Fernando Mendoza Goes Viral, SEC Jealousy + The Playoff Expansion Debate

Curt Cignetti: Face of College Football, The Tom Allen Alternate Reality, & Sam’s CFP Predictions

Sampson James GoFund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-sampson-james-rebuild-his-life [https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-sampson-james-rebuild-his-life] Welcome back to another packed episode of Kirkwood and Dunn! This week, we are covering the absolute explosion of the Indiana football brand as Curt Cignetti officially takes over the sports media landscape. We break down his starring role in the EA Sports College Football trailer, dissect the beta gameplay details, and react to Fernando Mendoza's star-studded offseason adventures. Then, we transition into a mind-bending alternate reality exercise: What if Indiana never fired Tom Allen on November 26, 2023? How would the 2024 season have played out with Tayven Jackson under center, and where would Curt Cignetti be coaching right now? Finally, we look at College Football with Sam’s post-spring projections, recap Tim's emotional rewatch of our National Championship victory, and bring attention to an incredibly important call to action regarding former Hoosier running back Sampson James. * The Face of College Football & EA Sports Hype Curt Cignetti has officially been crowned the feature tactician archetype for EA Sports. The guys discuss the sheer "aura" of the trailer, look at Memorial Stadium's digital rendering, and deliver some inside updates from the beta version—including missing pant stripes and Road to Glory features highlighting Charlie Becker and Amari Farrell. * Dorca-Palooza in Sin City & Cal Graduation Grifts Fernando Mendoza takes Las Vegas by storm, cranking the siren for the Golden Knights during the Stanley Cup finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. Plus, the guys laugh about Cal trying to grift off his success as he returns to Berkeley to walk with the MBA students after missing his undergraduate business ceremony for OTAs. * The Hypocrisy of Nick Saban’s NIL Testimony Tim goes completely scorched-earth on Nick Saban's congressional testimony regarding NIL and "exponential growth". The guys break down the corporate greed of overpaid head coaches crying about a free market finally allocating money directly to the players who generate it. * The Administrative Synergy: Dolson, Witten, & Cignetti Reacting to Cignetti’s recent Big Ten Network appearance, the guys discuss the rare, unified vision between the head coach, AD Scott Dolson, and President Pam Witten. When your entire organizational chart aligns on what it takes to win, legendary seasons happen. * The Alternate Reality: Staying with Tom Allen in 2024 What if IU balked at the original $20 million buyout and ran it back with Tom Allen? Trent and Tim map out a timeline where Brendan Sorsby still transfers, Tayven Jackson takes the starting snaps. * The Nightmare Sliding Doors: Cignetti to Purdue? If Indiana doesn't move on Tom Allen at the exact right moment, where does Curt Cignetti end up? The guys look at the coaching carousel and realize a terrifying truth: Cignetti likely lands at West Virginia or, worst of all, turns Purdue into a powerhouse. * A Crucial Call to Action: Supporting Sampson James On a somber note, the guys discuss the heartbreaking news that former four-star recruiting win Sampson James has been facing homelessness. They discuss how pre-NIL generations missed out on life-changing security and issue a direct plea to the fanbase to support his recovery. Comment Below: What do you think Indiana's record would have been if Tom Allen had stayed for the 2024 season? And what was your absolute favorite part of Curt Cignetti in the EA Sports trailer? Let us know! Support the Pod: Please hit that LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE to the channel to help us push this into the YouTube algorithm! Follow us on TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook at @KirkwoodandDunn. (Note: The link to the GoFundMe setup to support former Hoosier running back Sampson James can be found directly at the top of the description below. Let's step up and help a fellow Hoosier get back on his feet.)

