College basketball takes center stage on today’s Sports IQ with Larry Smith as the spotlight shines on an unbeaten Nebraska program rewriting its own history.

Larry is joined by Ben Doody, Executive Editor of the Omaha World-Herald, to break down the Cornhuskers’ best start ever, why this run feels different, and what Nebraska’s rabid fan base is experiencing as national expectations rise. Can this team make a real March push—or even dream bigger?

Then, Purdue play-by-play voice Rob Blackman joins the show to explain why the preseason No. 1 Boilermakers are somehow flying under the radar despite elite consistency, a dominant frontcourt, and another Big Ten title chase. Plus, how Purdue is adjusting travel and preparation for its West Coast swing against USC and UCLA.

The episode wraps with NFL Divisional Round previews, as Larry and producer Tony Cordero break down the matchups, quarterback pressure points, and the teams most likely to punch tickets to the conference championships.

Finally, a jaw-dropping Moment of Awe: an Arizona high school player drops 100 points in a single game, evoking shades of Wilt—on a much smaller frame.

College hoops, NFL playoff intrigue, and a historic scoring night—all in one packed episode.

The improbable has become reality. Indiana and Miami — two programs from vastly different football worlds — meet Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium with a national championship on the line.

On this episode of Sports IQ, Larry Smith and the team break down everything you need to know heading into the College Football Playoff Championship, from on-field matchups to the deeper forces shaping modern college football.

Indiana enters as the No. 1 seed and favorite, powered by elite efficiency, discipline, and a postseason run that has stunned the sport. Miami, the No. 10 seed, arrives battle-tested, physical, and surging behind a balanced offense and postseason grit.

Larry is joined by two insiders who know these teams best:

• Shannon Griffith (Hoosiers.com) breaks down Indiana’s dominance, Fernando Mendoza’s historic efficiency, the Hoosiers’ trench play, and why this run has awakened one of the largest alumni bases in college sports.

• Adam Lichtenstein (Sun Sentinel) provides the Miami perspective — Carson Beck’s redemption arc, the Hurricanes’ punishing run game, and why controlling the line of scrimmage is Miami’s path to a title.

• Why Indiana’s playoff run may be one of the most efficient stretches in college football history

• How Miami’s physical identity and run game can neutralize explosive offenses

• The chess match in the trenches that could decide the title

• Alumni power, TV value, and why football remains the front porch of a university

• Transfer portal changes, NIL ripple effects, and why fewer players are entering the portal

• Major headlines from the NFL, college basketball, and the NBA

On this day in 1892, the rules of basketball were officially published — setting in motion a chain that leads from James Naismith to Kansas, to Dean Smith, and ultimately to Michael Jordan. A reminder of how sports history echoes forward in ways no one could have predicted.

📍 College Football Playoff Championship
🗓 Monday Night
🏟 Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, FL
📺 ESPN

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🔍 Inside the Championship Matchup🏈 What You’ll Hear in This Episode🌟 Moment of Awe

Vanderbilt is one of the final undefeated teams in Division I basketball — and it’s not a fluke. On this episode of Sports IQ with Larry Smith, we go inside the Commodores’ remarkable rise, break down Auburn’s ongoing rebuild across football and basketball, and unpack what’s really happening behind closed doors with the College Football Playoff expansion talks.

Larry and the crew are joined by Henry Oelhafen, Sports Editor of The Vanderbilt Hustler, to explain how Mark Byington’s coaching, transfer portal success, and elite backcourt play have vaulted Vandy into national contention. Later, Peter Rauterkus of AL.com joins the show to discuss Auburn’s coaching transition, portal-heavy roster rebuild, and the challenges of sustaining success in the SEC’s new era.

Plus, Larry revisits a 16-team College Football Playoff model he proposed nearly two decades ago — and why it might finally make sense in 2026 and beyond. From NIL chaos and transfer portal realities to WNBA labor negotiations and historic sports moments, it’s a packed episode you won’t want to miss.

🏀 Topics Discussed in This Episode

• Vanderbilt basketball’s undefeated start and national legitimacy

• SEC basketball power shifts and key upcoming matchups

• Mark Byington’s impact and transfer portal strategy at Vandy

• Auburn football’s coaching change and roster overhaul

• Transfer portal stress from the player and coach perspective

• Auburn basketball after Bruce Pearl’s sudden retirement

• WNBA players union moratorium and looming CBA implications

• Larry Smith’s 16-team College Football Playoff blueprint

• What CFP expansion could mean for conference titles and bowl games

• Moment of Awe: 75 years since the first-ever Pro Bowl at the LA Coliseum

The NFL postseason field is set — and it looks nothing like last year. On this episode of Sports IQ, Larry Smith breaks down a wild opening round of the NFL playoffs, where defense ruled, longtime powers fell, and league-wide parity took center stage.

