Inside The Pylon: A Midwest College Football Podcast

Inside The Pylon: A Midwest College Football Podcast

by Ryan Satkowiak

Midwest, Midseason: Surprises? Disappointments?

We have reached the midpoint of the 2026 college football season -- time flies when you are having fun. Ryan and Clinton reconvene midweek to digest the first half. What surprised us? What disappointed us? What are we looking forward to most in the second half of the season? Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. The season is back in swing and we will be back to our thrice-weekly shows. Midweek shows are live on Youtube around 9 pm EST on Monday/Thursday, with recap shows either Saturday night following the late games, or on Sunday, 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 Substack: Substack.com/@itpcfb

Week Six Recap and Reactions: Westwood Won

Week six was wild across the sport, and the Big Ten was not spared the madness. Ryan and Clinton reconvene to discuss another massive weekend. In our game of the week, UCLA stamped its status as a legitimate playoff contender, and in turn flipped the Big Ten title and playoff picture on its head with a 17-15 win against Oregon in Eugene. Hero of the USC win Dylan Raiola threw two interceptions and was benched. UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava got hurt, and both coaches made some questionable kick, or not to kick decisions. But the Bruins scored a signature win in game five of the Bob Chesney era. In Lincoln, the Huskers appeared on the verge of doing the same. But Josh Hoover found Nick Marsh for two long fourth-quarter touchdowns, and the defending national champion Hoosiers held on for a 20-17 win to stay perfect on the season. Does this game say more about IU's mettle, or about Nebraska's inability to in the big game under Matt Rhule? Elsewhere in the league, in the Whiteout game, USC outlasted Penn State and Lincoln Riley finally won in a tough eastern environment. Purdue won its second consecutive Big Ten game by taking down Minnesota. Northwestern improved to 4-1 by dispatching Ball State. Illinois held on to defeat Michigan State. Jeremiah Smith continue to do his thing as Ohio State defeated Maryland. Notre Dame finished the preseason portion of its schedule with a 50-point win against Stanford. Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. The season is back in swing and we will be back to our thrice-weekly shows. Midweek shows are live on Youtube around 9 pm EST on Monday/Thursday, with recap shows either Saturday night following the late games, or on Sunday, 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 Substack: Substack.com/@itpcfb

Week Six Preview and Picks: Are You a Contender or a Pretender?

Week six is upon us and we have a massive gut-check opportunity across the Big Ten this weekend, which several up-and-coming teams facing off against established contenders, looking to insert themselves into the title race contention. In our game of the week, Bob Chesney returns to Autzen Stadium less than a year after taking James Madison on the road in the first round of the college football playoff. This time, his UCLA team is 4-0 and ranked, and is garnering comparisons to Indiana's 2024 team that came out of nowhere to make the College Football Playoff. Can Chesney's squad shock Oregon and stir up the Big Ten and CFP race? Speaking of shake ups, 5-0 Nebraska hosts Indiana with a chance to make a massive statement in year four of the Matt Rhule era. New QB Anthony Colandrea has been excellent this season, but can he continue his level of play with their first game against a real defense to date? On the other side of the field, the Hoosiers have been similarly untested in 2026. Can Josh Hoover put his stamp on IU's title defense team? Elsewhere, Iowa heads west and looks to rebound after a loss a week ago, taking on a Washington squad looking to rebound in its own right. USC heads east to take on a reeling Penn State squad in the White Out game. Minnesota, coming off a massive win against Michigan, travels to Purdue to take on a Boilers team coming off its first Big Ten win since 2023. In nonconference play, Northwestern looks to move to 4-1 against Ball State, while Notre Dame looks to hit 6-0 against Stanford. Two wounded squads face off in Michigan State and Illinois. And Ohio State looks to continue rolling against a Maryland team that might be on life support. Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. The season is back in swing and we will be back to our thrice-weekly shows. Midweek shows are live on Youtube around 9 pm EST on Monday/Thursday, with recap shows either Saturday night following the late games, or on Sunday, 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 Substack: Substack.com/@itpcfb

In or Out?

