Ralph Russo
@ralphdrussoath.bsky.social
Covering college sports _ mostly football _ for The Athletic. Formerly of The Associated Press. Apologies in advance for the Mets posts.
Reach me at: rrusso@theathletic.com
Reach me at: rrusso@theathletic.com
Reposted by Ralph Russo
New Audible: @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social & I discuss Demond Williams breaking his contract and the latest twist of the chaotic NIL/portal era of college football; the potential legal ramifications and what comes next. Plus, we answer your mailbag questions: m.youtube.com/watch?v=Kemv...
Demond Williams Jr. Breaks Contract + Mailbag
YouTube video by The Audible
m.youtube.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:36 PM
New Audible: @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social & I discuss Demond Williams breaking his contract and the latest twist of the chaotic NIL/portal era of college football; the potential legal ramifications and what comes next. Plus, we answer your mailbag questions: m.youtube.com/watch?v=Kemv...
Reposted by Ralph Russo
Washington QB Demond Williams Jr. signed a contract on Jan. 2 to return for his junior season.
Today, Williams Jr. announced he would enter the transfer portal.
Washington has no intention of releasing him from the contract he signed, a source told The Athletic.
Today, Williams Jr. announced he would enter the transfer portal.
Washington has no intention of releasing him from the contract he signed, a source told The Athletic.
January 7, 2026 at 3:46 AM
Washington QB Demond Williams Jr. signed a contract on Jan. 2 to return for his junior season.
Today, Williams Jr. announced he would enter the transfer portal.
Washington has no intention of releasing him from the contract he signed, a source told The Athletic.
Today, Williams Jr. announced he would enter the transfer portal.
Washington has no intention of releasing him from the contract he signed, a source told The Athletic.
Slammed that upright flush.
January 4, 2026 at 3:39 AM
Slammed that upright flush.
Nothing will test a players love of the game quite like a bowl game in the rain against a service academy.
Halftime, Liberty Bowl
Navy 14 | 1.61 total EPA
Cincinnati 7 | -5.02 total EPA
gameonpaper.com/cfb/game/401...
Navy 14 | 1.61 total EPA
Cincinnati 7 | -5.02 total EPA
gameonpaper.com/cfb/game/401...
January 2, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Nothing will test a players love of the game quite like a bowl game in the rain against a service academy.
Reposted by Ralph Russo
New Audible: Trinidad Chambliss & Ole Miss put on a spectacular show beating Georgia. Are the Rebels better without Lane Kiffin? @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social & I discuss that, Miami’s big win over Ohio State + IU’s blowout of Bama & Oregon blanking Texas Tech:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=RdVS...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=RdVS...
Round 2 Live Reaction
YouTube video by The Audible
m.youtube.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:39 AM
New Audible: Trinidad Chambliss & Ole Miss put on a spectacular show beating Georgia. Are the Rebels better without Lane Kiffin? @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social & I discuss that, Miami’s big win over Ohio State + IU’s blowout of Bama & Oregon blanking Texas Tech:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=RdVS...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=RdVS...
Reposted by Ralph Russo
New Audible: @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social, Stew and I discuss the fit of Kyle Whittingham and Michigan; the supposedly tightened NIL budgets in college football; and our CFP picks/analysis: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQRy...
Kyle Whittingham to Michigan + Round 2 Preview
YouTube video by The Audible
www.youtube.com
December 30, 2025 at 9:02 PM
New Audible: @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social, Stew and I discuss the fit of Kyle Whittingham and Michigan; the supposedly tightened NIL budgets in college football; and our CFP picks/analysis: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQRy...
A special level of hell.
HOW DID THIS TEAM LOSE TO THE JETS
December 30, 2025 at 3:39 AM
A special level of hell.
Willie Fritz was an early and aggressive adopter of analytics-based fourth down strategy.
He gave me a great quote about when I asked him if he ever goes with his gut?
“That could be the hot dog I had before the game.”
He gave me a great quote about when I asked him if he ever goes with his gut?
“That could be the hot dog I had before the game.”
December 28, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Willie Fritz was an early and aggressive adopter of analytics-based fourth down strategy.
He gave me a great quote about when I asked him if he ever goes with his gut?
“That could be the hot dog I had before the game.”
He gave me a great quote about when I asked him if he ever goes with his gut?
“That could be the hot dog I had before the game.”
