<![CDATA[CFP - Natty Road 🏈]]>

<![CDATA[CFP - Natty Road 🏈]]>https://www.nattyroad.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-6rQ!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F55015a8b-a170-4258-9367-22bccde06f81_454x454.pngCFP - Natty Road 🏈https://www.nattyroad.comSubstackMon, 12 Oct 2026 09:30:59 GMT<![CDATA[Raiola test: Was USC game a fluke?]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/raiola-test-was-usc-game-a-flukehttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/raiola-test-was-usc-game-a-flukeWed, 07 Oct 2026 18:21:40 GMT

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EUGENE — Dylan Raiola 2.0 got his second chance last month at LA Coliseum. Now comes the part that matters.

With Oregon QB1 Dante Moore still in concussion protocol with no set return date, Raiola is preparing to start Saturday against No. 21 UCLA (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten).

Going 11-for-11 in garbage time against Portland State is cute. Taking over a top-tier Big Ten title contender with no safety net is a completely different beast.

The win over USC made a statement. Saturday’s UCLA game is the test that proves whether Raiola’s breakthrough is real.

Saturday won’t be about Raiola looking good in a box score. It’s about whether No. 13 Oregon (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) can keep pace in the conference race when QB1 is unavailable.

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]]><![CDATA[USC-Oregon matchup looks light on defense]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/usc-oregon-matchup-looks-light-onhttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/usc-oregon-matchup-looks-light-onWed, 23 Sep 2026 15:48:42 GMT

Graphic showing 2026 college football defensive stat leaders in sacks and tackles through Week 3. Deals on seats, fan gear, and premium college football coverage at www.NattyRoad.com — graphic: CFP and NattyRoad.com

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LOS ANGELES — Forget the Lincoln Riley vs. Dan Lanning hype. Saturday’s Big Ten showdown at the Coliseum between No. 12 USC and No. 20 Oregon isn’t a chess match. Doesn’t look like either team is playing much defense either.

This one might as well be a track meet; all gas, no brakes. USC brings the nation’s leading passer Jayden Maiava. Oregon put up 84 points last week against winless FCS Portland State. Both starting QBs are worthy of playoff ambitions, but this West Coast clash exposes two juggernaut offenses hiding dangerous defensive flaws.

A ranked vs. ranked Big Ten game really ought to come down to basic trench warfare. But that’s far from guaranteed in this one.

The first defense that finally finds a consistent pass rush or manages to start forcing red-zone stops would no doubt dominate. Otherwise, both teams score 40+ and the win goes to whoever has the ball last.

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]]><![CDATA[Ole Miss, Florida collide in early CFP reality check]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/ole-miss-florida-collide-early-cfphttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/ole-miss-florida-collide-early-cfpTue, 22 Sep 2026 13:44:03 GMT

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GAINESVILLE — Forget the warm-up games. The real SEC bloodbath starts right now.

No. 4 Ole Miss visits No. 21 Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium this Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) in a high-stakes SEC clash with early playoff stakes.

Both teams are 3-0. Both sit at 1-0 in conference play. But only one gets to maintain the inside track to a national championship.

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]]><![CDATA[Leaked: "The whole world hates you... Go f*ck yourself!"]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/leaked-the-whole-world-hates-youhttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/leaked-the-whole-world-hates-youThu, 10 Sep 2026 19:57:33 GMT

LSU coach Lane Kiffin during the Sept. 2026 LSU win over Clemson. Deals on seats, fan gear and premium college football news at www.NattyRoad.com — Pictured: LSU coach Lane Kiffin, photo: Lew-Imagn/Reuters

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BATON ROUGE — Yes, Buttercup, you are the drama.

First-year LSU coach Lane Kiffin wants you to believe the entire universe is conspiring against his football team. Even more so, he wants his players to believe him on that.

Saturday’s halftime audio leak revealed Kiffin roaring at his LSU squad that “the whole world hates you,” while holding a 31–3 lead over Clemson. “Take it out on them!” Kiffin said.

It’s vintage Kiffin: A manufactured siege mentality wrapped in high-octane theater.

There’s just one problem with that narrative. The world doesn’t hate LSU players. The hate Kiffin feels falls squarely at his feet, and it’s been his own fault long before he even took a call from LSU.

Any hate Lane Kiffin feels is his alone, 30 years into a coaching career defined by burning bridges, burning fan bases, “Joey Freshwater” cosplay at campus bars, and allegedly banging that Alabama booster’s wife.

