Tailgate on the Quad

What Happened to College Football? + The Evolution of SEC Logos

College football had another chaotic week, and Ciarnan and Kev are here to break it all down.
The guys dive into Paige Shiver’s first public comments since the Sherrone Moore scandal, Brennan Sorsby entering rehab for gambling addiction, and C.J. Bailey facing backlash over shady Instagram promotions, unpacking what these headlines say about the current state of the sport.
Then they shift gears and take a look at the evolution of SEC football logos, breaking down how each program’s branding has changed over the years, which logos stood the test of time, and which ones missed the mark.
From scandals and NIL-era chaos to classic SEC branding, this episode covers the drama, history, and personality that make college football impossible to ignore.
 
00:00 Paige Shiver's interview highlights
09:35 Luther Davis' fraud scheme
14:12 Talking about baseball betting issues
18:09 Will Jameson Williams lawsuit
25:21 Discussing NFL draft predictions
32:19 Discussing Alabama sports logos
38:04 Describing the pokeball look
41:00 Wildcat situation at Kentucky campus
49:07 Ole Miss logo discussion
51:09 Discussing unique school logos
55:38 Critiquing Texas A&M Logo
01:03:00 Discussing SEC logos

2026 Mock Draft

It’s NFL Mock Draft season! Kevin and Ciarnan dive into their annual mock draft, breaking down their picks, key positional needs, and the wild scenarios that could shake up the board. The episode kicks off with reactions to Kalen DeBoer’s major Alabama extension and debate over college football news, from Big Ten trash talk to the latest in NIL drama. The hosts also weigh in on Bleacher Report’s controversial “every player eligible” draft with Arch Manning at No. 1, before going pick-by-pick through their own mock draft, complete with sleeper picks, risers, and bold predictions for draft night. Plus, is Ty Simpson a first-rounder or unexpected faller? And don’t miss their thoughts on spring football omens and what every team actually needs most. It’s wall-to-wall football analysis with plenty of heated opinions and laughs.
00:00 New extensions in college sports
04:44 Coaching salaries and NCAA changes
08:06 Indiana's defense outsmarts the offense
10:22 Complaints about college football deals
15:51 Predicting James Franklin's career move
19:30 Skepticism about Arch Manning's potential
20:31 NFL draft clickbait discussion
25:37 NFL draft predictions
28:54 Ohio State football prospects
33:27 CJ Allen and the Bucks need
37:12 Discussing football player fits
41:08 Draft pick strategy discussion
44:42 Draft strategy for defensive needs
47:27 Draft predictions for Ty Simpson
49:46 Draft night reactions

Building the Worst College

On this week's episode, Ciarnan and Kevin break down the most chaotic stories in college sports. They unpack Dianna Russini’s dramatic exit from The Athletic, roast Brian Kelly’s move into TV, and shake their heads at Sherrone Moore’s absurdly light sentence. They also discuss Iowa losing wins over tampering (for Cade McNamara?!), to head-scratching proposed eligibility rules. Kevin goes off on Alabama’s weird new party vibes and questionable concert booking at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Then the main event: the wheel returns as they compete to build the absolute worst college experience ever, picking the most cursed combos of locations, coaches, mascots, and more.
00:00 Dianna Russini resigns from Athletic
04:55 Brian Kelly's media career move
07:25 Coach's probation, no jail time
10:24 Rick Patino's coaching comeback
14:44 College football playoff rebranding
19:57 Eligibility concerns for young athletes
21:17 Debating sports career pathways
27:56 Building the worst college experience
28:31 Setting a personal rugby goal
33:59 Mixing up college teams
39:35 Deciding between two campuses
42:41 Discussing poll choices left
46:05 Choosing UTEP for education
51:21 Discussing Michael Crabtree's career
54:05 Discussing coach Tim Albin's performance
56:03 Confusing college sports locations

