{"id":980,"date":"2025-08-26T15:21:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T15:21:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/podcasts\/?p=980"},"modified":"2025-08-26T15:21:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T15:21:09","slug":"get-off-my-pylon-western-college-football-preview-with-tj-rives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/podcasts\/get-off-my-pylon-western-college-football-preview-with-tj-rives\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Off My Pylon: Western College Football Preview with TJ Rives"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Boise State vs. USF: Group of Five Clash with Playoff Stakes<\/h2>\n

One early storyline centers on Boise State. After UNLV\u2019s 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\u2019s not a College Football Playoff clash, but it\u2019s a Group of Five showdown that matters.<\/p>\n

Big XII Western Teams Set the Tone for 2025<\/h2>\n

The conversation also spotlighted the Big 12\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Utah, UCLA, and Arizona Highlight Early Season Tests<\/h2>\n

Utah and UCLA headline another compelling opener. Zemek pointed out that Utah\u2019s defensive line strength could expose UCLA\u2019s new-look offense, led by promising quarterback Nico Iamaleava. For Utah, it\u2019s all about whether transfer Devin Dampier can deliver consistency under center.<\/p>\n

The episode also touched on Arizona\u2019s hopes under Brent Brennan, Oregon\u2019s transition to Dante Moore at quarterback, Washington\u2019s need to finish drives, and USC\u2019s reliance on improved line play. Even Stanford\u2019s ugly loss to Hawaii made headlines as evidence of a long season ahead for the Cardinal.<\/p>\n

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\u2014and Get Off My Pylon<\/em> will be there every week<\/a> to keep it straight.
\nListen to “Get Off My Pylon: Western College Football Preview With TJ Rives” on Spreaker.<\/a>
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