Preferred Walk-On: A College Sports Show

A weekend this big means there needs to be a show to match it, so we are in the Classic City LIVE.

In this special edition of the Preferred Walk-On Show, host Seth Saunders broadcasts from Creature Comforts Brewery in downtown Athens, Georgia alongside Jon Smith of Dawg Social Club and Chris Hayes of Coach Hayes Hudl to kick off Georgia-Texas weekend.

The trio dives into the traditions, tactics, and emotional energy surrounding one of college football’s most anticipated matchups.

Topics include:

🏟️ Sanford Stadium’s emotional legacy

🧠 Georgia’s coaching mindset & game plan

🏈 Gunnar Stockton vs Arch Manning

🐶 Georgia’s physical brand of football

🤘 Texas’ path to upsetting the Dawgs

⚔️ Trench warfare: O-line & D-line breakdown

🔥 Final score predictions & keys to victory

It’s analysis, nostalgia, and pure college football soul — recorded LIVE from the heart of Dawg Nation.

Plus: We’re on the hunt for College Football's Tailgate All-Americans. From Athens to Ann Arbor, Madison to Baton Rouge — we want to see whose the cream of the tailgate crop from coast-to-coast.

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This week on The Preferred Walk-On Show, host Seth Saunders welcomes back ESPN’s Taylor McGregor for an in-depth, wide-ranging conversation on everything shaping college football right now.

Together they discuss:

🏆 Initial College Football Playoff Rankings — who’s overrated, who’s underrated, and who controls their destiny

🌀 The Coaching Carousel — where the dominoes might fall and what Lane Kiffin’s next move could be

🌪️ Group of Five Spotlight — the wild AAC race and how parity is changing the sport

🐶 Georgia vs. Mississippi State — the game Taylor is covering this week

⚓ Navy vs. Notre Dame — classic matchup with modern twists

🦆 Oregon at Iowa — high-stakes crossover game

🐅 LSU vs. Alabama — diverging paths since Week 1

🌾 Big 12 Showdown — BYU and Texas Tech in a battle of conference heavyweights

If you love storylines, strategy, and Saturday energy — this is your episode.

Tune in to Georgia-Mississippi State this weekend on ESPN as Taylor and her teammates, Dave Pasch and Dusty Dvoracek, are on the call, follow her on all of her socials, and support her every way y'all can!

This week on The Preferred Walk-On Show, host Seth Saunders welcomes Craig Stutzmann, Offensive Coordinator at San Jose State, for a deep and heartfelt conversation about football, faith, and growth.

Coach Stutzmann shares:

🌺 The Aloha Spirit in Coaching — how Hawaii’s values of respect, humility, and community shape his leadership
🏈 The Journey — from Hawaii to Emory & Henry and beyond, with lessons learned along the way
⚡ The ‘Spread N' Shred’ Offense — a perfect marriage of offensive concepts built on tempo, creativity, and trust, and the "North Shore in the Appalachian Mountains" that helped it happen
🧠 Mentors & Influences — the coaches and experiences that molded his philosophy
💬 Communication & Integrity — why positivity and resilience are central to his program
💭 Advice to His Younger Self — pursuing passion, embracing growth, and living with no regrets

🎧 It’s part storytelling, part masterclass — a reminder that great football starts with great people.

Support Coach Stutzmann and the Spartans in every way you can:

This week on The Preferred Walk-On Show, host Seth Saunders welcomes Mercer Head Coach Mike Jacobs for an in-depth conversation about leadership, growth, and the rise of Mercer football.

Coach Jacobs opens up about:

🏈 His journey from walk-on at Ohio State to Mercer head coach

💪 Building a winning culture built on trust, discipline, and resilience

🔥 How he knew this year’s Mercer team had the potential to be special

💫 The rise of freshman QB Braden Atkinson and what makes him special

⚔️ Previewing the Western Carolina matchup and the challenges the Catamounts present

💭 The legacy and life lessons he hopes to leave with his players

🎧 It’s the story of a coach who’s been where his players are — and built something lasting from the ground up.