Building the Perfect College Experience

In this episode of Tailgate on the Quad, Ciarnan and Kevin dive into the latest college football drama, including Texas Tech’s clash with the Big 12 commissioner over Friday games and the legendary tortilla tradition. The hosts analyze Ryan Day’s dinosaur-inspired take on college football evolution, weigh in on NFL Draft destination choices, and discuss Mike Vrabel’s headline-grabbing vacation. The episode’s centerpiece is a spirited team-building challenge: Ciarnan and Kevin take turns spinning a wheel to construct their ideal college experience from random schools, picking categories ranging from campus and coach to mascot and uniforms. Listen in as they debate picks, share laughs over questionable spins, and dream up their ultimate college programs.
00:00 Texas Tech football drama
04:24 High school football culture
07:12 Big 12 finances and casual fans
12:30 Admiring a wholesome NFL player
16:40 Patriots win 2028 Super Bowl
20:01 Michael Malone to UNC
24:16 TCU's Sonny Dykes contract extension
28:13 Building the perfect college
53:58 Mixing up the show format
54:43 Wrapping up the show

Mascot Bracket Madness: Pageantry, Rivalries, and a Pony with a Kill Count

The boys are back after a brief break to dive into the latest shenanigans in college football. They kick things off with Dan Orlovsky’s cacting like a victim discuss the ongoing Trinidad Chambliss eligibility case, and includes a pitch for a Brian Kelly-inspired movie. The highlight is a bracket showdown to determine the top live animal (and human-adjacent) mascot in college football, with Bevo, Mike the Tiger, Peruna, and more going head-to-head. The hosts break down why certain mascots stand out, recount wild mascot lore and pageantry, and debate which schools should introduce live mascots next. Plus, they touch on rugby-player-to-lineman conversions and welcome Gus Malzahn to the College Football Playoff committee.
00:00 The accident and mental aftermath
04:54 Draft talk: Mendoza vs. Simpson
09:11 Comparing quarterbacks beyond stats
11:57 Ole Miss quarterback returning
14:25 Rugby players transitioning to football
19:17 Issues with selection committee process
23:24 Live mascots bracket
39:07 Football game traditions and mascots
43:55 Debating live mascots for schools
51:49 Advancing in the voting brackets
52:19 Encouraging votes and safety tips

Bracketing College Football Scandals

Kevin & Ciarnan dive into the wild world of college football scandals. From Louisiana Tech’s brutal 20-game schedule and conference drama, to the Big Ten's request for clarity on tampering rules, the crew pulls no punches. They weigh in on Michigan’s lawsuits, USC’s controversial jersey retirements, and infamous college football scandals, like McDonald’s bags full of cash from Tennessee, strippers on university credit cards at Alabama, and even LSU’s reappropriated children’s hospital funds. The highlight: an epic Scandals Bracket showdown, where creative (and sometimes shocking) collegiate missteps battle for the title of most outrageous. Expect hilarious banter, sharp analysis, and the ultimate winner, with Jared from the Korner Booth being the deciding vote!
00:00 "Conference USA Drama Unfolds"
09:10 Big Ten Tampering and Penn State
18:03 Legacy Dismissed: An Insult
19:22 "Scandals: Lighthearted Sports Moments"
29:09 "Nuclear Secrets Rivalry Scandal"
35:41 "LSU's Unending Scandals"
45:33 "Bobby Petrino Neck Brace Iconic"
48:05 "Bobby P's Doofus Image"
53:57 "Unhinged Hatred for Teams"
59:26 NFL Cover-Up Comedy Critique

St. Patrick's Day Bracket: Creamy Pints and Controversial Calls

On this episode of "Tailgate on the Quad," Kevin and Ciarnan return with technical difficulties and dive headfirst into St. Patrick’s Day festivities with their Irish Bracket—crowning the most iconic Irish thing. The hosts debate everything from Michael D. Higgins’ famous Bernese Mountain Dogs to the international powerhouse Guinness, alongside Irish staples like Kerrygold butter, St. Patrick’s and St. Stephen’s Day, the Gaelic Athletic Association, and discuss some history including Michael Collins and the IRA. 
0:00:00 – Welcome back, St. Patrick’s Day preview, and camera woes
0:06:00 – College football roster spending: LSU, Texas Tech, and NIL talk
0:12:00 – NCAA eligibility battles and transfer controversies: Trinidad Chambliss case
0:18:00 – South Carolina Gamecocks optimism vs. reality; Penn State parallels
0:24:00 – Ohio State president scandal, the evolution of college sport scandals, and Penn State sues MLB Draft League team
0:30:00 – Irish Bracket introduction: Michael D. Higgins’ Dogs vs. Fighting Irish, Guinness debate
0:36:00 – Kerrygold vs. Ciarnan, Irish holiday faceoff: St. Patrick’s Day vs. St. Stephen’s Day
0:42:00 – Potato chips vs. Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Michael Collins vs Irish language
0:48:00 – Wolf Tones vs Boston, Temple Bar vs Aer Lingus Classic, IRA vs Lucky Charms
0:54:00 – Jameson vs IRA, Guinness vs Kerrygold, St. Patrick’s Day vs GAA, deep bracket upsets
1:00:00 – Irish bracket semifinals: Michael Collins vs Jameson, Guinness vs GAA, championship matchup
1:06:00 – Guinness wins: Irish bracket recap, St. Patrick’s Day plans, Six Nations rugby & episode close

