🏈 Rivalry Week Carnage! CFP Shake-Up, Burrow Is BACK & NHL’s Top Team? | Episode 257 — Companion Blog

Recorded: 11/25/25

Benchwarmer Nation… Feast Week gave us everything: rivalry chaos, playoff picture madness, Burrow rising from the ashes, and both Denver teams lighting it up. This is one of the best multi-league weekends on the calendar, and Episode 257 dives into all of it.

From the Big House to Boulder to Mile High, this week gave us storylines that hit on every corner of the sports world. So let’s dig in.

🏆 Rivalry Weekend: The Best Week in College Football

There is nothing like Rivalry Week. The emotions, the pettiness, the stakes… this is where seasons flip and legacies get written.

We opened the show with the big one:

Michigan vs. Ohio State — The Game That Defines Everything

For the first time in a while, this matchup feels like Ohio State’s moment. Michigan has talent, but the Wolverines don’t look like the same well-oiled machine from the past few seasons. Meanwhile, Ohio State has been the most complete team in college football all year — and they haven’t even played their best football yet.

On the show, Nico summed it up perfectly:

“Ohio State has been the most complete team all season. Michigan needs this more than they realize.”

I agreed. Getting away from the internal pressure of Columbus might be the best thing for the Buckeyes. I’m taking Ohio State to flip the series and punch their ticket back to the Big Ten Championship.

Georgia vs. Georgia Tech — Good Old-Fashioned Hate

Last year gave us six overtimes. This year? Probably not the same chaos, but it’s still one of the nastiest rivalries in the country.

Georgia Tech blew their shot at something special last week, and Haynes King won’t have enough to carry them against this Georgia defense. Bulldogs roll.

Egg Bowl: Lane Kiffin’s Annual “Where Am I Coaching Next?” Tour

The Egg Bowl is wild every year, but the story isn’t the game — it’s Lane Kiffin openly flirting with LSU and Florida while Ole Miss fans hold their breath.

On the show, I compared it to bringing your trophy wife to a bar and watching her wink at every guy in the room.

Niko thinks he ends up at LSU. I agree the fit makes too much sense.

Iron Bowl — No Team Survives Jordan-Hare Magic Easily

Alabama should win. Ty Simpson has been excellent this year, and Auburn just isn’t built to keep up. But Jordan-Hare Stadium has dark magic you can’t explain.

Still, both of us picked Alabama… with hesitation.

Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt — Spoiler Season?

Vanderbilt has been one of the coolest stories in the sport this year. They’ve beaten ranked teams, competed with everyone on their schedule, and have legitimate playoff buzz.

Niko took Tennessee.
I took Vandy.
Their offensive system is unique enough to pull the upset, and at this point, I’ve doubted them enough for one season.

Texas vs. Texas A&M — The Chaos Button

If Texas upsets undefeated A&M and looks good doing it? Yes, a 9–3 Texas team could absolutely crash the playoff. The name, the brand, the resume — the committee won’t ignore that.

We’ve seen crazier things.

ACC Mayhem: The Six-Way Tie Scenario

There is a legitimate possibility that the ACC ends with a six-way tie for first place. No rematches this weekend. No clean paths. Just absolute carnage.

And to be honest?
If that happens, the ACC should miss the playoff entirely.
Pick another Big Ten or SEC team and call it a day.

🎯 CFP Picture: Controlled Chaos

Every year we think the CFP can’t get messier… and then it does. Between undefeateds trying to hold off late pushes, two-loss contenders making statements, and the ACC threatening to implode, this committee is going to have its hands full Sunday night.

We’ll have much more to say when those rankings drop.

🐅 NFL Headlines: Burrow Returns and the AFC Gets Interesting

The biggest NFL story of the week: Joe Burrow is officially back.

And yes, I was confused too. Cincinnati is 3–8, the offensive line is still shaky, and Zach Taylor is coaching like a man trying to keep company-issued keys.

Is it worth the risk?
Probably not.
But Cincinnati made its choice. And Burrow gives them a puncher’s chance in every game he plays.

We broke down the full AFC picture on the show, including why this move might come back to haunt them if it goes sideways.

🐴 Broncos vs. Commanders — Season-On-The-Line Game

Denver comes out of the bye with everything in front of them. If the Broncos want to chase the AFC’s No. 1 seed — and yes, that’s still very possible — you must win the games you’re supposed to win.

This is one of them.

The Broncos pass rush enters the week with 49 sacks, putting them well ahead of pace to break the 1984 Bears’ all-time sack record. Marcus Mariota versus this front could get ugly.

Niko put it best:

“If you want everything to run through Denver, this is the one you can’t drop.”

I expect a big Broncos win to keep momentum rolling.

🏀 Feast Week in College Hoops + Nuggets Updates

Feast Week gave us some early-season heaters in college basketball. We spotlighted two teams you should absolutely be watching:

• Duke — powered by the Boozer twins

• BYU — with future lottery pick AJ Dybantsa leading the way

On the NBA side, the Nuggets look steady and dangerous. Jokic is Jokic, the rotation is starting to settle, and Denver feels like a team preparing for another deep playoff push.

🏒 Avalanche Rolling: NHL’s Best Team?

Right now? Yes.
The Colorado Avalanche look like the best team in hockey.
Depth scoring, high-end speed, elite upgrades on both sides of the puck — it’s all clicking.

This team is built for a Cup run, and they’re showing it early.

📊 Week 13 NFL Pick’Em

Here’s how our picks shook out on the show:

Niko (39–9)

• Broncos over Commanders

• Rams over Panthers

• Bills over Steelers

• Patriots over Giants

Jimmy (33–14–1)

• Ravens over Bengals

• 49ers over Browns

• Texans over Colts

• Dolphins over Saints

⭐ Player of the Week

Niko’s Pick:

Jahmyr Gibbs — Detroit Lions

• 219 rushing yards on 15 carries

• 11 catches for 45 yards

• 3 touchdowns
  Total domination and 55 fantasy points — one of the best RB performances of the season.

Jimmy’s Pick:

Jeremiyah Love — Notre Dame

• 171 yards on 8 carries

• 3 touchdowns
  He exploded in a rivalry win and looked untouchable.

🍞 Benchwarmer of the Week

Niko’s Pick:

Mikko Rantanen
Two straight boarding penalties. A pattern. A problem.

Jimmy’s Pick:

The Entire ACC
Georgia Tech losing to Pitt opened the door for a six-way tie.
Peak chaos. Peak ACC.

🎧 Final Thoughts: Feast Week Never Fails

Rivalry Weekend, CFP mayhem, Burrow’s return, the Broncos’ playoff push, Nuggets hoops, and the Avalanche surging — this episode covered everything you need going into one of the best sports weekends of the year.

Catch the full episode on audio and YouTube, share it with someone who needs our Rivalry Week takes, and make sure to check out our pick’em and POW/BOW segments.

If you're ready to start a podcast or livestream of your own, here’s the tool we use:👉 StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/50753506

Benchwarmer Nation… let’s eat.