Support Coach Jacobs and the Bears in every way you can:

It’s the World's Largest Outdoork Cocktail Party on the banks of the St. Johns River and looming chaos abounds across college football.

This week on The Preferred Walk-On Show, hosts Seth and James preview one of the biggest weekends of the year, breaking down:

🐶 The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party — Georgia vs. Florida and a classic rivalry

⚓ Navy vs. North Texas — Drew Cronic’s Georgia ties and Navy’s creative offense

🌪️ The Wide-Open AAC Race — who’s emerging as the favorite in the American?

🏈 FBS Matchups to Watch: Vandy–Texas, Texas Tech–K-State, and Cincinnati–Utah

🌴 Hawaii vs. San Jose State — the unique bond between Timmy Chang and Craig Stutzmann

🏆 FCS Triple-Header: Mercer–Furman, Western Carolina–Chattanooga (featuring Taron Dickens), and Tarleton State–Abilene Christian

🎧 From Denton to Jacksonville, the Ministers of College Football Culture have you covered.

Plus: We’re on the hunt for College Football's Tailgate All-Americans. From Athens to Ann Arbor, Madison to Baton Rouge — we want to see whose the cream of the tailgate crop from coast-to-coast.

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In this episode of The Preferred Walk-On Show, host Seth Saunders welcomes Dan Jackson, Head Coach of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, culture, and competition at the highest level of FCS football.

Coach Jackson opens up about:

🏆 The Dakota Marker Rivalry — the history, pride, and preparation behind one of college football’s fiercest matchups

💪 Team Culture & Leadership — how the Jackrabbits maintain excellence year after year

🧠 Coaching Philosophy — lessons learned from a lifetime in football and how they shape his approach

🏈 Preparation & Process — how South Dakota State stays focused and disciplined through the grind of the season

🤝 Community & Relationships — the role of fans, family, and trust in sustaining success

🎧 It’s a deep look into what makes South Dakota State one of the most respected programs in college football — and the man leading it forward.

Support Coach Jackson and the Jackrabbits in every way you can:

The FCS landscape is as exciting as ever — and this week, Preferred Walk-On host Seth Saunders welcomes Craig Haley (Stats Perform, The Analyst) to break down the rivalries, storylines, and stars shaping the 2025 season.

Together they discuss:

🏆 Dakota Marker Showdown: North Dakota State vs. South Dakota State — the rivalry that defines the FCS

🌾 Missouri Valley Power: How NDSU, SDSU, and North Dakota are separating themselves

💙 Presbyterian’s Unlikely Rise: From underdog to Top 25 contender

⚡ Taron Dickens: Western Carolina’s QB lighting up the FCS and chasing the Payton Award

🟤 William & Mary’s CAA Run & Patriot League Future

🐴 Tarleton State’s Emergence: Building a program with purpose

🏟️ Nashville’s Championship Stage: Why this year’s FCS title race feels more open than ever

🎧 If you love FCS football, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

Support Craig in every way you can:

This week on The Preferred Walk-On Show, host Seth Saunders sits down with Head Coach Steve Englehart of the Presbyterian Blue Hose, who has led his team to a 6–0 start, the longest winning streak in the country, and a spot in the Top 25.

Coach Englehart opens up about:

💪 Building a Winning Culture — how belief, unity, and discipline drive the Blue Hose

🪢 The “Pull the Rope” Philosophy — the mindset behind Presbyterian’s success

🏈 Recruiting Without Scholarships — developing players who buy into the mission

🤝 Community Support — how fans, alumni, and families fuel the program

👤 Personal Reflections — growth, leadership, and what he’s learned as a coach and teammate

This is a conversation about belief, connection, and perseverance — everything that makes college football special. Coach Englehart’s message is one every fan should hear.

