The episode focuses on early 2027 recruiting offers under the new staff (Jimmy Rogers era), with brief mentions of Dom Orange at the NFL Combine and a short Q&A.

• Intro & Setup (~0:00–2:00) Levi returns after a week off. Notes it's quiet February football news, so the focus shifts to early 2027 recruiting class offers. The new staff is essentially starting from scratch after the coaching change.

• Recruiting Philosophy Shift (~2:00–5:00) Previous staff (Matt Campbell era) heavily prioritized a ~6-hour radius around Ames (Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin) + strong Ohio ties and occasional Arizona/Florida picks. Very limited emphasis on Texas and deeper South. New staff shows clear geographic expansion, especially leveraging SEC footprint (Heckendorf & new OL coach from Auburn), Arizona (Jimmy Rogers), Texas/Houston (connections), and some Pac-12/West Coast holdovers.

• Position Group Offer Breakdown & Observations (~5:00–~35:00)

  • Quarterback Almost entirely SEC-footprint heavy: Tennessee, Alabama (multiple), Georgia (multiple). One outlier: Brody Rudnicki (Folsom, CA – possible Washington State tie). Clear sign of Heckendorf’s SEC connections.
  • Running Back Mix: Texas (multiple), Arizona, local Iowa (Isaiah Hanson – Levi likes his tape from Newton HS). Big name highlight: Landon Williams-Callis (TX) – premier 5-star back with massive stats (2,100+ yds / 43 TDs one season), offers from blue-bloods everywhere. Levi calls him potentially the best recruit Iowa State has ever signed if they land him (better than Lazard?), but acknowledges odds are very long.
  • Wide Receiver Continued Arizona/Texas push + some KC/St. Louis/Indiana/Ohio holdovers. Emphasis on speed/skill-position talent from talent-rich states.
  • Tight End Scattered: South Dakota, Arizona (Jimmy tie), Illinois, Tennessee, North Dakota (SDS ties).
  • Offensive Line / Tackle Mostly upper Midwest focus (Michigan, Kansas, Iowa – Rock Valley kid, Wisconsin brothers Hunter & Reese Mallinger, Nebraska, Illinois). Highlight: Will Slagle – local Iowa State fan who decommitted but hasn’t flipped to Penn State yet; still wears ISU gear in recent videos. Levi urges staff to prioritize him heavily.
  • Defensive Line / Edge First clear Washington State DNA: Denver/Colorado, Washington, Utah (Pac-12 territory), Florida, Texas. Notable: Troy Malo (Denver – very good offer list), Ujila Wolfgram (Utah).
  • Linebacker Minnesota, Arkansas, Ohio, Texas. Size notes: several 6'–6'2" 190–200 lb prospects (project to ~220–230 lb in college).
  • Secondary / DBs Heavy Texas & Georgia emphasis + Florida/Oklahoma. Speed focus clearly visible here. Notable: Blake Jenkins (Katy, TX), Tayshaun Poole (Omaha, high 4-star with blue-blood offers – possible re-entry into Omaha area).

• Overall Recruiting Patterns (~35:00–end) State offer leaders (early): Texas (11+), Illinois (6), Arizona (5), Kansas (5), Georgia (4), Iowa (4), Ohio (4). Much more selective than previous staff (far fewer total offers). Aggressive shots at high-end talent (5-stars like Landon Williams-Callis, high 4-stars like Tayshaun Poole). Playing time will be a major sell (especially RB, WR, secondary, some DL). Levi praises the staff for going where talent is produced instead of defaulting to regional comfort zones.

• Quick Hits & Closing Dom Orange (former Cyclone) interviewed at NFL Combine today → full discussion saved for post-Combine episode. Word around town: staff reportedly happy with winter workouts (limited insight since practices are closed). Junior Day (late May) + summer camps expected to bring many more offers (2027 & 2028 classes). Episode ends with appreciation for chat (shoutout Redbird), basketball mention (women’s senior night), and promise to return next week (likely Combine updates + depth chart projections).

The new staff is clearly expanding the geographic footprint — especially Texas (speed/skill), SEC South (QBs/talent depth), Arizona (head coach ties), and West/Pac-12 remnants — while still mining the upper Midwest for lines and linebackers. Early offers show ambition (multiple blue-chip targets) and strategic position-specific sourcing rather than blanket regional focus.

