Quoth the Ravens, Nevermore: AFC North and ACC Chaos | Episode 244 Blog
Quoth the Ravens, Nevermore: AFC North and ACC Chaos | Episode 244 Blog
The Far End of the Bench is back this week, and if you’re looking for breakdowns, banter, and a little bit of chaos, you’ve come to the right place. We’re diving headfirst into two of the most unpredictable battlegrounds in sports right now: the AFC North and the ACC in college football.
And yes—while the Ravens might be flying high, the rest of this division feels like one bad bounce away from total collapse. “Quoth the Ravens, Nevermore” isn’t just a clever title; it’s a vibe check on whether Baltimore can keep this thing rolling, or if the North is destined to cannibalize itself once again.
🏈 AFC North: Brutal, Bloody, and Beatable
Every year we say it: the AFC North is the NFL’s toughest division. And every year, it proves us right. This episode, we hit on:
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The Ravens’ rise: Lamar Jackson and company look like the most complete team, but how long can they hold off the rest?
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The Bengals’ survival mode: Joe Burrow’s health and Cincinnati’s offensive line woes—can they get back to playing championship-level football?
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The Steelers being the Steelers: Ugly wins, gritty defense, and somehow still hanging around when logic says they shouldn’t.
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The Browns’ endless roller coaster: Elite defense one week, offensive implosion the next. Can they find balance before it’s too late?
It’s a gauntlet every single week, and we break down why whoever survives the AFC North might just be too beat up to win it all in January.
🏟️ The ACC: A Conference in Chaos
College football is no less dramatic. The ACC is fighting for respect, survival, and a spot at the big-boy table in the new CFP era. This week, we unpack:
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Florida State’s identity crisis: From playoff hopefuls to stumbling pretenders, what’s going on in Tallahassee?
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Clemson’s rebuild: Dabo isn’t dead yet, but the shine is fading fast.
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The surprise teams: Louisville and others who are suddenly making noise in the standings.
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The looming question: With realignment reshaping the sport, is the ACC headed for “nevermore” status itself?
🎙️ Why You’ll Love This Episode
This isn’t just a recap—it’s a full-on debate, packed with hot takes, frustration, and a few laughs at the expense of teams who can’t get out of their own way. If you’ve ever wanted to hear two sports fans go full Edgar Allan Poe on football’s most chaotic divisions, this is your listen.
🔗 Listen and Subscribe
You can stream the full episode above or find us wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share—it helps us grow the Far End of the Bench community.
And, as always: benchwarmers, we’ll see you at the far end.
Jimmy Pallotto
Co-Host
Jimmy Pallotto - Co-Host, The Far End of the Bench
Born and raised in the heart of Colorado, Jimmy Pallotto is the passionate voice behind The Far End of the Bench. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Jimmy brings unparalleled energy, humor, and insight to the podcast, combining his deep-rooted love for the game with a sharp analytical edge. As a proud alumnus of Western Colorado University, where he majored in Communication Arts and Sociology, Jimmy’s background equips him to deliver thoughtful commentary and engage in meaningful discussions with fans and guests alike.
Jimmy’s love for sports extends beyond the mic. By day, he’s shaping young minds as a 7th-grade social studies teacher and multi-sport coach, mentoring athletes in wrestling and football. A dedicated coach and educator, Jimmy instills the same values of teamwork, leadership, and dedication in his students that he shares on the podcast.
When he's not in the classroom or recording episodes, Jimmy enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Carlye, their energetic Border Collie Boomer, and his close-knit family. Whether he's breaking down game-winning plays, sharing hilarious locker room stories, or diving deep into the latest sports controversies, Jimmy’s vibrant personality and authentic voice make him a fan favorite.
Catch Jimmy every week on The Far End of the Bench, where he and his co-host Niko Bryant tackle everything from Colorado sports to national headlines, bringing the sidelines to center stage.
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