Tradition's Finest Episode 106.5 - "The P.U.I. Episode"

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 106.5 - "The P.U.I [Pitching Under the Influence] Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football Week Seven Review & Recap: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss the major storylines, review, & each provide their individual takeaway's for the Week 7 slate of College Football games from across the country - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap, and discussion of the following game(s), which are included in this week's College Football Review & Recap segment: No.8 Alabama Crimson Tide at No.14 Missouri Tigers No.1 Ohio State Buckeyes at No.17 Illinois Fighting Illini Washington State Cougars at No.4 Ole Miss Rebels Allstate Red River Rivalry: No.6 Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Longhorns No.7 Indiana Hoosiers at No.3 Oregon Ducks No.15 Michigan Wolverines at USC Trojans "Deep South's Oldest Rivalry:" No.10 Georgia Bulldogs at Auburn Tigers - NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - - Following the results of the Week Seven slate of College Football games on Saturday, Sunday would become somewhat of a “doomsday," as three major CFB head coaches would be fired and/or relieved from their positions. . .(1) Most notably, Penn State fired HC James Franklin after 12 seasons with the program, the school announced early Sunday morning - - Franklin is owed more than $49 million, according to his contract, which is the second-largest buyout in college football history behind only Jimbo Fisher's $76 million buyout from Texas A&M - - Associate HC Terry Smith will serve as the Nittany Lions' interim head coach for the remainder of the season, and reportedly, no additional changes to the staff are expected at this time - - Penn State, ranked in the preseason as the No.2 team in the country, entered the 2025-26 season with a championship-or-bust mission, and oh boy, did things go bust! - - Franklin's program appeared to hit a new low when the Nittany Lions traveled out to Los Angeles two weeks ago only to lose to the winless UCLA Bruins, a team who hadn't previously held a lead in a game this season - - The woes traveled back with the team to Happy Valley, and with them came "Fire Franklin!" chants at Beaver Stadium on Saturday - - The Nittany Lions dropped their second straight home game this past weekend - and third overall - when they fell to Northwestern 22-21 in front of a stunned crowd at Happy Valley - - **NOTE: With the two losses, Penn State became the first team since the FBS and FCS split in 1978, to lose consecutive games while favored by 20 or more points in each game, according to ESPN Research - - In Saturday's loss to the Wildcats, the Nittany Lions struggled on both sides of the ball, committing six penalties for 71 yards in the first half alone - as they simply could never get out of their own way - and this was preceded the tragedy that would occur late in the 4th QTR: QB Drew Allar would go down, and according to Nittany Lions HC James Franklin in the post-game press conference, suffered a season-ending ankle injury - - Earlier in the season, when the losing streak began against Oregon at Happy Valley, Franklin fell to 4-21 at Penn State against AP Top-10 opponents, including a 1-18 record against AP Top-10 teams in the Big Ten Conference - - **NOTE: Franklin's .160 winning percentage against AP Top-10 teams is tied for the 3rd-worst record by a coach (with a minimum of 25 games) at a single school since the poll era began in 1936 - - The main question has to be: Where does Penn State go from here?: The school has made significant investments in facilities, NIL & other areas, and school AD Patrick Kraft is a "football guy," who wants to win at the highest level - - In regards to the recruiting trail, Penn State has access to talent in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic & Midwest, and certainly can compete for major goals on a regular basis - - In their pursuit of a new coach, the program can aim high with candidates and potential replacements, including from within the Big Ten Conference, and certainly target those with a track record of winning in the biggest moments - - After discussing a few of the most notable head coaching candidates to replace James Franklin at Penn State, both JD & Spencer each provide their pick as to who the Nittany Lions should pursue, and why (**Tune in to hear their picks!). . .(2) Next in line: Oregon State fired HC Trent Bray in the wake of an 0-7 start, the school announced Sunday afternoon - - It is the worst start the Beavers program since 1991, when they started the season 0-10 - - Bray, an Oregon State alum, who got promoted to the head coaching job after Jonathan Smith left for Michigan State following the 2023 season, finishes with a 5-14 record after taking over the program in 2024 - - Robb Akey, who was in his first year as Special Assistant to the head coach, has been named the Beavers' interim coach for the remainder of the ...