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Main Segments & Key Points

1. Intro & Context (0:00–2:00)
   • Short episode to allow time for ISU basketball games starting soon.
   • Triggered by Brett Yormark's tease of a "revolutionary" Big 12 announcement (originally expected that day, delayed to the next).
   • Levi speculates it might involve basketball (e.g., conference tournament format change or revenue-sharing tied to the Big 12 tournament).
2. Big 12 Philosophy & Positioning (2:00–5:00)
   • Praises Yormark's approach: stay ahead of the curve, zig when others zag, stand out as innovative.
   • Acknowledges occasional "kooky" ideas that don't stick, but respects the experimentation.
   • Big 12's unique challenge: solidify as clear #3 conference behind SEC & Big Ten (unrealistic to catch them in revenue/prestige), while staying ahead of the troubled ACC.
3. Jimmy Rogers Contract Delay (7:00–9:00 approx.)
   • Panic level: very low (~0.1/10).
   • Delay is normal (lawyer back-and-forth on tiny details); similar delays happened with Matt Campbell and T.J. Otzelberger.
   • Rogers wouldn't have built the transfer/recruiting class if there were real issues.
4. Core Proposal: Ways to Revolutionize Big 12 Football (main discussion ~9:00–23:00)
   • Idea 1: Spring exhibition games with revenue-sharing
     • Organize conference spring games (TV broadcast).
     • Revenue-sharing opportunity for players.
     • Options: individual matchups, or multi-game events (e.g., several games at Jerry World over a weekend).
     • Shorter format (e.g., 10-minute quarters), limited/no contact rules.
     • Puts Big 12 football on TV in spring → more exposure.
   • Idea 2: Replace the 12th regular-season game with a curated / seeded matchup (the big revolutionary idea)
     • Keep the non-con / OOC 12th game as originally scheduled.
     • Seed the entire 16-team conference 1–16 after the regular season (using existing tiebreakers).
     • Top 4 seeds play seeded on-campus "semifinal" games (still count as regular-season games) → winners advance to the conference championship in Arlington.
     • Teams 5–16 play the team seeded immediately adjacent (5 vs 6, 7 vs 8, etc.) → creates competitive, rivalry, or rematch games instead of blowouts.
     • Examples from recent seasons:
       • Holy War (Utah-BYU), Farmageddon rematch (ISU-KSU), Arizona-Arizona State, Colorado-Oklahoma State, etc.
       • Creates late-season playoff atmosphere, better TV matchups, more meaningful games, extra résumé-building opportunities for bubble teams.
     • Can be revenue-sharing opportunity (especially if neutral-site semifinals at Jerry World / Vegas / etc.).
     • Avoids over-relying on complex tiebreakers; lets teams play into the title game.
5. Other Ideas & Critiques (23:00–end of football talk)
   • Incentivize strong non-con scheduling — reward Power 5 wins (tiebreaker points? player revenue pool?) to improve Big 12 vs. P5 record narrative.
   • Skeptical of random overseas neutral-site games (logistics, jet lag, fan travel issues); prefers existing series like Nutri-Grain / Aer Lingus games (ISU-KSU in Ireland).
   • Big 12 already had strong non-con P5 record last year — build on that.
6. Basketball Quick Hits & Closing (final ~10–15 minutes)
   • Men's game at TCU that night: not "easy" (TCU solid, good wins/bad losses); last "breather" before brutal stretch (Kansas, Houston, @BYU , @Utah , Texas Tech, Arizona).
   • Realistic ceiling: 1-seed possible with strong finish (protect home court + 1–2 road wins); safe 2-seed very likely.
   • Women's game at BYU: on 5-game win streak after earlier skid; back in NCAA Tournament conversation; chance to climb to top-4 seed (host early rounds in Hilton).
   • Brief Q&A on ISU football transfers/recruits (e.g., Cameron Padaway's speed, linebacker rotation questions with Tristan Exline, Sullivan Schleiming, Carson Willich).

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• First "true off-season" episode with minimal recent news (team in winter workouts).
• Focus: Setting 2026 season goals for Iowa State Cyclones under new head coach Jimmy Rogers after major roster reset/transfer portal rebuild.
• Goals divided into three tiers: Minimum (direction positive even with disappointments), Realistic (fair expectations given raised standard + rebuild nature), Stretch (big year with bounces, quick cohesion, exceeding expectations).

1. 4-8 record + trending up in November
   • Win G5 games + a couple lesser Big 12/home games.
   • Play competitive football late season (echoing Matt Campbell's 2016: 3-9 but momentum built).
   • Avoid full reset; focus shifts to normal recruiting/development.
2. Top-50 defense (analytics/EPA/PFF-based, not just yards)
   • Achievable with current personnel (Bobby Terrell, Braden Alls, Tristan x-line, Zamir Hawk, etc.) + strong staff.
   • Last year's ~41st ranked defense as benchmark; top-50 is considered a floor.
3. No blowouts (avoid losses by 3+ scores / 17+ points routinely)
   • Maintain Matt Campbell-era standard of staying in games.
   • Top-50 defense should prevent true blowouts in most matchups.

1. 7-5 record + beat a rival
   • Beat either Iowa (road) or Kansas State (home, late-season).
   • Protect home field (7 home games), steal 1 road win.
2. Top-40 defense + top-50 offense (analytics/efficiency metrics)
   • Replicate last year's efficiency (~37th offense, ~41st defense).
   • Mobile QB (Jalen Rayner), emerging run game, and OL cohesion key for offense.
3. Top-60 recruiting class (high school + transfers combined)
   • Maintain Matt Campbell-era range (usually 50s–60s).
   • Leverage new staff Texas/Louisiana/Arizona connections; not a dramatic jump needed.