The Houston Texans make history with a dominant road win in Pittsburgh, raising serious questions about the future of the Steelers — and whether Mike Tomlin’s era is nearing a crossroads. NFL writer Shane Shoemaker (Heavy.com) joins the show to analyze Houston’s rise, Green Bay’s late-season collapse, coaching vacancies across the league, and which Divisional Round matchup deserves the most attention.

Later, Yahoo Sports senior writer Dan Wolken returns with a must-hear conversation on college athletics. Wolken explains why the current college sports model is “broken in almost every way possible,” diving into NIL chaos, the transfer portal, donor influence, legal uncertainty, and why Indiana’s stunning rise to the national title game may represent a turning point for the sport.

Plus:

• NFL Divisional Round previews

• Green Bay’s coaching dilemma

• The Bears’ breakthrough with Caleb Williams

• Indiana vs. Miami and the future of college football

• A viral youth hockey incident that sparked controversy

It’s a jam-packed episode covering the biggest stories shaping football at every level — and where the games may be headed next.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• Texans’ historic playoff win over the Steelers

• Pittsburgh’s seven-game playoff losing streak

• NFL coaching carousel & available candidates

• Packers’ late-game struggles and Matt LaFleur’s future

• NFL Divisional Round matchups to watch

• Why college sports governance is failing

• NIL, the transfer portal, and legal gray areas

• Indiana’s unprecedented run to the national championship game

• Donor power, billionaire involvement, and sustainability

• Viral youth hockey controversy and league response

  Featured Guests

• Shane Shoemaker – NFL Writer, Heavy.com

• Dan Wolken – Senior Writer, Yahoo Sports

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New episodes drop Monday through Friday.

It’s a packed Monday edition of Sports IQ with Larry Smith as the NFL postseason heats up and college sports deliver headline moments across the board.

Larry opens the show with a full recap of Wild Card Weekend, including Indiana’s dominant College Football Playoff performance, major transfer portal news, and a whirlwind of NFL results that reshaped the playoff picture. From comeback wins and defensive stands to coaching decisions under the microscope, it was a weekend that reminded everyone why January football hits different.

The spotlight then turns to Monday Night Football as Steelers beat writer Ray Fittipaldo (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) joins the show to break down Steelers vs. Texans. The conversation dives into Aaron Rodgers’ late-season resurgence, the impact of DK Metcalf’s return, Pittsburgh’s underrated running back room, and why veterans like Cam Heyward continue to define playoff football. Ray also explains what must happen early for the Steelers to control the game and where Houston could pose real problems.

Later, Daniel Arwas (Heavy.com / Sports Illustrated) joins Larry for an in-depth NFL playoff conversation. They break down the Bears’ stunning comeback win over Green Bay, Caleb Williams’ fourth-quarter brilliance, Ben Johnson’s culture shift in Chicago, and what lies ahead against the Rams. The discussion expands to the 49ers, Seahawks, Patriots under Mike Vrabel, Drake Maye’s development, and why the Broncos–Bills matchup could steal the weekend.

Producer Tony closes the show with coaching grades from Wild Card Weekend — handing out A’s, F’s, and hard truths about in-game adjustments, postseason preparation, and why some teams fell short when it mattered most.

The episode wraps with a powerful Moment of Awe, spotlighting WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson, who surprised a young fan at a Chicago Bulls game by gifting her a signed gold basketball — a reminder that greatness is measured not just by trophies, but by moments of humanity.

Guests Featured

• Ray Fittipaldo — Steelers Beat Writer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

• Daniel Arwas — NFL Writer, Heavy.com & Sports Illustrated

On this episode of Sports IQ with Larry Smith, the panel breaks down a loaded weekend across football and basketball — from the NFL playoff field and coaching storylines to Gonzaga’s quiet dominance and Miami’s lucrative run to the College Football Playoff title game.

