Get Off My Pylon: Western College Football Preview with TJ Rives

College football is back, and the Get Off My Pylon podcast wasted no time diving into the most intriguing stories out West. Host Matt Zemek welcomed veteran broadcaster TJ Rives to break down week one matchups and set the stage for a season full of drama in the Big 12, Mountain West, and beyond.

Boise State vs. USF: Group of Five Clash with Playoff Stakes

One early storyline centers on Boise State. After UNLV’s shaky opener against Idaho State, the Broncos look like the Mountain West favorite. That makes their trip to Tampa to face USF on Thursday especially important. Rives, based in Tampa, noted the heat, humidity, and even potential thunderstorms could play a role. It’s not a College Football Playoff clash, but it’s a Group of Five showdown that matters.

Big XII Western Teams Set the Tone for 2025

The conversation also spotlighted the Big 12’s western schools. Kansas looked sharp in its win over Fresno State, while Arizona State enters 2025 with sky-high expectations. Sam Leavitt has the Sun Devils believing, and early games against Mississippi State, Texas State, and Baylor will reveal how serious a contender they are. Meanwhile, Colorado begins life after Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. Reeves expects the Buffaloes to hover around five or six wins, but week one against Georgia Tech will be a real barometer.

Utah, UCLA, and Arizona Highlight Early Season Tests

Utah and UCLA headline another compelling opener. Zemek pointed out that Utah’s defensive line strength could expose UCLA’s new-look offense, led by promising quarterback Nico Iamaleava. For Utah, it’s all about whether transfer Devin Dampier can deliver consistency under center.

The episode also touched on Arizona’s hopes under Brent Brennan, Oregon’s transition to Dante Moore at quarterback, Washington’s need to finish drives, and USC’s reliance on improved line play. Even Stanford’s ugly loss to Hawaii made headlines as evidence of a long season ahead for the Cardinal.

College football fans out West have waited all offseason, and as Zemek reminded listeners, the real fun begins now. From Boise to Tucson, Boulder to Los Angeles, the 2025 season is packed with storylines—and Get Off My Pylon will be there every week to keep it straight.
Listen to “Get Off My Pylon: Western College Football Preview With TJ Rives” on Spreaker.