Conference Championship Previews

CFP Round 2

Welcome back to Under the Dome with Ryan Reaves and Barry Owens (with Jesse Randall out this week), as we dive headfirst into College Football Playoff Round 2. This episode features a special guest, Jacquelyn Cayon, Vice President of Global Supplier Services at JPMorgan Chase. Jacquelyn joins the show to share her insights on the evolving CFP landscape, why this season feels like a turning point for college football, and which programs are proving they truly belong on the biggest stage. We cover: * Key takeaways from CFP Round 1 * What Round 2 matchups will tell us about the remaining contenders * Georgia’s talent vs. youth * Indiana’s rise and the changing power balance * Ohio State’s championship path * Whether we could see a Big Ten rematch for the national title With a mix of analysis, humor, and candid debate, this episode captures exactly why the expanded CFP format has changed the sport. 🎙️ Settle in, enjoy the conversation, and welcome back Under the Dome.

Under the Dome CFP Round One

Episode Description — Under the Dome: CFP Round 1 Preview Welcome back to Under the Dome College Football Podcast with hosts Jesse Randall, Barry Owens, and Ryan Reaves as we dive head-first into Round 1 of the brand-new 12-team College Football Playoff. This week, we’re joined by a special guest: Andrew Barry, Vendor Manager at MidFirst Bank and proud Oklahoma alum who works closely with Black Dome. Andrew brings sharp insight, strong Big 12 takes, and a little OU flavor to the Dome. Together, the crew breaks down all the CFP Round 1 matchups — including: * 12-seed James Madison vs 5-seed Oregon * 8-seed Oklahoma vs 9-seed Alabama * 11-seed Tulane vs 6-seed Ole Miss * 7-seed Texas A&M vs 10-seed Miami Plus, the group dives into: * Which teams were truly snubbed from the bracket * Why Texas Tech might be the dark-horse nobody wants to face * The speed, athleticism, and revamped identity of the Red Raiders * How stylistic matchups — size vs. speed, downhill football vs. spread offenses — may shape Round 1 * Just how many teams legitimately have a shot to win it all (10? 12? Maybe fewer…) Andrew closes the episode with some Sooner pride (“Boomer!”), plenty of laughs, and some strong takes that Aggies, Sooners, and college football fans alike will appreciate. If you love playoff debates, underdog hype, and honest banter between friends who live and breathe college football, this is your episode. Listen now and step Under the Dome. 🎙️🏈

Conference Championship Previews

Under the Dome – Championship Weekend Edition Episode Summary for Spotify Championship Weekend delivered peak college football chaos, and the Under the Dome crew dove straight into the storm. Ryan Reaves is joined by Jesse Randall and special guest Tyler Herndon to unpack one of the strangest playoff pictures in years — including how a five-loss Duke ended up in the ACC Championship and why Virginia might control the final CFP spot. The trio breaks down the tiers of true contenders, from the “locked-in” powerhouses (Georgia, Indiana, Ohio State, Oklahoma, A&M, Ole Miss, Oregon) to the bubble teams fighting for survival (Texas Tech, Alabama, Notre Dame, Tulane/North Texas, BYU, and more). They also hit on long-shots like James Madison and the heartbreak story of 10–2 Vanderbilt. The episode wraps with each host’s pick to win the national championship — ranging from bold (Indiana) to homer (Texas A&M) to pure chaos (the loser of the Big Ten title game). A lively, unfiltered Championship Edition featuring real-life interruptions, hot takes, playoff math, and plenty of laughs. Under the Dome marches on.

Lone Star Showdown Episode

Podcast Summary – Under the Dome: Lone Star Showdown Episode In this episode of Under the Dome, host Ryan Reaves is joined by co-host Jesse Randall (with Barry Owens out this week) for a special Lone Star Showdown edition. They welcome two featured guests from the mortgage servicing industry—Amber Bell, Procurement & Sourcing Project Manager at LoanCare, and Henry Brent, Manager of Operations at PennyMac. The group begins with introductions, highlighted by Amber’s deep Aggie roots and Henry’s lifelong Longhorn fandom. The mix sets the stage for a balanced and spirited discussion ahead of rivalry week. Ryan leads the crew through the key matchups of Week 13, starting with USC’s loss to Oregon, 42–27. The panel discusses Oregon’s strong showing and USC’s inability to keep pace, with Jesse noting the outcome matched his expectations. Amber brings in the historical data—detailing the long-running Texas vs. Texas A&M rivalry dating back to 1915—and breaks down the all-time record. The group reflects on how conference shifts, especially both teams reuniting in the SEC, make it difficult to compare modern matchups to past ones. As the conversation shifts toward the College Football Playoff picture, the guests share candid opinions about who deserves a spot and who doesn’t. There’s plenty of playful banter—Amber jokes about "T-shirt fans," Henry expresses cautious optimism about A&M’s chances, and Ryan dreams of a wild playoff bracket featuring Texas, OU, and A&M. The episode wraps with appreciation for the guests and good-natured rivalry energy. Ryan signs off hoping everyone’s team finds a path into the postseason—even if the panel doesn’t unanimously share that enthusiasm. Week 13 RecapRivalry History & SEC Era ContextPlayoff Scenarios & Texas, OU, and A&MClosing Thoughts

Episode 4

🎙️ New Episode of Under the Dome is Live! This week I had the privilege of hosting two great guests: Caroline Reaves – CEO of SolutionWorks and former CEO of MCS. Aaron Jones – longtime friend and sharp football mind who joined just in time for a great breakdown of the weekend slate. A few key themes stuck with me from our conversation: 🔹 Leadership Built on Experience & Integrity Caroline’s perspective is always refreshing. She’s led at the highest levels of our industry, and you can hear her passion for the people and the work. Her insight into leadership, culture, and humility is something I always value. 🔹 The Power of Long-Term Relationships Aaron and I go way back to high school, and it’s always special when personal relationships evolve into professional collaboration. Genuine connections stand the test of time, and this episode was a reminder of that. 🔹 Competition, Strategy, and Finishing Strong Our college football breakdown wasn’t just about rankings and matchups. It echoed a bigger message: Stay focused. Control what you can control. Finish strong when the opportunity is in front of you. 🔹 A Wild Playoff Picture Ahead From coaching carousel chaos to unexpected contenders, the landscape is shifting fast. A lot like business—momentum matters, discipline matters, and the ones who execute in November and December separate themselves. Grateful for the conversation and the insights. Appreciate Caroline and Aaron for jumping on and making this a fun, thoughtful episode. 🎧 Episode out now — check it out!