Support Coach Englehart and the Blue Hose in every way you can:

This week on The Preferred Walk-On Show, host Seth Saunders is joined by Jon Smith for a deep dive into one of the most exciting stretches of the college football season — and a big announcement. 🎙️

🔥 Seth and Jon are hosting a LIVE event in Athens on November 14th for Texas–Georgia weekend! Stay tuned for details on location, guests, and how to attend the show.

🏈 Plus, we break down the week’s biggest stories and games:

🐶 Ole Miss vs. Georgia — Ole Miss set to be tested Between the Hedges

✝️ USC vs. Notre Dame — the Jeweled Shillelagh is on the line

🐘🍊 The Third Saturday in October — Alabama vs. Tennessee showdown

⛪ The Holy War — Utah vs. BYU

🏆 FCS Game of the Week: Presbyterian Blue Hose spotlight

🏅 Heisman Talk: Why Haynes King deserves a seat at the table

🎧 From blue bloods under pressure to rising programs making noise, we cover it all — it's another must-see week of college football.

Support Jon in every way you can:

This week on The Preferred Walk-On Show, host Seth Saunders sits down with Shehan Jeyarajah, senior writer at CBS Sports, to unpack one of the most inspiring stories in college football this season — the rise of Trinidad Chambliss.

They explore:

🏈 Chambliss’s journey from 0-star recruit to Division II national champion and Ole Miss quarterback in the thick of the CFP race

💡 Player development & coaching dynamics — how mentorship and system fit shape success

💰 NIL & Transfer Portal era — how modern college football is redefining opportunity

🎯 Emerging coaches — who is positioned to become the next Curt Cignetti?

🎧 It’s a story about perseverance, opportunity, and honoring your gift.

Support Shehan in every way you can and be sure to read his feature article on Trinidad Chambliss and share with your college football loving friends:

The 2025 college football season keeps delivering — and Week 7 is shaping up to be one of the best yet.

This week on Preferred Walk-On, hosts Seth Saunders and James Kehm dive into the biggest stories, matchups, and moments from around the country:

🌟 USF & North Texas — rising programs turning heads

🎯 Eric Morris — the quarterback whisperer changing the game

🧠 Ohio State’s Defense — why it’s the backbone of a title contender

🏈 Key Week 7 Games:

• Alabama vs. Missouri

• Oregon vs. Indiana

• Texas vs. Oklahoma (Red River Shootout)

• Georgia vs. Auburn (Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry)

🐯 LSU’s Coaching Challenges — where do the Tigers go from here?

🏆 FCS Spotlight: North Dakota State and the dynasty’s next big test

🎧 Whether you’re tailgating, road-tripping, or recovering from last weekend, this is the place to get yourself ready for another incredible weekend of college football.

Plus: We’re on the hunt for College Football's Tailgate All-Americans. From Athens to Ann Arbor, Madison to Baton Rouge — we want to see whose the cream of the tailgate crop from coast-to-coast.

🎧 Give Preferred Walk-On a follow on social media:

It’s Week 7, and the storylines are everywhere.

Host Seth Saunders is joined by Anna Ruth Riggins to break down the latest in college football — from coaching rumors to rivalry showdowns.

In this episode of Preferred Walk-On:

🐐 Bill Belichick’s Carolina Situation — is he on his way out?

🏈 Ohio State, Alabama, and Texas — where the elite programs stand halfway through the season

🔥 Week 7 Matchups:

• • USF vs. North Texas

  • Texas vs. Oklahoma (Red River Shootout)

  • Auburn vs. Georgia (Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry)

  • Indiana vs. Oregon

🎯 Eric Morris: The Quarterback Whisperer — from recruiting and developing Mahomes and Ward to mentoring Drew Mestemaker

🎧 From blue bloods under pressure to rising programs making noise, we cover it all — plus the playoff picture taking shape.