Here’s the reality:

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]]><![CDATA[Oregon Football has a 'nice guy' problem]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/oregon-football-has-a-nice-guy-problemhttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/oregon-football-has-a-nice-guy-problemWed, 09 Sep 2026 13:45:40 GMT

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EUGENE — New season; same kind of start at Autzen Stadium. Oregon opens the preseason ranked sky-high, survives a September struggle game, and the college football universe cranks up the “overrated” narrative.

Dan Lanning’s Ducks have been efficient, explosive, and mostly businesslike since joining the Big Ten, 18-3 against conference opponents and only losing to the eventual national champs. But Natty Road isn’t paved with one-score wins over unranked Boise State year after year. National titles live in moments where a team decides to bury anyone and everyone in their playoff path.

Oregon’s national title aspirations demand something darker, and packing a sharper edge. Natty Road won’t run through Eugene until this program is done being “nice” about it.

Here’s how the Lanning-era numbers back this up:

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]]><![CDATA[2026 Natty Road runs through Columbus]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/2026-natty-road-runs-through-columbushttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/2026-natty-road-runs-through-columbusWed, 02 Sep 2026 13:44:32 GMT

Image of the CFP championship trophy on the field in Houston before Michigan's 2024 national title win over Washington. Deals on seats, fan gear, and premium college football coverage from www.NattyRoad.com — CFP championship trophy, Photo: Jenner/Getty

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COLUMBUS — This is not an era of your granddaddy’s SEC dominance. The Big Ten owns the last three national championships, taking the hardware with Michigan in 2023, Ohio State in 2024, and Indiana in 2025. Now, the conference is loading up for a fourth.

College football’s center of gravity has officially shifted. For the first time since 1961, the Big Ten holds the top two spots in the preseason AP Top 25. No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Oregon aren’t just hunting playoff berths. They are on a direct collision course for the sport’s biggest prize.

The SEC boasts nine preseason Top 25 teams to the Big Ten’s eight. Let them have the poll depth. When it comes to the heavy lifting required in the 12-team College Football Playoff era, the actual road to the Jan. 25 title game in Las Vegas runs straight through the Big Ten’s elite.

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]]><![CDATA[DO NOT set your wedding for a college football Saturday!]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/do-not-set-your-wedding-for-a-collegehttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/do-not-set-your-wedding-for-a-collegeTue, 01 Sep 2026 13:44:52 GMT

]]><![CDATA[Of course Kiffin hit the loophole, Power-4 pushing back]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/of-course-kiffin-hit-the-loopholehttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/of-course-kiffin-hit-the-loopholeThu, 27 Aug 2026 15:44:46 GMT

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin pictured during recent press availability. Deals on seats, fan gear, and premium college football coverage from www.NattyRoad.com — LSU head coach Lane Kiffin, photo: Freedman/Getty

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BATON ROUGE — Of course Lane Kiffin was the first guy running to the NFL salvage yard.

When a Louisiana court issued a temporary order granting a sudden fifth year of eligibility to 16 former college football players from the HS class of 2022, Kiffin didn’t hesitate.

These weren’t kids who stayed in college and went looking for another year. These were guys who declared for the Draft, signed pro contracts, and went to NFL training camps.

Kiffin operates in the gray. He always has. But this time, his hunt for a roster edge triggered a massive, non-negotiable crackdown from the most powerful conferences in the sport.

More on Kiffin’s latest character reveal:

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]]><![CDATA[QB awards aside, is Downs the best player in the Draft?]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/qb-awards-aside-is-downs-the-besthttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/qb-awards-aside-is-downs-the-bestTue, 14 Apr 2026 16:57:45 GMT Read more

]]><![CDATA[The question on Mauigoa: Strong side or blind side]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/the-question-on-mauigoa-strong-sidehttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/the-question-on-mauigoa-strong-sideTue, 07 Apr 2026 19:17:29 GMT

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PITTSBURGH — Three years as a starting right tackle at Miami. An 87.0 PFF pass-blocking grade. Two sacks, four quarterback hits, and nine hurries allowed across 557 pass-blocking snaps in 2025.

Francis Mauigoa has done everything right. His arm length came in at the 18th percentile among NFL tackles at the NFL Combine, and that is the only number anyone is still arguing about. The tape argues back. It has been doing so for three straight seasons.