What Keeps SEC Coaches Awake At Night? | Top 10 CFB Venues & IU Recruiting Boom

Have you ever wondered what keeps SEC powerhouses awake in the middle of the night? On this week's episode of Kirkwood and Dunn, Trent McGee and Tim (@tbhoosiers) dive into the psychological warfare Curt Cignetti is waging on college football, break down the latest massive commitments for Indiana, and debate the absolute best (and most overrated) stadiums in the country. Plus, we look at the Chicago Bears' newfound hope with Caleb Williams, tackle the brutal new College Football Playoff schedule, and call out national media clowns. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and drop your own stadium rankings in the comments below! CHAPTERS Intro Trent sets the stage for the episode, teasing IU's recruiting tear, the CFB cover hype, and why the SEC is terrified of Bloomington. The Bears & Hoosiers Renaissance Is this the greatest era ever to be a Chicago Bears and Indiana Hoosier fan? Tim is ready to let Caleb Williams guide him through the pearly gates, while Trent plays the voice of reason. Breaking the Madden Curse & College Breakouts Did Patrick Mahomes officially kill the Madden curse? The guys debate the potential "college football cover curse" and project the futures of elite athletes Malachi Tony, Dante Moore, and Keywon Lacey. IU Commitment Watch: Reinaldo Perez & Brady Scott Live on air, the guys track major commitments for the Hoosiers. They break down safety Brady Scott and the massive win securing 4-star edge rusher Reinaldo Perez out of Ohio over Ohio State, Michigan, and USC. The Brutal New CFP Schedule Blueprint Dads across America are groaning. Tim and Trent break down why the massive breaks between the quarterfinals and semifinals are going to kill the "juice" of the national championship game. Firing Back at Josh Pate & SEC Media Leeches Curt Cignetti and DC Bryant Haines aren't playing the media's game. The guys laugh about Haines directly talking trash to On3's Josh Pate and why this staff is here to chew gum and win football games. The Cignetti Autopsy: What Keeps the SEC Awake? If SEC coaches were smart enough to do an autopsy on IU's success, what frustrates them the most? Trent and Tim unpack how Cignetti repeatedly turns veteran, lower-starred portal transfers into elite, mistake-free quarterbacks. "Please Like My Sport" Power Rankings Which fanbases are the loudest when begging you to watch their sport? The guys take aim at Soccer, Lacrosse, Pickleball, and the irrelevance of IU College Baseball under Jeff Mercer. Part 2: Weekly Rankings – Top 10 CFB Venues The notes are hidden, and the takes are hot. Tim and Trent count down the top 10 physical stadium structures they want to experience a game in. Why the Michigan "Big House" is Overrated Trent goes full hater mode on Ann Arbor, calling Michigan Stadium the "Rupp Arena of college football" due to its quiet bowl design and lack of creature comforts Get Involved: * Comment Below: What do you think keeps the SEC up at night when looking at Indiana? And which sport has the ultimate "please like my sport" fanbase? Let us know! * Support the Pod: Please hit that LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE to the channel to help us push this into the YouTube algorithm! Follow us on TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook at @KirkwoodandDunn.

Fake CFB 27 Covers, Texas v Texas Tech + Cignetti's Future of CFB Comments

Tim is officially rocking his Championship Chain after dominating the Best of Summer Draft, and Trent is fully embracing his "Suburban Dad Era" with perfectly grilled meats, Tractor Supply runs, and Dire Straits radio. In this episode of Kirkwood and Dunn, we have to address the completely fake, terribly photoshopped EA Sports College Football 27 cover leak that fooled way too many people on the internet (seriously, where is Arch Manning?!). Then, we dive into Curt Cignetti’s viral comments from the Huber Winery regarding NIL, paying players, and the future of college football. Is Cignetti playing "Moneyball" by prioritizing proven transfers over high school recruits?  We also cover the wild national news: Steve Sarkisian throwing shade at Texas Tech, a Texas Tech donor offering to buy out contracts to play the Longhorns in Week 1, and the actual numbers behind former IU QB Brendan Sorsby's sports betting scandal. Finally, we break down the new CBS Sports Coach Rankings that have Cignetti in the elite Top 3 tier and wrap up with a recruiting check-in to celebrate the addition of 4-star EDGE Myles Smith. Show Notes & Chapters: * 00:00 - The Suburban Dad Era: Tim flexes his draft championship chain, and Trent accepts his new identity as a suburban dad. * 05:40 - Cignetti's Huber Winery Rant: Unpacking Coach Cig's comments on NIL, the financial reality of CFB, and his "Moneyball" transfer strategy. * 19:45 - The Fake CFB 27 Cover: Why the viral College Football 27 cover leak is 100% fake and AI-generated. * 33:30 - Sarkisian vs. Texas Tech: Steve Sarkisian talks trash to lower expectations, and a Texas Tech donor fires back. * 39:35 - Brendan Sorsby's Gambling Scandal: Breaking down the actual math and reality of Sorsby's betting numbers. * 48:30 - CBS Sports Coaches Rankings: Cignetti hits the top 3, Tom Fornelli's #1 vote, and laughing at the coaches ranked way too high. * 1:04:00 - Recruiting: IU lands 4-star EDGE Myles Smith, Jameson Purcell shines at the Elite 11. Get Involved: Support the Pod by hitting that LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE to the channel, and share the show! Catch all of our clips, takes, and polls on TikTok, X, Instagram, and Facebook at @KirkwoodandDunn. TikTok: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/discover/kirkwood-and-dunn] X: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://x.com/KirkwoodandDunn] Instagram: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kirkwoodanddunn/] YouTube: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@kirkwoodanddunn] Spotify: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn ⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/0LPaxAZrSIfl7Ql1bWLKFY] Facebook: ⁠Kirkwood and Dunn⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589155755614]

Curt Cignetti Takes Over the Indy 500, Kris Drew From Dead Air Sports + The CFB Super League