Support Anna Ruth in every way you can:

College football’s 2025 season just keeps getting wilder — and this week on Preferred Walk-On, host Seth Saunders is joined by Jack DeLongchamps (Pencil Talk Pod, 11.7 College Baseball, D1 Baseball) to make sense of it all.

Together they discuss:

💰 The impact of NIL & the transfer portal on rosters, chemistry, and team identity

📊 Key Week 6 Matchups:

• Texas vs. Florida

• Alabama vs. Vanderbilt

• Miami vs. Florida State

• Virginia vs. Louisville

🏈 FCS Spotlight — North Dakota State vs. Illinois State, and the beauty of FCS football

🎲 The unpredictability of 2025 — why this season feels unlike any other

🎧 From blue bloods under pressure to rising programs making noise, we cover it all — plus the playoff picture taking shape.

Support Jack in every way you can:

What. A. Weekend. Seth and James recap a thrilling slate of college football action, full of surprises, shakeups, and storylines that define the season.

We’re breaking down:

🔥 Sam Pittman Fired at Arkansas — what it means for the Hogs moving forward
🐶 Georgia’s Struggles vs. Alabama — is the Dawgs’ dynasty slipping?
🦆🦁 Oregon vs. Penn State — instant classic with playoff implications
🎬 The Trinidad Chambliss Story — why it feels like a Disney movie waiting to happen
💰 NIL & Transfer Portal — the ever-growing impact on team chemistry
🤔 Returning QBs’ Inconsistency — why ballyhooed veterans aren’t living up to the hype

College football remains unpredictable, thrilling, and unlike anything else in sports — and this week proved it again.

🎧 Join the Congregation for the full breakdown from the Deacon Board of the Church of Tailgate.

Plus: We’re on the hunt for College Football's Tailgate All-Americans. From Athens to Ann Arbor, Madison to Baton Rouge — we want to see whose the cream of the tailgate crop from coast-to-coast.

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Week 5 is loaded — and Seth and James are here with the full preview.

In this episode of Preferred Walk-On, we cover:

🍊 Classic Rewind: UVA vs. FSU 1995

🐸 TCU vs. Arizona State: Big 12 clash in Tempe

✌️ USC vs. Illinois: West Coast newcomer vs. Big Ten grit

⚡ Ohio State vs. Washington: "Know My Name Game" - Demond Williams Jr.

🐯 LSU vs. Ole Miss: Lane Kiffin, LSU defense, and a viral IG subplot

🤍 Oregon vs. Penn State: White Out magic in Happy Valley for an epic Big 10 showdown

🐘🐶 Alabama vs. Georgia: SEC powers collide Between the Hedges

🏆 FCS Game of the Week: Idaho vs. Montana in the Battle for the Little Brown Stein

From playoff implications to rivalry bragging rights, we’re breaking down the games that matter most.

Plus: We’re on the hunt for College Football's Tailgate All-Americans. From Athens to Ann Arbor, Madison to Baton Rouge — we want to see whose the cream of the tailgate crop from coast-to-coast.

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This week on Preferred Walk-On, Seth is joined by Emily Grace McWhorter, sports journalist with Cover Crimson and Yea Alabama, for a deep dive into Alabama vs. Georgia Between the Hedges — one of the most anticipated games of the 2025 season.

Together they explore:

🐘 Alabama’s early season struggles — and how the team has showed resiliency since the opening game loss to FSU

🐶 Georgia and Alabama's strengths and keys to victory

🧠 The importance of mental resilience in championship-level football

🌎 The evolving landscape of college football, including the wide-open Big 12 race

✍️ EG's first-hand experiences in sports journalism

They also preview a loaded Week 5 slate of games teaming with playoff implications:

✨ USC vs. Illinois

🐶 Ohio State vs. Washington

☘️ Notre Dame vs. Arkansas

🐯 LSU vs. Ole Miss

🦆 Oregon vs. Penn State

🐘🐶 Alabama vs. Georgia (Game of the Week)

🎧 From blue bloods under pressure to rising programs making noise, we cover it all — plus the playoff picture taking shape.