Producer Tony sits down with NFL beat writer Eric Anderson (Heavy.com) to unpack the AFC and NFC playoff races, evaluating which teams are peaking at the right time, which quarterbacks have answered long-standing questions, and which defenses could carry teams deep into January. From Denver and New England’s rise to the danger posed by Buffalo, Houston, Seattle, and Philadelphia, this is a comprehensive look at the road to the Super Bowl.

Later, Theo Lawson, Gonzaga beat writer for The Spokesman-Review, joins the show to explain how the Bulldogs continue to thrive year after year. The conversation dives into Gonzaga’s culture, international recruiting pipeline, defensive evolution, and what this year’s roster might mean for March — plus a look ahead to the program’s upcoming move into the new Pac-12.

The episode wraps with college football playoff economics, conference realignment fallout, college basketball headlines, and a Moment of Awe revisiting Boise State’s iconic Fiesta Bowl upset — and the proposal that became one of the most unforgettable scenes in college football history.

• NFL playoff outlook in the AFC and NFC

• Eric Anderson on quarterbacks, defenses, and postseason matchups

• Denver, New England, Buffalo, Houston, and Seattle playoff profiles

• Gonzaga basketball’s sustained success under Mark Few

• International recruiting and culture at Gonzaga

• West Coast Conference vs. future Pac-12 competition

• College Football Playoff revenue and Miami’s financial windfall

• College basketball Top 25 notes

• Moment of Awe: Boise State’s legendary Fiesta Bowl moment

• Eric Anderson — NFL Beat Writer, Heavy.com

• Theo Lawson — Gonzaga Beat Writer, The Spokesman-Review

The College Football Playoff semifinals are here — and Sports IQ with Larry Smith delivers wall-to-wall insight, history, and perspective as four unlikely contenders chase a national title.

Larry Smith and the Sports IQ team break down the Ole Miss–Miami semifinal from every angle, featuring expert voices from both programs and deep discussion on how today’s college football landscape is reshaping power, recruiting, and conference dominance.

• Evie Van Pelt (Founder & Publisher, RebelGrove.com) — On Ole Miss’s emotional playoff run, coaching upheaval, and what the Rebels’ breakthrough means for the program.

• Cole Thompson (SEC Unfiltered) — A wide-ranging look at the SEC vs Big Ten balance of power, roster construction through NIL and the portal, and why this CFP feels different.

• Adam Lichtenstein (Miami Sun Sentinel) — Inside Miami’s physical identity, trench dominance, and what must happen for the Hurricanes to reach the title game.

• Ole Miss’s stunning playoff surge amid coaching uncertainty

• Miami’s defensive front and disciplined offensive approach

• How NIL and the transfer portal are reshaping roster building

• Big Ten parity and the national power shift beyond Ohio State and Michigan

• Why this CFP semifinal field represents true parity in college football

• Matchup keys: pressure, time of possession, and quarterback efficiency

On January 8, 1955, Kentucky’s NCAA-record 129-game home winning streak came to a shocking end. Georgia Tech stunned the Wildcats in Lexington, led by Joe Helms’ game-high 23 points — including the game-winning jumper with 11 seconds left. The 59–58 upset snapped a streak that still stands today.

A reminder that no record is untouchable — and history always has a say.

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On this midweek edition of Sports IQ, Larry Smith and Producer Tony break down a jam-packed sports landscape as both the NFL and college sports worlds spin at full speed.

The show opens with a deep dive into the NFL coaching carousel, highlighted by the stunning decision to move on from longtime Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, sweeping coordinator changes in Washington, and growing questions about stability across the league. Larry and Tony debate whether franchises are acting too quickly—and what these moves say about modern expectations in professional football.

From there, the focus shifts to the College Football Playoff, as Oregon prepares to face Indiana in a semifinal showdown. Zach Neel (USA Today) joins the show to analyze Oregon’s dominant defensive performance, key matchup storylines, Dan Lanning’s aggressive coaching style, and what the Ducks must do differently in the rematch with the Hoosiers.

The conversation then turns to college basketball, where William Koch (Providence Journal) breaks down Providence’s statement road win over St. John’s, the development of young talent, and the challenges ahead in Big East play—including a looming matchup with UConn. The discussion highlights why the Big East remains one of the sport’s most intense and tradition-rich conferences.

The episode wraps with a wild Moment of Awe from college hoops, featuring a controversial buzzer-beater overturned at the horn—leaving fans stunned and debates raging.

Smart analysis, strong opinions, and nonstop storylines—this is Sports IQ at full throttle.