Week three and we've got eight more games to discuss this week and helping us break them all down is a guy that I tune into every morning, Mike Maniscalco. Mike hosts the 6-9am radio show "The Insiders" with former NC State football player Mark Thomas for 620 The Buzz and ESPNTriangle. The gang up there including producers Josh Goodson and Shannon Penn were nice enough, or insane enough to have me in-studio to co-host with Mark over the summer and since I sat in Mike's chair for three awesome hours I figured it was only right to have one of my favorites on the show to talk a little college football.

Now that the niceties are out of the way here is the slate:

Utah-BYU
WVU-Maryland
Auburn-Clemson
Michigan State-Notre Dame
Tennessee-Florida
Ohio State-Miami
LSU-Mississippi State
Oklahoma-Florida State

The Holy War is up on the slate and comes with a classic anecdote about the 2004 game that saw me opt for Boston over Salt Lake City. Two new coaches in a Mountaineers-Terps game that is slowly becoming a rivalry to watch. Auburn hopes to correct their defensive woes while Clemson has so many issues they're truly a mystery in this home contest. Sparty, according to Mike, is just flat out better than Notre Dame but silly me has hitched his wagon to the Irish and will go down with this ship.

When the Vols travel down to Gainesville we'll get two Saban-ites squaring off in Derek Dooley and Will Muschamp. Both teams can use a win to prove they're for real so this will be a good test. In the battle of teams that experienced serious offseason controversy Miami gets a sort of 'second debut' for their suspended players and emotions will definitely run high against Ohio State.

LSU looks to keep the Bulldogs down in this SEC West match up and after Mississippi State's gut wrenching loss to Auburn where Mullen's team's head will be at could make this an ugly game. We've also got another doozy this week at Oklahoma makes the return trip to Florida State. Last year the Sooners won by 30 points and while Florida State sits just a few spots behind them in the rankings we'll get to see if the Seminoles, in year two of Jimbo Fisher and Mark Stoops, have closed that gap and if so have they closed it enough to win.



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!

It is Thursday folks and that can only mean one thing; another edition of the Non-BCS Breakdown starring the one and only Adam Nettina. Adam joins us courtesy of The Bird Dog and Go Mids, two of the premier Navy websites on the innanets and he's back with plenty to say about all the action around the ranks of the Non-BCS. From last week's show Adam was spot on with so many things but here's a run down of the highlights; Boise State upsetting UGA in the Spotlight Game, BYU and Houston coming up victorious, Hawaii outclassing Colorado and of course Bo Levi Mitchell putting on a hell of a performance, coming just a jump ball short of upsetting the Washington Huskies. Oh, and of course Adam's Utah State Aggies nearly putting that game away from Auburn.

Here are our Off the Radar Games for week two as San Diego State takes on a reeling Army squad, TCU looks to rebound against Air Force, Washington gets another tough test in a Hawaii team that did surprisingly well on the ground. The biggest game off your radar though should be Boston College taking on UCF, in Orlando. For our Player of the Week Adam picks opposite Navy as their opponent Western Kentucky gets their running back Bobby Rainey spotlighted this week as a big performer.

For our BCS Busters ranks we get into Houston who has a path to success, NIU who was impressive to kick off the year, Southern Miss with a schedule set up to succeed plus a pair of Mountain West teams. TCU, with one loss makes the list because they actually have a shot to play spoiler to Boise State's attempt to Bust the BCS. Lastly we get to the Spotlight Game as the BYU Cougars take on the Texas Longhorns. BYU won ugly in Oxford, Mississippi but they did win. Texas looked good but not great against Rice as they came away with the win. This week, for both teams, is about becoming consistent.



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!

Got a special bonus episode of the ITB Podcast here for you folks, please take note of the bonus sound effect that gets so awesome in there. We've got Russ Mitchell from the great Scout network site College Football News on to talk about all sorts of college football happenings. Be sure you go check out the new article by Russ concerning the "Last Days of Independence" as the conference movement starts to come to a head. There's plenty more to this chat as we kick it off rehashing the weekends events starting with the Dawgs disappointing defeat at the hands of the Boise State Broncos.

Before the Broncos fans get into a tizzy, losing to Boise State wasn't the problem, it was the way Georgia looked as a team as they lost. We also get into the LSU-Oregon game as the Ducks got pushed around up front by the Bayou Bengals. Russ and I also slide a little Bama discussion in their as the Tide's rushing effort was the glaring issue during their loss to Kent State.

Talking independence is a big deal as Notre Dame and BYU sit in the "indie lane" with BCS hopes but Russ talks about why the push towards Super Conferences might force teams to make a decision where "making their own money" is in direct opposition to being included in the post season. Stratification in football comes up as the "have nots" competing with the ultimate "haves" has, it seems, reached critical mass.

Finally we talk some Oklahoma at Florida State, a game we're all excited about, to end the show. Russ has got strong convictions with regards to OU's superiority and the chatter that ensues is definitely a great listen.



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!