Reposted by Ralph Russo
Over the last 12 seasons under Kyle Whittingham, Utah had the 13th most wins of any power team (101), ahead of schools like:
Texas A&M 96
USC 95
Texas 95
Ole Miss 95
Miami 94
Tennessee 90
Florida State 89
Florida 88
Auburn 83
Michigan State 81
Texas A&M 96
USC 95
Texas 95
Ole Miss 95
Miami 94
Tennessee 90
Florida State 89
Florida 88
Auburn 83
Michigan State 81
December 27, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Over the last 12 seasons under Kyle Whittingham, Utah had the 13th most wins of any power team (101), ahead of schools like:
Texas A&M 96
USC 95
Texas 95
Ole Miss 95
Miami 94
Tennessee 90
Florida State 89
Florida 88
Auburn 83
Michigan State 81
Texas A&M 96
USC 95
Texas 95
Ole Miss 95
Miami 94
Tennessee 90
Florida State 89
Florida 88
Auburn 83
Michigan State 81
Reposted by Ralph Russo
Michigan has made the hire of Kyle Whittingham as the Wolverines new head coach official: www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Michigan, Kyle Whittingham agree to deal to make him Wolverines coach: Source
Whittingham, 66, stepped down Dec. 12 after 21 seasons at Utah but made it known that he wasn’t done coaching.
www.nytimes.com
December 27, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Michigan has made the hire of Kyle Whittingham as the Wolverines new head coach official: www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Reposted by Ralph Russo
SOURCE: The plan for Kyle Whittingham is to tell his Utah team in person in Las Vegas on Friday before traveling to Orlando on Saturday to meet with his new team as Michigan preps for the Citrus Bowl: www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Michigan nearing deal to hire Kyle Whittingham as head coach: Sources
Whittingham, 66, stepped down Dec. 12 after 21 seasons at Utah but made it known that he wasn’t done coaching.
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:35 PM
SOURCE: The plan for Kyle Whittingham is to tell his Utah team in person in Las Vegas on Friday before traveling to Orlando on Saturday to meet with his new team as Michigan preps for the Citrus Bowl: www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Reposted by Ralph Russo
BREAKING: Michigan and Kyle Whittingham have agreed to a five-year deal to make him the Wolverines’ next head coach, a source close to the hiring process said.
December 26, 2025 at 10:35 PM
BREAKING: Michigan and Kyle Whittingham have agreed to a five-year deal to make him the Wolverines’ next head coach, a source close to the hiring process said.
Reposted by Ralph Russo
New Audible: @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social Stew & I discuss the disturbing details of Sherrone Moore's behavior leading up to his firing & the epic dysfunction inside the Michigan program. Who's to blame for ending ND-USC; and why Belichick+Petrino is must-see: m.youtube.com/watch?v=KyjQ...
New Details on Moore + Petrino to UNC
YouTube video by The Audible
m.youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:38 PM
New Audible: @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social Stew & I discuss the disturbing details of Sherrone Moore's behavior leading up to his firing & the epic dysfunction inside the Michigan program. Who's to blame for ending ND-USC; and why Belichick+Petrino is must-see: m.youtube.com/watch?v=KyjQ...
Reposted by Ralph Russo
New Audible: @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social Stew & I talked about Miami's dominant defensive performance at A&M (don't make Rueben Bain angry); Bama bouncing back; the changing Michigan coaching search; and more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktOT...
Round 1 Reactions
YouTube video by The Audible
www.youtube.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:51 PM
New Audible: @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social Stew & I talked about Miami's dominant defensive performance at A&M (don't make Rueben Bain angry); Bama bouncing back; the changing Michigan coaching search; and more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktOT...
1000x this.
Buckeyes would have been just fine playing in the Orange Bowl.
Buckeyes would have been just fine playing in the Orange Bowl.
It would've been cool to have Texas Tech vs. Oregon in Dallas and Ohio State vs. Miami in Miami.
Instead, Tech/Oregon is Orange, and OSU/Miami is Cotton.
OSU playing in Miami's home stadium is probably unfair, but Buckeyes would've packed that place anyway.
Instead, Tech/Oregon is Orange, and OSU/Miami is Cotton.
OSU playing in Miami's home stadium is probably unfair, but Buckeyes would've packed that place anyway.
December 21, 2025 at 2:39 AM
1000x this.
Buckeyes would have been just fine playing in the Orange Bowl.