We are nearly halfway through the college football season and with conference play fully in swing, things are starting to come into focus. Ryan and Clinton reconvene to discuss several teams, players or concepts they are "in" on, or "out" on for the remainder of the season. Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. The season is back in swing and we will be back to our thrice-weekly shows. Midweek shows are live on Youtube around 9 pm EST on Monday/Thursday, with recap shows either Saturday night following the late games, or on Sunday, 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 Substack: Substack.com/@itpcfb

Week Five Recap and Reactions: JereHeisman

Week five is in the books and despite only one ranked matchup, plenty of fanbases were feeling angst this weekend. On that was not gets to cheer for Jeremiah Smith. Ryan and Clinton return to break down the action. Smith had a moster game for the Buckeyes as they downed Iowa in Kinnick Stadium. As a result of his efforts, Smith is now Ohio State's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving TDs. An invite to New York for the ceremony seems to be a given, but is the Heisman Trophy in his future. In Evanston, Northwestern opened new Ryan Field by lambasting Penn State up and down the field to the tune of 413 rush yards. The Wildcats defense had Rocco Becht and the Penn State offense in a blender all night. Northwestern appears as if it will be a thorn in the sides of multiple Big Ten squads this year, On the other side of the field, how concerned should Penn State fans be? Speaking of concerned, Michigan left the state for the first time this season and looked inept on offense in a 20-14 loss to Minnesota. The Gophers defense had Bryce Underwood and company bottled up all game en route to a 4-1 start to the season. The Kyle Whittingham era is off to a rough start in Ann Arbor; but is it more dire than that? In Champaign, Purdue picked up its first Big Ten win in nearly three years with a 24-17 win against Illinois. Nebraska moved to 5-0 by pulling away from Maryland late. Wisconsin moved to 4-1 by blasting Michigan State. Notre Dame figured out its running game and took down North Carolina. In the late games, Lincoln Riley saved his job for at least another week as USC outlasted Washington, and Indiana made easy work of Rutgers. Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. The season is back in swing and we will be back to our thrice-weekly shows. Midweek shows are live on Youtube around 9 pm EST on Monday/Thursday, with recap shows either Saturday night following the late games, or on Sunday, 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 Substack: Substack.com/@itpcfb

Week Five Preview and Picks: Kinnick Magic?

Week five is here, conference play is heating up, and Ryan and Clinton reconvene to break down the action in Big Ten play. We start in Iowa City, where the Hawkeyes are 4-0 and fresh off a last-second win against Michigan. But Ohio State presents a different challenge. The Buckeyes have not won at Kinnick Stadium in nearly 20 years. Can they change that this weekend? Further north in Chicago on Friday night, Northwestern opens new Ryan Field against Penn State. The Wildcats fought Indiana for four quarters a week ago, while Penn State is coming off conceding a 17-point lead against Wisconsin. Can the Lions rebound as their schedule is about to heat up? Elsewhere in the conference, Maryland looks to rebound against a Nebraska squad that is 4-0. Purdue and Illinois face off in a battle against questionable defenses. Wisconsin looks to stay on track against Michigan State, while Michigan heads north to take on Minnesota. USC looks to rebound against Washington, Indiana looks to fix its vibes against Rutgers, while Notre Dame heads to Chapel Hill to take on UNC. Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. The season is back in swing and we will be back to our thrice-weekly shows. Midweek shows are live on Youtube around 9 pm EST on Monday/Thursday, with recap shows either Saturday night following the late games, or on Sunday, 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 Substack: Substack.com/@itpcfb

Third-of-the-Way Heat Check: What Have We Learned?

We are one month into the season, and Ryan and Clinton ponder what has happened to this point, and discuss their biggest takeaways from the early season. Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. The season is back in swing and we will be back to our thrice-weekly shows. Midweek shows are live on Youtube around 9 pm EST on Monday/Thursday, with recap shows either Saturday night following the late games, or on Sunday, 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 Substack: Substack.com/@itpcfb

Week Four Recap and Reactions: Live By the Hail Mary, Die By the Hail Mary

Week four was a hyped weekend and across the sport it lived up to it. The Big Ten was no exception. Ryan and Clinton recap a wild weekend filled with drama. In LA, controversy abound early as Dante Moore was knocked out of the game on a dirty hit, but Oregon rebounded and Dylan Raiola was masterful in the second half to lead the Ducks to victory. A massive win for Dan Lanning's squad, staving off playoff bubble talks for another week. But for USC, is this the beginning of the end of the Lincoln Riley era? In our other game of the day, Iowa pulled an Uno reverse card on Michigan. Hank Brown found Reece Vander Zee with no time left on the clock to give the Hawkeyes a 20-19 win against Michigan. Michigan out-gained Iowa nearly 2-1, behind what was a strong passing day from Bryce Underwood. But the Wolverines struggled to consistently run the ball, and allowed a 99-yard kickoff return TD. At 4-0, is it time to take Iowa's playoff candidacy seriously? Speaking of playoff candidacy, in State College, it might be time to strike down Penn State's. The Lions jumped out to a 17-0 lead against Wisconsin in the first quarter. But the offense stalled, and Colton Joseph woke up, hitting a 72-yard TD pass to Jacob Harris with just over a minute remain to give Wisconsin a 24-20 win, its largest comeback win in more than 20 years. On Friday, Indiana moved the ball well but struggled to finish drives with touchdowns, and let Northwestern hang around in a 29-23 Hoosiers win. Should be be concerned about Indiana? Or is Northwestern growing into a thorn-in-the-side type of team? Elsewhere, Ohio State took care of Illinois. UCLA made a massive statement in hammering Maryland. Nebraska improved to 4-0 by defeating Michigan State, which continues to see injuries piling up. In nonconference play, Rutgers got its first win of the season. And Notre Dame made handy work of Purdue. Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. The season is back in swing and we will be back to our thrice-weekly shows. Midweek shows are live on Youtube around 9 pm EST on Monday/Thursday, with recap shows either Saturday night following the late games, or on Sunday, 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 Substack: Substack.com/@itpcfb

