by Ryan Satkowiak
Ryan and Clinton return for another rankings list, this time talking top-five coaches the the Big Ten. The also discuss new coaches within the conference and who might be best set up for success, and wrap up talking about rising coordinators who might be looking at getting a HC job following the 2024 season.
With the ITP Spring Overview Series completed, Ryan and Clinton move on to ranking szn. Today they discuss the top positional groups in the Big Ten, and rank their top five programs at QB, RB, WR/TE, OL, DL, LB and secondary. Who falls where, are there any surprises, and does this list give us any indication on who the top teams in the conference will be this season?
Ryan and Clinton wrap up their spring overview series with a broad-based discussion on the MAC. Will the conference be a consistent playoff threat in the 12-team playoff? Or is it a league that is falling further behind in the CFB arm's race? Later the guys talk the new College Football 25 trailer, and wrap up with post-spring top 10 rankings.
Ryan and Clinton resume their spring overview series, wrapping up the power 4 portion discussing Notre Dame and whether or not Marcus Freeman can get the Irish back into the playoff in year three of his tenure. Later in the show the guys rank the strength of schedules for the Big Ten teams + ND from toughest to easiest.
Ty Hildenbrandt, 1/2 of The Solid Verbal, joins Clinto and Ryan to discuss all things Big Ten football. Topics include Penn State and Notre Dame, and what expectations for these programs should be moving into the 12-team playoff era. Is the Big Ten a two horse race this season with Ohio State and Oregon. Will defending national champ Michigan have something to say about that? The guys also talk about teams and players they are taking a keen interest in this coming season.
Ryan and Clinton wrap up the Big Ten portion their spring review series, discussing new-addition UCLA and surprise 2023 Northwestern. With Chip Kelly demoting himself to OC at Ohio State and a host of other staff changes and player defections, how will the Bruins fare in the Big Ten? In Evanston, the Wildcats surprised many with their 7-5 record this past season. Can they carry that momentum forward to this season?
Ryan and Clinton continue their spring review series, today discussing the new-look Michigan State Spartans and the old-guard Iowa Hawkeyes. After a remarkable 10-2 regular season despite finishing at or near the bottom of the country in nearly every offensive statistic, can new OC Tim Lester help Iowa's offense better complement its remarkable defense and special teams to the tune of a surprise playoff run? In East Lansing, new head coach Jonathan Smith brings in a lot of optimism and his prized OC recruit from Oregon State in Aidan Chiles. How much can the Spartans improve off last season's tumultuous 4-8 record?
Ryan and Clinton continue their spring overview series, today discussing teams on potentially different trajectories. Heading into year two of the Matt Rhule era, the Huskers improved to 5-7 last year but suffered four-consecutive close losses to end the season. However, there's plenty of momentum surrounding the program -- mostly centered around 5-star freshman QB Dylan Raiola. Meanwhile, coming off a national championship game last season, Washington lost nearly its entire starting lineup from 2023 either to the draft, graduation or the portal. In addition, head coach Kalen DeBoer is now patrolling the sidelines in Tuscaloosa. Can incoming head coach Jedd Fisch maintain positive momentum in the Pacific Northwest?
ITP continues its spring overview series with a special guest, as Ryan and Clinton sit down with Steven Best, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, who served as Direction of Rehabilitation for Rutgers football during the course of the 2022 season. He offers some insights on the Scarlet Knights and why Greg Schiano's unique fit for the program has them once again on the upswing heading into 2024. Steven sticks around to talk Wisconsin with the guys; what could realistic expectations for the Badgers be heading into the 12-team playoff era? Despite bringing in an entirely new offensive identify with OC Phil Longo, expectations were high for first-year head coach Luke Fickell last season. The Badgers failed to live up to them with a 7-6 record. How much of a leash might Fickell have if the Badgers once again fail to meet expectations?
Ryan and Clinton hit the halfway point of ITP's spring overview series, this episode focusing on Purdue and USC. The Boilermakers are coming off a 4-8 record in new head coach Ryan Walters' debut season, and suffered a couple of notable portal losses in the offseason; can they take a step to bowl eligibility and beyond? Meanwhile, the Trojans are another Big Ten newcomer with high pedigree but are themselves coming off a remarkably disappointing 7-5 season and lose likely No. 1 NFL draft pick Caleb Williams. Will Miller Moss be next in a remarkable run of Lincoln Riley QBs? Will their defense be better than the unit that was obliterated time and time again last season?