Buckeyes would have been just fine playing in the Orange Bowl.
Reposted by Ralph Russo
ACC league members to play uneven conference schedules in 2026
www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
ACC league members to play uneven conference schedules in 2026
The five teams to play eight ACC games are Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech and North Carolina.
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:00 AM
ACC league members to play uneven conference schedules in 2026
www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Should also be noted: As a Jets fan, I’d kill for this.
The Steelers run of nonthreatening above averageness might be unprecedented in major American sports.
Year 8 of being definitively not bad.
Virtually no chance to do anything significant in the playoffs.
Year 8 of being definitively not bad.
Virtually no chance to do anything significant in the playoffs.
December 16, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Should also be noted: As a Jets fan, I’d kill for this.
The Steelers run of nonthreatening above averageness might be unprecedented in major American sports.
Year 8 of being definitively not bad.
Virtually no chance to do anything significant in the playoffs.
Year 8 of being definitively not bad.
Virtually no chance to do anything significant in the playoffs.
December 16, 2025 at 3:32 AM
The Steelers run of nonthreatening above averageness might be unprecedented in major American sports.
Year 8 of being definitively not bad.
Virtually no chance to do anything significant in the playoffs.
Year 8 of being definitively not bad.
Virtually no chance to do anything significant in the playoffs.
While bad college football games are ironically fun, bad NFL games are just depressing.
That Steelers drive lasted 13 plays, took 7:54 off the clock and covered a whopping 39 yards, now they will punt. Absolutely vile.
December 16, 2025 at 3:14 AM
While bad college football games are ironically fun, bad NFL games are just depressing.
I work blue.
My favorite chapter has changed here and there, but I've been gravitating toward the final chapter of late, in which @rodger.bsky.social talks about his 2023 road trips and @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social drops a beautiful f-bomb.
December 16, 2025 at 12:33 AM
I work blue.
Reposted by Ralph Russo
New Audible: @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social & I talk about the Sherrone Moore situation and Michigan; on what has been a surreal last 24 hours; and what do the Wolverines do now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cck6...
Live Reaction: Michigan's Moore Fired, in Police Custody
YouTube video by The Audible
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:20 PM
New Audible: @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social & I talk about the Sherrone Moore situation and Michigan; on what has been a surreal last 24 hours; and what do the Wolverines do now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cck6...
Been a busy day so just now am I getting the opportunity to process that my favorite player on my favorite team just skipped town to join the damn Dodgers.
Gonna miss those trumpets.
Gonna miss those trumpets.
December 10, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Been a busy day so just now am I getting the opportunity to process that my favorite player on my favorite team just skipped town to join the damn Dodgers.
Gonna miss those trumpets.
Gonna miss those trumpets.
Reposted by Ralph Russo
Audible: @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social Stew and I react to the CFP selections; the first thing the CFP absolutely MUST do to fix its system that is hurting the sport; and how we think the bracket is gonna play out: m.youtube.com/watch?v=aBDw...
Reaction to Miami's shock inclusion and tournament predictions
YouTube video by The Audible
m.youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Audible: @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social Stew and I react to the CFP selections; the first thing the CFP absolutely MUST do to fix its system that is hurting the sport; and how we think the bracket is gonna play out: m.youtube.com/watch?v=aBDw...
Reposted by Ralph Russo
Penn State's search now turns to Iowa State coach Matt Campbell, per sources. Conversations picked up today.
Plus some other names still on the periphery. Story with @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social and @brucefeldmancfb.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Plus some other names still on the periphery. Story with @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social and @brucefeldmancfb.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Iowa State’s Matt Campbell emerging as top Penn State coaching target: Sources
Penn State's lengthy coaching search to replace James Franklin has shifted its focus to Iowa State's Matt Campbell.
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Penn State's search now turns to Iowa State coach Matt Campbell, per sources. Conversations picked up today.
Plus some other names still on the periphery. Story with @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social and @brucefeldmancfb.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Plus some other names still on the periphery. Story with @ralphdrussoath.bsky.social and @brucefeldmancfb.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
This is fine. And don’t explain yourself on TV.
It’s the you get what you get and don’t get upset model.
It’s the you get what you get and don’t get upset model.
December 5, 2025 at 3:56 AM
This is fine. And don’t explain yourself on TV.
It’s the you get what you get and don’t get upset model.
It’s the you get what you get and don’t get upset model.