Inside The Pylon: A Midwest College Football Podcast

Inside The Pylon: A Midwest College Football Podcast

por Ryan Satkowiak

Fútbol americano

ITP's Fall Six-Pack: Nebraska Cornhuskers

Ryan and Clinton welcome Redcast Rob back to the show, to help them break down the Nebraska Cornhuskers in year four of the Matt Rhule era. Year three was supposed to be the breakthrough year, the "year-three Matt Rhule jump." Instead, a 5-1 start saw another 7-6 finish. Ballyhooed QB and favorite son Dylan Raiola got hurt, and subsequently transferred to back up Dante Moore at Oregon, and Rhule ended up with a sizable contract extension to ward off interest, real or perceived, from Penn State. With the flux surrounding the program, where are fans's heads at heading into 2026? Change does bring excitement, however. Anthony Colandrea transfers in from UNLV at QB, having rehabilitated his career under Dan Mullen. He battles pseudo-incumbent TJ Lateef, who showed flashes of promise replacing the injured Raiola a season ago. However, start running back Emmett Johnson departs of the NFL, and his 1,451 rush yards out the door with him. Who can step up in the backfield to compensate for that lost production? On defense, Rob Aurich enters the program at defensive coordinator following an exceptional season calling San Diego State's defense in 2025. This Nebraska unit was great defending the pass a season ago, but often struggled against the run. What can we expect from this Aurich-led unit? Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. We are back into fall preview season. Episodes will be live on Youtube throughout the week as schedule permits, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on our fall preview episode schedule, to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show. Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform to get notified as soon as a new episode drops so you never miss a show. LINKS: Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

ITP's Fall Six-Pack: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Ryan and Clinton welcome Jack Soble from Blue & Gold Illustrated back to the show, to help them break down the Notre Dame in a pivotal season for Marcus Freeman's program. Less than a year removed from a controversial playoff snub, the Irish are a preseason favorite to not only return to the playoff, but to win the whole thing. This case is bolstered by return QB CJ Carr, a preseason Heisman favorite in his own right. However he will have to pilot an offense that loses from its backfield 2025 Heisman finalist Jeremiyah Love, and first-round pick Jadarian Price to the NFL. After running secondary to an explosive run game in 2025, does Carr and his inexperienced conglomerate of pass catchers have the goods to lead the Irish offense in 2026? The 2025 Chris Ash era started off with a massive thud on defense and arguably kept the Irish out of the playoff, with poor performances against Miami and Texas A&M leading to an 0-2 start to last season. That should not be the case this season, with the Irish defense returning over 16 thousand snaps played by its defense, combined between returning players and transfer portal adds. That's a 40% increase from last season's already experienced defense. The secondary might be the best in the country. However, can the talented but green defensive line step up to make the secondary's job easier? Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. We are back into fall preview season. Episodes will be live on Youtube throughout the week as schedule permits, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on our fall preview episode schedule, to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show. Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform to get notified as soon as a new episode drops so you never miss a show. LINKS: Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

ITP's Fall Six-Pack: UCLA Bruins

Ryan and Clinton welcome Mike Regalado, from Bruin 247 and the What's Bruin Show, back to the show, to help them break down the UCLA Bruins in year one of a new regime. Bob Chesney takes over as head coach for the Bruins, following a 16-game run for previous head coach DeShaun Foster which ended after four games in 2025 and a 5-11 overall record. Chesney, meanwhile, is fresh off a playoff appearance with James Madison, and a 21-6 record in two seasons with the Dukes. He succeeded Curt Cignetti and JMU, and his ascent through the ranks has drawn comparisons to the now-national-title-winning coach, though some key differences exist between the two coaches' ascent. Cignetti comps, however, are likely to continue. Are these fair? And how has Chesney acclimated to his new program and life in Southern California? He has a key weapon at QB, with Nico Iamaleava returning for a second season following a late-spring transfer to the Bruins in 2025. His statistical profile didn't live up to his five-star billing, though he didn't exactly have much help last season. How has be been meshing with Chesney and new OC Dean Kennedy, who follows Chesney from JMU and had great success with mobile QB Alonza Barnett last season? Defensively, the Bruins struggled to create havoc in 2025, with only 10 sacks and 40 TFLs for the season. Colin Hitschler likewise follows from JMU and he brings several of his defensive stalwarts from the Dukes' Sun Belt-winnings squad with him. What are we expecting the scheme to look like, and do the Bruins have enough mass on the defensive line to hold up against Big Ten rushing attacks? Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. We are back into fall preview season. Episodes will be live on Youtube throughout the week as schedule permits, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on our fall preview episode schedule, to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show. Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform to get notified as soon as a new episode drops so you never miss a show. LINKS: Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