The second installment of ITB's Slate of Eight is here for your enjoyment folks and before we get into the action we'll remind you that the ITB Pick'em is going strong and if you're not in the game yet it is not too late to join the fun. I currently sit in 3rd with a 6-2 mark after last week while The TALLY FINALLY and brutus are both tied for first with TTF missing on TCU and brutus picking Oregon to tie at 7-1 for the week. On the podcast we've got Aaron Torres joining us from Aaron Torres Sports to talk some football. Hopefully you'll also recognize AT from The Crystal Ball Run where we drop college football knowledge like whoa.

Here's your line up to The Slate this week:

Arizona-Oklahoma State
Mississippi State-Auburn
Alabama-Penn State
Utah-USC
BYU-Texas
Notre Dame-Michigan
Missouri-Arizona State
South Carolina-Georgia

Big week this week in college football as plenty of teams have some major league contests lined up. Oklahoma State looks to limit turnovers as Mike Stoops brings Arizona to Stillwater for a high flying show. Auburn has to rebound from their poor showing against Utah State but Mississippi State looks to force the run down Auburn's throat so it will be an interesting match up on The Plains. Bama looks to correct their quarterback issues as Penn State continues to reclaim their spot among the nations top programs. Southern Cal is fighting with a skeleton crew and 2-point conversion talk aside their issue is durability and this first Pac-12 tilt will be the first of many a taxing affair.

The Cougars won ugly but they won, Texas' defense was better than a year ago but they still have a ways to go. Notre Dame lost ugly but they moved the football, they have to cut out the turnovers if they want to win this evening game against the Wolverines. In Mizzou-Arizona State you've got a Sun Devil's team that finally seems to be coming together facing a Mizzou team with more questions in week two than they had to start the season.

Finally the Dawgs and the Cocks. This is a big time contest for many reasons; first conference game in the SEC for each team, a chance to wrestle hold of the East, yet that isn't the talk of the game. Sakerlina's sloppy, fumble happy play against an ECU team they should have dominated isn't the talk of the game either. This game is a massive spotlight on Mark Richt and UGA. Where do the Dawgs stand mentally, is Richt the man to lead them to Atlanta and can this blogger's steadfast defense of Richt continue? We'll find out Saturday if the Dawgs are capable of playing with the sort of fortitude folks expect out of the red and black.



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!

It's Thursday and that means another installment of the Non-BCS Breakdown with our special guest Adam Nettina folks! We previewed some of the non-BCS teams and players to watch a week ago and now we're on to the games to talk some actual football with Adam and that means your one stop non-BCS shop is up and running. Here is where you'll get the skinny on who to keep an eye on from outside the ranks of the automatic qualifiers.

We'll kick you off with the Off the Radar Games that you need to be watching. This week there are a couple of possible "upsets" as Montana travels out of the FCS ranks to take on Tennessee, Colorado flies way out to Hawaii and SMU auditions for the Big XII by taking on Texas A&M. In our Player to Watch portion we talk about a quarterback at Eastern Washington with designs to upset the Washington Huskies.

Each week Adam will also give you some notable BCS Busters that can shake things up for the guys all fighting for the big BCS Bowls. BYU, TCU, Houston, Southern Miss fill these ranks as they have their eyes set on that non-AQ bid. Joining our BCS Busters ranks we get to everyone's darling, Boise State in our Spotlight Game of the Week. The Broncos head to the Georgia Dome to take on the Dawgs of UGA and this game should be an interesting so be sure to get Adam's take in addition to Dawgs fan CFBZ that we had on earlier this week!



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!

The ITB Slate of Eight is back for year two folks and to kickoff the year's discussion we've got Kevin aka CFBZ on the show to start out. Kevin, from College Football Zealots is a Dawgs fan so you know that game is on the Slate, along with 7 others that should pique your interest. Before we reveal the line up an adendum to the podcast, a disclaimer if you will: During the recording of this podcast the Miami suspensions had not yet been handed down. That said, I'll be a good soldier and stick to the Miami selection.

Now that we've got that out of the way, here's your Slate of Eight: Week One.

Wisconsin-UNLV
SMU-Texas A&M
Miami-Maryland
BYU-Ole Miss
TCU-Baylor
South Florida-Notre Dame
Boise St-Georgia
Oregon-LSU

Obviously we're kicking it off with the first game of the year as the Badgers take on the Rebels and we get our first glimpse of "All Russell Wilson Everything" for the year. Kyle Padron and June Jones look to put a scare into Texas A&M in a sort of "audition" game as they look to replace the Aggies in the Big XII. We've mentioned the suspensions and that is just a start as both teams debut a head coach and we get to see the Randy Edsall-Danny O'Brien-Gary Crowton hive mind at work.

The BYU Cougs travel down into Dixie but unlike most trips outsiders make to the SEC this one should win fruitful as a subpar Ole Miss squad is looking for answers. In TCU-Baylor we've got a team hoping to get some quality play out of their new quarterback while the Bears hope their QB Robert Griffin III can perform head and shoulders better than he did a season ago. With South Florida and Notre Dame we get a chance to see the Irish's attitude and how Brian Kelly handles a team when they have expectations.

