The Next Round

What former Alabama Crimson Tide Coach Nick Saban says are his biggest concerns for 2026 Alabama Football.

Which U.S. state has benefitted the most from the NIL era?

What is success for each SEC Contender?

The SEC Media rankings and the All-SEC Team should drop during our show today.

PLUS, LT's Trash presented by Bud Light!

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Nick Saban's concerns about Alabama

Is Auburn's defense being underrated?

LeBron James signing with the Philadelphia 76ers

40-in-40 countdown: #26 Houston

PLUS, our 4 Downs presented by Central Alabama Asphalt!

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New Kansas City Chiefs stadium renderings

Arkansas Head Coach Ryan Silverfield talks aura

Steve Sarkisian speaks at SEC Media Days

PLUS, Tyler's Viewing Menu presented by Michelson Laser Vision!

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Was the outrage over Jon Sumrall’s SEC Media Days podium joke completely overblown? And did Kalen DeBoer actually give the most Nick Saban-like answer possible when asked whether his Alabama tenure will be defined by winning a national championship?

Jim Dunaway joins Connor O’Gara for Episode 6 of The Connor O’Gara Show to break down the biggest stories and debates coming out of SEC Media Days in Tampa.

Connor and Jim discuss the reaction to Jon Sumrall’s podium comments, Ryan Silverfield’s response, the pressure on sports media personalities to manufacture outrage and which SEC players made the biggest impression in person—including Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown, Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia and Texas star Arch Manning.

The conversation also dives deep into Kalen DeBoer’s championship expectations at Alabama, Stephen A. Smith’s criticism of DeBoer, Nick Saban’s famous “process” mentality and why Alabama could be one of the most unpredictable teams in college football. Jim explains why the Crimson Tide could finish anywhere from 12-0 to 7-5 and why Alabama’s front seven remains such a major concern entering the 2026 season.

Plus, Connor and Jim discuss the SEC’s potential nine-game conference schedule, Greg Sankey’s College Football Playoff argument, whether a 9-3 SEC team would receive the benefit of the doubt and how many automatic playoff spots the conference deserves.

The episode closes with a conversation about perfect family vacations, Jim’s childhood trips to Dauphin Island, becoming a Disney family and Connor’s upcoming getaway to Door County, Wisconsin.

Like the video, share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe for more episodes of The Connor O’Gara Show and year-round college football coverage from The Next Round.

Topics Include:
🏈 Kalen DeBoer and Alabama expectations
🏈 Nick Saban’s process philosophy
🏈 Jon Sumrall’s SEC Media Days controversy
🏈 Ryan Silverfield’s podium response
🏈 Jim Dunaway on sports media outrage
🏈 Alabama’s 2026 ceiling and floor
🏈 SEC preseason predictions
🏈 Nine-game SEC schedule debate
🏈 College Football Playoff expansion
🏈 Byrum Brown, Arch Manning and Diego Pavia
🏈 Jim Dunaway’s perfect family vacation

#JimDunaway #ConnorOGara #KalenDeBoer #AlabamaFootball #RollTide #NickSaban #JonSumrall #SECFootball #SECMediaDays #CollegeFootball #CFBPlayoff #TheNextRound

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Former Alabama national championship quarterback Jake Coker joins Mick Gillespie on Last Call to break down the Crimson Tide’s quarterback battle, Austin Mack’s command of the offense and the biggest questions facing Alabama football heading into the new season.

What does it really mean when a quarterback is described as a “human playbook?” Coker explains why mastering an offense involves much more than memorizing plays, including helping teammates get properly aligned, understanding defensive looks and recognizing the small details that can determine whether a play succeeds.

Coker also shares unforgettable stories from his Alabama career, including the broken play against Auburn that ended with a touchdown pass to ArDarius Stewart—even as Nick Saban yelled for him to throw the ball away. He discusses the special pieces of Alabama football history he has preserved, including the game-winning ball against Tennessee and the football from the final snap of the Crimson Tide’s national championship victory.

The conversation also examines:

🏈 Austin Mack and Alabama’s quarterback competition
🏈 Why the offensive line may be the Crimson Tide’s biggest concern
🏈 Alabama’s efforts to rebuild its rushing attack
🏈 How the coaching staff is using the transfer portal to fill roster needs
🏈 Jake Coker’s favorite memories from playing for Nick Saban
🏈 The championship keepsakes Coker still owns

The episode closes on a more serious note as Mick and Jake remember Will Roberts, a courageous young member of the local community who passed away following a battle with a rare form of bone cancer. Their thoughts are with Will’s family and everyone who loved him.

👍 Like the video if you enjoy Alabama football conversations and behind-the-scenes Crimson Tide stories.

🔔 Subscribe to The Next Round for more Alabama football news, SEC analysis, college football interviews and new episodes of Last Call with Mick Gillespie and Jake Coker.

#AlabamaFootball #JakeCoker #NickSaban #AustinMack #RollTide #CrimsonTide #SECFootball #CollegeFootball #BamaFootball #TheNextRound

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