Week Four Preview and Picks: Gut Check in LA and a Battle of the Broncos

Week four is here and were are firmly now into conference play. Ryan and Clinton return to break down with is a massive week at the top of the Big Ten, and the MAC as well! In LA, Oregon and USC face off in a gutcheck spot for both teams. The Ducks are hoping to avoid a 2-2 start that would put their playoff hopes on life support. Meanwhile, Lincoln Riley's championship window is off to a 4-0 start but against nary a team with a pulse. Can he win a big game at USC? Or will the mark the beginning of the wheels falling off? In Ann Arbor, the 3-0 Michigan Wolverines take on 3-0 Iowa in a second ranked matchup of the weekend. Two stout defenses face off against two ... challenged offenses. Can Kirk Ferentz's squad score an upset to kick-start a darkhorse playoff bid? Or will Kyle Whittingham's Wolverines continue their undefeated march. In KALAMAZOO! Western Michigan welcomes Boise St in what could be the premier G6 matchup of the season between MAC and Pac-12 favorites, in a game that could have massive playoff implications. Can Western score a home upset? In Big Ten play, Penn State faces its first test of the season with Wisconsin coming to town. Indiana plays its first P4 team of the season Friday night welcoming Northwestern to Bloomington. Ohio State hosts Illinois, while UCLA takes its 3-0 record east to face off against Maryland. Nebraska heads to Michigan State, while Minnesota plays a late-night west coast contest against Washington. Purdue hosts Notre Dame in nonconference play, while Rutgers hosts Howard looking for its first win of the season. Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. The season is back in swing and we will be back to our thrice-weekly shows. Midweek shows are live on Youtube around 9 pm EST on Monday/Thursday, with recap shows either Saturday night following the late games, or on Sunday, 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 Substack: Substack.com/@itpcfb

Big Ten Buy or Sell

We are (more or less) finished with the nonconference portion of scheduling, and Ryan and Clinton are taking stock of where some teams stand with a game of "Buy or Sell?" Through three weeks UCLA's rush attack has been as advertised with the importing the James Madison scheme with Bob Chesney and Dean Kennedy. However can the Bruins keep it up as league play heats up? Penn State had handed three G6 opponent to today but has looked mighty impressive offensively in two of the third games. Are the guys ready to declare the Lions playoff contenders? Chip Kelly has lived up to the hype calling plays for Northwestern, and appears to have found another gear for QB Aidan Chiles. With Penn State, Oregon and Ohio State still ahead, can the Wildcats score a playoff-picture-altering upset? Offensively, Purdue has appeared much improved through three games, though the defense remains a work in progress. With a not-impossible remaining schedule, can the Boilermakers score a P4 win for the first time since 2023? What about two? USC arrived to this season with a now-open championship window and much hype. However old issues once again reared their ugly head against Rutgers. Are the Trojans truly a Big Ten conference title contender? Does it help them that they top of the Big Ten looks less daunting than previously expected? Indiana has yet to face a test. But Oregon has already suffered a shocking upset, and Ohio State suffered a fourth-quarter collapse to Texas sandwiched between MAC scrimmages. Is it possible that neither the Buckeyes nor Ducks -- two preseason national title favorites -- are playing for a Big Ten title in December? Michigan has been much maligned this season but is (officially) 3-0. However despite a strong defense, Bryce Underwood and the offense have had their share of issues. Is it possible the Wolverines finish 2026 with a bottom-five Big Ten offense, but a top-five Big Ten defense? And finally, also in the state of Michigan, Pat Fitzgerald's Spartans made waves last weekend with a closer-than-expected loss to Notre Dame. The defense flashed at times, but aside from one long play the offense had no success against an elite Irish defense. With improved vibes through three games, is there a Spartan resurgence on the horizon? Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. The season is back in swing and we will be back to our thrice-weekly shows. Midweek shows are live on Youtube around 9 pm EST on Monday/Thursday, with recap shows either Saturday night following the late games, or on Sunday, 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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