Ralph Russo
@ralphdrussoath.bsky.social
Covering college sports _ mostly football _ for The Athletic. Formerly of The Associated Press. Apologies in advance for the Mets posts.
Reach me at: [email protected]
Reach me at: [email protected]
Reposted by Ralph Russo
Which potential matchup do you hope comes true in the latest CFB Playoff bracket reveal?
@ralphdrussoath.bsky.social has the new CFB Top 25 and a glance at the matchups in the weeks ahead:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
@ralphdrussoath.bsky.social has the new CFB Top 25 and a glance at the matchups in the weeks ahead:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
November 12, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Which potential matchup do you hope comes true in the latest CFB Playoff bracket reveal?
@ralphdrussoath.bsky.social has the new CFB Top 25 and a glance at the matchups in the weeks ahead:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
@ralphdrussoath.bsky.social has the new CFB Top 25 and a glance at the matchups in the weeks ahead:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
I have done no research but this feels right.
Sustainable band lineups include four cool people (Ramones), four dorks (Weezer), or two cool people and two dorks (Cheap Trick). Unsustainable band lineups include one cool person and three dorks (Pixies)
November 12, 2025 at 2:48 AM
I have done no research but this feels right.
Reposted by Ralph Russo
Brian Kelly's lawsuit against LSU states that LSU offered him a $25/30 million payment instead of $53m buyout w/ offset.
He declined but was open to more offers. Then LSU said they didn't actually fire him but still could for cause.
Our updated story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
He declined but was open to more offers. Then LSU said they didn't actually fire him but still could for cause.
Our updated story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Brian Kelly files lawsuit against LSU alleging school wants to fire him for cause
The buyout for Kelly would be the second-largest in college sports, behind the $77 million Texas A&M paid to Jimbo Fisher in 2023.
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Brian Kelly's lawsuit against LSU states that LSU offered him a $25/30 million payment instead of $53m buyout w/ offset.
He declined but was open to more offers. Then LSU said they didn't actually fire him but still could for cause.
Our updated story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
He declined but was open to more offers. Then LSU said they didn't actually fire him but still could for cause.
Our updated story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Ralph Russo
New Audible: How high could Texas Tech end up after dominant wins over BYU & Utah? Plus, @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social, Stew & I debate whether the CFP committee should rely on computer rankings, or focus on head-to-head results and quality wins?
m.youtube.com/watch?v=qfe_...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=qfe_...
Texas Tech Rising + Debating Playoff Ranking Methods
YouTube video by The Audible
m.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:51 PM
New Audible: How high could Texas Tech end up after dominant wins over BYU & Utah? Plus, @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social, Stew & I debate whether the CFP committee should rely on computer rankings, or focus on head-to-head results and quality wins?
m.youtube.com/watch?v=qfe_...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=qfe_...
Reposted by Ralph Russo
Does it seem like there are more close games this year? It's because there are!
43.3% of P4vsP4 games have been decided by 1 score, highest rate for P4/P5/BCS games in at least 20 years. Avg score margin is 14.4 ppg, lowest since 2009.
43.3% of P4vsP4 games have been decided by 1 score, highest rate for P4/P5/BCS games in at least 20 years. Avg score margin is 14.4 ppg, lowest since 2009.
November 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Does it seem like there are more close games this year? It's because there are!
43.3% of P4vsP4 games have been decided by 1 score, highest rate for P4/P5/BCS games in at least 20 years. Avg score margin is 14.4 ppg, lowest since 2009.
43.3% of P4vsP4 games have been decided by 1 score, highest rate for P4/P5/BCS games in at least 20 years. Avg score margin is 14.4 ppg, lowest since 2009.
Reposted by Ralph Russo
There were 12 total possessions in Saturday's Army-Temple game, six for each team, fewer than in any FBS game since at least 2007. (Five games since 2007 had featured 13 total game possessions: bcftoys.com/possessions).
