Stick2Sports Podcast

The NBA is back, and we've got A LOT to unpack. 🏀 Dan Favale of Hardwood Knocks and Bleacher Report joins Stick2Sports for our 2026-27 NBA Season Preview, where we're putting the league's biggest offseason decisions, championship contenders, and rising young cores under the microscope. We kick things off with Offseason Roulette, debating the moves that could make or break a season. Did the Lakers give up too much for Walker Kessler? What should we make of Cleveland's James Harden gamble? And which under-the-radar additions could completely change a team's outlook? Then we're looking at the championship picture. Can Denver keep its window open? What does Boston look like without Jaylen Brown? Are Houston and Orlando ready to turn potential into real playoff success? And should more people be talking about Detroit? Plus, we're diving into the futures of Washington, Dallas, Utah, Memphis, Charlotte, and Brooklyn, before closing with Save This Clip, our boldest predictions about which NBA players and teams will have completely different reputations by season's end. From roster construction to breakout stars, we're covering the storylines that will define the season. TIMESTAMPS [04:22] Philadelphia's All-In Offseason [09:44] Nic Claxton & Chicago's Direction [15:05] San Antonio's Underrated Moves [22:12] Did the Lakers Overpay for Walker Kessler? [29:38] Cleveland's James Harden Gamble [35:57] Portland's Crowded Backcourt [43:44] Are We Overlooking Detroit? [50:20] Can Utah Finally Win? [55:47] Washington's Young Core [1:02:50] Cooper Flagg & Dallas's Next Step [1:10:11] Denver's Championship Ceiling [1:16:28] Can Boston Reinvent Itself? [1:23:05] Houston: Potential vs. Results [1:29:14] Is Orlando Finally Ready? [1:40:21] LaMelo Ball's Minnesota Revival [1:43:40] Charlotte's Future Without LaMelo [1:49:05] Does Brooklyn Have Real Building Blocks?

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! Five of the nation's top seven teams lost on the same Saturday, and suddenly, nobody knows who the best team in America is. This might have been one of the wildest weekends of college football we've seen in years, and we're breaking it ALL down. Auburn storms into Athens and shocks No. 1 Georgia, exposing questions about the Bulldogs' rushing attack and Gunnar Stockton's costly turnovers. Tennessee physically dominates Alabama, while BYU announces itself as a legitimate playoff contender with a thrilling win over Notre Dame. Ohio State survives Indiana in a defensive battle, but Julian Sayin's injury might have bigger implications than the win itself. Meanwhile, Miami escapes Florida State in a controversial double-overtime thriller, and Texas suffers another embarrassing loss, this time to Florida. Is Steve Sarkisian the real problem in Austin? PLUS: UCLA remains unbeaten, Ole Miss dismantles Missouri, Utah barely survives Colorado, LSU shuts out Mississippi State, Houston wins a Big 12 shootout, and James Madison continues making its playoff case. With the rankings about to be turned upside down, one question remains: WHO IS ACTUALLY GOOD? Tune in to Stick2Sports for the full breakdown, and follow the show for more college football, NFL, NBA, and soccer coverage throughout the week. #CollegeFootball #CFB #Stick2Sports *TIMESTAMPS* [01:30] Auburn SHOCKS No. 1 Georgia in Athens [07:15] Ohio State Survives Indiana, But at What Cost? [12:40] BYU STUNS Notre Dame! Are the Cougars Legit? [16:11] Tennessee EMBARRASSES Alabama [19:05] Florida Upsets Texas! Is Steve Sarkisian the Problem? [23:06] Miami ESCAPES Florida State in Double OT [28:00] Ole Miss DOMINATES Missouri [28:20] Utah Barely Survives Colorado [29:14] UCLA Stays UNDEFEATED With Backup QB [30:58] LSU Shuts Out Mississippi State [31:46] Houston Wins Big 12 Shootout Against Oklahoma State [33:03] James Madison Is a REAL Playoff Contender [34:24] Final Thoughts: Who Is Actually Good in College Football?

