The Solid Verbal

In this college football podcast episode, Dan is joined by ESPN’s Bill Connelly to dive into the mysterious world of college football luck—turnovers, close games, and injuries—that shaped 2024 and could define 2025. From Clemson’s run to Auburn’s bad breaks, Bill talks through the numbers and what they mean for teams ranging from Alabama to UCF. Plus, a deep dive into Clemson’s top-five potential, the chaotic state of the sport, and Bill’s upcoming book, Forward Progress. Plus, Bill’s Japan travel tips, from Kit Kats to Kyoto.Timestamps:(00:00) - Intro(02:05) - Luck in 2024 College Football: Clemson, Auburn, Alabama, and More(25:29) - Clemson’s 2025 Outlook: Top-Five Hype or Bust?(30:40) - Predictive Metrics and the Chaos of Modern CFB(31:47) - Bill’s Book: Forward Progress and CFB’s Future(42:29) - Is CFB Too Far Gone for Unity?(50:28) - Bill’s Japan Trip: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kit KatsKey Topics DiscussedDefining Luck in College Football: Explore Bill’s methodology for quantifying turnover luck, close-game