The Solid Verbal

It’s that time again—the season is on the doorstep, and we brought in ESPN’s Bill Connelly to help us make sense of the chaos ahead. From his new SP+ rankings with a dozen teams clumped near the top to the Arch Manning hype train and a logjam of unproven quarterbacks, we dive headfirst into why 2025 might be the most unpredictable season in years. We cover the teams with the widest range of outcomes (hello, Tennessee), the portal-fueled rebuilds at Purdue and West Virginia, and which traditional powers might quietly be underrated. Bill also opens up about his new book Forward Progress, why realignment and money distribution could shape the sport’s future, and what “canaries in the coal mine” fans should keep an eye on. Plus, why offensive lines could make or break this year’s contenders, whether Texas Tech is ready to crash the playoff party, and what keeps college football so beautifully chaotic despite all the off-field drama. Timestamps:0:00 - Intro7:01 - Interview