1. 10-2 record + Big 12 Championship Game appearance
   • No "unwinnable" game on schedule (even @BYU possible with ball control + turnovers).
   • Hypothetical path: Sweep G5s + home favorites (Utah, WVU, OSU, Cincinnati, K-State), upset road games (Iowa, BYU, Arizona), drop maybe 1–2 tough ones.
2. Jalen Rayner wins Big 12 Newcomer of the Year
   • Huge season with reduced turnovers + big mobility impact.
   • Would signal offense humming → supports 10-2 ceiling.
3. Jimmy Rogers wins Big 12 Coach of the Year
   • Likely if 8-4 or better; almost certain at 10-2/title game.
   • Competes with potential big turnarounds (e.g. Oklahoma State under new staff/QB, West Virginia).

• Fan expectations: Younger fans (conditioned to winning) may overreact to 4-8; older fans more patient given rebuild context.
• Roster notes: Defense floor appears high; offense ceiling tied to OL development + Rayner decision-making.
• Coaching stability: Levi not worried about Rogers leaving soon (views Iowa State as clear step up from Washington State; family/regional ties; not a "ladder climber").
• Potential coordinator turnover if big success, but staff depth (Ross Watson, Tyler Roehl experience) provides continuity.

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Key Topics Covered in the Episode

1. Malcolm Jones Transfer (Safety from Jacksonville State) The host discusses Jones as the program's latest (and possibly final) notable portal addition late in the cycle.
   • Background: Originally a 3-star high school recruit who committed to Michigan State, then transferred to Jacksonville State (recruited there by Rich Rodriguez), and now to Iowa State for his final year of eligibility.
   • PFF grades highlighted: Strong overall (plus defender in run defense, pass rush, and coverage), notably ranked as the #3 blitzing safety nationally in his conference.
   • Outlook: Seen as a high-quality, experienced depth piece to pair with other safeties (e.g., potentially Braden O'Alls). The host likes the pickup for its value this late, despite limited tape from a smaller school, emphasizing how PFF-style grades can translate across levels for smart, positionally sound defenders like safeties.
2. 2026 Football Schedule First Look & Analysis The bulk of the episode is a game-by-game breakdown of the schedule (non-conference + Big 12 slate), with early win/loss projections, matchup thoughts, and commentary on the transition to the Jimmy Rogers era (new staff, new schemes, mobile QB Jalen Rayner, rebuilt roster via portal). The schedule matches the officially released 2026 Iowa State football slate: Date (Approximate) Opponent Location Host's Quick Take / Projection Notes Sept 5 Southeast Missouri State (FCS) Home (Jack Trice) Easy opener/win; classic FCS warmup. Sept 12 at Iowa (Cy-Hawk rivalry) Away (Kinnick) Tough road environment; potential upset chance due to Iowa's QB transition (Hank Brown replacing Gronowski), limited film on new ISU defense, and Rayner's mobility (Iowa rarely sees dual-threat QBs). Host sees realistic upset potential. Sept 19 Bowling Green Home Should-win G5 game; bounce-back spot if Iowa loss occurs. Sept 26 Utah Home Tough Big 12 opener; Utah solid under new continuity, but home edge + Rayner mobility gives ISU a shot. Slight favorite to Utah depending on early season form. Oct 3 West Virginia Home Winnable; WVU overhauled offense via portal (e.g., QB Michael Hawkins from OU), but home advantage. Oct 10 at BYU Away Likely toughest game; brutal road environment, BYU strong last year. Host leans loss. Oct 17 Bye Week — Convenient rest after tough stretch. Oct 24 at Arizona Away (Tucson) Competitive; Arizona improved defense but offensive questions. Road win opportunity. Oct 31 Oklahoma State Home Should-win; OSU improved under new coach but low bar after poor prior year. Nov 7 at Baylor Away (Waco) Tricky; Baylor mediocre, Aranda possibly coaching for job → desperation factor. Doesn't love the venue. Nov 14 Cincinnati Home Revenge angle (from prior loss), but Cincinnati hit hard by portal/graduation. Should-win. Nov 21 at UCF Away (Orlando) Winnable; skeptical of UCF's hype ("overrated" venue/fanbase). Nov 28 Kansas State (Farmageddon) Home Rivalry finale (unless protected); K-State uncertain under new coach Colin Klein + Avery Johnson questions.
   • Overall Outlook: Host calls it "navigable" with many winnable games, especially protecting home field (only one early road game at Iowa). Notes ISU stays in-state for first five games.
   • Floor/Ceiling Projections: Floor ~4-8 (if things go wrong early/transition struggles); realistic 6+ wins easy (e.g., non-con + home games); ceiling 9-3 or even 10-2 with a couple upsets (e.g., at Iowa/Arizona/Baylor). Leans over/under around 7-7.5 personally (would take the over vs. Vegas ~5.5-6.5). Emphasizes no high expectations in Year 1—focus on progress, late-season improvement, and proof of concept under Rogers.
3. Men's Basketball Quick Update Brief mention at the end: Team at 18-2 (best start in program history), back on track after a mini skid, recent wins over Oklahoma State (x2) and UCF. Upcoming: Should win next four (Colorado, Kansas State, Baylor, TCU) before tougher stretch (Kansas/Houston, road BYU/Utah, etc.). Optimistic for high Big 12 seed and NCAA path.

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