The only unresolved question is which side of NFL O-Lines he anchors for the next decade.

Here’s the latest on his Draft stock:

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]]><![CDATA[Bailey pillaged the Big 12 to make himself a top 5 pick]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/bailey-pillaged-the-big-12-to-makehttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/bailey-pillaged-the-big-12-to-makeFri, 03 Apr 2026 19:34:33 GMT

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PITTSBURGH — He left Stanford for Lubbock and turned the Big 12 into his personal highlight reel. In 2025 at Texas Tech, David Bailey tied for first in all of FBS with 14.5 sacks, posted 19.5 tackles for loss, and earned the nation’s top EDGE Impact Score.

Bailey is No. 4 on Kiper’s big board. Betting markets list him as co-leader for the No. 3 pick at +255. Fox Sports analyst Geoff Schwartz calls him the best pure pass rusher in the class.

The only open question is which team gets him first.

Here’s the latest on his Draft stock:

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]]><![CDATA[Reese won't see many 1st-round picks pass him by]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/reese-wont-see-many-1st-round-pickshttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/reese-wont-see-many-1st-round-picksThu, 02 Apr 2026 13:44:17 GMT

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PITTSBURGH — Arvell Reese is 20 years old, already compared to Micah Parsons, and the Jets might not be able to say no.

Reese ran a 4.46 at the NFL Combine, played LB at Ohio State, and now declares himself an Edge rusher for the NFL Draft.

Mel Kiper ranks Arvell Reese No. 1 on his big board. WalterFootball can’t imagine slotting him lower than No. 2.

The Jets traded away Jermaine Johnson and Quinnen Williams, have a defense ranked 29th in EPA, and carry more than $100 million in dead money into 2026. Reese is the most logical answer to the Jets’ problems. He’s also, by most accounts, the most exciting defensive prospect in years.

Here’s the latest on his Draft stock:

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]]><![CDATA[Love bringing RB value back to the NFL Draft]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/love-bringing-rb-value-back-to-thehttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/love-bringing-rb-value-back-to-theTue, 31 Mar 2026 13:44:39 GMT

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PITTSBURGH — The position-value debate is real. Notre Dame product Jeremiyah Love is changing the conversation.

Love ran for 726 breakaway yards, scored 18 rushing touchdowns, and posted a 93.7 PFF rushing grade in 2025, all best in the Draft class.

ESPN’s Field Yates calls him his No. 2 overall prospect. Adam Schefter says the Love watch starts at No. 5 with the Giants and runs through No. 9.

Multiple NFL executives and scouts surveyed by ESPN believe Tennessee is his most likely destination. The question isn’t whether Love is elite. The question is whether the team drafting him believes it enough to take him in the top five.

Here’s the latest on his Draft stock:

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]]><![CDATA[After Heis-Mendoza, 2026 Draft loaded with power]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/after-heis-mendoza-2026-draft-loadedhttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/after-heis-mendoza-2026-draft-loadedFri, 27 Mar 2026 13:44:36 GMT

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PITTSBURGH — The 2026 NFL Draft class has a locked top and a contested middle, the kind of board that rewards preparation and punishes panic.

The QB question is a foregone conclusion. After that, the real draft begins: Edges who close, Tackles who travel, defenders who erase space. The teams that trust their grades when the market pressures them to blink will win the offseason.

2026 NFL Draft

Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park, Pittsburgh
TV: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network; Streaming: NFL+ NFL Draft Buzz
4-23-26: Round 1, 8pm ET | 6pm CT | 5pm PT
4-24-26: Rounds 2-3, 7pm ET | 5pm CT | 4pm PT
4-25-26: Rounds 4-7, Noon ET | 11am CT | 9am PT

Here’s how the first round is shaping up, heading toward the Draft:

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]]><![CDATA[The 10 biggest Draft-movers we'll watch at the Combine]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/the-10-biggest-draft-movers-wellhttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/the-10-biggest-draft-movers-wellTue, 17 Feb 2026 16:42:03 GMT

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INDIANAPOLIS — Look, the NFL Combine is a glorified track meet for the kind of dudes you don’t usually see in spandex, but for these ten guys, Indianapolis is about to become a stage for big-money moves on first-round Draft boards.

Some are already positioned, and the Combine is a chance to separate themselves. Others, if they have their best day in tests and drills, could send their Draft stock surging.