Support EG in every way you can and be sure to tune into Cover Crimson for the best Alabama coverage all season long:

Week 4 is here, and the matchups are 🔥. Seth and James break down the biggest games of the week, what’s at stake, and how it all shapes the playoff race.

This episode covers:

🌵 Texas Tech vs. Utah: Statement opportunity out West

🐗 Arkansas vs. Memphis: Programs trying to prove themselves

🍳 SMU vs. TCU (Iron Skillet): Rivalry bragging rights on the line

🐅 Auburn vs. Oklahoma: SEC battle with big implications

🌊 Tulane vs. Ole Miss: G5 vs. SEC showdown with playoff stakes

⚠️ Michigan & South Carolina struggles: What’s going wrong?

🏈 FCS Spotlight: Incarnate Word vs. Northern Arizona, our game of the week

🎧 From blue bloods under pressure to rising programs making noise, we cover it all — plus the playoff picture taking shape.

Plus: We’re on the hunt for College Football's Tailgate All-Americans. From Athens to Ann Arbor, Madison to Baton Rouge — we want to see whose the cream of the tailgate crop from coast-to-coast.

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This week on Preferred Walk-On, we’re joined by Chris Fallica (“The Bear”), of Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff and the Bear Bets Podcast, to break down the state of college football as we head into Week 4.

We cover:

⚡️ Surprises of the season so far — which teams are ahead of schedule and who’s stumbling

💰 NIL & Transfer Portal Dynamics — how roster building has forever changed

🏈 Week 4 Matchups & Bear's Predictions:

Texas Tech vs. Utah

Michigan vs. Nebraska

Auburn vs. Oklahoma

Miami vs. Florida

And so many more

🔥 Historic Rivalries — why these games still carry meaning in the modern era

🌍 The Evolving Landscape — what the future of the sport looks like

🎧 It’s analysis, tradition, and storytelling — straight from the pulpit of the Church of Tailgate.

Support Bear in every way you can and be sure to tune into Big Noon Kickoff this weekend:

On today’s episode of Preferred Walk-On, we’re taking a road trip with John T. Edge — host of TrueSouth and author of the brand-new book, House of Smoke, releasing today.

John T. takes us on a journey through:

📺 The Origins of TrueSouth — how the show began and what it’s become

📖 House of Smoke — why he wrote it and the stories behind it

👨‍👦 Carrying His Father’s Name — what it means to him and the pride he takes in it

🍽 His Perfect Last Day of Eating — from first bite to final toast

This is storytelling at its best — where food, family, and Southern culture meet. It’s an episode that connects the stories we tell at the table with the culture we celebrate on Saturdays.

 Support John T. in every way you can and be sure to grab your copy of House of Smoke:

Week 3 DELIVERED — instant classics, epic upsets, and season-defining wins.

We’re joined by George Somerville of The College Chaps Podcast to break it all down:

🐯 George's first-ever Saturday Night in Death Valley 

🎙 Inside Brian Kelly’s postgame rant — what it was like to be in the press room

🐝 Georgia Tech upsets Clemson — how the Jackets upset the ACC apple cart

☘️ Texas A&M beats Notre Dame — Mike Elko’s signature win in South Bend

🐶 Georgia vs. Tennessee — an instant SEC classic

🔮 Alabama vs. Georgia Preview — an early look ahead to a monster SEC showdown Between the Hedges

Support George and The College Chaps Podcast every way you can!

College football never disappoints and the Week 3 docket is full of intriguing matchups — and we’re previewing and picking them all.