Game Possessions — BCF Toys
bcftoys.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM
There were 12 total possessions in Saturday's Army-Temple game, six for each team, fewer than in any FBS game since at least 2007. (Five games since 2007 had featured 13 total game possessions: bcftoys.com/possessions).
Not to be mean, but UVA had it coming.
LOWEST POSTGAME WIN EXPECTANCY IN A WIN, WEEK 11:
UL > TXST 2.1%
AFA > SJSU 2.2%
SHSU > Ore St 4.5%
Army > Temple 9.3%
Wisc > Wash 19.4%
Wake > UVA 19.5%
Rice > UAB 21.0%
Ball St > Kent St 37.1%
UNC > Stanford 38.3%
ISU > TCU 47.4%
Funkiest week by far! Full list:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
UL > TXST 2.1%
AFA > SJSU 2.2%
SHSU > Ore St 4.5%
Army > Temple 9.3%
Wisc > Wash 19.4%
Wake > UVA 19.5%
Rice > UAB 21.0%
Ball St > Kent St 37.1%
UNC > Stanford 38.3%
ISU > TCU 47.4%
Funkiest week by far! Full list:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
2025 SP+
docs.google.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Not to be mean, but UVA had it coming.
DirectTV stream loaded
@ralphdrussoath.bsky.social what’s your plan this weekend?
November 8, 2025 at 2:16 AM
DirectTV stream loaded
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678... How is Vanderbilt doing this? An Aussie rules football team traveled 9,000 miles to find out
How is Vanderbilt doing this? An Aussie rules football team traveled 9,000 miles to find out
Gold Coast Suns senior coach Damien Hardwick said he's sees a lot of similarities between Vanderbilt football and his team.
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:44 PM
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678... How is Vanderbilt doing this? An Aussie rules football team traveled 9,000 miles to find out
This is the NFL analysis I crave.
this game is one of the biggest punting mismatches you'll ever see in the NFL, the Raiders have all-time career punting yardage leader AJ Cole dropping precision strikes at the .5 yard line and the Broncos have a rookie whose Stadium Pulse meter is flashing red
November 7, 2025 at 2:17 AM
This is the NFL analysis I crave.
Reposted by Ralph Russo
He’s back!!
Ari Wasserman joins @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social and me to talk Notre Dame, Miami and not trying to make the CFP committee be what you want it to be.
New Audible: m.youtube.com/watch?v=pV5y...
Ari Wasserman joins @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social and me to talk Notre Dame, Miami and not trying to make the CFP committee be what you want it to be.
New Audible: m.youtube.com/watch?v=pV5y...
Ari Wasserman on Playoff Head-Scratchers
YouTube video by The Audible
m.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
He’s back!!
Ari Wasserman joins @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social and me to talk Notre Dame, Miami and not trying to make the CFP committee be what you want it to be.
New Audible: m.youtube.com/watch?v=pV5y...
Ari Wasserman joins @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social and me to talk Notre Dame, Miami and not trying to make the CFP committee be what you want it to be.
New Audible: m.youtube.com/watch?v=pV5y...
Free Breece.
The Jets’ asking price for Breece Hall is a third-round pick, per source.
Teams have yet to meet New York’s ask with just over an hour to go until the deadline.
Teams have yet to meet New York’s ask with just over an hour to go until the deadline.
November 4, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Free Breece.
Reposted by Ralph Russo
New Audible: @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social Stew and I recap Week 10; did folks write off Texas too soon; another coaching search at Auburn; USC gets a nice road win? Nebraska locks up Rhule and our Shoutouts. m.youtube.com/watch?v=OjP4...
Week 10 Reactions: Huge Week for CFP Implications
YouTube video by The Audible
m.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:57 AM
New Audible: @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social Stew and I recap Week 10; did folks write off Texas too soon; another coaching search at Auburn; USC gets a nice road win? Nebraska locks up Rhule and our Shoutouts. m.youtube.com/watch?v=OjP4...
Auburn is actually efficient.
When Auburn fired Gus Malzahn in 2020, that was the highest buyout ever, at $21.5 million.
