The Controlled Substance of Football | FEOTB Ep. 246
The Controlled Substance of Football | FEOTB Ep. 246
https://www.youtube.com/live/xp6SdBeAGHU?si=SKzOqQIFj7aV31Mz
Benchwarmers, it’s no longer a drill—the wait is officially over. The controlled substance we’ve all been craving is back: real football that counts. NFL Week 1 is here, college football is heating up, and weekends again belong to the sport that owns the fall.
This week on The Far End of the Bench Podcast, Niko (now officially 28—the show's elder statesman) and Jimmy dive headfirst into the chaos of kickoff season. Between Thursday Night Football, Friday games, Saturday’s wall-to-wall college slate, NFL Sundays, and Monday Night Football, it feels like we’ve gone from famine to feast in the blink of an eye.
Fantasy Football, Bid Drafts, and Controlled Substances
Jimmy walked us through his first-ever bid draft, where, yes—it really happened—$6 went down on a kicker. We broke down why fantasy football makes even the most ridiculous moments meaningful. It’s the ultimate armchair GM experience, which is equally frustrating and addicting, and we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
PLL Semifinals: Heartbreak and Lessons
Before flipping fully to football, we wrapped up the Premier Lacrosse League semifinals. Niko reflected on the season’s brutal ending, what it means for young teams to build scars that later turn into strength, and how the Denver Outlaws proved they’re a true championship contender.
Sports hurt because they matter—and this season showed why the grind always pays off in lessons beyond the scoreboard.
College Football Week 1: Chaos Across the Country
From Boulder to Columbus to Tuscaloosa, Week 1 in college football delivered everything—shocking losses, new quarterbacks under pressure, and coaching staffs on the hot seat. We broke down:
-
Colorado vs. Georgia Tech – Poor time management, costly penalties, and the dawn of the Juju Lewis era.
-
Ohio State vs. Texas – The Buckeyes’ defense embarrassed Arch Manning and the preseason No. 1 Longhorns, proving OSU’s still elite.
-
Alabama vs. Florida State – Has the dynasty ended? The Tide looked mortal, while FSU looked ready to cash in.
-
LSU vs. Clemson – Garrett Nussmeier’s breakout performance signaled LSU’s return to national contention.
NFL Kickoff & Pick’em 2.0
With NFL Week 1 officially back, we introduced our new NFL Pick’em format. No more picking the same four games each week—now we each select the matchups we’re most invested in. Higher stakes mean more chances to go 4-0 (or crash to 0-4), and there is plenty of chaos to track all season long.
-
Nico’s Picks: Broncos over Titans, Eagles over Cowboys, Cardinals upsetting the Saints, Bills topping the Ravens.
-
Jimmy’s Picks: Jaguars beating the Panthers in a QB showdown, Colts upsetting Miami, Bengals taking care of the Browns, and Broncos-Titans hitting the under in a defensive slugfest.
Player & Benchwarmer of the Week
-
Players of the Week:
-
Thomas Castellanos (Florida State QB) – undersized but fearless, showing belief can transform a program.
-
Garrett Nussmeier (LSU QB) 's anticipation and poise reminded everyone of LSU’s championship pedigree.
-
-
Benchwarmer of the Week: Kawhi Leonard & Steve Ballmer. A shady sponsorship scandal that could shake up the NBA landed them on the bench.
Final Thoughts
Football season is back, and like we said on the show, it’s the closest thing to a controlled substance we’ll ever admit to taking. Whether fantasy football lineups, Saturday tailgates, or Sunday couch marathons, everything else bends around the schedule this time of year.
Be sure to follow us @FEOTBpod, subscribe on YouTube, and bookmark feotbpod.org for every episode, blog, and the ongoing Rise of the Roadrunners series. Week 6 is here, and UTSA faces Rice in a high-stakes American Conference showdown you won’t want to miss.
The mistress is back, fellas—football owns the fall once again.
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.
Lecture Cancelled: UTSA Schools Rice in the Dome
