Why do you love college football? It's a simple question with a not so simple answer, but we asked it of you, our listeners, as well as some special guests. And you delivered. Sit back and enjoy an audio love letter to the game that fills us with delight, disappointment, thrills, and frustrations.Producer: Anthony Vito.Thanks to everyone who contributed, including our partners: www.nokiantyres.com/szdwww.homefieldapparel.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe
--------
1:52:07
--------
1:52:07
An American Identity Crisis
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comThe American Athletic Conference was by far the best non-power conference of the early College Football Playoff era. Its best teams were nationally relevant. Many programs were on the rise, and so were the league’s coaches, who went on to Power Five jobs and then got replaced by coaches who often did the same.Lately, things have not gone as well. The American lost its best teams to the Big 12, and the programs that backfilled those spots have yet to show anything. The hiring train of AAC coaches has slowed down, and the conference has moved backward while several non-power programs outside the league have ascended. The best program in the league, Memphis, is trying hard to get out.The league literally renamed itself last week, going away from “AAC” and opting to just be called “the American.” As the league literally redefines itself, Godfrey joins Alex and Richard for a discussion of how the American got here and where it might be going over the next few years.Producer: Anthony Vito
--------
29:39
--------
29:39
College Football Previews 2025: Conference USA
Richard and Alex preview Conference USA, as the league adds Delaware and Missouri State. In this episode:* Liberty remains the favorite, even with a downgrade at QB* Sam Houston is primed for regression after 10 wins and a coaching change* WKU goes back to a strategy that has worked time and again: portaling an entire offense from a lower-level program* UTEP might have a bit of juice under Scotty Walden* Jacksonville State slams the reset button after winning the league and seeing Rich Rodriguez return to West Virginia* FIU has … reason for optimism?* Missouri State is making an ambitious play by jumping to FBS, and we aren’t sure it will work out well—at least not in the win column* Delaware looks poised for a smoother transition* Kennesaw State will be much more interesting, but still not good* Middle Tennessee is hunting for reasons for optimism* Louisiana Tech’s coach looks to forestall what might be inevitable* New Mexico State makes changes after a turbulent offseasonProducer: Anthony Vito This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe
--------
1:08:39
--------
1:08:39
The Schemes That Will Define 2025, Feat. Coach Dan Casey
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comDan Casey, coach and founder of the Play Caller’s Club, joins Richard to discuss the Xs and Os trends that are percolating across college football ahead of the 2025 season. Weird alignments, formations into the boundary, running backs out of the backfield, and the use of two-QB systems so that teams don’t have to leave NIL dollars sitting on the bench. Plus, a defensive response led by the Michigan-Ravens tree and a comeback of a Tampa Buccaneers classic.This episode is for paid subscribers, with a free preview available to all. This is a great time to become a paid subscriber.Producer: Anthony Vito
--------
16:27
--------
16:27
Full Interview: Steve Baker on Miami University
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.splitzoneduo.comListen to Alex’s extended-cut interview with Miami University play-by-play announcer Steve Baker, for Split Zone Duo subscribers. Listen to the full “Dead Letters” episode about Miami and the Cradle of Coaches here.
An independent college football podcast that covers the whole sport, led by Richard Johnson and Alex Kirshner. Free episodes each week (twice per week in season), plus frequent subscriber episodes. Featuring co-host emeritus Steven Godfrey and friends. www.splitzoneduo.com
USA