Our final two games are the big ones. The Dawgs have a tough task ahead of them and nationally Richt's guys are largely expected to lose. Brandon Boykins added some fuel to the fire with his tweet over the weekend but when the game goes live we'll see how both sides respond Saturday night. For Oregon-LSU you've got off the field controversy, suspensions and national title hopes up in the air.


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!

Another Fetch Friday and another week of scandal, speculation and passing the time in the offseason.

But, amidst all the rumors and "what ifs" we have arrived at the Final Fetch Friday of the footballlessness. That's right, a week from today we'll be a full Thursday slate of games deep and gearing up for a weekend filled with football. Got another primer podcast here, a short listen from a radio spot I did this past week for Go Mile High's show "Wired Down" so check it out. We talk a little Miami mess, Super Conferences, Oklahoma and of course Boise State and TCU. If the embedded player doesn't tickle your fancy click it here to get the podcast.



So with plenty to discuss to wrap up the week let's get into the Fetch!


The biggest occurrences this week have been of the "off the field" variety and not in the "Boats 'n Hoes" way people. No, nothing nearly as epic has happened in the world of college football this week, le sigh. But there are some major moves shaking the foundation of a few teams' seasons and we'll kick it off with Russell Shepard. The wide receiver for the Bayou Bengals was ruled ineligible by LSU because he "conferred" with a teammate prior to being questioned by the NCAA.

ITB's Non-BCS breakdown is our new addition to the in-season weeklies that we'll be starter here as the 2011 campaign kicks into full swing. Along for the ride as our guide through all things Non-BCS? Long time friend of the program Adam Nettina folks. He'll be joining us every week to talk about the week that was, the week that is and what we need to be watching for on the non-BCS front. Drop Adam a line on twitter and get ready as we continue to cover down the college football world.

In the kickoff episode we take a look at some of the conference shake ups that were finalized this offseason and take a preview look at the teams that everyone should have their eyes on from the Pacific to the Atlantic Coast. Hawaii, Southern Miss, Central Florida and everyone in between.

We also get into the Service Academies, some of Adam's bread and butter. Air Force in the MWC has a chance to shake some things up but a date in Boise hurts their chances of pulling that big upset. Army, with Rich Ellerson at the helm will remain in that 5-7 win wheelhouse but nothing is guaranteed for the Black Knights. With Navy we get Kriss Proctor taking over for Ricky Dobbs and while he isn't quite the dynamic player the Midshipmen are in good, capable hands.

Adam hits on some players to watch from around the non-BCS ranks as we wrap up the show. Oh, and yes, we hit on Boise State and TCU because no discussion of the non-AQ teams is complete without talking about the teams most likely to be BCS Busters. Boise State inspires confidence in what they return while TCU losing Andy Dalton leaves a big question mark at the quarterback spot.



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!

Guess who is back folks; Bud Elliott from the premier Florida State website, Tomahawk Nation. He's our guy when it comes to the Noles folks and he doesn't disappoint this go 'round as we attack Florida State and their 2011 outlook. As is always the case when we have Bud on the show there is plenty of information covered and you'll see real quick why he is one of our favorite guests on the show. Where would we start if not for The U and get a Florida State take on the situation including what this means for Florida, Alabama and Louisville; teams that now employ coaches implicated in the Miami scandal. After we handle the quick Miami issue we get down to business.

That means talking about fall camp which Jimbo Fisher has tried his damnedest to keep under wraps from all outside folks. Bud and I discuss why big plays won't win you a safety job when missed assignments are the big deal breakers and we look at what sort of growth we can expect in Tallahassee in year two of the Stoops era.

We break down that Florida State schedule further than just the Oklahoma game as Bud points out the Noles will face six pseudo-spread teams in a row followed by six pseudo-pro style teams to finish the season. Talk then turns to some of the national scene where we take the time to hit on the ITB hot button of the year; Russell Wilson. Bud wraps us up with his 3 Non-FSU Things He's Looking Forward To In 2011.



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!

Folks the Miami bomb dropped less than 24 hours ago and we've got you all sort of covered here at In The Bleachers. We kicked off your morning with a look at the possible violations and gave our take on the situation. Now we're filling up your lunch time with this podcast featuring friend of the program Bomani Jones. Bomani, host of The Morning Jones on Sirius Satellite Radio and known for his work with ESPN on Around the Horn and Outside The Lines drops by to really get into this Miami Hurricanes situation.

We kick off by praising Charles Robinson's work on this piece before we get into the nuts and bolts of the article starting with Nevin Shapiro himself. The guy is a slimeball but, much like Jose Canseco, appears to be telling the truth and Robinson's 100+ hours of interviews and 20,000+ documents appear to back that belief. Talk hits on extra benefits in South Beach and while the "glamorous life" might be coloring people's opinions on the situation the fact is these are the sort of extra benefits that you get when you're in an upscale place. Miami, Florida isn't Norman, Oklahoma people.

With the coaches involved we take some time to hit on that angle and of course Paul Dee gets his comeupance. Bo and I get off the Miami train for a bit to talk a little Texas A&M, being the Texas guy that he is he makes it clear even escaping to the SEC won't keep the Aggies from being under the Longhorn's thumb. Show wraps up with a little Russell Wilson talk, Big Ten, get ready for the kid.



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!