ITP's Fall Six-Pack: Washington Huskies

Ryan and Clinton welcome Roman Tomashoff back to the show, to help them break down the Washington Huskies. It was an offseason of brief tumult for Jedd Fisch's program. QB Demond Williams attempt to flirt with the transfer portal was thwarted by contracts. Reported updates make the offseason drama seem like water under the bridge ... is this accurate? And how has the QB won back the trust of his teammates? He leads a team that will be missing several top weapon from last year's team, with Denzel Boston and Jonah Coleman off to the NFL; and Adam Mohammad and Raiden Vines-Bright both leaving through the portal. The RB position seems most perilous, with several members of the room missing portions of spring with injury. Who should be be looking out for in this room? And who can we expect to see step up, outside of Decker de Graaf and Dezmun Roebuck, at pass catcher? The Huskies defense was very good last season under new DC Ryan Walters, finishing 11th nationally in rush D and 15th in scoring D. Where can this defense hold steady, and improve the most, to take another leap in 2026? Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. We are back into fall preview season. Episodes will be live on Youtube throughout the week as schedule permits, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on our fall preview episode schedule, to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show. Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform to get notified as soon as a new episode drops so you never miss a show. LINKS: Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

ITP's Fall Six-Pack: Penn State Nittany Lions

Ryan and Clinton welcome Matt Flip from the Roar Lions Roar Blog back to the show, to help them break down the Penn State Nittany Lions heading into a new era. After a season that failed to live up to any of the preseason expectations, out is James Franklin and in comes Matt Campbell, and with him a host of former Iowa State Cyclones. What can we expect from this squad, which will feature a manageable schedule, as well as Campbell working with a new defensive coordinator for the first time since his Toledo tenure. Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. We are back into fall preview season. Episodes will be live on Youtube throughout the week as schedule permits, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on our fall preview episode schedule, to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show. Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform to get notified as soon as a new episode drops so you never miss a show. LINKS: Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

ITP's Fall Six-Pack: Minnesota Golden Gophers

Ryan and Clinton continue rolling through fall previews, tonight taking on the Minnesota Golden Gophers. To help the guys, Ryan Burns from Gophers Illustrated on the 247 network joins the show. In a conference of prominent freshmen QBs in 2025, Minnesota's Drake Lindsey flew under the radar nationally -- with nearly 2400 passing yards, 18 TDs and only 6 INTs. However, his 5.9 yards per attempt was 125th nationally, and Minnesota's yards per play overall was 120th nationally. Part of the reason for that was a dearth of injuries to the Gophers backfield. Star RB Darius Taylor was in and out of the lineup, while his backup AJ Turner missed nearly the entire season. Can the Gophers' offense improve simply by staying healthy (and is Taylor capable of staying healthy?), or will other adjustments be needed as well? Defensively, Minnesota boasts what should be one of the most fearsome pass rushes in the nation. Anthony Smith's 12.5 sacks led the Big Ten a year ago, and he is within spitting distance of the program's all-time sack mark. Now-sophomore Carter Menz had 6.5 sacks in only nine games played. Cal portal import TJ Bush had 5.5 himself in 2025. Maverick Baranowski is an all-conference caliber linebacker. CB John Nestor led the Big Ten in interceptions a season ago. Safety Kerry Brown is one of the best returning players at his position in the conference. How far can this defense carry the Gophers against a schedule that has its challenges, but misses both Ohio State and Oregon? Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. We are back into fall preview season. Episodes will be live on Youtube throughout the week as schedule permits, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on our fall preview episode schedule, to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show. Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform to get notified as soon as a new episode drops so you never miss a show. LINKS: Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

ITP's Fall Six-Pack: Maryland Terrapins

Ryan and Clinton continue their tour through the midwest, tonight breaking down the Maryland Terrapins. To do so, Jeff Erman from Inside MD Sports joins the show to help the guys dig into Mike Locksley's squad. The Terps head coach found himself on a fair share of hot seat lists entering last season. A 4-8 campaign that ended with eight consecutive losses certainly did not quell the noise nationally. However, a talented group of now-sophomores certainly gives this fanbase a lot to be excited about in 2026, led by QB Malik Washington. Washington was asked to carry the bulk of the load offensive last season and he held up well. His 473 pass attempts tied for seventh nationally. A big reason for the over-reliance on Washington was another paltry season from the run game. In comes offensive coordinator Clint Trickett from Jacksonville State, who led the 5th-best run offense in the nation a year ago. How will Maryland be able to marry last year's pass-heavy attack, with Trickett's run-heavy philosophy. On defense last season the Terps allowed at least 34 points five times in an eight-game losing streak to close the season. However, they have one of the better young edge rushing duos in the country with sophomores Sidney Stewart and Zahir Mathis. They add five-star freshman Zion Elee to that mix. How good can this pass rush be, and where does Maryland need to improve most to become a more well-rounded unit in 2026? Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. We are back into fall preview season. Episodes will be live on Youtube throughout the week as schedule permits, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on our fall preview episode schedule, to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show. Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform to get notified as soon as a new episode drops so you never miss a show. LINKS: Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