CFB Mascots You Shouldn't Trust Near Kids

After a short break, hosts Kevin and Ciarnan return to tackle a wild mix of college football news and their signature shenanigans. The episode opens with reflections on Notre Dame legend Lou Holtz’s passing and his legacy, followed by reactions to recent FBS realignments: Sacramento State’s surprising move to the MAC and North Dakota State joining the Mountain West. NIL deals and corporate sponsorships on jerseys spark a passionate debate about the sanctity of college football. Finally, the duo dive into their March bracket: “Mascots You Wouldn’t Trust Around Your Kids.” From live animals to unsettling costumed characters, they break down which mascots are the most suspect, culminating in a showdown between two 2025 preseason Natty Picks!
0:00:00 – Welcome back, offseason recap, and Lou Holtz tribute
0:06:00 – Sacramento State’s move to FBS; MAC realignment opinions
0:12:00 – North Dakota State to Mountain West; FCS to FBS dynamics
0:18:00 – NFL Combine reactions, athletic freaks, and skeptic takes
0:24:00 – NIL sponsor patches: Arkansas/college corporatization rant
0:30:00 – Enron Y2K Bowl dreams and bracket segment intro
0:36:00 – Mascots you wouldn’t trust: bracket reveals and first round
0:42:00 – Mascot debates continue: Elite Eight and unsettling opinions
0:48:00 – Championship round
0:54:00 – Closing thoughts, upcoming bracket tease, and outro

The 2025 Tailgate Awards

On this special “Award Show” episode of Tailgate on the Quad, Kevin and Ciarnan close out the college football season with the inaugural Tailgate Awards! The hosts dive into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s surprising snub of Bill Belichick and debate the chaos of the transfer portal, NIL, and NCAA governance (or lack thereof). They break down the year’s “best” and “worst” across college football with listener-driven categories: Most Disappointing Team, the Notre Dame Award for Most Pretentious Fanbase, the Skip Bayless Award for Worst Media Personality, and more! 
00:00 "Hall of Fame Voting Controversy"
05:43 "Patriots, Mahomes, and Legacy Bias"
09:12 "College Football Accountability Issues"
11:17 "Dabo Sweeney Stands Firm"
14:58 "Tackling Ejections and Momentum"
19:47 "Colorado's Decline Under Sanders"
22:12 "Debating College Football Inclusions"
24:54 Ohio State & Ole Miss Discussion
28:24 "Texas A&M Comeback Reaction"
32:37 Big Ten vs. SEC Debate
36:34 "Doink Award Worst Kicker Rant"
39:15 "DJ Dog Winner: Peter"
41:38 "Fernando's Selfless Team Spirit"
44:00 "Signing Off for Break"

Indiana Wins the Natty: SEC Fans in Shambles

Kevin and Ciarnan break down Indiana's jaw-dropping national championship win, comparing its improbability to Leicester City's legendary run. They evaluate the impact of coach Curt Cignetti, debate media skepticism, and discuss what Indiana's success means for college football’s future. The hosts dissect the championship game, highlight pivotal moments for both Indiana and Miami, and consider whether either team can replicate their success next season. With hot takes on NIL, transfer portal drama, and the unusual case of Duke suing its own quarterback, the show dives deep into the evolving college football landscape.
 
00:00 Thrilling Game Sealed by Interception
10:19 Signetti's Impact and Future Uncertainty
12:34 "Competitive Futures for Teams"
18:30 "Short-Term Success Strategy in Sports"
26:22 "Indiana's Unlikely Football Peak"
29:40 "Frustration Over Missed Opportunity"
38:13 "Iowa Offense and Rankings Recap"
44:46 "Duke Sues Quarterback Darian Mensa"
45:36 "Honor Contracts in College Sports"
55:05 "2007-Era Drama and Surprises"
57:21 "Tailgate Awards and Top Teams"