if only the NCAA or conferences or schools cared to do it. 

After that we talk Aggies and Bulldogs quickly. Hit on Clemson taking on Duke. Explain the difference between a guy looking healthy and a guy beating a bad team because apparently idiots can't tell the difference. We also talk about how much I dislike Texas now after the terrible way they play football. Then we talk Mike Riley as the coach of the year as he hosts Arizona State. Oklahoma State and their new found run game has a good shot at Kansas State but can they pull it out?

Then we get to the "games of the year" from preseason, that sort of aren't really games of the year anymore. USC looks like their defense couldn't play dead in a cowboy movie. LSU has an anemic passing game that has so many flaws it is basically the worst passing game out there. Tough to imagine both teams, or either team honestly, pulling off the upset. Even though they are both playing at home. Enjoy.


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. You can also find us on Stitcher Radio now!!

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

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It's another week and that means the Slate of Eight is here to get you all sorts of ready for the weekend. Before we get into this week's action, here are some programming notes. For this weekend's biggest game I've got The Subway Domer on the podcast to talk Notre Dame and Oklahoma. I also got a shot to talk to Allen Kenney on the CBR Podcast about some of this week's action so check that out. Oh and yes, I do radio in South Bend every now and then and you guys should check that out here and the second portion is here.

Yeah, I'm working all over the world. Next time I do radio in Canada, I'll let you know. Here's the Slate:

UCLA-Arizona State
Texas A&M-Auburn
Tennessee-South Carolina
Cincinnati-Louisville
Mississippi State-Alabama
Texas Tech-Kansas State
Florida-Georgia
Notre Dame-Oklahoma

I love patting myself on the back so anytime UCLA does something right I'm going to do that. Where Auburn and the Tennessee games are concerned those are mere opportunities to talk about what's wrong with each team and the somewhat inevitable coaching searches they're about to embark upon. That means we talk Gruden and then hit on changing coordinators and what that does to a team.

I hype up Teddy Bridgewater, then talk a little LaDarius Perkins and why Alabama is going to be in for a closer game that a lot of folks expect. Collin "I refuse to call him Optimus" Klein should be the different maker in the Big 12 showdown. Then we get to the Cocktail party. That means talking about Shawn Williams' comments, which I'm not a fan of doing publicly. That said, it won't really matter in this game as the Dawgs have done nothing to make me think they're super excited about being in a fistfight for 60 minutes.

Wrapping up on Notre Dame and Oklahoma and there is plenty to discuss there. Enjoy.


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. You can also find us on Stitcher Radio now!!

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We double dip the podcast today folks and we're kicking your morning off with this Notre Dame preview. The Fighting Irish are undefeated and headed out to Norman to take on the eighth ranked Sooners. So, of course, we have longtime friend of the program, The Subway Domer, on the show. Make sure you check him out over at Subway Domer.

This is a big game and we waste no time on talking about the old stuff because it doesn't matter. This is a chance for the Irish to show themselves on the big stage against an opponent people respect. The big question this game is how the Irish secondary handles Oklahoma's proven and advanced passing attack.

We talk plenty of OU vs ND and get into how Everett Golson should be used in this ball game given his recent injury history and the Sooners being susceptible to the quarterback run threat. We also hit on Oklahoma where I give some praise to Mike Stoops and the job he's done resurrecting the back four of the Crimson and Cream.

Ultimately we give you what you need this podcast. Enjoy it folks!


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. You can also find us on Stitcher Radio now!!

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!

We've got a solo edition of the podcast because I had a lot of football things to discuss and I didn't want to tire a guest out with my long winded explanations. Enjoy this one folks because it was fun. There are clearly games to be covered but here's a quick look at what general topics are also discussed in depth; bend but don't break defense, how greedy college football offensive coordinators are, how inconsistent college players are in general, how pride doesn't make you taller or faster and why all one-dimensional teams are not to be dismissed.

So, here's the Slate folks:

Virginia Tech - Clemson
Nebraska - Northwestern
Oregon - Arizona State
Florida State - Miami
Michigan - Michigan State
LSU - Texas A&M
Kansas State - West Virginia
South Carolina - Florida

Clemson should put the work to the Hokies. Nebraska is every bit as not good on defense or at quarterback as they have been the last few years. Oregon-Arizona State is a lot closer in theory than I expect it to be in practice. The same can be said for Florida State and Miami. Michigan is a team that irks me so I go with Sparty and explain why. Plus I talk William Gholston here and why Jerel Worthy has 0 to do with my feelings on him.

Then I get into LSU and how they should manhandle Johnny Football. Plus Kansas State and the Mountaineers get after it and I think we might just see the Fighting Holgorsen's lose their second game of 2012. Then we get to Sakerlina and Florida; can the Gamecocks stand up to the fist fight that is Florida, a week after they got pushed around by LSU?


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. You can also find us on Stitcher Radio now!!

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!