ITP's Fall Six Pack: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Ryan and Clinton continue their deep dive into Big Ten previews, tonight discussing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. To help the guys, Richie O'Leary from Rutgers On3 joins the show. Greg Schiano has now won three or fewer Big Ten games in five of his six seasons back at Rutgers. Despite a breakout performance from RB Antwan Raymond and the passing attack in 2025, the Knights were 2-7 in conference play. Now QB Athan Kaliakmanis departs. Is there pressure on Schiano in 2026 to get this team back to bowl eligibility? Rutgers brought in Boston College (and former Bama) QB Dylan Lonergan to compete with returning AJ Surace for the starting job. Is there a preconceived lean on this QB competition, and what does each guy bring to the table? Defensively, Rutgers was not good in 2025. They once again went to the portal for experienced G6 edge rushers, after a failed experiment in this realm in 2025. Will it yield different results in 2026? Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. We are back into fall preview season. Episodes will be live on Youtube throughout the week as schedule permits, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on our fall preview episode schedule, to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show. Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform to get notified as soon as a new episode drops so you never miss a show. LINKS: Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

ITP's Fall Six Pack: Purdue Boilermakers

The guys continue to roll through fall previews. Tonight Ryan and Clinton are breaking down the Purdue Boilermakers, and Jordan Jones from the Boilers and Beyond re-joins the show to help them do so. Year one under Barry Odom did not look too differently on the record sheet than the final season under Ryan Walters did. But he undertook a massive rebuild, even by college football portal era circa 2026 standards. But with rival Indiana's surge to the top of the college football world, as well as Notre Dame's continued staying power, does this proximity-to-success give a sense of angst to a fanbase that has a proud football tradition? On the field, Ryan Brown returns for his third season as starting QB. He took a nice step forward last season, though turnovers were a bit of an issue, and helped Purdue's offense modestly improve from 125th in total offense in 2024, to 102nd last season. What can we expect from Browne in 2026, and how much will that depend on a quartet of WR transfers -- led by Iowa State's Xavier Townsend -- establishing themselves as productive options? On defense, Keven Kane returns as DC, having spent 2025 as Minnesota's outside LB/nickels coach after a two-year stint as the Boilermakers' DC in 2023-24 under Walters. He helped guide a Gophers' unit last season that finished second in the Big Ten in tackles for a loss and 27th nationally in rush defense. What can we expect his scheme to look like? He has good ammo at the LB corp with returning Charles Corea (96 tackles, 7,5 TFL) plus transfer imports JoJo Hayden (Illinois) and Tre Moore (San Diego). Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. We are back into fall preview season. Episodes will be live on Youtube throughout the week as schedule permits, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on our fall preview episode schedule, to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show. Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform to get notified as soon as a new episode drops so you never miss a show. LINKS: Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

ITP's Fall Six Pack: Northwestern Wildcats

It's not quite summer yet but fall preview season is officially upon us. To better space out shows and to accommodate for some vacation time, we are getting a head start on previews this year. But some things stay the same, and kicking things off for the third straight year, the guys start with the Northwestern Wildcats, and are pleased to once again be joined by Matt Shelton from Wildcat Report on the On3 Network. We've joked about the stadium and the size but all things considered we will cherish the last few games of it this season prior to the Ryan Field re-opening in October. Matt discusses the excitement around the program with this stadium enhancement forthcoming. With all the coaching turnover in the league, one of the more underrated and under-the-radar moves was the Wildcats tabbing national-championship-winning offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to call this offense in 2026 (plus the addition of one-time UCLA wunderkind Jerry Neuheisel as QB coach). What can this offense look like with Kelly, a new, mobile QB in Aidan Chiles, and deep RB room and an underrated WR corps? On defense, the Wildcats had good counting stats but were more middle-of-the-back in yards per play allowed. Talent returns (including all-conference player in S Robert Fitzgerald). But the Wildcats struggled to get consistent pressure last year, and leading sack-getter Aidan Hubbard is off to the next level (plus the transfer of Anto Saka to Texas A&M). David Braun has done well coaching defenses ... who can he get to step up to help bolster than unit in 2026? Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. We are back into fall preview season. Episodes will be live on Youtube throughout the week as schedule permits, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on our fall preview episode schedule, to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show. Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform to get notified as soon as a new episode drops so you never miss a show. LINKS: Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

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