Starting on Feb. 23 in meeting rooms at Lucas Oil Stadium, 319 prospects will try to reshape their draft stock before the NFL Draft in April.
On-field drills and testing start Feb. 26, with live coverage on NFL+ and NFL Network.

The 2026 class is top-heavy with a few no-brainer Draft picks, but at many positions, the first-round air is already thin.

Here are our ten players most likely to make their moves at the Combine:

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]]><![CDATA[CFP: How these 5 impact players will decide the Natty]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/cfp-how-these-5-impact-players-willhttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/cfp-how-these-5-impact-players-willWed, 14 Jan 2026 23:38:56 GMT

Indiana Hoosiers and Miami Hurricanes football helmets facing off at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. “NattyRoad Impact Players” headline text. Deals on seats, fan gear, and premium college football coverage at www.NattyRoad.com — Buy NCAA Football tickets | VividSeats #ad

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MIAMI GARDENS — All gas, no brakes down Natty Road to the CFP title showdown at Hard Rock Stadium!

If you told us back in August that Indiana and Miami would collide for the CFP Championship, most college football geeks would have laughed. Yet here we are:

Hoosiers are undefeated, unafraid, and tremendously disciplined.
Hurricanes are battle-tested, hungry, and explosive.

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Natty Road so far:

Indiana’s 56–22 Peach Bowl domination of Oregon showcased the Hoosiers’ offense in total command.

Miami’s journey was pure cinema! From nearly being seeded out of the bracket last month to the instant classic vs. Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl.

Here are my five Natty Road impact players poised to pop off in the CFP title game and decide the national championship:

Natty Road impact players

Check out these five players poised to decide the CFP Championship.

]]><![CDATA[CFP: Standing on my Natty pick from Round 1]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/cfp-standing-on-my-natty-pick-fromhttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/cfp-standing-on-my-natty-pick-fromTue, 13 Jan 2026 19:49:03 GMT

College Football Playoff bracket graphic showing Indiana advancing to the national championship game against Miami, with earlier rounds featuring Oregon, Alabama, Ole Miss, Georgia, Ohio State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, James Madison, Tulane, and Texas A&M, and noting the championship game on January 19 on ESPN. Deals on seats, fan gear, and premium College Football coverage at www.NattyRoad.com — Buy NCAA Football tickets | VividSeats #ad

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]]><![CDATA[CFP Semifinals & my early Natty prediction]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/cfp-semifinals-and-my-early-nattyhttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/cfp-semifinals-and-my-early-nattyMon, 05 Jan 2026 17:58:31 GMT

College Football Playoff bracket graphic showing first round, quarterfinals, semifinals, and national championship path with Oregon vs Indiana and Ole Miss vs Miami in the semifinals, winners advancing to the CFP National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium alongside the CFP trophy. Deals on seats, fan gear, and premium college football coverage at www.NattyRoad.com — Buy NCAA Football tickets | VividSeats #ad

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]]><![CDATA[CFP Quarterfinals & way early Natty picks]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/cfp-quarterfinals-and-way-early-nattyhttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/cfp-quarterfinals-and-way-early-nattyTue, 23 Dec 2025 00:03:25 GMT

College Football Playoff bracket graphic showing first-round results and quarterfinal matchups, with Oregon vs Texas Tech, Alabama vs Indiana, Ole Miss vs Georgia, and Miami vs Ohio State, leading toward semifinals and the national championship trophy on the right side of the image. Deals on seats, fan gear, and premium college football coverage at www.NattyRoad.com — Buy NCAA Football tickets | VividSeats #ad

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]]><![CDATA[Way too early Natty matchup predictions]]>https://www.nattyroad.com/p/way-too-early-natty-matchup-predictionshttps://www.nattyroad.com/p/way-too-early-natty-matchup-predictionsThu, 18 Dec 2025 00:02:09 GMT

College Football Playoff 12-team bracket graphic showing first-round, quarterfinal, semifinal, and national championship paths, featuring James Madison vs Oregon, Alabama vs Oklahoma, Tulane vs Ole Miss, Miami vs Texas A&M, with Texas Tech, Indiana, Georgia, and Ohio State seeded into the quarterfinals and the CFP trophy displayed on the right. Deals on seats, fan gear and premium college football coverage from www.NattyRoad.com — Buy NCAA Football tickets | VividSeats #ad

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