Auburn has since fired two more coaches with big buyouts, totaling around $52 million all together, which is less than one Brian Kelly or Jimbo Fisher, slightly more than James Franklin.
Auburn has since fired two more coaches with big buyouts, totaling around $52 million all together, which is less than one Brian Kelly or Jimbo Fisher, slightly more than James Franklin.
November 2, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Auburn is actually efficient.
Reposted by Ralph Russo
Bad news for Nebraska: Quarterback Dylan Raiola will miss the rest of the season with a broken fibula. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Nebraska QB Raiola out for season with broken fibula: Source
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Bad news for Nebraska: Quarterback Dylan Raiola will miss the rest of the season with a broken fibula. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677... AP Top 25: Notre Dame back in top 10, Miami plummets ahead of first Playoff rankings
AP Top 25: Notre Dame back in top 10, Miami plummets ahead of first Playoff rankings
Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, Alabama and Georgia remain atop the AP Top 25 college football poll ahead of the first Playoff rankings.
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:16 PM
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677... AP Top 25: Notre Dame back in top 10, Miami plummets ahead of first Playoff rankings
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677... College Football Playoff Week 10 lessons: Can anyone make sense of upside-down ACC?
What we learned about the Playoff: Making sense of the ACC and reassessing the Big Ten
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:26 PM
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677... College Football Playoff Week 10 lessons: Can anyone make sense of upside-down ACC?
Think this is the winner.
A few years back there was a similar blackout on the first Saturday of bowl season and needless to say I wasn’t missing the New Orleans Bowl.
This bailed me out for a day.
A few years back there was a similar blackout on the first Saturday of bowl season and needless to say I wasn’t missing the New Orleans Bowl.
This bailed me out for a day.
Fubo free trial is probably the easiest option.
November 1, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Think this is the winner.
A few years back there was a similar blackout on the first Saturday of bowl season and needless to say I wasn’t missing the New Orleans Bowl.
This bailed me out for a day.
A few years back there was a similar blackout on the first Saturday of bowl season and needless to say I wasn’t missing the New Orleans Bowl.
This bailed me out for a day.
Gonna go to the gym, hope for some last-minute resolution with espn/youtubeTV.
But guess it’s time to start developing a Plan B.
Taking suggestions.
But guess it’s time to start developing a Plan B.
Taking suggestions.
November 1, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Gonna go to the gym, hope for some last-minute resolution with espn/youtubeTV.
But guess it’s time to start developing a Plan B.
Taking suggestions.
But guess it’s time to start developing a Plan B.
Taking suggestions.
3 pitches. Still, wild stuff
Glasnow got 3 outs with 2 pitches.
Incredible ending.
Incredible ending.
November 1, 2025 at 3:19 AM
3 pitches. Still, wild stuff
Glasnow got 3 outs with 2 pitches.
Incredible ending.
Incredible ending.
November 1, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Glasnow got 3 outs with 2 pitches.
Incredible ending.
Incredible ending.
Ohtani hitting the ball that hard and that far with that swing is bananas.
November 1, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Ohtani hitting the ball that hard and that far with that swing is bananas.
Reposted by Ralph Russo
The Athletic spoke with 10 people who have been part of LSU football in recent years and/or have worked for Brian Kelly.
They described a coach who delegated too much authority, didn’t prioritize recruiting and failed to bond with his players: www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
They described a coach who delegated too much authority, didn’t prioritize recruiting and failed to bond with his players: www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
October 31, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The Athletic spoke with 10 people who have been part of LSU football in recent years and/or have worked for Brian Kelly.
They described a coach who delegated too much authority, didn’t prioritize recruiting and failed to bond with his players: www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
They described a coach who delegated too much authority, didn’t prioritize recruiting and failed to bond with his players: www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Reposted by Ralph Russo
The latest on Penn State, Clark Lea, Lane Kiffin and more entering CFB’s Week 10
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
What we're hearing entering Week 10: Where will Penn State turn after Matt Rhule?
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The latest on Penn State, Clark Lea, Lane Kiffin and more entering CFB’s Week 10
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...