This week on Preferred Walk-On:

📊 10 of the top games against the spread — ATS locks, upsets, and bold calls

🐶 Georgia vs. Tennessee — it's My God A Freshman, it's Hobnail Boot, it's a battle on the banks of the Tennessee River for poll positioning in the SEC race

🌴 USF vs. Miami — upstart South Florida rolls into Hard Rock stadium looking to keep their early season run going against Carson Beck and The U 

☘️ Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame — a heavyweight non-conference showdown under the gaze of Touchdown Jesus

🌾 North Dakota vs. Montana — two FCS giants go head-to-head in our FCS matchup of the week

🔵 Duke vs. Tulane — sneaky-good battle in an ACC-G5 clash as Darian Mensah returns to Nawlins as Duke's signal-caller

It’s Saturdays, it’s tailgates, it’s college football — there's nothing better.

Plus: We’re on the hunt for College Football's Tailgate All-Americans. From Athens to Ann Arbor, Madison to Baton Rouge — we want to see whose the cream of the tailgate crop from coast-to-coast.

🎧 Give Preferred Walk-On a follow on social media:

College football’s Week 2 slate is built for college football junkies — and we’re here to break it all down.

This week on Preferred Walk-On, we're previewing it all and will be LIVE from Annapolis at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday morning:

📊 10 of the top games against the spread — ATS locks, upsets, and value plays

🏈 Kansas vs. Missouri — Border War bragging rights on the line

🌪 Iowa vs. Iowa State — Cy-Hawk showdown intensity

〽️ Michigan vs. Oklahoma — a non-conference heavyweight battle in Norman

🌾 South Dakota State vs. Montana State — FCS contenders square off

⚓ UAB vs. Navy on-site preview Saturday morning — Service Academy pageantry and tradition

It’s Saturdays, it’s tailgates, it’s college football — and it’s just getting started.

Plus: We’re on the hunt for College Football's Tailgate All-Americans. From Athens to Ann Arbor, Madison to Baton Rouge — we want to see whose the cream of the tailgate crop from coast-to-coast.

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We’re kicking off the season LIVE from Johnson Hagood Stadium at The Citadel for a loaded Week 1 slate of college football.

This episode of Preferred Walk-On has it all:

📊 10 Top Games Against the Spread — our picks for the weekend’s biggest matchups

 🏈 North Dakota State vs. The Citadel Preview — can the Bulldogs slow down the FCS kings?

👑 NDSU Dynasty Talk — how the Bison became the Alabama of the FCS

🔥 Week 1 Storylines — the games you can’t afford to miss

It’s Saturdays, it’s tailgates, it’s college football — and it’s just getting started.

Plus: We’re on the hunt for College Football's Best Tailgates. From Athens to Ann Arbor, Madison to Baton Rouge — we want to see whose the cream of the tailgate crop from coast-to-coast.

🎧 Give Preferred Walk-On a follow on social media:

The 2025 college football season is kicking off — and we’ve got the Kansas City Star’s Shreyas Laddha on Preferred Walk-On to break it all down.

We’re covering:

🌎 Teams to Watch Nationally — programs poised to make noise this season
💪 Kansas Football in 2025 — why the program is trending up
⚡️ Jalon Daniels — one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country
💰 The Booth Family Donation — what KU’s investment means for the future of the program
🐶 Georgia Bulldogs Outlook — Shreyas’ alma mater is still in the hunt

The SEC always delivers drama, but 2025 feels ripe with it. With so few returning starters at quarterback, the league looks more unpredictable than ever.

This week on Preferred Walk-On, we dig into:

❓ Quarterback Uncertainty: a league-wide reset with very few returning starters under center

🐂 Texas and Alabama: Are these two on a collision course to Atlanta?

🌟 Austin Simmons: Why he could be the SEC’s next household name

🌪 Other Contenders: Teams flying under the radar but capable of shaking up the standings

🏆 Championship & CFP Predictions: Who lifts the trophy at the Benz — and who punches their CFP ticket

Plus: We’re on the hunt for the SEC's All-Conference Tailgates. From Austin to Athens, Baton Rouge to Oxford — we want to see whose the cream of the tailgate crop in the SEC.

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