Is college football about to destroy the very thing that makes it special? The College Football Playoff could expand to 24 teams in 2027, and I've got some serious problems with it. More playoff games, fewer consequences for regular-season losses, and potentially no conference championship games? We're breaking down why the Big Ten is pushing expansion, how it benefits the biggest programs, and whether college football is sacrificing its identity for television money. Then we're previewing a massive weekend of college football! Ohio State vs. Indiana: Can Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith break down one of the country's toughest defenses, or will Indiana's remarkable run continue? Notre Dame vs. BYU: CJ Carr and the Fighting Irish head into Provo for a major test against Bear Bachmeier and the Cougars. Plus, Alabama–Tennessee, Wisconsin–UCLA, Mississippi State–LSU, and Oklahoma State–Houston. Finally, we're debuting BIG 12 WATCH! Eight teams with one loss or fewer, five unbeaten in conference play, and a championship race that could get absolutely ridiculous. Who's actually safe, and who's about to get exposed? Follow the show and join the conversation! [00:59] The 24-Team College Football Playoff Proposal [03:10] Is the College Football Regular Season Dead? [15:30] Does Expansion Reward Mediocrity? [23:00] The Future of College Football [29:14] Ohio State vs. Indiana [35:34] Alabama vs. Tennessee [40:41] Wisconsin vs. UCLA [45:41] Mississippi State vs. LSU [51:31] Notre Dame vs. BYU [56:21] Oklahoma State vs. Houston [59:29] Big 12 Watch: Who Survives the Chaos?

The real college football season starts NOW, and the first-ever Stick2Sports Power 15 is here. Georgia finally gets its regular-season win over Alabama, Texas collapses against Oklahoma, and the Big 12 might be the most interesting conference in college football. But which teams actually look ready to compete for a national championship? In this episode, we're breaking down Georgia's statement win, Arch Manning and Steve Sarkisian's offensive problems, the emerging Big 12 contenders, and another miserable Penn State White Out. Yes, I actually limit myself to five minutes on Penn State. Then it's over to the NFL. Marvin Harrison Jr. heads to Houston, Michael Penix Jr. continues to show promise while Tua struggles, the undefeated 49ers look increasingly dangerous, and Tyler Huntley gives me a reason to believe in Baltimore. Finally, I'm introducing the Stick2Sports Power 15, my new college football ranking system combining resume, team quality, dominance, recent form, and the eye test. Georgia takes the top spot, but some of these rankings are going to raise eyebrows. This is Stick2Sports, where Delusion Meets Analysis. Follow the show and tell me which Power 15 ranking you disagree with most. Timestamps [01:04] Georgia FINALLY Beats Alabama [03:31] Texas Collapses in the Red River Rivalry [10:03] Is the Big 12 College Football's Most Exciting Conference? [13:46] Penn State's White Out Disaster: Five-Minute Rant [18:39] NFL Week Recap: Absolute Chaos [19:14] Marvin Harrison Jr. Traded to Houston [23:13] Michael Penix Jr. Impresses, Tua Struggles [30:04] Are the Undefeated 49ers Super Bowl Bound? [35:08] Tyler Huntley Gives Me Hope for the Ravens [40:08] Introducing the Stick2Sports Power 15

The SEC might have more teams you trust. The Big Ten might have more questions than answers. But which conference would you actually back to win a national championship? Noah makes the case for the SEC’s depth, questions Texas’ offensive ceiling, and separates undefeated records from real playoff potential. Then it’s time for the statement games: Georgia vs. Alabama, Texas vs. Oklahoma, Indiana vs. Nebraska, and Florida State vs. Louisville. Who needs validation, and who has the most to lose? At Penn State, the White Out offers Matt Campbell a chance to change the story. Can a struggling offense capitalize against USC’s vulnerable defense? Noah breaks down the matchup, the importance of finishing drives, and why James Franklin’s 2016 breakthrough still matters to the conversation. In the NFL, it’s time to decide what’s worth believing. Bryce Young’s development, Brock Purdy’s expanding game, and Tyler Shough’s promise get a closer look, alongside defensive reality checks for the Bears, Vikings, Lions, and Commanders. Plus: Michael Penix Jr., Houston’s execution problems, and the uncomfortable question facing Jets fans: what has Aaron Glenn shown that deserves more patience? Listen to Episode 178 and follow Stick2Sports for more. [01:12] SEC vs. Big Ten [11:00] Undefeated Teams & Playoff Potential [14:44] Georgia vs. Alabama [22:43] Texas vs. Oklahoma [29:13] Indiana vs. Nebraska [35:56] Florida State vs. Louisville [40:25] Penn State vs. USC: White Out Stakes [59:50] Lessons from Penn State’s 2016 Turnaround [1:05:11] NFL QB Check: Young, Purdy & Shough [1:10:35] Defensive Reality Checks: Vikings, Bears, Lions & Commanders [1:18:23] Falcons & Texans: What Do We Believe? [1:22:28] Aaron Glenn & the Jets: Patience or Results?