Nuggets Dominate, CFP Chaos Looms, Wisconsin Surges & James Franklin Arrives at Virginia Tech

On today’s SportsIQ with Larry Smith, we roll into Thanksgiving week with a packed slate across the sports world — from NBA contenders flexing early-season muscle to seismic moves in college football.

Larry opens the show with programming notes for the holiday week before diving deep into the latest College Football Playoff rankings, where Ole Miss tumbles, Michigan lurks, and chaos is brewing entering rivalry weekend.

We’re joined by Ryan Stano (Heavy.com) to break down Nikola Jokić’s ridiculous dominance, Denver’s improved identity, and why the Nuggets look even more dangerous this season despite injuries and personnel changes. Ryan also weighs in on surprise teams across the league including the Lakers and the surging Raptors.

Next, Matt Perkins (Believe in Badgers Podcast) joins the show to unpack Wisconsin football’s most complete performance of the season — a throwback defensive clinic and revitalized energy behind true freshman QB Carter Smith. Matt also previews Badgers basketball, including what Greg Gard’s group must learn from their BYU loss.

Then, Damien Sodelett (Roanoke Times) steps in to explain exactly how Virginia Tech landed James Franklin. From an aggressive search committee to a massive financial investment and a recruiting reboot already underway, Damian details why the Hokies acted early, why Franklin said yes, and why tech fans believe this can spark a fast rebuild.

Finally, producer Tony jumps back in to analyze the CFP’s 12-team puzzle — who controls their destiny, who needs chaos, and why two Group of Five teams will never make the field, no matter how loud the message boards get.

• CFP Rankings Breakdown: Ole Miss slips, Michigan rises, chaos scenarios

• Why the committee is watching Lane Kiffin’s situation closely

• NBA: Jokic’s triple-double machine & Denver’s renewed identity

• Lakers’ surprising early success & Austin Reaves’ breakout

• Toronto’s stunning run — and how long it can last

• Wisconsin football’s best win under Luke Fickell

• True freshmen energizing Badgers defense and offense

• Badger hoops: BYU loss takeaways & Big Ten opener ahead

• Inside Virginia Tech’s coaching search: How James Franklin became the guy

• Why VT’s massive financial investment changed everything

• Tony’s CFP “tea-leaf reading”: BYU, Miami, Alabama, Michigan & Notre Dame

• Why the Group of Five will never get two playoff bids

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