It’s a jam-packed episode of Kirkwood and Dunn! Tim survived his very first Indy 500 and is officially a convert to the racing world—especially after watching Curt Cignetti bring his unmatched, "no rearview mirror" swagger to the IMS track as the pace car driver. We also react to the new Big Ten TV schedule, which features Indiana opening their National Championship defense in the premier Big Noon Kickoff slot against North Texas. Then, we welcome a very special guest: Kris Drew from Dead Air Sports. Yes, he is an Ohio State fan, but he is one of the good ones! Kris joins Trent to talk about Indiana's historic run, why he believes Curt Cignetti will win multiple national titles in Bloomington, and why the Big Ten needs Indiana to be the tip of the spear in the war against SEC arrogance. We also talk Ohio State receivers, Ryan Day's pressure, and the inevitable CFB Super League. Finally, stick around for the post-interview deep dive. Tim and Trent put on their Higher Education hats to discuss the "enrollment cliff," why universities are relying on football as a massive marketing tool, and the constant turnover of university presidents. Plus, Tim drops a scorching hot take: Why college quarterbacks like Dante Moore deserve to be paid more than LeBron James. Show Notes & Chapters: * 00:00 - Intro & Tim's Moving Day: Tim is broadcasting from a "road game" as he navigates the stress of moving. * 01:45 - The Indy 500 Experience: Tim reviews his first Indy 500, the epic finish, and Curt Cignetti's viral "no rearview mirror" moment. * 09:37 - TV Schedules & Polls: Reacting to IU getting the Big Noon Kickoff treatment for Week 1. Plus, Trent calls out College Football with Sam for putting Oregon at #1. * 17:12 - The Viral Roster Graphic: The K&D Analytics Department broke the internet, mostly because Notre Dame and Oklahoma fans lack basic reading comprehension. * 24:25 - High School vs. Transfer Recruiting: Answering a listener question on why top-tier facilities matter more to 18-year-old recruits than transfer veterans. * 33:12 - Interview with Kris Drew (Dead Air Sports): Kris joins the show to discuss why Cignetti is the ultimate coach, the Big Ten vs. SEC rivalry, and why Jeremiah Smith is the "LeBron James of wide receivers." * 1:18:30 (Part 3) - The Future of CFB & Higher Ed: Tim and Trent break down collective bargaining, the looming college enrollment cliff, and why massive universities need football to survive. * 1:33:17 - Tim's LeBron James Take: Why the market value of top college football players should surpass NBA superstars. Get Involved: * Vote in the Draft! Who won the "Best of Summer" Draft? Head over to our X (Twitter) or Instagram to cast your vote! * Comment Below: Will Curt Cignetti win a second national championship at Indiana? And do you agree with Tim's take on paying college athletes vs. NBA players? Support the Pod: Please hit that LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE to the channel, and share the show! It really helps our channel grow. Follow us on TikTok, X, Instagram, and Facebook at @KirkwoodandDunn. TikTok: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/discover/kirkwood-and-dunn] X: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://x.com/KirkwoodandDunn] Instagram: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kirkwoodanddunn/] YouTube: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@kirkwoodanddunn] Spotify: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn ⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/0LPaxAZrSIfl7Ql1bWLKFY] Facebook: ⁠Kirkwood and Dunn⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589155755614]

The Ultimate "Best of Summer" Draft | Memorial Day Special!

Kick off Memorial Day Weekend, Indy 500 festivities, and the unofficial start of summer with the 4th official Kirkwood & Dunn Draft! Tim is racing, Trent's got the sunscreen ready, and we’ve assembled a massive, all-star panel to draft the absolute Best of Summer. Joining us on the board today: 🎙️ Alec Keezer (Indiana Voice of College Football) 🧢 Hoosier Commish (X's Favorite Commissioner) 🧀 Alison Miron (Bringing the elite Wisconsin/Upper Midwest perspective) The Draft Format: We are switching things up! This is a category-based draft. Each panelist must select one item from the following five categories to build the ultimate summer day: Best Song Best Drink Best Food Best Activity Best Location The Chaos: As always, the draft goes off the rails immediately. We've got a highly controversial 1.01 pick that almost ends in a live jury veto. We debate the strict rules of what constitutes a "Location," Commish tries to draft an entire cinematic universe with a single pick , and Trent gets absolutely roasted for spelling "Bonfire" like he's in a James Bond movie. Who built the ultimate summer vibe? Who relied way too heavily on pure nostalgia? And who got absolutely voted off the island for having the worst board? You have to watch to find out! Get Involved: * Vote! Scan the QR code on the screen or head over to our X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook at @KirkwoodandDunn to vote for the winning draft board! * Comment Below: What would be your 1.01 overall pick for the summer? Did we miss the ultimate summer song or food? Let us know! * Support the Pod: Please hit that LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE to the channel, and share this with your favorite summer tailgating crew. Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend, Hoosier Nation! We will be back on Wednesday with a normal episode to recap the Indy 500 and the latest sports news. TikTok: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/discover/kirkwood-and-dunn] X: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://x.com/KirkwoodandDunn] Instagram: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kirkwoodanddunn/] YouTube: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@kirkwoodanddunn] Spotify: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kirkwoodanddunn ⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/0LPaxAZrSIfl7Ql1bWLKFY] Facebook: ⁠Kirkwood and Dunn⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589155755614]