Saturday Down South Podcast

The voice of college football, Kirk Herbstreit, joined the SDS Podcast to talk about this weekend's SEC Championship. The ESPN college football analyst offered his insights on what figures to be a thrilling rematch on Saturday in Atlanta. Can Auburn survive without Kerryon Johnson at 100 percent? Is Georgia capable of rallying back from a two-score deficit late? Will this be a completely different ballgame than the one we saw at Jordan-Hare? Herbstreit gave his take on all of those questions and more with host Connor O'Gara. Herbstreit joined SDS on behalf of Allstate's All Hands In program. Leading up to the SEC Championship this weekend, Kirk joined forces with the All Hands In event in Atlanta, which was organized to build a community garden at the local Boys & Girls Club. Fans are encouraged to follow the #AllHandsIn hashtag on Twitter to find more ways to get involved.

Tony Barnhart of the SEC Network joins the Matt Hayes to discuss the wild week that has been in the SEC, as well as to preview the upcoming conference championship matchups. Tony knows college football as well as anyone, and he says that this slate of conference championships could be the most exciting he's ever seen. What kind of chaos will ensue with this many teams jockeying for position in the four-team playoff? Also, Matt gives his weekly breakdowns, as well as the picks that you've come to expect from First and 10.

The whole SEC has gone crazy, and it's up to JC and Connor to figure it all out. According to JC, the Volunteers might have the most delusional fan base in all of college football. They still think they're a destination job, yet so many coaches keep saying no. Just how far down the list was Tee Martin when the search first started? Additionally, the pair looks ahead to Auburn-Georgia 2.0 in the SEC Championship Game and makes their picks.

Dan Wolken of USA Today joins the pod to talk about the Thanksgiving chaos that overwhelmed the SEC. From Tennessee to Texas A&M, nearly every team faced a bit of mayhem over the weekend. So where do we go from here? The coaching search at Tennessee has gotten totally out of control. What happened in the wake of the potential hiring of Greg Schiano was simply incredible to watch unfold. Who in their right mind wants to go to Rocky Top now? Additionally, Wolken gives his two cents worth on Jimbo Fisher. Would he really leave Florida State for Texas A&M?

It's the season of turkey and dressing across America, and the season of cupcakes in the SEC. But could cupcake week actually be good for college football? JC and Connor break it down. On one hand, it's a complete waste of time to see Alabama pull starters as early as the second quarter in a 56-0 whitewashing of Mercer. But on the other, some FCS teams might be able to have athletics at all if not for those payday games. Additionally, the pair breaks down the Iron Bowl and the impact it will have not only on the SEC race but the College Football Playoff.

It's the most wonderful time in the SEC: Iron Bowl season! We're kicking it off with Chris Davis, of "Kick Six" fame. Believe it or not, Davis grew up an Alabama fan. However, he never got an offer from the Crimson Tide, so he became a Tiger and eventually authored perhaps the most memorable play in Iron Bowl history. What does he see ahead of Saturday's matchup? Additionally, Davis talks about going through a coaching change from Gene Chizik to Gus Malzahn during his time on The Plains.

Tuscaloosa News executive sports editor Tommy Deas, who grew up in Tuscaloosa, joins Matt Hayes to break down all things Iron Bowl. When is Nick Saban at his best? When he tells his off-the-field anecdotes like his recent tangent about kids wearing cut off jeans. The pair of longtime SEC reporters talks about their favorite Saban stories. Also, these two teams may be more similar than we realize, but it appears to be the same old Alabama. Do the Tigers have a real shot at an upset? Plus, Matt breaks down each game in the Rivalry Week slate and gives his picks.

John Adams of the Knoxville News Sentinel joins Matt Hayes to talk about the recent goings on around Rocky Top. The discussion ranges from where Butch Jones went wrong to where Tennessee goes next and some of the unique challenges that the UT job presents. Matt then shares his thoughts from around the SEC and gives his weekly picks.

Bo Mattingly joins the pod to talk Arkansas, and the wacky fortunes that have recently befallen the program in Fayetteville. Athletic director Jeff Long was just relieved of his duties Wednesday, so what does that mean for the future of coach Bret Bielema? If Bielema is indeed on his way out of Fayetteville, who may the Razorbacks target for the potential opening? Also, Mattingly goes into detail on Hogs quarterback Austin Allen. Why didn't he have the big senior season so many expected?

On this episdoe of the Saturday Down South podcast, host John Crist and co-host Connor O'Gara discuss Butch Jones mercifully getting pink-slipped at Tennessee. While this wasn't exactly breaking news, Volunteers athletic director John Currie sure took his sweet time making up his mind. Can a big-name coach succeed relatively quickly on Rocky Top, or is yet another rebuild on the horizon? Additionally, JC and Connor discuss the College Football Playoff hopes for the triumvirate of Alabama, Auburn and Georgia.

Justin Strawn, manager of For Whom the Cowbell Tolls, SB Nation's Mississippi State site, joins the pod to talk all things Maroon and White leading up to the Bulldogs' battle with Alabama this weekend. Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons might have come to Mississippi State under controversial circumstances, but he's already lived up to his 5-star billing. On the other side of the ball, what's different about quarterback Nick Fitzgerald from last year to this year? Additionally, coach Dan Mullen's name is being thrown around at places like Florida and Tennessee. Is he a threat to leave Starkville?

Former Alabama QB John Parker Wilson joins the pod to talk about the foundation of Alabama's dynasty and where their future lies. While he originally signed with and suited up for Mike Shula, Wilson was Nick Saban's first signal caller upon taking over the Crimson Tide. What was the first moment when he realized that things were about to be very different in Tuscaloosa? Additionally, because he still lives and makes a living in the Birmingham area, how often does being an old 'Bama QB come in handy?

Matt is joined by Texas A&M expert Olin Buchanan as the two break down the Kevin Sumlin administration and the truly bizarre stats and records that have been produced by it. What is the future of the Aggies, and of Sumlin himself? Olin has the answers. Also, Matt previews the Week 11 slate of games and gives his weekly picks.

JC and Connor discuss a bevy of topics from Week 10, including Mizzou's big win against a rudderless Florida team. The Tigers played really well on both sides of the ball, while the Gators looked completely disinterested in the wake of Jim McElwain losing his job. Was the result more a product of Mizzou figuring things out or UF trending in the wrong direction? Additionally, Georgia and Alabama are facing possibly their biggest tests of the season this weekend in Auburn and Mississippi State. How will they fare?

Former Alabama LB Nico Johnson joins the pod to talk about playing for the Tide, their rivalry with the LSU Tigers and his life after football. In four seasons with Alabama, Johnson won three national titles playing defense for coach Nick Saban. Not only does he tell the story of decleating Kentucky's Randall Cobb, but he also has a tale about getting decleated by LSU's Odell Beckham Jr. Additionally, since he just retired from professional football at the age of 27, what does Johnson plan to do with the rest of his life?