Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, talking Maryland.

Maryland built its 2025 offense around true freshman QB Malik Washington and he delivered well. However he did not have much help from the run game and the Terps' top-three receivers are off to the NFL. What will this offense look like under new OC Clint Trickett?

Maryland struggled defensively as 2025 progressed, particularly against the run where they ranked 15th in the Big Ten, allowing 175.6 yards per game on the ground. To address this, Maryland brought in a handful of interior DL transfers. What are we looking for from this unit?

At the edge, Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart had big years in 2025, and they add class of 2026 5-start prospect Zion Elee to the mix. Could this fearsome attack off the edge help a Terps defense that finished 48th nationally in sacks per game a year ago?

Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, touching on Iowa. Another 9-win season in 2025, with a win against playoff-contending Vanderbilt in the bowl game showed the consistency of Kirk Ferentz's program. However, turnover will be abound with this team in 2026.

That starts at the QB position. After portal shopping the last year years, and having good success with Mark Gronowski in 2025, the Hawkeyes will look to turn to an in-house solution (who also previously transferred in) in 2026 with Jeremy Hecklinski or Hank Brown. How with this alter the offensive identity?

Out wide, we know Iowa has a case for TEU and they should be well-stocked at that position. But they turned to the FCS ranks to re-stock the WR position with productive players. Can they handle the jump in physicality of Big Ten defenses?

One of the hallmarks of Iowa football has been special teams play. But for the first time since 2007, LaVar Woods will not be on this staff. Can the Hawkeyes special teams units remain elite game-wreckers?

Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, touching on Illinois. After a breakout 2024 led to a strong, but maybe short of expectations 2025, where will the team head in 2026?

They will be led by a new QB with three-year starter Luke Altmyer off for the NFL. In comes ECU transfer Katin Houser, he of 2023 Michigan State lore. A big body with a strong arm and a more physical run style, will Illinois alter its offensive look in 2026 to accommodate the new signal caller?

He will need help from his OL, which was not good enough in 2025 but replaces four of five starters. Who are names to know along this unit?

On defense, new DC Bobby Hauck imports a 3-3-5 defense that will put more on an Illinois secondary that was injury-riddled in 2025 but returns a plethora of talent, despite several losses.

Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

Ryan and Clinton return from hiatus to begin a journey through the midwest as spring ball begins to kick off. The guys open with the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers, with three items to observe for in the spring.

On the edge, Mikhail Kamara departs after a successful two year run in Bloomington following a transfer from JMU. To help ease his loss, along with several others, the Hoosiers hit the portal hard. Who are the names to know this spring.

Out wide, Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper are off to the NFL, but 2025 breakout star Charlie Becker returns for new QB Josh Hoover. Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh enters, and who else should we be keeping our eyes on?

In the backfield, Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black also depart. In what has been a running-back-by-committee in two years for Curt Cignetti in Bloomington, will we see more of the same in 2026 or will a bell cow emerge?

Join us on our Youtube channel live for shows. Spring time will feature shows Monday and Thursday live at 9 pm est until the conclusion of spring ball, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

In part four of our four part February series, Ryan and Clinton talk coaching carousel. In the Big Ten, four new head coaching jobs start in 2026: Pat Fitzgerald returns to the Big Ten at Michigan State; Matt Campbell takes the next step in his career moving to Penn State; Bob Chesney jumps from James Madison to UCLA; and Kyle Whittingham stepped down at Utah and took Michigan's vacant posting. What are aspects of these hires we like that could indicate coming success? What are some potential trepidations with these hires that give us cause for pause. Additionally, the guys talk a couple OC/DC new hires to watch for.

Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

In part three of our four part February series, Ryan and Clinton talk transfer portal. In the Big Ten, who are key names to know for each team, and who is a player who might be flying under the radar ready for a big breakout?

Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

In part two of our four-part February series, Ryan and Clinton reminisce and eulogize the Southeastern Football Conference, which has now gone three consecutive seasons without playing in a national championship game. What has led to this shift in the power dynamics of college football, and will the shift in power toward the Midwest continue moving forward?

Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI

You have questions, we have answers (mostly). In part one of four of the guy's February pre-recorded series, the guys tackle user questions. From early playoff predictions, to past dream jobs, the guys tackle a wide range of topics.

Join us on our Youtube channel live Saturday/Monday/Thursday for shows, with the episode dropping in your podcast feed the following morning. Live time for Monday/Thursday shows will remain 9 pm, while we will go live for instant reactions Saturday night following the games. Follow us on Twitter to get notified when we are going live and to interact with the show.

LINKS:

Twitter: https://x.com/ITPCFB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ITPCFB/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-pylon-a-midwest-college-football-podcast/id1729819040

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0duY5MWU52VLBGm8sO7eaI